Radio Prague B09 December schedule update

a reminder to blog readers, Radio Prague has indicated they may terminate shortwave at the end of 2009.

Broadcast via Czech Republic, Ascension Islands, Portugal, Tajikistan, U.K. and USA

Radio Prague - Winter B-09 valid to : 31 December 2009

All times UTC

Czech
0030-0057 5930 7355
0230-0257 6200 7345
0330-0357 6200 7345
0930-0957 11600 21745
1030-1057 15700 21745
1200-1227 11640 17545
1330-1357 6055 7345
1630-1657 5930 15710
1830-1857 5930 9400
2030-2057 5930 9430
2200-2227 5930 9435

English (includes two 29 minutes duration programs below)
0100-0127 6200 7355
0200-0227 6200 7355
0400-0427 6200 7345
0430-0457 9855AS 9855AF
0800-0827 7345 9860
1000-1029 9955 RMI-USA relay
1000-1029 15700 21745
1130-1157 11640 17545
1330-1357 9850 Woofferton-UK Fri/Sat in DRM mode, 35 kW
1400-1429 11600 13580
1500-1527 9955 RMI-USA relay
1700-1727 5930 15710
1800-1827 5930 9400
2100-2127 5930 9430
2230-2257 5930 7355
2330-2357 5930 7355

German
0730-0757 5930 7345
1100-1127 7345 9880
1300-1327 6055 7345
1300-1327 9850 Woofferton-UK Fri/Sat in DRM mode, 35 kW
1600-1627 5930
1730-1757 11690 Sines-POR relay [or rather 1630-1657 UT ?]

French
0700-0727 5930 7345
0830-0857 9860 11600
1430-1457 11600 13580
1730-1757 5930 15710
1930-1957 6200 9430
2300-2327 5930 7355

Russian
0500-0527 5980 9855
1230-1257 6055 17545
1530-1557 5930 9450
1900-1927 5830 Dushanbe-TJK relay

Spanish
0000-0027 5930 7355
0000-0027 7420 ASC relay
0030-0057 9955 RMI-USA relay
0130-0157 6200 7355
0300-0327 6200 7345
0530-0557 9955 RMI-USA relay
0900-0927 11600 15255
1030-1057 9955 RMI-USA relay
1500-1527 11600 13580
1900-1927 6200 9430
2000-2027 5930 9430
2130-2157 5930 9435

ASC=Ascension; DB=Dushanbe-TJK; RMI=WRMI FL-USA; WOF=Woofferton-UK
Sackville-CAN and Armavir-RUS relays deleted.
(RPR .xls format file of Sept 20; via Volker Willschrey-D,
transformed to ASCII format by wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Oct 21)

So rumours of former RPR staff members will be put into effect, Radio Prague will leave distribution on air at end of year. Seemingly will continue at least probably Czech and English language program segments online via webdistribution. Another example of European broadcaster to go into insignificance like Swiss Radio and Radio Sweden.
(wb, Germany)

December specials from DX Stamp Service

Dear DXer,
December specials appear below.

Stamps on Back Order: Slovakia, PR China, Trinidad, Ethiopia, Netherlands Antilles and Luxembourg.

Back in Stock: Netherlands and Russia.



DECEMBER 2009 DX STAMP SPECIALS

3 UK (Eng., Scot., Wales, N. Ire.)-$3.60 3 Germany-$8.25

2 Switzerland-$3.20 3 Japan-$3.60

DECEMBER 2009 DX SUPPLY SPECIALS

200/200 European Air Mailers & Returns $35

200/200 Stateside Mailers & Returns $16

2 Standard QSL Albums $40

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)

William Plum
12 Glenn Road
Flemington, NJ 08822
908 788 1020
908 782 2612 fax
plumdx@msn.com

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. Bill also has an email newsletter service of monthly specials, and email orders are welcomed!

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.

Eyeball cards, stateside QSLing nesting envelopes, QSL Card Albums and pages are also sold.

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.
(Gayle Van Horn)

Radio Australia celebrates 70 years

a reminder to our blog readers.....

In December, Radio Australia will be celebrating its 70th Anniversary. RA wants its listeners - both long-time and new - to be an integral part of the festivities. Here’s how you can join in:

RA invites your personal written and audio contributions about your relationship with Radio Australia. Your essay and/or statement should include some or all of the following information:

* How long have you been listening to Radio Australia?
* How do you hear RA? - shortwave, the Internet, World Radio Network, partner station, etc. (any or all of these and when/how)?
* Has this changed over the years as RA placed increasing emphasis on delivery platforms other than shortwave?
* What in your opinion sets Radio Australia apart from other international broadcasters?
* Has Radio Australia taught you things about Australia and its way of life you would not otherwise have known?
* What can Radio Australia do to ensure that you continue listening to our broadcasts?
* Have you have any anecdotes to tell us from your time as an RA listener? (For instance, did you turn to RA for coverage of a specific event; do you have fond memories of your favourite presenter, newsreader or program?

It would be preferred if contributions were written or spoken in your own style in a personally coherent, story-like, “conversational” form, and not as a series of answers to the above questions. Those who are able and willing to do so should feel encouraged to record their message and attach it as a MP3 file along with the text of their message.

Occasionally, long-time listeners are moved to send RA “scanned” attachments of ancient QSL cards, photographs or other “historical” bits and pieces which makes them feel particularly and personally linked to RA. Such material would be warmly welcomed.

RA will have a 70th Birthday website which will feature these written and recorded contributions. Portions of the recorded contributions will also be used on-air.

RA looks forward to contributions from our listeners in Asia, the Pacific and around the world. Past and present RA listeners in the US, Canada, Europe and Africa are warmly encouraged to participate as well.

Emails should be sent to: radioaustralia@radioaustralia.net.au

For those who still put pen to paper the postal address for contributions is:

English Service
70th Birthday Radio Australia
GPO Box 428G, Melbourne, 3001, Victoria, Australia.
(R Australia)

Malaysia's Klasik Nasional FM on new 5952 kHz

5952.19v, Klasik Nasional FM via RTM,1504 UTC, Nov 28. New frequency for them! In vernacular; news from RTM News Center, followed by commentary. Reciting from the Qur'an to station ID. Pop music show to 1533 UTC tune-out. Bothered by hetrodyne due to station on 5955. Signal best in lower-side-band, and seemed to have a slight drift. They probably moved away from ex: 5964.92v kHz due to persistent heavyinterference (including today I found a very strong China Radio International in Russian on 5965.0 kHz). Was able to hear the usual 6049.60v ("Suara Islam FM" ID at 1525) and 7295 (Traxx FM in English with Dean Martin singing That's Amore at 1535).
(Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

American DX Report

* Canada: The low powered CFRX is back on the air again with 1 kW on 6070 kHz. This shortwave station was off the air for two years, while new equipment was obtained and installed. After it was re-activated, electronic problems occurred and the transmitter was shipped back to New York for refurbishing. It has since been re-delivered to Toronto and re-installed at the mediumwave location. The signal nowadays is quite weak in the United States due to a beam orientation for listeners in Canada. Signal fade in can be heard best around sunrise.

* South Pacific: In both New Zealand and Australia, low power FM & AM stations continue to multiply. David Ricquish in the New Zealand DX Times states that there are 430 LPFM stations actively on the air throughout New Zealand. In Australia, the Christian organization, Vision FM, is licensed for more than 400 low power AM stations.

* QSL Cards: In recent time, several QSL cards have brought very high prices on Ebay. A QSL card issued on Pitcairn Island for the amateur radio station that was in use for a short while with the relay of broadcast programming back to the United States in 1938 sold for $402. This card was printed with the two callsigns PITC and VR6A, and the letter Y was added in red ink, thus making the amateur callsign into VR6AY. Two QSL cards acknowledging the amateur station AC4NC in Tibet in 1940 sold for very high prices. One was bought at $3,800 and another at $3,000.

* China: And while we are talking about high prices, the New Zealand DX Times reports a very high price for postage on a QSL card back in the middle of last century. The card was from station XPRA and the postage was marked at $2,300,000.00. This exorbitant figure is of course in Chinese dollars, as they were at the time, and it reflects the impact of runaway inflation.

* North American Radio Magazines: Three radio magazines have undergone changes in recent time. Radio World for the professional is now re-designed in a more modern style, though the total number of pages is diminished.
WorldRadio for the amateur was bought by CQ Publications, which includes Popular Communications, and it is has been modernized, but is available only on the internet. (cq-amateur-radio.com)
Listening In from the Ontario DX Association is now no longer in print. However, the various columns and regular radio information is still available, via the internet. (odxa.on.ca)

* Dominican Republic: The 1 kW shortwave station, Radio Amanecer HIAJ in Santo Domingo is back on the air again and has been heard in many areas of the United States and Europe. Their operating channel is 6025 kHz and their beam orientation is approximately west.

* England: The American radio magazine, Popular Communications, reports that a woman in England has been taken to court for the non-payment of music fees. She has been operating a small radio station that broadcasts classical music into the horse barn to soothe restless horses.

* USA: In somewhat recent times, several shortwave stations in the United States have been closed, and new ones are opening. Here is a summary of these significant events:-

Stations closed
WHRI Indianapolis Indiana; 2 transmitters @ 100 kW moved to WHRA Greenbush, Maine & WHRI Cypress Creek, South Carolina
KAIJ Dallas Texas; facility demolished a while back
KTBN Salt Lake City Utah; 1 @ 100 kW removed and installed at Caribbean Beacon, Anguilla
KWHR Naalehu Hawaii; 1 transmitter at 100 kW transferred to T8WH Palau, South Pacific
WBOH Newport, North Carolina; removed from service, Oct 31, ailing 50 kW transmitter
WMLK Bethel Pennsylvania; 50 kW, currently off the air due to equipment damage
WJIE Upton Kentucky; all four transmitters still in place, but inactive
WWBS Macon Georgia; closed at death of owner some time ago, and apparently abandoned
WHRA Greenbush Maine; closed recently & dismantled, frequencies transferred to WHRI

New shortwave stations
KNLS Anchor Point, Alaska; additional 100 kW transmitter installed
Leap of Faith Radio, Lebanon Tennessee; may be already testing on air
WJHR Milton, Florida; It is planned that this station will operate only in the SSB mode, Single Side Band, and the project seems to be a transfer of a Construction Permit for an earlier shortwave station that was planned for Pensacola in Florida. We should also note that the projected callsign, WJHR, is already in use for two stations elsewhere, on AM & FM.
KIMF Pino New Mexico; seems to have been deleted before it was constructed
KTMI Albany & Lebanon, Oregon; They stated that they were ready to begin operations, but apparently they have been deleted.
(NWS 40 via Adrian Peterson AWR)

A closer look at Shortwave Listener Cards

It becomes apparent that the most popular postcard in the radio world is the QSL card, which had its earliest origins way back in the year 1916. Thus far here in Wavescan, we have presented several features on various historic radio cards, all of which have been associated in some way with the QSL card. On this occasion, we take a look at the SWL Card, which was an early outgrowth from the early QSL cards which are known these days as Reception Report Cards.
The SWL Card, that is the Shortwave Listener Card, was quite popular during the 1930s in the era when shortwave broadcasting was developing quite rapidly. Two different styles of cards are noted during this era; those that were printed specifically by an individual listener for his own use, and generic cards that could be used by anybody.
These SWL cards were used by shortwave listeners to send as a reception report to a radio station, usually an amateur radio station, though quite often also to a broadcasting station, shortwave or mediumwave. Most of these cards were in use in the United States, though the concept was used elsewhere in other countries, such as in Canada, many countries in Europe, and also in Australia and New Zealand.
The Indianapolis collection contains several hundred reception report cards, mostly in the 1930s, and mostly from listeners in the United States. We choose a selection of these cards; first of all, the cards that were printed by individual listeners for their own personal use, and the years are from 1933 to 1936. Thus, these dated SWL cards are all more than 70 years old.
For example, the SWL card that shortwave listener Judge Bodycote of East Norwalk in Connecticut used is printed on blue card stock and it shows the letters SWL in large red letters. This card was printed by an amateur radio operator, W9DGM.
The postage stamp on this card, which was addressed to a shortwave listener in Ohio, was a green Benjamin Franklin stamp priced at just one cent. We can remember that these days a post card posted in the United States now costs 28 cents. The postmark is very clear, showing February 25, 1936.
An SWL card dated in 1935 was printed for a radio listener in Irvington, New Jersey. The letters SWL are printed in large hollow red letters. This listener was apparently a proud father, as a postage sized photo of a happy young boy is shown on the text side of the card.
Another SWL card dated in 1935 was from a listener in Brooklyn, New York. Two logos printed on this card indicate that he was a member of the International Short Wave Club and also the Short Wave League. This card reports the reception of an amateur radio transmission in Waterloo, Iowa.
A listener in Placerville California used a colorful SWL card, with the large letters SWL-W6 and the border around the edge of the card printed in a bright red. The addition of the amateur identification W6 indicated the 6th radio district in the United States which included California.
Interestingly, the address side of this card carries the same Benjamin Franklin green stamp valued at one cent, and another similar stamp on the text side of the card. The first stamp is postmarked, and the other is not. It would seem then that the listener intended that the second stamp should be used by the amateur radio station for the return postage on the QSL card.
An SWL card from a listener in Canada shows a large maple leaf in green, with the identification VE3SWL superimposed. VE3 would identify the listener as living in the Canadian province of Ontario.
The oldest card in this series is dated April 3, 1933 and it is printed entirely in red for a listener in Toledo Ohio. This man was also a member of the Short Wave League, with the identification R9LL.
Most of the pre-printed generic SWL cards were made available by the various radio clubs that were flourishing in the United States at the time and most of these cards just indicate SWL for Short Wave Listener. However, a few of them have been overprinted with the amateur radio district, such as W8 for Ohio, W2 for New York or W5 for Texas, and so on.
Many of these generic SWL cards were printed on behalf of radio clubs, including the famed Newark News Radio Club, the Universal Radio Club, and the Globe Circlers DX Club. Interestingly, one of these SWL cards that was in use in the United States was actually printed in New Zealand on behalf of the New Zealand DX Radio League. This listener, living in West Linn Oregon, must therefore have been a member of that distant radio club down under in the “Land of the Long White Cloud”.
(NWS 40 via Adrian Peterson AWR)

Radio Australia - Lyndhurst

In our program today, you will hear the second major feature item, in which we honor Radio Australia on the occasion of its 70th anniversary. Back at the time when Radio Australia was inaugurated, or Australia Calling as it was known at the time, there were just four low powered shortwave transmitters available and these were located at three widely separated stations. These facilities were:-
VK2ME 2 @ 10 kW Pennant Hills near Sydney, New South Wales
VLR 1 @ 2 Lyndhurst, near Melbourne, Victoria
VLW 1 @ 2 Wanneroo, near Perth, Western Australia

Our earlier feature a few weeks back told the story of the Pennant Hills station that became VLQ and then VLI; our third feature next month will tell the story of VLW Australia Calling in Western Australia; and today’s program focuses on VLR in Lyndhurst, Victoria. The Lyndhurst facility began as a small locally made 600 watt experimental shortwave transmitter installed in a small galvanized iron shed out from Melbourne in an isolated farming community. This was back in the year 1928 and the station was established to ascertain the coverage area throughout Australia for an extended shortwave service.
A more substantial building was constructed on the same property to house the shortwave transmitter in 1935, and the power level was increased to 1 kW. Three years later again, the power was increased to 2 kW, and this was the unit that was taken into the international shortwave service of Australia Calling at the end of the year 1939.
During the era of its development, the Lyndhurst transmitter was on the air, at first without known callsign, in 1928. Then it became known as 3LR, and then VK3LR in 1931, and finally, the callsign was regularized as VLR in 1937. On occasions, an additional callsign was in use for experimental transmissions, VK3XX. The VK in the callsign of course identified the station as Australian; the number 3 identifies the state of Victoria; and the LR was taken from the two mediumwave stations in Melbourne from which its programming was relayed, 3LO & 3AR.
At the end of August 1939, all shortwave transmissions throughout Australia, amateur and professional, were ordered off the air, and the only transmitter that was permitted to remain on air was the low powered ABC-PMG unit, VLR.
It was on Wednesday December 20 in 1939, the birthday of the Prime Minister, Mr (later Sir) Robert Menzies, that Australia Calling was launched. The two shortwave transmitters powered at 10 kW in Pennant Hills opened the new shortwave service at 5:00 pm local time.
Transmitter VLR, with 2 kW on 9530 kHz came on the air at midnight with programming in English and Dutch for the Dutch East Indies, or Indonesia, as we know the area today. Then, at 9:30 am next day, the same 2 kW transmitter came on the air as VLR3 on a frequency of 11880 kHz with programming in English to Japan and the Philippines.
During the eighteen month era in which VLR was on the air with programming for Australia Calling, it would appear that the following channels were in use, at least some of the time :-
VLR 9580 kHz Dutch East Indies, Far East
VLR3 11880 North America & Mexico, South East Asia, Japan, Philippines
VLR4 15230 North America
On June 21, 1941, a new 10 kW transmitter was inaugurated at Lyndhurst, initially under the callsign VLR, but one month later the callsign was changed to VLG. This new unit took over the programming for Australia Calling and VLR was then in use solely for the Inland Service of the ABC.
In 1949, transmitter VLR was upgraded to 5 kW, and in 1956, it was withdrawn from service and discarded. However, it is true that Radio Australia was later on the air from several of the 10 kW transmitters that were subsequently installed at Lyndhurst, but by this time, on air callsigns were no longer in use.
Thus it was that the low powered 2 kW VLR was in service with Australia Calling, the fore-runner of Radio Australia, for a brief period of just eighteen months, running from December 21, 1939 to late June 1941.
It is true, QSL cards were printed and issued for the Overseas Service of the ABC during this time period and these were the now exotic Orange Kangaroo Card. Printed on the card is the callsign VLR 9580 kHz. Even though we have seen many of these cards endorsed for VLQ & VLG, yet, as far as we can remember, we have never seen one endorsed for VLR.
(NWS 40 via Adrian Peterson AWR)

Help for struggling shortwave stations

Dear shortwave friends,

I am trying to gauge the interest level in an idea I have had for a few years. As a shortwave listener/DX'er I am particularly fond of the small domestic broadcasters heard in the tropical bands, and on other parts of the shortwave spectrum. These stations have gone off the air in recent years at an alarming rate. The world of communications is going through great change, and it's understandable that shortwave is being supplanted by other modes.

However, I hear from time to time, that certain domestic shortwave broadcasters have gone off prematurely or involuntarily due to technical difficulty, or lack of funds for electricity or other station related necessities. I would like to develop a portfolio of stations that have a strong desire to continue broadcasting on shortwave, but are lacking for a certain part, or technical knowhow. If you would like to be part of this effort, please contact me. I am looking for those who have knowledge of stations that are going through difficulties, but would like to be on the air serving their local community. I would also like to hear from those who could support the effort in various ways, through contributions, technical, monetary or otherwise.

I am partly inspired the great monetary and organizational efforts expended by amateur radio operators to transmit from a rarely heard territory. In this case, my primary interest would be to empower domestic shortwave stations to serve their local audience with a secondary benefit being continued audibility for shortwave listeners and dxers.

Thanks for hearing me out, and 73

David Goren/(HCDX)
http://www.shortwaveology.com

BBC presenter reads news from iPhone after BBC system crashes

A BBC radio news presenter was forced to read the news from her iPhone after the corporation's computer and telephone system crashed as she was due on air.

Alison Rooper, an experienced BBC Radio 3 newsreader, managed to keep her cool during the glitch and told colleagues to send the script to her mobile.

She had arrived at Broadcasting House at 6.15am on Wednesday expecting to present the hourly bulletins as normal on Rob Cowan's breakfast show.

Additional story at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/6667615/Radio-presenter-reads-news-from-iPhone-after-BBC-system-crashes.html

Al Jazerra to broadcast to Canada

Canada’s broadcasting regulatory commission announced yesterday that it will allow Qatar-based Al Jazeera news network to broadcast in English in Canada. In a statement, the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) said authorizing Al Jazeera to broadcast “will expand the diversity of editorial points of view in the Canadian broadcasting system.

“Further, despite concerns expressed by certain parties, there is nothing on the record of the current proceeding that leads the commission to conclude that (Al Jazeera) would violate Canadian regulations, such as those regarding abusive comment,” the commission said.

The 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week English-language international news service is currently available in over 100 countries and via the Internet. In 2004 the CRTC authorized Al Jazeera’s Arab language service to broadcast in Canada but only under criteria so strict it required broadcasts to be monitored for breaches, and so no satellite or cable service provider has yet opted to offer the channel.

More than 2600 parties filed comments with the CRTC in support of Al Jazeera’s latest request, arguing it would increase diversity of Canadian television, while 40 parties opposed the bid. Opponents accused the broadcaster of “unbalanced reporting” and “abusive” commentaries.
(Source: AFP/R Netherlands Media Network)

Radio Netherlands Program Guide - Nov. 28-Dec. 4

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

SATURDAY 28 NOVEMBER
*** The State We're In ***

This week we give thanks for the twentieth anniversary of the end of the Cold War and we look at the one thing that encapsulated that era - spying.

The perfect job: We speak to a KGB general who was at the forefront of the spying game against the US. He tells us how exhilarating it was.

Russian trainspotting: Leslie Woodhead was sent to a 'spying school' to learn Russian as a member of Britain's vast intelligence network. Fifty years later, he took a closer look at his Cold War experience and realised that he played a small but significant role in helping the world avert nuclear self-destruction.

The new truth part 1: What sort of spying takes place now and between whom? The Cold War may be over, but countries are spending as much as ever on intelligence gathering. What form does it take and how has it changed?

The new truth part 2: We continue our discussion about the Cold War and shape of modern espionage.

Shell games: Maura Harrington tells Jonathan how her protests against an oil pipeline in Ireland was worth every moment of it, but the fight is far from over.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.00 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
15.00 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.00 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.00 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
00.30 Europe
05.00 North America
14.00 Europe
23.00 North America and CBC

*** 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 satisfy your needs with this digest of the programme's top stories.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
19.30 East Africa 12045, West Africa 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
04.00 Africa and Asia
13.00 North America
17.00 Europe
22.00 Asia

*** Network Europe Extra ***

Arts and Culture brought to you each Sunday from Europe's widest partnership of international broadcasters.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1505 South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
0300 North America
1200 North America
1500 Europe

SUNDAY 29 NOVEMBER
*** Network Europe Extra ***

Arts and Culture brought to you each Sunday from Europe's widest partnership of international broadcasters.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 East Asia 12065, 6040, East China 9720
1800 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
1900 East Africa 12045, West Africa 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
0400 North America
0500 North America
1000 Africa and Asia
1200 North America
1430 Europe
1700 Europe
2200 Asia

*** Radio Books (primary programme) ***

'Amandine, or a thousand letters of love' - by Ivo Michiels

The writing career of Ivo Michiels stretches back half a century. He made his literary debut just after World War II and is credited with introducing the modernistic novel into Flemish literature.

His haunting story 'Amandine' is about a Red Cross worker hopelessly in love with a train conductor.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.30 East Asia 12065, 6040, East China 9720
14.00 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.30 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
19.30 East Africa 12045, West Africa 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
00.30 Europe
05.30 North America
10.30 Africa and Asia
14.40 Europe

MONDAY 30 NOVEMBER
*** Curious Orange (primary programme) ***

Paul Anstiss is your guide to modern-day Holland.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.00 East Asia 12065, 6040, East China 9720
14.30 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.30 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.30 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
00.30 Europe
13.00 North America
14.30 Europe
22.10 Asia
23.10 North America and CBC

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
15.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.04 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.04 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
14.04 Europe
22.00 Asia
23.00 North America and CBC

*** Network Europe ***

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.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
19.04 East Africa 12045, West Africa 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
05.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** Euro Hit 40 ***

Europe's No.1 chart Show.

Broadcast times on WRN
05.20 North America

*** Classic Dox ***

'Do the Hustle!'

Music writer John Manuel Andriote and producer David Swatling present a brief history of disco - the dance and music craze which burst into clubs in the mid -1970's. It inspired films, fashion and technological developments in the pop music industry. The first of two parts covers the origins of the craze and the iconic Studio 54 in New York.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.00 East Asia 12065, 6040, East China 9720

Broadcast times on WRN
13.20 North America

*** European Jazz Stage/ World Music ***

Izaline Caliser sings joyous songs in the tradition of the island of Curaçao. Europe's best known Latin ensemble, the Cubop City Big Band plays compositions by Machito, Beny Moré and Arsenio Rodriguez. All of that, on the European Jazz Stage with Daniel Frankl.

*** Live! at the Concertgebouw ***

Live! at the Concertgebouw 2008

The Concertgebouw goes America. Works of two modern Dutch composers bring a tribute to Brooklyn Bridge (Tristan Keuris) and St. Louis (Peter Schat). And you can't say 'America' without Dvorak's New World Symphony No. 9. Hans Haffmans and Cynthia Wilson are the programme's hosts.

TUESDAY 1 DECEMBER
*** Network Europe ***

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.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
19.04 East Africa 12045, West Africa 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
05.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** The State We're In - Midweek Edition ***

This week we give thanks for the twentieth anniversary of the end of the Cold War and we look at the one thing that encapsulated that era - spying.

The perfect job: We speak to the youngest KGB general of his generation who was at the forefront of the spying game against the US. He tells us how exhilarating it was.

Russian trainspotting: Leslie Woodhead was sent to a 'spying school' to learn Russian as a member of Britain's vast intelligence network. Fifty years later,

Leslie took a closer look at his Cold War experience and realises that he played a small but significant role in helping the world avert nuclear self- destruction.

The new truth part 1: What sort of spying takes place now and between whom? The Cold War may be over but countries are spending as much as ever on intelligence gathering. What form does it take and how has it changed?

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.30 East Asia 12065, 6040, East China 9720
14.15 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.15 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.15 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
04.00 Africa and Asia
10.30 Africa and Asia
14.15 Europe

*** Live! at the Concertgebouw ***

Live! at the Concertgebouw 2009
There's a touch of holiness in this concert, and the sound of the organ is never far away. Messiaen's Hymne au Saint-Sacrement stands side by side with Bruckner's Symphony no. 3 in d minor. Your hosts are Hans Haffmans and Cynthia Wilson.

*** Commonwealth Story ***

A selection of winning stories chosen from the large number of entries for the 2009 Commonwealth Short Story Competition.

Commonwealth Story No. 7: 'Dreams', by Ayobami Adbayo, Nigeria. Excitement and promises at election time. Read by Maynard Eziashi.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.50 East Asia 12065, 6040, East China 9720

Broadcast times on WRN
00.50 Europe
04.25 Africa and Asia
10.50 Africa and Asia
22.50 Asia
23.50 North America and CBC

*** Classic Dox ***

'Fever to Inferno'

Music writer John Manuel Andriote and producer David Swatling continue this brief history of disco with a focus on its huge success for disco stars like the Bee Gees, Village People and Donna Summer - as well as the iconic film Saturday Night Fever. But if disco died in 1979, how did it manage a come-back?

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.30 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595


*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
15.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.04 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.04 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
14.04 Europe
22.00 Asia
23.00 North America and CBC

WEDNESDAY 2 DECEMBER
*** Network Europe ***

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.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
19.04 East Africa 12045, West Africa 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
05.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** Reloaded (primary programme) ***

Another selection of this week's programme highlights presented by Mindy Ran.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
18.15 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.15 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
14.15 Europe
22.10 Asia

*** Classic Dox ***

'Tango in the Minor Key'

Finland is known as a cold place with hot saunas. The last thing we associate with Finland is the tango. And yet producer Dheera Sujan discovered that the tango is the country's unlikely national dance enjoyed by thousands of Finns at lakeside dance halls.

*** Newsline ***

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
15.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.04 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.04 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
14.04 Europe
22.00 Asia
23.00 North America and CBC

THURSDAY 3 DECEMBER
*** Network Europe ***

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.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
19.04 East Africa 12045, West Africa 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
05.00 North America
17.00 Europe


*** Earth Beat (primary programme) ***

We return to Bhopal, India, 25 years after one of the most deadly industrial accidents in modern times and hear memories of that night. And we look ahead to

the UN conference in Copenhagen and ask the crusading American scientist James Hansen why there's still a reluctance to taking climate change seriously.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.00 East Asia 12065, 6040, East China 9720
14.30 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.35 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.15 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
04.00 Africa and Asia
05.10 North America
10.00 Africa and Asia
13.00 North America
14.00 Europe
17.30 Europe
22.10 Asia
23.10 North America and CBC

*** Classic Dox ***

'Running the Goat'

The 17th-century Canadian fishing community of Harbour Deep vanished from the map not long ago. But its ghost survives in a traditional set dance called Running the Goat. Summer tourists now learn the steps for an authentic taste of Newfoundland out-port life. Producer Chris Brookes was awarded the Prix Marulic for this lively feature.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
15.15 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
15.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.04 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.04 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
14.04 Europe
22.00 Asia
23.00 North America and CBC

FRIDAY 4 DECEMBER
*** Network Europe ***

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.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
19.04 East Africa 12045, West Africa 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
05.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** Bridges with Africa (primary programme) ***

We're giving the microphone to Diaspora groups in Europe and are linking up with stations in Africa. The show goes beyond the clichés of starving children and war-ridden countries and seeks to bring you genuine voices from a vibrant continent.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.00 East Asia 12065, 6040, East China 9720
14.30 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.15 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.15 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
05.10 North America
10.00 Africa and Asia
13.00 North America
17.30 Europe
22.10 Asia
23.10 North America and CBC

*** Classic Dox ***

'Hoppin' Alive'

Lindy hop is back! Amsterdam has rediscovered the American feel-good dance of 1930's swing jazz . Hundreds of enthusiastic hoppers enjoy workshops, master classes and parties. Special guest star Frankie Manning who rocked the cradle of this happy dance helps producer Liesbeth de Bakker get the rhythm.

*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
15.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.04 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.04 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
14.04 Europe
22.00 Asia
23.00 North America and CBC
(R Netherlands)

America's Thanksgiving Holiday 2009

Today, November 26, America celebrates our annual Thanksgiving holiday. It is a time we gather with family and friends to give thanks for the blessings we have received throughout the year and enjoy a day of family traditions, football, and feasting.

To our military troops stationed far from home and those serving in harms way, we offer our thanks and support. You remain in our thoughts and prayers daily.

Thank you to our many blog readers and may you have a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving Day and holiday weekend - wherever you are !

Gayle & Larry Van Horn
Teak Publishing

Morning DX from Asia

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

India
4850, All India Radio-Kohima, 1300-1407*, Nov 25. Program "schedule highlights for today and tomorrow"; 1340-1400 usual local news and sports news in Hindi, followed by same items in English; pulsating noise started at 1355; first time I have noted this QRM; suddenly off.

4970, AIR Shillong, 1602, Nov 25. In English with an address to the nation by the Chief Justice of India, K.G. Balakrishnan on the eve of National Law Day; speech // 4920, 4970, 5010, 5050 (Aizawl was in the clear with almost fair reception, as Guangxi Beibu Bay Radio had already signed off), 9425 and 9470. http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article54845.ece?homepage=true . After the address, played easy listening popular music (song by Andy Williams, etc.); 1629 sign off announcements in English and Hindi; off the air at 1630.

4990, AIR Itanagar, 1502-1511, Nov 25. In English with the review of the activities of Parliament (mostly dealing with workers issues of wages, medical compensation, etc.); // 4920 (QRM), 5010 and 5050 (QRM) (Ron Howard, CA, Etón E1)

Myanmar

5985.0, Myanma Radio., 1438, Nov 25. Nice indigenous music, but spoiled by the jamming of N. Korean; earlier (1400-1430) Shiokaze had been here in English, which is what the jamming was really directed at, but it continued on to disrupt Myanmar (Ron Howard, CA, Etón E1)

Sri Lanka

[non]. 11510, IBC Tamil (presumed), randomly from 1311 till gone by check at 1401 (assume 1400*), Nov 25. Non-stop music and songs; sounded subcontinent and probably Tamil; no announcements heard; certainly not live coverage of a conference, but still good listening; weak, but in the clear. (Ron Howard, CA, Etón E1)

QSL Report Central - the best from the vault

A selection of QSLs from QSL Report vault

ASCENSION ISLAND
NHK Radio Japan relay 11855 kHz. Full data Water-Borne Doll Festival card unsigned, plus schedule. Received in 135 days - 28 days after posting follow-up report on their website http://www.nhl.or.jp.rj/ (Edward Kusalik, Canada)

CANADA
KBS World Radio/Korean Broadcasting System via Sackville relay, 9650 kHz. Full data color card of Incheon International Airport unsigned, plus schedules and station stickers. Received in 26 days for an English report and souvenir postcard. Station address: Global Center, Korean Broadcasting System, Yoido-dong 18, Youngdeungpa-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Website: http://world.kbs.co.kp/ (Tom Banks, TX)

Radio Sweden via Sackville relay, 6010 kHz. Full data Stockholm/Nybroviken card excluding transmitter site. Schedule and book marker tag enclosed. Received in 130 days after posting a follow-up report on their website at http://www.sr.se.rs/ . (Kusalik) Email: radiosweden@ar.se Station address: SE-105 10 Stockholm, Sweden.

CLANDESTINE
Russia/Chechnya. Radio Free Chechnya/Radio Chechnya Svobodnaya: via St. Petersburg 7330 kHz. Full data including site, power and "Radio Chechnya Svobodnaya." Card includes St. Petersburg Regional Center transmitter and antennas. Received in 7.5 years with no follow-up report. QSL address: St. Petersburg Regional Center, 3, Akademika Pavlova st., St. Petersburg 197022 Russia. (Wendel Craighead, KS)

Zimbabwe-SW Radio Africa via Rampisham, United Kingdom 12035 kHz. Full data (except for transmitter site) multi-color card signed by Station Manager with illegible signature. Received in 17 days for an email report. Several email addresses used and most kept bouncing. (Craighead) Correspondence address and web information via World QSL Book; SW Radio Africa Ltd., P.O. Box 243, Borehamwood, Herts WD64WA United Kingdom. Website: http://www.swradioafrica.com/ Email: mail@swradioafrica.com (or) tech@swradioafrica.com .

Zimbabwe-Radio Voice of the People via Talata-Volondry, Madagascar - Radio Netherlands Relay Station, 11695 kHz. Full data (including program name and transmitter coordinates) Radio Netherlands card signed by Rahamefy Eddy. Received in two months for report to veri signer at Radio Netherlands Relay Station. Additional large folder Madagascar map card enclosed for 7310 kHz from 4.5 years, that included full data and the program name. QSL address: Radio Nedherlands Wereldomroep Relay Station, Atten: Mr. Rahamefy Eddy, P.O. Box 404, Antananarivo, Madagascar. (Craighead) Correspondence address and web information via World QSL Book; Radio Voice of the People, P.O. Box 5750, Harare, Zimbabwe. Website: http://www.vopradio.co.zw/ (or) http://www.radio.vop.com/ Email: voxpozim@yahoo.com.uk (or) voxpop@coweb.co.zw

MEDIUM WAVE
Japan-JOJK Kanazawa 1224 kHz AM. Full data NHK card unsigned. Received for an AM report and no return postage. Station address: 14-1 Ohtemachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa, Japan 920-8644. (Craig Edwards, Australia)

Japan-JOUC Yamaguchi 1377 kHz AM. Full data NHK card unsigned. Received for an AM report and no return postage. Station address: NHK Yamaguchi, Technicial Dept., 2-1 Nakazono, Yumaguchi-shi, Yamaguchi, Japan 753-8660. (Edwards).

KSGM 980 kHz AM. Full data friendly two-page letter signed by Don Pritchard-News Director. Veri signer states he too is a AM DXer. Station‛s night pattern coverage map and felt KSGM pennant enclosed. Received in ten days for an AM report. Station address: P.O. Box 428, Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670. (Jim Pogue, TN)

KLBS 1330 kHz AM. The Portuguese Radio Network. Full data card signed Operations Manager with illegible signature, plus station information sheets. Received in 60 days for an AM report and two mint stamps. Station address: 401 Pacheco Blvd., Los Banos, CA 93635. Website: http://www.klbs.com/ . (Henry Tidenberg, Clovis, NM)

KTRH 740 AM kHz. Full data email response from Ken Charles-Regional VP of Programming. Received in three days after follow-up email report to kencharles@clearchannel.com Station address; 2000 West Loop South, Suite 300, Houston, TX 77027. Website: http://www.ktrh.com/main.html . (Frank Hillton, Charleston, SC).

Mexico-XENK 620 kHz AM. Personal letter via registered mail from Ma. Guadalupe Laris Rodriguez-Gerente. Received via registered mail after follow-up report October 2006, mailed from Cozumel, Mexico. Station address: Radio 6.20, S.A., Aten: Lic. Guadalupe Laris Rodriguez, Calle Durango #331, Colonia Roma, Mexico, DF 06700 Mexico. (Pogue).

WTAW 1620 kHz AM. News Talk 1620. Full data color QSL card signed by Ben Downs-Chief Operator. Received in six weeks for an AM report and mint stamps. Station address: 2700 Rudder Freeway, Suite 5000, College Station, TX 77845. Website: http://www.wtaw.com/ Email: radio@wtaw.com (Sam Wright, MS).

NORTH KOREA
Voice of Korea 11710 kHz. Full data color Radio Pyongyang card signed in Korean and dated on my birthday. Cloth pennant, color enameled Voice of Korea lapel pin, program schedule, three advertising brochures for North Korean postage stamp collectors and copy of Pyongyang Times newspaper. Received in 57 days for an English report directly to the station. Have been trying nearly 20 years using every trick in the book with no success. Packet of goodies was received in a plain brown wrapper. Station address: Voice of Korea, Pyongyang, Democratic People‛s Republic of Korea, (Richard W. Parker PA).

(Gayle Van Horn, QSL Report/Monitoring Times)

Feingold urges elimination of Radio and TV Marti

US Senator Russ Feingold, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, yesterday announced the launch of his “Spotlight on Spending” series to highlight actions Congress can take to reduce the deficit. The first featured provision is the elimination of Radio and TV Martí.

“This relic of the Cold War attempts to broadcast radio and TV signals into Cuba that virtually no one tunes in to,” Senator Feingold said. “Government studies show that Radio and TV Martí are riddled with problems, and fall short of journalistic standards. As we progress toward a more modern and constructive relationship with Cuba, Radio and TV Martí no longer have any real diplomatic or fiscal purpose. I plan to bring up this issue when the Senate takes up President Obama’s recently announced nominees to the Broadcasting Board of Governors. ”

A January 2009 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that Radio and TV Martí broadcasts face jamming by the Cuban government. According to the GAO, the best available research suggests that the audience for Radio and TV Martí is small, and its effectiveness uncertain. BBG’s International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) also found that Radio Martí fails to meet certain journalistic standards, “particularly in the areas of balance and objectivity.”

During a June 2009 hearing before a House Foreign Affairs Subcommitee, a GAO official testified that there is “limited information to help assess the relative success on a return of investment for each of the transmission methods.” During the same hearing, John Nichols, a Professor of Communications and International Affairs at Penn State University testified that “…even if (Cubans) are opposed to the Castro government…they are going to look for more credible sources of information and entertainment.”

Senator Feingold argues that the political environment has changed significantly since the inception of Radio and TV Martí, and President Obama’s commitment to international diplomacy and dialogue offers a more effective way to engage with the people of Cuba. The Obama administration has already loosened restrictions on Cuban Americans’ visits to Cuba, and the White House and Congress are considering easing travel restrictions and other ways to normalize relations.
(Source: Press Release by Senator Russ Feingold)
You Tube video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtIxy3VHU14

Now available for Mandarin speakers, soon for Persian

Washington, D.C., November 25, 2009 – GoEnglish.me, a new, interactive Voice of America (VOA) Internet site, is available for Mandarin speakers learning colloquial American English. The site will soon be available for Persian speakers.

The site is designed around 24 modules that represent a variety of everyday cultural situations. Each module has three lessons—beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Topics include "College Schedules," "Retail Shopping," "Apartment Hunting," "Greeting Friends," and "Going on a Hike."
In each goEnglish.me lesson, students use a headset and microphone to converse with avatars about everyday situations in the United States. Each lesson has phrases and sentences along with short exams.

The program bars students from progressing until their pronunciation and answers are correct. As students move from beginner to advanced, they hear more English and less of their own language.

Users can register their ID and password on goEnglish.me and take advantage of the site's English lessons as well as blogs, forums, groups, and RSS feeds.

"Today's technology gives our audiences worldwide the tools to learn our language in an entertaining way, using a variety of American accents and situations," said Rebecca McMenamin, director of New Media. "We wanted to give our audience a truly interactive experience when they learn colloquial American English."

Initial promotion for goEnglish.me began in early November in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China with advertisements in Facebook. VOA Mandarin will give away T-shirts, posters, and handbills with two-gigabyte flash drives in on-air promotions and also send these items to U.S. Embassies.
(VOA)

"Different view of the country" enjoying huge online success

Washington, D.C., November 25, 2009 – A Voice of America (VOA) story about the humorous experiences of two staffers from The Daily Show with Jon Stewart in Iran is enjoying huge online success, with the producer saying it gives viewers a different view of the country.

As described in a VOA story, "The Daily Show Goes to Iran," has been viewed more than 100,000 times across multiple sites, including Vimeo and YouTube, in English and Persian. The Daily Show is a satirical television program that airs on Comedy Central.

Sahar Sarshar, a producer for VOA's Persian News Network (PNN), said she's received comments "from all over the world" about her story in which The Daily Show staffers talk about their trip and the similarities they found between Iranians and Americans.

"Iranians and Iranian-Americans have been particularly pleased, and tell me they have heard many positive comments about it from their friends and family inside Iran," Sarshar said.

"A lot of people have commented on how refreshing it is to see something positive about the people of Iran, versus what can so frequently be seen in the news," she said. "That surprised – and pleased – me the most."

"Truly, some of the most accommodating people I’ve ever met in my life," said The Daily Show's Jason Jones of the Iranians he worked with. Added his colleague Tim Greenberg, "They remain in our minds, and I think the minds of the whole world. They are not forgotten, and we all hope things work out."

VOA's Persian News Network has the largest combined radio and television audience of all international broadcasters in Iran, with one in four adult Iranians tuning in to a VOA program at least once a week. VOA's PNN produces six hours of original news and information television programming daily, repeated in a 24-hour format, along with five hours of radio broadcasts. Programs are available on demand at www.VOAPNN.com .
(VOA)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2009 Nov 24 1951 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact: www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html

Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
16 - 22 November 2009

Solar activity was very low throughout the summary period. There was only one flare, a B1 at 1259 UTC on 17 November from a spotless plage region that later emerged as Region 1033 (N21, L=191, class/area Bxo/010 on 18 November). The week began with one spotted group, Region 1031 (N30, L=257, class/area Bxo/010 on 15 November) which decayed to plage on 17 November. Two new sunspot groups emerged on 18 November: Region 1032 (N17, L=218, class/area Bxo/010 on 18 November) and Region 1033. Region 1032 decayed back to plage
on 21 November and Region 1033 had decayed to plage by the end of the day on 22 November. A coronal mass ejection was observed to enter the LASCO C2 field of view off the East limb at 0755 UTC on 21 November. The associated disk signature was observed along a filament channel in the southeast portion of the solar disk.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at normal background levels during the period.

The geomagnetic field was predominantly quiet during the summary period. There was a small increase to quiet to unsettled levels on 21 November. Solar wind observations from the ACE spacecraft showed a sector boundary change from towards (negative) to away (positive)
early on 18 November, followed by a change back to towards (negative) on 19 November. A co-rotating interaction region was observed around 1600 UTC on 19 November (peak density ~16 p/cc) which was followed by a gradual increase in solar wind velocity from 340 km/s up to 575 km/s between 0200 UTC on 20 November through 1900 UTC on 21 November. Solar wind velocity slowly declined through the remainder of 21-22 November.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
25 November - 21 December 2009

Solar activity is expected to be predominantly very low with just a slight chance for brief periods of low.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at normal background levels through the period.

The geomagnetic field is expected to be quiet for 25 November. An increase to quiet to unsettled levels is expected on 26 November due to recurrence. Activity levels are expected to be predominantly quiet for the remainder of the outlook period from 26 November through 21 December.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2009 Nov 24 1951 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact: www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html

27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
# Issued 2009 Nov 24
#
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2009 Nov 25 75 5 2
2009 Nov 26 75 7 2
2009 Nov 27 73 5 2
2009 Nov 28 71 5 2
2009 Nov 29 70 5 2
2009 Nov 30 70 5 2
2009 Dec 01 70 5 2
2009 Dec 02 70 5 2
2009 Dec 03 70 5 2
2009 Dec 04 70 5 2
2009 Dec 05 70 5 2
2009 Dec 06 70 5 2
2009 Dec 07 70 5 2
2009 Dec 08 72 5 2
2009 Dec 09 72 5 2
2009 Dec 10 72 5 2
2009 Dec 11 75 5 2
2009 Dec 12 75 5 2
2009 Dec 13 75 5 2
2009 Dec 14 75 5 2
2009 Dec 15 75 5 2
2009 Dec 16 75 5 2
2009 Dec 17 75 5 2
2009 Dec 18 75 5 2
2009 Dec 19 75 5 2
2009 Dec 20 75 5 2
2009 Dec 21 75 5 2
(NOAA)

Radio Cairo - B09 multilingual schedule

Effective from 25 October 2009 - 28 March 2010

All times UTC

programming daily unless otherwise indicated
target areas: af (Africa) as (Asia) eu (Europe) ca (Central America) me (Middle East) na (North America) pa (Pacific) sa (South America)

Afar
1600-1700 15285af

Albanian
1500-1600 6270eu

Amharic
1730-1800 15285af
1800-1900 15285af

Arabic
0000-0045 9250ca 9390sa
0030-0100 7580na
0100-0200 7580na
0200-0300 7580na
0300-0400 7580na
1015-1100 13860me
1100-1200 13860me
1200-1215 13860me
1300-1400 15080af
1400-1500 15080af
1500-1600 15080af
2000-2100 6860pa
2100-2200 6270eu 6860pa
2200-2245 6270eu
2330-0000 9250ca 9390sa

Dari
1300-1400 12170as

English
0000-0030 7580na
0200-0300 6270na
0300-0330 6270na
1215-1300 17870as
1300-1330 17870as
1600-1700 12170af
1700-1800 12170af
1900-2000 11510af
2000-2030 11510af
2300-0000 7580na

French
2000-2100 6270eu
2030-2100 9280af

2100-2115 6270eu
2200-2230 9280af

German
1900-2000 6270eu

Hausa
1800-1900 9990af
1900-2000 9990af
2000-2100 9990af

Indonesian
1230-1300 15710as
1300-1400 15710as

Italian
1800-1900 6270eu

Pashto
1400-1500 12170as
1500-1600 12170as

Persian
1330-1400 11510me
1400-1500 11510me
1500-1530 11510me

Portuguese
2215-2300 9390sa
2300-2330 9390sa

Russian
1900-2000 6860eu

Somali
1700-1730 15285af

Spanish
0045-0100 6270na 9390ca 9915sa
0100-0200 6270na 9390ca 9915sa

Swahili
1530-1600 17810af
1600-1700 17810af
1700-1730 17810af

Turkish
1700-1800 6860as
1800-1900 6860as

Urdu
1600-1700 6270as
1700-1800 6270as

Uzbek
1500-1600 9520as

General Service
Arabic
0000-0100 6290va
0100-0200 6290va
0200-0300 6290va
0300-0400 6290va
0400-0500 6290va
0500-0600 6290va
0600-0700 6290va
0700-0800 15800af
0800-0900 15800af
0900-1000 15800af
1000-1100 15800af
1900-2000 6290va
2000-2100 6290va
2100-2200 6290va
2200-2300 6290va
2300-0000 6290va

Voice of the Arabs
Arabic
0000-0030 11540af
1900-2000 11540af
2000-2100 11540af
2100-2200 11540af
2200-2300 11540af

Wadi El Nile
1700-1800 9250af
1800-1900 9250af
1900-2000 9250af
2000-2100 9250af
2100-2200 9250af
2200-2300 9250af
(Egyptian RTV/Gayle Van Horn, Frequency Manager/Monitoring Times)

Radio Pakistan changes frequency

Radio Pakistan has changed frequency at 1600-1610 UTC (not 1615 UTC as listed) for English News to the Gulf and Middle East, to new 7535 kHz (x 7510) kHz due to co-channel interference on the latter. The \\ channel listed for East/South Africa 15100 kHz is not audible to me, but that may be due to lack of propagation. This news bulletin replaces what was heard during A-09 at 1500-1510 UT. The Urdu Service at 1330-1530 UT to the Gulf and Middle East continues to use 7510 kHz.

And English news is once again heard at 1100-1105 UT on 17700 kHz towards west Europe, and this replaces the summer timing of 1000-1005 UT.
(Noel R. Green-UK, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Nov 13)

15100 R Pakistan Islamabad, typical PAK music around 0640 UT Nov 17, S=6
strength.
Also 17700 kHz at 1104 UT, Nov 17.
(wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Nov 17)

Shortwave Blog "Bytes"

All times UTC

Alaska's KNLS changes frequency
Russian:
1500-1800 new freq 7320.0 *NLS 100 kW 315 deg, x6890.0 *co-ch TWR in Punjabi/Hindi to 1545 +Voice of Russia in Serbian from 1600 (R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Nov 23)

All India Radio monitoring
AIR Kohima on 4850, from 1351 till sign off at 1401, Nov. 21. Local news in English; ID "This news comes to you from All India Radio Kohima"; sports news ("Football. In the city where the final match of the 18th . . . Gold Cup, in Kohima . . ."). Disappointed they did not continue on with their nice music program that usually follows after the news. Their schedule now varies a lot from day to day.

AIR Itanagar on 4990, from 1415 to 1420, Nov. 21. News in Hindi; 1420-1425 local news in English which starts with local ID; poor reception due to QRM from PBS Hunan. (Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

Australian DX Report # 178 availiable for download
Episode 178 of the Australian DX Report audio news magazine includes research and analysis of current spectrum occupancy in the 7, 9, 12 and 13 MHz bands for the B09 season.

There are also other features, news and information about shortwave broadcasting, propagation, a solar activity report, monitoring notes, schedules for the new B09 season, extracts from schedules, and schedule updates.

It's 15 mins duration, and may be accessed from the Australian Internet Radio Magazine site, at
http://airm.edxp.org/

You may download/listen to/save the episodes as an MP3 file on your laptop/desktop, set up a Podcast, or receive/save it on your Mobile Phone or other portable internet-enabled digital device.

You may also subscribe via the site's RSS/Atom feed - full details are at the site.

The shows are very popular - in the four weeks to November 7 2009, there have been 707 downloads by subscribers, 1579 site visitors, and 188 episode hits. There have been 19,285 channel visits in the past 12 months!

The episodes are also available on-air, over WWCR Nashville, 0300-0315 on Sundays, on 5070, and on Mondays 1245-1300 on 15825, and via WWCR's streaming audio (live) at wwcr.com

Good listening to the Australian DX Report Episode No. 178, and enjoy the music! (Bob Padula, Melbourne, Australia)

BBC frequency updates
0100-0200 new freq 12070.0 NAK 250 kW / 275 deg English, x 11955.0
1400-1500 new freq 7395.0*NAK 250 kW / 280 deg Hindi, x 7205.0 to avoid VOR Russian
*co-ch BBC in Burmese till 1430 via SNG 250 kW / 340 deg!!!
(Alok Dasgupta, Kolkata via dxasia.info/DX Mix News # 600 via wb, Germany)

Belarus schedule
Belorusskoe Radio winter schedule. 23 hrs
0200-0100 ?? 0300-0200 ??
6010 kHz 5 kW 6040.0 kHz 5 kW 6070.0 kHz 5 kW 6190.0 kHz 5 kW
7235 kHz 5 kW 7280.0 kHz 5 kW
(Alexander Mazgo, Vitebsk-BLR, RUSdx Nov 15)

China's Xinjiang PBS-XJBS schedule
Effective 13 November
Chinese *2330- 5960, 7260, 7310, 11770 kHz
Uighur *2330- 6120, 7205, 7275, 11885 kHz
Kazakh *0000- 6015, 7340 kHz
Mongolian *0000- 6190, 7230 kHz
de Hiroshi
(Sei-ichi Hasegawa-JPN NDXC/BC DX 939)

Deutsche Welle Chinese changes
Effective 11 November
1300-1330 new freq 6140.0 NVS 200 kW 111deg, ex6130 to avoid PBS Xizanq Tibetan
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Nov 16)

HCJB's additional transmissions
Chile - HCJB Global effective from Nov 16:
2245-2300 11920.0 SGO 050 kW 025 deg to Brasil in Kulina
2300-0045 11920.0 SGO 050 kW 025 deg to Brasil in Portuguese
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Nov 16)

Libya's frequency change
LJBC Voice of Africa in French/Hausa/Hausa:
1700-1957 new freq 11995.0 SAB 500 kW 230 deg to NWAF, x 11965.0
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Nov 16)

Monitoring Russia
6170, Voice of Russia, Khabarovsk, 1113-1130, Noted a female in Chinese language commentary and news. During news, some Russian language noted from quoted individuals. Signal was fair. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Russia, 6135, Deutsche Welle, Irkutsk, 1120-1130. Steady Chinese language comments and news to 1126. Canned ID as, "... Deutsche Welle...". then continued with comments. Signal good. Checked for parallel broadcast, but all parallel listed frequencies were silent. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

ODXA website updates
If you click on the December Target Listening (by country or by time), or the World English Survey. It is actually an update of the November columns.

December versions will be posted when they are ready. I've also posted the December USA Survey and the December Media Programs. www.odxa.om.ca/
(Fred Waterer/ODXA)

Oman's odd frequency
17632.39v Radio Oman Thumrait in Arabic is still odd frequency, and approx. 2000 Hertz heterodyne against CVC Darwin on adjacent 17635 kHz, poor to fair S=4-5, 0840 UT, Nov 21. (wb, Germany)

Location change of BBC London's Persian service via Oman
0230-0330 5985.0 OMA 250 kW 335 deg to Iran
(Gordon Brown-NWDXC, Nov 18/BC DX #939)

Radio Canada International audio clips
Great audio clips are now available at:
http://archives.cbc.ca/arts_entertainment/media/clips/10982/
(Harold Sellers/ODXA)

Radio France International frequency update
French:
1700-1757 new freq 11965.0 ISS 500 kW 200 deg to NWAF, x 11995.0
1800-1857 nw freq 11965.0 ISS 500 kW 185 deg to NWAF, x 11995.0
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Nov 16)

Radio Netherlands Worldwide frequency changes
Via Philippines and Singapore
2000-2057 new freq 5935.0 SIN 250 kW 090 deg to N/ME, x 7385.0* in Arabic
2200-2257 new freq 5860.0 PHT 250 kW 200 deg to SEAS, x 6120.0#in Indonesian
*to avoid PBS Xizanq in Tibetan
#to avoid PBS Xinjiang in Uighur
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Nov 16)

Radio Prague time and frequency change
New frequency for German service, 9805.0 at 1730-1757, SIN 250 kW 040 deg, x1630-1657 11690.0 (R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Nov 23)

Radio Pakistan changes English frequency
English to Western Europe
1600-1610 new freq 7535.0 ISL 250 kW / 282 deg, ex 7510.0 to avoid Radio Free Asia in Uyghur

Radio Slovakia International frequency changes
0100-0227 new freq 6040.0*RSO 150 kW / 305 deg, ex 7230.0 in English/Slovak/French to North America
0230-0257 new freq 6080.0 RSO 150 kW / 265 deg, ex 7200.0 in Spanish to Soouth America
*co-ch 0100-0157 Radio Canada International in English to South Asia via Skelton

Turkey's TRT producing spurs
15350 TRT Ankara in Turkish produces two 'unclean spurious' on 15284.5 - 15288.7 and 15410.7 - 15415 kHz. Scheduled 15350 to EUR and 15480 to AS, both at 0700-1400 UT, Nov 21. Noted on AOR AR7030 and Eton E1, as well as some SONY ICF2010's.
(wb, Germany)

Voice of Russia frequency changes
1600-1800 new freq 7320.0 S.P 200 kW 215 deg to SEEUR, x 7340.0 in Serbian
1800-1900 7320.0 S.P 200 kW 215 deg to SEEUR, add. freq in Italian
0400-0600 6185.0*S.P 500 kW 265 deg to SoAM, add. freq in Spanish
(BC - DX # 939)

Voice of Tibet frequency change
Effective from 01 November 2009
1330-1430 NF 17550 MDC 250 kW 045 deg to SWAS, x17560 in Tibetan
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Nov 16)

IBC Tamil reported off the air

Sri Lanka
IBC Tamil, clandestine radio stopped its one hour morning transmissions to South Asia: LTTE funded Tamil clandestine radio IBC-Tamil mentioned on their 4 Nov 2009 morning broadcast, they will start their one hour evening transmissions to South Asia. But they were not broadcasting. In 2002 they broadcast on 1200 UT at 17485 kHz.

Their official website also was not working and the London phone numbers too, had no response. One of the contributor from Chennai for IBC Tamil, also confirmed the same.

The morning transmissions at 0000 to 0100 UTC on 6045 kHz. Both the above said frequencies provide good reception at my location in Chennai, India. Interestingly, a few years back, IBC'S main rival at European skies, Tamil Broadcasitng Corporation, London stopped it's shortwave transmissions, which was usually heard 1230-1330 UTC on 21590 kHz.

(Jaisakthivel, India/HCDX)

FEBA Radio frequency changes

Targeted to Asia

All times UTC
0200-0300 new freq 7315.0 DHA 250 kW / 070 deg, ex 7335.0 as follows:
0200-0230 Daily in Urdu
0230-0300 Sun in Urdu
0230-0245 Mon-Wed in Baluchi and Thu-Sat in Sindhi
1430-1545 new freq 6185.0 ARM 200 kW / 104 deg, ex 7275.0 as follows
1430-1530 Daily in Pashto/Dari
1530-1545 Sat-Tue in Uzbek, Wed in Turkmen, Thu in Farsi, Fri in Hazaragi
(DX Mix News # 600 via wb, Germany)

IRRS updates winter schedule

Via Milan, Italy and Slovakia

B09 schedule update

All times UTC

0300-0600 on 9835 RSO 150 kW / 160 deg EaAf/Sudan MIR Eng/Ara, not active
0530-0630 on 5990 RSO 150 kW / non-dir Eu/ME/NoAf EGR English Mon-Thu
0900-1000 on 9510 RSO 150 kW / non-dir Eu/ME/NoAf JOY Eng/Ger 1st Sat
0900-1000 on 9510 RSO 150 kW / non-dir Eu/ME/NoAf CIT English 3rd Sat, new
1030-1300 on 9510 RSO 150 kW / non-dir Eu/ME/NoAf EGR English Sun
1500-1800 on 15650 RSO 150 kW / 160 deg EaAf/Sudan MIR Eng/Ara Daily
1900-2200 on 6170 RSO 150 kW / 060 deg Eu/ME/NoAf EGR English Fri, new
1900-2100 on 6170 RSO 150 kW / 060 deg Eu/ME/NoAf EGR English Sat/Sun, new

CIT=Radio City
DXPL=DX Party Line
EGR=European Gospel Radio
JOY=Radio Joystick
MIR=Miraya FM Radio,Sudan
(DX Mix News # 600 via wb, Germany)

IBB releases frequency changes

IBB frequency changes via Botswana, Germany, Sri Lanka, Thailand and United Kingdom

All times UTC
NF new frequency

Voice of America
1730-1800 NF 15545 BOT 100 kW 350 deg, x15445 Portuguese

Radio Liberty
Tatar, test frequencies
0400-0500 9585 BIB 100 kW 065 deg, Nov.24,25,26
0600-0700 11730 BIB 100 kW 065 deg, Nov.24,25,26
2000-2100 7470 LAM 100 kW 055 deg, Nov.24,25,26

Radio Liberty
0400-0500 NF 5840 BIB 100 kW 063 deg, x 5940 Russian
0400-0500 NF 5940 LAM 100 kW 055 deg, x 5840 Tatar

Radio Farda
0400-0500 NF 9760 LAM 100 kW 104 deg, x 9585 Farsi
1500-1600 NF 7520 BIB 100 kW 105 deg, x11750 Farsi
1600-1630 NF 13615 SKN 300 kW 095 deg, x11885 Farsi
1630-1700 NF 13615 SKN 300 kW 095 deg, x11670 Farsi
0400-1100 NF 13615 IRA 250 kW 299 deg, add.freq Farsi
1500-1600 NF 7580 IRA 250 kW 315 deg, add.freq Farsi
0330-0400 9585 LAM 100 kW 105 deg, deleted Farsi
0400-0530 11740 IRA 250 kW 324 deg, deleted Farsi
0530-0600 17840 IRA 250 kW 324 deg, deleted Farsi
1600-1730 9310 PHP 250 kW 283 deg, deleted Farsi
1730-1900 9310 UDO 250 kW 305 deg, deleted Farsi
1630-1700 11885 BIB 100 kW 105 deg, deleted Farsi
1700-1730 9320 LAM 100 kW 075 deg, deleted Farsi
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Nov 23)
(DX Mix News # 600 via wb, Germany)

Radio Japan frequency changes

Via Uzbekistan

All times UTC

Radio Japan NHK World
1300-1345 new freq 5960.0 TAC 100 kW 131 deg, x15215.0 in Bengali
1345-1430 new freq 6115.0 TAC 100 kW 163 deg, x 9585.0 in Hindi
1430-1515 new freq 5985.0 TAC 100 kW 170 deg, x 9795.0 in Urdu
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Nov 23)
(DX Mix News # 600 via wb, Germany)

Radio Tirana adjust frequencies

Albania

Effective from 19 November 2009

Albanian
to NoAm Daily
0000-0130 new freq 6130.0 SHI 100 kW 300 deg, x6110 to avoid RHC in Spanish

English
to NoAm Tue-Sun
0130-0145 new freq 6130.0 SHI 100 kW 300 deg, x7425 310 deg
0245-0300 new freq 6130.0 SHI 100 kW 300 deg, x7425 310 deg

English
to U.K. Mon-Sat
2100-2130 new freq 7430.0 SHI 100 kW 300 deg, x7520 to avoid R.Farda in Farsi

Italian
to Italy Mon-Sat
2001-2030 new freq 6000.0 SHI 100 kW non-dir, x6155 to avoid R.Belarus German
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Nov 23)
(DX Mix News # 600 via wb, Germany)

FRS Holland to air repeat broadcast Nov. 22

Next Sunday November 22, sees a full repeat of last week's broadcast . The broadcast will start at 10.52 UTC/ 11.52 CET sharp and close down will be at 15.40 UTC/16.40 CET. Of course we do hope propagation will be satisfactory that day. That was certainly the case last Sunday and
we were happy about the results, as 5810 was doing fine and 7600 was excellent at various locations throughout Europe.

Next Sunday we have chosen to start three hours later than on the 15th to find out how the 7600 signal 'behaves' later in the afternoon. And there's another important change: instead of 5810, we will be on 9300 kHz/ 31 metres. Of course we are very curious how the 9300 signal will do, especially in those areas where 7600 is only poor/ fair. Radio entertainment on a Sunday. Tune in...7600 kHz/ 39 metres ánd 9300 kHz / 31 metres (low power only).

Info about the internet stream:
One Sun Nov. 22nd FRS will be again active with an Internet stream. Surf to http://radio-freeform.de:8290/listen.pls.
We will most likely start at 14.00 UTC/ 15.00 CET.
73s,
Peter V.
(on behalf of the FRS staff)