Blog Logs

Today's shortwave BLOG LOGS, represent a portion of those recently cut from my SWBC Logs column in Monitoring Times magazine, 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 *

English unless otherwise indicated

Ascension Island
BBC World Service relay. 17830, 1928. Station identification to world news. Noted on // 15400 via Ascension Island. SIO 333. (S MacKenzie, CA)

Australia
Radio Australia. 12080, 2015. Piano jazz music program, mixing with Voice of America via Botswana relay. SIO 333. (S MacKenzie, CA)

Bangladesh
Bangalesh Betar. 7250, 1227. Big S-10 signal. Station interval signal plainly recognized at 1228 even though modulation was very weak. Male announcer at 1230 but coundn't copy. (D Valko, PA/HCDX).

Belarus
Radio Station Belarus. 7360, 2245-2300. English programming with local pop music and brief one minute news item at 2259. Fair signal, but much weaker on // 7390. No other parallel freqs noted. (B Alexander, PA).

Bonaire
Radio Netherlands relay. 17810, 1931. Press Freedom segment with SIO 444 // Bonaire relays 15314 (SIO 444) // 15525 (SIO 444). (S MacKenzie, CA).

Botswana
Voice of America relay. 13710, 2005. VOA programming and comments to Afro pop music program. (S MacKenzie, CA).

Canada
CFVP. 6030, 1249-1256. Country and western music to 1251, followed by Secret Sound contest promo. Station ID as "Classic Country AM 1060." Back to music at 1252 for good signal, and much better than usual. (J Wilkins, CO).

China
China Radio International. 13640, 2306. Japanese service with two lady announcers text and conversation. Additional CRI noted; 11820, 0019 Chinese; 11900, 0025 Chinese; 11990, 0043 Cambodian. (S MacKenzie, CA)

CPBS. 12045, 0047. Chinese service of music and text. SIO 333. (S MacKenzie, CA)

Gannan PBS (presumed). 3990, 1212. Talk by lady announcer in Chinese (or Chinese dialect) under amateur radio operators. Signal too weak. Xinjiang is supposed to be here as well but isn't schedule to sign-on until alittle later. (D Valko, PA/HCDX).

Clandestine
Echo of Hope. 3985, 1214. Obviously a station here as it was beibng jammed. Talk via male/female host in Asian language. Voice of the People 3912 also noted at the same time and also being jammed with buzzing jammer. (D Valko, PA/HCDX).

Echo of Hope. (presumed) 6003.01, 1125-1135. Local musical ballads to talk in unknown language. Fair signal but occasional adjacent channel splatter. (B Alexander, PA).

Shiokaze 5985, *1400-1430.* Heard in Korean today and noted "Inmira Shiokaze..." Good signal. (J Wilkins, CO).

Colombia
HJDH Marfil Estereo. 5910, 0019-0025. Easy-listening vocals to male/female announcers Spanish text. SIO 333, using LSB for better quality. (H Frodge, MI).

Costa Rica
Radio Exterior de Espana relay. 3350, 0228. SIO 333. Annoincer's programming notes to religious vocal music. (S. MacKenzie, CA)

Cuba
Radio Nacional Venezuela relay. 15290, 1955. Spanish service of music, ID and programming notes. SIO 444. (S MacKenzie, CA).

Djibouti
Radio Djibouti. 4780, *0300-0315. Sign-on with national anthem following opening station announcements. Qu'ran recitaitons at 0303 to Arabic talk. Fair signal quality. (B Alexander, PA).
Ecuador
Radio Chaskis via Otavalo. (presumed) 4909.21, 1050-1100. Spanish programming including Ecuadorian music. Poor to fair signal quality. (B. Alexander, PA).

Egypt
Radio Cairo (presumed). 6290, 2335-2350. Arabic commentary to station fanfare at 2344. SIO 343. Brief utility QRM at 2339 with echo effect feedback imparing copy. (H Frodge, MI).

Equatorial Guinea
Radio Nacional Malabo. 6250, 0601-0612. Spanish. Local pop music with brief announcements and presumed newscast including mentions of "Malabo." and "Bata." Correspondents reports amid moderate signal and SINPO 34333 until abrupt disapperance in mid-sentence at 0612. (J Evans, TN).

Germany
Croatian Radio. 7285, 2324-2330. Croatia Today with feature on Nichola Tesla. Extensive station ID and schedule spot at 2328 after headlines. SIO 343. (H Frodge, MI).

Croatian Radio. 3984.84, 2315-2329. Croatia Today program of English news topics to weather forecast. Much better on // 7285 via Germany. (B Alexander, PA).

Guam
Trans World Radio. 13630, 2303. Chinese text and features presented by female announcer. SIO 333. (S. MacKenzie, CA)

Guatemala
Radio Verdad. 4052, 0354. Spanish programming of inspirational music by a chorus and religious talk between selections. Fair signal quality. (J Wood, TN).

Honduras
HRMI. 3340, 0340-0347. Spanish station identification as "Radio Misiones Internacional." Male's religious text with Spanish and English translations. Fair signal. (J Wood, TN).

Radio Luz y Vida. 3250.07, 1151-1215. Quiet religious music to long commerical string at 1201. Extended schedule of influenza vaccinations avaible in various hamlets, into music at 1215. (J Wilkins, CO).

Radio Luz y Vida 3249, 0331-0337. Spanish religious programming giving a USA address. Fair signal quality. (J Wood, TN).

India
All India Radio-Kurseong (presumed). Period of Hindi vocal music. Appeared to be parallel with other AIR stations carrying the news when checked 121-1235. Seemed strong enough but audio level is too low. (D Valko, PA).

Indonesia
RRI-Palangkaraya. 3325, 1317-1355. The much loved (by me) primitve music now ghoes past 1330-to at least 1355 tune-out. (J Wilkins, CO).

Japan
Radio Japan/NHK. 13650, 2307. Japanese service mixing with China Radio International via Cuba. SIO 444. (S MacKenzie, CA).

Latvia
Radio Waves relay. 9290, 2304-2320. Pop music program to announcer's text. Poor signal with some signal noise, fading down to only carrier at 2320. No ID noted. (J Evans, TN).

Malaysia
Asyik FM via Kajang. Announcer chat from male/female duo. Vocal music and phone calls. No top-of-the hour break. Good signal and improving. (J Wilkins, CO).

Mali
China Radio Internaitonal relay. 11975, 2255. Chinese service of male/female announcers with comments and program text. SIO 433. (S MacKenzie, CA).

Mauritania
Radio Mauritania. 4845, 2235-2245. Upbeat African music featuring stringed instruments. Great signal for SINPO 43333. (J Evans, TN).

Mexico
XEOI/Radio Mil (presumed). 6010, 0009-0019. Spanish talk and phone-in calls with mentions of "Campeche." Using USB helps signal due to Cuba Hash from 6000 in Spanish. (H Frodge,MI).

Myanmar
Radio Myanmar. 5985.8, 1338-1359. Long talk in presumed Burmese. QRM-free to 1359 when Shiokaze turned on their carrier on 5985 kHz. (J Wilkins, CO).

Nepal
Radio Nepal. 5005, 1131-1200. Basically only a carrier noted, but bits of audio around 1137 and 1210. (D Valko, PA/HCDX).

Nigeria
Radio Nigeria via Kaduna. 4769.94, 0534-0541. Male announcer "RNK" identificaiton spot at 0538. SIO 333. Using LSB helps with utility QRM. (H Frodge, MI).

Papua New Guinea
Radio New Ireland. 3905, 1245. Best PNG noted at 1245 with reggae music. Announcers time check and song announcement, followed by island music. Two Top 40 pop songs, lucky to hear brief sign-off identification. Instrumental national anthem at 1301-1302.* Carrier stayed on to at least 1307. (D Valko, PA/HCDX).

Peru
Radio Cultural 4955, 2305-2315. Spanish announcements from female sufferinf from CODAR interference. SINPO 22222. (J Evans, TN).

Philippines
Voice of America relay. 15150, 2315. Questions for You program in Special English. SIO 433. 11805, 0008 Indonesian. (S MacKenzie, CA)

Radio Veritas Asia. 11935, 0028. Karen service with text and music to Tamil service at 0030. (S MacKenzie, CA).

Saipan
KFBS. 12090, 2359. "KFBS" identification, program and station info to sign-off. (S MacKenzie, CA).

South Korea
KBS World. 11810, 0015. Korean service. Program news and segments. SIO 333. (S MacKenzie, CA).

Taiwan
Radio Taiwan International. 11885, 2245. Chinese service of text and Asian music, despite Chinese jammer interference. (S MacKenzie, CA).

Thailand
Radio Thailand. 9810, 1230-1300. Opening in English with comments and news at 1232. Station editorial with fair signal quality. (B Alexander, PA)

Turkey
Voice of Turkey. 7240, 0450-0456.* Closing bits of news to sign-on announcement and station ID. First English log of VOT in quite a while. Good signal quality. (J Wood, TN).

United Kingdom
Radio Japan relay. 5975, 0506-0510. News of Japan segment to program What's Up Japan at 0510. Station ID as "NHK Tokyo." SIO 444. (H Frodge, MI)

USA
WHRI. 5835, 0514. Religious programming with SIO 544. (H Frodge, MI).

WINB. 13570, 2010. Religious sermon featuring Israel. SIO 433. (S MacKenzie, CA).

Zambia
The Voice Africa. 4965, 2223-2303. Programming of alternating religious text and talk amid religious music. Poor signal quality with heavy CODAR interference. SINPO 22222. (J Evans, TN).

ZNBC (Program 1), 5915, *0240-0255. Sign-on with Fish Eagle interval signal and choral national anthem at 0251. Local tribal music to vernacular talk. Fair signal quality. (B Alexander, PA).

(Contributors: Stewart MacKenzie, CA; Jim Evans, TN; Harold Frodge, MI; Dave Valko, PA/Cumbre DX; John Wilkins, CO; Joe Wood, TN: Brian Alexander, PA)

Weekly Radio Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2008 Jan 29 1853 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
21 - 27 January 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.

The geomagnetic field was at mostly quiet levels during 21 - 24 January. Activity increased to active levels on 25 January. Activity decreased to mostly quiet levels for the balance of the period. ACE solar wind measurements indicated a recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream (HSS) was in progress at the start of the period. Peak velocity during this stream was 606.7 km/sec at 21/0107 UTC followed by a gradual decrease through 22 January. A solar sector
boundary crossing (away (+) to toward (-)) occurred during 22 - 23 January associated with increased proton densities (peak 9.6 p/cc at 23/2038 UTC) and increased IMF Bt (peak 5.9 nT at 22/1839 UTC). Another solar sector boundary crossing (toward (-) to away (+)) was
detected on 24 January in advance of a coronal hole-related co-rotating interaction region (CIR) and HSS. The CIR began late on 24 January and was associated with an increase in proton densities (peak 17.9 p/cc at 24/1302 UTC) and IMF changes including increased Bt (peak 10.2 nT at 25/0216 UTC) and intermittent periods of southward Bz (minimum -7.2 nT at 25/0458 UTC). Velocities associated with the HSS increased during 25 January and reached a peak of 574.1 km/sec at 25/0731 UTC, then gradually decreased during the rest of the period.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
30 January - 25 February 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 03 - 24 February.

The geomagnetic field is expected to be quiet during 30 - 31 January. Activity is expected to increase to unsettled to active levels on 01 - 02 February due to the onset of a recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream. Quiet to unsettled conditions are expected during 03 - 05 February as the high-speed stream gradually subsides. Quiet conditions are expected during 06 - 08 February. Activity is expected to increase to unsettled to active levels during 09 - 10 February due to another recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream. Quiet to unsettled conditions are expected during 11 - 13 February as coronal hole effects subside. Activity is expected to decrease to quiet levels during the rest of the period.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2008 Jan 29 1853 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 Jan 29
#
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2008 Jan 30 80 5 2
2008 Jan 31 80 5 2
2008 Feb 01 80 15 4
2008 Feb 02 80 10 3
2008 Feb 03 80 10 3
2008 Feb 04 75 10 3
2008 Feb 05 75 8 3
2008 Feb 06 75 5 2
2008 Feb 07 75 5 2
2008 Feb 08 75 5 2
2008 Feb 09 75 15 4
2008 Feb 10 75 15 4
2008 Feb 11 75 10 3
2008 Feb 12 75 10 3
2008 Feb 13 75 8 3
2008 Feb 14 70 5 2
2008 Feb 15 70 5 2
2008 Feb 16 70 5 2
2008 Feb 17 70 5 2
2008 Feb 18 70 5 2
2008 Feb 19 70 5 2
2008 Feb 20 70 5 2
2008 Feb 21 70 5 2
2008 Feb 22 70 5 2
2008 Feb 23 70 5 2
2008 Feb 24 70 5 2
2008 Feb 25 75 5 2
(NOAA)

Days are numbered for stick antenna

Why the once-ubiquitous stick antenna is now an endangered species
Associated Press

Jan 26, 2008

DETROIT–An automotive appendage that often goes unnoticed on the road – unless it loses a battle with the automatic car wash – is disappearing as it succumbs to changing technology, tastes and economics.

The stalwart stick, pole or fixed-mast antenna, mounted on the fender of nearly every vehicle two decades ago, is now on about half of all new models and its ranks continue to dwindle. When trucks are removed from the equation, it's around 25 per cent.

Its vanishing act is notable on many new vehicles. The 2008 Ford Taurus, for example, has a hidden, in-glass antenna and optional small, roof-mounted satellite radio antenna.

"There's an industrywide push to move away from a metal mast antenna," said Alan Hall, a spokesperson for Ford Motor Co. "Within the next few years, all (Ford) cars and crossovers will have transitioned to the smaller antenna.''

The stick antenna faces interference on several fronts. Designers seek to erase anything that detracts from sleek lines, engineers want to eliminate drag that increases noise and decreases gas mileage, and consumers desire signals for their cellphones, satellite radios and global-positioning system devices.

And auto executives are trying to cut costs of commodities such as steel and reduce threats to quality – even before cars reach consumers. Stick antennas are removed when the carriers deliver the cars to dealers so they aren't damaged.

Toyota Motor Corp. is mostly free of the traditional long stick antenna, except on single-cab pickup trucks and convertibles, which aren't well-suited for in-glass antennas.

One Toyota executive said the change began in 2001. Quality, fuel economy and cost of operation, drive Toyota's decision-making, said Paul Williamsen, the national manager of Lexus College, a training school for U.S. dealers.

"Both are what come out of the customer's pocketbook. And an antenna is going to lose on both."

The change has challenged antenna suppliers. Some have gone out of business or been acquired by larger suppliers as auto makers have sought to squeeze costs.

"You have to provide what they want or else you lose their business," said Jan Boring, president of Global Products Inc. and sales representative for the U.S. subsidiary of Japan-based Harada Industry Co. Ltd., one of the world's major mobile antenna makers. "There's been a demand by the industry for increased technological improvements for hidden types of antennas.''

Boring said Harada still makes stick antennas, but has moved toward roof-mounted and in-glass models that accommodate GPS, cellular and other frequencies.

The old stick probably would have vanished by now – but for one nagging thing: It has provided better reception than its offspring.

"For really good reception for low and high frequency, boy, it's hard to beat a good stick on a large field of metal,'' Williamsen said.

He said auto makers have worked for 25 years on a "diversity antenna," a field of antennas that can be embedded in the side and rear glass of the vehicles to pull in signals. It's a way of achieving similar results from the stick.

General Motors Corp. tried putting antennas in windshields in the 1970s, but they didn't offer good reception. And the standard stick also was threatened in the 1980s and '90s by power mast antennas, electronically controlled by drivers. Problem was, the power antenna was even more likely to be damaged in car washes if it wasn't lowered.

Boring said the evolution of the antenna – and demise of the stick – is positive.

"You have abilities to have navigation systems in your vehicle, cellular phones and telematics, capability of having satellite radio and others," he said. "You have these conveniences without having extra antenna masts protruding from the vehicle.''
Toronto Star
http://www.wheels.ca/article/167028
(Fred Waterer via ODXA)

BBC strategies focus on website content

BBC strategies focus on online content, adviser tells Heritage committee
Last Updated: Tuesday, January 29, 2008 1:25 PM ET
CBC News

The importance of making content widely available online was the frequent refrain in Ottawa Tuesday morning as the BBC's chief public policy adviser spoke at a hearing of the Canadian Heritage Committee.

"The impact of digital technology cannot be underestimated," the BBC's Wilf White, who was joined by his deputy, Daniel Wilson, told the committee at a session exploring the role of a public broadcaster.

Newer technologies such as the BBC's iPlayer — which offers web audiences the opportunity to watch its television or listen to its radio programming from the past seven days — "is radically transforming our business," White said.

Despite also struggling with problems like market fragmentation, funding constraints and increased competition from new broadcasters and other platforms facing North American counterparts, White said the BBC considers it a very exciting time and is focused on looking for new opportunities.

He praised 1990s-era BBC director-general John Birt for his foresight about the internet as an emerging technology and vision that there would one day be little distinction between radio, television and online.

Because of decisions the former chief made, "there was always a strong link between our television and radio services and our online services," White said.

"As soon as [audiences] realized there was content there … they started wanting to explore."

For instance, he said, the BBC's online service has transformed the broadcaster's ability to seek public opinion on many issues.

In the past, when trying to get the public to comment, "you'd end up with perhaps half a dozen letters," White said.

"Now we have several thousand people regularly e-mailing us, offering opinions on message boards. We are never short of comments from he public now ... Sometimes we can create so much feedback that it can become overwhelming."
Partnering with other sites

White and Wilson also spoke of deals with partners such as video-sharing site Youtube and social networking sites to show BBC content, in a no-ads environment conducive to its role as a public broadcaster.

While the broadcaster, which on average features 80 per cent European or U.K.-produced content across its services, doesn't gain revenue from these sorts of deals, savings can sometimes be found in terms of distribution, Wilson said.

"They want our content and we want their audience," White said, though he admitted that newer technologies aside, he felt there would always be a demand for live programming.

As part of this drive, the BBC chose to "pay a little bit extra" and strike "platform-neutral" rights deals with independent producers and other stakeholders in order to be able to distribute their productions by these newer methods, Wilson said.

"It was a matter of demonstrating how usage has changed, how on demand was very much more important to audiences."

Pursuing further international co-productions for pricier projects, such as its deal with the CBC for the TV show Doctor Who, and boosting coverage of and productions from its various regions — such as Wales, Scotland and Ireland — are also part of the BBC's plan going forward.

Nevertheless, despite a shifting focus on newer technologies or updating certain practices, "some things don't change" for audiences, White said, citing "quality, originality, trust."

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/media/story/2008/01/29/hercommittee-online-bbc.html
(Source: Fred Waterer via ODXA)

One World...One Dream, China on Countdown

With the Summer Olympics from Beijing nearing, time to remind readers of China Radio's ongoing Olympic series QSL cards.
Beijing has declared "we are ready," and Olympic fans are counting the days to Summer Olympics Games 2008. To mark this occasion, China Radio International is offering QSL cards and postcards of ten Olympic sites. Send your reception reports to;
China Radio International
16A Shijingshan Street
Beijing 100040
People’s Republic of China
or via email crieng@cri.com.cn

(Source: Monitoring Times QSL Report)

China Radio International - English Service

Effective to 29 March 2008

All times UTC

Target Areas: af (Africa) as (Asia) eu (Europe) na (North America) pa (Pacific) va (various)

0000-0100 6020na 6075as 7130eu 7180as 9570na 11885as 13750as 15115as
0100-0157 7130eu
0100-0200 9535as 11870as 15115as 15785as
0200-0300 11770as 13640as
0300-0400 9690na 9790na 11770as 13750as 15110as 15120as 15785as
0400-0500 6020na 6080na 13750as 15120as 15785as 17725as 17855as
0500-0600 11710af 11880as 15350as 15465as 17505va 17540as 17725as 17855as
0600-0657 6115na
0600-0700 11870as 111880as 13660as 15140as 15350as 15465as 17505as 17540as
17710as
0700-0800 11785eu 11880as 13660as 15350as 15465as 17490eu 17540as 17710as
0800-0857 11785eu 17490eu
0800-0900 11620as 11880as 15350as 15465as 17549as
0900-0957 15270eu 17490eu 17570eu
0900-1000 11620as 15210pa 155350as 17690pa 17750as
1000-1100 5995as 6040na 11610as 11635as 11650as 11795as 13590as 13620as 13720as 15190as
15210pa 15350as 17490eu 17690pa
1100-1200 6040na 11750na 13665eu 17490eu
1200-1257 13665eu 13790eu 17490eu
1200-1300 5955as 9460as 9730as 9760pa 11650as 11660as 11690as 11760pa 11980as 13645as
1300-1357 13610eu 13790eu
1300-1400 5995as 9570na 9650na 9730as 9760pa 9765as 9870as 11660as 11760pa 11980as
13755as 15260na
1400-1457 9700eu 9795eu
1400-1500 5955as 9560as 9765as 9870as 11675as 11765as 11775as 13685af 13740na 17630af
1500-1557 9435eu 9525eu
1500-1600 5955as 6100af 7160as 7325as 9785as 9870as 11775as 13685af 13740na 17630af
1600-1657 7255eu 9435eu 9525eu
1600-1700 6100af 9570af 11800af
1700-1757 6100eu 7205eu 7255eu 7335eu
1700-1800 9570af 11900af
1800-1857 6100eu 7110eu
1900-2000 7295va 9435va 9440va
2000-2030 7160eu
2000-2057 7190eu 9600eu
2000-2100 5960eu 7285eu 7295af 9440af 11640af 13630af
2100-2130 11640af 13630af
2100-2157 5960eu 6135eu 7190eu 7285eu 9600eu
2200-2257 7170eu
2200-2300 9590as
2300-0000 5915as 5990va 6145na 7180as 11685as 11840na

(Source: Monitoring Times, SW Guide)

Scientists create sand grain-sized radio

CBC News, Technology & Science

January 28, 2008

As if electronics weren't already compact enough, they could get a whole lot tinier, according to researchers at the University of Illinois who have built a radio smaller than a grain of sand.

The researchers, along with electronics engineers at Northrop Grumman Electronics Systems in Linthicum, Md., said they used microscopic carbon nanotube technology to fashion a working radio that was able to receive a traffic report from a Baltimore radio station.

Nanotubes, or tiny strands of carbon atoms, were used to create the radio's antenna and amplifiers while headphones were plugged directly into the output of a nanotube transistor.

The research team said the purpose of the project was not necessarily to build an extraordinarily small radio but to show that nanotubes could be an alternative to accepted building materials in electronics ‹ such as silicon, which is popular in computer microprocessor.

"We were not trying to make the world¹s tiniest radios," said John Rogers, a founder professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Illinois, in a statement. "The nanotube radios are a demonstration, an important milestone toward building the technology into a form that ultimately would be commercially competitive with entrenched approaches."

Practical nanotube devices and circuits are now possible, Rogers said, because of a new technique developed by the team. The procedure produces horizontally aligned arrays of hundreds of thousands of nanotubes that together act as semiconductor material.

Electric charges can move independently through each nanotube, which means the arrays can be deployed into electronic devices and circuits in much the same way that silicon-based microchips currently are.

The team's research appears in Monday's online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
(Source: CBC News, Technology & Science - January 28, 2008 www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/01/28/science-nanotubes.html via Harold Sellers,

Canada via ODXA)

WWVH, Hawaii Time Station revises antennas

Radio station WWVH in Hawaii, operated since 1948 by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to broadcast time, frequency and other announcements, recently powered up innovative replacement antennas.

In a seven-year project to adopt a technology used on Navy ships, NIST has installed new antennas encased in fiberglass rather than traditional steel supports, to resist corrosion from the salty ocean air. The fiberglass design will reduce maintenance and repair costs. The new design also enables the flexible, lightweight antennas to be easily lowered to the ground for maintenance, reducing safety hazards to staff who previously had to climb the towers, which are up to 98 feet tall. The improved antennas should reduce signal downtime for WWVH users.

From its location on the island of Kauai, WWVH broadcasts on four different frequencies. Each frequency requires a different antenna; including backups, the station has a total of eight antennas, seven of which are made of fiberglass. NIST erected and powered up the last fiberglass replacement antenna in October 2007. NIST staff believe the project is the first demonstration of high-powered, high-frequency fiberglass antennas on land.
(Source: NIST/R Netherlands Media Network weblog)

More information on WWVH and NIST may be found at:
http://tf.nist.gov/timefreq/stations/wwvh.htm

Blog Logs

All times UTC
3945 All India Radio, Gorakhpur, India SINPO 45444 Urdu Talk on revolution of 1857 by male presenter. 1531 1/15/2008
3945 All India Radio, Gorakhpur India SINPO 33443 Nepali service with co-channel QRM. frm Iran's VOIRI in Urdu 0142 1/16/2008
3975 Pakistan B.C. , Rawalpindi, Pakistan SINPO 45444 Urdu 1520 Financial and sports news by male announcer, 1520 1/15/2008
3985 CNR 2, Geermu, China 45444 Chinese-Mandarin 1554 : Chinese music 1554 1/15/2008
3990 PBS Xinjiang (CNR8) Urumqui, China SINPO 44444 Chinese-Mandarin service and Asian music 1555 1/15/2008
4010 Kygyz Radio 1, Bishkek, Kyrgyzistan SINPO 35333 Kyrgyz Talk by announcer 1556 1/15/2008
4050 Radio Rossii (Radio XXI Century) Bishkek, Kyrgyzistan SINPO 35333 Russian text 1559 1/15/2008
4330 PBS Xinjiang Urumqui China SINPO 45444 Kazakh Items from announcer 1612 1/15/2008
4330 PBS Xinjiang Urumqui China SINPO 45444 Kazakh Music 1645 1/15/2008
4460 China Radio International Beijing China SINPO 35333 Chinese-Mandarin text by announcer, 1646 1/15/2008
4500 China Radio International Urumqui China SINPO 45544 Mongolian music 1647 1/15/2008
4635 Radio Tajikistan Dushanbe Tajikistan SINPO 35333 Tajik Talk by OM 1648 1/15/2008
4760 Trans World Radio Manzini Swaziland SINPO 44444 Ndebele Talk by OM 1649 1/15/2008
4775 All India Radio Imphal India SINPO 35433 Manipuri. Music frequency announcement to station ID at 1658 1/15/2008
4775 All India Radio, Imphal, India 35333 Vernacular discussion 0113 1/16/2008
4810 All India Radio Bhopal India SINPO 45544 Hindi Classical vocal music 1703 1/15/2008
4820 All India Radio Kolkata India SINPO 32432 Hindi Classical vocal music. Severe co-channel QRM CNR 1704 1/15/2008
4820 All India Radio Kolkata India SINPO 22532 Hindi Severe co-channel QRM PBS Xizang 100 kW,Lhasa, China 0117 1/16/2008
4820 PBS Xizang Lhasa China SINPO 45544 Chinese-Mandarin song followed by station ID at 1759 1/15/2008
4828 Voice of Zimbabwe Gweru Zimbabwe SINPO 35333 Vernacular music 1801 1/15/2008
4835 All India Radio Gangtok India SINPO 45444 Nepali. Announcer's talk in Nepali 0118 1/16/2008
4840 All India Radio Mumbai India SINPO 45544 Hindi Classical music at 1706 1/15/2008
4860 All India Radio Delhi (Kingsway) India SINPO 45444 Hindi programming 0119 1/16/2008
4880 All India Radio Lucknow India SINPO 23432 Hindi service with classical music, observing severe QRM from SW Radio Africa 1707 1/15/2008
4895 All India Radio Kurseong, India SINPO 45544 Nepali devotional text 0120 1/16/2008
4920 All India Radio Chennai Chennai (Madras) India SINPO 44544 Hindi news with co-channel QRM from PBS Xizang 50 Kw 1732 1/15/2008
4920 All India Radio Chennai (Madras) India SINPO 43543 Hindi. Announer's chat with co-channel QRM via PBS Xizang, Lhasa, China 100 kW 0122 1/16/2008
4930 Voice of America, Selebi-Phikwe Botswana SINPO 45444 English newscast at 1738 1/15/2008
4940 All India Radio Guwahati India SINPO 45544 Assamese public service announcement at 0124 Station ID by announcer at 0123 1/16/2008
4965 Christian Voice Lusaka Zambia SINPO 35333 English religious tunes at 1807 1/15/2008
4970 All India Radio Shillong India SINPO 45544 English vocal tunes at 0125 1/16/2008
4975 Voice of Russia Dushanbe-Yanivul Tajikistan SINPO 45444 English newscast at 1807 1/15/2008
5010 All India Radio Thiruvananthapuram India SINPO 45544 Newscast in Sanskrit. 1/16/2008
5015 All India Radio New Delhi (Kingsway) India SINPO 45544 Hindi classical music at 1809 1/15/2008
5040 All India Radio Jeypore India SINPO 55544 Sanskrit News - Newscast at 0127 1/16/2008
5920 Radio Japan (NHK) Skelton United Kingdom SINPO 45444 English conversations on tsunami at 0013 1/16/2008
5955 Dem. Voice of Burma, Wertachtal, Germany SINPO 45444 Burmese Talk by male/female announcers at 0014 1/16/2008
5965 Adventist World Radio, Moosbrunn, Austria SINPO 45544 Urdu. Devotional text by male announcer at 0218 1/16/2008
5990 All India Radio Aligarh India SINPO 45444 Hindhi tune at 0127 1/16/2008
6010 Radio Bahrain, Abu Hayan, Bahrain SINPO 35333 English pop songs 0016 1/16/2008
6045 IBC TAMIL Wertachtal, Germany SINPO 45544 Tamil 00129 ID & announcer talk at 0028 1/16/2008
6175 Voice of Vietnam, Sackville, Canada SINPO 45544 English newscast on India's Prime Minister's visit to China at 0109 1/16/2008
6260 CVC International Tashkent Uzbekistan SINPO 45544 Hindi service. Devotional program segment from lady announcer 1804 1/15/2008
6260 CVC International, Tashkent Uzbekistan SINPO 45544 Hindi service 0020 This months quiz 1/16/2008
6260 CVC International, Tashkent, Uzbekistan SINPO 45544 Hindi music at 0133 1/16/2008
6260 CVC International, Tashkent, Uzbekistan SINPO 45444 Hindi 0235 Punjabi vocal music at 0235 1/16/2008
7270 All India Radio, Abu Zaabal Egypt SINPO 35333 English conversations from announcers at 0222 1/16/2008
7440 Radio Ukraine International, Lviv, Ukraine SINPO 45444 Ukrainian service at 0032 1/16/2008
9440 Radio Slovakia International, Rimavska Sobota, Slovak Republic SINPO 35433 English newscast at 0106 1/16/2008
9480 CVC International, Tashkent Uzbekistan SINPO 45544 English newscast at 0102 1/16/2008
9510 Radio Veritas Asia, Palauig Philippines SINPO 25332 Bengali. Weak signal from lady announcer's programming at 0034 1/16/2008
9670 Radio Veritas Asia, Palauig, Philippines SINPO 25332 Weak Hindi programming at 0038 1/16/2008
9785 Radio Taiwan International, Issoudun, France SINPO 43533 Lady announcer's English newscast at 1600 1/15/2008
9850 Deutsche Welle relay Trincomale, Sri Lanka SINPO 45544 Urdu service at 0220 1/16/2008
9870 All India Radio, Bangalore, India SINPO 45544 Hindi service including programming announcements at 0021 1/16/2008
9875 Radio Vilnius, Sitkunai, Lithuania SINPO 35333 Weak siganl for announcer's text at 0031 1/16/2008
11550 Radio Taiwan International, Tainan, Taiwan SINPO 25333 English service including music program at 1643 1/15/2008
11820 Deutsche Welle relay Kranji, Singapore SINPO 45544 Bengali service including newscast at 0102 1/16/2008
11820 Deutsche Welle relay Kranji, Singapore SINPO 45544 Hindi report on Indian Prime Minister at 0138 1/16/2008
12025 Radio Pilipinas, Tinang, Philippines SINPO 45444 English Dateline Philippines - News report by YL 0226 1/16/2008
15285 Radio Pilipinas, Tinang, Philippines SINPO 45444 English newscast at 0224 1/16/2008
15575 Radio Korea International (KBS) Kimjae, Korea, South SINPO 35433 English service at 0230 1/16/2008
15620 Deutsche Welle relay Kranji, Singapore SINPO 45544 Urdu discussion at 0221 1/16/2008
17770 Radio Pilipinas, Tinang, Philippines SINPO 45544 English newscast at . 0222 1/16/2008
(Source: Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India)

VOA to cover State of the Union address

VOA will provide extensive multi-media coverage in 45 languages of President Bush’s State of the Union address and the Democratic response Washington, D.C., January 28, 2008 – The Voice of America (VOA) will provide extensive multi-media coverage in 45 languages of President Bush’s State of the Union address and the Democratic response.


VOA’s in-depth coverage and analysis will include, (all UTC times are for January 29):

Live television broadcast with simultaneous interpretation in Persian in a special broadcast from 0030 to 0230 UTC (5:00 to 7:00 a.m. Tehran time). Setareh Derakhshesh and Vafa Mostaghim will co-anchor the program from VOA’s headquarters. VOA’s Persian News Network reporter Siamak Deghanpour will report live from Capitol Hill. Shayan Samii and Babak Yektafar, both PNN political contributors, will provide analysis.

A special radio/TV simulcast in English starting at 0200 UTC. VOA News Now’s Ira Mellman will host the program and be joined by VOA National Correspondent Jim Malone, VOA White House Correspondent Paula Wolfson and VOA Capitol Hill Correspondent Dan Robinson.

VOA Mandarin will provide live reports of President Bush’s address during its 0000 to 0300 radio broadcast and follow up with an in depth television report at 1400 UTC (9:00 p.m. Beijing time).

Seven VOA European services will broadcast television reports to stations in Albania, Bosnia, Croatia, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine. Reports in Russian will be available via the Internet.

VOA Dari will carry the address live on radio with simultaneous interpretation.
www.VOANews.com, VOA’s Internet site, will provide live audio and video streams of the President’s address and the Democratic response as well as on-demand audio and video streams, an MP3 download, news coverage, and full transcripts.
(Source: Voice of America)
Multilingual schedules and additional Real Audio information may be found at:
http://www.voanews.com/english/portal.cfm

Two new stations from TDP

BELGIUM Two new station via Transmitter Documentation Project (TDP):

All times UTC

Hmong Lao Radio in Hmong:
0100-0200 on 15260 TAI 100 kW / 250 deg to Asia Thu/Sun

Hmong World Christian Radio in Hmong:
0100-0200 on 15260 TAI 100 kW / 250 deg to Asia Sat.
(DX Mix News # 505 via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India)

TDP brokers lease air times over shortwave transmitters, including various clandestine broadcasters.

The TDP website http://www.tdp.info/ provides information on the shortwave radio transmitters installed in each country of the world.

Reception reports for stations using TDP may be directed to:
Transmitter Documentation Project
c/o Ludo Maes
P.O. Box 1
B-2310 Rijkevorsel
Belgium
Website: Transmitter Documentation Project: http://www.tdp.info/
(Source: address via World QSL Book)

Clandestine logging observations

CLANDESTINE from ? to ETHIOPIA 9445 Andenet LeDemocracy has this announcement on their website: "We will stop our program for a short period after our Wed Jan 16, 2008 broadcast. We will notify when our broadcast commences and apologize for the interruption." The last audio file on their website is dated Jan 16. (Johnson Jan
25)

CLANDESTINE from TAIWAN? To LAOS 15260 Hmong Lao Radio's schedule for their Asian transmissions is now 0100-0200 on Thursdays and Sundays according to their website. They had been on a different time and frequency schedule via KWHR in Hawaii. The WRTH list the Moj Them broadcast on this same frequency and time at different days of the week and list the site as Taiwan. (Johnson Jan 25)

TAIWAN? 15260 Hmong World Christian Radio These transmissions had also been via KWHR, but are now scheduled at 0100-0200 Saturdays according to their website. (Johnson Jan 25)
(Source: Hans Johnson, FL via Cumbre DX)

HCJB Ecuador special DRM test

Effective January 26, 2008, HCJB Ecuador is conducting a special DRM test in Portuguese. Programming is being targeted to Brazil on 11795 kHz, QUI 004 kW/100 degrees from 2300-0000 UTC.
(Source: DX Mix News # 505 via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi)

Voice of Turkey - Multilingual B07 update

TURKEY Frequency changes for Voice of Turkey effective January 26, 2008

All times UTC - NF new frequency
1900-1927 NF 6050 CAK 250 kW / 313 deg,ex 6055* in Bosnian
1930-2027 NF 6050 EMR 500 kW / 310 deg,ex 6055* in English
*to avoid CRI in French via CER till 1957
(Source: DX Mix News # 505 via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India)

Radio Pakistan - Multilingual B07 update

Pakistan - Some changes of Radio Pakistan effective January 2008

Arabia
1815-1900 on 6280 ISL 100 kW / 282 deg >>> cancelled

Chinese
1200-1300 on 9380 ISL 250 kW / 070 deg, ex 1200-1230
1200-1300 on 11570 ISL 250 kW / 070 deg, ex 1200-1230

Dari
1430-1530 on 5050 ISL 100 kW / 270 deg, ex 1515-1545

English
0045-0115 on 7445 ISL 100 kW / 318 deg >>> cancelled
0730-0830 on 15100 ISL 250 kW / 313 deg >>> cancelled
0730-0830 on 17835 ISL 250 kW / 313 deg >>> cancelled

Hindi
1030-1130 on 7445 ISL 100 kW / non-dir, ex 1100-1145

Nepali
1245-1315 on 7445 ISL 100 kW / 118 deg >>> cancelled

Pashto
1300-1400 on 5050 ISL 100 kW / 270 deg, ex 0500-0545 on 6235

Persian
1700-1800 on 5050 ISL 100 kW / 260 deg, ex 1715-1800

Russian
1415-1445 on 9395 ISL 100 kW / 313 deg >>> cancelled

Sinhala
1015-1045 on 15620 ISL 100 kW / 147 deg >>> cancelled

Tamil
0315-0345 on 15620 ISL 100 kW / 147 deg >>> cancelled
0945-1015 on 15620 ISL 100 kW / 147 deg >>> cancelled

Turki
1330-1400 on 5050 ISL 100 kW / 270 deg >>> cancelled

Turkish
1630-1700 on 6240 ISL 100 kW / 282 deg >>> cancelled
(Source: DX Mix News # 505 via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India)

Radio Havana Cuba - Multilingual B07 update

CUBA B-07 schedule of Radio Havana Cuba effective Jan.20:

All times UTC

Arabic2030-2100 on 11800 11750

Creole
0100-0130 on 9550
2130-2200 on 9505 5965
2230-2300 on 9505 5965
2330-2400 on 5965

English
0100-0500 on 6180 6000
0500-0700 on 11760 9550 6180 6060 6000
2030-2130 on 11760 9505
2300-2400 on 9550 9505

Esperanto
Sunday
0700-0730 on 6000
1500-1530 on 11760
1930-2000 on 11760
2330-2400 on 9600 6140

Guarani
2230-2300 on 17705
2330-2400 on 17705

French
0000-0100 on 9550
0130-0200 on 9550
2000-2030 on 11760 9505
2130-2200 on 11760 9505
2200-2230 on 9505 5965
2300-2330 on 5965

Portuguese
2000-2030 on 11800 11750
2200-2230 on 17705
2300-2330 on 17705 13760
2330-2400 on 13760

Spanish
0000-0100 on 13760 11875 11760 9600 6140 6060 6000 5965
0100-0200 on 13760 11875 11760 9600 6140 6060 5965
0200-0500 on 13760 11875 11760 9600 9550 6140 6060 5965
1100-1300 on 13760 12000 11805 11760 9600 9550 6180 6000
1300-1400 on 15370 13760 13680 12000 11805 11760 9550 6000
1400-1500 on 15370 13760 13680 12000 11805 11760 9550
2100-2300 on 13760 11800 11750 9550

Quechua
0000-0030 on 17705

Alo Presidente Sun
1400-1830 on 17750 13750 13680 11875 11670

Mesa Redonda Mon-Fri
2300-0100 on 9820 6000
(DX Mix News # 505 via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India)

Radio New Zealand - B07 update

NEW ZEALAND - Updated B-07 of Radio New Zealand International, effective January 1m 2008

All times UTC

1059-1258 on 13840 RAN 050 kW / 325 deg AM NW Pac,Bougainville,PNG,Timor
1059-1258 on 9870 RAN 050 kW / 325 deg DRM NW Pac,Bougainville,PNG,Timor
1259-1650 on 5950 RAN 050 kW / 000 deg AM All Pacific (no DRM txion)
1651-1935 on 9890 RAN 050 kW / 035 deg DRM NE Pac,Fiji,Tonga,Samoa,Cook
1651-1950 on 9615 RAN 050 kW / 035 deg AM NE Pac,Fiji,Tonga,Samoa,Cook
1936-1950 on 11675 RAN 050 kW / 035 deg DRM NE Pac,Fiji,Tonga,Samoa,Cook
1951-2235 on 17675 RAN 050 kW / 325 deg AM NW Pac,Vanuatu,Solomon Isl
1951-2235 on 15720 RAN 050 kW / 325 deg DRM NW Pac,Vanuatu,Solomon Isl
2236-0658 on 15720 RAN 050 kW / 000 deg AM All Pacific
2236-0458 on 17675 RAN 050 kW / 000 deg DRM All Pacific
0459-1058 on 9870 RAN 050 kW / 000 deg DRM All Pacific
0659-1058 on 9765 RAN 050 kW / 000 deg AM All Pacific
(Source: DX Mix News # 505 via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India)

Trans World Radio Multilingual B07 update

TWR INDIA B07

REVISED SW SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE 6TH JAN,2008

All times UTC




START END LANG FREQ DAYS SITE
--------------------------------------------------
0015 0030 BENGALI 7350,9455* MON-FRI NOVOSIBIRSK
0030 0100 BHOJPURI 7350,9455* MON-FRI NOVOSIBIRSK
0045 0100 DZONKA 7350,9455* SAT NOVOSIBIRSK
0045 0130 HINDI 7350,9455* SUN NOVOSIBIRSK
0100 0115 NEPALI 7350,9455* SAT NOVOSIBIRSK
0100 0130 NEPALI 7350,9455* MON-FRI NOVOSIBIRSK
0115 0130 HINDI 7350,9455* SAT NOVOSIBIRSK
1230 1245 GUJARATI 7320 MON IRKUTSK
1230 1245 DHODIYA 7320 TUES/WED IRKUTSK
1230 1245 MAITHILI 7320 THU/FRI IRKUTSK
1230 1245 SANTHALI 7320 SAT IRKUTSK
1230 1300 KOKBOROK 12065 FRI GUAM
1245 1300 KUI 7320 SAT IRKUTSK
1245 1300 KOKBOROK 12065 SAT GUAM
1245 1315 URDU 7320 MON-FRI IRKUTSK
1300 1315 GARHWALI 5950 DAILY NOVOSIBIRSK
1300 1315 HO 7320 SAT IRKUTSK
1300 1345 SANTHALI 11800 SUN GUAM
1315 1330 DOGRI 5950 MON-FRI NOVOSIBIRSK
1315 1330 MARWARI 7320 SUN IRKUTSK
1315 1330 MEWARI 7320 THU/FRI IRKUTSK
1315 1330 BENGALI 7320 SAT IRKUTSK
1315 1345 M.BENGALI 7320 MON/TUES IRKUTSK
1315 1345 PUNJABI 7320 WED IRKUTSK
1315 1430 HINDI 5950 SAT/SUN NOVOSIBIRSK
1330 1345 HINDI 5950 MON NOVOSIBIRSK
1330 1345 BONDO 7320 SUN IRKUTSK
1330 1345 DZONKA 7320 THU-SAT IRKUTSK
1330 1400 HINDI 5950 TUES/WED NOVOSIBIRSK
1330 1400 ASSAMESE 11800 MON-FRI GUAM
1330 1415 HINDI 5950 THU/FRI NOVOSIBIRSK
1345 1400 TIBETAN 5950 MON NOVOSIBIRSK
1345 1400 BUNDELI 7320 SAT IRKUTSK
1345 1400 SANTHALI 12065 DAILY GUAM
1345 1415 BUNDELI 7320 SUN IRKUTSK
1345 1415 MAITHILI 7320 MON-FRI IRKUTSK
1400 1415 BRAJ BHASA 5950 MON/TUES NOVOSIBIRSK
1400 1415 KASHMIRI 5950 WED NOVOSIBIRSK
1400 1415 ORIYA 7320 SAT IRKUTSK
1400 1415 BORO 12065 WED-SUN GUAM
1400 1415 M.BENGALI 12065 MON/TUES GUAM
1415 1430 BHOJPURI 5950 MON-FRI NOVOSIBIRSK
1415 1430 KUMAONI 7320 SUN IRKUTSK
1415 1430 MAGAHI 7320 MON IRKUTSK
1415 1430 MUNDARI 7320 TUES/WED IRKUTSK
1415 1430 KURUKH 7320 THU-SAT IRKUTSK
1415 1430 MANIPURI 12065 SAT/SUN GUAM
1430 1445 HINDI 5950 MON-FRI NOVOSIBIRSK
1430 1445 SADRI 7320 SAT/SUN IRKUTSK
1430 1500 PUNJABI 5950 SAT/SUN NOVOSIBIRSK
1430 1500 SINDHI 7320 MON-FRI IRKUTSK
1445 1500 CHODRI 7320 SAT/SUN IRKUTSK
1445 1515 PUNJABI 5950 MON-FRI NOVOSIBIRSK
1500 1515 MARWARI 5950 SAT/SUN NOVOSIBIRSK
1500 1515 BHILI 7320 SAT/SUN IRKUTSK
1500 1530 KUTCHI 7320 MON-FRI IRKUTSK
1515 1530 MOUCHA 7320 SAT/SUN IRKUTSK
1515 1545 HINDI 5950 MON-FRI NOVOSIBIRSK
1530 1545 AWADHI 7320 SAT/SUN IRKUTSK
1530 1545 GAMIT 7320 MON-WED IRKUTSK
1530 1545 VASAVI 7320 THU/FRI IRKUTSK
1545 1600 HARYANVI 7320 SUN IRKUTSK
1545 1600 URDU 7320 MON-FRI IRKUTSK
1545 1600 HINDI 7320 SAT IRKUTSK
1600 1615 PASHTO 7315 SAT/SUN SAMARA
1600 1630 PASHTO 7315 MON-FRI SAMARA
1630 1645 DARI 7315 MON SAMARA

* 7350 : to Feb. 2, 2008
9455 : WEF effective Feb. 3, 2008

Reports to :
Trans World Radio,
L-15,Green Park,
New Delhi 110016,India.
(Source: Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India)

International deal for Somaliweyn Radio

News and features - Africa
By Samme Bogad
Sunday, 27 January 2008
Gundula Adolfsson and Yassin MahiSomaliweyn radio and TV has signed an historic international agreement with the English section of Swedish Radio International. The agreement will be mainly based on content collaboration over both news networks. Somaliweyn listeners will be able to follow the English programmes of Swedish Radio International live in Mogadishu, Somalia, and on the internet pages of the Somaliweyn's website.

Honorable Yassin Mahi, one of the top officials of radio and TV Somaliweyn, who is also the head of marketing and international relations at the news organisation, said the development followed lenthy discussions between the two broascasters. "This is an historic agreement for a local Somali radio to sign an agreement with an international radio, and this issue will have immense advantage for the Somali community," he said. As Gundula Adolfsson, head of Swedish Radio International's programmes, signed the agreement, Mr. Mahi spoke about the problems faced by journalists working in war ravaged."These independent journalist are working in a very awful circumstances such as constant fear and oppress." "These independent journalist are working in a very awful circumstances such as constant fear and oppress." Ingemar Lofgren a senior member of Swedish Radio International, praised Somaliweyn radio for the role it plays among the Somali society, and said this was a major step forward.The agreement comes as the director of Somaliweyn Abdurahman Hudeyfi, along with reporter Al-Bashir, are still being held at the headquarters of the national security department in Somalia.
http://www.mediahelpingmedia.org/content/view/300/1/
(Source: Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi)

Best of the Best - Sunday DX programs on shortwave

The following programs have been selected by Shortwave Central and Btown Monitoring Post, as the Best of the Best for Sunday DX programs on shortwave radio.
Programs include receiver reviews, DX news, propagation information, media features, satellites, amateur radio, internet news and broadcasting trends.

Starting times may vary slightly and some programs may also be heard via Real
Audio links at the station website.

All times UTC
Listed as time, Program, Station, Frequency

Sunday
0015 DX Partyline WRMI 9955
0020 Radio Waves R.Ext. de España 6055
0030 Radio Weather WHRI 7315
0118 The Whole World on the R. Dial R.Ukraine 7530
0140 DXers Unlimited Radio Habana Cuba 6000,6180
0230 DXing With Cumbre WHRA 5850
0240 World Wide Friendship KBS World Radio 9560
0245 Ask WWCR WWCR 5070
0300 Australian DX Report WWCR 5070
0315 DX Partyline WWCR 5070
0330 World Wide Friendship KBS World Radio WRN
0335 DXers Unlimited R. Habana Cuba 6000,6180
0418 The Whole World on the R. Dial R.Ukraine 7530
0420 DX Corner Voice of Turkey 6020 bi-weekly
0500 DX Partyline WRMI 9955
0530 DXers Unlimited R.H.C. 6000,6060,6180,9550, 11760
0930 Wavescan WRMI 9955
0930 Radio Weather WHRI 5835
1030 World Wide Friendship KBS World Radio WRN
1045 Ask WWCR WWCR 5070
1230 Radio Weather WHRA 13650
1330 DXing With Cumbre WHRI 11785
1530 Int'l Radio Report CKUT Montreal www.ckut.ca
1800 Ask WWCR WWCR 12160
2000 Radio Weather WHRI 17650
(Source: Media Programs, Ernest Riley, ODXA Listening In, January 2008)

Blog Logs

Thanks to Arnaldo Slaen, Joe Wood, Dave Valko, Jim Evans, and Ron Howard for todays edition of Blog Logs.
Gayle VH

All times UTC // parallel frequencies

Australia
2325 VL8T ABC, Tennant Creek, 0952+. January 21, English, report by male in // with VL8K ABC Radio, Katherine, SINPO 24332.(A. Slaen, Argentina/DX Camp)

2485 VL8K ABC, Katherine, Northern Territory Service, 1000+. January 20, English, reports, interview, short music, announcement, ID, 24432 (A. Slaen, Argentina/DX Camp)

Bulgaria
7400 Radio Bulgaria (Plovdiv). 0115-0120. 27 Jan 08. English. Female announcer with pop music and interviews of the artists. S9+10/VG. (J. Wood, TN).

Chad
4905 RD Nationale Tchadienne (Ndjamenne). 2256-2301*. 26 Jan 08. French. Hip hop in English and Afropop in French. Station promos at TOH. National Anthem and off at 2301S9/very good signal. (J Wood, TN)

Chile
6010 Radio Parinacota, Putre, 1000-1015, January 21, Spanish/Quechua. Station sign-on with identification as: "Se levanta una voz desde Chile para mostrar al mundo su...........". Some announcement in Quechua. Other ID as: "Radio Parinacota transmite desde la Comuna de Putre, Provincia de Parinacota....el Gerente Legal es el Sr...... quien es Alcalde de la Comuna de Putre...........", SINPO 32432 with QRM from Radio Inconfidencia, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (A. Slaen, Argentina/DX Camp)

Clandestine
6275.5 Raido Arctica. 2112. Good signal peaking at S-9. First program. End of editorial at tune-in with web URL and e-mail address. Organ music. 2114 wind blowing SFX and woman with RS ID announcement, more instrumental music, then indigenous choral singing. 2119-2121 M in EG tlk abt the water/grass and walking in the Arctic mixed w/melancholy mx. 2121-2123 tlk by W in RS w/wind blowing SFX and ment of the Arctic and Arctica. 2123 more indigenous singing by woman with 2124-2126 wind blowing with male's ID in English giving station's mission and then editorial. Program ended with web address and email again. 2126-2127 tlk by woman in Russian followed by organ music. 2128 signal appeared to go off the air but was fading badly at this time. (D. valko, PA via HCDX 26 Jan.)

Czech Repblic
7345 Radio Prague (Litomysl). 0103-0113. 27 Jan 08. English. Staiton ID and talk of agricultural practices in the Czech Republic. S5/fair. (J. Wood,TN).

Djibouti
4780 Radio Djibouti (Djibouti), 0354-0415, 1/26/2008, Arabic. Horn of Africa music with short announcements by man. Talk by man at 0401 followed by more music at 0406 Strong signal with CODAR interference. SINPO 43333. Audio somewhat low. (J. Evans, TN)

Egypt
6290 Egyptian Radio. (Kafir Silim-Abis). 0039-0059. 26 Jan 08. Arabic. A very interesting show consisting of either an operetta or musical comedy. I can’t remember what the difference between the two is. Lots of catchy singing, joking and laughing. All with a Middle Eastern flair. S9+10/VG. (J.Wood, TN)

Eritrea
7100 Voice of the Broad Masses (Asmara), 0410-0425, 1/26/2008, Tigrinya. Horn of Africa music. Talk by woman at 0415. Music returned at 0420. Signal initially at noise level, improving to SINPO 24222 at tune out. (J. Evans, TN)

Guatemala
4780 Radio Coatan 1216. Times given by male at tune-in, continued music and more announcements. ID at 1221, time check and a few more brief announcements, into soft Spanish muic. Live time-check and canned ID "Este es R. Coatan" at 1230. Lively Latin American music at 1330. Long voice-over talk 1337-1340, then Ranchera music. Could just barely make out audio at 1400. Last time I was able to detect the carrier tone (tuned in SSB) was at 1438, 2:08 hours after our local sunrise!! (D. Valko, PA via HCDX 26 Jan.)

India
9445 Aall India Radio via Bangalore(presumed), 2110-2118, 1/25/2008, English. Talk by man and woman with occasional few seconds of subcontinent music. Very poor signal, deteriorating. No parallels noted. (J. Evans, TN)

Papua New Guinea
3315, Radio Manus, 1134-1218, Jan.27. Tok Pisin and English, program of C&W traditional ballads, plus Everly Brothers singing "Take A Message To Mary", Cindy Lauper with "Time After Time", 1200 choral Anthem followed by exotic bird calls, seemed to be relay of NBC, brief news in English with weather forecast ("showers"), DJ playing pop songs. IDs heard: "here on Radio Manus" and "NBC National Radio", mostly fair, best in USB (R. Howard, CA)

Peru
4886,4 Radio Virgen del Carmen, Huancavelica, 1116+, January 21, Spanish. Christian songs to religious short talk by male. SINPO 25432.(A. Slaen, Argentina)

5949,5 Radio Bethel (presumed), Arequipa, 1105+. January 21, Spanish. Long religious talk by male. SINPO 23432. (A. Slaen, Argentina/DX Camp)

Pirate
6925USB. Sycko Radio. 1806-1826*. 27 Jan 08. English. Music by Marilyn Manson, Green Day and others. IDs as both Kracker Radio and Sycko Radio. S2/Poor.(J. Wood, TN).

Zimbabwe
3396, Radio Zimbabwe, 0133-0315, Jan 27. Started out poor, quickly came up to fair and then went on to extremely good reception, 0133-0205 heard with alternate segments of African high-life music and OM talking in vernacular over the music, 0205 changed program to ballad/soul/rap songs, back to high-life, gospel and pop songs in vernacular and English (song "True Colors"), 0300 drums, IDs in English: "Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, Radio Zimbabwe, shortwave", drums again, repeat of same ID, long list of cities with their FM frequencies (Harare FM 96 MHz, etc.), list of SW frequencies and details of broadcasting times, back to high-life music and in vernacular. The whole time 4828 was also well heard, not parallel, with non-stop music (high-life, gospel songs in English, etc.) but with no announcements. Super enjoyable listening! (R. Howard, CA)

African logging observations

German member Stefan Schliphacke has been in Uganda and made a lot of DX-ing Jan 04-10 in his new house 20 km. SW of Kampala. Read the full and extraordinary story in the next SWN. Several items are found below and here are some of his observations about the general reception conditions particularly on MW:

"Local sun set in Uganda is at 1915 local / 1615 UTC respectively and fade in of stations starts around UTC 1430. Having electricity in place, it turned out however, that the power was at very low level in the whole area and voltage for my AOR was just not enough from around 1915 until 2315 local time due to local power consumption from neighbouring houses. Consequently I had to interrupt my listening activities and start again later. Generally the band looks less crowded compared to Europe. The main pest are the Arabs. Being in Uganda I realised what a huge amount of transmitters broadcast from these countries, most of them being on 24hours schedules nowadays unfortunately. While north-west Africans did not cause so many problems, stations from Sudan and Egypt are very strong even those having 5 or less kilowatts of power. Also Saudi-Arabia gets through very well and almost of these stations are being heard. After the sign off of the stations from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda at 2100 / 2110 UTC, I started to go after West and South Africa but with limited results unfortunately. After 2300 only few Africans remain and stations from the Middle East show up on lots of frequencies.

I was surprised that Pakistan and India had not been heard but this might have resulted from conditions and the relatively short aerials. From late evening and through the night Europe was audible astonishingly good. I logged some of them only. Especially Spain and France showed up with most of there frequencies and had stable and strong signals. I mentioned a couple of these stations in the log section. I would wish the opposite way when in Europe would look the same, hihi. During the night lots of stations from South America showed up on about 30 channels, mostly weak, some quite strong, but I did not pay attention to it. Local sunrise takes place at 0615 / 0315 UTC respectively and propagation lasted until around 0830 / 0530 UTC."

Djibouti

Since the agreement made with the US government concerning the R Sawa braodcasts from this little country, the usage of 1170 MW was stopped – a good decision because 1170 is blocked from the Sawa station in Al-Dhabbiya / UAE all day long anyway nowadays. The broadcasts are aired in Arabic on 1116 MW in // to 4780. When signing on at 0300 there is Quran in // with 1539MW which afterwards has Afar programme. I cannot say anything in regard of the programme during the day, but in the afternoon both channels have Arabic until 1600 when 1539MW goes into Afar again and 1116MW remains with Arabic. I did not make out any trace of the French programme listed, but this might be on the air later on, because due to local power supply shortage, I was not able to listen at 1615-2100. (Schliephacke)

Eritrea

837 and 945 MW. These are both active. The schedule is slightly different however, because the morning sign off is at 0400 instead of the 0330 listed in EMWG and WRTH. This makes it even harder to catch these stations in Europe due to propagation. (Schliephacke)

Kenya

All frequencies checked when in Uganda. Programmes, times and usage of frequencies a listed in the WRTH and in EMWG. The one and only exception is the General Service in English from the city of Garissa on 639 kHz which is off the air at present. During the whole period of time by the beginning of January 2008 the programme format seemed not to be effected from the actual crisis in this country. It was only once on a Sunday morning when a discussion programme in English with youngster participants was aired for 60 minutes around midday talking about the political situation. (Schliephacke). Can I suppose that 4915 also was heard ? (Ed)

Mozambique

When I was in Uganda I could make record of three stations only: R Mocambique Manica, via Chimoio (1026 MW? Ed) presumed only (50kW), R Mocambique Zambezia, via Quelimane on 1179 MW (50 kW) and R Mocambique Niassa, via Lichinga on 1260 MW (50 kW). I never heard these stations ID-ing as “emissora provincial”, but “Radio Mocambique” + State / Department instead i.e. “Radio Mocambique Niassa”. I wondered why the other stations did not show up. The Niassa station just by the way radiates a very powerful signal and they were audible until 0430 UTC =0730 local time, what is perfect daylight in Uganda already. (Schliephacke)

Nigeria

Most of the time available by the beginning of January I invested to check the MW frequencies from Nigeria. I scanned the channels between 2115 (after sign off from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda) until 2330 and again in the morning at their listed sign on time 0430. The result was very poor – only one station came through: Borno State Broadcasting on 756 MW at around 2245 until sign off at 2300, quality was fair. Afterwards the other station listed from Niger State (to sign off at 2330) was not there. The time to check frequencies when in Uganda was limited to one week, to short to have evidence, but I am still of the opinion, that a number of these stations are either silent or work on very much reduced powers and not on their nominals 25/50/100 kW. This might also explain, why a investment plan for re-organizing the MW usage along with a Japanese company was decided from the Nigerian government recently as reported in MWN. (Schliephacke)

Sudan

From my listening post next to Kampala, I checked the frequencies of the Sudanese Radio as well. Reception in Kampala is of course “local-like” and I did not pay to much attention to these stations. The EMWG is accurate, I found all stations active, sometimes being a bit “off channel”. Worth mentioning: R Peace in Arabic on 963 MW from Khartoum with a 100 kW, I checked if there is a English Programme as it was on SW (no longer active there) in the 1800-1900 time span, but only Arabic programmes aired. Southern Sudan R is a station from Juba. They broadcast in local African languages, not Arabic or Sudanese Arabic at least at the time I listened. They have English news along with messages to NGO people etc. aired 1430-1445, the English sounds a little bit “Pidgin”-like though. (Schliephacke)

Tanzania

The situation regarding the usage of the MW seems to be quite stable, transmitters from almost every site are active like listed in WRTH and EMWG. Only exception is the FS frequency 1035 MW which is not in use. I doubt that there is any FS any longer at all. The Radio One channels 1440 MW in English and 1323 MW in Swaheli are also there and both very powerful even just radiating 10 kW. (Schliephacke)

Uganda

Being in Kampala I checked the Ugandan MW frequencies of the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation. While almost all of the neighbouring countries Kenya and Tanzania’s station are active, the situation in Uganda is totally different. From the listed transmitters only two are active which are as follows: Butebo 729 MW Blue network (listed as Red network 100 kW), but irregularly, and Kampala Red Network as listed (20kW) (909 MW ?. Ed) in // with 7195 (daylight) and 4976 (evening and mornings). This might explain that there is a investment plan existing with a Japanese company to reorganize the usage of the MW and invest in new transmitters as reported in MWN recently. (Schliephacke)

(Source: DX Window #342 via Anker Petersen DSWC Intl)

Blog Logs - pirate stations

The following logs represent a sampling of pirates logged from ther last few weeks. Thanks to Free Radio Weekly.

Gayle VH

All times UTC

Ann Hoffier Radio 6950USB 01/06 2132-2136* Ann singing live songs like "White Wedding Day" and others. Wished the pirate radiocommunity a "Happy New Year". An excellent sing. (Majewski CT)

Bi-Polar Radio 6925 USB 01/20/08 23:13- SIO 323 Sign on with CW & ID into mellow music such as Air Supply, wildest dreams, Listen to your heart. quiet signal in medium static (Ragnar-MI)

Captain Morgan 6925USB 12/29/07 2137-2210 SIO=343/222. Program of largely rock music withsome Outer Limits TV audio noises mixed in here and there. Modest level inlocal QRN. Mentioned the FRN, but otherwise gave no QSL addr that Iheard. (Zeller-OH)

Elvis Birthday Station 6925.1/USB, 2221-2222:25*, 8-Jan; Jail HouseRock & off after, Happy Birthday To Me. Weak. (Frodge-MI)ELVIS 6925 usb 01/08/08 21:23-36 SIO 233Elvis Birthday Broadcast, viva Las Vegas, Jail House Rock, (Ragnar-MI)

Grasscutters Radio 1925-2024*, 6925/AM; SIO 454 to open but varied greatly. Heard Grasscutter from 1925-1940 or so, then what sounded like Sunshine but she was severely QRMd off and on until 2020. Sunshine ID at 2015 followed by Neil Young song. Clear Sunshine ID at 2023. (Silvi, Ohio)

Mystery Radio 6220AM 01/05 2355-0352+ A nice long show until conditions changed.Signal was good to poor. Music played was techno, 80's disco and funk.(Majewski CT) 6220AM 01/06 2054-2132* Usual music show. When off at 2132.(Majewski CT)

Radio Jamba International 2150-2205, 6950 USB. Kinks's Destroyer, clips from Lumpy Gravy about Kracker being paranoid; off with SSTV (Ragnar-MI)

Undercover Radio 6925 USB 01/06/08 16:40-17:19 SIO 344 S5New Years show 2008. Dr. Benway talks about his various adventures & talks about broadcasting from way far out there. speech fromWilliam S Burroughs, Dr. Benway on live at the end thanking the posters on the FRN. repeated at 21:00 (Ragnar-MI)

Voice of the Bat 0033-0054, 6925/USB; SIO=141141+. Miserable signal, & what appeared to be an ID at 0035. 1940s pop and discussions by an OM ancr, but the level was so poor, copy was difficult. Copied no address. I haven't heard this one before. (Zeller-OH)

Voice of William Shatner 0000, 6925/USB; good/clear, rock song with choir, sed The Voice Of William Shatner several times. (Hassig-IL)1/14, 0001-0011, 6925/U; SIO 232 S3 Star Trek intro, VoWS ID, William Shatner "singing" Rocket man, (Ragnar-MI)

WBNY 6925 USB 01/05/08 21:28-21:50 SIO 444 S32008 New Years Show. T shirt ad, presidential election year of the rabbit, ontop of spaghetti, repeated on 6955 am 17:00 utc (Ragnar-MI)

WMPR 6925AM 01/01/08 1955-2014. English. First log of the New Year. Technomusic with interval signal at 2010. S5/F-G. (Wood, TN). 6925Am 01/01/08 2015, caught the WMPR ID fair signal (Majewski CT)

WTCR, Twentith Century Radio 6925USB 12/28/07 *1528-1604* SIO=242. Usual slogan of 20th Century Radio but this program was a mixture of old novelty rock and country Christmas tunes, somewhat out of their normal format. Belfast addr. (Zeller-OH) 6950 01/01/08 0422-0542* Female vocalists followed b Rolling Stones,Elvis Costello and others. Fair signal (Majewski CT)

(Source: FRW # 621, 622, 623, 624)

Shortwave Central QSLs

GERMANY
The following where received in 22 days, after sending a follow-up to "Brodowsky, Walter" E-mail verification statements for each of these stations.
9520 IBRA Radio via Julich Swahili BCB to East Africa
9845 IBRA Radio via Nauen Hausa BCB to east Africa
9470 IBRA Radio via Wertachtal Arabic BCB to ME
9520 IBB/VOA via Julich Persian BCB to Asia
13810 Overcomer Ministry via Nauen EG BCB to Europe
9850 Bible Study BCB via Pam American BCB via Julich
9485 Voice of Oromo Liberation via Nauen Amharic BCB to East Africa
5950 Trans World Radio via Julich Romanian BCB to Europe
7170 Trans World Radio via Wertachtal Russian BCB
6155 Voice of Russia via Wertachtal EG BCB to NA
(E. Kusalik, Alberta, Canada)

9800 Family Radio Gujarati BCB to Bangladesh via Nauen. Full data ( w/ site) 'Three Decades of Faithful Service' ( top half of series) with religious material, decals and schedule in 54 days, for a e-mail rpt to: intel@familyradio.com (E. Kusalik, Alberta, Canada)

Guam
11640 AWR Wavescan Special Program ( Interview with Graham Lucas, Head of DW South Asia) on Rose DW Listeners Club, Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Nice glossy QSL Card, showing Nurun Nahar Sattar, Ashik Eqbal Tokon and Grahame Lucas on the front, with details on the reverse. This for a initial Postal Report too: GPO Box 56, Rajshahi 6000, Bangladesh, followed with a e-mail follow-up. E-mail reports can be sent to: rosedwlc@gmail.com Web site is http://www.rosedwlc.tk/ Also sent ( the enclosed envelope with nice ICC World Cup 2007 stamps) 2 Taka Bill. Total time of 8 months, 3 months after e-mail follow-up. v/s: Ashik Eqhal Tokon (E. Kusalik, Alberta, Canada)

Micronesia
4755, PMA, The Cross-Radio. Date/Time "The Cross" logo QSL card, w/ Bible verse, photo of a small island, on side. Reverse address, stamp, and mention of two fqys, 4755 SW (V6MP). and 88.5 FM (V6MA). Reply in 78 days for a MP3 CD report with return postage. V/S somewhat illegible, but looks much like Roland Weibel The next day got a letter (with nice Island stamps) enclosed where my three (3) PPC’s, all signed and stamped by Roland. (E. Kusalik, Alberta, Canada)

Russia
12060 Family Radio via Armavir-Russian Broadcasting Company ‘Radio Agency-M’ via FTVP. Full data (w/ site) ‘three decades of Faithful Service QSL Card’ (bottom of series) with religious material in 4 months, 40 days after sending a follow-up to intl@familyradio.com (E. Kusalik, Alberta, Canada)
(Source: Edward Kusalik VE6EFK, Canada)

Laser Hot Hits Press Release

It is with great sadness that we have to announce that Colin Dixon passed away early yesterday morning. Colin was a major part of Laser Hot Hits and kept the station going through thick and thin. He was always a friendly and helpful person who was greatly respected by all those involved with Laser. We all admired his “can do” attitude, never letting any excuse get in the way from carrying out the more difficult or unpleasant jobs to keep the station on the air. He also had an impressive engineering knowledge that he put to good use building high power valve transmitters for Laser. Many listeners probably know that Colin had a long history in free radio, being involved from the start with the long running SW station Radio Gemini which began back in 1972.

Laser Hot Hits then evolved from the last broadcasts of Radio Gemini in the early 1990’s. Colin’s sudden death has come as a big shock to all of us and he will be irreplaceable. However we shall try to continue for the time being as a tribute to the memory of a great man. Saturday we will remember him all day next weeks, 6275 khz in Europe, on Laser Hot Hits, Europe’s ongoing free radio history. On the Sounds page we have added the last show recorded by Colin less than a week ago. This includes an introduction by Martin Scott. RIP Colin. Info via Laser Hot Hits.

(Source: Laser Hot Hits website:

http://www.laserhothits.co.uk/

Blog Logs

On this cold and blustery Saturday, time to focus on what contributors Ron Howard, Hans Johnson, Joe Wood, John Wilkins, Dave Valko, Brian Alexander, and Chuck Bolland are hearing on shortwave radio. Thanks and best of DX you way!
Gayle VH

All times UTC // parallel frequencies

Angola
4950, Radio Nacional Angola. Luanda, 0113-0144, Jan 25. Pop songs, this is the best I have heard them here, as usually they are below threshold level. Thanks to Chuck Bolland for tip they were being heard so well! Heard again at 0248 with program of African high-life music and songs. Also heard from 0508-0531, Jan 26, clear ID "Rádio Nacional de Angola", several promos for music event on "Sábado", pop songs in English and Portuguese, African high-life music, mostly fair, but bothered by slight het. Live "Canal A" audio streaming not working at website: http://www.rna.ao/ (R. Howard, CA)

4950, Radio Nacional, 0050-0110. Steady local music until the hour when at that time, four ticks and a tone. On the hour, ID by male followed with news in Portuguese language. Another ID at 0106, "...Radio Nacional..." followed by promos. Signal was good. (C. Bolland, FL)

Argentina
15344.62v, RAE, 2227-2255*. Jan 24. Concert of ballads sung in Spanish, sounds of the audience clapping. Time tips at 2230, ID at 2254. Interval signal "RAE, Argentina" loop till off, fair (R. Howard,CA)

Bangladesh
7250 Bangladesh Betar (presumed) 1229 with loud buzz and weak signal. I thought I heard their interval signal played just once. There was then a man talking in English at 1230, it sounded like he mentioned 41 meters. Then a woman mentioned Bangladesh and talked, but she was just too weak to follow. I will have to try again. There was at least one other station on the channel, but it was as weak as presumed Bangladesh. (H. Johnson, FL via DX Tuner/Sweden)
Jan 26)


Bolivia
4699.34, Radio San Miguel, 1051-1100. Initially heard music which continued up to the hour. At 1059 a quick comment by a male and back to music. But at 1100 more live comments. Signal was poor. (C. Bolland, FL)

6134.80, Radio Santa Cruz, 1025-1035 At tune in, canned ID "Santa Cruz" and immediately into music. Conditions are very poor this morning with atmospheric (QRN) noise covering the weaker stations. At 1029 a male recites a poem over music. Signal is fair.(C. Bolland, FL)

Brazil
4905, Radio Nova Relogio. 0145-0200 At tune in, noted a female in Portuguese
comments prior to music. At 0155 canned ID as, "...Radio Relogio..." by a male. Signal was fair. (C. Bolland, FL)

China
6060, Sichuan PBS-2, Chengdu, 1050-1133, Jan 16. Chinese programming, Time pips at 1100, traditional Chinese music, // 7225, both fair. Noticed that at 1100 and 1130 the usual program IDs in English for "This is the Voice of Golden Bridge"(known as their "Life, Travel and City Service" program) were not given. Recently have not heard that ID at all. Possible change to their program schedule? For several years now I have found it hard to believe that this station is only the listed 15 kW. Admittedly I am less than an expert on such matters, but common sense tells me that such a distant station could not be heard by me with such a decent signal on a fairly regular basis, with only 15 kW (R. Howard, CA)

6115, Voice of Strait (presumed), 0946-1002, Jan 25. Program of indigenous singing , heard on // with 7280 till about 0958, when 7280 changes to a different program. Top-of-the-hour time pips, both about equal level, fair-poor. (R. Howard, CA)

4905, People's Broadcasting Station, Lhasa, Tibet, 1118-1130, I have a reference in my database that between 1100-1120, this station broadcasts in English. Although I tuned in when there was just a couple of minutes left for English, I couldn't tell if they were actually broadcasting in English due to the poor quality of the signal. Comments continued during the period in Tibetian probably? Music presented at 1125. Signal was poor. Checked a few parallels, (4920 and 5240) and found same type of ogram. (C. Bolland, FL)

4950, Voice of Pujiang, (tentative), 1127-1135. Tuned into music here followed by Chinese comments. Signal is very, very threshold and only fading in periodically. Pujiang isn't suppose to come on the air until 1200 UTC according to Eibi. (C. Bolland, FL)


Egypt
6290, Radio Cairo (presumed), 0257, Jan 25. Heard just before sign-off with reciting from the Qu'ran, very strong signal, which must be due to the unusual propagation conditions. (R. Howard, CA)


Guam
11690, KSDA, AWR-Voice of Hope, Agat, 1600-1615+, Jan 25. Tune-in to English noted as, "Adventist World Radio-Voice of Hope" IDs at 1600 and into Christian music. English religious talk. Weak but readable. Looking for Jordon but hear this instead. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Guatemala
4779.96 Radio Cultural Coatán 0130-0300* Jan 19. Ranchera-style religious vocals, M ancr speaking occasionally in Spanish and maybe Indian langs, as well; CST time checks; heard ID's both as Radio Coatán and Radio Cultural Coatán; church anmts from 0231-0242, then back to music. Closedown at 0300. Decent signal for 1 kW and this is probably my unID from the morning of January 17. (J Wilkins, CO)

Indonesia
1784.87v, Voice of Indonesia, 0839-0847, Jan 25. Easy-listening and ballads. Weak, clearly // 9526.0v (good). Do not recall them being regularly heard in parallel, isn't it normally one or the other? (R. Howard, CA)

9680, RRI Jakarta, 1000-1020, Jan 16. Kang Guru Radio English program #5807, talking about growing and the uses for cloves, interview with famous Indonesian motorbike racer who is only 17, several pop songs, their usual segment with song "That's What Friends Are For", fair, light QRM/WYFR. (R Howard, CA)

4869.94, RRI Wamena 1112-1130. Noted a male in the tailend of Indonesian comments. He is followed with bridge music and then a female in comments. At 1116 music is presented. Signal was fair. (C. Bolland, FL)

Malaysia
6049.68, Radio & Television Malaysia, 1013-1029. With a weak signal during the period, noted a male in comments, couldn't identify the language however; and noted music typical of the area. I thought I heard somekind of chanting around 1026, but could not be certain. At 1029, HCJB comes on the air blocking an already weak signal, which resulted in Malaysia's "wipeout".(C. Bolland, FL)

Mexico
4800, XERTA/Radio Transcontinental de America, 0317-0323, Jan 25. Assume preaching in Spanish, not the usual non-stop religious music, weak. Also 0539-0551, again with non-stop preaching, CODAR QRM. Also heard from 0939-1015, Jan 26, distinctive program of non-stop singing by children, in Spanish, clearly parallel to their live audio streaming http://www.xertaradio.com/transmision.htm (thanks to Mark Schiefelbein for noting this way for positively ID'ing them), still no ID heard, fair, decent strength, but some splatter from an unusually strong Brazil on 4805, CODAR QRM (R. Howard, CA)

9599.35v, Radio UNAM (presumed), Mexico City. 0535-0545, Jan 16. Conversation in Spanish, 0954 heard with classical music, weak. Frequency higher than usual (R. Howard, CA)

North Korea
6071.22, Voice of Korea, 1035-1049, Jan 16. Program in Japanese with Asian songs and music, best in USB, // 9650, both fair. This frequency is interesting in light of 6101.22 that I heard yesterday (R. Howard, CA)

Papua New Guinea
3290, Radio Central (tentative), 1007-1033, Jan 25. Indigenous music and singing, followed by series of conversations in vernacular, weak. Also heard 1059-1131 & 1155-1200*, news (seemed to be segment in vernacular and in English), 1105 DJ playing C&W songs (Islands In The Stream by Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton, etc.). Anthem before sign-off. Also from 1149-1159*, Jan 26, pop songs in English, Anthem at sign-off, CW QRM. Rare for me to hear them above threshold level. (R. Howard, CA)

3335, Radio East Sepik (tentative), 1201-1210, Jan 26. News in English (police report, etc.), weather (list of cities and they were all having "showers"), DJ playing pop songs, weak. (R. Howard, CA)

7325, Wantok Radio Light (tentative), 1030-1143, Jan 26. After the sign-off at 1030 of Radio France International, via Taiwan (their signal was much stronger than usual), heard signal at threshold level, could not make out the language of OM and YL's conversation, very slowly improving, so by 1058 could tell was religious programming in English (he seemed to have an accent) and segment of religious songs in English. (R. Howard, CA)

3345 Radio Northern 1117. Lively island and pop music. Including a remake of Abbas "I Have a Dream" Woman announcer program host after just about every song. 1256 end of Island song, then same woman announcer with station ID and closing announcement with frequency and morning sign-on time. Little top-of-the-hour tinkly melody at 1258. Still going at 1304. ( D. Valko, PA via HCDX 12 Jan.)

3290 Radio Central 1156 The Lady in Red by Chris DeBurgh. Woman announcer with very short closing announcement, including an ID, then instrumental national anthem from 1158-1159. Carrier still on at 1255 check. (D. Valko, PA via HCDX 12 Jan.)

3334.97 Radio East Sepik 1233. End of Rock-like song, then male announcer with talk 1234-1236, and possible live remote. 1238 back to music. Remote continued at 1239 with talk by child and male. 1245 studio male announcer after island song. 1247 Male announcer's phone caller, audio much stronger than announcers items. Reggae song at 1259. 1301-1302 studio announcer with possibly closing announcements and mentions of broadcast. 1302-1303, short instrumental national anthem, then NBC national news/ Program off at 1305:43*. Fair but a lot of CHU slop-over QRM. (D. Valko, PA via HCDX 12 Jan.)

Peru
4774.97, Radio Tarma, 1100-1115. Just tuning by and caught a live ID during comments as "Radio Tarma...". Then into Huaynos music. Usual CODAR interference on this frequency, but signal was still fair. (C. Bolland, FL)

Pirate
6925 Sunshine Radio. 2007-2021. 12 Jan 08. English. Soft rock and pop music presented by lady announcer. Signal S7/fair-good quality. (J Wood, TN)

6925 Grasscutter Radio. 1900-1932+. 12 Jan 08. Several IDs and music by artists Robin Trower, Rod Stewart, Billy Squire and others. First log of this station in quite a long time. Nice show! Fair-Good. (J. Wood, TN)

Saudi Arabia
15250 Radio Jeddah(Cumbre DX follow up) It was a switching error I heard yesterday. They still had English after 1200 today. 1144 with program in called Network Journal produced and presented by Rabia Hersey (as heard). Rabia and a male announcer (I have heard him on other programs, they both have American accents.) were talking about which Bluetooth device is best. At 1148 there was a new program, but I could not understand the title. It consisted of an interview with a man living in Saudi Arabia who had converted to Islam. This program ended at 1159. 5+1 time pips and then there was an ID for Radio Jeddah and news in English read by a woman. (H. Johnson, FL via DX Tuner/Sweden Jan 26)

Zanzibar
11735, Radio Tanzania-Zanzibar, 1757-1812, Jan 24. Non-stop African music and singing, yet again no Spice FM news today (R. Howard, CA)