DX LISTENING DIGEST 1-095, July 8, 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] RADIO ENLACE: guión de cada emisión disponible en el sitioweb, incluso el informe nuestro cuando aparezca, comenzando con la última a: http://www.rnw.nl/sp/toolbar/radioenlace.html y además audio de la misma a 96.5 kbps en estéreo através de un enlace, o: http://www.omroep.nl/cgi-bin/streams?/rnw/spaans/programa/radioenlace.rm ** AUSTRIA. Hi Glenn, the ROI English broadcast from Saturday morning (July 7) devoted a good deal of its Letterbox program to a statement from the director, and may be similar to the Spanish missive in DXLD 1094. all the SW programs I like keep getting downsized. Keep up the good work! (Cindy Lindau, MN, July 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRIA. On 5 July, 2001, the Austrian parliament passed a law which will lead to far-reaching changes to the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF). Among those directly affected is Radio Austria International. At the present time, "the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation is obliged, at the request of and financed by the federal government to produce and provide an adequate international service." In future, "the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation may ..., contingent on the technical development and the economic viability, ... produce and propagate a radio programme as well as offer an adequate online service for Austrians abroad to report on Austria around the globe (international service)". The consequence: The financing of ROI from tax-payers' money, which has already been cut back by 47 percent over the past two years, will be terminated at the end of 2001. The ORF management will then be called upon to decide whether and to what extent funds will be made available for ROI. Short-wave broadcasting by the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation began in 1955 with various transmission tests. In 1960, the short- wave transmitter facilities went into operation at Moosbrunn. In 1969, the ORF and the Austrian government signed a contract on the operation and financing of a regular international service. The contract was cancelled at the end of 2000. There was no discussion over ROI programme content. The Federal Chancellery, responsible for the funding, merely let it be known that, following corresponding changes to the Broadcasting Law, no funds would henceforth be provided. In the past few days, numerous statements have been published on the situation faced by Radio Austria International. Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner made the following remarks in a reply to a parliamentary question put by the Greens: "ROI is the only Austrian electronic medium which can be heard around the world in different foreign languages. ... ROI also serves as a means of keeping in touch with the approx. 380,000 Austrian expatriates. In many countries around the world, ROI is often the only source of information about Austria. Austria needs a media window to the world such as Radio Austria International." European MP Hans Kronberger: "As an invaluable Austrian ambassador around the world, ROI must remain in operation. All the Austrian politicians involved with media issues are called upon to find a constructive solution across party lines to maintain and secure (the services of) ROI. It would be a regrettable mistake to underestimate the significance of this important voice of Austria around the world." The Journalists Union, in a letter to Chancellor Schussel and the heads of the four parliamentary factions, called for "the financial basis of ROI to be secured in future as well by a corresponding financial contribution on the part of the Federal Chancellery." The Union fears that based on the way the law is formulated the short- wave programme from ROI could soon be discontinued altogether. Stefan Schennach, Green Party MP and the party's media spokesperson, underlines the concerns expressed by the Journalists Union: "Only a clear, legal obligation can guarantee the voice of Austria in the world. The approach by the coalition is completely short-sighted because ROI is Austria's cultural window to the world, one which is also of importance to the national business community. Austrian expatriates, Austrian experts and tourists abroad receive essential information about their home country through ROI. To do away with ROI now that we are entering the age of digitalization is simply irresponsible. Furthermore, ROI has the only multi-lingual current events service. When the third seat of the United Nations closes down its voice to the world, that is utterly absurd." Following major cutbacks in programming in the year 2000, Radio Austria International currently broadcasts 14 hours a day via short- wave, satellite and the Internet. Included in that figure are direct broadcasts of German language news bulletins and current affairs programmes from the domestic O1 radio station. The remaining ten hours are filled by the ORF with further re-broadcasts from the O1 and O Regional stations. Staff at ROI was cut by more than half. The members of the staff at ROI are committed to doing their best and will, once the new arrangements are in place, produce a programme which, despite all the problems and limitations, will continue to be heard by millions of people world-wide. If you would like to give us your views on the situation at Radio Austria International, then please write to us at roi.intendanz@orf.at (via Andy Sennitt, DXLD) ** BOLÍVIA. Eu visitei Rádio Mosoj Chaski com meu velho amigo Rogildo Fontenelle Aragão em 31 de Dezembro de 2000 durante minha estada em Cochabamba. Os estúdios e escritórios estão localizados na Calle Abaroa, 254 no centro de Cochabamba e os transmissores a cerca de 17 km a noroeste dos estúdios. Está instalado em um distrito chamado "Cotapachi" na província de Quillacollo, departamento de Cochabamba. (Takayuki Inoue Ozaki, Japão, via DX-WINDOW 172 via @tividade DX July 7 via DXLD) ** CANADA. RADIO DONAIR is a new summer series on CBC Radio 1 Friday evenings, bits and pieces of interesting, funny items from other stations around the world. It`s at 7:30 pm local (Glenn Hauser, swprograms via DXLD) This may also be on shortwave to North America -- since we normally get whatever the East Coast of CBC Radio 1 is getting from 2230 to 2400 UT. If this replaces C`est La Vie on Fridays, this is likely the case (Richard Cuff, ibid.) ** CHILE. Rádio Santa Maria, 6029.6, Coyhaique. Eu tenho a confirmação 100% de Pedro Andrade, desde Rádio Santa Maria, que eles estão ativos em ondas curtas, mas ele me disse que a estação não tem realizado sua manutenção, pode ser que por esta razão, não a escute aqui em Buenos Aires (Gabriel Iván Barrera via Dxplorer via DX-WINDOW 172 via @tividade DX July 7 via DXLD) ** CONGO. R Congo, Brazzaville, heard July 3 at 1858-1924 on 5985 in Fr, then En 1900, announcing P.O. Box 2241, Brazzaville, phone 81 53 11, then news, 54444 w/Tanzania being hrd underneath (Carlos L.R. de A. Gonçalves, Portugal, BC-DX vi DXLD) 5985, R Congo, The 15 minutes of English program is 1900-1915 (Mahendra Vaghjee, Mauritius, July 3, BC-DX via DXLD) DX Information from the British DX Club (BDXC-UK). A quick check at around 2000 UT Saturday, 7th July showed Radio Congo back on 4765 kHz (had been noted on 5985 for a few days previous). Later: Radio Congo, Brazzaville, back on 5985 kHz on evening of 8th July after yesterday's brief excursion back to 4765 (Tony Rogers - Birmingham - UK, AOR 7030+/LW, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CYPRUS. Dear Glenn, The British under a special agreement of 1960 have three bases on Cyprus. The British bases authorities have decided in RAF Akrotiri to stop work on the Akrotiri salt lake antenna site for practical reasons; now consultations are taking place between experts from the relevant authorities of both sides. A joint statement issued 5/7. The radio site belongs to the RAF and is not BBC / Merlin facilities. These are antennas to be built 10 stories high and a two metres plus long. The riots started because of the fears of the effects of the antenna installations and the environmental effects. Expected to be completed by 2003. The British military issue is now in discussion with Cypriot officials. The antennas are part of the British military "strategic global communications network" said Mr Need, spokesman of British Bases 5/7. It seems now the violence will stop and talks will continue on this issue. Glenn, I have no news about the new 600 kw MW station. I presume it must be the "Voice of Hope Lebanon" moving here. As a few months ago I received a reply to my e mail saying the President of the VOH California was visiting Israel and Cyprus. But did not hear from them after leaving my contact phone number with the station before he left the USA for the Middle East. Late last year Oct 2000 (Costa Constantinides, Cyprus, July 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST) This must be something else, as it is clear that the 600 kW facility recently discussed is for the US government (gh, DXLD) ** ECUADOR. HCJB became an associate member of Digital Radio Mondiale on July 2, after having applied for entry in May (DX Partyline July 7, summarised by gh for DXLD) ** ERITREA [non]. V. of Democratic Eritrea via DTK Jülich modified the schedule as from July 1st. 5925 1400-1459 27,28 401 ND 926 Sat 2503-281001 DTK 15670 1700-1759 38,39,48 209 140 216 Mon & Thu 0107-281001 DTK (130) All in Tigrina: 1400-1500 5925 Sat to EUR 100 kW, nondir.; 1700-1800 Mon+Thur to Horn of AF 15670 140 degrees. In the Nineties V of Democratic Eritrea had transmissions from Sudan to Eritrea, daily broadcasts of 30 mins as V. of Truth and V of Free Eritrea between 1997 and 1999 (Dr. Hansjoerg Biener, Germany, July 4, BC-DX via DXLD) ** GEORGIA. v9489.79 R Sochi, Rep of Abkhazia, Sokhumi, 1430-1530, Ru with four IDs "Radio Sochi" at 1430 followed by a talk, 1439 another ID, an interview, piano mx, 1445 dialogue incl ID again, mentioned Moscow several times, 1458 symphonic mx. At 1500-1530 relay of R Rossii talking about Mr. Miloshevich being in the Hague. Excellent reception until 1510 with 35233. Then Krasnodar tx on 9490.00 woke up and causing noise until 1530 when the same R Rossii program with sports nx and 3 IDs was carried, but still with the noise in the background. Krasnodar was heard with 43543 totally covering Sokhumi (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI Jun 29, via BC-DX via DXLD) ** GERMANY. 6085, Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk Leipzig, via Munich, 0300- 0318, Jul 4, program in German w/lots of IDs as "MDR Info" and "MDR Nachrichten", w/nx about Washington, Berlin, Munich, Miloshevich, by announcer, at 0312 ID as "Nachrichten Radio MDR Info". SINPO: 45444. IDed as this, not as Bayerischer Rundfunk Munich as I thought previously (Gabriel Iván Barrera, Argentina, July 4, BC-DX via DXLD) Perhaps some further remarks about Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk programming on 6085 are useful, since this topic popped up again recently: Bayerischer Rundfunk still produces no programming of its own at night; instead the traditional common services "ARD- Nachtexpress", "ARD-Popnacht" and "ARD-Nachtkonzert" are carried during these hours. But the fifth network "B 5 aktuell" takes between 2300 and 0500 (or during summer 2200-0400) the "MDR info" network of Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk, which is on air 24/7. This is an all news format, which is carried on mediumwave (Wiederau 783, Wachenbrunn 882, Wilsdruff 1044, Reichenbach near Görlitz 1188), an increasing number of low powered FM transmitters and the Astra DTH satellite system. Bayerischer Rundfunk simply takes the Astra feed, resulting in a delay compared to the mentioned MW transmitters, which are fed through microwave links. Actually "MDR info" no longer originates from Leipzig but instead from Halle/Saale now (don`t ask why, because this was merely a political decision). The old Springerstraße radiohouse at Leipzig was abandoned by the end of 1999 in favour of a brand-new building, of course with state-of-the-art equipment, at Gerberstraße 2, 06108 Halle. Now only administration and TV production are resident at Leipzig; postal address for the technical department is P.O. Box 67, 04251 Leipzig, or e-mail to techhot@mdr.de In the past 6085 used to carry the "Bayern 1" network and so "ARD- Nachtexpress" at night. But meanwhile this was replaced by a selection of programming from the various FM networks, and for the overnight period Bayerischer Rundfunk decided to replace the "ARD- Nachtexpress" by "MDR info". On the contrary Hessischer Rundfunk and Norddeutscher Rundfunk still relay "ARD-Nachtexpress" on their mediumwave frequencies, although this Schlager service hardly suits the "hr-chronos" and "NDR 4 INFO" networks of these institutions. Evidently they have no idea what to carry at night, but nobody seems to consider another option: Simply switching off the transmitters at night instead of irritating mediumwave listeners with multiple duplications of this ARD-Nachtexzess. Regards, (Kai Ludwig, Germany, July 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST ** KOREA SOUTH [non]. The Chicom-style distorted-overmodulation jammer on 9650 continues, worse than ever, during RKI English relay via Canada 9650, Sunday July 8 at 1140, making Multiwave Feedback largely unintelligible here. Has RKI caught on yet? They have a network of Official Monitors who ought to be on top of this, so I have not told them directly (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KURDISTAN [non]. CLANDESTINE from RUSSIA to IRAQ. Voice of Mesopotamia via Samara failed to go on the air as scheduled Friday 1400 (15770) and Saturday at 0800 (15230) (Olle Alm, Sweden, July 7) Next chance is 1400 on 15770 (Ed., Cumbre DX Special via DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS. Hello from Hilversum, We`ve been sweltering [sic -gh, OK] in temperatures of around 30C (86F) all week, but it's expected to cool down over the weekend. Short-Wave of Publicity Our "Short-Wave of Publicity" promotion to North America got under way at 1000 UT on Sunday 1 July. As expected, we have been inundated with E-mails, almost all of them praising the stance Radio Netherlands has taken in favour of shortwave. Some of the people who reacted were, as we expected, unaware that the BBC had decided to terminate its shortwave transmissions to North America, and were expecting to hear London but got us instead. Some of the E-mails we received raised interesting points or asked questions, and you can read a selection of them at http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/html/interactive.html together with my responses. The schedule of the extra transmissions to North America can be found at http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/html/schedule.html If you want to know what`s on, consult our online Radio Guide at http://www.rnw.nl/en/index.html A note about the programming: For the first three days of the promotion, all frequencies ran a special 30-minute showcase programme designed to introduce new listeners to Radio Netherlands. Starting on 4 July, it was our intention that all frequencies would start to carry our regular English programming, with the gaps in between filled by special selected material from recent broadcasts. However, while Sackville frequencies did indeed commence this arrangement as planned, we had difficulties establishing an audio circuit to Delano. This has now been done, but as of Friday afternoon Delano was carrying the wrong audio feed, meaning some of the programming was in Dutch instead of English. Hopefully this has been, or very soon will be rectified. Our management are now carefully analysing reactions to the initiative, and we expect soon to be able to make an announcement about our long-term plans. Information about the listening habits of people who responded is proving very useful. In the meantime, enjoy our programmes, and don't forget that reactions are always welcome to media@rnw.nl The Dutch press have been very interested in what Radio Netherlands is doing. Today, 6 July, we even made the front page lead in the country's biggest newspaper. Here's how Newsline's Johanna Stoyva reported the coverage in her press review: "There's a banner headline on the front page of today's mass- circulation DE TELEGRAAF that reads: "Radio Netherlands' World Service Trumps BBC". As some listeners may know, as of July 1, the BBC stopped its shortwave service to North America, instead serving those listeners, says the paper, via Internet and local radio. "Radio Netherlands", it says, "didn't hesitate. It seized the opportunity to send its programmes out on those frequencies in addition to its own". And in the process, it says, "gained thousands of listeners". In all fairness, the story may not quite merit the massive headline, pleasant as a bit of positive publicity in the country's largest- circulation newspaper may be. As the paper says, this is in fact a "publicity campaign", designed to make shortwave listeners aware of Radio Netherlands, which won't continue transmitting on the entire range of frequencies." That's all until 7 days from now, (Andy Sennitt, Media Network, Radio Netherlands Media Network Newsletter July 6 via John Norfolk, DXLD) But what about the ``fill`` times on the temporary ex-BBC relays? Advance content of that would be even more useful. Or maybe it is all ad-hoc? (gh to Andy Sennitt) Yes, it's all ad hoc :-) (Andy, July 6, DXLD) In this week's edition of our listener contact programme Sincerely Yours, broadcast today (Sunday), host Neville Powis talks to our Director of Programmes Jonathan Marks about the Short-Wave of Publicity initiative to North America, and what Radio Netherlands plans to do for the remainder of the current broadcast season. There's also a letter from one "Timothy Manwell", a name that sounds very familiar :-) If you can't listen direct, the programme's available online. If you take the 0930-1030 UTC on demand file, it comes up immediately after the news at around 0937 (Andy Sennitt, standard disclaimer, July 8, swprograms via DXLD) ** NIGERIA. On 5th July, Radio Nigeria, Ibadan on 6049.92 kHz noted with sign-off at 2150, which seemed rather early (usual sign-off in the past has been around 2305). (Tony Rogers - Birmingham - UK, AOR 7030+/LW, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA. One of the very first low power FM stations is on the air. Sunday morning, July 8, around 1615 UT I was tuning across FM during an intense sporadic E opening, and came upon a local/steady signal on 94.3 with a windy preacher. At certain antenna positionings, this could be overridden by DX from Florida, indicating translator-level signal strength. I could not bear to listen intently for clues about local origin, but he kept on going past 1700 (local noon), until finally at 1723 the station switched to gospel music tracks, no announcements, and long pauses as if a single record were being played. One started at 1759 but cut off as I eagerly awaited an ID announcement. None came forth, tho the carrier remained on. Then phoned Covenant Life Worship Center, Enid, (580) 234-1920 and got their answering machine. See the May 4 and earlier entries in Oklahoma Broadcasting News: http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/Oklahoma7.html Later: left a radio on the open carrier, and finally, an hour later at 1859 UT announced as equipment test from KLGB, 94.3 Stereo FM. Address all comments to P O Box 884, Enid, OK 73702. And back into gospel music (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 6312.3-6313.2, R Unión, 0057 July 7, Back on with listenable audio. First noticed them at 0057 with a fairly good signal. When I checked again at 0800 the TX was a little more raspy and had drifted up 1 kc. The carrier was wavering a bit. High energy male DJ through echo effect, was playing mostly LA pop, but also some Andean flute mx, all night long. By 0900 the signal was buried under a ute station but fine in LSB (David Hodgson, TN, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** POLAND. After visiting the SW txing center at Leszczynka (south of Warsaw) I can report that the management of the stn is still not fully aware about the audio problems with their SW txs. The engineers are hesitating to consider the disturbed audio as something else than co-channel interference. Indeed, when listening to the SW channels in Warsaw by groundwave, the disturbances do sound similar to co-channel interference on a first impression. It will need further assistance to convince the management to consider the possibility that the problem is caused by the transmitters. The site currently employs five 100 kW TESLA txs (3 more have been removed meanwhile); these are some of the few SW txs that TESLA produced, and the problems might be related to the transmitter design. After a first analysis in the tx hall, the disturbances might be a result of vibrations in the water cooling system which continue into the tube unit (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Jul 6) KL - Kai Ludwig and BT - Bernd Trutenau comment: KL: Have they no possibility to listen to the actually txed signals through special diodes as elsewhere? And even if not, do they really believe, they hear disturbing co-channel signals from distant stns when checking with any SW radio next to their own txs? The TDP booklet claims that the original equipment consisted of seven txs only, two of them older KRV100 models from 1954. The remaining five should be according to this source KRV120 models from 1969. I noted years ago that the audio characteristics of one tx singled out; usually the audio range below 150...200 Hz is suppressed but not on this one. For a while I no longer noted this for a while, so perhaps this was one of the now removed old txs, provided that I have not just missed this striking unit on air. However, Litomysl [Czechoslovakia] is equipped with the same KRV120 txs (and I guess all five are still there; anyway they operate three units simultaneously at present), and I never noted any such problems there. Further KRV120's are in use in Algeria, and at least Tipaza 252 is a Tesla fitting, too (possibly consisting of two DRV750 transmitters). I would say the actual difference is that the Litomysl facilities were continuously maintained, also including some upgrades like the inauguration of new soundprocessing equipment a couple of years ago. This leads to another problem: The Leszczynka outlets always suffer from low modulation depth; evidently no limiter/compressor is in use there. Actually Tesla txs have widely a good reputation with the exception of FM txs from a certain period which were so poor that even the CSSR PTT installed txs from Zarat-POL instead until Tesla managed to design reliable FM equipment. SW txs from this manufacturer are indeed rare but to my knowledge at least the LW/MW txs from Tesla, which were used by the GDR PTT (Burg 261, Koenigs Wusterhausen 603 and the LPC outlets) were considered reliable. Hence I think that the primary design of the KRV120's is certainly not to blame and the problems can be solved. I think that also Radio Polonia is required to make a decision. If Telekomunikacja Polska continues to refuse the urgently needed reconstruction work, they should better stop to use Leszczynka completely and rent capacity from DTAG, MCCBN (like R Maryja did after losing patience with Leszczynka), Merlin or elsewhere instead. BT: The LW/MW & TV txs of TESLA certainly have a good reputation. But we are talking of their SW txs here which for certain reasons (which would be interesting to know) have been discontinued. I think that we have no facts at this stage to decide whether the design of the KRV120 is part of the problem or not - this would be purest speculation. For the same reason this possibility cannot be excluded either. History has shown that many large manufacturers have been more successful with a certain type of tx than with others. Some time ago, R Racja complained about the disturbances. Leszczynka engineers went to the border with Belarus and Lithuania to check, and came to the conclusion that "everything was OK". The TDP data is not fully correct. Acc. to the stn's chief, there were altogether 8 x 100 kW txs, the first two installed already in 1950. In 1970 the station was upgraded. No installation is totally the same, and the question is what modifications TESLA made in Litomysl over the years. It can be expected that in the country of origin the equipment gets the best treatment by the national manufacturer. But TESLA certainly could offer a solution for the present problem at Leszczynka. Only the staff at the site has to realize that there really is a problem with their equipment, and most of all a decision is needed about the future of the Leszczynka site. WB: Terrible Polish R audio problems on SW last since autumn 1994 ! BT: The situation must be seen in the light of the changes on the telecom sector in Poland during the 1990s. The operator Telekomunikacja Polska SA (TPSA) closed and dismantled almost all of its MW txs in that decade, and SW has even less priority. The Leszczynka SW stn has always been on the edge of an immediate closure, with no room for any future planning at all. In the contrary, the installations were more and more reduced. In 1997, three SW txs were dismantled, and out of the 50 antenna systems which were operational in 1970, only about half are left (Jul 6/7 (BC-DX July 8 via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. Russian Radio Editors Quit Over Takeover By Susan B. Glasser MOSCOW, July 5 -- Top journalists at Echo Moskvy, Russia's only widely available news radio station not run by the government, quit in protest today over what they called "the forced nationalization" of their popular and influential station. To view the entire article, go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25149-2001Jul5.html (via Bill Westenhaver, QU, DXLD) SATURDAY JULY 07 2001 Kremlin silences free radio station FROM ALICE LAGNADO IN MOSCOW PRESIDENT PUTIN heralded a return to the authoritarianism of the Cold War era yesterday when he finally succeeded in silencing the last independent voice in the country`s national media... Full story: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,3-2001232057,00.html (via Mike Barraclough, UK, DXLD) ** SAN MARINO. As listed in the WRTH2001, the San Marino government radio URL is operational and was an exciting tour for me! Their "Live Radio" copyrighted was much rock music with English lyrics but also a brief "Informa" in Italian and plenty of "Radio San Marino" IDs! Also an ID with chorus singing "Radio San Marino". Am sending report to E-mail address listed and hope for a reply! Note: http://www.radiosanmarino.sm/ and sps@omniway.sm for E-mail. Regards from (Bill Flynn in Oregon, July 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOUTH AFRICA. 3320, R Sonder Grense. I had always known this stn for its oldies and talk In Afrikaans mainly on music, but to my surprise what I heard tonight at (1915-1945) was program on Islam with recital of Kor`an and talk on Islam by man and woman in Afrikaans. The program was "Islam in Focus" and it ended at 1945 after ID and recital of Koran; then followed the normal musical program with a song of Edith Piaf (Mahendra Vaghjee, Mauritius, DXplorer Jul 5, via BC-DX via DXLD) ** TURKEY. 11665-USB, July 8 0257-0350, Voice of Turkey English to NAm. They have a problem! After IS & ID, opening at 0300, a thumping sound disrupts the audio and makes reception almost impossible. Lasts until close. Advising them by E-mail (Bill Flynn, OR, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UGANDA. Radio Uganda still on 7195 kHz (rather than its usual 4976). (Tony Rogers - Birmingham - UK, July 8, AOR 7030+/LW, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** U K. Dear Mr. Hauser, My name is Scott Morton. I am from Erie, Pennsylvania. I am a long time listener to WOR and COM. I just wanted to let you know despite the recent tragedy of BBC discontinuing broadcasts to the United States, I have been picking up 5975 very well in the evening hours. Another thing I would like to mention. I have heard and read a lot recently about how younger people are not as interested in short-wave as the generation that preceded us. Well, I am 33, a white collar professional, and short-wave is a major part of my daily activity. I collect older short-wave radios and listen on average of 4 hours a day. With all of my other responsibilities, mainly to my family, I don't have enough time to write in and express my interest in short-wave listening. I just wanted to let you know that the next time someone says something about the younger generation not being as interested, just let them know that there are a lot of us out here. Best Regards, (Scott A. Morton, Design Draftsman- Rotary Wing Section/Aerospace Engineering Dept., Lord Mechanical Products, Erie, PA. USA 16514-0038, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The BBC repeated (or rather, *repeats*) often that it doesn't exist simply to serve shortwave hobbyists, yet by making themselves rare on this side of the globe, I would imagine the DXers are now quite happy for two reasons: 1) the BBC is now more of a DX target itself; 2) when RN gives up some or all of the current BBC freqs, they will be clear for a little while (or longer), perhaps unveiling little radio gems underneath. Good night all, (Ricky Leong, QB, DX LISTENING DIGEST) A rather extraordinary reversal of form this week on "Write On". Using the "Sound of Music" song "Goodbye, Farewell", the program devoted about five minutes at the start of the program to letters from listeners in NZ, Australia and the US saying "goodbye" to WS. Several of the listener comments read were caustic, accusatory, sarcastic and angry. I was personally pleased that they made many of the points that have been made by the Save BBC Coalition -- unsuitability or unavailability of the Internet, lousy FM coverage, logic lacking in the policy, etc. One reader mentioned that NPR had devoted 15 minutes on Morning Edition to this issue. I was not aware of this, although I was aware of Larry Magne's excellent commentary and Scott Simon's rather less than stellar report on ATC. [it was on Weekend Edition Sat -gh] The presenter closed the segment by noting that she would have some "news" about digital forms of broadcast next week, specifically naming DAB and DRM and commenting that they were still a couple of years off. Given that the presenter had stated several weeks back that this issue was closed as far as the program was concerned, I find the return to the subject quite interesting (John A. Figliozzi, NY, swprograms via DXLD) I just read the BBC World Service 2000-2001 Annual Report on their website and recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it. It's interesting and ironic reading, with a lot of revealing tidbits about how they measure and evaluate their audience, and the "thinking" that led to the shortwave shutdown decision. Report is at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/us/annual_review/2000/index.shtml Director's overview -- Building for the future in a changing world -- By Mark Byford ... (via John Townes, swprograms via DXLD) This link: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200001/cmselect/cmfaff/210/1013001.htm takes you to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee page on the UK Parliament site and their examination of the World Service this year. Memorandums from BBC WS and the Unions, and the Union one is worth reading for a different perspective, and record of Mark Byford`s oral examination before the committee. Lots of material but I found the answer to question 114 anticipated the shortwave cuts (Mike Barraclough, swprograms via DXLD) ** UK [non]. 07 July 2001. Dear All, Received this info along with a QSL letter from Mrs Lorna Manning, Site Administrator, Christian Voice (Australia) Ltd. Updated info on Christian Voice-Cox Peninsula Txer Site ------------------------------------------------------- Daily broadcasts of 5.5 hours to China & 6.5 hours to Indonesia have commenced. Darwin is receiving satellite feed from Christian Voice International (African Service) in the UK, and with a suitable time delay to match time zones, presenter-led programmes in English are being sent to these targets in Asia. Meanwhile a major studio project has commenced in Maroochydore, Queensland, from where programming specifically for the Asian audience will be produced. Frequency info : 0130-0700 UTC 21550 KHZ - TO CHINA 0030-0400 UTC 21680 KHZ - TO INDONESIA 0430-0500 UTC 21680 KHZ - TO INDONESIA 0530-0800 UTC 21680 KHZ - TO INDONESIA South-East Asia is effectively covered by both these frequencies. Full frequency schedule details of the Christian Vision stations are now on the Christian Vision website: http://www.christianvision.com/schedule.htm With the exception of 21550 & 21680, the other 'Asia' frequencies listed on the website are not yet active, but will be coming on presently. Christian Voice (Australia) Ltd., Site Address : Cox Peninsula Transmitter Site, Via Darwin NT 0800, Australia. Power : 250 kw Tel # +61 (8) 8981 6591 Fax # +61 (8) 8981 2846 Postal Address : PMB 5777, Darwin NT 0801, Australia. Warm regards, (Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, July 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Re: Ricochet wireless internet service. Chuck, Curious, what frequencies/transmission method do/did they use?? 73, Glenn Glenn, I forget the frequencies, except that they nailed some unused bit of the spectrum above the cell phone frequencies, before the FCC started auctioning off the rest of it. They use a spread- spectrum/frequency-hopping scheme (the Hedy Lamarr autograph model) and 40-bit (I think) encryption for security. Instead of cell towers, they flood the city with shoebox-sized transceivers mounted on utility poles. If there was a lot of traffic in a particular neighborhood, they'd drop in another one. I had good coverage just about anywhere in Seattle, and from my office 30 floors up in downtown Seattle, had my pick of transceivers. I'd be really sorry to see the service go. Either in various points of Seattle, and also while traveling to the Bay Area or DC, I'd have reliable email and general Internet access. I know a few people who could check email, etc., while commuting by ferry to Seattle from the west side of Puget Sound. It also works at the Minneapolis and Chicago airports, where I spend a fair amount of time in transit. One of my brothers out at Microsoft has been testing the beta (for this area) 128K system, and has been impressed with it (Chuck Albertson, WA, July 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Glenn: I received KPM 556, the feeder station from Portland, OR yesterday, for the first time in several months. I contacted the station engineer to find out how the repairs were progressing. Here is the e-mail: I have just received your feeder station again July 6, 0030 GMT or July 5 1930 CDT, for the first time in several months. Are you back to 100 watts again, and with a new high gain antenna, or are you still at reduced power? The signal was very weak here, but I did hear some audio on the peaks containing your usual music format. Thanks for your time, David Hodgson David -- No, we are still at 50 watts and the same antenna. But possibly today by 6 pm Pacific Daylight we will be at 100 watts. We are making repairs to our transmitter today, and if it meets the spurious emission requirements, we will be back to 100 watts. The antenna replacement has been delayed for at least three more weeks, but we still plan to do it. Thanks for the reception report (Larry Holtz Dir. of Engineering Entercom Portland KGON/KKSN- FM,AM/KNRK/KRSK/KFXX 503-535-0371) So look for an improved signal in the near future, from this one (David Hodgson, TN, July 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 26/JUNE/2001 WITH EFFECT FROM 1ST JULY VOA HAS RETIMED ITS URDU & HINDI EVENING BROADCAST INTO TWO TIME SLOTS (1st half hour has been cancelled): URDU ---- 1330-1400 UTC - CXLD. 1400-1430 UTC - 9505, 15190, 17870 KHZ. 1700-1730 UTC - 9890, 15245, 11905 KHZ. HINDI ----- 1600-1630 UTC - CXLD 1630-1700 UTC - 7235, 9665, 15195 KHZ. 1730-1800 UTC - 9725, 15345, 13720 KHZ. REGDS (ALOKESH GUPTA, NEW DELHI, July 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Re: discussion of direxionality of Delano antennas used by BBC, RN: An antenna could be non-directional yet be 0/180 in beam headings. Imagine a dipole that is too low to the ground, which doesn't null the ends sufficiently at say 10 to 20 degrees off the end. Only when a dipole is a 1/4 wavelength or higher above the ground does it begin to approximate a free space antenna with true directionality perpendicular to the wire. One interpretation of Andy's comment in response to my post is that VOA Delano could be using an antenna that, like a dipole too low to the ground, none-the-less has some directionality for its major lobes in dB output, but still leaks too much for side lobes. And if Kim is right in that the VOA doesn't need to adhere to FCC rules, it would be entirely legal for them to use such an antenna (without the necessary 10dB gain in major lobes). Does this help? Cheers from (Bismarck, North Dakota, Kevin Anderson, a.k.a. K9IUA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I rather doubt IBB actually uses dipoles. Could Dan Ferguson or someone at Delano please describe the antennas in question and their actual radiation patterns? (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. This goes along with the Lorenzo Milam piece I sent yesterday. Who are you calling a corporate shill? By Jim Russell http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/2001/07/02/npr2/index.html 73- (Bill Westenhaver, QE, July 6, DXLD) ** U S A [clandestine]. United Patriot Radio (Back? Ed.) 6900U 6/30 0050-0105+. A flurry of activity from this clandestine last week; including their reactivation. A mid-week rumor that they had been busted with shots fired turned out to be false; there had been a local concentration of police officials for an unrelated drug raid "in town." Their on-air announcement and written statement of last week, saying that the station had gone QRT in protest to the lack of Patriot Movement support for Mark Koernke in Michigan, also proved to be less than valid. The program last night included relays of the Yahweh show and their own productions with IDs and ads for Patriot soap. Strong plugs for donations to keep station going via Steve Anderson, 245 Elrod Martin Road, Somerset, KY 42503. Every day that they are on extends their own all-time record for the longest running domestic clandestine in USA history. SIO 444 (George Zeller, OH, Free Radio Weekly July 7 via DXLD) ** U S A [non]. I checked for Gene Scott after 1300 and found a weak signal with somebody bawling on 17795, seemingly Scott via Samara, aiming at 130 degrees (so only spurious radiation towards Europe). Probably they temporarily changed to 17645 and are now back on usual 17795, anyway 17645 was empty now here in Germany. This certainly needs more monitoring by those who are interested in finding out about the schedule of this service. Nothing on 17590 and 9940 either, but both are registered for Samara with a suitable 125/130 degrees beam heading, so may well be in use at other times. The latest schedule I found for Scott via Russia suggests for Samara 0700-1100 17590 and 1100-1600 on 17795. Furthermore 0300-1000 12065, 1000-1600 12050 from Novosibirsk and 0300-0700 13645 from Tbilisskaya are listed, but all these frequencies are not registered in A01, so they are likely obsolete and probably these sites no longer in use by Scott. Our fellow friend R.G. Stair missed from Jülich frequencies? At least 6110 is still in use. By the way, have you already noted how amateurish these, uh, broadcasts are produced (bad mike audio, often with background noise, rough editing)? (Kai Ludwig, Germany, July 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** URUGUAY. 9620, SODRE: El trasmisor en esta frecuencia ha comenzado a emitir 24h o al menos está quedándose activo durante el nuevo período de emisión nocturna que va de 0300 a 1000. Llamé por teléfono al sitio trasmisor y hablé con un operador allí, amigo mío, que confirmó mi escucha esta semana pasada de CXA6, pasadas las 0600, cuando ya no había QRM de REE. Me aseguró, además, que las próximas dos noches con seguridad el trasmisor lo iba a mantener en funcionamiento, y que un informe favorable para dejarlo toda la noche sería elevado a la Dirección Técnica de la emisora. Había ya informado yo que desde el pasado marzo 1º, CX6 en OM 650 había comenzado operación las 24h. Retrasmitida en 9620 por CXA6, ha sufrido siempre de gran QRM por parte de Radio Exterior de España por las noches, y la Dirección Técnica del SODRE consideraba que no valía la pena mantener el trasmisor encendido, sufriendo debajo de los poderosos 350 kw desde Noblejas. Pero hace unos dias algunos -no todos- los operadores de turno comenzaron a dejarlo encendido después de las 0300, sin confirmación oficial de la Gerencia Técnica. Como se ha dicho, el nuevo horario de programación nocturna va de 0300 a 1000 y consiste de una selección de música clásica y ligera orquestal. El QRM del Servicio Exterior de REE termina -creo- a las 0500, y a partir de esta hora sería posible la recepción de la emisora oficial uruguaya. El único inconveniente es que la potencia es de apenas 150 W y la modulación no es del 100%. Además no es de identificarse a cada rato. Los operadores han tratado de preservar el estado del trasmisor, ya que los repuestos para estos equipos escasean y no se dispone de fondos para su mantenimiento. La modulación del otro trasmisor, en la otra frecuencia del SODRE en OC en 6125, (retrasmitiendo a OM 1050) también se mantiene baja. Háganme saber de sus loggings positivos relativos a esta emisora. (Horacio Nigro, Montevideo, Uruguay, Jul 7, Conexión Digital via DXLD) [SODRE 9620 is running all night at least UT July 8 and 9, and should be in the clear for DX after Spain closes at 0500, tho only 150 watts and undermodulated -- this item was posted at Anomaly Alert well before 0500 UT July 8 -gh] 6155: I can conclude that the stn is IDing as "Banda Oriental" exclusively for its SW outlet and not Sarandi del Yí as in MW, though the latter is the name of the owner. And the SW program is different from MW except when relaying network or live coverage. Interesting situation. What do you suggest or think about this? (Horacio A. Nigro, Uruguay, DXplorer Jul 5, via BC-DX via DXLD) ** UZBEKISTAN. Uzbek Radio seems to have dropped its shortwave relays of their two main domestic services on shortwave. Their 1st and 2nd Programmes on 4850, 5995, 9540, 9545, 15165, 15200, 15330 kHz have all been off the air for the past few weeks, although 15200 kHz continues to carry Radio Tashkent in Turkish at 0600-0630 daily. Here in Europe 4850 kHz should now be clear for reception of AIR Kohima opening at 0000, although that now seems to be off the air too! (Dave Kernick, UK, July 8, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ++++++++++++ Dr. Hansjörg Biener - Neulichtenhofstr. 7 - DE-90461 Nürnberg Peace Education Standing Commission Dear DX friends, I would like to inform you about a project on peace radio that I am about to start and I would like to ask you for your assistance. I am using all the e-mail addresses of prominent DXers that I picked up during the last few years and some may be out of date. "If you feel bothered by unsolicited mail please ignore this message." 73s, Dr Hj. Biener PEACE RADIO WEB SITE For decades, the DX community has known the phenomenon of clandestine broadcasting and has developed excellent reference tools about this part of the broadcasting scene. In the recent decade, even a wider public took notice of hate radio. In order to redirect the focus of attention on the peace making potential, the peace education standing commission of the world conference of religions for peace is going to launch a new project on its website later this month. Dr Hansjörg Biener, a short wave listener for 25 years, who already runs an extensive site on domestic and international broadcasting in German, is to document radio efforts working towards peace, democracy and human rights. To be named on the peace radio site a station or programme has to meet the following criteria: -adherence to journalistic principles in its reporting -humanitarian programming -financial support from renowned international sources This excludes partisan and clandestine broadcasting as well as much of the programming sponsored by single religious groups. It also excludes some government sponsored broadcasting which did or might have effects for international peace, democracy and human rights. In order not to rely on official sources only, Dr Hansjörg Biener tries to tap the knowledge and experience of potential local and international listeners. So suggestions and comments are very much invited. Information is sought about the history and current state of the following stations or programmes: - Radio Amahoro. A Kinyarwanda programme launched in the context of the massacres in Rwanda. - Following the cease fire between Ethiopia and Eritrea UN was to launch programmes on the respective state radios. - The UN has used the external service of Radio Ethiopia to broadcast a Voice of Peace to Somalia, but little is known about this service. (Dr. Hansjörg Biener, 7 July 2001, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ###