DX LISTENING DIGEST 19-03, January 15, 2019 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 2018 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 1965 contents: Bhutan, Bolivia, Bougainville, Brasil, Cuba, France, Greece, Hawai`i, India, Madagascar, Mongolia, Oklahoma, Romania, Russia, Turkey, USA, Vietnam non, Zanzibar; WRTH 2019 ordering; and the propagation outlook SHORTWAVE AIRINGS of WORLD OF RADIO 1965, January 15-21, 2019 Tue 0030 WRMI 7730 [1964 replayed] Tue 2030 WRMI 7780 [1964 replayed] Wed 0930 Unique 5045-LSB NSW Australia low-power Wed 1030 WRMI 5950 Wed 2200 WRMI 9955 [confirmed] Wed 2200 WBCQ 7490v [confirmed] Thu 0100 WRMI 7780 Fri 0930 Unique 5045-LSB NSW Australia low-power Sat 0730 HLR 6190-CUSB Hamburger Lokalradio Sat 0930 Unique 5045-LSB NSW Australia low-power [alt weeks Jan 19?] Sat 1200 Unique 5045-LSB NSW Australia low-power Sat 1200 WINB 9265 via Unique Radio [not on air] Sat 1230 WRMI 9955 Sat 1531 HLR 9485-CUSB Hamburger Lokalradio [almost confirmed] Sat 2030v WA0RCR 1860-AM Sat 2200 WRMI 9955 [confirmed] Sun 0400v WA0RCR 1860-AM [nominal 0415; confirmed] Sun 0830 WRMI 5850 5950 7730 [5950 confirmed] Sun 1130 HLR 7265-CUSB Hamburger Lokalradio Sun 2130 WRMI 7780 [confirmed] Mon 0230 WRMI 5950 9395 [confirmed] Mon 0400v WBCQ 5130v-AM Area 51 [confirmed] Mon 0430 WRMI 9955 [confirmed] Mon 0930 Unique 5045 NSW Australia low-power Mon 2330 WRMI 9955 [confirmed] [similar schedule for WOR 1966, January 22-28] 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 MORE PODCAST ALTERNATIVES, tnx to Keith Weston: https://blog.keithweston.com/2018/11/22/world-of-radio-podcast/ feedburner: http://feeds.feedburner.com/GlennHausersWorldOfRadio NEW via tunein.com: http://bit.ly/tuneinwor itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/glenn-hausers-world-of-radio/id1123369861 AND via Google Play Music: http://bit.ly/worldofradio 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 IMPORTANT NOTICE!!!! WOR IO GROUP: Effective Feb 4, 2018, DXLD yg archive and members have been migrated to this group: https://groups.io/g/WOR [there was already an unrelated group at io named dxld!, so new name] From now on, the io group is primary, where all posts should go. One may apply for membership, subscribe via the above site. DXLD yahoogroup: remains in existence, and members are free to COPY same info to it, as backup, but no posts should go to it only. They may want to change delivery settings to no e-mail, and/or no digest. The change was necessary due to increasing outages, long delays in posts appearing, and search failures at the yg. Why wait for DXLD issues? A lot more info, not all of it appearing in DXLD later, is posted at our io group without delay. DX LISTENING DIGEST IN PDF, HTML VERSIONS Jacques Champagne in Ville-Marie, Québec, has developed programs to convert DXLD .txt into PDF and HTML versions for his own use, and now has made them available to the rest of us. Starting with 18-24, they have been posted as attachments to the WOR iog. And now also posted on our website. INTRODUXION to DXLD in HTML and PDF: http://www.worldofradio.com/DXLDformats.htm HTML and PDF versions converted by Jacques Champagne are now also posted shortly for open access: http://www.w4uvh.net/dxld1903.html http://www.w4uvh.net/dxld1903.pdf Thanks also to Jacques for assisting with formatting of .txt original ** AFGHANISTAN. Of noteworthy, I can note the reception on January 6th Radio Afghanistan in Russian at 6100. I heard the very end of the program, at 1726. The announcer said: "Our program ends here." Next came the Afghan song. The signal is weak, but it would be possible to hear. However, it interferes with China Radio International in English, it blocks completely. In this case, the very fact that the programs are in Russian is interesting (Vasily, Russia / “open_dx” via Rus-DX Jan 13 via DXLD) Afghanistan is nominally represented on the HF-air with four half-hour programs following each other (1530-1730: English / Urdu / Arabic / Russian); Ivo Ivanov observes them regularly, and it often happens that even before the end of the Urdu program they are not able to pull down. And in WRTH-2019, the last two broadcasts are marked as irregular. Apparently, this is the result of a power outage; and if the transmitter is powered by a generator - maybe the fuel rate is not enough? (Dmitry Mezin, Kazan, Russia / “open_dx” via Rus-DX Jan 13 via DXLD) ** ALASKA. 850, KICY Nome, JAN 3, 0558 - Weak but very listenable at times mixing with KOA, parallel web stream. Local college student Jason gave an ID about 45 seconds after the top of the hour, then they aired less than a minute and a half of an SRN newscast, and returned to start the third hour of their locally-produced music program: "Welcome to another edition of Singspiration. I'm Bertha Koweluk. Thanks for joining us as we bring you music recorded by your friends, neighbors and relatives right here in Western Alaska." 2987 miles. New, AK #2, the other being 890 KBBI over 30 years ago! Station #1454 from home. Email verie already received. JAN 4 0558 - Even better signal tonight, actually stomping all over KOA for several minutes at a time. Tonight they ran a full 5-minute SRN newscast (including network ads) at the top of the hour, then returned to the "Singspiration" program at 0605 (about 3 minutes later than last night) with the same introduction as the previous night. I kept recording for another 10 minutes, and the local church music just kept getting stronger and stronger. Anybody who lives along the Pacific coast (or can put a dent in KOA) needs to try for this one when the space weather is favorable (Tim Hall, Chula Vista CA; Perseus, SDR-IQ, 600-ft unterminated Beverage aimed south/southeast-north/northwest, NRC IDXD Jan 11 via DXLD) ** ALBANIA [non]. 1950 US-funded offshore radio project to beam propaganda to Albania --- A new addition to the Broadcasting Fleet. Richard Cummings excellent ColdWarRadio blogspot, mostly about Radio Free Europe/Liberty, has two recent posts about a US government funded offshore radio project to beam propaganda into Albania in 1950. A boat was bought and test transmissions made: Part One: https://coldwarradios.blogspot.com/2019/01/when-best-laid-schemes-go-askew-project.html Part Two, how it all went wrong https://coldwarradios.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-best-laid-schemes-of-mice-and-men.html The CIA documentation associated with project BGSPEED and used in the blogposts is at the link below. There were broadcast tests after the vessel reached Greece as well as in the US on a cruise to Miami. Document 0029: "extensive broadcast testing in the eastern Mediterranean area." Document 0027: "Subsequent tests in the actual area of operation produced completely negative results. Although careful and repeated operating tests were run under every conceivable condition with the single exception that the distance never exceeded 300 miles, no satisfactory signals were detected beyond ground wave distance (50 6-65 miles)." Among problems noted in document 0021 were "Personal experience shows that seasick announcer makes bad impression." http://bit.ly/2VOdYHi (Mike Barraclough, Letchworth Garden City, UK, Jan 12, WOR iog via DXLD) Interesting articles. The whole BGSPEED project looks silly, considering low transmitter power and small yacht/ship. I wonder if the power of 1 kW in the CIA reports is correct. One would think some 10 kW to be a minimum for such an operation. Here's a better photo of the Juanita (click to enlarge) and some history of the yacht itself http://www.navsource.org/archives/14/31357.htm 73, (Jari Savolainen, Finland, Jan 12, WOR iog via DXLD) ** ANGUILLA. 6090, University Network (presumed); 0118, 1/9; Robustly Behootered Rev. Barbie Reminiscing Belatedly abut a fishing trip with Dr. Scott. Sed they caught one fish in 5 hrs. S20 peaks with xmtr hum (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 185' RW, ---- All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! ----, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA. 6935-AM. UNID. Enero 12. 0105-0122 UT. Música. A las 0120, transmisión de imagen sstv. SINPO: 35232 (Claudio Galaz; Receptor: TECSUN PL 660; Antena: Hilo de 30 metros de largo; Lugar de escucha: Ovalle, IV Región, Chile, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) ** ASCENSION [and non]. 7345even, BBC WS English, classical music program, and Star Wars song mentioned, S=9+25dB, but suffered by ROMANIA, RRI European sces in English 0630-0700 UT and German at 0700 UT CO-CHANNEL!! Very bad fq selection request by ENC - Encompass Digital Media Services, replacing Babcock-UK and RadioCom Romania FMO's at the B-18 HFCC conference. Lots of nearby empty frequency channels seen in 41 meterband at same time [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Bueschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. Quentin Kenihan's last radio recordings for show Big to be broadcast on ABC - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-05/quentin-kenihan-last-radio-recordings-to-be-broadcast-on-abc/10683220 (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. It looks like ABC resurrection is still not a completely dead topic: https://www.radioworld.com/columns-and-views/will-abc-shortwave-broadcasts-really-be-restored (Rodney Johnson, Jan 15, http://swldx.tumblr.com WOR iog via DXLD)Viz: Will ABC Shortwave Broadcasts Really Be Restored? lan Hughes Jan 14, 2019 There is no sign the Australian broadcaster’s high frequency broadcasts will be back on anytime soon PERTH, Australia — In response to the article ``Opposition Will Restore Shuttered ABC Shortwave Broadcasts``, the CEO and board chairperson who made the decision to switch-off the last remaining domestic and international shortwave broadcasts are now no longer with the ABC. They claimed a lack of listeners and use of obsolete technology. They did not promote the shortwave service, consult the listeners or try using the modern technology of Digital Radio Mondiale on the Tennant Creek transmitter. They also stated that remote listeners could listen to the viewer accessed satellite television service, low powered FM and AM or mobile phone. This claim ignores the need to accurately point a VAST dish on a moving vehicle, and it’s virtually impossible therefore to reach all potential listeners, since both low-power FM and mobile phones have a typical coverage area diameter of 10 kilometers (approximately six miles). One could easily drive the whole day with no live radio/cell phone coverage. Domestic satellite phones do not have data capacity for streaming and phone calls cost USD 0.36 per connection and USD 0.71 for 30 seconds of voice. The sat phone must have a clear view of the sky and will not work in heavy rain. The ABC maintained that the money saved from shutting down the broadcasts would be used to install medium power DAB+ digital radio into Canberra, Hobart and Darwin, all of which have good analog radio coverage. It did not mention that up to 600,000 listeners might not be able to access live radio once they are mobile. The ABC’s transmitter contractor Broadcast Australia only knows the current status of all of the closed shortwave transmitters. The fate of the ABC’s international shortwave broadcasts rests with Department of Communications. Their issued paper and submissions can be found here. The Department has yet to publish the resulting recommendations to the Government. The Australian Labor Party’s media release makes no mention of Radio Australia. Much of inland Australia has no cell phone coverage the only option is shortwave radio. Australia has a couple of two-way radio manufacturers. Their shortwave transceivers can be used like telephones and do not require expensive satellite time. Most four-wheel drive vehicles and fishing boats in remote Australia use these transceivers for communications including during emergencies, to phone for example the Royal Flying Doctor Service in the case of an emergency. The receiver section of these transceivers can also receive broadcast shortwave signals on AM. These software designed radios can be easily upgraded for Digital Radio Mondiale reception. At the time of the switch off, the CEO tried to play down ABC’s role as Australia’s emergency broadcaster, a fact they promote on their own radio broadcasts — Northern Australia is subject to cyclones, floods, tsunamis and bushfires. The ABC could have used their DRM transmitters to radiate the Emergency Warning System, which would automatically wake the radio switch to the audio channel containing a loud voice warning, and provide maps and detailed text instructions. Shortwave AM reception during the monsoon is noisy because of the lightning, whereas DRM can be heard in noise free stereo, provide there is sufficient signal strength from a transmitter outside of the monsoon zone. When a shortwave AM transmitter is switched to DRM the expensive electricity consumption drops by 67 percent. The ABC needs to recognize the 600,000 remote residents as potential audience and provide them with clear radio regardless of where they are by using modern DRM technology. They will also need to promote the broadcasts. Alan Hughes is a technical author and broadcasting industry consultant (via Artie Bigley, OH, DXLD) ** AZORES. 6628/USB, Santa Maria ATC, Azores; 2126, 1/10; “This is Santa Maria Radio” to squawks; told /c to use 3491 as 2ndy. VGood copy! (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 185' RW, ---- All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! ----, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BHUTAN. 6035, BBS, 0946-1046*, Jan 13. Well above the norm; level of reception made for entertaining listening; all in English; 0946-1020 with mostly non-stop Western pop songs (Bruno Mars with "Marry You," etc.); 1020-1030 interview about women's issues ("and with that I would like to wrap up this interview. Is there anything at all you would like to say?"), but not very readable; 1033+ back to Western pop songs in English; cut off in mid-song; early cut off; no PBS Yunnan QRM. Sample of my reception today - https://app.box.com/s/7mm8lzkagq7bch1eyegsptdblfpqpyhx 6035, BBS, 1023-1109* UT, Jan 15. All in English; 1023-1040 monologue; 1040-1044 announcers; 1044-1100 non-stop Western pop songs; 1100 till cut off at 1109*, with the news (went off just after the news ended); not quite readable. Seems to go off rather early these days and at various times (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. 5936. R. YURA. Enero 10. 2336-2359 UT. Música serrana, luego avisos de la emisora. Desde las 2352, solamente queda la portadora al aire. SINPO: 34333 con desvanecimiento permanente de señal e interferencia provenientes de 5940, R. Voz Missionaria de Brasil (Claudio Galaz; Receptor: TECSUN PL 660; Antena: Hilo de 30 metros de largo; Lugar de escucha: Ovalle, IV Región, Chile, condiglista yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. 5952.4, Radio Pio XII, Siglo XX, 0001-0018, 12-01, Spanish, comments, songs. Very weak, only audible on LSB. 132111 [sic]. (Méndez) 6134.8, Radio Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 0003-0020, 12-01, Spanish, comments. Very weak, barely audible. Aparecida out of air. 14321 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Log in Friol, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DXLD) ** BOUGAINVILLE. 3325, NBC Bougainville (Maus Blong Sankamap), 1127-1142*, Jan 12. DJ in Pidgin with pop Western songs and also Pacific Islands songs; cut off in mid-song; after cut off, only a very weak Voice of Indonesia carrier heard (unusable signal today). During my absence, surprised not more reports of NBC here (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DXLD) ** BRAZIL. I am surveying the ZYs on 9 and 11 MHz in the nightmiddle: 11815.014, Jan 9 at 0613, VP assumed R. Brasil Central. This one is the winner for closeness to nominal frequency. 11855.915 and audibly wobbling, Jan 9 at 0614, some Portuguese talk from R. Aparecida, S3-S6. This one varies a lot, sometimes above 11856. Only other signals on 25 mb are JBACs from N Korea 11680, 11710, 11735; Cuban jamming or RHC on 11860, 11930, 12000. 9664.686, Jan 9 at 0618, R. Voz Missionária is S5-S7. But many other 31m stations are inaudible, presumed off, approx.: 9819-, 9725+, 9675-, 9630+. Maybe SRDA 9565- is still there under the stupid Cuban jamming. 9725 and 9675 have been gone for some weeks, but 9819 was heard not long ago, and 9630.5 is usually there. The other ZYs listed in WRTH 2019 without daggers or double-daggers, I never hear; perhaps some still active at more limited dayparts, not overnight: 11935, 11915, 11895, 11780, 11765, 9550, 9515; most likely off-frequency if ever running (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. Jorge Freitas, Bahia, replies to my survey of 25 & 31m ZYs: ``Hi Glenn, 11915, R Gaúcha, closed 11895, R Legião da Boa Vontade, on 11780, RNA off (Without definition) 11765, closed 9550, R Boa Vontade, on 9515, off (I believe it closed) 9565, Super Rádio Deus é Amor, on 9675, Canção Nova, off (I believe it closed)`` (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. Interesting that Radio Nacional da Amazonia's website now mentions its frequency. It sets a dot as if the frequency were MHz but mentions kHz on the link http://radios.ebc.com.br/nacionalamazonia See: Rádio Nacional da Amazônia 11.780KHz, 6.180KHz It doesn't mention the power of their transmitter. AOKI says it is 100 kW, according to Wolfi it is 250 kW. I am not an expert in the latino scene, so I am unable to confirm which power output is the most probable and the possibility to hear it here in Hungary is not very good (Tibor Gaal, Budapest, Hungary, WOR iog via DXLD) Some UnAmericans employ commas and periods backwards as decimals. I always try to correct these for consistency. BTW, to facilitate searching later, always report MW and SW frequencies as kHz not MHz with no decimals unless precise into the Hz range. While I`m at it: it is NOT NECESSARY to write ``kHz`` after every frequency, nor ``UTC`` after every time. Only specify timezone if it be something else, or at least establish UT by ONE first reference in the item. Furthermore, UT is sufficient --- it is irrelevant for our non-scientific purposes whether it be coordinated or not. I am constantly taking out the C, the kHzs or the redundant UTCs to reduce clutter. Yet unlike some DX editors I request and do not demand everyone conform to my standards (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) 11780, RNA volta a transmitir. 11 Jan a 0013, o sinal é bom com leve QRM desde a CRI na mesma frequência. 73 (Jorge Freitas, Blog: https://dxlogfreitas.blogspot.com/ Feira de Santana Bahia 12°14´S 38°58´W - Brasil, Tecsun PL-310ET, Antenna Delta Loop 8.5 meters, WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 11780.008 kHz, S=9+20dB in NJ-US state, 0037 UT Jan 11. Music program. 250 kW ZYE365 R. Nacional da Amazonia, Brasilia DF http://radios.ebc.com.br/nacionalamazonia 11815.021 kHz, S=4 -96dBm fluttery at 0042 UT Jan 11. 7.5 kW ZYE440 R. Brasil Central, Goiania GO 11855.823 kHz, S=6 -91dBm just fair, at 0115 UT on Jan 11 hopping 5 Hertz up and down, not stable, 1 kW ZYE954 R. Aparecida, Aparecida SP https://www.a12.com/radio https://www.a12.com/radio-am https://onlineradiobox.com/br/aparecida/?cs=br.aparecida&played=1 11915, R. Gaucha, Pt.o Alegre RS, nothing. 9564.913 kHz, Super Rádio Deus é Amor, 0050 Jan 11. Threshold weak. (20 kW) ZYE727, Curitiba PR 9630.496 kHz, S=4 Threshold weak and tiny, 0052 UT Jan 11. (10 kW) ZYE954 R. Aparecida, Aparecida SP, probably to control on https://www.a12.com/radio https://www.a12.com/radio-am https://onlineradiobox.com/br/aparecida/?cs=br.aparecida&played=1 9664.683 kHz, 0055 UT Jan 11, S=4-5 (10 kW) ZYE890 "a melhor estacao, Radio Voz Missionaria", Camboriu SC Probably ? : 9674.932 ZYE971 R. Cancao Nova Cachoeira Paulista SP ?? or CNR1 ? at 0058 UT on Jan 11. 9818.729 kHz, S=4-5 weak and tiny, 0104 UT Jan 11 (10 kW) ZYR96 R. Nove de Julho, Sao Paulo SP [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Bueschel df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 11, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 11780, Jan 11 at 1938, RNA is reactivated here, Brazuguese at S9-S6 (and no 11775 Anguilla to bother). First reported by Jorge Freitas, Bahia, ``11780 RNA volta a transmitir. 11 Jan às 0013, o sinal é bom com leve QRM desde a CRI na mesma frequência``. Then Wolfgang Bueschel measured it at 0037 on 11780.008. http://radios.ebc.com.br/nacionalamazonia I hear 11780 again at 0002 Jan 12, S9+10/20 with TC for 10:03, ID only for EBC, 300 kW on 980. Nothing on 6180 as RNA continues to employ only one transmitter. This alleviates the collision with China-via- Cuba. 11780 sked is probably about 10-02 UT, like 6180 had been, i.e. 8 am to midnight in EBDST. 0159 recheck, 11780 still on good, but signing off a program, 0200 ``meia-noite`` TC and into news of Bolsinaro (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11780, Radio Nacional da Amazonia, Brasilia, 1957-2005, 11-01, Portuguese, program "Reporter Amazonia". Nothing on 6180. 45444 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Log in Friol, WOR iog via DXLD) [and non]. Great, thanks, Manuel, for this tip! For years, RNA 11780 was a strong signal daily in western North America and I loved listening to them whilst I was out desert-walking with one of my many portable SW radios. I just took a short walk out into the field behind my property to get away from the noise and birdies here, and RNA is poor-to-fair in Brazilian Portuguese with a female announcer here in California at 2048 UT - 11 January, with just a Sony ICF-SW7600GR and its telescoping whip fully extended. Follow-up to my earlier reporting of RNA weaker at 2048 UT: 11780 RNA Brazil became very strong with excellent audio-quality by the time I went out and took a 3 km walk out in the desert outside Keeler (at 2230 UT) but by 0000 UT (12 Jan.) they are being clashed by what sounds like a CRI relay with a bit of long-path echo and maybe about an 8 Hz SAH. 73 - (Steve McGreevy -- N6NKS - http://www.auroralchorus.com -- all of my DXing is done real-time with traditional (non-SDR) receivers --, WOR iog via DXLD) Yes, Jinhua site, 500 kW at 59 degrees, 00-01 UT only; HFCC has nothing else on 11780 at 17-24 --- not even RNA, as Brasil refuses to participate despite its numerous but declining SW stations (gh, DXLD) RECEPTION IN SÃO BERNARDO SP, BRAZIL. Rx: KiwiSDR (São Bernardo) + Mini Whip Antenna (PA0RDT Standard). 11780 kHz, Radio Nacional, Brasilia DF, via Radio Nacional da Amazonia, Portuguese, 11/01 2058. News bulletin 'Nacional informa'. On 2100 UT, 'A Voz do Brasil', the one hour Brazilian government News bulletin transmitted (obrigatory!) via all MW, SW and FM frequencies. A poor signal from RNA at this time. No signal in // on 6180 kHz, the other RNA usual frequency. 25332 (Rudolf Grimm, São Bernardo SP, BRAZIL, http://dxways-br.blogspot.com YouTube Channel: GrimmSBC, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) 11780, Radio Nacional Amazônia in Portuguese 2350 UT Jan 11 with phone interview. Very Good to Excellent. 73 (Mick Delmage, Sherwood Park, AB, Rx: Perseus SDR. Ant: Wellbrook ALA 100 loop, WOR iog via DXLD) 11780, Radio Nacional da Amazonia on air again, 1030-1048, 12-01, Portuguese, female, comments, ID "Radio Nacional da Amazonia", at 1046: "8 e 46", Brazilian songs. 25332 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Log in Friol, WOR iog via DXLD) RECEPTION IN SÃO BERNARDO SP, BRAZIL --- Rx: KiwiSDR (São Bernardo) + Mini Whip Antenna (PA0RDT Standard). 11780 kHz: Radio Nacional da Amazônia, Brasília DF, Portuguese, 12/01 1315. Communication by female voice. 'Programa "Ponto de Encontro"'. Brazilian music, phone-in from North of Brazil listeners. 45554. The best RNA signal at 11780 kHz is back. However, when the 25m frequency is active, 6180 kHz is off, and when 6180 kHz is on-air, 11780 kHz doesn't work (Rudolf Grimm, São Bernardo SP, BRAZIL, http://dxways-br.blogspot.com YouTube Channel: GrimmSBC, HCDX via DXLD) Radio Nacional da Amazonia on air on both frequencies, 2100-2110, 15-01, program "A Voz do Brasil", 11780 cut off abruptly at 2105, and returns at 2108 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Log in Lugo, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DXLD) ** BRAZIL. Glenn, Here's what I can comment after my observations, some of which have just been posted at Radioescutas yg: 19m 15190, R. Inconfidência. Regular, I suppose. Maybe propagation gives the idea it's not. 25 m 11735, RTM. Last observed in Sep'18, I think. 11765v, SRDA. Off for a long time. 11780, RN da Amaz. I don't usually monitor this one, but is off for some time. 11815, R. Brasil Central. Was off for a brief period, then came back, but audio is annoyingly weak, and I think that's because of a lower modulation level, surely to save valves life, so not weaker audio coming from the studios as // 4985 is normal. 11855v, R. Aparecida. Usually on, but was observed off on some days; some days too, with weak audio on all channels. 11895v, R. Boa Vontade. Seems to be regular. 11915, R. Gaúcha. Last obs'ed. in Feb'18. 11925, R. Bandeirantes. Last obs'ed almost 2 years ago. 11935v, R. Evangelizar. Last obs'ed. in Sep'18. 31 m 9515, R. Marumby. Regular. 9550, R. Boa Vontade. Audible whenever QRM permits, so maybe regular too. 9565v, SRDA. Regular. 9585v, ditto. Last obs'ed. more than a year ago. Usually stronger than // 9565v. 9630v, R. Aparecida. See 11855v. 9665v, R. Voz Missionária. Regular. 9675, R. Canção Nova. Last obs'ed years ago.* 9685, R. Rio Mar. Last obs'ed. years ago. 9725, R. Evangelizar. Last obs'ed. in Sep'18. 9820v, R 9 de Julho. Regular. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, Jan 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) *Searching 9674.9 - last log found from Feb 2018: ``9674.9, Radio Cançao Nova, Cachoeira Paulista, 2102-2115, 23-02, Portuguese, religious comments, “A Cançao Nova apresenta...”, “Radio Cançao Nova”. 34433 (Méndez) On July 16, 2018, Manuel mentioned it had been out of air for more than two months (gh, DXLD) ** BRAZIL. Checked the daytimers in Brazil on the remote KiwiSDR unit in nearby Paraguay at 1700 UT on Jan 14, and also on remote Perseus SDR in MA-US state installation at 0840 UT on Jan 14. 4915.123, probably (10 kW) ZYF691 R. Daqui, Goiania GO, S=6 poor at 08.40 UT on Jan 14. http://www.facebook.com/daquigoiania 11815.031, weak S=5 in MA, at 0854 UT, underneath also co-channel NHK Yamata Japanese on even 11815 kHz. 9564.910, S=7 at 0902 UT. 9630.496, S=5-6 poor at 0904 UT. 9664.671, Heavy QRM co-channel of 9665even fq from D.P.R. Korea KCBS Pyongyang, S=9+10dB via Arctic-Siberia path at 0908 UT. 9818.706, but heavy strong CNR2 Xian site co-channel on 9820 kHz, at S=9+20dB level. Checked the d a y timer in Brazil on the remote KiwiSDR unit in nearby Paraguay at 1700 UT on Jan 14; 9515, sermon in Portuguese on KiwiSDR Paraguay proxy at 17.00 UT, S=9 -73dBm 9555, canciones, corazon, Port, S=8 -79dBm 9565, Port., S=9 -70dBm. 9630, Port., padre sermon at 1712 UT, "Parecida" heard often. 9664.6, Port, S=9+10dB -65dBm. 5939v, Port, sermon, S=8 or -80dBm 6080v, Port, sermon, S=8-9 or -69dBm. 6105.3, UNID. signal threshold -89dBm. 11815.019, BRA S=9 or -74dBm. re GH report: "11855.915 and audibly wobbling", yes 2 or 3 audio distortion strings visible at 1730 UT in Paraguay. ZYE954 Radio Aparecida, Aparecida SP. Audio NOT CLEAN. 11895v BRA S=9+5dB or -71dBm. [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Bueschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BULGARIA [and non]. SWRG#82 - sonogram + HTML http://www.rhci-online.net/radiogram/SW_Radiogram_2019-01-12.htm#SWRG (roger, Jan 13, WOR iog via DXLD) Same page, illustrated, also reports on the week`s other beeperies. One should check his page every week (gh, DXLD) See also USA: WINB ** CANADA. 218 kHz, Jan 11 at 0657 UT, ND beacon RL and dash: 975 watts from Red Lake, Ontario. 223 kHz, Jan 11 at 0658 UT, beacon YYW and dash, 1000 watts from Armstrong, Ontario. 233 kHz, Jan 11 at 0659, beacon QN and dash, 500 watts from Nakina, Ontario; all per http://dxinfocentre.com/ndb.htm All three places are too insignificant to be indexed in my State Farm Rand McNally atlas. Not surprising, since there is no complete map of Ontario! cutting off the great north, all three too far into it. Nakina and Armstrong are both not too far north of Thunder Bay and Lake Superior. Red Lake is NNE of Kenora (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thanks, Glenn, for the three Ontario NDB logs -- all three have been heard out here in Calif. sometime in the past, but I have not been actively NDB DXing this past year. I recall on many winter nights in the past excellent NDB propagation to Ontario (indicating the potential for good LF and MF Trans-Atlantic openings also.) Your relogs help to ascertain what NDB are still going. 73- (Steve McGreevy, -- N6NKS - http://www.auroralchorus.com -- all of my DXing is done real-time with traditional (non-SDR) receivers --, WOR iog via DXLD) ** CANADA [and non]. While tuning the LF bands, I noted a Spanish speaking station on 530 kHz. According to most sources this probably was Radio Enciclopedia in Cuba [q.v.]. Well, after listening awhile to its great mood music, it ID'd as Radio 530 in English. It does have a web site https://www.am530.ca/aboutus.html It can also be found on an internet stream. More technical info in the FCC database. It is located in Brampton/Toronto Canada with power of 1 kW (day), 250 Watts (night). It is easily heard at my location in the evenings as my home is only several hundred miles from Toronto (Charles Gessner, W3ON, West Mifflin PA, 0222 UT Jan 12, WOR iog via DXLD) Hi Charles, it's also a regular here in East Central Minnesota. Sometimes quite strong. I have them solid right now at 2050 CST [0250 UT]. I am about 60 miles North of Minneapolis just using a GE Superadio III. 73, Mike Gorniak, Braham, MN, ibid.) Heard often on the west coast, so they do get out well! 73, (Walt Salmaniw, BC, ibid.) Wow. I am glad to hear that listeners, other than me, are hearing them. Not bad for a 250 Watt transmitter (night). It isn't often that I listen on the AM MW band. 73 de (Chuck Gessner W3ON, Jan 12, ibid.) ** CANADA. CFNV 940 AM [Montreal] begins simulcasting programming from online radio station FYI, I am not in Ottawa now so cannot listen in (EricFloden, Jan 14, Vancouver BC, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz., New post on Fagstein: Robert Arcand in the CNV [sic] studio, via one of its webstreaming cameras [caption] Several radio watchers have noticed that they’ve been hearing live voices on CFNV 940 AM the past few days, talking between the songs and giving weather and news updates. Though the programming is still mostly music, far from the news-talk-debate format that owner TTP Media promised the CRTC when they first applied for a licence in 2011, or even the wellness-talk format that they seemed to move to when they renewed that licence in 2018, there’s at least something. (The hosts they have are veterans of the low-budget radio scene, where wellness programs have flourished, with shows on stations like CJMS 1040, CJLV 1570.) But the voices are not original to the station. Instead, the shows are being simulcast from Mirabel-based digital radio station CNV (it appears to be a mix of programming from its main feed and its Succès absolus second channel, but there’s also some music that’s coming from neither of those sources). Hosts being simulcasted include Robert Arcand (weekday mornings) and Diane Lafrance (weekdays at 11am). On their shows and on social media, they’re noting the simulcast. No word on anything yet from the English sister station CFQR 600. I’ll update this if I hear more (via DXLD) ** CANADA. Former RCI transmitter site – slow transformation --- By Marc Montgomery | english@rcinet.ca Monday 14 January, 2019, 1 Comment Part of the complex antennae and tower array of the former RCI shortwave service transmitter site near Sackville, New Brunswick. (Amanda Dawn Cristie) [among many photos] http://www.rcinet.ca/en/2019/01/14/former-rci-transmitter-site-slow-transformation/ The former RCI transmitter site near Sackville New Brunswick, sold to a First Nations group, is now in the process of being absorbed into native reserve land and some as yet undetermined use. During the Second World War as Canada was working towards creating a shortwave service, an ideal site for the transmission of radio signals was found in New Brunswick. Located on the Tantramar marshes, it was ideal ground for propagation of signals from the complex array of antenna wires and towers. Photo of the decommissioned RCI transmitter building near Sackville, New Brunswick (Tori Weldon-CBC) The service was ended over six decades later as a result of severe budget cuts in 2012. The site was later purchased by Mi’kmaq First Nations in 2017 and plans are slowly taking shape to transform the 90 acre site into reserve land. That process involves consultations with neighbouring municipalities, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the New Brunswick provincial government and other indigenous communities. It’s expected to take two years, during which time the Mi’kmaq will decide the use for the land, whether cultural or economic or a combination. The last of the huge antenna towers being taken down (Amanda Dawn Christie - Spectres of Shortwave) The mayor of the nearby city of Sackville said he wants to work with the Mi’kmaq, but without further indication of proposed use of the land, it is difficult to provide a comment on positives or negatives of any future land use by the First Nations group. Image of the modern ABB transmitters before the station was closed (Amanda Dawn Christie - Spectres of Shortwave) Originally designed to bring Canadian news to soldiers fighting in Europe, the shortwave service expanded greatly during the Cold war to bring news and information to both free European countries, and Communist occupied states. Its role was still further extended in later years to a world wide service to provide information about Canada, politics, culture, scientific advances, and business innovation. The original 50 kW RCA transmitter was housed inside what is essentially its own small room. It was decommissioned in 1970 but kept in the building as an historical artefact. The photo is circa 2012 when the end of the service was announced. (Thomas Witherspoon) Last year a history fan in Dorchester, New Brunswick purchased the remains of the original transmitter from the Mi’kmaq which he hopes to display as an artefact in a museum he’s created in the old Dorchester provincial jail, which he also owns. Some of the complex system of tubes and switches and relays inside the old transmitter. The heritage artefact has been saved by a private collector (Tori Weldon-CBC) Quoted in a 2018 article in the Sackville Tribune, Bill Steele said he didn’t want to see the historic transmitter end up as scrap. “It was for our troops to hear their homeland. . . I’m so proud to have saved this, I now own this, I have the ’Voice of Canada’ That’s pretty cool” said Steele. Additional information-sources [linked] CBC: T Weldon: Jan 12/19: Mi’kmaq working to turn RCI site into reserve land Sackville Tribune: K Tower: Feb 23/18: Dorchester man saves original transmitter: bamlog.com: Bruce Conti 2011 photos of RCI transmitters and site Jim’s transmitter page: more historic photos of RCI site One comment on “Former RCI transmitter site – slow transformation” Ken W. English says: 14 January 2019 at 10 h 55 min God, how I miss RCI, RA, RNW, and all the other free, over-the-air shortwave broadcasters, that provided a view of the rest of the world from wherever you were. Not an obsolete technology, but a proven alternative to the later technology fads. Join us live every Friday as of 13:15 Montreal time [1815/1715 UT], here (via Artie Bigley, OH, DXLD) ** CANADA. Reading Meeting Report Our last meeting of 2018 on December 1st saw fourteen members gather at the usual venue, RISC in London Street: The SMART board was hired for the meeting so Mike’s talk accompanied a selection of radio-related videos: The first film was from 1945, Canadian Army Newsreel No. 67, the first 3-minute item of which is “Canada Gets a New Voice”, about the formal opening of the new shortwave transmitter site at Sackville, New Brunswick, “beamed to Europe, the programmes are designed chiefly for Canada’s fighting forces<” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCer0gakIg4 CBC’s international service launched during WWII on February 25th 1945, broadcasting six hours per day in English, French and German - full audio of the opening is at: https://www.cbc.ca/archives/entry/1945-cbcshortwave-service-begins-broa dcasting-to-the-world There are many other videos about CBC’s shortwave transmissions in their archives at: https://www.cbc.ca/player/search?query=shortwave Mike also showed us his Radio Canada Shortwave Club membership certificate from February 1965 and some of his RCI QSLs. The station’s Shortwave Club had launched in 1963 and technical publications included the club’s Antenna Handbook. Host of the Shortwave Club programme, Ian McFarland, produced an LP in 1974: click on each track title at this ‘On the Shortwaves’ website link to hear it in full: http://www.ontheshortwaves.com/RCI_Record/RCI_Record.html Next, we saw an RCI TV advert from 1983 asking Canadians travelling abroad to tune into RCI on shortwave to hear “Radio Canada International: A friendly voice from home”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muJdCA1oHTw Amanda Dawn Christie’s documentary film about the Sackville site and its impact locally in New Brunswick, “Spectres of Shortwave”, premiered in 2016. It hasn’t been widely screened, but we saw some of the clips, available on its website http://spectresofshortwave.net/ including sadly, the demolition of the masts (Alan Pennington, Jan BDXC_UK Communication via DXLD) ** CHILE. == South America == 5800-AM. RCW. Jan 11. 0120 to 0200 UT. Music and comments. SINPO: 45343 (Claudio Galaz-Chile) 6925-AM, RCW. Jan 11 at 0017 to 0030 UT. Music and comments. SINPO: 35333 (Claudio Galaz-Chile, Free Radio Weekly Jan 12 via DXLD) 5800-AM. RCW. Enero 11. 0120-0200 UT. Espacio de música del recuerdo y comentarios de Cucho Zavala intercalados. A las 0200, despedida de la emisión. Luego, hasta las 0205, campanadas de despedida. SINPO: 45343 como máximo y 25232 como minino. Archivo: 6925-AM. RCW. Enero 11. 0017-0030 UT. Espacio musical “La hora del lolo”. SINPO: 35333 (Claudio Galaz; Receptor: TECSUN PL 660; Antena: Hilo de 30 metros de largo; Lugar de escucha: Ovalle, IV Región, Chile, condiglista yg via DXLD) ** CHINA. 7445, CNR1 at 2201 in Mandarin jamming the VOA in Mandarin via Thailand with the usual man and woman with excited news coverage – Fair to Good Jan 9 (Mark Coady, Selwyn, Ontario, Kenwood TS440S or Ten-Tec Argonaut II and 40 and 80 meter off centre-fed dipoles, ODXA iog via DXLD) ** CHINA [and non]. 9860, Firedragon station at 1730, the usual crash bang boom mixing, with co-channel Radio Free Asia, Poor / Fair on Peaks, Jan 13 (Rick Barton, AZ, Grundig Satellit 205(T.5000) & 750; HQ-200; RS SW-2000629, with various outdoor wires, WOR iog via DXLD) ** CHINA [and non]. Re: CHINA/KUWAIT/MARIANAS_SAIPAN Log: 13685 kHz, China Radio ??, 09.00 UT, O=0-2 / Date: 09 Jan 2019 Hoert sich nach chinesischer mx an. no ID. (Horst Mehrlich-HNG, A-DX ng Jan 9) re 13685 kHz. Um 1000 UT wurde der Chinese ausgeschaltet. ? War wohl ein Sender Funktionstest(*) fuer die kommende Jamming-duty als Jamming CNR1 bzw. Musik-Programm gegen RFA/RL/RFE Laotian um 11-12 UT. siehe Nagoya Aoki Liste. Trotz dortigen Sturmschaeden ist immer noch eine Frequenz aus Marianas Saipan Agignan Point KYOI-Rock-ex in der Luft 2019-01-08 11:04:56 capture: AM 13685 (SAI) RFA LAO und auch um 00-01 UT via IBB BBG Kuwait al-Dschahra relay site 2019-01-09 00:03:16 capture: AM 9910 (KWT) RFA LAO * Grund der Testsendung? - auch in Nord- und West-China herrscht jetzt asiatischer Winter mit Antennen- und Feeder-Vereisung. [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Bueschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ?? I was not aware any Lao language broadcasts were subject to jamming; especially by third parties, altho fellow Commies. Aoki does not show this as *jammed, but it is x-ed as reminding us Saipan is destroyed. Or I suppose some Lao-like language is understood across in China (Glenn Hauser, to wb, via DXLD) Totally agree. That's exactly what my thoughts were. But, checked this channel on Seoul, Delhi and Qatar SDR's remotedly on Tue 15 Jan at 1115 to 1128 UT, the IBB RMS Monitoring log entry of SAIPAN seemingly is a FAKE entry, nothing heard at 13685 kHz kHz at all today. Something's always wrong at IBB BBG Trump's Washington DC administration these days, blink. 73 wolfie (Wolfgang Bueschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 15, DX LISTENIING DIGEST) ** CHINA [and non]. TX location for example midst on wood on Dong Fang island, French revolving SW antenna type, now Ampegon AG, Turgi Switzerland, Ampegon Antenna Systems GmbH ALLISS type. at location 18 55 39.62 N 108 39 46.55 E 18 54 38.81 N 108 41 09.49 E See pdf antenna leaflet of 2013 year <20130830leaflet_hp-rca_lo_1.pdf> SW former ALLISS - now HP-RCA 4/4 SW antenna type, image taken in northeastern China at CHN_Qiqihar SW jamming site, 6 x 100kW, 11 masts, and revolving CNR1 / Firedrake music jammer and DRM mode transmission at CHN__Qiqihar Heilongjiang, Thales ALLISS rotatable 500 kW unit of Apr2003y, surrounded with a long gray concrete wall. 47 20 47.09 N 124 16 07.32 E Anti RFA/VOA/AIR/TWN jamming sce at locations Urumchi, Kashgar, Xinjiezhen Baoji, Shijiazhuang Pingshan Hebei, Xingyang, Qiqihar Heilongjiang, and Hainan Island Dongfang (Wolfgang Bueschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 10, BCDX 10 Jan via DXLD) ** CHINA. CNR-1 vs Sound of Hope Xi Wang Zhi Sheng in 14MHz on Jan.10: from 0736 on 14775 unknown kW / non-dir to EaAs Chinese, good signal https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/cnr-1-vs-sound-of-hope-xi-wang-zhi_10.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan.9-10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. 4940, Voice of Strait, 1430-1455, Jan 12 (Saturday), with the weekend 25 minute "Focus on China" program in English; started and ended with pop songs; audio feed from CCTV documentary, with native speaker of English; fairly readable, with interesting history of the Forbidden City, located in Beijing (the heavy stones used to build the city in 1406, were hauled from distant quarries on wooden sledges along ice roads); IDs ("You are now listening to Focus on China, in Voice of Strait broadcast station"). 6035, FM99 (Voice of Shangri-la) relay via PBS Yunnan, 1145-1204, Jan 12. Pop songs; FM format, in Chinese; no hint of BBS (Bhutan); late time pips; station's singing jingle (confirmed in the past via their on-line audio streaming); too weak to hear the usual "traveling with the sound of Shangri-la" in English following the jingle. 6135, CRI, brief check at 1510, Jan 12. Unusual to hear anything underneath the constant non-stop jamming here by N. Korea, but today heard English, mixing with jamming. RE: DXLD 18-50: CNR3 on shortwave? - Jan 12, checking 1219 & 1307+, on 7470 & 9825, heard both with CNR1 jamming of other stations; noted // to the non-jamming CNR1 frequency of 6125. In other words, the normal CNR1 jamming situation, so nothing new (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, WOR iog via DXLD) ** CHINA. 13645, Jan 9 at 0611, very weak talk signal, the OSOB except for VP NZ on 13730, which is often really the OSOB until 0700. HFCC shows 13645 must be CRI English via Xi`an at 06-07 only, 500 kW at 200 degrees (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. Dear DX-friends, Here are my latest loggings from Skovlunde on the AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire: 9749.82, 1235-1245 15.1, Nei Menggu PBS, Hohhot, Mongolian ann, local songs by choir, 35333 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, wbradio yg via DXLD) ** CHINA. I have become quite fond of the China Radio International’s Mongolian service over the past few weeks, in particular the music that they play. Some days, this runs about 10-15 minutes from just over 35 minutes into the programme, and some days there is some 30 plus minutes of music from about 12 minutes into the programme. The transmission at 0000-0100 on 7205 kHz is coming in very strongly at present to UK, which I have been recording from time to time for later playback. There is a nice mix of “traditional” Mongolian tunes along with more modern pop-type music, but with the same sorts of rhythms as the more traditional music. I find it very pleasant to listen to. The programme on 22 December included about 10 minutes of some fairly modern songs with the traditional Mongolian rhythm. The programme on 23 December meanwhile was a full half hour from 0015 and included a female vocal singer accompanied by a band including a traditional stringed instrument, and later was a fantastic song of Mongolian throat singing together with the rather distinctive mouth harp. The programme ended with a Mongolian pop song. It was a very enjoyable half an hour. On 24 December, the programme was again 30 minutes long and featured some modern songs. The first few songs were pleasant pop ballads, performed by what sounded like Mongolian “boybands”. This was followed by a rock-type song, which sounded like it was a modern version of the traditional Mongolian throat singing. I do not normally expect throat singing to be anything but traditional songs, and to hear it used in a modern rock/pop song was most unexpected. The remainder of the programme was again more of the pop ballads by “boy-bands”. Another enjoyable half hour, and I will continue listening regularly. CRI’s Mongolian service is scheduled as follows: 0000-0100: 7205, 9470; 1100-1200: 6100, 7390; 1200-1300: 5915, 5990; 1300-1400: 6100, 7285; 1400-1500: 5915, 5990; 2300-2400: 6185, 7205. (Alan Roe, Jan BDXC_UK Communication via DXLD) ** CHINA [non]. 5910, Jan 14 at 0258, CRI *0300 relay in English via CUBA is already on, in Chinese. Second harmonic 11820 is a JBA carrier correlating with RHC 25m fundamentals being weakened. Something`s always wrong at RadioCuba (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA [and non]. Two interesting recent news stories involving HF and China China's new ship-based over-the-horizon (OTH) radar system that appears to use HF, given the mention of the ionosphere ... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/2181251/chinese-navys-new-compact-radar-will-allow-it-keep-watch-over China's Chang'e-4 lander on the far side of the moon opens new possibilities for astronomy, including the monitoring of frequencies below 30 MHz (astronomers refer to these as "low frequency"), which is difficult from Earth due to pesky interference ... https://newatlas.com/ncle-radio-astronomers-universe-moon/57929/ (via Kim Elliott, WOR iog Jan 14 via DXLD) CHINA NATIONAL SPACE ADMINISTRATION --- Follow China’s expedition with a lunar lander on the dark side of the moon http://www.cnsa.gov.cn/english/index.html (via Sheldon Harvey, Greenfield Park, Quebec, Jan Radio HF Internet Newsletter via DXLD) See also CUBA; EAST TURKISTAN [and non] ** CUBA. Re: [WOR] 530 kHz "Radio Sancti Spritus" ID on a R. Rebelde outlet --- Following the dual IDs, the 530 R. Rebelde announcer dialogue mentions the two futbol teams and I hear "Sancti Spiritus" mentioned along with another (hard to hear) city mentioned, also. Must be an audio relay from the R. SS FM network also/or else a new 530 outlet. SpM -- (Stephen P McGreevy, Jan 10, N6NKS - http://www.auroralchorus.com -- all of my DXing is done real-time with traditional (non-SDR) receivers--, WOR iog via DXLD) They do relay sports reports from regional stations with original IDs. Radio Sancti Spíritus is also on MW. Best regards, (Mauno Ritola, ibid.) Thank you, Mauno, for the clarification too. I thought so but was not very sure being that reception of most domestic Cuban stations is difficult out here except for Rebeldes on 530 and 5025 (Steve McGreevy N6NKS - http://www.auroralchorus.com -- all of my DXing is done real-time with traditional (non-SDR) receivers --, WOR iog via DXLD) ** CUBA. 1210, Radio Reloj, unknown site. 1131 January 8, 2019. Still here, briefly surfaced, pipped and RRed under strong Radio Sancti Spíritus (Terry Krueger, All times/dates GMT, Clearwater, FL, IC-R75, NRD-535, longwires, active loop, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi, published here on message #100608 01/24/2018: I have received from RadioCuba info about this tx. movements: 530 Radio Caribe. CMBY is temporarily on 530 kHz (via one of the tx used for Rebelde at the CTOM "Caribe", Isla de la Juventud) because the 1220 tx (CTOM "La Fe-Progreso") burned. 1210 Radio Reloj. CTOM "LAS TUNAS-PROGRESO". Reloj has been temporarily moved from 1020 to Rebelde's freq of 1210 kHz due a tx failure. 73! (Mauricio Molano, Salamanca, ESPAÑA - SPAIN, RX site: Aldea del Cano, Cáceres. LAT: 39º17'09.70 N, LONG: 6º19'00 W RX: PERSEUS. ANT: WELLBROOK ALA1530S+ (http://moladx.blogspot.com/), WOR iog via DXLD) What/who is "CTOM" (?)(Canada I thought?) - I thought all Cuban calls began with "CM." Could this transmitter-swapping/audio-feed swapping be another possible reason I heard a "Radio Sancti Spiritus" ID on the otherwise "Radio Rebelde" / 530 kHz (IJ) transmitter? Another one of those "DXconfusions" we all endure-hi! Thanks Mauricio for the info somehow put within Terry Kreuger's logs. SpM -- N6NKS - http://www.auroralchorus.com -- all of my DXing is done real-time with traditional (non-SDR) receivers-- (Stephen McGreevy, WOR iog via DXLD) As in DXLD 18-05: What`s CTOM? Certainly not a callsign (gh, DXLD) I'd guess it's Centros transmisores de ondas medias. 73, (Jari Savolainen, Finland, ibid.) CTOM is the abbreviation used by RadioCuba for "Centro Transmisor de Onda Media". 73! (Mauricio Molano, Salamanca, ESPAÑA - SPAIN, ibid.) Very dated information regarding Caribe on 530. They long ago vacated and returned to 1220 kc/s. And 1020/1210 Reloj have consistently operated on these channels throughout. From the archived logs of mine: 1210 CUBA Radio Reloj, unknown site. 0109 March 10, 2016. A new one, if I recall correctly, and not listed in EcuRed, or my stale list until now. Very poor under Radio Rebelde and Radio Sancti Spíritus. 530 CUBA Radio Caribe, Island de la Juventud. 0942 November 23, 2017. Buenas tardes bantering between callers and male announcer, with fake phone ringing. Lots of Caribe mentions, canned "CMBY Radio Caribe" ID by female at 1005. Presumably via the Isla de la Juventud Rebelde transmitter, as signal strength and DFing matches. No trace of the normal 1220 kc/s Radio Caribe transmitter. Did it blow up and Arnie lost his soldering gun? 1220 CUBA Radio Caribe, La Fe, Isla de la Juventud. 2327 March 18, 2018. Thanks D. Crawford alert, back on 1220 kc/s a couple days prior, after the transmitter blew up a few months ago and the audio was relocated to one of the Reblede audio feeds on 530 kc/s. Spanish vocals, ID at 0003. Also at 1059 on March 19 with station theme, ID. Maybe my imagination, but the signal appears to be way weaker than pre-explosion transmitter days. 1020 CUBA Radio Reloj, Jorobo, Las Tunas. 1135 December 12, 2010. Mostly poor under Radio Guamá, sounders never can catch up with reality: 4 seconds off, 7 for the "RR" sounder. This one is not in your WRTVH-2010, though it was listed a couple of years back I believe. 1020 CUBA Radio Reloj, Jorobo, Las Tunas. 1010 May 27, 2015. This one -- which has been here for a long time -- is certainly dedicated solely to Reloj audio feed and not an overnight feed, as audible well after 6:00 a.m. local time, and certainly from the eastern half of Cuba, as not audible after 1030 GMT from this location. This site was listed in the 2008 WRTVH (Terry Krueger, FL, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. 11860 & 11930, Jan 9 at 0616, totally wasted residual pulse jamming against R. Martí frequencies used only in the daytime. 12000, Jan 9 at 0617, RHC English is R5, S9-S7, much stronger than the jammers. Altho harmonic 2 x 6000, it`s hard not to conclude 12000 is intentional. As usual, not a trace of 2x the other three 6 MHz band frequencies from the other site. Something`s always wrong at RHC. 13779.239, Jan 9 at 1459, RHC way off-frequency again; it was not on at earlier check 1409. Something`s always wrong at RHC, but: No FM spurs today on band from 13700. 15690 & 15710, Jan 9 at 1451, CRI English 15700 via Cuba has a tone audible only with BFO on but I can`t zero beat it. Keyboard matches to D# above Cmiddle, or about 311 Hz. The same tone is JBA at plus and minus 10 kHz spurs, the only sign of them around this transmitter. Not exactly the same situation as 11840 evenings which always has much attenuated plus/minus 10 kHz spurs with program modulation. Something`s always wrong at RadioCuba. 15139.818, Jan 9 at 1413, this RHC is way off-frequency again today and terribly distorted; spurs also detectable circa 14968, 14997, 15283 but not 15311. Something`s always wrong at RHC (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA [and non]. Bauta was 15139.818 kHz on Jan 9, 15139.808 kHz on Jan 10, same time 15230 kHz from Russian made Quivican TITAN site is more or less even 15230 kHz towards Brazil, Argentina, PRG, URG. RHC Bauta Cuba TX wandered down 50 - 100 Hertz during scheduled 2 hours 12-14 ... or so. Is always same, either Bauta CUB, Emirler TUR, Bishkek KGZ, Yangi Yul TJK, or Al Dhabbaya-UAE relays: one SINGLE transmitter out of four or five available at the broadcast center installation are odd frequency -/+ 10 up to 800 Hertz minus/plus. The remaining units at the broadcast centers are more or less even or only 2, 3, 5 or 8 Hertz ODDLY on air. 73 wolfie (Wolfgang Bueschel, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. 6165 & 6100, Jan 10 at 0636, both English RHCs are off, which also explains why I had no JBA carriers as I tuned down past 6270 & 6230, normally leapfrogs of 6060 over 6165, and 6100 over 6165. Something`s always wrong at RHC. 6060 is still on VG as usual, and so is 6000. 5039.943, Jan 10 at 0643, RHC English with a feature on José Martí (named for the US radio service), way off-frequency again but adequate modulation. Something`s always wrong at RHC. 13756.586, Jan 10 at 1429, JBA spur // 13700 RHC. This is not one of the loud FM ones often heard circa 13765. Not clear if it`s out of 13700 or 13780v which is also on. It`s 56.586 kHz from 13700 and see next item. Something`s always wrong at RHC. 13779.239, Jan 10 at 1433, RHC Spanish strong fundamental is another way-off-frequency. (In case significant, note it is 22.653 kHz from the 13756.586 spur.) Something`s always wrong at RHC. 13882.9, Jan 10 at 1440, JJBBA carrier, like another RHC spur but just too weak to match any audio or add more digits. It`s 103.66 kHz from 13780- and 182.9 kHz from 13700. Does not match up as a multiple of other spurs. 15139.831, Jan 10 at 1504, RHC VG but off-frequency again. Something`s always wrong at RHC. 14968.253v, Jan 10 at 1502, wobbly very weak RHC spur, matched by 15311.403v, i.e. out of 15140v transmitter; but the closer pair circa 14997 & 15283 are not to be heard today. Since 15140v is yet another off-frequency fundamental, its spurs should also be offset slightly below their `normal` positions. The independently measured separations now are: minus 171.578 kHz below; plus 171.572 above --- a very close match by 6 Hz, within margin of error! Something`s always wrong at RHC. But we are indebted to the engineering staff for providing all these monitoring and mathematical exercises on otherwise dull bands (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. 11820, Jan 11 at 0330, CRI English news S8/S9+10 and 100% readable on new frequency, whence? O, of course it`s CUBA, 2 x 5910 for the 03-05 transmission, where it`s S9+10/20. 11820 is transmitted, not receiver-produced overload, since it`s still there with ATT on and PreAmps off. RHC Spanish itself also on 25m now, strongest 11670 but distorted, weaker 11700 and 11840 + weakest JBA spurs 11830 & 11850. But nothing on 12000, 2 x 6000 English which we hear after 0500. Maybe it`s the same harmonic-prone transmitter on 5910 & 11820 now. Something`s always wrong at RHC/RadioCuba. 6000 now is suptorted with CCI tho Turkish from Turkey is supposed to stop at 0300 (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. 6140, Jan 11 at 0623, RHC English is JBA // 6165, and the other three, 6000, 6060 and 6100. 6140 is produced by 6060 leaping over 6100 another 40 kHz higher. Also are audible JBA carriers from the usual other leapfrogs on 6230 & 6270. Something`s always wrong at RHC. 5039.927, Jan 11 at 0631, RHC English way off-frequency again, S9+20/30 with scratchy overmodulation. Rebelde 5025 is similarly distorted at steadier S9+20. Something`s always wrong at RadioCuba/RHC. 24 hours ago I measured it on 5039.943 = 16 Hz higher (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. Radio Habana Cuba odd freq. 15139.8 via Titan-Quivican Jan.11 till 1401 15139.8 QVC 250 kW / 130 deg SoAm Spanish, fair signal & off NO SIGNAL 15140.0 THU 100 kW / 315 deg WeEu English R. Sultanate Oman! https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/radio-habana-cuba-on-odd-freq-151398_11.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan 10-11, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. 15139.781, Jan 11 at 1457, RHC is S9+30, off-frequency but modulation OK today; traces of the usual spurpairs, 14997 & 15283, 14968 & 15311. Something`s always wrong at RHC. 24 hours ago I measured it on 15139.831 = 50 Hz higher. 13780.0, Jan 11 at 1459, RHC is off air already, but a few minutes earlier I noticed it was not off-frequency today. Nor are there any spurs de 13700 on band this time. Something`s not wrong at RHC (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. 11435, Unidentified Numbers Station at 1600. "There is always something wrong" --- Station didn't open on time, and was only an open carrier cycling on and off for a few minutes. At 1604, what surely was RHC in Spanish came on with M doing newscast ("Presidente de Cuba"), then digital data burst came on. From there on, in Spanish with HM-01 digital text file transfer and a woman with five figure number groups. - Excellent Jan 12 (Rick Barton, AZ, Grundig Satellit 205(T.5000) & 750; HQ-200; RS SW-2000629, with various outdoor wires, WOR iog via DXLD) ** CUBA. 9720, Jan 12 at 2210, RHC in Kriyol, not English! Which supposedly had settled into the 22-23 UT slot. 2253 recheck, song in Spanish, 2255 French announcement; a smidgin before 2300, RHC English theme and opening by ``Ed Newman``, cut off the air after about 6 words! So the studio playout had their language tapes mixed up, and the transmitter site wasn`t about to compensate for that. Something`s always wrong at RHC (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6000 // 6165, Jan 13 at 0137, RHC is S9+10/20 just barely modulated with soul music, 0140 English announcement, also somewhat suptorted. Meanwhile 6060 Spanish blasts in. Something`s always wrong at RHC. 6165 // 6000, Jan 13 at 0649, RHC English remains undermodulated on both, S9+20, somewhat louder on 6100 and loudest on 6060. Something`s always wrong at RHC (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. 6100even, Single frequency transmission on Jan 13, 0700-0730 UT. Noted RHC Bauta with Sunday only Esperanto language program. At 0715 UT in MA-US remote site S=9+20dB, given Cuban contact announcement / ID, S=9+30dB signal on remote New Jersey installation at 0721 UT. Well modulated this morning. 73 wb df5sx (Wolfgang Bueschel, dxldyg via DXLD) ** CUBA. 15139.825, Jan 13 at 1524, RHC seems off-frequency all the time now; also with JBA spurs circa 14968 & 15311 at earlier 1441 check, but not on 14997 & 15283. Something`s always wrong at RHC. But nothing`s wrong on 13 MHz band (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. 5990, CRI at 2310 with a woman interviewing two men about the strained relations between the US and North Korea – Great signal but poor audio Jan 13 – Another example of how RHC treats their customers with contempt. Fix your audio! There are Canadian companies who would jump at the opportunity to help you and are not constrained by the idiotic and delusionial Donald Trump (Mark Coady, Selwyn, Ontario, Kenwood TS440S or Ten-Tec Argonaut II and 40 and 80 meter off centre-fed dipoles, ODXA iog via DXLD) Why not Chinese companies? (gh) ** CUBA. 11840. RHC. Enero 13. 2318-2359 UT. Servicio en español. Espacio de música. A las 2327, identificación de la emisora y emisión del Programa “El Mundo de la Filatelia” dedicado a la descripción de sellos postales, lectura de datos de concurso anual dedicado al aniversario 500 de La Villa San Cristalero de la Habana, la relación entre la Revolución Cubana y la emisión de sellos, segmento de canje aristotélico y de la pregunta del programa, junto a la despedida del mismo. Desde las 2346 se emite el programa: “En Contacto” con saludos a los auditores, Nota sobre reunión con un ingeniero Belga realizado en RHC acerca de los problemas de conseguir receptores DRM, Isla en el aire, Estudios científicos sobre el sondeo del sol en ionosfera, después se emite un segmento sobre informes de recepción llegadas a la emisora, información sobre el Diexismo y hallazgos de enlaces transecuatoriales. Luego conexión con CO2KK acerca de la instalación de un nuevo satelite, baja actividad solar, proximo aniversaro 58° de la Onda Corta Experimental Cubana en 11760 kHz, QSL de RHC en FM y pronostico de las manchas solares en los próximos días. SINPO: 45444 (Claudio Galaz; Receptor: TECSUN PL 660; Antena: Hilo de 30 metros de largo; Lugar de escucha: Ovalle, IV Región, Chile, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) ** CUBA. 5025, Jan 14 at 0252, R. Rebelde is S9+20 but overmodulated / distorted. Something`s always wrong at RadioCuba. 4765, Jan 14 at 0415, R. Progreso is S9+20 but suptorted modulation. Something`s always wrong at RadioCuba (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA [and non]. 6165, Jan 14 at 0601, RHC English has about equal level CCI in Arabic, which is per HFCC: NHK via FRANCE at 0600-0630, 140 degrees to ME. Something`s always wrong at RHC -- like not registering in HFCC so lazy frequency managers elsewhere know about it (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. Radio Habana Cuba on odd frequency 5039.8 kHz on Jan.14: 0600-0700 on 5039.8 BAU 100 kW / 083&263 to Cuba English, fair https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/radio-habana-cuba-on-odd-frequency.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan.13-14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. 5025even, Bauta OVERMODULATED S=9+30dB, 20 kHz wideband signal, female/singer/guitar music. 0843 UT on Jan 14 [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Bueschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. 15140-, Jan 14 at 1518, RHC Spanish throwing out lots of spurs, circa 15311, 15283, 14997, 14968 --- these are the usual two pairs, at plus/minus 171 and 143 kHz. But also: 15197 & 15083 which are plus/minus 57 kHz, and another suspicious blob at 14882, which is 258 kHz away from 15140 --- possibly the sum of 143 + 57 + 57? Something`s always wrong at RHC. Think of all the grist Arnie could call upon to liven up DXers Unlimited if he would try to explain these! 13728.284, Jan 15 at 1424, JBA spur // 13700 RHC, i.e. 28.28 kHz displaced, so how about 2 X at 13756.568? Yes! a similar sound at 13756.6 or so. What of the minus side? Audible at 13671.7, 13643.3. They all fit for first- and second-orders, new ones, and quite unlike the huge FM spurs sometimes spewing from 13700, not lately. Next day Jan 16 at 1417, there`s again a spur about 13728.29 Something`s always wrong at RHC. Also a possibly unrelated carrier which doesn`t compute, on 13882.92. 15168.4, Jan 15 at 1430, wobbly JBA carrier, which is 28.6 kHz from 15140- RHC, still off-minus, measured at 1504 on 15139.790. Almost the same spur displacement as just measured from 13700! Checking the other side, 15111.187, Jan 15 at 1504, JBA carrier, which is 28.603 kHz below the fundamental, perfect match. Something`s always wrong at RHC (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** DENMARK. I had some problems with the 15 MHz transmitter this morning, but now (1210 UT) 15805 kHz is (finally) on the air. Till 2000 today. And hopefully again tomorrow Sunday 07-17 UT. Possibly the transmitter may be switched off briefly if/when needed for adjusting 5840 kHz transmitter. 5840 kHz remains off air (since Sunday), but will hopefully return to the air sometime this weekend. Best 73's (Stig Hartvig Nielsen, http://www.wmr.radio 1213 Jan 13, HCDX via DXLD) Nice signal now via Rockport ME KiwiSDR. Also the carrier looks cleaner now. 73, (Mauno Ritola, Finland, 1233 UT, ibid.) World Music Radio, 15805 kHz, excellent signal now here in Friol: Randers, 1423-1431, 12-01, Latin American songs in Spanish, ID in German "... World Music Radio...", pop songs in English. 45444. (Manuel Méndez, Spain, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DXLD) ** EAST TURKISTAN [and non]. Observations of 49 & 60 mb evening Grayline-Path reception to the Mojave Desert, California Between 25 December 2018 through 09 January 2019 UT dates, I’ve been band-scanning the 49 meter and 60 meter bands for possible winter-solstice grayline-path reception, mainly coming from India and western China at my local CA sunset and evening-dusk period. (The time period of observation also roughly corresponds to the dawn and sunrise period in India and western China). As such, I ended-up observing several frequencies each evening here between 0030 to past 0145 UT on about six (local) evenings: 4800: either CNR-Golmud, China or AIR Hyderabad, India - JBA usually and wavery/fluttery carrier(s). 4850: probably CNR Urumqi, XJ, China in unknown dialect/lang - the next strongest compared to the 4980 and 5060 signals. 4980: likely CNR Urumqi, XJ, China in a local dialect (not Mandarin) - generally the strongest, peaking in strength at about 0130 - up to S9 but generally very wavery (rapid) fading. Occasional echo indicating possible long-path signal present also. 5010: AIR “Trivandrum” India listed - fluttery and weak, JBA mostly - faded out by 0130 UT. 5060: likely CNR Urumqi, XJ, China in what sounds like Standard Mandarin - generally the strongest along with 4980, peaking in strength at about 0130 - up to S9 also but generally very wavery (rapid) fading. 6090: likely CNR Golmud, China with a weak and wavery JBA carrier and a bit of audio. The Caribbean Beacon with the Scotts preaching was missing in December but is now back on. (I audio-recorded the CNR Chinese signal back in November 2013 one late-afternoon from near Wushan on the Yangtze River). 6125: CNR-1 Beijing, China (listed) this normally very strong signal at my local dawn appeared each evening during my observations, but was generally weak with the usual CNR-1 programming due to it having been well past their local sunrise. Gone by 0100 usually. 6140: unID on 25 December 2018 at 0105UT with nice south-Asian/Indian Classical Music but also with a pulse-buzz jammer underneath. Fairly-strong with wavery/fluttery fading. HEARD ONLY ONCE! 6190: CNR Urumqi, ZJ, China likely, but very weak and fluttery. 7260: China or Mongolia - JBA and fluttery. There were other possible grayline-path signals, but I focused on the above frequencies. All usually faded away by 0145 UT at the latest. Receivers used: Kenwood R-1000 with 20m end-fed wire at home in Keeler; Sony ICF-SW7600GR on a walk outside the noise-field of town. 73 - (Steve McGreevy - N6NKS. 11 January 2019 - 2215 UT. -- N6NKS - http://www.auroralchorus.com -- all of my DXing is done real-time with traditional (non-SDR) receivers -- ) Another unID Chinese lang. station on 11820 also has a long-path echo as noted between 0015 and 0100 UT - actually the long-path signal is stronger! (Steve, ibid.) ** ECUADOR [non]. GERMANY, Reception of HCJB Voice of The Andes via MBR Nauen, Jan.12 1529-1601 on 9500 NAU 100 kW / 100 deg to CeAs Russian Sat, very good 1601-1628 on 9500 NAU 100 kW / 100 deg to CeAs Chechen Sat, fair/good https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/reception-of-hcjb-voice-of-andes-via_12.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan 12, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EQUATORIAL GUINEA. 5005, Radio Nacional, Bata, 0557-0610 10-01, "Consejos para la familia, un espacio cultural de Radio Nacional...", "Un tiempo de radio presentado por Radio Nacional de Guinea Ecuatorial", "Todas los noticias en conexión con Radio Malabo, a las 7 y a las 22 horas, por Radio Bata". at 0601 "Boletin informativo". 15321. Also 1654-1707*, 10-01, African songs. Very weak. 15311. Also *0537-0605, 12-01, open with African and other songs, Spanish, comments. Very weak today, barely audible. 15211 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Log in Friol, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DXLD) ** ERITREA. 7140, Voice of Broad Masses, Asmara, 1504-1517, 11-01, Vernacular comments. 35433. (Méndez) 7180, Voice of Broad Masses, Asmara, 1505-1520, 11-01, Vernacular comments. 25432 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Log in Friol, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DXLD) ** ETHIOPIA. Reception of Voice of Tigray Revolution on Jan.9 from 1808 on 5950 GDR 100 kW / non-dir to EaAf Tigrinya, good https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/reception-of-voice-of-tigray-revolution.html Fana Broadcasting Corporation Radio Fana on Jan.9 from 1821 on 6110 ADD 100 kW / non-dir to EaAf Amharic, very good https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/reception-of-fana-broadcasting.html Good signal of Radio Oromiya on Jan.9 from 1837 on 6030 GDR 100 kW / non-dir to EaAf Oromo https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/reception-of-radio-oromiya-on-jan9.html Fair signal of Radio Amhara on Jan.9 from 1841 on 6090 GDR 100 kW / non-dir to EaAf Amharic https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/reception-of-radio-amhara-on-jan9.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan.9-10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ETHIOPIA. 5950, Voice of Tigray Revolution, Addis Ababa, 1717-1735, 11-01, East Africa songs, vernacular comments. 43443. (Méndez) 6030, Radio Oromiya, Addis Ababa, 1757-1808, 11-01, vernacular comments. 33433. (Méndez) 6090, Voice of Amhara State, Addis Ababa, 1831-1837, 11-01, vernacular comments. 34433. (Mendez) 6110, Radio Fana, Addis Ababa, 0515-0525, 12-01, vernacular comments. 33433 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Log in Friol, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DXLD) ** ETHIOPIA [non]. GERMANY, Reception of Voice of Oromo Liberation via MBR Nauen on Jan.9: 1700-1800 9610 NAU 100 kW / 144 deg EaAf Afan Oromo Wed, very good BUT 1730-1800 9610 NAU 100 kW / 144 deg EaAf Amharic Wed, again not on air https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/reception-of-voice-of-oromo-liberation_10.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan.9-10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Reception of Voice of Oromo Liberation via MBR Nauen on Jan.11 1700-1730 9610 NAU 100 kW / 144 deg EaAf Afan Oromo Wed/Fri/Sun, vgood https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/reception-of-voice-of-oromo-liberation_11.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan 10-11, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ETHIOPIA [non]. SECRETLAND, Radio Warra Wangeelaa-ti via SPL Secretbrod on Jan.12 1500-1530 15515 SCB 100 kW / 195 deg to EaAf Oromo Sat, good signal: https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/reception-of-radio-warra-wangeelaa-ti_12.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan 12, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EUROPE. About 200 pirate radio stations were broadcast in 2018. 07.01.2019 BY IGOR Having looked at my own logs for the last 12 months, I counted 179 to find out how many European pirate radio stations aired. In fact, there were even more, but they did not fall into the log, because some of them use several station names, so the figure is approximate. Some went on the air on short waves only once or twice during 2018, while others appeared on the air regularly. Stations are divided into 4 types: 1. Pirate loner. Basically it goes on air from home, does not have a fixed schedule of broadcasts, goes on the air for an hour or two, plays music, says something and then turns off. 2. Non-stop music station. This station plays non-stop music with jingles, but without leading. [? talking?] 3. Mixed radio station. Some stations have on their staff several presenters who prepare various radio shows that are transmitted through relay stations, for example Laser Hot Hits, Focus International or FRS Holland. There are few such stations on the air. 4. Relay stations. Some legal and Internet stations are relayed on shortwave, such as Coast FM, Zenith Classic Rock or Charity Radio. Most of them are broadcast from Ireland. They were not taken into account when compiling the list of pirates. Geographical position. It will not surprise anyone that most shortwave pirates are broadcast from the Netherlands. Then there are stations with unknown locations (mainly broadcasting non-stop music), then Germany, Great Britain, Italy and several European countries with a small number of pirate stations. 1. Netherlands (99) 2. Location not determined (31) 3. Germany (13) 4. United Kingdom (10) 5 and 6. Ireland and Italy (8 each) 7. Ukraine (2) 8. Belgium, France, Hungary, Finland, Greece, Czech Republic, Portugal, Norway (1 each) A full list of stations marked on air in 2018, from Radio AC DC to Zwarte Panter, is available here - https://shortwavedx.blogspot.com/p/radio-ac-dc-radio-alice-radio-altrex.html Some pirate stations were heard on both short and medium waves. A similar list of stations with a listing of Danish mid-wave pirates for 2018 is available on the MW Free Radio blog page - https://mwfreeradio.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-class-of-2018.html Thus, despite the difficulties with broadcasting on short waves, such as poor transmission and interference from broadcasting and service stations, the picture looks pretty good. Let's see what will bring the 2019 year. Based on Shortwave DX blog - https://shortwavedx.blogspot.com/2019/01/nearly-200-shortwave-pirates-heard-in.html https://swling.ru/ (Rus-DX Jan 13 via DXLD) ** EUROPE. UNIDENTIFIED [non]. Radio 319 on 5900 this morning with old Radio Luxembourg 208 Christmas show recordings. Zenith Classic Rock also strong on new frequency 5850 kHz (ex 5780). 73, (Alan Pennington, AOR 7030+, longwire, Caversham, UK, 1043 UT Jan 13, bdxc-news iog via DXLD) ** FINLAND. The next broadcast from Scandinavian Weekend Radio will be over the weekend of 1-2 February. Transmissions start at 2200 UT on Friday 1st continuing until 2200 UT on Saturday 2nd. Frequencies to check are 11720/11690 and 6180/5980 kHz. Reports welcome to info@swradio.net http://www.swradio.net/index.htm (Jan BDXC_UK Communication via DXLD) It`s 6170, not 6180. Specific sked: http://www.swradio.net/schedule.htm However, reports indicate they do not always follow it. Some hear a frequency slightly offset which should help to ID it. Power is only 100 watts, making it very rare into North America; I have never heard it tho perhaps intensive 24-hour monitorage might upturn it (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** FRANCE. Radio France International. 1/12/19. I've been enjoying the wonderful Sound Kitchen program via podcast for the past 3 weeks. On the 1/12/19 podcast Susan mentioned some interesting history dates -- one pertained to the Eiffel Tower. She played an audio cut of the first long distance radio message from the Tower in 1908. Her current RFI web page continues to mention the fact that RFI no longer offers a SW frequency. (As previously mentioned in a World of Radio broadcast.) http://en.rfi.fr/features/sound-kitchen Best Regards, (Larry Zamora, Garland TX, Jan 12, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FRANCE. Atlantic 2000 International --- Hi, Atlantic 2000 International will be on the air on Saturday, Jan. 12th at 0900 and at 2000 UT on the rather strange frequency of 833 kHz. The programmes will be repeated on Sunday, Jan.13th, same times, same frequency. http://radioatlantic2000.free.fr 73, (Rémy Friess, France, Jan 11, MWC via DXLD) What is the background to this, Rémy? Why 833 kHz? Is it licensed? 73 (/Andrew Brade, ibid.) I seem to recall that 833 kHz was the frequency where many stations in the very early days of radio would operate, at least in the USA -- before they figured they should spread out a bit more. Or maybe significant as approx. 360 metres? 73, (Glenn Hauser, MWCircle yg via DXLD) And confirmed if you search on ``833 kilocycles`` (gh, DXLD) ** FRANCE. Radio France International. 1/12/19. I've been enjoying the wonderful Sound Kitchen program via podcast for the past 3 weeks. On the 1/12/19 podcast Susan mentioned some interesting history dates -- one pertained to the Eifel Tower. She played an audio cut of the first long distance radio message from the Tower in 1908. Her current RFI web page continues to mention the fact that RFI no longer offers a SW frequency. (As previously mentioned in a World of Radio broadcast.) http://en.rfi.fr/features/sound-kitchen (Larry Zamora, Garland, TX, WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. New updated schedule of Shortwave Service on 3985 kHz Kall from Jan.5 https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/new-updated-schedule-of-shortwave.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan 10-11, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. 6085, Radio Mi Amigo, Kall Krekel, *0759-0812, 10-01, pop songs, open ID "It's now nine o'clock in Central Europe, your are tuning to Radio Mi Amigo International, broadcasting every day until sixteen in the evening, short wave, 6085 kHz - For all information, program, schedule, please visit our website http://radiomiamigointernational.com We hope you enjoy the music today here on short wave or online. We are bringing back the golden era of offshore AM free radio, Mi Amigo", "Welcome, welcome to Radio Mi Amigo, bringing back the golden era of off shore AM Radio, Mi Amigo AM and via Internet", pop songs in English. 35433 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Log in Friol, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DXLD) ** GERMANY. Good signal of DWD Deutscher Wetterdienst on Jan.14: 0600-0630 on 5905 PIN 010 kW / non-dir to CeEu German AM mode 0600-0630 on 6180 PIN 010 kW / non-dir to CeEu German AM mode https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/good-signal-of-dwd-deutscher.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan.13-14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE. Voice of Greece in 5 languages on 9420 kHz, Jan.9: 0750-1135 on 9420#AVL 150 kW / 323 deg to WeEu Greek*tx#03 *0750-0800 UT news in Arabic/Serbian; from 0811 frequency announcement: 9420 kHz, 9935 kHz to WeEu/ENAm and 11645 kHz to NoAf (9935/11645 kHz are inactive); 0900-0910 news in Spanish; 1005-1008 news in Russian; 1106-1109 news in Romanian and the transmitter switches off around 1136 UT!! #from 1100 UT weak co-ch China National Radio-13 in Uyghur https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/reception-of-voice-of-greece-in-5.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan.8-9, WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Ivo reports VOG normally off around 0803* (gh) 9420, Voice of Greece 2034-2157> Music program of local Greek songs with OM announcer. Time pips at 2100, OM ID’s in Greek then more music. Very relaxing and I’m making this my naptime listening this afternoon. Good signal on 1/9 (Don Hosmer, West Branch MI, ICOM IC-7200, CommRadio Cr-1a &/or XHData D-808 + G5RV dipoles & W6LVP lo, MARE Tipsheet 11 Jan via DXLD) Reception of Voice of Greece on 9420 kHz, Jan.11: 0751 & 0755 on 9420 AVL 150 kW / 323 deg to WeEu Greek* tx#3 *Arabic/Serbian nx & the transmitter switches off at 0835 https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/reception-of-voice-of-greece-on-9420_11.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan 10-11, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUATEMALA. 4055, Jan 10 at 1422, JBA AM carrier, presumed what`s left of TGAV Radio Verdad, 38 minutes after sunrise here (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUINEA. vs. KOREA D.P.R., Radio Guinée vs. Voice Korea Jan.11 0600-2400 on 9650 CON 050 kW / non-dir WeAf French R.Guinée Conakry 0700-1250 on 9650 KUJ 200 kW / 109 deg JPN Japanese Voice of Korea https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/radio-guinee-vsvoice-korea-on-9650-khz.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan 10-11, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HAWAII. 6501-USB, Jan 10 at 0633, rough modulation of marine weather info, mainly ``seas``, i.e. wave heights in feet, for various Pacific Ocean coördinates. Per EiBi it`s USCG Honolulu, NMO, scheduled at 0600-0635 & 1200-1235 only; 6501 time-shared with Alaska, Guam, Chesapeake, and Fuzhou. IIRC this and/or other USCG stations have long suffered from lousy SSB modulation (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. This is to inform that the National Channel of All India Radio operating on 1215 kHz New Delhi, 1566 kHz Nagpur & 9380 kHz Aligarh has closed down from this morning, 10 Jan 2019, at 0613 IST (0043 UT). They used to operate at 1320 to 0043 UT daily since 1987 or so. Yours sincerely, (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Hyderabad, India, Mobile: +91 94416 96043, http://www.qsl.net/vu2jos WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thank you. I suppose Vividh Bharati still continues on 9380 kHz as before. Best regards, (Mauno Ritola, 1553 UT Jan 10, dx_india yg via DXLD) ** INDIA. log at 0845 to 0915 UT on Jan 11, taken on remote SDRs in Delhi and Doha Qatar: 9380.002 1/2 kHz, AIR Aligarh site, S=8-9 in Qatar at 0845 UT Jan 11. 9865.001 kHz, AIR Bangalore, S=9+10dB, subcontinental music / singer, 0858 UT Jan 11. Aoki Nagoya Japan list show 'AIR New Delhi (Vividh Bharati)' 7289.994 AIR Chennai from Thiruvananthapuram tentatively, weak & tiny S=6-7 at 0900 UT on Jan 11. 7325.005 AIR Jaipur, proper S=9+30dB, Hindi female announcer, 0905 UT. 7340.001 AIR Mumbai, distorted audio bad quality, Urdu sce to Kashmir and Pakistan audience. S=9+25dB heard in Doha Qatar. 7380.002 AIR Chennai, Tamil sce, singer program, S=9+15dB, 0908 UT 7420.002 AIR Chennai, Hindi sce, S=9+15dB, 0909 UT on Jan 11. 7430.009 AIR Mumbai from Bhopal bcast center, S=9+30dB at 0915 UT, Bhopal tx unit has the best audio quality amongst AIR gear. [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Bueschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 11, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) So none of these is more than 9 Hz off frequency (gh) ** INDIA. AIR's "Faithfully Yours" heard January 14th [Monday] at 2215 UT (9445 kHz) in accordance with expected date in the two-weekly cycle. The AIR daily cuesheet for Jan 14 also had Faithfully Yours scheduled as expected at 1435, 1930, and Jan 15 at 0015. 73's (Alan Roe, Teddington, UK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA [non]. ARMENIA, Reception of Trans World Radio India via Yerevan on Jan.13: 1530-1600 7550 ERV 300 kW / 100 deg to SoAs English Sat/Sun, very good Wrong announcement ``...every Sat/Sun from 1545 UT on 7550 kHz at 21 meterband`` https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/reception-of-trans-world-radio-india_13.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan.13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. Adita Prithika Subrahmanyan is a young Indian DXer who writes eloquently and passionately about the DX hobby. In late December, she published a blog post of her 2017 trip to Indonesia, which was a result of winning of a Voice of Indonesia competition. It's a fascinating read. https://eagerbeaverreadxer.wordpress.com/2018/12/26/opportunity-of-a-lifetime-my-indonesianradio-sojourn (Jan BDXC_UK Communication via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. Thanks for re-posting the item in DXLD 19-01 about the HawkEye birds. A couple of days earlier, I was looking at the loadsheet for that last SpaceX launch, and was scratching my head about the listing for three "Elint" cubesats, Hawks A, B and C. Regards, (Chuck Albertson, Seattle, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. Mysterious radio signals from deep space detected Artwork: A highly magnetised rotating neutron star. Astronomers say one of these could be a source of the signals BBC News report astronomers have revealed details of mysterious signals emanating from a distant galaxy, picked up by a telescope in Canada. The precise nature and origin of the blasts of radio waves is unknown. Among the 13 fast radio bursts, known as FRBs, was a very unusual repeating signal, coming from the same source about 1.5 billion light years away. Such an event has only been reported once before, by a different telescope. “Knowing that there is another suggests that there could be more out there,” said Ingrid Stairs, an astrophysicist from the University of British Columbia (UBC). “And with more repeaters and more sources available for study, we may be able to un-derstand these cosmic puzzles – where they’re from and what causes them.” The CHIME observatory, located in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, consists of four 100-metre-long, semi-cylindrical antennas, which scan the entire northern sky each day. The telescope only got up and running last year, detecting 13 of the radio bursts almost immediately, including the repeater. Read the full BBC News article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46811618 (from The SWLing Post via SW Bulletin Jan 13 via DXLD) WTFK?! ** IRAN. 7230. IRIB. Enero 10. 0005-0105 UT. Servicio en español. Noticias provenientes de Hispan TV con informaciones despachadas desde varios países latinoamericanos. A las 0025, se identifica la emisora y luego comentario acerca de los Estados Unidos, Alemania, Israel, Reino Unidos, Trump, entre otras temáticas referidas a la geopolítica. Luego se emite un programa acerca de la xenofobia, la izquierda en América Latina, Brasil, el apoyo a Israel por parte de evangélicos brasileños, artículo del diario El País. A las 0051, se emite un comentario hasta las 0105. SINPO: 45343 (Claudio Galaz; Receptor: TECSUN PL 660; Antena: Hilo de 30 metros de largo; Lugar de escucha: Ovalle, IV Región, Chile, condiglista yg via DXLD) ** IRAN [non]. Radio Ranginkaman via ENC-DMS* via Grigoriopol, Jan.10 1730-1800 on 7560 KCH 300 kW / 116 deg to WeAs Farsi, good signal *Encompass Digital Media Services FMOrganization, ex BaBcoCk FMO https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/reception-of-radio-ranginkaman-via-enc.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan 10-11, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAEL. See MUSEA ** ITALY [non]. 7780, USA, IBC Radio (via WRMI) at 0122 with Christmas greetings from an amateur radio operator in Northern Ireland then a man with “And now IBC digital in PSK32” at 0124 and a digital message heard to 0129 and into WRMI IDs – Fair with fading Jan 8. – With the decision by IBC to suspend shortwave broadcasting on December 31st, that was announced earlier, I'm not sure if this was a new broadcast or a repeat of a previous one especially considering the Christmas greetings heard (Mark Coady, Selwyn, Ontario, Kenwood TS440S or Ten-Tec Argonaut II and 40 and 80 meter off centre-fed dipoles, ODXA iog via DXLD) ** JAPAN. Could someone describe the pattern of bells in the Radio Nikkei 1 IS? If Radio Nikkei 1 has a bell IS, that is. 6055 kHz, 2155 – Bell IS, one time pip at 2200, brief talk by M in (presumed) Japanese, into what sounded like EZL music (vocals and instrumentals) Boring! This on the TWR Africa SDR. Unfortunately, I didn’t hit the record button in time so don’t have a sample to share. Tnx & 73 (Terry Colgan, Austin, TX, Jan 14, WOR iog via DXLD) Hi Terry, You can probably find an audio sample of what you're looking for at the following website: http://www.intervalsignals.net/ And then scroll to "Japan" and there is a listing for "Radio Nikkei 1st Programme" (- Bruce F., ibid.) Bruce - Thanks for the IS site. I've bookmarked it for future reference. What I heard was indeed Radio Nikkkei. 73 (tc, ibid.) ** JAPAN. 6085, Shiokaze at 1315. M, W, in accented English, monologues regarding North Korean abductions. Very solid and clear ID at the bottom of the hour 1330 - Good over jamming Jan 10 [Thu only] (Rick Barton, AZ, Grundig Satellit 205(T.5000) & 750; HQ-200; RS SW-2000629, with various outdoor wires, WOR iog via DXLD) Normally filed here as KOREA NORTH [non], but JAPAN originates (gh) ** JAPAN. 9680, Jan 10 at 1528, W&M conversation in Japanese, poor. It`s NHK, in clear after the China Radio War ends at 1400. NHK also on 9750, both for Asia of course (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. 5923, Jan 13 a 1527 narrow-band noise centered here, rather like DRM, but must be jamming against the JBA carrier on 5920 of V of Freedom, Korea South (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. 7210, Voice of Korea in English at 1914 UT with ID then music program. Fair. I have noticed 11710 kHz has not been in during the usual local mornings here. Further checking this week needed. Perhaps that transmitter has finally given out. 73 (Mick Delmage, Sherwood Park, AB, Rx: Perseus SDR. Ant: Wellbrook ALA 100 loop, WOR iog via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. JAPAN, Good signal of JSR Shiokaze Sea Breeze, Jan.10 1300-1400 on 6085 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs English Thu https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/good-signal-of-jsr-shiokaze-sea-breeze.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan.9-10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) JAPAN, JSR Shiokaze Sea Breeze relay Furusato no Kaze on Jan.10 1405-1435 on 7245 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Japanese, good signal https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/jsr-shiokaze-sea-breeze-relay-furusato.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan 10-11, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6085, Shiokaze/Sea Breeze, via Yamata (Japan), 1339-1400*, Jan 12. In Japanese with special rebroadcast of the international symposium's Dec 15 concert, with singers from a junior high school; jammed by N. Korea, but almost fair reception. This was also heard today by Hiroshi, in Japan (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, WOR iog via DXLD) ** KOREA SOUTH. Transmitter site of Gongneung, Seoul Greetings, Here's a transmitter site located in Gongneung, Seoul. According to Wikimapia, it's called ??-????? (Noonwon transmitting station). If it's the same site listed in https://www.short-wave.info/index.php?txsite=Seoul Then the site transmits Echo of Hope with a power of 10 kW. It is also the confirmed origin of the number station V24 by a DXer who drove there back in 2015 during one of its transmissions. The site is heavily guarded with a double barbed wire fence and security cameras. The site might also have the following transmitters installed, amongst others. Source: https://www.swcountry.be/kor.html - 1x Thomson TSW2100D, 100 kW, installed in 2010 - 2x Continental 418G, 100 kW, installed in 2011 By looking at the street view and google maps and earth imagery, the site was refurbished in 2015. This also matches with a small period of inactivity from V24. During the refurbishment, one big log periodic antenna was dismantled in the northeastern part of the complex, and two curtain antennas were installed in the south, apparently pointing south east and south west (or north east and north west, not sure). Apart from that, the site contains another smaller log periodic antenna, a rhombic antenna on top of a mast and two (MW?) masts. All of these antennas can be seen on Street View. Coordinates for site: 37°38'12.3"N 127°06'28..9"E. Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/EJHN5XEou3H2 Log periodic antenna + 2 tall masts (MW?) on street view: https://goo.gl/maps/NnTJTbRQ5jD2 Site where the dismantled log periodic antenna was (you can still see some debris to the left, since the pic is from late 2015): https://goo.gl/maps/mwGyNZVmqyG2 Rhombic antenna with the two curtains on the background: https://goo.gl/maps/tbW3ASne7Mo Also related to the curtain antennas, what are these structures? They appeared at the same time as the arrays and are located in front of them on the northern part. Reflectors? https://goo.gl/maps/EtiAJPkTbtL2 73s, (Quim, Spain, Jan 12, shortwavesites yg via DXLD) ** KURDISTAN [non]. Anyone Know Who Is On 9525 kHz? GA All, I hate to be such a pain. I have been listening, on and off, for the last two days to a transmission I have been hearing on 9525 kHz. Yesterday, January 10th from 1742 to 1820 UT, I thought it was Radio Denge Kurdistan, operating using the Issoudun, FRANCE transmitter site. Just to confirm it, I also used their internet feed on their web site. It sure sounded like them, although I do not understand the Kurdish language. I sent a reception report to: prtc@idknet.com. I received a reply from "Sergey Omeichenko", which said "Our transmitter is not working on 9525 kHz. As I type this, today January 11th, I am still hearing them at 1803 UT, with a man speaking in what sounds like Arabic with SINPO 35444, although their is some fading (Charles Gessner, 1805 UT Jan 11, WOR iog via DXLD) The address you used is for the Pridnestrovye relay site (as the Ukrainianish name implies), which DW do use part of the time, but 9525 is now scheduled via Issoudun, France. I think people are not getting QSLs from the program/station itself rather than transmitter sites, and WRTH 2019 does not show any e-mail for it, but some websites: denge-welat.org radyo-welat.com radyowelat.com Perhaps MBR or TDF will reply, or QSL (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) Hi Glen[n], Thanks for your comments. I took another look at their web site and found an email link "radyo@welat.info". I just got done sending my SWL report to that email address. I have also been listening to that broadcaster on 9525 kHz for about an hour from 1805 to 1905 UT and beyond, while listening to the internet stream on their web site. It sure sounds like the same broadcaster. Thanks for the information on the WRTH. I have a copy ordered, but not received yet. Plus I have started using the AOKI listenings. Thanks (Charles Gessner, W3ON, ibid) ** KUWAIT. Radio Kuwait General Service on odd 9749.8 kHz, Jan.12 1055-1325 on 9749.8 KBD 250 kW / 286 deg to NEAf Arabic, good: https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/radio-kuwait-general-service-on-odd.html Radio Kuwait Holy Quran Sce on odd 11629.8 kHz, Jan.12 1355-1600 on 11629.8 KBD 250 kW / 230 deg to CeAf Arabic, good: https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/radio-kuwait-holy-quran-sce-on-odd.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan 12, DX LISTENING DIGEST) MOI Radio Kuwait in English on very odd 15529.7 kHz, Jan.14 0500-0800 on 15529.7 KBD 250 kW / 310 deg to WeEu English, very good https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/moi-radio-kuwait-in-english-on-very-odd.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan.13-14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) MOI Radio Kuwait in Farsi on odd 7249.8 kHz, Jan.14: 0800-1000 on 7249.8 KBD 250 kW / non-dir to WeAs Farsi, good https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/moi-radio-kuwait-in-farsi-on-odd-72498.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan.14-15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KYRGYZSTAN [non?]. Re: ``BUZZ of 100 Hertz distance apart each 23 x 100 Hz strings either sideband on 4820 kHz, Lhasa Tibet Chinese px on top S=9+30dB. 0050 UT Jan 10`` Did you check it? Here's KGR2 sign-off at 1230 and Xizang remains there with clean carrier: [screenshot] (Mauno Ritola, 1231 Jan 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes Mauno, heard an hour this morning 09-10 UT on Kazakh KiwiSDR, Kalkash KAZ, operator ZL/KF6VO. Seen always 23 x 100 Hertz BUZZ strings, as well as many further 50 Hertz distance apart BUZZ in between. 4817.2 to 4822.8 kHz Range But looked out http://www.ktrk.kg to fetch the online streams, no success, even with Google translator Kirgizh language website into English. http://www.ktrk.kg/about http://www.ktrk.kg/online/online-1radio.php On SW I guess heard MUSICA program, even a Hungarian Czardas music type title for example heard. http://www.ktrk.kg/music Thanks, 73 wolfie df5sx wwdxc (Wolfgang Bueschel, 1005 UT Jan 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also TIBET Yes Wolfie, seems, that the normal link http://www.ktrk.kg/online/online-kg_radio.php doesn't work, but I found this: https://topradio.me/radio/kyirgyiz-radiosu // 4820 kHz 0000-1230. The link you gave: http://www.ktrk.kg/online/online-1radio.php is for 1st program, which is carried on 4010v kHz. 73, (Mauno, ibid.) ** KYRGYZSTAN. Kyrgyz R from Bishkek on 4010.221 kHz S=9+20dB proper in Finland remote, 1420 UT on Jan 14. At Seoul remote SDR noted on 4010.221 kHz S=8 at 1643 [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Bueschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KYRGYZSTAN. Radio Voice of Life (Sedaye Zindagi) seems to start broadcasting an hour earlier. I listened on January 2nd from 1558 to 1650 UT; on January 4, 2019 from 1450 UT on 5130 kHz. In both cases, a very weak signal (Rumen Pankov, Sofia, Bulgaria, Rus-DX Jan 13 via DXLD) ** MACAU. The Radio Scene in Portuguese Macau - 2 Here in Wavescan last month, we presented Part 1 of the Radio Scene on Portuguese Macau and we covered the story of their early wireless and radio broadcasting stations during the prewar years. The main radio transmitter back then was in use for both international communication as well as for the broadcast of radio programming under the consecutive callsigns CQN CRY9 and CR8AA. In our program today, we pick up the Macau story again at the time when the war in Asia, Japan versus China, was well under way, and it was soon to explode into the dramatic Pacific War running from 1941 to 1945. On the same day, Sunday December 7 in Hawaii and Monday December 8 on the western side of the International Date Line, Japanese forces made a surprise attack on several strategic locations in the Pacific, including Honolulu in Hawaii, and the island of Luzon in the Philippines, and also the British colonial territory of Hong Kong on coastal China. Because Portugal over in Europe remained neutral during World War 2, and because Macau was a Portuguese colony in coastal China, this small Asian territory was spared much of the devastation that overtook the Asia-Pacific arena. However during this tragic war, Macau became a refugee center with an estimated half million refugees flowing in from other areas of Asia. The main influx of refugees came from mainland China, with an additional 9,000 flowing in from Hong Kong. These large migrations produced drastic shortages of food and accommodation in Macau. Initially the Japanese authorities accepted and respected Macau’s stance of neutrality during the Asia-Pacific War. However in August 1943, Japanese troops seized a British cargo steamer at Macau, the Sian (X’ian), and this event led to the installation of Japanese advisors over the colony. Towards the end of the Pacific War during the year 1945, American planes bombed Macau three times, for which the United States made a reparations payment of $20 million to Portugal five years later. The first American air raid took place on Tuesday January 16 during the South China Sea Raids as part of Operation Gratitude. At the time, United States navy vessels were passing nearby during heavy stormy weather and their planes bombed the Naval Aviation Center on coastal Macau, and destroyed the reserve tanks of aviation fuel. In addition, they also bombed a radio station on the main Macau Island. Next day, Tokyo Rose announced in English on Radio Tokio shortwave: We don’t know how you got into the area; but now, how will you get out? We turn now to the radio scene in Portuguese Macau beginning just before the middle of last century. It was during the year 1941 that Radio Clube Macao was formed and they inherited all of the equipment and installations of the former radio station that had been on the air under the consecutive callsigns CQN and CRY9. At this stage, their operating frequency was 6070 kHz, and they were then identified with a new callsign, CR8AA. This new callsign CR8AA gives the appearance that it was an amateur radio callsign, though in actual reality, this call identified the station when it was on the air for the broadcast of news and entertainment programming. Interestingly, the international prefix CR8 would identify another Portuguese colony, Goa in India rather than Macau in China. However during that era, with Asian tensions rising high, we would suggest that the Portuguese government in Europe required their shortwave station in Macau China to identify with a callsign relevant to Goa India in order to add a touch of combined psychological strength to their distant colonies. The studios for this pre-war shortwave station were always located on the top floor of the Post Office building in downtown Macau, and the transmitter was always located at Dona Maria Fort, Fortaleza da Dona Maria 2. This fort was constructed by the Portuguese authorities in 1852 at an isolated location on a small peninsula jutting out into the bay from the main island of Macau. The 500 watt shortwave transmitter was constructed in three separate units; the low power driver transmitter, a 500 watt amplifier, and a separate rectifier. A photograph in a radio magazine in 1935 shows three tall masts at Fort Dona Maria, two of which were identified as supporting the zeppelin antenna that was in use for the shortwave transmissions from station CR8AA. A third mast in the photograph was not specifically identified, though we would suggest that it was in use as a receiving antenna for two way communication traffic. There seems to be no indication that shortwave CR8AA was ever on the air with program broadcasting during the Pacific War. After the bombing of Hong Kong on December 8, 1941 there are no known monitoring observations until the station was reactivated again with program broadcasting in August 1945. The radio station that the American planes bombed on January 16, 1945 was this historic low powered shortwave station CR8AA at Fort Dona Maria. However apparently the damage to the transmitter facility was not too great, because in August, the station was heard again, at good strength by Mr. R. Clack in Australia on 7530 kHz. In a monitoring report published in the Australasian Radio World, DX Editor Lawrence J. Keast commented: Radio Club Macau has made a welcome re-appearance after its long silence. An oversized QSL card issued to a listener in Sweden for reception in December (1945) shows an artistic representation of coastal scenery in Macau. The English text on this QSL card verifies reception on 7505 kHz, though subsequently they moved again to 9300 kHz. More about the radio scene in Macau another time. Audio Insert Station ID (Adrian Peterson, IN, script for AWR Wavescan Jan 13 via DXLD) ** MADAGASCAR. 5009.9, R. Madagasikara (presumed), 1526-1536, Jan 12. Via long path; music and announcers; believe I'm safe with "presumed," based on grayline reception, low frequency and language heard; no AIR noted. My local sunrise today at 1519 UT and Antananarivo sunset was at 1533 UT, making for nice grayline reception (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, WOR iog via DXLD) ** MADAGASCAR. 11965, Jan 10 at 2104, no signal from MWV in Portuguese. Have not checked specifically for the APR English hours, 18 on 13670 and 20 on 11965, but caradio memory scans have failed to land on anything there for a day or two. That`s because, as Ivo Ivanov reported: ``On Jan. 7 no signal of KNLS Madagascar World Voice MWV. From the staff of Madagascar World Voice wrote: "We have a problem with Madagascar here. Yesterday there was a storm and lightning struck the station started a fire and the transformer burned out. So while broadcasting of Madagascar will not. The exact date of repair is unknown because the new transformer must be brought from the mainland". Winter B18 of MWV: https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/no-signal-of-knls-madagascar-world.html (Ivo Ivanov, Bulgaria, WORLD OF RADIO 1964, DX LISTENING DIGEST)`` Apparently this knocked both transmitters out. Does ``mainland`` here refer to Africa or America? Keep an ear on all frequencies for any resumption (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MADAGASCAR. 11790, R Feda, 2230. Man, then woman, in Arabic, followed by Middle Eastern music with female vocalist. Glad to hear the station again as I have not heard it for at least a couple of weeks. Not coming in with armchair reception I'm used to hearing with this station, but - Good with some fading, Jan 13 (Rick Barton, AZ, Grundig Satellit 205(T.5000) & 750; HQ-200; RS SW-2000629, with various outdoor wires, WOR iog via DXLD) 6190, Jan 14 at 0255, La Voz Alegre ID at closing, S9+10/S9, 0256 a bit of dead air and off. So MWV is back after their transformer lightning strike. Should resume shortly with a repeat of the Spanish hour on 6180 from 0300 after China/Cuba is off. 13670, Jan 14 at 1800, African Pathways Radio is also back opening hour previewing music from Bela Fleck and Dolly Parton, S9/S9+10 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MALAYSIA [non-log]. 9835 (Sarawak FM) & 11665 (Wai FM), on both Jan 12 & 13, noted clearly off the air (1300+). When did this happen? So there are no Malaysia SW stations now? (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DXLD) ** MEXICO. 820, Jan 15 at 1344, ``Canal ocho-veinte, A-B-C Radio`` canned ID between tunes, like at almost every break; with WBAP nulled, which can be very weak here, as XEABCA Mexicali hops in by SRS; just before, the only SS propagating lower were on 660, 720. Our LSR is inching earlier, 1342 UT (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 730, XEHB, La Mexicana, Hidalgo del Parral, Chih. JAN 3 1400 - Mixing with XESOS and KDBI. Full FM/AM ID by male announcer. This station is staying active on AM per IFT decision. Relog. 850, XEMIA, R. Disney 90.3 FM, San Pedro Tlaquepaque, Jal. JAN 5, 0558 - Somewhat auroral conditions tonight, so no more KICY. Tonight it's back to XEMIA mixing with KOA. English and Spanish pop music parallel web stream. Full (4:40) children's choral version of Mexican anthem started 1 minute and 50 seconds after local midnight, followed by ID, which only mentioned FM. This station will presumably leave AM later this year, making 850 an even more wide-open frequency. Relog. 1250, XEDK, DK 1250, Guadalajara, Jal. JAN 5, 0559 - Alone on the channel at times. Male announcer gave DK 1250 slogan, then introduced the national anthem, which was the very slow orchestral version used by all Radiorama Occidente stations. Relog but fairly rare here. 1350, XETB, R. Laguna, Gómez Palacio, Dgo. JAN 3, 1358 - Female announcer with "La Red de Radio Red" newscast from 1110 XERED. I'm almost certain this is XETB (I can't eliminate XELBL, because they only have a half-built web page from over a decade ago, but I would expect them to be playing an anthem at this hour). XETB web page states that they run XERED "La Red de Radio Red" morning news program from 5:45-10:00 a.m. M-F local time. Relog (Tim Hall, Chula Vista CA; Perseus, SDR-IQ, 600-ft unterminated Beverage aimed south/southeast-north/northwest, NRC IDXD Jan 11 via DXLD) ** MEXICO. 1410, XEBS, Bandolera 1410, Ciudad de México. 1146 January 8, 2019. Excellent on peaks with Mexi-tunes, male "Bandolera Catorce-Diez AM" then truncated choral national anthem from 1155, ID 1157. Parallel station stream (about 30 seconds slow). (Terry Krueger, All times/dates GMT, Clearwater, FL, IC-R75, NRD-535, longwires, active loop, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 6185, Jan 10 at 0635, undermodulated Spanish, S9-S7, as XEPPM must be overrunning nominal 0600*; perhaps it`s still the RFI news relay, cut off abruptly at 0638* during what may have been an ID. For a long time now, earlier in evening, Radio Educación has been very weak and also undermodulated, unusable. Clearly SW is the lowest priority for them, as they are finally expanding into FM. We can only hope they keep 6185 going as Mexico`s last SW station (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) simulistening: 6185, Radio Educación, Ciudad de México, 0558-0638*, 10-01, classic music, identification, at 0607 “Las noticias de Radio Francia Internacional”, ID “Señal 96.5, frecuencia modulada, alta definición, en periodo de pruebas...”, close at 0638. 15321. Also 0453-0601, 12-01, songs in English and Spanish, at 0600 anthem and close at 0601. Very weak today. 15311 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Log in Friol, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DXLD) ** MEXICO. RAYMIE`S MEXICO BEAT this week --- including DTV = TDT El Fuerte, Sinaloa, is getting its IFT-4 radio station, and not everyone is pleased about where the facility is going. The article from Luz Network, https://www.luznoticias.mx/sinaloa/cuenta-regresiva-a-punto-de-transmitir-la-953-fm-en-el-fuerte/55855?fbclid=IwAR312EfMDUU5KUGVUa3FpGuw64oSFzCRpD4pEuZoB20orkgrMCwYujWNw-s which will own XHPFRT-FM 95.3, trumpets the fact that it'll be the town's first commercial station in quite some time. Apparently, it was in 1985 https://sinaloa.debate.com.mx/sinaloa/Por-abrir-radiodifusora-en-El-Fuerte-20190107-0056.html that the Bosque family moved XEORF's studios to Los Mochis (XHORF still has its stick at Mochicahui), and promotes their location in a "nice colonial building". It also mentions the fact that XHPFRT will be on test in the coming days (and, according to the other story, fully on air within two weeks) and will have a different format from XHMSL-FM (my guess: grupera). And then you read another piece. https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=%22estaci%C3%B3n%20de%20radio%22&epa=FILTERS&filters=eyJycF9jcmVhdGlvbl90aW1lIjoie1wibmFtZVwiOlwiY3JlYXRpb25fdGltZVwiLFwiYXJnc1wiOlwie1xcXCJzdGFydF95ZWFyXFxcIjpcXFwiMjAxOVxcXCIsXFxcInN0YXJ0X21vbnRoXFxcIjpcXFwiMjAxOS0xXFxcIixcXFwiZW5kX3llYXJcXFwiOlxcXCIyMDE5XFxcIixcXFwiZW5kX21vbnRoXFxcIjpcXFwiMjAxOS0xMlxcXCIsXFxcInN0YXJ0X2RheVxcXCI6XFxcIjIwMTktMS0xXFxcIixcXFwiZW5kX2RheVxcXCI6XFxcIjIwMTktMTItMzFcXFwifVwifSIsInJwX2F1dGhvciI6IntcIm5hbWVcIjpcIm1lcmdlZF9wdWJsaWNfcG9zdHNcIixcImFyZ3NcIjpcIlwifSJ9 El Fuerte, Sinaloa, is a Pueblo Mágico. And if you are trying to sell yourself to tourists like a Pueblo Mágico, you want to look the part. A big radio tower in the middle of town, like the one for XHPFRT-FM, is understandably an eyesore, and René Vega is unsure how it got approved by city officials and by the INAH, the National Anthropological and Historic Institute. (In September 2017, I reported on an item from Campeche, which mentioned the INAH apparently having yelled at the Instituto Campechano to dismantle its AM tower because the Campeche historic city center was a UNESCO World Heritage Site.) ——— Meanwhile, in Hermosillo, MVS Radio was the victim of a robbery on Monday https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=%22radiodifusora%22&epa=FILTERS&filters=eyJycF9jcmVhdGlvbl90aW1lIjoie1wibmFtZVwiOlwiY3JlYXRpb25fdGltZVwiLFwiYXJnc1wiOlwie1xcXCJzdGFydF95ZWFyXFxcIjpcXFwiMjAxOVxcXCIsXFxcInN0YXJ0X21vbnRoXFxcIjpcXFwiMjAxOS0xXFxcIixcXFwiZW5kX3llYXJcXFwiOlxcXCIyMDE5XFxcIixcXFwiZW5kX21vbnRoXFxcIjpcXFwiMjAxOS0xMlxcXCIsXFxcInN0YXJ0X2RheVxcXCI6XFxcIjIwMTktMS0xXFxcIixcXFwiZW5kX2RheVxcXCI6XFxcIjIwMTktMTItMzFcXFwifVwifSJ9 in which speakers, monitors, and other equipment were stolen from a storage facility. The thieves removed an AC unit in order to access the MVS property (Raymie Humbert, Phœnix AZ, Jan 9, WTFDA Forum via DXLD) Meeting notes, meeting notes, from FIVE IFT meetings (though two do not have broadcasting items)! November 28, XXXV Ordinary Meeting Multiprogramming: XHPBLM http://www.ift.org.mx/sites/default/files/conocenos/pleno/sesiones/acuerdoliga/pift281118784.pdf Startup delay: XHMTPU http://www.ift.org.mx/sites/default/files/conocenos/pleno/sesiones/acuerdoliga/pift281118785.pdf Ownership changes: XHESON, XHJY, XHLPS, XHSB, XHSQ New: Apoyamos Tu Superación, A.C. (social; Valle de Tacupeto, Mpio de Sahuaripa, Son.); Dabar Radio (social, Guadalupe y Calvo, Chih.); Eulalio Domínguez Soto (social; Ejido Hipólito Landeros, Texistepec, Veracruz); Fundación General Francisco Hernández Domínguez, A.C. (social; Izúcar de Matamoros, Pue.); Fomento Cultural Cihuatlán, A.C. (social; Cihuatlán, Jal.); Fundación de la Radio Cultural, A.C. (social; Ciudad Acuña, Cuatro Ciénegas and Sabinas, all Coah.); Patronato para el Fomento de la Educación, S.C. (social TDT; Cuernavaca, Mor.); Yuririapundaro 104.7, A.C. (community, Yuriria, Gto.) The digital TV station is for the private Universidad del Sol. The application had been filed March 31, 2008. Eulalio Domínguez Soto is Radio Santidad 102.5 FM, a religious station. https://www.facebook.com/1025-FM-RADIO-Santidad-La-Expresion-de-la-Verdad-900954703392758/ The Apoyamos Tu Superación application, from October 12, 2007, is the oldest cleared by the IFT in this batch. December 5, XXXVI Ordinary Meeting The Televisa shuffle in Chihuahua. XHCHZ 5.2 goes from Foro TV to Nu9ve, Foro is added to XHFI 2.2. Televisa also is adding a sub to XHTUA (.3). Noteworthy: is Canal 5 moving to XHTUA? Remember, XHTX is the other Telemisión station. A technical change was approved for XHTYL-FM Monterrey, probably a power increase to 3 kW (they were an old Class D at 20 watts, but IFT-002-2016 paved the way for an increase). Also at 400 kHz and getting a change is XHUIA-FM Mexico City. New: Radio Actitud San Felipe, A.C. (community; San Felipe, Gto.) December 12, XXXVII Ordinary Meeting Multiprogramming: XHTDJA (MVS), XHMTPU (MVS) Changes (unidentified): XHUPC-FM XHUPC's might be some of the stuff I mentioned recently, particularly with changes related to the nominal concessionaire. The IPN has also sought a technical boost and callsign change. Sales: XHGQ-FM (Gilberto Hossfeldt Díaz -> Tremor Comunicaciones, S.A. de C.V.), XEOPE/XHOPE (Radio Emisora Occidental, S.A. -> Radio Ope de Mazatlán, S.A. de C.V.), XHLC-FM Guadalajara (Metropolitana de Frecuencia [Modulada] S.A. de C.V., -> Stereorey México, S.A.), XHJR-FM (Armando Puente Córdova -> Radiodifusoras Capital, S.A. de C.V.), New: Radio Naranjos, A.C. (social, Naranjos, Ver.); Rate Cultural y Educativa de México, A.C. (social, Puerto Escondido, Oax.); Radiodifusión Social Comunitaria de Durango, A.C. (social, Ninguno, Dgo.); Comunidad Indígena de Xalitla, Guerrero (indigenous); Tarandacuao Pueblo de Abundante Agua, A.C. (community; Tarandacuao, Gto.); Abrazando a los Pueblos, Juxtlahuaca, A.C. (community, Santiago Juxtlahuaca, Oax.) Renewals: three CDI stations (CDI? still?), one concession extension for Televisión Digital (XHAW), five other unidentified TV renewals (Raymie, Jan 9, ibid.) Before the main story today, a few headlines. The IFT will fight for its budget. http://www.ift.org.mx/comunicacion-y-medios/comunicados-ift/es/el-pleno-del-ift-aprobo-interponer-una-controversia-constitucional-en-contra-del-decreto-de It unanimously approved the filing of a constitutional challenge to the low budget it received for 2019, claiming said budget weakens the agency's regulatory function. The budget approved by Congress slashed funds for the IFT by nearly 15 percent. This Reporte Indigo piece on community stations https://www.reporteindigo.com/indigonomics/radios-comunitarias-la-lucha-por-sobrevivir-financiamiento-gobierno-uso-no-comercial-retos-telecomunicaciones/ doesn't have much that isn't new, but it does note a side effect of the restructuring of the public relations regime: all government advertising buys are now centralized, causing stations to lose the contacts they had locally in favor of everything being handled from Mexico City. Community stations want to see their allotted 1% share increased and the ability to sell a limited amount of local advertising. The article has a bunch of nice infographics showing the growth — accelerated growth, too — of noncommercial radio in recent years. An unusually high-profile urban pirate is coming to Puebla, but their plans to transmit on 87.9 FM from studios in a San Andrés Cholula office building are on hold. Pulsar 87.9 FM had announced a Saturday launch for their station, http://www.e-consulta.com/nota/2019-01-09/entretenimiento/pulsar-879-fm-inicia-operaciones-en-puebla-el-12-de-enero but it looks like that is on hold. https://www.diariocambio.com.mx/2019/especial/item/611-nueva-estacion-de-radio-pulsar-fm-empieza-online-mientras-tramita-permisos-ante-ift?fbclid=IwAR0Ut-dHjYk0_5mZpxUyjTFRdkCR618w_Rfs08tsvwsF2Z1pi-FoNvEyZ_M Instead, they will go on the air as an Internet station next month and hope the IFT gets back to them, which is very obviously not going to happen on that frequency. It's worth noting that if they were to apply as a community station, there is likely one final allotment available by reciprocity (105.5). The station is constituted as the Asociación Cultural de Radio, A.C., for which I have no records of a station application. Further of interest: one of the people involved is Nay Salvatori, who went from radio in Puebla to being a federal deputy in the current legislature and would have a weekly show on the new station. Mexican Talk Radio Takes A New Shape Monday, January 14, 2019, will be the day that one era ended and another began in Mexican talk radio. That day, Radio Centro relaunches XERC-FM as a talk station in a major format flip. Yesterday, GRC announced more of Radio Centro 97.7's new program lineup, https://twitter.com/RadioCentroMX/status/1083178727528378368 with Guadalupe Juárez in the early morning, Carmen Aristegui from 7-11, Julio Astillero in the early afternoon slot, and Sergio Sarmiento evenings. But the changes are leaving someone out in the cold. That would be Jesús Martín Mendoza. His evening show will go to Radio Red AM only https://twitter.com/JesusMartinMx/status/1082968426707079168 in a decision he says was done to maximize public sector ad sales. There's also a bit of a bigger question here. Where's Red FM in all of this? The Radio Red morning newscast has been blown up already — that was Sergio Sarmiento and Guadalupe Juárez. The evening newscast is going AM-only. The afternoon sports show is moving to 97.7. That leaves the afternoon Red newscast with Juan Francisco Castañeda and a bunch of talk shows. They're not the only ones getting changes. W Radio is relaunching the same day, https://www.elsoldemexico.com.mx/gossip/carlos-loret-de-mola-regresa-radio-w-radio-nuevo-programa-2899782.html with the primary novelties in the afternoon. Carlos Loret de Mola returns to W Radio to do afternoons, La Corneta gets a second run on W Radio (it is one of the primary network programs for Los 40), and there's a new early evening sports show. The press conference also mentioned a few Televisa Radio elements. Soon, the IFT-4 stations at Puerto Vallarta and Ensenada will begin operations, along with the second-wave migrant in Guadalajara (XHWK-FM). While the Ensenada station has already been promoted as Los 40, that wasn't the only item of note. Last year, Televisa Radio launched romantic-driven "VOX Love Station" on XHOD-FM in San Luis Potosí. That format, which was described as the "fourth network" (after Ke Buena, Los 40 and W Radio), will expand to six more cities this year, according to Francisco Cabañas, the director of Televisa Radio. Furthermore, Cabañas addressed the sale cloud that had been hanging over the division in recent months, saying that Televisa will not sell its stake in the radio arm. http://www.milenio.com/negocios/televisa-conserva-activos-de-w-radio (Raymie, Jan 10, ibid.) We have the name of Mexico's first new radio station of 2019. That would be XHPCHQ-FM 91.3 Chetumal https://www.facebook.com/haahilfm/ "Haahil FM" (Class B1), http://rpc.ift.org.mx/rpc/pdfs/93799_181203160659_7215.pdf the first Grupo Turquesa-owned FM to sign on from the IFT-4 auction. It came on the air with formal inauguration this evening. "Haahil" means "truth" in Maya — their slogan is "La verdad de lo que dice con la mejor música", so you can see where they got it from. Meanwhile, turns out Fundación de la Radio Cultural is a social wolf indeed. In a 2014 filing, its legal representative was Melchor Sánchez de la Fuente. If the first part of that name sounds familiar, Melchor Sánchez Dovalina built Coahuila's first FM, XHMS-FM 99.5 Monclova. Today that's a group, Radio Medios de Monclova, which also owns wolf XHFRC-FM and commercial XHCCG-FM (Raymie, Jan 11, ibid.) On A Mission The Broadcasting History of José de Jesús Partida Villanueva and Family, and the Start of a New Chapter It began with a radio station in Ensenada, Baja California. When XEHC-AM went on the air around November 1958, José de Jesús Partida Villanueva began what would become a life in broadcasting. He sold XEHC to Gloria Herminia Enciso Power in 1966, but two years later, Partida returned to the industry, starting up a new Ciudad Juárez station (XEJPV-AM 1560, named for him). The Juárez station was not one Partida seemed to run heavily—as early as 1971, it was part of the “Spanish Broadcast System”, a predecessor to today’s MegaRadio, with stablemates XEF, XEFV, and XEWR. Additionally, in the 1960s, Partida was involved with radio in his home state of Chiapas. XEUI Comitán, XEWM San Cristóbal and XEVF Villaflores were all started by him. (His wife, Celia María Amador Carrillo de Partida, would own XEUI until 1997.) But 1968 also saw the first venture by Partida Villanueva into television. In October, XHTX-TV channel 8 went on the air as the first television station in Chiapas. It signed on the air, like other stations, in time to beam the Olympics into people’s homes—or at least the few sets installed in the Tuxtla area. People were scared to buy them because it was reputed that Partida had considered making the station temporary and tearing it down after the Games. Of course, XHTX remained on air after the Games. It broadcast from three transmitters, one at XEON-AM in Tuxtla and two others at Rizo de Oro in Ocozocuautla and Cerro Tzontehuitz in San Cristóbal de las Casas. (XHTX has no dependent shadows today.) It provided some local shows and fare from XHTV and XHGC, using the national microwave system which had gone into service a year prior. Ultimately, it became an XEW repeater. After a 1975 attempt to win channel 4 San Cristóbal fell through because it was very obviously reserved for Canal 13, Partida would strike again nearly a decade later. He won XHGK-10 Comitán de Domínguez, which he turned into channel 4 from Tapachula, and XHDY-5 San Cristóbal. These would be the second and third TV stations he’d own. In 1993, they were transferred to Comunicación del Sureste, today fully part of Albavisión; there is no connection between XHGK/XHDY and the Partida family today. Partida returned to Chihuahua in 1991 by winning XHAUC-TV channel 9, this time through a company called Telemisión, S.A. de C.V. (Telemisión would not be the concessionaire for XHTX until 2017; it is owned by Partida Villanueva, his wife and their six children.) XHAUC would not come on the air until 1996, transmitting from its own site atop Cerro Santa Rosa, where it is the only broadcasting facility. (Most TV service in Chihuahua comes from Cerro del Coronel.) Partida lived in Chiapas. In 1977, he acquired a property known as Kishtula in the municipality of Las Margaritas, and in 1997, his name made international news when federal authorities raided his large mansion (elsewhere) in search of drug lord Amado Carrillo Fuentes, because his son used Partida’s address; the federal government later apologized. Televisa would come to play a large role, nearly exclusive, in supplying XHAUC and especially XHTX their programs. After Telemisión apparently ran XHAUC as a local station, it became Gala TV (and later Nu9ve) Chihuahua, under a program supply agreement in which Televisa itself controlled all of the station’s ad time and handled all local program production. XHTX would later become another link in the Canal 5 network (if I had to guess, when XHTUA was built in 1994 and took over Las Estrellas service) with the occasional local morning program, broadcasting from Televisa facilities. For broadcasters, Partida Villanueva’s career was long and distinguished. He was honored with the Premio Antena in 2007 alongside other names instantly recognizable to people in this realm: longtime broadcast lawyer Casio Carlos Narváez Lidolf, Gustavo Astiazarán Rosas, Antonio Grajales, Francisco Aguirre Gómez, and Lilly Téllez, who today serves in the Senate. The story of the Partida Amador family’s broadcasting business, however, is fast writing a new and uncertain chapter, one in which it has broken totally with Televisa. On January 1, 2019, all Televisa Chihuahua local programming migrated from XHAUC to the 5.2 subchannel of XHCHZ, displacing Foro TV to XHFI 2.2. At the same time the IFT approved the subchannel changes necessary to carry that out, it also authorized the addition of a Canal 5 subchannel to XHTUA in Tuxtla Gutiérrez. If you tune into XHAUC, you might see some Televisa Regional programs taken from Sky’s Local View service, but you are also more likely to see a slate showing the station’s tower and its independent logo—which has been in use since at least 2016 on materials made by Telemisión. It’s not yet clear what is being seen, and on what virtual channel, in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, where XHTX digital is dependent on Televisa transmission infrastructure. (In 2015, the XHTX analog tower, at 14 Poniente and 13 Norte, was still standing, with a sign on the adjoining building reading “Televisur, Imagen de Chiapas”. It looks like they were there through shutdown, too.) (Raymie, Jan 12, ibid.) I failed to note a landmark approval. Tarandacuao Pueblo de Abundante Agua, A.C., the second community station approved for Tarandacuao, Guanajuato, will be unlike XHSCBS-FM 98.9 Enlace Taranda in that it will be an AM station. This is the first-ever new-to-air community station approved by the IFT on AM and the second overall. There is just one operating community station on AM: the dean of Mexican social broadcasting, XEYTM Teocelo, Veracruz, which also was among the first stations ever converted to a community concession a few years ago (Raymie, Jan 14, ibid.) Could the IMER be about to part with a radio station? January 1 saw the formal startup of the new Sistema Público de Radiodifusión de la Ciudad de México (or Mexico City SPR, which is kind of confusing), which for now consists of Capital 21 XHCDM-TDT. But Mexico City's municipal online radio station, Código Radio, will be joining that system in the coming days, according to an article that ran in the print edition of Excélsior but which I cannot find online. Perhaps more interesting is that Mexico City's secretary of culture, Alfonso Suárez del Real, told Excélsior culture reporter Juan Carlos Talavera that the Mexico City SPR planned to petition the federal government to obtain one of the IMER radio stations. While XEB was mentioned, Suárez said "any of them would be welcome to complete the system". The irony, of course, is incredibly rich. The IMER absorbed Mexico City's municipal FM radio station, XHOF-FM 105.7 "Radio Departamento", when it was constituted in 1983. The city has wanted a station from the IMER for a while. In 2007, the Legislative Assembly passed a resolution http://sil.gobernacion.gob.mx/Archivos/Documentos/2007/02/asun_2307762_20070206_1170782719.pdf asking for a copy of the XHOF-FM permit (which somehow took 22 years to completely transfer) http://rpc.ift.org.mx/rpc/pdfs/0902526480037db9.pdf amidst attempts by the Mexico City government to get the station back. However, the IMER is probably more likely to part with an AM than an FM (Raymie, Jan 15, ibid.) It looks like we know the callsign given to the new community station for Tingambato, Michoacán, to be operated by Ziraño, A.C. They are on social media already as XHZIR-FM 99.3. https://www.facebook.com/Radio-Social-de-Tingambato-993-Fm-La-que-Debes-Escuchar-139421492836927/ They are raising funds—door to door!—to build their class A facility and sign on the air with a projected startup date in early March. Tingambato has not had a local station since the CDI shuttered its triple-90.7 network of low-power stations at Tingambato, Huecorio and Zacán. Este programa es público, ajeno a cualquier partido político. Queda prohibido el uso para fines distintos a los establecidos en el programa [taglines] Read the Mexico Beat http://forums.wtfda.org/showthread.php?9113-OPMA-is-changing | View my HD Radio in Mexico map https://tinyurl.com/hdmexico | Consult the list of Article 90 reserved band clears http://forums.wtfda.org/showthread.php?9113-OPMA-is-changing&p=44850#post44850 (Raymie, Jan 15, ibid.) ** MONGOLIA. 4895, Mongolian Radio, Murun, 0730-0934, 11-01, nothing here in my QTH, no audio, no carrier, but heard via SDR Kiwi remote receiver in Irkutsk, Russia, with Mongolian comments, male and female, Mongolian songs, and with SINPO 25332 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DXLD) [updated:] 4895, Mongolian Radio, Murun, 0730-0922 11-01, nothing here in my QTH, but heard via SDR Kiwi remote receiver in Irkutsk, Russia, with Mongolian comments, male and female, Mongolian songs, and with SINPO 25332, but 12-01 out of air at the same time (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Log in Friol, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DXLD) Yes, this seems to have reactivated since new year after a long inactivity excluding some one-day appearances. Heard with weak signal here in Finland due to geomagnetic storm. Carries now 1st programme instead of 3rd. 73, (Mauno Ritola, Finland, 0953 Jan 11, ibid.) AOKI also lists 1st programme on 4895 kHz and not the third one. Third one is not listed. The 2nd is listed on 4830 with a X signal (the freq is in the inactive status) and on 7260 kHz as active on AOKI (Tibor Gaal, Hungary, ibid.) But 7260 kHz is listed with 2nd programme, which doesn't actually exist any more, it carries the 3rd programme. Also the afternoon break is only between 0500-0700, not from 0200. Correct about 4830 kHz (Mauno Ritola, WOR iog via DXLD) Jan 12, didn't hear any signal today from Mongolia on 4895 (checking 1143 to past 1500), nor did I hear 7260 after strong CRI (1100-1257 UT) went off the air (Ron Howard, California, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DXLD) As Hiroyuki Komatsubara reported, Mongolian Radio, Murun 4895 kHz has reactivated since New Year after long inactivity and is gradually expanding its daytime-only schedule. Still heard at 1130 here in Finland. It carries now 1st program instead of 3rd. Altai 4830 kHz still remains off completely. https://www.facebook.com/groups/wrthgroup/ (via Rus-DX Jan 13 via WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DXLD) Also today 4895 kHz is off, so was this a reactivation of 10 days only? If someone would imagine this to be a propagational matter, it certainly isn't: not even the faintest carrier visible via Irkutsk KiwiSDR. Besides, no significant change in propagation in the last few days. 7260 kHz can be heard today at 0930 here in Finland. Xinjiang is on 7259.99 kHz (Mauno Ritola, 0934 UT Jan 13, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DXLD) 4895.02, Mongolian National Radio, Murun, heard via SDR Kiwi remote receiver in Irkutsk, Russia, open program at about 0800, Mongolian comments by female and male. Past two days out of air. 253232 [sic] (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Jan 14, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DXLD) Jan 14, from 0740 to past 0900, noted prominent carrier on 4895, but never any audio heard. On 7260, at 0905, sounded like two stations mixing (China & Mongolia?), but too weak to confirm. Thanks to Hiroyuki Komatsubara (Japan), who reported Jan 14, via his "Now On The Radio DX" website - https://radio.chobi.net/DX/bbs/?res:3630#3665 : "Yes, 4895 kHz MONGOLIA Radio 1 very weak modulation.. 7260 kHz now English program (-0949-), heavy QRM from CHINA co-channel -0953- 7260k Hz still English program, past -0953- pop song, ... We do not hear 4895 kHz well .." (Ron Howard, California, ibid.) Audio of Mongolian Radio, Murun, 4895.2 via remote SDR Kiwi Irkutsk at 0859 with time signals at 0900, 14 January: https://my.pcloud.com/publink/show?code=XZenvx7Z52JKMwr5hQfQdF9Sf0FoUygD5tn7 Now on air again at 1120 UT (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Jan 14, WOR iog via DXLD) Yes, vía SDR Kiwi Irkutsk on 7260 two stations, China on 7260.2 and presumed Mongolia on 7260.3, Mongolia at first with pop songs in English, and now with comments in Mongolian? China stable on this frequency and Mongolia comes and goes. Vía SDR KIwi in Switzerland, no signal from 4895 and weak carrier on 7259.8, China, and 7259.9 Mongolia. Here in Lugo, nothing on 4985 and weak carrier, but no audio on 7260 (Mendez, 1132 UT, ibid.) I'm now on the Irkutsk SDR and on 7260 they are playing a lot of English pop songs. This is MNB Radio 2 on at 1205 UT (Marcos Cox, Vicuña, Chile, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DXLD) YES, MNG heard tentatively today on Maunos remote SDR in Finland at 1428 UT on Jan 14, male voice talk on 4894.999 1/2 kHz on the lower side, S=7-8 strength in Finland [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Bueschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Jan 15, had definite carrier on 4895 at 1006, but checking later (1117+) found they had gone off the air. Erratic schedule? (Ron Howard, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DXLD) Mongolian Radio, 4895, today open at 0700, and 7260 at 0630, at about two hours later signal off air. Checked by SDR Kiwi Irkustk remote receiver. Best 73,s (Manuel Mendez, Lugo, Spain, 1534 Jan 15, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DXLD) Jan 15, had definite carrier on 4895 at 1006, but checking later (1117+) found they had gone off the air. Erratic schedule? (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog via DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS. Members, Thanks to both the DXing.info Facebook page and Jordan Heyburn in particular for this. Originally aired presumably on the evening news from Omroep Flevoland a sad video of the fallen pair of masts at Zeewolde. These carried 747 kHz until 24 April 1980 as well as carrying the 1008 kHz outlet closed on 31 December 2018. What is most startling is the speed with which NOS has sought to eliminate all trace of the array which provided such a good coverage over Western Europe for expat Dutch, especially when both were using the full 400 kW. I am not sure if the whole video can be uploaded. Apparently due to the excellent engineering of the antenna builders, the demolition team needed 4 attempts to bring the masts down! 73 and 88 (Dan Goldfarb, 9 Jan, mwmasts iog via DXLD) Members, All was correct in my earlier post except for the fact that the demolition will have been ordered by NPO not NOS who of course produce programmes for Radio and TV. 73 and 88 (Dan Goldfarb, mwmasts iog via DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS. This video of the closedown of 1008 kHz Groot Nieuws Radio has interesting views of the transmitter site. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJ4pL1YKPSY&feature=em-uploademail (Jan Medium Wave News via DXLD) ** NEW ZEALAND [and non]. Netherlands: The reason for demolition so soon after closure will be to avoid demands for a resumption of service. We had a similar happening in Wellington when they closed the trolley bus service. They started taking down the power wires immediately the service stopped (Paul, NZ, MWmasts iog via DXLD) ** NIGERIA. 9689.94, Voice of Nigeria; 1822-1830+, 1/8; Heavy accented W in English news to 1829 VoN ID with flute & drums, fanfare to English Service of VoN spot & news continued. SIO=352+ (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 185' RW, ---- All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! ----, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7255-, Jan 13 at 0658, no signal from VON. It surely goes and comes unpredictably (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) But: 7255-, Jan 14 at 0548, carrier not as strong as usual, but bodes well for VON to be back tonight for the 0600 Hausa broadcast (and if we`re lucky their neat percussion IS a few minutes before) (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGERIA [non]. FRANÇA, 13840. 8/1/2019, 0836-0850, Radio Nigeria Kaduna, Issoudun, em Hauçá. Música tribal - Vozes e tambores, somente; 0841 Locuções masculina e feminina, buzina de auto e outras mixagens, parecendo ser uma gravação de radioteatro, suponho; Música tribal. Recepção com bom sinal e modulação satisfatória, 45533 (JRX_José Ronaldo Xavier, SWARL Callsign PR7036SWL, Cabedelo-PB, Brasil, Receptor (es): Degen DE1103 & Tecsun S-2000, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) ** NIGERIA [non]. Radio World's take on the new Issoudun broadcasts: https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/nigerian-station-finally-fills-information-gap (-- Richard Langley, NB, WOR iog via DXLD) Viz.: Nigerian Station Finally Fills Information Gap Hans Johnson Jan 9, 2019 French transmission site allows FRCN Kaduna to reach its entire audience for first time in years A neglected Nigerian radio station is finally filling an information vacuum thanks to a shortwave transmitter site in France. The Federal Radio Corp. of Nigeria (FRCN) station in Kaduna is part of the country's publicly funded domestic network. FRCN Kaduna has traditionally provided coverage not only to Kaduna State but to much of northern Nigeria. The station faces many problems in reaching its audience. FRCN Kaduna now broadcasts via the Issoudun transmitter site in central France for 11 hours a day. Photo courtesy of TDF FRCN Kaduna relies upon diesel generators at times. “Whenever our transmitter in Jaji is not working because of the power supply, the radio station goes off air. The transmitter guzzles diesel that the station’s meager resources can’t afford,” a staff member told the Daily Trust newspaper last November. Even with a reliable power supply, Kaduna's AM and FM transmitters have inadequate coverage. Shortwave used to fill the gaps, but this part of the network has collapsed. There have been calls to replace the 40-year old transmitter for over a decade. It was operating at just a fraction of its rated power before it went off completely last year. Nigeria's external service, the Voice of Nigeria (VON), has at least two newer transmitters. In theory it could also transmit FRCN Kaduna. But VON has the same power supply problems and issues with transmitter availability that Kaduna has. WRMI facilities in Miami, Florida. WRMI started carrying Kaduna last fall. Photo courtesy of WRMI FRCN Kaduna staff staged a brief protest last July lamenting the condition of their equipment and appealing to the federal government. Nigeria is also entering a critical political phase as it is scheduled to hold national elections in February. Broadcasters such as Radio France International and the BBC have shortwave transmissions beamed to Nigeria. The broadcasts include transmissions in Hausa, a language used by tens of millions of people in northern Nigeria. Western-backed non-governmental organizations also broadcast to the country through the purchase of airtime on brokered stations. In addition, Nigeria exile groups purchase time but they tend to come and go. WRMI’s transmitter in Florida. Photo courtesy of WRMI These stations have been filling the information gaps left by the collapse of FRCN Kaduna. Until recently, that is. Kaduna's Hausa service started brokered broadcasts in October via WRMI in Florida. Transmissions are now via Issoudun in central France for 11 hours a day. The signal is reportedly good thanks to a directional antenna and 150,000 watts of power. The move is unprecedented but after years of neglect FRCN Kaduna now appears to be reaching its entire audience. Hans Johnson has worked in the shortwave broadcasting industry for over 20 years as a sales and frequency manager (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) for WINB So, what is the story now -- is Nigeria now completely gone from in-country transmitters, and is now strictly being relayed? That's a big development for SWLs, and not a good one obviously. But then we realize they were never transmitting to us (Dan Robinson, Jan 11, WOR iog via DXLD) ? This is not news. The relays of the Kaduna regional service via WRMI / Issoudun have been going for a few months now. Voice of Nigeria is still very much on the air direct from Nigeria, e.g. 7254.9 from 0600, 9689.9 from 1800. Both at 248 degrees per Aoki/NDXC (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) Thanks -- it just seems obvious where things are headed and I was a bit unclear since 9690 has been destroyed by Spain. Based on the content of that article and the comments regarding resources to keep transmitters, one can only observe that there doesn't seem to be much time left for VON direct SW services (Dan Robinson, ibid.) Not to us, perhaps, but to the general radio industry public? Probably yes. Remember who Radio World is directed to. And the switch to Issoudun? That wasn’t months ago. And the switch from WRMI to Issoudun? Probably because the signal from WRMI wasn’t that good in Nigeria compared to what Issoudun could deliver, but probably at higher cost (— Richard Langley, ibid.) I reported the first Kaduna relay via WRMI 11580 on October 12 == ``a few months ago`` == three (gh, Jan 14, DXLD) And earlier, I wrote: "And the switch to Issoudun? That wasn’t months ago." So, I wasn't talking about when Kaduna started via WRMI, which as Glenn rightly said, occurred a few months ago. The relays via Issoudun started around 9 November according to reports, so two months ago. Anyway, let's not quibble over this. I think it was useful to post the Radio World item as it stimulated some interesting discussion (-- Richard Langley, WOR iog via DXLD) Certainly (gh) > switch from WRMI to TDF Issoudun --- Still also same RMI Frequency Management Organisation outlet by Jeff, also for these RN Kaduna / TDF requests, like Radio Republica towards Cuban Revolution state at daily 4-5 [sic] UT TDF ISS 9490 kHz, back to the Americas. 73 wb PS: African behavior: Typical error rate by the Nigerian technicians at Abuja SW site in 2011. Only 9 months after establishment, they had destroyed the antennas feeder and switch control unit by incompetence. The Ampegon antenna is now at single-fixed degrees azimuth towards west Africa constantly. No directional outlets anymore towards central Africa, NW Africa/Europe, nor to North American countries (Wolfgang Bueschel, ibid.) ``Based on the content of that article and the comments regarding resources to keep transmitters, one can only observe that there doesn't seem to be much time left for VON direct SW services.`` Quite possible. The old Ikorodu transmitter site near Lagos appears to be a complete write-off now. And the situation at the new Lugbe site near Abuja is described as such that of the three transmitters, one gets already cannibalized for spare parts, the control system has collapsed, the rotatable antenna can no longer be turned. So the rotatable antenna has been fixed for transmissions within West Africa on 7255 kHz, with the new idea being to use at times 9690 kHz instead (apparently without checking at all if this frequency is clear, like: it has to be because Nigeria has used it many years ago). The other transmitter is designated to serve Europe and North America on 15120 kHz, using a curtain antenna. To serve these first world countries in a state-of-the-art manner they put out a DRM signal here --- or used to do so, last report of a reception at http://www.drmrx.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2390&page=94 was four months ago. While in 2017 being in Nigeria to look after the Lugbe facilities, engineers from Europe also went to the Radio Kaduna transmitter site and repaired one of the shortwave transmitters there, putting it back on air on 6090 kHz, but only with a fraction of the rated 100 kW. The transmitter is in poor shape, suffering from frequent arcing, and in early 2018 it broke down again. Thus now the relay via Issoudun, with certain authorities in Abuja being made to pay for it with a rustic approach: By telling them a fairytale that they can this way "seize Radio Biafra frequencies". That this approach works at all (and also that it has been used) says a lot, much beyond aspects of broadcasting work. For domestic services, new shortwave equipment has, beyond the new foreign service facility, been installed at the Gwagwalada site. After the mentioned 2017 visit the current shape of these two 100 kW transmitters has been described with one word: Scrap (Kai Ludwig, ibid.) FRANCE, Radio Nigeria Kaduna in 41mb via TDF Issoudun, Jan.12 0500-0700 on 7335 ISS 150 kW / 170 deg to WeAf Hausa, good signal: https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/reception-of-radio-nigeria-kaduna-in_12.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan 12, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7335, Jan 13 at 0657, very rapid Hausa talk from S9 R. Nigeria, Kaduna via FRANCE until turnoff at 0700* (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) FRANCE, Radio Nigeria Kaduna via TDF Issoudun in 22mb on Jan.14 0700-0900 on 13840 ISS 150 kW / 170 deg to WeAf Hausa, very good, BUT 0900-1500 on 17690 ISS 150 kW / 170 deg to WeAf Hausa-NO SIGNAL TODAY https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/reception-of-radio-nigeria-kaduna-via.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan.14-15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. If anyone wants to send a reception report to today`s KOKC, email JD Ford, jd.f@tylermedia.com He`s a radio guy and he would appreciate a short note from distant listeners and a short audio file if you have one (Paul B Walker, Jr, Laramie WY, Jan 12, ABDX yg via DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA [and non]. 1640, Jan 14 at 0417, KZLS ``Enid`` (-OKC via Hennessey site) in dead air with fast SAH, facilitating copy of ESPN, no doubt WTNI Biloxi MS, the only sports format on 1640, which always QRMs at night and apparently stays on 10 kW daypower ND (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. Had not been getting any decodable DTV signals off the air from KETA-13, OETA, but resumes Jan 14. Website checked Jan 13 explains: ``ATTENTION OKLAHOMA CITY ANTENNA VIEWERS OETA will be conducting mandatory maintenance work on our Oklahoma City tower. Because of this, we are required to reduce power significantly between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. beginning 8 a.m., Jan. 10 to 4 p.m., Jan. 11. This will result in a loss of signal to viewers watching OETA via antenna. Weather permitting, power will be restored Jan. 12 and 13. Work will resume at 8 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 15 and is scheduled to be completed at 4 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 17. We’d like to thank everyone viewing OETA via antenna for their patience while we make the necessary repairs and upgrades that will ensure your favorite shows continue uninterrupted in the future.`` Also an update on the Foundation situation: http://www.oeta.tv/blogs/media/faqs-about-oeta-and-the-oeta-foundation/ ``FAQs about OETA and the OETA Foundation Posted by Aaron Morvan on Jan 11, 2019 at 11:06 pm Q. What’s going on? A. The Foundation’s Board of Trustees authorized a lawsuit to be filed against OETA. The Foundation has failed to provide proper oversight over their organization and allowed it to ignite this controversy by denying access to parts of the shared facility, changing the locks, hacking into OETA’s system, withholding funds, and ultimately suing us in a blatant power grab. In response, OETA’s governing Board has terminated OETA’s agreement with the Foundation in order to protect donor funds, information, and OETA’s integrity. OETA employees and governing Board members are focused on continued delivery of quality, life-enriching public media to Oklahomans. We are proud to carry on the six decades of work that have made OETA the most-watched PBS station in America. Programming and operations are ongoing and not presently impacted by OETA’s termination of its agreement with the Foundation. Q. What happened to the relationship between OETA and its foundation? A. This is an interesting story. More than 30 years ago the state legislature passed a law that allowed OETA to set up a charitable foundation to support OETA. For most of those 30 years the relationship between OETA and the Foundation worked well. Within the last five years dissention arose between the two and the Foundation began repeatedly attempting to interfere with OETA operations and to unduly influence OETA’s state governing Board. OETA tried to correct the problems through repeated meetings but the problems only grew worse. The Foundation today refuses to give OETA access to our donor funds and how they have been used. The Foundation has locked OETA employees out of multiple areas within the OETA building. OETA is the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) licensee and responsible for its operations, programming and donor finances. The Foundation is a fundraising auxiliary and should not be attempting to also function as public television station. Last month the Foundation sued OETA to try and seize even more control. OETA countered the suit in the courts asking the judge to drop the frivolous claims made in the Foundation lawsuit. As a last resort, the OETA Board, accountable to the State of Oklahoma and charged with ensuring OETA’s viability and compliance with laws and regulations, officially terminated the agreement with the Foundation and began the process of identifying a new charitable organization to responsibly oversee donor funds and to retrieve the donor money already raised, putting it to proper use as required by the FCC and Corporation for Public Broadcasting and, most importantly, as intended by our donors. Q. Is the money I’ve already given to OETA safe? A. OETA has advised the Foundation that we consider all funds, assets, property, and information they possess to be held solely and exclusively for the benefit of OETA. The Foundation has affirmed this on multiple occasions. We are confident, once the Foundation’s lawsuit is resolved, those generous gifts will be honored as the donors intended and used to support OETA. Q. Can I still give money to OETA? A. OETA has temporarily suspended accepting new donations as we finalize negotiating a relationship with the Friends of OETA, Inc. charitable organization. We are moving as quickly as possible to resume donations and fundraising but we take seriously the charge to shepherd funds given and funds that will be given in a manner that is transparent and ethical. Q. Is a state agency (OETA) trying to take over the Foundation? A. No. The Foundation was originally created by a diverse group of philanthropic Oklahomans to serve OETA and unfortunately has since become a rogue organization. They have refused to provide basic information crucial to the operation of OETA. Donor funds, given in good faith, have been misappropriated for unauthorized programming and unsolicited content creation and production. Donors have been lied to about the collection and use of their well-intended donations. OETA, a state agency, is simply choosing to select a new, more responsible charity to cooperate with in order to protect its donors and their funds. Q. Who is leading OETA and how did they get there? Dr. Richard Beck, Provost Rogers State University Terri Cornett, Civic Volunteer Dr. Cheryl Evans, President Northern Oklahoma College Mr. James Gallogly, OU President Mr. Burns Hargis, OSU President Ms. Joy Hofmeister, Oklahoma Superintendent Mr. Reese "Cody" Inman, Civic Volunteer Dr. Glen D. Johnson, Chancellor Oklahoma State Regents Mr. Garrett King - Board Chair Ms. Suzanne Lair, Principal Jenks Public Schools Dr. Larry Rice, President Rogers State University Mr. Clarke Stroud, Director OU Football Operations Public media veteran Polly Anderson’s leadership as Executive Director has been an outstanding asset to OETA since her hiring just over one year ago. She continues to have the full support of the OETA Board of Directors. Q. Has OETA really refused a legislative meeting with the Foundation? A. OETA has met with state legislative and executive officials regarding our ongoing efforts over a multi-year period, including as recently as Monday, January 7, 2019. At Monday’s meeting, OETA clearly outlined the reasons it believes that, short of decisive action by the few remaining members of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, termination of the relationship is the only remaining option to protect public television in Oklahoma. Additionally, OETA leaders met repeatedly with the Foundation to resolve these issues outside of the courts. The Foundation staff continued to overstep the authority granted to them by state law and continued to willfully mislead donors, withholding funds and duplicating the functions of the state agency—they even went so far as to defy the direct orders of the Foundation’s governing board, leading to multiple resignations from that body in 2018 of longtime OETA supporters. Q. Why did OETA evict the Foundation from the building they formally shared? A. The Foundation has used the OETA facility as a guest of OETA. Recently, the Foundation staff restricted access to OETA personnel within the OETA headquarters, changed the locks on the building, hacked OETA’s state computer network, and recently reported to OETA that they installed an unauthorized video surveillance system. The responsible action on the part of OETA as a state agency to protect state employees and state assets was clear. The Foundation had become a totally unaccountable organization – operating outside its intended statutory and fiscal boundaries and acting in defiance of its earlier earlier governing board members, leading to the resignation of several longtime Foundation Trustees and OETA supporters. Despite over two years of negotiations and good faith efforts on the part of OETA to bring our Foundation back to its intended role, the Foundation recklessly and maliciously resisted all civil efforts and refused to negotiate multiple proposed reforms. Therefore, it is necessary and prudent to clearly separate our operational functions at this time and to prevent the Foundation from further undermining of the state agency it was established to serve. Q. Why won’t OETA cash checks amounting to over $1.2 million provided by the Foundation? A. OETA conducts the stewardship of all funds with the utmost caution and integrity. OETA is working with our federal and state regulators, including the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office, to ensure proper accounting and handling of these funds. Q. How does OETA fit into PBS/Corporation for Public Broadcasting? A. OETA is a PBS member station and a CPB grantee. Although the Foundation has repeatedly attempted to misrepresent OETA to our federal regulators and partners, the Foundation has no relationship with PBS or the CPB outside of OETA. OETA has a very positive relationship with both PBS and CPB and has kept both entities advised of the ongoing issues with the Foundation. Q. Where does OETA go from here? A. OETA is working through this complex situation in consultation with state legislative and executive officials and our federal regulators. We are committed to the outstanding programming that has made it the most-watched PBS-station in America. We are diligently working to secure all past and present donor funds with a new and responsible charitable foundation that will be governed by an independent board of philanthropic and ethical individuals who can cooperate with OETA’s governing board in a mutually-beneficial relationship.`` I then wrote to OETA: ``I am sure everyone is concentrating on the terrible Foundation situation, and thanks for explaining that on website. I don`t see any names of individuals at the F who must be responsible for this. Is it a few people in a power struggle? But a couple of things: How about some explanation of the reason for abruptly disposing of OKLA and replacing it with World?? Interesting stuff, I am not necessarily objecting. Is this in any way related to the Foundation thing? However some programming seems to have got lost in the shuffle; surely you could still find some places for it on one channel or another: PBS Newshour SUNDAY Ray Stevens Bluegrass Underground (maybe the last two have run their course; we can`t know) I am glad to see Amanpour out of 10 pm to a more convenient time, 11 am, as I had requested some time ago. Thanks and good luck!`` Reply: ``We hope that you are enjoying OETA World! Our programming department has been working on this for some time and it debuted this past Monday, January 7th. I believe that they promoted it on the OETA channels for a while beforehand thruout the day before World premiered. Nothing whatsoever tied to the Foundation matters was a part of debuting World, as OETA World can be found in over 150 some odd television markets out of the 160 some odd markets across the country. Our viewers were asking for new programs and this is what OETA World does – it allows us to re-air our local content on Saturday evenings and on Sunday mornings early until noon we re-air our British dramas, including Masterpiece Theater. And beyond that, thru the week there are many new programs to discover plus all of the shows you are familiar with like Frontline, Independent Lens, POV, Nature, NOVA, etc. Well, with any type of lawsuit or even police investigations - information has to be limited due to the nature of it all until it has concluded. Hopefully what has been provided does help our viewers at this time and when we can update information for them it will be provided I'm sure. In the meantime, enjoy all of the good viewing on OETA and have a great day. Respectfully, Kristi Wren, Receptionist`` Follow up: ``We will air BLUEGRASS UNDERGROUND sometime on HD (13-1) but RAY STEVENS doesn’t have a date at this time. As soon as I know even more info I’ll advise or it may even be promoted on air between current programming. Respectfully, Kristi Wren, Receptionist`` I am also having to re-convince OETA that there is a totally separate and new PBS NEWSHOUR WEEKEND edition on Sundays, after Saturdays (Glenn Hauser, Enid, WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OMAN [and non]. Reception of Radio Sultanate of Oman again in English on Jan.11: from 1408 15140.0 THU 100 kW / 315 deg to WeEu English, good signal, co-ch QRM 15139.8 QVC 250 kW / 130 deg to SoAm Spanish R.Habana Cuba https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/reception-of-radio-sultanate-of-oman.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan 10-11, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OMAN. 15140, Radio Sultanate of Oman, Muscat, 1420-1510, 11-01, Latin American songs, ID “This is the Radio of the Sultanate of Oman, The Nation Station”, bachata song “Darte un beso”, by Prince Royce, Spanish songs, “flamenco” and other songs, 1559 English, comments about “Muscat festival”, pop songs in English, at 1504 Arabic comments. Very slight QRM from RHC on 15139.8. 44444 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Log in Friol, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DXLD) Radio Sultanate of Oman in Arabic, instead of English Jan 13: from 1403 15140.0 THU 100 kW / 315 deg to WeEu Arabic plus QRM co-ch same time 15139.8 QVC 250 kW / 130 deg to SoAm Spanish R.Habana Cuba https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/radio-sultanate-of-oman-in-arabic.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan.13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio Sultanate of Oman again English but before 1400 Jan.14 1350&1409 15140.0 THU 100 kW / 315 deg WeEu English, very good & co-ch same time 15139.8 QVC 250 kW / 130 deg SoAm Spanish Radio Habana Cuba: https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/radio-sultanate-of-oman-is-again-in.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan.14-15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. Glenn, Referencing your 4810 UNID – listening to KiwiSDR in Bjargtangar Iceland on 14 Jan at 0040, heard gospel music and what sounded like a sermon in Spanish and then more gospel and choral music to past 0120 – mixing with another station co-channel. Tuned in LSB to avoid the Ute just above freq. My guess would be Radio Logos based on religious programming but no idea who the co-channel QRM might be – the only other station here at this hour is AIR Bhopal, but tent. R Logos is slightly dominating. I may be able to contact Ray Rising at Wycliffe Bible Translators to see if this could be Radio Logos – the station is supported by SonSet Solutions out of Elkhart IN (the old HCJB Technical Center). Now it appears that tent. R Logos ceased transmitting circa 0124 and underneath the QRMing station now in the clear sounds like an AIR outlet. The only fly in this ointment is that R. Logos is supposed to be broadcasting in local dialects but what I heard was quite normal Spanish (Bruce Churchill, WOR iog via DXLD) Apparently Bruce refers to one or both of these old 2018 reports: ``UNIDENTIFIED. 4810, Oct 1 at 0655, JBA carrier vs CODAR, hash on plus side. I have been wondering if previous logs of this could be Radio Logos, Perú, but no one has reported it during waking hours so unlikely it would be on at this hour (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) INDIA [and non]. 4810, Nov 27 at 0127, two very weak carriers beating rather than one later which I take to be R. Logos, Perú; and AIR Mumbai via Bhopal on air until 0215 per NDXC/Aoki altho WRTH 2018 calls it merely Bhopal (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)`` ** PERU. 5025. R. QUILLABAMBA. Enero 11. 0004-0017 UT. Espacio de música andina. SINPO: 55444 (Claudio Galaz; Receptor: TECSUN PL 660; Antena: Hilo de 30 metros de largo; Lugar de escucha: Ovalle, IV Región, Chile, condiglista yg via DXLD) CUBA no problem there (gh) Recent early evening chex have not found any carrier on 4810 (gh) ** ROMANIA. The Radio Romania International weekly classical music hour Radio Concert Season rarely fails to delight, and on 23 December at 0200 UT on 5910 and 7340 there was the Christmas Concert. Unlike many of RRI’s other programmes, this is the only shortwave airing of this programme (a rebroadcast from Friday night’s two-hour broadcast on domestic Radio Romania Muzical) except that only the first hour gets to be aired on shortwave, whilst unfortunately the second hour is internet-only. This edition started with a medley of Christmas carols, followed by a medley of Christmas songs (Sleigh Ride, Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer) and then continued with other well-known songs including “Never Enough” from The Greatest Showman. Yes, once again – a truly delightful programme. Radio Concert Season is broadcast Sundays 0200-0256 UT on 5910, 7340 kHz and can be heard on-demand at http://www.romania-muzical.ro/emisiuni/es-index.htm?sh=120 although it usually takes several days after broadcast before a program becomes available here (Alan Roe, Jan BDXC_UK Communication via DXLD) ** ROMANIA. 5975-5980-5985, Jan 12 at 2313, DRM noise, not strong but plenty to wipe out any carrier from R. Chaski, Perú, supposedly still on air until 2400v*. Got to be RRI Galbeni, English to W Europe, registered as analog, but has flipped to DRM before (or maybe is really always DRM). More evidence that failing DRM should *never* have been allowed to pollute the analog SWBC bands. There are scads of open areas in the nearby fixed utility bands. 7215-7220-7225, Jan 14 at 0550, DRM noise, which has to be RRI Galbeni, scheduled 05-06, 285 degrees in Romanian to W Europe, in analog! per HFCC (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA [and non]. The Buzzer, Pip & Squeaky Wheel; Here is an interesting read about a long time running radio transmission. http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20170801-the-ghostly-radio-station-that-no-one-claims-to-run This is usually listed under Utility Monitoring; a search can bring up more information. via 73 Rod W8GRI [These are always listed in EiBi; http://eibispace.de] (Jack Amelar, MARE Tipsheet 11 Jan via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. GTRK Adygeya / Adygeyan Radio is again on air, Jan.11 1800-1900 6000 ARM 100 kW / 188 deg CeAs Adygeyan Fri, weak signal, from 1802 6000 SCB 050 kW / 030 deg EaEu English Brother Stair co-ch https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/gtrk-adygeya-adygeyan-radio-is-again-on.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan 10-11, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA [non] https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/radio-liberty-in-russian-on-shortwave.html Test broadcast of Vesti FM on shortwave, Jan.10 UNKNOWN TX SITE Test broadcast of Vesti FM on shortwave, Jan.10 0910-0925 on 9950 unknown kW / unknown to EaEu, very good signal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZvU-8Y9yTI&feature=youtu.be (Ivo Ivanov, Sofia, Bulgaria, via RusDX Jan 13 via WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DXLD) Vesti FM [News] is one of the government radio networks, briefly mentioned on pages 338 & 488 of WRTH 2019; why would R. Liberty be involved with it?? (gh, DXLD) UNKNOWN TX SITE, Radio Liberty RL in Russian on shortwave again, Jan.10 0910-0925 9950 unknown kW / unknown EaEu probably test, very good https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/radio-liberty-in-russian-on-shortwave.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan.9-10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) This is the same report of the same date except in the second version, Vesti FM is not mentioned, instead Radio Liberty. How come? Maybe the word vesti / izvestiya was mentioned but not a station ID (gh) ** RUSSIA [and non]. Russia changes broadcast time-zone arrangements --- Russia has updated its system of time-shifted broadcasts inherited from the Soviet era. The national radio and TV channels used to broadcast a Moscow version for European Russia and four additional time-shifted versions for areas further east. So, five different versions in total (it was a total of four versions until the late 1970s or early 80s). But as Russia has 11 time zones this meant that each time-shifted version had to cover two or three different time zones. The time-shifted versions were known as "Orbita" or "Dubl" (Double). Orbita-1 covered the far east of the country (8 and 9 hours ahead of Moscow). Orbita-2 covered the time zones 6 and 7 hours ahead of Moscow. Orbita-3 was Moscow plus 4 and 5 hours. Orbita-4 was Moscow plus 2 and 3 hours. The Moscow version covered the Moscow time zone and the zones one hour behind and ahead of it. (The exact details varied over the years as Russia reorganised its time zones.) This has now been changed so that each of Russia's 11 time zones now has its own time-shifted broadcast zone. The new system was introduced in time for Putin's New Year message to be broadcast at 2355 local time in each zone on 31 December 2018. In earlier years, some viewers might have seen the message an hour early or late. With the end (more or less) of Russian broadcasting on shortwave and mediumwave this is now somewhat academic news for DXers. Older readers though may remember the various time-shifted versions of the USSR's First Programme radio. Trivia point: In internal BBCMS documentation we didn't refer to Orbita 1/2/3/4 but to M1A (furthest east), M1B, M1C and M1D, with M1 (with no suffix letter) being the First Programme service for the Moscow zone. In 1981-83 I worked in the team that had to try to pick up the SSB feeders from Moscow carrying the various Orbita versions. It was almost impossible to find a reliable feed for Orbita 1 (M1A), but Orbita 4 (M1D) feeding the Urals was generally very good. I remember it being on 16330. The idea behind listening to the Orbita versions was that you could hear pre-recorded programmes several hours before they were broadcast to the audience in Moscow (Chris Greenway, England, Jan 9, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) I wonder what was the quality of these broadcasts when they were aired on local broadcast frequencies in the different time zones. It seems to me that their sound quality deteriorated significantly. First, they had to record in the studio, then they had to broadcast on SSB (SSB doesn't have a good sound quality), then the locals had to pick up the signal from far away, then rebroadcast lively or recording it again for a local rebroadcast at a later time. I hardly believe that the final product had't lost its original sound quality. And, we even did not take into account the propagation, the atmospheric or man-made noise or co-channel interference or adjacent channel interference. Personally I cannot remember those years since I was born in 1977 and I started to tune on mediumwave around 1986-87 when I heard from a classmate boy about the wonders of listening to foreign broadcasters. He was two years older than me and he introduced the radio listening hobby to me. First I "discovered" Radio Moscow on mediumwave at night in the dormitory of our school, the School for the Blind in Budapest after it negotiated with my parents that a Sanyo pocket radio can be with me in the school. The school was in Budapest while I lived in Magyarlak, around 260-300 kilometres west, so, the radio was very useful to me to spend time on those weekends on which I had to remain in the school. That radio had mediumwave (530-1600 kHz) and OIRT FM (66-74 MHz), but, Hungarian radios broadcasted only up to 73 MHz, then the remaining 73-74 MHz band was used by utility stations (electric power supply companies, gas supply company in Budapest, plus a water service monitoring sound). Of course I discovered these gradually step by step with my friend. We were able to pull another boy into the hobby, and soon we started to use any radio (including shortwave sets). Certainly we knew zero English or other languages, but together we figured out a lot of languages. I hope I don't have to mention that we had no literature in the field, maximum ham literature on an audio cassette, but we knew nothing about that for a long time. One thing helped us: at that time some broadcasters broadcasted in Hungarian (Moscow, Tirana, Yugoslavia, Slovakian part of Czechoslovakia, Romania, VOA, BBC, RFERL, Radio Canada, and Israel). Our teachers and some family friends could help us with geographic names and what languages are used in those countries. I get an old ML1250V receiver only around 1995 when a ham radio club was disbanded due to the lack of activity and the people there knew about my interest and that I have almost nothing to do the radio listening hobby. By the 1990s these SSB feeds disappeared. Only one Radio Mayak station remained in the so-called tropical band on SSB. But it was not too late to catch the last phase of morse in shipping (GKA, GKB: Portishead Radio, UK for example) and the phasing out of USB marine (Norddeich Radio, Spanish, Russian mobile phone calls between shippers and the coast, and the Hungarian MAHART shipping company's ship-to-coast communication). (Tibor Gaal, Budapest, Hungary, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Tibor, Many thanks for your interesting recollections. Before satellite feeds became common in the 1980s, SSB feeders were very widely used by many broadcasters. For example, it was used by both the BBC and the VOA to feed audio to their many overseas relay stations. Tapes of some pre-recorded programmes that were not time-sensitive (dramas, music shows, talks, documentaries, etc.) would be shipped out in advance to relay stations to be played out locally in the best quality, but news and other topical programmes had to be aired live using the feeders. Quality was sometimes a problem. The most obvious feature was that the lowest bass notes are cut in SSB and so the audio lacked richness. But in general the system worked well (Chris Greenway, ibid.) I can second Tibor in his recollections but here in the USSR (or Moldavian SSR I lived in for quite a while) we studied English since grade 4. Quite a few of us had a good command of English (those who wanted to at least). The USSR has rather effectively employed satellite / MW feeds. I have seen some official papers stating MW/LW or SW frequencies where central feeds were supposed to be received locally (to be further rebroadcast to local audience). Maybe SSB was a sorta last resort (redundant feeder should the main one(s) fail) throughout Russia but here in Moldavia nobody really cared about it. There've been cable or relay lines in wide use throughout the 80s or early 90s. Who knows, maybe in Hungary it was much too different. Season's greetings (Leo Barmaleo, Jan 10, ibid.) Here in Hungary SSB feeders were not used widely in the 1980s in broadcasting or feeding. I heard in a history programme that some football matches were transmitted via dedicated phone lines from far away then somewhere was put the signal up to radio in order to reach Hungary. This is how they could transmit some events from great distances such as bridging continents, but, personally i don't know more about it since these programmes did not mention the feeder frequencies. By the 1980s Hungary built cables between the transmitters and the studios in order to secure the FM mono or stereo quality. Then microwave relay stations existed even in the late '80s relaying radio and TV to the broadcast band transmitters. In radio they had to handle Kossuth, Petofi and the 3rd programme (at the beginning this was its name, but later it was renamed to Bartók rádió after the famous composer Bela Bartok). In television the relay system had to handle the state-owned MTV 1 and 2. In this case MTV is not the famous Music Television but the Hungarian abbreviation of the state-owned television, Magyar Televízió. Plus the system was capable to retransmit some limited amount of telephony which wasn't necessarily originated in Hungary. Landline telephone was a relatively rare animal at that time because of the enormous amount of investment needed but the country had not enough money to build the landlines (telephone and telex) throughout the country then telephone/telex switching stations, not to mention automatic telephone/telex exchanges. Some state-owned companies invested money in their own internal analogue radiotelephony network to fasten communication between their units. This is why Hungary chose a mixed system and invested in the research in the wireless part of telecommunication. This is why we gave up investing into cable radios in private homes unlike in some part of the Soviet Union or in North Korea. The former socialist Hungarian system thought that the wireless, the radio is cheaper in private homes than copper-wire networks. In Hungary (before World War II) and after the 1950s you could buy shortwave radios; these were not too expensive. It means that almost everyone were able to listen to the so-called 'enemy' broadcasts like RFERL, VOA, BBC, etc. and the Hungarian official news reflected to their broadcasts with or without mentioning the sources onto which they reflect. Certainly those 'enemy' broadcasters reflected back too since they also listened to the socialist block's broadcasts. Of course talking about what you hear in those 'enemy' broadcasts was risky but not as risky as elsewhere in the socialist block. Despite Hungary being part of the Soviet-style socialism-building countries, it was impossible even here to listen Soviet internal broadcasts during daytime on mediumwave. In the evening it was possible to hear a lot of international broadcasts of Radio Moscow on mediumwave, but not the internal ones. It was rare when we could hear their internal ones. After the international part finished their job they either signed off or held a very long pause (carrier signal on but nothing else), reduced their power so significantly that I was unable to understand the broadcasts, not even hear the music. Identification of those stations was impossible for me. USSR's internal broadcasts were not retransmitted here on FM unlike what the BBC, RFI, VOA or CRI from China can do today in their target areas. Even it was rare to catch Radio Mayak on OIRT FM when the propagation allowed. Ukraine's large station on mediumwave was an easy catch in the evening but it was in Ukrainian and not the Russian internal broadcasts which I wanted to catch. Maybe I catched also Minsk but it was so weak to me that I felt hopeless to monitor it on mediumwave. Maybe shortwave was different but people listened mainly to RFERL or VOA's hungarian service, or the educated ones the BBC on shortwave and not Moscow. The most popular was the RFERL's Hungarian language programme. My radio listening capabilities increased when my brother bought a radio tuner in Austria in 1988 which contained CCIR FM (this was the most sensitive part of the receiver; I even catched Deutschlandfunk when propagation was very good), mediumwave and long wave, but the Soviet broadcasts (later Russian) were not very loud on longwave too. And, of course my studyloads in the school also increased dramatically as I became older and older, classes needed more and more efforts to perform. Then I also started to study English which took also extra time. Teachers were not very good, neither in teaching in Russian nor in English, so, it is not a wonder that most of the people here don't speak well foreign languages. I even had to struggle to learn English. Russian? I understand something but I am unable to talk at all. Interestingly exchanging students were not widely existing; only a few could travel and even those needed separate permits to the Soviet Union. Of course they spoke well in Russian as well as those who spent their 'leisure time' in one of the Soviet labour camps as a forced labourer. Those who came back to Hungary were able to speak fluently Russian and they translated a lot of art works. It is not incidental why a lot of so-called Soviet art works were published here and why I could hear some of Vladimir Visotski's poems even in kindergarten. I confess that I don't know what was the radio/TV scene in far north-east Hungary where the border existed between the Ukrainian SSR and Hungary. Rumours came that the Soviet TV programmes were not very informative, rather boring partisan films dominated it. But these just rumours. In Budapest a Soviet TV rebroadcast existed on channel 58 for a long time and even after the Soviet Union disorganised, but in West Hungary this was not existing. So, this TV rebroadcast was also limited to a very small part of Hungary. What about analogue cable television? I don't know when it started. I met with it in the very-late 1980s in Budapest when I visited one of my family members. At that time this was semi-illegal thing in that apartment block because it broadcasted some western channels. If I remember well, Sky or something similar, but I'm not 100% sure in this. At that time satellite was unaffordable to ordinary people. It was promoted after the socialist system transformed in 1990. I heard about it in the early-1990s when an expensive analogue satellite receiver was shown in a local market in Oriszentpeter, a tourist attraction site where an annual market takes place at the end of June. My brother bought an analogue satellite receiver in the middle of 1990s and I discovered that radio is available on subcarriers of the television channels. This is how I 'discovered' Radio Netherland's broadcasts over satellite. And now I'd like to comment Jonathan Marks' article about Radio Netherland's demise. Of course I read it with great sadness but with a critical view. At that time international media promoted satellite as the future medium which will replace the old, cracky shortwave. They invested into it, they promoted it and that money went into waste. Even as a teenager I realised how they were wrong. Imagine a situation in which I were. A teenager, learning somewhere, lives in dormitory. And you only broadcast on satellite, but your potential listeners are unable to pick your signal up because 1. the building owner doesn't allow the installation of a satellite dish + coaxial cabling all over a large building like dormitories, schools, apartment blocks; 2. if a miracle happens and it allows, people surely want to see TV and never radio; 3. then when the analogue satellite were switched to digital, alot of Hungarian analogue receiver owners couldn't invest into digital satellite receiver because they had no idea what happened, why this switch took place. By the time they would switch, the commercial terrestrial TVs started here and satellite became insignificant again as in the 1980s. Fortunately a lot of people know what is a parabolic antenna, what is a satellite receiver, but they will see TV earlier than to listen radio. 99% of them doesn't know that radio exist on satellite. To be fair I mention that satellite publications were/are mentioning radio and broadcasters are also mentioning it somewhere but more consumer education were/are needed. As things stand nobody wants to pick this 'dirty' job up to educate the public. After considering these I don't understand Jonathan's cries. They simply were unable to place themselves into the shoe of the ordinary, the POTENTIAL LISTENER!!! They chose a wrong strategy. They had shut down earlier than they should have. This mistake is common among western broadcasters. This is why they hardly will win the current information war again hate speech, fake news, etc. etc. They concentrate(d) on the shortest gain as the worst capitalists. Then, these international broadcasters promoted DRM, a good technology from which they pulled out much earlier before they could harvest down the results. See where DRM is, it is almost dead. Then, they promoted internet as a sole medium of broadcasting. But since consumers are not willing (or unable) to pay for content + a lot of countries (and even companies) are restricting internet access +geoblocking exists too, the business model is not the best. And among my friends I know nobody who is willing to listen radio over the internet despite I talk about university educated, middle-class, working ones with a very good job. Rather people see a good porn movie earlier than to go to a broadcaster's website containing alarming moving objects which knocks down a computer or even a fire wall, and not to mention frequent redesigns. If a consumer (oh, sorry, listener) cannot find what he/she wants within 4-5 minutes, it leaves that website. To be correct with Jonathan, I have no idea what is the best solution. Maybe multi-platform broadcasting. But I doubt that it will happen without significant investment and research with shortsightedness which defines the current media scene (Tibor Gaal, Budapest, Hungary, WOR iog via DXLD) ``I wonder what was the quality of these broadcasts when they were aired on local broadcast frequencies in the different time zones. It seems to me that their sound quality deteriorated significantly. First, they had to record in the studio`` Which no longer resulted in a loss of quality since Weber/Braunmühl invented, after discovering the principle by accident, the AC bias technology. Allegedly there had abroad been surprise about the times Hitler talked on the radio, because recordings without crackle or hiss were unknown so far... By the way, the German brand Magnetophon became the generic Russian word for tape recorders. An insider included in a cartoon about Radio Moscow even the "vengerskiy magnitofon", the Hungarian tape recorder: Mechlaber, well known also in Germany. Most Russian radio studios had Hungarian-made mixing consoles, too. ``then they had to broadcast on SSB`` This was, as Leo already pointed out, only a back-up of last resort. Don't forget that regular feeds had to carry even 6 MHz bandwith signals: Video... I don't see it explicitly described at a first glance, but I would assume that the distribution also involved the troposcatter system described at http://www.trrlsever.org ``First i "discovered" Radio Moscow on mediumwave at night`` This was, as far as Hungarian-language broadcasts are concerned, 1170 kHz from the now destroyed Sosnovy station in Belarus, using one of the famous "Zarya" travelling-wave antennas. ``in the dormitory of our school, the School for the Blind in Budapest`` There was also one at Königs Wusterhausen, and one pupil there continued to be surprised about an apparently locally transmitted signal with some weird programming in Turkish. This was of course Bizim Radyo. The transmission was likely booked by SED and further details, such as delivery and playout of tapes (most likely not via Rundfunk der DDR, this would have been known there...), still remain a mystery. ``at that time some broadcasters broadcasted in Hungarian [...] Slovakian part of Czechoslovakia`` They do still so. In fact the Hungarian broadcasts are the only reason why mediumwave is still alive in Slovakia. ``By the 1990s these SSB feeds disappeared. Only 1 Radio Mayak station remained in the so-called tropical band on SSB.`` You mean the Radio Rossii transmissions, reportedly aiming at ships in the Atlantic? A characteristic frequency I remember was 8005 kHz. These SSB transmissions had finally been replaced by a 250 kW AM signal from Taldom that remained, if I recall correct, until VGTRK terminated all SW and LW in 2014. This signal usually provided very good reception here in Central Europe. I once received many thanks for recommending this as an opportunity to pick up a Russian radio station, not only in Russian language but also with interesting content, which not exactly was the case with Voice of Russia (and it is well known which final result this had five years ago). ``Russia has updated its system of time-shifted broadcasts inherited from the Soviet era.`` The usual question: Who is "Russia"? On one hand there is the former first program of TsT, later known under more or less loose references to Ostankino. This is now a commercial venture called Pervyi Kanal, and one would expect them to have kept the system of time-shifted editions. Then there is the Yeltsin-founded VGTRK which had introduced such a system as well. But on which of their programs do they use it? Rossiya 1, Rossiya 2, Rossiya K all likewise? (Rossiya 24 pretty likely not.) And then there is radio. Vsesoyusnoye Radio had collapsed very quickly, I guess their first program no longer maintained such a luxury already shortly after 1991 while lingering around for some more years as Radio 1. On the other hand VGTRK had introduced the time-shifted broadcasts on its Radio Rossii very quickly, but what are the details here nowadays? (Radio Mayak had, if I'm not terribly wrong, never such a system, being "live around the clock" by concept. And it should be safe to assume that Vesti FM always goes out live as well.) ``Orbita 4 (M1D) feeding the Urals was generally very good. I remember it being on 16330.`` I remember either this very frequency or a close one as being used for a back-up feed of 1323 kHz programming to Germany until it disappeared in the mid-nineties. Originally a professional receiving station of the postal office at Beelitz picked up this signal and also 1st program, forwarding them also to Radio Volga at Potsdam for use on the 261 kHz broadcast. In the end only a single EKD Dabendorf receiver was left, sitting on top of the console in the control room of the Wachenbrunn transmitter site. As said: This was just back-up. Regular routing was via terrestrial circuits, with signals handed over from Poland at Frankfurt/Oder. In its last incarnation this feed delivered audio up to about 10 kHz and had a bit of distortion for which one would have blamed the transmitter when not knowing that it was already on the input. Thus also until 1989 Wiederau used to run 1323 kHz with the old Lorenz transmitter and reserved the newer Funkwerk Köpenick transmitter for Radio DDR 1 on 531 kHz, fed in uncompromised studio quality. This concerned also the transmitter sites in the USSR itself. There was a specification of "second class" audio circuits for shortwave broadcasting, with the frequency range limited to 50...6300 Hz. Perhaps others also still remember how these feeds sounded on air, often with a hard gating, employed to cut out the rather high noise floor. Another specialty of the early nineties was Bolshakovo being the typical 0.3 seconds analogue satellite delay behind anything else, including Wachenbrunn of course. This feed was of high quality, and it seems that such full 15 kHz audio circuits had been routed via Raduga and Gorizont satellites as SCPC signals, not as subcarriers of video signals which, as I read somewhere, were not supposed to be of highest quality anyway but just as "ordinary" TV sound with 10 kHz bandwith. ``The idea behind listening to the Orbita versions was that you could hear pre-recorded programmes several hours before they were broadcast to the audience in Moscow.`` Have there been cases where this was of real use for newsgathering purposes? (Kai Ludwig, Germany, ibid.) Friends, Thanks for the answers, corrections and the vast amount of information. "You mean the Radio Rossii transmissions, reportedly aiming at ships in the Atlantic? A characteristic frequency I remember was 8005 kHz. These SSB transmissions had finally been replaced by a 250 kW AM signal from Taldom that remained, if I recall correct, until VGTRK terminated all SW and LW in 2014. This signal usually provided very good reception here in Central Europe. I once received many thanks for recommending this as an opportunity to pick up a Russian radio station, not only in Russian language but also with interesting content, which not exactly was the case with Voice of Russia (and it is well known which final result this had five years ago)." No. It was Radio Mayak with its usual Mayak interval signal. But it is also possible that it was a harmonic, I'm not sure in this. I am sure that it was Mayak and on the tropical band but I don't remember the frequency, that is, I don't want to say stupid things. At that time Mayak was a music station with some programs. Much-much later Mayak changed its music format to a talk station format. I don't know what it is now. When Mayak changed its format, music listeners could turn to other radiostations on FM like Retro, Radio Dacha (these were specialized in popular '70s, '80s, and some '90s music), then Radio Yunost' (formerly Yunost' also broadcasted on AM). Yunost' was for the youngest, techno-music loving generation. The word Magnetophon is known here, we use it to name the tape recorder and the cassette recorder. But we sortened the word to 'magnó'. The tape recorder is 'szalagos magnó' and the cassette recorder is 'kazettás magnó' in informal Hungarian. I didn't know that Mechlabor's equipment was so widely used elsewhere, it is a new information to me. Yes, it was the 1170 kHz transmitter propagated very well to Hungary in the late evening. The problem started when, after the collapse of the Soviet Union they changed the broadcast time to 1900-1945 local time which wasn't good in the summer. At those times shortwave was the other option to listen their Hungarian broadcast. High-noise: Soviet transmitters were famous for a deep, buzzing sound. You could hear it the best when the announcer held a pause or the programme was not yet started. I also think that Vesti FM is live but it is from the nature of the radio: it is a news radio (also on 1413 kHz mediumwave). "They do still so. In fact the Hungarian broadcasts are the only reason why mediumwave is still alive in Slovakia." You must know that the Slovakian FM band is very overcrowded. It started CCIR FM earlier than Hungary and they established more stations on higher mountains than we. The consequence is by the time Hungarians woke up, the best frequencies were already occupied on the CCIR band with powerful signals. And frequency allocations were and are not the best here in Hungary, it is very-very far from optimal. Latins says to late-comers such as Hungary was/is that "sero venientibus ossa" (only the bones remains to late-comers). (Tibor Gaal, Budapest, Hungary, ibid.) Thanks to Tibor, Kai and Leo for their very interesting comments. To pick up some of the points raised: 1. Mayak SSB feeders in the Tropical Bands: I don't remember them myself but I note that Mayak was logged in 1998 on 2338 LSB: http://bdxc.org.uk/sheigra982.html 2. There were of course a number of Mayak AM transmissions in the Tropical Bands, even including a relay in Cuba on 4765 in the 1980s. Outside the Tropical Bands the most consistently reliable reception of Mayak in the UK was from the relay in Latvia on 5935. 3. Kai is right - Mayak didn't have time-shifted versions. 4. The Soviet SSB feeders became largely redundant following the completion of the USSR's Gorizont satellite system in time for the 1980 Moscow Olympics. But older technologies have a habit of sticking around due to inertia! I think it was the introduction of Gorizont that allowed the expansion from three time-shifted versions to four. 5. On the quality question, if the SSB feeders were run properly, with good receivers correctly operated, the quality was fine. If you listened to news programmes from BBC or VOA relay stations before the 1980s then you were hearing audio that had been fed by an SSB link. As a teenager in the UK in the mid-1970s I used to listen to the VOA in the evenings on 1196 from Munich. The SSB-fed audio sounded a bit clipped and "boxy" but was otherwise fine for the news. 6. Yes, Kai, I well remember those heavily gated Soviet transmitters. Terrible! 7. Finally, Kai asks whether there really was a news advantage in receiving time-shifted versions. One case was the newspapers. When BBCMS first got a dish that could receive the Gorizont satellites in the early 1980s, it gave us access to the next day's Soviet newspapers! At around 1200 UK time, copies of the following day's Pravda, Izvestiya, etc would be faxed via satellite from Moscow to printing presses in the east of the USSR. Tomorrow's news today! (Chris Greenway, ibid.) Just poked around a bit: It appears that VGTRK did not made such a change, at least it is reported only for Perviy Kanal, effective already Dec 25. https://vk.com/wall-26819787_25474 See also at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxt-liBcwd0 their own report: Apparently the traditional "Orbita" designators (as in the footage still seen on the NOC screens) are hereby abolished altogether (Kai Ludwig, Jan 12, ibid.) ** RUSSIA. Post of Russia --- Letters abroad have risen in price again From 1 January 2019, the Post of Russia has changed the tariffs for the delivery of international letters. If at the end of last year for sending a simple message weighing up to 20 grams (air, for example, to South Korea) it was necessary to pay 45 rubles, then now you have to fork out 50 rubles. The cost of delivering international letters by land has also increased: 45 rubles instead of the previous 40 rubles. Over the past 7 years, Russian Post has doubled the tariff for delivering letters abroad (25 rubles in 2012, 50 rubles in 2019). At the same time, the rates for delivery of letters inside the country have not changed since January 1 of this year. Sending a letter weighing up to 20 grams, as before, will cost 22 rubles. In the Moscow Central Post Office about the changes in tariffs for sending letters abroad, apparently, few people know. Today, it took me 15 minutes for the employees of the central post office on Myasnitskaya Street to clarify among themselves how many stamps need to be stuck on an envelope in Pyongyang. There are no announcements about the change of tariffs for the delivery of correspondence in the department. I had to turn to the Russian Post website for help. They do not know the abbreviations P.O.B. (Post Office Box / Mailbox). Today I was written by Maria Li, who said that letters from Taiwan sent to my address are being returned to the editor. The fact is, I explained to her that the Russian postal officers do not understand the abbreviations P.O.B., therefore they do not find the recipient, and send the message back. The representative of the "Post of Russia" in social networks recommended in this case to write on the envelope completely Post Office Box. Hope our email knows what that means. https://kolkeradio.blogspot.com/ (Rus-DX Jan 13 via DXLD) ** SAO TOME. 4960, Jan 11 at 0634, S7-S9 of open carrier. Obviously VOA relay, scheduled for an 0630-0700 break between French and Hausa --- so do they just leave it on for a semihour? Might as well modulate it with something, like English. 4960, Jan 15 at 0648, VOA relay indeed with dead air halfway+ thru the semihour break between French and Hausa. Another example of USG waste of taxpayer money. Or is their juice maybe free from own hydro? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SIKKIM. 4835, AIR Gangtok (tentative), 1110, Jan 13. Not completely sure what is happening here? Heard music and announcer (too weak for any meaningful details) till about 1119, when the modulation started to break up and after that was only able to hear a strong hum; later at 1204 check, again with modulation breaking up and quickly back to only the strong hum again. This would seem to fit the Gangtok transmitter problem they have had for a long time now, but today's signal strength was much stronger that normal for AIR. I believe there is no chance that this is Ozy Radio with the strong hum, as I think Craig is still off the air. Thanks to Hiroyuki Komatsubara (Japan), who reported Jan 12, via his "Now On The Radio" website: "1053 - 4835 kHz Fair signal, who ? , -1059- OM talk but weak modulation and heavy QRN, Music by whistle at -1100-" (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, WOR iog via DXLD) ** SOUTH AFRICA. 4894.979, exact measured and English program heard from Meyerton SenTec South Africa at 1644 UT on Jan 14, in remote SEoul Korea SDR unit [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Bueschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOUTH AFRICA. South African Radio League Amateur Radio Today on Jan.13: 0800-0900 17760 MEY 250 kW / 019 deg to EaAf English Sun, good signal https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/reception-of-south-african-radio-league.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan.12-13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOUTH AFRICA. 15350, Jan 13 at 1522, tune-in to dead air, then Arabish talk starts, S8-S5. Aoki shows R. Dabanga via Meyerton is supposed to run 1529-1600; must be getting a headstart. HFCC shows FPU from 1530-, 250 kW at 5 degrees after a hefty 25 degree slew. Axually the FPU program feed until 1529 is probably Radio Tamazuj, not supposed to be on 15350 at all (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOUTH CAROLINA [non]. U.S.A.: 3215, WWCR Nashville TN (presumed); 0217, 1/8; “Yawa” religihuxter ragging on preachers such as those who claim to be “The Last Minute Prophet of God”. S30+ (Frodge-MI) 5935, WWCR Nashville TN; *2259-2303+, 1/8; IDs & steel drum to ToH & 33 seconds DA, abruptly into Bombastically Hostile Bro. HyStairical Blathering Hysteria on how bad everything is. S30 withh studio bleed QRM (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 185' RW, ---- All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! ----, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN. Hansjoerg {to wb df5sx}, um mal den Ueberblick der letzten Jahrzehnte zu erhalten. Es gab vor einem Jahrzehnt zwei MW und SW Standorte in Omdurman / Khartoum, der rechts vom Nil war/ist eher eine Regierungs, Aussenministerium, Polizei, Sicherheitsdienst, Armee Funkstation, frueher auch Foreign sce und MW station bis zum 2004 Jahr. SDN_Khartoum Soba location, til 2004year: MW 747, 963 kHz SW 5039, 5050 kHz, 11 SW curtain dipol antennas, some rotatable press service antennas. 15 28 13.08 N 32 37 35.33 E Die MW Masten links vom Nil in Omdurman Al-Fitahab mit den Rotatable SW Antennen fuer 7205 and 9505 kHz wurde erst im Jahr August 2007 (1. MW Mast 747 kHz) um den eingezaeunten Bereich rechts mit den hohen MW Masten erweitert. Der 2. MW Mast scheint im Februar 2012 image auf. Sieht auch nach einem UKW/TV communications sce typus aus. 15 35 15.58 N 32 26 50.15 E (wb df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 1) (Wolfgang Bueschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 10, BCDX 10 Jan via DXLD) ** SUDAN. RECEPTION IN SÃO BERNARDO SP, BRAZIL. Rx: KiwiSDR (São Bernardo) + Mini Whip Antenna (PA0RDT Standard) --- SHORTWAVE: 9505 kHz SUDAN: Voice of Africa, Al Fitahab, English, 11/01 1820. Commentary by two male voices. Mention of 'Africa'. 35553. Tx with 210 deg to Africa (Rudolf Grimm, São Bernardo SP, BRAZIL, http://dxways-br.blogspot.com YouTube Channel: GrimmSBC, Hard-Core-DX via DXLD) 7205, Sudan Radio, Al Aitahab, 1910-1917, 11-01, Arabic, comments. 35333. (Méndez) 9505, Voice of Africa, Sudan Radio, Al Aitahab, 1817-1835, 10-01, English, news, comments, ID “Voice of Africa”, East African songs. 35333 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Log in Friol, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DXLD) Good signal of Voice of Africa Sudan Radio, Jan.12 1630-1715 on 9505 ALF 100 kW / 210 deg to CeAf French 1715-1800 on 9505 ALF 100 kW / 210 deg to CeAf English 1800-1830 on 9505 ALF 100 kW / 210 deg to CeAf Hausa https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/good-signal-of-voice-of-africa-sudan.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan.12-13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN SOUTH [non]. Radio Tamazuj via Talata Volonondy & SM di Galeria, Jan.11 1501-1528 on 11705 MDC 250 kW / 340 deg to EaAf Juba Arabic, very good 1459-1528 on 15550 SMG 250 kW / 150 deg to EaAf Juba Arabic, fair/good https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/reception-of-radio-tamazuj-via-talata.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan 10-11, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SYRIA. Damascus Radio in Russian is on the air again. Broadcasts daily at 0830-0900 Moscow time [0530-0600 UT] at a frequency of 783 kHz. The station is regularly accepted in Kirovograd, Central Ukraine, on radio Sony ICR 2010. Probably used 600 kW transmitter in Tartus (Syria). (Igor Yaremenko, Novosibirsk, Russia / “deneb-radio-dx” via Rus-DX Jan 13 via DXLD) Only 1544 km = 960 stmi, right across Turkey, Black Sea, Crimea (gh, DXLD) ** TAIWAN. Radio Taiwan International --- After a small correspondence with the Russian editorial board of Taiwan Radio International, Maria Li sent a new and probably the last letter with cards for the Retro QSL promotion. In the envelope 21 QSL card for reports from September 19 to September 29, 2018. The envelope was shipped from Taipei on December 19, 2018. QSL can be viewed here. http://freerutube.info/2019/01/09/qsl-radio-taiwan-international-tayvan-sentyabr-2018-goda-retro-qsl-chast-16/ http://freerutube.info/2019/01/09/qsl-radio-taiwan-international-tayvan-sentyabr-2018-goda-retro-qsl-chast-17/ http://freerutube.info/2019/01/09/qsl-radio-taiwan-international-tayvan-sentyabr-2018-goda-retro-qsl-chast-18/ http://freerutube.info/2019/01/09/qsl-radio-taiwan-international-tayvan-sentyabr-2018-goda-retro-qsl-chast-19/ Received two new envelopes with QSL cards from the Russian edition of the International Radio of Taiwan. In the first letter, the card 2018-12 for the report of December 3, 2018. The envelope was shipped from Taipei on December 19th. QSL can be viewed here http://freerutube.info/2019/01/09/qsl-radio-taiwan-international-tayvan-dekabr-2018-goda/ (Dmitry Elagin, Saratov, Russia / "deneb-radio-dx" via Rus-DX Jan 13 via DXLD) ** TAIWAN. 9410 - H3E (USB+carrier), Fu Hsing BS, brief check at 1212, Jan 12. In Chinese; weak. Their other frequency (9774) remains silent. 9410, Fu Hsing BS (tentative), unlike yesterday`s (Jan 12) reception heard in H3E (USB+carrier), today at 1219, had a definite signal in LSB and only slightly weaker than the USB output; in Chinese; H3E of course is the normal format here (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, WOR iog via DXLD) ** TAIWAN [non?]. Sound of Hope / Xi Wang Zhi Sheng in 25mb, Jan.5 from 1030 on 11775 unknown kW / non-dir to EaAs Chinese, fair: https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/sound-of-hope-xi-wang-zhi-sheng-in-25mb.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan 10-11, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAIWAN. 7290, Jan 11 at 1505, undermodulated S9+10 talk in Korean. HFCC shows it`s Encompass via Taiwan at 1500-1600, 300 kW at 352 degrees, but what is it, really? Aoki/NDXC shows Nippon no Kaze via Paochung (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAJIKISTAN. 4765.067 kHz odd fq reserve unit of Tajik Radio 1 program at Dushanbe Yangi Yul now in regular use. S=9+15dB at 1424 UT on Jan 14. Central Asian Tajik music singer/string instrument played, 10.4 kHz wideband signal. At Seoul remote SDR noted on 4765.066 kHz S=7 at 1640 [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Bueschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** THAILAND. 13745, Radio Thailand in English at 0000 UT Jan 12 sign on of the Radio Thailand World service, National Anthem, then into morning newshour. Some station IDs as "FM88 and relayed around the country" noted. (I guess they do not know they are relayed on shortwave). For some reason they want to make an antenna direction change at around 0030 UT so miss a minute or so when they do this. Very Good but only lasting 3/4 of an hour as the sun sets here in Central Alberta. Should get better as the local days get longer. 73 (Mick Delmage, Sherwood Park, AB, Rx: Perseus SDR. Ant: Wellbrook ALA 100 loop, WOR iog via DXLD) HSK9 Radio Thailand World Service in 31mb, Jan.14: 1230-1300 on 9940 UDO 250 kW / 132 deg to SEAs English, fair 1400-1430 on 9940 UDO 250 kW / 132 deg to SEAs English, fair https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/reception-of-hsk9-radio-thailand-world_15.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan.14-15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TIBET [and non]. BUZZ of 100 Hertz distance apart each 23 x 100 Hz strings either sideband on 4820 kHz, Lhasa Tibet Chinese program on top S=9+30dB. 0050 UT Jan 10. vy73 de wolfie (Wolfgang Bueschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Of course the side carriers can be visible even if Lhasa is on top. Check now, that Lhasa hasn't yet faded in in Kazakhstan: http://sdr.71036.kz:8073/?f=4820.00amz14 Or at 0000 or 1230. 73, (Mauno Ritola, 0553 UT Jan 10, ibid.) 4820 kHz, when checked on Tue Jan 15 at 1150 UT only CNR Mandarin Tibet was on air. Check against Kyrgyz Radiosu https://topradio.me/radio/kyirgyiz-radiosu But Birinchi Radio \\ 4010.221 kHz was on Mauno's SDR at 1207 UT https://topradio.me/radio/birinchi 73 wolfie Genre: Folk . Bitrate: 24 kHz, 80 kbps, Stereo Country: Kyrgyzstan City: Bishkek Address: Blvd. Young Guard 59 Website: http://ktrk.kg/kyrgyzradio Email: public@ktrk.kg Phone: + 996 312 39-20-59 - - - - Genre: Folk , Colloquial . Bitrate: 44 kHz, 80 kbps, Stereo Country: Kyrgyzstan City: Bishkek Language: Kyrgyz Address: Young Guard Boulevard 59 Website: http://www.ktrk.kg/birinchi Email: public@ktrk.kg Telephone: + 996 312 39 20 59, + 996 312 39 24 04 (Wolfgang Bueschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See KYRGYZSTAN! ** TIBET [non]. TAJIKISTAN, Reception of Voice of Tibet on Jan.13 2300-2330 on 7496 DB 100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs Tibetan, good 2330-2400 on 7484 DB 100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs Tibetan, fair https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/reception-of-voice-of-tibet-in-41mb-on.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan.13-14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TUNISIA. Roy Barstow's 630 unID with 11 pips --- About a week or two ago, Roy reported a station with 11 pips on 630. This didn't ring an immediate bell with me, so I wondered if it was two stations with overlapping pips. Well, no it isn't. It is RTT Tunisia, often the dominant station in Newfoundland, so I should have remembered (Chuck Hutton, 12 Jan, IRCA mailing list via DXLD) ** TURKEY. TRT Voice of Turkey in Swahili on very odd frequency 15235.8 kHz, Jan.10 0700-0755 15235.8 EMR 500 kW / 210 deg CEAf, instead of 15235 Jan.9 https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/voice-of-turkey-in-swahili-on-very-odd.html TRT Voice of Turkey in Farsi on very odd frequency 11795.7 kHz, Jan.10 0930-1055 11795.7 EMR 500 kW / 105 deg WeAs, instead 11795.0 Jan.9: https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/trt-voice-of-turkey-in-farsi-on-very.html TRT Voice of Turkey Bulgarian on very odd frequency 7245.6 kHz, Jan.10 1200-1225 7245.6 EMR 250 kW / 300 deg SEEu, instead of 7245 Jan.9 https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/voice-of-turkey-in-bulgarian-on-very.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan.9-10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 12035, Voice of Turkey at 1343 with a woman with the end of “A Review of Turkish Media” and into female pop vocals at 1344 - Fair to Good Jan 10 – Unless this is a new program this must be a new name for “A Review of the Turkish Press” (Mark Coady, Selwyn, Ontario, Kenwood TS440S or Ten-Tec Argonaut II and 40 and 80 meter off centre-fed dipoles, ODXA iog via DXLD) 5960, Jan 12 at 2310, no signal from VOT English to N America, again. Is anyone hearing this any more? A couple times before, I figured it were more of their frequent screwups. OTOH, propagation is pitiful, hardly anything else on 49m from Eurasia, the best being 6175 CRI Spanish, 280 degrees from Cërrik, Albania --- should be close enough to Emirler for both to propagate if on (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6125.0, Jan 13 at 0421, VP signal from algo, presumably V of Turkey English to N America as scheduled, altho can`t be positive since it`s not on 6125.7 tonight; at least this transmission exist, after hearing nothing at 2300 on 5960. You might assume the 0400 is on a more westerly beam than at 2300 for E NAm, but you would be wrong; per HFCC, both are the same 310 degrees, which crosses USA from NYC to Pensacola --- so beyond that the signal gets worse and worse. WNAm is not even a CIRAF-6 target for either. BTW, Alan Roe reports: (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TURKEY. The Voice of Turkey "Letterbox Programme" is now being aired weekly on the Saturday programme (rather than Friday), seemingly since beginning of January. Confirmed in yesterday's broadcast (12 January at 1330 UT on 12035 kHz) (Alan Roe, Teddington, UK, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DXLD) Today Jan 13 Voice of Turkey was from 1330 on 12035.7, instead of nominal 12035 (Ivo Ivanov? ibid.) What is the timerange now of the pgmme within each broadcast? (Glenn, ibid.) The V of Turkey "Letterbox Programme" now seems to be starting at approx. 15 minutes into the broadcast. On 12 January, the programme lasted 15 minutes, whilst on 4 January, it lasted just under 10 minutes - so it seems no fixed length. Incidentally, it seems that the V of Turkey has a new variant on their Interval Signal - the same tune, but a different orchestration. 73 - (Alan Roe, ibid.) Lbox into final repeat UT Sunday 0415+ (gh) TRT Voice of Turkey in English on odd frequency, Jan.13: 1330-1425 12035.7 EMR 500 kW / 305 deg WEu English, instead of 12035.0 https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/trt-voice-of-turkey-in-english-on-odd.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan.13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. Bogusman raided by Ofcom. Bogusman was raided by Ofcom supported by West Midlands police on Saturday 22 December while broadcasting on 6312 kHz. Studio and transmitting equipment together with programme material were seized after the warrant was executed. 6312 kHz is a digital selective calling marine frequency and several Dutch stations have also been taken off air for broadcasting on or near to this frequency. Another frequency which should be avoided for the same reason is 6215 kHz. (reports on Free Radio bulletin board) Mike Barraclough adds: “6312 is a digital selective calling (DSC) marine frequency, which can be used for distress calls and is regularly monitored for them”. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_distress_frequency (Jan BDXC_UK Communication via DXLD) ** U K. BBC World Service --- A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is an annual tradition on Christmas Eve (24 December at 1500 UT) on BBC Radio and is broadcast live from the Chapel of King's College, Cambridge on both domestic Radio 4 and BBC World Service. The nine lessons are the same each year; however, the carol selection varies slightly year by year, although always starting with Once in Royal David's City and concluding with Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, and now also includes a new specially commissioned carol each year. I had not intended to listen this year – merely perform a quick scan at 1500 UT to check which frequencies, but from the first notes of the soloist singing Once in Royal David's City, I was captivated and listened for the whole duration – 90 minutes. Incidentally, it seems that the chorister is only told moments before the live broadcast that he will be the soloist to sing the opening verse; this is partly the conductor choosing who has the best singing voice on the day and partly to avoid undue stress for the chorister ahead of the big moment. I listened on 12095 kHz from 1500 to 1600, and then 7445 from 1600-1630 (both via Madagascar), and I have put a reminder in my calendar to listen again next year. Until next time – good listening and 73’s Alan (Alan Roe, Jan BDXC_UK Communication via DXLD) FONLAC is also widely diffused in America on public radio. I too listened to the whole sesquihour via a webcaster, I think it was WUOT, in stereo; pro arte (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K [non]. ARMENIA, Frequency change of BBC WS via Yerevan, Jan 8 0000-0200 NF 5835 ERV 300 kW / 100 deg to SoAs English, ex 5830 https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/frequency-change-of-bbc-ws-via-yerevan.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan.9-10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. Happy New Year! Most radio listening takes place in the car or while doing other things that allow freedom for the ear, but not the eyes and hands. Podcasts permit a shift of listening time from a set appointment to virtually any convenient occasion. I do it while “power walking” (most) every morning. The act of putting one foot in front of the other can be pretty monotonous and by “podding along” while plodding along the mind also gets something useful to do. Some of the best radio comes from the public networks of the UK, Australia, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand and the U.S. Apart from the originating program’s web site, most programs are made available through any number of other amalgamation sources such as iTunes and TuneIn. Admittedly, these are thoroughly subjective recommendations, but my interests and tolerance for incompatible views are pretty wide-ranging. Here’s another in a continuing series of small samplings, offered in a 90 minute scope (more of less): —— “Hope” --- IN OUR TIME - BBC Radio 4 Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the philosophy of hope. To the ancient Greeks, hope was closer to self-deception, one of the evils left in Pandora's box or jar, in Hesiod's story. In Christian tradition, hope became one of the theological virtues, the desire for divine union and the expectation of receiving it, an action of the will rather than the intellect. To Kant, 'what may I hope' was one of the three basic questions which human reason asks, while Nietzsche echoed Hesiod, arguing that leaving hope in the box was a deception by the gods, reflecting human inability to face the demands of existence. Yet even those critical of hope, like Camus, conceded that life was nearly impossible without it. (54”) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00017vl "The Long March" --- IN OUR TIME - BBC Radio 4 Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss a foundation story for China as it was reshaped under Mao Zedong. In October 1934, around ninety thousand soldiers of the Red Army broke out of a siege in Jiangxi in the south east of the country, hoping to find a place to regroup and rebuild. They were joined by other armies, and this turned into a very long march to the west and then north, covering thousands of miles of harsh and hostile territory, marshes and mountains, pursued by forces of the ruling Kuomintang for a year. Mao Zedong was among the marchers and emerged at the head of them, and he ensured the officially approved history of the Long March would be an inspiration and education for decades to come. (51”) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0001fv2 CAPSULE REVIEW --- IN OUR TIME - BBC RADIO 4 In the last couple of editions of PODDING ALONG, IN OUR TIME has been featured. I have to confess that this has become my favorite programs on radio. If you listen to a lot of radio like I do, then you undoubtedly will notice that this is a truly unique program -- not only for the subject matter it fearlessly tackles, but for the way it goes about its business. The depth of inquiry that host Melvin Bragg’s expert use of the Socratic method prompts from his always learned guests is phenomenal when one considers that each discussion comes in at under an hour. It’s uncanny how his questions always seem to reflect what the attentive listener is also asking. This is an aspiring polymath’s delight. Consult the program’s website - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qykl - for broadcast and streaming times and/or to download and stream individual episodes. **** A monthly (well, mostly monthly) compendium of these newsletters, plus on occasion additional pertinent material, is now published in The CIDX Messenger, the monthly e-newsletter of the Canadian International DX Club (CIDX). For further information, go to http://www.cidx.ca John Figliozzi, Editor, "The Worldwide Listening Guide” 192 page 8th edition available from Universal Radio [universal-radio.com] and Amazon [amazon.com] (Podding Along #204, WOR iog via DXLD) ** U K [non?]. 5450/USB, MPL2 RAF Volmet, Great Britain or Ascension; 2120-2130+, 1/5; RoboBritWoman vox; no ID heard. Peaks over QRN (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 185' RW, ---- All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! ----, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 198 kHz, Jan 15 at 0709, beacon DIW which is 2 kW from Dixon NC (not DIX); instead of BBC Radio 4. I am having no luck with Euro LWBC DX, unlike my neighbor Richard Allen with his setup. Dixon is too insignificant to make the Rand McNally atlas, but coördinates place it around Jaxonvil/Camp Lejeune near the coast (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 475, WA4SZE, Manchester TN; 2344 1/4; sending BEACONWA4SZE/ repeatedly without pause between (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 185' RW, ---- All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! ----, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 475 kHz, Jan 13 at 0701, WA4SZE/BEACON on CW from Dave Frantz, of WWRB, Manchester TN (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 13089-USB, Jan 12 at 1530 tune-in, synthetic OM voice says W8CEN, so at first I think I have a hamspur, but on into marine weather, the readout rather garbled. EiBi shows 13089 is timeshared among USCG Guam, Honolulu, Point Reyes CA, and Chesapeake VA --- with NMN at the latter scheduled 1530-1605, nothing immediately before it. As I was tuning up several minutes prior, I kept hitting bits of distorted FMish talk spurring around various frequencies such as 12192, 12222, 12262; all I could confirm was that they were not // RHC but now I wonder if they were from NMN (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. == FCC Shutdown == Should The FCC Shut Down For Good? https://www.rbr.com/should-the-fcc-shut-down-for-good/ Radio Television Business Report, January 8, 2019 "Broadcast licensing and enforcement bureau activities will be suspended, rendering them unable to collect fines, fees or forfeitures." (Submitted by Ed Cummings) FCC says ‘most’ operations will be suspended Thursday if partial government shutdown continues https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/1/18164361/fcc-suspension-partial-federal-government-shutdown The Verge, January 1, 2019 FCC Plan for Orderly Shutdown https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-355628A1.pdf FCC, December 2018 (via Free Radio Weekly Jan 12 via DXLD) FCC and CRTC Decisions and Applications --- The FCC remained open at the beginning of the ongoing government shutdown (or as we call it here inside the Beltway, the “lapse in appropriations”), but closed down on January 3. A few applications have popped up on CDBS (fewer than usual) and nothing has been granted since then (David Yocis, AM Switch, NRC DX News Jan 21, published Jan 13, via DXLD) ** U S A. 15580, Friday Jan 11 at 2120, VOA GB inbooming during weekly `Music Time in Africa` with extremely repetitive tune, but fading way down by 2130. May have been getting a sporadic E boost (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [non]. THAILAND, Reception of VOA Learning English via Udorn Thani on Jan.9: 1130-1200 12125 UDO 250 kW / 304 deg SEAs Learning English, fair/good 1130-1200 15715 UDO 250 kW / 300 deg SEAs Learning English, very good 1130-1200 17790 PHT 250 kW / 283 deg SEAs Learning English, NO SIGNAL https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/reception-of-voa-learning-english-via.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan.8-9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. World of Radio 7780 kHz (via WRMI). QSL received in 6 months for reception report sent to woradio@yahoo.com (Patrick Cody, Ireland, Jan BDXC_UK Communication via DXLD) ? This is rather misleading. Sorry, I do NOT offer QSLs for WOR. I have no recollexion or record of such a report, but when I do get one for WOR via WRMI, I forward it to WRMI which does have a stock of QSL cards with a WOR design, available only of course for broadcasts via WRMI and sent to info@wrmi.net (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [and non]. WORLD OF RADIO 1964 monitoring: Australia: Wednesday WOR on Unique Radio 5045 LSB --- Unique Radio at Gunnedah delivering the goods again with Wednesday airing of World of Radio 1964 from 0930. I listened from 0945 t/in, fair sig. ARDXC sponsorship promo, then into Hobart Radio International program from 0958 (Matt Francis, Sydney, Australia, Jan 9, WOR iog via DXLD) 7490, WBCQ at 2207 with Glenn Hauser's “World of Radio” - Good Jan 9 (Mark Coady, Selwyn, Ontario, Kenwood TS440S or Ten-Tec Argonaut II and 40 and 80 meter off centre-fed dipoles, ODXA iog via DXLD) Confirmed Wed Jan 9 at 2200 on WRMI 9955 and WBCQ 7490v, both good a few words apart. Also confirmed new time of UT Thursday Jan 10 at 0100 on WRMI 7780, poor S7-S9. Next: 2100 UT Thursday WRMI 5950 to WNW, 7780 to NE [NEW; unconfirmed] 0930 UT Friday Unique 5045-LSB ND NSW 0729 UT Saturday HLR 6190-CUSB Germany to WSW 0930 UT Saturday Unique 5045-LSB ND NSW [alt weeks; Jan 19?] 1200 UT Saturday Unique 5045-LSB ND NSW 1200 UT Saturday Unique *9265 via WINB to WSW 1230 UT Saturday WRMI *9955 to SSE [NEW] 1531 UT Saturday HLR 9485-CUSB Germany to WSW 2030vUT Saturday WA0RCR 1860-AM non-direxional 2200 UT Saturday WRMI *9955 to SSE [NEW] 0400vUT Sunday WA0RCR 1860-AM [nominal 0415], ND 0830 UT Sunday WRMI 5850 to NW, 5950 to WNW, 7730 to WNW 1130 UT Sunday HLR 7265-CUSB Germany to WSW 2130 UT Sunday WRMI 7780 to NE 0230 UT Monday WRMI 5950 to WNW, 9395 to NNW 0400vUT Monday WBCQ *5130v Area 51 to WSW 0430 UT Monday WRMI *9955 to SSE 0930 UT Monday Unique 5045-LSB ND NSW 2330 UT Monday WRMI *9955 to SSE [NEW] * also webcast (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7780, WRMI at 0100 with Glenn Hauser's “World of Radio” - Good with fading Jan 10 [Thu] (Mark Coady, Selwyn, Ontario, Kenwood TS440S or Ten-Tec Argonaut II and 40 and 80 meter off centre-fed dipoles, ODXA iog via DXLD) WORLD OF RADIO 1964 monitoring [non]: 7780 & 5950, Thursday January 10 at 2100, I`m ready to find out if WOR is really now on these WRMIs as surprisingly displayed for at least a week on the program schedule grid -- and still as of 1554 UT Jan 11: NO! 7780 has VORW (as contradictorily shown on the transmission grid for Thursdays only instead of RAE German); and 5950 is // 9395 with music, presumably Oldies stream. Wondering how well 7780 get into Europe where it`s aimed 44 degrees, I check 7780 on UTwente SDR at 2142: fair with VORW, John ending the program already, but music keeps on playing with one or two more announcement breaks. BTW, the WRMI sked also shows VORW an hour earlier, Thursdays at 20-21 on 7780 & 5950. Also imaginary are other System D 21-22 UT listings as on 5950 & 7780, such as WOR Tuesdays at 2130, gone for *months*! See http://www.tinyurl.com/WRMIfqs Next: 0729 UT Saturday HLR 6190-CUSB Germany to WSW 0930 UT Saturday Unique 5045-LSB ND NSW [alt weeks; Jan 19?] 1200 UT Saturday Unique 5045-LSB ND NSW 1200 UT Saturday Unique *9265 via WINB to WSW 1230 UT Saturday WRMI *9955 to SSE [NEW] 1531 UT Saturday HLR 9485-CUSB Germany to WSW 2030vUT Saturday WA0RCR 1860-AM non-direxional 2200 UT Saturday WRMI *9955 to SSE [NEW] 0400vUT Sunday WA0RCR 1860-AM [nominal 0415], ND 0830 UT Sunday WRMI 5850 to NW, 5950 to WNW, 7730 to WNW 1130 UT Sunday HLR 7265-CUSB Germany to WSW 2130 UT Sunday WRMI 7780 to NE 0230 UT Monday WRMI 5950 to WNW, 9395 to NNW 0400vUT Monday WBCQ *5130v Area 51 to WSW 0430 UT Monday WRMI *9955 to SSE 0930 UT Monday Unique 5045-LSB ND NSW 2330 UT Monday WRMI *9955 to SSE [NEW] * also webcast (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Ivo Ivanov, Bulgaria, reports: ``GERMANY, Reception of World of Radio via HLR on 6190 CUSB, Jan 12: https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/reception-of-world-of-radio-via-hlr-on_12.html 0731-0800 6190 GOH 001 kW / 230 deg to CeEu English Sat, good signal`` And Manuel Méndez, Spain, reports: ``6190, Hamburger LokalRadio, Goehren, *0700-0800, 12-01, ID “Hamburger LokalRadio, program “Radio Netherlands Media Network, presented by Jonathan Marks”, at 0730 Glenn Hauser’s World of Radio”. 35433``. As often, I sleep past the Unique Radio/WINB/WRMI Saturday morning airings, and I don`t get to UTwente quite in time to try HLR 9485 before 1600 UT Sat, but it`s usually inaudible. Next: 2030vUT Saturday WA0RCR 1860-AM non-direxional 2200 UT Saturday WRMI *9955 to SSE 0400vUT Sunday WA0RCR 1860-AM [nominal 0415], ND 0830 UT Sunday WRMI 5850 to NW, 5950 to WNW, 7730 to WNW 1130 UT Sunday HLR 7265-CUSB Germany to WSW 2130 UT Sunday WRMI 7780 to NE 0230 UT Monday WRMI 5950 to WNW, 9395 to NNW 0400vUT Monday WBCQ *5130v Area 51 to WSW 0430 UT Monday WRMI *9955 to SSE 0930 UT Monday Unique 5045-LSB NSW ND 2330 UT Monday WRMI *9955 to SSE * also webcast. Confirmed Saturday January 12 at 2200 on WRMI 9955, fair-good. Next: 0400vUT Sunday WA0RCR 1860-AM [nominal 0415], ND 0830 UT Sunday WRMI 5850 to NW, 5950 to WNW, 7730 to WNW 1130 UT Sunday HLR 7265-CUSB Germany to WSW 2130 UT Sunday WRMI 7780 to NE 0230 UT Monday WRMI 5950 to WNW, 9395 to NNW 0400vUT Monday WBCQ *5130v Area 51 to WSW 0430 UT Monday WRMI *9955 to SSE 0930 UT Monday Unique 5045-LSB NSW ND 2330 UT Monday WRMI *9955 to SSE * also webcast Alan Gale, England, reports on Sat Jan 12: ``Hi Glenn, Nothing to report about today's World of Radio broadcast on HLR's 9485 kHz frequency at 1530 UT; it wasn't heard here and neither was any of their output unfortunately. It would certainly be interesting to know just where their skip is coming down as it must be passing right over me at the moment. Alan`` WOR 1964 confirmed UT Sunday January 13 at 0420 on WA0RCR, 1860-AM, MO, S9+30, starting Cuba segment, about seven minutes in, so started almost on-time circa 0413. Ivo Ivanov, Bulgaria, reports: ``GERMANY, Reception of World of Radio via HLR on 7265 CUSB, Jan 13: https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/reception-of-world-of-radio-via-hlr-on_13.html 1131-1200 7265 GOH 001 kW / 230 deg to CeEu English Sun, fair signal`` Next: 2130 UT Sunday WRMI 7780 to NE 0230 UT Monday WRMI 5950 to WNW, 9395 to NNW 0400vUT Monday WBCQ *5130v Area 51 to WSW 0430 UT Monday WRMI *9955 to SSE 0930 UT Monday Unique 5045-LSB NSW ND 2330 UT Monday WRMI *9955 to SSE * also webcast (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Very good signal of World of Radio via WRMI-1, Jan.13 2130-2200 on 7780 YFR 100 kW / 044 deg to WeEu English Sun https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/very-good-signal-of-world-of-radio-via.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan.13-14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Confirmed Sunday January 13 at 2140 the 2130 on WRMI 7780, fair. Also confirmed UT Monday January 14 at 0230 on WRMI 5950, S7 to S9+10; and weaker 9395 poor, with high local noise making the R75 NR essential. Also confirmed UT Monday January 14 from 0401 on Area 51 webcast, but JBA carrier at 0413 on WBCQ 5130.4 (earlier at 0253 during JL at S8- S9, I had measured it on 5130.441). Also confirmed UT Monday January 14 at 0430 on WRMI 9955, JBA. Next: 2330 UT Monday WRMI *9955 to SSE * also webcast It is clear as of Monday morning that WOR 1965 will not be ready until Tuesday at the earliest, probably like last week, not even by the 2030 airing on WRMI 7780; this is only due to my running so far behind in processing info, also causing DXLDs to appear almost a week after closing dates (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WORLD OF RADIO 1964 monitoring: confirmed Monday Jan 14 at 2330 on WRMI 9955, fair; also UT Tuesday Jan 15 at 0030 on WRMI 7730, very good. Again this week, produxion of WOR 1965 is delayed until early UT Wednesday, so the next airing Tue Jan 15 at 2030 on WRMI 7780 should have replayed 1964 one more time ---- but it`s off the air! (5950 & 9395 are on and audible). 7780 back on in time for RAE in German at 2100. WORLD OF RADIO 1965 contents: Bhutan, Bolivia, Bougainville, Brasil, Cuba, France, Greece, Hawai`i, India, Madagascar, Mongolia, Oklahoma, Romania, Russia, Turkey, USA, Vietnam non, Zanzibar; WRTH 2019 ordering; and the propagation outlook WOR 1965 ready for first airings January 16: Confirmed Wed Jan 16 at 1030 on WRMI 5950, fair-good. Next: 2200 UT Wednesday WRMI *9955 to SSE 2200 UT Wednesday WBCQ *7490v to WSW 0100 UT Thursday WRMI 7780 to NE 0930 UT Friday Unique 5045-LSB ND NSW 0729 UT Saturday HLR 6190-CUSB Germany to WSW 0930 UT Saturday Unique 5045-LSB ND NSW [alt weeks; Jan 19?] 1200 UT Saturday Unique 5045-LSB ND NSW 1200 UT Saturday Unique *9265 via WINB to WSW 1230 UT Saturday WRMI *9955 to SSE 1531 UT Saturday HLR 9485-CUSB Germany to WSW 2030vUT Saturday WA0RCR 1860-AM non-direxional 2200 UT Saturday WRMI *9955 to SSE 0400vUT Sunday WA0RCR 1860-AM [nominal 0415], ND 0830 UT Sunday WRMI 5850 to NW, 5950 to WNW, 7730 to WNW 1130 UT Sunday HLR 7265-CUSB Germany to WSW 2130 UT Sunday WRMI 7780 to NE 0230 UT Monday WRMI 5950 to WNW, 9395 to NNW 0400vUT Monday WBCQ *5130v Area 51 to WSW 0430 UT Monday WRMI *9955 to SSE 0930 UT Monday Unique 5045-LSB ND NSW 2330 UT Monday WRMI *9955 to SSE * also webcast; direct linx to these and many others at: Complete updated WOR sked, all affiliates, satellite, webcast, AM&FM: http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Also see Zichi, shortly below WRMI WRMI WRMI WRMI WRMI WRMI WRMI WRMI WRMI WRMI WRMI WRMI WRMI WRMI: ** U S A. 5850, WRMI with last 4+ minutes of BSR Radiogram as usual of late, then a voice ID by Bob Zanotti into SW Radiogram #81 with the usual mix of digital text & photos with stories this week about China's ELF antenna for submarines, "Dream Chaser" spaceplane nears production & Ocean Cleanup Project returns to port for repairs & images: 5850A.jpg A 'color' image this week of Ultima Thule taken by NASA's New Horizons spacecraft & the Chinese Yuta-2 rover rolls off the Chang'e-4 lander on the far side of the moon: 5850B.jpg Fireworks over the bridge & Opera House during Sydney's Dec 31 celebrations and the Tecsun competition image: 5850C.jpg Tecsun audio ad & Ian McFarland ID between SWR & WOR. WOR #1963 started at BoH with the usual mix of radio news including the IBC's announcement that they are ending SW broadcasting -- for now. The web announcement at ibcradio.webs.com makes it sound like primarily it is 'economic' reasons for the shutdown & they may return. GH also mentioned the MARE log from Gary Vance about RNZI appearing on 6115, which BTW I understand they are now (as of the 1st of the year) using after 1300; may be too late in the day for us in MI but worth a try! 4+54+4+4+ *0755:27-0859:54* 6/Jan (Ken Zichi, Williamston MI, SDRplay + SDRuno + ANC-4 + random wire & CCrane Skywave + whip, MARE Tipsheet 11 Jan via DXLD) 5950, Sat Jan 12 at 1517, WRMI with Blalock the Blaster exploding into huxtergasms* (* credit Harold Frodge for this coinage), as it is now // 9955 which extends for him past 1500 only on weekends (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5950, Sat Jan 12 at 2313, WRMI with VORW, // stronger 9395. The System G program grid claims it`s on 9395 only, just another example of reality not matching the schedule. 4980, Jan 12 at 2315, Supreme Master TV on WRMI has QRM from weak RTTY about 4981.15, separate from the much stronger RTTY on 4985; yet evitable by LSB tuning (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7570, Supreme Master TV (via WRMI) at 1151 with light instrumentals and a man with talk about the British charity “Missing People” and a woman at 1156 talking about a girl who invented an organic soap that repels malaria-carrying mosquitos then other reports and a man with ID at 1259 of “You are listening to Supreme Master Television on shortwave via WRMI Okeechobee, Florida” - Fair with fading Jan 13 (Mark Coady, Selwyn, Ontario, Kenwood TS440S or Ten-Tec Argonaut II and 40 and 80 meter off centre-fed dipoles, ODXA iog via DXLD) 7780, WRMI: From my recording last Sunday evening, 13-14 January UT (curtailed due to recorder battery pooping out in extreme cold): 2015 Viva Miami (in Spanish, acknowledging Spanish listeners' reports) 2030 Reserve Military Retirement 2100 Wavescan (#516) 2130 World of Radio (#1964) 2200 Oldies 2235 VOA News with Christopher Cruise 2240 Oldies continues 2300 Full Gospel Broadcast (program name used this week) 2330 Shortwave Radiogram (#82) 0000 Radio Slovakia International in Slovak 0030 Radio Slovakia International in English 0100 Wavescan (#516) (-- Richard Langley, NB, WOR iog via DXLD) 4980, Jan 14 & 15 at 2301, Supreme Master TV via WRMI is still here. Checking because Zacharias Liangas concluded it was dropped like it was from the EiBi list (and still dated Jan 13, EiBi has nothing but Xinjiang on 4980) (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ: ** U S A. 9330.142v, Jan 11 at 1503, TOMBS via WBCQ on typical offset, but I noticed yesterday it was much closer to 9330.00 --- and so it goes (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7490, WBCQ at 2156 with IS and ID loop then a man with ID and singing ID at 2159 and a plea for donations and into “Marion's Attic” eclectic and really old music program at 2200 with Marion Webster and his [sic] able assistant the lovely Christina – Fair to Good with fading Jan 13 – I absolutely love this program and the interaction between Marion and Christina is totally priceless as they sound like they are really having fun doing this. While I try to catch this every week at this time, due to some pretty wonky reception conditions, this is the best I have heard them in quite a while. Hopefully, this is a portent of better times and reception conditions to come because I really hate to have to miss this one! If you haven't heard “Marion's Attic” before then take some time out to take it in. You just might become as enamoured with it as I am (Mark Coady, Selwyn, Ontario, Kenwood TS440S or Ten-Tec Argonaut II and 40 and 80 meter off centre-fed dipoles, ODXA iog via DXLD) 7490.13v, UT Sat Jan 12 at 0109, WBCQ `Allan Weiner Worldwide` is VP, something about The Wall; if // on 9330+, that`s a JBA carrier. 5130+ is also VP with something else. Computer is not on so I won`t be hearing webcast. Recheck at 0151, now 7490 is fading up sporadically as AW is saying the Superstation project is running about 5 months behind because of vendor delays so maybe not on air until summer; but he is very impressed with the transmitter itself, state-of-the-art like a spacecraft. Since will be out of FLA by Feb, maybe will attend SW Winterfest, and maybe also with others such as Tom. Sad news: we lost Goddess Irena, who died January 3. Her program will still be running Thursdays at 7:30 pm EST on 7490. (How about Wednesdays at 5:30 pm ET = 2230 UT right after World of Radio, as we have been hearing her? WBCQ sked shows her only then, with `Camp Constitution Radio` at the time AW thought). Over to John H. Carver for a fuller report on AWWW: ``Show started this evening on 7490 after a period of dead air. No signal that I could detect. Buzz words over the theme song had to do with the Wall. Allan and Angela in the studio in FLA. Opening statement from Allan musing about rigging a microphone in their bedroom so they could do the show from their bed. Talk immediately jumped to the wall and why congress should support it. Phone call from Freddie at 0111 urging Allan to continue his rant and talk to him later. Poor signal on 7490 this evening with a lot of noise and some fading. 5130 was carrying other programming. Freddie finally gets to speak and backs Trump on the wall. He was on the phone for twenty-one minutes and the two of them fed off of each other as the political talk grew and grew. Into another phone call immediately after Freddie disconnected continued the discussion but eventually morphed into a discussion about the antenna for the superstation. Another phone call at 0147 from Tony Straka. He asked if Allan and Angela were going to make an appearance at this year's Winterfest as they would be up North this year during the fest. Allan couldn't promise but did say that it might happen. Allan announced that Goddess Irena had died at the age of eighty-five. He said that are still running her program and will continue to do so until her spot is sold to someone else. Closing prayer at 0158. Program was off the air at 0200 as was 7490. 5130 was still on the air running other programming. John, Mid-North Indiana`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Has anyone heard anything about WBCQ firing up that new 500 KW transmitter? Last I heard it was suppose to be running last fall. Must be having some trouble (Bill Amann Jr, WOR iog via DXLD) Per Al W on last week's show, the xmtr is due to arrive soon and they are still getting the mega-antenna installed. It'll be this Spring before they hit the air (Don Hosmer W8SWL. W Branch MI USA, ibid.) 7489.980v, Jan 12 at 2300, WBCQ starts with ``Welcome to the second Good Time Oldies; who am I? West Virginia Paul``. Good S9+10, then plays at least three songs segué; editing seems a bit rough. Not sure what he means by ``second`` as the show has been running for many more weeks than that --- and it`s the one scheduled for an even one hundred minutes. Beyond that nothing known about him or it. No sign of the 7490.00 ChiCom CCI, but propagation is pitiful and we`re lucky to get anything intra-continental, let alone extra-, but WBCQ unusually so close to frequency on the low rather than high side would make a heterodyne almost subaudible (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [and non]. From the Isle of Music, January 20-26: This week, we feature the music of Ramon Valle, winner of the Instrumental Music category in Cubadisco 2018 as well as a nominee in the Jazz Soloist and Jazz Ensemble categories. All this with three different albums, and we will taste a little of each. The broadcasts take place: 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area in most of the Eastern Hemisphere (including parts of East Asia and Oceania) with 100 kW, Sunday 1500-1600 UT on SpaceLine, 9400 KHz, from Kostinbrod, Bulgaria (1800-1900 MSK) 2. For the Americas and parts of Europe, Tuesday 0100-0200 UT on WBCQ, 7490 KHz from Monticello, ME, USA (Monday 8-9 PM EST in the US). 3 & 4. For Europe and sometimes beyond, Tuesday 1900-2000 UT and Saturday 1200-1300 UT (New CETs) on Channel 292, 6070 from Rohrbach, Germany. Uncle Bill’s Melting Pot, January 20 and 22: Episode 96 features vocalese (sometimes called Scat) from around the world, from Bebop to Roma to Cuban to Carnatic. 1. Sunday 2300-2330 UT (6:00-6:30 PM Eastern US) on WBCQ The Planet 7490 KHz from the US to the Americas and parts of Europe 2. Tuesday 2000-2030 UT on Channel 292, 6070 KHz from Rohrbach, Germany for Europe. If current propagation conditions hold, the broadcast should reach Iceland AND Western Russia due to a long skip. Also recommended: Marion’s Attic, a unique program produced and hosted by Marion Webster featuring early 20th Century records, Edison cylinders etc played on the original equipment, comes on immediately before UBMP on Sundays from 2200-2300 UT on WBCQ 7490 (William "Bill" Tilford, Owner/Producer Tilford Productions, LLC, Jan 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WINB WINB WINB WINB WINB WINB WINB WINB WINB WINB WINB WINB WINB WINB: ** U S A. Checked from 1240 to 1330 UT on Jan 10, noted on remote SDR server in NJ-US state: 14 x like CODAR strings visible on 13684.755, 13689.670, 13689.970, 13694.850 kHz and 6 kHz broad data block seen. 330 Hertz apart distance strings. 13708 kHz also from time to time OTHR bursts -[selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Bueschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 10, BCDX 10 Jan via DXLD) As I have reported repeatedly: This is the bottom half of the WINB DRM test transmitter, while DRM noise is only on the top half 13690-13695. Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Very good signal here in NB yesterday (12 January [Sat]) of the first broadcast of Shortwave Radiogram from WINB at 1830 UT on 9265 kHz (Richard Langley, WOR iog via DXLD) WINB twits indicate SW Radiogram first aired at 1500 UT Jan 11 (Fri): winb @SWWINB Jan 10 - WINB new program @SWRadiogram airing as follows: Fridays 1500-1530 UT 13690 kHz DRM UT Saturday 0330-0400 UT 9265 kHz Analogue Saturday 1830-1900 UT 9265 kHz Analogue Reception reports wanted, will QSL to winb40th@yahoo.com (via gh, DXLD) 9265, UT Sun Jan 13 at 0130, I`m all set to hear the `International Radio Report` via Unique Radio via WINB --- but it`s only a JBA carrier! Little besides WRMI and Cuba are propagating on 31m. By 0153 I`ve brought up the WINB webcast at http://winb.mntts.com:82/broadwave.mp3 and what do I hear? The song ``Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald``, which is semi-Canadian, but not what I would expect to be played on IRR. Finally at 0159 we hear Aussie Tim ID as Unique Radio, a bit more music before cut off for WINB ID and 0200 ``FKB Radio Sermon Time`` - -- he`s looking forward to worldwide coverage on 500 kW WBCQ 7490. UT Fri Jan 11 at 0130 I was also all set to hear Unique`s other primetime spot on 9265, till I realized it had been an hour earlier at 0030. But I expect what I heard this time was the ending of that show, not the IRR (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) OTHERSW OTHERSW OTHERSW OTHERSW OTHERSW OTHERSW OTHERSW OTHERSW OTHER: ** U S A. 5970, Jan 11 at 0626 and 0635, dead air from WEWN Spanish; while 11520 English is audible and nominal at 0640 when 5970 is still dead. One wonders why a station bother to broadcast at all if it allow this to happen again and again. 5970, Jan 13 at 0650, WEWN Spanish is gone again (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5970, Jan 15 at 0652, no signal from WEWN Spanish. Seems it is off more than on. Sked still claims it runs 00-14 UT; 12050 14-24 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 5830, Jan 9 at 1403, WTWW-1 is S9+20/30 of dead air for at least a minute; by 1449 recheck it`s modulating SFAW; by 1505 day frequency 9475- is still not on (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5085, WTWW, 1350-1652>, Great oldies music program with numerous IDs in English by OM. Ad for ICOM IC-7610 radio at 1407. Another one at 1424 for a car shortwave radio! Almost excellent signal on 1/10 for daylight reception on this frequency even when R Rebelde 5025 has faded into the QRN. Still booming in when I checked again at 2020 (Don Hosmer, West Branch MI, ICOM IC-7200, CommRadio Cr-1a &/or XHData D-808 + G5RV dipoles & W6LVP lo, MARE Tipsheet 11 Jan via DXLD) 9474.976, Jan 11 at 0628, weak talk at S3-S5 when normally there is nothing. Checking the WTWW-1 day off-frequency, since 5830 night frequency is AWOL. More incompetence at SFAW; meanwhile, the more important WTWW-2, 5085 is blasting rock at S9+30, plus parasite JBA spurcarriers circa 5072.1 & 5097.9. Next chex 1502 & 1516, neither 9475- nor 5830 is on (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5085even, WTWW, beat pop music, S=9+30dB in MA US state. "Get Up ..." song at 0845 UT [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Bueschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5085, Jan 14 at 1432, WTWW-2 is still on with rock music, S9+30, along with weak parasite spurs 5072.1 & 5097.9. Still at 1516. 1557 just as strong; and even 1740 rechex, so evidently running all-day (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5085, Jan 15 at 0208, WTWW-2 with S9+20 of dead air instead of rock music. Recheck at 0647, ``I`m Sorry`` song at S9+30 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 17775, Sat Jan 12 at 1608, KVOH is a JBA carrier when its only airing of Wavescan is supposed to emanate. At solar-minimum, stations may want to reconsider putting their only egg in the 16m basket. This is supposed to be one of the first airings of each new WS which are dated Sundays; at least the program sked linx to podcasts, not including Jan 13 yet: https://awr.org/program/engmi_wav-2/ (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Checked from 1240 to 1330 UT on Jan 10, noted on remote SDR server in NJ-US state: 15825even, SURPRISINGLY two pastors mixture audio noted on WWCR Nashville channel. Heard on top a younger pastor sermon and in background underneath Brother Stair Overcomer Ministry sermon and mens chorus singer group too. S=9+10dB in NJ-US state 1310 UT on Jan 10 [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Bueschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 10, BCDX 10 Jan via DXLD) ** U S A. Long Time Broadcaster Dead of Brain Cancer Lou Dean, long time overnight host on WRVA [1140], Richmond Virginia, has died at the age of 83 of brain cancer. My great aunt and uncle used to live in Richmond. I loved listening to Lou, clearly when visiting Richmond, and weakly at home in South Carolina on the skywave in the null of the DA protecting the Miami station on 1140. His theme song was "Devotion" by Otto Cesana. He was one of a kind and will be missed. Strange that only WTVR television in Richmond is reporting his demise, not his own radio station, nor the other two commercial TV stations and newspaper. Here is the link. https://wtvr.com/2019/01/12/lou-dean-dead-richmond-radio-legend/ My last post was about the death of Lou Dean, long time broadcaster for WRVA radio in Richmond, Virginia. In 1975, the station issued a 50th anniversary album. For those who never got the chance to listen to Lou, here is an excerpt from the album. The music he is talking over was his theme song, "Devotion" by Otto Cesana and his orchestra. I think WRVA was one of those stations that programmed the sound of a ticking clock overnight during WW II, an indication all was well on the East Coast. The idea behind the album was the clock started ticking for WRVA in 1925, and as of 1975, was expected to tick for many years to come. You will hear a ticking clock in the attached audio clip, so that is the reason why https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ABDX/conversations/messages/78639 (Bob Smoak, Bamberg, SC, Jan 13, ABDX yg via DXLD) obit ** U S A. 1160, TEXAS, KBDT, Highland Park. 1208 January 7, 2019. Daybreak USA, USA Radio News at 1230 and 1300. Male "KBDT Dallas-Highland Park... The Big D..." into net news. Local level until about 1250. The next day, amazingly, they were airing this same Monday Daybreak USA program Tuesday morning which would seem to require more effort than just letting the live feed always stream. Save for the ID, no local breaks for news, weather or even local commercials. Do they really have any listeners in DFW? (Terry Krueger, All times/dates GMT, Clearwater, FL, IC-R75, NRD-535, longwires, active loop, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Quinnipiac University to Close WQUN-AM Radio Station https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Quinnipiac-University-to-Close-WQUN-AM-Radio-Station-504321491.html?amp=y Quinnipiac University is planning on closing AM-1220 WQUN, the school's Greater New Haven community radio station, later this year. In an email to staff on Friday, the Vice President for Public Affairs Lynn Bushnell said the decision was made after careful consideration of the needs of their students. When the station first went on the air in 1997, Bushnell said WQUN was used as a training ground where students could learn broadcasting skills before graduating and ultimately securing a job in the radio industry. She added that the entire radio industry, and AM radio in particular, has seen tectonic changes. "The number of students who even consider a career in radio, or who want to intern at WQUN-AM has declined sharply, prompting the university to re-examine the prudence of continuing to operate a community radio station," she said in the email. The radio station will cease operations on June 30, 2019. The building and property on Whitney Avenue is expected to be retained and re-purposed, according to school officials (via Terry Krueger, DXLD) WQUN 1220: U4 1000/305, psra 500 watts, COL Hamden, AC:OLD - C/WWI - 24 hr - ``Great Music & Local News`` (NRC AM Log 2019 via DXLD) Where you would not know it is a ``community`` or student station (gh) ** U S A. 1400, FLORIDA WFLL, Ft. Lauderdale. 1138 January 4, 2019. Surprised to hear a Portuguese-speaking male with "Bom dia" greeting at tune-in and chatter into a soft Portuguese vocal. Confirmed the one by paralleling to the station stream. Held up a little past the top of the hour. 1400, FLORIDA, WSDO, Sanford. 1024 January 10, 2019. Haitian kreyol emphatic preacher, mostly dominating at fair-poor level with some WZHR co-channel (overnight Oldies filler, parallel 1340 kc/s WTAN). Found a Streema feed for WSDO, and indeed parallel (Terry Krueger, All times/dates GMT, Clearwater, FL, IC-R75, NRD-535, longwires, active loop, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1430, GEORGIA, WDAL, Dalton. 0926 January 2, 2019. Briefly faded up over Hip-Hopper WGFS with male mention of 98.3 FM, into "Going, Going, Gone" by Lee Greenwood. Same guy with "98-3... Bulldog..." at 0930. Full slogan is Bulldog Country. Also on January 9 at 1123 with redneck male announcer, local ads with 706 Area Code. 1430, GEORGIA, WGFS, Covington. 0622 January 2, 2019. Someone here, pointing N-NNE, with nonstop Hip-Hop and auto-tuned noise save for occasional canned liners for requests to a 770 Area Code (that’s metro Atlanta). I see there's a CP for WWSZ, Decatur to move from 1420 kHz at 1000/51 to 1430 kHz at 15000/158, and the CP is set to expire at the end of January. Yet, I cannot find a working stream to parallel, but persistence finally pays off on January 9, at 0940 when the phone number comes through clearly on a peak as 770-742-9654 which I then called. Just a recording to leave a message and stating "You've reached 105-5 The King... where only Hip-Hop rules... we're taking gospel to the streets..." So, despite the "Irie ATL" slogan on their website, they're still "The King" (only replace 1430 with 105-5 prefaced). And not just Southern Gospel but also Hip-Hop, an odd combination. I bet they're not on night 212 watts but pre-sunrise or day power. And 105.5 FM would be W288DX, Covington. This is also the source of the occasional Tarzan yell I've been hearing here for a few days. Confirmed Tarzaning followed by mention of "105-5... AM 14-30... Atlanta's..." at 1105 January 9. Per Wiki: "The sound itself is a registered trademark and service mark, owned by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc." So, they are likely breaking trademark law. 1430, UNIDENTIFIED, 1003 January 9, 2019. Someone with Oldies here, pointing NE. Eric Burdon & War "Spill the Wine" at tune-in. Resurfaced later with Journey "Don't Stop Believing" and a little later with Queen "We Are the Champions" and never to resurface in lots of other co-channel. Two it's not: WYMC Mayfield, KY or KZQZ St. Louis, MO as not matching the station playlist or stream respectively (Terry Krueger, All times/dates GMT, Clearwater, FL, IC-R75, NRD-535, longwires, active loop, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1460, KCLE, TX, Burleson – 12/30 0830 [EST = 1330 UT] – East Asian (Vietnamese) and prevalent until 0855 but still in there after 0915. ID string announcement by woman at 0911 included KCLE, also mentioning emails can be sent to info@VienThao.com. Voice of America program in Vietnamese at 0913 (Robert Vance, El Paso, Texas, WinRadio G33DDC, various indoor and outdoor loop antennas, NRC DX News Jan 21, published Jan 13, via DXLD) ** U S A. 1480, Jan 15 at 1352 UT, Banda 13 promoting that it is somehow ``digital``, and greeting someone in or from Querétaro, i.e. KBXD Dallas TX (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1500, GEORGIA, WDPC, Dallas. 1248 January 8, 2019. Pastor promoting some church in Atlanta, white gospel vocals. Overtaken by WPSO Greek programming as signal rapidly faded anyway. Parallel way behind station stream. D1 with a pre-sunrise authority power. As for WPSO, I've had enough of their years of operating a D1 at illegal 24/7 and filed an online complaint with the FCC (Terry Krueger, All times/dates GMT, Clearwater, FL, IC-R75, NRD-535, longwires, active loop, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1690, FLORIDA, WQYQ539, South Florida Fair, West Palm Beach. Fake log, as in made via remote tuner http://keywest.twrmon.net:8073/ (presumably a Trans World Radio, Bonaire SDR setup in Key West to verify their 800 kHz signal level). Thanks David Crawford for the tip on this TIS and SDR site. Loop regarding the Fair, which is at 9057 Southern Blvd. At mediocre level with lots of electrical noise at the SDR source. **************************************** Florida Low Power Radio Stations: https://sites.google.com/site/floridadxn/florida-low-power-radio-stations (Terry Krueger, All times/dates GMT, Clearwater, FL, IC-R75, NRD-535, longwires, active loop, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VATICAN. Reception of Vatican Radio Liturgy in English & Russian, Jan.13: 0830-1040 15695 SMG 250 kW / 145 deg CeAf English, good, unscheduled 0930-1030 15595 SMG 250 kW / 040 deg EaEu Russian 2nd Sun, fair/good 0930-1030 17590 SMG 250 kW / 072 deg CeAs Russian 2nd Sun, weak/fair https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2019/01/reception-of-vatican-radio-liturgy-in_13.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News Jan.12-13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VENEZUELA. A cemetery of AM and FM stations --- Santiago San Gil G, Cadena DX Facebook 2.1.2019, translation Christer Brunström, ARC According to news from DXer Ricardo Benevento Mogollón in San Cristóbal, several stations of the Grupo Radial González Lovera in the State of Táchira next to Colombia are experiencing technical problems due to sudden cuts in the supply of electric power, difficulty in having access to foreign currencies, hyperinflation or the exorbitant increase in the cost of obtaining necessary spare parts. The oldest station in the group – Ecos del Torbes “El Sonido Mayor de los Andes” 780 kHz – celebrated its 50th anniversary last August. It is temporarily off the air due to a faulty transmission tube and it is unclear when it will be back on the air. Unión Radio Deportes (ex. Radio Táchira) 1000 kHz has been off for four months and Radio Notícias (ex. Radio San Cristóbal) 1060 kHz has been off the air for more than a year. The government stations have also suffered from the crisis. Recently Radio Mundial 860 in San Cristóbal left the air as did Radio Mundial 1340 in Barinas (Barinas State). The same has happened to Radio Nacional de Venezuela (RNV) which is no longer broadcasting on 680 kHz in Barinas (Barinas State), 1370 kHz Acarigua (Portuguesa State) and 770 kHz in Campo Carabobo (Carabobo State). The members of the C.DX.A.-Internacional are deeply concerned about the disappearance of Venezuela’s AM stations. Many FM stations have also been closed due to the problems described above. In the case of AM stations migrating to the FM band, the Venezuelan government has not formulated a policy as have Brazil or Mexico in order to avoid a total collapse of this sector of the economy. We also need to mention that CONATEL – the state regulator of broadcasting – has closed a number of stations as their licences have expired or has refused to renew licences for political reasons which happened a few years ago with AM station Radio Frontera in San Antonio del Táchira which is just one of many similar cases. Finally we would venture to say that over the last 20 years there has been a veritable cemetery of AM and FM stations which have been forced off the air due to lack of spare parts or diminishing advertising revenues. We are expecting the worst as the rate of inflation in 2018 reached 1 300 000 %, the highest in the world, which, according to economists, is bad news for Venezuela’s radio industry. We believe that many more Venezuelan radio stations will be bankrupt in 2019 thus adding to the unemployment figures. We are sure that there are many more inactive AM frequencies in other parts of Venezuela and we encourage reports of such cases from listeners and DXers throughout the country (ARC mv-eko Jan 14 via DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. Sabotage silences Radio Mundial --- El Nacional via GRA blog via DXLD 8.1.2019, translation Christer Brunström, ARC In a statement dated 1 January 2019, Nelson Chacín Fernández, Director of Radio Mundial 860 kHz in Táchira State, Venezuela, denounced the sabotage activities which forced the station off the air recently. He further stated that this was the fourth attack on the transmitting station. Also affected was Radio Cultural del Táchira 1060 kHz owned by the State of Táchira. Chacín went on to explain that they have lodged complaints to the security services four times but they always look the other way. The (Venezuelan) mass media play an important role in the nation’s border region or do they (= the authorities) prefer that our children listen to the radio stations of the Colombian guerilla or that our children in the rural areas learn the National Anthem of Colombia rather than the Venezuelan one, Chacín added. He stated that the station’s programming reflects the views of the listeners who speak about their daily life. “Radio Mundial broadcasts the truth about what is happening in our country. Is it fake news that we have long lines of people needing fuel or domestic gas? Is it fake news that we lack electric power or that we are the victims of constant power cuts? This is what makes our programming.” Radio Mundial returned to the air after a few days but with less power due to the damage to the transmitting equipment (ARC mv-eko Jan 14 via DXLD) ** VIETNAM [non]. Voice of Vietnam. On 1/11/19 I received via air mail VOV's New Year greetings card, pocket calendar, and updated English Service frequency list. Their greeting cards are always colorful. Their Letter Box program is featured on Wednesdays. A sampling of their schedule: Eastern America: 0100 UTC on 6175 KHZ; 0230 UTC on 6175 KHZ. Central America - Caribbean: 0230 UTC on 7315 KHZ; Central America - Caribbean: 0000 UTC on 7315 UTC UK, Central Europe: 1600 UTC on 7280 KHZ, 9730 KHZ. Email address: englishsection@vov.org.vn Best Regards, (Larry Zamora, Garland TX, Jan 12, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Larry, Tnx for the news. VOV sked info is many years out of date! I believe 6175 was the frequency when they were relayed by Canada. Now only English at 0000 & 0100 via 7315 WHRI. 73, (Glenn, ibid.) Hi Glenn, I had no idea the schedule they included with the 2019 New Year's card was so out of date. Thanks for fact checking. I emailed my thanks to the VOV and brought this to their attention. I'll see if I get a reply (Larry Zamora, ibid.) 7315, Jan 13 at 0136, via WHRI, VOV in stilted English, something about the Mekong Delta, S9+20/30 --- they`ve done it again, mixed up languages as Spanish is supposed to air on the half-hours. Also Larry Zamora received a colorful New Year card from them, but accompanying schedule is slightly outdated, claiming VOV are also on 6175 to North America. That was the relay via defunct RCI! And 6175 had replaced BBCWS relay which gave up on us even before that (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZANZIBAR. TANZÂNIA, 6015. 8/1/2019, 0329-0350, Zanzibar BC, Dole, em Suaíli. Notíciário em locução feminina; 0344 Uma breve música, seguida de notícias, agora em locuções masculina e feminina. Recepção satisfatória da ZBC nesta madrugada em Cabedelo, 35433 (JRX_José Ronaldo Xavier, SWARL Callsign PR7036SWL, Cabedelo-PB, Brasil, Receptor (es): Degen DE1103 & Tecsun S-2000, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DXLD) Excellent signal into Maryland right now (0400 hours) from ZBC on 6015 kHz. Drum IS, time pips, possible ID, and news in apparent Swahili. Best in lower sideband (Art Delibert, N. Bethesda, MD, 1/9/18, Ten Tec RX-340 receiver, SAL-12 antenna, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DXLD) 6015, Zanzibar Broadcasting Corporation, Dole (presumed), 0510-0533, 12-01, comments, probably Swahili. 14121 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Log in Friol, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. Trans-Atlantic JBA MW carrier search earlier than I usually try it, after not detecting any LWBC, Jan 12 from 2323 UT on the R75 and E-W longwire: 531, 549, 558, 585, 603, 612, 621(2), 639, 684, 711, 729, 747, 774, 837, 855, 864, 882, 909*, 936, 954, 999, 1026(2), 1044(2), 1053, 1089*, 1107, 1152(2), 1179(2), 1215*, 1296, 1305(2), 1341, 1422, 1458(2), 1485, 1503, 1539. *the three strongest ones all correlate with UK; (2) = at least two carriers beating; again the most pronounced being 1305 likely Spain synchros (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 1140, Jan 15 at 1348 UT, plugs for a Relevant Radio app, interview someone about March for Life, and many more mentions of Relevant Radio, which is a Catholic network. Loops roughly NE/SW, but mainly need to null KRMP OKC which is SSE. NRC AM Log has no R.R. on 1140, but that`s because it is not a network covered in the book at all, not on the list page 291. Own website has two lists of R.R. stations, neither with any 1140! https://relevantradio.com/listen/affiliates/ https://relevantradio.com/listen/stations/ The latter being O&Os. Too bad Relevant HQ is unaware of all their outlets. So: NRC AM Log does not have many possibilities, i.e. Christian if not necessarily Catholic, in English. Of course, Protestants and Catholix are unlikely to coëxist on same station. One is WVEL Pekin IL, 5 kW daytimer, ``Central Illinois Christian Voice`` but sked does not mention R.R.: http://www.wvel.com/wvel-programming-schedule/ Could certainly be propagating as WHAS & WLW are still in at 1400 UT. Second possibility is WVHF, Kentwood MI, 5 kW direxional daytimer, with EWTN. That makes it Catholic, but a competitor to Relevant, unless there has been a flip. WVHF is ``Holy Family Radio`` and its program this hour is `Catholic Connexion`, from Ave Maria Radio, yet another Catholic competitor. http://www.holyfamilyradio.net/show/catholic-connection/ Maybe someone know which 1140 around here be really Relevant? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Later: it`s KCXL Liberty MO UNIDENTIFIED.=== Otherness === INT’L WINDSHIELD WIPER SYNCHRONIZATION SERVICE (aka OTHR): 4440-4460; 2240 1/4 (Frodge-MI) 4475-4550; 2239 1/4 (Frodge-MI) 4560-4585; 2239 1/4 (Frodge-MI) 4740-4790 (two separate ones?); 2233 1/4 (Frodge-MI) 4805-4835; 2233 1/4 (Frodge-MI) 13390-13600; 2109 1/5 (several different, some overlapping) (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 185' RW, ---- All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! ----, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Rather CODAR, sort of OTHR but shorter range (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 6990-LSB, Jan 10 at 0628, there he is again, the guy with long aaaaaahhhhhhs between seeming Japanese syllables. I try to copy some of those, not necessarily accurately: inati, irata, nishida, ishanata, oshito, kunitobo, ishado koto, ishina, kita, kata, shana, koto, ikeda, isina, kata, kita, isoto, ishabata --- and finally, koshira repeated 9 times in a row. For kix, I paste these into Google Translate to see what come out. Immediately detects language as Japanese, and into English: ``Pilgrimage, I needed, Nodai, Nagai, Oshita, Kuonbo, Oka, Okayama, Ikeda, Kana, Kyoto, Ikeda, Ikebana, Ikeda, Katakana, Iwaso, Welcome`` Two more tries with slight changes get some different wild guesses: ``Pilgrimage, I needed, Nodai, Nagai, Oshita, Kuonbo, Oka, Okayama, Ikeda, Kana, Kyoto, Ikeda, Ikebana, Ikeda, Katakana, Iwaso, Ishihara, Kohra`` ``Pilgrimage, I needed, Nodai, Nagai, Oshita, Kuonbo, Oka, Okayama, Ikeda, Kana, Kyoto, Ikeda, Ikebana, Ikeda, Katakana, Iwaso, Buddy``. 6990-LSB, Jan 14 at 0552, the aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh-guy is back uttering Japanesish syllables with long vocalized pauses, sometimes eeeeeeee depending on the preceding word. I hastily scribble what some of them sound like: kinata, kita, katana, noto, nata, itati, atata, kinata, itawa, ishotu, kata, kunoto, sijimata, hanata, kata, hotokono, pinata, isashana, ishaba, koshodo, ishiba - and then stops abruptly at 0555*. Since he is on LSB, only 10 kHz out of the 40m band, suspect he has some ham radio connexion (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 7200-LSB, Jan 11 at 1509, continuous C&W music jamming by naughty ham, while others try to QSO through it, with denigrating comments like the jammer`s IQ must be 75. They`d rather do this than QSY out of it (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 9000, Jan 12 at 2212, S5-S9 of open carrier, still at 2250 and 2309 chex. Not a local device or receiver birdie since it`s propagationally fading. Maybe some broadcast transmitter supposed to be higher in the 9 MHz band, or utility lower in the 8 MHz band, but slipped a finger or defaulted to even MHz. 9000, Jan 13 at 1517, the open carrier I was hearing yesterday afternoon is still here, S9-S7. Art Delibert replies Jan 13 to my previous report: ``Glenn -- I'm noticing the same het [carrier] on 9 MHz at 1218 hours. Running the SAL12 antenna around the compass, it's strongest (S9) in the SE direction, but pretty good in just about every direction. Doesn't seem to be any propagation fading. Not much is making it through on 31 meters at the moment, except some of the big CRI xmtrs, mostly with my antenna pointed SW. So I'm thinking this thing on 9 MHz is located somewhere along the southern portion of the mid-Atlantic coast, like maybe the Norfolk area -- Art Delibert, N. Bethesda, MD`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DX LISTENING DIGEST) That`s pretty close to Art; would think skip distance would be further away like Florida or Caribbean (gh, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 11802-USB, Jan 14 at 1552, 2-way in colloquial Spanish, INTRUDERS. I continue to be amazed that no one else ever reports these (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 15325.5-USB, Jan 13 at 1444, 2-way INTRUDERS in colloquial Spanish; shortly a similar conversation on much weaker 15430-USB (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 15490, Jan 9 at 1450, S8-S9 of open carrier with some hum; per HFCC, EiBi and Aoki, nothing is scheduled here between 1230 and 1630, after Woofferton, before Issoudun (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ ACKNOWLEDGED ON WORLD OF RADIO 1965: Thanks to William T Hassig, Mt Prospect IL, for another WOR donation by check with a greeting card to Glenn Hauser, PO Box 1684, Enid OK 73702. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year, Glenn. Thank you for all the hard work you put into the weekly DX Listening Digest. Take care and 73 (Mike Stone, Arlington Heights, IL, with a donation via PayPal to woradio at yahoo.com) TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED FUTURELY: Thanks to Don Decaria, NF7R, for a contribution via PayPal to woradio at yahoo.com Hi Glenn -- Thank you for the many years of enriching the lives of SWLs around the globe with your knowledge of our wonderful hobby -- PS You should sell RHC shirts with ``Something`s Always Wrong at RHC`` Ha! 73! (Ulis Fleming, Odenton MD, K3LU, with his QSL and other cards, and a check to Glenn Hauser, P O Box 1684, Enid OK 73702) Thanks for your dedication to the listening hobby. Happy New Year! -- (Terry Colgan, Austin TX, with a contribution via PayPal to woradio at yahoo.com) Glenn; I hope the new year will be good for you and yours. Best, (Bruce Miller Earle, with a generous PayPal contribution to woradio at yahoo.com) Here's what I consider is my yearly subscription fee. I haven't been listening as much lately, but I do read the i. o. group and hear the podcast from time to time. I hope this finds you well Glenn! (-Rodney Johnson, with a contribution via PayPal to woradio at yahoo.com) PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ WORLD RADIO TV HANDBOOK 2019 This invaluable resource was published before Christmas in its usual format of reviews, features and the information sections. There is a significant change to the MW by Region frequency list for North America. The listings for Alaska, Canada and the United States are now in their National Radio sections allowing the addition of 1,000 extra US MW stations. The Feature Articles are of great interest to professionals, listeners and DXers alike. This year the topics are the development of HF Curtain Arrays, Broadcasting for Peace in the Lake Chad region, the new MW transmitter installed by TWR Bonaire, and V7AB Radio Marshall Islands. The Digital Update is mainly about the efficiency of using digital over analogue and a couple of paragraphs on DRM. This year’s equipment reviews of the latest receivers and equipment are Winradio’s Excalibur Sigma, Reuter’s RDR51’Pocket’, Icom’s IC-R30,the Airspy HF+, SDRPlay RSPDuo and the small portable XHDATA D-808. Colour maps updated showing global SW transmitter sites. HF broadcasting reception conditions predictions for 2019, world time zones and world time tables complete the features section. As usual the country information is split into National Radio – the world’s national radio services, and the broadcasters, listed by country - and International Radio – full broadcaster details and the winter SW frequencies as supplied by the broadcasters together with an expanded Clandestine section. The Frequency Lists are split into MW frequency lists by region, international and domestic SW broadcasts by frequency and international broadcasts in English, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish by UT; and DRM broadcasts. The Television section details terrestrial TV broadcasters arranged alphabetically by country and the Reference Section has International and Domestic SW Transmitter sites, Standard Time and Frequency Transmissions, DX Club information, Internet resources and other essential information (Jan Medium Wave News via DXLD) World Radio TV Handbook 2019 (not) Amazon It appears that everyone ordering this via Amazon is receiving the stale 2018 edition. I know someone who ordered their 2019 copy, only to receive another 2018 edition after returning via Amazon! My copy via Amazon arrived two hours ago. Of course, it's a 2018 copy. I returned it via a local The UPS Store and applied for an Amazon credit. I'll also be blasting the shit out of them shortly, and letting the WRTH know how shitty their Amazon disto is. So, I ordered a 2019 copy from Universal, Ohio who assured me they have the 2019 in stock. And he stated that he's heard several complaints already about 2018 copies received via Amazon. And my BCC here includes over 25 emails (Terry Krueger, FL, Jan 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Dear Mr Krueger, We were sorry to hear that Amazon had wrongly labelled the 2018 as a 2019 and then sent you one of the 2018s. We have been notified of one other instance of this but there must be many more. We have no idea why they have done this as they have plenty of the 2019 in stock; we have complained to them about it and asked them to fix the problem immediately. Amazon changed their allocation of distribution centers recently and we have had a lot of problems since then. We are glad you have ordered from Universal – you certainly will not get any problems with them. Kind regards, (WRTHdirect via Terry Krueger, WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DXLD) TROPICAL BANDS MONITOR Dear DX-friends, The complete Tropical Bands Monitor covering all 12 months of year 2018 can be downloaded from http://www.dswci.org, click Latest issue (Anker Petersen, Denmark, Jan 10, wbradio yg via DXLD) 2 pages: http://www.dswci.org/tbmonitor/2018.pdf (gh, WORLD OF RADIO 1966, DXLD) BRITISH DX CLUB ARTICLES We commence 2019 with details of some recent updates at the BDXC website. These comprehensive guides have been updated for the B18 season frequency schedules: The DX, Media, Mailbag programme guide: http://bdxc.org.uk/dxprog.htm Africa on Mediumwave and Shortwave: http://bdxc.org.uk/africa.pdf Broadcasting in Afghanistan: http://bdxc.org.uk/afghan.pdf External Services on Mediumwave: http://bdxc.org.uk/mwext.pdf Middle East & Caucasus on Mediumwave and Shortwave: http://bdxc.org.uk/mideast.pdf South Asia on Mediumwave and Shortwave: http://bdxc.org.uk/southasia.pdf UK on Shortwave: http://bdxc.org.uk/uksw.pdf Thanks to Tony Rogers and Dave Kenny updating all these guides. See the complete range of articles on the website via the Articles Index at http://bdxc.org.uk (Jan BDXC_UK Communication via WORLD OF RADIO 1966, DXLD) Hans Knot’s International Radio Report We had a message from David Harris that a new edition of the publication “Hans Knot International Radio Report”, December 2018, is out. This one is new for me, but it looks like a good read for any of you interested in offshore free radio. The pdf file can be downloaded for free at: https://www.mediapages.nl/imagespdf/reportdecember2018.pdf There is also a facebook group active called “Marine Broadcasting” at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/263295407574312/ (Jan BDXC_UK Communication via DXLD) LA HORA JAPONESA EN EL PERU The book titled “La Hora Japonesa en el Peru” or “Japanese Time in Peru” is available to download in PDF format from this website: http://radiophj.web.fc2.com/peru.html It is written in Spanish and Google will translate the contents on the page to English. This is a history of radio programs for Japanese emigration to Peru that began in 1899 with the first radio programmes appearing around 1925. The book is packed with details but you need to understand Spanish to get the most from it. It clearly took a lot of time to collect the information and Tetsuya Hirahara is to be congratulated on producing this valuable work (Jan Medium Wave News via DXLD) CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ EDXC 2018 We commence 2019 with details of some recent updates at the BDXC website. The two-part report on the EDXC conference held in Bratislava and Vienna has been uploaded to: Part 1 Bratislava http://bdxc.org.uk/edxc18a.pdf Part 2 Vienna http://bdxc.org.uk/edxc18b.pdf (as featured in Communication, with extra colour photos). (Jan BDXC_UK Communication via DXLD) DX-PEDITIONS ++++++++++++ Don Moore: PUBLICATION NEWS: A few weeks ago I self-published my first book, an historical travelogue about northern Peru. This is not a DX book, but more a book inspired by DXing. But I do work in a few tidbits about Peruvian radio and some station visits, although those only total maybe ten to fifteen pages. You can read about the book at the link below and see the accompanying photos. I'll be putting up a detailed DX-related website from my travels last year in the next few weeks (it's about 80% finished). http://www.donmooredxer.com/books/peru.html [WORLD OF RADIO 1966] PERSONAL NEWS: I'm back in South America for five months, and this time I'm way down south. Currently I'm in Buenos Aires where the temperatures are around 90 and the humidity not much lower. For the first four weeks I'm traveling with my daughter, Rebecca (who in mid-February is off to Panama for two years with the Peace Corps). On Thursday the 10th we take a boat across to Uruguay and then will make a loop through southern-most Brazil and then back through northeastern Argentina back to B.A. for her flight home. Then I'll be heading to central Argentina and on to Chile. On Sunday we had lunch with longtime Argentine DXer Daniel Camporini and his wife, and this coming Sunday we're going to meet several Uruguayan DXers in Montevideo. As with my last trip, I've got the SDRs and portable antennas along and will do some DXing whenever I'm in a suitable place. I'll upload a few sample SDR files for those of you who would like to see what the bands sound like down here. (Don Moore, channeling Willie Nelson...on the road again) (Don Moore, MARE Tipsheet 11 Jan via DXLD) LANGUAGE LESSONS ++++++++++++++++ GLOSBE This is a multi-lingual online dictionary providing free dictionaries for almost every existing language and translation memory with 1,013,284, 995 sentences included. Almost every live language. Huge dictionary database. Millions of examples. Unique phrases and expressions https://glosbe.com/ (via Sheldon Harvey, Greenfield Park, Quebec, Jan Radio HF Internet Newsletter via DXLD) Languages on QSL Cards Around the world today, it is estimated, there are 7,100 living languages. The same authorities state that the population in India alone speak 880 languages, and in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh there are 90 different languages. The international translation organization known as the United Bible Societies states that all or part of the Holy Scriptures have been translated into more than 3324 languages (and also dialects, we would suggest). The most widely spoken language on Earth is English, with a total of 1.121 billion people who speak this language as a primary or secondary language. The Guinness Book of World Records (1988) lists a Frenchman who was the world leader in the number of languages he spoke. This polyglot was French born Georges Henri Schmidt, a United Nations official in the middle of last century, and he was fluent in 31 languages. A perusal of any issue of the WRTVHB clearly indicates that radio programming is on the air throughout the world in a multitude of languages, though obviously not in all of the world’s total list of spoken languages. All India Radio speaks to its homeland listeners in 202 languages, and in its international shortwave services AIR speaks in 28 languages. The Voice of America, together with its subsidiary program broadcasts speaks to the world in about 50 languages; and currently, the BBC London is on the air in its shortwave services in 18 languages. Several of the Christian shortwave stations are also on the air in a multitude of languages. For example Trans World Radio TWR presents programming on shortwave in 230 languages; and Adventist World Radio AWR speaks around 120 languages. The Far East Broadcasting Company iFEBC n the Philippines is on the air in 113 languages; and Vatican Radio presents programming in 20 languages. With so many languages on the air from so many radio stations around the world, it is to be expected that QSL cards would also be printed in many different languages. Many shortwave stations around the globe issue QSL cards in their own national language. For example, it is rather obvious that VOA the Voice of America and Radio New Zealand International RNZI issue their QSL cards for example in the English language. So did Radio Australia before it was abruptly closed two years ago. Interestingly, the shortwave stations in some countries have printed their QSL cards only in English, even though their people speak other languages. For example the QSL cards from All India Radio AIR and Radio Bangladesh are always in English. QSL cards from Radio Canada International RCI when they were on the air were always printed in both of their official languages French and English. Then too, the shortwave stations in many other countries also issue QSL cards in English as well as in their own national language. Germany’s Deutsche Welle has printed QSL cards in German, as well as in English. Back in the mid 1990s, the German service of the BBC London also issued their own QSL card which was printed in German. Other stations that have issued QSL cards printed in the German language have been KBS South Korea, Radio Pyongyang North Korea, and the Voice of Vietnam in Hanoi. China has issued separate QSL cards in Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese and English; Radio Australia has issued QSL cards in Asian languages such as Japanese and Thai. Radio New Zealand International has also issued cards in the Japanese language. Vatican Radio has issued QSL cards in English and Latin; and Switzerland has issued QSL cards in four languages, German, French, Italian and English. In addition to internationally known languages on QSL cards, at least two of the artificially constructed auxiliary languages have also been presented on QSL cards. In 1957, amateur station SP8CK in Lublin Poland made a QSO contact with station CX1AK in Montevideo Uruguay in South America. The QSL card from Poland was printed in Esperanto, the most popular of all the constructed auxiliary languages. A very rare language was used for the text on a QSL card in 1930. This card was issued by amateur spark station SKW in the city of Uman in the Ukraine and it confirmed a QSO with an American amateur station, NU1BES in Providence Rhode Island. The holder of the callsign NU1BES was Lewis Bellem, an engineer with the Universal Winding Company that manufactured radio coils in Providence under the trade name Cotoco-Coils. In 1938, both Bellem and Granville Lindley, a fellow engineer from the Universal Winding Company, went out to Pitcairn Island in the South Pacific and installed the amateur radio broadcasting station VR6AY. The text on the QSL card from amateur station SKW in the Ukraine is printed in the Ido language, which is a modified dialect descendant from the better known Esperanto language. These days there are no more than 200 people throughout the world who have learned to speak the Ido language. Finally, in our perusal of languages on QSL cards, we come to the print language for the blind, which was named Braille in honor of its founder Frenchman Louis Braille who was blinded in childhood by an accident. As a fifteen year old teenager in 1824, Braille invented a system of six raised dots that enable blind people to read and understand the dots with their fingers. In 1955, amateur radio station F9KX in France issued a QSL card to K6GW in the United States. The QSL text on this card is printed in the French language, and a French Braille message composed with raised dots is also embossed onto the card. In 1994, Arthur Cushen at Invercargill in South New Zealand received a QSL card and letter from the ABC station 2PB in Australia’s capital city, Canberra. At the time, station 2PB was on the air as an ABC news station, and the transmitter was the old 2 kW 2CY that had been rejuvinated and retuned to 1440 kHz. The QSL letter was four pages long, and it was prepared in Australian Braille. And finally, several years ago, Adventist World Radio in Indianapolis issued a limited number of QSL cards that were printed with an English text and also with a brief message in American Braille. These cards were borrowed from the Adventist operated Christian Record Services in Lincoln Nebraska (Adrian Peterson, IN, script for AWR Wavescan Jan 13 via DXLD) RADIO PHILATELY +++++++++++++++ HISTORY OF RADIO THROUGH STAMPS For those philatelists within our membership, you may like to see an article in the January issue of Gibbons Stamp Monthly by Christer Brunström entitled The History of Radio Through Stamps (Jan BDXC_UK Communication via WORLD OF RADIO 1966, DXLD) Also: for those without our membership (gh) WORLD OF HOROLOGY See also RUSSIA +++++++++++++++++ Time Pips Catalog In response to an earlier question, I had mentioned that in the course of reviewing our SDR files from October's LBI DXpedition, Brett Saylor and I had started to compile a listing of time pips. We have decided to share what we have to this point covering Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. The information includes loggings from the PEI 2018 and QH12 DXpeditions as well as some recent loggings published in IDXD and DXWW. A downloadable pdf document is now available at http://www.radiodxing.com/TimePipsCatalog.pdf We will be accepting updates, additions or corrections along the way for future revisions. Those may be sent to me at . [sic, tnx a lot for truncating] Thanks- (Russ Edmunds, WB2BJH. Blue Bell, PA, Grid FN20id, 9 Jan, IRCA mailing list via DXLD) A revised and enhanced version of this document is now available at http://www.radiodxing.com/TimePipsCatalog20190119.xlsx The document is now in Excel spreadsheet format, as that permits the inclusion of links to audio clips, and graphics, and make updating easier. An explanation of the changes is contained in the "Intro" tab. (Russ Edmunds, WB2BJH, Blue Bell, PA, Grid FN20id, nrc-am gg via WORLD OF RADIO 1966, DXLD) World Radio Day 2019 Good morning, DXers. Just noted that SDXF (Sveriges DX-Forbund) on February 13th will have a program via Channel 292 on 7440 kHz from 0800 UT and again from 1300 UT. Each year on February 13th UNESCO celebrates World Radio Day (WRD). The WRD 2019 website will give more information about this year`s event in around two days: https://www.diamundialradio.org/ vy73 (Harald DL1ABJ Kuhl, Germany, Jan 12, bdxc-news iog via DXLD) MUSEA +++++ New Archive Recording: Kol Yisrael on First Night of First Gulf War Over the holidays, I finally managed to get back to my collection of SW tape recordings, mostly from the early 1990s. A couple that I found are of Kol Yisrael reporting live in the North American Service about the first Iraqi Skud attacks on Israel and the requirement for residents (who locally were getting the same feed) to go into their prepared rooms and don their gas masks. Subsequently, residents were told they could remove their masks but should stay in their sealed rooms. Archived here: https://shortwavearchive.com/archive/kol-yisrael-missile-attack-on-israel-on-first-night-of-first-gulf-war-18-january-1991 and here: https://archive.org/details/KolYisrael11.605MHz18January19910100UTC (-- Richard Langley, Jan 9, WOR iog via DXLD) Richard, somewhere I have the same recordings. I still remember being riveted to the SW receiver during those days. Thanks for sharing! (Walt Salmaniw, ibid.) Very nice stuff. I am also trying to digitize 1000's of hours of tapes. I remember these broadcasts as if it was yesterday. I would rush home from work to catch the 0000 UT (5 PM local time here) broadcasts and remember some of them when the sirens went off and the announcers would instruct listeners to put on their gas masks. A long time ago. 73 (Mick Delmage, ibid.) Thanks for posting this! I was also listening that night to the 0200 Kol Yisrael broadcast (on 9435 IIRC) and remember the coverage of the Scud attacks. Probably one of the most amazing things I have ever listened to on shortwave, and it was all "live as it's happening!" (Stephen Luce, Houston, Texas, ibid.) THE RADIO HISTORIAN Collection of articles and photographs about early radio broadcasting in the United States by John F. Schneider, W9FGH. This web site was created to be a non-commercial repository of historical information and photos documenting the early years of radio broadcasting in the United States. A substantial portion of the site is dedicated to the history of broadcasting in the San Francisco Bay Area. http://www.theradiohistorian.org/ (via Sheldon Harvey, Greenfield Park, Quebec, Jan Radio HF Internet Newsletter via DXLD) WORLD OF TELEPHONY ++++++++++++++++++ Possible Ramifications for TCPA After FCC Reclassification of Text Messages === By Seth Williams, CommLawBlog, January 11, 2019 [What is regulated under the TCPA? The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) regulates telemarketing calls, auto-dialed calls, prerecorded calls, text messages, and unsolicited faxes.] On December 12, the Federal Communications Commission's ("FCC" or "Commission") three Republican Commissioners were in a self-congratulatory mood for standing with consumers against unwanted robotexts by classifying text messaging as a Title I service, but did the Commission's classification decision really mark a major TCPA victory for consumers? Probably not. As Sekoia Rogers detailed on CommLawBlog, the FCC's decision clarifies the regulatory classification of SMS and MMS messages under Title I of the Communications Act. Yet, instead of focusing on the legal or policy rationales for its classification decision the FCC chose to focus on the TCPA benefits of treating text messages as a Title I information service. So what does the Commission's decision accomplish from a TCPA standpoint? https://www.commlawblog.com/2019/01/articles/cellular/possible-ramifications-for-tcpa-after-fcc-reclassification-of-text-messages/?utm_source=Fletcher%2C+Heald+%26+Hildreth%2C+PLC+-+CommLawBlog&utm_campaign=abd1862774-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6cc65bf771-abd1862774-71094321 -or- https://tinyurl.com/4-71094321 (via Neal McLain, Brazoria, Texas, Jan 14, WTFDA gg via DXLD) DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- DRM See AUSTRALIA; CHINA; UBA; KOREA NORTH; ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ NIGERIA; ROMANIA; RUSSIA; USA WINB; WRTH DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- DAB See AUSTRALIA ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- DTV See MEXICO; OKLAHOMA ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ GRUNDIG SATELLIT 650 Here's a really interesting article about the Grundig classic "portable" (at almost 20 lbs or 9 kg, it is no lightweight. The link will take you to the article. https://spectrum.ieee.org/consumer-electronics/gadgets/the-consumer-electronics-hall-of-fame-grundig-satellit-650-radio --++==ooOoo==++-- (Paul Dobosz, MARE Tipsheet 11 Jan via DXLD) Sony ICG-2010/2001D Addendum by radiojayallen; I have been advised that the Steve Whitt Archive CD I mentioned in the review is still available at this link: http://www.mwcircle.org/member_cds.htm The CD contains his original two booklets as well as a treasure trove of additional info on this radio. If you are interested in the 2010 you will find a wealth of useful information here and I recommend it highly (via Rich Line, MARE Tipsheet 11 Jan via DXLD) TWR Plans to Use SDR Hello, Glenn, According to a story from Mission Network News, Trans World Radio is developing software define radio to check signal strength in various areas of the world. Unless I'm missing something, I don't see info on where they will put receivers, antennas, etc. https://www.mnnonline.org/news/student-developed-software-enhances-radio-missions/?ct=t(MNN_Daily_E_news_Blast4_8_2015 73, (John Wesley Smith, KC0HSB. -- This message came to you from John Wesley Smith kc0hsb@centurytel.net Find musings of an eclectic pilgrim at https://johnwesleysmith.com/ DX LISTENING DIGEST) Some DXers are already accessing them (gh) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ [IRCA] Fwd: Topband: MIT Ionosphere, Shortwave Radio, and Propagation Lecture 2230Z (5:30 p.m. EST) Today [Jan 11] from Topband list: (might be of interest; still on at this moment; they are archived on YouTube) The next MIT radio technology presentation at 2230Z today will be "Ionosphere, Shortwave Radio, and Propagation" by Phil Erickson W1PJE at: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWwWW7rc6eKh8xfLl4Pac7W9l54h7oj-B&disable_polymer=true The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Radio Society (W1MX) and the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) are hosting a series of public lectures on the technology applications and history of radio. Speakers will hail from throughout the MIT community and industry to discuss topics ranging from the design of modern wireless communications systems and 5G, to software defined radio and satellite communications, to shortwave radio propagation, space weather, Radio Astronomy and more. The remaining presentations in the MIT radio technology lecture series are: Add to Calendar Jan 15 Tue 05:30PM-07:00PM Experimental Radio Astronomy Add to Calendar Jan 16 Wed 05:30PM-07:00PM Unveiling the Low Frequency Universe through Space Based Radio Astronomy Add to Calendar Jan 17 Thu 05:30PM-07:00PM Principles of Radar Dr. Frank D. Lind is a Research Engineer at MIT Haystack Observatory where he works to develop and use radio science instrumentation. At the Observatory he leads many technical efforts involving software radio instrumentation cutting across Geospace, Astronomy, and Space science. Add to Calendar Jan 21 Mon 05:30PM-07:00PM Space Weather Dr. Anthea J. Coster is an Assistant Director and principal research scientist at the MIT Haystack Observatory. Her research interests include space weather, ionospheric and atmospheric coupling, and GPS positioning and measurement accuracy. She received her Ph.D. in Space Physics and Astronomy from Rice University in 1983, under the guidance of William E. Gordon, the founder of the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. MIT is one of my alma maters and Phil and Anthea are research colleagues. Anthea Coster’s Talk is next Monday. Full schedule of past and future talks here: http://w1mx.mit.edu/iap-2019/ (— Richard Langley, NB, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1966, DXLD) Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband (- Topband Reflector via Nick Hall-Patch, Victoria, BC, Canada, 11 Jan, IRCA mailing list via WORLD OF RADIO 1966, DXLD) Solar Minimum conditions are in effect The sun has been without spots for 7 straight days -- a sign that Solar Minimum conditions are in effect. This phase of the solar cycle brings extra cosmic rays, long-lasting holes in the sun's atmosphere, and strangely pink auroras. Indeed, some were sighted just last night (Spaceweather.com with linx, Jan 14, via Mike Terry, WOR iog via DXLD) Space Weather Prediction Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Parts of the U.S. Government are closed. However, because the information this site provides is necessary to protect life and property, it will be updated and maintained during the Federal Government shutdown. For critical weather information, please visit http://www.weather.gov To learn more, see http://www.commerce.gov :Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts :Issued: 2019 Jan 14 0403 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center # Product description and SWPC contact on the Web # https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/content/subscription-services # # Weekly Highlights and Forecasts # Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 07 - 13 January 2019 Solar activity was very low. The solar disk was spotless during the reporting period. No Earth-directed CMEs were observed. No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached high levels on 07-10 Jan and moderate levels on 11-13 Jan. The peak flux was 2,970 pfu observed at 07/2040 UTC. Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to active levels. Solar wind parameters began the period under waning negative polarity coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS) effects. Solar wind speed began the period near 535 km/s, but diminished to near 345 km/s by 10/0720 UTC. Total field remained at 6 nT or less during this time. The geomagnetic field responded with quiet to unsettled levels on 07 Jan followed by quiet levels on 08-10 Jan. By late on 10 Jan, solar wind speed once again increased to near 515 km/s by 11/0435 UTC while total field only increased briefly to a maximum of 8 nT at 11/0635 UTC. The Bz component deflected southward for approximately 3 hours to near -6 nT. The geomagnetic field responded with an isolated active period on 11 Jan. By 12 and 13 Jan, solar wind speed had decreased to below 400 km/s. The geomagnetic field was once again quiet on 12-13 Jan. Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 14 January-09 February 2019 Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels on 14-19 Jan and 03-09 Feb. A slight chance for C-class flares is expected on 20 Jan-02 Feb due to the return of old Region 2732 (N09, L=215). No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to reach high levels on 25-27 Jan and 02-06 Feb due to recurrent CH HSS influence. Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at unsettled levels on 15-16 Jan. Unsettled to active levels are expected on 24-26 Jan and 31 Jan - 03 Feb with G1 (Minor) storm levels likely on 24 Jan due to recurrent CH HSS effects. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2019 Jan 14 0403 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center # Product description and SWPC contact on the Web # https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/content/subscription-services # # 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table # Issued 2019-01-14 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2019 Jan 14 69 5 2 2019 Jan 15 69 8 3 2019 Jan 16 69 8 3 2019 Jan 17 69 5 2 2019 Jan 18 70 5 2 2019 Jan 19 70 5 2 2019 Jan 20 71 5 2 2019 Jan 21 71 5 2 2019 Jan 22 71 5 2 2019 Jan 23 71 5 2 2019 Jan 24 71 20 5 2019 Jan 25 71 12 4 2019 Jan 26 71 8 3 2019 Jan 27 71 5 2 2019 Jan 28 71 5 2 2019 Jan 29 71 5 2 2019 Jan 30 71 5 2 2019 Jan 31 71 10 3 2019 Feb 01 71 15 4 2019 Feb 02 70 12 4 2019 Feb 03 70 8 3 2019 Feb 04 70 5 2 2019 Feb 05 69 5 2 2019 Feb 06 69 5 2 2019 Feb 07 69 5 2 2019 Feb 08 69 5 2 2019 Feb 09 69 5 2 (SWPC via WORLD OF RADIO 1965, DXLD) TIPS FOR RATIONAL LIVING ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Letter: 2019 headlines we could see Jan 14, 2019 https://www.enidnews.com/opinion/letter-headlines-we-could-see/article_90515bbd-841c-50be-a1fa-a1bde55cb7ca.html • ARPAIO TO RUN ARIZONA DESERT TENT CAMP FOR MIGRANT CHILDREN • 47 DEAD IN SCHOOL SHOOTING — TRUMP OFFERS HOPE, PRAYERS • U.S. WITHDRAWS FROM U.N., NATO, ALL TREATIES EXCEPT RUSSIA, SAUDI ARABIA • 197 DEMOCRATS DECLARE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDACY • TRUMP TRADES TAIWAN TO CHINA FOR BEIJING TRUMP HOTEL RIGHTS • NSA DIRECTOR OLIVER NORTH BEGINS MUSLIM DEPORTATIONS • 112 KILLED IN SCHOOL SHOOTING — TRUMP OFFERS PRAYERS • TRUMP TAX RETURNS SHOW FRAUD, MONEY LAUNDERING; BLAMES MAXINE WATERS FOR BAD TAX ADVICE • U.S. BOMBS OTTAWA IN RETALIATION FOR 1812 WHITE HOUSE BURNING; CANADA WALL DEMANDED • MUELLER REPORT LEAKS: DON JR., KUSHNER FLEE TO SAUDI ARABIA • EVANGELICAL APPROVAL OF TRUMP AT NEW HIGH • CONGRESS OVERRIDES VETO — TRUMP PARDONS EVERYBODY, RESIGNS OFFICE • TRUMP CHANGES MIND: ‘FAKE NEWS! I'M STILL PRESIDENT!’ • STOCK MARKET CRASHES: TRUMP BLAMES PELOSI, FAT GUY IN BASEMENT, MERYL STREEP • ATTORNEY GENERAL GUILIANI ARRESTS HILLARY, PELOSI, STREEP, FAT GUY • TRUMP SELLS STATUE OF LIBERTY TO SAUDI PRINCE • SEVEN BLACK MEN SHOT FOR LOITERING AT STARBUCKS • RUSSIA INVADES LATVIA; PUTIN BLAMES ESTONIA — TRUMP BELIEVES HIM • 226 KILLED IN SCHOOL SHOOTING — TRUMP BANS SLINGSHOTS, BB GUNS • DROUGHT, FIRES RAGE: INHOFE BLAMES PELOSI, WATERS, CANADA • GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ENTERS 2ND YEAR: TRUMP BLAMES ROMNEY, STORMY DANIELS • TRUMP TWEET ‘COVFEFE’ REVEALED AS RUSSIAN CODE FOR ‘MISSION ACCOMPLISHED’ • HOMELAND SECURITY DIRECTOR COULTER CLOSES ALL MEDIA OUTLETS EXCEPT FOX • 35,000+ MIGRANT CHILDREN UNACCOUNTED FOR: TRUMP BLAMES ROSIE O'DONNELL • PENCE RESIGNS; HANNITY NEW VP — LIMBAUGH TO REPLACE HIM AT STATE DEPT. • NRA TO ARM, TRAIN KINDERGARTNERS AFTER LATEST SCHOOL SHOOTING • MCCONNELL ORDERS SENATE TO BOW, CURTSY, KNEEL IN TRUMP PRESENCE • MASSIVE UNEMPLOYMENT, BREAD LINES FORM, ELECTION CANCELLED, MARTIAL LAW IMPOSED • FRANKLIN GRAHAM BURNS HANDS BLESSING PRESIDENT; DENIES ‘ANTICHRIST’ COMMENT • PUTIN GIVEN HONORARY U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND WEST WING OFFICE • TRUMP SELLS CALIFORNIA TO SAUDI ARABIA Court “Corndog” Atchinson, Enid (Enid News & Eagle via DXLD) ###