DX LISTENING DIGEST 1-153, October 19, 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] WORLD OF RADIO #1101: (STREAM) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1101.ram (DOWNLOAD) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1101.rm (SUMMARY) http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/wor1101.html NEXT BROADCASTS on RFPI: Sat 0730 on 15050, 1330 on 21815-USB Sat 1800, Sun 0000 on 15050, 21815-USB NEXT BROADCASTS on WWCR: UT Sun 0230 on 5070, 0628 3215 BROADCASTS ON WORLD RADIO NETWORK: Sat 0800 to Eu/Af/As; 1400 NAm ** AFGHANISTAN [non?]. 8700.0/U 19 OCT 2001 (UT) 0130-0300+ I have been listening to the widely-reported (presumed) Commando Solo psyops broadcast for the past couple of hours. Rather upbeat selections of instrumental/vocal regional folk music, interspersed with 1-to-3 minute commentaries by male announcer(s). Not sufficiently familiar with Dari or Pashto languages to identify them as such, but have heard many references to "Taleban" and "Afghanistan". Some sporadic QRM from ute at ~8695, but generally good-to-excellent reception - especially in the 0130-0230 UTC time frame. Though I am unaware if anyone has verified that the broadcast on 8700 kHz is actually originating from the Commando Solo EC-130 aircraft, (or from a ground-based location near Afghanistan proper), I have noted a definite weakening of the signal approaching 0300 UT. This would correspond to local sunrise in the region of Afghanistan, and loss of an all-darkness path between there and my location in upstate New York. The signal is slowly dropping into the noise floor at present (0315), with a corresponding increase in interference from nearby RTTY and SSB ute traffic (Jim Barrett - Elmira, NY, Drake R8B - 240' horizontal loop, Oct 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST) "Commando Solo" broadcasting presumably over Afghanistan heard in New Jersey on 18 OCT 01 between 0030-0130 UT. Format followed a pattern of three to five minutes of a male announcer speaking, followed by an Afghani song featuring one or two instruments with male vocal accompaniment. The male announcer made frequent references to "Taliban," "bin Laden," "Afghanistan," "America," and "Pakistan." I found the audio to be muddy at times, but that may have been a product of the extreme distance that the signal travelled to reach me here in New Jersey. The signal was quite strong at times but faded deeply every ten minutes or so. There was some interference from a Morse-code utility station on a nearby frequency. Atmospheric noise increased during the hour I listened, probably because the signal was fading due to more of the propagation path entering daylight. I'd give it SINPO 34323. The signal was gone by 0300 UT. (Dave Hochfelder, New Brunswick, NJ, Sony ICF2010 with stock whip antenna, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) Commando Solo, 8700-USB, Fri Oct 19, not heard from scheduled *1230, but audible after 1300 beside heavy continuous ute QRM, with usual format alternating talk and music; but it disappeared around 1340 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) There is another good story about the psyops planes over Afghanistan on MSNBC. It shows a photo of one of the brochures they drop which indicates that the AM frequencies are 864 and 1107 kHz. The Pentagon says that one of these is a former Taliban frequency. The article is at http://www.msnbc.com/news/644557.asp (Patrick Griffith, Westminster, CO, USA, NRC AM via DXLD) I have been listening to the broadcast the past two nights of which last night was the best. One thing to note that there was no flutter to the transmission, nice and clear and steady. Seems to drop down about every 20 mins or so and then back up. Sometimes sudden increases in audio. Noted that as gray line passed Kabul, the level dropped and continued to lower toward 03. Have to say I like the selection of music used. Many of the speeches where duplicates. (R. E. Montgomery, PA, Oct 17, 2001 in DXplorer-ML via CRW via DXLD) Here follows paragraphs from an article in the Wall Street Journal, Oct, 15 2001 written by Chip Cummins: "The pamphlet drops were being coördinated with radio broadcasts carrying similar messages. Another version of a leaflet dropped in Afghanistan displays a radio tower sending out signals to receivers and listing the times and frequencies of information radio transmissions being beamed into Afghanistan. Two EC-130 Commando Solo aircraft are flying daily and broadcasting for five-hour stretches, from 5 a.m. to 10 a. m. and again from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. local time. The Pentagon said radio transmissions, in Dari and Pashto, include 60-minute segments containing messages, commentary and regional music broadcasts on shortwave and AM frequencies." (J. Kilian, USA, Oct 17, 2001 for CRW via DXLD) Afghanistan: Media round-up, 19 October Balkh radio still on the air Radio Voice of Shari'ah of Balkh Province - the Taleban-controlled provincial radio station based in the northern city of Mazar-e Sharif - continues to be heard by BBC Monitoring. It was heard on 1584 kHz mediumwave at 1230-1505 gmt on Thursday 18 October. On Friday 19 October, it signed on at the usual later time of 0430 gmt; reception deteriorated at around 0500 gmt. Balkh radio, 0430-0500 gmt, 19 Oct Balkh radio broadcast in Dari and Uzbek at 0430 gmt on 19 October, according to the usual Friday schedule. The broadcast usually ends at 0730 gmt but after 0500 gmt, reception deteriorated and nothing further was heard. Following are some of the items included in the broadcast: - Recitations and interpretations of verse from the Koran - [Reception inaudible for approximately 3 minutes] - Interpretation of verses from the Koran. - Uzbek programme containing news, commentary and slogans. Balkh radio 1230-1505 gmt, 18 Oct Following are some of the items included in the Balkh radio broadcast in Dari, Pashto and Uzbek from 1230-1505 gmt on Thursday 18 October: - Recitations and interpretations of verse from the Koran - Call for donations: Those who physically cannot take part in jihad should take part by contributing their wealth or moral support. Quoting Koranic verses about jihad. - An examiner at a local madrasah [Islamic seminary] tells listeners that he condemns the US attacks. The British were killed on this soil and Americans will also be killed on this soil. Another speaker from the same seminary says there have been so many cases of foreign attacks that these problems cannot weaken our ideology. - Patriotic songs in Dari, Uzbek and Pashto. The songs contained lyrics: My God destroys the enemies of the Taleban; This is the home of bold and courageous people. - Round-table discussion with doctors and scholars: America is an aggressor and should be punished. Afghans have always defended their sovereignty and integrity and will do so whenever attacked. The Americans whose hands are stained with the blood of Afghans are giving us food, they want to disgrace us. This food may be poisoned. - Interview with a doctor saying the food dropped by Americans could be poisonous. - News in Dari, Pashto and Uzbek. Balkh radio condemns US food packages, propaganda Following are some of the items included in the Balkh radio news broadcast in Dari at 1430 gmt on Thursday 18 October: - The commander of division No 5 received some military officials of Hayraton town today and discussed the military situation in the country. - The chief of intelligence services of Balkh Province received Fariab Province's chief of intelligence services and discussed the "cruel" US attack on Afghanistan. - Elders and religious scholars of Dehdadi District condemned the US strikes at a meeting today. - A meeting of Emirate officials in Andkhoy town was held today to discuss the military and political situation in the country and call on people to continue their jihad. - Officials of Balkh Province Department for Hajj and Endowment held a meeting today, condemned the US attacks and chanted anti-US slogans. - Commentary condemns US food aid and US PsyOps broadcasts: Afghan people are developing a "bitter hatred" towards US food aid and propaganda: "Our people are developing bitter hatred towards the US food packages and the propaganda which is spread through its radios." It condemned what it described as the American "insult" of "saying on the one hand we kill you by bombs and rockets, whilst on the other hand we feed you and send you food". The radio said religious law prohibited Afghans from eating food from hands "covered with the blood of our innocent people". And it added that there was a "strong possibility" the food packages contained poison. "Islam instructs its followers in this particular period of jihad to take precautions against everything and not to be complacent about the actions of the enemy of their religion." The radio added that Taleban forces were stronger than ever and spirits were high. "The brave army of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is stronger than before and their morale is high as they defend our territorial integrity and independence," it said. "God willing, not only can the infidel attacks not achieve any success, but they will also lead to the defeat and disgrace of the USA and its allies." Kabul radio still unheard The Taleban radio station, Radio Voice of Shari'ah from Kabul, has remained unheard by BBC Monitoring since Monday 8 October. Radio Voice of Shari'ah from Kabul, which is usually on the air from 0130- 0400 and 1230-1800 gmt, has not been heard on any of its three frequencies - 657 kHz and 1107 kHz mediumwave and 7085 kHz (variable) shortwave - since 1610 gmt on 8 October. Taleban reportedly cut off phone links with Pakistan The Taleban have reportedly cut off all telephone connections with Pakistan, the Pakistani daily newspaper Jang reported on 19 October. Taleban sources alleged that some agencies had been trying to record their conversations. Northern-based FM station seeks technical help The founders of Afghan FM station Radio Solh (Radio Peace) are seeking partners to help install a more powerful transmitter in Afghanistan to extend the station's reach. French newspaper Le Monde on 18 October spoke to Dragica Ponorac, who runs Droit de Parole (Right to Speak), the Paris-based group which founded Radio Solh. She said the station's reach was restricted by the low power of its transmitter. Search for partners Dragica Ponorac initially approached the French broadcasting authority Télédiffusion de France - TDF to get technical support and to install a 50 kW transmitter on Darban Mountain, which would be needed to cover Kabul, Le Monde reported. Radio Solh has a 150-watt FM transmitter and rudimentary studio in Jabalosaraj [Jabal os Saraj], Parwan Province, north of Kabul, Ponorac told the paper. Ponorac has also asked Radio France Internationale (RFI) for help. "The initiative deserves to be encouraged but we do not want to transform our media into an instrument of propaganda. We are thinking about how we can help them, while establishing clear boundaries," Erlends Calabuig, the foreign language broadcasts director at RFI told Le Monde. Programming Radio Solh currently broadcasts two hours a day: one hour in the morning and another in the afternoon, Le Monde reported. According to Ponorac, Radio Solh's goal is to establish an eight-hour programme schedule in Dari and Pashto very quickly. "We want to offer education programmes in cooperation with UNESCO, cultural programmes, courses on preventive care for infants with non-governmental organizations, and of course a musical programme," she explained. Regular news bulletins will also be broadcast. Staff Radio Solh employs about 12 Afghans, two of whom are women, Ponorac told Le Monde. One of the women is a journalist who was wounded during the assassination of Northern Alliance leader Ahmad Shah Masud on 9 September. Radio Pakistan programme, 18 Oct BBC Monitoring has continued to observe Radio Pakistan's new programme for Pashto and Dari-speakers, targeted at listeners in Afghanistan. "Nawa-e Dost" (Sound of a Friend) is broadcast from Radio Pakistan's Peshawar station on 540 kHz mediumwave from 1805- 1900 gmt daily. A shortwave frequency has also been announced. Following are some of the items included in the broadcast at 1805 gmt on Thursday 18 October: - News: Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's meeting on 17 October with British Secretary of State for International Development Clare Short: Musharraf spoke on Kashmir and Afghanistan saying all groups should participate in a future Afghan government. China also wants a broad-based government in Afghanistan. - Interview with Afghan refugees in Peshawar: One refugee from Parwan Province, located northeast of Kabul, said he has been in Peshawar one year now. He said they were caught up in the area of conflict between the Taleban and Northern Alliance. Another refugee from northern Jowzjan Province said he left Afghanistan because of drought. - Health issues: Medical advice in Dari on jaundice. Female announcer introduces play in Dari on the importance of a balanced diet and advice on how to store food. - Religious sermon. - Songs in Urdu and Dari. Full transcripts of US PsyOps broadcasts The CNN and US Department of Defence web sites carry entire transcripts of the US PsyOps broadcasts to Afghanistan: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Oct2001/d20011015radio.pdf http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/10/17/ret.us.propaganda/index.html http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/10/18/ret.flyers/ Rumsfeld on role of US PsyOps broadcasts On 18 October, CNN questioned US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on the instructions to Taleban troops on surrendering to US forces contained in US PsyOps broadcasts to Afghanistan. CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour asked Rumsfeld whether the instructions on surrendering to US forces indicated that US ground troops would be entering Afghanistan. Rumsfeld said the US PsyOps broadcasts were aimed at encouraging Taleban soldiers to defect or surrender to anti- Taleban groups. He declined to give information on future US military operations. A full transcript of the interview is available at http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Oct2001/t10182001_t1018cnn.html Following is an excerpt from the interview: We want to welcome viewers on CNN International who join us for a while now for an interview with Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld. The Secretary is in Washington. Christiane Amanpour, who will do the interview, is in Islamabad... [Amanpour] ...US radio broadcasts are instructing Taleban troops how to surrender to US troops. Does that mean there will be a US force on the ground? And if not, to whom will Taleban forces surrender? Which US troops? [Rumsfeld] Well, I would point out that in the north, the Northern Alliance forces, and, in the south, various tribal elements have been contesting and competing against the Taleban for some time. The leaflets that are being distributed are encouraging Afghan people and Afghan forces to oppose the Taleban and to oppose the foreigners, the Al-Qa'idah, who have come into their country and turned it into a haven for terrorist networks across the globe, including those that killed thousands of people in Washington DC and New York so recently. The hope is that those Taleban people will, in fact, move over and support the Northern Alliance and support the tribes in the south. It is also entirely possible, and, indeed, there has been some instances of this where Taleban forces have changed sides. And that is something that is taking place today as we speak. [Amanpour] But Mr Rumsfeld, the US broadcast is the one that is being broadcast by this flying radio station instructing specifically how to surrender to US forces. [Rumsfeld] Well, I think the point of the broadcast and of the leaflets that are being dropped is that we're encouraging people to surrender or to change sides. And it does not matter. The Afghan forces on the ground that are opposed to Taleban and opposed to Al- Qa'idah are in many, many locations. And it's far more likely that they'll be working with those forces. [Amanpour] Officials in your own department have been telling reporters that there are now special operations forces and helicopters on the decks of the aircraft carriers, aircraft carriers that have been cleared of their fighter bombers. Can you confirm that to us? [Rumsfeld] Well, I'm sure there are helicopters on various locations throughout the Central Command. I don't think that's really the point. If you're asking, am I going to discuss any conceivable future operations - needless to say I must not do that. That would be putting people's lives at risk and compromising the confidentiality that's so necessary for operations... Compiled by Foreign Media Unit, BBC Monitoring Telephone +44 118 948 6261 e-mail: fmu@mon.bbc.co.uk Source: BBC Monitoring research, 19 Oct 01 (via DXLD) Another Reaction issue: http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofrdio/afghreax.txt This article was on the front page of the Lifestyle section in the Houston Chronicle 10/18/01. It's by regular columnist, Ken Hoffman and is a nice intro to shortwave listening - with some expert advice from Glenn Hauser included (M. J. Cole, swprograms via DXLD) http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/features/1093962 Oct. 17, 2001, 10:37PM Listen to the war via shortwave radio By KEN HOFFMAN, Copyright 2001 Houston Chronicle In Kabul, families huddle around a shortwave radio, listening to a foreign voice transmitting from an EC-130 aircraft circling the city. The broadcast comes in loud and clear. The Taliban is unable to jam it. "The Partnership of Nations is here to assist the people of Afghanistan. We are here to help you." The broadcast tells Afghanis where emergency food drops will take place and how to open the packets of rice and vegetables. The rest of the broadcast consists of news and music. In America, halfway around the world, newshounds huddle around their shortwave radios, too, listening to history unfold in real time. Sales of shortwave radios always boom in times of worry. "Especially when the crisis is on an international level," said Jessica Gillette, director of sales for C. Crane Company http://www.ccrane.com America's top seller of shortwave radios. "People want to hear overseas broadcasts and get other countries' take. People want to make their own judgment." The Taliban's take isn't getting a worldwide reception, however. On Day Two of the bombing, American and British warplanes knocked out the Voice of Shari'ah, the Taliban's main radio station in Kabul. The station hasn't been heard from since. But there's still plenty of breaking news coming out of the Middle East. "The best bet for onsite, up-to-the-minute reporting is the BBC," said Glenn Hauser, whose Web site, http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio monitors shortwave broadcasts around the world. "Israel radio also presents good journalism from our point of view. Israel has a good signal and reliable reception. Pakistan has a daily newscast in English. They seem to be on our side, but with some reservations. Iran has a better signal, plus they're trying to reach American listeners. Iran appears to be sitting on the fence." The best time to listen to Iranian radio is 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 9022, 9835 and 11970 on the shortwave band. Pakistan's news in English airs at 11 a.m. at 11570, 15100, 15725 and 17720. The news from Israel airs at midnight at 9435, 15640 and 17545. All of these newscasts replay throughout the day. A smaller Taliban station, Radio Voice of Shari'ah in the northern Balkh Province, is still on the air. It can't be heard in America, but the BBC is monitoring the station and relaying its content. Tuesday, Alhaj Mola Dadollah, Taliban chief of staff for the North Zone, was interviewed. He promised victory over America once the ground war begins. He also said American bombs were targeting civilian neighborhoods, a charge that U.S. officials strongly deny. The rest of Radio Voice of Shari'ah programming consists of sermons, readings from the Koran and religious songs. Television has been banned in Afghanistan. Hauser cautions that listening to shortwave broadcasts isn't as easy as tuning into KTRH (740 AM) for news and weather together at the top of every hour. Shortwave requires some patience and fiddling. It also requires the right equipment. Hauser said you should look for a radio that covers all nine shortwave bands. He suggests you buy one with digital readouts, so you'll find exactly what you're looking for. And you'll probably need an external wire antenna. The whole package shouldn't cost more than $125 for a good, reliable unit. C. Crane has several shortwaves in that price range. So does Radio Shack and other electronics stores. "Of course, there are some common-sense things to remember. For instance, you don't want to extend your antenna near power lines. You don't want to place your radio near a computer or a television." Here's my own tip: Wait until midnight and sit outside with a shortwave. I've been doing this since we started fighting back. I'm listening to Pakistan and Israel, and Cuba and Russia, and Iran and China ... all from a lawn chair in my back yard. "A lot of this is trial and error. If you take some time, you'll have a whole world open up to you," Hauser said. Play trivia with Ken Hoffman, 8:30 a.m. Fridays on KLDE (107.5 FM). (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** ANTARCTICA. Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel is still on the air! It was received today (October 18 UT) at 2050 on 15476. Base name "Esperanza" was mentioned twice (Vladimir Kovalenko, Tomsk, Russia, Oct 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARMENIA. Radio Hay to start broadcasting via the Internet | Text of report by Armenian news agency Mediamax Yerevan, 19 October: Armenia's Radio Hay will begin broadcasting via the Internet from http://www.radiohay.com on Saturday [20 October]. Thus, Radio Hay will become the first Armenian radio station to broadcast via the Internet. Its programmes will consist mainly of Armenian classical and modern music, news bulletins and educational programmes. Source: Mediamax news agency, Yerevan, in Russian 0820 gmt 19 Oct 01 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. Quite a soap opera.... Powerful Victorians back troubled ABC chief By CAROLINE OVERINGTON, Saturday 20 October 2001 http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/2001/10/20/FFX7YAUVYSC.html (via John Figliozzi, swprograms via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. The Christian Voice schedule in DXLD 1-147 for B-01 includes several broadcasts in Indonesian. Tho not so specified, these appear actually to be R. Australia transmissions, as may be some of the others in English or `Various` -- We thought CV and RA operations were to be kept strictly separate as church and state (gh, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BANGLADESH. Re the B-01 sked in 1-146, I failed to notice that it shows the English broadcast at 1230 on 7185 and 9550 doubled to an hour starting at 1200; maybe already? (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1101, DXLD) ** BELGIUM. There has been a major change of frequency, even before the printed programme schedules were back from the printers': in a last minute change, the people of Radio Nederland Wereldomroep, in charge of the transmitters at Bonaire, decided to change our frequency for North America from Bonaire at 2230 UT from 13685 kHz into 13700 [Starting Oct 28]. (Frans Vossen, RVI Radio World Oct 21 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** CANADA. Re RCI on 49m to Europe: VERY interested to read the further comments on this. I think, Glenn that RCI used 5.995 MHz FROM UK relay in the Winter months in the past. But, with all due respect NEVER BEFORE from SACKVILLE TO EUROPE in the evening hours. I should imagine that at least sometimes, during periods of low to medium sunspot activity that you would pick up 5.995 MHz, quite well on East Coast of North America at around 2100 UT (what, 3.00pm to 4.00pm your time?), probably also 6 MHz band not too noisy with you until a couple of hours after this, except perhaps December-Mid January, at times. I think this may be the explanation, but would be interested in your further comments on a future DXLD. (If you have time!!!!) Incidentally I also notice revival of 'The World at Six' Monday to Friday 2200-2229:30 to Europe 9.755(!) [+other frequencies for other areas]. On Saturday a new programme called 'THE MEDIA ZONE' (Sounds interesting???????) 73's for now (Ken Fletcher 1 Kingscourt Kings Mount PRENTON CH43 5RG, 2305UTC/12.05am BST//19th/20th October 2001, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Maybe it was essentially inaudible in UK, but I distinctly remember hearing RCI a few years ago in the 2100 area on 5925 from Sackville, when it was certainly intended for Europe, not North America. Why is that so odd? Winter darkness paths, low sunspots, 6 MHz band is about all that works trans-Atlantically (gh, DXLD) ** CANADA. RCI/CBC preview: THE SUNDAY EDITION: This week on The Sunday Edition, Reportage or Fear-Mongering?: a discussion on how the media in Canada and the U.S. have been performing during this "War on Terrorism." Also, Little Kabul: A documentary look at Fremont, California, home to more Afghan Americans than any other U.S. city. Their thoughts may surprise you. And a conversation with Billy Collins, Poet Laureate of the United States. That's The Sunday Edition, with right after the 9 a.m. news (9:30 NT) on CBC Radio One. (CBC Hotsheet via DXLD) ** CZECH REPUBLIC. Click here to read this story online: http://www.csmonitor.com/2001/1016/p7s2-woeu.html In Prague, a symbol of America comes under threat by Arie Farnam, Special to The Christian Science Monitor Date: 10/16/2001 (PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC) In the heart of this stately city, just a few yards from the statue of the Czech patron Saint Wensceslas, stands the hulking former home of the Communist-controlled federal assembly, which for 40 years gripped the Czech and Slovak republics in an iron fist. Today, it houses the headquarters of the US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. But recent events may force this powerful symbol of American influence in the Czech Republic to move. Czech Chief of Staff Jiri Sedivy recently made public a warning passed on by Western intelligence agencies that RFE/RL was the target of a planned truck- bomb attack.... (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** EUROPE. Glenn: There is currently (1230 UT Oct 19) another VHF opening from Europe. This is the third day in a row. Good propagation from 32-36 Mhz. Try 30 minutes after local sunrise (David Hodgson, TN, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GAMBIA. GRTS - Gambia Radio Television Services - has finally published its web site at: http://www.grts.tv/ Not much info yet, but at the moment there's an interesting video/audio -clip on the radio (new 60 kw transmitter & new antenna) and television on the page: http://www.grts.tv/GRTS_News/grts_news.html (Pentti Lintujärvi, Helsinki, Finland, hard-core-dx via DXLD) Webmaster of 1000 Lakes DX Page at http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Park/3232/dx.htm and dxlinks.com at http://www.dxlinks.com/ ** GERMANY. Here the result of the promised daytime check: 693 is noticeably weaker than both Berlin-Britz outlets, 990 and 855, and also weaker than Braunschweig-Königslutter 630. So either the actual power is clear below 250 kW or the antenna works quite bad (it was said that the mediumwave transmitter should feed through a multiplexer into the 358 metres tall longwave mast). By the way, 855 right now carries parliament coverage, this time // 153 while 177 has regular Deutschlandradio Berlin programming. I guess this coverage is understood as a DLF service, hence on 153, and Deutschlandradio Berlin just puts it on the 855 playground channel, too. Reminds me to gossip about a colleague: It was sais that he indeed used to listen to such coverage on longwave, on the interlocking tower, accompanied by a loud buzz from the overhead cables and other interference sources. Weird, isn't it? Regards, (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Oct 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yesterday was the start of Mega Radio in Berlin on 693 kHz with 250 kW (at least this is the power that was announced). Checked in to this frequency this evening, and the result was: Even here in the Western part of Germany located between Düsseldorf and the Dutch border, Mega Radio is dominant during darkness. No more BBC 5 Live on this QRG, therefore a bombastic signal with AC/CHR pop music on the channel. Mega Radio is a non-stop music station broadcasting already on various MW txs in Germany (e. g. Schwerin 576 kHz, Dresden 1431 kHz, Braunschweig/Königslutter 630 kHz) as well via 1440 kHz / Luxembourg on daylight (Sascha Zimmer, Germany, Oct 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LESOTHO. Radio Lesotho has now own web site at: http://www.radioles.co.ls/ 73 de Pentti Lintujärvi, Helsinki, Finland, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** NIGERIA. Voice of Nigeria heard on 15120 October 19th at 0910 with Arts programme, at 0915 news feature Nigerian letter. Strong signal on clear channel but some distortion on the modulation (Mike Barraclough, UK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Long awaited reactivation, as external service revives (gh, DXLD) Hi Glenn! The Voice of Nigeria is now active on 15120. I've been listening this morning from 0700-0900. Signal is fair/good here in Germany, but audio is as bad as usually on 7255. Yesterday I had the impression that it is now better there... Don't know if 15120 is parallel to 7255, but it was the usual English programming on the former this morning. 11770 not heard (Thorsten Hallmann, Münster Germany, Oct 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. Yakutsk. Two SW stations have been audible from this Siberian city on 60 mb. First is official Yakut Radio on 4825. This frequency also carries Radio Rossii. Yakut Radio itself can be heard here in Tomsk in Western Siberia only in local morning from around 2030 to 23 UT when signal fades. In local evenings (11-16) Radio Rossii relays can be received with a fair signal (Vladimir Kovalenko, Tomsk, Russia, Oct 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SAO TOME. VOA to Africa in English was on 4960 instead of usual 4950 on October 12 at 2004 (Vladimir Kovalenko, Tomsk, Russia, Oct 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SWEDEN. I´ve been informed that on Saturday the 20th of October between 1300-1500 UT, the Swedish Local FM radiostation, Radio Kristianstad, will cover their local fotballclub major qualification game on 6065 kHz SW. Reception reports address: R Kristianstad, Box 505, S-291 25 KRISTIANSTAD, SWEDEN. You can also try their webpage : http://www.sr.se/kristianstad 73 (Bernt-Ivan Holmberg, Oct 19, Hard- Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) Obviously via R Sweden/Teracom facilities, usually on 6065 (gh, DXLD) ** UKRAINE. Sorry, Kraig, please correct a sentence in RUI B01 schedule: German (one hour long): 1800 on 5905, 7420, 9560 kHz; 2100 on 5905, 9560 kHz; 0000 on 5905 kHz. With the best regards, (Alexander Yegorov, RUI, Oct 19 via Krist, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. "Dear Mr. Byford: "So sorry to see things aren't going your way. "First, you decided to give away access to your news stream to US domestic FM stations. Few of them took you up on your offer -- even when it didn't cost them a dime. "Then, one of your Internet audio partners, 'AudioBasket', went toes up. Another outlet for BBCWS programming no longer available. "Now, another key future partner, Sirius, appears to be in serious (sorry for the pun) disarray, losing its CEO, delaying its rollout and begging for money. "In baseball, three strikes against you, and you're out: Domestic FM, AudioBasket, and Sirius. Looks like three strikes to me. "It's time for a new batter. This batter just whiffed. "Oh, PS, did you see this? Shortwave radio sales up 30-40% since September 11th? Out of all these new technologies, it's the oldest one you use at the BBCWS, and it's the only one growing --even in that wired hotbed, North America -- in these turbulent times?" (--Richard Cuff, PA, swprograms via DXLD) ** U S A. This is a listing of Haitian-Creole radio stations in the Boston, Massachusetts area as listed in the "Boston Haitian Reporter" (page 17, Oct. 2001). I'm listing only 24 hour Haitian stations as there are many Haitian-Creole programs listed that are on regular stations. I'm not listing an FM stations due to short range. 1580 kHz - Radio Concorde 1620 kHz - Radio Energy 1620 kHz - Radio Soleil 1640 kHz - Radio Nouveaute 1670 kHz - Radio RCB 1700 kHz - Bel Ayiti ("beautiful Haiti") Note the clash on 1620 kHz. I haven't heard Radio Soleil or ID'ed the 1670 station (RCB). Have fun, (Paul McDonough, Medford, Massachusetts, Oct 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 6520 Harmonic, KCJJ (4 x 1630), Iowa City IA, 1035 Oct. 19. Positive audio match @ 1035. Numerous station IDs. Harmonic was fairly weak, but did have some good peaks. Note that it's best to DX this one before R. Pyongyang occupies the freq after 1100. I was able to still hear the harmonic after 1100 on its peaks, even with the strong N Korean signal. Did not detect 2nd or 3rd harmonic (Dvid Hodgson, TN, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [clandestine]. Strange story re the pirate radio operator: http://www.somerset-kentucky.com/news/index.cfm#905 19/10/01 By Carol Coffey For more than three days, Steve Anderson has remained on the run. Harlan Kentucky State Police Post public affairs officer Buddy Simpson said law enforcement officials continue to follow up leads they receive about Anderson. Yesterday, officials with the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Simpson requested copies of stories about Anderson that have appeared in the Commonwealth Journal since April. Managing editor Jeff Neal said the paper gladly complied with the request. "We were glad to provide them with what they asked for and were happy to cooperate," Neal said. Simpson said little new information has been uncovered since Anderson shot at a Bell County deputy sheriff's car and fled. Although there is no new information on Anderson, there is some new information about the deputy Anderson allegedly fired at earlier this week. The 17-year-old girlfriend of a sheriff's deputy who was involved in a shoot-out in Bell County was in the deputy's cruiser when Anderson allegedly opened fire on it, Sheriff Harold Harbin said. The girl, who was injured by shards of glass as the cruiser was shot up, was treated at a hospital and released. Police believe he is heavily armed. Deputy Scott Elder, 25, was taking his girlfriend home before his shift began at 8 p.m. Sunday. On the way, Elder stopped Anderson, who another motorist said had been driving erratically and had no lights on U.S. 25E near Middlesboro. During the stop, police said Anderson became angry and eventually pulled an automatic weapon on Elder. Harbin said Elder yelled to his girlfriend to lie on the floorboard while he ran behind the patrol car. Harbin said no action would be taken against Elder because he was off duty when he was taking his girlfriend home. After the shoot-out, police said Anderson drove his truck into the mountains, where cruisers couldn't follow. The truck was found early Monday and contained pipe bombs, police said. Federal, state and local law enforcement officials executed a federal search warrant Tuesday at Anderson's home. The ATF has not officially released any information about what items were seized from Anderson's home, but it apparently took officers several hours to clear the scene. The Associated Press contributed to this story. (via Mike Terry, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** U S A. This is a letter to the TV online newsletter "Shoptalk" LETTERS TO THE EDITOR From: Steve Kozak Warner Brothers Television mrflintstone@earthlink.net RE: Rush Limbaugh: "Anthrax is a Liberal Hoax" I happened to be listening to Rush Limbaugh (boy, was Al Franken right!) Tuesday morning where he actually questioned the validity of the Anthrax cases. He cited the "coincidence" of the Anthrax cases affecting Democrat Tom Daschle, as well as the media -- which he explained is just a tool of the liberal cause. He accused these actual victims of terrorism of purposely doing this to themselves because liberals "love to be victimized, they love to be the victim and have people feel sorry for them." Where's the outrage? Where's the coverage? Where's the boycotts? Forget Bill Maher, I don't think Howard Stern ever said anything this inflammatory. Why do we jump up and down when some comic like Maher makes some inflammatory comments on a comedy show, yet stand by quietly as Limbaugh, who is SO identifiable with the Republican Party --- whom Republican leaders praise and invite to their fundraisers in the hopes of being identified with --- accuses these poor victims of doing all of this for sympathy! Something that Limbaugh -- as well as Maher -- needs to understand is there is more to being "politically incorrect" than just mouthing off inappropriate comments at the drop of a hat. Limbaugh is the sort of disturbed celebrity that not only justifies his hateful comments, but considers himself brave and courageous for having the guts to speak his mind so freely. Voluntarily running into a building with an ill-fated jet in the side of it is bravery. Sitting in the loge section with a bag of popcorn and making brainless, inflammatory comments at the people who have been put in harm's way is downright dangerous. Shame on them and shame on all of us who continue to give these halfwits a platform to expound their soot and deluge on a country that is desperately trying to rebuild itself (via Brock Whaley, Oct 18, DXLD) ** U S A. BARRIER ON BRANT HANSEN SHOW MONDAY, OCTOBER 22. American Atheists Communications Director Ron Barrier will be the guest next Monday, October 22, 2001 on The Brant Hansen Show, WDWS out of Champaign, Illinois. Tune in to 1400 AM on the dial beginning at 3 PM Central Time. Mr. Barrier will discuss the situation with Atheists in the wake of the September 11 tragedy, and the proliferation of religious events in the public square. The audience call-in number is 217-356-9397 WHAT: Ron Barrier on the air, The Brant Hansen Show WHERE: WDWS- 1400 AM out of Champaign, Ill. WHEN: Monday, October 22, 2001 3 PM Central Time (AA Newsletter Oct 18 via DXLD) http://www.news-gazette.com/wdws/archives.cfm Is about the closest you`ll get to audio from WDWS, but not clear if they currently webcast live or update the archives daily (gh) ** U S A. From Alex Draper: You can hear pirates at http://members.home.net/alex.draper1/u_p_m_bingo_10-19-01.htm http://piratestuff.topcities.com/z100_10-15-01.htm http://6950ra.musicdot.com/syckoradio_10-15-01.htm http://piratestuff.topcities.com/paragonradio_10-14-01.htm http://piratelogs.musicdot.com/whyp_10-14-01.htm (Free Radio Weekly Oct 19 via DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. Polemics Put News Media Under Threat in Venezuela October 19, 2001 By JUAN FORERO CARACAS, Venezuela, Oct. 12 - President Hugo Chávez, upon his election as president in 1998, pledged that the press could criticize his policies without fear of repercussions. But of late, Mr. Chávez, a former army paratrooper and failed coup plotter, has threatened to revoke the license of a respected television network while launching blistering critiques of the press. The attacks have raised worries among press freedom advocates and Western diplomats that self-censorship could emerge in a media that is among Latin America's most independent and competitive, or even that the government might interfere in the future. "His language has been supremely intolerant and aggressive," said Teodoro Petkoff, editor of Tal Cual, a Caracas daily. "He personalizes his disputes and debates with the media and does not perceive the gravity. He does not understand that he is not just some political leader, but the president of the republic." ... http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/19/international/americas/19VENE.html?ex=1004523190&ei=1&en=637a9894818a919e (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ###