Blog Logs

Special thanks to Ron Howard for sending in the following loggings from the west coast.

Gayle VH

All times UTC // parallel frequency *sign-on sign-off*

Andaman & Nicobar Island
4760, All India Radio, Port Blair, 1449-1501, Sept 27. English, coverage (live?) of the speech made by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the UN General Assembly today, covering a wide range of topics, "The United Nations is a living symbol of pluralism", weak. Parallel with 4880 (AIR Lucknow), 5010 (AIR Thiruv., best in LSB to get away from Madagascar also on same frequency), 9425 (AIR Bengaluru/Bangalore, signed-off at end of speech - 1501*, while the others continued) (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

China
3303 (USB), Zhoushan Maritime Meteorological Radio,*1401-1411*, Sept 30. On with easy-listening Kenny G instrumental music ("Foreverin Love"), woman in Chinese with assume the maritime weather conditions. Signal poor to fair. Sept 29 noted 1412 sign-off. Believe this might be a new time for them. Dan Sheedy had been monitoring them in early Sept. around the 1100-1112 time period. Website: http://220.189.205.5/default.asp. (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

Equatorial Guinea
15190, Radio Africa, 2200-2209, Sept 29. Usually the pastor Tony Alamo program starts exactly at 2200, but today it was already in progress, usual religious programming, read letter from a convict who wanted more bibles to hand out, reception not as good asthe last few days, moderate QRM today (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

India
4970, AIR Shillong, 1430-1456, Sept 30, in English. "This is the North Eastern Service of All India Radio broadcasting from Shillong on 60.36 meters on shortwave, corresponding to 4,970 kHz.", "Good evening. Hello listeners in the North East", gives phone number to call inbubbly woman DJ, on-air phone calls for music dedications, played songs by John Denver, Celine Dion, etc. Very enjoyable program! (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

Indonesia
4925 RRI-Jambi, 1326-1341, in Bahasa Indonesian. Islamic singing/chanting, weak. Usually I only hear a carrier here below threshold level, so is rare for me to actually catch any audio, but with the improving reception conditions we should be seeing more reports of this.

3976.04 RRI-Pontianak, 1340-1355, Sept 30. Good reception, // 3325 (weak), after 1355 not // (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

Myanmar
5985.0, Myanma Radio., 1529-1600*, Sept 27. English, before 1530 indigenous music and singing, sounded like: "This is… [she gives her name]. This is Myanma Radio. You are tuned to our English transmission. 5985 kHz., 50.13 meters, 576 kHz., 520 meters, 5.. kHz., 585 meters. First of all you can hear the news", activities of a Lieutenant General from the Ministry of Defense, etc., "This news comes to you from Myanma Radio. Now I will present you with the weather news", followed by slogans, news of other Asian countries (about beaches in Brunei), EZL songs ("Rose Marie", etc.), Anthem at sign-off, by far the best reception to date (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

Wanted - Old Tapes!!

Do you have any tapes and cassettes in your attic or under the stairs that contain old family recordings?

If so we'd like to hear from you and possibly include some of your material in our programme Home Recorded Voices which is being transmitted on BBC Radio 4 this Christmas. We are particularly interested in `domestic recordings' like family audio letters, holiday tapes and stories. [We are not looking for off-air recordings of TV and radio programmes]

Maybe you have recordings of family and friends making their own radio programmes or experimenting with their tape recording equipment? Or perhaps you have boxes of tapes hidden in a dark corner somewhere that you can't play and have no idea what they contain – then perhaps we might be able to help you find out!

If you think you might be able to help please contact us by email on:-
voices@soundscapeproductions.co.uk or call on: 01904 731300 and leave a message and we'll get back to you.

This is in connection with this planned programme:

BBC Radio 4 – transmission date to be confirmed
Sean Street delves into the world of domestic home recordings revealing a fascinating social history from wax cylinders to 'myspace' Domestic and semi-professional tape machines have only been around for just over half a century and by the late 1950s people with money or a passion for sound were beginning to purchase these machines and start to recording sounds in their own homes. But now in the 21st Century tape has become old technology and boxes of tapes take up a lot of space!

For the past 10 years Richard Harrison has been trailing around car boot sales, skips and auctions finding boxes and boxes of 1/4" tapes and has now established an unusual archive of 'domestic recordings' from around the UK. In this Archive Hour Sean Street joins Richard as he hunts out piles of boxes at Car Boot sales and listens to tapes many of which are being heard for the first time in decades and probably for the first time people outside a close circle of family and friends. These are recordings of unique moments in time and situation never before broadcast. But who are these voices? The programme will also follow Sean, Richard and other collectors and `domestic' tape recordists as they tell the story of Home Recorded Voices.
(Source: Mike Barraclough/World DX Club)

Worldwide National Holiday QSLing

by Gayle Van Horn
Here's an extra slant to consider in your QSL quest. All countries have national holidays, and when you consider how many of those nations broadcast on shortwave or from active amateur radio operators, you've compiled an extensive list of stations to verify.

Why not take advantage of special programming as you travel via your receiver around the globe? Listeners may find extended hours to honor the special day or event, and can take advantage of this excellent opportunity for a QSL card or verification letter.

Don't forget to mention the holiday in your reception report, and any special programming segments. You may find a QSL Manager who appreciates your interest in their country, and may send an extra station sticker or pennant.

Besides your report, enclose a colorful postcard souvenir to the station staff with a handwritten note. A small enclosure is always a good idea.

The following October holidays will get you started, and please let Shortwave Central know your results. Feedback and contributions are always welcome at the above email address.
Good luck.

China Founding of People's Republic of China Day* October 1 Beijing
Cyprus Independence Day* October 1 Nicosia (Lefkosia)
Nigeria Independence/National Day* (from UK) October 1 Abuja
Palau Independence (from UN trusteeship) October 1 Koror
Guinea Independence Day* (from France) October 2 Conakry
Germany Unity Day* October 3 Berlin
Belgium Independence (from Netherlands) October 4 Brussels
Croatia Independence Day* (from Yugoslavia) October 8 Zagreb
Uganda Independence Day* (from UK) October 9 Kampala
Taiwan Republic Day* October 10 Taipei
Equatorial Guinea Independence Day* (from Spain) October 12 Malabo
Spain National Day* October 12 Madrid
Zambia Independence Day* (from UK) October 24 Lusaka
Turkmenistan Independence Day* (from Soviet Union) October 27 Ashgabat (Ashkhabad)
Czech Republic Founding Day* October 28 Prague
Turkey Republic Day* October 29 Ankara
(Source: excerpts from World QSL Book)

Radio Taiwan International frequency cancellations

Radio Taiwan International English Service - Frequency cancellations

Starting November 1st, 2008, the following frequencies will be cancelled.
1) from 0200 to 0300 UTC on 9680 KHz to North America
2) from 0700 to 0800 UTC on 5950 KHz to North America
3) from 0300 to 0400 UTC on 15215 KHz to South America
4) from 2200 to 2300 UTC on 9355 KHz to Europe
(from RTI website)
(Source: Rachel Baughn, MT & Alokesh Gupta, India)

Radio Algeria schedule update

France/ Algeria
Radio Algeria Holy Qur'an service in Arabic from Oct. 1:

All times UTC

0400-0500 on 5905 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CeEaAf
0500-0600 on 5905 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NoWeAf, alt. 6170/7115
0700-0800 on 11615 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NoWeAf
0700-0800 on 13570 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CeEaAf
0800-0900 on 13570 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NoWeAf, alt.13650/15360
0800-1000 on 15230 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CeEaAf
1700-1800 on 15165 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CeEaAf, alt.13570
1800-1900 on 13570 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CeEaAf
1800-2000 on 11880 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NoWeAf, alt.12025
1900-2100 on 9390 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CeEaAf
2000-2200 on 7210 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NoWeAf
2200-2400 on 5910 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NoWeAf, alt. 7295

Registered frequencies for B-08 from Oct. 26:
0400-0500 on 7295 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NoWeAf
0500-0600 on 5960 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NoWeAf, alt. 6170/7295
0600-0700 on 9390 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NoWeAf
0600-0700 on 9430 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CeEaAf
0700-0800 on 9435 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NoWeAf, alt.11625
0700-0800 on 11625 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CeEaAf, alt.13570
0800-1000 on 15230 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CeEaAf, alt.15320
0800-1100 on 15615 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NoWeAf
1600-1700 on 15165 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CeEaAf
1700-1800 on 13570 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NoWeAf
1700-2000 on 9390 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CeEaAf
1800-2100 on 9825 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NoWeAf, alt. 9835
2000-2200 on 7175 ISS 500 kW / 162 deg to CeEaAf, alt. 7375
2100-2300 on 7295 ISS 500 kW / 194 deg to NoWeAf
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 30)
(Source: DX Mix News # 540 via wb, Germany & Alokesh Gupta, Germany)

VOA Restructures Bosnian, Hindi, Serbian, Macedonian, Russian Broadcasts

PRESS RELEASE - Washington, D.C., September 29, 2008 - The Voice of America (VOA) is ceasing radio broadcasts in Hindi, Bosnian, Serbian, and Macedonian on September 30, 2008, using available resources to reach audiences in those markets through television and the Internet.

No VOA language service will be shut down and no jobs will be lost. VOA also is discontinuing its 30-minute Russian weekly television program and will deliver text, audio, and video content to Russia's fast-growing Internet market. VOA will be accessible through digital devices, including mobile Internet devices, cell phones that receive text and multi-media messages, and MP3 players. VOA's Russian radio broadcasts ended in July 2008.

The change in VOA Russian's program delivery reflects the crackdown on independent media and freedom of speech in Russia. Russian government pressure has forced almost all VOA local radio and television affiliates to drop VOA and other international broadcasts. Shortwave radio listenership also has continued to decline throughout the country, with fewer than 2% of Russians using this medium weekly.

"We owe great thanks to the VOA radio journalists who have broadcast to these countries over the years," said VOA Director Danforth Austin.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) will continue radio broadcasting to Russia, Bosnia, Macedonia, and Serbia.

VOA and RFE/RL are part of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), the independent government agency that oversees all U.S. international broadcasting.
(VOA Press Release)
(Source: Rachel Baughn, MT & Alokesh Gupta, India)

"Hindi audiences are crucial for the BBC"

Posted By: Anita Iyer
29 Sep 08
MUMBAI: The BBC recently rolled out a two city campaign including print advertising and on-ground activation for promoting its three infotainment shows - BBC Ek Minute, Ek Mulaqat and BBC Take One. Talking about the reach of the medium, BBC India Business Development

Manager Vineeta Dwivedi avers, "There are places where there is no electricity, no cable, no TV but radio has its presence and only form of entertainment and information for the villagers. Radio is a mass medium and reaches about 97 per cent of the masses. BBC world service is broadcasted in 33 languages of which Hindi is one of the most important languages and gets
one of the maximum audiences from all over the world."

BBC provides its capsules in all the stations of Radio One, BBC provides content to regional FM stations like Radio Choklate (Bubhaneshwar, Rourkela), Radio Chaska (Gwalior), Radio Tadka (Udaipur, Jaipur), Radio Tomato (Kolhapur) and Radio Misty (Siliguri).

BBC has been providing sports, news and entertainment news to 11 cities in Tamil, Hindi and English. "We are doing FM specific programmes meant for Indian audiences in the local languages, so these are not the programmes packaged abroad and given to India and other countries. As news is not allowed in the FM space, we provide more infotainment news comprising sports, entertainment and soft stuff produced by our Indian team."

"We have our reporters in various cities and we do our news collection from various parts of the city and package them in our bureau in Delhi. The news is packaged in our studio and then given out to our content seekers." BBC World Service had recently announced its tie up with a Chandigarh-based community Vivek 90.4 FM. "It is not the first community radio to have our
content on air, we earlier had Delhi based Jamia Millia Islamia University, Chandigarh based university, Chennai based University among others. In case of colleges and universities, the focus is more on educational and developmental programmes."

Stressing on the acceptability of Hindi as a common language across most stations, Dwiwedi says, "Most stations today play Bollywood tracks, Hindi has become a common lingo in India and many RJs throughout are using Hindi as a language of conversation. The language used in our capsules is simple Hindi, the kinds used across entertainment channels and not the clichéd
bookish language. We might however increase the number of language if the need arises."

BBC offers differentiation in content in both the SW and FM space. "By doing the FM specific programmes, we are focusing on youth who are not used to listening to AM and for them FM is synonyms for radio. AM radio is traditional radio so the style is different and does a lot of speech radio. FM is mainly music, so we have to do what the market demands. For FM, we package small programmes where the style of programming and content differs from AM."

BBC is planning to explore options in all existing platforms of communication available, including FM, broadband, DTH channel distribution system, mobile phone and satellite radio. "We have been thinking of launching mobile services, the plan has been to launch news services in audio format where people can dial and listen to BBC programmes. We are working on that and would be launching soon."

"BBC sees India as an important market," says Dwivedi "Hindi audiences are crucial because there are loyal listeners for our Hindi programmes. BBC has 19 million listeners on its short wave band in India who listen to the BBC World Service regularly as also the services available on WorldSpace satellite radio."

http://www.radioandmusic.com/content/editorial/news/hindi-audiences-are-crucial-bbc
(Source: Rachel Baughn, MT & Alokesh Gupta, India)

Moldova's Radio PMR updates schedule

Moldova

All times UTC
Fequency changes - Radio PMR
Mon-Fri from Sep. 7:
1400-1445 new freq 7370 KCH 250 kW / 295 deg to WeEu in En/Fr/Ge, ex 12135
1445-1530 new freq 7370*KCH 250 kW / 295 deg to WeEu in En/Fr/Ge, ex 12135
1530-1615 new freq 7370 KCH 250 kW / 295 deg to WeEu in En/Fr/Ge, ex 12135
1615-1700 new freq 7370 KCH 250 kW / 295 deg to WeEu in En/Fr/Ge, ex 12135
*strong co-ch FEBA Radio in Bangla 1500-1530 via TAC 100 kW / 131 deg
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 30)
9Source: DX Mix News # 540 via wb, Germany & Alokesh Gupta, India)

Radio Sweden frequency updates

Frequency change or Radio Sweden International to North America:

All times UTC
1300-1330 new freq 11640*SAC 250 kW / 272 deg, ex 15240 in Swedish
1430-1500 new freq 11640 SAC 250 kW / 272 deg, ex 15240 in Swedish
1500-1530 new freq 11640 SAC 250 kW / 272 deg, ex 15240 in English
*strong co-ch CMI Voice of Wilderness in Korean via IRK 250 kW / 155 deg
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 30)
(Source: DX Mix News # 540 via wb, Germany & Alokesh Gupta, India)

Station schedule changes from IBB

Frequency changes from International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB)
Germany/ Lithuania/ Madagascar/ Philippines/ São Tomé/ South Africa/ Sri Lanka/ Thailand

All times UTC

Radio Free Asia
Uyghur service from Oct. 1:
0100-0200 on 9490 SIT 100 kW / 079 deg, ex BIB 100 kW / 088 deg

Radio Liberty
Tatar service from Oct. 1:
0300-0400 on 9635 SIT 100 kW / 079 deg, ex LAM 100 kW / 055 deg
0500-0600 on 9635 SIT 100 kW / 079 deg, ex BIB 100 kW / 063 deg

Radio Liberty
Russian service from Oct. 1:
1300-1400 NF 9530 BIB 100 kW / 063 deg, ex 15130
1400-1500 on 9530 BIB 100 kW / 063 deg, cancelled

Voice of America
Ukrainian service from Sep. 27, all cancelled:
2000-2030 on 7170 BIB 100 kW / 088 deg
9715 BIB 100 kW / 088 deg

Voice of America
Serbian service from Oct. 1, all cancelled:
0530-0545 on 9460 BIB 100 kW / 105 deg
1930-2000 on 7105 BIB 100 kW / 115 deg
2100-2130 on 7255 BIB 100 kW / 126 deg Mon-Fri

Voice of America
Kurdish service, new transmission from Oct. 1:
1300-1400 on 9720 BIB 100 kW / 105 deg
13680 LAM 100 kW / 108 deg
15130 SAO 100 kW / 052 deg
15180 LAM 100 kW / 104 deg

Voice of America
Kurdish service, cancelled transmision from Oct. 1:
1900-2000 on 7520 UDO 250 kW / 300 deg
9695 MEY 250 kW / 019 deg
12030 LAM 100 kW / 104 deg

Voice of America
Sudanese service Arabic? Darfur, new transmissions from Sep. 29:
0300-0330 on 4960 SAO 100 kW / 030 deg
5995 LAM 100 kW / 132 deg
11635 IRA 250 kW / 279 deg
1800-1830 on 4960 SAO 100 kW / 030 deg
9650 UDO 250 kW / 272 deg
11635 IRA 250 kW / 275 deg
1900-1930 on 5880 IRA 250 kW / 275 deg
9650 WER 250 kW / 150 deg
11635 PHT 250 kW / 270 deg

Voice of America
Portuguese service, cancelled transmisson from Sep. 29:
0430-0500 on 6095 SAO 100 kW / 124 deg
7340 MDC 250 kW / 270 deg + 1530 MW
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 30)
(Source: DX Mix News # 540 via wb, Germany & Alokesh Gupta, India)

International Broadcasting Bureau
IBB supports daily operations of the Voice of America and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Radio and TV Marti). IBB also provides transmission and technical support for all of the independent non-military broadcasting services funded by the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG). Reception reports to BBG stations include VOA, RFE/RL, Radio Marti and Radio Free Asia.
www.ibb.gov/ibbpage.html

North Korean officials reportedly listening to foreign radio

Text of report in English by Jung Kwon Ho:

“North Korean officials listen to foreign radio”, published by South Korean newspaper The Daily NK website on 25 August Shenyang, China - Among cadres in North Korea, listening to foreign radio is on the increase.

Several sources from North Korea report that “Irrespective of rank, the trend of listening to foreign radio broadcasts is expanding among officials of the Party, the administration or the National Security Agency, even the rank-and-file servants.”

A source from South Pyungan said that “Everybody knows that those who listen to foreign radio broadcasts the most are the cadres. They have been listening to foreign radio because they were wondering in which situation Chosun (North Korea) is placed in international society.” “Although the cadres can purchase radios easily, because there are many confiscated radios from the residents in the National Security Agency and the People’s Safety Agency, many high officials are increasingly asking workers involved in foreign currency earning enterprises to get better radios.”

In the past, only high officials in charge of the intelligence field, earning foreign currency and international affairs listened to foreign broadcasts, but lately administrative officials and officials in mid or lower levels listen to them as well .

The foreign radio broadcasts that North Koreans can access are “Voice of Korea,” from the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), Radio Free Asia (RFA), Voice of America (VOA), Korean language broadcasting from the Yanbian region of China and other broadcasts from South Korean religious organizations and NGOs.

The North Korean authorities have been jamming radio signals so as to avoid citizens being able to listen to foreign broadcasts, and confiscating radios from them.

The source said that “The cadres do not say directly that they get some international news from radio but there are many cases where they talk about international news and affairs. People say if someone does not know about South Korean or international trends; it is hard to be approved of by officials.” Officials pay more attention to foreign broadcasts than ordinary people because their education level is high and they are familiar with foreign news.

The next levels of people who listen to foreign broadcasts are the intellectuals and college students. South Korean dramas and movies which have been entering North Korea through China since the late 1990s gave them an interest in outside information, according to the sources. However, there are also newspapers containing foreign issues and selected international news from foreign media; Chamgo Shinmun (Reference newspaper) and the Chamgo Jaryo (Reference materials), which are regularly distributed only to high officials. Members of the Central Committee of the Party, Chief Secretaries and the Organizing Secretaries of the provincial committee of the Party can read them on a limited basis.
(Source: The Daily NK website, Seoul, in English 25 Aug 08 via BBC Monitoring)

Andy Sennitt comments: This report ties in with an editorial in the latest issue of The Economist, which says that “Now that shortwave radios are common in the North, broadcasts from outside should be stepped up.” Seemingly The Economist had access to the same “sources” as the Daily NK. It appears that the jamming being carried out by the authorities is not wholly effective, though that would be one reason why officials are trying to get “better radios.”
(Source: R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

BBC Radio 4 launches new media show October 1

A reminder that BBC Radio 4 launches its new weekly media show on Wednesday 1 October at 1230 UTC. Its brief is to cover what is happening in newspapers, television, radio, and the Web. Steve Hewlett will present it live, and unlike previous media programmes on Radio 4 The Media Show will run for 52 weeks of the year. Listen on demand will be available via the website.
(Source: R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

BBC Radio 4 website
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/themediashow/

Blog Logs

All times UTC // parallel frequencies *sign-on sing-off*

Canada
CBC Radio One 6160, 2335-2359 Noted a program of political commentary and news to music. At about 2355 a two or three minute political commentary, followed by "the preceeding political messages were prepared by the Marajuana Party of ..." Missed the rest. ID followed as "This is CBC Radio One ...North East ...Labrador" Signal fair-poor with QRM. On the hour splatter drowned out CBC. (Chuck Bolland, FL September 26, 2008)

Chad
RNT 4904.94, 0502-0532, Sept 28. French, on-air phone conversations, brief African hilife music between calls. Signal better than fair. Have noted some good African receptions in the last few days (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

China
CNR-1 4460, Beijing, 1252-1259, Sept 28. National news conference about the Shenzhou VII space mission, in Chinese with English translations, presented by the State Council Information Office, I caught the end of the question and answer segment, talking about improvements made in their manned space program and " On behalf of the The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation." Thanking everyone associated with this successful mission, also wished everyone a happy holiday for the week long National Day Holiday that starts tomorrow (Sept 29 through Oct 5), celebrating the 59th anniversary of the founding of the PRC.

CNR-2/CBR 6065, 1323-1335, Sept 28, English Evening special live weekend program, presented by John and a Chinese woman. Mentions of National Day Holiday starting tomorrow, Advanced Studio Classroom program, good reception, // 6155, 7130, 7140, 7150, 7245, all mostly fair. Usually their weekend programs consists of recorded highlights of programs from the previous week (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

Clandestine
Ginbot 7 Dimts Radio (via Samara, Russia/TDF brokered) on 17655 and 21555 kHz is heavily jammed today 1700-1730 UT by the Ethiopian government with same like BUZZ signal of DWL Amharic once on 15 MHz, i.e. white noise hissing. Weak Ginbot 7 Dimts Radio program is hardly read underneath here in Germany, but I'm outside here the main lobe signal. On 21555 only noise hash noted.(wb, Germany/RS-DX #182)

Ginbot 7 Dimts Radio in Amharic, new opposition station from Sept 11:
1700-1730 on 17655 SAM 250 kW / 188 deg to EaEa Tue/Thu/Sat
21555 SAM 250 kW / 188 deg to EaEa Tue/Thu/Sat
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 16/RS-DX #182)

Ginbot 7 Dimts Radio 21555, 1715-1726, September 27, Amharic, new opposition station from Russia (Samara transmitters), talk by male, instrumental songs, SINPO 24332. (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina)

Colombia
Marfil Estereo 5910, (presumed) 2345-0010, Noted steady Popular Colombian ballads until the 0000. Possible station ID at 0001, with other details, "...5430, Onda Media ... Puerto ... Meta..." Af ter that, about ten minutes of promos, then back to music. Too many crashes for these old ears to separate out the ID. Signal was fair. (Chuck Bolland, September 27, 2008)

Equatorial Guinea
Radio Africa 15190, 2150-2220, Sept 27, Four Square Gospel Tidings religious program, address in Saskatchewan, Tony Alamo program at 2200, with religious commentary, reading of listeners letters and playing songs, good reception, almost 100% readable. So he is not off the air (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

Radio Nacional 6250, Malabo, 0529-0610, Sept 28. Instrumental music to contemporary Christian music. Local religious choral music. Spanish talk. Mentions of Malabo. Irregular. Signal poor in noisy conditions. Bata 5005 not heard at this time. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Radio Nacional 6250, Malabo, 1955-2005*, Sept 28, Spanish talk. Local hilife music. Abrupt sign off. Weak but readable. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Euro Pirate
Ireland, 6295, Reflections Europe, 2115-2205+,Sept 28, US produced English religious programming. Some gospel music. Fair to good level but audio muffled and some adjacent channel splatter from Egypt 6290. Also some occasional utility QRM. An overall poor quality signal. Heard // 12255 - very weak. 3910 not heard. Sundays only. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Indonesia
RRI-Pontianak 3976.04, 1341-1404, Sept 28, in Bahasa Indonesian, 1341-1344 was // 3325 (both fair), 1344 into on-air phone conversations and music. Program feature series of "R.R.I. Pontianak" IDs, into news (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

Laos
Lao National Radio 4412.60v, 1210-1231*, Sept 28. Mostly man and woman talking in Laotian (news and commentary?), // 6130 (fair with light QRM), at 1225 distinctive musical fanfare that matched up on both frequencies, weak with CODAR QRM (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

Moldova
Radio PMR 7370, 1557-1559. Escuchada el 24 de septiembre en frances a locutora con comentarios, ID, fin de emision, SINPO 45444. (Jose Miguel Romero, Spain/RS-DX #182)

Radio PMR 7370, 1559-1602, escuchada el 24 de septiembre en aleman a locutor con presentacion, ID, boletin de noticias, sin senal en 12135,SINPO 45444. (Jose Miguel Romero, Spain/RS-DX #182)

Russia
Voice of Russia (Petropavlovsk) 13635, 0230 English 333 Sept 21 Lady announcer with the Music Tales program to announcer's comments at 0233. // 9860 [333]Via Vatican State, 9800 [333]via Irkutsk and 5900 [333] via Armavir. (Stewart Mackenzie, CA/RS-DX #182).

Voice of Russia 15510, 1300-1400 Noted a program of news, features and music. The comments were in Pashto for this hour. The music was sometimes Russian and sometimes Pashto. The WRTH says this is being transmitted via a site in Moscow, while AOKI says this program is being transmitted from Samara, Russia. The Passport agrees with AOKI. The fact that the signal is still audible at 1355 UTC here in Clewiston, Florida, USA, seems to favor Moscow as the transmitter site.(Chuck Bolland, September 29, 2008)

Radio Rossii 5940, 1000-1015. Noted a male in Russian language comments probably news at 1000. Reports from the field or street interspersed in the program. This poor signal was parallel with Radio Rossii on 7200 KHz which was at a good level. According to the Passport, this is relayed via Magadan. (Chuck Bolland, FL September 21, 2008/HCDX/RS-DX #182)

Radio Rossii, 7200, 1000-1030 Noted a male in Russian language comments probably news at 1000. Reports from the field or street interspersed in the program. This good signal was parallel with Radio Rossii on 5940 KHz and 5920 KHz which were both at a poor level. We already established that this is relayed via Yakutsk. (Chuck Bolland, FL September 21, 2008/HCDX/RS-DX #182)

Radio Rossii, 5920, Noted a male in Russian language comments probably news at 1000. Reports from the field or street interspersed in the program. Later a female comments in length. This poor signal was parallel with Radio Rossii on 7200 kHz which was at a good level. Also, Radio Rossii on this frequency was under WBOH's stronger Spanish language broadcast. Passport says this is relayed via Petropavlovsk. (Chuck Bolland, FL September 21, 2008/HCDX/RS-DX #182)

Vatican State
Vatican Radio 5915, 0147-0159 Noted a male in religious discourse talking about the "Word of God" all in English. At about 0152, programming continues with news about financial condx of the world economy. At 0158, Italian National Anthem until 0159 and then off the air. Signal was fair. Iheard this last Sunday evening also. Don't know about weekdays? (Chuck Bolland, September 29, 2008)

Special edition of Voice of Russia - Moscow Mailbag

This year marks 30 years of Voice of Russia World Service in English, formed as part of the English-language Service of Radio Moscow that was on the air since 1929. On October 3, 1978, the new service began round-the-clock broadcasts beamed throughout the world. The upcoming edition of Moscow Mailbag will be dedicated to 30th anniversary of Voice of Russia. There will be reminiscences of Voice of Russia staff members about their work at the radio three decades ago plus voices of brilliant broadcasters such as Joe Adamov and Boris Belitzky, whose names are familiar to listeners worldwide and whom we all recall with fondness. All that and more, in the next edition of Moscow Mailbag - on the air from Monday, September 29.

Tune in to Moscow Mailbag at foll times:
Monday at 01.00, 05.00 and 17.00
Tuesday at 04.00 and 16.00
Wednesday 04.00
Thursday at 06.00 and 17.00
Friday at 04.00, 07.00, 16.00
Saturday at 03.00
Sunday at 01.00, 06.00 and 15.00
(All times in UTC)

Voice of Russia has a special jubilee webpage with testimonials from listeners, here's the link:
http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&rt=196&p=
(Source: Alokesh Gupta, India)

QSLing Voice of Russia

GU RGRK-Golos Rossii
ul. Pyatnitskaya 25
115326 Moscow
Russia
Website: (with streaming and on-demand audio www.ruvr.ru/
Email: letters@ruvr.ru
(World QSL Book)

New frequency for VOA Bangla service

From 1st October Voice of America Bangla service is moving on to 9320 kHz (to get good propagation) replacing 11835 kHz from Philippine relay at 1600-1700 hrs to South Asia and parallel 7260 kHz from Thailand relay continues. Currently this 9320 kHz is used by VOA Hindi which is due to close on 30th September 2008 -so the last chance of hearing VOA Hindi is on Tuesday 30th September at 1600-1700 hrs on 9320 and 7430 kHz.
(Source: Alok Dasgupta, Kolkata, India via Rachel Baughn)

Blog Logs

Saturday's Blog Logs, represent a good sample of what DXers are hearing on shortwave. Have you sent yours in yet ?

All times UTC // parallel frequency *sign-on sign-off*

Australia
4910, VL8T, Tennant Creek, 0841, Sept 26. Running past their usual 0830 sign-off time, about the US presidential campaign, signal weak (R. Howard)

Chad
4905, RN Tchadienne (N’Djamena). 0510-0522. 27 Sep 08. French. Male announcer's pure talk program. Signal S-9, very good. (J. Wood)

Cuba
Radio Nacional de Venezuela via Cuba, 6060, *1100-1140, Sept 25. It has been quite a while since I last checked this one and was surprised to find them mostly in English, talking about the joint commission between China and Venezuela, the financial situation in Venezuela and the world financial crisis ("Result of speculation within the capitalist system"). Reading some of their laws against corruption, etc., poor to fair with QRM from Sichuan PBS-2, many IDs in Spanish, also had segments in Spanish. Map showing their SW coverage and a less than complete schedule at www.rnv.gov.ve/noticias/index.php?pg=internacional . (R. Howard)

Equatorial Guinea
5005, Radio Nacional, Bata, 2250-2303*,Sept 25, Afro-pop music. Spanish announcements.Sign off with national anthem. Signal Weak. Poor in noisy conditions. (B. Alexander)

5005, Radio Nacional, Bata, 0515-0600, Sept 26. Threshold signal at 0515 tune-in improving to a weak level by 0540. Spanish talk. Afro-pop music. Instrumental music. No sign of 6250 Malabo. (B. Alexander)

15190, Radio Africa, 2230-2255*, Sept 25. Tony Alamo religious program. Good. Strong. Weak WYFR audible after Radio Africa sign off. (B. Alexander)

Ethiopia
7110, Radio Ethiopia. 0320-0345. 27 Sep 08. Amharic. Music that was a combination of Middle Eastern and Afro pop. Lady announcer followed by music with a little more Western flair. Male announcer at 0340 with freq announcements. S5/Fair. (J. Wood).

7210, Radio Fana (Addis Ababa). 0415-0432. 27 Sep 08. Amharic. Tentative reception of this station. Announcer duo with general talk. Possible ID with mention of “Fana.” Several mentions of Africa. S5/Fair. (J. Wood).


Gabon
15475, Afrique Numero Un (Moyabi). 1852-1901*. 26 Sep 08. French. Two announcers with
general discussion. Music into 1900, followed by full station ID to time pips and off. Poor. (J. Wood).

Indonesia
9680, RRI Jakarta, 0806-0827, Sept 26, Kang Guru Indonesia program #6108, scheduled for Fri. and Wed., in English, singing "Kang Guru" jingle, explains idioms (on his last legs, break aleg and pulling your leg), talking about their new name, many "KGI" and "Kang Guru Indonesia" IDs, asks listeners who is the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and goes on to talk about Stephen Smith (who was presented with a 20th anniversary KGI t-shirt). Signal fair-poor. I first heard their programming back in 1996, when they were "Kang Guru II Radio English". They originally started back in 1989 and from now through next year they will be celebrating their 20th anniversary, which I guess is the reason for their name being changed at this time. Presently the KGI program is carried on over 145 radio stations across Indonesia on SW, AM and FM. An impressive list of these stations is posted at: www.kangguru.org/broadcastschedule.html >, but unfortunately not that many on SW (R. Howard)

9680, RRI Jakarta Programma Lima, 1200-1215 Noted news and Indonesian comments by various persons. In the background, Firedrake (the music jammer) can be heard, although it is very weak compared to Jakarta.Jakarata's signal is fair. (C. Bolland) September 27, 2008)

3987.04 RRI Manokwari (presumed) 1057. Pleasant Indo Pop vocal music. Sounded like a chime interval signal at 1100. Then lady announcr in definite Indonesian. Squeezed between amateur radio operators on one side and broadcasteron 3985 on the other at this time. Returned at 1131 and seemed to be peaking, no ARO's, but still hetrodyne from 3985. Soft pop music. Of course the ARO fired up just before announcer at 1137. Back to music at 1140. Male announcer in presumed news at 1200 but didn't hear any // to other Indos. (27 Sept.) (D. Valko)

Israel
15785.0, Galei Zahal (presumed), 1518-1541, Sept 25. In Hebrew, pop songs, phone conversations (calls started with "shalom"), fair, first time I have noticed this (R. Howard)

Malaysia
6049.62v, Asyik FM via RTM, 1105-1115, Sept 26. Pop songs; at 1109, a three-minute break for the Islamic call-to-prayer (Maghrib is their sunset prayer, the fourth prayer of the day - Kuala
Lumpur sunset was at 1107). Pop songs continued, weak, best in LSB (moderate QRM from 6050.0) (R. Howard)

Mali
7284.58, RTVM, 0801-0825, Sept 26. Tune-in to flute interval signal. French ID announcement followed by vernacular talk. Local string music at 0823. Weak but readable. Slightly stronger on // 9635. (B. Alexander)

Myanmar
5985.0, Myanma Radio, 1530-1538, Sept 25, English. Seems to give three frequencies (mentions kHz. and meters, but unable to make them out), news (stories about the activities of members of the military [a Brigadier General attended an opening ceremony, a Major General visited someplace else, etc.]). Myanmar weather, slogans about the defense of the country, several IDs, into easy-listening songs, weak, but hope in another month to really be able to make out more of the news items. The 1300-1430 time period usually finds them with fair to good reception in vernacular. (R Howard)

9730.74v, Myanma Radio. 1505-1510*, Sept 25. In vernacular and English, seemed to be giving mathematical formulas, brief indigenous instrumental music at sign-off, poor; 1458-1512, Sept 24, in English and vernacular, reading paragraphs, explaining their basic meaning (all about the seasons: winter is the opposite of summer, heat in summer, etc.), poor (R. Howard)

Oman
7175, Radio Sultanate of Oman. (Sib). 0405-0413. 27 Sep 08. Arabic. Middle Eastern music with male announcer talking over and between selections. Signal S5/Fair. (J. Wood).

Papua New Guinea
3335 Radio East Sepik 1105. Apparent political speech with mentions of Papua New Guinea, program, province, country, development, Southern Highlands, policy, 2000, committee, one government, etc. Tuned out at 1127. Gradually getting better and very nice by 1125. (27 Sept.) (D. Valko)

3235 Radio West New Britain 1130. Tune-in with mentioning ".local station NBC.long Saturday night". And into Dance song. Pretty good. Other PNGs heard this morning include 3905, 3385, 3345, 3335, possibly 3325, 3260, and 3205. (27 Sept.) (D. Valko)

Peru
5939.27, Radio Melodia, Arequipa, 0630-0700, Sept 26. Spanish talk. ID at 0638. Signal poor-fair. Very poor after 0658 due to adjacent channel splatter. (B. Alexander)

Rwanda
7245, Deutsche Welle relay (Kigali). 0434. 27 Sep 08. English. Program about Burma. S7/Good. (J. Wood).

South Africa
Congo (DR)-Radio Okapi relay via Meyerton, South Africa. 11890. 1610-1659*, Sept 26. French/vernacular talk. “Okapi” jingles. Weak but readable. (B. Alexander)

Tunisia
7275, RTV Tunisienne (Sfax). 0437-0501. 27 Sep 08. Arabic. Middle Eastern music to station ID by ladt announcer at 0500, into news. Signal S7/Good. (J. Wood).

Contributors:
Brian Alexander, PA
Chuck Bolland, FL
Ron Howard, CA
Joe Wood, TN
Dave Valko, PA/Cumbre DX

Moldova - Transdneister Moldovan Republic

Using a remote receiver situated in Vienna, this week I've been hearing the domestic service of Radio Pridnestrovye signing-on every day on 549 kHz mediumwave at 1700 UTC (current WRTH has this here 0600-2200, so evidently incorrect), usually with worthless reception due to extreme co-channel interference from Radio Slovenia/Radio Koper, Deutschlandfunk and several Russian Mayak transmitters. Today, however, reception was a bit clearer as only the Slovenian interference was in evidence, so I've recorded the sign-on and uploaded it to the Station Sounds section of dxldyg - this is what you'll hear from the start of the recording 25 seconds before the hour:

Characteristic "USSR" on/off transmitter tones Time check in Russian: "Tiraspol 2000 hours" Interval signal (same as that used for Radio PMR/DMR external service) Announcement in Russian: "Tiraspol calling, [capital of the?] Transdneister Moldovan Republic" News in Russian

A clearer, albeit much older (c.1995), recording of Radio Pridnestrovye can be found on the Interval Signals Online website at intervalsignals.net .
Dave Kernick
Interval Signals Online
(HCDX)

Australian DX Report No. 118 available for download

A new episode, No. 118, of the AUSTRALIAN DX REPORT audio shortwave news magazine is now available.

It includes a propagation repprt, monitoring notes, schedule changes, and news about international broadcasters.

It's 14 mins 3 secs, and is at

http://airm.edxp.org/

The "AUSTRALIAN DX REPORT", is a free service of the ELECTRONIC DX PRESS RADIO MONITORING ASSOCIATION and contains professionally compiled information about world shortwave broadcasting, with monitoring research.

The site allows you to listen to the ADXR and other audio features directly (streaming audio) via your MP3 player, or via the site's embedded mini-player. Podcasts, iTunes capability, full RSS/XML/Atom feeds, and free subscriptions are supported - full details are at the site.

Good listening to the Australian DX Report Episode No. 118!

Bob Padula
Melbourne, Australia

Bring It On - Mc Cain to Attend Debate at University of Mississippi

John McCain is resuming his campaign activities and will debate Barack Obama Friday night in Mississippi, McCain’s campaign announced two days after the Republican candidate said he would suspend his campaign to deal with a financial rescue plan being debated in Washington.

McCain’s campaign will resume “all activities and the senator will travel to the debate this afternoon. Following the debate, he will return to Washington to ensure that all voices and interests are represented in the final agreement, especially those of taxpayers and homeowners,” the McCain campaign said in a statement released around 11:30 a.m. ET
Additional information from Fox News:
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/09/26/mccain-to-attend-debate-at-university-of-mississippi/

Voice of America to carry presidential debates live
The Voice of America (VOA) will carry the first presidential candidates’ debate on foreign affairs live from Oxford, Mississippi, this evening providing international audiences with analyses and commentary. VOA is sending a team of journalists to cover the debate between Senators John McCain and Barack Obama.

VOA journalists from English-language programmes as well as those from Hindi, Urdu, Persian and Central African services will be on location at the University of Mississippi, with supplemental coverage at VOA’s Washington, DC headquarters.
In a special programme aimed at Urdu-speaking audiences in Pakistan, VOA and Pakistan TV (PTV) will assemble panelists in Islamabad and Washington to discuss issues raised in the debate about US relations with Pakistan and its neighbours.
“The 2008 presidential election is generating intense interest around the world,” said VOA Director Danforth W Austin. “VOA - reaching about 134 million people in 45 languages - is uniquely poised to explain to its audiences the differences and similarities in the candidates’ foreign policy positions.”

VOA will also cover future debates, including those between McCain and Obama at Belmont University, Nashville, Tenn., on October 7, and at Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY, on 15 October. It will also cover the debate between the Vice Presidential candidates, Senator Joseph Biden, the Democrat, and Governor Sarah Palin, the Republican, on 2 October 2 Washington University in St Louis, Missouri.

Televised debate coverage will be carried in English on all of VOA’s satellite paths - Intelsat 907, New Skies 806 and 703 (VC 340 only), Asiasat 3, and Eutelsat Hot Bird 3 (VC 340 only). Special coverage in Urdu of the presidential debates, but not the vice presidential debate, will air on New Skies 703 (VC 420), Asiasat 3 (VC 409), and Hot Bird 3 (VC 240).
(Source: R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Follow the debate tonight on Voice of America. The debate is scheduled for pre coverage at 8:50 PM EDT (0050 UTC).

VOA - English

All times UTC
Target Areas: as (Asia) va (Various)

0000-0030 7555as

0030-0100 9715va 9780va 11725va 15185va 15205va 15290va 15560va 17820va

0100-0200 7430va 9780va 11705as

0130-0200 twhfa 6040va 9820va

0200-0300 9780va 11705va
(Source: Monitoring Times/SW Guide)

Still waiting on Radio St. Helena QSL from 2007 broadcast ?

Ed Kusalik sends in the following observations on the status of his QSL from Radio St. Helena's 10th Anniversary special broadcast in 2007. If you're still waiting on a response, perhaps you should consider an email to Robert Kipp. The 2008 special broadcast is set for November 15 ... while many DXers wonder, so what happened to my 2007 QSL ?
Gayle Van Horn

St.Helena
After seeing the discussion on the statues of St. Helena QSL response, I decided to give a try and send a follow-up letter Inquiry to Mr. Robert Kipp. RDC-Roberts-Data@t-online.de

His response within 24 hours indicated that my name was not on the list of reporters who sent in reports to the station. Apparently the staff at Radio St. Helena have a list of some sort of who sent in reports and if a QSL have been sent out. He suggested for me to fill out his questionaire about what was in my envelope, what type of stamps and asked for a copy on my original report. So I filled out what was involved with my report and sent back ( via e-mail) my original report and the filled-in questionaire.

Checking my e-mail browser this morning (25th) received this e-mail that my Radio St.Helena QSL (2007) was posted on the 22nd of September. Robert requested I email him when I receive it. Interesting....this is the first time that I have encounter any problems. with mail to St. Helena. (Edward Kusalik, Alberta, Canada)

Radio New Zealand celebrates sixty years of broadcasting

Radio New Zealand is celebrating 60 years of international shortwave broadcasting. On 27 September, the Dominion Day holiday in 1948, New Zealand’s first international shortwave service was launched by Prime Minister Peter Fraser. It took the name ‘Radio New Zealand’ and was part of the New Zealand Broadcasting Service (NZBS).

The network has had a chequered history but, sixty years on, is stronger than ever, broadcasting today as Radio New Zealand International, providing an essential link between New Zealand and its Pacific neighbours. Today Radio New Zealand International is well respected and widely heard across the Pacific and into South East Asia. Eighteen Pacific radio stations re-broadcast Radio New Zealand International material each day and the service is available through digital and analogue shortwave, and via the Internet.

Radio New Zealand International Manager, Linden Clark, acknowledges the technological revolution that has allowed the network to achieve its current international recognition. “From humble beginnings, using two second hand US military transmitters left behind after the Second World War, the station has grown to become a significant international broadcaster using shortwave, digital and analogue technology which allows us to play a vital role in increasing understanding and awareness of New Zealand’s role in the Pacific.”

Anniversary celebrations this week will include a special programme to be broadcast on Radio New Zealand National at 12.20 am on Saturday 27th September and at 9.06 pm on Tuesday 30th September. This programme will also be broadcast on Radio New Zealand International throughout the week. It includes the opening announcement by the Prime Minister of the day, Peter Fraser, excerpts from early programmes and interviews with former and current staff.
(Source: Radio New Zealand Limited/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Additinal programming info:

On Monday 27 September 1948 Radio New Zealand Shortwave Service began
broadcasting to the Pacific and beyond. To mark this special occasion a 60th
Anniversay QSL will acknowledge reports on and after 27 September 2008.

The 60th ANNIVERSARY MAILBOX SPECIAL BROADCAST TIMES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Sat 27 SEP 0020 NZDT 2320 UTC(Fri) MAILBOX SPECIAL FULL VERSION
Sat 27 SEP 1806 NZDT 0506 UTC(Sat) MAILBOX SPECIAL FULL VERSION
MON 29 SEP NZDT= +13UTC
Mon 0105(NZDT) 1205 UTC(Sun) MAILBOX SPECIAL FULL VERSION DUR: 39:32
Mon 0610(NZDT) 1710 UTC(Sun) MAILBOX SPECIAL FULL VERSION DUR: 39:32
Mon 1135(NZDT) 2235 UTC(Sun) MAILBOX SPECIAL SHORT VERSION #1 DUR: 18:42
Mon 2030(NZDT) 0730 UTC MAILBOX SPECIAL SHORT VERSION #1 DUR: 18:42
TUE 30 SEP
Tue 0030(NZDT) 2330 UTC (Mon)MAILBOX SPECIAL SHORT VERSION #2 Dur: 18:52
Tue 0230(NZDT) 1330 UTC(Mon) MAILBOX SPECIAL SHORT VERSION #1 Dur: 18:42
Tue 0530(NZDT) 0430 UTC(Mon) MAILBOX SPECIAL SHORT VERSION #2 Dur: 18:52
Tue 1135(NZDT) 2235 UTC(Mon) MAILBOX SPECIAL SHORT VERSION #2 DUR: 18:52
SAT 04 OCT
(Alokesh Gupta, India)

HAR station logs

All times UTC

HAR stations between Wilmington and Jacksonville, NC. Callsign and location as per FCC database - except for one station, no IDs heard. At least there's activity. Mike

530 WPGU847 Town of Wrightsville Beach, New Hanover County, NC Listed for the area Female continuously announcing the time (about 1 hour behind). No other information heard. 9/23 at 1320. (MH-NC)

1610 WPPG958 Town of Carolina Beach, New Hanover County, NC; WQFU301 Town of Pine Knoll Shores, Carteret County, NC Two stations mixing with what sounded like NWS forecasts.
One M and one F announcer. Fair level at best. 9/23 at 1330. (MH-NC)

1620 WPSF938 Surf City, Pender County, NC. M announcer with NWS forecast for area. M announcer occasionally breaking in with local information for residents of "Pender County." A
sign along US 17 N (near a fire station) tells motorists to tune to 1620, however, the stn on 1620 is fair at best. The 1640 outlet (q.v.) is loud and clear. 9/23 at 1345. (MH-NC)

1630 Carrier - vicinity of New River MCAS. This frequency was noted briefly active, during Hurricane Ike. 9/23 at 1410. (MH-NC)

1640 WPSF938 Hamstead, Pender County, NC with repeat of NWS forecast, and M announcer breaking in with tips on what to do if a hurricane approaches. ID heard - only station noted with
definite ID. This mixing with DOD HAR (Camp Davis area) warning, by announcer, of smoke and fog danger in the area. 9/23 at 1351. (MH-NC)

1610 UNID noted 9/23 @1305 while in Wilmington w/political discussion between (presumed) students and Congressman Ron Paul. Good signal in area of UNC - Wilmington. Found the station:
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20080503/ARTICLE/805030339/1109/Ron_Paul_cured_their_apathy

From the site: "You would have been hard-pressed to have missed the group's handwork over e past year. They've held signs at the intersection of College Road and Oleander Avenue, passed out anti-income tax leaflets on April 15, and even broadcast a continuous loop of an interview with Paul on a low-power radio station beaming on 1610 AM." (MH-NC)
(Mike Hardester, NC)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2008 Sep 23 2251 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC contact:
# http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html
#
# Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
15 - 21 September 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 16 - 17 September.

Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to active levels during 15 - 16 September with minor to major storm periods observed at high latitudes. Activity decreased to quiet to unsettled levels during 17 - 18 September, though active to major storm periods were observed at high latitudes on 18 September. Activity decreased to mostly quiet levels during 19 - 21 September. ACE solar wind data indicated a co-rotating interaction region (CIR) was in progress at the start of the period. The CIR, which preceded a recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream (HSS), commenced on 14 September and continued into 15 September. The HSS began on 15 September and reached a peak velocity of 620 km/sec at 15/1200 UTC. Velocities gradually decreased during the remainder of the period with a minimum of 295 km/sec observed at 21/2221 UTC. The proton density increase associated with the CIR reached a peak of 17 p/cc at 15/0426 UTC.

Interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) activity associated with the CIR included increased Bt (peak 14 nT at 15/0627 UTC) and intermittent periods of southward Bz (minimum -10 nT at 15/0938 UTC). Bz settled into a range of + 5 to -5 nT following the CIR. Bt varied from 01 -
07 nT following the CIR.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
24 September - 20 October 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 01 - 14 October.

Quiet geomagnetic conditions are expected during 24 - 29 September. Activity is expected to increase to unsettled levels on 30 September. A further increase to active to minor storm levels is expected during 01 October with a chance for major storm levels due to a recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream (HSS). Activity is expected to decrease to unsettled levels during 02 - 05 October as the HSS subsides. Quiet conditions are expected during 06 - 11 October. Activity is expected to increase to active levels on 12 October due to a recurrent coronal hole HSS. Activity is expected to decrease to quiet levels during the remainder of the period as the HSS subsides.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2008 Sep 23 2252 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC contact:
# http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html
#
# 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
# Issued 2008 Sep 23
#
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2008 Sep 24 70 5 2
2008 Sep 25 70 5 2
2008 Sep 26 70 5 2
2008 Sep 27 68 5 2
2008 Sep 28 68 5 2
2008 Sep 29 68 5 2
2008 Sep 30 67 8 3
2008 Oct 01 67 30 5
2008 Oct 02 67 8 3
2008 Oct 03 67 8 3
2008 Oct 04 67 8 3
2008 Oct 05 67 8 3
2008 Oct 06 67 5 2
2008 Oct 07 67 5 2
2008 Oct 08 67 5 2
2008 Oct 09 67 5 2
2008 Oct 10 68 5 2
2008 Oct 11 70 5 2
2008 Oct 12 70 15 4
2008 Oct 13 70 5 2
2008 Oct 14 70 5 2
2008 Oct 15 70 5 2
2008 Oct 16 70 5 2
2008 Oct 17 70 5 2
2008 Oct 18 70 5 2
2008 Oct 19 70 5 2
2008 Oct 20 70 5 2
(NOAA)

Laos on 4412.6 ?

Via remote receiver in the Philippines:

Laos
4412.6 kHz Sam Neua (presumed) 2255 sign on with instrumental interval signal. At 2257 UTC I heard what sounded like Laos' national anthem (I matched it up via a version on the Internet.) 2258 talk by woman but I could not make out what she was saying. They started playing music at 2300, but the signal
seemed quite low. (Hans Johnson Sep 23/Cumbre DX)

Blog Logs - Asia

All times UTC

Andaman & Nicobar Island
4760, All India Radio-Port Blair, 1407-1441, Sept 18, in vernacular, various music (pop Western-style song, jazz and mostly subcontinent music and songs), poor-fair, signal improving till about 1430, after which noticed weak QRM (possibly R. Kashmir/AIR Leh?) (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

Indonesia
11784.84v, Voice of Indonesia, 1320-1340, Sept 22. In English, talking about their Constitution in "Today's Focus", "Indonesian Wonders" and "Music Corner", mostly fair with weak QRM from assume VOA in Chinese, no Firedrake heard, but suspect it was not heard due to poor propagation (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

India
4775, All India Radio-Imphal (I should have indicated I presumed this to be them), 1239-1302, Sept 22. Inn vernacular, music program (songs in vernacular that seemed to be a cross between C&W songs and Christian hymns, somewhat strange music for AIR), fair-poor, CODAR QRM; 1320-1401, Sept 23, in vernacular, interview, into a radio drama/soap opera, some subcontinent music. No ID heard but there seemed to be various vernacular languages used that sounded right for India, plus the subcontinent music they occasionally play. Dan Sheedy also heard the same Sept 22 music program and he also did not hear an ID. Needs more work for that positive ID (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

3945, All India Radio, 0046-0100 Noted a male singing a Islamic type tune. Don't know if it's religious - probably is? Signal off by 0100. (Chuck Bolland, September 21, 2008)

4775, AIR Imphal, 1328+1404+1437, Sept 18, seems they may still be tweaking their transmitter, as it was off the air today, after being back on for the past two days (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

Iran
3985, Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 0104-0115, Steady calling to prayer type chanting from a male. Signal is at a good level even with some QRM. (Chuck Bolland, September 21, 2008)

Malaysia
7295, Traxx FM via RTM, 1440-1505, Sept 23, in English. Recorded greetings from listeners overseas (from Indonesia, Australia, etc.) with good wishes for Ramadan for the people of Malaysia and the listeners of Traxx FM, several singing "Traxx FM" jingles, music program "In the Lime Light" with DJ Shaz, use their new slogan many times "Travel N' Music", ToH: 11 PM news roundup from Kuala Lumpra, good reception. This station still plays a lot of pop songs, but their "new approach aims to provide its listeners with better knowledge of Malaysia through informative and interactive banters". I sent the DJ an email with an attached audio clip of his program. Received a response in 3 hours from "Shaz" ( djtheshaz@gmail.com ), the DJ for the "In the Lime Light" program: "It was great to receive your very encouraging e-mail. I actually didn't know Traxx fm could over spill all the way to the states. There are cases of people sending us letters from overseas telling us they like our shows but I always assumed it was via our on-line streaming. Thank you very much for actually sending me an e-mail. I really appreciate the effort. All I can say is keep on listening to Traxx. Take care and keep in touch. Warm Regards, Shaz" (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

Updates from DX Mix News

All times UTC - NF (new frequency)

United Kingdom(non)
Additional transmission of FEBA Radio via VT Communications:
1530-1630 NF 9855 TAC 100 kW / 131 deg to SoAs in Hindi

USA(non)
changes of WYFR Family Radio:
1200-1300 on 11855 DB 100 kW / 024 deg Russian to CeAs,new >>> from Aug.27
1600-1700 NF 17545 ASC 250 kW / 100 deg Portuguese CeAf,ex 21680 from Sep.1
1700-1800 NF 17545 ASC 250 kW / 085 deg English to CeAf,ex 21680 from Sep.1
2000-2100 on 15195 ASC 250 kW / 065 deg English to WCAf,ex 20-22 from Sep.8
2100-2200 NF 12055 ASC 250 kW / 065 deg English to WCAf,ex 15195 from Sep.8

USA(non)
Frequency changes for Voice of America in Burmese:
0000-0030 on 6035 UDO, 7430 IRA, 9325 PHT >>> new additional transmission
0130-0300 on 12015 IRA,15110 PHT,17775 PHT >>> new additional transmission
1430-1530 NF 6000 PHX 050 kW / 285 deg, ex 12120 \\ 9325,11910
1530-1630 NF 6000 PHX 050 kW / 285 deg, ex 11695 \\ 9325, 9940

USA(non)
Frequency change for Voice of America Aap Ki Dunyaa in Urdu from Sep.19:
0000-0100 NF 9515 IRA 250 kW / 332 deg, ex 11755
\\ 7135 IRA 250 kW / 340 deg, not KWT!

USA(non)
Last transmission on shortwave for Voice of America in Hindi on Sep.30:
1600-1700 on 7430 UDO 250 kW / 300 deg
9320 PHL 250 kW / 283 deg
(Source: DX Mix News # 539 via Alokesh Gupta, India)

Schedule update for World Harvest Radio stations

All times UTC

WHRI Angel 1
0500-1100 on 7315 Mon-Fri
0500-1100 on 11565 Sat/Sun
1100-1300 on 7315 Daily
1300-1800 on 9495 Daily
1800-1900 on 17520 Mon-Fri
1800-1900 on 9495 Sat/Sun
1900-2000 on 9495 Daily
2000-2100 on 17650 Fri Voice of Biafra International in Ibo
2000-2100 on 9495 Sat-Thu
2100-2300 on 7385 Daily
2300-0500 on 7315 Daily

WHRI Angel 2
0000-0300 on 7385 Daily
0300-0400 on 6110 Mon-Fri
0300-0400 on 7385 Sat/Sun
0400-0700 on 7365 Daily
0700-0900 on 11565 Mon-Fri
0700-0900 on 5875 Sat/Sun
0900-1000 on 5875 Daily
1000-1200 on 9425 Daily Deutsche Welle in German
1200-1300 on 9410 Daily BBC World Service in English
1300-1600 on 9840 Sat/Sun
1600-2000 on 9840 Daily
2000-2200 on 15665 Daily
2200-2400 on 9615 Daily

KWHR Angel 3
0100-0500 on 17800 Sat/Sun
0500-0800 on 13650 Sat/Sun
0700-0800 on 9930 Mon-Fri
0800-1200 on 9930 Daily
1200-1500 on 12130 Sat/Sun
1200-1500 on 9930 Mon-Fri Radio Sound of Hope in Chinese
1500-1800 on 9905 Mon-Fri Radio Free Asia in Chinese(HBN 080 kW / 318 deg)
1500-1800 on 9930 Sat/Sun
1800-1900 on 9955 Mon-Fri (HBN 100 kW / 280 deg)
1900-2200 on 9905 Mon-Fri Radio Free Asia in Chinese(HBN 080 kW / 318 deg)

KWHR Angel 4
0100-0300 on 15710 Mon-Fri
0300-1000 on 15700 Mon-Fri
1000-1400 on 12130 Mon-Fri Hoa-Mai Radio in Vietnamese 1200-1230 on Wed
1400-1500 on 9955 Mon-Fri (HBN 100 kW / 280 deg)
1500-2200 on 9930 Mon-Fri (HBN 100 kW / 345 deg)

WHRA Angel 5
0500-0700 on 7490 Daily
1200-1400 on 15710 Daily
1400-1600 on 15195 Daily
1600-1800 on 17520 Daily
1800-1900 on 17690 Daily V.of Meselina Delina Tigrinya 1800-1830 on Thu/Fri
1900-2000 on 17690 Daily Demitse Tewahedo in Amharic 1900-2000 on Mon
2000-2100 on 7520 Mon-Fri
2000-2100 on 11885 Sat/Sun
2100-2300 on 11885 Daily
2300-0500 on 5850 Daily

WHRI Angel 6
0000-0700 on 5875 Daily
0700-1300 on 7385 Daily
1300-1400 on 11785 Sat/Sun Hmong Lao Radio in Lao
1400-1500 on 11785 Sat/Sun Hmong World Christian Radio in Lao 1400-1430 Sat
1500-1600 on 11785 Sat/Sun
1600-2400 on 11785 Daily






DXing With Cumbre sked:
WHRI Angel 1
0130-0200 on 7315 Sun
0330-0400 on 7315 Mon
0430-0500 on 7315 Sat
0500-0530 on 11565 Sun
1930-2000 on 9495 Sat

WHRI Angel 2
0200-0230 on 7385 Sun

KWHR Angel 3
1500-1530 on 9930 Sun

WHRA Angel 5
0230-0300 on 5850 Sun/Mon
1230-1300 on 15710 Sat

WHRI Angel 6
1000-1030 on 7385 Sun
1430-1500 on 11785 Sat/Sun
1830-1900 on 11785 Sat
(Source: DX Mix News #539 via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India)

BBC adjust English frequencies

Frequency change via Meyerton, South Africa relay of BBC WS in English:
0600-1400 UTC on 9860 MEY 100 kW / 015 deg to SoAf, ex 0600-1600
1400-1600UTC new freq 7230 MEY 100 kW / 015 deg to SoAf, ex 9860
(DX Mix News # 539 via Alokesh Gupta, New Delha, India)

Radio Sweden frequency change to antenna fault at Sackville

Following a technical fault at one of Radio Canada International’s shortwave antennas at Sackville, Radio Sweden’s English transmission has moved to a new frequency. Instead of 15240 kHz, the broadcast in English to North America at 1430 UTC is now using 11640 kHz. The change is expected to continue until the new shortwave schedule at the end of October.
(Source: Radio Sweden/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Venezuela working on Radio of the South project

After the success of Telesur, Venezuela is working today on the Radio of the South project, conceived as a network of interconnected radio stations, unlike the television experience. Helena Salcedo, director of the state owned National Radio of Venezuela, said that the basic goal of the initiative is to gather radio experiences from many countries and show integration and solidarity in the region.
In an interview distributed by the Ministry of Information and Communications, Salcedo added that at a national level there are more than 11 frequencies in various states ready to operate and the assignation for the nation’s capital is in process. “It will work as a network, where the radio stations of Venezuela will be connected with their partners in Colombia and these at the same time with Ecuador, Nicaragua and other countries of the continent, just to put an example, to give a cohesive message,” she explained.
Salcedo agrees with many experts consulted like Fernando Buen Abad, who thinks this is the only way for information to arrive. Salcedo added that the Radio of the South will have a team of correspondents and translators, who guarantee that what goes on in the world will be broadcast in different languages.
The initiative is included as part of an attempt to build a new world order in information and it should be directed to nurture solidarity, union among countries, educate our people, learn about other places and respect each other, said Salcedo. The Radio of the South, added, will have cooperation programs between the states involved for the exchange of information and communications technologies, as well as the professional training of personnel in the communications area. As an example she cited the recent signing of an agreement between the national Radio of Venezuela and Vietnamese radio stations.
“We want to make people understand that we all have very close ties. The goal is for listeners hear to information coming from Vietnam and realize that it is not a distant or unreachable country, but rather that is very close to us and willing to express its solidarity and help in a reciprocal way,” she said. The agreement, she added, will let the network have news correspondents in Asia, and without investing a lot of money will strengthen the main idea of the project to “bring together the global south,” she said.
(Source: Prensa Latina/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

ARISS Contact Planned With UK School

September 23, 2008

An International Space Station Expedition 17 ARISS school contact has been planned with participants at Michael Sobell Sinai School, Harrow,Middlesex, United Kingdom on 25 September. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 1134 UTC, which 12:34 UK Time and 13:34 Central European Time (CET).

The Michael Sobell Sinai School opened in 1981 and is the largest Jewish Primary School in Europe. It caters for children aged 3-11 and offers a challenging curriculum and the highest standard of education. It receives excellent Ofsted reports on a consistent basis.

Two of Sinai's pupils, Jessica and Amelia Diamond, visited the Kennedy Space Center in May to see their cousin, astronaut Greg Chamitoff, embark on a NASA flight to the International Space Station.

Sinai are excited to use this fantastic opportunity as part of its "The Earth and Beyond" unit which follows the National Curriculum for the year 5 age group (ages 9/10). During this period of study our pupils learn in detail about space and the planets. The topic is mainly science based but there are many planned activities which cross over into other areas of the curriculum such as literacy, maths and information technology.

Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows:

1. What training do you do to become an astronaut?
2. What is the purpose of your trip?
3. Could you describe a typical day in space?
4. How do you go the toilet?
5. In what ways can an astronaut observe their religion in space?
6. What qualifications do you need to become an astronaut?
7. Will there ever be a day when we can holiday on the moon?
8. What's the food like?
9. What inspired you to become an astronaut?
10. How close are you to the planets and how do you/ can you identify them?
11. What do you miss?
12. What has been your most exciting moment so far?
13. Could you describe what the earth looks like when you are in space
and can you identify countries, weather conditions and the seas?
14. How does it feel to be in Space without gravity?
15. What is the International Space Station?
16. Do you notice light and dark, day and night, temperature when you are in space?
17. How do you sleep?
18. What do you do for fun up there?
19. If one of your children wanted to be an astronaut what would you say to them?
20. How many people are involved in preparing you for the trip and in supporting you while you are in space?

The contact will be a telebridge contact between stations NA1SS and
WH6PN. The contact should be audible over Hawaii. The participants are
expected to conduct the conversation in English.

The audio for this event will be fed into the EchoLink *AMSAT* (101 377)
and *JK1ZRW* (277 208) servers.

Please note that there are automatic breaks in the EchoLink audio transmission every 2.5 minutes during the event and while we listen to preparations going on for this contact. Each audio break is approximately 1 second long. Please configure your systems to not time out during times of inactivity or ongoing audio transmissions.

This ARISS event will possibly be broadcast through the IRLP "Discovery" Reflector 9010 on the Internet. It is then available via the "Discovery" Reflectors companion web site www.discoveryreflector.ca . Once on its main page, select "Live Streaming Audio" (left side bar) and follow the prompts.
More directly the URL is as follows:
www.discoveryreflector.ca:8000/listen.pls

The audio on the Internet is typically delayed by about two minutes. ARISS is an international educational outreach program partnering the participating space agencies: NASA, Russian Space Agency, ESA, CNES, JAXA, and CSA, with the AMSAT and IARU organizations from participating countries.

ARISS offers an opportunity for students to experience the excitement of Amateur Radio by talking directly with crewmembers on-board the International Space Station. Teachers, parents and communities see, first hand, how Amateur Radio and crewmembers on ISS can energize youngsters' interest in science, technology, and learning.

See http://www.ariss-eu.org/schoolcontacts.htm
Gaston Bertels, ON4WF
ARISS-Europe chairman
(Source: Dave Raycroft/ODXA)

Radio Baluarte back on the air ?

Contributor Arnaldo Slaen, sends in the following observations.

Argentina
6214,62 Radio Baluarte (presumed), Puerto Iguazu. 1012-1030 UTC, September 20. Spanish/Portuguese. Songs in Portuguese, to announcement phone number, program in Spanish by female and in Portuguese by male. (heard as) "llamenos al telefono............", "vamos a escuchar un tema musical........el pastor........". More songs in Portuguese to greetings: "...saludamos a nuestra audiencia en esta nueva primavera...." ¿in parallel with FM frequency?. SINPO 24432
(Arnaldo Slaen, Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Update on shortwave from Vanuatu

VTBC Port Vila is currently using a low power modified amateur radio transmitter to broadcast weak signals on 7260 kHz. Reception has been monitored of Pacific style music in the past day or so.

The new 10kW shortwave transmitters are still enroute to Vanuatu. Delivery has been delayed for a variety of reasons, including difficulties obtaining freight space on cargo ships visiting Vila.

An RNZI (Radio New Zealand Int'l) technician has just returned from Vila where preparation work has been underway for installation of the two new DRM/analog transmitters later this year.

The frequency of 7260 is one of several registered for VTBC for the new service and the current broadcasts appear to be a prelude to the full service starting as soon as the new transmitters are installed.
David Ricquish
Radio Heritage Foundation
http://www.radioheritage.net/
(Source: HCDX)

Radio Ukraine International schedule update

Ukraine
New schedule effective from September 22
All times UTC NF (new frequency)

0000-0500 NF 5830 KHR 100 kW / 055 deg to Russia, ex 7530
0500-0800 NF 7420 KHR 100 kW / 290 deg to WeEu, ex 9945
0800-1300 NF 9950 KHR 100 kW / 277 deg to WeEu, ex 11550
1300-1700 NF 5830 KHR 100 kW / 055 deg to Russia, ex 7530
1700-2000 on 7490 KHR 100 kW / 290 deg to WeEu, ex 17-21
2000-2400 NF 5840 KHR 100 kW / 290 deg to WeEu, ex 7510

2300-0400 on 7440 LV 600 kW / 303 deg to Northeast America, no change
English to Northeast Amer: 0000-0100, 0300-0400
English to WeEu: 0500-0600, 0900-1000, 1100-1200, 1900-2000, 2100-2200
German to WeEu: 1700-1800, 2000-2100, 2300-2400
Ukrainian on all other times and frequencies
(Source: DX Mix News #539 via Alokesh Gupta, India)

Blog Logs

All times UTC // parallel frequency *sign-on sign-off*

Australia
6080, Radio Australia. 1436-1440. Program about the actor Peter Finch, fair (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

Bhutan
6035, BBS. Continues to loss audio during their English segment. At 1411 heard "That was the news from BBS", their usual EZL musical selection, weather forecast: rain tomorrow and cloudy, gives the national temperature, rechecked at 1433 to find only the BBS open carrier; Sept 3, audio stopped at 1421 (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

6035, BBS, 1406-1425. News in English, usual ID "You are listening to the news from the Bhutan Broadcasting Service",announcements, into long talk, Fri. scheduled for talk on Buddhism, poor (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

Bolivia
4555, Radio Virgen de Remedios(tent.), Tupiza. Spanish 2241-2250 relaying “Bolivia en Contacto”,2248 “la reforma agraria”. From 2250 amateur radio interference, so until this time SINPO 23433. Checked later at 2316, was a religious ceremony (Luico Otavio, Brazil/Cumbre DX)

China
Coverage of the closing ceremony of the Beijing Paralympic Games.

CNR-1 live coverage Sept 17, in Chinese, with speeches in English heard in the background, Paralympic Games Anthem played, checked for parallel CNR-1 stations at 1211 tune-in, found all of these in parallel: 4460 (Beijing, good), 4800 (Beijing, fair-poor), 4820 (Tibet, fair. This was not // to other Tibet frequencies. After 1330 was not //), 5030 (Beijing, good), 7105 (Xian/Xianyang, weak), 7110 hijiazhuang/Huikou, fair), 7230 (Xian/Xianyang, fair), 9500 (Shijiazhuang/Huikou, fair), 9630 (Lingshi, weak), 9810 (Nanning,good). Unable to hear 4750, as covered by a strong RRI on 4749.93. Parallel coverage of most of these stations randomly noted till 1523 tune-out.

6060, Sichuan PBS-2, 1211-1515*, Sept 17, relay of CNR-1 with the usual 5 second delay, // 7225 and 9740. Fair reception the whole time.

7225, Sichuan PBS-2, 1211-1516*, Sept 17, relay of CNR-1 with the usual 5 second delay, // 6060 and 9740. After 1500 good reception, after a strong VOA signed-off. Ran one minute past 6060 sign-off.

9740, Sichuan PBS-1, 1211-1523, Sept 17, relay of CNR-1, // 6060 and 7225. Poor reception the whole time under BBC.

Stations with their regular programming (no relay of CNR-1, no coverage of closing ceremony):

3280 Shanghai PBS/Voice of Pujiang (//4950 and 9705)
4830 CHBC
4900 Voice of Strait
4940 Voice of Strait
4905 Tibet (// 4920 [AIR QRM] and 6200). They have fixed the terrible
audio I heard Sept 6.
5050 Voice of Strait
5050 Guangxi FBS (// 9820)
6065 CNR-2/CBR (// 6155, etc.)
(Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

3900, PBS Hulun Buir, Hailar. Chinese 0942-0950 slow-soft Chinese style with female choir at mid-song, Announcer duo talks. From 0947 amateur radio overlapped Hulun Buir, but this was the stronger signal heard this year on 3900, some 3905 Papua QRM 33433 (Lucio Otavio, Brazil/Cumbre DX)

India
4775, All India Radfio-Imphal, 1347-1400. Vernacular service to subcontinent music, fair (light CODAR QRM). For over a month this has been noticeably off the air. Heard Sept 16 testing their transmitter, with just an open carrier. Today was the first day they are back with programming (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

Indonesia
4749.94, RRI Makassar, 1456-1459*. Bahasa Indonesian. Pop song, fair (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

9680, RRI Jakarta, 1427-1451,. Good signal, in Bahasa Indonesian. Ramadan programming, mentions "RRI Jakarta, the Voice of Islam".Assume reference to VOI program that is carried on many Indonesian stations http://voi.gaulislam.com/voice-of-islam/. Unusual reception, in that Firedrake normally dominated over RRI at this time period (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

Voice of Indonesia 11784.83v, 1440-1502*. Malay and English. Pop songs and ballads, continues to say the English program will follow and to stay tuned, today even started the English segment by telling what was to be on the program, off in mid-sentence, good reception (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

Malaysia
7295, Traxx FM via RTM, 1503-1516. "The News Roundup at 11 PM from the RTM News Center at Kuala Lumpur", singing Traxx FM jingle. Pop songs, almost fair (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

Mexico
4800, XERTA, México City. 0921 Spanish romantic music,0922-0929.Instrumnetal pop rock music selections to instrumnetal piano music until 0934.(Lucio Otavio, Brazil/Cumbre DX)

Myanmar
9730.76v, Myanma Radio. 1422-1436. Minorities and Educational Service, English language lesson, read and explained a series of sentences, followed by over 27 questions and answers about the sentences just read, poor, usually has better reception. Sept 16 noted 1509* (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

New Zealand
6170, Radio NZ Int'l, 1441-1451. English and vernacular, various music, good reception (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach,CA, Etón E1)

Peru
4825, Radio Sicuani, Sicuani. Spanish/Quecha. 0915-0926 OM talks dominant in Quecha, alternating maybe local pop music. Weak, from 0922 quick decay SINPO 23432 (Lucio Otavio, Brazil/Cumbre DX)

3329.6 Radio Ondas del Huallaga Nonstop Peruvian camposina mx from 1006 tune-in. Then 1015 full canned ID announcement over music. Canned announcement by same male and into band Peruvian national abthem 1016-1018. 1019 nice short ID by woman announcer and into more music. Still going at 1033 check with dead air after song. Canned ad block about 45 seconds later. Fair but CHUQRM. Would be easy and 100% copy w/out CHU. Freq drifted down 40 hz. (Dave Valko, PA/Cumbre DX)

5039.2 Radio Libertad de Junin Peruvian campo music start at 1024. 1028 national anthem and M announcers voice-over echo anmnts ending with ID. Announcer shouting briefly with mentions of Junin, then more pleasant Peruvian harp campo music. Live male announcer during check at 1039 with mentions of Junin, musica, and ID,then back to tinkly harp music at 1040. 1042 live male announcer with time check. Mentions of amigos and Peruana. Clear but not really strong. (Dave Valko, PA/Cumbre DX)

Solomon Islands
5019.86, SIBC (presumed), 1329-1354, Poor reception, struggling around threshold level, but can say it was clearly in English and sounded like British accents, so assume relay of BBC. In the recent past when I checked here I only found an open carrier with no audio, so today was a big improvement. As we get more into the DX season this should become more readable, just as Bhutan/BBS hasimproved recently. (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

5019.86, SIBC, 1327-1350. Poor reception,CW/Morse Code QRM, slightly above threshold level, with BBC relay in English. Announcers' conversation, 1329 BBC theme music, clear BBC ID,news headlines (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

Pirate logs from Free Radio Weekly

All times UTC // parallel frequency *sign-on sign-off*

Channel Z Radio

6925AM 9/7 *1316-1433* SIO=333. Announced as a program of exclusively instrutmental music, and then that is what they aired. Usual slogan IDs of "the last channel that you'll ever need." Some of the tunes were obscure, and I remembered few of the titles. Program also contained a contest. A "special prize" offered to the DXer who sends in the most correct song titles from the show. Reports and contest entries should be sent via the Blue Ridge Summit drop. (G.Zeller-OH)

Liquid Radio

6925.5 AM 09/16 22:00-42 SINPO 24322 Liquid Radio ID at 22:02, Into dance music I Wanna Dance, and many others I am not familiar with. Many IDs given but a mediocre signal in medium to high static levels punctuated with crashes and the occasional utility signals made for a hard listen. Liquid Radio is using the Corsair transmitter. (Ragnar-MI)

6925.5 AM 09/17 01:00 SINPO 35322 Quick ID at 01:01. Typical dance music, gone by 01:13 (Ragnar-MI) 6925.5 AM 09/18 23:00-23:46 SINPO 25322 dance music with a Latin vibe, Pac Man Music, into a slower ballad. ID at 23:13 Liquid seems to be playing a slightly different play list and musical style tonight.(Ragnar-MI)

Radio Jamba International/Sycko

6926USB 9/7 0113-0125(faded out) Good signal while it lasted. Rapmusic with a request to post on the Pirate Radio IRC channels. Lots of profanity. (Majewski CT)

6925USB 9/8 0030-0134 Good signal. The show started with Radio Jamba ID and later went to Sycko Radio ID. It was the usual maddness with singers like MoJo Nixon. At one point, Sycko was talking with another operator about the Corsair transmitter. (Majewski CT)

6925USB 9/8 0026-0055 ID followed by live interview with Bad Andya bout experimentation and building Corsair equipment. Fair with occasional deep fades. (D'Angelo-PA)

Wolverine Radio

6925USB 09/14 02:03-02:20 SIO 25422 Behind Blue Eyes faintly comingin. A quick Wolverine Radio ID then into Won't Get Fooled Again. Faint but steady signal in low noise. SSTV after sign off. (Ragnar-MI)

(Source: FRW # 657 & 658 via Greg Majewski)

Blog Logs

All times UTC // parallel frequency *sign-on sign-off*

Angola
4949.7 RNA-Canal "A", Mulenvos, 2246-2309, 04 Sep, Portuguese,songs, news at 2300. SINPO 45343 but worse, quite worse on the following days,earlier or at the same observasion time.(Carlos Goncalves-POR, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 15)

Argentina
6214.2 Radio Baluarte, Pto Iguazu, 2218-2229, 10 Sep,Portuguese, talks. SINPO 24331, splatter de pirate station Mystery Radio on 6220.(Carlos Goncalves-POR, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 15)

Australia
5995 Radio Australia, Brandon QLD (10 kW), 0914-fade-out 0945, 07 Sep, Pidgin to PNG. News with SINPO 15331; \\ 6020, 9170.

6020 Radio Australia, Shepp. VIC, 0916-1025, 07 Sep, Pidgin to PNG. Newscast and soap opera. SINPO 35433 but deteriorating; \\ 5995, 9710.

9660 Radio Australia, Brandon QLD (10 kW), 2117-2204, 07 Sep, English to PNG, "AM" program, exchange rates, etc.; BBC WS relay at 2200, news. SINPO 23331. Adajacent interference.

9701 Radio Australia, Shepp. VIC, 1028-1052, 06 Sep, Pidgin to PNG, interview, news at 1030, music. SINPO 35433.

11660 Radio Australia, Brandon QLD (10 kW), 2121-2151*, 07 Sep, English to the Pacific, "AM" program. Financial news, songs, Pacific weather report. SINPO 25332.

11695 Radio Australia, Shepp. VIC, 2132-2205, 07 Sep, English to Asia, "AM"program, Pacific weather, songs. Indonesian at 2200, news. Signal deteriorating.(all Aussie logs via Carlos Goncalves-POR, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 15)

Benin
5025 ORTB, Parakou, 1705-..., 07 Sep, French, talks. SINPO 35343 but extremely low modulation.

1566 TWR, Parakou, at 1843-1907 UT on 07 Sep, Vernacular, talks. SINPO 55343. (Carlos Goncalves-POR, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 15)

Bolivia
3310 Radio Mosoj Chaski, Cochabamba, 2244-2257, 06 Sep, Quechua,talks, Bolivian songs. SINPO 34342 with adajacent utility QRM.

4699.3 Radio San Miguel, Riberalta, 2209-2217, 04 Sep, Castilian, messagesprogram. SINPO 35332.

4781.5 Radio Tacana, Tumupasa, 2213-2220, 04 Sep, Castilian, Spanish songs.SINPO 24331 with sporadic utility QRM.

4865 Radio Logos, Sta Cruz de la Sierra, 256-2307, 06 Sep, Castilian, religious programming. Interference via CODAR. SINPO 33342. (Carlos Goncalves-POR, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 15)

Brazil
3310 Radio Mosoj Chaski, Cochabamba, 2244-2257, 06 Sep, Quechua, talks, Bolivian songs. SINPO 34342. Adajacent utility QRM.

4699.3 Radio San Miguel, Riberalta, 2209-2217, 04 Sep, Castilian, messages program. SINPO 35332.

4781.5 Radio Tacana, Tumupasa, 2213-2220, 04 Sep, Castilian, Spanish songs. SINPO
24331. Sporadic utility QRM.

4865 Radio Logos, Sta Cruz de la Sierra, 256-2307, 06 Sep, Castilian, religious programming. SINPO 33342, QRM via B+CODAR. (Carlos Goncalves-POR, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 15)

Burkina Faso
7230 R. Burkina, Ouagadougou, 1002-1320, 07 Sep, French, Afr. pops, phone-ins,..., newscast at 1300. SINPO 35443. (Carlos Goncalves-POR, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 15)

Canada
6160 CKZN, St. John's Newfoundland. 2127-2143, 05 Sep, short story, CBC's The World at Six to program announcements and As It Happens at 2130. SINPO 34433 - a lot better than on 09 Sep at 2235 when CBN 640 was logged and checked against \\ CKZN.(Carlos Goncalves-POR, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept

Chad
4905 RD. Natle. Tchadienne, Grevia, 1700-..., 07 Sep, Arabic, news. Signal gone at 1835 but resumed transmision later. SINPO 55444 at 2130. (Carlos Goncalves-POR, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 15)

Cuba
5025 R. Rebelde, Bauta, 0911-fade-out at 1020 UT on 07 Sep, Castilian, songs, talks, news. SINPO 25342. (Carlos Goncalves-POR, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 15)

Eritrea/Ethiopia
Ethiopia used from 1500 UTC two transmitters to cover Eritrea on 8000 and 7210 on Sept 7th and was only on 9704 kHz with HS. Another combination was observed on same day at 0500 UTC Eritrea on 7210 \\ 8000 and ?Tigray on 6110 \\ 7210, but Ethiopia was 9704 \\ 5990 and over Eritrea on 8000 kHz. ETH on 8000 kHz is with own prgr called "Dimtsy Ertran" (precized by Mauno Ritola). (Rumen Pankov-BUL, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 11)

Ethiopia
5950 Voice of Tigrey Revolution, at *0259-0325 UT on Sep 11. Interval signal with opening at 0300 UT, brief Horn of Africa instrumental music. More talk soon followed by a program of Horn of Africa style music. Poor with Radio Taiwan International from Okeechobee dominating channel. (Rich D'Angelo-PA-USA, DXplorer Sept 14)

6110 Radio Fana, Addis Ababa, 1758-1840, 10 Sep, Oromiffa (tent), talks,songs. SINPO 45333.

9569.9 Radio Ethiopia, Geja Jawe, 1431-1641, 07 Sep, Arabic, local songs,..., English at 1600, news. SINPO 35433. Adajacent interference from 1600 onwards.

9704.2 Radio Ethiopia, Geja Dera, 1050-1235, 10 Sep, Vernacular, talks,local pops,..., traditional music heard at 1230. SINPO 25342.(all Carlos Goncalves-POR, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 15)

Kazakhstan
9950 1431- Aug 29, Golos Pravoslavya. Phone quality programming, back again on a Friday with ID in Russian after some church bells briefly. Into their usual religious programming. Very good reception otherwise.(Walt Salmaniw-BC-CAN, DXplorer Aug 30) Tue/Fri operation. (wb)

Madagascar
5010 Radio Nasionaly Malagasy, Ambohidrano, 1845-1900*, 07 Sep,Malagasy, local songs, announcements. SINPO 34332.(Carlos Goncalves-POR, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 15)

Pakistan
Radio Pakistan on Sept 7th was with DST and at 1500 UT in English heard on 9385 and 11565 kHz. In Urdu at 0945-1005 only on 17835 kHz on Sept 10th.(Rumen Pankov-BUL, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 11)
(Source: WWDXC Top news/BC-DX #878 via wb, Germany)

Radio activity from Azkhazia

All times UTC // parallel frequency

Abkhazia
Apsua Radio was noted with sign-on at 1700 UT on MW 1350 kHz only and not on 9495 or 9535 kHz with program in Vernacular on Sept 12&13 and not from 1800 or 1900 UT as it was earlier. According to the announcement in Russian (in other broadcast times) they are using Moscow time as local time now or UTC+4 hrs. (Rumen Pankov-BUL, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 13)

Abkhazia Radio SW Sukhumi 9494.75 / 9495.55 kHz.PR: E-Mail QSL report of Apsua radio in Russian language UTF-8 code via Patrick Robic-AUT. Apsua Radio war um [Sat/Sun noon only? wb.] 1115 UT auf 9494.76 kHz mit Popmusik, ID, Ansage von Adresse und E-mail, sowie der Nennung einiger Namen von Hoerern, zu empfangen. SINPO: 24432.

Translated from German to English for the following info:
"We bc on MW, SW & FM in Abkhazian and Russian languages. In the future we are planning to start an info block in English due to the big interest to our rogram. We are on the air daily seven time, sign-on at 0600 with national anthem and close down at 0900. Later from 1100 for our diaspora in Turkey, Syria (here is absent the word "also" - R.P.) at 1500, at 1800, at 2100, soon will be from 0000 (midnight)".

In previous months I already anounced same text for the English broadcast which info I heard on their radio. Let we know the news in Russian at 1100 UT on Sat & Sun are of Russian troops head quart.

The schedule above is of FM outlet in Sukhumi. In our summer on MW they are heard only at 0330 UT ( \\ 9495, and 9535 latter under REE) and from 1800 UT only on MW 1350 kHz but it is coordinating with Armenia MW when sw/on from 864 to 1350 of TWR. Are you sure that on 1350 kHz there are 2 txs too nearly please?

By the way in the agreement between Russian Federation and Georgia in 1991 is written that in Georgia are also Autonom. Reps of Abkhazia and Adjaria and District of Southern Osetia. I think one of the main human points are the documents signed by ... authorities. We have to read the rules and documents before the emotions.
73s, Rumen.

Once again the schedule of Apsua Radio:
0330-0345 Mon-Sat in Ru, 0345 Mon-Sat in Abkh, 0400-0500 Mon-Sat in Abkh
and Ru, Sun 0400-0430 in Ru all on 9495, 9535, 1350 kHz.

0730-0800 in Abkh 0800-0810 in Russian Mon-Fri on 9495 and 9535 (MW are not heard here to check it).

1100-1125 Mon-Fri in Abkh & Russian, Sat & Sun in Russian (of Russian troops) on 9495.

1400-1500var Mon-Sat in Abkh & Russian, 1400-1430 Sat & Sun in Russian (it is repeated program from 0400 and 1100) on 9495 and 1350.

1800-1815 on 1350 maybe daily in Abkh (reported on Sat).

Since the beginning of the events on Caucasus no increased bc times of Apsua Radio were mentioned just till Sept 13th, when I was in the village. Observations made thanks to the Sony ICF2001D and thanks to Wolfgang Bueschel !(Rumen Pankov-BUL, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 12)

On Sunday Sept 14th morning 4-8 UT no signal on 9495 kHz noted here in Germany, not even a tiny carrier. Back around 1430 UT today, when checked on 9494.75 kHz.
(wb)

9494.8 C+LSB Abkhaz Radio at 0747 UT with classic music, operas with short voice ins as descriptions, before the music item at 0800 UT with news signal 14431.
(Zacharias Liangas-GRC, wwdxc Aug 5)

9495 Abkhaz Radio at 1447 UT with classical music. Tuned in again on 1454 UT but signed off.(Zacharias Liangas-GRC, wwdxc July 28)

Re Abkhaz Radio:
I was in the village on 14-16 September [some 60 kilometers north of Sofia capital, wb.]. When I arrived there at 1530 UTC I sw/on the Sony ICF2001D, thanks to Wolfgang I say always it, I checked 9495 and MW 1350 kHz and they were in \\ with own program of Abkhaz Radio in Russian language but later at 1555 UT both did absent and later checked at 1700 UT, and at 1800 UT on MW no signals were on 1350 kHz - all it was on Sunday Sept 14th.

On weekdays 15th & 16th observed broadcasts were:
on 9495 and not on 9535, 0400-0600 & 0700-0800 own prgrs in Abkhaz and in Russian and relay Radio Rossii 0600-0700 UT.

No broadcasts 0800-1100 UT, but 1100-1130 UT there were programs with news in
Abkha & Russian.

1130-1354 UT no signals on 9495, 9535, and 1350 kHz. And at 1354 UT sign-on on 9495 and 1350 kHz.

On 15th September at 1400-1500 UT Abkhaz Radio, 1500-1559 Musical (pop mx) prgr of some other station they said the name maybe "Vesti FM" in Ru at 1559 UT and switched on Radio Rossii program ( \\ 9480) and close down at 1600 UT.

Some details: on Sept 15th 0530-0600 musical biography of French singer Edith Piaff and her songs "Padam, Padam, Padam" etc, at 1118 UT press- conference of Russian FM Lavrov in Sukhumi, but for me was very unusual to hear so called "HF Relay Sounds" (it is like wind sounds) before the beginning of the program at 1354 UT (pse see above) followed by so called "telephone sound" (same as on feeders for example) of their prgrs. So it is sure the SW tx is not located in Sukhumi because at the same time on MWs there was a music - instrumental version of the song "Alone Again Naturally". Later at 1433 UT only on 9495 sign-on a noise like from DRM or it was jammer?(Rumen Pankov-Northern Bulgaria, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 16)
(Source: WWDXC Top News/BC DX #878, wb, Germany)

Radio Netherlands to end North American English service

Radio Netherlands Worldwide’s English broadcasts are available in North America in an increasing variety of ways. More and more partner stations are taking our programming (a growing number of NPR stations in the US and CBC in Canada) and there are now a wide range of satellite options (including Sirius satellite radio).

The programs are also available live, on-demand and via podcast. The number of alternatives for listeners in North America is such that we have decided to end our shortwave broadcasts to the region. This will take effect from the start of our winter season on 26 October 2008. The decision has been backed up by a recent survey which showed a decline in the number of shortwave listeners in North America.

We believe that shortwave is still an effective means of reaching listeners in regions where there are fewer alternatives. Radio Netherlands Worldwide will now concentrate its English shortwave broadcasts to South Asia and Africa.

Full details of our distribution mix from 26 October are on this page of our website.
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Radio Netherlands - Program Guide September 22-26

MONDAY 22 SEPTEMBER
*** 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 ***
It's a radio show, it's a website, it's a lifestyle. It's Curious Orange - 30 minutes of Dutchness on Radio Netherlands Worldwide

This week on Curious Orange... Dutch politicians with a past of violent protest that's coming back to bite them, and organ grinders... love 'em or hate 'em, they're part of Dutch life... and we'll hear about the country's largest collection.

We'll also have our Dutch feature artist of the week - Giovanca - and we'll hear about Prinsjesdag (Budget Day) on Headlines from the Hague.

That's this week on Curious Orange.

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:

Documentary followed by Reloaded:
0000 (Eastern N America 9845)
0100 (Central N America 9845)
Earthbeat:
0400 (Western N America 6165)
Network Europe:
1500 (Europe 1296; South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)

TUESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER
*** 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 ***

Jonathan Groubert and his team look at current events from an unexpected perspective

This week in The State We're In, Midweek Edition: we look at how technology is being used to promote human rights. Egyptians, for instance, are using Facebook to organise protests.

A young Saudi blogger explains why he is willing to go to jail to write about human rights in his country. He loves his country, he wants it to change, and he thinks the risk is worth taking.

A Congolese radio show airs text messages from listeners asking about their rights. And the entire population can listen in on the answers given on air by the authorities.

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

Where and how does one begin to solve Sudan's problems? We asked Norbert Braakhuis, the new Dutch ambassador to Sudan.

The World Bank has published its annual report Doing Business. We review Africa's ranking in terms of regulations for starting a business, getting credit, paying taxes and much more.

We have music from the African diaspora in Colombia.

Plus: 1.7 million. That's the number of victims of sexual crimes, the Trust Fund for Victims is aiming to help. We interview the director.

And finally: Women are the best invention God made! So says archbishop Desmond Tutu on Bridges with Africa.

That's conflict, business and women... on Tuesday's Bridges with Africa on Radio Netherlands Worldwide.

Network Europe:
1500 (Europe 1296; South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
Curious Orange:
0030 (Eastern N America 9845)
0130 (Central N America 9845)
0430 (Western N America 6165)

WEDNESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER
*** 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 ***

'No Way Out'

"The Lonely Martyr" by David Danish

This season RadioBooks highlights work from the diverse immigrant community of The Netherlands and Belgium. Iranian journalist and author David Danish was born in Tehran in 1966 and emigrated to The Netherlands in 1990.

In his story "The Lonely Martyr" the difficulties of a political refugee from Iran are seen through the eyes of his twelve-year-old son.

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 (Europe 1296; 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 25 SEPTEMBER
*** 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 ***

Marnie Chesterton looks at the footprint we're leaving on our planet.

Mention the cannabis plant here in the Netherlands and people will assume you're talking about smoking it. But the rather more benign form, Hemp, has a myriad of uses. Did you know the first jeans were made out of hemp? Well, fashions go in cycles and the newest ethical jeans are also made of the stuff. We try them for size, on Thursday's Earthbeat.

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 (Europe 1296; South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
Radio Books:
0030 (Eastern N America 9845)
0130 (Central N America 9845)
0430 (Western N America 6165)

FRIDAY 26 SEPTEMBER
*** 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)

*** Bridges with Africa ***

Your hosts Alberta Opoku, Ernest Mason and Bram Posthumus take a look at African developments - in Africa itself, but also in Europe and elsewhere. Featuring the everything-out-in-the-open Round Table discussion, and of course music. That's in a new edition of Bridges with Africa, this Friday.

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 (Europe 1296; South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)

PODCAST ONLY
*** Europe goes to the White House ***

The upcoming American presidential election is being watched closely by Europeans. US policy directly affects Europe, and many here wish they could also cast a ballot.

Radio Netherlands Worldwide's weekly podcast, "Europe Goes to the White House", lets you listen in on conversations in cafes, classrooms and parliaments across Europe in the lead-up to the election.

You can subscribe to the weekly podcast by clicking on this link:
http://download.omroep.nl/rnw/smac/podcast/xml/en_europe_goes_to_the_white_house.xml
or listen online using the archive here:
http://www.radionetherlands.nl/currentaffairs/region/northamerica/Europe-White-House
(R Netherlands)

VOA audience numbers increase in Pakistan

The Voice of America's weekly radio and television audience in Pakistan, scene of recent tumultuous political events, nearly doubled over the past year to more than 11 million, or almost 12% of the surveyed population, a new survey shows.
“There’s been a lot of news, including a temporary crackdown on independent media, coming out of Pakistan in the past 12 months,” said Danforth Austin, VOA Director. “VOA has done a good job of covering events thoroughly, and listeners in Pakistan have obviously taken note,” he said. Additionally, VOA has improved cross-border distribution of its popular radio program on medium-wave frequencies, he said.
In a June 2008 survey by InterMedia, researchers found a huge jump – to 6.3% of the adult population from 2.8% – in VOA’s Urdu-language radio listenership. The weekly VOA television audience also reached 6% percent, even though the programme was shut down for nearly six months after then-Prime Minister Pervez Musharraf suspended the constitution in November 2007. Musharraf, who resigned last month, blocked television including foreign cable broadcasts and imposed restrictions on local reporters.
Researchers said political events, which included the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in December 2007 and “periodic crackdowns on key local media outlets may have driven more Pakistanis towards external information sources.”
VOA’s Aap Ki Dunyaa programme in Urdu – Your World in English – broadcasts 12 hours a day on mediumwave and shortwave. The program, aimed at young people, includes news, information, music, call-in shows and features. VOA’s Urdu service also produces a daily, 30-minute television programme – Beyond the Headlines – carried on two national TV networks, Aaj and Geo. Urdu is the country’s predominant language.
VOA also has a Pashto-language programme focusing on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region. Deewa Radio, a 24/7 stream, produces six hours of news, features, current affairs and other programmes. Pakistanis also listen to VOA English.
(Source: VOA/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Blog Logs - Bolivia

From the current DX Window, Anker Petersen reports,

"In Bolivia, the longtime conflict between the rebellious lowlanders and the Indians in the High Andes with their present President Evo Morales has been ablazed with a massacre in the northernmost Pando Departement and some destroyed oil- and gas pipelines in the Santa Cruz Department. The President has declared State of Emergency in the Pando Department. He is supported by all other South American Presidents. It will be interesting to follow the broadcasts from the two groups with the lowland Departments of Santa Cruz, Beni and Pando versus the other Departments. "

Bolivians monitorined on shortwave;

All times UTC // parallel frequency *sing-on sign-off*

3309.94, Radio Mosoj Chaski, Cochabamba, Dept. Cochabamba, 0930 very weak but much stronger by 1030. Traditional music, a regular every day. (Wilkner)

4111, Radio Virgen de Remedios, Tupiza, Dept. Potosi, 2258-2304, Sep 10, Spanish talks, instrumental music, mentioning "R Virgen de Remedios", "...transmitimos la missa que se transmite de la iglesia de la Candelaria...", 2300 bells ringing. SINPO 23222. (Otávio)

4409.7, Radio Eco, Reyes, Dept. Beni, 2340-2400, Sep 11, weak signal. (Wilkner)

4555, Radio Virgen de Remedios, Tupiza, Dept. Potosi, 2250-2300, on this frequency Sep 07, religious talks in Spanish, talk about music, 2256 pop music, 2259 ID: "...transmitimos la missa que se transmite de la iglesia de la Candelaria...", 2300 bells ringing. SINPO 23433. Back on 4111 Sep 10. (Otávio)

4699.37, Radio San Miguel, Riberalta, Dept. Beni (p), 0135-0150, Sep 13, Spanish talk, huayno. SINPO 25232. (Petersen)

4781.46, Radio Tacana, Tumupasa, Dept. La Paz, is a regular in the morning with no transmitter drift. It fades out by 1045-1100 with 4699 Radio San Miguel, Riberalta,

4716 Radio Yura, 4796 R Mallku,Uyuni, 5952 R Pío XII Siglo XX and 5996 R Loyola, Sucre.(Wilkner)

4865, Radio Logos, Santa Cruz, Dept. Santa Cruz, 2224, Sep 13, Spanish religious talks "Jesus es la imagem del Dios", musical bridges, talks about music, 2230 ann "noticiero" with only ecumenical content news "crescimento de las iglesias no registradas". SINPO 23322. (Otávio)

5580.23, Radio San Jose, San Jose de Chiquitos, Dept. Santa Cruz, 2350-0010, Sep 10 and 11, music, covered by RTTY utility Sep 10. (Wilkner)

5952.50, Emisoras Pio XII, Siglo XX, Dept. Potosi, 0201-0215, Sep 06, Spanish comments and music, sporadic QRM, fading. (Bolland)

5996.27, Radio Loyola, Sucre, Dept. Chuquisaca, 1032-1040, Sep 06, romantic songs selection, Spanish ann, ID and time check. SINPO 24332. (Slaen)

6025, Red Patria Nueva, La Paz, Dept. La Paz, 1050-1055, Sep 06, Aymara news programme, report from El Alto. SINPO 24422. (Slaen)

6075, Radio Causaki Coca (or R Casachun Coca which means "Viva la Coca"), Dept. Cochabamba, *1000-1200 and 0100-0230*, Sep 09, 13, 14 and 15, new station broadcasting in Aymara and Spanish, belonging to the Patria Nueva network (Government). "Llevando informacion sobre la situacion social que se presenta en algunas regiones luego del Estado de sitio declarado en la region de Pando". Telephonic interviews with leaders in various regions of Bolivia, mentioned "Red Patria Nueva y la Red de radios de los pueblos originarios . . ". Also mentioned "Radioemisoras Bolivia", Andean songs and reports from Oruro, announced as, "....pueblos indigenas del mundo ....campesinos de Bolivia....".

In the evening a special transmission of the anniversary of Cochabamba live from the Municipal Council with the participation of President Evo Morales, a female voice said: "..estás en compañía de Radio Causaki Coca...". From 0200 normal programming and ID: "...Transmite Radio Causaki Coca con instalaciones en lau - - federación de productores de coca del trópico de Cochabamba, emite su señal en 95.7 frecuencia modulada, 740 amplitud modulada y muy pronto en 6075 kHz onda corta banda de 49 metros señal internacional. ..". The locutor (announcer) continued with press releases from several unions and promo for a program about the truth of Conalde and Crescent (autonome organizations) that have caused riots and deaths in Pando. Before the close at 0230*, was played a poem in honour of the "sacred leaf of Tawantisuyo". In closing are referred to as "the voice" of the Democratic Revolution Cultural Evo Morales, 24422. (Bolland, Cássio, Otávio, Rodriguez via Monferini and Conexion Digital, Slaen). 740 MW is also a new frequency. (Ed)

6080, Radio San Gabriel, La Paz, Dept. La Paz, 2330-0002, Sep 01/02 and 13, basically religious talks in Spanish and Aymara, many mentions of "Bolivia", "pueblo Boliviano" at 2352 mentioned "Radio San Gabriel", Aymara talks. Sometimes shortly blocked by R Novas de Paz, Curitiba PR (heard presumed "Curitiba" mentioned), . Signal fading. SINPO 22422. (Otávio and Slaen)

6134.80, Radio Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Dept. Santa Cruz, 2343-2359, Sep 05, 11 and 12, music, a canned ID, "...Santa Cruz ... en Bolivia", live Spanish comments between friends, programa del Instituto Radiofónico Fé y Alegría. On the hour, Cuba comes on the air on 6140 splattering over Bolivia and blocking out the signal. Before before Cuba came up, Bolivia was good. (Bolland and Hauser). Also heard at 0930-1035, Sep 10, Spanish comments, local music. Lots of mixing with Brazil station on 6135. Best heard using AM ECSS. But there is not escape from the terrible noise on the bands presumed from the hurricane Ike being nearby. Signal was armchair on Sep 14. (Bolland)

6155, Radio Fides, La Paz, Dept. La Paz, 0352-0359, Sep 07, Spanish talk, ID 0358: "Radio Fides, onda corta, banda internacional de 49 metros..., Frecuencia Modulada...". SINPO 24322. At *0359 Austria drowned R Fides completely. (Méndez)
(Source: DSWCI/DX Window # 359 via Anker Petersen, Denmark)

Updates from DX Mix News

All times UTC

Lithuania
The Mighty KBC test transmissions on September 20, September 27 and October 3:
1030-1100 on 9770 SIT 100 kW / 130 deg, targeted to SoAs/AUS/NZ.


Philippines
Summer A-08 of Radio Veritas Asia:

Bengali
0030-0057 on 11945 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
1400-1430 on 11870 PUG 250 kW / 300 deg to SoAs
Burmese
1130-1157 on 15450 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
2330-2357 on 9720 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs

Filipino
1500-1530 on 9615 PUG 250 kW / 300 deg to ME, Wed/Fri/Sun till 1600
2300-2327 on 9720 PUG 250 kW / 331 deg to CeAs

Hindi
0030-0057 on 11710 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
1330-1400 on 11870 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs

Hmong
1200-1227 on 11935 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs

Kachin
1230-1257 on 15225 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
2330-2357 on 9645 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs

Karen
0000-0027 on 11935 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
1200-1230 on 15225 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs

Mandarin
1000-1157 on 9615 PUG 250 kW / 355 deg to SEAs
2100-2257 on 6115 PUG 250 kW / 350 deg to SEAs

Russian
0130-0227 on 17830 PUG 250 kW / 000 deg to FE
1500-1600 on 9570 PUG 250 kW / 331 deg to CeAs

Sinhala
0000-0027 on 9865 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
0000-0027 on 11730 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
1330-1400 on 9520 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs

Tamil
0030-0057 on 11935 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
1400-1427 on 9520 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs

Telugu
0100-0127 on 15530 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
1430-1457 on 9665 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs

Urdu
0100-0127 on 11820 PUG 250 kW / 300 deg to SoAs
0100-0127 on 15280 PUG 250 kW / 300 deg to SoAs
1430-1457 on 11870 PUG 250 kW / 300 deg to SoAs

Vietnamese
0130-0230 on 15530 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
1030-1127 on 11850 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
1300-1327 on 11850 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
2330-2357 on 9670 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs

Zomi-Chin
0130-0200 on 15520 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs

Ukraine
First Channel of Ukrainian Radio in Ukrainian observed in BUL
0230-2200 on 5970 KV 100 kW / non-dir to UKR(Sep.6 1030-1430 on 5980!)
Very good reception in BUL, except:
QRM Vatican Radio in various langs on 5965 til 1100;
co-ch China Radio International 1600-1757 in German;
co-ch China Radio International 1800-1957 in French;
co-ch WYFR Family Radio 2000-2100 in Arabic

United Kingdom
U.K.(non) BBC launches special news programme for Afghanistan in Pashto:
1630-1700 on 6100 SLA 250 kW / 035 deg
6100 NAK 250 kW / 255 deg
7295 CYP 300 kW / 077 deg
9915 CYP 300 kW / 077 deg
(Source: DX Mix News # 538 via wb, Germany; Alokesh Gupta, India; Rachel Baughn)

Ireland's RTE to broadcast on shortwave September 21

All times UTC

United Kingdom/ South Africa
RTE Radio One - September 21
1300-1300 on 11715 WOF 035 kW / 103 deg to WeEu DRM
1330-1500 on 9850 WOF 035 kW / 103 deg to WeEu DRM
1300-1500 on 7295 MEY 250 kW / 290 deg to SoAf
1300-1500 on 11695 MEY 250 kW / 335 deg to WCAf
1300-1500 on 11960 MEY 250 kW / 100 deg to ECAf
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 16)
(Source: DX Mix news #538 via wb, Germany, Alokesh Gupta, India, Rachel Baughn)

Schedule changes from TDP

Schedule changes from TDP:

All times UTC

Russia/Tajikistan
Que Huong Radio
Vietnamese
1200-1300 on 15680 DB 100 kW / 117 deg to SEAs Wed-Fri, xMon-Sat

Addis Dimts Radio
Amharic
1600-1700 NF 21585 SAM 250 kW / 188 deg to EaAf Sun, x17875

Ginbot 7 Dimts Radio
Amharic
( new opposition station from Sept 11)
1700-1730 on 17655 SAM 250 kW / 188 deg to EaEa Tue/Thu/Sat
21555 SAM 250 kW / 188 deg to EaEa Tue/Thu/Sat

Radio Democracy Shorayee
Persian, cancelled
1700-1800 on 12120 SAM 250 kW / 188 deg to WeAs Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 16)
(Source: DX Mix News #538 via wb, Germany, Alokesh Gupta, India, Rachel Baughn)


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

Reception reports for stations using TDP may be directed to:
Transmitter Documentation Project

P.O. Box 1
B-2310 Rijkevorsel
Belgium

Website: Transmitter Documentation Project: www.tdp.info/
Website: (shortwave schedules) www.broadcast.be/
Email: info@transmitter.org
(World QSL Book)

Blog Logs

All times UTC // parallel frequency *sing-on sign-off*

Australia
Radio Australia via Shepparton 17750, 0347 English. SIO 333. Sept 13. Announcer's comments and program interview. Phone-calls from listeners. //15515 [444]Shepparton and 15240 [444]Shepparton. (Stewart MacKenzie,CA)


Bolivia
6075, Radio Causauki Coca, Cochabamba,(presumed) 1000-1040 Caught the opening remarks and at sign on (1000) which was exactly on the hour. Unfortunately, they seemed to have come on the air from a cold start. It took their transmitter about 15 minutes before it was at a poor level of audio. The entire format seemed to be political comments while different individuals spoke - all in Spanish. At about 1017 a break for a canned ID/Annoucement were the station details were given. Heard the above ID or at least about 60 percent of it anyway. After that, the live comments continue. Heard place names. (Chuck Bolland, FL Sept. 15)

6134.81, Radio Santa Cruz, 1024-1035. No need to report this here, but the signal was so good, I just couldn't resist. Noted a male and female in Quechua or Aymara comments,not sure which; but definitely not Spanish. At 1026 local music presented. Signal was armchair. (Chuck Bolland, FL September 14. 2008)

Bulgaria
6000, Radio Varna, 2110-2210, Sept 14. Local pops/ballads. IDs. Talk in listed Bulgarian. Time pips to possible news at 2200. Poor with co-channel QRM from a weak unidentified station which signed off at 2129. (possibly Voice of Russia). Noisy conditions but in the clear after 2129. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Brazil
11780, Radio Nacional da Amazónia, 2329, Sept 9. Singing "Brazil" jingle, Radio Nacional IDs, fair. (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

Canada
6069.966, CFRX, 1910-1925, Sept 14. Measured precisely on this frequency. Seems to be drifting down over the past week. Program about global warming. Poor to fair signal strength.(Brian Alexander, PA)

Voice of Vietnam relay. 6175, 0332 English. SIO 444, Sept 12. Station newscast for good signal quality. (Stewart MacKenzie, CA)

Radio Prague relay. 6080, 0336 English. SIO 444. Sept 12 News and comments on the Czech Republic plus the Georgian conflict. (Stewart MacKenzie, CA)

Radio Japan relay-NHK. 5960, 0345. Japanese SIO 333. Sept 12. Pop music tunes to announcer's interviews. (Stewart MacKenzie, CA)

Chile
La Voz/CVC. 11970, 0330 Spanish, SIO 333, Sept 15. Announcer duo with chat and station announcements to vocal music. (Stewart Mackenzie, CA)

Costa Rica
Radio Exterior Espana-REE Relay. 6040, 0340 Spanish, SIO 333 Sept 12. Spanish program comments, noted on //6020 (SIO 333) via via Costa Rica. (Stewart MacKenzie, CA)

Equatorial Guinea
15190, Radio Africa, 2220-2255*, Sept 9. Pastor Tony Alamo preaching and some religious songs, gives address in Texarkana, Texas, along with phone numbers,mostly poor with moderate QRM (2257 ID for WYFR in Portuguese). Tony's program seems to be here daily from 2200 till sign-off. (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

Indonesia
3976.03 RRI-Pontianak (presumed), 1511-1517, Sept 10. Easy-listening Indonesian ballads, fair. Fak Fak on 4790.02 had signed off by this time. (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

4749.95, RRI Makassar, 1444-1506, Sept 10, in Indonesia. Coverage of a soccer/football game, many mentions of player Ali Kadafi to clear announcement for Coke-Cola FIFA Liga Super Indonesia, mostly fair with occasional light Bangladesh QRM. My best reception to date. (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA,Etón E1)

Laos
6130, Lao National Radio, 1544-1602*, Sept 10. Non-stop indigenous music, Anthem and off, fair. (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

Malaysia
6049.61v Suara Islam (Voice of Islam) via RTM, 1646-1659*, Sept 10, assume in Malay, man and woman in conversation, pop songs, choral anthem and off. Klasik Nasional FM on 5964.91 also well heard with singing "Klasik Nasional" jingle, Two time pips at into station news. Traxx FM also continued on after 1700.

7295, Traxx FM via RTM, 1609-1638, Sept 10, in English, DJ with pop/rap songs in English, many IDs. Local time checks ("17 minutes past midnight"),heard their new station slogan ("Travel N' Music"), their website has been redesigned, fair. (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

Myanmar
9730.75v, Myanma Radio, 1518-1536*, Sept 10. Vernacular service with brief indigenous music at sign-off, weak. Recently noted drifting between .75-.77. (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

Nigeria
4770, Radio Nigeria, Kaduna. September-14 English/Hausa(sch) 2237 romantic music, 2242 Barry White music, 2246. Lady announcer's talk. Some CODAR, 32322 Lúcio Otávio Bobrowiec, Brazil/Cumbre DX)

Papua New Guinea
3335, Radio East Sepik, Wewak, 1025-1041, Sept 14, Tok Pisin. Announcer between items, rather pleasant. Choral-like island music during poor signal. (Scott Barbour, NH)

3385, Radio East New Britain Rabaul, 1042-1053, Sept 14, Tok Pisin. Announcer between choral-like island music.Same format as other PNG's heard this morning, though none in noted in paralle. Poor signal quality. (Scott Barbour, NH)

3905, Radio New Ireland Kavieng, Sept 14, Tok Pisin. Announcer between choral-like island music. Same format as other PNG's heard this morning, though none in //. Signal poor-battling with amateur radio interference. Carriers also noted this morning on 3325 & 3365. (Scott Barbour, NH)

Peru
4826.4, presumed Radio Sicuani Sicuani, 0933, Sept 16, Spanish. Male/female announcers with talk and music. Signal very poor and quickly gone under band QRN; not much to work with. (Scott Barbour, NH)

4835.55, Radio Maranon Jaen, *0958-1015, Sept 16, Spanish. Carrier prior to s/on w/ SP mx; ancr at 1000 & canned ID announcement, talk over music from 1006 thru tune-out. Signal poor-fair at best. (Barbour-NH)

Philippines
15145, Voice of America relay. 2309-2320, Sept 9, with "New Dynamic English" language lesson, followed by "Functioning In Business" language lesson, gave the DynEd International website, fair. These programs usually heard on Mon., Tue., Fri. & Sat. on Lao Nat. Radio on 6130 from 1415-1430 (Wed. & Thurs. being in French and Sun. in Laotian). (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1)

Russia
7200, Radio Rossii, 1000-1030+ Setting on 7200 for no reason when I heard time ticks before 1000. Then at 1000 a brief fanfare and canned ID from a female in Russian, "Radio Rossii".Following this a period of news and comments by various persons with periodic ID's as above. Found a parallel transmission on 7345 kHz but it was very poor. Both 7200 and 7345 are listed being relayed via Yakutsk (Lakutsk). Signal on 7200 was good. (Chuck Bolland, FL September 14, 2008)

Swaziland
3240,TWR Manzini, 0253-0315, Sept 14, English/listed Shona. English interval signal loop at tune-in; sign-on announcement at 0255. Announcer in listed Shona service with talk between religious music. Signal fair. (S cott Barbour, NH)

Zambia
4965, The Christain Voice,(presumed) 0045-0105 Can't really hear this yet, but can tell it's in English and the music is on the religious side. So the signal is very weak and there's also somekind of interference which I would characterize as a jammer. However, not certain? (Chuck Bolland,FL September 15, 2008)

Zanzibar
11735, Radio Tanzania-Zanzibar, 1757-1830, Sept 14. Tune-in to local vocal music. Drums at 1759. Time pips, English “Spice FM” ID & English news at 1800. Spice FM ID at 1809 & into Swahili talk. Qur`an at 1825. In the clear with a fair to good signal. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2008 Sep 16 2151 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC:
# www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html
#
# Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
08 - 14 September 2008

Solar activity was very low. No flares were detected. The visible disk was spotless during most of the period. Region 1001 (N06, L = 179, class/area Bxo/020 on 11 September) emerged on 11 September, but quickly decayed to plage.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached high levels throughout the period.

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet to unsettled levels during 08 - 09 September with active to minor storm periods observed at high latitudes on 08 September. Activity decreased to quiet levels at all latitudes during 10 - 13 September. Activity increased to active levels late on 14 September. ACE solar wind measurements indicated a subsiding coronal hole high-speed stream (CH HSS) was in progress at the start of the period with a peak velocity of 603 km/sec observed
at 08/0711 UTC. Velocities gradually decreased during 08 - 14 September with a minimum velocity of 277 km/sec observed at 14/0304 UTC. A co-rotating interaction region (CIR) in advance of a recurrent CH HSS was observed during the latter half of 14 September. Solar wind changes associated with the CIR included increased velocities (peak 395 km/sec at 14/2229 UTC), increased densities (peak 18 p/cc at 14/2231 UTC), increased IMF Bt (peak 10
nT at 14/2049 UTC), and intermittent periods of southward IMF Bz (minimum -14 nT at 14/2039 UTC).

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
17 September - 13 October 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 17 - 22 September and again during 01 - 13 October.

Quiet geomagnetic conditions are expected during 17 - 29 September. Activity is expected to increase to unsettled levels on 30 September. A further increase to active to minor storm levels is expected during 01 - 02 October with major storm levels possible at high latitudes due to a recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream.

Activity is expected to decrease to unsettled levels during 03 - 05 October as the high-speed stream subsides. Quiet conditions are expected during 06 - 11 October. Activity is expected to increase to active levels on 12 October due to a recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream. Activity is expected to decrease to mostly quiet levels during 13 October as the high-speed stream subsides.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2008 Sep 16 2152 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC contact :
# www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html
#

# 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
# Issued 2008 Sep 16
#
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2008 Sep 17 67 5 2
2008 Sep 18 67 5 2
2008 Sep 19 67 5 2
2008 Sep 20 67 5 2
2008 Sep 21 67 5 2
2008 Sep 22 67 5 2
2008 Sep 23 67 5 2
2008 Sep 24 67 5 2
2008 Sep 25 67 5 2
2008 Sep 26 67 5 2
2008 Sep 27 67 5 2
2008 Sep 28 67 5 2
2008 Sep 29 67 5 2
2008 Sep 30 67 8 3
2008 Oct 01 67 30 5
2008 Oct 02 67 8 3
2008 Oct 03 67 8 3
2008 Oct 04 67 8 3
2008 Oct 05 67 8 3
2008 Oct 06 67 5 2
2008 Oct 07 67 5 2
2008 Oct 08 67 5 2
2008 Oct 09 67 5 2
2008 Oct 10 67 5 2
2008 Oct 11 67 5 2
2008 Oct 12 67 15 4
2008 Oct 13 67 5 2
(NOAA)

Follow China's closing ceremony of Beijing Paralympic Games

On Sept 17, there will be the closing ceremony of the Beijing Paralympic Games, which should give DXers a chance to hear some of the Chinese regional stations in parallel, with special coverage via the relaying of CNR-1 programming.
The opening ceremony on Sept 6 had such special programming. I heard Sichuan PBS-2 on 6060 // 7225 and Hunan PBS on 4990, all with CNR-1 programming and tomorrow there will probably be some others with this special relay. Not sure just what the exact time will be, but my Sept 6 reception was around 1430, so Iwill be checking about 1300 or even earlier to see what the reception is like.
Ron Howard, Monterey/Asilomar Beach, CA/Cumbre DX)

Radio St Helena Day 2008 details

Radio St Helena has set a date for the next Radio St Helena Day (RSHD). RSHD was revived on 4 November 2006, bringing back the special annual worldwide transmission on shortwave. Last year’s transmission was another success and was held later in the year (15 December) to coincide with Radio St Helena’s 40th Anniversary (25th December).

Last year was also the 10th RSHD, therefore it was a very special Double Anniversary. It was enjoyed by numerous presenters, who all gave up their time to present and lend a helping hand to make the evening a memorable one.

The station has posted 247 Special Anniversary QSL cards, designed by Robert Kipp, who initiated the ‘Revival of RSHD’. Reception reports were received from various parts of Europe, Japan, USA and Canada. Documentaries of the special broadcasts have been featured on television programmes in Germany and have appeared on many websites around the world; putting St Helena Island ‘on the map’.

This year, it has been decided to host RSHD in November after feedback from listeners in Japan indicated that December was too late in the year to get a clear signal. Therefore, this year’s Radio St Helena Day is set for Saturday 15 November. Radio St Helena Day 2008 will be broadcast on 11092.5 kHz in USB on Saturday, 15 November 2008 as follows :

2000-2100 UTC to Japan
2100-2230 UTC to Europe
2230-2330 UTC to North America

Because of the very long “Revival” and “Double-Anniversary” transmissions in 2006 and 2007 and the especially heavy workload at Radio St Helena during the entire second half of 2008, it was decided that RSD 2008 would be reduced to the above schedule. It is hoped that the times have been chosen so that reception in all areas will be acceptable.

The QSL procedure is the same as in 2006 and 2007, and the QSL address is :

Radio St Helena
P.O. Box 93,
Jamestown
St. Helena
STHL 1ZZ
South Atlantic Ocean
(Source: Laura Lawrence, Radio Station Manager via St Helena Herald/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

A closer look at broadcasting from Russian DX League

The following logs are a sampling from the current newsletter of the Russian DX League.

All times UTC // parallel frequency *sign-on sign-off*

Kazakhstan
9950 at 1431-, Golos Pravoslavya Aug 29. Phone quality programming, back again on a Friday with ID in Russian after some church bells briefly. Into their usual religious programming. Very good reception otherwise.(Walt Salmaniw-BC-CAN, DXplorer Aug 30) Tue/Fri operation. (wb)

Lithuania
6055 Radio KBC (Netherlands) relay 2132 UT. Bewildering, almost indescribable melange of DJ shouting (mostly in American English, at least once in UK English, several times in Dutch), endless jingle IDs, mention of Radio Caroline and what sounded like Radio Atlantic, snippets of generic rock music, high-tech sound effects a classic dog's breakfast.

Nearly impossible to get more than a word or two here and there because the signal was so incredibly choppy. Did manage to catch "we are the mighty KBC" at 2152 and "All over Europe ... the might KBC" at 2202, when I finally tuned out, suffering from severe audio fatigue. Sked is *2130- 2230* per EiBi.(Bob Hill-MA-USA, DXplorer Aug 30)

9770 new (x11670) from July 21. IRIB via Sitkuna, Lithuania in Italian, 0630-0727 UT, S=9+20dB, Holy Quran prayer, \\ direct 13770 and 15085 kHz.(wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Aug 31)

Moldova
12135, PMR Pridnestrovye 1615-1630. English commentary about various war heros from Moldova and Ukraine. At 1627 began sign-on announcements with ID and address for PMR in Moldova.(Bruce Barker, PA/HCDX)

6040, Radio PMR 09/02 2215-2230 Gangbusters signal in English. Program on independence
proclamation on Sep. 2nd 1990. At sign-off gave address in Moldova instead of Pridnestrovye, the self-declared independent region in southeastern Moldova.Some kind of agreement with Moldovan govt? (Bruce Barker, PA/HCDX)

Russia
Petropavlovsk, Voice of Russia 9435 0352 English 333 Sept 2. Choir music plus comments on
Jesus. Choir Male music 0354 In the Spiritual program. Announcer with an ID 0358. Bell interval signal at 0359. Announcer with "this is Moscow" at 0400. Newscast with News Items on Georgia. //9665 [SIO 444] Moldova. (Stewart MacKenzie, CA)

5940, Radio Rossii, 0905-0930 Noted a program of Russian music and comments by various persons. Signal getting mixed with splatter here and difficult to copy details, but at a fair level it's better than usual. (Chuck Bolland, FL August 31, 2008)

7200 Radio Sakha Aug 25 0810-0821 SINPO 45433 Yakut, ID at 0810, News, Local program //7345kHz. (Kouji Hashimoto, Japan)

Tajikistan
4635, Tajik Radio(tent.) Dushanbe-Yangiyul. September-04 Tajik(sch) 2339 OM talks between short music, 2336-2343 Arabic type music. Sounded like an All India Radio station, SINPO (Lucio Bobrowiec, Brazil/HCDX)

4635.05 Tajik Radio Aug 13 1355-1406 SINPO 35343 Tajik, Talk and music, ID at 1400. (Kouji Hashimoto, Japan)

4635.05 Tajik Radio Aug 26 1343-1401 SINPO 35343 Tajik, Talk and music, ID at 1357. (Kouji Hashimoto, Japan)
Ukraine
Radio Ukraine Intl, 7440 0250 Ukrainian SIO 322 Aug 29. Male/female with comments.(Stewart MacKenzie, CA)

7440, 0015-0100 Radio Ukraine International. Excelent signal. Tuned in to Famous Ukrainians, followed by Closeup program which ended at 0057. Sign-off announcements giving frequency, address, e-mail, etc. (Bruce Barker, PA/HCDX)
(Source: RUS-DX # 182/Anatoly Klepov/playdx 2003)

Blog Logs

Today's shortwave BLOG LOGS, represent a portion of additional logs recently cut from my 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 all our contributors.
Gayle VH

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

Albania
China Radio International relay 7285, 2055. Learn Chinese language program (SIO 453) // 5960 (SIO 252). (B Fraser).

Ascension Island
BBC World Service 17830, 1100. Followup report on the latest from Russian/Georgia relations. SIO 353 (B Fraser).



Canada
China Radio International relay 6040, 0115. Report on holiday celebrations in China, heard on // 7250 (SIO 554). (B Fraser).

Ecuador
Radio Chaskis 4909.32, 0906-0922. Nice mix of Quecha ballads with ID announcement between selections. Fair signal observed, best I have logged Chaskis. (S Barbour)

Equatorial Guinea
radio Nacional, Malabo 6250, 0530-0605. Spanish talk segments and mentions of "Bata" and ID as "Radio Malabo" to local African music. Signal poor to fair with occasional interference. (B Alexander).

Ethiopia
Radio Ethiopia, Addis Ababa 7110, 0302-0317. Vernacular text from announcer with presumed news to techno music bit. Horn of Africa style music to presumed program intro at 0340 followed by an interview. Audible on // 9704.2 weak. (S Barbour).

France
AWR, Issoudin (presumed) 17575, 1641-1658. Language listed as Somali. Noted continous Horn of Africa music until announcer at 1649. More music at 1655 with brief announcer comment. Signal pretty much disappeared at 1658. Signal poor with deep fades. (S Barbour).


Guam
KTWR 9975, 1110-1122. Listed as Cantonese/Hakka service. Announcer's talk over music to brief text at 1114, followed by interval signal and station ID, then into listed Hakka service. Signal poor with occasional 9980 WWCR interference. (S Barbour).

Indonesia
Voice of Indonesia 9525.95, 1035-1045. Observed music at tune-in, followed by male announcer in scheduled Thai service. Announcer's talk over flute music. Signal fair but fading. © Bolland).

RRI Jakarta 9680, 1040-1050. Check this station while on the band. Program consisted of music and Indonesian comments from female announcer. Signal observed as fair, beginning to fade out for the day due to my local sunrise. © Bolland).

Israel
Galei Zahal 6973.1, 0208. Hebrew/English. English music ballad to instrumental music until 0212. Lady announcer's Hebrew text through tune-out for fair-ggod signal quality. (S Barbour).

Japan
Radio Nikkei, Tokyo 6055, 0818-0835. Vernacular service. Classic piano music until announcers text at 0830 over music joined by another announcer. Signal resonably clear. (S Barbour).



Madagascar
Radio Voice of the People 11695, *1100-1155.* Vernacular talks to African style music, Station ID and some English observed after 1140. Signal very weak in quiet conditions. (B Alexander).

Mauritania
Radio Mauritanie 4845, 0121-0137. Station noted on late with announcers talk audible to 0130. Lots of "reverb", possibly a live event? Arabic music at 0134. Signal fair with occasional static crash and hetrodyne via presumed Brazil on 4845.2 (S Barbour).

New Zealand
Radio new Zealand International 7145, 1052. Report on the Fijian prime minister will not step down. SIO 454 (B Fraser).


Peru
Radio Altura (presumed) 5014.5, 0113-0123. Spanish talks poking through the noise floor, music audible at 0121 for poor signal quality. (S Barbour).

Philippines
FEBC 15330, 1144-1201. Vernacular from male announcer, listed as Mon. Bangkok cotact info, carrier off at 1145, back in one minute with interval signal and music bits. Announcer's station ID into a music ballad at 1149. (S Barbour).

Poland
Radio Polonia 9525, 1225. Program feature on touring a palace in Poland. Signal fair amid very deep fades and SIO 452. (B Fraser).

Russia
WYFR 11725, 1211-1217. Mandarin programming as announcer's items over music. Slow-style English at 1212 regarding the book of Revelations. Station contact info to interval signal and station ID at 1216. Signal fair. (S Barbour).

Radio Kompaniya, Golos Rossi 7125, 2345-0005. Prior to the hour heard station steady. Pop music to canned ID at 0000 as "Radio Kompaniya.' Newscast presented in Russian. My references indicate this may be via Moldova. Signal was good. © Bolland).

São Tomé
Voice of America relay 4960, 0415. Talk of government system in several African countries. Repeated mentions of the Domino Effect during poor signal quality. (J Wood).

Voice of America (presmued) 7135, 0005-0031. Observed steady stream of news and features in unknown Middle Eastern language, to news worthy spots in English. Station an ID as " VOA.dot.com.". Observed lots of channel splatter while signal was poor. © Bolland).

USA
KNLS Anchor Point, Alaska 6890, 1028-1048. Music from 1980's era to religious text on trials of Jacob. Station identification at 1036 as signal deteriorating by 1040, as gospel music audible at tune-out. (S Barbour).



Yemen
YRTV 9779.82, 2042-2105. Arabic from two announcers with continous talk to music and Koran recitations at 2103. Signal noted weak but improving. (S Barbour).

Contributors:
Brian Alexander, PA
Scott Barber, NH
Chuck Bolland, FL
Bob Fraser, ME
Joe Wood, TN

BBCWS and DW to launch joint radio service

BBC World Service and Deutsche Welle have announced plans to launch a joint radio service to Europe on DRM shortwave. The new stream, which will be entirely in English, is expected to go live in early 2009. It will be available from early morning till late at night targeting Western and Central Europe and a potential audience of 170 million listeners with global news and current affairs and a rich mix of in-depth analysis, documentaries and cultural programs. The service will provide a multimedia offer of audio and text, the latter coming automatically from the BBC News website.
Erik Bettermann, Director General at Deutsche Welle, said: “It is great that two of the world’s most established broadcasters can work together on a project of this scale. This is an exciting venture that will offer European listeners top class content and provides the perfect opportunity to reintroduce listeners to DRM.”
(Source: DRM Consortium/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Playdx logs

Dear friends,

It has been a busy week with participating in the EDXC Conference in Vaasa, Finland which was a successfull one, and then writing the official reports to SWN and the EDXC Website. They are now delivered and will be published within short time, the latter at www.edxc.org .

Here are my latest tips including some special programs, heard in Skovlunde on my AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres longwire. Very poor conditions for Latin America!

All times UTC

Bolivia
4699.37 0135-0150, 13.09 Radio San Miguel, Riberalta (p) Spanish talk, huayno 25232 AP-DNK

Clandestine
3928.35 0223-0320, 13.09 R Voice of Kurdistan, No. Iraq Kurdish ann, martial song, early program during Ramadan, jammed by Iran, at 0230 jumped to 3934.04 while the jammer continued on 3928, Kurdish songs heard well in USB: 45444. On recheck at 0320 the station was on 3937.50 with talk in Kurdish and no jamming 35343 AP-DNK

4864.72 0250-0330 CLA 13.09 Voice of Iranian Kurdistan, Al-Sulaymaniyah Kurdish talk, jammed by Iran 32432 AP-DNK

Germany
9790 *0900-0935, Su 14.09 AWR, via Nauen (100 kW, 180 degrees) Italian "Studio DX 272", tips, report by Dario Monferini from EDXC Conference in Vaasa, 0930 religious programme 35242 AP-DNK

Kuwait
15110 0525-0605, 03.09 R Kuwait, Kabd English pop songs, English ann, 0559 Toyota adv, ID, news 45444 AP-DNK

Peru
4790.05 0255-0310, 13.09 R Visión, Chiclayo Spanish religious talk 35343 AP-DNK

Surinam
4990.00 0330-0335, 13.09 R Apintie, Paramaribo very tentative very weak carrier, QRM Brazil 4985 14331 AP-DNK

Sweden
15240 *1230-1259* S 03.09 Radio Sweden, Hörby English live broadcast from studio 5 celebrating its 70 years, important events during these 70 years 35333 AP-DNK

Turkey
11835 *1730-1823* Sa 13.09 Voice of Turkey, Emirler German news, press review, Ms. Ufuk Gecim interviewed Andreas Schmid, Arto Mujunen and Tibor Szilagyi at EDXC Conference in Vaasa 55555 AP-DNK

Uganda
4975.98 0305-0330, 13.09 R Uganda, Kampala English news, Afropop, CWQRM 33343 AP-DNK

Best 73,
Anker Petersen (via playdx)

Hurricane Ike GlobalNet Report

For those of you who want to keep track of local Houston area Hurricane Ike coverage, here are some links of audio and video streams on the Internet from the Houston area.

KTRH-AM NewsRadio 740
http://www.ktrh.com/cc-common/ondemand/player.html?world=st

KPRC-2 NBC Houston
http://www.click2houston.com/video/10903347/index.html

KHOU-11 CBS Houston
http://www.khou.com/video/?nvid=178826&live=yes&noad=yes

KTRK-13 ABC Houston
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/feature?section=news/local&id=6102015

KRIV-26 Fox Houston
Video Stream Page
http://www.myfoxhouston.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=7406837&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1

For more on streaming video, audio and more, please refer to The Btown Monitoring Post blog at:http://monitor-post.blogspot.com/

Radio Netherlands - Program Guide September 13-19

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

SATURDAY 13 SEPTEMBER
*** The State We're In ***

This week in TSWI, we ask if people have a right to retire. So we ask 74-year-old New Yorker Lestra Vertucci why she's going back to work. Host Jonathan Groubert speaks with Bilha Ndoko Azenga, a retired school teacher in Nairobi, Kenya, about her struggle to support a family on a meagre pension and Stephen Kidd, director of policy at the advocacy group Help Age International explains the challenges facing retirees around the world.

We focus on the right to a toilet. Bouwe-Jan Smeding from the organisation SIMAVI discusses the problems of sanitation in developing countries. We also hear about the concept of the Flying Toilet, the receptacle of last resort in Kenyan slums where there is no alternative. And Dr. Kamal Kar explains his concept 'Community Led Total Sanitation', which introduces elements of shame and knowledge to get communities to improve sanitation themselves.

And finally Thai Transgender Suttirat Simsiriwong gives us her opinion on the Thai school that has given its transgender students their own toilet. She also explains why there are so many transgenders in the country compared to other places.

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 every day 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)
Earthbeat:
0000 (Eastern N America 9845)
0100 (Central N America 9845)
0400 (Western N America 6165)

SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER
*** Network Europe Extra ***

Arts and Culture brought to you each Sunday 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 ***

Another selection of the week's programme highlights 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 15 SEPTEMBER
*** 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 ***

It's a radio show, it's a website, it's a lifestyle. It's Curious Orange -
30 minutes of Dutchness on Radio Netherlands Worldwide

This week on Curious Orange... excelling in the Netherlands - why the Dutch preference for "good enough" isn't good enough any more. And, we'll pump up the volume when we hear about Holland's first sustainable dance club. Also on the show, Robbert Tilli from the Music Center of the Netherlands will tell us about this week's feature music artist Benny Sings, and Columnist Perro de Jong will be in with his Critical Eye.

That's this week on Curious Orange.

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:

Documentary followed by Reloaded:
0000 (Eastern N America 9845)
0100 (Central N America 9845)
Earthbeat:
0400 (Western N America 6165)
Network Europe:
1500 (Europe 1296; South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)

TUESDAY 16 SEPTEMBER
*** 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 ***

Jonathan Groubert and his team look at current events from an unexpected perspective

This week in TSWI ME, we ask if people have a right to retire. So we ask 74-year-old New Yorker Lestra Vertucci why she's going back to work. Host Jonathan Groubert speaks with Bilha Ndoko Azenga, a retired school teacher in Nairobi, Kenya, about her struggle to support a family on a meagre pension and Stephen Kidd, director of policy at the advocacy group Help Age International explains the challenges facing retirees around the world.

We focus on the right to a toilet. Bouwe-Jan Smeding from the organisation SIMAVI discusses the problems of sanitation in developing countries. We also hear about the concept of the Flying Toilet, the receptacle of last resort in Kenyan slums where there is no alternative. And Dr. Kamal Kar explains his concept 'Community Led Total Sanitation', which introduces elements of shame and knowledge to get communities to improve sanitation themselves.

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
Network Europe:
1500 (Europe 1296; South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
Curious Orange:
0030 (Eastern N America 9845)
0130 (Central N America 9845)
0430 (Western N America 6165)

WEDNESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER
*** 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 ***

'No Way Out'

"Summer in Zantiadi" by Sana Valiulina

This season RadioBooks highlights work from the diverse immigrant community of The Netherlands and Belgium. After her study in Moscow, Estonian-born writer Sana Valiulina emigrated to The Netherlands in 1989.

In her story "Summer in Zantiadi" a young woman vacationing in a seaside resort falls under the spell of an attractive but mysterious boy.

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 (Europe 1296; 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 18 SEPTEMBER
*** 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 ***

Marnie Chesterton looks at the footprint we're leaving on our planet.

This week on Earthbeat: When plants go bad. The Rhododendron should probably be admired for the prolific way in which it spreads. The problem is that it threatens an ancient oak landscape that has remained unchanged for centuries in the Highlands of Scotland. So who's winning the battle to keep this pest at bay?
Also on the show, we visit the The Netherlands' first sustainable dance club. That's all on Thursday's Earthbeat with Marnie Chesterton.

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 (Europe 1296; South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
Radio Books:
0030 (Eastern N America 9845)
0130 (Central N America 9845)
0430 (Western N America 6165)

FRIDAY 19 SEPTEMBER
*** 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)

*** Bridges with Africa ***

Your hosts Alberta Opoku, Ernest Mason and Bram Posthumus take a look at African developments - in Africa itself, but also in Europe and elsewhere. Featuring the everything-out-in-the-open Round Table discussion, and of course music. That's in a new edition of Bridges with Africa, this Friday.

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 (Europe 1296; South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
(Source: R Netherlands)

Uganda's Radio Dunamis active again on shortwave

All times UTC // parallel frequency

4750 Radio Dunamis, Mukono, Kampala, 1745 fade in-1830*, Aug 17, 20,25 and Sep 01, active again! English religious program with preacher and a religious choir, some ID's in between, s/off with choir. Sometimes CODAR QRM.(Anker Petersen-DEN and Roland Schulze-D, DSWCI/DX Window)

Be aware of Bangladesh till 1714* and Voice of China // 4460, 4800 and 5030 till 1735* also on 4750!

Recently I received the following information from Marty McLaughlin at Dunamis Shortwave:
"We are hoping to have Dunamis Shortwave up and running again the first week in September. HCJB is sending their engineer to help us...praise God! Hopefully you will be able to try and pick it up again ... as long as we do not encounter another problem. Mrs. Marty McLaughlin, International Ministry Coordinator, High dventure/Bible Voice Broadcasting ". (Bjoern Fransson-SWE, dswci DXW Sept 3)

4975.96 Radio Uganda, Kampala, at 2247 UT on Aug 29, late broadcast of music, QRM from 4974.77 Brazil. (Dave Valko-USA, dswci DXW Sept 3)
(Source: WWDXC Top News/BC-DX # 877 via wb, Germany)

QSL Report Central

Taiwan
7380 Little Saigon Radio via Tainan site: 7380. Full-data (except site) cd in 3 months. The people at this station are obviously familiar with QSL cards. The front of this color card includes station logo, "QSL", SW frequency & schedule, and MW frequencies with call letters & locations_all over a background of what appears to be old Vietnamese art. The back includes station list again (with 7380 corrected to 7390) and boxes to indicate the verified frequency. V/s Joe Dinh, Technical Dept. Address: Little Saigon Radio, 15781 Brookhurst St. - Suite 101, Westminster, CA 92683. (Wendel Craighead-KS-USA, DXplorer Sept 10)

Tajikistan
17598 Voice of Tibet via Dushanbe-Yangi Yul site: 17598. Full-data (except site) montage (studio, peace rally?, etc.) cd in 2 months. V/s (illegible) "Editor-in-Chief". Address: Voice of Tibet, Narthang Building, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamsala-176 215 H.P., India. (Wendel Craighead-KS-USA, DXplorer Sept 10) (Source: WWDXC Top News/BC-DX # 877 via wb, Germany)

Canada's CFRX back on the air

All times UTC

6070 CFRX is back on the air! Came across them today (Sept 4) at 2115 UT with call-in show hosted by woman; lots of promos and IDs for CFRB and NewsTalk 1010. This will make any further loggings of ELWA just about impossible from ECNA, but it's still good to hear CFRX back again. They may just be testing at this point. (Bob Hill-MA-USA, DXplorer Sept 4)

6069.86 CFRX, Toronto; at 2303-2315 UT on 5 Sept, and 1124-1201 UT on 6 Sept. Essentially uncopyable due to het and RVC-Chile on 6070. Better upon checking the next local morning, with "...I'm Terri Hart..." Their web site shows "The John Donabie Show" this hour, an entertainment show, but if so there's some long local breaks. "Newstalk 1010 UT, CFRB ... it's 7:41 ... sports ..." into sound byte highlights of the Rays v. Blue Jays game from last night, another ID, commercials for local businesses, "Newstalk 1010, CFRB, Toronto" at 1146, more commercials, time check by man into weather by female who said "Good morning, Tom" then back to presumed Tom, who read lotto numbers.

Interview with a lady regarding some outdoor event and mention of a street closing as a result, mention of getting there via Third Street, 160th anniversary of something, commercials from 1156 UT, mention of 1-800-561- CFRB, female with temperature and news from 1200 UT. Fair, but LSB and some notching needed to copy. (Terry L Krueger-FL-USA, DXplorer Sept 7)
(Source: WWDXC Top News/BC-DX #877 via wb, Germany)

Studio DX 272 to air September 14

Next Studio DX 272 will be aired the Sunday 14 September and will contain a report of the activities in the EDXC 2008 meeting in Vaasa realized by Dario Monferini. Frequency 9790 kHz at 0900-0930 UTC.

Special QSL card writing to:
RVS Firenze / AWR Europe Viuzzo del Pergolino 1 50139 Firenze Italia.
Don't forget to add 2 IRCs or 2 US $ if you want a printed QSLcard sent by letter.
Dario Monferini & Roberto Scaglione
(Source: Anker Petersen, Denmark)

Australian DX Report # 116 available for download

A new episode, No. 116, of the AUSTRALIAN DX REPORT audio shortwave news magazine is now available.

It includes monitoring notes, schedule changes, and news about the Voice of America's proposed deletion of its Hindi service on Sep 30, and Radio Sweden's planned elimination of its morning transmissions to Australia from Madagascar from Oct 26.

It's 14 mins 14 secs, and is at

http://airm.edxp.org/

The "AUSTRALIAN DX REPORT", is a free service of the ELECTRONIC DX PRESS RADIO MONITORING ASSOCIATION and contains professionally compiled information about world shortwave broadcasting, with monitoring research.

The site allows you to listen to the ADXR and other audio features directly (streaming audio) via your MP3 player, or via the site's embedded mini-player. Podcasts, iTune capability, full RSS/XML/Atom feeds, and free subscriptions are supported - full details are at the site.

Good listening to the Australian DX Report Episode No. 116!
Bob Padula,
Melbourne

Special programming on Voice of Turkey

Dear friends,

Please listen to and report this special program on the Voice of Turkey from our EDXC Conference in Vaasa.
Anker Petersen

Dear DX Friends all over the World !

Dr. U f u k G e c i m from the Voice of Turkey, and will transmit a special program about the EDXC Conference 2008 Invaasa, Finland. Dr. Ufugecim is the Chief of the German section, and the program will be in German.

Transmission Data:
Saturday, September 13, 2008
12:30 - 133:30 UTC on 17, 700 kHz and 18:30 - 19;30 UTC 0n 7205 kHz

Please listen to this on Saturday !!! And please do send listeners reports !!!
Thank You !
Best 73
T i b o r S z i l a g y i
EDXC Secretary General
(Source: Anker Petersen, Denmark)

Pending VOA Hindi closure upsets fans

The impending closure of Voice of America's Hindi service on 30 September appears to upset loyal listeners, particularly from the country's Hindi belt, who have been tuned into the service for years now.

The services's Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) has announced that the VoA Hindi radio service will be terminated from the end of this month, a move that has also stunned its stringers and correspondents based in India.

Rajasthan based J Singh, who contributes to the Hindi service of Voice of America says, "Ideally, VOA should have increased the hour slots as it has huge listenership for its cultural and regional news.” VoA's Arab radio service, Alhurra and Sawa that rely more on popular music and entertainment are flourishing at the cost of reduced Hindi service timings, point out sources. VoA is currently available as an one hour slot from 9.30 pm on the shortwave.

Says Singh, “It was a platform for listeners all over the globe to ask questions and get replies to their queries. Apparently, the radio station has lost about 30 per cent listenership, when the morning time slot (6 to 6.30 am) was removed."

VoA's listeners are mainly concentrated in the Hindi belt, in areas where the television and internet has not flourished much.

Chabbra based regular VoA listener Hiralal Soni says, “It was the only way to be internationally connected for many remote areas and shutting the services would be a drawback for these listeners.”

The VOA one hour slot has programmes across genres like science, youth oriented programmes, international headlines, women's show and interactive shows like Hello America and Hello India etc.

Says Sevan based Dr R K Mishra, another loyal listener, “I have been listening to the one hour slot Voice of Amercia ever since I remember. I rely on the words of VOA broadcast for confirming any international story across the globe.”

Although the broadcast would be terminated on air, the website and a once-a-week seven-minute segment on news television channel Aaj Tak will continue. “There is no point in continuing the online version after ceasing the broadcast as the illiterate listeners in the remote corners cannot read the news online and the educated ones can any day get international news from any other source other than radio,” points out a listener.

Voice of America’s Hindi service was first launched in July 1955 and garnered listenership in the past many decades targeting mainly the remote corners.
Apart from Hindi, VOA which broadcasts in 45 languages also plans to eliminate seven radio language services this year including Ukrainian, Serbian, Macedonian, Bosnian, Georgian among others.

The FY 2008 funding bill for the Broadcasting Board of Governors, passed by both houses and signed by the President, has directed that this proposed cut on regional services be reversed, say sources. But the service is determined to go ahead with the abolition of the Hindi service.

http://www.radioandmusic.com/content/editorial/news/pending-voa-hindi-closure-upsets-fans#story
(Source: Jaisakthivel, Chennai, India)

September Means Better DX Conditions on Shortwave

By Gayle Van Horn
Now that summer static levels are decreasing, you will notice DX conditions improving. Now is the time, if you haven't already, to get your listening post in order. Have you updated your station and country totals, and prepared a Most Wanted List of station's to verify this season?

Radios and outside antennas should be checked and any necessary repairs made before it's too cold or icy to do so. Hopefully, you have completed any outstanding correspondence including follow up reports before September. Now is the time to concentrate on nabbing those favorite stations and prepare for the seasonal condition changes beginning this month.

Twilight and nighttime patterns have improved and will continue to do so as longer darkness paths provide an extended time to bandscan. Look for stations from South America, Europe and Africa, to fade in earlier, improving prior to 0000 UTC. Stations in the tropical bands including East Asia and Indonesia, are being heard beginning at twilight in the evenings, and any time from 0900-1500 UTC, depending on your location. The Indian subcontinent's signal has improved and will peak in the winter. South Americans begin to fade in around 0700 UTC, followed by the Papua New Guinea stations by 0800 UTC. Medium wave conditions are improving too. Fall and winter are prime time for DXing., especially hearing the cross country signals.

In case you haven't noticed, DX conditions are improving, and now is the time to prepare for a new DX season.

The BEST hurricane tracking map online

Looking for the best hurricane tracking site on the net? Look no further, for we have a teriffic page for blog readers. Stormpulse is an awesome site, and includes links to current activity, satellite images, news, coastal weather, storm archives, and much more - as well as a real-time tracking map. This is where you need to be to follow Ike and the rest of the hurricane season.

Stormpulse: www.stormpulse.com/
(Gayle Van Horn)

Abkhazia Radio info update

Abkhazia (autonomous republic), Georgia 9495.55 Second transmitter unit faulty. Abkhazia Radio today again used the second transmitter unit, which has always a modulator problem, like a wobbling audio signal, which measured today with a 2.3 kHz filter on about 9492 to 9499 kHz frequency range. Same fault logged also often by Erich Bergmann in late August.

Checked the signal from 0530 UT onwards today with S=6-7 peak in 0530-0630 UT range. Seems like Abkhazian talks at 0545 UT, then into Russian again, sport and weather around 0548 UT, from 0550-0557 music break.

Time signal pips at 0600 UT were 4 seconds too late, when compared with DCF77 time signal station.

SIGNING-OFF time was exact 08.06:00 UT today.
SIGN-ON again around 1358 ... 1400 UT ?

Sept 6th mornings 9495.55, afternoon 9494.75
Sept 8th mornings 9494.75, afternoon 9494.75
Sept 9th mornings 9495.55
(wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 9/HCDX)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2008 Sep 09 2151 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC contact:
# http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html


# Weekly Highlights and Forecasts

Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
01 - 07 September 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 04 - 07 September.

Geomagnetic field activity was at predominantly quiet levels during 01 - 03 September. Activity increased to major storm levels on 04 September. Activity decreased to quiet to unsettled levels during 05 - 07 September. ACE solar wind measurements indicated a co-rotating interaction region (CIR) occurred on 03 September in advance of a recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream (HSS). Solar wind changes associated with the CIR included increased plasma densities (peak 27 p/cc at 03/0402 UTC) and a gradual increase in velocities.

Interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) changes during the CIR included an increase in Bt (peak 16 nT at 03/0551 UTC) and intermittent periods of southward Bz (minimum -10 nT at 03/0714 UTC). The HSS commenced on 04 September and continued through the remainder of the
period. Velocities ranged from 462 to 658 km/sec during the HSS. IMF activity during the HSS included variable Bz (range + 07 to - 06 nT) and Bt (range 01 to 07 nT). The HSS began to gradually subside on 07 September.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
10 September - 06 October 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 10 - 12 September, 15 - 22 September, and 01 - 06 October.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet levels during 08 - 12 September. Activity is expected to increase to unsettled levels during 13 September. Activity is expected to increase to
active to minor storm levels on 14 September due to a recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream. Activity is expected to decrease to unsettled levels during 15 - 16 September as the high-speed stream subsides. Quiet conditions are expected during 17 - 29 September. Activity is expected to increase to unsettled levels on 30 September. A further increase to active to minor storm levels is expected during 01 - 02 October due to a recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream. Activity is expected to decrease to unsettled levels during 03 - 04 October as the high-speed stream subsides. Quiet conditions are expected during 05 - 06 October.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2008 Sep 09 2152 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC contact:
# www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html
#
# 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
# Issued 2008 Sep 09
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2008 Sep 10 66 5 2
2008 Sep 11 66 5 2
2008 Sep 12 66 5 2
2008 Sep 13 66 8 3
2008 Sep 14 66 20 5
2008 Sep 15 66 12 4
2008 Sep 16 66 8 3
2008 Sep 17 66 5 2
2008 Sep 18 66 5 2
2008 Sep 19 66 5 2
2008 Sep 20 66 5 2
2008 Sep 21 66 5 2
2008 Sep 22 66 5 2
2008 Sep 23 66 5 2
2008 Sep 24 66 5 2
2008 Sep 25 66 5 2
2008 Sep 26 66 5 2
2008 Sep 27 66 5 2
2008 Sep 28 66 5 2
2008 Sep 29 66 5 2
2008 Sep 30 66 8 3
2008 Oct 01 66 20 5
2008 Oct 02 66 15 4
2008 Oct 03 66 10 3
2008 Oct 04 66 8 3
2008 Oct 05 66 5 2
2008 Oct 06 66 5 2
(NOAA)

BBCWS appoints new Head of French and Great Lakes services

The BBC has appointed Razvan Scortea as the Head of its BBC French and BBC Great Lakes language services. His responsibilities include overseeing the managerial and editorial direction of both services including staff located in London, in over 20 African countries, and the websites bbcafrique.com and bbcgreatlakes.com.
BBC in French for Africa – BBC Afrique – broadcasts daily programmes to millions of people in 23 countries across four time zones. BBC Great Lakes broadcasts programmes in Kinyarwanda and Kirundi to audiences in Rwanda, Burundi and neighbouring countries.
Razvan Scortea was previously the Head of BBC Romanian, a position he held for five years. In this role he managed the transfer of most of the live radio output from London to Bucharest, the setting up of a new office in the capital of Moldova, Chisinau, and the launch of several FM relays.
Razvan first joined BBC Romanian in 1991 reporting on stories that reflected a time of great change and upheaval. In the mid-Nineties, Razvan worked on the first BBC television current affairs programme in a vernacular language for Eastern Europe. In 2000 he became an Editor with BBC Romanian and was instrumental in the launching of its website. He later worked with the BBC’s international charity, BBC World Service Trust, on projects that took him to Azerbaijan, Serbia and Turkmenistan. Before joining the BBC, Razvan worked as a translator and reporter in Romania.
(Source: BBC World Service Publicity/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Update on 9770 test broadcast

Lithuania
The following information has just been received concerning test broadcasts to Australia/New Zealand.

KBC again via Broker Sigitas Ziliones at Sitkunai Lituania, like IRIB, Radio Racja, and US-Radio Liberty.

In A-08
6055 KBC Radio 2130-2229 UT En/Dutch 100kW 259deg Sitkunai LTU
6110 KBC Radio 0200-0259 UT En/Dutch 100 310 Sitkunai LTU
(Aoki list)

At present 9770 [registered 0600-1300 UT] also IRIB Italian in use at 0630-0727 UT, but at 259 degrees antenna.

9770 to India and AUS/NZL should use the 79 degr antenna, mainlobe via KAZ, CHN, HongKong, PHL, Timor, to southern NZL.

259 degr antenna cross Atlantic, Guyana, Ecuador, central Chile into southern Atlantic instead.
(Source: wb, Germany & Mark Nicholls, New Zealand Radio DX League)

Blog Logs

All times UTC // parallel frequency *sign-on sign-off*

Australia
6020, 1220-1300 One of seven freqs used by R. Australia during 1200-1300 for its As and Oc service. 6020 was weak but quite readable altho with fading. Checked all six parallel freqs 9475, 9560, 9580, 9590, 11880, 11945. As usual, 9580 was booming in while 11880 was the only one inaudible. Others were weak. (B Barker, PA)

Bolivia
5952.50, Emisoras Pio XII, 0201-0215 Tuned in after the hour, but still heard a male in Spanish language comments briefly then into music. Something is causing QRM periodically which could be splatter. The interference is sporadic. The signal dropping into the QRM, then coming back. Even so, signal wasn't very solid because of fading. (Chuck Bolland, FL September 6, 2008

5996,27 Radio Loyola, Sucre, 1032-1040, September 06, Spanish,romantic songs selection, announcement and ID by male. TC as: 6 de la mañana con 40 minutos....", SINPO 24332(Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina)

6025 Red Patria Nueva, La Paz, 1050-1055, September 06, Aymara,news programme, report from El Alto, SINPO 24422(Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina)

Brazil
4885, Radio Clube do Para (Belem). 0445. 29 Aug 08. Portuguese. ID and up tempo Latin music. Poor. (J. Wood, TN)

6089.93, Radio Bandeirantes, 2345-2359 Noted a male talking to a female using the telephone all in Portuguese. Checked parallel freqs that Bandeirantes uses and found 9645 KHz where the program was parallel. Both transmissions were poor. (Chuck Bolland, FL August 29, 2008)

Chad
4905, RN Tchadienne (N’Djamena). 0450-0539. 29 Aug 08. French. Lively program featuring Mambo and Afropop music with OM announcer who sang along with some of the selections. S9/Good. (J. Wood, TN).

China
9880, China Radio International. 1010-1020 Noted a male and female in Mandarin language comments. This is probably news since there are brief recorded interviews periodically. Signal was fair. (Chuck Bolland, FL August 31, 2008

Equatorial Guinea
5005, Radio Nacional, Bata, 2240-2301*,Aug 28, Afro-pop music. Hi-life music. Spanish announcements at 2256. National anthem at 2259. Weak at tune-in but improved to a fair level by sign off. (Brian Alexander, PA)

6250, Radio Nacional, Malabo, 0507-0525,Aug 29, tune-in to National Anthem at 0507. Spanish announcements at 0508. Afro-pops at 0510. Poor to fair with occasional ute QRM. Also heard Radio Nacional 5005 with separate programming at 0517 tune-in. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Ethiopia
7165.00, Voice of Peace & Democracy, via Radio Ethiopia transmitters to Eritrea, 0400-0430*, Aug 29, Presumed. Opening announcements at 0400 & talk in listed Tigringa. Local drums. Some Horn of Africa music. Poor with QRM from noise jammer at 0401. Better on // 9559.63v-drifting up to 9559.97 by sign off. According to WRTH this is Mon, Wed, Friday only at 0400-0430. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Guatemala
4799, Radio Buenas Nuevas (San Sebastian). 0440. Christian music with OM announcer. Poor. (J. Wood, TN).

Honduras
3249v, Radio Luz y Vida (San Luis). 0348-0353*. 29 Aug 08. Spanish. Station programming to station ID with some preaching. Orchestral music (NA?) and off. Poor. (J. Wood, TN).

Indonesia
9680, RRI Jakarta, 1003-1015 Noted a male and female talking together in Indonesian language. Mentions "Indonesia" often during their comments. At 1007 canned ID over music. Signal was good.(Chuck Bolland, FL August 31, 2008)

Japan
6055, Radio Nikkei, 1025-1040+, Aug 29, Japanese talk. Brief English phrases. Radio-drama. Poor to fair. Threshold copy on // 3925. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Peru
6019.43, Radio Victoria, Lima, 0440-0507, Aug 29, Spanish preacher. Spanish announcements. Government mandated National Anthem at 0502. Spanish announcements at 0504 & Spanish ballads.Poor. Difficult copy with CRI via Sackville on 6020. In the clear but weaker on // 9719.97. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Romania
9525, Radio Romania International, 1109-1120 Tuned in after the hour, so didn't catch an ID immediately. However noted a female in German Language comments or news during the period from 1109 to 1113. She is followed by a malewho continues from 1113 also in German Language. At 1118 ID given by female as, " en urchurest ...Deutche ... ". Couldn't pull out more This broadcast in German is suppose to last until 1200 UTC according to EIBI. Signal was fair to good.(Chuck Bolland, FL September 5, 2008)

Russia
5940, Radio Rossii, 0905-0930 Noted a program of Russian music and comments by various persons. Signal getting mixed with splatter here and difficult to copy details, but at a fair level it's better than usual. (Chuck Bolland, FL August 31, 2008)

Serbia
6190,Tuned in at 0006 during nx by yl who ended with a story about a new Monopoly game using Belgrade landmarks. Then usual multiple ID with "This is the international radio of Serbia. Stay tuned" repeated several times. Sign-off at 0029(B Barker, PA)

Slovakia
15650, IRRS, 1502-1545, Aug 29, tune-in to English news. IRRS ID at 1504 & into lite instrumental music. Program at 1515-1545 about medicine & drug development. Poor in noisy conditions. Lost in noise at 1545. Looking for Miraya 101 FM but only hear the
normal IRRS English programming. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Solomon Islands
5019.86, SIBC (presumed), 1329-1354, Sept 1, poor reception, struggling around threshold level, but can say it was clearly in English and sounded like British accents, so assume relay of BBC. In the recent past when I checked here I only found an open carrier with no audio, so today was a big improvement. As we get more into the DX season this should become more readable, just as Bhutan/BBS has improved recently. (Ron Howard, CA, Etón E1)

South Africa
3320, Radio Sondergrense (Meyerton). 0340. 29 August 2008. Afrikaans. Announcer with pop music including some by Dolly Parton in EG. Poor. (J Wood, TN)

Swaziland
4775 SWAZILAND, TWR. 0429-0435. 29 Aug 08. German. General announcements and
inspirational music. Poor. (J. Wood, TN

Ukraine
7440, 0015-0100 Radio Ukraine International. Excelent signal. Tuned in to 'Famous Ukrainians' followed by 'Closeup' which ended at 0057. Sign-off announcements giving freq, address, e-mail, etc. (B Barker, PA)

Montsinery/TDF French Guiana active for special DRM transmission

Montsinery / TDF French Guiana is back on the air for special DRM transmissions to Mexico. Power is 150 kW RMS from G3 transmitter and antenna Toucan1 (Fully rotable 4 / 4) at 292°. Broadcasts started on Sunday, but still to come:

Tuesday 9 September
1100-1200 UTC on 11825 kHz
1200-1400 UTC on 15315 kHz
1400-2300 UTC on 21620 kHz
2300-2400 UTC on 17875 kHz
0200-0500 UTC on 11825 kHz

Wednesday 10 September
1100-1200 UTC on 11825 kHz
1200-1400 UTC on 15315 kHz
1400-1700 UTC on 21620 kHz
(Source: TDF via Simone, DRM Software Radio Forums/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Operation Deep Freeze 2008-2009 season begins

C-17 Globemaster III's from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., will be shuttling supplies, equipment and personnel for Operation Deep Freeze. The 2008-2009 season for ODF began Sept. 4. (U.S. Air Force photo/1st Lt. Erika Yepsen)

Operation Deep Freeze, the U.S. military's support of the U.S. Antarctic Program and the National Science Foundation, kicked off the 2008-2009 season on Sept. 4 as the first C-17 Globemaster III delivers passengers and cargo to McMurdo Station, Antarctica.

The C-17, based out of McChord Air Force Base, Washington, will fly multiple missions from Christchurch International Airport, New Zealand, to McMurdo Station as part of SpringFly Sept. 4-10. Christchurch is the staging point for deployment to McMurdo Station, a key research and operations facility for the U.S. Antarctic Program.

Formerly known as WinFly, SpringFly is the ODF ramp-up phase to prepare buildings and equipment, as well as pave the overland traverse to the South Pole, in preparation for the arrival of the main body of military and civilian personnel during the main season in October.

ODF involves operational and logistic support of the National Science Foundation's scientific research activities in Antarctica by U.S. Air Force, Navy, Army and Coast Guard forces. This support is provided by members of the Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica headquartered here and led by Lt. Gen. Loyd S. "Chip" Utterback, 13th Air Force and JTF SFA commander.

JTF-SFA personnel coordinate strategic intertheater airlift, tactical LC-130 deep field support, aeromedical evacuation support, search and rescue response, sealift, seaport access, bulk fuel supply, port cargo handling and transportation requirements for ODF. Active duty, National Guard and Reserve personnel from the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Army and Coast Guard work together as part of the Joint Task Force.

Antarctica is the coldest, windiest and most inhospitable continent on the globe. The U.S. military are uniquely equipped and trained to operate in such an austere environment and has therefore provided support to the U.S. Antarctic Program since 1955.

Frequency information for Operation Deep Freeze:
HF and VHF frequencies used in Antarctica refer to our sister blog Milcom Monitoring Post at http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/

Blog Logs - South America

A look at what DXers are monitoring from shortwave stations in South America.

All times UTC // parallel frequency *sing-on sign-off*

Bolivia
3390.29, Emisoras Camargo, Camargo (t), 2348-0004, Aug 22, 29/30, Spanish programme, music. (Valko and Wilkner)

4111, Radio Virgen de Remedios, Tupiza, 2220-0019, Aug 22/23 and 25, Spanish news program "Bolivia en Contacto" with many outside talks "en Oruro surge proposta de autonomia", 2300-2307 religious choir music, religious ceremony “por la memoria del Santa Maria” alternating music and religious talks. Checked at 0019 "hablemos de los Chichas" interesting program with music and about Chichas history and culture, many mentions about R Virgen de Remedios "no tenemos publicidad". Weak but readable. SINPO 23332. (Otávio)

6054.23, Radio Juan XXIII, San Ignacio de Velazco, 2125-2138, Aug 30, Spanish, messages for Santa Cruz de la Sierra residents, ID: "...Radio Juan XXIII......", religious programme (Catholic). SINPO 32432. (Slaen)

6134.86, Radio Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 0932-1030, Aug 20 and 21, Spanish comments with TC's and ID, "...en matina 5 y 33 minutos" and "...Santa Cruz .. ", music. Signal was good. (Bolland)

Brazil
4825, Radio Educadora, Bragança, PA, 2152, Aug 23, songs in Portuguese. SINPO 23232. (Mille)

4845.25, Radio Cultura Ondas de Tropicais, Manaus, AM, 0924, Aug 29, choral National Anthem, full canned Portuguese ID, ann with greetings at beginning and end, English pop song. Good. Usual utility here was off during the ID!! (Valko)

4885, Radio Clube do Para, Belém, PA, 2154 and 0358-0359, Aug 23 and 26, Portuguese talk, songs, many ID. SINPO 33333. (Baste and Mille)

6000, Radio Guaíba, Porto Alegre, RS (pres.), 2309, Aug 29, Portuguese news (p). Just too weak and too much QRM. Also heard at 0944-1000, Sep 01, news, 0945 five time ticks, live remote report with mention of nacional, advs, music, ID (p). (Valko)

6039.7, Radio Clube Paranaense, Curitiba, PR, 0948, Sep 01, nice IDs by woman and man with about eight mentions of Clube after adv block. Then talk at remote location and followed by live studio talk. (Valko)

6060, Radio Tupi, Curitiba, PR, 0939, Sep 01, usual impassioned preaching with mention of Espirtu Santo, excellent. (Valko)

6080.05, Radio Anhanguera, Goiania, GO (pres.), 0921-0945 fade out, Aug 27 and 29, Brazilian pop music with Portuguese ann in between, canned sung ID's, adv block but seemed to be mixing with HCJB. 5 minutes later it appeared Novas de Paz showed up and was dominating. (Bolland and Valko)

11734.9, Radio Transmundial, Santa María, RS, 0957-1008, Aug 29, Portuguese religious talk, 24322. (Méndez). Also heard at 1737-1810, Aug 28, contemporary religious music with occcasional ann, full ID at 1800 with these SW frequencies and calls given: 11735 (ZYE858), 9530 (ZYE859), and 5965 (ZYE857) from "Santa Maria no Rio Grande do Sul"; also mentioned MW stations in São Paulo estado on 810 and 1540 kHz; telephone numbers given and more music. (Wilkins in DXplorer)

15325, Radio Gazeta AM, São Paulo, SP, 1500-1505, Aug 30, complete Portuguese ID: "....Sintonizam.....49 metros, 5955 Khz...., 31 metros, 9685 kHz y 19 metros, 15325 ......Rádio Gazeta.....", announcement. SINPO 24432. (Slaen)

Colombia
5910, Radio Marfil Estereo, Lomalinda, 2214, Aug 23, Spanish talk, ID 2215 followed by LA songs. SINPO 33333 QRM utility. (Mille)

6035, La Voz del Guaviare, San José del Guaviare, 2235-2346, Aug 23 and 30, Spanish ann, cumbias, ID: "Cumbia Sonora en La Voz del Guaviare", songs non stop and another ID at 2345: "La Voz del Guaviare". SINPO 33333. (Mille and Slaen)

Peru
4790.10, Radio Visión, Chiclayo, 0405 and 0858, Aug 30, 31 and Sep 01, forceful preaching in Spanish, ID: "....en todos los dias Radio Vision...", ann MW and SW frequencies, beautiful camposina music, echo-like audio in noisy band conditions, very strong-fair-poor. (Ronda, Valko and Wilkner)

4826.43, Radio Sicuani, Sicuani, 2234-2244, Aug 28, Spanish talks, folk music, advs "estamos en avenida Centenario...", "panorama desportivo" sports program, Brasilian singer Roberto Carlos in Spanish as musical bridge, soccer talks. Partially readable, het presumed from Brasilian underneath (4828 Zimbabwe was off), 22322. (Otávio and Wilkner). Also noted at 0904-1045, Aug 27, 28 and Sep 01, morning Rosary by women, musica andina, simple ID, weak signal. (Valko and Wilkner)

4835.6, Radio Marañon, Jaén, off the air 0930-1110 on Aug 30, but very strong signal 1000 and 0000-0028 rest of the week of Aug 30, recorded Spanish comments, nice ID: "Radio Maranon", music with DJ yelpping. (Bolland, Valko and Wilkner)

4857.40, Radio La Hora, Cusco, 2315-0015v*, Aug 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30, "lo desportivo" sports program, soccer talks "tercera fecha de la Copa Peru", 2334 advs "Universidad Norte Peruana", electrical parts store "tabuleros eletricos, eletrobombas", medical assistance "especialista en salud mental, en frente a hospital regional del Cusco", 0005 finally an ID in a own advs about La Hora´s program "programacion de su preferencia", 33333. Never noted 0900-1130. (Otávio, Valko and Wilkner)

5486.6, Radio Reyna de la Selva, Chachapoyas (pres.), 2332, Aug 29, Spanish talk, strong signal, but almost no modulation. Would be easy, if it was modulated at 100%. Gone by 2352 check. (Valko)

5939.36, Radio Melodia, Arequipa (p), 0948-1040, Aug 20, Spanish comments, signal was treshold. (Bolland and Wilkner)

6019.45, Radio Victoria, Lima, 0915-1025, Aug 20, Spanish comments just under the schedule boomer currently on 6020. Between 0800-0859, R Victoria is easily heard since she is the only station on or near 6020, but after 0900 "the heavy hitters" are scheduled up and they block R Victoria. Using LSB mode is allowing some copy. Poor to fair. (Bolland and Wilkner)

6047.27, Radio Santa Rosa, Lima (p), 1040-1050 several days this week, strong carrier; weak audio. (Wilkner, Aug 30)
(DSWCI/DX Window # 358 via Anker Petersen)

BBC World Service to air DRM special September 13

On Saturday 13 September, the BBC World Service will be replacing its normal evening DRM broadcasts on mediumwave (1296 kHz) and shortwave (5895 kHz and 5875 kHz) with a special broadcast of The Last Night of the Proms.
The Last Night of the Proms, at the Royal Albert Hall in London, is one of the most popular classical music concerts in the world, watched and listened to by an audience of many millions around the globe. The BBC World Service special DRM broadcast will begin at 1800 UTC with highlights of Prom 69 featuring music by Debussy and Roussel, and will continue with the live broadcast from the Albert Hall in London from 1900 UTC.
More details will be available on the BBC World Service Proms website.
(Source: http://www.drm.org/ )

Insight Central Europe ends after seven years

Radio Prague carried the following announcement in its Mailbox programme of 30 August: ”After almost seven years on air, Insight Central Europe, a joint project of six Central European radio stations covering life and events in Central Europe, has this weekend come to an end. The project was launched in October 2001 by Radio Austria International in cooperation with Radio Polonia, Radio Prague, Radio Budapest, Radio Slovakia International and later joined by Radio Slovenia. Yesterday’s Insight Central Europe programme was the last, so from next week on, Radio Prague will broadcast its usual programme on Saturday on all frequencies. ”
(Source: Radio Prague/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Blog Logs

All times UTC // parallel frequency *sign-on sign-off*

Argentina
RAE, Radiodifusion Argentina al Exterior is not operating on shortwave [since Monday Aug 22]. Unfortunately have been a problem with the radio valves. Two valves have been obtained and they are trying to obtain two more. It is not known with when it will return to the air. So far, RAE now is only via Internet.(Gabriel Ivan Barrera-ARG, direct and via Japan Premium Aug 29)

Ascension Island
9525 at 0737 UT. Cotton Tree News Radio, CCN? program, female announcerEnglish via Ascension Island, 0730-0800 UTC. S=7(wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Aug 31)

Bangladesh
4750 at 1257- Radio Bangladesh Aug 29. Good reception with presumed Bangla programming and local music. Well over cochannel, probably RRI Makassar. 'Bangladesh Betar' ID at 1300. CNR1 noted at same time fading in. BD still dominating though. I continued to monitor them intermittently throughout the morning and they continued to dominate the channel past 14:10, despite it being a very difficult channel with several cochannels. I did not hear any English news in the 1330 to 1400 time frame. (Walt Salmaniw-BC-CAN, DXplorer Aug 30)

Bhutan
6035 at 1444- Bhutan Broadcasting Service Aug 27. Excellent reception except for some adjacent splatter. Lovely clean audio with a call-in show. The woman announcer reminds me a lot of Myra Oh, the RNZI co-host of their Mailbox program. Most callers are young people, and some dating advice was dispensed! I can also hear a co-channel weakly underneath. Callers were from a girl's school. 'Five minutes left' at 14:55. Faded a bit by the top-of-the hour, but with less adjacent splatter. Left the air at 15:01 and carrier cut about 15 to 20 seconds later. (Walt Salmaniw-BC-CAN, DXplorer Aug 30)

China
3900 PBS Hulun Buir, Hailar. Aug 29 at 0928-0949 UT. Instrumental music to lady announcer talks. From 0930 lite orchestral music selections which don't remembers that known Chinese music style, sometimes a brief lady announcement between music. Poor but progressive enhancement until 0945, checked later at 1002, signalwas very deteriorated SINPO 23422.(Lucio Otavio Bobrowiec-BRA, HCDX Aug 29)

Egypt
Starting last Friday Aug 29 at 00.00 hrs. local time, Egypt is back to the normal UTC+2 hrs.We normaly do that in the last week of September, but this year the holy month of Ramadan will start tomorrow (Monday Sept 1) so we had to get things back to normal to manage the number of hours that we fast :)(Tarek Zeidan-EGY SU1TZ, Aug 31)

Equatorial Guinea
5005 Radio Nacional, Bata. Is definitely the one here heard yesterday. 2200 talk by announcer in Spanish at tune-in amid nasty local QRN. Last announcement at 2212, then nothing but nonstop Afro Highlife and pop music to station sign-off, instrumental national anthem 2255-2258*.(Dave Valko-USA, HCDX Aug 31)

Eritrea
Observed on August 31st the following on 8000 kHz. Sign-on at 1454 with interval signal in Ti and news from 1500 UT. The ID by lady was :"Redio end televizhun Ertran". Same procedure with news of two minutes and same ID was heard at 1600 and 1700 UT. The main was observed on Aug 30th and on 31st also: around 1510 UT and until around 1650 UT on same 8000 kHz is rising powerhouse signal and underground male voice says "Tiny Ertran" (down under left the prgr of Eritrea which for both days was \\ 7210 kHz!) andthe prgr is with rap spngs in presumed Amharic language.

Checked the Ethiopia frequencies:
used at these times heard on 7110, 7175, 9704 Home Sce 7175, 9704
7165, 9560 Foreign Sce 9560

So I think one of the transmitter is used on 8000 kHz - here Eritrea is not jumping on different frequencies as in 41 m.b.

By the way Eritrea 1 was on 7210 and 8000 kHz and Eritrea 2 on 7220 kHz at 0400 UT.

On Sept 1st at 0429 UT two signals were again on 8000 kHz - original RTVE and "clandestine" Tiny Ertran.(Rumen Pankov-BUL, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 4)

Indonesia
3976.08 RRI Pontianak (presumed) 1050 Koran. 1053 studio. Announcer talks to music. Alternating maannouncer duo at 1059 with mentions of "megahertz". 1100 choral vocals, then into soft ballad. (Dave Valko-USA, HCDX Sept 1)

Japan
11690 at 1523-, Nippon no Kaze Aug 27. Noted the ID at 15:23:24. Very strong this morning, with mostly Japanese talk, although did have a Japanese vocal song at 15:25. Sign-off announcements to just past 15:30, then transmitter cut immediately.(Walt Salmaniw-BC-CAN, DXplorer Aug 30)

Laos
4412.57 at 1227-, Sam Neua Aug 27. Presumed logging with fair to good reception with Lao talk, Not \\ to 6130 at this time. Marred completely by CODAR interference. At 12:30 sounds like a national anthem vocals. Lasted until 12:31:30 and carrier off immediately.(Walt Salmaniw-BC-CAN, DXplorer Aug 30)

Liberia
6070 ELWA Monrovia at 2235 UT. Segued slow gospel songs by female vocalist who sounded much like Celine Dion; unreadable announcements at 2258 by soft-voiced man, then played Liberian national anthem and went off at 2300, leaving the freq to Spanish-speaker (probably CVC, Chile). Very weak and choppy at first, building to almost fair by sign-off. This on Aug. 25; audible at about same level again Aug 26 and 28 but only a faint het other days. Not listed in WRTH or PWBR; Aoki says 1 kW here. (Bob Hill-MA-USA, DXplorer Aug 30)

Lithuania
6055 Radio KBC (Netherlands) Relay 2132 UT. Bewildering, almost indescribable melange of DJ shouting (mostly in American English, at least once in UK English, several times in Dutch), endless jingle IDs, mention of Radio Caroline and what sounded like R.adioAtlantic, snippets of generic rock music, high-tech sound effects a classic dog's breakfast.

Nearly impossible to get more than a word or two here and there because the signal was so incredibly choppy. Did manage to catch "We are the mighty KBC" at 2152 and "All over Europe ... the might KBC" at 2202, when I finally tuned out, suffering from severe audio fatigue. Sked is *2130-2230* per EiBi.(Bob Hill-MA-USA, DXplorer Aug 30)

Myanmar
5985.0 at 1533-, Radio Myanma Aug 27. Excellent reception with lovely local music for the past hour. Didn't notice any ID or IS at 15:00, but when rechecked at 15:34, English news in progress with local news....General this and General that meeting with officers and presenting stationary, etc. ID at 15:37, 'This program is coming to you from Myanma Radio', then into weather and news headlines.

9730.79 at 1508-, Minorities and Education service Myanma Radio Aug 29. Good reception with a chemistry lesson (with lots of chemical formula). Off at 15:30. Remained fairly strong throughout. Did not note any sign-off announcements, though. (Walt Salmaniw-BC-CAN, DXplorer Aug 30)

New Zealand
3935.07 at 1426-, ZLXA Aug 27. Reading Service just audible with English talk. Seems pretty rarely heard these days compared to years ago when I often had them at armchair level. (Walt Salmaniw-BC-CAN, DXplorer Aug 30)

Serbia
7199.95 Old Stubline 10 kW unit noted with S=3 signal around 1030 UT, noted tiny in Germany, but just readable Serbian language discussion... (wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Aug 30)
(Source: WWDXC Top News/BC-DX # 876 via wb, Germany)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2008 Sep 02 2021 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC contact at:
# http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html


# Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
25 - 31 August 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 25 - 26 August.

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet levels at all latitudes during the period. ACE solar wind data indicated no significant changes during the period. Solar wind velocities ranged from 269 to 367 km/sec.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
03 - 29 September 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 07 - 12 September and 15 - 22 September.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet levels during 03 - 04 September. Activity is expected to increase to active levels on 05 September due to a recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream. Activity is expected to decrease to quiet to unsettled levels during 06 - 07 September as the high-speed stream subsides. Quiet conditions are expected during 08 - 11 September. Activity is expected to increase to unsettled levels during 12 - 13 September. Activity is expected to increase to active to minor storm levels on 14 September due to a recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream. Activity is expected to decrease to unsettled levels during 15 - 16 September as the high-speed stream subsides. Quiet conditions are expected during 17 - 29 September.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2008 Sep 02 2022 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 Sep 02
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2008 Sep 03 67 5 2
2008 Sep 04 67 5 2
2008 Sep 05 67 18 4
2008 Sep 06 67 12 3
2008 Sep 07 67 8 3
2008 Sep 08 67 5 2
2008 Sep 09 67 5 2
2008 Sep 10 67 5 2
2008 Sep 11 67 5 2
2008 Sep 12 67 8 3
2008 Sep 13 67 8 3
2008 Sep 14 67 20 5
2008 Sep 15 67 10 3
2008 Sep 16 67 8 3
2008 Sep 17 67 5 2
2008 Sep 18 67 5 2
2008 Sep 19 67 5 2
2008 Sep 20 67 5 2
2008 Sep 21 67 5 2
2008 Sep 22 67 5 2
2008 Sep 23 67 5 2
2008 Sep 24 67 5 2
2008 Sep 25 67 5 2
2008 Sep 26 67 5 2
2008 Sep 27 67 5 2
2008 Sep 28 67 5 2
2008 Sep 29 67 5 2
(NOAA)

Forty Deutsche Welle sites verified

Congrats to Wendel Craighead, for sharing the following QSL milestone!
Gayle Van Horn

A few days ago I reported my 40th DW transmitter site verified. I’ve received some questions about the sites, so here is my list. All have been verified by Deutsche Welle cards.





Jülich
Wertachtal
Konigswusterhausen
Leipzig
Nauen
Kigali
Sines
Malta
Antigua
Montserrat
Trincomalee
Sierra Leone
Philippines (Radio Veritas)
Sackville
Brasilia
Shigulovsk
Irkutsk
Novosibirsk
Samara
Chita
Krasnodar
Vladivostok
Moscow
Petropavlovsk
Komsomolsk-on-Amur
Khabarovsk
Erevan
Lvov
Almaty
Meyerton
Talata
Bonaire
Kranji
Ascension
Rampisham
Skelton
Woofferton
Dhabayya
WHRA, Cypress Creek, SC
Moosbrun

And 2 early cards were simply marked “Germany”. These were probably Julich.

Also I have a QSL for Deutschlandfunk via point-to-point DFF97 in Frankfurt on 6975. Based on club bulletins in the 1970s, as well as the Internet today, this was a DW transmitter.

I was fortunate in getting a QSL for Sierra Leone as I don’t think DW used that site very long. My QSL is for a test broadcast logged on 5980 from 0612 to 0632 on January 28, 1975. The test was in English, included the transmitter site, and requested reception reports, giving DW address. There were also brief news items and music as well as ids in German and French. Did DW have any regular broadcasts from Sierra Leone? The 1975 WRTH lists only 10 kw for Sierra Leone; the ’76 edition shows 10/250 kw for 3316, 5980, & 9630 and states “Deutsche Welle irregularly testing via SLBS facilities”; while in ’78 (I can’t find my ’77 edition) it shows 10/250 on 5980 only and there is no mention of Deutsche Welle.

I’m sure I’ve missed getting QSLs from some of the sites DW has used over the years. I’d be interested to learn of any additional sites anyone has verified—or that DW has used.
(Source: Wendel Craighead, Kansas)

EDXC Conference report scheduled for Scandinavian Weekend radio broadcast

Listen to Scandinavian Weekend Radio, Virrat, reports from the EDXC Conference in Vaasa on September 05-06 with the following schedule:

All times UTC

1602 medium wave 2100-2059

5980 1600-1800

6170 2100-1600 1800-2059

11690 2200-0700, 1300-1600 and 1800-2100

11720 2100-2200, 0700-1300 and 1600-1800.
All in Finnish and English. You may hear my voice! (Anker Petersen)
(Source: via DX Window/via G.Bernardini/playdx2003)

Radio St. Helena scheduled for November 15 broadcast

Radio St. Helena Day 2008 Schedule

Radio St. Helena Day 2008 will be broadcast on
11092.5 KHz in USB on Saturday, 15. November 2008 as follows:


UTC time & target areas

20:00 - 21:00 Japan
21:00 - 22:30 Europe
22:30 - 23:30 North America
Because of the very long "Revival" and "Double- Anniversary" transmissions in 2006 and 2007 and the especially heavy workload at Radio St. Helena during the entire second half of 2008, it was decided that RSD 2008 would be reduced to the above schedule. It is hoped that
the times have been chosen so that reception in all areas will be acceptable.
The QSL procedure is the same as in 2006 and 2007, and the QSL address is :

Radio St. Helena
P.O. Box 93
Jamestown
St. Helena
STHL 1ZZ, South Atlantic Ocean

Wishing everyone excellent listening conditions,
Laura Lawrence
Station Manager
Radio St. Helena

Robert Kipp
(via Mark Nicholls)
(via ARDXC- Australian DX News - September 2008 Newsletter/ Alokesh Gupta, India)

Radio Amateur Art QSLs

Here with enclosed, some interesting QSL's and photos of the international station 4U1ITU and from the Belgian station ON4UB at the International Exhibition (1958) in Brussels .+ QSL's and painting ( Maria ).

Please take a look at the following Radio-Amateurs at: http://blog.seniorennet.be/paintinghistory/archief.php?ID=40
Just click with the mouse on this URL,(or if you have no html,please copy this URL into the address-line of your browser) and in the text (in Dutch,but you do not need at all to know that language) which appears, start clicking on the morse-key image at the upper left of the page, and on the different links in the text, which will provide a lot of radio-amateur information, (in English),photos of older radio-amateur receivers and transmitters, and hundreds of quite rare QSL cards .

Please , take also a look at www.ea1uro.com/historia.html where you will find a photo, approximately in the middle of the page, saying : "ON4AW operando 4U1ITU en 1958. "
73 from ON4AW / Harbour of Antwerp / Belgium.

P.S. There is much more to see on this site. If you are an art-lover , you could click with the mouse on one of the chapters in the left column, for instance cubism (kubisme) to admire some paintings of Picasso, of the 'expressionism, 'etc. To see the paintings, always click on the upper left image , which appears in the text. Following the Belgian Newspaper D.M. of Feb. 21st 2007, looking to the paintings on this site, cures sicknesses as stress, overweight and diabetis,as researched and proven by famous Swedish doctors. So if you would have an ill family-member or friend, please let them look at least once a week, to http://blog.seniorennet.be/PaintingHistory, to cure them.

Thanks

P.S. Art means also - collecting stamps . Therefore take a look please at the site of Manfred, DL4UE. www.fotos.web.de/manfredbussemer with stamps about the Radio-History.

Enjoy!

September schedule for 39 Dover Street

via IRRS Milan

September schedule

39 Dover Street
9510 kHz Sunday 11:30 UTC - 150 kw to Europe.

September 7 2008: The first in a short series from the early years of British Folk
Rock Music, featuring Fairport Convention.

September 14 2008: Sandy Denny

September 21 2008: Pentangle

September 28 2008: Walking with Keats - discovering the British Poet's visits to the Isle of Wight

7290 kHz Saturdays 18:15 UTC, GMT Central Europe/Africa

A repeat of a recent program.
Best wishes,
Stephen John Jones

Interference to broadcasters' satellite signal on the rise

Reports of critical interference with television broadcasts by broadband wireless systems in the satellite C-band frequency are on the rise, the Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) has said. ”This is already a big problem and will grow much larger unless industry and consumers can make their voices heard,” CASBAA’s CEO, Simon Twiston Davies, said.
The association said the most recent example was Bahrain, where hundreds of consumers - largely expatriates watching Indian-originated satellite TV via large C-band receiver dishes - had found their service cut off as wireless operators powered up newly-licensed Wimax systems. Bahrain had ignored repeated warnings from broadcasters and satellite service suppliers that unrestricted Wimax systems operating in C-band would result in millions of disaffected consumers, CASBAA said.
For more than two years the global satellite industry has urged regulators to license alternative frequencies to C-band for Wimax, particularly recommending the lower-frequency ‘S-band’. CASBAA said interference reports were rising sharply in such countries as Pakistan, Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Fiji as telecom operators fired up Wimax systems.
“Action needs to be taken now, when licensing is still at an early stage and the situation can be saved”, Mr Twiston Davies said. “By the time the consumers lose their TV signals, it’s too late.”
(Source: Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Hong Kong bans pirate radio as "air traffic risk"

A pirate Hong Kong radio station run by democratic activists was ordered to cease broadcasting days before a city-wide legislative council election after the broadcasts were deemed a risk to air traffic control.
Hong Kong’s Telecommunications Authority served a notice to Citizens’ Radio to stop all broadcasts after a complaint from the Civil Aviation Department that the station’s radio transmissions posed a potential aviation threat. “The interference may pose potential hazard to aircraft operation,” the Office of the Telecommunications Authority said in a statement.
The organisers of the radio station, which has a pro-democracy agenda and runs a variety of shows including one hosted by gay youngsters, slammed the muzzle order as political suppression ahead of Sunday’s election, in which the pro-democracy camp faces a tough fight to maintain its influence.
The telecoms watchdog said it would take “enforcement action” against Citizens’ Radio if it failed to get off the air in Hong Kong, a former British colony which returned to Chinese rule in 1997.
Analysts say Hong Kong’s pan-democracy camp could struggle in the polls, with a surge in post-Olympic Chinese nationalism possibly swelling public support for pro-Beijing candidates.
(Source: Reuters/R netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Radio Free Asia A08 schedule update

Radio Free Asia

All times UTC

Burmese
0030-0130 13820 13865 17835
0300-0400 11605 17830
1230-1330 7390 9320 13675
1330-1400 7390 9320 11540
1400-1430 7390 9320
1630-1730 7505 9305
1730-1830 7505 9300

Cantonese
1400-1500 7280 11595
2200-2300 9355 11715 11785

Khmer
1230-1330 12140 15525
2230-2330 7580 13740 12075

Korean
1500-1700 1350 5870 7210 7490
1700-1800 1350 5870 7465 9370
1800-1900 1350 5870 7210 7465
2100-2200 1350 7460 9385 9770 12075

Laotian
0000-0100 15545 15690
1100-1200 9355 15560

Mandarin
0300-0600 13760 15130 15635 15680 17615 17880 21550 21690
0600-0700 13760 15165 15635 15680 17615 17880 21550
1500-1600 9455 9905 11540 12005 12025 13675 15495
1600-1700 9455 9905 11540 11795 12025 13675 15530
1700-1800 7260 7280 9355 9455 9540 9905 11540 11795 13625
1800-1900 7280 7355 9355 9455 9540 9865 11540 11700 13625
1900-2000 1098 7260 7355 9355 9455 9850 9865 9905 11700
11785 13625 15510
2000-2100 1098 7260 7355 9355 9455 9850 9905 11700 11740
11785 13625
2100-2200 1098 7105 7355 9850 9905 11740 11935 13625
2300-2400 7540 11760 11785 15430 15485 15585

Tibetan
0100-0300 9365 11695 11975 15225 17730
0600-0700 17510 17780 21500 21690
1000-1100 15460 17750 21510
1100-1200 7470 13830 15375 17750
1200-1400 7470 11590 11605 13830 15375
1500-1600 9370 11550 11585 11795
2200-2300 5865 7500 9880
2300-2400 7470 7500 9805 9875

Uighur
0100-0200 9350 9490 11895 11945 17640
1600-1700 9350 9370 9555 11750

Vietnamese
1400-1430 1503 9455 9715 11605 11680 12140
1430-1500 9455 9715 11605 11680 12140
2330-2400 7520 11580 11605 13740 15535 15560
0000-0030 7525 11580 11605 13740 15535 15560
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 3/DX Mix News # 537 via wb, Germany)

Radio Liberty - Kazakh service update

All times UTC

USA [non] New schedule of Radio Liberty in Kazakh from Sept 1:

0100-0200 7215 9750
1300-1400 9465 12005
0200-0400 9615 15660, cancelled
0000-0100 5945 9765, cancelled
1200-1300 11520 15120, cancelled
1400-1600 7170 9815, cancelled
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 3)

Sun Makes History: First Spotless Month in a Century

The record-setting surface of the sun. A full month has gone by without a single spot (Source: Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO)

Drop in solar activity has potential effect for climate on earth.

The sun has reached a milestone not seen for nearly 100 years: an entire month has passed without a single visible sunspot being noted.

See the rest of the story at www.dailytech.com/Sun+Makes+History+First+Spotless+Month+in+a+Century/article128 23.htm

Radio Broadcasting in Kalimantan

On previous occasions here in our DX program, “Wavescan”, we have presented the story of radio broadcasting in five different areas on the island of Borneo; Sabah, Labuan and Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo; independent Brunei; and Balikpapan in Indonesian Kalimantan. On this occasion here in “Wavescan”, we conclude the story of radio broadcasting in all of the varied areas of Borneo with this feature on the other areas of Indonesian Kalimantan.
Back in the very early 1920s, the Dutch Petroleum Company established a spark wireless station at Tarakan, which is a small but important island located just off the east coast of Borneo, right towards the northern border with Sabah. This spark wireless station was licensed under the Dutch East Indies callsign PKG. It is presumed that station PKG was also used by the Japanese during their 2½ years of occupation of oil-rich Tarakan Island back in the 1940s.
In the era just prior to the commencement of WW2, at least one radio broadcasting station was established in Kalimantan. This was:-

1936 YDV2 Banjarmasin 3330 kHz Owned by Eureka Co (Kneitel 89 & RN 8-37 148)

The first radio broadcasting station in Kalimantan, outside Balikpapan, after the end of WW2 was station YCN, which in reality was transferred from Balikpapan and re-established in Pontianak on the central west coast of Borneo. This station was activated at its new location on the other side of the island in September 1946. Interestingly, this station identified on air with its two locations, announcing as Radio Balikpapan, Pontianak. At its new location on the west coast, it radiated broadcast programming with the usage of three shortwave transmitters rated at 40 watts, 125 watts and 250 watts.

Shortly afterwards, the identification announcement for station YCN was changed from Radio Balikpapan Pontianak to Radio Indonesia Pontianak, even though the Dutch did not relinquish their claims to the Dutch East Indies for another couple of years.

Under the Indonesian authorities, the callsign of the Pontianak station was changed from YCN to YDW, and only one transmitter, the 250 watt unit, was still on the air. Another shortwave station was established at this stage, YDO with 2300 watts on 3380 kHz at Banjarmasin at the bottom of the island. Shortly afterwards, an additional shortwave station was installed at Samarinda a little north of Balikpapan, YDY with 150 watts on 3590 kHz.
Interestingly, the World Radio TV Handbook does not list any mediumwave stations in Indonesia until the 1973 edition. However, during our first visit to Indonesia in 1968, there was a move on in Indonesia to transfer from the tropical shortwave bands into the mediumwave band, and several stations were noted in Jakarta on mediumwave at that time.

During the intervening years, a multitude of radio stations have been established in Kalimantan, the Indonesian section of the island of Borneo, and these commercial and government stations have operated in the mediumwave, shortwave and FM bands. Currently, the World Radio TV Handbook lists a total of 46 radio stations in Kalimantan, though it is probable that the actual tally is much higher. The WRTVHB list shows:-
Mediumwave 32
FM 12
Shortwave 2
The two remaining shortwave stations still on the air in Kalimantan Borneo are:-
RRI Palangkaraya 10 kW 3325 kHz
RRI Pontianak 10 3976
It is probable that a few QSLs have been issued from these areas in Kalimantan Borneo over the years, but we do not hold any in our collection. Maybe a few Kalimantan QSLs are held by international radio monitors living in Australia and New Zealand.
(Source: Adrian Peterson/Wavescan)

Radio Free Europe-Radio Liberty schedule update

USA [non] Updated A-08 of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty:

All times UTC

Arabic
0200-0700 1593
R.Free IRQ 1500-1530 1593
1830-2000 1593
2100-2300 1593


Avari
0300-0320 7290 17510
1500-1520 11810 15565

Belorussia
0300-0500 612 5925 7115
1500-1700 612 7180 9725
1700-1900 612 6050 7115
1900-2100 612 7115 9750

Chechen
0320-0340 7290 17510
1520-1540 11810 15565

Cherkassi
0340-0400 7290 17510
1540-1600 11810 15565

Dari
0330-0430 1296 15615 15690 17670

Radio Free Afghanistan
0530-0630 1296 15615 17670 17685
0730-0830 1296 15615 17670 17685
0930-1030 1296 15090 15680 17685
1130-1230 1296 15090 15680 17685
1330-1430 1296 11550 15090

Georgian
0500-0600 9725 11960 17770
1130-1145 12070 15130 15460 Mon-Fri
1400-1500 13615 15460
1800-1900 7370 9370
2000-2045 7480 9840 Mon-Fri
2000-2100 7480 9840 Sat/Sun

Kazakh
0000-0100 5945 9765
0100-0200 7215 9750
0200-0400 9615 15660
1200-1300 11520 15120
1300-1400 9465 12005
1400-1600 7170 9815

Moldovan
0400-0430 5955 Mon-Fri
1600-1630 9850 Mon-Fri
1800-1830 9840 Mon-Fri

Pashto
0230-0330 1296 12140 15690 17670
R.Free AFG 0430-0530 1296 15615 15690 17670
0630-0730 1296 15615 17670 17685
0830-0930 1296 15090 15615 17685
1030-1130 1296 15090 15680 17685
1230-1330 1296 11550 15090 15615

Persian
0030-0200 1575 5860 7280 7350
Radio Farda 0200-0330 1575 5860 7280 9510
0330-0400 1575 5860 7280 17650
0400-0500 1575 5860 9460 17650
0500-0530 1575 5860 15255 21715
0530-0600 1575 15255 15690 21715
0600-1000 1575 15690 17845 21715
1000-1200 1575 7125 15690 21715
1200-1400 1575 7125 15690 17755
1400-1500 1575 11520 17670 17755
1500-1600 1575 11520 15410 17755
1600-1700 1575 7340 11945 15410
1700-1800 1575 5860 7580 9770
1800-1900 1575 7105 7580 9960
1900-1930 1575 7105 7580 9505
1930-2130 1575 5830 7580 9505
2130-0030 1575

Russian
0300-0400 6105 7155 7175 15470
0400-0500 6105 7175 9520 9760
0500-0700 9520 9760 12005 17560
0800-1000 11700 15535 17730
1200-1300 11700 15130 15565 17730
1300-1400 11725 15130 15565
1400-1500 9530 11725 11735 11880 15565
1500-1600 9530 11625 11725 15255
1600-1700 7270 9445 9520
1700-1800 5980 5995 9520 11805
1800-1900 9520 9820 11755 11805
1900-2000 7220 9405 9465 9585
2000-2100 7285 9465

Tajik
0100-0200 9760 13760
0200-0400 9760 15525
1400-1500 9790 11895
1500-1600 9790 11975
1600-1700 9565 9790

Tatar
0300-0400 7185 9635
0500-0600 9635
1500-1530 9715 11760
1600-1630 9695 11790
1900-2000 9805

Turkmen
0200-0300 864 9555 15460
0300-0400 9555 15460
1400-1530 13725 15170
1530-1600 864 13725 15170
1600-1700 11975 13815
1700-1800 11825 11975

Uzbek
0200-0300 9855 12025 15145
0300-0400 9855 15145 17770
1400-1500 12005 13645 15265
1600-1700 7555 9390 12150
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 2/DX Mix # 536 via wb, Germany)

September DX Stamp Specials

2 Italy-$3.00 3 UK-$3.60 3 Japan-$3.60 LEBANON-$2.50

SEPTEMBER 2008 DX SUPPLY SPECIALS

200/200 European Air Mailers & Returns $35

2 Standard QSL Albums $40

Order $100 or more in stamps & supplies & get special Pri Mail rate of $10.00

Shipping charges extra on supply specials

PRIORITY MAIL Shipping Rates for Supplies

Orders under $16.00 add $6.50, Orders from $16.00 to $40.00 add $9.00, Orders from $41.00 to $100.00 add $13.00, Orders from $101.00 to $150.00 add $18.00, orders over $150.00 add 12%. When ordering supplies AND stamps, use supply total to figure shipping costs. Stamps “ride free” when you order supplies. Shipments to Canada ship at a greater cost. (04/2008)
(Source: Bill Plum)

Mint postage stamps of foreign countries can be purchased from Bill Plum's Airmail Postage and DX Supplies, 12 Glenn Road, Flemington, NJ 08822 USA.

Include a self-addressed-envelope for his current price list or request a price list via email at plumdx@msn.com . The prices represent Airmail rate to North America. Prices are subject to change without notice. No mimimum order via check, money order or credit card, but credit card orders under $ 15.00 will incur a $ 2.00 extra charge. Visa, MC, AMEX are accepted. Please include billing and shipping address for AMEX.

Don't forget the DX supplies include European Airmail envelopes (European Air Return and European Air Mailer). These envelopes are perfectly acceptable for mailing to ALL parts of the world, not just to Europe. Their size insures you that a 4"x6" DX QLSs will not come back to you folded which could happen if you used small U.S. sized airmail envelopes. Bill's European Air Return fits into a European Air Mailer without folding. These two envelopes and up to 5 QSL cards weigh less than one ounce. The European Air Return and 2 QSLs weigh less than 10 grams. All envelopes are sealed in plastic for protection. Envelopes are packed 100 per size per package. The 5-/50 Combo comes in one package.

I have used Bill's service for years and find his prices affordable and dependable. All stamps are enclosed within a glassine envelope, so no worries of stamps sticking to the letter, and you can enclose the stamps as is in the letter to the station.

Now you're set for the upcoming DX season! Recheck this blog regularly for Bill's monthly specials!
Gayle Van Horn

American DX Report

As the first item in our DX Report from America, we quote this commentary from the latest edition of the New Zealand DX Times. It was written by David Ricquish and it is presented under the title, “Winds of Change”.

The winds of change continue to buffet our world of radio. Last month, Martin Hadlow noted an article in “The Economist” magazine that reported an upturn in shortwave listening in Africa and India, together with a report that the BBC plans to upgrade their shortwave transmitter facility on Ascension Island which will soon be powered by a wind farm.

North American shortwave broadcasters have decided to conduct research into current shortwave listening patterns in North America, digital HD radio receivers are being removed from radio shop inventories in the United States, and some American AM mediumwave stations with IBOC capability are choosing to switch off due to interference problems and the lack of listeners with IBOC receivers.

At the same time, Mexico has approved digital HD facilities for many of its border mediumwave stations, and Australian and New Zealand mediumwave and FM networks appear to be slow in adopting digital radio systems, due mainly to tight economic conditions and no apparent benefit from the new digital channels. Austria still plans to close down its shortwave broadcasts by the end of the year, and Radio Singapore International has just gone silent on shortwave.

In China, greater prosperity and the availability of low cost radio receivers is leading to an explosive growth of a new hobby for them, DXing. Chinese DXers are now actively reporting local radio stations on shortwave, mediumwave and FM, and the stations are responding with detailed confirmations and QSL cards. As most of this new activity occurs within the bounds of China and the Chinese language, it is hard to gauge how big the new phenomenon really is, but it does have a potential for introducing millions of new listeners and DXers to the world of international radio broadcasting. Already, western shortwave stations are noting a greater flow of reception reports from inside China, despite the current jamming of a wide range of foreign broadcasts.

It is also easy to underestimate the fascination that shortwave radio continues to hold for listeners in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Although advancing technology jumping enables many to hear the new commercial and community FM signals on mobile phones, yet mediumwave and shortwave still continue to provide the major radio infrastructure for national radio coverage, and this procedure will continue to do so for the coming decades. International broadcasters still support local listener clubs in Southern Asia and thousands of new local FM community stations are planned across India. And again, shortwave listening and DXing in several counties of Asia is far more popular than we sometimes realize.

* USA: A series of recent radio developments in the Americas includes the following: The installation of a 100 kW transmitter at WHRI Cypress Creek, transferred from Noblesville Indianapolis, is complete and it is now in regular service. Shortwave station KAIJ in Texas is now off the air.

The new shortwave KTMI in Oregon is expected on air some time quite soon. Test broadcasts have been noted from the revived shortwave WRNO in New Orleans. There are no signs that the shortwave stations WJCR-WJIE in Kentucky and WWBS in Georgia will be re-activated. Station KTBN in Utah has been dismantled and the equipment is under installation on the island of Anguilla to augment the Caribbean Beacon. Both WTJC 5920 kHz and WTJC are on the air, though WTJC is noted on 9365 kHz instead of 9370 kHz. Station WMLK seems to be still off the air.

* CANADA: The latest bulletin from Sheldon Harvey and his “Radio High Frequency Internet Newsletter” features several items of interest regarding the lonely Pacific island, Pitcairn, some of which we will present in an upcoming edition of our DX program, “Wavescan”. This newsletter also presents items of information on two large communication stations, the aviation Gander Radio in Newfoundland, and the Haiku Naval Station in Hawaii. You can access Sheldon Harvey’s bulletin at www.radiohf.ca .

* ZIMBABWE: According to the latest edition of the American radio magazine, “Popular Communications”, the African country of Zimbabwe has banned the usage of the popular wind-up radios. Because batteries for portable radio receivers are almost unobtainable in Zimbabwe, the wind-up radios are used widely. Those who own a wind-up radio are required to hand them over to government authorities.

* KIRIBATI: According to a report from BBC Monitoring, quoting a news item from Radio Australia, the only mediumwave transmitter in their country is currently off the air, due to a transmitter fault and lack of funding. This mediumwave unit is listed with 10 kW on the capital city atoll, Tarawa. However, Radio Australia states that their FM service with 100 watts on 99.0 MHz is still on the air.

* STATISTICS & OTHER INTERESTING INFORMATION:
The D-Day invasion of Europe at Normandy in France required the usage of 90,000 radio transmitters. (The Signal Corps: The Outcome)

Periodically, earth scientists require the addition of a leap second to match measured time with the rotation of the Earth. Since June 30, 1972 a total of twenty three leap seconds have been added to Earth clock, which means that the Earth has been slowing down in its rotations almost half a minute in the past thirty six years. Add to this, that the opposite side of the Earth bounced about six feet during the massive Indonesian earthquake a few years ago, and the fact that Mt Everest is growing higher at the rate of ½ inch per year, we really are in for an interesting future!

Radio Heritage in New Zealand, at radiohertiatge.net, now reports more than two million hits.New Zealand has more than 700 AM & FM stations, for a population of less than five million.There are 253 radio stations on the island of Madagascar.

The world wide audience to American radio and television programming, including VOA, RFE/RL and all of the other government services, is now estimated at 175 million, an increase of 20 million. There are 20,808 AM & FM stations in the United States.

*BANGLADESH: The Spring edition of “Radio News Letter” from Thompson Multimedia in Europe informs us that the superpower mediumwave transmitter under installation at Dhamrai is expected to be inaugurated later this year. This 1 MW unit replaces a 36 year old unit at the same location. It is planned that this single transmitter will give direct coverage to all of Bangladesh, and that it will provide a program feed to a network of new local stations, as well as a new 100 kW shortwave transmitter.

* USA: The very popular artist, Thomas Kinkade, is well known throughout the United States for his colorful paintings that depict nostalgic, old world, country scenes. Interestingly, in the year 1998, Thomas Kinkade painted a lighthouse that also depicted a radio station. The lighthouse is known as The South East Lighthouse on Block Island, just off the continental east coast of New Jersey. Two red & white radio towers are shown in this artistic painting in the Kinkade picture book, together with the radio shack, quite close to the main lighthouse building. The style of the radio station would suggest that it was in use for communication purposes.
(Source: Adrian Peterson/Wavescan)

Pirate logs from Free Radio Weekly

All times UTC // parallel frequency *sign-on sign-off*

Dead Cat Radio
6925USB *1449-1530 8/23/08 SIO 242. On and off several times during the times listed. Beatles' Polythene Pam and other rock music. Changed briefly to CW mode at 1520, followed by a meowing cat. Clear ID at close. No address announced. (Zeller-OH)

Hello One
8/15-16, *2358-0027*, 6925.4/USB. SIO232. Combination of novelty music and clicking percussion noises. Station ID at 0017 as Hello One, but this was not much of an ID as it was mixed into test counts. Some rap mx and semi-African music. One rap song was about Brazil. No address announceand even the ID was slightly tentative. (Zeller, OH)

Radio Appalachia
8/17, 0015-0103, 6924.8v/AM. Signal fair-weak with weak modulation. Signal was nottrue AM, but USB plus a carrier. Tinny audio like mic in front of speaekr. Many gospel tunes by Johnny Cash and family some I'd never heard before. Noted broadcasting from high above Moundsville, Virginia. Frequency drifted up from 6924.7 to 6924.87, off suddenly in mid song. (Hassig-IL)

Radio For the Common Man
6924.5 8/24/8 01:52 SIO 232. Fanfare tune to an ID, but I couldn't make it out, I Get Knocked Down, noted someone on 6925 made a comment, but it was too far off frequency to understand.Sixties tune, Your Feet's Too Big. Now up to SIO 434. Big signal, theme and ID at 02:02 (Fansome, PA)

Sycko Radio syckoradio@yahoo.com 8/16, 0243-0250, 6925/USB. Station ID heard as “sycko Radio 69-25". Tune Old McDonald Had a Farm. Not much else readable. Poor signal qualtiy (Wood, TN).

The Wave
6925USB. 8/24/8 02:15 SIO 232. Some difficulties, now Anchors Aweigh. Statio ID at 02:19, Belfast malidrop drop, I Wanna Marry a Lighthouse Keeper song, SIo 434. Rock the Boat with morse code on 6926 interfering, Give Me the Beat Boys, station off with Anchors weigh. (Fansome, PA) 8/24/08, 0223, 6925USB. Rock the Boat, another water themed Motown song, ID. Anchors Aweigh tune. Station off at 0229. Noted back at 0245, and off shortly thereafter. Fair (Taylor-WI).

Wasabi Pea Man Radio

6925.1a 8/23/8 02:49. SIO 131. Lots of talking, but too faint to make out until the end, when I caught the "Wasabi Pea Man Radio." Station ID. (Al Fansome, PA)

Wind-Up Radio
8/19, 0200, 6925/AM. Signal noted in-out of the static, music that sounds like a sea shanty. Faded back in at 0204 with mellow music. Wind Up Radio ID at 0206, We're all wound down, and off. SIO 222 at best. (Will-MD)

Wolverine Radio
8/17, *0228-0315*, 6925/U; SIO 242+. Sign-on with Help Me 1,2,3; riff interval signal. Two blues tunes then oldies rock including Donovan's Sunshine Superman and Steppenwolf tunes. No address announced. (Zeller-OH)
(Source: FRW # 654 via Harold Frodge & FRW # 655 via Edward Kusalik)

World DX redesigns website

I have thought for a while now that the World DX Club website needed updating, and have been doing some work on that over the last few days.

The World DX Club website has now been re-launched at
http://www.worlddxclub.org.uk

Feedback is welcomed direct to me at
alan-roe@tiscali.co.uk .
(Source: Alan Roe, UK)

BBC World Service ends broadcasting in Bulgaria

The BBC World Service has stopped broadcasting in Bulgaria. The radio station, accessible at 91.0 FM in Sofia, started operations in the country in 1940. From today, the BBC’s English-language services will be available online at bbc.com/worldservice and via the Hotbird 2 direct to home satellite service.
In an embassy press statement, British ambassador to Bulgaria Steve Williams said: “I am sorry that the BBC World Service will stop broadcasting in Bulgaria on FM radio. Like other listeners, I will miss the high quality, impartial and comprehensive broadcasts.”
According to Bulgarian legislation, only Bulgarian-language programmes are allowed to be broadcast in Bulgaria; following the end of the BBC’s Bulgarian service, the only programs that the BBC had in the country were in English.
(Source: R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Full story at Sofia Echo www.sofiaecho.com/article/68-years-of-bbc-world-service-radio-ends-in-bulgaria/id_31513/catid_66

SLBC re-launches English Commercial Service

Sunday, August 31, 2008
posted by Editor at 3:31 AM
A veteran broadcaster and Chairman of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation Hudson Samarasinghe instructed to re-launch English Commercial Service of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation to provide additional valuable hours for their listeners.
According to Mr.Samarasinghe the re launching of the English service would commence from 1st of September. Earlier SLBC management has reduced local programmes of the English Commercial service and allocate more time belt for the BBC World Service. Mr.Samarasinghe has mediated with the BBC management and later reduced BBC time belt , which were used to broadcast BBC daily programs.
Due to this decision local listeners could listen to more programmes , music and other entertainment programs."It will once again resume its pristine glory. Programmes like Breakfast drive, Classic gold, Bright Spot, Your choice in music, Hits of the past will be aired, said Mr. Samarasinghe. Existing Programmes have been re-vamped and new programmes will be added to the channel. At present Sri Lanka has a number of English Radio Channels. However the English service has continued to receive a good response from listeners, he explained.
www.thecolombotimes.com/2008/08/slbc-re-launches-english-commercial.html
(Source: Alokesh Gupta, India)

Micro DXpedition Blog Logs

All times UTC // parallel frequency

Decided to try a Micro DXpedition last evening even though I wasn't expecting condtions to be very favorable. Turned out it wasn't too bad for Latin America. Unfortunately it was quite noisy. Used an Eton E1 and 315 foot BOG at 180 degrees. Here is what was heard.

Bangladesh
4750 Radio Bangladesh Shocked to hear the usual interval signal at 2359. Possible male announcer at 0000 to musical bridge. Very weak amid QRM but definitely there. It was actually a poor subcontinental evening. (29-30 August)

Bolivia
3390.15 Radio Emis. Camargo (very tent.) Definite signal here at 2348 and what certainly sounded like music. Still in at 0004. Even the sync locked on it. Will take an exception Bolivian opening to log this. (29-30 August)

Brazil
9685.3 Radio Gazeta (tentative) Mainly just a carrier here at 2220. There may have been a little audio but hard to tell. QRM from 9680. (29 August)

9645.23 Radio Bandierantes 2226 tlk by 2 men in PT. Some laughing. Mentions of Sao Paulo, Radio Bras, bon dia. Took phone callers. Time ticks on 2200 to promo, then nice full canned ID with freqs by announcer. Could just barely here the //6090 under Anguilla. (29 August)

6134.95 Radio Aparecida 2235 (presumed) Voz do Brasi. Program with talk by male/female in Portuguese. Simple Aparecida ID promo at 2304. Time ticks at 2305, and station ID. Good and strong at first but Santa Cruz QRM below gradually getting worse. //much weaker 9629.95. (29 August)

5980.55 Radio Guaruja Nice signal and clear at 2239 w/Voz do Brasil. Male/female duo, // to others carrying Voz do Brasil. 2249 ad block. Seemed like own news after 2256, then full canned ID at 2259. (29 August)

6105 Radio Cancao Nova 2252 w/Voz do Brasil. Program // to others including own 9675. (29 August)

6000 Radio Guaiba (presumed) Talk by announcer in definite Portuguese at 2309 with actuality, so probably a news program. Just too weak and too much slop QRM. (29August)

Peru
4857.41 Radio La Hora (presumed) 2315 Male announcer sounding like Spanish with what appeared to be a remote. Talk by male/female at 2339 with bird SFX briefly. Still going at 2352 w/M in SP and long live remote. Still going and QRMed at 0002 check, but gone when I checked at 0008. Noisy on the tropical bands. (29-30 August)

5486.6 Radio Reina de la Selva (presumed) 2332 strong signal but almost no modulation. Was able to hear male talking in Spanish though. Would be easy if it was modulated at 100%. Gone by 2352 check. (29 August)

5470.68 Radio San Nicolas (presumed) 2334 Definite Latin American pop music with drums prominent. Short canned echo announcement at 0022 check. (29-30 August) 5460.46 Radio Bolivar 2335 Also in here with music, just a bit weaker than San Nicolas. Still playing some lively Latin American pops at 0009 check. Announcers at 0012 with long announcement, then what seemed like deadair. (29-30 August)

4835.4 Radio Maranon Nice ID while tuning through at 0028. Strong. (30 August)

Surinam
4990 Radio Apintie (presumed) Long talk by male announcer in Sranan Tonga at 2323. Drums at 2326, With briefly, sounded like an ID over Pop music at 2327. Male/female at 2329. (29 August)

Uganda
4975.96 Radio Uganda Apparently still on with music at 2247. QRM from 4974.77 ZY. (29 August)
(Source: Dave Valko, PA/Cumbre DX)

American Radio Stations in Australia – Gnangara in Western Australia

On previous occasions here in our DX program, “Wavescan”, we have presented the story of four different American radio stations located in Australia; General MacArthur’s shortwave station installed on a train and a fixed station located at Hemmant in Queensland, the RCA lendlease transmitter at Shepparton in Victoria, and the AFRS usage of the ABC mediumwave station 4QR in Brisbane. On this occasion here in “Wavescan”, we continue in our series of American radio stations in Australia, and we feature the shortwave station located at Gnangara near Perth in Western Australia.
Actually, Gnangara is an aboriginal place name, and it means: the place where yams grow. This is an outer suburban area, just fifteen miles north of Perth and just ten miles south east of Wanneroo, which was the original location for the now silent ABC shortwave stations VLW & VLX.
The Commonwealth Government procured 320 acres at Gnangara in 1952 for the purpose of establishing an international shortwave communication station. This large tract of land was then transferred to OTC, the Overseas Telecommunication Commission fourteen years later, and then it was that work commenced on establishing a shortwave communication station on behalf of NASA, the American space agency. Some electronic equipment installed at this new shortwave station was new, and some was transferred from redundant NASA facilities in South Australia, and at Carnarvon in Western Australia.
The Gnangara station was established primarily for electronic communication with Mauritius during the series of Apollo space flights and moon landings from 1967 to 1975. Mauritius was considered to be one of the likely splashdown areas for the return of some of the Apollo space flights. Three shortwave communication transmitters at 7½ kW were installed at Gnangara with rhombic antennas oriented towards Mauritius. Landline communication to Moree in New South Wales completed the Australian circuits in the Apollo space program.
Although the Gnangara radio station was primarily an American NASA project, yet it was staffed by Australian personnel. The NASA usage of Gnangara was terminated around the beginning of 1975 at the successful conclusion of the Apollo space flights, and the Australian shortwave communication services were transferred from Gnangara to the OTC facility VIP at Applecross. Thus, the Gnangara station was now inactive.
In the meantime, Radio Australia was looking for a suitable site for a new and supposedly temporary shortwave station to fill in for the Darwin station which was disabled by Cyclone Tracy on Christmas Day, 1974. In order to once again test the viability of an international shortwave station in Western Australia, OTC engineers turned their attention to the recently inactivated shortwave communication station at Gnangara. They modified two of the 7½ kW communication transmitters for the broadcast of radio programming and a two week series of test transmissions began on February 25, 1975. These test transmissions consisted of music and test announcements in English which had been recorded in the Melbourne studios of Radio Australia. In two sets of daily transmissions, these test broadcasts were beamed to South Africa, Indonesia, and England with the use of rhombic antennas. Monitoring reports indicated good signals in several countries of Asia, and beyond.
Although reluctant to do so at first, Radio Australia did issue many QSL cards to verify the reception of these test transmissions. The Indianapolis collection contains two of these regular Radio Australia QSL cards, endorsed with the transmitter location, “Perth”.
As a result of the successful series of test broadcasts from the NASA station at Gnangara, plans were implemented for the establishment of what was intended to be a temporary relay station for Radio Australia, at Carnarvon, on the continental west coast.
And that’s a story for another occasion. But what happened subsequently to the NASA shortwave station at Gnangara? Four years after the series of test broadcasts, a small group of international radio monitors representing the Australian Radio DX Club made a visit to the Gnangara radio station and they found it active as a communication facility, VIP, for shipping in nearby coastal waters, and for outback communication with isolated areas in Western Australia. Three years later again, electronic equipment from the Australian earth station at Carnarvon was installed at Gnangara, and four years later again, a cable service connecting Australia to Asia was opened.
For a short time in 1994, a mediumwave station operated by Australian Aborigines was installed at Gnangara; two years later, VIP Gnangara operated the coastal station VID in Darwin by remote control, and in 2001 the cable service with Asia was superseded by satellite communication, and in 2002 the Gnangara shipping station VIP was decommissioned.
Last month, during the month of July, Gnangara was in use for the reception of signals from a communication satellite launched from an ocean platform at the equator; and the transmitter tower for the ABC mediumwave station 6WF is located nearby. However, with the rezoning of the nearby areas for housing, it looks as though the end of the Gnangara radio station is coming soon. Nevertheless, Gnangara will always be remembered in the international radio world as an American NASA shortwave communication station that was in use for a two week period in 1975 as a test facility on behalf of Radio Australia.
(Source: Adrian Peterson)

Pakistan will change their local time in November 2008

from DXAsia News
Aug 29, 2008 (23 hours ago)

The government of Pakistan has decided to postpone the change of local timings untill the first week of November - so VOA Urdu service will continue to use the present timings and frequencies till the end of A08 schedule period.
The current schedule is :
MW 972 1539 kHz is available at 1300-0100 hrs.
SW service 0000-0100 on 7135 11755 kHz.
SW service 1300-1400 on 9340 15795 kHz.
(Alok Dasgupta via http://dxasia.info/news via Alokesh Gupta, India)

New Zealand DX Times

The winds of change continue to buffet our world of radio. Last month, Martin Hadlow noted an article in The Economist that reported an upturn in SW listening in Africa and India, and reports that the BBC plans to upgrade its SW transmitter
facility on Ascension to be powered by a wind farm.

North American SW Broadcasters have decided to conduct research into current SW listening patterns in North America, digital HD radio receivers are dropping from radio shop inventories in the USA, and even American AM stations with IBOC
capability are choosing in some cases not to use it because of interference issues.
At the same time, Mexico has approved digital HD facilities for many of its border AM stations, and Australian and New Zealand AM and FM networks appear slow to adopt digital radio systems as the economic conditions tighten and no real benefit from introducing new channels seems clear. Austria still plans to closedown its SW broadcasts at the end of the year, Singapore has just gone silent.

In China, greater prosperity and availability of low cost radios is leading to the growth of a new hobby – DXing. Chinese DXers are now actively reporting local stations on SW, AM and FM and the stations are responding with detailed confirmations
and issuing QSL cards. As most of this activity occurs within the bounds of China and the Chinese language, it’s hard to gauge how big the phenomenon really is, but it has potential to introduce millions of new SW listeners and/or DXers to the hobby. Already, western SW broadcasters are noting a greater flow of reception reports from inside China, despite current jamming of a wide range of foreign broadcasts.

We also underestimate the fascination that SW radio continues to hold for listeners in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Although technology jumping occurs to hear new commercial and community FM signals on mobile phones, AM and SW radio continues to provide the backbone for national radio services here and will continue to
do so for decades. International broadcasters still support local listeners clubs, thousands of newlocal FM community stations are planned across India, and again, SW listening and/or DXing is more popular than we give credit for.

Meanwhile, Anker Petersen’s Trends in Tropical Bands Broadcasting released recently, traces adecline from 1,106 stations in 1973 to just 258 in 2008.
[August Mailbag Commentary by this months
editor, David Ricquish/Aug 2008]
(ODXA/Listening-In, Sept. 08)

Update on monitoring Hurricane Gustav

Here is my latest list of active military/government frequencies monitored in the last 24 hours in association with emergency operations on the Gulf associated with Hurricane Gustav. (Mode is ALE/USB and frequencies are in kHz unless otherwise noted)

3345.0 US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Ch 1:- WUK347 Unknown location

3349.0 DoD Tri Service MARS HF ALE Network:- WWLNNN USN/MC MARS Unknown location

4490.0 SHARES SCN Ch 3:- AAT3BF USA MARS Newark DE / KNY58 NTCN-HF Gadsden AL / USDAEOC2 US Department of Agriculture Alternate EOC Riverdale, MD

Continued coverage with information and frequenices at our sister blog Milcom Monitoring at http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/