DX LISTENING DIGEST 00-45, March 27, 2000 edited by Glenn Hauser {Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only providing full credit be maintained at all stages. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission} The A-00 HFCC schedule is now posted on the HFCC site. http://www.hfcc.org/data/a00/a00allx2.exe is the URL for the schedule. The schedule is very long, as it took 180 pages to print the B-99 edition {Jim Moats, Ohio, March 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST} WORLD OF RADIO ON RFPI: See Costa Rica below: 6975 is a pastthing, currently down, and to return on a different frequency. Sorry, but this already outdates the Projected WOR/COM sked as of April 2 recently distributed... WORLD OF RADIO ON WWCR: The April schedule is not yet finalized, but the shift on 3215 Sunday evenings from 7:30 to 7:00 pm Central is not expected until April 9, i.e. 0000 UT, while on April 2 it would be 0030 UT instead of 0130 during non-DST. ** ANGOLA. At a Catholic Bishops Conference, March 22 in Luanda, Bishop Francisco da Mata Mourisca told RNA reporter Hilario Matuca that R. Ecclesia, which has been returned by the government to the church, wants nationwide coverage, perhaps with a shortwave transmitter (RNA via BBC Monitoring, summarised by gh for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRIA. ORF A-00 in English: 0130-0200 NAm/E, LAm 9655, 9870, 13730 0430-0500 Eu 6155, 13730 0530-0600 NAm/W 6015C 0730-0800 ME 15410, 17870 0830-0900 FE, Au 21650, 21765 1230-1300 Eu, NAm/E 6155, 13730 1500-1530 NAm/W 17865C 1630-1700 Eu, WAf, ME, SAs/SEAs 6155, 13730, 15240, 17765 1830-1900 S/EAf 13730 2130-2200 Eu, N/WAf 6155, 5945, 13730 (via Alokesh Gupta, India, Electronic DX Press via DXLD) Note the morning RCI relay shifts one UT hour earlier to 1500, also Spanish to 1530 on 17865; but on March 27, not heard at 1600 or at 1500; suppose they are as confused now as they were when DST was ending last fall. Maybe it will be sorted out by April 2? (gh, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. First it was WYFR in French on 15170; now RCI is using that frequency for A-00 evenings also in English, so do not assume Tahiti is back! Check //15305 for RCI plus the usual lower frequencies (gh, from a new RCI sked via John Norfolk, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHESTERFIELD ISLAND. I heard TX0DX a few days ago on 21295-USB, but he was mostly stomped upon by cursing hams trying to get each other to keep the frequency clear, as he was listening on a separate frequency, standard practice for DXpedition pileups some hams ignore or are not aware of. Hollingsworth’s name was taken in vain (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CONGO DR. Yes, [R. Liberte, 15725] here too quite good. But only on the ALA1530 broadband loop, while nearly nothing on the 15m L- antenna. At 1700-1900 UTC there is a big signal from Radio Pakistan on 15725 kHz (a move from 15735?). Seemingly ignored by the BBCM beverages ;-) Btw: Why do all these new clandestines or semi-clandestines use USB? Is there something like an international SSB conspiration ;-) ? Or do they all have the same station technician? Radio Muhabura from Uganda to Rwanda always was in full AM (what happened to their tx? reactivated as Radio Liberte?), but the new one for the country which used to be Zaire now also uses USB, like all the stations in the country which used to be Somalia. vy73 (Harald Kuhl, Germany, March 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The technicians and equipment are more likely from the amateur or commercial fields, where SSB is the standard, not AM (gh, DXLD) ** CONGO DR. CLANDESTINE from ? to CONGO, 15725, Radio Liberte is audible most days and I have been listening to it from 2000 fade in until 2300v*. Had ID at 2047 on 17 March "Radio Liberte, radio la Mouvement pour la Liberation du Congo" (This is Radio Liberty, the station of the Congolese Liberation Movement (MLC)). The programming is the same every day. The same male announcer talks end on end in French and vernaculars. It's a bit of a rap session, other folks talking briefly, laughing, music in background and snippets of songs played. This lasts until around 2100-2130v. Then continuous French- language pop music is played till sign off at 2305v. You won't get an ID once this music block starts as there are no announcements. Station always signs off with an instrumental anthem type song. It's very tinny, sounds like one of those electronic Christmas greeting cards. The Congolese Liberation Movement website [of sorts] is in French and can be found at http://members.tripod.com/kunzi/bemba.htm It features a letter from the group's leader, Jean Pierre Bemba, as well as an email address. The MLC should not be confused with the Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD), another rebel movement in Congo, which has a web site at http://www.congo.co.za (Hans Johnson, FL, March, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** COSTA RICA. RFPI 6975 has been off the air since about March 23; a branch broke off a large tree, a 120-foot guanacaste near the antenna and cut a guy wire. It may be up to 7 days before this quad is patched once more, and RFPI has also received an interference complaint from Portugal; so when it comes back the frequency will be different but nearby. Suggestions from listeners on clear spots are needed, to info@rfpi.org. Now that power has reached another piece of land with more acreage for long-wire or rhombic antennas, RFPI is considering moving one or more transmitters there, to avoid the wind problem at the current site threatening antennas on high towers; and does not want to cut down the trees. Also there is a new law in CR which limits the possibility of more community radio stations in the X-band (James Latham and Joe Bernard, RFPI Mailbag March 24, notes by gh for DX LISTENING DIGEST) With 6975 off, usage of 15049 was expanded into the day and night; however by March 27 there was little to be heard, presumably due to repair work. After 2000 UT 15049 was on but quite weak, perhaps again a victim of high daytime absorption on ``lower`` frequencies (gh, DXLD) ** COSTA RICA. Finally got the new sked on the website if you want to check it out: http://www.rfpi.org/program.html (Joe Bernard, RFPI, March 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ELEPHANT ROCK ISLAND. Operators Barry/ZS1FJ, Bud/ZS1B, Ron/ZS1RON, Gerald/ZS1GRM and Edwin/ZS5BBO will activate Elephant Rock Island as ZS31ER from March 31st through April 9th. Elephant Rock is situated on the west coast of South Africa about 25 km west of Vredendal and 4 miles North of the Olifants River mouth. It is about 100 to 150 metres long and about 50 to 75 metres wide with the highest point about 50ft above sea level. It lies 200 to 250 metres off shore. It used to be called Morrel's Rock many years ago and is locally known as Robeiland (Seal Island) and is located near De Punt Mine. They suck up alluvial diamonds with large boats operating out of the river mouth. The co-ordinates are 31 degrees 38 minutes South and and 18 degrees 03 minutes East. This island is also a Nature Reserve, having plenty of seals and birds. They will use the IOTA frequencies. Frequencies are as follows: SSB - 28460, 24950, 21260, 18128, 14260 (main), 7055, 3755 CW - 28040, 24920, 21040, 18098, 14040, 10115, 7025, 3530 They anticipate to have a station running 24 hours a day. QSL to Barry Fletcher (ZS1FJ), P.O. Box 53319, Kenilworth, 7745, South Africa or via the bureau. News on the Elephant Rock Island Dxpedition will be updated on the following Web site: http://www.qsl.net/zs5ham (KB8NW/Ohio Penn DX Bulletin 453, March 27/BARF80 via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ETHIOPIA [non]. Oromo opposition radio announces frequency change: Ethiopian opposition radio station Voice of Oromo Liberation announced in its transmission on 23rd March that from Sunday 26th March it would broadcast on 11795 kHz in the 25 metre band. The radio broadcasts on Sundays, Thursdays and Fridays at 1700-1800 gmt. Source: Monitoring research 23 Mar 00 (BBCM via DX LISTENING DIGEST) That would be via DTK, Germany, I think (gh) ** GABON. REAPPEARATION: From March 24, 4777.0 RTV Gabon 1954 nonstop folk songs 1957 with ad (or station jingle) in FF closing 2000 with ID ``RTV Gabon`` ( but still leaving the carrier). Signal S7 with carrier at +0.9 kHz AT S9 (Zacharias Liangas, Greece, March 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. Deutsche Welle has decided to drop ``Mailbag North America`` from the schedule, according to hostess Erica Gingerich. The major cuts made to DW's budget last year as well as the low amount of letters and E-mails received from English program listeners in the Americas, compared to the amount received from listeners in Africa and Asia were announced as the reasons for the decision (Jim Moats, OH, March 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. Hi Glenn - It seems when it rains it pours, as soon as I have one bit of information for you another appears. On Deutsche Welle March 27 0100 utc, Erica Gingerich announced on Mailbag North America that March 27 was the last day for the Mailbag program. It seems that financial resources no longer justified the sparse feedback they were getting from North America. (The program had been reduced to monthly in the past year). They said that Mailbag would continue to other areas of the world where shortwave listening was of greater interst. Take Care - (Dean Bonanno, Durham, Connecticut, March 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUATEMALA. Radio Verdad [4052.5]: Thanks Hauser tip, who first reported this new one. 2359 start of several IDs by man and slow talk in Spanish. Plenty of QRN today, but seemed to be on an equal level to other Guatemalan stations. Christian instrumentals after 0000, pulled plug at 0020. Not heard during the weekend, but heard again on 20 March *1125 with long anthem till 1129, then formal five minute talk by man, then IDs. Program of Christian religious music followed. Fade out by 1210. Heard again at 0020 on 21 Mar (Hans Johnson, FL, Mar 17-21, Cumbre DX via DXLD) So they do run until approximate local sunset weekdays. I continue to hear it weekday mornings only before 1200 (gh, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUYANA. 5950, GBC has reactivated. Heard what amounted to a blobmitter on 17 Mar as early as 0830 and until blocked by WYFR at 0953. Strong signal, but only snatches of audio and not a chance at an ID. Had their act together on 20 March tune in at 0953 to man in English talking about spiritual festival. Blocked by WYFR IS at 0956. Station transmitter had been down for some time due to lack of spares (Hans Johnson, FL, Mar 17-20, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** HUNGARY [non]. R. Budapest will be relayed by WRMI once a week; see details under USA below. ** IRELAND [non]. The annual series of Emerald Radio programs via WWCR is now underway; press release on WWCR website shows 3/27-3/31 1100-1200 UTC 9.475 MHz, Live 5.070 MHz Live (Simulcast); Sat 4/1 1200-1400 UTC 5.070 MHz Recorded broadcast, 4/2 1100-1300 UTC 5.070 MHz Reairing of recorded broadcast. This info has been reconfirmed by Adam Lock as correct. But see http://www.emeraldradio.com which has totally contradictory info, wrong dates, wrong time, wrong frequency! ``Apr 27th - 31st 2000 10.00 UTC/GMT LIVE on 5,070KHz & 12,160KHz and via the Internet LIVE in RealVideoG2. These broadcasts can also be heard in many other parts of the world. For a QSL/ conformation [sic] postcard from Emerald Radio, send US$5 and your postal details to Emerald Radio, P.O. Box 200, Dublin 1, Ireland.`` (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LITHUANIA [non]. Radio Vilnius back on 9855 0030-0100, heard March 27 (Ivan Grishin, Ont., DX LISTENING DIGEST) via Germany as usual, no doubt (gh) ** NETHERLANDS. Radio Netherlands programme guide March 26th 2000 - October 28th 2000 (satellite info omitted) [feature programs now start exactly on the hour or half hour, which they ought to have pointed out here! gh] Sunday 1. News, Sincerely Yours, The Week Ahead, Dutch Horizons 2. News, Wide Angles, The Week Ahead, Aural Tapestry 3. Aural Tapestry, News, Wide Angle 4. Dutch Horizons, News, Sincerely Yours Monday 1. Newsline, Research File 2. Newsline, EuroQuest 3. EuroQuest, Newsline 4. Research File, Newsline Tuesday 1. Newsline, Music 52-15 2. Newsline, A Good Life 3. A Good Life, Newsline 4. Music 52-15, Newsline Wednesday 1. Newsline, The Weekly Documentary 2. Newsline, Dutch Horizons 3. Dutch Horizons, Newsline 4. The Weekly Documentary, Newsline Thursday 1. Newsline, Media Network 2. Newsline, Research File 3. Research File, Newsline 4. Media Network, Newsline Friday 1. Newsline, A Good Life (1512 kHz Roughly Speaking) 2. Newsline, The Weekly Documentary 3. The Weekly Documentary, Newsline 4. A Good Life, Newsline Saturday 1. News, Europe Unzipped, Insight, Aural Tapestry 2. News, Europe Unzipped, Insight, Roughly Speaking 3. Roughly Speaking, News, Europe Unzipped 4. Aural Tapestry, News, Europe Unzipped North America: 2330: 6165, 9845 1 0030: 6165, 9845 3 0430: 6165, 9590 1 Europe: 1030: 6045, 9860 2 1130: 6045, 9860 4 2030: 1512 mw 1 2130: 1512 mw 3 Africa: 1730: 6020, 7120, 11655 1 1830: 6020, 7120, 11655, 9895, 13700, 17605, 21590 2 1930: 6020, 7120, 11655, 9895, 13700, 17605, 21590 4 Asia/Far East: 0930: 9795, 12065, 13710 1 1030: 9795, 12065, 13710 2 1430: 9890, 12065, 15590 1 Pacific: 0930: 9795, 12065, 13710 1 1030: 9795, 12065, 13710 2 Tracking down which frequencies come from which sites: Bonaire: 6165, 9590, 9795, 17605, 21590; Petropavlovsk: 12065; Flevoland: 9895 & 13700; Tashkent: 12075; Irkutsk: 13710; Wertachtal: 9860; Juelich: 6045; Wolvertem: 1512 mw; Madagascar: 6020, 7120, 9890, 15590 (c) RNW, Programme Distribution Department (02-03-2000) (RN web site via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. On 6819.6, R. La Voz de la Haurijas [sic; I thought it was las Huarinjas -gh], Huancabamba, Piura; 19/03 2246-2330 22222 with mx pasillo and mx chicha; also on 21/03 1050-1138 22222, signal just came on at 1109, rather weak with ID. And 24/03 0000-010 [sic] 33333 with mx pasillo, program Nostalgia ecuatoriana, invited phone calls to 473259. I called them and succeeded in talking with the son of the owner and then with Sr. Alfonso García Silva, who told me that the name of the station comes from one of the lakes in the area. Address is: Barrio El Altillo s/n (sin número) in the city of Huancabamba. They generally open at 1045 UT and close at 0200. To phone them, dial 51- 74-473259. Huancabamba is at 3957m above sea level, a province famous for its magical practices and traditional medicine, located in the highlands of Piura, where the best curanderos are found. Their rites habitually involve taking patients to the Huaringas [sic], where some lakes are found between the peaks. These are renowned for their medicinal properties, still not studied, attracting numerous curanderos and shamans from all over the country in search of magical visions to help them in their work, income, and/or to recharge their energy. Among the best known lakes are Negra, Blanca, Shimbe, Huarijas [sic], etc. Mr. Garcia informed me that he is a curandero himself. For your information, the difference between a curandero and a brujo is: [gh note: my dictionary translates curandero only as quack doctor or charlatan, and brujo only as magician or wizard] CURANDERO: a learned person who cures a curse, hurt and/or illness in the patient and in his rituals calls upon God. BRUJO: a person who makes use of certain arts to make a curse, hurt or illness upon a person at the request of another, due to envy or anger. In these rituals he calls upon the Devil (Pedro F. Arrunategui, Lima, Chasqui DX, translated by gh for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 6819.4, RADIO LA VOZ DE LAS HUARINJAS. 0040-0110 March 26. New frequency for this station, ex-7003.4 (Rafael O. Rodriguez R., Santafe de Bogota, Colombia, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 6820, March 26 at 0010, new frequency, ex-7003 for La Voz de las Huarinjas, opening with program ``Invasion Musical`` (Yimber Gaviria, Colombia, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 7042, March 26 0008-0030*, 444, J doble C, ... ``con saludos ... alla en Bogota, Colombia,`` closing with national anthem at 0029. QRM to a ham on 7042 LSB (Yimber Gaviria, Colombia, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 7040.5, ESTACION J DOBLE C. 2340-0130 March 25. Thanks to tip from colleague and friend Yimber Gaviria, I could listen to this new radio station from Huancabamba. When they presented the program ``Al compas del San Juanto`` [Juanito? gh]. This frequency has been used for several years by different radio stations that have been under the direction of Cesar Colunche Bustamante. Previously were heard on this channel: Radio San Ignacio and Radio Melodia. Surprisingly at 0017 the speaker sent greetings to different villages, ``...que sera de la vida del amigo Takayuki alla en Japon, para mi compadre Klemens alla, el ``escoces`` en Bogota, Colombia, posiblemente este recepcionando su emisora Jota doble Ce, un abrazo para el amigo Klemens en Bogota Colombia, nuestro amigo radioaficionado...`` From the warmth of the message I think that the speaker was the same Cesar Colunche, since several times HK had phone contact with him and one can also notice the friendship when TIN through Por las Rutas del Peru (19) called Colunche ``Unforgettable friend`` Also listened to on Sunday March 26 when mentioned the postal address, Calle Union No. 612, Huancabamaba, Piura, Peru. Very close to the address of Radio Huancabamba, 6281 kHz, Calle Union No. 610 that also belonged to Cesar Colunche (Rafael O. Rodriguez R., Santafe de Bogota, Colombia, March 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 5460.43 Radio Bolivar, Bolivar; I received a phone from Julio Davila Echevarria, the station owner and director, on 21/MAR/2000, sending kindly message of ``Gracias por escucharnos en onda corta`` to all DXers. According to him, the station broadcasts two times a day: 1100-1300 (morning transmission) and 2200-0100 (evening transmission) daily. Reports will be confirmed by QSL letter and should be sent to: Correo Central, Bolivar, Provincia de Bolivar, Departamento de La Libertad, Peru. Mail dalivery may be via Cajamarca route (Takyuki Inoue Nozaki, Japan, March 25, Relampago DX via DXLD) ** PERU. 4780.00, Radio Satelite 0213-0231, Andean vocals, announcer in between, 0226 informal closing announcement and ID, Peruvian anthem and 0231 signoff. Fair signal with ute and het QRM (Mark Mohrmann, VT, Mar 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Incredible: Peruvian on an exact frequency (gh) ** POLAND [non]. R. Polonia is getting a new relay via WRMI; see under USA. Unfortunately it is in the afternoon when 7385 will not propagate very far (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. 11675 is the summer afternoon freq for V. of Russia in English heard March 26 until 2100 sign-off. Even better than previous 12010. Evening freq of 9665 also returned, heard March 27 at 0100 sign on (Ivan Grishin, Ont., DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. Voice of Russia English A-00: North America 0100-0200 17595, 15595, 11990, 9665*, 7180** 0200-0300 17595*, 15595, 13690, 11990, 9665*, 7180** 0300-0400 17690*, 17660, 17650*, 17565*, 15595, 15465**, 15455**, 15425**, 11990, 9665*, 7180**, 7125 0400-0500 17690*, 17660, 17650*, 17565*, 15595, 15465**, 15455**, 15425**, 11990, 9665*, 7180**, 7125 Europe 0100-0300 1548 0300-0500 1548, 693 0500-0900 1323, 693 1400-1500 1386, 1323, 1215, 693 1500-1700 9730, 1494 1700-1800 11675*, 9890*, 9820*****, 9775, 9720**, 9710*, 9450**, 7300**, 1494***** 1800-1900 11675*, 9890*, 9820, 9775, 9720, 9710*, 9480**, 9450**, 7330, 7300**, 1494, 1143 1900-2000 12070, 11675*, 9890*, 9820, 9775, 9720**,9710*, 9450**, 7440**, 7300**, 1386 2000-2100 15485*, 12030**, 11675*, 9890*, 9820, 9775, 9720**, 7300**, 1386, 1323 2100-2200 612 Africa 1600-1700 15515*, 12070** 1700-1800 12015, 11510 1800-1900 12015, 11695, 11510* Australia, New Zealand 0500-0600 21790, 17665, 17625 0600-0700 21790, 17665, 17625, 15490 0700-0900 21790, 17665, 17625, 17495, 15490 Middle East 0200-0200 13690 1400-1500 12055***, 7315****, 648 1500-1600 12015, 7325, 4975, 4965, 4940, 1170, 972 1600-1700 15515*, 12070**, 12055***, 12015, 7315****, 1251, 648 1700-1800 12055***, 7315**** Asia 0100-0200 12045 0600-0700 17655 0700-0800 17655, 1251 0800-0900 1251 1400-1500 12025, 11695, 1269 1500-1600 11500 1600-1700 12025, 9875*, 7305**, 1251 1700-1800 1269 *- from 26.03.00 till 03.09.00 ** - from 04.09.00 till 29.10.00 *** - from 26.03.00 till 23.09.00 **** - from 24.09.00 till 29.10.00 *****- except Tue, Fri Schedule from March 26 till October 29, 2000. All times are UT (VOR web site via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SLOVAKIA. Radio Slovakia Shortwave Schedule from March 26 to October 29, 2000. ENGLISH 0100-0130 NAm 5930, CAm 7230, SAm 9440 0700-0730 Australia 9440 15460 17550 1630-1700 WEur 5920 6055 7345 1830-1900 WEur 5920 6055 7345 (via Richard Buckby, rec.radio.shortwave via John Norfolk, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also USA - WRMI below for new relay! ** SWEDEN. R. Sweden A00 includes: 2100-2130 Swedish 15255 Au/SEA ** NEW SERVICE ** 2130-2200 English 15255 Au/SEA ** NEW SERVICE ** (Electronic DX Press via DXLD) I was hearing these March 26 (Joe Hanlon, PA) Wonder if long or short path?? Could be aimed across Central America. 15255 poor here March 27 at 2137 check in English, intermittent het at 2138 (gh, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SWITZERLAND. Swiss Radio International English March 26-October 28, 2000: 0100-0130 NAm/CAm 9885 SOT, 9905 MSY 0400-0430 SEEur 9610 JUL 0400-0500 NAm/CAm 9885 SOT, 9905 MSY 0500-0530 SEEur 9610 JUL 0730-0800 Near East/Africa 15545 & 17685 JUL; 21750 SOT 0830-0900 Australia 9885 MSY, 13685 SOT 1000-1030 SWEur 15315 JUL 1100-1200 Asia 13735 SNG, 21770 SOT 1200-1230 SWEur 15315 JUL 1400-1500 Asia 9575 SNG, 17670 SOT 1900-1930 NWEur 6110 JUL 2000-2030 Near East/Africa 13770 SOT, 15220 & 17580 JUL, 13710 MSY Transmitter sites: JUL-Juelich, Germany; MSY-Montsinery, French Guiana; SNG-Singapore; SOT-Sottens, Switzerland (SRI web site via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Considerably reduced frequency usage, mostly down to one or two at a time rather than mostly four (gh) ** SWITZERLAND. Worldwide Swiss Radio on March 25, announced on Capital Letters that they are going back to their name Swiss Radio International as of March 26. Also, their popular show Rendezvous was canceled in January to reassign those reporters to their Internet services. In addition, some more news broadcasts would be dropped in the next 2-4 years as reporters are assigned to internet services. (Dean Bonanno, CT, March 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SWITZERLAND. Thanks to Larry Nebron for sending us a recording of this show interviewing head of SRI English Service Ron Popper: Management is considering reducing SW output, but not dropping it completely as of now. Waiting to see how digital SW works out. Amount of hours to certain parts of world in certain languages will be reduced in the next 2-4 years, diverting resources into other things such as Internet. Number of hits to site per month is going up by 10 percent, a healthy figure. Throwing more financial and people resources at Internet service, introducing new pages shortly in English and others; sites for travel and tourism, another for science, technology and health, more multi-layered, and to be redesigned shortly: http://www.swissinfo.org Why was Rendezvous With Switzerland dropped January 1? Was second half hour of one-hour broadcasts on SW and satellite. Were not happy with certain programs, but mainly wanted to divert journalists involved in show to working on Internet. Tourist Rendezvous was cut earlier this month, but good news to listeners who objected: taking another look at this, to develop in a different way. Assure listeners that will have a new and expanded tourism service on Internet. What about news and names? As of March 26 cutting back some news to Europe, USA, and some eliminated. Same reason, personnel needed to work on Internet site. Some bulletins not listened to so much, so output is being optimized. Listeners were confused about ``World Radio Switzerland`` which was name of European satellite broadcast, and name of half-hour news and current affairs program. So dropping name completely as of March 26, back to good old S R I, and name of program once again News Net (notes by gh, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** THAILAND. Radio Thailand back on 15395 0030-0100, heard March 27 (Ivan Grishin, Ont., DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TIMOR EAST. More activity is beginning to show up on the bands from this new entity. Thor, TF1MM, continues to be active as 4W6MM. QSNs show that he likes 20 meters CW on 14001 kHz between 1130 and 1330z. He was also active this week on 15 meters CW on 21007 kHz after 1845z. QSL 4W6MM via TF1MM. Ross, VK8UN active as 4W6UN, was heard this week on the 14245 DX Net between 1530 and 1700z. QSL 4W6UN via VK3OT. Antonio, CT1EGH, is the newcomer on the air this past week as 4W6GH. His activity has been mainly on 15 and 20 meters SSB. QSNs show activity on 14265 and 14254 kHz anywhere between 1330 and 2000z. Also watch 21223, 21245 and 21286 kHz after 0600z and after (or a hour before) 2000z. This past weekend during the contest he was heard on 21306 kHz between 1430 and 1700z. QSL 4W6GH via CT1EGH. Remember to look for Neville, VK2QF, to be active as 4W6/VK2QF beginning Wednesday, March 29th and active until April 5th. His suggested frequencies are: CW - 7010, 14010, 21010 and 28010 kHz SSB - 7095, 14195, 21295 and 28495 kHz 6 meters - 50090 on CW and 50135 kHz on SSB. QSL direct only to VK2QF, Nev Mattick, Hargraves, NSW 2850, Australia. His Web site was published in OPDX.453. 4W DX NEWS FLASH! Just before going to print a press release from Doug, N6RT, reports that Bernie, W3UR, editor of "The Daily DX", has arrived safely in Dili, East Timor with all equipment intact. Due to a misunderstanding at the licensing authority, Bernie will be signing 4W/W3UR, not 4W6DX as previously announced. Bernie and Thor, TF1MM/4W6MM, will be relocating to Baucau (3 to 4 hours east of Dili) shortly and Jose, CT1EEB/ 4W6EB will join them on Monday, March 27th. Because of this relocation, online logs may not be posted daily as previously hoped. Bernie hopes to come on the air late Sunday or early Monday UTC. It was mentioned earlier in the week that Olli, OH0XX, unfortunately had to cancel out as one of the operators at the last moment due to a work conflict. This was a set back as the other two operators (Jose, CT1EEB, and Bernie, W3UR) had to cram more gear in with their luggage. (A more detailed press release on this will be available to OPDX InterNet Subscribers as an additional bulletin) The planned (updated) operating frequencies are: [updates DXLD 00-43--jn] CW - 1826.5 (maybe), 3502, 7002, 10107, 14007, 18070, 21007, 24907, 28007 SSB - 3799, 7062.5, 14150, 18115, 21200, 24935, 28400 RTTY - 14087 (possibly near the end of the operation) QSLs for this operation are still via OH2BN, Jarmo J. Jaakola, Kiilletie 5-C-30, 00710 Helsinki, FINLAND. A web page has been set up at: http://www.dailydx.com/4W6DX.html (KB8NW/Ohio Penn DX Bulletin 453, March 27/BARF80 via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UKRAINE. I'm sorry! If it does not late, please, correct the line of RUI's schedule: 12045\0100-0400\1500-2000\1\055\Russia (Tyumen); I have to inform you that from 24th of March the Lviv's 1000 Kw transmitter is off the air for indefinite term. The reason is the overconsumption of the electricity limit. So, from 26th of March the following frequencies are temporarily unavailable: 13590 (from 2300 to 0400), 15530 and 21520 kHz. With the best regards, (Alexander Yegorov, via Rachel Baughn, Monitoring Times, March 27, via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 13590 was the only frequency listed to North America, all in Ukrainian (gh, DXLD) ** U K O G B A N I. From March 25, BBC started streaming the local output of the BBC Asian Network through BBC Online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/asiannetwork The BBC Asian Network was launched using the former AM frequencies of BBC Radios WM [West Midlands] and Leicester in November 1996 to reflect the views and interests of the Asian communities across the Midlands. The audio streaming will form one part of a new-look BBC Asian Network web site. Source: BBC press release, London, in English 23 Mar 00 (via BBC Monitoring March 27, excerpted for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K O G B A N I ? 9420 -0600-0700 plus techno music without announcements until 0700 Male announcement ``Energy Radio now available all over the world``. It may be written NRG rather than Energy. Gradually faded consistent with a source in UK/Europe. That was yesterday 27/03. Frequency is clear so far today 28th [sic; must be 27 March, yesterday being 26 March -gh] apart from Athens which must have changed a day late and couldn't be detected under NRG the day before (Morrison Hoyle, Victoria, Electronic DX Press via DXLD) One of the customers of Merlin?? (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. Dear Glenn, I am pleased to announce that "Marion's Attic" is moving to a new time slot due to the wishes of my radio fans. I'm moving from Tuesday at 4:30 PM Eastern time to Saturday at 9 PM Eastern time !!! Marion has a whole hour now to play more of the sounds of very, very long ago. I am told that there isn't a show like mine anywhere on the radio. I only wish to make listener happy and perhaps teach a little history of recorded sound. This time slot will allow me to reach more people with better propagation. The first hour show is on 4-1-00. Thank-you for your show, World of Radio. It is very interesting and I never miss it. I hope you can catch my show now ! Lovingly, (Marion Webster, MarionWeb@aol.com, March 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) That would be UT Sun April 2 0200, and from April 9 UT Sun 0100 (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. The imminent move of WBCQ-2 from 9340 to 9330 is because of Israel`s use of 9345 (Allan H. Weiner Worldwide, March 25 via gh, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 25950, KFXX Portland, Oregon has been widely heard here in Australia with their 910 sports radio format although I tuned in today midday (0200) UTC and noted a live baseball game with deep fades with the signal, making it a little difficult for a good copy (March 25 2000) AM mode (Tim Gaynor, Australia, swl@qth.net via DXLD) 25950/AM KFXX Vancouver WA relay; 1931-1948+, 17-Mar; ``Sports Radio 9-10, the Fan``; ``The Jungle`` sports px w/Jim Rome; SIO=344 (Harold Frodge, Ont., MARE via DXLD) ** U S A. Spring is here, in the northern hemisphere, and thus a new frequency schedule for Communications World via VOA News Now. These will be effective next weekend. All these are UTC Saturday. To East and South Asia and the Pacific. At 133 on 7115, 9635, 11705, 11725, 11820, 13650, 15250, 17740, and 17820 kilohertz. At 933 all via Tinian on 11775, 13610, and 15150 kilohertz. At 1333 on 6160, 9645, 9760, 15160, and 15425. At 1733 on 6160, 7125, and 9645. And 2133, especially for the Pacific region, Sunday morning your local time: 9705, 11870, 15185, 17735, and 17820. Listeners in Australia and New Zealand, please let me know how these perform for you. To Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa: 133 to the Persian Gulf region on 1548 kilohertz medium wave. 533 on 7170, 11965, and 15205, plus 792 and 1197 medium wave. 933 and 1333 on 1197 medium wave to central Europe. 1733 on 9700, 9760, and 15255, plus 1197 kilohertz medium wave. And 2133 on 6040, 6095, 9535, and 9760, plus 1260 and new at this hour 1197 medium wave. To Africa at 533 on 5970, 6035, 6080, 7195, 12080, and 13670 plus 909 medium wave to southern Africa. And 1733 on 15410, 15445, and 17895 kilohertz. And to the Americas at 133 on 5995, 6130, and 9455. The 28-minute version of Communications World continues via the Greenville sideband feeder transmitters, using both upper and lower sideband, also known as double sideband. The schedule is the same: Saturday at 7 Universal Time on 6873. As the days get longer, we may have to move that frequency upward, or shift to an earlier time. And Sunday at 14 on 18275. Please write with your reception reports on the new schedule (Kim Elliott, VOA Communications World March 25 via John Norfolk, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. While the HFCC web site says its data for A-00 will go up around March 27, the FCC site has summer schedule data for US broadcasters current as of 24 March at http://www.fcc.gov/ib/pnd/neg/hf_web/hfff0z00.txt Regards, (Matt Francis, Australia, Electronic DX Press via DXLD) Including oddities such as these: 9370.0 [sic] WTJC 24h, 50 kW 40 degrees to zones 4, 9 12170.0 [sic] WGTG 1530-2400 50 kW SSB 250 degrees, zone 10 9465.0 WMLK 0300-0800, 1600-2100 during DST 7415.0 and 9330.0 WBCQ has a 245 degree azimuth on both (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WRMI has posted its new schedule effective April 2, showing more relays of European stations. No more Vaticana, however. Prague continues 7 nights a week in three languages, and now there is Slovakia 5 nights a week, and Budapest one night, and Polonia one afternoon a week. These along with the few DX and entertainment programs we excerpt: UT Tue-Sat: 0030-0100 7385 R. Slovakia Int`l, English 0200-0230 7385 R. Prague, Spanish 0230-0300 7385 R. Prague, Czech 0300-0330 7385 R. Prague, English 0330-0400 7385 R. Budapest, English UT Tue only 0645-0700 7385 Viva Miami, English Saturday: 1230-1300 9955 Viva Miami, Spanish 2015-2030 7385 Viva Miami, English 2030-2100 7385 R. Polonia, English 2130-2200 7385 AWR Wavescan, English 2230-2300 7385 Viva Miami, English UT Sunday: 0200-0330 7385 R. Prague, Spanish, Czech, English 0330-0400 7385 This Lousy Half-Hour Radio Show 0400-0500 7385 Scream of the Butterfly 2045-2100 9955 Viva Miami, English 2130-2200 9955 AWR Wavescan, English 2200-2230 9955 Viva Miami, Spanish UT Monday: 0200-0330 7385 R. Prague, Spanish, Czech, English 7385 is beamed 317 degrees to NAm; 9955 160 degrees to Lam (WRMI website via Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [non]. The following will be the shortwave schedule for Family Stations, Inc. aired from Taiwan 26 Mar 2000 to 29 Oct 2000. English 0100-0200 15160 295 S. Asia 1302-1502 11550 285 S. Asia Hindi 0000-0100 15160 295 S. Asia 1502-1602 11550 285 S. Asia Mandarin 1102-1602 6300 310 E. Asia 1102-1602 9280 335 E. Asia 2100-0000 6300 310 E. Asia 2100-0000 9280 335 E. Asia Russian 1505-1705 9955 325 Eu/Sib (Dan Elyea, WYFR, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VIETNAM [non]. V. Of Vietnam on NF 9695 in English at 0100 March 27 with a very powerful signal, running a few seconds ahead of 7250 Armavir relay. Where could this be coming from? (Ivan Grishin, Ont., DX LISTENING DIGEST) Well, there was an exchange visit between Vietnamese and Cuban radio authorities a few weeks ago... (gh, DXLD) ** YUGOSERBIA. 9580 0530-0600 Radio Yugoslavia En. This must be a new entry as most of the broadcasts from Europe that changed have just come on one hour earlier to suit local clock time change (Morrison Hoyle, Victoria, March 27, Electronic DX Press via DXLD) I suppose the 0530 on 9580 will last one week until our timeshift, then 0430 on 9580, then from May probably 0430 on something else like 11 MHz (gh, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. A station in French is now heard on 6140 around 2120 UT March 26. Would be nice if Burundi, but that supposedly closes at 2100 (Chris Hambly, Australia, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ###