DX LISTENING DIGEST 7-155, December 21, 2007 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 2007 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn NEXT SHORTWAVE AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1387 **flexible times Fri 2330 WBCQ 5110-CLSB [NEW from Dec 21; anyone hear it?] Sat 0900 WRMI 9955 Sat 1730 WWCR3 12160 Sat 2230 WRMI 9955 Sun 0330 WWCR3 5070 Sun 0730 WWCR1 3215 Sun 0900 WRMI 9955 Sun 1200 WRMI 9955 [new] Sun 1615 WRMI 7385 Mon 0400 WBCQ 9330-CLSB [irregular] Mon 0515 WBCQ 7415 [time varies] Mon 0930 WRMI 9955** Tue 1130 WRMI 9955** Tue 1630 WRMI 7385 Wed 0830 WRMI 9955** WORLD OF RADIO, CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL SCHEDULE: 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 For updates see our Anomaly Alert page: http://www.worldofradio.com/anomaly.html WRN ON DEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 WORLD OF RADIO PODCASTS VIA WRN NOW AVAILABLE: http://www.wrn.org/listeners/stations/podcast.php OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL] http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html or http://wor.worldofradio.org EDITOR`S NOTE: We already have enough material for 7-156, which will be issued ASAP ** ABKHAZIA. [Note: Reports of this are also inconsistently filed under GEORGIA]. Apsua Radio from Sukhum was audible on both 9494.75 and 9535.0 in parallel, to 0601* Dec 16. Both were weak, 9535 unusable because of R. Liberty co-channel (Vlad Titarev, Ukraine, DXplorer Dec 16 via BC-DX via DXLD) 9494.74 and 9535 Vlad Titarev confirmed these channels for Abkhaz Radio somewhere. Stumbled across 9495 kHz and noted sign-off time as exact 0900 and 1530 UT, Sun Dec 16/17. 9474.76 and 9535 kHz from Sukhum in Russian, morning s-off time varies around 0850 UT, but on other days after 0910 UT (Wolfgang Büschel, Dec 16/17/18/19 wwdxc BC- DX Dec 21 via DXLD) ** ALBANIA. R. Tirana, 7430, VG with instrumental music, Dec 21 at 2124. This is scheduled English to Europe but there were no announcements at all before 2127:30*, having cut to the RT theme music at 2127. Meanwhile, I again looked for the // 9915 to NAm, but not a trace of even a carrier there. Not much else from Europe audible on 31m, either; Greece [q.v.] poor on 9420, but also VG signals on 40m (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA. 1620 kHz, Radio Mar Del Plata (?), Mar del Plata, Spanish, 21/12 0402. ‘Transmitiendo desde Mar Del Plata, ... 1620 y 103.3, ...’, mx pop internacional, 35533. 1630, AM Restauración, Hurlingham, Spanish, 21/12 0355. ‘Este domingo, ... al lado de la Cámara Municipal de Hurlingham’, canção cristã, 35343. 1660, Hosanna AM 1660 (?), Ezeiza, Spanish, 21/12 0350. YL: pregação, px religiosa, ‘escuchando en la radio en esta madrugada, palabra de Dios, El Espíritu Santo, 25442. 1690, R. Apocalipsis II (?), San Justo, Spanish, 21/12 0346. Programa religioso, OM: pregação, com fundo mx, 25322 (Rudolf Grimm, São Bernardo, SP, Brasil, Kenwood R-1000, Ant.: MCJ-81 + bobina acopladora MCJ81 à R-1000 + booster da RGP3, dxclube PR yg via DXLD) ** BHUTAN. Again on Dec 16 I heard BBS Bhutan very easy to recognize with beginning at 0002 on 6035 kHz. After announcements monks singing, at around 0030 chimes music until 0100. Reception very good these days on free frequency (Udo Krueger, Germany, wwdxc BC-DX Dec 21 via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 11784.65 kHz, 15 Dec 2007, 2130 kHz, Radio Guaíba, with talk in Portuguese, SINPO 14421 (Eike Bierwirth, Mainz, Germany. Rx: JRC NRD-525, Antenna: 50 metre wire in the garden, HCDX via DXLD) ** CANADA. CKBD-600 AND CBU-690 BOTH VANCOUVER BC APPLY TO MOVE TO FM CKBD-600 Vancouver BC has applied to move to FM (100.5 MHz, 2.6 kW, 589 meters) http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Hearings/2007/n2007-18.htm#13 13. Vancouver, British Columbia Application No. 2007-1451-0 Application by Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Ltd. (the general partner) and Jim Pattison Industries Ltd. (the limited partner), carrying on business as Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Limited Partnership, to convert the English-language commercial radio station CKBD Vancouver from the AM band to the FM band. The new station would operate on frequency 100.5 MHz (channel 263C1) with an average effective radiated power of 2,600 watts (maximum effective radiated power of 11,000 watts/antenna height of 589 metres). The applicant is proposing an Adult Album Alternative (Triple A) music format. The applicant is requesting permission to simulcast the programming of the new FM station on CKBD for a period of 3 months from the date of implementation of the new FM station. The applicant is also requesting, pursuant to sections 9(1)(e) and 24 (1) of the Broadcasting Act, the revocation of the licence of CKBD effective at the end of the simulcast period. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- CBU-690 Vancouver BC has applied to move to FM (88.1 MHz, 8.9 kW, 567.2 meters) with an addition transmitter on Gabriola Island (98.7 MHz, 3.1 kW, 182.3 meters) http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Hearings/2007/n2007-18.htm#15 15. Vancouver and Gabriola Island, British Columbia Application No. 2007-1423-9 Application by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, to convert radio station CBU Vancouver from the AM band to the FM band. The applicant is also proposing to establish a new FM transmitter at Gabriola Island. The new station would operate on frequency 88.1 MHz (channel 201C) with an average effective radiated power of 8,900 watts (maximum effective radiated power of 19,500 watts/antenna height of 567.2 metres). The applicant’s proposed Gabriola Island’s transmitter would operate on frequency 98.7 MHz (channel 254B) with an average effective radiated power of 3,100 watts (maximum effective radiated power of 20,000 watts/antenna height of 182.3 metres). The applicant is also requesting, pursuant to sections 9(1)(e) and 24 (2) of the Broadcasting Act, the revocation of the licence of CBU effective at the end of the simulcast period. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Both of these stations go back to the 1920's, CKBD was CJOR for several decades and CBU started in 1925 or so as CNRV (operated by the Canadian National Railways) becoming CRCV when the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission (CRBC) took the station over in 1932-33, then CBR when the CBC took over the CRBC and finally CBU. 73, (Deane McIntyre VE6BPO, AB, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Wow! CKBD to FM? What a shocker! I am sorry to see this one move to FM. A great Adult Standards format and unfortunately they are not on Star Choice! CBU to FM??? I guess, we had to expect this. But, I'll bet someone else will grab 600 & 690. 73, (Patrick Martin, Seaside OR, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I am not shocked when any Canadian AM station applies to move to FM. Just about all of them will, sooner or later (gh, DXLD) Wow, that would be a huge change here. CBU is like an old friend and heard in much of the Province. I found that it was also well heard along the WA and OR coasts when I was down there in November. 600 is one of a handful of AM stations broadcasting in AM Stereo, at least that's what my truck's radio told me. They do tend to splatter quite a bit (as does 690), so I guess I can live with them going to FM. I'd really love it if Village 900 moved to FM, though! (Walt Salmaniw, Victoria BC, IRCA via DXLD) Colin, This is a shock, as the CE at CBU stated several years back that they had no plans to move 690 to FM, or any of the other CBC powerhouses in the West, because of the great coverage. Why they changed I have no idea. 73, (Patrick Martin, ibid.) Hello All, Sorry to read about CKBD-600's plan to move, because I really like their music format, and they also provide a moderate test of receiver sensitivity here in south Puget Sound. On the other hand, both Vancouver and Victoria are within easy FM range for an FM-DX fanatic like me (with an FM loop on a 40' tower), so I'll be looking for CKBD-FM to come in easily, maybe just like "the Ocean" on 98.5 and "the Q" on 100.3, hi. 73, (Gary, ibid.) Gary, I have Star Choice (SC) and get several of the ictoria/Vancouver stations including The Ocean,, but no CISL or CKBD. Both I would love to have on Satellite. Not many AMs across Canada, mostly FM in the radio package, but I do get my favorite Vancouver talk station NW 98 on SC. Like you, I do enjoy the NOS format CKBD has. I will miss it. As with many of the stations moving to FM, CKBD will probably change calls and format. But 2.8 KW is not much on FM either. I get lots of CBC stations, but I am surprised with this news. But with so many changing to FM, the Vancouver stations were bound to come in time. I am sorry one is CKBD. I have listened to the station from the mid 60s under CJOR. 73, (Patrick Martin, OR, ibid.) Patrick, It's funny you should mention "the Ocean" (98.5 in Victoria). For some strange reason, that station has a fantastic signal here, and was even easily received barefoot by the Sangean DT-200VX during the "Ultralight Radio AM-DX Shootout" recently. In fact, all of the little radios could get it here, in Puyallup, WA There's probably nobody in IRCA more fanatic about FM-DX as me, so I'm pretty confident of getting CKBD-FM, hi. I have built 2-element and 4-element FM quad antennas using my ham radio experience, and when mounted on the 40' tower, these can make Portland, Vancouver and Victoria come in just like locals. Portland can be dicey sometimes depending on propagation, but B.C. is usually a piece of cake, hi. So CKBD is not really going away for me, just shifting to FM-stereo. 73, (Gary, ibid.) If CBU goes, then it is a matter of time before CBR, CBX, CBK, and CBW probably will go too. Gee, in time we may not be able to get Canadian radio over the air here in the states. 73, (Patrick Martin, OR, ibid.) At least so far, the CBC's been taking a different path with the stations in the Prairies. Most of them now have "nested" FM transmitters that cover the big cities with a kilowatt or two (CBK actually has two of them, in Regina and Saskatoon), and while it's not impossible to imagine the CBC trying to shut down the AMs and run only off the FMs, there's a lot of open territory they'd have to cover with additional FM transmitters to replicate all that service those AMs provide. s (Scott Fybush, ibid.) Scott, You know the CBC has been big on their LPRTs and most of those are converting over to FM, so one day we may have no Canadian AM stations left. I guess adding a few LPRTs may be an option. Many Canadians have satellite now and both Star Choice and View have radio paks you can sub to for a couple bucks extra (Patrick Martin, ibid.) It`s lunacy to close down 690, from a coastal location with great 50 kW coverage, tho it may have problems inland over the mountains where AM or FM relays already exist (gh, DXLD) My oh MY!!!! Yahoo! I never expected CBC to give up their marvelous West Coast Anchor, CBU, the Mighty 690. AM is truly being shoved into the dustbin of history in Canada. When we are on Orcas Island, the towers of both AM 600 and 690 are line of sight from my antennas across twenty miles of open sea water. Even with the very best of DSP and SDR receivers, 594, 603 and 684, 693 are nearly absent from my Orcas log book. Its not really slop so much as just transmitted energy that swamps every receiver that I've ever tried. Hearing 594-Tokyo in audio takes a REALLY good Asian morning on Orcas, where 594 is almost a pest, twenty miles further away from Vancouver at Nick and Walt's in Victoria, BC. We'll say a prayer that the frequency is not filled by some semi- amateur narrowcaster like 1200 in Victoria has become.... Who me? Selfish? A narrow-minded DX fiend, as they used to call us in the 1920s. CBU has been a marvelous station for all of southern BC and carries quite an audience on the southside of the Border, as well. R.I.P (John Bryant, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA (and Orcas Island, WA), Rcvrs: WiNRADiO 313e, Eton e1, NRD-535(kiwa-mods), Antennas: 700' NE/SW mini-Bev, Wellbrook Phased Array (pre-production version), IRCA via DXLD) John, I knew what you would say. From your QTH on Orcas, you could probably light a bulb with the amount of RF you get. For you, it is like getting rid of two locals. I have seen your graph of the signal and you sure get the Vancouver RF. That will open up some good frequencies for you. I always thought that being on the island would be a dandy DX site, but being close to all than lower BC RF would not be fun. I think the rule of thumb is from the time they kick on the FM, they will operate the AM another 3 months. But if this is oked, it will be an end to an era. 73, (Patrick Martin, ibid.) I cannot imagine 690 NOT being occupied by CBC. Wow. They have such superb coverage on 690 all the way up the Fraser Valley. Well. It would open up the channel for Japan on 693! (Colin Newell, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, ibid.) Room has (maybe) been found for not one, not two, not three, but *five* potential new full-power FM stations in Vancouver, British Columbia. 88.1 19.5kw/567m CBC, to move Radio 1 from 690 AM 89.3 2.75kw/148m blues (Five applications for new stations in Chilliwack may be mutually-exclusive with this one) 98.7 2kw/550m world music (CBC filed a mutually-exclusive application for a relayer of their proposed 88.1 station, to be located on Gabriola Island. An application for a new station at Port Moody is also mutually-exclusive with this one.) 100.5 11kw/589m for CKBD to move from 600 AM 104.1 8kw/600m 13 applications for new stations (one specifies 9kw instead of 8) AAA, indie rock, contemporary Christian, chr, easy jazz, etc.. Also, the CBC has filed a mutually-exclusive application to use this frequency in Nanaimo to relay CBCV-FM Victoria. Also filed were five applications to use 89.1, 89.3, or 89.5 in nearby Chilliwack (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View, TN EM66, Dec 20, WTFDA via DXLD) CBC powerhouse CBU-690 Vancouver will be moving to FM. Another DX target gone - but another open channel for west coasters. Remote areas of BC will still be able to receive the station via CKZU shortwave (6160 kc/s). http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Hearings/2007/n2007-18.htm#15 End/WRH (Bill Hepburn, Ont., WTFDA-AM via DXLD) Sure of that? (gh) Semi-dumb question I've never seen addressed: Why did this station change call letters from CBR to CBU? -- (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View, TN EM66, NRC-AM via DXLD) Hi Doug and all, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CBU_%28AM%29 does not answer our question other than to say the call sign change was made in 1952 when they changed frequencies from 1130 to 690 kHz. Not a dumb question at all. Now, you've got my curiosity. 73 de (Joe, KJ8O, Miller, ibid.) I really don't know aside from the fact that later (in 1964) the CBR call was used for the then new station at Calgary. Logically the Vancouver station should have been called CBV from the beginning but those calls were used for the station at Quebec City. An even greater mystery is why CBY Toronto changed their calls to CJBC in the mid 1940's --- at that time they were the flagship station for the second English network, the Dominion network. What is now Radio One was called the Trans-Canada network at that time. When the Dominion network ceased operations in the early 1960's the station become the Toronto outlet for the French language network which it remains to this day. 73, (Deane McIntyre VE6BPO, AB, ibid.) Another question, what was the call of the CBC outlet in Calgary before CBR? I think it was a relay of CBX Edmonton, adding another letter? As for CJBC, I believe that was originally a private station which the CBC acquired and kept the old calls (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. Re: FCC Chooses Corporations Over People --- It pains me to say this, but the FCC actually makes the CRTC and IC look good - very good! The CRTC has improved over the years - not perfect - but it no longer seems to be out to get private broadcasters. It doesn't do a half-bad job on protecting the public interest either - as seen when it forced the breakup of the Charlottetown LMA between MBS and Newcap, which resulted in two very good private stations - CHTN-FM and its sister CKQK. My biggest remaining "beef" with the CRTC is that they need to come up with a "plan" for AM. Which, I submit should be based on rewarding the few remaining AMers with the opportunity to run high power, good patterns to provide regional coverage and simulcast on Class A FM for local market competitive reasons, the latter conditional on excellent community service. I know they are owned by CTV/Globe Media or whatever, but any time I've listened to 580 CFRA I've been pretty impressed as a heck of a good talk/news station. I'd like to see CFRA on 50KW at night, and with a bunch of stations formerly on 580 now languishing on the FM band, there is no reason why not! (Phil Rafuse, PEI, Dec 19, ABDX via DXLD) ** CHAD. Hello everyone, a very nice surprise to see Radio N'djamena back on its old frequency!! Signal is great, and modulation is excellent! Until 1900 UT superb traditional music. I resumed DXing a few weeks ago, after a pause of about 10 years. Noticing that so many African state broadcasters have disappeared from the tropical bands (Yaoundé, Garoua, Douala, Lomé, Abidjan, Cotonou, Gaborone, Maseru, Nairobi... to name but a few) made me feel quite nostalgic. Seeing N'djamena back on 4905 kHz (wasn't it 4904.5 kHz?) is a gleam of hope! At about 1901 there was an interruption in the signal of about a minute or so. Now they are back on 4905 kHz in French! Great!!! 73 (Kai Willner, Germany, Dec 20, HCDX via DXLD) The typical off carrier on 4904.97 kHz noted also this morning around 0720 UT, Dec 21 (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, BC-DX via DXLD) 4905, Radio N´Djamena, 1950-2005, escuchada el 21 de diciembre en francés a locutor con comentarios y emisión de música afro-pop, SINPO 45544. Me resulta sorprendente escuchar con esta señal una emisión procedente de África en la banda tropical (José Miguel Romero, Burjasot (Valencia), Sangean ATS 909, Antena Radio Master A-108, YAESU FRG-7700, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Quite decent reception of typical African music on 4905 tonight here even in my flat. It's almost like a decade ago, when Chad left 60 metres, but with one exception: They are indeed on 4905, maybe 30 Hz low, but not again on their old 4904.5 frequency which was apparently intended for some reason. For Glenn: I understand that this always used to be the very same transmitter (Thomson 100 kW) as 6165, in the past run on 49 m during daytime and 60 m in the morning and evening, but at some point they started to use 6165 all day long. Now they apparently reverted to their former practice, or maybe are on 4905 throughout the day? (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Dec 21, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHILE [non]. FRAGMENTOS DE LA MEMORIA ÍNTIMA Y COLECTIVA DE CHILE http://www.radiotie rra.com/?q=node/705 [HISTORY] Los estudios de Radio Tierra sirvieron de locaciones para algunas de la principales secuencias del documental Escucha Chile, con que un grupo de jóvenes realizadores dirigidos por Andrés Daie, busca rescatar el programa radial emitido por onda corta diariamente desde Moscú, la capital de la entonces Unión Soviética. "Nos sentimos comprometidos con rescatar historias humanas y colectivas que consideramos significativas para la construcción de la memoria histórica de nuestra sociedad. Nos interesa dirigir la mirada hacia los sujetos que construyen la historia, y cuyas vidas, cotidianas y sencillas, han sido opacadas sistemáticamente por relatos sobre grandes personajes, instituciones y poderes económicos", sostiene Andrés Daie. Para el documentalista esta es una oportunidad para crear nuevos relatos, que, desde las experiencias de los individuos, reflejen procesos sociales más amplios. El programa "Escucha Chile" de Radio Moscú, dice Daie, "es un fragmento de la memoria íntima y colectiva de miles de chilenos, y una iniciativa política y cultural de resistencia a la dictadura, que consideramos importante rescatar". Este 15 de Diciembre de 2007, a las 16 horas [19 UT], se emitirá un programa conmemorativo de "Escucha Chile", el programa de Radio Moscú, que se transmitió diariamente durante 16 años. El especial será transmitido por Radio Tierra, frecuencia 1300 AM y http://www.radiotierra.cl Contará con la presencia de los realizadores y colaboradores del equipo Escucha Chile , quienes compartirán sus experiencias y emociones con los auditores (via José Miguel Romero, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) Escucha Chile, not to be confused with a less overt service from Moscow, recently discussed here, Radio Magallanes (gh, DXLD) ** CHINA. 3900 kHz, 15 Dec 2007, 2320 UTC, PBS Hulun Buir (from the northernmost end of China) heard with SINPO 34322 with Mandarin talk programme. From midnight UT, utility chirps presumably from the HFDL station Reykjavik, Iceland, disturbed reception (Eike Bierwirth, Mainz, Germany. Rx: JRC NRD-525, Antenna: 50 metre wire in the garden, HCDX via DXLD) ** CHINA. Hi folks, Courtesy of member Alan Davies, the following shortwave transmitter sites are unveiled for the first time. Alan has provided the majority of the China SW site material for our group in recent times and I think I speak for all that his research is greatly valued for this secretive country. Enjoy your new China Google Earth destinations. 73's (Ian Baxter, Australia, shortwavesites yg via DXLD) Viz.: FROM ALAN DAVIES --- Hi all, There are some more Chinese sites newly visible in high resolution on Google Earth. Kashgar: 39 21 10N, 75 45 47E CRI MW/SW site. Humungous SW antenna farm to the west, and one eight-mast and one-four mast MW directional arrays to the east Urumqi-Hutubi: 44 08 54N, 86 53 44E CRI SW site 44 09 33N, 86 53 58E CRI MW site, two eight-mast and one four-mast directional arrays (almost adjacent to the SW site but separated I think by a road) 44 09 35N, 86 55 36E Xinjiang PBS domestic MW site a short distance to the east of the CRI sites Jinhua: 29 06 42N, 119 18 39E CRI SW site 29 06 59N, 119 18 39E rotatable antenna 29 07 04N, 119 18 49E another rotatable antenna 29 06 51N, 119 18 31E some more antennas in this area with poor visibility Also Beijing: 39 44 50N, 116 48 50E Matoucun domestic site, updated imagery showing the whole site Regards (Alan Davies, Asia, ibid.) FROM Wolfgang Büschel: "Excellent Alan, but I miss the SINGLE Thales-Thomcast ALLISS revolving/rotatable antenna installation at Kashgar... How old are the pictures? Under DIGITAL GLOBE option I see a combination of images on 2004-04-09 and 2006-08-11 date origin. SW 41 masts, 38 new, 3 old lattice construction masts (dark black) on the northwestern side. 5905? What's this 3 mast array like fountain antenna for 5905 kHz non-directional to ciraf zones 31 / 32 ? CRI Russian service at 39 21'15.67"N 75 45'11.58"E" FROM Ian Baxter: Thanks Wolfgang, I also pondered about the absence of the "Thales- Thomcast ALLISS revolving/rotatable antenna". Exactly when was the installation commenced/finished on this antenna? Does anyone within the group have any contacts with the Thales-Thomcast company who could answer the question? Perhaps the image was taken before the installation of the antenna or that it is located elsewhere?. A mystery for the moment (Ian Baxter, Australia, ibid.) I can't see a revolving antenna at Kashgar either. For the MW antennas, it looks like the 8-mast array is beaming about 170 degrees towards India. The four-mast array would be heading about 200 degrees towards Pakistan, so perhaps the 1422 kHz transmitter switches between the two arrays. I'm not sure whether the registered 1197 and 1539 kHz frequencies have ever been used from this site. 1422 kHz is also used for CNR-8 Uighur domestic programming at certain times when it's not used by CRI, according to CNR frequency listings. According to Chinese web sources, the "old" Kashgar site that you mentioned is used for "experimental" purposes (in Chinese Communist jargon that means jamming), presumably with its beam towards NW Xinjiang and the border with the ex-USSR, perhaps especially for targets such as BBC Uzbek. Also I guess the site is used for local MW frequencies for Kashgar. According to Olle's observations, 1521 kHz CRI Russian switches between different beams, which perhaps explains the three MW antennas. We think there's also a 1323 kHz CRI Russian transmitter in W China, perhaps also at this site, but 1323 kHz is a complicated frequency for CRI with probably four transmitters at different locations in China. The Xinjiang domestic SW site also appeared in high resolution on GE a few weeks ago at 43 58 27 N, 87 14 59 E - about 6 km NE of the predicted location. Best wishes, (Alan Davies, at present touring in Indonesia, Dec 18 wwdxc BC-DX Dec 21 via DXLD) ** CHINA [and non]. TAIWAN, 7105, Xi Wang Zhi Sheng Sound of Hope, 2200-2205, escuchada el 21 de diciembre en chino, comienza emisión con música de sintonía y probable ID, locutor comentarios, cuñas, fuertemente interferida por emisión jamer china, aunque no llega a anularla, SINPO 43443. Chequeo la frecuencia de 6280; aquí la emisión jamer china llega con fuerza, se intuye una emisión de fondo. En esta frecuencia emite los viernes y sábados desde las 2200 a 2400 (José Miguel Romero Burjasot (Valencia), Spain, Sangean ATS 909, Antena Radio Master A-108, YAESU FRG-7700, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) And at 2130 on 6280 he was hearing BBCWS; see UNIDENTIFIED (gh) ** CROATIA. Croatian radio has now again two [100 kW] transmitters in use. Some time \\ programming on 3985 and 6165 kHz. 3985 is active with Glas Hrvatske (Voice of Croatia) from 2130 until 0627 UT. Apart from 3995 DRM DWL, reception is good or very good. 6165 is also active in the late evening and early morning \\. (approx 0500-2400 UT) (Udo Krueger, Germany, Dec 16, wwdxc BC-DX Dec 21 via DXLD) 3985 2200-0500 UT, 6165 0500-2400 UT, but 2100-2400 skips over my head (Wolfgang Büschel, Stuttgart, ibid.) ** CUBA. DESTITUYEN A LA DIRECTORA DEL CANAL TELEVISIÓN CAMAGÜEY POR EMITIR UN DOCUMENTAL CENSURADO http://www.cubaencuentro.com/es/encuentro-en-la-red/cuba/noticias/destituyen-a-la-directora-del-canal-television-camagueey-por-emitir-un-documental-censurado/(gnews)/1198088940 Se trata de 'Todas iban a ser reinas', que trata sobre las mujeres rusas que se quedaron a vivir en Cuba. Las autoridades de Camagüey destituyeron esta semana a una alta funcionaria de la televisión local por permitir la emisión del documental Todas iban a ser reinas, sobre la vida de las mujeres rusas que se quedaron a vivir en Cuba, informaron fuentes cercanas al caso. "Fue destituida Rebeca Burón Marín como directora de Televisión Camagüey, por la difusión de un documental del realizador Gustavo Pérez", agregó la fuente, para quien la decisión parece ser la estocada final de una serie de acontecimientos. Burón Marín, de amplia experiencia en los medios de comunicación — radio y televisión —, mostró "cierta valentía para difundir determinados fenómenos sociales en Camagüey, no compatibles con la política del partido comunista". En su momento fue criticada por no expulsar a dos periodistas que, tras drásticas sanciones, finalmente abandonaron el país. El documental concursó en el pasado Festival Nacional de Televisión. También fue inscrito en el apartado de documentales del Festival del Nuevo Cine Latinoamericano, "sin ningún tipo de dificultad o censura, sin embargo estaba imposibilitado de ser exhibido en la televisión", dijo la fuente. Todas iban a ser reinas narra las peripecias de un viaje de siete mujeres rusas a Cuba, que es también el viaje de sus vidas, según el Portal del Cine y el Audiovisual Latinoamericano y Caribeño. Al frente de la televisión camagüeyana ha sido nombrado José Veranes, licenciado en Historia y funcionario del partido comunista, "sin experiencia previa en los medios de comunicación y antiguo censor en el Departamento Ideológico del PCC" local durante varios años (via José Miguel Romero, Spain, dxldyg via DXLD) ** CUBA [non!]. DESERTA EN CANADA POPULAR CONDUCTOR DE LA TELEVISION CUBANA: Por Wilfredo Cancio Isla, El Nuevo Herald, Florida, E.U. Infosearch: Fidel Nuñez, Analista Jefe de Buró Latinoamérica Dept. de Investigaciones La Nueva Cuba Diciembre 11, 2007 El humorista y presentador Carlos Otero, considerado el más popular animador de la televisión cubana, desertó en Canadá y compareció este lunes ante las autoridades estadounidenses para solicitar asilo político, revelaron fuentes relacionadas con el caso. Según la versión, Otero cruzó este mediodía la frontera estadounidense por Buffalo, estado de Nueva York, acompañado por su esposa Maylen Laura Alvarez y los dos hijos del matrimonio, Alejandro, de 10 años, y Julio César, de 7. Avalado por una exitosa carrera de tres décadas, el animador conducía actualmente uno de los programas de mayor audiencia en la TV cubana: "Con Carlos y punto", una revista dominical que transmite en horario estelar el canal Cubavisión. Había viajado a Canadá para presentar por segundo año consecutivo un espectáculo humorístico musical en Toronto y otras ciudades. Otero es reconocido como uno de los más versátiles animadores en la historia de la televisión cubana, junto a Germán Pinelli, José Antonio Cepero Brito y Consuelito Vidal. "Esperamos que sea liberado en las próximas horas y pueda llegar a Miami el martes'', dijo un cercano amigo de Otero que viajó hasta Buffalo tras conocer su decisión de desertar. Las autoridades de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE) en Buffalo no han emitido declaraciones sobre el caso. El proceso de admisión podría demorar al menos 24 horas. En una declaración obtenida por El Nuevo Herald, Otero explicó los motivos de su decisión, luego de recibir permiso para viajar al extranjero acompañado de su familia. "Las cosas suceden cuando se da la oportunidad, no cuando uno quiere'', escribió. "Me atan a Cuba muchas cosas: mi público por más de tres décadas, mi tierra y mis amigos, pero son mis hijos los que no merecen el futuro incierto que se avecina''. Otero agregó que para un comunicador de televisión en Cuba se hace cada vez más difícil trabajar como resultado de la censura y la vigilancia sobre "lo que haces o dejas de hacer''. "Espero poder ganarme un plato de comida ganado con mi trabajo en el exilio y ver a mis hijos crecer con la oportunidad de estudiar lo que quieran, sin tener que estar de acuerdo con el sistema donde viven'', manifestó el artista. "Espero trabajar en lo que me gusta, pero si no fuera así, espero envejecer sin tener que dispararme la Mesa Redonda [programa de información oficial] todos los días''. Graduado de Actuación en la Escuela Nacional de Arte (ENA) en 1979, Otero ganó inicialmente su popularidad como presentador del programa juvenil "Para bailar". Desde 1993 fue el artífice de "Sabadazo", un exitoso espacio de humor y música de los sábados, y posteriormente de "Justo al medio" y "La hora de Carlos", un espectáculo semanal con música, entrevistas y reflexiones que mantuvo hasta mediados de este año con los máximos índices de audiencia nacional (via Oscar de Céspedes, Miami, FL, Conexión Digital Dec 16 via DXLD) ** CUBA. Re 7-153, mailing to Cuba: My US postal regulation research indicates that USA only limits/forbids parcel post to Cuba. Letters, postcards, Braille letters for the blind, printed items sent First Class International, International Priority Airmail (IPA) are okay. See: http://www.usps.com/international/serviceupdates.htm#H5 I Googled the issue and found a 2000 on-line article claiming that Cuba forbids the mailing in of musical letters or cards that play sound recordings when opened! Ha! Other than this I found no other mailing restrictions by Cuba. Best Regards, (Todd A. Myers, Vargo Myers Janson, P.C., Lakewood , CO 80228-0389, [original font for signature: Garamond] Dec 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CZECHIA [non]. 9750 DRM, R Prague (via Rampisham), 1340, 12/21/07, English. Surprised to hear a fairly strong DRM signal while bandscanning, hooked up receiver and was able to pull data stream info and "Radio Prague" ID, but signal too weak/unreliable for actual audio. Listed as 35kW to Europe, Fri/Sat only (Mark Schiefelbein, MO, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EGYPT. Re 7-154, 9250: Hello Glenn, a bit of Arabic language lesson here. Wadi or wady in Arabic means valley; the Nile is Arabic is called Neel. What wadi el neel means --- during the Anglo occupation of Both Egypt and Sudan, both countries were referred to as Nile Valley, as both were ruled by the last King of the Egyptian kingdom, King Farouq, so Egypt was referred to as Northern valley, and Sudan referred to as Southern valley. When the 1952 revolution managed to declare the Republic of Egypt, in 1952 still the maps used to have both Egypt and Sudan as one country till 1954 when Sudan declared Independence. But the question remains --- why Wadi el neel on SW? Is it somehow kind of support from the Egyptian Government to the Sudanese Government concerning the Darfur issue!? I asked an announcer in Radio Cairo and Egyptian TV as well about that new move of wadi el neel, and does it have any connection to trying a new transmitter or something, and he had no idea about that. About the number station: yes, there's some interference with the "Lincolnshire Poacher" as they use 9251 USB, but it's not picked up here in Cairo on that frequency. I can get only using DXtuners.com. The number station from Egypt is using 9450 and 6140 at the moment. All the best, yours (Tarek Zeidan, Cairo, Egypt, Dec 21, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9250, Radio Wide [sic] el Nile, 2058-2105, escuchada el 21 de diciembre en árabe con emisión de música folklórica local, locutora con ID, comentarios. A las 2100 UT empieza emisión de E03 [Lincolnshire Poacher spy numbers, 9251] con su pieza musical, SINPO 44554 ** EGYPT [and non]. SOBRE R. CAIRO Y LAS ESTACIONES DE NÚMEROS Saludos cordiales, respecto ha la transmisión en 9250 de Radio Wide el Nile, propuse una teoría, quizás un poco descabellada, pero en fin, uno a veces no cree en las casualidades o que las cosas ocurren por que sí, no se si alguien se ha preguntado por que Radio Cairo se ha puesto en 6250 para el periodo B-07. En principio no parece nada extraño; sin embargo he observado en los listados B-06 y B-05 del EiBi.de.vu que Radio Cairo no había estado en esa frecuencia en ese período, la verdad me extrañó, se me ha ocurrido visitar la página web de “Numbers & Oddities”: http://home.luna.nl/~ary/index.htm Dedicada a las emisoras de números, he ojeado por ejemplo el número de septiembre de éste año, y he observado que la frecuencia más activa y que más logs recogió fue la frecuencia de 6252 atribuida a una estación E11: NUMBERS & ODDITIES a.k.a. the Spooks Newsletter edition #121, September 2007 6252 E11 AM 2-9-2007 1630 (MUK) 287/00 6252 E11 USB 3-9-2007 Mon 1630 (HFD) 287/00 6252 E11 AM 4-9-2007 1630 (MUK) 382/00 6252 E11 AM 9-9-2007 1630 (MUK) 287/00 6252 E11 USB 16-9-2007 1630 (MUK) 287/75 6252 E11 USB 16-9-2007 1640 (FC) Number Station E11 "Oblique" 6252 E11 USB 18-9-2007 1630 (RiN) 287/75 94064 48209 71633 93135 etc 6252 E11 USB 22-9-2007 Sat 1630 (FN) 287/75 attn 94064 42794... 6252 E11 USB 23-9-2007 1631 (ANS) 287/75 6252 E11 USB 26-9-2007 1630 (MUK) 287/75 6252 E11 USB 27-9-2007 Thu 1630 (AB) 287/00 6252 E11 USB 30-9-2007 1630 (ANS) 287/00 Curiosamente Radio Cairo, puso por primera vez un servicio en esa frecuencia recogido por ejemplo en el EiBi B-07: 6250 1500-1600 EGY ERTU Radio Cairo AL SEE a 6250 1800-1900 EGY ERTU Radio Cairo I Eu a 6250 1900-2000 EGY ERTU Radio Cairo D Eu a 6250 2000-2115 EGY ERTU Radio Cairo F Eu a 6250 2115-2245 EGY ERTU Radio Cairo E Eu a Esto la verdad puede parecer una casualidad, curioso, pero extraño, por lo tanto revisé el último número correspondiente al mes de noviembre, y me encontré que la frecuencia mas activa de una estación de números es la de 9251 atribuida a una estación E03. NUMBERS & ODDITIES a.k.a. the Spooks Newsletter Edition #123, November 2007 9251 E03 USB 1-11-2007 2000 (AB) LP id 68877 9251 E03 USB 1-11-2007 2100 (AB) LP id 23440 9251 E03 USB 1-11-2007 2200 (AB) LP id unreadable 9251 E03 USB 22-11-2007 2005 (PPA) British intelligence CYP //6959 9251.0 E03 USB 5-11-2007 2100 (PPA) Lincolnshire Poacher id 57051 // 7887 Seguramente será una casualidad, o quizás no, pero al menos da que pensar. Ahora nos encontramos con que hay otra transmisión de Onda Corta en esa frecuencia, y otra vez Egipto se ve envuelta. Muy curioso. En fin, tan sólo es una teoría, pero la verdad es que la cosa da que pensar, ¿casualidad? Feliz Navidad (José Miguel Romero, Burjasot (Valencia), Sangean ATS 909, Antena Radio Master A-108, YAESU FRG-7700, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Strange coincidence that R. Cairo has appeared this season on two well-known spy number frequencies, José says (gh, DXLD) ** EGYPT. Looking for the latest sensation, Nile Valley Radio on 9250, Dec 21 at 2126 and again 2145: barely a trace of a carrier here. Not much was propagating from Eu/ME at that hour on that band, Greece poor on 9420 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EQUATORIAL GUINEA. Once again missed 15190 kHz religious outlet today Dec 20 in our morning, when R Africa from Bata is heard usually. Transmissions from Bata seemingly not regular in past 1-2 months (Wolfgang Büschel, Dec 20, BC-DX via DXLD) ** EQUATORIAL GUINEA [and non]. [cf. BC-DX #838] HISTORY: Re the R Atlántica item. Radio Atlantica was a brainchild of French radioman Jacques Tremoulet. For some reason R Atlántica never materialized. Tremoulet had a company in Madrid, called Compañía de Radiodifusión Intercontinental which planned to start those high-powered transmissions on shortwave from Equatorial Guinea, under the name Radio Atlántica. When those plans failed, there was anyway built a mediumwave station in Madrid, named Radio Intercontinental. This station still exists, of course under new ownership. Tremoulet had already prior WW2 some commercial stations in France (Radio Toulouse, Radio Agen etc). He also created Radio Andorra. After the war he established Radio Africa in the International Zone of Tangier. Later he created Radio Antilles in Montserrat. He was also involved (just before his death) in constructing Radio Trans Europe in Portugal. A businessman creating a lot of interesting stations. [These were excerpts of my research of broadcasting in the International Zone of Tangier]. (Jari Savolainen, Finland, Dec 8, wwdxc BC-DX Dec 13 via DXLD) [c.f. BC-DX TopNews #837] I'd like to add something. On the page http://www.nuestra-guinea.com/ (photo archives) there are many pictures of the construction work, etc., of Radio Atlántica in the place called Musola (Fernando Poo). There is one place called Musola some 65 km from Malabo. I'm not sure if there's another Musola nearer Malabo. Most of the pictures of Atlántica are from 1947. It seems, soon after that the project was terminated, lack of money or changing political situation, who knows. On that page there's also lots of pictures of R Santa Isabel and R Ecuatorial. Also at least one of Radio Africa 2000, a cultural station that operated ca. 1989-1993y on 6910 kHz in Malabo. I managed to hear this station here in Finland couple of times, but can't recall if I ever sent a reception report (Jari Savolainen, Finland, Dec 10, wwdxc BC-DX Dec 14 via DXLD) Thanks Jari for your recent information. Re: Musola, see Fallingrain town directory, from top to down. http://www.fallingrain.com/world/EK/index.html http://www.fallingrain.com/world/EK/a/M/ there is only one Musola town given: http://www.fallingrain.com/world/EK/a/M/u/ Musola city Equatorial Guinea 3.4333333 8.6166667 1437 1408 03 25 60.00 N 08 37 00.00 E http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=3.433333&lon=8.616667&z=13.6&r=0&src=msl Also at least one of Radio Africa 2000, a cultural station that operated ca. 1989-1993 on 6910 kHz in Malabo. Yes, old WRTH of this era show a connection with RTVE Madrid and Spanish embassy. Radio Africa 2000, on 6910 Malabo (Wolfgang Büschel, Dec 10, BC-DX via DXLD) ** ETHIOPIA [non]. SOUTH AFRICA, Radio Mustaqbal. I've just noticed on Sentec's website that the relays of this station via Meyerton have increased. The current schedule to East Africa is given as: 0545-0615 Mo/Tu/We 15400 0630-0700 Mo/We/Fr 15675 1205-1235 Mo/Tu/Sa 17660 1400-1430 Tu/Th/Sa 15675 (Vashek Korinek, RSA, Dec 17, DXplorer via BC-DX Dec 21 via DXLD) ** EUROPE. RADIO NETHERLANDS WORLDWIDE TO PARTICIPATE IN NEW EUROPEAN RADIO STATION Radio Netherlands Worldwide and broadcasters in twelve other EU countries will launch a new European radio station next year. The station, scheduled to start in April, will broadcast daily on existing frequencies of the participating broadcasters, and will produce programmes reflecting the European point of view. Programmes will also be available on a special website, which will go online in June. The station will initially broadcast in English, German, French and Polish as the main languages, with translations into five other languages. Dutch will be introduced as a main language in 2009. The European Radio Project (ERP) has been granted a subsidy of 5.8 million euro a year from the European Commission, but the EC will have no say in the programming. (Source: RNW News) This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 11th, 2007 at 2:28 pm 8 Responses to “Radio Netherlands Worldwide to participate in new European radio station” John Figliozzi Says: December 11th, 2007 at 8:52 pm Is this an expansion on the “Network Europe” concept wherein a number of broadcasters cooperate on the production of a weekly program? Andy Says: December 12th, 2007 at 9:12 am More or less. The agreement was only signed on Friday, so details haven’t been worked out yet. I do know that RNW will be producing the English version, and will also be responsible for the website. I don’t think it was intended to announce this quite as fast, but one of the Dutch newspapers had an ‘informant’ in Brussels and published the details a few days ago. Richard Hunt Says: December 12th, 2007 at 11:17 am Do you know which countries - and broadcasters - will be participating? Sueli Brodin Says: December 12th, 2007 at 7:54 pm See the story: EU to fund pan-European radio station source: EU Observer at http://euobserver.com/9/25306 Andy Says: December 13th, 2007 at 9:06 am More details of who’s doing what will become clearer as time goes on. I can confirm that RNW will be producing the English output (or some it, at least) and running the website. A new editorial team will be appointed. I find this a very exciting development. We have been talking about doing something like this for years. Now all the technology is in place to allow people from different parts of Europe to work together in real time. Andy Says: December 13th, 2007 at 11:27 am I note that in today’s edition of the UK’s Daily Mail, they report the project as “Radio Brussels” and say it will be “EU propaganda.” This sort of reaction is predictable from a right-wing newspaper which is anti-Brussels. Anyone who follows reports on EU affairs from any of the major broadcasters involved - RNW, DW and RFI - will be well aware that we do not carry “propaganda”. One of the things that we’re most proud of at RNW is our editorial independence, and we will not allow this to be compromised. But under the present system of each country having its own international broadcaster, we tend to reflect the range of opinions within the Netherlands, DW does the same for Germany, RFI for France etc. So to get the whole range of views across Europe you have to tune to a lot of different stations. That will continue, but for people who haven’t time to do that, the idea is to enable more people to hear a wider range of views at one go. This is what we call democracy. Some newspapers don’t want their readers to hear all these views, because they might realise that the papers are only telling one side of the story. So they have already started using emotive terms like “propaganda” and “Radio Brussels” to put people off the idea before the programme content has even been discussed. In fact, the ERP consortium was only one of the groups bidding for this contract. It could have been the case that an organisation that wanted to cosy up to the European Commission was awarded the contract. Then there might have been some truth in the Daily Mail’s version of events. But the fact that they have chosen a group of established international broadcasters representing different EU countries is, in my view, reassuring, and proof that the Commission understands that to be credible, the content has to be independently produced. But you will get the chance to judge for yourselves when the service launches. Kai Ludwig Says: December 13th, 2007 at 2:52 pm Isn’t it a bit exaggerated to refer to this project as a “radio station” when it is just about productions for inclusion in the program line-ups of the participating broadcasters? And to me this is reminiscent to the EC’s two contracts for broadcasts to Belarus, in force since last year, a small one won by Deutsche Welle (resulting in the Belorusskaya Khronika programme broadcast by DW’s Russian service) and a bigger one, awarded to the Berlin communications agency Media Consulta which created a radio station called European Radio for Belarus (via Hotbird and Sirius, one hour daily via Vilnius 612 kHz and with some FM relays in Poland and the Ukraine). Andy Says: December 13th, 2007 at 3:05 pm Well, I’m not sure if the programmes will be included in the programme line-up of the participating broadcasters. That’s just your assumption. It’s about branding. The project doesn’t have a name yet - European Radio Project is just a working title. I think it’s too early to jump to any conclusions. But DW is co-ordinating the editorial process, so they will be the best source of information about this (Media Network blog via DXLD) A new international broadcaster in 2008? Yes indeed...something called the "European Radio Project", funded by the European Commission. This will be a new radio station, with a consortium of 14 broadcasters contributing frequencies and transmitters, DW providing editorial coordination, RNW launching the web portal, and RFI providing overall financial coordination. English will be one of the languages in the initial programming launch in April 2008 -- surprising, since neither the BBC nor RTE appear to be directly involved in the project. No word as to whether or not shortwave frequencies will be part of the frequency mix. See http://www.radionetherlands.nl/currentaffairs/071214-european-radio I've asked around some contacts amongst the broadcasters involved; will update everyone as new information becomes available. (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA International broadcasting / shortwave blog: http://www.intlradio.blogspot.com Swprograms mailing list via DXLD) RADIO NETHERLANDS WORLDWIDE GOES EUROPEAN A new European radio station for all Europeans: From April 2008, Radio Netherlands Worldwide will join forces with 12 other European broadcasters to produce programmes for a wide European audience. Radio Netherlands Worldwide's contribution will initially be in English and Spanish, with Dutch input to follow in 2009. The project agreement was signed in Brussels last Friday. My colleague Arjen van Dijkhuizen has some background information. . . http://www.radionetherlands.nl/currentaffairs/071214-european-radio (Media Network Newsletter Dec 20 via DXLD) Will `hit the airwaves` in April, whatever that mean (gh) ** FINLAND. The last medium wave transmitter of YLE, Helsinki 558 kHz, will sign off on December 31st. The station gave a short announcement about this at 1045 UT today. I'm not sure but they will probably give these local announcements during December daily, so now it's the last moment to observe Helsinki 558 if you wish to catch a local insert from this station. At the end of this local announcement the station plays a short piece of YLE's interval tune. In all other times they relay Radio Peili or Radio Finland. Regards, (Vesa-Jussi Rinkinen, Vantaa, Finland, Dec 21, HCDX via DXLD) ** FRANCE [non]. Re 7-154: The new frequency list for English SW broadcasts at http://www.rfi.fr did not include a second channel at 16 -17: 15160 via Meyerton, which is on the Aoki B07 list, 250 kW/328 deg. // 11615-Issoudun which is heard at good level here (Joe Hanlon, NJ, Dec 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also INTERNATIONAL ** GERMANY. More material about broadcasting history I just found online: Most contents of the former http://www.sfb-technik.de website (including a page about the no longer existing Stallupöner Allee mediumwave site), terminated altogether when SFB and ORB merged in 2003, has been put on the private webspace of a former SFB engineer now: http://www.dieter-alfer.de/Themen/Berlin/Fernsehtechnik/index.htm Photos of the Wöbbelin mediumwave site near Ludwigslust, with more on the four pages linked at top: http://www.woebbelin.de/152/ But beware of the text, it contains various errors, even an obvious confusion with Burg (perhaps caused by the circumstance that according to this chronicle the Funkamt Schwerin unit managed the Burg station for some time), and I understand that the screening mast had been set up in 1976 to protect Sarajevo because 611 was in use at this time. Maybe the Talkradio test loop (this was a project of Hit-Radio Antenne at Hannover which never saw the light of the day) in 1999, of which a recording can be found at http://www.dxing.info/audio/index_germany.dx had indeed been aired with the old SM 1 E transmitter, previously abandoned by RIAS in 1994 or 1995, but Megaradio on 576 was not the old SM 1 beast, instead a new Thomson rig had been put on air here in September 1999 with music only, later with the only jingle of this station inserted between songs, to be replaced by actual programming (produced in a studio leased from Antenne Bayern at Ismaning) not before January 2002, with hardly more than a year to go. Meanwhile the antennas at Wöbbelin no longer exist; the former transmitter building is now http://www.psychedelic-circus.com/fabrik-event/indexx.html And if it works here is an impression of 576 in March 2000: http://www.radioeins.de/etc/medialib/rbb/rad/multimedia/audios/200304/internet_bonus_chronik.smil..smi A 250 kW transmitter churning away as sheer jukebox, with local play- out (gossip had it that it was just an ordinary PC with Winamp software) and no audio processing. This 5.6 MB file contains an illustrated article about the Golm transmitter: http://www.golm-info.de/OTZ%20Golm%202_06.pdf It reveals that the last ever transmission from Golm took place on Aug 20 1992, 10:30-12:30 local time. In 1991 Golm was on air 8 AM to 4 PM for a certain period. This was 693 with Antenne Brandenburg, a station which emerged from Sender Potsdam, as such until 1990 on air during the mornings on 603. In this period until 1990 list entries were made for "Potsdam" (i.e. Golm) as 603 site for Sender Potsdam but "Königs Wusterhausen" for the remainder of the day when 603 relayed Radio DDR 1. So maybe 603 switched from Golm to Königs Wusterhausen with the programming, but this needs more research. The transmissions in 1991 and, especially the final one in 1992 should be cover for Königs Wusterhausen during maintenance work there. Golm opened in 1946; the transmitter is described as home-made although it's more or less the 8 kW Telefunken from Reichenbach, dismantled there for reuse at Golm (afterwards Reichenbach continued for some time only with a 100 watts rig, set up on a desk). Operations were often difficult, lack of spare parts was a big problem, one day a staff member took the suburban train to West Berlin and brought a last delivery of PA stage tubes in a backpack before game was over with this source. One cat had been killed by reaching the plate current (7 kV), knocking the transmitter off air, another cat had better luck and survived such an incident. The transmitter never suffered damage from lightning although it had in thunderstorms been kept on air until the last moment, counting the seconds between flash and thunder. After the last transmission the demolition of the site had been ordered in 1993 and was completed by 1994. At least I had a last chance to see it when travelling from Nauen to Potsdam, and a stretch of line (with the Bredow station, named after German radio pioneer Hans Bredow) used by this train no longer exists now as well (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Dec 21, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE. ERT had very strong S9+25 signals on its two 40m frequencies, Dec 21 at 2122, but both were badly undermodulated: 7475 barely modulated at all, but 7450 considerably better (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUAM. KTWR`s English to Australia at 0800-0900 on 11840 has been reduced to 0800-0835 (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUATEMALA. R. Coatán does not have a QSL card, but verifies by letter. Uses two towers for shortwave on 4780 (Guatemalan contributor to Frecuencia al Día Dec 21 via DXLD) OK --- but what about the antenna? (gh, DXLD) ** INDIA. NEW FM STATIONS IN MY TOWN My town Thrissur is the Cultural capital of Southernmost Indian state Kerala. We had only one AIR medium wave station in the district "AIR Thrissur" broadcasting on 630 kHz medium wave. Due to the Government's new policy of allowing private broadcasting on FM bands several media groups got licenses for operating on the FM band. Reception on FM band used to be poor and rarely we used to hear more than a couple of stations. The AIR owned commercial FM stations FM Rainbow (formerly Vivid Bharati) in neighbouring district Kochi 107.5, Kozhikode 103.6 and Coiambatore 103 used to provide occasional enjoyment. Further few other AIR FM stations used to broadcast their usual broadcasts. On Dec 14 two new private stations inaugurated their broadcasts in Thrissur. Radio Mango 91.9 with RDS stereo and Club FM 94.3 Stereo owned by two leading newspaper group (Manorama and Mathrubhoomi group Inc.) in Kerala. Their news papers covered daily colourful articles on activates and trends of FM broadcasting. Five vehicles of each group started circling through various parts of district offering prizes and interviews. All these were the part of their advertisements and popularity and it clicked. A new FM station "Best FM" owned by Asianet India group a leading Malayalam channel and having private MW and FM stations in Middle East also started test broadcasts. The FM broadcasts created enthusiasm among youth and the old. The selling of FM radios reached its peak. Radio repairing shops became active after many years. Mobile phones with FM radio became a new trend and a purchaser of mobile now search for such sets! Talent hunts are conducted in College campus for Radio Jockeys and offer better remuneration. Now music can be heard from visiting rooms and Kitchens in Thrissur! The new FM stations offer music programmes and rarely have discussion or knowledge shows which can be heard on AIR stations. But the youth look for music which is offered by the FM in best sound quality. The arrival of private FM is the rebirth of radio on whatever the band may be. At least radio lovers can relax, the medium is active now again. On Scanning the FM bans I caught more than 15 stations yesterday an increase of many fold compared with the past and I believe it is not so far that the FM band crowded with plenty of programmes and channels (T. R. Rajeesh, Thrissur, Kerala, India, Dec 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. Yes, VOI shifted to nominal 9525 recently (around 9 or 10 Dec if I'm not mistaken, but the change may have happened earlier), including for the local morning service at 0200-0400 UT. The Cimanggis site continues to have technical problems, no doubt with the engineers having to struggle with a lack of spare parts. Aside from the shortwave transmissions being off frequency, the 150 kW MW transmitter for 999 kHz has been silent for the last few months (Alan Davies, Surabaya, Dec 17, wwdxc BC-DX Dec 21 via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL. LAS ONDAS CORTAS NO TIENEN FRONTERAS http://www.rfi.fr/actues/articles/096/article_6400.asp Radiodifusión internacional: vigencia de las ondas cortas La situación de los secuestrados en Colombia vuelve a darle importancia a las ondas cortas, la primera banda de radio globalizadora de la historia, pues estas señales de radio no conocen fronteras. Hay quienes pregonan que la onda corta está muerta, que Internet es suficiente para las comunicaciones internacionales. Para conocer la situación de la onda corta en el mundo, Planeta RFI se desplazó, pues, a Ginebra, donde tiene su sede la Unión Internacional de Telecomunicaciones. Allí, Jean-Marc Paquet dio las cifras de las horas trasmitidas en onda corta en 2006, (trece mil horas reglamentadas por la UIT) y habló de la posibilidad de recibir la onda corta con una calidad semejante a la de la frecuencia modulada gracias al sistema DRM. En Radio Universidad del Norte de la ciudad de Barranquilla, Colombia, Vilma González Piñeres explica cómo reciben a RFI en esa parte del país. Resulta, pues, que la onda corta es, por un lado, el mejor medio para alcanzar zonas con libertad reducida o aisladas, pero que, por otro, sufre los efectos de la competencia de otros medios, en especial Internet. Entrevistados: Vilma González Piñeres, de Radio Universidad del Norte; Jean-Marc Paquet de la Unión Internacional de Telecomunicaciones; y Alejandro Valente, redactor jefe del servicio América Latina de Radio Francia Internacional. Un espacio de Enrique Atonal (via José Miguel Romero, dxldyg via DXLD) Linx to a 10-minute audio report, and some previous editions of Planeta RFI also have to do with radio/stations (gh, DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [and non]. WHEN PIRATES RULED THE WAVES - ALL OVER CHRISTMAS --- From Paul Rowley: Another shameless plug. Just to let you know my documentary "When Pirates Ruled the Waves" is being broadcast again over Christmas and the New Year. The hour-long documentary commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Marine Offences Act, and was originally broadcast on 20 BBC Local Radio stations over the August Bank Holiday. Some are repeating it over Christmas, others are taking it for the first time. It includes interviews with Ronan O'Rahilly, Johnnie Walker, Tony Blackburn, Kenny Everett, Roger Day, Ed Stewart, Tom Edwards, Keith Skues, Ray Teret, Martin Kayne, Dave Williams, Alan Turner, Graham Webb, Roger Gale, Jack McLaughlin, Screaming Lord Sutch, Tony Benn, George Saunders, and Gary Leeds of the Walker Brothers. For those who can't pick up the stations, all BBC Locals have the "listen live" facility on the internet. Listeners across the BBC South region will be able to hear it on Christmas Day at 1800, during the excellent Roger Day Show . CHRISTMAS EVE MONDAY DECEMBER 24 BBC RADIO OXFORD - 1700 CHRISTMAS DAY TUESDAY DECEMBER 25 BBC COVENTRY AND WARWICKSHIRE - 1800 BBC RADIO KENT - 1800 BBC RADIO BERKSHIRE - 1800 BBC RADIO SOLENT - 1800 BBC SOUTHERN COUNTIES RADIO - 1800 BBC RADIO OXFORD - 1800 (*** THIS WILL BE BROADCAST ACROSS THE BBC SOUTH REGION AS PART OF THE ROGER DAY SHOW) BOXING DAY WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 26 BBC RADIO NORFOLK - 1800 THURSDAY DECEMBER 27 BBC RADIO DEVON - 1600 FRIDAY DECEMBER 28 BBC RADIO LEICESTER - 1600 SUNDAY DECEMBER 30 BBC RADIO YORK - 1700 NEW YEAR'S EVE MONDAY DECEMBER 31 BBC RADIO CAMBRIDGE - 1800 BBC RADIO JERSEY - 1800 BBC RADIO LEICESTER - 1800 NEW YEAR'S DAY TUESDAY JANUARY 1 BBC RADIO SOLENT - 1230 BBC RADIO KENT - 1300 BBC RADIO HUMBERSIDE - 1900 PLUS : KENNY EVERETT : THE BBC LOCAL RADIO YEARS. My Sony nominated documentary "Kenny Everett : The BBC Local Radio Years", which was first broadcast at Christmas 2001, will also be carried on the following stations over the festive period. It means that every BBC Local Radio station will have carried the programme, so the set is complete. So thank you. BROADCAST TIMES CHRISTMAS EVE - MONDAY DECEMBER 24 RADIO NORTHAMPTON - 1200 NEW YEAR'S EVE MONDAY DECEMBER 31 RADIO LEICESTER - 1300 (via Mike Barraclough, worlddxclub yg via DXLD) ** IRAN. I rechecked website of IRIB Arabic service and confirm schedule published by Ivanov on Dec 4. Today 13790 off at 0832, 9885 not audible here from 0830 until 1030, after 1030 13790 again but very weak. Arabic service schedule on IRIB website always very accurate and up to date. Voice of Palestine on 6065 in the evening in regular Arabic service, in the morning special transmission. But Ivanov schedule for Pashtu and Urdu service from Mashad is not up to date: audible on 5935 on free channel from 1427 on. At 1500 sign on VOR Farsi and later Arabic on same frequency makes listening difficult, but still possible. Changed from 5925 last winter to 5935. Interestingly the IS for this Mashad service at 1427 is the old signal used for all foreign language broadcasts some years ago. At 1430 national anthem, beginning of Pashtu service. At 1530 Teheran chimes for change to Urdu service. Abrupt end of program very weak under VOR at 1725 (Udo Krueger, Germany, Dec 16, wwdxc BC-DX Dec 21 via DXLD) Frequency changes for VOIROI/IRIB: 1430-1527 NF 5890*KAM 500 kW / 094 deg, ex-5885/5925/5935 in Pashto 1530-1727 NF 5890 KAM 500 kW / 094 deg, ex-5885/5925/5935 in Urdu * strong co-ch RFA in Korean till 1500 (R BULGARIA DX MIX News Jan 3, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX Dec 21 via DXLD ** ISRAEL. 9390, Kol Israel, 1410-1420, escuchada el 21 de diciembre en hebreo a locutor con entrevista a invitado, referencias a Israel, saludo antes de iniciar la entrevista, “Shalom”; se aprecia ligera interferencia de emisora sin identificar, probablemente VOA Daewa Radio, SINPO 44554. Quizás nuevo servicio; no lo he encontrado listado ni en EiBi, ni en Aoki, ni en la web de Kol Israel (José Miguel Romero, Burjasot (Valencia), Sangean ATS 909, Antena Radio Master A- 108, YAESU FRG-7700, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Israel scheduled to start this frequency at 1600 (gh, DXLD) ** KURDISTAN. 6335 IRAQUE: Voice of Iraqi Kurdistan, Salah al Din, curdo (?), 21/12 0444. YL: talks, mx tocada com uma espécie de flauta e tamborins (ritmo bastante diferente das músicas árabes habitualmente ouvidas). O idioma usado pela YL mostrou diferenças na pronúncia do árabe tradicional, o que me faz crer que seja mesmo o idioma curdo. Por dados levantados, a freqüência de 6335 kHz é ocupada apenas por esta emissora, portanto, livre de interferências de outras emissoras, um sinal claro aqui pelo sudeste do Brasil, 35443 (Rudolf Grimm, São Bernardo-SP, Brasil, radioescutas yg via DXLD) ** KURDISTAN [non]. "In sedaye inja Kurdestana Irana" (approx. ID at 1400 UT on 3912 kHz). Iranian jammers observed 1225-1455 UT on 4835- 4840 kHz range and 1325- 1425 UT on 3912-3944 kHz, maybe there are two jamming stations ? (Dec 15) Heard 0330-close down at 0433 UT on 3912- 3930 and 4830-4845 kHz all above in Farsi (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, Dec 16, wwdxc BC-DX Dec 21 via DXLD) ** MADAGASCAR. RNW MADAGASCAR BOSS LEO KOOL RETIRES WITH HONOUR Leo Kool has retired as Manager of RNW's Madagascar relay station. He started working for RNW as an engineer at the Bonaire relay station, before leaving to work at Philips for about 15 years. He returned to RNW as Bonaire Station Manager in 1994, and in 2002 took on the additional role of Station Manager in Madagascar. When Hans Linkels took over at Bonaire in 2004, Leo transferred full-time to Madagascar, where for the past couple of years he has been working part-time (three months on, three months off). Now he has taken a well-earned retirement. At the leaving party that was held last weekend in Madagascar, several senior members of the government were present, and to his great surprise he was awaded the honour of an officer in l'ordre national Malgache (pictured). Leo's successor as Station Manager in Madagascar is Joseph Rakotovao, previously Operational Manager. A reception to mark Leo's retirement is being planned in Hilversum next year (Media Network Newsletter Dec 20 via DXLD) ** MADAGASCAR. 5010 (nominal) R. Malagasy on Dec 17 with surprisingly nice signal here at 0232 tune with non-stop local highlife music to 0256.5, into IS until 0258 then kind of random local instrumental music segments to 0300 then played a choral anthem to 0301.5, then opening announcements by man in Malagasy and French. Programming followed in Malagasy. Vocal Christmas carol "Little Drummer Boy" at 0318.5. SINPO 35543 with occasional peaks to S4 and significant transmitter problems. Frequency drift was really bad, between 5009.75 and 5011.0+, and so rapid I couldn't keep up with it by retuning. Each time the frequency would drift, the transmitter would become distorted and occasionally I would lose the ECSS lock if I didn't retune fast enough. This transmitter definitely has stability problems! In addition they seemed to be playing with the power as the signal would suddenly almost disappear for several tens of seconds at a time. Pretty much permanently disappeared at 0325 even though signal level was holding just prior to that when in ECSS lock - perhaps they reduced power significantly at that point, or could have been a rapidly changing propagation effect and not transmitter power problems as I noticed the same phenomena with Ethiopia on 7110 around 0330. However, in general the best I have heard this station here in Southern CA on this frequency. Most evenings I can just get a weak signal, if anything. Sounded like a normal sign on from 0257 on but what gives with the non-stop music from 0232 to 0256.5? Maybe testing; they certainly need it (Bruce W. Churchill, Fallbrook CA, DXplorer Dec 17 via BC-DX Dec 21 via DXLD) ** MARTINIQUE. Re 7-154: Hi Glenn, I visited the RFO Martinica WEB : http://martinique.rfo.fr/article72.html#contenu and in their frequency list, no mention of MW frequency. I don't want to say Bue has mistaken station, and I don't want to say the Sr. Désir Quiquely has not understood the report. But I may add the FM frequencies have been reported in Brazil, so may be they have replied cause they get distant reports. Should be very useful to get a control by people living in area if 1310 kHz is active. I don't think so (Dario Monferini, Italy, Dec 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) However, that frequency page is dated March 2005. What else is in French on 1310? Per NRC AM Log 2007-2008, neither Canadian, neither Floridian, neither Louisianan (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** MEXICO. There is an unusual station on 550 in Central Texas tonight. It is not a US station, and does not sound like Spanish, but could be. Having difficulty getting a fix on the language. Lots of singing. Sounds like a Christmas program. Some commercials, one clearly mentioned Coca Cola. I'm battling KTSA to hear it well. Any help is appreciated (Alan Furst, Round Rock TX, Dec 20, ABDX via DXLD) I wonder if KLLV ever broadcasts in Navajo or Ute -- that station is fairly close to the Four Corners area. I guess that's just a wild guess. 73 (KD5XB -- Earl Needham, Clovis, New Mexico DM84jk, mwdx yg via DXLD) KLLV is in Breen, CO, Christian. Probably the Chihua2 station (gh, DXLD) My bet would be XEPL, Cuauhtémoc, CHIH, broadcasting in either German or a local indigenous language. 73, (Tim Hall, Chula Vista, CA, ABDX via DXLD) The language sounds like German. Clearly a commercial station as some English words pop up like 'market' and Coca Cola. The spot breaks are fairly fast paced and contain several units in each. Production style sounds like it could be from Mexico. Judging from loop head it is coming from that direction. It was pretty strong for a while. Now faded into the mud. Using two radios to track it. R75 and AR7030. Thanks, Tim (Alan Furst, Round Rock TX, ibid.) ** NETHERLANDS. MEDIA NETWORK TO LAUNCH REGULAR PODCASTS It has been decided to build on the success of this Weblog by starting regular podcasts early in the New Year. I was only given the go-ahead a couple of days ago, so there's some planning to be done, and I have to learn how to use the self-op studio. The exact launch date will be announced when I've figured everything out. These podcasts will probably be weekly, but not much more than 5 minutes in length. In the meantime, if you have any suggestions for what you'd like to hear, let me know at medianetwork @ rnw.nl (Andy Sennitt, Media Network newsletter Dec 20 via DXLD) ** NORTH AMERICA. REMEMBERING THE VOICE OF THE VOYAGER by Harry Helms W5HLH December 25, 2007 marks the thirtieth anniversary of the first broadcast by the shortwave pirate radio station known as the "Voice of the Voyager." While it wasn’t the first shortwave pirate broadcaster, there is no question it was the most influential—it’s no exaggeration to say most shortwave pirates since then have followed the "template" created by the Voice of the Voyager. If there is ever a Hall of Fame for pirate radio, the Voice of the Voyager will have to be the first station voted in! The Voice of the Voyager first came to the attention of the DXing community in the February, 1978 edition of FRENDX, then the title for the monthly bulletin of the North American Shortwave Association (NASWA). DXers in the Minneapolis area reported hearing it on 5850 kHz with weak signals and some hum in the audio. Those DXers reporting the station didn’t discover it by accident or through patient tuning. Instead, they had been alerted by the operators of the station because those operators were DXers (and NASWA members) themselves. Interestingly, the name of the station was intended to be Voice of the Voyageur, after the Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota. However, the first FRENDX reports used "Voyager" and the name stuck... http://docs.google.com/View?docid=ddjvh9j7_37gnhnwhd2 (ACE via Harry Helms, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. Format changes: 1470, KVLH Pauls Valley, OK, [from:] oldies, [to:] silent (Robert Wien, Broadcasting Information, IRCA DX Monitor Dec 22 via DXLD) That`s quite a format change; means they are running unmodulated carrier? Hi. Seems to me they have been off for a while, but I am slightly outside their coverage area. Should be another station ripe for sucking in to the black hole of OKC market, except must not get too close to El Reno 1460 (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DXLD) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. Ian Baxter [DXLD 7-154] raises several issues about current broadcasting in Papua New Guinea. As WRTH Pacific co- ordinator responsible for the PNG section, my comments follow. Karai SW Most of the Karai SW stations are inactive; exceptions seeming to be 4890/9675. However, this is not to say that they may not be reactivated in the future, particularly if the NBC receives Chinese manufactured DRM SW transmitters under a bilateral aid program and uses them to broadcast the Karai service for regional rebroadcast on the expanding FM network. [have not seen any reports of 4890 or 9675 either for ages --- gh] Kundu SW A number of the Kundu SW stations have operated irregularly and may be off air for extended periods. This is a polite way of saying that stations have been burnt down, had the power switched off, gone broke or been located on civil war torn Bougainville. Again, their current silence doesn't mean they may not suddenly reappear with new aid funds. Yet again, the use of DRM to feed low power isolated FM transmitters in any given region seems to be a possible future model. Karai/Kundu FM Most of the Kundu studios now have a local FM outlet, and at last count there are at least 27 [NBC] Kundu and Karai FM transmitters on air. These are expanding because low cost battery operated radio sets available in PNG generally receive only AM/FM. Kundu 810 AM Lae As Ian says, the NBC makes no mention of the Kundu MW outlet on 810. I've excluded it for now because I can't currently find any independent evidence it exists! NBC info under review for WRTH 2009 The NBC section is under specific review for the 2009 WRTH edition. This involves direct contact with each individual PNG station and studio location and takes 'island time'! Monitoring reports of all PNG SW/MW/FM stations are very welcome to be sent directly to me at either: Radio Heritage Foundation, PO Box 14339, Wellington 6241, New Zealand or email: info @ radioheritage.net Private FM Growth Radio growth in PNG is largely driven by FM, and in particular by various Christian radio missions. At last count, there are 75+ private FM transmitters on the air, with some religious networks expanding very rapidly. Several new SW religious stations are also planned, but whether these will use DRM to feed low powered FM networks isn't at all clear. FM is the favored medium for the private networks so using SW alone would be unusual and largely ineffective. Of course, it may play well back in the mission office in Peoria. PNG's Broadcasting & Telecoms Infrastructure The PNG radio and telecoms infrastructure is relatively solid for such a mountainous, inaccessible and geographically widespread nation. However, sustained maintenance and upgrading is largely beyond local technical capabilities so is done largely under contract by Australian and NZ technicians. As Ian comments, some Japanese engineering aid has seen several Kundu studios return to the air in recent years. New Mobile Phone Network Opens Radio Options Irish-based Caribbean mobile phone network Digicel is investing heavily in a competitive infrastructure system across PNG, despite reported attempts by PNG Telikom to cancel the contract. This new network may allow further expansion of private FM radio services, though at the end of the day, the advertising market is too limited in size and viability to support new commercial FM networks using traditional business models. However, new business models may develop alongside micro community based FM stations located outside the provincial capitals. Politics Yes, PNG is struggling to deal with contemporary nationhood responsibilities and by some measures, has a way to go. However, the last tribal areas were only brought into first contact with Europeans several decades after 4PM in Port Moresby began broadcasting brass bands, jazz and copra prices for colonial plantation owners. Applying solely euro-centric values to PNG today is unhelpful. I think 50% of the languages currently used in the world are exclusively spoken only in this one nation, so there are immense cultural factors at play here as well (David Ricquish, NZ, Radio Heritage Foundation http://www.radioheritage.net WRTH Pacific Contributor, Dec 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) David, Tnx for the excellent follow-up. One thing: I haven`t seen any reports of 4890 or 9675 for ages, so I don`t think they are an exception. Or have you heard them? 73, (Glenn to David, via DXLD) Glenn I'm deliberately fudgy on these two SW frequencies. They're used by the 100 kW transmitter which I believe is in working order and I recollect may have been used for cyclone alerts to give nationwide coverage. I'm pretty sure no regular schedule is maintained. I think the main reason is fuel cost. PNG radio broadcasting is a fascinating case study that I'm trying to understand better, particularly given its attraction as a DX target (David Ricquish, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. Reception Report Narrative: From SWL station WPE6FCL, Winters Road (just across the water from the Navy's WWII intercept station on Bainbridge Is.), E. Bremerton WA For the second early morning in a row, I am able to pick up numerous domestic stations on Papua New Guinea. The latest is Radio West New Britain, on a big eastern Island. Village is Kimbe. Popondetta on Papua New Guinea proper comes in the best. Announcements are in English, where some words are understandable. The music can be followed along. Some fade in the signals, and of course one has to suffer the static crashes from mid-Pacific lightning strikes. This is radio DXing at its best. These are low band (tropical band) shortwave frequencies used in the tropics for domestic service. Like our AM band here in the US. It is funny, we are picking these stations up off the end of the aerial (G5RV) put up 60 feet between the trees. In other words, coming in from the north west (considering the curvature of the earth). The aerial is not supposed to work that way; rather signals are best broadside from the wire, an SW to NE orientation. So I suppose most of the signal is being picked up from that wired that drops down from the center, the vertical portion, and the horizontal portion acts like a top-hat. Like the aerials of radio days past. That ground rod really helps. The trees don't block much. It is 4:27 AM [UT - 8 = 1227] now and the music is clear. Little fade. I do have the headphones on to get as much clarity as possible. This is so cool because these stations have always been regarded by shortwave listeners as rare. Like finding a rare coin. Or gold. It is funny, these Papua New Guinea stations come in as well as some of the weak Seattle or Kirkland Stations; and they are just across Puget Sound from this location. Here, we are traversing the major portion of the Pacific Ocean --- the longest diagonal. Announcer`s station clock must be slightly miss-set. At 1241 Universal Time, 4:41 AM local here, and 10:41 PM local there, he said it was 17 minutes before 11. His clock is two minutes fast. It is a total dark nightime path between our two stations. Sunspot numbers are almost zero, so there is virtually no D-layer ionosphere absorption between us. It is night (and winter most parts of the path) so the F-layer in the ionosphere at these frequencies is favorable for shallow skip. 4:44 am signals getting better even more. Dec 21 Friday, UT, PST, station, S-meter reading, SINPO, QTH, comments 3205 AM 1110 0310 R Sandaun 0 15341 Vanimo 3235 AM 1115 0315 R W New Britain 0 15221 Kimbe weak in noise, lightning crashes (English hard copy) 1206 still hrd 3260 AM 1128 0328 R Madang 0 15221 Madang, weak in noise, lightning crashes, music 3345 AM 1137 0337 R Northern 0 15332 1205 Popondetta, Song by Celine Dion 3365 AM 1144 0344 R Milne Bay 0 15221 Alotau Eng announcement at 1145 3345 AM 1158 0358 R Northern 0 15332 still heard 1205 Popondetta Announcement of the NBC of PNG in English 3235 AM 1238 0438 R W New Britain 2 25332 Kimbe Sigs came up; continues to come in fine at 1322 UT, music solid but bassey, no highs in pitch. English announcements still muddled. Headphones help (Jim Wylder, WA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PHILIPPINES. Frequency changes of Radio Veritas Asia from Jan. 1: 0030-0100 9510 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs Bengali, ex 9670 0030-0100 9670 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs Hindi, ex 11895 1200-1230 11935 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs Hmong, ex 11780 1000-1030 1430-1500 9520 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs Telugu, ex 9800 Frequency change of FEBC in Chinese and dialects from Dec. 20: 2300-0100 NF 12055 BOC 100 kW / 305 deg to EaAs, ex 12060 (DX Mix News Bulgaria, Jan 3, via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. 5960, R Tikhiy Ocean, *0935-1000*, 12/19/07, Russian. IS, ID as "Radiostanstiya Tikhiy Ocean", into a program of Russian- language commentary including interviews of people via phone, with later a couple of folk-type songs amid further commentary. Off at 1000 with no formal closing. Signal started fairly weak but clear and improving. Fair (Mark Schiefelbein, MO, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. RVM/RBU site change (DXLD 7-153): Perhaps it should be pointed out that the Radiocentre 9 unit actually has three different sites. The one in question here is Kupavna, a.k.a. Svetlyi: http://photofile.ru/users/shattl/432776/ http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=55.735118&lon=38.150732&z=15.8&r=0&src=yh Kupavna was the home of two mediumwave outlets. One was 1305, with its last user being Radio Druzhba, which I understand was a VOR-backed venture, meant to promote cooperation between the CIS countries (hence the name, "Radio Friendship") and terminated at some point with hardly anybody noticing. Did Radio Druzhba ever made it to another frequency besides 1305? Another transmitter was until 2004 on air on 918, carrying a station called Radio Svobodnaya Rossiya ("Radio Free Russia"). The official website of this venture has meanwhile been deleted, but this unoffficial one is still up: http://willfulrussia.narod.ru Nothing else about this station and its background to be found. It appears that in the past also some limited shortwave broadcasting took place at Kupavna, but this must have ceased long ago. I suspect the objective of moving RVM and RBU to Taldom is to shut down this site altogether. The other Radiocentre 9 sites are Noginsk and Elektrostal. Noginsk has been closed quite recently, in last year or so. Last operational outlets there were 198 and 846, these frequencies have been moved to Kurovskaya and Elektrostal, respectively. Noginsk used to be a shortwave site, too. Foreign service transmissions ceased already in 1992 and afterwards in 1994 or 1995 Radio Rossii relays were reduced from three transmitters to just a single one. During the late nineties there were also relays of a shortlived station called Meditsina Dlya Vas and of Radio-1. Finally the last shortwave outlet from Noginsk, Radio Rossii winter 5910/7250 and summer 5905/7440, beaming almost due north, had been closed down in spring 2003. Here is a recording of Radio-1 via Noginsk, if this link works: http://www.radioeins.de/etc/medialib/rbb/rad/multimedia/audios/200304/kurzwellensender_noginsk.smil..smi This was almost exactly a decade ago, on Christmas Day 1997. I can't recall the exact frequency, but it was some 75**. Note the characteristic, loud hum. The third Radiocentre 9 site, apparently the only one to stay, is the nearby Elektrostal. In the past megawatt transmitters on 171 and 873 were on air here, now it's the home of 549 and 846 (75 and 150 kW, respectively) with a completely new antenna, built in late 2006: http://www.rstr.ru/new_11.htm Much more about Moscow area broadcasting, in Russian of course: http://victorcity.dxing.ru/Cities/moskva.htm (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Dec 21, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SAINT BARTHELEMY. ARLD052 New DXCC entity -- ZCZC AE52 QST de W1AW DX Bulletin 52 ARLD052 From ARRL Headquarters Newington CT December 19, 2007, To all radio amateurs The ARRL DXCC Desk is pleased to announce the addition of St Barthelemy (FJ) to the DXCC List, making the island entity number 338 with an effective date of 14 December, 2007. Cards with contacts dated December 14, 2007 or after will be accepted for DXCC credit. New card submissions for St Barthelemy will not be accepted until January 1, 2008 in order to allow time for administrative adjustments. The "event date" that caused St. Barthelemy to be added to the DXCC list was December 14, 2007, the date the US State Department Fact sheet was updated by the Bureau of Intelligence and Research. This update added St Barthelemy to the List of Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty with its Administrative Center in Gustavia, qualifying it under DXCC rules in Section II -- 1 Political Entities (c). French St Martin (FS), while also added to the List of Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty, will remain on the DXCC List, but it is now considered a Point 1 Political Entity under the same classification as that of St Barthelemy. Please direct any questions you may have about St Barthelemy, St Martin or the DXCC program to the ARRL DXCC Desk at, dxcc@arrl.org. NNNN /EX (via Dave Raycroft, ODXA via DXLD) 18/12/2007: On Friday December 14, 2007 the island of Saint Barthelemy was added to the "Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty" public list. Martti Laine, OH2BH and Olli Rissanen, OH0XX/HP1WW begin activity December 18th around 1200 noon local (1600z) as FJ/OH2AM from St. Barthelemy (NA-146, WLOTA L-0377). They will have two stations, using an FT-1000MP and FT2000MP along with Fin Fet amplifier. Initial operations will begin on 20 metre SSB and 17 metre CW. The goal of this operation will be to give as many DXers as possible a new country. Additional bands may be added as the DXpedition goes forward. Concentration will be to have one station on CW and one on SSB. They will remain active until December 27th. QSL cards for this operation should go via OH2BN. Further information to follow. *Approved by the ARRL DX Desk - FJ is a new country starting with December 14, 2007, contacts.* [K2FF] (I.C.P.O. Bulletin (December 20 - 28, 2007) Islands, Castles & Portable Operations, via Dave Raycroft, ODXA yg via DXLD) Hmm, someone must have tipped them off that DXCC status was imminent! Proper spelling is St Barthélemy but to avoid that (which E is the accent on??), commonly called ``Saint Barts``, at least by Anglophones, but where does the -s come from? Maybe it`s treated as possessive (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) SAINT BARTHELEMY, FJ. FJ/OH2AM is QRV from this new DXCC entity and has been active of late on 40, 20 and 17 meters using CW and SSB. QSL via OH2BN (ARRL DX News Dec 20 via Dave Raycroft, ODXA yg via DXLD) ** SAINT HELENA. For those who want to see photos of the island we just hrd this past weekend, try this web site.Jamestown photos are particularly interesting - the Jacobs Ladder looks like an interesting daily exercise (699 steps - 602 ft vertical rise)! The houses in Jamestown look a lot like New England Colonial style, not unlike my ancestor's hometown in Newington, CT. http://ags.ou.edu/~bweaver/Ascension/sh-tour.htm (Bruce W. Churchill, CA, DXplorer Dec 19 via BC-DX via DXLD) ** SERBIA [and non]. Serbian language service from sign on 1100 until 1400 beginning of external service on 7240. Most of the time Serbian and classical music, free channel until around 1300 UT, after that QRM from China. Reception now much better than two weeks ago. It seems tx now stronger. In the late afternoon reception now possible but not nice due to regular QRM. At 1800 to 2000 UT reception differs according to atmospheric conditions, sometimes WYFR stronger, sometimes Serbia. On last two Saturdays VOR instead of WYFR from 1800 to 2000. Mostly from 2100 very weak or no reception on 7240 until 2200. But yesterday I discovered that \\ frequency of 6100 remains until 2230 with good reception on air with English language service. I don't know when 6100 is signing on (Udo Krueger, Germany, Dec 16, wwdxc BC-DX Dec 21 via DXLD) NUOVA TRASMISSIONE IN ITALIANO DALLA SERBIA Alla consueta trasmissione delle 1830 UT ne è stata aggiunta un'altra dalla 0130 alle 0158 su 7115 Khz. La prima trasmissione continua ad essere trasmessa da Belgrado con i 10 kW, come accaduto negli ultimi mesi, quella notturna con il tx riattivato da 250 kW (Roberto Scalgione, Sicily, Dec 20, playdx yg via DXLD) Yes, indeed, that`s what their schedule shows, now on 7115 only. Why in the world would Belgrade broadcast in Italian to NAm? Are there Serbo-Italian-Americans they want to reach? Or to compensate for Rome`s refusal to do so any more? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SERBIA [non]. 7115 kHz, 0227 on December 18, (Monday evening local time) in English, as "Radio U" pronounced "you" with English frequency announcements, into light music, off the air in middle of song at 0230. Fair reception. This was in a half sleep at the bedside, and details not written down till the next day. Presumably, on 7115 kHz at 0200 in English, but not heard on the 19th or 20th UT dates. Heard on the SONY ICF 2010 with long wire (Roger Chambers, Utica, New York, Dec 20, ODXA yg via DXLD) ** SERBIA [and non]. Dear DXers, as you know, yesterday (Dec. 20) I've had a very long and pleasant conversation with the director of International Radio Serbia in Belgrade, Mr. Graovac, and here is what I've managed to find out. Updated Frequency Schedule of INTERNATIONAL RADIO SERBIA -------------------------------------------------------- as of December 13, 2007 0030-0100 SERBIAN 7115 MON-SAT 0030-0130 SERBIAN 7115 SUN 0100-0130 ENGLISH 7115 MON-SAT 0130-0200 ITALIAN 7115 0200-0230 ENGLISH 7115 1100-1400 SERBIAN 7240 1400-1430 ENGLISH 7240 1430-1500 SERBIAN 7240 1500-1530 SPANISH 7240 1530-1600 ARABIC 7240 1600-1630 RUSSIAN 7240 1630-1700 FRENCH 7240 1700-1730 GERMAN 7240 1730-1745 MANDARIN 7240 1745-1800 ALBANIAN 7240 1800-1815 HUNGARIAN 7240 1815-1830 GREEK 7240 1830-1900 ITALIAN 7240 1900-1930 RUSSIAN 6100 7240 1930-2000 ENGLISH 6100 7240 2000-2030 SPANISH 6100 7240 2030-2100 SERBIAN 6100 7240 SUN-FRI 2030-2130 SERBIAN 6100 7240 SAT 2100-2130 GERMAN 6100 7240 SUN-FRI 2130-2200 FRENCH 6100 7240 2200-2230 ENGLISH 6100 7240 6100 = BIJ (Bijeljina-Jabanusa, Bosnia) 250 kW on small curtain antenna with wider beam at 310 degrees, gain is 14,15 dB 7115 = BIJ (Bijeljina-Jabanusa, Bosnia) 250 kW on big curtain antenna with shorter beam at 310 degrees, gain is 18,19 dB 7240 = BEO (Beograd[Belgrade]-Obrenovac-Stubline, Serbia) 10 kW on only one non-directional dipole antenna, which is also on 310 degrees, but since it has no reflector, it radiate also backwards at 130 degrees, so it is approximately non-directional. International R Serbia plans to buy a new non-directional antenna and a double rhombic on a spring/summer 2008 for Stubline and Bijeljina. They're also planning to move Stubline to 7200 kHz as of A08 season (12 hours/day). Bijeljina will stay on 6100 kHz because that is a longtime used frequency of Intl R Serbia. In Stubline currently they have only 1 dipole antenna, because the good antenna was dismantled, and that is because all of copper has been stolen by thieves. Their long-range plan is to buy a completely new transmitter for Stubline station which would be broadcasting in AM and DRM mode. Best regards & many 73s! (Dragan Lekic from Subotica, SERBIA, Dec 21, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio Serbia check tonight: At 1900 Junglinster had faded out (or switched off), but what it left in the clear on 6100 was just a horrible jumble, with CRI being the only thing that stood out of it enough for being recognizable by way of their typical news stinger. At 2145 recheck quite good signal from Bijeljina (// 7240 which suffered co-channel interference)1, but just barely audible on the low side due to the DRM signal from Taldom on 6105, massive here although listed as only 35 kW of HF power, but that's equivalent to about 200 kW AM carrier power as far as the produced interference is concerned. I fear these attempts with 6100 will lead to nothing (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Dec 21, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN. Re. DXLD 7-154, EGYPT: "Didn`t Sudan once have a frequency in the 9200s? Or am I thinking of the SPLA clandestine" --- During the nineties Radio Omdurman was indeed on 9200 (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Dec 21, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT BBC WORLD SERVICE RADIO THIS WEEKEND This weekend BBC World Television is broadcasting three documentaries to celebrate BBC World Service Radio's 75th anniversary. Independent film-maker Neil Cameron has been given carte blanche to film the BBC World Service's journalists and managers in London and in bureaux, studios and frontline reporting locations around the world. Some still photos taken from the programs show visits to the BBC transmitter sites including the Atlantic site. In Australia BBC World Television is seen free-to-air with a very strong signal via Intelsat 2 and Intelsat 8. Visit here to get the exact viewing times: http://www.bbcworld.com/Pages/ProgrammeMultiFeature.aspx?id=132 Cheers, (Mark Fahey, Sydney NSW, Dec 21, ARDXC via DXLD) ** U K. HM The Queen's Christmas Message to the Commonwealth --- The annual reflection and address by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to the people of the British Commonwealth. 25 December Air times on BBCWS: Australasia, East Asia: 0806; South Asia, Middle East, Europe, Americas: 1506. East Africa, West Africa: 1735. The West Africa airing may propagate reasonably well to Eastern North America (Rich Cuff, Dec 20, swprograms via DXLD) ** U S A. WWCR was still on 15825 instead of 7465, during the correct WORLD OF RADIO 1387, Friday Dec 21 at 2130. After 2200, again on Friday Dec 21, Frecuencia al Día instead of Mundo Radial (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WHY JOURNALISTS CAN'T BE LIKE MURROW ANYMORE Posted by Guest Blogger at 2:00 PM on July 30, 2007. This post, written by Michael Winship, originally appeared on MyDD It's a fact: Media conglomerates' labor practices are harming the quality of TV and radio news. A CBS television newswriter says: "We take a lot of stuff from 'Entertainment Tonight.' We watch it at 6:30 and decide what to use." ... http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/58325/ (via Oklahoma Observer Nov 25 via DXLD) ** U S A. Old NJ radio site subject of bad art --- The 63-acre Foxhurst Farm site was owned by AT&T's manufacturing arm, Western Electric, and was used to develop experimental communications. . . http://atlanticville.gmnews.com/news/2007/1213/Front_Page/003.html (via Kim Elliott, DXLD) illustrated ** VENEZUELA [non]. 15250, R Nacional de Venezuela, 2303-2357*, 12/20/07, English/Spanish. Stumbled across one of Venezuela's English programs w/a summary of the upcoming broadcast, some "Informative Short News", then a solid 20 minutes or so of untranslated Spanish programming! Finally resumed the English just long enough to introduce a segment of music, then back to entirely Spanish until 2357 signoff. No wonder their English broadcasts are so easy to miss. Fair/good (Mark Schiefelbein, MO, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VENEZUELA. MINISTRO HABLA DEL PAGO DE SUS EQUIPOS A RADIO CARACAS TELEVISIÓN http://www.tiemposdelmundo.com/Politica/2007/12/19/ministro_habla_del_pago_de_sus_equipos_a_radio_caracas_televisin/5327/ CARACAS Venezuela, dic. 19 (UPI) -- El ministro de telecomunicaciones, Jesse Chacón, indicó que el Tribunal Supremo (TJS) fijará el costo de los equipos de Radio Caracas Televisión. "La red de transmisores de RCTV fue instalada en 1990 lo que significa que los equipos tienen 17 años, un transmisor se deprecia en cinco ó seis años, lo que significa que tienen valor cero, técnicamente hablando. El Estado pagará", agregó y habló de 20 millones de dólares. Recordó que el TSJ ordenó a Conatel, que administrara los equipos de RCTV para que el canal TVes pudiera tener su señal en todo el país. "Esperamos que el TSJ termine de dilucidar el costo" de esas maquinarias que el Estado "puede expropiar pagando un precio justo", dijo. Por otra parte señaló que al finalizar el 2007 la ahora estatal empresa telefónica Cantv cierra con una utilidad de 900.000 millones de bolívares (via José Miguel Romero, dxldyg via DXLD) VENEZULA’S TELECOMMUNICATIONS MINISTER SAYS RCTV EQUIPMENT WORTH NOTHING From the technical viewpoint, the broadcasting equipment property of private TV channel Radio Caracas Televisión (RCTV) costs nothing, said Venezuela’s Minister of Telecommunications and Information Jesse Chacón during a press conference at Miraflores presidential palace. The minister was making reference to a recent complaint made by corporate chairman and CEO of the TV station Marcel Granier. Last May he said that the equipment had been snatched out of the private channel to be used by the technical staff of TVES, the state-run channel which is presently using the frequency where RCTV programming had been aired for 53 years. “I heard some kind of high-flown remarks stating that these equipments are worth about US$ 100 million. Listen, nobody is to believe that. I will tell those who are knowledgeable about this sector something: the broadcasting network used by TVES was installed in 1990. This means that these transmitters have 17-year depreciation. Those here, who are familiar with asset depreciation, know that a transmitter, which is a technological device, loses value in a 5-6 year period. That is, in the accounting book, these transmitters amount to zero. I am speaking technically.” (Source: ElUniversal.com) (December 20th, 2007 - 12:29 UTC by Andy, Media Network blog via DXLD) ** ZAMBIA. Since 9430 is still in use via Germany at 05-06, CVC Zambia has changed its frequency as of Dec 18, to 9565, also at 05-06 only. On January 1, if and when the German relays finally end, Zambia transmitter to move back onto 9430 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. ??? 6280, BBC, 2130-2135, escuchada el 21 de diciembre en inglés, cuña de ID, locutor con cuña, comentarios con música de fondo; la emisión no corresponde con la emisión en 6195, SINPO 44444 (José Miguel Romero, Burjasot (Valencia), Sangean ATS 909, Antena Radio Master A-108, YAESU FRG-7700, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Thanks to William T. Hassig, IL, for a check in the mail to Glenn Hauser, P O Box 1684, Enid OK 73702. DIGITAL BROADCASTING DRM cross-references in this issue: CROATIA; ++++++++++++++++++++ CZECHIA; INTERNATIONAL; PAPUA NEW GUINEA; SERBIA RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ Receiver News: K & D KWZ 50 Looks as though K & D might be closer to coming out with the new receiver. Note that it is no longer denoted as the KWZ 30/2 but rather the KWZ 50. http://kd-elektronik.com/index_e.html (Steve Lare, Holland, MI, USA, Dec 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Says estimated availability of this DSP receiver is at end of February 2008 (gh) AR-7030PLUS KAPUT AOR Japan announced in their Japanese homepage that they have ended the production of AR-7030PLUS receiver. The sales will be stopped when the stock is out (Takahito Akabayashi, Fuchu City, Tokyo, Japan, Dec 13, wwdxc BC-DX Dec 21 via DXLD) MONITORING 49 M BAND AT 20 UT Ciao, thanks to the Perseus that can record 400 kHz at once I amused myself in monitoring almost the whole 49 m band at around 20 UT, 14 December, in Milan. If you are interested you can find the monitoring report at http://radiodxsw.blogspot.com/ you can see also an image of Perseus at work in playbacking the recorded file. 73 (Giampiero Bernardini, Milano, Italy, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) WORLD OF HOROLOGY +++++++++++++++++ ``HUSO HORARIO`` Re 7-151, VENEZUELA: Huso? My dixionary only says it means spindle or bobbin. Uso? (gh, DXLD) Geográficamente los husos horarios son cada una de las veinticuatro áreas en que se divide la Tierra y que siguen la misma definición de tiempo cronométrico. Se llaman así porque tienen forma de huso de hilar o de gajo de naranja y están centrados en meridianos de una longitud que es múltiplo de 15 . Anteriormente, la gente usaba el tiempo solar aparente, con lo que la hora se diferenciaba ligeramente de una ciudad a otra si no se encontraban sobre un mismo meridiano. El empleo de los husos horarios corrigió el problema parcialmente, al sincronizar los relojes de una región al mismo tiempo solar medio. Actualmente la definición de huso horario se basa en las fronteras de países y regiones, y sus límites pueden ser bastante irregulares. En este sentido a veces se usa la frase zona horaria (from http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huso_horario via Henrik Klemetz, DXLD) THE TINY TRAP +++++++++++++ GOOD WEEK FOR: ICELAND, which was named the most desirable country to live in by the U.N. Human Development Index. The tiny island nation, which is frozen and dark most of the year, edged out Norway due to its long life expectancy, high educational levels, and comfortable per capita income (The Week, Dec 7, via gh, DXLD) You know the drill; I am not going to bother this time to compute how many myriads of times larger Iceland is than Monaco. But something else: Iceland is not ``dark most of the year``. Like every other place on earth, Iceland is dark exactly 50% of the year --- the only difference is whether it`s 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night at the Equator, or 6 months of day and 6 months of night at the Poles, or somewhere in between. To be more precise, because of the twilight factor, i.e. incomplete darkness even when the Sun is below the horizon, every place has *less* than 50% darkness overall (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn, I know you watch for such things. I see that Castro, in his letter read out on Cubavisión last night, referred to "the small island of Indonesia"!! I guess he was just referring to Bali, which is indeed rather small in relation to the whole of Indonesia, though very far from being the smallest island in the archipelago (Chris Greenway, England, Dec 17, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Bet he would never refer to Cuba as a ``tiny Caribbean island`` unlike some ignorami elsewhere (gh) ###