AIB condemns deliberate interference to broadcasters

AIB condemns deliberate harmful interference to broadcasts in Middle East and North Africa

The Association for International Broadcasting, the industry association for international TV, radio, mobile and online broadcasting, has expressed its concern at the continuing disruption to transmissions of a number of its members.

Deliberate, harmful Interference has been noted to the satellite transmissions of Alhurra, Al Jazeera and Deutsche Welle since unrest began in a number of North African and Middle Eastern countries. It is believed that much of the current jamming originates from the Tripoli area of Libya where the Gaddafi regime continues to control much broadcasting, intelligence and communications infrastructure.

"Deliberate, harmful interference - or jamming - has been something that international broadcasters have had to contend with for decades," says Simon Spanswick, AIB CEO. "Today, the jamming signals are being used against satellite TV services from a range of broadcasters serving audiences in the North Africa and Middle East regions. This restricts access to free and unbiased news and information by people who are desperately in need of this. AIB condemns the interference and calls on any agency involved in jamming satellite signals to desist immediately."

International broadcasters such as Alhurra and Al Jazeera have established additional satellite feeds to ensure continued access to news and current affairs programming across the region:

Alhurra, which has suffered interference to its Nilesat TV channel, has opened a new frequency on Nilesat 7o West on downlink frequency 11.296 MHz, horizontal polarisation, FEC 5/6 and symbol rate 27500.

Al Jazeera English can be seen on Nilesat 7o West on downlink frequency 12015, vertical polarisation, FEC 5/6, symbol rate 27500.

Al Jazeera Channel can be seen on Nilesat 7o West on downlink frequency 11555, vertical polarisation, FEC 3/4, symbol rate 27500.

Jamming has also affected broadcasts to Iran. Deutsche Welle and Voice of America have suffered extensive jamming of satellite programming during February as popular uprisings developed. It is presumed that Iranian authorities are seeking to prevent news of the revolts from international media reaching the country's citizens.

"AIB will continue to monitor the situation and assist its members to counteract the attempts to block their programmes," continues Spanswick. "The attempts to silence news broadcasters demonstrate very clearly the impact that international broadcasters have and the fear felt by dictators when uncensored news is available to their citizens."
(Simon Spanswick/AIB)

Radio Taiwan International changes frequency

Radio Taiwan International - Frequency change for listeners in South Asia

Starting March 7th, 2011 our English transmission to South Asia from 1600 to 1700 UTC on 11550 KHz will be replaced by 9435 KHz. While we do notice the occasional problem of noise and interference in certain parts of India, the new frequncy has a stronger signal than 11550 KHz. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank listeners for monitoring the reception condition for us in India.
(RTI/Alokesh Gupta, India)

International Shortwave League News for March

SWL Club callsign's for March 2011

The International Short Wave League is celebrating it's 65th Anniversary in 2011, so look out for GB65ISWL being QRV from several locations throughout the year.

Also the ISWL Club Callsign's in use during March 2011 will be:

GS4BJC /A - Operated from Annan, in Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland, by John - GM6LYJ.
( /A WAB Square = NY16 - Scotland & IOTA = EU-005).

MX1SWL /A - Operated from Walton on the Naze, in Essex, by Herbie - G6XOU. ( ISWL Council Member & QSL Bureau Manager) (WAB Square = TM22 - England & IOTA = EU-005).
Look out for Herbie on PSK31.

The ISWL's WAB Book numbers are: 16316 and 16724.
(WAB Info: www.worked-all-britain.org.uk/ )

The ISWL is a member of the European PSK Club. All QSL info is on www.iswl.org.uk/ or www.qrz.com/ or via www.eQSL.cc/ NO LOTW.

ISWL Awards are available to all amateur radio operators and shortwave listeners see www.iswl.org.uk/ for full details.

eQSL.cc cards ARE accepted for our awards.

Vy 73 to all, .. have a great March.
Pete Rayer
ISWL Life Vice President
Bournemouth, UK
iswl-vp@iswl.org.uk

www.iswl.org.uk
pete@dx-newsdesk.co.uk
http://www.dx-newsdesk.co.uk/

Blog Logs - Asia

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

Bangladesh
4750 Bangladesh Betar 1333-1400.+ Sub continental music to female announcer speaking occasionally. SIgnal poor, but slightly better than a weak co-channel station and slightly better than RRI Makassar on 4749.96, which is almost always stronger. All stations deteriorating by 1400. (John Wilkins, CO)


China
4800,022, 1115-1130. China National Radio One. Chinese program comments from announcer, maybe local news. This is another signal that is unusually strong this morning. (Chuck Bolland,FL)

India
4800, AIR,All India Radio, Hyderabad, 1735-1737. English, news read by female. Noted interference from China at the same frequency. SINPO 12221. (Manuel Méndez/Cumbre DX)

4920, AIR, Chennai, 1733-1735. English. News by female, interference from Tibet at the same frequency. SINPO 23322. (Manuel Méndez/Cumbre DX)

5010, AIR, Thiruvananthapuram, 1730-1733. English. News by female announcer. SINPO 24322. (Manuel Méndez/Cumbre DX)

Indonesia
4749.95 RRI Makassar 1346-1406.+ Middle-of-the road music, hosted by female announcer and continuing past 1400. Good signal with negligible interference from 4750 stations. (John Wilkins, CO)

4869.92 RRI Wamena(presumed) 1333-1405.* Vocal music to male announcer between songs. Apparent sign-off at 1400, followed by Love Ambon tune. Carrier off at 14505. Signal rather weak, as usual. (John Wilkins, CO)

9525.96, Voice of Indonesia, *0955-1010, Feb 26, . Abruptly on in listed Korean talk. Into English at 1002 with IDs and contact information. News at 1002:40. Fair. (Brian Alexander, PA)

4749.978, RRI Makassar, (tentative) 1030-1045. Islamic recitations to 1034 to female's Indonesian announcements to a brif musical interlude. Signal was poor and muffled. As I decided to tune away, I notice a second signal on 4750.030 starting to fade in, but it's still too weak to copy anything. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Japan
9840, 1010, NHK World Radio Japan. English service for male/female announcer's newscast to 1011 into program of traditional Japanese music. Fair. (Harold Sellers-BC, Canada)

Malaysia/Sarawak
7270.48v, Wai FM, 1113. Vernacular to pop song // 11665. Recently this has been off frequency fairly regularly. Best in USB to get away from stations on 7270.0. Another day of good propagation!(Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

7270.51 Wai FM 1435-1448. Off-frequency again with indigineous droning, // 11665 . 7270 fair/good with signal splatter, 11665 fair at best with co-channel interference. (John Wilkins, CO)

Myanmar
5985.87 Radio Myanma 1321-1359.+ Amazing signal peaking S9+15 dB with Burmese music to 1329, then usual interval signal on Burmese instruments and chimes. News at 1330, alternating male/female's chat during 1340-1350, then vocal music. Interference free until 1359 sign-on from Shiokaze (Clandestine) on 5985. (John Wilkins, CO)

5770 Defence Forces BC Unit 1346. Snippets of music audible with signal at at very low level. Was hoping for better, given the strength of 5985.87 on this day but not much better than usual and basically unusable. (John Wilkins, CO)

North Korea
6285, 1014. Voice of Korea. English service with newscast. Signal good and //9335 fair. (Harold Sellers-BC, Canada)

Philippines
11730 Radio Pilipinas *1730-1810.+ Opening music and sign-on to routine with ID's in several languages including English and mentioned also 11880, 15285, and one other 15 mHz frequency. None of those heard but did hear 11890 in parallel with 11730, with 11890 fair and 11730 good. Sign-on was followed by female announcer with Tagalog news. English identification again at 1800, followed by more talk. (John Wilkins, CO)

15190, Radio Philippines, 1730-1830. Identification: "Radio Philippines Broadcasting Service, the oversea service of Philippines Broadcasting Service." Comments in English to Philippine songs. Interference, at moments from Radio Inconfidencia. SINPO 33433. (Manuel Méndez/Cumbre DX)

Sri Lanka
13780, Deutsche Welle relay 2009. English features on the Middle East situation. SIO 3+54, signal fading. (Harold Frodge, MI/Cumbre DX)

Thailand
6765.1USB, Bangkok Meteo 1255-1308. Weather in three languages and usual interval signal between segments. Fair signal and // to 8743U, poor signal. Checked an hour later and both freqs had improved a bit. (John Wilkins, CO)

March Specials from DX Stamp Service

Below are March's DX Specials...they look familiar.

Stamps on Back Order: Serbia, Italy, Kuwait, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Oman, Saudi Arabia.

Stamps In Stock Again: Brunei and Slovenia

NEW PRICES:
Due to the weaker dollar exchange
Australia: $2.50 was $2.00
New Zealand: $2.20 was $2.00
Switzerland: $2.30 was $1.80

Euro Country: Estonia now on the euro. It has issued dual currency stamps since 2006. Dual currency stamps are valid indefinitely. Stamps issued only in Estonian kroons expire Dec. 31, 2013.

73 and good dx,
bill

March 2011 DX STAMP SPECIALS

3 Germany-$3.90 3 UK (England, Scotland, Wales, and North Korea) -$3.90

2 Sweden-$4.00 2 Canada-$2.00 3 Japan-$3.60 2 Spain-$3.00

2 Finland 2nd Class-$2.40

March 2011 DX SUPPLY SPECIALS

200/200 European Air Mailers & Returns $35

200/200 Stateside Mailers & Returns $16

2 Standard QSL Albums $40

Shipping charges extra on supply specials

PRIORITY MAIL Shipping Rates for Supplies

Orders under $16.00 add $6.50, Orders from $16.00 to $40.00 add $9.00, Orders from $41.00 to $100.00 add $13.00, Orders from $101.00 to $150.00 add $18.00, orders over $150.00 add 12%. When ordering supplies AND stamps, use supply total to figure shipping costs. Stamps “ride free” when you order supplies. Shipments to Canada ship at a greater cost. (04/2008)

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

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

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

I have used Bill's service for years and find his prices affordable and dependable. All stamps are enclosed within a glassine envelope, so no worries of stamps sticking to the letter, and you can enclose the stamps as is, in the letter to the station.

Now you're set for all your DX sessions. Recheck this blog regularly for Bill's monthly specials!
Gayle Van Horn

Eastern Libyan broadcasters revel in new freedom

When Muammar Gaddafi demanded to make a speech in the middle of the night, engineers at Benghazi’s state radio station were terrified. If a hastily arranged broadcast had problems it could cost them their lives.

Since anti-Gaddafi forces shook off the “Brother Leader’s” four-decade rule in the eastern third of the country, broadcasters in Libya’s second city have been euphoric at the chance to say what they want for the first time. The station - renamed “Voice of Free Libya” by the broadcasters - is now trying to counter remaining state media by spreading word of the revolt to their countrymen and playing songs about freedom to keep spirits high.

“They (Gaddafi’s men) would call you by telephone and tell you ‘Come now’ at 3:00 or 4:00 am - anytime. ‘Come by car, leave your house’. If there were any problems in the studio, maybe you wouldn’t see the light of day again,” said Abubakr Boukhatallah, the station’s chief engineer. “We worked here with so much fear,” he said. “Now there is freedom, I can say anything I want.”

Posters advertising the aims of the “17th of February Revolution” line the walls of the station. Mediumwave transmitters, some dating back to the 1960s, now broadcast revolutionary “communiqués” and the songs of Egyptian icon Umm Kalthoum as far as Algeria and Syria. The state has tried to jam the station’s signal by broadcasting on the same frequency and has bombarded Libyans with propaganda denouncing the popular uprising, the broadcasters said.

“They have been fighting us using psychological warfare, sending text messages saying mercenaries have been released at night and are scattering across the city,” said Mohamed Kabla, 30, a dentist who works in the impromptu media centre set up in the burned-out state security building in central Benghazi. “It has been hard to get the truth out to people. Now free radio is running for days. People are not scared anymore.”

“Gaddafi wants to say this is sedition, but he hasn’t succeeded. He has tried to say people are getting money to rebels, but this uprising is from our hearts. We don’t want him, we want freedom,” said Hussein Ibrahim, an engineer at the Benghazi radio station. Employees returned to the station in the early days of the uprising, which began in Benghazi, to find some of the studios torched. They hustled to install new equipment and get the transmitters running again.

Because there were no anchors around yet, an engineer read out the first message on “liberated” Libyan airwaves on 21 February. Now, even the station’s director, Abdullah Ibrahim, has returned after over a decade in retirement. “The good people who were working here … they transmitted the Voice of Free Libya to support the people. From that day when I heard this voice, I found myself here,” he said in the old military compound which houses the station.

Mr Ibrahim, 52, declined to say why he left the station more than ten years ago, saying it was “a very long story.” “We were not happy, you know,” he said.
(Source: Reuters/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

North Korea threatens military action

North Korea threatens military action over South Korea campaign

North Korea will fire across a land border with South Korea if Seoul continues its anti-North psychological campaign, the North’s official media said today ahead of a joint military drill between the United States and South Korea. South Korea’s military has been dropping leaflets into North Korea about democracy protests in Egypt as part of a psychological campaign and the South Korean military also sent food, medicines and radios for residents in a bid to encourage North Koreans to think about change.

“The on-going psychological warfare by the puppet military in the frontline area is a treacherous deed and a wanton challenge to the demand of the times and desire of all the fellow countrymen to bring about a new phase of peaceful reunification and national prosperity through all-round dialogue and negotiations,” KCNA news agency said. “We officially notify that our army will stage a direct fire at the Rimjin Pavilion and other sources of the anti-DPRK psychological warfare to destroy them on the principle of self-defence, if such actions last despite our repeated warning.”
(Source: Reuters/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Amateur radio special event calendar

Today's special events calendar is a sampling of upcoming events on amateur radio from March 1.

March 1-4
5V, Togo. Franco, I1FQH, is once again active as 5V7DX from Kpalime Village in central Togo until March 4th. Activity will will be on 20-10 meters using a piderbeam and on 40-30 meters using a homebrew vertical. His rig will be an ICOM 7000 w/KL500 solid state amplifier. He was heard this past weekend very active on 30 meters CW. QSL via LoTW (preferred) or via his home callsign, direct (w/SASE) or by the Bureau. The log will be available here (porbably after his return) at: http://dx.qsl.net/cgi-bin/logform.cgi?5v7dx Franco has pictures and video on his YouTube channel from his last visit and probably will put more on there after his return home at: http://www.youtube.com/user/i1fqh (Ohio/Penn)

March 1-5
8P - BARBADOS, NA-021 Nathan,KA1YMX, will spend his holidays on Barbados (NA-021) between Feb 26 and Mar 5. He has a K2 radio and wants to work in SSB and CW. More information including his callsign is not know yet. QSL cards should be sent only direct via his homecall.

March 1 -5
Cocos (Keeling) Islands Operators Phil G3SWH and Jim G3RTE will be active from West Island in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands between February 22nd and March 5th

March 1-6
7 - Jan, DL7JAN will be active as J79AN from Dominica from 23 February to 6 March. He plans to operate CW, SSB and RTTY on 40-10 metres (possibly on 80m as well), with a focus on Asia. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [TNX NG3K]

March 1-7
6W - Senegal, Luc,F5RAV, will be back again in Senegal reactivating his call 6V7T from Feb 26 until Mar 7. He also plans to take part in the upcoming French HF Championship Contest (SSB) and the ARRL DX SSB Contest. QSL via homecall, unfortunately only direct.(

March 1-8
VP2M - Montserrat, NA-103 Philip,WA1ZAM, will stay on the volcanic island Montserrat (NA-103) from Mar 1-8. A callsign is not known yet but he wants to work on all HF bands and in the ARRL DX SSB Contest. QSL via homecall.

March 1-8
KG4 - Look for KG4AS (QSL via N4SIA), KG4KL (QSL via KN4KL), KG4SS (QSL via K4MIL) and KG4WV (QSL via W4WV) to be active on all bands and modes from Guantanamo Bay from 22 February to 8 March. [TNX The Daily DX]

March 1-15
SV9 - Willi, DJ7RJ will be active again as SV9/DJ7RJ from Crete between 24 February and 15 March. He will operate CW and SSB on 160-6 metres, with a focus on the low bands. QSL via home call. [TNX DX World]

March 1 - 17
T30 - Western Kiribati, OC-017 Jacek,SP5EAQ, and Jacek,SP5DRH, are planning an activity as T30AQ and T30RH from Tarawa (OC-017) from Mar 1-17. They will work in CW, SSB and RTTY on 160m-10m. Jacek,SP5DRH, will focus on the 160m band, 80m and 30m in RTTY. Jacek,SP5EAQ, is a SSB operator and will take care of the other bands. They will use two Elecraft K3 transceivers each with a 600 watts amplifier, Spiderbeams in a height of 18m and a GP5 antenna. Their pilot station will be Rys,SP5EWY. QSLs via their homecalls. More information can be found on: http://www.sp5drh.com/t30

March 1-19
PJ7 - Look for Bil, PJ7/W8EB to be active from Sint Maarten from 21 February through 19 March. He will operate holiday style mainly digital modes, and will participate in the ARRL DX SSB Contest as PJ7B. QSL via W8EB. [TNX NG3K]

March 1-20
9G - Ghana. Rob,PA3DEW, and Vincent,PA3FQX, are going to work again for the "Dorma Ahenkro Hospital" from Mar 1-20. During this time they will be active as 9G1AA mostly in SSB on 20m and 15m. QSL via PA3ERA.

March 1-23
V5 - Klaus, DJ4SO will be active as V5/DJ4SO from Namibia between 22 February and 23 March. He will operate on 160-10 metres mostly CW and RTTY/PSK31, with some possible SSB. QSL via home call (direct or bureau) and LoTW. E-mail requests for bureau cards can be sent to klaus@dj4so.de [TNX OPDX Bulletin]

March 1-28
J7 - Lars, SM0CCM will be active as J73CCM from Dominica (NA-101) from 21 February to 28 March. He will operate holiday style mainly CW, with some RTTY and SSB. He might also be QRV as J70SWD from the Carib Indian Territory for a few days. QSL via home call (bureau preferred) and LoTW. On 14-28 March he will be joined by Stig, SM3PHM, who will be active as J79M. He will operate mainly CW, with a focus on 160 metres. QSL via home call (bureau preferred) and LoTW. [TNX The Daily DX & NG3K]

March 1-Sept 30
IO4, Italy, (Special Event). Look for special event station IO4UI to be active between March 1st and September 30th. Activity is to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Unification of Italy. All of QSOs will be confirmed automatically via the Bureau. More details are available on RZ.com. QSL via I4JEE. (Ohio/Penn DX)

March 7-11
A planned short operation by me, John/9M6XRO, as ZL/GD3OOK from Waiheke Island OC-201 between March 7th to 11th using a linear and wire ants. QSL via M0URX (see http://www.m0urx.com/ ) and LoTW. (John/(9M6XRO)

March 10-14
VK - Craig, VK4LDX will be active as VK4LDX/p from Horn Island (OC-138) on 10-14 March. He will operate SSB, PSK31 and RTTY on 40, 20, 15 and 10 metres. "I'll be on the bands as much as possible, probably 18 hours per day", he says. He also plans to update his blog (http://vk4ldxoc138.blogspot.com/) on a daily basis while on the island, "to let people know what the band openings are likely to be and where to find me". QSL via home call, direct or bureau. VP9 - Mark, AA1AC will be active as VP9/AA1AC from Hamilton Parish, Bermuda (NA-005) on 7-12 March. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [TNX AA1AC]

March 11-20
JA - Take, JI3DST will be active as JI3DST/JI6 from Kuchino-shima, Tokara Islands (AS-049) on 11-20 March. He plans to operate SSB, CW, RTTY and PSK31 from two different locations on the island. Indicatively, between 23 and 6 UTC he will be QRV on 40-6 metres with an emphasis on 20, 17 and 15 metres; between 8 and 22 UTC he will add 160 and 80 metres. QSL via home call, bureau preferred. [TNX JI3DST and JR3TVH]

March 14-21
CN, Morocco. Mathieu, MJ0ASP, is returning to Marrakech between March 14-21st, and will be active as CN2MR. Activity will be on 40-10 meters using CW. However, he will focus on the 30/17/12 meter bands. QSL via MJ0ASP and LoTW. (Ohio/Penn DX)

March 26-27
Taiwan special event station. Members of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Centenary Foundation will be activating special event station BV100 during the CQ WW WPX SSB Contest (March 26-27th) from Shaio-Liu-Chiu Island (BV9, AS-155) as a Multi-? entry (DXNL 1716/Pete's DX Newsletter 1023)

FRS celebrates third anniversary show on Sunday

Thanks to the staff of FRS-Holland for sending in the following news of tomorrow's special broadcast.

Dear FRS Friends,
At long last, on Sunday February 27th, 2011, FRS will broadcast the final and third FRS 30th Anniversary broadcast. We will complete the FRS Anthology! We will feature the period of 19998-2010. Mind you we will kick off on the 27th at 0752 UTC (=CET)

Here's the schedule
0752-1400 UTC 7600/ 5800
0752-1100 UTC 48 mb (unknown)
1100-1400 UTC 5085 kHz

Of course, we have a special QSL for this broadcast. With the one issued for the previous two broadcast, it will form the FRS 30th Anniversary QSL Series. Hope to have your company on the 27th ... it will be great fun: 30 Yeats of FRS-Holland on SW !
73's on behalf of the FRS staff
(Peter V, Jan van Dijk, Paul Graham, Dave Scott, Brian and Bobby Speed)

FRS - a balance between music and information joined to one format

FRS-Holland
P.O. Box 2702
6049 ZG Herten
The Netherlands

email: frs.holland@hcnet.nl (or) frs@frsholland.nl

IRRS updates their testing schedule

Hi There,

Following my email yesterday, I apologize but due to technical problems we had to cancel all tests on 5775 kHz at the very last moment.

In the meantime we are announcing these additional tests:

Feb 28, 2011 from 0930-1230 UTC on 9510 kHz to Europe
Feb 26, 2011 from 1800-2000 UTC on 9435 kHz to Europe
Feb 27, 2011 from 1800-2000 UTC on 9435 kHz to Europe

We will appreciate your reception reports for all of our tests by email at reports at nexus.org

Our regular broadcasts continue also on AM/Medium Wave daily on 1368 kHz in North/Eastern Italy (covering Padua, Venice, Vicenza, Verona and Bologna) and on 1566 in Rome, daily from 20:00-01:00 Central European Time. (in Vicenza we have a large US military base, and we know that we have many listeners there). These times may be extended later on.

We received several reports from 1368 kHz from Italy and outside of Italy. Our sincere thanks to all who tuned in, and wrote us. All will be getting a personal reply soon, please bear with us while we are very busy in setting up and verifying coverage for all tests.

Some of you asked about TX location, however: it is our policy that while we always make public the target area(s), the exact transmitter location(s) may change over time, and always remains strictly confidential.

Thank you again, and stay tuned.
Ron
(Alokesh Gupta)

Radio Netherlands Program Preview, Feb. 25-March 3

Hello,
Did you ever happen to come across a tense situation that was turning nasty and decide to interfere? Or do you regret afterwards not doing so? You're not the only one. Join our guests on this week's The State We're In who all have a story to tell about stepping in.

Enjoy our programmes!

Hilary

The State We're In
Jonathan Groubert and his team look at current events from an unexpected perspective.

This week: Stepping in

You see a tense situation developing. It looks bad, but you’re not sure. Do you step in or mind your own business? Today’s guests all have their own stories about stepping in, from Nigeria, the US, Sri Lanka and Burma.

First airing: Saturday 02:00 UTC

Earth Beat
Marnie Chesterton and her team look at the footprint we’re leaving on our planet.

This week: Born free?

Our environment is becoming increasingly monitored, and securitised. All for our own good, apparently. From intelligent surveillance and inserting RFID chips in your body, to the little things we encounter in our daily lives, we look at the policing of our brave new world.

First airing: Friday 02:00 UTC

Bridges With Africa
We're giving the microphone to Diaspora groups in Europe and are linking up with stations in Africa.

This week:

Is Ivory Coast turning into an ivory tower?
In the middle of the Dutch gay paradise some Africans have found hell.
Celebrating Black History Month.

First airing: Friday 00:00 UTC

Africa in Progress
Inspiring round-table discussions with guest speakers and in -depth interviews give listeners food for thought.

This week: Why we must save our forests now

Every day Africa’s forests are disappearing at an alarming rate. Scientists say that cutting trees leads to deforestation and this eventually leads to extreme weather conditions, including floods and drought.

Deforestation also deprives people of their livelihoods. In this edition, four African climate change experts discuss why it is important for us to protect our trees and what would happen if we continue cutting down our forest cover in Africa.

First airing: Monday 18:00 UTC

South Asia Wired
Programme in which South Asians get to talk to each other, hosted by Dheera Sujan.

This week:

Information warriors in India are threatened for exposing corrupt links between government, the private sector and criminal elements. And Dr Mobin Akhtar, carries on his information crusade in Pakistan, trying to convince ordinary Paksitanis that sex and sexuality do not go against the teachings of Islam.

(There'll be a new edition of the programme on Thursday 3 March)

First airing: Thursday 15:14 UTC

Commonwealth Story
A selection of winning stories chosen from the large number of entries for the 2010 Commonwealth Short Story Competition.

This week:

Sister Rose - by Lydia Vonyler from Grenada. Lessons in lying.

First airing: Tuesday 00:55 UTC

Hear the World
Listen to the world’s musical heartbeat on RNW. A brand new world music series hosted by Dheera Sujan.

This week:

The South African band Bongo Moffin plays kwaito music, the party and dance music of the black youth from the townships. It's an urban sound in which house, rap, hip hop, reggae, gospel and R&B are mixed with different South African styles.

For decades Oliver Mtukudzi with his backing group the Black Spirits has been one of Zimbabwe's most popular artists. You can hear a wonderful mixture of Zimbabwean and South African styles, as well as Western pop in his dance grooves.

First airing: Monday 03:00 UTC

RNW Classical
Classical concerts from the Royal Concertgebouw as well as studio recordings of Dutch performers, presented by Hans Haffmans.

A relay of part of the music programming of our sister web station RNWclassical.com.

First airing: Monday 01:00 UTC
(Radio Netherlands World Wide)

English on shortwave

All times UTC

1000-1057 9720as 12065as (Asia)
1400-1500 12080as 15595va (various areas)
1500-1557 15595as
1800-1857 6020af 11655af (Africa)
1900-1957 7425af 9895af 11615af 11655af
2000-2057 5935af 7425af 11655af
(Radio Netherlands/Leo van der Wounde)

Amateur MF Allocation Moves a Step Closer

Amateur Radio has moved a step closer to a medium frequency (MF) allocation below the AM broadcast band. During the first week of the Conference Preparatory Meeting (CPM) for the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12) of the International
Telecommunication Union, held in Geneva February 14-25, delegates completed the drafting of nine pages of analysis of the technical and regulatory issues related to WRC-12 Agenda Item 1.23: consideration of a possible secondary allocation to the Amateur Service of about 15 kHz somewhere between 415 and 526.5 kHz. Two possible methods of satisfying the agenda item, along with the possibility of there being no change (and therefore no allocation), are set out in the CPM Report, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each . Read more here http://www.arrl.org/news/amateur-mf-allocation-moves-a-step-closer.
(Pete's DX/ARRL)

Al Jazeera live stream back on RNW website

Due to the ongoing situation in Libya, RNW is again providing a live stream of Al Jazeera English. You can watch Al Jazeera, which also includes a live Twitter feed. Having watched Al Jazeera extensively in recent days, I can highly recommend its coverage for a more in-depth analysis and less repetition than I have seen on other news channels. An RNW correspondent (whose name we cannot publish for safety reasons) is also reporting from inside Libya.

Al Jazeera has published comprehensive country-by-country information on its worldwide satellite frequencies and full details of carriers on cable and ADSL. All the details are on this page of its website.
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Al Jazeera live feed from Doha: http://www.rnw.nl/english/video/middle-east-unrest-live-video

You may also watch Al Jazeera English, live video stream all the time at:
http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/

Radio Netherland's Dutch service frequency update

To avoid interference from a transmitter in Cuba, Radio Netherlands Worldwide's Dutch transmission to South America and Caribbean at 2359-0027 UTC from Bonaire has moved from 6145 kHz to 6110 kHz.
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2011 Feb 22 2026 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





Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
14 - 20 February 2011

Solar activity ranged from low to high levels. The period began with moderate activity levels due to an M2.2/1F flare from Region 1158 (S21, L=33, class/area Ekc/620 on 16 February). Associated with this flare was a Type II Sweep with an estimated shock velocity of 1479 km/s and a 150 sfu Tenflare. A slow-moving, faint, full-halo CME was observed in LASCO C2 imagery, first seen at 14/1812Z, and was associated with the M2.2 event. Activity increased to high levels on 15 February as Region 1158 produced an impulsive X2.2 at 15/0156Z. Associated with this event were multi-spectral radio emissions spanning 25 MHz to 15.4 GHz including Type II (556 km/s) and Type IV Sweeps, a 250,000 sfu Burst measured at 410 MHz and a 1300 sfu Tenflare. In addition, a fast-moving, full-halo CME was observed, first seen in LASCO C2 imagery at 15/0236Z with an estimated plane-of-sky speed of 747 km/s. The X2.2 was the largest x-ray event since December 2006. By 16 February, solar activity decayed to moderate levels. Region 1158 produced an M1.6/1F at 16/1425Z with associated Type II (1386 km/s) and Type IV Sweeps and a 330 sfu Tenflare. Earlier on the 16th, Region 1158 produced an M1.0 at 16/0139Z. Region 1161 (N11, L=331, class/area Ekc/260 on 20 February) produced an M1.1 at 16/0744Z. This region emerged on the disk on 14 February and grew rapidly through the period. By 17 February, activity further decayed to low levels. A C1.1 x-ray event was observed from Region 1158 at 17/2135 with an associated Type II Sweep (1695 km/s). Activity increased to high levels on 18 February due to an impulsive M6.6 x-ray event at 18/1011Z observed from Region 1158. New Region 1162 (N18, L=336 class/area Dai/260 on 18 February) emerged rapidly on the disk and produced three M-class x-ray events, the largest an M1.3 at 18/2104Z. 19 and 20 February saw a return to low solar activity levels.

A greater than 10 MeV proton enhancement was observed at geosynchronous orbit. Proton flux began a slow rise at about 15/0700Z, peaked at 15/1115Z (2.5 pfu) and decayed to background levels by about 16/1500Z

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at high levels on 14 and 20 February and at normal levels 15 - 19 February.

Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to minor storm levels during the period. Activity was quiet until 14/1800Z when activity increased to unsettled to active levels. Solar wind data indicated a shock arrival at the ACE spacecraft at 14/1456Z. A 12nT sudden impulse, measured at the Boulder magnetometer, was observed at 14/1600Z. Following the shock, solar wind velocities increased from about 300 km/s to near 410 km/s while the total magnetic field (Bt)increased to near 20 nT. The source of this transient was likely an east limb event from late on 11 February. Quiet to active levels persisted through 15/1500Z. Thereafter, and through the end of 17 February, the field was quiet. Early on 18 February, activity increased to unsettled to active levels, with isolated high latitude minor storm periods. A shock passage at the ACE spacecraft was observed at 18/0049Z and shortly after at 18/0136Z, a 33 nT sudden impulse was recorded at the Boulder magnetomter. After the shock passage, solar wind speeds rapidly increased from about 325 km/s to near 500 km/s and reached a maximum velocity of 706 km/s at 18/1203Z. Coincident with the shock, the Bz component of the interplanetary magnetic field dipped south between -8 to -15 nT, and remained so for a period of about 12 hours. This activity was due to the effects of the CMEs observed from solar activity during the 13 - 15 February timeframe. By 18/2100Z, geomagnetic activity decayed to mostly quiet to unsettled levels, and remained so through the balance of the summary period.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
23 February - 21 March 2011

Solar activity is expected to be at low to moderate levels through 25 February when Regions 1161 and 1162 rotate around the west limb. Very low to low levels will persist until 04 March. Low to moderate levels, with a slight chance for high levels, are expected from 05 - 21 March when old Regions 1158 (S21, L=31), 1162 (N18, L=335) and 1161 (N11, L=331) are due to rotate onto the disk on 05, 09 and 10 March respectively.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be normal to moderate levels from 23 February - 04 March. High levels are expected from 05 - 13 March. A return to normal to moderate levels are expected from 14 - 18 March followed by high levels from 19 - 21 March.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet to unsettled levels from 23 - 24 February due to a recurrent coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS). Quiet levels are expected from 25 - 26 February. An increase in activity to quiet to unsettled levels are expected from 27 February - 02 March due to another recurrent CH HSS. Quiet levels will persist from 03 - 06 March. Quiet to unsettled levels will return from 07 - 10 March due to a recurrent CH HSS. A brief period of quiet levels are expected from 11 - 13 March. Another recurrent CH HSS will raise activity levels to quiet to unsettled from 14 - 15 March followed by a period of quiet conditions from 16 - 21 March.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2011 Feb 15 1953 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 2011-02-15
#
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2011 Feb 16 100 8 3
2011 Feb 17 100 18 4
2011 Feb 18 100 25 5
2011 Feb 19 98 10 3
2011 Feb 20 98 5 2
2011 Feb 21 95 5 2
2011 Feb 22 90 5 2
2011 Feb 23 84 5 2
2011 Feb 24 80 5 2
2011 Feb 25 80 5 2
2011 Feb 26 80 5 2
2011 Feb 27 80 5 2
2011 Feb 28 80 5 2
2011 Mar 01 80 8 3
2011 Mar 02 80 10 3
2011 Mar 03 82 10 3
2011 Mar 04 82 8 3
2011 Mar 05 84 5 2
2011 Mar 06 84 5 2
2011 Mar 07 88 5 2
2011 Mar 08 88 5 2
2011 Mar 09 88 5 2
2011 Mar 10 90 5 2
2011 Mar 11 90 5 2
2011 Mar 12 95 5 2
2011 Mar 13 95 5 2
2011 Mar 14 95 5 2
(NOAA)

** Solar Flare's for our newer VHF DXers **

What is now happening on the sun, the earth and to radio propagation is likely new to our colleagues licensed in the past five years. This is for them .... Solar Flare Theory Click here: http://hesperia.gsfc.nasa.gov/sftheory/index.htm
(Source: W0WOI via VHF Reflector!)
Dont forget to report your AURORA QSOs to MMMonVHF:
http://www.mmmonvhf.de/au.php if an AURORA occurs next weeks...
(VHS Newsletter 2011-2-24)

Antarctic Activity Week Continues

amateur radio operators and shortwave listeners

The Worldwide Antarctic Program has announced that the eighth Antarctic Activity Week will be held from 21 to 27 February 2011. The aim of this annual event is to promote worldwide interest in the Antarctic continent. Several special event callsigns from around the world are expected to take part in this year's AAW. Participating stations (QSL via operator's instructions) are announced from the following countries:

Bulgaria LZ08ANT
Canada VA3WAP, VA7AAW, VB3ANT
England GB0ANT
France TM0WAP, TM8AAW
Germany DA0ANT
India AU8ANT
Italy II0AAW, II2ANT, II3ANT, II3MNA, II5ANT, II8AAW, IO2ANT,
IO5ANT, IP1METEO, IP1NAVY, IP2ANT, IP3ANT, IP8AAW, IR0AW,
IR1ANT, IR2IR, IU1ANT
Lithuania LY100SP
Romania YO8ANT, YQ2ANT
Slovenia S50ANT
Spain AO1AAW, EG1WAP
Switzerland HB9ICE
Ukraine EM15U
USA K4K, K0ANT, N5T
Complete information on the AAW can be found at http://www.waponline.it/

South of Sudan to become independent soon

Amateur Radio

ST - SOUTH SUDAN
The south of Sudan is going to become independent soon. As it looks right now the south of Sudan may declare its independence on July 9. It is very likely that the new country will get a new name without "Sudan" in its name. There are already two DXpedition teams ready to
be there in time. One group includes Alex,5Z4DZ/PA3DZN, Robert,S53R, and Martti,OH2BH. The "Intrepid-DX Group" led by Paul,N6PSE, plans an activity as soon the country declares its independence. They already applied for the callsign ST0DX though it is not clear yet if the south of Sudan gets its old prefix ST0 back again.
Keep informed about the DXpeditions on the websites:
http://www.intrepid-dx.com/ and http://www.dxfriends.com/
(Pete's DX Newsletter)

Iranian Cyber Army Claims Credit for Cyber Attack

Iranian Cyber Army Claims Credit for Cyber Attack on VOA and Interference of U.S. International Broadcasting Increases

The Iranian Cyber Army has taken credit for a cyber attack on the Voice of America, according to reports by Iranian state media outlets Press TV and Fars News Service. VOA suffered a web Domain Name System (DNS) attack, while VOA’s Persian News Network (PNN) and RFE Radio Farda programs have faced increased satellite signal interference, and RFE faced a “denial of service attack” on its telephone systems in an effort to keep Iranians from contacting Radio Farda.

As popular protests unfold across the Middle East and audiences for U.S. international broadcasting surge, efforts to interfere with the networks have increased.

“Our broadcasters are at the forefront of reporting the most tumultuous events we have seen unfold since 1989,” said Walter Isaacson, chair of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) which oversees all U.S. international broadcasting including the Alhurra TV, VOA and RFE. “It is a testament to their vital role that they are subject to the work of hackers and signal interference.”

On Monday, February 21, an unknown party hacked the Voice of America’s primary domain name (VOANews.com), and other related domains, redirecting visitors to a website claiming to be run by a group called the “Iranian Cyber Army.” Yesterday, Iran’s Press TV reported a statement by Ali Saeedi Shahroodi, an official with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claiming, “The hacking of a VOA homepage by the Iranian Cyber Army … shows the power and capability of the Corps (IRGC) in the cyber arena.” Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency also credited the Iranian Cyber Army, in a February 22 report, explaining that the attack was in response to VOA’s reporting on events in Iran.

The attack did not affect internal systems or servers, nor was any data lost or compromised. The BBG is working with appropriate authorities to investigate further.

“There's a saying that a hit dog hollers - that can be applied to whoever tried to cut off access to VOA News by attacking the domain provider on Monday. The fact that the sites were redirected to the Iranian Cyber Army certainly raises an eyebrow or two,” said Dana Perino, a member of the BBG. “Technology is chipping away at the stranglehold on free and fair information inside Iran. VOA and RFE are strongly committed to providing the news at it happens in a variety of ways so that every Iranian that can get access to the free media can benefit from our journalists' reporting.”

Last week RFE’s Radio Farda faced a variation of a “denial of service” attack on its phone lines with a flood of automated calls aiming to clog its answering machines. Calls played just over one minute of a looped recording of speeches and sermons in Persian before hanging up.

Since February 13, there has been intermittent but frequent interference of VOA PNN and Radio Farda satellite signals with programming in Persian for audiences in Iran.

As of the morning of February 21, there has been a continuous service interruption on one satellite channel carrying VOA’s PNN. PNN is carried on three other satellite paths as well as online, including its popular TV satire, “Parazit.” Millions of the show’s fans use proxy servers to access the program through social media sites like Facebook and YouTube. Similarly, Radio Farda's website has seen an approximate 50 percent increase in web traffic over the past two weeks.
(Leticia King/BBG)

IRRS-Shortwave testing on 5775 kHz

Dear Listeners and Monitors,

From Thursday Feb. 24 until Saturday Feb. 26, 2011, IRRS-Shortwave will be testing on the frequency of 5775 kHz from 1800-2000 UTC with 300 kW to Central & Eastern Europe, North Africa and the Mediterranean.

We will appreciate receiving your reception reports for these tests by email at reports@nexus.org

I would like also to mention that we are also on the air in English with the call-sign IRRS-Mediumwave on 1368 kHz in North/Eastern Italy (covering Padua, Venice, Vicenza, Verona and Bologna) and on 1566 in Rome, daily from 20:00-01:00 Central European Time. As 1368 kHz is quite clear in Europe, our broadcasts may be heard outside of our main coverage area in all neighbouring countries, including Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, and up north in the Sweden, Norway and Finland with DX conditions.

Our program and frequency schedules are online at http://www.nexus.org/schedules

Due to severe budget cuts, we will be unable to reply to all reports by QSL, but we will acknowledge all reports and reply to any question by email.

Thank you for your understanding and help, and stay tuned!

Take care & best 73s.

Ron & all the NEXUS-IBA staff in Milano
(Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India)

Radio Free Sarawak a voice to Borneo

Gordon Brown's sister-in-law tackles corruption in Borneo

David Cohen
In a flat above a restaurant in Covent Garden, an investigative reporter called Clare and a tribesman from Borneo covered in tattoos prepare to transmit their daily revolutionary radio broadcast deep into the Borneo jungle.

They make for an unlikely double act - she is a white, middle-aged Englishwoman, and he the proud grandson of a Dayak headhunter who broadcasts under the pseudonym Papa Orang Utan. Their aim is no less outlandish: to expose the alleged corruption of Taib Mahmud, chief minister of the Malaysian state of Sarawak on the island of Borneo 6,500 miles from London, and bring an end to his 30-year rule.
(Alan Roe/worlddxclub)

Additional story at: London Evening Standard
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/lifestyle/article-23925368-gordon-brown-sister-in-law-tackles-corruption-in-borneo.do

Radio Free Sarawak on shortwave (Clandestine)

Malya/Iban targeted to Asia
1000-1100 UTC 15420
1100-1200 UTC 15420

Website with on-demand audio http://www.radiofreesarawak

Australia and New Zealand monitoring

HOT SPOT DXING
Sorry for the delay in getting these schedules posted earlier today. DXers tell me Radio Australia is doing extensive coverage on the Christchurch, New Zealand earthquake. I have also include the Radio New Zealand International schedule below. As always, any corrections or additional monitoring observations are always welcomed at the above email address or posted on the Monitoring Times Shortwave Central Facebook Fan page.
Gayle VH

Radio Australia - B10 Multilingual schedule

Effective: 31 October 2010 - 27 March 2011

broadcast daily unless otherwise indicated / target areas as (Asia) pa (Pacific) va (various areas)
All times UTC

Burmese
0100-0130 11780as 17585as
1600-1630 9655as 9965as
2300-2330 5955as

Chinese
1300-1400 9475pa 11825as
1400-1430 9476pa 11825as

English
0000-0100 9660pa 12080pa 13690pa 15240as 15415as 17715pa 17750as 17795pa
0100-0200 9660pa 12080pa 13690pa 15240as 15415as 17715pa 17750as 17795pa
0200-0300 9660pa 12080pa 13690pa 15240as 15415as 15515as 17750as 21725va
0300-0400 9660pa 12080pa 13690pa 15240as 15415as 15515as 17750as 21725va
0400-0500 9590pa 12080pa 13690pa 15240as 15515as 21725va
0430-0500 15415as
0500-0600 9590pa 12080pa 13630pa 13690pa 15160pa 15240as 17750as
0530-0600 15415as
0600-0700 9590pa 12080pa 13630pa 13690pa 15160pa 15240as 17750as
0600-0630 Sat/Sun 15290pa 15415as
0630-0700 15415as
0700-0800 9475pa 9590pa 9710pa 11945pa 12080pa 15160pa 15240as
0800-0900 5995as 9475pa 9485pa 9580va 9590pa 9710pa 11945pa 12080pa 13630pa
0900-1000 9475pa 9485pa 9580va 9590pa 11945pa 12080pa 13630pa
1000-1100 9475pa 9485pa 9580va 9590pa 11945pa 12080pa
1100-1200 5995as 6020pa 6140as 9475pa 9485pa 9560va 9580va 9590pa 9965as 11945pa
1100-1200 DRM 12080as
1200-1300 6020pa 6140as 9475pa 9485pa 9560va 9580va 9590pa 9965as 11945pa
1200-1300 DRM 5995pa
1300-1400 6020pa 9485pa 9560va 9580va 9590pa
1300-1400 DRM 5995pa
1400-1500 5995pa 6080pa 7240pa 9590pa
1430-1500 9475pa 11825as
1500-1600 5995pa 6080pa 7240pa 9475pa 9590pa 11825as
1600-1700 5995pa 6080pa 7240pa 9475pa 9590pa 9710pa 11825as
1700-1800 5995pa 6080pa 9475pa 9580pa 9710pa 11880pa
1800-1900 6080pa 7240pa 9475pa 9580pa 9710pa 11880pa
1900-2000 6080pa 7240pa 9475pa 9500as 9580pa 9710pa 11880pa
2000-2100 9500as 9700as 11650as
2000-2100 Sat/Sun 6080va 7240pa 12080pa
2100-2200 9500as 9660pa 9700as 11650as 11695va 12080pa 13630pa 15515va
2200-2300 11695pa 12080pa 13590va 13630pa 15230as 15240pa 15360pa 15415as 15515va 15560pa
2300-2330 11695pa 15240pa
2300-0000 9660pa 12080pa 13590va 13690pa 15230as 15360pa 15145as 15560pa 17795pa
2330-0000 17750as

Indonesian
0000-0030 17840as
0000-0030 mtwhf 15350as
0400-0430 11550pa 15415as 17840as
0500-0530 15415as 17845as
0500-0530 mtwhf 11745pa
0600-0630 mtwhf 15290as 15415as
2200-2300 9630as 11550pa
2300-2330 9630as 11550pa

Mandarin
1300-1400 9965as 11760as
1400-1430 9965as 11760as

Tok Pisin
0900-1000 5995as 6020pa 9710pa
1000-1100 5995as 6020pa 9710pa
2000-2100 mtwhf 7240pa 12080pa
2000-2100 Sat/Sun 6080va
(William Hague, Austria/NWDXC)

Radio New Zealand International

All times UTC

English

AM
0000-0100 twhfas 15720pa
0100-0200 twhfas 15720pa
0200-0300 twhfas 15720pa
0300-0400 twhfas 15720pa
0400-0458 twhfas 15720pa
0459-0500 11725pa
0500-0600 11725pa
0600-0658 11725pa
0659-0700 9765pa
0700-0800 9765pa
0800-0900 9765pa
0900-1000 9765pa
1000-1058 9765pa
1059-1100 13660pa
1100-1200 13660pa
1200-1258 13660pa
1300-1400 5950pa
1400-1500 5950pa
1500-1550 5950pa
1551-1600 5950pa
1600-1650 5950pa
1651-1700 twhfas 9765pa
1658-1700 Sat 9765pa
1700-1750 twhfas 9765pa
1751-1800 twhfas 11725pa
1758-1800 Sat 11725pa
1800-1900 twhfas 11725pa
1900-2000 twhfas 11725pa
2000-2100 twhfas 11725pa
2100-2150 twhfas 11725pa
2151-2200 twhfas 15720pa
2200-2300 twhfas 15720pa
2300-0000 twhfas 15720pa

DRM
0000-0100 twhfas 17675pa
0100-0200 twhfas 17675pa
0200-0300 twhfas 17675pa
0300-0400 twhfas 17675pa
0400-0458 twhfas 17675pa
0459-0500 13730pa
0500-0600 13730pa
0600-0658 13730pa
0659-0700 13730pa
0700-0758 13730pa
0759-0800 9870pa
0800-0900 9870pa
0900-1000 9870pa
1000-1058 9870pa
1059-1100 9870pa
1100-1158 9870pa

1200-1500 No Service

1551-1600 9890pa
1600-1650 9890pa
1651-1700 twhfas 9890pa
1658-1700 Sat 9890pa
1700-1750 twhfas 9890pa
1751-1800 twhfas 11675pa
1758-1800 Sat 11675pa
1800-1850 twhfas 11675pa
1851-1900 twhfas 15720pa
1858-1900 Sat 15720pa
1900-2000 twhfas 15720pa
2000-2100 twhfas 15720pa
2100-2150 twhfas 15720pa
2151-2200 twhfas 17675pa
2158-2200 Sat 17650pa
2200-2300 twhfas 17675pa
2300-0000 twhfas 17675pa
(Adrian Sainsbury/R NZ Int'l)
photo/ perthnow.com.au

Chaos in Libya

HOT SPOT DXING

Witnesses say protesters and security forces are battling for control of central Tripoli, with snipers opening fire on crowds and Qaddafi supporters speeding through in cars, shooting and running over protesters.
More from Fox News http://www.foxnews.com/

Libya: 1125 kHz now in the hands of protestors

The English and French websites of the Libyan Jamahiriya Broadcasting Corporation (LJBC) have not been updated since Thursday 17 February. However the LJBC Arabic website has been updated today. It claims that President Gaddafi has received messages of support by telephone from the presidents of Senegal and Guinea

According to Tarek Zeidan reporting from Denmark to Ydun’s Medium Wave Info, (www.mediumwave.info/index.html) the high power mediumwave transmitter at El Beida is now in the hands of the protestors, and was heard last night around 2245 UTC identifying itself in Arabic as Radio Free Libya from the Green Mountain. Tarek says that other Libyan stations he could hear at the same time appeared to be pro-Gaddafi songs, and at 0630 UTC this morning 1449 and 675 kHz were re-broadcasting the speech of the president’s son Saifulislam Gaddafi.

The Foreign Policy blog refers to the Internet site http://libya.blog-video.tv/ and refers to it as a radio station called ‘Radio Free Benghazi’ with ‘breathless amateur announcers’. In fact, that site seems to be a chat facility enabling protestors to speak to each other, and as far as I know this is not the material being broadcast on 1125 kHz. It was in operation before protestors took over the LJBC facility. But since I only speak a few words of Arabic, I am willing to stand corrected.

A good source of breaking news for those of us who don’t speak Arabic is the 17th February 2011 blog. I saw some video on Al Jazeera last night attributed to this source. Unfortunately this does not automatically refresh, but is constantly updated. I tried following events on Twitter, but there are too many time-wasters posting information that’s hours old, or simply irrelevant.

My RNW colleague Ehard Goddijn has also found a live stream feed at www.livestream.com/libya17feb from the same people who produce the 17th February blog. This also appears to be a chat room using Skype. I heard some English as well as Arabic.
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Libya Turns Off the Internet and Massacres Begin
First, Libya blocked news sites and Facebook. Then, beginning Friday night, according to Arbor Networks, a network security and Internet monitoring company, announced that Libya had cut itself off from the Internet. Hours later the Libyan dictator’s solders started slaughtering protesters. As of Sunday afternoon, U.S. Eastern time the death toll was above 200 in the city of Benghazi alone.

Welcome to 2011. While dictators in the most repressive regimes, such as North Korea and Cuba, have long kept Internet contact to the world to a bare minimum, less restrictive dictatorships, such as Egypt and Libya left the doors to the Internet cracked open to the public. Now, though, realizing that they could no longer hide their abuses from a world a Twitter tweet away, the new model autocracies, such as Libya and Bahrain have realized that they need to cut their Internet links before bringing out the guns.

Additional story at: ZD Net http://www.zdnet.com/blog/networking/libya-turns-off-the-internet-and-the-massacres-begin/711
(GlobalNet Internet Radio blog http://www.globalnetmt.com/ )

Frequencies to check
Keep an eye on MWARA AFI frequencies 5517.0, 8894.0, 11300.0 and RDARA 8873 for aircraft activity from Libya via Tripoli.
(MilcomMP/Twitter Larry Van Horn @MilcomMP)

Libya on Shortwave
The following is my most up to date schedule for Libya. Any corrections or monitoring observations are welcomed at the above email address, or posted on the Monitoring Times Shortwave Central Facebook Fan page.
Gayle VH

LJBC Voice of Africa
All times UTC
All programming targeted to Africa

Arabic
0400-0457 9560/ 5855
0500-0557 7370
0500-0600 5855/ 9735/ 11905
0600-0657 5855/ 9735/ 11905/ 13745
0700-0757 11650/ 15360
0700-0800 17750
0800-0857 13750/ 17750/ 17815
0900-1000 15505/ 17730/ 21695
1000-1100 15505/ 17730/ 21695
1100-1157 15505/ 17730/ 21695
2000-2100 7480/ 9470/ 12105
2100-2157 7480/ 9470/ 12105

English
1400-1500 17725/ 21675/ 21695
1500-1557 17725/ 21675/ 21695

French
1600-1700 11800/ 12105/ 17770
1700-1800 11800/ 17725

Hausa
1800-1900 9420/ 11800/ 12105
1900-2000 9420/ 11800/ 12105

Swahili
1200-1300 17730/ 21695
1300-1357 17730/ 21695
(Klingenfuss 2011 Shortwave Frequency Guide)

Schedule updates from Media Broadcast

Part 1 of 4 - Media Broadcast

All times UTC

Transmitters via Germany

Clandestine - Hamada Radio International 0530-0600 on 7350 WER 100 kW / 180 deg Mon-Fri to WeAf in Hausa
0530-0600 on 9460 NAU 100 kW / 185 deg Mon-Fri to WeAf in Hausa
1930-2000 on 9840 WER 100 kW / 180 deg Daily to WeAf in Hausa

Radio Netherlands Worldwide
0600-0655 on 6120 NAU 500 kW / 195 deg Daily to SoEu in Dutch
0600-0655 on 6120 NAU 500 kW / 195 deg Daily to NWAf in Dutch
0600-0655 on 9830 WER 500 kW / 120 deg Daily to N/ME in Dutch
0600-0655 on 9830 WER 500 kW / 120 deg Daily to SEEu in Dutch
0800-0855 on 9895 NAU 500 kW / 220 deg Mon-Sat to SEEu in Dutch
0800-0855 on 5955 WER 500 kW / 210 deg Daily to CWEu in Dutch
0900-1055 on 5955 WER 500 kW / 210 deg Mon-Fri to CWEu in Dutch
0900-1055 on 6120 WER 250 kW / 240 deg Mon-Fri to SEEu in Dutch
0900-1555 on 5955 WER 500 kW / 210 deg Sun to CWEu in Dutch
1600-1755 on 9895 WER 500 kW / 240 deg Daily to NoAf in Dutch

Trans World Radio Europe
0745-0920 on 6105 NAU 100 kW / 285 deg Sun to NoEu in English
0815-0850 on 6105 NAU 100 kW / 285 deg Sat to NoEu in English
0800-0850 on 6105 NAU 100 kW / 285 deg Mon-Fri to NoEu in English
1500-1530 on 7300 WER 100 kW / 060 deg Mon to EaEu in Belarussian
1500-1530 on 7300 WER 100 kW / 060 deg Tue-Fri to EaEu in Russian
1500-1600 on 7300 WER 100 kW / 060 deg Sat/Sun to EaEu in Russian
1630-1700 on 6120 WER 100 kW / 105 deg Sat to EaEu in Romanian
1630-1700 on 9685 WER 100 kW / 090 deg Mon-Fri to CeAs in Armenian
1630-1700 on 11695 WER 100 kW / 090 deg Mon-Fri to CeAs in Armenian

Hamburger Lokalradio
1000-1100 on 6045 WER 100 kW / non-dir 1st Sun to CeEu in German

Mecklenburg Verpommern Baltic Radio
1000-1100 on 6140 WER 100 kW / non-dir 1st Sun to CeEu in German

European Music Radio
1000-1100 on 6140 WER 100 kW / non-dir 3rd Sun to CeEu in Music

Radio Gloria International
1000-1100 on 6140 WER 100 kW / non-dir 4th Sun to CeEu in Music

Evangelische Missions Gemeiden
1130-1200 on 6055 WER 125 kW / non-dir Sat/Sun to CeEu in German
1200-1230 on 11840 NAU 250 kW / 020 deg Sat to FE in Russian
1600-1630 on 9605 WER 250 kW / 060 deg Sat to EaEu in Russian

Missionswerke Arche Stimme des Trostes
1200-1215 on 6055 WER 250 kW / non-dir Sun to CeEu in German

RTL Radio Europe(RTL 2 + RTL 1), ex Radio Traumland
1300-1500 on 6180 WER 100 kW / non-dir Sun to CeEu in German

Pan American Broadcasting
1400-1415 on 13645 WER 100 kW / 090 deg Sun to SoAs in English
1415-1430 on 13645 WER 100 kW / 090 deg Daily to SoAs in English
1430-1445 on 13645 ISS 250 kW / 083 deg Sun to SoAs in English
1930-2015 on 6020 WER 250 kW / 150 deg Sun to NoAf in English
1930-2030 on 6020 WER 250 kW / 150 deg Sat to NoAf in English

Clandestine - Voice of Oromiyan Liberation Front
1600-1630 on 11760 WER 500 kW / 135 deg Sun/Thu to EaAf in Oromo

Clandestine - Radiyo Y'Abadanga Ababaka
1700-1715 on 17725 ISS 250 kW / 140 deg Sat to EaAf in Swahili

Clandestine - Ethiopians for Democracy-Voice of Ethiopian Unity
1700-1800 on 11775 NAU 250 kW / 145 deg Wed/Sun to EaAf in Amharic

Clandestine - Ethiopian Liberation Front-Voice of Democratic Eritrea
1700-1800 on 11775 NAU 125 kW / 145 deg Thu to EaAf in Tigrinya/Arabic

Clandestine - Voice of Oromo Liberation
1700-1800 on 11810 NAU 100 kW / 144 deg Sun to EaAf in Oromo
1700-1800 on 11810 NAU 100 kW / 144 deg Wed to EaAf in Oromo/Amharic

Christian Science Sentinel
1900-2000 on 5960 WER 100 kW / 075 deg Sat to EaEu in Russian

Radio Bahrain shortwave schedule

Effective to: 27 March 2011

The following is my most recent shortwave schedule for Radio Bahrain. Any corrections or monitoring observations are welcomed either at the Monitoring Times Shortwave Central Facebook fan page or the above emal address.
Gayle VH

Radio Bahrain

All times UTC

Arabic
0000- 2300 9745 kHz targeted to the Middle East

English
0000-2300 6010 kHz targeted to the Middle East
(Klingenfuss 2011 Shortwave Frequency Guide)

www.radiobahrain.fm/

March issue of World Radio now available

Wondering what 10 meter sporadic E is all about ? Ever thought a portable mast might be fun on a bicycle ? Find out this and more in the March issue of World Radio. The current is now available online at http://www.worldradiomagazine.com/

DOWNLOADING: The entire edition can be downloaded by clicking on the photo of the cover on the WRO Welcome page (click here).If you'd like to download the magazine in smaller sections, click on the Table of Contents page (recommended for users with slower Internet connections).

WHAT YOU'LL NEED: If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader, simply scroll to the bottom-left of the WRO Welcome page and click for a free download.

VISIT OUR ARCHIVES: To download recent editions of WRO, click on the PREVIOUS 2011 ISSUES link on the Welcome page.

Australian States on Shortwave: New South Wales

The concept of shortwave broadcasting for wide area coverage featured quite early in the radio broadcasting scene in Australia. Back in the year 1925, plans were announced for the establishment of a new mediumwave broadcasting station in Sydney, the capital city of the Australian state of New South Wales. The new radio station would be owned and operated by a political party, the Labor Party, and the callsign would 2LC. It was also stated in the newspaper announcement, that a shortwave transmitter would be co-sited with the mediumwave transmitter for the purpose of relaying the local programming to distant listeners throughout Australia.
When the station was inaugurated a few weeks later, it was on the air under a new callsign, 2KY, and no mention was ever made again of the projected shortwave relay unit.
However, during the following year 1926, Ray Allsop, the chief engineer at what was at the time a new commercial radio station, 2BL in Sydney, began to relay the mediumwave programming over his own amateur radio station, 2YG, located in his own home at suburban Coogee. During the following year, he transferred his amateur station to an empty house at Roseville and continued the shortwave relays from this new location.
During that same year, 1927, the AWA communication station located at Pennant Hills on the edge of Sydney began a relay on shortwave from what was at the time another new commercial station in Sydney, station 2FC. These famous broadcasts were transmitted worldwide at the higher power of 12 kW under the generic program title “Empire Broadcasts”.
It so happened around this same time period that the two commercial stations 2BL & 2FC were amalgamated, and soon afterward taken over by the government to ultimately become the Australian version of the ABC. At this stage, the AWA shortwave station began a regular international broadcasting service under the well known historic callsign VK2ME.
Up until the decisive year 1939, the only shortwave broadcasting service in New South Wales was on the air from this AWA station, VK2ME. However, soon after the outbreak of war in continental Europe, the new Australia Calling, Radio Australia, was inaugurated, and the AWA callsign at Pennant Hills became VLQ. Other broadcast callsigns in use at this station have been VLK, VLN, and VLI. Radio Australia terminated its usage of the Pennant Hills station towards the end of the year 1944, though the station remained in service for international radio communications.
In the meantime, another more modern radio station for use in international communication was under construction at another location, suburban Doonside. It was never intended that this new communication station would ever be used for broadcast programming, but Doonside was in use temporarily on the occasion of the Royal Visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1956 for the relay of news and commentaries.
Then again, the Doonside station also relayed news and commentaries, and actuality broadcasts to other overseas countries from the Melbourne Olympic Games in 1953. The AWA Pennant Hills station remained active until the Olympic Games ended, as a precautionary measure just in case its service was needed.
During the year 1936, several test broadcasts were noted on air with the readings from a technical manual under the callsign VK2MD. These broadcasts were made from the AWA electronics factory in the outer Sydney suburb of Ashfield. At the time it was thought that these test broadcasts were made from a transmitter that was destined for installation as VPD in Suva Fiji, but instead it turned up as VK6ME in Perth Western Australia. However, it is known these days that both transmitters were constructed at the same time, and it is suggested that both were tested during the same time period under the same callsign VK2MD.
The ABC shortwave station VLI, located beyond Sydney’s outer suburb of Liverpool, was on the with 2 kW for 36 years from 1948 to 1983. This unit carried the regular mediumwave service from 2BL and/or 2FC for the benefit of costal listeners without a local mediumwave station. When the transmitter failed, this shortwave service ended.
As the final entry for shortwave broadcasting in the Australian state of New South Wales, we remember the chronohertz station VNG. Originally, this time ticking broadcast was on the air from a series of 10 kW transmitters co-located with the ABC shortwave station at Lyndhurst in Victoria. However, Lyndhurst was closed at the end of the year 1987 and some of the transmitters were removed and re-installed at the aviation radio station located near Llandilo out from Sydney. The VNG chronohertz service was on the air at this location from 1988 until it was finally closed out in 2002.
Thus, shortwave broadcasting in the Australian state of New South Wales was on the air one way or another for nearly 80 years, but no high powered stations are on the air in in New South Wales these days. All of the stations mentioned in this feature article have issued multitudes of QSL cards over the years and these are now scattered throughout the world in the prized collections of multitudes of international radio monitors.
We should mention that in recent time, a few low powered stations have been licensed in the Sydney area for broadcast on the tropical shortwave bands. For example, a small transmitter that was on the air previously with HCJB in Quito Ecuador is now noted on 3210 kHz running around 50 watts with American religious programming. Maybe more of these low powered shortwave operations may make an appearance on air in New South Wales, and perhaps elsewhere in Australia, in time to come.
(AWR Wavescan NWS 104 via Adrian Peterson)

The Story of Criggion

A nostalgic piece from AWR's Wavescan program

A Longwave Failure: The Story of (Partly) Unsuccessful Criggion in Wales

The small village of Criggion is located in north eastern Wales, quite close to the border with England. Criggion has been noted for two areas of interest; a railway system the rolling stock of which is described as one of the most bizarre in English railway history, and an international radio station that was always shrouded in secrecy.
The railway line, known locally as the Potts Line, ran across a country area between Nantmawr & Shrewsbury Abbey, and it was inaugurated in the 1860s. The line was never commercially profitable, its service was unreliable, its bridges unsafe, and its carriages described as most bizarre. A branch line ran from the main Potts Line to Criggion and this was inaugurated in 1866. The entire system was shut down in 1934 at the end of some 60 years of spasmodic mediocre service.
The radio station was constructed hurriedly during the hectic events in the middle of last century, it acted rather unsuccessfully as a backup for a much larger and better known station, it carried occasional program relays to the United States, and it was finally closed in 2003 after 60 years of on air service. This what happened.
During the earlier part of the European conflict, apprehension was felt in England regarding the large major radio station operated by the British Post Office at Rugby, in central England. The mighty Rugby station was vital for international communication and at times, for program relays, but it was at the same time, also vulnerable to damage and destruction from attack by enemy planes.
Consequently, the British authorities entered into plans for the erection of a backup station that could be used if Rugby were disabled. This new additional radio station was installed in a secret isolated area, and its activities were always shrouded in mystery. Even the operating staff were not aware of the content of the signals that were transmitted over their station.
The location for the new radio station was near the small village of Criggion in a very picturesque area adjacent to the abrupt Breidden Hill, and only a few miles from the Severn River. Work commenced on this new station under a crash program in 1940.
Initially, there would be two shortwave transmitters, one longwave transmitter, and one very longwave transmitter. Very robust buildings, dispersed over the 400 acre property, were solidly built and three Eiffel style towers planned for erection at a navy station in Trincomalee in Sri Lanka were diverted for installation at Criggion. These three towers stood at 600 ft tall. In addition, instead of a 4th tower, a strong anchor point was installed on the top of the 900 ft hill for use as part of the longwave antenna system.
A widespread metal mesh earthing system was placed at 9 inches underground as a counterpoise to the high wire antenna system. Much of the property was let out for animal grazing, but no heavy machinery was permitted in order to avoid damage to the earthing mat.
In July 1942, the two shortwave transmitters were activated. These two units were an STC CS3B and a Marconi SW8. During the early part of the following year, the longwave transmitter was activated with test transmissions under the callsign GBZ.
However, at this stage in March 1943, there was a fire in the Rugby station that disabled the high powered longwave transmitter GBR. The fire, caused by high levels of RF radio frequency energy, broke out in the wooden rafters above the huge longwave transmitter, though by quick action, the fire was contained within the one building.
However, the longwave transmitter GBR was damaged and unusable without extensive repair. Hence it was that the backup station GBZ at Criggion was quickly pressed into service. Some of the usable equipment at Rugby was transferred to Criggion and installed, and within three days, GBZ Criggion was on the air carrying the longwave communication service on behalf of GBR Rugby.
However, it was soon discovered that the results achieved by the new station were found to be far below those of Rugby, and the Admiralty in London expressed great dissatisfaction. The rebuilding of the damaged transmitter at Rugby was therefore given top priority and six months later, the longwave communication service was transferred from GBZ Criggion back to GBR Rugby.
However, from that time onwards, Criggion performed its own meritorious service, on very longwave, longwave and on shortwave, though sometimes widespread flooding from the River Severn made continuous operation quite difficult. Over a period of time, GBZ operated on three different longwave channels 15.2 15.4 & 19.6 kHz.
During the following years, many shortwave transmitters were installed at Criggion, and for example in the late 1940s, a total of 14 different radio circuits were in operation with the corresponding stations in the United States. Twelve of these circuits were arranged with three of the SSB single side band transmitters, and two of these circuits at broadcast quality, were available via the 4th transmitter.
These days, it is no longer known just when and how many radio broadcasts were transmitted from England to the United States from transmitters at GBZ, but it would be presumed that sometimes, when listeners thought they were hearing Rugby, they were actually tuned in to Criggion.
Back around the same era, Criggion operated a relay service on behalf of the new country, Pakistan. Back at the time of partition in 1947, Pakistan found itself divided into two major territories, West Pakistan and East Pakistan, with a thousand miles of India in between. In order to render effective communications between the two new entities, Criggion received and relayed onwards, government communications between the two new regional capital cities, Karachi & Dacca.
During the 1950s, the longwave service with the United States via the Criggion transmitter GBZ was closed down and the service was transferred entirely to Rugby GBR. However, at this stage, the United States exported another longwave transmitter to England where it was installed at Criggion for the navy’s Omega navigation service. Encrypted signals from this 250 kW transmitter we fed into the already existing longwave antenna system.
During the 1970s, 25 shortwave transmitters and the associated antenna systems were removed and scrapped, and several refurbished transmitters from the navy radio station at Waltham were installed. However, with the availability of improved cable communications, and the usage of satellite delivery, Criggion was no longer needed and the station was closed down for ever on March 31, 2003. The remaining useful transmitters were removed and re-installed at Rugby & Ongar, and the remaining communication services were transferred to another transmitting station located at Anthorn.
Criggion can be remembered as a station that underperformed in its original role as a backup station for Rugby, though it did perform its own intended services adequately. There are no known QSLs for any of its communication transmissions, and we would presume that there are none for the few occasions on which it was used for the transfer of radio programming from England to other overseas countries.
(AWR Wavescan NWS 104 via Adrian Peterson)
(photo/some of the towers of the former Criggion VLF Radio/via geograph.org.uk)

Blog Logs

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

Bahrain
9745, Radio Bahrain, 0020-0050. Feb 21. Carrier + USB,Arabic talk. Lite instrumental music. Local Middle Eastern style music. Weak. (Brian Alexander, PA)

With protesters demanding change, Bahrain can be heard with lyric Arabic music (sounds like songs about Bahrain, if I get the singer right) on 9745.0 kHz (20 Feb 2011, 0000 UTC) with a weak signal, but in the clear. Just music, short news at top of the hour. While the carrier and USB are there, the lower sideband seems to be missing, or weaker. (Eike Bierwirth, Germany/HCDX)

Brazil
4925.23, Radio Educacao Rural, Tefe, Amazonas. Low signal with music at 1015. Male announcer in Portuguese at 1022. Orchestral bridge music, then into program of apparent taped soccer highlights. Held to 1037, about as late as Brazil sticks around. (Ralph Perry, IL/Cumbre DX)

15189.98, Radio Inconfidéncia, 2215-2245. Portuguese talk. Jingles. Station ID at 2234. Fair. Poor to fair on // 6010. (Brian Alexander-PA)

4865.041, Radio Verdes Florestas, 1103-1115. Principly noted a male in Portuguese with comments until about 1108, female takes over. At 1113 male's additional comments. This is the only signal on or near this frequency at the present time. (Chuck, Bolland, FL)

China
China resumed its government radio censorship this local morning with more Firedragon music crashing booming and banging. A sampling of frequencies observed on 21 Feb 2011 from El Mirage, Arizona, just after 17:00 UTC : 11940, 9905, 9455, 9355*, 7445, 7415; * music and audio of intended target (Radio Free Asia via Marianna Islands) could be heard underneath.(Rick Parton, AZ).

Clandestine
7610 Gunaz Radio (TDP) in Azeri from Feb. 21: 1430-1930 New frequency on 7610 SMF 250 kW / 130 deg to CeAS, ex 7510* *to avoid R. Pakistan in English 1600-1610 and FEBA in Silte 1730-1800 (R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Feb 21)

7610 Gunaz Radio, 1643. Talk by female announcer in Azeri with short music intervals. Too many mentions of Iran after the short musical breaks that made me think, this program came from VoiRI (Iran). Also mentioned for Amnesty International. Dull audio, S10 44544 with co channel interference. (Liangas Ziangas, Greece/Cumbre DX)

17725, Radio Y’ Abaganda via France, *1700-1715.* Sign on with crowd noise and yelling. English announcement at 1701. Local vocal music at 1702. Choral music at 1708. Speech in local language at 1711 with many mentions of Uganda and Baganda. Sat only. Fair. (Brian Alexander-PA)

13740, Radio Dabanga via Germany transmitter, 1615-1627.* Arabic talk to station ID jingles. Fair to good signal, Weak on // 11515 - via Madagascar, 11515 about one second ahead of 13740. (Brian Alexander, PA) 　

11570, Radio Miraya via Slovakia transmitter, *1400-1435. Station sign-on with African music to Arabic talk. Station IDs at 1403 and 1421. Some local Horn of Africa style music. Fair signal. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Dominican Republic
2280,08, Radio Anacaona, 0145-0258.* Second harmonic of 1140v. Spanish music. Spanish announcements. ID at 0226. Appeared to sign off at 0258, but carrier remained on the air past 0320. Poor in noisy conditions but fair on peaks. Surprisingly good signal on occasional peaks. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Djibouti
4780, Radio Djibouti, *0300-0350. Station sign on with national anthem. Arabic talk. Qur`an at 0303. Arabic talk at 0314. Local guitar music at 0341 along with rustic vocals. Horn of Africa style music. Fair signal, had to use ECSS-LSB due to digital hash on high side. (Brian Alexander-PA)

Ecuador
6050 HCJB, Pichincha. Station relaying local BCB 690 kHz programming, 1040-1110. Clear frequency and nice signal with Ecuadorian folkloric music featuring groups of women in high-pitched yipping singing in Quechua or other local language along, with guitar accompaniment. Decent signal though announcer muffled. Mentioned "Pastor Carlos" and "La Voz Campesina". Piano and vernacular singers in pasillo style hymn with guitar at 1158 to time pips on the hour. Station ID at 1110 "Radio H-C-J-B . . ." Great listening, a treat to hear the local stream so well, especially at this hour when they are playing such great music. (Ralph Perry, IL/Cumbre DX)

Ethiopia
7235, Voice of Eritrea, *0359-0431.* Sign on with Horn of Africa music. Talk in listed Tigrinya at 0400. Horn of Africa music. Poor in noisy conditions. Signals stronger on // 9559.96v - drifting up to 9560.07 by sign off. Tues, Thur, Sat only. (Brian Alexander-PA)

Germany
Annual broadcast heard on 21 Feb., 15215, Radio Öömrang via Wertachtal, *1600-1700*
Noted here with marginal signal at sign-on, gradually improved. By 1635 signal was over S7 to S9 level!. All talk, by male and female speakers, some bits of English words, but no ID heard. Off in mid-sentence. Was hoping for something special, for this once a year event. Best heard on the windom antenna with the MFJ-941B tuner. (Ed Kusalik, ALberta, Canada)

Guinea
4899.98, Radio Familia, 2335-0001.* Afro-pop music. French announcements. Fair level but poor overall signal due to strong CODAR interference. (Brian Alexander-PA)7125, Radio Guineé, 0722-0745. French talk and local tribal music. Afro-pop music. Fair. (Brian Alexander-PA)

Indonesia
4749.978, RRI Makassar, Tentative, 1030-1045. Noted a male in Islamic type reciting until 1034 when a female talks in Indonesian language. After she comments, a brief interlude of music is heard, then more comments. At 1036 a male converses with the female. Signal was poor and muffled. As I decided to tune away, I notice a second signal on 4750.030 starting to fade in, but it's still too weak to copy anything. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Madagascar
5010, RTV Malagasy, 0300-0315. Local Afro-pop music. Malagasy talk. Carrier + USB. Poor to fair in noisy conditions. (Brian Alexander-PA)

Nigeria
9690, Voice of Nigeria, 0840-0910. Tune-in to talk in listed Hausa. Local drums at 0858. Into English programming at 0900 with news. Program about weavers in Nigeria. Fair to good. (Brian Alexander-PA)

Pakistan
7615 Radio Pakistan 1718. Religious type Hindi songs. At 1730 man with Islamic type talks Found on //7530. Audio file: www.mediafire.com/download.php?dy4j6ttz9dkifjj (Zacharias Liangas, Greece/playdx)

Peru
4955.006, Radio Cultura Amauta, 1117-1130. Best signal on the band, noted a male and female in what sounded like serious Spanish comments. Heard the male mention "Amauta" here and there during his comments. This sounds like a news program with reports being presented by other anouncers. After listening for awhile, "Amauta and Peru" are mentioned rather often. Signal was good. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

4775, Radio Tarma. Also IDing at times as "Radio Tarma Internacional." Tune-in to program at 1102 already in progress with arpa musica> Announcer's station ID over "...4775 kiloHertz, Radio Tarma, la primerissima . . . muy buenos dias, senoras y senores . . ." After Peruvian folkloric musical riff, then sound of siren wailing, explosion and into morning news program. Long electronic music intro, followed by male announcer who rambled on with news items including taped actualities, "Buenos dias! Buenos dias! Buenos dias!! Radio Tarma, las 6 de la manana con 6 minutos . . . amables oyentes, nuestra programa . . . (sounded like:) 'El Demoledor' . . . " Signal fading but held to 1125. (Ralph Perry, IL/Cumbre DX)

4774.959, Radio Tarma, 1048-1100. Brief Spanish comments at tune in which was followed with Huaynos music. Signal remained at a fair level during this period. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

4789.92t, Radio Vision, Chiclayo. Tentatively the one here 1106 tune-in to 1125 tune-out, due to horrendous noise on the bands. Fair signal, news program by male announcer in Spanish with remote phone-ins by female. UTC -5 time checks matching Peru, 1120 announcer "...las seis de la manana . . . programa de noticias . . .". Widely reported in Europe on this precise off-frequency. (Ralph Perry, IL/Cumbre DX)

Zambia
6165, ZNBC, 0249-0250. Very weak Fish Eagle interval signal heard under Radio Netherlands.Only heard the distinctive interval signal for a minute before disappearing under a strong Radio Nederland.(Brian Alexander, PA)