DX LISTENING DIGEST 00-41, March 18, 2000 edited by Glenn Hauser {Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only providing full credit be maintained at all stages} NOTE: Tho wghauser@yahoo.com is still valid, we currently prefer wghauser@hotmail.com THIS WEEK ON WORLD OF RADIO 1028: See topic summary at http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/wor1028.html WORLD OF RADIO ON RFPI: Contrary to the latest issued schedule, we have decided to switch the additional airing from Wed to Thu at 2300 (repeated Fri 0700, 1500). This will make it possible, tho not certain, to give a new edition its first airing the day after production, rather than repeating the previous edition. WORLD OF RADIO ON WWCR: Those who like to hear us on 9475 can look forward to June-August, when WWCR-1 switch from 9475 to 3215 is scheduled one hour later at 0100, putting WOR UT Mon 0000, if that airing still exist, on 9475 for the summer. WORLD OF RADIO ON SPIRITUS MOVENS, Vilnius, Lithuania, 99.3 FM, 150 watts transmitter power: Sigitas Zilionis has invited WOR to join a number of other media programs on his station: The WOR times will be Mon 04:00, Tue 20:00, Wed 14:00 UTC. We'll be getting it via Internet because WRN1 comes in with still inadequate signal strength in Lithuania from Astra 19 deg. E. However, as far as I know, on March 15 WRN1 started via Sky Digital on Astra 28 deg. E, and as soon as I know the frequencies and bitrates I'll try this channel which should be of better quality than Internet. Besides being a DXer, I am also a co-owner of radio station Ratekona (on-air name is 'Spiritus Movens') which broadcasts jazz on 99.3 MHz here in the Lithuanian capital. Since the beginning of this year, we decided to carry also programs for DXers produced by various international broadcasters, as well as some other programs. Thus, we currently broadcast these items: - Media/DX programs: 'Intermedia' and 'DX-Telegramm' of R. Austria Int'l, 'Radio World' of R. Vlaanderen Int'l, 'Communications World' of the Voice of America, 'Media Network' of R. Nederland, 'MediaScan' of R. Sweden - Esperanto programs: 'Austria jurnalo' of R. Austria Int'l, 'Gazeto el Italio' of RAI Int'l, R.Polonia's Esperanto program. Estonian R. in Esperanto; - R. Finland's weekly news in Latin. I would like to see your produced program, World Of Radio, on this list as well. I hope it will further promote radio hobby along with other programs. Another matter is that yesterday we got a good offer to sell our station to somebody who wants to make a radio for motorists in Vilnius. So, if we sell it, I don't know if the DX programs will remain in the schedule. 73 de (SIGITAS ZILIONIS, DX Editor , March 14 and 18) ** AFRICA [non]. Had a call from Michael Moore of Affiliated Media Group about big plans to start gospel SW broadcasting to Africa April 3 at ``4 pm to midnight`` using idle Cold-War-era BBC (Merlin) transmitters in the UK, for which AMG now has rights as The African Beacon. Later plans to use the Merlin network to reach other parts of the world. Then he sent this promotional info, excerpted: Spreading the Word Worldwide Affiliated Media Group is excited to present The African Beacon, the most powerful short wave radio broadcast network in all of Africa. It targets listeners from every nation across Africa’s vast continent. The ‘World Beacon African Service’ provides Africa’s half billion person population with quality inspirational programming seven days a week. Affiliated Media Group’s newest creation is the most effective way for ministries to enhance their mission activities in Africa, opening the door to reach millions of people for God’s Kingdom. African Beacon Q & A What countries are targeted by the ‘World Beacon’s African Service’ broadcasts? People will hear the voice of the African Beacon all across the continent. Most specifically exciting is the fact that the African Beacon covers the three major English-speaking nations, South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria like a proverbial blanket. How many potential listeners are out there? Believe it or not, there are nearly a half billion people living in African countries where at least some English is spoken. The combined population of Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya alone is 150,000,000. In this age of FM Stereo and Satellites, how prevalent is Short Wave Radio throughout Africa? Short Wave Radio is more prominent than ever. All across Africa, high power Short Wave broadcasts have a greater reach than most local commercial stations, and Short Wave receivers are inexpensive and widely available. Short Wave is the primary means of receiving news, information and entertainment with Africa’s vast geographical expanse and low per capita income. How do the listeners know that the programming is available? Beacon Broadcast Schedules will be published in major newspapers so local listeners will know where to find you! Affiliated Media Group purchases program schedule advertising in key local newspapers as well as in major Short Wave Radio magazines. Affiliated Media Group also sends direct mail to churches across the region promoting the African Beacon. In addition, announcements are broadcast in between programs, promoting the African Beacon broadcast schedule. How do I ensure that my program will appeal to African listeners? In many cases, very little needs to be done to your existing program, but AMG experts are available to help create a message that will build a relationship between you and your overseas listeners. Affiliated’s programming consultants can assist you in tailoring your current broadcast product for an international audience. How do I track response? It’s easy... You will receive a significant amount of mail from countries all over the continent of Africa. Mail will come from countries like Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, and even Arabic countries such as Libya. These letters can come directly to you or you may wish to take advantage of Affiliated Media Group’s mail drops. What is the benefit of investing in a daily broadcast? The benefit is being able to reach millions of lost souls daily for a fraction of the cost it would normally take to air one time a week on some American stations here in the states. Imagine, you can literally change lives and advance the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ to people who may otherwise have never been able to hear about Him. 8 Reasons Why YOU Should Go On The African Beacon It is the most powerful Christian radio station in all of Africa. It reaches in excess of almost half a billion English-speaking people. It is cost efficient and very inexpensive when compared to other mediums. It will excite your church and set your members on fire with a burning vision for missions. It will generate significant written response, which can be used to raise funds here in America. The programs are easy to produce and equally as easy to get on the air. You can be a true missionary to all of Africa without ever leaving America, however, should you desire, you could easily follow up your broadcast on the African Beacon with actual crusades in African countries. You will have the opportunity to personally speak through the power of Christian radio to untold millions of lost individuals, desperate for help. Affiliated Media Group, 2251 St. Johns Bluff Road, Jacksonville, FL 32246 (904) 642-8902 (904) 642-8916 FAX http://www.affiliatedmedia.com [we checked the website and so far find nothing about SW or Africa on it -gh] AFRICAN BEACON PROPOSAL All programs are 15 minutes in length. Package 1 MONDAY- SUNDAY 7 AM or 8:30 PM $1,050 per week -- This is 7 programs per week. Package 2 MONDAY- FRIDAY 7 AM or 8:45 PM $825 per week -- This is 5 programs per week. Sincerely, (Michael Moore, Senior Account and Marketing Executive, March 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALASKA. KNLS A-2000 SCHEDULE (UTC) (kHz.) TIME BAND FREQ. LANG. 0800 25m 11780 English 0900 31m 9615 Russian 1000 31m 9615 Mandarin 1100 31m 9615 Russian 1200 31m 9615 Mandarin 1300 31m 9615 English 1400 31m 9615 Mandarin 1500 31m 9615 Mandarin 1600 31m 9615 Mandarin 1700 25m 11780 Russian (KNLS website http://www.knls.org/sced.htm via Daniel Sampson 3/18, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. DST ends UT Sunday March 26 at 0000, after which some R. Australia program time and frequency changes take place. 15240 which has been beamed N to PNG, will double up during one hour (not specified!) with another transmitter E to S Pacific, and Europeans should try for it via longpath in their mornings, as was done on the old deliberate European service, at 0700-0900. At 1700-2100 replace 9660 with 9815 on 30 degree beam from Shep to SW Pacific; change to avoid QRM, tnx to Paul ``Ormand``, NZ for help. At 2100-2400 QRMed 17580 changed to 17715 for SW Pac, but 17580 still used 0000-0800. 9500 has worked well in Chinese, Vietnamese, English to SEAs and the service to troops in Timor, but 9.5 MHz happens to be the separation between UHF 2-way repeater frequencies in Queensland, where corroded towers cause R. Australia to be picked up and interfere! So changed to 9475 at 1100-1900, but still 9500 at 1900-2130 when signal is not so strong in Qsld. (They don`t seem to think co-channel WWCR will be a problem, if they are aware of it.) All this per Nigel Holmes, Transmission Manager. New program already started March 7 is Carving Out, on Pacific development, such as next week: Samoan marine resources management: save the corals: Fri 1830, Sat 0530, Sun 0030, 2130; also on WRN after the Sun 0800 news. Much more at http://www.abc.net.au/ra.carvingout During local summer, in the 1200-1700 period, relays of R. National programs have been delayed one hour, but during winter there is no delay. Grandstand (silly ball games) will start one hour later, Sat 0210 and Sun 0310. Another live program which must be retimed is Australia All Over, to Sat 2000-2400 (I guess that means UT Sat?) (RA Feedback with Roger Broadbent, March 18, monitored on the web by gh, giving up on 21740, for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. C'EST LA VIE: This week on C'est La Vie, the popularity of classical music in Quebec. Visit the classical music station [CJPX] that consistently makes the Top Five in Montreal. Also, an interview with Angele Dubeau, the violin virtuoso who is breaking down the barriers around classical music - and racking up big sales as well! That's C'est la Vie, with guest host Anne Lagace Dowson, Friday March 17 at 7:30 (8:00 NT) on CBC Radio One. (CBC Hotsheet) I heard this; very interesting discussion and it is available on demand. http://radio.cbc.ca/programs/cestlavie/ and click on This Week (gh, DXLD) ** CHECHNYA. A special "radio train" is leaving for Chechnya on March 26, the day of the presidential elections in Russia. This news was announced by the head of the Russian Ministry of Press Affairs Mikhail Lesin during his speech in the State Duma, or Parliament on March 17. According to Lesin, the radio train will be able to blanket all of Chechnya, including its mountainous regions, with medium and long wave radio broadcasts. Lesin said that currently only a half of this breakaway republic is covered with a signal of Radio Mayak, Radio Russia, VGTRK (State Broadcasting TV and Radio Company) and TV- 6. Lesin also announced that the regional TV and radio center was already set up in Chechnya. However, he did not disclose its precise location. A radio train will become a part of the federal "information territory" which is now being created in Chechnya by the Ministry of Press Affairs. (Echo of Moscow Radio, 03.17.2000 via Sergei Sosedkin, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COLOMBIA. 5019, March 17: Ecos del Atrato, Quibdo, 2025- Poor- Fair, local ad for Telecom, bc Salsa music Niche´s Magia de tus besos. Note: Reactivated frequency after some weeks of absence (Yimber Gaviria, Colombia, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CONGO DR. Rebel Radio Liberte heard on SW on 14th March BBC Monitoring is continuing to hear the DR Congo rebel station Radio Liberte, despite a report in the Congolese newspaper `Le Palmares' on 7th March that the radio had stopped broadcasting on shortwave after being "banned" by Uganda. On 11th and 13th March broadcasts were observed on the station's frequency of 15725 kHz, but reception was too poor to identify the station positively. On 14th March the radio was audible from around 1810 gmt and was identifiable as Radio Liberte. Reception was variable to very poor, but part of the 1900 gmt news in French could be heard. Source: Radio Liberte, Gbadolite, in French 14 Mar 00 ((c) BBC Monitoring via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COSTA RICA. 6105, R Universidad de Costa Rica at 0545 in Sp with their usual program of non stop classical mx; listen for their "Gaudeamus Igitur" IS theme they are always playing shortly before s- off around 0600. When sending a RR better be very specific concerning the program details. They check reports very carefully. (Harald Kuhl, Germany, A-DX Mar 14 via BC-DX via DXLD) ** FINLAND. Glenn, You may already have the answer, but here it is. 11985 and 13770 Radio Finland to NAm [A-00 from March 26] will have English at 0000-0100 (Suns only), and at 0100-0105/0110 (daily). Just returned home from the chilly East Coast, including Kulpsville. 73 (Arto Mujunen, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. It appears that Deutsche Welle will finally start broadcasting in Ukrainian beginning March 27. According to the announcement in DW's Russian DX-program (03.12.00), the Ukrainian Service will be on the air Monday through Friday from 4.30 to 4.45 UTC on 999 (from Moldavia), 9780 and 11820 kHz. The station has attempted to inaugurate its Ukrainian Service last year, but the plan did not go through due to unexpected budgetary cuts. (Sergei Sosedkin, MI, March 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUATEMALA. [Cf DXLD 00-40] No sign here of R. Verdad, 4052.5, the following evening, UT March 18 after 0000, tho something could have been there beneath my high noise level; nor the next morning when frequently checked in the 1130-1230 period. Nor was anything unusual found in a scan from 3900 to 5100. In case you suspect I was dreaming, I`ll have a tape of the March 17 reception on the next WORLD OF RADIO 1029 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM / LUXEMBOURG. This is it - confirmation from SES Luxembourg that a new radio service called Radio Luxembourg 208 is due to start on ASTRA channel 13 7.38Mhz.+7.56Mhz. (soon?). This is therefore an official confirmation and is quite exciting. I will ask if 1440 kHz is included in these plans. Things to come.. Rather ironic for me as I go digital today (Saturday)! (Mike Terry, UK, March 18, DXLD) ----- Original Message ----- Subject: Radio Luxembourg : additional info. Dear Mike, RTL-Der Oldiesender is available on ASTRA channel 05/ 7.38Mhz +7.56Mhz. (11273.25 H pol.) RTL-Der Oldiesender was available on ASTRA channel 13/ 7.38Mhz. +7.56Mhz. (11391.25 H pol.) The service has now moved to 13/ 7.74Mhz. +7.92Mhz. NOTE: For a period the service was transmitted on both sets of frequencies on channel 13. The tape message now present on 7.38Mhz +7.56Mhz. is telling listeners to re-tune to 7.74Mhz. +7.92Mhz. As I understand a new radio service called Radio Luxembourg 208 is due to start on ASTRA channel 13 7.38Mhz.+7.56Mhz. (soon?) I'll inform you accordingly. Regards, (Stephanie, SES Astra, March 16, via Terry, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LIBERIA. Government orders closure of Star Radio, suspends Catholic station - Text of report in English by the French news agency AFP Monrovia, 15th March: Liberia's government on Wednesday [15th March] ordered the immediate closure of the independent Star Radio and the suspension of broadcasts by the Roman Catholic radio station, Veritas. In a press statement read on President Charles Taylor's Kiss FM radio, the government said the decision was based on a "security threat created by agents provocateurs using the news media to abuse the unprecedented freedom of speech and press now prevailing in the country". Star Radio, set up in 1997 in the run-up to elections in Liberia after a brutal civil war, has had a troubled relationship with Taylor's government. Run by Swiss non-governmental organization Hirondelle, which establishes radio stations in post-conflict countries, the radio's shortwave frequency was withdrawn in 1998. Last month the government confirmed that Star Radio would not be allowed to broadcast on shortwave because now the elections were over, the station had served its original purpose. In Wednesday's statement the government refuted charges the shutdown was a breach of press freedom. The measure had been taken, it said, not "to hinder freedom of speech and of the press, but to ensure peace, stability and security throughout the country". Veritas has also had problems with Taylor's government. The station's headquarters were burnt down during clashes in Monrovia in 1996. Source: AFP news agency, Paris, in English 1321 gmt 15 Mar 00 (BBC Monitoring via DX LISTENING DIGEST, WORLD OF RADIO 1028) ** NETHERLANDS. A reminder: starting Sunday 26th March, the running order of our programmes is changing. The 1h 55m blocks will consist of a 30m version of Newsline including the press review, followed by two half hour features and finally a 25m version of Newsline without the press review. The advantage is that features now start on the hour and half hour, which we hope is simpler to remember :-) The transmission to the West coast of North America is extended from 55 to 60m so listeners in that part of the continent will hear the press review. Media Network this week focuses on news as well as your letters. We announce the new times for the show as from March 30th. They will be [Thursday] 10.00 hrs UTC to Asia and the Pacific, 11.30 to Europe at lunchtime, 15.00 hrs to Asia, 18.00 and 19.30 to Africa, 21.00 UTC in Europe on 1512 am, (10 pm BST) and finally [Friday] 00.00 and 05.00 UTC to North America (Andy Sennitt, swprograms March 18, via DXLD) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. Good Morning. This a.m., 1117, noted a job offering by NBC Port Moresby [4890]. In fact a number of jobs at the station. Apparently in better financial position these days. Job aps must be in by 31 March. 12 grades of schooling and any experience seemed to be all they are looking for. Here is your chance, Glen! Also noted that the time given on the air is now off by 2 minutes plus. Around Christmas time, noted off by one minute. Must be using a Radio Shack clock. The atomic clocks are OK. I am also getting days that New Ireland is coming in at arm chair level on 3905. Maybe once a week at best after 1100 but with QRM from the weather guys on 3905. A good receiver with ECSS can separate it most times. After 1100 the Indo has dropped down. I have not seen any info on increased power level at this station and am wondering why I am able to finally get such good reception of this one. (Bob Montgomery, PA, Mar 15, WORLD OF RADIO 1028, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 7040, March 17: JCC, Huancabamba, 2355-0005, very good reception, ID ``Queda cerca de los Estudios de J doble C... esta transmitiendo desde Huancabamba... con el estilo moderno... de largo alcance, comunicados, felicitaciones... somos voz independiente... somos voz del pueblo.... ...Somos Jota Doble C, muchas gracias...`` At 0003 TC ``7 de la noche, 3 minutos, esta transmitiendo J doble C, voz popular a todos los pueblos del Peru. Ahora en su segunda faceta, trabajando para el pueblo Peruano J doble C al lado de ustedes... emite en los 7040 Kilohertz banda de los 49 [sic] metros Onda Corta internacional... a nivel nacional uniendo a la patria, voz genuina J doble C.`` (Yimber H. Gaviria, Cali, Colombia, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. Glenn, 12010 is VoR's afternoon freq in English. It has come in very well the past few days 1800-2200 (Ivan Grishin, Ont., March 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A WWBS, Macon (Georgia); will change frequency to 11915 kHz (ex 11900) as from 1st April. Currently they are on the air at 0000- 0200 UTC on Saturday and Sunday, but their UTC time will change with the change of daylight savings time in the U.S. Eastern Time Zone. (WWBS 17-Mar-2000 via Jan Nieuwenhuis, DX Hotline, via DXLD) U S A. Dear Glenn, Just a note that WBCQ-Two is changing frequency on April 1st. We are changing to 9330 kHz from 9340. Two great new shows are on the Planet. "Here Now" Sat 10pm-11pm And "Le Bon Bon Club" Sat 11pm-12mid ET. Both featuring new music from new bands. A well produced music program on the shortwaves!! Both shows on 7415. Brother Stair has bought weekend time on WBCQ-TWO, Sat And Sun 8pm - 2am. All times Eastern. James Lloyd and The Christian Media Network have bought Mon-Fri 5pm -2am Eastern On WBCQ-Two. It seems that there are only religious organisations out there willing to take advantage of the far reaching power of shortwave broadcasting. I have tried so hard to get more alternative stuff but it's the same old story- a lot of the free thinkers out there don't seem to have the time or the money to get on the air. Sometimes it is sad and discouraging. There are lots of angry voices on the radio today. Very few voices of love and peace willing to take to the airwaves. If I did not "give away" a lot of my airtime as I do there would be very little alternative stuff on my airwaves. I shall keep trying. Be well, (Allan Weiner, WBCQ, March 17, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. From an aircheck loop: ``You are listening to the City of Westland [Michigan] Information Station, providing Westland emergency information and upcoming events, operating on 1700 kHz AM, WGJ-618: Remember, if you have an emergency, call 911 but if your phones are not funxional, go to the nearest fire station or police department...`` Chipping and compost season begins April 3! (via Mike Piesko, in nearby Dearborn MI, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** WESTERN SAHARA [non]. I too was listening to National Radio of the SADR on 7470, March 14 from 2350 but modulation was so low I could not even be sure it was Spanish as reported. At 2401, however, for about half a minute, a rustic band played an anthem before closedown, at good modulation despite my idle tape (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1028, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ###