Radio Budapest to close foreign service June 30

Foreign service is switched off. Radio Budapest will stop its broadcasting service on 30 June. 2007. It is not yet official, but already safe. Magyar Radio, which will completely stop public broadcasting corporation of Hungary, its foreign service. As was to be experienced from reliable source in the radio house in the Brody Sandor utca, all foreign language programs - under it also on German, still remained, ring out on 30 June 2007 to the last mark further details for planned completion are not present.

(Source: Wolfgang Bueschel/HCDX via Pester Lloyd

www.pesterlloyd.net/Archiv/2007_22/0722radio/0722radio.html

Students join broadcasts aimed at North Koreans

http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article-eastasia.asp?parentid=70810
A collaboration between Student Media Without Borders and Open Radio for North Korea aims to deliver culture from South to North

The Korea Herald
Monday, May 28, 2007

By Jeong Hyeon-ji
Student broadcasting clubs at 14 universities are attempting to narrow cultural gaps between the two Koreas and to let North Koreans know what's going on outside their tightly controlled country.

Student Media Without Borders is providing their production to Open Radio for North Korea, a Seoul-based radio station working to improve human rights of North Koreans.

"There's been a constant flow of goods and economic cooperation since the inter-Korean summit in 2000. Now we need to further it into that of culture and spirit. The people of North Korea have a right to know what's going on in the world," said Kang Won-cheol, co-director of the SMWB, which was officially launched last month.

Kang, 26, a business administration major, is a North Korean defector. After living 21 years in the North, Kang came to South Korea via China in 2001. He leads a student defectors organization in Seoul.

"When I arrived in China, I listened for the first time to South Korean broadcasts with a shortwave radio receiver. That's when I first learned that we (North Koreans) can actually go to the South," Kang said.

In South Korea, Kang heard other defectors talking about listening to South Korean radio programs in the North, sometimes in groups.

"I feel sorry for those stuck in a society of prisons and censorship, without any idea of what's going on in the world. Radio is a great medium for these people to learn what is really happening in the outside world. Nobody would know it better than I do, that's why I decided to take part in this," he said.

Since last December, the student broadcasters have been transmitting one-hour radio programs every day to the North and northeast China through Open Radio for North Korea.

The programs are aired from 11 p.m. to 12 p.m., either through the shortwave frequency 7390 KHz or the Open Radio's website.

The SMWB plans to extend its network to all 202 university broadcasting stations nationwide and even high school broadcasting clubs, said Lee In-gun from Dongguk University, a co-director of the organization.

Lee first got involved in the movement when he took part in a one-time show last year. The thrill of having audiences thousands of miles away from Seoul got him hooked on this project ever since, he said.

"All of us in SMWB enjoy what we do. Taking part in this movement has made us feel more responsible for the production itself," said the 23-year-old student.

Lack of government support
The student network is demanding the South Korean government provide a broadcasting frequency to enable more stable and lower-cost broadcasting. It plans to file an application with the government and petition with the National Assembly.

But the Unification Ministry's response has been negative. The government supports only those programs agreed upon by the governments of both South and North Korea.

"Programs with government support should meet certain conditions which are beneficial for both South and North Korea," said Kim Gye-jin, director of the Unification Ministry's Social and Cultural Exchanges
Team.

Open Radio has aired programs for audiences in North Korea and northeastern China since 2005. It is financially supported largely by the United States, Ha Tae-keung, executive director of the radio station, said.

"We've been transmitting the recorded show from a shortwave frequency abroad. Broadcasting daily radio shows for one year costs 100 million won ($109,000), which could be reduced to 2.5 million won if it could be transmitted from Seoul," he said.

Most of the funding has been raised in the United States, from NGOs and the American government and Congress, Ha said.

Ha did not want to name all the supporting organizations and institutions but some of the groups who recognized the importance of his activities include the State Department of the United States and Freedom House, a Washington D.C.-based NGO whose aim is to support the expansion of freedom around the world.

There has not been any financial support from the Korean government on this project. The government has refrained from allowing frequency bands for the open radio project, claiming that it is a politically sensitive matter.

Far East Broadcasting Co., which sends out gospel and missionary programs, is the sole broadcaster that has been officially allowed to air radio shows toward North Korea since the 1950s.

The student broadcasters provide material that North Koreans will find interesting and useful in understanding South Korean culture.

"We produce our show with other member organizations of the SMWB network. We include university program materials from topics such as economics, management and natural science, English expressions and Korean and western pop songs," Kim So-young, producer of Open Radio, said.

"We'd love to air some contemporary adult pop songs in the near future since defectors from North Korea really love them," Kim said, referring to the Korean pop music genre called "trot."

She visited the border towns of China and North Korea last year and still remembers how many people received news broadcasts and information from South Korea on cheap shortwave radios that flowed in from mainland China.

"The power of information is huge. You can see it from the amount of radios that are getting into North Korea everyday," she said.

Four percent of North Korean defectors are believed to have listened to South Korean radio shows before they came to Korea, according to a Korea Press Foundation survey of 304 North Korean defectors, taken in 2005. This is a relatively large increase from the 1 percent recorded in the first survey of 2003.

Shortwave radios are very common among North Koreans these days. They even smuggle DVDs from China, but radios are still more popular because they don't leave any trace, radio station director Ha said.

"The definition of reunification can vary for different people. The legal matter will take a lot of time. But I'm sure free civil exchange is near at hand, within five years," he said. "Giving a voice to the young generation is very important. After all, they are the ones who will lead a reunified Korea in the future."

Ha was an ardent student activist and was imprisoned for two years in the early 1990s. He later went to China and earned a doctorate in international economics. After spending four years as SK Telecom's regional investment director of China, he moved to Washington D.C. and worked as a research fellow at the International Forum of Democratic Studies.

Ha's primary goal is to extend the running time of the show and have more radio stations for North Koreans. Ha also plans to vary the content of the programs to include soccer and Chinese lessons, in which North Korean citizens are interested.

Once a month, SMWB members visit Hanawon, a government-run-resettlement support institution for dislocated North Koreans. They collect reports and opinions from volunteer North Korean defectors for consideration of future shows.

One of the volunteers, a former citizen of North Korea who has successfully settled in the South, edits the language and content of the show for items that could possibly cause misunderstanding for potential listeners.

"We also get reports from our acquaintances along the Chinese border," said Kim, who refrained from disclosing any further details.

Park Sang-bong, a professor of North Korean studies in Seoul Jangsin University, said the SMWB marks a positive development in student movement.

"Hanchongryun couldn't last because they were trapped within the shell of nationalism. Being free of nationalist dogma and considering North Korea's problems as an international issue is a step in the right direction," Park said.

Hanchongryun, the Federation of University Students Councils, is a leftist student organization that was criminalized under the National Security Act in 1999 for its alleged pro-North Korean activities.

Park said that there has not been a genuine civil exchange between the two Koreas, criticizing it as a one-way flow from South to North.

East and West Germany had continuous non-governmental civil exchanges, which proved to be one of the strongest push factors that eventually led to reunification.

Leaving aside the economic price of reunification, cultural and ideological discrepancies continued in Germany for over a decade, even after the constant civil exchanges. The growing cultural gap between South and North Korea is not going to make reunification any easier.

"Peaceful reunification can only be achieved by constant exchange between the two Koreas and SMWB could be a good preparation tool for North Koreans before they face a drastic change in social ideology and structures," the SMWB co-director Kang said.

June-July specials from Airmail Postage & DX Supplies

Specials for June and July appear below. Sweet repeats. Countries back in stock: Bulgaria, Bosnia, Slovenia, Serbia, Cyprus, Trinidad, Turkey, and Oman. A supply of Hungary and Slovakia arrived and we filled a number of back orders, but not all yet.

On Back Order: Greece, Bermuda, PR China, Spain, Hungary, Italy, Montenegro, Poland, Slovakia, Cape Verde, Aruba, and Andorra. P&I is now $1.00, up from 75c. New postage rates plus new size and thickness requirements are the reasons. Price changes: All stamps in the Americas that were priced at $1.00 are now $1.20 with the exceptions of Canada and Montserrat which remain at $1.00 each.

If you need a current stamp list, or any list, just email me and I'll send it off ASAP.

Best of DX this summer!

73, Bill

JUNE-JULY 2007 DX STAMP SPECIALS
3 Russia-$3.60 2 Ukraine-$2.40

JUNE-JULY 2007 DX SUPPLY SPECIALS
200/200 European Air Mailers & Returns $35
2 Standard QSL Albums reg. price $45. Now Only $39
Shipping charges extra on supply specials
UPS Shipping Rates for Supplies

Orders under $16.00 add $6.50, Orders from $16.00 to $40.00 add $7.50, Orders from $41.00 to $100.00 add $10.00, Orders from $101.00 to $150.00 add $15.00, orders over $150.00 add 10%. When ordering supplies AND stamps, use supply total to figure shipping costs. Stamps "ride free" when you order supplies. Shipments to a PO Box, Canada, AK, HI, PR, APO, etc. ship at a greater cost via the Post Office.

International postage stamps of foreign countries can be purchased from Bill Plum's Airmail Postage and DX Supplies, 12 Glenn Road, Flemington, NJ 08822 USA.

Include a self-addressed-envelope for his current price list or request a price list via email at plumdx@msn.com. The prices represent Airmail rate to North America. Prices are subject to change without notice. No mimimum order via check, money order or credit card, but credit card orders under $ 15.00 will incur a $ 2.00 extra charge. Visa, MC, AMEX are accepted. Please include billing and shipping address for AMEX. Bill also has an email newsletter service of monthly specials, and email orders are welcomed!

Don't forget the DX supplies include European Airmail envelopes (European Air Return and European Air Mailer). These envelopes are perfectly acceptable for mailing to ALL parts of the world, not just to Europe. Their size insures you that a 4"x6" DX QLSs will not come back to you folded which could happen if you used small U.S. sized airmail envelopes. Bill's European Air Return fits into a European Air Mailer without folding. These two envelopes and up to 5 QSL cards weigh less than one ounce. The European Air Return and 2 QSLs weigh less than 10 grams. All envelopes are sealed in plastic for protection. Envelopes are packed 100 per size per package. The 5-/50 Combo comes in one package.

Whats Next For Minivan Radio?

By Ajay Makan
May 27, 2007

Last week pioneering opposition radio station Minivan Radio failed to secure a frequency to broadcast in the Maldives, leading local media, including ourselves, to question its viability. Reflecting on the failed frequency bid, the radio's editor Shaheeda Fathimath tells MN there are no plans to close the station. She robustly defends the station's independence, distancing it from both Minivan Daily and Minivan News, and controversially calls for the other organisations to change their names. And she admits Minivan Radio would sign the Information Ministry's Agreement to secure broadcasting in the Maldives.

Future's Bright
"Minivan Radio's future is very, very bright. We will not stop," Shaheeda says emphatically. "There are many options to continue," she argues, pointing out the one hour daily broadcasts are still available to download from the internet. Until now Minivan Radio has been the only alternative to government broadcaster Voice of Maldives. But after last week's distribution of FM frequencies, a number of competitors will be broadcasting on FM twenty-four hours a day.
"Even if they have an alternative people will go for Minivan Radio," Shaheeda says. "The people have accepted Minivan Radio. It is the people's radio. They trust it." Shaheeda lists Short Wave broadcasts and selling content to other stations as possible revenue raising options. But it is clear she still sees FM broadcasting as the way forward. "TAM have said they have more reserved frequencies. We can always ask them again."

Credibility
To begin broadcasting, companies must sign an agreement with the Information Ministry, which will regulate radio. Shaheeda argues the agreement is incompatible with independence. "I don't believe in the Agreement. I don't believe in the Content Committee [the body established by the Agreement to regulate content]. I don't believe in the Minister selecting eight members for the Content Committee. If that's the case its not fair. We cannot have an independent media unless we have it on [the government's] terms, and this is not democracy," she says. "If someone abides by this Agreement, they cannot be independent."

No Choice
Last week Shaheeda criticised the distribution of frequencies by blind auction. "I have already proved I can run a radio. I have been doing this for three years," she said. "But these frequencies are for the rich. They don't care as long as they can get money out of this. It is a commercial venture." But beyond the rhetoric, Shaheeda accepts the commercialisation of radio and agrees, "in some ways it is a positive development." "I'm not criticising commercial broadcasters. I don't have anything against them. I am for them and I am with them. If I had money to compete with them, I would." The problem for Shaheeda is not that frequencies were sold commercially, but that broadcasters will have to sign the Information Ministry Agreement.
But she says broadcasters have no choice, and Minivan Radio too would sign the agreement if they had won a frequency. "I would sign an agreement. I have no choice. It means I will be more like the state media. I will have to make compromises." "This is the hard part," she laments. "There are a lot of people who call me and tell me not to sign an agreement, but it is the only way. And if I sign it, that means I have to abide by it."

Independence
Minivan Radio has often been accused of being anti-government, a charge which Shaheeda emphatically denies. "We give the people the news. We try to get the whole angle on it. This includes the government. We try. Everytime we try. But they don't cooperate and they don't give us information." Although Shaheeda will not reveal the names of Minivan Radio's funders as "they would get hurt," she says funders have never interfered with editorial. "If someone wants to help Minivan Radio, I say there can be no conditions. I tell them even if you call me once and ask me to change something, I will quit."

Which Minivan
Shaheeda wants to distance Minivan Radio from Minvan Daily and Minivan News. "All the time people think that Minivan Radio and Minivan Daily are together. But we don't have the same editorial policy, we don't have the same management, we are independent." But with all three organisations operating from the same premises and sharing the same name, Shaheeda admits it is hard to establish any distance. "I have tried many times to change the premises. I have asked many people to give me an apartment but they are quoting so much more than I pay that I can't." And she says the other two organisations should not have taken on the Minivan name. "I am the one who started Minivan. First came Minivan Radio three years ago, then Minivan News and then Minivan Daily. I don't know how and I don't know why Minivan Daily got my logo. I have a problem with that.I wish Minivan Daily would change their name. I wish Minivan News would change their name. I am not asking them to, but I wish it would happen."
(Source: Zacharias Liangas/HCDX)

Al Jazeera English to launch in South Africa

Text of report by Cambridge-based Broadband TV News website on 30 May International news channel Al Jazeera English is to join the Multichoice DStv platform in Africa. The channel will go live tomorrow (31 May) at 10.00 Central African Time and take channel 62 in the Multichoice EPG.
“We are pleased at the addition of Al Jazeera to our platform as it will further enhance our offering,” said Multichoice’s general manager content, Aletta Alberts. “My team and I are constantly challenged to ensure that our content continues to engage our very diverse customers.”
The Multichoice platform at 68 degrees East already carries Sky News, BBC World, CNN, CNBC and Deutsche Welle. Separately, public broadcaster SABC has called for a ‘must carry’ law to ensure its three TV channels appear on all pay-TV platforms.
(Source: Broadband TV News website, Cambridge, in English 30 May 07 via BBC Monitoring/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Iran plans commercial radio channel

Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) has decided to launch a radio channel to help foster domestic production and support exporters. According to the Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA), the Ministry of Commerce will cooperate with IRIB to launch the Commerce Channel, which aims to boost exports and help Iranian exporters better identify global markets for their goods and services. The new Commerce Channel will disseminate commercial information and economic analysis while raising public awareness of commercial topics such as the bourse and transaction rules.
(Source: Press TV/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

PBS Tibet-Lhasa XZDT summer schedule

Tibet PBS-Lhasa XZDT - daylight time.
Chinese Service is extended until 1800 UT (ex1730).

New schedule
Chinese 2000-1800UTC (not Tue 0600-1000)
11950 0158-0857
11860 0200-0857
7240 2000-0157, 0858-1800
7170 2000-0157, 0858-1800
6050 2000-1800
5935 2000-1800
4820 2000-1800
(incl. CNR-1 relay 2230-2300, 0030-0100, 1030-1100)

Tibetan 2100-1805 UT (not Tue 0600-1000) no change.
9580 0200-0930
9490 0200-1000
7385 2100-0200, 0930-1805
7125 2100-0200, 1000-1805
6200 2100-1805
6130 2100-1805
6110 2100-1805
5240 2100-1805
4920 2100-1805
4905 2100-1805
(incl. CNR-8 relay 2300-2357, 0400-0457, 1300-1357)

"Holy Tibet" in English at 0700-0730 and 1630-1700 UT.
(Shigenori Aoki-JPN, ndxc HQ via wwdxc BC-DX May 25; via Sei-ichi Hasegawa-JPN/BCDX WWDXC Top News BC-DX #809)

Blog Logs

Today's Blog Logs, feature a selection of pirate logs from the latest Free Radio Weekly newsletter and contributions from two regular contributors. Thanks very much to all and best of DX your way.
Gayle VH

Captain Morgan
6925, (p). 0344. Memorial Day, 2007. In EG. Male announcer with unintelligible comments. Music by Dobie Gray. Poor. (Wood, TN).

Ground Zero Radio gzrsw@yahoo.com
6925.4 AM 5/20 *0238-0243 SIO=242/141. Sirens and fallout shelter announcements, into Burt the Turtle with his "duck and cover" routine from the propaganda films in the 1950s. Took a deep dive and then little copy thereafter. (Zeller-OH/FRW)

Northwoods Radio northwoodsradio@yahoo.com
6925U 5/19 0146-0210* SIO=343. Loon noise IS and also occasionally during program. Otherwise a program of rock music, said to be broadcasting from the Great Lakes. Brief CW transmission at close. Gave northwoodsradio@yahoo.com for repts. (Zeller-OH/FRW)

Radio 6X
6935AM 5/20 0027-0108+ Announcer Bucky with a Do Wop show of early fifties and sixties music like Little Anthony and Imperials. Nice music (333 Majewski CT)
6935.52/U, 5/20 0220-0231+, Bluesy tunes. Poor @QRN level. ID per FRN posts. (Frodge-MI/FRW)

Radio First Termer
6925u 0100-0123. Memorial Day, 2007. In EG. First log of this station since October, 2006. OM with ID. Movie ads. Music included Tax Man and a song by Buffalo Springfield. Poor. (Wood, TN).

The Crystal Ship
6875, 0106-0250+. Memorial Day, 2007. In EG. Lots of good music from the 1950’s. Audio clips from President Kennedy about the 1960 election and the decision to land a man on the moon. The signal was armchair quality. VG-Exc. (Wood, TN).

7575 The Crystal Ship. 0106-0250+. Memorial Day. In EG. // bx of 6875. Barely audible with deep fades. Poor. (Wood, TN).

3275 The Crystal Ship 0315-0358. Memorial Day, 2007. In EG. // bx of 6875 OM announcer with ID as “You’re on board the Crystal Ship sailing on 6875 and 3275.” Deep fades
and QRN. Poor. (Wood, TN).

6875.05 , The Crystal SHip 0250-0300, May 27, Rock music, IDs. Poor reception. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Undercover Radio
6925U/L/MA 5/21 0100-0127 Tried all three modes to get a better read this evening on the signal. ID'd at 0116 as "Undercover Radio, this is our third show." Mentioned e-mail and Merlin address. Talk by Dr. Benway and Professor Burrows. Also ID'd at 0127 as "This is Undercover Radio from the middle of nowhere." Voice copy difficult, due to unsteady modulation and AC hum. SIO=352. Sent report to Dr. Benway and he
e-mailed me back that he found a loose connection on his equipment.
(Insinger, NJ/FRW)

Weekend Music Radio (Scotland)
3910.1, 5/20 0007-0013 QRM was not as bad on this frequency, so could hear some faint music. At 0013, recognized "LA Woman" by the Doors, and checked 6400 where I found WMR in parallel. First time I've heard WMR on 76 meters. (Maroti-NY/FRW)

6400.05 Weekend Music Radio (Scotland), 0000-0010+, May 20, Acknowledged listeners’ reports. ID. Pop music. Fair to good but some occasional utility QRM. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Wolverine Radio
6925u 5/24 0111 sio322 lots of noise, Bud Light commercial, Top Ten List (Fansome/FRW)

WTCR
6925U 5/20 0130-1214 Played a variety of music including selections by Steely Dan, Neil Young, and Issac Hayes. Heard two IDs during this time, a female, and later a male announcer said : "This is WTCR, Twentith Century Radio." Decent signal, but lots of static and some USB/utility interference was noted. (Comeau MA/FRW)
(Source: Free Radio Weekly # 589 via Greg Majewski; logs also via Joe Wood, TN and Brian Alexander, PA)

China DXpedition

Our Danish member Bjarke Vestesen just returned from a strenuous journey to the Guizhou-province in southwestern China which is far, far behind Beijing and Shanghai in development in all ways, but interesting to visit.
Bjarke brought his SONY ICF2001D, but had sparse time to listen. But on Apr 28 in Guiyang at 0140 AM local time (1740 UTC), he found the following Chinese stations active on the low SW frequencies: 3950, 3985, 3990, 4330, 4500, 4800, 4905, 4920, 4980, 5040, 5060, 5420, 5925, 5935, 5960 and 6015.
On the other hand Guiyang itself on 7275 was never heard!
(Bjarke Vestesen in China, via Anker Petersen-DEN, dswci DX Window May 23)

11740, China Business Radio, Xi'an, Shanxi, at 2200-2215 UT on May 19 and 20, andarin and English ID, followed by nice slow Chinese songs. Before 2200 another strong Chinese station was heard with non-stop Chinese "Firedrake music", I doubt it was the same. The reception was best on May 19 with 44333 while on May 20 SINPO 33232, with QRM from WYFR, Family Radio on the same frequency and strong splatter.
(Bredahl Joergensen-DEN, dswci DXW May 23)

XJBS Urumqi domestic services were heard again today May 19. Apparently, signals were fading in when I came across them at around 0710, and they remained audible until around 0845 - a total daylight path to my location. 9470 in Kazakh is now free of DRM and this one was heard peaking to S5 and parallel to weak and just audible 7340.

9510 in Mongolian was only S2 at first but improved later and was parallel much weaker 7230.
9560 in Uighur was only pushing the meter to S1 at first but this also improved. The parallel 7275 was inaudible due to local noise if on air, while 11885 and 13670 were inaudible.

9835 in Chinese was peaking to S4 but also became stronger (a machine gun like noise on/off was interfering at 0728). The parallel 9600 was inaudible until it peaked out of local noise at around 0731 at weak strength. Other listed channels 11770 and 7155 were not heard.
(Noel R. Green-UK, wwdxc BC-DX May 19)
(Source: BCDX WWDXC Top News BC-DX #809/DX Window)

Games of the Small States of Europe to air June 2-10

3A - Special event station 3A7JO will be active on all bands and modes from Monaco on 2-10 June for the XII edition of the Games of the Small States of Europe http://www.monaco2007.mc/. Activity will take place on all bands and modes. All of the QSOs will be confirmed automatically via the bureau. Direct requests should be sent to the ARM (Association des Radioamateurs de Monaco) QSL Bureau, B.P. 2, MC 98001, Monaco Cedex. [TNX 3A2LF]
(Source: DX News # 835 via Dave Raycroft/ODXA)

US-funded radio offers new voice on Darfur border

Radio Sila, based in the village of Goz Beida in Chad, is funded mostly by US taxpayers broadcasts into a violence-region suffering the spillover from the Darfur conflict next door. “People follow our car in the streets, shouting ‘radio, radio,’” said Fiacre Munezero, the station’s supervisor. “It’s a good start.”
Broadcast from a metal cargo container converted into a studio, the station is run by Internews, a California-based aid group spreading news and music to crisis zones.
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Guinea widens media freedom with more radio stations

Guinea will grant broadcasting licences to more than a dozen private radio stations this year in a widening of media freedom in the West African country, the government said yesterday. The move follows the ending of a state broadcasting monopoly last year. It was taken at a four-day government seminar held by Prime Minister Lansana Kouyate to chart policies to haul Guinea out of political and economic crisis.
“To reinforce freedom of expression in a positive spirit of inclusive participatory democracy, the government has decided to grant between now and the end of 2007 frequencies and licences to more than a dozen private radios,” an official statement released on Monday said. Since the end of the broadcasting monopoly last year, at least four private radios had been granted licences. But several of these were forced to temporarily go off the air or halt live news broadcasts in February, when martial law declared by Conte allowed the armed forces to control the media. At least one station, Liberty FM, was ransacked by soldiers, who briefly detained two staff members.
Media freedoms were restored when martial law ended under the consensus deal that allowed Kouyate’s appointment. Even before the February crackdown, Guinea ranked 109 in the 168-nation 2006 Press Freedom Index published by press freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders.
(Source: Reuters/R Netherlans Media Network Weblog)

Memorial Day Weekend Blog Logs

This being Memorial Day Weekend, we honor those that have served our country, and given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. To all of those that continue to serve, THANK YOU!!

God Bless our Troops and God Bless America!

All times UTC // parallel programming *sign-on ; sign off *

Australia, Radio Australia via Brandon 13630 2143 English 333 May 21 YL with comments on Iraq and interviewing another YL. //11660 [333]via Shepparton.(MacKenzie, CA)

Australia, Radio Australia-Shepparton 17795 2320English 444 May 20 YL with World Bank commentsand on the Dali Lama on the Connect to Asia program. The football updates. //15230 [444]Shepparton and 17785SIO 444 Shepparton. (MacKenzie, CA)

Ascension Island, Star Radio 9525, 0733-0800* May 28, seemed to onlybe STAR Radio programming and not Cotton Tree News (CTN). Poor, due toQRM from the return of VOI, with their continual music & ID loop. Theyhad been up on 11785 for about the past three weeks. Even if CTN cansolve their technical difficulties, it will make for challengingreception now that VOI is also here. At 0800 VOI started their Englishsegment. IDs "This is the Voice of Indonesia, Jakarta". (Ron Howard, CA)

Ascension Island, BBC World Service relay 7160 0426 English 333 May 15 OM with a newscast. OM with sports newsupdayes plus Tony Blair updates. (MacKenzie, CA)

Bolivia, Radio Yura 4716.66, 0130-0215, May 27, local Bolivian music. ID, Spanish announcements. March type music.Weak. Poor in noisy conditions. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Bolivia, Radio Mallku 4796.34, 1023-1030 Initially heard either an AD or promo, then live comments by both a male and female. At this point in time, the window for Bolivia was closing here in Central Florida and consequently, Radio Mallku was at a threshold level. (Chuck Bolland, May 11, 2007)

Bolivia, Radio Santa Cruz, 6134.81, 0905-0915 Spanish comments between musical selections. Announcer takes phone calls from listeners also. Signal was fair with dropouts every once in awhile. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Brazil, Radio Marumby, 9664.98, 2310-2320,May 26, Portuguese religious music & sermon. // 11749.85 - both frequencies weak. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Brazil, Radio Record (tent.) 6150 0232-0238, May 24,Portuguese. Futbol coverage audible under co-channelDGS. Crushed at 0328 by DGS music and contact info.Poor. (Barbour-NH)

Canada, Calgary 6030, CFVP relaying CKMX (AM 1060), 0803-0828 May28, their usual clear Monday (Marti and jammer are off), C&W songs Talking In Your Sleep, Looking For Love, Sunday Morning Coming Down, etc. Station IDs "Classic Country AM 1060", PSA for the June 9 & 10 Easter Seals relay, fair-poor. (Ron Howard, CA)

Cuba, Radio Havana, 5940, 6300, 0515-0545, May 27,Leapfrogging spurs. English programming with news & local music. Fair reception. These could be mistaken for legitimate fundamental frequencies but are leapfrogging spurs from 6060 & 6180. 120khz separation between each frequency. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Cyprus, CBC 9760 2215-2222, May 20, Greek, S/on, music, complete identification by male as: "Radiofonikou Idryma Kyprou”, news by male, SINPO 24332. Not reception from my city on 7210 & 6180(Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina)

Ecuador, Radio Chaskis, 4909.23, 0100-0120, May 26,Tentative with Ecuadorian music. Spanish announcements. Weak.Poor in noisy conditions. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Ecuador, Radio Quito 4918.99, 0110-0200+, May 26, Veryirregular. Ecuadorian music, Spanish ballads, ads, jingles, IDs. Poor. Weak. Much stronger at 0400-0600 but announcements were somewhat distorted. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Ethiopia, Radio Fana, 7210, *0257-0310, May 26,Sign on with IS. Talk in local language at 0300. Horn of Africa music at 0303. Weak. In the clear for 1 minute until covered by BBC IS at 0258 but still audible under BBC. Weak // 6109.92-mixing with TWR 6110. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Israel, Galei Zahel 15792.5v, 2140, May 4, Still drifting upward.How far off frequency will these guys go? // 6976.54v (Brian Alexander, PA)

Latvia, Radio Mi Amigo 9290, 2045-2100, May 23, English, Old songs by Pink Floyd to announcement and identification by male at 2058 UTC, Song by female and s/off, SINPO 44433.(Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina)

Peru, Radio Victoria 6019.51, 0848-0900 Noted a male and female discussing in Spanish, a social condition in Peru. Sounded like an on the scene interview with background sounds heard. Signal was poor. (Chuck Bolland, May 13, 2007)

Russia, Voice of Russia 13635 0237 English SIO 444 May 20 OM with comments and music via MusicalTales program. YL with comments. "Boys and Girls"song by a YL named Angelica at 0254. //9665 [333]viaMoldova. (MacKenzie-CA)

Russia, Radio Tikhiy Okean, 9675, 0835-0900 Opening with Interval Signal, then man and woman with ID and opening remarks. This followed with news all in Russian Language. The remain time was filled with features and music. and canned ID's. Checked 12065 KHz for parallel and noted the same with a poor signal while 9765 KHz was good. (Chuck Bolland, May 13, 2007)

Rwanda, Deutsche Welle relay, 7245 0420 English 444 May 15 Two OMs with a newscast and IDas DW News. YL with Africa News. //7225 [232]via England and 15445 [333]via Ceylon. MacKenzie, CA.

Singapore, BBC World Service relay, 15360 0013 English 333 Apr 30 Two OMs with news items plus a YL withcomments on refugee camps in Africa. MacKenzie, CA.

South Africa, Channel Africa 9685 0526 English SIO 333 May 21 Two OMs in a conversation on business between Africa and the USA. (MacKenzie,CA)

Zimbabwe, (via Madagascar)Radio Voice of the People, 9765, *0400-0415, May 26, Sign on with African music & opening ID announcements in vernacular & English. IDs & schedule given followed by talk in vernacular. Short breaks of African music. Many IDs. Very good. No jamming heard. (Brian Alexander, PA) upward.How far off frequency will these guys go? // 6976.54v (Brian Alexander, PA)

(photo: FL Dept of Edu)

Venezuelan TV station says troops seized equipment

By Brian Ellsworth and Christian Oliver

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan troops have seized an anti-government television channel's broadcast equipment, the station said on Sunday, ahead of a controversial midnight EDT/0400 GMT takeover by President Hugo Chavez that will take the broadcaster off the air.

Chavez sparked international criticism with his decision to not renew RCTV's license and to replace Venezuela's most-watched channel with a state-backed network that will promote the values of his self-styled socialist revolution.

RCTV representatives said troops had taken over relay stations across the country amid a show of military force meant to deter possible violence by opposition demonstrators.
(Source: Reuters /additional story at:
www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN2723008820070527?feedType=RSS&rpc=22

Venezuelan government reviewing AM license framework

Venezuelan Minister of Telecomunications and IT Jesse Chacón yesterday said the broadcast licences for all of the AM radio stations operating in the country have expired, and added that his office is currently reviewing the legal framework governing their broadcast licences. The Venezuelan Telecommunications Commission (CONATEL) recently renewed the broadcast licences of five AM radio stations, and asked another 42 to produce further documentation for renewal.

The government has also renewed, for an undisclosed time, the broadcast licence for private television station Venevisión, the major rival of 53-year-old private TV network RCTV, the licence of which expired last night at midnight and the government refused to renew.

Venevisión, owned by Gustavo Cisneros, has been engaged in political arm wrestling with the government of President Chávez, but toned down its opinion and news shows as of 2005. RCTV and Venevisión have jointly accounted for 71 percent of advertisements spots in Venezuelan television.

The broadcast licences for official television channel VTV and two regional television stations, namely Televisora Andina, southwestern Mérida state, and Amavisión, southern Amazonas state, were also renewed for a term that was not disclosed.

Regarding the role the news media should play, Chacón told private television Televen on Sunday that “the fact that the media are critical of the government is one thing, but using a public asset to encourage people to disregard the institutions is a whole different thing.”

According to the official news agency ABN, Chacón made a call to witness the birth of newly created public service Venezuelan Social Television Station (TVes) early on May 28, “in a climate of calm, on open signal channel 2.”

Channel 2 is the open signal [terrestrial free-to-air] channel previously used by RCTV.

“It is impossible to revert the measure the Venezuelan State adopted not to renew the broadcast license to private TV channel RCTV, because the relevant administrative measure has been implemented.”

He pointed out that the move is in compliance with the Venezuelan Constitution and laws.
(Source: El Universal/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Internet radio bill goes before Congress

A bill that would save the Internet radio industry from a dramatic increase of fees webcasters pay to play music has gained the support of its 100th member of the US House of Representative. Introduced by Representatives Jay Inslee (D-WA) and Donald Manzullo (R-IL), the Internet Radio Equality Act (H.R. 2060) would vacate the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) decision that increased the royalty rates by 300-1200 percent over the next five years.
“Members of Congress are hearing loudly and clearly the passionate voices of webcasters, music fans and artists who have marched on Capitol Hill with their feet, their calls and their letters.
Reaching 100 cosponsors in three legislative weeks is extraordinary, and is a major milestone for tens of thousands of webcasters, millions of Internet Radio listeners, and thousands of artists invested in the future of Internet radio,” Jake Ward, a spokesperson for SaveNetRadio said.
SaveNetRadio is a national coalition comprised of hundreds of thousands of webcasters, artists, listeners and labels from throughout the country committed to preserving the future of Internet radio.

Legislation currently before Congress, H.R. 2060 and S. 1353 - the Internet Radio Equality Act - would vacate the Copyright Royalty Board’s decision and set a 2006-2010 royalty rate at the same level currently paid by satellite radio services (7.5% of revenue.) The bill would also change the royalty rate-setting standard used in royalty arbitrations, so that the standard applied to webcasters would align with that applied to satellite radio.
For more information on the SaveNetRadio coalition visit www.savenetradio.org.
(Source: SaveNetRadio/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Voice of Zimbabwe begins text transmissions

Text of report by Zimbabwean TV on 26 May
The new radio station Voice of Zimbabwe has started a test run and will run for a few weeks before the station’s programming is launched.
Speaking to ZBC [Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation] news the station’s general manager, Mr Happison Muchechetere said Voice of Zimbabwe would be heard on the following frequencies: 5975 kHz on the 49 meter band from 0730 a.m.-0630 p.m.[local time = 0530-1630 UTC]. It would also be available on 4828 kHz on the 60 meter band.
He said Voice of Zimbabwe would provide in its programming news, music, sports, Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage, political and economic debates. Mr Muchechetere said the station would cater for all Zimbabweans within the country and abroad would give the Zimbabwean story as it is.
(Source: ZTV1, Harare, in English 1800 gmt 26 May 07 via BBC Monitoring)

Presumed radio test broadcast observed
A station playing continuous African music without identification or other announcements was observed on shortwave 4828 kHz from tune-in at 2345 gmt on 27 May 2007 until fade-out around 0400 gmt the following day. This shortwave frequency of 4828 kHz has been used sporadically in the past by ZBC for relays of its domestic networks. Presumably this was a test transmission for ZBC’s new external service, Voice of Zimbabwe. The government’s Sunday Mail website (www.sundaymail.co.zw) cites the following schedule for the tests: 4828 kHz at 1630-0530 gmt; 5975 kHz at 0530-1630 UTC. At the same time ZBC’s second domestic network, Radio Zimbabwe, was heard on shortwave 3396 kHz.
(Source: BBC Monitoring research 28 May 07/Radio netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Venezuelans protest closure of TV station

Last Updated: Sunday, May 27, 2007 6:25 PM ET
The Associated Press Television personalities embraced, wept and broke into chants of "freedom" before cameras on Sunday as Venezuela's most widely watched channel prepared to go off the air following a decision by President Hugo Chavez that opponents called an assault on free speech.Radio Caracas Television, the sole opposition-aligned TV station with nationwide reach, is being forced off the airwaves because Chavez has refused to renew its broadcast licence."We are living an injustice," said Eyla Adrian, a 35-year-old presenter, her eyes welling with tears. "I wish that tonight would never come."Chavez said Saturday he was democratizing the airwaves by turning RCTV's signal over to a public service channel."That television station became a threat to the country so I decided not to renew the licence because it's my responsibility," Chavez said.
More at: http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2007/05/27/venezuela-tv.html
(Source: Fred Waterer, ODXA)

Certainely proves the old theory...be careful what you wish for. With Chavez president, the Venezuelan people have indeed lost another one of their freedoms.
Gayle

All India Radio to turn digital for world audience

Listening to old melodies of KL Sehgal or latest tunesfrom Himmesh Reshammiya would now be possible in farwest United States or on the interior of Indo-Chinaborder. In a quality better than FM radio.
It will all happen with All India Radio (AIR) planningto go digital. "We have started a pilot project toprovide digital signals to radio audience in thecountry. The quality would be as clear as playingmusic at your home," said Brajeshwar Singh,Director-General AIR.
The digital service will be available through internetvia webcasting and as radio signal till a distance of20,000 kilometres in a crystal clear sound. But thebiggest stumbling block for the masses to listen to fine quality radio transmission is the high costdigital radio sets. Each set costs about Rs 12,000.But, Singh expects the price to go down once the useof radio digital signal improves.
Till, the technology becomes popular the AIR willprovide the signal in both analog and digital mode.This will mean that there will be a signal forconventional radio sets along with one for digitalradio sets. Once the transition from analog to digital is complete, the analog signal will not be available."It will take seven to eight years," Singh said.
AIR on Thursday conducted a presentation forInformation and Broadcasting ministry secretary ASwarup on digital phase of AIR. The pilot projectstarted from a transmission station near DelhiUniversity is first of its kind in the country.
"Although 38 countries in the world has used digitalmode for external transmission, India would be thefirst country to use the technology for nationaltransmission," AS Guin, Engineer-in- Chief of AIR.
The cost of converting entire AIR network on digitalis high but the government expects to get approval ofPlanning Commission for this futuristic project soon.Under the pilot project, Delhi radio station is available on digital mode as well as analog mode. "Wehave divided the bandwith into two channels. One partis digital and other is analog. People who want tolisten to better quality sound can opt for the digital signal" an AIR official said.
Via: http://www.hindustantimes.com/

(Source: Mukesh Kumar, India)

Leh's only radio station neglected

Statesman News Service
JAMMU, MAY 26: Notwithstanding claims of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting having spent crores of rupees on upgradation and improvement in All India Radio stations all across the country, one of India's high altitude stations situated in the difficult and inaccessible mountain terrain of Ladakh is crying out for government attention.

Even when the rest of the world has entered the digital era, the All India Radio, Leh situated in Leh town of Ladakh region, with its 10 KW radio station, has experienced only degradation both in terms of content and reception in the past few years. AIR Leh, installed in 1971, has not been upgraded in terms of power and manpower.

The apathy and neglect by the government has forced a top Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh, executive councillor for education, art & culture Mr. Tsewang Rigzin, - to write to the top officials of the I& B ministry including its minister Mr Priya Ranjan Das Munshi, Director General, All India Radio, but sadly till date, there has been no response from their side.

In a rugged terrain, where one can hardly have the luxury of watching television, AIR Leh has been the only medium of entertainment in Ladakh and people of Leh Ladakh have relied upon this radio station for years for news, especially Ladakh's own bulletin, programmes on health, education, religion, science etc.

"People of Leh, are very proud to be Indians, and most of it is because of the patriotic programmes that AIR has reached to even the remotest areas of Ladakh in the last few decades," said Mr Rigzin informing that even the poorest Ladakhi owns a radio set.

But what is sad is that the listeners don't receive Leh radio signals either on shortwave or on medium wave after 6 p.m. The shortwave reception in the border areas like Changthang, Nubra and Sham has worsened since November last year. "I fear that the bad reception of Leh radio on the border might lead people to listen to the programmes broadcast by the high-powered stations from across the borders," said Mr Rigzin adding Ladakhis who are up in arms against I&B ministry, want immediate upgradation of Leh AIR station. Moreover, Leh is an important place from the strategic point of view having borders with Pakistan in the West and China in the East.
(Source: Alokesh Gupta, India; Mukesh Kumar, India)

Let's Celebrate Our One Year Anniversary

It does not seem like it, but today is the 1st anniversary of the MT Milcom and the Btown Monitoring Post Blogs. Tomorrow is the 1st anniversary of Gayle's MT Shortwave Central Blog.

So on this Memorial Day weekend Gayle and I would like to thank all who have contributed to the effort to make these blogs the best in the world of radio. No one else even gets close in reader traffic or news content.

We would also like to take a second to honor all those who have served or are currently serving in the US military, those who have goven the ultimate price for this country, and all their families. These are the folks who are always in our thoughts and prayers.

So on this fantastic weekend, the start of summer, let's celebrate our 1st anniversary of the MT Radio Blogs - Milcom, Btown Monitoring Post, and the MT Shortwave Central. And again thanks to all who have made it possible and laissez les bons temps rouler.

Chavez orders mlitary control of RCTV

Venezuela’s top court yesteday ordered the Defence Ministry to take control of installations of an opposition television station amid a show of military force before the station’s controversial closure. President Hugo Chávez’s decision to close the RCTV television channel, which he accuses of backing a 2002 coup against him, has prompted international condemnation and several demonstrations.
Venezuela’s Supreme Court ordered the military to “guard, control and monitor” some of the station’s installations and equipment including transmission equipment and antennas throughout the country. An RCTV source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said staff at the station believed troops would take over the station’s Caracas headquarters.
The court determined that the government must take RCTV’s broadcast equipment to ensure a smooth handover to a state channel that will replace RCTV with broadcasts promoting the values of Chavez’s socialist revolution. A Defence Ministry official said he had not seen the court decision. An RCTV lawyer declined to comment on the issue.
The government has repeatedly warned that opposition demonstrators are preparing a “destabilization campaign” to spark street violence as RCTV loses its licence. “Minority groups cannot go against the will of the majority of the Venezuelan people to create uncertainty in the case of RCTV’s licence,” Defence Minister Raul Baduel told state news agency ABN.
(Source: Reuters/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

(Gayle Van Horn)

Nepal launches Tibetan to radio program

There are around 28 FM radio stations in the Nepali capital Kathmandu, but a local radio programme in the Tibetan language was never heard of until recently. But on April 8 this year, the Voice of Youth 96.8 FM started broadcasting a new programme that plays Tibetan music and song between 1-2pm every Sunday.
Read the story at Phayul.com
(Source: R nNherlands Media Network Weblog)

Launch of Zimbabwean radio station "postponed indefinitely"

The launch by the Zimbabwean government of a new shortwave radio service has once again been “postponed indefinitely”, according to The Zimbabwe Times, a US-based internet news service. The new station had been due to launch on 25 May, Africa Day.
The Zimbabwe Times said on 25 May that sources at the Ministry of Information and Publicity could not explain the postponement. “The launch of the radio station which was expected to take place tomorrow [25 May] has been cancelled,” said a source who requested anonymity. The source also said the launch could have been postponed because of the technical problems currently being encountered by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC).
Happison Muchechetere, an experienced journalist with both ZBC and the state news agency New Ziana, will head the station, which aims to represent Zimbabwean interests to a Zimbabwean and world audience.
ZBC Chief Executive Officer, Henry Muradzikwa, said the new station was designed to counter the hostile propaganda of foreign-based radio stations by “providing factual information about the reality on the ground in Zimbabwe”.
The government accuses SW Radio Africa, based in London, and Voice of America’s Studio 7 of broadcasting propaganda aimed at inciting Zimbabweans to rise against the government. The authorities attempt to jam these shortwave stations.
On 24 May, state-run ZTV television had said that the new channel, “Voice of Zimbabwe”, would be launched at a ceremony the following day in Gweru (central Zimbabwe) presided over by Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu. The TV report, however, also said the “official opening” of the radio station would not take place until “a later date”.
Plans for the new service were first revealed in 2000, but previously-announced launch dates have not been met. Originally to have been called Studio 24/7, this was later changed to News24 and then to Voice of Zimbabwe. This latest name deliberately evokes broadcasts by a clandestine radio of the same name during the so-called Chimurenga (liberation war) fought against the Rhodesian authorities before independence in 1980.
In early April 2007 Information Minister Ndlovu said the new station would be on the air on the 18th of that month to mark the anniversary of Zimbabwe’s independence. But that date also passed without a launch.
Voice of Zimbabwe will be run by Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings (ZBH), the state-owned umbrella that holds a monopoly on broadcasting within the country. ZBH - still widely referred to by its former name, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) - already operates four FM radio networks and one TV channel.
One of these networks, Radio Zimbabwe, is relayed on a single shortwave transmitter (currently 6045 kHz during the daytime and 3396 kHz at night). Despite the operation of these relays, Zimbabwean officials have stated on a number of occasions that the new Voice of Zimbabwe will be revitalizing the use of shortwave, implying that shortwave is not at present used by ZBH and that the station will be operating from new transmitters.
(Source: BBC Monitoring research 25 May 07)
The launch by the Zimbabwean government of a new shortwave radio service has once again been “postponed indefinitely”, according to The Zimbabwe Times, a US-based internet news service. The new station had been due to launch on 25 May, Africa Day.
The Zimbabwe Times said on 25 May that sources at the Ministry of Information and Publicity could not explain the postponement. “The launch of the radio station which was expected to take place tomorrow [25 May] has been cancelled,” said a source who requested anonymity. The source also said the launch could have been postponed because of the technical problems currently being encountered by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC).
Happison Muchechetere, an experienced journalist with both ZBC and the state news agency New Ziana, will head the station, which aims to represent Zimbabwean interests to a Zimbabwean and world audience.
ZBC Chief Executive Officer, Henry Muradzikwa, said the new station was designed to counter the hostile propaganda of foreign-based radio stations by “providing factual information about the reality on the ground in Zimbabwe”.
The government accuses SW Radio Africa, based in London, and Voice of America’s Studio 7 of broadcasting propaganda aimed at inciting Zimbabweans to rise against the government. The authorities attempt to jam these shortwave stations.
On 24 May, state-run ZTV television had said that the new channel, “Voice of Zimbabwe”, would be launched at a ceremony the following day in Gweru (central Zimbabwe) presided over by Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu. The TV report, however, also said the “official opening” of the radio station would not take place until “a later date”.
Plans for the new service were first revealed in 2000, but previously-announced launch dates have not been met. Originally to have been called Studio 24/7, this was later changed to News24 and then to Voice of Zimbabwe. This latest name deliberately evokes broadcasts by a clandestine radio of the same name during the so-called Chimurenga (liberation war) fought against the Rhodesian authorities before independence in 1980.
In early April 2007 Information Minister Ndlovu said the new station would be on the air on the 18th of that month to mark the anniversary of Zimbabwe’s independence. But that date also passed without a launch.
Voice of Zimbabwe will be run by Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings (ZBH), the state-owned umbrella that holds a monopoly on broadcasting within the country. ZBH - still widely referred to by its former name, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) - already operates four FM radio networks and one TV channel.
One of these networks, Radio Zimbabwe, is relayed on a single shortwave transmitter (currently 6045 kHz during the daytime and 3396 kHz at night). Despite the operation of these relays, Zimbabwean officials have stated on a number of occasions that the new Voice of Zimbabwe will be revitalizing the use of shortwave, implying that shortwave is not at present used by ZBH and that the station will be operating from new transmitters.
(Source: BBC Monitoring research 25 May 07/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Radio Netherlands program preview May 26 - June 1

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

SATURDAY 26 MAY
*** 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): 1000 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1100 (Eastern N America), 1400 & 1530 (South Asia), 1800, 1930 & 2030 (Africa), 0000 (Eastern N America), 0100 (Central N America), 0400 (Western N America)

*** Vox Humana ***
"An Angel-headed Hipster's Howl"
In early October 1957, American poet Allen Ginsberg was hanging out in Amsterdam jazz cafes. At the same time in San Francisco, a Federal Court judge ruled that his poem Howl was not obscene. The work became a rallying cry for the movement known as the Beat Generation with it's famous opening line: "I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness..." Fifty years later, with more than a million copies in print, Howl continues to inspire artists and activists. David Swatling explores the origins of one of the most celebrated and controversial poems of the 20th century and discovers it's striking relevance to the world today...

"An Angel-headed Hipster's Howl" on Vox Humana.
Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 1027 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1127 (Eastern N
America), 1430 (South Asia), 1827 & 2000 (Africa), 0027 (Eastern N America), 0127 (Central N America), 0427 (Western N America) Repeated: Sun 1400 (South Asia), Sun 1900 (N America, Africa)

SUNDAY 27 MAY
*** Amsterdam Forum ***
One of today's pre-eminent historians is the guest on this week's Amsterdam Forum. Niall Ferguson is the author of The War of the World: History's age of hatred, The Pity of War and 1914: Why the World Went to War, among other books. He has also brought history to life in documentaries on television. In The War of the World he asks, why was the 20th century so uniquely ghastly for so many people? What turned it into a bloodbath, history's "most savage century"?

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 1000 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1100 (Eastern N America), 1500 (South Asia), 1800 & 2000 (Africa), 0000 (Eastern N America), 0100 (Central N America), 0400 (Western N America)

*** Echoes ***
Our new listener feedback programme. Mindy Ran responds to your comments, queries and complaints about our programmes. And featuring every week A Critical Eye - commentary from Perro de Jong.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 1000 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1100 (Eastern N America), 1500 (South Asia), 1800 & 2000 (Africa), 0000 (Eastern N America), 0100 (Central N America), 0400 (Western N America)

MONDAY 28 MAY
*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.
Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 1000 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1100 (Eastern N America), 1400 & 1530 (South Asia), 1800, 1930 & 2030 (Africa), 0000 (Eastern N America), 0100 (Central N America), 0400 (Western N America)

*** The Research File ***
The Research File reports on science in the widest possible sense. Laura Durnford and Thijs Westerbeek keep a close watch on the latest research and the hottest scientific topics. Climate change, cancer research, biofuels, new medicines, recycling, notechnology, anything the audience might find interesting can and will be covered in an interesting and easy-to-follow fashion. So if you want to be 'in the know' then don't miss The Research File.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 1027 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1127 (Eastern N
America), 1430 (South Asia), 1827 & 2000 (Africa), 0027 (Eastern N America),
0127 (Central N America), 0427 (Western N America) Repeated: Thurs 1500 (South Asia), Thurs 1900 (Africa)

TUESDAY 29 MAY
*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs. Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 1000 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1100 (Eastern N America), 1400 & 1530 (South Asia), 1800, 1930 & 2030 (Africa), 0000 (Eastern N America), 0100 (Central N America), 0400 (Western N America)

*** EuroQuest ***
"The End of the Quest EuroQuest"
After 600 shows 3000 items and 300 hours of radio, EuroQuest is going off the air. So this week we look back on not only some of the best, but also worst, most heartrending and weirdest items of the past 11 years on a programme that can only be entitled:

The End of the Quest.
In the next and last EuroQuest.
Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 1027 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1127 (Eastern N America), 1430 (South Asia), 1827 & 2000 (Africa), 0027 (Eastern N America), 0127 (Central N America), 0427 (Western N America) Repeated: Mon 1500 (South Asia), Mon 1900 (Africa)

WEDNESDAY 30 MAY
*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs. Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 1000 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1100 (Eastern N America), 1400 & 1530 (South Asia), 1800, 1930 & 2030 (Africa), 0000 (Eastern N America), 0100 (Central N America), 0400 (Western N America)

*** The Weekly Documentary ***
"Botswana: Land of Diamonds"
In less than half a century, the discovery of diamonds has transformed Botswana from one of the poorest countries in the world into a modern, prosperous nation. But not everybody is benefiting from the diamond wealth. In this week's documentary "Botswana: Land of Diamonds" Anna Yeadell examines the mood in the country that's being held up as an African success story.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 1027 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1127 (Eastern N America), 1430 (South Asia), 1827 & 2000 (Africa), 0027 (Eastern N America), 0127 (Central N America), 0427 (Western N America) Repeated: Fri 1500 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1900 (Africa), Sun 14:30 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), Sun 1930 (Africa, N America)

THURSDAY 31 MAY
*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.
Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 1000 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1100 (Eastern N America), 1400 & 1530 (South Asia), 1800, 1930 & 2030 (Africa), 0000 (Eastern N America), 0100 (Central N America), 0400 (Western N America) *** Flatlanders ***

The 17th century in Holland is usually referred to as the Golden Age. As well as being an economic superpower, the country boasted some of the world's greatest painters and scientists.

The century was not however, a Golden Age of Music. To find out why, Hélène Michaud spoke for this week's Flatlanders to musicologist Thiemo Wind, and expert on 17th century Dutch music.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 1027 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1127 (Eastern N America), 1430 (South Asia), 1827 & 2000 (Africa), 0027 (Eastern N America), 0127 (Central N America), 0427 (Western N America) Repeated: Wed 1500 (South Asia), Wed 1900 (Africa)

FRIDAY 1 JUNE
*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.
Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 1000 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1100 (Eastern N America), 1400 & 1530 (South Asia), 1800, 1930 & 2030 (Africa), 0000 (Eastern N America), 0100 (Central N America), 0400 (Western N America)

*** Network Europe ***
A Pan European team links up across the continent each week to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe. The programme is a unique example of European co-operation, produced by the continent's leading international broadcasters, it reflects the diversity of European society and voices. Each week we drop in on specialists around Europe and catch up with our extensive network of correspondents for their unique take on the events shaping the week.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 1027 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1127 (Eastern N America), 1430 (South Asia), 1827 & 2000 (Africa), 0027 (Eastern N America), 0127 (Central N America), 0427 (Western N America) Repeated: Tues 1500 (South Asia), Tues 1900 (Africa)
(Radio Netherlands)

Blog Logs - Peru

4655.2, Radio Centinela del Norte, Distrito de Cortegana, Provincia de Celendin, Departamento de Cajamarca, 0005-0200*, May 20, new station heard with promotions for the coming patronal festival honouring San Antonio de Padua. ID: "...en el extranjero que estan escuchando esta señal en 4655 de Radio Centinela del Norte, desde Cortegana para todo el territorio nacional peruano; Cortegana tierra en el norte de nuestro querido pais..." ann to be // 90.7 Mhz, "...arriba Peru, arriba Cortegana con Centinela del Norte...". During 2000 and 2001 three stations used this frequency on shift: R Celendin, Ecos del Eden and R Nuevo Amanecer, all from the province of Celendin using the same transmitter equipment. In 2005 the late DX-er Bjorn Malm in Quito heard an UNID signal on 4654.96. (Rodriguez)

4746.9, Radio Huanta 2000, Ayacucho, 2350-0010, May 18, Spanish ann, ID at 0000, LA-music, 23322 (Vestesen in Denmark). Also heard 1002-1010, May 23, typical format of Huaynos music and Spanish comments. Signal was fair. (Bolland)

4774.88, Radio Tarma, Tarma, 0958-1005, May 23, this one just popped on the air. Spanish comments with slight echo effect and Huaynos music. Signal was poor. (Bolland)

4790.2, Radio Visión, Chiclayo, 0555-0610, May 20, religious talk in Spanish: "Nos acercamos a la una de la mañana aquí en la Iglesia Pentecostal La Cosecha, Urbanización San Juan, número 457, Chiclayo, Perú". 24322. (Méndez)

4826.21, Radio Sicuani, Sicuani, 0952-1005, May 23, Spanish comments and typical music, signal was threshold. (Bolland)

4857.11, Radio La Hora, Cusco, 1036-1041, May 14, Spanish, national news, 24432. (Slaen)

4991.0, Radio Ancash, Huaraz, 2345-2400, May 18, many ann and ID's in Spanish, frequency seems to have driven from former 4990.9. Weak but audible, 12322 (Vestesen in Denmark)

5014.36, Radio Altura, Cerro de Pasco, 1029-1100, May 18, canned comments in the echo effect, live Spanish political comments, fair. (Bolland)

5039.16, Radio Libertad, Junín (Pres.), 1040-1100, May 18, Spanish comments, music, poor signal. (Bolland)

6019.2, Radio Vitória, Lima, 0655-fade out 0750, May 18, Spanish talks, the Brazilian preacher David Miranda, 44422. (Gonçalves)

6520.41, Radio Paucartambo, Paucartambo, 1028-1034, May 19, Quechoa, Huaynos and short ann, 25232. (Slaen)
(DX Window 325)

Radio Gloria to premiur May 27

Tom Taylor send in another program update for upcoming first transmission of Radio Gloria. The broadcast will run at 1200 UTC on 6045 kHz. Programming will be in teamwork with MV Baltic Radio.

More relays on 9290 kHz

All times UTC on 9290 kHz

Saturday May 26
Latvia Today 1000-1100
Radio Casablanca 1100-1200.

Sunday May 27
Radio Joystick 0900-1000
Latvia Today 1000-1100.

Wednesday May 30
Mi Amigo 1900-2100.
(Tom Taylor & DX Window 325)

VT Communications cancels UN Radio services

This week's summer schedule updates via VT Communications, indicated that United Nations Radio, has cancelled their services on the following schedules.
United Nation Radio, all cancelled from May 21!!!
All times UTC

1700-1715 7170 MEY 100 kW 076 deg to SoAf French Mon-Fri
1700-1715 11715 MEY 500 kW 340 deg to WeAf French Mon-Fri
1730-1745 7130 MEY 100 kW 005 deg to EaAf English Mon-Fri
1730-1745 15495 WOF 300 kW 114 deg to EaAf English Mon-Fri
1730-1745 17810 ASC 250 kW 065 deg to WeAf English Mon-Fri
1830-1845 15105 SKN 300 kW 110 deg to EaAf Arabic Mon-Fri
1830-1845 17560 RMP 500 kW 168 deg to NoAf Arabic Mon-Fri
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX May 22/DX Mix News 470 )

MEY via Meyerton, South Africa
WOF via Wofferton, U.K.
ASC via Ascension Island
SKN via Skelton, U.K.
RMP Via Rampisham, U.K.

VT Communications relays - Part 2

U.K. [and non] ASCENSION/AUSTRIA/JAPAN/NORWAY/RUSSIA/
RWANDA/SOUTH AFRICA/TAIWAN/UAE/UZBEKISTAN
Summer A-07 of VT Communications Relays. Part two of two:

Radio Mustaqbal, all cancelled from May 21!!!
0600-0630 15455 DHA 250 kW 240 deg to EaAf Somali Mon-Wed/Sat
0710-0740 15455 DHA 250 kW 240 deg to EaAf Somali Mon-Wed/Sat

Star Radio to Liberia
0700-0730 9525 ASC 250 kW 027 deg to CeAf English/Others

Cotton Tree News to Sierra Leone
0730-0800 9525 ASC 250 kW 027 deg to CeAf English/Others

Radio Vlaanderen Internationaal:
0700-0757 9590 SKN 250 kW 180 deg to WeEu Dutch
1800-1857 9590 SKN 250 kW 180 deg to WeEu Dutch

KBS World Radio
0700-0800 9870 SKN 300 kW 110 deg to WeEu Korean
1430-1500 9770 RMP 500 kW 095 deg to WeEu English Fri DRM
1800-1900 15360 RMP 500 kW 062 deg to EaEu Russian
1900-2000 15365 RMP 500 kW 168 deg to NoAf Arabic
2000-2100 3955 SKN 250 kW 106 deg to WeEu German
2000-2100 6145 SKN 300 kW 150 deg to WeEu French
2100-2130 3955 SKN 250 kW 106 deg to WeEu English

West Africa Democracy Radio
0700-0800 17875 SKN 300 kW 180 deg to WeAf English
0800-1100 17875 SKN 300 kW 195 deg to WeAf French/English/French

Trans World Radio Africa
0830-0915 11985 ASC 250 kW 027 deg to WeAf French
1300-1315 13745 KIG 250 kW 030 deg to EaAf Afar Fri/Sat
1730-1800 9805 DHA 250 kW 230 deg to EaAf Tigrinya Fri/Sat
1800-1845 9895 DHA 250 kW 225 deg to EaAf Amharic

UNMEE
0900-1000 15135 DHA 250 kW 225 deg to EaAf English/Others Sun
1030-1130 15135 DHA 250 kW 225 deg to EaAf English/Others Tue

CVC International
1000-1100 11815 MOS 035 kW 295 deg to WeEu English DRM

Free North Korea Radio
1000-1100 9490 TAI 100 kW 002 deg to KRE Korean
1900-2000 9780 TAI 100 kW 002 deg to KRE Korean
2030-2130 9785 TAI 100 kW 002 deg to KRE Korean

Radio Japan NHK World
1100-1200 9760 RMP 500 kW 095 deg to WeEu English Fri DRM

Eternal Good News
1130-1145 15525 DHA 250 kW 085 deg to SoAs English Fri

Radio Taiwan International
1200-1300 9850 RMP 500 kW 095 deg to WeEu English Fri DRM
1900-2000 6045 RMP 500 kW 168 deg to WeEu French
1900-2000 6185 SKN 250 kW 105 deg to WeEu German

Radio Sea Breeze/Shiokaze
1300-1330 9485 TAI 100 kW 002 deg to KRE Korean/English/Chinese
2030-2100 6045 YAM 100 kW 280 deg to KRE Japanese

Radio Free Chosun
1330-1400 9485 TAI 100 kW 002 deg to KRE Korean
2000-2030 9785 TAI 100 kW 002 deg to KRE Korean

Radio New Zealand International
1400-1430 9770 RMP 500 kW 095 deg to WeEu English Sat DRM

Open Radio for North Korea
1400-1500 7390 TAC 100 kW 056 deg to KRE Korean

Little Saigon Radio
1500-1530 7390 TAI 100 kW 250 deg to Asia Vietnamese

HCJB Global
1600-1630 11740 RMP 500 kW 076 deg to EaEu Russian
2100-2145 12025 RMP 500 kW 168 deg to NoAf Arabic

Radio France International
1700-1758 6010 DHA 250 kW non-dir to WeAs Persian
1700-1758 9530 TAC 100 kW 255 deg to WeAs Persian

SW Radio Africa
1700-1900 4880 MEY 100 kW 005 deg to SoAf English
1700-1900 11775 MSK 250 kW 190 deg to SoAf English
1700-1900 11810 ARM 300 kW 188 deg to SoAf English
1700-1900 12035 KVI 500 kW 155 deg to SoAf English

Eglise du Christ
1800-1830 15325 SKN 250 kW 175 deg to NoAf French Thu

Voice of Biafra International
2100-2200 7380 MEY 250 kW 328 deg to WeAf English Sat

Radio Republica
2200-2400 6135 RMP 500 kW 285 deg to Cuba Spanish
0000-0200 6155 RMP 500 kW 285 deg to Cuba Spanish
0200-0400 6100 RMP 500 kW 285 deg to Cuba Spanish
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX May 22/DX Mix News # 470)

PNG's Wantok Radio Light adjust frequency

Wantok Radio Light, is the shortwave service of the PNG Christian Broadcasting Network, a non-profit Christian organization, listener-supported radio ministry, based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

For some time, the station has received numerous complaints for operating in the 40 meter band on 7120 kHz. The station has recently adjusted their operational frequency to 7325 kHz. Despite this frequency also being in 40 meter band, as was the original one, it will likely result in additional complaints from the amateur radio community. One wonders what they think they have accomplished.

All times UTC, kHz. Daily broadcast in English and indigenous languages. Targeted to various areas.
0000-0100 7325va
0100-0200 7325
0200-0300 7325
0300-0400 7325
0400-0500 7325
0500-0600 7325
0600-0700 7325
0700-0800 7325
0800-0900 7325
0900-1000 7325
1000-1100 7325
1100-1200 7325
1200-1300 7325
1300-1400 7325
1400-1500 7325
1500-1600 7325
1600-1700 7325
1700-1800 7325
1800-1900 7325
1900-2000 7325
2000-2100 7325
2100-2200 7325
2200-2300 7325
2300-0000 7325
(Source: Gayle Van Horn W4GVH, Monitoring Times SW Guide)

Correspondence with return mint postage may be directed to:
P.O. Box 1273
Port Moresby
NCD Papua New Guinea
Return postage or contribution recommended.
U.S. Sponsor: Life Radio Ministries, Inc.
Mr. Joe Emert-President
P.O. Box 2020
Griffin, CA 30223 USA
Web: http://wantokradio.net/

(Source: GVH TP)

Bhutan active on 6035 kHz

6035, Bhutan Broadcasting Service, Thimpu, *0005v-0045 fading quickly out in Denmark from 0025, May 17, 18, 19 and 20, Buddhist monks chanting, ann in presumed Dzongkha, Bhutanese string music and songs, conversation, 34333 in Denmark with QRM from Colombia. Still audible in New Delhi at 0200. In Sri Lanka it is the strongest station on 49mb. Also heard at 1300-1500*, May 18 and 22 with English until 1500, giving e-mail and postal address. A short mp3 clip is on: http://www.ratzer.at/audio.php , see also "Blue Mauritius": http://www.ratzer.at/QSL_Bhutan.php (Barraclough, Goonetilleke, Gupta, Petersen, Rajeesh, Ratzer and Savolainen). Station Engineer Thinley Dorji explained to us on May 18, 19 and 21, that the new 100 kW transmitter (Cf. DX-Window no. 324) is being tested since May 17! Current schedule is 0000-0530 and 0730-1500. He promised QSL. (Gupta, Padula and Petersen)
(DX Window 325)

Honduran president orders radio, TV to air government propaganda

President Manuel Zelaya has ordered ten private radio and TV stations in Honduras to broadcast government propaganda to counteract what he called unfair coverage of his administration. Zelaya said that ten stations will be required to simultaneously air conversations and interviews with government officials two hours a day, for ten days in a row.
Under Honduran law, the government may order broadcasters to transmit messages that are deemed to be of importance to the country. There was no immediate response from the broadcasters. Addressing a news conference, Zelaya said “We find ourselves obligated to make this decision to counteract the misinformation of the news media about our 17 months in office.
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Blog Logs

Thanks to Stewart MacKenzie, Scott Barbour, John Wilkins, Chuck Bolland, Terry Kruger, Harold Frodge, and Joe Wood. Blog readers, have you sent in your loggings yet ?
Gayle VH

All times UTC // parallel programming

Australia 2325 VL8T Tennant Creek, N.T. 1147-1205+ May 21. C&W music past ToH (which is BoH in N.T.). Fair at best and // 2310 and 2485, both poor. (Wilkins-CO)

Bahrain 9745U, presumed Radio Bahrain, 2138-2207, May 20, Arabic. Continuos Arabic vocal music thru ToH. Weak but steady under co-channel HCJB. (Barbour-NH)

Bolivia 4796.36 Radio Mallku, 1006-1015 With a very weak signal, noted mellow type music and comments. The carrier was very good, but the audio needed help. (Chuck Bolland, May 23, 2007)

Brazil 6060.2 presumed Radio Tupi, 0818-0833, May 21, Portuguese. Familiar format of OM w/ religious talk over music ending at 0830, then seamlessly into OM addressing a rather enthusiastic crowd. (Barbour-NH)

Brazil 4845 Radio Cultura Manaus, 0030-0108, May 17, Portuguese. Up-beat musical selections and OM on occasion. ID's at 0038 and 0108. Fair/good. (Barbour-NH)

Colombia 6009.48 La Voz de tú Conciencia, Puerto Lleras; 1928-1944 20 May, 2007. Clear and fair with Spanish Christian vocals, Spanish male ID. Terry Kruger, FL)

Colombia 5910, Marfil Estereo 0802-0815, May 14,vSpanish. OM b/w musical selections. ID annmt at 0807.vGood. (Barbour-NH)

Costa Rica 9725 University Network 2302, 14-May; Sister Barbi preaching again! SIO=544; //6090 via Anguilla, SIO=4+33 w/hum QRM. (Frodge-MI)

Diego Garcia 4319U presumed American Forces Network, 003-0016, May 16, English. Stock
report and sports scores via FOX followed by right wingish call-in prg. PSA re help for alcohol abuse. Poor/weak. (Barbour-NH)

Egypt 9460 Radio Cairo 2306-2325+, 14-May; W/EE news to 2310 w/neat drum bumper between each item; AR vocal to 2315 pips, ID, brief anthem & W/EE news again, this time w/o the drum bumper; ID @2325. SIO=533, USB helps with down-freq buzz. Nothing on 9990. (Frodge-MI)

Ethiopia 6109.92 Radio Fana, 0335-0344, May 21, Vernacular. Horn of Africa music followed by OM and YL in lang. Poor as was // 7210. Thanks B.Alexander tip. (Barbour-NH)

Indonesia 3987.05 RRI Manokwari(p) 1236-1320 May 23. Long phone chats by M; Indo vocals at 1238 and 1255; SCI at 1259; Jak news 1300-1317, then back to local studio. Good signal for a change but still did not catch an ID; much weaker at 1318 as the band was on its way out. Has been on for several straight days so maybe the kinks are ironed out. (Wilkins-CO)

Indonesia 4749.96 RRI Makassar 1216-1229 May 21. Out of Jak news at 1216 and into local chat and music. Fair. (Wilkins-CO)

India 4840 AIR Mumbai, 0046-0108, May 19, Vernacular. Hindi mx at t/in, noted // 5010 Thiruvan (fair) and 4910 Jaipur (poor). At 0054 each w/ different anncrs followed at 0100 w/ each station using their own format. Jaipur was unusable by ToH, Thiruvan fading considerably by t/out, while Mumbai held steady throughout. (Barbour-NH)

Israel Kol Israel 11590 0328 English 333 May 19 Music vocals. OM with an ID at 0330. In French from 0345-0400 s/off by an OM. MacKenzie-CA

Lithuania 9875 Radio Vilnius, 2342-2359*, May 15, English. Reports re human trafficking, debate over Lithuanian deep-water port. ID annmt at 2352. Feature on Lithuanian/E.U. antique shops and flea markets. Good. (Barbour-NH)

Lithuania 9875 Radio Vilnius; 2251-*2300...2325-2336+, 14-May; All EE IDs & IS tune from tune-in to s/on @2300 w/EE ID & intro to pgm in Lithuanian. Lithuanian pgm continued to same EE ID @2329+ then into EE pgm. SIO=4+44 (Frodge-MI)

Madagascar 5010, Radio Malagasy, 0305-0330, May 18, Vernacular. Various anncrs b/w musical bits. Solid "Radio Malagasy" ID at 0328 followed by a presumed ad/promothen a "R. Madagaskara" ID at 0329. Poor. (Barbour-NH)

Malaysia 15295 Voice of Malaysia, 1150-1214, May 20, Mandarin. Pop music and ballads w/ YL b/w selections. ID at ToH followed by presumed news. Nice ID string at
1210. Fair at best w/ mild 15300-RFI splatter. // 11885-weak, f/out after 1200. (Barbour-NH)

North Korea 6250.56 P'yongyang Broadcasting Station; 1058-1134 18 May, 2007.great signal with Korean language soft vocals, 3 plus 1 time sounders at 1100, Korean male news, back to vocals nonstop until 1130. Then march filler music and presumed political talk. (Terry Kruger, FL)

Papua New Guinea 3905 Radio New Ireland 1158-1233+ May 22. Anmts and ID's to 1203, then island, pop, and reggae mx to 1233 tuneout. Still there at 1300 re-check though basically unreadable by then. Fair signal. Also noted on 23 May around the same time with an even better signal, again with music and M ancr in either Pidgin or heavily-accented EG. (Wilkins-CO)

Peru 4826.21 Radio Sicuani, 0952-1005 Barely heard a man in Spanish comments from 09:55. Shortly afterward, typical music heard. Signal was threshold. (Chuck Bolland, May 23, 2007)

Peru, 5014.36, Radio Aultura, 1029-1100 At tune in, noted canned comments in the echo effect. This was followed with live Spanish comments from a male. Subsequently, a female comments for a couple of minutes. From her tone, it
seemed to be political. More of the same follows. Signal was fair. (Chuck
Bolland, May 18, 2007)

Peru, 5039.16, Radio Libertad, (Pres)1040-1100 . Noted a man in Spanish comments here. Then music was presented. Afterwards, no other appreciable details were gleaned. Signal was poor but still audible at 1100.(Chuck Bolland, May 18, 2007)

Peru 4774.88 Radio Tarma, 0958-1005 While sitting on the freq, this one just popped on the air. Noted male in Spanish comments with slight echo effect and Huaynos music. Signal was poor. (Chuck Bolland, May 23, 2007)

Peru 4746.84 Radio Huanta Dos Mil, 1002-1010, Typical format of Huaynos music and male in Spanish comments. Signal was fair. (Chuck Bolland, May 23, 2007)

Pirate 6926 Undercover Radio. *0130-0144. 05/21/07. English. IS and ID. IS as “Don’t let them see us. Don’t let them know what we are doing.” ID as “This is Undercover Radio broadcasting from the middle of nowhere.” Live audio by Dr. Benway with ments of bxing with 6 kW, and calls for reports at undercoverradio@mail.com , ments of free T shirts, and into a repeat of the July 4th show. Fair. (Wood, TN).

Seychelles 9750 BBC relay, 0316-0331, May 15, English. News re Gonzalez firings, Wolfowitz WBO scandal and Pakistani violence. ID at BoH. Poor w/ 9745-HCJB splatter. (Barbour-NH)

Sri Lanka 11905 presumed SLBC, 0120-0144, May 21, Vernacular. Hindi-like ballads and duets w/ brief YL b/w selections thru t/out. Fair,crushed by 11910-Radio Vaticana IS at 1144. (Barbour-NH)

Sudan 4750, R.Peace, 0237-0303, May 18, Vernacular/English. OM and YL b/w both choral and indigenous musical bits. EG ID annmt at 0259 followed by choral music bit and a shorter "This is Radio Peace" ID. Poor w/ CODAR that diminished over time. (Barbour-NH)

Blog Logs

Special thanks to contributor Terry Kruger, for the following medium wave and Travelers Information Station loggings.
Gayle VH

530 FLORIDA AIRSPACE Radio Martí (airborne); tune in at 2150 18 May, 2007 (local Friday). Intentional channel blocker Radio Rebelde audio was going strong as usual, and also as usual a full second behind 1180, 5025 etc. But interestingly, the Rebelde power was abruptly dropped way down to maybe a fourth of the signal level at 2156, no doubt so the Habana Jammer Commados could check for the appearance of Air Martí. (I've heard this happen maybe once or twice before since the inception of Air Martí during the former PANG 193rd EC-130 operator days.) The Habana Jammer Commandos probably haven't seen a log of mine on the Internet for a few weeks and were curious about the status of Air Martí thus shut down 530 briefly (hi Arnie). Lots of local line noise here, but I could tell that a couple of minutes later, the Rebelde transmitter was completely cut off, then back up with full power at 2208. Air Martí audio was finally audible at 2217+ underneath and continued clearly, albeit weak under Rebelde, parallel Martí 6030. Air Martí was still hanging in there with the theme sounder at 2300. A true cat-and-mouse game this evening and a great example of the highly coveted radio war. Brilliant!

940 FLORIDA (MIS) Pinellas County Emergency Management WPTI814, Palm Harbor; 1705-1710 18 May, 2007. Noted this one at exceptional level when near US-19 and SR-580 (Countryside vicinity). This is one of three transmitters (the Ulmerton Road, Largo transmitter is loud and near me, and the third is near downtown St. Petersburg) which synchro the same audio. Usual NOAA Weather Radio KHB32 telco audio with sporadic Emergency Management generic crap announcements dropped in.

1680 LOUISIANA KRJO, Monroe; 1033-1040 18 May, 2007. Presume the one based on format, near local sunrise time. Briefly up before the Winter Garden, FL Spanish station overtook the channel. Promo for the apparently very big "Rejoice Music Soul Food" Christian concert in Philadelphia, then mention of "...only on Rejoice..." (KRJO's slogan -- and note the call letters, get it?). I initially hoped this was WTTM, Lindenwold, NJ based on the Philly concert reference until I Googled the concert and saw it was a major event at this location, and WTTM is apparently mostly an Asian languages/brokered format. Plus, late on the sunrise path for NJ here. So, KRJO I will say it was.

All logs were made between May 12 and May 17 during a random road and hiking trip to GA, NC and TN using the stock radio in the 2006 Hyundai Sonata rental (very poor sensitivity). All frequencies in kHz unless otherwise stated, times/dates EST

830 GEORGIA (TIS) William B. Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport; after vinyl record shopping in Atlanta's Little Five Points neighborhood, I tuned to this one around the I-285/US-23 junction (the usual huge signal). Female loop abruptly malfunctioned and stopped, leaving just an open carrier for the next 30 minutes of listening this early afternoon, May 15th.

1390 GEORGIA WISK, Americus; a totally cool station, clearly this must be a hobby station with automated programming built to fit the owners' music likings. I was in the Americus vicinity from late afternoon one day through noon the following, and never did this one air any commercials or PSA's for that matter, during my listens. Format is automated nonstop Top-40 60's/70's rock and soul. Hendrix, Sly and the Family Stone, James Brown, Dan Fogleberg, Michael Jackson, Mama's and the Papa's, Del Shannon, The Beatles, etc. Near top-of-hour canned ID by male as "Your music, 1390 WISK, Americus" and several variants at other times, though rare. Nice, warm audio. Someone here is having fun and knows how to do it at a cost that must be out of his own pocket. Listed in the FCC dB as 1 kW, NDD.

1410 KENTUCKY WHLN, Harlan; May 13, 6:06 p.m. local at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Great Smoky Mountain National Park (a pretty good place to do AM/FM bandscans as I found out last year). Unusual format that one would expect on FM, not here: hits by Snow Patrol, Tracy Chapman, Lionel Ritchie, Train, etc., female DJ Mary (Mills?). I thought 1-800-832-0308 announced (I may have gotten it wrong, or my Cingular would not work in this area or both, as it kept prompting me to send a text message with no other options or identification). Fortunately, they ID'ed after the attempted call with a canned "The radio station everyone can agree on. Today's hits and yesterday's favorites, 1410 WHLN." At 6:34, a promo for a Walt Disney World trip contest, beginning Monday. Never any commercials! Not so certain the programming was really locally-originated based on the format and 800 number. Listed at 5 kW, ND1 in the FCC dB.

1510 SOUTH CAROLINA WDRF, Woodruff; May 13, 6:37 p.m. local at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Tune in to The Eagles "Take It To the Limit," canned male "Oldies 1510, WDRF" and into national Home Depot commercial, then Grand Funk Railroad's "Locomotion" cover. Fair. Listed at only 250 watts NDD in the FCC dB.

1580 UNIDENTIFIEDS May 13, 6:55 p.m. local at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Two domestic stations with Spanish formats trading places, fair to poor. One uses the slogan "La Pantera 80" and the other (apparently simulcasting with FM) as "La Buena --- FM." Anyone know who these are? I Googled La Pantera 80 + 1580 and located WXRA, Georgetown, KY supposedly using the slogan La Pantera 15-80. No clear hits on La Buena + 1580 in this geographic region.

1600 UNIDENTIFIED May 13, 6:37 p.m. local at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Great Smoky Mountain National Park. This is the same domestic Spanish unidentified heard trading places last May with English gospel station WXMY, Chilhowee, VA at this site, and it remains active and with the same Mexican format. Snagged a slogan this time, "La Favorita." WXMY is still there too, same format. I suppose one possibility after having Googled La Favorita + 1600 is WAOS, Austell, GA.

1610 FLORIDA (MIS) Manatee Information Radio, Crystal River; big signal noted late afternoon on the return home through the back roads east of Crystal River and then south of the city on US-19. Long loop by squeaky female regarding manatee habitat, boating safety in manatee zones, etc. This one continues to remain unlisted (and thus the callsign is unknown) in the FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau dB.

1610 GEORGIA (MIS) US Army Corps of Engineers, Buford Dam (southern end of Lake Sidney Lanier); the most interesting new find on the trip, a TIS/MIS seemingly not listed in the FCC's dB (presumably due to government operation status vs. private or municipal). Peaking at fair level on I-985 at exit 8 and lost just south of the first Gainesville, GA exit. Looped male, partly copied text as: "This is a public service announcement regarding water release at Buford Dam. This service is provided by the US Army Corps of Engineers... The scheduled water release for Saturday and Sunday [initial log was on a Saturday] is zero...For... information, call 770-945-1467, or for the latest water release information, call 770-945-1466, or in the local vicinity, tune your radio to 1610 on the AM dial." No signs posted for this on I-985, maybe there's something heading west at exit 8 (SR-347)? I called these numbers (pre-recorded messages) upon returning home. One states to call a third number, 770-945-9531, for web information. I called and it's a live number. The lady gave the URL as: http://lanier.sam.usace.army.mil which works. The address she gave me fo potential QSLing is: USACE, Attn. Mr. Williams, PO Box 567, Buford, GA 30515-0567, which matches the mailing address on the web. On some days, the recorded phone information (1467) is updated by a Ranger Brad Vogel, USACE.

1610 GEORGIA (MIS) Perry Area Convention and Visitors Bureau PJY891; still active and still with a big signal that gets out for 10 miles or better. The same male and female looped information as last year, except for a short insert regarding May events.

1640 FLORIDA (TIS) FL Turnpike, Sumter County; UK-accented female with generic Turnpike ID, male generic trafic flow blather, time/date stamp ("7" instead of 2007 or 07). Briefly fair on I-75 northbound (as always during daytime), just north of the Lake Panasofkee bridge.

1680 FLORIDA (TIS) Floria Department of Transportation, Jennings; as previously reported by David Crawford, a large blue background with white letters sign (and inactive yellow flashers attached) is posted just across the Georgia/Florida line on I-75 southbound. But this is still not active. Would it not make sense to have it functioning during the wildfires that are sporadically seriously hampering travel on I-75/I-10? This is presumably the same phantom station that was on 1640 per a previous sign in the same area. 1680 is listed under the
generic FDOT mobile calls WQBN524 and at Jennings in the FCC's Wireless Telecomm
dB.

88.7 MHZ NORTH CAROLINA WNCW, Isothermal Community College, Springdale; noted May 13, 5:30 p.m. local at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Bluegrass and Appalachian folk vocals. Top-of-hour ID, promo for a Telluride vacation giveaway, mention of www.wncw.org, fair. First heard this one last May, a few miles southwest of here. One of the nicest regional flavor stations/formats.

89.9 MHz GEORGIA (PIRATE) "Brisas del --," Tifton; this Mexican-format Spanish pirate appears to be gone. Noted last May on the way north and a few days later on the return. Nothing this time heading up and back on I-75 around Tifton, and nothing traced on any other channel.

92.1 MHz GEORGIA WDDQ, Adel; still spewing nonstop loops for Wild Adventures/Splash Island tourist attractions. Heard while sitting for 1-1/2 hours on I-75 under the eastbound I-10 overpass, waiting for those of us who were the last on the Interstate to move north after both I-75 and I-10 were closed due to the wildfires on May 12th.

92.5 MHz SOUTH CAROLINA WESC-FM, Greensville; May 13, 5:42 p.m. local at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Live DJ with "92 point 5 WESC" into Country format songs. Canned ID near 6:00 as "WESC-FM, Greenville."

94.3 MHz FLORIDA WNFB "Mix 94 point 3," Lake City; pathetic that only one station had any updates on what was happening with the wildfires and the Interstate closure situation: WNFB Mix 94.3. Their Saturday air staff gave awesome accounts between songs. I sent John Newman, President and GM, an email about how his staff did such great job in this age of consolidation, brokered crap, satellite-fed repeats of weekday talk spewers, voice-tracking, etc. Responsible local radio? We cannot have that; someone buy this station out regardless cost. John Newman's reply: "Terry, Thanks so much for your kind words. I will pass your comments on to our staff, who all worked overtime an with a good attitude to provide the coverage of the fires. As a broadcaster of 40 years, we still feel it is important to be very involved with our community. When disasters occur, such as the hurricanes of nearly 3 years ago, or fires, we all step up to the plate to keep our listeners informed. We are delighted to hear from you and many others who have passed along similar comments. Stop by on your way through Lake City next time for a free tour and a chat." -- John Newman, President.

96.7 MHz FLORIDA WZPH-LP, Dade City; the usual pop/country oldies format (Bobbie Gentrie's "Ode To Billie Joe"), canned ID's. Audible briefly on I-75 near Zephyrhills. (Terry Kruger, FL)