Estonian government to create National Broadcasting Corporation

The Estonian government has endorsed a bill on the creation of an Estonian National Broadcasting Corporation, signifying a merger of Eesti Televisioon (ETV) and Eesti Raadio. The aim of the bill is to establish the foundation, aims and duties of the National Broacasting Corporation. When the bill enters into force, ETV and Eesti Raadio will wind up their operations and the National Broadcasting Corporation will continue as their legal successor. Joint activity will make it possible to more flexibly use the financial resources necessary for the operation of ETV and Eesti Raadio, to better use opportunities of the new media and find the synergy opening in the merger of the two organizations and later joint development, according to the authors of the bill.

(Source: Baltic Times/R. Netherlands Media Weblog)

SW Radio Africa adjusts live Internet broadcast

Starting today, London-based SW Radio Africa will be broadcasting its two-hour daily programme to Zimbabwe live via Internet at the later time of 1800 to 2000 British Summer Time, or 1900 to 2100 Zimbabwe Time (1700 to 1900 UTC). This is the same programme that’s broadcast the following morning at 0300-0500 UTC on mediumwave 1197 kHz

(Source: SW Radio/R. Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

BBC Scotland expands sports coverage on medium wave

For all the sports fans in Europe, the following news from BBC Radio Scotland should be great news. This blog is and will remain 'sports-friendly.'
GVH


Sportsound – BBC Radio Scotland’s flagship sports programme – is to expand its coverage of the Scottish football scene to offer news and match commentary on a daily basis. The sports programme has, historically, proved popular on Saturday and Sundays but the increase in midweek games has also resulted in an appetite for more coverage throughout the week. Sportsound will run from 7.15 to 10.00 (1815-2100 UTC) every weeknight on 810 kHz mediumwave and on digital radio and television from Monday 31 July 2006.

The weekday 90-minute programme’s reputation for breaking stories will now be augmented by live match coverage plus news and analysis. On evenings where there is no live match - the programme will follow a magazine format with news, discussion, packages and features.

(Source: BBC Scotland/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Radio Netherlands Weekly Program Preview

Radio Netherlands PROGRAMME PREVIEW Saturday 22 - Friday 28 JULY 2006

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


SATURDAY 22 JULY

*** Saturday Connection ***

Every Saturday, the Newsline team brings you Weekend Connection, with thought-provoking reports on the issues making headlines in the Netherlands, Europe and beyond.

It's a lively mix of local colour and "the big picture". One week you might hear how Dutch farmers are doing their part to combat bird flu, the next week it's about the worldwide attempt to punish crimes against humanity. Big or small, Weekend Connection covers it all!

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 10.00 (Australia/Asia/Far East), 12.00 (Eastern N America), 14.00 & 15.30(South Asia), 18.00, 19.30 & 20.30 (Africa), 00.00 (Eastern N America), 01.00 (Central N America), 05.00 (Western N America & New Zealand)

*** Vox Humana ***

"Running the Goat"

The 17th-century Canadian fishing community of Harbour Deep vanished from the map a few years ago when the last of its residents left. But its ghost survives in a traditional "set dance". Unique to Harbour Deep, people had been Running the Goat -as the dance is called - longer than anyone could remember.

Although the community has disappeared, the dance survives. Producer Chris Brookes discovered that, ironically, it's being taught to summer tourists looking for an "authentic" taste of Newfoundland life.

This edition of Vox Humana was recently awarded the Grand Prize for Best Documentary at the Prix Marulic Radio Festival in Croatia. It was first broadcast in April 2005.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 10.27 (Australia/Asia/Far East), 11.27 (Eastern N America), 14.30 (South Asia), 18.27 & 20.00 (Africa), 00.27 (Eastern N America), 01.27 (Central N America), 04.27 (Western N America), 06.27 (New Zealand), 07.27 (Australia)
Repeated: Sun 1430 (South Asia), Sun 1900 (N America, Africa)


SUNDAY 23 JULY

*** Amsterdam Forum ***

Afghanistan is lurching through its worst crisis since the toppling of the Taliban almost 5 years ago. Violence has skyrocketed this year, the bloodiest since 2001. Over 1000 people have been killed in Afghanistan in the past two months alone.

The biggest problems are in the south where corruption is rife, poverty is high and the illicit drug trade is booming.

Critics argue this instability was predictable and unavoidable, and say it's because the international community and the Afghan government have failed to provide enough troops, security and funds.

Has the international community failed Afghanistan? And how should stability be brought to the country?

Have your say on the topic at:
www.radionetherlands.nl/features/amsterdamforum/
Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 10.05 (Australia/Asia/Far East), 11.05 (Eastern N America), 15.05 (South Asia), 18.05 & 20.05 (Africa), 00.00 (Eastern N America), 01.00 (Central N America), 04.00 (Western N America), 06.00 (New Zealand), 07.00 (Australia)

*** Dutch Extra ***

Dutch Extra is a new programme on Radio Netherlands, broadcast on Sundays immediately after Amsterdam Forum.

The programme offers a selection of cultural and arts news, a Radio Netherlands columnist casts a critical eye over Dutch society, we'll regularly have a Dutch recipe and most importantly, Dutch Extra features your reactions to our programmes and answers the questions you've asked us.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 10.45 (Australia/Asia/Far East), 11.45 (Eastern N America), 15.45(South Asia), 18.45 & 20.45 (Africa), 00.40 (Eastern N America), 01.40 (Central N America), 04.40 (Western N America), 06.40 (New Zealand), 0740 (Australia)


MONDAY 24 JULY

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 10.00 (SE Asia/Far East), 11.00 (Eastern N America), 14.00 & 15.30(South Asia), 18.00, 19.30 & 20.30 (Africa), 00.00 (Eastern N America), 01.00 (Central N America), 04.00 (Western N America), 06.00 (New Zealand), 07.00 (Australia)

*** The Research File ***

This week's Research File comes from the Euroscience Open Forum in Munich.

In a week where President Bush vetoed the use of embryonic stem cells in American research, we ask whether brain research deserves special ethical consideration. Marnie Chesterton talks to Professor Colin Blakemore about the emerging field of neuroethics.

We find out why a psychologist has created a virtual earthquake environment - could it really help children cope with the real thing?

And cooking - it is said to be the fusion of science and art. Research File gets a delicious demonstration from "The Chemist of Cookery", molecular gastronomist Professor Hervé.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 10.27 (SE Asia/Far East), 11.27 (Eastern N America), 14.30 (South Asia), 18.27 & 20.00 (Africa), 00.27 (Eastern N America), 01.27 (Central N America), 04.27 (Western N America), 06.27 (New Zealand), 07.27 (Australia)
Repeated: Thurs 1500 (South Asia), Thurs 1900 (Africa)


TUESDAY 25 JULY

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 10.00 (SE Asia/Far East), 11.00 (Eastern N America), 14.00 & 15.30(South Asia), 18.00, 19.30 & 20.30 (Africa), 00.00 (Eastern N America), 01.00 (Central N America), 04.00 (Western N America), 06.00 (New Zealand), 07.00 (Australia)

*** EuroQuest ***

"Light entertainment, Dark Entertainment"

In France, a real life terrorist-turned-crime-writer has just published a new book. It's called On the Run - and that's what the author actually is.

The star of a Turkish reality TV series was found dead in a hotel room of a suspected drug overdose. Serious questions are being raised as to whether such programs really are just harmless entertainment.

The London Symphony Orchestra runs many educational outreach programs for children and adults. The class called 'Early Years' aims to bring music into the lives of children before they go to school.

And, the cow show moooooooves to Paris. The cow parade is the world's largest art event. And it's a moveable feast that has been exhibiting life-sized cows in cities all over the world for the past few years. This summer, it's chewing the cud in Paris.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 10.27 (SE Asia/Far East), 11.27 (Eastern N America), 14.30 (South Asia), 18.27 & 20.00 (Africa), 00.27 (Eastern N America), 01.27 (Central N America), 04.27 (Western N America), 06.27 (New Zealand), 07.27 (Australia)
Repeated: Thurs 1500 (South Asia), Thurs 1900 (Africa)
Repeated: Mon 1500 (South Asia), Mon 1900 (Africa)


WEDNESDAY 26 JULY

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 10.00 (SE Asia/Far East), 11.00 (Eastern N America), 14.00 & 15.30(South Asia), 18.00, 19.30 & 20.30 (Africa), 00.00 (Eastern N America), 01.00 (Central N America), 04.00 (Western N America), 06.00 (New Zealand), 07.00 (Australia)

*** The Weekly Documentary ***

"Retracing the Routes"

"The Last Tannery"

Platypus Leather is the last tannery in Sydney, Australia. But after thirty years of existence, it's about to come to an end - and with it a once thriving industry will have vanished. Global competition, especially from China, has gradually eroded any profit and the tannery workers have looked for work elsewhere.

In the last of our series exploring global trade issues, this week's documentary "The Last Tannery" looks at the lives of those who worked in the industry and at a rapidly changing economic landscape.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 10.27 (SE Asia/Far East), 11.27 (Eastern N America), 14.30 (South Asia), 18.27 & 20.00 (Africa), 00.27 (Eastern N America), 01.27 (Central N America), 04.27 (Western N America), 06.27 (New Zealand), 07.27 (Australia)
Repeated: Thurs 1500 (South Asia), Thurs 1900 (Africa)
Repeated: Mon 1500 (South Asia), Mon 1900 (Africa)

THURSDAY 27 JULY

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 10.00 (SE Asia/Far East), 11.00 (Eastern N America), 14.00 & 15.30(South Asia), 18.00, 19.30 & 20.30 (Africa), 00.00 (Eastern N America), 01.00 (Central N America), 04.00 (Western N America), 06.00 (New Zealand), 07.00 (Australia)

*** Dutch Horizons ***

This summer's theme at Radio Netherlands is Family. Our programmes and web articles will be covering different aspects of changing family life around the world.

Dutch Horizons this week takes a closer look at childbirth in the Netherlands. Unusually in the industrialised world, the Netherlands has a large number of home births and relatively few ceasarean-sections,

You'll hear about the pros and cons of giving birth at home (without pain relief) and a personal account of a Dutch woman who wanted to have her baby the Dutch way in her new home country, Brazil, where most women opt for a c-section.

And we go to London for a tour of the recently restored Kew Palace, which for centuries has been known as "The Dutch House". Recently Britain's Queen Elizabeth held a gala dinner at Kew Palace, to celebrate her 80th birthday.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 10.27 (SE Asia/Far East), 11.27 (Eastern N America), 14.30 (South Asia), 18.27 & 20.00 (Africa), 00.27 (Eastern N America), 01.27 (Central N America), 04.27 (Western N America), 06.27 (New Zealand), 07.27 (Australia)
Repeated: Thurs 1500 (South Asia), Thurs 1900 (Africa)
Repeated: Mon 1500 (South Asia), Mon 1900 (Africa)

FRIDAY 28 JULY

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 10.00 (SE Asia/Far East), 11.00 (Eastern N America), 14.00 & 15.30(South Asia), 18.00, 19.30 & 20.30 (Africa), 00.00 (Eastern N America), 01.00 (Central N America), 04.00 (Western N America), 06.00 (New Zealand), 07.00 (Australia)

*** A Good Life ***

From story-telling to songs and poetry, Africa is steeped in oral traditions. And this week on A Good Life we meet two poets from the continent: Ama Ata Aidoo from Ghana and Taban Lo Liyong from Sudan. Well-travelled and well-versed, Ama and Taban share their thoughts not just on poetry but on the politics that influence their work.

Plus, with peace talks underway between the Ugandan Government and the Lord's Resistance Army, we hear about the challenges of re-integrating Uganda's child soldiers into society.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 10.27 (SE Asia/Far East), 11.27 (Eastern N America), 14.30 (South Asia), 18.27 & 20.00 (Africa), 00.27 (Eastern N America), 01.27 (Central N America), 04.27 (Western N America), 06.27 (New Zealand), 07.27 (Australia)
Repeated: Thurs 1500 (South Asia), Thurs 1900 (Africa)
Repeated: Mon 1500 (South Asia), Mon 1900 (Africa)
Repeated: Tues 1500 (S Asia), Tues 1900 (Africa)

(Source: R. Netherlands)

Radio Sonar set for weekend broadcast

Radio Sonar will be broadcasting Saturday July 22, from 1900-2100 UTC on 6265 kHz (or between 6240 - 6280 kHz)
Programming will consist of a two hour show with progressive German rock music and English tracks - presented in German and English. The DJ's also plan to share listener's letter during the program.
Radio Sonor transmits with only 35 watts! Here's a chance for the European audience to fire up their receivers and nab this very low-powered station.Sonar certifies reception reports with QSL's and mp3-files are appreciated.

Email your reports to: radiosonar@hotmail.de or phone the station during the broadcast at:
Tel: + 49 (0) 176 - 262 171 42

(Source: DJ Dycke/HCDX )

ARDX reactivates HF service

The Aboriginal Resource and Development Services (ARDS), has reactived its
HF operation from its facility at Humpty Doo, near Darwin.

Upgraded transmission equipment is now in use, on 5050 kHz, running 24 hrs with test broadcasts.

Coverage is mainly for the Yolngu peoples of north-east Arnhem Land, ugmenting local coverage from Darwin on 1520 kHz, several VHF services in remote districts, and via Australia-wide free-to-air satellite.

Signal strength observed here in Melbourne is very good in the night-time period from around 0900 until 2200 UTC.

Regards from Melbourne!

(Source: Bob Padula/Cumbre DX)

Radio New Zealand Int'l launches BBC Pacific exchange

(Tahitipresse) - Radio New Zealand International (RNZI) will launch a weekday 30-minute programme exchange with the BBC Pacific service starting Monday, Pacific Media Watch reports.

At 2030 NZ time (0830 UTC), the BBC's Pacific service will relay a bulletin of Pacific regional news and RNZI's Pacific current affairs programme Dateline Pacific, which draws on the work of RNZI's staff and on stories filed by Pacific journalists from around the region.

In exchange, at 1pm NZ time weekdays (0100 UTC) RNZI will be broadcasting a BBC World news bulletin, followed by detailed BBC correspondents' reports on the latest global news and a round-up of the latest in international Sport.

RNZI manager Linden Clark says she is delighted with the launch.

"This will allow us to get more listeners for our flagship current affairs
programme across the Pacific. It's also recognition of the relevance of the Dateline Pacific programme which is already relayed by Radio Australia around the region."

The RNZI programme will be on the BBC's Pacific network of FM relays and satellite services.

RNZI's short-wave broadcasts cover the area from Papua New Guinea in the west across to French Polynesia in the east and all the countries
in between.

A new digital (DRM) short-wave service is just now being launched across the Pacific region with partner relaying radio stations in Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga and Niue all now equipped with digital software receivers.

(Source: www.tahitipresse.pf/index.cfm?snav=see&presse=16469?=2/Zacharias Liangas/Cumbre DX)

Blog Logs - Chasing the Pirates

With the summer doldrums here, why not join other DXers in chasing the pirates on shortwave radio? Operating illegally, North American pirate radio operators primarily use 6925 kHz, plus or minus 40 kHz. Pirates are also being reported active on 4000-4050, 5400, 7500, 8000 and 9290-9320 kHz. You may also hear pirate activity on 13900, 15800 and 21800 kHz. European pirates prefer 6200-6350 kHz range for broadcasting. Pirate operators may broadcast at any time, although they primarly broadcast on weekends and holidays.

Reception reports to pirate stations require three first class postage stamps for United States mail drops, or two U.S. dollars to foreign addresses. Currency defrays return postage cost for mail forwarding and a souvenir QSL to your mailbox. Mail drop addresses, if one is used, are usually announced during programming, as well as any email addresses.
A number of pirates prefer email correspondence, bulletin logs or posting on internet web sites instead of regular mail.Some station have both options available.
The best bulletin for submitting pirate loggings, and possibly obtaining a verification, is Free Radio Weekly newsletter, free to contributors via yukon@tm.net. A few pirates verify loggings posted on the Free Radio Network at: www.frn.net and don't forget Monitoring Times Outer Limits pirate column by columnist George Zeller.
The following loggings have been gathered in recent weeks, and represent the most active stations.

kHz/UTC * sign-on -sign-off*

6220 AM Mystery Radio (Euro Pirate) 2045+ (A. Slaen, Argentina)
6220 AM Mystery Radio (Euro Pirate) 2340 (D. Valko/Cumbre DX)
6275 AM Laser Hot Hits (Euro Pirate) 2353-0202 (D. Valko/Cumbre DX)
6875.9 AM The Crystal Ship 0158-0207* (L. Russell, MI/FRW)
6925 USB Canada (or Canadian) Free Radio. 0134-0144* (J. Wood, TN)
6925 USB James Bond Radio 0057-0119* (J. Wood, TN)
6925 USB Ground Zero Radio *0117-0152* (G. Zeller, OH/Free Radio Weekly)
6925 USB Ground Zero Radio 0140-0212* (L.Will/FRW)
6925 USB KIPM 0106 (B. Finn/FRW)
6925 USB KIPM 0005-0113* (R. Hunsicker, PA/FRW)
6925.2 AM Radio Boston 0211-0239+ (R. Hunsicker, PA; R. D'Angelo/FRW)
6925 USB Radio Free Speech 0002-0041*; 2104-2109* (G. Zeller, OH/FRW)
6925.4 AM Radio Pigmeat Int'l 1323-1352 (Ragnar/FRW)
6925 USB USB Sunshine Radio/Grasscutter (joint broadcast) *0008-0039* (G. Zeller, OH/FRW)
6925 USB WBNY 2327-2341 (J. Wood, TN)
6925 USB WMPR 0054-0118* (Micro Power Radio) (G. Zeller, OH/FRW)
6950.6 AM MAC Shortwave 0246-0307
6950.45 AM MAC Shortwave 0200-0307 (W. Hassig, IL/FRW)
6950 LSB Northwoods Radio 0119-0202 (J. Wood, TN)
6955 AM WMPR 0152-0201+ (J. Wood, TN)
6955 AM WMPR 2325-0000 (J. Wood, TN)

RFI & Beta to launch news radio in Belgrade

Branko Pekic reports: Radio France Internationale (RFI), in partnership with the Beta news agency, will start a news radio station in Belgrade in September. “This is the first partnership deal for RFI, which has crowned its ten-year effort to receive a frequency in Serbia. RFI is the only international radio operating in Belgrade,” RFI said in a statement, adding that Beta was among 14 of 45 applicants to have been granted frequencies. Radio Beta Plus will primarily be “an economic and European radio station,” RFI said, adding that 12 hours of programmes in French will be aired every day from 7pm to 7am (1700-0500 UTC) as of September, while the 12 hours of programming in Serbian will be launched in October, reports BETA news agency. Programs will be prepared by BETA’s journalists and RFI’s department of Slavic languages in Paris.
(Source: R. Netherlands Media Network weblog)

DRM testing from French Guiana

DRM test transmissions from Montsinery, French Guiana, started 17 July. A new 150 kW DRM / 250 kW AM Thomson transmitter is currently under acceptance tests. There will be some DRM test transmisions in the coming days between about 1900 and 2145 UTC :

21645 kHz to Europe on 20, 24, 26 and 28 July; 4/4 antenna
15795 kHz to Brazil on 18, 21, 25 and 27 July; 2/3 antenna.
(Source: Jacques Gruson, TDF via DRM Software Radio Forums/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

IOTA SWL Contest July 29

From NASWA Flash Sheet comes word of a revised IOTA shortwave listeners contest. The Mediterraneo DX Club, SWL Section, is proud to invite all short wave listeners to the IOTA SWL Contest.

The SWL Section discontinued in 2005, but has been recovered by the MDXC/SWL in cooperation with the RSGB HFCC, and will take place in parallel with the IOTA Contest.

The contest begins at 1200 UTC on July 29 and concludes on July 30, 2006. Shortwave listener's can log IOTA stations and accumulate points. Islands are counted as multipliers. SWL's are required to log the callsign and message of the station herd and callsign of the correspondent.

Email should be sent with a single attachment, preferably in Cabrillo. This format is recommended in order to cross-check the SWL logs with the amateur radio logs, already in Cabrillo. Being very difficult to find a logging program able to export an accestable Cabrillo for SWL's, Marek SP7DQR kindly provided the software, "Iota SWL Cabrillo," able to convert paper logs into Cabrillo format for the IOTA SWL Contest.

Rules have been translated in five languages including, English, Italian, French, German and Spanish. The Geoff Watts Plaque honors the founder of the IOTA Program, as well as a number of certificates will be presented by the MDXC. Software. Rules and previous results are available at: www.mdxc.org/swl Any questions can be addressed to the IOTA SWL Contest Manager, Dan Rolla, II-12387 at: jwlqla@tin.it
(Source: NASWA Flashsheet)

Tuning in on South Korea

With the continued focus on North Korea, one of my South Carolina contributors emailed a suggestion to run a summer schedule for South Korea. Great idea Frank, and thanks for the multilingual schedule!
If you've a mind to QSL this station, you'll find KBS very accomodating. Colorful postcards, stickers and brochures are sent within a reasonable time. Send uour reports to:
P.O. Box 150-790
Seoul, Republic of Korea

To learn more about KBS, refer to their station at: http://world.kbs.co.kr
KBS World Radio, South Korea

English 0200-0300 9560 11810 15575
0800-0900 9570 9640
1200-1300 9650
1300-1400 9570 9770
1600-1700 5975
1900-2000 5975 7275
2100-2130 3955

Spanish 0100-0200 11810
0600-0630 6045
0700-0800 13670
1000-1100 9580
1100-1200 11795
2000-2100 9515

Arabic 1900-2000 15365
2000-2100 7150

Chinese 1130-1230 6065 9770
1300-1400 1170 5975 6135 7275
2000-2100 5975
2300-2400 5975 7275 9805

French 0800-0900 15210
1600-1700 7150
1800-1900 15575
1900-2000 6145

German 0700-0800 15210
2000-2100 3955

Indonesian 1200-1300 9570
1400-1500 9570
2200-2300 9805
0000-0100 9805

Japanese 0000-0100 11810
0800-0900 5975 7275
1100-1200 7275
1200-1300 1170 5975 6135
1400-1500 5975 7275

Korean 0100-0200 15575
0300-0400 11810
0700-0800 9535
0900-1000 15210
0900-1100 9570 9640
1000-1100 1170
1200-1300 7275
1400-1500 9650
1600-1800 7275 15575
1700-1900 5975 7150 7275 9515
2100-2300 5975

Russian 1100-1200 1170 5975 6135
1600-1700 9515
1800-1900 15360
1900-2000 7150 9515
2000-2100 7275

Vietnamese 1500-1530 9640
1230-1300 9770
(DX Mix News, Bulgaria/F. Hillton, SC)

Listener's competition from Radio Moldova Int'l

For those that enjoy competition, here's your chance to test your knowledge about Moldova. entitled "Discover the Republic of Moldova"

The competition will extend until August 27, 2006, when the station marks 15 years since the declaration of independence of the Republic of Moldova.

The competition has 15 stages. Twice a week, 3 questions of the competition will be announced in the Monday and Friday programmes which will be also available at our website at www.trm.md. The first two questions will focus on general information about Moldova, while the third one will reffer to stories, broadcast during the two stages. Please send your answers to the questions by email to moldova-international@mail.md within a week time. Each answer will be scored from 0 to 3 points, depending on correctness and complexity.

The participant who gained the biggest number of points will win the competition. The management of the Public Company Teleradio Moldova decided to award the winner of the competition a 3 day visit to Moldova, during the Wine Festival, held traditionally in October each year. The winners of the 2 and 3 place will get nice presents - craftsmanship works, CDs with moldovan music and souvenirs from Moldova. Do not miss the chance to visit Moldova! Participate in the competition. "Discover the Republic of Moldovaö

I.
1. Describe as detailed as possible the geographical placement of the Republic of Moldova.
2. What colors are on the Republic of Moldova national flag?
3. What is the name of the Moldovan guitar player and composer, who is working and living in USA for 16 years?

II.
Dear friends, we announce the questions for the second stage of the contest: ô Discover the Republic of Moldova:

1. What is the surface of the Republic of Moldova?
2. When did the Republic of Moldova became an UNO member?
3. What is the most famous wine collection from Moldova?

III.
Dear friends, we thank everyone who is participating in the contest: ½ Discover the Republic of Moldova, initiated by Radio Moldova International on the occasion of the 15th anniversary since the proclamation of independence of the Republic of Moldova. Due to the requests of several listeners we decided to change the days for announcing the questions. So, the questions will be broadcasted on Monday and Thursday. You can find them on the web page at: www.trm.md. Here are the questions for the third stage of the contest:

1. Who is the most famous medieval ruler of Moldova?
2. What is the governing regime of the Republic of Moldova?
3. Name all the Moldovan newspapers that you know.

IV.
The 4th Stage:
1. How many heads of the state had the Republic of Moldova till present?
2. What is the dominant religion in the Republic of Moldova?
3. Name the greatest Moldovan enterprise (producer) of clothes.

(Source: T. Banks/ www.trm.md/radio/conc_en.html

Hot Spot DXing - Military Communications

Things are still brewing in the Middle East, and we continue to receive good response from the Hot Spot DXing posting of July 14th. If you're interested in monitoring the utility side of the conflict, click over to http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com.
GVH

Radio France Int'l plans freq testing

RFI informs that they will perform DRM test transmissions via the new 150 kW DRM / 250 kW AM transmitter in these days between 1900 and 2145 UTC as follows:

- 21645 kHz to Europe on 17, 20, 24, 26 and 28 July,

- 15795 kHz to Brazil on 18, 21, 25 and 27 July.

Receptions reports are welcomed to the e-mail: Jacques.Gruson@tdf.fr

(Source: HCDX)

Radio Tirana plans freq test July 17-18

From Cumbre comes word that Radio Tirana is planning to test new 7450 kHz from tonight the 17th UTC into the 18th UTC to North America due to reported - and heard -RTTY interference on 7455 kHz.

The schedule is Albanian 2300-0030 and English 0145-0200 and 0230-0300 with
6115 in parallel as usual from Shijak.

Reception reports will be most appreciated by the station via e-mail to
dcico@icc.al.eu.org and QSL's are available if you ask.

Noel R. Green (NW England/Cumbre DX)

Push to declare VOA-Bethany 'historical significance'

Trustee Catherine Stoker and several residents will travel to Columbus, Ohio, next month to urge that the Voice of America building in West Chester Township be declared a place of national historical significance. Such a designation would qualify it for potentially millions of dollars in federal grants and funding. The building is the last remnant of the VOA Bethany shortwave transmitting station that operated from 1944 to 1994.

Read the story in The Enquirer at: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060717/NEWS01/607170334/1056
(Source: R.Netherlands Media Network weblog)

RFA releases new Marconi QSL card

RADIO FREE ASIA RELEASES ITS ELEVENTH QSL CARD
JULY 2006
RFA’s Technical Operations Division is proud to announce the release of the company’s eleventh QSL card in honor of the Father of Radio, Guglielmo Marconi. The card is scheduled for distribution from July 1 to August 31, 2006. Marconi was born on April 25, 1874, in Bologna, Italy. In 1901, people still thought the curvature of the earth would prevent radio signals from traveling more than 200 miles, but in July of 1901, Marconi was able to transmit across the Atlantic Ocean; this helped accelerate the development of the wireless industry. In 1909 Marconi shared the Nobel Prize for physics with Karl Ferdinand Braun. More information about Marconi, his life, and his work is available at the following Internet link: http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1909/marconi-bio.htmlRadio Free Asia (RFA) is a private, nonprofit corporation that broadcasts news and information to listeners in Asian countries where full, accurate, and timely news reports are unavailable. Created by Congress in 1994 and incorporated in 1996, RFA currently broadcasts in Burmese, Cantonese, Khmer, Korean to North Korea, Lao, Mandarin, the Wu dialect, Vietnamese, Tibetan (Uke, Amdo, and Kham), and Uyghur. RFA strives for accuracy, balance, and fairness in its editorial content. As a ‘surrogate’ broadcaster, RFA provides news and commentary specific to each of its target countries, acting as the free press these countries lack. RFA broadcasts only in local languages and dialects, and most of its broadcasts comprise news of specific local interest.
RFA encourages listeners to submit reception reports. Reception reports are valuable to RFA as they help us evaluate the signal strength and quality of our transmissions. Radio stations, like RFA, usually confirm accurate reception reports by mailing a QSL card.
RFA welcomes all reception report submissions at www.techweb.rfa.org (follow the QSL REPORTS link) not only from DX’ers, but also from its general listening audience. Reception reports are also accepted by email at qsl@rfa.org, and for anyone without Internet access, reception reports can be mailed to:

Reception Reports
Radio Free Asia
2025 M. Street NW, Suite 300
Washington DC 20036
United States of America.

Upon request, RFA will also send a copy of the current broadcast schedule and a station sticker.

(Source: DSWCI/DX Window)

WRNO said to be active on shortwave ...?

CBS Channel 11 in Dallas-Forth Worth has reported that WRNO is broadcasting via shortwave radio, but has the shortwave listening audience heard them? The following story still has hobbyist wondering.

(CBS 11 News) FORT WORTH An American broadcaster wants to make a difference during the Middle East crisis. His short-wave radio station is headquartered in Fort Worth, but millions of people all over the world are tuning in to hear a message of peace and understanding.
Robert Mawire is monitoring the crisis, and he’s working hard to make sure that peace returns to the region. His efforts to reach millions of people who have little or no access to modern technology originates from downtown Fort Worth, inside one of the city’s tallest buildings. A worldwide radio empire is sending out a message.
“Without freedom, it is difficult to accomplish anything,” says Mawire. “We are pleased to say that we are a part of the war on terror -- not as antagonizing, but as explaining.”
Dr. Robert Mawire, chairman and CEO of WRNO Worldwide, has the potential to reach more than a billion people throughout the world. He can reach so many because of the popularity of short-wave radio. But it’s those in the Middle East that his message is geared to.
“What's needed in the Middle East is reconciliation, working together trying to find a common ground,” he says.
Mawire has a 15-minute show, which lately has focused on his recent trip to Israel – a trip that ended the day the unrest began.
“All the Israelis who I've talked to from the Prime Minister who I know personally, the generals in the army, they all want peace and they want peace now,” he says.
Mawire, who’s worked with three Israeli prime ministers, knows that the conflict cannot be solved overnight. It’s a point he tries to get across on his daily broadcasts. But he believes that peace in the Middle East cannot happen without the world’s superpower – America – stepping in. Before we can do that, Mawire says, it’s important that militant Muslims hear his message: “To give the people an understanding of America, what we stand for, that we are not against Muslims or the Muslim world.”
Mawire tells us that short-wave radios, while not popular in the United States, are owned by one of every six people in the world. The format is important because it is cheap, portable and broadcasts cannot be blocked by governments.
(CBS 11 News/R. Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Gayle Van Horn: I've yet to see any reports of WRNO being active on shortwave again. If indeed, wouldn't a time of operation or frequencies have been helpful in the article? There's no mention that the transmitters are located in Metarie, Louisiana, or when WRNO resumed service after years of being inactive. They supposedly had plans to return "sometime in 2006", but we heard that last year as well. So what's the deal Mr. Mawire? Have you moved lock, stock and barrel to Fort Worth? And how about that comment from him "that shortwave radios" not being popular in the United States? Is he for real ?
At one time, WRNO was using 7355 and 15420 kHz targeted to North and Central America. This one is definately one to watch for ...or to monitor, and would welcome any feedback. More on WRNO as news warrants.

Hot Spot DXing - Middle East

Egypt and Iran have been added to the Hot Spot DXing list. Both are countries to watch during this continued conflict between Israel and the Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel destroyed Hezbollah headquarters in Beirut today, and tightened it's seal on Lebanon, blasting it's air and road links to the outside world to punish the guerrilla group-and with it the country, for the capture of two Israeli soldiers.Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, repeated a threat to hit the coastal city of Haifa and other towns farther south. "We will reach Haifa, and believe me, even beyond Haifa." Hundreds of people poured into the Gaza strip from Egypt on Friday after Palestinians blew a hole in the border seperating the two places, an Associated Press reporter said at the scene. The border has largely been closed since June 25 when Palestinians militants carried out a cross-border raid on a military outpost, kiling two Israeli soldiers and capturing one. Hundreds of people have been stranded on the Egyptian side of the border,unable to get to their homes in Gaza. With Syria, and Iran in full support of the Hezbollah, tensions will likely increase, and both could have a larger role should war be declared.The Prime Minister of Israel said today that Israel will not hault it's offensive in Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed.
Besides the current Kol Israel schedule, I have added Israel's Galei Tzahal (Israel Defence Forces Radio). The station is an Israeli nation-wide radio network owned by the Israel Defence Forces. The station broadcast on AM, FM and shortwave. The shortwave programming may be heard as:
Hebrew / UTC
1900-0400 6973 kHz targeted to Europe
0400-1900 15785 kHz targeted to Europe
Their Hebrew website is located at: www.glz.co.il

The following English schedules reflect MT's most recent schedule for Egypt, Iran, Israel (Kol Israel) and Syria. Lebanon is currently inactive on shortwave.
UTC, kHz, target areas: va (various areas) eu (Europe) al (alternate freq), na (North America) af (Africa) as (Asia) am (Americas)

Egypt - Radio Cairo
0000-0030 11950na
0200-0300 7270na
0300-0330 7270na
1215-1300 17835as
1300-1330 17835as
1600-1700 11740af
1700-1800 11740af
2000-2100 15375af
2100-2130 15375af
2115-2200 9990eu
2200-2245 9990eu
2300-0000 11950na

Iran - V.O.I.R.I (Voice of Islamic Republic)
0130-0200 7235am 9495am
0200-0230 7235am 9495am
1030-1100 15600as 17660as
1100-1130 15600as 17660as
1530-1600 7350as 9635as 11650al
1600-1630 7350as 9635as 11650al
1930-2000 6205eu 7205eu 7540af 9800af 9925af 11860a
l2000-2030 6205eu 7205eu 7540af 9800af 9925af 11860al

Israel - Kol Israel
0330-0345 9345va 7530va 17600va
0930-0945 13680eu 15760eu
1730-1745 9345va 11590va 13675va
1900-1925 9400va 11590va 15640va

Syria - Radio Damascus
2005-2100 9330eu 12085eu 13610al
2100-2200 9330eu 12085eu 136 10al
2200-2210 9330eu 12085eu