DX LISTENING DIGEST 7-158, December 24, 2007
Incorporating REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING
edited by Glenn Hauser, http://www.worldofradio.com
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DXLD YAHOOGROUP: Why wait for DXLD, which seems to be coming out less
frequently? A lot more info, not all of it appearing in DXLD later, is
posted at our yg without delay. When applying, please identify
yourself with your real name and location. Those who do not, unless I
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taken otherwise. Here`s where to sign up
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dxld/
** AFGHANISTAN [non]. EMIRATOS ÁRABES, 11675, Radio Solh, 0910-0915,
escuchada el 23 de diciembre en idioma afgano con emisión de música
folklórica local, SINPO 34333 (Jose Miguel Romero, Spain, dxldyg via
DX LISTENING DIGEST)
ENGLAND: R Solh, 9875, 24 Dec at 1710 in Dari/Pashto. Music. Poor
signal (Liz Cameron, MI, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)
Nothing beats 15265 until 1500 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** ALBANIA. [SW BCB TX Site Archive] Sites in hi-res in Google Maps:
Things are visible much earlier in GE than in Maps. CER Cerrik (CRI),
40.9964N 19.9978E (Jari, OH6BG, Dec 24, shortwavesites yg via DXLD)
Hello, also for the first time Cerrik B-site in high resolution !!!!
ALB CRI Cerrik SW site-B, 24 SW masts! 40 59'44.87"N 19 59'51.06"E
ALB CRI Cërrik SW site-A, much smaller antennas, 40 dipole masts,
and 3 non-dir like quadrant antennas. 41 00'49.85"N, 19 59'34.53"E
(Wolfgang Büschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** ANGOLA. 4950, Radio Nacional da Angola, 0139-0230 Dec 18. Man with
Portuguese talk followed by Hotel California by the Eagles at 0149.
2+1 time pips at 0200 followed by "Radio Nacional da Angola" ID prior
to news. Several IDs after news followed by pop music program
including theme from the movie Titanic. Fair (Rich D'Angelo, French
Creek State Park DXpedition No. 29 (December 16, 17 and 18, 2007),
Ten-Tec RX-340 and an Eton E1, 500-foot wire essentially south for the
RX-340 and a 40-foot wire essentially north for the E1, NASWA
Flashsheet via DXLD)
** ARGENTINA. Radio Continental, Buenos Aires: Fue captada por este
servidor el pasado lunes de 17 de diciembre, a través de la frecuencia
de los 15820 (SSB) a las 0030 UT. La frecuencia es un enlace
perteneciente a la Armada Argentina, retransmitiendo la programación
de diversas emisoras de ese país hacia las tropas acantonadas en la
Antártida. En ese momento presentaban el progroma "Gira Continental",
un espacio dedicado difundir el turismo argentino. SINPO: 43333 (Jorge
García Rangel, Barinas, Venezuela, Dec 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** ARGENTINA. 6214.1, R. Baluarte, Ptº Iguazú, 2205-2214, 21 Dec,
Brazilian Portuguese, talks, songs; 14331 and better using LSB due to
QRM on the USB. Better reception on 22 Dec at 2255 (Carlos Gonçalves,
Portugal, Dec 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** AZORES, 1503, AFN, Base Aérea das Lajes, Terceira island, 223[sic]-
2242, 15 Dec, talks; 32441, QRM de E[spanha] (Carlos Gonçalves,
Portugal, Dec 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** BOLIVIA. 4409.9, R. Eco, Reyes, 2345-..., 16 Dec, Spanish, folk
songs, few talks; 24331, sporadic utility QRM. Better on 17 Dec at
2326. (Gonçalves)
4545.3, R. Virgen de los Remedios (?), Tupiza, 2313-2324, 17 Dec,
Spanish, talks; 12341, CODAR QRM. (Gonçalves)
4699.25, R. San Miguel, Riberalta, 2239-2255, 21 Dec, Spanish,
Paraguayan songs, announcements for local show, communiqués,
advertisements; 44343, CODAR QRM. (Gonçalves)
4699.4, R. San Miguel, Riberalta, 2307-2320, 17 Dec, Spanish, light
songs, announcement for program "(...)" "de las comunidades para las
comunidades"; 33342, CODAR QRM. (Gonçalves)
4796.3, R. Mallku, Uyuni, 2240-2251, 17 Dec, Aymara, talks; 24341,
adjacent QRM de China 4800 + CODAR. Better on 18 Dec at 2335.
(Gonçalves)
4865, R. Logos via R. Centenario, Stª Cruz de la Sierra, 2237-2250, 17
Dec, Spanish, religious pops (!), talks about Christmas; 34332, QRM de
B[rasil]. (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, Dec 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** BOUVET ISLAND. 3Y, BOUVET ISLAND (Update). Rhynhardt, ZS6DXB,
reports (edited):
"On December 19th, Petrus, ZS6GCM, was granted temporary permission to
operate an Amateur Radio Station for the duration of the 2007/2008
scientific expedition from Bouvet Island. The callsign will be 3Y0E.
We would like to use this opportunity to thank Tom V. Segalstad,
LA4LN, and Trond Olsen, LA8XM, for the wonderful help and time they
dedicated in obtaining permission to operate from Bouvet Island.
Secondly, we would like to welcome Colin McGowan, MM0NDX, to the team.
Colin has donated a dedicated Web site for the expedition and will act
as the webmaster. We are hoping to receive regular logbook updates
from Petrus via satellite phone and will have a logbook search page
where you can look if you are in the log. The official 3Y0E operation
Web page address is: http://www.3y0e.com
The site is under construction, and we plan to have it fully
operational in a couple of days. Feel free to visit the site on a
regular basis for the latest news from Petrus. Emil Stoikov, LZ3HI,
has begun design on the 3Y0E QSL card. Emil has donated the QSL card
design and printing free of charge. He will also act as the official
QSL Manager for 3Y0E. Previews of cards that were designed and printed
by Emil can be found on his Web page at: http://www.lz3hi.com
We look forward to present you all with the official QSL card when it
is done. 3Y0E QSL information is: Emil Stoikov, P.O. Box 8, 6000 Stara
Zagora, BULGARIA. Petrus will be notified via Satellite phone of his
new callsign and permission to start operating. We certainly look
forward to bring you more exiting news in the near distant future."
Just a reminder, operator Petrus, ZS6GCM, is expected to be active
from Bouvet Island, probably for the next three months. He is with a
five member team on the island and is their medic. The operator does
have a vertical antenna for 40/20/15/10 meters but no amplifier. He is
also a newly licensed amateur and has no experience in pile-ups. So,
please go easy on him. Activity will be during his spare time only.
Also, Rhynhardt, ZS6DXB, is the 3Y0E Pilot Station and Media Officer.
His E-mail address is: zs6dxb @ kats.za.net
(The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster, DX Bulletin No. 838, December 24,
2007, Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW, Provided by BARF80.ORG
(Cleveland, Ohio), via Dave Raycroft, ODXA yg via DXLD)
** BRAZIL. Logs Brasil 23-12-2007 --- Hola,
23/12/2007 2240 9685.00 R. Gazeta B 35533 male speaker
23/12/2007 2207 11780.00 R. Nacional Amazônia B 35533 mx LA
23/12/2007 2211 11784.60 R. Guaíba B 25532 mx LA
23/12/2007 2216 11814.98 R. Brasil Central B 45533 mx Beatles, ads
23/12/2007 2225 11915.17 R. Gaúcha B 25532 male speaker
Merry Xmas, Feliz navidad! (Mathias Eisenkolb, Germany, AOR AR7030+
ALA1530S+, HCDX via DXLD)
** BRAZIL. 4885, R. Club do Pará, Belém PA, 1905-2001, 15 Dec,
football match report, advertisements; 15331 but reached 45444 prior
to 2000. (Gonçalves)
4885, R. Difª Acreana, Rio Branco AC, 2232-2248, 18 Dec, news (not A
Voz do Brasil though as aired via co-channel R. Club do Pará), songs
at 2234. (Gonçalves)
9505, R. Record, São Paulo SP, 1912-1941, 20 Dec, program about dental
care, news, infos; 33442, adjacent QRM which got stronger at 1930;
then good reception later at 2230. (Gonçalves)
11804.8, R. Globo, Rio de Janº RJ, 1842-1907, 16 Dec, football news,
match report; 33442, QRM de Family R. (Gonçalves)
11925.5, R. Bandeirantes, São Paulo SP, 1905-1923, 16 Dec, football
news program "Domingo Desportivo Bandeirantes"; 33442, QRM de Saudi
Arabia; then rated 44444 at 1930 (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, Dec 24,
DX LISTENING DIGEST) + many more Brazilians in full report on the
dxldyg (gh)
** CANADA [and non]. MW FRONT: From across the "pond", Canadian
stations were found fading in as early as 1900, viz. 590 VOCM, 740
CHCM, 650 CKGA, the regular ones, then 1660 WWRU [NJ] with its usual
programs in Korean would arrive as early as 2000 (Carlos Gonçalves,
Portugal, Dec 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 1900 UT = 1530 NST (gh)
** CHAD. 4905 (reactivated), RD. Natle. Tchadienne, Grevia, 1729-1914,
20 Dec, Arabic, announcements, talks, local tunes, vernacular, tribal
tunes; French 1859, news, program "Espace Jeune"; 54444; I was unable
to monitor its s/on time, but estimate it as being 1600, and 4905 is
ex-6165 evenings only for the latter is used during the day.
(Gonçalves)
6165, RD. Natle. Tchadienne, Grevia, 1328-..., 19 Dec, French, news;
25332, QRM de Croatia later on only. Check my 22 Dec obs (Gonçalves)
6165, RD. Natle. Tchadienne, Grevia, 1113-1400, 22 Dec, vernacular,
talks,..., French at 1340 when signal rated 25342,..., tribal songs at
1450; 13441, QRM de Croatia whose signal is usually felt well after
1400. As from 20 Dec, this frequency was replaced by 4905 for the
evening period starting at approx. 1600 (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal,
Dec 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
As usual on my AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres longwire:
NEW 4904.97, 1800-2228*, TCD, 21 and 22-12, Rdif. Nationale
Tchadienne, N'Djamena. Back from 6165 with strong signal, French
except Arabic 1810-1855, news in both languages, Afropop, stronger
than Tibet from *2100, closed with National Anthem 45444, later.
44434. AP-DNK
NEW 4904.97, *0427-0610, TCD, 22-12, Rdif. Nationale Tchadienne,
N'Djamena French ID: "Ici N'Djamena, Radiodiffusion Nationale
Tchadienne" after National Anthem, frequency announcement and program
preview, Afropop, first much noise on frequency 35333, but ca. 0500
improving to 45444 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, via Dario Monferini,
playdxyg via DXLD)
4904.5 [sic], RN Tchadienne, 0525, 12/22. Fair, with M in French. It
wasn't there when I started checking at 0430. It is listed for *0425
in the 2001 WRTH - the most recent listing I could find. Better level
at 2203 hours later. Nice to have this one back! (Gerry Dexter, Lake
Geneva WI, NRD 515, NRD 545, eton E-1, NASWA Flashsheet Dec 23 via
DXLD)
4904.9, R. Dif. Tchadienne-N'Djamena, 2103 12/22/07, very poor at
tune-in; slowing improving to 2150 with talk in French and guitar
music (Jim Ronda, Tulsa, OK, NRD-545; R-75; E-1 + Eavesdropper, GMDSS-
2 vertical, and three (!) homebrew FlexTennas (all of which survived
last week's ice storm), ibid.)
4904.9, R. N. Tchadianne (N`Djamena), 2225, 12/22/07, in French. OM,
YL, OM with several musical bridges, 2228 ID & Afropop, OM talk, 2241
mention of N'Djamena and "Radio Nationale Tchadianne", OM talk; away
from the radio between 2240-2247, signal sinking fast when I returned,
OM, anthem, off 2301 (Mark Taylor, Madison, WI, R-75, Eton E1, Grundig
Sat 800 & G4000; 110' random wire, Eavesdropper, Flextenna, ibid.)
4905, Radiodiffusion Nationale Tchadienne, 2219-2229* Dec 20. Lively
highlife vocals hosted by a man announcer with French talks. ID and
sign off announcements at 2227 followed by orchestra National Anthem
at 2228. Fair to good signal (Rich D'Angelo, French Creek State Park
DXpedition No. 29, Ten-Tec RX-340 and an Eton E1, 500-foot wire
essentially south for the RX-340 and a 40-foot wire essentially north
for the E1, ibid.)
4905, Radio N'djamena [sic], 2049, 12/22/07. Fair at tune-in. Listened
until 2243 tune-out. Rapidly improved to steady S9 with lots of Afro
Pop and YL announcer. Sounded great with 7030+ synchronous detector
(Jerry Strawman, Des Moines IA, AOR AR7030+, Wellbrook 330S Loop,
ibid.)
4905, CHAD. R Nationale Tchadienne, 2115-2300*, 12/22/07, French.
Hilife music and more hilife music, with DJ commentary liberally
sprinkled in, signoff 2300 w/presumed national anthem. Surprisingly
strong signal beginning well before local sunset. Fair/good (Mark
Schiefelbein, Springfield, MO, Kenwood R-5000 & Eton E1, Wellbrook
330S loop antenna, ibid.)
4905, Radiodiffusion National Tchadienne. 2226-2300*. 22 Dec 07.
French. OM announcer with DJ patter between selections ranging from
Afropop to Barry White and Michael Jackson clones. Off with presumed
NA. Nearly armchair quality. VG (Joe Wood, Greenback, TN, Eton E1 with
21` wire, DX 390, Grundig Mini 100PE, ibid.)
** CHILE. VC, 11745, 24 Dec at 0022 in Portuguese. Awful modulation.
Fair signal but not at all readable. Better at 0300 recheck (Liz
Cameron, MI, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** COLOMBIA. 5910, R. Marfil Estéreo via LV de tu Conciencia,
Lomalinda, 2338-2354, 21 Dec, Spanish, light songs; 45444. (Gonçalves)
6010, LV de tu Conciencia, Lomalinda, 2334-2352, 21 Dec, Spanish,
preaching; 34443, QRM de China which got stronger towards 0000 (Carlos
Gonçalves, Portugal, Dec 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** CHRISTMAS ISLANDS [non]. Glenn, Your note in DXLD 7-157. The visit
to Christmas Island [x2] was figurative, not literal. Both are very
difficult and expensive to reach in reality, unless one is a refugee
trying to enter Australia in which case the former [Howard]
administration provided free flights to the internment camp on
Christmas Island Indian Ocean. Merry Christmas! 73, (David Ricquish,
NZ, Dec 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
Listened to the RNZI Mailbox Dec 24 at 1330 on 5950. Strangely enough,
it ran 27-28 minutes; sometimes, it`s up to 10 minutes shorter. After
all the publicity, was a bit disappointed in the Xmas Islands angle. I
was at least expecting to hear a clip of VLU2, but all we got was
about a minute of background on history of broadcasting for each
island, mixed in with other material. Also, shouldn`t ``Kiritimati``
be pronounced ending in -s just like Kiribati? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX
LISTENING DIGEST)
** COLOMBIA. Radio Nacional de Colombia: Captada el pasado sábado 22
de diciembre, en la frecuencia de los 680 kHz de la onda media,
presentando el programa "De otras partes" conducido por el locutor
Jaime Andrés Monsalve, dedicando un especial sobre la música
brasileña. A las 0100 UT con un SINPO de 44434 ¡Cordiales 73´s! (Jorge
García Rangel, Barinas, Venezuela, Dec 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
Barranquilla
** COLOMBIA [and non]. As a result of some correspondence in late
November/early December about the Voz de tu Conciencia conflict with
XEOI on 6010, Martin Stendal of LVC copied to me some of his
correspondence, which gives us a good idea of the problems he faces
and his point of view (gh) ---
Muy estimado Jeff, Estuvimos apagados durante varias semanas haciendo
cambios a nuestro transmisor y antenas para tratar de mejorar la
situación con Julián Santiago.
También tenemos la obligación ante el Ministerio de Communicaciones de
Colombia de permanecer al aire las 24 horas con 5000 vatios de
potencia o podríamos recibir una severa multa y sanción y ya no
podemos tener la emisora apagada durante la noche.
A continuación están algunas cosas de fondo, comunicaciones con
Galcom, etc.
No sé porque Glen[n] Hauser, un autodeclarado ateo quien había dicho
ser imparcial se acaba de ir otra vez por el lado de Julián Santiago.
Parece que la programación nuestra de orientación cristiana hacia los
actores del conflicto armado en Colombia le molesta muchísimo.
[This refers to my monitoring the fact that both stations were again
colliding after 0700 UT on 6010, after being requested by Santiago to
check it out --- this was a fact, not taking sides. However, there
apparently was a misunderstanding somewhere along the line of
communication that LVC had `promised` not to do so.
FYI, if I had to choose, I would side with Martin (a.k.a. Russ)
Stendal against the FARC. This does not mean I approve of his
evangelistic mission, but if it reduces bloodshed, it`s does some
good. For those who don`t know Stendal`s life story, he was taken
hostage by the FARC, but finally managed to talk his way out and
according to him, convert some of them to his religion. --- Glenn
Hauser]
Ya no sé qué más podemos hacer. Parece, según Glen[n] Hauser, que los
cambios que acabemos de hacer con mucho costo y esfuerzo no sirvieron
para nada.
Le agradecemos a usted, Jeff, por sus buenos oficios para arreglar la
situación con la 5910. En cuanto a la 6010, ya no podemos hacer nada
más, a menos de que tuvieramos el dinero para hacer otro intento.
Bendiciones y gracias por su ayuda, (Martin Stendal to Jeff White, Dec
2, via DX LISTENING DIGEST)
And he also sent some earlier correspondence about the 6010 and 5910
interference problems; Radio República meanwhile quit not only the
latter frequency, but that transmission entirely (unless 5954.1, weak
from unknown location somehow replaces it.) (gh) ---
Dear Russell, I attended the National Association of Short-Wave
Broadcasting conference at HCJB in Elkhart Indiana just recently. The
president Jeff White of NASB spoke to me about an overlapping of SW
signals with your ministry and theirs in Mexico. Concern might be that
one or the other might have to change frequency or a compromise be
made. I was then asked to help. Since Galcom USA has so much money
involved in the 6010 frequency, a change would be devastating. I just
received an E-mail from Jeff and I quote what he has written below.
"I want to thank you very much for offering to help the folks at
Colombia for Christ (Russell Stendal) with the interference problem
they have with Radio Mil in Mexico. To summarize the situation, their
transmissions on 6010 kHz are interfering at night with another small
shortwave station in Mexico City, Radio Mil, which has been on 6010
kHz for about 50 years or so. (Radio Mil is lower power -- one
kilowatt -- and it apparently does not interfere with the Colombian
station.) Some time ago, Colombia for Christ asked the Colombian
Ministry of Communications for a change of frequency, but it was
denied. And now, since they have all of the fix-tuned radios on 6010
kHz, of course they don't want to have to change the frequency. I
believe they are using a simple dipole antenna on 6010 kHz with 5
kilowatts, so I would think that this could be made somewhat
directional to minimize the signal going towards Mexico. But this is
beyond my technical expertise, so I sincerely hope that you can help
them with this.
The person who is working with Colombia for Christ in Bogotá (and who
contacted me initially) is Rafael Rodríguez, who is a shortwave
listener. I don't know the extent of his technical knowledge (or his
knowledge of English), but he has been working with Russell Stendal.
His e-mail is: rafaelcoldx @ yahoo.com If whoever works with them on
this problem can inform me of any actions they take, I would
appreciate it so that I can keep the people at Radio Mil in Mexico
informed and they can see if the interference problem is eliminated or
reduced.
In the meantime, I am working with Rafael Rodríguez to register the
two shortwave frequencies used by Colombia for Christ with the High
Frequency Coordinating Conference (HFCC) in Prague, so that future
interference problems can be avoided.
I really appreciate your help with this matter, as both Colombia for
Christ and Radio Mil are excellent institutions which very much value
their shortwave transmissions, and I would like for them both to be
able to co-exist and carry on their excellent works."
Would you review this and let’s talk about it. I have also copied this
to Gary Nelson, Chairman of the US Board, so he would be fully aware
of this matter. I am sure the Lord will give us the wisdom to sort
this out. I await your reply brother.
In His previous service, Allan McGuirl, International Director; [cc?]
Cheryl, Secretary Galcom International (May 22, 2007, via Martin
Stendal, DXLD)
Dear Allan, We have been dealing with this matter for quite some time.
Here is what has happened: When we got our license on 6010 years ago,
the Mexican station, Radio Mil, was apparently off the air. We ran all
our tests and the Colombian Ministry of Communications ran their tests
(this included many months of them monitoring and then many months of
us running a test signal until our final license was approved). Quite
a while after we were licensed and after we had already distributed a
number of Galcom radios fix-tuned to 6010, one Mexican began to
complain.
The radio station, Radio Mil, in Mexico has never officially
complained to us. It is a doctor named Julián Santiago who is a DX
buff and is somehow tied to the short wave repeater of Radio Mil (an
AM station on 1000 kHz in Mexico City) on 6010 who has done all of the
complaining. Julián has a DX program that is aired on Radio Mil twice
a week. [but not for a long time now, due to this problem --- gh]
Starting well over two years ago we made a concerted effort to try to
minimize our signal towards Mexico. All this just on the observation
of Julián Santiago with no other confirmed listener reports of our
supposed strong signal strength in Mexico. No short wave listeners of
Radio Mil in Mexico have EVER complained to us, nor has the official
management of the station. Since there is a dead zone around every
short wave transmitter Julián likes to get into the middle of the dead
zone around his transmitter and then see if he can hear our station.
After extremely costly changes to our antenna system we finally got
Julián to admit that our signal was not coming into Mexico at all. By
this time it was not coming into Bogotá either for that matter or into
most of Northern Colombia. However, this did not fix the problem for
very long. Our antenna shift caused our signal to increase in strength
into Spain and Europe and resulted in less QSL listener reports for
Julián Santiago in Mexico from his DX program that goes out over Radio
Mil. So he started to badmouth us again all over the international DX
community. When this happened after he had said that he was satisfied
with our antenna changes we kind of lost heart in trying to keep on
pleasing him, plus our engineer here and Rafael Rodríguez and myself
were tired of all this, so we just went and put our antennas how they
were at the beginning and figured that Julián would give us the same
amount of problem no matter what we did with our antennas.
Legally we are only required to meet the standards and requirements of
the Colombian Ministry of Communications. There is no international
obligation. Colombia has used this frequency for decades and before it
was assigned to us other radio stations here in Colombia were on 6010
dating back to the 1930`s.
The main time that Julián Santiago complains is in January and
February when conditions of propagation are highest for this frequency
in the Northern Hemisphere. This Year Radio Mil was off the air on
short wave most of the winter, but then Julián started to complain
again when it came back on in March.
Right now during the summer we are definitely NOT causing him any
significant interference. But he has complained strongly about us even
when for some technical reason our transmitter has been off the air.
I had thought of limiting our transmissions or turning off our
transmitter on Sunday nights when Julián likes to get listener reports
from his program but the Colombian Government will not allow us to
intentionally shut off our transmitter. If we do this we could be
severely fined, or sanctioned.
I have considered putting our antennas back into an orientation that
would minimize the signal to Northern Colombia and Mexico and maximize
the signal to Venezuela and Europe. This will not end Julián`s
complaints but it will make it very hard for him to say that our
signal interferes with Mexico. However it means sacrificing much of
Colombia, although it might be good to have strong coverage in
Venezuela, even though we have not sent many radios there.
The other thing that we could do would be to design and build a Lazy H
antenna system which would keep our signal within Colombia. I had
talked this over with Wayne Borthwick and if we had the money Wayne
could probably come down and do this. This would also have some
disadvantages for us, first the cost of thirty or more thousand
dollars in towers and materials plus whatever Wayne would need, but
then the signal would not reach well into the remote areas of Colombia
(most people who do the Lazy H do this because they want to fill in
the dead zone around the transmitter (between a radius of 30 and 210
km). We don`t really need to do this because we can fill this gap with
our AM and FM signals. Wayne has simulated models with his computer of
what would happen with various types of antennas.
I am almost certain that if we were to give in to Julián and change
frequency that he would probably forget about 6010 and go off the air
like he was before we started. He thrives on controversy and sometimes
I get the impression that he might not even sleep well if he did not
have someone like us to campaign against.
If someone donates us money to build a set of Lazy H antennas we will
go ahead and do so.
There is another station on 6010 in Brazil about as far south of us as
Radio Mil is north of us in Mexico. The Brazilians have never
complained about us or we of them although there are several time
periods when we have to put up with a little bit of overlap. This is
normal in Short Wave and stations all over the world experience this
and take it in stride without calling each other names or being
profane. Both of these stations are around 3500 miles from us and the
only times there seems to be a bit of overlap is in the wee hours of
the morning for brief periods of time.
Please let me know your thinking on this. If you feel from the Lord to
help us make some new antennas we are willing to go ahead and do so,
otherwise I plan to do my best to change our antenna orientation away
from Mexico for the coming winter season.
We are also hoping to be able to build a standby short wave
transmitter; we really need two, one for each frequency so that we
will not run the risk of all those green Galcom radios going dead if
we have transmitter problems.
Another problem that we have is that a station called Radio República
transmits during the summer season on 5910 with an anti-Castro set of
programming aimed at Cuba. This is coming out of Germany with about
500 kW of power. The problem is that this signal overpowers our 5910
signal from about 6 pm to about 10 pm Colombia Time and the guerrillas
sometimes think that we are the ones doing this because they can hear
this anti-communist, anti-Castro station on our green Galcom Radios.
We have received a number of threats due to all of this. On the flip
side, the Colombian government likes this type of thing and so they
listen to it and think that we must be tied into the US government or
something big which they suppose is behind these huge broadcasts. This
may be part of the reason that the Colombian Air Force has been
helping us to drop the parachutes with the Galcom radios.
Right now we are working on some new antenna towers that should
minimize our signal into Mexico and this should be accomplished by mid
Fall.
PS: It is also possible that someone somewhere having to do with Radio
República found out about us being on 5910 and about all the thousands
of Galcom radios that we have distributed into the left leaning
guerrilla areas of Colombia and that is why they have chosen to
transmit on 5910. Their programming is not all that bad; the only bad
part is us being blamed for it.
Just about anything that we do down here in these delicate areas is
quite a battle. It is a financial battle, a battle to get the
licenses, a technical battle to get everything running and to keep it
all running, a spiritual battle and so on. There are lots of people
like Julián running around and trying their best to stop each and
every one of our radio stations. So far, by the grace of God they have
not been able to succeed. Blessings, Russ Stendal, June 22, 2007 (to
Allan McGuirl, Galcom, via Stendal, DXLD)
This whole thing is really a comedy of errors, and there are two root
causes: Stendal buying into the extremely flawed Galcom strategy of
fix-tuned radios, which means once set, you are stuck with whatever
interference may appear; and the fact that neither Mexican nor
Colombian administrations understand shortwave and the need for
frequency-agility. A couple of minor frequency shifts could have
avoided all this --- and still could (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING
DIGEST)
** CONGO DR [non]. Since no one, least of all the person who said it,
replied to my previous query about the claim that R. Okapi is for both
Congos, I checked the general info page about it at Hirondelle, and
indeed find mention only of the DR:
http://www.hirondelle.org/hirondelle.nsf/caefd9edd48f5826c12564cf004f793d/8603a2d41fc59612c1256b3c004bb371?OpenDocument
(Glenn Hauser, OK, Dec 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** CUBA. Re mailing to Cuba -- there is no more parcel post from the
US to any other country. International surface mail no longer exists,
so the categories listed as available for Cuba are the same as those
for virtually the rest of the world (Mike Cooper, Dec 24, DXLD)
** CUBA [non]. R. República`s collision with Marfil: see COLOMBIA;
via WDHP: see VIRGIN ISLANDS US
** CYPRUS. 9760, Cyprus BC Corp, Limassol, *2215-2244*, Dec 23, Sign
on with Greek music. Greek talk. Local folk music along with radio-
drama. Greek guitar music. Sign on & sign off with the same Greek
tune. Fair signal. // 7210-fair level but mixing with a strong Radio
China International; // 6180-very weak under Brazil. Fri, Sat, Sun
only (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** ECUADOR. 4781.6, R. Oriental, Tena, 2253-2303, 17 Dec, Spanish,
talks, children's voices, pps, TCs; 22341, utility QRM (Carlos
Gonçalves, Portugal, Dec 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** EQUATORIAL GUINEA. 15190, Radio Africa, Bata, 1145-1329*, Dec 24,
Just beginning to fade in around 1145 with threshold level. Slowly
improved to a weak level by 1210. Never improved beyond a weak signal
strength. Some individual English religious programming suffered from
distortion or weak modulation. Sign off with "Radio Africa Network" ID
announcement at 1328 along with mentions of RadioAfricaNetwork.com and
PanAmericanBroadcasting.com websites, postal address and e-mail
address (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** ERITREA. 7100, Voices of the Broad Masses of Eritrea Program 1,
0431-0504 Dec 18. Horn of Africa vocal by a man followed by a woman
announcer in Tigrinya. After some flashy music, a man began speaking
alternating with brief HoA instrumental music segments. The woman
began speaking again at 0445. At 0455 a man read the news. 5+1 time
pips at 0500 followed by a woman announcer with ID and frequency
announcement. After a segment of lively music, another woman began a
long talk. Fair.
7175, Voice of the Broad Masses of Eritrea Program 2, *0355-0435 Dec
18. IS with short, brief talks over it by a man and woman. Opening at
0400 with ID and frequency announcements followed by the news.
Frequent breaks in transmission marred reception. Good signal when it
was on (Rich D'Angelo, French Creek State Park DXpedition No. 29, Ten-
Tec RX-340 and an Eton E1, 500-foot wire essentially south for the RX-
340 and a 40-foot wire essentially north for the E1, NASWA Flashsheet
via DXLD)
** ETHIOPIA [and non]. INTERNATIONAL MEDIA ORGANS EXPOSE ETHIOPIA'S
JAMMING OF ERITREAN RADIO | Text of report in English by Eritrean
Ministry of Information's Shabait website on 21 December
Asmara, 21 December: Two media organs, namely the BBC Monitoring
(BBCM) and the Netherlands Media (RN) disclosed that the TPLF [Tigray
People's Liberation Front, dominant party with in Ethiopian ruling
coalition] regime's jamming of the Eritrean media has been stepped up
to a great extent.
In a statement they issued, the two media organizations indicated that
the regime's resort to muffling the Eritrean media outlets has been
continuing in a stepped-up manner, and that such acts of jamming have
been reinforced as of 18 December.
In a related report, although the programs of the Voice of America are
being muffled in Ethiopia, VOA staff members have been given
instructions by their senior heads not to broadcast any report or
information about the jamming.
Source: Shabait website, Asmara, in English 21 Dec 07 (via BBCM via
DXLD) Dimitse Tewahedo SNAFU: See U S A WHRA
** ETHIOPIA. ETIOPÍA, 9558, Radio Etiopía, 1430-1440, escuchada el 24
de diciembre en árabe a locutora con boletín de noticias, titulares
separados de un segmento musical, probable referencia al Kurdistán,
SINPO 33433 (José Miguel Romero, Burjasot (Valencia), Spain, Sangean
ATS 909, Antena Radio Master A-108, YAESU FRG-7700, dxldyg via DX
LISTENING DIGEST) Further off-frequency than usual from nominal 9560;
is this an approximation? (gh, DXLD)
** FIJI. My favorite Christmas DX memory happened in 1982. My wife and
I spent Christmas eve at her parents' place and then attended midnight
mass. When we arrived home at about 2 a.m., I decided to spin the
dials for a few minutes before going to bed. Tuning around on medium
wave, I mostly heard the usual domestic stations I can hear every
night. The single exception was a station on 1467, which turned out to
be Radio Fiji with Hindi programming. Certainly an interesting
contrast to the normal Christmas season radio fare. The station faded
in and out, and wasn't all that strong, but I heard enough for a
report. The QSL arrived in July. It was the only time I've heard the
station here at home, and something I wouldn't expect to hear unless
there was a good opening with lots of other down under stations. Merry
Christmas everyone (Bruce in Seattle Portzer, Dec 24, HCDX via DXLD)
** GERMANY. Re 7-157, Gloria on 6140, then 5965: 6140 is the new
frequency for the rotating 1300 UT Sunday broadcasts supposed not to
go into effect until January (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** GREECE. Glenn: I tuned in to the "Greek In Style" program with
Adrianna in English introducing songs by Greek composers on the Voice
of Greece from 0005 to 0105 UT Monday. Unfortunately 7475 was very
noisy and I had to give up after about 15 minutes. I heard nothing on
9420 and 12105 is not audible in this area (John Babbis, Silver Spring
MD, Dec 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** GUATEMALA. Tried to listen to R. Maya, as in 7-156, Dec 24 at 0419,
without getting the VLC player they recommend; opening URL
mms://stream2.radioevangelica.com/radiomaya
in WM player, it runs, but with a big buzz, evidently what is being
fed from Barillas, traces of speech in unID language underneath; tsk2,
have heard it better on 3325 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** INDONESIA. 4750 (Sulawesi). RRI Makassar, 2135-2203 Dec 16. Talk
by a man and woman in Indonesian followed by a program of vocals
hosted by a woman announcer. Local ID at 2144 before a vocal
selection. Another local ID by the woman announcer at 2158 followed by
the Song of the Coconut Islands. RRI ID by a man at 2200 followed by
Jakarta news. Fair to good at peak but fading over time (Rich
D'Angelo, French Creek State Park DXpedition No. 29, Ten-Tec RX-340
and an Eton E1, 500-foot wire essentially south for the RX-340 and a
40-foot wire essentially north for the E1, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD)
** INDONESIA. 9526.0, Voice of Indonesia, Dec 24, open carrier on at
0736, on till 0801, into program in English, weak. They did not play
their usual gamelan music and English ID recorded loop before ToH (Ron
Howard, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** INTERNATIONAL INTERNET. AIRBORNE INTERNET MIGHT BRING TURBULENCE
By Anick Jesdanun, AP Internet Writer / December 23, 2007
NEW YORK — Seat 17D is yapping endlessly on an Internet phone call.
Seat 16F is flaming Seat 16D with expletive-laden chats. Seat 16E is
too busy surfing porn sites to care. Seat 17C just wants to sleep.
Welcome to the promise of the Internet at 33,000 feet -- and the
questions of etiquette, openness and free speech that airlines and
service providers will have to grapple with as they bring Internet
access to the skies in the coming months. . .
http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2007/12/23/airborne_internet_might_bring_turbulence/
(via John Wesley Smith, KC0HSB, DXLD)
** ISRAEL. Israel`s final week on SW? Winter B-07 schedule for Kol
Israel till Dec. 31:
AMHARIC 1900-1930 on 6985 9345 [& check this for jamming]
ENGLISH 0430-0445 on 6280 7545 17600 from Dec. 15
1030-1045 on 13855 15760
1830-1845 on 6985 7545 9345 15640
(DX Mix News, Bulgaria, Nov 12 via DXLD 7-136)
Here`s the sked, converted to UT, reorganized by gh, clutter removed:
KOL-ISRAEL" Short-Wave Programme Schedule -
From 28 October 2007 to 31 December 2007
English
0430-0445 N America/W. Europe 9345 6280 @
N America/W. Europe 7545
C America/Australia 17600
English
1030-1045 N America/W Europe 15760
N America/W Europe 13855
English
1830-1845 N America/W Europe 6985
N America/W Europe 7545
South Africa 15640
N America/W Europe 9345
Alternative frequencies when reception conditions require change (@@)
Valid from 15.12.07 - 28.2.08 (@)
Israel Local Time = UTC +3 [sic! It`s +2 in winter!]
Moshe Oren-BEZEQ, Engineering Radio & TV Broadcasting
Mobile: +972507632574 Fax: +97239410909 Tel: +97239554120
IBA - Kol Israel Radio
P. O. Box 1082, Jerusalem 91010, Israel
FAX +972-2-5313376 E-mail: raphaelk @ iba.org.il
(via Moshe Oren, Israel, DX LISTENING DIGEST 7-129)
The Israel Radio schedule has been posted on israelradio.org at:
http://israelradio.org/sw.htm It's not on the IBA's website yet (Doni
Rosenzweig, Oct 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST 7-129)
Which still says on Dec 24: ``FREQUENCIES ARE VALID FROM October 28,
to December 31, 2007 It has not been confirmed whether shortwave
transmission will continue after this date`` (Glenn Hauser, DX
LISTENING DIGEST)
The IBA has just extended shortwave transmissions of Israel Radio for
three more months (Doni Rosenzweig, Dec 24, dxldyg via DX LISTENING
DIGEST) Never mind
** KURDISTAN. 6335, IRAQ, Voice of Iraqi Kurdistan - Salah al Din,
0402-0440 Dec 18. Instrumental music with a man speaking in Kurdish
over the music. Kurdish instrumental music and vocals followed the
talk. Occasional combination of talks by a woman accompanied by
Kurdish instrumental music. Poor to fair but in the clear (Rich
D'Angelo, French Creek State Park DXpedition No. 29, Ten-Tec RX-340
and an Eton E1, 500-foot wire essentially south for the RX-340 and a
40-foot wire essentially north for the E1, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD)
** KURDISTAN [non?]. CLANDESTINES: 3880, V of Iranian Revolution,
site? (No. Iraq?), 1725-1733, 19 Dec, Farsi (?), talks; 22441, jammed.
(Gonçalves)
4365.9, V of Communist Party of Iran, site? (No. Iraq?), 1715-1730, 19
Dec, Kurdish (?), talks, tunes; 32441, jammed. (Gonçalves)
4840, V of Iranian Kurdistan (tentative), Al-Sulaymaniyah, IRQ, 1535-
1548, 20 Dec, Kurdish (?), talks; 22431, jammed (Carlos Gonçalves,
Portugal, Dec 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** LIBERIA. 4760, ELWA, Monrovia, 1944-1957, 20 Dec, English,
religious radioplay; 44343, adjacent utility QRM (Carlos Gonçalves,
Portugal, Dec 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** LIBERIA [non]. 9525, Star Radio via Ascension, 0708-0731, Dec 24,
in English and vernacular, YL with "Star Contact" program, with
recorded messages to family members, messages can be given at Star
Radio or via e-mail, African music, fair-poor (Ron Howard, CA, Etón
E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** MADAGASCAR. 3287.7, R. Nasionaly Malagasy, Ambohidrano, 1833-1849,
16 Dec, French, radioplay; 22341, utility QRM; parallel to 5010 very
strong though a bit distorted (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, Dec 24, DX
LISTENING DIGEST)
** MALI. 30 years ago today, on Christmas Eve/morning, Radiodiffusion
Nationale du Mali-7110. Sign-on at 0800 UT, Dec. 25, 1977. Don't
remember too much about the programming, except that their national
anthem was about 15 minutes long!! QSLed in about 2 months; go to
http://webhome.idirect.com/~aum108/dx.html to view card. 73 (Mike
Brooker Toronto, ON, HCDX via DXLD)
** MAURITANIA. 7245, R. Mauritanie, Nouakchott, 1245-1328, 19 Dec,
Vernacular/Arabic, talks, ID, local tunes, advertisements (?),
newscast 1300, chanting; 45444. This is not being audible mornings
(Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, Dec 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** MEXICO. See COLOMBIA [and non], 6010 collision
** MICRONESIA. Just went out to the mailbox and retrieved a QSL from
Pacific Missionary Aviation Radio (The Cross). Heard here on October
5, 2007 on 4755.25 kHz from 1115 to 1200. V/S looks to be Roland
Weibel, Radio Station Manager, The Cross Radio. I had sent a prepared
card, but they have had some nice cards printed up. Very happy to
receive this on Christmas Eve! My 222'nd NASWA Country QSL'd! (Steve
Lare, Holland, MI, USA, Dec 24, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** MONGOLIA. 4830, Mongoliin R, Altay, 2222-2230, 21 Dec, Mongolian,
talks, tunes; 24341, CW QRM. (Gonçalves)
4895, Mongoliin R, Murun, 2218-2232, 21 Dec, Mongolian, talks, tunes;
25342; parallel to 4830 Altay (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, Dec 24, DX
LISTENING DIGEST)
** MOROCCO. 1643v, RTM-"B", site?, 1128-2320, 16 Dec, French,
talks,..., English at 1440, French at 1600,..., news at 2200,
classical music; 45444 so causing a mess when DXing around this
frequency as if the many & powerful sounding Greek pirate stations
were not enough! This is still putting an FM-like signal that is
simply not adequate for receiving if you leave your rx on the AM/DSB
mode, and this is still why I am unable to determine the exact fq
except by approximate reading via sharpened bw on AM, thence "1643
kHz". During the day, the signal is stable of course, but oscillates a
bit after sunset, and again too, I found no "regular" carrier airing
this channel within the band (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, Dec 24, DX
LISTENING DIGEST)
** NEW ZEALAND. See CHRISTMAS ISLANDS [non]
** NIGERIA. 756, unID out of 3 listed Nigerian stations, possibly R.
Oyo, Ibadan, 1840-1909, 22 Dec, Vernacular, talks, phone numbers
announced in English, African pop, short and fast drum beat after what
I believe was the station ID; 33432, QRM de several stations. This
seemed some religious station or then a religious program. (Gonçalves)
4770, R. Nigeria, Kaduna, 1501-..., 22 Dec, English, BBC (?) relay for
football match rerport Liverpool v Portsmouth (?); 25332. I checked
BBC R5, and it was airing a different match. I observed 4770 on 17 Dec
at 1125 when it was barely audible. (Gonçalves)
6090, R. Nigeria, Kaduna, 2231-2239, 20 Dec, Vernacular, talks, tribal
songs; 42441, QRM de Belarus; bad audio (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal,
Dec 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** OKLAHOMA. Oklahoma City KOMA 92.5 drops HD. At least one has dumped
it. How this will work out in the end remains to be seen. I have
stopped using my HD receiver, a Radio Shack Accurian. HD radio DX is
discouraging because a station 300 km away can be tuned in at times,
but then fade into nothingness (Bruce F. Elving, Ph.D., MN, Nov-Dec
FMedia! via DXLD)
** OMAN. 15140, Radio Sultanate of Oman, 1425-1435, Dec 24, Looking
for Oman but only hear a weak carrier & no audio (Brian Alexander, PA,
DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. Re 7-157, 4890 at 0500? --- Olá Glenn, Esta sua
observação é verdade, eu escrevi errado, o correto (hora UT) é 0900. O
programa a que me refiro (de notícias pela NBC 4890 em 2006) é bem
provável que foi transmitido também, não todos os dias, pela 3905 kHz
R. New Ireland PNG neste ano de 2007, claro, no mesmo horário (0900
UT). Haviam algumas semelhanças, mas é uma hipótese. 73's (Lúcio
Otávio Bobrowiec, Brasil, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** PERU. 4775, Radio Tarma, 1049-1100 Dec 24 with typical Huayños type
music, signal was at a fair level still, at least for this part of the
band. At 1057 live Spanish comments from a male for a few moments,
then back into the Huayños music. Weak live ID on the hour, followed
by religious music -. This is followed with religious comments briefly
by a female. Canned ID at 1104, "...Onda media ... Tarma ..." Signal
was fair to poor and getting hit by CODAR. [another log of this below]
4955, Radio Cultural Amauta, 1110-1120 Dec 24. Initially heard clear,
clean Huayños music. At 1112, a male in Spanish comments with mentions
of "Perú" until 1120 and music follows that. This frequency is clear
of QRM, notably the CODAR signal, consequently copy is good of this
radio station (Chuck Bolland, Clewiston, Florida, NRD545, dxldyg via
DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** PERU. 4747.8, R. Huanta 2000, Huanta, 2234-2251, 21 Dec, Spanish,
Indian pops, echoing ID; 35342. (Gonçalves)
4775, R. Tarma, Tarma, 2304-2316, 17 Dec, Spanish, program "Antena
Deportiva" "a través de las potentes [500 watt!] ondas de Radio
Tarma"; 33342, utility QRM. (Gonçalves)
4790.1, R. Visión, Chiclayo, 2338-2346, 18 Dec, Spanish,
advertisements, announcements, songs, TCs; muffled audio; 33342, CODAR
QRM (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, Dec 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** PERU. Nueva emisora PERUANA! Alrededor de las 1155 UT aprox capté
en los 4990.8 una radio peruana; creí que era Andina de Huancayo...
y la sorpresa : "transmite Manantial Radio..." inmediatamente les doy
la demas data: Web page: http://galeon.com/manatial
Anuncian 960 kHz, pero [sic] en la web page tienen este e-mail
address: manantialradio960am@... [truncated by yg]
A enviar reportes de recepción. Aprovecho para enviarles un abrazo
cordial a todos y cada uno de Ustedes con motivo de la Navidad y Anho
Nuevo. 73 (DXSPACEMASTER, ALFREDO BENJAMIN CAÑOTE BUENO, Lima, Perú,
Dec 24, condig list via DXLD)
But probably the same old off-frequency transmitter as Andina. Website
says ``4985 KW onda corta satelital`` [sic]. Another gospel huxter,
``spring`` being a codeword for a fount of religionism. Bad news for
Suriname if not Brasil (Glenn Hauser, DXLD)
Justamente capté en los 4990 kHz la mencionada radio; el transmisor
está fuera de frecuencia (5 kHz +) ya que Andina salía por la misma
frecuencia. 73 (Alf, condiglist via DXLD)
** QATAR. ANOTHER APPEAL FOR ALJAZEERA ENGLISH TO THE USA. "American
soldiers in Kabul and elsewhere religiously watch al-Jazeera's English
service. They're not only learning what they're up against. They're
learning about the cultures of the people in whose defense they've
been deployed. Why isn't the same service available to mass American
audiences who still ask the kind of questions -- 'why do they hate
us?' -- al-Jazeera answers every day, often by showing how they don't
hate us, but hate our ignorance?" Editorial, Daytona Beach News-
Journal, 23 December 2007 (kimandrewelliott.com 24 Dec via DXLD)
There is no overt U.S. government prohibition against Aljazeera
English on a multichannel carrier. Rather, it seems to be a business
decision, with political and public relations factors probably playing
a role. One Aljazeera English official indicated that a deal with a
U.S. satellite television company is in the works (Kim Andrew Elliott,
ibid.)
** RUSSIA [and non]. 5960, Radiostantsiya Tikhiy Okean, 0942-1000 Dec
24. Tuned in late with a male and female in news or commentary in the
Russian Language. Afterwards, Russian music for a minute or two. At
0951, Radio France International (full ID on the hour), comes on the
air in Portuguese blocking Tikhiy Okean. France continues in
Portuguese up to the hour, when it switches to Spanish and gives a
full ID. Consequently, Radiostantsiya Tikhiy Okean is blocked
effectively for the rest of the period (Chuck Bolland, Clewiston FL,
dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** RWANDA. 6055, Radio Rwanda, Kigali, 2040-2101*, Dec 23, French /
vernacular talk. Local African music. Sign off with short techno-pop
instrumental. Very good (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** SAINT BARTHELEMY. ADDED NOTE: Rich, W2VU, states: "Hi all - Just
one note regarding FJ - For purposes of CQ awards, it is a separate
entity as of Feb 21, 2007, the date that France changed Barthélemy's
status. So for the CQ DX Marathon (and any other CQ awards), any
contacts with FJ on or after Feb 21, 2007, count as a separate entity.
I bring this up only since the DXCC date is Dec. 14, when it was added
to the US State Dept.'s special list."
For more information on the CQ DX Awards, visit the following link on
the CQ website at: http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/awards.html
Or the CQ DX Awards homepage at:
http://home.earthlink.net/~bfwillia/page3.html
(The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster, DX Bulletin No. 838, December 24,
2007, Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW, Provided by BARF80.ORG
(Cleveland, Ohio), via Dave Raycroft, ODXA yg via DXLD)
** SAINT HELENA. Re Glenn's reception antenna comment in WOR 1387 item
about R. St. Helena. Glenn, I believe antenna problem was on RSH's
side and not on the reception side. Why? During the broadcast, when
antenna was switched toward North America, around 2145 UT, I heard a
bubble type noise and distorted audio. Male announcer said they were
having MW tower problems like last year. I checked my log of last
year's RSH reception and see the following entries.
"2341 UT Listener emails. One email was from Glenn Hauser. Also male
announcer gave explanation about signal breakup when switching antenna
from Europe to North America. Apparently having unexpected reflections
from medium wave tower near Radio St. Helena antenna. 2354 UT, Mention
of good signal to the west coast of the USA, but not so good to the
east coast of the USA." Surprised no one else mentioned, as far as I
know, the above. 73 and Merry Christmas, (Kraig, KG4LAC, Krist, Dec
24, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)
They`ve had more than a year to fix that problem, so why not? (gh)
11092.5-usb, "Rádio Santa Helena", Pounceys, 2338-0040, 15 Dec, songs,
postoffice info, announcements, address; 25443, then better signal at
0030 despite azimuth change; 25443 and only marginal audio (Carlos
Gonçalves, Portugal, Dec 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) You mean you heard
them ID in Portuguese? (gh)
** SCARBOROUGH REEF. BS7H VIDEO REVIEW (by Editor Tedd, KB8NW). "Let
me first say I am a big fan of James Brooks's, 9V1YC, videos. They are
all PBS quality videos. If you worked the last BS7H operation in May
of 2007 (or even if you didn't), you will want this DVD for your
collection. There are 58 minutes of pure pleasure in knowing you
worked a rare one (or at least tried to). The video gives you the
complete lowdown on how Scarborough Reef became DXCC's most
controversial entity, the history of the island, past operations, the
difficulties of operating from there and the actual operating
conditions. This only touches the surface of the video.
James's keen eye for great cinemaphotography [sic] is unbelievable in
this DVD (probably better to view it on a big screen). The underwater
shots and the sunsets and rises are a real joy. There are also plenty
of commentaries by key individuals including operators, pilot stations
and past operators. You will also see how difficult and dangerous it
was for the operators to operate from the four different rocks
stations. You will see how operators endured skin cuts on their feet
and knees while dragging their boat over the sharp coral reef between
their main boat and operating positions on the four rocks. This is
only a glimpse of what you will see. This DVD is definitely a five
star video." The BS7H video is available at: http://www.dxvideos.com
(The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster, DX Bulletin No. 838, December 24,
2007, Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW, Provided by BARF80.ORG
(Cleveland, Ohio), via Dave Raycroft, ODXA yg via DXLD)
** SERBIA [non]. 6100, BOSNIA, International Radio of Serbia via
Bijeljina, 1948-2006 Dec 17. Caught end of English program with sports
scores by a woman followed by a man with ID and postal and e-mail
addresses encouraging correspondence. Tuning signal was played for two
minutes before a pop vocal song was played. Spanish program opened at
2000 with ID and news. Fair to good signal.
7240, BOSNIA, International Radio of Serbia via Bijeljina, 2110-2200*
Dec 16. German program with a man announcer giving the news followed
by classical music until 2130 when a woman gave French ID ("Ici Radio
Serbie Internationale") followed by the opening of the French program.
News followed by classical music. Poor to fair mixing with amateur
radio operators (Rich D'Angelo, French Creek State Park DXpedition No.
29, Ten-Tec RX-340 and an Eton E1, 500-foot wire essentially south for
the RX-340 and a 40-foot wire essentially north for the E1, NASWA
Flashsheet via DXLD)
7115, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. International Radio Serbia (Bijeljina Relay
presumed), 0028-0229*, 12/21/2007, Serbian and English. Apparent
reactivation of Bijeljina relay. Program of news and talk, primarily
by woman, and music. Serbian 0030-0100 and 0130-0200. English 0100-
0130 and 0200-0229. Good IDs (Radio Serbia) at start of each segment
following IS. Closing announcements by man at 0228. Transmission got
off to rough start with only a strong unmodulated carrier from 0028
until 0034. Good signal with moderate fading. SINPO 44333 at best.
Audio adequate but could have been a bit clearer (Jim Evans,
Germantown, TN, TenTec RX-340, Drake R8B, RF Space SDR-14; Random Wire
(90'), PAR EF-SWL (200'), ibid.)
Not Italian at 0130-0200 as per possibly incorrect schedule, but
Serbian? That would certainly make more sense, but did you axually
make sure it was not Italian? I mean to check (Glenn Hauser, DXLD)
** SIERRA LEONE [non]. 9525, Cotton Tree News (CTN) via Ascension,
0731-0758*, Dec 24, drums, ID "This is CTN", into news in English
(items about the minimum wage, police attempt to control traffic
congestion in Freetown, etc.), news in local languages, repeated the
same news again in English before sign-off, fair-poor till 0736
sign-on of open carrier from Voice of Indonesia on 9526.0, resulting
in strong het (Ron Howard, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING
DIGEST)
** SPAIN. 4396.4, COPE network station, probably in Jaén as per DF,
2327-..., 17 Dec, talks on football; 54444, just fair audio. Harmonic?
Not heard on 18 Dec (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, Dec 24, DX LISTENING
DIGEST)
** SRI LANKA. Christmas DX Memories anyone? All. Best wishes to
everyone in this holiday time. Maybe Santa's sleigh can trigger
some solar activity for us as the DX season continues...
I am sure that we radio buffs all have some memorable holiday DX Logs,
some big, some small. Here are two of mine that have stuck with me for
many years. I enjoyed writing them and resurrecting the memories into
words. Maybe others can relate ---
It was Christmas Eve back in the early 1980's or so. It was the first
real day off from school to start the holiday break, which was very
welcomed to myself as a teenager at the time. Christmas Eve seemed to
be the longest day of the year for me, so I would always try to
somehow occupy myself every waking moment until all the family,
festivities, and gifts started later that evening. I began my morning
by going over to the desk in front of my bedroom window, firing up the
Sangean ATS-803 radio, and check out the bands. It was snowing and
blowing outside my window, adding a very special touch, excitement,
and atmosphere to the Christmas season. When I was scanning the 31
meter band, I came across a strong station playing the "Ray Conniff
Christmas Album". I knew this record because Mom would frequently play
it during the Holidays. I was enjoying the music so I stuck with it.
Ray Conniff's "White Christmas" was playing from some foreign land
just as it was happening right outside my window before my eyes. It
was somewhere around 14-15 hours gmt (9-10 AM local time) when the
station broke. They gave ID as "This is the Sri Lanka Broadcasting
Corporation, Colombo".
I was very excited as I pulled out the WRTH to look them up. Sure
enough they were on 9720 as I caught the frequency announcement. They
also gave a time check which did not sound right to me. The minutes
did not correspond to GMT. I then learned about Sri Lanka's time
difference ! This may not sound like much but it was a very memorable
and special experience to add to some "tales of the glories of
Christmases long, long ago." The QSL came that hot summer (Stephen
Price, Johnstown, PA, Dec 24, HCDX via DXLD) Continued at UGANDA
** SRI LANKA. 4S7DXG (Illegal Operation). Victor Goonetilleke, 4S7VK,
Secretary RSSL, reports: "I am sorry to inform you as the Secretary of
the Radio Society of Sri Lanka that Ivan, a Ukranian Ham, is operating
without a valid licence. He had a Sri Lankan callsign from a previous
occasion, and he applied for a renewal which has not been granted yet
from the Ministry of Defense. In the meantime he is stealthily
operating and also claiming to operate from IOTA 171 Barbaryn Island
which needs special clearance from the Harbour Master which he hasn't
received, while operating from elsewhere in Sri Lanka, again without a
valid license. No one is permitted to land without this clearance on
Barbarine. We have brought this to the notice of the authorities. Last
time when he was in Sri Lanka he operated with his Maldivian callsign
while in Sri Lanka. We are sad to say that any contacts by him should
not be counted as valid." (The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster, DX Bulletin
No. 838, December 24, 2007, Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW, Provided by
BARF80.ORG (Cleveland, Ohio), via Dave Raycroft, ODXA yg via DXLD)
** SUDAN. 7200, SNBC, Omdurman, 1841-1856, 18 Dec, Arabic, talks and
local tunes; 43432, co-channel QRM de international broadcaster
(Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, Dec 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** SURINAME. 4990, Radio Apintie, 1014-1033 Dec 17. Man announcer with
Dutch talk and vocal selections. ID at 1019,vocal followed by ad
string. Poor to fair with some CODAR QRM (Rich D'Angelo, French Creek
State Park DXpedition No. 29, Ten-Tec RX-340 and an Eton E1, 500-foot
wire essentially south for the RX-340 and a 40-foot wire essentially
north for the E1, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) See also PERU, 4990.8
** TAIWAN. ``Banciao`` SW site: see LANGUAGE LESSONS
** THAILAND. 9535, Radio Thailand World Service, 2037-2114* Dec 17.
English program for Europe, with national news by a woman announcer
followed by announcements from the Royal Kingdom and world news hosted
by a man. Into Thai program at 2045 with ID and frequency announcement
and news. Fair to good (Rich D'Angelo, French Creek State Park
DXpedition No. 29, Ten-Tec RX-340 and an Eton E1, 500-foot wire
essentially south for the RX-340 and a 40-foot wire essentially north
for the E1, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD)
** TUNISIA [and non]. I often listen to RTT 7190 around 0630-0700 for
its Arab music tho it`s hardly soporific. For the first time on Dec 24
at 0643-0650+ I heard some deliberate QRHam, some guy exactly on
frequency as BFO for his SSB counts, ``1, 2, 3, 4, 5; 5, 4, 3, 2, 1,
testing…` Never heard him say anything else or ID. This raises an
interesting question. Yes, hams in Americas are totally free to use
this frequency, but are they totally free to use it in a one-way 5+
minute `test` without ID? Thinly disguised jamming.
BTW, Tunisia is not breaking any rules; this transmission per HFCC at
04-08 is 265 degrees to CIRAF 37, which is Algeria and Morocco; it is
just bleeding over here, even tho its 500 kW often makes it the best
signal inside the 41 mb in OK. Unlike Croatia/Germany, Russia,
Slovakia, etc., which really do broadcast to Americas inside our 40m
hamband (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** TURKMENISTAN. 279 kHz, Turkmen R, Asgabat, 2311-2315, 22 Dec,
Turkmenian, talks, traditional songs; 15341; parallel 5015 also very
poor (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, Dec 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** UGANDA. [Continued from SRI LANKA] Again, it was Christmas Eve back
in the early 1990's when I sat down to the R-5000 one local late
afternoon to check out the bands. It was a cold and clear afternoon
with a beautiful sunset glistening upon a blanket of snow with a nice
late afternoon moon in the sky. I started the DX session on 90 meters
and then to 60 meters. Both bands had their regular stations
propagating. Things were quite normal. However, my interests were
sparked when I found a very strong signal on an odd frequency of 4975.
The broadcast contained a program of traditional holiday music with a
deep voiced strongly accented English announcer. Hoping this was my
first good catch of Uganda, I had zero beat the frequency to 4976 and
quickly paralleled it to 5026. To my total and utmost surprise, it was
them. The signal was armchair quality and the reception of Radio
Uganda that Christmas Eve afternoon could have matched my local AM/MW
stations. Radio Uganda was holding the meter well into the red zone.
The programming consisted of traditional Christmas songs and hymns.
One of the songs was the upbeat version "Mary's Boy Child Jesus Christ
(was born on Christmas Day)". Others consisted of Mitch Miller carols
and songs from many other familiar artists. On that Christmas Eve, my
parents, grandparents, and I enjoyed supper to some holiday
programming, not coming from WKYE-FM, but from Radio Uganda! As we
were heading out the door for church later on, the extended broadcast
was still going strong as the announcer said "We will switch
programming to Vatican City for Midnight Mass with Pope John Paul II."
And they did. With that, I powered down and headed out for my own Mass
to start the holiday festivities with a memory I will never forget. We
still converse about the "Radio Uganda Christmas Eve" fifteen some-odd
years later. Oddly enough, I have never heard Radio Uganda of that
signal quality since that Christmas Eve. The QSL came that spring.
Does anyone else have any cool memorable Christmas DX ? (Stephen
Price, Johnstown, PA, Dec 24, HCDX via DXLD)
** U S A. Don`t usually hear WBCQ 17495 on weekday mornings, but there
it was Dec 24 at 1445 with GFRN // 9330. Nothing from DVOBurma via
Madagascar on 17495 this date (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** U S A. Dimitse Tewahedo started as usual Monday Dec 24 at 1900 on
WHRA 11785; they play a lot of music, good value for money? But at
1905 the transmission cut off, abruptly back to WHRA in English,
announcing frequency change to 7520! OCS, then claimed they were ``now
on 7520`` but really still on 11785 which had just opened 6 minutes
earlier. 1907 into WHR English gospel music fill programming; still
the same at 1944 recheck. Obviously, some glitch caused the program
automation to run the QSY announcement at 1905 instead of 1958. Was
there any human oversight to prevent or fix this ASAP? Of course not!
Will the Ethiopians get their money back? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX
LISTENING DIGEST)
** U S A [non]. The only somewhat unusual signal on 25m, Dec 24 at
1850 was rather muffled talk in unID language, on 11805. Then at 1856
mentions Family Radio, and Oakland. O no, not again. Did not recognize
it as Swahili, but listed as such via Madagascar. I am also
disappointed that even RNW availablizes its resources to this wacky
ministry, seemingly bent on broadcasting via every conceivable SW
relay site. This is the 50 kW transmitter aimed 320 degrees for EAf,
so not too far from our azimuth too. Note: after 1900 RN uses the same
frequency in English, but on much different heading, and via South
Africa instead! The least RN could get out of this would be some
broadcasts via Okeechobee (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** U S A. WITH AIRWAVES UNDER ASSAULT, RADIO STATIONS RAISE THE ALARM
By ALEX MINDLIN, December 23, 2007, Brooklyn Up Close
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/23/nyregion/thecity/23hait.html?ref=todayspaper&pagewanted=print
ON Monday night at 10:27, listeners to the Newark-based jazz station
WBGO could hear the legendary Red Norvo plunking away at the final
bars of "Have You Met Miss Jones?" The station's signal, at 88.3 FM,
blankets the city from Tottenville at the southern tip of Staten
Island to Riverdale in the north Bronx.
But WBGO fans in the heavily Haitian neighborhood of Flatbush,
Brooklyn, could not hear Norvo's glistening arpeggios. At that moment
on that frequency, the Flatbush listeners instead heard an echoing
voice pitching a wonder pill in Creole. "Haitians!" the man cried over
a raucous background of horns and drums. "This medicine cures all
maladies! Constipation, depression, high cholesterol, even AIDS!"
The intruding signal came from a low-power pirate broadcaster, one of
many in Flatbush and nearby neighborhoods that bedevil the major
stations by blocking their signals.
"They're killing us," said Cephas Bowles, the general manager of WBGO.
"They don't respect the F.C.C., and they don't respect the stations
that have legally been licensed to operate." According to Mr. Bowles,
listeners have been calling in daily with complaints.
Brooklyn, over the years, has been home to dozens of pirate
broadcasters, chattering in every language from Spanish to Yiddish.
The Haitian-American community, with its traditional fondness for
radio, is an especially receptive audience. But representatives of
licensed stations say that for reasons they cannot pinpoint, the
number and persistence of the pirates squatting on their frequencies
has been increasing.
George Evans, the head engineer at WFUV, the Fordham University radio
station, said that a rising resentment about Spanish and Creole
pirates had prompted him to solicit listener complaints on the
station's Internet home page. The station has received 294 complaints
since the notice went up in August, Mr. Evans said, most of them from
listeners in Brooklyn and Paterson, N.J.
Both Mr. Evans and Mr. Bowles said that they had complained to the
Federal Communications Commission, but that the agency was slow to act
against pirates. Since 2005, the commission has fined only one pirate
broadcaster in Brooklyn, a man named Elroy Simpson of Prospect-
Lefferts Gardens, who in January was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.
In response to questions, David Fiske, an F.C.C. spokesman, would say
only, "We don't comment on our investigative processes."
But Mr. Evans of WFUV had some advice for legislators. "Florida has a
very strict law where the police will come to your house, seize your
equipment and throw you in jail," he said. "That's what they need for
New York." (via Mike Cooper, DXLD)
** U S A. WDET: 2 YEARS OF TALK --- DETROIT'S MUSIC COMMUNITY IS STILL
HURTING FROM THE FORMAT CHANGE AT ITS BELOVED PUBLIC RADIO STATION
December 23, 2007, BY BRIAN McCOLLUM, FREE PRESS POP MUSIC WRITER
It was a premium music station for a premium music town. And two years
later, they still can't stop talking about the fact that it's gone. It
was this week in December 2005 when fans of WDET-FM got the news: The
Detroit public radio station, locally beloved and nationally renowned,
was massively scaling back its longtime music lineup in favor of
syndicated news-talk programming.
Passions ran high in the weeks following WDET's abrupt overhaul.
Protest groups were formed, demonstrations held, donations withheld.
All went for naught. The station's managers held firm to their
decision -- a move driven, they said, by cold economic realities.
Today, asked if the old WDET might return, the station chief answers
with a sympathetic but emphatic "no."
By now, the shock has subsided, but the shockwaves continue to
reverberate, say many in Detroit's music world. That's not to say
there's no audience for WDET's news programming; indeed, listenership
has dropped by just 9% -- or less than 15,000 people -- since 2005.
But the station's transformation left lingering effects on the local
landscape, many say, including difficulty selling certain concerts,
developing certain artists and maintaining a sense of community. . .
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071223/ENT04/712230517
(via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD)
** U S A. Blues format question --- I really enjoy blues music. And am
wondering why the format hasn't seemed to catch on. Has a blues-
formatted station ever succeeded in a market and/or shown up in a
decent way in Arbitron or other audience-measurement ratings? I
checked the latest ratings for Jackson MS and Mobile AL, the belly of
the beast I'd have thought, and there's no blues to be found...
http://www.radioandrecords.com/RRRatings/DefaultSearch.aspx
(Saul Chernos, Ont., Dec 24, WTFDA via DXLD)
Interesting question, Saul. There is quite a bit of blues in Jackson.
It's found locally on WMPR-FM: http://www.wmpr901.com/index.php
Now, that station, which has a very interesting history doesn't get
rated, but, has always been quite popular.
There have been other attempts to do Blues in the Delta, most recently
by an AM in Clarksdale (the real epicenter of the Blues world), but,
it just doesn't seem to work. It's all about money, of course. The
Delta isn't a rated market, so it's tough to say how much of an
audience the stations can find. But, money just doesn't seem to be
there.
Here in Memphis, Blues is also a big deal. The local Classic Rock has
dabbled a time or two with Blues, with mixed results. Further, we have
an HD stream here with Blues. I really like WRVR-HD2. Very cool --
everything from Robert Johnson to contemporary Blues artists. Even
local stuff like Ruby Wilson. Too bad I am probably the only guy
listening (Peter, N4LI, Baskind, ibid.)
It's called R&B today. What you and I know as Blues (XM 74) is just
music for old people. It's like Jews listening to Al Jolson, Irish
people listening to Bing Crosby and Italians listening to Mario Lanza.
The black equivalent to Standards stations are a few rural gospel
stations on AM hidden throughout the belt down US 301 and across US 80
into Texas (Rick Shaftan, NJ, ibid.)
Blues is one of those genres of music that isn't "Radio Friendly" to
group owners or programmers for a full time station. A Little Rock
Urban A/C station, KOKY 102.1 (which has a large play list of older
music) hosts a 16 hour block of contemporary blues between 5am and 9pm
on Saturdays. The station streams online at this link...
http://koky.com/Article.asp?id=104197
Also, I think WDIA 1070 and WRBO 103.5 in Memphis has Saturday blues
shows (Fritze H. Prentice, Jr., KC5KBV, Star City, AR Grid: EM43aw
http://tvdxseark.blogspot.com ibid.)
NPR: Black music for white people. Even in Mississippi, I'll bet less
than 10% of NPR's audience is African-American (Rich Shaftan, ibid.)
No. WMPR is uniquely targeting the black population of Jackson. NPR is
over on Mississippi Public Radio.
The station was started by Charles Evers, civil rights leader Medgar
Evers' older brother. In fact, if you have ever the movie, Ghosts of
Mississippi, which was about the trial of Byron De La Beckwith, the
killer of Medgar Evers, there is a scene that takes place in that
station. Bill Cobbs played Charles.
And, no. Blues is not now R&B. Sure, R&B owes much to Blues as a root,
but R&B is now a different animal entirely. It would be just as
inaccurate to say that Rock-a-billy is now Rock & Roll. People like
Brian Setzer would strongly disagree.
Blues may well be the most purely American musical style. In its most
pure form, the style one hears in run-down juke joints in places like
Clarksdale, Lula, and outside Yazoo City, it is still the sad, Earthy,
and totally inspiring musical form it always has been. Makes you
wanna reach for a "40" of malt liquor, and just enjoy the evening.
You know, nothing goes with a cold beer like Muddy Waters or John Lee
Hooker. Watch The Blues Brothers sometime, and catch John Lee doing
"Boom Boom." Ain't Nuthin' Cooler (Peter, N4LI Baskind, J.D., LL.M.,
Germantown, TN, ibid.)
That's true but like Spike Lee movies and Jimi Hendrix, the blues have
largely become black entertainment for white people. R&B definitely
isn't blues, but keep in mind that when blues artists like Howlin'
Wolf or John Lee Hooker charted, it was mostly on the R&B charts. Over
time, R&B has become a term to encompass most black music. We went
looking for a Juke Joint after we went to the Delta Blues Museum in
Clarksdale, but ended up at Abe's at the Crossroads for some fine BBQ
(Rick Shaftan, ibid.)
I pulled up WMPR 90.1 in the FCC query. Although its 100 kW ERP, it`s
got somewhat limited coverage due to its rather small stick: (under
400 ft AGL and 137 m HAAT).
Not that that matters, since 90.1 here is yet another K-Love full
power relayer (KLRO 90.1, Hot Springs, 38 kW ERP, 296 m HAAT -- and a
CP for 100 kW and 260m HAAT) and would require a nice trop duct to
override. Still, it`s good to see some pockets of diversity on the FM
non-com band (Fritze, KC5KBV, Star City, AR, Grid: EM43aw, ibid.)
** U S A. SO THIS IS CARL KASELL! [pronounced castle]
By JOANNE KAUFMAN, December 18, 2007; Page D6
Washington --- Carl Kasell -- the National Public radio newscaster and
the judge/scorekeeper/second banana on NPR's weekly call-in quiz show
"Wait, Wait . . . Don't Tell Me!" -- is running late for an interview.
But wait, wait. Tardiness is hardly a routine occurrence for the
amiable Mr. Kasell, 73, who recently celebrated his 30th anniversary
at NPR. (The company took due note of the milestone with a party and
the presentation of an impressive fully stocked picnic basket.) Every
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, at the top of every hour from 5 a.m.
through 11 a.m., he delivers a tidy, precise news update without going
so much as a syllable over his allotted eight minutes and 30 seconds,
and without so much as a glance at the clock by the microphone. . .
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119793136588435187.html
(via Mike Cooper, DXLD)
** U S A. I just saw the video of the attack on the WLS-TV studio
yesterday. Someone apparently intentionally drove a car through the
studio wall during a live news broadcast! I wonder if this will be
considered as a terrorism incident on a Federally licensed
broadcaster? Please keep all of the public safety folks and others
that will be working on Christmas day in your hearts. Merry Christmas
to all (Patrick Griffith, CBT CBNT CRO Westminster CO, Dec 24, NRC-AM
via DXLD)
** U S A. STATION BUILDING: CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY IN ESPAÑOLA;
IMPROVEMENTS REQUESTED FOR TAOS AND LAS VEGAS
By Richard S. Towne, KUNM General Manager
KUNM broke ground on our new station in Española at the end of
November. Our new station (tentatively called KRAR for Rio Arriba
Radio) will beam KUNM programming all up and down the upper Rio Grande
valley from atop Black Mesa, just north of Española along the road to
Taos. The station will welcome 80,000 new people to our current
service area.
When I say we broke ground, I really mean it. Once our construction
permits were granted in November, we set right to work with our
contractor to excavate a small piece of land so we could pour concrete
foundations for a short tower and a little trailer atop the mesa. Our
new transmitter and antenna are being built and should arrive in
Albuquerque right about the first of the year.
Installation and testing should take place in February with final FCC
authorization to commence broadcasting coming by March. KRAR will be
our first new full-power station ever! We’ve been working on this
project for many years and it’s exciting to know that KUNM’s unique
blend of programming will be available to more of our neighbors to the
north.
We have also filed applications with the FCC to improve and expand our
existing service in Las Vegas and Taos. Las Vegas listeners, in
particular, have been extremely patient for an extremely long time
while they have waited for us to upgrade our presence in Las Vegas. We
hope the FCC will grant our application in January or early February
so we can move quickly to building a new and improved service in both
areas.
Improving service in the Taos area will require us to change channels
on our Eagle Nest transmitter, serving Cimarrón, Angel Fire, and the
ranching communities along the I-25 corridor toward Ratón. We will be
moving from 91.1 to 90.5 once FCC approval is received.
All of this seems pretty complicated and frankly, it is. The objective
is to bring new and better service throughout the region. We project
that more than 60,000 people in the region will be receiving public
radio for the very first time, ever. We are very proud to be bringing
the service to unserved communities of New Mexicans.
If you live, work or travel in the region from Santa Fe to points
north and west, you will soon be enjoying a better signal in all kinds
of new areas in the north. Most often, these folks live in a “shadow
area” where geographical intrusions (hills, canyons, mountains)
preclude our transmitter from “seeing” some of our listeners’ radios.
Our new transmitter in Española will be “looking” from a different
angle. From the Black Mesa site, we can see parts of Santa Fe, Taos,
and Los Álamos. We can look right up at Truchas and down toward Ñambe
and Ópera Hill. My hope is this new transmitter brings a fresh new
signal to folks who have a challenge receiving KUNM. I’ll sure be
curious to hear from you when the time comes.
KUNM Chief Engineer Mike Stark deserves a room full of gold for his
hard work and stunning ability to analyze and synthesize the many
factors impacting our multiple transmitters and how they interact in
the spectrum. Good engineers share the same genetic propensities of
good wizards and in Mike’s case the gene pool has been very, very
good. I can only stand back and say Bravo to Mike for his work. I hope
you will say the same.
Keep tuned in as we move forward with signal expansion and
improvements in 2008. This will be our first major signal expansion
since 1995 and the most ambitious improvements ever undertaken. We
couldn’t do it without your help (Zounds, KUNM 89.9 FM, Monthly
Program Guide, January 2008 via DXLD)
Pertinent items from Nov-Dec FMedia! ---
NM Arroyo Seco *91.3 KRRT
NM Eagle Nest *90.5 K213ET (from 91.1 K216CT) h,v
NM Española *91.9 KRAR
NM Las Vegas *91.9 KRRE
Getting Eagle Nest off 91.1 is long overdue, clashing with public
radio from Colorado along US 64 eastwards.
Also shows in Santa Fe, KSFR 101.1 and KSFQ 90.7 having formally
swapped calls, as 101.1 becomes the public radio frequency (gh, DXLD)
** U S A. WCNZ 1660 --- The following announcement was heard this
morning at 0636 on 1660: “Relevant Radio stations 1660 and 1410 are
sold. Listeners will still be able to hear Relevant Radio programming
24-7 on the web. Be sure to add us to your list of favourites by going
to http://www.relevantradio.com Instead ... hear us now, you’ll be
able to hear Relevant Radio through your computer, anywhere that an
internet connection is available. We regret leaving Southwest Florida,
and pray that God continues to bless the diocese of Venice.” Relevant
radio programming followed, at least for now. I wonder what will take
its place? 73 (Andrew Brade, UK, Dec 24, MWC via DXLD)
** U S A. Re 7-157: LISTEN FOR MIGRATING BIRDS ON LW --- Well, I
finally caught it altho the previous poster did not --- this is not
longwave, even tho found on the LWCA board -- but VHF: MHz, not kHz!
(Glenn Hauser, 0530 UT Dec 24, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** VIETNAM [non]. 11655, CLANDESTINE. Suab Xaa Moo Zoo via Tainan,
Taiwan (presumed), 2337-2359* Dec 17. Man announcer with brief Hmong
talks hosting program of vocals. Music cut through nicely but muffled
audio made voice a problem. Station sound had a religious feel to it.
Very weak (Rich D'Angelo, French Creek State Park DXpedition No. 29,
Ten-Tec RX-340 and an Eton E1, 500-foot wire essentially south for the
RX-340 and a 40-foot wire essentially north for the E1, NASWA
Flashsheet via DXLD)
** VIRGIN ISLANDS US. 1620, R. República via WDHP, Frederiksted, 2322-
2340, 20 Dec [Thu], Spanish, talks, IDs, references to "la unidad
cubana"; 34443, QRM de USA; not parallel to 6135 (Carlos Gonçalves,
Portugal, Dec 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** WESTERN SAHARA [non]. ARGELIA, 6300, Radio Nacional Saharaui, 2300-
2320, escuchada el 23 de diciembre en español, locutor con lectura de
la carta final de décimo-segundo congreso del Frente POLISARIO
realizado en el Sahara; solicitan el “referéndum para los territorios
Saharaui”, solicitan “derecho de autodeterminación”, ”Marruecos
mantiene postura de intransigencia y brutal represión en los
territorios ocupados”, SINPO 33343 (José Miguel Romero, Burjasot
(Valencia), Spain, Sangean ATS 909, Antena Radio Master A-108, YAESU
FRG-7700, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** YEMEN. 9780v, R Sana'a, 2125-2215*, 12/17/07, Arabic. Heard just a
bit off-frequency under VOA French (via São Tomé), then in the clear
once VOA signed off at 2130 with atonal Middle Eastern music and
Arabic-language commentaries. Long apparent ID at 2200 w/mentions of
"kilohertz", then back to the tunes. Abruptly off 2215. Fair and
improving (Mark Schiefelbein, Springfield, MO, Kenwood R-5000 & Eton
E1, Wellbrook 330S loop antenna, NASWA Flashsheet Dec 23 via DXLD)
9780, Radio Yemen, 1847-1900, escuchada el 23 de diciembre en inglés a
locutor y locutora con comentarios presentando tema musical, música
pop árabe y pop melódica occidental, locutor con boletín de noticias,
música de sintonía, SINPO 35443. 1900-1915, en árabe a locutora con
ID, música de sintonía, comentarios y emisión de música folklórica
árabe, SINPO 45444 (José Miguel Romero, Burjasot (Valencia), Spain,
Sangean ATS 909, Antena Radio Master A-108, YAESU FRG-7700, dxldyg via
DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** ZAMBIA [and non]. CVC via ZAMBIA? Re 7-151: Hi Glenn, I still have
my doubts that CVC is active from Zambia.
9430, CVC, Wertachtal 0500-0600.
13590, CVC, heard at 0600 - site?
13635, CVC, 1100 with Darwin relay ahead of 13590. Is 13590 0600-1400
from Lusaka, Zambia or still from Wertachtal, Germany? 73 (David
Pringle-Wood, Zimbabwe, Dec 22, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
CVC would like to inform our Nigerian listeners of the following
frequency changes and increased hours for 2008 --- From the first of
January next year we begin our broadcasts from 0500 through to 2100
UTC on the following frequencies
0500 to 0600 UT 9430 KHz
0600 to 1400 UT 13590 KHz
1400 to 1700 UT 13650 KHz
1700 to 2100 UT back to 13590 KHz
For more information on our Nigerian frequencies please log on to our
Website http://www.cvc.tv and find out more about the increased hours,
frequencies and programmes on CVC (via Pringle-Wood, ibid.)
The above is from
http://www.cvc.tv/go/fuseaction/content.more/id/2859/lang/english
Meanwhile, the Voice Africa site from RSA is still not giving any
details: http://www.voiceafrica.org/radio.html
(Glenn Hauser, OK, Dec 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
** ZAMBIA. 6165, ZNBC-Radio 2 (?), Lusaka, 2159-2201*, English,
announcements, national anthem; 34433, audible after Turkey sign-off,
adjacent QRM (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, Dec 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
cf CHAD
** ZIMBABWE. 3396, ZBC, Guineafowl, 2220-2239, 17 Dec, Vernacular,
African pops; 54333, adjacent utility QRM only. (Gonçalves)
4828, V of Zimbabwe, Guineafowl, 1855-1940, 19 Dec, non-stop African
pops; 45444. Observed with silent carrier on some occasions, e.g. 17
Dec at 2230. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, Dec 24, DX LISTENING
DIGEST)
** ZIMBABWE [non]. MADAGASCAR, 11610, Voice of People, 1750-1756,
escuchada el 23 de diciembre en idioma sin identificar, probable
dialecto africano a locutora con comentarios al final de la emisión;
se aprecia a modo de jammer una extraña musiquilla repitiéndose
constantemente, parecen violines mal tocados a propósito. A las 1756
cesa emisión la VoP y se escucha mejor a esa música que se prolonga
hasta las 1800, SINPO 33342 (José Miguel Romero, Burjasot (Valencia),
Spain, Sangean ATS 909, Antena Radio Master A-108, YAESU FRG-7700,
dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)
UNIDENTIFIED. Re 7-157, BBCWS on 700: Jamaica is my favourite for this
one, Barry! I heard it again this morning. No ID even at TOH! (Andrew
Brade, UK, Dec 24, MWC via DXLD)
Have you checked the webcast?
mms://stream.telegens.com/nationwideradio
(Paul Crankshaw, Troon, ibid.)
No! I'll have a go in the morning. The nationwide web site is "coming
soon"! I just tried the link and got a wonderful old Jamaican talking
in patois. Thanks Paul, (Andrew Brade, ibid.)
UNIDENTIFIED. Dec. 24/07, 5880.0 kHz, 0713 gmt, hiss and static,
signal strength 9-10, sounds like Spanish. A young woman`s or boy`s
voice. "Pinko, uno, quatro..." Spanish numbers and words being slowly
recited. Lord knows what kind of contraband is involved. Thanks for
all you do, Glen. That's my Dec. 24th dx report (Roy Berger, beside
the St. Lawrence River, Cornwall, Ontario, Canada, Receiving with a
Grundig 800 off the whip, DX LISTENNG DIGEST)
Surely Cuban spy numbers on one of their habitual frequencies; not
pinko, but cinco = five (gh, DXLD)
UNIDENTIFIED. Anyone know who is relaying Bro Stair/Overcomer Ministry
on 6220 kHz? Heard yesterday morning and again today, from tune in
before 1000 UT and still going strong past 1500. Yesterday was in the
clear but today is mixing with co-channel Mystery Radio from Italy(?),
both similar strength here. Not sure if this is a new official
frequency for the Overcomer or if someone in Europe is relaying it
unofficially. Seems to be exactly on channel, 6220.0 kHz with good
audio (Dave Kenny, Caversham, England, AOR 7030+ 80ft Long Wire, Dec
23, BDXC-UK via DXLD)
Dave, The shortwave pirate blogspot seems to think it was coming from
Laser Hot Hits http://shortwavedx.blogspot.com/2007/12/sat-dec-22.html
(Russ Cummings, Hull, ibid.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Glenn, First let me say that I think you do an amazing service for the
shortwave listening community. I was first involved in shortwave
listening in the early 70's building a number of Heathkit receivers. I
got away from the hobby and am just now getting back involved. Best
Regards, (Woody Pride, St. Louis, MO)
LANGUAGE LESSONS
++++++++++++++++
BANCIAO, THE NAME
Re: ``Ian, I remember that ``Pali`` used to be the R. Liberty site as
given by the station; never heard of Banciao. How do you pronounce
that? Unseems Chinese transliteration spelling. 73, Glenn Hauser``
Hi Glenn, Thanks for your enquiry & interest on the topic. Information
about the Banciao site having existed as a very short term/interim
(Radio Liberty) site has been provided by Adrian Peterson & Wolfgang,
I guess the WRTH would have been a prime reference source? As to who
was the original source, I have no idea. I have no contacts within
Taiwan who can presently provide me with any further information.
When it comes to English representation of Chinese words within
Taiwan, one should not get hung-up on the Wade Giles / Pinyin system
of Romanised Chinese words. Maybe there is a standard in China, but
NOT in Taiwan from my travel experiences - the Lonely Planet Guides
for Taiwan will re-affirm my comments.
Whilst I am aware of the different versions that exist, I almost
equally find them both difficult to contend with (especially
initially). With learning a Chinese word I attempt to write it
phonetically using best English if not happy with the official
romanised representation systems.
The English spellings of streets & places within Taipei region
frequently differ to the spellings you will see reproduced within the
WRTH. The spellings in the street can also differ from that you see in
any publication print.
I never saw on street signs, buses or at rail stations the spellings
of Pali or Panchaio, (although they may exist). I always saw spelt
with a B, but you will see in print many variations, e.g.
Banciao/Banqiao/Panciao/Panqiao (not often the later though).
I adopt my spellings from what I see in the street (street signs/train
stations) & sometimes what best befits my ear & how I would write the
name. The spelling of Banciao seemed more common on the number 99 bus
that I would regularly catch. For the record, I had visited the
Banciao locality on about 5 occasions from memory.
I hope this & the information below helps a little Glenn. Please read
below for further information. Best regards (Ian Baxter, shortwave
sites yg via DXLD)
FROM ADRIAN PETERSON's WAVESCAN: "Radio Liberty on Taiwan was on the
air for a period approaching 20 years. The initial broadcasts went on
the air shortwave on May 1, 1955, using at first a 1 kW transmitter,
supplemented a little later with a 25 kW unit. (Adrian, was this site
specially constructed for Radio Liberty?)
The original transmitter location was at Panchao, which is located
just beyond the western edge of their capital city, Taipei. This was
an interim location while a new base was constructed at Pali, on the
coast 20 km north of Taipei." END QUOTE
BanQiao: 1955 - 1965 (pronounced as Bun Chao or Barn Chiao, "bun" is a
soft pronunciation, slightly closer to a b than a p), but might depend
on what part of the English speaking world your from ??
(Dec 24, 2007 re-think --- Maybe best represented phonetically as:
Bun1Chow4 - soft 'b & n'. The B/P sound is a close English
approximation of actual sound) ' "ow" as in cow. Remember the 4 tones
in Mandarin language. I'm never always 'spot-on' with the tones, but
that's how it sounds to me.
BaLi 1965 - 1996 (or 1994)
Miller Liu (last year) gives 1994 closure date. RTI engineering gives
1996 - maybe a difference in last SW broadcast date from site &
closure of site?? Best regards (Ian Baxter, Australia, ibid.)
Ian, tnx for all the info; `banciao` struck me as Italian-influenced,
which seemed rather out of place in Formosa. When transliterating, you
never know what sound `c` stands for in English (Glenn Hauser, DXLD)
RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM
+++++++++++++++++++++
Re: the Sony SRF 59 Phasing Experiment...
This might be a better-but more expensive-solution
using the digital Sony M37V:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SFR-M37V-Weather-Walkman-Presets/dp/B00008W7LS
Wal-Mart has them for around 29 bucks. Oddly enough, Sony offers this
set elsewhere as the M37L, minus the TV and Weather channels but with
Longwave:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-SRF-M37L-SRF-M37-Personal-Radio/dp/B00008XYJA
So maybe the '37 will be around after Feb. 2009 in an altered form,
after all (rsmith, DX LISTENING DIGST)
DIGITAL BROADCASTING
++++++++++++++++++++
iBiquity asks for HD capability in XM/Sirius receivers
Boy, talk about trying to sneak one in under the radar during the
year-end "dead time"! (Harry Helms, ABDX via DXLD) viz.:
iBiquity signals the end of NAB's satellite radio merger opposition
http://www.hear2.com/2007/12/in-every-challe.html
(via Helms, ibid.) see also OKLAHOMA
PROPAGATION
+++++++++++
The expected TV DX winter season openings have happened, recently,
with sporadic E skip events around the Caribbean becoming more and
more frequent. At least two of the most recent sporadic E opening sent
the maximum useable frequency up to the FM band, making reception of
FM stations from more than one thousand miles away possible even with
handheld radios and their telescopic whip antennas. More about the
sporadic E season later. This is the winter sporadic E season that is
much shorter and with less number of openings than the spring summer
season, that is still several months away, due to start at the end of
April as usual . . . And now amigos, as always, at the end of the
program, here is
ARNIE CORO’S DXERS UNLIMITED’S HF PROPAGATION UPDATE AND FORECAST
Solar flux is hövering around 70 units and the A index was still a
around 8 units, and it may even go down later in the week. Solar
flares are not expected during the rest of the week. But propagation
conditions will take a turn for the worst because of what scientists
are forecasting as yet another long period of a blank Sun. Sporadic E
openings are going to be more frequent as we approach the peak of the
winter E skip season, so do monitor the low band TV channels for them
(Arnie Coro, CO2KK, RHC DXers Unlimited Dec 22, HCDX via DXLD) ###