DX LISTENING DIGEST 1-034, March 13, 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 [NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn] ** ALASKA [non]. Strange Sounds 2: A Follow-up - That Was Not HAARP We have an update to last week`s story of a strange signal on 3 point 390 MHz reported by talk show host Art Bell W6OBB and some of his listeners. The one that sounds like this: [Audio Here] Bell and some of his callers surmised it`s the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program or HAARP transmitting station in Alaska. But Ed Kennedy, K3NS, who is with the project says that it`s not coming from HAARP. He says that the only times the HAARP transmitter has been on-the-air so far in 2001 was for about three hours on January 5th, January 6th and February 8th. Because of this, K3NS says that it is not the source of the noise being heard on 3.39 MHz at any other time. Kennedy notes that HAARP has been a supporter of Amateur Radio from the beginning of the program. He tells Newsline that several hams work on the program staff and HAARP has given numerous presentations to ham radio clubs in Alaska and elsewhere. As to the power run by the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program, Kennedy says it was brought to its maximum power of 960 kilowatts at the end of 1998. Also the last "Listening Test" conducted for hams and SWLs and Radio took place in March of 1999 was at that power level. Kennedy says that HAARP is still at that power level today (K3NS, ARNewsline (tm) March 9 via John Norfolk, DXLD) Glenn; You asked to hear if there was anything new on this 3.39 MHz signal. After a considerable hiatus, it is back on this morning, Tues., Mar. 13. Heard at around 5 am PST [1300 UT]. Still heard as I write this, around 5:40 a.m. Can be heard quite clearly on short wave portable radio, even with whip antenna disconnected. Obviously very strong. Am interested in more daytime reports from distant locations, as these would seem to indicate that whatever the source, which I do not think is HAARP, and whatever they are doing, it is bending the laws of radio physics to a noteworthy degree (Michael Watson, CA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALBANIA. RADIO TIRANA, A-01 OPERATIONAL SCHEDULE 250301 to 271001 daily First, English: 6115 0145 0200 7,8 CER 100 305 3 D ENGLISH ALR 7160 0145 0200 7,8 CER 100 305 1 D ENGLISH ALR 6115 0230 0300 7,8 CER 100 305 3 D ENGLISH ALR 7160 0230 0300 7,8 CER 100 305 1 D ENGLISH ALR 7210 1845 1900 27 SHI 100 310 11 D ENGLISH ALR 9510 1845 1900 27 CER 100 305 2 D ENGLISH ALR 7130 2130 2200 27 SHI 100 310 11 D ENGLISH ALR 9540 2130 2200 27 CER 100 305 3 D ENGLISH ALR 5985 1400 1700 28SW CER 50 ND 25 D ALBANIAN ALR 6090 2300 0330 7,8 SHI 100 300 2 D ALBANIAN ALR 6100 0300 0800 28 CER 100 ND 25 D ALBANIAN ALR (1ST DOM.CHAN) 6100 1701 1715 39NW SHI 100 ND 25 D TURKISH ALR 6100 1715 1730 28SE SHI 100 ND 25 D GREEK ALR 6100 1800 1830 28SW SHI 100 ND 25 D ITALIAN ALR 6135 2115 2130 28SE SHI 100 ND 25 D SER/CRO ALR 7110 0800 0900 28 CER 50 ND 25 D ALBANIAN ALR 7110 2115 2130 28 CER 100 ND 25 D SER/CRO ALR 7185 1730 1800 28 SHI 100 350 13 D GERMAN ALR 7210 1900 1930 27 SHI 100 310 11 D FRENCH ALR 7240 1800 1830 28SW CER 100 ND 25 D ITALIAN ALR 7260 1701 1715 39NW CER 50 ND 25 D TURKISH ALR 7260 1715 1730 28SE CER 100 ND 25 D GREEK ALR 7270 1400 1700 28 CER 50 ND 25 D ALBANIAN ALR 7270 2300 0330 7,8 CER 100 305 2 D ALBANIAN ALR 7295 2030 2200 28 CER 100 350 13 D ALBANIAN ALR 9520 1900 1930 27 CER 100 310 11 D FRENCH ALR 9570 1730 1800 28 CER 100 350 13 D GERMAN ALR 9575 2030 2200 27,28 CER 100 310 11 D ALBANIAN ALR (via Andreas Volk-D, ADDX Mar 13) ** AUSTRALIA. Christian Voice via Darwin, A-01; this version shows CIRAF targets, azimuths, and slews?, all in English, 250 kW; furthermore, I have rearranged into two senders by time order: 17775 0000 0300 49,50,54 317 -23 17820 0700 0900 43,44,50 340 13775 0900 1400 43,44,50 340 13730 1400 1700 43,44,50 340 9720 1700 2100 43,44,50 340 9865 2100 2400 54 290 -13 21680 0000 0900 54 290 -13 17825 1000 1200 41,49,54 303 13795 1200 1700 41,49,54 303 11890 1700 1900 41,49,54 303 (via Wolfgang Büschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BELARUS. [tent.] 4541, I tuned in at about the same time and also noted the \\ with LW 279. The signal strength was rather good here, but as usual the audio quality is terrible. The freq is 4541 as suggested by Noel and both sidebands seemed to be equally strong (Olle Alm, Sweden, Mar 11, BC-DX via DXLD) It would seem the transmission on 4541 could be one of the Belorussian "military" txs. It was on air at 1645 tune in today and, on checking around at 1700, I found it \\ Minsk 7210. At 1704 there was a break in txion and a male voice was heard and speaking/calling as if checking he was on the air. Then txion resumed about one minute later. The txion is in USB and LSB - I think LSB is slightly better than the other, but still very distorted. Freq again seems to be 4541. So, if Khara[Georgia] does use 4540, it will be difficult to hear. 4875 is again a clear channel (Noel R. Green, UK, Mar 11, BC-DX via DXLD) ** BELIZE. Saturday night at the end of the Winterfest banquet, Allan Weiner of WBCQ announced that a deal had just been finalized for a new WBCQ ship to be fitted with transmitting equipment. The ship is apparently already in Boston harbour, just about ready to sail. It is to be situated off the coast of Belize and will begin broadcasting on shortwave "within a few weeks" as stated by Weiner. I am sure many more details will be released on this story in the next few days. The whole WBCQ family was in attendance, including Dr. Scott Becker, the TimTron, and a few others whose names I did not pick up (Sheldon Harvey, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BELIZE [and non]. Here`s the story from Allan Weiner himself in a phone interview with gh March 13, paraphrased: We made our big announcement at the Saturday night banquet, after funding had been confirmed. The M/V Katie, named for Scott Becker`s daughter, will be equipped for SW broadcasting, outfitted this spring in May and June, tour the east and Gulf coasts in July, including Portland and Florida, and then go to Belize this summer. It will be fully capable for remote broadcasting via WBCQ at first, and later SW transmitters will be installed, perhaps 20 kW maximum. No problems are anticipated from the FCC or in licensing by Belize, for which it will be partly used, 100% legal. We have owned it since 1993. The key word here is ``radio fun``, a project to promote SW, not for profit like the previous ship broadcasting ventures. The financial backers are anonymous. The ship has been in storage in Boston Harbor since 1987; it would have been better suited than the Electra for the previous project, but the Electra was already outfitted for radio. The Katie is an able vessel, previously used for offshore fishing, and is in good shape, about 65-70 feet long, but beamy, wider than normal. It has a brand new engine, but is also a sailboat with 60` mast which will be useful for antennas. Generator and transmitter need to be installed. This may be water-cooled, with a keel cooler, so very compact and efficient. We have a number of volunteers to staff this and WBCQ; the Monticello site has trailers and campers where people stay. It will be a busy summer (Allan Weiner, March 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. Some info I recently received from TWR HQ which might be of interest to listeners. A 50 kW MW transmitter to start in Bolivia. The 50 kW unit was one TWR used a short time on Bonaire for local broadcasting. When they installed a new 100 kw MW transmitter there, they decided to help their Bolivian partners by providing the 50 kW unit to them. It's not yet on the air. No frequency or ID info available yet. 73 (Jari Savoläinen, Kuusankoski, FINLAND, March 12, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** BULGARIA. Summer A-01 schedule of Radio Bulgaria from March 25 to October 28, 2001: RADIO BULGARIA, External Service of The Bulgarian National Radio ADDR: 4, Dragan Tsankov Blvd., 1040 Sofia or P.O.Box 900, 1000 Sofia. Tel.: +359 2 9336 733, fax.: +359 2 650 560. Website: http://www.nationalradio.bg Listener E-mail: rbul@nationalradio.bg Program Director: Raina Konstantinova konstantinova@nationalradio.bg Chief Co-ordinator: Angel Nedialkov E-mail: rbul1@nationalradio.bg Frequency Manager: Ivo Ivanov E-mail: rbul1@nationalradio.bg MW: Petrich (G.C: 23.18E/41.42N): 747 kHz 500 kW/non-dir Vidin (G.C: 22.40E/43.49N): 1224 kHz 500 kW/205 deg SW: P=Plovdiv/Padarsko (G.C: 24.42E/42.10N) S=Sofia/Kostinbrod (G.C: 23.13E/42.49N) LANGUAGES DAYS TARGET AREA FREQUENCY/TRANSMITTER/POWER/AZIMUTH BULGARIAN 00.00-01.00 -daily- South America 9500 P 250/245, 11600 P 250/258 00.00-01.00 -daily- North America 9400 P 500/306, 11700 P 500/306 03.00-04.00 -daily- Balkans 1224 03.00-04.00 -daily- East Europe 5900 S 100/030, 7500 S 100/030, 9400 P 250/045 10.00-10.30 -daily- West Europe 12000 P 500/295, 13600 P 250/306 12.00-14.00 -daily- Balkans 1224 12.00-14.00 -daily- West Europe 12000 P 500/295, 15700 P 500/306 15.00-16.00 -daily- Middle East 13600 P 500/126 15.00-16.00 -daily- South Africa 17500 P 500/185 15.00-17.00 -daily- East Europe 7500 S 100/030, 9900 S 100/030 18.00-19.00 -daily- Balkans 6000 P 250/248, 1224, 747 18.00-20.00 -daily- West Europe 7500 P 250/306 18.00-20.00 -daily- Middle East 7400 P 250/140 ENGLISH 11.00-12.00 -daily- West Europe 15700 P 500/306, 17500 P 250/292 19.00-20.00 -daily- West Europe 9400 P 500/306, 11900 P 500/306 21.00-22.00 -daily- West Europe 9400 P 500/306, 11900 P 500/306 23.00-24.00 -daily- North America 9400 P 500/306, 11700 P 500/306 02.00-03.00 -daily- North America 9400 P 500/306, 11700 P 500/306 (Observer, Bulgaria, March 13 via DXLD; languages excerpted) ** CAMBODIA [non]. So did anybody monitor it March 10? (gh, DXLD) Hi Glenn, no signal on 15455 heard on last Sat, 10th, between 0920 and 1100 UT (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. CKUT program Bolly Dharmaka [Indian film music] and host Dimple Seth profiled in Metropolis section of the Montreal Gazette on Feb. 27 > Seth seeking investors for a commercial shortwave station > Says she has already spoken with the CRTC > The show can be heard on Sundays at 6 p.m. [ET] (CKUT International Radio Report March 4 via Ricky Leong via DXLD) ** COSTA RICA. RFPI frequency usage is always fluid. Although posted sked shows 21815-USB at 1200-2400, I have not been hearing it much before 1300, and March 13 it was still audible at 0300. Then at 0640 on 7450, I heard James Latham announce that 21815-USB is on until 0400 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) On Wednesday March 14 at 9:30 pm Eastern (UT Thursday 0230), GCF Live presents: "Who Left the Faucet On?" We'll present an in-depth look at our diminishing planetary water resources and the increasing potential for armed conflict as nation-states struggle to ensure that their citizens are provided for. Our guest is Dr. Gerardo Budowski, Director of the Natural Resources program at the University for Peace in Costa Rica. Your phone calls are welcomed in the second half of the program via our U.S. toll-free number: 1-800-413-7695 or if you are inside Costa Rica call 249-1344. RFPI Frequencies: 19 meters: 15050. 40 meters: 7450. Live on the internet in mp3: http://www.boinklabs.com/ifpi.html Join us! (RFPI announce March 13 via DXLD) ** DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Longtime DXer César Objío, whom I had the pleasure of meeting in a visit there many years ago, says he is writing a book (in Spanish, of course) about the history of radio in his country. He is looking for copies of any DR verifications from any year, to illustrate the book. Contributors will be credited. I think he is not on Internet. Send to: César Objío, Calle Enrique Henriques 69, Ensanche Lugo, Gazcue, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (gh, from a Musing in NRC DX News March 12 via DXLD) ** ECUADOR. HCJB A-01 at 0600-0800 on 11680? I heard rather of 11860 for European morning sce, due to powerhouse BBC Rampisham 500 kW on 11680; also Ham Radio Today at 0630 Weds here (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, BC-DX via DXLD) Still not posted on website March 13 (gh) ** ECUADOR [non]. PROGRAM PRODUCTION BEGINS IN SOUTHERN UZBEK LANGUAGE 2/28/2001 1:56:10 PM HCJB World Radio`s partner in Central Asia has begun program production in the unreached Southern Uzbek language, spoken by about 1.4 million people in Afghanistan and surrounding countries. Roger Stubbe of the ministry`s International Radio Group based in Colorado Springs, Colo., says the first Christian radio broadcasts in this language could go on the air this spring once arrangements have been made for a suitable broadcasting site. "It has been extremely difficult to find someone who can voice this program," Stubbe says. "These people are very isolated, and there is almost no mission activity among them." The programs target adult, non-literate Muslims who have had no contact with Christians or the Bible. Each program tells Bible stories and addresses issues that listeners may be facing such as suffering, injustice, illness, making choices, grief, parenting and guilt. Southern Uzbek is part of the cooperative World by Radio effort with other major Christian broadcasters to make gospel radio programs available in all the world's major languages, those with at least 1 million speakers (HCJB World Radio, http://www.hcjb.org March 12 via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FRANCE. RFI`s new morning English broadcasts may not be on shortwave, but they`re all available on demand from http://www.rfi.fr/Langues/rfi_anglais_main.html (Kevin Kelly, Arlington, Mass., http://www.PublicRadioFan.com DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. DW A-01 in English: ENGLISH 0100 0145 6040 SACKVILLE 250 253 NAM ENGLISH 0100 0145 9640 WERTACHTAL 500 300 N/CAM ENGLISH 0100 0145 11810 ANTIGUA 250 340 NAM ENGLISH 0100 0145 13720 SINES 250 290 N/CAM ENGLISH 0100 0200 1548 TRINCOMALE 400 035 SAS ENGLISH 0200 0245 1548 TRINCOMALE 400 035 SAS ENGLISH 0200 0245 11965 TRINCOMALE 250 345 SAS ENGLISH 0200 0245 13720 WERTACHTAL 500 090 SAS ENGLISH 0200 0245 15370 TRINCOMALE 250 025 SAS ENGLISH 0300 0345 9535 SACKVILLE 250 277 NAM ENGLISH 0300 0345 9640 ANTIGUA 250 340 NAM ENGLISH 0300 0345 13780 SINES 250 295 N/CAM ENGLISH 0300 0345 15105 BONAIRE 250 320 NAM ENGLISH 0400 0445 7225 KIGALI 250 0ND AF ENGLISH 0400 0445 9565 KIGALI 250 180 AF ENGLISH 0400 0445 9765 KIGALI 250 0ND AF ENGLISH 0400 0445 13690 WERTACHTAL 500 150 AF ENGLISH 0500 0545 9670 ANTIGUA 250 340 NAM ENGLISH 0500 0545 9785 SINES 250 315 NAM ENGLISH 0500 0545 11985 BONAIRE 250 320 NAM ENGLISH 0600 0645 11925 SINES 250 180 WAF ENGLISH 0600 0645 13790 SINES 250 150 AF ENGLISH 0600 0645 17860 WERTACHTAL 500 180 WAF ENGLISH 0600 0700 6140 JUELICH 100 130 EUR ENGLISH 0700 0800 6140 JUELICH 100 130 EUR ENGLISH 0800 0900 6140 JUELICH 100 130 EUR ENGLISH 0900 0945 6160 ANTIGUA 250 205 OC ENGLISH 0900 0945 12035 KIGALI 250 0ND AF ENGLISH 0900 0945 15410 KIGALI 250 180 AF ENGLISH 0900 0945 15470 IRKUTSK 250 110 FE ENGLISH 0900 0945 17715 KOMSOMOLSK 250 178 SEAS/OC ENGLISH 0900 0945 17770 TRINCOMALE 250 120 SEAS/OC ENGLISH 0900 0945 17800 TALATA VO. 200 245 EAF ENGLISH 0900 0945 17820 TRINCOMALE 250 090 SEAS ENGLISH 0900 0945 21560 KIGALI 250 295 AF ENGLISH 0900 0945 21680 WERTACHTAL 500 090 SEAS/OC ENGLISH 0900 0945 21790 WERTACHTAL 500 165 AF ENGLISH 0900 1000 6140 JUELICH 100 130 EUR ENGLISH 1000 1100 6140 JUELICH 100 130 EUR ENGLISH 1100 1145 11785 KIGALI 250 0ND C/EAF ENGLISH 1100 1145 15410 KIGALI 250 180 AF ENGLISH 1100 1145 17860 KIGALI 250 280 AF ENGLISH 1100 1145 21780 WERTACHTAL 500 210 AF ENGLISH 1100 1200 6140 JUELICH 100 130 EUR ENGLISH 1200 1300 6140 JUELICH 100 130 EUR ENGLISH 1300 1400 6140 JUELICH 100 130 EUR ENGLISH 1400 1500 6140 JUELICH 100 130 EUR ENGLISH 1500 1555 6140 JUELICH 100 130 EUR ENGLISH 1555 1600 6140 WERTACHTAL 125 120 EUR ENGLISH 1600 1645 1548 TRINCOMALE 400 035 SAS ENGLISH 1600 1645 6170 TRINCOMALE 250 015 SAS ENGLISH 1600 1645 7225 TRINCOMALE 250 345 SAS ENGLISH 1600 1645 9735 KIGALI 250 0ND AF ENGLISH 1600 1645 11665 KIGALI 250 180 AF ENGLISH 1600 1645 17595 WERTACHTAL 500 090 SAS ENGLISH 1600 1645 21840 NAUEN 500 170 AF ENGLISH 1600 1700 6140 WERTACHTAL 125 120 EUR ENGLISH 1700 1800 6140 WERTACHTAL 125 120 EUR ENGLISH 1800 1900 6140 WERTACHTAL 125 120 EUR ENGLISH 1900 1945 11805 KIGALI 250 295 WAF ENGLISH 1900 1945 11965 TRINCOMALE 250 240 AF ENGLISH 1900 1945 13720 WERTACHTAL 500 210 WAF ENGLISH 1900 1945 15390 KIGALI 250 280 WAF ENGLISH 1900 1945 17810 TRINCOMALE 250 270 AF ENGLISH 2000 2045 7130 WERTACHTAL 500 300 EUR ENGLISH 2100 2145 9670 TRINCOMALE 250 120 SEAS/OC ENGLISH 2100 2145 9765 WERTACHTAL 500 090 SEAS/OC ENGLISH 2100 2145 9875 KIGALI 250 295 WAF ENGLISH 2100 2145 11865 WERTACHTAL 500 210 WAF ENGLISH 2100 2145 11915 TRINCOMALE 250 120 SEAS/OC ENGLISH 2100 2145 15135 KIGALI 250 295 WAF/AM ENGLISH 2300 2345 9815 WERTACHTAL 500 075 SAS/SEAS ENGLISH 2300 2345 12055 NOVOSIBIR. 500 145 SAS/SEAS ENGLISH 2300 2345 13610 TRINCOMALE 250 090 SAS/SEAS ENGLISH 2300 2345 21790 PETROPAVL. 250 247 SAS/SEAS (via Andreas Volk, ADDX March 13 via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) ** HONDURAS. HRMI presumed, 5010-USB, March 13 around 1210-1225 mostly music, occasional Spanish announcements, weak in QRN, and seemed mixed with some FE station (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAN [non?] Then who is broadcasting on 10080/12450 and 8600? Glenn, as you know I have reported these stations on the above channels. Hans Johnson confirms that they have identified as [Sedaye Mojahed] but they are running a very different format. Programming mainly consists of sentences being endlessly repeated over in Farsi (Persian). There always is heavy jamming on these channels. They seem to operate between 2045 and 2200 UT and are very stable. Hans says that the signals emanate from Iraq using Siemens transmitters. Are these really broadcasts or Spy Numbers stations? I tend to favour the latter as the same phrases seem to be constantly heard. No Music and broadcasts seem to be in 15 to 20 minute spots and repeated. Anybody else hearing them apart from me? (Robin VK7RH Harwood, Launceston, Tasmania, March 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) "Spotlight on SWLing" -Amateur radio magazine ** IRAN [non]. Iranian Clandestine back on 8860 Iranian Clandestine Activity I noted that the anti-Iranian clandestine station "V of the Mujahid" was back within the aeronautical allocations this morning, 2130 UT on 8860 kHz. This signal was accompanied by the ever present jammers but I was able to hear a play or mini-drama with two males. The modulation cut out shortly after and the carrier was allowed to run. The other signals on 8600, 10080 and 12450 are definitely separate being a repetition of sentences or phrases, read by a female. This too ceased at 2140 yet resumed later but finally ceased at 2200. The jammers were there as usual but it is clear that this is no ordinary broadcast but is similar to a numbers station. I mainly concentrated on finding additional channels and was not paying close attention to the content. However the jammers had left 8860 and were on 8840, leaving the former channel virtually clear. This allowed me to hear a very clear ID at 2200 with music by a female. After presumably a closing announcement the station went silent. Interestingly all frequencies went silent at about the same time, indicative that they came from a common site. Also it is apparent that the jammers are also monitoring what is happening, particularly on the 8.8 MHz range. Transmissions there are short and quickly shift channels to avoid the jammers. A real cat and mouse game. Hence 8600, 10080 and 12450 must be regular channels although exact sked times will vary and the "Voice of the Mujahid" on 8.8 MHz varies to avoid jammers. Are the former channels really foils to the jammers in order to let the "V of the Mujahid" slip through to avoid detection? Listening to 12450 is extremely boring yet the "V of the Mujahid" is very unpredictable. They have been absent from 8.8 MHz for a few weeks (Robin L. Harwood, VK7RH, Tasmania, March 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY. In a report about AWR starting transmissions via Austria, I recently referred to Forlì as the site in Italy AWR will be using with its own high-power transmitters. Actually, those will be at Argenta; Forlì is the present low-power site (gh, DXLD) ** ITALY. Vatican Radio electronic pollution trial postponed | Text of report in English by Italian news agency ANSA database Rome, 12 March: A Rome judge today declared a warrant for alleged electronic pollution from Vatican Radio transmitters near Rome null and void. The trial, due to start today, has therefore been put off until September or October. In any case, the Vatican last week said it was going to ignore the summons. The judge said there was no proof of the fact that the summons had been served on the accused or that they had been called for questioning. He therefore instructed prosecutors to make sure the summons was served and indicated three dates, 23 and 25 September and 23 October to get the trial started. Italian prosecutors summoned Vatican Radio's director general, Father Pasquale Borgomeo, and two other top administrators to attend the trial. They used diplomatic channels but the Vatican refused to accept the documents because of a question of jurisdiction. Now the prosecutors will have to use the normal procedures for citizens living abroad. There are already two civil plaintiffs in the case, the parents of a four-year-old girl suffering from leukaemia. A consumers` association, Codacons, and two other pressure groups said they would also stand as civil plaintiffs. Codacons also filed a suit asking prosecutors to establish whether the Vatican`s refusal to accept the warrant amounted to the crime of aiding and abetting. Lawyers for the defendants said "all this fuss is too much because technical reports have ruled out any causal link between electromagnetic waves and the diseases". The radio is accused of generating dangerous levels of 'electrosmog' with its powerful transmitters located just outside Rome. The Holy See on Tuesday informed the Italian ambassador that it was refusing the summons, saying that it was not subject to Italian law because the radio transmitters are located on Vatican territory. A day later, Environment Minister Willer Bordon slammed the Vatican`s decision to ignore Italian legal action as "incredible". The minister, who recently closed down five radio transmitters in the Adriatic port of Pescara, vowed to push the government to fight the Vatican`s stance. "I will make sure the government finds ways of fighting this attitude," he said. "The fact that the land in question isn`t in Italian territory doesn`t change anything because it`s still Italians who will end up being harmed." Source: ANSA news agency database, Rome, in English 1148 gmt 12 Mar 01 (via BBC Monitoring via DXLD) ** LIBERIA. ``Suffocating the Media in Terror`` reports how Charles Taylor took over the radio stations here: http://www.theperspective.org/suffocating.html See homepage for links to many other articles, some about Liberia (via Mike Cooper, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LIBYA. Radio Jamahiriya, Tripoli, 17725, 2003-2059 Arabic except brief English & French news summaries at end. Xmtr break 20 secs at 2007. Clock chimes for 45 mins past hour at 2015. "Voice of Africa" IDs for end news. SINPO 35242, S8 here (Bill Flynn, OR, Mar 12, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEWFOUNDLAND. I heard a rumour that the sound files at The Great Eastern site http://spring.det.mun.ca/great/ might be disappearing soon. I know there are some TGE aficionados here, who might want to get active before it`s too late (Bill Denton, alt.radio.networks.cbc March 7 via Mike Cooper, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Still there early UT March 13 (gh) ** NEW ZEALAND. RNZI FREQUENCY SCHEDULE 18 March – 06 May 2001 - UT Updated: Tuesday, March 13, 2001 1650 6095 kHz Tue-Sat, later start Sun and Mon 1855 15120 kHz 2050 17675 kHz Mon-Sat 2058 17675 kHz Sun 0459 15120 kHz 0705 11720 kHz 1105 15175 kHz Usual Closedown is 1305 -– however for occasional overnight Sports broadcasts and/or Pacific Cyclone Warnings our frequencies are as follows -: 1305-0450 [sic] 6095 kHz (Adrian Sainsbury, RNZI, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I hope I got this all straightened out from a garbled file (gh) ** PHILIPPINES. Complete FEBC schedule as of Feb 22, valid until March 24, no longer shows any English whatsoever, just Akha, Amoy Dialect, Atsi, Bahnar, Batak, Black Tai, Bru, Burmese, Cambodian, Cantonese, Chin-Asho, Chin-Daai, Chin-Khumi, Chin-Paite, Chin-Tidim, Chrau, Chru, Eastern Cham, Hmong, Hre, Indonesian, Jarai, Javanese, Jeh, Karen-Pao, Karen-Pwo, Karen-Sgaw, Katu, Khmu, Koho, Komering, Kuki, Lahu, Lao, Lisu, Malay, Mandarin, Maru, Meithei, Mien, Minangkabau, Mnong, Mon, Muong, Naga-Makware, Nung, Ogan, Palaung, Rade, Rawang, Rengao, Roglai, Sasak, Sedang, Shan, Stieng, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Wa, White Tai, Zhuang (BBC Monitoring via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. More on Voice of Russia`s use of 12010: it`s English daily at 19-20 UT, but Saturday and Sunday only at 18-19. Monday to Friday, there is Finnish at 18-1830, then at 1830-19 it`s Swedish on Mon/Wed/Fri and Norwegian on Tue/Thu. Per Klingenfuss` 2001 SWF Guide, this frequency is from Volgograd (Joe Hanlon in Philadelphia, March 12, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SERBIA [non]. Yugoslavia/Bosnia. 7 March 2001: The President of Yugoslavia, Vojislav Kostunica, addressed the staff of Radio Yugoslavia on the occasion of the station`s 65th anniversary (7 March). Mr. Kostunica said "It is greatly in the interest of the state that Radio Yugoslavia should anew broadcast its shortwave programme. I sincerely hope that the problem of your transmitter in Bijeljina will be solved as soon as possible. We have discussed it with representatives of the international community in Bosnia- Hercegovina on several occasions, and I am convinced that this issue will be the topic of discussion between the Yugoslav government and the Ministerial Council of Bosnia-Hercegovina." (c) (Radio Netherlands Media Network via DXLD) ** SRI LANKA. Some info I recently received from TWR HQ which might be of interest to listeners: Some years ago, TWR operated a 12.5 kw SW transmitter at the Puttalam site. It was decided that the coverage it offered was not sufficient reason to keep it operating because the MW signal gave most of the same area as well. The old SW transmitter was probably scrapped. TWR had a 100 kw SW transmitter scheduled to go to Sri Lanka for a while, but it was decided not to do SW from Sri Lanka. The transmitter was sent to Swaziland instead to replace (1999) one of the old 50 kw units that had been used there for a long time (Jari Savoläinen, Kuusankoski, FINLAND, March 12, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** SWEDEN. R. Sweden English Schedule March 25 - October 27 2001 Eu/Af/ME 1330-1400 17505 1730-1800 6065 + 1179 except Sunday 1730-1800 13580 Sunday only 1930-2000 6065 + 1179 2130-2200 6065 + 1179 EAs & NZ 1230-1300 17505 Au & SE As 1130-1200 17505 1230-1300 21530 1330-1400 17505 2130-2200 15255 S Asia 0130-0200 13625 N America 0230-0300 9495 0330-0400 9495 except May-Aug 15245 May - Aug 1130-1200 18960 1230-1300 18960 1330-1400 18960 [not including RCI relays here! -gh] Full language & programme schedule from: Radio Sweden, SE-105 10 Stockholm, Sweden http://www.radiosweden.nu [not really in Niue, I fear -gh] http://www.sr.se/P6 (via Cowin Martin, BDXC-UK March 12 via DXLD) ** SWITZERLAND. The English version of SRI`s cessations: From: Claudine.Chappuis@sri.ch Subject: Replacement of radio programmes by an on-line service Dear Sir, As you have realized, there have been considerable changes in the service provided by Swiss Radio International (SRI) in recent months. We are now writing to explain these changes, and give advance warning of some future developments. SRI will gradually be discontinuing its shortwave broadcasting, with no further programmes after the end of 2004 (for details, please refer to the timetable in annexe). Another aspect of our strategy is to reduce our satellite broadcasting, retaining only an English- language service. There are three main reasons for this change of policy: * the fact that it is now easy to access the electronic media and information of all kinds about Switzerland, particularly in Europe, where the majority of Swiss expatriates are resident (many of the radio and television programmes broadcast by the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation can be picked up in Europe via satellite); * the development of on-line services, increasingly popular in all parts of the world, which means that providers of international services are almost obliged to switch to the Internet; * the competition generated by new sources of information, which means there are only very limited prospects for expensive shortwave services. To keep you adequately informed, SRI will nevertheless continue to provide news of what is happening in Switzerland via its on-line service: http://www.swissinfo.org This is an excellent alternative: available in eight languages (the Arabic-language site was officially launched on 1 February), Swiss Radio International's multimedia platform provides a constant stream of information in the form of text, pictures, sound and video on the events making the headlines in Switzerland and abroad. We hope to be welcoming you to our web site http://www.swissinfo.org in the near future. Meanwhile, do not hesitate to get in touch if you need further information. Yours faithfully, (Your swissinfo team, 9 March, via Ian Waugh, swprograms via DXLD; also via Nick Sharpe, WDXC via Mike Barraclough, DXLD) attachment: SHORTWAVE BROADCASTING Shortwave broadcasting will be discontinued in three stages: to the western part of North and Central America and to Australia, between now and 24 March 2001; to Europe, Asia and the remainder of North and Central America, by 27 October 2001; to the Near East, Africa and South America, by the end of 2004. [Languages: English, French, German, Italian to all targets; additionally, Arabic to Near East and Africa -gh] Regions End date Western North and Central America 24 March 2001 Australia 24 March 2001 Europe 27 October 2001 Asia 27 October 2001 Remainder of North and Central America 27 October 2001 Near East and Africa end 2004 South America end 2004 SATELLITE BROADCASTING Only an English-language service will continue after 2004. Programmes will be available in Europe via ASTRA 1B until 31 December 2002 and from 01.01.02 via EUTELSAT HB3, i.e. in parallel via two different satellites in 2002 *). Other radio programmes will be discontinued by the end of 2001. Regions Satellites Programmes End date North America NSS-K SRI-INTERCONTINENTAL 31 Dec. 2001 Australia ASIASAT-2 SRI-INTERCONTINENTAL 31 Dec. 2001 Asia ASIASAT-2 SRI-INTERCONTINENTAL 31 Dec. 2001 Near East and Africa INTELSAT 707 SRI-F-I 31 Dec. 2001 Near East and Africa INTELSAT 707 SRI-INTERCONTINENTAL 31 Dec. 2001 South America NSS-K SRI-INTERCONTINENTAL 31 Dec. 2001 *) It is still possible that we may lease an additional satellite channel so that our English-language programmes can be broadcast to other continents. A decision will be taken in the next two or three years (SRI via DXLD) ** SWITZERLAND. Reply to Larry Nebron`s comments, also quoted here earlier: We are in the process of winding down our SWBC over the next few years, concentrating on our internet service. Also broadcasting a lot on satellite and using rebroadcasting partner stations as well. Certain parts of Australasia and North America will be among the first to feel this wind-down of this SW service. We very much value feedback from listeners. We do ask for feedback from listeners in extro to programs, but should perhaps do so more often. Would like to get a lot more of it, not just on programs, but individual elements within the programs. Chat available at internet site, too. Particularly as we go thru this transition phase from radio to internet. Policy on Swiss Country Music? Sorry to disappoint so many listeners. Over the past year or two SW broadcasts have been reduced from one hour to half an hour, so had to curtail the amount of music in half hour news and current affairs programs. A good point to play more SCM at end of programs; actively considering and may well introduce this (Head of English programs Ron Popper, paraphrased by gh from recording via Nebron, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SWITZERLAND. SRI Berne, Operational Schedule, A-01 [Somewhat unusual format; note that 9905 via MONTSINERY is gone, in accordance with dropping of service to WNAm, just 9885 direct to ENAm. In time order tho frequency shown first -gh] FREQ STATION kW Azi Target 9885 SOTTENS 500 295 ENAm/CAm 0030 Ge, 0100 En, 0200 Fr, 0230 En, 0300 It, 0330 Ge, 0400 En, 0500 Fr, 0530-0545 It 9610 JUELICH 100 115 SEEu 0400 En, 0430 Fr, 0500 En, 0530 Ge, 0600-0630 It 15545 JUELICH 100 160 NAf 17685 JUELICH 100 200 WAf/NAf 21750 SOTTENS 500 165 NE/CAf/SAf 0600 Fr, 0630 Ge, 0700 It, 0730-0800 En 21770 SOTTENS 500 165 NE/CAf/SAf 0830 En, 0900 It, 0930 Ge, 1000-1030 Fr 15315 JUELICH 100 210 SWEu 1000 En, 1030 Ge, 1100 Fr, 1130 It, 1200-1230 En 13735 KRANJI-SNG 250 25 Cas/EAs 21770 SOTTENS 500 80 As/ME 1100 En, 1200 Ge, 1230 Fr, 1300-1330 It 9575 KRANJI-SNG 250 360 C/SEAs 17680 SOTTENS 500 80 WAs/ME 1400 En, 1500 Ge, 1530-1600 Fr 15220 JUELICH 100 115 NEAf/ME 17640 JUELICH 100 115 NEAf/ME 21720 SOTTENS 500 140 EAf/ME 1630 It, 1700 Ar, 1730 En, 1800-1815 Fr 6110 JUELICH 100 290 WEu 1730 Ge, 1800 It, 1830 Fr, 1900-1930 En 13770 SOTTENS 500 140 NE/EAf/NAf 15220 JUELICH 100 160 Af 17580 JUELICH 100 200 WAf/NAf 17735 MONTSINERY 500 115 WAf/SAf 1830 It, 1900 Ar, 1930 En, 2030 Ge, 2100-2130 Fr 9885 SOTTENS 500 230 SAm 11905 MONTSINERY 500 175 SAm 2200 Fr, 2230 Ge, 2300 It, 2330-2400 En (via Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. DX Information from the British DX Club (BDXC-UK). From: http://hawkins.pair.com/radmail.html#voamemsect (a great site with many more interesting radio stories like this one - Mike) By John Vodenik, Voice of America Transmitter Technician - WB9AUJ, Mason, Ohio: Having been employed at Bethany Relay Station for almost 10 years, I have a few stories I would like to tell. I`ll start with the spark transmitter that a few of us constructed one slow Saturday... (via Mike Terry, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** U S A/CUBA. Occasionally one of the big boys develops spur or such and an SWL has to call and tell us. Glenn Hauser knows about this: Bout a year ago, CRTC sent us a nastygram about our GA-6 transmitter (GE 4BT250A 250-kW HF), and the second harmonic of Radio Martí 6030 kHz, or 12060 kHz (inside the new HF 12 MHz BC band). Tough. FCC come get us. Anyway, I ventured a tune to 12060 one a.m. after GA-6 0200/0700* down carrier immediately (DCI) when the transmission moves directly to Delano IBB DL-2 transmitter. There were the second harmonics of the Cuban 6030 kHz jammers! Few mornings later, tuned 12060 kHz with GA-6 on the air. Between pauses in modulation, I could hear the second harmonics of the Cuban jammers beneath GA-6's second harmonic! Right here at the transmitter! (Charlie Taylor, NC, March 11, IRCA via DXLD) ** U S A. 1/20/2001 broadcast (via Delano?): I listened to the Presidential Inauguration and sent a report to VOA for 21735 kHz at 1600-1720 UT. Today I received a QSL card from them listing date, time, frequency, and "Cannot verify" written on the card !!! Interesting, since I logged them with SINPO = 55555 on a Sony portable with a piece of wire hanging on the antenna! Does VOA use a private contractor to handle QSLs? If so, I assume the contractor did not have this special broadcast on their list? Later: Regarding the suggestions they cannot respond to USA addresses, this is partially correct. VOA cannot send program schedules, bumper stickers, souvenirs, and similar items to USA addresses. They can and do send QSL cards to US addresses. I have at least 30 QSLs from VOA, and in fact received two VOA QSLs the same day I received the "cannot verify" card. I`ll let you know what I get in reply from VOA (Lee Silvi, Mentor, OH, March 12, DX LISTENING DIGEST) This seems to be the way they work. If the frequency/time does not fit with the official schedule then they "Cannot verify" the site. When the VOA Kuwait relay came on the air, the QSLs were "Cannot verify" until the site was mentioned in their frequency schedule. Maybe a follow-up report with an explaining letter helps. 73 (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, hard-core-dx via DXLD) My guess is that the VOA`s QSL-card production is computerized. It is programmed to produce QSL-card with the QTH printed on, if it finds the location in the schedule database, based upon the time, date and frequency (and possibly language). If it does not find it, 'Cannot verify' is printed instead of location. So, when reporting, check that the broadcast can be found in the VOA's official schedules ;-) ... 73 de PUL, (Pentti Lintujärvi, Helsinki, Finland, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** U S A. Just a quick note to let you know that Michael Murray and I will be hosting a series of special "Viva Miami" programs about the 14th Annual SWL Winterfest which took place in Kulpsville, Pennsylvania last weekend. The first program will be this coming Sunday, March 18 at 0330-0400 UT on 7385 kHz beamed to North America. (Listeners in North America should note that this is 10:30 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday night for them.) We expect a total of three programs, and the remaining two will be on successive UT Sundays at the same time. Each program will feature a number of interviews with participants at the Winterfest. (There is some possibility that it could extend to four programs; we`re not sure as I write this, since we haven't produced them yet.) These programs will be repeated during some of the other time slots allocated to "Viva Miami" on the program schedule on our web site http://www.wrmi.net We had a great time at the Winterfest, and hope to share some of it with many of you who couldn`t be there (or re-live it with some of you who were there). (Jeff White, WRMI, March 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Bell Programming Axes Two! Dear GH: Clear-Channel powerhouse WHAS-84/Louiville has added Art Bell to its overnight programing, ending the 3.5 year stint of JOE ARNOLD. WLS "the big 89" -Chicago, replaced vet Af-American broadcaster NATE CLAY's Monday morning show with a Bell re-run. CLAY will retain his UT/Sun show, cutting his weekend hours in half. ARNOLD had been notified of his show`s demise just 2 days before its Friday March 9 end. A thoughtful young conservative {naturally!}, but he was no idealog [sic]. He was against the death penalty and police roadblocks. CLAY`s unique Memphis drawl and liberal perspective has been a long-time fixture on WLS. Bell`s annexation of 2 of America`s premier stations is troubling for those who care about early mourning AM programing. ARNOLD expressed this concern (and his lack of interest in BELL) prior to his rancour-free, melancholy signoff, of the job he loved (Steve Armstrong/Providence, March 12, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Just in from Erik Disen of KRLD . . . "KRLD [1080 Dallas] will be off the air on Sunday morning, March 17, from Midnight to 2:00 AM, CST. When we get done with our work, we will return to the air, but no earlier than 1:00 AM. "The purpose of this off-air time is to re-install the common point RF current meter, the device that sets the nighttime power level of KRLD`s transmitter. "For the record, it's Sunday morning, March 18, 2001." There should be no questions as to the time or date, hi. (Bill Hale in Fort Worth, March 12, NRC-AM via DXLD) Word awaited from WTIC whether they will coordinate downtime as previously planned (gh) ** U S A. [Clandestine] K.S.M.R., 3260-USB, audible UT March 12 from tune-in around 0345, but T-storm ongoing here; 0359 Steve Anderson said he wants PMOs or FRNs (?), spelling address and don`t call him Steve Martin! ``Thanks to the Lord God Almighty Yahweh. God bless this Republic and Death to the New World Order; See ya!`` to 0401*, then came back to ID as ``KSMR, your First Amendment station, protected by the Second Amendment.`` I was waiting for him the next night, UT March 13, and he came on at *0300 sharp, taped the entire hour. Doubt I will make a habit of listening to this distasteful stuff, but forced myself to this once, for the record, copying details: began with song ``You can take my gun from my cold, dead hands``. 0304, ``Good evening, sovereign citizens out there...``, complaining that his work on satellite dish today was rained out. ``Freedom`s voice on the air, owned and operated by the Kentucky State Militia,`` and statement of purpose. Had report that was booming into New Hampshire, also mentioned DX reports from Germany, Holland and Italy. Urged Europeans to get rid of the EU, the Euro, NATO, and get their countries out of the UN. ``When Christ comes back, we`ll all be free.`` Plug field training in March for the Texas militia, phone number to call. 0309, ``We have killed the garbage bill in Kentucky, which would have mandated government pickup, raising property taxes by $200.`` 0311 plug a number of other ``patriot`` shows on WRMI, WHRI, WBCQ, WWCR, including Pete Peters, Power Hour. Mark Koernke`s court date is March 19 in Ann Arbor. Urged Michigander militians to pack the courtroom like sardines, but in suits and ties, not cammies. ``Mark Koernke is not a criminal``. Plugged Norm Creek training session, ``the biggie``, Saturday April 7 at 9 am Central, in extreme western KY; address in Lancaster. 0320 said he was running 6 or 700 watts, ``till the big rock-buster gets here; then, look out.`` Encouraged others to put on SW transmitters –- even 100 watts can be heard nationwide; relay Genesis Network with them. He plans later to be on at least until midnight or 1 am (ET). Satellite dishes have been trucked down from Indiana. Wants US postal, not convenience-store money orders which are hard to negotiate, but leave payable side blank, or at least do not put Kentucky State Militia since there is no bank account under that name. Instead payable to him, Steve Anderson. Has been looking for capacitors, and ordering spare parts from a catalog. 0327, ``yee- hows`` and woody-woodpecker imitation; then long listing of militias state by state with phone or E-mail contact info, including Northern CA, Southern CA, FL, GA, ME, MO, MT, NH http://www.livefreeordie.org , NM, OH several, PA, TN including one Charlie Pickett who likes to hear his name in the Davy Crockett song, TX, VA, WV. Around 0341 Anderson started preaching, since it`s his station: Sick and tired of rumor-mongers; it`s CIA brain-control. There is no US militia; that would be a standing army and unconstitutional; instead there is a militia in each sovereign state or commonwealth. He is anti- race-mixing, but other races should not be hated; see the Bible. ``If you`re not Christian, take your pagan religion, your prayer carpet and get out.`` Making fun of Islam. ``This nation will be re-established as a Christian nation and blessed by Almighty Yahweh.`` Made up not only of whites, but blacks are OK too if they are believers. White and black politicians in Washington have sponsored racial hatred to remain in power: Foghorn Leghorn imitation. Says Kentucky Militia is not a racist organization –- racists not wanted. Then wrapped up tonight`s ``Militia Hour; this is K.S.M.R., Freedom`s voice on the air... your First Amendment station, protected by the Second Amendment.`` In the following minute I heard traces of some weaker talk, perhaps muttering to self before turning off transmitter, or some two-way contact attempted. He is making no secret of his location, so how long before the feds knock? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Regarding the Spokane pirate story in DXLD 1-033, Artie Bigley sent a previous AP story about this Feb 12. Excerpt: Rabenold has operated the North Valley Broadcasting on the FM dial at 105.1 in Oroville and 106.9 in Tonasket since 1997. The Rabenolds contend the low-watt station does not fall under Federal Communications Commission regulation. The FCC disagrees. In December 1998, the agency ordered Rabenold to stop broadcasting and fined him $11,000 for running a radio station without a license. (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. Note: AFAIK, Major Owens is widely regarded as a moderate by the standards of the NYC Congressional Delegation or the Black Congressional Caucus and not some sort of firebrand or maker of wild charges unbacked by evidence. http://www.nyradioguide.com/ Unabridged: (March 10) A week after being cut off from speaking while on the air, Brooklyn Congressman Major Owens called a press conference to discuss free speech issues and recent changes at WBAI (99.5 FM). On Monday, March 5th, Congressman Owens was a call-in guest on the labor and community issues program, "Building Bridges", when Interim Station Manager Utrice Leid interrupted Owens` statement without warning. The program, hosted by Ken Nash, was then cancelled by Leid. Congressman Owens spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives on Thursday, March 8th about the situation at WBAI; his remarks appear in the Congressional Record. The March 12th press conference was called at the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys, 568 Broadway, Room 702A (Prince and Broadway). (via Joël Rubin, NY, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** URUGUAY. R. Sarandí del Yí heard here in Denmark on 6154.0 kHz with a very weak signal from around 0050. Hardly readable, but by 0250 some music and female talk in Spanish could be heard till s/off around 0300 with a tent. ID. Best 73s (Stig Hartvig Nielsen, Denmark, March 11, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** URUGUAY. 6154 (nominal 6155): Radio Sarandi del Yí, Sarandi del Yí. They signed on at 0011 on Mar 12. Phoned them, and spoke with owner, Nora San Martín de Porro. Correct tel. number (also FAX) is +03679155 (a 6 was missing from my previous report, in their local area prefix, 0367). She informs that sked will be 0130-0300. They inaugurated on Mar 1, 2001, with tests. Power is 2 kW. Antenna: folded dipole. I commented they are off-fqcy, but she denied that, saying they had the correct crystal. I would like other area DXers to check this out (Horacio A. Nigro, Montevideo - Uruguay, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VATICAN. See ITALY ###