Radio Netherlands Program Preview, June 13-18

SUNDAY 13 JUNE
*** Radio Books ***

'Mockingbird' - by Hafid Bouazza
Award-winning Moroccan-Dutch author Hafid Bouazza has lived in the Netherlands since the age of seven. His work is inspired by the classic Arabic tales of 1001 nights and 19th-century Dutch literature. His story for Radio Books is a richly poetic tale of forbidden love.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
18.30 East and central Africa 15535, Southern Africa 6020
19.30 East and central Africa 11970 and 15535, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
04.30 Africa, Asia and North America
10.30 Africa and Asia
12.30 North America
14.40 Europe

*** Network Europe Extra ***

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

This Week:
· Central heating and elevators the lap of luxury? For Communist Prague it was.
· We hear about pre-fab housing in the Czech Republic.
· The effects of strikes on tourism in Greece this summer.
· A titillating play is put on in Paris.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1530 South Asia 11835, 15745

MONDAY 14 JUNE
*** Classic Dox ***

'In the Shark's Domain' (Orig. Broadcast October 2001)
No matter how safe we feel, we are always at the mercy of a predator. We could be swimming at our favourite beach and suddenly a shark mistakes us for lunch.

We could be living in a small town and be shot by a man who hears God's voice telling him to do it. Producer Dheera Sujan draws unsettling parallels between sharks and serial killers.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.30 East and Southeast Asia 11895, South Asia 15110, China 12065
19.30 East and central Africa 11970 and 15535, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
10.30 Africa and Asia
12.00 North America

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
15.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
18.00 East and central Africa 15535, Southern Africa 6020
20.00 East and central Africa 11970, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
22.00 Asia and North America

*** 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):
19.00 East and central Africa 11970 and 15535, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
17.00 Europe

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

A classical approach to jazz - or is it the other way around? The Lincoln Centre Jazz Orchestra and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra join forces in an Ellington/Strayhorn arrangement of Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite, and interpret Ellington's The River Suite. Your host is Hans Mantel.

*** Live! at the Concertgebouw ***
The Hague Philharmonic Orchestra is conducted by Edo de Waart and soloist is the young pianist Joyce Yang. Music by Tristan Keuris, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Richard Strauss. The concert is hosted by Hans Haffmans.

*** The State We're In - Midweek Edition ***
Switching teams: Martine Delaney was once Martin Delaney, an elite soccer player in Tasmania, Australia. After becoming a woman, she began playing again, with women. It became a media circus, but Martine ended up scoring a huge political victory.

Fighting and faith: Barry Braden used to be a violent criminal. Now he competes in mixed martial arts, or MMA. Its critics call it barbaric and dangerous. But for Barry, MMA is a matter of life, and faith.

The beautiful game - commentary: For columnist John Doyle, the magic of the World Cup boils down to a moment on a Berlin street in the middle of the night, when he saw two people sleeping peacefully on a sidewalk. His commentary was adapted from his new book The World Is a Ball.

TUESDAY 15 JUNE
*** 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):
10.00 East and Southeast Asia 11895, South Asia 15110, China 12065
19.00 East and central Africa 11970 and 15535, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** Commonwealth Story ***

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

'The Father's Blessing' - by Mbofung Carlang Ndubuis from Nigeria. A tense story of anger and love.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.00 East and Southeast Asia 11895, South Asia 15110, China 12065

Broadcast times on WRN
10.00 Africa and Asia
22.00 Asia and North America

*** Live! at the Concertgebouw ***

The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra conducted by its chief conductor Mariss Jansons plays music by Smetana, the Double Concerto by Martinu, and Symphony no. 4 by Brahms. Your host is Hans Haffmans.

*** Classic Dox ***

'The Master's Menagerie' (Orig. Broadcast May 2000)
During the Dutch Golden Age, painters depicted domestic and exotic animals in all styles and genres. The director of the Amsterdam zoo and various art experts guide producer David Swatling through the Dutch animal kingdom of the 17th century as painted by Rembrandt, Jan Steen, Paulus Potter and many others.

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
15.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
18.00 East and central Africa 15535, Southern Africa 6020
20.00 East and central Africa 11970, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
22.00 Asia and North America

WEDNESDAY 16 JUNE
*** 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):
10.00 East and Southeast Asia 11895, South Asia 15110, China 12065
19.00 East and central Africa 11970 and 15535, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
15.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
18.00 East and central Africa 15535, Southern Africa 6020
20.00 East and central Africa 11970, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
22.00 Asia and North America

*** Reloaded ***

Weekly highlights presented by Mindy Ran


*** Classic Dox ***

'Buffalo Nation' (Orig. Broadcast January 2005)
Romantic images of the Old West feature majestic buffalo thundering across the Great Plains in the company of Indians on horseback. In the battle for control of the Plains, the buffalo was almost wiped out. Producer Martha Hawley explores how ranchers are working to restore the herds as Native American traditional culture is being revived.

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America

THURSDAY 17 JUNE
*** 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):
10.00 East and Southeast Asia 11895, South Asia 15110, China 12065
19.00 East and central Africa 11970 and 15535, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** The State We're In - South Asia edition ***

Join your host Chhavi for a focused look at Zimbabwe, a country which has seen years of severe political repression, a recent cholera epidemic, and an inflation rate measured in the millions of percent that eventually led to the adoption of the American dollar very recently. Stay tuned to hear from three mothers who tell us about keeping their families together, the minister of water resources and management, and the folks who run Radio Voice of the People.

*** Earth Beat - South Asia edition ***

Join your host Chhavi for a roundup of conservation techniques from round the world. From Kabul we hear of a unique way of drying and storing produce for the winter. From Oaxaca we hear about a waterless toilet. From New Delhi we hear about an air filter the government has installed in Central Park. And, finally, from Kashmir, once a paradise on earth, we have a report on the environmental situation there.

*** South Asia Wired ***

Afghan analyst Martine van Bijlert talks to Dheera Sujan about her insiders view of the complicated and multi-layered relationship Afghanistan has with the international community.

*** Classic Dox ***

'The Winged Muse' (Orig. Broadcast June 2004)
The regal, enchanting swan has inspired so much memorable poetry, music and imagery that one might almost forget that this beautiful, long-necked creature also has a private life off-stage in Nature. Producer Marijke van der Meer portrays both aspects of the life of a swan: as a bird and as a work of art.

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
15.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
18.00 East and central Africa 15535, Southern Africa 6020
20.00 East and central Africa 11970, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
22.00 Asia and North America

FRIDAY 18 JUNE
*** 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):
10.00 East and Southeast Asia 11895, South Asia 15110, China 12065
19.00 East and central Africa 11970 and 15535, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** Bridges with Africa ***

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):
14.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
18.00 East and central Africa 15535, Southern Africa 6020
20.00 East and central Africa 11970, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
04.30 Africa, Asia and North America
17.00 Europe
22.00 Asia and North America

*** Earth Beat ***

Are women greener than men? Families are becoming increasingly rattled by their green behaviour, but which gender is doing their best for the planet. We talk to a couple about eco-domestic disputes and to a man whose job it is to green the home. We also hear from a guy who's created a toaster from scratch.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.30 East and Southeast Asia 11895, South Asia 15110, China 12065

*** Classic Dox ***

'A Boat Trip through Borneo' (Orig. Broadcast May 2005)
The wildlife habitat of Borneo has been sited as one of the most endangered places on earth. The World Wildlife Fund leads a campaign called "Heart of Borneo" to try and stop various threats like the illegal pet-trade in orangutans. Producer Anne Blair Gould meets orphan orangutan babies and a wild male orangutan named Beethoven.

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America

*** 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 Worldwide)

Blog Logs

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

Antartica
15476, Radio Nacional Arcangel San Gabriel (Esperanza Base), 1329-1350. Spanish. Finally able to extract some audio from the weak carrier heard here most weekdays. A few bars of pop / ballad music climbed above the noise at 1329, 1337, and 1346. Gave up at 1350. Good to finally hear them, my first log this year. (Jim Evans, TN)

Australia
8176 (USB), VMC (Australia Weather East), 1349-1352* Marine weather forecasts and warnings. Gave wind conditions (knots) and pressure (hectopascals), *1355-1356* frequencies given for VMC - 2201, 4426, 6507, 8176, 12365 and 16546 and also given for VMW (Australia Weather West), 2056, 4149, 6230, 8113, 12362 and 16528. Signal fair. Website: www.bom.gov.au/marine/marine_weather_radio.shtml (Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

7140, Radio Australia 1408. It has been a long since I last heard this. Signal was weak, but clearly // 7240 (good) (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA/Cumbre DX)

Belarus
7265 Tentatively Belarus Radio Brest shortwave relay seems back on air again. Was missed, a lot of weeks out of service. Noted in 1800-1830 slot. Signal S=5-6, announcement in Belarussian./Russian followed by symphonic music concert. wb, Germany/HCDX)

Brazil
9587.11 SRDA (Super Radio Deus é Amor, ex Globo), Sao Paulo, SP, at 2100. Extremely weak signal, but a bit stronger the next day, which alowed me to confirm that the program was in // with 9565 (SRDA in Curitiba).(Karel Honzik, CZE/HCDX)

11829.96 Radio Daquí, Goiania GO. This frequency was not in use for a longer time, then on 17 May I heard what probably was a transmitter test because they switched it off at 5:13pm local time. From 2 June, so already for 3 days in a row, there is a regular transmission which ends at 6pm local time (2100). They always play musica sertaneja with a lot of IDs after each song.(Karel Honzik, CZE/HCDX)

5939.97, Radio Voz Missionária, 0010-0020. Portuguese preacher. Poor in noisy conditions. Weaker on // 11749.86. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Canada
6160, CKZU-CBU, Vancouver, 0600-0645. Playing CBC Radio 1 program of oldies in English. SINPO 35323. Fun program, host gives lots of etymology and history for the songs.(Bruce Jensen, CA)

6160.01 CKZU Vancouver 1232-1246. News, weather and sports. Mentioned frequencies of 690 AM and 88.1 FM. More features followed after 1240 on The Early Edition. Fair. (John Wilkins, CO)

China
CNR8(Beijing 491), 1015-1025. Korean. Man to male/fermale talking over music at 1020 Moderate, steady signal. Parallel noted on 7410 with same strength but more noise. (Jim Evans, TN)

11620, China Radio Int'l via Xian-Xianjiang, 0803. English broadcast for Asia, SINPO 35333. Heartbeart program plus Listener's Garden (Bruce Jensen, CA)

4940, Voice of Strait, *1300. Can confirm their new sign-on time (ex: *1200, starts their program slightly past 1300, hence no pips given, but right into Chinese. This is unfortunate as in the past they always had an ID in English ("this is the Voice of Taiwan Strait News Radio") just after the pips at 1300. (Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

11980 China Radio Intl. English targeted to South Asia 1232- 1310 & 1320-1400* 1400* Marginal signal had me thinking that possibility the appearance of Polish Radio in English finally being able to make its appearance. But further monitoring showed that this is China Radio International in English, making this frequency blocked for (presumed) Polish Radio. 11675 is a no show, just a marginal carrier. (Edward Kusalik, Daysland, Alberta, Canada)

Clandestine
6135, Shiokaze/Sea Breeze via Yamata,*1400. Has returned to their normal Friday in English after two with Korean. Noted light interference from Madagascar on 6134.92v, which still is doing fairly well when in the clear before the start of Shiokaze (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA/Cumbre DX)

Costa Rica
5954.15, ELCOR, 0330-0358.* Continuous Spanish pop ballads. Sign off with Ava Maria. I have noticed they seem to usually sign off with Ave Maria. Fair signal but some adjacent channel splatter. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Czech Republic
Radio Miraya FM (Rimavska Sobota), 0316-0330. Arabic. Talk by man and woman. Miraya jingle and mention of Sudan at 0317 followed by upbeat local music. Talk of Sudan, perhaps news, by man at 0324. ID again at 0328 and 0331. Good signal, strengthening. (Jim Evans, TN)

Dominican Republic
6025.07, Radio Amanecer Internacional, 1020-1040. Spanish inspirational music and talk. Poor to fair but in deep fades. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Equatorial Guinea
15190, Radio Africa, 2115-2135. English religious talk. Radio Africa ID announcement at 2130 with contact information followed by gospel music. Fair signal.(Brian Alexander, PA)

5005, Radio Nac, Bata, *0507-0515. Sign on with national anthem. Spanish talk at 0510Euro-pop music. Weak. Poor in high noise level. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Ethiopia
5940 (new freq) Voice of Tigray Rev, *0257-0325. New frequency. ex-5980. Sign on with interval signal. Vernacular talk at 0300. Horn of Africa music at 0301. Very weak. Stronger on // 5950 - but mixing with Okeechobee. (Brian Alexander, PA)

6030, Radio Oromiya, 0322-0340. Tune-in to xylophone-type interval signal. Talk in listed Oromo at 0330. Horn of Africa music. Fair signal strength at sign on but dropped down to a weak signal after 0330. Some noise on frequency but otherwise in the clear with Radio Marti and jammer off the air on UTC Mondays. (Brian Alexander, PA)

India
9595, AIR, Delhi,(presumed) 1028-1105. Program of steady music with no comments or ID. Music was instrumental of old favorites from Broadway shows. By 1050, the signal begins to fade but still presenting music without comments. At 1059 a female announcer talks in a unidentifiable language and continues with possible newscast. Noted the signal was fair at start, but ended up being poor. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Indonesia
9680, RRI Jakarta, 0928-0940. Popular music at tune in. At 0932 a female comments briefly in Indonesian followed by more music (Chuck Bolland, FL)

9525.83, Voice of Indonesia, 1045-1100. Local type music in progress at tune-in. Signal was strong, clear and at a good level. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Israel
15785, Galei Tzahal, 2310-2340. Euro-pop and US pop music. Hebrew announcements. Fair. Stronger on // 6973. (Brian Alexander-PA)

Laos
7145, Lao National Radio, Vientiane. 1330. I did not need to be concerned, as they are back after being off for a few days. Start of their English segment with canned ID and into local news (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA/Cumbre DX)

Liberia
4024.99, Star Radio, 0618-0640. Presumed. Very weak with talk. Too weak to even ID the language. English listed.(Brian Alexander, PA)

4025 Star Radio. 0555-0602. Although the signal strength was quite sufficient, the modulation was extremely low. Could just barely make out some music and what sounded like a male announcer very briefly at 0601 between songs. If the modulation stays the same, there's no hope for this one until the QRN levels lower, probably in fall. Also, totally wipes out any chance of hearing Laser Hot Hits except later in the morning late in the year. (Dave Valko, PA/Cumbre DX)

Madagascar
5010, Radio Madagasikara, 0248-0310. Tune-in to local pop music. Interval signal at 0258. Choral national anthem at 0300. Talk in presumed Malagasy at 0302 followed by some local music. Weak but readable. Reduced carrier USB. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Malaysia
15295, Voice of Malaysia, 1142-1215*. In Chinese till 1200, change over to Bahasa Indonesia. Seems they no longer are on 11884.44v for this time period. After 1200 was // to the good signal on 6174.4v (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach,CA/Cumbre DX)

Mexico
6185 Radio Educacion 1022. Nonstop Latin American style pops and a lot of soft Rancheras after 1030. Finally ID as "XEP, Radio Educacion." and shortwave frequency given at 1100. Fair but interference and totally blasted away by 6180 at 1101. (Dave Valko, PA/Cumbre DX)

Mongolia
12085, Voice of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, 0859. Interval signel to 0930. Japanese at various times the next one and a half hours. SINPO 13221, improving to 25332. The early part of this full two-hour block starts off weak, but by the one-hour hour mark it is strong enough to write a fair reception report.(Bruce Jensen, CA)

Myanmar
7200.0, Myanma Radio, 1235-1255. In vernacular with music program, mixing with Korea till they went off at 1249, just after the national anthem, then Myanmar was almost fair. (Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

7200.0, Myanma Radio, 1330*. In vernacular and off right on schedule (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA/Cumbre DX)

New Zealand
6170, RNZI, 1403. Friday continues to find them signing on one hour later than normal (Ron Howard,Asilomar Beach, CA/Cumbre DX)

Papua New Guinea
3290, NBC Central, 1239. In Tok Pisin and English. Dramatization to island songs. Local time checks as ("10 to 11"), followed by brd calls. News Roundup in English. Today did not hear any "Radio Godona 95.5 FM" IDs, so assume was not the usual relay, 1311 tuned out. SIgnal almost fair.(Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

3905, NBC New Ireland, 1311-1322. Tok Pisin, DJ with dedications for pop songs. Local time checks as ("19 after 11"). Signal poor-fair with amateur radio interference. (Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

5960, Fly Radio, 0600-0700, SINPO 13221. Notable carrier every time I checked the frequency, but only occasionally did I hear the faintest hint of audio. Interference noted from adjacent stations.(Bruce Jensen, CA)

5960 Radio Fly (tentative) 1102-1205+. Middile-of-the road vocals to male announcer in English who spoke only twice briefly between 1102 and 1130, but more often after that. Could tell it was English but really could not make out very much, and did not hear an ID. Fair at best and // 3915, which was generally poor. Both freqs peaked around 1145 UTC. 3915 faded quickly after 1200 but 5960 hung around until at least 1230, per spot checks,although much weaker by then. Noted again on 4 June but not as well and could not make much out, although format seemed to be the same as on the 3rd. (John Wilkins, CO)

5960 Radio Fly 1129-1215+. Usual format of vocal music. Male announcer, actually heard a couple of ID's. Best reception so far of this new station but still could not make out much of what was said. A short announcement at 1201 was followed immediately by another announcer. More music followed, with no more items heard after that. Signal deteriorated after 1200, although could still detect it at 1230 and later. (John Wilkins, CO)

5960, Radio Fly, 1301-1406. Much better reception today. Both PBS Xinjiang (mostly talking in Chinese)and Radio Fly took turns dominating here and mixing together. Non-stop music, mostly pop songs in English (from Air Supply), no break at bottom-of hor. Announcer 1402-1404, back to non-stop music. Had no problem today positively confirming that this is // 3915. Seems this one hour window has the best reception for me, as it is just after my local sunrise at 1249. Found reception was better on my E5, rather than on the E1. (Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

Peru
5921.23 Radio Bethel, Arequipa. Religious programing every night in May + early June around 0000-0100 (except of Sat/Sun night of 30/31 May). Ex 5949. Thanks to Henrik Klemetz who pointed out the frequency change. Heard already on 5 May at 0025 UTC.(Karel Honzik, CZE/HCDX)

6019.25, Radio Victoria, 0910-0920. Steady music at tune in. At 0914 noted Spanish religious comments from a male who is probably David Miranda, identified by his style. Signal best heard in LSB due to a Het caused by a station on 6020 KHz. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Russia
5930, Radio Rossii, 0935-0945. Usual format of Russian comments from male and female personages. Breaks included music and canned promos. Signal was poor, but on a clear frequency. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

5940, Radio Rossii, 0944-0955. Noted same program here as on 5930, with Russian comments etc. Signal was poorer here. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

15340, Voice of Russia (Serpukhov), 1643-1656. Russian. Piano music followed by talk by woman. Slow pop music at 1659. Talk by man and woman at 1652. Very poor signal with fading, barely above noise level. (Jim Evans, TN)

Solomon Islands
5020, SIBC, 0957-1005. Announcer's comments, as signbal was muffled and not very strong. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Syria
12085, Radio Damascus, 2133-2150. English programming with local music. IDs. Talk about Israel and the Gaza blockade. Strong but equally strong hum in audio making reception difficult. (Brian Alexander-PA)

USA
15550 USB, WJHR, Milton, Florida, 1510-1535. Fire and brimstone preacher. Fair signal. (Alexander-PA)

Zambia
9430, The Voice (Radio Christian Voice, CVC) 0525, SINPO 35333. English Christian features. Very good African conditions noted with this station and TWR Swaziland 70 kHz higher at 9500 both doing well. Other southern African stations were doing well too. (Bruce Jensen, CA).

Radios confiscated in Zimbabwe

Report: Radios used to listen to VOA Studio 7 confiscated in Zimbabwe

Tony Saxon: "Zanu (PF) supporters and self-styled war veterans here are reportedly moving door-to-door here in an effort to prevent people listening to foreign radio broadcasts by confiscating their radios. The people from Buhera said the move was to force people not to listen to the radio reports on constitution making process that is expected to begin next week. An [opposition] MDC T councillor Tapiwa Ngorima said: 'All those listening to radio stations broadcasting from outside the country are being told they will be identified, because they are accused of influencing others to support the MDC in the area.' He said there were some incidents reported to police in Buhera but there have been no any arrests made so far. 'We have cases where our supporters lost their radios after the Zanu (PF) and war veterans accused them of listening to Studio 7. Their radios were forcibly confiscated. We have made reports to the police in Buhera but nothing was done to bring the perpetrators to book,' said the councillor. Studio 7 is broadcast through the Short Wave from Voice of America."
(The Zimbabwean, June 2, 2010 via Kim Elliott)

Budget cuts may force BBC World Service to "axe entire services"

Katherine Rushton: "The BBC is preparing to drop some of its international radio services in line with an expected cut to the World Service budget.

The World Service is funded through a 'grant in aid' from the Foreign Office rather than the BBC licence fee, and is therefore subject to cuts in line with the reduction in national spending. The service’s £272m annual budget is currently due for renewal in 2011. Peter Horrocks, director of Global News and the World Service, acknowledged the risk that it may have to axe entire services, in an echo of the 2005 closure of 10 foreign-language services, which cost more than 200 jobs. ... Horrocks also urged the government to set out the World Service’s budgetary position. 'We haven’t been given any figures by the new government, but we want clarity as soon as possible… many people are anxious and have been for some time,' he told the BBC’s in-house newspaper, Ariel." (Broadcast June 3, 2010 via Kim Elliott)

Previous post:

BBC World Service estimate 141 million weekly audience, up 3 million despite shortwave loss of 20 million

"The BBC attracts a record weekly global audience of 241 million people to its international news services like BBC World Service and the BBC World News television channel, according to independent surveys. This is up three million on last year's overall audience estimate. However, the multimedia BBC World Service lost 20 million short wave radio listeners during the year; reflecting the increasing global decline of the medium. ... BBC World Service drew an overall weekly multimedia audience of 180 million across television, radio, online and mobiles. This is eight million down on last year. The audience losses were mainly due to a sharp overall decline in short wave radio listening during the year. Radio audience losses were particularly dramatic in Bangladesh (-7 million), India (-8.2m), and Nigeria (-2.9 m). However, there were significant radio audience gains in Tanzania (+1.4m), and the US (+ 600,000), mainly through BBC programmes being used on local FM and medium wave radio partner stations." Also: 3.4 million for VOA Perian; BBC World News, 71 million; international BBC.com, 17.2 million.
Financial Times, 24 May 2010, Ben Fenton: "'Where people have access to our programmes on FM, they shift to that platform and they no longer use shortwave,' [BBC Global News director Peter] Horrocks said. 'There is a powerful symbolism about universal availability, but if people haven’t got the [shortwave] sets and they aren’t listening, keeping it going for its own sake, for metaphysical reasons, doesn’t make a lot of sense.' In his first interview since taking over as the BBC’s global news director, Mr Horrocks said that countries such as Burma and Somalia, where there was no prospect of a substitute for shortwave, would remain covered 'for the foreseeable future'. But in the next five years, other shortwave services were likely to be phased out, he said, although no final decisions on which have been made because future funding is unclear."
(Kim Elliott)

Why your emergency radio should be able to receive shortwave

Robert Smith: "What would you do in case of a natural disaster, a terrorist attack, or a break down of the nation's infrastructure? ... A portable, wind up/battery powered, AM, FM, short wave, is recommended."
Why shortwave? During a serious emergency, you may lose all local power and communications, including landline telephone, cell phone, and internet, as well as all local broadcast and cable outlets. FM radio stations farther than about 125 kilometers away won't be audible. Distant medium wave (AM) stations can be heard at night, but during the day maximum range is about 250 kilometers. Hence the need for shortwave to get news and information during daylight hours. (Satellite television and radio would also provide information, but they consume more power -- scarce in such situations -- than analog radios.)
The stations most likely to be heard are privately owned US stations, which are generally not distinguished for their news coverage. (Some may tell you: see, we told you the world was going to end.) VOA plans to close its last US-based shortwave facility, and BBC may end most of its shortwave broadcasting within five years. So far, CBC's Radio Canada International has not announced plans to close it facility at Sackville, New Brunswick. Canada and the CBC may therefore find themselves with the responsibility of keeping Americans informed after a disaster. (Helium June 2, 2010 via Kim Elliott)

China expands it's reach to the world

With deep pockets, China's "big four" --- CCTV, Xinhua, and China Daily --- reach out to the world

David Shambaugh: "The Chinese government is investing a reported $8.7 billion in 2009-2010 in its 'external publicity work' — primarily on the 'Big Four': China Central Television (CCTV), China Radio International (CRI), Xinhua News Agency and the China Daily newspaper — while media executives and opinion shapers from various countries are being brought to China for 'familiarization' tours. All four of these external media outlets have had major makeovers in recent months, all intended to give a less propagandistic face to the world. Foreigners now anchor news broadcasts; op-ed pages are becoming more serious; radio programs are more diversified; Web sites are more informative; and newspapers are publishing more investigative stories. Some specific efforts include Xinhua TV now operating a 24 hour news channel that is trying to imitate Al Jazeera; CCTV News is trying to compete with CNN and BBC; CRI is buying more air time in a number of AM and FM radio markets in the United States and Europe, while broadcasting directly into Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. CCTV now broadcasts six international channels in five languages and claims a total global audience of about 125 million." -- Recommended reading, with more details of China's international media outreach. A "less propagandistic face" can still provide propaganda by the selection of news topics. Also, CCTV's "global audience of about 125 million" needs documentation. Reaching a number like that requires a rare combination effective delivery and attractive content. Viewership among Chinese diasporas might achieve that number.
(New York Times 07 June 2010 via Kim Elliott)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2010 Jun 08 2051 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
#
# Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
31 May - 06 June 2010

Solar activity was very low. The week’s activity consisted of a few, low level B-class flares, primarily from Region 1076 (S19, L=196, class/area Dso/190 on 03 June). Region 1076 emerged on the disk on 31 May and grew steadily for 31 May - 03 June, followed by a general decreasing trend for the remainder of the period.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

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

The geomagnetic field began the week at unsettled to active levels with minor storm periods at high latitudes. Activity levels decreased to quiet to active levels on 01 June and were mostly quiet for 02 June. An increase to quiet to active levels with some minor storm periods at high latitudes was observed on 03 June and lasted through about mid-day on 04 June. Activity declined to generally quiet levels for the remainder of the period. The elevated activity for 31 May - 01 June and 03 – 04 June was due to a high speed stream from a favorably positioned coronal hole.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
09 June - 05 July 2010

Solar activity is expected to be at very low to low levels.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at high levels at the beginning of the period from 09-10 June. Normal background levels are expected until 26 June when another increase to high levels is expected due to recurrence. Normal background levels are expected to resume after 01 July.

The geomagnetic field is expected to be unsettled for 09 June due to persistent effects from a high speed stream. Quiet levels are expected for 10-14 June, followed by an increase to mostly unsettled levels on 15-17 June in response to a high speed stream from a coronal hole. Quiet levels are expected for 18-24 June, followed by another increase to unsettled to active levels for 25-28 June in response to a recurrent coronal hole. Quiet levels are expected to prevail for 29 June - 05 July

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2010 Jun 08 2051 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 2010 Jun 08
#
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2010 Jun 09 70 8 3
2010 Jun 10 70 5 2
2010 Jun 11 70 5 2
2010 Jun 12 70 5 2
2010 Jun 13 70 5 2
2010 Jun 14 70 5 2
2010 Jun 15 70 8 3
2010 Jun 16 70 8 3
2010 Jun 17 70 8 3
2010 Jun 18 72 5 2
2010 Jun 19 75 5 2
2010 Jun 20 75 5 2
2010 Jun 21 75 5 2
2010 Jun 22 75 5 2
2010 Jun 23 75 5 2
2010 Jun 24 75 5 2
2010 Jun 25 75 12 3
2010 Jun 26 75 15 3
2010 Jun 27 72 15 3
2010 Jun 28 72 8 3
2010 Jun 29 72 5 2
2010 Jun 30 72 8 3
2010 Jul 01 72 5 2
2010 Jul 02 70 5 2
2010 Jul 03 70 5 2
2010 Jul 04 70 5 2
2010 Jul 05 70 5 2
(NOAA)

VOA and Radio Liberty schedule updates

USA(non) Some IBB changes:

All times UTC NF (new frequency)

Voice of America

0330-0400 NF 11665 LAM 100 kW / 132 deg, ex 12110 Somali
0330-0430 NF 6100 SAO 100 kW / 100 deg, ex 6095 Kinyarwanda Mon-Fri
0500-0600 NF 11875 LAM 100 kW / 088 deg, ex 11645!Kurdish
1300-1400 NF 9700 IRA 250 kW / 340 deg, ex 9690^Pashto-Deewa Radio
1400-1500 NF 15330 LAM 100 kw / 077 deg, add.freq Tibetan
1500-1600 NF 7565 PHT 250 kW / 275 deg, ex 7555 Vietnamese
1600-1700 NF 11665 IRA 250 kW / 259 deg, ex 12110 Somali
1700-1800 NF 11665 UDO 250 kW / 264 deg, ex 12110 Somali
1700-1800 NF 11940&BIB 100 kW / 085 deg, ex 11935 Georgian
1700-1800 NF 9800 SAO 100 kW / 335 deg, ex 11955 Portuguese
1800-1830 NF 9800 MEY 250 kW / 335 deg, ex 12120 Portuguese Mon-Fri
1800-1900 NF 15230 KWT 250 kW / 200 deg, add.freq Amharic
2230-2300 NF 11840 SAI 100 kW / 310 deg, ex 11705 Special English
2300-2400 NF 13805 UDO 250 kW / 030 deg, ex 13755 Special English
! to avoid ERA Voice of Greece in Albanian
^ to avoid All India Radio in English from 1330
& strong co-ch China Radio International in English

Radio Liberty
1500-1600 NF 9725 BIB 100 kW / 063 deg, ex 9530 Russian
1500-1600 NF 15545 LAM 100 kW / 077 deg, ex 7205 Avari/Chechen/Cherkasian
1500-1700 NF 9530#WER 250 kW / 060 deg, ex 9725 Belorussian
1600-1700 NF 11860 BIB 100 kW / 063 deg, ex 9725*Russian, re-ex 9530
1900-2000 NF 9600@LAM 100 kW / 055 deg, add.freq Russian
1900-2130 NF 9505@LAM 100 kW / 104 deg, add.freq Farsi Radio Farda
* to avoid RTTunisia in Arabic
# 1530-1625 strong co-ch Voice of Turkey in Azeri
@ effective from May 28, but really not yet active
(Jaisakthivel, India Via Ivo Ivanov/DX Mix news # 628 via Rachel Baughn)

Adventist World Radio schedule corrections

USA(non) The online A-10 schedule for Adventist World Radio is full of errors

All times UTC

0000-0200 on 17880 SDA 100 kW / 315 deg, not 15300 in Chinese
0300-0330 on 9505 WER 250 kW / 135 deg, not 9845 in Oromo
0330-0400 on 9505 MOS 300 kW / 100 deg, not 6090 in Farsi
0400-0430 on 6065 WER 100 kW / 120 deg, not 6145 in Bulgarian(x0500-0600)
1000-1100 on 12010 SDA 100 kW / 315 deg, not 15495 in Chinese
1030-1100 on 15320 SDA 100 kW / 315 deg, not 11780 in Mongolian
1300-1330 on 11860 SDA 100 kW / 285 deg, not 15275 in Bengali
1330-1400 on 11860 SDA 100 kW / 285 deg, not 15275 in Assamese Sun/Wed
1330-1400 on 11860 SDA 100 kW / 285 deg, not 15275 in Hmong Thu/Fri
1330-1400 on 11860 SDA 100 kW / 285 deg, not 15275 in English Mon/Tue/Sat
1330-1400 on 9720 SDA 100 kW / 345 deg, not 11845 in Russian
1500-1530 on 9405*SDA 100 kW / 220 deg, not 9530 in Telugu
1500-1530 on 11880 MOS 300 kW / 120 deg, not 15595 in Turkish
1500-1530 on 15255 WER 250 kW / 090 deg, not 15335 in Punjabi
1530-1600 on 15255 WER 250 kW / 075 deg, not 15335 in English
1600-1630 on 7340 WER 100 kW / 120 deg, new txion in Bulgarian
1600-1630 on 9820 SDA 100 kW / 300 deg, not 6090 in Urdu
1630-1700 on 11740 SDA 100 kW / 300 deg, not 6090 in English
1730-1800 on 15155 WER 250 kW / 135 deg, not 17575 in Oromo
2100-2200 on 9620 SDA 100 kW / 330 deg, not 11790 in Korean
* totally blocked by Radio Liberty in Azery
(DX Mix News # 628 via Rachel Baughn)

WHRI A10 schedule update

USA(non) Updated summer A-10 schedule of World Harvest Radio

All times UTC

WHRI Angel 1 // WHRA Angel 5
0000-0500 on 5920 DXWC 0130-0200 Sun; 0330-0400 Mon; 0430-0500 Mon-Fri
0500-1100 on 11565
1100-1200 on 7315
1200-1300 on 5920
1300-1400 on 9495 Sat/Sun
1400-1500 on 17510 Sat/Sun
1500-1600 on 17510 Sat; 15195 Sun
1600-1900 on 17520
1900-2100 on 15665
2100-2200 on 13660
2200-2300 on 9785
2300-2400 on 5920 Sun-Fri; 9690 Sat

WHRI Angel 2
0000-0400 on 5875 DXWC 0200-0230 Sun
0400-0500 on 7365 Sun-Fri; 9825 Sat
0500-0800 on 7365
0800-0900 on 11565
0900-1000 on 7365
1000-1200 on 9425 Deutsche Welle in German
1200-1300 on 9410 BBC in Spanish/English Mon-Fri
1300-1600 on 9840 Sat/Sun
1600-1700 on 9840
1700-1800 on 9840 Sun-Fri; 17520 Sat
1800-2000 on 9840
2000-2100 on 13660
2100-2200 on 9690
2200-2400 on 15640 Deutsche Welle in German

T8WH Angel 3
0700-1100 on 9930
1100-1200 on 9945 IBRA Radio in Chinese
1200-1500 on 9930
1500-1800 on 9905 Radio Free Asia in Chinese
1800-1900 on 9955
1900-2200 on 9905 Radio Free Asia in Chinese
2200-2300 on 9930 Sat, Hmong World Christian Radio in Hmong 2200-2230

T8WH Angel 4
0000-0030 on 15225 Radio Australia in Indonesian
0030-0100 on 15710 Hmong World Christian Radio in Hmong Fri
0100-0130 on 15640 Radio Australia in Burmese
0130-0300 on 15710
0300-0400 on 15700
0400-0430 on 17800 Radio Australia in Indonesian
0430-0500 on 15700
0500-0530 on 17800 Radio Australia in Indonesian
0530-0700 on 15700
0700-1000 on 15725 CVC International in Indonesian Mon-Fri, now cancelled
1000-1100 on 15725
1100-1300 on 9965 Radio Australia in English
1300-1430 on 9965 Radio Australia in Chinese
1430-1500 on 9960 Furusato no Kaze in Japanese
1500-1530 on 9975 Nippon no Kaze in Korean
1530-1600 on 9965 Nippon no Kaze in Korean
1600-1630 on 9965 Radio Australia in Burmese
1630-2200 on 9930 DXWC 1930-2000 Sat/Sun
2200-2400 on 11875 Radio Australia in English

WHRI Angel 6
0500-1200 on 5920 DXWC 1000-1030 Sun
1200-1300 on 7315
1300-1330 on 11785 Sat/Sun, Hmong World Christian Radio in Hmong Sat
1330-1600 on 11785 Sat/Sun, DXWC 1330-1400 Sun
1600-2300 on 11785 DXWC 1830-1900 Sat
2300-0500 on 7315
DXWC=DXing With Cumbre
(DX Mix News # 628 via Rachel Baughn)

Radio Netherlands begins Classical Music station

From June 3, Radio Netherlands Worldwide is offering listeners around the world a new service: classical music radio via the Internet. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, RNW Classical at www.rnw.nl/english/dossier/music will broadcast classical music by Dutch composers and performers to an international public, and combine it with information about RNW’s other activities. In the event of global or national disasters, it will also become an important source of news.

Additional information at: http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/all-day-classical-music-station-launched-rnw
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Radio Netherlands Program Guide June 7-11

MONDAY 7 JUNE

*** Classic Dox ***

'A Boat Trip through Borneo' (Orig. Broadcast May 2005) The wildlife habitat of Borneo has been sited as one of the most endangered places on earth. The World Wildlife Fund leads a campaign called "Heart of Borneo" to try and stop various threats like the illegal pet-trade in orangutans. Producer Anne Blair Gould meets orphan orangutan babies and a wild male orangutan named Beethoven.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.30 East and Southeast Asia 11895, South Asia 15110, China 12065
19.30 East and central Africa 11970 and 15535, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
10.30 Africa and Asia
12.00 North America

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
15.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
18.00 East and central Africa 15535, Southern Africa 6020
20.00 East and central Africa 11970, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
22.00 Asia and North America

*** 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):
19.00 East and central Africa 11970 and 15535, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
17.00 Europe

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

In the late 1940s and early 50s arrangers such as Gil Evans and George Handy started writing a kind of ensemble music of which the echoes still reverberate in jazz today. Take the tour along the New York Impressionists with your guide Hans Mantel.

*** Live! at the Concertgebouw ***
The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra is led by the young conductor Fabien Gabel, in Harold in Italy by Hector Berlioz and the Symphony in d minor by César

Franck. The concert is hosted by Hans Haffmans.

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

Migrants on the move: With immigration still a hot-button issue in the US again, we talk to writer Ruben Martinez who's documented border crossing stories.

We also meet a Honduran migrant worker who's been deported from both the US and Mexico while crossing illegally - and he's still determined to return to the US to see the two daughters he left behind there. And writer and musician Ruben Martinez talks to Jonathan about the complex realities of crossing the border while listening to a simulation from central Mexico which mimics what it's like to cross into the US.

Workers of the field, unite!: Contributor Andrew Stelzer presents a story about a coalition of farm workers based in Immokalee, Florida - many of them undocumented migrants - who've taken on Big Food corporations and modern-day slave operations and won.

TUESDAY 8 JUNE
*** 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):
10.00 East and Southeast Asia 11895, South Asia 15110, China 12065
19.00 East and central Africa 11970 and 15535, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** Commonwealth Story ***

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

'LIFO' (Last In First Out) - by Akinwumi Akinwale from Nigeria. It's last in, first out as the economic crisis begins.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.00 East and Southeast Asia 11895, South Asia 15110, China 12065

Broadcast times on WRN
10.00 Africa and Asia
22.00 Asia and North America

*** Live! at the Concertgebouw ***

The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra is conducted by chief conductor Mariss Jansons, in masterworks by Shosktakovich and Beethoven. Your host is Hans Haffmans.

*** Classic Dox ***

'In the Shark's Domain' (Orig. Broadcast October 2001)
No matter how safe we feel, we are always at the mercy of a predator. We could be swimming at our favourite beach and suddenly a shark mistakes us for lunch.

We could be living in a small town and be shot by a man who hears God's voice telling him to do it. Producer Dheera Sujan draws unsettling parallels between sharks and serial killers.

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
15.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
18.00 East and central Africa 15535, Southern Africa 6020
20.00 East and central Africa 11970, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
22.00 Asia and North America

WEDNESDAY 9 JUNE
*** 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):
10.00 East and Southeast Asia 11895, South Asia 15110, China 12065
19.00 East and central Africa 11970 and 15535, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
15.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
18.00 East and central Africa 15535, Southern Africa 6020
20.00 East and central Africa 11970, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
22.00 Asia and North America

*** Reloaded ***

Weekly highlights presented by Mindy Ran

*** Classic Dox ***

'The Master's Menagerie' (Orig. Broadcast May 2000)
During the Dutch Golden Age, painters depicted domestic and exotic animals in all styles and genres. The director of the Amsterdam zoo and various art experts guide producer David Swatling through the Dutch animal kingdom of the 17th century as painted by Rembrandt, Jan Steen, Paulus Potter and many others.

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America

THURSDAY 10 JUNE
*** 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):
10.00 East and Southeast Asia 11895, South Asia 15110, China 12065
19.00 East and central Africa 11970 and 15535, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** The State We're In - South Asia edition ***

It's been nearly a decade since the Taliban were overthrown in Afghanistan. For the first half of this week's show, we focus on the region. Join your host Chhavi as we hear from a woman parlimentarian what she thinks about negotiating with the "moderate" Taliban and an Indian journalist working in Kabul. We end with an uplifting piece about a school of happiness in Germany.

*** Earth Beat - South Asia edition ***

Join your host Chhavi for a roundup of conservation techniques from round the world. From Kabul we hear of a unique way of drying and storing produce for the winter. From Oaxaca we hear about a waterless toilet. From New Delhi we hear about an air filter the government has installed in Central Park. And, finally, from Kashmir, once a paradise on earth, we have a report on the environmental situation there.

*** South Asia Wired ***

Afghan analyst Martine van Bijlert talks to Dheera Sujan about her insiders view of the complicated and multi-layered relationship Afghanistan has with the international community.

*** Classic Dox ***

'Buffalo Nation' (Orig. Broadcast January 2005)
Romantic images of the Old West feature majestic buffalo thundering across the Great Plains in the company of Indians on horseback. In the battle for control of the Plains, the buffalo was almost wiped out. Producer Martha Hawley explores how ranchers are working to restore the herds as Native American traditional culture is being revived.

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
15.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
18.00 East and central Africa 15535, Southern Africa 6020
20.00 East and central Africa 11970, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
22.00 Asia and North America

FRIDAY 11 JUNE
*** 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):
10.00 East and Southeast Asia 11895, South Asia 15110, China 12065
19.00 East and central Africa 11970 and 15535, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** Bridges with Africa ***

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):
14.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
18.00 East and central Africa 15535, Southern Africa 6020
20.00 East and central Africa 11970, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
04.30 Africa, Asia and North America
17.00 Europe
22.00 Asia and North America

*** Earth Beat ***

We travel the globe to look at the challenges and solutions to sharing urban space. We visit a slum in India to find out if city planners can learn from these makeshift homes. Discover a tiny apartment in Hong Kong that can transform into a multiple of rooms. And consider how well we dwell with wildlife.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.30 East and Southeast Asia 11895, South Asia 15110, China 12065

*** Classic Dox ***

'The Winged Muse' (Orig. Broadcast June 2004)
The regal, enchanting swan has inspired so much memorable poetry, music and imagery that one might almost forget that this beautiful, long-necked creature also has a private life off-stage in Nature. Producer Marijke van der Meer portrays both aspects of the life of a swan: as a bird and as a work of art.

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America

*** 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)

BBCWS secures World Cup commentary rights in English and Swahili

BBC World Service has secured English and Swahili commentary rights from FIFA for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup in South Africa, it was announced today. Following on from its coverage of the 27th Africa Cup of Nations in Angola in 2010, BBC World Service will be broadcasting live commentary – in both English and Swahili, on FM relays across Africa – of all the qualified African teams’ games during the tournament, as well as the climax of the competition including the semi-finals and the final. The African teams competing in the tournament are: Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and South Africa.

As a result of this agreement with FIFA and the African Union of Broadcasters (AUB), BBC World Service’s English language team of Richard Connelly, Farayi Mungazi, Richard Fleming and Piers Edwards will be joined in the commentary box for the duration of the tournament by three sports journalists from across the continent – Arjun Vidyarthi, a sports editor with Radio Africa in Kenya; Malik Jones, a journalist at Gambia Radio and TV Service; and Stanley Katsande, a commentator and analyst on both radio and television for the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation. These three journalists will act as additional commentators and pundits during the tournament.

Jerry Timmins, Head of Region for Africa and the Middle East, BBC World Service, says: “The BBC will be reporting and celebrating every twist and turn of the World Cup with our audiences across sub-Saharan Africa. Our commentaries in English for Africa and Swahili will be supplied to over 400 FM stations across Africa and it’s great to see journalists from other African stations joining the BBC commentary teams. This is a real partnership helping to bring Africa’s World Cup to African audiences.”
(Source: BBC World Service International Publicity/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

SLBC revises external service

Victor Goonetilleke writes: As of June 4, the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) has temporarily discontinued its service to Sri Lankan expats in South Korea on 15120 at 1030-1130 UTC via DW Trincomalee. Instead, SLBC has started another hour of Hindi to India on 11905 kHz via Trinco (azimuth 355 degrees) with 200kW at 1530-1630 UTC.


Reception reports will be welcome to:

Engineer AM Services
Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation
PO Box 574
Colombo

SLBC in association with the Union of Asian DXers (UADX) will QSL all reports on all its shortwave broadcasts during June. If the project is successful we will extend it. The full schedule is:

0055-0330 (Sun 0430) UTC on 6005, 9780, 15745 kHz (English to Asia)
0020-0500 and 0830-1230 UTC on 11905, 7185 kHz
1530-1630 on 11905 kHz
1615-1830 on 11750 kHz
SLBC is also progressing with the installation of a 50kW mediumwave transmitter in Puttalam on 1125 kHz to beam to South India where there are large numbers of Sri Lankans who fled the war over the last 30 years, and also to strengthen the coverage to the North of Sri Lanka.
(Source: Victor Goonetilleke, UADX)

Amateur radio special events in June

June
9H3, MALTA. Markus, OH1MN, will be visiting the island of Malta (IOTA EU-023, MIA MM-001 and WLOTA LH-1113) between June 19th and July 3rd. Activity will be holiday style (when time and XYL allows), and he will be on air as 9H3MK. Operations will be on 80-6 meters using SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via OH1MN.

CARIBBEAN TOUR. Operators Andrea/IK1PMR and Claudia/PA3LEO will be active from two islands between June 8-21st. Their schedule is as follows: June 8-12th - Sint Maarten; callsign PJ7/IK1PMR and PJ7/PA3LEO June 12-21st - Anguilla; requested callsigns VP2EMR and VP2ECF Activity will be holiday style with a focus on 30/17/12 meters using CW and RTTY. QSL via PA3LEO.

E4, PALESTINE (Update). Just a reminder that the upcoming E4X operation will take place this week between May 28th and June 6th. The operators mentioned are: Antonio/EA5RM (Team Leader), Roberto/EA2RY, Fernando/EA5FX, Manuel/EA7AJR, Jose/EA7KW, Florent/F5CWU, Alain/F6ENO, Bernard/F9IE, Fabrizio/IN3ZNR and Valery/UT7CR. Operations will be on 160-6 meters including 30/17/12 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY with at least 3 stations on the air at the same time on different bands and modes. QSL via EA5RM: Antonio Gonzalez, P.O. Box 930, E-03200 Elche, SPAIN. Remember that a band and mode survey is being taken on their Web page at: http://www.dxfriends.com/e4x/index.php

EU-010. Operators Ray/M1REK and Andy/M1LOL, members of the South Cheshire Amateur Radio Society, will be active as GM6TW/p from some of the Outer Hebrides Islands between

June 12-17th. Their tentative schedule is as follows:
June 12-13th - Lewis and Harris Islands (IOSA OH01, SCOTIA HI21).
June 14-15th - North (IOSA OH02, SCOTIA HI13, WLOTA LH-3287) and South (IOSA OH03, SCOTIA HI06, WLOTA LH-2972) Uist, Benbecula (IOSA OH04, SCOTIA HI08) and
Eriskay Islands.
June 16-17th - Barra (IOSA OH11, SCOTIA HI02, WLOTA LH-3126) and Vatersay Islands.
Bands and modes of activity were not provided. To find out the latest information go to Twitter at: http://twitter.com/#search?q=GM6TW

Islands, Castles & Portable Operations

Laci, HA0HW will be active as J48HW and SV8/HA0HW from Thassos Island, Greece (IOTA EU-174, GIOTA NAS-037, MIA MG-124, WLOTA LH-4186, QRA KN20HS) from 27 May to 7 June 2010. He will operate mainly CW, with some SSB, RTTY and PSK31 as well, on the HF bands (mainly on 40, 30, 20 and 17 metres) and on 6 metres. He will take place in The CQ WPX CW contest as J48HW. His rig are a FT-840 with a MOS-FET amplifier and an IC-706 (for 6m only) with monoband Gps and dipoles on fishing poles. QSL via home call, direct or via HA-bureau. [HA0HW]

Operators Antonio, EA5RM, Roberto EA2RY, Fernando EA5FX, Manuel EA7AJR, Jose EA7KW, Florent F5CWU, Alain F6ENO, Bernard F9IE, Fabrizio IN3ZNR and Valery UT7CR) will be active as E4X from Ramallah, Palestine (Grid Loc. KM71), from 28 May to 6 June 2010. QRV 160-6m using CW, SSB and RTTY, with at least three stations active at the same time on different bands and modes. QSL via EA5RM (QRZ.com). Web:
www.dxfriends.com/e4x/index.php [MMMonVHF]

Waldi, SP7IDX will be active as LA/SP7IDX from Engeloya Island (IOTA EU-062) on 2-17th June 2010. Activity will be holiday style (DXing and fishing) on 20-10 metres using SSB and RTTY. He will operate with 100 watts into a Hexbeam antenna. QSL via his home callsign. [OPDX Bulletin]

David, OK1FJD / OK6DJ will be active from Liechtenstein as HB0/OK6DJ/p on 3-6 June 2010. He will also participate in the IARU Region 1 Fieldday. Equipment: TS480hx with G5rv and dipole antennas. QSL via OK1DRQ, direct or bureau. Logs will be uploaded to LoTW. [NG3K]

Look for JT0YAB (UA9YAB), JT0YW (RW9YW) and JT0YPS (UA9YPS) to be active from Lake Khoton, Altai Tavan Bogd National Park (WFF JTFF-001) (western Mongolia) on 3-8 June 2010. They plan to operate on all bands and modes with two stations and special attention for 6 metres. QSL via home calls (direct only) and LoTW. [425 DX News]
(Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2010 Jun 01 1851 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
#
# Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
24 - 30 May 2010

Solar activity was very low during the period. The week began with one sunspot group, Region 1072 (S15, L=315, class/area DSI/130 on 23 May), which slowly decayed and quietly exited the disk on 28 May. Region 1072 produced two B flares during the week, a B6 at 25/1550 UTC and a B1 at 27/2315 UTC. A partial halo CME was observed on 24 May, beginning at 1407 UTC (in SOHO LASCO C2 images) and was associated with long-duration B1 x-ray event (maximum at 24/1446 UTC). The CME originated from a filament channel near N15W32. Three small sunspot groups were numbered on 29 May but were very simple and did not produce any flare activity.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at normal background or moderate levels for most of the week until 30 May when the flux reached high levels.

The geomagnetic field began the week at quiet levels and continued quiet until early on 28 May when a shock was observed at the ACE spacecraft at 0203 UTC. The shock was followed by a sudden impulse at 0259 UTC and mostly unsettled geomagnetic activity with some active to minor storm periods at high latitudes. The disturbance most likely originated from the 23 May halo CME described in last week’s report. A second transient was observed to pass ACE on 29 May and was characterized by strengthening of the interplanetary magnetic field Bt to about 15 nT with a predominantly southward component, Bz, to values around -14 nT. The sustained negative Bz interval lasted about 21 hours and resulted in active to minor storm level activity with some major storm periods at high latitudes. The second transient was likely the result of the halo CME observed on 24 May. A density increase at ACE was followed by a steady increase in solar wind velocity on 30 May which was likely the result of a recurrent co-rotating interaction region followed by a coronal hole high speed stream. The resultant geomagnetic activity consisted of mostly unsettled to active levels with occasional storm periods at
the high latitudes.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
02 - 28 June 2010

Solar activity is expected to be at very low to low levels.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at high levels at the beginning of the period from 02-06 June. Normal background levels are expected for 07-09 June followed by another increase to high levels for 10-12 June in response to a recurrent high speed stream. Normal background levels should predominate thereafter until 26 June when another increase to high levels is expected due to recurrence.

The geomagnetic field is expected to be unsettled for 02-03 June due to persistent effects from a high speed stream. Quiet levels are expected for 04-06 June, followed by an increase to mostly unsettled levels on 07-08 June in response to a high speed stream from a coronal hole. Quiet conditions should return for 09-15 June, followed by another interval of unsettled levels on 16-17 June due to another recurrent high speed stream. Quiet levels should prevail for 18-24 June, followed by yet another increase to unsettled to active levels for 25-28 June in response to a recurrent coronal hole.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2010 Jun 01 1851 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 2010 Jun 01
#
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2010 Jun 02 72 10 3
2010 Jun 03 72 8 3
2010 Jun 04 72 5 2
2010 Jun 05 72 5 2
2010 Jun 06 72 5 2
2010 Jun 07 72 8 3
2010 Jun 08 72 8 3
2010 Jun 09 70 5 2
2010 Jun 10 70 5 2
2010 Jun 11 70 5 2
2010 Jun 12 70 5 2
2010 Jun 13 70 5 2
2010 Jun 14 70 5 2
2010 Jun 15 70 5 2
2010 Jun 16 70 8 3
2010 Jun 17 70 8 3
2010 Jun 18 72 5 2
2010 Jun 19 75 5 2
2010 Jun 20 75 5 2
2010 Jun 21 75 5 2
2010 Jun 22 75 5 2
2010 Jun 23 75 5 2
2010 Jun 24 75 5 2
2010 Jun 25 75 12 3
2010 Jun 26 75 15 3
2010 Jun 27 72 15 3
2010 Jun 28 72 8 3
(NOAA)

Radio Bulgaria DX program

Dimiter Petrov & Rumen PankovThis is Radio Bulgaria's weekly DX Program for radio amateurs and short wave fans and DXers which is included in our one-hour broadcasts starting as follows:

Friday at 21.00 UTC on 5900 and 7400 kHz beamed to West Europe, at 23.00 UTC and Saturday at 02.00 UTC on 9700 and 11700 kHz to North America, as well as in the half-hour broadcast at 06.30 UTC on 9600 and 11600 kHz to West Europe.

In this issue by DX Editor Dimiter Petrov, LZ1AF, with Broadcast Tips by Rumen Pankov:

B r o a d c a s t T i p s

Tajikistan. Tajik Radio was heard in Sofia with a weak signal in English at 13.45 hours on 7245 kHz with a political commentary on Pakistan and Afghanistan. This is the only broadcast in English from this country – from 13 to 14 hours. Tajik Radio is received regularly with a local program after 16 hours on 4765 kHz.

Caucasus. Abkhaz Radio from Soukhimi has appeared again on the frequency of 9535 kHz and was heard at 07.30 hours in a local language and at 08 hours in Russian. The station can possibly have other programs but until 05 hours the frequency was occupied by Radio Exterior de Espana and from 05 to 07 hours by Radio Algeria.
[Gaviria]

Many thanks!
This week's Contributors are:
LOB - Lúcio Otávio Bobrowiec, Brazil.
Yimber Gaviria, Colombia.

(Anatoly Klepov/playdx)"RUS-DX" # 202– E

Star Radio post schedule on website

The website of STAR Radio in Liberia carries the following announcement: “STAR Radio is broadcasting on 104 FM & 4.025 MHz Short Wave in the 75-meter Band. For now test transmission on the Short Wave runs from 5 to 9 in the morning and 6-9 in the evening [0500-0900 and 1800-2100 UTC]“.
(Source: STAR Radio/Radio Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Related story: Liberia's Star Radio reactivates its shortwave service

The Management of Liberian station Star Radio has announced the re-activation of its shortwave service in the Country. Station Manager James Morlu says the station has begun test transmissions on 4025 kHz. Mr Morlu said he believes that, as the country strives towards its recovery process, it’s prudent to have a viable information dissemination channel like shortwave.

The Star Radio Station Manager was speaking as the UN Refugee Agency UNCHR symbolically transferred assets to several of its partners in Liberia including Star Radio. Mr Morlu hopes the three motorcycles provided to Star Radio will help enhance the work of some of its correspondents, but said more was needed.
(Source: Star Radio)

David Smith interview: Early Shortwave Memories

By Jonathan Marks

For most parts of the world, shortwave is no longer the medium of choice. There are exceptions, where it has become a medium of last resort. I have been asking people who confess to being SW listeners at early age to share their recollections. David Smith of Okapi Consulting in Johannesburg had this anecdote about listening to Radio Moscow in the 1970's.

Video at Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/11202806

June specials from DX Stamp Service

JUNE 2010 DX STAMP SPECIALS


3 UK (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) $3.90 / 3 Germany $8.25

2 Spain-$3.00 2 Belgium-$3.20 2 Canada-$2.00 3 Japan-$3.60


JUNE 2010 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)

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 minimum 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/Teak Publishing)
　

Australian DX Report 205 available for download

Episode No. 205 of the Australian DX Report audio news magazine about shortwave broadcasting includes field monitoring research in the 6 MHz, 7 MHz, 9 MHz, and 11 MHz bands.
There are also other features, news and information about shortwave broadcasting, propagation, a solar activity report, monitoring notes, and extracts from schedules of the new A10 season.

It's 16 mins duration, and may be accessed from the Australian Internet Radio Service website, at http://airm.edxp.org/

You may download/listen to/save the episodes as MP3 files on your laptop/desktop/iPad, set up a Podcast, or receive/save them 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.

Links to the episodes are also available on my Facebook service within a few minutes of their release.

The shows are very popular - in the four weeks to May 30, 2010, there have been 2273 downloads by subscribers, 1099 site visitors, and 345 episode hits. All-time Channel views now total 29,639!

The episodes are also available on-air, over WWCR Nashville, 0200-0215 on Sundays, on 4840, and on Mondays 1145-1200 on 15825, and via WWCR's streaming audio (live) at http://wwcr.com/

Good listening to the Australian DX Report Episode No. 205, and enjoy the musical interludes!

Bob Padula
Melbourne

Blog Logs - pirate radio

a sampling of what's being heard from the pirate stations on shortwave

All times UTC

Barnyard Radio
barnyardradio@gmail.com
6925 USB, 0046. Opeartor discussing Latinos, immigration and Arizona. Metal cover version of Low Rider at 0049. Metal/punk music, later announced from the American Hardcore collection. Twisted Sister, We're Not Gonna Take It at 0108. Excellent audio, good signal, s7. (Will, MD)

Captain Morgan
captianmorganshortwave@gmail.com
6925 AM, 0115. ISO 232. Been hearing this for some time now but too weak to make anything out. Signal coming up a bit now and am hearing blues music, One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer, sounds like Twilight Zone theme and maybe station ID at 0124 (Fansome, PA)

CYOT Radio
6950.4v AM, 0045. Poor signal with fair peaks, playing Grand Funk, Kid Rock, Thin Lizzy, Led Zeppelin and Steely Dan. Finally got a ID and email. New station for me!! (Elvis, TN)

Hard Tack Radio
6925 AM, 0053, SIO 232. Signal fading, and it almost seems like the carrier is suppressed but the sidebands are both present. Music, but distortion and drifting makes it very hard to make out what it is. Station ID from #pirateradio (Fansome, PA)

MAC Shortwave
6850 AM, 0041-0059. Signal S9. Ultraman (?) playing a flute/clarinet asking us to email him at macshortwaveradio@gmail.com. Clarinet training talk (hey, practice makes perfect is what the old timers used to say and they were right!) Get up and go music, Doubleback Alley - sounds like a Beatles tune. Station ID at 0059. (Finn-PA) (DJ Frederick’s note: "the above named tunes were performed by the Rutles from the comedy film All You Need is Cash.)

Northwoods Radio
6935 USB, 0146. SIO 444. Signal very good. Rock music to ID at 0147 with the Jackpine Savage, banjo version of Best Friend's Girl, then Zydeco-type instrumental (Fansome, PA)

Radio Bingo
(Relay?) 6925. Fair signal. A show of rock tunes and Patriot Bingo with John Arthur winning. They need a new ball machine. This is an old show. At 0049, interference made listening impossible. (Majewski CT)

Radio Free Euphoria
http://radiofreeeuphoria.blogspot.com/
6925.24 AM, 0434-0440.+ Maharishi version of Old MacDonald and rock tune. Station ID at 0438. SIO 2+32, hum and woodpecker burst interference. (Frodge-MI)

Radio Ga Ga
radiogaga6925@gmail.com
6925 USB, 0305-0323. Music tune, When Your Smiling and Brown Sugar. Heavy metal tunes and then, Mr. Postman song to time pips at 0322 and "thanks for listening." Poor to fair signal with some moderate to deep fades. (Kivell, FL)

Radio Garbanzo
6930 USB, 0305. Rock music. Nice signal, s5 peaks with some noise. ID at 0307. Lively operators having a good time. Station ID at 0323 and into Judas Priest tune Breaking the Law. QSL requests to long-defunct P.O. Box 452 Wellesville NY 14895 at 0326. Explosions, barking, interval signal at 0333 and into music. (Will, MD)

Sycko Radio
6932 USB, 0156, SIO 322. Music to station ID at 0158, hard to make out due to reverb, reference to James Brownyard, back to music sounds like alternative Secret Agent Man (Fansome PA)

Undercover Radio
undercoverradio@mail.com
6925 AM, 0115, SIO 433. Signal a bit noisy but strong.tation ID at 0115, just caught the last song, says that AM is coming back, and Cosmikdebris be coming back on hopefully on a regular basis. Off the air at 0116, QSO with Windup Radio afterwards on USB (Fansome, PA)

Voice of the Robots
6925 USB, 0050. SIO 322. Noisy conditions. Station ID 0050, followed by Pride and Joy song. ID and email address at 0055. Severe fading noted. Song, I Just Wanna Make Love to You (Fansome, PA)

WHYP
whypradio@gmail
6874.5 AM, 0220. SIgnal fair/poor, with fading. Pop ballad, blues rock, fast pop tune. Mention of email from Cleveland, now discussing state of radio broadcasting in the US, saying good stuff does not get on air. Emailed him at whypradio@gmail.com . (Hassig-IL)

Wolverine Radio
6925 USB, 0358-0422.* Non-stop rock music programming with Mama’s and Papa’s song, California Dreamin and Michael Jackson's Never Can Say Good-bye. Station ID at 0420 followed by slow FAX noise (slow scan TV transmission?) until 0422 when carrier
terminated. Fair to good with some deep fades. (D’Angelo-PA)
(FRW 746 via Ragnar Daneskjold/ FRW 745 via Frederick Moe/ FRW 743 via Bill Finn)

RFE/RL president promotes new station in Pakistan

In the midst of the controversy regarding the decision to ban YouTube and Facebook, RFE/RL President Jeffrey Gedmin visited Pakistan for five days to discuss media freedom. Mr Gedmin’s trip focused on Radio Mashaal (”torch” in Pashto) - RFE/RL’s new Pashto-language station in the tribal areas along the Afghan-Pakistani border. Mr Gedmin visited the station’s Islamabad bureau and discussed Mashaal’s mission with religious leaders, members of parliament, military officials, and civil society activists.

“Since the launch of Radio Mashaal in January, the station has gotten off to a superb start,” said Mr Gedmin. “We’ve received a lot of positive feedback from listeners and have already increased our live programming from two to four hours per day.”

In Islamabad, Mr Gedmin also met with US government officials. US Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke has called Radio Mashaal’s commitment to professional journalism in the local language, “an important contribution toward peace, reconciliation, and democracy in the region.”

Radio Mashaal’s correspondents cover domestic and international news with in-depth reports on terrorism, politics, women’s issues, and health care, with an emphasis on preventive medicine. The station features regular call-in programs, roundtable discussions and interviews with experts and leaders.

Radio Mashaal was launched in January 2010 to counter a growing number of Islamic extremist radio stations in Pakistan’s tribal areas along the border with Afghanistan. The station currently broadcasts via AM, FM and shortwave for four hours each day and shares a frequency with Voice of America’s (VOA) Radio Deewa. Online, Radio Mashaal’s website at http://www.mashaalradio.com/ provides a live stream of its broadcasts.

Upon reaching nine hours of daily programming by September 2010, Radio Mashaal will complement VOA’s Radio Deewa to provide 24/7 coverage for Pashto-speaking people in Pakistan and the border regions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

South Korea delays resumption of propaganda broadcast

South Korea has delayed plans to begin anti-North Korea propaganda. Experts speculated that two factors - the safety of South Koreans working at the joint Gaeseong Industrial Complex in the North and rising tensions on the peninsula - probably prompted the government to weigh the timing of the execution of the psychological operations (PSYOPs).

The Ministry of National Defence on Sunday put off plans to drop anti-North Korea leaflets that were originally scheduled to be distributed across the border late last week. Earlier, military authorities announced they would resume PSYOPs aimed at “sowing the seed of doubt” among North Korean residents, with the spread of propaganda leaflets and radio broadcasts via loudspeakers near the Military Demarcation Line. South Korea halted PSYOPs in 2004 when the late former President Roh Moo-hyun was in office, following the repeated requests from the North during military talks.

Today, the defence ministry also hinted at delaying the plan to broadcast the “Voice of Freedom” programme over loudspeakers. The project was scheduled to be implemented in early June. “We will consider several factors before going ahead with the resumption of the anti-North Korean propaganda project. The military will decide later when to commence those measures,” a military source said on condition of anonymity.

The announcement came after concerns about the safety of South Korean workers at the Gaeseong complex were raised. Last week, North Korea issued multiple statements, threatening to close the Gaeseong project if South Korea resumes the PSYOP and to fire at the loudspeakers that were to be set up near the border. The North’s military also warned they would not guarantee the safety of South Koreans crossing the border, which was ensured under the military accords signed between the two sides in the past.
(Source: Korea Times/Radio Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Special Dutch broadcast on 5910 this week

On Tues-Fri this week there will be a special relay of a popular Dutch domestic network Radio 2 programme from NCRV on 5910 kHz at 1500-1700 UTC towards the French Alps. The programme is called Knooppunt Kranenbarg. This week it includes reports from Alpe d’HuZes in France where famous Dutch people are climbing the best-known mountain in the Tour de France to raise money for the fight against cancer. Technical arrangements have been made by RNW as follows:

Station: Rampisham
Dates: Tuesday 1 June - Friday 4 June (four days)
Time: 1500-1700 UTC
Frequency: 5910 kHz
Power: 500 kW
Azimuth: 140 degrees
(Source: RNW Programme Distribution/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)