DX LISTENING DIGEST 00-34, March 3, 2000 edited by Glenn Hauser {Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only providing full credit be maintained at all stages} INFORME DX DESDE NORTEAMERICA POR GLENN HAUSER. Primera parte para marzo en Radio Enlace por Radio Nederland el vienes 3 y domingo 5; y a partir del viernes 10 en Mundo Radial por WWCR. ** BRAZIL. Now that Brazil [Brasilia Amazonia service on 6180; also check 11780] is back on SW, it may be worth listening next Tuesday [March 7] for any possible Mardi Gras programming/festivities (Ivan Grishin, Ont., DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. TAPESTRY: This week on Tapestry...'Shape Note Singing' the story of the music that for more than two hundred years has been touching, thrilling, soothing and occasionally appalling, singers and listeners. Also this weekend 'A Chamber of Secrets', the hidden mysteries of the Jewish Kaballah. That's on Tapestry, with host Don Hill, Sunday at 2:08 p.m. (2:38 NT; 4:08 p.m. MT; 3:08 pm. PT) on CBC Radio One (CBC Hotsheet) And also on RCI UT Mon March 6 at 0305 on 9780, 9755, 6155 (gh, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA [non]. The CRI relay via Cuba was back when checked March 2 at 1245 on 9570; fair signal and weak modulation in Chinese; 1300 into English //11980 direct and others, about 2 seconds behind them. Then March 3 at 1303 recheck the modulation was fine (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CONGO DR. Reception of some radio stations in the east The following is an update on the operations of some radio stations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): Government-controlled RTNC radio in Lubumbashi (southeast DRC, close to the Zambian border) has not been heard on its usual shortwave frequency (7203 kHz) recently. It is possible that it continues to operate locally on FM, but this cannot be confirmed. Rebel-controlled Radio Candip in Bunia (northeast DRC, close to the Ugandan border) is now operating its two shortwave transmitters (on 3390 and 5066.3 kHz) simultaneously. The rebel-controlled FM radio in Goma (east DRC, on the border with Rwanda) continues to be heard. However, in the past few days BBC Monitoring has had persistent difficulties in accessing the source by telephone. The rebel-controlled radio in Bukavu (east DRC, on the border with Rwanda) is currently heard on 6713 kHz shortwave. The rebel-controlled FM radio station in Uvira (east DRC, close to the border with Burundi) has not been heard recently. Source: Monitoring research Feb-Mar 00 ((c) BBC Monitoring via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COSTA RICA. 5954.1 (Cumbre DX follow up) Radio Casino: I got it wrong before. They are on most days, but they usually sign on quite late, at variable times after 1200. Noted several times at 1300, but not much of a signal to listen to by then (Hans Johnson, FL, Feb, Cumbre DX via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ERITREA/ETHIOPIA Eritrean radio apparently being jammed by Ethiopia Voice of the Broad Masses of Eritrea (the Eritrean state radio based in Asmara) is currently heard on just two shortwave frequencies. The station's first service, which broadcasts in Tigrigna (the main language of Eritrea) and in Afar, Kunama, Saho and Tigre (see note below) is heard on 7100 kHz (variable). The station's second service, which broadcasts in Arabic and in two languages spoken in Ethiopia (Amharic and Oromo) is heard on 7175 kHz. However, reception on this frequency is often difficult because of jamming by Ethiopia. This jamming takes the form of a relay of Radio Ethiopia's external service. This service normally operates on 7165 and 9560 kHz. However, the transmitter normally on 7165 is sometimes moved to 7175 kHz, presumably to jam the Eritrean broadcasts on that frequency. (It may be noted that some while ago Voice of the Broad Masses of Eritrea adjusted its two services. Broadcasts in Afar and Saho were transferred from the second service to the first service. This allowed room on the second service for the introduction of broadcasts in Oromo.) Source: Monitoring research Mar 00 ((c) BBC Monitoring via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FINLAND. RADIO FINLAND SHORTWAVE SCHEDULE 26 March-28 October 2000 [excerpting beams to NAm/SAm only; languages not shown. Will the 0300 English be replaced by some time in the 0000/0200 block, or back in our mornings 1200/1500?? -gh] kHz kW UTC Azimuth Target areas 11985 500 0000-0200(c) 310 4,6,7,10 13770 500 0000-0200(c) 325 4,6,7,10 15400 500 1200-1500 310/325 4-11 17670 500 1200-1400 310 4-11 21800 500 1100-1200 240 12,13,14 (c) = Mon-Fri 0100-0200 (via Arto Mujunen, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HONDURAS. 4830, Radio Litoral (presumed). Although I cannot catch an ID, I believe that this station is now a bit easier to hear. They seem to be signing on around 1200 now. Initial programming consists of continuous Spanish-language Christian music (Hans Johnson, FL, Feb, Cumbre DX via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAEL. Israel Radio A-00 schedule now posted on website includes English to Eu/NAm u.o.s.: 0400-0415 9435 15640, AuAs 17535 1030-1035 15640 17535 1400-1430 15650 17535 1900-1925 11605 15650 17535, Af 15640 And Spanish, Ladino, daily u.o.s.: Spanish 1635-1645 15650 Ladino 1645-1700 15650 Spanish 1945-2000 11605 15640 15650 17535 Spanish and Ladino Sat only 1500-1525 11695 17535 17705 Frequency usage presumably effective March 26, but as reported previously here, the DST shift to the times shown above is not expected until April 14! -gh (tnx tip from Doni Rosenzweig, via Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LIBERIA. This may shed some light on the status of ELWA previously questioned in DXLD 00-31: Ministry statement on future of Star Radio Text of report by Liberian pro-Charles Taylor radio on 18th February The Ministry of Information has announced that in accordance with the regulation governing the establishment of shortwave radio stations, it is illegal for non-Liberian entities to operate a shortwave frequency in Liberia. The Information Ministry’s pronouncement comes in the wake of several appeals to government to allow Star Radio to operate on a shortwave frequency. The ministry further points out that though Star Radio is now managed and staffed by Liberians and controlled by Liberian board of directors, the ownership of the station still lies in the hands of non-Liberians. The ministry’s release also says rather than being owned by Liberians, Star Radio which was established in Liberia in 1997 for the sole purpose of establishing and providing a level playing field for the election, is now owned by a Swiss NGO, Fondation Hirondelle, which provides technical assistance. The ministry notes that financing of Star Radio also comes from the US AID through the International Foundation for Election system. MICAT [Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism] also states that the government of the Netherlands and the Swedish International Development Corporation, HNC, also provide additional funding. The ministry observes that now that the elections are over, and a democratically elected government inaugurated, the original purpose of Star Radio has been served and as such it wonders why the sponsors of Star Radio could not pass over the equipment to the government of Liberia or a corporate entity to boost the growth of communication in the country but rather wants to sponsor same. The ministry further clarifies that under the regulations governing shortwave radio stations, non-Liberians are allowed to only operate religious radio stations in the country because they are non- political. Source: Radio Liberia International, Monrovia, in English 1900 gmt 18 Feb 00 (BBC Monitoring via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MADAGASCAR. 5009.5, Radio Madagascar 0215 Malagasy-style music, including Salegy (musical style from the northern highlands), also Jean-Michel Jarre synth music, OM in what sounded like French, ID @ TOH "Radio Madagasikara ity" very fast, into news by YL in presumed Malagasy; fading by ten minutes past 0249 sunrise in Tana, but still quite readable at TOH; almost completely gone by 0330; station was heard all night, as early as 2230, again from 0015-0130 (Ralph Brandi, NJ, March 2, hard-core-dx via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MADAGASCAR. R Madagasikara (5010 kHz) verified in French by e-mail from radmad@dts.mg, v/s Olga, "pour l'Equipe responsable de l'internet". Wonder how big a team is in charge of the website... Olga mentioned that the bosses would later reply (more) "officially", probably referring to a snail-mail response. 73s (Mika Makelainen http://www.makelainen.com/dx/dxpedit.htm Finland, hard-core-dx via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEW ZEALAND. Glenn, Thu 02 Mar, RNZI on 17675 kHz again today when I tuned in for 1000 UT news and to sample content of following prog. However, on checking the freq at 1108 UT, 17675 was silent. RNZI service to NZ troops in Bougainville & East Timor was proceeding on 17690 kHz. I checked back again at 1200 UT, but station announcement on 17690 at 1206 UT re times/freqs never mentioned 17690 itself. Sign-off at 1209 UT. I wonder if RNZI is dodging interference in the target zones? It was pretty hairy at 1200 UT, forcing me to go USB for okay copy of RNZI [Finbarr O'Driscoll, Ireland, DX LISTENING DIGEST] ** PERU. New station: 5300.02 Radio Superior, March 2 1027-1115, Tuned in to middle of sign-on ID, "...en AM...nacional. Un mensaje de la amistad en los cielos andinos. Bienvenidos...a nuestras excelentes progamaciones. Estamos transmitiendo desde San Martin de...en la provincia de Bolivar, Departamento de La Libertad. Radio Superior. Un mensaje de amistad en los cielos andinos." Into Peruvian anthem after a false start. Non stop Andean vocals until 1043, announcer with ID's, time checks and muffled mic audio. Very good signal until 1115 fade at local sunrise. Thanks to Dave Valko for tip and his audio clip (Mark Mohrmann, VT, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA/VIETNAM [non]. Glenn, VoR in English makes its annual March move from 5940 to 7250 0300-0400 this Sunday the 5th. As usual, VoV will also make the same freq move, with English at 0100-0130 & 0230- 0300. This is in effect until March 25th, according to their web site. (Ivan Grishin, Ont., DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SEYCHELLES. FEBA IS, 15445, March 3 at 1313 was barely audible beneath receiver overload mixture, both on ATS-909 and YB-400 of DGS/KAIJ 5755 plus ERT/VOA 9690 equaling 15445 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOMALIA. There have been queries in the hobby press concerning the backing of R. Banaadir, 7213, and the origin of its equipment. According to Sam Voron’s Somali contacts, this is a commercial station. The equipment was brought into the country by two Somalis from Canada. Banaadir is the Somali word for Mogadishu. ((c) Hans Johnson, Cumbre DX Mar 3 via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOMALIA. Somalia: Radio staff strike over non-payment of salaries Text of report by Somali newspaper 'Ayaamaha' on 2nd March The staff of the Voice of Somali Pacification Radio, which supports faction leader Uthman Ali Ato, have been on strike for the last two days, complaining about non-payment of salaries and poor living conditions. Source: 'Ayaamaha', Mogadishu, in Somali 02 Mar 00 (via BBC Monitoring, excerpted by gh for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UKRAINE. While it is difficult for us to hear RUI in English at 0100 on 9560 9610 9810, last three nights I was surprised to hear good copy at 0400 on 9610 and 9810, Feb 22 and 23. It was marignal Feb 24. Heard the sked on WOR #1025. On Feb 25 I checked at 0400: 6020 is VOA Slav, 9600 barely audible with 9590 RN splatter, S4/5+ here, 9610 fair with hash and prop roll, 9810 fair due to jammer on 9805, 11825 not audible due to 11820 in Arabic. I`ll check at 1200, 2200 and 0100 (Bob Thomas, CT, Feb 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Hi, Greetings from Rabat, Morocco. Heard a new Christian station on 9340 at appr 2230 UTC (WBCQ-2 ??). The signal was USB and with carrier. I rate the signal SIO 233-344 using a 7 meter longwire connected to a Sony ICF-7600G. 9340 is not a good channel on this side of the pond because of the utility traffic on that channel. Some utility noise at around 23 UTC. Best regards and 73, (Kjell-Ingvar Karlsson, normally at Upplands-Vasby, Sweden, March 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** URUGUAY. Re the [projected] SW's, as previously reported, the first one had been assigned to Sr. Juan Heber Bran~as Bran~as (yes, twice the name), (owner of CW148 R. Universo, MW 1480, Castillos, Rocha) to use possibly 6155. The other SW license had been gone to "Sarandi S.R.L." which I first thought it was connected with the Sarandi Group in Montevideo. I decided to further investigate and E- mailed a query to R. Sarandi. They tell to me that they are not the people who were in the issue, but a small MW station from Sarandi del Yi, Department of Durazno, indeed: CW-155, MW 1550, R. Sarandi del Yi, Sarandi del Yi, addr: Sarandi 328, owned by SARANDI S.R.L. As said before, and if I am not wrong, they should've been assigned 6055. Current Director of Communications, by the way, defended the assignment decree saying that current rules indicate that "when vacant channels exist the government must call for a public bid" and stated that "if those channels are not occupied, they are made so by neighbouring countries". (Horacio Nigro, Uruguay, Mar 3 according to Mar 2 "Busqueda", Uruguayan magazine, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** WASINI ISLAND. The Wasini Island expedition hopes to be on the air with the callsign 5Z4WI from the late morning of the 9th of March until the late afternoon of the 16th of March. Its preferred operating frequencies for CW, plus or minus QRM, will be 1830, 3502, 7002, 14025, 14040, 18073, 21025, 21040, 24893 and 28025 kHz. On SSB, the frequencies will be 3795, 7045, 14260, 18128, 21260, 24950 and 28460 kHz. It will always work split, listening up about 5 kHz, and will participate in the RSGB Commonwealth Contest as an HQ station on the 11th and 12th of March. A contact counts as AF-067 towards the RSGB Islands on the Air awards programme. QSL via G3SWH, either direct or via the bureau. Anyone wanting a direct reply should send an SASE with return postage, two properly-stamped IRCs or a one-Dollar bill. (Original source unspecified by possibly 425 DX News via Radio Society of Great Britain GB2RS News, posted March 1, via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ###