Monitoring Eritrea

All times UTC
logs edited for clarity

Good signal of Voice of the Broad Masses 2 Dimtsi Hafash on Febr 15 from 0705 on 7181.6 kHz ASM 100 kW non-dir to EaAF in Amharic language.(Ivo Ivanov-BUL, hcdx via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Feb 15)

S=9+10dB signal noted in remote Perseus unit in Doha Qatar at 0515 on Febr 15: 7181.555 exact measured as Voice of the Broad Masses, Asmara Eritrea. Noted Horn of Africa music, no Ethiopian jamming on the air. Similar transmission by VoBM Asmara Eritrea, but little weaker S=8-9 signal also noted on

7140.021 kHz at same time slot, no EthHiopian jamming on air.[selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz](wb  df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Feb 15/Top News 1334)

7140 kHz, at 0351- UT on Feb 4.
Voice of the Broad Masses 1. Very strong reception in presumed Tigrinya service, with talk by male announcer. Signal surprisingly strong. Right on the grayline at this time, so perfect timing. Into Horn of Africa music at 03:54. The listed second channel is just a messy blob between 7172 and 7188 kHz. Not sure if this is a sick transmitter, jamming, or a combination of both. Signal very strong, as well. Maybe an internal signal, or signature tune, and into presumed news. Slowly fading
with the transmitter entering LSR.
(Walt Salmaniw-BC-CAN, on Masset-BC-CAN mini exp. via DXplorer Feb 2-5/Top News 1334)
(Teak Publishing)

VOBME observed on single frequency

Eritrea
7181.555 kHz, Voice of the Broad Masses 2 - Dimtsi Hafash relay Voice of Oromo Liberation
from Asmara, Eritrea, noted at 0500 UTC and at 0622 UTC, on December 4 in various SDR's here in central Europe, power of S=7 to 9 in peaks.

Probably Amharic/Afar/Oromo/Arabic - says Aoki Nagoya Japan list.
VOBME 1st program is NOT ON AIR  on 7140.2v kHz channel.
No Ethiopian jamming on this hour today in 40 meter Ham Radio band though.
(W Bueschel, Germany/HCDX)

BBC World Service continues with new expansions for Ethiopia and Eritrea

Three new language services for Ethiopia, Eritrea, and the diaspora are being launched today by the BBC World Service as part of its biggest expansion since the 1940s.
BBC News in Amharic, Afaan Oromo and Tigrinya will be available online and on Facebook. This will be followed later in the year with shortwave radio services in each language consisting of a 15-minute news and current affairs program, followed by a 5-minute Learning English program, from Monday to Friday.
The new BBC services will provide impartial news, current affairs and analysis of Ethiopia and Eritrea as well as regional and international news. Boosting the BBC’s operation in the Horn of Africa will also provide the rest of the BBC’s global audience with a better understanding of Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Programs will target a younger audience with social media playing a key role. In addition to news and current affairs, there will be extensive coverage of culture, entertainment, entrepreneurship, science & technology, health and sport - including the English Premier League.
These services will benefit from a growing network of journalists across the region and around the world.
Francesca Unsworth, BBC World Service Director, says: “The BBC World Service brings independent, impartial news to audiences around the world, especially in places where media freedom is limited. I’m delighted we’re extending our service to millions of people in Ethiopia, Eritrea and the diaspora worldwide.”
Will Ross, Editorial Lead for Africa, says: “We know that there is a great deal of hunger for audiences in Ethiopia and Eritrea to access a broad range of high quality content in Amharic, Afaan Oromo and Tigrinya. It has been a privilege to work with Ethiopian and Eritrean journalists who are so keen to learn new skills and to ensure the new language services are a success.”
BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2017/world-service-ethiopia-eritrea

Voice of the Broad Mases heard on new frequencies

New frequencies of VOBME 1 and VOBME 2 Dimtsi Hafash heard on August 18:

All times UTC
1400-1830 7181.6 ASM 100 kW / non-dir to EaAf Tigrinya VOBME 1, ex 7175.0
1400-1830 7140.0 ASM 100 kW / non-dir to EaAf Amharic  VOBME 2, ex 7150.0
1800-1830 7181.6 ASM 100 kW / non-dir to EaAf Arabic   VOBME 1, ex 7175.0
(SWL DXing)

You Tube monitoring: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvIf-a7azeQ

Radio Erena: a beacon of hope for Eritrea

An interesting behind the scenes look of clandestine station, Radio Erena International.

"You have to understand: no information is available there at all, about the outside world or internally"

Ten  years ago, Biniam Simon, a journalist at Eri-TV, Eritrea's state television channel, was informed by his government overlords that he would, after all, be allowed to travel to Japan to attend a seminar on video production. This, to put it mildly, was surprising. Those whose leave Eritrea, a single party state with one of the worst human rights records in the world, usually do so only by clandestine and extremely risky means. But if Simon was astonished, he was also realistic. "They only allowed me to go because they thought there was no way to escape to Japan,: he says. "Japan had agreed I would be returned to Eritrea." Knowing this, he didn't allow himself even to toy with the idea of defection, He made no plans. He dreamed no dreams. He hoped only to enjoy a few peaceful days outside the prison of his homeland.

Additional story at:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/16/radio-erena-beacon-of-hope-for-eritrea-biniam-simon-paris

Station website with English link: http://erena.org/

Station summer schedule, all times UTC
1730-1800 mtwhf in Arabic on 11965 kHz
1700-1730 mtwhf in Tigninya on 11965 kHz
1700-1800 Sat/Sun in Tigrinya on 11965 kHz

Ethiopia and Eritrea A13 schedule updates

Broadcast daily unless otherwise indicated, target areas and languages as noted

All times UTC

0300-0400 on  7235vGEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Amh/Oro/Tig Radio Ethiopia
0300-0400 on  9565vGEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Amh/Oro/Tig Radio Ethiopia

0300-0500 on  9715 ASD 100 kW / non-dir to ERI  Amh/Afar/Ar/Somali VOBME-2

0300-0600 on  5950/5980 GEJ 100 kW / ND to ETH  Tig/Afar VOTigray Revolution
0300-0600 on  6030 GEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Oromo Radio Oromiya
0300-0600 on  6090 GEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Oromo Radio Amhara
0300-0600 on  6110 AAB 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Amharic/Oromo Radio Fana
0300-0600 on  7175-7195 ASD 100 kW / ND to ERI  Amh/Afar/Ar/Somali VOBME-2
0300-0600 on  7200 GEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Amh/Oro/Tig Radio Ethiopia
0300-0600 on  7205 ASD 100 kW / non-dir to ERI  Tigrinya VOBME-1

0300-0600 on  7210 AAB 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Amharic/Oromo Radio Fana
0300-0600 on  9705 GEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Amh/Oro/Tig Radio Ethiopia

0400-0430 on  7235vGEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Tigrinya VOPeace & Democracy
0400-0430 on  9565vGEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Tigrinya VOPeace & Democracy
0430-0600 on  7235vGEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Amh/Oro/Tig Radio Ethiopia
0430-0600 on  9565vGEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Amh/Oro/Tig Radio Ethiopia
0500-0600 on  9715 ASD 100 kW / non-dir to ERI  Amharic Ginbot 7 Dimts Radio

0600-0900 on  5950/5980 GEJ 100 kW / ND to ETH  Tig/Afar VOTigray Revolution
0600-0900 on  6030 GEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Oromo Radio Oromiya
0600-0900 on  7175-7195 ASD 100 kW / ND to ERI  Amh/Afar/Ar/Somali VOBME-2
0600-0900 on  7200 GEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Amh/Oro/Tig Radio Ethiopia
0600-0900 on  7205 ASD 100 kW / non-dir to ERI  Tigrinya VOBME-1

0600-0900 on  7235vGEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Amh/Oro/Tig Radio Ethiopia
0600-0900 on  9565vGEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Amh/Oro/Tig Radio Ethiopia
0600-0900 on  9705 GEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Amh/Oro/Tig Radio Ethiopia
0600-0900 on  9715 ASD 100 kW / non-dir to ERI  Amh/Afar/Ar/Somali VOBME-2

0700-0800 on  7235vGEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Somali Radio Ethiopia
0700-0800 on  9565vGEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Somali Radio Ethiopia

1200-1500 on  7235vGEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Som/Afar/Ar Radio Ethiopia
1200-1500 on  9565vGEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Som/Afar/Ar Radio Ethiopia

1400-1500 on  9715 ASD 100 kW / non-dir to ERI  Amharic Ginbot 7 Dimts Radio

1500-1600 on  7235vGEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Ar/Tig/Afar VofDem.Alliance
1500-1600 on  9565vGEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Ar/Tig/Afar VofDem.Alliance

1500-1800 on  5950/5980 GEJ 100 kW / ND to ETH  Tig/Afar VOTigray Revolution
1500-1800 on  6030 GEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Oromo Radio Oromiya
1500-1800 on  6090 GEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Oromo Radio Amhara
1500-1800 on  6110 AAB 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Amharic/Oromo Radio Fana
1500-1800 on  7175-7195 ASD 100 kW / ND to ERI  Amh/Afar/Ar/Somali VOBME-2
1500-1800 on  7200 GEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Amh/Oro/Tig Radio Ethiopia
1500-1800 on  7205 ASD 100 kW / non-dir to ERI  Tigrinya VOBME-1
1500-1800 on  7210 AAB 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Amharic/Oromo Radio Fana
1500-1800 on  7220 ASD 100 kW / non-dir to ERI  Amh/Afar/Ar/Somali VOBME-2
1500-1800 on  9705 GEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Amh/Oro/Tig Radio Ethiopia
1500-1800 on  9715 ASD 100 kW / non-dir to ERI  Amh/Afar/Ar/Somali VOBME-2
1500-1800 on  9820 ASD 100 kW / non-dir to ERI  Amh/Afar/Ar/Somali VOBME-2

1600-1700 on  7235vGEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  English Radio Ethiopia
1600-1700 on  9565vGEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  English Radio Ethiopia

1700-1800 on  7235vGEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  French Radio Ethiopia
1700-1800 on  9565vGEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  French Radio Ethiopia

1800-1830 on  7235vGEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Tigrinya VOPeace & Democracy
1800-1830 on  9565vGEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Tigrinya VOPeace & Democracy

1800-2100 on  6110 AAB 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Amharic/Oromo Radio Fana
1800-2100 on  7200 GEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Amh/Oro/Tig Radio Ethiopia
1800-2100 on  7205 ASD 100 kW / non-dir to ERI  Tigrinya VOBME-1
1800-2100 on  7210 AAB 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Amharic/Oromo Radio Fana
1800-2100 on  9705 GEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Amh/Oro/Tig Radio Ethiopia

1830-2100 on  7235vGEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Amh/Oro/Tig Radio Ethiopia
1830-2100 on  9565vGEJ 100 kW / non-dir to ETH  Amh/Oro/Tig Radio Ethiopia
(DX Re Mix News 790 via Ivo Ivanov/HCDX)

Radio Ethiopia audio link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmqkOi-h1ZU

Voice of the Broad Masses monitoring

*sign-on / sign-off* // parallel frequency

Logs edited for clarity

All times UTC

Eritrea

7204.98, Voice of the Broad Masses of Eritrea - Program 1, *0255-0325. June 22. Interval signal to vernacular talk at 0300. Local Horn of Africa style music, fair. (Alexander in DXplorer)

9715.03, Voice of the Broad Masses of Eritrea - Program 2, *0257-0315. June 16 and 23. Interval signal alternating with opening ID announcement. Vernacular talk at 0300, Horn of Africa music, fair to good // 7175 (fair to very good) // 9820.03 (fair). They do not usually have two 9 MHz frequencies on the air at the same time. New frequency. (Alexander in DXplorer)

9730.03, Voice of the Broad Masses of Eritrea, 0320-0345, June 25. Another new frequency for these guys, vernacular talk. Some Horn of Africa style music. 9730.03, off the air between approximately 0327-0332. Signal poor with adjacent channel splatter // 7175. No other //s found. (Alexander in DXplorer)
　
9830.03, Voice of the Broad Masses of Eritrea - Program 2, *0256-0325, June 22. Interval signal to vernacular talk at 0300. Some local Horn of Africa music, weak // 7174.98 - poor in noisy conditions. Heard tonight on 9830.03, but lately they seem to change their 9 MHz frequency every couple of days between 9715.03, 9820.03 and 9830.03. (Alexander in DXplorer)
(DXW 431)

Eritrean officials panicked by events in Egypt

Gedab News via Awate.com reports: “As the people’s rage moves from Tunisia to Egypt and possibly to Yemen, the Eritrean regime is in a state of panic and is trying to engineer a total news blackout in Eritrea. The State media, which is the only legal medium of information dissemination in Eritrea, has maintained total silence on the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions, and the uprisings in Sudan and Yemen. Until now, Eritreans could get the information from international radio broadcasts and satellite TV. Now the Eritrean regime is attempting to control the latter.

“According to our reporter, Eritrea’s national security office contacted the ministry of information demanding that they “plug off” the satellite television transmission, just like Egypt was able to “plug off” the Internet and mobile phone service. The ministry of information replied that there is “no switch” to block airwaves coming through space.

“After mulling over the issue, the National Security Office sent out an order to every village, town and city administration demanding that cafes, restaurants and all public places which provide satellite-carried international news cease and desist immediately and that failure to comply immediately will result in loss of their licence.

“The business owners have protested that the major reason they have a clientele is because of the satellite dish, which carries news, sports and movies, and without that service, they will risk losing their business. The national security office stated that this was a matter of “national security” and they have to comply or lose their business licence.

“This leaves shortwave radio as the only source of independent news for Eritreans. Our reporter commented, ‘I still have my radio, glad the regime does not have the ability to block radio waves!’ The reporter also said that he is following all the news and he is up to date with the news.”
(Source: Gedab News via Awate.com/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Eritrea opposition group to begin shortwave broadcast Feb. 16

Dave Kernick writes: Eritrean opposition website Asena currently carries the following announcement:

“Voice of ASENA will start broadcasting to Eritrea beginning Monday 16th of February 2009, with a frequency 9610 kHz and 31 meter band. The trial radio program, which will have the Eritrean people and army as its target audience runs three times a week: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30 to 9:00 PM Eritrean time [1730-1800 UTC]“.
This broadcast appears to be courtesy of Belgian transmitter airtime broker TDP, as the same frequency is used for other Eritrean and Ethiopian opposition broadcasts around this time on other days - details here.
(Source: Dave Kernick/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)
Voice of ASENA http://www.assenna.com/