Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Shortwave Blog Bytes

This afternoon begins a new post, Shortwave Blog Bytes. I'll be posting new bytes or "bites of news" as they become available. Information may include a single internet link, a new email address, station news, or a QSL bit. Other "bytes" may include a logging observation or an audio link. In other words, Shortwave Blog Bytes will be an assortment of brief news items from the ever changing world of shortwave radio.

Thanks to all our blog readers. That includes those that contribute, send in blog comments - as well as those readers that prefer to lurk and "read-only." Numbers from the Stat Counter continue to stagger us, and Larry and I thank one and all of our blog readers.

Now ... on to Shortwave Blog Bytes !
Gayle Van Horn

Today I listened to this short announcement of Saudi Radio in Arabic language at:
www.hb9gce.ch/Saudi%20Radio_20081014_102836_17615.mp3
(Stumpf Carl Andreas HB9GCE, Switzerland/playdx2003)

Greetings from Kabul,
In case anyone thinks the life of a broadcast engineer is easy, have a look at this short video in the forwarded message below. This is from the Society of Broadcast Engineers listserver. The gentleman is racking in the high power circuit breaker on a Harris DX transmitter series. We don't know the result of what happened to him, but I assure you it can't be good. It killed the monitor camera as well.

Racking in a circuit breaker
The link below is one of the 'holy *' moments no one ever wishes to participate in. At first glance the event appears to be part of the DX series of 200 kW transmitters. Maybe someone else can tell for sure. The CB's handles 1,200 amps (if memory serves). Each 200 kW TX can be combined for higher power ratings, I've seen 600 kW but I know there is at least one 1 MW in the Philippines. The guy is racking in a CB home when *something happened*, wish I knew more....
http://radiomagonline.com/Unknown_location_Arc_Flash_while_racking_a_breaker.wmv
(Al Muick, Afghanistan/HCDX)

Broadcasting in Peru
Saludos cordiales,
Interesante listado con todas las emisoras de FM, MW y Onda Corta con frecuencias, potencia, nombre de la concesionaria, dirección de la planta y los estudios, de las Estaciones de Radiodifusión Sonora a Nivel Nacional del Perú:

(translation):
Warm greetings,
Interesting listing with all the transmitters of FM, MW and shortwave with frequencies, power, name of the concessionaire, direction of the plant and the studies, the Sonorous Broadcasting stations at National Level of Peru:
www.mtc.gob.pe/portal/comunicacion/concesion/radiodifusion/sonora.pdf
(Jose Miguel Romero, Spain/HCDX)

Zanzibar 11735
From a DXer... Zanzibar Tanzania 11735 is back on air since Oct 8th.
(wb, Germany/HCDX)

Interval Signals Online
The Interval Signals Online website is now "back in business" and fully functioning after last week's hosting problems, with the 5000th audio clip being recently uploaded. Latest additions include a revamped and updated Yemen page, with clips of four Republic of Yemen Radio regional stations, and two new private stations in Oman. Website: www.intervalsignals.net/
(Dave Kernick/HCDX)

Firedrake
Have found this link which explains how Firedrake is distributed within China, also included are links to a studio quality CD. www.satdirectory.com/firedrake.html
(Paul/HCDX)

Tanzania
[non] Lutheran Radio Centre. Pulling up some details on this one via their website. Thanks WRTH for the address ... seems like skedule is 0300-0400UTC , 6110; 1700-1800 UTC, 9475 All in Swahili via Trans World Radio-Swaziland. Local shortwave is still listed as planned. (Hans Johnson/Cumbre DX)