HOME presents...
        
DX LISTENING DIGEST 2002 ARCHIVE, 
            PART 3

NOTE: Since the first three months of 2002 file got so huge, >4 MB
we have closed it, and renamed it dxldta02.html
where it may still be consulted and searched.

Likewise, the file containing the second quarter of 2002 is so huge 
that it is now closed, renamed dxldtb02.html.

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        DX LISTENING DIGEST 2-118, July 25, 2002
        edited by Glenn Hauser, wghauser@hotmail.com

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HTML version of this issue will be posted afterwards at
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For restrixions and searchable 2002 contents archive see
http://www.worldofradio.com/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 #1141:
(ON DEMAND) http://www.wrn.org/ondemand/worldofradio.html
(DOWNLOAD)  http://www.k4cc.net/wor1141.rm
(STREAM)    http://www.k4cc.net/wor1141.ram
(SUMMARY)   http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1141.html [available 7/26]

WWCR BROADCASTS: Sat 0500, Sun 0230 5070; Sun 0630 3210, Wed 0930 9475
RFPI BROADCASTS: Sat 0130, 0730, Sun 0000, 0600 on 7445-USB, 15038.6
WRN BROADCASTS: Rest of world Sat 0800, North America Sun 1400

NOTE: our main site http://www.worldofradio.com may have some down
time in next few days. If so, check for latest info at
http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/anomaly.html

SELECTED ENGLISH LANGUAGE DX/SWL/MEDIA PROGRAMS ON SHORTWAVE
July 25 update by John Norfolk:
http://www.worldofradio.com/dxpgms.html

** AFGHANISTAN. MISSION COMPLETE, From The Radio Magazine
   23rd July 2002

London based Voice of Afghanistan has finished its short wave
broadcasts to the country after nine months. The station broadcast
news and comment during the transitional phase of the Taliban regime
to the new Interim Government. Manned by a ten-strong editorial team
of well-known broadcasters and journalists who had left Afghanistan to
become refugees in London, the station was originally intended to be
on air for just three months (via Mike Terry, UK, July 25, DXLD)

So nothing here about a 3-month break, and then to return (gh)

** ARGENTINA. I was fascinated by the Radio Liberty item [DXLD 2-117],
and although my Spanish is severely limited, I gleaned some insight
regarding the "Tokyo Rose" of the 1982 Falklands War. I listened to
her nightly as the conflict played out on TV news and BBCWS, a voice
speaking from the other side, dreamlike, with all the bravado and
naive psychology of that World War II seductress.

I think I actually learned of these transmissions on one of your early
WOR programs. "Argentine Annie", as she was being called, could be
heard daily at midnight UT on 17740 kHz, usually with a good signal.
The modulation, however, was mushy, making intelligibility poor.

Since then I have been curious as to whom that syrupy voice belonged.
Silvia Fernández Barrio styled herself as "...a woman who can say
today, more than ever, that the world listens when Argentina speaks."
With her taunting words, breathless delivery, and a throaty laugh that
she could hardly suppress while speaking about young British soldiers
coming to die in the Malvinas, you could picture the wicked femme
fatale, a la Marlene Dietrich or Hedy Lamarr, dressed in black satin,
smiling into the microphone.

"Hel-lo! I'm back - were you waiting for me? Oh, yes! I am Liberty..."
Every few minutes, she was interrupted by music guaranteed to make the
UK servicemen homesick: Bee Gees, Rod Stewart, Matt Monro, Beatles;
even the chimes of Big Ben. Then she would coo some more tidbits of
intelligence, so we would know that they knew. The program always
opened and closed with an instrumental recording of "Yesterday." It
was pure propaganda and pure kitsch, and I doubt that we shall hear
anything like it again (John Cobb, Roswell, GA, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

I am tempted to translate the Liberty piece; would anyone like that?
(gh)

** AUSTRALIA. R. Australia COMMONWEALTH GAMES COVERAGE
Thu. 0910-1000 (replacing AUSTRALIA TALKS BACK) - A History of
     Australia at the Games.
Thu. 1955-2145 - Opening Ceremonies - live from Manchester
     (on 11650 only)
Fri. 0955-2130 - Live Games Coverage (on 11650 only)
Sat. 0755-2130 - Live Games Coverage (on 11650 only)
Sun. 0655-2130 - Live Games Coverage (on 11650 only)

And on regular RA frequencies, CG Reports from Brendan Telfer pre-
empting other programming: Fri 2030-2040, Sat 0405-0415, 2145-2200,
Sun 0405-0415... (via John Figliozzi, swprograms via DXLD)

** AUSTRALIA. VOICE INTERNATIONAL, HINDI TO INDIA

If you have entered the Voice International competition, then keep
listening to find out if you're a winner. The winners is announced on
the first week of the month. If you do not win then please keep trying
and keep listening to The voice.

Please email us with your requests and dedications for your family and
friends. The Voice will bring you music and ministry to feed your
spirit and soul. The Voice is currently being transmitted on 13,635
kHz shortwave frequency.

As from 5th August 2002 you can hear the voice at the following times
Indian Standard Time IST:

Monday to Friday
16:30 to 19:30  Dharkhan with Raj Masih  [1100-1400 UT]
19:30 to 22:30  Chahat with Harry Dass   [1400-1700 UT]

Saturday and Sunday
16:30 to 19:30  Jawani                   {1400-1700 UT]
19:30 to 22:30  Aaina with Reema Braich  [1400-1700 UT]

Kind regards from Narinder Choranji (Mrs)
******************************************
(via Swopan Chakroborty, Kolkata, India, July 25, DXLD)

** BURMA [non]. BURMA/NORWAY: CONFERENCE STRESSES NEED FOR INDEPENDENT
MEDIA | Text of report in English by Burmese opposition electronic
newspaper BurmaNet News on 20 July

The media conference organized by the Oslo-based Democratic Voice of
Burma (DVB) to commemorate its 10th anniversary came to an end on 20
July. The conference, attended by Burma's prominent journalists and
experts, emphasized the importance of the role of independent media in
Burma.

Since 1962, media in Burma has been tightly controlled by the
successive military governments. Free expression and the right to
criticize government policy have been completely suppressed. Speaking
to the Mizzima News, Mr Vincent Brossel, the Asia-Pacific Director of
the Paris-based Reporters Sans Frontières [RSF] said that there can be
no freedom of media in Burma unless there is democracy. "The SPDC
[State Peace and Development Council] (Burmese junta) has sent to jail
a large number of journalists and writers who are supporters of the
democratic movement. In Burma, at least 16 journalists are still
detained. The future of press freedom in Burma is deeply linked with
the future of the democratic transition.

"As we usually say in RSF, there is no freedom without press freedom.
In the case of Burma, we might say, there would be no press freedom
without democracy".

DVB may be independent in near future

The Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) was established on 19 July 1992 in
Norway after Burmese democratic leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was
awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. As DVB has completed 10 years
identifying itself as a voice of the exiled government - the National
Coalition Government of the Union of Burma [NCGUB], most of the DVB
team members are keen to see DVB as an independent body in future.
"DVB has been working under the banner of NCGUB. Even though we
function independently, many see DVB as a propaganda machine of the
NCGUB. We want to broadcast only the reliable, fair and true news and
information. We want to continue DVB to become as an independent media
in future Burma. However, we will not deviate from supporting the
cause of democracy", said DVB's Director Ko Aye Chan Naing.

Dr Sein Win, Prime Minister of the NCGUB, said that he would discuss
with his cabinet ministers regarding the matter (whether DVB should be
independent from NCGUB or not). "Whatever it may be the outcome (of
cabinet decision), DVB has to be the voice of democracy movement and
gives credible information to the people of Burma", he added.
Since most of the participants were Burmese journalists in exile
working for different Burma-related media organizations, they shared
their experiences with each other and discussed possibilities for
future cooperation among themselves.

The two-day conference concluded that the role of media is important
for the establishment of democracy in Burma and support programmes to
strengthen the Burma media organizations-in-exile should be organized.
Moreover, the participants also decided to regularly meet once a year.
Source: BurmaNet News in English 20 Jul 02 (via BBCM via WORLD OF
RADIO 1141, DXLD)

And for more on the political and human rights background, read the
special report by my colleague Yvette Turlings, who recently visited
Burma. http://www.rnw.nl/development/html/history020718.html
(A. Sennitt, Holland, in Jul 19, 2002 MediaNetwork-NL via CRW via
DXLD)

** CANADA. http://www3.cbc.ca/sections/newsitem_redux.asp?ID=2380

ANNA MARIA TREMONTI NAMED HOST OF CBC RADIO ONE'S NEW NATIONAL WEEKDAY
8:30-TO-10 SHOW

Today, CBC Radio announced Anna Maria Tremonti as host of CBC Radio
One's new national weekday morning 8:30-to-10 show - a topical,
spontaneous and provocative look at events around the world that are
uppermost in Canadians' minds - which makes its debut November 18.

"Anna Maria's range and depth of experience with Canadian and
international news will be an enormous asset to this new national
program," said Adrian Mills, executive director of programming for CBC
Radio. "The level of journalistic excellence that Anna Maria brings to
the table will help ensure that the new show is a must-listen event
for Canadians across the country."

An award-winning foreign correspondent and host of CBC Television's
the fifth estate, Tremonti's CBC career began with CBC Radio in
Fredericton in 1981. She worked in both radio and television news in
the Maritimes, the west and in central Canada before joining The
National as a Parliament Hill reporter in 1987. From there, she was
posted to Berlin, London, Jerusalem and Washington. Major stories that
she covered include the fall of Communism, the war in Bosnia, the rise
of the neo-Nazi movement in Germany, the Georgian revolution and the
split-up of Czechoslovakia, and Iraq's confrontation with the West -
in a number of instances filing stories for both CBC Radio and CBC
Television.

"Anna Maria has made a great contribution to the fifth estate, and
indeed to CBC Television News and Current Affairs as a whole," added
Tony Burman, editor in chief, news and current affairs, CBC Radio and
Television. "There is no doubt that she will captivate CBC Radio
listeners in this exciting new role."

In 2000, Anna Maria made the transition from foreign correspondent to
investigative journalist when she joined CBC Television's the fifth
estate. Her stories there included The Murdered Bride, which looked
into allegations that a young Indian woman's mother and uncle arranged
for her death; and Squamish Five: 20 Years Later, which explored the
notorious guerilla group's cross-country spree of militancy and
violence two decades ago.

"My work with the fifth estate was richly rewarding, and gave me a
chance to explore new ways of telling complex stories in greater
depth," said Tremonti. "Launching a new national information program
for CBC Radio presents new and different challenges, and is an
opportunity that I just couldn't pass up."

Among her numerous awards, Tremonti has received Geminis for her
coverage of the war in Bosnia and the death of Diana, Princess of
Wales. Her reports from Bosnia also earned her the Ron Laidlaw Award
from the Radio-Television News Directors Association. In 1997, she
received "Outstanding Achievement" honours from the Toronto Women in
Film and Television. Last spring, she received an honourary doctorate
from her alma mater, the University of Windsor.

CBC Radio One's new 8:30-to-10 program, part of a new morning line-up
on the network, complements the previously announced new 10-to-noon
show, which will explore how Canadians are living their lives in the
21st century. Hosted by Shelagh Rogers, it debuts on CBC Radio One on
October 14 (via Ricky Leong, QC, DXLD)

** CANADA. At the risk of posting something actually about radio, all
I know is that Gary Hooper has been granted authority to operate 10
limited duration low power FM radio stations in various languages
(Arabic, Croatian, Czech, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese,
Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovene, Slovak, Spanish, Ukrainian as
well as in Aboriginal and Chinese languages). The frequencies being
used are 89.9, 90.7, 91.9, 96.9, 98.7, 99.5, 101.7, 102.7, 103.9 and
104.9 and the effective radiated power is supposed to be 10 watts. The
licenses expire on July 28.

For what is worth, I checked all of the frequencies yesterday
afternoon (July 23) and again this morning from a location very close
to where the Papal Mass will be on the 28th. I didn't hear any of
them. I suppose that today might be a good day to listen on these
frequencies if you are near Exhibition Place. Ironically, in the
Downsview part of North York, 99.5 is blocked by WDCX Buffalo, which
is religious, and 101.7 has both CKNX-Wingham and WLOF-Attica NY.
WLOF is part of the EWTN network (Niel Wolfish, Ont., ODXA via Saul
Chernos, WTFDA via DXLD)

A couple observations re WYD stations during my brief stop-over in
Toronto to log the stations (whereupon I'm escaping the madness and
heading back to DX-land at Burnt River until the weekend when I must
return for a day or so).

* Ironically, 101.7 WLOF in Attica NY was carrying what *appeared* to
be live coverage of the WYD events yesterday - Tuesday evening
(speeches etc...), and the WYD people have chie chosen 101.7 for one
of their frequencies. EWTN, the network that WTOF is on, is a Catholic
network.

* Upon my arrival downtown (where I live) last night, around 11 pm, I
noted open carriers on 90.7, 91.9, 101.7, 102.7, 103.9, and 104.9.
Toronto DXer Wayne Plunkett heard six stations broadcasting in
different languages, but our frequencies don't quite match. I had
fluttering on some of the others, but the signals are MONO, rather
than stereo, so the proof will be in the pudding if there is any
actual programming. I am here till noon, then must depart (Saul
Chernos, Ont., July 24, WTFDA via DXLD)

As an update I noted all but 2 of the 10 frequencies had programming
on Wednesday evening. They all seemed to be simulcasting the same
World Youth Day concert, including one rocking tune that began with
the line "J-P 2, we love you". This was around 9 p.m. with the signals
heard on 90.7, 91.9, 98.7, 99.5, 101.7, 102.7, 103.9 and 104.9. The
Signals were in mono and were pretty good on 90.7, 91.9 and 104.9 in
and around the Leaside neighbourhood. The other frequencies were still
being dominated by the usual station that would occupy the channel
(such as CBC Radio Two in Peterborough on 103.9), but one could detect
traces of the concert underneath the dominant signal. No sign of
anything on either 89.9 or 96.9, however. By the time I got up to
Yonge and York Mills CBC Ottawa was ruling the roost on 90.7 (Niel
Wolfish, Toronto, July 25, ODXA via DXLD)

Glenn, I took a drive past Exhibition Place in Toronto, site of WYD,
and tuned in all ten frequencies you had mentioned on WOR. Nothing was
heard on any of them around 1600 July 24. Perhaps these are only used
during specific times and events. The CN Tower is very close by, so
there was a lot of bleeding from other FM stations. 73, (Ivan Grsihin,
Ont., July 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** CHINA. Chinese "musical" jamming

Jamming signal: Chinese instrumental folk music. Special nonstop
compilation. Loop playback from hard drive. Duration of 1 cycle - 1
hr 00 min 00.2 sec._ Modulation - AM (non-distorted). Most suitable
time for reception in Europe - from 1600 to 0900 UT. Frequencies, on
which the musical jamming could be heard 1 and more hours per day,
kHz:

21700, 21690, 21650, 21540, 21500, 17720, 17640, 17615, 15680, 15665,
15515, 15510, 13690, 13675, 13670, 13625, 13610, 11945, 11935, 11795,
11785, 11750, 11700, 11520, 11510, 9955, 9945, 9915, 9455, 9355, 7515,
7190, 7160, 7150, 6035, 5925.

Musical jamming is a long distance high power (100-500 kW) skywave
jamming operation. Other known Chinese jamming modulations:

programs of China National Radio in AM mode (non-distorted, skywave,
high-power); programs of China National Radio in Narrow FM mode
(distorted; groundwave, low-power). (R. Pleikys, Lithuania, Jul 15,
2002 for Clandestine Radio Watch July 24 via DXLD)

** COLOMBIA. Glenn, I have been listening to that station on 6064.57
kHz for more than an hour hoping to hear the ID. It 's now 1109 UT.
The station gave a possible ID at 1000 UT, but I didn't catch it. All
I heard was "... para Quito, Ecuador". I am wondering what is up here?
According to what I have read in DXLD recently, this is supposed to be
a Colombian station?

The format is religious. A man talks for a couple of minutes then a
couple of secular Spanish tunes are presented and then back to the
Religious comments. Like I said, it's after 1100 and the station is
still pretty strong here in South Florida. Have you heard anything
further on this station on 6064.57 kHz? Hoping to hear from you.
Thanks (Chuck Bolland, Clewiston, Florida, July 24, WORLD OF RADIO
1141, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Sounds like Conciencia to me, even if you heard Quito mentioned (gh)

Hola Amigos, Para reportar qué está de nuevo en el aire La Voz de tu
Conciencia a través de los 6064.5, luego de un par de semanas. A pesar
que había posibilidad que saliera al aire en la frecuencia autorizada
por el Ministerio de Comunicaciones 6.060 Khz.; escuchada esta mañana
hacia las 1130 con un programa llamado Fuerza de Paz; mejoró en la
modulacion de audio, la señal en 5 (Rafael Rodríguez, Bogotá, July 24,
Conexión Digital via WORLD OF RADIO 1141, DXLD)

Glenn, The station on 6064 has possibly moved down to 6060.21 kHz.
Same format as yesterday that was on 6064.57 kHz is on 6060.21 kHz
with music and then brief religious comments. Still can't get the ID.
Heard one at 0900 UT but as usual the QRN crashes and the low tone of
the announcer's voice didn't produce anything worth logging. The
constant sameness of the music is enough to drive one crazy. It would
be better if they gave a few more ID's instead of that music! Anyway,
I'll leave this for someone else to catch (Chuck Bolland, Clewiston,
Florida, July 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Here`s your confirmation:

Hola amigos, después de regresar del trabajo, me encuentro que ya está
transmitiendo en la frecuencia autorizada La Voz de tu Conciencia,
6060.2, aunque está retransmitiendo la señal de la onda media 1530 kHz
con el programa "La Verdad sobre La Verdad"; Identificándose como:
"...Alcaraván Radio, transmitiendo su señal en los 1530 kHz A.M., 1530
emisora de interés público del municipio de Puerto LLeras..." La señal
continúa llegando en 5 (Rafael Rodríguez, Bogotá, Colombia, July 24,
Conexión Digital via DXLD)

** ECUADOR [and non]. When I owned HCRM1 and some others in Quito,
Ecuador, I discovered that the May-September period in the Andes at
the Equator had lightening like Florida and NE New Mexico. Every few
weeks, when I did transmitter maintenance on each AM, I carried a file
and a bunch of emery paper to file the tower baseplate that sat on top
of the base insulator; a corner of this 3/8 inch plate pointed at a
home-made metal ball on a rod that was spaced to take lightening hits
to ground. I would carefully file and brush the baseplate where it had
been pocked, and use the emery paper on the ball to work off any
surface irregularities. Then the gap was carefully spaced. I used the
headlights from my 4WD to illuminate the tower base, as this was
always done at abut 2 AM on a Sunday morning.

One of the towers sat on a hill at 9900 feel AMSL with no other
mountains or hills nearby, so it took multiple daily hits at times.
Only once in 7 years did either station on the tower (HCRM1-570 and
HCFV-805) get knocked off the air with this constant maintenance of
the gap. My HCSP at 590 was located in a wide valley with peaks on
either side; I don't believe it ever got hit by lightening, although
it may have gotten some static discharges (David Gleason, CA, NRC-AM
July 23 via DXLD)

** FINLAND. From swradio@swradio.net -- Hi folks, Following
interesting Scandinavian Weekend Radio-programme will be aired 3rd of
August 0900-1100 UT. 6170 and 11690 (9-10)/ 11720 kHz (10-11) . Alpo
Heinonen, SWR, The History of Finnish Radio: Radio Meteor. DJ Tex
Willer presents the history of legendary Finnish Free Radio Radio
Meteor. Stories, audioclips, etc. DJ and operator Rick Random will
give us a live interview by telephone. You can take part in the show
by sending your Radio Meteor -questions and memories beforehand to
tex.willer@swradio.net (via Mike Terry, DXLD)

** FRANCE. Plans Sept 16-30 for `compatible` DRM tests on 981 kHz:

Ciao ! L'articolo originale compare su ACTU FM della Francia ma non è
riproducibile per via del copyright; se volete leggerlo cliccate su:
http://www.radioactu.com/index.php?goto=flash&edit=T&id=9514&id_rubrique=6
(Dario Monferini, Italie, July 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** GERMANY. According to DLF announcement at 0555 UT today, the
longwave 153 unit will be OFF for maintenance July 22nd til FRIDAY
26th, (break usually at 0610-1548 UT). 73 de wolfy df5sx (Wolfgang
Bueschel, Stuttgart, July 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** GUYANA. 3290 kHz, Guyana Broadcasting Corporation, Georgetown.
Partial Data letter signed by W. Carr along a sheet with geographical
data of Guyana. Sent reception report and 1 IRC to GBC, 44 High
Street, Werk-En Rust. 64 Days (Marcelo Toniolo, Greenvale, NY, DX
LISTENING DIGEST)

** HAWAII. TEST OVER KAUAI BROADENS COMMUNICATIONS HORIZON
Associated Press

Communications equipment aboard an unmanned, solar-powered plane
flying 12 miles overhead successfully transmitted mobile telephone and
high-definition television signals in a test of technology that aims
to bring satellite systems closer to Earth. The test of SkyTower
Inc.'s telecommunications system aboard a NASA-developed prototype
plane took place 65,000 feet above Kauai on Saturday, company
officials said. Developers of the technology say it will provide
higher bandwidth for a host of communications systems, allowing users
to videoconference over Palm Pilots or download Internet files at five
times the speed of cable modems or digital subscriber line connections
-- all at a fraction of today's cost. SkyTower executives have
declined to provide exact figures on how much it would cost to operate
the equipment.

The system establishes a new, high-altitude wireless communications
base between satellites thousands of miles in space and the world's
highest communications towers. It allows clearer transmissions of
signals by bringing satellite technology closer to Earth, but keeping
it high enough to avoid interference from buildings and trees. The
technology also could be used to monitor natural disasters such as
hurricanes and assist emergency services, said Stuart Hindle, vice
president of strategy and business development for SkyTower.
Saturday's tests involved the beaming of signals for mobile telephones
and handheld devices and transmission of a high-definition television
signal to the prototype plane Pathfinder-Plus (via Brock Whaley, GA,
July 23, DXLD) WTFK??

** INDIA. Friends, Look out for the normal Delhi channels of 11830 and
15135 for the running commentary of the swearing in ceremony of the
new President tomorrow from 0350 UT.

[Later:] Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam will be sworn in as the new
President of India tomorrow 25th July 2002. AIR will be relaying the
live running commentary of this from 0350 UT. All stations of AIR will
be relaying it. Look out for the regional stations on 6 and 7 MHz and
any additional channels on 9, 11, 15 MHz. The commentary is expected
to last about 1 hour. The following new frequencies used last time are
worth checking: 11595, 15140, 15220. ===== 73 (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS,
July 24, dx_india via WORLD OF RADIO 1141, DXLD)

[this was posted in advance on our MONITORING REMINDERS CALENDAR]

** INDIA. From The Hindu... Online edition of India's National
Newspaper, Tuesday, July 23, 2002

NATIONAL AIR COMPLETES 75 YEARS

Mumbai, July 23. (PTI): "This is All India Radio" the once-familiar
baritone sound that the nation woke up to every morning and tuned in
without fail, along with their hot cup of tea, turns 75 today.

To celebrate its platinum jubilee, the Mumbai division of All India
Radio (Akashwani) has chalked out a series of programmes aimed at
boosting  its reach and widening the listeners' base, Assistant
Station Director Kirit Barot said.

Starting today, listeners could dial 2875705 or 2875708 to relate
their  experiences with All India Radio and their special relationship
with the organisation. The entire programme would be broadcast live,
Barot said.

Listeners would also be treated to a week-long special programme in
Marathi on Mumbai B channel from 9.30 PM to 10.30 PM while listeners
of Mumbai A would have an opportunity to listen to multi-lingual
programes, comprising talks with some of the well known celebrities
connected with the AIR.

Also on the cards is an archival special that would take listeners
down  the memory lane with a nostalgic flashback of some of the most
popular  programmes in the over seven decades of the existence of the
AIR.

A special programme would also be aired on 23rd of every month all
throughout the year to mark the occasion. A unique museum showcasing
some of the old equipment used by AIR during its 75 year history was
also inaugurated today.

The museum has also on display signatures and comments of some of
India's celebrities, including Jawaharlal Nehru, Sarojini Naidu and C
V Raman. Copyright © 2002, The Hindu (via Kim Elliott, DC, DXLD)

** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. RADIO HAM FINDS LOST SATELLITE
   From BBC News Wednesday, 24 July, 2002, 14:48 GMT 15:48 UK

A radio enthusiast has traced the whereabouts of a communication
satellite which had been lost in space. Dave Rowan found the Oscar 7
satellite, which stopped working in 1979, using equipment he has set
up in his garden shed. The enthusiast had recognised the code because
he had tracked the satellite when it was working in the late 1970s.
Now scientists at the University of Surrey have asked Mr Rowan to
monitor Oscar 7 so they can work out why it went wrong. Mr Rowan said:
"It was an old friend. I had spent many hours in the early hours of
the morning tracking this satellite. "When it made a reappearance and
I confirmed it was Oscar 7 I was quite delighted." The satellite
stopped working in 1979 Mr Rowan believes the battery on the
satellites stopped working but somehow the solar panels have begun to
work again. "It is live but not necessarily that well. "It has no
battery and the guess will be how long will this spacecraft last
again. "After 20 years in space with millions of miles to its credit,
there is no reason it shouldn't last further time." Mr Rowan's wife
said he spends much of his spare time in his shed which is fitted with
powerful radio equipment with a satellite dish outside. She calls
herself a "radio widow" and Mr Rowan has fitted an intercom from the
shed to the house so she can get in touch with him. Mrs Rowan said:
"He has got everything in his shed but a bed. "And I won't allow
that." (via Mike Terry, DXLD) WTFK??!!

** IRAQ [non]. Voice of Iraqi People, 9570.0 via Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,
Jul 18, 1715-1725, heard here ex 9568.5 under much QRM // 9563 (best
with 24333) and 11710. Talks in Arabic about Iraq (A. Petersen,
Denmark, Jul 18, 2002 for Clandestine Radio Watch via WORLD OF RADIO
1141, DXLD)

Voice of the Islamic Revolution of Iraq, 9685, via VOIRI, Iran, Jul
20, 0410-0440, Arabic talk about Iraq, Kuwait and Washington, 0424 ID:
"Sawt el-Sawra el-Islamya fiel-Iraq", 33333 (QRM Romania 9690), heard
// weaker 7120 and 7245 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, for CRW via DXLD)

** ISRAEL. SUMMER TIME WON`T STOP FOR YOM KIPPUR

Shas has once again done an about-face on the matter of daylight-
saving time and yesterday recanted its demand that summer time come to
an end early to make fasting on Yom Kippur somewhat easier.

At a meeting yesterday of the Knesset House Committee, it was agreed
not to shorten daylight-saving time by three weeks and that it would
continue until October 7, as set out in a law passed two years ago.

Two weeks ago, the Knesset approved the preliminary reading of a Shas
proposal to shorten daylight-saving time by three weeks. This
contradicted a historic compromise agreement reached between the
religious and secular Knesset factions in July 2000. But after this
amendment was approved, Shas leader and Interior Minister Eli Yishai
agreed to a compromise initiated by Justice Minister Meir Sheetrit
under which daylight-saving time would be halted for two days before
Yom Kippur and resume after the fast.

At yesterday's committee meeting, MK Moshe Gafni (United Torah
Judaism) surprised those present by calling on the Shas
representatives to freeze their amendment to shorten summer time.
"There is no reason for this issue to become a point of contention
between the two publics," Gafni said.

Shas then asked for time to confer, with MK Yair Peretz subsequently
announcing that the party would acquiesce and that he would withdraw
his bill.

House Committee Chair, MK Yossi Katz (Labor), welcomed the decision,
saying: "It is good that Shas has acted in this way and has thus saved
millions for the economy and reduced the friction between the secular
and religious."

The Shinui faction said in response that Shas had apparently decided
not to stretch its luck with the secular public just one day after the
passage of the Tal Law, which anchors draft deferral for thousands of
yeshiva students in legislation.
By Gideon Alon (Ha`aretz July 25 via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD)

** ISRAEL. A CHRONICLE OF ABJECT FAILURE

The franchises of 13 regional radio stations have been extended for
four years. It is difficult to understand why
By Anat Balint and Uri Ayalon

Quietly, almost secretly, the council of the Second Television and
Radio Authority decided to extend the franchises of 13 regional radio
stations by another four years. This was made possible thanks to the
media uproar that accompanied the government's decision to support the
extension of Channel 2's franchisees.

Next year, the first eight years of the franchises granted to the
regional radios will come to an end. To win an extension the owners
will have to prove that their radio stations meet the original
conditions of the franchise and offer ways to improve programming....
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=190096
(via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD)

** NETHERLANDS. Here is a summary of Dutch mediumwave news from a
German bulletin board:

Q - The Beat has again ceased to broadcast, the transmitter (that's
1224) was switched off after only the open carrier was transmit for
some time.

On September 1st a thorough reshuffling of the Dutch FM networks will
take place. It is said that it will be forbidden to distribute the
same program on both FM and mediumwave from this date. This would
require Radio 10 FM to leave 675, Business Nieuws Radio to leave 1395
and last but not least NOS 1 to leave 1008 and 891. At least a shut-
down of 1008 and 891 (the latter one frequency is anyway off air at
present due to transmitter maintenance) is considered as very likely.
Word is also that Business Nieuws Radio would remove the transmitter
installation, so another broadcaster could not simply take over the
frequency. That's at least how we interpret this news item:

"Officieel is er voor de 1395AM vanaf 1 september geen opstelpunt meer
beschikbaar. De frequentie wordt wel in de vergelijkende toets
uitgedeeld, maar de winnaar kan er niets mee, aangezien je de zender
nergens neer mag zetten. Business Nieuws wil naast een verlenging van
de vergunning voor 1395 AM dus ook dat de vergunning voor het huidige
opstelpunt, Trintelhaven, wordt verlengd. Dit totdat de zender klaar
is met het aanzetten van het FM zendernet."
http://www.radio.nl/home/medianieuws/001.zero_base/zerobase_nieuws/default.asp?readid=11014
(via Kai Ludwig, Germany, July 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** NEW ZEALAND. RNZI has an interesting special election-related
dramatization: UT Sunday 0406 on 17675: LIVE TO AIR - An Election
Drama. In a break to the serialization of "A Suitable Boy", RNZ
presents a "news drama" made over the weeks leading up to the
election. Recorded on the streets of Wellington, at election press
conferences, offices, bars, the Westpac Trust Stadium, Vox Pops tells
the story of a political reporter, John and his ex-partner Claire, a
GP intent on moving abroad, as they make life-defining decisions about
their own future. Building into it the very latest news events, the
production will be completed only moments before it goes to air.

Sunday 0806-1000 on 9885 - SOUNDS HISTORICAL with Jim Sullivan. This
week: "Early days of aerial top-dressing". (via John Figliozzi,
swprograms via DXLD)

?? Referring to `hats` which used to be put on MW antennas to dampen
skywaves?? (gh, DXLD)

** PALESTINE. VOICE OF PALESTINE RESUMES SCHEDULED PROGRAMMING

The Ramallah-based Voice of Palestine, the official radio station of
the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), was observed on 24 July to
resume its scheduled programming. The station had carried only music
for the previous three days after it was observed back on the air on
21 July. Prior to that, Voice of Palestine had not been heard since
1015 gmt on 24 June, when Israeli troops entered Ramallah.

The station was heard with good reception on the FM frequency of 90.7
MHz. The radio signed on at 0400 gmt on 24 July. After Koranic
recitations, the station at 0430 gmt carried the daily 90-minute news
programme "A New Day". The programme included updates by
correspondents on various developments in PNA areas, an interview with
PNA Information Minister Yasir Abd-Rabbuh and a scheduled newscast. It
also included an interview with PNA Health Minister Riyad al-Za'nun on
the condition of Palestinians wounded as a result of the Israeli air
raid on a Gaza district on 22 July. The radio carried its scheduled
news summaries on the hour, in addition to patriotic songs. Source:
BBC Monitoring research 24 Jul 02 (via DXLD)

** PARAGUAY. Mr Glenn Hauser, World of Radio, U.S.A.

Dear Mr Glenn Hauser: I have the privilege of writing to you, in order
to share information, concerning our test transmissions, which may be
of interest to the DX Community. We are Radiodifusión América (Radio
América), ZP20, in Asunción, Paraguay. Our station ZP20 operates on
1480 kHz, with a power of 1 kW, feeding a quarter-wavelength vertical
tower. The station operates 24-hours-per-day, and serves the area of
metropolitan Asunción.

ZP20 has been in existence for approximately 50 years, having been
located in Villeta, for many years, and earlier on, in San Juan
Bautista, Department of Misiones.

We have been in the process of constructing a new transmitter plant,
near Villeta, the better to serve our audience on the Medium and Short
Waves. At present, 1480 kHz continues to transmit, from Ñemby, a
suburb of Asunción.

We are also transmitting, 24-hours-per-day, on 15185 kHz, 19 Metres,
from Villeta. The initial power is low, 5 Watts, feeding a 5/8-ths-
wavelength, omnidirectional antenna, with a theoretical gain of 8,84
dBi. The vertical take-off angles of this antenna are from 3 to 27
degrees. Programming on 15185 consists of the regular programming of
Radio América, and classical music.

Tests are underway on 7300, 41 Metres, also from Villeta. On this
frequency, the beam is directed on 184 degrees, from Magnetic North.
The antenna has a theoretical gain of 25 dBi, a horizontal beamwidth
of 22,5 degrees, and vertical take-off angles of 3 to 27 degrees.
Power varies from 100 Watts to much more, depending upon the tests
underway.

On the frequency of 1610 kHz, 202,7 Metres, also from Villeta, tests
are underway, using a vertical tower, 125 Metres tall, which
represents 5/8-ths wavelengths at 1480. This antenna also has a
theoretical gain of 8,84 dBi. Power varies from 100 Watts, upwards.
Reception reports are most welcome, and will be verified, promptly.
With best regards from Paraguay! Maiteípa!

(Adán Mur, Technical Advisor, Radiodifusión América, Asunción,
Paraguay, ramerica@rieder.net.py July 24, WORLD OF RADIO 1141, DX
LISTENING DIGEST)

Dear Mr Mur: Many thanks for the news of your station. Please keep me
informed about future developments. No doubt everyone will shortly be
straining to hear your 5 watts on 15185. I am not aware of anyone
reporting actually hearing your 7300 yet either. Have you had some DX
reports of it? Regards, (Glenn Hauser, to Dom Mur via DXLD)

Dear Mr Glenn Hauser: Thank you very much for your message, and for
your kind encouragement. Our experimental frequency of 15185 kHz is
on-air, around-the-clock. We hope to augment the transmission power,
shortly.

The frequency of 7300 kHz is on the air, sporadically, owing to
improvements being realised in the equipment. We have severe energy-
related problems, in the rural zone of the transmitter plant, and
operate our transmitters from a large group of accumulators,
recharging them from rectifiers. In a sense, we have a stationary,
non-submersible equivalent of a diesel submarine. It is the same,
basic system!

The 7300 kHz is beamed at 184 degrees, from Magnetic North. We have
not received reports on this frequency, although we did receive
several reports for tests on 7740 kHz, realised a few months ago.

The frequency 1610 kHz tests, in substitution for 1480 kHz, so as not
to cause interference with the mother station. In future, 1610 kHz
will offer a community service.

DX Reports may be sent to us at: E-Mail:  ramerica@rieder.net.py
FAX: 595 21 963 149; Post: Casilla de Correo 2220, Asunción, Paraguay.

With greetings from Paraguay (Adán Mur, Radiodifusión América,
Asunción, Paraguay, July 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** SOMALIA. SOMALI GOVERNMENT RADIO OFF AIR AGAIN; THIS TIME AFTER
BEING LOOTED BY MILITIA

The radio station operated by the Transitional National Government
(TNG) of Somalia - which calls itself "Radio Mogadishu, Voice of the
Republic of Somalia" - is off the air again.

A separate station in Mogadishu, STN radio, reported on 24 July that
"last night" Radio Mogadishu was attacked by a militia group and
looted of some of its equipment. "The radio is now off the air," the
report said. Radio Mogadishu had been off the air for most of the
first half of July, apparently owing to a business dispute. BBC
Monitoring observations early on 24 July confirm that the radio is
again silent. Sources: BBC Monitoring research 24 Jul 02; STN radio,
Mogadishu, in Somali 0400 gmt 24 Jul 02 (via DXLD)

** SOUTH CAROLINA. I have nothing to report from Brother Stair except
that as late as this morning U.S. time his radio show was still going,
running old tapes. They re-ran the sermon that I've heard often (even
before his jailing he used to do re-runs mixed in with recent
material) to the effect that there NEVER were any such things as
dinosaurs, are not now, and "never will be." (That's the gist of the
sermon, classic Brother Stair. I wish they'd re-run my "favorite"
brother Stair sermon, the one in which he denounces the concept of
airplanes. He says of the pilots flying over his farm: "That pilot is
somebody's father, somebody's brother, somebody's son. Yet they defile
themselves to fly such an abominable contraption." Words to that
effect.)

Incidentally, in the past week I've heard other shortwave radio
preachers mention the Planet X crash (with Earth) that is scheduled
for May of 2003. Some preachers approach this from the angle that the
regular news media are censoring this information. Others say that
it's the U.S. government that's censoring the information. And Brother
Stair says simply that it's the wrath of god and doesn't get into any
discussion about who's censoring whom and why. He merely treats it as
common knowledge among his listeners that Planet X will be crashing
into Earth in May 2003. Knowing Brother Stair, he will still be airing
re-runs of his prediction in July of 2004 (Robert Arthur, July 24, DX
LISTENING DIGEST)

[non]. On UT Thursday, July 25 at 0100 on 7415 [Table of Truth, on
WBCQ] I heard an anti-Brother Stair broadcast. It was very lamely and
unprofessionally produced, and consisted of an inarticulate religious
nut who kept referring to his audience as "Saints of the God Most
High" or "Saints of the Most High God" (which is how Brother Stair
himself addresses his own audience) who repeatedly played tapes from
May of newscasts about Brother Stair's arrest (as though that proves
something). (During the 30 minutes, the same arrest newscast was
replayed three times!)

Nothing new or more recent was given in terms of the latest news, but
I did hear a reference to some charges against Brother Stair being
"reinstated."  I don't know what that means and whether to trust guys
like this with technical terminology.

Anyway, most of the broadcast consisted of an interview with some guy
who's in his mid-20s, who, back in 1999, along with his young wife,
went to live at Brother Stair's community, after having listened to
him on the radio. Brother Stair and his staff treated him and his wife
very nicely until after they moved there. Once they were moved in, 95%
of the days he was screamed at for being "rebellious" and for similar
infractions. Finally, after three months he was kicked out without
even being allowed to pack his belongings. The next day at his own
expense he got a U-Haul to collect his stuff. All in all this guy lost
about $8000, and says he will probably never see any of it unless his
lawsuit is successful, which it might not be. His credit is ruined and
he can't buy another house, etc. The host of the show said, "But
you're young." And the guy responded, "Yes, I'm young and I can
probably recover, although that will take time. How do older people do
it? How do older people do it?"

I was disappointed in the broadcast as it was just like a Brother
Stair broadcast in every way except that it was anti-Brother Stair.
It was incoherent, a hodge-podge that was impossible to follow from
one segment to the next, without transition in between segments or
even thoughts. Like a schizophrenic experience. Perhaps this is
deliberate to reach Brother Stair's own audience, which would be
accustomed to this. But I doubt it. I think the anti-Brother Stair
forces are as messed up in the brain as the Brother Stair forces.
It's sad to see them duke it out, like blind leading the blind. It's
as though both sides have agreed, "Rational arguments not allowed,"
and they're duking it out within those agreed bounds (Robert Arthur,
July 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** U K. EXECUTIVE SALARIES CONCEALED
   Matt Wells and Kevin Maguire, Wednesday July 24, 2002, The Guardian

The BBC is concealing the extent of its executives' salaries and
bonuses at the same time as it is imposing one of the worst pay deals
in the public sector on lower ranking staff.

Full details of the salaries drawn by the 17 strong board of
management did not appear in the BBC's annual report, published last
week, and details of a £50,000 incentive scheme for the head of its
commercial division were omitted altogether.

Meanwhile, union leaders are furious at the 2.8% offered to thousands
of junior staff, complaining it compares unfavourably with the £1.2m
in bonuses banked by executives.

Rupert Gavin, chief executive of BBC Worldwide, is the BBC's highest
paid executive after director general Greg Dyke. Last week's report
said he was paid a basic salary of £270,000 plus bonus and benefits
worth £69,000.

Last year's annual report revealed him to be the beneficiary of a long
term incentive plan in addition to his performance-related bonus.

This year's report referred to the incentive plan, but made no
reference to the April 2002 timescale - a month after the end of the
financial year - or the fact that it was "in addition" to the
performance related bonus. If paid in full, it would be worth at least
£50,000.

This year's report detailed the total pay earned by top executives
over 12 months to March 2002, but did not list present salary levels.

"We think that what matters is what they get in their pay packet, not
what their nominal annual salary is," a BBC spokesman said. The
board's bonuses and benefits totalled £1.2m.

Jeremy Dear, general secretary of the National Union of Journalists,
said: "When BBC bosses are paying themselves huge bonuses, they should
be ending the disgrace of low pay."  Guardian Unlimited © Guardian
Newspapers Limited 2002 (via Mike Cooper, DXLD)

** U K. Good news for cricket fans! The BBC announced on 25 July 2002
that they will once again be providing live cricket commentaries on
the internet via http://www.bbc.co.uk.tms [sic] or via the England &
Wales Cricket Board's website. This is especially good news, bearing
in mind the problems of internet sports rights over the past few
years. The remaining test match dates in England this year are 25-29
July, 8-12 August, 22-26 August and 5-9 September. If this situation
also applies to domestic cricket commentaries in the Cheltenham and
Gloucester knock-out trophy, the remaining dates there will be 31
July, 1 and 31 August (PAUL DAVID, Wembley Park, England, July 25, DX
LISTENING DIGEST)

** U K. Entries in MONITORING REMINDERS for Thursday July 25 could
also be applicable later for those interested:

2000-XXXX *BBC Manchester Commonwealth Games Radio:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/2002/radio/schedule/index.shtml
2000-XXXX *BBCR5 COMMONWEALTH GAMES OPENING CEREMONY
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/fivelive/shtml [didn`t work]
Webcam: http://www.bbc.co.uk/fivelive/commonwealthgames/webcam.shtml
[turned off, swamped?] The 5LIVE audio link can be reached by going
through the main page: http://www.bbc.co.uk/fivelive (Ivan Grishin,
DXLD) See also AUSTRALIA

** U K [non]. Laserradio news update  From  http://www.laserradio.net/

BROADCASTING EVERY SUNDAY ON 5935 KHZ SHORTWAVE --- NEWS UPDATE

Results from our Sunday 21st July test broadcast are very promising.
We received reports from several countries across Europe and the
majority stated a 'strong' signal was being heard at most locations.
The most distant reception reports to-date have come from the USA and
a listener in Brazil !

The Laser Radio group is experimenting with high-powered shortwave
transmissions beamed into the UK and Europe. An hour-by-hour cross-
country analysis of signal strength and viability with be conducted
during all of our test broadcasts during the month of July.

The date of our next broadcast on 5935 is :
Sunday July 28  - 14h00 to 22h00 UT

If you can hear the broadcast please send a reception report. Our
broadcasts on 5935 originate from a 100,000 watt transmitter located
at Ulbroka in the Republic of Latvia.

When regular operations commence, the primary content of our
programming will feature items of interest for radio hobbyists,
anoraks and radio amateurs, all blended together with the very best
music from the 60's, 70's and the 80's (via Mike Terry, July 25, DXLD)

From laserradio@yahoogroups.com

This being the final weekend of July, on Sunday it's the last
week of LaserRadio.net in test transmission mode on 5935 kHz. We
should then be in a position to announce our plans during the middle
of next week.

It is quite important that we collect your reception reports and
comments. So could we please ask for as many as possible this Sunday?
We need to know what you think of the audio quality and whether you'd
be happy to listen to 5935 on a regular basis. We are also examining a
number of other options during August, and may well go through another
period of tests elsewhere. Again, we'll be in a position to announce
what is what next week.

It has been mentioned before that LaserRadio.net intends to be a
campaigning radio station, and it will rely very much on listener
support. No, we are not talking money here, although that's always
welcome! We mean that we need your support in our aims.

LaserRadio.net has a number of things to say. For example, we don't
understand why satellite broadcasts are encrypted so that only certain
countries can receive them. Okay, yes, we do understand why they are
of course, but we want to know why the bodies that want to exert
control over such things can't give way to global audiences and the
idea of sharing. The same things happen with `regions' on DVDs and
games. Why? As we move towards a single united world this is
destructive and divisive.

It is the division in this world that we want to challenge beyond the
technologies as well. We want to see if we, with your help, can set
people thinking. No, we are not anarchists or politically motivated in
any way, but questions need to be asked. LaserRadio.net wants to ask
those questions and set people thinking about how to make this world a
better and safer place to co-habit in. Once people are thinking about
it, they change their attitude and start to live more harmoniously.

We aren't stupid enough to believe LaserRadio.net can make a big
difference, but all we need to do is get the ball rolling and let
nature take its course. We also want to do this in a fun way, and have
no intention of being a dirgey and boring station banging on like a
religious broadcaster. Laughter and comradeship, which is what holds
together a lot of `anoraks', are what binds LaserRadio.net, and this
will reflect in our eventual programming.

If we are going to kick butt, we are going to need your help! We've
got to work together (via Mike Terry, July 25, BDXC-UK via DXLD)

** U S A. NEO-NAZI BROADCASTER DIES
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/24/obituaries/24PIER.html

William Luther Pierce, an ascetic physics professor who built an
organization of young supporters for George Wallace for president into
the nation's largest neo-Nazi group, and whose novel "The Turner
Diaries" was credited by Timothy J. McVeigh with inspiring the
Oklahoma City bombing, died yesterday. He was 69.

Four weeks ago, Dr. Pierce, as he preferred to be called, learned that
he had terminal cancer and began preparing for others to continue the
work of his organization, the National Alliance, said Kevin Strom,
editor of its magazine, The National Vanguard. [...]

Last broadcast (link from Eastern European Jewish History Yahoogroups
list) http://www.natall.com/pub/072002.txt

AMERICAN DISSIDENT VOICES: Broadcast of July 20, 2002
Katyn, By Dr. William Pierce

Hello! A background noise that seems never to go away is the constant
whining and yammering of the Jews about how the world owes them a
living because of their losses during the so-called "Holocaust." They
do it, of course, because they make such a big profit on it. The
latest flare-up of this Jewish play for a handout came more than a
year ago when they began demanding that the Swiss pay them $7 billion,
which "Holocaust" victims allegedly had stashed in numbered Swiss
accounts before being hauled off to gas chambers during the Second
World War.  [...] (via Joel Rubin, July 24, swprograms via WORLD OF
RADIO 1141, DXLD)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/3721360.htm
The Miami Herald Wednesday July 24, 2002

WILLIAM PIERCE, 68, TURNER DIARIES AUTHOR

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) White supremacist leader William Pierce, whose
book The Turner Diaries is believed to have inspired Oklahoma City
bomber Timothy McVeigh, died Tuesday of cancer. He was 68.

Pierce died at his compound in Mill Point, said his business manager,
Bob DeMarias. He became ill three weeks ago and his kidneys failed,
DeMarias said.

The novel, which some have called a grisly blueprint for a bloody
race war, includes a chapter entitled the ``Day of the Rope.`` It
describes white corpses hung from every street corner with placards
reading, ``I defiled my race.``

FBI investigators said McVeigh was a fan of Pierce`s book and used it
as a blueprint for bombing the Oklahoma City federal building in
1995. The book includes a truck-bombing of FBI headquarters.
The Oklahoma City bombing wasn`t the first violence that federal
prosecutors linked to The Turner Diaries, which was published in
1978.

In 1985, 10 members of a supremacist group called The Order were
convicted of racketeering and other charges in Seattle. Among the
crimes they were accused of were armored-car robberies and the 1984
machine-gun slaying of Jewish radio talk-show host Alan Berg. One
witness testified that a defendant told him, ``You should read it,
partner, it`s all there. Everything that`s going to happen is in The
Turner Diaries.``

Pierce led his group, the National Alliance, from a two-story steel
building on 400 acres deep in the Appalachians four hours southwest
of Washington.

The Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups, estimated
the group makes more than $1 million a year, mainly through sales of
white power music and supremacist or neo-Nazi literature. ``This is
the major hate group in the United States. It`s the most organized,
the best run and the wealthiest,`` said Mark Potok, editor of the
center`s intelligence report on hate groups.

Pierce`s death is a significant development because the group has no
clear heir, Potok said (via rec.radio.shortwave via John Norfolk,
OKCOK, DXLD) ?? What about Kevin Alfred Strom? (gh, DXLD)

American Dissident Voices (ADV) has been airing on American station
WWRB on Saturdays. ADV started on shortwave in December 1991. While
the website of the National Alliance http://www.natvan.com does
mention his death in an obituary written by Kevin Alfred Strom, it is
unclear whether the radio program will continue. In the early years of
ADV, Strom was often heard, but in recent years the program has simply
been Pierce monologues (Hans Johnson, WY, Jul 24, Cumbre DX Special
July 25 via DXLD) Time and frequency for ADV on WWRB? (gh, DXLD)

** U S A. WNNY Noticias 1380 NY ha cambiado hoy al formato de música
ranchera identificándose ahora "La X 1380" (Dino Bloise, Jersey City,
NJ, July 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** U S A. Re: [NRC-am] NEW CEO AT CLEAR CHANNEL

I`ll make a prediction. Look for him to champion payments to media for
downloaded songs, etc. Look for fees, or for him to ask Congress to
tax users of the Internet for their usage of media. Look for licensing
of services like Real Audio and WinAmp with some compensation going to
CC. Think of something bizarre and it might just happen, Dave (Fred
Vobbe, OH, NRM-AM July 23 via DXLD)

Scott, Randy Michaels may be a great guy and a talented engineer. He
may not even be the root problem. IMHO the root problem is the trend
toward monopoly and concentration in the industry, with a concomitant
disregard for the public interest. Monopolies, if allowed to come into
existence, ought to be regulated to protect the public welfare. Guess
I would've made a good Progressive... (Dave Hochfelder, NJ, ibid.)

Precisely so. Clear Channel as we know it today exists only because
the 1996 Communications Act made it possible. CCU simply moved faster
than anyone else (Infinity, Cumulus, Citadel, etc) to exploit the
provisions of the law to an extent I doubt its framers ever
envisioned. The problem with a bill like the '96 law is that undoing
it is so very much harder than doing it. How do you force a company to
sell 1100 of its 1200 stations? (And even if you could, who'd be in a
position to buy them now - in most markets, any company buying part of
an existing cluster would end up with a license, *maybe* a tower but
more likely just a lease, some equipment and a small fraction of the
staff they'd need to run the individual station solo.

But they'd need to find new office and studio space, hire a stand-
alone sales and promotions staff, find an engineer, etc. It wouldn't
be an easy task, especially if the spin-offs are the "pseudo-stations"
like the two CC runs in the Rochester market (WISY 102.3 and WLCL
107.3) that have *no* airstaff and in fact no staff of their own
period, depending on playlists sent up from Cincinnati and being sold
as additional "combo" buys with the "real" stations like WHAM and
WVOR. -s (Scott Fybush, ibid.)

Well said, David.

To that, I'll add that while they don't provide community service,
they are running promos saying how good they do, how they are the
weather leader, the one to turn to, etc.  Reminds me of a kid standing
in a pile of glass and cookies with chocolate on his face telling you
"no, I didn't steal a cookie."

The one thing that will have me at odds with CC and their clones, as
well as some members of Congress that support these monopolies, is
that they have removed my opportunity to own a station.  Since 1996,
values of stations have gone up as much as 400%.  A station that my
wife and I were looking at that was appraised at $390k is now listed
at $1.9mil.  The owner makes no excuses.  He is convinced that CC,
Cumulous, or someone else with fat pockets will eventually come his
way.  When they do, he will get his price and the station will be
automated to just another voice-tracked repeater.

Along with the fact that the large corporations own everything, the
costs of properties are now so high that it's impossible to bid
against someone like CC for a property, so the system is stacked
dramatically against the average public and favors the large
corporation.

And while I'm on a rant, let us not forget all the little divisions of
these corporations which are not normally claimed.  I find it
interesting when you follow the money, and dig through the "whose
who", that many stations who appear to be independent are controlled
by larger companies (Fred Vobbe, OH, July 24, NRC-AM via DXLD)

Broadcasting IS heavily regulated by the government. Who do you think
tells CC, Infinity, etc., the frequencies, transmitter powers, antenna
patterns, call letters, etc., they can use? You can't start a new AM,
FM, or TV station in your community without government permission.
Just who has lost sight of the "public interest" (whatever that means)
here --- the broadcasters or their purported regulators, the FCC?

The current mess was a bipartisan effort---both Billy Tauzin (R-LA)
and Ed Markley (D-MA) and their friends were bought and paid for a
long time ago by the NAB. Broadcasting deregulation was pushed by NAB
and its lobbyists, and, as others have noted here, those who voted for
the bill had no real idea of what the ramifications would be.
Deregulation coincided with new competitors for local ad dollars (like
cable TV systems) so it's no surprise that so many stations had to
either sell to someone like CC or become terrestrial relays for
satellite-delivered programming.

The best hope for meaningful competition would be expanded LPFM with
fairly liberal licensing requirements and measures to keep licensees
truly local instead of part of a national religious group. That will
never happen because of NAB opposition. Like the rest of the
entertainment industry (movies, music, etc.), the NAB enjoys
disproportionate influence because of its fund-raising ability and
uses that clout to fight any incipient competition (like LPFM or
netcasting).

CC, Infinity, and their ilk are part of an oligopoly, but that
oligopoly was created and is maintained by the government (Harry
Helms, AK6C, Ridgecrest, CA  DM15, ibid.)

It beats me how anyone could actually think that a lot of the stuff
that CC has done in theory to stop the bleeding would help.

- Will the loss of listeners due to elimination of local
news/programming/identity offset the savings of expenses?
- Will any possible increase in listeners on an already viable station
offset the expense of the consultants and focus groups ?
- Will the above translate into a lose/lose - lose money on the
expense side and lose listeners as well ?
- Will the loss of listeners from the practice of voice-tracking
offset the cost savings?

And on and on. This stuff reminds me of the kind of thing management
does in any company to plug the holes when the ship starts sinking.
How much of this was Randy Michaels' idea and how much he actually
believed in we'll never know, but whether or not he engineered his
change, he's probably moved out at the right time. CC has managed to
reduce the base value of so many of the stations they bought -
particularly so for any potential individual sale - that when they
inevitably have to shed the excess, it will be far more painful than
they ever thought (Russ Edmunds, Blue Bell, PA, ibid.)

I beg to differ. Strenuously. The current problems will never be
solved by *more* stations, whether they're LPFM or otherwise. This
transcends any LPFM-specific issues.

Meaningful competition and variety will at minimum require CC to shed
a lot of its excess baggage of stations, and their purchase by people
who are experienced, knowledgeable, have moderately deep pockets and
are dedicated to providing variety and diversity. It will also require
that some number of excess stations pass out of existence.

But, given the current political and economic climates, that is also
just as unlikely, and for the same reasons (Russ Edmunds, Blue Bell,
PA, NRC-AM via DXLD)

"More competition" is not the same thing as "more stations" (although
that might be the short-term impact). It means that others can more
easily enter the business and offer alternatives to CC and existing
broadcasting monoliths. Something like LPFM (and why not "LPAM" while
we're at it?) is just one way---IF done correctly!---to offer locally
produced alternatives to CC, Infinity, etc. What I liked about LPFM is
that it would've lowered the entry cost for new local broadcasters to
a few thousands of dollars, making broadcasting a much more viable
option for one or two people with more creativity than cash. That (and
the increased competition) is what made LPFM anathema to NAB.

I think CC will eventually crash unless it trims some of its station
holdings because it will be unable to generate sufficient revenues to
keep its "empire" broadcasting. Empires are expensive and can drag you

down -- ask the British or the Soviets! I still stick with my
prediction that alternatives to terrestrial broadcasting (like
satellites and 4G wireless) will eventually result in some AM and FM
stations going dark. While Randy Michaels clearly got kicked upstairs
at CC, it also shows CC is aware that it will soon be facing
competition from new sources. Maybe Randy had some shortcomings as a
day-to-day manager, but he does have a good track record of seeing
what the future holds (Harry Helms AK6C, Ridgecrest, CA  DM15, ibid.)

Hi Scott and List, I must admit that what I took in that Randy comment
was a bit of a cheap shot.

I know that one person isn't responsible for the state of radio in
this country. I thank that Randy has become "the guy radio folks love
to hate", he's the Bill Gates of our industry. I was not aware of
those little morsels of his background. From a pure intellectual
perspective I know that Randy isn't the one cause of radio's sorry
state.

I do disagree with a large variety of Clear Channel's policies,
extensive voice tracking, lack of localism, out of market air talent
pretending they are live and local,  total centralized control and
market semi-domination, etc. I will give CC credit where it is due,
regarding upgrading of physical plants.

I would be interested in getting the opportunity to talk with Randy.
Like him or dislike him, he is one of the movers and shakers of this
industry and has achieved remarkable success in a relatively short
time. I think CC only had their Texas properties before 1996.

I am not the total media expert and I don't have a monopoly on all the
answers but as I said before I do find more than a few of CC's
practices distasteful to say the least (Dave Marthouse, VA, ibid.)

Randy is probably neither the ogre he's portrayed to be nor anything
close to a broadcasting saint. His reputation on the specific scores
Dave mentioned is well-deserved. He earned it. While the industry
types and some DX'ers may recognize engineering accomplishments, the
average listener is largely oblivious. And his 'private' interests and
what he may be like as a person are completely obscured in the eyes of
the public and media critics by what is both more obvious and more
important to those groups - exactly what Dave has indicated above.
(Russ Edmunds, Blue Bell, PA, ibid.)

Does Clear Channel *have* a monopoly? (in the sense of holding 100% of
the stations in a market, of course not. In the sense of holding the
vast majority of the viable stations in a market, I don't think so
either)

Might it be not the FCC's job to determine whether one owner has a
monopoly, but that of the people in the Justice Department who deal
with monopolies in other industries? (not that the Justice Department
is doing particularly well, witness the Microsoft situation)

Some argue that radio stations do not compete only with other radio
stations.  Competition includes television, newspapers, outdoor
(billboards), even direct mail. CCU isn't into newspapers at all, nor
are they into cable. (which means they would have to own all the Big 3
network TV affiliates in a market to have a TV monopoly)  They are
into outdoor but at least around here they have plenty of competition.
Arguably, they could own every radio station in Nashville and still
not be a monopoly.

(I don't agree with that interpretation, but many do)

I would imagine coming up with the capital would be the big problem.
Especially with the soft advertising market. Who would lend the money?

Chances are many stations would simply turn in their licenses and go
silent. (which may not be a bad thing<g>) Or end up losing money under
the control of an under-capitalized local owner. (which could really
mess up the AM band. When's the last time you've heard of a CCU
station running day power all night? Now, when's the last time you've
heard of a *locally-owned* station doing so?)  (Doug Smith, ibid.)

What good is a listing at such an inflated price if a) it really isn't
worth it; and/or b) there are no buyers anywhere near that price ?
It's meaningless! At some point down the road, I suspect there will be
stations there for the buying at affordable prices - trouble is the
buyer will have to start from scratch because all they'll have is the
core physical plant and the license, no staff, no programming, and not
much reputation. CC paid inflated prices for what they acquired, did
it too many times, and then has tried to scrimp and save their way out
of the mess they created. Now all these independent owners think
they're sitting on a gold mine which they expect to increase further
in value (Russ Edmunds, ibid.)

Many owners are holding out for the bucks, and speaking with
appraisers that seem to feel the same way. One appraiser showed me
statistics that in some markets stations are being sold for 7x value.

While you and I would not buy a $2,450 Sony ICF-2010 or a $350 GE
SuperRadio III (cost comparison), there are people that will pay
because they want the property and have the cash.

Starting from scratch is a challenge, but it can be done. As we have
said here often, give people what they want and they will support your
station.  I would love to see many stations become available for the
communities that need a good local service.

Heck, look no further than Cleveland OH where a daytimer sold for $7-
mil. I was looking at a station with an asking price of $2.1-mil. I
asked the broker what the station would go for if the 7/7 rule was
back. He replies, "$425,000". Nuf' said (Fred Vobbe, ibid.)

Yes, but overpaying for things based on speculation can backfire. Ask
the people who paid $400 a share for Amazon if you doubt it!  :-)
Maybe CC overpaid for many of their properties and suddenly the cold
wind of reality is starting to blow? (Harry Helms  AK6C, ibid.)

Does anyone remember the Clip Clop Corp., from back in the 1880s?

Clip Clop's founder, Cumulus Citadel General, determined that there
was a great financial future in horseshoes, and sought to corner the
market. He offered operators of blacksmith shops all over the country
buy-out prices they could not refuse.

Soon, a farmer could not shoe his horse without taking it to a CC
smithy. CC equipped its shops with standard-size molds ... small,
medium and large. Each mold was made to conserve on iron, and CC
horseshoes were 3/16ths of an inch thinner than those that usually
were produced individually by the corner smithy. Not quite so strong,
but there was repeat business.

It cost a horse owner much less to shoe his horse at Clip Clop.
Because there were only three sizes of shoe, some horses' hooves were
too big or too small for a standard CC shoe. Too bad. The horse owner
had two choices ... he could apply an ill-sized shoe to the hoof and
hope for the best, or he could find a hold-out local smithy who could
still produce custom-built shoes.

The latter option, though, became narrower and narrower, because the
mass trade switched to Clip Clop and the niche market blacksmith
couldn't stay in business.

That left the horse owner one more option ... horse meat.

By 1890, nearly every horseshoe in America was emblazoned with the
Clip Clop logo, which looked like two Cincinnati Red logos, side-by-
side.

Clip Clop's penetration appealed to investors, who ponied up to supply
venture capital for CC's expansion into the harness business. For a
while, CC bought horses with non-standard-size hooves ... at a deep
discount ... for the leather for its harnesses, but horsemen
complained that some of their horses sensed where the leather came
from and were spooked. CC experimented with cotton and wool
derivatives and came up with a secret formula that was much less
expensive than leather. Not quite so strong, but there was repeat
business.

Horseman, attracted by the lower prices, turned to CC for their
harnesses, just as they had for horseshoes, and CC cash reined in most
of the local harness shops, leaving only a handful to fight the
competition.

Cumulus Citadel General was a true visonary. At the peak of Clip
Clop's financial success, he surprised his happy investors by selling
them his entire interest in CC. Of course, the investors paid top
price.

Old C.C. used the money to found a new company. While memories of Clip
Clop Corporation have faded into the murk of distant memory, surely
you are familiar with the name General Motors? (John Callarman,
Krumudgeon, TX, ibid.)

Before long, there will be a seller's market and CC's problems just
might trigger it. The current appraised prices, even though there are
always some folks with more money than sense to buy, are simply
unsustainable over time (Russ Edmunds, July 24, NRC-AM via DXLD)

** U S A. ANALYSIS: INTERNET RADIO UNDER THREAT IN USA | Text of
editorial analysis by Martin Peters of BBC Monitoring's Foreign Media
Unit on 25 July

In the United States, thousands of Internet-only radio stations look
set to close following a decision by the American Librarian of
Congress who ruled that from 20 October 2002, web radio broadcasters
must start paying royalties to record companies and artists. In
addition, many traditional broadcasters who also stream over the
Internet are likely to close off this alternative method of delivery
before fees become due.

Traditionally, royalties are split into two categories: those paid to
the composer, and those paid to the performing artist and their
recording label. Conventional radio stations are generally exempt from
paying the latter, since they are considered promoters of new music.
The royalties due to the composers are paid on a "per-song" basis and
are calculated as a percentage of stations' revenue.

The proposed fees are based on the number of listeners and the number
of songs played, equating to 70 US cents per song per 1,000 listeners.
Moreover, royalties due would be backdated to 1998.

In May, hundreds of webcasters united in a "Day of Silence" in protest
against the implementation of the levy. Most stations remained off the
air from dawn to dusk while others, keen to keep their listeners on
board, managed only the occasional "moment of silence" throughout the
day.

More recently, on 22 July, a live webcast of a concert organized by
the International Webcasting Association (IWA), and aimed at promoting
their campaign to rescue the independent Internet radio concept, was
broadcast out of the State Theatre near Washington DC.

It's being claimed that the vast majority of American Internet-only
stations will be forced off the air by this ruling. Many of them are
privately-run hobby webcasters with little or no financial backing.
Only the largest of the established terrestrial broadcasters with an
online presence are thought likely to continue streaming.

A number of stations pre-empted the ruling by closing down well ahead
of the October deadline - StarDogRadio and Radio Free Tiny Pineapple
are among two of the more recent casualties. "We're toast", declares
the web site of the latter.

Live365.com, which offers a hosting service to radio hobbyists,
enabling users to transmit niche programming, announced it will add a
monthly 5 US dollars fee for each station, beginning 1 August.
According to chief operating officer Raghav Gupta, that move alone is
expected to reduce the number of stations on their books from 25,000
to about 5,000.

On 15 July the National Association of Broadcasters, as well as
several entities with interests in Internet radio, appealed against
the new ruling, claiming that the US Copyright Office had
misinterpreted the law when it decided that radio stations would have
to pay musicians and recording companies when streaming over the web.
The appeal claims that Congress intended the fees to apply only to
music download sites, and that Internet streams should be subject only
to those royalties paid for conventional over-the-air broadcasts.
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), an organization
representing several major record labels, claims that Internet radio
stations pose a threat to the industry since it is possible for
listeners to record digitally the music being broadcast. The RIAA
added that it hoped the radio stations would lose their appeal.

The future of Internet radio in the United States now hangs in the
balance. What happens will depend on whether the royalty ruling is
reversed or amended. Over the last few years, Internet radio stations
have flourished, partly because of their associated low start-up and
running costs. Without an 11th hour change in policy, the vast
majority of Internet radio may be consigned to history. Source: BBC
Monitoring research 25 Jul 02 (via DXLD)

** U S A [and non]. Subject : 1470 kHz monitoring

Despite it being summer, and despite the splatter across the band
here, I have been amazed with the results I've had from audio
analysis of some MW channels recently. In particular, 1470 has yielded
carriers (i.e. stations) with pretty distinct s/off's or darkness
power-downs.

I've tuned my AOR 7030+ 1 kHz lower than the desired channel, e.g.
I've tuned to 1469.000 kHz in USB mode, and fed the audio from the
receiver to the PC's sound card. On the PC, I've analysed the audio
using Spectrum Lab software --- free from
http://www.qsl.net/dl4yhf/spectra1.html --- with FFT settings to
enable a resolution down to around 20 milliHertz.

Thus, it's easy to discern individual carriers either side of 1000
Hz, the expected pitch of stations having carriers on the 1470 kHz
channel.

The software allows you to auto-save the spectrum display at
intervals, and I've uploaded these spectrum plots to my website. They
range in size from around 1 MB for channels like 1350 kHz where
there's a whole 24 hour display, to around 400-500 kb for channels
like 1470 kHz where there's only the night-time activity to record.

http://www.dxradio.co.uk/mwoffsets/index.html

For 1470 kHz, there are currently 6 traces on the website covering
the nights 18-19, 19-20, 20-21, 21-22, 22-23 and 23-24 July. The
"carrier ends" could mean either a sign/off or a significant power
drop. Not every night is the same by a long way.

18-19 July
fade in 2200
2300 UTC carrier at 1003.0 Hz ends
2310 UTC carrier at  984.5 Hz ends
0100 UTC carrier at 1020.0 Hz ends
0105 UTC carrier at  993.0 Hz ends
0210 UTC carrier at  996.0 Hz ends
fade out 0430

19-20 July
fade in 2150
2255 UTC carrier at 1006.5 Hz ends
2300 UTC carrier at 1001.0 Hz ends
0100 UTC carrier at 1020.0 Hz ends
0105 UTC carrier at  993.0 Hz ends
0200 UTC carrier at  996.0 Hz ends
fade out 0400

20-21 July
fade in 2130
2312 UTC carrier at 1020.0 Hz ends
0100 UTC carrier at  993.0 Hz ends
fade out 0440

21-22 July
fade in 2110
2320 UTC carrier at 1020.0 Hz ends
0012 UTC carrier at 1002.0 Hz ends
0300 UTC carrier at  996.0 Hz ends  --hour later than other days
0300 UTC carrier at 1024.0 Hz ends
0325 UTC carrier at  970.0 Hz ends
fade out 0440

One of the carriers - the one on approx 995 Hz - would appear to be
CPN, Lima, Peru which peaks 0300-0330 UTC, and which fades in later
that some at around 2320 UTC ... just when the daylight/darkness
terminator crosses Peru.

It was also interesting that on the 19-20 plot especially, some of
the carriers were much "fuzzier" than others that night. Perhaps due
to auroral activity?

Comparing these fade-in times with GeoClock (or other daylight /
nighttime / greyline "calculators") is interesting too, in as much
that Eastern Brazil and Argentina get sunset at much the same time as
the UK, with everything else trans-Atlantic still in daytime. I was
actually amazed at how early some of the fade-in's occurred, and the
probability of sun-down DX from Latin America.

If only I could extract audio too ... plotting carriers by audio
analysis is actually easy. I haven't yet ID'd any of them as the
audio (when I've listened) has been almost non-existent. Some of that
though is due to my location here in west London, and also the
limitations of just having a 40 inch square MW loop and/or a
Wellbrooke ALA1530.

There's the possibility of other interpretations too of the "carrier
ends", e.g. propagation changes or my receiver's AGC being hi-jacked
by 1467 kHz. But with a few more night's worth of monitoring, the
pattern should emerge.

It would be good obviously to correlate these plots with other
people's experiences too - whether on 1470 or some other commonly
accessible channel.

(Mark Hattam, Hayes, Middlesex, UK, July 23, NRC-AM via DXLD)

** UZBEKISTAN. SYSTEM TO MONITOR USE OF NATIONAL RADIO FREQUENCIES IS
SET UP

A system of technical control over the radio frequency spectrum has
been put into operation in Uzbekistan to guarantee the efficient use
of radio frequencies and to detect illegal users of the airwaves.
Computer management of the system makes it reliable and extends the
range of control. The following is an excerpt from a report on the
subject, entitled " The airwaves: control and compatibility" and
published in the Uzbek newspaper Pravda Vostoka on 16 July.
Subheadings have been added editorially.

At present, nearly 179,000 radio-electronic transmitting, receiving,
relaying or producing stations, devices and installations go on air
daily in Uzbekistan on various waves and frequencies. They help
enterprises, organizations and individual citizens to carry out modern
production, technical, research and cultural information work.
The Uzbek Agency of Communication and Information Technology has
issued an order approving a state commission enactment putting into
operation a radio frequency spectrum technical control system. An
important stage has been completed in strengthening and upgrading the
material and technical basis of a service providing technical control
over the state of Uzbekistan's radio frequency resources and their
efficient use, and over the extent to which all those using the
airwaves observe the rules for cooperation and electromagnetic
compatibility when using various radioelectronic devices and
installations.

In all, 53 legal entities and individuals have been granted licences
to operate in the fields of radio communication, radio broadcasting
and television to design, build, use and provide services...

Electromagnetic Compatibility Centre

In Uzbekistan, these functions are carried out by the Electromagnetic
Compatibility Centre, which will mark its 15th anniversary this
year...

"The development of advanced technologies in the field of radio
communication is leading to a considerable growth in the number of
radioelectronic devices," R.P. Mansurov, head of the Electromagnetic
Compatibility Centre, says. Accordingly there is a higher demand for
control over their use so as to ensure their efficient operation,
exclude mutual interference and determine the lawfulness of their use.
The Uzbek Posts and Telecommunications Agency together with the
Electromagnetic Compatibility Centre have carried out a great deal of
work to introduce a radio frequency spectrum technical control system.
In accordance with a Cabinet of Ministers resolution dated 26 May
2002, "On implementing the project for supplying equipment,
assembling, adjusting and putting into operation a radio frequency
technical control system", a contract was signed with the German
company Kurt Mitterfellner GmbH, and advanced radio monitoring and
direction-finding equipment produced by the well-known German company
Rohde & Schwarz was bought...

Centralized control

Now the radio monitoring and direction-finding system includes four
stationary and one mobile station located in the towns of Tashkent
[the capital], Termez [in the south] and Samarkand [in central
Uzbekistan]. All the stations are managed from the control centre.
Information is transferred from the stations working autonomously. The
centre makes it possible to control the operation of receivers and
direction-finders and also to see the processes occurring in the
airwaves in real time. The control system also makes it possible to
hear and make digital recordings of the transmitters monitored. The
direction-finding module of the system enables the operator to quickly
and accurately find the location of a transmitter, displaying the data
on an electronic map, which makes the search easy.

The computers linked to a single control centre have been deployed.
Now it is possible, without going to the site, to quickly and
precisely determine both the geographical location and the actual
source that is causing concern, and to take measures quickly.

Experimental operation of the system started in October 2001. Over
that short period of time, radio control efficiency has increased
considerably, the search for complicated radio disturbances and their
detection have become simpler, the percentage of detecting illegally
used radioelectronic devices has grown and instrumental surveying of
the frequency range from 1,000 to 3,000 MHz has become possible. So
the operation of the system has considerably influenced the number of
illegally used transmitters: the number of radioelectronic devices
used without licences was 492 in 2000, and 1,020 in 2001. With the
help of a mobile radio monitoring station a great deal has been done
in Tashkent to survey the GSM 1,800 waveband, which our cellular
operators are starting to use.

Decoding and location capability

Now the system has been put into permanent operation. As a whole, the
new system performs a number of functions simultaneously. They are to
analyse the loading of the radio frequency wavebands, to measure the
spectral characteristics of radio signals, to file the sound messages
and to display a map of the observation range with the possibility of
changing its scale and of representing pictograms of various
facilities against the background of the map, besides decoding various
radio signal codes, etc.

Computer management of the system ensures its high reliability along
with simplicity and ease of management, as well as quick access to the
measurement results which are permanently preserved in its own
database.

The current configuration of the system developed from the need to
ensure monitoring of regions with a large number of radioelectronic
devices. For the time being, it makes it possible to carry out the
functions mentioned above on a regional level, while, with the help of
a mobile complex, it can carry out measurements and direction-finding
in remote areas too. Measurements and direction-finding in medium and
short wave can be done throughout the country.

The facility was built in a short period of time, the major work being
carried out by local specialists with the help of foreign consultants.
Four of the specialists were trained in Germany and also combined work
with study with the help of specialists from the supplier company. The
software was developed with due regard for the specifics of our tasks,
today we have a good database of the radioelectronic devices currently
operating, their use is monitored and any deviations from the norm,
including any unregistered radioelectronic facility going on air, are
immediately detected. Thus, purity and order in everyone's using the
national radio frequencies are guaranteed. Source: Pravda Vostoka,
Tashkent, in Russian 16 Jul 02, p3 (via BBCM via DXLD)

** WESTERN SAHARA [and non]. Radio Nacional de la R.A.S.D.

En la página http://www.ongsario.com/ se puede acceder a la
programación de la Radio Nacional de la R.A.S.D., que también se
transmite en la banda de 41 mts. Onda Corta, 7470 kHz en el horario:
de 1800 a 0000 horas GMT. Cabe señalar que las últimas ocasiones en
que se captó esta estación (yo no la puedo sintonizar desde hace
bastante tiempo) pudo ser escuchada por los 7460v hacia las 2230+UT.

Además, otra cosa curiosa. En la página hay un acceso que permite
conocer la nómina de los radioaficionados y estaciones autorizadas
para emitir desde la República Árabe Saharaui Democrática. Con
licencia oficial:

S01A Naama.
S01MZ Mahfoud.
S01CNU, EA2CNU Roberto.
S01XC, EA2XC Julian.
S01JG, EA2JG Arseli.

INDICATIVOS AUTORIZADOS:
S0RASD, S0LYNX, S0EA, S01A, S01MZ, S01HA, S0A, S02A, S02UN, S03UN
S04UN, S02R, S03A, S03R, S04A, S04R, S05A, S05R, S06A, S06R, S08A,
S08R, S09A, S09R, S0R (A. Slaen, Argentina, Jul 16, 2002, Conexión
Digital via CRW via DXLD)

UNIDENTIFIED. From alt.radio.pirate Tuesday, July 23, 2002 5:57 PM

Heard three unidentified stations last night on 6777 khz talking
about a clandestine ship being outfitted somewhere along the
U.S. east coast with broadcast transmitters. Said the ship will
broadcast outside U.S. jurisdiction, as soon as it is ready to sail.
Stations QSY'd to another unidentified freq. (lost in QRN.)
Anyone have further on this? Will (via Mike Terry, DXLD)

UNIDENTIFIED. Re 6985, from Ian Baxter, Australia, DXLD 2-117 SOMALIA:

Glenn, My immediate response would be Voice of Freedom and Renewal,
broadcasting to Sudan, as 6985 was used by this station until it moved
to 6965. And the time fits. But I haven't heard the station for a
while and was only speculating the other day that it may have closed.
But, interestingly, Ian notes that it is erratic, so maybe I have just
been unlucky with my occasional checks. But I wouldn't jump to
conclusions. There have been various red herrings around that
frequency - Kurdish stations, Galei Zahal, spurious signals from Radio
Jordan. I'll listen out again myself. I may be a while in reporting
back as I'm going to be on leave and out of e-mail range for a week or
so (Chris Greenway, Kenya, July 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

UNIDENTIFIED. I'm hearing weak Spanish after 1000 UT on 5241 LSB,
which has the sound of the Argentine SSB feeder relays. Has it been
reported here? (John Cobb, Roswell, GA, July 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

UNIDENTIFIED. Dear Mr Hauser, I have read and respected DXLD for many
years but never before written. I have been hearing an unknown Arabic
station on 12085 and 12110 kHz at 1500-1530 UT. Both are generally SIO
444 here in Delhi. At first I thought it might be Syria but the
modulation is quite different. Good in fact. It plays a lot of Arabic
music. Perhaps an Arabic speaker can identify the broadcast.
Sincerely, (K. M. Patel, New Delhi, India, July 24, DX LISTENING
DIGEST)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

PUBLICATIONS
++++++++++++

SHORTWAVE GUIDE

Here`s another review, pointing out a lot more mistakes:
http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/booklist/html/swguide.html
(gh, DXLD)

RECEIVER TIPS
+++++++++++++

Glenn, Radio Shack (USA) has the DX-396 receiver (cat no. 20-226) on
sale at $49.99 for the August sale period. A single conversion "AM"
mode only set. Reg price is $99.99. Regards, (David Zantow,
Janesville, WI, July 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
Dave's Radio Receiver Page: http://members.fortunecity.com/swradios

PROPAGATION
+++++++++++

:Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts :Issued: 2002 Jul 23 2212
UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Environment
Center # Product description and SEC contact on the Web #
http://www.sec.noaa.gov/weekly.html # # Weekly Highlights and
Forecasts #

Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 15 - 21 July 2002 Solar
activity alternated between low and high levels during the period.
Major solar flares occurred on 15, 17, 18, and 20 July from two active
regions: Region 30 (N19, L = 012, class/area Fkc/1350 on 16 July) and
Region 39 (S12, L = 212, class/area Dac/330 on 22 July). Region 30
produced an X3/3b flare at 15/2008 UTC, an M8/1b at 17/0713 UTC, and
an X1/2b at 18/0744 UTC, all of which were associated with Earth-
directed coronal mass ejections (CME). Region 30 entered a decay phase
on 16 July, though it remained large and magnetically complex with
multiple delta magnetic configurations. It rotated out of view on the
day of this report. Region 39, which rotated into view on 22 July, was
the likely source for an X3 X-ray flare at 20/2130 UTC from beyond the
southeast limb. It was also the likely source for multiple far side
CME activity observed during the period. On the day of this report,
Region 39 produced an X4 X-ray flare associated with a halo CME, which
will be summarized in next week's report. Region 30 was still too
close to the limb for a detailed analysis, but appeared to be very
large and magnetically complex. Solar wind data were available from
the NASA Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft for most of
the summary period. A weak high-speed solar wind stream associated
with a positive-polarity coronal hole was observed during 15 – 16 July
with peak velocities to around 440 km/sec. CME passages occurred
during 17 – 18 July and 19 – 21 July following major flare activity
from Region 30. The 17 – 18 July passage was relatively weak. It began
about 17/1520 UTC and was associated with peak velocities of about 500
km/sec and brief periods of southward IMF Bz with maximum deflections
to minus 16 nT (GSM). Multiple CME passages occurred during 19 – 21
July with velocities as high as 920 km/sec detected on 19 and 20 July.
IMF Bz was mostly southward from late on 19 July through 21 July with
maximum deflections to minus 10 nT (GSM). A greater than 10 MeV proton
event began at 16/1750 UTC following the X3/3b flare on 15 July. This
event peaked at 234 pfu at 17/1600 UTC, and ended at 18/1550 UTC.
Another greater than 10 MeV event began at 19/1050 UTC, reached a peak
of 13 pfu at 19/1515 UTC, then ended at 19/1535 UTC. Greater than 10
MeV fluxes remained enhanced and began to gradually increase on 21
July following the X3 flare of 20 July. Greater than 2 MeV electron
fluxes at geo-synchronous orbit were at normal to moderate levels
through 20 July, then increased to normal to high levels on 21 July.
Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet to active levels during 15 –
16 July due to weak coronal hole effects. Quiet to active conditions
occurred on 17 July due to a CME passage. Field activity ranged from
quiet to minor storm levels during 19 – 21 July due to multiple CME
passages.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 24 July - 19 August 2002

Solar activity is expected to range from low to high levels. Isolated
low-level M-class flares are expected throughout the period. Region 39
is likely to produce isolated major flares before it rotates out of
view on 04 August. Proton events will be possible until Region 39
rotates out of view on 04 August. There will also be a chance for a
proton event during the rest of the period with the return of old
Region 30 on 06 August. Greater than 2 MeV electron fluxes at geo-
synchronous orbit are expected to be at normal to moderate levels for
most of the period. Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at
unsettled to minor storm levels during 24 – 26 July due to a CME
passage. Active conditions will be possible during 03, 06, and 09
August due to coronal hole effects. Quiet to unsettled conditions are
expected for the remainder of the period.

:Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2002
Jul 23 2211 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space
Environment Center # Product description and SEC contact on the Web #
http://www.sec.noaa.gov/wwire.html

# # 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table # Issued 2002 Jul 23 # #
UTC  Radio Flux Planetary  Largest #
Date 10.7 cm    A Index    Kp Index
2002 Jul 24 190 15 3
2002 Jul 25 195 40 6
2002 Jul 26 195 30 5
2002 Jul 27 190 12 3
2002 Jul 28 180 10 3
2002 Jul 29 180 10 3
2002 Jul 30 180  7 2
2002 Jul 31 180  7 2
2002 Aug 01 180 12 3
2002 Aug 02 180 15 3
2002 Aug 03 175 12 3
2002 Aug 04 170 10 3
2002 Aug 05 165 15 3
2002 Aug 06 170 12 3
2002 Aug 07 175 10 3
2002 Aug 08 175 15 3
2002 Aug 09 180 10 3
2002 Aug 10 185  8 3
2002 Aug 11 185  8 3
2002 Aug 12 185  8 3
2002 Aug 13 185  8 3
2002 Aug 14 185  8 3
2002 Aug 15 185  8 3
2002 Aug 16 185  8 3
2002 Aug 17 185  8 3
2002 Aug 18 190  8 3
2002 Aug 19 190  8 3
(from http://www.sec.noaa.gov/radio via WORLD OF RADIO 1141, DXLD)

SPACE NEWS - Space weather experts meet in Adelaide
Scientists have gathered in Australia for the first time to discuss
space weather and how to better predict it.
http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/space/SpaceRepublish_615553.htm
(via Daniel Say, swprograms via DXLD) ###

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

     DX LISTENING DIGEST 2-117, July 23, 2002
     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. 

Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not 
having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of 
noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits 

HTML version of this issue will be posted afterwards at 
http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd02.html 

For restrixions and searchable 2002 contents archive see
http://www.worldofradio.com/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 #1140:
(ON DEMAND) http://www.wrn.org/ondemand/worldofradio.html
(DOWNLOAD)  http://www.k4cc.net/wor1140.rm
(STREAM)    http://www.k4cc.net/wor1140.ram
(SUMMARY)   http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1140.html

NEXT WWCR BROADCAST: Wed 0930 9475
NEXT RFPI BROADCAST: Wed 0700 on 7445-USB, 15038.6
FIRST WOR 1141 BROADCASTS on WBCQ: Wed 2200 17495, 7405, Thu 0415 7415

NOTE: our main site http://www.worldofradio.com may have some down 
time in next few days. If so, check for latest info at
http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/anomaly.html

UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIAL

Glen[n], In another package the Summer Edition of the WRTVH or Listen 
to the World. I hope you enjoy. I`m looking forward to seeing the 
review in DXLD as I know how good you are in doing them. I think 
people don`t realise how good you are in the DX hobby, making life 
easier for all of us. All the best, (Chris Hambly, Mont Albert North, 
Victoria, Australia, July 17)

Dear Glenn: I Note of thanks for a job well done.Your many years of 
hard work and dedication to the hobby is well appreciated. I always 
enjoy hearing from you and tuning in to both shows on a regular basis. 
I also found that i have provided a link to your site with mine, so 
please bookmark the following URL: 
http://home.earthlink.net~nwest025/hobbies.htm Thanks and have a great 
weekend! 73's! Nbraindude11@aol.com (Noble West, TN) 

** AFRICA.  Subject: [GRDXC] African Email addresses

Could any one in this group help me by sending me the E-mails of 
African stations which are known to them. The ugabro@infocom.co.ug e-
mail address of Radio Uganda is returning mail with error. 73s, 
Sincerely, (Harjot Singh Brar, GRDXC)

This is an extract of my database...

ANGOLA R. ECCLESIA ecclesia@snet.co.ao
GUINEA R. CONAKRY l.conde@caramail.com (director)
KENYA KBC wechebf@africamail.com
LIBYA VOICE OF AFRICA africavoice@hotmail.com
MAURITANIA R. MAURITANIA rm@mauritania.mr
NIGERIA VOICE OF NIGERIA vonlagos@fiberia.com
TANZANIA R. FREE AFRICA  fra@africaonline [dot something missing – gh]
WESTERN SAHARA RASD rasdradio@yahoo.es
WESTERN SAHARA RASD c/o ARSO arso@arso.org
YEMEN R. REPUBLIC OF YEMEN yradio@y.net.ye
ZAMBIA CHRISTIAN VOICE cvoice@zamnet.zm
ZIMBABWE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE voxpop@zol.co.zw

Roberto Scaglione http://www.bclnews.it (GRDXC via Mike Terry, DXLD)

** AFRICA. Glenn, Thanks for Thorsten Hallmann's interesting report 
from Cape Town. I would guess the station he heard on 6210 is Radio 
Fana from Ethiopia rather than Radio Kahuzi from DRC. Here in Nairobi 
I'm a little closer to Kahuzi than Fana, but the latter is very much 
stronger. Also, Kenya is definitely no longer active on 4935. The only 
active SW channel is 4915 kHz (10 kW). Yes, Dar es Salaam has been on 
5050 only for quite a while (i.e. not on 5985/7280). Regards, (Chris 
Greenway, Kenya, July 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** ARGENTINA. EMISORAS DE ONDA MEDIA EN BANDA AMPLIADA:
Listado actualizado al 20 de Julio de 2002.

1610 / RADIO CANTICO NUEVO
QTH: Av. Oliver 1319, Barrio 9 de Abril (1842 Monte Grande)
Tel: (011) 4272-2943
DG: Alfredo H. Soto

1610 / RADIO EXITOS
QTH: España 1189 (1712 Castelar)
Tel: (011) 4458-1601
DG: Ana María Menéndez de Montagna

1620 / RADIO TROPICANA
QTH: Av. San Juan 2461 (1232 Capital Federal)
Tel: (011) 4941-1723, 4941-9280, 4941-7601
OP: Asociación Civil "Jesús es mi Salvador"
DG: Genuario Rodríguez Almeida

1630 / AM1630 RADIO BUEN AYRE (RED 92)
QTH: Calle 32 Nro. 426 (1900 La Plata)
Tel: (0221) 483-0478
E-mail: <am1630@r...>
OP: NCA S.A.

1640 / RADIO BOLIVIA
QTH: Av. Int. Francisco Rabanal 1465, PA (1437 Capital Federal)
Tel: (011) 4919-3659
DG: Haydee E. Catalano

1660 / RADIO UNIDAD (*)
QTH: Molina 830 (Rafael Calzada)
Tel: (011) 4241-2544
OP: Iglesia Internacional Unidos en el Amor de Jesús
DG: Alicia del Carmen Velil

1670 / BBC AMERICA LATINA (*)
E-Mail: <1670@s...>
TXR: via RADIOMANIA (San Justo)

1680 / AM GETRO
QTH: Av. San Martín 4280, Dpto. 2 (1824 Lanus oeste)
Tel: (011) 4286-1735
OP: Iglesia Jesucristo La Roca Viva
DG: Pablo J. Mahíquez

1690 / APOCALIPSIS II
QTH: Monseñor Bufano 3386 (1754 San Justo)
Tel: (011) 4484-4517
OP: Fundación "Cristo la Solución"

Nota:
(*) Reportada inactiva
(DG) Director General o Propietario / (OP) Operada por ...

Cabe señalar que otras estaciones que operaban en esta parte del dial, 
actualmente se han mudado de frecuencia. Ellas son:

1470 / Radio M.E.C. (Caseros) - Ex 1710 KHz
1580 / Radio Restauración (Hurlingham) - Ex 1650 KHz
1600 / Radio Luz del Mundo (Rafael Calzada) - Ex 1610 KHz

(Marcelo Cornachioni, Argentina, Conexión Digital July 21 via DXLD)

** ARGENTINA. RADIO LIBERTY

La radio que nació para desalentar a los soldados ingleses en la 
Guerra de las Malvinas se llamó Liberty y su tarea era secreta.

Silvia Fernández Barrio y Enrique Mancini fueron convocados por el 
gobierno militar para sumarse a la estrategia de inteligencia contra 
las tropas enemigas.

Reivindican su papel

Si la Segunda Guerra Mundial tuvo a la Rosa de Tokio para desalentar a 
las tropas aliadas, la Guerra de las Malvinas tuvo a radio Liberty.

Catorce civiles participaron de esta estrategia comunicacional cuyo 
objetivo fue horadar la moral anglosajona.

Silvia Fernández Barrio y Enrique Alejandro Mancini fueron dos de los 
civiles que participaron de la operación, que hoy desean contar 
aquello que quedó guardado bajo un pacto de silencio o por pura
discreción.

La primera, quien había sido parte de "60 minutos", trabajaba entonces 
en el programa de Badia "Sábado de todos"; el segundo, permanecia en 
el famoso ciclo de noticias de ATC.

"Un dia estoy en "Sábado de todos" y me dicen: "Te llaman del comité 
militar". "¿Qué hice?", fue lo primero que pense -cuenta Fernández 
Barrio-. "¿Para qué me llamaran?" Me llevan a un lugar y me dicen:
"Hemos hecho un estudio de inteligencia, usted es la persona mas 
confiable, y que sabe inglés. ¿Se acuerda de la Rosa de Tokio?" "Si", 
contesté. "Bueno, queremos una especie de Rosa de Tokio pero se va a 
llamar Liberty". Y ahi nace radio Liberty".

-¿Eras la más confiable para quién?

-Confiable para los argentinos.

-Pero el objetivo era que lo escucharan ingleses...

-Obviamente. Pero te imaginas que querrían a alguien que no les dijera 
cualquier cosa a los ingleses. No me preguntes a mí, pero me imagino 
que en una guerra habrá espías, habrá gente que manda información. Me
imagino que sería confiable porque entendían que yo no les iba a jugar 
para el otro lado.

-¿De quién estaba a cargo la operación?

-Teóricamente, el encargado de la operación Liberty era el Servicio de 
Inteligencia del Ejército que se peleaba con el Servicio de 
Inteligencia Naval.

-¿Quiénes lo hacían?

-Éramos todos civiles.

-¿La línea editorial era militar?

-Ellos daban una línea pero después entre el que la escribía y yo, la 
línea la cambiábamos. Si era una línea cruel o era una línea dura, no 
la pasábamos así. La pasábamos mucho más suave, no hablábamos nunca ni
de muertos ni de cosas feas. Nos tirábamos más a que extrañaran a su 
país y que no vinieran a unas tierras de las cuales no tenían ni idea. 
Y eso lo debemos haber hecho entre el 7 y el 14 de junio.

-¿Tenías posibilidad de decir: "No, no lo hago"?

-Sí, absolutamente. Podría haber dicho que no.

-¿Por qué no dijiste que no?

-Porque entendí que estaba haciendo algo pacífico y que a lo mejor 
podía ayudar. Yo creo que cuando tu país está en guerra, no tienes 
demasiado tiempo para pensar de qué lado te vas a poner. A mí me ponen 
la marcha de Malvinas y se me caen los lagrimones por lo que viví, por 
lo que como inocentes criaturas creíamos, por el daño que se le hizo a 
tanta gente. A mí se me hiela el corazón.

Alejandro, el memorioso

Las precisiones acerca de Liberty las brinda la prodigiosa memoria del 
locutor y conductor Enrique Alejandro Mancini, que coordinaba la 
grabación y aportaba, con material propio, la música irlandesa,
galesa, inglesa y hasta de los Beatles, que se incluía en la 
transmisión.

A través de la onda corta, Liberty llegaba hasta Londres, Nueva 
Zelanda, Australia, aquellas metrópolis que podían identificarse con 
las tropas inglesas. Y recuerda Mancini que tanto inquietó al 
Parlamento británico que crearon otra radio, con el mismo objetivo, 
pero como no tenían una vasta discoteca argentina, pasaban siempre 
discos de Juan D´Arienzo.

-¿Dónde se hacian las grabaciones?

-Grabábamos en el piso 14 de lo que es el edificio de Radio Ciudad de 
Buenos Aires. Se grababa de mañana muy temprano, un rollo de 45 
minutos, aproximadamente. Una vez listo lo pasaba a retirar en moto un 
oficial de policía de la provincia de Buenos Aires, y lo llevaba bajo 
su responsabilidad a la planta transmisora de Transradio 
Internacional. Ahí se difundía por distintas frecuencias a las que a 
veces se sumaban la ondas cortas de Radio Nacional. Siempre se 
cambiaba de frecuencia, en distinto metraje de onda corta, para evitar 
la interferencia de la inteligencia británica.

-Fernández Barrio, que hablaba inglés, era la locutora.

-Ella hablaba muy bien el inglés americano, por lo cual un traductor 
irlandés le marcaba el tono victoriano, la pronunciación inglesa. Los 
textos los escribían varios, pero el más importante era un autor de 
libretos de radio y TV, a veces actor, habitualmente de comedietas 
televisivas.

-¿Qué se decía?

-El contenido de la programación era un texto muy sentido, sobre las 
bajas que tenían los ingleses, donde se manifestaba el pesar por su 
muerte. Le hablaba, por ejemplo, al padre de un soldado británico
caído y le decía que entendía su pesar porque había muerto su 
muchacho, que él iba a ir hoy a ver el Tottenham pero que no iba a 
estar más con su hijo que vino a entregar su vida para defender una 
factoria que estaba a 14.000 kilometros de la metrópoli. Decía que
en el cuarto se iban a encontrar sólos los discos, como este, que 
escuchaba su muchacho, y se pasaba el tema en cuestión que podía ser 
un tema de los Beatles.

Las emisiones de radio Liberty se prolongaron hasta 48 horas después 
de la caída de Puerto Argentino. Ese día, recuerda Mancini, se hizo 
una despedida bilingüe, en inglés y en castellano: "Se perdió una 
batalla, pero no el propósito de recuperar las islas, porque las 
Malvinas han sido, son y serán argentinas".

(Miriam Molero, para diario La Nacion, Argentina, en Internet, Abril 
7, via Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, lista ConDig, Jul 16 via DXLD)

** AUSTRALIA. 2310, Alice Springs, weak 0950-1005 23 July. For an 
insight into life in Alice Springs: Alice Springs News 
HTTP://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/ (Bob Wilkner R-75, ground level 10 
meter wire, Margate FL, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** AUSTRIA. Innsbruck Aldrans, 6000 kHz [50/10 kW], der ... ORF
Steilstrahler fuer Nord-, Ost- und Suedtirol auf 6000 kHz. Nicht nur
Herbert Kuhnle in Hoeflein hat die Schliessung damals bedauert. Aber 
die jungen Herrn "Inschenaeaeeere" wussten es ja besser, von wegen UKW
Vollversorgung usw.  (wb)

Irrtum. Die Abschaltung erfolgte nicht "von wegen UKW Vollversorgung",
sondern weil mit der RAS ein System zur Direktversorgung von Suedtirol
geschaffen worden war. Die italienische Seite bestand, im Gegenzug, 
auf die Beendigung der KW-Versorgung. Schuld waren also ausnahmsweise 
nicht die "Ingeschnaeaeeere", sondern die "Polihiitiker".

Wir haetten gern Aldrans fuer den Auslandsdienst bekommen. Das 
scheiterte an den Leitungskosten. (Heutzutage waere derlei kein 
Problem, und wir wuerden uns - siehe "Radio Nachbar in Not" oder DRM - 
alle zehn Finger abschlecken vor Freude ueber diesen Sender an diesem 
Standort.) Der 50 kW-Sender steht heute als Standby in Moosbrunn und 
bewirkt natuerlich gar nix mehr (Wolf Harranth-AUT OE1WHC A-DX Jul 16, 
via BC-DX July 23 via DXLD)

** BOLIVIA. La Cruz del Sur was excellent at 1000 July 23 on 4877; 
unusual propagation conditions (Chris Hambly, Victoria, DX LISTENING 
DIGEST)

** BOUGAINVILLE. R. Free Bougainville, Clandestine - active on 3850 
kHz AM. Fade in around 0945-1107 UT s-off English + Pidgin, difficult 
QRN the last couple of days!! 100% (Roland Schulze, Philippines, BC-DX 
July 20 via DXLD)

Sam Voron tells me today that the word 'Mekamui' translates as 'holy 
land' with the station being for the people of Independent Central 
Bougainville.

Sam is happy to confirm correct reception reports. Please send Sam 
enough return postage or remuneration to cover all of his costs or a 
little more to cover some of his other costs associated with 
establishing independent radio stations for the people in war ravaged 
countries. See his latest volunteer work in the Solomon Islands at 
http://www.H44A.com (Ian Baxter, AUSTRALIA, July 23, ARDXC via DXLD) 
See also SOLOMON ISLANDS

** CANADA. Re CJWI 1610, Montreal, still silent: Larry Dolan(?) drove 
by and found a building with a sign saying CPAM Radio Union.com, 
pretty sure the antenna is there, a white tower structure on the roof 
of a 2-storey building at 3733 Jarre ? East at the corner of Leonardo 
da Vinci, a few blocks west of where we thought it was, Addison 
Electronics outlet. Law offices in same building. Studio may be there 
or elsewhere (Sheldon Harvey, QC, International Radio Report July 21 
via DXLD)

** CANADA. Arnie Coro`s visit to Canada is off due to visa holdup: see 
CUBA [non]. He was also going to an informal ODXA gathering during his 
stopover in Toronto (gh, DXLD)

** CANADA. SPECIAL REMOTES OFFERED FROM WORLD YOUTH DAY
   by Larry Nolte, program director, New Heart New Voices

St. Louis, July 13 (special)– I do a Catholic music radio show on 
WRYT-AM, St. Louis. I have arranged to go to this coming World Youth 
Day, July 22nd to 28th for the station as a journalist. I will be 
producing 10 minute updates daily for broadcast. The segments will 
consist of interviews as well as news and feature pieces on all 
aspects of attending WYD as a pilgrim. We hope to cover the music, the 
Pope's arrival, security and everyday pilgrim experiences. IF all goes 
well. We've been planning this for a couple months.

The segments, one or two a day, will be uploaded to the shows website, 
http://www.newheartnewvoices.com in both streaming realaudio, for 
listening and 128 kbps for downloading and rebroadcast. The segments 
will be in English only.

I will be glad to offer these to any Catholic station free of charge 
that might want to use them. This is a very exciting event and 
deserves the broadest coverage. Any station manager that wants to make 
arrangements can email me at lar@newheartnewvoices.com. Details will 
be available later this week on the website under a "radio" link. 
(Catholic Radio Update July 15 via DXLD)

Glenn, http://www2.delasalle.toronto.on.ca/events/wyd.html 
Check under "What to bring" at this website for pilgrims. Bring a 
radio (hope it has FM! -- and WTFK?). New antennas to handle increase 
in cell phone use. I haven't seen any reference in articles on 
security about cell phone jamming. 73, (Ivan Grishin, Ont., July 23, 
DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.:

``Battery powered radio. All events will be broadcasts over the radio 
in seventeen different languages. Since you may not be close to and 
event, you will be able to hear it on the radio.`` (site above via gh, 
DXLD) We had an item a month ago on this with frequencies (tho not 
which languages on which), and mentioned on WOR 1140 (gh)

** COLOMBIA. 6064.5, La Voz de tu Conciencia, 0754 July 23, noted 
again so maybe has QSY'd back here from 6060 or is this a re-
activation after a brief period??? Much stronger signal than 
previously too. ID 0756 then into religious message, ID again 0801 
(Paul Ormandy, Oamaru, New Zealand, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Have seen no reports yet of their actually being on 6060 (gh, DXLD)

** CUBA [non]. PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

VERNON, BC. The delays in processing the thousands of visa 
applications for the World Youth Day Festival in Toronto appear to be 
having major consequences for a popular Cuban radio personality.

Professor Arnaldo Coro is Chief Engineer at Radio Havana Cuba's 
English language shortwave radio service. He is known worldwide among 
amateur radio operators and shortwave radio buffs for his bi-weekly 
radio programme "DX'ers Unlimited".

Professor Coro is in fact so popular that he has been invited to be 
the keynote speaker at the National Convention of Radio Amateurs of 
Canada, the national organization representing Canada's 50,000 amateur 
radio operators. The Convention is this weekend (July 26-28) in 
Vernon, British Columbia.

Professor Coro's flight was to arrive in Toronto on Monday evening en
route to Vernon, but the Canadian Embassy in Havana has yet to issue 
him a visa.

The Canadian Embassy had promised convention organizers that a visa 
would be issued Friday afternoon, just in time for Professor Coro's 
Monday afternoon flight.

However, when a courier from the Cuban Institute of Radio and 
Television (ICRT) arrived at the embassy on Friday he was left 
standing in the baking tropical sun outside the embassy grounds for 
several hours and was given no explanation by Canadian personnel why 
Professor Coro's visa documents were not ready.

On Saturday, senior embassy staff informed convention organizers that 
the delays were due to a backlog in visa processing because of World 
Youth Day. However, in an e-mail from Havana to the Convention 
Organizing Committee, Professor Coro states, "The justification coming 
from the big Catholic Youth Festival in Toronto overloading their 
system is not valid here in Cuba, as very few Cubans will be traveling 
to that event."

Flights to Canada are booked solid. If Professor Coro's visa is not 
issued Monday morning, it will be highly unlikely that he will be able 
to attend the convention. Professor Coro points out his concerns, "I 
never thought this kind of thing will happen with Canada, this is a 
very sad situation that is jeopardizing the relations between our 
respective amateur radio associations, as I am one of the founders of 
the Federación de Radioaficionados de Cuba, and one of the nation's 
best known radio amateurs, so my organization will take this very 
seriously indeed."

"Professor Coro is an internationally respected ham radio operator 
with radio friends all over the world," said Wilfried Mulder, Radio 
Amateurs of Canada's convention chairman. "All we want is for his visa 
to be issued and for him to be on that plane Monday. World Youth Day 
may be an important event but the whole country shouldn't grind to a 
halt because of it". 

Ham radio operators are amateur radio experimenters who are often 
capable of transmitting radio signals around the globe with very low 
power. Despite the growth of the internet and cellular telephones, ham 
radio operators have remained a very important part of emergency 
communications for everything from major storms and earthquakes to the 
World Trade Center terrorist incident.

- 30 -

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Wilfried Mulder
Radio Amateurs of Canada Convention Committee
Phone (250) 308-9211, Fax (250) 545-3174,
email chairman@r... [truncated]

***********************************
Radio Amateurs of Canada, RAC 2002 National Convention, Vernon, BC
July 26, 27, & 28 http://www.rac2002.org 
(via Bob Chandler, VE3SRE, July 22, ODXA via DXLD)

[Later:] It is with sadness that I must report that the meeting 
scheduled for July 31st at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto with 
Professor Arnie Coro, CO2KK, Chief Engineer from Radio Havana Cuba has 
been cancelled.

What saddens me is that the cancellation is not because of Arnie or 
any problems with travel arrangements. The fault lies totally with the
Canadian Embassy in Havana, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs mandarins 
in Ottawa and our politicians for allowing things like this to happen.

As well, I would like to apologize in advance for this particularly 
long e-mail. Its just that I am very upset at the way Arnie was 
treated by Canadian officials.

Arnie was to be in Vernon, British Columbia as the keynote speaker at 
the Radio Amateurs of Canada national convention that is being held 
this weekend July 26-28th.

Arnie had some "lay-over" time between connecting flights both on the
way out to Vernon and on the way back to Havana and so the plan was 
that Arnie would be staying with me during his Toronto lay-over and we
took advantage of his "Toronto time" to arrange the meeting at the
Ontario Science Centre with the kind assistance of Alf Hepplestone,
VE3ALF who is in charge of the ham radio programme at the OSC.

Arnie was not only looking forward to meeting with ham radio
operators and shortwave enthusiasts in the Toronto area but we had 
also planned to do a "side trip" to the Hammond Museum of Radio in 
Guelph. Arnie was planning to do an edition of his "DX'ers Unlimited" 
radio programme on his visit to the museum.

Arnie, Wilf Mulder VE7OHM and his fellow members of the RAC Convention 
Committee worked their hearts out on travel arrangements and on 
Arnie's Canadian visa application.

They left nothing to chance. They made sure to send all the paperwork 
via fax, e-mail and via courier.

When at the last minute, the Canadian Embassy in Havana asked for
additional information on the purpose of the visit they again sent
everything via all three methods. They fully cooperated with the 
embassy and gave them any information they asked for.

Arnie was required to pay a $50 U.S. non-refundable visa application
fee to the Canadian Embassy. You must bear in mind that Arnie's salary
is paid in non-convertable Cuban pesos. So, it was necessary for him
to borrow the money from a relative in order to pay the visa 
application fee.

Arnie was booked on a LACSA flight that was scheduled to leave Havana
at 6:30 pm bound for Toronto on Monday, July 22nd and then go on to 
Vernon the following day. He was advised by the LACSA representative
in Havana to arrive by at least 3:00 pm as there was a possibility 
that the flight was overbooked.

About a week ago, the Canadian Embassy had promised to issue Arnie's
visa at 1:00 pm on Friday, July 19th. This was a very tight time frame
as Arnie's flight was to leave early Monday evening and the embassy
was of course closed on the weekend should anything go wrong.

The representative from the Cuban Institute for Radio and Television 
(ICRT) arrived at the embassy gate at 12:30 pm Friday to collect 
Arnie's documents and ended up standing there in +30 degree C 
temperatures for over two hours waiting for a response.

There was none. And, the Canadian Embassy did not return Arnie's
passport as is the normal thing when a country decides not to issue a
visa.

Wilf was in touch with Canadian Embassy personnel over the weekend
and he was told that the problems were due to the overload of visa
applications connected with World Youth Day in Toronto. They told Wilf 
to tell the folks from the ICRT to be at the embassy at 8:00 AM Monday
morning.

This morning (Monday, July 22nd) Wilf heard from Havana that the 
embassy was "reviewing" Arnie's visa application and that they would 
have something to say to the ICRT at 1:30 PM. It was a case of "we 
won't call you, you call us".

At around 2:00 PM, Wilf received a call from an official from the 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ottawa who told him that Arnie's visa 
application had been denied. Wilf asked why and the official said that 
he could not explain why due to the provisions of the Privacy Act. 
Wilf immediately e-mailed Arnie to give him the bad news.

It seems that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs folks couldn't keep 
their story straight because the ICRT representative in Havana was 
told to "come back tomorrow" (Tuesday) at 8:00 AM...of course, long 
after Arnie's probably overbooked flight had left.

I spoke to both Wilf and Arnie today by telephone and all of us are 
upset at this bureaucratic nightmare.

Why did the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs do this? None of us
know for sure.

When talking with Arnie today both he and I are of the opinion that 
this is part of some kind of deliberate diplomatic "snub" to the Cuban
authorities for some reason or another. Arnie has taught at several 
universities in Havana over the years and has been involved in 
training the diplomatic corps. So he is well-versed in the "ins and 
outs" of diplomacy.

The thing that upsets me, if indeed this is part of some diplomatic 
"snub", is that the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has "used" 
the Canadian ham radio community, which prides itself on being non-
political, to make whatever political point they were trying to make.

Hams simply share a love of the science of radiocommunications and we
willingly put our abilities to work for our communities whenever there 
is a crisis. And because of either bureaucratic bungling or political 
intrigue we lose an opportunity to hear from a very prominent member 
of our world-wide community.

If you are as upset as I am over this disgraceful treatment of Arnie 
and the Canadian ham radio community you might want to make your 
thoughts known to: [truncated]

Canadian Embassy in Havana havan@d...
Hon., Bill Graham, Minister of Foreign Affairs Graham.B@p...
Hon. Allan Rock, Minister of Industry Rock.A@p...
Your local MP. 73 (Bob Chandler VE3SRE, July 22, ODXA via DXLD)

Wilf Mulder VE7OHM sent me an e-mail today mentioning that he'd been 
interviewed by CBC Radio Vancouver. He also mentioned that he should 
be on "Daybreak" at 6:45 AM tomorrow. The CBC folks told him that 
some of this may hit the national network.

I'm not the best "morning person" so can't remember off-hand if 
"Daybreak" is CBC Radio's Vancouver morning programme or if it`s CBC 
television's national morning programme.

All of this stuff isn't going to bring Arnie to the convention (at 
least this time), but at least the powers that be will know that 
radio hobbyists do not like being used as "political footballs". 73 de 
(Bob VE3SRE, July 23, ODXA via DXLD)

As I recall, Daybreak is the CBC Radio One BC morning show that goes 
to that part of BC outside of metro Vancouver, and Vancouver Island 
(each of which have their own shows) (Eric Flodén, BC, ibid.)

I caught the item on the 4:30 pm CBC Vancouver Regional news via real 
audio. It was about the third item and very well done. Thank you CBC!! 
Foreign Affairs is sticking to their story about the problem being 
because of the backlog due to WYD. Folks in these parts should be able 
to catch the 5:30 pm news at 8:30 pm eastern daylight time on the CBC 
website. 73 de (Bob VE3SRE, July 23, ibid.)

Can be heard at http://vancouver.cbc.ca/ram/latest-vancouver.ram
(Brian Smith, ibid.)

Tsk, tsk, Arnie had no problem getting into Oklahoma for previous ham 
events. Why did they wait so long to get the visa? This week`s DXULs 
could be interesting, tho he no doubt had pre-recorded some editions. 
Caught part of the 0140 UT Wed airing when 9820 was weaker than usual, 
and usual stuff, no rant; try 0340, 0540 if in time (gh, DXLD)

** CHILE. Voz Cristiana intends to test some curtain antennas at 
Santiago site, Chile, which have recently become licenced after 
several years of inactivity. The tests are planned to commence at 2230 
UT on 17th July and end at 0130 UT on 18th July.

The following antennas in Santiago (site code SGO) will be tested with 
100 kW, modulation 1 kHz tone:

A.=ITU code 158 (AHR 2/4/1),    azimuth 45 deg.
B.=ITU code 218 (AHR(S) 4/4/1), azimuth 75 deg, slew +/- 30 deg.
C.=ITU code 218 (AHR(S) 4/4/1), azimuth 75 deg, slew +/- 30 deg.

We test each antenna for just a few mins at a time within the 
following schedule:

 6110 kHz: 2300-2400
 9730 kHz: 2330-0100
11930 kHz: 2300-0130
13620 kHz: 0000-0130
15240 kHz: [?]2200-2400
17650 kHz: 2300-2400

We have endeavoured to identify frequencies which will not cause any 
disturbance to existing routine transmissions.
Christian Vision, tel +44 121 522 6087  fax +44 121 522 6083
e-mail andrewflynn@christianvision.com (July 16)

I'm not sure if I'll be able to stay awake for all of the SGO tests, 
but will try to hear. 15240 at 2200, R Australia via TWN is using the
frequency, but never very strongly heard here. ...

I listened at 2200 last night (17th) on 15240 but heard nothing at all 
- no trace of SGO and no trace of Australia either. Maybe nothing 
happened until 2230? (Noel R. Green-UK, BC-DX Jul 18)

Despite the test time span is not so comfortable for the European
audience, I managed to check the 11930, 15240 and 17650 channels just 
till 2340 UT. Used the good old Sony 2010, telescopic ant in the 
living room.

Nothing observed at 2200-2300 on 15240 except RA/Taiwan? co-ch. I 
heard a 1000 Hertz test tone only on 15240 S=8-9, start from approx. 
2300 UT, but to about 2315 UT only; not from 2200. Signal strength: 9 
of 10 diodes shining on the 2010.

At about 2328-2334 UT same 1000 Hertz tone on 17650 kHz, same signal
strength like on 15 MHz. Then I went to the dreamland ... (wb) 
(Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany, BC-DX via DXLD)

** CHILE. 6089.91, R. Esperanza, 0956-1055 July 21. Seems to be a 
regular here in Oregon after Gene Scott signs off at 0955 (Esperanza 
is heard underneath Gene's signal on 6090 until his signoff) and until 
R. Japan signs onto 6090 with Korean at 1058. Nearly continuous music
with low level M announcements between some of the music (contemporary 
SS music, not religious). At 1039 UT, managed to snag a good ID ("En 
Temuco, Chile.....Radio Esperanza...banda international de...Temuco"). 
There were other ids at poor levels (compared to the music) during the 
broadcast (Don Nelson, Oregon, July 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** CUBA [non]. NEWS FROM WRMI - July 22, 2002
Ten months after discontinuing its broadcasts to Cuba, the Cuban 
American National Foundation is resuming its shortwave service, "The 
Voice of the Foundation." A few weeks after the September 11th tragedy 
last year, the Foundation was forced to suspend its 12-year-old 
shortwave service due to financial difficulties. The new, more limited 
"Voice of the Foundation" will be broadcast (in Spanish) each Monday, 
Wednesday and Friday at 1030-1130 UT on 9955 via WRMI in Miami, 
beginning July 24th. The Cuban American National Foundation is the 
largest and most influential Cuban exile organization in the United 
States.

NOTICIAS DE WRMI - Julio 22, 2002
Diez meses después de descontinuar sus transmisiones a Cuba, la 
Fundación Nacional Cubano Americana está reiniciando su servicio de 
onda corta, "La Voz de la Fundación." Un par de semanas después de la 
tragedia del 11 de septiembre el año pasado, la Fundación tenía que 
suspender su servicio de onda corta -- que ya llevaba 12 años -- 
debido a dificultades financieras. La nueva, mas limitada "Voz de la 
Fundación" será transmitida cada lunes, miércoles y viernes a las 
1030-1130 TU en 9955 vía WRMI en Miami a partir del 24 de julio. La 
Fundación Nacional Cubano Americana es la organización de exiliados 
cubanos mas grande y de mas influencia en los Estados Unidos (Jeff 
White, WRMI, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** CZECH REPUBLIC. TOP CZECH PRIEST ASKS US PRESIDENT TO DELAY CLOSURE 
OF US RADIO CZECH BROADCASTS | Text of report in English by Czech news 
agency CTK 

Prague, 23 July: The Czech Catholic Primate Cardinal Miloslav Vlk has 
written a letter to US President George Bush saying that it would be 
useful to preserve the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's (RFE/RL) 
Czech broadcasts at least until the Czech Republic joins the EU, which 
is expected in 2004. 

Vlk wrote to Bush in mid-July, Czech Bishops' Conference spokesman 
Daniel Herman told CTK today. A letter with a similar content has been 
recently sent by Petr Pithart, the Czech Senate [upper house of 
parliament] chairman, to the RFE/RL Council of Governors, Pithart's 
adviser Jaroslav Veis said. 

The Czech-language section of the US-run RFE/RL is to cease 
broadcasting on 1 October, after 52 years, the RFE/RL Council of 
Governors decided in Washington several weeks ago. 

The RFE/RL broadcasts are no longer necessary in the Czech Republic as 
it is a democracy. Similarly, the RFE/RL's Polish and Hungarian 
broadcasts were stopped long ago, Washington says. According to RFE/RL 
director Thomas Dine, the USA needs money to extend the station's 
broadcasts to other countries in connection with its fight against 
terrorism. The director of the Czech broadcasts, Olga Kopecka, said 
she would try to save the broadcasts. To achieve the goal, she has to 
gain the necessary sum equivalent to the hitherto US subsidy of 
650,000 dollars. Source: CTK news agency, Prague, in English 1040 gmt 
23 Jul 02 (via BBCM via DXLD)

** FRANCE. UNIDENTIFIED. Via MWC kreeg ik hetvolgende bericht over 
1062 khz:

Re Andrew Tett's suggestion that this mystery signal on 1062 kHz could
possibly originate in France. This is possible as the signal peaked to 
the South East from here (Caversham, Berks). From memory, 1062 kHz has 
been used in France for temporary licences in the past (e.g. R Latina 
from Villebon during the World Cup from France?). There have also been 
DRM tests on 1062 from Villebon (near Paris) this year (are they still 
happening?) After Denmark closed at 2230 UT last night, signal was 
fairly clear - still with Chinese music with sound like a faulty CD 
player. Identity is still a mystery - any member in France confirm any 
current usage of 1062 kHz? (Alan Pennington, Caversham UK, MWC via Maz 
van Arnhem, BDXC via DXLD)

This mystery station playing quick short bursts of Chinese style music
audible at present here in Caversham (2130 UT 21 July). It`s audible 
even on a portable when it fades up and Denmark, the dominant station 
on the frequency here is nulled. It`s not Italy either which is also
audible on 1062 at times. (thanks to tip below from Max van Arnhem/ 
Dick vd Knaap (via MWC Email list):

Thanks to a tip of Dick vd Knaap, the Netherlands I also heard a 
station on 1062 kHz transmitting Chinese type music and songs without 
announcements. He reported the station the last few evenings and 
nights and I also heard this station tonight (21 July). My ALA is 
beaming SW-NE. Anybody knows more about this station? (Max van Arnhem, 
The Netherlands, BDXC via DXLD)

L'émetteur parisien qui diffusait en continu des signaux DRM depuis le 
1er juin diffuse depuis aujourd'hui un programme de chansons qui 
semblent chinoises sur la fréquence de 1062 kHz. Après un quart 
d'heure d'écoute, pas la moindre identification (Thierry VIGNAUD - 
Boulogne-Billancourt (France) http://www.emetteurs.fr.fm via 
fr.rec.radio via Dimitri Tomarov, July 22, BDXC via DXLD)

Translation: The Paris transmitter that has broadcast DRM since the 
1st of June, now transmits a programme with Chinese sounding songs on 
1062 khz (Max van Arnhem, The Netherlands, MWC via BDXC-UK via DXLD)

** GAMBIA. Subject: [GRDXC] GRTS opens Multimedia site (NON-DX)
Dear Friends, Here is an Non-DX interesting item I found on the web 
from Gambia Radio & TV News. When I visited the site it says:

 GRTS Online!  COMING SOON  In just a few hours time...
 73s, (Harjot Singh Brar for GRDXC...)
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Banjul

The Gambia Radio and Television Service (GRTS) will be opening its
audio-visual multimedia website on the July 22nd Anniversary of The 
Gambia Revolution. This website will be located at http://www.grts.gm 
and will be broadcasting video news over the Internet via streaming 
Real video technology.

The website will also be carrying Daily News from The Gambia in plain 
text format with some accompanying pictures.

Under the management of the new Director General, Mr. Bora Mboge, 
GRTS, with the help of Unique Solutions, a local multi-media company 
intends to further expand its' online audio-visual presence to include 
famous Radio and Television programmes like the popular 'Land of our
Heritage' programme. For more details, please contact info@grts.gm or 
visit http://www.grts.gm (GRDXC via Mike Terry, DXLD)

** GERMANY [and non]. I found the following on the RSGB web site. I 
expect you know about it already! (Richard Buckby-UK G3VGW, RSGB, Jul 
19)

Hello to all LF'ers, on Wednesday, 24th of July, the 153 kHz 
transmitter of Deutschlandfunk in Donebach (JN49ON, 50 km SSE of 
Frankfurt) will be off air due to scheduled maintenance.

By the friendly co-operation of the site personnel and with consent of 
the regulation authorities, a small group of German LF amateurs has 
been granted access to one of the 360 metres masts between 0700 and 
1500 UT. With a little luck we might be able to achieve about 30 dB 
more radiation efficiency than at home.

We will probably need some time to work out the impedance matching. 
After that, we intend to operate preferably in CW and Slow-CW modes. 
As we expect a rather high noise floor from the Frankfurt area, we 
will bring along a tuned loop for receiving, and we will be QRV on 
7030 kHz in CW as well.

If nothing else works, please give us a phone call on +49 174 3692499, 
or send an email note via the reflector or to dj2lf@darc.de or
markusvester@aol.com

Let's look forward to a successful day, hopefully without 
thunderstorms or strong noise.
73 The group: Markus - DF6NM, Walter - DJ2LF, Ralph - DL2NDO, Ralph -
DK3GH, Roland - DL3NDR, Franz - DL5NER.
(RSGB web site via Richard Buckby-UK  G3VGW, BC-DX Jul 19 via DXLD)

I was not aware of this [amateur radio] test, although it was on
discussion with the chief engineer of DTK-Deutsche Telekom, during our
sightseeing tour to Donebach site on June 14th, this year. The 
engineer told us that the two transmitters are silent on July 23 till 
25th during daytime, most likely 0610-1555 UT.

The CW test on LF will be in the 136-137 kHz range of LF Ham R Band
[secondary band usage], not on v153 kHz broadcasting band. 73 wb df5sx

136 kHz (135.7-137.8 in GB). Secondary. Available on the basis of non-
interference to other services (inside or outside the United Kingdom). 
Morse Telephony RTTY Data Facsimile SSTV.

153 DLF DTK Donebach tx. Maintenance break during July 23-26, 2002,
according time slots given on the DLF program. Interesting to listen 
to Nordcap-NOR, ALG and ROU transmitters instead.

Abschaltung fuer Generalueberholung 23. bis 26. Juli 2002, dann
Noerdliches Norwegen Nordkap, Algerien und Brasov-Bod-ROU hoerbar.
Abschaltzeiten werden im DLF Programm angesagt.
(DLF Donebach sightseeing tour, BC-DX Jun 14)

DTK / DLF Donebach 153 kHz silent since 0610 UT today, seemingly one 
day earlier than expected. BREAK schedule most likely daily 0610-1547 
UT, on 22nd til 26th?? of July, 2002.

Seit 0610 UT an diesem 22. Juli ist der LW Sender DTK Donebach 153 kHz
abgeschaltet. Offensichtlich beginnen die Generalueberholungsarbeiten
schon einen Tag frueher, heute am 22. Juli. Die Unterbrechung der
Aussendungen des DLF auf dieser Frequenz duerften bis circa 1555? UT
dauern. 73 wb df5sx

153 kHz.
Von 1300[0610-] bis 1547 UT war in der Naehe von Hannover nur Radio
Romania Actualitata zu hoeren. Ab 1547 UTC Donebach wieder aktiv.

198 kHz. Polskie R war hier gleichstark mit der BBC aufzunehmen (nicht 
\\ mit 225 kHz). 1600 UTC schaltete Polish Radio ab. Nach Abschalten 
des polnischen Senders war noch ein schwaches Signal unter der BBC zu 
hoeren. Zu schwach, um ihn zu identifizieren. (Uwe Volk-D, BC-DX July 
22)

Ich bin gerade 1556 UT nach Hause gekommen, zu dieser Zeit war 
Donebach schon wieder on air. Danke fuer Deine Beobachtung, damit habe 
ich die genaue Abschaltzeit [0610-1547 UT] eruiert bekommen. Morgen 
und uebermorgen werden die Wartungsarbeiten weitergehen, vielleicht 
auch noch am 26. Juli, ja wenn die erste Information von Herrn

Karl-Otto Wohlfarth (DTK Donebach),
E-Mail: arl-Otto.Wohlfarth@telekom.de richtig war.

Ich bin extra nach draussen gegangen, mit dem besseren Sony, den ICF 
2010 aus 1995 aus den USA. Habe aber tagsueber nichts auf 153 kHz 
gehoert. Nur die schwach einfallenden Stationen mit S=1-2 auf 171? 
welches Programm? Tilsit-Bolshakovo? Kai weisst Du das, was hoerst 
Du?, 198 BBC, 216 Monaco, 225 POL gehoert.

Stark - ohne Probleme - hoere ich tagsueber 177, 185, 207, 234, 243, 
270 kHz, spaeter dann auch 252 aus ALG und IRL, sowie nachts 279BLR 
kHz.

Ich glaube aber, dass Bod-ROU nicht mehr mit voller Leistung arbeitet, 
die waren frueher staerker, selbst in Italien war neben Donebach 
nichts aus ROU aufzunehmen, selbst wenn ich Donebach auf Ferrit-Ant-
Minimum zurueck gedreht habe. 73 wb df5sx (all: BC-DX via DXLD)

** GERMANY. Am 29.6.2002 protestierten mehrere hundert Anwohner im 
Rahmen eines "Valleyer Informationstages" gegen die Sendeanlagen des 
International Bcing Bureau http://www.ibb.gov  Die Station wurde vor 
50 Jahren fuer Mittelwellensendungen nach Osteuropa errichtet und 
beherbergt zur Zeit vier 250 kW-Kurzwellensender. Die Proteste, die in 
den 90er Jahren immer staerker wurden, fuehrten bereits zur 
Abschaltung der Mittelwelle (frueher 719/720 kHz, zuletzt 1593 kHz 
[150 kW]). [we had a report on this in English some time ago --- gh]

Bei der Zusammenlegung der Anlagen von Voice of America und R Free
Europe/Radio Liberty in die Verantwortung des International 
Broadcasting Bureau wurde Mitte der 90er schon die Schliessung 
angekuendigt. Auf dem Protesttag praesentierten Elektrosmog-Experten 
Ergebnisse von Untersuchungen in Holzkirchen, Moosbrunn und 
Schwarzenburg. Zusammenfassungen sind auf der Homepage 
http://www.sender-freies-oberland.de zu finden (Dr Hansjoerg Biener-D, 
30.6.2002; ntt, BC-DX via DXLD)

** GUYANA. Disturbed conditions could lead to some unusual reception 
over the next day or two, particularly on the lower frequencies 
(especially tropical bands and MW). Possible aurora has also been 
forecast. Currently hearing V. of Guyana on 3291.25 with fair signal 
(23 July 2325) in English though suffering sporadic ute interference. 
Heard last night also from 2350 to past 0100 UT. Not sure if this 
reception is due to the disturbed conditions? (Alan Pennington, 
Caversham, UK, AOR 7030+ / beverage, July 23, BDXC-UK via DXLD)

** INDIA.   AIR COMPLETES 75 YEARS OF BROADCASTING TODAY

Hyderabad, July 22: The All India Radio celebrates 75 years of 
broadcasting on Tuesday. It started as Broadcasting Corporation of 
India on July 23, 1927.

So far as Hyderabad`s own history of broadcasting goes, it began in 
Chirag Ali Lane, in 1933, with a one-watt ``toy`` transmitter, set up 
by a postal clerk.

It then went on to become the Deccan Radio in 1938 — under the Nizam, 
and finally it was merged with the AIR, on April 1, 1950. Hyderabad 
got its AIR services only from 1950. The Vijayawada AIR station, 
however, was set up on December 1, 1948, in composite Madras and was 
inaugurated by the then revenue minister Kala Venkat Rao.

Radio has stood its ground through the years as a living medium. Some 
of the famous old-timers of the AIR (Vijayawada and Hyderabad) spoke 
to Deccan Chronicle on Monday about their AIR experience.

Says flautist and former music producer of AIR N S Srinivasan: ``I 
joined AIR in 1959. We worked with legends like Devulapally Krishna 
Sastry and Pingle Lakshmikantam. AIR was part of people`s life.`` He
recounts the popularity of radio legends such as Radio Annaiah 
Ganapati Raghava Rao and Radio Akkaiah (his wife) Kameswaramma.

V S N Camphor, a Peshawar refugee, used to narrate a children`s story 
during a five-minute break before the news at 7.05 pm. ``Children 
would stop playing and run to listen to his story,`` he says. His wife 
Sharada Srinivasan, also associated with AIR as a drama artist, 
recollects, ``During the Diviseema cyclone, AIR staffers visited 
cyclone-hit areas. We later produced a programme Kanneeti Keretaalu, 
recording voices of people who had been hit by the cyclone. Listening 
to this many came forward to help.``

Indiraganti Srikanta Sarma scriptwriter for AIR initially said, ``The 
ambience was so creative and fulfilling that we produced 15 Sanskrit 
and Telugu programmes, 14 of which won national awards.``

           Special radio broadcasts today

All India Radio, Hyderabad, will broadcast special programmes on 
Tuesday in connection with the completion of 75 years of broadcasting.

Special programmes in Hyderabad A Channel: At 7.15 pm — Udayatarangini 
(`Radio ki 75 Vasanthaalu` — a feature on broadcasting in India). At 
8.30 am: Carnatic vocal by M S Subbalakshmi.

A special phone-in-programme to collect listener`s views on 
broadcasting in India along with film songs will be broadcast at 9 am. 
Listeners can call between 9 am and 10 am on 3232080 or 3232073 to 
express their views.

A Carnatic music programme by G N Balasubrahmanyam will be broadcast 
at 1.30 pm. ``Radio Natakam`` — a programme based on excerpts of 
archival plays and opinions of eminent personalities will be broadcast 
at 8.15 pm.

AIR is also broadcasting special programmes on Hyderabad B Channel 
(217.8 Mtrs, 1377 KHz). Antharangam — a programme on listener`s 
opinion in connection with AIR`s 75 years will be broadcast at
6.15 pm. A special programme ``Kuch Yaadein - Kuch Baatein — Aap Ke 
Saath`` will be broadcast at 9.30 pm.

(Via Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad 23 July 2002)
http://deccan.com/city/template.shtml#
AIR completes 75 years of broadcasting today.

Several special programs were heard on AIR in connection with  their 
platinum jubilee, in local languages (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, Hyderabad, 
India, dx_india via DXLD)

** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. I always considered Playboy magazine and its 
video offspring to be essentially visual media. (Yeah, I know you only 
read the articles and never look at the pictures. Well I still look at 
the pictures just to refresh my fading memory.) Today I learned that 
XM Satellite Radio is going to add the Playboy channel to its program 
lineup. Playboy on the radio -- now there's something that would bring 
audiences back to BBC World Service (sneaky obligatory SW reference). 
People complain that talking on cell phones is distracting and causing 
accidents. "They ain't seen nothin' yet", as Jimmy Durante used to 
say. Picture this redneck truck driver hurtling down I-95, pedal to 
the metal, all glassy-eyed, listening to XM's Playboy channel, while 
his Vacu-jack machine hums softly to the rhythm of the road. The mind 
boggles.

The following is from the XM press release announcing their third 
quarter absence of earnings:

Programming Enhancements

Today, XM announced significant programming enhancements to its 100- 
channel lineup to take effect on August 26, 2002 based on subscriber 
feedback involving channel adds, format changes and deletions. XM will 
introduce an audio books and radio drama channel, a Radio Classics 
channel, as well as channels dedicated to Electronica, Folk, Easy 
Listening, Neo Soul and Urban Hip Hop as well as its first premium 
channel, Playboy Radio, offered to subscribers at $2.99 per month 
beginning on September 3rd.

~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,
(Joe Buch, swprograms via DXLD) 
-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^ 

Methinks that an audio book channel, like most shortwave listening,
(obligatory SW reference), would be more dangerous for drivers than 
Playboy Radio. A recent study concluded that drivers with Cellular 
Phones, either hand held OR NOT, lost enough concentration in their 
driving ability to give them "tunnel vision". I see the same thing 
happening with spoken word services like those.

Such audio items would require an ability to use the theater of the 
mind, and with most of us not using that gift we developed when mama 
read us a bedtime story as children, we could loose site of reality 
while driving, or worse fall asleep at the wheel. Unless you are 
already conditioned by listening to hours of Ayn Rand on cassette, or 
vintage radio programs like "Suspense" or "X minus One", or Glenn 
Hauser's World Of Radio program, this can be hazardous while driving.

Now if the Audio Book was say something of a lighter vain, like Eric 
Idle narrating the Monty Python version of nursery rhymes, then.... 
OOPs, Playboy IS doing that. Sign me up! ("Big Steve" Coletti, ibid.) 

** IRAQ [non]. SAUDI ARABIA. Clandestine V of Iraqi People via 
(supposed) ARS moved at last from its long-standing 9568v to 9570.0 
(BTW, it was silent for some months). Another freq 9563.0 remains 
untouched, still bringing strong het to 9565 VOA Ukrainian at 2000-
2030 (Vlad Titarev, Ukraine, DXplorer Jul 18 via BC-DX via DXLD)

By the way, their third \\ channel is still 11710.3 (Mikhail 
Timofeyev, Russia, DXplorer Jul 18 via BC-DX via DXLD))

** ITALY. It seems that AWR Europe will not be constructing the
proposed Argenta transmitting stn in Italy after all. There seems no 
need for it, as they are already getting good coverage from all of 
their relay sites (Noel R. Green, UK, BC-DX July 19 via DXLD)

** MONACO. 3AC Monaco Radio. Station located close to parliament 
building on a road cut into the cliffside. Small building with a log 
periodic antenna and folded dipoles mounted on a tower at the railing 
of the road (Boulevard de Suisse in the town of Monaco) opposite the 
building. Unlike other coastal stations both transmitters and 
receivers are located in the building. Listen for weather forecasts in 
English and French at 0930 UT on 8806, 13152, 17323 and 22768 kHz  
(Karl-Erik Stridh, Sweden, WWDXC TopNews July 19 via BC-DX via DXLD)

So are we now to conclude the HF antennas for this one are actually 
inside Monaco? (gh, DXLD)

** MOZAMBIQUE. An item from Agência de Informação de Moçambique
  (Maputo) July 18, 2002, Posted to the web July 21, 2002 

Listeners to Radio Mozambique have been puzzled this week by the 
national station's disappearance from its habitual spot on the medium 
wave band of their sets: now they know that this is not due to any 
technical fault - instead vital pieces of radio equipment have been 
stolen. As a result, Radio Mozambique's national broadcast can only be 
heard on FM, thus drastically reducing the station's range.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
73s, (Harjot Singh Brar, Punjab, GRDXC via DXLD) or more specifically:

** MOZAMBIQUE. THIEVES SILENCE RADIO MOZAMBIQUE MATOLA TRANSMITTER

Radio Mozambique´s mediumwave transmitter in Matola has been off the 
air in for the past few days after thieves stole vital pieces of 
broadcasting equipment. Radio Mozambique engineer Luis Loforte told 
the press that the thieves broke into the broadcasting centre in the 
city of Matola on Saturday, and stole three copper bobbins. As a 
result, Radio Mozambique's national broadcast can only be heard on FM, 
thus drastically reducing the station's range.

Loforte noted that the theft was a "risky" operation, since it 
involved high voltage power. He therefore concluded that it was the 
work of people with a good knowledge of broadcasting technology, since 
they did it in such a way that they succeeded without any damage to 
themselves, and without being detected. Reporters who visited the site 
said that the fencing around the premises in Matola is very 
vulnerable, and that more security guards are needed.

Loforte said that it will not be easy to replace the stolen copper, 
but the station will do its best to get the mediumwave transmitter 
back on the air before the end of this week. In the meantime, Radio 
Mozambique listeners in the central and northern provinces cannot hear 
the national station on mediumwave. Radio Mozambique's provincial 
stations are unaffected.

Radio Mozambique had received the stolen equipment under a cooperation 
programme between the station and the Japanese government. Replacing 
it will probably mean a delay in receiving other materials that Japan 
would otherwise have supplied. This is not the first time that there 
has been a serious theft at the Matola centre. Earlier cases involved 
the theft of copper cables used in shortwave broadcasts. The Matola 
site was originally used by Radio Clube de Mozambique (© Radio 
Netherlands Media Network July 23 via DXLD)

** NIGERIA. Although the following message has no relation with DXing 
but came because of DXing. I sent a request for latest sked and V. of 
Nigeria Airwaves from V. of Nigeria via email. The following message 
came in reply of that. May be replied if you are interested. Kind 
regards, (Swopan Chakroborty, Kolkata, India, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

You guessed it --- another variation of the banking scam. Do NOT reply 
and above all do not give them your banking info, or the only money 
transferred will be your own, to them!!!! (gh, DXLD) 

** PALESTINE. VOICE OF PALESTINE RADIO OBSERVED BACK ON AIR 21 JULY 

Palestinian radio Voice of Palestine from Ramallah on 21 July was 
observed to broadcast the following announcement: "Voice of Palestine 
is with you, from you, and for you. This is a radio for all listeners 
on FM 90.7 MHz." At 1015 gmt, the radio began to carry songs by 
Lebanese singer Fayruz. The first song was entitled "We are 
returning". It was the first time the radio was observed since the 
station went off the air at 1015 gmt on 24 June when Israeli troops 
entered Ramallah. The station later carried a musical play by Fayruz. 
Source: Voice of Palestine, Ramallah, in Arabic 0000 gmt 21 Jul 02 
(via BBCM via DXLD)

** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 3395, R Eastern Highlands, Goroka, 1950 July 22, carrier
till 
1956 then PNG pop song, female announcer in Pidgin at 1958 with id and MW freq.
NBC 
news from Port Moresby at 2000. Last time heard was April 1 (Paul Ormandy, New 
Zealand, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 

** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. By the way, Kerema is reported to be without fuel 
and without electricity for the past two days, due to lack of fuel 
deliveries. Electricity is reported OFF (fuel gone...) so no 3245 R 
Gulf. The newspaper reports they may get fuel into the province soon. 
Cited by one of the PNG newspapers. (Independent as I recall).

That third link is... http://www.niugini.com/independent/
And of course there is some news this morning From Today's Post-
Courier.

'VOICE OF THE SUNRISE' FALLS SILENT 

RADIO Bougainville fell silent yet again yesterday after the 
provincial government's power station pulled the plug on the 
transmission site because of unpaid bills.

This is the second time the station had been closed this year. In 
February the station was also closed down briefly, again due to 
financial problems. The announcement of the closure comes at a time 
when the province's leaders take the first steps to set draft a 
Bougainville constitution in preparation for a Constituent Assembly 
and an autonomous Bougainville govt.

But Bougainvilleans in remote areas who rely on radio news will be 
missing out on new developments without R Bougainville, or their "Maus 
B'long Sankamap" (Voice of the Sunrise), which is their radio station 
ID.

Kubu Power House officials confirmed that power to the transmitter was 
switched off yesterday due to non-payment of power bills. They would 
not disclose the amount.

"Just last week, our management requested for some funding from the
Bougainville administration to keep the station on air while we wait 
for the remaining K70,000 from this year's appropriation," station 
officials said.

"Radio Bougainville has been struggling to remain on air through its
committed staff, who keep on pretending that all is well - until this
morning (yesterday)." (via Don Nelson, OR, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 

I'm not aware of a web site for a PNG newspaper called the 
Independent, but the two papers I check sometimes are:
http://www.postcourier.com.pg/   http://www.thenational.com.pg/

As Don indicated, PNG papers can help provide reasons why some 
frequency slots are vacant. I appreciate Don's comments, as he must 
monitor these sources more than I do currently (Guy Atkins, DXplorer 
Jul 18 via BC-DX via DXLD)

Another good PNG morning, with many stations heard, most with G / VG 
signals. Here's a quick PNG bandscan from metro Denver, from 1100 to 
1200 UT on 17 July:

2410 - blocked by local mixing product
3205 - strong carrier, under-modulated M ancr
3220 - VG signal; ended with mx at 1158, s-off at 1200.
       After 1200, presumed Korea left on the channel.
3235 - Good with tribal drumming at 1143;
       slop from local mixing product on 3240
3245 - not heard
3260 - VG signal; s/off at 1159, anthem at 1200.
3275 - VG
3290 - local mixing product
3305 - weak carrier only
3315 - VG signal; 1115 with M ancr, island-flavored pop/reggae sounds.
3325 - 2 or 3 mixing here, prob PNG and/or INS/GTM.
3335 - not heard
3345 - not checked
3355 - good
3365 - fair
3375 - not checked
3385 - not heard
3395 - VG
3905 - VG
4890 - VG

Gee, this is just like the old days - what a treat! The only negative 
at this location is that we have local AM stns operating on 1600, 
1650, and 1690 and the harmonics and mixing products from these land 
smack-dab in the 90 mb (John Wilkins, CO, DXplorer Jul 17 via BC-DX 
via DXLD)

** PERU. From: Radio San Antonio de Padua Callalli-Caylloma-Arequipa 
rsan_antonio14@hotmail.com

Estimados amigos el motivo de la presente es para saludarlos ya a la 
vez comunicarles que desde hace una semana no hay señal de radio San 
Antonio ya que como se habrán enterado por los cables internacionales 
el sur del Perú ha sido de clarado en emergencia debido a los 
desastres naturales como son el cambio de clima con fuertes nevadas 
fuertes vientos y bajas temperaturas lo que esta ocasionando 
enfermedades respiratorias agudas en los niños y ancianos y por otro 
lado el alto indice de mortandad en los animales como son alpacas, 
ovinos y llamas que no tiene que comer por lo que a nivel nacional se 
ha organizado una cruzada de ayuda para todas las zonas afectadas por 
este fenómeno climatológico por lo que el presente año y el próximo es 
difícil para toda la gente de esta zona que solo vive de la ganadería 
ya que por la altura aquí no hay agricultura. Debido a las nevadas se 
ha que mado un transformador de la luz ,por lo que desde hace máas de 
una semana todos los pueblos de la zona alta de Arequipa no contamos 
con fluído electrico y por lo visto todavía va a demorar por lo que 
estamos haciendo las gestiones ante las autoridades para que nos 
proporcionen combustible para nuestro generador y así mantener 
informados a todos los de la zona alta ya que por aquí es la única 
emisora que mantiene informados a todos los que habitan por las 
alturas por lo que esperamos que mañana o en el transcurso de la 
semana estemos saliendo al aire. Ya mas adelante les estaré contando 
más de talles de esta zona sur del Perú , sin más que decirle por el 
momento me despido hasta una próxima oportunidad. saludos. Hno Rolando 
del Carpio Montalvo ([sic] via Chuck Bolland, FL, also sent to many 
other DXers, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** PERU. Radio Victoria, Lima, 9720.4 khz, 0026-0055 GMT, very good 
signal, ID as "...Radio Victoria, una radio para tí...", SIO 333 
(Daniele Canonica, Switzerland, July 22, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 

** PERU. 4790 RADIO ATLANTIDA. Iquitos, Perú. 2240 – 2256 Julio 20:

Música del grupo español La Oreja de Van Gogh. `` ...5 de la tarde con 
43 minutos, 5 con 43 en Atlántida la fabulosa 106.5...`` Prog. Radio 
Éxitos 106.5

5470.9, RADIO SAN NICOLAS. Rodríguez de Mendoza, Perú. 1110 – 1125 
Julio 21:

S/on después del Himno Nacional ``...Señoras y Señores desde la 
provincia más fértil del departamento de Amazonas, Rodríguez de 
Mendoza, bajo el arrullo del Río San - - - transmite Radio San Nicolás 
iniciamos nuestra transmisión correspondiente al día de hoy esperamos 
que a loa largo y ancho de nuestra programación usted se sienta 
complacido con nuestra música, saludos y noticias, primicias, 
comentarios y sobre todo la mejor animación...inicia su transmisión
Radio San Nicolás ....``

5500.2, RADIO SAN MIGUEL. San Miguel, Perú. 2256 – 2330 Julio 20:

Comunicado del jurado electoral No. 001-1 ``...no lo piense más 
quédate con San Miguel, la radio ganadora...`` completa ID a las 2305 
``...Una voz peruana en los cielos de América, Radio San Miguel 101.1 
frecuencia modulada; 1450 amplitud modulada; 5500 onda corta, para el 
Perú y el mundo... Radio San Miguel estudio master Jirón Alfonso 
Ugarte 668 San Miguel de Cajamarca, Perú.....`` Luego música con el 
grupo Néctar. A las 0000 con el programa Buenas Noches Perú. ``... 
feliz aniversario Perú, te desea Radio San Miguel, una voz peruana
en los cielos de América...`` (Archivo de Audio)

5940. RADIO BETHEL. Arequipa, Perú. 0015 – 0045 Julio 21:

Cultos y alabanzas para el día domingo del Movimiento Misionero 
Mundial de la Ciudad Blanca. A las 0020 un mensaje en inglés del cual 
alcance a grabar: 

``...to you Bethel Radio International 5940 short wave Arequipa, Perú; 
if you want communication with us, send your letter to the postal 
address Union avenue 225 Miraflores, Arequipa, Perú. Also you can call 
us too 051 054 220450 ... we praying for you and remember God is your 
salvation….`` Luego vino el espacio La Hora de la Transformación con 
el Reverendo Rodolfo González con el Evangelio de la Santidad...`` 
Luego a las 0147 capte esta ID: `` Para todo el sur, Latinoamérica y 
Europa, somos Radio Bethel llevando el mensaje de Dios...`` (Rafael O. 
Rodríguez R., Santa Fé de Bogotá, Colombia, Conexión Digital via DXLD)

** POLAND. During Radio Polonia's Multimedia Show of the 9th of July, 
the following was said by way of clarifying the situation there. There 
is lots of activity at Polish Radio as it is the time for approval of 
ideas and plans as well as the new budget. The station will stay on 
shortwave, despite difficulties. Sufficient subsidies from the 
government, principally the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been 
secured. The programme continued to state that, savings must be made 
on the transmissions and there is no problem broadcasting from 
territory outside Poland. This clears the way to use either, or indeed 
both, Rimovska, Slovakia and Julich, Germany for relays. These are 
anything up to 50% cheaper than the present TPSA transmitters outside 
Warsaw. (Costs could not be specified, but transmissions are 
understood to be at least 2/3 of the budget.) There is a new projected 
agreement that, as of the new year, radical changes will be taking 
place in the programming and transmission of Radio Polonia. (Jonathan 
Murphy, County Cork, Ireland, World DX Club email group, via Mike 
Barraclough, DXLD)

** SAMOA AMERICAN. [Previous item about WDJD being on 580 was] from 
the radio-tech discussion group. It is also reported that the station 
advertises 580 in the newspaper (nothing found on the web). Also: 
"This was an Auction 32 filing, and the FCC had it *originally* listed 
as 580 kHz. On 10/09/2001 the FCC issued a correction stating it 
should have been on 585 all along." Curious to find myself quoted 
verbitim on a Danish DX web site! (Geoff Fairbairn, UK, July 23, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

** SIERRA LEONE. 6137.82, R UNSAMIL Freetown. E-mail verification 
reply back in ten days from Patrick Coker. He acknowledges my RR of R 
UNSAMIL and also states that my postal reply should be answered. So it 
seems postal reports are (maybe) getting through. This reply to my 
reception report of May 20th 02, which I sent a e-mail report follow-
up on July the 5th addressed to Station Manager Ms. Sheila Dallas at 
info@unamsil.org  Patrick thanked me for report and hope that I 
continue listening to their station. v/s Patrick Coker (Edward 
Kusalik, Alberta, DXplorer Jul 16 via BC-DX via DXLD)

** SOLOMON ISLANDS. Check out http://www.H44A.com

Sam's latest international radio crusade is to create a group of local 
Solomon Island amateur radio operators from local interested folk in 
Guadalcanal area of the Solomon Islands. To do this they need Solar 
panels, transeivers, receivers amd the like. However Sam for the 
moment needs the assistance of someone (with a PC, printer and 
appropriate software) to create some blank CERTIFICATES for qualifying 
local Amateur Radio Operators in the Solomon Islands.

He needs 2 types of certificates, 9 of each.
CERTIFICATE 1 is for a Unrestricted Amateur Radio Licence Qualifying 
Course.
CERTIFICATE 2 is for the Amateur Radio Examiners Qualifying Course.

The certificates should show sketches or graphics of antennas between 
coconut trees and village huts with ground plane verticals (consisting 
of 4 ground plan radials). If you can please help Sam out please 
contact me and I'll pass on Sam's Sydney Telephone number.

Sam generously devotes much of his time and money to many good causes 
relating to amateur radio / radio stations and needy people. He also 
unselfishly QSLs many SW reception reports for DXers (e.g. Radio Free 
Bougainville), so if you can kindly help out Sam please drop me a note 
at ausr-@volcanomail.com [truncated]

Sam also mentions that his students at the Amateur Radio School of the 
Solomon Islands can sometimes be heard or contacted on 27.295 MHz LSB, 
that's channel 29 on the Australian HF CB Band. (Good Luck) Regards
(Ian Baxter, AUSTRALIA, July 23, ARDXC via DXLD) See also BOUGAINVILLE

** SOMALIA. 6985kHz or not (?) - that is the question. One for the SW 
gurus!! Throughout most of June and early July I've been hearing a 
station of 6985 kHz that makes an appearance around 1500-1530 UT or a 
little later with an erratic schedule maybe heard 1 to 3 times a week. 

I've thought it to be Radio Gaalkacyo for the past months, based on 
the frequency, propagation, language and music. But according to Sam 
Voron (Sydney, Australia) who established the radio station, it 
isn't!! Apparently Radio Gaalkacyo has been off air for some months 
now. So I'm left pondering who on earth is it. To me if it's not Radio 
Gaalkacyo then it's definitely from that region of Africa as 
everything else fits. Language and music to me sounds as though it's 
from the Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudanese area of northern Africa. 
Sam also mentions that he can hear the same station I'm hearing, but 
re-affirms that it isn't Radio Gaalkacyo. I remain bewildered. This is 
one to be investigated. Anyone know who it is then? Regards, (Ian 
Baxter ausradio@volcanomail.com AUSTRALIA, July 23, DX LISTENING 
DIGEST)

** SRI LANKA. In DXLD 2-102 under CONGO DR we had a reference to Sri 
Lanka being on 9770:

``Also SLBC Ekala-SLK-CLN is registered there til 1630 UT. 
9770 1230-1630 41 EKA 100 350 1234567 3103-271002 CLN SLB SLB (BC-
DX)``

--- so I guess the recent report of 9970 is a typo ---- but by the 
reporter, or by the station when punching up the transmitter 
frequency?? (gh)

** U K. Most of the first two weeks of BBC Prom Concerts --- but no 
promises thereafter? -- are being webcast, which in BBC parlance means 
video as well as audio. We`ve found the video production excellent, 
actually for domestic broadcast, with carefully planned shots 
highlighting instruments soloing at the moment, many of them extreme 
close-ups, such as the piano (or toy piano) keyboard; `cello playing a 
single note. Subtitles are provided for any lyrics in fornlangs (e.g., 
``His long yellow nose rests in his white beard`` -- Shéhérazade.) And 
host Charles Hazlewood wore a really loud shirt July 22, overlapping 
TV screens(?) black outlines on white, but the next day it was a 
modest solid pink. On our Real Player 8, the video can be choppy 
depending on the connexion speed at the moment, but there is never a 
video/audio sync problem, and the audio quality does not seem to be 
degraded by the player having to handle the video as well. Typically 
80 kbps. You may not find the video feed link easily, but it`s under 
`interactive` via the Proms page at 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/broadcasts/interactive.shtml Most concerts 
start at 1830 UT (``7:30 pm``), but on Tue July 23 there is an early 
one at 1800 and a late one at 2100. So we were frustrated when the 
(video) webcast insisted it would not start until 7:30. Were we going 
to miss the first half hour? No, the entire video version was delayed 
half an hour from the BBCR3 live feed, who knows why, and finally 
started at 1832, so we first heard and then saw and heard again, the 
opening number, Elgar`s ``In the South`` overture. Strangely my 
screensaver (currently `snakes`) cannot detect the motion on the RP 
box and keeps overriding (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** U K. MINISTER BACKS PLAN FOR WORLD SERVICE TV CHANNEL
   Matt Wells and Maggie Brown, Monday July 22, 2002, The Guardian
   
The government is considering a radical plan to invest public money in
a television equivalent of the BBC World Service.

Foreign Office officials are examining ways of using public and
private funding to turn the BBC's struggling international TV news
channel, BBC World, into a global player along the lines of the World
Service radio network.

The use of public money would infuriate rivals such as CNN, but
ministers believe World Service TV would be more than just a news
channel: its existence would promote "good governance" and help raise
Britain's international profile.

Dennis MacShane, the junior minister responsible for World Service
funding, said: "A World Service television network that was popular
and successful would do more to promote British interests abroad than
almost anything else I can think of."

He said that a television version of the World Service could be
broadcast in some of the world's major languages - at the moment, the
radio network can be heard in 43 versions including English - with
particular concentration on "areas of crisis".

The incentive to boost the reach of BBC television is clear: the World
Service's radio audience fell by 3 million last year to 150 million
after years of growth. Audiences in India and Indonesia have dropped
over seven years by 45% to 14.6m.

But BBC World - the corporation's existing international news channel
- is dogged by crippling losses, which rose from £13.2m in 2000-01 to
£15.3m in 2001-02. It does not have the same reputation for speed and
impact as CNN, although its impartiality and tone have won recognition
around the world since September 11.

The BBC is attempting to turn BBC World's fortunes around by bringing
it into a "global news" division headed by the World Service director,
Mark Byford. Under the plan, which is awaiting approval from the
Department of Culture, Mr Byford would take charge of the BBC's
international TV, radio and online news services.

Under present rules, BBC World TV can not draw on public funding, and
must remain separate from the domestic news channel, BBC News 24.

Mr MacShane suggested the two could eventually be merged. "It's absurd
that News 24 is funded out of the licence fee while BBC World has to
be funded from advertising. These are the first areas that we have to
look at. We have to see how they could come together."

The first opportunity for changing the BBC's funding rules will come
at the renewal of the corporation's charter in 2006.

The plans are at a very early stage, and no decision about whether to
commit any new public money would be reached until officials and the
BBC came up with a firm set of proposals. Mr MacShane said BSkyB would
be invited to submit ideas on how it could become involved.

Mr Byford said the first priority was to make the current BBC World
television channel break even by 2006. Asked whether eventually it
could be turned into a multilingual service along the radio model, he
said: "In the past we have had an Arabic TV service and a Hindi TV
service, but they have not worked. Anything is possible, but they cost
money."

Staff at the World Service would be suspicious of any switch in
priority to television. One said yesterday: "It sounds like a mad
idea. Radio is so cheap - look at what you get for your money with the
World Service. With TV you get much less bang for your buck."

The Foreign Office has agreed a generous increase in the World
Service's grant of about £180m that amounts to an extra £48m over the
next three years, significantly above the rate of inflation.

The World Service has earmarked an initial £8m for Afghanistan and the
Arab broadcasts, and to expand news and current affairs programmes for
Africa, where audience levels are rising. New programmes will focus on
development and health issues, including Aids. It will also start an
English language business service for China.

Its controversial policy of switching broadcasts from short wave to FM
will be extended. 

(© Guardian Newspapers Limited 2002 (via Daniel Say, DXLD)

At this point, Parliament still prohibits funding for BBCWS to do
television. BBC's international television is, theoretically, at no
cost to the British taxpayer or license payer, through the commercial
partnerships of BBC World.

Unfortunately, international television to many parts of the world has
insufficient commercial potential. I would guess BBCWS is anxious to
start using television to reach the Arab World and India, at least. 
But it will take an act of Parliament to do this with government 
funding.

The problem is the fragility of access to satellite transponders. For
the Arab World, BBC now has access to Arabsat and Nilesat, the
satellites of choice for dish-owners in the region. But if war comes 
to the region, or the political situation deteriorates, will BBC be 
evicted from Arabsat and Nilesat? BBC would still be able to reach the 
Middle East via Hot Bird, but dishes in the region would have to be 
turned in that direction.

And, presumably, BBC would still be broadcasting to the Middle East 
via shortwave and medium wave. In times of war, people tend to dust 
off their shortwave radios and resume listening to them (Kim Elliott, 
DC, swprograms via DXLD)

** UNITED NATIONS [non]. Current schedule: "Our summer frequencies are 
7150 khz in the 41 meter band and 17570 in the 16 meter band. If you 
have any problems, please email me, I'll try to fix things! Judy 
Lessing, Executive Producer, UN Radio" (via Mike Terry, DXLD) Re 1730-
1745, I suppose (gh, DXLD)

** U S A. A very weak signal audible on 7490, perhaps WJIE again 
(George Thurman, Chicago, 1500 UT July 22, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 
Nothing audible here over noise level; should check at night. Yes, at 
0510 UT July 23, on 7490, could hear preaching in English, perhaps at 
slightly better level than previously, so apparently reactivated, tho 
no ID. Passed the ``is it an image`` test. Still no match for the 
nearby T-storm noise level and no comparison to other US 7 MHz 
signals, such as KTBN-7510. If anyone hear WOR at previously scheduled 
time of 0645, please let me know, and which edition (gh, Enid OK, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

** U S A. LEGISLATORS VOTE TO BOOST BROADCASTS TO MUSLIM COUNTRIES | 
Text of editorial analysis by BBC Monitoring's Foreign Media Unit on 
23 July 

The US House of Representatives has voted to increase American radio 
and TV broadcasts to Muslim countries and to promote other public 
diplomacy measures in an effort to counter rising anti-American 
sentiment in those regions of the world. 

The Freedom Promotion Act of 2002, passed on Monday 22 July, allocates 
135m dollars to expand radio and TV programming from the USA to 
Islamic nations in the Middle East, Asia and Africa to broaden their 
access to what the legislators described as "uncensored news and 
entertainment". 

The act provides for a total of 255m dollars to be spent over two 
years to improve State Department communications strategies and 
finance exchange programmes in journalism training, English language 
teaching, twin-city partnerships and academic exchanges with 
predominantly Muslim countries, as well as expanding US international 
broadcasting. Funds would also help to modernize technology used to 
distribute information about the United States and increase 
translation services at overseas posts. 

"Much of the popular press overseas, often including the government-
owned media, daily depict the United States as a force for evil, 
accusing this country of an endless number of malevolent plots against 
the world," Henry Hyde, chairman of the House International Relations 
Committee, said in Monday's debate. 

The Republican representative from Illinois, who is the chief sponsor 
of the bill, added: "Even as we strike against the network of 
terrorists who masterminded the murder of thousands of Americans, our 
actions are widely depicted in the Muslim world as a war against 
Islam." 

There is a need, Hyde said, to ensure that "the truth about our 
country rises above the cacophony of hate and misinformation that 
often passes for discourse in many areas of the world". 

US broadcasting "ineffective and antiquated" 

In testimony last year before the House International Relations 
Committee, the Chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which 
oversees US international broadcasting efforts, stated that "we have 
virtually no youthful audience under the age of 25 in the Arab world," 
Hyde recalled. 

He went on: "It is increasingly clear that much of the problem lies in 
our ineffective and often antiquated methods. For example, broadcasts 
on shortwave radio simply cannot compete with AM and FM channels in 
terms of accessibility, to say nothing of television, the most 
powerful medium of all. Shifting our efforts into these and other 
broad-based media, including the Internet and others, will take time 
and money, but this reorientation is a prerequisite to reaching our 
intended audience." 

According to officials in Congress, the information counter-offensive 
would involve government-owned Voice of America stepping up its radio 
broadcasts on AM and using more local FM radio relays, as well as 
seeking broader access via local TV channels in the Muslim world. 
Supporters of the act said US public diplomacy specialists should 
increase their use of the Internet and take a more active part in the 
public debate in Muslim countries. 

The legislation still has to be considered by the Senate, but 
according to Hyde, the State Department supports it. Source: BBC 
Monitoring research 23 Jul 02 (via DXLD)

** U S A. I was wondering if anyone in the northeast has heard any 
further news about the Ibiquity Digital experimental station? A 
construction permit for 1700 kHz was issued for the Ibiquity facility 
in Warren NJ on April 18th under the call sign WI2XAM (Patrick 
Griffith, CBT, Westminster, CO, USA, July 21, NRC-AM via DXLD) 

** U S A. WEB RADIO - GOING UNDERGROUND? 
   From http://www.slyck.com/newsjuly2002/072002c.html

Saturday July 20, 2002

Netizens may soon find Internet radio stations far and few between. A
recently established royalty rate may force many smaller web casters 
to shut their operations down, as already witnessed by KPIG. While 
KPIG's shutdown may be temporary, many others won't be able to work a 
deal out with the music industry.

With these increased royalty rates, many in the web casting industry 
are predicting near certain doom for net radio. Paul Maloney, editor 
of RAIN (Radio and Internet Newsletter), stated for News.com "It's 
almost certain that unless some emergency legislation goes through, 
most of the Web casting industry will go away."

While the business model of net radio may be in trouble, web casting 
may continue to be a nemesis for the music industry. The music 
industry may have received the results they wanted by eliminating 
legitimate web casting, however a "Phantom Menace" lurks in the 
shadows of P2P networking.

Welcome "Streamer", dubbing itself "Pirate radio for the digital age". 
This application utilizes P2P technology to allow 56k peers right up 
to Cable users to establish net radio stations. Recent upgrades to the 
software have eliminated the web interface and DOS module for a more 
user friendly windows GUI. The application is still in its infancy, 
however it shows promise as we were able to connect to several net 
stations. In all, about 10 stations were operational, with a decent 
selection of music available.

In order to be a viable presence and replacement for the impending 
doom of net radio as we know it, "Streamer's" population will have to 
grow to substantial numbers. Ten stations won't cut it, as hundreds, 
if not thousands of legitimate stations presently exist. With the 
right promotional effort and press coverage, we may witness net 
radio's renaissance thought the technology of P2P networking (via Mike 
Terry, DXLD)

** U S A. CONTROVERSY ARISES OVER PUBLIC RADIO 
   By: Christine Dippold 07/11/02
--------------------------
The Board of Education for the Columbus Public Schools rejected a 
resolution to end all negotiations with outside parties concerning
relinquishing the management of WCBE 90.5 FM yesterday.

The board is involved in negotiations to transfer management of the 
public radio station to Ohio State's WOSU or another entity. 

Board members debated the controversial resolution, discussing the 
possibility administrators may have been involved in private
negotiations for the public station. 

"The main reason to pass the resolution now is it is a way out for 
everybody involved," said board member Bill Moss before the
resolution was voted upon. "It appears this Board of Education has 
been party to a hoax, a deception on the public."

Controversy emerged via a recent Columbus Alive article stating a 
confidential proposal was made in 1998 by WOSU to enter into a
management agreement between WOSU and WCBE. Columbus Public School 
administrators declined the offer.

That proposal would have allowed for a future signal trade with the 
Dispatch Broadcast Group's WBNS 1460 AM, which broadcasts some
of OSU's games, and the more powerful WOSU 820 AM, Moss said. The 
current proposal does not involve WBNS 1460 AM.

WCBE is an educational public broadcast radio station licensed to the 
Columbus Board of Education. The station airs news programs,
such as National Public Radio, broadcasts school board meetings and 
plays a variety of local and world music.

The original proposal between WCBE and WOSU called for a collaboration 
between the stations.

"Right now WOSU and WCBE have 55 duplicate program hours," said David 
Carwile, WOSU's station manager. "We don't want to ask the
community to pay twice for the same programming."

Carwile said WOSU would like cut down on the duplicate programming and 
add new programming which would better serve blacks and other
minorities.

Board member Loretta Heard suggested negotiations remain open, but 
with an outside committee to oversee the negotiations. 

"This situation does belong to the citizens of the school district," 
Heard said. "Let's be honest, we still have an opportunity to
do it in an open manner."

Other board members were adamant about rejecting the resolution, 
claiming not enough information was available to simply arrest all
negotiations.

Board member Jeff Cabot said ending all negotiations would close doors 
for the board in terms of future decisions over the radio
station. 

"If we reject the resolution tonight, we still have the availability 
to retain the station as it is now," Cabot said.

Moss said some board members were participating willingly in an 
exercise to "fool the public."

"I am disappointed and disturbed by the attitude and appearance of 
(the board) that this is a 'perfect deal' for the Columbus Public
Schools," Moss said. "It appears we have another growing scandal on 
our hands."

Angered citizens shared similar views as Moss. Prior to the meeting, a 
local group, On the Columbus Plantation, handed out copies of
the Columbus Alive article surrounded by pictures of most board 
members and the word "crooks." Also on the copy was a picture of
board President Stephanie Hightower with caption, "Stephanie Hightower 
is not good for our children."

The resolution was rejected, with only two "yes" votes from board 
members Moss and Heard.

The vote evoked heckling from community audience members, who called 
the board members liars, thieves and conspirators.
--------------------------
Story Source: The Lantern (via DXLD)

** U S A. CHERISHING AN OLD-TIME GROOVE, By Sue Anne Pressley 

STAUNTON, Va. Ray Houser, host of one of the longest-running radio 
programs in America, takes a seat at the piano, behind the big, black 
microphone. His old cat, Cooter, is prowling around the edge of the 
living room, and out past the screen door, there's the sound of 
traffic whizzing by.... 
To view the entire article, go to 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A41524-2002Jul21.html 
(via Tom McNiff, DXLD)

** U S A. Update with Grosse Pointe AM 1170 

Hi everyone. I have been out of town the last day in a half, and when 
I got back today I got a letter from the people who were testing out 
1170 for Grosse Pointe. They do not consider themselves to be pirates, 
but rather they are just experimenting with different antenna patterns 
and they will be moving to a new frequency soon. They didn't go on 
because of WQRS, but like I said right now they are just 
experimenting. Will let you all know if I hear anything (JEFFREY 
MICHAEL KENYON, MI, July 21, NRC-AM via DXLD) 

** U S A. SISTER MARY CATHERINE CALLS INTO EWTN PROGRAM TO REPORT ON 
MOTHER ANGELICA`S HEALTH

Irondale, AL, July 8 (EWTN)— Sister Mary Catherine, Mother Vicar of 
Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Hanceville, Alabama called in to 
EWTN`s Mother Angelica Live program last Tuesday evening to provide a 
live update on the condition of the Foundress of EWTN.  Speaking with 
the program`s interim host, Father Mitch Pacwa, SJ, Sister Mary 
Catherine remarked that Mother Angelica is doing well, six months 
after she suffered a very serious stroke.   Sister Catherine said as 
she stood at Mother`s bedside that first evening, she wasn`t sure 
Mother would even survive the night.  At that time, Mother`s doctor 
told Sister Mary Catherine ``She`s in God`s hands, but medically 
speaking, it`s not good.``  

Sister Catherine termed Mother`s recovery to date nothing short of a 
miracle and attributes her vastly improved condition to the thousands 
of prayers offered worldwide for Mother Angelica. Sister Mary 
Catherine also commented on Mother`s prognosis, saying that while she 
has overcome the paralysis, her speech is not yet in order. ``She 
isn`t able to communicate properly,`` she said. ``She`s able to speak 
in sentences, but very often in the middle of a sentence, she`s not 
able to continue.`` 
 
Sister Mary Catherine said that Mother Angelica wants to be with her 
``EWTN Family`` but knows she is not ready. ``Mother occasionally 
watches the network and she is very happy with what she sees,`` she 
said. ``But,`` she continued, ``Mother also knows this is God`s Will 
and she is accepting this `Cross` as she has so many other crosses 
during her lifetime. I know her suffering is doing great things for 
the Church.`` Mother Vicar asked for everyone to continue praying for 
Mother Angelica`s full recovery and eventual return to EWTN.	

Michael Warsaw, president of EWTN, said to date more than 365,000 
Rosaries, 59,000 Novenas, 194,000 Mass Intentions, 233,000 Holy 
Communions, 95,000 Holy Hours and 687,000 Lord`s Prayers and other 
prayers, have been posted in the Spiritual Bouquet for Mother Angelica 
on EWTN`s website http://www.ewtn.com (Catholic Radio Update July 15 
via DXLD)

** U S A. From Radio and Records:

RANDY MICHAELS OUT OF CLEAR CHANNEL RADIO DIVISION

Michaels, who assumed control of Clear Channel's radio stations
following the company's merger with Jacor in 1999, will now oversee
Clear Channel's New Technologies Division, focusing on the 
interactive, wireless broadband and satellite technologies businesses. 
Clear Channel President/COO Mark Mays will serve as acting CEO of the 
radio division until a permanent successor to Michaels can be found. 
John Hogan will continue as COO of Clear Channel Radio. "Randy has 
been, and continues to be, a great contributor to Clear Channel,"
Mays says. "Without his vision and foresight we would not have been 
able to develop the best, most well-positioned, unduplicatable 
collection of radio stations in the world." (via Dennis Gibson, July 
22, IRCA via DXLD)

CLEAR CHANNEL LEADS RADIO STOCKS' DROP
by David Wilkerson, CBS MarketWatch.com, July 23, 2002
(10:44 a.m.)

NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Radio station giant Clear Channel Communications' 
shares plunged 24 percent Tuesday afternoon, dragging the radio sector 
lower amid concerns about second-quarter earnings.

The stock was recently changing hands at $22.68, down $7.29 after the 
company said Randy Michaels has resigned as chief executive of the 
radio unit to lead a division dedicated to new technologies. 

Jordan Rohan, media analyst at Soundview, said Michaels' move only 
heightened existing doubts about achieving the radio division's 
earnings target. 

"(We) have heard that local station GMs within CCU's radio group have 
become a bit nervous about meeting internal projections," Rohan wrote 
in a report on Tuesday. "We have yet to find any smoking gun, and
believe that it is difficult to extrapolate from one inconclusive data 
point. That said, the sudden reassignment of ... Randy Michaels casts 
some doubt on the radio group's performance." 

Other radio shares dropped sharply as Entercom Communications fell 
$5.23, or 12.6 percent, to $36.35; Emmis Communications lost $1.98, or 
12.4 percent, to $13.95; Radio One dropped $1.70, or 13 percent, to
$11.41; and Hispanic Broadcasting lost $1.83, or 9 percent, to $18.89.

Viacom, owner of the large Infinity radio group, was down $3, or 9 
percent, at $31.55. The company is slated to report second-quarter 
results Thursday (via Dennis Gibson, July 23, IRCA via DXLD)

Oh Boy!! Now Randy will find another aspect of the media industry to 
ruin (Dave Marthouse, VA, NRC-AM via DXLD)

Dave, you know how much I respect you when it comes to all things 
radio (and how much I envy you having your own "candy store" and 
living the dream so many of us have or once had) - but I have to 
disagree, and vehemently at that, with the knee-jerk portrayal of 
Randy as a one-man Satan of the radio industry. 

I've been fortunate enough to get to know Randy, in at least a small 
way, over the last year or so, and it's no exaggeration to say that he 
would fit in perfectly at an NRC convention. He is an avid MW DXer (he 
has a longwire at his home outside Cincinnati, which he uses to tune 
in WSM during the day, and he DXes from his plane, too) with a 
knowledge of broadcast history, lore and legend that would put most of 
us to shame. 

During the Jacor years, at least, Randy revived - almost 
singlehandedly - the financial viability of AM news-talk radio in 
America. At stations like WLW, which Jacor took from ratings limbo to 
#1 in Cincinnati, Randy showed that it's possible to use FM attitude 
and FM imaging to make AM sound relevant and fun. And did I mention 
that Randy is an engineer by trade, who rebuilt the original 1927 
Western Electric transmitter at WLW - a unit that is still used 
occasionally as a backup-backup-backup? (It was on the air for Y2K, in 
fact.) 

Randy assembled a phenomenal team of engineering talent at Jacor/Clear 
Channel Radio - guys like Al Kenyon, Jeff Littlejohn and J.T. Anderton 
who know more about the AM spectrum than anyone else out there, and 
who have taken literally hundreds of tired facilities that hadn't seen 
maintenance in decades and rebuilt them to modern standards. 

None of which is to imply that I approve of a lot of what Clear 
Channel has done in recent years. Where AM is concerned (and this is 
the AM list, after all), too many of Clear Channel's stations (like 
WHTK 1280 here in Rochester) are forced to play seventh-fiddle to 
their bigger AM and FM sisters, receiving no promotion and no 
attention. And voice-tracking, which can be a very useful and 
versatile tool in the right circumstances, has probably been pushed 
too far in too many CC venues. 

BUT - and I'll maintain this vehemently in the face of all the 
message-board gloating we're seeing today - anyone who expects these 
problems to somehow magically disappear in the wake of Randy's ouster 
doesn't understand what's really happening at Clear Channel. The 
business pressures under which Randy had to operate were not of his 
own making; they came from the big Clear Channel bosses, Lowry Mays 
and his son Mark, down in San Antonio. With Mark running CC Radio for 
now, and the Mays family saying the next CC Radio boss will be based 
in Texas, not Cincinnati, expect the bottom-line mentality to get a 
lot worse, not better, especially without a leader who understands and 
loves radio as deeply as Randy. And I don't care who they hire next 
(unless, perhaps, the team of Vobbe, Bowker and Durenberger moves into 
the executive suite!) - whoever they get won't understand and love 
radio as deeply as Randy does and did. I can't wait to see what he 
does next. -s (Scott Fybush, NY, NRC-AM via DXLD)

** U S A. I found a site with loads of network and local logos, old 
and new. It looks like some have been lifted from other sites, but 
it's still a great page.
http://members.fortunecity.com/teamfx2000/television/television.htm
(Chris Carter, Brookhaven, MS, WTFDA via DXLD)

UNIDENTIFIED. En la frecuencia 5170 pude captar una emisora de números 
y letras a las 2310 UT; la estuve escuchando por varios minutos y 
repitieron siempre el mismo mensaje: VLBA181 (José Elías, Venezuela, 
July 22, Conexión Digital via DXLD)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

RECEIVER NEWS
+++++++++++++

The Hammarlund Historian website is under new management at its new 
address: http://www.hammarlund.info

Barry Hauser and Les Locklear, who had provided most of the historical
info to the original site, Andy Moorer and Al Parker are now 
overseers. Les has added to the historical info, Andy has been 
scanning and uploading manuals, Al P. has been working on a new 
service section and a new overall look for the site.

We hope to have many more Hammarlund manuals available for (free) 
download, many are already there. The new service section has as it's 
main feature an article by Ray Vasek, W2EC, on re-capping the SP-600, 
which has been published in Hollow State News, of which Barry Hauser 
is the editor.

We invite you to take a look at the "new, bright" format and the new
features. We hope to be adding to the content and making it a source 
for answers to many of your Hammarlund questions.

73 de Barry H., Les L., Andy M. and Al P. (oops, lost source via...)

PUBLICATIONS
++++++++++++
 
"The Shortwave Guide" (volume 1)  

Here's a copy of some correspondence I had with the publisher, 
Nicholas Hardyman (with his kind permission of course; thanks, 
Nicholas):

Hello Mike, Good to hear from you again, and thank you for your kind 
comments about The Shortwave Guide.

``One small quibble, a lot of the email addresses on pages 186 to 202 
are bouncing, it may be my PC but I doubt it, this happened using WTVH 
when it was published as well. Not sure what you can do for future 
editions except to check with the stations direct which will take some 
time I suppose (assuming you can contact them cheaply anyway!).``

E-mail addresses are a big problem because they change so often that 
it is hard to keep up with them. We have considered, but rejected, 
simply putting in web addresses where we have both, on the assumption 
that the website will last longer and will list the latest e-mail 
contacts. The solution is indeed to ring every station each year and 
get the latest e-mail details (although even these will change during 
the year) but this does take a lot of time.

Contacts with international broadcasters is something I am 
investigating at the moment (Nicholas Hardyman, WRTH, via Mike Terry, 
DXLD)

PROPAGATION
+++++++++++

MAJOR STORM ALERT 
 
We might be getting some calls during the next couple of weeks from
customers with new shortwave radios complaining that they can not hear
anything or they think their new radio is defective. But that probably 
will not be the case. Over the last week we have experiencing 
exceptionally stormy solar conditions which renders the HF spectrum 
completely devoid of any signals for extended periods of time. Over 
the weekend, things went so quiet that I was convinced that my coax 
cables had gone bad after the X3.3 flare/sudden ionospheric storm on 
Saturday. And now from CQ Propagation Editor, Tomas Hood, comes the 
word that things could be even more active over this next week and 
into next with solar storms/flares the likes of which we haven't seen 
in years.

Larry Van Horn, N5FPW
Grove Enterprises Technical Support Department
Monitoring Times Assist Editor, Fed File/Milcom Columnist
Telephone: V-828-837-9200/F-828-837-2216/800-438-8155

-----Original Message-----
From: Tomas Hood - NW7US
Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2002 7:50 AM
Subject: Major Storm Alert

We are in for an interesting week!

Minor to major storm levels of geomagnetic disturbances are expected 
as early as in the late afternoon on July 24 over North America, with 
increases in geomagnetic activity starting today (July 23). The next 
week may see extreme solar flare activity.

Region 10039 (Catania sunspot group #35), which produced the X3.3
flare of July 20, struck again on July 23, producing an X4.8 flare
with the X-ray flux peaking at 0035Z.  This solar flare is a proton-
producing flare and the energetic protons are expected to reach the 
Earth and begin slowly enhancing the radiation in the near-Earth space 
environment by the end of today (July 23).

Region 10039 has rotated fully into view at the southeast limb. This 
region has the potential to produce occasional X10+ flares. During the 
X4.8 flare, a large and fast full halo Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) was 
observed with a leading edge speed above 1700km/s. Although the 
fastest part of the CME headed eastwards, Earth should receive an 
impact on July 24, resulting in a severely disturbed geomagnetic field 
for 12 to 24 hours after the impact.

This event is very similar to the eruption of July 20, probably at the 
origin of the geomagnetic disturbances of yesterday (July 22) around 
noon (Zulu).  But this one will be stronger and more geoeffective.  
Minor to major storm levels of geomagnetic disturbances are thus 
expected as early as in the afternoon of July 25 (late afternoon on 
July 24 over North America).

Additional major X-class solar flares from this Region over the next 
two weeks might produce very active and geomagnetically stormy 
conditions, the likes of which we have not observed in over 10 years.  
If Region 10039 holds true to its potential, the spot complex will 
continue to produce very energetic solar activity about once every 2 
to 3 days as it rotates across the face of the Sun.  The Region is 
well-placed for producing large, geoeffective impacts on the earth, 
and it will remain visible for about another 12 to 13 days.  The next 
week or two could see some considerable solar radiation storms, 
auroral storm activity, ionospheric storming, and significant 
geomagnetic storming. Similar historic periods have produced heavy 
Auroral events, radio blackouts, and so on. These Auroral event have 
been visible throughout the continental United States and Canada, even 
into parts of Mexico.

New Zealand, Australia, Southern Africa, and South America have 
witnessed the "Southern Lights" during such events.  This type of
Aurora might happen as early as July 24.  Storms of this magnitude
("superstorms") occur on average once every six years or so. It has 
now been about 12 years since the Earth was hit by a superstorm.

Shortwave (High Frequency) propagation will experience fadeouts, with 
possible R1 to R2 radio blackouts from July 23 through July 25.  Long 
distance medium wave (AM) band propagation along east-west paths over 
high and upper middle latitudes is poor to very poor.  If we get the 
Aurora, look for Auroral-mode propagation.

73 de Tomas, NW7US // AAR0JA
--
: CQ Propagation Editor, CQ Magazine - - http://prop.hfradio.org :
: Brinnon, Washington 122.93W 47.67N -- http://hfradio.org/barsc :
: http://hfradio.org http://swl.hfradio.org http://accessnow.com :
: 10x56526 - FISTS 7055  - FISTS NW 57 - Member Army MARS & ARRL :
: A.R.Lighthouse Society 144 -- CW, SSB, RTTY, AMTOR, DX-Hunting :
_______________________________________________
WUN mailing list   WUN@mailman.qth.net
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/wun
(via Larry Van Horn, MT, DXLD)

Official Space Weather Advisory issued by NOAA Space Environment 
Center
Boulder, Colorado, USA

SPACE WEATHER ADVISORY BULLETIN #02- 2
2002 July 23 at 12:00 p.m. MDT (2002 July 23 1800 UTC)

**** ( CORRECTED ) MAJOR SUNSPOT ACTITVITY ****

A major sunspot region has rotated onto the visible face of the sun. 
This region, designated as Region 39 by NOAA Space Environment Center
forecasters, is believed to have been the source of three large 
coronal mass ejexions on the far side of the sun beginning on July 16. 
This region will rotate across the visible side of the sun over the 
next two weeks and is expected to produce more solar activity.

Since appearing on the visible side yesterday (July 22) this region 
has already produced a major flare at 6:35 pm Mountain Daylight Time 
(MDT) on July 22 (0035, July 23 UTC). Radio blackouts reached category 
R3 (Strong) on the NOAA space weather scales. In response to the major
flare, a geomagnetic storm is possible and is expected to begin 
between 8:00 pm MDT on July 23 and 8 am MDT on July 24 (0200 - 1400, 
July 24 UTC). The geomagnetic storm may reach category G2 (moderate) 
levels on the NOAA space weather scales.

Category R3 radio blackouts result in widespread HF radio 
communication outages on the dayside of the Earth and can also degrade 
low frequency navigation signals. Category G2 geomagnetic storms can 
lead to minor problems with electrical power systems, spacecraft 
operations, communications systems, and some navigational systems. 
Aurora Borealis / Australis (northern / southern lights) may be seen 
down into the mid latitudes (New York, Madison, Boise, Vladivostok, 
Rome, Tasmania, Wellington - NZ, Puerto Montt - Chile)

Data used to provide space weather services are contributed by NOAA, 
USAF, NASA, NSF, USGS, the International Space Environment Services 
and other observatories, universities, and institutions. For more 
information, including email services, see SEC's Space Weather 
Advisories Web site http://sec.noaa.gov/advisories or (303) 497-5127.
The NOAA Public Affairs contact is Barbara McGehan at 
Barbara.-@noaa.gov or (303) 497-6288. 
(via Ian Johnson, ARDXC via DXLD)

A G2-level Geomagnetic storm forecast for 0200 - 1400, JUL 24 02 UTC. 
Major X4.8 Flare with CME is cause. Aurora likely in mid-latitudes. 
Elevated solar wind expected. Some fading as well as radio blackouts 
likely. Trans Global Propagation Via F layers will be affected (Many 
years on the SW bands From SE England, Karl kruger 73's :-{) July 23, 
GRDXC via DXLD)

ON-LINE NOW - THE NEW IPS WEB SITE

Following a preview period over the past month, IPS has now switched 
over to its new web site.

* Where? The home page address of our new site is the same as that of 
the old - http://www.ips.gov.au

* Will I be able to access IPS pages I currently have book-marked?
Clicking on book-marked pages from the current site will re-direct you 
via a transfer page to the new site. To find the location of a 
previously book-marked page, you can enter the title of the page (not 
its URL) into the Site Search Engine, located in the Navigation Bar 
at the bottom of each page. This will re-direct you to the nearest 
equivalent page on the new site.

Alternatively, the Navigation Bar at the top of each page will help 
you find your way around.

* Who do I contact for more information?
If you have any problems locating a page from the current site, please 
e-mail webhelp@ips.gov.au, and advise us of the title (and URL, if 
possible), of the page you are looking for.  We will then advise you 
of where to look on the new site (Patrick Phelan via Daniel Say, July 
21, DXLD)             

DXERS CALLING
+++++++++++++

Hi Everyone,
thanks to some good advice from George Maroti, I've now got your 
favourite DX program available for download in the 'files' section of 
Audiosend, including, Paul Ormandy SPDXR, World of Radio with Glenn 
Hauser, Fred Moe and Random Transmissions, and my own 'dxers calling 
media report'.

Dxers Calling Audiosend is designed for listeners who miss the 
shortwave broadcast and /or when other sites malfunction, and is 
available at:
http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/dxerscallingAudiosend

Click on the files section. You can download the files when you're 
free to do so, you no longer have to wait for the email to arrive.

Marie Lamb and DXing with Cumbre and Chris Lobdell's Pirating with 
Cumbre will be available this Saturday from 0700 UT.

If you are a producer and would like to add a program at DXers 
Calling Audiosend, feel free to post it to me at nri3@yahoo.com.au
and I'm also looking for other program makers to put together 10 to 
15 minute specials about radio (any subject) which will be heard 
during Dave N1DK 'Cybershortwave' on alternate weekends Sunday at 
1500 UT and here at Audiosend. Dxers calling media news is also 
looking for alternate producer/program makers.

Finally, feel free to invite others to become involved with 'Dxers 
Calling' and 'Cybershortwave' and Jen's 'MVR Radio' (Mountainview 
radio 1700 UT alternate Sundays, Fridays, Saturdays).

Thanks again, and I hope you find the Dxers Calling group useful,
73 (Tim, Dxers Calling Audiosend and Newsgroup, AUS, via DXLD)

TIPS FOR RATIONAL LIVING
++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ellen Johnson, president of American Atheists, and others participated 
in a discussion on the second hour of WAMU`s Public Interest, Monday, 
July 22. 

- ATHEISTS AND SECULAR HUMANISTS
   
Atheism, agnosticism, secular humanism, free-thinkers and skeptics -- 
the terms are often used interchangeably. Join Kojo for a look at a 
set of beliefs that are often misunderstood and occasionally vilified.
Norman Allen, Executive Director of African-Americans for Humanism
Ellen Johnson, President, American Atheists
Allen Stairs, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Associate Chair of 
the Philosophy Department, University of Maryland at College Park

It is available ondemand indefinitely via: 
http://www.wamu.org/ram/2002/p2020722.ram          ###

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

        DX LISTENING DIGEST 2-116, July 21, 2002
        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.

Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not
having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of
noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits

HTML version of this issue will be posted afterwards at
http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd02.html

For restrixions and searchable 2002 contents archive see
http://www.worldofradio.com/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 #1140:
(ON DEMAND) http://www.wrn.org/ondemand/worldofradio.html
(DOWNLOAD)  http://www.k4cc.net/wor1140.rm
(STREAM)    http://www.k4cc.net/wor1140.ram
(SUMMARY)   http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1140.html

WWCR BROADCASTS: Mon 0000? 9475, Wed 0930 9475
RFPI BROADCASTS: Mon 0030, 0630, Wed 0100, 0700 on 7445-USB, 15038.6

NOTE: our main site http://www.worldofradio.com may have some down
time in next few days. If so, check for latest info at
http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/anomaly.html

** ANTARCTICA. FACILIDADES Y FRECUENCIAS DE COMUNICACION
   Bases Antárticas Argentinas [with callsigns]

BASE JUBANY: HF: 4490 y 4705 KHz. AYQ743/AZD36/LTA 284

BASE BELGRANO II: HF: 4490 KHz; 7980 KHz; 11440 KHz; 14402,5 KHz.
HF: LTA 115

BASE ESPERANZA: HF: 4490 KHz; 7980 KHz; 11440 KHz; 14402,5 KHz.
HF: LTA 116

BASE SAN MARTIN: HF: 4490 - 7980 KHz; HF: LTA 126

BASE MARAMBIO: HF: 4490 KHz; 8980 KHz; 2455 KHz; 4705 KHz.

BASE ORCADAS: [South Orkney] HF: 4, 5 y 6; 4490-8980 KHz

(from http://www.dna.gov.ar/INTINFO/ARGPERES.HTM via Horacio Nigro,
Uruguay, July 20, Conexión Digital via DXLD; gh excerpted HF only)

** ARMENIA. Dear Glenn, referring to your current World of Radio in
which you mentioned some times/fq's of Armenia, I can tell you that I
still hear them in English as follows:
1940-2000 UT on 4810 and 9960 kHz Mon-Sat
0810-0830 UT on 15270 kHz Sunday (but covered by co-channel Italy)
73, (Erik Koie, Copenhagen, July 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** AUSTRALIA. Voice International, 18 July 1300-1400+ on 13685 running
a loop for an hour, about technical difficulties with English
programming; would resume momentarily, but never did (Ron Trotto, IL,
DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** AUSTRALIA. Radio Australia - special broadcast for Commonwealth
Games (held in Manchester UK)

Radio Australia is also broadcasting ABC Radio`s specialist
Commonwealth Games coverage live to the Asia-Pacific region on a
dedicated short wave channel – 11650 kHz – for the duration of the
Games.

ABC RADIO`S COMMONWEALTH GAMES COVERAGE: 11650 kHz

[for any of us not in Suheevah, subtract 12 hours for UT]

Fri 26 July (opening ceremony): 8:00 am (Suva time)
Sat 27 July: 8:00 pm (Suva time)
Sun 28 July: 7:00 pm (Suva time)
Mon 29 July - Fri 2 August: 8:00 pm (Suva time)
Sat 3 August: 8:00 pm (Suva time)
Sun 4 August: 7:00 pm (Suva time)

Coverage closes at 7:00 am each day, 9:00 am for opening and closing
ceremonies

For more information on Radio Australia's comprehensive coverage of
the 2002 Commonwealth Games visit the Radio Australia Sports website
(click on the Commonwealth Games icon) at http://abc.net.au/ra/sport.

For additional information: Andria Hutchins, Marketing Manager, ABC
Radio Australia, tel. + 61 3 9626 1723
(via E. Baxendale, UK, July 19, DXLD)

** BRAZIL. Uma das figurinhas difíceis das ondas curtas é a Rádio
Difusora 6 de Agosto, de Xapuri(AC). Pois o Júlio Baldim, de Salto
(SP), captou a emissora em duas oportunidades: em 18 e 19 de julho, às
0947 e 0933, respectivamente. A emissora transmite em 3255 kHz. De
acordo com o Júlio, a identificação da emissora é a seguinte: "Rádio
Difusora Seis de Agosto, mais música regional!". (Célio Romais,
@tividade DX July 20 via DXLD)

BRASIL - A Rádio Nacional AM, do Rio de Janeiro(RJ), que emite em 1130
kHz e teve tempos de glória nas ondas curtas, não virou mera
repetidora da programação gerada pela Radiobrás, em Brasília. De
acordo com a Diretora da emissora, o governo pretende investir 800 mil
reais para recuperar a Nacional. Os programas musicais, humorísticos e
radionovelas dos áureos tempos da Nacional serão remasterizados.
Marizete Mundim convida os ouvintes da Nacional a permanecer na
audiência. As informações são da jornalista Magaly Prado, na coluna
Pensata (Célio Romais, @tividade DX July 20 via DXLD)

BRASIL - E a nova programação da Rádio Gazeta, de São Paulo(SP), hein?
"Foi para as cucuias", conforme definiu Magaly Prado, em sua coluna
publicada no sítio: http://www.uol.com.br/folha/pensata Recordando: a
Gazeta pretendia transmitir programação feita pelos acadêmicos da
Faculdade Casper Líbero. Para tanto, rescindiu o contrato de concessão
de suas emissoras para a Igreja Pentecostal Deus é Amor. Os religiosos
não gostaram e entraram na justiça alegando a quebra de contrato.
Ganharam em primeira instância e as freqüências de 5955, 9685 e 15325
kHz voltaram a emitir a programação religiosa (Célio Romais, @tividade
DX July 20 via DXLD)

BRASIL - O radioescuta brasileiro Sarmento Campos, residente no Rio de
Janeiro(RJ), acaba de lançar um sítio com informações sobre o mundo
das ondas curtas. Tem uma lista com todos os horários e freqüências
das emissoras que emitem em português e espanhol. Confira em:
http://planeta.terra.com.br/arte/sarmentocampos/OndasCurtas.htm
(Célio Romais, @tividade DX July 20 via DXLD)

BRASIL - Um programa interessante para os radioescutas "coroas" é
levado ao ar, aos sábados, pela Rádio Brasil Central, de Goiânia(GO),
entre 0030 e 0300. São executadas músicas de Nat King Cole, Trio Los
Panchos, Dolores Durán, Pepino di Capri, dentre outros. A dica é do
José Moacir Portera de Melo, de Pontes e Lacerda(MT). A Rádio Brasil
Central pode ser captada nas freqüências de 4985 e 11815 kHz. Confira!
(Célio Romais, @tividade DX July 20 via DXLD)

BRASIL - A Rádio Verdes Florestas, de Cruzeiro do Sul(AC), foi
sintonizada em Tefé(AM), pelo radioescuta Paulo Roberto e Souza, na
freqüência de 4865 kHz, em 18 de julho, entre 0005 e 0030,
transmitindo avisos para as comunidades e seringais da região. De
acordo com o Paulo, no Estado do Acre, "a atividade extrativista dos
seringueiros ainda tem importância econômica considerável". (Célio
Romais, @tividade DX July 20 via DXLD)

BRASIL - Uma emissora brasileira que respeita os ouvintes é a Rádio
Difusora, de Poços de Caldas(MG). Vilmar Garcia, apresentador do
programa Volta do Sucesso, levado ao ar aos domingos, entre 0100 e
0200, informa que todas as cartas são respondidas com o envio de um
postal da cidade. É mais uma oportunidade para obter a confirmação da
emissora, que emite em 4945 kHz (Célio Romais, @tividade DX July 20
via DXLD)

** BRAZIL. 17815, Rádio Cultura, 0210-0252 Jul 19, program of romantic
vocals hosted by a man with Portuguese talks. Poor to fair and mainly
over Romania until RRI dominated channel with Listeners Letterbox
program at 0240 right through close down at 0256 (Rich D`Angelo, PA,
NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD)

** CANADA. LATE ITEM: Canadian Catholic Radio is offering daily World
Youth Day programs in English and French at no charge. See the news
item at http://www.zenit.org/english. The Zenit article is copyright
and I cannot reproduce it. CCR did not send me a press release,
although they read this newsletter (Mike Dorner, LA, Catholic Radio
Update July 21 via DXLD)

** ECUADOR. Among the programming on R. Católica Nacional is two hours
of Ecuadorian music M-F 1330-1530, supposedly launched at
http://www.ecuadormedia.com/radio/quito/radios/radiocat.html
(via Catholic Radio Update July 22, DXLD)

** ECUADOR. HCJB is offering another vintage QSL card. It is the 1968-
C card, which was part of the "Project Outreach" series of six cards.
The cards depict various broadcast and transmitting equipment, and the
1968-C card shows a 50-kW transmitter they were using at the time. It
was designed and built by HCJB staff while the station was looking
into the possibility of buying 100-kW transmitters, and it was
considered Phase 3 out of the six phases depicted in the cards. This
card is available to anyone who sends in a reception report and
specifically requests this card. Reception reports may be e-mailed to
dxpl@hcjb.org.ec, or may be mailed to: DX Partyline ** HCJB ** Casilla
17-17-691 ** Quito ** Ecuador (HCJB DXPL July 13, notes by Marie Lamb
for W9WZE via DXLD)

HCJB has found more QSL cards from past decades, and they are
available for those who send reception reports and request the
specific cards. The 1974-F card was part of the "Mountains of Ecuador"
series. Only 12 of this design are available, so six of the cards will
be given to the first six people who request them by e-mail, and the
other six will be given to the first six who ask for them by regular
mail. Requests that are received after these run out will receive the
1974-D card, which shows the summit of Mt. Cotopaxi. The e-mail
address is dxpl@hcjb.org.ec and the postal address is: HCJB ** DX
Partyline ** Casilla 17-17-691 ** Quito ** Ecuador (HCJB DXPL July 20,
notes by Marie Lamb for W9WZE via DXLD)

** HAWAII. HAWAII PUBLIC RADIO SELLS KIFO AM
   By Wayne Harada, Advertiser Entertainment Writer
   Posted on: Sunday, July 21, 2002

Hawai'i Public Radio's AM station, KIFO 1370, has been sold and will
cease operations as a public radio station on Aug. 1. Diamond
Broadcasting, a subsidiary of Legacy Communications Corp. of Utah, has
acquired the station in a sale that has been under negotiation for
months. KIFO will continue to broadcast its regular programming
through the end of this month. The purchase price was $500,000, half
of which is earmarked to help reduce HPR's debt. The rest will be
spent on a re-engineering of KIPO 89.3 FM, known for its news and jazz
broadcasts, to boost service and access. The re-engineering will make
KIPO as accessible to listeners as sister station KHPR 88.1 FM, the
network's classical music station. "Selling KIFO has been under
discussion in HPR board meetings since 1999," said Michael Titterton,
station president and general manager. "The board is now totally
focused on our objective of broadcasting two high-quality program
services to all of Hawai'i." KIPO (in Honolulu) will continue its
format of providing news, information and entertainment programming,
with jazz, world, blues and other types of music in the evenings. KHPR
(in Honolulu), KKUA 90.7 FM (in Wailuku) and KANO 91.1 FM (in Hilo)
feature news and classical music formats (via Brock Whaley, DXLD)

KIFO was great when it took over the "dark" 1380 about ten years ago.
It ran almost all the NPR speech offerings, and cleared Morning
Edition and ATC live from east coast feed. The FM delayed both to fit
in Hawaiian local time. In the last couple of years, KIFO has just
been a 24/7 simulcast of KIPO-FM, so no great loss. At one time, KIFO,
when it was on 1380, was one of only two directional AM stations in
Hawaii. It had a null to protect the FCC monitoring station. When on
1380, it always suffered severe co-channel QRM from the second
harmonic of the 10 KW on 690, whose tower was much closer to downtown
(Brock Whaley, Atlanta GA, July 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** INDIA. AIR is celebrating its 75th anniversary on Tuesday 23 July
2002. So look out for special programs on AIR. There are announcements
about this platinum jubilee on AIR stations especially on the Vividh
Bharthi about special phone in programs etc. Only July 21, 2002 Sunday
AWR Wavescan is having a special program on AIR (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS,
Box 1555, Somajiguda, Hyderabad 500082, India, dx_india via DXLD)

** IRAN. IRÃ - Está no ar mais uma edição do tradicional concurso da
Voz da República Islâmica do Irã, o Fadjir VII. Este ano o tema é a
Intifada Palestina. Para participar, basta enviar um texto sobre o
assunto. A emissora promete valiosos prêmios. O prazo final é 31 de
dezembro de 2002, conforme monitoria de Paulo Roberto e Souza, de
Tefé(AM). A Voz do Irã pode ser captada, em espanhol, nos seguintes
horários e freqüências: das 0030 às 0127, em 9515, 9655 e 13755 kHz.
Entre 0130 e 0227, em 9560, 9655, 9810 e 13755 kHz. De 0230 às 0327,
em 13730 kHz. Também entre 0530 e 0627, em 17590 e 17785 kHz. Por fim,
das 2030 às 2127, em 9750 e 11765 kHz (Célio Romais, @tividade DX July
20 via DXLD)

** KENYA [non]. There was a great band from Philadelphia in the early
1950's, known, amazingly enough, as the Nairobi Trio. The things that
group could do with a few mallets, rubber masks and banana peels.
Ernie lives.

If you are curious as to where the word "Solfeggio" comes from, check
out this web page:
http://www.music.vt.edu/musicdictionary/appendix/scales/solmization/syllables.html

The piece was aptly named. Ernie Kovacs used the piece so often that
when MGM decided to release it on record in 1953, they changed the
title to "Song of the Nairobi Trio" because that title had greater
public recognition. The piece was written by Robert Maxwell and
performed by Maxwell, his harp and orchestra. The vocal performance
was by the Ray Charles singers. The song is today available on CD in
an album entitled "The Ernie Kovacs Record Collection" Varese
Sarabande VSD-5789.

I remember first hearing and seeing it performed on Ernie's TV show as
an instrumental. I think it was MGM that added the vocal part. I'm
trying to remember whether that was on his 15 minute nightly show from
Philadelphia's channel 3, WPTZ which I think preceded John Cameron
Swayze's Camel Caravan newscast on WNBT channel 4 in NYC or after he
moved to WABD channel 5 NYC. In those days it was unusual for folks in
NYC to see programs originating in other cities. The coax cable only
extended to Philadelphia in one direction and Boston in the other
direction.

For those of you like Ralph Brandi who never had the pleasure of
seeing the first true video craftsman at work, I would like to
recommend a six tape set of some of Ernie Kovacs' better skits. He
influenced Rowan and Martin, Johnny Carson, and Steve Martin among
others. It is available from Amazon.com and the Museum of Television
and Radio gift shop in NYC. The cost was about $38 from Amazon and
slightly more at the Museum with the NYC sales tax, etc.

~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,
(Joe Buch, swprograms via DXLD)
-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^

I first saw Ernie Kovacs' work in my television classes at college.
The man created the vocabulary of television. Before him, TV was just
radio with pictures. I wasn't kidding when I said he's my hero and
inspiration. I've written articles explaining that what the web needs
is its very own Ernie Kovacs to usher it out of its infancy by showing
us what the web is good at doing rather than trying to do all that old
stuff on the web. Right now, the web is in its radio with pictures
stage, and that's what I find inspiring about him.

I would recommend getting the set that Joe mentions on DVD instead.
Tapes wear out. That set is produced by a company in the next town
over from where I live. - (Ralph Brandi, ibid.)

** KOREA NORTH. ARRL okays RTTY contacts with P5/4L4FN for DXCC
credit: The ARRL DXCC Desk has announced that it will now accept RTTY
contacts with Ed Giorgadze, P5/4L4FN, for DXCC credit, effective with
contacts made on or after November 1, 2001. P5/4L4FN QSL Manager Bruce
Paige, KK5DO, reports some good news and some bad news. Giorgadze has
repaired his Ameritron AL-80A linear, which had a blown rectifier
bridge. But he has had to take down the Hex Beam he`d installed,
because the mast he was using wasn`t strong enough to support it and
the rotor. ``He is looking for something that will work better, and
that might have to wait until he goes back to Beijing in four to five
weeks,`` Paige said. ``His work at the present time has kept him from
doing as much operating as he would like, but he will be back on more
as things settle down.`` Giorgadze was featured in a program about
Amateur Radio in North Korea that aired July 5 on Radio Austria.
RealAudio or MP3 files in either English or German are available on
the Radio Austria Web site
http://roi.orf.at/roi/intermedia/im_aktuell.html
Scroll down and click on ``DIE P5-STORY / THE P5-STORY Amateur Radio
in North Korea.`` The 25-minute program covers all previous P5
operations plus interesting interviews with P5/4L4FN about his
activity (ARRL Letter July 19 via John Norfolk, DXLD)

** LIBERIA. Requesting Prayer For Trip To Liberia
WJIE International Shortwave Radio, Jul 19, 2002

If you do not wish to recieve these regular updates regarding WJIE
International Shortwave, please click 'Unsubscribe' on the bar above.
God bless you! Dear friends,

On Sunday the 21st, I will be leaving for Monrovia, Liberia, to
establish a Christian FM radio station. I would like to request your
prayers for protection and wisdom in this project. Please pray that we
will be able to get our shortwave equipment shipped over from Nigeria,
where Pastor Bob Rodgers of Evangel World Prayer Center is right now.
Once that equipment is in place, we will work to place our new 'Voice
of Liberty Shortwave' on the air this fall, and work toward building
Liberty Television.

Thank you to all of you who sent tapes and cds (you will be receiving
a personal letter from me in the next few days). The response was
overwhelming! I literally received over 300 compact discs of music,
and HUNDREDS of hours of ministry teaching on cassette and cd. God
bless you! I will pray that the seed that you have planted in this
outreach will be multiplied back to you a thousandfold!

I hope that you will take time to visit http://www.wjiesw.com and see
what is in store for the future. You can not only find out the latest
information, but now you can purchase books on prayer and fasting, and
also donate to the broadcast ministry.

Starting in September, you will see a new name for what we do... [see
USA!] (Doc Burkhart, WJIE Shortwave, July 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** NETHERLANDS. Subject: Hello Dear radio DXers.
From: "Radio Alfa Lima International SW" alinter@rendo.dekooi.nl

Finally seems that propagations are looking better in the upcoming
months. We cross our fingers and hope the forecast is right on this.

What is happening at Alfa Lima International. We did increase our
activities on the 48 mb and where mostly on 6275 or 6265 kHz and were
every weekend (only one time we didn`t) on 15070 kHz. Must say that
instead of being there whole night we often stopped earlier due low
response on our live transmissions. Sometimes we did shut down
around 01.00 or 02.00 utc witch was also sometimes a mistake as the
next morning sometimes we still received a lot of reactions on such a
px.

Also more SW magazines and Online dx pages are asking info about our
station for publications. For those that want such info, just send us
an email and we will share it with you. We also have a zip file
available on our webpage http://www.alfalima.net/foto-paket.zip with
high resolution pictures and info`s  witch are free for publishing.
the file is not so big (1,75mb) so does not take a long download
period. If you have books or mags with publications about our station,
tell it to us. We are very interested in such stuff. We also did
several updates on the webpage with pictures and other stuff so if you
have spare time take a surf.

So!!!,, Every Saturday we start around 2200 or 2300 UT and lots of
times we continue till 0700 or 0900 Sunday mornings. Frequency
as always 15070 kHz AM and lots of time // to the 48 mb

When you hear us feel free to send us comments to info@alfalima.net
or sms to + 31 619 508 938 witch is a number you can also call to so
you will be taken live on air.

Greetings, Alfred
_____________________________________
Huge webpage with just everything related to short-wave
http://www.alfalima.net
and take a look at our SW-online shopping centre.
http://www.alfalima.net/store.htm
_____________________________________
And are you already a member? SW pirates group!!! Receive the latest
SW-Pirates info Simply subscribe by sending a blanc email to:
SWpirates-subscribe@egroups.com
More info at:  http://www.egroups.com/group/SWpirates
_____________________________________
Contact information
Alfa Lima International, pobox 663, 7900AR Hoogeveen, the Netherlands

Enclose 1 US$ email: alinter@rendo.dekooi.nl  http://www.alfalima.net

(rec.radio.shortwave July 19 via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DXLD)

** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. BOUGAINVILLE'S "VOICE OF THE SUNRISE" FALLS
SILENT

BUKA, Bougainville, Papua New Guinea (July 18, 2002 -- Post-Courier)
Radio Bougainville fell silent yet again yesterday after the
provincial government's power station pulled the plug on the
transmission site because of unpaid bills.

This is the second time the station had been closed this year. In
February the station was also closed down briefly, again due to
financial problems.

The announcement of the closure comes at a time when the province's
leaders take the first steps to draft a Bougainville constitution in
preparation for a Constituent Assembly and an autonomous Bougainville
government.

But Bougainvilleans in remote areas who rely on radio news will be
missing out on new developments without Radio Bougainville, or their
"Maus B`long Sankamap" (Voice of the Sunrise), which is their radio
station ID.

Kubu Power House officials confirmed that power to the transmitter was
switched of yesterday due to non-payment of power bills. They would
not disclose the amount.

"Just last week, our management requested some funding from the
Bougainville administration to keep the station on air while we wait
for the remaining K 70,000 (US$ 18,326) from this year`s
appropriation," station officials said.

"Radio Bougainville has been struggling to remain on air through its
committed staff, who keep on pretending that all is well -- until this
morning (yesterday)."

For additional reports from The Post-Courier, go to PACIFIC ISLANDS
REPORT News/Information Links: Newspapers/The Post-Courier (Papua New
Guinea). Provided by Vikki John (VIKKI@law.uts.edu.au)
(via E. Baxendale, UK, July 19, DXLD) [WTFK?? 3325]

** SAMOA AMERICAN. G'Day List, WDJD logged here this afternoon on 580
kHz with a spoken program in Samoan. Is this a permanent move from
their assigned frequency of 585 kHz? Thanks to Glenn Hauser's
'dxld2114' for the tip. Interesting the reason given for being on 580
is that their American radios cannot tune the 9 kHz spacing. How long
will this last ?? Sig at good level here, better than a few nights
ago. Cheers (Chris Martin, Australia, July 21, ARDXC via DXLD)

** SOLOMON ISLANDS. Just a short note to say that I heard the SIBC
tonight at 0855 GMT with a strong signal on 945 kHz. I'm pleased with
this as 4HI usually dominates this freq. I also heard them on 1035 but
945 was a much better signal (Barry Murray, Cairns Qld., July 21,
ARDXC via DXLD)

** SOUTH CAROLINA. Brother Stair was moved to maximum security
"through no fault of the inmate" said the Colleton County Jail. Also
they tell me Stair has been "a model prisoner." (Robert Arthur, July
10 on message, July 19 on inbox, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** UK. UK RADIO AMATEURS GET NEW BAND FOR PROPAGATION STUDY

UK Radio Amateurs will shortly be able to use a number of spot
frequencies around 5MHz, to take part in a four-year propagation
study. A full Class-A licence holder wishing to take part will require
a Notice of Variation (NoV) to his existing licence. At the present
time, the final administrative arrangements are being put into place.
A further announcement will be made regarding the start date shortly
(Radio Society of Great Britain GB2RS News July 21 via John Norfolk,
OKCOK, DXLD)

** U K. DYKE DEFENDS £1M OF BONUSES PAID TO CHIEFS

By David Rose and Julie Tomlin
Posted 18 July 2002 00:00 GMT

Dyke: received £97,000 bonus [caption?]

BBC director general Greg Dyke defended the £1m in bonuses and perks
awarded to senior executives as journalists voiced fears that
programme quality could suffer.

Figures published in this years annual report showed that Dyke
received a performance-related bonus last year of £97,000 on top of
his £357,000 annual salary.

This year journalists were barred from the presentation of the annual
report. But BBC governors did not get off the hook when they went
before the cross-party media committee and were quizzed over salaries
and bonuses given to the 21 top executives.

Labour MP Derek Wyatt challenged Dyke to justify why nine executives
were paid more than the Prime Minister.

But Dyke defended the payments, claiming if they were not adequate the
BBC risked losing its senior executives to the commercial
broadcasters.

The people who run the BBC are outstanding people and have ready
access to jobs in the media, Dyke said. The people concerned could do
a heck of a lot better if they moved.

The payments have been criticised by journalists who recently rejected
a 2.8 per cent pay offer that threatened the £4,000 unpredictability
allowance.

At the top level, wages predictably go up in leaps and bounds while
for the rest of us our wages and allowances are unpredictable, one
source said.

NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear, who was at the hearing, told Press
Gazette there were also concerns about programming. We welcome the
fact that more money is being put into programming but are concerned
that at the same time executives have received more than £1.2m, he
said. At a time when theres an increasing demand to cut costs and
improve efficiency we have concerns that this could be at the expense
of quality. The governors warned programme makers in their report to
check material thoroughly and to be aware of their responsibilities to
behave fairly and edit legitimately. This report coincided with
diamond company Oryx this week claiming victory in its libel action
over being falsely linked to the Al-Qa`ida terrorist network on the
Ten O`Clock News.

Geoffrey White, deputy managing director of Oryx, said: The BBC never
had a shred of evidence for its broadcast. Our reputation suffered and
we sustained enormous financial damage. The BBC will now have to
compensate us.

But the BBC said, although it had conceded some legal points, it would
be contesting the size of Oryx`s damages claim in court in January.
(Press Gazette, All contents © 2001, Quantum Publishing, or its
affiliates, via Mike Cooper, DXLD)

** U K [and non non]. WORLD SERVICE MUTED BY BBC BLUNDER
X-URL:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4460613,00.html

Vivek Chaudhary, Guardian (London), Saturday July 13, 2002

Many countries will receive only restricted coverage of the
Commonwealth Games because BBC World Service radio, considered one of
the most important sources of information in many parts of the world,
has failed to secure full commentary rights for the event.

The BBC is the host television broadcaster for the event but, in what
is being viewed as a major oversight by BBC radio officials, did not
pay for overseas commentary rights. As a result millions of people
living in remote regions of Commonwealth countries who do not have
access to a television will have little idea of what is going on at
the event that is being held in their name.

The situation has caused anger and embarrassment among BBC World
Service sports journalists who claim that the corporation has missed a
golden opportunity to cover an event that is likely to attract
interest from millions of their listeners. It is also an obvious event
for the World Service to cover given the connections between the radio
station and the Commonwealth.

BBC World Service listeners in many African and South-East Asian
countries rely on the radio for news and sports information; millions
of people without access to television tuned in during the World Cup.

But instead of receiving comprehensive reports on the games, which
start on July 25, World Service listeners will be limited to a
five-minute daily round-up, two programmes on the history of the
Commonwealth Games and further round-ups in a weekend sports
programme.

The move to limit the World Service's coverage follows protests from
radio stations in Africa and Asia who paid for full commentary rights.
They claimed that if the World Service - which generally offers better
reception - were allowed to cover the event in full they would lose
large numbers of listeners in their own countries and effectively have
wasted large sums of money on acquiring the rights.....

(via Daniel Say, swprograms via DXLD)

** U K. Read this VERY interesting report from Friday's Financial
Times:

INDIAN AUDIENCE TURNS SOUND DOWN ON BBC WORLD SERVICE
By Edna Fernandes and Carlos Grande
Financial Times; Jul 19, 2002
http://search.ft.com/search/article.html?id=020719000684&query=india&vsc_appId=totalSearch&state=Form
(via Larry Nebron, CA, July 20, swprograms and via Chuck Albertson,
DXLD)

** U K [and non]. ROLL UP FOR THE FLOPPY TELEVISION, By Pete Harrison

LONDON (Reuters) - First they went wider, then flatter, and now
televisions are set to go floppy. Roll-up, flexible televisions, akin
to the melting watches of Salvador Dali's surreal landscapes, have
become possible thanks to a glowing plastic compound perfected in the
laboratories of Britain's Cambridge Display Technology (CDT)....
http://www.reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=technologynews&StoryID=1223357
(via Jeff Kadet, WTFDA via DXLD)

** U K O G B A N I. From The BBC

Thursday, 18 July, 2002, 13:32 GMT 14:32 UK

The Catholic Church in Northern Ireland could be fined thousands of
pounds for broadcasting Masses to housebound parishioners. The CB
radio broadcasts of Masses are against the law and a number of
complaints have been received by the Radio Communications Agency.

Father John McManus, diocesan media liaison officer for Down and
Connor, said worshippers were angry the service might have to stop.
"It is illegal and we accept that," he said.

"What we are saying is that the elderly people are totally incensed by
this.

"It is something that has been happening - rightly or wrongly. When we
introduced it, it appeared to be legal at that particular stage.

"Now it is certainly illegal and we accept that. But old people are
incensed, and so are the housebound, that this has happened at this
particular stage." (via Mike Terry, BDXC-UK via DXLD)

** U S A. I hope that you will take time to visit
http://www.wjiesw.com and see what is in store for the future. You can
not only find out the latest information, but now you can purchase
books on prayer and fasting, and also donate to the broadcast
ministry.

Starting in September, you will see a new name for what we do. It will
be called 'World Prayer Broadcasting Network' (WPBN). Under this
umbrella you will find WJIE Shortwave #1 & #2, WJIE-FM Louisville,
WVHI-AM Evansville, KVOH Shortwave #1 & #2, KHBN Shortwave, Voice of
Liberty FM/Shortwave, and Liberty Television. We are also in the
process of purchasing four more AM stations that will be added to the
family.

God bless you for your prayers, and please know that I pray for the
people on this list on a regular basis. In His Service, (Doc Burkhart,
WJIE Shortwave, July 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) see also LIBERIA!

** U S A. NEW MICROPHONES FOR THE QUEEN MARY
   From The RSGB 20 July 2002

A special presentation of 'commemorative microphones', honouring the
amateur radio operators of the Queen Mary ocean liner will be made
next Saturday, the 27th of July. The Queen Mary is permanently docked
at Long Beach, California, and is a popular tourist attraction, as is
its amateur radio station, W6RO, which operates daily from its
historic wireless room. It is there that the presentation will be
made. The new microphones are being custom-made by one of amateur
radio's leading microphone manufacturers specially for the wireless
room. They are to be exact replicas of the broadcast microphones used
during the years the Queen Mary was at sea. ['Amateur Radio Newsline']
(via Mike Terry, DXLD)

** U S A. I feel I'm in somewhat of a position to comment on DTV as I
have the equipment to receive the actual digital broadcast. Since I'm
in the consumer electronics repair business for several major
manufacturers, I had to purchase all the test equipment to repair
these things. I've personally invested over $40,000 in the finest
Sencore and other test gear to receive and repair these things.

I feel the image quality is far superior to the analog signal,
especially the color purity. That said, I also find it very difficult
to receive the digital signal. I have some of the best receiving
antennas made. (Towers, rotators, deep fringe antennas and have a hell
of a time getting the local Tampa DT stations. In this market, most of
the stations have been assigned a frequency that is adjacent to their
own analog frequency. In almost all cases the digital signal is at
least 10 db or more less than the analog signal.  This swamps the
front end of these consumer receivers and the digital signal is not
receivable. The receivers don`t have the selectivity needed to
separate the digital signal from its super powered adjacent channel
analog signal.

So, I see a serious problem with people trying to receive the DT
signal. I've been out on numerous service calls where people cannot
receive the DT signal and there is nothing wrong with the customers
setup.

So until the analog signal is reduced in power, I don`t see many
people buying the DT sets. Just my $0.02 from someone on the consumer
side of this, that has broadcast engineering experience.

(Paul Smith, W4KNX, Sarasota, FL, July 17, NRC-FMTV via DXLD)

"The cost really doesn't vary a whole hell of a lot whether you're in
New York or Yakima," says Elizabeth Murphy Burns, president of Duluth,
Minn.-based Morgan Murphy Stations. "In some cases, the cost of
converting to digital is more than the station is worth. Right now,
we're sort of stymied."

I happen to have worked for Ms. Burns in Madison. Her two biggest
stations (there and in Spokane) are running in digital but it's
awfully hard to see a way to make it work in the smaller markets.
(LaCrosse, Yakima, Kennewick) And she's absolutely right, the cost of
doing it is not substantially lower in smaller markets.  In Yakima and
Kennewick it could actually be substantially *greater*. (because
multiple translators are required to cover the market. To achieve
market-wide coverage it could become necessary to build a complete
duplicate translator network. Except that it's likely enough channels
are not available...)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm beginning to wonder if not all 8VSB modulators or ATSC encoders
are created equal.

I have had significant difficulty receiving WTVF-DT, 18 miles away.
Figured it was the fault of the 8VSB/ATSC system or a flaky UHF
antenna. But then, WKRN-DT came on the air.  Their transmitter is 10
miles *further* away. And their analog signal is the weakest in the
market. (frequently buried by skip) WTVF's analog signal is the
*best*. Yet WKRN-DT is far, far easier to receive than WTVF.

I have also, given good tropo conditions, received several of the
Kentucky Educational TV DTV transmitters. These are all low-power
stations, on the order of 50kw and with relatively low antennas. Even
more impressive is the reception of WPSD-DT 32 from Paducah, about 95
miles distant. WPSD is running 4.5 kw ERP from a temporary antenna on
their studio-transmitter link tower, less than 200 feet high.
Reception of Paducah low-power analog stations is not all that common,
especially at this lower-than-many-LPTVs power level.

(I have also received VERY briefly a signal from WMC-DT in Memphis.
This station is said to be of similar power to WPSD-DT, and is 80
miles further away...)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is said to have told the
government they only intend to build DTV transmitters in the ten
largest Canadian cities. Viewers elsewhere in the country will be
expected to subscribe to satellite if they want digital CBC. I would
not at all count out the possibility of Canadian private broadcasters
following suit. And when it comes down to it, unless the advertising
market recovers *soon*, I would expect to see the same thing in rural
areas of the States (Doug Smith, Nashville TN, NRC FMTV via DXLD)

** U S A. WOR to test IBOC... (From Radio World Magazine)
      Here's the complete URL:
http://www.rwonline.com/dailynews/one.php?id=1742
      Date posted: 2002-07-15

      IBIQUITY TO TEST AM ON WOR

Buckley Broadcasting's WOR will be a test station for IBOC Digital AM
radio. Buckley says WOR will be the first AM station in New York City
to broadcast a digital signal with tests to begin sometime in August.
The average listener will not notice any difference in WOR's signal,
according to the station.

Ibiquity needs to do additional tests for AM IBOC at night for both
groundwave and skywave conditions. The NRSC has recommended FM IBOC
for day and night use, but has only endorsed AM for daytime use so
far.

WOR employs a directional transmitting antenna and is in the test
protocol to help answer questions as to how AM IBOC will perform with
skywave interference. WOR was also chosen as a test station to help
answer questions about how the digital portion of an AM signal will
react in the "concrete canyons" of New York City (and other major
cities, as well).

Thomas R. Ray, III, Corporate Director of Engineering for Buckley
Broadcasting/WOR states, "I take great pride in having our radio
station be part of the development of one of the biggest technical
advancements in radio broadcasting since FM stereo in the 1960's. WOR
has been a pioneer since being one of the only radio stations on the
air in the U.S. in 1922. We have been part of the development of the
profanity delay, were pioneers in the development of the AM
directional transmitting antenna, and were one of the major players
during Radio's 'golden era' by forming the Mutual Radio Network. I'm
proud of being given the opportunity to pilot WOR through another
technical pioneering phase". (via Paul Smith, W4KNX, July 19, NRC-AM
via DXLD)

** U S A.             THE CGC COMMUNICATOR
                            CGC #525
                     Thursday, July 18, 2002
                 Robert F. Gonsett, W6VR, Editor
     Copyright 2002, Communications General Corporation (CGC)
------------------------------------------------------------------

  SPECIAL REPORT -  RFR - PART II

This Special Edition of the CGC Communicator newsletter continues our
coverage of last week's FCC inspection at Mt. Wilson.  That inspection
concerned alleged excessive RF signal strengths in the KMEX-TV
driveway, a location which was apparently accessible to members of the
general public at the time of the investigation.

In all fairness, the measured "hot spot" may have little or nothing to
do with KMEX's own signal (we will await the FCC's verdict on that
issue), and our use of the term "KMEX" should not tarnish the fine
image of that station, or its employees.

HISTORICAL NOTES:  Many years ago, CGC engineers surveyed the KMEX
driveway and found that most of the power density was created by a
single FM station. That station was advised of the problem - long
before human exposure to RF signals was generally regarded as a
serious issue - and the station voluntarily incorporated a reduced-
downward-radiation design into the new antenna they had planned to
install anyway. In so doing, the station significantly improved the
Mt. Wilson radiofrequency radiation ("RFR") environment. Convincing
station managers to even think about RFR wasn't easy in those days.

Since that time, a number of stations have installed reduced-downward-
radiation antennas - some incorporating "oddball" but carefully chosen
interbay spacings. Unfortunately, those good efforts have been
compromised by the fact that many more stations have moved to Wilson
(including digital TV facilities), and much tighter RFR standards have
been adopted by the FCC. Where we were once concerned about the old
OSHA 10 mW/square centimeter standard for workers, we are now very
concerned about a 50-times-tougher standard for the general public:
0.2 mW/square centimeter in the 30-300 MHz frequency range, for
example.

ENTER THE FCC: Today, it is possible that several stations will be
cited by the FCC as significant contributors to the KMEX hot spot.
Any station that creates 5% or more of the maximum power density
permitted at a given location is regarded by the FCC as being a
significant contributor to the problem, and is eligible for a citation
if the aggregate power exceeds the proscribed limit, which reportedly
was the case here.

In each case of excessive RFR, the FCC has to consider the facts at
hand in determining whether to issue a citation. In the present case,
the road serving the KMEX driveway is traveled by members of the
general public, the driveway chain and warning sign were down at the
time of the inspection, and no one attempted to "shoo away" or warn
the FCC inspectors that they had entered a high RF zone. Bottom line:
Don't look for an FCC verdict soon: The Commission is backlogged with
RFR cases.

Moving now from the KMEX driveway to tower climbing situations, you
can imagine the much stronger signals that are involved. The logistics
of coordinating power cutbacks at multiple stations in order to permit
tower climbing activity can be a difficult task, and the extraordinary
steps needed to minimize "downtime" for your neighbors can be
expensive, as many of you know.

Obviously, life has become much more complicated for broadcast
stations in the KMEX zone because of the large number of independent
operators, the FCC's tough RFR standards, and the lack of an updated
RFR document for Mt. Wilson with recommendations for specific power
cutbacks when climbing activity is underway.

Let's return now to the issue at hand:  The events
surrounding the FCC's Mt. Wilson FCC inspection of July 12, 2002.

******************************************************************
                      LETTER TO THE EDITOR
******************************************************************

  COMMENTS FROM KDOC-TV

When it became necessary to replace our burned up antenna in the
middle of the Mt. Wilson farm, it was necessary to do a lot of
research in a hurry. I attempted to determine the significant sources
of RF radiation directed toward the project elevation on the monopole,
adjacent to the post office. It was important to me to protect John
Hignite's workers because he has been climbing my towers for over 36
years. I used a 2001 study done for American Tower for their new tall
tower inferring that it was essentially accurate given the proximity
with the monopole. It took several days to get all the contact
information and send out notices. Adding a couple of new stations not
on the study, the ten stations I advised were entirely compliant and
eager to cooperate.

On the day of the climb, the RFR alarms were sounding and I learned
that at least one inference from the RFR study was incorrect. An FM
station using a directional antenna was putting more energy at the top
of the monopole than I predicted. Fortunately I was able to make
contact with the FM Chief Engineer and he reduced power by 20% for me
and the tower climbers went back up. On the following day we were
advised that the engineer's superiors were not willing to operate at
80% and that he was prevented from complying for the additional days
needed to complete the work. This is only the latest incident that may
have influenced the FCC to look more closely at Mt. Wilson.

I am not certain that KDOC had any special issues that caused the FCC
to visit Mt. Wilson. It may have simply been the straw that broke the
camel's back, or it may have been entirely coincidental. Clearly with
the gin poles of two climber's stuck on the tops of two towers, we
were facing gridlock at a time critical to DTV installation. Tower
Structures was unable to either go forward or to remove their
equipment from the KMEX tower for months. All it takes is one non-
compliant station to shut down a crew. How can we satisfy everybody?
For example, Univisión stations were indicating that the World Cup
Games were being aired in the early morning hours and they did not
want to reduce power for us at night, so we elected to climb in
daylight. Beyond that, it is just safer to do the heavy lifting in the
daytime. After all, are we not talking about climber safety? Tower
rigging is dangerous enough in itself, and in my opinion, we have a
legal duty to these men not to make the job even more hazardous.

  [The venue now shifts to Sunset Ridge.   -Ed.]

Following Friday's inspection by the FCC, I inquired as to the duty of
the designated Chief Operator of a station in regard to RFR. When KDOC
removed its antenna from Sunset Ridge, we faced an unexpected power
increase ordered by an out-of-state manager. The FCC agreed that the
local engineer or operator could be cited as well as the licensee.
Management cannot legally direct its designated Chief Operator to emit
signals contrary to the rules. The RFR rules are no exception.

Cooperation among engineers is nothing new, as the ten compliant
stations proved. We lend parts and advice to our competitors all the
time. For some reason managements will fight, perhaps because this is
just a highly competitive business. RFR, however, is not the
battlefield. I want to express my thanks to those who participated in
keeping our workers safe. Cooperation in good faith can work.

  Roger Knipp, N6VU, Chief Engineer, KDOC-TV/KDOC-DT

******************************************************************
        APPARENT UNSAFE TOWER CONSTRUCTION ON MT. WILSON
******************************************************************

  BUILD A TOWER, BUT DON'T NEGLECT RFR

Four parties have contacted CGC to report apparent unsafe recent tower
construction activities at one or more sites on Mt. Wilson (unsafe
practices are NOT the norm, by the way). According to the reports, the
workers involved in the incident/s wore no RFR-protective clothing in
an area notorious for high on-tower fields, had no visible personal
RFR monitors, and at times engaged in unsafe climbing practices
including being un-clipped from the tower structure.

One party claimed to have pictures of the event "somewhere." Another
party indicated it was "an out of state tower company" presumably
hoping to get the tower up before they got caught violating safety
rules. Some of the climbers reportedly wore shorts and tennis shoes at
times.

So, what do you do if you see suspicious activities like these in the
future?

  (1)  Consider approaching the crew chief and ask to see
  and discuss his or her RFR safety plan, and the power cut-back
  call list. Perhaps the chief knows nothing about RFR
  compliance, but would be willing to learn and cooperate.

  (2)  If you need to contact someone on the outside, would the
  FCC be the best party to call? Specifically who should be
  called, and will they respond promptly? Would it ever be
  appropriate to contact OSHA? These questions remain unanswered
  at this juncture, and we are asking for input from responsible
  parties.

  (3) Could your station become involved in an injury lawsuit
  because it illuminated careless workers on another tower
  structure? Could you help insulate your station from legal
  ramifications by reporting suspect tower climbing activity
  when it occurs? Again, we are looking for input from
  responsible sources.

Knowing what to do the next time questionable tower climbing practices
occur is crucial. Incompetent climbing will occur again.

******************************************************************
            MT. WILSON NEEDS AN UPDATED RFR STUDY
******************************************************************

  THE AGE-OLD PROBLEM: GETTING EVERYONE TO AGREE TO ONE RFR STUDY

There are always holdouts when it comes to RFR studies. There are
those who do not want to participate and pay their share, and those
who elect to take shortcuts when it comes to RFR paperwork. However,
preparing an RFR report without power cutback calculations to support
climbing activities on ALL towers should be regarded as an
unacceptable practice. (This is where the FCC could help by requiring
cutback calculations to be made, and filed at Commission
headquarters.)

Mt. Wilson needs a new/updated RFR study at this time. That study
should not cost a fortune each time a facility is added or modified.
Perhaps the users at Wilson can contract with an outside firm to
develop a computer model of the entire site - with software OWNED by
the users group - a model which could be quickly updated when
facilities are added, removed or changed.

******************************************************************
                ALTERNATIVES TO THE TERM "RFR"
******************************************************************

  RFE, RFF & RFS HAVE BEEN SUGGESTED

The term radiofrequency radiation ("RFR") too often triggers fatal
images in the public's mind: Images of atomic (ionizing) radiation and
people "glowing in the dark." Of course, RF energy is non-ionizing and
for that reason is much different than atomic radiation - but the
point is difficult to convey to the public once the "R" word is
unleashed.

We have used the RFR term in this newsletter because it is familiar to
broadcast engineers. However, members of the general press who may
happen to pick up this issue of the CGC Communicator are encouraged to
use a different term, perhaps radiofrequency energy ("RFE"),
radiofrequency fields ("RFF"), radiofrequency signals ("RFS"), or
something entirely new and different, to more accurately convey the
issue on deck without being an alarmist.

******************************************************************
                           MORE TO COME
******************************************************************

  THANKS!

The number of letters received on the RFR topic were far more than we
expected, or could handle in one newsletter. Watch for another Special
Edition CGC Communicator soon. We plan to publish many of the letters
- one right after another - on the points that have not been
summarized above, and which in our opinion add to the discussion.

If you have more comments, hold them for now. The time to respond is
AFTER the next Special Edition is published, so you can comment on the
complete record.

Thank you for standing up to the plate and discussing RFR - a very
sensitive topic - in a professional manner. By pulling together, we
can work toward eliminating some of the problems that are plaguing our
industry.

******************************************************************
                        SUGGESTED READING
******************************************************************

  THIS IS NOT HARD

There is one FCC document we recommend be read at this time. It is
Appendix B of OET-65, and it's only three pages long. The Q&A format
is easy-to-read and shows what must be done to resolve a variety of
common RFR situations.

  Step 1:  Assemble the following URL into one continuous
  line (if it isn't already), and download FCC pamphlet OET-65
  in pdf format:

http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_Technology/Documents/bulletins/oet65/oet65.pdf

  Step 2:  Scroll to the last three pages (Appendix B),
  print them, read them, and implement the required steps.

  Step 3:  Take a well deserved vacation.  You have just
  saved yourself, and your company, an immense amount of grief.

------------------------------------------------------------------

  The CGC Communicator is published for broadcast professionals
  in so. California by Communications General Corporation (CGC),
  consulting radio engineers, Fallbrook, CA.  Short news items
  without attached files are always welcome from our readers;
  letters may be edited for brevity.  E-mail may be sent to:
  rgonsett@ieee.org  or  telephone (760) 723-2700.

  CGC Communicator articles may be reproduced in any form provided
  they are unaltered and credit is given to Communications General
  Corporation and the originating authors, when named.  Past
  issues may be viewed and searched at http://www.bext.com/_CGC/
  courtesy of Bext Corporation.

_________________________    End   _______________________________
(via Dennis Gibson, DXLD)

** U S A. This appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle--Saturday July
20, 2002

ROYALTIES SILENCE KPIG WEBCASTS
By Benny Evangelista, Chronicle Staff Writer
----------------------------------------------------------------------

KPIG, the pioneering Webcaster that was a symbol of the eclectic
nature of Internet radio, has suspended its Web simulcasts because it
says it can't afford new Web music royalties fees that go into effect
in September.

The Santa Cruz County radio station joins a list of about 50
Internet Webcasters that have curtailed operations or gone silent
since June 20, when the Librarian of Congress approved a contentious
royalty rate designed to compensate record labels and artists for each
song streamed over the Internet.

"This is the last refuge for people who want to do radio with no
restrictions, doing it for the love of radio, not radio for maximizing
revenues in the quarter," said Bill Goldsmith, KPIG's Web consultant.

KPIG, which in August 1995 became the first radio station to
simulcast on the Web, will continue broadcasting from its studios in
Freedom, a small town north of Watsonville. But its low-power, 2850
watt FM signal has a limited range of about 32 miles.

As of Thursday, Internet listeners who tuned in received a limited
selection of live recordings and news commentary not subject to
royalty fees. Program director Laura Ellen said Webcasts will be "a
far cry" from KPIG's usual alternative programming that ranged from
rock to country to folk.

KPIG is liable for about $24,000 in royalty fees for songs played
since January under a set of rates approved by Librarian of Congress
James H. Billington, who ruled that all Webcasters will have to pay
0.07 cents per song per performance.

The Recording Industry Association of America sought higher rates,
arguing that compensation to artists and record labels has been long
overdue. But Webcasters say the rates are too high and could kill an
industry that has yet to generate enough revenue to become profitable.

Billington's decision is already having an impact on the fledgling
industry. The day after he ruled, SomaFM, a Web radio station operated
out of a garage in San Francisco, went silent. A long list of
Webcasters catering to specific genres or audiences subsequently have
halted operations, including sites like MonkeyRadio.org,
SavageRockRadio.com and StarDogRadio.com.

Foster City's Live365.com, which offered radio hobbysists the ability
to transmit niche programming like "Ricky Nelson 24/7," announced it
will add a $5 per month fee for each station beginning Aug. 1. That
move is expected to reduce the total number of stations from 25,000 to
about 5,000, said Live365.com Chief Operating officer Raghav Gupta.

Seattle author L.A. Heberlein, who in his new book, "Rough Guide to
Internet Radio" described KPIG as one of the top Internet radio
stations for its "fresh, inventive and lively programming," was
disappointed to learn about the station's decision to halt Web
simulcasts.

KPIG was a symbol of the diversity of programming found on Web
radio, he said. The impending music royalty rates won't kill Internet
radio, but "the funky, marginal stuff is what you're going to lose,"
Heberlein said.........

(via Don Kaskey, San Francisco, IRCA via DXLD)

http://www.kpig.com/

(Jul 18, 2002) Sad Day in the CyberSty... KPIG's owners have decided
that they have no choice but to suspend KPIG's live webcast in the
face of the fees that would be due under the most recent Copyright
Office ruling. We're definitely hoping that this is just temporary,
and that a reasonable solution can be found soon.

Our webcast will continue with a mix of live recordings made here at
KPIG (which aren't subject to the fees) - with more features coming
soon. For the time being, the playlist will continue to show what's on
FM - so at least you local Pigs can use it...
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Jul 15, 2002) Rally the Swine! Let's join the Million Fax Stampede!!
Find out why it's important to let your congressmembers know right now
- via fax - why they should support emergency legislation to stop the
impending death of Internet radio. Click here for more info
http://www.voiceofwebcasters.org/fax/carp/smallweb/
(via Joel Rubin, swprograms via DXLD)

This will really be a great loss if KPIG internet shuts down. Although
I can't run RealPlayer 7 to listen on my present computer/OS, allow me
to wax anecdotal:

In March 2001, in order to publicize our Woody Guthrie song concert at
the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, CA, Country Joe McDonald and
I did a live appearance at KPIG. Great fun...studio in an abandoned
motel in a Watsonville strip mall. And my friend from Washington, DC,
who happened to hear us, e-mailed a greeting while we were on the air.

As most of you will know, KPIG(formerly KFAT) has a long history as an
influential independent music station, and I understand it is high in
listener numbers as an internet broadcaster.

Cheers, (Saul Broudy, ibid.)

** U S A [and non]. From The Observer:

Internet radio is a great illustration of why the unregulated internet
stimulates so much innovation and allows an unparalleled range of
choice. Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised that it's under threat.

John Naughton, Sunday July 21, 2002

Way back in 1994, a chap named Rob Glaser had a great idea for
ferrying audio signals across the Net. It had always been possible to
transfer audio files - some of us were doing it in the 1980s - but the
problems were that (a) the files were large and (b) the entire file
had to be transferred before you could start listening to it.

Glaser's Big Idea was to compress the file and dispatch it over the
Net in the usual way, but with one magical twist: special 'player'
software (available as a free download) would, after a brief pause,
start playing the audio even as the rest of the file was downloading,
thereby giving the listener the illusion of being able to listen to
audio programming live.

Thus was born 'streaming media'. Henceforth, audio (and, later, video)
signals could be [italics] streamed [unitalics] over the Net and
listened to by anyone with an Internet connection and a PC. The name
Glaser choose for his invention was 'Real Audio', and it spread like
wildfire.

En passant, the Real Audio story provides a great illustration of why
the unregulated Internet has stimulated so much innovation. Because
the network is owned by nobody, and because it is a 'dumb' system
designed to do only one thing - deliver data packets from source to
destination - anyone with a good idea can harness it. If you can do it
with packets, the Internet will do it for you. Glaser had a great idea
for sending audio in packets, so all he had to do was write the
software and - Bingo! - the network did the rest.

If, however, the Net were proprietary, he would have had to apply for
permission and would then have become embroiled in arguments about
what constituted legitimate and illegitimate use of the system and,
well, you can imagine the rest...

But I digress. One of the reasons Real Audio took off was because it
enabled anyone to set up a virtual radio station. No longer did one
need a broadcasting licence and a transmitter and all the other
expensive apparatus of broadcasting: all that was required was a
server, a broadband connection, some server software (available at a
modest price from Mr Glaser) and a source of audio material. It
followed as the night the day therefore that Internet radio stations
mushroomed like flowers after a desert storm. Today, there are at
least 10,000. Some are just Webcasting subsidiaries of conventional
radio stations, but the majority are not. Indeed the most interesting
are highly specialised outlets for narrow musical genres: there is,
for example, one devoted entirely to the Grateful Dead.

What happened, in other words, was a stupendous extension of consumer
choice at a time when conventional radio was becoming increasingly
bland and standardised as a result of corporate consolidation.
Streaming radio demonstrated the power of digital technology to
reverse the tendency to turn cultural products into adjuncts of mass
marketing - to enable listeners to listen to [italics] precisely
[unitalics] the music they like, rather than having to accept the
playlists foisted on DJs by corporate requirements.

Now, however, this glorious explosion of consumer choice is under
threat. The record companies persuaded the US Copyright Office that
Internet radio stations should pay more onerous royalties than those
imposed on conventional broadcast stations. The Office ruled that
Webcasters should not only pay a royalty to songwriters, but also to
the record companies, and added the crippling requirement that the
Webcasting royalty should be levied on a [italics] per listener
[unitalics] basis. The liabilities involved (which will, of course, be
backdated) are so large that only Webcasters with substantial
corporate backing will survive. The Webcasters are appealing, but I
wouldn't bet on their prospects. It's just another case of how the
owners of intellectual property are trying to choke off the future.
(via Mike Terry, DXLD)

** U S A. Ed Mayberry, who lost his home and International Listener
website in the Houston flood over a year ago, can be heard presenting
a musical feature on The Flatlanders, as the final item in hour two of
NPR Weekend Edition Sunday, July 21, soon available ondemand from
http://www.npr.org/programs/wesun (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

UNIDENTIFIED. The UNID-station somewhere from Europe playing non-stop
Chinese music on 1062 kHz is on again. Unfortunately I could not go to
my beverage QTH, because of the bad weather situation. As far as I can
hear on my indoor mediumwave loop I can hear the station again right
now SAT JUL 20, 2155 UT on 1062, but completely blocked by a mix of
Denmark, Italia and Czech Rep. (Dick, MWC-492/DKp4733, BDXC via DXLD)

Had an exciting night with some fine signals from Asia on mediumwave.
Between 2145 and 2300 I heard stations from Thailand on 1386, 1395,
1467, 1476 and 1593kHz. Signals slowly faded from unreadable to loud
(well over the s9). The fading periods varied, sometimes a station
disappeared for some minutes, while it came back later with nice
signal strengths.

Biggest surprise came just after 23 UT, when I came across an station
on 1062 kHz, playing non-stop Chinese music. Unfortunately after
listening to this station for more than 2 and a half hours (!!!!!)
most of the excitement had gone, because it became more and more
unlikely that this was a station from China. This was confirmed by the
fact that I found the best signal on my beverage direction UK,
France/Spain. When arriving home at 02 I was even able to pick it up
on my indoor loopantenna!

So, I probably overlooked this new station somewhere in a list or so.
During the almost 3 hours that I listened I did not hear a single
announcement. Just non stop Chinese style music, with always a few
seconds silence between the songs. Signals from the UK seemed good
last night, so, that makes it a bit more likely to be an UK station.
I hope that somebody could help me with this interesting station, that
really can one make nervous, hihi.

73! Dick, MWC-492

Receiver: AR7030plus operated from car out in the fields.
Antennas: 450m 2-wire beverage, swtichable Asia/South America
350 temporary single wire beverage towards S-Asia (Thailand)
(D.G.A. van der Knaap, July 20, MWDX via DXLD)

Great logs Dick. As I'm new to the list could you let me know where
you are? It seems unlikely to me that it would be a UK station - I
haven't heard of anything being licensed there - and because of
Talksport on 1.053 I'd have thought a pirate would be able to find a
better channel. I'm in Cornwall so I'll tune in tonight to see what I
can hear (Nicholas Mead, MW-DX via DXLD)

Location: Holten, Netherlands (dxing.info via DXLD)

Hi Dick, Op dit moment hoor ik Denemarken (veronderstel ik tenminste
aan de hand van de richting, met een soort "muziek" dat ik meestal
alleen hoor wanneer er een auto door de straat rijdt met een ritmisch
opbollend dak) héél sterk hier, en als ik die zoveel mogelijk uitnul,
hoor ik vaag Italiaans op de achtergrond, maar dat is alles voor het
moment... en gezien het gestamp op de voorgrond weet ik niet of ik
hier lang naar kan blijven luisteren...

[Later:] Ik denk dat de Deen overbelast is door de krachtige pulsen
van de afgelopen minuten. Ik hoor nu de Tsjech en ook duidelijk
herkenbaar Chinees (of althans Chinees-achtig) gezang met een
vrouwenstem... Als ik de Tsjech wegdraai, is het duidelijk te horen
(nog best mooi ook!), alleen is het jammer dat ik geen Chinees
versta... (Frank van Gerwen - ICQ # 2231692, Bakkum-Noord/Netherlands
(52 34' N / 4 43' E), ibid.)

UNIDENTIFIED. July 21 at 0215-0230 R. Prague in Spanish was on USB
8983, covering USCG; someone was trying to call Clearwater, but could
not get thru until the Prague relay went off after the interval signal
only once at 0230. Someone apparently relaying R. Prague to jam USCG
(Ron Trotto, IL, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

PUBLICATIONS
++++++++++++

SHORTWAVE GUIDE

Thanks to Chris Hambly for sending a copy of the new WRTH `summer
supplement`, which indeed resembles PWBR. Except the frequency list in
this has more colour-coding of languages in the timespan bars.
Possibly because I suffer from mild colour-blindness, I find the 25
shades a bit too much to distinguish easily, at least without a very
bright light upon the pages, which are stitch-bound, and with some
encouragement, almost lie open, if not flat. For example, Dutch,
Mandarin and Other are all similar shades of yellow/orange (and I
think I perceive some stereotyping here...). Arabic, Romanian and Urdu
look like similar shades of green. Usw. The colour key is on the
bottom of each page, but no two are the same: reflecting the languages
actually appearing on each individual page. But is there really enough
broadcasting in Swedish, Tibetan or Turkish to justify their very own
shades?

The lack of info on transmitter sites has already been remarked and
dealt with.

One much-needed improvement would be some heavier vertical timelines
at 06, 12 and 18 (or even at 3, 4 hour spacings), to keep one from
having continually to follow the line to the top or bottom of page in
order to tell the span of the horizontal transmission time bars.

Remains to be seen if further lookups will prove accurate and up to
date, but I was pleased to see that WWCR`s replacement of 15685 by
15825 recently is already included, e.g. But WWV is listed at 25000
kHz, where they have been inactive for decades, except as a harmonic.
Speaking of which --- no actual harmonics are deliberately shown.

The very first entries leave us hankering for a bit more info: 2310,
2325 (and 2485) are all shown merely as Northern Territories [sic]
Shortwave, with no hint of their location in three different towns.

But then, we may be expected to refer to the regular WRTH if we really
want to know any more than shown here.

On the other hand, there is too much info: take RFPI on ``15040`` ---
split or variable frequencies tend to get rounded off --- which is
displayed on 9 different lines (some 10 kW, some 30 kW, not the case),
because of itty bitty segments in non-English, and supposed day-of-
week variations.

Oops, on 15006 there is a timesignal called EBC in `CAN`, but if there
is such a station the calls indicate Spain (excuse me, `E`). WWVH is
shown as USA, even tho HAW has its own `country` code.

I don`t see any indication of the few frequencies which operate in
SSB, e.g. RFPI`s 7445 and recently deactivated 21815.

On 13810 we find a Radio Ecclesia in AFS (meaning Afrique du Sud ---
we just can`t escape irrelevant languages in English-language
publications, can we?) --- that would be the station originating in
Angola, formerly relayed from Germany, and nothing to do with South
Africa, except it is now relayed from there on a much different
frequency.

The Directory Of International Broadcasters in the back, 17 pages in
almost alphabetical order by name, is rather hit-and-miss, including
only the larger stations, but not clear where the cut-off point was.
If one wants more info on e.g. the 4576 kHz R. Uno, Peru listing, one
is out of luck here. And this needs to be purged of some very out of
date listings, such as WVHA in Mount Dora, Florida!

The Clubs for DXers list has some notable omissions, but also some
that I have never heard of until now. Is it up to date?

The country codes, listed on the last page, are a curious mix of ITU
codes, and non-ITU codes, reminding me of the Klingenfuss approach
previously reviewed here. I am still hunting for SW broadcasts from
places such as `VCT` -- St. Vincent & the Grenadines! Some countries
are more equal than others, meriting single-letter abbrs., B, D, E, F,
G, I, J and S. China and USA are not big, European, or important
enough for this honour. Yes, I know, two of those are non-European.

Two entire pages are taken up by photos of unidentified antenna
towers, with incomplete color. Filling this with more useful text
would be appreciated.

Well, no doubt if I keep looking, I could find more details to pick
apart, but I don`t mean to discourage this good effort, some much-
needed competition to PWBR. One can only wonder whether this format
will somehow merge with the WRTH itself, or continue to be issued at
mid-year in alternation. This is `Volume 1`.

If the price of this 208-page softbound seems a bit steep, keep in
mind that there are only two pages of paid advertising, inside front
and back covers, from Merlin and Universal. No doubt they`ll do their
best to accumulate more in future.

Prefacing the 166 pages of frequency charts is an Introduction to
Shortwave Radio, by Bernd Trutenau, only 5 pages of text plus a chart,
a map and a diagram, which is fine as far as it goes (Glenn Hauser, DX
LISTENING DIGEST)  ###

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

        DX LISTENING DIGEST 2-115, July 19, 2002
        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. 

Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not 
having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of 
noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits 

HTML version of this issue will be posted afterwards at 
http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd02.html 

For restrixions and searchable 2002 contents archive see
http://www.worldofradio.com/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 #1140:
(ON DEMAND) http://www.wrn.org/ondemand/worldofradio.html
(DOWNLOAD)  http://www.k4cc.net/wor1140.rm
(STREAM)    http://www.k4cc.net/wor1140.ram
(SUMMARY)   http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1140.html [available soon]

WWCR BROADCASTS: Sat 0500, Sun 0230 on 5070, 0630 3210, Mon 0000? 9475
RFPI BROADCASTS: Sat 0130, 0730, Sun 0000, 0600 on 7445-USB, 15038.6
WRN BROADCASTS: Rest of world Sat 0800, North America Sun 1400

** AFGHANISTAN. SURVEY OF RADIO/TV STATIONS IN KABUL AND HERAT 
The following TV and radio services were observed by BBC Monitoring 
during recent a recent survey in Kabul and Herat (all times mentioned 
are in GMT/UTC): 

Kabul - Television 

Afghanistan TV broadcasts on channel E11 (217.25 MHz vision/222.75 MHz 
sound). It is on the air at 1315-1900 daily (sign-off time varies) and 
additionally at 0430-0730 on Fridays. News in Dari was observed at 
1430-1435 and 1500-1530 daily; news in Pashto was at 0530-0535 (Friday 
only) and 1600-1630 daily. 

Kabul - Radio 

The following radio services were observed on the air in Kabul: 

Radio Afghanistan 
FM: 93.0 and 105.2 MHz; MW: 909 and/or 1278 kHz : 
0030-0340 Saturday-Thursday, 0230-0800 Friday, 1230-1815 daily. 

SW: 15485 kHz: 0130-0330 Saturday-Thursday, 0230-0330 Friday. 
    [presumably via Abu Dhabi --- gh]  
SW: 18940 kHz 1330-1630 daily. 
    [originally via Norway, now via where??? --- gh]

Radio Kabul: 
FM 93.0 and 105.2 MHz: 0340-0830 Saturday-Thursday - not broadcast on 
Fridays. News in Pashto 0430-0435; news in Dari 0730-0735. 

BBC World Service: 
FM 89.0 MHz: 24 hours in English/Pashto/Persian. 

Radio Free Afghanistan/Voice of America: 
FM 100.5 MHz: 24 hours in Dari & Pashto. 

Radio Turkiyem: 
FM 101.3 MHz: 0230-1830 in Turkish for ISAF contingent. 

Information Radio (US PsyOps): 
MW 864 kHz and SW 8700 kHz (in upper sideband): 24 hours in Dari & 
Pashto. 

Herat - Television 

Herat TV broadcasts on channel E7 (189.25 MHz vision/194.75 MHz 
sound). It is on the air at 1500-1830 daily (sign-off time varies), 
and additionally at 0430-0730 on Fridays. News in Dari & Pashto 1700-
1730. 

Herat - Radio 

Radio Herat uses two mediumwave frequencies: 
MW 1512 kHz: 0200-0400 daily. 
MW 828 kHz: 1230-1530 daily. 
News in Dari & Pashto 0300-0315 & 1400-1500. 

Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 1-14 Jul 02 (via DXLD)

** AFGHANISTAN [non]. 18940, R. Afghanistan, Kabul, still via Kvitsøy, 
Jul 7 & 15, *1330-1627*, usual programs with the following, confirmed 
schedule: Pashto 1330-1400, 1430-1500 and 1530-1600, and Dari 1400-
1430, 1500-1530 and 1600-1627. SINPO 25333. But the morning broadcast 
*0130-0327* on 15240 has not been heard recently, so Al Dhabbaya, UAE 
seems to have changed frequency to avoid QRM from R Australia. Two 
other 19 mb stations heard broadcasting in Dari/Pashto at the same 
time are not R Afghanistan, but VOA, Udon Thani on 15185 and BBC, 
Cyprus on 15470 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window July 17 via 
DXLD) 

** AFGHANISTAN. AFGHAN LEADER SETS UP COMMISSION TO SUPERVISE RADIO, 
TELEVISION PROGRAMMES | Text of report by Afghan radio on 17 July 

Decree by esteemed Hamed Karzai, the head of the Islamic Transitional 
Government of Afghanistan, in connection with the establishment of the 
commission in charge of supervising radio and television programmes. 
With the aim of reforming, improving and advancing the affairs of 
government departments and in order to fulfill and implement the 
pledges made to representatives of the nation at emergency Loya Jerga, 
the formation of the commission in charge of supervising the 
programmes of radio and television is hereby announced. This 
commission will supervise all programmes on radio and television and 
will present their opinions for the amending, improving and 
advancement of the programmes to officials of the radio and 
television. 

The radio and television officials are duty bound to implement the 
opinions of the commission. Similarly, the commission should evaluate 
the opinions of radio listeners and television viewers and use them to 
improve the affairs [of radio and television broadcasting]. 

The following have been appointed as members of this commission: 

Esteemed Abdol Hamid Mobarez, deputy minister of information and 
culture in charge of broadcasting, 
Esteemed Aziz Ahmad Fanus, from the media department of college of 
journalism of Kabul University, 
Esteemed Asadollah Ghazanfar, writer in Pashto and Dari languages and 
expert and critic of radio programmes, 
Esteemed Mrs Shafiqa Habibi, a former employee of Radio Afghanistan, 
Esteemed Mrs Jamila Mojahed, announcer of radio and television, 
Esteemed Rezwanqol Tamana, member of the Supreme Council for Media and 
Culture, 
Esteemed Habibollah Rafi, member of the Supreme Council for Media and 
Culture, 
Esteemed Amanollah Obaidi, member of the Supreme Council for Media and 
Culture, 
Esteemed Osman Akram, the managing editor of the Zanbil-e Gham 
magazine, 
Esteemed Engineer Mohammad Eshaq, general director of radio and 
television, 
Esteemed Dad Mohammad Anabi, member of the Supreme Council for Media 
and Culture. 

The commission will be chaired by esteemed Mobarez, and its affairs 
and performance will be supervised by the minister of information and 
culture. Source: Radio Afghanistan, Kabul, in Pashto 1500 gmt 17 Jul 
02 (via BBCM via DXLD)

** ANTARCTICA. 15475.6, R Arcángel San Gabriel finally confirmed with 
nice attractive QSL card and letter. It says that Director is: Juan 
Carlos Pérez Arrieu, Technical operator: Segundo Rodolfo Balcarce, 
Second technical operator: Javier Rossetti, In charge of program and 
announcer: María Rosa Gabrielli de Pérez Arrieu, Announcer: Silvana 
Rossini de Celayes, Fabiana Flores de Balocchi, Esther Plana de 
Dobarganes. E-mail: esperaanzaantar@infovia.com.ar or 
esperanzaantar@hotmail.com orlra36@infovia.com.ar 
(Masato Ishii, Japan, DSWCI DX Window July 17 via DXLD) 

** BOUGAINVILLE. 3850.0, R. Independent Mekamui (tentative), Jul 15th 
0908 with music/song with Papua New Guinea tribal sound to it, any 
talk pretty well lost in static crashes, but improving. More songs and 
Pidgin talk. Sounded like feedback squeals at 0916. Time check (I 
think) mentioning 8 o`clock something at 0921. Heard a Radio 
Independent ?? mention at 0935. Some HAM QRM past 0940 but short 
lived. Program was mainly songs and short talks between them. Still 
fairly decent at 1000, but no ID noted (Don Moman, Alberta, DSWCI DX 
Window July 17 via DXLD) I guess around 0935 was when that recording 
was made, featured on WOR 1140 (gh, DXLD)

3850, R Independent Mekumui, 0907 July 19, male announcer with talk in 
Pidgin and ID, then Country song. Best heard from here since 
activation (Paul Ormandy, New Zealand, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 

** BURMA [non]. The Democratic Voice of Burma is celebrating 10 years 
on the air. It started in Norway as a gesture of the Norwegian 
government's support for Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi....

http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/features/html/burma020719.html
(RN Media Network 19-07-02 via DXLD)

** CANADA. Re: July 14 Inside Track on CBC Radio One: Estimado 
Licenciado... Is that online for downloading or maybe somebody has a 
recording? 73 (Horacio A. Nigro, Montevideo - Uruguay, DX LISTENING 
DIGEST)

Horacio, I found this page for the previous Inside Track. Presumably 
the one you want will be available shortly if you change 7/7 to 7/14:
http://cbc.ca/insite/INSIDE_TRACK_TORONTO/2002/7/7.html
73, (Glenn to Horacio, via DXLD)

** CANADA. Glenn, the Catholic pope actually arrives in Toronto on 
Tuesday July 23 after all. 1 PM ET. Why confuse people with TWO 
welcoming ceremonies? Here's a link to the CBC TV coverage, but 
nothing about CBC R1 coverage yet. 
http://cbc.ca/news/features/wyd/coverage.html 
(Ivan Grishin, Ont., July 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** CANADA. CBC Previews: TAPESTRY: This week on Tapestry... a look 
ahead to the Pope's visit to Toronto for World Youth Day. More than a 
quarter of a million people in their twenties and thirties are coming 
to Toronto for ten days of music, festivities and religious services 
topped off with a visit from Pope John Paul II. Meet some of the young 
Canadians who put this huge event together. That's on Tapestry, with 
guest host Mary Wiens, Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. (2:30 NT; 4:00 
p.m. MT; 3:00 pm. PT) on CBC Radio One. 

VANCOUVER FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL 25TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL: Live from the 
Vancouver Folk Festival, a bilingual simulcast of conversations, 
impromptu performances and memories of 25 years of great music. 
Featuring performances by Les Charbonniers de l'Enfer, The 
Backstabbers Country String Band, Ferron, Rokia Traoré and La Bottine 
Souriante. Hosted by David Grierson and Andre Rheaume. That's the 
Vancouver Folk Festival 25th Anniversary Special, Sunday night at 
10:00 p.m. (11 AT, 11:30 NT) on CBC Radio Two. (CBC Hotsheet via DXLD)

** CONGO DR. Re Okapi: Glenn, No, 11690 not heard here yet. I also 
don't recall hearing 9550 recently (Chris Greenway, Kenya, July 18, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

** COSTA RICA. Hauser heard clearly on RFPI 7445 Jul 17 at 0200 with 
QSA 3-4 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window via DXLD) That would 
be Continent of Media, UT Wed (gh)

** CUBA. The unID at 5064, must surely be a new Pirate coming out of 
mainland Cuba. Radio Cienfuegos. A friend here in Puerto Rico has been 
lucky enough to catch it on both 5400 and 11300. We all presume that 
trying to avoid Cuban Security Monitors they change frequently from 
side to side. I posted also something on HCDX but no one said 
anything. Good luck to you (Hector (Luigi) Pérez, PR, NP4FW, KPR-260-
SWL via Thomas Nilsson, DXLD)

** ECUADOR. De viaje por Cuenca, muchos años ha, no pude dejar de 
visitar el flamante edificio de Ondas Azuayas Radio y TV. Una de las 
cosas que más recuerdo es la colección de postales enviados por los
oyentes de todas partes del mundo - aunque con una neta preponderancia 
por los países del norte europeo - abigarrada decoración ésta que
cubría una pared entera. Entre los recuerdos que me llevé, quiero
destacar una bonita tarjeta QSL sin rellenar de Ondas Azuayas TV 
(Henrik Klemetz, Sweden, Conexión Digital via DXLD)

** INDIA. 9425, AIR Bangalore, Jul 6, 1820 English with western pop 
music and requests until 1830 and then news. 1835 I think they have 
changed to Hindi. Announces as The National Channel of All India 
Radio. Return to English at 1840 with programme highlights. Signal was 
a good S9 but with side-splash (Noel Green, UK, DSWCI DX Window July 
17 via DXLD) 

** INDIA. A VISIT TO AIR THIRUVANTHAPURAM 
   by Jose Jacob, VU2JOS 

Thiruvanthapuram is the capital of the South Indian State of Kerala. 
It is located almost in the Southern Western tip of India. It was 
earlier known in English as Trivandrum. Before the independence of 
India, it was the capital of the erstwhile princely state of 
Travancore, which had its own stamps, coins and even a radio station. 

During my recent trip to my native place, I undertook a 6 and half-
hour trip by a Super Fast bus to cover 225 kms on a rainy day to visit 
the different facilities of the AIR station there, by prior 
appointment. It was the 15th AIR station that I could visit and here 
are the details of that station. 

The history of AIR Thiruvanthapuram goes back to the days of 
Travancore Broadcasting Station which came on the air on 12th March 
1943 when the Maharaja (King) of Travancore, Sree Chitira Tirunnal 
Balramavarma switched on a 5 kW Medium Wave Transmitter. The 
transmitter was made by STC (Standard Cable & Telephone) and the 
antenna mast was of 76 Meters. 

AIR is now celebrating 60 years of Malayalam broadcasting to 
commemorate this first broadcast from this station. (Malayalam is the 
local language of the State). The callsign of the station was at first 
VUR which later changed to VUG and it used the frequency of 658 kHz. 
In 1946, it used to operate on Wednesday and Saturday evenings for one 
and half hours. 

After over two and half years of Indian independence, when Travancore 
became part of the newly formed state of Kerala, this station was 
inducted to the All India Radio network on April 1, 1950. The present 
studios and offices of AIR Thiruvanthapuram are at Bhakti Vilas, 
Vazthuthacaud in the city which was set up in November 1952. It was 
recommissioned on December 12, 1959. It was earlier a palace that was 
used by the famous Diwan (Governor) of Travancore, Sir C. P. 
Rajagopalachary. It is a heritage building and is nicely maintained by 
AIR. The Station Engineer`s office was in fact the Diwan`s bedroom! 

Thiruvanthapuram being the capital of the state, all the other 6 
stations of AIR in the state relay several of its programs as well as 
the little station in neighboring Kavaratti in Lakshadeep where the 
local language is also the same. Its programs are unlinked via INSAT 
2C Satellite and the downlink frequency is 49.725 MHz [GHz?]. Most of 
the External Service programmes in Malayalam language broadcast at 
1730-1830 UT to the Middle East are also unlinked to Delhi from here. 

The studio to transmitter link is via UHF on 1489 and 1521 MHz made by 
DB Electronica Telecomunicazoni in Italy and by Meltron. I also saw a 
2 watt Meltron RT43S transceiver for two-way VHF communication system 
between studio and transmitter site. 

The transmitters of AIR Thiruvanthapuram are at different places. 

1. Medium Wave: (A Channel) Its main MW site is at Kulathoor, which is 
about 12 kms away from the studioes. The old 5 kW transmitter 
installed for the Travancore Broadcasting Station in 1943 was replaced 
by a 10 kW BEL HMB 104 Transmitter on February 15, 1973. This 
transmitter's serial no. is 4. It used the frequency of 660 kHz till 
the MW frequency reshuffle on November 23, 1978 and then it was 
changed to the present 1161 kHz. At the end of 2001, this 10 kW 
transmitter was replaced by a solid state 20 kW Harris DX 20 
transmitter made in USA. Its output power can be selected as 5, 10 or 
20 kW. It uses a self-radiating mast of 122 Meters. There are 
generators here to be used in case of any power failures. The morning 
transmission of this MW service starts at 5.50 am (0020 UT) and the 
evening transmissions end at 11.05 p.m. (1735 UT). The old 10 kW 
Transmitter is used as standby here. It is tested daily for a couple 
of minutes between 5.00 and 5.30 am before the normal morning 
transmission starts.

2. Vividh Bharati MW (Studio) The Vividh Bharati Service from this 
station started on March 6, 1966 with a NEC MB 122 A transmitter of 1 
kW on 1170 kHz with a 28 meter self-radiating mast antenna installed 
at the studios. Later it was changed to 1494 kHz during the MW 
frequency reshuffle on November 23, 1978. It was converted to a 
Commercial Broadcasting Station on May 1, 1975. This MW Transmitter 
was taken off the air in favor of FM which started from here in 1999 
but it is still kept as standby with an L antenna at the studios.

3. Short Wave: There were plans for SW transmission from here very 
long back but the transmitter meant for here was diverted to Kurseong 
in the early 1960s during the war with China. Ultimately, a BEL HHB 
144 SW transmitter of 50 kW was commissioned here on November 6, 1994 
after being tested from around October 1992. The serial no. of this 
transmitter is 8 which is capable for operating between 3.9 and 26.1 
MHz. The transmitter site is near the seacoast at Muttathura about 12 
km away from the studio. During the testing time the following 
frequencies were noted: 3315, 4990, 5950, 6085, 7260, 7280 and 9650 
kHz. 

Presently there are 3 transmissions from here on SW as follows: 0050-
0215 UT on 5010 kHz, 0230-0400(Sun 1030) and at 0630-0930 on 7290 kHz. 
There are no broadcasts on SW from here now for the evening/night 
transmission due to shortage of staff. They use distilled water and 
air cooling systems to cool the transmitter. There are 3 antenna 
towers and the antennas are dipoles for 5 bands viz. 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9 
MHz. There is an emergency studio also here I also saw a Sangean ATS 
818 CS digital receiver there. 

4. FM: The FM transmitter is located at Kudappanakunnu at the TV 
station, about 8 km away from the AIR studios. It was inaugurated here 
on August 15, 1999. It carries the Vividh Bharati program on 101.9 MHz 
in Stereo. The transmitters are two numbers of 5 kW BEL HVB 165/A. 
There are 3 transmissions daily and most of the programs are in Hindi 
relayed via Satellite from Mumbai. The morning transmissions start at 
5.55 am and the evening transmissions end at 11.00 p.m. 

The history of FM broadcasting in Thiruvanthapuram if fact goes back 
to back to January 1983 when a 5 watt FM Transmitter assembled by AIR 
Tirunelveli staff was on air for a couple of days during an AIR 
conference held here. This low power transmitter which was installed 
at the AIR Studios used the frequency of 107.1 MHz. It was taken back 
after the conference was over. The local TV station using the same 
site by the way has two 10 kw transmitters operating on Ch. 9 (DD1) 
and Ch. 11 (DD2). At first it was a low power 100 watt station which 
was inaugurated on January 1, 1985. 

I have received several confirmations for my reception reports to this 
AIR station. Letters from foreign listeners are forwarded to New Delhi 
and QSL Cards are issued from there. -------- 

12 Mar 1943 Travancore Broadcasting Station, VUR, 658 kHz, 5 kW MW STC 
1 Apr 1950 Inducted to AIR 6 Mar 1966 1 kW Vividh Bharati NEC MB 122 A 
(at Vazthucaud Studio) 
15 Feb 1973 5 kW MW tx replaced by 10 kW BEL HMB 104 (Kulathoor) 
Jan 1983 5 watts FM 107.1 MHz (demonstration by AIR Tirunelveli at 
Studio) 
6 Nov 1994 50 kW SW BEL HFB 144 (Muttathura) 
15 Aug 1999 MW Vividh Bharati replaced by FM Stereo 2x5 kW BEL HVB 
165/A (Muttathura) 
Dec 2001 20 kW Harris DX 20 Tx replaced 10 kW MW 
(Jose Jacob, dx_india July 18 via DXLD)

** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [and non]. Very difficult to express 

During the more than 33 years that I`m writing about the medium radio 
it was never before so difficult to search for words by compiling a 
story than today, July 18th 2002. Yesterday evening, after an 
operation, Howard G Rose died at the age of 49 years after a heart 
attack. Most people in radio land knew Howard as deejay Chrispian St. 
John or Jay Jackson. He was one of the very first British Anoraks who 
I knew after I started writing for Pirate Radio News in 1969. Very 
young, 16 years of age at that stage, Howard wanted to grab and eat 
everything which had to do with Pirate and Offshore Radio and so he 
did also read my magazine and got, on regular base, in contact with 
me. Of course he couldn't avoid to start his own station at that time 
but was doing illegal things in England working for a land based radio 
station. Although this was a very tiny little one, bigger stations 
would come soon reality for little Chrispian. It was in 1971 that he, 
as a 18 year old guy, climbed onboard the MEBO II, the then radio ship 
of Radio Norht Sea International. There he became part of the 
international service which supplied us with the perfect sound of 
`RNI, the Summer of 71`. Howard learnt a lot from his fellow deejays 
like Paul May, Martin Kayne and the guy who hired him at that time, 
Steve Merikke. 

It was also on one of my visits to the Oude Boerenhofstede at Naarden, 
where the land based studios of RNI were housed, where I met Chrispian 
for the very first time. In 1971 he was dismissed by the station and 
recently he wrote a story of his dismissal in Soundscapes, the online 
journal for media and music culture at the University of Groningen. 
See spring edition under Volume 4 the article with the title `Getting 
the sack`. http://www.soundscapes.info

But it was not only RNI which took the interest of Howard. In 1972 he 
went to the station, where he tuned in to in the sixties: Radio 
Caroline. In March 1968 both Caroline vessels were towed away from the 
British Coast and went into Amsterdam harbour. After being there and 
in Zaandam harbour for many years, they were sold for scrap in order 
of the Wijsmuller Tender Company, to which Caroline had to pay still a 
lot of money. It was Gerard van der Zee who bought the MV Mi Amigo 
back for Ronan O`Rahilly so Radio Caroline could be on the air again 
soon. First they started as Radio 199 and being almost winter the 
station came in clearly and we especially enjoyed the Christmas 
programming in 1972, where Howard, a.k.a. Chrispian, played a key 
role. It looked like that the station would as soon stop again as it 
restarted as the crew, which wasn`t properly paid by the organization, 
hijacked the ship and towed it into harbour again. With hard working 
of the deejays and volunteers, the MV Mi Amigo was soon back at sea  
and the most famous radio station on Earth was a rocking good way 
again from the only place Radio Caroline can be, the international 
waters.

It seemed Chrispian was very restless and later, at the end of 1973, 
he wrote me that he would soon leave for Germany. There, in the 
harbour of Cuxhavn, a new radio ship would be fitted out under very 
hard conditions. Even one of the crewmembers died during the out fit 
of the MV Jeanine. The new ship would be used for Radio Atlantis, 
which had earlier hired transmission time from Radio Caroline. With 
their own ship, off the coast of Zeeland, they started also an 
international service and Chrispian once again was part of a very good 
team including Steve England, Andy Anderson as well as Terry Davis.

In the Seventies Howard played a role within the Independent Radio, 
which started with LBC and Capital Radio in 1973 as the first 
commercial stations in Great Britain. He could be heard at stations 
like Swansea Sound and Viking Radio, but the sea still had a special 
feeling for Howard. It was Abe Nathan`s Voice of Peace, a station in 
the Mediterranean, which was the next station to work for. Howard 
stayed for many years there. While doing my research for my book on 
the history on the Voice of Peace I interviewed a lot of people and 
every time Chrispian was mentioned as a very good deejay and friend, 
although some told me that he sometimes could be very pigheaded and 
tried several times to get things his way. 

Then more `Rocking on the Northsea` came for Howard under his nickname 
Jay Jackson, sometimes adding `J` between his both names. Not only was 
he responsible for the newsroom from 1983 on board the MV Ross 
Revenge, the new Radio Caroline ship, he also made a lot of 
prestigious album music programs, we will never forget. The 
combination of the music he played, compared with his knowledge of the 
music, his beautiful voice made it all complete for listening with 
good pleasure. About his period on board the MV Ross Revenge Jay 
Jackson wrote a book called `The Pirates Who Waive the Rules`, a book 
which didn`t get the publicity it deserved. 

In the eighties Howard played an important role in co-starting the 
very first golden oldie station in Britain, Radio Sovereign. It became 
headlines, not only in Britain but also in Western Europe. It was an 
illegal station and therefore it was one day forced to go off the air, 
but it returned later at the Riviera in France. In the years Howard 
made thousands of contacts within the radio industry and he would 
love, at one stage, to highlight the radio world from another corner. 

An own Radio Magazine was his idea. After a false start, a second 
attempt was very successful and The Radio Magazine was born, now 
already more than 12 years ago. In between he was also one of the co-
owners of KCBC, a radio station in his home town Kettering. 

Howard, which whom I stayed in contact all those years, one time more 
than the other, asked me to write for the Radio Magazine for the news 
from the Benelux. He also wrote on regular basis for the Freewave 
Media Magazine since the late seventies of last century. Just last 
week the message came in that Howard and Patricia, his wife, had sold 
The Radio Magazine and the Gold Crest Communications to a big 
publisher. It was stated that Howard would be staying as the key role 
man, but the new step in his career could not last for longer than a 
week. He died yesterday at the age of 49, leaving behind Patricia whom 
he did marry last year, and three children. I hope they have the 
strength in the time to come to carry this heavy loss (Hans Knot, 
18.07.02, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** IRELAND. Since the 252 kHz LW facility is operated out of the UK, I 
plan to file future items about it under UK [non] (gh, DXLD)

** JAPAN. MINISTER SAYS COST OF PREVENTING RADIO INTERFERENCE AT 180BN 
YENS | Text of report in English by Japanese news agency Kyodo 

Tokyo, 19 July: The national expense of preventing possible radio wave 
interference [RF interference] between terrestrial digital and 
analogue television broadcasts will total some 180 gigayen, the 
telecom minister said Friday [19 July]. 

"The government would like to pay the expense by tapping the pool of 
fiscal resources from taxes charged on the use of assigned radio wave 
frequencies" by TV broadcasters, Public Management, Home Affairs, 
Posts and Telecommunications Minister Toranosuke Katayama told a 
lecture meeting. 

The government plans to have private television broadcasters start 
terrestrial digital broadcasts by the end of 2003. Private TV 
broadcasters and the ministry have been trying to accurately estimate 
the cost of preventing possible radio wave interference between 
digital and analogue broadcasts. The cost for preventing such 
interference was initially estimated at 70-80 gigayen, but a closer 
examination of relevant potential expenses produced the latest 
estimate of 180 gigayen, ministry officials said. The government will 
officially release the figure later in the day, they added. 
Source: Kyodo News Service, Tokyo, in English 0657 gmt 19 Jul 02 (via 
BBCM via DXLD)

** LATVIA. More Laser Radio tests: see UK [non]

** LESOTHO. 4800, LNBS Full data prepared card received in 7 weeks for 
a registered f/up report sent via Hungary. My card was signed by 
Emmanuel Rametse, the Transmitter Engineer for Radio Lesotho. 
Unfortunately they could not exchange the dollar I sent with my 
report as there are strict laws regarding currency exchange by 
local citizens (George Maroti, NY, Cumbre DX July 18 via DXLD) 

What is the point of sending via Hungary? To make your letter stand 
out from the crowd? (gh, DXLD)

I have had some very friendly e-mail exchanges with Lebohang Rametse, 
the son of the Radio Lesotho Transmitter Engineer, who tells me that 
the spare parts for the shortwave transmitter have arrived, and is 
currently being fixed. I learned that the local instrument that is 
sometimes heard at the top of the hour is called a Lesiba, which means 
"feather" in English. This is a very old instrument and it was usually 
played by herd boys. It is a long hollow pipe (about 1 meter) of wood 
with a hole on one end and side, where the player blows air into the 
tube and then it subsequently makes that purr noise. There is a 
picture and description of a Lesiba at the following 
URL: http://www.und.ac.za/und/music/Thabos.html#lesiba 

I suggested that such information would be of interest to Radio 
Lesotho's English speaking listeners, if they would only have a 
cultural type program. Apparently this suggestion was very well 
received by Radio Lesotho's program manager, as they already have such 
a program in Sesotho, and it would just need to be translated into 
English. Although there is enthusiasm for such a program, it is 
contingent upon the re-structuring of the government budget (George 
Maroti, NY, Cumbre DX via DXLD) 

** LIBERIA. Thinking of sending a reception report to Liberia?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/low/english/world/africa/newsid_2133000/2133294.
stm

LIBERIAN MAIL RETURNED TO SENDER 

KLM aircraft 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38114000/jpg/_38114412_plane-bbc-300.jpg

KLM is one of the airlines boycotting Liberian post Letters and 
parcels are being returned to senders in Liberia as a ban on the 
country's international mail begins to bite. The ministry of posts and 
telecommunications is taking the measure following the ban by 
international airlines on deliveries to and collections from Liberia, 
according to the Associated Press news agency (AP). The ban was 
instituted at the end of June because of Liberia's failure to pay off 
long-term debts to the Dutch airline KLM and Ghana Airways. Ghana 
Airways is the only international airline making regular flights to 
Liberia. It collected Liberian mail and passed it on to KLM, which 
distributed it worldwide. 

Rebel fighters 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38140000/jpg/_38140649_liberiasold150_.jpg

The war has also disrupted postal deliveries 

Some of the Liberian debts to KLM and Ghana Airways has been 
outstanding for more than 10 years. KLM has been sending Liberia bills 
and letters requesting settlement of the debt for the last year but no 
payments have been made, KLM spokesman Frank Houben told BBC News 
Online. The airline will not lift the embargo until the debt is paid, 
he said. Liberia has been experiencing problems with its postal 
services for a number of years as a result of war and the displacement 
of people, Juliana Nel of the International Bureau of the Universal 
Postal Union (UPU) told BBC News Online. 

In addition to the mail ban, the United Nations has imposed a travel 
ban on Liberia's leaders, an arms embargo and a diamond sale embargo 
in order to end Liberia's support for rebels in neighbouring Sierra 
Leone. 

Refunds 

Liberia owes KLM $373,000 and Ghana Airways $56,000, according to a 
KLM spokesman. Its failures to pay its annual dues to the UPU have led 
to the suspension of its voting rights in the postal union, according 
to Juliana Nel of the UPU. The union is still trying to assist Liberia 
in restructuring its postal system. It is trying to improve and expand 
them and provide services in districts "where services have been 
suspended as a result of political instability," she said. 

Liberian refugees 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38140000/jpg/_38140694_libdisplaced150_.jpg

Thousands of Liberians have been displaced by war The stoppage in 
international mail collections and deliveries has required the 
Liberian postal ministry to start returning mail to its Liberian 
senders. Postal workers are collecting receipts from customers and 
returning the backlog of mail in Monrovia. One postal worker, who 
asked not to be named, told AP that he did not know how or when 
refunds would be made to those who had paid to send mail abroad. The 
Posts and Telecommunications Minister Miwaseh Pay-Bayee is trying to 
get permission from President Charles Taylor to go to Ghana to ask the 
government there to join Liberia in asking for a lifting on the mail 
ban (BBC News Online via Chris Greenway, Kenya, July 19, DXLD)

** LUXEMBOURG. 6090, RTL Radio, Jul 10, 0710-2030: the test mentioned 
in DX-Window no. 198 was heard here throughout the day and evening 
with fair reception, but always severe QRM from Bayerischer Rundfunk 
on 6085 having the same signal strength. German DJ mostly with British 
oldies, ads and IDs: ``RTL Radio`` and ``Die neue Deutsche Welle`` 
(The new Deutsche Welle !!!). SINPO varied from 33443 midday to 53544 
at night. In my e-mail report to RTL I recommended them to find 
another frequency in the 49 mb (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX 
Window July 17 via DXLD)

** MAURITANIA. 4845, Radio Mauritanie, Nouakchott 0045-0103 July 17. 
Western Sahara music (with vocals) played on an Ud instrument at tune-
in, followed by a brief segment of rapid recitations, but it was not 
the Qur`an. Resumption of Sahara music interspersed with Arabic 
announcements. Piano music bridge at 0050 into definite Qur`an to 
0100, as signal began to fade slightly. Arabic closing comments 
including station ID to martial national anthem and sign-off. 
Open carrier to 0103. Signal initially S9 at tune-in, shifting to 
S5 by sign-off (Gayle Van Horn, NC, Cumbre DX via DXLD) 

** MONGOLIA. 12015, V. of Mongolia, Jul 14, 2020, fair in EE with 
Mongolian music and comment, ID 2029. Normally blocked by R Canada 
Intl (Ken Baird, New Zealand, Japan Premium via DXLD)

** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. Another outlet has been reactivated, 3395 heard 
here UT July 18 at 1945 in vernacular, music; 3345 Poppondetta was 
also in. Paul Ormandy has reported these in the local evenings, but I 
hear them in the mornings (Chris Hambly, Victoria, DX LISTENING 
DIGEST) 3395 listed in 1998 WRTH as R. Eastern Highlands, Goroka (gh, 
DXLD)

** PERU. Re R. Nacional del Perú silent on 854 kHz: Deduzco lo 
siguiente. Dejaron morir lentamente el transmisor de onda media, al 
igual que el de onda corta (6095 khz) y no se preocuparon "para que si 
ahi hay otro" (el de la Crónica) los imagino sin esfuerzo. Y no hay 
pretexto por la cuestión económica ya que alberga una buena cantidad 
de personas ganando cerca de 4 digitos mensuales... (Alfredo 
``Spacemaster`` Cañote, Lima, Conexión Digital July 18 via DXLD)

** RWANDA [non]. See USA -- VOA

** SURINAM. 4991, R. Apintie, 0735 July 18, presume the one with a 
weak signal and Hindi-sounding music. This one usually heard with 
English pops (Paul Ormandy, New Zealand, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 

** TAIWAN [non]. Hello Glenn, I was interested in your reference to 
Gerrards Cross under "TAIWAN" in DXLD 2-114, July 17, as I live a few 
miles away. It's a small town in a now rather built-up area about 20 
miles west of London. The Radio Taipei map seems to be implying it's a 
transmitter site but there are no masts of any significance in that 
area and never have been. (It's close to a popular private airfield.) 
There's no reference to "Merlin" in the phone book covering Gerrards 
Cross and I couldn't find the place on their website but they 
presumably have something there. I expect it's the last "stop" before 
the link to the transmitting site - probably one used by the BBC. (As 
you may know 3955 kHz is an old World Service frequency.) 

Many thanks for all the work you put into "WOR" and "DXLD". They 
really are invaluable sources of reference, particularly when so many 
"DX type" programmes have now disappeared. Kind Regards (Paul Kennett, 
Chorleywood, Herts., England, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Glenn, Gerrards Cross is a village in Buckinghamshire, the next rail 
stop down from Beaconsfield going towards London. I've been through it 
many times on my UK visits; my wife's sister lives nearby. The Thames 
Valley seems an unlikely place for a HF site. I would like to try and 
find it on my next trip, whenever that will be. 73 de (John Cobb, GA, 
July 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** TIBET. 6240 Xizang PBS in DX Window no.198, which was 5240, NOT 
6240. Sorry to confusing, my error (Masato Ishii, Japan, DSWCI DX 
Window July 17 via DXLD) 

** U K. See TAIWAN [non] above re Gerrards Cross 

** U K. LISTENERS TUNE OUT THE 'BEEB'
   An article from http://www.globeandmail.com July 17, 2002
   Associated Press

London --- The British Broadcasting Corp.'s World Service lost three 
million listeners from its global radio audience in the past year
because of increased competition and market deregulation, according to 
the corporation's annual review published Wednesday.

The network  praised for its coverage of the Sept. 11 terrorist 
attacks on the United States  also suffered from a slump in listening 
in India, director Mark Byford said.

"In the context of more intense competition and market deregulation, 
the overall global radio audience for BBC World Service fell ... from 
the record high in 2001, to 150 million listeners," Mr. Byford said.

In India, the fact that "less than one in four now listens to any 
radio station, impacted severely on the overall World Service global 
figure," he said.

"Our first all-India survey revealed a 45 per cent drop in our 
audience there, down 12-million to 14.6-million listeners."

Successes included a doubling of the audience in Australia, Mr. Byford 
said.

On Sept. 11 and 12, the service ran a much-praised, 40-hour 
uninterrupted broadcast about the attacks. It has also been praised 
for its coverage of the recent conflict in the Middle East, rising 
tensions between India and Pakistan and Zimbabwe's presidential
elections.

Earlier this week, the network learned it would receive an extra $118- 
million (Canadian) in government funding over the next three
years to expand its services. 

(via Bill Westenhaver --- I wonder how much of the drop came from 
discontinuing the service to North America? --- DXLD)

BBC WORLD SERVICE LOSES 3M LISTENERS  

From The Guardian, John Plunkett, Wednesday July 17, 2002

The BBC World Service was listened to by an average of 150 million 
people last year - 3 million down on the previous 12 months and 5 
million below its audience target.

In its annual report, the government-funded global broadcaster was 
praised by the BBC chairman, Gavyn Davies, for its "professionalism 
and courage... in the face of bitter attack from the enemies of free 
speech".

The World Service broadcast the longest news programmes in its history 
in the wake of September 11 and the invasion of Afghanistan.

Traffic on its website almost doubled to 75 million page impressions a
month.

Mr Davies said: "The professionalism and courage of the World 
Service's editorial teams during this turbulent year, often in the 
face of bitter attack from the enemies of free speech, has ensured 
that high quality news and current affairs programming has been 
available to a global audience of around 150 million listeners on 
radio and online.

"That this reporting has received widespread acclaim has further 
enhanced the World Service's profile in Britain and abroad." But 
overall listening was down 3 million from 153 million in 2000/2001.
The biggest shortfall was in Asia and the Pacific region, where 
audience figures fell 11.5 million, mostly a result of a slump in 
radio listening in India.

The World Service watchdog, the governors' World Service consultative 
group, called on management to improve sound quality and make better 
presentation style a "high priority". The regulator said the World 
Service strategy in India should be overhauled because of the growing 
threat from TV. It called for a "thorough review" of its Hindi output 
to respond better to audience needs and expectations.

The verdict comes just two days after the government awarded the World
Service a £48m boost. The sum is about two-thirds of the amount the 
service requested. The extra cash, to be spent on producing more 
global-oriented programming and boosting online and FM services, 
coincided with a further "rigorous programme of efficiency" at Bush 
House.

World Service managers made £3.2m of "efficiency savings" last year.
The director of the World Service, Mark Byford, said: "The battle for 
radio audiences is increasingly ferocious across the world as markets 
deregulate and listener choice explodes.

"Rapid technological advances, lifestyle changes and growing 
competition mean it is imperative for the World Service to have an 
even stronger understanding of audience needs and market 
developments."

The BBC's services were extended in Afghanistan and the surrounding 
region during the "war on terror". The proportion of funding spent 
directly on content production is now 88%, still 2% short of its 
stated aim of 90% by 2003/2004. The World Service has also faced three 
accusations of racial discrimination this year (via Mike Terry, DXLD)

** U K. BBC News Online to offer more choice and relevance* 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/hi/english/world/newsid_2131000/2131907.stm

In the next few days, we are going to make some changes to the way BBC 
News Online is organised and presented. Here they are explained (via 
Ricky Leong, DXLD)

** U K. I'm all set to hear the first Proms this afternoon [July 19 
1830 UT]. Starting tomorrow and every day for the next two weeks 
(except July 21), the concerts will be "videocast" live on the Proms 
website, or so that's what they appear to say. You can be sure I'll be 
checking that out! (Ivan Grishin, Ont., DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** UK. CHANGE OF NAME FOR MERLIN COMMUNICATIONS | Text of press 
release from UK transmission company Merlin Communications on 19 July 

As you may be aware, Vosper Thornycroft Holdings plc (VT) acquired 
Merlin Communications in December 2001 as part of their strategy to 
move into the technical services sector. This additional investment is 
allowing us to continue to grow the company quickly and exploit future 
opportunities in our existing markets, as well as provide greater 
access to new markets. 

On Friday 5th July 2002 at their annual general meeting, the VT board 
proposed to change the name of the group from Vosper Thornycroft 
Holdings plc to VT Group plc, which was agreed by shareholders. VT 
will also be implementing a new branding strategy that involves all 
VT's operating companies, and as part of this strategy Merlin 
Communications International will be renamed VT Merlin Communications. 

As a result of VT's branding strategy, Merlin will receive a new 
corporate identity, involving a new VT Merlin logo and brand colour. 
We will however continue to use our existing Merlin logo as a product 
specific logo. 

The new brand will enhance the image of Merlin and identify us with a 
large blue chip organization that can provide an even greater end-to-
end solution to many of our customers. It also reflects our transition 
into a fully integrated subsidiary of a major FTSE 350 PLC. We 
certainly do not envisage any changes in our customer commitment and 
service provision. 

Our new corporate identity and brand will be rolled out from July 
2002, with the official name change commencing from 1st August 2002. 
Should you have any questions whatsoever then please do not hesitate 
to contact your designated account manager, or Laura Jelf, Merlin's 
Marketing Manager. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you 
for your commitment to Merlin. Yours sincerely, Fiona Lowry, Chief 
Executive Source: Merlin Communications press release, London, in 
English 19 Jul 02 (via BBCM via DXLD)

** U K. From The Radio Magazine 17th July 2002

The sale of London station LBC to Bloomberg, for an expected £10 
million, has fallen through at the last minute. Bloomberg, the 
financial news organisation, had been planning to re-model the station 
on New York station WBBR-AM.. More in this week's issue! (via Mike 
Terry, July 18, BDXC-UK via DXLD)

** U K. There is a dearth of radio north of Watford, although radio 
can sound fresher than the rather tired formats down here where the 
Palm trees grow. I don't think you missed much with the offshore RSLs 
- 1 watt ghosts of radio days past. I was brought up in the north-west 
and enjoyed a good choice of Irish, Manx, Dutch offshore and BBC 
national, local commercial and pirate stations from the early 70s on. 
That was the real thing in its time, not vintage revivals.

Maybe I am anti-shortwave but that is only because it just seems so
irrelevant to the ordinary radio listener in Western Europe. The range 
of good programming in English on shortwave is very limited. The 
changes in propagation and frequency confuse most people and the audio 
quality is often poor. If it ever arrives commercially, DRM may 
deliver AM/FM-style stations via SW without the listener even being 
aware they are tuned above 3 MHz. 

The free-to-air radios on DAB, Sky Digital and WorldSpace extend the 
radio choice for an outlay of around £150 pounds but I'm not sure that 
a whispy, fading, seasonal, weak shortwave signal from a station 
trading on the name of a once great station reaches more than a few 
dozen enthusiasts. 

In the post this morning some promo material came from the "Caroline" 
asking for funds to put the station on Sky Digital. Well good luck to 
them. It harped on about the ship and funding "for future use". It 
seems that a Sky signal isn't good enough, they want to keep painting 
a rusting marine studio, floating aerial and transmitter base which 
they don't use. I will not give them money but I am sure many will. It 
is no different from the appeals for funds many US stations air.

Anyway, I absolutely respect your opinion and assure you that any 
southern bias in my comments was enviromental and not genetic. Cheers 
(Chris McWhinnie, BDXC-UK via DXLD)

** U K [non]. This is a bit of a mystery - Mike)

16 July 2002

Reports arriving at the Laser office following our recent weekend 
test broadcasts indicate that a certain party is taking an unhealthy 
interest in having LaserRadio.net removed from the airwaves.

Despite our engineers adhering to the strictest technical operating 
standards and the transmitter being fully licenced and authorised by 
the Latvian authorities, certain objections have been lodged 
regarding our operation.

LaserRadio.net is a Free Radio service supported by its listeners and 
whatever advertising we manage to gather. The management of this 
station wish to make it perfectly clear we offer no 'threat' to any 
individual, group or government. 

We just want to play our music and entertain our listeners.

We can assure our supporters we shall not give in to the bully 
tactics of those who would have us shutdown - They will NOT succeed. 
(via Mike Terry, UK, BDXC-UK via DXLD)

As far as I am aware the 5.935 MHz Transmissions are perfectly legal, 
as, presumably, they are on a transmitter owned and operated by the 
country's (Latvia) public broadcaster. I also presume that Caroline 
have come to some sort of financial agreement with the said public 
broadcaster, for these transmissions. The only proviso I would suggest 
is that, if these transmissions were to become permanent, the Latvian 
public broadcaster (Radio Riga, I presume) should register these with 
the High Frequency Co-Ordination Committee (HFCC). This of course is 
NOT the concern or responsibility of (in this case) the Caroline 
organisation. All I can say is that the issues concerned, seem to me, 
to be, as stated above and are thus quite clear in my mind (Ken 
Fletcher, 1735UTC=1835UTC+1 17th July 2002, BDXC-UK via DXLD)

From laserradio@yahoogroups.com 
Wednesday, July 17, 2002 11:35 AM

Our engineers have made some modifications to the transmitter and we 
shall be running a brief test for two hours on Friday July 21 st. [sic 
– the 21st is Sunday, Friday is the 19th --- gh]. We will start at 
09h00 UTC until 11h00 UTC. Reception reports most welcome! (via Mike 
Terry, BDXC-UK via DXLD) Presumably still referring to 5935 Latvia

Laser Radio 5935 reception 
   
Reception of Laser Radio's test from Ulbroka Latvia on 5935 kHz here 
this morning (19 July) was not as good as last weekend's 
afternoon/evening transmissions.

From tune in at 0823 to close at 0959 UT signal was weaker, noisier 
and with more fading than heard last weekend. Today's SIO 343 at 0823 
deteriorated to SIO 242 at close. No interference on this channel 
though. (Last weekend here: SIO 444 at 1815 13 July; SIO 443 at 2157 
14 July)

Programme of continuous rock (REO Speedwagon, America, Bread etc) plus
English announcements of UK address and mobile 'phone number for 
reports and comments. Reception was not really good enough to sit back 
and enjoy this sort of music programme on shortwave this morning 
though.

Next transmission is scheduled this Sunday (21 July) 1400 to 2200 UT 
on 5935 again (Alan Pennington, Caversham, UK, AOR 7030+ / longwire, 
DX LISTENING DIGEST)

July 13, 2125-2157: At 2115 tune-in, I could detect a carrier, and by 
2125 recognizable audio was heard, with Herman's Hermits' "I'm Into 
Something Good". This was followed by a "laser" sound effect produced 
on a synthesizer. This pattern continued; every two or three pop/rock 
songs followed by a sound effect. No ID heard. The only other song I 
recognized was the Doobie Brothers' "Long Train Runnin'". Signal 
improved at 2145, with SINPO of 24332 (George Maroti, NY, Cumbre DX 
via DXLD) 

** U S A. VOICE OF AMERICA TO EXPAND KINYARWANDA, KIRUNDI OUTPUT; MAY 
RELAY RADIO RWANDA | Text of report by Rwandan radio on 18 July 

The head of the Africa Division of Voice of America [VOA] radio, Ms 
Gwen Dillard, says the VOA will soon broadcast in Kinyarwanda and 
Kirundi twice a day - in the morning and at night - instead of just in 
the morning. Ms Gwen Dillard announced this to the press following 
talks with the director of the Rwandan Information Office, Orinfor, Mr 
Joseph Bideri. 

Ms Gwen Dillard also said the VOA was thinking of relaying some Radio 
Rwanda broadcasts on the VOA in order to enable the entire world to 
become acquainted with realities in Rwanda. 

The head of the VOA's Africa Division is in Rwanda within the 
framework of celebrations to mark the first anniversary of the launch 
of VOA FM broadcasts in Rwanda. Source: Radio Rwanda, Kigali, in 
French 0445 gmt 18 Jul 02 (via BBCM via DXLD)

** U S A. Can You Feel the (TV Critics) Love?  
   
X-URL:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2002/07/15/DD51629.DTL&type=printable

   CNN'S CHUNG JUST DEAD WEIGHT
   TIM GOODMAN
   Monday, July 15, 2002   ©2002 San Francisco Chronicle.

Pasadena -- Getting spun is just part of the program of sitting down
here listening to networks talk about themselves. What are they going
to say -- we're lousy across the board? No. Even if they are lousy
across the board, they will find a few positive numbers and try to
stick them on your face with glue and paper.

That's fine by most critics here. Bring it on. We expect it. Lots of
practice has honed our ability to cut through it. So when CNN veered
away from what it had a distinct right to brag about -- that it does
good journalism, that it has a better news gathering machine than any
other network and a verifiable commitment to news that goes beyond
cheap studio talk -- it was almost insulting.

Do executives there really think we're dumb enough to believe Connie
Chung is doing important journalism for the channel? Apparently. As a
reminder, they passed out a flier of her "exclusives" and previous
guests and topics.

The list read partly like sleaze, partly like ego puffery based on
nothing of substance, and partly like cheap spin meant to remind us at
the very last second to Vote Connie.

Too bad this session came a couple of hours after a riotously funny,
brilliantly delivered bit from Comedy Central's Jon Stewart, who was a
guest on Chung's first show, a rocky start by all accounts except
Chung's. It included her apparently serious question about whether
Stewart, who "anchors" Comedy Central's "Daily Show", which spoofs
network news, had ever been asked to anchor CBS's "Evening News" or
ABC's "World News Tonight."

Stewart gave a hilarious, non-verbal Tex Avery cartoon imitation of
how he felt -- all bug-eyed, head-shaking, lip-shivering,
tongue-hanging out, heart- beating-out-of-chest incredulousness.

Point: Chung is out of her mind.

Back in the CNN session, we found Teya Ryan -- the network's executive
vice president and general manager -- continuing her bulldog-fierce
support of Chung and blindly dismissing the idea that a tabloid
sensibility reeks on most topics Chung covers. Pedophilia? Missing
children? Drunk airline pilots? Enron employees posing nude? Nah. It's
the news of the day. It chose us.

For his part, Walter Isaacson, Chairman and CEO of the CNN News Group
said, "Man, that's a cool show."

OK, stop. We can buy into the argument Isaacson makes about being
second to the glossy, opinionated Fox News -- "Emphasizing straight
and decent journalism is not the easiest path to popularity," he said.
CNN will be No. 1 on terms that don't erase its credibility. It won't
sell out, etc.

All great stuff and a fine motto. But getting Chung was an ill-advised
bit of desperation meant to keep up with the Joneses, something CNN
seems panicked about. Chung's show is bad. We know that. The CNN execs
claim not to. Hell, even Jon Stewart knows that.

So it was a little insulting for people who had otherwise made
sensible and admirable claims about CNN's lofty journalistic goals to,
all of a sudden, clump Chung in the same group. This is a woman who
would pull her car over on the way to the Pulitzer party to cover a
carnival sideshow.

And how weird was it that CNN announced it was picking up Stewart's
"Daily Show" and repackaging it as "The Daily Show: Global Edition,"
and sending it to 161 million homes in 200 countries?

"The Daily Show" is, after all, a spoof of the news.

Asked whether CNN should be concerned that people in other countries
just might take his show, um, seriously, Stewart said, "That's an
excellent question and one that I should answer -- not the head of
CNN."

And, asked whether he thought CNN didn't get the joke (because,
obviously Chung sure hadn't), Stewart said, "I can't speak for them --
oh, what the hell,

let me speak for them: They don't get it. They think it's cute. They
don't understand that we're actually angry at them."

Uproarious laughter is a good thing, and we got a lot of it there.
Maybe -- and this isn't a joke -- CNN should have just hired Stewart
instead of Chung. At least "The Daily Show" hasn't done overkill on
the Elizabeth Smart story.

   ©2002 San Francisco Chronicle.   Page D - 1 (via Tom Roche, DXLD)

** U S A. HAL SIMMS, CBS ANNOUNCER IN EARLY DAYS OF TV
	
	By Tom Long, Globe Staff, 7/12/2002
	
Hal Simms' name may not ring a bell, but his voice was certainly 
familiar to a generation of TV viewers who tuned in to ''The Edge
of Night,'' ''Beat the Clock'' and ''The Frank Sinatra Show'' during 
the early days of network television. He was a CBS announcer
from 1948 until 1972, but was really a jack-of-all-trades who also 
acted, reported, and delivered weather forecasts while the new medium 
was defining itself.
	
Mr. Simms, 83, who grew up in Boston's old West End, died July 2 at 
Goddard House, a Brookline nursing facility.
	
''For a kid from a tenement, it was really quite a life,'' his son 
Adam said yesterday. ''He was there when Walter Cronkite and Eric 
Sevareid were young men in a new medium. He got to work with sports 
figures such as Frank Gifford and entertainers like Frank Sinatra - 
figures who were larger than life.''
	
In 1958, he recalled the early days when ''a three-station hook-up was 
a major network, and you reached a couple of hundred thousand people 
at peak hours.'' He and his colleagues ''practically froze'' at the 
thought of telecasting into homes in Boston, New York, and 
Philadelphia simultaneously, when that was the extent of network TV.
	
''No one dreamed of a network spanning the entire nation, making it 
possible to be seen and heard by millions upon millions of viewers,'' 
he said.
	
Mr. Simms often recounted the time he was told to cover the races at 
New York's Belmont Park. ''He had never been to a racetrack and hadn't 
any idea what win, place, and show meant,'' said his son. An editor of 
the Racing Form gave him a quick tutorial and that afternoon Mr. Simms 
was at Belmont calling the races.
	
He was the announcer for the game shows ''Beat the Clock'' and ''To 
Tell the Truth,'' the soap opera ''The Guiding Light,'' and many other 
TV shows. He also announced radio shows and for 10 years prior to his 
retirement was announcer in chief of CBS. Nobody knows how many times 
he delivered the lines ''CBS presents this program in color'' or  
introduced ''The Edge of Night,'' with the emphasis on the word 
''edge,'' a hallmark of the show for many years.
	
He was also an announcer-actor on the ''The Morning Show'' with Jack 
Paar. One morning, when the two finished a skit wearing gorilla 
costumes, the cue came to deliver the weather forecast. Never one to 
miss a cue, Mr. Simms delivered the weather in the gorilla suit. The 
CBS switchboard lit up.
	
One evening, he was announcing the ''Songs for Sale'' show, and host 
Jan Murray contracted laryngitis and couldn't go on, so Mr. Simms 
hosted the show. ''Never in my life was I so scared,'' he said. 
''Luckily, things went off without a hitch.''
	
And there was the time he and a crew taped the ''The Frank Sinatra 
Show'' at the Paramount Theater in New York City, where ''old blue 
eyes'' was performing. When they returned to CBS, they realized they 
had forgotten to load the camera. Sinatra had decamped for Hollywood, 
so Mr. Simms and his colleagues followed the singer to the West Coast 
to retape the show. ''Frankie couldn't believe his eyes when we walked 
in,'' said Mr. Simms.
	
Mr. Simms graduated from the University of Michigan, working his way 
through school by selling shoes and newspapers and working in
the school's kitchen. During school breaks, he hitchhiked to Boston to 
visit his family.
	
He began his career in radio in Portsmouth, N.H., where he earned the 
princely sum of $20 a month. He was working for a Philadelphia radio 
station, his son said, when his college friends Robert Q. Lewis and 
Mike Wallace persuaded him to move to New York and join CBS.
	
Early in his career, Mr. Simms was asked to go to Hollywood, step out 
of the announcer's booth and into the limelight and take a chance at a 
big-time career. He declined because his children were young and he 
didn't want to relocate. ''He passed on the pursuit of glamour,'' said 
his son, ''and he never regretted it.''
	
He leaves another son, Hank; a daughter, Sarah Simms Rosenthal; and 
three grandchildren. funeral service was held.
	
This story ran on page B7 of the Boston Globe on 7/12/2002. 
(via Tom Roche, DXLD)

** U S A. LEFT OF THE DIAL: 
NON-COMMERCIAL RADIO STAYS ON THE AIR FOR ITS OWN SAKE 
by Joe Tarr 

It's hot as hell inside the broadcast booth of Knoxville's newest 
radio station on a muggy summer afternoon. The double-wide trailer—
whose outside walls are spattered with graffiti—sits along a heavily 
wooded road in South Knoxville. The station's organizers squat rent 
free, but the neighbors don't mind—the place used to be a crack house 
until the station cleaned it out and moved in. 

The broadcast equipment doesn't look like much: some used CD players, 
a small mixing board, a microphone, a broken tape deck. The 
transmitter is located in a cramped closet with a lock that requires a 
screwdriver to open. The antenna has been strung to the top of a tree 
out back. 

Oh, and a video monitor in the booth shows the driveway outside, in 
case Federal Communications Commission agents should happen to visit. 
You see, Knoxville's First Amendment Radio (KFAR), is broadcasting 
illegally at 90.9 FM....

http://www.metropulse.com/dir_zine/dir_2002/1228/t_cover.html

[This is a very long article, which deals with all the less than 92 
MHz Knoxville stations, including WUOT, WUTK, WDVX, WNCW and two 
gospel huxters --- gh] (via Howard Box, Oak Ridge, TN, DXLD)

All low-end FM fans should be impressed with how much Joe Tarr found 
gong on there but in fact he missed what some of us also find there. 
Rightly famed music commentator, Karl Haas can be heard at 9 am every 
weekday on WSMC 90.5 from Collegedale. And that station still carries 
``Marketplace`` at 5 pm, which WUOT lost in the budget crisis. They 
also offer the other public radio news [``The World``] at 4 pm put out 
by a WGBH-BBC consortium.

The East Tennessee State station, WETS on 89.5, is also heard well in 
Knoxville with what I`ll call ``jazz, etc.`` in the afternoon, and the 
8 to 10 am Sunday NPR news [``Weekend Edition``], as well as a later 
run of daily NPR news. They even have an occasional program drawing on 
THEIR university resources!

The ``compleat listener`` will appreciate that both offer much 
classical music that only infrequently duplicates WUOT, and sometimes 
offers a different time slot for a program we would otherwise miss.

Really upsetting in Tarr`s fascinating article was not the ``pirate`` 
station, but the little note that supposedly non-profit ``Love 89`` 
and ``Easy 88`` on 89.1 and 88.3 have WRJZ as their common e-mail 
address, and are programmed by the TN Media Association. What is going 
on at that very low end of our non-profit corner? Are spaces being 
held until the FCC  opens it up to commercial exploitation – as they 
did to the original high end non-commercial and, and as they have done 
to short wave? Who knows? ``Is anyone listening?`` Is anyone watching 
them?

P.S. Blow the public mind if you want by telling them they can hear 
channel 6 at the very-very-low-end of FM with traffic and weather and 
soap operas for people who don`t have enough trouble of their own 
(Rev. Howard Box, July 12, letter to the editor of Metro Pulse, via 
DXLD)

** U S A. ATHEIST DIRECTORS ON THE AIR MONDAY IN NORTH CAROLINA 

American Atheists State Directors Wayne Aiken (North Carolina) and 
Kyle Oden (South Carolina) will be the guests this Monday, July 22, 
2002 on WFAE-FM News Radio out of Charlotte, NC. Tune in to 90.7 on 
the FM dial beginning at 9 AM Eastern for an hour-long special on 
Atheism! You can also listen to a live feed on the internet. Just 
point your browser to http://www.wfae.org/wfae/index.cfm 

WHAT: Hour-long radio special on Atheism. 
WHO: Wayne Aiken and Kyle Oden, North Carolina and South Carolina 
State Directors for American Atheists. 
WHERE & WHEN: WFAE, 90.7 on the FM dial or on the net at 
http://www.wfae.org/wfae/index.cfm this Monday, July 22, 2002 
beginning at 9:00 AM Eastern. MORE INFO: 
http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/aamedia.htm 
http://www.atheists.org/nc (Office of the State Director, NC) 
http://www.atheists.org/sc (Office of the State Director, SC) 
(AA Newsletter July 18 via DXLD)

** U S A. Bringing up the KXMS Fine Arts Radio International webcast, 
for the scheduled Iraqi National Anthem at 1542 UT July 17, as in the 
KXMS posted schedule, and in MONITORING REMINDERS, Ivan Grishin and I 
were surprised to hear something completely different. It turned out 
to be NPR Performance Today rather than KXMS` own classical 
programming, and even stranger, and ID on the KXMS webcast at 1600 as 
KRPS Pittsburg, Kansas, which is the next-closest public radio station 
to Joplin. We notified KXMS, and they notified their ISP. Later that 
afternoon Kevin Kelly checked and found that KXMS had its webcast 
back, but the next morning Ivan found KRPS once again. As it happens, 
KRPS has declined to do its own webcasting, so this was a rare 
opportunity to hear it (however, it does have a considerable audio 
archive of locally produced features on its website). 

We also feared that KXMS had suffered another financial setback and 
had been forced to convert to a satellite of its neighboring public 
radio station, after having to curtail its own local classical 
programming to only 3 hours M-F for the duration of the summer.

We always got prompt replies from KXMS GM Jeff Skibbe, and this 
anomaly seems to correlate with whenever KXMS loses power and goes off 
the air, however briefly. It appears that the ISP is picking KXMS up 
off the air 88.7 as input to the webcast, and when the signal is lost, 
the receiver goes seeking on up to the next strong signal, namely KRPS 
at 89.9! (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
 
** U S A. RELATIVES OF DEAD FIREFIGHTERS WILL GET TO LISTEN TO SEPT. 
11 EMERGENCY RADIO TAPES 
The Associated Press 7/16/02 9:04 PM

NEW YORK (AP) -- Relatives of firefighters killed in the Sept. 11 
attack on the World Trade Center will be allowed to listen to 
recordings of emergency radio transmissions, fire officials said 
Tuesday.

The Fire Department of New York said the U.S. attorney's office had 
agreed to allow family members to hear the recordings on the condition 
that they sign confidentiality agreements.

Until now, the U.S. attorney's office has not released the tape due to 
court rules that prohibit the disclosure of possible evidence to the 
public.

The U.S. attorney in Virginia has cited the recordings as possible 
evidence in the upcoming trial against Zacarias Moussaoui, the only 
person charged in the Sept. 11 attacks.

Moussaoui has denied involvement in the attacks.

The fire department, which lost 343 members on Sept. 11, said its 
family assistance unit would contact family members in the near future 
to arrange for them to hear the recordings. Copyright 2002 Associated 
Press. All rights reserved. (via Mike Terry, DXLD)

** U S A. [WUN] MAJOR CHANGE TO THE ECPA THAT IMPACTS EVERYONE...
Date: Wed, 17 Jul 2002 11:46:01 -0400
From: Dave Emery die@die.com
To: fedcom@mailman.qth.net, wun@mailman.qth.net

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but something of enormous
importance to radio hobbyists has just happened in Washington, and
so far I haven't seen any mention or discussion of it on any
scanner or ham lists I follow.

I hope this message will alert others to what has just happened and
get people thinking about the consequences...

The House just passed the Cyber Security Enhancement Act (HR3482)
last night (7/15/02) by an overwhelming margin of 385-3.

Buried in an otherwise draconian bill that raises penalties for
computer hacking that causes death or serious injury to life in
prison and allows government monitoring of communications and email
without warrants in even more circumstances is the following
seeming obscure language:

: SEC. 108. PROTECTING PRIVACY.
:
: (a) Section 2511- Section 2511(4) of title 18, United 
: States Code, is amended--
:
: (1) by striking paragraph (b); and
:
: (2) by redesignating paragraph (c) as paragraph (b).

For those of you who don't realize what this means ....

USC Section 2511 subsection 4 of title 18 (the ECPA) currently reads 
as foilows....  the CSEA will strike part  (b) of this language.

Penalties..

:  (a)
:       
:   Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection 
:   or in subsection (5), whoever violates subsection (1) 
:   of this section shall be fined under this title or 
:   imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
:
:       

[The following section will be eliminated by the new law...]

:  (b)   
:
:  If the offense is a first offense under paragraph (a) 
:  of this subsection and is not for a tortious or illegal 
:  purpose or for purposes of direct or indirect commercial 
:  advantage or private commercial gain, and the wire or 
:  electronic communication with respect to which the 
:  offense under paragraph (a) is a radio communication that 
:  is not scrambled, encrypted, or transmitted using 
:  modulation techniques the essential parameters of
:  which have been withheld from the public with the 
:  intention of preserving the privacy of such communication, 
:  then -
:
:  (i)
:
:   if the communication is not the radio portion of a 
:   cellular telephone communication, a cordless telephone 
:   communication that is transmitted between the cordless 
:   telephone handset and the base unit, a public land
:   mobile radio service communication or a paging service 
:   communication, and the conduct is not that described 
:   in subsection (5), the offender shall be fined under 
:   this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or
:   both; and
:
:  (ii)
: 
:   if the communication is the radio portion of a 
:   cellular telephone communication, a cordless telephone 
:   communication that is transmitted between the cordless 
:   telephone handset and the base unit, a public land
:   mobile radio service communication or a paging service 
:   communication, the offender shall be fined under this 
:   title.

What this does is change the penalty for the first offense of 
intercepting an unscrambled and unencrypted radio communication that 
is not supposed to be listened to (e.g. AMPS cellular calls, 
commercial pagers, cordless phones, common carrier communications)
for hobby purposes (eg not a tortuous or illegal purpose or for direct 
or indirect commercial advantage or private commercial gain) from a 
misdemeanor (one year or less prison time) to a federal FELONY (5 
years prison time).

And further this changes the status of the specific offense of 
listening to a cell call, cordless call, a pager, or a public land
mobile radio service communication (eg a telephone interconnect) from 
a minor offense for which one can be fined a maximum of $500 to a 
federal FELONY for which one can be imprisoned for up to 5 years.

In effect this removes a safe harbor created during the negotiations 
over the ECPA back in 1985-86 which ensured that first offenses for 
hobby radio listening were only treated as minor crimes - after this 
law is passed simply intentionally tuning a common scanner to the 
(non-blocked) cordless phone frequencies could be prosecuted as a 
felony for which one could serve 5 years in jail.

And in case any of my readers have forgotten, a federal felony 
conviction (even without any jail time) deprives one of the right to 
vote, to own firearms, to be employed in a number of high level jobs 
and professions, to hold certain professional licenses and permits, 
and important for certain readers of these lists absolutely eliminates 
for life the possibility of holding any kind of security clearance 
whatever (a recent change in the rules) - something required for many 
if not most interesting government and government related jobs.

So merely being stopped by a cop with the cordless phone frequencies 
in your scanner could conceivably result in life long loss of 
important rights and privileges.

For some of you out there this may seem small potatoes and irrelevant 
since it merely changes the penalties for an already illegal act 
(which you are not supposed to be engaged in) and doesn't make 
anything new illegal. But this is a rather naïve view.   

The federal government was certainly not going to prosecute a hobbyist 
for radio communications interception under the old version of the 
ECPA if the worst penalty that could be levied was a $500 fine - there 
simply is not the budget or the staff to prosecute people for what 
would be a very minor offense (equivalent of a speeding ticket). And 
even prosecuting hobbyists for more serious interception (eg not 
cellular, cordless or pagers) was still a misdemeanor offense 
prosecution with jail time unlikely.

So in practice the only prosecutions were of people who clearly had a 
commercial purpose or otherwise engaged in egregious and public (e.g. 
the Newt call) conduct - no hobbyist ever got prosecuted. And this was 
doubtless the intent of Congress back in 1985-86 - it would be illegal 
to monitor certain radio traffic but only a minor offense if you did 
so for hobby type personal curiosity or just to hack with the 
equipment or technology - and a serious felony if one engaged in such 
conduct for the purpose of committing a crime or gaining financial or 
commercial advantage (e.g. true spying or electronic eavesdropping).

But after this bill is signed into law (and clearly it will be), it
will be quite possible for a federal prosecution of a hobbyist for
illegal radio listening to be justified as a serious felony offense
worth the time and effort and money to try and put the guy in jail 
even if the offense is not for a commercial purpose or part of an
illegal scheme. Thus "radio hacker" prosecutions have now become
possible, and even perhaps probable.

And federal prosecutors and law enforcement agents get career 
advancement and attention from senior management in their agencies in 
direct proportion to the seriousness of the offense they are 
investigating and prosecuting - nobody ever advances to senior
agent for going after jaywalkers, thus by raising the level of less
than legal hobby radio monitoring offenses from a jaywalking class
offense to a serious felony for which there can be real jail time
it becomes much more interesting from a career perspective to
prosecute radio listeners.

And needless to say, such prosecutions would be shooting fish in a
barrel type things given that many individuals are quite open on
Internet newsgroups and mailing lists about their activities.

And of course this MAJOR change in the ECPA also has the effect of
making the rather ambiguous and unclear meaning of "readily
accessible to the general public" in 18 USC 2510 and 2511 much more
significant, since intercepting something that isn't readily
accessible to the general public is now clearly a serious crime
even if done for hobby purposes as a first offense.   Thus one has
to be much more careful about making sure that the signal is a
legal one... 
        
And further than all of this, and perhaps even MUCH more significant 
to radio hobbyists on Internet scanner lists ....

The careful, thoughtful reader will note that section 4 has been
revised a bit lately, and that this new section 4 (see above) now 
makes it a federal felony with 5 years in jail penalties to violate
section 1 INCLUDING the following provisions of section 1:

18 USC 2511:

: (1)
: Except as otherwise specifically provided in this 
: chapter any person who -
:
: (c)
:
:  intentionally discloses, or endeavors to disclose, to 
:  any other person the contents of any wire, oral, or 
:  electronic communication, knowing or having reason to 
:  know that the information was obtained through the
:  interception of a wire, oral, or electronic 
:  communication in violation of this subsection;
:
: (d)
: 
:  intentionally uses, or endeavors to use, the 
:  contents of any wire, oral, or electronic 
:  communication, knowing or having reason to know that 
:  the information was obtained through the 
:  interception of a wire, oral, or electronic 
:  communication in violation of this subsection; or
:
:  shall be punished as provided in subsection (4) or 
:  shall be subject to suit as provided in subsection (5).

This seems to have changed the status of revealing as part of a hobby 
list any hint of the contents of a radio communications that might or 
might not have been legally intercepted from a potentially minor 
misdemeanor offense or less to a serious felony. Thus if a court finds 
that any communication reported on an Internet list was not legally 
intercepted, felony penalties apply for publishing the information 
even if the interception was for hobby purposes (which of course most 
scanner list intercepts are).

Most significant for many of us, the section 18 USC 2510 exceptions to 
the prohibitions on intercepting radio communications in 18 USC 2511 
are pretty silent about military communications - not prohibited, or 
specifically allowed except as "governmental communications". So it is 
possible that military comms might be found to be illegal to intercept 
and thus passing around information about them a potential felony, 
even though of course the military has complete access to the world's 
best COMSEC technology and uses for anything sensitive. But in a 
paranoid age (post 9/11) anything goes... and if the government wants 
to go after scanner lists (like Milcom) it might now be able to do so
with prosecutions with real teeth and jail time. 
        
Thus the legal climate has fundamentally changed, and one can assume 
that since the Bush administration has been pushing for the passage of 
this bill that they perhaps intend to start prosecuting at least some 
category of radio hobbyists under the new provisions - no doubt as an 
example meant to scare the rest of us into handing our radios in at 
the nearest police station...

So yet another blow to the radio hobbies.... and a big one indeed...
-- Dave Emery N1PRE,  die@die.com  DIE Consulting, Weston, Mass. 
PGP fingerprint = 2047/4D7B08D1 DE 6E E1 CC 1F 1D 96 E2  5D 27 BD
B0 24 88 C3 18
_______________________________________________
WUN mailing list WUN@mailman.qth.net
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/wun == end ==
(via Tomas NW7US // AAR0JA Hood, swl via DXLD)

Well, I have to disagree... I resent very highly those of you who are 
scanner enthusiasts listening in on my cell phone communications. 
Therefore, I support this new language in the law. I think that 
anyone, even a fellow ham who attempts to listen in on my or anyone 
else's private communication SHOULD go to jail and pay a heavy fine.  
Also thinking it will make a major impact or the radio hobbies is the 
old domino/ Big Brother theory applied to radio hobbyists. I just 
cannot see it happening (Eric Cooper, KB6VPI, ibid.)

This bill is not limited to just cell phone communications. But to
ANY communication not intended for general public consumption. So,
that could include listening in to the Coast Guard rescue
communications, local police and fire, and so on.

On topic? I know that listening to any Shortwave Frequency that some 
governmental agency decides is not for general public use would be 
covered by this bill. Making even scanning through those frequencies a 
federal crime. Cell phones are a very limited part of what this bill 
impacts. 73 de (Tomas, NW7US // AAR0JA, ibid.)

Next step, you'll have to register your radio down at the local Police
department obtaining a permit. And then later you'll only be able to 
buy radios that cover the FM and Mediumwave broadcast bands, and 
'maybe' if you're lucky the International Broadcast bands. Anyone 
owning a vintage general coverage receiver such as a Hallicrafters, 
Hammarlund, Icom etc will be "suspect" and possibly open to criminal 
charges. And, God forbid that you should even think of owning a ``DC 
to Daylight`` receiver. Of course, criminals will always be able to 
"buy them on the street", for the right price. Does that sound like 
any other kind of government control we know of? (Phil, KO6BB Atchley, 
ibid.)

I disagree that the new penalties automatically mean that the 
government will go after hobbyists. The intention might just be 
putting teeth in a law to use in investigating and prosecuting more 
serious crimes. Like applying tax laws to drug dealers, it's another 
tool in the box. Of course, I am a hopeless optimist (Chuck Boyle, 
kb5rvv, ibid.) 

This is not an OT subject. It does have the potential to limit our
listening enjoyment.

Although I am not a 'libertarian', I do believe that the founding 
fathers were correct in limiting government's power to prevent 
potential abuse in future generations. It's not possible to predict 
what government will feel 'they have to do to protect us'. I do 
believe we need a strong central government for protection against 
other nations, to regulate international trade and treaties, and 
provide limited in-country 'policing' that the individual states are 
not incentivized to do - i.e.; FCC, FAA, ICC, SEC, etc.

A good example of this is the 'right to bear arms'.  The founding 
fathers felt that the central government might attempt to usurp the 
independence of the states. Remember, that in the 1770's, virtually 
all of the real military power were in state raised, state financed, 
and state controlled militias (armies). It was felt that if the states 
had their own well armed 'militias', they could both easily prevent a 
central government takeover AND quickly repel a foreign invader - as 
they did in both the revolutionary war and The War of 1812. It was not 
until the 1820's that the US central government had grown large enough 
to field an effective army.

Today, these state militias (National Guard) are, despite the rhetoric 
to the contrary, effectively under federal control. The standard of 
living of the 'average American' has been gradually eroding since the 
late 70's, melding with the rest of the world's. In 1965, a 'factory 
worker' could own a home and a car AND go on vacation once a year.  
Today, that same skill set barely produces enough income to make car 
payments. When the standard of living of this 'average American' 
approaches that of the 'typical Asian factory worker' (I've worked 
there and can testify to it), the US will NOT want 200 million armed 
citizens!  Just look at the criminal chaos in many of the now 'free' 
African nations.

Many other countries do limit what radios their citizens can own and
operate.  With only a handful of amateurs, most non-democratic 
countries do keep their licensed amateurs under some scrutiny. In 
China, unless you are a loyal and ranked 'party member, having even a 
legal amateur station subjects you to frequent inspections and 
monitoring. I've been there and seen it... Many of our in-country 
employees who were amateurs, would come to work to use our own company 
stations for conversations with their friends in other countries - 
afraid of being called on the carpet to (McCarthy era like) to explain 
their actions.

Could the US force you to 'register' your radio and limit ownership to 
only standard broadcast band receivers? Sure. Probably not in the next
generation or so, but in the 'brave new world' of the mid 21st 
century, who knows... 73 (Frank ----, swl , where the moderator 
declares this off-topic, via DXLD)

** U S A. RADIO STATIONS APPEAL INTERNET ROYALTY DECISION  
   From Reuters, Wednesday July 17, 5:41 AM

Radio stations have asked a federal appeals court to rule that they do 
not have to pay musicians and recording companies when they play music 
on the Internet because they do not pay royalties for regular, over-
the-air broadcasts.

In a motion filed late Monday, a group of radio stations said a 
federal court in Philadelphia and the U.S. Copyright Office had 
misinterpreted the law when they said that radio stations had to to 
pay musicians and recording companies when they "stream" their songs 
over the Internet.

The Copyright Office established a rate of 0.07 cents per listener per 
song in June, which means that Internet-only "Webcasters" and 
broadcast giants like Clear Channel Communications Inc. would be on 
the hook for 70 cents for each song played to an audience of 1,000 
listeners.

The rate was decried as onerous by radio stations and Webcasters, many 
of whom said they would be forced to shut their doors.

Webcasters did not participate in the appeal of the August 2001 
decision, which was filed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Radio stations have historically been required to pay per-song 
royalties to songwriters but not performers, recording companies, and 
anyone else who own the rights to the "sound recording" of a song.

Congress said sound-recording owners should get paid for Internet
transmission when it updated copyright laws for the digital era in 
1995 and 1998.

But Congress intended the law to apply only to services that would 
enable users to select and download songs, not online radio-style 
broadcasts that do not allow users to save songs, the broadcasters 
said in their appeal.

While downloadable music may dampen CD sales, radio broadcasts over 
the air and through the Internet stimulate sales, they said.

"Congress has long recognized the mutually beneficial relationship 
between the radio and recording industries, particularly the enormous 
promotional benefits derived by the recording companies from radio 
airplay of sound recordings," the appeal said.

The Recording Industry Association of America ( news - web sites), 
which represents the five major labels, said it hoped the radio 
stations would lose their appeal.

"Rather than seek special treatment from the courts, we encourage the
broadcasters to work with the labels and artists as our industries
transition into new businesses," said Steven Marks, a senior vice 
president at the RIAA.

The appeal was filed by the National Association of Broadcasters and 
radio firms Bonneville International Corp., Clear Channel, Cox Radio 
Inc., Emmis Communications Corp., Entercom Communications Corp. and 
Susquehanna Radio Corp.

The RIAA represents music divisions of Vivendi Universal, AOL Time 
Warner Inc, EMI Group Plc, Bertelsmann AG, and Sony Corp.

(Reuters/Variety via Mike Terry, DXLD)
 
** U S A [and non]. From The New York Times:

By MARGO JEFFERSON

I LOVE to wander around my apartment, lie on my couch and listen to 
the radio. I can control what I hear there, but I can't predict it. Of 
course, we can all predict what we'll hear on commercial stations with 
their generic playlists. (Warning: do not purchase this product and do 
not listen to it again unless accompanied by diverting video images on 
television.) And I binge on nostalgia at regular intervals. "Don't it 
kinda strike you sad when you hear our song," as Donna Summer keened 
and whined in her 1979 disco hit, "On the Radio."

As for the higher pleasures, it excites me to hear music I know 
nothing about and respond with no interference from anything or 
anyone. A good radio station or program can ambush my prejudices - 
change my mood.

No, I do not want to hear Brahms or John Coltrane. But I give in, I 
listen clinically, And either way I'm rewarded. My response shifts, or 
feels even more justified.

Finally, I use radio as a mental tuneup. I've always envied dancers 
the warm-up that starts their working day, and ever since Yvonne 
Rainer called one of her dances "The Mind Is a Muscle," I've made 
radio part of my prewriting ritual. News at breakfast; it makes me 
absorb facts and think about context. Then a brief period of quiet, 
followed by a search (sometimes desperate) for music that induces 
concentration and seems to have some link (rhythm, cadence, structure) 
to my work. I know I could get the same effect by programming my CD 
collection.

But I know its contents. The mystery of not knowing what the radio 
will yield is closer to the mystery of not knowing exactly what I am 
about to write.

Margo Jefferson is a cultural critic for The Times (via Mike Terry, 
July 17, DXLD)

** U S A. The following text is from 
http://www.dxing.com/dxld1009.htm: 

The International Broadcasting Act of 1994 requires the Broadcasting 
Board ``to review, reviewuate, and determine, at least annually, after 
consultation with the Secretary of State, the addition or deletion of 
language services.`` Language service review and the setting of 
language priorities are key components of the BBG`s broad 
responsibilities as an independent federal entity since Oct. 1, 1999. 
'reviewuate' is not a word. I think you must mean 'evaluate'. 

Best wishes (Mark Drury, Head of Marketing, National Library for the 
Blind, UK, July 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 

"A truly great library contains something in it to offend everyone." 
(Jo Godwin) 

Well, I suppose this coinage means ``review and evaluate``, and seems 
somewhat useful, even tho I am not responsible for it. Somewhat 
redundant, tho, right after ``review`` (gh, DXLD)

** U S A [and non]. Should have put a cross reference in DXLD 2-114 
for those seeking AFN frequencies, in that issue under GUAM --- so 
here it is now (gh, DXLD)

** U S A. SMALL TV STATIONS REEL UNDER ORDER TO GO DIGITAL 
   By David Lieberman, USA TODAY 

Duhamel Broadcasting Enterprises has provided a nice income to the 
Duhamel family since World War II. 

First a radio company, it entered the television age with KOTA in 
Rapid City, S.D. The station beams ABC shows and local news to the No. 
175 TV market: 88,000 viewers spread over an area the size of a 
triangle from Washington, D.C., to Boston to Buffalo, N.Y. 

So company President Bill Duhamel was stunned when the federal 
government ordered all TV stations — even in tiny markets such as his 
— to buy the towers, transmitters and other gear needed to join the 
long-awaited and fitful national march from analog to digital 
television (DTV). 

"I would guess it's going to take three to four years of operating 
profits just to pay for the first stage" of retransmitting ABC's 
digital signals, he says. The full transition can cost up to $3 
million per station. 

"The deal I have with the family is, they better make their living 
someplace else. It's not a great situation." 

A lot of station owners in small markets feel the same way about DTV. 
For them, it's not just a troublesome mandate. Many of them see it as 
a threat to their survival. 

They find it next to impossible to amass the needed dollars in the 
midst of the worst ad recession in decades. And they grumble that the 
conversion mandate hits small stations harder than big ones. 

"The cost really doesn't vary a whole hell of a lot whether you're in 
New York or Yakima," says Elizabeth Murphy Burns, president of Duluth, 
Minn.-based Morgan Murphy Stations. "In some cases, the cost of 
converting to digital is more than the station is worth. Right now, 
we're sort of stymied." 

Federal officials ordered the national conversion from analog to 
digital TV in 1997. It seemed like a good idea. They wanted to spur 
development of high-definition TV (HDTV). They wanted to save valuable 
spectrum — six or more non-HDTV digital channels fit in airwaves used 
by one analog channel. And they wanted to raise billions by selling 
the spectrum saved to wireless companies. 

But the transition has been rocky. Cable companies balked at carrying 
stations in both analog and digital form during the change. Digital TV 
sets remain costly. Consumers have shown little interest. 

And nobody seemed to consider the plight of smaller stations. 

Some 68% of the USA's 1,240 commercial television stations failed to 
meet the government's May 1 deadline to begin transmitting some 
digital programming. The majority of the laggards are in small 
markets. Just 13% of the 443 stations that now offer DTV are in the 
110 smallest markets — those smaller than No. 100, metro Brownsville, 
Texas. 

They'll have to move fast, though, unless they can persuade the 
Federal Communications Commission or Congress to give them more time. 
"The law says you have to do it, and if you don't, they have the right 
to take your license back," says CEO Don Cornwell of station owner 
Granite Broadcasting. 

The industry's National Association of Broadcasters warns that 
consumers may lose in the rush. Stations scrounging for cash "have to 
cut back on news or services to a community to fulfill a government 
mandate," says Edward Fritts, NAB chief executive. "That's just 
wrong." 

In fact, several news operations at Emmis Television's 15 stations — 
in midsize markets such as Orlando, Wichita, Omaha and Topeka — have 
felt the pinch. "Everything from cameras, news production systems and 
satellite trucks have had to fall to a lower priority, and some have 
been eliminated" to accommodate DTV, says Randall Bongarten, Emmis 
president. 

The threat is real 

Industry analysts say small-station owners aren't just crying wolf. 

"These guys have really got a problem," says Sanford C. Bernstein's 
Tom Wolzien. "It can cost $3 million to convert to digital. But a 
smaller TV station is lucky if it makes $300,000 a year in free cash 
flow." 

The government's General Accounting Office reached a similar 
conclusion in April. In a survey of station owners, it found that: 

Digital expenses represent an average of 11% of yearly revenue for the 
mostly big-market stations that have already made the transition. By 
contrast, the costs for stations in the 100 smallest markets, when 
they do go digital, will be about 242% of annual revenue. 

Lack of money was "one of the most prevalent problems" for stations 
that haven't made the transition. 

Some 6% say they can only pay for DTV by putting themselves up for 
sale. About 56% of station owners say that consumers in their markets 
have "low" interest in DTV. An additional 7% said their viewers have 
no interest in it. 

The last point, a consumer yawn on DTV, helps explain lenders' 
reluctance to help stations. "When you go to bankers for a (DTV) loan 
and they look at return on investment, there isn't any," says Liberty 
President James Keelor. 

There's no mystery why. Digital conversion raises stations' costs. 
Advertisers supply virtually all of a station's revenue. But 
advertisers won't pay extra for their ads to appear on DTV when only a 
handful of consumers have bought TV sets capable of receiving digital 
signals. 

The FCC gave stations some relief in November. 

"For the first time, the commission created the possibility of an 
extension of time based on financial hardship," says Rick Chessen, who 
chairs the FCC's DTV task force. "You can't just come in and say, 'I 
don't have the cash.' You have to show why your financial condition 
precludes the build-out." 

The FCC has gotten 193 hardship requests but says it doesn't track 
them by market size, so it could not say whether small stations 
dominate the list. 

In another easing of the burden, the FCC cut the requirement that a 
station transmit digital signals to everyone in its current broadcast 
territory. That lets small stations with big areas install low-power 
transmitters that reach homes just in their immediate home city. 

"That downscales a number of items needed for the investment," says 
Dale Mowry, vice president of transmission systems for Harris, which 
supplies about two-thirds of the market for DTV transmission 
equipment. "A station can get on the air with a digital signal for as 
little as $160,000." 

There is disagreement in the industry, however, over whether that's a 
smart investment in the long run. Mowry says it is. He thinks most of 
the equipment can still be used later when the FCC sets a date for 
stations to raise power to reach everybody. 

But others say that low power would leave a lot of viewers feeling 
left out now and that the equipment may not last that long. "I 
wouldn't call it a waste of money, but when you want to go high power, 
you'd have to throw it out," Cornwell says. 

Low-power technology also is just part of the story. 

Whatever the power level, many stations still have to pay much more to 
build or modify their towers to accommodate DTV. They would pay higher 
electric costs. And production costs would soar to produce local 
programs. 

Several station owners in rural markets add that low power doesn't 
solve one of their biggest problems: To cover vast territories, they 
often have several repeater stations that basically just relay 
programming from the largest outlet in the group. 

The FCC wants each of these repeaters upgraded to carry DTV. 

Stations bear digital risk 

Underlying station owners' arguments is their feeling that they're 
taking most of the risks in the DTV transition. 

For example, only a few cable operators have agreed to carry local 
stations' DTV programs. And TV makers still charge top prices for sets 
with DTV converters, dampening consumer interest. 

"This is not really an orderly transition," Duhamel says. 

"Smaller markets need a substantial amount of time, because there's no 
demand for DTV here. We're out there as the Lone Ranger. Cable isn't 
doing anything. Set manufacturers are sitting on their hands. Return 
on investment is so far out there that this thing is crazy from a 
financial viewpoint." 

Despite their problems, small stations don't expect to get much more 
relief from the government. 

Federal officials plan to get tough with DTV laggards. The FCC denied 
71 of the 843 requests for six-month extensions from the May 1 
deadline. Regulators also threatened, in sanctions proposed last 
month, to yank the licenses from stations that they see as stalling. 

"For the most part, people are trying to get on with digital," Chessen 
says. Although there have been "some bumps in the road," progress has 
been "slow but steady, and we have to keep in perspective that it's a 
massive transition. These things don't happen overnight." 

Still, the NAB wants to goose the process and shift some of the risk: 
The powerful lobby group is asking Congress to require cable operators 
to carry local stations' DTV broadcasts, as well as the current analog 
ones. It also wants to require TV manufacturers to include DTV tuners 
in all new sets. 

Because stations must pay for DTV transmission even though there's no 
market for it yet, "we have no safety net," Fritts says. "We have to 
have this transition work. It's time for Congress to complete the 
circle. Without Congress acting, (small-market stations) have no hope. 
The FCC has been sensitive to the concerns of Congress and now we have 
to sensitize Congress to the concerns of small and rural markets." 

Without dramatic change, station owners in the smaller markets will 
have little choice but to plead for even more time. 

"We need to be flexible about the date when we go (from low power) to 
full power," Bongarten says. "It's really a question mark as to when 
the consumers and manufacturers will be in sync. If there isn't 
greater demand, then the FCC will have to take a closer look at what 
they're doing."  (via Fred Vobbe, July 17, NRC FMTV via DXLD) 

** U S A. GM RESIGNS IN SHAKEUP AT WSMV 
   By KEITH RUSSELL Staff Writer

The parent company of WSMV-Channel 4 replaced the television station's 
general manager yesterday amid reports of financial challenges and 
staff departures at a broadcasting operation that until recently 
dominated news ratings in the Nashville market.

A spokesman for Meredith Corp. confirmed the resignation of Frank 
DeTillio, which ended his seven-year run as WSMV's general manager. 
Dick Williams, a 34-year broadcasting industry veteran who 15 years 
ago worked at WSMV, was named the station's acting general manager.

At a meeting yesterday afternoon, Kevin O'Brien, president of 
Meredith's broadcast division, told staffers that a management change 
was necessary because WSMV was losing money. O'Brien boarded a plane 
to leave Nashville shortly after the meeting and could not be reached 
for comment.

A humbling loss to WTVF-Channel 5's news programming in the all-
important May ratings period might have helped to seal DeTillio's 
fate. The ratings are critical because they determine how much 
stations can charge advertisers.

''That's got to be a factor,'' said Whit Adamson, executive director 
of the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters.

''That's the bread-and-butter, and that stabs you right in the 
heart.''

DeTillio was named WSMV's general manager in 1995, shortly after 
Meredith purchased the station from Cook Inlet Television Partners for 
$159 million. He did not return phone calls placed to his home 
yesterday.

Adamson said he was surprised by DeTillio's departure.

''Anytime we lose anyone who's been here that long in a position like 
that, it's a big deal,'' Adamson said.

Meredith spokesman Jody Judge said Williams (whose wife, Judy, is a 
WSMV sales manager) would run the station until a permanent 
replacement is found.

''The search will begin immediately,'' Judge said.

O'Brien was brought in last November to run Des Moines, Iowa-based 
Meredith's broadcast division after it posted a $10 million drop in 
quarterly profits. Since then, he has made sweeping changes to the 
company's 11 TV stations. DeTillio is the fifth general manager to 
depart since O'Brien came on board.

''He has taken charge and made changes to get the ball moving in the 
right direction,'' Judge said.

That may take some work at WSMV.

An NBC network affiliate, WSMV is Nashville's oldest television 
station. For years it led news ratings in the Nashville market, which 
encompasses Middle Tennessee and stretches into southern Kentucky.

Channel 4's star has faded of late, however, especially after May's 
ratings loss to Channel 5 in every news time slot.

The decline has heightened the pressure to perform and has sunk morale 
at WSMV, contributing to several staff departures.

Four of the station's 11 sales staff members recently resigned. Of 
those, three left on the same day to join Sinclair Broadcasting, which 
operates Fox network affiliate WZTV-Channel 17 and UPN network 
affiliate WUXP-Channel 30.

On the news side, executive producer Katie McManus-Faye was fired on 
July 1. A week later, anchor Sharon Puckett surprised colleagues by 
announcing her retirement after 28 years at the station. Jackie 
Pillars, WSMV's special events producer, also is leaving after 17 
years.

''I just didn't feel as appreciated as I had been in the past by 
management,'' Pillars said yesterday. ''I definitely will miss the 
people who work here.''

Williams, who had most recently been serving as interim general 
manager for Meredith's Atlanta TV station, said he was unfamiliar with 
the recent staff changes and declined to comment on them.

He added that Meredith would start formulating a game plan to revive 
the station.

''We've got to take it back to where it was,'' Williams said.

''When I was here 15 years ago, this was a pretty dominant television 
station. It needs to get back there.'' 

Staff writer John Shiffman contributed to this report.  
(Nashville Tennessean via cgoss549 July 18 via DXLD)

** U S A. EVENING HOST DIAMOND EXITS WOR 

July 17, 2002 By DAVID HINCKLEY, DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER 
You can view the entire article at 
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/ent_radio/story/3752p-3410c.html
(via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD

** VENEZUELA. There are 118 illegal broadcasting station in Venezuela, 
says the Cámara Venezolana de la Radiodifusión in a report. The 
majority of the offenders are in Western Venezuela, in Barinas, 
Táchira and Trujillo states. Full story in an article called "Radio 
Anarquía" (Radio Anarchy), at 
http://www.talcualdigital.com/ediciones/2002/07/17/f-tal.asp?pv=f-p1.htm&st=f-p1s1.htm
(Henrik Klemetz, Sweden, July 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

PROPAGATION
+++++++++++

GEOMAGNETIC INDICES

      phil bytheway - Seattle WA - phil_tekno@yahoo.com
      Geomagnetic Summary June 17 2002 through July 15 2002
      Tabulated from email status daily

 Date  Flux  A  K  SA Forecast      GM Forecast      Etc.

[first, an historical item ??? -gh]
10/22  233  53  4  moderate-high    active-mas       9 mas 1645/
                                                       maf 1759
 6/17  143   5  1  none             none             4
   18  143   8  4  none             none             8
   19  146  13  2  none             none             6
   20  145   7  1  none             none             4
   21  140   7  2  none             none             7
   22  142   7  3  none             none             8
   23  143  10  2  minor            none             6
   24  150   6  2  none             none             4
   25  145  11  3  none             none             7
   26  144   7  1  none             none             5
   27  139   4  1  none             none             6
   28  137   6  2  none             none             2
   29  143   7  2  none             none             5
 6/30  147  12  4  none             none             8
 7/ 1  147  16  2  none             minor            6
    2  149   5  2  minor            minor            3
    3  173   6  2  strong           minor            3
    4  146   6  3  minor            minor            6
    5  139  14  4  minor            minor            7
    6  134  21  3  minor            minor           10
    7  137  11  2  minor            minor            4  geo storms
    8  131  10  4  minor            minor            3
    9  136  17  4  minor            minor            7
   10  129   8  2  none             minor            6
   11  136   7  2  moderate         minor            4
   12  133  15  2  minor            minor            6  geo storms
   13  135   7  2  minor            minor            6
   14  144   4  1  none             minor            2
 7/15  160   5  2  strong           minor            5
**********************************************************************
(IRCA Soft DX Monitor July 20 via DXLD)

PROPAGATION REPORT 

The sun became quite active over the past week with 2 X and a few M 
class flares. MUFs have been enhanced near the equator but depressed 
over mid latitudes. Geomagnetic conditions have been fairly quiet but 
the faint halo CME observed in association with the X1-flare on 18 
July is expected to impact the Earth and produce minor and possible 
major storm levels late on 20 to 21 July. Solar activity is expected 
to remain high. There is a reasonable chance of continued CME and 
associated intermittent geomagnetic activity over the next couple of 
weeks due to several active regions currently on the visible sun and 
rotating into view. (Prepared for Cumbre DX July 19 by Richard Jary 
using data from http://www.ips.gov.au via DXLD) ### 

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

        DX LISTENING DIGEST 2-114, July 17, 2002
        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.

Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not
having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of
noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits

HTML version of this issue will be posted afterwards at
http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd02.html

For restrixions and searchable 2002 contents archive see
http://www.worldofradio.com/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 #1140 [available by early UT July 18]:
(DOWNLOAD)  http://www.k4cc.net/wor1140.rm
(STREAM)    http://www.k4cc.net/wor1140.ram
(SUMMARY)   http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1140.html

FIRST WBCQ BROADCASTS: Wed 2200 on 17495, 7415; UT Thu 0415 on 7415
FIRST WWCR BROADCASTS: Thu 2030 on 15825; Sat 0500, Sun 0230 on 5070
FIRST RFPI BROADCASTS: Sat 0130, 0730, 2400 on 7445-USB, 15038.6

** AFGHANISTAN/UK. RADIO VOICE OF AFGHANISTAN TO STOP BROADCASTING FOR
THREE MONTHS

The founder of Radio Voice of Afghanistan, Sayd Jamaloddin Afghan, has
announced that the radio's broadcasts will stop for three months. In
an unscheduled speech on the radio which replaced the 1330 gmt news
bulletin, he said that during a recent visit to Afghanistan he saw
"painful" scenes which are even "difficult to explain". He said the
radio was not able to broadcast "the truth" and report what was
happening in Afghanistan because of "the current conditions governing
the country". He expressed the hope that the country's situation would
improve in three months and the radio would be able to resume its
broadcasts. The radio began broadcasting around eight months ago from
London. The following is the text of a recording of Sayd Jamaloddin
Afghan's speech broadcast by London-based Radio Voice of Afghanistan
on 14 July:

In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. Respectable
brothers and sisters of the Muslim nation of Afghanistan, peace be
upon you.

About eight months ago Radio Voice of Afghanistan was inaugurated and
started [its broadcasts]. I hope that the radio - by broadcasting
independent, neutral and your favourite programmes - has served the
respectable listeners properly. To start the radio, our only aim was -
with the help of professional and specialist workers without any
ethnic, regional or political affiliations - to broadcast the current
affairs and related problems, information, reports, news, interviews
and independent broadcasting.

A few days ago I went to my dear country Afghanistan. I spent more
than one week there and visited several provinces and met different
people. I saw painful scenes and unbearable attitudes and incidents
which are even very difficult to write about freely on a piece of
paper [sentence as heard].

As everybody knows, the duty of an independent and neutral radio is to
broadcast everything independently without any censorship. I don't
want to worsen the situation by pointing out the problems of a country
which is passing through a very sensitive period. Without a doubt, the
situation is practically not suitable for broadcasting. On the other
hand, the Radio Voice of Afghanistan cannot keep silent about these
injustices and sinister actions.

Esteemed listeners and compatriots! I don't want to say that Mr
[Hamed] Karzai [head of the transitional government of Afghanistan] is
responsible for this distressing situation. But I think that all those
people who are in power, all groups and all of us Afghans are
responsible for these incidents and the present situation.

I believe that the influential people want to utilize their influence
in the government for their personal, regional and tribal benefits. It
should be mentioned that during the Afghan jehad [holy war against the
Soviet Union] and for the sustaining of national unity all the Afghan
groups like Tajiks, Pashtuns, Uzbeks, Tukmens and Hazaras made
countless sacrifices.

Esteemed compatriots! For the unity, independence, peace and security
of the Muslim nation of Afghanistan all groups [political parties] and
opposition groups need to be patient, tolerant, and should end their
selfishness and take quick steps to serve the suffering Afghan nation.
They should not be allowed to divide Afghanistan into small states and
have their own police, army and customs.

There should be a police and national army which obey the elected head
of the government and they should keep in mind the national interests
of the country and they should prevent Afghanistan from becoming
involved in a dirty war by shunning personal, tribal and military
interests.

Afghanistan is the mutual home of all Afghans and all Afghans have
equal rights to decide its fate. Any group should not consider itself
superior to others and should not give itself the right to decide the
destiny of Afghanistan. All the people of Afghanistan like Pashtuns,
Tajiks, Uzbeks, Hazaras and others should have equal part [in
Afghanistan]. We should not condemn each other for this or that
reason. Such nasty behaviour should vanish from the Afghan culture.
Every Afghan - without any racial, linguistic or regional
discrimination - should have the right to fulfil his responsibilities
and duties.

Now is not the time for settling accounts, now is the time for
passion, forbearance and forgiveness. By taking revenge we cannot
relieve our dear Afghanistan from poverty and adversity and cannot
improve the living standards of the Afghan people. We should not waste
the sacrifices of our mojahedin. Only by giving a hand to each other
we can forget our sorrows and pains. Let us dress the wounds of the
people.

Due to this, I decided to stop the broadcasts of the Radio Voice of
Afghanistan for three months temporarily and let Mr Karzai's
government overcome the difficulties and solve the problems of the
people of Afghanistan.

Because, as a free and national radio, Voice of Afghanistan cannot
remain silent about the pain and suffering of the people of
Afghanistan and not broadcast the voice of the people. Dear
compatriots! I beseech God Almighty for the complete resolution of our
dear country's problems in three months when we shall resume our
broadcasts of the Radio Voice of Afghanistan and for peace and
stability to return to the country. I wish that every Afghan could
live in peace and tranquillity. Source: Radio Voice of Afghanistan,
London, in Dari and Pashto 1330 gmt 14 Jul 02 (via BBCM via DXLD)

This was the one via Austria 17870 at 1330-1430 (gh, DXLD)

** AFGHANISTAN. Having recently returned from a trip to Kabul and
Herat, the Afghanistan page of the Interval Signals Archive has been
modified with several new and updated audio files of Afghan radio
stations, such as Radio Herat, Radio Kabul and Radio Turkiyem. There
is also a link to another page with photos of Radio Afghanistan and
Kabul. All this is at http://www.intervalsignals.net Regards, (Dave
Kernick, July 16, hard-core-dx via DXLD)

** AFRICA. Back from a short trip to Cape Town, here`s my short report
of what I heard on the short waves. I only had a cheap portable
receiver with me and not spend so much time listening, so no surprise
that I did not hear any real rarities. Also I did not spend my time
logging those dozens of Chinese (many of those only continuous music
as we know it from 7530 etc), Indian and other Asian stations that
crowded the bands from late afternoon onwards and complicated the
search for the weaker African stations. To mention only one of them:
Listening to 7185 Radio Bangla Desh was no problem throughout the
afternoon.

But now back to Africa: No signals from July 5 to July 10 from
Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon (RTV), Kenya (?),
Lesotho, Malawi, Moçambique, Uganda (!!!), and many countries from
Northern and Western Africa. The others from southern Africa:

Angola:
3375: RNA External Service, quite weak in the evening, 2100 English
4950: RNA Canal A, much stronger, from late afternoon into the night
7215/7217: Radio Ngola Yetu?, only heard in the afternoon, Vn...
No External Service heard on 41 meters or anywhere else but the weak
3375.
11955: RNA Canal A, strong, always some heterodyne, morning to early
evening, off at night
No sign of any regional stations on shortwave

Botswana:
4820: early afternoon till 2200*: mostly very strong and // 7255
7255: very strong during daytime, sometimes also evening, but seemed
to be off from 1700 on some days.

Congo DR:
Only tentative/unID but most certainly African: 6210 Kahuzi (early
evening),
7435 Lubumbashi (dto.), 9550 Okapi (late evening), 9770 RTVNC, 1600.

Congo Rep. of:
5985: inaudible (off) or very strong...
9610: 0700- fair signal in the morning, fading in again in the
afternoon till 1700*

Equatorial Guinea:
5003: no trace
6250: tentative, weak, during the evening

Kenya: only tentative on 4935, late afternoon

Madagascar: seems to be back to its normal SW schedule or even less...
5010: *1500-1900*, fair/good
all others not heard at all

Namibia:
3270: not heard at all
3290: only tentative: English service in the evening, but not very
strong
6060: NBC, very strong during daytime and into the evening, but not
heard after 1900 or so.
6175: NBC, English/German: mainly heard in the morning, much weaker
than 6060, not heard in the evening

South Africa: Radio Oranje very strong and according to known
schedule.

Tanzania:
5050: Daressalam, fair signal during the evening
11734: Zanzibar, better...
not heard on 5985 or 7280 or any other

Zambia:
6165: ZBNC II, English, very strong, early afternoon till 2200*
6265: ZBNC I, Vn/English, see above.

Zimbabwe:
5975: ZBC, Vn, very strong all day and evening, but some breaks
6045, ZBC, VN, not // 5975, else see above
Nothing else from this station
VOP: did not try...
6145: SWR, very strong, from 1600, starting with English broadcast

Northern/Western Africa

Benin:
5025, Parakou? Tentative, weak signal in the late evening
7210 not heard

Burkina Faso:
5030 very strong during the evening

Ghana:
3366: not heard
4915: fair/weak all evening
6130: tentative around 1600/1630

Mali: 4835 heard in the evening, but weak. Nothing else

Mauritania: 4845 sometimes quite strong in the evening.

Nigeria:
6090: Kaduna? weak, tentative at 0650, 1750, 2200 with African music
No sign of the other Nigerian regionals
7255: VON, if Botswana was on, audible under that in the evening,
strong signal when Botswana was off
15120: mainly heard in the morning till 1200*
11770: still seems to be off

Miscellaneous:
Apart from TWR, AWR, Channel Africa, BBC, VoA, Deutsche Welle is very
present. I could listen to the German programme at any time; in the
evening at least four frequencies can be easily heard: 6075, 7185,
9545, 9735. Also Bavaria on 6085, Radio Sweden 6065, Radio Finland
6120 cannot be missed (Thorsten Hallmann, back in Germany, July 17, DX
LISTENING DIGEST)

It will be a bit tedious to cross-reference all the countries
mentioned, so we have decided to keep this report intact under AFRICA.
Remember that if you need to look something up futurely. We shall
include them all in the contents index at
http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html (gh, DXLD)

** ANTARCTICA. TERRITORIO ANTARTICO. Sobre la noticia del esquema de
LRA36 Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel, cabe señalar que el esquema
correcto es: Lunes a Viernes en 15476 khz de *1800-2100*. La emisora
emite con 10 KW de potencia, aunque actualmente está saliendo con
menos potencia que la mencionada. 73's GIB (Gabriel Iván Barrera,
Argentina, Conexión Digital via DXLD)

** AUSTRALIA. Alice Springs was off both frequencies for a couple of
days, they told me due to a transmitter cooling problem, but they are
back now (Chris Hambly, Victoria, UT July 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** AUSTRALIA. As I plow through the backlog of Radio Australia
reception reports that had to be neglected due to illness, I am seeing
quite a few that give the frequency 5 kHz off. While I do not have an
encyclopaedic knowledge of receivers, I think that most, if not all,
relevant are capable of some sort of synchronous AM detection.

With my own receiver, IC-R75, I have seen it lock on to an adjacent
frequency in the absence of a carrier on the displayed frequency.
However, the R75 is hardly a good example of sync' detection.
I wonder if this is a trap for the unwary. Any comments? Regards
(Ian Johnson, ARDXC via DXLD)

Well, I haven't found a R. Australia frequency yet that doesn't bleed
well outside of the international standards. 5 kHz bleed either side
of freq. Is the norm for R. Aust. Often found it well beyond 5 kHz
even. Try the advertised freq. and then start tuning above and below -
-- it is quite a shocker. It is the only major SWBC that I have this
problem with. Am waiting on replies from overseas contacts regarding
this, will advise all when data to hand. 73 Tony Smith ARDXC / WEWN /
EDXP / CQ SHORTWAVE NEWS / DX-394 GROUP, Rockhampton Qld. Australia,
ibid.)

Sure it`s not just a funxion of proximity, ideal skip distance? WEWN
could be accused of that around here! (gh, DXLD)

** BOUGAINVILLE. Radio Independent Makumui: a wav file from Don Moman,
Alberta of 3850 drew these comments from Bill Smith, TX: Don, you
should be assessed an 8 dBi penalty for the 4-element Yagi. Heh Heh.
Nevertheless, jolly good show. Impressive signal to noise ratio.

Mr. G, I was just jesting with Mr. Don ... he was using his 4-element
80-meter rotatable Yagi to log and tape record RIM. The Yagi is a
decided advantage ... at least 8 dBi gain over a dipole ... and
listening to his tape wav, he had plenty of readable signal over the
noise...a very nice recording of a reported 80 watts of AM.
73 amigo de (Bill Smith, TX, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

3850, R. Independent Makumui, Bougainville. Good at 1020 w/PNG pops,
ID. In full AM, several IDs 1105, off abruptly 1112 on 14/7. Also
noted on Dx-Pedition to Limekilns [NSW] on 10/7 0845-1032, though
definitely in LSB on that occasion and I thought I heard a "Radio Free
Bougainville" ID 0906, but need to review the tape to be 100% certain.
Signal strength is much stronger than when the station was previously
heard a couple of years back and now armchair level from home most
evenings, noise notwithstanding (Craig Seager, Australia, ARDXC July
15 via DXLD)

So that raises the question whether it is really much more than 80
watts now (gh, DXLD)

3850, 1028- July 16, Radio Independent Makumui. First tuned in at 1023
with a barely audible signal in AM, not LSB as reported elsewhere.
Mostly music, with short announcements. Seemingly gradually fading up.
A tentative, but presumed logging as I can't see who else it could be.
Many thanks to Don Moman motivating me to get up at this early hour to
monitor this most interesting station (fabulous audio clip from
yesterday morning). Minimum static crashes today. Serious fade down by
1054, so peaked here about 1045. No ham traffic at all. Carrier but
not much else at 1102. Gone when rechecked at 1114. Seems to me to
have been very much more difficult in past years when it was Radio
Independent Bougainville. Perhaps they have a better antenna and/or
transmitter now vs in the past, as they seem to be widely heard. Best
here using K9AY antenna (Walt Salmaniw, Victoria BC, DX LISTENING
DIGEST) See also PAPUA NEW GUINEA

** CANADA. Hi Glenn, Markham is in the Toronto area -- therefore those
two applications for 1610 in Toronto are competing ones. P.S. That
would wash out 1610 Montreal, wouldn't it? Regards, (Ricky Leong, QC,
DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Seems to me Toronto and Montreal are far enough apart at top of band
for groundwave --- and who cares about skywave? (gh, DXLD)

** CANADA. CRTC Quebec City decisions
   http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/NEWS/RELEASES/2002/r020716.htm

OTTAWA-GATINEAU — The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC) is releasing three decisions today pertaining to the
Greater Québec City area.

The first decision awards Cogeco Radio-Television Inc. a licence to
operate a new FM radio station in Québec City.

The second decision renews the licence of CHOI-FM Québec for a two-
year period, attaches a number of conditions to the renewal, and will
monitor the licensee's respect for the conditions and its conduct
during this period.

Finally, the third decision reiterates that the licence granted to
CKNU is intended to serve the residents of the Portneuf region. In
light of the circumstances with respect to this application, the
Commission denies Genex Communications Inc. the permission to move its
main antenna in order to access the Greater Québec City area market
(via Ricky Leong, July 17, DXLD)

** CANADA. Even Glenn Hauser would have enjoyed today's CBC broadcast
of Inside Track. They presented the history of silly ball games on the
radio with lots of sound bites from as early as 1927's first broadcast
of a football (soccer) match by the BBC. From Marconi and Fesenden to
BBC 5 Live, they showed how radio can present a unique word picture of
the action on the pitch (field). They contrasted the radio coverage
with TV, highlighting radio's strengths at painting a picture in
sound. It was a great documentary on the evolution of broadcasting
silly ball games. ~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-., (Joe Buch, DE,
July 14, swprograms via DXLD)

I heard this show too, by accident (I disregarded the program previews
this weekend as my time was not going to be my own), and was
delighted. Speaking as someone who is mostly NOT a sports fan, I
thought the show was delightful & will be waiting for it to be
replayed. It certainly highlighted the way radio can excel in so many
ways (Eric Floden, Vancouver BC, ibid.)

** CANADA. Old CBC antenna tower on Toronto's Jarvis Street to be
dismantled

http://www.globeandmail.ca/servlet/GIS.Servlets.HTMLTemplate?current_row=1&tf=tgam/search/tgam/SearchFullStory.html&cf=tgam/search/tgam/SearchFullStory.cfg&configFileLoc=tgam/config&encoded_keywords=dismantling+a+cultural+landmark&option=&start_row=1&start_row_offset1=&num_rows=1&search_results_start=1

From globeandmail.com, Wednesday, July 17, 2002

DISMANTLING A CULTURAL LANDMARK
Photo exhibit salutes the CBC-TV tower and marks passing of analog era
to digital technology
JAMES ADAMS, NATIONAL ARTS CORRESPONDENT

It has never achieved the iconic status of the CN Tower, or enjoyed
the kind of literary immortality that Hart Crane bestowed on the
Brooklyn Bridge.

Still, when workers begin to dismantle the 45-storey CBC-TV tower in
downtown Toronto next week, Canada will lose one of its most important
cultural and technological landmarks, a poignant reminder of the
Golden Age of Electricity when CBC ruled the airwaves and Juliette,
Wayne & Shuster and Hockey Night in Canada were touchstones of
English-Canadian identity.

When it was erected in 1952, the transmission tower was, at more than
150 metres in height, the tallest free-standing structure in the
Ontario capital. It was more than capable of holding its own, signal-
wise, against what was emanating from Buffalo.

On Sept. 8 of that year, English-language Canadian television
essentially got its start at the tower, beginning at 7:15 p.m. with a
transmission of a weather report, followed by a puppet show starring
Uncle Chichimus and Pompey.

The inaugural broadcast evening ended about two hours later with a
concert by an all-female choir, then a news broadcast by Lorne Greene,
who would soon become a staple of CBC-TV's Sunday evening programming
playing Ben (Pa) Cartwright in the network's rebroadcast of NBC's
Bonanza.

A mass of approximately 1,000 iron girders held together with 10,000
bolts, the CBC-TV tower rose from a base of 5.9 square metres located
between the old Havergal Ladies College, which CBC bought for about
$120,000 in 1944-45, and historic Northfield House built in 1856 on
Jarvis Street north of Carlton.

The tower is coming down to make way for two condominium towers,
collectively called Radio City, and the new headquarters, parking
space, residences and studios of the National Ballet School.

The actual dismantling and demolition are expected to take five
weeks. A crew of seven will start at the very top, taking it down
section by section, much like lumberjacks slicing off sections of tree
trunks.

There was talk of using a helicopter to haul off pieces, stage by
stage, but this was scotched when it became clear that it would be too
time-consuming to secure air rights for such a tight space and forest
firefighting might limit the number of available helicopters.

One man who recognizes the piquancy of it all is J. P. (Jim) Shea, who
has lived in a condominium across the street from the tower for the
past eight years. He has spent the past two years photographing it in
all its moods, in all kinds of weather, at all times of the day.

An exhibition of 14 of his photographs opens tomorrow evening
at Northfield House at 372 Jarvis St. The show's title, "Eiffel on
Jarvis," is taken from a description of the tower in a Toronto
newspaper in 1952 calling it "a little like the Eiffel Tower in Paris"
-- although the Eiffel, opened in 1889, is more than twice its height.

Mr. Shea, 41, knows that the transmission tower never came close
to that stature. For one thing, visitors couldn't climb its orange-
and-white girders to various observation decks (although this didn't
stop a Quebec nationalist from scaling it in the early seventies to
plant the Quebec flag.) The site also lacked sufficient "breathing
space" to achieve true monumentality in the urban topography.

When it came time to paint the tower -- it usually took two weeks
each summer -- brushes were used instead of spray-cans to prevent
orange paint from splattering passersby, cars and apartments. Still,
it had "a certain presence" in the Jarvis/Carlton/Wellesley
neighbourhood, Mr. Shea observed, and, from his balcony at least,
a sort of majesty.

The CBC stopped using the tower and switched to the CN Tower in the
late seventies (it also transmitted for Radio-Canada; the Ontario
Education Communications Authority, the precursor to TVOntario; and
Ryerson University's CJRT).

The tower's demise appeared likely in 1993 when CBC left Jarvis
Street to merge its broadcast operations under one roof; it became
inevitable in 2000 when Heritage Minister Sheila Copps announced
plans to sell half of the Jarvis site to the ballet school for $1.

"Now that it's going, I feel this need more than ever to capture
its image," Mr. Shea said. His pictures, all shot with a digital
camera, are at once a salute to "a very ordinary, yet extraordinary
urban industrial structure" and a meditation on "the passing of the
analog era by the onset of digital technology."

Eiffel on Jarvis is at Northfield House, 372 Jarvis St., Toronto,
Friday 1-7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 1-4 p.m. both days.
(via Mike Terry; also John Grimley via Saul Chermos, amfmtvdx via
DXLD)

** CHILE. 6090, Radio Esperanza, Temuco. 0902-0930. July 14. Spanish
transmission. Christian programme conduced by two male. Greetings:
"saludos a todos quienes nos escuchan". Gospel music. ID as:
"...estamos en su Radio Esperanza". 34433. Past July 10, at this hour,
in this frequency I only head to World University Network, from The
Valley (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentine, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

No Luxembourg here in Oregon through 1139, but did catch a nice signal
from R. Esperanza on 6089.96. After s/off of R. Japan in Korean (at
1131), R. Esperanza was "exposed," SP, reading a list of listeners in
Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and US, with frequent mentions of
Temuco and into local music program with long commentary by man
between. Nice "rolled R" R. Esperanza ID at 1144 and into local music.
Not heard by me before (Don Nelson, OR, DX-plorer via DXLD)

6089.91, me-tooing Don's log, heard this one at surprisingly good
level at 0800 Jul 14, program "Noche de Esperanza," mix of light
Christian vocals and religious talk, finally at 0858 a complete ID
with frequencies. QRN, and QRM from Bandeirantes-6089.96, but Chile
dominant almost all the time. Surprised to hear this so well, and no
sign of Gene Scott (Jerry Berg, MA, DX-plorer via DXLD)

** CHINA. This week`s edition of Wavelength will look at English radio
in Shanghai. Also a tribute to longtime Canadian broadcaster Gord
Sinclair (Wave-Length, China Radio International, Beijing, China
Attention: Lu Feng & Keith Perron e-mail: wavelengthcri@yahoo.com
website: http://www.cri.com.cn/english DX LISTENING DIGEST)

That`s 0045 UT Friday, or is it 0040, via webcast and ondemand until
UT Monday during the one-hour file (gh, DXLD)

** CONGO. 9610, Radio Congo / Brazzaville. Good Reception at 1545-1630
July 16 with African Songs, announcements, ID and news and commentary
in French and in vernacular (Mahendra Vaghjee, Mauritius, hard-core-dx
via DXLD) See also AFRICA

** CONGO DR. Dear Glenn, A report on the UN IRIN's web site -
http://www.irinnews.org - gives the current SW freqs for Radio Okapi
as 6030, 9550 and 11690 (i.e. not 10690 as reported by Radio
Netherlands). Regards, (Chris Greenway, Kenya, July 16, DX LISTENING
DIGEST)

Well, it was the MONUC website as cited in DXLD 2-111 that claimed
10690; I saw it myself, but rechecked July 16 that had been corrected
to 11690. So have you heard it, Chris, and for that matter 6030 or
9550 lately either? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** CONGO DR. Details of Radio Okapi's eight FM relays published; four
more planned | Text of report by UN regional information network IRIN
on 15 July

Nairobi, 15 July: Radio Okapi, the network operated by the UN Mission
in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), has expanded its
service to the northwestern town of Gbadolite, broadcasting on 93 FM.
Gbadolite becomes the eighth location in the DRC to have a local
relay, the others being Kisangani (94.8 FM) in the northeast; Goma
(105.2 FM) in the east; Kalemie (105 FM) in the southeast; Kananga
(100 FM) in south-central DRC; Mbandaka (103 FM) in the northwest;
Kindu (103 FM) in east-central DRC; and the capital, Kinshasa (103.5
FM), from where all broadcasts originate.

In addition to FM relays in the major cities, a shortwave transmitter
site is under construction in Kinshasa and is due to be completed in
early September. Meanwhile, Radio Okapi is already operating on
shortwave using three 100-watt transmitters at frequencies of 6030,
9550 and 11690 kHz.

A joint initiative of MONUC and the Swiss-based Fondation Hirondelle,
Radio Okapi was launched on 25 February to coincide with the
convocation of the inter-Congolese dialogue in Sun City, South Africa.
It broadcasts 24 hours per day, seven days per week in French,
Kiswahili, Lingala and Tshiluba.

In the coming months, additional FM stations will be opened in Beni
(east), Bukavu (east), Bunia (northeast), Lubumbashi (southeast) and
Mbuji-Mayi (south-central).

The material broadcast by Okapi is made available to other local media
free of charge. Radio Okapi enables Congolese to talk to each other
across the country's political divides, the organizers say. The
radio's transmitting stations are guaranteed freedom from censorship
under agreements with the various authorities in the DRC, and
broadcast from UN military mission bases, guarded by UN troops.

Currently, no medium in the DRC has the capacity to broadcast
nationwide, although the government has announced its intention to
establish one.

Few politically independent broadcasters exist, although Radio Amani
in Kisangani, and Radio Maendeleo in Bukavu have managed to survive as
independent news broadcasters, and have operated intermittently over
the past three years. Their reach is very limited, however.
Source: UN Integrated Regional Information Network, Nairobi, in
English 15 Jul 02 (via BBCM via DXLD)

UN-RUN RADIO OKAPI TO BE ESTABLISHED SOON IN NORTHEASTERN TOWN | Text
of report by Congolese rebel-controlled radio from Bunia on 17 July

Ituri Provincial Governor Jean-Pierre Molondo Lofondo yesterday at his
official residence in Quartier Mulunge held talks with the chief of
Radio Okapi, Mr David Smith. Mr Smith had gone to inform the Ituri
provincial governor of the establishment of Radio Okapi in Bunia [town
in northeastern DRCongo base by Uganda-backed Congolese Rally for
Democracy - Liberation Movement] in the near future. Radio Okapi,
which is run by Monuc [UN Mission in DRCongo], broadcasts in all the
languages... Source: Radio Candip, Bunia, in French 0515 gmt 17 Jul 02
(via BBCM via DXLD)

** CZECH REPUBLIC. R. Prague in English is on 21735 at 1300-1327, \\
13580, July 2 and earlier. There is a strong station on 21745 and R.
Prague moved away (David Crystal, Israel, for CIDX, DX LISTENING
DIGEST)

** FRANCE. Offshore Echo's have recently updated their website to
include a very extensive section on Radio Normandie, the French
station which broadcast widely listened to commercial radio programmes
in English to the UK before the Second World War. The URL is
http://www.offshoreechos.com/radionormandie/RadioNormandy01.htm

On an IMac the site was rather slow in loading on Mac IE5 and the
arrows at the bottom right, which link you to the next or previous
page, do not always appear, no problems however using Netscape 4.71
Mac. If you have problems, the page URLs go 01.htm, 02.htm, 03.htm,
04a.htm, 04b.htm, 05.htm, 06.htm, 07.htm, 08.htm, 09.htm, 10.htm,
11.htm and 12.htm (Mike Barraclough, Letchworth, UK, DX LISTENING
DIGEST)

** FRANCE [and non?]. 7135, 0432 8/6, UNKNOWN, RFI to Africa in
French, multiple broadcasts of the same program slightly delayed from
each other – KAB (Ken Baird, Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND DX TIMES JULY
2002 via DXLD)

This used to be via South Africa. By `multiple` do you mean at least
three?? (gh, DXLD)

** GEORGIA. There are no doubts in regard to the location of the SW
transmitter in Sukhum (9490 and earlier frequencies). The QTH Sukhum
for this tx was confirmed in a QSL-letter to Jerry Berg by the deputy
director of Abkhaz State Radio already in 1996. You find a scan of
that letter at: http://www.qsl.net/yb0rmi/abkhazia.htm. Quote: " We
inform you that shortwaves transmitter on frequency 9495 is in
Abkhazia - in her capital, Sukhum."

The relays from Sochi (R. Rossii and regional program from
Krasnodar/Sochi) are picked up unauthorized from FM as the deputy vice
chairman of Sochinskaya GTRK explained to Mauno Ritola earlier this
year:

"9490v: I just received a nice verification letter in Russian for my
follow-up report from Sochinskaya GTRK by e-mail. Mr. V. K. Glazunov,
the company vice chairman says: " We are very pleased that our
programs can be heard by such far-away listeners. We confirm that such
a program of R Sochi went on the air at the given time. Our
transmissions go on the air on 71.93 MHz, but you received a relayed
transmission of our program through the Abkhazian Republic Radio,
which is situated in the town of Sukhum (Zvanba street 8), the capital
of the autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, which belongs to the Republic
of Georgia. For us it is a foreign state, and there isn't any official
agreement about co-operation with our Abkhazian colleagues. So we
can't officially confirm operation of our radio on the frequency of
9490 kHz." (Mauno Ritola-FIN, BC-DX May 15)"

73s, (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, July 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** GERMANY. DEUTSCHE TELEKOM BOARD APPOINTS NEW HEAD | Excerpt from
report by German news agency ddp on 16 July

Bonn: The Deutsche Telekom board of governors has appointed Helmut
Sihler as new chairman of the board of directors for an interim period
of six months. This was announced by board chairman Hans-Dietrich
Winkhaus in Bonn on Tuesday evening [16 July]. Sihler, who has been a
member of the Telekom board of governors since May 2000, succeeds Ron
Sommer, who announced his resignation before the end of the
extraordinary meeting of the Telekom board of governors. Sihler's
deputy will be Gerd Tenzer, who has been head of the technology sector
up to now... Source: ddp news agency, Berlin, in German 1736 gmt 16
Jul 02 (via BBCM via DXLD)

** GUAM [and non]. Re AFN USB transmissions: Charlie, I have talked
with AFN on this subject numerous times. These broadcasts are
feeder only. They may or may not be up depending upon transmitter
needs at the associated NAVCOMSTA they are being broadcast from. In
other words they are second fiddle. I have spoken with three Navy
personnel directly involved with the project and most recently with
Journalist Chief Foutch at the Navy Media Center who stated:

"I endorse AFN skeds over NPR skeds. In all matters. Not in just the
schedules listed. v/r, JOC Foutch"

This response was in regards to a query I made concerning the
discrepancies between the AFN skeds on the NPR website and those
posted on the Navy Media Center website. My message is below.

AFN Website: Guam Upper Sideband 13362 kHz 5765 kHz

I know for a fact the 5765 freq is a good one. I just recently
monitored it myself. That would indicate that Guam's old 4 MHz freq
(4319) is probably gone. The 13 MHz frequency is probably a
replacement for their old 10320 which now seems to be used by Pearl
Harbor and Keflavik Iceland. Given that these schedules come directly
from the source of programming I am NOT inclined to pull any of our
listings from the shortwave freq directory in MT until I can confirm
personally from the Navy directly that they have ceased these
broadcast from Guam or any other site.

Below are the two current schedules. It is quite obvious that the Navy
contacted NPR and got them to change their skeds finally.

Current Shortwave High Frequencies
Keep checking this web page for the posting of new frequencies and
transmitters when they become available.

Location             Band           Daytime     Nighttime
Diego Garcia         Upper Sideband 12579 kHz    4319 kHz
Guam                 Upper Sideband 13362 kHz    5765 kHz
Key West, FL         Upper Sideband 12689.5 kHz 12689.5 kHz
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Upper Sideband 10320 kHz    6350 kHz
RR, Puerto Rico      Upper Sideband  6458.5 kHz  6458.5 kHz

NPR has a website http://www.npr.org/worldwide/shortwave.html
that shows the AFN stuff as follows:

[Note: presented in a different order than above, but changed by gh to
same order here for ease of comparison; plus Iceland here, not there]

Transmitter Location    Band      Daytime      Evening
Diego Garcia      Upper Side Band 12579.0 kHz  4319.0 kHz
Guam (Barrigada)  Upper Side Band 13362.0 kHz  5765.0 kHz
Key West, FL      Upper Side Band 12689.5 kHz 12689.5 kHz
Pearl Harbor, HI  Upper Side Band 10320.0 kHz  6350.0 kHz
RR, Puerto Rico   Upper Side Band  6458.5 kHz  6458.5 kHz
Keflavik, Iceland Upper Side Band 10320.0 kHz  6350.0 kHz


Given the nature of these broadcasts, the current dismal summertime
props we are experiencing (typical), and the general decline in
sunspot numbers right now, I don't feel I can trust any field reports
over the schedules we receive directly from the Navy.

73 Larry Van Horn, N5FPW   ATC (AW)         USN (Ret)
Grove Enterprises Technical Support Department
Monitoring Times Assist Editor, Fed File/Milcom Columnist
Telephone: V-828-837-9200/F-828-837-2216/800-438-8155
(Reply to inquiry from MSG USNS SUMNER, via DXLD)

** HAWAII. 1460 kHz has held some interest for me with reception of
Honolulu and Salinas. The Hawaiian station has an illegal ID at TOH
as: "This is AM1230 Radio Korea KYPA Los Angeles" !! Cheers (Chris
Martin, Australia, July 16, ARDXC via DXLD)

** HONG KONG. DISNEY RADIO PLANNED FOR HONG KONG

Walt Disney International plans to launch its first Asian radio
channel in Hong Kong to boost brand awareness ahead of opening a theme
park in the territory. Jon Niermann, Disney's Asia-Pacific chief, told
the South China Morning Post that discussions were underway with local
radio stations to create a Radio Disney franchise ahead of the park's
2005 opening. The company is working to secure a deal with one of Hong
Kong's two commercial stations - Metro Broadcast and Commercial Radio.
If the deal goes through, the round-the-clock radio channel would be
Disney's fourth, partnering transmissions in the US, Latin America and
Britain, the report said. In addition, the company is also planning to
beam its Disney Channel to Hong Kong cable viewers. The 24-hour
channel is currently available in eight Asian markets (AFP via RN
Media Network 15 July 2002 via DXLD)

** INDIA. I received the message below from a U of Florida doctoral
candidate. If you have any information about All India Radio's program
content (comments, personal opinions on AIR's programs, etc.), please
respond to him directly, off-list. 73 (Mike Brooker, Toronto, ON,
Canada, dx_india via DXLD)

Original Message -----
From: "Gatorlink User" amclark@ufl.edu
To: aum108@idirect.com
Sent: Saturday, July 13, 2002 8:46 AM
Subject: All India Radio

Hi, I came across your web page during an Internet search and wonder
if you can help me. I'm writing a dissertation on the use of
international broadcasting by regional powers and one of the stations
I'm focusing on is AIR external. I'm having trouble picking up its
broadcasts, and finding any detailed information on its programming
content. Do you have any information on the content of the programs
broadcast, any contacts that might be useful, or any tips on when the
best times to listen are? Thanks, Andrew Clark, Doctoral Candidate,
University of Florida (via Mike Brooker, dx_india via DXLD)

** INTERNATIONAL WATERS. As for Radio Caroline, I was a big fan when
it had atmosphere, could be heard over east, south-east and central
areas of England in the car or at home and played a decent range of
music. The musical choice on the station which now calls itself Radio
Caroline has narrowed and the atmosphere has evaporated.

Caroline's ship and part of the organisation slipped into the hands
of neither the commercial big-guns, who could develop the idea, or
well-funded die-hard law breakers. The ultimate selling points, the
marine location, the unique free-style music and hoisting two-fingers
at the law have gone. I wish it would end and we could cease the
pretence.

How about a final week at high-power for charity in international
waters? If it gets raided then what a fine way to go. If it lasts the
week, all the anoraks could say a proper goodbye, flash their car
lights, listen to Johnny Walker on AM, have a final over-modulated
play of the Fortunes, a test-tone, instructions on how to retune to
BBC Radio 2, silence, static and a funeral wake at Frinton ....
please! (Chris McWhinnie, UK, BDXC-UK via DXLD)

** IRELAND. Oneword for 252 LW?

16 July 2002. UBC Media, owners of Classic Gold and digital service
Oneword, have confirmed their interest in acquiring Teamtalk 252.
Simon Cole, the chief executive of UBC Media has told Inside Radio:
"We are always on the lookout for interesting acquisitions," and
added, "we are already the owner of more AM assets in the UK than any
other broadcaster." Teamtalk launched in March following the closure
of Atlantic 252. Online betting operation UKbetting announced their
intention to buy the Teamtalk media group in May, when the group
announced it would be put up for sale. 60 redundancies at Teamtalk
were announced last month, and UKbetting is expecting the sale of
Teamtalk to be agreed shortly. If the radio service were bought by
UBC, it's expected that digital station Oneword would broadcast on the
longwave frequency (insideradio.co.uk via Mike Terry, DXLD)

I would like to know why Ireland is hardly ever mentioned in connexion
with the 252 kHz facility, whoever may run it now and in future. The
heading above was provided by gh. Is the separation and independence
of the Republic of Ireland from the UK pretty much a fiction in
practical terms? (gh, DXLD)

** ISRAEL. A02 schedule change effective from 21st July

[I guess this info is `backwards` due to original Hebrew?? And
includes what would have been time shifts from October 6 -- gh]

        DELETE:

31.3-20.7       fren    300 315 27.28.6-10      515     500     17545
31.3-20.7       fren    300 330 27.28.6-10      5:15    5:00    15640
6.10-31.10      fren    300 330 27.28.6-10      5:15    5:00    15640
6.10-31.10      fren    300 315 27.28.6-10      6:15    6:00    17545

31.3-20.7       ENG     300 315 27.28.6-10      16:30   16:00   17545
6.10-31.10      ENG     300 315 27.28.6-10      17:30   17:00   17545

        ADD:

21.7-6.10       fren    300 330 27.28.6-11      4:30    4:15    15640
21.7-6.10       fren    300 315 27.28.6-11      4:30    4:15    9435
6.10-31.10      fren    300 330 27.28.6-11      5:30    5:15    15640
6.10-31.10      fren    300 315 27.28.6-11      5:30    5:15    9435

21.7-6.10       ENG     300 330 27.28.6-10      16:45   16:30   17545
6.10-31.10      ENG     300 330 27.28.6-10      17:45   17:30   17545
21.7-6.10       ENG     300 315 27.28.6-10      16:45   16:30   15615
6.10-31.10      ENG     300 315 27.28.6-10      17:45   17:30   15615

21.7-6.10       SPAN    300 330 27.28.6-10      17:15   17:00   17545
6.10-31.10      SPAN    300 330 27.28.6-10      18:15   18:00   17545
21.7-6.10       SPAN    300 315 27.28.6-10      17:15   17:00   15655
6.10-31.10      SPAN    300 315 27.28.6-10      18:15   18:00   15655

TEL: +97236264562  FAX:  97236264559  (Moshe Oren, ISRAEL- Frequency
manager, BEZEQ-engineering & planning division, July 17, DX LISTENING
DIGEST)

Here is the list of Kol Israel -frequency- changes, which start July
21. I haven't spent too much time studying it -- or any time modifying
it. It looks like, for English, at least, it's just a time shift of
the 1600 UTC broadcast to 1630 UTC (12:30 PM ET) (as previously
mentioned) with the same frequencies (15640 and 17545). This list is
from Moshe Oren, the Frequency Manager. (Daniel Rosenzweig, DX
LISTENING DIGEST)

** ITALY [non]. Distinti Signori, la presente per invitarVi
all`ascolto della trasmissione RADIOMAGAZINE prevista per il giorno
21.7.02, dalle 11,00 alle 1200 ora legale italiana (dalle 09.00 alle
10.00 UTC) su 11.880 kHz via Deutsche Telecom, su satellite SIRIUS, e
dal sito INTERNET european strem (real audio):
http://www.europe.awr.org  Si ricorda che il programma RADIOMAGAZINE
continuerà ad essere irradiato per tutto il perido estivo. I prossimi
appuntamenti saranno per i giorni 4 e 18 agosto, 1, 15 e 29 settembre.

Cordiali saluti, Dario Villani

RADIOMAGAZINE 21.7.02
Intervista telefonica con Manfredi Vinassa De Regny (Sestri
Levante/Genova). De Regny, che si occupa di radioascolto da diversi
anni, racconta di come si avvicinò all`hobby. In un secondo momento
ebbe un incontro con Mondadori, uno dei massimi editori italiani, e
per lui realizzò ``I segreti della radio``, uscito in Italia in più
ristampe sotto la collana degli ``Oscar Mondadori``. Tale libro, che
stabilì un vero e proprio record di vendite nel settore radiantistico,
ha rappresentato per alcuni anni un punto di riferimento per tutti gli
ascoltatori delle onde corte. A patire da quella esperienza, De Regny
ha pubblicato numerosi altri libri, sulle stazioni di utilità
(emittenti marittime, radiofari, etc.), sulla Banda Cittadina, e il
radioantismo in generale, raccogliendo sempre grande successo di
pubblico. Nell`intervista a Radiomagazine, De Regny  parla di questa
sua avventura letteraria, rispondendo anche a quello che può essere il
futuro della radio, in relazione all`avvento delle nuove tecnologie.
L`intervista si conclude  coi nuovi progetti editoriali che l`autore
ha in cantiere. Durata: 15`00

COMUNICATO STAMPA

Per questioni di carattere organizzative dal dicembre dello scorso
anno, la AWR Europe ha dovuto chiudere l`impianto trasmittente di
Forlì, peraltro vetusto e di debole potenza. Tale decisione, rientra
nell`ottica di un più ampio e fruttuoso utilizzo di altri e più
potenti impianti ad onde corte, quali quelli della Deutsche Telecom a
Juelich, Radio Nederland/Madagascar, Sentech a Meyerton (Sud Africa) e
più di recente dagli Emirati Arabi Uniti; mentre continuano le
trasmissioni dall`unico centro di proprietà della AWR a GUAM,
regolarmente registrato presso la FCC americana. Il nuovo assetto
delle trasmissioni, ha visto un ridimensionamento delle trasmissioni
in Italiano su onde corte, che di fatti sono irradiate solo il sabato
e la domenica da Juelich. Continuano però ad essere sotto
responsabilità di AWR tutte le trasmissioni acquisibili
quotidianamente dal satellite SIRIUS e ritrasmesse sul sito  INTERNET
www.awr.org in real audio, in onda dalle 1100 alle 1200, dalle 1400
alle 1530 e dalle 2200 alle 2230 ora legale italiana.

Il programma ``Spazio 3600`` della AWR Europe, continua  ad andare in
onda ogni domenica, e a settimane alterne anche  il programma
``RadioMagazine`` condotto da Dario Villani. Radiomagazine si rivolge
agli appassionati del radioascolto, ed abbraccia vari argomenti
inerenti il mondo dei media, INTERNET, comunicazione e radioantismo in
generale, attraverso notizie, interviste, interventi esterni e
sondaggi. Tra i servizi offerti dalla trasmissione, oltre al testo del
programma, anche una serie di diplomi per tutti gli appassionati. La
seconda domenica di ogni mese, ``Spazio 3600`` ospita anche la
``Casella Postale`` con in studio Stefano Losio e Marco Conte che
prendono in esame le lettere degli ascoltatori e i loro rapporti di
ricezione, offrendo loro   numerose cartoline QSLs e gadget della AWR.
AWR attualmente trasmette in oltre 53 lingue differenti, lo schedule
completo è disponibile in Redazione. Ecco gli orari:

AWR/Adventist World Radio Europe Programma italiano

Dalle  1100-1200 ora legale italiana/
Su 11880 kHz /Onde Corte
Solo il sabato e la domenica via Deutsche Telecom Juelich

Lo stesso programma viene ripreso via satellite (SIRIUS e Hot Bird) e
ritrasmesso dalle stazioni a Modulazione di Frequenza della Voce della
Speranza/Chiesa Avventista del 7 Giorno e in real audio sul sito:
http://www.europe.awr.org Per eventuali ulteriori informazioni si può
visionare il sito web: http: www.awr.org mentre gli indirizzi sono i
seguenti: e-mail:  europe@awr.org
AWR Europe Casella Postale 383 47100 Forlì Italia
Altri programmi radio ``avventisti`` dal sito: www.avventisti.org

----------------------------------------------------

Dear Sirs, the present for anticipate that for the day 21 July 2002,
we broadcast a special interview with Mr. Manfredo Vinassa De Regny,
writer by Mondadori ``I segreti della radio``.

Radiomagazine continue in the summer to broadcast at this
appointment/rendezvous: august 4 e 18, september 1, 15 and 29.

The special will broadcast in the course of the Italian programme of
the AWR/Adventist World Radio Europe, on the air from  09, 00 to 10,
00 UTC/  11, 00 / 12, 00 Italian Time, on the frequency of 11880
kHz/Short Wave (via Deutsche Telecom/Juelich). The programme is on the
aire also from the SIRIUS satellite and Hotbird (news about the
reception  from the web site awr.org). In real audio on INTERNET,
european strem from the site: europe.awr.org. Yours sincerely
Dario Villani E-MAIL darioxvillani@hotmail.com Dario.Villani@poste.it
Dario.villani25@libero.it (via Michael Bethge, WWDXC via Wolfgang
Bueschel, DXLD)

** JAPAN. Radio Tampa, JOZ2, 6055 kHz had fair to good signal tuned at
0955 UT with Tchaikovsky symphony, ID in JP 0959 and into jazz show
with man and laughing girl over bumper music. Weaker \\ 3925 JOZ had
ham QRM. 73, (John Cobb, Roswell, GA, Icom R75 and 80-foot Windom
w/tuner, July 17, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** MEXICO. There goes another one, converted to gospel-huxtering as
the new website implies; we listened for a few seconds and confirmed
it was insipid gospel-rock in Spanish. Not that it has ever been
anything more than a curiosity on SW, with extreme technical problems.
This article is on the website at
http://www.misionradio.com/articulos.htm

México D. F. a 05 DE ABRIL de 2002.
NUEVA ESTACION SURCA EL CUADRANTE MEXICANO
Por: Samuel Ortigoza

Una nueva radiodifusora de cobertura internacional, nació en la ciudad
de México, XE-RTA Radio Transcontinental de América ubicada en la
calle de Ayuntamiento esquina plaza San Juan dentro del centro
histórico de la capital Mexicana. Resurge el concepto radiofónico que
dará promoción a música cristiana evangélica, integración familiar,
valores humanos y éticos, culturales e históricos de México.

El atractivo de la emisora consiste en que tiene cobertura continental
a pesar de transmitir con 5,000 vatios via ionosfera- onda de cielo.

RESPIRO A LA ONDA CORTA

Para algunos especialistas del tema, es positivo el surgimiento de
XERTA porque le dan un respiro a la onda corta tan desatendida en
México ya que en nuestro país está muy atrazado en este hámbito, no
así en otros paises. Incluso en Latinoamérica en algunos países donde
no había sido exitosa la onda corta al pasar a ser administradas por
organizaciones cristianas se convierten en exitosas así es el caso de
¨VOZ CRISTIANA¨ en el país de Chile o HCJB de Quito, Ecuador. A la
fecha en México sólo hay siete emisoras de onda corta; una de ellas es
XE-RTA en la frecuencia de 4810 khz.... (via Glenn Hauser, DXLD)

** NETHERLANDS. Flevo Update: Cleanup Still in Progress

Rocus de Joode visited the Flevo site on 12 July, and reports: "as it
looks now, transmitter # 4 will be under repair for at least one more
week. Today (Monday) a special team is cleaning the transmitter hall,
since there were a lot of particles, dust etc flowing around in the
hall. Cleaning the transmitters is no use before the hall has been
cleaned. After the cleaning, the engineers hope to rebuild the
transmitter. Then intensive tests are needed to check if everything
works fine." We've added some photos take by Rocus on 12 July to our
photo page http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/html/flevo020708.html
(© Radio Netherlands Media Network 15 July 2002 via DXLD)

** NEW ZEALAND. NZ ELECTION: On Saturday 27 July New Zealand goes to
the polls. RNZI will have full coverage of the NZ Election, results at
0700-1100 UT [1900-2300 NZST]. Sean Plunket hosts a Radio New Zealand
News special with results and comment as the vote count continues.
Programme scheduled to run until 2300 NZST. Listen on short-wave to
9885 kHz or via the Internet. RNZI's real audio live stream will be
available from http://www.rnzi.com Regards (Adrian Sainsbury,
Technical Manager, Radio New Zealand International (via John
Figliozzi, DXLD)

** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 3905, 1112- July 16, Radio New Ireland.
Absolutely great reception this morning with news in Tok Pisin. Same
YL followed by a very brief ?ad, then talk about schools, islands.
Mentioned phone number 9821746 at 1130:40. A bit of hash on the upper
side. ID for Radio New Ireland at 1132, then good night, and into
music. A real treat having so many PNGs back! Every bit as strong as
4890 (Walt Salmaniw, Victoria BC, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also
BOUGAINVILLE

** PERU. Radio Nacional ya NO transmite por los 850 kHz... razones...
DESCONOZCIDAS. Llamo por fono y NO saben dar razón... más importancia
le dan al lado virtual: http://www.radionacional.com.pe
tanta prioridad que NO existe un link en el cual ver qué frecuencia
usan en tal o cual ciudad peruana... Ahora lo hace (SIN AVISAR
PREVIAMENTE, CLARO ESTÁ) por los 1320 kHz, frecuencia perteneciente a
Radio La Crónica, emisora pertenciente al aparato estatal... Lo mejor
para Ustedes 73s (Alfredo `spacemaster` Cañote, Perú, July 16,
Conexión Digital via DXLD)

** SAMOA AMERICAN. WDJD 585 in Samoa has tentatively been reported in
recent days by Nev McKenty from Napier. Nev first heard the station on
June 15 with no call sign ID but mention of ``the family station``,
modern style hymns, ads for the internet, books and a religious
message at 1059. Early in July I heard the station again. The
programme was in Samoan with mainly modern style hymns in Samoan.
There were a couple of western style but could only guess at one being
called ``Victory for Jesus.`` Very good signal on peaks lasted from
1030 pm to 1100 pm local time [1030-1100 UT]. There was no ID given
last night.`` Paul Ormandy has kept a look out for the station too,
and says Ruatoria is on top at that hour for him but there are two
others underneath ! (NEW ZEALAND DX TIMES JULY 2002 via DXLD)

Glenn, You may already be onto this, but just in case:

``WDJD-AM Tafuna, American Samoa. Authorized for 585-kHz, operating on
580- kHz. This part of the globe uses 9-kHz spacing, but I guess they
discovered that all the radios with 10-hKz steps couldn't get them, so
they took it upon themselves to change frequencies.`` (via Geoff
Fairbairn, Broadcast Engineering Manager, World Radio Network, July
17, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Interesting; source?

** SAUDI ARABIA. US STUDY SAYS SAUDI CENSORSHIP OF INTERNET
"WIDESPREAD"

A study by researchers in the United States has revealed the
widespread nature of internet censorship in Saudi Arabia. Researchers
at the Berkman Centre for Internet and Society at Harvard University
[web site: http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/] found that a special
government body which operates the high-speed data links that connect
Saudi Arabia's internet services to the rest of the world blocked out
not only pornographic web sites but also those on religion, women,
humour, health, education, human rights, entertainment, swimsuits and
even lingerie. The researchers said that when internet users in Saudi
Arabia try to access blocked sites, a message pops up on the screen
explaining that the action was taken to preserve the country's Islamic
values. Source: BBC Monitoring research 17 Jul 02 (via DXLD)

** SLOVAKIA. Radio Slovakia International provides a terse look at
upcoming programming at its website. The current week (July 15th-21st)
highlights are at this URL:
http://www.slovakradio.sk/rsi/ang/program.html

Here's an example:

15.07.2002 Monday
- News, Topical Issue
- A story about the development of archeology in the territory of
Slovakia & its meaning today ...
- Enviromental News

16.07.2002 Tuesday
- News, Topical Issue
- A profile of the Slovak Recycling Fund
- Sport News

17.07.2002 Wednesday
- News, Topical Issue
- The Scientist of the Year 2001 - awarding the best scientists in
Slovakia
- Business News
- Currency Update

18.07.2002 Thursday
- News, Topical Issue
- The music festival "Under a Diamond Arch" in Kremnica - an interview
with the Oscar awardee for the music to the film "Limelight" by
Charlie Chaplin
- Culture News

19.07.2002 Friday
- News, Topical Issue
- An interview with the Slovak ambassador to Poland about Slovak-
Polish relationships
- Back-Page News

20.07.2002 Saturday
- News
- Insight Central Europe - a joint programme of Radio Slovakia
International, Radio Austria International, Radio Prague, Radio
Budapest & Radio Polonia

21.07.2002 Sunday
- Sunday Newsreel
- Listeners´ Tribune

By the time we hear these programs in North America, it's the next UT
day, so the Monday programs will be heard in the Tuesday 0100 and 0200
UT broadcasts. [?? I thought it was only at 0100 --- gh]

Since I probably won't always be able to post this information, you
might leave yourself a weekly E-mail reminder (see
http://www.memotome.com for an example) to visit the Radio Slovakia
International website if you would like this information (Richard Cuff
/ Allentown, PA USA, July 15, swprograms via DXLD)

** SOMALIA. GOVERNMENT RADIO HEARD AGAIN

The radio station operated by the Transitional National Government
(TNG) of Somalia - which calls itself "Radio Mogadishu, Voice of the
Republic of Somalia" - was heard again by BBC Monitoring on 15 July
for the first time since 3 July.

(According to a report published on the Ruunkinet web site on 6 July,
the TNG had been in dispute with two businessmen over the supply of
generators for the radio station, which may have led to its temporary
closure. See our item published on 9 July entitled "Somalia:
Government radio off the air, apparently as result of business
dispute".) Source: BBC Monitoring research 15 Jul 02 (via DXLD) WTFK??

** SOUTH CAROLINA. Brother Stair: The two dropped charges (according
to S.S.) were the two criminal breach of trust charges. The two
remaining charges are the C.S.C.s. The judge said he'd hold another
hearing on or after July 29 on the question of release on bond. B.S.
seems to think there's a good chance those charges also will be
dropped (Robert Arthur, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** TAIWAN. Radio Taiwan publishes a map of their transmitter links
that might be of interest
http://www.cbs.org.tw/english/images/2002_espflow.gif
(Daniel Say, BC, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Yes; goes by microwave to transmitter sites in Taiwan. Elsewhere, the
first step is by undersea cable to Family Radio in Oakland; then by
one satellite link to Okeechobee; by another, also including an
internet link, eventually to a Merlin transmitter at Gerrards Cross,
England on 3955. Never heard of that place; I assume it is better
known by another name (Glenn Hauser, DXLD)

** TIBET. 9490, 1102- July 16, Tibet PBS. Fair to good signal in
difficult to follow English. YL proceeded to talk about dimensions of
some structure or another, though she mentioned a monastery. This is
the end of this program at 1111:45, and also mentioned Holy Tibet.
Into a Tibetan (or Chinese?) vocal song. Very much a tourist sounding
program. Unable to hear any other parallels at this time (Walt
Salmaniw, Victoria BC, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** U K. WORLD SERVICE GETS LESS THAN REQUESTED
   From The Guardian, John Plunkett, Monday July 15, 2002

The BBC has welcomed a £48m boost for the World Service - even though
it is only two-thirds of the funding hike it requested.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown announced the increase in the
Commons today (MON) as part of the Government's spending review until
2006.

The increase, to be spread over the next three years, will coincide
with a "rigorous programme of efficiency" at the Bush House
broadcaster over the same period.

BBC World Service director Mark Byford said: "The settlement is a
strong endorsement... at a time when the global appetite for
international news and analysis has increased.

"It is recognition that the need for our values - of impartial,
authoritative and editorially independent journalism - is greater than
ever."

The extra cash - equivalent to an annual funding increase in real
terms of 3.4% - will be ploughed into recently extend BBC services in
the wake of September 11 and the war on terror, in Afghanistan, south
Asia and the Arab world.

It will be used to develop landmark radio programmes on issues like
global security, democracy and Islam, and on flagship programming for
Africa, China and Europe. The cash will also be spent boosting World
Service availability on FM and online.

BBC Chairman Gavyn Davies added: "We feel the Government has
justifiably recognised the importance and impact of the World Service
by providing substantial new investment."

The World Service broadcasts in 43 languages and is listened to by
around 150m people every week (via Mike Terry, DXLD)

** U K. Potentially Interesting Potential Time Waster:

From the Ratio [sic] Times (UK): Fancy writing a sitcom about some
cleaners? Of course you do. And now you can, along with five other
budding writers and the aid of modern technology (the intercyberweb).
A new show is being crafted and honed on the net, with the BBC seeking
a team of writers to work together and make it into a worldwide
success. The sitcom is about a group of late-night office cleaners and
will be written online, with plotlines and characters being discussed
in a virtual writers' room... but for once, the public will also be
able to chip in with their own ideas and viewpoints on gags and
storylines... Info is available on http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/
so start thinking up your hygiene-based jokes now... (via Tom Roche,
DXLD)

** U K [non]. From laserradiolimited laser@ukmail.com
laserradio@yahoogroups.com Sunday, July 14, 2002 11:01 PM Just a few
lines to say a big Thank-you to all of you who either posted here or
e-mailed us with your reception reports. The results look promising
and once we enter the fall things should improve further! We shall be
back again on July 21 - Our program director tells me he is even
considering allowing a microphone in the studio for the next broadcast
...... (via Mike Terry, DXLD)

** U S A. GLOBAL CONCERT TO SAVE WEBCASTING ON 22 JULY

The International Webcasting Association (IWA) has teamed up with TV
Worldwide.com, an Internet broadcaster and streaming media service
provider, to produce a global Webcast promoting the IWA's campaign to
save the Internet radio industry. The Webcast, to be carried live from
State Theatre in Falls Church, Virginia, will start at 2330 UTC on 22
July. TV Worldwide.com will provide a link for simulcast transmission
via Internet radio stations around the US.

The event is being held in response to the growing effort to assist
Internet Radio webcasters who are being forced out of business after a
decision from the US Librarian of Congress regarding royalty rates
paid to performers. These performer royalties, which are not paid by
conventional radio stations for terrestrial broadcasts, are based on a
per-listener structure rather than percent of revenue basis, resulting
in royalties far in excess of the total revenue some Internet radio
sites generate. The onerous nature of these rates and their
retroactive enforcement are causing many Internet-only radio stations
to go dark.

"Webcasters recognize there is a cost to do business. What they cannot
accept is a fee that restricts their ability to stay in business,"
commented Susan Pickering, Executive Director of the IWA. "Without a
percentage of revenue structure, there is a barrier to entry for all
but the largest webcasters. Webcasters provide an outlet for new
artists and their music, and a source for listeners who are looking
for audio entertainment not available on terrestrial radio."

The Save Internet Radio Concert Webcast event will be available live
and archived for later viewing at http://www.webcasters.org
http://www.tvworldwide.com and through other Internet radio stations
to be named shortly. Participants should have the free Real Player
installed and should log on 15 minutes prior to the event at 2330 UT
on 22 July (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 15 July 2002 via DXLD)

** U S A. CLASSICAL MUSIC: TUNING UP FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
  Radio stations balance quality with capitalism
  Joshua Kosman, Chronicle Music Critic
  Monday, July 15, 2002   ©2002 San Francisco Chronicle.

Travel to just about any American city these days, and the odds are
you'll have to work harder than ever to find the music of Bach, Brahms
or Stravinsky on the radio dial.

From Florida to California, classical stations look more and more like
an endangered species. Major markets such as Detroit and San Diego, as
well as San Jose and Fresno closer to home, have been without a
commercial classical station for years.

And the trend only seems to be getting worse. A recent Arbitron survey
found that 34 of the nation's top 100 radio markets didn't have a
classical station.

Earlier this year, Miami's classical station, WTMI, became the latest
casualty when its new owner, Cox Communications, switched it to a
dance format.

New York's public radio station, WNYC, has slashed its music
programming in favor of more news and talk. At this rate, classical
radio may soon be a thing of the past.

That, at least, is one version of the story. Another version,
championed most forcefully by the Bay Area's KDFC (102.1 FM), has it
that classical radio has simply begun to join the 21st century.

"Classical radio spent a long time imitating the concert hall
experience," says Bill Lueth, the station's operations and programming
manager. "That no longer works, because that's not how working-aged
people listen to radio.

"As classical stations figure this out and try to learn more about
what their radio audience actually wants, their potential is still
alive."

From a business perspective, the station's success is hard to argue
with. KDFC's ratings are consistently among the Bay Area's highest, a
rare accomplishment for a classical format. According to Lueth, in the
past three years KDFC has ranked in the top six out of 127 radio
signals in the Bay Area almost every quarter and No. 1 twice.

When Bonneville International Corp. of Salt Lake City took over the
radio station in 1997, KDFC was 16th in the winter ratings.

"Only two other major classical stations make the top 10 ever,
hovering around seventh to 10th," Lueth said. "They are WCRB in Boston
and our sister station WGMS in Washington. Most others rarely make the
top 15."

Earlier this month, the National Association of Broadcasters nominated
KDFC for major-market station of the year, competing against stations
from all formats.

But that financial and ratings success has come from adopting
conservative, marketing-driven programming, with an emphasis on short,
soothing pieces -- sometimes one-movement excerpts -- drawn almost
exclusively from the 18th century. For listeners looking for more
adventurous fare, the KDFC formula is a mixed blessing at best.

"Anybody can make money," says Bill O'Connell, a former KDFC program
director who is now vice president and program manager for WCLV in
Cleveland. "If you're willing to take the temperature of your audience
and play only what focus groups say you should play, that's certainly
a way to go.

"But another way to go is the situation where the station is not owned
by a large company but by a local company that feels a responsibility
to the classical music aficionados of their market -- and to potential
classical music partisans -- to play a wider range of styles and
textures than the stations that are under financial pressure."

The debate over how far classical radio can or should adapt its
offerings to the changing marketplace has been fiercely fought in
recent years, with charges of "pandering" and "purism" being bandied
about.

But there is agreement that money has indeed changed everything. Since
the Telecommunications Act of 1996 deregulated radio ownership, large
media companies have been buying up radio stations for enormous sums
-- and then trying to make that money back with steeper profits than
classical stations can ordinarily provide.

"The number of classical radio stations is declining not because they
were abysmal performers, but because owners need to recoup their
investment," says Mario Mazza, vice president of programming at WCRB,
Boston's only commercial classical station.

"Classical doesn't do that. It makes money, but the margins may not be
as large as they want. That doesn't mean there's a problem with the
format, though."

Where classical stations have changed hands, the result has been
either a more populist programming approach, like that of KDFC, or a
wholesale change in format. And for local owners, the lure of a big
sale price can be hard to resist.

Mazza cites the case of WNIB-FM in Chicago, whose owners bought the
station for $8,000 in 1956 and sold it last year for $156 million to
Bonneville -- which immediately changed the format to classic rock.

"If you're an owner and get offered lots and lots of money for your
property, it's hard to say no."

One holdout is Saul Levine, the owner of Los Angeles' successful
classical station KMZT-FM (K-Mozart). He bought the frequency in 1958
for next to nothing, and recently, he says, has been offered as much
as $400 million for it.

"That's more money than I need -- what would I do with it? I buy two
suits a year and drink a bottle of good wine every couple of days. We
keep going because we're dedicated to the format."

In the Bay Area, though, Levine has had more difficulty keeping his
hand in the classical game. He briefly tried to resuscitate the old
KKHI call letters in the mid-1990s; more recently, his station at 1510
AM, also with the call letters KMZT, was offering a broad range of
classical music.

But last month, Levine switched the station to country -- prompted, he
says, by the fact that since the demise of KYCY ("Young Country") the
Bay Area had no country station.

"I'm a broadcaster, not a guy who only likes to listen to classical
music." ©2002 San Francisco Chronicle. Page D4 (via Mike Cooper, DXLD)

** U S A. I haven't heard Chinese music on the California station on
1620; they run EWTN programming, which generally alternates between
recitations (Hail Mary etc.) and egregious "discussion" programs where
unskilled hosts clumsily butcher even the simplest truths of the Bible
night after night. (Pretty painful stuff if you enjoy studying the
Good Book -- Even goofy Art Bell is probably right more often than
these guys, which ain't saying much :) ) 73, (Tim Hall, CA, amfmtvdx
via DXLD)

** U S A.              THE CGC COMMUNICATOR
                            CGC #523
                     Tuesday,  July 16, 2002
                 Robert F. Gonsett, W6VR, Editor
     Copyright 2002, Communications General Corporation (CGC)
------------------------------------------------------------------
  SPECIAL REPORT

  Human exposure to radiofrequency signals is in the news again as the
FCC conducts a surprise inspection on Mt. Wilson. The issues uncovered
will apply to many smaller communications sites, so sit back and read
this entire Special Report.

  The views expressed in the following Letter to the Editor are those
of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of CGC.  The
author is an experienced broadcast engineer known to CGC, and his or
her name has been withheld upon request.

******************************************************************

MT. WILSON - FCC TAKES HUMAN EXPOSURE TO RADIO FREQUENCY MEASUREMENTS

Today [Friday, July 12, 2002], the FCC, in an unprecedented move, shut
down every Los Angeles FM and TV station operating from Mt. Wilson in
a surprise RF hazard inspection.

The situation seems to have started a few weeks ago with the attempted
installation of a new antenna for station KDOC, CH-56. KDOC is located
in the ground floor of the building known as the "Post Office."  The
KDOC antenna was to be mounted on a 150' pole [actually a 226' pole  -
Ed.] directly West of the Post office.

KDOC engineers had calculated the stations that needed to reduce power
and had sent out requests. When it came time to climb the pole, the
tower crew found that the RF levels were still too high. They
eventually found that the offending signal was from an FM station that
was not on the KDOC list of stations that needed to reduce power. The
station's engineer was called and asked to reduce power to 80%. He was
willing to comply but was overruled by a corporate engineer saying, "I
can't reduce power while everyone is listening to my morning man!"
(Note that the FCC order obliges stations to comply with requests to
lower power as a safety matter and without regard to ratings or
revenue issues. The corporate engineer may not have known that he was
exposing his company to many thousands of dollars in fines.) The FM
station, after a week of negotiating, finally agreed to cooperate.

Yesterday, a team of six FCC "agents" arrived at Mt. Wilson. Their
first step was to perform a field intensity survey of their own. They
located a site that, according to their instruments, did not meet the
safety levels for public access. The site is the KMEX driveway as it
rises up behind KBIG and until it reaches the KMEX building. Since
there has been considerable construction in that driveway over the
past few years, the gate has long since disappeared. Since there is no
gate, the driveway is publicly accessible and therefore in violation.
It would not have been a violation if there had been a chain across
the driveway and a "No Trespassing" sign.

Today, the FCC showed up ready to find out who was responsible for
that hot-spot in the driveway. They had called the Chief Engineers of
every station to meet at Mt. Wilson at 12:00 noon.... They set up
their meter at the hot-spot and then asked each station to shut down
completely, one-by-one, just long enough to make another measurement.
Most stations were off for from 20 seconds to 40 seconds. This process
actually took hours to complete as communications was difficult
between each transmitter and the man taking the measurements. The Fox-
lot stations were then asked to do the same thing for another hot-spot
over there. After all of the measurements were done, everyone met at
the Mt. Wilson Pavilion to discuss the situation.

The agents said that they were not able to review the measurements in
the field. Once they were reviewed at the office, there would be
Notices of Violations and Notices of Liability (fines.) Many of the
Chiefs felt that the stations exceeding the limits would probably be a
handful of close-by FMs. The agents then spent a considerable time
explaining the rules and the FCC's expectations. They said that the
rules have been in place for several years now, and that they were no
longer warning people, but enforcing the law. There was also a Q&A
time.

There was also considerable talk about a group of stations joining to
have a new, comprehensive field study done by a qualified engineering
firm. Such studies are required for licensees under the new rules. The
last time this was done was in 1998 by Hammett & Edison. While some
stations have shown little interest in joining the group, there is
clearly a cost and accuracy benefit in having as many stations as
possible join the group. Perhaps this incident will change the minds
of the stations that show little interest. They are still looking for
bids and there is not yet a cost estimate. The contact is Steve
Colley: Steve.Colley@nbc.com or 818-840-3375.

An FCC agent then explained that they were there on a regular
inspection and not as a result of some incident. Most observers there
did not buy this. The agents seemed to have arrived poorly prepared
for the inspections, as though they had been called to Mt. Wilson at
the last minute. According to some who had spoken to them on Thursday,
they were very well aware of the KDOC incident. Perhaps they did not
want to pursue the KDOC incident but just make a statement that was
loud and clear. If so, their statement was indeed loud and clear. In
any case, this incident should alert us to the fact that we have a new
responsibility that cannot be ignored any longer.

******************************************************************
RESPONSE FROM READERS

An advance copy of the above Letter to the Editor was circulated to a
few broadcast engineers for their comments and opinions. The opinions
received are divided into two groups, as follows.
******************************************************************
ABOUT THE MT. WILSON/FCC INSPECTION

I think (the above story) pretty much sums things up. It will be very
interesting to see what comes of this. The inspector would not give
any indications of exactly what (the FCC) might do.

- Radio Station Engineer
____

Perhaps this is a technical point, but there has never been a gate at
the KMEX driveway as far as I know (back to at least 1984). There's
always been a chain there with a RF warning sign on it, and there is
another warning sign on the side of the KMEX-TV building. But alas,
(when the FCC arrived) the chain was unlocked and down. And the sign
was laying flat on the ground.

It probably wasn't the KMEX folks that dropped the chain, rather the
tower folks dealing with KDOC. That's only my guess. The chain was up
and locked the day before. I (check the chain) every time I can.

- TV station engineer
____

The fact that the FCC made a surprise inspection is not really a
surprise. They have stated this would likely happen on several
occasions during that past 12 months. Most recently, at the IWCE
convention in Las Vegas, in April, one of the FCC's Enforcement
Officers stated that we should not be surprised to see the issuance of
Notices of Violation and Notices of Liability during the remaining
part of the year as the FCC was gearing up to illustrate some examples
of violations of their RF rules. The FCC did this last year on Lookout
Mountain west of Denver.

- Consulting Radio Engineer
******************************************************************
ABOUT GENERAL HUMAN EXPOSURE TO RF ISSUES ON MT. WILSON

Seems that a few broadcasters are not very enthusiastic about human
exposure to RF compliance issues. When asked to reduce power to
facilitate tower work on Mt. Wilson, these excuses are sometimes
heard: "I'm unavailable that day" - "I'll be on vacation then" - "How
about if we reduce power from, say, 1 to 4 a.m.?"

Since multiple stations may be involved in power cut backs to permit
tower work, sometimes it's a miracle any work gets done at all. One
tower maintenance company complained that after a power reduction was
finally accomplished on Mt. Wilson, a TV GM ordered his engineer to
RESUME FULL POWER operation immediately. Full power operation was
resumed, without warning, and with climbers on the tower structure!

Obviously, too many people do not understand the absolute necessity of
cooperating and complying when it comes to human exposure to RF signal
issues. Compliance with the FCC's exposure rules is the law, and
failure to comply could lead to serious liability consequences, to say
nothing of FCC sanctions. Much more could and probably should be said
on this topic, and we hope you will send us your thoughts.
******************************************************************
YOUR COMMENTS ARE INVITED

Written comments from broadcasting professionals on any of the above
issues are welcome, and invited. Names will be withheld if you ask us
to do so.

This forum is to identify problems and look toward solutions in a
generic sense, without pointing fingers at specific individuals,
stations or companies. All meaningful comments (please be concise)
will be published together in an upcoming Special Edition of the CGC
Communicator.

Let's pull together, learn from the Mt. Wilson incidents and move on.

{continued in DXLD 2-116}
__________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------
The CGC Communicator is published for broadcast professionals
in so. California by Communications General Corporation (CGC),
consulting radio engineers, Fallbrook, CA. Short news items
without attached files are always welcome from our readers;
letters may be edited for brevity. E-mail may be sent to:
rgonsett@ieee.org or telephone (760) 723-2700.

CGC Communicator articles may be reproduced in any form provided
they are unaltered and credit is given to Communications General
Corporation and the originating authors, when named. Past
issues may be viewed and searched at http://www.bext.com/_CGC/
courtesy of Bext Corporation. (via Dennis Gibson, DXLD)

** U S A. House Radio Bill
http://www.mail-archive.com/cypherpunks-moderated%40minder.net/msg01671.html

Dave Emery (N1PRE)'s outstanding review of the radio reception
provisions in the Cyber Electronic Security Act passed by the House on
Monday, July 15.

"In effect this removes a safe harbor created during the negotiations
over the ECPA back in 1985-86 which ensured that first offenses for
hobby radio listening were only treated as minor crimes - after this
law is passed simply intentionally tuning a common scanner to the
(non-blocked) cordless phone frequencies could be prosecuted as a
felony for which one could serve 5 years in jail. ..."

And there's more, including changed provisions related to the
publication of material heard by radio.

http://www.newsignals.com http://www.spectrumfinder.net
(Benn Kobb, July 17, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** U S A. FALLING RATINGS: BITTER MEDICINE FOR DR. LAURA?
By JAY KRALL, The Associated Press, 7/15/02 8:45 AM The Wall Street
Journal

Recent ratings have been as hard on radio star Dr. Laura Schlessinger
as she can be with the callers she sets straight on her nationally
syndicated show. In the past three months, the "Dr. Laura Show" has
been dropped in Boston, Chicago, Milwaukee and Charlotte, N.C. The
show, based in Los Angeles, was canned in New York and Philadelphia
last year...
http://wizzer.advance.net/cgi-free/getstory_ssf.cgi?f0028_BC_WSJ--LauraSchlessinge&&news&newsflash-financial
(via Mike Cooper, DXLD)

** U S A. -------------------- Static At ESPN Radio ------------------

KORNHEISER SUSPENSION LATEST IN PERSONNEL SHAKEUP

By KEVIN CANFIELD, The Hartford Courant, July 17, 2002

With the recent firing of four producers and a popular on-air
personality and the suspension this week of perhaps its best-known
talk-show host, ESPN Radio is bordering on disarray.

Tony Kornheiser, the longtime Washington Post columnist who hosts a
midday show on the network and co-anchors a 5 p.m. free-for-all
on ESPN's TV side, is off the air for a week after management took
umbrage at some of his comments.

Kornheiser's suspension follows the firing last month of Jason
Jackson, who had been with ESPN for nearly seven years as a television
and radio host. Jackson, a source close to the Kornheiser show said,
was fired for allegedly making unwanted and suggestive comments to a
female colleague.

ESPN's radio unit has been an increasingly powerful force in recent
years, annexing drive-time slots at stations across the country and
consistently netting the best guests, from Michael Jordan to then-
President Clinton. But it has been a summer of chaos at the Bristol
headquarters of the sports broadcasting powerhouse. About a dozen
staffers, including Eric Schoenfeld, general manager of ESPN Radio,
have been let go or given time off for violations of company policy.
Schoenfeld, a source said, was suspended for allegedly threatening a
co-worker.

Mike Soltys, an ESPN spokesman, said the network would not comment on
personnel matters, and neither Kornheiser nor Schoenfeld could be
reached Tuesday.

It is clear, though, that this has not been an ordinary month or two
for ESPN Radio. According to a source, after Jackson's firing,
management looked at e-mail sent by a number of its employees. Though
the e-mails were not directly related to the Jackson matter, they did
contain profanity. This, the source said, led to the suspension of
five employees and the firing of four producers. Two worked on the
radio network's afternoon offering, "The Dan Patrick Show"; the other
two worked on Kornheiser's show. The firings - particularly that of
his show's senior producer, Denis Horgan Jr., whose father is a
columnist at The Courant - upset Kornheiser.

Kornheiser discussed the firings of Horgan and associate producer
Kelvin Álvarez several times on the show. "I would do just about
anything to get them back," he said on a recent broadcast. "Denis'
contributions to this show were enormous. All the funny, creative
things were Denis', just about."

ESPN management apparently asked Kornheiser to stop talking about the
matter on the air. He did but continued to discuss it on commercial
breaks, which until recently were broadcast over the Internet.

The network stopped broadcasting the commercial-break banter between
Kornheiser and his producers about three weeks ago, and Kornheiser,
who reportedly makes $500,000 a year, was notified late last week that
he would be suspended without pay for a week.

Meanwhile, Keith Olbermann, a former host of the network's
"SportsCenter" who left ESPN in a highly publicized parting five years
ago, recently hired Horgan to help write the commentaries he delivers
daily for ABC Radio.

"Denis is just one of the funniest, one of the brightest guys, one of
the most loyal, one of the best workers I've ever worked with,"
Olbermann said. "If you've got rules that force you to get rid of a
decent guy like Denis Horgan, there's something wrong with your
rules."  Copyright 2002, Hartford Courant (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD)

** U S A [non]. VOA affiliate stations: - an up-to-date list can be
found at their site:
http://sds.his.com:4000/fmds_z/schedules/cur_freqsked.txt IBB website:
http://monitor.ibb.gov/ (Jens Soendergaard, Randers, DENMARK, hard-
core-dx via DXLD)

Sorry, no, I mean the *affiliate* stations on FM and MW like R Free
Africa etc. They relay VOA for part of the broadcasting time, like R
Free Africa in Tanzania. There is a sample of Greek stations on
http://www.voa.gov/greek/greekaff.html with a link htttp://www.voa-
afl.gov but it doesn't lead anywhere. 73, (Mauno Ritola,
Kiihtelysvaara, Finland, ibid.)

** U S A. KGEM, 1140, Boise, ID, is FINALLY operating non-directional
daytime. They had been running with their night DA all the time
because of problems with the daytime matching network. July SR is 6:15
am MDT and SS is 9:30pm. It gets dark here well before local sunset by
the end of July (Bill Frahm - Boise ID, amfmtvdx via DXLD)

Would you like to rephrase that? And I assume the point is that KGEM
could now be heard eastward around sunset whilst non-direxional. KGEM
was my first (and only) Idaho MW catch for many years back in the
sixties. Still the same call, even more remarkable (Glenn Hauser, OK,
DX LISTIENING DIGEST)

** U S A. Legal Stuff saying that no one can stop you from installing
an antenna: http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html
Found this link on Winegard's web site. Enjoy, (Bill Nollman, July 16,
WTFDA via DXLD)

The subject line of the Bill's e-mail is a bit broad. While it is true
that under the R&O, an owner/dweller has a right to install an antenna
for TV use, that is about all it means.

The Rule was written to infer a Rule of Reasonableness. Now, as anyone
who has gone to law school would tell you, such rules are nothing if
not vague. But, I think it is clear that the Rule is intended to allow
a resident to install an antenna suitable for everyday viewing. DXing,
a court would most likely find, is NOT everyday viewing (really, by
definition).

Of course, I can imagine that a reasonableness rule is location-
dependent. Here in Germantown, TN, the type antenna allowed might be
significantly smaller than someone in rural Nebraska might be allowed,
as transmitters are very near my home. In short, if I attempted to
install a 7' UHF dish 12' above the roof line, I would get my butt
enjoined. And I should get it enjoined -- I would have gone well
beyond the spirit of the Rule.

The same sort of Rule applies in PRB-1, the rule that requires
municipalities to "reasonably accommodate" Ham antennas. Courts will
be wrestling with that definition for a while, and that will only get
worse if PRB-1 is extended to CCRs.

The jury is still out on this one (Peter Baskind, J.D., LL.M./AG4KI,
Germantown, TN/EM55, ibid.)

Good points, Peter. Luckily, my neighborhood has to get a majority of
people to go to court to fight anything they don't like. Task #1 when
I moved in was to make darn good friends with the neighbors, which is
also good for day to day stuff as well! I also made every effort to
"hide" my FM antenna behind the peak of the roof, which clears the
peak by a few feet but isn't terribly visible from the street. Of
course, the 7ft CM dish and VHF yagi are both in the attic :-( (Bill
Nollman, ibid.)

Peter, all of this is subject to a few variables, one of which is
where you're located, another, as you've pointed out, is how 'extreme'
you get with your antennas, still another is the jurisdiction, and
still another has to do with the size of your property and where the
antenna is on it relative to potential aggrieved parties. There is
still a requirement that the person suing you has to demonstrate some
minimum level of harm.

Actually, there are some within the ham community who argue that PRB-1
guarantees every ham who owns his/her own property not within an
airport's flight path to erect a tower - and a big one. We all know
that ain't reality.

At least those of us who are DX'ers and hams can put up two kinds of
antennas :-}

But, finally, for some of us, the question of a tower or how much/what
antennas not infrequently comes down to a different authority - one's
spouse! ===== (Russ Edmunds, Blue Bell, PA, ibid.)

** URUGUAY. Otra radio uruguaya online----
http://www.cx4radiorural.com/ 610 CX4 Radio Rural, Montevideo (Horacio
A. Nigro, Montevideo - Uruguay, July 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** VIETNAM. VOICE OF VIETNAM CHIEF FIRED

Tran Mai Hanh, Director General of Radio Voice of Vietnam, has been
fired in a purge of senior party officials linked to a corruption
scandal. Hanh is accused of having sought an early release from
custody for gang leader Truong Van Cam, who was charged with murder,
gambling and fraud. "We must pay a very painful price for the free
lifestyle of a number of degenerate cadres who have failed to maintain
their political standards and ethics,'' said party General Secretary
Nong Duc Manh. The Voice of Vietnam's Web site lists the new Director
General as Vu Van Hien (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 17 July 2002
via DXLD)

** VIETNAM [non]. Que Huong QSLs (from John Durham). The following is
extracted from their QSL (verbatim):

Monitoring of our broadcasts is important for the technical
information we receive, as well as for information about our audience.
Additionally, the stories of our listeners augment dimension of our
transmissions , putting a ``face`` at the leading end of the short
wave. As background, you should know that Que Huong Radio is a private
Vietnamese Broadcasting Corporation mainly serving the Vietnamese
American in Northern California, United States since 1994. Que Huong
Radio is the only 24 hour daily, all Vietnamese radio station outside
Vietnam. We are broadcasting on 1120 AM frequency. On shortwave
program which mainly broadcasted to Vietnam, we are trying to promote
freedom and human rights for all Vietnamese people in Vietnam. If you
have any friend who is a shortwave listener, please encourage him to
send reception reports to us at above address. Reports can be in
English and Vietnamese. Signed Nguyen Khoi, Manager of Que Huong
Radio. Addr: 2670 S. White Rd, Suite 165, San José, CA 95148. URL:
http://www.quehuongmedia.com/ E-mail: quehuong@quehuongmedia.com Sked
via KWHR: Apr 02: 1300-1330 9930 kHz (NEW ZEALAND DX TIMES JULY 2002
via DXLD)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

QSL INFORMATION PAGES 6000

Thanks to the help from old and new contributors and to an exchange
agreement with another DX Club (BDXC-UK) the QSL Information Pages
[QIP] for BC-DX er's at   http://www.schoechi.de/qip-indx.html
have been updated several times in the past days. Now QIP presents QSL
logs from more than 6000 BC stations from 226 radio-'countries'. Even
the zip-files have been updated in order to provide you with all the
logs when you are 'offline'.

All comments, QSL-logs and design-advices are very welcome.
But please do not send pictures to me (only pictures of Clandestine
Radio Stations) Martin Schöch
---------------------------------------------------------
Martin Schoech - PF 1136 - 06201 Merseburg - Deutschland
---------------------------------------------------------
E-mail: schoechi@gmx.de  Website: http://www.schoechi.de

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

PROPAGATION
+++++++++++

Space Weather News for July 16, 2002 http://www.spaceweather.com A
remarkable sunspot is crossing the face of the Sun. The large active
region stretches 15 Earth-diameters from end-to-end and poses a threat
for powerful flares. Indeed, on July 15th, twisted magnetic fields
above the spot erupted. The explosion sparked an X-class solar flare
and hurled a coronal mass ejection into space. As a result, sky
watchers on Earth might spot auroras on Tuesday or Wednesday night.
Visit spaceweather.com for more information and updates. (via Russ
Edmunds, NJ, amfmtvdx via DXLD)

At 1958Z, a major flare began. At 2008Z, it was at an X3.0 on the
scale. This is a MAJOR event. Most HF is degraded - no propagation.
More info follows. One may see the current level at
http://www.sec.noaa.gov/rt_plots/xray_1m.html And other info at
http://prop.hfradio.org/ 73 de (Tomas, NW7US // AAR0JA swl July 15 via
DXLD)

PROPAGATION WARNING:
Conditions could become pretty Rough for a short time within the next
48 Hours. More likely on 17th and 18th July 2002.

This is due to 2 'X' Solar Flares and maybe concurrently the effects
(Now diminishing) of an old Coronal Hole. which may have rotated into
a partially Geoeffective Position, by to-day, 16th July 2002..
(Ken Fletcher, UK, 1820UTC=1920UTC+1 16th July 2002, BDXC-UK via DXLD)

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
Issued: 2002 Jul 16 2212 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce,
NOAA, Space Environment Center # Product description and SEC contact
on the Web # http://www.sec.noaa.gov/weekly.html # # Weekly Highlights
and Forecasts #

Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 08 - 14 July 2002

Solar activity was at low to high levels. Activity rose to high levels
on 11 July due to an M5/2b flare from Region 30 (N19, L = 013,
class/area Fkc/780 on 14 July). Region 30 also produced isolated low-
level M-class flares on 08, 11, and 13 July. All of these flares were
unremarkable in radio aspects. Region 30 grew steadily in size and
magnetic complexity and developed multiple magnetic delta
configurations by the close of the period. Forecaster's note: Region
30 produced an X3/3b flare and halo CME on 15 July. Details will be
provided in next week's edition. Solar wind data were available from
the NASA Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft for most of
the summary period. Solar wind speeds were elevated during 09 – 10
July with peaks to around 530 km/sec, likely due to a negative-
polarity coronal hole. Speeds were also elevated during 12 – 13 July
with peaks to around 600 km/sec, likely due to a positive-polarity
coronal hole. A greater than 10 MeV proton event ended at geo-
synchronous orbit at 08/0620 UTC (the event began at 07/1830 UTC
following a long-duration event near the Sun's southwest limb). There
were no proton events during the rest of the period. Greater than 2
MeV electron fluxes at geo-synchronous orbit were at normal to
moderate levels through 11 July, then decreased to normal levels for
the rest of the period.

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet to active levels during 09 and
12 July, likely due to coronal hole effects. There were also brief
minor storm periods at high latitudes on 12 July. Quiet to unsettled
conditions prevailed during the rest of the period.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 17 July - 12 August 2002

Solar activity is expected to range from low to moderate levels during
most of the period. Isolated low-level M-class flares are possible
throughout the period. Region may produce additional isolated major
flare activity before it rotates out of view on 23 July. There is a
chance for a proton-producing flare from Region 30 before it rotates
out of view on 23 July. Greater than 2 MeV electron fluxes at geo-
synchronous orbit are expected to be at normal to moderate levels for
most of the period. Geomagnetic field activity is expected to increase
to active to minor storm levels during 17 – 18 in response to the halo
CME observed late on 15 July. Active periods are possible during 20
July; and during 02, 05, and 08 August due to recurrent coronal hole
effects. Quiet to unsettled conditions are expected during the
remainder of the period.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
Issued: 2002 Jul 16 2211 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce,
NOAA, Space Environment Center # Product description and SEC contact
on the Web # http://www.sec.noaa.gov/wwire.html # # 27-day Space
Weather Outlook Table # Issued 2002 Jul 16 # #

UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
Date 10.7 cm    A Index  Kp Index

2002 Jul 17 180 20 4
2002 Jul 18 185 20 4
2002 Jul 19 185 12 3
2002 Jul 20 185 15 3
2002 Jul 21 185 10 3
2002 Jul 22 180 10 3
2002 Jul 23 160  8 3
2002 Jul 24 150  7 2
2002 Jul 25 145  7 2
2002 Jul 26 145 10 3
2002 Jul 27 145 10 3
2002 Jul 28 145 10 3
2002 Jul 29 145 10 3
2002 Jul 30 145  7 2
2002 Jul 31 145  7 2
2002 Aug 01 140 12 3
2002 Aug 02 135 15 3
2002 Aug 03 135 12 3
2002 Aug 04 135 10 3
2002 Aug 05 140 15 3
2002 Aug 06 150 12 3
2002 Aug 07 155 10 3
2002 Aug 08 160 15 3
2002 Aug 09 165 10 3
2002 Aug 10 170  8 3
2002 Aug 11 175  8 3
2002 Aug 12 175  8 3
(from http://www.sec.noaa.gov/radio via DXLD)           ###

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

        DX LISTENING DIGEST 2-113, July 14, 2002
        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.
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Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not
having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of
noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits

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For restrixions and searchable 2002 contents archive see
http://www.worldofradio.com/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 #1139:
(DOWNLOAD)  http://www.k4cc.net/wor1139.rm
(STREAM)    http://www.k4cc.net/wor1139.ram
(SUMMARY)   http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1139.html
(ONDEMAND)  http://www.wrn.org/ondemand/worldofradio.html

NEXT WWCR BROADCASTS: Wed 0930 on 9475
NEXT RFPI BROADCASTS: Mon 0630, Wed 0100, 0700, on 7445-USB, 15038.6

** AFGHANISTAN. RADIO AFGHANISTAN TO RESUME BROADCASTS IN LOCAL
LANGUAGES ON FM ON 15 JULY | Text of report by Afghan radio on 14 July

Announcement by the Broadcasting Department of Radio Afghanistan:
Broadcasts in languages of the fraternal ethnic groups of Afghanistan
- Uzbek, Turkmen, Pashai and Nurestani - was expected to resume after
a break on 24 Saratan of the current year [ 15 July] from 1700 to 2000
[1230 to 1530 gmt]. In view of technical problems, dear listeners can
listen to these programmes from 1400 to 1700 [0930 to 1230 gmt]
starting tomorrow, Monday 24 Saratan, on FM frequency. Source: Radio
Afghanistan, Kabul, in Dari 1430 gmt 14 Jul 02 (via BBCM via DXLD)

** AFGHANISTAN [non]. RADIO VOICE OF AFGHANISTAN STOPS BROADCASTING
FOR THREE MONTHS

The founder of Radio Voice of Afghanistan, Sayd Jamaloddin Afghan, has
announced that the radio's broadcasts will stop for three months from
today. In an unscheduled speech on the radio which replaced the 1330
gmt news bulletin, he said that during a recent visit to Afghanistan
he saw "painful" scenes which are even "difficult to explain". He said
the radio was not able to broadcast "the truth" and report what was
happening in Afghanistan because of "the current conditions governing
the country".

He expressed the hope that the country's situation would improve in
three months and the radio would be able to resume its broadcasts. The
radio began its broadcasts around eight months ago from London. The
text of the speech to follow. Source: Radio Voice of Afghanistan,
London, in Dari and Pashto 1330 gmt 14 Jul 02 (via BBCM via DXLD)

Three months, or forever? This doesn`t make sense. If conditions are
so bad in Afgh, it would seem RVOA is needed more than ever (gh, DXLD)

Heard wot I thought was V. of Afghanistan at 1400 7 July, 17870,
Afghani sounding music, and M.A. (SINPO 24444 to Australia).

Then at 1430 a brief break in transmission, few clicks then a Male
Announcer in English "Welcome to Voice of America in Farsi..."
followed talk by MA and FA in.... Farsi, I guess!

Which matches V. of America`s published sched showing:
1430-1530 UTC 9555 15750 17870

and V. of Afghanistan`s sched showing Dari Programme on 17870 kHz
1400-1430 UT on their website

The signals sounded the same before and after the break, suggesting
same transmitter (Jem Cullen, Australia, July 12, ARDXC via DXLD)

** AFGHANISTAN [non]. NORUEGA/AFGHANISTAN. 18920, Radio Afghanistan
(Tentativo), via Kvitsoy, 1300+. 8 de julio. Transmisión en pushtu??.
Boletín de noticias leído por OM. 24442 (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, en
DX Camp-Villa Loguercio, Conexión Digital via DXLD)

Ex-18940? I am amazed at the resounding silence from all quarters
since The Observers in Bulgaria asserted that this emission is no
longer via Norway (gh, DXLD)

** ARMENIA. Dear Glenn: Yesterday I received a QSL card, a dated on
10,6,2002, letter by Mr. Armen Amiryan, General Director of the Public
Radio of Armenia, and a Summer 2002 Program schedule of The Voice of
Armenia, it listed the time, frequency and language but no target area
as following:

MW 864 kHz and SW 4810 kHz
0230-0300 1-7 Farsi
1300-1330 1-5 Azeri
1300-1315 6-7 Azeri
1330-1345 1-5 Turkish
1315-1345 6-7 Turkish
1345-1415 1-7 Kurdish

SW 4810 kHz
1645-1715 1-7 Arabic

LW 234 kHz
1220-1230 1-6 Georgian

SW 4810 kHz and 11625 kHz
1830-1900 1-6 Armenian
1900-1920 1-6 French
1920-1940 1-6 German
1940-2000 1-6 English

Via satellite "Hot Bird" 13 degree/12.111 GHz, (For local listeners
107.6 FM)
1730-1740 1,2,4,5,6,7 French
1740-1750 1,2,4,5,6,7 German
1750-1800 1.2.4.5.6.7 English

SW 4810 kHz and 15270 kHz
0730-0750 Sunday French
0750-0810 Sunday German
0810-0830 Sunday English

SW 9965 kHz
0200-0230 1-7 Armenian
0230-0245 1-7 Spanish

Thank you very much for your valuable DX information! Your reader (Yin
Yung-chien, Taipei, Taiwan 13/7/2002 08:45, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** AUSTRALIA. Re Australia's Indonesian service at 2130 on 11935 -
China's big band concert was audible on the freq July 10 with not even
a tentative of Darwin. It does seems unfortunate that RFA Saipan and
Darwin should both use the same freq - albeit in different directions
(Noel R. Green, UK, BC-DX Jul 12 via DXLD)

** AUSTRIA. Very interesting Austrian radio history pages of 1945-1955
era: http://www.amospress.at/Z/bdn/BDN2/HIST1945.HTM  Also some
services of the Allied occupation all over Austria are covered, like
American Rot-Weiss-Rot, Russian RAVAG, British R. Alpenland
etc.

Occupation transmitters in Austria 1945-1955.
http://www.amospress.at/Z/bdn/BDN2/HIST1945.HTM#BDN
(Josef Haas, Austria, A-DX July 14 via BC-DX via DXLD)

** BELARUS`. 6080: At 0700 and at 1000 UT [while monitoring LUX 6090
test] when using the small Collins 2.7 kHz filter, I noticed a
warbling-oscillating signal on 6080 and also Belarus` talk there. The
audio sounds like an oscillating transmitter fault. Any ideas? Is that
the usual sound of the 6080 unit, or is that audio originating from a
'rival' source in CIS ??? (wb df5sx BC-DX via DXLD)

The jitterbugging signal on 6080 is BLR, \\  279 (Olle Alm, Sweden,
BC-DX July 10 via DXLD)

BLR tx, they are faulty (as I noted) for few weeks (suspect even more)
+/- 5 kHz are suffering mostly (f.i. DW's "eternal home" 6075 now
comes with [SIO] 322, 433/422, 533 tnx to BLR). BLR itself is 544/533
here with its own transmitter degradation only (Vlad Titarev, Ukraine,
BC-DX July 10 via DXLD)

Yes, and BLR 6080 is in that faulty condition since at least 2
months already (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, BC-DX July 10 via DXLD)

Re the jitterbug on 6080 - this is a very difficult freq on which to
hear anything at my location, but something very peculiar sounding is
audible. If, as Bernd says, this fault has been on going for some
time, it seems to prove that no one ever checks what is actually going
out. During a recent discussion (HCDX) about the radio with the worst
audio - which two writers suggested was Cairo (I do know of others!) -
the question was asked whether they had any listeners outside of the
studio. Perhaps BLR has electricity to spare during summer time? (Noel
R. Green, UK, BC-DX Jul 12 via DXLD)

Current BLR schedule of July 13:

2738 1800-2200 Mayak/SSB       2829 1800-2200 Mayak/SSB
4982 0300-1800 Mayak/SSB       5134 0300-1800 Mayak/SSB
5970 0100-0300 FS              6010 1500-2200 BR-1
6040 1500-2200 BR-1 + local    6070 1500-2200 BR-1
6080 0300-2200 BR-1            6190 1500-2200 BR-1 + local
7105 1500-1700 BR-1            7105 1900-2100 FS
7145 1500-1800 BR-1 + local    7210 0100-0300 FS
7210 1900-2100 FS              7265 1500-2100 BR-2 (incl Mayak)
(Mikhail Timofeyev-RUS, DXplorer Jul 14 via BC-DX via DXLD)

Radiostation Belarus (R Minsk)
Addr: ul.Krasnaya, 4, 220807 Minsk, Belarus
Tel:  (375-17) 2395831, 2395832, 2395875    Fax:  (375-17) 2848574
WEB : http://www.tvr.by
Director: Khlebus Nataliya Vasiljevna       Tel:  (375-17) 2395830)

Schedule:
0100-0130 on 1170, 5970, 7210 kHz in Belarussian.
0130-0200 on 1170, 5970, 7210 kHz Mon-Sat in Belarussian, Sun in Ru.
0200-0230 1170, 5970, 7210 kHz Mon/Wed, Fri-Sun in En.
          Tues in Belarussian. Thurs in German.
0230-0300 1170, 5970, 7210 kHz Mon in Ru. Tues-Sat in Belarussian.
          Sun in German.
1900-1930 1170, 7105, 7210 kHz in Belarussian.
1930-2000 1170, 7105, 7210 kHz Mon in Belarussian, Tues-Thurs in En.
          Wed/Sat/Sun in German. Mon in Russian.
2000-2030 on 1170, 7105, 7210 kHz Tues-Fri in Ru, Sat/Mon in
          Belarussian.
2030-2100 on 1170, 7105, 7210 kHz Tues in Belarussian, Wed/Fri in En.
          Thurs/Sun/Mon in German. Sat in Russian.
(Sergei Alejsejchik, Grodno-BLR, "Kvadrat"  DX "Signal", RUS-DX Jul 13
via BC-DX via DXLD)

** BOUGAINVILLE. 3850 Radio Independent Makumui, 1052 July 12,
sounding like any other PNG, but much weaker. Pops and pidgin talk
seemed to have anthem of sorts just before 1102* Need to review
recording (Hans Johnson, WY, Cumbre DX via DXLD)

** BRAZIL. Em artigo recente, publicado no Jornal do Brasil, edição de
19 de junho, Carmen Lúcia Roquette Pinto, afirma que a Rádio MEC está
sucateada, com o consentimento do governo brasileiro. Segundo ela,
"através de mecanismos insidiosos e ilegais". A Rádio MEC, que tem
seus estúdios no Rio de Janeiro, foi doada ao governo, em 1936, por
Roquette Pinto. A autora afirma que o governo passou para as mãos de
entidade privada um valioso patrimônio, sem consultar a população. A
Rádio MEC transmite em 800 kHz e já emitiu em ondas curtas, no
passado. As informações são de Paulo Roberto e Souza, de Tefé(AM).

BRASIL - O cateretê é uma dança rural brasileira, feita em filas
opostas e cantada. Para quem gosta da boa e verdadeira música
sertaneja, como é o caso do cateretê, vale conferir o programa Festa
na Roça, levado ao ar, de segunda a sexta-feira, pela Rádio Difusora,
de Poços de Caldas(MG). É apresentado de 2300 às 0130, em 4945 kHz. No
programa do dia 12 de julho, o apresentador disse que a Rádio Difusora
recebe periodicamente informes de recepção de todo o mundo. Anunciou o
seguinte e-mail para contato: am1250@d... [truncated]

BRASIL - A Rádio Nacional da Amazônia, ao que tudo indica, está no ar,
em 11780 kHz, em grande parte do dia. Aos domingos, a emissora
apresenta, a partir de 2300, o Noite Nacional. É comandado pelo
veterano Pereira Lima, que labutou na extinta Rádio Nacional do
Brasil. Lima também já trabalhou na Rádio Coréia Internacional. O
programa apresenta sucessos da música popular brasileira e mundial. A
participação dos ouvintes é feita pelo telefone: 0800 610980. Também
aceita, por carta, ao seguinte endereço: Caixa Postal 258, CEP: 70359-
970, Brasília(DF).

BRASIL - A audiência do programa Além Fronteiras, da Rádio Canção
Nova, de Cachoeira Paulista(SP), é grande no exterior, principalmente
na Finlândia. Durante o programa levado ao ar em 6 de julho, vários
dexistas daquele país tiveram seus informes respondidos no ar, entre
eles, Mika Makelainen. O programa é apresentado aos sábados, entre
2200 e 2300, nas freqüências de 4825, 6105 e 9675 kHz (all: Célio
Romais, @tividade DX July 13 via DXLD)

** CANADA. GORD SINCLAIR, CANADIAN PIONEER BROADCASTER PASSES AWAY
   From http://www.cjad.com/cjad/www/

Gord Sinclair passes away at 74.

MONTREAL, Posted 13 Jul 2002 11:39 AM -- CJAD 800 marks the passing of
one of Canada's finest broadcasters Gord Sinclair. During a career
that spanned more than 50 years, Gord touched the lives of countless
Canadians. He has left an indelible mark not only on his listeners but
also on his colleagues.

Born January 26, 1928, Gord Sinclair's radio career began at CHVC
Niagara Falls, Ontario June 1st, 1947. It was in 1982, that he joined
CJAD 800.

Gary Slaight, President and CEO of Standard Broadcasting Limited said:
"It has been an honour having Gord Sinclair as part of our Standard
family for 20 years. Our thoughts are with wife Linda, daughters
Connie, Jennifer and Heather as well as their families."

"Gord was a tireless Canadian and had an intimate knowledge of all
corners of the country," said Rob Braide, Vice-President Standard
Radio Montreal and General Manager of CJAD 800. "He will be sorely
missed by Montreal, Quebec and all of Canada."

He was clearly a special Canadian. Part of Gord's legacy is the Radio
Television News Directors' Association Gord Sinclair Award for Special
Events coverage. CJAD Deputy News Director Derek Conlon says "he was
the kind of broadcaster we all aspire to be and his legacy lives on
through that award in communities and Newsrooms across the country."

"Gord Sinclair was an icon and a gentleman," said Rick Moffat, Program
Director of CJAD 800. "Though so many of us admired him as somehow
larger than life, he knew the listeners always mattered most. He was
famous for stating his opinions openly and honestly, but he always
gave Montrealers the last word." (via Mike Terry, Sheldon Harvey,
DXLD)

Gord Sinclair was the son of the legendary Gordon Sinclair of Toronto
who passed away several years ago. Mr. Sinclair was, for several
years, a mainstay at CFCF in Montreal except for a period when he was
the owner of CFOX (C-FOX) in Vancouver.  Returning to Montreal and his
long-time home at CFCF, he eventually gave up trying to compete with
CJAD and joined their staff! I was fortunate to hear his booming voice
when visiting Montreal last summer. It was not at all a stretch to
hear his father in that voice!!

In all, in becoming one of this country's great radio personalities,
Mr. Sinclair had an astounding 55-year career in the business.
Between the Gordons, père et fils, there must have been at least a
century of broadcasting and in keeping with the family tradition of on
air talent, not to mention employment at Standard Broadcasting, his
(the Gordon the Younger's) daughter is in the news department at CFRB.

(Ori VA3ORI, LISTENING IN NOSTALGIA Columnist, Ontario DX Association,
DX LISTENING DIGEST)

CJAD'S GORD SINCLAIR DIES AT 74

ALAN HUSTAK Montreal Gazette Saturday, July 13, 2002

Gord Sinclair as a CFCF radio morning man around 1955 [caption]

Gord Sinclair, CJAD's tough talking news director and a veteran
Montreal broadcasting executive, died yesterday in the intensive-care
unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital. He was 74.

Mr. Sinclair was a familiar voice for the past two decades on the
station's noon-hour news and public-affairs talk shows, Free For All
and Feedback, where he cultivated a reputation as a cranky,
reactionary tightwad with a common touch. He thrived on being
contrary.

"A lot of people had the impression that he was a loudmouth, big-C
conservative, but that wasn't Gord at all," CJAD's acting news
director Derek Conlon told The Gazette.

"He was opinionated, yes. But he was also the kindest, most gentle,
and most accepting person. He loved to argue, but he always
accommodated other people's opinions. That was his strength as a
broadcaster."

Political commentator Graeme Decarie, who regularly faced off against
Mr. Sinclair, said that for all their explosive on-air disagreements,
they never once exchanged cross words off the air.

"He had a broad streak of decency," Decarie said. "He was genuinely a
conservative, as he appeared to be, but he was never thoughtless or
unkind. He was always dead honest. He wasn't a hypocrite. He liked
things open and up front."

Gordon Arthur Sinclair was born in Toronto, Jan 26, 1928. His father
was the flamboyant Toronto Star reporter, celebrity broadcaster and
Front Page Challenge TV panelist, Allen Gordon Sinclair, who died in
1984.

Father and son were never close. The elder Sinclair tried to prevent
his son from going into the broadcasting business. "He was dead set
against it, even violently," Mr. Sinclair once said. "He used to write
to me regularly telling me to quit radio, that I would never amount to
nuthin'."

Mr. Sinclair, who refused to be called Junior, had no formal education
beyond high school. While still in school he was a teenage
correspondent for the Canadian High News, a local Toronto CBC radio
program, and was seduced by the microphone.

He ignored his father's advice and in 1947 started his professional
broadcasting career in Niagara Falls, Ont. He worked for several radio
stations, including CFNB in Fredericton, N.B., before he moved to
Montreal in 1951 to get out from under his father's shadow.

Mr. Sinclair joined CFCF radio and became that station's top-rated
morning man until 1960 when he left to open his own radio station,
CFOX, in Pointe Claire.

He sold the operation in 1973 to Standard Broadcasting and returned to
CFCF. He was lured to CJAD in 1982 to become news director.

"Gord projected the image of tightfisted curmudgeon, but he treated
everyone equally and he had populist sensibilities," said Rob Braide,
the station's vice-president and general manager. "He was a hard-nosed
boss who defended and stood behind his staff like no other news
director I have ever met. He defended the autonomy and the editorial
independence and integrity of his newsroom fiercely."

Four years ago, to celebrate his 50th anniversary in broadcasting, Mr.
Sinclair was honoured at a charity banquet at the Queen Elizabeth
Hotel that raised $40,000 for the Montreal Association for the Blind.

Mr. Sinclair never eclipsed his father's reputation but several years
ago told a reporter that although he would never be famous as a
household name, "I'm as rich as he was, and that counts for
something."

Mr. Sinclair was a diabetic most of his life and died of complications
following a stroke he suffered on the Victoria Day weekend at the
family summer home in Muskoka, Ont.

He was twice married and has three daughters.

There will be no religious funeral. Mr. Sinclair was a confirmed
atheist, who stopped believing in God 60 years ago after the death at
Christmas of his 11-year-old sister.

CJAD will broadcast a memorial tribute today at noon.

© Copyright 2002 Montreal Gazette (via Mike Cooper, DXLD)

LONGTIME MONTREAL RADIO BROADCASTER GORD SINCLAIR DIES AT 74

MONTREAL (CP) - Montreal radio legend Gord Sinclair died Friday in
hospital after a series of strokes. He was 74.

Sinclair was a broadcaster for more than 55 years and was news
director at CJAD Radio Montreal until his death. The all-news radio
station planned a tribute broadcast Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. -
Sinclair's regular slot. Sinclair was known for his unique, ad-lib-
style newscasts and was also an editorialist and talk show host
at the station. Broadcasting was in his blood.

"I think Gord Sinclair has done a tremendous amount for our industry
over the years," said Eldon Duchscher, a Saskatoon broadcaster and
president of the Radio-Television News Directors Association of
Canada, an organization that was dear to Sinclair.

"He was a driving force behind the RTNDA. . .Anyone who has ever met
Gord has a great story to tell. He was a helluva broadcaster. He knew
a good story, and he knew how to tell it."

Sinclair was the son of Gordon Sinclair - a long-time radio host at
CFRB Toronto and panellist on TV's "Front Page Challenge."

Gord Sinclair Jr. began his radio career in 1947 as a newscaster and
disc jockey at Ontario radio stations in Niagara Falls, Oshawa and
Hamilton.

He moved to Montreal in 1951 to become the morning man for CFCF. By
1954 Sinclair's program was the top rated morning show in the city. In
1960, he and some associates started CFOX Montreal.

He built it up to the number two station in the city but it was sold
to Slaight Communications in the 1970s and he returned to CFCF in
1975.

Sinclair became news director at CJAD in 1982, covering Quebec
politics and other major stories such as the Oka crisis and the Ecole
Polytechnique massacre.

"I think he understood Quebec politic