DX LISTENING DIGEST 8-020, February 15, 2008 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 2008 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 1395 Sat 0900 WRMI 9955 Sat 1730 WWCR3 12160 Sun 0330 WWCR3 5070 Sun 0730 WWCR1 3215 Sun 0900 WRMI 9955 Sun 1615 WRMI 7385 Mon 0400 WBCQ 9330-CLSB [irregular] Mon 0515 WBCQ 7415 [time varies] Tue 1200 WRMI 9955 Tue 1630 WRMI 7385 Wed 1230 WRMI 9955 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: http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html or http://wor.worldofradio.org ** AFGHANISTAN. 6700, R. Solh, 14 Feb past 1400 UT noted two different programs of Afghan music and talks on 6700. Both sidebands with possibly somewhat reduced carrier. At times interfered by Greek LSB "operators" splattering also on USB. Mauno Ritola measured these two AFG transmitters to be 2 Hz apart. I wonder why I haven't seen any monitoring reports of these AFG stations from the listmembers around India etc. Maybe these stations on 6700 do have a local ID (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, dxldyg via DXLD) 6700 ? I keep checking for this one (via DX Tuner Sweden) and am not having any luck. Thanks for Jari and Mauno's tips all the same (Hans Johnson, FL, Feb 14, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** ANGOLA. 4950, R Nacional de Angola, 0220-0500+, 02/14/08, Portuguese. Mostly music ranging from Afropop to easy listening, time pips/ID/presumed news on the hour. Still audible as late as 0600. Fair/good at peak (Mark Schiefelbein, MO, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BANGLADESH. 7250, Bangladesh Betar, *1229-1242, Feb 11, English. IS, whisper-quiet announcer at 1230. Wind instrumental into news; too weak to detail; only an occasional word here and there. More wind instrument at 1237 and more news. Poor (Scott R. Barbour Jr., Intervale, NH-USA, R8, R75, NIR10, MLB1, 200' Beverages, 60m Dipole, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7250, Bangladesh Betar, 1227 stronger signal today Feb 12, IS, time pips; three then a fourth higher and louder. 1230 om with opening announcement, yl "...service of Bangladesh..." yl with news items, "India" mentioned once. 1237 East Indian music for ten seconds, yl "and now realizing that...", 1241 chorus then back to om. Don Jensen once told me that a Drake R7 "would flush out any signal eventually" and this morning proved him correct on Bangladesh. The hum on the signal and poor audio quality still seem to prevent hearing much of the news in English. The signal seems to be improving each day (Robt. Wilkner, Pompano Beach, South Florida, US, Drake R7 - 746 Pro, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) 7250, Bangladesh Betar, 1254-1300*, 02/13/08, English. A couple of western-sounding tunes (complete with wailing electric guitar), some closing announcements, and off. Signal was of decent strength, but hampered by low audio and a strong hum, making speech very difficult to understand, and ham QRM not helping. Fair/poor (Mark Schiefelbein, MO, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 4716.7, R. Yura, 0036-0048, Feb 13, Spanish. Lite music, ID at 0040. Musical bits with talk, ballad (Scott R. Barbour Jr., Intervale, NH-USA, R8, R75, NIR10, MLB1, 200' Beverages, 60m Dipole, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 4796, R. Mallku, Uyuni, 02/12, SS, 2220-2231, female talks alternating local pop music, "está oyendo, R. Mallku". Partial readable. 32232 (Lucio Otavio Bobrowiec Embu SP Brasil (23 33 S, 46 51 W) Sony ICF SW40 dipole 18m, 32m, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. I kept listening and recording 4451 kHz as R. Cruz del Sur, then checking later this recordings, heard something readable as "R. Santana" or maybe "Guantana". Some two days before it, the Brazilian DXer Rogildo Aragão, who resides in Bolivia, informed me that on 4451 is R. Santa Ana, Santana de Yacuma, Beni, Bolivia. But the reason of so many mentions heard on 4451 of R. Cruz del Sur is now for me, unknowable. Below, link to audio file that contains male announcing "R. Santana" or maybe "R.Guantana". Very short audio file 98kbt, 8 seconds: http://geocities.yahoo.com.br/eefibra/r.lacruzdelsur.r.guantana4450khz0208.mp3 73 (Lúcio Otavio Bobrowiec, Embu SP Brasil (23 33 S, 46 51 W), Sony ICF SW40, dipole 18m, 32m, dxldyg via DXLD) I can hear it as R. Santa Ana (gh) ** BRAZIL. Cultura no lugar da Globo em 9585? Há poucos minutos, estava garimpando o dial de OC para monitorar as emissoras brasileiras, e constatei que a canaleta de 9585 kHz estava no ar às 20 horas [TU?], o que Me causou uma certa estranhesa. Pois a Globo de São Paulo, sempre desliga seus transmissores de 6120 e 9585 kHz todos os dias às 1653. Ao sintonizar esta última frequência, estava no ar a Rádio Cultura, que havia desaparecido dos 9615 kHz há cerca de 2 dias. O que será que houve? (Édison Bocorny Jr. 2235? UT Feb 12, radioescutas yg via DXLD) R. Cultura`s 9615 transmitter has previously been reported wandering afar from 9615, down around 9350. Was it precisely on 9585? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Re: [radioescutas] Rádio Cultura na frequência da Globo em 9585! Tem mais uma coisa: Existe um "delay" de 8 segundos entre a transmissão em 31 metros e a de Ondas Médias (ouve-se primeiro nas OC). Pelo menos é o que está ocorrendo no instante em que escrevo a mensagem: 2210 UT. Estranho mesmo. Um abraço a todos e boas escutas! (Michel Viani - Osasco - SP, ibid.) Será que o transmissor de Ondas Curtas da Globo é alimentado por um receptor de OM em 1100 kHz? E alguém, por engano, mexeu na sintonia e colocou em 1200 kHz? Muito, muito estranho! (Huelbe Garcia, ibid.) ** CANADA. RADIO-CANADA TENTE DE MUSELER LE SYNDICAT DES COMMUNICATIONS http://www.cnw.ca/en/releases/archive/February2008/14/c2495.html MONTREAL, le 14 fév. /CNW Telbec/ - Le Syndicat des communications de Radio-Canada (FNC-CSN) s'indigne et dénonce la décision de la Société Radio-Canada de suspendre sans salaire pour 3 jours un de ses officiers syndicaux, M. Wojtek Gwiazda. Ce dernier travaille depuis des années à défendre le mandat international de la "Voix du Canada à l'étranger" soit le service de Radio-Canada International. Le président du Syndicat, Alex Levasseur, s'est dit choqué par le geste de Radio-Canada; "comme syndicat, nous ne défendons pas seulement les droits et les salaires de nos membres; nous tenons aussi à préserver et défendre le mandat de diffuseur public que détient Radio-Canada. Depuis 1991, lorsque RCI a fait face à une menace de fermeture" a poursuivi M. Levasseur, "Wojtek Gwiazda et les employés du service international ont défendu avec acharnement l'existence de RCI et ont aussi tenté d'empêcher que son mandat soit modifié. Ce travail s'est effectué par l'entremise du Comité d'action de RCI, un organisme inter-syndical." Malheureusement, l'an dernier le mandat de RCI a subi un changement radical, pour devenir un service orienté vers les nouveaux immigrants. En conséquence les ressources financières du service international ont été détournées de son mandat de base qui consistait à parler du Canada au monde. En novembre dernier, s'inquiétant de la tournure des choses, M. Gwiazda, porte-parole du comité d'action de RCI a communiqué avec des membres du comité parlementaire du patrimoine qui examine justement le mandat de Radio-Canada. Ces parlementaires ont pu questionner le président M. Robert Rabinovitch et le vice-président des services français M. Sylvain Lafrance. C'est à la suite des questions des députés que M. Gwiazda a été convoqué en entretien disciplinaire. Il a été informé qu'en cas de récidive, il pourrait faire face à des mesures plus sévères, s'il persiste à soulever des questions quant au changement de mandat de RCI devant le Comité parlementaire permanant du Patrimoine. "En agissant de la sorte, non seulement Radio-Canada s'est immiscé dans les affaires internes du syndicat, mais le diffuseur public tente aussi de museler le Syndicat des communications. C'est inacceptable" de conclure le président du Syndicat. Renseignements: Jacqueline Rodrigue, Service des communications - CSN, Cellulaire : (514) 773-0060; Alex Levasseur, Président du SCRC, (514) 842-4020 (via Dan Say, BC, DXLD) Wojtek Gwiazda was suspended for three days, repercussion for his Action Committee activities opposing RCI`s changed mandate from International to Internal. Can`t find an English version, tho the URL would seem to point to that (gh, DXLD) ** CANADA. Feb 14 at 0615, found harmonica album cuts on 6045; first thought of reactivated XEXQ quickly extinguished as I realized that KBS World Radio in Spanish to Europe via Sackville is scheduled here - -- and that`s the same fill music CD RCI used to play in snippets when they were still relaying CBC in the mornings and had to cover local breakaway times after news on the hour. So KBSWR feed was lost, replaced by this, which ran without announcements until 0629* RCI IS once and off. Checked subsequent KBS relays via Sackville, and they were back to normal: 1430 in Korean on 9650; 24 hours later at 0625 Feb 15 in Spanish on 6045 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. 9625, CBC N Quebec, 1431, 02/12/08, English. Weather report for various locations in Nunavut (with temperatures ranging from -30s to -40s!), ID as "CBC North Radio 1" and into Sounds Like Canada. Best signal here in a while. Very good (Mark Schiefelbein, MO, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. This morning [Feb 10] I was hearing a very weak CBC station on 1340 kHz, carrying CBC Radio Overnight: DW Radio up to 1000, then the usual CBC Radio One ID and news, 0905 [must mean 1005 --- gh] Radio Australia. This puts it in the Eastern time zone according to the CBC website, but the only stations listed in this zone are very low power Ontario stations, four of them (CBQW, CBEY, CBLB and CBEU) at 40 watts - could it have been one of them? Yellowknife (CFYK) is on Mountain time, so wouldn't be this one - and in any case the signal was only audible on the 279 degree (east coast) beverage, and inaudible on the 338 degree (northern) beverage. At first I thought it might be Happy Valley-Goose Bay (CKHV), but this would have been // 1400 kHz at the time with the Weekend Arts Magazine if I understand the schedule correctly. The only other (weak) stations audible at the time were 1400 CBG which had local wx, including that for Labrador Goose Bay at 1007, and 1070 CBA // 1140 CBI, presumably with the scheduled Weekend Mornings programme, and certainly not Overnight programming. The CBC site is very detailed, and rather complex, but I think I've understood it correctly. Can anyone suggest any other stations that might be carrying this programming at this time? One of the Ontario stations isn't out of the question in the light of loggings made in the last couple of weeks, but it would be nice to know that my research is valid. 1340, CB--, 4 sites listed, ON; DW Radio heard to 1000, then usual “CBC Radio One” ID and news; 1005 Radio Australia; check of CBC website shows (as far as I can tell) that 40 watt Ontario stations are the only ones carrying this programming at this time; heard for about 7 minutes Weak peaks 1000 10/2 mah 73s (Martin A. Hall, Clashmore, Scotland. NRD-545, RPA-1 preamp, MFJ- 1026 phaser (modified), beverages: 513m at 233 degrees, unterminated; 475m at 262 degrees, terminated; 506m at 279 degrees, terminated; 550m at 338 degrees, terminated; 50m at 321 degrees, unterminated. http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/clashmoreradio/ MWC via DXLD) ** CANADA. "BITOVE MAKES CRTC PITCH FOR OVER-THE-AIR HDTV" Canada has free health care and free speech. John Bitove wants it to have free high-definition television as well.That was the pitch yesterday as Mr. Bitove, the fast-food and satellite radio executive, made his bid to federal broadcast regulators for a new national TV network in high definition. . . (via A Markewicz, Canada, DXLD) Glenn: Should prove to be interesting (Anthony Markewicz, ibid.) CRTC TO HEAR APPLICATIONS FOR NEW OVER-THE-AIR HIGH-DEFINITION TV STATIONS =-= Monday Feb 11 2008 THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA - The federal broadcast regulator will start hearings Tuesday on whether it will allow two new entrants in the over-the-air television market with the unique provision that their signals would be in high definition. . . http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/business/story/4123488p-4717954c.html (via Anthony Markewicz, DXLD) I wonder if the CRTC will buy into this??? (Anthony Markewicz, ibid.) Follows-up: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/business/story/4124192p-4718434c.html http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/subscriber/entertainment/story/4124563p-4718752c.html (via gh, DXLD) ** CHAD. Saludos cordiales. Tras dos semanas de inactividad por cuestiones de trabajo, hoy 12 de febrero he reanudado mis escuchas. 4905, Radio N´Djamena [sic], 2017-2025, escuchada el 12 de febrero en francés; se aprecia un locutor con entrevista a invitado, conversación. La emisión va acompañada de mucho ruido; a las 2023 comienza emisión musical, música pop local con ritmos africanos, SINPO 44343 (José Miguel Romero, Burjasot (Valencia), Sangean ATS 909, Antena Radio Master A-108, YAESU FRG-7700, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) R. Chad --- Checking for this one at 2130 Feb 12 and just hearing what sounds like China on 4905. I also checked 7120 but that channel is completely blocked (DX Tuner Austria via Hans Johnson, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) RNT, 4905, Feb 14 at 0634 check, singing and talking in Arabic? Unseemed French; CODAR QRM. Fadeout should be getting a bit earlier as solstice approaches (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4905, presumo que se trata de la Radiodiffusion Nationale Tchadienne, Radio Tchad, de señal mala a regular, en momentos ilegible. Idioma: Francés. 0529 UT, 15 Feb 08, Música popular, comentarios. 0601 UT, 15 Feb 08, Continúa en idioma vernacular. Radio Tchad, RNT, BP 892, N'djamena, CHAD (MAGDIEL CRUZ RODRÍGUEZ, JIUTEPEC, MORELOS, MÉXICO, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. 5860, Voice of Jinling, 02/14/08, 1250, Mandarin. Female announcer with Chinese pop, followed by a string of apparent commercials/promos. Fair (Mark Schiefelbein, MO, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COLOMBIA. 5910, Feb 14 at 0639, ``Están escuchando HKI79, Marfil Estéreo,`` lively songs; lite splatter de WBOH 5920. That`s the FM callsign, HJDH being listed in WRTH for both 5910 and 6010 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COLOMBIA. Re 8-019: Hola José, A tus preguntas se puede responder dependiendo el punto de vista; ¿cuál cadena radial colombiana es actualmente la de mayor importancia en Colombia, RCN o Caracol, cuál informa más rapido y cual es más ágil? Ambas son cadenas que pertenecen a grandes grupos económicos; su lucha a brazo partido es por la FM. A Caracol del Grupo español Prisa poco le interesa la AM; RCN todavia es fuerte con sus emisoras que retransmiten "la Cadena Básica" en onda media. Ambas son progobiernistas, así que para mí no tienen objetividad en las noticias; RCN sí se especializa más en la información y los noticieros; Caracol genera mayor opinión con su programas. Caracol tiene un formato más internacional y es punta de lanza de Prisa en latinoamérica. RCN es solamente local. En cuanto a tecnología, son muy similares y se mantienen a la vanguardia. Ambas están de 60 aniversario durante el 2008. Y la verdad no escucho ninguna de estas cadenas. Un saludo, (Rafael Rodríguez R., Bogotá D.C. - Colombia, condiglist yg via DXLD) Querido amigo, muchas gracias por tu respuesta, está muy interesante. Una de las cosas que motivó mi pregunta, es que el canal Globovisión transmite el noticiero de RCN y la verdad es que me parece muy ágil y con bastante información; este noticiero lo pasan todos los días a la una de la tarde. Recibe un fuerte abrazo (José Elías Díaz Gómez, Venezuela, ibid.) Hola José, El canal de televisión es diferente y aún más gobiernista; para ellos cualquier cosa diferente a Uribe es Guerrilla y Chávez. Saludos (Rafael Rodríguez, Bogotá, condiglist yg via DXLD) ** CUBA. This day`s defects at RHC: Feb 15 at 0634, found 6000, 6060 and 6180 all very undermodulated as Arnie Coro`s ``news`` update in telco-quality audio was ending; briefly higher-fi YL announcer re- introducing him for Breakthru, science capsule which ran only until 0640; was about CFLs imposed by the government on every household for energy conservation and the fact that no incandescent bulbs are made in Cuba; all must be imported. At this time, a quick echo developed on 6000, but not on the other frequencies, making me wonder if two transmitters/sites were running simultaneously on 6000, with their different audio feed delays from the studio. As for the RHC undermod, that helped reduce adjacent QRM to XEPPM 6185, so I welcomed it (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. After one whole week with no new Cubans (I spent many hours unsuccessfully trying to find the WRTH listed parallels to R. Enciclopedia), last week's auroral conditions on Feb 10 was like drinking too many Cuba Libres. They were everywhere! A weaker than expected R. Rebelde showed up on 580, either Matua PR, listed at 10 kW, or Baracoa, 5 kW, and was parallel to the dozen other Rebeldes. A new R. Rebelde on 1120, unknown location, was mixing with stronger R. Habana. On 1140 was a new R. Musical mixing with an equally weak R. Bayamo and similarly weak, once previously logged, R. Rebelde. New and weak R. Guamá on 1010, unknown location, was parallel to 1000 and 1020. On 1260, CMBF, Arroyo Arenas, and on 1270, CMGF, Varadero, MA, were weakly parallel to the colossal signal of R. Enciclopedia on 530 kHz (Doug Allen, K4LY, Inman SC; Kenwood TS-850, Flag antennas, 53-ft vertical, 80 meter dipole, 130-ft inverted V, 90-ft east Kaz antenna, NRC IDXD Feb 15 via DXLD) Comments after station snips: ``R. Rebelde showed up on 580, either Matua PR, listed at 10 kW, or Baracoa, 5 kW`` Same two sites listed for me. I can hear it at night, can't say what site though. Believe I've had day logs on the beach as well which would be the westernmost site at that time. ``R. Rebelde on 1120, unknown location, was mixing with stronger R. Habana.`` No Rebelde is on my list at 1120, maybe and overnight relay, or it could be new. Again, there is no such thing as "Radio Havana" except for the external service on SW. ``1140 was a new R. Musical mixing with an equally weak R. Bayamo and similarly weak, once previously logged, R. Rebelde.`` Not new, it's been here since at least 2004 per my scribbles. ``New and weak R. Guamá on 1010, unknown location, was parallel to 1000 and 1020.`` Been here forever, again, presume he means new for him. ``1260, CMBF, Arroyo Arenas`` Indeed listed, heard long ago. Doesn't make it for me though and wish I had another 1-2 CMBF channels to hear at my location. ``1270, CMGF, Varadero, MA, were weakly parallel to the colossal signal of R. Enciclopedia on 530 kHz`` I guess so. My list doesn't have a city. No WRTVH-08 with me at this moment to see if they listed a site for this. It was first logged in 2000 by Florida DXers though, thus it would be somewhere in western Cuba since it was heard daytime from the west coast of FL (Terry L. Krueger, Clearwater, DX LISTENING DIGEST) All WRTH 08 has on 530 is R. Rebelde, HA (gh, DXLD) see also VENEZUELA ** CUBA. Municipios de Cuba --- Useful reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipalities_of_Cuba (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, Feb 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** DUCIE ISLAND. PITCAIRN. 18145, VP6DX Ducie Island DXpedition, 2015, 02/12/08, working mostly USA hams in SSB. Fair (Mark Schiefelbein, MO, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Mark headed this PITCAIRN, so I checked the DXCC list, http://www.arrl.org/awards/dxcc/dxcclist.txt and yes, DUCIE counts as a separate ham radio country, not just an IOTA (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ECUADOR. Saludos cordiales. Estoy escuchando a HCJB, la Voz de los Andes, en 9745 kHz ahora, a las 0252 UT, SINPO 35433 cerca de Boston, EE.UU., con música popular y hablar religioso. No escuché a un programa musical, Música del Ecuador por mucho tiempo. Me gusta mucho. ¿Ya está en el aire? 73, (Dan Malloy, K-1043, noticiasdx yg via DXLD) Dan, Creo que no, por lo menos en análogo. Figura en un fichero DRM de HCJB que aparece en el programa Mailbox de RNZI del 4 de febrero. Recomiendo otro programa, Conozca el Ecuador, que incluye música del país, p. ej., L-V 2230 en 12000; domingos TU 0430 en 9745. 73, (Guillermo Glenn Hauser, ibid.) ** EGYPT. Re 8-018, 8-019: Saludos Glenn, a las 2015 estoy escuchando en 6225 una emisión sin identificar, probablemente Radio Cairo, la señal muy debil y mucho ruido, se aprecia voz de mujer. 73 JM (José Miguel Romero2, Spain, Feb 12, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Supposed to end at 1900 or at latest 2000; so maybe on again next UT day after 0000? Did not check (gh, DXLD) ** EGYPT. 9250, Radio Wadi el Nile, 2150-2259*, Feb 13, local pop music. Mid-eastern style instrumental music. Even a Beethoven tune. Arabic talk. Kor`an. Time pips at 2230 & Arabic talk. Sign off with National Anthem. Good signal (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9250, Radio Nile Valley, Missing at 2005 check Feb 14 (DX Tuner Sweden via Hans Johnson, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) Hi Hans. 9250, Wide El Nile [sic], 2120, SINPO 55544. Mx árabe. 73 (José Miguel Romero, Spain, ibid.) ** EL SALVADOR. AN OLD MYSTERY: LOG OF RADIO EL SALVADOR INTERNATIONAL I've been going through old cassette recordings of my radio listening over the past 25 years or so, converting any worth saving into digital form. In the process, I've run across a real mystery from 1983 that has puzzled me for all these years. First, the technical details: Station ID: Radio El Salvador International Language: English Frequency: 5992 kHz Date: December 29, 1983 UT Time: 0158-0210* UT The program was a mix of talk and a few Christmas carols, all in English. There are multiple IDs for "Radio El Salvador International." The announcement at the end of the program makes the claim that this was the first transmission in English from this station: "And so, we end our first transmission on shortwave in the English language to the nations of the world. From San Salvador in Central America, we wish you a very merry Christmas and the best in the world. This program was broadcast through the facilities of Radio El Salvador International. Good night, everyone." This was followed by an instrumental version of "Silent Night" and the end of the transmission. I logged Radio Nacional El Salvador, plus a good number of clandestines targeting the country, many times during this period, but this was my only log of this station. I can't find any reference to a shortwave station ever using this name, and I'm not aware of Radio Nacional ever broadcasting in English. My first thought was that this could have been a short-lived program of Radio Nacional, but I can't find any other reference to such a program. I've uploaded an MP3 file (about 3.2MB in size) of the 10 minute, 41 second log. My apologies for some brief tuning around and fine-tuning during the recording. I would appreciate it if someone could listen to the recording and, hopefully, help me figure out who this was. Also, I would very much appreciate any other information anyone has about this station or program. Here's a link to the MP3 file: http://tinyurl.com/2w4vg6 73s, (Larry Cunningham, Gahanna, Ohio, Feb 15, 2008, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Larry: I'm in San Salvador, El Salvador. As I recall, this was a government station and there were several announcements in the newspapers of that year, about this station, using the Radio Nacional facilities. The civil war was on the rise in this year and it was part of the "radio war", sometimes with official transmissions pretending to give a better image of the country and sometimes with "gray" stations. This must be a very rare catch, I think, because this radio station's life was so short and sporadic. I have lost a recording than I made in 49m too. I will dig on my files to look for more info Oops¡¡, it was 25 years ago, I was in my first year at the college. Regards (Humberto Molina, ibid.) ** EQUATORIAL GUINEA. 6250.0, R. Nacional, Malabo, 0602+ Feb 14 heard what sounded like timesignal, but surely not that far off; fair with ute QRM. 0604 R. Malabo ID, frequency 6250, news. 0607 mentioned 6250 again and 20 kW power, something about ``emisiones de prueba`` -- test transmissions; news sounders frequently, timecheck at 7:08, news of EqG, 0611 TC for 7:12 ``hora oficial de la República de Guinea Ecuatorial`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ERITREA. "Sawa" and Eritrea --- Glenn, Ref. DXLD 8-019: There is no way that Radio Sawa would be broadcasting inside Eritrea. US-Eritrean relations are at a very low ebb. The listed Radio Sawa relay in Amara refers to Al-Amarah (Iraq) - not Asmara. The piece quoted by Kim was clearly written by a pro-government author. All the sources cited are government outlets. "Radio Sawa" probably refers to Radio Zara - listed in WRTH, also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_of_Eritrea "Dimsti Hafash" (also referred to in the DXLD item) is Voice of the Masses (i.e. VOBME). Best regards, (Chris (in snowy Tashkent) Greenway, Feb 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn (and Chris): Thanks for clarifying. I thought it might be Radio Zara, too. I think Zara in languages of that region means "seed," as in Zara Yaqob (Seed of Jacob). That's not close to "Sawa" ("together") in Arabic, so I ruled out Radio Zara, probably prematurely. 73 (Kim Elliott, ibid.) ** ETHIOPIA. 7110, Radio Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, 2035-2100*, Feb 13, nice local Horn of Africa music. Amharic talk. Sign off with vocal National Anthem. Good signal. No //s heard (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ETHIOPIA. 5950, Feb 12th., 1644-1655, Voice of Tigray Revolution (tentative), HOA Music, O=2 // 6170 1644-1646*, O=3. 73 (Thorsten Hallmann, Münster, Germany, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EUROPE. SPACESHUTTLE ACTIVITIES! Info 12th February 2008: Radio Spaceshuttle will launch a huge a. 4 hours session Sunday 17th February. We are going to transmit on a brand new frequency 48 mb 5815 kHz. Transmission time a. 10 UT. [a. means approximately???] Programs are 1. "Launch of Spaceshuttle" including stories of Radio Spaceshuttle International adventures, 2. Spaceshuttle landing to "Rocking Venus". Young, wild and free... (but perhaps stupid...), 3. "Space Voyage with Golden Oldies" including messages to our listeners and 4. Partytime in "SpaceDisco" ....that's more than HOT!!! All reports are welcome to our address (WITH 2 Euros/ 2 US-dollars for SPECIAL QSL-card): Radio Spaceshuttle Int., P. O. Box 2702, 6049 ZG Herten, The Netherlands. Dick (via Roberto Scaglione, Sicily, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) ** EUROPE. Radio RWE transmission February 17 -- From station website: http://www.radiorwe.com/ Radio RWE - Radio Wave Europe's next show is going to be aired February 17, 2008 at 2100 UT via Mystery Radio on 6220 kHz. Feature presentations planned for the show are as follows: - beginnings of international shortwave wireless in the 20-ties, 30-ties and 40-ties, - classical music nostalgia Your reception reports for shortwave relay are very welcome ! Please send them (including return postage) to the following address (the contact postal box): SRS Deutschland Radio RWE Postfach 101145 99801 Eisenach Deutschland Germany We highly appreciate your mp3 files with recordings of our shortwave relay ! Please send them to the following e-mail address: radiorwe @ yahoo.com or radiorwe @ radiorwe.com We can confirm your e-mail reception reports - with mp3 recording included - with our electronic QSL cards (if you prefer to receive snail mail "traditional" QSL card, please send return postage and your reception report to the address above). Their webpage has an on demand Real Audio file of their first show last April, the first feature is about jamming, particularly how it affected Poland, recorded examples include Polish Polka jamming (via Mike Barraclough, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FRANCE. STRIKES IN STATE TELEVISION AND RADIO Libcom.org By Jef Costello February 13, 2008 http://libcom.org/news/france-strikes-state-television-radio-13022008 Strikes by workers in the state media saw many programmes cancelled. The planned strike at France Télévisions against 'reforms' was successful. At France 3, seems to be targeted for privatisation as it is supposedly too critical of the current government. 56% of all employees joined the strike, rising to 60% in regional centres. At France 2, 38% of all workers joined the strike but numbers rose to 53% in production and 69% in sports. At the international channel TV5 Monde, observance was at 70%, cancelling all of the news programmes for the day. At Radio France a total of 18.88% struck, causing delays and problems. The strike was supported in similar numbers "across all of France Télévisions" according to management statements. This led to the cancellation of much of the daily news and sports reporting, which was replaced by music or in one case by an episode of Friends (via Mike Terry, Feb 13, dxldyg via DXLD) FRANCIA. Hoy 13 de febrero he chequeado a RFI observando que en los diferentes servicios de Onda Corta están emitiendo el mismo programa musical, 6175, 7315 y 9790, ésta última hasta las 2100 UT; de vez en cuando una cuña de identificación, ausencia de informativos, tan sólo tonos horarios a las 2100. Se identifica en francés y español, “RFI toda la diversidad del mundo” (José Miguel Romero, Burjasot (Valencia), Spain, Sangean ATS 909, Antena Radio Master A-108, YAESU FRG-7700, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FRANCE [non]. New branding of Media Broadcast --- Now it's in full force: No Deutsche Telekom CI anymore, the TDF hand has taken over: http://www.media-broadcast.com/en/startpage/news/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=56&cHash=df32cf4a52 And while being there I noted that they had issued a press release about the RNW relays, saying that they have been agreed for three years: http://www.media-broadcast.com/en/company/press/t-systems-broadcasts-for-radio-netherlands/ (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Feb 16, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GABON [and non]. 4776-7 kHz, Radio Gabón, Idioma francés. Señal regular a mala. NOTA: En momentos aparece una señal que interfiere, no puedo describirlo, pero lo que puedo decirles es como una señal en vaivén, como efecto de "columpio" o "péndulo"; podría alguien decir qué es esto? 0541 UT, 15 feb 08, Una conductora femenina recibiendo llamadas telefónicas, "..madame..." "...Radio Gabón" . Radiodiffusion Television Gaboinaise, Radio Gabón, BP 10150, Libreville, Gabón. Esquema: 5-8 UTC 4777 KHz, 8-16 UTC 7270 KHZ, 16- 17, 19 UTC 4777 KHz -francés- Fuente: AFRICA ON SHORTWAVE, http://www.bdxc.org.uk (MAGDIEL CRUZ RODRÍGUEZ, JIUTEPEC, MORELOS, MÉXICO, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hola Magdiel, El sonido de interferencia en esta región de la banda es el radar oceánico CODAR, que se ha discutido varias veces en DXLD. Puede buscarlo en el archivo DXLD, o en general por ``CODAR``. 73, (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) ** GERMANY. LIVE FROM GERMANY: THE JEWISH SERVICE HEARD ROUND THE WORLD --- Re 8-019, FRANCE. The video appeared to come from Normandy, but is no longer available. The accompanying text led to this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZihm6VlYjo which was from Aachen. Stills accompanying a shortwave broadcast (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY [non]. In case you didn`t get my correxion, time on the unjammed DW Amharic 15620 log was 1450, not 1350 (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) In past two weeks: mostly 11645 and 15640 kHz channels were subject of Ethiopian jamming, but 15620 and 15660 always jamming free. 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. EMR Relay + internet service Date 17th February 2008 Time 1300 to 1400 UT Channel 6140 kHz Our February 2008 programme will be available at the following times on http://www.emr.org.uk Sunday 17th February 2008 1300 - 1400 utc 1500 - 1600 utc 1800 - 1900 utc 2100 - 2200 utc Monday 18th February 2008 1300 - 1400 utc 1500 - 1600 utc 1800 - 1900 utc 2100 - 2200 utc Good listening 73s (Tom Taylor, Feb 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GOA. 9705, INDIA (GOA). All India Radio (Panaji) (presumed), 2248- 2251, 2/13/2008, English (per schedule). Music of the Indian subcontinent fading up briefly from a very marginal signal at noise level. Similar poor parallel signal noted on 9950 (Aligarh). AIR has been very difficult to log at this time for the last couple of months (Jim Evans, Germantown, TN, TenTec RX-340, Drake R8B, RF Space SDR-14, 90' Random Wire, 200' PAR EF-SWL, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** GUATEMALA. 4052 [sic], Radio Verdad, SINPO Variable de mala señal a regular (22232-33333), -Programas cristianos y música. Monitorieada de 0245 hasta su cierre 0607 UT (15 feb 08) *SI AUN NO LA HAN SINTONIZADO ESTOS DÍAS, RECUERDEN QUE ESTÁ OFRECIENDO UNA QSL CONMEMORATIVA ESPECIAL POR SU 8o. ANIVERSARIO!!! Radio Verdad, Apartado # 5, Chiquimula, Guatemala, Centroamérica (MAGDIEL CRUZ RODRÍGUEZ, JIUTEPEC, MORELOS, MÉXICO, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUATEMALA. 4779.98, R. Buenas Nuevas, 1139-1146, Feb 11, Spanish. Announcer with talk, full ID at 1141. Anthem-like music at 1142, brief announcer at 1145 then silence. Stayed on frequency to hear imagination level music at 1150. I can't imagine they would be s/off at 6:00 AM Guatemala time (Scott R. Barbour Jr., Intervale, NH-USA, R8, R75, NIR10, MLB1, 200' Beverages, 60m Dipole, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Presume you mean 4799.98, as 4780v is the other Guatemalan, Radio Cultural Coatán (gh, ibid.) ** GUINEA. 7125, R Conakry, 02/13/08, 2335, French. Afropop tunes, in between one nice long ID beginning "Ici Conakry...". Pestered by strong test tones at 2352, presumably from V of Russia (via Moldova) warming up, then wiped out at 0000 by Russian broadcast of same. Fair/good otherwise (Mark Schiefelbein, MO, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HAWAII [and non]. Monitoring 5000, Feb 15 at 0645 I found that WWVH was on top, then WWV, then barely audible Spanish, no doubt YVTO. Instead of propagation info at :45 from WWVH, all I heard was 3 seconds of tone and then only ticks until the next ID cycle before 0646 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HONDURAS. 3249.92, R. Luz y Vida, 1116-1131, Feb 12, English / Spanish. OM with English preaching; YL with Spanish translation thru BoH. Fair, beginning to fade by BoH (Scott R. Barbour Jr., Intervale, NH-USA, R8, R75, NIR10, MLB1, 200' Beverages, 60m Dipole, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HONDURAS. 3340, Radio Misiones Internacional, Comayagüela; 1153- 1159 12 February, 2008. English male preacher with Spanish female translation repeater. Very good (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HUNGARY. Hungria: Aún mantiene su ID en idiomas extranjeros. 5970, Radio Budapest, 2058-2101, escuchada el 12 de febrero con identificación en varias lenguas, entre ellas el español; a las 2100 comienza el servicio en árabe de Family Radio y Radio Budapest queda anulado. Me ha llamado la atención que esta emisora mantenga su identificación de los servicios internacionales después de haberlos cancelado meses atrás (José Miguel Romero, Burjasot (Valencia), Spain, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. 13 Feb at 1352 noted AIR Nepali Service on 7890 with strong signal. Was // 11775 and weak 3945. Must be harmonic 2 x 3945 (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. 9470, AIR-Aligarh, 1321, 02/13/08, listed Sindhi. Subcontinental music, then time pips at 1330 and into a presumed newscast before going back to the tunes. Fair (Mark Schiefelbein, MO, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. 9525.98v, Voice of Indonesia, Jakarta-Cimanggis, 0836- 0902, Feb 13, in English, pop songs/ballads, news (Indonesian embassy in Shanghai will hold a fashion show, development of gold deposits, etc.), fair. Between the announcer's accent and her usually talking over prominent background music, is difficult to understand what is said. 11784.90v also heard but very weak. Update: At 1433 they were still both heard, 9525.98v strong signal and 11784.90v was fair (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9526, Voice of Indonesia, 1100-1110 Feb 15. Heard a female in comments. Language schedule for this time is Mandarin, but signal is too poor to copy. Can't squeeze anymore gain from this transmission; however, at least they are on the air now (Chuck Bolland, Clewiston FL, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) VOI active again, and no doubt temporarily, on 9526, Feb 16 at 1402 with Korean hour running late, brief English announcement that Korean had ended and Indonesian was starting; that also ran late with music until 1504, minute of deadair to 1505*. Not back on at 1530 check when they used to start the gamelan IS and ID 6-minute loop (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) {Date was wrong above: Feb 15! Sure `nuff, gone again on Feb 16 around 1440 check (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST)} ** INTERNATIONAL. WAGING A TINY REBELLION VIA SHORTWAVE RADIO At Ease, By John Vinocur Published: February 8, 2008 MAUNDAY'S BAY, Anguilla: The kid has a sharp eye. Look, mom, he says, pointing, there's a crazy-man on that roof. What he sees, about an hour past nightfall, is a guy on the second- floor roof-terrace of a small white building, holding what in the just-short-of-blackness probably resembles a small silvery box attached to a fishing rod. He is facing the sea, about 30 yards distant, and moving the rod as if he were angling for something. His box has a slightly greenish glow. In the trace of light that's left, he could seem to be fiddling with one of those remote controls that power model racecars. The guy is me, and in fact, I have a portable shortwave radio in my hands, its antenna fully extended. It's night because radio waves best propagate then. The chartreuse light comes from a tiny digital gauge indicating the frequencies. My shifting the antenna as if expecting a bite is a mostly hopeless attempt at improving reception. A quick admission: Listening to shortwave radio in 2008 is a willfully quixotic undertaking, a tiny rebellion wadded in self-indulgent romanticism. . . http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/08/america/letter.php?page=1 (via Zacharias Liangas, also via kimandrewelliott.com, via Rich Cuff, swprograms via DXLD) ** IRAN. 5955, Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Sirjan; 0122- 0150 12 February, 2008. Mid-east language female talk with frequent snippets of Pink Floyd's "Breathe In the Air" fills. VoIRI chimes at 0130, male with simple "Radio Iran" ID and into talk and mid-east vocal fills. Fair and best in LSB to avoid bigger things above 5955. Listed as Tajik from 0100-0230 (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAN. 7320, VOIRI, 1934-2030*, Feb 13, tune-in to Kor`an. English news at approx 1938. Lite instrumental music. News features. Talk about US politics. ID. News in brief at 2025-2027. Poor in noise. // 11695-very weak. // 6010-threshold signal (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRELAND [and non]. LABOUR CRITICISES RTÉ OVER MW PLANS 13 February, 2008 http://www.ireland.com:80/newspaper/breaking/2008/0213/breaking42.htm The Labour Party is to call on an all-party Oireachtas committee to ask RTÉ to explain its controversial decision to scrap its medium wave service. Labour's communications spokeswoman Liz McManus claimed halting the popular frequency band will cut people off in Northern Ireland as well as Irish emigrants abroad "At this juncture in our history, with closer co-operation between North and South, it is disappointing that this link from RTÉ radio will be shut down," she said. RTÉ's Radio 1 signal reaches just 75 per cent of the population in the North, and is at its weakest in and around Belfast. Many people tune into the MW transmission, including in some rural areas of the Republic, where they can't get a good FM signal. RTÉ argues that said medium wave - which is to be switched off next month - is an outdated technology offering poor sound quality and value-for-money. It has vowed to improve its FM signal, with a review ongoing into its reception in Belfast, while advising MW listeners about its alternative long wave, internet and satellite services. But Ms McManus said cutting off any listeners in the North would fly in the face of the Belfast Agreement which pledges equal rights for both nationalist and unionist culture. "I will be asking the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications to invite RTÉ to come in to discuss this matter in full," she said. "Tuning in to RTÉ radio medium wave forms part of the traditional cross-border links enjoyed by many in Northern Ireland. It serves all ages and social groups. "This matter should also be debated by the committee established by the Oireachtas to oversee progress on the Good Friday Agreement," she said. "Denying people in Northern Ireland access to our national broadcaster service is a step backwards. Denying emigrants in Britain the same access compounds an injustice to many of them who were forced to leave out of economic necessity" (via Mike Terry, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) ** JAMAICA. 720, Nationwide News Network, Innswood, St. Catherine (18 00'N 76 47'W), FEB 11, 0040, Good; non-stop soft rock vocals, Mr. Mister "Broken Wings," Hall & Oates "One on One," Lionel Richie "Easy," parallel 700 (under WLW). 2008 WRTH lists 720 as HD digital with future plans for HD implementation on all network frequencies (Bruce Conti, Nashua NH; SDR IQ, WR-CMC-30, MWDX-5, 15 x 23-m SuperLoop antennas east with remote variable termination and south 1150-? Terminated, NRC IDXD Feb 15 via DXLD) FEB 11, 0240 - Dominant and parallel to 700 and 550 kHz. No 770 detected (Doug Allen, K4LY, Inman SC; Kenwood TS-850, Flag antennas, 53-ft vertical, 80 meter dipole, 130-ft inverted V, 90-ft east Kaz antenna, ibid.) ** KOREA SOUTH [non]. This came in via the A-DX mailing list, posted by Karl-J.Conrads: "Hallo Liste, gerade kündigt KBS an, ab März auf MW 1440 KHZ Testsendung ( 1/2 Std ) an. 73 Karl" Says that KBS announced test transmissions of a half hour via 1440, to start in March. Must be the Marnach transmitter. Actually quite a surprise, do they really have a budget for such expensive mediumwave relays? And this announcement was about German only, so it's possible that further broadcasts will be on 1440 as well (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Feb 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) see also CANADA ** KUWAIT. R. Kuwait, February 15, 2008 *1800 UT, 11990 kHz. Talk on "Islam and Peace". Is this an oxymoron? Anyway, to me, broadcast sounds like a pirate broadcast. Why? Reverb echo talk while male speaks strangely. Reminds me of pirate KIPM. Into disco, Euro-Techo pop type music. I thought this type of music, according to Islam, was devil's music. SIO 555. 73, (Kraig, KG4LAC, Krist, Manassas, VA USA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) The point is that this is an English transmission, with Western World mentality. And altho nowadays Kuwait seems more oriented Western World influenced than any other Arab country, this has been a regular practice since I first heard Kuwait in English in 1969, opening on 15115 around 0500, with songs by The Moody Blues and others alike. I'd prefer they play and explain their own local music, but "salados" we are, that's only possible in their home service. 73 (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, ibid.) Raúl, Good point. I've heard similar music from Oman. 73, (Kraig, KG4LAC, ibid.) ** LATVIA. Relays this weekend via 9290 kHz Sat February 16th Latvia Today 0900-1000 UT Radio City 1000-1100 UT and repeat on 945AM 2000-2100 UT http://www.radionord.lv Sun February 17th Latvia Today 1400-1500 UT Good listening (Tom Taylor, Feb 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LUXEMBOURG. See KOREA SOUTH [non] ** MADAGASCAR. 5010, Radio Madagasikara; 0240-0306 12 February, 2008. Clear and very good with nice local highlife and local reggae-ish vocals, smoking hot-sounding Malagasy female jock, live and canned ID's 0300 and 0301. Now in carrier + USB mode, as reported by others (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MALAYSIA/SARAWAK [non]. Wai FM via RTM, Kuching, is occasionally hear on 7270, usually mixing with PBS Nei Menggu. In the past it was difficult to be positive of an ID for Wai FM, but I have now found a site that has live audio streaming for them http://www.radiokitai.com/portal/ Under "Ninga Ka Stesen" click Player POPup, which worked for me. So now we can check for parallel programming. When Wai FM is not live on the air, they have streaming for IOR FM (Iban Online Radio, with news and entertainment in the Iban language). The Wai FM website http://www2.rtm.net.my/rtmsarawak/WAI_FM/wai.htm does not have audio streaming (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO [and non]. Reprint of 1934 article on Pirate Radio The webzine Modern Mechanix is providing a reprint online of a 1934 article on U.S. medium wave offshore and Mexican pirate broadcasting: http://blog.modernmechanix.com.nyud.net:8080/2008/02/04/outlaws-may-use-super-stations-at-sea/ (Kevin Anderson, swprograms via DXLD) If you click on Radio in that blog there's 9 pages of entries, some really interesting material (Mike Barraclough, ibid.) ** MOLDOVA. UNID East European station 1467 & 1476 kHz --- At 1610 UT I'm hearing the same audio on both 1467 and 1476 kHz along with very distorted noise around 1478 kHz. On 1476 I can receive in AM mode but not in USB/LSB. The signal on 1467 is mixing with religious music & French (presumably Radio Maria). This seems to be a transmitter problem. Has anyone else noticed? Regards (Steve Whitt, UK, MWC via DXLD) Steve, it is Radio Moldova, ex 1494. Permanent signal already for 3 weeks or more, heard also during daytime. Heard mostly on 1477 kHz, but its difficult or impossible to determine the exact frequency using LSB or USB due to distorted carrier (Karel Honzík, CZECHIA, Feb 10, ibid.) I was also puzzled by this station. Yesterday I heard Romanian folk music on 1477.8 kHz. At least that was where the synch of my AOR was moving to. Determining the frequency by L/USB was indeed impossible. Today I heard it again synching at 1478.2 kHz. Again Romanian folk music. I had already an idea that this was Moldova. My guess was positively acknowledged at 1400 UTC by the ID you can hear here http://www.schotmans.net/dxsounds/Moldova_1478.MP3 73, (Guido Schotmans, Belgium, ibid.) ** NIGER. 9705, LV du Sahel, Niamey, 2150-2245, Feb 13, Afro-pop music. Rap music. Vernacular & French talk. Fair level but co-channel QRM from India with their test tone at 2232, IS at 2243 and English programming from India at 2245. Niger completely covered by India by 2245 (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. Tulsa radio update 1340, KJMU Sand Springs, OK noted back on the air 2240 CST 13 FEB 08 with "Hot 1340" slogan, playing R&B/Urban Contemporary music. 1570, KZLI Catoosa-Tulsa, OK, CP for move from Pryor to Catoosa apparently on with dual city ID "Catoosa-Tulsa", "Tulsa's new 15-70" slogan and standards vocals (Streisand, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Perry Como, Frank Sinatra etc.) (Bruce Winkelman, Tulsa, OK, R8, Quantum Phaser, 2 - 50 foot wires, Feb 13, ABDX via DXLD) KZLI is still a 1 kW non directional daytimer, and it's only licensed as "KZLI Catoosa" (Paul B Walker, Jr., SC, NRC-AM via DXLD) "Catoosa- Tulsa" is legal as long as they say Catoosa first. They filed for a license-to-cover earlier this week - Monday, I think (Doug Smith, W9WI, Pleasant View, TN EM66, Feb 14, ibid.) ** OKLAHOMA. KOSU has added a new weekly commentary, Classical Gasp, to its morning and afternoon lineup. Join Dr. Duke Pesta each Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. [1330 & 2130 UT; in DST 1230 & 2030 UT] as he examines current events through the prism of history. Pesta was born in Cleveland, Ohio, where he earned BA and MA degrees from John Carroll University. Since receiving his PhD from Purdue University, he has taught Shakespeare and Renaissance literature, Russian literature and the Bible, at various colleges across the Midwest. He is currently an Assistant Professor of English at Oklahoma State University and lives in Stillwater with his wife Tamie and three dogs named after characters from Dostoevsky novels: Alexi, Tatiana, and Nastasya. Since losing his movie star good looks to a prenatal genetic curse, he feels that radio is an ideal venue and is very excited at the chance to work with the crack staff and informed listeners of KOSU (KOSU website Feb 15 via gh, Enid, DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA. In case you didn't know about this one. Not quite in your back yard but closer than mine. http://www.oklahomarock.com/blog/?p=231 "You can't roll a joint on an iPod - buy vinyl!" ~ Shelby Lynne [tagline] (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, Feb 15, 2008, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: The Wire on-air in Norman - 1710 AM FINALLY! College radio in Norman. And it’s actually on the radio now! The WiRe can be found near OU’s campus and parts of Norman at 1710 AM. Let’s hope there are plans to increase the signal in the future. Here’s the press release: The WiRe, the University of Oklahoma’s student radio station, is now hitting the airwaves of central Norman on AM 1710. The WiRe is expanding its reach from solely broadcasting on the Internet to now serving the core portion of Norman and all of the University of Oklahoma campus. This new outlet for student broadcasters is the latest venture for The WiRe, which was originally envisioned as a cable radio/television hybrid in the mid-90’s. Since the advent of TV4OU in 2004, The WiRe has been limited to web radio & TV4OU’s SAP channel. With the advent of an AM radio transmitter, funded through student activity fees & OU’s student government, UOSA, The WiRe can now reach the Norman community, university commuters, and visitors to campus with music and information about OU. The WiRe’s mission is to showcase and introduce the University of Oklahoma and the Norman community to unique music styles such as the latest in alternative, rock, hip-hop and electronic music. A variety of student DJs provide a diverse mix from local up-and- comers to bands like The Shins to Deerhoof. The WiRe also sponsors local events including free movie previews and concerts. For more information about upcoming events and programming schedules or to download podcasts visit http://wire.ou.edu Live DJs will play requests sent through AIM to wireou and phoned in at (405) 325-WIRE. Also, you can call (405) 325-0121, or mail comments to The WiRe, 395 W. Lindsey, Norman. OK 73019. The WiRe is operated by the Gaylord College of Journalism & Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma. This entry was posted on Thursday, February 22nd, 2007 at 2:15 pm (oklahomarock blog as above via DXLD) Pronounced Wigh-ree?? So that`s been going almost a year. No, I had not heard or heard about this. No sign of it here in Enid. Website link http://wire.ou.edu/ autolaunches audio; beware. Program link leads to mug (axually more than mug)shots of most DJs; covering M-F only; nothing specific about ``programming`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST ** PAKISTAN. Hi Glenn, February 12, 2008. Pushto broadcast of Radio Pakistan external service was monitored today from 1313 to 1355 UT at 5050 kHz. It was heard for the first time on the new frequency. Earlier when the frequency 5050 was monitored on 11.02.2008 the broadcast of R. Pakistan News Channel was being relayed due to some technical omission. The program content on 12.02.08 were news bulletin, news comment and Pushto music. Although the duration of program has been increased by fifteen minutes w.e.f. Jan 05, 2008, it has resulted in increase in more time for music. The audio was poor, announcer's voice was muffled, Pushto songs could be understood with some difficulty owing to howling of the transmitter. SINPO rating was 23221 (Aslam Javaid, Lahore, Pakistan, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 4991.1, presumed R. Manantial, 1004-1013, Feb 14, Spanish. Announcer with talk until signal was lost at 1013 under increased band noise. Poor. Since this station was first reported, all I've ever heard here is a huge carrier rubbing up against 4990-Suriname (Scott R. Barbour Jr., Intervale, NH-USA, R8, R75, NIR10, MLB1, 200' Beverages, 60m Dipole, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA [non]. RE: DXLD 8-016: R. TIKHIY OKEAN OFF SW: The website for PTR-Vladivostok (Pacific State Television and Broadcasting Company) is back again and has been completely redesigned http://www.ptr-vlad.ru/ but perhaps not totally functional yet. All references to R. Tikhiy Okean seem have been expunged and there are no longer any audio files for it, nor do I find live streaming for AM 810, so Primorskoye Radio may also be gone (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. Re 8-019: Yakutsk pictures http://www.tctr.ru/index.php?option=com_datsogallery&Itemid=69&func=viewcategory&catid=44 The picture to the right portrays a Molniya-2M, actually a 15 kW utility transmitter. After 1990 such transmitters had been modified to 5 kW full carrier AM mode and used for Radio Lena and Radio Miks Master (if I recall it correct) broadcasting services. I understand that the now gone shortwave broadcasts from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk on frequencies like 11840 had been done with unmodified Molniya-2M units, I think they had been reported as USB with reduced carrier? The other transmitter photo to the left could feature the Shtorm-D 150 kW longwave transmitter. At least it's definitely neither a Tesla nor a Sneg. Btw, these Molniya shortwave transmitters are not to be confused with the communications satellites, known for their polar orbits which are so characteristic that "Molniya orbit" became a general term for this approach. The US-based Sirius radio system (which again is not to be confused with the European Ku-band satellites) uses satellites in such a Molniya orbit as well (Kai Ludwig, Germany, shortwavesites yg via DXLD) ** RWANDA. 6055, Radio Rwanda, 2010-2100*, Feb 13, local Afro-pop music. Vernacular talk. Abrupt sign off. Weak but in the clear. No longer bothered by co-channel QRM from Turkey since Turkey moved to 6050 for their 1930-2020* time period (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOUTH AMERICA. Radio Cochiguaz --- Dear Friends: We will also this weekend be on from the S. American QTH with our 11 years anniversary program starting this evening at 2300 UT to about 1100 UT tomorrow. Greetings from Cachito Mamani. Reports are welcome to radio_cochiguaz @ yahoo.com Amigos! Estaremos de vuelta al aire esta noche con nuestro programa conmemorando nuestros 11 años de actividad. Empezamos alrededor de las 2300 UT hasta las 1100 del día de mañana en la frecuencia de 6307 kHz (QTH S.Am.) Saludos de (Cachito Mamani, swpirates via shortwave yg Feb 15 via DXLD) ** SYRIA. 12085, Radio Damascus (Adra), 2007-2024, 2/13/2008, English. Talk by man followed by local music selection. News by man at 2010. Music from 2021 to 2024 tune out. Moderate signal with fading and sub- par audio (SINPO 33222). Also heard possible parallel on 9330 occasionally breaking through under WBCQ (Jim Evans, Germantown, TN, TenTec RX-340, Drake R8B, RF Space SDR-14, 90' Random Wire, 200' PAR EF-SWL, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** TURKEY. VOT, February 10, 2008, *1330-1421*, 12035 kHz. News, "Review of Turkish Press", "View Point", "The Women of the Sultans". Signal off abruptly at 1357. Returned with music at 1400. SIO 353. 73, (Kraig, KG4LAC, Krist, Manassas, VA USA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) So new show The Women of the Sultans is on Sundays (gh, DXLD) ** TURKEY. Checking the VOT webcast, Tue Feb 12 at 2337 allegedly also on 5960, for possible replay of 2000`s Live from Turkey, not so, but instead Question of the Month, and the announcer axually spelt out rather slowly Yenisehir with a cedilla! Progress (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UGANDA. 4976, Radio Uganda (Kampala), 0418-0430, 2/14/2008, English. Music followed by news read by woman. Weak signal with very heavy CODAR interference. First log of Uganda this year. Normally only the hint of a carrier on this frequency (Jim Evans, Germantown, TN, TenTec RX-340, Drake R8B, RF Space SDR-14, 90' Random Wire, 200' PAR EF-SWL, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** U K. Re 8-019, BBC shortwave to Europe ending Feb 18: No surprise, a report about the HFCC conference for B07 already hinted that a certain broadcaster (not specified, but it was really easy to guess) plans to cancel shortwave for Europe entirely. Back in 2005 the BBC muddied the water by relabelling the target area of various frequencies to North Africa in order to maintain that they have considerably reduced the use of shortwave for Europe. So it remains to be seen what they will really turn off. I guess that at least 12095 (0700-1000) and 9410 (entirely) will go. And definitely no other BBC language service to Europe (except FSU) on shortwave will close as well. They are already gone, with the exception of Romanian and Serbian not just from shortwave but entirely. In particular Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Greek, Hungarian, Polish, Slovak and Slovenian were broadcast for the last time (already no longer via shortwave) on March 26 2005 (Kai Ludwig, Germany, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) BBC : Shortwave changes for Europe http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/help/2008/02/080208_sw_changes_euro.shtml The remaining BBC World Service shortwave transmissions to Europe will close on 18th February 2008. This change is being made in line with listener trends in radio. Increasing numbers of people around the world are choosing to listen to radio on a range of other platforms including FM, satellite and online, with fewer listening on shortwave. Alternatives This is particularly the case in Europe, where the majority of shortwave transmissions ceased in March 2007. The current closures affect the remaining transmissions heard in southern Europe. This will be a loss to some listeners, but there are alternative ways of hearing BBC programmes. For more information about other ways to listen, please follow the link below: Europe and Western Russia Listening in Europe and Western Russia Local stations A number of local radio stations in continental Europe broadcast the BBC World Service on FM or AM frequencies. This may be our 24-hour English service, or selected programming broadcast along with the stations' own output. More information Cable In some countries, notably Germany, The Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland and Austria, BBC World Service can be heard on cable FM frequencies in many cities. Contact your local cable network to see if BBC World Service is one of the channels on offer. In France, BBC World Service is available via CanalSat and in Greece and Cyprus via Multichoice Hellas. Satellite Free-to-air from Eutelsat Hot Bird 8at 13 East, transponder 50, vertical polarisation, 11727 MHz. Hot Bird 8 services cover the whole of Europe, including the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores, Iceland, western Greenland and Malta. Shortwave radio Direct shortwave transmissions for Europe have now ceased. Frequencies for western Russia remain, however, and listeners in south-eastern Europe may be able to pick up frequencies for the Middle East when atmospheric conditions permit. Information about shortwave frequencies http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/schedules/frequencies/index.shtml Medium and long wave radio Medium wave frequency 648 kHz can normally be heard 24 hours a day in north-east France (south to Paris, west to Le Mans), Belgium, The Netherlands, north-west Germany (south to Bonn & east to Osnabrück) and south-east England. Long wave frequency 198 kHz normally carries BBC World Service between 0100 and 0530 GMT (and the BBC's domestic channel BBC Radio 4 at other times). Although intended to serve the UK, 198 kHz is usually audible in parts of countries bordering the North Sea and English Channel. The BBC WS schedule carried on 198 kHz differs slightly from the core European schedule. In the Moscow and St Petersburg areas, local frequency 1260 kHz carries BBC World Service in English and Russian, as does 666 kHz in Ekaterinburg. Schedules http://www.bbcworldservice.com/schedules (via Zacharias Liangas, Greece, Feb 13, DXLD) This reply from BBC WS about which frequencies will be affected: "Although BBC World Service short-wave frequencies for southern Europe and North Africa are all ending on 18 February, frequencies for western Russia will remain." Regards, Audience Relations BBC World Service The full schedule on their website for S Europe and N Africa is: 6195 0500-0800 (via Skelton) 9410 0600-0800 (via Cyprus) 12095 0700-0800 (via Cyprus) 12095 0800-1000 (via Rampisham) 11665* 1600-1800 (via Skelton) 9410 1400-1600 (Sat only via Cyprus) 9410 1600-1800 (via UK) 6195* 1800-2200 (via UK) 5875* 1800-2000 (via Cyprus) *But as there is some overlap with the Western Russia service which they say is remaining then frequencies marked * will continue. And 11665 at 1600-1800 is also to W Africa so presumably continues also. The announcement appears in more than one place on the BBC WS site now (e.g. there's now also a link to it in schedules) but I get the impression its being kept low key with only a small link right at the bottom of their home page. Why cut these now and not wait until the new season starts at the end of March? (Alan Pennington, Caversham, UK, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/schedules/internet/800/radio_frequencies_s_europe_n_africa.shtml specifies that 11665 carries the African and not the European program stream, so it is indeed not to expect that it will be affected. And the overlaps with transmissions to European Russia can be easily sorted out: 5875 via Cyprus are actually two transmitters on different antennas, one aiming westwards (281 deg.), the other due north (358 deg.). 6195 1800-2200 is Skelton while 1800-2000 to Russia is another transmission from Rampisham. Presumably the first one for each frequency will be cancelled while 5875 Cyprus due north and 6195 Rampisham will continue. Actually: Why did they wait until now and not cut these already with the start of the current season? Apparently this was indeed their original plan, judging from the wording of the already referenced hint in the HFCC conference report at http://www.w4uvh.net/dxld7109.txt -- ´´Several stations will be making some unusual moves and one will be abandoning shortwave to Europe in English altogether for this frequency season, using mediumwave only instead. [which??]´´ (Kai Ludwig, ibid.) 6195 only 1800-2000 UT RMP 500 kW 62deg in B07. But 1700-1900 12095 in A08. So I'll hear BBCWS two hours daily also here in Germany in coming summer. 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, ibid.) But only during summer I think, otherwise it will be prone to skipping, since that's 7 to 9 PM in the evening. Already reviewed frequencies for Africa and the Middle East? Some of them are quite good here as well. I have to admit that so far I overlooked that BBC programming in Albanian, Serbian and Macedonian still exists. But what about shortwave for Albanian, is it really still in use and will be dropped as of March 3 (I think we're talking about guesses what the remark at http://www.bbc.co.uk/albanian/institutional/frequencies.shtml means)? I can't find any schedule for it (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Feb 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I don't see any mention of the current DRM frequencies out of Kvitsoy - 5875 and 5895. These are listed at 190 degrees to Western Europe so will they remain on air or be re-directed? Or are they classed as something else - maybe "tests"? (Noel R. Green (NW England), dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Reply from BBC World Service on DRM: http://www.drmrx.org/forum/showpost.php?p=45853&postcount=100 (Mike Barraclough, dxldyg via DXLD) Viz.: I asked BBCWS website about whether DRM broadcast to Europe will stop or not on 18th February, this is their answer: ------- The DRM broadcasts to Europe are a pilot service intended to support development of the medium and, particularly, receivers. The BBC is actively involved in the DRM consortium, and the broadcasts are a complementary activity. However, our budget for DRM transmissions is approved on a annual basis and we cannot therefore say for sure that its future is assured (via Mauri, Italy, Feb 14, DRMDX forum, ibid.) How about a yes or no? (gh, DXLD) Thanks for this, Mike - very interesting that they don't include the DRM service within their regular SW service, but as a pilot for future development. Obviously, the availability of viable receivers coming onto the market, and listeners being willing to invest in them, will be the factor that determines if they are able to obtain continued funding (Noel R. Green, ibid.) ** U S A [non]. It isn't shortwave but it is an interesting perspective on the USA --- Justin Webb, the BBC's North American editor, has a blog with interesting observations on the US -- one could actually look at this as a successor to "Letter From America", with all due respects to Alistair Cooke. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/justinwebb/ (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA, swprograms via DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. New York Radio VOLMET: To answer my own question from a couple days ago, I found the following referencing a NOTAM: My old friend Jack Nesmith passed along a NOTAM notice that the New York Volmet broadcast on 3485.0, 6604.0, 10051.0, and 13270.0 kHz is off the air until further notice. This was as of 20 Sep 2007. It appears they are still 'down' based on my monitoring, but Gander is coming in just fine -- wonder what is up that caused such a prolonged silence, and what are the planes doing in the mean time? Couldn't they work out a deal with Gander to just broadcast the information during the interim? Inquiring minds want to know! (Ken Zichi, MI, MARE Tipsheet Feb 15 via DXLD) ** U S A. COAST GUARD TO CONTINUE HIGH SEAS MARINE WEATHER RADIO BROADCASTS By: Log News Service | Tuesday, February 12, 2008 12:00:00 AM Last updated: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 5:49:00 PM LOG NEWS SERVICE — The U.S. Coast Guard announced Feb. 7 that it will continue broadcasting National Weather Service high seas marine weather forecasts on high-frequency (HF) single sideband (SSB) voice, radio facsimile and text transmissions. The Coast Guard said its decision to continue these weather broadcasts was based on the response to its request last April for public comment on the need to continue the high seas weather forecasts. “The responding public collectively perceives that the USCG HF broadcasts are essential to their safety,” the Coast Guard said. “There is no viable alternative to the USCG HF broadcasts because present alternatives are perceived by the public to be out of financial reach. Also, marine weather forecasts available through these alternative sources may not guarantee the same level of accuracy, timeliness, and/or sufficiency as provided by the USCG HF broadcasts.” The Coast Guard said it required public comment because the infrastructure necessary to provide these services had exceeded its life expectancy and significant costs were involved to continue these services. Although it does not have the funds necessary to replace all of its HF transmitters, funds are available to replace the 20 transmitters used for weather broadcasts, the Coast Guard said (via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) ** U S A. IF YOU ARE IN IRAN AND GETTING EXCELLENT RECEPTION OF OUR FREQUENCY FOR AZERBAIJAN, PLEASE RETUNE. "Washington also intends to spend $65 million to 'support the aspirations of the Iranian people for a democratic and open society by promoting civil society, civic participation, media freedom and freedom of information.' It would also launch broadcasts of the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Azerbaijani service into Iran, where at least a quarter of the population is ethnically Azeri." (Eurasianet.org, 12 February 2008 via kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) RFE/RL's shortwave broadcasts in Azerbaijani are almost certainly already audible in Iran. The RFE/RL Azerbaijani medium wave transmitter on 1296 kHz might be heard in Iran, as well. Additional funds are probably not needed but, in the name of democracy and open society, will probably be spent. Posted: 13 Feb 2008 (Kim Andrew Elliott, ibid.) ** U S A. Estimados amigos: Reciban mi más cordial saludo, les cuento que escuché programación en francés de la VOA en los 11775 y 15225 khz; según la última edición del WRTH y el sitio en internet de esta radioemisora hay transmisión en francés en estas frecuencias entre las 2030 y 2100 UT. El problema fue que estas transmisiones las escuché a las 2220 UTC (con un SINPO de 33333)!! ¿Alguien tiene información sobre estas transmisiones? Espero sus comentarios, responder con copia a mi correo: Agradeciendo su atención y consideración, les saluda con un gran abrazo desde Antofagasta (Patricio De los Ríos, Chile, Feb 13, playdxyg via DXLD) Patricio, El programa de las 22 a 2230 no es francés, sino criollo para Haití. Debe aparecer en las siguientes frecuencias: 2200-2230 UTC 11895 13725 15390 ¿Tiene certeza que se encontraba en las otras frecuencias de las 2030 en francés para África? 73, (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) ** U S A. Area 51 Schedule Feb 15-21 WBCQ 5110, Monday-Saturday 5-7 pm eastern time (2200-0000 UT) webcast http://johnlightning.com:8024 Reception reports, requests, submissions, e-mail radio at zappahead.net or timtron at hotmail.com All programming is subject to change at a moment's notice, but we try to keep this schedule updated throughout the week to keep you informed! Friday 2/15/08 2200 WBNY Love of Rodents 2/14/08 2230 Radio Jamba International 2/4/08 2300 International Radio Report 2/10/08 2330 World of Radio 1395 Saturday 2/16/08 2200 Liquid Radio live 2300 Lumpy Gravy Radio Show live Monday 2/17/08 2200 The Michael Ketter Show 9.11.2005 RNI Sunday, Michael's last show 2300 The Real Radio Show with #1 with Timtron and Mr. Mike 10.16.1999 2330 Juliet's Wild Kingdom 59 SWL Winterfest Tuesday 2/18/08 2200 You Are What You Think 7.26.2003 2300 Idio-Audio 1999.11.05 Slack, Negativland, Sex Wednesday 2/19/08 2200 Jean Shepherd - 1968-05-01 - Anniversary of First Ham Licence 2300 Seventies Radio Show 1 5.9.2000 2330 Lady Wolf's Head 2.13.1999 Thursday 2/20/08 2200 Marion's Attic 314 9.22.2007 Anniversary Show 2300 Hear Now 15 5.27.2000 featuring Magic Radio, Profiles of our World with Tasha Femkins - All cracked up and in the groove: The life and times of Marion Webster Marion's Attic http://members.aol.com/marionweb/ SWL Winterfest http://www.swlfest.com Radio Jamba International http://www.pmlol.com/kracker International Radio Report http://mediajct.homeip.net/radioreport/ World of Radio http://www.worldofradio.com Liquid Radio http://www.mnenergy.com/liquidradio/ Lumpy Gravy Radio Show http://www.rfma.net Jean Shepherd http://shep-archives.com/ http://rfma.net (WBCQ Broadcasters Forum Feb 15 via DXLD) ** U S A. 9430, WYFR Okeechobee FL; 2309-2318+, 12-Feb (presumed QTH); Harold Kamping discussing fornication -- got choked up at one point and had to cough; brought up spiritual fornication (Is that like Jimmy Carter lusting in his heart about hot babes?) and ceremonial uncleanness (There's a ceremony?!). And this gem, "God divorced Israel." This stuff is just ever so entertaining! S30 sig (Harold Frodge, MI, MARE Tipsheet via DXLD) ** U S A. Re 8-019, WMLK missing: I did tune to 9265 at 2100 and 2200 UT on the 12th but could not trace any signal from WMLK or anyone else. Propagation could have been the problem though as WTJC 9370 was unheard, and whatever it was on 9385 - WWRB? - was very poor (Noel R. Green, England, Feb. 13, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Per HFCC and FCC, WMLK is scheduled on 9265 only at 1600-2100, except day 1 = Sunday. I thought it was day 7 = Saturday which they took off. The other broadcast at 04-09 (daily, supposedly) hasn`t been active, or at least not reported, in years; but if it has been on it is not likely to propagate anyway. And are they really running 125 kW when on, as listed? 73, (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) Hi All - Thanks for checking, Noel and for the info, Glenn. I called them yesterday, no answer. I suspect they are still off. I believe those lists have some typos on both the power and day off, which is indeed Saturday. 73s (Hans Johnson, ibid.) ** U S A. Camp Lejeune, NC, is testing on 530 and 1610 kHz. Woman announcer mentioning test of computer software. They did a similar test a year or so ago and I reported reception --- all of 5 or 6 miles, hi. Public Affairs Office responded that they had no knowledge of any radio testing or of any TIS/HAR operation by the base. Occasionally active on 1640 kHz (not heard). 13 February 2008 at 1600 ELT [2100 UT]. If you hear the station, an address you can write is: Commanding General (ATTN: Public Affairs) Camp Lejeune, NC. 28542 (Mike Hardester, Jacksonville, NC.; Toyota Highlander stock radio, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Any tests at night? (gh) How far are these getting out? I'll have to try (in Toronto 530 and 1610 are taken but 530 can be nulled if the signal is strong enough). (Saul Chernos, Ont., IRCA via DXLD) Saul, Both stations can be heard around Jacksonville: 9? km / 6 miles. Since it's a government station, I have been unable to determine the power. Some stations (military) use 10 watts, 50 watts or whatever they're authorized by the NTIA. I logged the TIS at Patuxent River, Maryland in 2004, from here in North Carolina -- maybe 230 miles / 370 km. Given the right conditions, you might have a shot (Mike Hardester, ibid.) Mike, are these stations using anything resembling a call sign? I was curious if they might be using a tactical or non-conforming call sign like the one that Patrick Martin recently heard on another NTIA authorised TIS station (Patrick Griffith, CBT CBNT CRO Westminster CO, ibid.) Nope. Not the slightest thing resembling a call sign. If there is an official announcement (e.g., THREATCON level change, closure of Onslow Beach for amphibious ops, road closure due to BIG guns practicing, etc.); the only "ID" will mention Camp Lejeune (Mike Hardester, ibid.) ** U S A. JOHN SGRULLETTA --- It is with great sadness and sorrow that I report the passing of my good friend John Sgrulletta on Tuesday evening, 2/12/08. John was well known in DX circles, as from 1958 he pursued almost everything that wafted through the ether. Longwave, mediumwave, shortwave, FM, and TV were among his DX pursuits, and he was an avid QSL collector. I was always amazed at his focus and persistence when it came to verifying a new country. He taught me a lot about follow- ups, although I never went to the extremes John would go as he'd even call the radio station, never mind that it might have been in Papua New Guinea! I still remember the first time that I spoke to John on the phone. I had written him a letter, hoping that he would contact me and give me some advice regarding our DXing hobby. Unexpectedly, the call came at work, and when I heard "this is John Sgrulletta" I was just so happy and full of excitement! It was a rather bold move by John, as he had no way of knowing who I was, or whether I was a "wacko" (and there are quite a lot of those in our hobby). We all know that DXing is a solitary type hobby, which we enjoy and spends hours at in the darkness by the glow of our radios. However, becoming good friends with John really added so much more enjoyment of our hobby for both of us. Over the years, we talked about more than just radio, and I got to know John as more than just a top-notch DXer. He was a wonderful, devoted family man, deeply religious, and very considerate of others and their feelings. I really enjoyed our annual trips to the SWL Fest in Pennsylvania. The 3 hour car ride would seem like only a matter of minutes as we always had so much to talk about. John and I were both creatures of habit, and we both took great comfort in our annual routine. I'm really going to miss him, and will always think of him every time I tune my radio. Hearing a new station or country will never be the same for me, as I won't have John anymore to share that excitement with. Please have John, Yolanda, and Johnny in your thoughts and prayers. See: http://www.nyjnews.com/obits/Obit1.php?pid=2452479 (George Maroti, DXplorer Feb 14, via Horacio Nigro, condiglist yg via DXLD) OBIT ** U S A. CNN DELETES ``YWT`` FOR MORE POLITICS. As of Feb. 4, CNN decided they needed some more political talk during the lunch hour (noon ET) and thus they canned "Your World Today" (a program from CNN International) in favor of more political news, a program called "Ballot Bowl". Another reason why shortwave radio is more important when there's a need for real world news, not endless political talk, celebrity junk/rumors, etc. on US cable channels (Joe Hanlon, NJ, Feb 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Joe, I check YWT occasionally, but had not noticed this change. Checking today the online TV listings, titan, zap2it, tvguide, plus CNN website itself, still shows IWT. Are you sure this has changed; noted more than once? I would not be surprised, as online listings often don`t keep up with abrupt changes. But there`s no excuse for CNN itself not being accurate. 73, (Glenn to Joe, Feb 13, via DXLD) That's true, Glenn -- networks do make abrupt changes and this is what I noticed since Feb. 4. I do view CNN while at lunch and that's how I noticed the change here. BTW, noon ET/1700 UT (1600 from 3/10), if anyone happens to view CNN International outside the US (Joe Hanlon, Feb 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) BTW, IMO, YWT is still far too US-orientated (also based in Atlanta?). One of the anchors has a Britishish accent, and illegitimate acting president Bush becomes ``U S President George Bush``, just to distance themselves a smidgin, as if he needed such identification anywhere. Yep, Ballot Bowl, checked at 1700 UT Feb 14, and 24 hours later it was all about DeKalb, which the Atlantan anchor failed to realize, in Illinois is pronounced WITH the L (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. All times/dates in GMT, frequencies in kHz unless otherwise stated. Mobile logs made on the stock 2007 Hyundai Sonata radio. 780, FLORIDA (TIS), KAZ5520 "Florida State Fair Information Radio", Tampa; inactive in February, 2007 and once again this year during a drive-by on I-4 on February 8 and 9. Certainly gone forever. 1620, FLORIDA (PIRATE), "Radio Keenanm", Orlando; noted on checks while in the Orlando area on 8 and 9 February, 2008 with the usual Haitian kreyòl programming of konpa music and talk program blocks. 1640, FLORIDA (MIS), WQDC927 City of Casselberry; noted on 8 February, 2008 at various times while in the area. Signal drops out on SR-436 in Altamonte Springs. Telco audio looped male short announcement breaking into otherwise nonstop local NOAA Weather Radio relay. Didn't bother checking for all the other Orlando-area TIS/MIS stations, as previously reported in detail back in October, 2007. 91.3 MHz, FLORIDA (PIRATE), unidentified, Ocoee vicinity; 0030+ 9 February, 2008. Per Craig Cook phone tip, nonstop gangsta rap with lots of N and F words, poor level while in the SR-436/I-4 vicinity. The next day, excellent in the parking lot of the ham radio convention at the Central Florida Fairgrounds east of Orlando on SR-50. Signal remained excellent until near FL-429 when it began to break up some, so it appears to be in extreme east Orlando or near Ocoee. 92.7 MHz, FLORIDA (PIRATE), unidentified, Deltona vicinity; the station that seemingly has no formal slogan but sometimes mentions "the greatest hits of all time with Charlie J" noted on 9 February, 2008 while on I-4 near the SR-50/Colonial Drive exit. Poor with oldie rock hits, lost once on Colonial Drive. Per Craig Cook, this moved from 93.5 MHz after a gospel translator activated. Craig also indicates this is strongest NE of Orlando, possibly coming from somewhere near Deltona, and he indicates this is generally active Saturdays from local 10 a.m. to around midnight only. 96.5 MHz, FLORIDA, unidentified, Tampa; on 10 February, 2008, I noted a big mono open carrier, peaking around the I-275/I-4 junction and near downtown, with signal almost gone on the I-275/Howard Frankland Bridge approach, westbound. Audible on Fowler near the University of South Florida campus, but breaking up and with WTHQ, Orlando (Classic Rock) often audible. Nothing similar audible on 96.7 or 96.9. Possibly a translator malfunctioning (not sure if there's one here -- FCC dB is blank), or a pirate? FLORIDA: Emergency Broadcast Services (mobile), Brevard County; this converted old RV is always at the annual Orlando hamfest, but I never bothered walking through it until this year. I was surprised to discover that they deploy a 1 kW FM broadcast band transmitter, functional on any FM BCB channel. They have three vehicles (EBS-1 is the monitoring and communications command post, but also equipped with a broadcast small studio). When I got to the back of the RV, I immediately spotted an old Optimod and Marti unit and -- boom -- I knew something FM broadcast was happening here. When I inquired, I was told about the 1 kW unit, which I was told is housed in another vehicle (EBS-2 is the motorhome the staff would stay in, EBS-3 is a converted commercial basket truck that deploys the antennae). I was told there was no transmitter in EBS-1, that it is in one of the other units and fed to the tower truck via the Marti (though I saw something that was displaying an LED 89.3 MHz frequency, which I was told was a "modulator" and not a transmitter). I didn't have a portable radio on me to see if anything might have been modulating on 89.3, and forgot to check on the car radio by the time I departed. The pamphlet distributed states the transmitter is in EBS-1. Photos and a good description of their mission statement is at http://www.ebs1.us/ Friendly folks they were, with all good intentions in the event of the next big hurricane (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, Visit my "Florida Low Power Radio Stations" at: http://home.earthlink.net/~tocobagadx/flortis.html or: http://www.geocities.com/geigertree/flortis.html dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Radio Nueva Vida 1710 --- Not much regarding this one except Radio Nueva Vida, Virginia Beach, VA on 1710 kHz. http://www.radio.nuevavidavb.com/ [also webcasts, Christian, of course] 1710, Old Time Radio, Antioch, IL --- Anyone know more about this presumed Pt. 15 station? http://radio.macinmind.com/ More: http://radio.macinmind.com/info.htm Even More: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/257237/a_profile_of_old_time_radio_station.html (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Says range is half a mile (gh, DXLD) Yet another 1710 Pt 15 --- CNX Radio, 1710 kHz, apparently in or near Middletown, CT based on the high schools listed on their website. http://www.cnxradio.com/ (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Also webcasts Live365 and claims: ``CNX Radio Is Connecticut's Only Female Owned & Operated Broadcasting Company`` (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. Here's a St. Louis Post-Dispatch article about some local radio personnel changes, which appear to be part of a nationwide CBS Radio revamping: PAUL HARRIS DISAPPEARS FROM KMOX LINEUP By Greg Jonsson, ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, Tuesday, Feb. 12 2008 KMOX radio personality Paul Harris has been fired, apparently part of cost-cutting ordered by corporate parent CBS Radio. Harris said there also were cuts at KEZK, another CBS station here. "I was told I was being laid off," he said. "The guillotine came down on me." Harris was told at a noon meeting Monday and did not take the air for his 2-6 p.m. slot. The show was removed from the list on KMOX's website Monday night and later replaced with "To Be Announced" on the schedule. Station executives could not be reached for comment. Another KMOX host, Mark Reardon, filled Harris' slot Monday. Harris said he planned to take a few days off before deciding what to do next. "I'm very sorry to lose the venue," he said. "I loved working in that building and that radio station." Harris said listeners could reach him through his website, paulharrisonline.blogspot.com His KMOX e-mail account was deactivated Monday. On his website, Harris described his wide-ranging show as "talk radio for people who never thought they'd listen to talk radio." Harris also writes occasional opinion pieces, some of which have been printed in the Post-Dispatch, and appeared nightly on KMOV-TV (Channel 4) in a piece discussing each day's "hot topic." KMOX's corporate parent, CBS Radio, has ordered layoffs at other stations around the nation in recent days. St. Louis radio historian Frank Absher said cutbacks have been sweeping an industry buffeted by challenges. "KMOX has for many, many years been a jewel in the crown for CBS," Absher said. "Now it's showing how widespread it is. In the past, it would have been unbelievable for this to happen here." He said the challenges to the industry boil down to a decrease in listeners and advertising revenue. "People are finding satellite radio, Internet listening, iPods and all of that stuff," Absher said. "There are fewer ears listening to the commercials." That means the stations can't command the advertising rates they have in the past, Absher said. "I really hate to see what is happening in radio," said Absher, who worked at one time for KMOX and is the station's historian. "Unfortunately this sort of layoff has become so common, the concern I have is they are going to slim down the product so much that radio will lose even more listeners." (via Will Martin, St Louis, Feb 13, dxldyg via DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. Re 8-019: Lovely, Little Hitler has spread his Cuban engineering skills to YVland, meaning we'll have wobblers, MW stations with FMing audio, off-frequency channels, jammers and cockamayme modulation techniques spewing from a second country soon (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. Les hago una consulta, ¿hay transmisión en onda corta de Radio Nacional de Perú? Yo registré una transmisión en los 4850 aproximadamente, que se identificó como esta emisora; fue escuchada a las 2335 UT. Cualquier noticia, enviar con copia al correo: swl-ca6uqt @ live.cl Estamos en contacto, agradeciendo su atención y consideración, les saluda con un gran abrazo (desde Antofagasta, Patricio De los Ríos, Feb 14, playdx yg via DXLD) Has been off SW for many years, so what was he hearing? His frequencies aren`t always exact, with analog readout (gh, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 5745, as I tuned across WYFR Open Forum, Feb 14 at 0642, tone test QRM was just ending, presumably Greenville, as heard at the same hour previously (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 14000 USB, NO ID, señal de alarma. Saludos cordiales, hoy 13 de febrero a las 2135 UT por la frecuencia de 14000 kHz en modo USB, señal sin identificar, tiene todo el parecido a las alarmas de contraincendios, es la primera vez que escucho algo así. ¿Alguna idea? (José Miguel Romero, Spain, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) No ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ With continuing appreciation for WOR.... 73 de (Jim Gershman, K1JJJ, with a contribution via PayPal to woradio at yahoo.com) CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ RADIO TAIWAN INTERNATIONAL LISTENERS' CLUB MEETINGS IN INDIA Radio Taiwan International has decided to let listeners without valid RTI passes to join the 2008 Listeners' Club Meetings in Chennai and Delhi. However, listeners with passes will be given the priority to enter. If you do not possess a pass, you may participate as well by showing a souvenir, a QSL or a postcard from RTI. Scheduled meeting dates and venues are as follows: February 23, 2008 at 11:00 AM [UT + 5:30] in Chennai, India Venue: The Ambassador Pallava, Chennai 30, Montieth Road, Egmore, Chennai-600 008. Limited to 15 listeners without passes March 1, 2008 at 11 AM in Delhi, India Venue: Vikram Hotel Ring Road Lajpat Nagar New Delhi 110 024 Limited to 15 listeners without passes Attire: Casual but proper (Requested by hotels in Chennai and Delhi) (via Alokesh Gupta, dx_india yg via DXLD) Why this bureaucratic nonsense? Do they want to welcome and meet all possible listeners, or not? (gh, DXLD) GRAPHIC GAFFES AND AUDIBLE ATROCITIES +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ RIDICULOUS GAFFE ON NBC "NIGHTLY" TONIGHT From NBC Nightly News's East Coast Feed tonight: a story concerning the Australian government's formal "apolgy", er, apology to the Aboriginal people for past wrongs... OMG, lose it! Center up! (Tom Roche, GA, with three screen shots, Feb 12, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Speaking of Atlantans, see U S A: CNN WORLD OF HOROLOGY +++++++++++++++++ Your comments in DXLD 8-019 " ?? ``Quickly approaching``??? No it isn`t: it is approaching at a constant rate..." You are taking too literally. In a hectic lifestyle, many things to do, etc., on a daily basis an event will seem to "quickly approach" and quite possibly be missed maybe because one is focused on other things. Almost like how tax day "sneaks up" or older age "sneaks up" on some people. I believe writing was figuratively writing and not literally writing. 73, (Kraig Krist, VA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) DIGITAL BROADCASTING HDTV: see CANADA. DRM: see ECUADOR; UK ++++++++++++++++++++ IBOC/HD: see JAMAICA DRM examples The Feb 4 edition of RNZI Mailbox is all about DRM, with Chris Mackerell`s DRM report including recordings of several broadcasts, and RNZI`s DRM mailbox. Includes Jorge Zambrano doing a Música del Ecuador, in English, mentioning DRM, so guess he`s still at it. Did Chris really record so perfectly in NZ HCJB`s 4 kW DRM transmission aimed at North America, or was that posted in the drmna yg he had just referred to? Or more likely the DRM DX forum mentioned later. This Mailbox should be available until March 3: http://www.rnzi.com/audio/mailbox2.mp3 When another edition is posted, I assume the URL changes to http://www.rnzi.com/audio/mailbox.mp3 (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ MAN STEALS £15,000 TO BUY RADIOS http://www.boingboing.net/2008/02/12/man-steals-15000-to.html Meet Stephen Hudson. This 56-year-old gent from Halifax stole £15,000 from his 71-year-old partner and spent it all on radios. He enjoyed playing them all at the same time. "He used the money to buy radios – two black bin liners with radios in them were produced." Hudson admitted three offences of forgery, three of using a false instrument and asked for a further 93 similar offences to be taken into consideration. Bradford Crown Court heard Hudson had suffered from an obsessive compulsive disorder for 30 years. It manifested itself in him buying radios. links to http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/Obsessive-compulsive-sufferer-stole-15000.3767383.jp (via Eric Flodén, BC, dxldyg via DXLD) I see little wrong with this . . . (Flodén, ibid., compulsively?) I'm guessing "bin liners" are what we call "garbage bags". I'd think that 15 K pounds worth of radios would be more than two garbage-bags- full! :-) Or did he buy Watkins-Johnsons? 73, (Will Martin, ibid.) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ 160 METER MYTHS Ed Swynar, VE3CUI, of Newcastle, Ontario, took issue with a statement in last week's bulletin about the absence of sunspots being great for 160 meters. "Such mythology could not be further from the truth this year. The band has been most unremarkable this season, to say the least, and it continues to languish away in the doldrums. I thought that perhaps it was something at fault at my end: however, many subscribers to W4ZV's Topband Reflector seem to be of the same opinion." Readers have sent similar reports about both 160 and 75 meters over the past year. It seems that low geomagnetic and sunspot activity should be good for the lower frequencies, but perhaps it is not always the case. MAUNDER MINIMUM MISREPRESENTATIONS Over the past week many, many e-mails arrived from readers with a link to an article in a daily business publication claiming that we are on the verge of another Maunder Minimum, a decades-long period of little or no sunspot activity that occurred roughly between the years 1640- 1710. The article appeared with no byline, quoting Dr Kenneth Tapping of the Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics in Penticton, British Columbia; this is the observatory that supplies our daily solar flux values. But I thought the quotes sounded a little strange and not like Ken. Some readers also felt this way. As one wrote, "The article didn't quite ring true," and "I have a fairly broad scientific reading list." I sent Ken an e-mail. He responded that this has been a difficult week for him. A few weeks ago he received a phone call from a woman who engaged him in "a long discussion involving possibilities ranging from likely to not likely." He wrote that the article promotes something that is untrue, and "in no way do I support the conclusions she assigned to me." I think we can relax about any possible upcoming 70-year period of a quiet Sun. We cannot say that it could not happen, but in fact there is nothing unusual about the current Solar Cycle minimum, and really no known method of predicting such a period. (Tad Cook, K7RA Solar Update Feb 15, ARRL, via Steve Lare, dxldyg via DXLD) The geomagnetic field was mostly quiet during 04 - 09 February. Activity increased to minor storm levels on 10 February with major to severe storm levels detected at high latitudes. ACE solar wind measurements indicated a solar sector boundary crossing on 08 February (negative (toward) to positive (away) polarity) associated with minor changes in velocity, proton density, and the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). A co-rotating interaction region (CIR) was detected during 09 - 10 February, in advance of a recurrent coronal hole high- speed stream. The CIR was associated with increased proton densities (peak 27 p/cc at 10/0506 UTC) and significant changes in the IMF including increased Bt (peak 17 nT at 10/0600 UTC) and intermittent periods of southward Bz (minimum -15 nT at 10/1020 UTC). The high- speed stream commenced early on 10 February and reached a peak velocity of 742 km/sec near the close of the period. FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 13 FEBRUARY - 10 MARCH 2008 Solar activity is expected to be very low. No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to reach high levels during 13 - 24 February and 29 February - 10 March. The geomagnetic field is expected to be unsettled to active on 13 February due a recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream. Quiet to unsettled conditions are expected during 14 - 15 February as the high-speed stream gradually subsides. Mostly quiet conditions are forecast for 16 - 27 February. Activity is expected to increase to active levels during 28 - 29 February due to another recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream. Quiet to unsettled levels are expected during 01 - 07 March as the high-speed stream subsides. Activity is expected to increase to active levels during 08 - 09 March with minor to major storm periods possible at high latitudes due to a recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream. Unsettled conditions are expected on the last day of the period as the high-speed stream begins to subside. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2008 Feb 12 2253 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center # Product description and SWPC contact on the Web # http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html # # 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table # Issued 2008 Feb 12 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2008 Feb 13 72 15 4 2008 Feb 14 72 12 3 2008 Feb 15 72 10 3 2008 Feb 16 72 5 2 2008 Feb 17 72 5 2 2008 Feb 18 72 5 2 2008 Feb 19 72 5 2 2008 Feb 20 72 5 2 2008 Feb 21 72 8 3 2008 Feb 22 72 5 2 2008 Feb 23 72 5 2 2008 Feb 24 72 5 2 2008 Feb 25 72 5 2 2008 Feb 26 72 5 2 2008 Feb 27 72 5 2 2008 Feb 28 72 15 4 2008 Feb 29 72 15 4 2008 Mar 01 72 12 3 2008 Mar 02 72 10 3 2008 Mar 03 72 8 3 2008 Mar 04 72 5 2 2008 Mar 05 72 5 2 2008 Mar 06 72 8 3 2008 Mar 07 72 10 3 2008 Mar 08 72 15 4 2008 Mar 09 72 15 4 2008 Mar 10 72 10 3 (SWPC via WORLD OF RADIO 1395, DXLD) ###