Radio Netherlands Program Preview

Radio Netherlands Saturday 29 July - Friday 4 August 2006

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

SATURDAY 29 JULY

*** Weekend 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 with Atalanta"
Ten years ago, two young women were studying law - one in The Netherlands and the other in Latvia. Years later their lives would intersect in what the United Nations has called the fastest growing criminal activity in the world: human trafficking. Both women have written books about their experiences - one as a researcher and the other as a victim of trafficking. And both women are critical of the Dutch system which tends to view the victims themselves as criminals.
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 30 JULY
*** Amsterdam Forum ***
This week's Amsterdam Forum features controversial author Salman Rushdie. He talks about his latest novel - Shalimar the Clown, described as one of the keys books of our time. It's a novel that delves deep into the roots of terrorism in the post 9/11 world. This programme comes to you in conjunction with our partners, Dutch broadcaster VPRO. 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 31 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 ***
The relationship between North and South Korea is fractious, to say the least. One blatant visual reminder of this unease is the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a 4km wide corridor which snakes across the Korean peninsular for 250km. But this heavily fortified strip, untouched by humans since 1953, has become a sanctuary for wildlife, including some of the region's endangered species. On this week's Research File, we speak to Professor KC Kim, about efforts to study and protect this paradise.
Also on the show, we visit a self managing waste dump, uncover how much we don't know about food allergies and find out what lives in molten sulphur lakes on the ocean floor. That's all on Research File with Marnie Chesterton.
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 1 AUGUST
*** 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 ***
"Paedophilia"
Euroquest this week looks at the contentious issue of paedophilia. A report on Irish protests against the court technicality that may set a paedophile free. The fight against child pornography in the Netherlands, including the growing and controversial role of polygraphs. And, in the interest of balance, an interview with the leader of Holland's new pro-paedophile party.
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 2 AUGUST
*** 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 ***
"Casting The Net"
Lough Neagh in Ireland can boast being the sole surviving major wild eel fishery in Europe. Until recently its annual output has been counted in the hundreds of tonnes and most of it goes to the Netherlands. However, the past couple of decades has seen a ninety per cent decline in the numbers of eels coming into the Lough after their long migration from the Sargasso sea in the Caribbean. This has been blamed on a number of factors. The straightening of rivers, hydro-electric schemes and pesticides, but there have also been changes in the Atlantic Ocean and its currents.
In this week's documentary "Casting The Net", Laura Haydon looks at the Loch Neagh eel industry and its fight for survival.
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 3 AUGUST
*** 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 ***
Dutch Horizons goes shopping for a cause! At a prime location in The Hague you'll find the first Dutch "Charity" store, where organisations such as the World Wild Life Fund, Plan and Cordaid are selling their wares. Formerly homeless women are making cool designer clothes at the "fashion-with-a-mission" project in Nijmegen.
And how networking is helping migrants in the Netherlands. If you leave your home, it can be hard to recreate a supportive group of people. A handful of migrants, highly educated and professional, had the idea that with a few Dutch people they could form their own network, and - in a small way - start changing Dutch 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)

FRIDAY 4 AUGUST
*** 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 ***
One in three women will experience violence in their lifetime. That means all of us must know a woman who has been a victim of violence. Yet talking about violence against women - whether it be at the hands of the state, the community or the family - still remains a taboo in many societies. In a Good Life Special, one woman breaks her silence and tells the story of her violent rape at the hands of three men in Nigeria. Plus we hear from a Dutch organisation trying to diminish violence against women in Holland.
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 Media Network Weblog)

'Porn Radio' station replaces Christian radio

Probably the most extreme format change of all time has taken place on a radio station in Kingsburg, near Fresno, California. KFYE-FM was a Christian radio station, broadcasting Christian music, sermons and readings from the Bible. But last month the station was sold, and the new owner decided to change the format. Shocked listeners tuning into the station’s frequency, 93,7 FM, could be forgiven for thinking that someone had hijacked the station’s transmitter. Because what they heard was ‘’Porn Radio'’ - ‘’all sex radio, all the time,'’ warning people under 21 not to listen.

It isn’t clear if this is a permanent format change, or simply a publicity stunt. So far, KYFE has been playing the same one-hour compilation over and over again, without advertisements. The songs all have suggestive titles and/or lyrics, such as ‘’Why Don’t We Do It in the Road'’ by The Beatles, ‘’Sexual Healing'’ by Marvin Gaye and ‘’Nasty'’ by Janet Jackson. The station has added moans and groans to some tracks.

New station owner Jerry Clifton has refused to say what his plans are for the station, but the national publicity he has generated will certainly not have gone unnoticed at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which recently increased the levels of fines for indecency on radio and TV broadcasts. We think that Mr Clifton’s intention was to signal a clear break with the station’s previous audience, and shock them into tuning elsewhere, while at the same time attracting a lot of attention. Mr Clifton is quoted as saying that “the station tries not to cross the line.” Whether the FCC agrees remains to be seen.
(Source: R. Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Shock Jock 'Mancow' Axed

In the 1970s, a new and outrageous kind of radio disc jockey began to appear on many American radio stations. Wildly creative, often pushing the edges of acceptable taste, "shock jocks," as they were called, attracted a big following. But their radio days may be numbered. You see, Mancow has been put out to pasture.

Erich "Mancow" Muller, a loud, confrontational morning-show host, has been fired by his Chicago radio station -- not for any one rant on the air, but on general principles. Like many other U.S. stations, WKQX-FM grew weary of listener complaints, threats from the federal agency that regulates broadcasting, and nervous phone calls from the advertisers who pay the station's bills. These companies just don't want their products associated with ribald humor or politically raw commentary. It was Mancow, after all, who one day last year called the chairman of the Democratic Party a "bloodthirsty" and "evil" fellow who "should be tried for treason."

But a much more telling reason why Mancow was kicked off the air -- and why even more scandalous shock jocks like Howard Stern have moved to satellite radio, out of the reach of government regulation -- is that it's simply hard to shock an audience any longer.

"Look at the Internet," the Chicago Tribune newspaper quotes Michael Harrison, the publisher of a talk-radio trade magazine. "Look at billboards. Look at movies. Look at cable television. . . . There's nothing shocking any more."

Besides, as a competing Chicago broadcaster points out, when federal government fines for indecency are starting to reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, "that can certainly be the death knell for shock-jock sorts of antics."

"Mancow" Muller says he'd be willing to, as he puts it, "redefine himself" in light of today's touchier sensibilities.

Might it even be possible to be entertaining without being offensive, as generations of commentators and humorists were able to do? Now THAT would be provocative!

Source:VOA.COM/www.q101.com/mancow/index.aspx

Christian radio station to hit the Irish airwaves

Ireland's first Christian radio station will hit the airwaves next year

The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) today started advertising for applications to run the quasi-national religious broadcasting service.
Focusing on general religious affairs, the dedicated station will target listeners over the age of 15. A 10-year contract will be awarded to the successful broadcaster.
A BCI spokesman said broadcasting hours and a launch date will be decided on following detailed submissions from applicants.
Broadcast primarily on the AM band û with supplemental low power VHF-FM transmitter stations û it is hoped it will reach almost every household in the country.
The application process is expected to take up to six months to complete.
(Source: Irish Examiner)

Additional news from Radio Netherlands Media Network Weblog reports the following:
The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) has invited applications for the provision of a new quasi-national Christian and religious sound broadcasting service. The service will be broadcast primarily on the AM band with supplemental low power VHF-FM transmitter stations. It will have a broad format and will focus on general religious and Christian affairs of relevance to listeners in the 15+ age group in the State. A ten year contract will be awarded to a successful applicant. The closing date for the receipt of applications is Wednesday 25th October.
(Source: Broadcasting Commission of Ireland via Ray Woodward)

New Brattleboro community radio on the air soon

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. --A new community radio station has received a permit to install an antenna that will allow it to broadcast talk shows and music without commercials.

Organizers of Brattleboro Community Radio hope to be on the air by the end of the summer.

"We've got 50 program hosts all trained and ready to go. The studio is 90 percent complete," said Ken Brace, a member of Vermont Earthworks, the nonprofit that applied for a broadcasting license five years ago.

The station would be run by volunteers.

Brattleboro Community Radio plans to broadcast from a downtown studio at 107.7 FM.

The community station is intended to be a successor to radio free brattleboro, a 10-watt community station that was shut down by the FCC last year for operating without a license.

The Brattleboro Development Review Board approved the site plan for Brattleboro Community Radio on July 17, said Zoning Administrator Alice Herrick.

The station's 30-foot antenna, the minimum size for broadcasting, will likely be installed on the roof of Brooks House in downtown Brattleboro.

It's costing about $30,000 to set up the station, Brace said.

The station will be funded with donations and members' dues, Brace said.
------
(Source: Rutland Herald www.rutlandherald.com/)

Joe B. & Denny Show moves to Lexington

HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
The Joe B. & Denny Show is moving to a new home in Lexington.

Starting Aug. 8, the daily radio sports talk show that features former basketball coaches Joe B. Hall and Denny Crum will be heard live (10 a.m. to noon, Monday-Friday) on Cumulus Broadcasting's WLRO (101.5 FM).

Presently, the show is heard on a taped-delay basis (8-10 p.m.) on Clear Channel Communications-owned WLAP (630-AM).

Dick Robinson, program manager for the syndicated Joe B. & Denny Show, said a desire to get the program on live in Kentucky's second largest radio market motivated the switch.

"For the past year, we've been tape-delayed and Central Kentucky listeners can't call in, can't participate," he said.

The show made its debut in March of 2004. It is now on 21 stations (20 in Kentucky and one in West Virginia) and is live in 17 markets, Robinson said. Besides Lexington, the show is also tape delayed in Murray, London and Cadiz.

For the first year, The Joe B. & Denny Show was on live in the Lexington market on Clear Channel's WTKT (1580-AM). But when that station went from an all-sports to an all-Spanish language format, Joe B. and Denny had to move.

All four of Clear Channel's FM stations in Lexington feature music formats. That left only WLAP, the company's Lexington flagship. During the day, that station does news talk, not sports.

"Clear Channel worked very hard with us to try to make (a live broadcast) happen," Robinson said. "They just didn't have any place to put us."

In Louisville, the show is carried live on a Clear Channel all-sports station, WKRD (790-AM). Clear Channel's Dave Jennings is the host of the program.

Clear Channel officials in Louisville gave their approval, Robinson said, for the Joe B. & Denny Show to seek a Lexington station owned by a different company.

So it is moving to the station that Cumulus is now calling 101.5 The Planet and which will feature a talk-radio format heavy on (but not exclusively of) sports.

In addition to Joe B. and Denny, 101.5 will also carry Eastern Kentucky University football and men's basketball; a high school football and basketball "Game of the Week;" and national programming (such as The Jim Rome Show) from Fox.

The Joe B. & Denny Show "gets very, very strong ratings in Louisville," said Robert Lindsey, operations director for Cumulus-Lexington. "It gets pretty respectable ratings here even taped. I have a feeling the show is really going to take off by being on live."

(Source: Lexington-Herald Leader)

Radio Japan plans to scale down international radio

Text of report in English by Japanese news agency Kyodo

Tokyo, 25 July: Japan Broadcasting Corp (NHK) said Tuesday [25 July] it plans to cut radio programmes for Italian, German, Swedish and Malay speakers to shift emphasis on television programmes for its international services, marking the first reduction in the number of languages used to run its programmes.

Currently, NHK transmits shortwave radio programmes in 22 languages. The reduction is scheduled to take effect in October next year.

Shortwave radio programmes for Europe, excluding Russia, and for North America and Hawaii will also be trimmed, according to NHK. French programmes will be limited to audiences in Africa and those in Spanish restricted to Latin America, it said.

The move comes along with a decline in demand for those radio programmes, according to NHK. Television and the internet are taking on greater roles than radio in Europe and North America, it said.

More than 100m yen [856,000 US dollars] will be saved as a result of these reductions and the funds will be used to increase programmes in English, according to NHK.

(Source: Kyodo News Service, Tokyo, in English 1238 gmt 25 Jul 06 via BBC Monitoring/R. Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Blog Logs - Clandestines

Clandestine broadcasts, operated by military organizations or anti-establishment political groups, are often subject to abrupt change or termination. The following loggings represent clandestines that have been monitored recently.

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

kHz/ UTC
5109.9 Jamma Kashmir 1400, strong w/ hum interference. (VG, SLK)
7250 Degar Voice *1300-1310 ID & talk in Vietnamese. (KH, JPN)
7315 IBC Tamil 0013-0100 ID, tlk, mx Unk lang (MT, WI)
9355 R. Free Asia to Laos. 1144-1200 ID, tlk in Lao. (CS, NC)
9785 Shiokaze/Sea Breeze (via Taiwan) 2033-2100* Japanese tlk (AP,DNK)
9855 Shiokaze/Sea Breeze (via Taiwan) *1030-1057* Japanese. (AS, ARG)
9905 R. Nile to Sudan 0431-0500*. Mx & tlk ID // 12060. (RD, PA)
11530 Denge Mesopotamia (via DTK T-Systems) 1202+ (AS, ARG)
11665 Radio Solh (via Dhbbaya, United Arab Emirates). 0235-0305 Pashto.(AP, DNK)
11750 Freedom North Korea Broadcast (via Taiwan) 0952-1000*; 1000-1012 (RH, CA)
11765 Sound of Hope (via Tiawan) 1605-1700 Tlk under jammer w/ ID.(MT, WI)
11805 IBRA Radio (Petropavlovsk) Brif mx & tlk. Chinese. (GD, WI)
11805 Sudan R Service 0315-0342 ID 0326 Fair. (D'Angelo)
11865 Radio Huriyo 1630-1652 good signal SINPO 54554. (JR, SP)
15565, Voice of Democratic Path of Etiopian Unity (t), 1920 Vernacular SINPO 34433. (Slaen)
15650 Voice of Oromia Independence (via DTK T-Systems) *1500-1530* Oromo/Amharic. (AP, DNK)
1550 MW, Tindouf (?), Algeria, Polisario Front, 0845-0900* ArabicSINPO 54454. (Gonçalves)

Source:
T. Akabayashi, Japan/DX Window
R. D'Angelo, PA/NASWA Flash Sheet
G. Dexter, WI/NASWA Flash Sheet
C. Gonçalves, Portugal/DX Window
V. Goonetilleke,Sri Lanka/DX Window
K. Hashimoto, Japan/JPNpremium/WWDX-Top News
I. Ivanov/R Bulgaria DX MIX News, Sofia, Bulgaria/DX Window
R. Howard, CA/DX Window
A. Petersen, Denmark/DX Window
J. Romero, Spain/Cumbre DX
A. Slaen, Argentina
C. Shemanski, NC/NASWA Flash Sheet
M. Taylor, WI/NASWA Flash Sheet

Media program Spotlight-DXers Unlimited

Media programs remain a popular source via shortwave radio to hear the latest on propagation, DX news, receiver reviews, trends in amateur radio and frequency announcements.

Today's focus is on DXers Unlimited. The popular program is written, produced and hosted by Arnie Coro CO2KK of Radio Havana Cuba.

Arnie presents the most up-to-date HF propagation forecast, as well as technical topics, amateur radio news, contest, and news on unusual band openings. A Question and Answer segment is included in an easy to understand style for the beginner or advanced hobbyists.

DXers Unlimited broadcast twice weekly Tuesday-Wednesday and Saturday-Sunday on the following schedules: UTC / kHz
Tuesday 2105 - 9505, 11760
Tuesday 2335 - 9550

Wednesday 0135 - 6000, 9820
Wednesday 0335 - 6000, 9820
Wednesday 0530 - 6000, 9550, 9820, 1760

Saturday 2105 - 9505, 11760
Saturday 2330 - 9550

Sunday 0140 - 6000, 9820
Sunday 0335 - 6000, 9820
Sunday 0530 - 6000, 9550, 9820, 11760

Comments and questions may be directed to Arnie at: arnie@radiohc.org

Next Spotlight, I'll focus on another media program to keep you informed on the radio hobby.

(Source: schedule/Media Program/ODXA Listening In/Aug 06)

Armenia announces end of shortwave

Last week the Voice of Armenia announced during their German broadcast on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, they plan to leave shortwave soon. No date was given which leaves the shortwave listening audience left to speculate if they plan to close their service "soon" or broadcast until the end of 2006. As news becomes available I'll post it to the blog. Their only English broadcast is currently at 1910-1930 UTC on 4810 kHz and 9960 kHz, targeted to Europe.
GVH

DTK-T Systems - summer frequency update

The following listings represent recent schedule adjustments for the summer period. This is not a complete list of all the station's that use the facilities of DTK-Systems. DTK operate transmitters in Germany, leased by numerous worldwide shortwave stations. Located in northwest Germany, DTK-T Systems, is recognized as one of the leading transmission sites in Europe.
Reception verifications may be requested by writing T-Systems, or email reception reports to: Walter Brodowsky walterbrodowsky@t-systems.com or address correspondence to:
Rundfunksendestelle Jülich
Merscher Höehe D-52428 Jülich, Germany

UTC/ freq kHz/ target areas
af-Africa as-Asia
eu-Europe
me-Middle East
na-North America
oc-Oceania
sa-South America

(transmitter site) language

IBC Tamil Radio:
0000-0100 7315as (WER 250 kW) Tamil

Gospel For Asia
0030-0130 9435as (WER 250 kW) south east Asian languages
1330-1430 13860as (WER 500 kW) south east Asian languages
1430-1530 13745as (WER 250 kW) south east Asian languages
1530-1630 13750as (WER 250 kW) south east Asian languages
2330-0030 9640as (WER 250 kW) south east Asian languages

Radio Free Asia
0100-0300 11975as (WER 250 kW) Tibetan

Voice of Russia
0100-0300 5945me (WER) Russian (Russ.Inter.Radio)
1400-1500 15430me (JUL) Russian (Commonwealth)
1900-2100 5985me (JUL) Russian (Russ.Inter.Radio)
1900-2100 9825me (JUL) Russian (Russ.Inter.Radio)
2000-2100 7155me (WER) Russian (Russ.Inter.Radio)
2200-2300 6145me (WER) Arabic

Hrvatska Radio/Voice of Croatia
0100-0500 9925na (NAU) Croatian/English/Spanish
0400-0700 9470oc (WER) Croatian/English/Spanish
0600-1000 13820oc (JUL) Croatian/English/Spanish
2200-0300 9925sa (WER) Croatian/English/Spanish
2300-0300 9925na (WER) Croatian/English/Spanish

Radio Canada International
0200-0300 5955me (WER) Arabic
0300-0400 7260me (WER) Arabic
1500-1600 15360as (WER) English
1800-1900 9530af (WER) English
1800-1900 13730af (WER) English
2000-2100 11765eu (WER) English

CVC International
0500-0600 9430af (WER) English
0600-0900 15640af (WER) English
1500-1800 15715af (WER) English
1800-2100 13820af (WER) English
1200-1400 17860 as (JUL)English (closes 31 August)
1400-1700 15795as (JUL) English (closes 31 August)
1200-1500 13830eu (JUL) English
1500-1700 13800eu (JUL) English

Radio Liberty
0200-0300 9775as (WER) Persian (Radio Farda)
0400-0500 15255as (WER) Persian (Radio Farda)
0500-0700 9510as (WER) Persian (Radio Farda)
1200-1300 15205eu (WER) Russian
1500-1700 9725eu (JUL) Belorussian
1600-1700 13815as (WER) Turkmen
1900-2000 9650as (WER) Tatar

Radio Netherlands
0600-0655 11665eu (JUL) Dutch (closes 1 Sept.)

Deutsche Welle
0600-1000 6140eu (JUL) English
1300-1600 6140eu (JUL) English

BCE Radio Luxembourg
0900-1700 7295eu (NAU) German (DRM)

The Overcomer Ministries
900-1100 6110eu (JUL) English
1200-1400 6110eu JUL) English
1400-1600 13810va (as/me) English
1800-2000 13855af ( JUL) English

WYFR/Family Radio
1500-1600 15750af (WER) English
1600-1700 15750af (WER) Amharic
1600-1800 9925me (JUL) Turkish
1700-1800 3955eu (JUL) German
1700-1800 15750af (WER) Swahili
1700-1800 13840af (JUL) Arabic
1800-1900 15750af (WER) English
2000-2100 9705me (JUL) Arabic
2000-2100 11895af (JUL) French

CBS Radio Taiwan International
1600-1700 9760eu (JUL) Russian
2000-2100 5975eu (NAU) Spanish

Minivan (Independent) Radio
1600-1700 13620as (JUL) Dhivehi

Voice of America
1630-1800 6040as (WER) Persian
1700-1830 9770as (WER) Persian
1700-1900 7105as (WER) Persian
1730-1800 mtwhf 11905af (WER) Afan/Oromo
1730-1800 7170as (WER) Azeri
1800-1845 11905af (WER) Amharic

HCJB
1700-1800 6015eu (JUL) German

IBRA Radio
1730-1800 15450af (JUL) Somali
1730-1830 11880af (NAU) Swahili
1800-1900 13840af (WER) Arabic
1830-1845 11880af (NAU) English
1900-2045 9675af (JUL) Hausa/French/Bambara/Wolof
2000-2100 9840af (JUL) Arabic

Democratic Voice of Burma
2330-0030 9490as (WER) Burmese

(DX Mix News, Bulgaria/F. Hillton, SC)

Summer shortwave frequency adjustments

The following revisions represent frequency adjustments made for the summer schedule period.

Albania-Radio Tirana
Frequency changes from 18 July
0000-0030 7450na English (ex 7455)
0145-0200 7450na English (ex 7455)
0230-0300 7450na English (ex 7455)
2300-0000 7450na English (ex 7455)

Germany-Deutsche Welle
Deleted DRM transmission from 1 July
0400-0500 9690
0500-0600 9690

Netherlands-Radio Netherlands
1300-1357 5910 Dutch (ex 5880)

Russia-Voice of Russia
1500-1600 11645 Arabic (ex 12005 to avoid Radio Tunisia)
1700-1800 9615 Polish (ex 5925)

USA-WYFR/Family Radio
Frequency changes from 3 July
1000-1100 7150 Japanese (ex 7380)
1300-1500 9415 English (ex 7580)
1500-1700 9415 Hindi (ex 7580
1800-1900 5925 Polish (ex 5925)

Vatican State-Vatican Radio
Frequency change for Vatican Radio from 15 July
1230-1300 5905 Russian (ex 6210)

(DX Mix News, Bulgaria/F. Hillton, SC)

Will Slovakia return to shortwave ?

Now that Radio Slovakia International has left the shortwave world, comes word they "could" return to shortwave. No mention of time was released, but considering there is far more to this than just a simple resumption of service, bets are off it would be anytime soon. Our news comes from Radio Netherlands, and will likely set the hobbyists with a bevy of opinions.
GVH

Radio Slovakia International (RSI) reports that Culture Minister Marek Madaric, speaking at a news conference in Bratislava on Thursday after meeting President Ivan Gasparovic, has given notice of a return to state contributions for the public media. “This could be done via a contract between the public media and parliament,” he said. According to Madaric, the contract would define the state media’s role, programme orientation and funding. He also spoke about restoring RSI to shortwave although no timescale was mentioned.
(Source: R. Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

First DRM radio to begin in Europe this October

After a long wait, a major manufacturer has at last announced plans to release what it calls “the first DRM Radio” in Europe in October 2006. The DRM-40 will have DRM coverage on longwave, mediumwave and shortwave. It will also have DAB coverage, which Sangean describes as “the digital alternative for the FM band.” We think this is actually a misleading description, as the DRM Consortium is working on extending the DRM specification to include the current FM band, whereas DAB uses much higher frequencies. The radio will have RDS, according to Sangean. There’s also a USB connection and an SD-card slot, meaning that the radio can play and record MP3 files. The DRM-40 uses the same case as the existing DPR-1 DAB receiver, which means the size will be 180×260x90 mm. Sangean says the weight will be 1700 gramm. The recommended retail price in Europe, including VAT, will be 299 euros. The website gives the following capsule summary of the features:

RM / DAB Band III / FM / AM / LW / SW
RDS, AMSS and Radio text or DLS
MP3 Playback and recording on SD
Humane wake System on Radio or Buzzer Alarm
12 Alarm Settings
Timed recording
Clock with Auto Update
EPG, Pause Plus, SPDIF and Key Lock
6 Presets for each Wavesband
with SD slot and USB connection
with SAI und USB connection
with RF-antenna and BAR Antenna
Audio Out and headphone Connection
With AC-adapter / operates also on DC (Batteries not included)
We hope to acquire and test one of these radios as soon as they become available.

In the UK, this radio will be sold as the Roberts MP40. It’s not clear if there are any differences in the specification. Some years ago the boss of Sangean visited Radio Netherlands, and at that time he told us that Sangean would make customised versions for any OEM customer ordering a minimum of 500 units.

Sangean Europe www.sangean.nl/English/
(Source: R. Netherlands Media Network Weblog; photo courtesy of Radio Intel.Com)

This sounds like great news, at least for the Europeans..maybe the US will follow.
GVH

Bangladesh testing new frequency

According to DSWCI-DX Window, Bangladesh has been noted testing from the following logging:

BANGLADESH 4750kHz, The Home Service of Radio Bangladesh was noted yesterday 12 July 2006 on 4750 at around 1430 UTC (parallel to 693 kHz MW). Off by 1600 UTC when I checked. They were testing this frequency and 4880kHz very recently along with 41 meter frequencies.
(Jose Jacob-IND, DXindia July 13)

News in English 1530-1555 on 4750, on July 15.
(Rumen Pankov-BUL, WWDX BC-DX /Top News)

Additional English and multi languages from the following schedules.
GVH

UTC kHz target areas: as-Asia eu-Europe me-Middle East

English:
1230-1300 7185as
1745-1800 7185eu (Voice of Islam)
1800-1815 7185eu (Voice of Islam)
1815-1900 7185eu

Multi:
1315-1345 7185as (Nepali)
1400-1430 7185as (Urdu)
1515-1545 7185as (Hindu)
1600-1630 7185me (Arabic)
1630-1700 7185me (Bangla)
1700-1730 7185me (Bangla)
1915-2000 7185eu (Bangla)

Reception reports or correspondence should be sent to:

Bangladesh Betar
External Service
Bangladesh Betar
Shah Bagh Post Box No. 2204
Dhaka 1000 Bangladesh
(or) 121, Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Enclose two International Reply Coupons or return mint postage are recommended with your reception report.
Web:www.betar.org.bd

August MT column previews

If you're sweltering in the summer heat, why not take some time with a cool beverage and the August copy of Monitoring Times, and forget about the heat!
There is plenty to log from the SWBC Loggings column begining with Bolivia at 0051 UTC, following by some terrific catches from pirates and clandestines, Europe, North and South America and Oceania.
With DX season nearing, it's time to check your records for outstanding reception reports that have yet to verify..and get busy! I'll give you a crash course on writing Follow-Up Reception reports and tips for getting that special QSL.
Of course, you'll find the latest and hottest English shortwave, bi-time frequency schedules. Frequencies are updated monthly and you will not find anything hotter this blazing August!
GVH

North Korea multilingual summer freq schedule

Seems North Korea is at least for now, temporarily off everyone's focus of world events. The following multilingual summer frequency schedule should keep you busy monitoring during the remainder of the summer.
GVH
UTC language freq kHz
Summer schedule for Voice of Korea Pyongyang:
0700 Japanese 3250 9650 11865
0700 Korean 7140 9345
0700 Russian 9975 11735 13760 15245
0800 Chinese 7140 9345
0800 Japanese 3250 9650 11865
0800 Russian 9975 11735 13760 15245
0900 Japanese 3250 6070 9650 11865
0900 Korean 7140 9345 9975 11735 13760 15245
1000 English 11710 11735 13650 15180
1000 Japanese 3250 6070 9650 11865
1000 Korean 7140 9345
1100 Chinese 7140 9345
1100 French 11710 11735 13650 15180
1100 Japanese 3250 6070 9650 11865
1200 Japanese 3250 6070 9650 11865
1200 Korean 7140 9345 11710 11735 13650 15180
1300 Chinese 11735 13650
1300 English 9335 11710 13760 15245
1300 Korean 9325 12015
1400 French 9335 11710 13760 15245
1400 Korean 11735 13650
1400 Russian 9325 12015
1500 Arabic 9990 11545
1500 English 9335 11710 13760 15245
1500 Russian 9325 12015
1600 English 9990 11545
1600 French 9335 11710 13760 15245
1600 German 9325 12015
1700 Arabic 9990 11545
1700 Korean 9335 11710 13760 15245
1700 Russian 9325 12015
1800 English 13760 15245
1800 French 7100 9975 11535 11910
1800 German 9325 12015
1900 English 7100 9975 11535 11910
1900 German 9325 12015
1900 Spanish 13760 15245
2000 French 13760 15245
2000 Korean 7100 9325 9975 11535 11910 12015
2100 Chinese 7180 9345 9975 11535
2100 English 13760 15245
2100 Japanese 3250 9650 11865
2200 Chinese 7180 9345 9975 11535
2200 Japanese 3250 9650 11865
2200 Spanish 13760 15245
2300 Japanese 3250 9650 11865
2300 Korean 7180 9345 9975 11535 13760 15245
0000 Chinese 13650 15100
0000 Korean 7140 9345 9730
0000 Spanish 11735 13760 15180
0100 English 7140 9345 9730 11735 13760 15180
0100 French 13650 15100
0200 Chinese 7140 9345 9730
0200 English 13650 15100
0200 Spanish 11735 13760 15180
0300 Chinese 13650 15100
0300 English 7140 9345 9730
0300 French 11735 13760 15180
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via WWDX BC-DX/WWDX-Top News)

Radio Netherlands Vodcast offer

NETHERLANDS
We are pleased to announce the online release of the Media Network 25th anniversary vodcast produced by Jonathan Marks. Because of the file size, the video has been split into six self-contained parts.
Victor Goonetilleke is interviewed in one of these. You can download any or all of them as you wish. Encoding has been done in Windows Media and QuickTime formats, as we believe most of our users will have one or the other. You will find more details and the download links on this page:
<www.radionetherlands.nl/features/media/mna060511>
(Source: RNW MN NL via Ritola and Goonetilleke; DSWCI/DX Window)

Summer frequency adjustments

The following summer frequency adjustments are for:
Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, Voice of America

1100-1300 RL Russian NF 11700* x11705 >>>*co-ch R.Bulgaria Fr/En/Bulg.
1600-1700 RL Uzbek NF 12150, x11875 KWT, to avoid CRI Russian

2230-2330 RFA Khmer NF 7520, x9490
1400-1500 RFA Vietnamese NF 9310, x11680
2330-0030 RFA Vietnamese NF 7525, x12110

1730-1800 VOA Azeri NF 7595, x7125
1130-1200 VOA Burmese on 11850 15215 17820 >>> cancelled
1430-1530 VOA Burmese on 9330 11910 12120,
x1430-1500 on 5955 12015 12120
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via BC-DX WWDX/Top News)

A closer look at the changing tropical scene

We are approaching the end of the era of domestic broadcasting on the Tropical Bands for two main reasons: The technical standard of a large part of the transmissions in the tropical countries is poor and they cannot be repaired for economical reasons.

In more developed countries the domestic SW transmissions are being replaced by FM-networks. The trend above is clear: Looking three years back the falling trend continues although it has leveled out the past two years. The average number of closed domestic stations per year during 1997-2003 was 44 whereas it was only 14 during 2003-2006.

The extraordinary steep fall at the very end of the 20th century is now replaced by a more "normal" closure of about 15 domestic frequencies per year. This means, that it may last more than 20 years from now, before the last domestic broadcaster closes down on the tropical bands. Countries like Brazil, Peru, China, India, Bolivia and Papua New Guinea are still dominating the tropical bands.

However, it is expected that All India Radio is going to replace SW by FM within a few years. The following list shows closed frequencies which were used previously by domestic, international and clandestine stations.

Stations on the tropical bands which have closed down in 2004-2005, including Clandestines.

kHz kW Station, City, Country, Last log
2470 0,25 R Cacique, Sorocaba, Sao Paulo Brazil AUG04
3025,5 - Frontline Soldiers R, Channel 2 North Korea MAR05
3168,3 0,5 R Naylamp, Lambayeque Peru OCT04
3220 0,012 R Colegio Tecnico Municipal, Ñemby Paraguay AUG04
3259 0,6 NHK, Kasuga JPN MAY05
3300 100 SW Radio Africa, via Meyerton Clandestine APR05
3324,9 1 R Maya, Barillas, Huehuetenango Guatemala OCT04
3346 - Minsk utility station (USB) Belarus FEB05
3365 100 SW Radio Africa, via Meyerton Clandestine MAY05
3366 50 GBC, Accra Ghana JUL04
3373,5 0,3 NHK, Mihara JPN MAY05
3385 10 RRI Kupang, Timor INS OCT04
3607,5 0,9 NHK, Shobu-Kuki, Tokyo JPN MAY05
3923 0,04 R Samorodinka, Moscow Russia MAY04
3970 0,3 NHK Nabeta, Nagoya 1 JPN MAY05
3970 0,6 NHK, Sapporo 1 JPN MAY05
3975 100 VOA, Biblis Germany AUG04
4025 - Voice of the People of Kurdistan, No. Iraq Clandestine APR05
4428 0,85 R Bambamarca, Hualgayoc, Cajamarca Peru OCT04
4461 1 R Norandina, Celendin, Cajamarca Peru JUN04
4540 100 R Georgia, Dusheti Georgia JUL05
4698,7 0,25 R Amistad,San Pedro La Laguna, Solola Guatemala OCT04
4788 1 R Emisora Ballivian, San Borja Bolivia MAY04
4790 - BSKSA, Jeddah, HS 2. Spurious 1/2 x 9580! Saudi Arabia JAN05
4825 100 SW Radio Africa, via Meyerton Clandestine MAY05
4830 10 R Tachira, San Cristobal, Tachira Venezuela OCT04
4832 1 R Litoral, La Ceiba Honduras JUN04
4845 0,03 R Tangazeni Kristo (RTK), Aru Congo, Dem. Rep. SEP04
4855 1 R Por Um Mundo Melhor, Gov. Valadares Brazil
4880 100 SW Radio Africa, via Meyerton Clandestine MAY05
4919,9 0,75 RRI Biak, PP INS MAR05
4940 100 Voice of Russia via Yangiyul Tajikistan DEC04
5014,5 0,5 R Juliaca, Juliaca Peru DEC04
5025 100 R Tashkent, Tashkent Uzbekistan DEC05
5040 100 R Tashkent, Tashkent Uzbekistan DEC05
5060 100 R Tashkent, Tashkent Uzbekistan DEC05
5384,2 0,3 R Huarmaca, Huarmaca Peru MAR05
5428 0,3 NHK, Osaka 2 (USB) JPN MAY05
5556 - R La Inmaculada, Santa Cruz Peru JUL04
MORE:
<http://dswci.org/specials/misc/2006_trends_tropical.pdf>
(Anker Petersen/DSWCI DX Window)