DX LISTENING DIGEST 1-198, December 16, 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 Check the WOR websites: http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/ http://www.worldofradio.com [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 #1109: (STREAM) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1109.ram (DOWNLOAD) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1109.rm (SUMMARY) http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/wor1109.html FINAL AIRINGS ON WWCR: Monday 0100 and 0600 on 3210 [note: I call it 1108 by mistake in the version lacking opening theme; recommend you listen to fixed-up version via WRN or our website as above] B-01 COMPREHENSIVE SHORTWAVE SCHEDULE Hi folks, the compilation of the new B01 comprehensive shortwave schedule is now completed. It can be found on http://www.eibi.de.vu 73, (Eike Bierwirth, Rx=JRC-NRD525, wire; QTH for a year: Stary Petergof, RUS-78, St. Petersburg metropolitan oblast, Russia, GRDXC via DXLD) This is all in time order, with lengthy appendices listing languages and transmitter sites, specifically at: http://wwwstud.uni-leipzig.de/~pge98crf/bc-b01.txt or http://wwwstud.uni-leipzig.de/~pge98crf/bc-b01.doc ** AFGHANISTAN. Subject: USA using Radio DF'ing to find Bin Laden From: "P. Atredes esq" eggnog40@aol.com Newsgroups: alt.radio.scanner, rec.radio.amateur.dx, Date: Sat, 15 Dec 2001 22:11:09 GMT interesting story! http://www.washtimes.com/national/20011215-68264047.htm (via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DXLD) The story: Bin Laden's voice detected By Rowan Scarborough, THE WASHINGTON TIMES The U.S. has detected the distinctive voice of Osama bin Laden on hand- held radio in the mountains of Tora Bora giving orders to his al Qaeda troops, U.S. officials say. The officials say the voice has been positively matched to known recordings of bin Laden. The intelligence represents the best proof that America's most wanted man has been, and remains, in the cave complexes in the Tora Bora region of the White Mountains in eastern Afghanistan. The sources say the electronic monitoring is being carried out by Special Operations troops on the ground, and by spy planes and satellites. The intelligence sweep is one part of an air-ground manhunt that is using virtually every military and CIA tool available to kill or capture the terrorist leader. "They have picked him up on very short-range radio," said a senior U.S. official, adding that al Qaeda soldiers have been detected responding to their leader. Army Gen. Tommy Franks, the commander of the Afghanistan campaign, told reporters yesterday, "Obviously we use all sorts of technical means to gain insights into where he may be. We also listen to what these opposition leaders on the ground have to say, because they each have their own intelligence capability." U.S. military officials say a concentration of bin Laden's al Qaeda army is contained in the mountains between two parallel valleys, Agam and Wazir, leading to Jalalabad in the north and going toward the Pakistan border in the south. U.S. officials believe bin Laden is moving between the valleys with an entourage of troops. Pakistani troops are attempting to block escape routes to the south. Anti-Taliban eastern alliance fighters, lured by a U.S. offer of $25 million for bin Laden and his aides, are trying to seal passages on the north, east and west. Still, officials caution there are many routes out of Tora Bora. While the indigenous forces do their work, small teams of U.S. Army Delta Force and British Special Air Services (SAS) are operating on their own, gathering intelligence and looking for bin Laden at night. Collectively, the two units comprise the world's best military anti-terror personnel. They use all forms of special operations and are outfitted with high-tech equipment, including thermal imaging and signal-monitoring gear, that allows them to locate the enemy and plan raids. Delta teams carry a heavy sniper rifle that is both highly accurate and powerful. A sniper equipped with a Barret 50-caliber rifle can take out a person - or a vehicle - at 1,500 yards. The units also use a classified eavesdropping system that allows the covert warriors to monitor a wide area of wireless communication. "They are using all of the skills they have been waiting to use: ambushes, sniper shots, close air support, [unmanned aerial vehicles], surrogate warfare," said an Army officer familiar with special operations tactics. U.S. officials privately have told The Washington Times in the past 10 days that they were convinced bin Laden has remained in the Tora Bora region. Since basing his global terror network in Afghanistan in 1996, Tora Bora has served as a major base, complete with elaborate cave dwellings, ammunition stockpiles and training camps. Sources had declined to discuss specific intelligence. But yesterday, two officials acknowledged that bin Laden's voice has been heard in the region and that he knows the United States has the capability to listen in. One source said the ex-Saudi citizen may have judged he has no other choice if he wants to command his last remaining troops, who are thought to number about 400 to 500 non-Afghan foreigners, mostly Arabs. For the past 10 days, Gen. Franks has focused virtually all his firepower and intelligence apparatus on Tora Bora. Each day, heavy Air Force bombers and Navy jets have dropped bombs on cave openings and bunkers. Many targets are found by Army Special Forces soldiers working alongside the opposition fighters. The CIA also is operating Predator spy drones whose video pictures of al Qaeda troops are relayed to AC-130 gunships, where gunners rain cannon fire on the moving foot soldiers and vehicles. A big plus for Delta Force manhunters is the time of year, when Afghanistan experiences less than 10 hours of daylight. The night gives the warriors an opportunity to exploit night-vision goggles that trap ambient light to provide a clear view and a big tactical advantage over the primitive al Qaeda soldiers. Thermal gun sights also allow snipers to kill at night (via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DXLD) WTFK??? Some reports about this referred to UBL being heard on ``shortwave``, others as ``short range`` -- it could be both, but short range more likely VHF/UHF (gh, DXLD) ** AFGHANISTAN [and non]. Media round-up Sunday 16 December 2001 - Philanthropic Pakistani web site adds new Afghanistan section - Iranian aid includes radio and TV sets - Reaction in Kabul to release of Bin-Ladin video tape - Jordan detains Al-Jazeera correspondent after pro-Bin-Ladin rally Philanthropic Pakistani web site adds new Afghanistan section | Text of report in English by Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency Islamabad, 15 December: In order to keep the members and visitors abreast of latest developments in Afghanistan, TelMedPak has built a separate but comprehensive Afghan section on its web site. The section contains information about ongoing war, country's history and mainstream personalities. Besides, latest news and expert analyses have also been made available. The NGO section of the web site, http://www.telmedpak.com, has the specific links to Afghan section, which enables the visitors to get their required information about Afghanistan. The major political shift in Afghanistan after 11 September terrorist attacks on World Trade Centre and Pentagon and US-led strikes against Taleban compels the people of Pakistan to know more what is happening in the neighbouring country. Project Coordinator TelMedPak, Shams-ul-Arifeen, said the organization aims at providing important information at the doorstep of its members and visitors. He said TelMedPak is a philanthropic project of Elixir Technologies Corporation, which has been initiated to provide specialized healthcare services to the people of underserved and backward areas. "To promote its cause and create awareness among the general public, the organization has established the web site www.telmedpak.com. Besides providing healthcare information, we intend to inform our visitors about the other important matters like war in Afghanistan and anthrax." He said the Afghan section also contains photographs of the Afghan refugees and the camps, which were exclusively taken by TelMedPak. The basic purpose of creating the section is to invite public attention towards the miseries of Afghans inside and outside Afghanistan, he added. He appealed to the people to cooperate with the government and human development agencies to lessen the pain of Afghan people. Source: Associated Press of Pakistan news agency, Islamabad, in English 1129 gmt 15 Dec 01 Iranian aid includes radio and TV sets On 15 December Iran sent a convoy carrying 110 tonnes of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, the Egyptian news agency MENA reported. As well as food, equipment, clothing and medicines, the consignment also included television and radio sets. Jordan detains Al-Jazeera correspondent after pro-Bin-Ladin rally Yasir Abu-Hilalah, the Jordan correspondent for Qatar's Al-Jazeera satellite TV channel, was detained by security forces on 14 December after filming a small rally in support of Usamah Bin-Ladin, international news agencies reported. The Al-Jazeera office in Amman said its correspondent was held for over 24 hours by police after leaving the southern town of Ma'an, where the pro-Bin-Ladin demonstration was held following Friday prayers. Balkh Radio Balkh Radio, which is based in the northern city of Mazar-e Sharif, Balkh Province, continues to be heard. On Sunday 16 December, the morning broadcast was observed at 0430 gmt, two hours later than scheduled, owing to celebrations to mark the end of Ramadan. The radio signed off at 0807 gmt; the evening broadcast was also observed from 1228 gmt. Broadcasts are on the usual frequency of 1584 kHz. Balkh Radio has called on the public to be vigilant and look out for Taleban still hiding in the city and inform the security forces of their presence. During public announcements broadcast on Saturday 15 December, the radio said: "During Ramadan an urgent decision has been made by the security forces for citizens to live in peace. We hope citizens will visit friends and family and call on them to show unity and solidarity. If anyone does not obey this statement or if anyone sees or suspects hidden Taleban, inform the security forces as soon as possible." Another announcement on the 15th banned people from firing into the air to celebrate the end of Ramadan: "Pointless firing into the air, which is causing alarm to citizens and costing too much, is strictly prohibited." On Sunday 16 December, Balkh Radio carried an announcement by the labour and social affairs department announcing a three-day holiday from 16-18 December inclusive in honour of Eid al-Fitr (marking the end of Ramadan). US PsyOps radio carries programming in Arabic US PsyOps Information Radio continues to be observed by BBC Monitoring broadcasting in Pashto and Dari to Afghanistan. On Sunday 16 December, the broadcasts were heard at 0030-0530 and 1230-1500 gmt. On Saturday 15 December, a brief amount of programming in Arabic was noted from 0104-0110 and 0128-0130 gmt, consisting of a short speech with many mentions of Usamah Bin-Ladin, followed by Arabic music in the first instance and another talk in the second time period. Compiled by Foreign Media Unit, BBC Monitoring Telephone +44 118 948 6261 e-mail: fmu@mon.bbc.co.uk Source: BBC Monitoring research 16 Dec 01 (excerpts via DXLD) ** ANTARCTICA. ANTARTIDA ARGENTINA: 15475.51 kHz, Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel, 1953-2101*, 13 diciembre 2001. mx salsa de Juan Luís Guerra "Cartas de Amor", luego ID a 1956. A las 2001 comienza el programa "Cuentos argentinos y latinoamericanos", y dentro del programa, entrevistan a Alejandra ...., que es la directora de la Escuela nr. 38 que funciona en Base Esperanza y a su esposo Alfredo de Paz (que es docente) experiencias y cxs sobre la Escuela. A 2055 ID por locutora y luego a las 21 despedida por locutor en cinta grabada. Cierre a las 2101*. SINPO: 45444 (Gabriel Iván Barrera, Argentina, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** ASCENSION ISLAND. Op de volgende website kwam ik een panaromafoto tegen van de zendinstallatie van o.a. de BBC op Ascension-eiland. Leek me leuk dit te melden. Klik op deze koppeling: http://www.ascension-island.gov.ac/virtualtour/index.html en zoek op de plattegrond van het eiland naar de vermelding "BBC" (bij de noordelijke punt van het eiland). Klik vervolgens op de pijl bij "North Point" net in zee bij de vermelding "BBC". De panoramafoto verschijnt dan (mits je QuickTime-software op de computer hebt geïnstalleerd). (Michiel Van Ooijen, Dec 15, BDXC via DXLD) ** BELARUS. Noted with spur on 7025.0 kHz (for instance at 0942 Dec 5). Mix of 7145 & 7265 (?) (Vladimir Titarev, Kremenchuk, Ukraine, Signal via DXLD) ** CANADA. JOY TO THE WORLD: ***pre-empts Choral Concert, Symphony Hall, regional performance programs, Transcontinental, OnStage (Radio Two only), Say it With Music, Roots and Wings. A magnificent holiday tradition continues this weekend with the Euradio Christmas special: twelve hours of music, each from a different centre in Europe plus one hour from Canada. Here's the schedule - all times Eastern: 0600 - Riga, Latvia 0700 - Madrid, Spain 0800 - Zagreb, Croatia 0900 - Helsinki, Finland 1000 - Toronto, Canada 1100 - Warsaw, Poland 1200 - Prague, Czech Republic 1300 - Kaiserslautern, Germany 1400 - Varnhem, Sweden 1500 - London, England 1600 - Ljubljana, Slovenia 1700 - Milan, Italy (CBC Radio Two previews for Sun Dec 16 via Joe Buch, swprograms via DXLD) But I could not get a connexion to CBC Radio Two. And that explains why The Transcontinental did not appear today at 1505 on CBU. Also on BBC Radio 3 until 2130 UT Dec 16, different lineup; hurry, q.v. ** CHINA. Latest schedule of Nei Menggu Radio Station: Chinese: 9520 0120-0900 7165 0120-0900 7105 0120-0900 6045 2150-0115, 0905-1605 4620 2150-0115, 0905-1605 4000 2150-0115, 0905-1605 Mongolian: 9750 0120-0800 7210 0120-0800 7270 0120-0830 6195 2150-0115, 0805-1605 4785 2150-0115, 0805-1605 4525 2150-0115, 0805-1605 (Nagoya DXers Circle via EDXP Dec 16 via DXLD) ** CHINA [non]. A meeting of CRI listeners will take place on March 2 at the Jülich transmitter plant. A CRI employee will participate. Hm. Aha (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Dec 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COLOMBIA? Since last weekend I have been wondering about the SW transmission of Radio María de Colombia that I noticed first time 8th December on 3280 kHz. ID is 100%. Signal is strong and stabile, which automatically disqualifies LV del Napo as a signal source, I believe. It has been heard since last weekend on daily basis, obviously. I checked out the WEWN website, but found not a clue about their possible relay of R María (just an idea). Does anybody know *anything* about where does this transmission come from? (Jari Lehtinen, Lahti, Finland, hard-core-dx via DXLD) Times? 3280 9.10.12. -0300-0700- R Maria de Colombia. Who knows what, where, and why. (Lehtinen, ibid.) ** COSTA RICA. A question, Glenn: (feel free to pass it on to others...) Wouldn't it be possible for RFPI to stay on 7445 USB but with higher power, or is there some broadcasting regulation against high-power USB? If they used USB on the 30 kW tx, I figured their signal would be clearer in my neck of the woods... Regards, (Ricky Leong, QC, Dec 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I don`t think there are any regulations against it; just technical or financial reasons (gh, DXLD) ** DENMARK [non]. Have just been listening to Radio Norway International on 13,800 kHz from 0800 to 0830 UT, which of course is nothing new, but at 0830, Radio Denmark came on with English news followed by a brief weather report ending at 0834 which was followed by a short silence, then at 0835 UTC Radio Denmark continued as normal in Danish. Is this short English news a new thing with Radio Denmark? Maybe it is a weekend thing only, I shall have to listen to the other days as well (Michael Stevenson, Port Macquarie, N.S.W., Dec 15, EDXP via DXLD) Saturday, Dec. 15 at 1020 UT Hello from Copenhagen! Michael Stevenson heard R Denmark in English this morning at 0830 UT on 13800 kHz (beaming long path to Australia). When I saw the message I immediately checked the file, and the name was correct, but the audio was "Radio Denmark International" with 5 minutes in English, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Somali and South Slavic. More info at http://www.dr.dk/news Thus, at 0835 Arabic - not Danish - was broadcast. From the same Dalet computer we broadcast the short wave service and at 21 UT the International programme on MW 1062 kHz. We have a direct short wave broadcast at 1730, and after that time the Dalet computer is taking care of the repeats. THUS, my guess is that the wrong file has been broadcast since 1830 UT Dec. 14! It is, however, not clear why the file name showed the correct SW programme. So far we have had no reactions from our Danish audience. Vy 73, Erik Koie, DR Radio Later: Hello Again! I can now add that this "wrong" 'DR International' programme was broadcast every hour from 2030 UT Dec. 14 until 830 UT Dec. 15. 73, (Erik Køie, DR Radio, ibid.) ** ECUADOR. On HCJB DX Partyline Dec 15, Allen Graham mentioned that you could listen to DXPL ``again`` via the website http://www.hcjb.org/english – so I checked the DXPL site and see they now have rm files of previous DXPLs, since November 3, and also from late March thru June, with a gap July to October. But the last time I checked they did not have *any* audio files available on demand (download or stream), so this finally liberates us from having to catch DXPL, if at all, at the live SW airtimes or the even fewer live webcast airtimes. However, as of 0115 Dec 16, the current show was not yet available, just up to the previous week`s Dec 8 show. Ham Radio Today also has audio files ondemand, now only 10-minute sub-programs starting in November, apparently only meant to be the last four/the current month, tho the dating on them is confusing. The next program I hoped would have audio files: Musica del Ecuador, but no (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ETHIOPIA [non]. Remembered to check for WWCR`s new Amharic program, which is supposed to be religious, not political, Sun Dec 16 at 1730 on 15685 – but instead some preacher in English did not conclude until 1736, then dead air for two minutes, 1738 began some music heavy on percussion, and talk in presumed Amharic. I was not taping and could not make out an ID. Into lecture (sermon?) with lots of background noise; recorded on amateur equipment? Despite having started late, apparently chopped off early at 1746 to play another show, Staff of Life, in English (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The program is simply a Christian based broadcast, in Amharic. The speaker is Alemayehu Mammo (Adam Lock, WWCR, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE. For B-01, the Voice of Greece "Foreign Language Service" has reduced its coverage, and English is now listed: News Bulletin 0930- 0940 9420 15630, and "Orientations" 1930-1940 11645 to Europe (EDXP Dec 16 via DXLD) See recent discussion re ** GREECE. To my surprise I was able to hear the Voice of Greece (in Greek, no English) at 0158 UT and is still on as I am writing this to you on 5865 kHz. I knew they were on this frequency but did not expect to hear it as it is not targeted for N. America. After listening to your latest WOR (the one with the power failure) you had. In that show Voice of Greece was mentioned to be with interference on 7475. My question is when did it not have interference at 7475? I always had it. I would like to hear from other Greek shortwave fans. Thanks for the great job you do! (Petro Giannakopoulos, Atlanta GA, UT Dec 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE [non]. Just a quickee to let you know that the Voice of Greece`s 1200-1500 UT to NAm via Delano has moved from 11900 to 9590, effective this morning, Dec 10; they announced the new frequency in Greek at the end of teh 1100-1200 transmission to Europe and I was fortunate to record the announcement and pit it out of the hash on 15630. At the beginning, the quality and strength on the signal at 9590 was about equal to direct-from-Greece 15630, but at 1450, Delano was barely audible with SINPO 15331 while Greece`s 15630 was 35343. Their weather broadcast mentioned ``kakokeros kai alysides`` (bad weather and chains); perhaps they can`t get a decent signal from the facility at Kavala to the satellite and what Delano gets is what we hear. Or, is it possible that Delano is picking up 15630 off the air and sending out that signal on 9590? Here is a list of VOA-USA frequencies that the Voice of Greece has been using for the past 4 years for its services to N & S America: 9580 9590 9690 9755 9770 9775 11645 11665 11730 11900 15170 15455 15485 17565 17700 17705 17745 17765 17775 17785 (John Babbis, Silver Spring, MD, Dec 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) YES, I noticed that Voice of Greece was all of sudden off the air both on Dec 15 and 16th at 11900 at 1200-1500 UT - what a shame that is! YES, it is on at 9590 kHz now - Dec 16th but haven't had the time to check its signal. I will try on Monday December 17th. The 11900 kHz signal was the best and very strong signal from Delano, CA (Petro Giannakopoulos, Atlanta GA, Dec 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAN. Received today Dec 14 f/d 'Khaju Bridge' QSL card from the Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran for 9835 and 11970 kHz in 70 days along with 3 magazines & 5 different books on Islam. Haven't received this much stuff since the Cold War! (Terry Palmersheim, KC7LDP, Hard- Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) ** IRELAND. Glenn, With reference to the comments made in DXLD 1-197 on Atlantic 252, the position is actually as follows: the sale to Oneword did fall through, but the station has been sold to Teamtalk and will be relaunched as Teamtalk 252 a sports talk station by the end of this financial year (5th April 2002). The "New Atlantic 252" is the same old Atlantic 252 except that they tweaked the format a few months ago. At least one of the current DJs has already left. Happy Christmas! (Nicholas Mead, UK, Dec 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) With reference to your item in DXLD 197, I understand that 80% of this station`s shares have been bought by an organisation called SportsTalk (not to be confused with TalkSport 1053/1089 etc). They plan to change the format to 'compete' mainly with TalkSport, sometime between January and March 2002. Radio Telefis Eireann (RTE) are retaining their 20% Holding in this station. About 4 weeks ago I E-Mailed the Irish Radio Television Authority to 'protest' that RTE were retaining their 20% Shareholding, as SportsTalk will be bidding along with TalkSport and BBC Radio 5 Live for sports rights. This means that a consortium having a 20% backing from one 'state' public service broadcaster will be part bidding against another 'state' public broadcaster for sports rights. I see this as a clear 'conflict of interest'. I have had no response to this 'protest'. (Ken Fletcher, UK, 2042UTC=8.42pm British Clock Time 15th December 2001, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, I was amazed to read the item from David Hodgson re Atlantic 252 in DXLD-1197 with no editorial comment from you. I have no idea whatever gave him the idea that "it was to be sold to a German company and turned into a book reading service". I have never heard or read that story. Perhaps he is confusing it with another station. The true story about what's going to happen to this station was published by Media Network on 25 October in the article "Long Wave Sports from Ireland". http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/features/html/teamtalk011025.html As it happened, I checked the Teamtalk Web site on Friday, and it says there that TeamTalk 252 will launch "before the end of the financial year" which is the end of March 2002. This *will* happen. TeamTalk is no fly-by-night operation, but an extremely well run outfit that has been around since 1988. David is correct that the station is still running the same music format. They have a low market share (around 0.8% I believe) so it certainly isn't viable. I have my doubts that there's a real need for a third national or quasi-national sports station in the UK(it doesn't get into London too well, especially now that Tipaza [Algeria] is back on the air), but I can't believe it will get any worse ratings than the current format (Andy Sennitt, Holland, Dec 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA SOUTH and USA [non]. Adventist World Radio December 9, 2001: Hello DXers. As we begin today`s report, I need to take a few moments to tell you about pending events. While I rarely speak about myself, this time will be an exception. As many of you are aware, I currently provide DX features on Adventist World Radio and Radio Korea International. This opportunity to share news and information with you, virtually every week, is – to me – the high point of my DX hobby efforts. In the past, I`ve served as an editor for the North American Short Wave Association, an editor for the World Communications Club of Great Britain, and for the Worldwide TV FM DX Association. I also served for decades as a technical monitor for numerous European, South American, and Asian international broadcasters, yet as I said, being able to communicate directly with you has been the most personally rewarding experience of all. To those who have been somewhat curious, I`ve been a DXer since 1963 and have confirmed my reception of hundreds of stations in over 200 countries. The guiding premise for the features I`ve presented, the `focus` so to speak, has been as if you and I had a chance to meet at a DX convention and talk about stations being heard. My goal has been to provide you with targets that are easy to hear, moderately difficult, and extremely difficult to catch, depending on the part of this vast world in which you listen. One of our listeners wrote and asked, "Why doesn`t he introduce himself?" Here`s the answer: I have viewed my time with you as friend to friend – and you wouldn’t do that every time you saw a familiar face – and, time *is* limited, so that practice always allowed just a bit more time for DX news. My reason for telling you this today is that I am ceasing broadcasts on both AWR and RKI this month. My last features will air on December 23rd – and, if you happen to hear a delayed release of Wavescan, whenever that particular broadcast might air. This action is required because of changes in my personal work environment, which require me to undertake advanced computer studies. That effort will consume much of the free time I currently use to prepare broadcasts and is expected to be on- going for several years. I’m not, however, entirely giving up the DX pursuit, so perhaps you’ll hear my name attributed to some item in the future. December 16, 2001: Hello and welcome to the 304th edition of the DX Report. As a follow-on to my announcement last week, I am pleased to report that two very well known DXers have stepped forward to provide you with DX information here on Radio Korea International, starting in January. They are G. Victor Goonetilleke from Sri Lanka, a name you`ll be familiar with for his splendid work on Radio Netherlands `Media Network` and in numerous DX hobby publications, and Paul Ormandy of New Zealand, a name you`ll certainly recognize for his efforts with the popular `South Pacific DX Report`, which is heard on Adventist World Radio, Radio New Zealand International, and HCJB Radio in Quito, Ecuador. I`m certain you`ll find their feature segments to be very beneficial as you continue to pursue the DX hobby and I hope you’ll join me in regularly tuning-in to hear them here on Radio Korea International. Hi Glenn, If you happened to be up for RKI & "Multiwave Feedback" today (December 16th), you'll probably have found a weak, fading signal from Sackville on 9650. That is, until AFTER my segment was done. With a "pop" sound at 1218, the signal suddenly rose to normal level and stayed at that level. I'd bet the antenna beam was wrong - until someone corrected it at 1218. Regards, Bill (William A. Matthews, OH, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thanks for your many years of DX reporting, and best of luck with your new preoccupation (gh) ** MONGOLIA. 12085: Voice of Mongolia, talk in Japanese, at 0930 IS and ID and px in Mongolian. Cochannel with equally strong Syria (mutual fading). Dec 12, 0924, 33333. 12085: Again Voice of Mongolia, now in English (Mailbag). Better now as Syria is almost not being heard. Dec 12, 1030 UTC, 43323 (Eike Bierwirth Rx=JRC-NRD525,wire(10m), Stary Petergof, RUS-78, St. Petersburg metropolitan oblast, Russia, hard- core-dx via DXLD) ** NIGER. 9705v, ORTN, 2209 Dec 8, mix of highlife, rap, and rock selections constantly faded down and interrupted for DJ chatter with phone callers in accented FR (lots of "bonsoir" and "oui . . . oui . . . oui . . ."). Started out on 9705.1 and gradually drifted down to 9705 where it had co-channel QRM first from an unID station and then also, beginning at 2245, from AIR. Into chanting at 2256, short announcement at 2300, choral anthem sung by kids, and off at 2303. Nothing on 7155, which is apparently replaced by this channel for the extended service on Saturdays (s/off other days is 2203). (Bob Hill, MA, DX-plorer via DXLD) ** PALESTINE. From (with pictures): http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/middle_east/newsid_1713000/1713183.stm Saturday, 15 December, 2001, 20:24 GMT By BBC News Online's Tarik Kafala ... On Thursday night, Radio Palestine's transmitter station in Ramallah was hit by Israeli jets. The building and the transmitter mast turned to rubble. The reason given by the Israelis for hitting the station was that it broadcast incitements to violence. Possibly the only Palestinian pleased by the Israeli action is Aref Hijjawi, a lecturer in media studies at Birzeit University in the West Bank. He lives across the road from the former transmitter station. The microwaves generated by the mast used to block out the BBC World Service completely and were a health concern for him and his family. Now the signal from London is loud and clear. This said, Mr Hijjawi believes that the Israeli strikes against Radio Palestine were pointless, and the reason given for the attacks disingenuous. "I wish Radio Palestine a new healthier transmitter very soon. The reason it was attacked is that it is a symbol of government, and the Israelis want to destroy these symbols. "I don't believe that they wanted to end the Palestinian propaganda. The Israelis have their own, much more sophisticated, propaganda," Mr Hijjawi said. The transmitter station and mast that were brought down were originally installed in 1937 by the British Mandate authorities that governed Palestine until 1948. They were used by the Jordanians when they ruled the West Bank between 1948 and 1967, and reconditioned for use in the mid-1990s by the Palestinian Authority. As it was, on the night the station was attacked, Palestine Radio broadcasts were not interrupted. The station simply took over the FM wavelength occupied by a successful commercial station in Ramallah, Ajyal Radio. Ajyal station manager Walid Nassar says that plans are under way to buy a replacement transmitter for Radio Palestine. According to Mr Nassar, the most likely sellers of the right kind of equipment are Israeli. First inquiries suggest that several private Israeli radio stations may have just the thing - second-hand radio transmitters that were once used by the Israeli military in southern Lebanon (via Mike Terry, BDXC- UK via DXLD) ** PERU. Re 4835.4v, Radio Marañón reactivated, DXLD 1-197: 4834.9 was well heard in 1993, inactive most of 1994, and active again from February to September 1995 (Henrik Klemetz, ex-Colombia, Dec 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PORTUGAL. A RDP Internacional melhorará significativamente o seu serviço em ondas curtas para a Europa e Brasil a partir de meados do próximo ano. Esta melhoria que responde aos anseios de milhares de ouvintes ao longo de vários anos, deve-se à entrada em serviço de novo equipamento de transmissão, representando um investimento de 3 318 000? (cerca de 663 mil contos) e inclui um novo emissor de 300 KW e duas antenas de alto rendimento especialmente dirigidas para aqueles destinos. A empresa escolhida para este fornecimento foi a Thales, que é originária da fusão de dois conceituados fabricantes europeus: a Thomson e a Brown Boveri. Decorre neste momento a fabricação dos equipamentos estando prevista a sua entrega até final do corrente ano. Seguem-se os trabalhos de instalação e teste que se prevê possam estar concluídos até ao mês de Junho de 2002 (Site da RDP via Carlos Felipe da Silva, @tividade DX Dec 15 via DXLD) ** RUSSIA/CIS. Latest operational schedule for leased facilities over Russia/CIS transmitters, in the range 6200-6245: 6205 Irkutsk Vatican R. Chinese 1315-1345 6205 Irkutsk Vatican R. Vietnamese 2200-2245 6210 Samara Vatican R. Russian 1710-1740 6225 Irkutsk DW Chinese 1300-1350 6240 Yerevan TWR-Asia Kazakh & Korean 1200-1230 6245 Samara R.Radonezh Russian 1700-2000 (Nagoya DXers Circle via EDXP Dec 16 via DXLD) ** SOMALILAND. Somalia: Somaliland Radio Hargeysa Internet service continues | Text of report by Somaliland's Radio Hargeysa on 15 December A statement issued by the Ministry of Information today disclosed that the Radio Hargeysa Internet service would continue proving its services. The Internet was meant to provide a service to the Somaliland community in the diaspora. In the recent past, the Jamhuuriya newspaper has highlighted allegations by the former manager of the Radio Hargeysa Internet that the radio has stopped its Internet service. The former manager was dismissed from his job for pursuing a policy that was against the government's policy. The ministry, therefore, would like to assure citizens that the national interest will not be affected because of one person. The radio therefore would like to assure its esteemed audience, both within and abroad, that Radio Hargeysa will continue providing the normal free Internet service. Source: Radio Hargeysa in Somali 1700 gmt 15 Dec 01 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** SOUTH AMERICA. Pirate: 11440-U, Radio Cochiguaz, 0210-0307*, Dec 16, Spanish and ID in various languages, very nice Andean music, ID "Radio Cochiguaz, 11440 kHz onda corta", SIO 242, (Nicolás Éramo, Argentina, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SWITZERLAND. Swiss Radio International to axe analogue short-wave broadcasts by 2004 | Excerpt from report in English by Swiss Radio International's Swissinfo web site on 15 December Swissinfo/Swiss Radio International [SRI] is to axe its analogue short- wave broadcasts by 2004 following a decision to focus on the Internet. The Swiss parliament has been discussing the future of SRI's output, amid concerns that cutbacks in traditional short-wave broadcasts would limit the possibility of the Swiss living abroad having access to information about their own country. But the director of Swissinfo/SRI, Nicholas Lombard, said the Internet had surpassed short-wave as a means of delivering information and improved access to SRI's output. "I do not consider the Internet to be a replacement of short-wave, but it is another transportation platform of news and current affairs and it reaches very similar audiences," Lombard said. He added that fears that people would be alienated by the shift to Internet were unfounded because Swissinfo/SRI's audience were as likely to have access to the web as they were to radio. Opinion leaders "We have always catered for opinion leaders, and people with higher level of education, and that has not changed at all." He said this was backed up by the languages in which Swissinfo/SRI communicated with its audience. Broadcasts to Africa, for example, were not in native African languages such as Swahili or Hausa, which would have reached the largest audience possible. Instead they were in English, and the Swiss national languages, French, German and Italian. Swissinfo/SRI's management hope and expect that loyal listeners will continue to follow Swissinfo/SRI on the web, and that the site will attract a wider audience... Short wave axed The Swissinfo/SRI director said he regretted phasing out analogue short wave, but that financial constraints meant he had no choice. "We have to use the licence fee money in the best possible way and I think that with this multimedia platform we are providing a better service than with the technology which is dying out, i.e. analogue short wave." Cutting short wave was also unavoidable for environmental reasons, Lombard said. "We also had to abandon short wave because all our transmitting sites in this country, except for one antenna, were closed down for environmental purposes." The issue of electrosmog is high on the political agenda in Switzerland, and the government is trying to limit the number of antennas, both for aesthetic and health reasons. The issue of providing fast access to accurate and detailed information about Switzerland to its citizens abroad has become more pressing in recent months, in the wake of a series of catastrophes, such as the collapse of the national airline, Swissair... Digital short wave The cutting of analogue short wave did not mean that short wave had no future for Swissinfo/SRI, Lombard said. "We are continuing to explore all sorts of new venues on the technological front. Digital short wave and also direct satellite broadcasting might have possibilities as well." Source: Swissinfo web site, Bern, in English 0931 gmt 15 Dec 01 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** TUNISIA. Radio Tunis heard with good signals with Arabic domestic program on both 9720 and 12005 from 2015 tune-in this morning, through to sign-off at 2058*. Their web site is quite functional, and includes live feeds of the program heard on SW. There's also some limited info about some of their FM stations around the country. See http://www.radiotunis.com (Matt Francis, Dec 15, ARDXC via DXLD) ** U A E. Glenn, UAE Radio has moved again on 21 MHz. Now listening to it in Arabic at 1015 UT 16th December on 21605.23 kHz. (From 21593.63 last week) They are at least getting nearer to their correct frequency. 73's (Graham Powell, Wales, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. The criticism people have of the BBC is that they stopped shortwave to North America without waiting to see whether the "alternatives" they're touting will actually be successful. In other words, they have placed the bulk of their North American audience in the hands of commercial enterprises which will charge them to receive what was previously free on shortwave, and with no guarantee of permanency. Yes, the BBC is "doing XM Satellite Radio a favour", but the question is, should they be doing it? The BBC used to be (and officially still is) a public service broadcaster, but its behaviour in both domestic and overseas markets suggests that it now makes decisions on a commercial rather than a public interest basis. Although I work for Radio Netherlands, I am participating here on an individual basis. Opinions expressed are my own, and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Radio Netherlands. (Andy Sennitt, Dec 15, swprograms, via DXLD) ** U K. As Chris Hambly pointed out, having got his copy a bit earlier, the January 2002 BBC On Air has changed format a bit, moving the radio schedules by time out of the magazine into a large folio insert. You may refold it to have your worldpart on top, altho this may cause it to bow slightly in the case of last-priority Americas. Now they finally have all seven days of the week versus time in one large grid, making for much easier reference. Furthermore those annoying imprecise World- this and World-that programming groupings Showcase/Living/Insight don`t appear on the grid, tho they still do in the listings pages. The grid also eliminates attempts to present listings in local time, just GMT and a blank column to insert Your Time, if desired. However, the heading at the top of the Americas page claims our time zones now range from GMT -3 to GMT -7, which I am sure would come as a surprise to Alta and Baja California, Newfoundland and Alaska, i.a. Oops, it`s South and Central America, not North America, which is supposed to be GMT -3 to - 7 – well, most of Brasil is GMT -2 in the summer, and Central America is -6, so still wrong. Mine came Dec 15, in good time, and I quickly checked to see if the magazine were defective: not this month. In a sop to North Americans, some very fine print on the otherwise vague Key Frequencies page suggests we try: 5975 2300-0400; 9525 0100-0400 and 2300-0400 [sic – they got it wrong, omitting one of their best channels here, 6135]; 9915 0000-0300; 12095 2100-0300; 15190 1100-1700. Western North Americans are supposed to try to listen to Singapore instead of Antigua (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. The new BBC digital radio service described in DXLD 1-197 is being called "Network Y." I initially thought this was an internal code name. However, they are using the name publicly (though perhaps it could still change?). See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/digitalradio/radiostations.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/ It appears now that Network Y will be the first to launch of the new services, early in 2002. Network X was supposed to be first, but has been pushed back to Summer 2002. http://www.radio-now.co.uk/news058.htm says that the delay is for Network X to form its own news operation. Best regards, (Kevin Kelly, Arlington, Mass., PublicRadioFan.com Dec 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. Remainder of BBC Radio 3 Dec 16 special Xmas Around the World: 1800 Christmas Across The World: Spain Two 20th century Spanish works, performed in Madrids Teatro Monumental. Rodrigo: Villancicos y canciones de Navidad Oscar Esplá: Nochebuena del diablo Ana Ibarra (soprano), Gregorio Poblador (baritone) RTVE Chorus and Symphony Orchestra, Enrique Garcia Asensio (conductor) 1900 Christmas Across The World: UK Live from London, Charles Hazlewood conducts the BBC Concert Orchestra in a selection of Christmas treats. Delius: Sleigh Reide Rimsky-Korsakov: Polonaise (from Christmas Eve) Mozart: German Dances, K605 Hely-Hutchinson: Carol Symphony BBC Concert Orchestram Charles Hazelwood (conductor) 2000 Christmas Across The World: Slovenia Christmas choral music from the 16th and 20th centuries by Gallus, Stravinsky and Schnittke, performed in St Jamess church, Ljubljana, by the Slovenian Radio-Television Mixed Chorus and the Slokar Trombone Quartet under conductors Ursa Lah and Günther Theurig Slovenian Radio-Television Mixed Chorus, Ursah Lah (conductor) Slokar Quartet, Günther Theurig (conductor) 2100-2130 Christmas Across The World: USA Live from the Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis, traditional carols and more recent compositions from America, performed by the Ensemble Singers and the Plymouth Music Series Chorus, conducted by Philip Brunelle. The Ensemble Singers, Philip Brunelle (director), Plymouth Music Series Chorus (BBC Radio 3 schedule via DXLD) ** U S A. 13570 is excellent for our target area of zones 10 and 11 so I think that we'll stay there. As early as Dec 13th, we will be using the new frequency of 9320 at 1200-1300 Mon-Fri and 1100-1300 on Sat&Sun. Not sure if this will propagate your way at all, but I'd be most grateful if you could check ([WINB via] Hans via Joachim Thiel, Germany, A-DX Dec 13 via Wolfgang Büschel) 9320 WINB Red Lion. At 1230 UT I had a look into 9320 channel, but heard an unknown RTTY?/Digital service instead. New Klingenfuss 2002 database says unID digital service, 200 Baud, and AFA USAF Andrews, MD USA in SSB mode. And underneath, a poor word program of tent. WINB Red Lion 50 kW station heard; both 9315 and 9325 are totally free channels at this time. vy73 de (Wolfgang Búschel, Germany, Dec 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Dear Glenn, New webcast: KWMU, St. Louis. There's one hour of local talk weekdays at 1100 CT, repeated at 2200 CT (Kevin Kelly, Arlington, Mass., PublicRadioFan.com Dec 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Add to Holiday Specials websites: http://www.kbyu.org/fm/2001/specials-december.html (gh, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [non]. Editorial --- Amigos do @-tividade DX, Nos últimos anos quando nos referimos às transmissões em português para o Brasil as notícias não tem sido boas, encerramento dos serviços, cortes, e coisas afins tem sido o normal. Falar em programas DX emitidos pelas emissoras internacionais parece algo distante. Mas eis que surge um novo alento neste cenário. A Vóz Cristã emissora com estúdios em Miami, Estados Unidos e retransmitida em ondas curtas desde Santiago do Chile tem quebrado esta regra. É hoje a emissora internacional que mais tempo transmite em nosso idioma, estando em carater experimental, já tem 13 horas diárias de transmissões, com previsão para estar no ar 24 horas. É uma emissora que tem basicamente sua programação voltada aos temas religiosos, diferentemente de tantas outras, também tem noticias, atualidades gerais e um excelente programa DX. O programa DX em questão é o Altas Ondas, muito bem comandado por Edson Bruno que o leva ao ar às sextas-feiras às 14 horas de Brasília (16 horas UT tendo uma hora de duração [pelos 21500 -gh]. Dois ativos membros do DXCB colaboram de forma regular com este programa, são eles o Rudolf Walter Grimm e também Célio Romais. Se voce ainda não escutou este programa convidamos a fazê-lo, certamente será do seu agrado (Samuel Cássio Martins Santos, @tividade DX Dec 15 via DXLD) ** URUGUAY. 6155 Banda Oriental, Sarandi del Yi. 0234-0300. December 16. Special transmission of "Quinto Festival Folklórico Forestal Villa del Carmen le canta al país" (Villa del Carmen is a small rural town in Durazno Department). ID by male as: "...transmitiendo Banda Oriental, en la frecuencia de 6155 khz, desde Sarandí del Yí, con el Quinto Festival Folklórico Villa del Carmen le canta a su país"; other ID by female as: "Transmite Radio Sarandí del Yí, Boreal FM y Banda Oriental". I heard music of a Spanish folk dance group. After, many local ads (of Sarandí del Yí and Villa del Carmen). Local folk. At 0254 ann. by female: "..los invitamos a sintonizar en el día de mañana la parte final del Quinto Festival Folklórico Forestal Villa del Carmen le canta a su país....nuestra dirección de correo electrónica es norasan@adinet.com.uy --- escríbanos y estaremos enviándoles un adhesivo especial de este festival... los invitamos a sintonizar mañana Banda Oriental en la frecuencia de 6155 kHz". S/off at 0300 UT. SINPO: 44433 (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentine, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Esta noche de domingo, a partir de las 2230 aproximadamente en el Rio de la Plata (0130 UT), será posible escuchar la segunda y última parte del quinto Festival Folklórico Forestal Villa del Carmen le canta al país" a través de Banda Oriental, Sarandí del Yí, por los 6155 kHz. La emisora invita a escribirle reportando la escucha. Las cartas serán respondidas y serán obsequiados sus remitentes con un adhesivo conmemorativo de este evento (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina) Today, on Sunday 16 in South America (December 17 UT) Banda Oriental, Sarandí del Yi, has a special transmission of "Quinto Festival Folklórico Festival Forestal Villa del Carmen le canta a su país", from this small rural town, in Durazno Department. Is possible hear this station from 0130 UT in 6155. The station invites you to send your letters and emails and promises to send a special sticker of this event (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentine, Conexión Digital via DXLD) Not possible at 0130 until Ireland is through at 0159 (gh, DXLD) ** VIETNAM [non]. CLANDESTINA: 15235 Radio Free Vietnam, P.O. Box 29245, Nueva Orleans, LA 70189, Estados Unidos. Tarjeta QSL preparada con datos completos. Demoró unos 60 dias. V/S: Vuong Ky-Son (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, Conexión Digital Dec 16 via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED Re 7175, DXLD 1-195: David, Your suspicions are right. It is Radio Liberty, 1900-2000, in Farsi from the tx site in Biblis, Germany. An updated IBB frequency schedule, which includes VOA, RFE/RL services can be found at http://sds.his.com:4000/fmds_w/schedules/cur_freqsked.txt Cheers, (Matt Francis, ARDXC via DXLD) Hi all, I heard an unID Russian speaking station on strange 3190 (=3189.5) kHz at 1243-1259 on Dec 14th. There was Russian pop music and a lot of commercials: "Reklama" and talk about "Agentur Belarus", "Belarus Firma" etc. At 1257 two females talking via phone. Seemed to be a kind of transmission via utility traffic. Maybe just put the local FM-station into the utility? What's this? My Russian is really not the best!, so please: Help! Best wishes from (Björn Fransson, the island of Gotland, Sweden, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ###