DX LISTENING DIGEST 1-013, February 1, 2001 edited by Glenn Hauser, wghauser@hotmail.com {Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. For restrixions and searchable 2001, 2000 contents archive see} http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/Dxldmid.html THIS WEEK ON WORLD OF RADIO 1067: See topic summary at http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/wor1067.html HEAR WORLD OF RADIO 1067: (DOWNLOAD) http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/wor1067.rm (STREAM) http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/wor1067.ram RADIO ENLACE en RADIO NEDERLAND: nueva serie de informes DX desde Norteamérica para febrero comienza el viernes 2 y domingo 4 NETS TO YOU: New February revision now posted at http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/nets2you.html DX PROGRAM LIST: New February revision now posted at http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/dxpgms.html ** ALGERIA. R. Algiers International, 15160, Jan 20 2002-2059* in English, with Spanish prior to 2002. IDs, woman announcer, instrumental music, 2005 news; US, Euro-pops. Fair level but definite audio problems with very distorted audio and nothing but open carrier at times. Difficult to understand much in program due to distortion. Nothing heard on 11750. And Algiers not heard at 1600 check (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. Here are some updates and corrections to information on Radio Australia transmissions and programs: Complete English Service Transmission Schedule 5995 (Brandon-10kW-10 degrees) 0800-0900; 1100-1400 5995 (Shepparton-100kW-30 degrees) 1400-1800 6020 (Shepparton-100kW-30 degrees) 1100-1400 6080 (Shepparton-100kW-334 degrees) 1400-1800 6080 (Shepparton-100kW-5 degrees) 1800-2000 7240 (Shepparton-100kW-30 degrees) 1800-2000; 2100-2200 9475 (Shepparton-100kW-329 degrees) 1100-1400; 1530-1900 9500 (Shepparton-100kW-329 degrees) 1900-2130 9580 (Shepparton-100kW-70 degrees) 1100-2130 9660 (Brandon-10kW-10 degrees) 2100-2200; 2300-0100 9710 (Shepparton-100kW-353 degrees) 0800-0900 9815 (Shepparton-100kW-30 degrees) 1700-2100 11650 (Shepparton-100kW-30 degrees) 1100-1700 11660 (Shepparton-100kW-329 degrees) 1330-1700 11695 (Shepparton-100kW-329 degrees) 2330-0000 11880 (Shepparton-100kW-329 degrees) 0900-1330 11880 (Shepparton-100kW-65 degrees) 1700-2200 12080 (Brandon-10kW-80 degrees) 2000-2200; 2300-0100; 0700-0900; 1100-1200 13605 (Shepparton-100kW-30 degrees) 0800-1100 15110 (Taiwan-250kW-Asia) 2200-2330 15125 (Taiwan-250kW-Asia) 0800-1130 15240 (Shepparton-100kW-329 degrees) 2200-0000 15240 (Shepparton-100kW-353 degrees) 0000-0700 15240 (Shepparton-100kW-90 degrees) 0700-0900 15415 (Shepparton-100kW-353 degrees) 2330-0000 15415 (Shepparton-100kW-329 degrees) 0000-0900 15515 (Shepparton-100kW-90 degrees) 0200-0700 17580 (Shepparton-100kW-30 degrees) 0000-0800 17715 (Shepparton-100kW-30 degrees) 2100-0000 17750 (Shepparton-100kW-329 degrees) 0030-0400; 0430-0500; 0530-0800; 0830-0900; 0930-1100. 17795 (Shepparton-100kW-50 degrees) 2200-0200 21725 (Shepparton-100kW-329 degrees) 0100-0900 21740 (Shepparton-100kW-70 degrees) 2100-0100 21820 (Shepparton-100kW-329 degrees) 0900-1400 The weekday program schedule has also undergone a few changes: The weekday features, "AWAYE!' (Mon.), "The Science Show" (Tue.), "The National Interest" (Wed.), "Background Briefing" (Thu.), "Hindsight" (Fri.) now air at 0010. The "Report" programs (Health-Mon., Law-Tue., Religion-Wed., Media-Thu., The Sports Factor-Fri.) now air at 0130. "Asia Pacific" airs at 2310 and 0110. "The World Today" airs only at 0210. "Margaret Throsby" now airs at 0410, replacing the second airing of "The World Today". (Throsby formerly aired at 0310.) A Sports Report airs at 0310, 0530, 0610. "Pacific Focus" airs at 0320 and 0620. The Music programs ("Australian Music Show"-Mon., "Music Deli" Tue. And Fri., "Blacktracker" Wed., "Oz Country Style" Thu.) now air at 0340 and 0640. More changes may be in the offing, including additional frequencies. [source: Roger Broadbent, Radio Australia] (John A. Figliozzi, Volunteer Publicist, Radio Australia, Jan 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA [non]. 15240, previously a Shepparton frequency, is to replace 15110 for English via Taiwan at 2200 (Chris Hambly, Victoria, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. [Re: unID at end of DXLD 1-012] Could be Bolivian R Centenario La Nueva, ex 4855, logged on 4865 by Fontenele per a recent posting on the rádioescutas group. Fontenele wonders if txer fault, and, indeed, this could be the case if they`re now 1 kHz up (Henrik Klemetz, Sweden, Jan 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. R. Nacional, Brasília, Amazonian service, 6180, dramatic announcements in Portuguese at 0925, best resolved in LSB. ID as ``R. Nacional`` at 0928 (Phil Ireland, Limekilns NSW, Jan-Feb Australian DX News via DXLD) Strong Jan 10 despite QRM, morning greetings, promos, etc. at 0901 (Craig Seager, Limekilns NSW, ibid.) ** BRAZIL. R. Gazeta, 15325, São Paulo. Have only heard this station- frequency three times ever and each occasion has been in last six months. Weak Jan 10 at 0625-0640 religious rally. Don`t need to get an ID as they seem to have the same guy spruiking all the time, at least in the hours it is audible in Australia. Pleasing log for this time of the year –- who says high sunspots are good for nothing?! (Craig Seager, Limekilns, NSW, Jan-Feb Australian DX News via DXLD) ** CANADA [non]. SCTV is back! The terrific Canadian comedy series from decades ago has suddenly replaced Later on NBC late at night, i.e. original feed to EST and CST zones at 0635-0705 UT Tuesday- Friday [not 0535 as I said on WOR 1067], tho many stations delay it by sticking in their own syndicated shows, e.g. in OKC it comes on at 1:05 am. My VCR has been busy. This is the one with Andrea Martin, Dave Thomas, Eugene Levy, John Candy, Catherine O`Hara, Joe Flaherty, Martin Short, Rick Moranis. Actually, it`s billed as ``Later presents SCTV`` so listings may continue to show just Later; and no idea how long this may last; for sweeps? (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1067, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA [non]. Radio Canada increases tailored output to India | Text of press release in English by Radio Canada International on 30 January Montreal, 30 January, 2001. On 5 February, Radio Canada International, Canada's Voice To The World, will start broadcasting a daily customized edition of the programme "Canada Today " to India on shortwave. This one-hour transmission will be broadcast Monday to Friday at 1500-1600 UT (corresponding to 8.30 pm Indian time), on frequencies 15360 and 17820 kHz. It will start with a 12-and-a-half minute newscast covering main Canadian and international news as well as some news from the Indian sub-continent. Following the newscast, "Canada Today" will include analysis and interviews about top stories in Canada and the world, a Canadian press review, a sportscast, a business report and other topics related to various aspects of Canadian life. On Saturdays "Canada Newsweek", a summary of the news of the week and "Canada Review", the business and technology edition, will be presented and on Sundays "The mailbag", a programme dealing with listeners' feedback and another "Canada Review", about culture and society. Programmes on Saturdays and Sundays are repeated at 0200- 0300 UT. The edition of "Canada Today " currently transmitted to India at 0200-0300 UT (7.30 am Indian time) on frequencies 15260 and 17860 kHz will continue. Source: Radio Canada International press release, Montreal, in English 30 Jan 01 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** CANADA. Amos 'n' Andy on CFRA "Feature Hour" Well, I was just listening to CFRA Ottawa on Windows Media Player and the process server was coming for the Kingfish. Of course, their old time radio hour is 3-4 A.M. local so maybe no one in the political correctness squad is listening. (Mostly they have old AFN recordings and the occasional Goon Show or Just A Minute or BBC panel show. It's one of the few cases in which I wish there were more Canadian content. They're owned by CHUM so I don't know if they're going to join the last of the North American medium wave rockers in the CHUM sports talk network. They're already talk.) (Joël Rubin, NY, Jan 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. CPBS: This service may also be referred to as China National Radio 5th programme (CNR5). Station identification in Mandarin for both services: "Zhongyang Renmin Guangbo Diantai Xianzai Kaishi Dui Taiwan Guangbo" ("This is the Central People's Broadcasting Station. We now begin our broadcast to Taiwan"). First Programme: "Di Yi Tao Jiemu" ("This is the First Programme"). Languages : Mandarin, with some programmes in Amoy, Hakka. Address: 2 Fuxingmenwai Dajie, Beijing 100866, China. Tel: +86 10 6851 5522. Schedule daily: 0055-0615 on 549 765 11100 11935 15710; 0955-0005 549 765 5090 7567 7620 9380 11160 (BBC Monitoring Jan 24, condensed for DXLD) ** CHINA. CRI add freqs observed Tue Jan. 30th: 2030 Hungarian 6020 2100 Spanish 6020 // 7225 co-ch R. Tunisia 2100 French 6135 // 7215 via Samara-RUS (Silvain Domen, Belgium, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I should think RN would not be happy about CRI on 6020, or do they no longer care about that frequency? (gh) ** CHINA [non]. Not only is CRI English on 17720 at 1500, but also at 1400, as noted Feb 1. I also checked 9570, known to be Cuba, for CRI in English at 1300, and this was still going at 1355 when the open carrier for 17720 was already on, so these are not the same transmitter. I might also speculate on Mali, but 17720 really seems too strong and steady for that, and Krueger in Florida found 17720 with a skip-over signal similar to WYFR (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COLOMBIA. 2200.16, HJMK, Emisora Ideal - Planeta Rica (2 x 1100 harmonic) (tentative), 1031 Jan 31, Spanish vocals, announcer with mention of "Planeta Rica", fair to poor signal (Mark Mohrmann, Coventry VT, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COLOMBIA/VENEZUELA. The Venezuelans are all upset about FARC FM broadcasts being heard in their country, tho they have been audible on SW forever; see DXLD 1-012. Henrik Klemetz has found a number of website press items about this ``Onda Rebelde Cariben~a``: This item is on CanalSur.com today Friday Jan 26: Emisora clandestina de las FARC incita a formar un segundo frente guerrillero en Venezuela. La radio trata de persuadir a los ciudadanos inconformes a unirse a las Fuerzas Revolucionarias de Colombia y al movimiento bolivariano. Esta situación, junto al problema de las invasiones territoriales, mantiene en tensión la zona limítrofe colombo-venezolana. Fuente: Noticias Telecolor -20:30-21:00 25/01/2001 12:04:07 PM T. Video : 02:00 Min. (via Klemetz) Investigarán emisora de las FARC La Asamblea Nacional designó una comisión para el caso. La división de Telecomunicaciones de Infraestructura hará la evaluación técnica. La Guardia Nacional realiza rastreo para determinar si la emisora está en territorio venezolano. El ministro de la Defensa, general Eliécer Hurtado Soucre, ordenó una investigación sobre la cobertura que realiza una emisora presuntamente operada por el movimiento guerrillero colombiano, Farc, en la frontera venezolana, en los municipios La Villa del Rosario y Machiques, del estado Zulia. La señal de Onda Caribe Rebelde, realiza llamadas incitando a la población a rebelarse y apoyar las incursiones violentas de este grupo. Hurtado Sucre pidió la participación en la investigación a la división de telecomunicaciones del Ministerio de Infraestructura. El diputado Juan Mendoza, presidente de la Comisión de Política Interior de la Asamblea Nacional, manifestó que elevará el caso, tanto al conocimiento de los parlamentarios que conforman la comisión como a la plenaria de la AN. Los resultados serán tratados como un problema de Estado. "La Constitución Nacional prohibe éste tipo de llamados en el territorio de la república. Nosotros debemos verificar los hechos reseñados por PANORAMA y se procederá, junto a los órganos de seguridad de Estado, a tomar las medidas necesarias y pertinentes. Es nuestra competencia y responsabilidad". Con la información recabada, se procederá a convocar a la comisión en pleno, la cual analizará los elementos probatorios en un informe que sería elevado al conocimiento del foro parlamentario y de los organismos que, por lo delicado del tema, sean necesarios Germán Novelli / Lolimar Suárez/ Diana Bravo El ministro de la Defensa, general Eliécer Hurtado Soucre, señaló que, por ahora, no puede pronunciarse sobre las audiciones de una emisora que, supuestamente, opera en forma clandestina, y que a nombre de las Fuerzas Armdadas Revolucionarias de Colombia está incitando a la población a incorporarse al grupo irregular del vecino país. El ministro no dio detalles sobre si las transmisiones pudieran estarse originando en territorio venezolano, en las zonas intrincadas de la Sierra de Perijá, pero llamó la atención sobre la integración de autoridades nacionales para seguir las pistas de la señal de Onda Rebelde Caribeña. Ganaderos de Machiques y La Villa del Rosario que no quisieron identificarse informaron que desde enero de este año se captan en varios diales de frecuencia modulada mensajes subversivos en nombre de las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (Farc) cuyos frentes operan también en el noreste del vecino país. "Esta situación se está investigando. En todo caso hay ministerios que deberían participar en esta operación, un ejemplo, la división de telecomunicaciones del Ministerio de Infraestructura. Ahora, a través de los órganos regulares de la Fuerza Armada no he sido informado. El conocimiento lo tengo por lo publicado", expresó Hurtado Soucre. El ministro de la Defensa también exteriorizó las limitaciones del Estado venezolano, para evitar, que una parte de la situación por la que atraviesa el vecino país se refleje en Venezuela. "Es imposible impedir que las ondas hertzianas de las Farc o de cualquier país u organización, puedan ser captadas en Venezuela". Sin embargo, tanto en Machiques como en La Villa existe preocupación por el contenido de los mensajes. Hasta ahora, la emisora invita a la desobediencia del campesinado y a pertenecer al grupo rebelde diseminado en varios frentes del vecino país. Sesiones Sobre esta situación, también fue consultado el diputado Juan Mendoza, presidente de la Comisión de Política Interior de la Asamblea Nacional, quien manifestó que elevará el caso, tanto al conocimiento de los parlamentarios que conforman la comisión como a la plenaria de la AN, cuyos resultados serán tratados como se debe a un problema de Estado. "La Constitución Nacional prohibe éste tipo de llamados en el territorio de la república. Nosotros debemos verificar los hechos reseñados en Panorama y se procederá, junto a los órganos de seguridad de Estado, a tomar las medidas necesarias y pertinentes. Es nuestra competencia y responsabilidad". Con la información recabada, se procederá a convocar a la comisión en pleno, la cual analizará los elementos probatorios en un informe que sería elevado al conocimiento del foro parlamentario y de los organismos que, por lo delicado del tema, sean necesarios. Paso a paso "Con pases que se efectuan de un frente al otro, con un sonido que en ocasiones supera a las emisores en frecuencia modulada de La Villa, enlaces que nos dejan asombrados a quienes conocemos algo de radio, incluso se puede decir que son profesionales, su trabajo no es improvisado", de esta forma se refirio, David Martinez, el director de la emisora Tormenta 100.9 F.M., estación de radio establecida en el municipio Rosario de Perijá. Los habitantes rosarenses permanecen atentos a la próxima salida al aire de esta emisora que asegura ser de la Farc. Martínez junto con su hermano Deiwi, desde que escucharon por primera vez a Onda Rebelde Caribeña, han estado seguiéndoles el rastro. "Hasta los momentos no hemos podido grabar alguno de sus mensajes, acción que se ha convertido en una necesidad para nosotros, pues sería una prueba fehaciente de lo que decimos. Para esa potencia de transmisión resulta increíble suponer que sus equipos sean portátiles. Necesitan electricidad y por la calidad de sus transmisiones no se debería descartar que estén transmitiendo desde una estación, que de repente pudiera ubicarse en territorio colombiano, cuestión que tendrían que determinar las autoridades correspondientes". Mensaje Coincidió David Martínez con las declaraciones efetuadas el día jueves por el presidente de Gadema, Fernando Finol. "Los locutores declaran que pertenecen a Farc, su discurso es doble, porque puede servir tanto a Venezuela como a Colombia. Hablan de la necesidad de pertenecer a un movimiento bolivariano que bien puede confundir al oyente". Agregó que "instan a los trabajadores del campo a que luchen y se rebelen. Frases como estas se escuchan: “Campesinos, te están dejando sin tierras”. También los invitan a que hagan grafitis en apoyo a su agrupacion y que se integren a la Farc, dijo. Por su parte, Luis Elías Martinez, presidente de Gadema, Asociación de Ganaderos de Machiques, señaló "yo pienso que estos mensajes no afectan a los venezolanos; creo que hay problemas más graves que atender en el pais". Es consciente de que esta información preocupa a los diferentes sectores de la subregión perijanera, sin embargo estima que "los responsables de esas alocuciones no van a sumar a los venezolanos en sus filas". "Es triste que en Colombia exista esa situacion tan tensa con los diversos grupos irregulares que hacen vida en ese territorio y tratan de incorporar más personas a sus organizaciones; pero estoy convencido de que los venezolanos no vamos a darle mayor importancia a esos mensajes que transmiten, ni mucho menos seguirlos". El alcalde del municipio Rosario de Perijá, Baldemar Sandoval, mencionó que hasta los momentos no ha escuchado la referida emisora, se ha comunicado a la Asamblea Legislativa del estado Zulia, pero se desconoce algún elemento nuevo. Acciones La Coordinación Regional de Seguridad, a cargo del general de brigada (Ej.) Manuel Simón Lafée levantará un informe relativo a las denuncias hechas por las poblaciones fronterizas. El presidente de la Unión de Ganaderos de La Villa del Rosario Fernando Finol se mostró preocupado por la entrada de la señal. © Panorama Digital, 2000 http://www.panodi.com/hoy/fo.html (via Henrik Klemetz, DXLD) Globovisión Caracas, Venezuela, Martes Enero 30, 2001, 10:27:56 PM Emisora clandestina de las FARC incita a formar un segundo frente guerrilero en Venezuela Las FARC convoca, a través de una emisora clandestina, a conformar un segundo frente guerrillero en Venezuela. A través de las ondas hertzianas persuade a ciudadanos inconformes a unirse a las Fuerzas Revolucionarias de Colombia y al movimiento revolucionario. La banda interfiere con su mensaje doctrinario para sembrar la guerrilla en Venezuela. Esta emisora clandestina pertenenciente a las FARC presuntamente se trasmite desde los límites del estado Zulia. La emisora radial, aunado al problema de las invasiones, mantiene en conflicto la frontera colombo venezolana. Esto podría ser consecuencia del Plan Colombia. Las zonas fronterizas de Táchira y Apure son un problema de estado que está siendo asumido por la guerrilla, amenazando a los invasores de tierras con ajusticiarlos si no abandonan las parcelas. Con esta forma la guerrilla se asegura de seguir cobrando la vacuna. Los soldados castrences se mantienen en alerta en los municipios fronterizos en el sur del lago. El presidente de Fegalago, Adonay Martínez, dice que la situación del Táchira y Apure, por los momentos, no se ha presentado en el Zulia. Globovisión Zulia © Copyright 1999 [sic]. Globovisión. Todos los derechos reservados. http://www.globovision.com/nacionales/2001.01/24/emisora.farc/index.shtml (via Henrik Klemetz, DXLD) Emisora de las FARC incita a los venezolanos a sublevarse "Onda Caribe Rebelde" es una emisora clandestina que escuchan de vez en cuando los habitantes de las ciudades fronterizas de Villa del Rosario y Machiques en el estado del Zulia, en Venezuela. La emisora aparece en distintos sitios del dial, últimamente en los 97.5 MHz de la FM, e incita a la población a sublevarse y a unirse a los frentes de las FARC, Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia. Con consignas como "Campesino, te están dejando sin tierras", y con un discurso doble que "puede servir tanto a Venezuela como a Colombia", hablan de una necesidad de pertenecer a un movimiento bolivariano, dice el presidente de una organzación ganadera del Zulia. "Con pases que se efectúan de un frente a otro, con un sonido que en ocasiones supera a las emisoras de FM de La Villa, enlaces que nos dejan asombrados a quienes conocemos algo de radio, incluso se puede decir que son profesionales", afirma para "Panorama Digital" el director de la emisora rosarense Tormenta 100.9 FM en la zona fronteriza entre Colombia y Venezuela. El ministro de la Defensa de Venezuela, general Eliécer Hurtado Soucre, ordenó una investigación para dar con la emisora, aunque "es imposible impedir que las ondas hertzianas de las FARC o de cualquier país u organización, puedan ser captadas en Venezuela", afirmó (Henrik Klemetz, Suecia, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** ERITREA. Radio UNMEE has Real Media files of their programs at their website- http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/unmee/radio.htm (Hans Johnson, Jan 28, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** FRANCE [non]. Subject: RFI on 144.300 Again. Gentlemen, tonight, 0101 UT 25/01/2001, Radio France International (RFI) is again on 144.300 AM coming from the south; another station located east of mine at a mountain top overlooking Caracas was monitoring the frequency and didn't hear any local signals on 144.300. Signals tonight were not as strong as on the 22nd, and I wasn't able to pick the signal with any of the vertical antennas, only with the stacks quads, since the signal was 51. [readability 5, strength 1] The phenomenon started at 0100 UT and lasted until 0159 UT, just as the last time. This time YV1DIG, also was able to experience this phenomenon, and after some investigation I found out that YV5ABH has also heard RFI on VHF. Any explanations? 73/DX Jose M. Valdez R. (Joe), YV5LIX eQSL Advisory Board (VHF Skip list via Tim Bucknall, harmonics list via DXLD) Make sure that the receiving system (preamp?) is not inter/over/cross modulating due to the presence of a huge Radio France International signal, possibly in the SW broadcast bands around 21 MHz. When you are dead sure this is not the case, the phenomenon becomes interesting.... Insufficient suppression of harmonics in the PA of RFInter is a distinct possibility. Some of these transmitters run 500 kW, and are very capable of producing several watts at 144 MHz. These stations usually use curtain antenna arrays, which might have some gain at VHF. The clue to all this is the AM mode. The VHF could reach you by tropospheric ducting, from any direction up to around 1000 km distant or more, but subject to the necessary weather inversion/pressure front structure to maintain the mode. An equally likely mode is TEP around 8.00-9.00 pm local time when phase 2-style TEP peaks, to reach a MUF sufficient to carry the very high 144 MHz. This mode has a fast flutter/fade sound on it, with plenty of doppler spread. This is a relatively rare occurrence at this high frequency, but has happened over the years. In this case the TX station is almost certainly about 6000-8000 km due north or south of your receiving locality, depending on whether you are north or south of the TEP equator. Another possiblity is that RFInter is in sporadic E range of your location, with the MUF over 144 MHz, in which case the signal could come from any direction also. The last possibility is sporadic E extension on TEP, which also implies that the TX station is north or south of your location. This mode tends to be flutter-free, but with a slower cyclic fading characteristic. It also tends to produce the weakest signals on 50 MHz from Europe for us in ZS6, although we get signal reports of 5-9 from Europe at the same time! Hope this helps, keep us informed! (Ian ZS6BTE Roberts, ibid., via DXLD) A very interesting and strange phenomenon was observed between 0106 and 0158 UT January 22, 25, 31 and February 2001 here in Venezuela. On 144.300 and at 0106 UT I began to hear a signal, and after 6 minutes I noticed that it was an AM broadcast in Spanish; the station was transmitting sports news and I was under the impression that it was a station from Argentina, but at 0130 the station identification came on and then I was surprised. The station was Radio France International; at that time 0130 they announced the end of the Spanish transmissions to South America and that they will now broadcast in French; I keep listening, and at 0158 no other signal was heard. The signals during the duration of the phenomenon ranged from 31 to 59+30 dB (25235 to 55234). I used two different transceivers and two different antennas and in both radios the signals were present, not with the same intensity and duration due the different antenna gain. The first time I checked the MW and FM bands to see if a local station was retransmitting Radio France International and nothing was found; also after I found that the station was RFI, I checked their scheduled programs to South America for 29/10/00 to 25/03/01 at http://www.rfi.fr/Frequences/amesudz17.htm and I found that they were transmitting on 9800 kHz, so I turn on an HF radio to go to that frequency and the same program was being transmitted there. The second time 3 stations at 2 different locations were used. I ruled out any IF pickup since the signal has been received in 3 different radios, with 3 different 1st IF and 3 different antennas at 2 different QTHs, and the 2nd IF of the second radio also is different from those of the other two radios, so I can rule out a pick up in the IF stages. I also looked for any RFI signal in and around the 21 MHz band and none was found at that time. And there is no preamp at any of the 3 systems. I made a recording of this signal and if any one is interested, I can send it as an attachment, the file in Real Player format. Radio 1 Model: Icom IC-275H 1st IF: 10.750 MHz 2nd IF: 455 kHz Antenna: 2 horizontally polarized side by side stacks 10 elements Quads. Preamp: None Radio 2 Model: Kenwood TS-711A 1st IF: 30.265 MHz 2nd IF: 10.695 MHz Antenna: Hustler G6-144B vertical. Preamp: None Radio 3 Model: Yaesu FT-847 1st IF: 45.125 MHz 2nd IF: 455 kHz Antenna: Cushcraft ARX-2 vertical. Preamp: None Radio 4 Radio: Icom IC-728 Antenna: Dipole for 3.8 MHz. This station (number 4) is used to receive the same program on HF, 9800 kHz and to check for any harmonic or spurious interference from RFI. In the recording you can hear an interference atmospheric noise; this noise is some what similar to a noise generated by a transformer, except that it is horizontally polarized; this noise disappears at the same time that the signal is not heard any more, and this happens when RFI stops its transmitting. Does any one ever had a similar experience?, I'm 52 years old and I have been a Ham since 1987 and a SWL since 1957, when I was 8 years old, and I never had an experience like this. Jose M. Valdes R. YV5LIX yv5lix@cantv.net yv5lix@yv5lix.org yv5lix@jvaldesr.com http://www.yv5lix.org/ http://mipagina.cantv.net/yvdxvhf/ (via Conexión Digital via DXLD) Tim Bucknall on the harmonics group suggested that 144300 is the 12th harmonic of 12025, which is an RFI frequency. I mentioned this on the current World of Radio program 1067. However, checking the HFCC list I see that RFI uses it only from France, and not at 0100 UT. I also did not hear anything when I checked this evening on 12025. I assume you are aware that RFI has a powerful relay station in French Guiana, not too far from you. It would be interesting to find the exact distance between you and Montsinéry, as that would have a bearing on the possibility of sporadic E skip, trans-equatorial scatter, or even tropo propagation. The station had a fire last September, and has been erratic ever since, though supposedly more or less repaired by now. I believe 9800 is also from French Guiana but the site can be switched back to France as backup whenever needed. This angle might be worth pursuing, anyway. You might check all other possible harmonic relationships resulting in 144300. Another possibilty would be an inadvertent satellite relay. Perhaps a military satellite is getting input from a ground transmitter with this programming on some other frequency and retransmitting it. (Or a ham satellite? -- I am not really familiar with 2 meters and where the satellite downlink frequencies are.) (gh to José) Hi Glenn. Congratulations for your website and the great information that you provide. Yes I'm aware of the RFI station in French Guyane, and I'm also suspecting some type of scatter since the signal is coming from the south, F2 Backscatter has not been reported yet, at least I can't find anything that indicates that this propagation phenomenon has ever been observed above 80 MHz, but by the bearing and characteristics of the signal, and since RFI doesn't have a relay station south of the equator, which rules out TE propagation which was my first idea because the time and season at which I'm receiving this signals, the only other form of propagation possible is F2 Backscatter. I have heard RFI on this frequency 4 times in the last 10 days; last night was the last one. My exact location is 10 30' 53'' N and 66 51' 33'' W in Caracas at 950 meters above sea level, and the bearing from here to Montsinéry is 110 degrees. Now, as you mentioned, RFI doesn't broadcast on 12.025 MHz at the time I'm picking them up on 144.300, so the theory of the 12th harmonic is ruled out; besides, I also understand that RFI uses 12.025 only from France. What confuses me if that according to RFI`s website, the broadcast to South America on 9,800 kHz is not from Montsinéry; see the extract of the schedule I got from their site. 2330-0100 Guy 19 m 15200 Français 0100-0130 31 m 9800 Espagnol 0130-0200 31 m 9800 Français 0200-0230 Guy 19 m 15200 Français Guy : diffusé a partir de Montsinéry (Guyane) Before I can have a better understanding of this phenomenon, I would need to know for sure from were are they transmitting, and what antenna are they using; also I like to know if nearby they have an antenna for 12,025 kHz and its type; I know that they are using a 500.000 watts transmitter but that is all. I wrote to them two times but so far I have not received an answer from them. I`m suspecting that they are afraid that I may cause them some problems with the local communications authorities for interfering the ham band and that`s why they are not answering my e-mail. I knew of the fire they had, and I'm thinking is some type of problem with the filters, which is causing spurious radios of several hundred watts; as you know, curtain antennas, often used by broadcasters, can have some gain in VHF, so an harmonic from a poorly filtered 500 kW transmitter as result of the fire they had can be what I`m picking up. Well Glenn, this is all for now, I will keep monitoring 144.300 and the HF frequencies to see what can I find. By the way if you like the original wav file I can send it to you. Best regards to you and yours. 73/DX Jose (Joe), YV5LIX eQSL Advisory Board, Feb 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GEORGIA. Radio Khara: Following up on Alm`s report of the demise of the Georgian state radio [on SW], Passmann reported that Radio Khara is still active here on shortwave. I realized how little is known about Radio Khara. It was time to find out more and here is what I came up by searching old Cumbres, the Internet, and asking folks for help: First reported in March 1999 [Pankov], Radio Khara grew out of a conflict between Georgia and Abkhazia. At times, Abkhazia has been independent, most recently they were 'part' of Georgia. When they tried to break away once again as the Soviet Union collapsed, Georgia challenged them. Fighting broke out with Abkhazia gaining defacto autonomy and a cease fire with Georgia by the early 1990's. Since that time, UN observers and Russian troops have kept an eye on the things [various news sources via Johnson.] Radio Khara plays Western music such as Joe Cocker in a pattern of one song and what sounds like news items read by a man and woman. DXers have not been able to ID the language the station is broadcasting in, but it transmits in Abkhazian [Pataridze]. They do announce what sounds like an address and phone number at the end of the broadcasts [Pankov], but I can find no record of anyone able to translate this contact information, let alone receiving a QSL [Johnson.] Although mostly heard in Europe, the station has been heard as far away as Singapore [Lam]. The station has used both 4540 and 4875, but has settled on 4875 for the moment [Pankov]. The transmitter site is at Dusheti, which is in bad shape [Ludwig] with Khara on 4540 sounding like about 5 kW [Alm]. Radio Khara is on 4875 at 1700-1730 on Monday and Thursdays with a repeat of the previous day`s broadcasts at 0500-0530 on Tuesdays and Fridays. Radio Khara is sponsored by the Georgian-Abkhazian Relations Institute in Tbilisi. "Khara" means "We" in Abkhazian. The accent of Radio Khara is on Georgian-Abkhaz reconciliation, and the history of these two people who have lived together for centuries. The Institute does not have a website [Goulnara Pataridze, CZECH REPUBLIC] (Hans Johnson, Cumbre DX Special Feb 1, via DXLD) ** GUATEMALA. 4845, Radio K`ekchi: They have gotten the defective transformer repaired and hope to have it installed in the old BC-5 Gates transmitter by this coming Friday, Feb 3rd [sic]. They also have contracted with a "técnico" from another station to install a "Pirate" FM station - 35 watt mono transmitter, mast and antenna. As far as how much power the Gates will be putting out now, well, that`s one of the more frustrating things about working with transmitters in remote areas of the world - lack of accurate instrumentation. Without a calibrated dummy load to run into - and no thru-line wattmeter to measure with, you are left with an RF Ampmeter and some educated guesses! On one of my last visits there, with a new set of tubes - and using their own generator for stable power, I calculated that it was putting out 1500 watts or so. That was based on the assumption that the RF ampmeter was in fact accurate and that there was a good match between the transmission line, antenna tuner and antenna. I was told by one of the missionaries who had been involved with the project from the beginning that at one time it had produced as much as 2500 watts output - but had never made the full 5000 watts that it was designed for (Larry Baysinger, KY, Jan 29, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** INDIA. I received this unsolicited e-mail today. It actually ended up in my bulk mail folder. The Yahoo system deemed it to be spam, I guess. (Sheldon Harvey, PQ, Feb 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) From: helpline@air.org.in Date: Thu, 1 Feb 2001 16:52:53 +0530 To: ve2shw@yahoo.com Subject: All India Radio Helpline for Gujarat Earth quake Dear Listener You may be aware that Gujarat State of India experienced a major earthquake on 26th Jan, 2001. It has caused widespread devastation and loss of life. We have started an INTERNET HELPLINE service to provide latest information and assistance to public about this EARTHQUAKE. It can be accessed at AIR Website: http://www.allindiaradio.com Public can send their messages through E-mail at: helpline@air.org.in Messages received will be broadcast from AIR AHMEDABAD/RAJKOT and will also be available on this Website. Responses to this message will also be broadcast and will be provided on Internet. Keeping in view the gravity of the situation, the Live service on Internet is carrying special programmes being broadcast from AIR Ahmedabad. You may like to pass on this information to the concerned / affected person(s). This message is being sent to you as you had registered with All India Radio. This is only in public interest. We are sorry in case you are disturbed. helpline@air.org.in From All India Radio. (via Sheldon Harvey, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. Some All India Radio transmissions: 1745-1945 English 7410 9950 11620 11935 13750 15200 17670 2045-2230 English 7150 7410 9650 9910 9950 11620 11715 2245-2445 English 9705 9950 11620 13605 (via Marie Lamb, swl@qth.net via DXLD) All India Radio is usually a tough catch in Montreal region; Try its general external service -> 2045 to 2230 UTC (3:45 to 5:30 p.m. EST) on 9910, 9950 and 11620 -> Listen to hourly newscasts on the web http://air.kode.net/ -> The site has RealAudio, but is currently not working (Sheldon Harvey, International Radio Report Jan 28 via Ricky Leong, DXLD) ** INDIA. Indian Hams Working Around the Clock in Quake Relief Effort NEWINGTON, CT, Feb 1, 2001--Nearly one week after a devastating earthquake struck the State of Gujarat in Western India, Amateur Radio continues to play a major role in the relief effort. Amateurs have established HF and VHF stations throughout Gujarat to aid in supplying food, clothing, medicine and shelter to the earthquake victims. More than 20,000 have perished, and the death count is expected to go much higher. "The death toll is mounting," said Horey Majumdar, VU2HFR, in Calcutta, which is some distance from the quake zone. "The worst part is that there could be tens of thousands still under the debris in Bhuj." The US and India do not have a third-party traffic agreement, and no plans have been announced at this point to seek a suspension of that arrangement to permit international third-party message traffic via Amateur Radio. Raj Kumar, VU2ZAP, in Bangalore has agreed to accept earthquake-related inquiries via e-mail from the US to vu2zap@yahoo.com. VU2ZAP says he is in touch with Amateur Radio teams and Amateur Radio Society of India officials via telephone and fax and will do his best to assist those seeking information. He requests that all inquiries include all possible information, in particular telephone numbers. But there are no guarantees. "In some small towns, complete streets and houses have vanished," he said. Amateurs from IARU member-society the Amateur Radio Society of India and from the National Institute of Amateur Radio (VU2NRO) have been on the scene since January 27 providing communications support and information on victims. D.V.R.K. Murthy, VU2DVO, reports that S. B. Ram, VU2LIC, has established an Amateur Radio net control point in the residence of Gujarat's chief minister. In addition, he says, some 50 other hams are spread throughout the affected region--including the hard-hit city of Bhuj--and are "working round the clock." Amateurs from other cities, including Mumbai (Bombay) and Bangalore also are helping. Telephone service in the earthquake zone remains out for the most part. "The ham operations have become very useful, and all the media are reporting about hams working in the area in almost every bulletin," Murthy said. He said NIAR also has heard from hams in the US, Japan and Turkey who have offered to come to India to assist or to send a donation. "We advise them that they can come and work with the equipment provided by NIAR and with its teams," he said. Waiting for government permission to operate their own gear could "take some time," he said. There's been a downside to the favorable Amateur Radio publicity, however. B.L. Manohar, VU2UR, in Bangalore, says media reports about ham radio's presence in the quake zone has led to a flurry of calls from all over India requesting hams to radio the affected region for information on friends and loved ones. "Most of the Amateur Radio operators manning the stations in Gujarat do not know the local language (Kutchchi/Gujarati) or the streets and areas of the city where they have stations established," he said. "With no help in the form of local people to run about, all such messages are getting piled up." That's led to some backlash aimed at the amateur community, Manohar said. The Amateur Radio Society of India has invited donations to assist Amateur Radio volunteers in covering logistical costs involved with the relief effort. These may be sent to ARSI, 4 Kurla Industrial Estate, Ghatkopar, Mumbai (Bombay) 400086 India. The epicenter of the earthquake January 26 was reported to be 20 km northeast of Bhuj. The magnitude was reported to be 7.9 on the Richter scale. Manohar said more than 250 aftershocks have been reported in the affected area. "All sorts of help is pouring in-- equipment to move debris, gas cutting sets, concrete cutting saws, huge excavators, and many others," he said. (ARRL via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAQ. INC to Broadcast Soon -- By Nick Grace C., CRW Washington Bureau, Martin Schoech, CRW Europe Bureau (Jan 31) Radio Hurriah, CRW has learned, is merely weeks away from launching its programming into Iraq. Funded entirely through American aid, the station will broadcast on medium wave from a high- powered transmitter in Iraqi Kurdistan. A member of the Iraqi National Congress (INC), which is sponsoring the broadcasts, has told CRW on condition of anonymity that "the launch of INC radio will be delayed until later in February." Radio Hurriah, according to a follow-up report sent by U.S. President Clinton to Congress on January 17, is "one of the INC`s most important operations within its larger program to promote a transition to democracy in Iraq." "One of the pillars of Saddam Hussein`s power structure," the report continues, "is absolute control of all sources of information both to and from the outside world. Breaking that stranglehold will allow the INC to encourage the forces of democratic change inside Iraq and give hope of a better future to the Iraqi people." Clinton`s report also discusses the station's programming plans. "The INC plans to expand programming to 24 hours per day by broadcasting eight hours of programming three times per day. This will require facilities to produce original program content. The INC plans to focus programming on news, current affairs, and content relating to democracy, human rights, and the crimes of the Baghdad regime. To expand the area of coverage in Iraq, the INC plans to purchase a high power transmitter inside the country." The source within the INC indicates that satellite television broadcasts will probably hit the airwaves sooner than Radio Hurriah. "Trial TV broadcasts are currently taking place." The Clinton report confirms this, saying "The INC has informed us that since November it has been transmitting a test signal in digital format via satellite for one hour each day. The reception zone reportedly includes Iraq and a large region including much of Europe, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia. The INC chose the digital format for its quality of signal and economy, in the expectation that digital reception inside Iraq will continue to expand rapidly, as is the case throughout the Middle East." The INC received a suprise gift from the outgoing Clinton administration when on January 10 an additional US$12 million in aid was provided to assist "in reestablishing a substantial operation" within Iraq. How far the Bush administration will commit to protect the INC remains to be seen, however. Secretary of State Colin Powell, according to various media reports, is suspect of the INC`s potential to unite Iraq and has even swayed President Bush from appointing Washington insiders Ambassador Paul Wolfowitz and Richard Perle, who are strong INC supporters, from positions within the White House. INC activities within Iraqi Kurdistan, which is protected as a United Nations Safe Haven, will require support from the U.S. government beyond funding appropriations. If Washington wants to witness a repeat of INC Radio`s demise under the Clinton administration - when nearly the entire staff was ruthlessly murdered in 1996 - it will have to muster more than the rhetoric of its predecessors. Further Reading: "Clinton Sends Report on Iraq to Congress," Washington File, January 17, 2001 http://usinfo.state.gov/cgi-bin/washfile/display.pl?p=/products/washfile/geog/nea&f=01011702.nne&t=/products/washfile/newsitem.shtml (Clandestine Radio Watch Jan 31 via DXLD) ** ISRAËL. Dear friends Please change ISR B00 : DELETE 6280 0455-0515 27-28 6-10 isr 250 330 ENGL ADD 7500 0455-0515 27-28 6-10 isr 250 330 ENGL Attached ISR B00 Updated Best regards and see you next week (Moshe Oren, Bezeq, Jan 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Enclosed complete revised schedule dated Jan 31, from which we excerpt English, rearranged into time order. Note that both 7500 and 7515 are shown for 0500: alternates? Neither yet heard at 0500 UT Feb 2. And we have no idea why the start dates for the latest changes are shown as 291000! 7500 0500 0515 6-10,27,28 ISR 250 330 0 1 1234567 291000 250301 D ENG ISR KOL ISR 7 4 7515 0455 0515 6-10,27,28 ISR 250 330 0 1 1234567 291000 250301 D ENG ISR KOL ISR 10 2 9435 0455 0515 6-10,27,28 ISR 250 315 -15 1 1234567 291000 250301 D ENG ISR KOL ISR 17 1 15640 0455 0515 12-14,37,55,56 ISR 300 294 0 1 1234567 291000 250301 D ENG ISR KOL ISR 45 2 17545 0455 0515 12-14,37,55,56 ISR 300 294 0 1 1234567 291000 250301 D ENG ISR KOL ISR 63 1 11605 1700 1730 6-10,27,28 ISR 250 315 -15 1 1234567 291000 250301 D ENG ISR KOL ISR 35 1 13740 1700 1800 6-10,27,28 ISR 250 330 0 1 1234567 291000 250301 D ENG ISR KOL ISR 40 2 – [is this really English? shown for one hour] 17545 1700 1730 6-10,27,28 ISR 250 330 0 1 1234567 291000 250301 D ENG ISR KOL ISR 68 1 6280 2000 2030 6-10,27,28 ISR 250 315 -15 1 1234567 291000 250301 D ENG ISR KOL ISR 4 4 7510 2000 2030 6-10,27,28 ISR 250 330 0 28 1234567 291000 250301 D ENG ISR KOL ISR 8 4 9435 2000 2030 6-10,27,28 ISR 250 315 -15 1 1234567 291000 250301 D ENG ISR KOL ISR 22 1 11605 2000 2030 6-10,27,28 ISR 250 315 -15 1 1234567 291000 250301 D ENG ISR KOL ISR 37 1 15640 2000 2030 52,53,57 ISR 250 187 0 26 1234567 291000 250301 D ENG ISR KOL ISR 54 1 15650 2000 2030 6-10,27,28 ISR 250 330 0 28 1234567 291000 250301 D ENG ISR KOL ISR 58 1 (via Moshe Oren, Bezeq, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAËL. IBA announced that its new frequencies go into effect Feb 3, including 7500 at 0500 (Chris Hambly, Victoria, Feb 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JORDAN. R. Jordan, 11690, Jan 21 1635-1735* in English; tune-in to US and Euro-pops, lite instrumental music, IDs, news, still announcing 17680. Fair to good level BUT a lot of strong RTTY QRM on frequency making reception poor and very difficult (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. [Re: DXLD 1-012] The source for this was the Asian Broadcasting Institute; here`s their original piece. Thanks to Toru Yamashita: North Korea Stops Numbers Broadcasts in Voice North Korea has ceased numbers broadcasts in voice after five decades of operations. Numbers broadcasts operated by Pyongyang in A-3 mode have stopped by December after their activities gradually decreased following the first-ever inter-Korea summit meeting in June, 2000 between South Korean President Kim Dae Jun and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. There were three kinds of outlets for numbers transmissions in voice before the halt to such transmissions. The first one that opened with Red Flag Song over Radio Pyongyang at midnight local time almost daily was last heard on August 25. Another numbers station on 4770 and 5870 kHz that opened with an interval signal arranged from Song of General Kim Il Sung was last monitored on September 11 while the third outlet over Radio Pyongyang that opened with March of the Guerrilla Army was last intercepted December 8. Still, North Korea continues numbers transmissions in Morse code (ABI via Yamashita, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** KURDISTAN. Voice of Independence (Dangi Sarbakhoye) observed January 30th 0300-0500 in Kurdish on new frequency 4200v (variable) kHz. A station drifting from 4200 to 4195 kHz during two hours of transmission (R. Petraitis, Lithuania, Clandestine Radio Watch Jan 31, 2001 via DXLD) One issue of the Kurdish DX Summary Chart or "Kurdistan SW Target List" can be found at: http://www.clandestineradio.com/martin/crw-kurd.html (CRW team) (Clandestine Radio Watch Jan 31 via DXLD) ** KURDISTAN [non]. CLANDESTINE from ? to IRAQ 9450 Radio Bopishava (Presumed) came on the air as scheduled. They opened at 1500 with short rock music, and the first they said then was (something) Radio Anternationale. Later in the opening announcements (wholly or mostly in Kurdish) they mentioned something like Radio Anfrasram. The audio was absolutely awful, kitchen table type with heavy processing. The signal was rather good and the tune up period did not show any kind of FSU on/off pips. Instead there was a continuous tone right up to the programme start (Olle Alm, Feb 1, Cumbre DX via DXLD) (P) Same here, very strange opened at 1500 with Dire Straits song and Radio Anternationale ID, same opening/ID as the anti-Iranian government station. A bit more Dire Straits and then programming in Kurdish though (Radio Anternationale only broadcasts in Farsi as far as I know.) Not sure what the relationship between these two groups is, but seems odd they would use this opening and ID. Couldn`t catch any 'local' ID, certainly nothing sounding like Radio Bopishava. Fair reception, but difficult to understand as the two men talked. After a few minutes, there was short instrumental interlude from Saturday Night Fever. More conversation by two men and a woman in Kurdish. English language song after about 9 minutes, then more Kurdish talk. Another English song after about 8 minutes. Pretty useless by 1552, but could tell they signed off at 1559. Needs a lot more work, hopefully I can understand a bit more when they have Arabic on tomorrow (Hans Johnson, AZ, Feb 1, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** LIBYA. V. of Africa, 17725, Sat Jan 20, English news heard at: 1739-1747, 2034-2044, 2336-2346. Good but slightly distorted audio (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MÉXICO. 3180.00, XEVOZ - Bonita AM, Mexico City (2 x 1590 harmonic) 1103 Jan 31, Operatic male vocals, 1114 "Bonita" jingle, ID's "...15-90...Bonita con la música..." Fairly good signal under rumbling ute (Mark Mohrmann, Coventry VT, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NETHERLANDS. Euro-pirate: R. Alfa Lima International, 21889.9, Jan 21, 1710-1814*. Tune-in to Euro and techno-pops. IDs. Gave internet address and Box 663 address in Netherlands. Good. A regular lately on Sunday mornings and afternoons. Always a good signal. Sign-off at 1814, but back on the air around 1822, heard past 1850. E-mail to the station say they were still coming in well on the east coast of the USA and decided to return to the air (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NETHERLANDS ANTILLES. Radio Netherlands Transmitter News : The faulty generator at Bonaire has been repaired. As of 1 Feb 2001, all Bonaire transmissions are back to normal (Andy Sennitt, RNMN Feb 1 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** ROMANIA. Saftica terrible signal, wrong outlet on variable 9570 kHz. It sounded like a jamming station, an unknown ``oscillatory`` signal on approx. 9570 at 1700-1857, which wanders every day. This is scheduled to broadcast the Actualitatsi home service relay. Most likely an old 50 kW unit of R. España Independiente service, hi. On Jan 28, monitoring on three receivers, the `jamming` was centered on approx. v9573.76. Lowest signal was on about 9571.54, the highest right on or above Nador [Morocco] 9575.52. Similar Saftica noise was observed last and previous years on 15105 and also on 17.7 to 17.8 MHz range, home service relay frequencies (Wolfgang Büschel, Stuttgart, Germany, Jan 29, notes to Romanian engineers condensed by gh for DXLD) ** SERBIA. Miloshevich knew state media would be bombed, Hague prosecutor says | Excerpt from report in English by Serbian newspaper Borba web site on 24 January ...Slobodan Miloshevich was informed in advance that the state television building would be bombed, Hague Tribunal chief prosecutor Carla del Ponte said today. . Del Ponte made the shock revelation in a meeting with the families of the 16 employees killed after the director of the state media failed to evacuate the building. According to some reports at the time, the employees were locked into the central Belgrade premises on the night of the fatal attack. The Miloshevich regime later exploited the deaths of the television workers extensively for anti-NATO propaganda. A lawyer representing the parents of the employees killed, Slobodan Sisich, said that if the Hague provided written proof that Miloshevich had known of the bombing the whole case would be changed. "We hold NATO responsible for the bombing, but that won't prevent us from launching criminal proceedings against people here whom we hold responsible for the deaths of 16 innocent people," he said. Asked whether del Ponte had discussed NATO`s responsibility for the deaths, Sisich said that she had claimed that the tribunal did not have sufficient evidence to accuse anybody in NATO of bombing the Radio Television Serbia building. "There is a possibility that if they obtain new evidence, and they have come here to get that evidence, such responsibility might be questioned. They haven`t ruled out a prosecution," said Sisich. One of the parents said today that she had been heartened by the meeting with del Ponte. "In 21 months we have found no understanding from anybody except President Kostunica," said Zanka Stojanovich. "The culprits should find themselves in court soon," she added... Source: Borba web site, Belgrade, in English 24 Jan 01 (via BBC Monitoring via DXLD) ** U K. Hi, I have just carried out the February update to the Pirate Radio Hall of Fame. There are now exactly one hundred audio clips of fantastic sixties broadcasters. This month I`ve added: Andy Archer, John Kerr, Edward Cole, Willy Walker, Chris Moore, Phil Hayton and Tony Monson - with more to come in future months. Many thanks for your support, all the best, JM The Pirate Radio Hall of Fame http://www.offshoreradio.co.uk (via Andy Cadier, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** U K. I meant to do a BBC Previews for February, as I did for January, but reworking all that info from BBC On Air was an awful lot of work. So here are some more hit-and-miss previews: ASSIGNMENT: India`s Turbulent Borders, 2 x 30 min from Feb 3, 10: Reports from Punjab, Assam. Eu Sun 0730, 1830, Mon 0330; Am Sun 0730, 1830, Mon 0330 -– hey, they match! OMNIBUS: Global Perspective, 4 x 25/30 min from Mon Feb 5: radio stations around the world explore environmental and climatic issues from different perspectives. Eu Tue 0405, Thu 1430, Sat 2330; Am Tue 0405, Thu 2030, Fri 0630 ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO THE XXI CENTURY: War, 1 x 30 min from Fri Feb 2. Eu Fri 2030, Sat 0230, Mon 1530, Tue 1030; Am Sat 0230, Mon 2130, Tue 1530 (BBC On Air, Feb, via Chris Hambly, extracted by gh for DXLD) ** U K. BBC WS site now requires you to enter your ``nearest city`` in order to get program schedules displayed, in local and/or GMT: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/schedules/new_faqr.shtml Surprisingly, it works for Enid, Province of Oklahoma, and frequencies nominally in use are shown for *each* program. Mike Cooper says, however it does not work with lynx text-based browser and got this reply from Philippa Joy: (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) We only introduced this new system on Monday and we are now getting feedback. Obviously we put the system through various tests but there are bound to be problems that we didn't predict. I am so sorry that you are unable to access our schedule for the Americas region. You could try accessing these pages: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/schedules/amewk5.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/schedules/amewk6.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/schedules/amewk7.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/schedules/amewk8.shtml which we still have remaining on our server from our old system. I do hope you can get through to these pages (Philippa Joy, BBCWS web via Mike Cooper, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. VOA DIRECTOR CARRIES OUT ANOTHER ROUND OF RIFS VOA CUTS BLASTED BY THE WASHINGTON TIMES BROADCASTING BOARD OF GOVERNORS DECIMATES EUROPEAN, SOUTH, CENTRAL & EAST ASIAN, NEAR EAST AND EURASIAN LANGUAGE SERVICES 36 BROADCASTERS FIRED ON THE EVE OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION Friday, January 19, 2001 was another dark day at the Voice of America. VOA Director Sanford J. Ungar carried-out his "obligation" to enforce the decision of the International Broadcasting Board of Governors to fire 36 journalists and broadcasters in VOA`s Armenian, Brazilian, Bulgarian, Romanian, Slovak, Thai, Turkish and Uzbek. At the behest of the politically-appointed Broadcasting Board of Governors, Mr. Ungar, a political appointee of the Clinton Administration, announced the firings at a "town hall" meeting of employees. This is the second round of cuts in Mr. Ungar`s 19-month tenure at VOA. Armenian broadcasts will be cut by 50 percent to 30 minutes per day. Bulgarian, Romanian and Slovak broadcasts are to be slashed by at least half to just 15 minutes per day. Turkish broadcasts will be cut by 75 percent to just 15 minutes per day with a 2/3 staff reduction. Brazilian, Thai and Uzbek will be eliminated entirely. What is left on the air? SILENCE. Using Clinton appointees as tools, America is turning its back on important parts of the world where democracy and human rights are at stake. THIS IS JUST A BEGINNING -- a beginning of what the SaveVOA Committee calls a policy which "seriously compromises U.S. national interests." The sad legacy of the BBG and the current VOA Management will erode America`s perception and standing in the world. Policy is made by people. Who makes such a FOOLISH policy? The answer to this question is obvious. DON`T LET THIS HAPPEN TO ALL OF VOA: LET`S SAVE VOA! Tell President [sic] Bush, Vice President Cheney, your Congressman and Senators about the BBG`s and VOA`s unwise decision. Ask your Senator and your Congressman what they have done to save VOA. Look for links in the left column and GIVE THEM A PIECE OF YOUR MIND! (http://members.aol.com/savevoa/ via International Listener via DXLD) The above also links to this editorial in the Moonie Washington Times, Voiceless America: http://www.washtimes.com/op-ed/ed-house-2001131192134.htm (via DXLD) ** U S A. From WBCQ Central: Dear Glenn, Great things happening at The Planet. Starting Monday the 5th of Feb., Global Spirit Proclamation takes to the air Monday thru Friday 1900-2200 UT on 17.495 MHz. Also the folks at Complex Variable Studios are taking Saturdays, 1700-2200 on 17.495 with six hours of music, merriment, and fun. I do so try my best to program a diverse crowd but it`s up to the true radio people out there to get on the air with their form of radio. Airtime on WBCQ is really quite a bargain considering all the stuff people spend money on. We also plan to add another nighttime service, most likely in the 5 MHz band that we will diplex into our 709 foot rhombic. Most likely in the spring or as soon as we can line up clients. That`s it for now. Good day, (Allan Weiner, WBCQ, Feb 1, DX LISENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Happened to hear a promo on WWCR that they are ``targeting Japan and the Far East at 0900-1000 on 7435``. This seems odd, since all WWCR`s rhombics are aimed from NE to E, this one registered at 46 degrees, nowhere near Japan`s direction. (The promo was apparently based on summer timing, since current schedule shows 1000-1100, with WHRA on 7435 before 1000 –- that could really cause confusion!) So I asked George McClintock how he justifies this; his reply in summary: The international broadcasting community dislikes rhombics because they have sidelobes, but that is exactly why we like them. This transmission happens to have a good sidelobe toward Japan, and we have been getting a number of good reception reports from there. As a matter of fact, out sidelobes have more power than many US stations have on their main lobes from other antenna designs! Another good thing about rhombics is their low vertical takeoff angle, which favors propagation to greater distances. Ours are all below 10 degrees, and have been modified to be as low as possible. This is a disadvantage for close-in coverage, but we make up for this with sheer power, gain and sidelobes. The window to Japan is two hours maximum, when 7435 is near the FOT [optimum frequency] and at that time of day there has not been much demand from programmers in North America, so we are trying promoting it as a service to Japan and the Far East. Although such a low frequency as 2390 was necessary previous seasons for close-in coverage at night in sunspot lows, we have found that it is subject to ducting, and there are few receivers capable of receiving it, so we plan to reduce usage of it from A-01 season; the Brother Stair service gets better results from 7435 which will be expanded; previously it suffered from a 1500-mile skip zone overnight (George McClintock, WWCR, Jan 31, paraphrased by gh for DX LISTENING DIGEST) [PS: Yes, the summer timings were not changed by mistake] ** U S A. Silly me, I assumed the calls of the 1570 station doing a test (which were omitted in the notice quoted) would be the same as in the E-mail address. Actually, it is WGSR: (gh) Saturday, February 3, 2001 - WGSR-1570, Fernandina Beach, FL will conduct a DX test from "Friday Night into Saturday am EST for 2 + hours starting at midnight". The test will consist of a 70's pop show w/ some 60's music. (904) 277-0630 will be the hitline. Please, no collect calls. Reception reports may be sent to: Ron Gitschier, QSL Mgr. WGSR 1570 707 Dade St. Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034 E-mail: wyhi_1570am@hotmail.com (Arranged by Ron Gitschier.)(IRCA AM Newsflash via DXLD) ** U S A / U K. Probably while you were asleep, the verdict in the Locherbie [sic] bombing trial was announced at 10:00 UTC on 31 January 2001. I was able to monitor several stations via the Astra satellite, including Radio 5 Live, BBC World Service and NPR Worldwide. I did not manage to monitor VOA News Now or Bloomberg 1130, both of which are also on the Astra satellite. Radio 5 and BBC World Service had live coverage of the verdict from reporters outside the Court in the Netherlands. Indeed, World Service carried the whole of "World Update", which is not normally heard on the European Stream. On the contrary, there was no mention whatsoever of the Locherbie trial in the first hour of "Morning Edition" on NPR Worldwide. Only in the newscasts at 10:30 and 11:00 UTC was the verdict reported. Admittedly, it was the top story in each newscast. There was also a trail for "Talk of the Nation" at around 10:50, which was also to discuss the Locherbie verdict. Finally, at 11:10 UT, at the beginning of the second hour of the programme proper, did Bob Edwards interview NPR`s Julie McCarthy in the Netherlands. One would have thought, given the obvious interest in the US to the Locherbie, that one of America`s flagship domestic morning news programmes would deal with the story in rather shorter order than an hour and 10 minutes after the event. [Later:] After sending you my original message on Wednesday, I sent a similarly-minded message to Morning Edition, and they later replied that Bob Edwards` interview with Julie McCarthy, which I heard at 1110 UT on NPR Worldwide was originally carried out and broadcast one hour earlier, i.e. at 0510 Eastern Time. It seems that some stations or networks reverse the hours of the programme, so that their listeners would hear Hour 2 before Hour 1. It seems that is what is done at NPR Worldwide. This seems a bit of an odd practice, and one would think that every station carrying Morning Edition, and for that matter "All Things Considered" and "Weekend Edition", would hear the same part of the programme at the same time - wherever in the world they happen to be - but that obviously is not the case. (PAUL DAVID, Wembley, Middlesex, England, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I wasn`t aware ME hours were ever switched around, but then I don`t listen to it much. The whole idea of repeating every two hours for half the day is to give all stations in all timezones the chance to carry any combination of hours live. Now they must be fine-tuning it like the TV morning news shows, which outside the eastern zone, always have `old` news at least one hour delayed unless something is really breaking –- and then it can be a really big mess as stations switch from the live feed back to the delayed feed! (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** VATICAN. Dear Mr. Hauser, I`m a member of the SW Programs e-mail list and I regularly look up the DX Listening Digest when you post the URL. Normally you do a fine job, but in this last digest I was offended by your entry for the Vatican. I am a Catholic, and I did not appreciate the Holy Father being referred to as the "Infallible One." Such a phrase shows a disrespect to Catholics and a misunderstanding of the belief of the infallibility of the pope. I suspect that your admonition to "not let the day pass without a moment of reflection on this churchly anomaly" is another example of the cavalier attitude displayed toward Catholic beliefs. Please don`t treat others` religious beliefs as lightly as you have treated these. If I have misunderstood you or misconstrued something that you wrote, please let me know. I have not seen the folder to which you refer, but I think I can shed some light as to what the calendar means. This week is indeed the 4th week of ordinary time, which is one of the liturgical seasons of the Catholic year. I don't know why they would put that on Wednesday, perhaps because that is the slot that is in the middle of the entire week. I suspect you're right about the saint's days being obscure to most Catholics, although most have a few favorite saints that they know a lot about. BTW, the actual name for the pope's "gown," as you put it, is a cassock. I hope this helps in the understanding of the Vatican mailing. Sincerely, (Dan Barriball, Feb 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VENEZUELA [non]. En mi espacio DXista en el programa "DX Party Line" en la emisora HCJB este fin de semana, voy a discutir las cinco emisoras de onda larga en la ciudad de San Cristóbal (incluyendo Radio Táchira y Ecos del Torbes) con grabaciones de cada uno hecho en San Cristóbal en enero de 1995. El programa y mi espacio es en inglés, pero las grabaciones de las emisoras son en español, claramente. El program está en el aire varias veces incluyendo 0100 UTC Domingo (Sábado dia local) en 9745 kHz (Don Moore, IA, Feb 1, Conexión Digital via DXLD) NUMBERS STATIONS Have made a hit in the art world. For a truly surreal numbers station experience, point your browser to http://www.isd.net/madams1/numbertwo.html Someone has created a website that gives an artistic impression of numbers stations that has to be experienced to be believed. For those in Washington DC, there are plans to open a spy museum by the spring of next year. Malrite Co. intends to open the International Spy Museum, which it calls ``the largest permanent exhibit dedicated to the history of espionage.`` The museum will be located at Eighth and F Street NW. Will charge around $8 per person and expects to attract around 500 kilopeople a year. Malrite isn`t saying what will be exhibited other than an original Enigma code machine... (Tom Sevart, Frontenac KS, Covert Comms, The monthly A*C*E, Feb, via DXLD) PUBLIC RADIO FAN At www.PublicRadioFan.com you`ll find a site whose central feature is a database of program schedules for public radio and international radio stations that offer Internet feeds. Its 8000+ program listings include fairly complete coverage of nationally distributed public radio programs in the United States, plus listings for CBC, RCI, BBC domestic, BBCWS, RN, DW, RA, and other international broadcasters. The database is a bit like John Figliozzi`s SW program database, but covering webcasts instead of shortwave, and with audio links to the webcasts. So, if you enjoy listening to "This American Life" but can`t always catch it on your local public radio station, PublicRadioFan.com can show you a list of 133 airings at 46 distinct times throughout the week. Or, you can get a list of several dozen programs that are on the air right now. All of the listings link to station audio feeds, so you`re just one click away from listening to the program. There was actually a discussion here on swprograms last spring about finding national programs across the many local station webcasts. At the time, a few of you took a look at a preliminary experimental site that was an ancestor of the current site. That old site was an outgrowth of my own personal listening list, so it wasn`t very complete, and it only worked for people whose Internet setup matched mine (fast connection, IE browser, and Eastern time zone). The new site was built from scratch to remove all those limitations (it`s very time zone friendly, and Chet C. of this list has used the site with his WebTV) and has a much more comprehensive database. I think PublicRadioFan.com will fill a niche between the terrific radio and webcast sites already available. I hope you`ll take a look at the site find it worth visiting regularly. Since it was designed for radio aficionados like yourselves, I`ll greatly appreciate feedback about the site including any corrections, additions, or improvements you`d like to suggest. Special thanks to Chet Copeland and Glenn Hauser for much valuable input during the development of the site. Wishing you good listening, Kevin A. Kelly kakelly@alum.mit.edu (swprograms Jan 31 via DXLD) I have found this very useful in the test phase, http://www.publicradiofan.com Often when an audio link at a station`s own site is down for some reason, we can get through with the PRF link -- including just today, the BBCWS Americas stream which was `dead` at yahoobroadcast.com (Glenn Hauser, Feb 1, DXLD) ###