DX LISTENING DIGEST 0-117, October 1, 2000 edited by Glenn Hauser, wghauser@hotmail.com {Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only providing full credit be maintained at all stages and we are provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. For restrixions and searchable 2000 contents archive see} http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/Dxldmid.html ** ANDORRA. Radio Andorra, Baixada del Molí 22, Andorra la Vella, Andorra. Tel: +376 863777; Fax: +376 864999; E-mail: rtvasa@andorra.ad and Web Site: http://www.andorra.ad/rtvasa/rna/ra/menu.htm broadcasts in Catalan daily 0500-2200 UT on 91.4 and 94.2 MHz plus live audio stream at http://www.andorra.ad/rtvasa/rna/ra/menu.htm Newscasts: 0530-0600 M-F, 0630-0700 Su and Sa, 1100-1130 and 1800-1830 daily (© BBC Monitoring Sept 27, condensed by gh for DXLD) ** ARGENTINA. For the first time since May, I`m hearing the 29810 signal again. At 1215 Sept 4, was in ISB with telephone traffic on USB, and the usual radio station relay on LSB (Alan Roberts, QC, 25 Plus, Sept CIDX Messenger via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. Nova Rádio Relógio is interested in receiving reception reports. This info is from the person in charge of the technical department of the station, Renato Castro. Nova Rádio Relógio promises to answer all reports with souvenirs from the religious entity which has leased the facility. According to Castro, the power on 4905 has been increased by authority of the Ministry of Communications. The station is building a new webpage. Reports and letters should be sent to this address: Nova Radio Relogio A/C Sr. Renato Castro Rua Paramopama, 131, Ribeira Ilha do Governador CEP: 21.930-110 - RIO DE JANEIRO - RJ BRASIL _____________________ Telefone: 0 xx 21 467.0201 Fax: 0 xx 21 467.4656 Internet: radiorelogio@ig.com.br ============================================== (Célio Romáis - Pôrto Alegre - Brasil, Oct 1, translated by gh for DX LISTENING DIGEST) Associado do DX Clube do Brasil Visite o site: http://www.dxcb.org [This is the station which actually varies around 4910-4920 -gh] ** BRAZIL. The Sept 20 issue of Norbert Fouquet`s bulletin in French contains a survey by Roberto Gómez in Manáus Sept 15 of active SW stations here, with times and powers, as well as a separate list of inactives: http://members.nbci.com/saguenay/oc/ (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRUNEI. Radio Brunei Rangkaian Harmoni, Prime Minister's Department, Jalan Stoney, Bandar Seri Begawan BS 8610, Brunei Darussalam, broadcasting on FM only, has experimental live audio services via http://www.rtb.gov.bn in Malay daily: at 2200-1600; Radio Brunei Rangkaian Nasional at 2030-1600; the Islam network, Radio Brunei Rangkaian Nur Islam at 2200-1400; the Rainbow network, Radio Brunei Rangkaian Pelangi at 2200-1600; and the Choice Network, multilingual in English, Mandarin, Ghurkali, Radio Brunei Rangkaian Pilihan at 2200-1600 (© BBC Monitoring Sept 13 via DXLD) ** CANADA. BETWEEN THE COVERS kicks off a new series of readings today [M-F starting Oct 2], from Eric Idle's "The Road to Mars." The Monty Python alumnus has written an off-beat and hilarious sci-fi thriller about life on the interplanetary comedy circuit in the 23rd century. That's "The Road to Mars" on Between the Covers, in Hour One of Richardson's Roundup, which begins at 2:06 (2:36 NT) and later tonight at 10:40 (11:10 NT) on CBC Radio One. (CBC Hotsheet via gh, DXLD) ** CHINA [non]. When Falun Dafa Radio hit the airwaves last July it was immediately labeled "clandestine." But does it actually fit the definition? Or does calling this program as such ultimately broaden the definition of "clandestine radio"? Before we discuss the merits of this case, I guess a precise definition is in order. And it comes down to two words: politics and power. Clandestine radio is a classification used to describe stations and programs that operate primarily to influence and ultimately to destabilize the internal politics of their target nations. Their modus operandi, if you will, is to promote the political power [of] a competing ideology. Politics and power, however, are not part of the Falun Gong / Dafa's mission. Falun Gong / Dafa, according to the website http://www.falundafa.org, is a "practice of refining the body and mind through special exercises and meditation." The Falun Gong meditation group landed on the front of newspapers worldwide last year when the communist government in Beijing began to systematically harass and jail its supporters. Labeled "evil cult," its members are subject to "reëducation" - read: brainwashing - sessions and poor conditions within the Chinese jail system. Apparently, scores have died as a result of the persecution while their meditating counterparts are feverishly engaged in a press campaign to bring their suffering to light. Falun Dafa Radio, according to its organizers, is a response to the misinformation campaign against the group by the government within China. Beijing, according to the website, has "pitted society and family members against each other through threats and heavy fines, and thousands have lost their jobs and their homes." Days before he programs began, BBC News broke the story and quoted station staff as saying that they aim "to broadcast information about the movement and clarify facts about the Falun Gong issue to people in the Chinese mainland." Following the inaugural program, the BBC filed a follow-up report, saying that "(t)he first broadcast delved into the history of the movement... A list of some of its alleged benefits followed, said to include cures for illness and help along the path to spiritual enlightenment. It went on to detail the recent history of the organization within China, discussing the anti-cult law passed by the authorities last year and the incident when hundreds of members were detained..." Clearly, Falun Dafa Radio is not political and comes nowhere close to even suggesting a change in government. The programs simply do not merit its classification as a "clandestine radio" station. Should my colleagues in the radio press continue to categorize the station as "clandestine," they are clearly broadening the definition. And if we are going to label Falun Dafa Radio as such then we should also consider throwing international Christian broadcast stations into the category as well since, like the Falun Gong, Christians and Catholics are also persecuted in China. Radio KNLS, for example, pumps five hours of Mandarin programming into China every day, "sharing the saving message of Jesus Christ" to listeners who, according to the U.S. Department of State, "experience varying degrees of official interference, harassment, and repression." Obviously, stations like KNLS will never receive the sexy label "clandestine" and there is no reason that Falun Dafa Radio should as well. (Nick Grace C., Senior Editor, ClandestineRadio.com, Sept 15 via DXLD) Actually, that`s not a bad idea to label Christian missionary stations as clandestine, as they are overtly trying to overthrow existing ideology, even if not gain political control. I have always preferred a broader definition of ``clandestine``. But the fact that the Chicoms jam Falun Dafa should push it over the edge into clandestinity whether intended as such or not. Note that Clandestine Radio Watch now has this new portal http://www.ClandestineRadio.com (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COSTA RICA. 4260.66, TIRP - Radio Pampa, Nicoya (harmonic 3 x 1420) 1005 Sept 28, LAm vocal, female announcer with IDs in passing between songs. Fair to poor signal with Het and CW QRM (Mark Mohrmann, VT, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CROATIA [and non]. To All Members, This is an extract of the message from Croatian Radio, advising that SW transmissions cease on September 30, 2000. I am uncertain whether this applies to the relays of the Domestic services via the Deanovic transmitters. Thus, the trend contuinues for winding down of global SW broadcasting in favour of more cost effective forms of information delivery (Bob Padula, Melbourne, Electronic DX Press Sept 29 via DXLD) = Dear Friends, Please be advised that we are forced to stop transmission of ``Radio Croatia`` as of October 1, 2000. The last day of broadcasting will be Saturday, September 30, 2000. We have done everything in our power to secure the funding and thus continuation of Croatian short wave program. Regrettably, it is the Croatian Government's opinion that short wave is costly and unnecessary, and must be terminated. Due to the nature of short wave, Croatian Information Centre cannot secure funding through marketing activities. Unfortunately, without Government backing the project is entirely unsustainable. Kind regards, (Marica Risek, Croatian Radio via EDXP via DXLD) http://www.hrt.hr/oiv/hr_inoz_eng.html The Short and Mediumwave Frequencies Hrvatska verzija [were:] SHORTWAVE TARGET AREA FREQUENCY TIME-UT SOUTH AMERICA 9.925 kHz 23:00-01:00 N AMERICA-EAST 9.925 kHz 01:00-03:00 N. AMERICA-WEST 9.925 kHz 03:00-05:00 NEW ZEALAND 9.470 kHz 05:00-07:00 AUSTRALIA 13.820 kHz 07:00-09:00 AFRICA AND MIDDLE EAST 11.805 kHz 20:00-21:00 EUROPA 13.830 kHz 09:00-21:00 9.830 kHz 04:00-17:30 7.365 kHz 04:00-09:00 6.165 kHz 04:00-17.30 E-mail to: Zelimir.Klasan@hrt.hr Phone: +385 1 6163355, Fax: +385 1 6163347 Zelimir Klasan, HRT, Prisavlje 3 Zagreb, CROATIA (via Lenildo C. Silva, Sept 30, radioescutas via DXLD) Indeed, nothing on 9925 Sept 30 into UT Oct 1 (gh, OK, DXLD) I tend to assume that the shortwave transmitters at Deanovec will still be in use, similar to the Berlin-Britz site where 6005 was not shut down a couple of years ago as it was demanded by the Deutschlandradio management. This organization (HIC - Hrvratska Informativini Centar) is, or better, was responsible for the transmissions via Jülich. The latest schedule update from Deutsche Telekom shows that it is already over and the last broadcasts were aired yesterday [scheduled frequencies expiring Sept 28 or 29 -gh] So it remains to check whether or not 6165, 9830 etc. will be again on air tomorrow... (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Electronic DX Press Sept 30 via DXLD) HRT is right now on 6165 and 9830 as usual, indeed no shut down of the shortwave transmitters at Deanovec (Kai Ludwig, Germany, 1509 UT Oct 1, Electronic DX Press via DXLD) The decision at this moment is "Short Thinking". At present Radio Yugoslavia Belgrade from Serbia via Bijeljina in Bosnia is silent, and Zagreb could be filling the information gap from the Balkans very easily (Wolfgang Büschel, BC-DX) We heard HRT on 9830 around 1600 UTC on Sunday 1 Oct 2000, and a few Europeans in an IRC chat room also heard 6165. So the decision was delayed, or minds were changed, the date was wrong, or operating decisions will be made on a day-by-day basis. – (Tom Sundstrom Contributing Editor, Radio Netherlands' Media Network, rec.radio.shortwave, Oct 1 via John Norfolk, DXLD) See above about the distinxion between the HIC relays via Germany, and their own transmissions from Croatia, the ones to Europe in the sked (gh) ** DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. 09/26/2000 EMPRESAS APOYAN ATRASARAN UNA HORA EN OCTUBRE. El Poder Ejecutivo dispuso anoche una modificación del horario para adaptarlo a los cambios de las estaciones del año, atrazando una hora de todos los relojes del país de las doce de la medianoche del domingo 29 del próximo mes de octubre (Periódico Hoy via Dino Bloise, Sept 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Esto es algo que hace mucho tiempo no se veía en la república; veremos cuáles son sus resultados! Gracias... (Dino Bloise, FL, DXLD) I assume, but am not sure that this means DR will change from UT -4 to UT -5 (gh) That is correct (Dino) ** ECUADOR. Japanese language broadcasts from HCJB, Quito, will end on December 31, due to the retirement of the directors, Kazuo and Hisako Ozaki, after over 36 years of ministry with the station. The evening Japanese service to Asia 1130-1200 is now using new 9730, replacing 15550, effective Sep-24 (Koji Yamada, Tokyo, and Allen Graham, HCJB. via Bob Padula, Electronic DX Press Sept 25 via DXLD) ** ECUADOR. HCJB B-00 ENGLISH: 0000-0400 9745 100 351 N. Amer. (E) 0000-1530 21455 1 35/225 Eur./S. Pac. 0000-0700 11840 50 330 N. America 0400-0700 9745 100 325 N Amer. (W) 0700-0900 9780 250 34 Europe 0700-1100 11755 100 228 S. Pacific 1100-1630 12005 50 43 Caribbean 1100-1630 15115 100 160/353 N/S America 1900-2200 17660 100 41 Europe (HCJB via BC-DX Sept 28 via DXLD) ** FINLAND. Still no English hour resumed by YLE Radio Finland, checked again UT Sunday Oct 1 at 0000 on 11985, 13770, but the mini- show at 0100 was there as usual (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GEORGIA. Radio Republic Abkhazia from Sukhoumi with additional new broadcasts: on Sats only 1100-1130 on 9490; daily 1945-2000 on 9490 & MW 1350. Good reception here on 1350 Thurs & Fris when TWR Yerevan- ARM is not on the air 1945-2000. (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, Sep 26, BC- DX via DXLD) ** GREECE [non]. While one of VOG`s English-language hours, It`s All Greek to Me, has been missing from its last known slot Sundays at 1800 on 17705 via Delano, the other one is still going, as monitored Saturday Sept 23 at 1600 on 15455 via Delano: ``Hellenes Around the World`` with Katarina --- who pronounces it HEL-uh-nuzz. Greece is one of those countries burdened by a name in English and many other languages which has no relation to the name it calls itself! Likewise the inhabitants. I listened to the entire hour; the first part had annoying loud ``background`` music during the news items, but not so during the remainder which contained two long interviews, the first excellent with the author of ``To Seek Out New Life: The Biology of Star Trek,`` Athena Andreadis. See the reviews at amazon.com (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAQ [non]. CLANDESTINE/IRAQ: Voice of the People of Iraq in Arabic observed every day: v1730-1850v on NF 5892.0 (45544), ex 5895, re-ex 5900, re-re-ex 4745 \\ 3900.7 (Ivo and Anguel, Observer, Bulgaria, Oct 1 via DXLD) ** IRELAND [non]. From RTE's Sam & Liam site (Sep 25): "Late start for All-Ireland replay. The GAA have announced that the replay of the All-Ireland Football final will take place at 4 pm in Croke Park on Saturday, October 7." ("GAA" = Gaelic Athletic Association. "4 pm" =1500 UT). And no info to date (Sep 30) re SW relay freqs; but the two that I sent to you for DXLD 0-116 are all right (Finbarr O'Driscoll, Ireland, Sept 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LIBYA. Mediumwave transmissions boosted | Text of report by Libyan radio on 27th September Dear brother listeners [sic] everywhere, the general authority of the Great Jamahiriyah's radio stations is currently boosting its mediumwave transmission audibility to cover several areas in the Great Jamahiriyah on the following frequencies: 972 kHz on the wavelength 308.64 metres, 675 kHz on the wavelength 444.4 metres, 1125 kHz on the wavelength 266.6 metres. Could listeners kindly inform us of the extent the clarity of reception by contacting the following telephone numbers or by writing to us at the following addresses: P.O. Box 333, Tripoli. P.O. Box 247, Benghazi. The radio telephone numbers in Tripoli are: Telex No 3612772, Tel No 3612773, Fax No 3619162, Tel No 3614866. Another telephone number which could be used is: 4446222. The authority's branch in Benghazi: Tel No 061909181, Telex No 061909498. The authority's branch in Sabha: The radio telephone numbers are: 071624800. The other telephone number is: 071626280, Telex No 3612564. The authority's branch in Al-Khalij: Tel No 3608539, Telex Nos 3608539, or 3608539. This is Great Jamahiriyah Radio. Source: Great Jamahiriyah Radio, Tripoli, in Arabic 1000 gmt 27 Sep 00 (via BBC Monitoring via DXLD) ** LITHUANIA [non]. Subject: B OO Frequency change for Radio Vilnius. Radio Vilnius just announced their intended frequency change for the end of October. Their 0030-0100 broadcast on 9855 kHz will change to 0130-0200 UTC with the frequency of 6120 kHz [via Germany] (Jonathan Murphy, Co. Cork, Ireland, Sept 24, via Mike Barraclough, UK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The usual change I think (Mike) Not exactly; does it not usually stay at 0030 UT yearound? (gh) From Oct 29 will be using 6120 [no time mentioned] (Bob Thomas, CT, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NETHERLANDS. Bored with the program....Jonathan...I don't think so...Diana..you've got to be kidding. Even with the advantages in digital technology to fix my screwups (and over the years they were plenty) Media Network is a very labor intensive program to put together. The times I've been on site, in Hilversum required a day in the production studio to tweak, and then late into the evening for final production. The various other elements of the show were assembled as the news dictated. Many a time I heard from Jonathan when most people in Holland were still asleep. If anything for us on the team keeping up with the technological changes has been a challenge. When you are also wearing the management hat in this era of the changing focus of international broadcasting, you have to decide what's best for the future of a program that is dearly loved by its audience and its creator Jonathan Marks. As much as I`d love to be in Hilversum hosting, I`m having way too much fun playing with multicasting on a global network (Lou Josephs, swprograms via DXLD) Tim's remarks were right on. Since you were not at the convention, you didn't hear me speak about it, but I've long felt that Media Network had cancer. It was obvious to me in 1998 when they started the "internet will take over radio tone". Too bad. As you know, radio is the preferred media by the handicapped and people in 3rd world nations (Fred Vobbe, OH, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The End of RNMN. A letter of Tim Hendel to Jonathan Marks at RNMN Hilversum Holland. I had similar feelings in the past six months, but could never write down that in English language in such a brilliant manner (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, BC-DX via DXLD) JM has decided that if he can`t do MN himself, no one should, and the program should die. This rather belies the ``teamwork`` hype of the past 20 years. However, as a very personal program, I could not envisage WOR continuing as such with some other host... (gh, DXLD) ** NORWAY. Dear friends! Due to late arrival of some important parts for establishing the programme feed to Ingoy, the planned special broadcast will be postponed slightly. It's now been scheduled to take place on FRIDAY 6TH OF OCTOBER between 1900 and 2300 UTC. The transmitter was put on the air yesterday at half power (50 kW) and should now be operating at full power 100 kW. Until the studio feed is ready during next week, the transmitter will relay NRK P1 (including regional programmes from NRK Finnmark). As soon as the studio feed is OK, programme will be switched to NRK Europakanalen (// Kvitsøy 1314 kHz) but with regional programmes from NRK Finnmark as well. This will give you an opportunity to listen to 153 kHz from now on, and be fully prepared for the special show to be broadcast in English and Norwegian on Friday the 6th. A special QSL-card will be available for correct reception reports to that broadcast, and we plan to mail them from Ingoy with the postmarks of the local Ingoy postoffice. A goodie for you stampcollectors as well! Until the coming Friday, feel free to give us a status-report on how you receive the signal! Updates at: http://www.dxlc.com/longwave/ingoy.html 73 (Bernt Erfjord, Norway, Sept 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NORWAY. Dear Friends, Please be advised that the Norwegian frequency manager isn't Mr. Ohta, but Erik Johnsbraten, Norwegian Post and Telecommunications Authority. E-mail: erik.johnsbraten@npt.no 73, (Erik Køie, Denmark, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERÚ? Hi Glenn: The LA transmitter on 4389 which was nothing more than a hum, for several weeks, has been repaired as of today Sept 30. I checked yesterday, and it was unreadable. Here is the info. It is only partial. 4389 kHz La Voz de la Pentacostala? 1007 LA religious station. Frequent references to "La Voz da la Pentacostala". Also heard, "La Voz de Salvación" and "Domingo" Church service at 1025. After 20 min. or so, the priest began chanting in a trance-like voice. The congregation was stirred up and yelling. Announcer gave ID at 1058. Unfortunately, I don’t speak Spanish. I did hear "La Voz da la Pentacostala" [sic] again, however. Signal was generally fair, but peaked at good for a couple of minutes around 1050. Rapid fade out at 1100. Like I said this is only partial, and perhaps not much help. I couldn't understand the full ID, or get a location. Is this a new station, or do you know this one? (Dave Hodgson, TN, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Don't know what this could be, but will see if I can hear it if awake that early. I do suspect that the word is not exactly ``Pentacostala`` as I have never heard of such a word in Spanish. Which syllable did it seem to be stressed on? 73, (Glenn to Dave) Glenn: It was the 4th syllable in "pentacostala", that was stressed. The word may be an adaptation of the English word pentecostal. The al on the end maybe the way its declined in Spanish, because I also heard reference to "pentacostal". The only location I heard was Nicaragua, but I doubt that is the station's location, due to its freq. Still its a remote possibility, considering that 4389 is off band. Did not sound Catholic, more evangelical, or pentecostal. Which would also suggest Central America. I heard no "Maria"s. This station is also on at night. I heard them just a couple of hours ago, around 0500, albeit much weaker. Anyway, 4389 is an easy catch. Let me know what you discover. Thanks for your response. (David Hodgson, TN, Oct 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERÚ? 4388.97, Unidentified 0849-1030 Oct 1, Andean vocals with good levels but announcer between songs with very low level audio. IDs in passing sounded to my ears like "Radio Estéreo" or "Radio Misterio". 0930 Pentecostal Church program, apparently taped. Definite mention of "Bambamarca" during the program. Local announcer over musical breaks at 1000, 1016 and 1020 with time checks and talk but no ID heard. Fading with sunrise by 1030 (Mark Mohrmann, VT, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERÚ. 9504.6, R Tacna, September 30, 2230-2300, Spanish, news magazine, jingle, advertisement, several IDs: "Transmite Radio Tacna"; station better audible in LSB mode due to heavy QRM from R Record. SINPO 22422. As far as I know Radio Tacna was not active here since several years. It seems that they reactivated their former 31m frequency (Michael Schnitzer, Hassfurt, Germany, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** PERÚ. Complementary info to other DX media: The new Radio Huancabamba on 6673, was already audible here since July 7; the new R. San Antonio on 3375 from Callalli was already heard here since mid-May. The new frequency of R. Comas, Lima, 4880.8 was already heard here since the morning of August 19 (Emilio Pedro Povrzenic, Villa Diego, Argentina, August Latinoamérica DX via P-mail, translated by gh for DXLD) ** U S A. The locally produced radio program Mi Seferino is going international this month, spreading awareness about Crypto-Jews beyond national boundaries. The 30-minute monthly program about the Conversos, or Crypto-Jews, of New Mexico will be syndicated and broadcast from WRMI in Miami via Short Wave Radio Transmission into Latin America and South America [sic]. In addition, the program will broadcast from Italy on the IRRS Network via Short Wave Radio Transmission into Europe and the Middle East. ``I never thought that the program would reach such heights,`` said Lorenzo Domínguez [sic], the program`s host and executive producer. ``The program just continues to reach more people and create an amazing interest from broadcasters.`` Mi Seferino began with a statewide audience in April 1999 on KUNM 89.9 FM at the University of New Mexico, from which it continues to broadcast, ``with a sincere desire to help create awareness about the Crypto-Jews of New Mexico,`` Domínguez said. Conversos were Spanish and Portuguese Jews who were forced to convert to Catholicism during the Spanish Inquisition. Crypto-Jews, many of whom wee the first Spanish settlers in what is now New Mexico, were those who continued their Jewish traditions in secret. Domínguez only recently uncovered his own family`s Jewish roots. ``I have been the first person in my family`s history to return to Judaism for hundreds of years,`` Domínguez said. The program was nominated for a 1999 Katie Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism by the Press Club of Dallas and was picked up to be syndicated nationally via NPR Distribution, Domínguez said. While the program focuses primarily on the Crypto-Jews of New Meixco, it also features commentary and music. Guests on the program have included poets, authors and scholars. ``Mi Seferino has reached many people of the Jewish faith and enlightened and educated others bout the legacy of the Spanish Jews of the Southwest and the Sephardim of the world,`` Domínguez said. The show broadcasts on the second Friday of each month at 8:30 a.m. [Oct 13 at 1430 UT, then from Nov 10 at 1530 UT via http://kunm.unm.edu when it is working. I have heard a few editions, and especially enjoyed the music, but easy to miss on a monthly schedule -gh]. Domínguez said [he] will sign a one-year agreement with WRMI for the syndication. (Tema Milstein, The New Mexico Jewish Link, Sept, via DXLD) `Mi Seferino` is a monthly 29-minute feature dedicated to the history and awareness of the Crypto Jews or Hidden Jews of New Mexico and the Southwest United States. Host and Executive Producer Levi ben Macario is a descendant of The Sephardic people of Spain who fled during the Inquisition and Expulsion of 1492. Each program features guest interviews and music. A new program is broadcast on the fourth Saturday of each month at 1:00 am Eastern time (0500 UTC) on 7385 kHz, and at 5:00 pm Eastern time (2100 UTC) on 9955 kHz. E-mail: miseferino@earthlink.net. Web page: http://www.miseferino.com. Times: On 7385 to NAm 0500-0530 on the 2nd, 4th and 5th Fridays; Saturdays 2100-2130 to SAm on 9955 [every Sat?? not otherwise specified. Note that the 0500 UT Sat broadcasts will alternate with the other new program mentioned in DXLD 0-116, Seldom Heard Radio on the 1st and 3rd Fridays -gh] (http://www.wrmi.net via DXLD) ** U S A. WRMI is about to test a new daytime frequency, 15725, for NAm, as early as the week of Oct 2; this has just been authorized by the FCC. Timespan after DST ends will be 1300-2300 UT, one hour earlier until then. Tests will be intermittent at first and Mon-Fri only; if successful, may use entire 10 hours a day and expand to weekends as well. Programming includes by satellite the Christian Media Network, from Oregon, which is already on WBCQ [2] evenings, but they want daytime coverage as well. Reports are wanted (Jeff White, WRMI, on HCJB DX Partyline Sept 30, notes by gh for DXLD) ** U S A. Subject: KPM556 studio feeder Webpage: Just received this message from Larry Holtz, Dir. of Engineering, Portland. They have now a webpage and streaming audio. This is quite unique for a cue station. In fact it is the only one I know. In the mean time, this info is added to my webpage (Guido Schotmans, Sept 29, BDXC via DXLD) Dear Guido - Thank you for listing and updating your Studio Feeders web page. I am the chief engineer of KGON-FM, Portland, Oregon, USA, and we operate KPM556 [25950 kHz]. I want you to know that we have added internet streaming audio to the feeder, and we invite anyone to listen to it. It uses WinAmp or a similar player, and it is listed in the http://www.shoutcast.com directory. When we don't have a particular studio program on the feeder, we send a reggae music format with the KPM556 ID. The stream can be heard at http://209.20.223.122:8000 and a description of the station is at http://209.20.223.122/index.htm (Larry Holtz Dir. of Engineering, Portland Entercom Communcations KGON/KKSN FM-AM/KRSK/KNRK/KFXX via Schotmans, BDXC via DXLD) From the above website: KPM556 is a broadcast auxiliary station associated with KGON (FM), Portland, Oregon. It is a private, not-for-broadcast station that is used by KGON, its primary station, to provide intercom, cues, and audio programs to personnel working away from the main studio, usually during remote broadcasts or special events. During times when KPM556 is not being used for these purposes, it may transmit audio for conducting receiving antenna and remote location testing. KPM556 transmits from the KGON Tower in the southwest hills of Portland. Its frequency is usually 25,950 kHz, although it may occasionally transmit on 25,870 kHz, 25,910 kHz, or 26,100 kHz. Its power is 100 watts, and its usual modulation is AM. Questions or information about the station are always welcome. Please contact Larry Holtz, Dir. of Engineering, Entercom Portland, at 503-535-0371 or lholtz@kgon.com (KPM556 via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Subject: WSM AM 75th Anniversary. WSM is celebrating 75 years on the air, and as part of the celebration former staff members and air personalities have been invited to reminisce on Thursday October 5. I am slated to do a 15 minute phone-in segment from my Orlando vacation outpost at 11 AM Central Daylight Time / 1600 UTC (GMT). If you have RealPlayer or MS MediaPlayer and nothing better to do, you might want to check it out. Go to: http://www.wsmonline.com/w_prog_am/index.html and click on "LISTEN LIVE" ...OR... click on the link below which should open your RealPlayer: http://playlist.broadcast.com/makeplaylist.dll?id=521221&s=78058406:G &encad=2F6164732F6F7261636C652F6563617374 Of course, if you live in Nashville or Middle Tennessee, just tune in AM 650. Ten years ago I participated in a similar celebration for the station's 65th birthday...and it was a blast! I suspect the 10/5 blowout will get cranked up at 6 AM and run all day and probably most of the night. Just thought you might like to know. -- Please visit my web page at http://members.home.net/tjbdx * [and while you're there, check out the link * * to the 1970s WSM "Tom Bryant" MP3 jingle] * (Tom Bryant, Sept 29, WTFDA via DXLD) ** U S A. New On WNYC-FM: "The Next Best Thing," Sundays 11-12 noon. Debuts Oct. 1. This week's email-update from This American Life (TAL) concluded with an invite to listen to a new radio show on WNYC-FM, Sundays 11-12 noon: "The Next Big Thing," hosted by Dean Olsher. Dean was lured to WNYC from NPR's cultural desk last year--on the promise that he could develop a new show. He's already done a few preview shows which can be heard on demand. I imagine WNYC will try to offer it to other stations. From "What's 'The Next Big Thing'?": http://www.wnyc.org/new/NextBigThing/NextBigThingDescription.html I want The Next Big Thing to be a kind of anti-Seinfeld: a show about anything," explains Olsher. "It's a general interest program. Culture, science, politics, sports, advertising, fashion - it's all fair game. We'll explore these things using the forms at which radio excels: sound-rich literary journalism, one-on-one interviews, interpretive essays, comedy, drama, music, and more." In practice, Olsher's freewheeling approach means that The Next Big Thing segments range far and wide: from commissioned jazz music; to a reporter's often-hilarious interrogation by a professional matchmaker; to a live accordion lesson (delivered in translated French); to a visit with a Lower East Side fishmonger; to radio comedy sketches; to a profile of a 'hard-hitting' ping-pong hustler… the list goes on. And the result? A quirky, fast-moving, humorous, weekly radio mosaic. And the architect of this eclectic creation? Dean Olsher, a radio junkie since childhood, began broadcasting on weekends, as a 14-year old student at Hunterdon Central High School in New Jersey. From there, he earned a BA from Simon's Rock in Massachusetts and began graduate studies in musicology. A stint at WUNC, Chapel Hill, was followed by several years in Washington DC as one of National Public Radio's leading cultural reporters. WNYC Radio lured him to New York City in 1999 with the promise of free rein to develop his own program, which has evolved into The Next Big Thing. This American Life`s build-up of 'TNBT' follows: LISTEN UP! After you've gotten your TAL fix this weekend, may we suggest another radio hour? Try "The Next Big Thing," a new radio variety show hosted by Dean Olsher (who, in a previous life, was NPR's terrific cultural reporter). His new show debuts this Sunday with a modest proposal for an alternative to the Presidential debates: Alice Furlaud goes to Weehawken, NJ, to drum up support for her campaign to bring back dueling. In the New York area, listen to WNYC-FM (93.9) at 11 a.m. Sundays. Outside of New York, listen on the web at: http://www.wnyc.org For live streaming, use Windows Media Player (downloadable on the WNYC site -- just be sure to click on the FM stream), or you'll be able to access archived programs via our old standby, RealAudio (via Chet Copeland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WWCR has come up with a new moneyraising gimmick, as frequently promoted on the air now, such as thrice during the DX Block Oct 1, apparently no longer sponsored by Grove: those who do not want to be identified as supporting a particular show, and avoid getting on mailing lists, may send money direct to WWCR either in general or earmarked for a particular show, and this will be treated confidentially. (So far I have not been informed of any such income concerning WOR) (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Monitoring observations on a trip to New Mexico, last week of Sept: Guymon, OK, is a minor oasis in the high plains lacking public radio, with translator of KANZ 91.1 Garden City, on 88.9. Unfortunately, there is a new gospel-huxter translator in Guymon on 90.9, which bleeds over into the pickup of 91.1 for relay. That is, the QRM from 90.9 is heard on the 88.9 signal. Since KANZ has a satellite feed to Amarillo, all they have to do is switch to that downlink in Guymon rather than 91.1 off air pickup. Goodwell, OK, has a low-power college station at Panhandle State University, KPSU on 91.7. It is normally inaudible when I go through nearby Guymon in the summer, and assumed to be silent, but it was on and heard well at 1800 UT Saturday Sept 23, unfortunately carrying a stupid ballgame. Lamar, CO, 93.3 extends into the OK panhandle, and non-ID was ``Sunny 93.3``, not KC-93 as in FM Atlas XVIII. In the Eagle Nest-Angelfire NM area, I had open carriers on 95.1 and 94.7. The former is listed as translator of KRTN 93.7 Ratón, which was operating normally. Albuquerque, NM, translator on 95.9 carries KBAC-98.1, R. Free Santa Fé, and has for a long time, I think, since the revival of that primary a couple years ago; not KANW 89.1 as in FMA XVIII. Albuquerque: we visited KHFM, 96.3, now gobbled up by the Citadel group, and sharing the fifth floor of the Bank of America building downtown with a bunch of other FM and AM stations, headed by KKOB 770. I still can`t believe these two are under the same roof. KHFM has one small air studio, and another closet overflowing with its CD collection and a few LPs still occasionally played; production and office facilities are shared with the other stations. KHFM has the highest ratings of any classical-format station in the US, so seems secure, unlike its counterpart in Denver, KVOD, which has just been sold to a Spanish-language group (why does that mean it cannot be classical still, as everyone seems to assume? At least in the US, Spanish group owners seem to think no one in that ethnic group cares about classical music). KHFM relies on satellite for a few syndicated programs only, and does its own automated programming overnight. It`s the last of the ABQ Citadel group to get a webpage, but that is under construction and expects to include advance music listings in a few months, which have been unavailable since the print program guide was canceled around the time of the Citadel purchase. It has already been streaming via http://www.broadcastamerica.com but for me it always crashes after a few minutes. You can find it by searching for KHFM there. Two former non-updated websites of KHFM, if you can find one of them, do not link to the stream! KHFM has managed to maintain most of its individuality, and hold onto its longtime faithful listenership; some produced commercials too extreme for its format are revoiced or just not run on this particular station of the group, but its profits, of course, now go directly into Citadel coffers. Las Vegas, NM, has a new station on 96.7, ``The all-new Z-96``, ``Groovin` Oldies``, but in MONO, no stereo pilot, audible a considerable distance along I-40 westward and even eastwards from Santa Rosa. Local ads confirmed the location, and that this was not a translator, tho I heard no legal ID [LATER: http://www.100000watts.com lists this as KMDZ with 4.4 kW, 380 feet AAT, 27 mile coverage] Santa Rosa, NM, 95.9 is finally on the air and is also MONO, no stereo pilot. Power must be much less than 3 kW, as no sign of it until mile 262, only 15 miles out from the site at exit 277 on the east side of Santa Rosa. That hilltop location, with four shiny new FM bays atop the 1340 AM tower, ought to get out better. FM Atlas has it at 36m AAT, 1500 watts, 12 km range. (However, the internal birdie on the DC-777 at exactly 96.0 might have obscured it somewhat – strong enough to stop scan there when on the maximium-sensitive sweep). Eastward from Santa Rosa, the 95.9 signal was disappearing by mile 288, only 11 miles away. Northward from Santa Rosa, 95.9 was also spotty or missing around Santa Rosa Lake. Nevertheless, coverage was somewhat greater than the KANW translator on 91.9, active at the moment from Santa Rosa. During the hour or so I was in range, 95.9 was simulcasting 1340, which was very undermodulated. Still relies heavily on syndicated DJ shows, such as American Country Countdown; I missed any legal IDs at hourtops, but did hear an ID in passing during a commercial as ``KSSR AM and FM``, contrary to listings that 95.9 is KRSR. Hear New Mexico on 530: though many of the signs are still up, none of the TIS stations checked were heard, such as San Jon; not even open carrier, which was the case with Cuervo previously. Tucumcari, NM: The KENW translator on 104.5 displayed RDS: ``KENW 895``. New translator on 90.1 is on, stereo with one of the Albuquerque gospel-huxters (88.3 or 91.5?), complete with ABQ traffic jam reports, just what this sleepy town needs. Amarillo, TX: NWS relay on 1610, still with rude interruptions for the TIS ID, included notice that a certain weather radio has been recalled because it does not work properly with emergency overrides: details at http://www.oregonscientific.com as Ron Trotto, IL, also advises. Amarillo, TX: I took the time to scan the entire FM dial checking out RDS: the only ones were: 100.5 ``KNNK-FM``, and 104.3 ``KQFX`` (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [non]. The Herald Broadcasting transmission at 1200-1300 reported by Moats with Russian tune-up tones on 9875 is registered as Vladivostok 9875 100 kW 270 degrees (Wolfgang Büschel, BC-DX via DXLD) ** URUGUAY. 6140, R. Montecarlo, active again. Hrd w/ nx at 1025 September 14 (Horacio Nigro, Uruguay, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VANUATU. 7260, R Vanuatu, Port Vila, October 1, 0615-0700, English, Bislama, religious program until 0625, address of a bible society, instrumental music followed by 50 seconds of the typical interval signal (drums and chirping yellow bird) at around 0631, ID and news in Bislama language, phone call of a woman; decreasing signal after 0655, almost inaudible at around 0700. SINPO 23322. After some years of absence Radio Vanuatu obviously returned to its old 41m frequency. In the morning hours this channel is completely free, which increases the chances to receive this exotic station here in central Europe, too. RM-audio file available (71 KB). good DX to all (Michael Schnitzer, mschnitzer@cc-online.de Receiver: JRC NRD-525 Antenna: 25m longwire & DX-One Professional; Location: Hassfurt, Germany, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. Thaïs White is awaiting construction permit for her SW station on 4730 at San Juan de los Cayos, Falcón state; at first will be 1 kW with a dipole antenna, possibly expanded later. Expects to promote tourism among the Venezuelans. The town has no radio station of its own, so may also provide local service. Expect everyone there will buy a shortwave radio when it comes on. Mostly local productions with very small staff. Her father is very involved in the project. Possibly add AM or FM in future (Jeff White, HCJB DX Partyline Sept 30, notes by gh for DXLD) ###