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Sunday, June 28, 2009

Shortwave Blog "Bytes"


News bits and "bytes" from the world of shortwave radio

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

Cuba - DXers Unlimited program link
Arnie Coro's radio program for June 27-28 edition at:
http://dxersunlimited.blogspot.com/2009/06/dxers-unlimiteds-weekend-edition-for-27.html

Laos on 7145
Lao National Radio (presumed reactivated), 1250-1338, June 28. Playing southeast Asian music. This is the same type as routinely heard on 6130 via LNR. French began before 1300 UTC. English began at 1326, with frequency given (so probably an ID). Between the summer QRN and the amateur radio operators, reception was poor. They must have had timing problems today, as I noticed the gong/bell started late at 1203 on 6130 and the switch in languages here was early by about four minutes. My local sunrise was 1249, Vientiane, Laos sunset at 1148. (Ron Howard, CA)

Madagascar monitoring
RTVM (presumed) 6134.91, 1406-1427, June 12. Thanks to a tip from Dan Sheedy in southern California, I heard them in French. Sounded like the news was followed by Afircan hilife music. Signal began as fair but faded down to very poor. Was unable to heard the \\ 7105 that Dan has been hearing. For me PBS Nei Menggu (China) on 7105 is just too strong to catch anything under them. Dan noted a sign-off at 1446 on June 7.

6134.89v RTVM (presumed) 1342-1406 + 1449-1452.* June 28. For the first time I noticed segments of both French and assume Malagasy. Commercials to Africa hihlife music and conversation in Malagasy (clearly not French) between two men which seemed to be a comedy. Station went off the air in mid sentence, almost fair quality. Unable to confirm any parallels. (Ron Howard, CA)

Malaysia monitoring
5964.92 Klasik Nasional, 1106-1125 Jun 8. News in progress with lady announcer, 1110 Klasik Nasional jingle. Some sort of Qu'ran program consisting of verses alternating with flute music and commentaries by man and woman announcers. Tuned out at 1125. Signal Fair at best.
(John Wilkins, CO)

5964.90v Klasik Nasional FM via RTM, 1353-1359, June 13. Vernacular text by lady DJ with pop songs. Signal fair and covered by strong China Radio Internaitonal sign-on.

6049.60v Radio Suara Islam, 1402-1415, June 16. Vernacular. Reciting from the Qur'an, looking for possible new station ID, but just the usualas, "Radio Suara Islam FM" and "Radio Suara Islam, Kuala Lumpur." Station had transmitter problems today, as pre-1400 (Asyik FM time slot) had open carrier with no audio, while the Suara Islam audio was not up to their usual good
standards.

11884.67v Voice of Malaysia (Suara Malaysia) via RTM (presumed), 1221-1229*, June 9. Chinese service including pop music during strong signal, but very distorted audio.

11884.70v Voice of Malaysia (Suara Malaysia) via RTM, 1221-1232*, June 14. Chinese, \\ 15295 (1230*) both good signals and both terrible audios. English ID at 1229 as, "this is the Voice of Malaysia.") After VOM audio ended at 1230 on 11884.70, heard another audio feed from RTM with no distortio. Unable to ID and suddenly off at 1232.

11884.68v 1230-1237*, June 19. Heard another RTM oddity! The distorted audio of Voice of Malaysia (Suara Malaysia) in Chinese ended at 1230. After that, clearly heard the non-distorted audio feeds of both Asyik FM (\\ 6049.60v) and Radio Malaysia Klasik Nasional (\\ 5964.90v). Both equal strength. To date I have not heard a new ID for Asyik FM. (Ron Howard, CA)

Mexico on 6104.66
XEQM/Radio Candela, 0757-0820+ June 18. Noted a very good signal here with plenty of ID's as "Candela". At 0758 promos and canned ads until the hour. On the hour, seems a couple of minutes of live comments, possibly news. Then typical Mexicana type music with canned ID during and between tunes. Could not catch entire ID phrase but "Candela" was very clear by a female. Signal was good.(Chuck Bolland, FL)

Radio Pakistan transmitter site update
I have now received a printed copy of R Pakistans external and domestic services. There is no longer any listing for Peshawar or Quetta and so I assume the shortwave transmitters there are now definitely closed.

However, Islamabad (Rewat) API-8 100kW is listed as carrying Regional Program Rawalpindi-III (listed Pindi-III program) via 4790 at 0045-0215 and 1445-1815, and on 7265 at 0900-1215. The same program also via Rawalpindi (10 kW) on 4790 at 0230-0425 and 1335-1430. I think these timings will actually be 1 hour earlier due to DST. There are no longer programs in Balti or Sheena listed, and of course their schedules never list the Kashmir clandestine transmissions. (Noel R. Green-UK/DSWCI-DX Window Jun 15/24)

Russian MW/SW transmitter site history
Leningrad / St. Petersburg. If interested in one video with a lot of photos of our Leningrad transmitting centres during 1950-1980s including one song of our legendary local rock-group called "Mify" (Myths), the link is:
http://narod.ru/disk/1238507000/spbrc.wmv.html

On the lower left side of the column, transfer the 6-digit INDEX number
into the small window, and click to GREEN icon 'skatchad'.

click on underlined link line
http://narod.ru/disk/start/21.dl3sc-narod.yandex.ru/1238507000/hbe6f683d2ddf0d9442c1cb461555fe09/spbrc.wmv

Under 'katchast file', and media player starts the spbrc.wmv file:
sometimes the traffic speed is very low, then start with
http://www.spb.rtrn.ru/

One more link:
http://www.spb.rtrn.ru/info.asp?view=1548 is without sound.
(Mikhail Timofeyev-RUS/HCDX/BC-DX #918)

BBC World service update
Behrouz Afagh, head of the BBC World Service's Asia-Pacific division, said BBC Persian's transmissions have been jammed on and off for two to three days. Afagh said Thursday that the service had found a new satellite that would not be vulnerable to jamming from within Iran. He rejected accusations of meddling or bias. "All we do is to report what's going on [on] the ground. It is factual reporting of what's happening," Afagh said. "We have had people from all sides, but it is more difficult to get from [President Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad's side. But we do reflect their views." With foreign reporters restricted in their movements, BBC Persian is relying heavily on videos and photos uploaded by Iranians, which BBC staff members try to authenticate before posting, the broadcaster said. It said it also is increasingly airing footage from Iranian state television. (DSWCI-DX Window 6/24/09)

WYFR adds freqs to lineup
The following additions, effective 15 June 2009, are added to the Family Stations transmissions via Radio Taiwan Int'l.
0900-1000 UT China 11565 kHz Mandarin
0900-1100 UT China 9855 kHz Mandarin (Monday & Tuesday)
1000-1100 UT China 9855 kHz Mandarin (Wed, Thurs, Fri)
1000-1100 UT China 9920 kHz Mandarin
1200-1300 UT China 11535 kHz Mandarin
(Evelyn Marcy, FL/WYFR)
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UniWave DRM Radio expected this summer

Look for the first consumer receiver that Digital Radio Mondiale proponents hope will be a commercial success to be available in July.

That's the word from the DRM Consortium, which offered a presentation in its "theater" in the Continental booth at the spring NAB Show.

DRM is a digital radio system for short-, medium-and long-wave. The system is designed for digital transmission of voice and associated data services at frequencies below 30 MHz.

Though DRM has had a software receiver and professional-grade units, Michel Penneroux, head of AM Broadcast for the TDF Group and chairman of the DRM Commercial Committee, said it has not had success in introducing a tabletop, though several companies have tried.

The Di-Wave 100 receiver from UniWave Development SAS (uniwave.fr/?lang=en) in France will enter mass production in July, he said.

Features include program information in the display, USB connection, MP3 playback, MPEG4 playback and a multi-language graphic user interface.

He expects other receivers to come on the market from NewStar, ADI, NXP, Himalaya and Mirics.

Other big news for DRM is the decision by Russia and India to adopt the technology

Given the combined population of the two countries, these decisions should give manufacturers an impetus to speed the development and introduction of affordable DRM receivers, or so proponents hope. The countries have combined population of nearly 1.3 billion.

Indian state broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) announced its decision earlier this year following a series of DRM trials beginning in 2007. The technology also was highlighted in a dedicated session at an international broadcasting conference in Delhi in late February.

AIR currently airs regular DRM transmissions from a 250 kW shortwave transmitter near New Delhi, and it is in the process of converting four other shortwave transmitters to DRM. The broadcaster also plans to add 78 medium-wave transmitters operating in DRM to its national network over the next five years.

In Russia, the State Commission for Radio Frequencies has issued an order opening multiple short- and medium-wave frequencies up to DRM broadcasts. Russia began testing the system in April 2006.

Ruxandra Obreja, who chairs the DRM Consortium and is controller of business development for the BBC World Service, said she was excited and encouraged by the developments in India and Russia. DRM implementation on their large broadcasting networks will give radio a new and exciting "digital" lease of life, she said.

Brazil is also interested in DRM and Germany is now testing the technology, according to DRM experts who spoke at the NAB convention.

Lindsay Cornell, principal systems architect for the BBC, also discussed DRM+, an expansion of DRM technology that brings its features to the FM bands.

Using DRM, proponents hope to provide advantages over FM analog such as using a lower transmission power level to provide the same amount of coverage, provide new audio possibilities such as surround sound and increased spectrum efficiency, he said.

DRM+ is expected to join the family of open worldwide DRM standards later this year, according to the DRM Consortium.
(Radio World)
at

Blog Logs - pirate radio


Selected pirate loggings from the fine folks at Free Radio Weekly.

All times UTC *sign-on sign-off*

Captain Morgan
6924.7USB, 2314-2345, SIO 242/242. Program of rock music with their signature Twilight Zone theme song clips here and there. Male announcer voice hard to copy until I figured out that the center freq was 300 Hz below 6925. Weakened at times, making copy difficult. (Zeller, OH/FRW #697)

Cat Butt Radio
6925USB, 0122. Signal good-fair with static. Audio problems and dropouts. Female DJ, punk rock by female bands. (Hassig,IL?FRW #697)6925USB, 2122-2132. SINPO 35433. Catt Butt Radio followed station XXP sign off. (Ragnar/FRW #697)

Jack Buck Radio
6925USB (tentative) 0002-0010, SIO 242. Program of rock music. Announcer's ID at open and close of programming. It sounded like Jack Buck to me, or similar. FRN people were calling this one Cat Butt. The actual ID is unclear. (Zeller, OH/FRW #697)

Radio Casablanca
6940AM, 0214-0334. Very entertaining program of period music related to classic movie Casablanca. SINPO 32333 with good audio, fairly steady signal with some fades and occasional interference from local RFI (bad streetlight in my neighborhood). Blue Skiy (confirmed by Radio Casablanca via e-mail), I'm In Heaven (artist unknown), Frank Sinatra's Fly Me To The Moon. Positive ID as Radio movie Casablanca. Ended with tunes La Marseillaise and Bogey's line from Casablanca, "This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship." (Jenkins, TX/RW #697)

Radio Dismuke
6925USB, 0253, SIO 232. Signal just above the noise, been on for at least a half hour now. Station ID at 0254, but couldn't make it out. Another ID and off at about 0313. ID from Evil Elvis on #pirateradio, corrected by L Cee on the FRN www.dismuke.org/radio (Fansome, PA/FRW #698)

Radio Gaga
6935USB, 0117-0145+. Fair signal. Show started after a SS TV broadcast. Played several Carrs tunes like, Let the Good Times Roll, and Jim Hendrix's Third Rock from the Sun. Station ID given in CW. (Majewski CT/FRW #698)

Radio Mushroom
6925USB, *0112-0138.* SIO 232. Modest level in static. Program of rock music that including Bowie's Suffragette City and also Radar Love. I had some trouble copying the announced ID and address, but there was a clear ID at QRT by announcer. (Zeller, OH/FRW #698)

The Crystal Ship
5285.3AM, 0226-0237+, SIO 343. The Poet with a program of rock music by Yes and Hendrix. One military marching skit in the middle of the show. Good level. Had to go to bed before the program was over. (Zeller, OH/FRW #697)

Voice of the Robots
6925USB, 0021-0043, SIO 333. Station ID and music. ID at 0024, and (?) rap-like song, more music at 0027. Station ID at 0030 in robot-like voice to gmail adress a couple times(?). Hard to tell but thought he also said time is wasting, then some SSTV or QRM from SSTV?. Music at 0031, and 0043 ID and QRT. (Silvi, Ohio/FRW #697)

We Monkey Radio
6925USB, 2120. SINPO 35333. WMR coming in with some slight and fast fading. Program repeated at 2135 (Ragnar/FRW #698)

Red Rhino Radio
6925USB, 0038-0102+, SIO 322. Radio ID at 0058 redrhinoradio@gmail.com. Most of the stations music distorted, but much cleaner after the 0050 SSTV, and seemed to drop from 6925.1 to 6925.0. Tough copy. Per e-mail from RRR, the SSTV was not them, so probably the main source of the apparent distortion. (Frodge, MI/FRW #697)
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WBCQ shortwave program picks

Looking for some great programming on shortwave radio ? Shortwave Central takes a look at WBCQ, broadcasting from Monticello, Maine. Today we focus on the best in programming on two of their frequencies 5100.0 and 7415.0 kHz.
Gayle Van Horn

Times UTC & EDT USA


5100 kHz
Su 06:00PM 08:00PM ET 2200 0000 UTC Area 51

Su 08:00PM 11:00PM ET 0000 0300 UTC Radio New York International

Mo 07:00PM 09:00PM ET 2300 0100 UTC Area 51

Tu 07:00PM 09:00PM ET 2300 0100 UTC Area 51

We 7:00PM 09:00PM ET 2300 0100 UTC Area 51

Th 07:00PM 09:00PM ET 2300 0100 UTC Area 51

Fr 07:00PM 08:00PM ET 2300 0000 UTC Area 51

Fr 08:00PM 09:00PM ET 0000 0100 UTC Allan Weiner Worldwide

Sa 06:00PM 08:00PM ET 2200 0000 UTC Area 51

Sa 08:00PM 09:00PM ET 0000 0100 UTC Radio Timtron Worldwide


7415 kHz
Su 03:00PM 04:00PM ET 1900 2000 UTC Trailer Trash Radio

Su 04:00PM 05:00PM ET 2000 2100 UTC This Week In Amateur Radio International

Su 06:00PM 07:00PM ET 2200 2300 UTC The Last Roundup

Su 07:00PM 08:00PM ET 2300 0000 UTC Le Show with Harry Shearer

Mo 02:00PM 03:00PM ET 1800 1900 UTC Money Talk

Mo 03:00PM 03:30PM ET 1900 1930 UTC Frecuencia Al Día

Mo 03:30PM 03:45PM ET 1930 1945 UTC Amos and Andy

Mo 03:45PM 04:00PM ET 1945 2000 UTC Herald of Truth

Mo 04:00PM 05:00PM ET 2000 2100 UTC Financial Survival 2000

Mo 05:00PM 06:00PM ET 2100 2200 UTC Financial Survival 2000

Mo 11:00PM 12:00AM ET 0300 0400 UTC Financial Survival 2000

Tu 02:00PM 03:00PM ET 1800 1900 UTC Money Talk

Tu 03:30PM 03:45PM ET 1930 1945 UTC Amos and Andy

Tu 04:00PM 05:00PM ET 2000 2100 UTC Financial Survival 2000

Tu 05:00PM 07:00PM ET 2100 2300 UTC QSO Radio Show

Tu 08:00PM 09:00PM ET 0000 0100 UTC The Pirate's Cove

Tu 11:00PM 12:00AM ET 0300 0400 UTC Financial Survival 2000

We 02:00PM 03:00PM ET 1800 1900 UTC Money Talk

We 03:30PM 03:45PM ET 1930 1945 UTC Amos and Andy

We 04:00PM 05:00PM ET 2000 2100 UTC Financial Survival 2000

We 05:00PM 07:00PM ET 2100 2300 UTC Radio Disclosure

We 11:00PM 12:00AM ET 0300 0400 UTC Financial Survival 2000

Th 02:00PM 03:00PM ET 1800 1900 UTC Money Talk

Th 03:30PM 03:45PM ET 1930 1945 UTC Amos and Andy

Th 04:00PM 05:00PM ET 2000 2100 UTC Financial Survival 2000

Th 05:00PM 07:00PM ET 2100 2300 UTC Radio Disclosure

Th 07:00PM 07:30PM ET 2300 2330 UTC Goddess Irena 1 music show

Th 11:00PM 12:00AM ET 0300 0400 UTC Financial Survival 2000

Fr 02:00PM 03:00PM ET 1800 1900 UTC Money Talk

Fr 03:30PM 03:45PM ET 1930 1945 UTC Amos and Andy

Fr 03:45PM 04:00PM ET 1945 2000 UTC Herald of Truth

Fr 04:00PM 05:00PM ET 2000 2100 UTC Financial Survival 2000

Fr 05:00PM 06:00PM ET 2100 2200 UTC Behavior Night

Fr 06:00PM 07:00PM ET 2200 2300 UTC Bluegrass State of Mind

Fr 07:00PM 08:00PM ET 2300 0000 UTC Fred Flintstone's Music Show

Fr 08:00PM 09:00PM ET 0000 0100 UTC Allan Weiner Worldwide

Fr 11:00PM 12:00AM ET 0300 0400 UTC Financial Survival 2000

Sa 05:00PM 06:00PM ET 2100 2200 UTC Marion's Attic

Sa 06:00PM 07:00PM ET 2200 2300 UTC WGOD Presents

Sa 07:00PM 08:00PM ET 2300 0000 UTC The Lumpy Gravy Radio Show

Sa 08:00PM 09:00PM ET 0000 0100 UTC Radio Timtron Worldwide
(programming and schedules subject to change)
at

Antenna construction underway for Alaska DRM tests

The experiment to see if an entire state can be covered by digital shortwave signals is slowly progressing, according to another NAB Show presentation.

Dr. Donald Messer, longtime shortwave broadcasting and Digital Radio Mondiale proponent, updated attendees about his plans to test DRM for an ambitious “local” shortwave service covering the state of Alaska.

Dr. Donald Messer discusses the Alaska DRM tests. Photo by Jim Peck

With more than half of Alaska’s population concentrated around Anchorage and a few other urbanized areas, and the remainder widely distributed over a half-million square mile land mass, the state is one of the most sparsely populated areas in the world. This creates a challenging environment for the economics of FM and AM broadcasting, even before the harsh weather and limited accessibility of transmitter sites are considered.

The result is that many people throughout the state have limited or nonexistent access to broadcast radio.

Messer said three surplus 100 kW transmitters have been obtained from the Department of Defense and are now being tested into dummy loads in an underground mine near Fairbanks, and the first of three crossed half-wave dipole antennas has been constructed.

The test plan includes a series of experiments to determine what frequency bands and power levels are needed to provide reliable year-round service, as well as which combination of RF bandwidth, error correction and QAM constellation size provides the best balance of throughput and signal robustness from the DRM system.

Of particular interest is the nature of ionospheric propagation at high latitudes; providing statewide broadcast service requires a consistent and predictable “bounce back” of signals from the ionosphere and understanding the behavior of these reflections will require extensive experimentation, Messer notes.

To assist in the analysis of reception variability, a network of 18 remote receive sites will be set up around Alaska’s periphery to feed reception data back to the project headquarters in Fairbanks. Messer expects construction of the transmission system and remote receivers to be completed later this year. After that, a two-year data collection and experimentation project is planned.

Messer seemed careful not to sound over-optimistic that the system would work.
(Radio World)
at

Friday, June 26, 2009

Radio Gloria International set for Sunday broadcast

Date: June 28, 2009

Time 0900 to 1000 UTC

6140 KHz

The transmissions of Radio Gloria will be broadcast over the transmitting station Wertachtal in Germany.

The transmitter power will be 100 000 Watts, and we will be using a non-directional antenna system (Quadrant antenna).
(Tom Taylor)
at

Radio Netherlands Program Guide - June 27-July 3

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

SATURDAY 27 June
*** The State We're In ***

An Iranian woman who was in Tehran for the disputed election and the ensuing protests explains the involvement of women in the demonstrations, and how the experience has changed her perception of her home country.

Philip Seiler served 18 years in San Quentin and came out a different man - and it was education he believes that transformed him. The Director of the San Quentin College Programme, Jody Lewen agrees.

Jean Freidman Rudovsky visits a women's prison in La Paz to find out how the inmates are trying to re-create a semblance of normal life inside, by starting small businesses to earn money, and even keeping their children with them.

Peter Woolf came from a family of criminals, he was a thief and a drug addict from the age of 10. By the time he was 30 he had spent 18 years in prison. Peter is representative of many of the more than 80,000 prisoners in Britain's jails.

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

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
1000 Africa and Asia
1200 North America
1535 Europe
2200 Asia, North America, Safm
2300 Europe

*** Network Europe Week ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

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

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

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

*** Network Europe Extra ***

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

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

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
0300 North America
1200 North America
1500 Europe

SUNDAY 28 June
*** Radio Books (primary program) ***

'The Birds' - by Luc De Vos

Flemish columnist and writer Luc De Vos is also the lead singer with the Belgian pop group Gorki. He's a regular guest on TV programmes and has written a series of autobiographical novels.

His Radio Books story begins in 1978 when a young priest is teaching religion and music to adolescent boys - including one from an important political family. Thirty years later the boy is the country's new premier when he encounters the priest again - in a most unusual manner!

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
0930 East Asia and Southeast Asia 11895, Eastern China 12065, Southeast Asia 15110
1430 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1530 South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1830 Southern Africa 6020, East Africa 15535
1930 West Africa 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480
2030 West Africa 11610, 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
0430 North America
1030 Africa and Asia
1230 North America
1700 Europe
2230 Asia, North America, Safm

MONDAY 29 June
*** Curious Orange (primary program) ***

Things are changing around here... so, before we tune out for the summer, we want to say thanks to you, our listeners... and we don't want to hurt the earth - or your pocket-book - doing it.

So, we'll start by taking you shopping in Amsterdam - former diamond capital - for ethical diamonds.

Then, with your nice new rock in hand, we'll take you out to dinner in a greenhouse... one of the best local organic restaurants in Amsterdam.

After having your fill of fine food, we'll take you out for some live music from our recurring favourite Dutch musician: Lucky Fonz III.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1415 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1540 South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1815 Southern Africa 6020, East Africa 15535
1940 West Africa 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480
2015 West Africa 11610, 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
1540 Europe
1740 Europe
2240 Asia, North America, Safm

*** Network Europe Week ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

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

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1440 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1900 Southern Africa 6020, East Africa 15535
2040 West Africa 11610, 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

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

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

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

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
1700 Europe
2200 Asia, North America, Safm

*** Network Europe ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

Broadcast time on SW (UTC):
1500 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530
1900 West Africa 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

*** Euro Hit 40 ***

Europe's No.1 chart Show.

*** Classic Dox ***

The best of Radio Netherlands Worldwide documentaries from our archive.

'Thirty Years of Poetry International' (originally broadcast 13-06-1999)

Poets from every continent are represented in this celebration of voices. Illustrious names including Nobel Prize winners Joseph Brodsky, Wole Soyinka and Seamus Heany are featured along with winners of the Poetry International Award honouring imprisoned poets like Breyten Breytenbach and Jack Mapanje.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 East Asia and Southeast Asia 11895, Eastern China 12065, Southeast Asia 15110

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
0400 North America, Africa, Asia
1200 North America

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

European jazz music alternates every week with a selection of the finest World Music.

*** Live! at the Concertgebouw ***

Phenomenal performances by Dutch top orchestras.

TUESDAY 30 June
*** Network Europe ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.
Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1440 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1900 Southern Africa 6020, East Africa 15535
2040 West Africa 11610, 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

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

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

An Iranian woman who was in Tehran for the disputed election and the ensuing protests explains the involvement of women in the demonstrations, and how the experience has changed her perception of her home country.

Philip Seiler served 18 years in San Quentin and came out a different man - and it was education he believes that transformed him. The Director of the San Quentin College Programme, Jody Lewen agrees.

Jean Freidman Rudovsky visits a women's prison in La Paz to find out how the inmates are trying to re-create a semblance of normal life inside, by starting small businesses to earn money, and even keeping their children with them.

Peter Woolf came from a family of criminals, he was a thief and a drug addict from the age of 10. By the time he was 30 he had spent 18 years in prison. Peter is representative of many of the more than 80,000 prisoners in Britain's jails.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1030 East Asia and Southeast Asia 11895, Eastern China 12065, Southeast Asia 15110
1430 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1530 South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1815 Southern Africa 6020, East Africa 15535
1940 West Africa 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480
2015 West Africa 11610, 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
0400 North America
1030 Africa and Asia
1200 North America
1530 Europe
1730 Europe
2230 Asia, North America

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

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

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

WEDNESDAY 1 July
*** Network Europe ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1440 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1900 Southern Africa 6020, East Africa 15535
2040 West Africa 11610, 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

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

*** Reloaded (primary program) ***

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

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1415 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1515 South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1815 Southern Africa 6020, East Africa 15535
1945 West Africa 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480
2015 West Africa 11610, 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

*** Newsline ***

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

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

THURSDAY 2 July
*** Network Europe ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1440 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1900 Southern Africa 6020, East Africa 15535
2040 West Africa 11610, 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

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

*** Earthbeat (primary program) ***

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

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 East Asia and Southeast Asia 11895, Eastern China 12065, Southeast Asia 15110
1415 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1545 South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1815 Southern Africa 6020, East Africa 15535
1940 West Africa 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
0400 North America
1000 Africa and Asia
1200 North America
1540 Europe
2300 Europe

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

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

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

FRIDAY 3 July
*** Network Europe ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1440 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1900 Southern Africa 6020, East Africa 15535
2040 West Africa 11610, 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

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

*** Bridges with Africa (primary program) ***

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

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 East Asia and Southeast Asia 11895, Eastern China 12065, Southeast Asia 15110
1415 South and Southeast Asia 9345, South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825
1815 Southern Africa 6020, East Africa 15535
2015 West Africa 11610, 11660 and 15335, East Africa 9480

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
0430 North America
1000 Africa and Asia
1730 Europe
2230 Asia, North America

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

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

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

Bonaire relay station to continue test transmissions

The Bonaire relay station will be carrying out test transmissions for Family Radio commencing, continuing for a maximum of two weeks. The test transmissions will carry Family Radio’s English programming.

Details as follows:

2229-0100 UTC, targted to Brazil on 15315 kHz (beam 133 degrees) commencing Friday Jun 26

0001-0158 UTC to South America on 15580 kHz(beam 182 degrees) commencing Saturday Jun 27
(R Netherlands)
at

Swedish Radio to drop Belarussian service

Swedish Radio has decided to discontinue the service in Belarusian, from September 1, 2009. The broadcasts on medium and shortwave began on a test basis in 2004. Elle-Kari Höjeberg, responsible for Swedish Radio's broadcasts in foreign languages, says that since then "there has been an explosion in other platforms that medium and shortwave". She adds that Swedish Radio will look for new ways to reach an audience in other parts of the world. Ingemar Löfgren, head of SR International, which also includes Radio Sweden, says his ambition is to strengthen and prioritize other areas within the department. He points out that SR International will continue to broadcast in Russian, a language that is also understood in Belarus.
(Radio Sweden/Alokesh Gupta)
at

VOA provides accurate news and information to Iran


Danforth W. Austin interviewed on live program 'News Talk'

Washington, D.C., June 25, 2009 - The Voice of America's (VOA) mission is providing accurate news and information to the people of Iran and the world, the agency's director said today, adding the free flow of information is a "fundamental human value."

Danforth W. Austin, in an interview with News Talk, a daily show aired on the VOA Persian News Network (PNN), told viewers in Iran VOA would continue giving them a full and balanced view of events inside their country and around the world.

"That is our promise to the people of Iran," Austin said. "The access to free and credible information is very important … Right now, the VOA is the only way many people in Iran can find out what is going on in their own country." He added the free flow of information "is a fundamental human value regardless of religion or background."

Austin denied Iran's allegations that international broadcasters, including VOA, worked to threaten the country's territorial integrity. "That's simply not true," he said.

VOA's specific mission is journalism, providing credible, trustworthy information that people can use to form their own opinions, Austin said. The U.S. Government-funded agency reports on those who support – and disagree – with U.S. policy, he added, explaining that VOA encourages debate and an open forum.

Moreover, Austin said VOA would be delighted to secure interviews with senior Iranian officials, as well as officials from the United States and other countries. "That’s good journalism," he said.

Austin's comments came amid a growing crackdown on international media in Iran, including efforts to jam VOA's satellite television signals. He said a "number of steps" are being taken to deal with the jamming.

VOA, with a TV and radio audience of nearly 30 percent of adults inside Iran, has played a major role in keeping Iranians informed during the tumultuous period since the June 12 presidential elections.

Since then, VOA http://www.voapnn.com/ has been flooded with videos, pictures, emails and telephone calls from inside Iran; added a daily breakfast show and a Special Report; created a dedicated Twitter account, and posted material on other sites, including YouTube www.youtube.com/user/PNNVideo ).
at

RFE/RL & VOA to Expand Reach into Afghanistan-Pakistan Border Region


Washington, DC, 06/25/2009
Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) will receive additional resources to expand critical radio broadcasts to the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region as part of the $106 billion emergency war bill signed today.

With the exception of VOA's Radio Deewa, little independent news and information is available in the volatile border region. Extremist radio stations have proliferated in recent months, and the new programs will bolster current U.S. efforts to provide an alternative source of independent news and information to the Pashto speaking people in Pakistan. The expanded programming of Radio Deewa, and new programming from RFE/RL's Radio Azadi, will feature a wide range of news, political, and cultural programs with call-in shows and content geared toward women and youth. Programs will be distributed via shortwave, FM and the Internet. "Radio is a powerful medium. Extremists encouraging violence understand this," said D. Jeffrey Hirschberg, of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) which oversees both VOA and RFE/RL. "Our broadcasts are an antidote to such extremism and we are grateful for the opportunity to expand our programs. They will be central to providing an alternate view, one based on accuracy and balance, which is generally absent from local media."

About Deewa Radio Created in October 2006, Deewa Radio targets an estimated 35 million Pashto-speaking people in Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan, including the NWFP where some 2.5 million people have been displaced as Pakistani military battle Taliban fighters. Deewa also reaches Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Baluchistan.

Earlier this month, Deewa Radio added three hours of programming in the morning to complement the six hours of evening news and information broadcasts. In addition to news, programs include information about health, shelter, social issues, education, science and culture. The program provides a lifeline to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in camps and elsewhere. Up to 300 people per day routinely call in to Deewa Radio programs. VOA also reaches millions of people daily through its popular radio and TV Ashna in Dari and Pashto, as well as its Urdu radio program Aap Ki Dunya and Beyond the Headlines Urdu television program. About Radio Azadi RFE/RL will launch a new radio program for the Pashto-speaking people of Pakistan, complementing VOA's existing programming to the volatile region.

This expands RFE/RL's existing Afghan service, Radio Azadi, the most popular radio station in Afghanistan which reaches more than 50% of the adult population with programs in Dari and Pashto. It was launched in 2001 as part of an effort to build a peaceful and democratic Afghanistan following the ouster of the Taliban.
(BBG Press Release/Alokesh Gupta)
at

Vozandes Media flies new flag


Ecuador (MNN) ― After 55 years, a German radio ministry is sailing under a new flag and a new name.
Vozandes Media is the new name of the HCJB Global Voice, German Language Service (GLS). It still broadcasts from Ecuador, but now it works under HCJB Global's World Office in Germany rather than under its Latin America region.
In addition, Ecuador legally recognized Vozandes Media's status as a non-governmental organization at the beginning of June. The ministry is also enjoying new office space.
"I believe that the GLS is one of the few departments which used the same office space for 43 years," said Horst Rosiak, who heads Vozandes Media.
Due to the opening of an international airport near HCJB's antennas, German and Low-German shortwave broadcasts to the Americas are scheduled to end in 2010. Digital shortwave broadcasts reach Europe and the Americas.
Vozandes Media also reaches Europe through satellite and through a service called Phonecaster. Europeans can dial a certain telephone number and choose from a variety of German-language programs. The most popular program is in Low German.
Listeners may also download podcasts over the internet. HCJB Global receives responses to its German-language programs from 60 different countries.
The programs began in 1953 when Mennonite Brethren Missions/Services established the German Service, constructing the department's offices at the station 13 years later in 1966.
Today, it broadcasts 14 hours of programming to Europe, South America, and the South Pacific every week under the name Die Stimme der Anden (Voice of the Andes).
http://www.mnnonline.org/article/12830
(Alokesh Gupta)
at

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Blog Logs - clandestine monitoring

Today's edition of Blog Logs, represent a sampling of clandestine loggings from the pages of DX Window. Our special thanks to Anker Petersen and the members of Danish Shortwave Club International.
Gayle Van Horn

All times UTC // parallel frequency

Clandestines - via DX Window # 377

11500, Radio Free Chosun, via Gavar, Armenia, 1320, May 23, talks in Korean, light music, ex 12125, SINPO 342x3. (Liangas)

"When I was taking part in the student movement of the 1980s, the most encouraging thing was broadcasts towards South Korea from North Korea. We used to use the broadcast contents for our educational and propaganda materials. Of course, due to that activism, which was a National Security Law violation, I went to prison in the early 1990s". Lee Kwang Baik, the President of R Free Chosun (RFC), a lesser-known SW radio broadcast NGO in South Korea, explained his experience of executing a 180-degree turn from pro-North Korea social activist into North Korean democratization activist to Daily NK on Monday. He confessed, "In the mid-1990s, for the first time, I figured out that North Korea was not an ideal society, but a dictatorship in which the regime abused people’s human rights in the extreme just to maintain the system". In light of which, Lee introduced RFC’s goal, "North Korea should develop its economy through democratization and opening and reform. RFC is a broadcasting company to help North Korean people achieve this and to speak as a proxy for the North Korean people’s position and sentiment, so we named the organization RFC; not "Radio Free North Korea", but "Radio Free Chosun"". Chosun is how North Koreans refer to their own country.

Below is extracts of a transcript of the interview with Lee Kwang Baik:

- There are four civilian radio broadcasters for North Korea and also two foreign radio broadcasts like RFA and VOA targeting North Korea. What is the difference between you and them?

There are three different points. First, RFC has a distinct purpose: "North Korea should develop its economy through democratization and reform and opening", and we are striving to help North Korean people achieve it. Second, RFC is a broadcaster in which everyone, wherever they come from, can join our activities. Presently, North Koreans, South Koreans and Chinese cooperate on our goals. Third, RFC transfers overseas information by way of drama, so that North Korean people can understand easily and get it vividly.

- What are RFC’s representative programs?

We have "Episodes and Truth" that lets North Korean people perceive the truth of current issues, and a drama "Virtual Court of Kim Jong Il", that shows how extreme a dictatorship North Korea has, how terribly people suffer under the Kim Jong Il regime, and other hidden stories of the dictator. Additionally, we have also comments and statements in order to suggest
better directions for North Korea’s future.

- How many North Korean people do you think listen to RFC? How far away can North Korean people listen to it? Are you monitoring the broadcasting situation?

According to the results of InterMedia’s examination in 2008, the rate of those who had listened to RFC was around five percent, but we presume around one or two percent of people are listening to it. However, I think even this rate is significant. The first aim of RFC is to raise the listener rate to two or three percent in a few years. It is short wave radio broadcasting, so everywhere on earth people can listen to it. As long as jamming by the North Korean regime does not exist, it can be heard all over the country.

- You must want a lot from the South Korean government.

The government needs to support radio broadcasting with medium-wave frequencies, which are more stable than short wave ones, in order to lead North Korea to change itself, and it has to do so strategically, because of course the North Korean issue is a highly significant issue for the future of the Korean Peninsula. The state-owned Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) airs programs for the North Korean people at medium-wave, but it has to focus not only on transferring information but on having an interest in changing North Korean society. (The Daily North Korea Post via Sælaen in DXplorer)

11760, Voice of Oromia Liberation Front, via Wertachtal (500 kW, 135 degrees), Tu/Th/Su 1600-1630 Oromo to Ethiopia. New frequency since May 03, ex 11975. Broker WRMI and Media Broadcast. (Ivanov via BC-DX, May 15)

12050, Radio Biafra, via Skelton, UK, 1908, May 19, talks about politics in Nigeria, telephone calls to London and other places , mention on activism and non violence, mixed talks in Igbo and English, short mentions of Biafra, SINPO 45544. (Liangas)

Clandestines via DX Window 378
6518, Voice of the People, via Goyang, South Korea, 1905-1908, May 27, Korean talk, SINPO 35333 // 6600 . (Mille)

7520, Voice of Free Radio, via Tashkent, Uzbekistan (100 kW, 060 degrees), 1600-1700, ex 1600-1630 on 7530, Korean to North Korea as of Jun 01. Broker VTCommunications, UK. (Ivanov via BC-DX, Jun 02)

9895, Radio Voice of the People, via Talata-Volonondry, Madagascar, 0443-0456*, May 29, interview in English about violence in Zimbabwe, local vocals and more talks until closedown ann including postal and electronic contact information plus website. Fair to good. (D'Angelo)

11500, Radio Dabanga. Received a non detailed QSL-card with a full detailed handwritten confirmation on it for a reception report sent to Press Now, Witte Kruislaan 55, 1217 AM Hilversum, The Netherlands. No veri-signer. (Fernández, via HCDX, Jun 07)

11530, Denge Mezopotamia, via Mykolaiv, Ukraine, 1552, Jun 03, Kurdish talks, music, good. (Bernardini)

13730, Radio Dabanga, via Talata-Volonondry, Madagascar, 1531, Jun 03, many IDs and talks in Arabic, fair/good. (Bernardini)

15650, Miraya FM, via Rimavska Sobota, Slovakia, 1545, Jun 03, to Sudan, in English and "Simple Arab" as announced, talks, mail address, ID, fair/good, but fading. Broker IRRS. (Bernardini)

Clandestines via DX Window 379
3912, Voice of the People (presumed), via Kyonggi-do, South Korea, 0942-1008, Jun 10 and 15, Korean talks mentioning “Pyongyang”, slow instrumental music as a bridge to a some eloquent female talks. From 0955 strange noise sounding like a "strong wind" turninng to a near annoyed listening, until QRM SINPO 34333. (Otávio)


3930, Radio Voice of Kurdistan, 0152, Jun 06, Kurdish music and talk, at *0158 strong QRM unidentified, at 0200 a song of the Qur'an, ann and what appears to be an anthem, signal improvement, but the QRM is strong, SINPO 22332. (Freitas). Jamming! (Ed)

3985, Echo of Hope (tentative), Hwaseong, South Korea, 1002-1013, Jun 15, Korean talks, degrading, SSB QRM, same kind of noise heard on 3912, SINPO 2422. (Otávio)

6120, Shiokaze/Sea Breeze, via Yamata, 1403, Jun 12, for a long time now they have stayed with English on Friday. Heard with “Today’s News Flash”, items about North Korea, fair with no jamming. (Howard)

6300, RADS - R Nacional Saharaui, 2220-2232, Jun 12, many talks in Arabic and some music, SINPO 24342. (Slaen)

7395, Voice of People, via Talata-Volonondry, Madagascar, 1701, Jun 20, Shona/Ndebele, ID, short African music and talk, SINPO 25332. (Freitas)

9895, Radio Voice of the People, via Talata-Volonondry, Madagascar, *0358-0424, Jun 09, open carrier until sudden opening at 0400 with instrumental music, ID and frequency ann in local language followed by the same in English. After instrumental music, news in local language, mix of short vocals and other features. Good. (D'Angelo)

11500, Radio Dabanga, via Talata-Volonondry, Madagascar, 1549-1605, Jun 14, conversation, whistle of a strong carrier, but disappears in narrow mode and 1 kHz above the frequency, seems an interview by telephone, 1605 ID, weak signal. (Freitas)

15412.0, Voice of Tibet, via Yangiyul, Tajikistan, noted carrier at 1324, Jun 12, along with strong Firedrake (non-stop Chinese music jamming) on 15410.0. Firedrake off at 1330, leaving Voice of Tibet in the clear on 15412.0. After 1335 Voice of Tibet was heard on 15414.0 with fair reception and Firedrake starting up again at 1335, again on 15410.0. At 1400* both Voice of Tibet and Firedrake suddenly went off-the-air. (Howard)
at

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Israeli Radio Show Captivates Iranians


By YAROSLAV TROFIMOV
JERUSALEM—In his Friday sermon, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reserved special wrath for "Zionist radio" that he said tried to drive a wedge between the Iranian people and the Islamic Republic. Such attention from Iran's supreme leader was music to the ears of Menashe Amir, a bespectacled Iranian-born Israeli who has been broadcasting in Persian from Jerusalem for the past five decades.

"We're listened to in Iran and considered very credible and effective," Mr. Amir says with pride. "We're close to the Iranian people, we know what they want, and we have our sources that give us detailed news about everything that's going on in Iran."

The spread of the Internet and satellite television in Iran over the past decade seemed to eclipse the prominence of Mr. Amir's old-fashioned shortwave broadcasts on Kol Israel, Israel's public radio. But now, as the Web in Iran is either blocked or dramatically slowed and satellite-TV channels are jammed by the government amid spreading unrest, Mr. Amir has suddenly become relevant again.

"Today we have many more listeners inside the country because Iranians are thirsty for any information" about the unrest, the 69-year-old Mr. Amir says. He estimates the Iranian audience for Kol Israel's 85-minute daily show in Persian is between two million and six million people. Independent audience numbers, for obvious reasons, are impossible to come by.

continued story from WSJ at: http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB124571901245939581-lMyQjAxMDI5NDI1MzcyMTM5Wj.html
at

The World's Oldest Postcard

The story about the origins of the popular QSL card is very interesting. In the beginning, a QSL card was a postcard that was modified for use as a "Reception Report Card" or a "Verification of Reception" postcard. However, it becomes evident that the introduction of QSL cards was totally dependent upon the fact that postcards, or postal cards, were already in vogue. So, let's go back, and take a look at the early history of postcards.


Postcard historians tell us that the world's first postcard was a humorous painting on a piece of thin cardboard that was sent through the postal system.

The year was 1840, the country was England, and the stamp was the famous Penny Black.

Seven years later, professional groups in Switzerland began to send notifications about important professional events and meetings on pre-printed postcards to their members. The first known advertising postcard in the United States is postmarked in December, 1848.
The first postal card, that is a postcard that is pre-printed with the postage stamp already printed upon it, was issued in the United States in 1861; and the first officially printed postal cards were issued simultaneously in both Switzerland and Austria in 1869. So popular was this official Post Office postal card in Austria that 2¼ million were sold in the first three months.

As the processes of printing developed, so did the styles of postcards, and the first multicolored postcard was issued in the year 1889 in Heligoland, a German tourist island off the coast of Germany in the corner of the Jutland Peninsula in the North Sea. The first colored postcard in the United States was issued four years later to commemorate the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Interestingly, this card was printed with a colored picture on both sides.

Now, initially, when postcards were approved for transmission through the postal systems, only the name and address could appear on the same side as the postage stamp. A picture, and/or a written message could be placed on the reverse side, but no other writing was permitted on the postage side. Cards of this design are designated these days as "undivided back".

However, in the year 1902, England became the first country to approve the usage of what is now described as the postcard with the "divided back"; that is, the name and address and the postage stamp would be on the right hand side, and on the left hand side was space for writing a message. A vertical line separated the two sides, the message side and the address side. Seven years later, the United States Post Office gave approval for the usage of the postcard with the "divided back".

In the era around the early 1900s, the collecting of picture postcards became the top collecting hobby the world has ever known. In the year 1908 for example, the United States Post Office stated that 678 million postcards were posted in the United States. Remembering that the total population of the United States at the time was less than 90 million, this means then, that on a population ratio, more than 7 postcards were posted for every person in the entire country; men, women and children.

During this era of unparalleled popularity, the greatest volume of postcards worldwide came from Germany; and even in the United States picture postcards showing local American scenes were printed in Germany and shipped over in massive numbers. However, the tragic scenes of the Great War put an end to the German superiority in the postcard arena.

The year 1915 saw the introduction of what is now called the "white border" postcard; that is a thin white border surrounds the color picture. Even though there is an attractiveness to this presentation, yet the real motive behind this style was the economy of ink in the printing process.

Beginning in the 1930s, the postcard world introduced what is now known as the "linen era"; that is, the surface of the color picture is textured, making another attractive style of presentation. In 1939, the full color glossy style of postcard was introduced, and this era is now known as the "chrome era".

These days, it is considered that postcard collecting is the world's third largest collecting hobby, surpassed only by stamp collecting and coin collecting. And of course, the collecting of QSL cards is a major sub-section in the overall picture of postcard collecting.
More about these things another time!
(NWS17/Adrian Peterson)
Wavescan DX program
at

Iran's VOIRI/IRIB relay monitoring

Lithuania
Iran's VOIROI/IRIB relays via Sitkunai Lithuania missed on June 16 to 22,but appeared again in Russian today at 1430 UTC, \\ 9580 and 9900 kHz, but nothing traced here in Stuttgart on 3rd channel 7360 kHz from Kamalabad.2030-2127 UT Spanish 6055, and tomorrow morning sce in Italian 9770 kHz at 0630-0727 UT.
(wb, Germany)

LITHUANIA Frequency changes of VOIROI/IRIB:
1430-1528 NF 5940 SIT 100 kW / 079 deg to RUSS, ex 6145 in Russian
1730-1828 NF 5940 SIT 100 kW / 259 deg to WeEu, ex 6180 in German
1830-1928 NF 5940 SIT 100 kW / 259 deg to WeEu, ex 5945 in French
1930-2028 NF 5940 SIT 100 kW / 259 deg to WeEu, ex 5945 in English
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews June 17)

Does anyone hear the Sitkunai-Lithuania relays of IRIB currently? The Bulgarians recently listed the following changes, but 5940 is not audible here, and nor are the previously used frequencies...
(Noel R. Green-UK, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews June 19)
(wb, Germany)
at

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins


Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2009 Jun 23 1921 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact: www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html
#
# Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
15 - 21 June 2009

Solar activity was very low. No flares were detected. The visible disk was spotless during most of the period.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

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

Geomagnetic field activity was at mostly quiet levels during the period. ACE solar wind measurements indicated nominal conditions with solar wind velocities ranging from approximately 280 to 370 km/sec during the period.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
24 June - 20 July 2009

Solar activity is expected to be very low.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at normal flux levels.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet levels during most of the period. However, there will be a chance for unsettled conditions on 01 July.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2009 Jun 23 1921 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact: www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html



27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
# Issued 2009 Jun 23
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2009 Jun 24 68 8 3
2009 Jun 25 68 5 2
2009 Jun 26 68 5 2
2009 Jun 27 68 5 2
2009 Jun 28 70 5 2
2009 Jun 29 70 5 2
2009 Jun 30 70 5 2
2009 Jul 01 70 8 3
2009 Jul 02 70 5 2
2009 Jul 03 70 5 2
2009 Jul 04 70 5 2
2009 Jul 05 70 5 2
2009 Jul 06 70 5 2
2009 Jul 07 70 5 2
2009 Jul 08 70 5 2
2009 Jul 09 70 5 2
2009 Jul 10 68 5 2
2009 Jul 11 68 5 2
2009 Jul 12 68 5 2
2009 Jul 13 68 5 2
2009 Jul 14 68 5 2
2009 Jul 15 68 5 2
2009 Jul 16 68 5 2
2009 Jul 17 68 5 2
2009 Jul 18 68 5 2
2009 Jul 19 68 5 2
2009 Jul 20 68 5 2
(NOAA)
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New solar Cycle 24 sunspot group emerges

Posted 22 June, 2009 at
http://www.kn4lf.com/kn4lf5.htm and http://www.kn4lf.com/kn4lf72.htm

A new solar Cycle 24 sunspot group emerged in the SW quadrant of the Sun near S22E41. Later, NOAA/SWPC should assign it #11023, with a beta magnetic signature.

It appears that solar cycle 24 has finally come alive.
Thomas F. Giella, NZ4O
Lakeland, FL, USA
nz4o@arrl.net

LF/MF/HF/VHF/UHF Frequency Radiowave Propagation Email Reflector: 1. http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/spaceweather
NZ4O Daily Solar Space Weather & Geomagnetic Data Archive: http://www.kn4lf.com/kn4lf5.htm
NZ4O Daily LF/MF/HF/6M Frequency Radiowave Propagation Forecast & Archive: http://www.kn4lf.com/kn4lf6.htm
NZ4O 160 Meter Radio Propagation Theory Notes: http://www.kn4lf.com/kn4lf8.htm
NZ4O Solar Cycle 24 Forecast Discussion & Archive: http://www.kn4lf.com/kn4lf72.htm
at

IBB schedule update for Kuwait sites


All times UTC

KUWAIT Summer A-09 for IBB via KWT 250 kW:
1800-2130 on 5830 / 046 deg FAR Farsi
0200-0530 on 5860 / 058 deg FAR Farsi
1400-1500 on 5870 / 046 deg FAR Farsi, new additional freq.
0300-1200 on 5885 / 046 deg FAR Farsi, new additional freq.
0500-0930 on 7220 / 046 deg FAR Farsi, new additional freq.
0100-0200 on 7430 / 094 deg VOA English
1000-1400 on 7435 / 046 deg FAR Farsi
0000-0100 on 7460 / 086 deg AAP Urdu
2200-2300 on 7460 / 058 deg VOA English
2300-2400 on 7500 / 070 deg RFA Tibetan
0030-0100 on 7555 / 070 deg ASH Pashto
1600-1700 on 7555 / 054 deg RFE Uzbek
1830-2030 on 7555 / 070 deg ASH Pashto/Dari
2030-0030 on 7555 / 070 deg VOA English
1200-1230 on 9310 / 070 deg DEE Pashto
1700-1800 on 9310 / 078 deg DEE Pashto
1430-1830 on 9335 / 070 deg ASH Pashto/Dari/Pashto/Dari
0100-0300 on 9365 / 070 deg RFA Tibetan
0300-0400 on 9555 / 046 deg RFE Turkmen
0000-0100 on 11535 / 078 deg DEE Pashto
1230-1330 on 11550 / 070 deg AFG Pashto
1330-1430 on 11550 / 070 deg AFG Dari
1500-1600 on 11550 / 070 deg RFA Tibetan
1500-1630 on 11560 / 046 deg FAR Farsi, new additional freq.
1630-1830 on 11565 / 070 deg ASH Pashto/Dari
1630-1830 on 11580 / 070 deg ASH Pashto/Dari
1200-1400 on 11590 / 070 deg RFA Tibetan
1400-1500 on 11975 / 078 deg RFA Tibetan
0000-0230 on 12015 / 078 deg DEE Pashto
0230-0330 on 12140 / 070 deg AFG Pashto
1130-1430 on 15090 / 070 deg AFG Dari/Pashto/Dari
1430-1630 on 15090 / 070 deg ASH Pashto/Dari
0330-0530 on 15680 / 070 deg AFG Dari/Pashto
0730-0930 on 15680 / 070 deg AFG Dari/Pashto
0230-0430 on 15690 / 070 deg AFG Pashto/Dari
0430-0830 on 17670 / 070 deg AFG Pashto/Dari/Pashto/Dari
1000-1200 on 17750 / 078 deg RFA Tibetan
0600-0700 on 17780 / 070 deg RFA Tibetan
1000-1100 on 21530 / 070 deg RFA Tibetan

AAP=Aap Ki Dunyaa
AFG=Radio Free Afghanistan
ASH=Radio Ashna
DEE=Deewa Radio
RFA=Radio Free Asia
RFE=Radio Liberty
FAR=Radio Farda
VOA=Voice of America
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews June 22/DX Mix News # 578)
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Australia adds frequency to English schedule

Radio Australia has added 17665 kHz to their schedule, effective from July 4, 2009, at 0000-0200 UTC. Transmitting from Darwin, broadcast are targeted to southeast Asia. (DX Mix News #578).
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VOA - Radio Sawa changes frequency

Via: São Tomé

Voice of America - Radio Sawa
Hello Darfur in Sudanese Arabic:
0300-0330 UTC new frequency 9650 SAO 100 kW / 076 deg, ex 11635, parrell 4960 SAO, 5995 NAU
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews June 22/DX Mix News # 578)
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Aussie shortwave signals continue to flourish

HF propagation into Melbourne, on our shortest day, continues to be represented by good signals from Europe, Africa, the Americas, and the Middle East during our late morning to mid afternoon periods on 6, 7, and 9 MHz.

I have included a summary of this propagation in episode 156 of the Australian DX Report audio magazine, which features news and information about shortwave broadcasting, propagation, monitoring notes, new schedules, extracts from schedules, and schedule updates.

There is also a special segment summarizing current reception here in Melbourne, of African signals in the 49 metre band, 2100 to 2300.

It's 15 minutes duration, and may be downloaded from the website of the Australian Internet Radio Service at: http://airm.edxp.org

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

You can also hear the episodes on-air, via WWCR Nashville, every Sunday at 0200-0215 on 5070 and on Mondays 1145-1200 on 15825. The WWCR release is also available as streaming-audio, live, from http://wwwcr.com
Good listening to the Australian DX Report Episode No. 155!

Bob Padula,
Melbourne
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Cheetah Radio changes frequency


Cheetah Radio, a new station via Media Broadcast, has changed their frequency for the English schedule. Broadcasting on Saturday, 1600-1700 UTC on 11730 (ex. 11885). This move is to avoid co-channel interference from China’s PBS Xinjiang. Cheetah Radio is currently transmitting via the Julich, Germany site, programming is targeted to South Asia. (DX Mix News # 578/Alokesh Gupta, India)
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Radio Prague to end Sackville Canada relay

Due to budget cuts and down sizing, Radio Prague will terminate their Sackville, Canada relay in English on July 1, broadcasting on 6080 kHz at 0330 UTC.
The current broadcast relay via WRMI will continue.
(Frank Hillton, SC)
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Monday, June 22, 2009

Special Voice of America Newscasts Keeps Iranians Informed


Currently broadcasting 9 hours of live TV daily

Washington, D.C., June 22, 2009 – As videos, pictures, e-mails and calls from Iran poured into the Voice of America (VOA), the U.S. international broadcaster introduced a two-hour Special Report to keep its millions of viewers informed.

"With the Iranian government crackdown on media operating inside the country, the Persian News Network (PNN) has become a lifeline to our audience, allowing them to know the latest events unfolding there," said Alex Belida, acting director of PNN, which reaches nearly 30 percent of Iranian adults every week by satellite television.

Special Report is preempting regularly scheduled programs, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tehran time, at least for this week. PNN also recently introduced a daily breakfast show, The Morning Show, from 7:00-8:00 a.m. Tehran time. The programs examine events in Iran in the aftermath of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's declared victory, the ensuing protests and the global reaction to developments in Iran.

VOA's coverage is drawing an overwhelming reaction from inside Iran. Direct visits to PNN's Internet site http://www.voapnn.com from inside the country increased over 800 percent since early June.

Citizens of Iran have sent thousands of videos and pictures - over 300 videos in one 24-hour period - depicting events inside the country. Videos are shown on PNN after careful review. (You can see the latest videos from inside Iran by going to: http://www.VOANews.com/persian/_-electionprotests.cfm or by going directly to PNN's YouTube site: http://www.youtube.com/user/PNNVideo ).

PNN's viewers have also sent thousands of e-mails, and posted comments on PNN blogs, Facebook, a dedicated YouTube channel, Twitter and other social media sites. Callers have phoned in to various PNN shows.

VOA's PNN has the largest combined radio and television audience of all international broadcasters in Iran, with nearly one in three adults in Iran watching or listening to PNN broadcasts at least weekly. Research indicates 96 percent of Iranians daily watch TV, which is the preferred medium for getting news and information.
(VOA)
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Violence in Iran increases

In the past day the violence has increased in Iran. It started this morning (Sunday) with a suicide bombing attack on a shrine of Iran's revolutionary leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The bombing was most likely planned at the shrine to anger Iranians because they revere Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini as the founder of the Islamic Republic. The attacker and another person were killed in the blast, which succeeded in wounding eight pilgrims.

Later in the afternoon, a witness reported that she was on her way to a protest in Revolution Square with a group of people, but was blocked by a row of riot police in central Tehran. The group of protesters sat down in defiance of police. She stated that helicopters hovered above the group of roughly 300 before the protesters were forced to disperse due to tear gas.

Another eyewitness who was able to arrive to Revolution Square reported that there were about 20,000 riot police officers all around Tehran, made up of Basiji militiamen and soldiers, armed with rifles, tear gas, and water cannons. The riot police outnumbered the 3,000 protesters who were able to arrive.

There have also been reports that an innocent elderly man and younger female were both shot and killed. These are two of over 150 deaths, according to unconfirmed reports, over the last seven days.
(WikiNews)

Voice of Islamic Republic of Iran

English

All times UTC

0130-0200 on 7235 9495 "Voice of Justice"

1030-1127 on 15600 17660

1530-1627 on 7305 9600 9635

1930-2028 NF 5940 SIT (via Lithuania relay) 100 kW / 259 deg to WeEu, ex 5945 in English
(DX Mix News #577)

Iranian Police Attack Hundreds of Opposition Protestors
AP-TEHRAN — Riot police attacked hundreds of demonstrators with tear gas and fired live bullets in the air to disperse a rally in central Tehran Monday, carrying out a threat by the country's most powerful security force to crush any further opposition protests over the disputed presidential election.
Continued story from Fox News http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,528063,00.html
(flickr)
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RFE, Radio Liberty and Radio Farda add transmissions to Farsi services


Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Farda, have added additional transmissions to their Farsi services. Sites as indicated
Via: Germany/ Kuwait/ Philippines/ Sri Lanka
All times UTC

0130-0200 on 5885 LAM 100 kW / 104 deg
0130-0830 on 15475 PHT 250 kW / 270 deg
0200-0230 on 5885 IRA 250 kW / 315 deg
0230-0300 on 5885 IRA 250 kW / 332 deg
0230-0400 on 9480 BIB 100 kW / 105 deg
0300-0500 on 9805 LAM 100 kW / 104 deg
0300-1200 on 5885 KWT 250 kW / 046 deg
0500-0930 on 7220 KWT 250 kW / 046 deg
0800-1200 on 17880 IRA 250 kW / 322 deg
0830-1130 on 15610 LAM 100 kW / 108 deg
1330-1400 on 15330 IRA 250 kW / 315 deg
1400-1500 on 5870 KWT 250 kW / 046 deg
1400-1800 on 15330 BIB 100 kW / 085 deg
1500-1630 on 11560 KWT 250 kW / 046 deg
1500-1630 on 15475 IRA 250 kW / 315 deg
1600-1700 on 7580 IRA 250 kW / 332 deg
1630-1730 on 15475 LAM 100 kW / 104 deg
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews June 22/DX Mix news # 578 via wb, Germany)
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BBC adds additional Farsi transmissions to schedule


The BBC has added additional transmissions to their Farsi service. Sites as indicated

Via: Cyprus/ Singapore/ Thailand/ UAE and United Kingdom


All times UTC

0600-1000 on 11860 DHA 250 kW / 345 deg, 15725 CYP 250 kW / 097 deg
1200-1400 on 15650 RMP 500 kW / 095 deg, 17530 RMP 500 kW / 095 deg
1400-1500 on 15215 RMP 500 kW / 095 deg, 17530 RMP 500 kW / 095 deg
1500-1600 on 13840 RMP 500 kW / 095 deg, 15550 RMP 500 kW / 095 deg
1700-1800 on 9810 SNG 250 kW / 315 deg, 13845 RMP 500 kW / 095 deg
1800-1900 on 6125 DHA 250 kW / 345 deg, 13845 RMP 500 kW / 095 deg
1900-2100 on 5975 NAK 250 kW / 305 deg, 7270 CYP 250 kW / 097 deg
2100-2200 on 5875 CYP 250 kW / 097 deg
2200-2300 on 6185 CYP 250 kW / 097 deg
2300-2400 on 5875 CYP 250 kW / 097 deg
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews June 22/DX Mix News # 578 via wb, Germany)
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Hackers attack Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting website

Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) website : http://worldservice.irib.ir/

Wikinews reported on Friday that it had learned that the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) website had been hacked and was suffering from an alleged denial-of-service attack (DDoS). Wikinews says it discovered that an individual or group has claimed responsibility for attacking the website on an Iranian Internet forum. As part of the attack, at least one section of the IRIB website, an apparent user space, was replaced with what appears to be videos and images of protests within Iran. The page also contained the statement “hacked by the Iranian people.”

Wikinews says it has also discovered that citizens have set up Internet channels on IRC in an attempt to create proxy servers and addresses to bypass the the blocking of the Internet by the Iranian government. Proxy servers can also be used to attack websites.
(Source: Wikinews)

Andy Sennitt comments: I managed to get the site to load yesterday, but it was very slow. This morning the site would not load at all, so it appears that the situation is ongoing. Observations welcome. The English website of Press TV is operating normally.
Update 1315 UTC: The IRIB English page is available at: http://english.irib.ir/
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Recent logging on SW
IRAN 7235 kHz, Voice of Justice, tuned in at 0131 UTC (0130 sign-on) in English, with religious meditation, then into news. SINPO 33232. About 60% readable with close attention. Mention of "Death to America, Down with Israel." Turkmenistan congratulates Ahmadineabad on winning the election. Much on the health care debate in the US. Overall poor, not as good as two days ago. This day, the newscasters were alternately male (not well heard) and female (better understood) instead of one female as two days ago.
(Roger Chambers/ODXA)
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Radio Canada Internaitonal - A09 multilingual schedule updates


RCI - A09 revised edition

Effective to 25 October 2009
All times UTC
Multi language services

Arabic
0200-0300 on 5840 5950
0300-0400 on 7230 9520
1105-1205 on 7325
1900-2000 on 15180 15235
1905-2005 on 9515

Chinese
0000-0100 on 9690 11895
0105-0205 on 6100
1305-1405 on 7325
1500-1600 on 6110 11805
2105-2205 on 9515
2200-2300 on 9525 9870

French
1700-1800 on 5850 Fri
1705-1905 on 9800 DRM
1900-2000 on 11765 13730 15320 17735
2005-2105 on 9515
2100-2200 on 9490 13650 15330 15235 17735
2300-2330 on 9525

Portuguese
2100-2130 on 17860 Fri-Sun
2130-2200 on 15455 17860 Fri-Sun
2200-2300 on 17860 Fri-Sun
2300-2330 on 13710 Fri-Sun
2305-0005 on 6100 Sat/Sun

Russian
1405-1505 on 9515
1500-1530 on 11935 15325
1600-1630 on 11935 15325

Spanish
0000-0100 on 11990 13725
0200-0300 on 9755 13710
0205-0305 on 6100
1205-1305 on 7325
2200-2400 on 11990 15455
2205-2305 on 6100
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews June 22/DX Mix News # 578 via wb, Germany)
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