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Sunday, May 30, 2010

Sunday afternoon broadcast from FRS-Holland

This afternoon FRS-Holland will taje to the air on 7600 kHz 13.52- 18.50 UTC.
Propagation today is very poor, hopefully this afternoon things will improve on 39 metres.
Next Sunday June 6th FRS will be on the internet (streaming audio) starting at 13.52 UTC lasting 18.50 UTC.
Address is http://nednl.net:8000/frsh.m3u .
(FRS-Holland)

Head of IRIB admits to satellite jamming

“In a surprise confession, Ezatollah Zarghami, Head of state-run Iranian Broadcast Company, during a speech on Thursday to a group of war veterans, admitted that Iranian government indeed sends illegal satellite jamming signals against foreign broadcast satellites. Zarghami lamented: ‘Our own Alalam (Arabic broadcast by Iran) was removed from Nile Sat and Arab Sat in retaliation of our (own government’s) jamming signals targeting these satellites.’”
(Source: kimandrewelliott.com/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Online petition to save swissinfo


swissinfo must not fall victim to government cost-cutting, say many high-profile Swiss around the world in a petition to save the multimedia Internet portal. Among the 1,500 people to have backed the petition so far are Walter Kälin, the United Nation’s representative for internally displaced persons, and Alfred Defago, Switzerland’s former ambassador to the United States.

The petition at: http://www.rettet-swissinfo.ch/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=55 calls on the government and the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) to continue to contribute 50 per cent each to swissinfo’s funding. It argues that in 2009 Switzerland repeatedly came under international scrutiny and swissinfo plays a vital role in helping an international audience understand complex decisions made by the electorate, the complicated political context and conflicts of interest. It does this in nine languages.

In February the government confirmed funding for swissinfo would be cut as part of budget proposals for 2011-2013. The plans will have to be confirmed by the cabinet in June and would need to go before parliament. It is the second time in less than ten years that swissinfo.ch is facing potential financial cuts. Its budget was reduced to SFr26 million from SFr44 million and included job losses and the abolition of shortwave radio broadcasts.
(Source: swissinfo.ch and agencies/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Friday, May 28, 2010

Radio Netherlands Worldwide Program Preview, May 29-June 4


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 29 MAY
*** The State We're In ***

A prison survivor's tale: Jung Gwang Il spent three years in a North Korean labour camp. While the country is notoriously closed to outsiders, the camps themselves are barely known within the country. And not many people live to talk about their time in one. Jung Gwang Il tells Jonathan how he survived the camp and escaped to South Korea.

Context: Marcus Noland from the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington, DC listens to Jung Gwang Il's story, and draws parallels between North Korea's belligerence towards neighbouring countries and its treatment of its own citizens.

A prison guard's escape: An Myeong Chul was a prison guard for eight years in North Korea. He saw prisoners starved, executed and he even beat them himself - believing that they were all enemies of the state. But when he learned that he could wind up in prison himself, he stole a truck and escaped to China. Now all he wants is for the two Koreas to unite, and forgiveness for what he did. (Originally broadcast 9 January 2010)

Context: Marcus Noland responds to An Myeong Chul's story and assesses North Korea's place in the world community. Kwanju massacre remembered: Thirty years ago, South Korea massacred at least 200 of its own citizens during a political uprising. Mrs Ahn was a nurse supervisor at a hospital in Gwangju, and tells Jonathan why she will never forget the day fighting broke out.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.00 East and Southeast Asia 11895, South Asia 15110, China 12065
14.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
18.00 East and central Africa 15535, Southern Africa 6020
20.00 East and central Africa 11970, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
10.00 Africa and Asia
12.00 North America
17.00 Europe
22.00 Asia and North America

*** 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.`

This week:
· The EU plans to make banks pay for their own bailouts.
· The British and Dutch governments announce how they plan to slash public spending.
· Outrage as a Somali warlord enrols Germany's elite soldiers.
· Twenty-eight years since they last won, Germans tell us how to be a Eurovision winner.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
19.30 East and central Africa 11970 and 15535, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
17.00 Europe
22.00 Asia and North America

SUNDAY 30 MAY
*** Radio Books ***

'Arusha' - by Tom Naegals
Flemish author Tom Naegals calls himself a 'social writer.' In his Radio Books story, a young Belgian man travels to Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. He wants to discover the 'real Africa' and stays for a few days in Arusha. The story is a disturbing look at the chasm between different cultures. It uncovers how the individual can create, unwittingly, even greater barriers and how ignorance can re-enforce stereotypes.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
18.30 East and central Africa 15535, Southern Africa 6020
19.30 East and central Africa 11970 and 15535, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
04.30 Africa, Asia and North America
10.30 Africa and Asia
12.30 North America
14.40 Europe

*** Network Europe Extra ***

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

This week:
· We head to the Prague beer festival to discover the rise of microbreweries in the Czech Republic.
· Sweden is getting ready to see its Princess Victoria get married - to a commoner.
· We meet the reggae buskers playing from the depths of the Paris Metro.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1530 South Asia 11835, 15745

MONDAY 31 MAY
*** Classic Dox ***

'The Winged Muse' (Orig. Broadcast June 2004)
The regal, enchanting swan has inspired so much memorable poetry, music and imagery that one might almost forget that this beautiful, long-necked creature also has a private life off-stage in Nature. Producer Marijke van der Meer portrays both aspects of the life of a swan: as a bird and as a work of art.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.30 East and Southeast Asia 11895, South Asia 15110, China 12065
19.30 East and central Africa 11970 and 15535, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
10.30 Africa and Asia
12.00 North America

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
15.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
18.00 East and central Africa 15535, Southern Africa 6020
20.00 East and central Africa 11970, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
22.00 Asia and North America

*** 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):
19.00 East and central Africa 11970 and 15535, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
17.00 Europe

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

Jazz pianists at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, featuring Michiel Borstlap, Rob van Bavel, and Karel Boehlee. All of that, on the European Jazz Stage with your host Hans Mantel.

*** Live! at the Concertgebouw ***
The Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Jaap van Zweden plays music by Mahler, Britten, Shostakvich and Vaughan Williams. The concert is hosted by Hans Haffmans.

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

A prison survivor's tale: Jung Gwang Il spent three years in a North Korean labour camp. While the country is notoriously closed to outsiders, the camps themselves are barely known within the country. And not many people live to talk about their time in one. Jung Gwang Il tells Jonathan how he survived the camp and escaped to South Korea.

Context: Marcus Noland from the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington, DC listens to Jung Gwang Il's story, and draws parallels between North Korea's belligerence towards neighbouring countries and its treatment of its own citizens.

A prison guard's escape: An Myeong Chul was a prison guard for eight years in North Korea. He saw prisoners starved, executed and he even beat them himself - believing that they were all enemies of the state. But when he learned that he could wind up in prison himself, he stole a truck and escaped to China. Now all he wants is for the two Koreas to unite, and forgiveness for what he did. (Originally broadcast 9 January 2010)

Context: Marcus Noland responds to An Myeong Chul's story and assesses North Korea's place in the world community.

TUESDAY 1 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):
10.00 East and Southeast Asia 11895, South Asia 15110, China 12065
19.00 East and central Africa 11970 and 15535, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** Commonwealth Story ***

A selection of winning stories chosen from the large number of entries for the 2009 Commonwealth Short Story Competition.

'Dreams' - by Ayobami Adebayo from Nigeria.
Excitement and promises at election time.

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

Broadcast times on WRN
10.00 Africa and Asia
22.00 Asia and North America

*** Live! at the Concertgebouw ***

The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra conducted by Lothar Zagrosek plays forgotten music by Mahler and Wolf, a new work by Geert van Keulen, and the ever-popular Don Juan by Richard Strauss. Your host is Hans Haffmans.

*** Classic Dox ***

'A Boat Trip through Borneo' (Orig. Broadcast May 2005)
The wildlife habitat of Borneo has been sited as one of the most endangered places on earth. The World Wildlife Fund leads a campaign called "Heart of Borneo" to try and stop various threats like the illegal pet-trade in orangutans. Producer Anne Blair Gould meets orphan orangutan babies and a wild male orangutan named Beethoven.

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
15.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
18.00 East and central Africa 15535, Southern Africa 6020
20.00 East and central Africa 11970, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
22.00 Asia and North America

WEDNESDAY 2 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):
10.00 East and Southeast Asia 11895, South Asia 15110, China 12065
19.00 East and central Africa 11970 and 15535, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
15.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
18.00 East and central Africa 15535, Southern Africa 6020
20.00 East and central Africa 11970, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
22.00 Asia and North America

*** Reloaded ***

Weekly highlights presented by Mindy Ran

*** Classic Dox ***

'In the Shark's Domain' (Orig. Broadcast October 2001)
No matter how safe we feel, we are always at the mercy of a predator. We could be swimming at our favourite beach and suddenly a shark mistakes us for lunch.

We could be living in a small town and be shot by a man who hears God's voice telling him to do it. Producer Dheera Sujan draws unsettling parallels between sharks and serial killers.

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America

THURSDAY 3 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):
10.00 East and Southeast Asia 11895, South Asia 15110, China 12065
19.00 East and central Africa 11970 and 15535, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** The State We're In - South Asia edition ***

Join host Chhavi as we look at walls and fences and how they affect the way people treat each other. We visit an Israeli town bisected by a wall, the border between Mexico and the US and a wall-less prison in Greenland.

*** Earth Beat - South Asia edition ***

A short version of RNW's environmental programme Earth Beat produced for broadcast in partnership with All India Radio.

*** South Asia Wired ***

Afghan analyst Martine van Bijlert talks to Dheera Sujan about her insiders view of the complicated and multi-layered relationship Afghanistan has with the international community.

*** Classic Dox ***

'The Master's Menagerie' (Orig. Broadcast May 2000)
During the Dutch Golden Age, painters depicted domestic and exotic animals in all styles and genres. The director of the Amsterdam zoo and various art experts guide producer David Swatling through the Dutch animal kingdom of the 17th century as painted by Rembrandt, Jan Steen, Paulus Potter and many others.

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
15.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
18.00 East and central Africa 15535, Southern Africa 6020
20.00 East and central Africa 11970, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
22.00 Asia and North America

FRIDAY 4 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):
10.00 East and Southeast Asia 11895, South Asia 15110, China 12065
19.00 East and central Africa 11970 and 15535, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** Bridges with Africa ***

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):
14.00 South Asia 11835, 15745
18.00 East and central Africa 15535, Southern Africa 6020
20.00 East and central Africa 11970, West Africa 11610, Southern and central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
04.30 Africa, Asia and North America
17.00 Europe
22.00 Asia and North America

*** Earth Beat ***

The earth will be destroyed by flood, drought and pollution, and most of the world's seven billion inhabitants will not survive the resulting famine and wars as we fight for the planet's few remaining resources. Or at least that's the doom-laden prophecy often used to sell the message of climate change. But is all this talk of eco apocalypse scaring children? On Earth Beat, we look at climate change from a child's point of view.

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

*** Classic Dox ***

'Buffalo Nation' (Orig. Broadcast January 2005)
Romantic images of the Old West feature majestic buffalo thundering across the Great Plains in the company of Indians on horseback. In the battle for control of the Plains, the buffalo was almost wiped out. Producer Martha Hawley explores how ranchers are working to restore the herds as Native American traditional culture is being revived.

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America

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

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
15.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.04 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.04 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
14.04 Europe
22.00 Asia
23.00 North America and CBC
(R Netherlands)

Free Radio Service Holland ready for Sunday broadcast

May 2010 broadcast
Since our February 28th broadcast, FRS has been silent. However: we feel that in this very special year, it's important to keep in touch with our listening audience.

May 30th- on the 5th Sunday- FRS will take to the air from 07.52- 12.45 UTC (6400) and 13.52-18.45 UTC (7600).

The morning/ early afternoon shows will be repeated as from 13.52 UTC onwards. Right now there is still an option to use a 2nd frequency in parallel, we will inform you about that at a later stage. Expect the usual mix of music & information.

2010: 30 Years of FRS-Holland on Short Wave
In the mean time FRS is preparing the 30th anniversary which will take placed in October 2010. Five years ago, FRS would have been celebrating its 25th birthday but that celebration had to be cancelled due to personal circumstances. Sad but true. This year things are looking different and we feel it's time to do a big on air celebration. And that will certainly happen!
But: we feel that an on air celebration would be incomplete without our listeners' input! Therefore we explicitly invite you as FRSH listener to participate:

"2010 will be a very special year for all at FRSH: 30 years on the air! We will be celebrating this later in 2010. We invite our listening audience to participate in the celebrations later this year. We'd like to receive your personal FRS memories. Put them on a sheet of paper or send them by mail and most wanted: record your personal message and send an mp3 audio file. All listener's contributions will be collected and together it will be our anthology of 30 years of SW broadcasts. When did you hear us for the first time, what was your favourite show, when did you get your first QSL, how much did you listen to FRS, any special on air moments you remember? All this info could be part of your personal FRS contribution. For any serious contribution, we have a nice surprise and that is a promise!"

Important: as we have to do a lot of preparations for that very special broadcast, we urge to send your contribution as soon as possible!
or P.O. Box 2702, 60 49 ZG Herten, the Netherlands.

If you have any questions/ remarks, feel free to contact us!!
73s

(Peter Verbruggen (on behalf of the FRS Team)






a Balance between Music & Information joint to one Format....

FRS-Holland
POBox 2702
6049 ZG Herten
The Netherlands

e-mail: <>
e-mail: <>



a Balance between Music & Information joint to one Format....

FRS-Holland
POBox 2702
6049 ZG Herten
The Netherlands

e-mail: <>
e-mail: <>

Blog Logs


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

Argentina/ Bolivia/ Brazilk/ Brazil/ Cuba/ Peru
5990 Radio Senado, Brasilia Brazil. Portuguese about the socialist strong. Sign-off at 2200
5952.476 Em Pio XII, Sigle Viente Bolivia. Spanish talks and ID as "Pio Doce" at 2207.
6150.753 Radio Fides ,La Paz Bolivia. Poor signal for Spanish talks at 2216.
6159.970 CKZN St. John's Canada. And now news from Canada at 2219
6019.279 Radio Victoria, Lima Peru. Spanish talks and songs \\ 9720 kHz.

9505 Radio Record, Sao Paulo Brazil. Portuguese talks at 2147.
9565.241 Super Radio Deos e Amor Brazil. Portuguese talks. Bad modulation noted at 2150 9629.940 Radio Aparecida, Aparecida Brazil. Nice music at 2153
9635 Voz Cristiana Chile. Spanish text about Cuba 2155.
9665.470 Voz Missionaria, Florianopolis Brazil. Portuguese songs at 2158
11760 La Habana Cuba. English DX program at 2118
11730 La Habana Cuba. Spanish music and talks at 2120
11749.890 Voz Missionaria, Florianopolis, Brazil. Nice music and talks in Portuguese at 2123 11780 Radio Nacional de Amazonia ,Brasilia Brazil. Typical Brazilian music at 2129
11815 Brazil Central ,Goiania Brazil. Portuguese info about Brazil at 2137
11854.950 Radio Aparecida , Aparecida Brazil. Portuguese speech at 2141
11925.218 Radio Bandeirantes, Sao Paulo Brazil. Info about Brazil, 2143
15345.111 Radio Nacional Argentina. Spanish songs to German spoken at 2145
Perseus SDR, Marconi antenna. (Maurits Van Driessche-BEL, HCDX/BC DX 965)

Bolivia
6134.79, Radio Santa Cruz, 0935-0945. Long Spanish language discourse which ends with a time check and into music. After one tune, announcer returns with more comments and mentions of "Santa Cruz" often. Music continues at 0945. Signal is very good this morning. (Chuck Bolland,FL)

3310, Radio Mosoj Chaski, 0948-1005. Noted very weak signal here in Spanish, afte an hour, program of music heard. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Brazil
11829.95 Radio Daqui, Goiania GO, at 1950-2013. Newscast, musica sertaneja after 2000, IDs: "Radio Daqui AM", suddenly off at 2013 and did not return back, checked many times during that evening... Probably a transmitter test because they switched it off at 5:13pm local time and it was a bit early... Did not appear on 18 + 19 April. (Karel Honzik-CZE, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 20/BC DX 965)

Cyprus
9760, Cyprus Broadcasting Corp, *2215-2244.* Sign on with Greek music followed by Greek talk and local music. Very good signal. // 7210 - mixing with China. // 5930 - weak but readable in noisy conditions. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Djibouti
4780, Radio Djibouti, *0300-0330. Sign on with national anthem. Arabic talk and rustic flute music at 0301. Qur`an at 0302. Arabic talk at 0312. Rustic local music at 0329. Poor in noisy conditions. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Eritrea
4700.02 Voice of the Broad Masses of Eritrea, Asmara, 1810-2000.* Arabic talks and songs from the Horn of Africa, SINPO 35333 \\ 7175, on May 11: 7190 kHz (SINPO 25322).(Roland Schulze-D and Anker Petersen-DEN, dswci DXW May 19/BC DX 965)

Indonesia
9525.89 Voice of Indonesia at 1302-1315. English news in progress, followed by commentary and features at 1313. Signal very good. (John Wilkins, CO)

Israel
6821 USB, Galei Tzahal, 2305-0000.+ Still here with Hebrew announcements. Local pop and US pop music. Fair signal. Weaker on // 6973. Both frequencies also heard later at 0155-0210. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Malaysia
6049.6v, Asyik FM via RTM, 1236-1239. Call to prayer (Isha - Night prayer)some what out of sync with // 5964.92v (Klasik Nasional FM) Asyik FM went into program of pop music and frequent "Asyik FM" IDs; as usual had almost fair reception here (Ron Howard,Asilomar Beach, CA/Cumbre DX)

Mali
5995, RTVM, 2330-0001.* Afro-pop music. African hi-life music. French announcements. Sign off with national anthem. Poor in noisy conditions and adjacent channel splatter. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Myanmar
7200.0, Myanma Radio, 1303-1330.* In vernacular with easy-listening pop songs. Signal almost fair even with amateur radio interference.(Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA/Cumbre DX)

Solomon Islands
5019.96 SIBC 1153-1201. Pop music program hosted by female announcer in English. Final comments at 1158, followed by closedown announcement and anthem at 1201. Fair. (John Wilkins-CO)

Thailand
17655 Radio Thailand in English via Udorn Thani site, 0530- 0600. Signal S=7-8 in Germany, meant to Moscow Russia and Scandinavia target. Featured food and spicy rice. News at 0548. Migration of Thai mobile workers in maritime sector, ID at 0551. Thailand in prospect.Muslim community in Thailand, took part on Muslim World conference in Dushanbe Tajikistan. Efforts to create a Palestine state in Palestine, Gaza and West Bank. Thai Airways celebrate 50 years air traffic with Hong Kong target.

From 0558 UT Udorn signal suffered by s-on 500 kW powerhouse of Kashi-China on adjacent 17650 kHz. (wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 23)

9575, Radio Thailand, 1415-1429.* In English- "Focus on Thailand", "Take on Thailand," "Health Focus.", a weekly Thursday show. Signal fair (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA/Cumbre DX)

Shortwave Blog "Bytes"

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

Albanian DXing
7465. Much better propagation in summer schedule looming. Radio Tirana Shijak in French language at 1745, played lovely folk music. Signal S=9+20dB powerful transmission.(wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 22)

9860 Radio Tirana in Albanian. Noted with news until 2341, May 24. Surprisingly strong signal S=9+30dB. \\ 7425 S=8 signal at 2350. (wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 24/BC DX 965)

Antarctica monitoring
15476.0, LRA36 (presumed), 1447-1509*, May 26. Clearly in Spanish. Pop songs. Signal poor to very poor by sign-off. Even with no ID, I think this must be the (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach,
CA/Cumbre DX)

Aussie ham on SW/HF QSLing
Episode 28 has a nice 10-minute segment on SW/HF QSL collecting by an Australian amateur radio operator. Starts up about five or six minutes into the program. His more recent cards are quite current - cards from NHK and Radio New Zealand are both seen in this segment, as well as some older cards from the 1980s. (Bruce Jenner/ptsw)

Aussie monitoring
2310 VL8A, Alice Springs NT, 2125-2130*, 22 May'10, cf. \\ 2485; 15231, but even worse than VL8T.

2325 VL8T, Tennant Creek NT, 2123-2130*, 22 May'10, cf. \\ 2485; 15231.

2485 VL8K, Katherine NT, 2122-2130*, 22 May'10, English, Australian country songs. SINPO 25331. (Carlos Goncalves-POR, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 24/BC DX 964)

Bangladesh transmitter views via Google Earth
Best view of Kabirpur & Shavar shortwave transmitter sites to date with latest GE imagery.
(Ian Baxter-AUS, SW TXsite May 19)

Dhaka Mirpur 1170 kHz 10 kW
23 46 49.38 N 90 21 26.06 E

Kabirpur 11 SW curtains, 4 MW masts
24 00 27.63 N 90 15 13.24 E

Chittagong Kalurghat 873 kHz 10 kW
22 22 32.69 N 91 50 53.59 E
(BC DX 965)

Belarus scheduling
Radio Belarus on-air time schedule puzzles me still.

Noted signals this morning May 20th at 1000-1100 on 6010 6040 6070 7235, and 7280 kHz too.

Belarus seemingly schedule in A-10 season at 0300-0800* UT and 1500-2100, 7265 missed on May 16th again. In 0300-0800 slot noted 6010 6040 6070 7235, and best on 7280 kHz. 6040 and 7280 still on air at 0806. Nothing on 6115 kHz anymore. (wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 16/20/BC DX 965)

Bulgaria adjust frequency
Frequency change of Radio Bulgaria in Russian from May 30:
2300-2400 new freq 7300 PLD 170 kW / 045 deg to CeAs, ex 7400 (DX Mix News #626)


Ethiopia jamming
Jamming fleet of Ethiopia against Voice of America 1730 Oromo, 1800 Amharic, 1900-1930 Tigre. 11925SAO/WER 13870 WER/NAU 13630BOT (wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 24)

7110 Radio Ethiopia-Home Service, Geja Dera, 1507-1528, 23 May'10, Vernacular,. Talks, noted on parallel 9704.2; 15341.

9559.8 Radio Ethiopia-External Service, Geja Jawe, 1433-1456, 22 May'10, Arabic. Talks to Horn of Africa song. Noted on parralel 7165 rated SINPO as 35343, 34343, adjacent interference.

9704.2 Radio Ethiopia-Home Service, Geja Dera, 1239-1257, 23 May'10, Vernacular, talks, same menu at 1345. Parallel 7110, SINPO 25443. (Carlos Goncalves-POR, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 24/BC DX 965)

Guinea on 4900
4900 Our station Familia SW just began broadcasting intermittently at the end of March. We had some equipment challenges and we have them repaired a week ago and now we can now have nightly stabile broadcasting. We are using what is called Low Power Short Wave. We use a
1000 watt transmitter built by HCJB Radio in the US. As far as I know there are only 3 stations like this in the world. The specifications say that our strongest signal would reach a 400 kilometre circumference around the antenna at midnight. We are using an antenna that is 40 meters X 60 meters - most being buried in the ground and reflecting upwards. It is a unique design.

Our goal is to broadcast in the languages of the country we originate in. That would be French, Pular and Maninka for the beginning. We are beginning from 6pm to midnight during our beginning period. There is no electricity where we are located, so we are using solar and wind generators. Having enough energy for our transmitter and air-conditioner is proving one of our larger challenges.

Thank you for letting us know we are being heard "out there". Mme Colette Baudais, Directrice Generale Familia FM. (via Jari Savolainen-FIN, DXplorer, May 17/BC DX 965)

4900 Familia FM, Conakry, 1937-2226, 21 May'10, Vernacular, African songs and traditional music. Talks to interviews running at 2200, no news at 2210, SINPO 15332. Better at 2200+, with a stronger QSA. It was found much better the next day, 22nd May, at around 2200.

7125 Radio Guinee, Sonfonya, 2133-2152, 21 May'10, Verancular, talks, SINPO 35444.
Sole audible BC stn 7100-7200.(Carlos Goncalves-POR, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 24/BC DX 965)

South Africa on 4880
4880 Surprised to find Channel Africa on unscheduled 4880 kHz last night at 2230. In Swahili (I think) followed by French at 2300-2355 and English from 0000 (including the same sequence of languages they carry in their scheduled broadcasts). Couldn't stay awake to check further into the night! Fair strength signal on a clear frequency with moderate fading here - SIO 353.

Channel Africa is not scheduled on their own or Sentech's website at this late hour. Meyerton does use 4880 of course for SW Radio Africa but earlier in the evening.

Wondered if this was just a test or maybe Channel Africa is extending broadcasts with the World Cup in South Africa approaching in June? (Alan Pennington-UK, BrDXC-UK May 17/BC DX 965)

Saudi Arabia monitoring


All times UTC

17785 BSKSA Riyadh "early pre-French piece" in English at 0752 til 0800 UT, May 25. Signal S=9+5dB towards West Africa. Feature presented from the press "donation of the Kings family..." at 0755, and English final announcement at 0757. Exact time signal at 0800, French section start. (wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 25)

Observed different use of 9715 and 11785 kHz:
May 11th: 0300-1455. Feature from 0955 with "Bzz" on 9715 and 11785 kHz was silenced and 17615 kHz not in use. Also with "bzz" was 15380 kHz at 1230.

May 12th: 1100-1200 on 17615 kHz with "bzz" and "bzz" spurs on +/-18 kHz on 17597 and 17633 kHz heard. At 1050 on 11785 kHz was on the air clearly and 9715 kHz was only till 0955 on air. All above programs were with "Qoran Qerim Prgr" (as they called Holy Qu'ran).
(Rumen Pankov-BUL, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 17/BC DX 965)

Voice of Nigeria summer A10 schedule


Effective to: 30 October 2010

All times UTC
broadcast days as indicated

Arabic
1730-1800 daily NAf,ME 15120iko

English
0455-0700 daily Eu,Af 15120iko
0900-1500 daily WAf 9690iko
1500-1600 daily Eu,WAf 15120iko
1800-1900 daily Eu,Af 15120iko
1900-2000 daily WAf 7255iko*

French
0700-0800 daily Eu,Af 15120iko
2000-2100 daily WAf 7255iko

Fulfulde
2100-2200 daily WAf 7255iko

Hausa
0800-0900 daily WAf 9690iko
2200-2300 daily WAf 7255iko

Igbo
1700-1730 daily WAf 9690iko

Swahili
1600-1630 daily EAf 11770iko

Yoruba
1630-1700 daily WAf 9690iko

Key: * Alternate frequency 9690kHz
(WRTH Update, May 2010/BC DX 965)

Radio Cairo monitoring observations

Egypt
All times UTC

15800 This morning May 23 observed Radio Cairo's General Arabic service to Africa one hour earlier from 0600 onwards May 23. Scheduled as: 0700-1100. Suffered a little bit by co-channel Radio Sofia Bulgaria in Spanish 0600-0630 UT. (wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 23)

And today I noted the presence of Radio Cairo in Arabic on 15800 kHz from 0600 (x0700), with Radio Bulgaria in Spanish to 0630. Coordination of Radio Cairo is 0700-1100, without comment ... that from April 30 will be 0600-1000. According to the program to cover a signal should not be a problem between the two stations - Radio Bulgaria and Radio Cairo. Coverage of Radio Bulgaria is stronger than that of Radio Cairo with 20 dB. Interesting what is the situation in Germany. I expect very soon and additional information from Spain.
(R BULGARIA, Ivo Ivanov, May 25)

Re 15285 Radio Cairo, Egypt.
Has something to do with DST in Egypt from April 30 ?

Egypt: [probably] 15285 Ahead of CNR/CRI jamming against BBC Kranji Mandarin co-channel, another strong Arabic HQ station noted with medium S=9 signal at 1505-1515 UT. Seemingly Radio Cairo Abu Zabaal, which scheduled later at 1600. May 22. 1330-1530 on 15040 ABZ 100 kW 070 deg to WeAS in Farsi
1430-1600 on 15065 ABZ 250 kW 070 deg to WeAS in Pashto
1500-1600 on 15780 ABZ 250 kW 050 deg to CeAS in Uzbek
1600-1700 on 15285 ABZ 100 kW 160 deg to EaCeAF in Afar
1700-1730 on 15285 ABZ 100 kW 160 deg to EaCeAF in Somali
1730-1900 on 15285 ABZ 100 kW 160 deg to EaCeAF in Amharic
(wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 22/23/BC DX 965 Top News)

Broadcasting in Bhutan

Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) on 6035 kHz shortwave

The 30 kW replacement transmitter at Sangaygang was regularly heard throughout Bhutan, although with many breaks. The 100 kW transmitter awaits repair by an Engineer from India. Heard in Bhutan at *0000-0050 and 1019-1240 UT, Apr 22-27, with many attempts to get on the air with the usual programmes of a Buddhist Morning Mass, Dzongkha talks and national songs. Heard on parallel 88.1, 96.0 and 98.0 FM. I took photos of the BBS Studio building and shortwave transmitting antenna.

BBS TV was studied at Phuntsho Pelri Hotel in Thimphu where I stayed. They signed on at 0000 UTC with a long Buddhist morning prayer similar to the broadcasts heard on FM parallel 6035 kHz, but not in parallel. On the screen was shown repeated films from a beautiful Bhutanese landscape with a temple and white monkeys. At 0030 an elderly Monk was seen reading the Tibetan texts in front of an audience of about 200 males and females sitting in rows on the floor. It ended at 0058 when a short religious dance was seen, followed by the morning news in Dzongkha.

This four star hotel offered satellite TV also with BBC World News in English, National Geographics, A Planet, Cartoon Network, Channel News Asia in English - and 53 Indian TV-Channels ! The diplomatic relations with China are very chilly, so no Chinese TV-programme was relayed!

Most better hotels offered access to the internet and in the biggest cities were several private Internet Cafes. (Petersen) {Anker on tour to Delhi, Darjeeling, Sikkim and Bhutan in April 2010} (Anker Petersen-DEN in India on tour, dswci DXW May 19/BC DX 965)

PNG's Radio Fly on shortwave

Pacific Radio News
Radio Heritage Foundation
www.radioheritage.net/

Radio Fly on Shortwave
Tabubil, Papua New Guinea

Listeners in countries such as Japan and New Zealand have been reporting reception of new shortwave broadcaster Radio Fly in recent days.

Radio Fly is a community radio station operated by the Ok Tedi Mine management in the isolated Western Province of Papua New Guinea, about 800km west of the capital Port Moresby.

According to Jobby Paiva, who hosts the evening show on Radio Fly, the station operates from two FM transmitters [95.3 at the port town of Kiunga and 103.8 in the main company town of Tabubil about 90km inland] and recently started shortwave relays on 3915kHz and 5960kHz.

English news is scheduled 7am-7.30am Tue-Sat and again at 7.30pm-7.45pm Mon-Fri [local times] and the 6am-10pm [2000-1200 UTC] broadcast day is divided into the Breakfast Shift 6am-10am, Mid Morning/Mid Afternoon Shift 10am-2pm, Afternoon Drive 2pm-6pm and the
Night Shift 6pm-10pm closedown.

He tells us that the transmitter power details for the SW outlets will be available shortly and they're delighted to be getting emails in from a growing number of listeners around the world.

Station details will be included in the 2011 WRTH: Radio Fly studios are on Dakon Street, Tabubil. Mailing address: PO Box 1, Tabubil, Western Province, Papua New Guinea. Team Leader: Michael Miise. Telephone: +675 649 3924. Fax: +675 6493023. Email:
jobby.paiva@oktedi.com .

Jobby has previously been a broadcaster with Nau FM and other commercial stations in Papua New Guinea and maintains a regular blog where updates about Radio Fly can be found:
www.jobbyswalk-about.blogspot.com/ .

Tabubil is the site of one of the world's largest copper mines [previously gold mining] about 20km from the border with Indonesia and just over 300km from Jayapura. Annual rainfall is around 315 inches [8 meters] and the township is located in extremely dense jungle.

A road links Tabubil with a port at Kiunga where the copper slurry is taken by pipeline, and the port mainly exists to service Tabubil. Both Kiunga and Tabubil are in the highly mountainous North Fly District of Western Province.

Radio Fly serves a combined Tabubil/Kiunga urban population of about 25,000 [estimated] and began broadcasting on FM in 2004. For more information about Radio Fly and the Ok Tedi mining operations see:www.oktedi.com/.
(Radio Heritage Mail)

Frequency monitoring and observations from down under

Spectrum research here in Melbourne has revealed that long distance propagation has now appeared in the noon window, in the period 0100 to 0300, on 6 MHz.

This heralds the arrival of the winter daytime propagation mode, an annual occurrence, which offers marvellous opportunities for studying propagation on these band during the present period of very low solar activity.

A preliminary examination of spectrum occupancy on 6 MHz on May 27 revealed shortpath propagation from Europe, Middle East, and Africa, and longpath from the Americas in the period 0100 to 0145 (11 am to 11.45 am).

At about 0200 (noon), longpath from Europe, Middle East and Africa, and shortpath from the Americas had become the dominant mode, which continued throughout our afternoon.

This pattern will be sustained during our winter months, up to the end of July.

At noon in Melbourne, on May 26, the sun's azimuth at noon was down to 30.2 degrees. The lowest noon azimuth will be 28.8 degrees on 17 to 26 June. Solar transit on May 26 in Melbourne was 0217 (2.17pm)

Our latest sunrise occurs on June 28 to June 30, at 2137 (7.37 am) and pit earliest sunset will be on June 9 to June 17 at 0707 (5.07 pm). These factors significantly influence HF propagation during our daytime period in our winter months on 5 MHz to 12 MHz.

The Appendices summarize trans-noon spectrum occupancies on May 26, 2010.

5920 SWEDEN RCI via Horby, Arabic 0245 (***NEW RELAY FOR A10***)
5925 GERMANY RL-Lampertheim Russian
5930 SLOVAK REP. R. Slovakia International, French 0225
5960 CANADA NHK-Sackville English 0300
6020 ALBANIA CRI via Cerrick, Mandarin 0200
6030 USA R. Marti Greenville 0300
6055 SPAIN REE Spanish 0225
6100 FRENCH GUYANA WYFR via Montsinery, English 0200
6105 GERMANY RL-Wertachtal Belarusian 0105
6125 SPAIN REE Spanish 0225
6175 CANADA V. of Vietnam via Sackville, English 0100
6200 BULGARIA R. Sofia Russian 0305
7220 IRAN VOIRI Armenian *0300
7245 IRAN VOIRI English *0130
7270 ARMENIA VOR via Yerevan, Russian 0000 to 0400
7280 GERMANY IBB Wertachtal 0130
7285 MOLDOVA VOR via Grigoripol, Russian 0000 to 0400
7305 VATICAN VR SMG Spanish 0200
7310 GERMANY VOA Wertachtal Amharic *0300
7315 ISA WHRI English 0200
7335 VATICAN SMG var langs 0100-0200
7355 USA WRNO Spanish 0100
7365 USA R. Marti Greenville 0100
7385 ROMANIA RRI French 0100-0200
7390 GERMANY RL Lampertheim Tatar-Bashkir 0300
7400 BULGARIA R. Sofia 0200-0300
7425 ALBANIA R. Tirana English 0230
7475 GREECE VOG Greek 0130-0400

The window 0430 to 0500
-----------------------
Spectrum occupancy sampled on May 27, 2010:

5810 USA WEWN Spanish
5925 GERMANY RL-Lampertheim Russian
5970 CUBA RHC English
6115 ENGLAND BBC Skelton Arabic
6130 LITHUANIA NHK via Sitkumanai *0430 Russian (***NEW RELAY FOR A10***)
6140 ROMANIA RRI Romanian
6145 S. AFRICA BBC Meyerton Portuguese
6180 PORTUGAL DW Sines English
6185 VATICAN VR SMG various
6200 BULGARIA R. Sofia Bulgarian

7210 ETHIOPIA V. of Broad Masses Tigrinya
7240 RWANDA DW Kigali English
7280 GERMANY R. Farda Wertachtal Farsi
7325 ENGLAND BBC Rampisham Arabic
7350 IRAN VOIRI Arabic
7435 GERMANY RL-Biblis Russian
(Bob Padula/Cumbre DX)

NASB launches SW Listener Survey

The National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters in the United States, has launched a Shortwave Listener Survey, which is now online. The purpose of the survey is to gather demographic and other information about shortwave listeners in North America and around the world. Questions deal with listener preferences regarding shortwave stations, programming, receivers, DRM and much more. The NASB is requesting and encouraging all shortwave publications and websites to place a link to the survey, which will be online until May of 2011. The survey results will be announced to the public at the 2011 NASB annual meeting.

Survey located at:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6LRVLJ7

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Radio Japan and WYFR schedule updates


Frequency changes of Radio Japan NHK World

Effective from: 23 May 2010

All times UTC / NF (new frequency)

1300-1345 NF 11965#TAC 100 kW / 131 deg to SoAs in Bengali, ex 6155
# strong co-ch TRT Voice of Turkey in Russian
USA(and non) Summer A-10 of WYFR Family Radio via RNW:
1600-1700 on 9590 MDC 250 kW / 320 deg to EaAf in Swahili
1700-1800 on 7395 MDC 050 kW / 310 deg to EaAf in English
1800-2000 on 7395 MDC 250 kW / 320 deg to EaAf in English
1900-2100 on 6020 MDC 050 kW / 255 deg to SoAf in English


USA(and non) Summer A-10 of WYFR Family Radio via TRW:
1800-1900 on 7320 ARM 300 kW / 290 deg to WeEu in German
1800-1900 on 9615 SAM 250 kW / 284 deg to WeEu in Polish
1900-2000 on 6010 KCH 300 kW / 270 deg to WeEu in Italian
1900-2000 on 7320 SAM 250 kW / 284 deg to WeEu in German
2000-2200 on 7430 KCH 250 kW / 309 deg to WeEu in English
2000-2100 on 7540 A-A 300 kW / 300 deg to WeEu in French
1200-1300 on 11855 DB 100 kW / 024 deg to CeAs in Russian
1300-1400 on 12155 DB 200 kW / 125 deg to SoAs in English
1400-1500 on 7215 IRK 250 kW / 224 deg to SoAs in Nepali
1400-1500 on 9405 ARM 300 kW / 110 deg to SoAs in Punjabi
1400-1500 on 15450 ARM 200 kW / 147 deg to SoAs in Assamese
1400-1600 on 12065 ARM 300 kW / 110 deg to SoAs in Urdu
1500-1600 on 11505 ERV 300 kW / 110 deg to SoAs in Punjabi
1500-1600 on 11655 ARM 300 kW / 110 deg to SoAs in Marathi
1500-1600 on 12130 KCH 500 kW / 105 deg to SoAs in Sindhi
1600-1700 on 9735 ARM 300 kW / 110 deg to SoAs in Punjabi
1600-1700 on 11505 ERV 300 kW / 110 deg to SoAs in Urdu
1000-1100 on 7245 K/A 100 kW / 178 deg to EaAs in Japanese
1000-1100 on 9450 IRK 250 kW / 110 deg to EaAs in English
1100-1200 on 9450 IRK 250 kW / 110 deg to EaAs in Korean
1100-1200 on 9460 P.K 250 kw / 247 deg to EaAs in Cantonese
1100-1500 on 9865 P.K 250 kW / 263 deg to EaAs in Chinese
1100-1500 on 11725 P.K 250 kW / 244 deg to EaAs in Chinese
1200-1300 on 5970 K/A 250 kW / 313 deg to EaAs in Korean
1100-1200 on 9900 VLD 250 kW / 220 deg to SEAs in Illocano
1100-1200 on 13850 VLD 200 kW / 220 deg to SEAs in Indonesian
1100-1200 on 15560 A-A 300 kW / 094 deg to SEAs in English
1200-1300 on 9465 IRK 250 kW / 152 deg to SEAs in Cebuano
1200-1300 on 15490 NVS 250 kW / 155 deg to SEAs in Thai
1200-1300 on 13820 A-A 500 kW / 121 deg to SEAs in Tagalog
1200-1300 on 13850 VLD 200 kW / 220 deg to SEAs in Tagalog
1200-1400 on 9615 IRK 500 kW / 180 deg to SEAs in Indonesian
1200-1400 on 11895 IRK 250 kW / 180 deg to SEAs in Vietnamese
1300-1400 on 7565 A-A 200 kW / 132 deg to SEAs in Burmese
1300-1400 on 13810 A-A 500 kW / 121 deg to SEAs in Tagalog
1300-1400 on 13820 A-A 500 kW / 121 deg to SEAs in English
1400-1500 on 9365 TAC 200 kW / 131 deg to SEAs in English
1400-1500 on 9615 IRK 500 kW / 180 deg to SEAs in English
1400-1500 on 13810 A-A 500 kW / 121 deg to SEAs in English

USA(and non) Summer A-10 of WYFR Family Radio via TWN:
1500-1700 on 9955 TAI 250 kW / 325 deg to CeAs in Russian
1300-1500 on 11560 HUW 100 kW / 285 deg to SoAs in English
1500-1600 on 6280 TSH 300 kW / 285 deg to SoAs in English
1500-1600 on 11560 HUW 100 kW / 285 deg to SoAs in Hindi
1600-1700 on 6280 TSH 300 kW / 285 deg to SoAs in Hindi
0800-0900 on 11895 TAI 100 kW / 002 deg to EaAs in Korean
0900-1000 on 11565 TAI 100 kW / 310 deg to EaAs in Chinese
0900-1100 on 9545 TAI 100 kW / 310 deg to EaAs in Chinese
0900-1100 on 9945 TAI 100 kW / 310 deg to EaAs in Chinese
1000-1100 on 9920 TAI 100 kW / 002 deg to EaAs in Chinese
1100-1600 on 6240 BAO 100 kW / 310 deg to EaAs in Chinese
1100-1600 on 9280 YUN 100 kW / 335 deg to EaAs in Chinese
1200-1300 on 11535 YUN 100 kW / 342 deg to EaAs in Chinese
2100-2400 on 9280 YUN 100 kW / 335 deg to EaAs in Chinese
2200-2400 on 6230 BAO 100 kW / 310 deg to EaAs in Chinese
2300-2400 on 9540 TAI 100 kW / 310 deg to EaAs in Chinese
0000-0100 on 11630 PAO 100 kW / 245 deg to SEAs in Vietnamese
0900-1100 on 9465 PAO 100 kW / 180 deg to SEAs in English
1000-1100 on 9455 PAO 100 kW / 225 deg to SEAs in Vietnamese
1100-1200 on 6220 HUW 100 kW / 265 deg to SEAs in Burmese
1100-1200 on 11520 PAO 100 kW / 180 deg to SEAs in Tagalog
1100-1200 on 11550 TAI 300 kW / 205 deg to SEAs in Indonesian
1200-1300 on 7460 PAO 100 kW / 225 deg to SEAs in Vietnamese
1200-1300 on 11520 PAO 100 kW / 180 deg to SEAs in Indonesian
1200-1300 on 11570 HUW 100 kW / 265 deg to SEAs in Burmese
1300-1400 on 7260 TAI 100 kW / 250 deg to SEAs in Vietnamese
1300-1400 on 9960 PAO 100 kW / 225 deg to SEAs in Vietnamese
1300-1400 on 11520 PAO 100 kW / 180 deg to SEAs in English
1400-1500 on 9585 PAO 100 kW / 225 deg to SEAs in Vietnamese
1400-1500 on 11520 PAO 100 kW / 180 deg to SEAs in Indonesian
(Ivo Ivanov/DX Mix 626 via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India)

"Resumed" radio broadcast from South to North Korea

AP, 24 May 2010: Hyung-Jin Kim "South Korea's military resumed radio broadcasts airing Western music, news and comparisons between the South and North Korean political and economic situations late Monday, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The military also planned to launch propaganda leaflets Tuesday to inform North Koreans about the ship sinking. In coming weeks, South Korea also will install dozens of propaganda loudspeakers and towering electronic billboards along the heavily armed land border between the two Koreas.

The action, which ends a six-year suspension, is expected to draw an angry response from North Korea. The country's military already warned Monday it would fire at any propaganda facilities installed in the Demilitarized Zone." -- The Korean Broadcasting System's KBS Global Radio, on three powerful medium wave transmitters which can easily reach into North Korea, has always been on the air. Is it reverting to more aggressive reporting about North Korea? This network has been criticized in recent years for holding back in its coverage of North Korea, in line with the ROK's policy of reaching out to Pyongyang. Or are the "resumed" broadcasts a revival or revitalization of clandestine stations beamed to North Korea?

BBC News, 25 May 2010: "South Korea's defence ministry said the first radio programme, entitled Voice of Freedom, went out on Monday evening. Broadcasts would take place three times a day, a spokesman said. He said the programme would be broadcast through high-performance loudspeakers that will be installed along the demilitarised zone. 'Initially we are installing loudspeakers at 14 places along the DMZ (Demilitarised Zone). The installation requires several months of work,' the spokesman told AFP news agency. South Korea says it will also drop propaganda leaflets into the North to tell people about the Cheonan incident as soon as possible, and set up giant electronic billboards to flash messages."

Bloomberg, 24 May 2010, Bomi Lim: "South Korea broadcast a pop song extolling freedom of choice and a warning on the dangers of overeating into North Korea, ending a six-year moratorium on propaganda in retaliation for the sinking of a warship. The four-hour radio program yesterday evening included a speech by South Korean President Lee Myung Bak outlining his government’s response to the March 26 sinking, which an international panel concluded was caused by a North Korean torpedo. ...

The propaganda broadcast made on FM radio began at 6 p.m. local time yesterday when a woman anchor announced what she called the 'voice of freedom.' North Korean listeners were regaled with a song by a South Korean girl band, Four Minute. ... The broadcast then explained how South Koreans no longer experience hunger, and are more worried about getting fat. 'Always remember, we want to share our prosperity with you,' the anchor said, accusing North Korean officials of enriching themselves while the people go hungry."

AFP, 25 May 2010: "One group of loudspeakers on the Seoul side could be heard more than 20km from the frontline at night time." See previous post about same subject.

VOA correspondent Steve Herman tweets: "ROK military reported to have launched broadcasts targeting DPRK called 'Voice of Freedom' on 103.1 & 107.3 MHz FM." -- So does the South Korean military know that most North Koreans now have radios with FM bands? Or are they using FM because it is the predominant waveband in the South?
(Kim Elliott)

BBC world services weekly audience up, despite shortwave listener loss

BBC World press release: "The BBC attracts a record weekly global audience of 241 million people to its international news services like BBC World Service and the BBC World News television channel, according to independent surveys. This is up three million on last year's overall audience estimate. However, the multimedia BBC World Service lost 20 million short wave radio listeners during the year; reflecting the increasing global decline of the medium. ... BBC World Service drew an overall weekly multimedia audience of 180 million across television, radio, online and mobiles. This is eight million down on last year. The audience losses were mainly due to a sharp overall decline in short wave radio listening during the year. Radio audience losses were particularly dramatic in Bangladesh (-7 million), India (-8.2m), and Nigeria (-2.9 m). However, there were significant radio audience gains in Tanzania (+1.4m), and the US (+ 600,000), mainly through BBC programmes being used on local FM and medium wave radio partner stations." Also: 3.4 million for VOA Perian; BBC World News, 71 million; international BBC.com, 17.2 million.

Financial Times, 24 May 2010:Ben Fenton: "'Where people have access to our programmes on FM, they shift to that platform and they no longer use shortwave,' [BBC Global News director Peter] Horrocks said. 'There is a powerful symbolism about universal availability, but if people haven’t got the [shortwave] sets and they aren’t listening, keeping it going for its own sake, for metaphysical reasons, doesn’t make a lot of sense.' In his first interview since taking over as the BBC’s global news director, Mr Horrocks said that countries such as Burma and Somalia, where there was no prospect of a substitute for shortwave, would remain covered 'for the foreseeable future'. But in the next five years, other shortwave services were likely to be phased out, he said, although no final decisions on which have been made because future funding is unclear."
(Kim Elliott)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletin

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2010 May 25 2351 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 17 - 23 May 2010


Solar activity was very low during the period. Occasional low-level B-class flares were observed during 22-23 May. Region 1072 (S15, L=315, class/area Dsi/130 on 23 May) emerged on the disk on 21 May. STEREO COR2 imagery observed a CME on 23/1809 UTC. This CME
originated from a filament channel located between N24W05 and N01W23 and was associated with a long duration B1 x-ray flare at 23/1801 UTC. A full halo CME was observed on 23 May in SOHO and STEREO imagery (observed on LASCO C2 imagery at 23/1730 UTC).

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at high levels on 17 May. Normal to moderate flux levels occurred during the rest of the period.

Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to active levels during the period. Activity was predominantly quiet on 17 May. Activity increased to quiet to active levels during 18-21 May. Predominantly quiet levels occurred during the rest of the period. The active levels that occurred on 18 May appeared to be associated with a solar sector boundary passage. The activity levels that occurred during 19-20 May were associated with a recurrent co-rotating
interaction region followed by a coronal hole high-speed stream (CIR/CH HSS).

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
26 May - 21 June 2010

Solar activity is expected to be at very low to low levels.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at normal to moderate levels during 26-29 May. Flux levels are expected to increase to high levels during 30 May - 09 June. Normal levels are expected for the remainder of the period.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet levels on 26 May. Activity is expected to increase to unsettled to minor storm levels during 27-30. The increased activity forecast on 27-28 May is expected due to CME activity that occurred on 23-24 May. The activity on 29-30 May is expected due to a recurrent CIR/CH HSS. Quiet to active levels are expected on 31 May, with quiet to unsettled levels on 01 June, as the effects of the CH HSS subside. Quiet levels are expected during 02-14 June. Quiet to active levels are expected during 15-16 June, as a recurrent CIR/CH HSS affects the field. Quiet levels are expected during the rest of the period.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2010 May 25 2351 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 2010 May 25
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2010 May 26 76 5 2
2010 May 27 78 17 5
2010 May 28 78 15 5
2010 May 29 80 20 5
2010 May 30 80 20 5
2010 May 31 80 12 4
2010 Jun 01 82 7 3
2010 Jun 02 80 7 2
2010 Jun 03 80 5 2
2010 Jun 04 80 5 2
2010 Jun 05 78 5 2
2010 Jun 06 76 5 2
2010 Jun 07 75 5 2
2010 Jun 08 70 5 2
2010 Jun 09 70 5 2
2010 Jun 10 70 5 2
2010 Jun 11 70 5 2
2010 Jun 12 70 5 2
2010 Jun 13 70 5 2
2010 Jun 14 70 5 2
2010 Jun 15 70 5 2
2010 Jun 16 70 7 3
2010 Jun 17 70 5 2
2010 Jun 18 75 5 2
2010 Jun 19 75 5 2
2010 Jun 20 75 5 2
2010 Jun 21 75 5 2
(NOAA)

North Korea warns it will block border if South resumes broadcast

North Korea warned today it would block South Korean access to a joint industrial estate in its territory if Seoul goes ahead with its plan to resume cross-border propaganda broadcasts. The North’s military vowed in a message to the South to block its personnel and vehicles from the western section of the border if the broadcasts resume, the official Korean Central News Agency reported.

The military also repeated a threat to open fire at loudspeakers if they are switched on for the broadcasts. The South has decided to resume the broadcasts after a lapse of six years as part of reprisals against the North for the sinking of a warship. It has begun installing loudspeakers along the heavily fortified frontier, and has also resumed FM radio broadcasts to the North. In addition, it plans to scatter propaganda leaflets across the border.

The South’s campaign aims to “push the daily aggravating inter-Korean relations to the brink of war”, the North said. “If the south side sets up even loudspeakers in the frontline area to resume the broadcasting, in particular, the KPA (North Korean army) will take military steps to blow up one by one the moment they appear by firing sighting shots.”
(Source: AFP/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Record audience for BBC international news services

The BBC attracts a record weekly global audience of 241 million people to its international news services such as BBC World Service and the BBC World News television channel, according to independent surveys. This is up three million on last year’s overall audience estimate.

However, the multimedia BBC World Service lost 20 million shortwave radio listeners during the year, reflecting the increasing global decline of the medium. But during the year BBC World Service attracted around nine million new viewers to its television, online and mobile services; in addition to new listeners to BBC radio programmes through local FM and mediuwave radio partner stations in a number of countries.

BBC Global News Director, Peter Horrocks, said: “BBC Global News’s record audience demonstrates that people come to us for journalism that is challenging and asks difficult questions, yet respects different points of view and actively encourages debate. The figures also show the success of our multimedia strategy and investments for global audiences. But the continued dramatic decline in shortwave listening shows that those audiences are rapidly changing the way they access international news. Unless BBC World Service can accelerate its response to those changes, it will face a rapid deterioration of its impact as other technologies become more prominent in international media markets.”

BBC World Service

BBC World Service drew an overall weekly multimedia audience of 180 million across television, radio, online and mobiles. This is eight million down on last year. The audience losses were mainly due to a sharp overall decline in short wave radio listening during the year. Radio audience losses were particularly dramatic in Bangladesh (-7 million), India (-8.2m), and Nigeria (-2.9 m). However, there were significant radio audience gains in Tanzania (+1.4m), and the US (+ 600,000), mainly through BBC programmes being used on local FM and mediumwave radio partner stations.

The multimedia BBC Arabic service attracted an audience of 22 million a week, including 12 million watching BBC Arabic television. The BBC Persian multimedia news and information service was hampered by the jamming of its newly launched TV satellite service and the continued blocking of its online service by the Iranian authorities. However, in a hostile environment for research, the independent surveys indicated audiences of 3.4 million, including 3.1 million watching BBC Persian television in Iran. Together the channels contributed a 72% increase in the estimated audience of BBC World Service’s non-English television services.

BBC World Service continued to have strong impact in Afghanistan, where BBC audiences are 10 million; and in Iraq where the BBC reaches 4.5 million people each week. In Burma, the BBC now reaches 8.5 million listeners, up 1.4 million on the last survey.

BBC’s commercial international news services

BBC World News and bbc.com/news – the BBC commercial international television and online news services – attracted a combined global audience of 83 million.

BBC World News has a weekly audience of 71 million. The news, weather and sport sections of the BBC’s international commercial site, bbc.com, increased to more than 17.2 million unique users every week. It also attracted more than 1.1million unique users in February 2010 accessing mobile news, weather and sport content from BBC Global News every week. By April, this had increased to 1.5 million unique users every week. There has been an increase of 120% in page impressions in the last year. Mobile traffic to news pages alone on the bbc.com mobile site increased tenfold.
(Source: BBC World Service Publicity/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Venezuela's Chávez launches interactive blog

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has announced the launch of his new interactive blog http://www.chavez.org.ve/ , as part of a broader campaign to take the “media war” to the Internet. Available to users of the site are news articles, speeches, videos, feeds to his weekly column, Chávez’s Lines, and his weekly television program, Hello President, as well as Cuban leader Fidel Castro’s regular column, Fidel’s Reflections, and section featuring suggested books such as Eduardo Galeano’s Open Veins of Latin America.

The site will also feature a section called the “people’s wall” where you can leave messages and suggestions to the president. It also links to Chávez’s Twitter account @chavezcandanga, which has gained more than 430,000 followers in just under four weeks, making him the most followed Latin American leader and the most followed Venezuelan.
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Additional story at: http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/5386

Unfolding Drama For Broadcasting in Malawi

Feba’s ministry to the Yawo people in and around the country of Malawi has been filled with drama …unexpected death, FM licence denied, burglary of the studio and recent eviction from the property. Thankfully God can bring all things (even crisis) together for good – the production of Feba’s programmes to the Yawo is moving closer to listeners.

Continued story at: http://www.feba.org.uk/blog/unfolding-drama-broadcasts-malawi
(FEBA photo)

Monday, May 24, 2010

North Korea threatens to fire at loudspeakers

North Korea has threatened to fire at South Korean loudspeakers along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and destroy them if Seoul resumes propaganda broadcasting suspended since 2004. “If South Korea installs new speakers for psychological warfare, we will directly aim at them and open fire to destroy them,” an unnamed North Korean military commander said in a statement, carried by Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency. “If the South Korean traitors challenge our rightful response, we will counter with mightier physical strikes to eliminate the root cause of their provocation,” the statement said.

The North’s threat came shortly after Seoul announced a set of measures against Pyongyang, holding it accountable for the March 26 sinking of a South Korean warship that took the lives of 46 sailors. Minister of National Defense Kim Tae-Young said, along with other measures, the South would restart psychological operations against the communist North, including loud broadcasts of propaganda along the DMZ.

During a parliamentary session, Minister Kim said the South is considering resuming such broadcasting from today. The North Korean commander noted that propaganda slogans had already appeared on the South’s side of the border, and the South’s military was moving to set up new speakers.
(Source: Korea Times/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)
(Photo/NDC EDU)

Radio New Zealand funding frozen

Radio New Zealand International [RNZI] receives no additional funding in the latest government budget for 2010/2011 announced in Wellington yesterday. Funding remains at NZ$1.9m [US$1.26m] and it’s required to deliver 16 hours of good quality reception daily to a minimum of 11 Pacific nations with one 100kW analogue transmitter installed in 1990 and one 100kW digital capable transmitter installed in 2005.

The primary coverage nations for which it is funded are French Polynesia, Cook Islands, Tokelau, American Samoa, Samoa, Niue, Tonga, Wallis and Futuna, Fiji, Tuvalu, New Caledonia and Vanuatu. The secondary coverage nations are Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Nauru and Kiribati, whilst general coverage must be provided to the Asia/Pacific and Pacific Rim region including the Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands and Palau. In addition, RNZI must increase the number of Pacific radio stations relaying or rebroadcasting its news bulletins to 18 and is permitted a maximum 1% of transmission time lost from equipment failure.

The Radio Heritage Foundation says it welcomes the continued funding of RNZI as recognition by the government that it provides a valuable service for New Zealand’s interests in the Pacific. “At a time when many shortwave broadcasters face budget cuts and complete closedown of services, this continued confidence in RNZI’s ability to deliver a quality service with a bare-bones budget is tribute to the extreme dedication to duty and pragmatism of the entire RNZI team,” says chairman David Ricquish.

RNZI provides valuable cyclone, extreme weather watch and tsunami warnings for the entire South Pacific region. It also provides local FM quality news, information and other programs for rebroadcast on a
growing number of local Pacific island radio stations.

“With Fiji in media censorship lockdown and media freedoms poorly understood in many of the target nations, RNZI provides local listeners with a respected and valuable news source from a Pacific perspective” adds Mr Ricquish. “Every week, thousands of New Zealanders are on holiday, on business visits or working and living in the Pacific and RNZI provides a valuable service for their continued safety.”

“To maintain this security, RNZI should also be urgently capital funded for a replacement of the 20 year old analogue transmitter with another high power digital capable shortwave transmitter sooner rather than later” says Mr Ricquish. “Catastrophic RNZI transmitter failure coinciding with natural disasters or sudden political events and instability in the region could threaten the lives of New Zealanders and New Zealand’s security
and commercial interests.”
(Source: Radio Heritage Foundation/Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India)

Blog Logs

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

Belarus
7265, Belaruskaje Radyjo 2, Hrodna, *1450. Station reactivated. 6080 and 6115 were also reactivated at about the same time and sign on one or two minutes before 1500. At 1500 the Stalica program // 7235. 6010/6070 and 6040/7280 have regional programs at 1500, at least on workdays. 7360/7390 have a different program. (Alm, May 15). I noted this Belarus Radio 7265 transmission at 0330-0400, May 15, with different program and excellent ID, surprisingly fine signal of S=7-8 strength, when compared to different [1st?] programme relay on 6010, 6040, 6070(hit neighbour Deutsche Welle 6075 strongly), 7280 - latter the most powerful signal in 0300-0400 slot. (Bueschel/DSWCI DX Window 402)

Bolivia
4409, Radio Eco, Reyes, 2302-2312, May 14. Pop ballad music in Spanish, announcement and talks to an audience reacting with laughter. Romantic music at 2307. Signal partially readable, SINPO 35433. (Otávio/DSWCI DX Window 402)

4451, Radio Santa Ana, Santa Ana de Yacuma, 2219-2228. Religious Spanish talks “todo poderoso”, “gracias a Dios”, SINPO 24332. (Otávio/DSWCI DX Window 402)

5952.41, Radio Emisoras Pio XII, Siglo XX, 1015-1035. Spanish comments, threshold audio signal with extreme fading. By 1031 all I could hear was the carrier since the audio had faded into the noise. (Bolland). Also heard at 2355, May 06, talk in Spanish, jingles, animated discussions, fair. (Bell/DSWCI DW Window 402)

6134.8, Radio Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz) (presumed), 1048-1101. Spanish. Bolivian music with announcements by man. Poor but steady signal. (Jim Evans, TN)

Brazil
5939.96, Radio Vóz Missionária, Camboriu, SC, 0902-0925. Portuguese conversation, signal poor. (Bolland). Also heard at 0145, May 03, vigorous male pastor with deep voice in Portuguese, “Glorias”, crowd cheering, good. (Bell/DSWCI DX Window 402)

5970, Radio Itaiaia, Belo Horizonte, MG, 2220-2240. Portuguese football program with some ID’s, weak.(Schulze/DSWCI DX Window 402)

6135.05, Radio Aparecida, Aparecida, SP, 0000. Portuguese IDs, web address, jingles, best in USB, fair. (Bell/DSWCI DX Window 402)

China
5010, Beibu Bay Radio (BBR), Guangxi, 1321-1400. A new frequency for them! In Vietnamese with light pop songs; 1330 multi-language IDs and mention of "Top Music." Signal fair to good with no AIR interference. After 1400 heard back on their normal 5050. Possibly their new schedule is being on 5010 till 1400, then 1400 to 1600* up on 5050. It makes sense for them to move away from 5050, due to the domination there of China Huayi BC (signs off at 1300), but why move to 5010? AIR Thiruvananthapuram is now totally covered till 1400. Needs more monitoring to confirm just what their new schedule is. (Howard/DSWCI DX Window 402)

Cuba
702v kHz, Radio Rebelde, 0255-0315.+ Signal slightly wobbly, unstable transmitter drifting up from nominal 700 kHz. Weak but readable. Local music. Spanish talk. // 540, 670, 710. Thanks to Steven Wiseblood tip. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Eritrea
4700.02, Voice of the Broad Masses of Eritrea, Asmara, 1810-2000*, Apr 27, 28, May 01and 11, Arabic talks and songs from the Horn of Africa, 35333 // 7175, on May 11: 7190 (25322). (Petersen and Schulze/DSWCI DX Window 402)

Ethiopia
6030, Radio Oromiya, Geja Jewe, *0325-0347. Interval signal to 0329 when ID and opening announcement in Oromo language. Music fanfare at 0330, brief talk followed by Horn of Africa vocals. Fair to good signal with deep fades. (D’Angelo). Also heard at 1559, May 15, beautiful choral song through top of the hours, then at 1602 male speaker ID in vernacular and news-type programme with reports, good. (Bell/DSWCI DX Window 402)

6030, Radio Oromiya, *1521-1529. Suddenly on with their usual repetitive xylophone-like interval signal. Too weak to make out any audio, 1532 seemed to be Horn of Africa style music mixing with Calgary's C&W music. Interval signal was in the clear, but weak. This reception made possible by the continued absence of CNR-1. Am pleased to have heard them again and to know they still have the same sign-on time (Ron Howard,CA)

Guyana
3290, Voice of Guyana, 0942-0950. Signal still audible but starting to be effected by daylight at their end. Noted a male in English comments until 0946 when a female begins talking. At 0947 music is presented. No other details heard. Signal was poor. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Indonesia
4789.8, RRI Fak Fak, 1209. Jakarta news relay. Anthem (choral), into their own music program. News relay and anthem clearly // 3325 (RRI Palangkaraya) and 9680 (RRI Jakarta). Tentatively // 3344.96 (RRI Ternate) and 4869.93 (RRI Wamena), both noted as very weak. CODAR interference. At 1400 noted Love Ambon. Still heard at 1414, but lost to CODAR and fading out, so I missed whenever they signed off .(Ron Howard, CA)

4789.96 RRI Fak-Fak 1250-1310. Vocal music to lady announcer. Two minutes of Song-of-the-Coconut Island interval signal, followed by Jakarta program at 1301. Apparent closedown announcement at 1309 and carrier off at 1310. Also noted next day with closedown shortly after 1300. Poor signal - wonder if signal strength since reactivation is down from previously. (John Wilkins-CO)

9525.87v, Voice of Indonesia, 1340-1357. In English with Tuesday edition of "Exotic Indonesia." Cultural program from RRI Banjarmasin about the foods of South Kalimantan. SIgnal almost fair, but still with hum. Today's connection to Banjarmasin was better than usual; at 1357 totally blocked (Ron Howard, CA)

India
3925, All India Radio, Gorakhpur, 1630. Urdu talk (frequency drifting from 3920-3930 when monitored)SINPO 22222. (Also Gorakhpur not on actual 3945 due to frequency drifting!). (Rajeesh/DSWCI DX Window 402)

4760, AIR Port Blair, Andaman (presumed), 1210-1305. Vernacular. Noted phone ringing, advertisements, subcontinent songs, long conversation. Heard after their sunset (1205) and before my local sunrise (1303). SIgnal almost fair; rather unusual to hear this one so well. (Howard/DSWCI DX Window 402)

4760, Radio Kashmir, Leh, *0128. Urdu sign on, Vandematram, station ID and announcement. Buddhist instrumental music, SINPO 34333. Also heard mixing with AIR Port Blair at 1325. Signal very poor reception, talk heard, SINPO 22122. This is never noted in Kerala when Andaman station is so strong!). (Rajeesh/DSWCI DX Window 402)

4970, AIR Shillong, 1230-1315. News in English, 1235 local ID and Public Service Announcement with security tips. “Well listeners, you are listening to the North Eastern Service broadcasting from Shillong on shortwave 60.36 meters, corresponding to 4970 kHz. It is exactly 6-0-6 PM by our studio clock and it is time for our western music program: music for you. This evening we have for you Kenny Rogers, Don Williams, Tammy Tucker and lots more.” Forty minutes of country & western songs. Very good propagation, reception would have been fair to good except for the usual strong hum. (Howard/DSWCI DX Window 402)

Japan
6055 Radio Nikkei 1319-1330.* Chat in English/Japanese, possibly a language lesson. Male announcer with closedown announcement at 1328 with call letters and powers given. Signal off at 1330* (John Wilkins-CO)

Laos
4412.61v, Lao National Radio via Sam Neua, 1233.* Anthem (choral) before going off. SIgnal noted as poor, 6130 continued(Ron Howard, CA)

Madagascar
9875, Radio Voice of the People,*0400-0457.* Sign on with Afro-pop music and opening station ID announcements in English and vernacular. Short breaks of Afro-pop music. Vernacular talk. English at 0443-0457 with ID and news concerning Zimbabwe. ID and email address. Good signal. (Brian Alexander, PA)

5010, RTV Malagasy (Ambohidrano), 0403-0412. Malagasy. Talk by man. Joined for much of the time by a second man, possibly a field reporter who did most of the talking. Occasional bridges of pop music. Moderate signal. (Jim Evans, TN)

Malaysia
7270.01, RTM Wai FM, via Kuching, Sarawak, 1005-1020. Comments and music, fair. (Bolland). Also heard at 1244-1315,droning chant to 1250, then pop music till 1300. Time pips, presumed news in Bahasa Malaysia followed. Thought I heard a Wai FM jingle at 1211, but not sure. (Wilkins in Dxplorer/DSWCI DX Window 402)

Mexico
6185, XEPPM, R Educacion, Mexico City, 0005. Well defined Mexican music, signal S=4. Unheard here since half a decade or so. (Bueschel). Heard at 0830-0930, jazz music, ID: "...Radio Educacion , 85 años; voz de todas las voces…", ann new programs and hosts "...aqui en el 1060 de Radio Educacion...". (Rodriguez/DSWCI DX Window 402)

Morocco
15341, RTV Marocaine (Nador), 1203-1205. Arabic. Talk by woman. Poor signal, but definitely Arabic. Signal appeared to be somewhat undermodulated. (Jim Evans, TN)

New Zealand
6170 Radio New Zealand International *1300-1312. Station came on with bird interval signal, followed by South Pacific news, current affairs program at 1308, beginning with an update on the upcoming elections in the PNG autonomous province of Bougainville.Signal very good (John Wilkins-CO)

Nigeria
15120 Voice of Nigeria. Noted today 15-16 and 18-1900, also Arabic at 1730-1757. Latter in different direction of probably Saudi Arabian peninsular. Only much fluttery S=7 signal into southern Germany. Transmitter cut off midst of program at 17.57:50. (wb, Germany/HCDX) Station came on air again with different more powerful signal of S=9+20dB at 18.02:54 UT, midst on news in English, newsreader in progress. (wb, Germany/HCDX)

North Korea
3975.32v, KCBS Pyongyang, 1252. Heard again with poor audio and // 9665.41. This could prove to be a problem for RRI Pontianak whenever they return to the air again (Ron Howard, CA)

Papua New Guinea
3905, Radio New Ireland (Kavieng), 1121-1138. Tok Pisin. Woman talking. Signal very weak signal with some amateur radio interference. Down to just a few words audible, essentially carrier only, at 1155 recheck. Radio New Ireland has been the most reliable PNG station this year, while others have been absent most of the time. (Jim Evans, TN)

Peru
4746.9, Radio Huanta 2000 (Huanta) (presumed), 1039-1047. Quechua. Local music with occasional talk by man. Poor signal, but better than previous threshold level logs. (Jim Evans, TN)

4835.4, Radio Maranon (Jaen)(presumed), 1041-1048. Spanish. Local music. Threshold level signal with high side broadcast interference. (Jim Evans, TN)

Solomon Islands
5019.96 SIBC 1145-1201.* Lite vocal music hosted by lady announcer in English. Took one phone call from listener to 1200 closedown announcement by same lady as, you've been listening to the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation, Radio Happy Isles." Announced frequencies of "1035 and 5020 kilohertz", and mentions of returning at 6:00AM. National anthem followed by an open carrier. Fair signal. (John Wilkins-CO)

Slovakia
9740, Miraya FM, 0320-0425. Arabic talk. “Miraya” jingles. English news at 0401-0411Lite instrumental music at 0412. Arabic talk at 0415. Poor with adjacent channel splatter.(Brian Alexander, PA)

Taiwan
9280, WYFR Family Radio (Huwei/Yunlin relay)1103-1109. Chinese. Apparent religious talk by woman. Poor signal with little fading. Possible threshold level parallel via Taiwan (Paochung) noted on 6240. (Jim Evans, TN)

9735, Radio Taiwan International (Tainan), 1119-1122. Japanese. Music followed by talk by a woman, occasionally over short pieces of what appeared to be a speech by a man. Moderate signal with little fading. (Jim Evans, TN)

Uzbekistan
9975, CVC Tashkent, 0158-0210. Listed as Hindi service. Up-beat music, ad/promo string from 0200-0205 with "The Voice" zinger. Woman announcer over music until ballad at 0210. Signal fair at best with splash via huge 9965 Voiuce of Russia-Armenia. (Scott Barbour-NH)