DX LISTENING DIGEST 1-052, April 13, 2001 edited by Glenn Hauser, wghauser@hotmail.com {Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. For restrixions and searchable 2001, 2000 contents archive see} http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/Dxldmid.html [NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn] WORLD OF RADIO 1076: (stream) http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/wor1076.ram (download) http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/wor1076.rm (summary) http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/wor1076.html VOA COMMUNICATIONS WORLD: Once again this week, we are providing the Media News segment, starting UT April 14 at 0132; for complete schedule see http://www.trsc.com/cw (gh) ** ARMENIA. Frequency change. April 11. Voice of Armenia now on 9960 with French at 1900 (Silvain Domen, Belgium, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ex- 9965; presumably the same for English; would that be 1940? (gh, DXLD) ** AUSTRIA. ORF to NAm in English at 0130 on 9870 gets splashed by unID Arabic on 9865 (Bob Thomas, CT, April 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Only thing that fits in HFCC A-01 is Morocco: 9865 0100 0400 39,40 MOR 250 75 1234567 250301 271001 D MRC IBB IBB (via gh, DXLD) ** BELARUS`. 7210, R. Belarus` International, April 8 0159-0222. Interval signal, confirmed by comparison to Al Quaglieri`s great collection at http://www.albany.net/~alcue/ (thanks, Al). 0200 Start of English language transmission. Talk by man. Not certain of content due to poor signal. 0215 Slow traditional music. 0219 Talk by man with frequent mention of Belarus`. Poor signal (SINPO 23222) and relatively low audio. No parallels noted. This is my first log of them in many years (Jim Evans, TN, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** CAMBODIA [non]. CLANDESTINE from TAIWAN to CAMBODIA: 15455, Voice of Justice. A carrier was opened Sat April 7 at 0934 on 15455, and strange enough, I heard at around 0957 AWR signing on for V of Hope in Chinese, which is supposed to be on 15450! This momentary chaos ended up at 1001 with a female voice abruptly giving ID and reading a schedule in presumably Khmer with a clear mention of Samleng Yuttethoa. That was followed by 2 male voices in succession, whereby the latter was apparently a short speech. At 1007 a folk song by a female voice then at 1012 a long talk by female voice till 1048* where every thing was washed out from the band including the carrier, SINPO/44444. I later checked 15450 to find about V of Hope; it was still operating in Mandarin till signing off at around 1100 with SINPO/44444 (Mahmud Fathi, Philippines, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** CANADA. I hear [CHNX] the 50 watt with dipole of 50 feet, on 6130, way in background, but with discernible audio behind VOA English at 0030 (Bob Thomas, CT, April 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA [non]. CRI`s English at 2300 on 5990 via Cuba still exists, as reconfirmed April 12 at 2330; not bad reception, either. Missing from BBCM schedule (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COLOMBIA. April 12 at 0523 found some kind of religious dialog in Spanish with jazzy background music on 11950 -– actually measured about 11949.44, so that rang a bell as the off-frequency 5975 station, often hetting BBC earlier in the evening. Sure enough, also heard \\ 5974.72 or so. Signal strength of the two was roughly equal, unusual for a fundamental/harmonic pair. 0527 hymn of praise, 0535 distorted announcement, 0536 timecheck for 12:36 de la madrugada, `...victoria a dios``. No ID heard, but this would be R. Auténtica, Villavicencio, which I see LA-DX last reported on the other side of 5975. I recall years ago this transmitter was also heard on 3rd and 4th harmonics, maybe 5th too? So check around 17925, 23900, 29875 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CONGO DR. Rebel radios undergo review | Excerpt from report by Congolese rebel-controlled radio from Goma on 13 April Goma: The radio stations of the RTNC [Congolese National Radio and Television] in RCD [Congolese Rally for Democracy] liberated territory have been undergoing an evaluation test since Tuesday 10 April. The launch of the test was undertaken by Prof Kin Kiey Mulumba, head of the Communication and Culture Department. On the second day, Thursday 12 April, participants in the session appointed their office bearers, namely the RTNC coordinator as president, the director of Nord-Kivu RTNC as vice-president, and the secretariat, made up of the deputy administration manager and head of the department of research and magazine from the Nord-Kivu RTNC. At yesterday's meeting the participants listened to a six-monthly report on activities by the deputy manager in charge of the audiovisual [department] and [word indistinct]. The report will be approved this Friday, 13 April at 1300 [local time] and thereafter there will be an evaluation of the activities of the commercial and technical subdivisions... Source: RTNC radio, Goma, in French 0500 gmt 13 Apr 01 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** CUBA. RADIO HABANA CUBA. Amigos míos: Estoy estudiando la posibilidad de abrir una nueva frecuencia hacia España en la banda de 13 MHz; me hace falta que la exploren en el horario entre 20:00 y 23:00 UTC. Me interesa fundamentalmente la 13715; cualquier otra implicaría un largo proceso de declaración de frecuencia a la UIT. Muchas gracias por adelantado. Enrique Romeu eromeu@rhc.cu Director Técnico RADIO HABANA CUBA (via Noticias DX April 13 via DXLD) ** FRANCE [non]. A French-language story from the Panafrican News Agency says authorities in Mauritania have withdrawn the accreditation of Mohamed Lemine Ould Bah, the Radio France Internationale correspondent in Mauritania. Officials in Nouakchott censured the RFI correspondent for having insinuated that the Mauritanian government paid bribes to the Senegalese government for a rapprochement between the two countries during an April 4 broadcast (Mike Cooper, GA, April 11, via DXLD) ** GABON. 19160, Africa No. 1; 1802-1843+, 11-Apr; African nx features w/remotes to "Africa bon soir" @1814 then sports. ID as "Radio Africaine" & "Africa #1" @1830. All in FF. SIO=3+54-. This is 2 x 9580. ANO lists 9580 at other times but nothing hrd there. Nothing on 3 x 9580=28740. //15475, SIO=534/rumble QRM (Harold Frodge, MI, WORLD OF RADIO 1076, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. Subject: Radio Voyager - The Global Convergence of Web, Streaming and Broadcast Radio DX Information from the British DX Club (BDXC-UK). A great station on WorldSpace and the web, from: http://www.radiovoyager.com/1over/1over.htm The Radio Voyager Network (RVN) is a 24-hour a day, seven-day a week (24/7) audio service that converges Internet webcasting with traditional radio for global listener reach. The English-language service is currently heard via a network of websites and radio outlets on three continents. The service connects listeners around the world and provides a unique multi-media advertising vehicle for multi-national Fortune 500 corporations. Radio Voyager is the core business of Finger Lakes Productions International (FLPI), a media company with 13 years of radio syndication and feature production experience. RVN combines contemporary music with live radio news within each program hour and is tied together by announcers who engage their worldwide audience through promotions and listener participation. Importantly, eight to twelve minutes of Radio Voyager programming can be customized every hour for each specific web or broadcast outlet affiliated with the network. Radio Voyager reaches its audience by streaming via the Internet, through a growing network of FM radio stations in the U.S., Europe, and through direct satellite coverage to consumers throughout Africa and portions of India. Satellite coverage to radio stations in the Pacific Rim has been secured and is scheduled to go live in the fourth quarter of 2000. Radio Voyager remains the only commercial 24/7 English-language radio service to broadcast throughout Europe and Africa and is in line to become the first commercial 24/7 English-language radio network to cover the Pacific Rim and all of India. Radio Voyager began streaming from several of Ralston Purina websites in 2000. "The Purina Radio Voyager Network" provides the millions of monthly visitors to Purina sites a "real time" media option (that includes the music, announcers and news) that is customized eight minutes each hour for pet enthusiasts. This Purina model is designed to build "stickiness" to their corporate sites while providing the company a media vehicle to promote its brands worldwide. RVN`s custom streaming service provides a solution for corporations contending to establish and to enhance their global branding during this quickly evolving digital age. RVN is the first digital streaming service to offer hourly audio customization to corporate websites and plans to build on the Purina model by securing sponsorships with other multinational corporations in multiple category sectors (i.e., automobile, travel, health, fashion, etc.). As part of its RVN agreement, Purina (and future sponsors) will receive a schedule of RVN network commercial spots that will be heard by listeners each day via all RVN affiliated streaming and broadcast outlets. This cross promotion via non- competing web sites and the growing number of FM stations provides mutual and exponential outreach benefits to the RVN family of corporate sponsors. RVN webcasts and broadcasts from a state-of-the-art, all digital studio in Silver Spring, Maryland, and has European marketing offices in Milan and London. RVN programming is distributed via the Satcom C5 satellite in the United States, over the EutelSat Hotbird II satellite in Europe and via the Worldspace AfriStar satellite in Africa. RVN is and will be distributed via a broadband digital signal to corporate sponsor websites, digital portals and the http://radiovoyager.com site. RVN is well positioned to take advantage of new digital distribution channels as they emerge. Radio Voyager targets an English-speaking demographic of 18-49 year olds at a time when English proficiency is expanding throughout the world as the language of global business and the Internet. Radio Voyager is capturing this audience -- which includes consumers who speak English as a second or primary language, Americans living abroad and tourists -- through its multiple streaming and radio platforms. Radio Voyager, however, is the first and only English- language commercial streaming and radio service available on the planet that integrates network and customized content and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (via Mike Terry, BDXC-UK April 13 via DXLD) This is the successor to VOA-Europe. I have never listened to it, but from this it seems extremely commercialized, so why should I? This puff says hardly anything about its *programming* (gh, DXLD) ** ITALY/USA. [see also VATICAN/ITALY] Minister wants action against "NATO radio" in Naples | Text of report by Italian TV teletext on 12 April "Some said electromagnetic pollution was merely a green obsession. Instead, the government decided yesterday it represents a real problem. And no minister disagreed." Agriculture Minister [Alfonso] Pecoraro Scanio said this talking about the Vatican Radio question. He also announced that now it is the turn of the NATO radio in Naples. "The paradox", said Pecoraro ironically, is that the NATO antenna is on Vatican property, and they have already asked for it to be removed "because it is bad for the nuns". This will "demonstrate that we defend the clergy as well". Source: Rai TV teletext, Rome, in Italian 1116 gmt 12 Apr 01 (via BBCM via DXLD) Judges cordon off US Navy radio transmitters in Naples | Excerpt from report by Italian radio on 13 April The Vatican Radio problem: [Environment] Minister [Willer] Bordon, after the government rejected his hard-line position, has spoken again about the matter, complaining he had been left alone. In the meantime, still on the subject of electromagnetic pollution, another front was opened. Pierluigi Ferrari reports [Reporter] Twelve radio antennae on the Camaldoli hill in Naples have been cordoned off by the judges. One of these transmission sites belongs to the US Navy, and broadcasts music for the American troops based in the Mediterranean. This is what [Agriculture] Minister [Alfonso] Pecoraro Scanio meant when he spoke about NATO antennae. The US Navy [English in original] said they asked long ago for the transmission site to be transferred elsewhere, without obtaining any answer. The judges' decision was taken after measurements by the Naples local authority revealed that electromagnetic emissions figures were by far higher than those allowed by the law. In the meantime, Environment Minister [Willer] Bordon has spoken again about the Vatican Radio problem: I have been left alone, he said, speaking about the deafening silence of the non-Catholic left wing... To comfort Bordon, opinion polls have been released suggesting the Italians are afraid of electromagnetic waves, and that they are on his side in the dispute with the Vatican. Source: Rai Radio 1, Rome, in Italian 0600 gmt 13 Apr 01 (via BBCM via DXLD) U.S. Navy transmitters shut down in Italy over health concerns The Associated Press 4/13/01 10:27 AM NAPLES, Italy (AP) -- An Italian judge has pulled the plug on broadcasts of two radio transmitters of the U.S. Navy, saying their electromagnetic emissions pose a health threat. Lt. Fred Kuebler, a spokesman for the U.S. Naval Support Activity, said Friday that the transmitters of the American Forces Network were shut down on March 30, along with 10 other transmitters belonging to local Italian radio stations. Earlier this week, the Italian environment minister had threatened to take Vatican Radio off the air if it didn't comply with strict Italian regulations governing electromagnetic emissions. Vatican Radio said it would reduce its broadcasts beginning Monday and was given until the end of the month to comply fully. The decision over the U.S. transmitters came after tests ordered by the Environment Ministry showed that the emissions were above Italian standards. Kuebler said the broadcasts were within the limits set in the original agreement with the Italian Communications Ministry, which allows higher levels of transmission than those set by the Environment Ministry. "We got caught in the middle," he said. American Network Forces [sic], which provides U.S.-based radio broadcasts to American troops in Europe, has appealed the decision. A hearing is scheduled for April 18. The U.S. antenna tower with the two transmitters is located on the property of a 16th century monastery in Camaldoli, on the hills overlooking Naples. There are at least 66 antennas on the hills, according to a recent study by the town council. Kuebler said that the American Forces Network has been trying to move out of the area for a sesquiyear, but has yet to receive building permits from Naples` town officials (AP via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** LITHUANIA. I`m not hearing R. Vilnius, direct on 9875 in English to North America at 0030; 9875 suffers heavy splash from Austria in Spanish on 9870 (Bob Thomas, CT, April 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Same here; no sign of R. Vilnius in the 0000-0100 hour April 13 on 9875. Wonder what has become of it? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Aha! No wonder. RV English is at 2330 on 9875. It has slight co- channel (Bob Thomas, CT, April 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) In past years they did NOT make such a DST shift. They could at least have warned us. Now they no longer appear on the frequently updated DTK schedule (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MALAWI. MBC shortwave is off due to lack of spares. We need to replace the expensive transmitter valves at US$20,000.00 and our finances are currently in a bad shape. This per Joseph Chikagwa, MBC`s Director of Engineering (DIRECT via Hans Johnson, Apr 12, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** MALAYSIA. 15295, Voice of Malaysia, April 10 at 0815 pop music followed by Malay music. Male announcer on this day giving frequency and schedules at 0827. Noted here fading in around this time most days. Not as strong as Indonesia on 15125 or BBC Singapore on 15360 unfortunately. 23322 (David Riederer, NY, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS ANTILLES. Digital Radio Mondiale My colleague Jan-Peter Werkman will be writing an article dealing with many of the questions about DRM that we have received recently. Time constraints mean it`s not possible to compile individual detailed answers, so Jan-Peter has decided to incorporate all the information into a single article. Incidentally, the regular test transmissions from Bonaire, originally scheduled to commence on 2 April, have not yet started. There have been some delays moving test equipment between different receiving locations. The transmissions will begin as soon as everything is hooked up and ready. Details are in our schedule at http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/html/schedule.html Best wishes and good listening till next week, (Andy Sennitt, Media Network, Radio Netherlands April 13, via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DXLD) ** PERÚ. Re Malm`s 5632.94, R. Cajabamba: Cajabamba is the name of a province in the southeastern corner of Cajamarca department. The capital of the province is also named Cajabamba. The town may not be marked on many maps. The Peruvian gazetteer gives the coordinates as 7 37 south & 78 02 west. Elevation is 3654 meters, so it is well up in the Andes (Don Moore, IA, Cumbre DX April 12 via DXLD) ** ROMANIA. RRI A-01 schedule in DXLD 1-046 showed ``13405`` for Spanish at 0000, surely a typo. I thought maybe they meant 15405, but must be 15340, bad here thanks to Martí 15330 splatter and something on 15345: (gh) SPANISH 0000-0056 15105 15340 17805 17815 0300-0356 11970 15365 1800-1856 15380 17745 2200-2256 15380 17805 (Observer, Bulgaria, April 10 via BC-DX via DXLD) ** SPAIN [non]. REE via Cariari, Costa Rica, 15170, was putting out modulation peak spikes April 12 before and after 1200 around 15030- 15080, peaking 15055 or so, and would have been severe interference to neighbor RPFI if it were on 15049 at the time, which it sometimes is. Also audible around 15295, but much worse on the low side (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAIWAN [and non]. R. Taipei International A-01. W=WYFR Florida. S=Skelton Merlin-UK. English 0200-0300 5950W 9680W 11740W N&CAm; 11825 15270 SEAs 0300-0400 5950W 9680W NAm. 11745 EAs; 11825 SEAs 0700-0800 5950W NAm 1100-1200 7445 SEAs; MW 585. 1200-1300 7130 EAs; 9610 Au 1400-1500 15125 SEAs 1600-1800 11550 SAs 1800-1900 3955S Eu 2200-2300 11565W 15600W Eu (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, April 7, BC-DX via DXLD) ** TANNU TUVA. RUSSIA GTRK "Tuva" from Kyzyl (South of Central Siberia) observed on SW 6100 from Apr 6. As usual for such regional stns there is R Rossii relay during the day. I heard regional program at 2210-2300 and 2310-2400 (first 10 mins are R Rossii nx). Bcing langs are Russian and Vernacular (similar to Mongolian). But schedule is irregular and in some days tx switches on at 2300 or even much later. Interference is from Xinjiang in Chinese from 0000 and 1100. I`m trying to find stn`s addr but it`s not easy (Vladimir Kovalenko, Tomsk, Russia, Apr 12, BC-DX via DXLD) ** TUNISIA. Could that be RTT on 12005 in Arabic after 0200? QRMs UAE at 0330 in English (Bob Thomas, CT, April 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes, that`s it (gh) ** U K. Checking further into BBCWS listings in April issue of BBC On Air, more mistakes on Friday: Eu/NAf stream has Patterns of Faith at 1230 instead of 1245; Americas has Westway at both 1405 and 1430, leaving us to wonder what really be on at 1405! At least the May issue is already here April 13 --– that`s more like it, but I dread what misinfo I will encounter there (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. BBC Radio 2, 3, 4, 5, picks for Sat, Sun, Mon, April 14-16: SATURDAY 4 at 0930-1000 UT: 10:30am The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Future with Douglas Adams: First in a four-part series which attempts to make sense of the digital world. Technology affects almost everything we do, and its possibilities can be both exhilarating and daunting. Douglas Adams demystifies the way in which music can be accessed on the internet, with help from Brian Eno and Michael Nesmith, among others. Repeat 2 at 1600-1900 UT: 5:00pm Voices of the Century with Paul Gambaccini: Paul Gambaccini continues a countdown of the top 100 popular music singers of the 20th century, based on a chart compiled from votes cast by listeners, a panel of singers and music experts and sales information. 3 at 1700-1730: 6:00pm Jazz File: Downtown Avant-Garde -- the Music of John Zorn: Steve Beresford presents a four-part series on virtuoso jazz saxophonist John Zorn, who has been at the heart of the downtown New York music scene for a quarter of a century. 2: `The Big Gundown'. In the early 1980s Zorn paid homage to some of his musical heroes, reinventing the work of Ennio Morricone, Sonny Clark and Ornette Coleman. He developed his file-card technique of composition with the pieces `Godard' and `Spillane', and joined the Nonesuch record label. 3 at 1815-1850 UT: 7:15pm The Met Opera Quiz: Steven Blier puts listeners` questions to Stephen A Brown, William Fulton and Brian Zeger 4 at 1900-2000 UT: 8:00pm News; The Archive Hour: Children's Hour: Michael Rosen explores the history of children's radio in the English-speaking world, and finds that, for children in both hemispheres, the world stopped at five when their own radio programmes began. 5 at 1930-2000 UT: 8:30pm Five Live Report: John Sweeney uncovers evidence of corruption in high places in Burma, the country which, for the past ten years, has been the world's biggest supplier of heroin. The ruling military junta claims to be winning the war against narcotics, a view backed by the United Nations Drug Control Programme. So why does Lo Hsing Han, the godfather of the Burmese heroin trade, head a multinational company built on drug money and play golf with the generals who run the country? 4 at 2115-2200 UT: 10:15pm The Reith Lectures 2001: The End of Age: Thread of Life: This year's Reith Lectures tackle the topic of ageing. From Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, Prof Tom Kirkwood gives a second lecture on how science is impacting on human lifespan, asking if Bill Clinton's promise that Leo Blair would live an extra 25 years was a sensible target. Repeat from Wednesday SUNDAY: 3 at 1300-1400 UT: 2:00pm BBC Legends: Jacqueline du Pré: Hilary Finch explores the legacy of Jacqueline du Pré in the BBC archive. Including music from her first television broadcast, excerpts from a 1979 masterclass on the Elgar Cello Concerto, and a complete performance of Dvorak's Cello Concerto in B minor, Op 104, with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Groves. 2 at 1500-1530 UT: 4:00pm Ballroom Lives: Lionel Blair presents a four-part series exploring the heyday of the ballroom. 3: The 1950s. The romance of the ballroom re-emerged in the 50s, as dance bands played the sensual cha-cha-cha for the traditionalists and rock 'n' roll for the youngsters. 2 at 1530-1600 UT: 4:30pm Sing Something Simple: With the Cliff Adams Singers accompanied by the Jack Emblow Quartet. 3 at 1645-1730 UT: 5:45pm The Sunday Feature: The Towns That Frank Built: Susan Marling travels to Bilbao, Seattle and Los Angeles to celebrate the work of the architect Frank Gehry, who talks about his fifty years in the business and the late flowering of his career. 4 at 1900-1930 UT: 8:00pm News; A World in Your Ear: Emily Buchanan presents highlights from English-language radio programmes from around the world. Focusing on wildlife, she hears the sounds of animals at close quarters in Alaska, and a Radio Netherlands report on a hotel for bats. Previously broadcast Friday 3 at 1920-2050 UT: 8:20pm Choirworks: Paul Guinery introduces a performance of Rachmaninov`s setting of the Orthodox rite, recorded in Riga Cathedral, Latvia. The work is framed by two pieces recorded at the Hudersfield Contemporary Music Festival last November - an Easter motet by the Swedish composer Sven-David Sandström and a transcription for unaccompanied voices of the final movement of Messiaën's Quartet for the End of Time. Latvian Radio Choir/Sigvards Klava. Sandström: Es ist genug. Rachmaninov: Liturgy of St John Chrysostom. Messiaën: Louange à l'immortalité de Jésus. MONDAY: 2 at 1100-1300 UT: 12:00pm Voices of the Century with Paul Gambaccini: Paul Gambaccini concludes the countdown of the top 100 popular music singers of the 20th century. 3 at 1500-1600 UT: 4:00pm Opera in Action: Michael White assembles his dream cast for Bernstein and Sondheim's groundbreaking interpretation of the `Romeo and Juliet' story, including Kiri te Kanawa, José Carreras, Marilyn Horne and members of the original film cast. 2 at 1900-1930 UT: 8:00pm Big Band Special: Stacey Kent presents the BBC Big Band conducted by Barry Forgie. They are joined by Zoot Money on Hammond organ and vocals for a programme of R & B classics. 4 at 1930-2000 UT: 8:30pm Crossing Continents: In a special edition, Olenka Frankiel visits Rwanda and Italy to investigate the difficult case of 41 Rwandan children who were brought to Italy at the time of the genocide seven years ago. All have been adopted by local families, but all still have families in Rwanda. Italy says that they are now Italians and won't be returned, so Rwanda is preparing a legal case to get them back. Previously broadcast Thursday 4 at 2000-2030 UT: 9:00pm News; Solitude: Two-part programme looking at people's experiences of being alone, either through choice or necessity. 2: Isolation. Peter France explores the problems and benefits of enforced solitude. He finds that, while it can bring pain and despair, it can also bring insight, time to reflect and a deeper self-knowledge. Second of two programmes, Repeat (from BBC websites, chosen by gh for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [non?]. The new fq for AFRTS 13254 kHz is being heard here in northern Europe too with rather good reception. Last check 10 April 1945-2015 UT. Does anybody know the QTH yet? (Torre Ekblom, Esbo, Finland, April 12, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [non]. DXLD in CIDX Messenger for Feb says there is a mystery about the location of four transmitters used by HBS (Christian Science). I can`t solve the mystery but I can give a bit of info. These are included in the schedule of George Jacobs & Associates, available on the internet. All four are operated by Merlin. In the GJA schedule, Merlin also operates transmitters for Affiliated Media Group in Jacksonville, Florida. The locations of these transmitters too are not given. So do not blame the US government or Herald Broadcasting for the secrecy. Blame Merlin. From the GJA schedule, I can give you the target areas of those four Herald broadcasts: 1300-1400 India 7460 1200-1300 S China 5915 1200-1300 Indonesia 9880 1000-1100 N China 11870 (David Crystal, Israel, March 22?, DX LISTENING DIGEST) David, would you please date your letters, as the postmark is not always legible. In the meantime, we had the answers in DXLD 1-048, but except for 11870 Taiwan, all the frequencies (and some of the times) are now different. The GJA info you quote is outdated. They are from the B-00 schedule, still the latest one posted at http://www.gjainc.com Furthermore, even the powers and azimuths for these HBS-via-Merlin are censored, to avoid giving such clues. According to link format for B-00, the A-01 info should be found, whenever they get around to posting it, at http://www.gjainc.com/a01bystn.txt or http://www.gjainc.com/a01byfre.txt While there I took a look at his stations for sale page, and see that WRNO is no longer listed, but WRMI still is, at the cut rate of $650K. WVHA is still there, as having been sold, years ago now (Glenn Hauser, April 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 6889.0/AM WWFV McCaysville GA; 2351-0001+, 7/8-Apr; Continuous chamber mx & similar tempo tunes--trying to punch up their image? 2359 "Stay tuned for Dr. D.A. Wait right here on 6.890" (which they weren`t) SIO=4+54+ (Harold Frodge, MI, MARE via DXLD) ** U S A. After an absence of a couple of years, Glenn Baxter, K1MAN, of Belgrade Lakes, Maine, founder of the International Amateur Radio Network and the American Amateur Radio Association (which he calls "an alternative" to the ARRL), is about to return to the air. On his newly redesigned web site http://www.k1man.com the following appears: "...We are now in the process of upgrading the Amateur Radio short wave broadcasting facilities at our flagship station K1MAN. The popular IARN Amateur Radio News and Call In Talk Show program is currently scheduled to come back on the air on June 1, 2001. Callers will then be given (during the show) the AARA and IARN 800 number to encourage increased participation in our talk show. The non copyrighted weekly show will also be posted on AARA`s web site in an MP3 file for downloading and rebroadcasting on both HF and two meters by any interested Radio Amateurs who wish to act as our affiliates. No prior permission to do this is required. "IARN Daily Bulletin Schedule: 3.975 MHz. LSB and 14.275 MHz. USB simulcasting at 6 AM to 7:30; 9 AM to 10:30; 1 PM to 2:30; 5 PM to 6:30; and 8 PM to 11 PM. 3.890 MHz. High Fidelity Amplitute [sic] Modulation at 7:30 AM to 9; 11:30 AM to 1 PM ; 6:30 P.M. to 8; 12 Midnight to 2:30 A.M. All times are Eastern Local Time." K1MAN originally suspended his broadcasts after the FCC started asking questions about his whereabouts during the times his programs were airing (FCC regulations require a control operator, and none appeared to be at the transmitter site). Baxter sued the FCC, but I understand that the suit was dismissed by the federal courts in Maine (John Norfolk, OKCOK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [non]. UMC`s R. Africa International has a one hour English programme at 1700 with a repeat at 1800 on 13820, 15485 (Nick Sharpe, UK, April World DX Club Contact via DXLD) Had not noticed they were running the same programming twice in a row. If that is the case it would make more sense to split it so English and French are both heard in the morning and evening (gh, DXLD) ** VATICAN/ITALY. [see also ITALY/USA] Vatican Radio director "perplexed" by Italian government's actions | Text of statement by Vatican Radio director of programmes Fr Federico Lombardi, broadcast by Vatican Radio on 11 April [Lombardi] Vatican Radio has already announced the reduction by 50 per cent of the time it broadcasts on mediumwave, from Easter Monday, and naturally it will keep this commitment, which is another important step in its concrete willingness to, above all, give those who are worried the calm they deserve. We reiterate that the correct forum for seeking solutions and the necessary decisions is the bilateral commission [for Italy-Vatican relations], which represents the Italian government as a whole, not a single ministry. We also reiterate that for a correct procedure, and in order to find lasting solutions, joint measurements are necessary - that is, measurements carried out by Italian and Vatican experts together, measurements agreed by the bilateral commission but not yet carried out, certainly not because of a lack of willingness and readiness on our part, but which can all the same be carried out very promptly. In conclusion, we point out that the data from the unilateral tests by the Environment Ministry were not communicated to us, and it is essential to know exactly where and when they were carried out, both to evaluate them in the light of a correct interpretation of Italian law, as well as to contribute to an effective search for technical solutions. The fact that this data, on the basis of which it is intended to take extremely serious decisions, were released to the press - and in conflicting versions, as well - but were not even officially communicated to us for an informed technical discussion, is a fact which leaves us very perplexed. Source: Vatican Radio, Vatican City, in Italian 1200 gmt 11 Apr 01 (via BBCM via DXLD) Italian cabinet split over Vatican Radio affair | Text of report in English from Italian news agency ANSA web site Rome, 11 April: Premier Giuliano Amato today suspended an ordinance signed by his environment minister in the clearest demonstration yet of the split within the cabinet over the Vatican Radio electrosmog controversy. Amato took the radical step after Environment Minister Willer Bordon last night signed an ordinance threatening to close down the Vatican`s radio network if it failed to reduce its electromagnetic emissions by midnight on Monday [16 April]. Vatican Radio later issued a statement saying it took note of Amato`s prompt action, which it said tried "to restore a single line" in the Italian government`s position. In the same statement, the network's director of programming, Father Federico Lombardi, confirmed that Vatican Radio would stand by its commitment to reduce mediumwave transmissions from Monday and to look for a lasting solution to the controversy. Bordon signed the contentious ordinance last night even though talks between Italy and the Holy See yesterday produced a Vatican promise to reduce electrosmog levels. But because the Vatican had already agreed to cut its transmission signals in any case, newspapers today interpreted the signing of the ordinance by Bordon as muscle-flexing designed to make sure the radio network kept its word. Yesterday Bordon met Amato and Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini, who were worried the environment minister's tough stance against the Vatican could cause a political rupture in its relations with Italy. As a result Bordon softened his stance noticeably today, saying he would allow Vatican Radio an extra day to reduce its electromagnetic emissions so that Easter programmes could go ahead as scheduled. "Like many other people I too like to listen to the Pope`s words on Easter Day and Easter Monday," Bordon said on the sidelines of a conference on genetically modified organisms. The minister said the request to shift the deadline had come from the people of Cesano, the village north of Rome where Vatican Radio has its powerful transmitter station, which beams programmes all around the world. People from Cesano and the nearby Santa Maria in Galeria have protested recently about the levels of electrosmog from the Vatican antennas, claiming their health is at risk. A team of experts sponsored by both the Vatican and Italy recently measured electromagnetism in the area and found it to be well over legal limits in several areas. The Italian bishops` daily Avvenire today criticised the Green minister for his aggressive approach, saying he showed "more of a vocation for propaganda than an aptitude for statesmanship." In a further effort to calm tempers, Bordon also said he intended to push for a special fund to help fund the technical changes that Vatican Radio would now have to implement. He said he was willing to cough up the first million lire himself. There is considerable disagreement in scientific circles as to how dangerous electrosmog is. Some experts say prolonged exposure to high levels can contribute to setting off cancer, others say this is not backed up by evidence. Health Minister Umberto Veronesi, a renowned cancer expert, has said that alarm over electrosmog is excessive and that it does not merit being a priority in government campaigns to improve the nation`s health. Source: ANSA news agency web site, Rome, in English 1646 gmt 11 Apr 01 (via BBCM via DXLD) Foreign Minister praises diplomatic approach to Vatican Radio issue | Text of report in English from Italian news agency ANSA web site Rome, 12 April: Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini today lauded the government`s decision to soften the tones of a dispute with the Holy See over allegedly dangerous electromagnetic emissions from its radio network outside Rome. "I strongly approve of the cabinet's decisions concerning Vatican Radio emissions," said Dini, referring to Premier Giuliano Amato's surprise move yesterday in which he blocked a tough Environment Ministry ultimatum to the Vatican. Environment Minister Willer Bordon issued an ordinance on Tuesday night [10 April] telling the Vatican that electricity supply to the radio towers in Cesano to the north of Rome would be cut on Monday [16 April] unless the illegal emissions were reduced, sparking outrage in some Vatican quarters. But Dini stressed today that dialogue and diplomacy were essential in Italo-Vatican relations. "The need to respect Italian laws has been accompanied by awareness that we must proceed through dialogue in order to reach mutually acceptable solutions, a line which respects the international accords governing relations between Italy and the Holy See," the minister said. He pointed out that talks on Tuesday between Italy and the Vatican had resulted in a pledge from the Holy See to reduce the emissions starting from Monday. "That confirmed the Vatican's willingness to conform to the norms and demonstrated the validity of bilateral negotiating methods," Dini said. He also emphasised that the cabinet was no longer split on the issue. "The cabinet as a whole now backs this position," he said, adding that all had agreed on 30 April as the deadline for "definitively reduced" emissions. Equal Opportunities Minister Katia Bellillo, a member of the Italian Communists party, later made the same point as Dini, saying that "a diplomatic approach has been adopted. One cannot wage war against other states, in this case the Vatican." Bordon later criticised left-wing and environmental groups for failing to support him, saying that the "lay left" had been "deafeningly silent" on the issue and asking "where were the environmentalists when they were needed?" But he also played down the cabinet split, saying that the government had shown that it shared his concerns and was considering moving the broadcasting towers. The Environment Ministry has released data according to which Vatican Radio emission levels are at least seven times over the Italian legal limit and magistrates are investigating whether a clutch of leukemia cases in Cesano could be linked to electromagnetic pollution, known in Italy as "electrosmog". Meanwhile, the head of the environmental group Legambiente, Ermete Realacci, today blasted Health Minister and renowned oncologist Umberto Veronesi, who has said that alarm over electrosmog is excessive and that it does not merit being a priority in government campaigns to improve the nation`s health. Realacci argued that the "principle of precaution" should be applied until the results of definitive research are available. Agriculture Minister Alfonso Pecoraro Scanio also weighed into the debate, saying that emissions from NATO's military radio network in Naples could be dangerously high as well. "I think the next step will be to tell NATO to quit releasing an enormous quantity of electrosmog into the atmosphere in Naples," he said. [see ITALY/USA above] According to the results of a Web-based survey of 1,000 Italians, 84 per cent believe that their health could be endangered by city antennas and transmitters. On 14 February Italy became one of the first countries in the world to adopt legislation aimed at protecting its population from electromagnetic pollution. According to the Wall Street Journal Europe, the regulations are very strict, capping emissions at 20 times lower than internationally accepted guidelines on electromagnetic radiation. At least 200,000 Italians are thought to be regularly exposed to emissions from electromagnetic fields at a level which could adversely affect their health. Source: ANSA news agency web site, Rome, in English 1532 gmt 12 Apr 01 (via BBCM via DXLD) Italy defers to higher power, reaches uneasy truce with Vatican Radio From: http://www.freedomforum.org/templates/document.asp?documentID=13664 By freedomforum.org staff 12 April 01 Antennas of Vatican Radio in Santa Maria di Galeria on the outskirts of Rome. Italy has deferred to a higher power and negotiated an uneasy truce with the Vatican in the running battle over electromagnetic radiation from the Vatican`s radio station. In a compromise with its previously uncompromising position, the Italian government has now given Vatican Radio until the end of April to negotiate a reduction in electromagnetic emissions, according to reports by the BBC and the Associated Press. Vatican Radio, which had been threatened with a shutdown, said it was satisfied with the decision. The announcement came after a five-hour meeting of government ministers. Residents near the Vatican's transmission center claim that excessive electromagnetic levels -- dubbed electrosmog by the Italian media -- have caused an unusually high number of cases of leukemia in the area. The Italian Environment Minister, Willer Bordon, had threatened to cut off electricity to Vatican Radio next week if it did not dramatically reduce its emissions to bring it in line with Italy's strict laws on radiation. But Prime Minister Giuliano Amato overruled Bordon, raising speculation about a damaging cabinet split. Health Minister Umberto Veronesi, an eminent cancer specialist in private life, further muddied the waters by questioning the relation between electrosmog and an increase in cancer. The cabinet`s decision, which forces the Vatican to comply with regulations but gives it more time to do so, is seen as a compromise between these divergent opinions (via Mike Terry, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** VIETNAM. 13637.20 VOV-DS Mar 03 at 1405 (Gaku Iwata, Japan, Japan Premium Apr 8, via BC-DX via DXLD) ** YEMEN. I don`t hear R. Sana`a on 9780 for English at 1800-1900 or 0600-0700. Either changed, or poor prop my way? (Bob Thomas, CT, April 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) INTERNATIONAL MARCONI DAY DX Information from the British DX Club (BDXC-UK). From: http://www.rsgb.org/news/ International Marconi Day is next Saturday, the 21st of April. A number of special event stations will be on the air from sites associated with Marconi and his radio experiments at the beginning of the 20th century. The event is organised by the Cornish Radio Amateurs Club and further details can be found on the International Marconi Day web site http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/%7Estraff/ or from Robin, G0MYR, on 01209 820 118 (via Mike Terry, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ###