A09 schedules available for download at WRTH

WRTH is pleased to announce that the summer 'A' season schedules file is available for download from the WRTH website at: http://www.wrth.com/ and follow the links.

The file contains schedules for over 230 international and clandestine/target broadcasters. The schedules file is in PDF format (you will require the free Acrobat reader (v6 or above) available from http://www.adobe.com/ to read the file.

The file is 102 pages long and is 355kb in size.

We hope you find this a useful accompaniment to the printed WRTH.
Regards
WRTH editorial Team
WRTH Website: http://www.wrth.com/

IRRS updates program schedule

Dear listeners,
IRRS-Shortwave schedule has been updated effective May 1, 2009. We slightly reduced our Fri, Sat and Sun evening broadcasts by one hour, now ending one hour earlier at 2000 UTC (2200 CET) on 7290 kHz.

Please check our current frequency and program schedules at:
http://www.nexus.org/NEXUS-IBA/Schedules/IRRS-SW_A09.html

http://www.nexus.org/NEXUS-IBA/Schedules/IRRS-SW-program-schedule.html

Your help and support is greatly appreciated to keep our station alive. We are 100% member and listener supported station. If you wish to support our initiatives on Shortwave and online please check the following link:
http://www.nexus.org/FundRaising/index.html

You can also contribute by listening and sending comments to our programs to:
reports @nexus.org or writing directly to any of our programmer that you can hear on the air via IRRS, IPAR and European Gospel Radio. Your comments, not just bare reception
reports, are most valuable to keep us on the air and help us selecting the best programs for you to hear on the airwaves.
Thank you and stay tuned,
Ron Norton
(Tom Taylor)

Blog Logs

A nice selections from recent monitoring. Best of DX to one and all.
GVH

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

Bolivia
Radio Fides, La Paz, 6155.26, 0040-0203*, Andean music. ID at 0105. Spanish announcements. Ads. ID at 0201 and Spanish talk over lite instrumental music to 0203 sign off. Poor signal with adjacent channel splatter. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Brazil
Radio Aparecida, (presumed) 6135, 0952-1000. Noted music for a minute at tune in, then a few live Portuguese comments followed by commercials. Poor signal. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Radio Bandeirantes (presumed) 6089.92, 0946-0955. Noted announcer's Portuguese comments, joined by a second male via telephone or a remote location feed.Commericals noted at 0948.Signal was fair to good. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Radio Brasil Central, Goiania, 11815, 2020-2025. Escuchada el 30 de abril en portugués a locutor con comentarios con referencias a Brasil, segmento musical, cuñas publicitarias, SINPO 23442. (Burjasot (Valencia)España/playdx2003)

Radio Cidade (tentative) 5050, Juiz de Fora. Portuguese 1001 announcers' talks, news program about list of countries with people infected by vírus, Europe coming to a social crisis. Announcers' “Manhã Legal” program announcements, ID “Radio Cidade 1010 kilohertz”, “Manhã Legal com Luiz Correa, um oferecimento CEMIG, a melhor energia”, 1010 “bom dia Juiz de Fora!”, 1011 sertanejo music. Many other mentions about “Radio Cidade 1010 kilohertz”,“Juiz de Fora”. In May 02 I heard the same announcements on 5050 kHz. According Lista de Emissoras OM/OT/OC - Brasil of DX Clube do Paraná, 1010kHz of Juiz de Fora have the nomination as “Radio Solar AM”. SINPO 24432 (Lúcio Otávio Bobrowiec, Brazil/playdx2003)

Radio Difusora de Cáceres (presumed),5055, MT. Portuguse text to 0938 music maybe religious, 0941-0949 religious talks by male “espírito santo”. Very weak SINPO 14421 (Lúcio Otávio Bobrowiec, Brazil/playdx2003)

Radio Guarujá Paulista, Guarujá-SP. 5045, Portuguese 1001-1025 relaying news program Jornal da Manhã of Radio Jovem Pan 620 KHz of São Paulo-SP as "Jovem Pan Sat" with some canned ID "Guarujá Paulista" on relaying. Bad audio when relaying but good when originated from their studio (checked later at 1045 when relaying was over). From 1024 splatter of 5035 R. Aparecida, until 1024, SINPO 43444.(Lúcio Otávio Bobrowiec/HCDX)

Radio Itatania (tentative) 5970, 0935-0945. Portuguese language conversation with signal splatter observed. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Super Radio Deus e Amor, 11765.02, 0255-0310, usual Portuguese preacher. Several IDs at 0259 & religious music.Back to preacher at 0303. Fair. Weak on // 9565.03. (Brian Alexander, PA)

China
Voice of Minorities, Beijing, 7410, 1007-1013. Korean news to music and male announcer. SINPO 24232 // 9785 with SINPO 24332(Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina)

3950, China, PBS Xinjiang (tentative), Urumqui. 3950, Chinese 0008-0014 male and female talks. SINPO 24332 (Lúcio Otávio Bobrowiec, Brazil/playdx2003)

PBS Xinjiang(tentative), Urumqui. 3930, May 05 Uighur(schedule) 0025-0031 male and female talks, alternating short instrumental music. Strong QRM sounding like a car motor, SINPO 31332 (Lúcio Otávio Bobrowiec, Brazil/playdx2003)

Ecuador
HCJB Pifo, 6080, 0932. Quecha. M announcer's Quecha text and religous talk. Poor signal quality // 3220-fair. (Scott Barbour, NH)

Equatorial Guinea
Radio Nac-Bata, 5005, 2250-2303*, Spanish talk. Afro-pop music. Sign off with national anthem. Very poor in noisy conditions. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Germany
15675 04/30 1840 (D) GERMANY, Radio Reveil Paroles de Vie, 15675, French from Nauem, with 100 kW. Two announcers talks to pop music at 1945. Station ID into a religious broadcast, see link www.radioreveil.ch/ .(JJFS-Feira de Santana BA-Brasil/cumbredx)

Indonesia
Voice of Indonesia, 11784.96v, 1410. Fair, with a hum and well above the QRM. In assume Malay language. Same frequency on May 8 from 1410 to 1503*. Signal almost fair, in Malay with IDs in English, usual English segment at 1501 with their program schedule (Ron Howard, CA)

Mali
RTV du Mali 5995, 0730-0800*. Tuned in as during announcer's French text. Piano bridge at 0733 leading into another program, perhaps commentary. Piano music returned at 0738 to close the show. Padded with the piano until 0740. Long French talk until 0758 when sign-off announcement was heard, telling listeners to tune to 9635 kHz for more Radio Mali. At 0759 Waltzing Matilda came on as Radio Australia launched its Pacific service. Could still hear Radio Mali under Matilda until 0800.* (Bruce Barker, PA)

Mauritania
Radio Mauritanie 4845, 0700-0715. Arabic text with station ID at 0700, followed by additional talk until tune-out at 0715. Signal was poor to fair. (Barker, PA)

Nigeria
Voice of Nigeria 9690, *0800-0820 Tuned in to hear sign-on announcement in Hausa language. Immediately into News of Nigeria, followed at 0815 by VON interval signal, birds calling and chirping with flutes and drums. Then into more Hausa with News of Africa. Several countries mentioned as news continued at tune-out. Fair signal. (Bruce Barker, PA)

Papua New Guinea
Radio Bougainville, 3325, 1311-1401*,Running past their usual sign-off of about 1312in English. Public-service announcements with information about a meeting in Port Moresby,followed by mostly non-stop songs in English and Tok Pisin, some were religious. Station ID at 1359 as; “National Broadcasting Corporation, the Voice of Papua New Guinea” with long list of frequencies and PNG national anthem. Signal weak,started out well on top on RRI Palangkaraya, with RRI slowly improving (Ron Howard, CA)

Peru
Radio Vision 4790, 0715-0730. Tuned in to preacher in Spanish. Poor signal but lots of "Hallelujahs" could be heard. Still preaching at 0730 tune-out. (Bruce Barker, PA)

Sudan
SRTC, 7200, *0239-0320+. Abrupt sign on with Qur`an. Arabic talk at 0253. Possible radio-drama. “Huna Omdurman” IDs. Commericials and announcements, and chirping birds signal. Fair to good but occasional HAM QRM. (Brian Alexander, PA)

USA
KNLS Anchors Point, Alaska. 7355, 0946-10000. Lady announcer in Russian with announcements until 0949. Religious music and additional brief comments in Russian, continuing to 1000. Fair signal, deteriorating from fair to threshold by 1000.* (Chuck Bolland, FL)

WINB Red Lion, Red Lion, 9265, 2323-2330. Escuchada el 30 de abril en español a locutor con comentarios religiosos, “La Palabra de Dios”, emisión en paralelo por Internet mms://winb.mntts.com :8181, en realidad se trata de una emisión de Family Radio, emitiendo de lunes a viernes de 2300 a 0000, según plan de programación en www.winb.com/schedule.htm SINPO 24432.(Burjasot (Valencia) España/playdx2003)

Uzbekistan
CVC Tashkent, 11800, 0135-0152. "CVC Newsroom" at tune-in reguarding the Swine Flu, Pakistan & Taliban clashes.Contemporary religous pops and listener request via Moscow. CVC promos. Signal poor-fair listening in LSB.
(Scott Barbour, NH)

Grimeton Radio/SAQ Planned Transmissions - 2009

Courtesy of Lars Kalland SM6NM, via Ary Boender and the UDXF gang (thanks):-

There will hopefully be transmissions with the Alexanderson alternator on 17.2 kHz, CW (A1A) at the following dates and times during 2009:

1) Tuesday, May 19 2009 at 07:00 and 07:30 UTC.

There will be a transmission to celebrate the Japanese VLF-station Josami Radio/JND when it will be nominated to Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Milestone and also celebrate its start 80 years ago. The radio station is now a museum. No reports required and no QSL-cards are given.

2) Sunday, May 24 2009 at 10:55 UTC.

A transmission will take place to celebrate the First Swedish Coast Radio Station and 100 years of Karlskrona Radio/SAA. The station is still working on military frequencies. No reports required and no QSL-cards are given.

3) Sunday, June 28 at 09:00 and 12:00 UTC.

The annual transmission on "Alexander Day". The station is open to visitors. We are glad to receive reports and will exchange QSL-cards.

4) Saturday, October 24 at 09:00 UTC.

As last year we will transmit on United Nations Day. No reports required and no QSL-cards are given.

5) Thursday, December 24, Christmas Eve at 08:00 UTC.

The Christmas transmission as before. The stations is open to visitors. We are glad to receive reports and will exchange QSL-cards.

We will start tuning up some 30 minutes before message. Also read our web site: http://www.alexander.n.se.

QSL-reports are, when indicated, kindly received via:

- E-mail to: info@alexander.n.se
- or fax to: +46-340-674195
- or via: SM bureau
- or direct by mail to: Alexander - Grimeton Veteranradios Vaenner,Radiostationen, Grimeton 72 S-430 16 ROLFSTORP SWEDEN

Yours,

Lars Kalland SM6NM

QSL Blog Report

Today is the first edition of QSL Blog Report. The following QSLs are those recently excluded from my QSL Report column in Monitoring Times (http://www.monitoringtimes.com/) for space constraints. Your QSL info and contributions are always welcome for the magazine or the Shortwave Central blog.

To learn more about the fine art of world QSLing with insider information, tips, websites, email addresses, plus much more, purchase World QSL Book on CD-Rom from Teak Publising at the above email address.
Gayle Van Horn

Australia
Australia Broadcasting Corporation/ ABC Darwin Radio, 2310, 2325, 2485 kHz. Full data verification on ABC letterhead, signed by Laila Soares-Administration Officer. (David Shannon, IN)




Egypt
Radio Cairo 6255 kHz. Full data QSL card signed by Eng. Fouad Alfeky, plus letter and program schedule. Received for an e-report to: englishprog@ertu.org and niveenl@hotmail.com (Artur Fernandez Llorella, Catalonia, Spain/playdx2003)

Euro-Pirate
Radio Blue Star via Wertachtal, Germany 6140 kHz. Full data QSL received in 16 weeks. (Artur Fernandez llorella, Catalonia, Spain/playdx2003).

Libya
Voice of Africa, 17725 kHz. No QSL, but received in 57 days a packet including brochures Libyan Air Lines, The General Centre of Directed Broadcasting, and souvenir CD of tourist attractions in Libya. (Harold Woering, MA).

Russia
Voice of Russia 7430 kHz. Special QSL card and schedule in 11 weeks. (Artur Fernandez llorella, Catalonia, Spain/playdx2003)

South Korea
Nicely stamped envelope from South Korea with a personal letter in English from Kim Seong Min, the Representative of the FNK Network. Also received information about FNK, plus a business card. Email: mini6195@hanmail.net. Address of the envelope as: FNK, Yang Cheon, P. O. Box 92, Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gy, Seoul, SOuth Korea. (Bjorn Fransson, Sweden/HCDX)

Stars and Stripes focus on how US troops use radio in Afghanistan

United States troops have set up transmitters across the province in eastern Afghanistan, hired local employees for the stations and developed a process to put out information updates on incidents such as roadside bomb explosions. Major Herb Skinner, the 1-40 executive officer, said the system is key to combating Taliban misinformation that often blames coalition forces for civilian deaths caused by its own attacks.

Read on this from First With the Truth article at:
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=62487

(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

WRMI to produce AWR Wavescan DX program

An update from my post on May 5

WRMI (from Miami, Florida) has announced that the Adventist World Radio DX program, “Wavescan,” will be produced and distributed from its studios in Miami as of June, 2009.
WRMI has broadcast “Wavescan” since its inception. For the past three years, the programme has been produced at the AWR studio in Singapore. However, that studio is being closed in June. As of the 7 June program, “Wavescan” will be written each week by Dr Adrian Peterson, AWR International Relations Coordinator in Indianapolis, Indiana, and produced at WRMI in MIami. WRMI will also distribute the programme to the various stations in the AWR network around the globe.

“We are very happy to be working with Adrian and AWR on the production of Wavescan,” said WRMI General Manager Jeff White. “Our association actually goes back about 25 years now, when Adrian was producing the predecessor of Wavescan - Radio Monitors International - at the AWR studios in Puna, India, and we were rebroadcasting the programme to the Americas on
Radio Earth, where I was the programme producer.” Adrian Peterson will be entirely in charge of the content of the programme, but segments of regional DX news will continue to come from “Wavescan” correspondents in several Asian countries.

“We are glad to play a small part in the new version of Wavescan,” said Jeff White, “and we hope the programme will be around for many years to come.”

As of 7 June, 2009, WRMI will be broadcasting Wavescan at the following days and times - all on 9955 kHz:
■0830 UTC Sunday
■2130 UTC Sunday
■1530 UTC Monday *
■0015 UTC Tuesday
■0500 UTC Tuesday
■1130 UTC Tuesday
■1130 UTC Wednesday
■1430 UTC Friday *
■0130 UTC Saturday
■0730 UTC Saturday
* These transmissions are specifically beamed to North America. The others are beamed to the Caribbean and Latin America, but may be audible in North America also. In addition, “Wavescan” will continue to be broadcast over the other stations in the AWR network.
(Source: WRMI/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Radio Netherlands Program Guide - May 9-15

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



SATURDAY 9 May
*** The State We're In ***

We go to Pakistan's Swat Valley where we ask if it's worth making peace with the Taliban, at the expense of women's rights. Naheed Mustafah is a Canadian journalist with family roots in the Swat Valley. She presents taped interviews she did with girls who are determined to stay in school despite the threats, and their principal who stands behind them. And we meet Yasmeen Hassan, a Pakistani lawyer who argues that the cost of maintaining an unjust peace with the Taliban is too great to bear, not only for women and girls, but also for international security.

Is there a right to primary care? Edna Adan Ismail built a hospital that gives free care to women in one of the world's least developed country's: Somaliland. She tells Jonathan Groubert about the struggle to get it built and how keeping it going is a full time job in itself. And we meet Jabulani Nyathi, who is doubly unfortunate. He's needed kidney dialysis for 20 years and lives in Bulaweyo in Zimbabwe where not one dialysis machine is available. He tells us about his experience of having to make a long, gruelling journey every week to keep him alive.

Plus this year's World Press Photo winner Anthony Suau tells us the story behind his award-winning shot and how it depicts America's economic decline as a war zone.

And in our dilemma segment, Jann McClary tells us how, as a lowly prop assistant on a film set, she took on a big Hollywood film director and won.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 East Asia and Southeast Asia 11895, Eastern China 12065, Southeast Asia 15110
1405 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1505 South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1805 Southern Africa 6020, East Africa 15535
1905 West Africa 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480
2005 West Africa 11610, 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
0400 North America
1000 Africa and Asia
1200 North America
1300 Europe
1500 Europe
2200 Asia, North America, Safm
2300 Europe

*** Network Europe Week ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe. If you missed any editions of Network Europe satisfy your needs with this digest of the programme's top stories.

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

Note that we run Network Europe Week every hour on Monday until 1600

SUNDAY 10 May
*** Network Europe Extra ***

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

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 East Asia and Southeast Asia 11895, Eastern China 12065, Southeast Asia 15110
1405 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1505 South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1805 Southern Africa 6020, East Africa 15535
1905 West Africa 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480
2005 West Africa 11610, 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
0400 North America
1000 Africa and Asia
1200 North America
1300 Europe
1500 Europe
2200 Asia, North America, Safm
2300 Europe

*** Global Perspectives (primary program) ***

Radio Books takes a break as we present our annual documentary exchange series featuring eight national and international broadcasters giving their perspective on a topic of global interest. This year the theme is 'Islands'.

'Islands of Security'

In South Africa's not so distant past the word 'island' would have conjured up Robben Island off Cape Town, the prison of Nelson Mandela during apartheid. But in a country of very high levels of violent crime, other 'islands' are springing up inland - the gated and guarded residential estates which are becoming a refuge for the wealthy.

SAFM radio producer Sibahle Malinga visits Dainfern security estate in Johannesburg's northern suburbs - protected by a high electrified double fence and armed guards. She also visits the nearby township of Diepsloot to find out how its residents feel about being outside the fence.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 East Asia and Southeast Asia 11895, Eastern China 12065, Southeast Asia 15110
1405 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1505 South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1805 Southern Africa 6020, East Africa 15535
1905 West Africa 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480
2005 West Africa 11610, 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
0400 North America
1000 Africa and Asia
1200 North America
1300 Europe
1500 Europe
2200 Asia, North America, Safm
2300 Europe

MONDAY 11 May
*** Curious Orange (primary program) ***

It's the fourth - and last - part in our Dutch in Afghanistan series: When the going gets tough.

In our last days on Kamp Holland, a rocket attack killed one soldier and wounded six others. We'll hear more about that from a soldier's perspective - how they deal with the death of a colleague and what happens when they don't. We'll also hear from the soldiers who prepare the bodies and the social worker whose job it is to tell the families back home what's happened. Finally, we'll hear from one Dutch family who lost their son in Afghanistan.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1405 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1505 South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1805 Southern Africa 6020, East Africa 15535
1905 West Africa 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480
2005 West Africa 11610, 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
1500 Europe
2200 Asia, North America, Safm
2300 Europe

*** Global Perspectives (repeat from Sunday) ***

Radio Books takes a break as we present our annual documentary exchange series featuring eight national and international broadcasters giving their perspective on a topic of global interest. This year the theme is 'Islands'.

'Islands of Security'

In South Africa's not so distant past the word 'island' would have conjured up Robben Island off Cape Town, the prison of Nelson Mandela during apartheid. But in a country of very high levels of violent crime, other 'islands' are springing up inland - the gated and guarded residential estates which are becoming a refuge for the wealthy.

SAFM radio producer Sibahle Malinga visits Dainfern security estate in Johannesburg's northern suburbs - protected by a high electrified double fence and armed guards. She also visits the nearby township of Diepsloot to find out how its residents feel about being outside the fence.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 East Asia and Southeast Asia 11895, Eastern China 12065, Southeast Asia 15110
1405 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
0400 North America
1000 Africa and Asia
1200 North America
1300 Europe
2300 Europe

*** Network Europe Week ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe. If you missed any editions of Network Europe satisfy your needs with this digest of the programme's top stories.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 East Asia and Southeast Asia 11895, Eastern China 12065, Southeast Asia 15110
1405 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1805 Southern Africa 6020, East Africa 15535
2005 West Africa 11610, 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
0400 North America
1000 Africa and Asia
1200 North America
1300 Europe

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1405 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1805 Southern Africa 6020, East Africa 15535
2005 West Africa 11610, 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
2200 Asia, North America, Safm
2300 Europe

*** 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 time on SW (UTC):
1905 West Africa 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

TUESDAY 12 May
*** 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):
1000 East Asia and Southeast Asia 11895, Eastern China 12065, Southeast Asia 15110
1905 West Africa 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
0400 North America
1000 Africa and Asia
1200 North America
1300 Europe
2200 Asia, North America, Safm

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

We go to Pakistan's Swat valley where we ask if it's worth making peace with the Taleban, at the expense of women's rights. Naheed Mustafah is a Canadian journalist with family roots in the Swat valley. She presents taped interviews she did with girls who are determined to stay in school despite the threats, and their principal who stands behind them.
And we meet Yasmeen Hassan, a Pakistani lawyer who argues that the cost of maintaining an unjust peace with the Taliban is too great to bear, not only for women and girls, but also for international security.

Is there a right to primary care? Edna Adan Ismail built a hospital that gives free care to women in one of the world's least developed country's: Somaliland. She tells Jonathan Groubert about the struggle to get it built and how keeping it going is a full time job in itself.
And we meet Jabulani Nyathi, who is doubly unfortunate. He's needed kidney dialysis for 20 years and lives in Bulaweyo in Zimbabwe where not one dialysis machine is available. He tells us about his experience of having to make a long, gruelling journey every week to keep him alive.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 East Asia and Southeast Asia 11895, Eastern China 12065, Southeast Asia 15110
1405 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
0400 North America
1000 Africa and Asia
1200 North America
1300 Europe
2300 Europe

*** Earthbeat (repeat from Thursday) ***

Monitoring the Earth's heartbeat is our task. We look at our footprint on this big round world of ours and run stories of the people trying to make that footprint lighter.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 East Asia and Southeast Asia 11895, Eastern China 12065, Southeast Asia 15110
1405 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1805 Southern Africa 6020, East Africa 15535
2005 West Africa 11610, 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
0400 North America
1000 Africa and Asia
1200 North America
1300 Europe

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1405 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1805 Southern Africa 6020, East Africa 15535
2005 West Africa 11610, 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
2200 Asia, North America, Safm
2300 Europe

WEDNESDAY 13 May
*** 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):
1000 East Asia and Southeast Asia 11895, Eastern China 12065, Southeast Asia 15110
1905 West Africa 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
0400 North America
1000 Africa and Asia
1200 North America
1300 Europe
2200 Asia, North America, Safm

*** Bridges with Africa (repeat from Friday) ***

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):
1000 East Asia and Southeast Asia 11895, Eastern China 12065, Southeast Asia 15110
1405 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
0400 North America
1000 Africa and Asia
1200 North America
1300 Europe
2300 Europe

*** Reloaded (primary programme) ***

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

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 East Asia and Southeast Asia 11895, Eastern China 12065, Southeast Asia 15110
1405 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
0400 North America
1000 Africa and Asia
1200 North America
1300 Europe
2300 Europe

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1405 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1805 Southern Africa 6020, East Africa 15535
2005 West Africa 11610, 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
2200 Asia, North America, Safm
2300 Europe

THURSDAY 14 May
*** 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):
1000 East Asia and Southeast Asia 11895, Eastern China 12065, Southeast Asia 15110
1905 West Africa 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
0400 North America
1000 Africa and Asia
1200 North America
1300 Europe
2200 Asia, North America, Safm


*** Earthbeat (primary programme) ***

Monitoring the Earth's heartbeat is our task. We look at our footprint on this big round world of ours and run stories of the people trying to make that footprint lighter.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 East Asia and Southeast Asia 11895, Eastern China 12065, Southeast Asia 15110
1405 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
0400 North America
1000 Africa and Asia
1200 North America
1300 Europe
2300 Europe

*** Curious Orange (repeat program) ***

It's the fourth - and last - part in our Dutch in Afghanistan series: When the going gets tough.

In our last days on Kamp Holland, a rocket attack killed one soldier and wounded six others. We'll hear more about that from a soldier's perspective - how they deal with the death of a colleague and what happens when they don't. We'll also hear from the soldiers who prepare the bodies and the social worker who's job it is to tell the families back home what's happened. Finally, we'll hear from one Dutch family who lost their son in Afghanistan.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 East Asia and Southeast Asia 11895, Eastern China 12065, Southeast Asia 15110
1405 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
0400 North America
1000 Africa and Asia
1200 North America
1300 Europe
2300 Europe

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1405 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1805 Southern Africa 6020, East Africa 15535
2005 West Africa 11610, 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
2200 Asia, North America, Safm
2300 Europe

FRIDAY 15 May
*** 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):
1000 East Asia and Southeast Asia 11895, Eastern China 12065, Southeast Asia 15110
1905 West Africa 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
0400 North America
1000 Africa and Asia
1200 North America
1300 Europe
2200 Asia, North America, Safm

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

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

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 East Asia and Southeast Asia 11895, Eastern China 12065, Southeast Asia 15110
1405 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
0400 North America
1000 Africa and Asia
1200 North America
1300 Europe
2300 Europe

*** Reloaded (repeat programme) ***

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

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 East Asia and Southeast Asia 11895, Eastern China 12065, Southeast Asia 15110
1405 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
0400 North America
1000 Africa and Asia
1200 North America
1300 Europe
2300 Europe

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

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1405 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1805 Southern Africa 6020, East Africa 15535
2005 West Africa 11610, 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
2200 Asia, North America, Safm
2300 Europe
(R Netherlands)

Summer schedule update from Iran's VOIRI

All times UTC

effective to 25 October 2009

Iran A-09 schedule - VOIROI / IRIB

Albanian
0630-0727 on 13810 15235
1830-1927 on 9545 9570
2030-2127 on 9535 11830

Arabic
0230-0327 on 6025 11665(x 11655)
0230-0527 on 7350 "Al-Quds TV"
0330-0427 on 9610 11875 "Voice of Palestine"
0330-0527 on 6025 6175 11665(x 11655)
0530-0827 on 13790 13800 15150
0830-1027 on 9885 13800 15150
1030-1427 on 13790 13800 15150
1430-1627 on 15150
1630-2027 on 7350 "Al-Quds TV"
1630-0227 on 6025

Armenian
0300-0327 on 7255 12025
0930-0957 on 9695 15260
1630-1727 on 7230 9780

Azeri
0330-0527 on 13710
1430-1657 on 6000 6035

Bengali
0030-0127 on 5950 7325
0830-0927 on 11705
1430-1527 on 6130 9520 12085

Bosnian
0530-0627 on 13750 15235
1730-1827 on 7295 9860
2130-2227 on 7305 9810

Chinese
1200-1257 on 13735 15190 17635 17670
2330-0027 on 11740 11970 13715

Dari
0300-0627 on 11910 13740
0830-1157 on 9940 11975 13720
1200-1427 on 9940 13720

English
0130-0227 on 7235 9495 "Voice of Justice"
1030-1127 on 15600 17660
1530-1627 on 7305 9600
1930-2027 on *5945 6205 7205 9800 9925

German
0730-0827 on 15085 15430
1730-1827 on *6180 9940 15085

French
0630-0727 on 13750 15430
1830-1927 on *5945 9940 13755 15085

Hausa
0600-0657 on 17810 17870
1830-1927 on 7370 9925

Hebrew
0430-0457 on 9610 11875
1200-1227 on 13685 15240

Hindi
0230-0257 on 15165 17635
1430-1527 on 11955 13700

Indonesian
1230-1327 on 15200 17560
2230-2327 on 5945 7310

Italian
0630-0727 on *9770 13620 15085
1930-1957 on 5910 7380

Japanese
1330-1427 on 13755 15555
2100-2157 on 9670 11765

Kazakh
0130-0227 on 7360 9790
1300-1357 on 11665 13765

Kurdish
0330-0427 on 7255 9905 Sorrani dialect
1330-1627 on 5990 Kirmanji dialect

Pashto
0230-0327 on 7360 9605
0730-0827 on 11990 15440
1230-1327 on 6175 9790 11730
1430-1527 on 5890
1630-1727 on 6010 7200

Russian
0300-0327 on 9650 11925
0500-0527 on 9855 13750 17595 17655
1430-1527 on *6145 7360 9580 9900
1700-1757 on 3985 7210
1800-1857 on 6205 7235
1930-2027 on 3985 7370

Spanish
0030-0227 on 9655 9905
0230-0327 on 9905
0530-0627 on 15530 17785
2030-2127 on *6055 7300 9800

Swahili
0400-0457 on 15265 15340
0830-0927 on 15240 17660
1730-1827 on 7360 9655

Tajik
0100-0227 on 6175 7285
1600-1727 on 5945 5955 6180

Turkish
0430-0557 on 11685 13640
1600-1727 on 7370 9870

Urdu
0130-0227 on 7325 9480 9845
1300-1427 on 6000 9665 11695
1530-1727 on 5890

Uzbek
0230-0257 on 9740 11945
1500-1557 on 5945 9680
*via Sitkunai, Lithuania
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 6)
(DX Mix news # 571 via wb, Germany/Alokesh Gupta, India/Rachel Baughn/MT)

Frequency changes from China National Radio

Effective from 06 May 2009 in the 41 meterband

All times UTC (NF/new frequency)

Chinese PBS Xinjianq
0300-1200 NF 7260 URU 100 kW / non-dir, x7155

Chinese CNR-2
2200-1700 on 7150 HUH 050 kW / 052 deg, deleted

Chinese PBS Nei Menqqu
2200-1700 NF 7420 HUH 050 kW / 263 deg, x7165

Chinese PBS Xizanq
0900-1800 NF 7450 LHA 100 kW / 085 deg, x7170
2000-0300 NF 7450 LHA 100 kW / 085 deg, x7170

Kyrgyz PBS Xinjianq
0330-0530 NF 7295 URU 050 kW / 247 deg, x7120
1030-1230 NF 7295 URU 050 kW / 247 deg, x7120

Mongolian PBS Nei Menqqu
2200-1700 NF 6040 HUH 050 kW / 263 deg, x7210

Tibetan PBS Xizanq
1000-1800 NF 7255 LHA 100 kW / 085 deg, x7125
2100-0200 NF 7255 LHA 100 kW / 085 deg, x7125

Uyghur PBS Xinjianq
1230-1800 NF 7205 URU 050 kW / 230 deg, x7195
2330-0300 NF 7205 URU 050 kW / 230 deg, x7195
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 6)
(DX Mix news # 571 via wb, Germany, Alokesh Gupta, India, Rachel Baughn, MT)

Frequency changes from Radio Romania International

Effective from 03 May 2009

Radio Romania International

All times UTC (NF/ new frequency)

0100-0156 NF 6080 TIG 300 kW / 307 deg to NoAm, x 9560 @ French
0530-0556 NF 17760 TIG 300 kW / 097 deg to AUS , x17770# English
0900-0956 NF 15240 GAL 300 kW / 285 deg to WeEu, x15250& Romanian Sun
1000-1056 NF 15240 GAL 300 kW / 285 deg to WeEu, x15250& French
1400-1456 NF 9810 GAL 300 kW / 140 deg to N/ME, x 9605* Arabic
1730-1756 NF 6125 TIG 100 kW / 270 deg to SEEu, x 6105^ Serbian
1930-1956 NF 6125 TIG 100 kW / 270 deg to SEEu, x 6145! Serbian
2030-2056 NF 9690 TIG 300 kW / 307 deg to NoAm, x15465 English
@ to avoid China Radio International in Chinese
# to avoid Radio Liberty in Georgian
& to avoid BDKSA in English, Voice of America in Chinese+Chinese Mx Jammer
* to avoid BBC in Chinese+Chinese Mx Jammer
^ to avoid Radio Liberty in Belarussian
! to avoid KBS World Radio in French
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 6)
(DX Mix News # 571 via wb, Germany/Alokesh Gupta, India/Rachel Baughn,MT)

Blog Logs - Asia

The following additional logs were excluded from my Broadcast Logs column in Monitoring Times magazine at www.monitoringtimes.com/ for space contraints. Special thanks to the contributors. Submissions for the magazine or blog are always welcomed at the above email address.
Gayle Van Horn

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

Australia
ABC Northern Territory Service (Alice Springs) 2310, 1204-1215. Pop music tunes to announcer chat. Poor signal noted with fading // 2325 slightly weaker // 2485 barely there (Bolland).

Bangladesh
Bangladesh Betar 7250, *1228-1235. Flute interval signal and muffled talk at 1230. Could not make out any additional details due to audio quality, low modulation and amateur radio interference. An overall very poor signal quality (Alexander).

Bhutan
BBS (presumed) 6035, 1402-1418. Heard in English with usual BBS musical bridge, but lost to PBS Yunnan when they started playing the traditional Chinese music (Howard).

China
Central People's Broadcasting Station 4750, 2350-2359. Weak signal quality during Chinese comments to 2355. Signal very poor (Bolland).

Central People's Broadcasting Station (presumed) 9675, 0945-0955. Chinese comments over music program for fair signal quality (Bolland).

China Huayi broadcasting Company (Fuzhou) 4830, 1224-1229. Chinese programming, poor but steady signal quality. Station heard on subsequent recheck at threshold level (Evans).

China National Radio 1 (Beijng) 5030, 1216-1218. Chinese from male/female announcer duo. Poor signal with fading. Appeared to be in parallel with weak signal on 5945 kHz (Evans).

China National Radio 1, 7185, 1349. Used as jamming against Taiwan, the echo was not apparent; clearly // 5030 (Howard).

China National Radio 1 9680, 1349-1353. Fair reception, heard with echo (they were operating more than one jamming transmitter and out of synch, causing an echo). Parallel on 5030; several other stations under them with poor reception, one in Chinese (possibly Taiwan, intended for the jamming) and perhaps the other was RRI-Jakarta (Howard).

China National Radio 2/China Business Radio 9810, 1158-1210. Chinese chat to local pop music. English ID as, "China Business Radio" at 1201 and back to Chinese talk. Fair signal, much weaker on // 6090, 7245, 7315 and 7375 (Alexander).

Voice of Pujiang (Shanghai) 4950, 1226-1236. Programming of Chinese music for threshold level signal. Heard the next day with announcer's Chinese text and similar quality signal (Evans).

Voice of the Strait (Fuzhou) 4900, 1222-1227. Chinese programming including occasional Chinese musical bridges, joined by lady announcer at 1223. Continued Chinese music at 1225. Poor signal noted with some fading. Noted on next-day recheck at 1223-1230 with pop music and lady announcer's presentations (Evans).

Clandestine-Shiokaze Sea Breeze 5985, *1400-1403. Before their sign-on observed strong jamming (pulsating noise, assume from North Korea). Mixing with Myanmar, after sign-on signal was a mess with jamming and Myanmar and Shiokaze mixing together - seemed to be in Japanese (Howard).

Indonesia
RRI-Jakarta (presumed) 9680, 1130-1150. Pop music program to 1137, followed by announcer's Indonesian comments. Noted interference from co-channel station in Chinese, possibly from Taiwan (Bolland).

RRI-Jakarta 9680. Kang Guru Indonesia program with random checking between 0800-0822. Only carrier at 0800 and below threshold level. Heard in English at 0820 talking about next week's programming. Clear mention of Kang Guru and giving the usual end of program announcements. Signal very poor and only able to catch a few words (Howard).

RRI-Kendari (presumed) (Kendari) 3995.04, 1245-1251. Bahasa service for station announcements. Observed threshold level signal, up and down in noise with amateur radio interference (Evans).

RRI-Manokwari (Manokwari) 3987.05, 1136-1204. Bahasa service including pop music tunes to brief announcements at 1159 followed by the station's Song of the Coconut Island interval signal. Newscast at 1200. Signal quality poor initially, improving to good after 1155 (Evans).

Voice of Indonesia, 9525, 1122-1130. Language lessons at tune-in until 1123. Assume this program in Chinese. Program comments over background music. Signal of fair quality (Bolland)

Japan
NHK/Radio Japan 9690, 0950-1000. Female announcer's Indonesian text for presumed newscast to 0954. Fair signal quality (Bolland).

NHK/Radio Japan 9710, 0955-1005. Steady musical interval signal mixing with Radio Australia's Tok Pisin broadcast. Station identification at 1000, followed by newscast. Signal fair despite sharing this frequency with Radio Australia (Bolland).

Laos
Lao National Radio 6130, 1415-1427. Two lady announcer's French conversation, which agrees with their program schedule. English lesson as Functioning in Business followed by Sport Analyze program for Friday and Saturday.Observed interference from assumed China's PSS Xizang from Tibet (Howard).

Northern Marianas Islands
Radio Liberty relay 9520, 0915-0930. News and commentary in Russian. Signal very good (Bolland).

Myanmar
Myanma Radio-Minorities and Educational Service, 5915, 1425-1512.* Vernacular segments of reading long list of numbers and segment on "Psychological testing, part one" and "how well did you do?" Back to vernacular text. At sign-off the usual brief selection of indegenous instrumnetal music. Stations' sign-off times vary considerably day-to-day, but about 1512 is a frequent time for them to sign-off. Station mixing with China Radio International (Howard).

Myanma Radio 5985, 1404-1414. Station mixing with Shiokaze, both about equal strength, but with no jamming observed. Myanmar Defense Forces BS on 5770 fair in Vernacular language with indegenous singing. Signal was poor (Howard).

Myanma Radio 5985, 1450-1536. Programming in vernacular in presumed Burmese songs. Noted in English at 1530 into news (ceremonies held in Yangon attended by Minister of Information. Several mentions of "Myanma Radio and Television." Station ID as, "this news comes to you from Yangon, Myanma Radio" followed by mention of "the weather news issued at 7 pm." Noted the ansence of their usual slogans and patriotic pep talk but instead went straight into their music program. (Howard).

Myanmar Defense Forces BS via Taunggyi 5770, 1431-1445. In vernacular with easy-listening pop songs and ballads. Signal almost fair. Seemed to be a very weak station under this one (Howard).

Myanmar Defense Forces BS via Taunggyi 5770, 1513. Noted earlier report this was in USB, today noted signal in conventional DSB mode. Could hear all three in AM, LSB and USB. Programming in vernacular service with a fair signal quality (Howard).

North Korea
Korean Central BS (presumed) 9665, 0938-0950. Korean service including program segments and martial march music, interspersed with announcer's comments. Poor signal quality. (Bolland).

Voice of Korea, 9650, 0930-0940. Announcer's Japanese program comments to choral style music. Fair signal quality (Bolland).

Philippines
Radio Pilipinas/VOP 15285, 0211-0251. English service. Dateline and Today in Philippines History programs. Station identification as; "Radio Pilipinas Overseas Service, the Voice of the Philippines." Update Mindanao program. Observed signal as mostly fair, but with moderately strong hum noted (Howard).

Radio Veritas Asia 9615, 1120-1135+. Observed religious music at tune-in to 1122. Brief announcers' Chinese comments followed by extended Chinese discourse (religious sermon ?). Signal experienced fading while remaining at a fair level (Bolland).

Singapore
Radio Netherlands (Kranji) 6120, 2303-2310. Bahasa service from announcer duo. Poor signal quality // 9525 (Tinang) noted with a slightly better signal quality (Evans).

Sri Lanka
Radio Free Afghanistan-Radio Azadi 9990, 1120-1331.* Talk in unidentified language. Brief instrumnetal music breaks and "Radio Azadi" identifications. Program interviews and phone chats. Reception poor at tune-in, gradually improving to good at 1135-1215. Signal poor-weak in noisy conditions by 1300 (Alexander).

Taiwan
Radio Taiwan International 7185, 1130-1145+. Male/female announcers' Chinese comments. Station // 9680 where Taiwan has been interfering with Indonesia. Signal on 7185 very good, signal on 9680 poor (Bolland).

Thailand
Radio Thailand 15275, 0218-0231. Good reception in English for the "Global News" and "Take on Thailand" about going to temples and monasteries to take meditation classes. Chimes signal and into Thai service (Howard).

Radio Thailand 12095, 0058-0105. Caught close of English broadcast with theme music, gongs, English ID and anthem. Thai service commencing at 0102. Signal surprisingly good, strong signal (Alexander).

Vietnam
Voice of Vietnam (Son Tay) 9840, 2333-2340. English news read by male/female announcers. Station identification at 2340. Signal obseved as weak with slight improvement by 2340 (Evans).
Contributors
Brian Alexander, PA
Chuck Bolland, FL
Jim Evans, TN
Ron Howard, CA

Radio Free Asia Begins New QSL Card Series

May 2009
Radio Free Asia (RFA) announces a new QSL series celebrating musical instruments of Asia. The first card in the series shows a two stringed dutar. The dutar is a traditional musical instrument which is plucked by Uyghurs and either strummed or plucked by peoples of other nations. The dutar is considered one of the most common and popular instruments of the Turkmen people.
The dutar pictured on this QSL belongs to one of RFA’s Uyghur broadcasters and continually provides much joy and entertainment. The dutar is a pear-shaped lute characterized by its long neck and two strings; some versions have 4-strings. The dutar is primarily found in Central and South Asia. The dutar’s name comes from the Persian word for "two strings." At the hands of 15th century shepherds, the strings were made from gut but with the coming of the Silk Road, the strings were then made from twisted silk. Today, dutars use silk or nylon strings. This card will be used to confirm all valid reception reports from May 1 – June 30, 2009.

Radio Free Asia is a private, nonprofit corporation that broadcasts news and information to listeners in Asian countries where full, accurate, and timly 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 mentioned on the front of the QSL card, 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. More information about Radio Free Asia, including our current broadcast frequency schedule, is available at www.rfa.org. 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. RFA confirms all accurate reception reports by mailing a QSL card to the listener.
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 emails to 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.
(Al Janitschek/RFA)

"Wavescan" DX program to continue from new location

The final edition of AWR’s DX program "Wavescan" produced in Singapore is scheduled for broadcast on May 31, 2009, with the usual scheduled repeats during the first few days into June. Beginning in the first week of June, "Wavescan" will be written and produced in the United States for broadcast worldwide.

In the new arrangement, the scripts for "Wavescan" will be researched and written in Indianapolis, Indiana, and the program will be assembled and produced in the Miami, Florida, studios of shortwave station WRMI/Radio Miami International. QSL cards acknowledging the reception of "Wavescan" will be available from both WRMI and Adventist World Radio.
At the end of May, AWR’s Singapore office and studio will be transferred to nearby Batam Island, Indonesia. This move will achieve considerable cost savings for AWR.

Many long-time listeners will remember that the original AWR DX program, "Radio Monitors International," was produced in the Poona (Pune), India, studios of Adventist World Radio and broadcast on the domestic and international shortwave services of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. Beginning in 1984, North American coverage was achieved through the services of Jeff White and his original Radio Earth/Radio Discovery service. "Radio Monitors International" became "Wavescan," and Radio Earth/Radio Discovery became Radio Miami International/WRMI.

The new presentations of "Wavescan" will be very similar to the earlier editions as produced in Singapore. Each edition will include a station profile on an important or a little-known shortwave station from a historical perspective. There will also be other features from the fascinating world of international radio broadcasting, as well as regular bulletins of DX news. It is intended that the regular DX bulletins from Japan, Bangladesh, Philippines and Australia will be included as usual in these new broadcasts of "Wavescan."

Other radio entities are welcome to re-broadcast "Wavescan," archive the programs on Internet websites, and reprint items and articles from the scripts and archive the scripts, with the usual attribution to AWR "Wavescan" and to Radio Miami International/WRMI.

As was announced in "Wavescan" earlier, the annual worldwide listener contest during the month of June will continue as planned. Listeners are invited to prepare a list and give details and photocopies of 5 QSLs from silent shortwave stations; to submit 3 reception reports on AWR transmissions; and, where possible, to submit 3 suitable radio cards to the “Wavescan” address in Indianapolis.

Adventist World Radio would like to express appreciation to AWR assistant program director Rhoen Catolico for his splendid work on the production of "Wavescan" during the past three years and to wish him every success with his endeavors as he returns to his homeland in the Philippines. We would also like to express our appreciation to Jeff White at WRMI for mutual co-operation in the areas of international radio broadcasting over the past quarter century, and we are grateful for this new relationship in the production and distribution of the program in his station in Miami.

Jeff White is currently the president of NASB, the National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters USA, in addition to his management responsibilities at WRMI. Adrian Peterson is DX editor for Adventist World Radio and a Board Member for NASB, the National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters USA.

The address is:
Adventist World Radio
Box 29235
Indianapolis, Indiana 46229
USA
adrian@awr.org
(Adrian Peterson/AWR)

Blog Logs - Africa

Today's edition of Blog Logs, focuses on what DXers are monitoring from Africa. The following logs have been excluded from my Broadcast Logs column in Monitoring Times magazine for space constraints.
Special thanks to all the contributors.
Gayle Van Horn

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

Chad
RN Tchadienne (N'Djamena), 4904.97, *0429-0440. Sign-on eith Balafon interval signal. National anthem at 0430 followed by opening French ID announcement. Afro-pop music and local tribal music at 0432. Signal poor in noisy conditions. I do not usually hear an interval signal. (Alexander).

RN Tchadienne (N'Djamena), 4905, 0536-0600. French newscast covering Cameroon. Station identification at -542 into local indigenous music, followed by unknown langauge. (Wood)

RN Tchadienne (N'Djamena), 4905, 0539-0550. Nice S9 signal quality though hampered by fades. Discussion of African countries withC had and Benin mentioned. Hip-hop music at 0547. Signal fair-good. (Wood).

Egypt
Radio Wadi El Nile, 9250, 2257-2300.* Tune-in the Holy Qu’ran recitations, followed by Arabic announcements. Closing music and off the air for fair signal quality. (Alexander).

Eritrea
VOBME, 7175, *0355-0407. Program 2. Interval signal to talk at 0400. Signal weak, covered by noise jammers at approximately 0405. (Alexander).

VOBME, 7165, *0356-0410. Station sign-on with interval signal initially on 7175 kHz at 0355, but moved to 7165 at 0356. Talk by announcer at 0400. Horn of Africa music at 0406. Signal fair-good until covered by noise jammer at 0409. (Alexander).

VOBME, 7209.98, *0355-0420. Station sign-on with interval signal to talk at 0400. Brieg breaks of Horn of Africa music. Tribal chants at 0413, followed by local rustic music. Signal fair-good. Alexander).

Ethiopia
Radio Ethiopia, 7110, *0259-0320. Station sign-on with electronic keyboard interval signal. Amharic talk at 0300. Horn of Africa music at 0304. Signal fair-good. Observed very weak on // 5989.33, 9704.18. (Alexander).

Radio Ethiopia, 7110, 0416-0449. Amharic service. Announcer with program format sounding like a "man on the street" interviews to electric versions of Horn of Africa music. Signal. fair (Wood).

Radio Ethiopia, 9559.51v, *0659-0720. Sign-on with electronic keyboard interval signal. Talk at 0700. Horn of Africa music at 0704. Signal very poor amid noisy conditions. Signal constantly drifting between 9559.25 - 9559.67 during this period. Threshold signal on // 7165.(Alexander).

Radio Fana (tentative) (Addis Ababa). Amharic. Horn of Africa music with promos from station announcer. Newscast at 0500 with mentions of Addis Ababa during poor signal quality. (Wood).

Voice of Tigray Rev., 5980, *0255-0310. Station sign-on with interval signal. Talk at 0300 to Horn of Africa music at 0301. Signal weak but readable. Parall on 5950 poor, mixing with Okeechobee, Florida. (Alexander).

Equatorial Guinea
Radio Africa, 15190, 1130-1150. Presumed this station with English religious programming. Signal poor with low modulation. Some signal peaks up to a fair level at times. (Alexander).

Radio Nacional, Malabo 6250, *0527-0640. Abrupt sign-on with continous local African music. Spanish announcements at 0603 to possible news at 0609. Mentions of "Malabo" and "Radio Malabo" identifications. Poor-fair signal with occasional RTTY interference. (Alexander).

Radio Nacional, Malabo 6250, 1950-2011.* Spanish text to local African tribal music and Afro-pops tunes. Abrupt sign-off mid-song. Signal poor in noisy conditions. (Alexander).

Guinea
Radio Conakry, 7125, 0620-0645. Tentative on this station with Afro-pop music to local tribal music. French announcements. Good-strong carrier but weak modulation. (Alexander).

Libya
Voice of Africa 17725, 1445-1500. Noted program in English covering political news and commentaries. Station ID at 1450 as, "Voice of Africa," with background music. (Bolland).

Voice of Africa 21695, 1455-1515. English talk about local geography. Station identification to item on Libyan politics. Afro-pop music. Signal weak, beter on // 17725. (Alexander).

Madagascar
RTV Malagasy via Antananarivo, 5010, *0250-0330. Abrupt sign-on with local pop music. Euro-pop tunes to station interval signal. National anthem at 0258. Brief Malagasy announcement at 0301 to local music. Signal fair-good, reduced carrier on USB. (Alexander).

RTV Malagasy via Antananarivo, 5010, (presumed) 0331-0348. Still on frequency and in USB + carrier mode. Non-stop music of African hi-life, ballads and pop tune Manic Monday. Signal poor-fair. (Howard).

RTV Malagasy via Antananarivo, 6134.92, 1445-1525. Thanks to DXer John Wikins this station was on this freq. Heard in conventional DSB mode after the sign-off with 5010.0 (only in USB + carrier mode), with a delay of several seconds on 6134.92. Both days noted similar reception. Signal on 6134.92 fading out and most shortly after 1500, while 5010.0 continued to improve after 1450. (Howard).

Clandestine-Voice of Tibet via Madagascar relay, 17550, 1400-1427. Came on the abruptly at 1400. During the half hour, noted a series of news and commentary segments in presumed Tibetan. Signal good. (Bolland).

Mali
RTVM, 9635, *0800-0820. Sign-on with opening French identification announcements and flute interval signal. Vernacular talk at 0801. Signal fair. Very weak on // 7284.58 (Alexander).

Nigeria
Radio Nigeria (Kaduna) 4770, 0532. Barely above the threshold with Afro-pop music during poor signals. (Wood).

Voice of Nigeria, 9690, *0758-0810. Opening theme music to vernacular talk and tribal music at 0759. Vernacular talk at 0800. Radio drama to station ID. Signal very good. (Alexander).

Seychelles
BBC relay, 6005, 0220-0230. Two male's conversing to news and program features. Noted "BBC" mentioned often. Signal was poor. (Bolland).

South Africa
Channel Africa, 17770, 1502-1515. Female announcer's English comments during fair signal quality. (Bolland).

Swaziland
Trans World Radio via Manzini, 4775, 0410-0415. Baraque Christian music, hampered by sweeper interference. Poor signal quality. (Wood).

Tunisia
RTV Tunisienne (Sfax) 7275, 0501-0510. Arabic newscast with musical interludes between items. Talk of Iran. (Wood).

Uganda
UBC, 4975.97, 2120-2130.* Continuous African hi-life music. Station abruptly “pulled the plug” at 2130. Signal poor-fair. (Alexander).

Zambia
CVC via Lusaka, 4960, 0415-0424. Vernacular announcement to contemporary Christian music. Signal fair. (Wood).

Zanzibar
Radio Tanzania-Zanzibar. English Spice FM newscast. Into Swahili talk at 1811. Local pop music. Signal not as strong as usual but audio much better. Clear and clean audio without the distortion or wobble. (Alexander).

Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe BC (Gweru) (presumed) 4828, 0427-0440. Vernacular text to non-stop local pop music. Poor signal with heavy CODA interference. First time anything other than a carrier heard on 4845 so far this year. (Evans).

Contributors:
Brian Alexander, PA
Chuck Bolland, FL
Jim Evans, TN
Ron Howard, CA
Joe Wood, TN

Lao National Radio website up and running

Just checked to find out that Lao National Radio website is back :

http://www.lnr.org.la/

Related webpage of Ministry of Information & Culture with links for provincial radio stations :

http://www.culturalprofiles.net/Laos/Units/142.html
(Alokesh Gupta, India)

Radio Taiwan International announces "Jade Mountain Competition"

Details at:
htttp://www.rti.org.tw/big5/2009Activity/2009jadevote/e_index.aspx

PRIZES:
Grand prize (2): digital camera
First prize (13): digital radio
Second prize (30): backpack with Jade Mountain logo
Third prize (50): T-shirt featuring the Formosan Black Bear
Consolation prize (100): heat-proof water bottle or cowboy hat with Jade
Mountain logo
Additional prize (3): a souvenir each for the three language services that
receive most entries

Mail to P.O. Box 123-199, Taipei, 11199, Taiwan
Email to : rti@rti.org.tw
(Alokesh Gupta ,New Delhi, India )

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2009 May 05 1951 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact: www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html
#
# Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
27 April - 03 May 2009

Solar activity was very low. Region 1016 (S08, L=106, class/area, Cao/020 on 29 April) formed on the disk and decayed into spotless plage by 01 May. As the region approached the west limb, it produced a B2 x-ray flare at 01/0858 UTC.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at normal levels.

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet levels during the entire period. ACE observations indicated no significant activity in the solar wind during the period.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
06 May - 01 June 2009

Solar activity is expected to be very low.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to increase to high levels during 08 - 11 May. Normal flux levels are expected during the rest of the period.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet to unsettled levels during 06 - 09 May, with active conditions possible on 06 May, due to a recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream. Activity is expected to decrease to predominantly quiet levels during 10 May - 01 June.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2009 May 05 1952 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact: www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html

# 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
# Issued 2009 May 05
#
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2009 May 06 70 12 4
2009 May 07 70 8 3
2009 May 08 70 8 3
2009 May 09 70 8 3
2009 May 10 70 5 2
2009 May 11 70 5 2
2009 May 12 70 5 2
2009 May 13 70 5 2
2009 May 14 70 5 2
2009 May 15 70 8 3
2009 May 16 70 5 2
2009 May 17 70 5 2
2009 May 18 70 5 2
2009 May 19 70 5 2
2009 May 20 70 5 2
2009 May 21 70 5 2
2009 May 22 70 5 2
2009 May 23 70 5 2
2009 May 24 70 5 2
2009 May 25 70 5 2
2009 May 26 70 5 2
2009 May 27 70 5 2
2009 May 28 70 5 2
2009 May 29 70 5 2
2009 May 30 70 5 2
2009 May 31 70 5 2
2009 Jun 01 70 5 2
(NOAA)

Australian DX Report # 149 available for download

The latest episode, No. 149, of the Australian DX Report, a weekly audio news magazine with news and information about shortwave broadcasting, propagation, monitoring notes and schedule updates, is now available.

It's 16 mins 5 secs, and may be downloaded from the Website of the Australian Internet Radio Service, at http://airm.edxp.org

The site allows you to listen to the ADXR and other audio features directly (streaming audio) via your MP3 player, or via the site's embedded mini-player. Podcasts, iTunes capability, full RSS/XML/Atom feeds, and free subscriptions are supported - full details are at the site.

The ADXR is compiled from the resources of the Electronic DX Press Radio Monitoring Association.

Your comments and feedback are particularly important!

You can also hear the episodes on-air, via WWCR Nashville, every Sunday at 0200-0215 on 5070 and on Mondays 1145-1200 on 15825. The WWCR release is also available as streaming-audio, live, from http://wwcr.com

Good listening to the Australian DX Report Episode No. 149!

Bob Padula,
Melbourne

UK's Monitoring Monthly ends publication

Pat Carty, Ops Normal editor of Monitoring Monthly has posted in the magazine's Yahoo group at 6.09 p.m. today (April 30) that he has spoken to Kevin Nice, the magazine's editor and publisher, who has confirmed that Monitoring Monthly has ceased publication and that a letter is in the post to subscribers explaining the situation.

The magazine covered radio monitoring in all its aspects and featured some very informative articles and columns, it's demise is a sad loss to the radio monitoring hobby.
(Mike Barraclough/worlddxclub)