DX LISTENING DIGEST 1-005, January 10, 2001 edited by Glenn Hauser, wghauser@hotmail.com {Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. For restrixions and searchable 2001 archive contents see} http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/Dxldmid.html THIS MONTH ON CONTINENT OF MEDIA 01-01: See topic summary at http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/com0101.html Broadcasts start Friday December 12 at 1900 on 21815-USB from RFPI, if not earlier as a fill-in; repeated 6 and 18 hours later. Later available from http://www.DXing.com/conmedia.htm THIS WEEK ON WORLD OF RADIO 1065: See topic summary at http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/wor1065.html HEAR WORLD OF RADIO 1065: (DOWNLOAD) http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/wor1065.rm (STREAM) http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/wor1065.ram ** ARMENIA. National R. of Armenia, Jan 6: On 4810 *0330-0435+, s/on with NA, ID and into unID language; local music in a Mid-East style. 0400 religious program with choral music; 0430 US pops with George Michael music. Fair; must use LSB due to RTTY on upper side. \\ 9965 only at *0400-0430*, viz.: 9965 *0300-0345*, *0400-0430*. S/on 0300 with multi-lingual IDs, into programming in unID language; instrumental music; very good, strong; \\ 4810 only at *0400-0430* (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. Vietnamese is the next language to change its transmission pattern on Radio Australia with the addition of off- shore broadcasts. From Monday 15 January, RA will be dropping the Vietnamese transmissions from Shepparton on 15415 kHz at 0000-0100 UT and 9475 kHz. & 11880 kHz at 1230-1330. Instead English will be heard at these times. The new frequency for Vietnamese will be 15110 kHz at 2330-0030 UT seven days a week, broadcast from Taiwan on a 250 kW transmitter on a bearing of 225 degres. The first broadcast on this new frequency will be 2330 UT Sunday 14 January. Source: Roger Broadbent, RA (via John A. Figliozzi, Volunteer Publicist, Radio Australia, Jan 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 4732.2, RADIO LA PALABRA. Sta Ana de Yacuma. 2317-2330 Enero 07, Presentando cantos de alabanza. "... En la Ciudad en el campo hay esta Radio La Palabra, emisora católica transmitiendo desde Santa Ana de Yacuma en banda de 4.732 onda corta..." 4766.2, RADIO CONSTELACION. Guanay. 2340-2350 Enero 03, Captada con muy débil señal y interferida por la brasileña en 4765. "100.5 en su dial" " ahora ingresamos a la parte final de los 10 más buscados??" Música con la Agrupación Aguamarina. "... Constelación 100.5 Mghz" 4876.7, RADIO LA CRUZ DEL SUR. La Paz. 2250 Enero 03, Captada cuando presentaban el programa noticioso : "El Chaski Radial" con noticias y comentarios locales. A las 2300 "...fueron 30 minutos con información nacional e internacional a través de El Chaski Radial; nuestro retorno en cualquier momento, permiso..." luego una completa identificación: "...Ésta es Radio La Cruz del Sur, luz que señala el camino de la vida; nuestro propósito es proclamar que el señor Jesuscristo es el camino, la verdad y la vida. La Cruz del Sur pertenece a la Institución Cristiana Unión Bautista Boliviana. Nuestra dirección Calle Nicaragua No. 1759, Miraflores, teléfono 220541; casilla 1408, La Paz, Bolivia...." Luego vino programación en Quechua.... (Rafael Rodríguez R., Bogotá, DC, Colombia, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BURMA [non]. Dear Glenn, Please note that the correct name of this country is Myanmar. The new name was recognized by the UN way back in June 1989 so I think that it should be recognized by DXLD as well :-) As far as I understand it - Burma was a name given to the country by the British colonialists whereas Myanmar is the "original" name for the country. Even the media here in Denmark is very slowly adopting the name of Myanmar. Apparently they have been reluctant to use it because they don`t like the government there. What a silly idea. Say I didn`t like the government of Burkina Faso and decided to call it Upper Volta - or what about Belize; why not call it British Honduras again. Hi! Best 73s (Stig Hartvig Nielsen, Denmark, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BURMA [non]. While I agree with you in principle, as it happens just before getting your E-mail I was listening to Democratic Voice of Burma, so there is still some currency for that name, at least among the opposition. Perhaps in the Burmese language itself the issue does not arise. However, there can be reasons other than political for using a particular name, such as historicity, euphony, contrariness, variety, etc. In a previous recent issue it was MYANMAR, so when searching try both. Jan 9 at 1340 I tuned into 17485 which had an urgent-sounding talk frequently mentioning ``HIV`` and less frequently ``STD`` No closing noticed but at 1344 went to tones like busy signal for almost a minute and then off. Identity from HFCC B00: (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 17485 1245 1345 41,49 JUL 100 070 1234567 291000 250301 DD DVB DTK ** CANADA. CHWO began regular programs on 740 today, as scheduled. Official s/on was at 0740 EST, with a speech by CHWO`s president/CEO Michael Caine: "the switch I have just thrown marks an end and a beginning...today we launch a radio station like no other on the AM or FM dial..." They`re running //1250 for today and probably for a few more months. The religious format CJYE 1250 isn't happening just yet. Where's the promo campaign? Here in Toronto I have not yet seen a single outdoor ad, bus shelter, subway or transit vehicle ad, or print media ad for "Prime Time 740". Unless you're a DXer or a regular CHWO-1250 listener, you wouldn't even know that there is a new station in this market. 73 (Mike Brooker, Toronto, ON M6G 3X8, Jan 8, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** CANADA. DISPATCHES: Tune in to CBC Radio One tonight for the première of Dispatches, a new series hosted by veteran CBC reporter Rick MacInnes-Rae. Using documentary reports, interviews, essays and the voices of the people most affected, Dispatches brings a Canadian focus to world events. This week, remembering two men of peace in Northern Ireland, trying to salvage the peace process in the Middle East, and looking back on another U-S electoral battle that ended in a bitter tie - more than a century ago. That's Dispatches, tonight at 7:30 (8:00 p.m. NT) on CBC Radio One (CBC Hotsheet for Wed Jan 10) That would be instead of the final half hour of As It Happens, also via RCI 5960, 9755 at 0030 UT Thursday; or in terms of webcast, Wed 2330 UT from AT/NT zone; Thu 0030 UT from ET; Thu 0130 UT from CT; Thu 0230 UT from MT; Thu 0330 UT from PT; and also on the RCI.NET webcast at 0430, confirmed (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1065, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. The following article appeared in today's Montréal Gazette, written by Gazette Radio/TV critic Peggy Curran. Thought you might like to read it, although it is primarily of local interest: ``Sending Signals -- Harvey Tunes in Best, Worst Radio`` http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/pages/010110/5075045.html (Sheldon Harvey, QC, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA/UK. The British Broadcasting Corp.`s World Service has been granted a license to broadcast in China, nearly seven years after it was dropped from satellite service, according to a statement issued to the Associated Press on January 9th. Under the deal signed with the China International TV Corporation, BBC World Service television will be available to hotels, guest houses and foreign apartments, the BBC said. Distribution Director Jeff Hazell says "It's good to be able to regularize our relationship, and if the Chinese authorities are happy with how it works out, we hope it could lead to other things." The BBC lost the Chinese market in 1994 when Rupert Murdoch decided to drop the BBC news service from his Star TV network. Chinese officials had complained about BBC coverage of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown and a documentary on the life of former leader Mao Zedong. The BBC says China has also jammed some of its radio transmissions in recent years (AP via Ed Mayberry, Jan 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. Dallas-based Continental Electronics announces that it has received an order for the purchase of four high power shortwave transmitters from a customer in China. According to the January 8th announcement on the PRN newsire, the order calls for the purchase of two 100 kW shortwave transmitters and two 500 kW shortwave transmitters. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. "This contract shows that Continental Electronics continues to be the world leader in the design and supply of high power shortwave equipment," said Adil Mina, Continental Electronics general manager. "In the last decade we have sold more than twenty 100 kW shortwave transmitters and ten 500 kW shortwave transmitters to the Chinese." Continental Electronics` transmitters range from 100 kW to 2000 kW and cover all frequency bands. Continental Electronics' state-of-the- art, solid state modulators range from 100 kW to 2000 kW. Continental Electronics' shortwave line is recognized worldwide as the most reliable in the world. Continental Electronics offers full turnkey station design and build-out, creating state-of-the-art facilities for its customers. The Continental Electronics Type 418F 100 kW Shortwave Broadcast Transmitter has been designed and developed to provide high quality performance, optimum efficiency, and long-term reliability in the shortwave broadcast bands. Operation is provided in standard Amplitude Modulation (AM), AM with Controlled Carrier- level Modulation (CCM) or optionally with SSB. The Type 418F 100 kW Transmitter is the direct descendent of a long and successful line of 100 kW broadcast transmitters by Continental Electronics. The 418F employs the highly refined and reliable RF sections of its predecessors. The RF amplifier tube of the 418F is the 4CV100000C tetrode, one of the longest-life transmitting tubes available. The Continental Electronics Type 419G/420C Transmitters are versatile, state-of-the-art, high-efficiency 300 kW/ 500 kW shortwave transmitters capable of operating in standard AM, CCM or single side band service. From a central master control panel or from a remote computer control and monitoring station, either of these transmitters may be manually tuned, pretuned or automatically tuned to deliver full carrier power at any frequency between 3.90 and 26.1 MHz. The Continental Electronics Type 419G/420C Transmitters incorporate some of the most technologically advanced components available. From the highly efficient modulator using the latest insulated-gate bi-polar transistors, to the final power amplifier that uses the most modern tetrodes, all components and circuitry have been selected to provide optimum performance and reliability. About Continental Electronics Founded in 1946, Dallas-based Continental Electronics is a global leader in broadcast transmitter equipment. It is the foremost supplier of advanced RF transmission technology and the world's most experienced designer and builder of the highest power radio broadcast equipment, providing a full range of products for broadcasting, military and scientific applications. Continental Electronics' products are used in more than 100 countries around the world. Continental Electronics is a division of Metric Systems Corporation, an IDT company. For more information about Continental Electronics, visit the company's web site or call 1.800.733.5011 (PRN via Ed Mayberry, Jan 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes, last part is a commercial, but perhaps some useful info in there. Is there any ``customer in China``, ultimately, besides the Chicom government? Does Continental care if their equipment is ultimately used to jam Western broadcasts -– or frees other transmitters to do so? Of course not! (gh, DXLD) ** CHINA. BBCM has just issued schedules for the CNR4 and CNR8 Minolities Services. Indeed, CNR4 is no longer on SW; it has the same languages as 8 with Mandarin in addition. CNR4 is on satellite, 101.8 FM (presumably Beijing), and live audio via http://www.hownew.com/asx/0E.asx . CNR4 schedule is ``multilingual`` with no specific times for each, unlike CNR8, from 2130 to 1600 daily, except for the usual Tuesday 0500-0900 siesta (or maintenance period). (gh`s summary of BBCM Jan 10) Source: China National Radio 8 - National Minorities Service --------------------------------------------------------------------- Comments : The Central People's Broadcasting Station (CPBS) is officially referred to in English as China National Radio (CNR), although it continues to identify itself in Mandarin as Central People Broadcasting Station. Languages : Kazakh, Korean, Mongolian, Tibetan, Uighur Address : 2 Fuxingmenwai Dajie (or PO Box 4501), Beijing 100866 Tel : +86 10 6851 5522 Alt Tel : +86 10 6851 2435 Fax : +86 10 6851 6630 E-mail : zhangzr@mail.cnradio.com Web Site : http://www.cnradio.com Time(gmt) Language MHz --------------------------------------------------------------------- 0000-0100 UIGHUR 9.655 9.890 10.260 11.630 11.780 11.915 15.670 0100-0200 KAZAKH 9.890 10.260 11.630 11.780 11.915 15.405 15.670 0200-0300 KOREAN 1.206 7.120 9.610 0300-0400 MONGOLIAN 7.210 7.270 9.610 9.750 11.815 (relay of Nei Menggu Radio) 0400-0500 TIBETAN 9.500 11.740 11.780 11.835 12.080 15.570 15.670 0500-0600 KAZAKH 10.260 11.630 11.780 11.915 15.390 15.670 17.580 0600-0700 UIGHUR 10.260 11.630 11.780 11.915 15.390 15.670 17.580 (not Tue) 0700-0800 MONGOLIAN 9.610 11.815 0800-0900 TIBETAN 9.500 11.740 11.780 11.835 12.080 15.570 15.670 (15670, 11780 are daily, 11835 is not Tue; rest daily except Wed/Fri) 0900-1000 KAZAKH 10.260 11.630 11.780 11.915 15.390 15.670 17.580 1000-1100 KOREAN 1.206 7.120 9.610 1100-1200 UIGHUR 5.800 9.610 9.820 10.260 11.630 11.780 15.390 17.580 1200-1300 MONGOLIAN 4.190 5.420 1300-1400 TIBETAN 7.120 7.275 9.610 9.635 11.740 12.080 13.625 (relay of Tibet People`s Broadcasting Station) 1400-1500 KAZAKH 5.440 7.120 7.935 9.610 9.820 9.890 10.260 11.630 1500-1600 UIGHUR 7.120 7.935 9.610 9.820 9.890 10.260 11.630 1600-1700 MONGOLIAN 5.060 7.120 7.935 9.610 9.820 9.890 10.260 11.630 11.925 2100-2200 KOREAN 4.190 5.420 2200-2300 MONGOLIAN 4.190 5.420 2300-2359 TIBETAN 7.275 7.550 9.500 11.710 11.780 12.080 15.670 (relay of Tibet People`s Broadcasting Station) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (© BBC Monitoring January 9, condensed for DXLD) ** COLOMBIA. Army and paramilitaries waging radio "war" The conflict in Colombia is being fought over the airwaves, with both sides using radio to get their message across. The opposition Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and Army of National Liberation (ELN) are using radio "as a form of fighting", with "guerrilla journalists" trying to get their message across to the accompaniment of music and folk songs. Meanwhile the Colombian army and police are using radio as a means of countering the FARC and ELN and encouraging the guerrillas to switch sides. Self defence groups have also joined the battle by broadcasting "anti-subversive" messages interfering with the FARC and ELN broadcasts. Following is the text of a report by Colombian newspaper El Espectador web site on 7 January; subheadings as published: The country's armed conflict is occurring in other areas: through underground and institutional radio. The Armed Forces, the subversives, and the paramilitaries are fighting for control over the radio dial. It is 0800, and the sun is threatening to increase the temperature even higher in San Pablo, southern Bolívar. Near the port on the Magdalena River, a man in a boat adjusts the aerial of a small radio to hear better what the announcer is saying and to stay tuned. The man tunes the radio and finally hears: "Combatant friend, welcome to the morning broadcast of Ecos del Norte. We are going to accompany you for an hour with the best music, while you defend the anti- subversive fight." This is the introduction with which the radio announcer at the self- defence groups' broadcasting station in southern Bolivar takes to the microphone to begin the ideological "bombardment" upon the ears of listeners. Just a few blocks away and much earlier - between 0600 and 0700 - another resident of San Pablo, on his way to Simiti with his radio glued to his ear, laughs fervently. He listens to Filomeno and Clodomiro, two popular songwriters who form part of what the ELN [Army of National Liberation] calls the "Free Fatherland System" team. At the other end of the country, in San Vicente del Caguan to be exact, another group of peasant farmers drink their black coffee and turn on the radio. On the dial, the notes of an military anthem begin to sound, accompanied by certain amount of interference that does not worry the listeners. "This is the insurgent voice of the Colombian people.... From this moment the Voice of the FARC [Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia] Eastern Bloc Resistance broadcasts the messages that give life to the fight and popular confrontation.... We use the radio as another form of fighting". These are the phrases with which a handful of "guerrilla journalists" from this organization start their daily radio broadcasts. At the same time, on the CAN [National Administrative Centre] radio station in Bogota, 93.4 on the FM band - through which the army's National Radio Network broadcasts, the notes of the national anthem offer encouragement to all of the country's barracks. Following the anthem is a commercial that has been familiar to the ears of Colombians for more than a year: "Our commitment is Colombia". This message from the army is accompanied by other songs such as: "I am that soldier who fights for the people and I am a Colombian, like you...." After this introduction, a radio announcer reads army information agency cables that contain the most recent reports on the country's public order situation. A few blocks from this broadcasting station, also a part of the CAN, in a less military-like tone, an announcer combines the news, the weather and the traffic report with general and public order issues. He belongs to the team of civilians and servicemen who work at the National Police Broadcasting Station. These examples form part of the new strategy that has been implemented in the Colombian armed conflict: the war of the airwaves, in which the fighting is also fierce. Strategies In the four cases, which involve 15 guerrilla broadcasting stations, seven belong to the ELN and eight to the FARC; 53 belong to the army; 30 to the National Police and one to the self-defence groups. The methods for attracting listeners range from music, allegorical war reports and invitations to change sides. In this method of psychological warfare, the guerrillas, in addition to haranguing the population to take up arms, invite the members of the armed forces to rebel and to fight the institution from within its ranks. The army, on the other hand, carries out its own efforts from its broadcasting stations throughout the country: "The Colombian soldiers are here to protect the fatherland. For this reason, young guerrillas, desert and join the Colombian army." Music and war But not only invitations to change sides or news that seeks to discredit "the enemy" of one or the other conflicting sides are broadcast over the radio. All types of music play an important role, too. The FARC use folk songs, dance music and popular Mexican songs as a way to captivate listeners and invite them to the war. The ELN, in addition to folk songs and protest music, has resorted to folkdance music. In turn, the paramilitary groups have included, in addition to the aforementioned kinds of music, Northern Mexican styled folk music, with its "prohibited lyrics" and stories of guerrilla outrages. The army has not fallen behind. They have their own songs of encouragement for the soldiers and other songs that speak of the guerrillas' errors, such as in the case of the "Song to Machuca". But these are not the only methods used. Today, each interferes with the others' radio frequencies in order to take them off the air. They have even resorted to voice imitators to confuse the listeners, all in a war for control of the dial, where the first casualty of war continues to be the truth. AUC launches 'Get on the Bush' Despite the self-defence groups having launched their broadcasting station a while ago, their transmitting equipment allows them to have a greater reach than the guerrillas in some parts of the country. In southern Bolivar, Uraba or Cordoba, a signal can cut in on a radio transmission with anti-subversive propaganda or folk songs, which is the programme directors` favourite music. For the self-defence fronts, the radio stations become the best means of sending messages to their fighting men and of "persuading" the enemy to abandon their FARC or ELN guerrilla ranks in exchange for a salary, a new uniform and permanent medical assistance. On the Internet, the AUC`s [United Self-Defence Groups of Colombia] web page is one of the most visited. In recent months, their advisers have taken on the task of giving it a new image. And with regard to the subject of recorded music products, the Casanare self-defence group recently released a compact disc called "Súbase al Bush" [Get on the Bush], which consists of Colombian cowboy themes they wrote and the paramilitary anthem. Army, police popularity increases with broadcasts Most of the Army`s young disc jockeys are volunteer soldiers. Around 0700, they wake up their listeners with the national anthem, a news bulletin, and later present varied programming that contains magazines, opinion and debate programmes. Afterwards, crossover music invades 93.4 FM. During radio breaks, messages against the guerrillas and invitations to the civilian population to support the Army last from two to five minutes. And during each break the motto "Our commitment is Colombia" is heard. The police, on the contrary, have entered the airwaves with a more participatory message. Their intention is to draw the community closer to the institution. They have 15 broadcasting stations, the majority linked via satellite. Another 15 stations are in the process of being set up and the entire network will be connected by July. Among the most important highlights is the setting up of the broadcasting stations in San Jose del Guaviare, Mitu and San Andrés. The news is transmitted from a radio station in Bogotá. FARC in stereo The rifles rest in the closet, while the "journalists" listen to the broadcast of the pre-recorded programme. After monitoring the radio and TV news bulletins, they give their editorial advice and define the programme for the following day. Their physical training, recording and transmission duties begin at 0400. Seven guerrilla members work in this manner, rotating common activities with editing and announcing. A rustic wooden home houses the equipment, the plant and the master. The caches are to one side and "the editorial board" is in the middle. Voice of the Resistance [FARC`s radio station] is planning to become a national network. They have two FM and shortwave broadcasting stations in the Western Joint Command (Valle and Cauca); another FM station that belongs to the Central Bloc (in Tolima); another with the Middle Magdalena Bloc (in Santander); another in Jose María Córdova (in the Choco region of Uraba); and another two - FM and shortwave -with the Caribbean Bloc (in Sierra Nevada and Perija). Source: El Espectador web site, Bogotá, in Spanish 7 Jan 01 (via BBC Monitoring via DXLD) ** COLOMBIA. CLANDESTINA. 6233.7, VOZ DE LA RESISTENCIA. 2135-2232 Enero 05, Programa noticioso: Notienfoque "la noticia de la perspectiva guerrillera" a las 2230 con el cierre: "... Transmitió Voz de la Resistencia, la voz insurgente del pueblo colombiano, emisora de las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, Ejército del Pueblo, Bloque Oriental...." (Rafael Rodríguez R., Bogotá, DC, Colombia, WORLD OF RADIO 1065, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COLOMBIA. CLANDESTINE, 6233.70, LV de la Resistencia, 8 Jan *1124- 1154, OC at 1108 tune-in, LA music began at 1124, sounded like a possible vocal March song 1130 but audio was too weak. Canned sign-on ID announcement by alternating man and woman at 113 [sic]. Another ID announcement by man then woman, and live studio man announcer, music bridge, then talk by same live man followed by woman. Into instrumental music 1149, more talk. Strong but modulation seemed low. Very slow slight drift. Still audible at tune-out (Dave Valko, PA, hard-core-dx via WORLD OF RADIO 1065, DXLD) ** CROATIA [non]. Hi Glenn, I phoned Ralf Weyl at DTK Jülich tx site today and had talk about some questions on the latest DTK SW schedule of January 4th. HIC - Croatian Information Center. They decided to start the programs again from January, 1st, 2001. But the contract phased out Dec 31, and the new contract is "due to sign" by HIC in coming days. DTK is ready to transmit these transmissions again according to the given operational schedule (Wolfgang Büschel, Jan 10, WORLD OF RADIO 1065, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. 5009.79, R. Cristal, 5 Jan *1006-1040, OC, then sign-on with choral NA, canned sign-on announcement by man, music started with short canned probable promo by woman, into lively LA music, canned ID/promo by man at 1011 "...de R. Cristal (sounded like Clube) ?? AM", then live studio announcer. Another canned promo at 1020. And another ID by man at 1024 as "...R. Cristal la 5 mil AM" followed by a short ID by man and canned announcement by man with address and phone. Back to music. Strong signal but very low modulation, especially during sign-on announcement (Dave Valko, PA, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. R. Cristal Internacional, 5009.79, Jan 5 1015- 1100+, Spanish anmts, ads, lively LA music, ``La Voz de la República Dominicana,`` very good and strong (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM [non!]. From DXLD 1-004: USA/Pacific: Satellite for US digital radio blasts off from Sea Launch | Text of report by Radio Australia on 8 January A telecommunications satellite has been launched into orbit from waters east of Kiribati... (via BBCM) Glenn, how could this be? Is Radio Australia a bona fide news outlet, or does it just read flack from PR sources and call it news? The Satellite NEVER got off the ground. The XM website says they will try in a few days. To make matters worse, the aborted launch was on Direct TV and the web, but I guess R.A. has no interest in reporting in real time, just cross your fingers and hope your "prediction" news comes true! What a shame. I always enjoyed them, but Brother Stair is just as wacky, and has a better signal than Radio Australia.... (Brock Whaley, GA, Jan 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) SEA LAUNCH DELAYS LAUNCH OF XM SATELLiTE Long Beach, Calif., January 9, 2001 - Sea Launch has delayed the launch of XM Satellite Radio's (Nasdaq: XMSR) digital audio radio satellite (XM "Roll"). Yesterday's launch countdown was halted when a minor out-of-specification condition was detected on the satellite. The Zenit-3SL rocket performed as designed and the countdown was terminated in a successful manner. The out-of-specification condition was resolved within minutes of stopping the launch. The short launch window did not allow adequate time for a recycle of the Sea Launch rocket. Sea Launch is in the process of rescheduling the launch. Media representatives are encouraged to check the Sea Launch Media Hotline, for the latest launch information. Additional information will be posted on the website at: http://www.sea-launch.com Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements in this press release include uncertainties associated with the launch of the company's satellites, the company's dependence on third party vendors, its continuing need for additional financing, as well as other risks described in XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.'s Form S-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 10-25-2000. Copies of the filing are available upon request from XM Radio' s Investor Relations Department. For More Information Contact: Paula Korn Sea Launch Communications (562) 499-4729 paula.korn@sea-launch.com Sea Launch Media Hotline (562) 797-1000 Jennifer A. Markham XM (202) 380-4315 jennifer.markham@xmradio.com ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM [non}. USA/Pacific: Hitch prevents Pacific satellite launch | Excerpt from report by Russian news agency Interfax Moscow, 9th January: The launch of a Zenit-3SL booster rocket carrying the American XM-1 radio satellite was called off because of a fault on the satellite itself. The launch was to have been carried out from a floating launch pad in the Pacific Ocean [in international waters near Kiribati]. Interfax was informed of this by the press service of the Russian mission control centre at the town of Korolev in Moscow Region, which keeps in constant contact with the Sea Launch platform near the Equator... During the final pre-launch sequence a computer at a tracking complex switched on and then turned off the system two- and-a-half minutes before the launch, having detected a fault in the satellite itself. The launch platform and the command ship are currently in the right position for the launch. Representatives of the Boeing company told Interfax that the rocket would be launched in the very near future. [Note: Radio Australia reported on 8 January (0500 gmt) that Sea Launch had carried out a successful launch from the platform.] Source: Interfax news agency, Moscow, in Russian 2351 gmt 8 Jan 01 (via BBCM via DXLD) USA/Pacific: Sea Launch rocket stage to be replaced after aborted launch Text of report by Russian news agency ITAR-TASS Moscow, 9 January: The first stage of the Russian-Ukrainian Zenit-3 booster rocket, which was to have put the American XM Radio satellite into orbit, will now have to be replaced because the original launch was called off too late. Pivdenmash [Southern engineering works in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine] Deputy Director-General Oleksandr Naumenko informed an ITAR-TASS correspondent of this today from the Pacific, where the floating launch pad is deployed. The stage will have to be replaced because irreversible operations to prepare the first-stage RD-170 engine for launch cut in 15 seconds before liftoff. Since the countdown was interrupted 11 seconds before liftoff, the engine will have to be removed and reassembled at the Energomash plant [rocket factory at Khimki near Moscow] where it was manufactured. Naumenko said the Sea Launch company has two spare Zenit-3 booster rockets in the launch area. One of them is at a coastal depot. The other is on board the command ship. If the Americans decide that another attempt to launch the satellite must be made as soon as possible, it will take Russian and Ukrainian specialists two weeks to replace the rocket`s first stage, using an engine taken from one of the spare rockets. In this event, the launch could go ahead in February. Source: ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscow, in Russian 1402 gmt 9 Jan 01 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** IRAQ/IRAN/KURDISTAN. It appears that none of the four previous contradictions to the ARRL article were ever sent to its author, altho at least Dave Kenny requested that, until I forwarded them to Larry Van Horn, and he to him, drawing this response: (gh) Our normally very reliable sources had led us to believe it was the other way around, although European SWLs are closer to the source of the transmissions and are quite possibly more familiar with the players involved. I suspect we`ve only recently begun hearing it in the United States because we`re at the top of the cycle; Europe, being closer, would have heard this sooner. Regardless, I stand by the main point of the ARRLWeb article: these are intrusions with strong political motivations, and are unlikely to go away until the political climate changes (Brennan Price, N4QX, Field and Regulatory Correspondent, American Radio Relay League, Jan 9, via Larry Van Horn, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. R. P`yongyang, in English, Daily: 0000-0100 Am 11.460 11.710 13.760 15.180 0100-0200 EuAsAm 3.560 11.735 15.230 17.735 0200-0300 Am 11.845 13.650 1200-1300 EuMEAfAm 3.560 9.640 9.850 9.975 11.335 13.650 1500-1600 EuMEAf 4.405 6.575 9.335 11.710 13.760 1600-1700 EuMEAf 3.560 6.520 9.600 9.975 1900-2000 EuMEAf 4.405 6.575 6.595 6.615 9.335 11.710 13.760 --------------------------------------------------------------------- (© BBC Monitoring January 10, gh condensed and excerpted English only for DXLD) ** MALAWI. Is anyone hearing Malawi on 3380 or 5993 (or anywhere else) at present? It seems to have disappeared (Chris Greenway, England, Jan 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NETHERLANDS. Europirate, R. Alfa Lima International, 21889.82, Dec 31 1540-1705+ pop/rock music, IDs, E-mail and Box 664 address, phone number. Acknowledged listeners` E-mail. Surprisingly strong signal. Also heard Jan 1 at 1500-1535+ (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NICARAGUA. 5769.9, RADIO MISKUT. Puerto Cabezas. 2315-0005 Enero 06, Música en inglés con Britney Spears y Vengaboys. Luego algunas baladas de los 70's. A las 2350 vino "Un mensaje a la conciencia" con el Hermano Pablo. Para seguir identificación: "...Ésta es YNPMK Radio Miskut, una emisora heróica y muy histórica que transmite desde la ciudad de Bluefields??, Puerto Cabezas, en la región autónoma del Atlántico Norte en las siguientes frecuencias en 5.770 khz, banda internacional de los 49 metros onda corta SW 1, en 104 MHz en frecuencia modulada F.M. Sigan siempre en sintonía..." (Rafael Rodríguez R., Bogotá, DC, Colombia, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 3395 kHz, Radio Eastern Highlands, full data NBC Map Card, in 16 months, for $1 US Rp, v/s Kiri Nige - Technician. This for September 99 reception. V/S states schedule as 1700-2200 local time each day. Transmitter: NEC HFB-7840B 10 kw. Antenna: Co- phased Dipole (Joe Talbot, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERÚ. 4904.5, RADIO LA OROYA. La Oroya. 0457-0506 Enero 07. Al cierre "... y bien a nombre de la gerencia administrativa y todo el personal de locutores que colaboramos en esta empresa radial, Radio la Oroya transmitiendo desde la calle Lima 190, tercer piso, oficina 303 con teléfono 064 391401... Radio la Oroya en sus 3 frecuencias 1460 kcs en onda media, 4905 kcs en onda corta tropical y en 101 mghz frecuencia modulada estéreo; hasta aquí amables oyentes nuestra programación del dia, agradeciéndoles la atención dispensada, nos despedimos hasta el día de mañana. Felices sueños y un alegre despertar.... " 5020, RADIO HORIZONTE. Chachapoyas. 0027-0050 Enero 07. Música tropical, al dar la hora: "son las 7 de la noche 28 minutos. Estamos con la señal de Horizonte la radio que llega donde tu quieres con la música alegre en este fin de semana...." "...Desde el corazón de Chachapoyas llega Radio Horizonte..." Luego de las 0045 vinieron comunicados (Rafael Rodríguez R., Bogotá, DC, Colombia, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PORTUGAL. RDP INTERNATIONAL DX PROGRAMME: Special program for DX friends - Novo Mundo (on Mondays after 00.30 UT). If you are interested about promotional information of RDP, you may consult our web site at: http://www.rdp.pt (ISABEL SARAIVA, Radio Portugal International, via Mike Terry, BDXC-UK Jan 10 via DXLD) Why are they publicizing this in English? Maybe they slip in some of our language during all-Portuguese broadcasts? Worth checking out next week. Searching through their program schedule I see ``Correio do Ouvinte`` on 2a-feira, which means Listeners` Letters, on Mondays, but presumably actually UT Tuesdays; ``Onda de Encontro`` Meeting Wave is on 3a-feira, Tuesdays or UT Wednesdays, a title which also might apply to a `DX` program, but probably both are more like mailbags. Frequencies at that hour are 9715 and 11655 to NAm; 11980, 13700, 13770 to SAm (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. Sergei Sosedkin recently announced the untimely death of the well-known Russian DXer Nikolai Pashkevich due to a car accident in Moscow on January 5. The corrected obituary is now posted on our Web site at http://www.trsc.com/musings.html and, thanks to Sergei, includes a colour photo of Nikolai taken at one of the meetings of Moscow DXers held on the premises of Krenkel Radio Club. We thank Sergei for his prompt response to our request for the photograph and the preparation of the material (Tom Sundstrom, Jan 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. Special program for fishermen Kamchatka Rybatskaya is bc 2000-2100 on 7355 12065 Tue, Thur and Sat only. Special program for seamen and fishermen from Vladivostok "Radio Station Tikhy Okean" is 0815-0900 7175 7210 and 1900-1945 7135. 12045 may be used additionally at 0815 (Nikolai Rudnev, Russia, WDXC-UK "Contact" Jan via BC-DX via DXLD) ** SOMALIA. Source: Radio Baydhabo was first heard by BBCM in January 2001. It broadcasts in support of the Rahanwein Resistance Army (RRA). It identifies in the Somali Rahanwein dialect as "Radio Baydhabo, odka ururka RRA" (Radio Baydhabo, Voice of the RRA). 1600- 1800 Daily 6.806-v (Somali & Rahanwein Dialect) including News at 1700 daily (© BBC Monitoring January 8 via WORLD OF RADIO 1065, DXLD) ** SOUTH AFRICA. There are a few changes to the sched from Meyerton. Best wishes from South Africa, (André du Toit, hard-core-dx via DXLD) http://home.mweb.co.za/an/andre46/sched.html Such as R. Lusofonia, Sat and Sun 1700-1900 on 7155, 100 kW, 76 degrees, obviously aimed at Mozambique, and now apparently continuing beyond experimentation (gh, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SPAIN. I suggest that admirers of opera and classical music listen to REE, M-F 1610-1700 UT for a program presenting marvelous excerpts including texts. The performances, as far as I could tell, were all (supposedly) by Spanish orchestras. Reception and sound quality here are very good, on 21610 and 21700; there may be others. It`s called ``La Mejor Música de Nuestro Sello``, followed by four letters, I suppose referring to a recording company (Claudir Ghiggi, Brasil, radioescutas, translated from Portuguese by gh for DXLD) The program you heard is called ``Nuestro Sello``, because it presents music from their own CD label, the letters being RTVE for Radio Television Española, to which REE belongs. Check this page: http://www.rtve.es/rne/sello/index.htm Radio Nacional de España - Radio Uno transmits from 18 to 19 UT a similar program called "Clásicos Populares". I sometimes enjoy hearing it on MW. 73 (Fernando de Sousa Ribeiro, Porto, Portugal, ibid., DXLD) ** TAIWAN. I can confirm that the intruder on 7090 is CBS-RTI, noted from 1040 and likely s-on at 1000. This appears to be a move from 7105. They are also on new 7175, apparently ex-7150, same program as 7090. This service was also heard on 9630 and from 1100 on 9610. Since Taiwan was thrown out of the ITU in the early '70s, being replaced by China-Beijing, they are at liberty to use any freq they find appropriate, but most likely they will move off 7090 as soon as they become aware that they are intruding into the ham band (Olle Alm, Sweden, Jan 3, BC-DX, [delayed item predating the one previously published before return to 7105], via DXLD) ** TAIWAN [non]. RTI NAS in English at 0200 and 0300 Jan 4 had audio breakups throughout on both relays [by WYFR] 5950, 9680 (Bob Thomas, CT, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K [non]. ISSUE 2055 Wednesday 10 January 2001 China eases restrictions on BBC TV By David Rennie CHINA has eased its restrictions on the BBC, allowing it to beam television news broadcasts into leading hotels and blocks of flats occupied by foreigners. The limited distribution licence puts BBC World, the overseas television arm of the BBC, on the same footing as its American rival CNN. The channel will be distributed to 60,000 hotel rooms in Chinese cities and to designated official guest houses and foreigners' housing blocks. Rupert Gavin, chief executive of BBC Worldwide, said: "This agreement gives BBC World a foothold in China for the first time and will, we hope, lead to further distribution opportunities." (Telegraph, Jan 10 via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. If the following had arrived just a few minutes earlier, I might not have been quite so dismissive of WWFV`s RTTY broadcasts in DXLD 1-004 (gh) For the last couple of weeks, serious computer/server malfunctions (causes still unknown) has prevented major updates to our web sites at http://wwfv.net and http://wwfv.org and have caused strange E-mail problems. However, I am pleased to report that this trouble has been rectified, therefore allowing our systems to function normally. I invite you to see our updated web site, which includes new coverage maps, a revamped transmitter schedule, and many other minor and major upgrades. We have many plans for our web sites, so watch them to see changes. We have begun our RTTY broadcast service to the hearing impaired,and our web page http://www.wwfv.net and http://www.wwfv.org has been updated with the RTTY broadcast schedule. It can be found under the Program Guide, and reflects our current RTTY transmission times and frequencies. Anyone who sends us a reception report and a copy of the received text, will receive a certificate of reception (not an ordinary QSL card). We use the ordinary Amateur Radio RTTY standard, so reception should not be a problem. As this service grows, we will add interesting and informative SWL, Amateur Radio, political, and other broadcasts. Regards, (Peter Taggart, General Manager, Radio Station WWFV, Jan 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Dated 01/04/2001 : Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authorized Radio Station WWFV to commission a unique broadcast service to the hearing impaired and oppressed listeners by way of world wide shortwave radio. Radio Station WWFV plans to immediately inaugurate this desperately needed service. WWFV`s new General Manager, Peter Taggart states, "In the United States, we are fortunate to have unlimited internet access at a low cost; however, in many other nations, internet access is expensive, with internet users being charged by the minute. Also, the internet is often monitored and filtered thus limiting access to banned literature. Our new service allows these individuals world wide access to controversial material with complete privacy, unavailable online." For more information, Click Here. [So I did:] Listener Services: We at WWFV have developed a method to broadcast to our hearing impaired 'listeners.' The approach is that you would send WWFV a text printout of your message / sermon along with your program (or we can obtain it from your web site). We then upload your message into our mainframe computer system for broadcast via the digital transmission format encoded on WWFV`s Conquest transmitter digital modulators. The system utilizes a simple, freeware decode program, a shortwave receiver with Single Side Band, and the hearing impaired listener's personal computer's Sound Blaster! compatible audio card. As a result, your message / sermon appears as plain text on that person's computer screen, which they can print and share with others. We received FCC approval for this service on January 4, 2001, making WWFV the only shortwave broadcast station offering this desperately needed service. Ships at sea, amateur radio operators, military deployed, government services, hobby shortwave and many other people already have the capability to receive these broadcasts. We have already been in contact with various hearing impaired support agencies and internet message boards, informing them of this service. Currently, we offer broadcast to the visually impaired by broadcasting the Authorized Version AV-1611 King James Bible and other informative and unique programs specifically for the visually impaired on tape worldwide at various times throughout the broadcast day and week. This is listener supported. We are planning to enhance our outreach to the visually impaired in the next few months when Global-3 or Global-4 is commissioned for broadcast service. Hearing Impaired RTTY Shortwave Broadcast Schedule Monday through Friday 6 pm-7 pm 5.085 MHz [M-F 2300-2400 UT] Saturday and Sunday 1 pm-2 pm 12.172 MHz [Sat/Sun 1800-1900 UT] Saturday Night 12 am-1 am 3.270 MHz [Sun 0500-0600 UT] Sunday Night 6 pm-7 pm 5.085 MHz [Sun 2300-2400 UT] More time slots will be added as our hearing impaired shortwave broadcast schedule expands. (WWFV website via John Norfolk, OKCOK, and gh, WORLD OF RADIO 1065, DX LISTENING DIGEST) More from their site: WWFV Facility Status Buildings: All building (housing) construction in connection with WWFV`s major expansion program has been completed. New transmitter, studios, power generation plant, power distribution, antenna switching matrix, antenna matching network buildings, and transformer / power supply buildings complete. Antennas: Upon inspection of the following antenna capability lineup, one can soon see that Radio Station WWFV will possess one of the most technically astounding antenna capabilities being utilized by a private shortwave station. Most private shortwave stations in the continental United States generally broadcast in one or two directions; however, Radio Station WWFV has the ability to cover the entire compass. In addition, most private shortwave stations use small, close to the ground (less then 100 feet) compromised, low efficiency log periodics and short spaced Yagi antennas. We at WWFV use full size, high efficiency, wide spaced yagi and rhombic antennas for maximum performance! Click on the Antenna below to see coverage area: 038 Wide Spaced Yagi: Under Modification (Upgrading to 150 feet 6/15/2001) 070 Wide Spaced Yagi: Under Construction (Operational 4/15/2001 / 270 feet) 130 Wide Spaced Yagi: Under Construction (Operational 3/15/2001 / 270 feet) 160 Wide Spaced Yagi: Under Modification (Upgrading to 150 feet 6/15/2001) 238 Wide Spaced Yagi: Under Modification (Upgrading to 150 feet 6/15/2001) 250 Rhombic Antenna: Fully Operational (Upgrading to 150 feet 3/15/2001) 310 Wide Spaced Yagi: Fully Operational (Upgrading to 270 feet 3/15/2001) 340 Rhombic Antenna: Fully Operational (Upgrading to 150 feet 3/15/2001) Dates indicated are approximate and subject to change WWFV`s rhombic antennas in the horizontal plane encompass approximately eight acres of land and are approximately 1000 feet long. The average height above ground of the radiating elements is approximately 70 feet, which is typical of most shortwave stations in the continental United States. After scheduled upgrades, the rhombic antennae's radiating elements will average 150 feet above ground. This modification will enhance the reach and operational capabilities of Radio Station WWFV with a superior signal to the farthest reaches of the globe. Transmitters: Global-1: Fully Operational Global-2: Fully Operational Global-3: Currently Testing-Military Modifications Global-4: Under Construction / Organization Global-5: Under Construction / Organization WWFV`s Conquest Broadcast series transmitters are the peak in state- of-the-art shortwave broadcast technology. The transmitters are fully frequency agile, and can transmit on any frequency from 550 KHz to 29.999 MHz, which allows operations in the standard 'car radio' AM broadcast band (upon Federal Communications Commission authorization i.e. national emergency) and including all military HF communications frequencies, maritime, aircraft frequencies, and all international shortwave broadcast frequencies. The Conquest Broadcast series transmitters are capable of all-mode operation such as AM, FM, Single Side Band (SSB), Independent Side Band (ISB), and Spread Spectrum, Phase Shift Keying (PSK), MFSK, Radio TeleType (RTTY), packet, Morse code, Slow Scan Television (SSTV), AMTOR, PACTOR, and is compatible with any digital modulation formats known at this time. Conquest Communicator series receiver/transmitters have the same capabilities with the addition of full receive capabilities. Conquest series transmitters are capable of being paralleled, combining all output power as one stronger, synchronous transmitter output. Studios: Our studios are all-new modern technology, a paragon of the shortwave broadcast industry. We can take your program material via C-series cassettes, C or Ku band satellites, telephone patch, CD, LP, STL, DAT. If a mutually acceptable agreement / lease is negotiated between the purchaser and WWFV, we will perform the necessary upgrades and installations to accommodate the client. Network Services: Radio Station WWFV currently offers no internal network services at this time, but will make recommendations as needed. For example, the Genesis Communications Network Radio Network (GCN) at this time is the premier radio network on shortwave and WWFV has an excellent relationship with the GCN management and staff. Engineering Staff: Radio Station WWFV has two fully qualified engineers on staff. We do all of our maintenance, tower work, and repairs on site, meaning less down time and HUGE savings of time and money passed onto the clients. As most stations contract this work to either the equipment manufacturer or independent contractors, which means premium dollar repair charges which are passed directly to the clients. (You!) Spare Parts: Radio Station WWFV stocks spare parts in sets of four(4) for its transmitters, power generation plant, studio equipment, spare radio towers, spare cable, insulators, turnbuckles, etc., etc., etc. This results in absolute minimum down time as the engineering staff has in stock the proper parts to effect immediate repairs (WWFV website, also referred by Richard McClung, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. What`s the frequency, Kim? I have been concerned that Terion, the two-way tracking system using low-power SW transmitters from trucks, could interfere with SW broadcasting. On VOA Communications World, Kim Elliott has reported on this and interviewed someone from Terion, but no specific frequencies or even frequency ranges were ever mentioned, and Terion has not replied to my inquiries for details (gh) Glenn: The URL is http://www.terion.net . One recent day`s logs is at ftp://208.249.156.9/fcclogs/RcvLog000530.txt . All the shortwave bursts are from trucks. Messages the other way (to trucks) are via FM broadcast SCAs (Kim Elliott, VOA, Jan 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) This absolutely humongous file almost crashed my computer. Logs for EVERY minute of 24 hours are shown in time order, from as few as 20 to as many as 917 per minute (approximately, at 1412 UT). This file as an example covers 0400 UT May 30 to 0400 UT May 31, 2000. So the frequencies are not in order, and one cannot be sure of their extent, but making many spot checks, I found the lowest to be 6831 and the highest somewhere in the 23 MHz area. All of them appear to be in the fixed service bands, not maritime, not amateur, and not broadcasting (except where broadcasters are expanding into fixed bands, notably 17.4-17.6 and 9.1 to 9.4 MHz). Just a few of the specific frequencies I noted down were: 7546, 7549, 7606; 9150, 9300, 9321, 9324, 9345; 12185; 17485, 17500, 17530. It would be nice to have a complete list in order of all the discrete frequencies available, but compiling it manually from this log would be out of the question. Terion operates under the single callsign WPKU683. It still seems to me the sheer quantity of transmissions, even of low power and measured in milliseconds, pose a potential interference problem, and if nothing more, an overall increase in the HF noise level (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Cf 0-156, WWCR`s Big Band Show replaced by: Sat 1730-1830 UT, Keen On Jazz w/Joel & Dawn 12160 Sat 2300-2400 UT, Keen On Jazz w/Joel & Dawn 5070 Mon 0300-0400 UT, Keen on Jazz w/Joel & Dawn 3215 Ken`s Country Classics Sat 0130 3215, Sat 1300 15685, Mon 0030 3215, Mon 0700 3210 Ken`s Profiles, Sat 1200 15685, Sun 1200 5070, Mon 0400 3215 Old Record Shop, Sun 0730 3210, Sun 1930 15685 (WWCR website posted schedule, Jan 5, via WORLD OF RADIO 1065, DXLD) ** U S A. I also got a QSL from WFLA on 25870 kHz. It took 2 years and 3 days. No follow ups (Geir Fredheim, Oslo, Norway Jan 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WMLK, 9465, Jan 1 *1601-2101*, heard here on New Year`s Day with strong signal and the regular ``Sacred Name`` program (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [non]. The B-00 HBS schedule in the January NASWA LN, provided by Nikolai Rudnev, is the same HBS schedule that`s listed in the B-00 HFCC sked, with the addition of 11870 at 1000-1100, which originates from Taiwan, according to the HFCC sked. BTW, the transmission on 7460 does originate from Irkutsk, Russia. All HBS relays via the Church`s former Saipan station, KHBI, were discontinued in August, 1999, one year after KHBI was sold to the IBB. Is there any way that this info can be forwarded to someone at BBC Monitoring as well as to "Monitoring Times," whose monthly SW guide still lists KHBI as the site for HBS transmissions to Asia? 73, {Jim Moats, OH, January 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST} ** U S A. Subject: EOSS-46 Flight Announcement From: Rick von Glahn rickvg@iex.net Date: 1/9/01 2:03 PM Central Standard Time Forum: rec.radio.amateur.misc Flight Announcement - EOSS #46 This Edge of Space Sciences (EOSS) flight was originally scheduled for December 16 and was delayed due to the velocity of the high altitude winds. FLIGHT SYNOPSIS: EOSS #46 - LAUNCH DATE: January 13, 2001, Rain date is January 14, 2001 - LAUNCH TIME: 16:00 UTC - 09:00 MST - LAUNCH SITE: Windsor, Colorado, Gene Fatton's Ranch BULLETIN: QSL Cards! The RMRL Cross-band Repeater will fly up to 20 miles high, so get your dual-band HTs ready! QSL cards will be sent to stations making contacts through the RMRL repeater with a SASE to Nick Hanks, KC0HVF. Thanks to Mark Patton (KØYG) for making the cards. Listen for the beacon on 147.555 and look for ATV on 426.25 MHz. The flight should reach 100,000 ft. and the beacons should be heard in a 400 mile radius. Read more for the details. DIRECTIONS: http://www.eoss.org/pics/windsor.htm Leave Denver, Colorado on I-25 north bound. Proceed to the Windsor exit (Exit Number 262). Proceed East on State Road 392 approximately 1.3 miles to county road 3. Take county road 3 south a few hundred yards. The launch site will be on the east side of the road. Numerous vehicles with antennae will undoubtedly mark the spot. The beautiful control room (AKA sunroom) will once again provide a fabulous mission support facility. EOSS asks visitors to this room to remove their shoes so we do not wear out or soil our welcome. LAUNCH SITE COORDINATES: 40.4744 Degrees N. Latitude -104.9628 Degrees W. Longitude EXPECTED TRACK: See Prediction Page for Details: http://www.eoss.org/flight/prediction.htm Between 80 degrees and 145 degrees azimuth. NET AND OPERATION FREQUENCIES: - Preflight Foxhunter Net: 147.225 MHz Colorado Repeater Association, 8:00PM the preceding night - Launch Site Operations: Simplex 146.550 MHz - Tracking Team Operations: 449.450 MHz Rocky Mountain Radio League (RMRL), 146.58 MHz Simplex Field Frequency - HF Net: 7.235 MHz, net control pending SPACECRAFT FREQUENCIES: - Beacon: 144.340 MHz FM (350 milliwatts output). CW beacon and cut down system - Cross-Band Repeater: Input 445.975 MHz, Output 147.555 MHz - APRS Output: 147.555 MHz, Output of Cross-band Repeater - ATV: 426.250 MHz, 1 Watt [As I recall this frequency is covered by cable TV tuners, so hook up your TV in the cable mode to a UHF antenna and... gh] PRIMARY INTEGRATOR: Pioneer Astronautics, Dr. Robert Zubrin, Dean Spieth, "Mars Micro Balloon Probe". PRIMARY EXPERIMENT(S): This is the fourth of many planned EOSS flights for the "Mars Micro Balloon Probe" which will place a series of balloons in the Martian atmosphere. The overall objectives of these flights are to test and develop inflatable gases from compounds that are normally liquids at Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP). The Mars surface pressure is simulated at 100,000 feet above sea level, thus the experiment on an EOSS balloon. This experiment will attempt to inflate balloons using various compounds. This will also permit another test of the deployment canisters required on Mars. For this flight, EOSS #46, the objective will be to deploy a micro balloon on descent as well as to minimize "Post-Burst Chaos" on descent using a 600 gram balloon ("grape") as a stabilizer. The objectives for the micro balloon is to test methanol vapor inflation of a 1 x 3m Montgolfier balloon during the expected 30 m/sec descent rate. Inflation during 5 m/sec ascent was successfully demonstrated on EOSS-42 last summer. This fight will use two large helium balloons. The main lift balloon will be a 3000 gram balloon and will be cut away at 100,000+ feet. The second balloon or "grape" will be a lightly-inflated, 600 gram drag balloon used to slow the descent rate to the expected 30 m/sec which will simulate the deployment conditions expected when entering the Martian atmosphere. Additionally the balloon will stabilize the payload during descent. It will be cut away after the Mars micro balloon is deployed. CROSS BAND REPEATER: http://www.eoss.org/hardware/crossband.htm The RMRL cross-band repeater will be deployed. QSL cards will be issued for successful contacts through the repeater. Are you within 400 miles of Denver? If so, you can contact anyone else within the footprint with nothing more than a dual band HT with a rubber duck antenna. This footprint is calculated for an altitude of 90,000 feet. 90% plus of our launches reach or surpass this altitude. For operation guidelines see the cross band repeater page. APRS: The packet callsign will be - W0WYX SCHEDULE YOUR BALLOON CONTACTS IN ADVANCE There is a new eGroup dedicated to scheduling contacts (IN ADVANCE) for any balloon flights from any group. People can go there and "register" and perhaps find other folks with whom they can plan contact schedules for the flight. This should be especially helpful for folks out on the fringe of the footprint as they will have extremely limited time windows to make contacts. This scheduling is optional and is not required to contact others through the cross-band repeater. Here are the email and URLs to that group: Post message: Balloon_Sked@egroups.com Subscribe: Balloon_Sked-subscribe@egroups.com Unsubscribe: Balloon_Sked-unsubscribe@egroups.com List owner: Balloon_Sked-owner@egroups.com URL page: http://www.egroups.com/group/Balloon_Sked There is also a signup box for this group on the following page (lower): http://www.eoss.org/hardware/crossband.htm AUTOMATIC POSITION AND REPORTING SYSTEM (APRS) Please disable your beacons on the EOSS packet frequencies, as that will minimize interference to other stations in your area trying to copy telemetry. TRACKING AND RECOVERY TEAM INFO Friday night, January 12, 2001 Marty, WA0GEH will conduct the tracking and recovery net on 147.225, 8:00 MST. Logistics for the tracking and recovery operation will be discussed. Please plan to listen in or, if you are interested, joining the effort. The Tracking and Recovery net will be on 449.450 MHz Saturday, January 13. Starting about 7:00 am logistic traffic will start to flow. This will be become a DIRECTED net, all traffic for the recovery effort will be directed through Marty, WA0GEH. (rec.radio.amateur.misc via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** UZBEKISTAN. R. Tashkent, Dec 31 in English: 1200-1228* on 5060 news, commentary, ID, lite instrumental music, 1230 IS and into listed Urdu; weak. Better on \\ 5975, 6025, best on 9715. At *1330- 1357 on 9715 IS, English news, commentary, lite instrumental music, very weak; barely audible on \\ 5975 (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UZBEKISTAN. R Tashkent mornings from 0100 have been on 7215 (ex- 7285) for some time. 7215 provides clean reception of the English program at 0100 (Olle Alm, Sweden, Jan 3, BC-DX via DXLD) Today at deeeeeep night I heard Tashkent on new 7215 (ex-7285) around 0130, fine signal; both adjacent channels are free too. \\ 5975 was covered by BBC Antigua I guess, and other \\ 5955 was free, but UZB signal somewhat disturbed and "scratchy" (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, Jan 7, BC-DX via DXLD) ** VANUATU. R Vanuatu are having problems with their SW tx on 4960. On 2 & 3 Jan it had severe distortion and put out "squeals" and spurs plus and minus 150 kHz. Yesterday (4 Jan) the tx was not at on all. I am surprised that their second tx was not used as a replacement, perhaps it too is unserviceable? (Barry Hartley, New Zealand, Jan 5, BC-DX via DXLD) R Vanuatu have repaired the fault on their tx on 4960. Today (5 Jan) it is back at full strength with clean and clear modulation at 0930. So disregard my earlier message! (Barry Hartley, Jan 5-6, BC-DX via DXLD) ** ZAMBIA. Christian Voice heard back on 4965 around 2030 UT Jan 9 (Chris Hambly, Victoria, WORLD OF RADIO 1065, DX LISTENING DIGEST)###