China radio observations on SW and AM

Following up on my BREAKING NEWS post on May 12, Earthquake in China - following by shortwave radio, today's China update is via the Top News of World Wide DX Club
News includes shortwave and mediumwave observations.
Gayle VH

All times UTC

China
Haixia zhi Sheng-Voice of Strait current schedule
News Channel in Chinese (including English at 0550-0600/daily and 0500-0530,
0800-0830/Sun.)
2225-2400 4940 kHz
0000-1200 9505 kHz (new). Off air 0400-0955/Wed
1200-1700 4940 kHz

Life and Entertainment Channel in Chinese
2225-2400 5050 kHz
0000-1200 7280 kHz. Off air 0400-1000/Wed
1200-1700 5050 kHz

Minnan Dialect Channel in Amoy
2225-2400 4900 kHz
0000-1200 6115 kHz. Off air 0400-1000/Wed
1200-1700 4900 kHz
(Shigenori Aoki-JPN, via Sei-ichi Hasegawa-JPN, NDXC May 10)

5985 late scheduled China Radio International in English at 2000-2057 UT noted S=9 plus powerhouse today.
(wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 4)

837 CNR (China National Radio-5) (Voice of Zhonghua, to Taiwan) on new 837 kHz, first noted by me on 25 March around 1415 listening in Tarakan-INS.

According to their Chinese-language website the new frequency started operating on 28 Dec 2007.

909 Web sources suggest the new Quanzhou SARFT site is already in operation, with a location near Zhangban in Hui'an County (GE low-res area in the region of 24 53N, 118 48E). The sources specifically mention that high-power transmitting equipment for both MW and SW has been installed at the new site, so the Chinese are evidently still wanting to continue doing whatever they have been doing on SW from the curtain antennas at the old Quanzhou site. It's possible that Zhangban is the site for the new CNR-5 frequency of 837 kHz, but I haven't been able to find any confirmation of that.

1269 kHz FS can be a fair to strong signal in SoAsia and in the western part of SoEaAsia.

1323 Chinese sources say there is at least one Harris DX-600 unit at the Huadian site, from which Korean 1323 kHz is the only known frequency, and the CRI/VOR Korean signals can sometimes be heard quite well in SoEaAsia - presumably it's quite a narrow beam southwards.

1377 On the subject of Chinese sites, I recently found a paper published in 2005 describing the lightning-protection arrangements at the SARFT Station at Xingyang (near Zhengzhou). According to this, CNR-1 1377 kHz is also from a Harris DX-600 using a two-tower antenna with a slightly directional pattern - which must be the rather unimpressive-looking masts
at 34 48 28N, 113 23 17E on GE, most likely being a radiator and reflector to give maximum radiation in a direction just north of west.

The site also has two Thomson M2W units each operating with 100 kW into a single-mast omnidirectional antennas for 630 kHz (CNR-2) and 972 kHz (Henan PBS), which must be the masts at 34 48 40N, 113 23 22E and 34 48 43N, 113 23 07E. The same article also mentions that the SARFT site at Putian for 549/684 kHz has two Thomson S7HP transmitters.

The sites for Shandong PBS News Service mentioned in various web sources
are:
891 kHz: Dongying

918 kHz: Binzhou, Dezhou, Heze (10 kW), Jinan-Huangtai (200 kW),
Jining, Laiwu, Rizhao (10 kW), Tai'an, Yantai (10 kW)

1467 kHz: *Beizhen (1 kW), Dezhou (1 kW), *Xin Xian (1 kW)

1485 kHz: *Dan Xian (1 kW), Liaocheng (1 kW), *Lu Xian (1 kW), *Pingyi
(1 kW), *Tai'an (1 kW), *Weihai (1 kW)

1548 kHz: Linyi (7.5 kW), *Longkou (10 kW), *Qingdao (10 kW),
*Rongcheng (10 kW), Weifang (10 kW).
*= sites not mentioned on Shandong PBS website

I can't explain the double listings for Dezhou on 918 and 1467 kHz and for Tai'an on 918 and 1485 kHz. Probably there have been frequency changes for these sites. The powers listed for some sites may be out of date, but probably haven't changed dramatically.
(all China items from Alan Davies-INS, via ARC MV-Eko Apr 28)

I can't receive SCBS-Chengdu on 7225 kHz from the evening (local time) of May 12, may be damage for Wenchuan-Sichuan Earthquake. 6060 kHz Xichang continues giving a service.
(Sei-ichi Hasegawa-JPN, NDXC HQ May 13)

6050 Xizang PBS, Lhasa, Tibet, 2216-2230, 11 May, Tibetan, talks, light songs; 44433; \\ 7240, 4820.

6110 Xizang PBS, Lhasa, Tibet, 2219-2235, 11 May, Tibetan (didn't sound like it), talks; 23431; \\ 4905, 5240 (best), 6130, 7385 (barely heard).

7240 Xizang PBS, Lhasa, Tibet, 2214-2229, 11 May, Tibetan, talks, light songs; 4443; \\ 6050, 4820.

7270 Nei Menggu PBS (tent), Hohhot, 1517-f/out 1547, 10 May, instrumental music; 24321. This didn't seem to be Malaysia.
(Carlos Goncalves-POR, wwdxc BC-DX May 13)

According to Chinese media, Changjiang Maritime Security Information Center (No. 134, Yangjiangdai Road, Wuhan, Hupei, China) is now broadcasting on
8794 kHz USB and 156.65 MHz FM

5 times a day at 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, and 1400 UT. The broadcasting consists of water traffic information on Changjian river. At 0900 UT news and weather information is add.
(Takahito Akabayashi-JPN, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews may 12)

CNR-1 & 2 started earthquake special service entirely on all SW.

Some CNR-1 now on 24 hrs service on SW and MW. Some CNR-1s start broadcast for 24 hrs on SW and MW. I confirme that CNR-1 was done service of to May 13 after 1735 UT on 13840 kHz-Nanning.

And 4820, 6200 kHz of Tibet PBS-XZDT Lhasa relay CNR-1.
4820 kHz XZDT-Chinese until 1800, after CNR-1.
6200 kHz XZDT-Tibetan until 1805, after CNR-1.

I can receive CNR-1 MW on 981, 1359, 1593 kHz after 1800, location is identified.

I seem to be the relations of Wenchuan-Sichuan Earthquake.

[later] And according to announcement of China National Radio -SW, FM/ MW station close to the stricken area carrying special program.

Chongqing-909 kHz
Ajuzangzu Qiangzu Autonomous, Sichuan-1359 kHz
Ganzizanzu Autonomous, Sichuan-603 kHz
Kunming-1008 kHz
Hangzhong, Shanxi-756 kHz
Gannanzangzu Autonomous, Gansu-1035 kHz
Tianshui, Gansu-756 kHz
(de Hiroshi-JPN, via Sei-ichi Hasegawa-JPN, NDXC May 14)

Special live service of China National Radio 1 & 2 was finished at 1000 UT. (Sei-ichi Hasegawa-JPN, NDXC May 14)

Dear Sei-ichi, thank you, yes at 1750 13840 kHz is // 6200 kHz, but not 4820 kHz. Chinese DX-page suggested AM: 1134 639 747 909 1035 756 1008 1359

HF: 5935 6200 7125 7230 7275 13840 15380, but I couldn't hear others than 13840 kHz.
(Mauno Ritola-FIN, May 14)
(Source: WWDXC Top News/BC-DX #860 via wb, Germany)

Additional shortwave logs of China
6060, Sichuan PBS-2, 1315-1355, May 15, in Chinese. Noted 1330 into program of on-air phone calls about the quake (some emotional - one woman crying), parallel 7225 has resumed broadcasting, clearly heard under VOA in Korean (slight gap from 1359:35* when they change from Thailand to Tinian *1400:10). After 1355 started to fade out. Also heard Myanmar (5985) and Laos (6130) with fair reception today. (Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

6060, Sichuan PBS-2, 1331-1404, May 13, in Chinese, not the usual music programming due to the devastating earthquake in that area, mostly just man and woman having conversation, some Chinese ballads. Even with the quake this is still on the air. For the last few weeks has been heard with above average reception, fair to almost good.(Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

6200, PBS-XZDT, Lhasa, 1220-1235, May 14, thanks to tip from S.Hasegawa, heard with relay of CNR-1 (// 5030), in Chinese, man andwoman in conversation, series of ads and announcements, fair.(Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

6200, PBS-XZDT, Lhasa, 1341-1351, May 15, continues with relay of CNR-1 (// 5030), in Chinese.(Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

Wen calls for nation wide efforts
China View: http://www.chinaview.cn/index.htm

Hope Running Out in China
via Fox News:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,355817,00.html

China quake toll 'to top 50,000'
BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/

Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/

Radio Netherlands - Program Preview May 17-23

Welcome to our weekly guide to Radio Netherlands Worldwide's English Service - a list of the new programmes coming up on Radio Netherlands Worldwide this week, beginning on Saturday.

SATURDAY 17 MAY
*** The State We're In ***
This week we ask if the military government in Myanmar has the right to prevent the international community from delivering aid to victims of Cyclone Nargis? Or do the victims have a right to international aid? We ask an international law expert as well as aid workers on the Thai-Burma border who are taking great risks to bring supplies into the country.

Can or should some books be banned? A German writer tells us why he feels Hitler's 'Mein Kampf' should stay banned in Germany. It has been almost 20 years since writer Salman Rushdie was forced to go into hiding after the Iranian authorities threatened to have him assassinated for writing 'The Satanic Verses'. But what is it like to be a banned writer from Iran itself? We speak with a best-selling author who has been in prison four times.

We finish with two stories of the mafia: Misha Glenny, the author of 'McMafia', tells us about his investigation into the spread of transnational crime since the break-up of the Soviet bloc.

And we meet Silvana Fucito who first made national headlines in Italy when she decided to break the traditional wall of silence and take a public stand against the local mob. As a result, Silvana has become a figurehead for the fight against 'la cosa nostra' and was even named one of Time Magazine's European heroes of 2005.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1006 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
1406 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1800 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1900 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2000 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)

*** Network Europe Week ***
A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe. If you missed any editions of Network Europe Week satisfy your needs with this digest of the programme's top stories.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1500 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)

Note that on Saturday we also run repeats of:

Curious Orange: 1530 (South Asia 9345, 12080, 15595)
Bridges with Africa:
0000 (Eastern N America 9845)
0100 (Central N America 9845)
0400 (Western N America 6165)

SUNDAY 18 MAY
*** Network Europe Extra ***
Arts and Culture brought to you from Europe's widest partnership of international broadcasters.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1005 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
1405 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1500 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1800 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1900 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2000 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)

*** Reloaded ***
Your chance to catch up with some of the highlights from recent programmes; the best, the most interesting or newsworthy, or sometimes the funniest, chosen by our producers and presented by Mindy Ran.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1030 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
1430 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1530 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1830 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1930 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2030 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)

Note that on Sunday we also run:

The State We're In:
0000 (Eastern N America 9845)
0100 (Central N America 9845)
0400 (Western N America 6165)

MONDAY 19 MAY
*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1400 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1530 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1800 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1900 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2000 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)

*** Curious Orange ***
This week on Curious Orange: Dutch kids... independent thinkers or spoiled brats? We'll find out.
Also, Dutch pets... are they the real babies here in Holland?
And we'll hear how the Dutch handle the endless lines of bumper-to-bumper traffic jams on their daily commute.

Our Dutch music artist this week is 'Kraak and Smaak', Robbert Tilli will tell us all about them.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
1430 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1830 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1930 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2030 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)

Repeated:
Tuesday:
0000 (Eastern N America 9845)
0100 (Central N America 9845)
0400 (Western N America 6165)
Wednesday
1030 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
Saturday
15:30 1000 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)

Note that on Monday we also run:

Network Europe Extra followed by Reloaded:
0000 (Eastern N America 9845)
0100 (Central N America 9845)
Bridges with Africa followed by Radio Books:
0400 (Western N America 6165)

TUESDAY 20 MAY
*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
0000 (Eastern N America 9845)
0100 (Central N America 9845)
0400 (Western N America 6165)
1400 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1530 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1800 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1900 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2000 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)

*** The State We're In - Midweek Edition ***
This week, we ask if the military government in Myanmar has the right to prevent the international community from delivering aid to victims of Cyclone Nargis? Or do the victims have a right to international aid? We ask an international law expert as well as aid workers on the Thai-Burma border who are taking great risks to bring supplies into the country.

Can or should some books be banned? A German writer tells us why he feels Hitler's 'Mein Kampf' should stay banned in Germany. It has been almost 20 years since writer Salman Rushdie was forced to go into hiding after the Iranian authorities threatened to have him assassinated for writing 'The Satanic Verses'. But what is it like to be a banned writer from Iran itself? We speak with a best-selling author who has been in prison four times.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
1430 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1830 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1930 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2030 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)

Note that on Tuesday we also run:

Bridges with Africa:
1030 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
Network Europe:
1500 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
Curious Orange:
0030 (Eastern N America 9845)
0130 (Central N America 9845)
0430 (Western N America 6165)

WEDNESDAY 21 MAY
*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
0000 (Eastern N America 9845)
0100 (Central N America 9845)
0400 (Western N America 6165)
1400 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1530 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1800 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1900 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2000 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)

*** Radio Books ***

'Reno' by Mark Boog

A lonely and mentally unstable man hates his boring job. Inspired by a song on the radio, he decides to take a day off work and becomes possessed by the notion that either he or the world around him is not real. Should he perform some explosive act to find out which is which? 'Reno' is Mark Boog's disturbing contribution to Radio Books.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
1430 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1830 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1930 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2030 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)

Repeated:
Thursday:
0030 (Eastern N America 9845)
0130 (Central N America 9845)
0430 (Western N America 6165)
Friday
1030 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)

Note that on Wednesday we also run:

Curious Orange:
1030 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
Network Europe:
1500 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
The State We're In Midweek Edition:
0030 (Eastern N America 9845)
0130 (Central N America 9845)
0430 (Western N America 6165)

THURSDAY 22 MAY
*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
0000 (Eastern N America 9845)
0100 (Central N America 9845)
0400 (Western N America 6165)
1400 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1530 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1800 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1900 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2000 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)

*** Earthbeat ***
'Taming the Salt Monster'

'Taming the salt monster' tells the story of why the former breadbasket of Australia is fighting its salt monster. The programme features the problem of salinity in the soil of the western Australian wheatbelt caused by overclearing of the land and talks to farmers and scientists trying to cope with the problem today.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 (East/Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia 9795, Far East 6040)
1430 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1830 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 11655, 12050)
1930 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2030 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)

Repeated:
Friday
0030 (Eastern N America 9845)
0130 (Central N America 9845)
0430 (Western N America 6165)
Monday
1030 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)

Note that on Thursday we also run:

Network Europe Extra:
1030 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
Network Europe:
1500 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
Radio Books:
0030 (Eastern N America 9845)
0130 (Central N America 9845)
0430 (Western N America 6165)

FRIDAY 23 MAY
*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
0000 (Eastern N America 9845)
0100 (Central N America 9845)
0400 (Western N America 6165)
1400 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1530 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1800 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1900 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2000 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)

*** Network Europe ***

A Pan European team links up across the continent each week to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

The programme is a unique example of European co-operation, produced by the continent's leading international broadcasters, it reflects the diversity of European society and voices. Each week we drop in on specialists around Europe and catch up with our extensive network of correspondents for their unique take on the events shaping the week.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
0030 (Eastern N America 6165)
0130 (Central N America 6165)
0530 (Western N America 6165)
1030 (East/Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia 9795, Far East 6040)
1430 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1830 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
2000 (East Africa 11805, 12050, West Africa 17810, Central/Southern Africa 7120)

*** Bridges with Africa ***
Lively discussion and thought-provoking reports about and from the African continent. We give the microphone to Diaspora groups in Europe and linking up with stations in Africa.

This week on Bridges with Africa we'll update you on the global food crisis and the riots in Ivory Coast. And as global life expectancy rises, growing old in Africa proves to be more challenging than ever. We talk to experts about this and we ask how Africa is addressing the issue.

Also part two in our series on Robert Mugabe: from liberation hero to out-and-out zero. But the story is not as black and white as we think.

And best-selling Dutch-Liberian author Vamba Sherif shares his passion for Liberia's history.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 (East/Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia 9795, Far East 6040)
1430 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1830 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 11655, 12050)
1930 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2030 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)

Repeated:
Saturday
0030 (Eastern N America 9845)
0130 (Central N America 9845)
0430 (Western N America 6165)
Tuesday
1030 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)

Note that on Friday we also run:

Radio Books:
1030 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
Network Europe:
1500 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
Earthbeat:
0030 (Eastern N America 9845)
0130 (Central N America 9845)
0430 (Western N America 6165)
(R Netherlands)

Radio Netherlands test podcasting

I’m pleased to announce that the first of our trial podcasts is now available. In this edition, which runs for 9 minutes, I talk to Rocus de Joode of our programme distribution department about how the role of the department, and RNW’s use of shortwave, have both changed in the last two decades.
To access the podcast, or subscribe, go to http://www.radionetherlands.nl/features/media/media-network-podcast
on our website. This page will in due course have details and links to each podcast as released. We welcome your comments, questions and suggestions for future topics.

(Source: Andy Sennitt, R Netherlands Media Network weblog)

Local Chinese website keeps broadcasting during crisis

The local government website of Aba prefecture, at the center of the Sichuan earthquake zone, has continued transmitting news to the outside world throughout the disaster. The website, which only has six staff, and until the earthquake struck received little traffic, was the area’s sole link with the outside world after the disaster struck on Monday afternoon, according to leading web portal Sina.com.cn which managed to make contact yesterday.
Aba Prefecture consists of 13 counties including Wenchuan, Lixian, Maoxian and Jiuzhaigou. At the time of writing, the death toll in the area stood at over 12,000 people, with a further 26,206 injured and 9,404 missing, believed buried under debris.
The website headquarters escaped the worst of the devastation that hit the earthquake’s epicenter, Wenchuan, but its power and communication cables were cut. Nevertheless, technicians were able to switch to back-up cables that circumvent the quake-hit area. A combination of good luck and skill enabled them to continue transmitting messages and news to the world. As the only remaining news outlet, they were able to transmit detailed information about the earthquake and its victims.
The information they provided was invaluable to those directing the efforts of rescue teams brining aid from outside the area. The hit rate on the site soared, and though it regularly broke down due to poor connectivity, the technicians always managed to restore the service. After the disaster occurred, the six people worked 24-hour shift.
They also used a satellite telephone intended for reporting forest fires to contact the outside world; all normal telephone connections were cut. “Whenever we heard any news we immediately put it on the website,” said He Biao, director of the prefecture’s emergency response department. “We kept calling the local forestry departments in the worst-hit counties. I am terribly worried about the people in Wenchuan, but so far we have not been able to get through to them,” Song Hongbin told sina.com.cn, his voice cracking with emotion and fatigue.
Song said the satellite phone signal was also intermittent. “There are still 60 or 70 thousand people in Xuankou and Wolong (two towns in Wenchuan County)completely cut off,” added Song. (Source: China.org.cn/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

New multilingual radio station to target expats in Korea

Korea’s first multilingual radio station aimed at foreign spouses of Koreans and other long-term residents will start services in August. The Woongjin Group’s charity foundation said on Monday it will set up a multicultural radio station and start programmes in Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog and Thai from 1 August.
After three months of preparation, the station will be on air 24 hours a day on audio music channel 855 of satellite television Skylife, and on digital audio channel 313 on cable television C&M.
The foundation plans to expand the service to eight languages later by adding Arabic, Japanese, Mongolian and Russian. “Although the number of expatriates living in Korea has surpassed 1 million, they are still experiencing difficulties adapting to Korean society due to the language barrier,” said Shin Hyon-ung, chief of the foundation.
“Our radio station will offer them opportunities to listen to music and literary works from their home countries, as well as running programmes like Korean language education and tips on searching for jobs in Korea, and providing legal and medical information.”
(Source: Chosun.com/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Radio Nigeria acquires new transmitters

Developments at Nigeria’s premier radio corporation, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), are fast transforming the staid image of Africa’s largest radio network. In the past one year, Radio Nigeria has been quietly transforming itself with improved signals, captivating programming, web audio streaming, and, the latest, brand new transmitters at Kaduna and Enugu to be dedicated to the Educational Service.
When completely installed in December 2008, the 200 kW mediumwave transmitter in Jaji, Kaduna, will be one of the most powerful radio transmitters in Africa, and, in combination with the 100KW transmitter planned for Enugu in 2009, the whole country and much of Africa will receive the signals. The transmitters, a grant from the Japanese Government, will be digital ready.
The process of dismantling the gigantic, obsolete transmitter and its antennae component and installing the new one will take six months. To keep its Hausa language listeners during this transition, Radio Nigeria Kaduna recently commissioned a new Hausa language FM station in Kaduna.
It also temporarily fixed its old shortwave channel [6090 kHz] on the 49 metre band. Karama FM, the call sign of the new FM station, and the shortwave station will both continue to carry Radio Nigeria’s Hausa Service.

Continued news from Leadership Nigeria t:
http://www.leadershipnigeria.com/product_info.php?products_id=27762&osCsid=95e30ebeb20faab6ad0189fb229e0285
(Source: R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Blog Logs

Today's shortwave BLOG LOGS, represent a portion of additional logs recently cut from my upcoming SWBC Logs column in Monitoring Times, due to space constraints. Contributions are always welcome for the magazine or blog, and may be directed to my above email address. Thanks very much to the contributors for your kind words and support.
Gayle VH

All times UTC, frequencies in kHz, English unless otherwise indicated // parallel frequencies.
* sign-on - sign-off *

Australia
Radio Australia via Shepparton 13630, 2155. SIO 433. Announcers' comments about Malaysia, India and the Stock Market downturns. "Radio Australia" ID into world news at 2200. Noted on 11880 at 1710. Notebook program audible on 15230 at 2257. "RA News" at 2300. (S MacKenzie, CA).

Burkina Faso
Radio Burkina. 5030, *0528-0545. Sign-on with national anthem. Opening French announcements at 0530 and announcers talk. Poor signal quality with a lot of signal splatter from Cuba's Radio Rebelde on5025 kHz. (B Alexander, PA).

Canada
Radio Canada International 6250, 0104-0159.* Spanish programming amid a leapfrogging spur of 6100 kHz. Freq 6100 leaps over 6175 Voice of Vietnam via Sackville, Canada and landing on 6250 kHz. This is a 75 kHz separation between each frequency. Reception varied from very weak to very good with deep fades. Occasional RTTY interference. (B Alexander, PA).

Croatia
Croatian Radio 3984.87, 2316-2330. English/Spanish programming. News on Serbia and Kosovo to items on sports and weather. Shortwave, medium wave and satellite schedules. "Croatian Radio ...Voice of Croatia" identification at 2320. Musical ballads into presumed Croatian until Spanish service at 2330. Good signal quality. (S Barbour, NH)

Egypt
Radio Wadi el Nile 9250, 2215-2300.* Arabic service of talk to local music and Qu'ran recitations at 2253. Station sign-off with national anthem at 2258. Signal poor to fair with noisy conditions. (B Alexander, PA)

France
Radio France International 13695, 2012. French comments plus musical interludes. SIO 333. (S MacKenzie, CA)

Gabon
Radio Gabon 4777, *0458-0510. Sign-on with opening in French to announcements. No national anthem noted but did note regional tribal music at 0459. Newscast at 0500 of good signal quality. (B Alexander, PA).

Guinea
RTV Guineenne 7125, 2228-2303. French announcements to talk between Afro pops and hi-life music selections. Heard a tentative "Conarky" in passing at 2256. Signal weak and poor. (S Barbour, NH)

Indonesia
Voice of Indonesia (presumed) 9524.9, 1142-1203. Mandarin service as announcers' ta;l to musical ballads, and text to 1200. No discernible observed during poor and rough copy for audio. (S Barbour, NH)

Italy
Miraya 101 FM via IRRS 9825, *1458-1515. Sign-on with African music. Time pips, ID and English news at 1500. Poor signal quality and difficult copy with co-channel QRM and possible jammer. Lost in the noise at 1515. (B Alexander, PA).

Japan
Radio Japan 17810, 2305. Indonesian. SIO 333. Lady announcer's program comments, followed by additional program news and music. (S MacKenzie, CA)

Mali
RTVM, Bamako. 5995, 0556-0630. Tune-in to guitar melody interval signal. National anthem at 0558 to opening French ID announcement at 0559. Qu'ran recitations at 0600 to local music at 0614 and vernacular talk. Fair signal but some splatter from Radio Havana Cuba on 6000 kHz. Also heard at 0800 sign-off with closing ID announcements. Poor signal at this time with co-channel interference. (B Alexander, PA)

Mauritania
Radio Mauritania 7245, *0833-0845. Abrupt sign-on with Arabic talk. Brief breaks of Middle Eastern style pop music. Fair signal. This is the same time of programming heard earlier on 4845 kHz. (B Alexander, PA).

Northern Marianas
Radio Free Asia relay 15430, 2355. Chinese. SIO 444. Program comments, music and abruptly off the air at 2357. (S MacKenzie, CA).

Papua New Guinea
Radio East New Britain 3385, 1044-1124. Tok Pisin language with surprisingly decent signal with what appeared to be a music request program. Male announcers' taking listeners phone calls. English music ballads to mentions of "Rabual and several mentions of "......FM." Station ID amid poor-fair quality with signal peaking at 1700 - barely audible at tune-out. (S Barbour, NH).
Russia
Radio Rossii via {etro Kamchatsky. 6075, 0840-0902. Russian service of male/female announcers with text and conversation. Musical ballad at 0856. Frequencies 7200 via Yakutsk and 7320 via Magadan were parallel to one another throughout programming. Frequency 6075 was not // with either freqs to 0900 when all three were in synch. (S Barbour, NH).

São Tomé
Voice of America relay 13735, 2008. French VOA programming to vocal music. SIO 333. (S MacKenzie, CA).

South Africa
Radio Okapi via Meyerton. 11890, *1600-1700.* French/Vernacular talk to "Okapi" jingles. Weak signal but readable. (B Alexander, PA).

Spain
Radio Exterior Espana 12035, 2018. Arabic service of segments and announcers comments. SIO 333. (S MacKenzie, CA)

Vietnam
Voice of Vietnam 12020, 2305. Vietnamese. SIO 333. Announcers conversation to regional style music. (S MacKenzie, CA)

Contributors:
Brian Alexander, PA
Scott Barbour, NH
Stewart MacKenzie, CA

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2008 May 13 1923 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC contact on the Web
# http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html
#
# Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
05 - 11 May 2008

Solar activity was very low. No flares were detected. The visible disk was spotless.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached high levels during each day of the period.

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet to unsettled levels on 05 May. Activity increased to active levels on 06 May. Activity decreased to quiet levels during 07 - 11 May. ACE solar wind
measurements indicated a recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream was in progress at the start of the summary period. Solar wind velocities reached a peak of 670 km/sec at 05/2319 UTC, then gradually decreased during the rest of the period (minimum velocity 318 km/sec at 11/2355 UTC). IMF Bt increased to a maximum of 6 nT at 05/0135 UTC, then ranged from 01 - 05 nT during the rest of the period. IMF Bz was variable in the + 05 nT range.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
14 May - 09 June 2008

Solar activity is expected to be very low.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to reach high levels during 21 - 28 May and 01 - 09 June.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet levels during 14 - 19 May. Activity is expected to increase to minor storm levels on 20 May with major storm levels possible at high latitudes due to a recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream. Activity is expected to
decrease to active levels on 21 May as high-speed stream effects begin to subside. Quiet to unsettled levels are expected during 22 May - 02 June. Quiet conditions are expected during 03 - 09 June.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2008 May 13 1923 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC contact on the Web
# http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html
#
# 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
# Issued 2008 May 13
#
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2008 May 14 70 5 2
2008 May 15 70 5 2
2008 May 16 70 5 2
2008 May 17 70 5 2
2008 May 18 70 5 2
2008 May 19 70 5 2
2008 May 20 70 30 5
2008 May 21 70 15 4
2008 May 22 70 10 3
2008 May 23 70 10 3
2008 May 24 68 10 3
2008 May 25 68 10 3
2008 May 26 68 10 3
2008 May 27 68 10 3
2008 May 28 68 10 3
2008 May 29 68 12 3
2008 May 30 68 12 3
2008 May 31 68 10 3
2008 Jun 01 68 10 3
2008 Jun 02 68 10 3
2008 Jun 03 68 5 2
2008 Jun 04 68 5 2
2008 Jun 05 68 5 2
2008 Jun 06 68 5 2
2008 Jun 07 68 5 2
2008 Jun 08 68 5 2
2008 Jun 09 70 5 2
(NOAA)

Radio Netherlands adjust Dutch frequency

Due to interference in the target area, the frequency of the RNW transmission in Dutch to SE Asia at 1159-1257 UTC via Madagascar has been changed from 17745 to 17740 kHz.
(Source: R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Blog Logs - pirate radio

All times UTC // parallel frequency

Pirate (Euro)
6268 Radio Altrex 0915 with oldies. No announcements.I emailed them and they said they were a Dutch pirate and were running 35 watts into an inversted V antenna. Via a remote receiver in the Netherlands.(Hans Johnson, FL/Cumbre DX May 10)

North America
6925USB KBLU. 0305-0311*. 11 May 08. English. Electric Blues. Sign-off announcements with a computerized lady's voice mentioning several noted Pirate DXers and giving an ID. Good. (Joe Wood, TN).

6854.2, The Crystal Ship,0057-0120+, May 5, political talk. ID. // 5385.49 - both frequencies fair. (Brian Alexander, PA)

6850.0 MAC Radio, 0035-0135, May 11, EE. Hard Days Night, The Who, Secret Agent Man,The Paul Star Show. Noise running back and forth between 4 and 3 Good. (Rohde-OH/NASWA Flasheet # 328 via Rich d'Angelo, PA)

6924USB Maple Leaf Radio 5/3/8 21:10 SIO 333, a bit noisy, national anthem, "C-A-N-A-D-A", music presumed Canadian. Station ID at 21:12 (Fansome, PA)

6925USB Maple Leaf Radio 2337-2352 5/2/08 SIO=454. S/on w/O Canada NA by band, into a program of rock and folk music withJoni Mitchell, Neil Young, and others. Only talk was a quick announcers' ID at QRT, with no national anthrm. I did not copy the ID well, but subsequently on the FRN the operator came on and confirmed that this was him. (Zeller-OH/Free Radio Weekly #639 via Ed Kusalik, Canada)

6925USB Radio Jamba International 05/09/08 23:10-:34 SINPO 35443. Insane in the Membrane, Ghost Riders in the Sky, Johnny Cash's Hurt, Jimi Hendrix's Star Spangled Banner (Ragnar-MI) 6925USB 2306 tune in with ID's by male and female, into music including "Ghost Riders In The Sky." Also some C & W music. SIO = 454, nice signal. (Insinger, NJ/Free Radio Weekly #639 via Ed Kusalik, Canada)

6925USB Red Radio 5/4 0117+ This was a confusing show with id as the Real Voice of America with mention of Uncle Bob (locked in a closet) and Pyscko. Man and woman were announcing and talking about South Park. Uncle Bob was in the background. Played a song with Yah Yah. FinallyID as Red Radio with Pyscko as a Muse. (Majewski CT/Free Radio Weekly #639 via Ed Kusalik, Canada))

6925USB Voice of Capt. Morgan. Heard from 0203-0210 on 28 April. Male announcer with repeated IDs "Six point nine two five, Voice of Captain Morgan". Aired various rock and pop cuts. Fairly good signal, but audio was sullied by the use of SSB which, unfortunately, now seems to be ubiquitous among pirate broadcasters.
(Parker-PA/NASWA Flasheet # 328 via Rich d'Angelo, PA)

New transmissions for IRRS in English

Slovakia
New transmissions of NEXUS IBA IRRS Shortwave in English from May 5:
0430-0530 UTC on 5990 RSO 150 kW non-dir to Eu/ME/NoAf Monday-Thursday
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX May 13/Alokesh Gupta, India; wb, Germany; Rachael Baughn, MT)

Schedule updates from VT Communications

Norway/ Rwanda/ South Africa/ U.A.E./ United Kingdom
Schedule updates of VT Communications relay:

Radio Mustaqbal in Somali to Somalia, all cancelled
0545-0615 on 15215 MEY 250 kW 032 deg Mon-Wed
0545-0615 on 15215 DHA 250 kW 225 deg Sat
0620-0650 on 17590 DHA 250 kW 225 deg Mon/Tue/Sat
0730-0800 on 15440 DHA 250 kW 225 deg Mon-Wed/Sat
0805-0835 on 15200 DHA 250 kW 225 deg Mon/Tue/Sat
1130-1200 on 15160 DHA 250 kW 225 deg Mon-Wed/Sat
1205-1235 on 15140 MEY 250 kW 019 deg Mon/Tue/Sat

Southern Sudan Interactive Radio Instruction to EaAf in En, new sked:
0600-0630 new freq 15215 DHA 250 kW 240 deg Mon-Fri, x15440
0600-0630 new freq 15750 MEY 250 kW 005 deg Mon-Fri, x13620 SIN 250kW 144deg
0630-0700 new freq 11905 KIG 250 kW non-dir Mon-Fri, x11945
0630-0700 new freq 15760 SKN 300 kW 140 deg Mon-Fri, additional freq.
0630-0700 new freq15530 DHA 250 kW 240 deg Mon/Wed/Fri, x15440
0630-0700 on 15660 MEY 250 kW 007 deg Mon/Wed/Fri
1300-1330 new freq 12070 MEY 250 kW 005 deg Mon/Wed/Fri, x15325
1300-1330 new freq 15390 MEY 250 kW 007 deg Mon/Wed/Fri, addit freq.
1300-1330 new freq 15485 MEY 250 kW 005 deg Mon/Wed/Fri, addit freq.
1400-1430 on 11750 KIG 250 kW non-dir Tue/Thu/Sat, deleted
(Source: DX Mix News # 520: Alokesh Gupta, India; wb, Germany, Rachel Baughn, MT)

Schedule updates from DX Mix News

All times UTC

Armenia/ Russia/ Taiwan/ Tajikistan
Radio Free Chosun in Korean to North Korea
1200-1300 on 11540 TAI 100 kW 002 deg, additional frequency
1200-1300 NF 12125 ERV 300 kW 065 deg, ex15755

North Korea Reform Radio in Korean to North Korea
1300-1330 new frequency 9950 TAI 100 kW 002 deg, ex9940 to avoid VOIROI in Dari
1330-1400 on 9585 TAI 100 kW 002 deg, additional transmisison

Voice of Wilderness in Korean to North Korea
1300-1400 new frequency 11570*ERV 300 kW 065 deg,ex15710 to avoid R.Cairo and WHRA
1300-1400 on 11640 IRK 250 kW 155 deg,additional frequency
* co-ch KTWR and Radio Pakistan

Free North Korea Radio in Korean to North Korea
1400-1600 on 11560#DB 300 kW 070 deg, ex1330-1530 via ERV/DB
1900-2100 on 7530 DB 300 kW 070 deg, additional transmission
# co-ch WYFR in English/Hindi

Voice of Free Radio in Korean to North Korea, new station
1600-1630 new frequency 11640 ERV 300 kW 065 deg, ex1100-1130 on 15755
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX May 13)

Cyprus
Frequency change for BBC in Arabic:
0300-0400 new frequency 9915 CYP 250 kW 101 deg, ex6015
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX May 13)

IRIN Radio(Integrated Regional Information Network) in Somali to EaAf
1730-1745 new frequency 290 MEY 100 kW 020 deg, ex9735, re-ex9665
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX May 13)

Romania
Frequency changes of Radio Romania International in Serbian:1930-1956 NF 6130 TIG 050 kW 282 deg, x6065 to avoid Radio Sweden Russian. New frequency 7215 TIG 250 kW 277 deg, ex7140 to avoid BBC in Arabic(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX May 13)

Russia
New additional station via TDP-Addis Dimts Radio in Amharic
1600-1700 on 17875 SAM 250 kW 188 deg to EaAf Sunday
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX May 13)

Rwanda
Frequency change of Deutsche Welle in Arabic
1700-2000 new frequency 15445 KIG 250 kW 325 deg, x15420(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX May 13)

SW Africa
in English to SoAf:1700-1900 on 12035 RMP 500 kW 140 deg, xKVI 500 kW 155 deg

Sweden
Frequency change of Radio Sweden Int. in Russian from May 1:
1400-1430 new frequency 12085 HB 500 kW 070 deg, ex11590*
*to avoid AIR in Sindhi on 11585 and RFA in Cantonese on 11595
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX May 13)
(Source: Alokesh Gupta, India; wb, Germany, Rachel Baughn, MT)

BREAKING NEWS: Earthquake in China - following by shortwave radio

Strong Quake Hits SW China
BEIJING, May 12 (Xinhua) -- A major earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale jolted Wenchuan County in southwest China's Sichuan Province at 2:28 p.m. Monday, the State Seismological Bureau (SSB) said.
The epicenter of the quake was located at 31.0 degrees north latitude and 103.4 degrees east longitude, the bureau said.
Update from China View: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/

Thousands Dead After Magnitude 7.8 Earthquake Rocks Central China
CHONGQING, China — A massive earthquake struck central China on Monday and state media reported that as many as 7,600 people were killed in a single county while nearly 900 students were trapped under the rubble of their school.
More from Fox News at: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,355036,00.html

'Hundreds buried' by China quake
Almost 900 students are buried after an earthquake measuring 7.8 caused a building to collapse in south-western China, state media reports. President Hu Jintao urged "all-out" efforts to rescue victims of the quake, which hit 92km (57 miles) from Chengdu, Sichuan's provincial capital. Additional news from BBC News:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7395496.stm

'Thousands dead' in Chinese quake
At least 7,000 people are killed by a strong earthquake in the south-western Chinese province of Sichuan, according to state media.
BBC News update: http://news.bbc.co.uk/

Devasting quake in China
The earthquake that hit China's southwestern Sichuan killed more than 8,000 people in that province alone, state media said. Continued story from

Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/

Global Bloggers on China Quake from Global Voices:
http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2008/05/12/china-78-scale-earthquake-felt-across-most-of-china/

VOA News coverage:
http://www.voanews.com/english/portal.cfm

Sky News coverage with text and video:
http://news.sky.com/skynews/home

China Radio International - A08 English service
Effective: 30 March - 26 October 2008
All times UTC
Target areas: af (Africa) am (Americas) as (Asia) ca (Central America) eu (Europe) me (Middle East) na (North America) pa (Pacific)

0000-0057 6020na 6075as 6180as 7130eu 9570na 11885as 13750as 15125as

0030-0100 11730as
0100-0127 11730as

0100-0157 6020na 6175as 9470eu 9535as 9570na 9580na 9790na 11870as

0200-0257 11770as 13640as

0230-0257 15435me

0300-0357 9690na 9790na 15110as 11770as 13750as 15120as 15785as

0400-0457 6020na 6080na 13750as 15120as 15785as 17730as 17855as

0500-0557 6020na 6190na 11880as 15350as 15465as 17505me 17730as 17855as

0600-0657 11710af 11870me 11880as 13660as 15140me 15350as 15465as 17505af/me 17540as 17710as

0700-0757 11880as 13660as 13710eu 15350as 15465as 17490eu 17540as 17710as

0800-0857 11620as 11880as 13710eu 15350as 15465as 17490eu 17540as

0900-0957 11620as 15210pa 15270eu 15350as 17490eu 17570eu 17690pa 17750as

1000-1057 6040na 11610as 11635as 13590as 13620as 13720as 15190as 15210pa 15350as 15390as 17490eu 17690pa

1100-1157 5955as 6040na 11650as 11660as 11750na 11795as 13590as 13620as 13650eu 13720as 13645as 17490eu

1200-1257 5955as 9460as 9600as 9645as 9730as 9760pa 11650as 11660as 11690as 11760pa 11980as 13645as 13650eu 13790eu 17490eu

1300-1357 5955as 9570na 9650na 9730as 9760pa 9765as 9870as 11660as 11760pa 11980as
13610eu 13755as 13790eu 15260na 15440aca

1400-1457 5955as 9765as 9870as 11675as 11765as 13685af 13710eu 13740na 13790eu 17630af
1500-1557 5955as 6100af 7160as 7325as 9800as 9870as 11965eu 13640eu 13685af 13740na 17630af

1600-1657 6100af 6180me 9570af 9760me 11900af 11940eu 11965eu 13760eu

1700-1757 6100af 6145eu 7130as 7265me 7315me 7335eu 9570af 9595eu 11900af 11940eu
13760eu

1800-1857 7120eu 9600eu 13760eu

1900-1957 7295af/me 9435af/me

2000-2030 7160eu

2000-2057 5960eu 5985af 7190eu 7285eu 7295af/me 9440af/me 9600eu

2100-2127 11640af 13630af

2100-2157 5960eu 6135eu 7190eu 7285eu 7325af 9600eu

2200-2257 7175eu

2200-2300 9590as

2300-0000 5915as 5990am 6145na 7180as 910as 11690as 11970ca

DRM services/English
2300-0000 9800ca 11640af 13630af
(Gayle Van Horn, Frequency Manager/Monitoring Times-SW Guide)

China - Xinjiang XJBS - summer schedule from May 4
All times UTC

2300-1800 Uighur: (not Tu. 0800-1100)
13670 2300-1800
11885 2300-1800
9560 0300-1200, 6120 2300-0300, 1200-1800
7275 2300-1800

2300-1800 Chinese: (not Tu.0800-1100)
11770 2300-1800
9600 0300-1400, 7310 2300-0300, 1400-1800
7155 2300-1800
5960 2300-1800

2330-1800 Kazakh: (not Tu.Th.0800-1100)
9470 0300-1150, 6015 2330-0300, 1151-1800
7340 2330-1800

2330-0330?0530-1030(Tu.Th.0800)?1230-1800 Mongolian:
6190 2330-0330, 1230-1800, 9510 0530-1030
7230 2330-0030?0530-1030?1230-1800

0330-0530?1030(Tu.Th.1100)-1230 Kyrgys:
9705 0330-0530, 1030-1230
11975 0330-0530, 1030-1230
(de Hiroshi; Sei-ichi Hasegawa-JPN, NDXC HQ May 2/ WWDXC Top News-BC-DX #859 via wb, Germany)

Blog Logs via China
CNR1-CPBS Geermu 4800, 2234-2245. Mandarin chat seguence from male/female announcers. Presumed ad string at 2245. Signal poor-fair under CODAR. Better on // 4460-Beijing. (S Barbour, NH)

Voice of Pujiang (presumed) 3280, 1146-1202. Vernacular programming with announcer's unidentified language. Signal weak under band noise with occasional music bits at 1155. Signal pips at 1200, followed by announcer. Possibly // 4950; weak at imagination level. Poor signal. (S Barbour, NH).

9880, China Radio International, 1045-1058, Noted a male and female in Mandarin Language comments here.Can hear a second signal under CRI consisting of just music which could possibly be someone's station interval signal. It goes off at 1048 while CRI continuesin comments. At 1056 the station stops for their usual4 minutes of silence before they go into the next hour. Signal was fair. Nothing came of the earlier music under CRI. (Chuck Bolland, FL May 12, 2008)

11635, China Radio International, 1030-1056, At 1030, hoping to hearTaiwan on this freq, instead there was CRI broadcasting in English. I suppose their (CRI's) intention is to block Taiwan? Anyway, noted news, and comments along with imitation Western Style music.Although CRI was dominating the freq, at about 1047, I could hear Taiwan fading in under CRI's signal. At 1055 full ID and schedule before signing off. CRI signal noted as fair. (Chuck Bolland, FL May 8, 2008)

Blog Logs

All times UTC // parallel frequency

Argentina

15345, RAE, 2148-2207, May 9. Heard in German with LA ballads, fair with a het from very weak Radio Marocaine (presumed), 2155 loop of interval signal and "RAE Argentina"IDs, het ended with Morocco sign-off at 2202, into Spanish. (Ron Howard, CA)

Ascension Island

9525, Star Radio, 0710-0800*,May 9, English "Liberia Today" news program. IDs. Personal messages to friends and family. "Cotton Tree News" to Sierra Leone at 0730 withnews in English. "CTN" IDs. Into local languages at 0737 to 0800*. Abrupt sign off. Poor to fair. (Brian Alexander-PA)

Austria

9725, (presumed) Voice of Vietnam relay, 1856-1858, Initially noted instrumentalmusic for a minute which was followed by a female in French comments. At 1858 to1859 dead air. At 1859 signal drops off the air. The signal was good, what there was of it. There's a lot of "presumed" with this logging due to the limited details. The PBWR says this is a relay via Austria. (Chuck Bolland, FL May 7, 2008)

Australia

5995, Radio Australia via Brandon, 0938-1002, May 4, Tok Pisin. Ancnouncer with news reports regarding HIV/AIDS; Pacific Islands Forum with several mentions of the Solomon Islands. Website address to station ID and talk regarding Islands broadcasting at 0955 into native music. Station ID announcement at 0959 and Waltzing Matilda tune at 1000 into news. Fair. (Scott Barbour-NH)

Bolivia

4796.32, Radio Mallku, 1018-1025 Noted a female in Spanish languagecomments. Signal was fading in and out at a threshold level. With terrible noise all over the band this morning, it was difficult to hear anything. (Chuck Bolland, FL May 12, 2008)

4409.77 (presumed) Radio Eco, 0051-0102, May 10, Spanish. Continuos Spanish music with brief announcer at 0059; right back to music. Weak signal under band noise. (Scott Barbour-NH)

5952, 47 Radio Pio XII, Siglo XX, 1032-1040, May 04, Aymara. Local news by male (all in Aymara) to very nice local songs. Talks about the autonomy referendum in Bolivia's Santa Cruz province on May 4.Reports, 44422(Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina)

6134.82, Radio Santa Cruz, 0104-0108*, May 5. Tune-into Spanish closing announcements with several IDs followed by a local ranchero tune to 0108*. Good level but some QRM from Brazilon 6134.95. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Clandestines

(North Korea) 6003 Echo of Hope 1224-1235 May 3. "California Dreaming," "Mona Lisa," and other pop standards, hosted by lady announcer in Korean. //to 3985 and 6348. (John Wilkins, CO)

(North Korea) 9940 North Korean Reform Radio 1314-1330* May 3.Presumed with lady announcer to male talks in Korean. Transmission ended at 1330. Fair at best.(John Wilkins-CO)

Croatia

3984.84, HRT, 0110-0214, May 10, Croatian talk. Local music. English Voice of Croatia at 0200-0214. Very weak with amateur radio interference. Very good on // 9925, 7285 - via Germany. Announced they would be broadcasting on both 7285 & 9925 until May 15 because of poor reception in North America. (Brian Alexander-PA)

Egypt

6290, Radio Cairo, 2145-2202, May 6, Arabic. General Svc w/ continuos AR mx thru ToH; fair. (Barbour-NH)

9960, Radio Cairo, 2128-2145, May 6, Arabic. Voice of the Arabs sservice with continuos Arabic music. Signal weak but clear. (Scott Barbour-NH

Equatorial Guinea
15190 Radio Africa (Bata) (presumed), 2003-2045, 5/8/2008, English. Back again. Recorded fundamentalist religious talk program, the first one lasting until 2040. I believe this was Brother Jerry with an address in Sterling Heights, MI. Good signal with audio somewhat overmodulated (SINPO 44333). At 2040 the next program began, this one with horrible audio and clipping so bad that only about 10% was readable. Heard a schedule of services and a phone number, but couldn't determine the name of the ministry. Tuned out at 2045. Signal strength had also declined somewhat by this time. (Jim Evans, TN)

Eritrea

7100, VOBME, Program 1, *0357-0410, May 10, IS.Talk and Horn of Africa music after 0359. Very weak. (Brian Alexander-PA)

7175, VOBME, Program 2, *0357-0420, May 10. Interval signal to Horn of Africa music after 0359. Weak under Radio Liberty.Unidentified station popped on at 0402 on 7175.13v, drifting downto 7175.09v with talk in unidentified language. About as strong as Radio Liberty. (Brian Alexander-PA)

Ethiopia

9704.19, Radio Ethiopia, 0353-0410, May 10, Amharic talk. Horn of Africa music. Good. // 7110-good. // 5990-very weak.(Brian Alexander-PA)

Greece

15630 Voice of Greece (Avlis), 2011-2022, 5/8/2008, Greek. Program of very enjoyable traditional Greek music. Talk by man at 2022. Good signal with significant fading, declining slightly (SINPO 34322). (Jim Evans, TN)

India

4970, Aall India Radio-Shillong, 1245-1258, May 10, in English, woman DJ with "This is the North Eastern Service of All India Radio with our Western musicprogram broadcasting from Shillong", playing pop songs in English,fair to poor. This program has been in this time slot from at least2006. (Ron Howard, CA)

4970 AIR Shillong 1207-1233 May 10. Presumed with sub-continental music, occasional lady announcer. Programming went into talk or news segment at 1230. Fairat best with band noise. No sign of Sabah or anything else on thefrequency. (John Wilkins-CO)

Indonesia
3987.05 RRI Manokwari 1215-1233 May 8. Jak program to 1226,then local programming with YL talking to 1232, followed by vocal music.Fair but fading. (John Wilkins-CO)

3995.03 RRI Kendari 1159-1207 May 10. SCI, then Jak relay //4605, 3325, and 4790. (John Wilkins-CO)

Iran
(non). via Kuwait, 5860, Radio Farda, 0055-0110, May 10. Listed as Farsi service. Middle Eastern pop music. IDs at 0100 and possible news. Back to pop music at 0102. Poor signal with thunderstornm interference. (Brian Alexander-PA)

Laos

6130, Lao National Radio, 1413-1428, May 5, "New Dynamic English" language lesson, Kathy interviews Maria Alvarez, Laotian translationsthroughout program, the English portion was created by DynEdInternational for the VOA. Suspect that with the longer days coming, Iwill not be able to hear this one, as the fading has startedafter 1430.Ron Howard, CA)

Lithuania

7875, Radio Vilnius, 2330-2340+, May 11, Vilnius. Booming in right now with English programming. In the clear witha very good signal. No sign of the Chinese music jammer.(Brian Alexander, PA)

Madagascar

11610, Radio Voice of thePeople, 0405-0456*, May 10. Vernacular talk. "Radio VOP" IDs. Shortbreaks of African music. English programming at 0438-0456* with news, commentary. Gave Zimbabwe address and email address. Poor to fair. No sign of any jamming. (Brian Alexander-PA)

Malaysia

5964.94 Klasik FM via Kajang 1259-1306 May 10. Two pips to 1300, then news. Noted on // 7270. Fair but fading. (John Wilkins-CO)

Myanmar/Burma
5985, Myanmar Radio. Random listening from 1301-1533, May 10, back to their usual format of mostly music (mixture of pop, rap, ballads and indigenous songs. Segments of talking. 1500-1530 played allindigenous songs, into the "English program of Myanma Radio". QRM from 5980 at 1400 is a verystrong BBC Thailand signing-on in English. (Ron Howard, CA)

Nigeria

15120 Voice of Nigeria (Ikoradu), 2159-2010, 5/8/2008, English. Woman ending a program segment. Fanfare and identification by woman as "The Voice of Nigeria, Lagos". "60 Minutes" program of "news and views" with man, woman, and other reporters. (Jim Evans, TN)

Papua New Guinea

3905 Radio New Ireland 1235-1242 May 10. Presumed with 70's music. County & western music to announcers Pidgin. Signal fair but starting to go downhill.(John Wilkins-CO)

Peru

4974.79, Radio Del Pacifico, (presumed) 0930-1000 Noted a carrier here, but initially noaudio heard. After setting here for 15 minutes or so, the audio began to fade in just soslightly. Low and behold, it was the "weeping preacher" in his usual emotional broadcast. As mentioned however, the audio was very weak and if the comments had been at a normal level instead of at an oratorial level, I doubt if would have heard anything? Signal wasthreshold. (Chuck Bolland, FL May 6, 2008)

4974.74, Radio Del Pacifico, 1000-1030 Sometimes I can hear a faint signal ofaudio whenever there's a fading in, but usually during the period, just the carrier is audible.For example, at 1024 music was heard briefly then it faded away. It is interesting tonote that CODAR is not audible here, on most of the band between 4700 to 4950. Notuntil around 4970 can it be heard once in awhile. Conditions are really bad this morning.(Chuck Bolland, FL May 5, 2008)

6019.41, Radio Victoria, 0829-0840 Without any interference at this time, noted aprogram of live religious comments from a male and females giving their testimony. Heardwords such as, "Gloria Dios", "Hallelujah" and, "Lima". Signal was very good at thishour. At 0859, Radio Nederland comes up with IS blocking Victoria which was still ata good level until then. (Chuck Bolland, FL May 6, 2008)

5039.18, Radio Libertad, 1035-1045 Tuned into the signal at 1035 and noted musicfor a minute then Spanish comments by a person. The signal was audible only for a fewminutes more, then it dropped into the mud. (Chuck Bolland, FL May 12, 2008)

Russia

12070, Voice of Russia, 1900-1940 (-2100) With a program of World News, features and commentary presented by male and female in English. Some fading noted, but still readable.Alternate frequencies on 15 and 11 MHz were nil heard. ID's noted periodically. "... Voice of Russia World Service we present ..." Some instrumental music presented at 1932 such as Moldova and others. Signal was still holding up at 1940. (Chuck Bolland, FL May 7, 2008)

Sweden

11765 Radio Canada relay via Hoerby, 2046-2052, 5/8/2008, English. Men talking about careers as professional pilots. Pop music selection by sports program at 2050. Poor signal (SINPO 22222). Parallels noted on 13650 (barely audible signal from UK/ Skelton) and 15235 (very good Sackville signal). (Jim Evans, TN)

Taiwan

11635, Radio Taiwan International, (presumed) 1048-1100, With a very weak signal, noted a female in Chinese language comments under CRI's stronger signal on the same frequency, as RTI continued to fade in. After CRI goes off, RTI audible slightly but too weak to copy much more than already mentioned. RTI off at 1100 too. (Chuck Bolland, FL May 8, 2008)

United Kingdom

9725, Voice of Vietnam, (presumed) 1900-1915, With a very brief ISfollowed by a male in Russian language comments. This transmission was poor compared to VOV's French broadcast. This could be due to an antenna beam change, but thePBWR again says VOV for this sked, is being relayed via Skelton, in the United Kingdom.Signal continued to degrade. (Chuck Bolland, FL May 7, 2008)

Zimbabwe

11735, Radio Tanzania-Zanzibar, 1800-1817+, May 4,"Spice FM" ID. English news to 1811. Swahili talk at 1811. Local musicat 1816. Sign off noted at 2100 with National Anthem. Fair to good. (Brian Alexander, PA)

North Korea schedules

Schedules for North Korea

Voice of Korea - A08 schedule from 04 May 2008
English
Target areas: af (Africa) as (Asia) eu (Europe) va (various)
0100-0200 7140as 9345as 9730as 11735va 13760va 15180va
0200-0300 13650as 15100as
0300-0400 7140as 9345as 9730as
1000-1100 11710va 11735as 13650as 15180va
1300-1400 3560eu 9335na 11710na 13760eu 15245eu
1500-1600 3560eu 9335na 11710eu 13760eu 15245eu
1600-1700 9990va 11545va
1800-1900 3560eu 7100af 15245eu
1900-2000 7100af 9975va 11535va 11910af
2100-2200 3560eu 13760eu 15245eu
(Gayle Van Horn, Frequency Manager/Monitoirng Times SW Guide)

* Furusato no Kaze
1430-1500 11775(Japanese) via DRW
1600-1630 9780(Japanese) via TWN

* Nippon no Kaze
1500-1530 11690(Korean) via DRW
1700-1730 9820(Korean) via TWN

* JSR Shiokaze
1400-1430 6005 or 6020(Japanese/Korean/English/Chinese) via YAM
2030-2100 5965 or 6045(Japanese/Korean/English/Chinese) via YAM

* Free North Korea Radio
1000-1100 9490 via TWN
1400-1600 11560 via DB
1900-2100 7530 via DB

* Open Radio for North Korea
2100-2200 9950 via ERV

* Radio Free Chosun
1200-1300 15755 via ERV
1200-1300 11540 via IRK

* CMI:Voice of Wilderness
1300-1400 15710 via ERV
1300-1400 11640 via IRK

* North Korea Reform Radio
1300-1330 9940 via TWN

* VOF-Voice of Free Radio
1100-1130 15755 via ERV
de Hiroshi - member of NDXC- Nagoya DXers circle.
(Sei-ichi Hasegawa-JPN, NDXC HQ Apr 26)
(Source: WWDXC-Top News; BC-DX #858 via wb, Germany)

Monitoring observation on Eritrea

ERITREA

All times UTC // parallel freqs
5100 Radio Bana, Asmara (tent), *0400-0430 fade out, Apr 25, 27 and 29, vernacular talk and Horn of Africa style songs, utility QRM, 21331. It was not \\ 7175. (Anker Petersen-DEN and Roland Schulze-D, dswci DXW Apr 30)

5100.00 Probably Ethiopian jammer, 1630-1702*, Apr 27, broadcasting in Vernacular with talks about Eritrea and Horn of Africa songs, closing announcement and fanfare, (not \\ any other heard Ethiopian frequencies), occasional utility QRM, 34333. But a more faint station below continued till 1802* with improved strength, probably Radio Bana in Tigrinya (?) with phone in- program and short interludes of Horn of Africa music, mentioned Eritrea at least twice, 1800 National hymn by choir, 25222 - 35333. (Anker Petersen-DEN, dswci DXW Apr 30)

Eritrean station probably was the Voice of the Broad Masses of Eritrea, Asmara, also heard 1746-1803*, Apr 22, vernacular talks, music; \\ to 7999.4, 12441, QRM from Ethiopian jamming signal with normal programs. (Carlos Goncalves-POR via Anker Petersen-DEN, dswci DXW Apr 30)

I suppose the conclusion is that Eritrea tries to avoid Ethiopian jamming with their Amharic transmissions or when Ethiopia relay clandestine programs by using different frequencies like 5100, 8000, 6170 and earlier 7800 and 7900. (Mauno Ritola-FIN, dswci DXW, Apr 27)

7175.00, Voice of the Broad Masses, Asmara (pres), 0400-0410, Apr 27 and 29, Arabic news, music from Horn of Africa, QRM from co-channel Radio Liberty, Lampertheim in Russian, 33433. Also heard 1625-1635, Apr 27, two stations heard, one talking in an East African language and the other playing Horm of Africa music, 34333. Eritrea on 7100 was not on the air. (Anker Petersen-DEN, dswci DXW Apr 30)

7999.42, Voice of the Broad Masses, Asmara, jammed from Ethiopia by digital QRM on 8000 until 1700*, Apr 22 and 27, or on Apr 23 at 1640- 1703*, by vernacular talks and songs, 35433. But afterwards a faint signal faded in and was heard at 1750-1803*, Vernacular talks \\ 5100, 14121. (Anker Petersen-DEN, dswci DXW Apr 30)
(Source: WWDXC Top News, BC-DX #859 via wb, Germany)

Belarus schedules

Belarus

Radio Kultura
0330-2100 UTC
AM kHz kW transmitter


1008 / 50 / Grodno
1008 / 7 / Smetanichii
1008 / 50 / Slonom
1008 / 25 / Bobruysk
1026 / 7 / Brest
1026 / 7 / Pinsk
1026 / 5 / Miory
1026 / 50 / Mogilev
1026 / 25 / Myadel
1125 / 150 / Minsk
1125 / 5 / Baranovichi
1197 / 40 / Vitebsk
1197 / 5 / Braslov
7265 / 5 / Grodno

Belorusskoe Radio
0300-2100 UTC
279 / 500 / Sosnivy
1278 / 10 / Brest
6010 / 5 / Brest
6040 / 5 / Grodno
6070 / 5 / Brest
6080 / 150 / Kolodishche
6115 / 75 / Kolodishche
6190 / 5 / Mogilev
7110 / 5 / Grodno
7145 / 5 / Mogilev

0400-0700
11930 / 250 / Kolodishche
1170 / Sosnovy

1500-1700
7105 / 250 / Kolodishche
1170 / 800 / Sosnovy
(Alexander Mazgo-BLR, RUSdx May 3)
(Source: WWDXC Top News, BC-DX #859 wb, Germany)

Uganda Broadcasting Corporation to set up ten new stations

Ten television and radio stations will be set up countrywide in Uganda. The stations will be in Arua, Gulu, Soroti, Mbale, Kampala, Jinja, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Kabale and Hoima districts, said Kirunda Kivejinja, the third deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Information.
This, he said, would be implemented under a two-year plan to enable the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) operate as a public national broadcaster. He said qualified people would be recruited and trained to serve the stations. Under the plan, UBC would form a broadcasting network with the 35 transmission stations countrywide. “Because of budgetary constraints, I asked the UBC board to look for innovative ways to generate finances for the plan,” he said.
(Source: New Vision/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Radio Myanmar resumes broadcasting

MYANMAR/BURMA
5985, Radio Myanmar 1348-1405 UTC, May 8, first day that they have resumed broadcasting after not being hear for several days. Before the cyclone the format at this time would usually be easy-listening pop songs, but today of course was different, non-stop talking in vernacular and naturally many mentions of Myanmar, mostly fair reception till 1400, after that was poor due to 5980 signing-on with a strong signal. E-mails sent to Myanmar have recently not gone through, but have not failed, just "temporarily delayed", as I assume the power has been off there.
Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

Victor Goonetilleke reported from Colombo, Sri Lanka on 7 May: Cyclone hit Yangon and power is down and vast destruction reported. So obviously Myanmar is running on emergency power, so shortwave transmitters are off the air. I can’t hear any mediumwave stations here. All three Yangon based TXers are off the air at 1245 on 7 May, viz 5040, 5915, 5985. However Defense Forces Station on 5770 is going on as usual.
Morning 5915 5985 and 7185 are also off the air. Surely the midday 9730 kHz is also off the air. Watching 594 and 576 mediumwave channels for any programmes.
Update 9 May: I heard last afternoon (8 May) first broadcast at 0730 UTC on 9730 and nothing after that till this morning 0030 UTC s/on on 7185. On the evening of 9 May noted 5985 kHz is also back on the air but s/off at 1430 UTC earlier than regular s/off time 1600 UTC.
(Source: Victor Goonetilleke/DXAsia/R netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Radio Netherlands - Program Preview May 10 - 16

Welcome to our weekly guide to Radio Netherlands Worldwide's English Service - a list of the new programmes coming up on Radio Netherlands Worldwide this week, beginning on Saturday.


SATURDAY 10 MAY
*** The State We're In ***
In the next edition of The State We're In we'll look at the anniversary of the creation of the state of Israel by talking with two residents of Wahat al-Salam/Neve Shalom a small village where Israeli Jews and Arabs have chosen to live together.

This week's theme is girl power. Getting behind the pop cliché of girl power we take a look at three stories from around the world where women are doing their bit to make their lives better.

In India, one group of HIV positive women are coming out of the shadows and singing about their status in a band.

In certain African countries, like Uganda, it's a male environment and considered something that 'nice' girls just don't do. The group Right to Play are doing something about this. Jonathan Groubert spoke to Alice Kansime [kahn-SEE-may], one of their training officers, from a line in Kampala.

The phrase girl power suggests being tough, independent, aggressive, all the qualities you need to be a successful RollerDerby girl. Ashleigh Elson tells us her story.

And in the last part of the show we look at gang culture through the eyes of an American high-school student at a school dominated by 'crews' and an ex-gang member from El Salvador. What advice can they offer each other?

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1006 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
1406 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1800 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1900 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2000 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)

*** Network Europe Week ***
A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe. If you missed any editions of Network Europe Week satisfy your needs with this digest of the programme's top stories.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1500 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)

Note that on Saturday we also run repeats of:

Curious Orange: 1530 (South Asia 9345, 12080, 15595)
Bridges with Africa:
0000 (Eastern N America 9845)
0100 (Central N America 9845)
0400 (Western N America 6165)

SUNDAY 11 MAY
*** Network Europe Extra ***
Arts and Culture brought to you from Europe's widest partnership of international broadcasters.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1005 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
1405 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1500 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1800 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1900 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2000 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)

*** Reloaded ***
Your chance to catch up with some of the highlights from recent programmes; the best, the most interesting or newsworthy, or sometimes the funniest, chosen by our producers and presented by Mindy Ran.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1030 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
1430 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1530 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1830 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1930 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2030 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)

Note that on Sunday we also run:

The State We're In:
0000 (Eastern N America 9845)
0100 (Central N America 9845)
0400 (Western N America 6165)

MONDAY 12 MAY
*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1400 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1530 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1800 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1900 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2000 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)

*** Curious Orange ***
This week on Curious Orange we hear about a controversial new Second World War memorial here in Holland that commemorates a German soldier.

We'll also hear from political editor John Tyler, who'll give us the headlines from the Hague, and columnist Perro de Jong, who will share his Critical Eye.

Our Dutch feature artist this week is De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig - that's 'Kids These Days' for us English-speakers. Music man Robbert Tilli will tell us all about them.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
1430 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1830 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1930 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2030 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)

Repeated:
Tuesday:
0000 (Eastern N America 9845)
0100 (Central N America 9845)
0400 (Western N America 6165)
Wednesday
1030 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
Saturday
15:30 1000 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)

Note that on Monday we also run:

Network Europe Extra followed by Reloaded:
0000 (Eastern N America 9845)
0100 (Central N America 9845)
Bridges with Africa followed by Radio Books:
0400 (Western N America 6165)

TUESDAY 13 MAY
*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
0000 (Eastern N America 9845)
0100 (Central N America 9845)
0400 (Western N America 6165)
1400 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1530 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1800 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1900 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2000 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)

*** The State We're In - Midweek Edition ***
In the next edition of The State We're In we'll look at the anniversary of the creation of the state of Israel by talking with two residents of Wahat al-Salam/Neve Shalom a small village where Israeli Jews and Arabs have chosen to live together.

This week's theme is girl power. Getting behind the pop cliché of girl power we take a look at three stories from around the world where women are doing their bit to make their lives better.

In India, one group of HIV positive women are coming out of the shadows and singing about their status in a band.

In certain African countries, like Uganda, it's a male environment and considered something that 'nice' girls just don't do. The group Right to Play are doing something about this. Jonathan Groubert spoke to Alice Kansime [kahn-SEE-may], one of their training officers, from a line in Kampala.

The phrase girl power suggests being tough, independent, aggressive, all the qualities you need to be a successful RollerDerby girl. Ashleigh Elson tells us her story.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
1430 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1830 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1930 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2030 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)

Note that on Tuesday we also run:

Bridges with Africa:
1030 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
Network Europe:
1500 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
Curious Orange:
0030 (Eastern N America 9845)
0130 (Central N America 9845)
0430 (Western N America 6165)

WEDNESDAY 14 MAY
*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
0000 (Eastern N America 9845)
0100 (Central N America 9845)
0400 (Western N America 6165)
1400 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1530 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1800 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1900 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2000 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)

*** Radio Books ***

'Legacy' by Joseph Pearce

'Legacy' by Joseph Pearce is a hard-hitting short story about the importance of remembrance. It's set in the future and what's described as simply 'The Event' has already taken place. An old man, in his mid-eighties, has been forced to give up his job as a guide at a museum that commemorates a genocide, but despite his age, he doesn't want to leave. He sees himself as a witness to the past and an essential link. If he's gone then remembrance will become even less relevant in a world where everyone looks to the future and ignores the past.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
1430 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1830 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1930 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2030 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)

Repeated:
Thursday:
0030 (Eastern N America 9845)
0130 (Central N America 9845)
0430 (Western N America 6165)
Friday
1030 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)

Note that on Wednesday we also run:

Curious Orange:
1030 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
Network Europe:
1500 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
The State We're In Midweek Edition:
0030 (Eastern N America 9845)
0130 (Central N America 9845)
0430 (Western N America 6165)

THURSDAY 15 MAY
*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
0000 (Eastern N America 9845)
0100 (Central N Ame