DX LISTENING DIGEST 8-104, September 19, 2008
	Incorporating REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING
	edited by Glenn Hauser, http://www.worldofradio.com

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NEXT SHORTWAVE AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1426
Sat 0800 WRMI   9955
Sat 1630 WWCR3 12160
Sat 2000 WRMI   9955
Sun 0230 WWCR3  5070
Sun 0630 WWCR1  3215 
Sun 0800 WRMI   9955
Sun 1515 WRMI   9955
Mon 2200 WBCQ   7415 [temporary, confirmed Sept 15]
Tue 1100 WRMI   9955
Tue 1530 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 

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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

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http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html
or http://wor.worldofradio.org

** ABKHAZIA. Apsua radio was noted with sign-on at 1700 UT on MW 1350 
kHz only and not on 9495 or 9535 kHz with program in vernacular on 
Sept 12 & 13 and not from 1800 or 1900 UT as it was earlier. According 
to the announcement in Russian (in other broadcast times) they are 
using Moscow time as local time now or UTC + 4 hours (Rumen Pankov, 
Bulgaria, Sept 13, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 18 via DXLD)

Abkhazia Radio SW Sukhumi 9494.75 / 9495.55 kHz. PR: E-Mail QSL report 
of Apsua radio in Russian language UTF-8 code via Patrick Robic-AUT. 
Apsua Radio war um [Sat/Sun noon only? wb.] 1115 UT auf 9494.76 kHz 
mit Popmusik, ID, Ansage von Adresse und E-mail, sowie der Nennung 
einiger Namen von Hoerern, zu empfangen. SINPO: 24432.

Eine undetaillierte e-mail Bestaetigung kam uebrigens innerhalb von 2
Tagen ueber die angesagte e-mail-Adresse <apsuaradio1 @ mail.ru> von
Susana Sadzba.

WB: Sind die Sendezeiten nur auf die Kurzwelle Aussendung gemuenzt?

PR: Das ist mir auch nicht ganz klar. Da aber Loecher drin sind 
koennte es auch die KW sein - oder es sind nur die Eigenproduktionen, 
und nicht die Radio Rossii Uebernahmen (Patrick Robic-AUT, wwdxc BC-DX 
TopNews Sept 12, ibid.)

Thanks to Matthias and Rumen's translation:
Wir senden auf Mittelwelle, Kurzwelle und FM in Abchasisch und 
Russisch. Kuenftig planen wir einen Informationsblock in englischer 
Sprache. Wir sehen taeglich das Interesse an unseren Sendungen.

Vorlaeufig senden wir 7 mal taeglich. Die erste Sendung von 06.00 bis
09.00 beginnt mit der Hymne. Danach senden wir um 11.00 fuer unsere 
Hoerer in der Diaspora in der Tuerkei und Syrien, dann um 15.00, 18.00 
und 21.00.

Bald wird es eine Sendung um 12.00 nachts geben. (annaehernd 
wortgetreu, nur wenig geglaettet) (Dr. Matthias Zwoch, Germany, wwdxc 
BC-DX TopNews Sept 13, ibid.)

Dear Wolfie,the exact translation lautet:
"We bc on MW, SW & FM in Abkhazian and Russian languages. In the 
future we are planning to start an info block in English due to the 
big interest to our programmes. We are on the air daily 7 time, s/on 
at 0600 with National Anthem and close/down at 0900. Later from 1100 
for our diaspora in Turkey, Syria (here is absent the word "also" - 
R.P.) at 1500, at 1800, at 2100, soon will be from 0000 (midnight)".

In previous months I already announced same text for the English 
broadcast which info I heard on their radio. Let we know the news in 
Russian at 1100 UT on Sat & Sun are of Russian troops headquarters.

The schedule above is of FM outlet in Sukhumi. In our summer on MW 
they are heard only at 0330 UT ( \\ 9495, and 9535 latter under REE) 
and from 1800 UT only on MW 1350 kHz but it is coordinating with 
Armenia MW when sw/on from 864 to 1350 of TWR. Are You sure that on 
1350 kHz there are 2 transmitters too nearly please?

By the way in the agreement between Russian Federation and Georgia in 
1991 is written that in Georgia are also Autonom. Reps of Abkhazia and 
Adjaria and District of Southern Osetia. I think one of the main human 
points are the documents signed by ... authorities. We have to read 
the rules and documents before the emotions. 73s, Rumen.

Once again the schedule of Apsua Radio:
0330-0345 Mon-Sat in Ru, 0345 Mon-Sat in Abkh, 0400-0500 Mon-Sat in 
Abkh and Ru, Sun 0400-0430 in Ru all on 9495, 9535, 1350 kHz.

0730-0800 in Abkh 0800-0810 in Ru Mon-Fri on 9495 and 9535 (MW are not
heard here to check it).

1100-1125 Mon-Fri in Abkh & Ru, Sat & Sun in Ru (of Russian troops) on
9495.

1400-1500var Mon-Sat in Abkh & Ru, 1400-1430 Sat & Sun in Ru (it is
repeated program from 0400 and 1100) on 9495 and 1350.

1800-1815 on 1350 maybe daily in Abkh (reported on Sat).

Since the beginning of the events on Caucasus no increased broadcast 
times of Apsua Radio were mentioned just till Sept 13th, when I was in 
the village. Observations made thanks to the Sony ICF2001D and thanks 
to Wolfgang Bueschel ! (Rumen Pankov-BUL, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 12)

On Sunday Sept 14th morning 4-8 UT no signal on 9495 kHz noted here in
Germany, not even a tiny carrier. Back around 1430 UT today, when 
checked on 9494.75 kHz. (wb)

9494.8 C+LSB Abkhaz Radio at 0747 UT with classic music, operas with
short voice ins as descriptions, before the music item at 0800 UT with
news signal 14431 (Zacharias Liangas-GRC, wwdxc Aug 5)

9495, Abkhaz Radio at 1447 UT with classical music. Tuned in again on 
1454 UT but signed off (Zacharias Liangas-GRC, wwdxc July 28)

Re Abkhaz Radio:
I was in the village on 14-16 September [some 60 kilometers north of 
Sofia capital, wb.]. When I arrived there at 1530 UTC I sw/on the Sony 
ICF2001D, thanks to Wolfgang I say always it, I checked 9495 and MW 
1350 kHz and they were in \\ with own prgr of Abkhaz Radio in Russian 
language but later at 1555 UT both did absent and later checked at 
1700 UT, and at 1800 UT on MW no signals were on 1350 kHz - all it was 
on Sunday Sept 14th.

On weekdays 15th & 16th observed broadcasts were:
on 9495 and not on 9535, 0400-0600 & 0700-0800 own prgrs in Abkhaz and 
in Ru and relay Radio Rossii 0600-0700 UT.

No broadcasts 0800-1100 UT, but 1100-1130 UT there were programs with 
news in Abkha & Russian.

1130-1354 UT no signals on 9495, 9535, and 1350 kHz. And at 1354 UT 
sign-on on 9495 and 1350 kHz.

On 15th September at 1400-1500 UT Abkhaz Radio, 1500-1559 Musical (pop 
music) program of some other station they said the name maybe "Vesti 
FM" in Russian at 1559 UT and switched on Radio Rossii program ( \\ 
9480) and close/down at 1600 UT.

Some details: on Sept 15th 0530-0600 musical biography of French 
singer Edith Piaf and her songs "Padam, Padam, Padam" etc, at 1118 UT 
press-conference of Russian FM Lavrov in Sukhumi, but for me was very 
unusual to hear so called "HF Relay Sounds" (it is like wind sounds) 
before the beginning of the programme at 1354 UT (pse see above) 
followed by so called "telephone sound" (same as on feeders for 
example) of their programs. 

So it is sure the SW transmitter is not located in Sukhumi because at 
the same time on MWs there was a music - instrumental version of the 
song "Alone Again Naturally". Later at 1433 UT only on 9495 s/on a 
noise like from DRM or it was jammer? (Rumen Pankov, Northern 
Bulgaria, Sept 16; all via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 18 via DXLD)

** ANDAMAN & NICOBAR IS. 4760, AIR Port Blair, 1407-1441, Sept 18, in
vernacular, various music (pop Western-style song, jazz and mostly
subcontinent music and songs), poor-fair, signal improving till about
1430, after which noticed weak QRM (possibly R. Kashmir/AIR Leh?) (Ron
Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** ARGENTINA. 0710 - 17/9 - 01,49 R Rivadavia- Buenos Aires- progr. 
com ouvintes por telefone 33333 (py5aap-morato GG46qp-Cornelio 
Procopio-pr 23.1052 S 50.5840 O auxilio Perseus radio GRUNDIG s 350 
Antena dipolu 80 metros invertido, dxclubepr yg via DXLD) 

Timezone not specified, but even stranger, Rivadavia on 710 kHz??? 
What became of Radio Diez? Reminds me, have not seen a report of 
Rivadavia or other SSB feeders on SW for some months now (Glenn 
Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** AUSTRALIA. 4910, VL8T, Tennant Creek, 0826-0830*, Sept 19, taking
about how to cook various types of fish, "Coming up to 6:00" and off,
weak (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING
DIGEST)

** AUSTRALIA. HCJB KUNUNURRA TO MOVE SW TRANSMITTER SITE

In the latest BCDX in German language Wolfgang provided details
(mainly provided by HCJB's September Newsletter), that the HCJB
Kununurra SW TX site will be relocating a short distance away.

The new site is expected to be operational by 3rd quarter 2009.

The existing site is at: 15 47 50S     128 41 10E
and will be moving to:   15 46 48.02 S 128 40 48.02 E according to 
Wolfy.

Details in English with images can be found in the pdf below:
http://www.hcjb.org.au/docs/HCJB_News.pdf
Regards (Ian Baxter, shortwavesites yg via DXLD)

** AUSTRIA. 5735, intermodulation ORF Moosbrunn. ... hoerst Du 
eigentlich auch abends auf 5735 den ORF (2 x 5945 ./. 6155 = 5735 
kHz)? (Hans-Friedrich Dumrese, Germany, Sept 8, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews 
Sept 18 via DXLD)

5735: dank Hinweis von Hans-Friedrich Dumrese habe ich heute mal die 
5735 gecheckt. Im Eton E1 Lextronic ist das ganz einfach, man legt die 
drei infrage kommenden Frequenzen in den Speicher in 3 nebeneinander 
liegende Faecher. Und mit einem Millimeterdreh sind die 3 Programme 
schwupp-di-wupp gecheckt.

Aus Moosbrunn gibt es heute wirklich ein spurious Signal der
Intermodulation nach der ueblichen Formel aus den fundamentalen 
Frequenzen 5945 und 6155 kHz gebildet, dies alles NUR um 2000-2100 UT, 
wenn die 5945 on air ist.

5735 spur nur duennes S=1-2, kann aber in Mittel- und Norddeutschland
staerker sein.

5945 die 100 kW an der 300 Grad Richtantenne erzeugen hier ein S=9+10-
+20 dB Signal.

6155 mit 300 kW an der Rundstrahlantenne vergeudet die Energie reih-um 
und erzielt hier nur ein S=7-8 Signal, das ist auch der knappen 500 km
Entfernung bis hier geschuldet.

Auf der symmetrischen 6365 kann ich kein entsprechendes Moosbrunn 
Signal aufnehmen, weil ein saftiges RTTY Signal den Kanal belegt. (wb)
ps. im Winter B-08 gibt's die 5945 kHz fuer den ORS/ORF Moosbrunn dann
nicht mehr. Ing. Herbert Kuhnle wird's da droben saeuerlich bemerken
(Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, Sept 11, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 18 via 
DXLD)

** BAHAMAS. See CUBA [and non], 526, 810 and 1540

** BAHRAIN. 6010, Longtiming "techno" instrumental music from 1838 on 
6010 over Belarus (at 1840 I checked AIR in En with their Mailbag 
program "Faithfully Yours" and returning to 6010 I heard a DJ a Lady 
in English and disco song from 1852) on Sept 8th (Rumen Pankov, 
Bulgaria, Sept 11, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 18 via DXLD)

** BOLIVIA. 4498, Bolivia, Unident. September 16, Spanish, 2300 
message service by YL, talks on music, 2305 YL "oyentes de la radio La 
Estancia..." it`s the third time I heard them mentioning "La Estancia" 
as a ID, s/off at 2308. Remembering that some time ago I heard on 4451 
R. Santa Ana mentioning "La Cruz del Sur" many times. 23422 (Lúcio 
Otávio Bobrowiec, Embu SP Brasil - Sony ICF SW40 - dipole 18m, 32m, 
dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Surely R. Estambul? Or name change.

** BOLIVIA. 6024.96, R Patria Nueva, La Paz (tentative), 0320-0344*,
Sept 19, heard only open carrier here at 0300, with audio coming up at
about 0320, sounded like Spanish, LA music, speeches with background
sounds of a crowd. Have often heard a carrier here, but is rare to
actually get some audio (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1,
dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** BOLIVIA. Re 8-103, 6075, RADIO KAUSACHUN COCA or CAUSACHUN: The 
Peruvians tend to use K, the Bolivians, including Evo Morales, C. 
Audio: http://www.box.net/shared/n7fg1dcqnu 

In the phrase "long live coca", attributed to the Bolivian President 
Evo Morales, the K sounds were written with C in the Bolivian press as 
shown also on Google. In Peru there is a tendency to use K to 
distinguish what´s Spanish from what´s Quechua (or Kechua, if you 
will). Inca Kola comes to mind. See the inconsistency. C in one place 
and K in another. And I have yet to see the spelling Koka. This 
visceral reaction to anything Spanish may of course reach Bolivia too 
(Henrik Klemetz, Sweden, Sept 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Hi all, I heard that Bolivian on 6075 kHz this morning between 1000 
and 1030 UT. It started out weak, but gradually the signal faded in. I 
recorded a few segments and put them on my web site at:
http://www.orchidcitysoftware.com/IMAGE61.HTML

I cleaned up the text on the above page so you can maneuver easier. I 
had used some bogus HTML tags and the text was all messed up. Anyway, 
if anyone doesn't have any pressing tasks pending and would like to 
take a listen, I'd appreciate it. If you hear an ID, send me an email 
with the text. Thanks (Chuck Bolland, FL, Sept 18, dxldyg via DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

6075, Radio Causauki [sic] Coca, 0900-1045 Sept 19. With me having an 
early wakeup call, I caught this on early too. Signal was poor at 
0900, but faded in after a few minutes to a fair level. From that 
time, noted plenty of "political" commentary by different individuals. 
A lot of political words heard in Spanish of course. Between about 
0915 and 1000 signal was at a good level. Heard a clear live ID by a 
male at 0932 as, "...Radio Casusuki [sic] Coca" Some music noted, but 
only as a filler between segments. One announcer kept the whole 
process coherent while others contributed off and on. By 1038, signal 
had dropped back to a poor level again (Chuck Bolland, Clewiston, 
Florida, NRD545, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 

Chuck had previously heard this making a cold start at *1000. The 
correct spellings had been determined as in first item above (gh)

LAS EMISORAS MINERAS LAS SUSTITUYEN AHORA LAS LLAMADAS "AGRARIAS" 

Me escribe un amigo boliviano que tiene muchos años de fierros en
radio, tanto mineras como otras, luego de informarse él sobre la
nueva emisora chapareña en los 6075. Por su experiencia y visión
histórica, creo que merece reproducirse aquí algunos apartes de su
mensaje:

Gracias por la información, que al mismo tiempo me apena. (....) las
llamadas "radio agrarias" (...) son un experimento que se repite de
las llamadas "emisoras mineras" que terminado el MNR también se
terminaron y no queda una sóla. Fueron un fracaso, porque no se puede
vivir como en el caso propuesto de un item (de la Alcaldía que a su
vez recibe el dinero de Chávez, ocasionalmente) y tres del ministerio
de Educación, por unidad, en algunas regiones habrá dos, tres o más
emisoras que por el momento no tendrán propaganda comercial, pero que
al crecer sus necesidades y al tener mayor personal, harán como las
mineras, "quién tiene sus avisos puede trabajar" y terminarán por
depender de los funcionarios municipales o estatales, o sea se
transformarán en instrumento de adoctrinamiento y de consignas
oficiales. Me da mucha pena, porque se subalterniza el trabajo de la
radio y el radialista deviene en empleado público, sujeto a los
mismos vaivenes de los otros, que con el cambio de "los jefes"
cambian de personal sin importar para nada la profesionalidad, etc.
(...)

Faltan algunos pedacitos del mensaje como lo indican los paréntesis.
(Henrik Klemetz, Sweden, Sept 16, condiglist yg via DXLD)

Re: "Hey, the USA, the North American empire, is being blamed for 
``intervening`` in Bolivia! We sure don`t hear much about that here. 
Is it true? History suggests it certainly could be, but such charges 
are easy to throw around without any proof, and risk becoming just 
another Big Lie on RHC (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

we have this... 
(Agencias).- El gobierno boliviano anunció el inicio de una campaña 
internacional para denunciar la injerencia política de la embajada de 
Estados Unidos a través de su Agencia para el Desarrollo Internacional 
(USAID). . . In http://www.bolpress.com/art.php?Cod=2008022515 
(Horacio Nigro, Uruguay, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** BRAZIL. Re 8-103: My apologies to all concerned! The observation 
time is partly missing here: 9645.2 R. Bandeirantes, São Paulo SP, 
044-1430, 05 Sep, advs., talks, music, etc.,..., news & advs. heard at 
1415; 25432. It should read 0944-1430. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, 
Portugal, Sept 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** BRAZIL. 6185.0, R. Nacional, 0837, Sept 19, with Portuguese
programming, fair, assume it was a weak Mexico heard mixing with them
and on a slightly lower frequency (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA,
Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** CANADA. Facebook msg from Jesse Brown of Search Engine
   BACK FROM THE DEAD! To members of Search Engine CBC
------------------------------------------------
People keep telling me that my radio show was canceled last season.
I refuse to accept this, and will therefore continue producing new 
podcasts every week. The first zombie episode of Search Engine, 
"Canada is retarded", is now online!
http://podcast.cbc.ca/mp3/searchengine_20080915_7518.mp3
-J jesse.brown @ cbc.ca (via Clara Listensprechen, DXLD)

** CANADA. 710, UNID, Beaming E/W from London, Sept/15/08, 1847 EDT,  
ARABIC, FR, Male Speaking ARABIC?? at 1847-48 EDT. Into Arabic Vocals 
and String/Drum Music 1848-49. Back to male Speaking Arabic at 1849 
EDT til fade at 1850. UNID. Need Help. Can't find anything on the 
net??? (Robert S. Ross VA3SW, London, Ontario, CANADA N6A5K1, ODXA yg 
via WORLD OF RADIO 1426, DXLD)

[Later:] Hi Guys: Thanks to a Tip from Niel Wolfish, I may have heard 
CJRN Niagara Falls, Ont., who in past years has carried Ramadan 
programming. Nothing else fits, so it may have been them!! (Ross, 
ibid.)

Yes, definitely CJRN - they break from the tourism information for 
Arabic programming each year during Ramadan, and it's now Ramadan. s 
(Scott Fybush, IRCA via DXLD)

When/What time did you hear this? CJRN is a local for me, normally 
carrying tourism related programming. I have it on now 0215 UT/10:15 
PM EDT. Usual programming although it sounds better than it used to. A 
few years ago it was a repeating loop, promoting the casino, the 
casino and the casino. Oh, and there was the odd mention of some water 
going over a rock which some people seem to find of interest (Fred 
Waterer, minutes from Niagara Falls, ODXA yg via DXLD)

Fred, Heard at 1847 EDT, just before Sunset. Several people have
confirmed that it is indeed CJRN (Rob Ross, ibid.) 

Yes, it probably was. Sometimes CJRN is broadcasting tourist info and 
at other times it seems to be carrying ethnic programs. I've heard it 
broadcasting middle eastern music recently too (Greg Shoom, ibid.)

Years ago, in the Doug Gilmour era, CJRN carried Toronto Maple Leaf 
hockey. They were playing a rare afternoon game in San José.

Apparently CJRN had some sort of contract to do an Islamic/Arabic 
religious program, and they interrupted the game to broadcast this 
program, much to the consternation of Leaf fans. I was listening in a 
public place and it caused a few heads to turn when Joe Bowen was 
replaced by the call to prayer. To this day it`s the only time I can 
recall a sports play-by-play broadcast being pre-empted (briefly) by 
regularly scheduled programming, instead of the other way around.
I'll have to check it out tomorrow. Cheers (Fred Waterer, ibid.)
 
Surely, a call to prayer during a Leaf game would have been 
appropriate. :-) :-) (Peter Van Harmelen, ibid.)

** CANADA. CFRX QSY? Apparently CHU is moving from its current 41m 
frequency to 7850 as per a source at the gov't department that 
operates it in a story in Monitoring Times. As I recall, CHU went from 
being a utility station (or whatever it's classification was) to a 
commercial broadcaster in order to maintain it's use of 7335 but 
apparently that hasn't worked out so they are moving.

Would it not be possible to see CFRX move to get reclassified to a 
utility station (point to point or propagation study transmitter ) in 
order to find a frequency say just above 49m say 6210 or something 
similar??

Great that it is back in use but too bad that they could not have put 
a higher power transmitter on the air. 2 kW or even 5 kW would've made 
for a nice signal throughout the middle of North America. 

Does anyone know what the maximum power allowed for this station is? 
That it has been running a thousand watts or thereabouts for all these 
years; is that because that is what the transmitter was or is that the 
maximum that it was/is licensed for???

Again, glad to see it back. Now can anybody convince any of the other 
now former such Canadian SW stations to return to the airwaves? I take 
it that CFRX is the last of the bunch other than the two CBC stations 
at either end of the country? Just wondering (Bill Leal, Windsor, 
Ontario, Sept 16, ODXA yg via DXLD)

I understand from Steve Canney that the CFRB engineer was hoping to 
look at the low modulation problem today. He suspected it may have 
been caused by a recent storm.

I¹m pretty sure 1 kW is their licensed power and I would be very 
surprised if they had any desire to (a) seek an increase in power, or 
(b) a new frequency. The long delay in getting CFRX back on the air 
would indicate to me that it¹s very low priority and they wouldn¹t 
want the hassle of applying to make these changes (Harold Sellers, 
ibid.)

Open carrier on 6070, Sept 16 at 1406 check. Possibly within sight of 
the antenna one might pull a trace of modulation. Now that CFRX has 
ceased modulating, it`s academic whether they change to a clear 
frequency. As long as they stay within SAH range of 6070.0, the 
carrier won`t be much of a problem to CVC, ELWA or the other stations 
I enumerated in a previous report, and we can go back to 1010 or 
webcast if we really want to hear it.

O, things improved a little, Sept 17 at 1301, CFRB news and traffic 
report just barely audible, very low modulation for the carrier level. 
Maybe there is hope (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1426, OK, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

CFRX, 6070, undermodulated but readable for a while, with phone number 
for call-in, Sept 18 at 1250, which must have been shortly after North 
Korea signed off. Much softer than its neighbors JOZ on 6055, 
Firedrake on 6085. By a few minutes after 1300, CFRX had weakened 
enough so that its puny modulation was not enough to overcome the 
noise level. The engineer was supposed to be looking into this problem 
when he could get around to it (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** CHINA. In today's mail. BPM time station, 5 MHz, f/d card in 38 
days for a report with a CD of my reception, $1 and a postcard. v/s 
Jie Shuhong. 
National Time Service Center
Chinese Academy of Sciences
P. O. Box 18
Lintong, Shaanxi, 710600 China
(Martin Foltz, Mission Viejo CA, Sept 15, ABDX via DXLD)

** CHINA. Coverage of the closing ceremony of the Beijing Paralympic 
Games. --- Hi Glenn, On Sept 17 there will be the closing ceremony of 
the Beijing Paralympic Games, which should give DXers a chance to hear 
some of the Chinese regional stations in parallel, with special 
coverage via the relaying of CNR-1 programming. The opening ceremony 
on Sept 6 had such special programming. I heard Sichuan PBS-2 on 6060 
// 7225 and Hunan PBS on 4990, all with CNR-1 programming and tomorrow 
there will probably be some others with this special relay. Not sure 
just what the exact time will be, but my Sept 6 reception was around 
1430, so I will be checking about 1300 or even earlier to see what the 
reception is like (Ron Howard, Monterey/Asilomar Beach, CA, Sept 16, 
dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.:

CNR-1 live coverage Sept 17, in Chinese, with speeches in English 
heard in the background, Paralympic Games Anthem played, checked for 
parallel CNR-1 stations at 1211 tune-in, found all of these in 
parallel: 4460 (Beijing, good), 4800 (Beijing, fair-poor), 4820 
(Tibet, fair. This was not // to other Tibet frequencies. After 1330 
was not //), 5030 (Beijing, good), 7105 (Xian/Xianyang, weak), 7110
(Shijiazhuang/Huikou, fair), 7230 (Xian/Xianyang, fair), 9500
(Shijiazhuang/Huikou, fair), 9630 (Lingshi, weak), 9810 (Nanning,
good). Unable to hear 4750, as covered by a strong RRI on 4749.93.
Parallel coverage of most of these stations randomly noted till 1523
tune-out.

6060, Sichuan PBS-2, 1211-1515*, Sept 17, relay of CNR-1 with the
usual 5 second delay, // 7225 and 9740. Fair reception the whole time.

7225, Sichuan PBS-2, 1211-1516*, Sept 17, relay of CNR-1 with the
usual 5 second delay, // 6060 and 9740. After 1500 good reception,
after a strong VOA signed-off. Ran one minute past 6060 sign-off.

9740, Sichuan PBS-1, 1211-1523, Sept 17, relay of CNR-1, // 6060 and
7225. Poor reception the whole time under BBC.

4990, Hunan PBS, 1211-1420, Sept 17, relay of CNR-1, signal improving
the whole time (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX
LISTENING DIGEST)

Stations with their regular programming (no relay of CNR-1, no
coverage of closing ceremony):

3280 Shanghai PBS/Voice of Pujiang (//4950 and 9705)
4830 CHBC
4900 Voice of Strait
4940 Voice of Strait
4905 Tibet (// 4920 [AIR QRM] and 6200). They have fixed the terrible
audio I heard Sept 6.
5050 Voice of Strait
5050 Guangxi FBS (// 9820)
6065 CNR-2/CBR (// 6155, etc.) (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón 
E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** CHINA. Firedrake on 9310, instead of usual 9300, Sept 18 at 1258, 
poor; presumably because Sound of Hope was on 9310 today too (Glenn 
Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** CHINA. CHN Jinhua. Facts of Jinhua known? - or still a puzzle?
Two revolving antennas. These like AEG Telefunken revolving antennas 
type visible, like in Moosbrunn, Sottens, Kamalabad, Vatican.

29 06 58.89 N 119 18 39.43 E
29 07 04.02 N 119 18 49.04 E

CHN Jinhua CRI 2x100, 4x150kW, 3x500 kW
29 06 46.29 N 119 18 39.46 E

MW or tropical band antennas?:
29 06 50.54 N 119 18 31.70 E
(wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 16, BCDX via DXLD)

CHN Jinhua. Thanks for the material. This site was found previously 
(I'd imagine by Alan or maybe yourself??). I've labelled this site:
Jinhua - Youbu (Site A) ? - CRI - 2x100, 3x500kW txers [Station 831].

Mention (if my memory serves me correctly) that 2 Jinhua sites exist, 
the other being for: CRI - 4x150kW txers [ Station ??? ]. Can anyone 
enlighten further. Maybe this is an updated GE image since we last 
looked at this site??? (Ian Baxter, Australia, SW TXsite Sept 16, 
ibid.)

Recent HFCC registrations from Jinhua (SARFT Station 831) show only 
around three 500 kW units in operation, probably using the two 
rotatable antennas and also a fixed curtain array for 314 ees. The 
current 314 ee registrations are on 7 MHz.

It seems likely the other SW units have been scrapped or moved. Old SW
services from Station 831 s four 150 kW units (mostly beamed towards
Japan/Korea) have been registered in recent HFCC seasons for the 
renovated Station 564 near Beijing, also using around four 150 kW 
units.

I`ve seen a reference to the equivalent in Chinese of Transmitter Hall 
C at Station 831, suggesting there must have been at least three 
different transmitter buildings in use at various times. Usually in 
Chinese sources, references to A/B/C transmitter buildings seem to 
indicate several buildings within the same site. Guesswork would 
suggest A was the 100 kW units, B the 150 kW units, and C the 500 kW 
units.

Ian: the full address for Station 831 is Xishanwang Village, Youbu 
Town, Lanxi City, Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province (Alan Davies, 
Indonesia, SW TXsite Sept 16, ibid.)

One possibility I would like to point out is that the former 600 kW 
units at Jinhua each could have been made up of four parallel 150 kW 
units. At certain times both clusters were used in \\ to produce 1000 
kW. At those times they needed 4 minutes to complete the switching and 
had to leave early from the previous frequency(ies). The audio quality 
of these transmitters was much above average, always very clean and 
crisp. Obviously the site was originally built to reach some 
propagationally difficult areas, like North America (Olle Alm, Sweden, 
SW TXsite Sept 17, via BC-DX via DXLD)

** CUBA. Congrats to Bárbara on Despertar con Cuba, Sept 16 at 1401 on 
15370, who finally got the updated frequency announcement right, 
saying 15360 instead of 1360 yesterday. Well, not quite. It still 
claims to be on 9600, 6180 and 6000 at this hour but it isn`t. 

News summary following mentioned that the damage caused by HH. Gustav 
& Ike amounted to some 5000 million dollars, and that the disaster has 
been managed well, tnx to The Revolution. Now what would that be in 
worthless Cuban pesos?

Checked again Sept 17 at 1403, she says: 15120, 15360; 13760 and from 
1300 13680; 11760, 12000; 9600; 6000, 6180; and from 1300 15370. This 
is still not correct. Since a couple frequencies are specified as 
starting at 9 am, they should also specify when other frequencies end: 
namely 6000 until 1400*; and 6180 confirmed Sept 17 until 1300*, also 
the case with 9600. 

The online schedule at  
http://www.radiohc.cu/espanol/frecuencia/frecuencias-espanol.htm 
makes clear what happens at 1300. The New York beam changes from 6180 
to 15370; the Chicago beam from 9600 to 13680.

Just when you think RHC has made every mistake possible on the 
discrepancy roster, they come up with something new and different!
UT Sept 17 at 0533 on my nightly scan of 49m, I find on 6140 // 6000 
RHC in English mixed at about equal level with RHC in Portuguese?! 
These transmitters are getting dual audio feeds, Portuguese not even 
supposed to be on RHC anywhere near this time, ending at 0000 per 
sked. How could this happen; automation gone haywire with no human 
oversight?

Weakest 6060, however, was in English only, evidence that it is at a 
different site getting a different feed, and that was the only 
frequency where we could hear DXers Unlimited at 0540 without self-
QRM, the 31 and 25mb frequencies if on, not propagating. Hmmm, 9550 is 
no longer shown at 0500 in the English sked below; is it really off? 
Arnie was enjoying a nice blue sky again Tuesday morning, autumn in 
the air.

The above frequency page from RHC website has finally been updated, 
about 6 months late, headed March-October 2008 rather than October 
2007-March 2008. It now shows the new morning frequencies 15360 and 
15120 which started a month ago. No longer says Quechua or Guarani is 
temporarily replaced by more Portuguese.

English is now shown as: INGLÉS
Río de Janeiro     9550 31 23–24 
Caribe            13680 22 20:30–21:30 
América del Norte  6140 / 6000 / 6060 31 / 49 01–07 / 01–07 / 05-07
Norte Centro y Suramérica 11760 / 11760 25 20:30-21:30 / 05–07 
 
So the 2030-2130 English broadcast is finally on the schedule, no 
longer secret! I was not aware of 13680 being in use for that, as the 
// to 11760 had been 9505 when last confirmed. 13680 now needs to be 
confirmed. We always thought the 9550 broadcast at 23-24 was for 
Caribe rather than all the Anglophiles in Rio. 

This confusing layout requires one to match up the frequencies 
separated by slants with the timespans respectively to the right on 
the same lines. Note the spurious ``31`` on the NAm line. Was 9550 
still supposed to go with it after 0500 as before?

As for the report of RHC being heard on 11880, we looked for that Sept 
16 at 2102, but nothing there. Presumably indeed a typo for 11800, but 
at that hour we heard on 11800 just an open carrier with a 2 Hz SAH 
and very weak audio under, which would be RHC failing to modulate and 
R. Bulgaria Spanish as scheduled. RHC OK on 11750 in Spanish, 11760 
English. Posted schedule shows 11800 in Spanish to Caribe at 21-23. 

The only Arabic broadcast on it is at 2030-2100 on 11800 to Caribe, 
11750 to Europe. More anomalies: the sked shows:

MESA REDONDA (lunes a viernes y días especiales)
América del Norte  6000 / 9820 49 / 31 23 – 01
But as we have recently observed, usually starts at 2230 or even 2200! 

ALÓ PRESIDENTE (domingo) 14-
América Central   13680 22
Caribe            11690 25
América del Sur   11875 / 17750  25 / 16
América del Norte 13750

11690 for Caribe would be new, and colliding with HCJB until 1500. 
This has been on 11670 so has it really moved, or another typo? 

Checking some questions raised in my previous report: Sept 17 at 2100, 
zero on 13680 which is supposed to be a new frequency for English // 
11760 at 2030-2130; but nothing audible either on the former // 9505. 
If it were on 13680 this would be a big improvement over the 9 MHz 
channel getting buried in the afternoon haze. RHC was in on 13760 at 
the same time in Spanish, but low modulation cutting in and out, while 
playing new(?) Siboney interval signal/theme, so it`s not limited to 
Mesa Redonda where I first noticed it. This tune is only a few notes 
repeated over and over every few sex, so can drive you nuts even 
quicker than REE`s IS, which it sorta resembles.

The newly revised RHC online transmission schedule is also wrong about 
English after 0500. Tho it sometimes does not propagate, as when 
recently checked, 9550 is still on the air tho omitted from the 
schedule, with `Ed Newman` doing `news` and propagating too, UT Sept 
18, confirmed at 0524 with only fair signal; not making it on 11760 if 
that was still on. On 25m, the only significant signal was CVC Chile 
on 11665. Also on 49m, the RHC frequencies were in English only, not 
mixed with Portuguese. One has the impression that the webmaster is 
just dealing with meaningless numbers, does not even monitor the 
station, and has no `feel` for what really must be happening, sorting 
out contradixions, etc.

And you never know what will happen with the DentroCuban Jamming 
Command. Altho WRMI 9955 was jammed this past weekend both during 
WORLD OF RADIO and QSO with Ted Randall, on Sept 18 at 1850 and 1920 
chex, no jamming --- but no signal here from WRMI either unless that 
was the very weak carrier detectable with BFO. If jammed, that would 
have been propagating, as jamming vs Martí on 9565 was audible.

Speaking of which, earlier at 0505 UT on 9565 I noticed three tones or 
carriers mixed, not the kind of thing you normally get even from 
residual runover jamming. R Martí is currently scheduled on 9565 only 
at 17-24, altho Aoki thinx it`s only 20-22.

The next afternoon, Sept 18, things were quite different at 2040-2045 
check! Feedlines mixed up, or yet more unannounced changes? Still 
nothing on 13680, but 11760, supposed to be RHC English, instead was 
relaying Venezuela in Spanish with sports report, // much weaker 
17705, the only frequency it is supposed to be on during this hour. No 
RHC English on 9505, no signal. Nothing audible on 11800 or 11880 
either, but 11750 was in RHC Arabic. Result: the 2030-2130 English 
broadcast was missing completely, which would have matched the posted 
sked until its recent update.

Another check the afternoon of Sept 19 to see how screwed up they are 
today: axually more or less normal, as the RHC English broadcast was 
back in business on 11760 at 2031 and again at 2110 check. Earlier at 
2002, 11760 was opening French late. 11750: at 2002, Portuguese with 
hum and whine; 2031 Arabic with same; 2110 in Spanish and weaker than 
// 13760 now on air. Still no sign of listed 13680 in English; 17705 
had a JBA carrier at 2031, presumably RNV (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

6000, RHC English/Spanish mixup in their studios -- two of the RHC 
English frequencies have ALSO been carrying Spanish programming at an 
equal level all evening! Bizarre -- someone has wires crossed in
Havana! :) SIO 552 (like I can understand two languages at once!) // 
6140 with the same 'double feed' but 6060 had the English service 
without the Spanish mixing. Go figure! Cuban music and into English 
news at 0530 after the usual bit about the "Cuban Five". Lead item was 
about Bolivian political situation, then into Arnie Coro's DXers 
Unlimited; 0515-0605 17/Sep (Kenneth Vito Zichi, MI, MARE Tipsheet 
Sept 19 via DXLD)

?? I don`t know about ``all evening``, but I was listening starting at 
0533 as reported above, on exactly the same date, and the mixture was 
in Portuguese, not Spanish. I`m amazed that listeners, even those with 
many years of experience, mix up these two. Portuguese sounds VERY 
different from Spanish, even if you don`t really understand a word of 
either (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** CUBA [non]. 13820, Sept 17 at 1335 with Hallelujah Chorus, not 
exactly what one would expect from R. Martí in September, nor talk in 
Russian which followed, but then back into Spanish, over jamming. Must 
have been a period drama or docu (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING 
DIGEST)

** CUBA. The Cuban on 530 is back tonight, although the signal is not 
as strong as before its "departure" and the modulation is a little 
muddy. 10:17 pm Central [0317 UT] (Harry Helms W5HLH, Corpus Christi, 
TX EL17, UT Sept 17, ABDX via DXLD)

** CUBA [and non]. FL Keys-SW FL bandscans --- All times/dates are in 
GMT unless otherwise indicated. Frequencies are in kHz unless 
otherwise specified.

*** = New station/anomaly (or at least new to me).

LKSP = loggings appended with this were made during an extensive, 
nearly five-hour bandscan between 1700-2145 GMT (1300-1745 ET) at Long 
Key State Park in the middle Florida Keys. With a few exceptions, I 
worked my way up from 526 to 1700 kHz. Long Key remains the undisputed 
best place in the Keys to monitor Cuba, far superior to Key West. I 
can only guess that the middle Keys location allows better reception 
of all of Cuba, with less Cuba land mass blockage present than in Key 
West. Powerline noise is also very low here (thus far). The park just 
opened upon my 1300 local arrival, and I'm surprised they were open as 
the area was pretty trashed by Hurricane Ike's winds over the previous 
two days. Only the parking lot where I DX from was open (how 
convenient). All trails were closed, there was no electricity and the 
water was off here. I had to clear some sea grape and gumbo limbo 
branches from the shaded parking slot I wanted. The good news is I was 
the only person here -- save for park staff -- during my stay.

KEYW = loggings appended with this were made on Key West, including a 
one hour session at Ft. Zachary Taylor State Park near the 
southernmost point in the continental US. The primary purpose at Ft. 
Zachary Taylor was to check some of the frequency "holes" where no 
Cuban stations were detected during the monitoring session at Long Key 
State Park.

ESTO = loggings appended with this were made at Estero (southwest 
Florida, five miles due east of Sanibel Island).

All other logs were made while mobile (with the approximate location 
indicated) or from the Clearwater home if no location is referenced. 

NNdR = Noticiero Nacional de Radio - the daily 1300 local news feed 
picked up by many Cuban radio stations. 

Cuba sites are per my personal notes, various individuals DFing 
efforts, WRTVH or Cuban sources, thus presumed and/or estimated.

Equipment used for these loggings: Sony ICF-7600GR and 2007 Hyundai 
Sonata stock car radio.

DISCLAIMER: No portion of the below may be reproduced or redistributed 
by the National Radio Club, their editors or current members without 
expressed written permission, which will then be swiftly, and we do 
mean swiftly denied. Editors receiving this directly from me are 
excluded provided this entire disclaimer is included where any of the 
below is reproduced.

CUBA/BAHAMAS/MEXICO LOGS

526, BAHAMAS ZLS, Stella Maris, Long Island; September 11, 2008. non-
directional aero beacon, very good with Morse ZLS. [LKSP] And fair 
September 13. [KEYW]

530, CUBA Radio Enciclopedia; September 11, 2008; Excellent with the 
usual cool retro music as interpreted by Cuban orchestras. Nice to 
have them back after some open carrier breaks, transmitter off and 
Radio Cadena Habana weak in place of Enciclopedia (if in fact Cadena 
Habana was not from another site) for a couple of days, post-Hurricane 
Ike. [LKSP]

540, CUBA Radio Rebelde, Sancti Spíritus, Sancti Spíritus; September 
11, 2008. Fair, supposedly 1 kW. [LKSP]

570, CUBA Radio Reloj, Santa Clara, Villa Clara; September 13, 2008. 
Excellent. This channel was blocked by WQAM, Miami IBOC hash at Long 
Key. [KEYW] September 15, 2008 at 0105+. Noted this local Sunday 
evening using the ascending four chimes instead of Morse "RR" top of 
each minute, but all day long the "RR"'s were in use. [ESTO]

580, CUBA Radio Rebelde, Mantua, Pinar del Río; September 11, 2008. 
Very poor, presumed site as opposed to the other options. [LKSP]

590, CUBA Radio Musical Nacional, Santa Clara, Villa Clara; September 
11, 2008. Excellent with classical tunes. [LKSP]

600, CUBA Radio Rebelde, San Germán, Holguín (or nearby Urbano Noris); 
September 11, 2008. Very good, parallel others. [LKSP]

620, CUBA Radio Rebelde, Colón, Matanzas; September 11, 2008. Huge 
signal, coming out of NNdR at 1759. Presumed site from the multiple 
choices. [LKSP]

630, CUBA Radio Progreso, Pinar del Río, Pinar del Río; September 11, 
2008. poor and in tight null with radionovela. [LKSP]

640, CUBA Radio Progreso, Guanabacoa, Ciudad de la Habana; September 
11, 2008. Fair with radionovela, under presumed WMEN, Boca Ratón. 
[LKSP]

660, CUBA Radio Progreso, Santa Clara, Villa Clara; September 11, 
2008. Fair with radionovela. [LKSP]

***670, CUBA Radio Rebelde, unknown site; September 13, 2008. There 
are TWO Rebelde transmitters here. Observatons at Ft. Zachary Taylor: 
a huge Rebelde (probably the below Arroyo Arenas site) and a second, 
slightly weaker one that is slightly delayed. Essentially the same 
dual transmitter/audio delay results as with 1180 kHz Rebelde multi-
transmitters. But what's the target? WWFE, Miami? [KEYW]

670, CUBA Radio Rebelde, Arroyo Arenas, Ciudad de la Habana; September 
11, 2008. Fair under strong domestic Spanish station. [LKSP]

690, CUBA Radio Progreso, Jovellanos, Matanzas; September 11, 2008. 
Excellent. [LKSP]

710, CUBA Radio Rebelde, unknown site (several to pick from); 
September 11, 2008. Very good under the Miami Spanish station.

750, CUBA Radio Progreso, Palmira, Cienfuegos; September 11, 2008. 
Excellent with radionovela. [LKSP]

790, CUBA Radio Reloj, Pinar del Río, Pinar del Río; September 11, 
2008; weak under domestic sports station ("770 The Ticket" WAXY, South 
Miami). [LKSP]

810, BAHAMAS, ZNS3, Freeport, Grand Bahama; parallel 1540 September 
11, 2008. At this hour (1720 tune-in) with death announcements. Only 
two people croaked the past day or so. "This is A-M 15-40, the 
National Voice of the Bahamas" at 1725. Later in the afternoon noted 
with local programming consisting of local reggae and soca. Good. 
[LKSP]

820, CUBA Radio Ciudad de la Habana, Santa Catalina, Ciudad de la 
Habana; September 11, 2008. Tuned in to Noticiero Nacional de Radio 
feed at 1720. This day, NNdR ran past the usual 1730 (always 1330 
local time in Cuba). NNdR ran till 1759 today, which on rare occasions 
happens. Parallel 980 COCO transmitter that was feeding Radio Ciudad 
de la Habana this day, however 980 abruptly went silent at 1720, never 
to return the rest of this day or evening. [LKSP]

820, CUBA Radio Reloj, Contramaestre, Granma; September 11, 2008. Very 
weak under Radio Ciudad de la Habana. [LKSP]

840, CUBA Dobleve, Santa Clara, Villa Clara; September 11, 2008. 
Excellent with Cuban pop vocals, male, "Esta es Dobleve. Desde Santa 
Cruz..." at 1900. [LKSP] September 15, 2008 at 0125. Excellent with 
slow Cuban vocals. [ESTO]  [is that Dóbleve or Doblevé? -- gh\

860, CUBA Radio Reloj, Arroyo Arenas, Ciudad de la Habana; September 
11, 2008. Excellent. [LKSP]

870, CUBA Radio Reloj, Sancti Spíritus, Sancti Spíritus; September 11, 
2008. Fair. [LKSP]

910, CUBA Radio Cadena Habana, unknown site; September 11, 2008. 
Excellent. Either this or Radio Metropolitana are very slightly off-
frequency, as there is a low rumble on the channel. [LKSP]

910, CUBA Radio Metropolitana, Arroyo Arenas, Ciudad de la Habana; 
September 11, 2008. Fair, tight null with Radio Cadena Habana. [LKSP]

930, CUBA Radio Surco, Ciego de Avila (also reportedly from Morón), 
Ciego de Avila; September 11, 2008. Big signal at 1911, male canned, 
"Esta es la historia... Esta es CM-- [sounded like CMEQ but not sure -
- definitely not the listed CMJS -- and a quick check of their website 
didn't seem to list the calls], Radio Surco. Desde Ciudad de la Avila, 
capital [uncopiable] Cubana." Then female time check, into what seemed 
to be a radionovela. This transmitter also appeared to be the source 
of a huge wobbler, when the radio was thrown into SSB. [LKSP]

930, CUBA Radio Reloj, unknown site; September 11, 2008. Fair-poor 
under Radio Surco, this not the wobbler source. [LKSP] September 13, 
2008. Excellent at 1336. (KEYW]

950, CUBA Radio Reloj, Pastora, Ciudad de la Habana; September 11, 
2008. Presumed the one, the flagship Reloj, since it was strong, 
slightly ahead of the weaker one on the same channel. [LKSP]

950, CUBA Radio Reloj, Sancti Spíritus, Sancti Spíritus; September 11, 
2008. Much weaker than the Reloj running slightly ahead of this one. 
Presumed site. [LKSP]

***980, CUBA Radio Ciudad de la Habana, Sapo, Ciudad de la Habana; 
1028-1230 September 11, 2008. Certainly via the COCO/CMCK El Periodico 
del Aire site -- see future logs on this channel. Huge signal not long 
after departing Clearwater for Key West, holding forth at very nice 
level until I-75 moves farther from the coast. Some type of special 
post-Hurricane Ike coverage, with field reporters from various 
stations across Cuba regarding electricity restoration and damage 
asessments, punctuated with Cuban vocals. Quite a few Radio Ciudad de 
la Habana ID's, but also "Cadena Provincial de Radio" slogan often. I 
believe Radio Ciudad de la Habana is an anomaly rather than a regular 
via this transmitter, as subsequent logs seem to indicate. Noted at 
LKSP just as I arrived, but the transmitter dropped out and never 
returned the rest of the day/evening. 

980, CUBA CMCK Periodico del Aire COCO, Sapo, Ciudad de la Habana; 
September 12, 2008, 1444-1515. Male, "... programa especial de CMCK" 
at 1503, hurricane recovery news, back to traditional Cuban vocals. 
Excellent. Obviously the same transmitter as heard the previous day 
with Radio Ciudad de la Habana (see separate entry), "programa 
especial" on both stations it seems so some linkage. [KEYW] September 
13, 2008, 1533 canned female, "Esta es COCO, CMCK Radio Periodico del 
Aire. Desde la Ciudad de la Habana... 980 kHz y 97 punto 9 MHz FM..." 
[KEYW]

990, CUBA Radio Guamá, San Luís, Pinar del Río; September 11, 2008. 
Very good, parallel 1070 with hurricane recovery information in Pinar 
del Río.

1000, CUBA unidentified; September 11, 2008. Not parallel Guamá 990 or 
Radio Musical Nacional 590. only Guamá is listed on 1000. Pretty sure 
this is a Cuban. [LKSP]

1060, CUBA Radio Veinteseis, unknown location, Matanzas; September 11, 
2008. Singing ID at 1905. Massive signal. [LKSP]

1070, CUBA Radio Guamá, Pinar del Río, Pinar del Río; September 11, 
2008. Fair in tight null, parallel 990. [LKSP]

[later insert:] Listening to 1140 at 0112+ GMT 20 September. The 
newly-reported bubbler jammer is loud, atop WQBA, Miami (the target, 
with baseball coverage tonight). But what's cool for me is to hear 
Musical Nacional audio here, finally, as reported by Paul Z. on 
occasion (he reports sporadically Sundays -- which this is not --
this being a local Friday night). Audio for Musical Nacional 
paralleled to flagship 590 kHz. But certainly the Musical source on 
1140 kHz is the same transmitter that dominates here with Cadena 
Habana, Rebelde etc. audio.

1180, CUBA Radio Rebelde, unknown site; September 11, 2008. Barely 
present, with Radio Martí, Marathon, Florida ripping the channel to 
shreads. Proof that 100 kW will work! [LKSP]

1200, CUBA Radio Sancti Spíritus, Trinidad, Sancti Spíritus; September 
11, 2008. good, parallel 1210. [LKSP]

1210, CUBA Radio Sancti Spíritus, Radio Sancti Spíritus; September 11, 
2008. Very poor under the Miami Spanish station, but definitely the 
one as parallel 1200.

1340, CUBA Radio Ciudad del Mar, Palmira, Ciefuegos; September 11, 
2008. My favorite log, a huge signal with traditional Cuban vocals, 
male announcer but very slickly-produced. I thought this was something 
domestic, and eventually moved up the dial to 1350 where the same 
audio was present and even slightly stronger. 1340 abruptly off at 
2021, back up at 2025. Finally at 2037, "CMHU, Cadena Provincial de 
Cienfuegos, Radio Ciudad del Mar... en provincia Cienfuegos..." by man 
and woman. [LKSP] And both present but much weaker early afternoon 
September 13, with 1350 strongest. [KEYW]. And September 15, 2008 
0118+ with Cuban vocals, fair-poor and parallel fair-good (on peaks) 
1350. [ESTO]

1350, CUBA Radio Ciudad del Mar, Aguada de Pasajeros, Cienfuegos; 
September 11, 2008. See 1340 parallel. [LKSP] Much weaker early 
afternoon September 13, with 1350 strongest. [KEYW] Fair-good on peaks 
0118+ September 11, 2008, but blocked by the Ft. Myers Hispanic 
station WCRM at 1104 recheck the next local morning, and 1340 not 
making it. [ESTO]

1450, CUBA Radio Güines, Güines, la Habana; September 11, 2008. Very 
good with female news, nice ID by her at 2028. Slightly muffled audio. 
[LKSP] Huge signal September 13, 2008 early afternoon. [KEYW]

***1520, CUBA jammer, unknown site; September 13, 2008. A newly-
discovered one, the same rapid pulsing sweep tone jammer audio used on 
1550. So huge a signal that it overloaded the ICF-7600GR. [KEYW] Also 
heard September 14, 2008 at 0105, strong. [ESTO] And checking the 
channel back at home, September 17, 2008 from 1043, strange and huge 
hasher signal extending to 1525 (but not below 1520), no swishing. 
Cuba?

1530, MEXICO XEUR Radio Fiesta, México DF; September 17, 2008, 1056-
1102. Spanish ballads (not the usual ranchera music), female quickly 
introducing the national anthem at 1058, orchestral anthem, canned 
"XEUR, Radio Fiesta" ID at 1100, back to ballads. Good under and over 
WCKY. 

1540, BAHAMAS ZNS1, Nassau, New Providence; September 11, 2008. 
Excellent, details as per 810 ZNS2 log. [LKSP] September 13, 2008 at 
1355, Bahamian soca, very good and alone on the channel. [KEYW]

1540, CUBA Radio Sagua, Sagua la Grande, Villa Clara; September 11, 
2008. Presumed the one, fair in tight null with ZNS1, oldie Cuban 
vocals. But no trace of it the remainder of my Florida Keys time, 
including checks from Key West and Key Largo (the latter where it was 
massive in August, 2007). [LKSP]

1550, CUBA jammer, unknown site; September 13, 2008. Fair under WRHC 
target, while the same format jammer on 1520 was much stronger. [KEWY]

***96.7 MHz, CUBA Radio Reloj, unknown site; September 11, 2008. Fair 
2138+, and surprised to hear Reloj on what has always been a Rebelde 
or Rebelde FM feed. But read on, as it turns out Rebelde is still 
here; Reloj is a second transmitter on 96.7 MHz! [LKSP]

96.7 MHz, CUBA Radio Rebelde, unknown site, Habana area; September 14, 
2008. Noted Rebelde weakly at times this morning (1235-1308) while in 
Key West, but at 1322 Reloj was present. Huh? Presumed they just 
flipped network feeds (see Reloj log on September 11th). But later in 
the day (1515+), while at Bahía Honda State Park, the two were trading 
off equally well! So, there's two transmitters on 96.7 now, one with 
Reloj and one with Rebelde.

***99.9 MHz CUBA Radio Cadena Habana (FM service), Marianao, Ciudad de 
la Habana; September 14, 2008. First noted at 1238 in Key West as an 
unidentified, very poor. [KEYW] Then on September 14, 1525+ at Bahía 
Honda State Park. man and woman, many ID's, such as, "Radio Cadena 
Habana, nuestro programa..." Later in the morning while still at Bahía 
Honda, airing almost opera-type vocals and then a short radionovela, 
often with thunder and rain sound effects between songs and patter. 
News from 1630-1659, into NNdR news feed at 1700. Signal pretty much
lost by the time I reached Islamorada.

(Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W,
Sept 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also U S A for domestic logs

** DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Tetsuya Hirahara, Radio Nuevo Mundo, visited 
Santo Domingo from 26.8 to 2.9.2008. Some of his observations:
 620 HISD R. Santo Domingo, active
 790 HIL  R. Centro, ex R. Millón
1360 HIXZ R. Tropical, ex R. Listín
1410 HIAE R. Tricolor, ex  R. Revelación de América
1440 HIAK R. Impactante, (heard with new name by members JMS and HM)
1580 HIAJ R. Amanecer, ex 1570 kHz (ARC CENTRAL AMERICAN NEWS DESK 
Sept 2008, editor Tore Larsson, Frejagatan, via DXLD)

** ECUADOR. Ecuador inaugurará mañana su radio pública en un acto 
especial en la Plaza de la Independencia, en el centro histórico de 
Quito, con la presencia del jefe de Estado, Rafael Correa, informó hoy 
Enrique Arosemena, presidente ejecutivo de Televisión y Radio de 
Ecuador S.A. RTV Ecuador. --- Quito, EFE 26 agosto del 2008 
http://www.elcomercio.com/noticiaEC.asp?id_noticia=217110&id_seccion=3

Según Arosemena, la radio operará inicialmente en dos ciudades y en 
las últimas semanas se han hecho emisiones de prueba para inaugurar la 
programación regular, que inicialmente estaba prevista para el pasado 
lunes.

Arosemena indicó que el retraso de dos días en la inauguración 
respondió a razones técnicas, que no especificó.

La emisora se creó a partir de las frecuencias que poseía Radio 
Nacional del Estado, la que cambiará de nombre por la de Radio Pública 
del Ecuador.

La implementación de la nueva emisora pública ecuatoriana contó con un 
presupuesto de 1,7 millones de dólares, indicó Arosemena, tras 
precisar que ese dinero proviene de un crédito no reembolsable del 
Banco del Estado (BEDE).

Del monto total, explicó, 500 000 dólares servirán para la compra de 
cuatro transmisores, otra cantidad similar para la adquisición de tres 
equipos de producción y 700 000 dólares para el gasto corriente.

Arosemena precisó que en una fase inicial sólo se transmitirá la 
programación en las ciudades de Quito y Guayaquil, y señaló que, 
posteriormente, se integrarán otras regiones del país.

Las frecuencias de la Radio Pública son: 100.9 FM en Quito y 105.3 en 
Guayaquil, y posteriormente se abrirán las frecuencias 88.9 FM en 
Cuenca y 88.1 FM en Manta.

Recordó que el Consejo Nacional de Radio y Televisión (Conartel) 
autorizó que las 20 frecuencias que actualmente pertenecen a la 
estatal Radio Nacional pasen a la nueva emisora pública.

Radio Nacional es una emisora que, por 40 años, permaneció adscrita a 
la Secretaria de Comunicación de la Presidencia de Ecuador, aunque con 
deficiencias y dificultades en sus emisiones.

Sobre la programación que emitirá la emisora del Estado, Arosemena 
precisó que se presentarán noticieros, programas culturales y 
musicales, entre otros.

Ecuador cuenta ya con el canal público Ecuador TV y con el diario 
público El Telégrafo. FUENTE: EL COMERCIO (via Yimber Gaviria, 
Colombia, Sept 15, DXLD)

** ERITREA/ETHIOPIA. Ethiopia used from 1500 UT two transmitters to 
cover Eritrea on 8000 and 7210 on Sept 7th and was only on 9704 kHz 
with HS. Another combination was observed on same day at 0500 UT. 
Eritrea on 7210 \\ 8000 and ?Tigray on 6110 \\ 7210, but Ethiopia was 
9704 \\ 5990 and over Eritrea on 8000 kHz. ETH on 8000 kHz is with own 
program called "Dimtsy Ertran" (precized by Mauno Ritola). (Rumen 
Pankov, Bulgaria, Sept 11, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 18 via DXLD)

** ETHIOPIA [non]. Re: Ethiopian opposition station Ginbot 7 Radio

Heard what was almost certainly Ginbot 7 Radio on 17655 (via site??) 
today Tues Sep 16 at 1700-1729 UT in Amharic with quite weak signal 
and moderate fading here in UK. Other frequency mentioned, 21555, not 
propagating though. I had tried for this on Saturday, but nothing at 
all heard here then.

Abrupt sign-on at 1700 or maybe just after (wasn't there at 1659).
Mostly talk by man in Amharic. Then man with echoey (political?) 
rhetoric over song prior to close at 1729.

Does this propagate to Ethiopia on these high frequencies at this 
time? Their website www.ginbot7.org includes recordings of previous 
broadcasts. Links to these includes "tdp" so is this a TDP brokered 
broadcast? e.g. http://www.ginbot7.org/Audio/tdp-080911-1700.ra 
(Alan Pennington, Caversham, UK, AOR 7030+, longwire, ibid.) Answer:

BELGIUM (non), Some TDP changes:

Ginbot 7 Dimts Radio in Amharic, new opposition station from Sep. 11:
1700-1730 on 17655 SAM 250 kW / 188 deg to EaEf Tue/Thu/Sat
             21555 SAM 250 kW / 188 deg to EaEf Tue/Thu/Sat
Addis Dimts Radio in Amharic:
1600-1700 NF 21585 SAM 250 kW / 188 deg to EaAf Sun, ex 17875
(DX Mix News, Bulgaria, Sept 16 via WORLD OF RADIO 1426, DXLD)

** ETHIOPIA [non]. UNIDENTIFIED. GERMANY: UNID station via Media 
Broadcast from Aug. 17: 1600-1700 on 15670 JUL 100 kW / 130 deg to 
CEAf Sun/Tue/Thu (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, Sept 16 via DXLD)

So what is this on 15670 now? (Glenn Hauser, 1600+ UT Tue Sept 16, 
dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

ALEMANIA, 15670 NO ID, 1635-1659, escuchada el 16 de septiembre en 
idioma sin identificar, probablemente en oromo, locutora con
comentarios, referencias a "oromo y oromía", música de sintonía
y segmento musical; me recuerda mucho a la V of Oromia Independence, 
segmento musical, canción con referencias a oromo, locutor con 
entrevista a invitado, segmento musical, locutor y locutora con
despedida, posible identificación con música de sintonía, SINPO 45444
(José Miguel Romero, Burjasot (Valencia), España, Sangean ATS 909, 
Antena Radio Master A-108, ibid.)

Jeff White should know; he has booked this transmission, cf.
http://www.media-broadcast.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Downloads/A08akt_17-web.pdf
(Kai Ludwig, Germany, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 

That`s the latest update of the `DTK` schedule (gh, DXLD)

Glenn: It's Voice of Oromia Liberation Front via Germany. Sunday, 
Tuesday, Thursday 1600-1700 UT (Jeff White, RMI, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Home page: http://oromoliberationfront.net/index.htm
Large audio archive of shows: http://oromoliberationfront.net/sbo.html
of both 
SBO (Sagalee Bilisummaa Oromoo)
VOL (Voice of Oromo Liberation)
which are obviously related. I don`t see anything about SW scheduling. 
I suppose Jeff will issue QSLs whether VOL does directly or not (Glenn 
Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

According to Jeff White on Radio Miami International: This new program 
is Voice of Oromia Liberation Front. It is a different program, not 
affiliated with the Voice of Oromia Liberation. It is Voice of Oromian 
Libertation and they have an address in Berlin. I have heard them 
before from somewhere and have their QSL-confirmation (Bjoern 
Fransson, Sweden, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 17 via DXLD)

** FRANCE [and non]. AUSTRALIA/FRANCE, RFI in English on Sept 8th from 
0500 on 11995 and new 13680, ex 15160 where a good signal is rising 
from Radio Australia (on Sept 7th RFI was in French on same frequencies 
and ABC was with sport program \\ 13690). (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, 
Sept 11, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 18 via DXLD)

** GERMANY [non]. RWANDA: 7245, Deutsche Welle, English News with 
focus on economic crisis issues drop in Stock Markets, US Fed holding 
interest rates constant and effect of US economic woes on German 
economy. Into "News-link" including situation in Zimbabwe with the 
Mugabe/Tsvangirai power sharing deal, and the "deal" (NOT a merger!) 
between Lufthansa, Air France and Alitalia airlines. At :30 into
the feature "Money Talks" with items re GM`s 100th anniversary, and 
more discussion of US economic crisis. Heard 0405-0457* -- off 
suddenly with no closing credits or ID, 17/Sep, SIO 3+33 with lots of 
static, splatter and pulse noise that required ECSSB, a graphic 
equalizer, the PBT AND the notch filter on the R-71 just to make 
understandable even at 'fair' level. Without all that processing it 
was poor to unusable at best! (Kenneth Vito Zichi, Williamston, MI, 
MARE Tipsheet Sept 19 via DXLD)

And this is one of DW`s de-facto American services, 295 degrees from 
Rwanda, so carries on across the Atlantic. See what stations put us 
thru by abandoning their SW explicitly to NAm? (Glenn Hauser, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

** GERMANY [and non]. Re 8-097, Deutsche Welle QSLs, 40 sites --- In 
looking at this list again, I see some errors: Konigswusterhausen 
should be Königswusterhausen or Königs Wusterhausen; WHRA, Cypress 
Creek, SC should be WHRI! (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** GERMANY. BBC and RFI to abandon Saxonia --- The newspaper 
Sächsische Zeitung published yesterday (Sep 15) an article of which 
you will find a translation below. A scan of the German original is in 
the Yahoo group. The report is apparently not online, since Sächsische 
Zeitung is amongst those die-hard newspapers who desperately want to 
confine valuable content to their beloved dead trees and put only 
things like the omnipresent dpa stuff on their websites.
----------
BBC sells its Saxonian broadcasting licence

The station gives up its activities here. As of October its previous
frequencies will mostly carry Radioropa.

The radio station BBC World Service abandons its broadcasting
frequencies in Saxonia. This has been confirmed by Martin Deitenbeck,
leading manager of the Saxonian media authority, to this newspaper. 
The broadcasting licence will be sold to the Berlin-based Radioropa. 
"But this means that a talk-orientated information program will be 
kept on these frequencies", says Deitenbeck. It is expected that Radio 
France Internationale (RFI), with which BBC shares the frequency so 
far, will sell its licence to Radioropa, too. The media authority says 
that both foreign-language stations will stay on air on a small scale.

In future in German language

BBC broadcast together with RFI as BBCrfi since October 2000 in 
Dresden, Leipzig, Chemnitz and Pirna. The program was on air in 
English, French and German. The sharing of a frequency by a French and 
a British station was said to be unique in the German radio scene.

Radioropa, which is to take over the frequencies, broadcasts
German-language news especially in the capital region digitally via 
the airwaves, throughout Europe digitally via Astra and worldwide via 
the internet. (cra)
----------

Industry sources say that this report appears to be absolutely correct
and add that it is precisely the BBC Radiocom Deutschland GmbH, the
company holding the licence (such BBC Radiocom companies exist also
elsewhere), that will be (or has already been) sold to Radioropa.
Actually the licence would be forfeited by selling it off this way and 
a new allocation procedure necessary, but with the exception of MABB 
in Berlin German media authorities routinely let go such deals 
through.

The October 2000 date is correct for Leipzig and Chemnitz only. The
Dresden transmitter went on air in February 2001 and Pirna followed 
not before November 2002. This additional Pirna transmitter is meant 
to provide additional coverage, because the main Dresden transmitter 
had to be installed at an unfavourable location since it was not 
possible to put it on the TV tower (it's on 91.1, just too close to 
the neighbouring Buková hora transmitter on 90.9).

Programming is a mixture of BBC WS in English, RFI Service Mondial, 
RFI German and a special Sachsenmagazin, presumably still using 
material collected by an office at Leipzig (researching this matter 
brought up a website listing the royalties paid by German radio 
stations, and one informer says that in 2006 BBC/RFI Leipzig paid for 
a standard report 77 Euro, considerably less than even the poorest-
paying public broadcasters). The whole program line-up is played out 
by RFI in Paris and fed to the four transmitters via Eutelsat W3A, 
using a cheapish 64 kbps mono stream, hardly appropriate as audio 
source for FM (BBC WS is stereo, and also for mono in itself these 64 
kbps are insufficient, cutting off at 10 kHz or even below and 
producing lots of artifacts).

A story in itself is the return of Radioropa, because Radioropa had
already started FM broadcasts in Saxonia in April 1995. But in 
February 1998 the FM side in Saxonia had been separated from the 
longwave operation which continued as "Radioropa 2.6.1", morphed into 
a music station and had been sold to Radio PSR. First the former 
Radioropa run as Oldie FM, but in Mai 2003 it got its current name 
R.SA. It is no coincidence that Regiocast, the broadcasting group 
running Radio PSR and R.SA, operates a station called R.SH in Kiel: 
This way the Leipzig operation could recycle R.SH jingles and so on.

The remains of Radioropa on longwave continued until yearend 2000, 
then the game was over. Afterwards in 2002 a licence for Burg 261 kHz 
had been assigned to Groupe Lagardère for running a new German-
language longwave station in DRM mode. Nothing has happened after 
meanwhile six years, and I don't believe that 261 will ever go on air 
again.

Finally Radioropa had been revived in August 2005 in Berlin, using 
DVB-T besides its satellite service. In May Radioropa also started on 
the 90.7 FM frequency from the Schäferberg tower in Berlin-Wannsee, a 
tiny 100 watts outlet that was originally meant to provide additional 
coverage for NPR in Wannsee and Dahlem (their main transmitter in
Berlin-Kreuzberg on 104.1 is limited to 200 watts, it appears that all
attempts to get a higher power authorized have failed), but later NPR
decided to not use it. Thus 90.7 serves only parts of Berlin, but
Radioropa took it nevertheless.

Concerning the BBC abandoning Saxonia the view of the industry sources
is that BBC is simply tired of transmitting out into the blue, with
nobody listening at all. Anyway this is quite noticeable, since at 
least Leipzig (if not Dresden and Chemnitz as well) is certainly no 
rural area where only ordinary people live but not the BBC's beloved 
"opinion formers and decision makers". If English programming of BBC 
World Service flops even on FM, then how much of an argument will it 
be to purchase a receiver for this DR-dingsda? (Kai Ludwig, Germany, 
Sept 15, dxldyg via DXLD)

** GERMANY. AVE! RADIO STATION TO AIR SHOW IN LATIN [98.8 MHz 1 kW bw]
Thu Sep 18, 2008 12:28pm EDT
http://www.reuters.com/articlePrint?articleId=USLI53496820080918

BERLIN (Reuters) - A Berlin radio station will broadcast its morning 
show entirely in Latin on September 26 to mark the European day of 
languages, the station said Thursday. Trailers, news and weather will 
be translated into Latin for the Kiss FM show, listened to by around 
4.2 million people daily, to raise awareness of the tragedy of dead 
languages. "We are particularly looking forward to a member of staff 
who has written a Latin rap song," station spokesman Michael Weiland 
said. (Reporting by Josie Cox, Editing by Sonya Dowsett) (via Brock 
Whaley, HI, DXLD) Atque vale (gh)

** INDIA. Heute nachmittag von ca. 1630 UT bis zum s/off um 1744 UT 
war im 75 mb auf 3935 / 3933 eine indische Lokalstation zu hoeren. Das 
Signal sehr schwach, der Drift des Senders innerhalb einer Stunde mehr 
als 2.7 kHz bis 3933.30 kHz. Um 1730 UT kamen die Nachrichten aus 
Delhi, von 1740-1744 UT noch kurz lokale Musik und das war es dann.
(Christoph Ratzer, Austria, Sept 13, A-DX via BC-DX Sept 18 via DXLD)

** INDIA [and non]. I have a harder time here in CNAm getting AIR than 
they do on either coast since it`s closer to transpolar to OK. So all 
I can report is that there were weak signals with talk Sept 18 at 1229 
and 1237 on 5010 (too early for Madagascar) and also at 1246 on 4940, 
frequencies matching AIR T`ram and G`ati. Several more common 
frequencies matching China, Indonesia and PNG were also in, 5030, 
4900, 4790, 4750, 3995, 3905, 3385, 3335, 3325. Maybe on a better 
equinoxial sunrise I will be able to pull something identifiable from 
India on 60m (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

I agree with you Glenn, if your purpose is to log Indian tropical band 
stations only. AIR is putting the best far away signal at our mid-
afternoons for its English service from 2045 to 2230 on 9445. Even 
better than the Vivadh Bharati around 0200 on 9780, wich has become 
quite diminished lately. 73 (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, dxldyg via DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

** INDIA. 4775, AIR Imphal, 1328+1404+1437, Sept 18, seems they may
still be tweaking their transmitter, as it was off the air today,
after being back on for the past two days (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach,
CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) V. also ANDAMAN & NICOBAR

Hi Ron, thanks for IDing this (AIR Imphal 4775). Noted here Sep 16 
around 1645 with extremely weak modulation level, but strong carrier. 
The 17th modulation was a bit better but not normal level yet. Both 
days sign-off was around 1700. 73, (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, 
Finland, ibid.)

** INDONESIA [and non]. Unlike Sept 15, on Sept 17 programming was 
quite different on RRI. A speech (sermon?) in a public venue, at 1310 
on 4750 // weaker 4790 and 3995; and also // 9680 checked at 1324 when 
Qur`aning was in progress. 4750 now had a het on the hi side, and 
Makassar has been measured on the lo side, so now we have something 
else closer to 4750.0, most likely China, but Bangladesh would be 
nice. 4750 and the het were still audible at 1340. FE conditions on 
higher bands were poor, with 9680 JBA, 11785 VOI het only, weak 
signals from VOA Korean 11740, Firedrake 11990 and 12040.

RRI Fak2, 4790 with Qur`an yet again, Sept 18 at 1328, while RRI 
Makassar, 4750 was doing something else (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

** INDONESIA. New name for KGRE: On Aug 25, Kevin Dalton ("Kapt. Kang
Guru") posted to his website forum that KGRE (Kang Guru Radio English)
has now become "Kang Guru Indonesia" (KGI). Per Dan Sheedy's
reception, their programs are now being heard with this new ID, via
RRI Jakarta, on 9680, Wed. & Fri., from about 0800-0820. I tuned in
Sept 19, but they had not faded in to above threshold level until
about 0820, could tell it was in English and heard Kevin's voice, KGI
programming ending about 0824 and into BI programming, could not make
out the new ID. Was not until about 0845 that their signal really
started to improve. BTW – Am still hearing IDs for "The Voice of
Islam" on RRI Jakarta, so is this their new station slogan for
Ramadan? Why in English and not "Suara Islam"? Or is it just more than
the normal number of programs of VOI being aired? (Ron Howard,
Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** INDONESIA. 11784.83v, VOI, 1440-1502*, Sept 17, in Malay and
English, pop songs and ballads, continues to say the English program
will follow and to stay tuned, today even started the English segment
by telling what was to be on the program, off in mid-sentence, good
reception (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX
LISTENING DIGEST)

** INDONESIA. VOI best heard in weeks, Sept 19 at 1337 on 11784.9 --- 
and that isn`t saying much. I could make out some gamelan music, then 
YL announcing in English, but otherwise unusable. This was possiblized 
only by the unexpected absence of Firedrake and VOA on 11785.0, 
apparently weird propagation. Or attenuation, since there was still 
something on 11785.0 to make a weak het. VOA Korean 11740 was also 
absent (but not the bonker!) as was NHK 11705 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [and non]. THE ISRAELI WHO WAS A ONE-MAN PEACE 
MOVEMENT, ABIE NATHAN, 1927–2008 --- News & Opinion Fri, Sept 12, 2008

On Feb. 28, 1966, an old biplane rattled to a stop in Port Said, 
Egypt. Out stepped Abie Nathan, a former Israeli air force pilot, who 
said he wanted to talk with President Gamal Abdel Nasser about making 
peace with his country. Egyptian authorities sent him back the next 
day. But Nathan’s quixotic gesture won the hearts of his countrymen, 
and he came to represent the Middle East peace movement that 
culminated in the 1978 Camp David agreement and 1993 Oslo accords.

Born in Iran and educated in India, Nathan flew in Britain’s Royal Air 
Force, “emigrated to the new state of Israel, and volunteered as a 
combat pilot in the 1948 war,” said The New York Times. A natural 
entrepreneur, he opened an American-style diner that helped popularize 
the hamburger in his new land. But his heart was set on more serious 
matters. After a failed run for the Knesset in 1965, he lobbied world 
leaders to bring Israel and the Arab world together. In 1973, 
following several unsuccessful peace flights, Nathan bought a 188-foot 
freighter that he anchored off Tel Aviv. Turning it into a pirate 
radio station, he broadcast music and messages of reconciliation. “The 
Peace Ship is a project of the people,” he declared. “We hope through 
this station we will help relieve the pain and heal the wounds of many 
years of suffering.”

“Nathan was called a crackpot and a prophet,” said the Associated 
Press. He went on repeated hunger strikes, and his government jailed 
him several times for illegally meeting with Yasser Arafat and other 
leaders of the Palestine Liberation Organization. But his sincerity 
was so quirky and appealing that he became a national treasure. 
“During one prison furlough, he was honored with a banquet by the 
cream of the Israeli establishment.” When Israel and the PLO signed 
their peace agreement in 1993, Nathan, who was having financial 
difficulties at the time, celebrated by sinking the Peace Ship, which 
had been a financial drain.

Nathan died after being left partly paralyzed by two strokes. Asked 
what he wanted carved on his tombstone, he replied, “Nissiti”—the 
Hebrew word for “I tried.” (The Week, Sept 12, via DXLD) Original 
print version also had a nice portrait of him and his pipe. OBIT (gh)

** IRAN. The only interesting item I can report is the phone call I 
received while I was in bed on a Sunday morning. It wasn’t the first 
time because they used to call me for interviews regularly in the
past, but I had not heard from them for ages. Yep, the Iranians. 
(Hello CSIS, are you listening?).

The phone rang and it turned out to be an interviewer from IRIB, 
calling to do a friendly “hello to our listener in Canada) chat (am I 
the only one on this side of the pond who listens to the “Voice of 
Iranian broadcasting?” The interview, who was a female, asked me the 
usual “tell me about yourself, why do you listen,” that kind of thing. 
Sadly, though I didn’t mention this, I have not been listening 
regularly. I did say though I tried to pick up their programmes on my 
radio and on Internet and said that I liked the music they played and 
a chance to listen to news from a non-Western perspective. All too 
often, I said, a lot of our news on the radio and television comes 
from the United States and a lot of times it is not very positive when 
it comes to the Middle East and Iran in particular!

Do any of our CIDX members get calls like this for interviews, or even 
requests to do interviews via e-mail? Please, email me with your 
experiences and I’ll print ‘em in the next Forum! 73 (Sue Hickey, NF, 
CIDX Forum, Sept Messenger via DXLD)

** IRAN [non]. BELGIUM (non): Some TDP changes:
Radio Democracy Shorayee in Persian, cancelled:
1700-1800 on 12120 SAM 250 kW / 188 deg to WeAs Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun
(DX Mix News, Bulgaria, Sept 16 via DXLD)

** IRELAND [non]. RTE Radio One to broadcast on shortwave on Sep. 21:
1300-1300 on 11715 WOF 035 kW / 103 deg to WeEu DRM [sic; 0 minutes!]
1330-1500 on  9850 WOF 035 kW / 103 deg to WeEu DRM
1300-1500 on  7295 MEY 250 kW / 290 deg to SoAf
1300-1500 on 11695 MEY 250 kW / 335 deg to WCAf
1300-1500 on 11960 MEY 250 kW / 100 deg to ECAf
(DX Mix News, Bulgaria, Sept 16 via DXLD)

The hurling special a fortnight earlier lasted until 1700. Is two 
hours enough for a football championship?? (Glenn Hauser, DXLD)

** JAPAN. Estaba escuchando una emisión en español sobre las 0330 con 
abundante material sobre la problemática cubana [5025], pero debajo, 
ajustando la sintonía fina aparecía una señal de pulsos similar a la 
de señales horarias pero sin identificar... Buscando material encontré 
algunas cosas que podrían servir a los amigos de las escuchas 
extrañas, así que me permito adjuntar algunas de las cosas que bajé 
sobre esa HFD en los 5006 kHz. 73s (JUAN Franco Crespo, Spain, Sept 
16, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

http://ssro.ee.uec.ac.jp/lab_tomi/HFD/index.html
(José Miguel Romero, Spain, dxldyg via DXLD) = High Frequency Doppler. 
But at 0330 UT in Europe probably was not getting Japan on 60m at noon 
local (Glenn Hauser, DXLD)

** JAPAN. R. Nikkei, 6055, with German lessons, Tuesday Sept 16 at 
1306, e.g. ``Der Tisch kostet 900 Euro,`` and discussing German`s 
peculiar pronunciation of the monetary unit. This was really a lecture 
in Japanese with frequent lapses into German examples. Together with 
Switched On Bach every night, JOZ seems to exhibit Deutschophilia. But 
next day, Wednesday Sept 17 at 1304 a similar exposition in Japanese 
on English usage, ex. ``Could you tell me where the sporting goods 
are?`` Now how would that go in German? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

** KOREA SOUTH [and non]. Re: "VUNC was in South Korea (Glenn Hauser, 
OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)" = Voice of the United Nations Command 
 
Actually VUNC SW was both in South Korea and Ryukyu Islands (Jari 
Savolainen, Finland, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

VUNC-Makiminato, Urazoe office said, 9915 & 14460 kHz are SW feeders 
to Korea at the 1970. It was broadcasted at the time of Korean War 
from NHK's SW transmitter Japan (S. Hasegawa, ibid.)

Thanks for this feedback. Although broadcasting in Korean and Chinese 
/Mandarin and Cantonese/, transmitters located in Japan were used. My 
QSL from 1957 verifies reception of the Yamata transmitter on 
9560 kHz. The card was mailed from Tokyo where the VUNC had their 
headquarters. In the early 60´s I used to hear the VUNC Korean 
service, apparently fed from Japan and retransmitted from South Korea 
on 1270 kHz (Henrik Klemetz, Sweden, ibid.)

** LATVIA [and non]. This Sunday EMR - 21st of September 2008

Time           Programme                  Channel
1229 to 1259 - Tom Taylor -               6140 khz [Germany]
1300 to 1400 - The Radio Jackie History - 9290 khz [Latvia]
               Colin King & Mike Taylor

All programmes are also via the EMR internet stream At: 
http://www.emr.org.uk and click on the "EMR internet radio" button 
which you will find throughout the website (see the menu on left). 
Good Listening this Sunday 73s (Tom Taylor)

(European Music Radio has been broadcasting since the 1970's, and this 
year celebrates its 32nd birthday). (via Mike Terry, Sept 17, dxldyg 
via DXLD)

** LITHUANIA. The Mighty KBC tests on Sep. 20, Sep. 27 and Oct. 3:
1030-1100 on  9770 SIT 100 kW / 130 deg to SoAs/AUS/NZ
(DX Mix News, Bulgaria, Sept 16 via DXLD) 

As already in DXLD 8-101, except wb thought it would be 79 degrees, 
opposite of the usual 259. 130 would be the reverse of 310, which they 
have for NAm? (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1426, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** MAURITANIA. I often check 4845 after 0600 for R. Mauritanie. 
Usually it isn`t there, but it was Sept 19 with soporific chanting, 
just what I need, unlike the morning crowd over there. Maybe because 
it was Friday (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** MEXICO. XEOI, 6010 is pretty reliable, weak but in the clear here 
in the 1300 hour, but no sign of it Sept 17 at 1305 check. Mexican 
music lives! But not today.

Missing the morning before, R. Mil, XEOI was audible on 6010 again 
Sept 18 at 1235 talking about anniversary of the PAN, and still talk 
at 1326 about petróleo. So ``Mexican music lives`` only in the sense 
of suspended animation during this news/talk hour (Glenn Hauser, OK, 
DX LISTENING DIGEST) 

** MEXICO. ESTABLECE SCT REQUISITOS PARA CAMBIO DE FRECUENCIAS AM A FM 

El acuerdo publicado hoy en el Diario Oficial de la Federación 
establece la conveniencia de otorgar esta posibilidad a los 
concesionarios que operan en AM, a fin de allegarse de los recursos 
necesarios para, en un futuro, migrar al estándar digital que se 
determine en su momento. 

Lun, 15/09/2008 -  Ciudad de México.- La Secretaría de Comunicaciones 
y Transportes (SCT) dio a conocer los requisitos para que los 
concesionarios y permisionarios de estaciones de radio que operan en 
Amplitud Modulada (AM) cambien a Frecuencia Modulada (FM), como parte 
de la transición a la tecnología digital.

El acuerdo publicado hoy en el Diario Oficial de la Federación 
establece la conveniencia de otorgar esta posibilidad a los 
concesionarios que operan en AM, a fin de allegarse de los recursos 
necesarios para, en un futuro, migrar al estándar digital que se 
determine en su momento. 

Precisa que la Comisión Federal de Telecomunicaciones (Cofetel) 
determinará el estándar de radio digital que se utilizará en la banda 
de FM y en un plazo que no exceda de un año propondrá a la SCT una 
política para que los concesionarios y permisionarios lleven a cabo la 
transición a la tecnología digital. 

Previamente, la Cofetel publicará en su página de Internet aquellas 
poblaciones en las que exista suficiente capacidad de espectro para 
los posibles concesionarios y permisionarios interesados en el cambio. 

Precisa que una vez que la Cofetel de a conocer el espectro disponible 
para cada región los concesionarios y permisionarios de AM tendrán un 
plazo de seis meses para presentar su solicitud, la cual será evaluada 
por la Cofetel. 

De cumplir con los requisitos establecidos, la comisión requerirá a 
los concesionarios el pago de la contraprestación económica que se 
deberá cubrir por el cambio de frecuencias, cuyo monto será 
determinado por la Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público. 

Una vez notificado el cambio de frecuencia, el concesionario o 
permisionario deberá iniciar operaciones en la frecuencia de FM en un 
plazo no mayor de un año, pero continuará en AM transmitiendo en forma 
simultánea el mismo contenido de programación. 

Precisa que la Comisión Federal de Competencia (CFC) deberá emitir 
opinión en los casos de concesionarios y permisionarios que operan en 
AM que tengan más de una estación de AM o de FM en una misma área de 
cobertura.Conforme al acuerdo, la vigencia de las concesiones y 
permisos cuyas bandas de frecuencias se modifiquen se respetará hasta 
su término.

Para aquellas poblaciones en las que no exista suficiente espectro, la 
Cofetel llevará a cabo licitaciones conforme a la Ley Federal de Radio 
y Televisión, al igual que lo hará en las localidades que dejen de 
recibir el servicio de radio con motivo del cambio de frecuencia.

De acuerdo con la SCT, en México operan 1580 estaciones de radio, de 
las cuales 854 lo hacen en la banda de AM, de estas 94 cuentan con 
permiso y 760 una concesión de uso comercial.En tanto, en la banda de 
FM operan 726 estaciones en total, 253 bajo permiso y 473 en el 
régimen de concesiones de uso comercial (via Yimber Gaviria, Colombia, 
Sept 15, DXLD)

TOMARÍA 15 AÑOS MODERNIZAR LA RADIO AL SISTEMA DIGITAL: CIRT 

El acuerdo publicado hoy en el DOF establece que para que en un 
futuro, la estación que lleve a cabo trasmisiones digitales en FM 
requiere que el concesionario o permisionario realice las inversiones 
necesarias para la adquisición de los equipos transmisores. 

Lun, 15/09/2008 - 20:25  Ciudad de México.- La modernización de la 
radio a un sistema digital le llevaría a México unos 15 años, por ello 
la CIRT solicitó a la Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT) 
acelerar el paso para definir la tecnología estándar que permita 
digitalizar las estaciones de radio de FM en el país. 

Así lo expuso el consejo directivo de la Cámara de la Industria de la 
Radio y la Televisión (CIRT), Enrique Pereda Gómez, quien en días 
pasado estimó que en México existe una laguna legal que debe ser 
resuelta para permitir un verdadero desarrollo de la radio. Un primer 
paso que la SCT ha dado para iniciar este proceso de modernización es 
el acuerdo publicado este lunes en el Diario Oficial de la Federación 
(DOF) en el que se establecen los requisitos para llevar a cabo el 
cambio de frecuencias autorizadas de radio que operan en Amplitud 
Modulada (AM) a Frecuencia Modulada (FM).

Lo anterior, toda vez que la calidad auditiva de las señales de radio 
FM es tres veces superior a la que se puede obtener de las señales de 
radio AM, lo que favorece un servicio de mayor calidad al público y 
facilitará en un futuro la digitalización de las estaciones de FM que 
permitirá también transmitir datos. 

El acuerdo publicado hoy en el DOF establece que para que en un 
futuro, la estación que lleve a cabo trasmisiones digitales en FM 
requiere que el concesionario o permisionario realice las inversiones 
necesarias para la adquisición de los equipos transmisores. 

De igual forma, se aclara que el cambio de frecuencia no significará 
el otorgamiento de una nueva concesion o permisos, ya que la 
frecuencia que se otorga es para prestar el servicio originalmente 
concesionado o permisionado conforme a las características técnicas de 
la banda de radio FM (88-108). Según lo establecido, tampoco se 
modificará el plazo de vigencia de las concesiones y permisos, siendo 
que éstas llegarán a su término una vez concluido el plazo establecido 
para las mismas. fuente: Milenio.Com http://www.milenio.com/node/80051 
(via Yimber Gaviria, Colombia, DXLD)

** MEXICO. CUMPLE LA XEW 78 AÑOS DE SER "LA VOZ DE AMÉRICA LATINA 
DESDE MÉXICO"

México.- La XEW, "La voz de América Latina desde México", estación que 
vio pasar por sus cabinas a artistas de la talla de Pedro Infante, 
Jorge Negrete, Cri-Cri, María Victoria, María Félix y Mario Moreno 
"Cantinflas", cumple este jueves 78 años. 

Actualmente, W Radio cuenta en su programación con una gran variedad 
de programas como "El weso", "Pasión W", "Carrusel deportivo", "La 
noche W", "Los amos del camino" y "OK! W con Javier Poza", que la 
colocan como número uno en la radiodifusión mexicana. 

La empresa inició transmisiones por primera vez el 18 de septiembre de 
1930, y desde entonces se distinguió por ser la primera con una 
programación abierta y popular pensada en la sensibilidad y forma de 
vida de los mexicanos. . .  http://www.milenio.com/node/80876
(via José Miguel Romero, Spain, dxldyg via DXLD)

OK, but what`s significant about a 78th anniversary? Some Aztec thing 
where multiples of 13 are notable? Not for the triskaidekaphobic 
(Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also CUBA [and non], 1530

** MOZAMBIQUE. The preliminary ITU Monitoring report for third quarter 
of 2008 has been released, as José Miguel Romero notifies us. See 
http://www.itu.int/ITU-R/terrestrial/monitoring/files/pdffiles/319.pdf

Even tho it`s only 78 pages so far, there`s an awful lot of info in 
frequency order to plough through in order to find any possible gems. 

Fortunately, not far from the beginning at 2850, this caught my eye at 
3280 --- KOR CRMO means these particular items come from the ITU 
monitoring station in Korea. After the dates and times and before the 
name of the station is the field strength in dB, something you don`t 
see from non-professional monitors. The other figure after BC is 
occupied bandwidth, quite a difference between the two logs.

KOR CRMO 3280.00 14 07 1608 1610 42.9 R. Mocambique MOZ BC 0.028 A3E
KOR CRMO 3280.00 18 07 1405 1406 54.3 R. Mocambique MOZ BC 0.299 A3E

The trouble is, Mozambique has been off SW for years, so did it 
possibly come back in July and no one but ITU noticed?

WRTH 2008 does not show 3280 or any SW frequency in the domestic 
section for Mozambique. And there is not even an entry for Mozambique 
in the international section. 

HFCC has nothing at all on 3280, but we know how incomplete it really 
is.

DSWCI Domestic Broadcasting Survey 2008 does not contain the word 
Mozambique except in the key to country abbreviations.

Thorsten Hallmann`s Africalist sums it up:
R. Mocambique is inactive on SW, last known activities: 3210, 3275, 
6111

As does BDXC`s Africa on Shortwave:
All SW transmitters in Mozambique were officially decommissioned 
during 2001 in favour of MW and FM. Radio Mozambique's last reported 
SW freqs in 2001 were 3210 9639v 11818v and 15295v kHz.

Aoki, which includes both current and outdated info shows:
3280 R. Mocambique 1600-0510 1234567 Portuguese 100 ND Maputo MOZ 
03228E2557 Moca1 

But also: 
3280 VOICE OF PUJIANG 1130-1600 1234567 Chinese/Amoy 15 182 Shanghai 
CHN 12129E 3115N PJZS a08//9705, 4950 
3280 Shanghai PBS     0000-2400 1234567 Chinese      15 182 Shanghai 
CHN 12129E 3115N SMGS May 19-21 only 

And finally EiBi only has this on that frequency, ditto PWBR `2008`:
3280 1200-1600 CHN Voice of Pujiang M FE sg 

So it looks like ITU blew it on this one, but in Korea how could they 
possibly mistake Mandarin for Portuguese or any Mozambiquan language? 
So beware of all the info in the ITU file, where it seems they go 
their own way and do not avail themselves of the resources commonly 
available to us non-professional monitors (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

Some ITU entries are far from reality, due of lack on experience by 
the monitors (Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** MYANMAR. Re 8-103: Saludos Glenn, parece ser que el pasado 19 de 
Agosto hubo un terremoto en Myanmar: No sé si se refiere a éste en el 
programa de Radio Bulgaria.
 
Sismo de 5.3 grados Richter sacude la frontera entre China y Myanmar
El epicentro del temblor se ubicó a 224 kilómetros de la ciudad de 
Dali (suroeste de China) y a 65 kilómetros de Myitkyina, en Myanmar. 
La agencia China Nueva informó que unas mil 200 personas tuvieron que 
ser evacuadas. . .
http://www.jornada.unam.mx/ultimas/2008/08/19/sismo-de-5-3-grados-richter-sacude-la-frontera-entre-china-y-myanmar
(via José Miguel Romero2, Spain, DXLD)

This was a minor event compared to the typhoon/flooding earlier along 
the coast, which is what also disrupted broadcasting referred to in 
the item (Glenn Hauser, DXLD)

** MYANMAR. 5985.00, Myanma Radio, 1559, Sept 16, English closing 
announcement after Bette Midler song, then into presumed NA and off 
under co-channel CRI which came on 1558. Definitely their best 
appearance here in recent weeks (Martien Groot, Schoorl, Netherlands, 
DX LISTENING DIGEST)
 
** MYANMAR/BURMA. 9730.76v, Myanma R., 1422-1436, Sept 17, Minorities
and Educational Service, English language lesson, read and explained
a series of sentences, followed by over 27 questions and answers about
the sentences just read, poor, usually has better reception. Sept 16
noted 1509* (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX
LISTENING DIGEST)

** NETHERLANDS. RADIO NETHERLANDS CANCELS SHORTWAVE TO NORTH AMERICA

RNW distribution changes to North America -- By Andy Clark, 15-09-2008

Radio Netherlands Worldwide's English broadcasts are available in
North America in an increasing variety of different ways. More and
more partner stations are taking our programming (a growing number of
NPR stations in the US and CBC in Canada) and there are now a variety
of satellite options (including Sirius satellite radio).

The programmes are also available live, on-demand and via podcast.

Shortwave broadcasts to North America

Radio Netherlands now feels that the number of alternatives for 
listeners in North America is such that we have decided to end our 
shortwave broadcasts to the region. This will take effect from the 
start of our winter season on 26 October 2008.

The decision has been backed up by a recent survey which showed a
decline in the number of listeners using shortwave in North America.

We believe that shortwave is still an effective means of reaching
listeners where there are fewer alternatives. As such Radio
Netherlands Worldwide will now concentrate its English shortwave
broadcasts to South Asia and Africa.

The distribution mix for North America from October 26 is as follows:

    * http://www.radionetherlands.nl/ (live streams, on-demand and via 
podcast)
    * 24 hours a day direct to home (DTH) via AMC-4 Satellite
    * CBC Overnight service daily at 0105 hours AM
    * DTH via Galaxy 25 satellite in WRN stream at 0000, 0800, 1330
and 1800 hours Eastern
    * Sirius Satellite Radio in WRN stream 140 at 0000, 0800, 1330 and
1800 hours Eastern

      Partner stations.  
Follow this link to a list of partner stations currently using Radio
Netherlands programming.

Follow this link to a list of North American stations currently
broadcasting The State We're In. 

Source:
http://www.radionetherlands.nl/features/media/080912-shortwave-america
(via Sergei S., IL, Sept 18, dxldyg via DXLD)
 
Umpf, and I was hoping I could be the one who lets the bomb burst 
here. It was an interesting experience to read this release. I was 
just about to skim over it, since the headline seemed to indicate just 
a move of satellite signals or something like this. But then I saw the
first two sentences of the item and realized that it's indeed
interesting. All this within just two or three seconds of course.

So recent audience research showed a decline in the number of
listeners using shortwave in North America. I would be really
interested in hard facts, in dry numbers here!

At a glance I can't spot such an announcement on RNW's Dutch pages, so
it appears to concern English only. If so it remains to be seen for
how much longer Dutch to North America will stay on shortwave. Take
the example of Deutsche Welle: For German they cancelled shortwave to
North America in autumn 2006, 3.5 years after they did for English.
(Kai Ludwig, Germany, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

I sense a contentious thread about to start. 

There is certainly an impressive list of partner stations carrying RN 
programming in USA: http://www.rnw.nl/ppp/partners.htm

Until you realize that almost all of it concerns music, Symphonycast, 
Performance Today, etc., which aren`t on SW anyway! Where are all the 
talk programs we presently enjoy on RN shortwave? It is also 
misleading in that the two shows above, for example, are made up of 
contributions from multiple sources, only a fraxion from RN.

BTW, I don`t have any satellite radio service; why should I, when I 
can simply turn on my SW radio, or if forced to look elsewhere, turn 
on my computer (Glenn Hauser, OK, ibid.)

Kai, I agree, it's a rather misleading release. This is Journalism 
101: put the main news in the headline and in the first paragraph. 
Don't try to hide it sheepishly somewhere in the middle! Clearly, the 
report was written not to inform but to do some damage control and 
spin things in a positive light. 

Media Network blog has disabled comments for this announcement. 
Readers are re-directed to radionetherlands.nl where all comments are 
pre-moderated and delayed (sometimes by a few days!).

I'm an regular listener to RNW English on SW. I guess after October 
25 I'll continue reading Media Network blog and - occasionally - 
radionetherlands.nl. I don't plan on listening to RNW online. All 
other platforms are out of question for me (Sergei S., ibid.)

So this has been published for several days before anybody noticed; 
axually Sept 12 the date on the URL, almost a week ago, and only today 
does it make the MN blog.

I seldom listen to the RNW English broadcasts on SW to North America – 
because they are in `prime` time, 0000, 0100 and 0400, which is 
exactly when there is too much competition from many other radio and 
TV services. If RNW were on SW earlier in the afternoon, evening or 
during breakfast, I would be a regular listener. The morning service 
to NAm has already been cancelled, and was too early for this 
timezone, 1130 summer/1230 winter. The next English broadcast starting 
at 1400 is too late in summer, and too poorly received, aimed at Asia 
from Madagascar. However, 9885 has been coming in fairly well lately 
by long-path. RN never took our suggestion to put a Bonaire frequency 
to NAm on this transmission.

The importance RN attaches to its SW broadcasts is exemplified by the 
fact that the weekly program previews still claim this 1400 broadcast 
is on 9890, altho it was changed to 9885 on 19 April! I was also one 
of its weekend afternoon SW listeners, but RNW already canceled that 
too. Like BBCWS, it has been on a path to drive away its SW audience, 
so no wonder if it is decreasing (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING 
DIGEST)

At this point, should we be all that surprised? It's never been cheap 
to pump kilowatts into the atmosphere and --- as we all know --- it 
ain't getting any cheaper. The RN budget, like the rest of the legacy 
SW broadcasters, has been sliced and diced to the point where it is 
comparatively minuscule to what it was just a few years ago, let alone 
during the Cold War. The audience overall in so-called developed 
countries also have been balkanized by proliferating platforms --- 
another expense heaped on already beleagured broadcasters. At some 
point, you have to yield to reality and the reality is that shortwave 
has become the least viable and most expensive option for expanding an 
audience (a key demand of funding sources just for stations to get 
something, anything) in places like North America. 

Even I -- one of the most recalcitrant in terms of "change" in this 
sphere -- have shifted much of my listening to podcasts and wifi 
radio. I've probably listened to RNW on shortwave less this year than 
in any year I've been a listener. It's an option I'd still like to 
have (wifi isn't ubiquitous or as convenient, e.g.), but I have to 
acknowledge that it's less and less practical for a station like RNW 
to do so -- especially if they're going to have any chance of 
producing quality content (which to my ears has also sadly taken a 
hit).

I do believe that we are more likely than not to come to a time when 
we're going to wish we hadn't dismantled all those SW transmitters. 
But you may have noticed that the world is not all that forward- 
looking when it comes to planning for worst case scenarios. It also 
tends to leave the less well-off among us behind despite all good 
intentions to the contrary.

As a telecommunications policy analyst by profession, I point out that 
the costs of accessing content of all kinds are being inexorably 
shifted toward the listener - -and at a faster and faster pace. Just 
this morning it was disclosed that Time Warner Cable is testing a 
meter to measure internet use. Can a per-kilobyte rate card be far 
behind? Welcome to the new world (John Figliozzi, Halfmoon, NY, dxldyg 
via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

It would be interesting to see RN's survey data, but the fact that SW 
listening in North America has been in a steep decline for over a 
decade should be no surprise to anyone. If RN has even 1000 listeners 
in North America via SW, I'd be shocked. It would be irresponsible for 
RN or any other broadcaster to devote significant resources to reach 
such a small audience, especially when there a multiple delivery 
options for those in North America. I applaud RN, as I do the BBCWS, 
for recognizing reality and dealing with it.

Those of us on lists like this are very passionate about shortwave 
broadcasting. Many of us have pre-internet memories of when shortwave 
was the only way to get information directly from a distant country 
and without the filters of domestic media. I will always be grateful 
to SW radio for the way it opened the world up to me 45 years ago. 
RN's "Happy Station" program with Eddie Starz was one of the first SW 
programs I listened to on a regular basis all those many years ago.

But times change, and technology changes. Given the communications 
technologies available in North America, it makes absolutely no sense 
for any broadcaster to invest in delivery of their content to NA via 
shortwave. Yes, I know some will protest they will never listen to RN 
and other stations via the internet, via satellite, etc., and that it 
will be SW radio or nothing for them. To such people, I can only say, 
with respect and sympathy, there are just not enough of them to 
matter. They're the < 1% found at the ends of a bell curve. There's 
nothing wrong with that, but it means they're just insignificant blips 
on the radar. It's not realistic to expect a broadcaster to continue 
trying to reach such an "ultra niche" audience.

Whether we like it or not --- or whether we want to believe it or not 
--- the era of international SW broadcasting is drawing to a close. 
Instead of condemning stations like RN for canceling their SW service 
to NA, we should instead thank them for all they have given us over 
the years and wish them well in the future (Harry Helms W5HLH, Corpus 
Christi, TX EL17 http://harryhelmsblog.blogspot.com/ ibid.)

Harry, I'm afraid you are overestimating the US audience for Internet 
and satellite talk radio. And let be frank, most people here wouldn't 
be interested in RN programming even if it was carried on their local 
FM dial.

As far as I'm concerned, all those "legacy broadcasters" from 
continental Europe should be merged into one external service - some 
kind of Europen Welle. If you want to broadcast to the world in your 
local dialect go ahead and burn through that cash on this feel-good 
project. But EU's English, Arabic, Chinese, Russian broadcasts should 
be coordinated out of Berlin with Brussels' oversight. Paris can help 
with French service and Madrid - with Spanish.

So if Poland, Netherlands, Slovakia or anyone else in EU want to 
broadcast in English they can prepare their brief reports for this 
24x7 global service and feed them to Berlin (Sergei S., IL, ibid.)_

I agree 100% with your latter point, but not with your first point. 
But when you have one-third of American adults saying they have 
listened to internet radio (ref. 9/15/08 "Media Daily News") and over 
18.5 satellite radio subscribers, that's a big potential audience by 
any definition, certainly a much, much bigger one than shortwave 
(Harry Helms W5HLH, Corpus Christi, TX EL17, ibid.)

`Potential` is the weasel word here. Tho smaller in numbers, SW 
listeners are much more motivated to listen to a good signal in 
English (fewer of them available any more) than satellite and 
internet, where they are bombarded with countless choices and 
furthermore are less likely to run across any certain station by 
random `tuning` (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Not trying to be argumentative with you --- which, of course, in this 
context actually means "I am looking for a fight" --- but is there any 
objective evidence to support the notion that those who listen via 
shortwave are more motivated, committed, interested, worthy, or 
whatever than those who might listen via satellite or the internet? 
While it's a wonderfully self-flattering notion, I have this uneasy 
feeling most of RN's listeners over the years, especially those who 
wrote the station, were far more interested in QSL cards and pennants 
than Dutch events, politics, history, or culture.

If anything, people might be more motivated to listen to the message 
when the medium doesn't get in the way. Yeah, it's always a mistake to 
generalize from your personal experience, but my wife thinks I'm more 
than a little nutty to enjoy listening to weak, interference-ridden 
signals via shortwave. She would never tolerate the daily and seasonal 
frequency changes, fading, etc., of international shortwave 
broadcasting. But she's become a big fan of the BBCWS via XM. We have 
XM in our car and home, and one of her favorite channels is 131, the 
BBCWS. It never fades, never changes frequency, always has better-
than-FM sound quality. She enjoys the content and never gives a second 
thought to the delivery platform. Make of that what you will (Harry 
Helms W5HLH, Corpus Christi, TX EL17, ibid.)

``This is Journalism 101: put the main news in the headline and in the 
first paragraph. Don't try to hide it sheepishly somewhere in the 
middle! Clearly, the report was written not to inform but to do some 
damage control and spin things in a positive light.``

I would not consider the article as a journalistic product; instead I
strongly suspect the whole thing has been written by their
communications department. Probably the CMS simply adds automatically
a name, depending on the log-in used to post the article.

But if this has really been written by editorial staff: Sorry, but the
headline indeed has to be something like "Shortwave for RNW English to
North America will be switched off". Anything else misses the point,
including the sweet word "change". It would be appropriate if at the
same time substantial additions would be made elsewhere (like a big
new rebroadcasting arrangement), but this is apparently not the case.

``Media Network blog has disabled comments for this announcements. 
Readers are re-directed to radionetherlands.nl where all comments are 
pre-moderated and delayed (sometimes by a few days!).``

And so far no comments have been released. Or has really nobody 
written one after at least ten hours? Hard to imagine (Kai Ludwig, 
Germany, 2119 UT Sept 18, ibid.)

``So this has been published for several days before anybody noticed; 
axually Sept 12 the date on the URL, almost a week ago, and only today 
does it make the MN blog.``

Has it really been published six days ago? BBC Monitoring quotes it as
a report from today. Of course it is questionable if they know for
sure. But on the other hand the date added to the article (I guess
generated automatically, like the name) is "15-09-2008", thus this
would be the earliest day on which the article could have appeared on
the live server if there is no bug in the system. And the page is not
in the Google index yet, but it certainly would be if already online
for three days (usually it takes the Google bot not more than a few
hours to dig out new stuff).

Scenario: Six days ago the document had been created in the CMS, three
days ago the date tag had been generated in the editing process, some
last tweaks to the whole thing had been made this morning, then
finally somebody took a deep breath before pushing the "Publish"
button. Or is this melodramatic? But surely it is remarkable that it
apparently took them six days to publish the announcement. As if they
are aware of the caesura this could be and fear the implosion this
possibly triggers (Kai Ludwig, ibid.)

Yes, you're being melodramatic. The page was originally created six 
days ago, and that's the date that appeared in the URL. You have to 
give the page a name before you can put anything on it, and our 
standard procedure is to start with the date it was created, so we can 
find things easily in date order. There's no bug in the system - my 
colleague simply forgot to change the date in the URL prior to 
publishing. The page was published around noon local time today 
(Thursday), as I recall. Then I published it in the Weblog half an 
hour or so later.

We wanted to publish the page earlier, but were asked to wait until 
the additional information (e.g. the list of partner stations) was 
ready. That's all - nothing as exciting as the version you imagine.

Re previous comments:

Yes, of course the announcement was written by our Communications
Department, because it's a press release. That's what they do. But do 
you really think that people are sitting in the office at 11 pm on the 
offchance that somebody posts a comment? People in North America don't 
get home from work till after midnight local time in Europe. Someone 
will be processing the comments tomorrow morning. 

I don't agree that the cancelling of shortwave is the most important 
aspect of the announcement. Of course it is to people in this 
particular group. But this is a general announcement being sent out to 
the press. Many of the people seeing it have never listened on 
shortwave in their lives, and probably never will. If they see 
"shortwave" in the headline they probably won't even read it.

And there's nothing sinister about my (personal) decision to turn off
comments in the Blog. The full details are on the website, and that's 
where our staff and management will look for reactions. Because it's 
important that everyone sees the reactions, I thought it best to ask 
people to post them in the place our management look at on a regular 
basis. It also saves me the work of cutting and pasting comments from 
one place to another (Andy Sennitt, RNW, dxldyg via DX LISTENING 
DIGEST)

``It would be interesting to see RN's survey data, but the fact that 
SW listening in North America has been in a steep decline for over a 
decade should be no surprise to anyone. If RN has even 1000 listeners 
in North America via SW, I'd be shocked.``

I would say this about their Dutch service, and I simply cannot 
imagine that it will stay on shortwave to North America for much 
longer.

But for English? Do you really think it had a market share of less
than 0.001 percent? This is beyond my imagination, since in this case
it would be already gone. Or.....?

Of course this is why I'm not satisfied with their sweeping statement
about "declining" listeners numbers. Perhaps they are indeed so low
now that one must say that shortwave as a broadcast medium is simply
dead in North America, but it's just impossible to come to any
qualified opinion here when not having any clue on how much listeners
still tune in.

Another point: When had they made this decision? In last spring
already two significant RNW "changes" took place: The morning and
additional weekends transmissions of RNW English to North America had
been cancelled, together with all DRM activities out of Bonaire. And I
wonder if at the same time they reached the opinion that they will
never ever use the Zeewolde/Flevoland transmitters again, resulting in
their dismantling (Kai Ludwig, Germany, ibid.)

[Later:] Re: ``Yes, of course the announcement was written by our 
Communications Department, because it's a press release. That's what 
they do.``

Not headed as such, otherwise this part of the discussion would have
been unnecessary from the start.

Putting aside PR strategies and own wishes for the kind of publicity
to get I absolutely maintain that the end of the shortwave
transmissions is the actual story, and it is a remarkable one, not
just DX stuff.

It is significant because in my opinion it marks the end of relevant
shortwave broadcasting in/for North America. The BBC is gone, Deutsche
Welle is gone, CBC programming for a general audience (as opposed to
RCI Viva) is gone. Now RNW goes as well. What will remain? Radio
Habana Cuba, China Radio International, Voice of Russia, a few minor
English services from Europe, do I miss something worth to mention?
Certainly these remaining offerings are all niche content, not
relevant for the markets.

That's what my note about the possibly triggered implosion meant to
say. With this step shortwave as a serious broadcasting medium is
simply dead in North America. Or would anybody disagree?

I think it's indeed broadcasting history being made (Kai Ludwig, 
Germany, Sept 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

The decision was the result of a lot of conversations, research and 
analysis over the past 12 months. The final decision was taken shortly 
before the HFCC Conference in Moscow a few weeks ago.

Yes, it's impossible to say exactly what the numbers are, but when the 
mail drops to a tiny fraction (less than 10%) of what it once was, I 
think you can say with reasonable certainty that most of the audience 
has disappeared.

The Dutch service is in a different situation, because the potential
audience is already small, and we don't have domestic distribution of 
our Dutch programmes in the US and Canada. RNW is mandated to provide 
a service for Dutch expats worldwide. But our Dutch department is 
carrying out its own research at the moment, and may very well decide 
to drop shortwave to North America. However, it won't happen till next 
year at the earliest.

What has happened at Flevo is nothing to do with RNW. That was a 
decision made by KPN, which is a private company. You are drifting 
into the realms of fantasy by trying to imagine connections between 
things that are actually not connected at all :-) (Andy Sennitt, 
ibid.)

``Yes, it's impossible to say exactly what the numbers are, but when 
the mail drops to a tiny fraction (less than 10%) of what it once was, 
I think you can say with reasonable certainty that most of the 
audience has disappeared.``

And now the whole story takes a complete turn. It's not about people
now using other listening methods than shortwave. In fact the
audiences are gone altogether, and shortwave can hardly be blamed,
because alternatives are available for those who find the rustic AM
sound unbearable.

Not that I'm surprised, I saw evidence for such a development already
elsewhere. And I think you once (while we were discussing mediumwave
transmissions in Europe) revealed to me that the audience of RNW
English in Europe is in practice limited to the UK and Ireland, with
no noteworthy numbers of listeners existing elsewhere. Remarkable,
because in my opinion RNW English is considerably more interesting
than BBC World Service. Still nobody is listening. And it speaks for
itself that the BBC will soon leave FM in Leipzig, Dresden and 
Chemnitz. [see GERMANY]

It is my impression that it is not shortwave alone that fades away in
North America and Europe. It is international broadcasting in general.

``What has happened at Flevo is nothing to do with RNW. That was a 
decision made by KPN, which is a private company. You are drifting 
into the realms of fantasy by trying to imagine connections between 
things that are actually not connected at all :-)``

This fantasy has been inspired by an RNW spokesperson who told David
de Jong back in last autumn that RNW and KPN had agreed an option to
again use these transmitters at a later point. If there ever was such
an option at all it must have been cancelled at some point before the
dismantling work started. And is it really such a weird idea that both
decisions (drop Flevo option, cancel SW to NAm) have a common
foundation, especially since the press release referred to recent
audience research?

If such an option just never existed: Then forget all these remarks
and instead take it as an example of what can be caused by an
imprecise communication. Btw, in my other life I just recently swore 
terribly about the press office because they were clearly to blame for 
some b*llsh*t that appeared in a newspaper.

And thank you for your open comments. Frankly, I did not expect them 
(Kai Ludwig, Germany, ibid.)

This is making of September 18, "The Topic of the Day", which have 
brought too much anticipated suffering upon you folks for this another 
"end of an era". 

See, New York Central's premium rail service, The 20th Century 
Limited, ended without warning on Dec. 2, 1967. Some five years back 
the Concorde made its last Transatlantic flight. SRI said goodbye to 
SW ten years ago, like many other broadcasters recently and is not the 
end of the world. As I pointed out, take it as the end of an era. 

Let's face it by the good side: RNW becoming a DX station, the same 
way BBCWS is today, but there's always a good signal in Tikizia for 
the mid-afternoon hours thanks to Ascension on 15400, and even VOA 
English with good signal from Philippines at 1200 on 9760.

Guess that when all powerhouses finally leave SW for the Internet or 
satellite, believe me, I'll be lamenting that too, for SW has been a 
good part of my life, but that's when real DX will be enjoyable, 
without much interference from the great ones. 73s and good listening, 
while possible (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, ibid.)

Another sad day in HF history (RON TROTTO - WDX-4KWI, ibid.)

`Tis a sad day indeed. I remember in 1960 I had a shortwave converter 
in my 1959 Volvo P544 feeding the stock MW radio as I rowed (stick 
shift you know) the bumper-to-bumper freeways of Los Ageles between 
LAX and Palos Verdes every evening. RNW via Bonaire was the only 
signal that climbed over the ignition noise from those unsuppressed 
spark plugs. (My German mechanic advised against suppressors - maybe I 
should have checked with a Swede.) With fondness, RIP RNW (Joe Buch, 
FL, swprograms via DXLD)

Heck, only 7 years ago the RNW gleefully took over [some of] the 
frequencies abandoned by the BBCWS when the Beeb closed service to 
North America. My guess is that the number of people who listen to 
shortwave only (with no access to online / partner transmissions) has 
dropped precipitously (Rich Cuff, ibid.)

Now I know shortwave is dead. The one international broadcaster who
argued most vehemently for keeping shortwave an option for all. A very
sad announcement indeed, because I am generally not a podcast or 
online listener, believing still in the medium of over-the-air radio 
(and not necessarily just in the broadcastable nature of spoken word
programming, which I do believe in as well). It puts on its head the
nature of who is "privileged" in the world - I almost now want to 
consider the "privileged" to be the Indonesian, Pacific Islander, 
Andean highlander, or African resident who can still rely on "radio"
as radio (Kevin Anderson, ibid.)

It's hard to argue that there is much life left in mainstream English
language short wave service at least in this part of the world. I do
miss the romance of radio, but have reluctantly joined the ranks of 
the podcast/webcast generation (Mr. Sandy Finlayson, Philadelphia, PA, 
ibid.) 

Sandy, To me it is not the "romance" of radio (although I feel that 
also), but a practicality and its simplistic/low-cost nature for the 
recipient. Unfortunately it is the high costs on the transmission side 
that are driving these decisions to cut broadcasts.

Strange at it may sound when I say it, I actually consider the future 
of Internet and computers for the average person to be short term and 
dated, to be reversed within my remaining lifetime even here in the 
U.S. It will be replaced by something not yet more technological, but 
the opposite, in a return to less technological means of 
communications, for which basic analogue radio will be well suited 
again. And this will be due to other forces, also economic in nature, 
but driven more by resources (or I should say the lack of), rising 
costs, and "security." I just hope international radio hangs on to see 
that day. Otherwise a very huge vacuum will develop for the average 
person in getting international news and programming (Kevin Anderson, 
K9IUA, ibid.)

Kevin, I hear ya, but your message seems more a lament about the lost
romance of our youth. There are more than a few people who lament the 
loss of sail and horse as primary technologies. In some ways, they 
aren't wrong either. However, while nostalgia affects us all, reality 
seems immune to it. Reality doesn't really care how we remember 
things, because it truly does march to its own drum.

As much as it may be a cliché, the world as we know it does depend on
digitalization. I know, that's not an easy idea for some to accept, 
but there are also people like me who basically would not even exist 
publicly without digitalization. For that matter, I respectfully 
submit that you've forgotten how isolated your world was beforehand. 
You could dial in official and unofficial information from very 
expensive sources, but then what? Sharing your views and opinions with 
anyone beyond immediate contact involved weeks at least.

Oh yes, the internet is going to be superseded, but by something even 
more pervasive and omnipresent. Analog has its uses, definitely. I use 
it whenever I key up my IC706, but the technology that actually allows 
me to talk is as digital as it gets! You might say, "That's 
different," but no, it's really not. Digitalization is a process, and 
it's not going away. I think that you are alluding to a post-
apocalyptic situation, where technology would be effectively rolled 
back. I submit that you and I probably won't be around in that case. 
We most certainly won't be casually discussing it over the internet
(Scott Royall, ibid.)

I think the future is going to see universal wi-fi. It will be "like" 
radio, but on steroids. You'll be able to use radio like portable 
internet appliances and be able to have access to the data network at 
the same time. Obviously, the power needs of the boxes we use will 
have to addressed, but given what has already happened, its realistic 
to assume the problems will be worked out (Mike Wolfson, ibid.)

What is interesting is to overlay the concepts of "cloud computing"
over this development. Cloud Computing is a term for the transfer of 
most computing applications and data away from end user devices (i.e. 
your own PCs) to networked computers somewhere else.

Examples include online banking, remote data backup, web-based
applications such as Google Documents, and streaming audio/video.

Cloud Computing is rapidly growing, yet introduces the paradox that
information is no longer distributed (over zillions of individual
computers), it's concentrated amongst the data centers of a few IT
service providers.

This concentration is a reversal of the principles under which ARPAnet
(the forerunner of the Internet) was originally designed.

The concepts of security or "trust" are big ones in the development
and propagation of cloud computing --- and, from corporations'
perspectives, a hybrid model is likely to develop -- service providers
create isolated environments for highly sensitive data, and service
providers compete over their ability to keep this data secure.

A reversal of this trend would likely occur only if some sort of
apocalyptic event were to occur. As was seen with the financial
industry's week-long adventure, the global economy is highly
intertwined, and any event of apocalyptic proportion would take the
developed world down with it; it is likely that governmental entities
would intervene if such an event were looming.

What is interesting is to see how the IT industry has transformed its
disaster response planning in reaction to the 9/11/2001 terrorist
attacks and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In both instances, there were
widespread corporate disaster declarations in a specific geographic
location which required the providers of disaster recovery services to
scramble mightily to meet the recovery objectives of their clients.
As a result, most financial services firms that arranged for "shared"
disaster recovery space -- where multiple firms might buy the same
seat, figuring the odds are that only one firm would need them at any
one time -- have since changed to setting up dedicated disaster
recovery space.

I am not sure how all this directly translates to the "marketplace of
ideas", but I believe there always will be a thirst for reliable
sources of information from alternate perspectives -- and that's the
reason most of us bother with shortwave program listening nowadays.

This lamentation has nothing to do with the existence of WRMI / WMLK /
WTJC / WBCQ or other domestic religious / commercial broadcasters;
their motivations (and those of their listeners) are different.
(Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA, ibid.)

The main negative here is that small battery-powered shortwave radios 
remain the most portable way to listen to international radio. Radio 
Netherlands' shortwave signal is almost always good via its Bonaire 
relay. A shift from shortwave to internet delivery will probably 
require a shift from audio to text, as the text (with a few still 
images) of web pages is a much more efficient way to consume 
information that radio content. However, Radio Netherlands' skills in 
radio delivery and production will make it worthwhile to listen to 
some of their programs via the internet. Posted: 18 Sep 2008 (Kim 
Andrew Elliott, kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD)

Hi Glenn, Radio Netherlands is probably one of the easiest stations on 
shortwave even with low cost radios, kind of sad to see it go. I have 
been a regular listener to Radio Netherlands` programs that are quite 
informative and interesting and there's nothing easier than using a 
portable shortwave radio to listen in when outside on a sunny day or 
just about anywhere you want, Something you just can't do with 
internet radio (Gilles Letourneau, Montreal, Canada, dxldyg via DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

I forwarded this comment [MN blog disabled comments] to Andy Clark, 
Head of our English Department, who replied: 

"Why not let people comment on blog too? I know you weren't keen but 
if people think there's some conspiracy then this will take the steam 
out of it..."

Most of the steam seems to be coming from across the border in Germany
rather than North America :-) But I have taken Andy's advice and 
turned commenting back on in the Weblog, so feel free to comment there 
if you wish.
http://blogs.rnw.nl/medianetwork/rnw-distribution-changes-in-north-america
(Andy Sennitt, RNW, Sept 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Thanks for the info, Andy. I've just left a comment, which is also 
"awaiting moderation." Should I continue to hold my breath? :-) 73 de 
(Anne Fanelli -- who will defiantly continue to listen to RNW's Africa 
service -- in Elma NY, ibid.)

Hi Anne, No, it has been published. Thank you for your comment. 
Subsequent comments from you will be published automatically. I cannot 
be available 24/7 to police the Weblog, and this morning there were 13 
messages from a spammer each containing code to redirect the browser 
to another website, which probably contains malware or spyware. So I 
have to be sure that the people I allow to publish comments without 
moderation are bona fide readers, and when someone posts a message for 
the first time it is held for moderation. As an extra safeguard, the 
blog is also configured to hold messages containing two or more URL's 
for checking, so occasionally one of our regular users has his/her 
message delayed for moderation. That is also to prevent mischief-
makers from abusing the system (Andy Sennitt, dxldyg via DX LISTENING 
DIGEST)

As I have already explained in a previous post, the date in the URL 
does not necessarily have anything to do with the date that the item 
was published. The Web version went online around 1030 UT on 18 
September, I believe. I had a very long current affairs shift 
yesterday, and I broke off to publish the blog item (at 1108 UT) so it 
would be more or less in sync with the website. So it was actually 40 
minutes, not "almost a week". 

Had I been the one publishing the item on the website, I would 
probably have altered the URL and the date on the page (15 September) 
before publishing the item. As I have already explained, that was the 
date we originally thought we would publish it, but were asked to wait 
for some additional information to be added and linked. On the other 
hand, because of the way the Content Management System works I would 
just as likely overlooked the date, as my colleague did. Sorry, we are 
imperfect human beings, not robots :-(  (Andy Sennitt, Sept 19, dxldyg 
via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Quite frankly, Andy, I don't know why some people think this date 
thing is even an issue, let alone worthy of any attention (John 
Figliozzi, Halfmoon, NY, ibid.)

Me neither. But if I did not respond, Glenn's claim that it took me 
six days to publish the information in the Weblog would have appeared 
in the next issue of DXLD unchallenged, and since the Weblog is an 
official publication of RNW it is my duty to correct false assumptions 
and factual errors (Andy Sennitt, ibid.)

Because it would be remarkable if such a press release can be online
and perhaps be distributed otherwise, too, for six days and nobody
reports it. No BBC Monitoring, no "hobbyists", nobody else. That's the
point here, not when it appeared additionally in the Media Network 
blog.

Just wanted to explain it as one of these two human beings, although
it just was not out for the suspected six days. (But still I must have 
been amongst the first ones who saw the blog entry, although I was 
still asleep when Andy posted it...) (Kai Ludwig, Germany, ibid.)

Fine, but what am I supposed to assume, based on the three dates put 
out by RNW itself? I just thought it an interesting anomaly, and 
certainly accept Andy`s explanations. 

Note that RNW has de facto decided that the investment in Bonaire to 
broadcast to North America is consequently abandoned. New 
transmitter(s) of secret provenance were recently installed. Now more 
transmitter time will be available for sale to gospel huxters, who 
still believe in shortwave, assuming RNW are willing and able to keep 
them on the air at all (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

The number of hours available to other broadcasters via Bonaire will 
remain exactly the same, because the three transmitter hours per day 
that we currently use for English are being transferred to the Spanish 
service. We will still be broadcasting on shortwave to North America 
in Dutch, until such time as our Dutch service decides otherwise.

"Gospel huxters" as you call them, "believe in shortwave" because 
there are people with plenty of money willing to finance them, and 
because they do not - as we do - have to keep proving to their 
benefactors that they have an audience.

Bonaire is also used to serve West Africa, which is still a key target 
area, so there's plenty of life left in it yet :-)  (Andy Sennitt, 
dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Not to beat a "dead horse", but a few comments on R. Nederland
Worldwide's decision concerning North America. We have to accept their 
business decision. Probably, no amount of complaining, writing or 
emailing will change their decision. I do appreciate RNW for 
continuing to broadcast via shortwave for as long as they did.

When people mention there are n number of satellite subscribers in the
US, how does this equate to actually listening to RNW, BBC or any
international broadcaster? I have satellite radio with my satellite
provider. Do I listen? No as it seems silly to me to turn on the TV to
hear radio. JetBlue airlines provides DirecTV on their planes. When I
fly JetBlue, do I listen to the international broadcasters? No. There
are too many focused channels that catch my ear. For example, if
desired, I can listen to a station playing music from when I got my
first tooth as a child… there is another station playing songs from
the moment when I was conceived, etc.

Will the average American now listen to RNW because it is on satellite
or FM? I doubt it. Why? For the most part, people don't care about
what is happening elsewhere in the world. More accurate is they don't
give a shit. Many people only care about what is happening to them,
right here and right now.

IMO, people owning shortwave radios actually listen to the broadcasts
of other countries. These people actually care about the world outside
their own, local world. These people value hearing news, opinions,
customs and ways of life from around the world.

Sure, some SWLs are DXers. No problem. These are the people
discovering R. Tahiti has returned and lets everyone else know so we
all can listen.

I can't begin to count the number of times I've heard something on
shortwave and told others. Where these additional listeners ever
counted? I doubt it. Quite a few of the people purchased shortwave
radios so they could listen on their own. Did they ever write? Why
should they write when they never wrote to local AM or FM stations.

Listening thru the internet just doesn't work. Many ISPs are
throttling back the download speeds even though the sales pitch
promotes music, movies, listening, etc.

RNW has creative and interesting programming. Unfortunately, the same
can not be said of most international broadcasters. Many of the
programs are dull, monotone and boring. Why will anyone listen to dull
and boring programming simply because they are now "FM quality" via
satellite? Boring content = uninterested listening = channel change.
73, (Kraig, KG4LAC, Krist, Manassas, VA, USA, Sept 19, dxldyg via DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

Kraig, you are damn right is most aspects. Now I wonder if short wave 
listening was that hobby we got as a legacy from our old man, as well 
as stamps collection or railfanning, and it was OK while no other 
forms of entertainment were around, and there was the incoming TV or 
movies as an alternative, and see how TV has swallowed the theaters 
through the years. 

The now generation shows a certain interest when you talk about short 
wave but hardly you'll have them changing their cybernetic habits. Is 
like trying to convince the people take a train and forget to be 
stranded for hours in an airport. 

Let's be clear, SW is a passion most of us developed for a very long 
time. I myself can't even imagine without a day visiting the bands. 
Although I have to recognize I became an "interholic" for the last 
four years, there's always that SW feeling inside me. Is an itching, 
very expensive for the broadcasters on today's standards, they seem 
not able to support further than the near future. 

So, because RNW quit transmissions to the North American continent, 
like BBCWS did, is not the real end of short wave. We still have their 
relay stations that provide us with good signals from time to time 
most of the time. If the reliable RN took their decision, well let 
them go. The scarce today listenership, as they say, won't change an 
inch their minds. Let's enjoy what remains of short wave while exist. 

Doesn't Matthew 24:14 explain in some way what is happening with the 
so called "gospel huxters" almost monopolyzing short wave. But 
curiously, why is China Radio International so persistent too with a 
medium most international broadcasters are about to abandon? 73 (Raúl 
Saavedra, Costa Rica, ibid.)

Because, Raul, they are America's bankers and have money to burn... :-
)) (John Figliozzi, ibid.)

Raul, CRI is developing all platforms available with the greatest
emphasis put on acquiring the local partner station. CRI's budget is 
limitless so they can afford SW and everything else (Sergei S., ibid.)

Raul, I'm as puzzled as you are by the current indifference to 
shortwave. When I tell my three grown-up kids (the oldest is a ham) 
how they can listen to foreign countries on the internet, they 
couldn't care less. But when I tell my husband (who's not a ham, but 
has understood my radio obsession enough to help me put up antennas) 
what a shame it is that one by one, nations are pulling up their 
drawbridges (anyone else remember how much fun it was to listen to R. 
Tashkent?), he understands--especially when I remind him of the scene 
in Around the World in 80 Days when Michael Palin is listening to the 
BBCWS on a boat in the Red Sea. These are interesting times; perhaps 
the sunspots are drying up for a reason :-). 73 and peace de (Anne 
Fanelli in late-summery Elma NY, ibid.)

I loved that bit too. Now I want to pop in my DVD to see what portable 
he was using (Terry Wilson, GR Mi, ibid.)

Yeah, I didn't get a good look at the portable, but sure remember how 
he must have felt hearing that voice from home. Think he may have been 
seasick -- as well as homesick -- at the time. :-) (Anne Fanelli, 
ibid.)

You're right, Kai, that history is being made. Forgot to mention in my 
post to Raul that today, ironically, I received a copy of CRI's 
Messenger. Reminded me of the good old days when mail from the Eastern 
Bloc (including RBI) was a near-daily occurrence, so much so that my 
parents half-jokingly worried about getting a visit from the FBI. At 
least some stations still don't take their shortwave audience for 
granted. 

And as I get older, I'm more a program listener than a DXer; the 
thrill of the chase, the elusive QSL, is less appealing than program 
content. And if Country X offers no program content on shortwave, then 
like it or not I'm gonna listen to Country Y. I just hope there's 
still something out there besides gospel huxters for the forseeable 
future. But where in blazes does DRM fit into all this? Very 73 and 
good listening de (Anne Fanelli in Elma NY, ibid.)

Rudi Hill, interviewed on RNZI`s current Mailbox anniversary show, 
quotes someone to the effect that obviously, SW listeners are more 
intelligent than ordinary people [this was meant to be in reply to a 
remark of Andy`s, but can`t find it] (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING 
DIGEST)

"Radio Nederland Wereldomroep" (Radio Netherlands Worldwide)"?? Looks 
like they're gonna have to drop the "W" from their name!! You're right 
- this really bites!

First, we lost Radio RSA. Then we lost the Communist version of Radio 
Moscow (which you could pick up on your tooth fillings). Then we lost 
the BBC and the Deutsche Welle. Now we're losing RNW.

If this continues, all we'll have left is the emissions from the 
planets Saturn and Neptune on HF. Blecch! Oh, for the golden SW DX 
days of the 1970's!! 73, (Rev. Steve N5WBI Ponder, Houston TX, ABDX 
via DXLD)

Please go to 
http://www.radionetherlands.nl/features/media/080912-shortwave-america#reaction 
and let them know what a mistake they're making! Big Brother must be 
chuckling every time that another SW broadcaster shuts down (Ken 
Grant, VE3FIT, Sept 19, ODXA yg via DXLD)

As of 0224 UT Saturday, there are a lot more responses, overwhelmingly 
sad and negative, on the above site than on the MN blog. I have not 
attempted to copy ANY from either yet, as we have quite enough here 
for now (gh)

** NETHERLANDS. FLEVOLAND TRANSMITTER DISMANTLING 

The Duits bedrijf who dismantled the Flevoland shortwave equipment
was in all likelyhood Media Broadcast, to which KPN Broadcast (at this
time still Nozema of course) had contracted the maintenance of these
transmitters. It's the same Telefunken equipment than what is now 
Media Broadcast runs in Germany itself, thus they had not only 
experienced staff (and here this deal helped to save some job 
positions) but also an established spare parts supply. And it seems 
that KPN now offered Media Broadcast to take away what they want 
instead of just destroying the transmitters. Perhaps they will even be 
reassembled and set up at the Wertachtal site to replace four of the 
remaining old, plate-modulated transmitters from 30+ years ago?

And so much for RNW's option to again use the Zeewolde site at a later
point. Was it valid for just one season (B07)? (Kai Ludwig, Germany, 
Sept 16, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Inkjet on the Music Radio News forums spotted this page on the
dismantling of the Flevoland transmitter site (link is to the English
translated version):
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.omroepzendermuseum.nl%2Fcontent%2Fview%2F156%2F1%2F

If you click on the link at the bottom there's a report on the last
day`s broadcast, includes audio from the last English broadcast
mentioning Flevo and the end of the final broadcast (Mike Barraclough, 
England, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** NEW ZEALAND. RNZI'S SPECIAL 60TH ANNIVERSARY CARD IN 2009 

In the coming year i.e. 2009, Radio New Zealand International is going
to release a special commemorative printed QSL card marking its 60th
anniversary. Reception reports sent to Radio New Zealand International
in the coming year will get this special QSL Card. As it`s a special
card, so it will be of limited quantity. So, first 200 or so reception
reports may be verified with this QSL Card. I think David Recqlisk (?)
is working on its design by studying RNZI's old QSL Cards.

This information was given by RNZI's technical guy Adrian Sailsbury in
RNZI's Mailbox Programme on September 15, 2008. I heard the show on
9655 during 1129 to 1155 UT via my Grundig YB 400 Receiver.

I hope RNZI will also issue an electronic version this special
commemorative printed QSL card marking its 60th anniversary. Also in 
the programme, 2nd edition of the RNZI's 60th anniversary special 
presented by David Recqlisk (?) was aired. You can still listen to the 
first part plus this 2nd part online by going to RNZI's website i.e. 
http://www.rnzi.com  73 & 55, (Gautam Kumar Sharma, Abhayapuri, Assam, 
India, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 

Tnx for the clip, but I had already listened online. He said only 
several hundred being printed, so first FEW hundred reports will get 
the special card. Evidence that people need to spell their names on 
the air: David Ricquish; Adrian Sainsbury. Another word for you by the 
first interviewee, Clive Costello: philosígnaly [sp?], meaning love of 
signals, i.e. DXing, analogous to philately, love of taxes, er, 
stamps. Sept 27, 2008! is axual 60th anniversary date. Unfortunately, 
part I of the anniversary special, which aired Sept 2, is missing from 
the audio linx, http://www.rnzi.com/pages/audio.php with the other 
show still the August 18 one! (Glenn Hauser, DXLD)

** NIGER. Re 8-103, 9705: too long an observation!

``Did you really listen for four+ hours, or a timetypo? (gh, DXLD)``

Glenn, No, that was not mistyped, but I didn't listen to it *all* that 
time, which is why I normally write "xxx,.., xxx" to indicate some 
other content was aired though not necessarily heard. In the 3 bunches 
of reports posted yesterday, you may see other lengthy observations.

If I've got time, then I observe a given frequency/station on many 
occasions during a prolongued period so as to check for QRM sources 
for instance.

This was not, and will not be, the only situation where such an amount 
of hours was mentioned, and that usually happens when I'm lucky to DX 
at the SW coast place we've got... where one should think I devote the 
entire stay there to DX alone - there are usually plenty of other 
things to take care of, if I am around. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, 
Portugal, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** PALAU. Not even a carrier audible on 12095, Sept 17 at 1333, when 
Democratic V. of Burma was supposedly testing via T8BZ; but FE 
conditions were poor, weak signals on 11740, 11990, 12040. Did anyone 
confirm DVB the last three days on 12095 at 13-14? (Glenn Hauser, OK, 
DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** PALAU. I can receive test broadcast of VT Com. on 9945 kHz at 1430 
to 1530 UT.

15 Sep.:  1500-1530* Merlin music and test announcement
16 Sep.: *1430-1530* Condition was very bad.
17 Sep.: *1428-1430  DXing with Cumbre.
          1430-1530* Merlin music and test ann.
18 Sep.: *1428-1430  KWHR ID in English.
          1430-1500  SOH in Chinese.
          1500-1530* Merlin music and test ann.

19 Sep.: *1428-1430  KWHR ID in English.
          1430-1530* Merlin music and test ann.

The transmitter site presume it to be THWH in Palau. de Hiroshi (S. 
Hasegawa, NDXC, Sept 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

THWH? You mean KHBN/T8BZ? KWHR IDs would be accounted for by their 
using the satellite feed to KWHR out of South Bend. 9945 scheduled 
1430-1530, 100 kW, 345 degrees to N Korea (Glenn Hauser, DXLD)

** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. Nice opening to PNG noted Sept. 14th. Nothing 
since. K-index of 4 the past two days probably plays a role.

3335, R. East Sepik, Wewak, 1025-1041, Sept 14, Tok Pisin. Announcer 
between rather pleasant, choral-like island music; poor. 

3385, R. East New Britain, Rabaul, 1042-1053, Sept 14, Tok Pisin. 
Announcer between choral-like island music; same format as other PNG's 
heard this morning, tho none in //; poor. 

3905, R. New Ireland, Kavieng, Sept 14, Tok Pisin. Announcer between 
choral-like island music; same format as other PNG's heard this 
morning, tho none in //; poor-battling with ham QRM. Carriers also 
noted this morning on 3325 & 3365 (Scott R. Barbour, Jr., Intervale, 
NH-USA, R8, R75, CLR/DSP, MLB1, 200' Bevs, 60m Dipole, dxldyg via 
WORLD OF RADIO 1426, DX LISTENING DIGEST) No time on the last one, 
presumed about same (gh)

** PERU. 3329.6, R. Ondas del Huallaga. Nonstop OA campesina music 
from 1006 tune/in. Then 1015 full canned ID by M over music. Canned 
announcement by same M and into band OA NA 1016-1018. 1019 nice short 
ID by W and into more music. Still going at 1033 check with dead air 
after song. Canned ad block about 45 seconds later. Fair but CHU QRM. 
Would be easy and 100% copy without CHU. Frequency drifted down 40 Hz. 
(19 Sept.)

5039.2, R. Libertad de Junín, OC on at 1019 and OA campo music start 
at 1024. 1028 NA and M voice-over echo announcements ending with ID. M 
shouting briefly mentioning Junín, then more pleasant OA harp campo 
music. Live M during check at 1039 mentioning Junín, música, and ID, 
then back to tinkly harp music at 1040. 1042 live M with TC, talk, 
mentions of amigos and peruana. Clear but not really strong. (19 
Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo PA, HCDX via DXLD)

** PHILIPPINES. Dear friends, Pleased to inform that Radio Veritas 
Asia (RVA), has started SMS service for its Bengali listeners. Now SMS 
can be sent in the following Kolkata-based mobile phone number 
regarding RVA Bengali programme & "Chetana" programme / project 
related issues. Voice call is not allowed. Number is +91 9051229618. 
Regards, (Swopan Chakroborty, Kolkata, India, Sept 17, DX LISTENING 
DIGEST) Viz.:

** PHILIPPINES. Summer A-08 of Radio Veritas Asia:
Bengali
0030-0057 on 11945 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
1400-1430 on 11870 PUG 250 kW / 300 deg to SoAs
Burmese
1130-1157 on 15450 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
2330-2357 on  9720 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
Filipino
1500-1530 on  9615 PUG 250 kW / 300 deg to ME, Wed/Fri/Sun till 1600
2300-2327 on  9720 PUG 250 kW / 331 deg to CeAs
Hindi
0030-0057 on 11710 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
1330-1400 on 11870 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
Hmong
1200-1227 on 11935 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
Kachin
1230-1257 on 15225 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
2330-2357 on  9645 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
Karen
0000-0027 on 11935 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
1200-1230 on 15225 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
Mandarin
1000-1157 on  9615 PUG 250 kW / 355 deg to SEAs
2100-2257 on  6115 PUG 250 kW / 350 deg to SEAs
Russian
0130-0227 on 17830 PUG 250 kW / 000 deg to FE
1500-1600 on  9570 PUG 250 kW / 331 deg to CeAs
Sinhala
0000-0027 on  9865 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
0000-0027 on 11730 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
1330-1400 on  9520 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
Tamil
0030-0057 on 11935 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
1400-1427 on  9520 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
Telugu
0100-0127 on 15530 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
1430-1457 on  9665 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
Urdu
0100-0127 on 11820 PUG 250 kW / 300 deg to SoAs
0100-0127 on 15280 PUG 250 kW / 300 deg to SoAs
1430-1457 on 11870 PUG 250 kW / 300 deg to SoAs
Vietnamese
0130-0230 on 15530 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
1030-1127 on 11850 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
1300-1327 on 11850 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
2330-2357 on  9670 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
Zomi-Chin
0130-0200 on 15520 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
(DX Mix News, Bulgaria, Sept 16 via DXLD)

** PUERTO RICO. 940, WIPR, San Juan was noted with Radio Netherlands 
broadcast. The stations website shows that it broadcasts Radio 
Netherlands throughout the night. Without checking, I think this 
station was broadcasting BBC Mundo earlier in the year. Paul 
Crankshaw, MWC (ARC CENTRAL AMERICAN NEWS DESK Sept 2008, editor Tore 
Larsson, Frejagatan, via DXLD) I wonder if there was a financial 
incentive to go with one station rather than the other (gh, DXLD) 

** RUSSIA. I just got back from a DXpedition. I think I heard Yakutsk 
Radio. Perhaps Ron Howard can help. Presumed Yakutsk Radio, 7200 at 
1115-1215 on 13 September in Russian. Heard Yakutsk mentioned several 
times. Mostly YL talking. Strong S7 signal. On 14 September at 1100-
1200, otherwise the same signal, etc. On 15 September, same format at 
1115 but about S3. Faded to barely audible by 1130. No Radio Rossii 
IDs heard. I know there was concern lately about whether regional 
programming on SW would remain. This was definitely not Radio Rossii. 
Thanks and 73/Liz (Cameron, MI, Sept 16, dxldyg via DX LISTENING 
DIGEST)

** RUSSIA. Ernest Riley has updated the Prime Time Shortwave 
schedules, version A08v11, September 19, 2008. VOICE OF RUSSIA - VOR 
website http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&w=129&p=am
Changed 1800-1900 Eu 11630 to 9480
Changed 1700-1800 Eu, Sa-Su 11675 to 7320
Changed 1500-1600 Eu 12040 to 9810
Changed 1900-2000 Eu 12070 to 7195
Changed 2000-2100 Eu 12070 to 7195
(Daniel Sampson, PTSW yg via DXLD)

** RUSSIA. RECALLING SOVIET JAMMING AND EFFORTS TO OVERCOME IT 

Article about the Echo of Moscow radio station mentions that beginning 
in the 1950s "the Soviet regime took great care to jam the Russian-
language broadcasts of the BBC, the Voice of America, Radio Liberty, 
and Deutsche Welle. Jamming was an ongoing battle between state and 
subject. Especially in the sixties and seventies, urban intellectuals 
typically committed their first anti-Soviet act by purchasing a decent 
radio—either a Soviet Latvian-made Spidola or, if possible, a German-
made Grundig—and attempting to listen to the 'foreign voices.' They 
would try anything to catch an aural glimpse of the world beyond, 
turning the radio sideways or upside down to get a signal or sticking 
the antennas out the window; better yet, they escaped from the big 
cities to the surrounding dacha communities, where the jamming was 
less effective. The fortunate listener caught some foreign news on 
Deutsche Welle, the Beatles on the BBC, Willis Conover’s famous jazz 
broadcasts on VOA." David Remnick, New Yorker, 22 September 2008 
issue. Posted: 15 Sep 2008 (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) As linked 
in 8-103

** SAUDI ARABIA. REMEDIES FOR OBJECTIONABLE TELEVISION. USA: PARENTAL 
CONTROLS. SAUDI ARABIA: DEATH. 

(updated) "The most senior judge in Saudi Arabia has said it is 
permissible to kill the owners of satellite TV channels which 
broadcast immoral programmes. Sheikh Salih Ibn al-Luhaydan said some 
'evil' entertainment programmes aired by the channels promoted 
debauchery. Dozens of satellite television channels broadcast across 
the Middle East, where they are watched by millions of Arabs every 
day. ... Given his position as the country's most senior judge, the 
sheikh's views can not be easily dismissed, says BBC Arab affairs 
analyst, Magdi Abdelhadi." BBC News, 12 September 2008. See also Arab 
News, 14 September 2008.

Update: "In an apparent response to the criticism, Sheikh Lihedan, who 
is widely known for his conservative views and publicly encouraged 
Saudis to join Iraqis in fighting US troops in Iraq, issued a 
'clarification' yesterday. He insisted that he had not meant to refer 
to all 'immodest' television programmes, merely to those that 
broadcast black magic and sorcery." The National (Abu Dhabi), 15 
September 2008. Posted: 15 Sep 2008 

Update: "This new fatwa could easily hit the Saudi royal family on the 
back of the neck, given that it is Saudi cash that’s behind Rotana, 
which broadcasts music films and videos and is owned by Prince Al-
Waleed bin Talal." Chris Forrester, Rapid TV News, 16 September 2008.

Reporters sans frontières "today voiced its deep concern about an 
upsurge in fatwas (religious decrees) calling for the murder of 
journalists in the Arab and Muslim world." RSF, 16 September 2008. 
Posted: 18 Sep 2008 (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD)

** SPAIN. REE vuelve a confirmar los informes y habra cambios ---
UNA BUENA NOTICIA!!! --- Radio Exterior de España vuelve a confirmar 
los informes de recepción. También se aproximan cambios en sus 
emisiones para el mes de octubre. "Amigos de la Onda Corta" cambiará 
de nombre y los oyentes pueden enviar sugerencias sobre el nuevo 
nombre. Esta es la información enviada por Antonio Buitrago de REE:

Hola José: Te diré que Radio Exterior de España vuelve a confirmar los 
informes de recepción. Han sido años, creo que tres, en los que muchos 
oyentes mostraban con sus cartas el disgusto por no recibir 
contestación adecuada con la añorada QSL, pero su empeño, tenacidad e 
insistencia han tenido recompensa. Se remitirán las verificaciones de 
todos aquellos reportes enviados durante el presente año. Así que: 
¡Felicidades a todos los que lo han hecho posible¡

Por otra parte, te digo que para la próxima temporada se van a 
producir algunos cambios en nuestras emisiones. A "Amigos de la Onda
Corta" le toca lo suyo. Para octubre, con el cambio de  programación, 
los responsables desean modificar el nombre al programa. Quieren que 
sea más adecuado con los nuevos tiempos y las nuevas tecnologías, y 
que asuma informaciones relacionadas con todo lo que se refiera al 
mundo de las telecomunicaciones y de los medios digitales. Así que 
seguiremos haciendo "amigos" en la "onda corta" pero con otro nombre. 
Yo he sugerido a los oyentes que nos manden ideas sobre nuevos 
nombres. Hay de tiempo hasta septiembre. Tiene que ser un título 
moderno, que aluda a la radio o las nuevas tecnologías… y sobre todo 
que sea sonoro. Se puede enviar la propuesta por correo postal a REE, 
Apartado de Correos 156202. Código Postal 28080 MADRID ESPAÑA o a 
través del correo electrónico amigosdx @ rtve.es
Un saludo, Antonio Buitrago "Amigos de la Onda Corta" 
(via José Bueno / España, via Conexión Digital Sept 17 via DXLD)

** SRI LANKA. 6004.72, SLBC Colombo, 0100, Sept 18, English opening 
announcement after drums, sung NA, and pips at TOH. Clear but off 
frequency as usual, had drifted up to 6004.76 at 0109 recheck 
//9770.00 which was a lot stronger (Martien Groot, Schoorl, 
Netherlands, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** SUDAN [non]. ESLOVAQUIA. Hoy 18 de septiembre a las 1700 UT observo 
a Miraya FM sin señal en 15650; me ha extrañado mucho, ya que en el 
día de ayer pude captarla con muy buena señal. Por otra parte realizo 
un chequeo rápido por la banda de 19 metros y no observo mala 
propagación en la señal, se aprecia gran cantidad de emisoras, en su 
página web http://www.mirayafm.org/programme_schedule/ 
no se aprecia ningún cambio en horarios, ni en frecuencia, y siguen 
emitiendo por Internet (José Miguel Romero, Burjasot (Valencia), 
España, Sangean ATS 909, Antena Radio Master A-108, dxldyg via DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

** SYRIA. Radio Damasco te necesita --- Estimados amigos de Radio 
Damasco: Actualmente estamos pasando un momento difícil, porque 
recibimos muy pocas cartas de ustedes, nuestros fieles oyentes. Como 
saben, las emisiones al exterior de cualquier emisora están 
condicionadas a la respuesta que se recibe de su audiencia. Por ello, 
les invitamos a que se tomen unos minutos para escribirnos sus 
opiniones, sugerencias y preguntas sobre nuestros programas, ya sea 
por correo tradicional o por correo electrónico. Las direcciones ya 
las conocen, aunque también las pueden [hallar] en la sección Contacto 
de este sitio. 

Sabemos de las dificultades que muchas veces se tienen para sintonizar 
la onda corta. Desde Damasco realizamos un gran esfuerzo para 
continuar emitiendo la cultura Siria y árabe al mundo hispanohablante. 
Recibimos con mucho gusto sus mensajes electrónicos, cartas e informes 
de recepción, que como saben, confirmamos con bellas tarjetas QSL. 

En este sitio web pretendemos proporcionarles algunas informaciones de 
interés sobre aspectos relacionados a nuestra radio. Hay algunos 
proyectos y nuevas secciones para mejorar esta página web; sin 
embargo, llevan algo de tiempo. 

Las autoridades a veces son caprichosas. El Principito, personaje de 
Antoine de Saint Exupéry, bien dice que "a los adultos les encantan 
los números". Nosotros sabemos muy bien que tenemos miles de fieles 
oyentes que siempre están pendientes de nuestra señal, mas quienes 
están en las oficinas necesitan los números para justificar, en este 
caso, la existencia de las emisiones de Radio Damasco. 

Ustedes son el motivo y el destino de nuestra labor diaria. Sus 
palabras nos dan aliento para continuar, y son una poderosa 
herramienta para demostrar la necesidad de que la Voz de Siria se siga 
escuchando en español. 

¡Estimados amigos, esperamos sus cartas y mensajes! 
Atte: Radio Damasco. 

Horarios y frecuencias:
2215-2330 UT, 9330 kHz (Ocasionalmente también 12085 & 13610 kHz)
(En invierno comienza una hora antes) (horarios Y FRECUENCIAS 
extraídos de la página de la AER (Asociación Española de Radioescucha)

CONTACTO: Por correo postal:

Radio Emisora de la República Árabe Siria
Departamento de Español
P. O. Box 4702
Damasco, Siria.

Por correo electrónico: radiodamasco @ yahoo.com
Dirección Web: http://cobaq10.iespana.es/damasco/
Cordiales 73 (via José Bueno, Córdoba, España, Sept 16, dxldyg via DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

A plaintive plea for listener response, in order to justify to the 
powers that be, continuing to broadcast in Spanish. It would help if 
they added some modulation to their carrier, and ran anywhere near the 
nominal power of 500 kW. The program people don`t understand what the 
problem is.

Says ``one hour earlier winter``; should mean one hour *later* in 
winter, but in fact winter sked is already shown as 2215-2330 in WRTH 
2008. The other language broadcasts don`t shift an hour UT depending 
on DST, but I vaguely recall they did shift the Spanish one way or the 
other to accommodate listeners in Spain, where 2215 UT is past 
midnight already in summer, and also too late in winter at 2315 local. 
And they can`t move it to 2115 UT as long as there is also an English 
broadcast then (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) OTOH:

Reporters Without Borders team and French TV journalist “will never 
get a visa,” minister reportedly says after they are refused entry at 
border: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=28547
(via gh, DXLD) 

DESEO INFORMACION SOBRE RADIO DAMASCO --- ESTIMADOS AMIGOS DX: DESEO 
SABER SI ALGUN DXIESTA HA CAPTADO A RADIO DAMASCO. EN LA CIUDAD DE 
VALENCIA-VENEZUELA, ME HA SIDO IMPOSIBLE DESDE HACE MUCHO TIEMPO- ME 
GUSTARIA SABER LA OPINION DE USTEDES, ASI COMO LA DEL SEÑOR GLENN 
HAUSER (DR. GUILLERMO KLAPKA, Sept 16, noticias DX yg via DXLD)

Hola Guillermo, en primer lugar, un gusto saludarte; ya que has 
lanzado tu pregunta a todos los miembros de la lista te diré que desde 
Granada-España (en la zona sur de la península) no se capta. De hecho, 
solo he podido hacerlo en un par de ocasiones desde hace cuatro años. 
Este triste vagaje de captaciones puede darte una idea de como está la 
cosa desde mi lugar de escucha. Eso sí, la primera vez que les capté 
me contestaron con una bonita QSL y demás preciados materiales. Suelen 
ser muy atentos. No obstante seguiré intentándolo. 73 (Álvaro López 
Osuna (Granada-España), EA7-1026, ibid.)

Saludos cordiales queridos colegas diexistas. Espero se encuentren muy 
bien. Entre las 2200 y las 2300 UT estoy acabando de escuchar las 
emisiones de Radio Damasco en frecuencia de 9330 kHz. He utilizado 
para la escucha los siguientes radios: Yaesu FT-890 con antena dipolo 
de 12 metros por lado. Grundig S350 DL antena telescopica. Degen 1103 
antena telescopica. Debo decir que la mejor recepción durante la hora 
la he tenido con el Degen 1103 y su antena telescópica. Al final de la 
emisión el Yaesu FT-890 captó muy bien la despedida. Un abrazo para 
todos. En breve trataré de editar lo que he escuchado. atte: (José 
Elías Díaz Gómez, Apartado Postal 488, Código Postal 6001-A, 
Barcelona, Venezuela. http://sintoniadx.spaces.live.com/ Sept 17, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

So Spanish was at 2200-2300* instead of 2215-2330* or is there again 
confusion with Venezuela`s wacky local time? No, this was posted at 
2308 UT (Glenn Hauser, DXLD)

Estimado José Elías, escuchando la grabación digo que, siendo una 
señal pobre, llegaba mucho mejor que lo que se recibía ayer por aquí 
en el sur. De todos modos su modulación sigue siendo baja y con un 
procesamiento inadecuado o nulo (la voz se escucha grave lo que atenta 
contra la inteligilibilidad). Tal vez la antena no esté orientada 
hacia aquí en ese horario y si más al norte. Veré de buscarlos 
nuevamente. Saludos (Moisés Knochen, Sept 18, condiglist yg via DXLD)

A program in Russian on MW 783 is already 1730-1800 (ex 1830-1900) but 
with different content from 1700-1802 program in Russian on 9330 kHz, 
both with ID "Gavarit [sic] Damask" (Speaking Damascus), Sept 1st. In 
Arabic at 1900 on 783 \\ 819 and others (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, Sept 
11, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 18 via DXLD)

** UKRAINE. First Channel of Ukrainian Radio in Ukrainian observed in 
Bulgaria: 0230-2200 on 5970 KV 100 kW / non-dir to UKR (Sep. 6 1030-
1430 on 5980!). Very good reception in Bulgaria, except:

QRM Vatican Radio in various languages on 5965 til 1100;
co-ch China Radio International 1600-1757 in German;
co-ch China Radio International 1800-1957 in French;
co-ch WYFR Family Radio 2000-2100 in Arabic
(DX Mix News, Bulgaria, Sept 16 via DXLD)

** U K. Huffington Post Article about the BBC bus in the States
(and shameless self promotion. Comments welcome)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/clara-listensprechen/global-radio-listeners-de_b_127178.html

±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±
I will continue to be an impossible person so long as those who are 
now possible remain possible.
±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±
(Clara Listensprechen, Sept 17, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Reminiscent of the VOA Voyager 
http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2002-02/a-2002-02-25-31-VOA-s.cfm 
built in 1985. "But the Voyager was costly to operate, and after 
nearly a decade its traveling days came to an end." Posted: 17 Sep 
2008 (Kim Andrew Elliott, kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD)

** U K [non]. BBC launches special news programme for Afghanistan in 
Pashto:
1630-1700 on  6100 SLA 250 kW / 035 deg
              6100 NAK 250 kW / 255 deg
              7295 CYP 300 kW / 077 deg
              9915 CYP 300 kW / 077 deg
(DX Mix News, Bulgaria, Sept 16 via DXLD)

** U K. An Evening With Johnnie Walker --- The full list of dates is 
now in the JohnnieWalkerMusic Myspace page, also his theme song 
[beware; auto-launches despite what else you may be listening to]:
http://www.myspace.com/johnniewalkermusic
(Mike Barraclough, England, Sept 19, BDXC-UK via DXLD)

** U S A. WRONG TIME TO GIVE UP VOICE OF AMERICA BROADCASTS TO INDIA

Free MediaOnline. org & Free Media Online Blog September 16, 2006, San
Francisco -- In a show of bipartisanship, two powerful members of 
Congress sent a letter to the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) 
demanding that the BBG reverse its decision to terminate Voice of 
America (VOA) radio programs in Hindi to India. The BBG is a 
bipartisan body which manages VOA and several other taxpayer-funded 
U.S. international broadcasters.

The two Co-Chairmen of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian
Americans, Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), 
stressed in their letter to the BBG that over 70% of the Indian 
population lives in rural villages, many with no access to TV or the 
Internet. They expressed surprise that the BBG wants to terminate VOA 
Hindi radio at the time when the United States is expanding its 
strategic partnership with India. They asked the BBG to allow VOA 
Hindi radio broadcasts to continue.

Chances are slim, however, that the Broadcasting Board of Governors 
will reverse its decision on India or other countries, to which VOA 
programs have been terminated or will soon cease, unless the whole 
Congress acts to force the Board to give up these programming cuts.
Unfortunately for radio listeners in India and concerned Indian
Americans, the BBG enjoys strong support on this issue from Senator 
Joe Biden, Jr. (D-DE), Senator Barak Obama's vice presidential running 
mate and a powerful member of the U.S. Senate.

Edward "Ted" E. Kaufman, Senator Biden's former chief of staff who now 
works on his vice presidential campaign, blocked attempts last week to 
resume Voice of America (VOA) radio programs to Russia and other 
countries, including India. As a Democratic member of the BBG, Ted 
Kaufman was responsible earlier with other Democrats and some 
Republican members for terminating VOA Russian-language broadcasts 
just 12 days before Russia attacked Georgia on August 8. He had also 
voted for ending VOA broadcasts to India and a number of other 
countries, including Georgia.

Last week, a Republican BBG member, radio journalist Blanquita Cullum,
had requested a vote on resuming VOA broadcasts in Russian and 
suspending plans to stop broadcasts to other countries. India was one 
of the countries named in Cullum's proposal. Ted Kaufman was one of 
the key BBG members who refused to put the proposal to a vote, 
rejecting arguments that the earlier decision to terminate the 
broadcasts was wrong and that their resumption would send a strong 
message to Mr. Putin.

Ted Kaufman and others on Senator Biden's staff seem to be hoping that 
the mainstream media will not pay attention to this issue during the
presidential election campaign, thus allowing them to play politics 
with U.S. international broadcasting to the benefit of the senator's 
constituents and longtime friends.

Taking away radio broadcasting to Russia from VOA benefits another
BBG-managed broadcaster, semi-private Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
(RFE/RL), which is incorporated in Delaware, Senator Biden's home 
state. Senator Biden has been a strong supporter of his billionaire 
backer Norman Pattiz. Founder and chairman of media empire Westwood 
One, Pattiz had served on the BBG from May 2006 until March 2006. 
Pattiz pushed for the elimination of many Voice of America services to 
fund his news and entertainment broadcasting projects for the Middle 
East: Radio Sawa and Alhurra Television, which have attracted much 
controversy.

Even after Norman Pattiz resigned from the Board in March 2006, 
Senator Biden's former chief of staff continued to vote for 
eliminating or reducing VOA radio broadcasts to India, Russia, Tibet 
and other countries while supporting expanding broadcasts to the 
Middle East, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. 

*Indian Americans and other supporters of U.S. international 
broadcasting and media freedom can contact Ted Kaufman through the BBG 
executive director Jeff Trimble: jtrimble@ibb. gov. 330 Independence 
Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20237, Tel: (202) 203-4400, Fax: (202) 203-
4585.

Send a copy of your email to the BBG spokesperson Tish King,
publicaffairs@ bbg.gov, and request specifically that it be forwarded 
to Mr. Kaufman.
*
*You may also wish to contact the Obama-Biden campaign staff, Tel. 
(866) 675-2008, and the Senate offices of Senator Biden, Tel: (202) 
224-5042 Fax: (202) 224-0139, and Senator Obama, Tel: (202) 224-2854 
Fax: (202) 228-4260.
*
THIS POST CAN BE REPUBLISHED with attribution to FreeMediaOnline.org.
FreeMediaOnline.org is a 501 (c) 3 media freedom nonprofit 
organization based in San Francisco, CA. Contributions to 
FreeMediaOnline.org are tax-deductible. Please support our work in 
defense of media freedom worldwide (via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, 
India, dxldyg via DXLD)

Copy of the letter by Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) and Rep. Joe Wilson 
(R-SC) can be accessed at: 
http://alokeshgupta.googlepages.com/image009.jpg
(Gupta, ibid.)

That is indeed short sighted. It's ridiculous really. Stupid even.
Until you see who profits from it and then it becomes clear that the 
VOA is slowly being privatized, and that the US government has little 
interest in communicating its message to anyone by radio, when bombs 
or threats of bombs are all that keep what's left of corporate 
America, the defense sector, afloat (Dan Murray, ODXA yg via DXLD)

** U S A. Re LAMENTING THE LOSS OF VOA HINDI RADIO --- India has 
always been a difficult target country for VOA. BBC has traditionally 
had a much larger audience. This is because of BBC's superior ability 
to gather news from South Asia. And because BBC delivered a better 
signal from its transmitters in Oman (including some medium wave 
coverage) and Singapore. VOA had to reach India from farther-off 
Greece and the Philippines, plus three comparatively low powered (35 
kilowatt) transmitters in Sri Lanka. It was not until the 1990s that 
VOA acquired higher powered shortwave transmitters in Sri Lanka. By 
then, the popularity of shortwave was waning.

Typically, international broadcasters have responded to the decline of 
shortwave by placing their programs on FM stations in the target 
country. In India, news is not allowed on privately owned shortwave 
stations. Because of this, BBC Hindi programs heard on Indian FM 
stations include the likes of Ek Mulaqat, "a weekend talk show where 
famous people chat about the other side of their lives--from childhood 
stories, teenage trivia, hobbies, passions to little known facts about 
themselves." The idea is that BBC will have a foot in the door of the 
Indian FM market if and when news finally is allowed.

VOA has generally been uncomfortable with programs that do not include 
news and current affairs "freight," so it is not following the BBC in 
placing lighter fare on Indian FM stations. There might be an 
opportunity here for an Indian-American private broadcast 
entrepreneur.

BBC has, for regulatory reasons, been slow to develop international 
television in languages other than English. VOA, on the other hand, 
has been an early adopter of international television in several 
languages. Despite vigorous marketing efforts, VOA Hindi's television 
placement consists only of a weekly report on India's Aaj Tak channel. 

Still, that weekly placement yields a weekly audience rate of 0.6% 
(according to a 2007 survey in India), compared to 0.7% for a daily 
hour of shortwave radio in Hindi. BBC has a weekly audience of 5.4% in 
India, down from 11.9% in 2006.

Television seems to be the route to success for international 
broadcasting to India. However, free access to Indian television will 
be increasingly elusive. Money to pay for that time will be required. 
Posted: 18 Sep 2008 (Kim Andrew Elliott, kimandrewelliott.com; for 
linx to more reaxion to this see: 
http://kimelli.nfshost.com/index.php?id=4828 via DXLD)

THE BBG'S POLITICS RE VOA RUSSIAN. "Last week, a Republican BBG 
member, radio journalist Blanquita Cullum, had requested a vote on 
resuming VOA broadcasts in Russian and suspending plans to stop 
broadcasts to other countries, including Georgia and Ukraine. Ted 
Kaufman was one of the BBG members who refused to put the proposal to 
a vote, rejecting arguments that the earlier decision to terminate the 
broadcasts was wrong and that their resumption would send a strong 
message to Mr. Putin." Ted Lipien, Blogger News Network, 15 September 
2008. See previous posts on 12 September and 6 September 2008. 

Would be interesting to hear the debate on this issue, but the 
supersecret Broadcasting Board of Governors has never had an open 
meeting. Posted: 17 Sep 2008 (Kim Andrew Elliott, 
http://kimelli.nfshost.com/index.php?id=4826 via DXLD)

** U S A [non]. Like clockwork, VOA`s Korean service breaks for a song  
in English at 1315 UT on 5890, and 11740 if it is propagating. Sept 16 
it was ``O Danny Boy``, by YL, a.k.a. London Derrière, so I can`t keep 
calling it from the ``American Songbook``.

Good carrier on 7390 turned into R. Free Asia opening in Burmese with 
English ID, Sept 18 at 1330 via Tinian; then tuned down to 7365 and 
heard Chinese, which per Aoki is VOA in Cantonese via Tinang. The 
latter had residual jamming pulses, but I doubt if they were of much 
help in Guangzhou to the Chicom who must have been doing their own 
jamming, tho not audible here. The only hours the DentroCubans really 
need to jam the FueraCubans` Martí on 7365 are 23-04 (Glenn Hauser, 
OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Glenn - I'm interested in your comments re jamming and the VOA 
Cantonese service. Have you ever heard any direct jamming of this 
service, or of the RFA Cantonese service? I don't think that I have, 
and I'd be interested to know if anyone else has. Note the number of 
frequencies used (according to my lists which may/may not be current)

VOA 1300-1500 1170  7365  9355
RFA 1400-1500 7280 11595 and 
    2200-2300 9355 11715 11785

whereas Mandarin services use up to 12 frequencies via RFA and 8 via 
VOA. There must be a reason? (Noel R. Green (NW England), dxldyg via 
DXLD) 

VOA: 13-15 1170 Poro 1000 kW 332 degrees, 7365 Tinang 250 332,
9355 Saipan 100 285/310

RFA 14-15 7280 Tinian 250 294, 11595 Saipan 100 310
    22-23 9355 Saipan 100 300, 
         11715 250 288, 11785 250 287 both Tinian
73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Maybe Cantonese is such a minority language in the Chinese context 
that it`s not considered cost-effective to jam such broadcasts? 
However, much smaller minorities with separatist ambitions have their 
languages jammed, as well as, of course, the Han majority (Glenn 
Hauser, DXLD)

** U S A [non]. Frequency change for VOA Urdu Service, Wed, 17 Sep 
2008 --- Starting 19th September VOA Urdu is moving on to9515 kHz 
replacing 11755 kHz from Sri Lanka relay at 0000-0100 hours to South 
Asia and parallel 7135 kHz from Kuwait relay continue (Alok Dasgupta 
via http://dxasia.info via Alokesh Gupta, dxldyg via DXLD)

** U S A. Hi Glenn, In reference to the DXLD September 9, 2008 issue 
and my reference to WBCQ carrying the Radio National program 
discussion of the Delano VoA Facility. My letter can be seen in its 
entirety at http://www.radionational.org I hope all SWL’ers will write 
to support efforts to save this facility from destruction. 73’s, (Ed 
Insinger, NJ, Sept 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Indeed, but I don`t really see any evidence there that Delano is 
certainly slated for destruxion. Maybe, but its fate will not 
necessarily match Bethany, which was not exactly destroyed either, tho 
it`s non-funxional as a SW transmitter site (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

** U S A. Maine -- The next Dan Lewis program on WBCQ will be on 
Monday September 29, 2008 at 0100 UT -- Sunday the 28th in North 
American, 9 PM EDST -- on 7415 kHz. The theme of this show is radio. 
The first hour will feature memories of Irving Blonder, influential 
inventor and seeker of the Loch Ness Monster, and Tom Kneitel, 
prolific author, Ouija Board DXer and the Don Rickles of the DX 
Community. In the second hour, Dan interviews Benn Kobb, promoter of 
the idea of using 26 MHz and DRM for domestic broadcasting --- see 
http://www.26mhz.us --- and access to the airwaves (Dan Lewis, Sept 
19, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** U S A. Heard WRNO from 0119 to 0206 on 7505. Gospel music 0119-
0151. At 0151 a 5 minute devotional from the owner of the station, 
then back to Gospel music until 0206. Seems like they haven't gotten 
down to doing the preaching and teaching programs that is the hallmark 
of every other Gospel SW station yet. Fading in and out when my radio 
is connected to my homebrew helical antenna but mostly coming in 
strong. Can hardly get this on the whip on my Grundig G4000A without 
my homebrew helical connected (Richard Lewis, Forest, MS, UT Sept 20, 
Grundig G4000A Homebrew helical antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING 
DIGEST)

** U S A [non]. Programa Radio DX, Homenagem ao saudoso Prof. Robert 
Veltmajer --- O programa Radio DX prestará uma homenagem ao saudoso 
Professor Robert Veltmaijer, o maior incentivador do Dexismo no 
Brasil. Uma verdadeira lição de vida, os que o conheceram terão boas 
recordações os que não conheceram poderão conhecer um pouco do que foi 
este grande Dexista holandês que viveu no Brasil. A homenagem será 
feita em três programas e conterão áudios de gravações feitas pelo
professor Robert , inclusive uma entrevista completa que concedeu ao
programa Encontro DX da Radio Aparecida. Como será apresentada
gravações raras do Prof. Robert recomendo gravarem por serem
históricas. A apresentação será em 3 partes que serão apresentadas
nos próximos 3 programas Radio DX, dos dias 19 e 20, 26 e 27/09/2008
e 03 e 04/10/2008.

Rádio DX vai ao ar, pela Rádio CVC - A Sua Voz, de Miami - USA

Nas sextas-feiras, às 15h, na hora de Brasília, na freqüência de
15410 kHz, na faixa de 19 metros. Também é reprisado no sábado, às
9h, na hora de Brasília, pela mesma freqüência, ainda, na noite de 
sábado, às 23h, em 11745 kHz, em 25 metros. Também pode ser escutado, 
nos mesmos horários, em http://www.radiocvc.com QRV (Ulysses Galletti, 
Brasil, Sept 18, dxclubepr yg via DXLD) 

Perhaps they don`t care if anyone outside one of Brasil`s timezones 
listens, since they don`t give the times in UT (Glenn Hauser, DXLD)

Embora não tenha conhecido pessoalmente o sr. Robert Veltmaier, 
acompanhava-o pelos programas dx das emissoras internacionais. Ele era 
pessoa constante dos programas DX pelo telefone e se correspondia com 
todas elas. Li muitas matérias de sua autoria sobre o nosso 
apaixonante hobby que é rádio. Justa homenagem in memoriam que o sr. 
Ulysses presta a esta bandeira do dexismo brasileiro pelo programa 
RADIODX da Rádio CVC, sexta-feira, às 15h (hora de Brasília e 18h hora 
UTC), sábado às 9h (hora de Brasília e 12h UTC), pelas ondas curtas de 
15.410 kHz. Robert era holandês e nos ensinou muito sobre rádio, pois 
era apaixonado por ele. Bonito gesto. 73 (Luiz Chaine Neto, Limeira -
sp- 18-9-2008, ibid.)

** U S A. MCCAIN AND OBAMA: THE RADIO STATIONS --- RED ZEBRA 
BROADCASTING revamps its two politically-oriented Talk stations in 
WASHINGTON by rebranding the stations "MCCAIN 570 WTNT" and "OBAMA 
1260 WWRC." 

"MCCAIN 570" features a lineup with SALEM's BILL BENNETT, TALK RADIO 
NETWORK's LAURA INGRAHAM, SALEM's MIKE GALLAGHER, WESTWOOD ONE's 
DENNIS MILLER, and TALK RADIO NETWORK's MICHAEL SAVAGE, plus FOX NEWS 
hourly updates and DOW JONES money news. 

"OBAMA 1260" airs DIAL GLOBAL's BILL PRESS, STEPHANIE MILLER, and ED 
SCHULTZ, and AIR AMERICA RADIO's LIONEL, RACHEL MADDOW, and RON 
REAGAN, plus CNN news updates and CNBC financial news. 

"With the intense interest and the importance of this presidential 
election RED ZEBRA felt it was important to give the public the 
ability to easily find both sides of the candidate’s positions and 
opinions and give DC area listeners a chance to express their 
viewpoints and ask the tough questions," said VP of Operations DENNIS 
GLASGOW. 

PD GREG TANTUM added, "Personalities from both stations will be out in 
the community hosting forums on the election, helping listeners become 
better informed voters." (allaccess.com via Brock Whaley, HI, DXLD)

"My opponent has deeper nulls." (Brock Whaley, DXLD)

** U S A. GLOBALQUERQUE 2008 LIVE FROM THE NATIONAL HISPANIC CULTURAL 
CENTER. Join KUNM from 7:00 PM until 12:00 AM September 19th and 20th 
for two days of live music from ¡Globalquerque! New Mexico’s annual 
celebration of world music & culture. Now in its fourth year, ¡Glo-
balquerque! has become the Southwest’s and Rocky Mountain region’s 
premier world music festival, drawing music lovers from throughout the 
area and across the country. 

This year’s performers include 17 Hippies (Germany), Cuarenta y Cinco 
(New Mexico, USA), Lila Downs (Mexico), Forro in the Dark 
(Brazil/USA), Genticorum (Quebec, Canada), HAPA (Hawaii), Kanda Bongo 
Man (Dem. Rep. of Congo), Lo Còr de la Plana (France), Los Matachines 
de Bernalillo (New Mexico), Mor Karbasi (Israel), Mexican Institute of 
Sound (Mexico), Orchid Ensemble (China/Canada), Reelroad. (Russian 
Federation), Clark Tenakhongva (Hopi), Vieux Farka Touré (Mali), 
Savina Yannatou (Greece), Mary Youngblood (Seminole/Aleut). 

Day two of Globalquerque will be aired on Saturday, September 20th at 
7 p.m. Visit the official festival website 
http://www.globalquerque.com for more information, or just tune in and 
enjoy! (Sept KUNM Zounds! Program guide via DXLD)

This was previously mentioned under OKLAHOMA, because KGOU is relaying 
part of it. On KUNM, http://www.kunm.org/listen/kunm128k.mov the UTs 
are: Sept 20 and 21 0100-0600. Announcements mention 30+ other 
stations carrying it, predominantly res; and see http://nv1.org for 
stream info (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
 
** U S A. Re: Hurricane Ike monitoring --- I was getting very strong 
signals here in St. Louis of a ham (W6DI, I think) in California doing 
Health & Welfare traffic handling on 14295 kHz after Ike passed thru 
Galveston (Will Martin, MO, Sept 17, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** U S A. Re: What is KGOW normal format now, and what does the 2008 
NRC Log say? --- The new NRC Log says: Sports --- "The Game" slogan --
- Texas New[s] Network. Hope this helps you out. 73 and Best of DX 
(Shawn Axelrod, VE4DX1SMA, Sept 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Interest in KGOW, 1560, seemed to vanish after its night on the world 
stage, running 50 kW as H. Ike was passing thru metro Houston. Perhaps 
everyone assumed it would immediately go back to 100+ watts at night. 
However, 5 nights later, UT Sept 18 at 0520, I found it again 
dominating the channel, but hardly with emergency programming relaying 
KPRC-2. Caught my ear with an amusing song, ``Go Away, Ike``, then 
adstring, including a local phone number, 713-666-1101 for geothermal 
air conditioning from Indoor Comfort Specialists, http://1560ac.com --
- with a website like that I was beginning to wonder if this too was a 
parody, but it really worx, forwarding to 
http://www.indoorcomfortspecialist.com/ --- I assume this allows the 
sponsor and the station to track how many heard the ad on 1560. By 
clicking on it here you will help to skew those findings.

Then something about the Astros playing away. 0523 finally non-ID as 
``1560 The Game``, and promo for John Granado Program on ``1560 The 
Train``, yuk2. In fact this and previous items were run twice in a 
row. At 0526 resumed current show which was a ``September 15 recap``, 
why? Trying to decide whether something was spelled jenkum or jenkem, 
and story about one of the hosts being hit in the face with a bag of 
dog urine and crap at some club. At this point I had had enough, sure 
anyway that it was really KGOW. While it did not overpower all the QRM 
on 1560, it certainly dominated even on a long-wire not aimed toward 
Houston. When running daytime facilities at night because of an 
emergency, isn`t it supposed to be non-commercial and with axual 
emergency info? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Thanks to Glenn Hauser's item posted earlier on the NRC and IRCA 
lists, I am hearing KGOW "1560 the Game" Bellaire TX tonight on at 
apparent full day power of 50 kW. Programming is a pre-recorded talk 
(apparently not sports) show. The station is dominating 1560 here, 
with only light QRM from WPAD. This one is new for me, and much 
appreciated since I was not near a radio last Friday when the station 
was doing a full-power broadcast of Hurricane Ike emergency info. 73 
(Bill Dvorak, Madison WI, 0343 UT Sept 19, IRCA via DXLD)

KGOW had a superb signal into Arctic Norway on the night of Sep 19, 
from before 03 until fade-out some time after 04Z. ID as "1560 The 
Game". Maybe still active? (Bjarne Mjelde http://arcticdx.blogspot.com 
UT Sept 20, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** U S A. 1680, WPRR, ADA MI, still running music and ID loop tape 
9:18 am [EDT = 1318 UT] 9/9. Still claims new format will start in 
September. So they have had no programs for over a month! Still music 
and IDs 9/16 (Larry Russell, Flushing MI, MARE Tipsheet via DXLD)

** U S A. 1700, WQHR733, WA, Issaquah, noted TIS here topping another 
one, at 1100 EDT [1500 UT = 0700 PST] 9/19 with female announcer. 
Mentioned the station was operated by the City of Issaquah and 
operates on 1700 on your dial, Man ID as "This is WQHR733". Also gave 
info on widening of road in the area, State Route 900, and festivals, 
other things to do in Issaquah. Peaking very nicely at times. Giving 
websites, and mailing addy. New one for me and I will send a report 
out. Drake R8, NW EWE (Patrick Martin, Seaside OR, NRC-AM via DXLD)

** U S A. FL Keys-SW FL bandscans --- All times/dates are in GMT 
unless otherwise indicated. Frequencies are in kHz unless otherwise 
specified. *** = New station/anomaly (or at least new to me).

LKSP = loggings appended with this were made during an extensive, 
nearly five-hour bandscan between 1700-2145 GMT (1300-1745 ET) at Long 
Key State Park in the middle Florida Keys. With a few exceptions, I 
worked my way up from 526 to 1700 kHz. Long Key remains the undisputed 
best place in the Keys to monitor Cuba, far superior to Key West. I 
can only guess that the middle Keys location allows better reception 
of all of Cuba, with less Cuba land mass blockage present than in Key 
West. Powerline noise is also very low here (thus far). The park just 
opened upon my 1300 local arrival, and I'm surprised they were open as 
the area was pretty trashed by Hurricane Ike's winds over the previous 
two days. Only the parking lot where I DX from was open (how 
convenient). All trails were closed, there was no electricity and the 
water was off here. I had to clear some sea grape and gumbo limbo 
branches from the shaded parking slot I wanted. The good news is I was 
the only person here -- save for park staff -- during my stay.

KEYW = loggings appended with this were made on Key West, including a 
one hour session at Ft. Zachary Taylor State Park near the 
southernmost point in the continental US. The primary purpose at Ft. 
Zachary Taylor was to check some of the frequency "holes" where no 
Cuban stations were detected during the monitoring session at Long Key 
State Park.

ESTO = loggings appended with this were made at Estero (southwest 
Florida, five miles due east of Sanibel Island).

All other logs were made while mobile (with the approximate location 
indicated) or from the Clearwater home if no location is referenced. 

MIS = Municipal Information Station. 
TIS = Travelers Information Station.

Equipment used for these loggings: Sony ICF-7600GR and 2007 Hyundai 
Sonata stock car radio.

DISCLAIMER: No portion of the below may be reproduced or redistributed 
by the National Radio Club, their editors or current members without 
expressed written permission, which will then be swiftly, and we do 
mean swiftly denied. Editors receiving this directly from me are 
excluded provided this entire disclaimer is included where any of the 
below is reproduced.

DOMESTIC LOGS

530, FLORIDA (TIS) Southwest Florida International Airport KKNI706, 
Ft. Myers; 1230 September 11, 2008. Fair with female parking 
information while on I-75 around Exit 131. But on September 15th, 
barely audible directly by the airport between US-41 and I-75, with 
Enciclopedia dominating!

940, FLORIDA (MIS) WPTI814 Pinellas County Emergency Management, 
Largo; for the past couple of weeks, the audio has been fixed and they 
are running a looped (female) "You're listening to WPTI (sic), 940 A-
M... keeping you informed." and male "Test 1-2-3, test 1-2-3, test 1-
2-3 test 1-2-3. This is test of the Highway Advisory Radio. WPTI1814 
(sic), 940 A-M, Pinellas County Traffic Information..." and more 
similar messages prior to loop recycling. 

980, FLORIDA WRNE, Gulf Breeze; September 11, 2008. Northwest Florida 
commercials, including shoddy Cox Cable in Santa Rosa County, "Gulf 
Coast WRNE weather" by man at 1927. "We play the best music... 980 
WRNE..." into satellite-fed talk programming. So, where's the music? 
Good copy level. [LKSP]

980, FLORIDA WHSR, Pompano Beach; 1348 September 11, 2008. Noted on I-
75 at Exit 49 (Snake Road). Presumed the one, never any ID across the 
hour, seemingly brokered programming in Haitian Kreyòl with frequent 
"Radio Haïti-America Internationale" slogans, ads for quack doctors 
and clinics mostly on Sample Road and in West Palm Beach.

1180, FLORIDA Radio Martí, Marathon; September 13, 2008 at 1345. 
Excellent, virtually no trace of any Rebelde transmitters. [KEYW]

1320, FLORIDA WZMZ, Hollywood; September 11, 2008. Presumed the one in 
Haitian Kreyòl with commercials for Miami and West Palm Beach 
businesses. Good. [LKSP]

1480, ALABAMA WABB, Mobile; September 15, 2008 at 1106. FOX 10 
weather, ID, promo for the Bill O'Reilly Show "... on 14-80 WABB... 
welcome back, it's 6:10 a.m..." Fair-good. [ESTO]

***1610, FLORIDA (MIS) City of Cape Coral WQGU312; September 15, 2008. 
While driving through J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge's 
loop road I tuned to 1610 to check for the defunct park TIS. Noted a 
weak signal so I got the ICF-7600GR out and had a much-improved 
signal. A very long loop -- around 10 minutes - opening with male, 
"You are listening to Cape Coral Emergency Advisory Radio... call sign 
(could not copy though it didn't sound the same as the FCC listing). 
Loop content consisting of how evil hurricanes are, all with 
melodramatric audio clips from fearful residents and city officials 
with wind sound effects throughout.

1610, FLORIDA (PIRATE) "R-C-H", Homestead; September 11, 2008 late 
morning about 10 miles north of Homestead on the Florida Turnpike. 
Usual Haitian Kreyòl talk programming. Also noted September 14 
afternoon at middle Key Largo. So yes, still a big signal after all 
these years.

1610, FLORIDA (MIS) City of Sunrise WPDA943; September 11, 2008. Noted 
late morning at the I-595/I-75 junction, fair with male loop of what 
he considered important events in Sunrise.

1610, FLORIDA "WDCX" Dade City; Florida Low Power Radio Stations 
received the following update from John H. Mouw, Manager of Classroom 
Technology and Media Services, University Technical Services at Saint 
Leo University, regarding this Part 15-compliant station: WDCX is an 
alternative news and talk station operating on 1610 kHz from sunrise 
to sunset in Dade City. WDCX provides programming that disappeared 
from commercial station WDCF 1350 whose programming changes by the day 
depending on who Tan-Talk in Clearwater is ripping off. Our 
programming includes but is not limited to: TalkStar Network, Beyond 
The Grassy Knoll, featuring The Vyzygoth, American Sunrise, Alex Jones 
and much more including sports and weather updates. The weekends also 
include Old time Radio shows and the Subgenius "Hour of Slack." WDCX-
Part 15 operates using a FCC Certified Part 15 Hamilton Rangemaster 
transmitter and covers much of Dade City and areas toward San Antonio. 
There are future plans to link multiple transmitters to increase the 
coverage area. In addition to broadcasting on 1610, the station also 
streams on Shoutcast. WDCX’s web page can be found at: 
http://www.freewebs.com/wdcx and those wishing to submit program 
material for airing may do so by emailing the Program Director at: 
wdcx @ embarqmail.com or via snail mail at: Post Office Box 2263, 
Saint Leo, FL 33574.

1620, FLORIDA (MIS) City of Plantation WQFD819; September 11, 2008. 
Noted late morning on I-75 near Plantation with male loop, fair.

1620, FLORIDA (MIS) City of Hialeah Gardens; September 11, 2008. Noted 
late morning on the FL Turnpike with very long looping segments, 
English and Spanish, but mostly Spanish female. Good, and audio 
corrected from last August observation.

1640, FLORIDA (TIS) Florida Turnpike; September 11, 2008. Late morning 
on the Turnpike, strongest south of Exit 29/NW 41st Street, near where 
the sign for this is. Male loop.

1640, FLORIDA City of Ft. Myers Beach WPSH372; September 15, 2008. 
Weak at the ESTO site, but much stronger of course at Lighthouse Park 
on the eastermost end of Sanibel Island. Roughly five-minute loop with 
male, segments in order: traffic link at www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov; 
wildlife; pedestrian right-of-way; The Mound House Calusa Indian mound 
park on Connecticut Street, 765-0865 and www.moundhouse.org; sea 
turtle nesting months and 481-5566 to report a nest; stingray inury; 
emergency weather information via this station and the Ft. Myers Beach 
website; idle speed zone markers; "You are listening to Information 
Radio for the Town of Ft. Myers Beach on 16-40 AM with call sign 
WPSH372."

1670, FLORIDA (MIS) City of Pembroke Pines; September 11, 2007. Late 
morning on I-75 near Pembroke Pines with male reading vital events 
such as an upcoming floral show and the Fall Arts and Crafts Show. 
Good.

***1680 FLORIDA (MIS) City of Sanibel WQVB597; An FCC database query 
shows this was granted on 12/22/2004, with an expiration of 
12/22/2014. I was unaware of this one, so I didn't specifically check 
for it while on Sanibel Island, though I think I did scan past 1680 at 
least once while on the island and didn't notice anything. I learned 
of this while in the process of searching for information on the City 
of Cape Coral's MIS transmitter at this link (note the recent date: 
September 15, 2008): 
http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?NoCache=1&Dato=99999999&Kategori=WEATHER01&Lopenr=806010330&Ref=AR
Specifically, reference the quote, "They're adding a radio frequency, 
1680 AM, that will broadcast important information to Sanibel 
residents during an emergency."

5446.5, FLORIDA Armed Forces Radio (via NAR), Saddlebunch Keys; 
September 14, 2008. Local level with the ICF-7600GR antenna down on 
the opposite side of the gated entrance to the facilities off of US-1. 
USB mode. Parallel 7811. No other channels on the air at this time.

7811, FLORIDA Armed Forces Radio (via NAR), Saddlebunch Keys; 
September 14, 2008. Local level with the ICF-7600GR antenna down on 
the opposite side of the gated entrance to the facilities off of US-1. 
USB mode. Parallel 5446.5. No other channels on the air at this time.

88.3 MHz, FLORIDA WAZQ "Q-FM", Key West; September 12-13-14, 2008. I 
was tipped off to the format of this station -- as well as the 
translator relays -- by a WIIS "Island 107" employee while visiting 
their station on September 12th. WAZQ's format is Active 
Rock/Alternative, with a few call-to-action commercials dropped in. 
There are many canned ID's, such as: "The best of the 80's, 90's and 
today -- Q-FM"; "Q-FM reaches, aaaah, about 100,000 people potentially 
every day"; "88.3 WAZQ, Key West, 89.3 KLSI, Moss Beach-San Francisco" 
(then an appended "Marathon 106.9") and others. This is a truly odd 
one: WAZQ is licensed to Educational Public Radio, Inc. while 
translators on 104.9 and 106.9 are licensed to Broadcast Towers, Inc. 
Bill Lacy is the owner of Educational Public Radio. Wikipedia lists 
WAZQ translators as: W225AU 92.9 Islamorada, Florida 5 watts; W257AC 
99.3 Islamorada, Florida 5 watts; W241BA 96.1 Key Largo, Florida 250 
watts; W235AM 94.9 Key West, Florida 215 watts; W285EH 104.9 Key West, 
Florida 207 watts; W295AN 106.9 Marathon, Florida 250 watts; and 
W287BJ 105.3 Ramrod Key, Florida 250 watts. But not having this 
information with me, I didn't check whether (except for announced 
104.9 and 106.9) they are all relaying WAZQ. [KEYW]

96.1 MHz, FLORIDA (PIRATE) unidentified, Miami area; September 14, 
2008. Fair when first tuned to in Homestead, stronger on the drive 
north along Krome Avenue. Reggae/dancehall music, live Caribbean-
accented DJ with no mixer, frequently talking over songs and taking 
calls and shout-outs. Lots of commercials for clubs between Pembroke 
Pines and south Miami. This was the only FM pirate I noted, albeit on 
a rather fast dial scan on the car radio while driving.

96.5 MHz, FLORIDA WSLR-LP New College, Sarasota; 1115 September 11, 
2008. Peter Tosh song, into Bob Marley & the Wailers. Good southbound 
I-75 near northern Sarasota.

98.7 MHz, FLORIDA WFLP-LP "ERN - Everglades Radio Network", Collier 
County Rest Area; 1310 September 11, 2008. Same long nature loop as 
98.7 MHz (see entry), and comparing the two between the car radio and 
the ICF-7600GR, in perfect audio sync.

104.3 MHz, FLORIDA WORZ-LP Ocean Reef Club, north Key Largo; September 
14, 2008. Audio fixed compared to the mess heard last August, and with 
a good signal, audible to near Card Sound Road at US-1 in Homestead. 
Pop standards and Top 40 hits of the past format still, and continues 
to air many commercials with call-to-action, in violation of FCC LPFM 
rules.

104.9 MHz, FLORIDA W285EH, "Q-FM", Key West; September 12-13-14, 2008. 
See 88.3 MHz entry.

106.9 MHz, FLORIDA W295AN "Q-FM", Marathon; September 14, 2008. Logged 
at fair level from Bahía Honda State Park at 1525, and parallel 88.3 
MHz Key West (see entry for details). The 104.9 Key West translator 
was not audible from here.

107.9 MHz, FLORIDA WFLU-LP "ERN - Everglades Radio Network", Miles 
City (I-75 at SR-29); 1255 September 11, 2008. Roughly 30-minute eco-
tour loop, as always well-produced and educational. And they finally 
recut the part that referred to "Governor" Jeb Bush to "former 
Governor Jeb Bush" after about a year. 

NOTABLE MISSING STATIONS:

530, (TIS) J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel 
Island; apparentlly gone forever. None of the staff had any knowledge 
of this, and the signage that used to be up was no longer there.

870, (MIS) City of Key West WGW861; silent September 11-12-13-14, 
2008. Not even an open carrier.

1610, (TIS) J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel 
Island; see 530 comments.

1620, (MIS) City of Coral Gables; untraced September 11, 2008. 
Previously audible on the Turnpike in central Miami-Dade County.

106.7 MHz, WGGP-LP, Big Pine Key; off the air during September 11 and 
14, 2008 checks. I did a drive-by on the 14th; church was in service, 
the two signs advertising 106.7 are still up as is the large antenna 
structure behind the church. Not sure what the status is on this 
LPFMer.

(Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W
Visit my "Florida Low Power Radio Stations" at:
http://home.earthlink.net/~tocobagadx/flortis.html
or: http://www.geocities.com/geigertree/flortis.html
Sept 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also CUBA [and non]

Recent FCC action in FL --- Another sweep through S FL:
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2003/DOC-285383A1.html

and of course the Greek dude (format confirmed Greek per a source at a 
Key West radio station I visited last Friday):
[95.9 North Miami Beach]
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2003/DOC-285209A1.html
and [103.9 Wilton Manors FL]
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2003/DOC-285384A1.html
(Terry Krueger, FL, Sept 17, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Re 103.9 Da Grind --- ``Miami 103.9 pirate busted --- PIRATE RADIO 
STATION WASN'T EXACTLY LOW KEY`` --- Hmm, so maybe the format wasn't 
Greek after all as my source said it was (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, 
Florida, Sept 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** U S A. MSNBC has finally dumped (at least for the duration) most of 
its cheesy tabloid docu-blox featuring prison life, in favor of more 
repeats of its M-F politically-oriented talkshows, in the following 
pattern, strictly UT days and times, assuming they have only one 
nationwide feed, rather than a separate delayed feed for the West, per 
zap2it cable listings for Enid OK:

HARDBALL WITH CHRIS MATTHEWS                  21, 23, 04, 08*
RACE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE WITH DAVID GREGORY   22,     05*
COUNTDOWN WITH KEITH OLBERMANN                00, 02, 06
RACHEL MADDOW SHOW                            01, 03, 07*

*except on early Saturdays. If there is a live debate or something, 
the schedule may be altered. If there is breaking news, it is possible 
the `repeat` may be updated. For a while, Hardball was doing two 
separate editions at 21 and 23. As elexion day approaches, this could 
happen again (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** U S A. It turns out that it's all my fault. Again. The NAB Radio 
Show has a theme this year, and it isn't the "Radio Heard Here" thing, 
more about which later. No, it's all about "perception." In fact, it's 
pretty much the same theme as last year, but I'm finding it 
interesting that the concept that there's NOTHING WRONG WITH RADIO and 
RADIO IS IN GREAT SHAPE and WE HAVE TO FIGHT THE NAYSAYERS seems to be 
popping up in every panel and speech I've attended. It's this year's 
set of talking points. It was last year's set of talking points, too, 
but the same words seem to be coming up more frequently and sometimes 
apropos of nothing. ("Hey, nice to see you, how's it going?" "There's 
NOTHING WRONG WITH RADIO!" "Um... okay.") 

So it's all my fault, me and others who have noted that there ARE 
problems in the way radio's being run at the moment, because we should 
be positive and evangelize about how great radio is doing. All those 
firings and layoffs? Voicetracking? Making one PD do the job of six? 
Infomercials? Cookie-cutter formats? Terrible websites? Declining 
revenue? Speak not of them! We're doing great! 

The most remarkable thing was to be in the room for the financial 
forum that kicked off the show. Group heads, analysts, and financiers 
were there, a veritable who's who of the very people in charge while 
the industry declined. I really wanted to hear someone take 
responsibility and address what had happened and what needs to be 
done, but instead all I heard was that things are going to get worse 
but, hey, it's Not Our Fault, it's all that negativity and, besides, 
the economy's bad and every OTHER industry is doing bad and stop 
picking on US. Blame the messenger. 

That was also the theme of the NAB President/CEO's speech. It's the 
naysayers, he said. We need to correct the misperceptions. All is 
well. After all, we have a nifty P.R. campaign and everything. He 
played a "Radio Heard Here" PSA and he said, "When we tested these 
spots, listeners loved them -- especially younger listeners." I 
checked my notes and, sure enough, he said similar things about the 
original "Radio Heard Here" ads six months ago. Maybe they need a 
different focus group. 

He also said that they'd put together a GREAT website where people can 
"learn more about radio, find the most played songs, see new 
innovations and listen to great radio commercials." Yes, that's what 
the public wants to hear on a website, great radio commercials. The 
kids, they love their commercials. 

I did go to the big "Radio Heard Here" presentation, but I must have 
missed the part where they explained why, up to now, I haven't ever 
seen the "Radio Heard Here" logo or ads anywhere but at NAB 
conventions. I have no idea what they've been doing with it so far. 

Apparently, they have that website, a YouTube video interview about 
the industry's laudable response to Katrina, and two blogs 
(unfortunately, not filled with LOLCats hugging radios ("IM IN YR 
RADIO, TAKIN CALLZ")). And they have new PSAs, one of which has 
Malcolm Jamal-Warner. Nothing says "modern" and "with it" and "hep" 
and "ginchy" like an 80's sitcom star. It's all supposed to be 
inspiring, but it left me sad. 

"Many years from now," the NAB boss said, echoing "Braveheart," "you 
will remember this session." If nothing else, he knows how to set up a 
punch line. 

But I'll say this: There IS a lot that radio does right. That tends to 
involve you, the people who create and distribute and sell the 
programming. That it may be getting harder for you to do those jobs, 
and that remaining gainfully employed is a tricky thing nowadays, is 
without question, but so is the dedication you put into your work. I'd 
like to see the people who run the industry take the passion with 
which they defend themselves and the abstract concept of "the 
industry" and apply it to defending and celebrating and employing all 
of you. You're the strategic advantage radio has that competing media 
don't have. If radio survives this storm -- WHEN it survives this 
storm -- it will be because of you, not a P.R. campaign or most 
anything else I heard this week. 

There's been more, but that "Radio Heard Here" panel kinda took my 
last ounce of energy with it, so I'll just stop here and let you know 
that I've been updating All Access News-Talk-Sports' Talk Topics 
column with fresh topics all week, and the folks back at All Access 
are doing their usual great job with the rest of the site. There's 
also "10 Questions With..." Navy Radio Network football sideline 
reporter and basketball play-by-play voice Pete Medhurst, so go see 
what he has to say. 

And I'll go hang my head in shame. After all, if it wasn't for people 
like me whining and complaining, radio would be in perfect shape. At 
least, that's what I got out of this convention. Perry Michael Simon, 
Editor, All Access News-Talk-Sports (via Brock Whaley, HI, DXLD)

** VENEZUELA [non]. Additional 11760 for RNV at 2000 via CUBA: q.v.

** VIETNAM [non]. BELGIUM (non), Some TDP changes:
Que Huong Radio in Vietnamese:
1200-1300 on 15680 DB  100 kW / 117 deg to SEAs Wed-Fri, ex Mon-Sat
(DX Mix News, Bulgaria, Sept 16 via DXLD)

** YEMEN. Sermon in Arabic at 1445 UT on 6135 \\ 9780 kHz on Sept 7th. 
No Madagascar was on 6135 kHz (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, Sept 11, wwdxc 
BC-DX TopNews Sept 18 via DXLD)

** ZIMBABWE [non]. 12035, SW Radio Africa, Rampisham, 1739, Sep 17 
Wed, English interview mentioning: agreement of 2 leaders, election, 
Zambia, Uganda, and South Africa. After chorus at 1745, interview 
continued with mention of: democracy, more democratic principle of our 
society, democratic Zimbabwe, and ordinary Zimbabwe. Again chorus at 
1753, with YL announcing presumably the name Dominic A___, then OM 
talk mentioning Rwanda, and our mission. Interview followed with 
mention of: cabinet, Prime Minister, diplomacy, rule of law, 
democratic system, Morgan Tsvangirai, new government, Mugabe, and 
unity. 

Passing 1800, interview went on with mention of: control of army, 
minority, NBC, next election, restoration, police, united government, 
control finance, finance portfolio, good signal comes from Zimbabwe, 
sign ceremony, Mugabe has now changed tactics, intelligent community, 
new currency, US Dollar, Central Bank, financial assistance, and 
credibility. On 1809 YL informed telephone numbers of local and 
international call and email address talk @ swradioafrica.com 

The following program up to tune out on 1810 was interview in 
vernacular with mention of Tsvangirai. SINPO 44222 (Tony Ashar, Depok, 
West Java, Indonesia, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

UNIDENTIFIED. 1314 kHz Norway testing? This morning at 0845 UT I am 
hearing a transmitter with 1 kHz test tone on and off. 1314 kHz. S9 
strength signal seems to be NE of me (York). Can anyone else hear this 
& get a direction. 73s (Steve Whitt, Sept 18, MWC via DXLD)

I heard it till 0900 UT and it came from the North. I am listening in 
Goettingen/Germany (Harald Kuhl, ibid.)

UNIDENTIFIED. On Thursday 18th September at 0430 UT I was listening to 
a station playing light music with ads and announcements on 1700 kHz 
X-band. It was very weak but the format was mainly light pop music I 
got two ID's that sounded like "WRJH" and one that sounded like 
"WRJR".

Can anyone help me with this as I cannot find a 1700 station with this 
format or callsign? I have a rather long 17 minute mp3 file if anyone 
can help me with this. DXing from Jongensgat with a 50m beverage (John 
Plimmer, Montagu, Western Cape Province, South Africa, South 33 d 47 m 
32 s, East 20 d 07 m 32 s, MWDX yg via DXLD)

UNIDENTIFIED. Emisora No Identificada con musica variada non stop en 
estos momentos en 5010 kHz. Alguna idea? (Antonio Madrid Gutiérrez, 
QTH: Cercs , Barcelona (España), 2313 UT Sept 19, dxldyg via DX 
LISTENING DIGEST) Madagascar or Dominican Republic (gh, DXLD)

UNIDENTIFIED. Problematic station on Sep 15th: on 6003 instead of Echo 
of Hope was station with slow tempo Indian songs 1605-1903 (no \\ 
9425, 1566, etc.) and ID seems "All India Radio" at 1615 and 10 
minutes` news in vernacular and next songs and tunes (Rumen Pankov, 
Northern Bulgaria, Sept 16, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 18 via DXLD)

6000v, Ramadan special of AIR Leh, nominal on 6000 kHz? (Wolfgang 
Büschel, ibid.) See also SRI LANKA

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS
++++++++++++++++++++++++

Thanks for autumnal equinoxial financial support from Gerald T. 
Pollard, Raleigh NC, who sent a check in the mail to Glenn Hauser, P O 
Box 1684, Enid OK 73702

WORLD OF HOROLOGY
+++++++++++++++++

RAMADAN PRECESSION INTO HIGH SUMMER

Ramadan/Ramzan is going to get tougher and tougher for the faithful in 
the North Temperate Zone, where most Moslems live, not including 
Indonesia, as the holy month precesses closer and closer to the summer 
solstice, i.e. longest days of the year. In 2015y it will start around 
June 18: http://www.when-is.com/ramadan-2015.asp 
but 2016 will be worst as far as encompassing the most longest days.

Did the inventors of Ramadan and the lunar calendar think of that? 
Hmmm, this could explain why there are so few Moslems in the Arctic. 
Do those who go there now, e.g. for scientific research, get special 
dispensation to break fast according to Mecca latitude if not 
timezone? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

PIPS UPSET THIS MORNING

I  have had my attention drawn to the fact that there was a problem 
with the Time Signal on BBC Radio at 8:00 on Wednesday morning. There 
is an audio report on this posted on the BBC News site:     
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7621996.stm
(Paul David, Sept 17, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Audio autolaunches (gh)

DIGITAL BROADCASTING DRM: see also ABKHAZIA; GERMANY; IRELAND; 
++++++++++++++++++++ NETHERLANDS; USA WBCQ

Re 8-103: DW and BBC Join Forces on DRM

Kai Ludwig wrote: ``And nothing about this from the BBC's press office 
either. To me this suggests that the matter is of priority only at the 
organizational level dealing with DRM at both DW and BBC.``

There is now with some additional quotes:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/09_september/16/drm.shtml

``And I assume that "joining forces" basically means that the 
available airtime contingent (which depends on the available budget 
and has at the BBC already been cut back quite heavily, compared to 
the situation three years ago) will be put together, thus allowing to 
have something on air throughout the day. Or do I miss anything that 
would indicate the allocation of aditional money for the DRM project 
at DW and/or the BBC?``

According to a posting on the drmrx forums this new stream "will
replace the existing (DRM) broadcasts of Deutsche Welle and BBC World
Service." which are two separate services. If this is correct will it
be a mix of programmes, some from the BBC, some from DW and some
jointly produced? There are questions of editorial control here I
would have thought, particularly on news output (Mike Barraclough, 
England, Sept 16, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Re: BBC and DW to Europe via DRM digital shortwave 

With BBC recently removed from the FM dial in Sofia (see previous 
post, including my comments), and reportedly soon to be off FM in 
Saxony (see previous post), Digital Radio Mondiale shortwave as a 
means to cover all of Europe may be an increasingly attractive option 
for World Service. Pity that few people have DRM receivers, or that 
few DRM receivers are even available for sale. But if there are to be 
early adopters for DRM, they would be in Europe. Furthermore, while 
DRM has not been especially successful in being received over long 
distances and when interference is present, intra-European circuits 
will probably work, most days. Posted: 16 Sep 2008 (Kim Andrew 
Elliott, kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD)

UNIDENTIFIED DRM format on 5876 kHz (BBC/Norway)

Hi, over the last months I could monitor a strange DRM format on 5876 
kHz. It is always active in the European evening/night when the DRM 
BBC-relay via Kvitsoy, NOR (via VT) on 1 kHz lower 5875 kHz is off-
the-air.

Then the "wide" DRM (usual "broadcasting" DRM format) switch to 2.4 
kHz narrow-band HamDRM (with different 3 pilot tones at 1850 Hz, 1475 
Hz and 725 Hz) Mode B, 16 QAM under the "callsign" A20. When decoding 
as MELP codec you see that they send groups of 4 figures. Last 
night/evening (e.g. at 1756 UTC) it send always "0243 7318 9226 5389". 
These groups are constant over the complete night,  even sometimes 
over several nights.

I reported this "mystery" for the first time on 21-July-2008 the UDXF 
utility list, but since then I can't see any further "info".

Maybe VT does another test of a DRM data service? Or any remote 
control/parameter/telemetry for the operation of the relay?

Sadly VT did not answer to any of my questions.

05876 A20: prob. VT; Kvitsoy, NOR 1756 Ham-DRM/Mode B/S/16 QAM/2.4 
kHz, MELP codec, txt msg "0243 7318 9226 5389". 16/SEP/2008 (DL8AAM)
73, (Tom - DL8AAM Rösner, Sept 17, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

RDS AND HD

Sony XDR-F1HD --- I just jumped onto this bandwagon. I've had the 
receiver for an hour. I think it's too early to tell. I use indoor 
antennas on the third floor of a wood frame house, and haven't noticed 
anything too extraordinary yet. 

I have a question about RDS. I'm only noticing it on the HD stations. 
Pardon my ignorance but are the only stations that have RDS info? 
(David Goren, NY, Sept 18, WTFDA via DXLD)

No, RDS is independent of HD. It's a subcarrier on the analog signal;
there are quite a few stations that have RDS but no HD. Indeed, quite 
a few Cuban and Canadian stations have RDS, but there is no HD in 
either country.

I think iBiquity throws RDS in "for free" with HD transmitting 
equipment because the necessary digital processing horsepower is 
already there and the data is already collected for a similar function 
within the HD standard, so the cost for adding RDS was pretty much 
zero.

Similarly, the HD receiver chipsets seem to come with "free" RDS
decoding, because the digital processing horsepower was already there 
(Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View, TN EM66, ibid.)

First, if you have a lot of stations using HD you might not ever 
notice that they send RDS since most HD tuners flash the RDS for a 
second but then decode the HD info and display that long before the HD 
audio kicks in (around 8 seconds I think).

Second, the RDS signal is much lower in power than the main carrier 
and resides at 57 kHz off of the main carrier. So, unless you are 
getting a station with medium to strong signal you might not be able 
to decode the RDS even if they are sending the data. A directional or
outdoor antenna could make all the difference in the world (Bill ---, 
CT?, ibid.)

AM ratings source? IBOC anniversary
 
Years ago, Billboard, Broadcasting et al used to publish quarterly 
ratings for US radio stations. They'd be in a chart form showing the 
most recent measurements, as well as those for the previous three 
quarters. Is this info online now?

With nite IBOC a year old yesterday, I'm curious to see what changes 
there may have been in audience sizes. As I recall, the HD apologists 
said that the use of IBOC would increase AM ratings, especially 
amongst the goatee-and-shaved-head demo. Did it? (Steve Francis, 
Alcoa, Tennessee, Sept 15, IRCA via DXLD)

Ratings: It is - you can find it at sites such as AllAccess.com, 
radioandrecords.com and radio-info.com.

Inconclusive, for several reasons. First, there are so few AM stations 
running IBOC at all, and even fewer running IBOC at night, that the 
sample size is almost insignificantly small.

Second, the only ratings made available to the public are the "beauty 
contest" 12+ ratings, so we lack the demographic breakdowns to 
determine whether audiences are getting any younger.

And third, perhaps most critically, "AM" programming in many markets 
is moving away from the AM band. Over the last few years, Bonneville 
moved its news-talk stations to FM in Salt Lake, Phoenix, Washington 
and most recently in Seattle. Other FM news-talk competitors have 
popped up in markets such as Pittsburgh.

My guess is that those factors far outweigh whatever ratings blips may 
have been caused (or not) by the addition of IBOC. s (Scott Fybush, 
NY, ibid.)

ASYNCHRONOUS SPORTS AUDIO INEVITABLE

It's common, in many markets, for fans to watch football games on TV 
but turn the sound down and listen to the radio call instead. I know 
that was a big deal in Boston, where Gil Santos and Gino Cappelletti 
have been calling the games on radio for decades.

With so many different ways for people to receive TV these days 
(over-the-air analog, over-the-air digital, analog cable, digital 
cable, satellite), each introducing its own different amount of delay, 
it's not really possible to sync up radio and TV for everyone anymore, 
but most stations at least try to match to the most common reception 
mode (usually analog cable).

I believe it's CBS Radio corporate policy to kill the IBOC for all 
live sporting events, in any case. s (Scott Fybush, NY, NRC-AM via 
DXLD)

NEW NOISES ABOUT DTV TRANSITION; PUSH FOR 'GRACE PERIOD' | Epicenter 
from Wired.com
http://blog.wired.com/business/2008/09/dtv-wilmington.html

Summary of article: Feds start getting worried about the DTV 
transition, there is talk now of a 30 day transition period instead of 
a hard cut off on February 17th (Curtis Sadowski, IL, Sept 17, WTFDA 
via DXLD)

Since we have gone this far into it, they might as well stick with Feb 
17th. There is no way you are gonna get 100% of the US population 
completely converted by then. It will come as a surprise to those last 
few.

Most people are not electronically inclined and some really don't care 
until the morning of Feb 17th when they turn on their analog TV to 
watch "Good Morning America" only to find that the TV station is off 
the air because the TV shows nothing but snow --- OK, so onto the NBC 
station for "Today Show" --- oh, how about that, the NBC affiliate is 
off the air. OK, CBS News, hmmm... not there --- flick the rest of the 
tuner looking for the rest of the familiar locals. Hmm, NOTHING! I 
guess that just means the TV stopped working, time to call the repair 
man.

So the Repair man comes over, within 1 minute he tells the customer 
what`s wrong and he has a box he sells them for $60 with no coupon 
plus $100 for the service call. Total Bill $160 just to tell the 
customer his analog TV needs a converter box and sells him one without 
the coupon.

I am sure TV Repair businesses will be very busy on Feb 18 and they 
will all be easy fixes. I am willing to help out a TV Repair business 
for some extra $$$ should they need the help (-John L., WI, ibid.)

Are there still TV repair businesses?

Here's the problem with a grace period: it worked in Wilmington 
because all the stations there already had their "post-transition" 
facilities built and operating, and all of them were staying on their 
existing digital channels. That's one big reason why Wilmington was 
chosen as the test market.

But what do you do here in Rochester, where WHEC will be moving WHEC-
DT from channel 58 down to channel 10, replacing the current analog 
operation there? Same deal at WHAM-TV, where WHAM-DT moves from 59 
down to 13, replacing the analog channel there.

What do you do in Syracuse, where WCNY-TV stays on its digital 
channel, 25, but its analog channel, 24, will be occupied by WSTM-DT, 
which moves down from channel 54?

Or Baltimore, where WJZ-DT stays on 38, but its analog channel, 13, is 
the new home of WMAR-DT?

I see things playing out like this over the next few months: as 
stations begin to get their final post-transition facilities built, 
we'll end up with something of a soft transition anyway. A fair number 
of existing analog signals will be going dark, or to reduced power, 
well before Feb. 17. In some cases, that will happen because half of a 
solid-state transmitter is being converted to digital use on the same 
channel (my local channel 10, for instance). In other cases, it will 
happen because the tower space now occupied by the analog antenna has 
to be vacated in order to get the full-power DTV on the air. In a few 
cases, it will happen abruptly, when an older tube-based analog 
transmitter fails and it's not worth the cost of replacing the tube 
for just a few more weeks or months of analog. (I'm quite certain that 
if our wheezing old analog transmitter at WXXI-TV were to fail 
catastrophically now, it would not be replaced.) And in some cases, 
especially up north, stations are making the transition early because 
they can't do tower work in snowy, icy February conditions.

In practice, in most markets, there will be a grace period of some 
sort - it will just happen before the night of Feb. 17.

I'm guessing that by the time the sun sets on Feb. 17, barely half of 
US analog stations will still be operating at full power. (Doug Smith 
- do you concur?) s (Scott Fybush, ibid.)

Are there still TV repair businesses?

***There are a few around. My job is next door to a television repair 
shop. Floyd, the owner, has told me that he will NOT go to people's 
homes immediately after February 17 to diagnose a *signal* problem. He 
knows all about the impending digital conversion and in his words, 
wishes he didn't have to answer the telephone for two weeks following 
the 17th. You can imagine the scenario of questions he (and other 
remaining TV repair shops) will go through on the phone with callers 
complaining about the lack of analog signals.

My buddy Tim (a master electrician) and I are installing antennas for 
customers for the new DTV signals, as well as FTA satellite systems. 
We are constantly hearing comments from TV viewers that think OTA 
broadcasting is going away completely. The FCC has mentioned they are 
expecting an estimated 22 million working analog TV sets will be 
discarded after February 17 because the users of the TV's will think 
they are *broken*.

On a side note, the Denver analog network stations have recently 
started a *soft test* on Saturday nights at midnight. For one hour 
they are putting up a slide on the screen, with the message, "Please 
tune to digital channel-# to continue watching programming on 
(station). (Station) is temporarily off the air." (Jim Thomas, 
wdx0fbu, Milliken, Colorado, (40 miles north of Denver)
40 18.642'N 104 52.566'W, ibid.)

That's more than a side note. That's an awfully good idea. - Saul (who 
may drive around looking for a few good discarded sets...) Chernos, 
ibid.) across the border?

Hopefully you'll find those discarded sets during a dry spell. One 
good day of snow or rain would ruin them. Why the FCC picked the dead 
of winter to carry out the DTV transition instead of summer, when 
viewing levels are lower and snow and bitter cold temperatures aren't 
a problem, is beyond me. Even with wicked heat and possible 
thunderstorms, June would've been a better choice. No matter to me, I 
suppose. The RF problems that have increased since returning from 
Maine would make HDTV viewing with an antenna near impossible here.
I'd be stuck with just WWDP on ch. 10 selling crap as my only 
channel.... *grrr* (Aaron Reed, from Brockton, MA, (21 miles south of 
Boston), Sept 17, WTFDA via DXLD)

If I recall, the original transition date was June 2006.

Here in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, TV stations WTMJ-4, WITI-6, WISN-12, and 
WDJT-58 ran a DTV test last Monday, Sept. 15 at 5:10pm. They 
transmitted a slide over their analog transmitters with static noise 
and a graphic informing the viewer that they FAILED the test while on 
the DTV transmitter they sent out info saying you PASSED.

I had 1 analog TV tuned to WTMJ-TV ch. 4, the other TV with a Digital 
box converter the Insignia tuned to WTMJ-DT, ch. 28 (It shows it as 4-
1) and it was dramatically cool to see 2 different videos from the 
same TV station. Oh yeah, the analog TV said if failed while the guy 
on the digital side told me "yer good". The funny part of it all is 
that Direct TV viewers in the meantime got the test failed message. 
Apparently Direct TV uses the analog feed for some reason (John L., 
Muskego, WI, ibid.)

The issue that got me during this transition is that the FCC allowed 
the sale and importation of new analog-only televisions/recorders as 
late as March 2007. Many low income and elderly OTA viewers (many of 
whom lack internet access also) purchased these bargain-basement TV's 
only to realize that they won't receive broadcasts without cable, sat, 
or a converter after T-Day. 

The "Your TV Will Stop Working" line used in transition PSA's I take 
issue with. Sure the analog TVs will still work and I'll have one 
analog hooked up for international E skip post transition.

None of the TV's I own have integrated DTV tuners, although I was 
aware of the drop dead date in late 2005 before purchasing my only 
HDTV -- a Panasonic CRT-based 1080i monitor with only a NTSC tuner on 
closeout (it`s connected to a Dish Network HD receiver w/OTA, and a RS 
Accurian OTA rx). At that time, even LCD's were at $1K plus and mostly 
lacked ATSC tuners.

Little Rock: Our transition actually started prematurely with the KATV 
tower collapse --- KATV and KETS analogs are low power close to the 
end. KATV will resume DTV on ch22 when the new Shinall tower is 
completed, KWBF-DT should be full power hopefully, KETS-DT moves to ch 
7. 

South and East: KETZ-DT moves to ch 10, KEJB flash cuts to DTV on 43, 
KKYK 49 Camden AR flashes DTV on 49, WMAO 23 analog is scheduled to 
reduce power and maybe WXVT will scrape up a full power transmitter 
and flash cut.

Going to be interesting, kinda like the last ten laps of a NASCAR race 
after a restart (Fritze H. Prentice Jr, KC5KBV, Star City, AR, Grid: 
EM43aw http://tvdxseark.blogspot.com ibid.)

Are there still TV repair businesses? (Scott Fybush, NY, ibid.)

*** Very few, so they'll be VERY busy ! <g>

I'm inclined to agree with most of Scott's points, although I expect 
there'll also be a grace period for some stations and some markets 
after 2/17/09. I also expect in some of the northern markets some 
stations might stay analog longer than 30 days simply because the 
deadline was established in mid-winter instead of in Spring or Fall 
(Russ Edmunds, WB2BJH, Blue Bell, PA, ibid.)

*** A lot of them haven't realized that yet and won't until after 
February 17.... In their attempt to simplify the issues for those who
are less aware and/or less-techincally inclined, I believe they 
overdid it on that (Russ Edmunds, WB2BJH, Blue Bell, PA, ibid.)

DTV TRANSITION JUST CAN`T WAIT

http://www.w9wi.com/newweb/articles/analog-disposal.html (which is
uglier than it should be) is a list of stations that expect to shut 
down or reduce their analog signals *before* 2/17/2009. I expect 
stations to add to this list as the transition gets closer, especially 
within 90 days of the 2/17 date when (IIRC) FCC permission is no 
longer needed to shut analog down.

Stations that plan to sign their analogs off this month:
KFPH-13 KUVE-46 KGMV-3 WMDT-47 WECT-6 KDSE-9 KWSE-4
KTNE-13 KMNE-7 KRNE-12 WVLR-48 WNVC-56

(some of these have already done so. I think WECT has changed its mind
& will remain on but with a "you must get a DTV" slide instead of
regular programming. The three Nebraska stations are flash-cutting to
DTV on their VHF channels, as is WMDT. KGMV's analog shutdown is
contingent on receiving permission to activate their digital 
transmitter at a different site first. They're having trouble getting 
environmental approval.)

Stations that plan to sign their analogs off *next* month:
KTLL-33 KSNC-2 KUON-12 KPNE-9 KTEL-25 KUPT-29

Stations that plan to reduce analog power this month: 
(to 50% unless otherwise noted)
WEEK-25 (65%)
WILX-10
KCCO-7 (66%)
KRII-11 (40%)
KCCW-12
WJTV-12 (57.5%)
WSPX-56 (4.8%)
WSLS-10 (80%)
KMYQ-22
WAOW-9

On a completely different subject, common E-skip target KUPN-3 (maybe
better known as KTVS) has changed calls to KCDO (Doug Smith W9WI, 
Pleasant View, TN EM66, Sept 17, WTFDA via DXLD) Sterling, ColoraDO

KWNB (Hayes Center, Nebraska) has filed to change its permanent DTV
assignment from 18 to 6, its current analog channel. Right now this is 
only an application but I see little chance of the FCC denying it.
(Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View, TN EM66, Sept 19, ibid.)

In Pennsylvania, every TV station in the state will put a slide up on 
its analog channel at 6:25 PM on Nov. 17 (I think that's the correct 
date) as a test. The only problem with these tests is that there are 
some cable companies out there still getting analog signals over the 
air, and of course their subscribers then end up seeing "your TV won't 
work," when in fact it will, if the cable company's doing its job. s 
(Scott Fybush, NY, ibid.)

But I would suggest if the cable company is doing its job, the viewers
*won't* see the "your TV won't work" message. 

This will certainly be a wakeup call for any cable operator that has
delayed dealing with the transition. Just as there are viewers who
are tuning this thing out, there are probably a handful of cable 
systems that are ignoring it. They won't be able to ignore it after a 
few tests like this (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View, TN EM66, ibid.)

I can't fault the cable companies completely - why set up receiving 
equipment for an interim DTV channel assignment if they know it's 
going to change again between now and February?

I'm sure there are a handful of small systems out there that are truly 
dragging their heels; I'm sure there are many others with careful 
plans to switch over sometime between now and February that are 
getting blindsided by these tests. 

(And remember, too, that there are other issues the cable operators 
face - if TV stations don't continue to provide a downconverted 
standard-definition 4:3 feed after February, it's up to the cable 
company to figure out how to take the HD 16:9 signal and downconvert 
it for analog cable viewers, and that's a no-win situation, since you 
either end up giving people a letterboxed image (with the "postage-
stamp" effect when you're letterboxing a 16:9 image that's already 
pillarboxed for 4:3 content) or you're cutting off material at the 
edges of the frame.) s (Scott Fybush, ibid.)

RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM
+++++++++++++++++++++

A MILESTONE IN MW DXING: PERSEUS SDR RECEIVER CAN NOW RECORD/PLAYBACK 
ENTIRE MW BAND
Re 8-103: Oops... I meant to say that the cost equates to 12 cents per 
*gigabyte*. Big difference! (Guy Atkins, IRCA via DXLD)

PROPAGATION
+++++++++++

SOLAR CYCLE 24 WHERE ARE YOU? --- September 17, 2008
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/september2008/solar_cycle_24.htm

The false start announced last year for the new Solar Cycle 24 has 
been followed up with speculation of things like 'double dip' minima 
and even a new ice age for sunspots.

But let's try to stay positive and not subscribe to thoughts of 
another minimum of 70 years, as occurred from 1645 to 1715, the only 
flat-lining in sunspot cycles since records.

Looking back at the onset of previous cycles that followed prolonged 
periods without sunspots, gives indication that Cycle 24 may have a 
much greater start-up intensity.

Should it behave like Cycles 11 to 14 in the 19th century there will 
be more years rising and a shorter period in decline.

The latest prediction is that Cycle 24 will be begin in mid 2009. Stay 
tuned.

The prolonged solar minimum is also occurring at a time of reports in 
the northern hemisphere of continued sporadic-E enhancement on both 
the ten and six metre bands.

Greyline propagation on HF also is experiencing a lack of geomagnetic 
disturbance which is a good thing (Jim Linton VK3PC Wireless Institute 
of Australia via Southgate via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD)

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet to unsettled levels during 08 
- 09 September with active to minor storm periods observed at high 
latitudes on 08 September. Activity decreased to quiet levels at all 
latitudes during 10 - 13 September. Activity increased to active 
levels late on 14 September. ACE solar wind measurements indicated a 
subsiding coronal hole high-speed stream (CH HSS) was in progress at 
the start of the period with a peak velocity of 603 km/sec observed at 
08/0711 UTC. Velocities gradually decreased during 08 - 14 September 
with a minimum velocity of 277 km/sec observed at 14/0304 UTC. A co-
rotating interaction region (CIR) in advance of a recurrent CH HSS was 
observed during the latter half of 14 September. Solar wind changes 
associated with the CIR included increased velocities (peak 395 km/sec 
at 14/2229 UTC), increased densities (peak 18 p/cc at 14/2231 UTC), 
increased IMF Bt (peak 10 nT at 14/2049 UTC), and intermittent periods 
of southward IMF Bz (minimum -14 nT at 14/2039 UTC). 

FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 17 SEPT - 13 OCT 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 17 - 
22 September and again during 01 - 13 October. Quiet geomagnetic 
conditions are expected during 17 - 29 September. Activity is expected 
to increase to unsettled levels on 30 September. A further increase to 
active to minor storm levels is expected during 01 - 02 October with 
major storm levels possible at high latitudes due to a recurrent 
coronal hole high-speed stream. Activity is expected to decrease to 
unsettled levels during 03 - 05 October as the high-speed stream 
subsides. Quiet conditions are expected during 06 - 11 October. 
Activity is expected to increase to active levels on 12 October due to 
a recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream. Activity is expected to 
decrease to mostly quiet levels during 13 October as the high-speed 
stream subsides. 

:Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2008 Sep 16 2152 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 Sep 16
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2008 Sep 17      67           5          2
2008 Sep 18      67           5          2
2008 Sep 19      67           5          2
2008 Sep 20      67           5          2
2008 Sep 21      67           5          2
2008 Sep 22      67           5          2
2008 Sep 23      67           5          2
2008 Sep 24      67           5          2
2008 Sep 25      67           5          2
2008 Sep 26      67           5          2
2008 Sep 27      67           5          2
2008 Sep 28      67           5          2
2008 Sep 29      67           5          2
2008 Sep 30      67           8          3
2008 Oct 01      67          30          5
2008 Oct 02      67           8          3
2008 Oct 03      67           8          3
2008 Oct 04      67           8          3
2008 Oct 05      67           8          3
2008 Oct 06      67           5          2
2008 Oct 07      67           5          2
2008 Oct 08      67           5          2
2008 Oct 09      67           5          2
2008 Oct 10      67           5          2
2008 Oct 11      67           5          2
2008 Oct 12      67          15          4
2008 Oct 13      67           5          2
(SWPC via WORLD OF RADIO 1426, DXLD)

While the lack of sunspots is discouraging, the lack of geomagnetic
activity is welcome. In times passed we had good sunspot activity
but constant solar wind, disturbing geomagnetic conditions and
making HF propagation very difficult. On Tuesday, September 23
scientists from the Ulysses International Solar Mission will
participate in a NASA teleconference which will talk about the solar
wind now being at a 50-year low. The teleconference begins at 12:30
PM EDT (1630z) and you can hear live audio at,
http://www.nasa.gov/newsaudio 
You can see visuals that will accompany the presentations at
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/ulysses-20080923.html

This week we saw a post by John Sahr, WB7NWP, a professor of
geophysics and electrical engineering at the University of
Washington. He noted, "I've been watching solar wind data daily for
nearly a decade, and I have *never* seen such a long period of such
quiescence."

This Monday, September 22, marks the Autumnal Equinox, the first day
of the Fall season. This is generally considered a good time for HF
communications, and the Sun's energy shines equally on the northern
and southern hemispheres. When I use a propagation prediction
program to compare next Tuesday with the same date three months ago,
there are some differences. For September from Seattle to New
Zealand, 15 meters offers a reasonable opportunity, but no
possibility in June. 

17 meters has a longer opening in September, although the June numbers 
look good later in the evening. 20 meters is good from 0330-0530z in 
September, but in June the opening ends 30 minutes earlier, and 
signals aren't as strong. In September 30 meters is very strong all 
night long from 0500-1530z, but in June the openings are brief, at 
0430-0630z and again from 1400-1500z (QST de W1AW, Propagation 
Forecast Bulletin 39 ARLP039, From Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, WA 
September 19, To all radio amateurs, via Dave Raycroft, ODXA via DXLD)

TIPS FOR RATIONAL LIVING
++++++++++++++++++++++++

SLACKER UPRISING

Come watch the trailer for the new Michael Moore movie entitled 
"Slacker Uprising". You will be able to download the entire movie for 
free on September 23rd if you sign up! http://slackeruprising.com
(via Clara Listensprechen, DXLD)

YOU KNOW YOU ARE A RADIO GEEK WHEN...

a.) You incorporate "73" into your ATM Pin
b.) You name your dog Sparky
c.) You wind a loop on your wife's loom
d.) "gotta DX" is early morning code for "gotta pee" or vice versa
e.) You know more about the Eton product line than the engineers 
themselves... (I actually had an online radio store CEO point that out 
to me today...)
f.) You are stealing copper wire from homeless guys for that perfect 
beverage antenna.
(Colin Newell, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, IRCA via DXLD) ###