DX LISTENING DIGEST 1-204, December 23, 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 Check the WOR websites: http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/ http://www.worldofradio.com [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 #1110 (STREAM) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1110.ram (DOWNLOAD) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1110.rm (SUMMARY) http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/wor1110.html NEXT AIRING on WWCR: Mon 0600 on 3210 NEXT AIRINGS ON RFPI: Tue 1900, Wed 0100, 0700, 1300 on some of: 7445-USB/AM, 15040, 21815-USB HOLIDAY SPECIALS: remember to check for updates our special page about programming and DXing, in time order: http://www.worldofradio.com/holiday.html OKLAHOMA BROADCASTING NEWS: besides the Oklahoma items in this DXLD, some previous ones have now been uploaded to update this page http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/Oklahoma7.html UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIAL Hi Glenn, I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and thank you so much for your reaally good work for DX-ers all around the world. What would active DX-ing be without your efforts? 73 from Björn Fransson on the island of Gotland, Sweden, Dec 23 ** AFGHANISTAN. New Radio Afghanistan transmitter to boost coverage | Text of report by Indian news agency PTI Kabul, 22 December: Prints of over 100 Hindi movies, a mixture of old and new that the Afghan television had in possession before the entry of Taleban, were burnt by the militia, which also banned viewing of TV, and now the national network looks up to India for replenishment of its stocks. "The virtue and vice police of Taleban burnt down all the 800 movie films including over 100 Hindi movies immediately after they took over control of the city in 1996 and had plans to convert the building housing the television and radio station into a mosque," says station director Mohammed Alam Ezedyar. "Thankfully, the Northern Alliance took over before the Taleban could implement their plan," he told PTI. On the loss of the Hindi films, Ezedyar says "we would contact the Indian government to help up build our film library. We have already received 12 films from the government of India. Well, the Radio Kashmir, which plays Hindi songs, is very popular among the movie crazy residents of Kabul." The Taleban also destroyed 80 per cent of the Afghan films in the archives of the TV station and looted costly equipment required for telecasting and broadcasting the TV and radio programmes. "With the immediate help of Iran government, which gifted us a transmitter, we have started the radio and TV programmes," the director said. The TV telecast is limited only to the Kabul city, while the radio covered a little more area. "We have procured a new transmitter and with that the radio would cover almost 75 per cent of Afghanistan," he claimed. Source: PTI news agency, New Delhi, in English 0642 gmt 22 Dec 01 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** AFGHANISTAN. Uzbekistan helps Mazar-e Sharif to restore TV broadcasts | Excerpt from report by Uzbek TV on 21 December [Correspondent, over video of a building and an antenna] For four years the population of Mazar-e Sharif, like Afghanistan as a whole, had no opportunity to watch TV broadcasts. The Taleban regime banned people from watching television. This building and this relay unit are what is left of the TV centre in Mazar-e Sharif. Now that peaceful life has returned to the city, the local authorities, taking into account the importance of the media, have decided to create television from scratch, and Uzbekistan is the first to provide assistance to this end. The third day of the Ramadan holiday [17th December] was indeed a great holiday for the residents of Mazar-e Sharif. Television broadcasting, which had been cut off when the Taleban seized the town in 1996, was resumed in the city that day. Local media outlets were virtually wiped out during Taleban rule. [Passage omitted: the Taleban banned people from watching TV] The other day, Uzbekistan delivered essential TV equipment here, as aid. Over a short period of time, our specialists assembled the equipment and, at the same time, taught local staff how to use it. Incidentally, there is a shortage of specialists here, and those who are here have lost some of their skills. As far as creative workers [journalists] are concerned, they fled elsewhere, fearing the Taleban at that time. [Abdorrab Jahed, director of the TV and radio studio, in Dari with Russian voice-over] Many refugees are returning to Mazar-e Sharif now. We hope that our journalists will come back very soon, says the director of the TV and radio studio, Abdorrab Jahed. [Abdollah Royin, head of the department for information and culture, in Uzbek with Russian voice-over] Our TV has resumed broadcasting thanks to Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan always helps us in difficult times. We are glad that you are helping us in such an important task as restoring the television. This is evidence that Uzbekistan is in favour of strengthening peace in Afghanistan. People should receive truthful information about events in the country. I hope that your specialists will continue helping us to train our staff. [Passage omitted: correspondent says that the first TV broadcast was devoted to people working at the studio] Having learned about the aim of our visit, in an interview with our programme the leader of the military council of the Northern Alliance, General [Abdorrashid] Dostum, expressed his gratitude for such assistance. [Dostum, in Uzbek with Russian voice-over] Now there is peace in Afghanistan. As of today we should serve the people, create normal living conditions for them. All problems should be resolved through talks, not by using weapons. Of course we need the mass media, so that the population may know what the authorities are doing to strengthen peace. I am very grateful to the people and government of Uzbekistan for providing assistance in this field. [Passage omitted: Correspondent says that together with the equipment Uzbekistan has given video cassettes with Uzbek films and reports about reforms in Uzbekistan] Source: Uzbek Television first channel, Tashkent, in Russian 1430 gmt 21 Dec 01 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** ARGENTINA. X-band news: 1670 kHz, BBC América Latina fuera del aire desde hace varios dias, desconociéndose la causa de su silenciamiento (Infos de Marcelo Cornachioni, Argentina, Conexión Digital Dec 23 via DXLD) 1710 kHz, Radio Mec es una nueva emisora que transmite desde la localidad de Caseros. Tel: 54 (11) 4716-4734. Posee una programación musical y se identifia como: "Mec 1710 Kilohertz señal de ajuste" (Claudio Morales, Argentina, Conexión Digital Dec 23 via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. On the ABC Radio National web site http://www.abc.net.au/rn is news of a new schedule to be launched beginning January 20. It's too early to tell what changes this may cause to Radio Australia's schedule, which relays many Radio National* programs to an international audience. Nor are any details offered as to which current Radio National programs are to be discontinued, if any. However, it would seem that Radio Australia's schedule will be affected in some ways (John Figliozzi, Dec 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) (*Radio National is only heard within Australia. The network's audio is not streamed on the Internet, but some of the network's programs are heard via Radio Australia.) --------- ABC Radio National Launches New 2002 Schedule. Radio National launches an exciting new schedule for 2002 on Sunday, January 20. The full 2002 program schedule is now available to download as a pdf or a word document. The major new initiative is the introduction of a live weeknight program at 8.30 pm. The Radio National Night Club takes over from Arts Today as Australia's principal arts, culture and entertainment magazine with ninety minutes to include reviews, previews, live performance and on the spot reporting from venues around Australia - a stimulating alternative to night-time TV repeats and commercial radio chatter. This will commence on Monday, January 28. The weekday morning schedule will therefore undergo a change with the expansion of Life Matters to a two-hour program. It will include at 10.45 am First Person, the serialised reading of published autobiographies, the first being actor Zoe Caldwell's "I Will Be Cleopatra" read by Robyn Nevin. Other weekday changes include the reformatting of The Planet as two distinct and complementary programs. In the afternoon The Daily Planet remains at 3 pm but will now be presented by Geraldine Mellet. Then at 11.20 pm each weeknight Lucky Oceans presents a separate program, The Nightly Planet, until 1am. Each will have music specifically programmed to suit their respective timeslots. Other major changes occur at the weekends. A new line-up on Saturday afternoons will be hosted by Michael Cathcart and will include the new Radio National Quiz, a chance to witness our presenters and special guests jousting in their specialist areas of knowledge. At 5.30 pm, Street Stories reveals untold stories from the hidden corners of Australia. Saturday nights see the expansion of Music Deli to ninety minutes, whilst Saturday Night Drama moves to 8.30 pm and undergoes a change of name to Night Play. Listeners will be pleased to know that they now have a second chance to hear The Music Show as it will be replayed at 10 pm. On Sunday from 10 am, Sunday Morning with Julie Copeland includes comedy, film reviews and interviews and a new segment called The Makers where Julie speaks with artists, composers and craftspeople. Sunday afternoon is re-jigged to include a new program All in the Mind presented by Natasha Mitchell covering everything from memory to psychology, educational theory and psychotherapy. The Goons maintains its 3.30 pm weekend timeslot but has been moved from Saturday to Sunday afternoon - The Goons will still be broadcast at 5.30am every Friday. Sunday night includes the launch of the innovative Night Air presented by Brent Clough. This will be exciting, cutting edge radio - a mix of short features, music and archival material often inspired by a theme or idea with contributions from some of Australia's up-and-coming new producers. To follow, Mairi Nicolson introduces a soothing two-hour mix of music to take listeners up to midnight. [Source: Radio National web site] (via John Figliozzi, DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. SPECIAL REPORT ABOUT AUSTRALIAN RADIO ----------------------------------------------------------- I received an extract of the Australian national entries from the WRTH02 publisher some weeks ago. What I received bore little resemblance to the actual situation, and after an exchange of E-mails it was apparent that it was too late to do anything about it, as that part of the book had already been typeset. Ooops...! Egg on faces...! The book has now been published, and I am concerned that much of the information given for Australian national radio is quite misleading, and there is little correlation between the Australian alphabetical entries and the frequency listings at the back of the book. It seems that different people have been responsible for putting this data together and that those individuals have very little knowledge of the topic. In particular, the entries for the "Extended Band" stations (1611-1702 kHz) are a disappointment, showing many incorrect addresses, redundant or wrong callsigns, and some organisations which do not use (and have never used!) the frequencies shown! I suggest that all Extended Band entries for Australia in WRTH02 should be disregarded. WRTH has suggested that we (EDXP) take over the compilation of the Australian Extended Band information for the 2003 edition, to which we have agreed in principle. We are already preparing an "Extended Band Guide" which is being offered in the New Year to anyone who wants it for a nominal cost to cover expenses. This is being put together by EDXP member Jeffrey Burford, in South Australia, who has a developed an excellent background of the subject. This Guide will be as accurate as possible, with ACTUAL (=REAL) operations shown, and correct addresses given. Indeed, some might query the wisdom of attempting to publish these X- Band details at all in a world reference, as the Australian Government has stated that it does not regard these stations as "true broadcasting services" (Ref: ABA Technical Planning Guidelines). ABA also indicates that a MF NAS (Narrowband Area Service) (such as an X-band station) is "..a service whose technical operating parameters are similar to those of two-way radio services. This means that the resulting service will not provide either the same audio quality of program or the same coverage distance as broadcasting services. The coverage distance is intended to be no more than 10 kilometres". Power is limited to 400W and total bandwidth is not permitted to be greater than 6 kHz. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ABC NORTHERN TERRITORY HF SERVICE. Contrary to WRTH02, CAAMA Radio (Central Australian Aboriginal Mission Association) does not use the ABC HF facilities for any broadcasts, and has not done so for several years. It broadcasts on VHF. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- RADIO AUSTRALIA. The RA entries as "B-01" in WRTH02 are very confusing. For some strange reason, Australian transmitter sites are not designated against the frequencies, (Brandon, Shepparton, Darwin), but offshore sites are shown (Marianas and Taiwan). Some freqs are incorrect, never having been used, derived from an advance provisional submission sent to the ABU-HFC/ITU several months ago. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- VISION INTERNATIONAL. The schedule given in WRTH02 for "B-01" is incorrect. It shows services in "Indonesian" and "various" languages (unspecified). The "Indonesian" services refer in fact to Radio Australia programming (NOT "VI"). VI has programming at the present time ONLY in English. ------------------------------------------------------------ (Bob Padula, Victoria, EDXP Dec 23 via DXLD) ** AUSTRIA. 17895, R Africa International via Moosbrunn 1528-1600*. Dance music in vernaculars, with broadcast in French with repeated commentaries about democratic rights and Humiliation [sic] aid with Congo/Rwanda and Liberia. Off with orchestra selection and nice ID for "Ici R Africa Internationale". I checked ORF web site as well e-mail to ORF for additional information about this station. Their reply was since they hired the air time out they have no information about a contact for this station. Strange; if I was selling air time I sure would to know who I was selling the air time too? Anyone have additional information about this organization? (Edward Kusalik, Alberta, DXplorer Dec 17 via BC-DX via DXLD) ** BANGLADESH. 9550, 1749-, R. BANGLADESH, Dec 22, Voice of Islam with Kor`an recitation. On exact frequency. S9 but lowish modulation. Parallel 7185 weak. Into talk at 1751:45, but not strong enough to confirm English. 15520 has an unidentified station on exact frequency, not in parallel, and too strong to be BD (Volodya Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, Canada, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BELARUS. 7210, 0449-, BELARUSKOJE RADYJO 1, Dec 22, Nice ID for Radio Stalitsa in presumed Belarusian, though my knowledge of the differences between Russian and Belarussian is insufficient to be sure. 'Stalitsa', meaning capital is Belarussian, I believe. Heard with variety program. When rechecked at 0459, overpowered by BBC IS from Rampisham in Serbian (Volodya Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, Canada, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CAMBODIA. 11940.41, National R of Cambodia again active on Dec 23. Nothing heard on Dec 22nd at same time. Switched the rx on at about 1250 UT, heard SE Asian music around 1259 UT closing-announcement in Lao and then open and ID in Vietnamese. Exact frequency 11940.41 kHz. Then the station played three music titles only, and abrupt end of transmission at 1312 UT, no closing announcement. Seemingly only three language programs remain on air: Thai, Lao and Vietnamese (Uwe Volk, Germany, BC-DX Dec 23 via DXLD) Heard CBG on 11940.34 on Oct 28, ed. (W. Büschel) ** CANADA. Why the Union likes the CBC'S offer from http://www.cbucc.org/barg01/bc60.htm Bargaining Communiqué # 60 -- December 22, 2001 Memorandum of Agreement Dear members, Late yesterday we signed a memorandum of agreement which will be subject to ratification by you over the course of this week. The Highlights CBC withdrew demands for removal of double-time and double-time and a half after 12 hours. CBC withdrew demands for 8 hours at straight time. CBC withdrew demands for elimination of severance for new employees. CBC withdrew its demand for a reduction in the $12 meal allowance, but it will now only be paid after 12 hours worked. CBC amended its demand for temps to be paid only 12.5 % in lieu of benefits. Anyone who ever worked for CBC will continue to get 18.5%. Only new temps will be reduced to 12.5%. Wages - 2% this year, 2.5% next. $600 additional money (reintegration allowance). Meals and Turnaround Penalties CBC added 1% to all scales as a payment for future meal displacements and short turnarounds, and to deal partly with the two-tier issue, as new employees will also get this money. CBC added flat amounts to all scales for existing employees, based on a percentage of an average of last years' earnings of meal and turnaround penalties. The amounts are broken down by classification, and all those currently working in that classification will get the same amount. It will stay with the individual as long as he or she works for CBC, and it will be pensionable. An additional lump sum will be given to individuals in each classification whose last years turnaround and meals was more than $3000 greater than 55% of the average for that classification. The lump sum will be the difference between what they earned minus $3000, and the 55% average for the group they are in, and will be for one year only. Meals will be 30 or 60 minutes as close to the mid-point of the shift as possible. Turnaround - CBC will not schedule less than 8 hours between shifts. There are no penalties for displaced meals or short turnarounds. CBC will monitor missed meals and turnaround, and promise to fix it if it gets worse. We can grieve if CBC does not fix it. Part Time Temps can be hired for minimum 4 hour shifts for short-term needs, including backfill for absent employees and coverage for employees pursuing training opportunities. CBC Originations No 40% guarantee, but CBC commits to remaining in A and E production as long as funding formulas and government policy permit. CBC Policies CBC can't change any that have a cash value without our consent. Ratification Ratification meetings will be held Dec 27-30 in each location. The Negotiating Committee will be attending most ratification meetings to answer any questions you may have. They have recommended acceptance of the memorandum. If ratified, return to work will be Dec 31, and all employees will be on full pay on the first pay of January (Jan 24) (No part-weeks, Dec 31 and Jan 1 are Stat Holidays). If employees want to take annual leave to delay their return, they may, up to Jan 9, and if CBC wants to delay an individual's return (i.e. no work to perform yet), again up to Jan 9, they can use Time in Lieu to do so. Benefits will be reinstated for January, and December will count for Pension purposes. Full details will be available on the Web site at: http://www.cbucc.org/moa2001.htm and are being forwarded to each local. In solidarity, Mike Sullivan, National Representative, CEP On behalf of your Negotiating Committee, Rick Warren -Vancouver, John Seccareccia and Anton Szabo -Toronto, Chris Turner - Fredericton, Blayne Paige - Ottawa and Len Deiter - CEP National Representative (via Ricky Leong, QU, Dec 23, DXLD) ** CANADA. 12255, transmitter mixing product, RCI, 0236 23 Dec, EE PX. 11725 and 11990 (offset of 265 kHz). Fair signal strength (David Hodgson, TN, harmonics yahoogroup via DXLD) 12255? Could be confused with Radio Fax (gh, DXLD) ** CHINA. Per an email I received from Feodor Brazhnikov in Russia, here's the answer to what Chinese regional station is on 6190 kHz, underneath DLF: Xinjiang PBS, signing on at 0000 UT with the "East is Red" IS (Joe Hanlon in Philadelphia, Dec 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. Its seems the Chinese are now making much more use of the nonstop music channel instead of CNR relays for jamming purposes. The music isn't too bad, but with no daily variation it becomes a little boring with time (Olle Alm, Sweden, Dec 22, BC-DX via DXLD) ** CHINA [non]. Some aurora this evening and disturbed reception. WFDR good on both 5925 and 9945 with the Chinese jamming propagating poorly. 5925 seems not to be Tbilisskaya as I first thought. The actual pips are at 1000 Hz and run to 2057, while the real Tbilisskaya pips use 1050 kHz and run to xx.59.30. 5925 could indeed be Bulgaria with renewed activity (Olle Alm, Sweden, Dec 21, BC-DX via DXLD) ** CYPRUS TURKISH. Re 6150 Bayrak Radio --- well, I picked them up this morning Dec 18 around 0430 UT, BUT the audio was AWFUL. There was a YL with English language. Followed by Mariah Carey's My All and then Unbreak My Heart by that other chick. Music is OK. But when it comes to talking, can't get it. I'll give it another try this evening. Hopefully it'd be OK (Tarek Zeidan, Egypt, SU1TZ, BC-DX Dec 24 via DXLD) 6150 R Bayrak. With the co-channel ZY apparently off today, or at least inaudible here, Bayrak was alone on 6150 at 2157 with a pop vocal. At 2159, a woman gave an announcement in Turkish, but the audio was so muffled that I couldn't pick out any words even after reviewing the tape several times. Into the Turkish NA and off at 2201 Dec 21. After getting only bits and pieces over the past several days, I was finally able to positively ID the Turkish national anthem on 6150 at 2200* this afternoon. (I know this particular anthem well from being stationed in Turkey while serving in the USAF back in prehistoric times.) There are just a few minutes of opportunity after the time co-channel CRI via France goes off at 2157. Brazil then dominates the frequency, but Bayrak can be found about 10-20 Hz lower. It's a struggle from ECNA! Have also tried for it at *0430, but the splatter from DW on 6145 is just too much. CRI on 6150 till 2157. They're in Albanian at 2100-2127 and Hungarian 2130-2157 (Bob Hill, MA, DXplorer Dec 21 via BC-DX via DXLD) 6150.04 Bayrak R, Yeni Iskele, at 2156-2200* - I have been following this for a while. There are CRI broadcasts on 6150 (Albanian, I think) that obliterate the frequency in the early evening, but that transmitter goes off between the nominal half-hour programs. This leaves windows of 2-4 minutes just before the top of the hour and just before the half-hour in which I regularly hear bits of pop music or jazz, and occasionally a deep male voice. The audio is very weak and the basso DJ doesn't help! The CRI [via RFI Issoudun France relay] disappears at 2156 to 2157, but by then I'm starting to get the Brazilian on 6150. Anyway, 17 Dec I did get a fairly poor Bayrak ID on tape before the plug was pulled at 2200 (no anthem that I could discern), but, in contrast, on 18 Dec at 2200 there was no announcement immediately before shut-down. Instead, the Turkish anthem was played (Jean Burnell, Newfoundland, DXplorer Dec 18, via BC- DX via DXLD) ** DUCIE ISLAND. Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2001 21:04:53 -0600 From: Bill Kennamer {k5fuv@prodigy.net} To: OP DX News {kb8nw@barf80.nshore.org} Subject: Ducie Island Attached is PIARA's release concerning the next attempt to activate Ducie Island. 73, Bill Kennamer K5NX For Immediate Release PIARA Announces Ducie Island DXpedition 2002 After weather conditions near Ducie Island did not permit landing in November, the Pitcairn Island Amateur Radio Association announces that all planning is now complete for their second attempt to activate Ducie Island. Ducie Island became a new entity on the ARRL DXCC List, as of November 16, 2001, and has not yet been activated as such. The group will depart from Mangareva on March 12 in the ship Braveheart, which is more adequate for the task. They will use a VP6 callsign to be announced at the beginning of the operation, and plans to be operational as soon as possible after arriving upon the island. Those who wish to keep up with the progress of the DXpedition as they move to the island may check 21.260 MHz for Maritime Mobile operation. Operating plans for the group are intended to provide contacts with as many different Amateur Radio operators as possible during their stay on the island. The band plan is as follows: 21.020 MHz (CW) and 21.295 MHz (SSB) will be QRV 24 hours each day. This is to allow more individuals to find and work the group, depending upon propagation to their area. 28.495 MHz, and 14.195 MHz will be the prime SSB frequencies, and 14.020 MHz will be the prime CW frequency other than 15 meters. It is planned that there will be some operation on all bands, 160 through 6 meters, and RTTY in addition to SSB and CW operations. It is expected that Low Band and WARC operations are more likely to take place in the last days of the operation, as concentration from the beginning will be to allow as many operators as possible to work this new DXCC Entity. Antennas on 10 and 15 meters will be a 2 element HB9CV, with a 4 Square for 20 meters, and wire and vertical antennas for the other bands. There will be a 6 meter beacon on 50.110 MHz. Operators will be: VP6TC, VP6DB, VP6AZ, VP6MW, VP6BK/JA1BK, JA3USA, JF1IST, K9AJ, and K5VT. Randy, an SWL will be going to provide additional logistical support. QSL manager is Garth Hamilton, VE3HO for all HF operations only. QSL manager for 6 Meter operation is JA1BK. While stations who dupe the operation will not be blacklisted, it is recommended that once you hear your call coming back that you not work the station again on that band and mode so that others will have an opportunity. Log checks will be available at www.big.or.jp/~ham/dx.html The Yaesu Division of Vertex Standard and FTI are providing support for this operation. An ARRL Colvin Grant has been made to PIARA for to help with the Ducie operation. At present, no other foundation or club support has been received; any donations will be gratefully accepted. QSLs should be sent to the manager with an SASE or through the Bureau. However, please do not send a second request through the bureau after QSLing direct. Good Luck in working the DXpedition. We hope to hear all of you from Ducie in March. 73, Tom Christian VP6TC, President, PIARA, 19 December, 2001 (KB8NW/OPDX Dec 24/BARF-80 via John Norfolk, OKCOK) ** ETHIOPIA [non]. PRESUMED CIS, 12145, 1659-, Dejen Radio, Dec 22. Test tones until 1658, and into programming at 1659 with S9 signal, in presumed Tigrinya. Minor QRM from ocean radar space zapper occupying broad swath of spectrum space in this region. Clear ID at 1703 (Volodya Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, Canada, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FINLAND. Christmas Roulette-DX-Competition/YOUR CHRISTMAS WISHES ON SW's!!! Scandinavian Weekend radio will have a Christmas Roulette-DX- Competition during its Christmas Day-broadcast on 25th December. This Competition is part of WRR (World Radio Roulette) programme 10-11 UT on 6170 and 11690 kHz. This competition is quite a long one, but it is still worth your participation because there is a selection of quite good prizes for best three ones and some others drawn by dame fortune among participants. Prizes will include good Finnish Long Play-CDs, SWR related material etc... THIS COMPETION HAS THREE SECTIONS: 1. Audio Files from DX-stations. You would identify these stations and give frequency (-ies) they use. 5 audio files (SW, MW/AM-stations) 2. Audiofiles from SWR Dj-gallerie. You would identify 7 SWR DJ's from 6 Audio Files. 3. Radio related questions.... Send your Competition answers to: SWR, P.O.Box 35, FIN-40321 JYVÄSKYLÄ, FINLAND. Your letter would be posted and stamped on 11th January 2002. And same time you can send an reception report to us! You can now got our SPECIAL CHRISTMAS QSL-card! Don't forget return postage of two IRCs or US-$! And next year we will have a new collection of different QSLs for collectors! Collect them all! And remember, SWR will be on the air on 5th of January 2002! Send Your Christmas Wishes through SWR! You can send either written or Audio File messages to our e-mail-address! Your wishes will be sent on sw's on 48 and 25 mb on 25th December! Act NOW!!! Here is a web-page for more info: http://www.swradio.net/fin/viesti.htm Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! Dj. Madman http://personal.inet.fi/koti/alpo.heinonen/ PS: Contact info for SWR!!! Mail address: Scandinavian Weekend Radio, P.O Box 35, 40321 JYVÄSKYLÄ, FINLAND Phone number +358 400 995 559 is on use during transmission weekends. (Alpo Heinonen, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ICELAND. 13860, 1852-, ICELAND RADIO, Dec 22. A tentative logging. Not on 13865 as listed in ILG but on this frequency in USB in what could be Icelandic, with telephone quality audio, so fits Iceland. Reported previously as being off the air. Will need to listen for scheduled s/on on 1835 and sign-off at 1905. Sure enough, signed off at 1906:15 after the news, so I'm quite certain that they're back (Volodya Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, Canada, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 13860, RUV, 1914* Dec 23, USB, item about Greenland, news about English soccer league. Probably on the air because of Christmas, just like 5055 used to be on the air around this time a couple of years ago. Tip via Walter Salmaniw, Canada (Piet Pijpers, Holland, BDXC via DXLD) I had a trace of talk on 13860-USB same date, lasting past 1905 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [non]. LIGHTHOUSE ACTIVITY. LCL 2001 HAS BEGAN! Just a reminder that all participants in the Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society's (ARLHS) Lighthouse Christmas Lights QSO Party (LCL 2001) will be eligible to receive a Harbour Lights miniature lighthouse collectible. This second annual edition of the popular event started at 0000z December 22nd and goes through January 2, 2002. (Please refer to OPDX.536). Complete details on frequencies, exchanges, scoring, certificates and prizes can be found on the ARLHS organization's Web site at: http://www.arlhs.com Steve, VK6VZ, will be operating as VK6VZ/6 from Australia's first lighthouse located at Cape Leeuwin (grid OF75), 9 km north of Augusta and around 300 km south of Perth. Cape Leeuwin is located on a promontory and marks the place on the Western Australian coastline where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet. His activity will include an entry in the Stew Perry Topband Distance Challenge on December 29-30th. The lighthouse balcony is around 39 meters above ground and for the contest an inverted vee dipole will be sited there giving the antenna apex an effective height of approaching 100 meters over the sea which surrounds the lighthouse on three sides. The only problem is that Cape Leeuwin is probably the windiest place in Western Australia, so keeping an antenna in the air could be tricky! Transmission may be done between 1810 and 1815 with QSX 10-15 kHz up the band in the spirit of the old W1BB trans-Pacific QSOs. As the operation is LP, if operation takes place higher in the band (i.e. 1820 - 1835), QSX up 1 is likely to be used. A special QSL card commemorating the operation will be available for those who contact VK6VZ/6 at Cape Leeuwin (KB8NW/OPDX Dec 24/BARF-80 via John Norfolk, OKCOK) ** ITALY. AWR's proposed new facility at Argenta has been delayed, due to objections to the station's design having been raised by the local council. Says AWR's "Current Waves" -- the issue is the subject of an appeal, which could take up to two years to resolve (Bob Padula, EDXP Dec 23 via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH. Toma, YU1AB, informs OPDX that Hrane/YT1AD and Voja/YU7AV are in Pyongyang still trying to get license. All operations heard on the air this past week were pirates (KB8NW/OPDX Dec 24/BARF-80 via John Norfolk, OKCOK) ** KOREA SOUTH. Bill Matthews said, ``Goodbye, my friends`` in his final report for RKI Multiwave Feedback Dec 23, but Han Hee Joo said he would be back Dec 30 for a real farewell and to introduce his successors, Victor Goonetilleke and Paul Ormandy, who take over from January, in rotation: week 1, Victor; 2 and 4, Paul; with the 3rd week open for the time being, listener guest participation (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KURDISTAN [non]. CLANDESTINE. 11530, 1540-, Dengi Mezopotamia, Dec 22. Well heard this morning with slight long/short path echo with talk (Volodya Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, Canada, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MALDIVE ISLANDS. On his way back to Edinburgh after a world trip which included some weeks in Australia, my friend George Brown stopped over in Male, Maldives. He spoke with the Director of Engineering of the Voice of the Maldives, who told him that there are no plans to resume any form of HF transmissions. The HF service was originally intended to cover all of the outlying atolls, but reception was still unreliable in some areas, which required setting up MF relays to fill the gaps (Bob Padula, Electronic DX Press Dec 23 via DXLD) ** MALI. 11960, 1758-, R. Mali Dec 22. French language programming with frequencies announced and off at 1800. About an S9 signal. VOA via Greece follows in Arabic with an S5 signal only. Checked Dave Kernick's website, and sure enough it's the same woman and IS tune, so this is confirmed! (Volodya Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, Canada, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. Must random bandscan even more, to make interesting discoveries like this: UT Dec 23 at 0500 I came across a DX program in English, with an extremely distorted FMy signal covering 9375-9385, clearest around 9376; talking about antennas, interstellar communication. Who in the world would this be? (Ukraine once mused about using 9380, but the time doesn`t fit...) Finally at 0511 a R. Mexico International ID in passing. 0518 about a ham DX contest, mentioned FMRE. The show was almost intelligible, also hampered by the continuous music bed –-not a good idea for SW in general. The spur extended down to 9370, where it could still be heard hacking against WTJC. I quickly checked 9705 and found it totally blocked as usual at this late hour by WYFR, in a sterling example of neighborly frequency coördination. How about a matching spur on the high side, plus 330 kHz? Yes!, roughly covering 10025 to 10040 and almost as strong but could not find as clear a spot to listen as 9376. Rechecked after morning sign-on, at 1305, and the lower spur was there again, this time in a Spanish DX program, 9374 to 9384, but only a trace audible around 10040; this time, not so much QRM on fundamental 9705, but \\ 11770 was generally better tho subject to more fadedowns. Brief recheck UT Dec 24 at 0230 found Spanish distortion around 9375 still there, \\9705 not yet blocked by WYFR, and traces around 10035 where it may QRM VOLMET. I have long since lost track of RMI`s program schedule, exactly when English and Spanish DX shows and everything else is supposed to air, because their posted schedule, if it exist, is in some inaccessible pdf format on their hard-to-find website. If anyone has their current program schedule, hard-copy or text format, please send it along! By ``program schedule`` I always mean, as some do not understand, a list of all program titles and the times they are broadcast, preferably in day and time order, or a grid (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MONGOLIA. Voice of Mongolia is announcing single frequencies for its English programs. The announced sked is: 1030 UT -12085 1200 UT- 12015 2000 UT- 12015 The parallel frequency of 7380 kHz is NOT announced. So VOM has probably discontinued English programming on 7380 kHz. 73s, (Harjot Singh Brar, Punjab, Dec 23, for GRDXC via DXLD) I was never convinced they were actually using 7380 currently, as outdated schedules for this one frequently resurface. Did someone actually hear it there recently? (gh, DXLD) ** NIGERIA [non]. CLANDESTINE (CIS TO NIGERIA) 12120, 1900-, Voice of Biafra International Dec 22 CIS test tones, then ID in English. Pretty strong signal, but pummeled by the space zapper ocean wave radar at this time (Volodya Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, Canada, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NORWAY. 18950, 1616-, R. NORWAY INTERNATIONAL, Dec 22. Silent night sung in Gospel style English. Easily S9+40 signal. Parallel 13800 is good, but listed 7490 appears to be a different program, in Norwegian. Fair to good. Confirmed when reverted to Radio Denmark at BOH in parallel to first two frequencies. I was unaware of different program feeds (Volodya Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, Canada, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Another mistake? (gh) ** OKLAHOMA. Show to broadcast in Cherokee Tahlequah (AP) – A new radio show in Tahlequah will be produced in a different language. The show will provide the public with information about Cherokee Nation programs in Cherokee. ``It is also a statement about the continuing strength and value of the Cherokee language and culture,`` Chief Chad Smith said. The show will have different hosts and topics each week. ``It`s an evolving thing,`` said Robby Robinson, who helps produce the show for the tribe. ``We`re finding what works the best, taking feedback from the listeners and adjussting as we go along.`` (Enid News & Eagle Dec 23 via DXLD) This story raises as many questions as it answers, such as the *name* of the show, in either/both languages, the *time* it is on, what *station* and *frequency* it is on, so I asked Mike if he could find a more complete version (gh, DXLD) Cherokee Nation launches radio show (Tahlequah-AP) -- The Cherokee Nation is on the air. The tribe has launched a new radio show, produced in the Cherokee language. Chief Chad Smith says the show will get information about tribal programs out to the public. Smith says the show also preserves the Cherokee language and culture. The show airs at 9:30 A-M Sunday on K-T-L-Q 1350 A-M and K-E-O-K 101- point-7 F-M in Tahlequah. Each week, the show will have a different host and topic. A segment on basic conversational Cherokee will be implemented in future shows. The prerecorded shows include regular segments from the Cherokee Nation Children's Choir and an update on news at the Cherokee Heritage Center, as well as current events in the tribe (AP Oklahoma broadcast wire Dec 22 via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA. Enid`s lowpower TV station, renamed KXOK-TV, ran an animated full screen ID slide all day long for several days after its change of ownership, as all kinds of promises were made about new local programming, then disappointingly reverted to MTV2 in the daytime, and excruciatingly boring local auctions in the evening, as when it was K32DZ. Then we see a full-page ad in the TV Spotlight weekly listings supplement to the Enid News & Eagle (where there are no actual listings of the station), Dec 23, which says in a variety of fonts: 32 TV KXOK 2711 W. Owen K. Garriott, Enid OK 73703 242-KXOK (5965) Your Local Station Let`s Talk Auction with Anita! Sunday thru Friday Nights Call & Become a Member ~~Coming Soon~~ News, Sports, Your Local Weather, Talk of Enid, Cooking Experience, Real Estate Walk of Homes & more. ~Now Hiring~ In All Areas Production - Engineering - Master Controller-Operators - Graphic Design - Sales/Marketing - Retail Sales - Warehouse/Stocker/Delivery - Information Technology Apply on line: @KTOX.TV [SIC] or in person, 2711 W. Owen K. Garriott. No Phone calls please. EOE The website http://kxok.tv in faraway, sucky, Tuvalu merely displays the Nov. 19 Enid News & Eagle story previously here, and at http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/Oklahoma7.html about its new owner and his big plans, along with an E-mail link as kxoktv@yahoo.com However, if you click on it, mail is actually bounced from kxok@yahoo.com Note the street address in the ad above is 2711, while in the previous newspaper story it was 1711. I must go looking for it on Garriott (gh) ** OKLAHOMA. Update on Enid`s LPFMs: occasional checks of 104.7 have produced no further evidence since two months ago that KUAL still exist. 94.3 KLCB has been on most of the time; checked at 1930 UT Dec 23, just open carrier with hum. Forgot I had left a radio on it, and suddenly appeared Bing`s White Xmas at 2022. Typical (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAKISTAN. API-8 for Kashmir seems to have developed a problem. Thu and Fri mornings and Fri evening I noted this one on 4771 rather than 4790 and Fri afternoon on 5085 rather than 5101. I all cases the modulation has been very shallow and distorted and certainly not listenable. 7375 and 9395 well heard when beamed to C Asia, but nothing heard for certain at 1530 (Olle Alm, Sweden, Dec 21, BC-DX via DXLD) Today I did hear 7375 when the Afghan program started at 1515, but the signal was very weak with much background hash. Nothing on 9395 except the jammer-like signal around 9390. The listed beam for AFG is 270 degrees, which seems reasonable if they use a wide beam. The direction from Islamabad to Kabul is rather 280 degrees, but much of the country is situated south of Kabul. API-8 still on 4771 and 5085. I believe it was API-4 (the news and current affairs channel) that was heard for a couple of hours on 6139.85 this afternoon, so its seems they now run both transmission spans here (Olle Alm, Sweden, Dec 22, BC-DX via DXLD) Today API-8 has been back on 4790 both in the morning and in the evening.The audio, however, remains appalling (Olle Alm, Sweden, Dec 23, BC-DX via DXLD) ** PHILIPPINES. 11730, 1732-, R. PILIPINAS, Dec 22. Tagalog programming, with easy to follow programming. ID as PBS, the Voice of the Philippines. Telephone quality audio. Otherwise S9+10 signal. Parallels: 11890 and 15190 slightly weaker (Volodya Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, Canada, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. Ouvida Radio Center, Moscou em sua emissão especial de Natal. Muito boa recepção em 5925 kHz entre 0315 e 0445 UTC. Esta emissão estará no ar novamente em 24 e 25 de Dezembro entre 0300 e 0500 UT. 73 (Samuel Cássio, São Carlos SP, DXCB via radioescutas via DXLD) I found 5925 open carrier on as early as 0255 UT Dec 23; no tones heard. Altho the weak and fluttery carrier level would seem to have supported some audio, I could not detect any until about 0305, and it was completely unlistenable. Occasional checks the following two hours found 5925 losing out further to splash from DGS-5935. If St. Pete really wants to reach North America, there must be better times and frequencies (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio Central [sic] test transmission was received here in New Mexico, most of the transmission time. The signal was VERY weak, and with splatter from WWCR on 5935 it was VERY difficult to hear much of the transmission. ID's and musical selections were heard amongst the talking. Will try for better signal tomorrow night (Bob Combs in New Mexico, USA, Dec 23, hard-core-dx via DXLD) 5925, 0300-, Radiostantsiya Tsentr, Dec 23. Special broadcast from St. Petersburg scheduled for the next 3 nights at this time. OC until 0300, when came on in Russian, then into Russian pop music. S9 + 10 signal, but significant atmospheric noise present. ID at 0304 as Radio Tsentr in Russian, the Radio Tsentr jingle. Bagpipes follow, at least that's what I thought it was, before going into instrumental piece. More somber male announcing in Russian giving phone, and email address as letters@radiocenter.net Oh Holy Night, Silent Night followed later, all in Russian. We Wish you a Merry Christmas. Greensleeves, etc. (Volodya Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, Canada, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. 7260, 1502-, VOICE OF RUSSIA, Dec 22. Sign-on at 1500 with old Soviet anthem, into English to WCNA with signal S9 + 40, into news. Parallel 6205 (slightly ahead) listed as Chita, fair. 11500 listed as Dushanbe in the ILG database, but more likely China, excellent as well. Also slightly ahead of 7260 (Volodya Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, Canada, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Believe I heard that the Gymn Sovietskovo Soyuza`s music was revived as Russian anthem but with new lyrix (gh, DXLD) ** SOUTH AMERICA. PIRATE, 11440, 0157-2335*, Radio Cochiguaz Dec 23. 0157:45 English ID following usual IS music, as 'You are listening to Radio Cochiguaz, broadcasting from the Andes', followed by the same in Spanish. Schedule tonight for 0200 to 0300, so already on the air when tuned in. Much Andean music. Just above the noise floor, but in the clear otherwise. Nice full ID in Spanish followed at 0204 (Volodya Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, Canada, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Pirate, 11440 USB, R Chochiguaz, 0240 Dec 23, SINPO: 24343. Fair signal, but some lightning noise. First time ID for me. Got lucky with good propagation conditions. Lots of beautiful Andean flute music. IDs almost after every song. Full SS and EE IDs with postal and e-mail addresses @ 0245, 0250, and 0305. I sent in a preliminary reception report, and received an e-Christmas card from the operator. Off by 0309 recheck (David Hodgson, Nashville TN, DX LISTENING DIGEST) PIRATE: 11440, Radio Cochiguaz. 1345-1400 December 23. USB mode. Very nice Andean music. IDs at 1349 UT by male. Other ID at 1350 by male: "Está transmitiendo Radio Cochiguaz, en la frecuencia de 11440 kHz.........". More Andean music. ID at 1358. 24432 (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentine, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAJIKISTAN. Radio Tadzhikistan's English News bulletin is also being heard on 972 kHz (MW) besides the usual 7245 kHz (SW) outlet at 1645 UT. 73s, (Harjot Singh Brar, Punjab, Dec 23, for GRDXC via DXLD) ** TURKMENISTAN. A 10 minute English news bulletin was observed from Radio Asgabad, from 1300 to 1310 UT on Saturday 22-12-2001 on 5015 kHz in parallel with 279 kHz (LW) 73s, (Harjot Singh Brar, Punjab, for GRDXC via DXLD) ** UKRAINE. After almost two months off the air, Radio Center in Taranivka (Khar`kiv) resumed its transmissions of RUI on Dec-20: 9610 0000-0500 055 Russia 9610 1400-1900 055 Russia 11720 0600-1400 262 SEu and WEu 11840 0900-1200 055 Russia 15520 0800-1500 290 WEu (Alexander Yegorov, Ukraine, via Wolfgang Bueschel, EDXP Dec 23 via DXLD) ** UKRAINE. 17299, 1643-, Radio Omega-Polis, Dec 22. Not exactly a SW broadcast station, but Russian speaking woman with ship to shore traffic. I'm assuming that this is Sevastopol`, Ukraine, and therefore Radio Omega-Polis should be easy to monitor. It's apparently used as a filler between traffic. S3 to S5 signal. Duplex frequency with the other party, also a woman on 16417 USB. Using John Bryant's audio switching unit, it's easy to monitor both sides of the conversation. Off at 1650 and dead air, for 30 seconds and further utility traffic (Volodya Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, Canada, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U A E. A New station by the name of "Radio Asia" has been heard here from 2000 to 2100 UT on 1152 kHz in Urdu language. The station is giving address of Dubai and is probably transmitting from Ras Al Khaimah txer (50 kW: WRTH). The program was of mainly commercial nature with program sponsored from companies operating in Pakistan & Gulf countries. Prior to the Urdu program (i.e. before 2000 UT) the station was broadcasting in Malayalam language. 73s, (Harjot Singh Brar, Punjab, Dec 23, for GRDXC via DXLD) ** U K. BBC Program 'Marconi Centenary' will be aired [on Discovery]: **M** Fri Dec 28 1105 6195 9740 15360 1605 5975 15310 17700 1805 1323 1413 9740 3255 21470 2005 648 6195 1296 9410 2105 11835 15400 Sat Dec 29 0205 198 648 1413 9410 12095 17790 9770 5975 9525 9915 Mon Dec 31 0705 15360 17760 21660 11955 1005 15310 17790 1405 1323 15575 17640 15565 17830 1505 684 9410 12095 (11675) (15190) Tue Jan 1 0305 15280 15360 17760 21660 0605 15310 17790 0805 6190 11940 21470 17885 0905 1323 11760 15565 15575 17640 1005 12095 684 15485 1505 15190 (BBC & MNO via Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, BC-DX Dec 20. Due to the chaos in BBC program order the times may vary) (via DXLD) ** U K. World Service, simply the best... and that's the truth War in Afghanistan: Observer special http://www.guardian.co.uk/afghanistan/story/0,1284,624355,00.html Leader, Sunday December 23, 2001, The Observer A single broadcaster was yesterday invited to attend the entire inauguration ceremony of Afghanistan's new government. The factions that tentatively constitute the new Kabul administration easily accepted one thing; they wanted the BBC World Service present. At a time when Britain could easily be dismissed as partial, and the Arab broadcaster al-Jazeera has attracted worldwide notice, it is a remarkable tribute to the enduring reputation of the 'Cinderella arm' of the BBC. For two decades, some Conservatives gave the appearance of wishing to starve the World Service into insignificance. Even now it is attacked for its insistence that it avoid the word 'terrorism' to describe acts which some of its 153 million listeners, from Vietnam to Somalia, might not regard in that light. But that is what helps preserve the strength of the BBC brand as one of the most trusted in the world. Broadcasters such as the Voice of America are still regarded - often understandably - as strident propagandists for the nation that funds them. Yet in war-torn and unstable countries across the world, the World Service will be listened to today by people longing to know, above all else, the truth. For all its limitations, the BBC still serves as a singular cultural glue between diverse communities at home. So the World Service performs that function overseas. For all its talk of internationalism since 11 September, the outcome of the Afghan war suggests that America remains happier to use its superpower status for military purposes rather than to enforce an uncertain peace. If that is our new world order, and under the current Republican administration it is unlikely to change, then Britain still has a complementary role to play in promoting right, rather than just might. The World Service - with its robust commitment to impartiality and the liberal values of democracy and fairness - remains far better an ambassador for Britain in a changing world than almost any of us credit. And it costs us the tiny sum of £183 million a year. Britons are often too modest about the things we do well. In 1999, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan described the World Service as 'Britain's greatest gift to the world during the twentieth century'. He was right. In a world where truth is too often thin on the ground, it is a gift we should sustain well into the twenty-first (Guardian Dec 23 via DXLD) ** U K [non]. Hello, the discussion about the BBC Worldservice is again up, so here is another minor piece on this matter: I was told that the BBCWS was until recently carried on the cable net of Hamburg, but this ceased recently when BBCWS discontinued the analogue transmissions via the Astra 1 satellites. Presumably it was considered too much trouble to install special equipment for a STL or the BBCWS outlet on Astra 2. I hope you will enjoy the holidays. Regards, (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Dec 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 12160 kHz. WINB, Red Lion. QSL electrónica (verificador: Hans Johnson, Frequency Manager WINB). Confirmó en 1 dia (Rudolf Walter Grimm, Brasil, Conexión Digital Dec 23 via DXLD) ** U S A. Defying the FCC. Many stations are not cutting power: 1180- KGOL (during local HS games), 1090-KMXA (on weekends), 1570-KHPN (S9+30db at night with 18 watts at 35 miles away? Don't think so), 800- KLDC (only 5 miles away, but their 7 watts is almost impossible to null even with a Kiwa Loop. I still haven't heard XEROK this season!). Sometimes 1510-KFNN (with 100w) will be clobbering local KDKO late at night. These are the more noteworthy nighttime power offenders. There is one local pirate that has been coming on for the last 10 years or so on the following frequencies: 1250-"KTLN", 1470-"KCFL", and 1630-"KCFL". This pirate plays oldies and has original ads and jingles (quite nice, actually). In 1995, I traced this guy to the area immediately around Wadsworth and 72nd in Arvada, CO. After all these years, this guy is still at it! Off frequency: 1009.8 - KTNZ, 1331a-KGAK, 1400.21-KCHS, etc. Spurs on 1314a and 1306a: KFKA Harmonics: 2800kHz (1400x2) sounds like a local channel, except more subdued. Occasionally, a station will clearly dominate. Same for the 2nd harmonics of stations on the other local channels (graveyard frequencies). No legal ID: The award here goes to 1090-KKYN. A typical example: "We now pause for station identification. This is the ____ sports radio network.", (silence for a few seconds), "...Now, back to the game...". Nothing 10 mins on either side of TOH as well. It is nearly impossible to listen to the lower part of the band thanks to some photosensitive "incidental radiating device" about 3 houses away. I can thank manufacturers in this case for defying the FCC. Else, I can thank the FCC. By not enforcing their rules, the FCC has opened up unregulated airwaves where anything goes. If you want your own AM station and want to operate at the power level and frequency of your choice, ain't much stoppin' you these days. At least not in Denver... Merry Christmas & 73s, (Chris Knight, Fort Lupton, Colorado, Dec 23, IRCA topica list via DXLD) ** U S A. The President intends to nominate Kenneth Y. Tomlinson of Virginia, as a Member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors for the remainder of a three-year term expiring 08/13/04. He is currently President and Director of the National Sporting Library in Middleburg, Virginia, and serves in the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. He was appointed to the U.S. Board for International Broadcasting from 1986 to 1994. Tomlinson was the Director of Voice of America from 1982 to 1984, and has been Managing Editor, Executive Editor, and Editor-in- Chief of Reader's Digest. He has a BA degree from Randolph-Macon College. The President intends to nominate Steven J. Simmons of Connecticut, as a Member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, for the remainder of a three-year term expiring 08/13/03. He is currently Chairman and CEO of Simmons Communications in Greenwich, CT. From 1977 to 1980, he worked as an Assistant and Associate Director in Domestic Policy in the White House. Simmons has an AB degree from Cornell University and a JD from Harvard Law School (http://www.whitehouse.gov via DXLD) ** U S A. VOA News Now will present the following special programs on Christmas Day: --The play Barefoot in the Park, by Neil Simon, will be broadcast for two hours following the news at 0800, 1600, and 2200 UTC. This is a recording of the play as performed before an audience at the VOA Auditorium a few weeks ago. --VOA has dusted off a program from the old Studio One series. It's about the songwriter Irving Berlin. Broadcast at 0233, 0633, 1033, 1433, and 1833. --Neal Lavon's Christmas music special will be at 0033, 0733, 1133, 1533, and 1933. --Zlatica Hoke has a program about American Christmas customs at 0133, 0533, 1333, and 2133. The News Now live audio stream is available at http://www.voanews.com All the best for the holidays and 2002, (Kim Andrew Elliott, Producer and Presenter, Communications World, Voice of America, Dec 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [non]. TAJIKISTAN. From about Dec-21, Radio Liberty has started using the 60 mb via the Dushanbe relay: 4760 0100-0200 Tatar-Bashkir 4760 1630-1700 Tatar-Bashkir 5005 1500-1700 Kazakh 5035 0200-0300 Kyrgysz (IBB via EDXP via DXLD) Or in more detail: 4760 0100 0200 RL RL10 TA DUS 04 045 4760 1630 1700 RL RL10 TA DUS 06 045 5005 1500 1700 RL RL-7 KA DUS 05 045 5035 0200 0300 RL RL-8 KY DUS 08 045 (IBB via Wolfgang Büschel, Dec 23, EDXP via DXLD) So that explains the 4760 and 5005 unIDs recently reported here, tho VOA IDs were heard, tests? (gh) In between, the current usage via São Tomé: 4950 1900 2030 VOA B ENGL SAO 05 030 4950 2030 2100 VOA Q EEHA SAO 05 030 4960 0300 0330 VOA B ENGL SAO 05 030 12345 4960 0500 0530 VOA F HAUS SAO 05 030 4960 0530 0630 VOA F FREN SAO 05 030 12345 (IBB via Wolfgang Büschel, Dec 23, EDXP via DXLD) ** URUGUAY. 9650, CX42 Emisora Ciudad de Montevideo, Montevideo. 1315- 1331 December 23. Returned to 31 meters today. I can`t hear this station on 49 meters in the last few days. The programme is dedicated to the "Carnaval". Announcement: "...tenemos toda la transmisión de la 42 (CX42) en Internet las 24 horas del dia en http://www.emisoraciudaddemontevideo.com.uy .....".- At 1330 ID as: "En su receptor, CX42 Emisora Ciudad de Montevideo, Uruguay, transmitiendo en 1370 kilohertz. La frecuencia que se sintoniza con mayor frecuencia". Music ("candombe"). Ann. by male:" En Rememorando.....a lonja y madera, un espacio dedicado en exclusiva a la exaltación de nuestro ritmo....el candombe". 34433 (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentine, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VANUATU. 7260, 0649-, R. Vanuatu, Dec 22. Already fading in with a fair to good signal, in English with mentions of Port Vila, and nice almost Cuban sounding vocals. More usual programming after 0700, with Joy to the World at 0707. Bislama programming. Further Christmas carols (Silver Bells, etc). (Volodya Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, Canada, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VATICAN. 5585,0 Vatican R., CVA 22/12 1956 Holy Mass in Latin, 1959 start IS, but abrupt s/down 25342 PPs (Piet Pijpers, Holland, harmonics yahoogroup via DXLD) Most likely a punch-up error for 5885 (gh, DXLD) ** YEMEN. 9779.63, 1825-, R. YEMEN, Dec 22. Sana'a with alternating western and Arabic music. It's been a while since I've heard them with such a decent signal. S7. News at 1829:30 (Volodya Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, Canada, DX LISTENING DIGEST) in English, I assume (gh, DXLD) ###