DX LISTENING DIGEST 8-065, May 30, 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 1410 Fri 2030 WOR WWCR1 15825 Sat 0800 WOR WRMI 9955 Sat 1630 WOR WWCR3 12160 Sun 0230 WOR WWCR3 5070 Sun 0630 WOR WWCR1 3215 Sun 0800 WOR WRMI 9955 Sun 1515 WOR WRMI 9955 Mon 0415 WOR WBCQ 7415 [time varies] Tue 1100 WOR WRMI 9955 Tue 1530 WOR WRMI 9955 Wed 1130 WOR 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 ** ALBANIA [and non]. QRM co-channel 9390 R Tirana / R Algérienne HQ (Wolfgang Büschel, 1945 UT May 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALGERIA [non]. Re 8-064: These new relays via TDF (France) are now on air; 13650 confirmed with good signal at 0930 tune-in (Dave Kenny, May 29, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) 12025, R. Algeria Holy Qur'an (presumed); May-28 Arabic, 2000-2015 non-stop Arabic talks by two male voices, checked 2057 abruptly s/off. Good, 33333. 73's (Lucio Otavio Bobrowiec, Embu SP Brasil - Sony ICF SW40 - dipole 18m, 32m, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) It's at this time also on 9390, cf. http://www.wwdxc.de/topnews.htm or permanently at http://www.w4uvh.net/dxld8064.txt Confirmed here at 1930 check, with 9390 being stronger than 12025. Both have identical audio, without the aggressive multiband compression otherwise typical for Issoudun. This should indicate a use of the old Centre E facilities instead of the new ALLISS units (Kai Ludwig, May 29, ibid.) NEW, 13650, 0940-1000 F [? Presumably means Friday, but this was Monday --- gh] 26.05, Holy Qur`an, Algeria, via Issoudun, Arabic comment about Israel, Arab song 45434 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) NOTE: this is NOT identical to the 8-064 version, as May 29 observations have been added: are all these by Ivo, or some by Wolfy?? Radio Algeria Holy Qur'an in Arabic via ISS 500 kW from May 28: 0400-0500 on 7305 / 162 deg CeEaAf - yes May 27, 28 0500-0600 on 7305 / 162 deg CeEaAf - yes S=8 May 27, 28 9440 / 162 deg CeEaAf 9535 / 162 deg CeEaAf - yes S=8/S=9+10dB May 27, 28, 29 0600-0700 on 9425 / 194 deg NoWeAf 9535 / 194 deg NoWeAf - yes S=8/S=9+10dB May 27, 28, 29 11615 / 162 deg CeEaAf - yes S=9+10dB May 28, 29, S=9+10dB 11620 May 24-27 0700-0800 on 11620 / 194 deg NoWeAf - yes S=9+10dB May 26-29 13570 / 162 deg CeEaAf - yes S=8 May 26-29 13650 / 162 deg CeEaAf - 0800-0900 on 13650 / 194 deg NoWeAf - yes S=9+10dB May 26-29 15230 / 162 deg CeEaAf - yes S=8 May 28-29 QRM CRI Kashi 5-9 UT Chinese 15360 / 194 deg NoWeAf - 0900-1000 on 13650 / 194 deg NoWeAf - yes S=6 May 26-29 15230 / 162 deg CeEaAf - yes, S=2 underneath of CVC Darwin 9-11 UT co-channel 15360 / 194 deg NoWeAf - 1000-1100 on 13650 / 194 deg NoWeAf - yes S=9+30dB May 26, 27, 28 15230 / 162 deg CeEaAf - ?, QRM CVC Darwin 9-11 UT co- channel 15360 / 194 deg NoWeAf - 1600-1700 on 13570 / 162 deg CeEaAf - no WINB Red Lion instead 15165 / 162 deg CeEaAf - 1700-1800 on 11615 / 162 deg CeEaAf - 13570 / 162 deg CeEaAf - 13670 / 194 deg NoWeAf - 15165 / 162 deg CeEaAf - 15610 / 194 deg NoWeAf - 1800-1900 on 11615 / 162 deg CeEaAf - 11890 / 194 deg NoWeAf - 13570 / 162 deg CeEaAf - yes S=7-8 May 27 S=9+20dB May 28 13670 / 194 deg NoWeAf - 15165 / 162 deg CeEaAf - yes S=5 May 28 1900-2000 on 9390 / 162 deg CeEaAf - yes S=7 May 28 9400 / 194 deg NoWeAf - 9845 / 194 deg NoWeAf - 11875 / 194 deg NoWeAf - 11890 / 194 deg NoWeAf - 12025 / 194 deg NoWeAf - yes S=3-7 May 26, 27 / S=9+20dB May 28 2000-2100 on 7175 / 162 deg CeEaAf - 9390 / 162 deg CeEaAf - yes S=5 May 28; 2030-2200 UT QRM co-channel Radio Tirana in Albanian 9400 / 194 deg NoWeAf - 9845 / 194 deg NoWeAf - 12025 / 194 deg NoWeAf - yes S=3-7 May 26-27 / S=4 May 28 2100-2200 on 7210 / 194 deg NoWeAf - 7295 / 194 deg NoWeAf - yes S=9+20dB May 28 9390 / 162 deg CeEaAf - yes S=8 .. S=9+10dB May 28; from 2030-2200 UT QRM co-channel Radio Tirana in Albanian 9395 / 194 deg NoWeAf - 9400 / 194 deg NoWeAf - 9435 / 194 deg NoWeAf - 2200-2300 on 7220 / 194 deg NoWeAf - 7295 / 194 deg NoWeAf - yes S=9+20dB May 28 9395 / 194 deg NoWeAf - 9435 / 194 deg NoWeAf - \\ 2100-2300 UT 7150 SIN 3 sec behind 7295 ISS. 9710 SKN 1.5 sec behind 7295 ISS. (Ivo Ivanov-BUL via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 28, BC-DX May 29 via DXLD) Der Sendeplan ueber Issoudun Frankreich ist noch heftig variabel, aber man hat genuegend Zeiten/Frequenzen angemeldet. Am 26.5. war nichts auf 7305 und 13650, gestern knall-bumm Empfang bis S=9+20-30dB. (Wolfgang Büschel, May 28, ibid.) Radio Algeria 9535 kHz: Holy Qur'an program in Arabic via TDF am 26. Mai, 0625 ... 0657 UT, in Ostoesterreich mit O=3. Anfangs Modulationsprobleme oder schlechte Beitragsqualitaet, spaeter Okay, aber Rauschen (Herbert Meixner, Austria, A-DX May 27, ibid.) Ich wundere mich, aussergewoehnlich gute Signale aus Issoudun heute morgen aufzunehmen. Rueckwaertige Signale aus Issoudun France. 26. Mai 13570 Null, das Backsignal aus ISS skips ueber meinen Kopf. Really on air? Spaeter um 1800 dort WINB? englisch, obwohl montags ??? 12025, Der HQ Prediger mit dem rueckwaertigen S=3 Signal ab 1900 UT 27. Mai, 7305, HQ Prediger um 0510 UT, S=8 Signal. 162 Grad. 9535 S=8 Signal, mal etwas weltliches in Arabisch. 0620 UT. 11620 S=9+10 dB, praechtig, wie ein Europadienst, obwohl's die Rueckseite ist. Gute Ausbreitung der hinteren Seitenkeule. 13650 S=9+20 dB, ebenso weltlich. Jetzt um 0845 UT, zwei Moderatorinnen im Telefongespraech mit Anruferin. Um 1015 UT sogar S=9+30 dB. Letztere drei Aussendungen auf 194 Grad von ISS. 13570, Much powerhouse signal today around 1830 UT, S=9+20dB. 12025, Similar powerful signal, even around 1952 UT, S=9+20dB too. (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 27 via BC-DX May 29 via DXLD) Today [Friday] May 30 (Moslem Sunday) R Algérienne HQ via Issoudun is NOT on air at 0400-1000 UT. Only Skelton 7260 kHz relay noted till 0600 UT (Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hmmm, but if the purpose of the broadcasts is to spread the Qur`an, why would they take a day off on this of all days? (gh, DXLD) ** ANGUILLA. PMS, 11775, missing yesterday was back today May 29 at 1300 check (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA. QSL envelope with couple of nice stamps, kind letter signed by Mrs. Rayen Braun and they have two DX programs around 2135- 2145 UT compiled by Mr. Gabriel Iván Barrera on 9690, 15345 kHz: Fri Die Dx Neuigkieiten and on Mon "Nachtrag zu den Neuigkeiten". BTW on the front page of SWN of the DSWCI on the picture I saw Gabriel with other famous DXers from Argentina and Hugo López from Chile. In 1990 Gabriel and his Father visited me in Sofia for 3 days - they are wonderful people! (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, May 26, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 29 via DXLD) Axually, GIB is Chilean, not Argentine (gh, DXLD) ** ASIA [non]. Received a QSL from Radio Free Asia broadcasting in Tibetan on 9880 kHz and they checked off the transmitter site as "other," whatever that may be. Perhaps they do not want the site to be revealed so as to make any jamming more difficult. But the card lists several other transmitter sites. 73's, (Ed Insinger, May 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Presumably between 22 and 23 UT, when Lampertheim, Germany site is listed. Why should this be any secret? (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** BERMUDA. Bermuda FM in? Tentative ZBM 89.1 relog. Talk of parliament. Thought I heard BBC mentioned. Still listening [2005 UT May 29]. [Later:] ZBM 89.1 confirmed in: "Bermuda Broadcasting" news. [2009 UT May 29] (William R. Hepburn, WTFDA, Grimsby, ON, CANADA, http://www.dxinfocentre.com Radio : Sangean HDT-1 [ HD Radio ], Antenna : Delhi VU-937SR @ 33' AGL 172' HAAT [ log periodic ], WTFDA via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. 4699.35, Radio San Miguel, Riberalta, 0145-0214*, May 29, Spanish talk. Ad string at 0158 with ads, jingles, promos. Some Bolivian music after 0203. Abrupt sign off. Weak but readable (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 4824.97, Rádio Canção Nova, Cachoeira Paulista, 0230-0240, May 29, Portuguese religious talk. Ave Maria at approximately 0234. // 9675.0 - both frequencies fair. Listed // 6105 not heard (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. Good propagation from S America tonight? Noted strong het on 11925.17 against co-channel CNR Lingshi around 2015. Bandeirantes São Paulo? (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, May 29, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 4914.97, Rádio Difusora, Macapá, 0301-0325, May 30, several IDs at 0302-0303. Many mentions of Macapá. Promos, ads, jingles, Electronic sound affects. Portuguese talk. Romantic ballads. Fair but noisy conditions (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 9629.91, Rádio Aparecida, 0125-0140, May 30, Portuguese religious talk. Religious music. Fair. // 5035.07-very weak, // 6134.96-fair, // 11855-weak under Family Radio-Okeechoobee (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 9645.27, Rádio Bandeirantes, São Paulo, 0135-0145, May 30, Portuguese talk. Ads, jingles, promos. Poor to fair. // 11925.21- threshold signal (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. Applications by CKBD-600 and CBU-690 both Vancouver BC to move to FM approved by CRTC - but expect CBU to remain The application of CKBD-600 Vancouver BC to move to FM (100.5 MHz, 2.6 kW) has been approved by the CRTC: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2008/db2008-117.htm CKBD will be allowed to simulcast the FM station for the usual three months after the FM station becomes operational, at which point CKBD will go silent. In the same decision, the move of CBU-690 to FM (88.1 MHz, 8.9 kW) was also approved - but with a twist. The CBC had also applied for FM transmitters at Gabriola Island and Nanaimo, which at present are served by CBU but would not receive a reasonable signal from the new Vancouver FM transmitter. Given the lack of FM frequencies in the area, these applications were denied. The CRTC also pointed out that even with the Gabriola Island and Nanaimo FM transmitters, many areas which presently receive CBU would be without CBC Radio service if CBU went silent. So it appears that CBU will remain in operation on AM and will simulcast the new FM station. No mention was made of the CBU SW relay, CKZU-6160, in the decision :) 73, (Deane McIntyre VE6BPO, AB, May 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thanks for the update. I was wondering if the CRTC would allow CBU to make the jump to FM only. So it looks like CBU will be on 690 for a long long time. Sorry to see CKBD move as they have a nice NOS format that is not on satellite. I will miss them. But 600 will be a bit more open. 73, (Patrick Martin, OR, KGED QSL Manager, ibid.) Note also that CJCH-FM 101.3 in Halifax signed on yesterday, so the clock is now ticking on CJCH 920. (It's not simulcasting with the FM, from what I understand, just running a "tune to 101.3" loop.) s (Scott Fybush, NY, ibid.) ** CANADA. Dear Subscriber, In April we told you that the Quirks & Quarks newsletter would have to be offline until May while a new system for managing newsletters at CBC was developed. Unfortunately, this has taken longer than anticipated and we have to tell you that our newsletter will remain offline until our new season launches in September. We apologize for the inconvenience. In September, we will launch the new Quirks & Quarks newsletter. To sign-up at the member centre, go to http://links.cbc.ca/a/l.x?T=jncickeobelfojjnengeehdnie&M=1 While our newsletter is not yet available as a subscriber choice, please be assured when you log into the member centre in September our newsletter will be listed. An invitation will be sent to you when it's available. Regards, (Bob McDonald, CBC Quirx & Quarx, May 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) A pox on CBC's IT staff for these delays. You'd think they'd have the new system tested & up & running before dismantling the old system. After all, you don't want to ignore your "customers" (i.e. listeners) by not telling them what you're working on, after you have worked so hard to get a rhythm established. My two cents, anyway (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA, swprograms via DXLD) Maybe they are all in mourning about Shelagh's impending Last Day (Friday) before a hiatus*. Even cbc.ca is down . . . ef Vancouver, across the street from Shelagh's HQ * count me in the minority who cannot her abide her style. Now, I'll listen to Sounds Like Canada without her grating presence . . . I admire much about her; it just does not work when I try to listen to her (Eric Flodén, BC, swprograms via DXLD) Well, she doesn`t bother me, and I made a point of listening to her finale (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHAD. 4904.97, RNT, 0431-0450, May 29, local Afro-pop music. French talk. Fair to good (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) We are approaching earliest fadeout for this in June mornings, no more past 0600 as in winter (gh, DXLD) 4904.97, RNT, *0433-0445, May 30, abrupt sign on with local drums & Afro-pop music. French talk at 0438. Fair (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. All CNR-1 frequencies carry the daily national news conference from about 0800-0900, in Chinese with complete translations in English, from State Council of Information's Office. Had item about how the Central Committee of the CPC had issued directives that there were to be no "vanity projects" (political favoritism) regarding the reconstruction. PBS-XZDT, Lhasa, 6200 still with CNR-1 relay May 25, 1306+1345+1447. PBS, Lhasa on 4905 // 4920 not a relay of CNR-1, decent signal. Sichuan PBS services, from the quake area, heard most days on 9740 and new 12015, in parallel. 6060 and 7225 not heard too often. Normally the only music heard here was somber piano music, but May 26 heard them playing some patriotic songs (believe about national unity and how the country will pull through this disaster). There are numerious such songs also played now on TV. Shanghai PBS, 3280 // 4950, sign-on seems to be just after 0800. Big signal. Easy FM (CRI), 17710 (not // to 87.9 FM), 0705-0754, May 27, mostly in English, "China Drive" program (segments: quake update, sports news, business news, entertainment news, etc.), fair-good. Voice of Strait: 4900 // 5050, 2345, May 25. At other times not parallel. Good signals. 6115 // 7280, 0944-1000, May 27, good reception, in Chinese, same schedule as heard in Calif., after ToH not parallel (Ron Howard, Shanghai, China, Eton E5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA [non]. CRI in English, with two separate programs at 0124 May 30: regular show on 9580 via Cuba, // 9790 via Canada with item about Tibetan houses; and on 9570, 6020 via Albania with SAH from Costa Rica and AH from Peru, China Drive show from domestic service, at first a bit of Chinese music, but then American-accented announcer talking about psychoanalysis, NBA playoffs. Is it still drive-time in Beijing after 9 am? Is this a regular spot for China Drive, 0100 UT via Albania but not Cuba or Canada? 9580 modulation had some rumble on it but better than last time I noticed (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. Firedrake music jammer seemingly back on air, May 29th. 0620 UT 21500 21550 21690. 17510 17615 17780 17880. 15165 15635 15680. 13760 (Wolfgang Büshel, Germany, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) After 10 days, Firedrake music is back as the primary jamming method of the Chicom dictatorship, afraid to death of letting the oppressed Chinese people get any information from abroad. May 29 between 1250 and 1306 I was hearing FD again on many of the usual targets, some with the victim also audible, but usually not, on a not-very-good FE morning: 7280, 9605, 9680, 11665, 11710, 11785, 11805, 11825, 12040. Another bandscan at 0116 May 30: the lowest frequency with some FD audible was 15385, weak and fluttery; also at 0119 on 17765; both against VOA Chinese via Tinang (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) While tuning around I noted on 11785 the well-known selection of lively Chinese music being back. In my opinion the temporary replacement by CNR 1 was anyway not a suitable gesture of respect for the victims but instead demonstrated the cynical nature of the Chinese censorship system, since this way the Chinese authorities (or, in fact, SARFT in particular) more or less admitted a direct responsibility for the jamming transmissions (Kai Ludwig, Germany, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also HONG KONG [and non] ** COLOMBIA. 6035, LV Guaviare, 0250-0300*, May 30, local Spanish ballads. Spanish announcements. Sign off with National Anthem. Poor, difficult reception with heavy adjacent channel splatter and co- channel QRM (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. 5025 --- In areas of mountains and especially in the valleys where AM and FM broadcasts do not reach or provide a very unreliable service, the Near Vertical Incidence Skywave tropical band signals provide excellent service. That's whey the Cuban Broadcast Institute now operates a 50 kilowatt high tech transmitter for broadcasting Radio Rebelde's network national program on 5025 kHz, using a near vertical incidence sky wave antenna system to provide optimum service up to a distance of 1000 kilometers around the transmitter site. For Dxers there is a bonus: the antenna does have a small low angle lobe that makes possible listening to Radio Rebelde in many far away places too!!! (Arnie Coro, Radio Havana Cuba DXers Unlimited's weekend edition for 24-25 May 2008 via ODXA via BC-DX via DXLD) 5025 is the second-best signal on 60 m here more than 2 megameters away, after WWCR 5070; the lobe is more than ``small``. While I can`t tell how well it funxions nearby as NVIS, there is something about that setup which is not as focused as people seem to think; cf. also HCJB`s 3220 NVIS with `local-like` signal into Florida (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. 5009.79, Radio Cristal-Radio Pueblo, 2345- 2359*, May 28, Presumed. Spanish talk. Local music. No ID heard. Weak unintelligible announcement at 2359 & off. Fair signal strength but low modulation (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ERITREA. 7100, VOBME, *0354-0410, May 29, IS. Talk at 0400 and Horn of Africa music. Weak but readable. // 7175-weak under Radio Liberty. These 2 frequencies used to run separate programs but heard tonight in //. Both frequencies hit by noise jammer at different times (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EUROPE. Re 8-064, R. Cimarrona: Esta emisora emitía en 2004 desde Colonia, Alemania en la frecuencia de 9480 kHz. Su dirección electrónica era: radiocimarrona @ hotmail.com Le envié un informe de recepción el 22 de noviembre 2004, pero no contestaron. Los datos de la escucha son estos: EMISORA: RADIO CIMARRONA - COLONIA, ALEMANIA IDIOMA: ESPAÑOL FRECUENCIA: 9480 KHz BANDA: 31 Metros FECHA: 22-11-2004 HORA: 2250 UTC 2 Grabaciones de la escucha en: http://telefonica.net/web2/radioescuchadx/rcimarrona2.mp3 http://telefonica.net/web2/radioescuchadx/audios_archivos/rcimarrona.wav Cordiales 73 (José Bueno, España, May 29, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Köln? A pirate transmitter, or you mean via DTK site, not really DW? (gh, DXLD) Radio Cimarrona, reactivada????? Hola Jose' Miguel, Me "suena" como un Pescado del primero de Abril con fuerte retraso. Quizás, Santiago, tienes su reloj ...retrasado ??? hi! Quien sabe quien es Marino (Requiescant in) Pace ??? Saludos desde Vilanova i La Geltru' Catalunya! (Dario Monferini, May 29, playdx yg via DXLD) Darioooo, que haces en Vilanova??? Disfrutando del poco Sol. Reconozco que es la primera noticia que tengo de las emisiones de Radio Cimarrona, quizás relay desde alguna emisora pirata de Italia?? Comentas que emite desde primeros de abril, ¿desde donde??? Un saludo y felíz estancia en Vilanova, un cordial saludo, (José Miguel Romero, ibid.) No creo se haya reactivado, debe ser una grabación hecha en aquel entonces y retrasmitida por alguna pirata. Pero Cimarrona en si *NO* era pirata (Horacio Nigro, Montevideo, Uruguay, dxclubepr yg via DXLD) ** GERMANY. [Cf. UK] Here in Germany lobbyists of the newspaper publishers were quite successful in getting strict restrictions for online services into the draft of a new state treaty about the public broadcasters. It could happen that any written news will be banned as illegal "electronical press", that any other stuff not directly related to a broadcast programme will be banned, even that all material (other than general presentation of the organizations) will have to be deleted after seven days. Time will tell, but at present one has to wonder if it is not a complete waste of time to put any efforts into an ARD website anymore, since one must fear that it will be verboten anyway. Another news from public broadcasting in Germany: RBB (Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg) will close down its Radio Multikulti station on 31 Dec 2008. As of 1 Jan 2009 the FM frequencies, at least 96.3 at Berlin (there are two low power outlets at Frankfurt/Oder and Cottbus as well), will relay Funkhaus Europa of WDR instead. Some people with a preference for commercial broadcasters demanded the media authority MABB to ban this and put 96.3 on tender, but MABB simply has no chance to rip the frequency out of RBB's hands. This measure is the result of being short of an estimated amount of 54 million Euro during the 2009...2012 period, which again is related to the way the licence fees are shared out. Director of radio Christoph Singelnstein made a point of stating that it's not a cost-saving measure but just a rude, bitter cut which is inavoidable because they just run out of money. Radio Multikulti has been chosen as victim because closing it down causes the least damage, mostly because relaying Funkhaus Europa will provide a substitute. Radio Multikulti may even be known in the shortwave scene: Until 31 Dec 2006 Deutsche Welle relayed a weekly Radio Multikulti programme in Romanes on frequencies which otherwise carried DW Turkish. Radio Multikulti was also on mediumwave 567 until it had been shut down on 31 Dec 2005, as part of an agenda of cost-saving measures called "RBB 2009" which made it possible to avoid such a draconian step (i.e. scrapping a complete radio station) for the period which now runs out. (Kai Ludwig, Germany, May 29, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HONG KONG [and non]. REBEL BROADCASTERS BACK ON AIR WITH JUNE 4 APPEAL --- Fanny W. Y. Fung, May 30, 2008 the online edition of South China Morning Post, Hong Kong's premier English-language newspaper http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=7d53c3937153a110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=Hong+Kong&s=News The unlicensed Citizens' Radio went on air again last night, urging Hongkongers to attend events next week to mark the anniversary of the June 4 crackdown. Speakers made the appeals despite facing lawsuits for conducting similar activities earlier. Seven broadcasters, including three legislators - Emily Lau Wai-hing, Lee Cheuk-yan and "Long Hair" Leung Kwok-hung - took part in the programme in the pedestrian zone in Great George Street, Causeway Bay, from 7 pm to 8 pm. The talk show had the theme "vindicate the 1989 democratic movement, commemorate the 19th anniversary of the June 4 incident". They called on people to join the annual march on Sunday and the vigil next Wednesday. Szeto Wah, chairman of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China, said this year's events would be linked to relief for victims of the Sichuan earthquake. "The June 4 crackdown was a human-caused tragedy and the Sichuan quake was a natural disaster. But human-caused tragedy was also involved in the natural disaster ... It is meaningful to mourn those who died in the two incidents together," Mr Szeto said, referring to the collapse of 7,000 schools in the quake believed to be result of poor construction. Mr Lee, vice-chairman of the alliance, said the number of participants at this year's vigil was especially important because it would be seen as an indicator of whether Hong Kong people were willing to fight for democracy, freedom and human rights in this year of the Beijing Olympics when an atmosphere of celebration was prevailing. Six of the seven speakers are facing charges for taking part in previous shows broadcast by the station, and these cases are still pending court rulings. The only speaker at last night's show not facing charges was Jo Lee Wai-yee, a member of the League of Social Democrats. The Office of the Telecommunications Authority said it had initiated an investigation into the suspected use of unlicensed radio transmitter equipment following an unlicensed radio transmission last night. A spokesman said: "If there is sufficient evidence, those who are involved will be liable to prosecution." Tsang Kin-shing, founder of Citizens' Radio who also appeared last night, said they were not afraid of further charges and would conduct live broadcasts on June 4 and July 1 to report on the Tiananmen incident memorial vigil and the annual march for democracy (Via Dan Say, BC, DXLD) ** INDONESIA. While the past two days it was back on 9525, instead of 9526, VOI was not detectable on either frequency May 29 at 1306 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. VOI is back on 9526, after being on 9525 for a few days, and missing the day before. May 30 at 1318, xylophone music, Korean announcements, more bits of music. Why, o why? Are two different transmitters involved, one set on 9525, the other on 9526? Or do they deliberately think there is some advantage to broadcasting 1 kHz off- channel most of the time? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9526, Voice of Indonesia, 1125-1140 May 30. At tune-in, noted a male in Mandarin language comments until 1128 when music is presented. At 1130 more comments and possible change to new language segment. Signal by this time (1130) has deteriorated to threshold. A report a few days ago said that VOI was back down to their regular frequency of 9525 kHz, but today they are back on 9526. There must be some QRM at their end that they can't shake on 9525 and 9526 is the better spot to transmit? (Chuck Bolland, Clewiston, FL, NRD545, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM [and non]. STS-124 Space Shuttle launch All, the next Space Shuttle launch is due on Saturday 31st May, so here is some information for those wishing/hoping to hear the launch on HF. This is the next flight to the ISS and NASA have released details of the exact launch time. Of course, you're not going to hear the Shuttle on HF, as it is not equipped with HF equipment. However, you can hear the various support aircraft and ships involved in the launch. And there is a lot to hear! There are usually two USAF MC-130 aircraft orbiting in the eastern Atlantic, using the callsigns 'King 1' and 'King 2'; and there may be other 'King' callsigns either waiting in reserve or orbiting in the mid or western Atlantic. There is usually a USN Frigate patrolling the waters off the Atlantic coast of Florida, and also the SRB recovery vessels, M/V Liberty Star and/or M/V Freedom Star. A USN E-2C Hawkeye aircraft usually patrols the same area, on the lookout for aircraft and ships straying into the launch area - this uses the callsign 'Clearance 1'. Finally, there are a few Ground Stations to consider - 'Cape Radio' and 'Cape Osborne'. The launch. The launch of STS-124 is due at 17.02 EDT (2102z, 22.02 BST) on Saturday 31st May. This is another ISS mission, so the launch window is only 5 minutes long - if it doesn't launch on-time, it will have to wait until the following day for the next suitable window. At the time of launch the ISS will be over the North Atlantic, just south of Newfoundland. This is a 14-day mission, which is due to return on 13th June. HF. For HF listeners, the best place to start is 10780 kHz about 3-4 hours before the launch. At some point most of the aircraft and ships involved will check in with 'Cape Radio' to find out which other HF frequencies they are using for the launch. Keep listening until you hear them mention this freq, as most of the signals will be on this other frequency rather than 10780. Once you find the other frequency, keep switching between it and 10780 in case other aircraft/ships are sent to other frequencies. UHF. About 15-20 minutes after launch the shuttle will pass over/near the UK, and it is possible to hear them on UHF airband. The comms are quite short, but it is definitely them! Tune to 259.7 MHz AM, but don't expect to hear too much if you're just using a set-top rubber- ducky. They are only 'in range' for a few minutes, so don't expect to hear too much! - however, some listeners have reported hearing brief comms on this freq using simple equipment, so please try to listen just in case, you may be surprised. (#Update# - I heard the last launch on my scanner using just a simple telescopic aerial, so it is possible!) SATCOM. If you have a good enough external aerial, ideally a beam, and maybe a pre-amp, it is possible to hear the MC-130s orbiting in the eastern Atlantic as they maintain contact with the Cape using satellite comms in the UHF airband. Tune to 261.75 MHz NFM or 263.625 MHz NFM (the commonest two frequencies) and listen for 'King' callsigns. They have also been known to use 261.8 MHz, so check that frequency too. These guys seem to spend most of their time doing radio-checks with Cape. They provide a kind of 'emergency service' for the Shuttle launch, so don't expect to hear much else unless it all goes very pear-shaped in the launch. INMARSAT. I do not personally have the ability to listen to these signals, but I know that some do. There is a TAL site pre-launch briefing held sometime in the 24 hours prior to the launch, which should pop up in the range 1535 to 1545 MHz on AOR east. The European Space Agency may arrange a video feed of the launch via satellite into Europe as they did for the previous launch, and there should also be a relay of NASA TV for Reuters. Both will be carried on NSS K at 21 degrees west in digital format. I would recommend checking emails from John Locker, as he usually provides some good clues as to launch frequencies SHF. NASA TV usually cover the launch in-depth, and I am sure that John Locker can give details of what freq(s) to listen to. Live TV coverage. Don't forget Sky Newsdigital (now with 8 interactive screens) and also BBC interactive news. The great thing about the interactive news channels is that they can carry a shuttle launch for much longer by using one of their sub channels , so it's well worth keeping an eye on those two. For those of you with access to IRC (Internet Relay Chat), a number of us meet on channel #HEARSAT, and you're welcome to join us. This is usually from about 1 hour before the planned launch time, until about 30 minutes afterwards. With people all over Europe receiving signals from different stations, most frequencies are quickly reported when anything happens. If anybody has any updates for the above, please get in touch and I will re-issue it with corrections (Graham Tanner, London, UK, May 29, monitoringmonthly yg via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [and non]. National Hurricane Center's WX4NHC On-The-Air Station Test - May 31 1300-2100 UT, ARLX005 From ARRL Headquarters Newington CT May 29, 2008, To all radio amateurs The annual WX4NHC On-the-Air Station Test from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami takes place Saturday, May 31, from 1300 to 2100 UT. "The purpose of this annual Station Test is to test all of our radio equipment, computers and antennas using as many modes and frequencies as possible. This is not a contest or simulated hurricane exercise. New equipment and software will be tested, and some operator training will also be conducted," says WX4NHC Assistant Amateur Radio Volunteer Coordinator Julio Ripoll, WD4R. He adds that WX4NHC also will be testing new computers and software as well conducting operator training. WX4NHC will be on the air on HF, VHF and UHF, plus 2 and 30 meter APRS. Suggested SSB frequencies are 3950, 7268, 14325, 21325 and 28525 kHz, +/-QRM; WX4NHC reports that they will mostly be on 14325 and will make announcements when they change frequencies. WX4NHC also will be on the VoIP Hurricane Net 1700-1900 UTC (IRLP node 9219/EchoLink WX-TALK Conference) and on South Florida area VHF/UHF repeaters and simplex. Stations working WX4NHC exchange call sign, signal report, location and name plus a brief weather report, such as "sunny," "rain" or "cloudy." Non-hams may submit their actual weather using the On-Line Hurricane Report Form. QSL to WD4R and include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Do not send cards to the NHC. Due to security measures, no visitors will be allowed at NHC during the test (W1AW Mailing List w1aw-list-request@listserv.arrl.org via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) ** KASHMIR. AIR Leh goes hi-tech --- Rajesh Bhat http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=134865&catID=2&category=India ALL INDIA Radio-Leh, the world`s highest radio station in Jammu and Kashmir, has gone hi-tech after a satellite up-link facility and an FM transmitter were inaugurated by the state chief minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, on May 29. With these two vital facilities, the reach of this radio station, located at 11,800 feet above the sea level, has been extended to far-off areas like Nyoma, Khaltsi and Diskit. Addressing a well attended function in the premises of the All India Radio-Leh, the chief minister said that the satellite up-link would help people in the region outside the district headquarters to listen to the programmes broadcast from Leh and also allow countrywide direct broadcast of any programme or event. He said that radio is an effective medium of communication. The inauguration of the FM station there is a boon for the young generation as it has become a craze with the youth in India. The popularity of FM transmission has transcended boundaries of popularity and youth are feeling specially connected with these transmissions. He added, Young boys and girls from Leh are studying in educational institutions in Shimla, Chandigarh, Dalhousie, Mumbai and other cities and the number of students from there, studying in other states, is more than the collective number of students from other districts of the state. The FM transmitter will be a good entertainment medium for those students after they return to their homes, following the completion of their studies. Good entertainment is necessary to keep youngsters connected with their place of origin. In his address, BS Lalli, chief executive officer, Prasar Bharati, described the launch of satellite up-link and FM transmitter as the auspicious occasion for the people of Leh. He said, A big production studio of Doordarshan would soon be inaugurated there, which will promote Ladakhi culture and language. New transmitters will be set up in shadow areas to enhance the reach of radio broadcast. Thupstan Chewang, MP from Leh, emphasised on effectively countering the propaganda from the neighbouring countries through radio and television. The AIR-Leh has been playing great role in promoting local culture and language (via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, May 29, DXLD) Impressive, but is it really ``the world`s highest radio station``? Possibly if that means studio with transmitter site, but surely there are some FM transmitter sites at higher elevation, e.g. in Colorado where 14 kft peax are common. There is or was an FM transmitter on Mt. Kinabalu in Sabah, which attains 4101m elevation, tho the site is not likely at the very summit. Leh does exceed Sandia Crest for Albuquerque, which is under 11 kft. O, one has to go no further than Lhasa, where the ground level elevation is already 12000 feet, per some google search hits (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. KOREA D.P.R. According to all info about Korean transmitters they are using 29 at 1100-1300 UT and in oppositive only 14 transmitters at 0500-0630 (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, May 26, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 29 via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. 9940, North Korea Reform Radio, 1300, May 25, classical music, in Korean, rapid pulsing jammer, same as heard against Shiokaze today on 6020 (*1400-1430* and jamming continued well past BoH (Ron Howard, Shanghai, China, Eton E5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KUWAIT. I recently received word from a senior staff member at the IBB Kuwait transmitter station that they are NOT issuing QSLs. Hopefully this is just a local decision. Alas, my reception report has been forward onto Washington. Maybe 3rd time lucky? Washington only seems to QSL about 50% of the time, from my personal experience (Ian Baxter, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) I was just about to post my experience regarding this myself! This past week I found a VOA QSL verifying a transmission from Kuwait I sent in January along with one verifying VOA's new relay in Bonaire. Both were no-data from Washington. I had a similar experience with Sao Tome in January. My report there was verified along with two others I had recently sent. I recall Glenn mentioning that overseas IBB relays have no obligation to QSL (Jon Pukila, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada, ibid.) Hi John, Thanks for mentioning your experiences. It's been a couple of years since I last sent a reception report to Washington & they've always provided a FD card when they have actually responded in the past. Hopefully your unfortunate experiences with the ND cards from Washington isn't a new blanket policy of issuing ND QSL cards (Memories of DW, BBC, etc.) I'd be interested in hearing from others who have over the past few months written to Washington with reception reports. Regards (Ian Baxter, Australia, May 30, ibid.) ** MALAYSIA. Good time again for VOM on 15295 (9750 is covered by BBC WS in English and on 6175 is not heard) opening at 0256 UT with IS and at 0300 starting in English with program Voice of Islam (May 26). (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 29 via DXLD) ** MEXICO. Re 8-064, XEXQ: Saludos Julián Santiago y demás colegas: Que yo sepa, esto de la altura (geográfica) de una antena de onda corta no afecta la propagación de la señal que mayormente tiene que negociar con las capas ionosféricas. Otra historia sería si se tratara de un tranmisor FM, para lo cual un punto alto si es ideal. ¿O me equivoco? (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) I was wondering about this too; not exactly clear where the SW transmitter/antenna is relative to surroundings. If in a built-up area, with taller buildings around it, it could be at a disadvantage, improved by getting it on a higher tower, rather than moving it to a mountain (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) De acuerdo a lo que me dijo el Ing. Moreno, la antena estaba ubicada en la azotea de un edificio de su planta de transmisión, en forma de "V" invertida, al tener el inconveniente de la interferencia que estaba causando sobre la OM y FM la bajaron y por el momento se encuentra a nivel del piso con no más de un metro de altura. Por lo que, con los postes de soporte le darán más altura sobre el nivel del piso hasta alcanzar el nivel que tenía previamente. Es un hecho que, desde que, hicieron este cambio temporal la recepción es muy baja aquí en la Cd. de México. Saludos, (Julián Santiago, May 29, condiglist yg via DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS [non]. Hello from Hilversum, concerning the frequencies we'll be using for our Euro 2008 football coverage, there's a further frequency change at 1759-2057 to West Africa. Glenn Hauser pointed out to us that the frequency we originally chose, 15420 kHz, would clash with WBCQ in Maine, so we have changed it to 15650 kHz. The only clash we want on those dates is on the pitch in Bern! Here again is the complete schedule, duly amended: Dates: 9, 13 and 17 June 2008. All times UTC. 1830-2057: 5840 kHz to SE Asia + Indonesia + W Australia 1800-2100: 5955 kHz to SW Europe + NW Africa + Canary Islands 1800-2100: 5990 kHz to Europe 1800-2057: 17485 kHz to South America 1845-2057: 9895 kHz to SE Europe + ME 1759-2057: 13855 kHz to East Africa 1759-2057: 15650 kHz to West Africa 1759-2057: 17765 kHz to the Caribbean + Mexico + southern part of USA The regular transmission beginning at 2000 UT on 6040 and 6125 kHz will also join the football commentary on these dates (Andy Sennitt, Media Network newsletter May 29 via DXLD) ** NICARAGUA. SACAN DEL AIRE A LA RADIO NICARAGUA --- La voz oficial del Estado, Radio Nicaragua, estará fuera del aire por tiempo indefinido después de ser víctima de un robo en su antena de transmisión, al igual que ha ocurrido en otras emisoras en las últimas semanas. “Tenemos fuera del aire la frecuencia 620 en AM, se llevaron alrededor de 400 metros de cable de acero y unos 200 metros de cable coaxial, se nos llevaron la bobina de sintonía y los condensadores que van ahí mismo”, explicó la subdirectora de Radio Nicaragua, Gixa Torres. Las pérdidas son de aproximadamente 20 mil dólares. Se presume que este robo se produjo en la madrugada. La antena de transmisión de Radio Nicaragua está ubicada en el sector del Timal, en el municipio de Tipitapa. Según Torres, el vigilante y el operador que ahí permanecen no vieron ni escucharon nada, ya que entre el lugar donde está el transmisor y la antena, hay unos 300 metros de distancia. Del robo supuestamente se percataron hasta ayer al amanecer, cuando se encendió el transmisor y la radio no salió al aire. Torres expresó también que ésta es una situación difícil para la radio, dado que funciona a través de la asignación del Presupuesto General de la República, donde no está contemplada una inversión de este tipo para remediar los daños, a no ser que se produzca una reforma presupuestaria. Así que Torres no precisó hasta cuando estarán fuera del aire. “Estamos recogiendo toda la información para ver qué se va a hacer; esto nos va a llevar su rato. De momento sólo estamos en la frecuencia 90.5 de FM, pero no responde a las expectativas del trabajo, por la cobertura”, añadió. Torres agregó que no descartan que detrás de este robo estén personas que intentan desestabilizar al Gobierno, como voz oficial del Estado (tomado de El Nuevo Diario, Nicaragua via Arnaldo Slaen, May 29, condiglist yg via DXLD) 620 was the most DXable Nic MW freq (gh) ** NORTH AMERICA. Pirate. 7575.19, The Crystal Ship, 0248-0310, May 30, 80’s pop music. ID. // 5385.50-both frequencies poor to fair in noisy conditions (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. OKLAHOMA MEDIA AWARENESS ALLIANCE http://www.theomaa.org/t14-home Lots of discussion about out-of-state ownership of TV; YouTube stuff (via Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAKISTAN. Some project details received from Alan Davies, Indonesia in SW TXsites ng May 23. Replacement of 2 x 50 kW Short Wave Transmitters. Project time June 2005-June 2008. The PBC - Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation through this project will be able to project its voice throughout the important regions of Gulf, West Europe, South East Asia, South East Africa and Far East. PBC sharing of commonness with the people of the regions would provide basis for close collaboration and strong ties among masses of these regions. Objectives of the project preferably in quantitative terms: To extend the coverage of PBC External & World Services for the countries situated in Gulf / Middle East (Specially Saudi Arabia), West Europe, South East Asia, South East Africa & Far East in different languages such as Arabic, English, Turkish, Bangla, Persian, Sunhali, Hindi etc. To improve the quality of PBC World Service for about 6 Million overseas and 70 thousands Pakistanis working in vessels earning huge amount of Foreign Exchange for Pakistan as well as the local listeners in the target areas. The aim is to strengthen & improve the signal of PBC World & External Services. At present PBC's signal is very weak in these regions. The 2 x 50 kW SW Transmitters installed at Karachi in 1948-49 have gone off the air due to non-availability of its transmitting valves and spare parts. The services radiated from Karachi have to be shifted to Islamabad complex which have been overloaded. The short wave transmitters of HPT Complex Islamabad are in continuous operation from 1968 / 1972. Due to aging and non-availability of transmitting valves and spares the output of these transmitters have dropped considerably resulting in unsatisfactory / weak reception of PBC's programmes in the target areas. These transmitters require replacement. Most of the Broadcasting Organizations are using three or more frequencies for the broadcast of their World & External Services in short wave band whereas PBC is using two frequencies only due to inadequate number of transmitters and aerial system. In view of the situation explained above, it is imperative that PBC may acquire at least two short wave transmitters of 100 kW power each along with properly designed, high frequency aerial system for the coverage of countries situated in Gulf / Middle East, West European countries, South East Asia, South Africa, South East Africa and Far East. A large number of Pakistanis living in the Gulf & Middle East, South East Asia & West Europe will be able to listen the programmes and News of PBC. The scheme envisages the installation of two modern, energy efficient, solid state short wave transmitters of 100 kW power each along with aerial system at Landhi Karachi for broadcasting World & External Services from Karachi. The programmes will be fed from Islamabad to Karachi via Satellite. This will result in satisfactory reception of World & External Services in the target area. Millions of foreign listeners will be able to listen to the Pakistani news & views on international affairs and also entertainment programmes in their own language. Simultaneously millions of Pakistani living and working abroad will get the latest information about developments taking place in the country. At present an old building exists at the site; it was constructed in 1949. The two transmitters would be installed in the existing transmitter hall. Obsolete transmitters and related equipment are to be dismantled. IMPORT: 2 x 100 kW Short wave transmitters, based on modern technology along with dummy load, Balun transformer and a set of spares. Speech Input, Test & Measuring equipment, emergency studio and STLs/ Satellite Link too. Indoor Antenna Selector switch matrix with control and interlock system. RF Feeder line 900 meter long. High Frequency Antenna System, 2 rotatable curtain systems. One functioning on the frequency range 6-11 MHz and the other functioning on 13-26 MHz complete with drive system, remote control, matching unit, supports, insulator, end terminal & grounding. Diesel Electric Generator of 750 KVA has been made with 400 volts three phase output as standby power source for the transmitters (Alan Davies, Indonesia, SW TXsites May 23; wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 26 via DXLD) I don't see any information about where the new transmitters or antennas have been purchased from - but I note that the antennas are rotatable curtain systems (not LP's). Could they be French I wonder? [later] I think you must be correct, and that the Grassvalley Thomcast/Thalès equipment looks to be the most likely for installation at Landhi. There has been no mention - so far - of any intention to broadcast in DRM, and so I would guess they will want the optimum available for "normal" AM broadcasting. Two antennas should fit nicely into the Landhi site, and they'll be very exciting for the nearby residents to look at - especially when being moved! The quicker they get the two units on air the better, I think, and Landhi always put in very good strong signals to my location due, perhaps, to its more southerly location, and near the coast (Noel R. Green, UK, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 26, ibid.) Because of the planning letter which mentioned 900 meters of feeder line, I guess the ONLY one fit is the GRASSVALLEY Thomson-Thales type like erected previously at 2 times in Sines and Kuwait each, and in Çakirlar+Emirler Turkey too. We discovered APART of original revolving ALLISS type like in ISS and NAU, which contain the original 500/250/125 kW transmitter unit separate on each antenna building base - without feeder line overland! See attached pictures from DWL Sines Portugal site, two Thomcast revolving left and right, and the original ALLISS on the center. SW 100 kW antenna Rigid Dipoles the cheaper one: (Wolfgang Büschel, May 26, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 29 via DXLD) Re: bc-dx #861 --- Lahore 630 kHz (probably now discussed and replaced by new site). No, according to Bernd Wanieswki from Transradio Berlin factory, that`s Lahore 1332 kHz 100 kW, 31 27 29.80 N 74 12 54.89 E see also see also technical description PDF-file link. Bernd Waniewski told about a moshee [?] behind the MW mast area close by ... visible on the left image border at 31 27 32.26 N 74 12 43.61 E I guess Lahore 630 [at center] / and 1080 kHz [on the lower - southern corner] too at two mast array Lahore MW 630 / 1080 kHz 100 / 10 kW 31 24 07.14 N 74 09 18.99 E (Büschel, May 22, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 29 via DXLD) This is now confirmed also by Aslam Javaid driving by the sites. The building behind visible in http://www.waniewski.de/id367.htm behind the 1332 kHz hut is actually a Muslim saint mausoleum. 630 and 1080 kHz are in the southern site 8 km along the Multan Road (Mauno Ritola, Finland, May 23, ibid.) ** PERU. 4854.92, 0215-0306*, 26.05, R La Hora, Cusco (tentative), Spanish/Quechoa reports, native music 25342 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) Note originally reported on 4857.5 (gh) ** PERU. 5014, R Altura, Cerro de Pasco; May 28, Spanish, 2201 ID “R. Altura”, 2203-2215 romantic music, 2206 “campaña del control del carrapata...” [? Not in my dixionary --- gh], 2207 romantic music, in mid-song short canned ID, 2210 veterinary remedy, ads “máximo poder parasitario... adquiran en Av. La Plata...”, “alegrándole con más música”, folk music. QRN, 33222 (Lúcio Otávio Bobrowiec, Embu SP Brasil - Sony ICF SW40 - dipole 18m, 32m, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PHILIPPINES. 15510, R. Pilipinas/VOP, 0233-0313, May 27, in English, "Dateline", from the Presidential Palace in Manila, "The Philippines Today", many IDs: "Radio Pilipinas Overseas Service, The Voice of the Philippines", "More than 7,100 islands make up the Philippines", fair (Ron Howard, Shanghai, China, Eton E5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PHILIPPINES. 9615, Radio Veritas Asia, 1135-1156*, May 29, talk in listed Mandarin. Short bits of Classical music. Closing English ID announcements at 1155. Fair. (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PHILIPPINES. Re 8-064, no frequencies were given, but they magically appear with the same item in BC-DX, presumably researched and inserted by Wolfgang Büschel altho not so credited; exact times might have been added too (gh, DXLD) Viz.: RVA antennas damaged by typhoon COSME. Radio Veritas Asia informs that during the height of the typhoon Cosme nine out of fifteen antennas in Palauig transmitter site were destroyed. To cope with this deficiency, some RVA broadcasts have been substituted with available spare antennas (as given below). With this, signal deterioration is expected in some of target areas. RVA is trying their best to restore all the antennas in their normal working condition in the soonest possible time. Temporary Antenna Substitution Morning broadcast SW1: Mandarin program at 10/280 instead of 11/350 6115 Filipino program at 8/331 instead of 7/331 9720 Sinhala/Hindi programs at 5/280 instead of 9/280 9865 11730 Urdu program at 16/300 instead of 13/300 11820 15280 Vietnamese program at 16/300 instead of 16/280 9670 Morning Broadcast SW2: Vietnamese program at 10/280 instead of 9/280 15530 Russian program at 8 /331 instead of 12/030 17830 Morning broadcast SW3: No Changes Evening Broadcast SW1: Mandarin program at 8/332 instead of 17/355 9615 Hmong program at 10/280 instead of 9/280 11935 Vatican program at 10/280 instead of 17/355 6020 1220-1315 UT Filipino program at 10/280 instead of 14/300 9615 Evening Broadcast SW2: Hindi/Bengali/Urdu programs at 16/300 instead of 15/300 11870 (via Alokesh Gupta, India, dxld May 29 via BC-DX via DXLD) ** POLAND [non]. via Germany, 9525, Polish Radio, *1200-1210, May 29, looking for Indonesia but only hear Polish Radio in English (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ROMANIA. 9624.96v, RRI in Romanian via Tiganesti at 1800-1856 UT, May 26. At same time single RRI German outlet on 7160 kHz is totally covered by co-channel CNR Urumchi powerhouse at 1730-1830 UT. 17770, RRI English 0530-0556 UT surprisingly strong S=9 back lobe signal. \\ 9655 to EUR only S=6-7 fair signal. Latter suffered by distorted scratch audio + RTTY mixing product on Tiganesti site. 7125, RRI German at 0600-0626 UT S=6 signal, low audio, and same distortion like the 9655 previously see above. Much much better audio on \\ 9740; variable 9739.98 to .95 kHz at 0612 UT. 9700, RRI Arabic at 0630-0656 UT low audio, scratches, distortion, S=6 signal. \\ 11730 at S=7-8 level, much better audio. 9690, RRI Romanian at 1600-1656 UT, bassy audio and buzz (Wolfgang Büschel, May 26/27, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 29 via DXLD) ** SAUDI ARABIA. Re 8-064: 11915 was the same here last night, only spreading 5 kHz above and below, though has been much worse on previous occasions. The 15205 transmitter is, at 1652, being heard here buzzing away between 14570 and 16135! (Mike Barraclough, England, May 29, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Right now, around 1900 May 29, the transmitter meant to be on 11915 puts out a buzz which is centered on this frequency but spreads over the range between about 11800 and 12160, disturbing all but the strongest signals. Buzz pulses in a repeating cycle, kind of dadadad-- -dad-dad---dad-dad---dad-dad, spread much beyond that. And this is as usual an observation with an ordinary shortwave portable (ATS 909) within a building, not a search for weak signals with sophisticated equipment. That's certainly a new situation, because until now the buzz did not spread beyond the usual bandwith of an AM signal, thus did hardly bother other broadcasters. But this has changed dramatically now, and the European telcom authorities should be urged to file official complaints (Kai Ludwig, Germany, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Riyadh buzz on 11915 kHz tonight, - only small size of disturbtion in 11903 - 11927 kHz range (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, May 29, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Change in Big Buzzy - already 1500-1755 on 9640 in Turkestani(?) instead of 1550-1755 15205 Holy Qur`an. Same noted in Bangla at 1200- 1455 17820 covering with pulsed buzz all frequencies 17765-17885 kHz. Little Buzzy on 11855 was ceased and from 0300 UT the second program in Arabic is already on 9580 \\ 9675 (here is irregular Medium Buzz). They have three transmitters with Buzzy sound plus 13 m.b. effect (+/- 35 kHz and +/- 40 kHz). A common sermon at 1603 UT was mentioned on 15225, 15435, 13710, 15205, 17560 kHz on May 26 (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 29 via DXLD) BSKSA buzzy transmitter again on air on 11935 kHz from 0900 UT, but small bandwidth of 11932-11938 kHz noted today May 30 (Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SERBIA [non]. INTERNATIONAL RADIO SERBIA Dear DXers, Today (May 29) I finally phoned Belgrade, and I have had a very long and pleasant conversation with Predrag Graovac, technical director of the International Radio Serbia. The transmitter in Bijeljina, Bosnia had some small difficulties, so tomorrow Mr. Graovac will go to BIJ transmitter, for the third time in past 10 days! He told me from tomorrow, the transmissions from Bijeljina will be fully operational... On my question about broadcasts to Australia, he told me in about 2 or 3 months when the antenna will be repaired, the transmission will be implemented. BEO transmitter (Stubline, Belgrade, Serbia) is operational on 7200 kHz, but the antenna is totally covered with thick trees and grass (!), so in next period they will move the antenna to the clean area - in several months from now. New DRM ready transmitter for the Stubline station will be bought in the future, after new Serbian government will be formed. I suggested Mr. Graovac to move the North America transmission up with 5 kHz, as Glenn Hauser suggested, and he told me that will be done as of tomorrow. EFFECTIVE 2330 UT, MAY 30, 2008, INTERNATIONAL RADIO SERBIA REPLACES 6185 kHz TO THE NEW FREQUENCY OF 6190 kHz FOR THE NORTH AMERICA TRANSMISSIONS: 2330-2400 6190 BIJ 250 kW / 310 deg to NCAm Serbian Mon-Sat 2330-0030 6190 BIJ 250 kW / 310 deg to NCAm Serbian Sun 0000-0030 6190 BIJ 250 kW / 310 deg to NCAm English Mon-Sat 0100-0130 6190 BIJ 250 kW / 325 deg to NoAm English [daily] Please report how reception improved directly to the International Radio Serbia: radioju(at)sbb(dot)co(dot)yu Best regards and many 73s! (Dragan Lekic from Subotica, Serbia, May 29, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SERBIA [non]. IRS still on 6185 colliding with and generally underneath XEPPM, in Serbian at 2335 May 29, and after 0100 May 30 in English, unusable. Nothing on 6190. Dragan Lekic tells DXLD that he has been in contact with Predrag Graovac, technical director of International Radio Serbia, and passed on my suggestion that they move to 6190 --- and this will be done starting May 30-31! For the NAm broadcasts between 2330 and 0130, including English at 0000=except UT Sundays and 0100=daily. Reports wanted to radioju(at)sbb(dot)co(dot)yu (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SPAIN [and non]. Ya se está hablando de cierre en REE. Artículo publicado en "La Razón" http://www.larazon.es/43507/noticia/Televisi%F3n/Hacia_una_nueva_radio_para_400_millones HACIA UNA NUEVA RADIO PARA 400 MILLONES España tiene la segunda mayor flota pesquera del mundo, es uno de los primeros países en términos de voluntarios en el exterior, despliega varios contingentes de soldados en cuatro continentes, y aún tiene más de un millón y medio de emigrantes. Pero, por encima de todo, comparte idioma, uno de los más pujantes del planeta, con 400 millones de personas, y en la última década ha recibido un elevado y constante flujo de inmigración desde los países de influencia. Para ellos, Radio Exterior de España (REE) ha sido, como no se han cansado de repetir sucesivos directores generales, «la voz de España en el exterior». Sin embargo, en este entorno globalizado, la emisora padece una crisis permanente. Así lo reconoce el informe encargado por el Consejo de Administración de la Corporación RTVE, que mañana será aprobado, y que pone de relieve las carencias de la emisora. La principal de las conclusiones es la ausencia de un proyecto y recursos suficientes para esta radio, que ni tiene claramente definidos sus objetivos, ni se ha conseguido la colaboración decidida entre esta emisora y el Instituto Cervantes y el Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y sus organismos. Falta de autonomía La estructura de la emisora depende de la Dirección de Programas, algo que resulta incomprensible si se compara con el resto de países europeos, donde sus homólogas tienen el mismo rango o superior que las nacionales. Otro de los apartados deficitarios es el de intercambios culturales, que se encarga de ceder (o vender) programas a radios de todo el mundo, y que cumple la doble misión de aumentar su audiencia y financiar su actividad. Este departamento, uno de los más importantes en la BBC World o Radio Netherlands, no ha logrado sus objetivos en Radio Exterior. Su responsable, Luis Lecea, un profesional con 30 años de experiencia en la casa, lamenta la falta de medios para desarrollar la actividad de la emisora, que le ha llevado a la amarga convicción de que, sin nuevos recursos, «más valdría cerrarla, porque no tiene sentido». En la actualidad, muchas emisoras de Lationamérica «enganchan» sin permiso los programas de REE. Lecea se siente «orgulloso» de trabajar en una emisora tan especializada pero reconoce el desprestigio que sufre la emisora dentro de RTVE. «Nos sentimos como el patito feo», reconoce este profesional, que se jubilará dentro de 3 ó 4 meses en virtud del ERE, pero que hasta entonces quiere «aportar todo lo que pueda». Según otro de los profesionales de larga trayectoria, Antonio Buitrago, «cada vez que se renovaba la plantilla de servicios informativos por un cambio de Gobierno, los trabajadores salientes aterrizaban en Radio Exterior», una afirmación que corrobora el director de la emisora, Eduardo Moyano: «Esto ha sido así desde siempre, incluyendo las últimas etapas del PSOE y las del PP». Desde hace dos años, Moyano se encarga de dirigir un barco cuyo armazón diseñó Fermín Bocos a principios de los 90. Hasta su prejubilación, a finales de año, Moyano también reclamará una autonomía de funcionamiento y mejora de los recursos y plantilla, para una producción de 40 horas diarias de programación, que ahora sacan adelante una plantilla de 72 personas, entre veteranos y recién llegados. Los intereses de España Moyano, como la mayoría de profesionales de la casa, se revuelven contra el olvido de su desempeño: «La audiencia a la que llegamos tiene necesidades de información sobre la realidad internacional y sobre la realidad española, sin entrar en la letra pequeña», sostiene. «Radio Exterior es un vehículo para defender los intereses de España como estado y divulgar la realidad cotidiana de este país a personas ajenas que quieran conocer nuestra cultura e idioma», sostiene Lecea. «Pero hacen falta medios y autonomía de funcionamiento», prosigue Moyano, que al mismo tiempo solicita más participación del resto de instituciones públicas. Ante los resultados del informe que aprobará hoy el Consejo, la expectativa es máxima. «Hay ilusión, porque si después de esto no se hace nada, todo habría resultado una gravísima pérdida de tiempo - apunta Moyano-. Pero nosotros no podemos hacer nada más que dar nuestra opinión, la decisión está más arriba». Hoy todo puede cambiar para Radio Exterior. O puede que no. Cordiales 73 (via José Bueno, Córdoba, España, Noticiasdx yg via DXLD) Como complemento al articulo anterior sobre REE. Articulo publicado en "La Razón" http://www.larazon.es/43502/noticia/Televisi%F3n/Internet_mat%F3_a_la_onda_cortaanbuimo2005 INTERNET MATÓ A LA ONDA CORTA Una de las principales premisas que plantea el informe elaborado por el Consejo de Administración es considerar tecnológicamente muerta a la Onda Corta como sistema de emisión, y apostar por Internet como única vía de futuro. A este respecto, algunas voces recuerdan que los oyentes de Radio Exterior en el tercer Mundo se hallan al otro lado de la brecha digital y que, para ellos, el acceso a la Red es un lujo, y, en cambio, es más cotidiano un viejo transistor a pilas, aunque sea uno obsoleto receptor de onda corta. «La BBC y Radio France Internacional han comprado frecuencias recientemente» recuerda Moyano, que propone la solución de convenios con FM locales y los intercambios de programas de forma gratuita con radios en los países de mayor interés. Algunos, como Australia o Japón, tienen por ley la obligación de emitir programas en lenguas minoritarias. «Pero acabar con la onda corta de un plumazo supondría un apagón informativo para muchas comunidades entre las que hemos logrado ser referencia y tener cierto prestigio», advierte. Para Moyano, el cambio de sistema debe ir «paso a paso». Cordiales 73 (José Bueno, Córdoba, España, May 29, dxldyg via DXLD) ** SRI LANKA. On May 24th at 0330 on 15745 just before the close down of English broadcast the Lady said "it is 9 o'clock". Updating previous info SLBC in English is on the air 0130-0330 UT, but on Sundays till 0500 (feature "Sunday Morning Show" till 0400 UT followed by religious Evangelic program in English till 0500 (fade out here). (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 29 via DXLD) ** SUDAN [non]. New 12070, *1300-1330*, CLANDESTINE, Monday 26.05, Southern Sudan R Interactive Instructions, via Meyerton, English ID, Afropop, talk on soldiers, Doorbells often heard, 34333, QRM R Sweden 12075 in Russian, // 15390 (35333) and 15485 (35333) (Anker Petersen, Denmark, AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) ** SUDAN [non]. SLOVAKIA. 15650, Miraya FM Radio, *1500-1520, May 30, Presumed. Sign on with local African music. Announcements and English news at 1501-1511. Mentions of Sudan. Arabic talk at 1511. No ID heard. Poor in noisy conditions (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN [non]. via Sines, Portugal. 17690, Sudan Radio Service, *1500-1605+, May 30, Arabic talk. IDs. Short breaks of local African music. Poor in noisy conditions. Looking for English but only hear Arabic (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAIWAN. 9745, Voice of Han, *0755, May 25 & 27, decent signal, on with classical music (Ron Howard, Shanghai, China, Eton E5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** THAILAND. 15275, R. Thailand, 0216-0230, May 25, in English, about their king, global news. 0230 into Thai, fair reception (Ron Howard, Shanghai, China, Eton E5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TURKEY. TRT's Programme on Friday's Morning (Cuma Sabahi) Dear Mr. Glenn Hauser, Hi! I`m tax audit officer in here. As I'm radio listener in Turkey I keen interest to your informations and read all them. I have read latest infos about TRT Voice of Turkey's as following: "[HCDX] Glenn Hauser logs May 22-23, 2008" "Qur`an recitation with usual long pauses, good at 0510 May 23 on 11980. Figured it was some Arab country, like Algeria relay, but looked up and it could only be VOT Emirler, scheduled in Turkish at 310 degrees toward us. Must default to Arabic for Qur`an since it`s Friday, but what is this doing on a secular state broadcaster??? Or do they do this every day? Is there a struggle at TRT over whether to broadcast Qur`an?" I listen to TRT carefully today between 0510-0545 and record an audio clip with the programme's end. Audio clip programme jingle of the "Cuma Sabahi" programme, you heard listen carefully end of clip "Juma sabahi". The Programme was "Friday's Night or in Turkish Cuma Sabahi" The programme was begin with Qur`an Recitation and then Turkish Translation. Programme was going on talks on Islam and programme participant come from Faculty of Theology and they talk about Islam and Morality. Programme link is http://www.trt.gov.tr/wwwtrt/progdetay.aspx?tur=TSR&proid=6954Programme link mention that secularism and religious and freedom of conscience, and TRT to introduce Islam, love and respects Turkish community from abroad. As you know that Turkey is Islam an community but to appropriate secularism. And Qur`an has Arabic language and TRT has been translate what were saying in Turkish. TRT TV-4 has also prepare same programmes in Ramadan or Fridays only. I observed that same programme has on the air in Thursday's night or Friday morning. For example Religious and World on Sundays 0205 UT, Religious, Mind and Science on Mondays 0405 UT, Religious and Youthfullness on Tuesdays 1815 UT and Wednesdays 1350 UT, Religious and Morality on Thursday 0505 UT, Friday's Morning on Fridays 0505 UT. Hope that very usefull for my inputs. I you have any questions about here don't hesitate. Kind regards (Mustafa CANKURT, Turkey, May 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. BBC WEBSITE £36m OVER BUDGET: TRUST RAPS MANAGEMENT By Tara Conlan and Mark Sweney, guardian.co.uk, May 29 2008 The BBC's management has been accused of "poor financial accountability" by the BBC Trust after it emerged today that the corporation went almost £36m over budget in its spending on bbc.co.uk in the past financial year. A review of bbc.co.uk published today by the trust shows that the actual spend in the 12 months to the end of March 2008 on the corporation's UK web operations was £110m - almost £36m, or 48%, above what had been budgeted. The review by the BBC Trust, the corporation's governance and regulatory body, branded this incident a "serious breach" of bbc.co.uk's service licence. . . http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/may/29/bbc.digitalmedia (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) See also GERMANY ** U S A. SMITH-MUNDT WITH A VENGEANCE. "By a voice vote last week, an amendment by Representative Paul Hodes (D-NH) was attached to the" National Defense Authorization Act of 2009. ... The amendment's first and last paragraphs: 'No part of any funds authorized to be appropriated in this or any other Act shall be used by the Department of Defense for propaganda purposes within the United States not otherwise specifically authorized by law. ... For purposes of this section, the term "propaganda" means any form of communication in support of national objectives designed to influence the opinions, emotions, attitudes, or behavior of the people of the United States in order to benefit the sponsor, either directly or indirectly.'" MountainRunner, 26 May 2008 (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) This amendment would be a thoroughgoing prohibition on Defense Department communications activities inside the United States. It could reasonably be construed to cover speeches by Secretary Gates. If he travels, using the Defense Department travel budget, to give a speech to the Chicago Council on Foreign Affairs, certainly such a speech would be intended to "influence the opinions, emotions, attitudes, or behavior of the people" in the audience. And what about all those the Defense Department websites? (See previous post.) Most of them are intended mainly for U.S. audiences. We have heard about the differentiation between informing and influencing, but these websites are definitely up to the latter. Yes, the main Defense site has a section labeled "News." And there you can find items that are not news, but "news" i.e. news-like items chosen for PR purposes, and written for PR purposes. All U.S. government agencies have websites and public affairs activities that brag on themselves and support their campaigns. Domestic dissemination is a huge, thriving enterprise. Nothing wrong with it. You are too young to remember the program, but when I was kid, I watched "the Big Picture" on television. Now that was domestic dissemination. It was a weekly program distributed to U.S. television stations, produced by the Army about the global exploits of the Army. It ran from 1950 to 1975. Actually, I wouldn't mind seeing a program somewhat similar to "The Big Picture." One of my favorite features on C-Span is when a camera follows the U.S. military around Iraq and Afghanistan. Military personnel, mostly enlisted rather than silver-tongued spokes-officers, explain what they are doing over there. This would be an excellent weekly program on PBS. Getting back to pesky issue of domestic dissemination: Perhaps a future rewrite of Smith-Mundt should eliminate any consideration of content. Content intended for foreign audiences will find its way to the domestic sphere, and Americans have a right to know what that content is. Instead it should deal exclusively with budget: funds for international communications activities shall not be spent on domestic outreach, except for a very small percentage for providing the content to Americans who request access to the content. In some cases, budget shall be provided for communication activities that are intended for both domestic and international audiences, e.g NASA TV and most of those Defense Department websites. Posted: 29 May 2008 (Kim Andrew Elliott, ibid.) ** U S A. Re 8-064, UNIDENTIFIED 11170: Hi Glenn, I was able to pick up 11170 last evening at 0115. You were correct the first time around, since this program was also heard on 5810 // 11870. I also checked CVC on 11970 at 0130 and it was putting in a strong signal, but in no way related to the WEWN signals above. 11175 kHz was also busy with military coded messages last evening. I will continue to monitor 11170 but based on the matching // frequencies of 5810 and 11870, there is little doubt it is WEWN as you suggested to me. Let's see what Glen Tapley at WEWN has to say to my letter regarding reception of WEWN on this frequency. I'll let you know. Thank you for the kind follow up, Glenn. It is good to know someone in the know, who can offer suggestions on listening anomalies and I appreciate your feedback. If you should need other frequencies checked for verification of similar situations, please do not hesitate to contact me. 73's, (Ed Insinger, May 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I tried again May 30 just after 0100, and still could not hear 11170 here (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. World of Radio via WRMI 9955, new time of 0100 UT Fridays, audible without jamming May 30 at 0118 check, but very poor with noise; by 0122 it was much better and readable (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WHRI still putting out spurblobs from 11785 transmitter; haven`t they noticed yet? May 29 at 1953 centered on 11771 and 11799 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. KVOH, 17920 spur, May 29 at 2117 consisted mainly of a regular beat like a washing machine agitator, // 17775 which had the same beat plus norteña music. This has been going on for years, and KVOH hasn`t noticed, or if they have, don`t care. Aren`t there any aeronautical users of 17920 getting blotted? Perhaps since they don`t read DXLD, they don`t know the source (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. COLORADO TORNADOS AND WWV --- The storm track for the largest of the half dozen tornados that struck northern CO recently showed the 1-mile wide twister crossing right through the WWV / WWVB property just north of Fort Collins before continuing on into WY leaving a 35-mile long path of destruction. I queried the NIST folks to see if they had suffered any damage. I received this reply today: The stations were not damaged by the storm last week; although we did lose power for several hours, our backup power systems functioned normally and the broadcasts were not interrupted more than a few seconds. We did see gusty winds and ping-pong ball sized hail, but the tornado had apparently lifted or bypassed the stations by the time the storm moved over us. Thanks for asking. Sincerely, Glenn Nelson, National Institute of Standards and Technology Radio Stations WWV/WWVB (via Patrick Griffith, N0NNK / WPE9HVW, May 28, IRCA via DXLD) ** U S A [non]. We have changed 15420 to 15650 for these extra transmissions to West Africa. Jan Peter says he got an official request from the FCC to find another frequency, but I had already alerted him to your message :-) 73, (Andy Sennitt, RNW, May 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) That would have collided with WBCQ`s new frequency; thanks. See also NETHERLANDS [non] (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** U S A. 25910/FM WBAP Fort Worth TX; 1551-1603+, 29-May; News-Talk 8-20 WBAP Fort-Worth-Dallas; Paul Harvey; 1600-02 ABC News, then local news & 24-hour On-Time Tfc Rpt. SIO=153 on peak. Not there at 1927. 25990/FM KSCS Fort Worth TX; 1540-1551+, 29-May; The Big 96.3 KSCS; C&W; Ads/Sonic Drive-ins, Payless Footwear, PLS Check Cashers, Budai? Laser Care, Luke Riley Honda in Richardson, Lotto Texas, Hubbein's? Jeep-Crysler in Plano & Lewisville. SIO= 1+53 on peak. Not there at 1927 (Harold Frodge, MI, MARE Tipsheet via DXLD) There was a big sporadic E opening May 29, later in the day surpassing 108 MHz up to channel 8 (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Re 8-064: Glenn, KSSR has been off the air well over a year. The FM is barely making it. I see no future for the AM to return; Santa Rosa can only support one station at best. Add to that no adjacent towns to draw revenue from (Jerry Kiefer, Roswell, May 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Tnx, Jerry. Seems Paul`s info is not so current. What about Puerto de Luna, Vaughn, Ft Sumner, which have no local radio? Last time I was thru there, FM coverage was minuscule, so if the power increase happens, might have chance of reaching some of the little towns around (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) And the FM has an application, as I said before, to go to 50 kW! However, if I've passed along incorrect information, it's only because I repeated exactly what I was told by someone at KSSR! (Paul Walker http://www.realradiousa.com DX LISTENING DIGEST) If it HAS been (legally) silent for one year, the Feds will be on their tails soon (Bill Hale, TX, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn, You're right about the lack of FM penetration. The class A out of Tucumcari probably has the best fringe signal into the market. KSMX out of Clovis does fair into Ft. Sumner. KCKN [1020 Roswell, 50 kW] has the best signal into Guadalupe and De Baca counties since we repositioned our day lobes. We put a 2 mv into Ft. Sumner, 1.5 mv into Vaughn (a great old railroad town) and 1 mv into Santa Rosa. Could be somebody was blowing smoke when they talked with Paul (Jerry Kiefer, NM, May 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Jerry, I recall that 98.1 Las Vegas put a decent signal into Santa Rosa, or at least once you`re out of the valley. (Unless 98.1 has axually moved site closer to Santa Fe by now). I wonder how much of an impact the KANW Albuquerque 89.1 translator on 91.9 has in Santa Rosa market. Plays lots of NM music, and non- commercial, of course, recently upgraded to a real station with 4- letter calls, KNLK, and power up from 85 to 100 watts. Presumably no local origination. Santa Rosa has a few other translators, and a long-standing CP for an LPFM on 103.1, 26 watts from the local Catholic church. Here`s what FCC FM Query on Santa Rosa turns up on May 29: Class Frequency Call Channel | Service | Status City State Country File Number Docket FacilityID ERP HAAT Licensee/Permittee K220BH 220 D FX 91.9 MHz LIC SANTA ROSA NM US BLFT-19870612TA - 4191 0.085 kW -5. m BD OF ED OF THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE KNLK 220 A FM 91.9 MHz LIC SANTA ROSA NM US BLED-20040830ABI - 93046 0.1 kW -8. m BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE, NM K234BN 234 D FX 94.7 MHz LIC SANTA ROSA NM US BLFT-20070806AAC - 147975 0.01 kW 0. m EDGEWATER BROADCASTING, INC. DKSSR-FM 240 A FA 95.9 MHz USE SANTA ROSA NM US --- 15542 17159 - kW - m - KIVA 240 A FM 95.9 MHz LIC SANTA ROSA NM US BLH-20000620ADQ - 84190 1.5 kW 36. m CIBOLA RADIO COMPANY KIVA 240 C2 FM 95.9 MHz APP SANTA ROSA NM US BPH-20080222AAA - 84190 50. kW 24. m CIBOLA RADIO COMPANY KIVA 240 C2 FA 95.9 MHz RSV SANTA ROSA NM US --- - 84190 - kW - m - NEW 257 D FX 99.3 MHz APP SANTA ROSA NM US BNPFT-20030317HZJ - 149451 0.17 kW 0. m EDGEWATER BROADCASTING, INC. NEW 257 D FX 99.3 MHz APP SANTA ROSA NM US BNPFT-20030317HZT - 154436 0.17 kW 0. m EDGEWATER BROADCASTING, INC. NEW 276 L1 FL 103.1 MHz CP SANTA ROSA NM US BNPL-20010615AWB - 135559 0.026 kW 56.9 m ST. ROSE OF LIMA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION K296EP 296 D FX 107.1 MHz LIC SANTA ROSA NM US BLFT-19980112TB - 81197 0.049 kW 22. m KLIMEK COMMUNICATIONS CORP (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) Glenn, Here's what radio-locator shows for the Santa Rosa market. http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/locate?select=city&city=santa+rosa&state=nm&sid=&x=13&y=3 You're right about KBAC, they have positioned themselves to try and cater to Santa Fe. Decent signal along I-40. The local KIVA musically seems to be trying to mirror KBAC at times. Thanks (Jerry Kiefer, Roswell, ibid.) Viz.: K220BH (KANW) 91.9 FM 0.9 mi. Santa Rosa, NM Albuquerque Public School District Public Radio KNLK 91.9 FM 0.9 mi. Santa Rosa, NM Public Radio K234BN (KANW) 94.7 FM 0.3 mi. Santa Rosa, NM Albuquerque Public School District Public Radio KIVA 95.9 FM 1.8 mi. Santa Rosa, NM Top-40 KBAC 98.1 FM 48.8 mi. Las Vegas, NM Adult Album Alternative K296EP (KBAC) 107.1 FM 6.3 mi. Santa Rosa, NM Adult Album Alternative For the uninitiated, gh is especially interested in the media scene in Santa Rosa NM, since it is his old hometown, and begs your indulgence (Glenn Hauser, ex-NM, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. CRITICS TARGET G.M. AMID PROBE AT KWMU --- UNIVERSITY BACKS WENTE, EMPLOYEES ALLEGE MISMANAGEMENT, UNETHICAL PRACTICES Originally published in Current, May 27, 2008, By Mike Janssen While leading the main pubradio news station in St. Louis, Wente has suffered outbreaks of intense criticism from present and former employees. Last fall her booking mugshot from a DUI arrest in Florida (right), appeared on blogs in St. Louis. (Photos: KWMU; Sheriff’s Office, Saratoga County, Fla.) [illustrated; caption] The decision by the University of Missouri-St. Louis to review the finances and management of its public radio station, KWMU-FM, has brought to the public eye concerns about the station’s controversial longtime general manager, Patricia Wente. UMSL Chancellor Thomas George announced in a letter to KWMU staffers and the station’s fundraising board April 14 that“some issues have been raised concerning KWMU that need to be explored.” In the following weeks, the general counsel for the University of Missouri system and consultants from PricewaterhouseCoopers have been interviewing current and former station employees, according to officials and staffers familiar with the process. Meanwhile, an extensive article published May 7 [2008] in the Riverfront Times, St. Louis’s alt-weekly newspaper, detailed some KWMU employees’ longstanding concerns about how Wente has run the station since taking its helm in 1989. Staffers say Wente has mistreated employees, signed off on deceptive fundraising practices and used station staff members and resources for personal purposes. They say university administrators who oversee KWMU ignored their complaints for years. . . http://www.current.org/radio/radio0809kwmu.shtml (Current via DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. [Re 8-064]. EL FANTASMA RCTV --- Quién ganó y quién perdió con la salida de RCTV, es una pregunta que muchos se hicieron luego del 27 de mayo de 2007. Un año después, son numerosos los efectos que tuvo en la vida del país. Por Francisco Olivares El cierre de la señal abierta de RCTV, sin duda está muy ligado a la vida política del país del último año. De no haber ocurrido esa medida, no se hubiese producido el vigoroso movimiento estudiantil con los nuevos liderazgos, Yon Goicoechea no hubiese recibido el premio Milton Friedman a la Libertad y tal vez el pasado dos de diciembre hubiese triunfado la nueva constitución propuesta por Hugo Chávez. Lo cierto es que hay un antes y un después del 27 de mayo de 2007. Para el chavismo, la histórica fecha significó la derrota de un poderoso "enemigo mediático" y el nacimiento de una nueva era para la revolución que se sintetizaba en la expresión lanzada por Andrés Izarra de "hegemonía comunicacional". . . http://www.eluniversal.com/2008/05/25/pol_art_el-fantasma-rctv_872385.shtml (via José Miguel Romero, logsderadio yg via DXLD) ** ZIMBABWE. Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe reports on print as well as broadcast coverage of the situation there, including VOA Studio 7 and clandestine services: http://www.mmpz.org/ (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Thanks for the mention on WORLD OF RADIO, and for the excellent job you do with that program (Richard W. Parker, PA, KB2DMD) PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ Pirate radio videos on YouTube Mainly of WFAT/WHOT from the early 1980s: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFhUJNVyQnE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nfhw7BI5QU&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tv8dwk5JT_U&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FR6G1ClFceA&feature=related (Harry Helms W5HLH, Corpus Christi, TX EL17 http://harryhelmsblog.blogspot.com/ DX LISTENING DIGEST) DIGITAL BROADCASTING DRM: see PAKISTAN; SERBIA ++++++++++++++++++++ WORLDS OF HOROLOGY ++++++++++++++++++ "MARS TIME, EARTH TIME" Re 8-064: Glenn: -- Mars' rotation period is a hair longer than Earth's; I believe it's somewhere around 24 Hrs. 15 min, give or take. Obviously UTC would only apply to Earth, being based on our own Terran rotation period. A 0-degree longitudinal would have to be placed along the planet's North-South grid, agreed upon by all, and time computed from that point. (I would suggest running the line between the nostrils, on the Face-on-Mars, which could ultimately prevent Disney from building a theme park on the site.) – (GREG HARDISON, CA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I believe the cartographers already have Mars mapped out with longitude and latitude grids (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) Like Earth and most other planets, Mars rotates, with a siderial period of 24h 37m 22.65s, only slightly more than Earth's 23h 56m 4.09s. Synodical rotation periods, or day lengths, are 24h 39m 35s and 24h 00m 00s (by definition), respectively. A Mars day is often referred to as "Sol" (Latin for Sun). (from http://seds.org/~spider/spider/mars/marsdata.html via DXLD) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ CHANNELING SOUNDS FROM EARTH AND FAR BEYOND. ARTFULLY ARRANGED CAIRNS HAVE RADIOS AT THEIR CORE By Edith Newhall For The Inquirer [illustrated] http://www.philly.com/inquirer/weekend/visual_arts/20080530_Channeling_sounds_from_Earth_and_far_beyond_.html Remember the crystal radios - "foxhole receivers" - that GIs at Anzio in 1944 constructed from coiled wire, razor blades, pencil lead and a little ingenuity (and the more sophisticated versions built by science-nerd kids in the '40s and '50s)? They're back. In 1998, artist Dove Bradshaw learned that crystal radios commonly incorporate pyrite, which she had used in "time-sculptures" of minerals and rocks that changed over time, through natural chemical reactions or reactions she facilitated. She realized that the radios were somehow meant to be united with her work. Eight years later, she began making works she called "Radio Rock" (a single rock with a crystal radio) or "Radio Rocks" (a loosely pyramidal arrangement of rocks containing radios). The shapes of Bradshaw's three recent "Radio Rocks," at Larry Becker Contemporary Art, are based on cairns, the Neolithic astronomical markers still found in rural Scotland. Each consists of a specific type of rock (Pocono sandstone, Wissahickon schist, basalt), contains three radios (receiving local, world band short-wave, or outer space frequency), and each acts as its own multidirectional antenna. Bradshaw's previous time-sculptures have been simpler gestures involving chance. Works from her 1995 "Indeterminacy" series, for example, consisted of a chunk of pyrite balanced on a piece of white marble. The pieces were weathered outdoors for six months before they were exhibited; the occasional rain or snow would cause the pyrite to leach, staining the marble in various patterns. Her new pieces use real, if low-tech, technology: Pyrite is a mixer for her radios, as are fluorite, galena, tourmaline and hematite. Incredibly, one of the radios in her "Radio Rocks II" receives live signals of radio emissions from Jupiter transmitted from a radio telescope at Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute in Rosman, N.C. (Jupiter sounds as you would expect - extremely distant and active.) Obviously, this is work that both gains and loses in the telling. It doesn't beg to be explained - but Bradshaw dutifully describes her materials and processes in her catalogue, as she always has, and, once read, that becomes a mantra to be passed on. The problem is that there is so much explaining to do for this particular body of work that it detracts from the quirky poetry of her radio-infiltrated cairns. They are delightfully idiosyncratic, humorous mysteries just as they are. Bradshaw is also showing pencil-on-paper studies for her "Radio Rocks," works on paper in which she shoots an injection of liver of sulfur onto silver leaf, allowing the reaction to take its own strange course (the results look vaguely like ancient maps), and new "Quick Constructions," created by tossing cut paper templates on paper brushed with beeswax. Larry Becker Contemporary Art, 43 N. Second St., [Philadelphia PA] 11 a.m.-5 p.m. [EDT = UT -4] Friday and Saturday; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, appointment recommended. 215-925-5389 or http://www.artnet.com/lbecker.html Through June 21 (via Kim Andrew Elliott, DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ :Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts :Issued: 2008 May 29 2000 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center # Product description and SWPC contact on the Web # http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html # # Weekly Highlights and Forecasts # Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 19 - 25 May 2008 Solar activity was very low. No X-ray flares were observed during the period. Regions 994 (S12, L=310, class/area, Bxo/020 on 19 May) and 996 (N09, L=256, class/area, Bxo/010 on 19 May) were on the disk when the period began as B-type groups. By 21 May both of these regions had decayed to spotless plage, and remained spotless through the remainder of the period. No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached high levels during 23 - 25 May. The geomagnetic field was at quiet to unsettled levels during the summary period. Activity levels did increase on 21 May to quiet to active levels due to a coronal hole high speed stream. Solar wind speed measurements from the ACE spacecraft began the period at around 340 km/s and slowly increased to a maximum of approximately 630 km/s at 1432 UTC on 21 May. The inter-planetary magnetic field (IMF) Bz component during this time ranged between +/- 7. Solar wind speeds declined throughout the rest of the summary period to end at about 450 km/s, with IMF Bz ranging between +/- 5. FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 28 MAY - 23 JUNE 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 01 - 10 June and 19 - 23 June. The geomagnetic field is expected to be at quiet levels on 28 May. On 29 May a coronal hole high speed stream is expected to rotate into a geoeffective position and increase activity levels to quiet to unsettled levels; isolated periods of active conditions may be observed during this period. On 10 June activity levels should decrease again to mostly quiet conditions through 14 June. Another coronal hole high speed stream is expected to impact the geomagnetic field on 15 June. Activity levels should increase again to quiet to unsettled levels, with a chance for isolated active conditions. On 23 June conditions are expected to be at quiet levels. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2008 May 29 1607 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 May 29 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2008 May 30 68 10 3 2008 May 31 68 8 3 2008 Jun 01 68 10 3 2008 Jun 02 68 10 3 2008 Jun 03 68 10 3 2008 Jun 04 68 5 2 2008 Jun 05 68 10 3 2008 Jun 06 68 10 3 2008 Jun 07 68 10 3 2008 Jun 08 68 10 3 2008 Jun 09 68 10 3 2008 Jun 10 70 5 2 2008 Jun 11 70 5 2 2008 Jun 12 72 5 2 2008 Jun 13 72 5 2 2008 Jun 14 72 5 2 2008 Jun 15 70 8 3 2008 Jun 16 70 15 3 2008 Jun 17 70 5 2 2008 Jun 18 70 15 3 2008 Jun 19 68 10 3 2008 Jun 20 68 10 3 2008 Jun 21 68 10 3 2008 Jun 22 68 10 3 2008 Jun 23 68 5 2 (SWPC May 29, delayed two days, via DXLD) ###