Happy New Year !!

TO ALL OUR READERS ACROSS THE GLOBE - HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR. THANKS FOR MAKING OUR BLOGS A HIT!! SEE YA IN 2012 ......

Bringing Blues to the World

Blues Radio International will inaugurate the world's only weekly worldwide radio broadcast dedicated exclusively to Blues Music on January 1, 2012 (January 2 UTC). Blues Radio International brings Blues Music to a potential audience of tens of millions through Radio Miami International, a privately owned international broadcast station in Miami, Florida.
"We are excited to bring Blues Music to a worldwide audience, which includes both Blues enthusiasts and tens of millions of potential new Blues music fans" said Jesse Finklestein, who hosts and produces Blues Radio International.
Tune in to Blues Radio International every Monday at 0200 UTC, or Sunday at 9 pm EST throughout the Americas, on 9955 kHz in the 31 meter shortwave band. Programming will also stream simultaneously for listeners at www.wrmi.net
The thirty minute program features the best in classical Blues music, as well as important new music from today's most promising Blues artists.
Send your program details to: Jesse A. Finkelstein, Blues Radio International, 103 Hillsboro Mile, Suite 303, Hillsboro Beach, Florida 33062 USA or email to bluesradiointernational@gmail.com
(Gayle Van Horn,QSL Report/Monitoirng Times)

Radio Netherlands Program Guide, Dec. 30-Jan 5

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

This week: Producers' picks for 2011

Belinda, Diana & Mignon pick their favourite stories of the year, featuring Egyptian blogger Sandmonkey; a man pretending to be his dead-lover's son at a funeral; the creator of amazing 'Strandbeesten' (or Beach Beasts); and a man who chases down the Ponzi schemer who cheated him.

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:

Our producers pick their favourite pieces from 2011. From spending summers looking for fire, to a man who sees in black and white and hears in colour, the toughest footrace in the world and someone who’s part man, part goose, we revisit what we liked best about Earth Beat.

First airing: Friday 03:00 UTC

South Asia Wired
Stories from South Asia.

This week:

We look back on a few stories that have made the headlines in the South Asian region in the past twelve months: Anna Hazare's fast against corruption, Osama Bin Laden's death and India's historic win over Sri Lanka in the ICC World Cup Cricket final.

(There'll be a new edition of the programme on Thursday 5 January)

First airing: Thursday 10:00 UTC

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

This week:

Christians in Nigeria prepare to defend themselves against Islamist group Boko Haram.
Terrorist attacks on the world’s biggest refugee camp in Dadaab, Kenya, threatens the work of humanitarian aid agencies.
We take a look back at some of the African musicians who put their stamp on 2011.

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: Law and disorder in Nigeria

Religion plays a central role in the life of most Africans. In Nigeria, this is reflected in the legal system. The 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria have their traditions recognised under customary law in civil cases, while Muslims have been given the choice of being tried under Sharia law.

In this edition we try to untangle the complexities of Nigeria’s legal system. We hear from supporters and detractors of Sharia Law, and how customary law deals with witchcraft.

First airing: Monday 19:00 UTC

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

This week: Vantage point - by Sandrina Abeywardene (Sri Lanka). Kindness and violence on the streets of Colombo.

First airing: Tuesday 01:50 UTC

Global Perspective
Who says I can’t… is the motto of this year’s collaboration of international broadcasters, offering stories of defiance and perseverance.

This week: Who says I can’t squat?

Radio Netherlands Worldwide’s Dheera Sujan visits Sanne, Tom and Bo – three Dutch squatters. She hears their struggle to build – and keep – their home amid the new anti-squat laws in the Netherlands.

First airing: Monday 17:30 UTC

European Jazz Stage
Unique jazz performances from the continent’s hottest clubs, concert halls and festivals, including the spectacular North Sea Jazz Festival.

This week:

In the middle of the Dutch winter we take you back to summer 2009 and the North Sea Jazz Festival. With jams by McCoy Tyner, the young Dutch singer Wouter Hamel, bass player Scott Colley, and the winner of the 2005 Thelonious Monk Award, guitarist Lage Lund.

First airing: Monday 01:00 UTC

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

Available 24 hours a day

Radio Netherlands streaming audio: www.radionetherlands.nl/

English service

All times UTC

Effective to: 25 March 2012

1000-1057 12065as
1400-1457 12080as
1800-1900 11655af
1900-1957 11655af
1900-1959 11615af
1900-2000 7425af
2000-2057 7425af 11615af
(original Excel via Leo va de Woude, R Netherlands. Also posted at BCL,
reformatted by GVH/MT)

Voice of Nigeria winter schedule

Nigeria

Effective to: 25 March 2012

All times UTC

Voice of Nigeria:
0500-0700 on 15120 IKO 250 kW / 007 deg to NoAf English
0700-0800 on 15120 IKO 250 kW / 007 deg to NoAf French
0800-0900 on 9690 IKO 250 kW / 248 deg to WCAf Hausa
0900-1500 on 9690 IKO 250 kW / 248 deg to WCAf English
1500-1600 on 15120 IKO 250 kW / 007 deg to NoAf English
1600-1730 on 9690 IKO 250 kW / 248 deg to ECAf Swahili/Yoruba/Igbo
1730-1800 on 15120 IKO 250 kW / 007 deg to NoAf Arabic
1800-1900 on 15120 IKO 250 kW / 007 deg to NoAf English
1900-2100 on 7255 IKO 250 kW / 248 deg to WeAf English/French
2100-2300 on 7255 IKO 250 kW / 248 deg to WeAf Fulfulde/Hausa
(Ivo Ivanov/DX Mix New 709 via ALokesh Gupta, India & Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany)

Radio Kuwait winter schedule

Kuwait

Winter B-11 of Radio Kuwait in Arabic:

Effective to: 25 March 2012

All times UTC

0200-0900 on 5960 KBD 250 kW / non-dir to N/ME
0500-0900 on 15515 KBD 250 kW / 059 deg to EaAs Holy Qura'n service
0800-1000 on 7250 KBD 500 kW / non-dir to WeAs Farsi
0930-1600 on 11630 KBD 250 kW / 230 deg to CeAf Holy Qura'n service
1000-1500 on 21540#KBD 500 kW / 310 deg to WeEu
1100-1600 on 9750 KBD 300 kW / 275 deg to NEAf
1600-2200 on 6080*KBD 500 kW / non-dir to N/ME
1700-2000 on 13650 KBD 500 kW / 350 deg to NoAm
1800-2100 on 15540 KBD 500 kW / 310 deg to WeEu English
2000-2400 on 17550 KBD 500 kW / 350 deg to NoAm
# unregistered frequency, co-ch REE in Spanish, registered freq. 21520
* unregistered frequency, cco-ch R.Minsk and VOA, registered freq. 6050
(DX Mix News 709 via Alokesh Gupta, India & Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany)

Radio Cairo winter schedule

Egypt

Effective to: 25 March 2012

Winter B-11 Radio Cairo
0400-0600 on 13650 ABZ 100 kW / 170 deg to CEAf in Swahili
0700-1100 on 17510 ABZ 100 kW / 250 deg to WeAf in Arabic General Service
1015-1215 on 17480 ABZ 250 kW / 090 deg to WeAs in Arabic
1215-1330 on 17870 ABZ 250 kW / 090 deg to SoAs in English
1230-1400 on 15710 ABS 250 kW / 106 deg to SEAs in Indonesian
1300-1400 on 15065 ABZ 250 kW / 070 deg to WeAs in Dari
1300-1600 on 15080 ABS 250 kW / 241 deg to WeAf in Arabic
1330-1530 on 15040 ABZ 100 kW / 070 deg to WeAs in Farsi
1400-1600 on 15065 ABZ 250 kW / 070 deg to WeAs in Pashto
1500-1600 on 15160 ABZ 250 kW / 050 deg to CeAs in Uzbek
1500-1600 on 13580 ABZ 250 kW / 330 deg to EaEu in Albanian
1530-1730 on 17810 ABZ 250 kW / 170 deg to CEAf in Swahili
1600-1700 on 15450 ABZ 100 kW / 160 deg to ECAf in Afar
1600-1800 on 6270 ABZ 250 kW / 090 deg to SoAs in Urdu
1600-1800 on 15345 ABZ 150 kW / 195 deg to CSAf in English
1630-1730 on 15285 ABZ 100 kW / 160 deg to ECAf in Somali
1700-1900 on 9280 ABS 250 kW / 005 deg to N/ME in Turkish
1730-1900 on 15285 ABZ 100 kW / 160 deg to ECAf in Amharic
1800-1900 on 6270 ABZ 250 kW / 315 deg to WeEu in Italian
1800-2100 on 9990 ABS 250 kW / 241 deg to WeAf in Hausa
1900-2000 on 6270 ABS 250 kW / 330 deg to WeEu in German
1900-2000 on 9280 ABS 250 kW / 005 deg to EaEu in Russian
1900-2400 on 9305 ABS 250 kW / 315 deg to WeEu in Arabic General Service
1900-0030 on 11540 ABZ 100 kW / 160 deg to ECAf in Arabic Radio Voice of Arabs
2000-2115 on 6270 ABS 250 kW / 330 deg to WeEu in French
2000-2200 on 9855 ABZ 250 kW / 110 deg to AUS in Arabic
2030-2230 on 15210 ABS 250 kW / 241 deg to WeAf in French
2115-2245 on 6270 ABS 250 kW / 330 deg to WeEu in English
2215-2330 on 9290 ABZ 250 kW / 245 deg to SoAm in Portuguese
2300-0030 on 6270 ABZ 250 kW / 325 deg to NWAm in English
2330-0045 on 9250 ABS 250 kW / 282 deg to CeAm in Arabic
2330-0045 on 9290 ABZ 250 kW / 245 deg to SoAm in Arabic
0000-0700 on 9305 ABS 250 kW / 315 deg to NoAm in Arabic General Service
0030-0430 on 6270 ABZ 250 kW / 325 deg to NWAm in Arabic
0045-0200 on 9315 ABZ 250 kW / 315 deg to NEAm in Spanish
0045-0200 on 9250 ABS 250 kW / 282 deg to CeAm in Spanish
0045-0200 on 9290 ABS 250 kW / 241 deg to SoAm in Spanish
0200-0330 on 9315 ABZ 250 kW / 315 deg to NoAm in English
(DX Mix News 709 via Alokesh Gupta, India & Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany)

January Specials From DX Stamp Service

New rates:
Estonia: ups (doubles!) its rate January 1, from 0,58 to 1,10 Euro. New selling price is now $2.40
Canada: January 16, increases from $1.03 to $1.05 their basic 30g rate to USA. If you need 2c makeups, let me know with your next order. New selling price $1.30 (Psst! you still have time to order updated VE units in Dec. special)
Oman: new selling price of $2.00 up from $1.50

Contacted a number of postal admin. overseas and they don't know if their rates will increase January 1st yet....I know that Germany and Spain will not be increasing, so they are on special in January.

New Price
Increasing the price of our 200/200 Euro. Air Mailers and Returns to $37.00 Needed to bring the price in line, so the 500/500 deal at $90 is the best deal. (Psst! you still have a few days to order the 200/200 deal at $35.) I'll be here between Christmas and New Year for end of year ordering.

Priority shipping rates only small increase in late January, so we'll hold the costs.

Ukraine: "E" stamp stands for the letter "A" in airmail. Also now selling "C" stamp which stands for the "U" in USA. Both stamps are same rate.

While I'm at it: The following countries use "forever" international stamps. We stock the following:
Aland Island, Belarus, Belgium, Finland, Gibraltar, Greece, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, South Africa, and Ukraine. Coming soon: France. Later in 2012: Czech Rep and Portugal. Really makes my job easier!

Dropped the Denmark B (economy) rate as well as the Iceland B (economy) rate.

Countries on Back Order: Lebanon, Netherlands, Australia
In Stock Again: Oman and PR China

BARGAIN:
I have two standard QSL albums with slight vinyl separation along seam of binder. First damage seen since we began offering these about 15 years ago. Can offer the two albums for $30.00 total with shipping via Priority Mail included, stateside shipping only. Email to reserve and/or order.

Many thanks for your orders during 2011 and making this year a better year than 2010. Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season and have a Happy and Healthy DX 2012.

73 and good dx,
bill

January 2012 DX STAMP SPECIALS

3 Germany-$3.90 3 UK (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) -$4.50

3 Italy-$8.25 2 Spain-$3.00 2 Canada-$2.20 3 Japan-$3.90

January 2012 DX SUPPLY SPECIALS

**200/200 European Air Mailers & Returns $37**

200/200 Stateside Mailers & Returns $16

2 Standard QSL Albums $40

2 Deluxe QSL Albums $60

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)
(Bill Plum)

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.
Gayle Van Horn

Pur Radio 1 on extended shortwave schedule

Pur Radio 1, based in Eupen, Belgium, is broadcasting an expanded schedule on shortwave since 18 December, and is now heard with programmes in German and Dutch on 6085 kHz at 0700-1200 UTC. Good reception reported today in Almere, the Netherlands by Ehard Goddijn. Pur Radio 1 rents airtime from German broadcaster Radio 700. The transmitter is located at Kall-Krekel in Germany. Photos of the transmitter are at: http://310.server2.flyhost.de/gallery/index.php/KURZWELLENDIENST . Pur Radio 1 previously broadcast on 6005 kHz on Sundays at 1200-1400 UTC.

The station says it is run by a team of audio and video producers, directors, speakers, camera people, Web professionals, musicians and computer animation specialists. To get into the Benelux and Europe optimally it works from three countries.
(Sources: Ehard Goddijn/Pur Radio 1/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Pur Radio 1 website: http://www.pr1.be/

BBC Radio 6 returns to vinyl records for one day

Vinyl set to make radio comeback for one day only

BBC Radio 6 Music has announced it will be playing only vinyl on New Year's Day.

Most BBC stations phased out vinyl in favour of CDs in the 1990s and the majority now use digital versions of songs.

Presenters Jarvis Cocker and Guy Garvey will be among those dusting off their turntables and Don Letts will be bringing his own seven-inch singles.

Additional story at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16330702

Streaming audio http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/bbc_6music

VOA Marks 70th Year of US Broadcast to China

Washington, D.C. — December 27, 2011 —

The Voice of America is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the first U.S. radio broadcasts to China, which began the 28th of December 1941, just weeks after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the start of World War Two.

Voice of America was still months away from being officially established when the first Chinese language shortwave broadcasts were transmitted from studios in San Francisco. U.S. government broadcasting operations to China were eventually moved to New York and then Washington under the Voice of America.

VOA Director David Ensor hailed the distinguished line of journalists who have worked at the service and transformed it into a modern multi-media platform. “Because of the professionalism and creativity of our journalists, the Voice of America is a trusted source of news to the people of China and the world,” Ensor said. “As we move forward, we plan to make VOA programming even more vibrant and dynamic.”

Earlier this month, U.S. Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) hosted a reception to honor VOA’s China Branch journalists. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued a statement congratulating Voice of America for “70 years of outstanding broadcasts to China.”

VOA programs in Mandarin, Cantonese and Tibetan are delivered on radio, television, the Internet, mobile platforms, satellite, and by proxy servers designed to circumvent Chinese Internet blocking. VOA English language teaching programs, including the social media sensation, OMG! Meiyu, enjoy a large audience in China.

For more information contact Kyle King at the VOA Public Relations office in Washington at kking@voanews.com. For more information about any of our language service visit our main English website at www.voanews.com, or visit the VOA Public Relations page at www.insidevoa.com.

The Voice of America is a multimedia international broadcasting service funded by the U.S. Government through the Broadcasting Board of Governors. VOA broadcasts approximately 1,500 hours of news, information, educational, and cultural programming every week to an estimated worldwide audience of about 141 million people. Programs are produced in 43 languages and are intended exclusively for audiences outside of the United States.
(VOA)

Radio Pakistan archives preserve history and heritage

Radio Pakistan in its sound archives has treasures that represent multifaceted history and heritage of Pakistan starting from emergence as an independent nation on 14th August 1947 to downward.

These national sound treasures include speeches of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah‚ Quaid-e-Milat Liaqat Ali Khan‚ Mother-e-Milat Fatimah Jinnah‚ Quaid-e-Awam Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Shaheed ‚ Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed and other national leaders.

Our archives also have speeches of foreign heads of friendly nations that frequented Pakistan in the passage of last six decades. Our cultural collections include rare specimens of Pakistani music stemming from Gilgit-Batistan‚ AJK‚ Khyber Pakhtunkha‚ Punjab‚ Sindh and Balochistan in all languages spoken in different parts of the country.

There are thousands of literary programmes‚ mushairas‚ dramas and documentaries preserved in our archives.

We are going to open our archives to the people of Pakistan and to the world to give them glimpses of our rich history and heritage that is different from the image of country and its people being projected abroad from last few years due to incidents of terrorism. We are going to place this treasure of our sound archives on YouTube channel called RadioPakistanOnline.

This channel is meant to portray the real face of Pakistan and its people that are custodians of Indus Valley and Gandhara Civilisations and a tolerant and peaceful heritage of Islam.

These recordings are available on following link
http://www.youtube.com/radiopakistanonline

Source: www.radio.gov.pk/newsdetail-112
(Yimber Gaviria, Colombia)

Bhutan BBS and AIR Gangtok update

Bhutan - 5030 and 6035.05, BBS email:

Dear Ron Howard,
Thanking you for your reception report. After verifying the frequency with Short wave coordination conference which is conducting in Kualalampure, Malaysia, we may use or look for good free frequency and will do our second channel broadcasting. Are you coming to KL Malaysia to attain 8th global shortwave coordination conference?

With warm regards,

Thinley Dorji
Transmission head
Thimphu, Bhutan

All India Radio
Sikkim: 4834.0, AIR Gangtok, 1502-1515, Dec. 26. Ex: 4835.0; First day I noticed them on this lower frequency; playing subcontinent music till 1512 joining the audio feed from New Delhi and becoming // (parallel) with the other usual AIR regional stations with ads in Hindi after the tone/gong. Signal poor. Time will tell if they continue on this new frequency. Perhaps someone with a Perseus SDR can provide a more accurate frequency?
(Ron Howard, San Francisco at Ocean Beach, CA/Cumbre DX)
Photo/Gangtok, Sikkim, India)

The future of Radio Netherlands ?

23 December 2011
Radio Netherlands Worldwide - Facebook

In response to a comment about the possible abandonment of shortwave, the station wrote:

"The Dutch government has cut our budget by 70 percent from 1 January 2013. If we were to continue to use shortwave at the level we do now, due to the high cost we wouldn't have enough money left to produce any meaningful content :-( The exact situation after 1 Jan 2013 has still not been finalised. We will definitely close or sell our relay stations in Bonaire and Madagascar, as there will be no budget to pay staff to work there. We *may* retain a limited number of shortwave broadcasts, but this hasn't yet been decided. As soon as we know definitely, we will inform our listeners and Web users."

https://www.facebook.com/radionetherlands
(Mike Terry, UK/Cumbre DX)

Christmas Greetings to All

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO OUR READERS ACROSS THE GLOBE !

please remember the reason for the season .....

Radio Netherlands Program Preview, Dec 23-29

The State We're In

Jonathan Groubert and his team look at current events from an unexpected perspective.

This week: Don’t shoot the messenger

A man frustrated in his search for spiritual answers decides to become a guru. His message: don’t fall for fake gurus, become your own. And a man in Afghanistan believes poetry not only gives us wisdom and beauty, but hope – and he should know. He turned to poetry when his son got kidnapped. And an African American who lives in Holland wonders if the Dutch holiday tradition of Zwarte Piet is not only zany good fun, but also deeply racist.

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: Green cheer

It’s the season to be jolly. And we see who’s doing it sustainably. From Christmas trees you can rent, to making everything from scratch and reindeer in New Delhi.

First airing: Friday 03:00 UTC

South Asia Wired
Stories from South Asia.

This week:

Reality Tour’s slum tour of Dharavi and Abhijeet Banerjee's book Poor Economics both aim to change people's stereotypes of slum life.

(There'll be a new edition of the programme on Thursday 29 December)

First airing: Thursday 10:00 UTC

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

This week:

Bridges with Africa is RNW's radio programme linking Africans in Africa and Africans in the diaspora. Every week we bring you interviews, feature stories and African music. From culture and business to scandals and sports. You'll hear what makes Africans tick.

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: Spoken Word - performing art and life skill

Spoken word is becoming hot among young Africans. Our guest in this edition, Blaq Pearl, is an upcoming artist from the townships around Capetown in South Africa. She explains what Spoken Word is, and how it’s emerging as a life skill for urban youths on the continent and elsewhere.

First airing: Monday 19:00 UTC

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

This week:

Judgement day - by Farah Ghuznavi (Bangladesh). A sci-fi story of a marriage.

First airing: Tuesday 01:50 UTC

Global Perspective
Who says I can’t… is the motto of this year’s collaboration of international broadcasters, offering stories of defiance and perseverance.


This week: Who says I can’t reject tradition?

Lesego Mangwanyane of SAFM radio in Johannesburg explores the role of sangomas, traditional healers in contemporary South African life, and wonders anxiously if she herself is destined to be one.

First airing: Monday 17:30 UTC

European Jazz Stage
Unique jazz performances from the continent’s hottest clubs, concert halls and festivals, including the spectacular North Sea Jazz Festival.

This week:

We hear from Toots Thielemans, Maria Marcesini and the great CTI All Star Band. They're artists from three nations, all of whom have had a great influence in popularising jazz.

First airing: Monday 01:00 UTC

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

Available 24 hours a day via our sister web station RNWclassical.com

Radio Netherlands English service

All times UTC

English
1000-1057 12065as
1400-1457 12080as
1800-1900 11655af
1900-1957 11655af
1900-1959 11615af
1900-2000 7425af
2000-2057 7425af 11615af
(original Excel via Leo van der Woude, R Netherlands. Reformatted
from BCL post by GVH 10/26/11)
Photo/Enjoying Christmas Markets in Holland

SAQ transmission on Christmas Eve

There will be, as before, a transmission with the Alexanderson 200 kW alternator on VLF 17.2 kHz from Grimeton Radio/SAQ on Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24th, 2011.

The message transmission will take place at 08:00 UTC. The transmitter will be tuned up from around 07:30 UTC.

There will be no activity on amateur radio frequencies with the call SK6SAQ this time.

QSL-reports are kindly received:

- E-mail to: info@alexander.n.se

- or fax to: +46-340-674195

- or via: SM bureau

- or direct by mail to: Alexander - Grimeton Veteranradios Vaenner, Radiostationen, Grimeton 72
S-432 98 GRIMETON
Sweden

Also read our web site: http://www.alexander.n.se/
Yours

Lars Kalland
SM6NM
(Mike Terry/Cumbre DX)

Update on Bhutan monitoring

Here's an update from BBS ...

We are still broadcasting our regular program on 50 kW transmitter with 50 kW output power. The schedule is from 0000 to 1400 GMT. Regarding 100 kW transmitter, there is a software glitch giving problems and frequent shut down. Right now 5030 is on trial, once finalised we will look for good and clean frequency for the second channel.
(Alokesh Gupta,VU3BSE, New Delhi)

5030.0, BBS, 1248 to tune out at 1355, Dec 22. Testing their transmitter, mostly with reduced modulation (hum) and sporadically testing with full modulation. Some indigenous music, usual phone conversations with young girls singing songs. At 1341, when they played some indigenous music, found them clearly parallel on 6035.05. Yesterday Jim Young (Calif.) and some Japanese DXers could hear the parallel, but I was unable to make it out until today; some morse code interference. MP3 audio at http://www.box.com/s/t9in5i2h3n33i78isenc .
(Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA/Cumbre DX)

Contest of a lifetime from the Happy Station Show

a reminder to our readers....

PCJ is continuing their '83rd Anniversary of the Happy Station Show - with chance of a lifetime contest. The contest will run until March 16, 2012. The prize two round trip tickets and hotel to Taipei, Taiwan.

Three prizes will be drawn on a live edition of Happy Station on March 17th between 0200 and 0255UTC. The three prizes are the following.

3rd Prize: 1 Tecsun S2000 receiver
2nd Prize: 1 Sangean ATS909X
1st Prize: 2 tickets, round trip to Taipei, Taiwan from China Airlines Taiwan's national carrier and a week at the Radisson. Plus a Sangean ATS909x, and 15,000NTD (around 500USD) spending money. Some of the activities planned are the following: Visit to the 101 Building, day trip to Wulai the historical hot spring area of Taiwan, visit to the Presidents Office, visit to the National Palace Museum, visit to the National Radio Museum

Send your entries to taiwan2012@pcjmedia.com please include your name, country, phone number. You can also enter by leaving a message on our answer line and having your message used on the show. The number is +44 20 3286 1399 have fun and say what you want.

Entries must be submitted from 0000UTC on November 14, 2011 to 2359UTC March 16, 2012.
NOTE: Those affiliated with PCJ are not eligible to enter.

Link: http://www.pcjmedia.com/
(Yimber Gaviria, Colombia)

Radio Transmundial contact information

Special thanks to Rudolph Grimm for this morning's email contact information. You may also view his excellent blog at http://dxways-br.blogspot.com
Gayle Van Horn

Dear friend,

How are you?

As the V/S (veri-signer) from Radio Transmundial (Sao Paulo, Brazil), let me send the complete address of the station.

Rua Épiro 110
04635-030 - Sao Paulo, SP
BRAZIL

(or postal address)

P.O. Box 18.113
04626-970 - Sao Paulo, SP
BRAZIL

E-mail: rtm@transmundial.com.br

Radio Transmundial accepts reception reports via postal address and also by email. No need to send IRC or US dollars.

I congratulate you for the excellent Shortwave Central blog. Simply amazing! I also have a SWL blog with radio general information and received confirmations (QSL) here in Brazil. The link is: http://dxways-br.blogspot.com/ I invite you to open my blog also. I put the link of your blog in one section of my blog. If you desire, you can do the same with de DxWays-br. Thanks in advance.

73,

Rudolf Grimm
PY2 GG66rg SWL-81502
St. Bernard SP
BRAZIL

ODXA Announcers New QSL Manager

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Harold Sellers, Ontario DX Association

QSL MANAGER FOR CKMX-1060 & CFVP-6030 CALGARY

December 20, 2011 — The Ontario DX Association (ODXA) has been appointed QSL Manager for radio stations CKMX Classic Country AM 1060 (1060 kHz) and CFVP Shortwave (6030 kHz), owned and operated by Astral Media, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Following on from over 20 years of serving as the QSL Manager for Astral Media’s Toronto CFRB (1010 kHz) and CFRX (6070 kHz), the ODXA is pleased to expand this volunteer service to DXers worldwide.

Serving as the QSL Manager will be Harold Sellers. Living in Vernon, British Columbia, Mr. Sellers has regular reception of both the mediumwave and shortwave signals from Calgary, providing familiarity with the programming content.

QSL cards have been printed and will be sent in response to accurate reports for either 1060 or 6030 kHz.

Reports may be sent by postal mail or e-mail to any one of the following:

Harold Sellers, 3211 Centennial Drive, Apt. 23, Vernon, British Columbia V1T 2T8, Canada
QSLCalgary@gmail.com
Director of Engineering, Astral Radio Calgary, 300 - 1110 Centre St N.E., Calgary, Alberta T2E 2R2, Canada

In the near future the Ontario DX Association website [www.odxa.on.ca] will also permit the submission of reception reports.

Photographs of the CKMX-CFVP transmitter site may be found at http://www.odxa.on.ca/broadcasting.html
(Harold Sellers, Canada/ODXA & Yimber Gaviria)

Family Radio Worldwide, Winter Schedule Additions

All times UTC

USA(and non) Winter B-11 of WYFR Family Radio via CIS transmitters
1500-1600 on 7565 A-A 100 kW / 187 deg to WeAs Pashto
1300-1400 on 12130 A-A 200 kW / 132 deg to SoAs Nepali
1400-1500 on 9440 ARM 300 kW / 110 deg to SoAs Assamese
1400-1500 on 11520 A-A 300 kW / 177 deg to SoAs Urdu
1400-1600 on 7550 A-A 500 kW / 177 deg to SoAs Punjabi
1600-1700 on 7505 A-A 300 kW / 177 deg to SoAs Urdu
1100-1200 on 13795 A-A 300 kW / 094 deg to EaAs English
1100-1400 on 9310 A-A 300 kW / 121 deg to SEAs Illocano/Tagalog/English
1200-1400 on 9390 A-A 200 kW / 132 deg to SEAs Cebuano/English
1300-1400 on 7560 A-A 200 kW / 132 deg to SEAs Burmese
1400-1500 on 5835 A-A 500 kW / 132 deg to SEAs English

USA(and non) Winter B-11 of WYFR Family Radio via Radio Netherlands Worldwide
1600-1700 on 9590 MDC 250 kW / 320 deg to EaAf Swahili
1700-1800 on 7385 MDC 050 kW / 310 deg to EaAf English
1800-2000 on 7395 MDC 250 kW / 320 deg to EaAf English
1900-2100 on 6020 MDC 050 kW / 255 deg to SoAf English

USA(and non) Winter B-11 of WYFR Family Radio via TWN
1500-1700 on 9940 TAI 250 kW / 352 deg to CeAs Russian
1300-1500 on 11540 HUW 100 kW / 285 deg to SoAs English
1500-1700 on 6280 TSH 300 kW / 285 deg to SoAs English/Hindi
0800-0900 on 11895 TAI 100 kW / 002 deg to EaAs Korean
0900-1000 on 11565 TAI 100 kW / 310 deg to EaAs Chinese
0900-1100 on 9545 TAI 100 kW / 310 deg to EaAs Chinese
0900-1100 on 9945 TAI 100 kW / 310 deg to EaAs Chinese
1000-1100 on 9920 TAI 100 kW / 310 deg to EaAs Chinese
1100-1600 on 6240 BAJ 100 kW / 310 deg to EaAs Chinese
1100-1600 on 9280 PAO 100 kW / 335 deg to EaAs Chinese
1200-1300 on 11535 BAJ 100 kW / 335 deg to EaAs Chinese
2100-2400 on 9280 PAO 100 kW / 335 deg to EaAs Chinese
2200-2400 on 6230 BAJ 100 kW / 310 deg to EaAs Chinese
2300-2400 on 9540 TAI 100 kW / 310 deg to EaAs Chinese
0000-0100 on 11630 PAO 100 kW / 225 deg to SEAs Vietnamese
0000-0100 on 11865 PAO 100 kW / 180 deg to SEAs Indonesian
0900-1100 on 9465 PAO 100 kW / 180 deg to SEAs English
1000-1100 on 9455 TAI 100 kW / 267 deg to SEAs Vietnamese
1100-1200 on 6220 HUW 100 kW / 265 deg to SEAs Burmese
1100-1200 NF 11915 TAI 300 kW / 205 deg to SEAs Indonesian, ex 11550
1100-1300 on 11520 BAJ 100 kW / 180 deg to SEAs Tagalog/Indonesian
1300-1500 on 11520 BAJ 100 kW / 180 deg to SEAs English/Indonesian
1200-1300 on 7460 PAO 100 kW / 225 deg to SEAs Vietnamese
1200-1300 on 11570 HUW 100 kW / 265 deg to SEAs Burmese
1300-1400 on 7540 TAI 100 kW / 250 deg to SEAs Vietnames
(DX Mix News 708 via Alokesh Gupta, India)

Radio Veritas Asia, Winter Schedule Update

Effective to: 25 March 2012

Radio Veritas Asia does not broadcast in English

All times UTC

Bengali
0030-0057 on 11710 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
1400-1427 on 11870 PUG 250 kW / 300 deg to SoAs

Burmese
2330-2357 on 9720 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
1130-1157 on 15450 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs

Chin
0130-0157 on 15255 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
1430-1457 on 9620 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs

Filipino
2300-2327 on 9720 PUG 250 kW / 331 deg to CeAs
1500-1557 on 15350 SMG 250 kW / 130 deg to N&ME

Hindi
0030-0057 on 11850 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
1330-1357 on 11870 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs

Hmong
1200-1227 on 11935 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs

Kachin
2330-2357 on 9645 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
1230-1257 on 15225 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs

Karen
0000-0027 on 11935 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
1200-1227 on 15225 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs

Khmer
1000-1027 on 11850 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs

Mandarin
2100-2257 on 6115 PUG 250 kW / 350 deg to EaAs
1000-1157 on 9615 PUG 250 kW / 355 deg to EaAs

Sinhala
0000-0027 on 11850 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
0000-0027 on 15460 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
1330-1357 on 9520 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs

Tamil
0030-0057 on 11935 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
1400-1427 on 9520 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs

Telugu
0100-0127 on 15530 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
1430-1457 on 9515 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs

Urdu
0100-0127 on 15280 PUG 250 kW / 300 deg to SoAs
0100-0127 on 17860 PUG 250 kW / 300 deg to SoAs
1430-1457 on 15435 SMG 250 kW / 070 deg to SoAs

Vietnamese
2330-2357 on 9670 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
0130-0227 on 15530 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
1030-1127 on 11850 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
1300-1327 on 11850 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
(DX Mix News 708 via Alokesh Gupta, India)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletin

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2011 Dec 20 2011 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 12 - 18 December 2011

Solar activity was at very low to low levels. Region 1367 (S19, L=076, class/area Cso/030 on 08 December) was the most active region and produced occasional to frequent C-class flares near and beyond the west limb during 13-15 December. Region 1376 (N20, L=306, class/area Dro/020 on 18 December) was also responsible for producing multiple C-class flares during 17-18 December. There were no Earth-directed coronal mass ejections observed during the period.
No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

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

Geomagnetic field activity was at mostly quiet levels during most of the period, with isolated periods of unsettled levels observed at high latitudes.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 21 December - 16 January 2012

Solar activity is expected to be at low levels during the period.

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 the period.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet levels during 21-27 December. Activity is expected to increase to quiet to unsettled levels during 28-29 December and 5-6 January due to recurrent coronal hole high-speed streams. Quiet levels will prevail 30 December - 4 January and 7-16 January.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2011 Dec 20 2011 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 2011-12-20
#
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2011 Dec 21 130 5 2
2011 Dec 22 125 5 2
2011 Dec 23 125 5 2
2011 Dec 24 120 5 2
2011 Dec 25 120 5 2
2011 Dec 26 125 5 2
2011 Dec 27 120 5 2
2011 Dec 28 120 8 3
2011 Dec 29 120 8 3
2011 Dec 30 120 5 2
2011 Dec 31 120 5 2
2012 Jan 01 120 5 2
2012 Jan 02 120 5 2
2012 Jan 03 125 5 2
2012 Jan 04 125 5 2
2012 Jan 05 128 8 3
2012 Jan 06 128 8 3
2012 Jan 07 128 5 2
2012 Jan 08 128 5 2
2012 Jan 09 130 5 2
2012 Jan 10 130 5 2
2012 Jan 11 130 5 2
2012 Jan 12 130 5 2
2012 Jan 13 130 5 2
2012 Jan 14 130 5 2
2012 Jan 15 130 5 2
2012 Jan 16 130 5 2
(NOAA)

Santa's Workshop via Radio

Amateur radio operators and shortwave listeners don't forget this special QSL opportunity. Through December 24 - Santa's Work Shop. On the air 0000-2359 UTC, W6S, Bakersfield, CA. WI6J. Operating on 14.270 7.180 3.900 MHz. QSL via Mark E Slater, 247 Bighorn Meadow Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93308. http://www.wi6j.com/

Time Take to Enjoy Christmas Around the World

All of us have been in the midst of the holiday crunch for weeks. Endless errands and holiday festivities abound, and you may feel as though during these last few days you're running in circles! If so ... take a break, whatever you can spare, for some receiver time for band scanning and special holiday radio programs.

There are endless hours of specials from across the globe leading up to Christmas. In Central and South America, the Posadas religious commemoration continues. During the ensuing evenings many Spanish stations air extended programming - some may broadcast all night, while a few networks have been known to activate relays for the holiday season. Check during late afternoon for African stations that may also extend their broadcast hours.

On Christmas Eve the BBC World Service revives an annual tradition live from the Chapel of King‛s College, Cambridge. On Christmas Day, special programming continues from Radio Canada International and BBC World Service airs the Queen‛s Christmas Message.

Others to tune in include Germany‛s Deutsche Welle, Radio Netherlands, Vatican Radio, HCJB and many others.

December programming is an excellent time to correspond (and verify) your favorite holiday specials.

Take some time to enjoy the sounds of this special time of the year from across the world.
(Gayle Van Horn/QSL Report Vault)

QSL Report Central

Amateur Radio
IQ1KA Special Previx - Painter Pelizza Volpedo
Special prefix to celebrate the Italian painter Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo (author of "Il quarto Stato") confirm with folder in 30 days. To view, go to:
http://blog.libero.it/radioascolto/10901658.html (Francesco, Italy/playdx)

4W6A Timor Leste
The DXpedition 4W6A Atauro Island (OC-232) Timor Leste confirm with QSL folder in two months. QSL Manager, M0URX Tim. To view, go to:
http://blog.libero.it/radioascolto/10857447.html (francesco, Italy/playdx)

Chile
CVC Voz Cristiana, 17680. Full data Transmitter Site card, unsigned. Received in 63 days for Spanish airmail report and US $5.00. Sent to Santiago, Chile address. Card is completely in English and posted from Chile, although sporting a US return address. This is a very nice card on good stock, with about six different views of the transmitter facilities and antennas. (Al Muick, PA/playdx)

HCJB (via CVC) 11920. Full data Young Listeners card, signed by Horst Rosiak. QSL Received in 66 days for Spanish report via airmail with US $3.00 return postage. I reported on a Portuguese program. Also received a German newsletter and personal message from Iris Rauscher thanking me for my report and stating that the Portuguese and German services were purchasing time on CVC since their "shortwave antennas" closed in November of 2009. Email is deutsch@adenstimme.org. The QSL came from Ecuador with some beautiful postage stamps depicting the Galapagos Islands on the envelope. (Muick).

Greece
Olympia Radio SVO, 8424. Full data A4-sized certificate., signed by "Poulos", Manager of Olympia Radio. Received in 57 days for an English report and two IRCs. Very nice picture set on the certificate and also sent a second certificate on a heavier stock blue paper.(Muick).

Voice of Greece 7475. Full data Prince of the Lilies card in 97 days for English airmail report and two IRCs. Also sent nice wall map of Greece. (Muick)

South Africa
Channel Africa 15325. Full data thank you letter from Sikander Hoosen of Sentech, the national transmitter network owner. Received in 644 days for English airmail report and US $3.00, plus follow-up in English. Sent via registered airmail with US $2.00 to Channel Africa address. Verified in 106 days after follow-up report. (Muick)

I have to admit a certain amount of disappointment and confusion with the Channel Africa QSL. They have always been listed in WRTH as having a QSL card. Not only did they not verify, but the report was eventually just passed on to Sentech, the national transmitter owner who QSL'ed with a letter. Sentech has always been represented in the WRTH as having a QSL card as well. This holds true for the new 2012 edition.

When was the last time anyone has received a QSL card directly from Channel Africa? When was the last time anyone has ever received a QSL card from Sentech? Inquring minds want to know!(Muick)

Holidays and QSLing

This time of the year is a great time to take advantage of the special holiday programming on shortwave. Stations across the globe broadcast a variety of programs of dramas, choral music, religious services, comedy, and old time radio shows. For QSL fans you can preserve your favorite station or holiday program. To keep up to date on holiday programming, MT's Programming Spotlight columnist, Fred Waterer, devotes a page to Holiday and Festive programs on his online website at http://www.doghousecharlie.com/
Shortly after going to press with my November column, I received word of a new station on shortwave . XVRB Radio -The Music Museum, is a privately funded station whose goal is to bring the fun element of old style shortwave music back to the listener's. Broadcast are every third Sunday in English on 6045 kHz, from 0900-1000 UTC. Send your comments and program details to xvrbradio@gmail.com or visit their website at http://www.xvrb.org/ .
Listener's continue to log Radio Afghanistan, but now on 7200 kHz in English and Dari from 1530-1630 UTC. Their revised email address for their English service is radioafghanistan@yahoo.com

Amateur radio operators and shortwave listeners don't forget this special QSL opportunity. Through December 24 - Santa's Work Shop. 0000-2359 UTC, W6S, Bakersfield, CA. WI6J. 14.270 7.180 3.900 MHz. QSL. Mark E Slater, 247 Bighorn Meadow Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93308. http://www.wi6j.com/

European DXers are predicting that pirate station Radio Bila Hora, from the Czech Republic, will revive their annual New Years Eve broadcast this year. Last year they were heard on 2345 kHz at 1554. UTC. Check also 3333 kHz, a frequency that has been used previously. North American listener's may have better results by using Global Tuners, a remotely-controlled radio receiver system from radios across the world. To learn more, consult www.globaltuners.com/ Send your program details to rbh@email.cz

QSL Contact updates
Brazil: Radio Transmundial. Address: Rua Epiro 116, CEP-04635-030 São Paulo, Brasil (or) Caixa Postal 18113, CEP-04626-970 São Paulo, Brasil
Clandestine: Cotton Tree News. Address: Avenue du Temple 19C, CH-1012 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Cuba: Radio Habana. Email: radiohc@cnet.cu
Guatemala: TGAV Radio Verdad. Veri-Signer, Edgar Amilcar Madrid. Email: radioverdad5@yahoo.com Address: Apartado 5, Chiguimula, Guatemala.
Peru: Radio Sicuani. Veri-Signer, Edwin Sallo Diaz. Email: radiosicuani@hotmail.com
Philippines: Radio Veritas Asia. Address: P.O. Box 2642, Quezon City, Philippines
(playdx2003/NASWA)

Amateur Radio
Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, PJ2T-Caribbean Contesting Consortium, 10 meters SSB.
Full data color scenery card. This QSL confirms QSO for (now deleted) Netherlands Antilles prior to 10/10/2010 and for Caracao after 10/10/2010. Received in five days via W3HNK QSL Manager, 115 Buck Run Rd., Lincoln University, PA 19352 USA. Website: http://www.pj2t.org/ (Larry Van Horn, NC)

Australia
Radio Symban (Radio Universe) 2368.5 kHz. Full data Australian Native Birds card, signed by John Wright, ARDXC. Card gave reference to Greek programming and Leppington transmitter. Received in eight days for report to dx1234@gmail.com (Edward Kusalik, Alberta, Canada)

Moldova
Voice of Russia, 7290 kHz via Kishinev-Grigoriopol. Full data State of Tretyakov Gallery/80th Anniversary card, unsigned. Received in 73 days for an email report to world@ruvr.ru (Kusalik)

Taiwan
WYFR/Family Radio Worldwide relay via Bao-Zhong, 9280 kHz. Full data 50th Anniversary card with site notation. Received in seven months in response to follow up report to inti@familyradio.com (Kusalik).

Utility
Chile-ECO02, ONEMI Région de Antofagasta, 10160 kHz. No data E-QSL from Irina Salgado. Received in 13minutes for e-report to isalgado@onemi.gov.cl. ECO05-ONEMI Région de Valparaíso, 17426 kHz. Full data E-QSL from Vladimir Maturana, Encargado de Comunicaciones ONEMI Valpaíso. Received in seven hours for e-report to onemi@gorevalparaiso.cl . (Patrick Robic, Austria/UDXF)

China-VRC Hong Kong Marine Rescue, 8414.5 kHz. Full data prepared QSL card verified and stamped. Received in 51 days for a utility report. QSL address: Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong, PR of China. (Robic)

Non Directional Beacon, "D8" Dolbeau-St. Félicien, QC Canda, 386 kHz, 50 watts. Full data prepared QSL returned, signed by Benoît Bannon. Received in 13 days for a SASE and $2.00US. QSL address: Gestionnaire, Nav Canada Opérations Techniques Aéroport Internationale Jean Lesage, 515 rue Prinicipale, Sainte-Foy, QC Canada G2G 2T8. (Jim Pogue, Memphis, TN).

Sri Lanka-Colombo Aero, 11285 kHz. Full data prepared QSL card verified by Wimalshanthi, Head of Electronics & Air Navigation Engineering. Received in 24 days for a utility report. Station address: Aeronautical H.F. Transmitting Station, Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd., Colombo Airport, Attidiya Road, Ratmalana, Sri Lanka. (Robic)

United States-NUW Whidbey Island, WA, 13528.5 MHz USB. Full data 62nd Annual Armed Forces Day card, signed by Digger O'Dell KF6NW. Also received full data NNN0NUW station card. Received in 81 days for a utility report and a SASE (used for reply). Station address: NAVMARCORMARS Station NUW, 260 W. Pioneer FSAC Bldg., NSC Whidbey Island, WA 98277 USA. (Bill Wilkins, Springfield, MO).

USA
WWCR, 4840 kHz. Full data Nashville scenery card, signed by Cathy Soares, Program Director. Received in three weeks for English report and return mint postage. Station address: 1300 WWCR Avenue, Nashville, TN 37218 USA. (Larry Zamora, Garland, TX)
(Gayle Van Horn/MT Dec 2011/QSL Report)

WYFR Worldwide schedules

USA(and non) Winter B-11 of WYFR Family Radio via Babcock

All times UTC

1700-1800 on 9430 WOF 250 kW / 102 deg to SEEu Turkish
1800-1900 on 9885 WOF 250 kW / 102 deg to SEEu Turkish
1700-1800 on 9530 SKN 300 kW / 110 deg to N&ME Arabic
1800-1900 on 9660 WOF 300 kW / 140 deg to NoAf Arabic
1900-2000 on 9685 DHA 250 kW / 260 deg to WeAf Hausa
1800-1900 on 11875 ASC 250 kW / 065 deg to WCAf Igbo
1900-2000 on 11665 ASC 250 kW / 065 deg to WCAf Yoruba
1900-2000 on 9705 MEY 250 kW / 340 deg to WCAf English
2000-2100 on 15520 ASC 250 kW / 065 deg to WCAf English
2000-2200 on 15195 ASC 250 kW / 065 deg to WCAf English
1600-1800 on 17545 ASC 250 kW / 085 deg to CeAf English
1830-1930 on 17660 ASC 250 kW / 085 deg to CeAf French
1700-1800 on 6045 DHA 250 kW / 225 deg to EaAf Amharic
1700-1800 on 11975 WOF 250 kW / 128 deg to EaAf Somali
1800-1900 on 9895 DHA 250 kW / 230 deg to EaAf English
1900-2000 on 9805 MEY 250 kW / 019 deg to EaAf Swahili
1600-1700 on 6175 MEY 250 kW / 076 deg to SEAf Malagasy
1700-1800 on 5925 MEY 100 kW / 076 deg to SEAf French
1500-1600 on 21840 ASC 250 kW / 115 deg to SoAf English
1800-1900 on 5890 MEY 100 kW / 015 deg to SoAf English
1900-2000 on 3230 MEY 100 kW / 005 deg to SoAf English
1900-2000 on 9885 DHA 250 kW / 210 deg to SoAf English
1900-2000 on 3955 MEY 100 kW / 076 deg to SoAf Portuguese
1900-2000 on 5935 MEY 100 kW / 335 deg to SoAf Portuguese
1300-1400 on 17735 DHA 250 kW / 100 deg to SoAs Kannada
1300-1400 on 17810 DHA 250 kW / 100 deg to SoAs Telugu
1400-1500 on 9855 DHA 250 kW / 105 deg to SoAs Marathi
1400-1500 on 15520 DHA 250 kW / 090 deg to SoAs Hindi
1400-1500 on 17810 DHA 250 kW / 100 deg to SoAs Tamil
1500-1600 on 11610 DHA 250 kW / 100 deg to SoAs English
1500-1600 on 11995 DHA 250 kW / 090 deg to SoAs English
1600-1700 on 11740 DHA 250 kW / 090 deg to SoAs English
1000-1200 on 9955 HBN 100 kW / 345 deg to EaAS Korean
1200-1300 on 17880 DHA 250 kW / 095 deg to EaAs Thai

USA(and non) Winter B-11 of WYFR Family Radio via MBR:
1700-1800 on 11690 WER 100 kW / 180 deg to NoAf Arabic
1800-1900 on 9840 WER 250 kW / 150 deg to NoAf Arabic
1900-2000 on 9500 WER 250 kW / 150 deg to NoAf Arabic
1900-2000 on 9695 NAU 500 kW / 207 deg to WeAf French
2000-2100 on 9515 NAU 250 kW / 210 deg to WeAf Arabic
2100-2200 on 6010 NAU 250 kW / 210 deg to WeAf Arabic
2200-2300 on 5960 NAU 250 kW / 210 deg to WeAf Arabic
1800-1900 on 11665 WER 500 kW / 180 deg to WCAf English
1900-2200 on 9925 WER 500 kW / 180 deg to WCAf English
2000-2100 on 9595 NAU 500 kW / 180 deg to WCAf French
2100-2200 on 7305 NAU 500 kW / 180 deg to WCAf French
1600-1700 on 13660 ISS 500 kW / 125 deg to EaAf Oromo
1600-1700 on 15160 ISS 500 kW / 131 deg to EaAf Amharic
1700-1800 on 15160 ISS 500 kW / 131 deg to CeAf Swahili
1800-1900 on 12140 WER 500 kW / 165 deg to SoAf English
1600-1700 on 11995 WER 250 kW / 125 deg to N/ME Arabic
1700-1800 on 9810 NAU 250 kW / 125 deg to N/ME Arabic
1600-1700 on 11955 NAU 500 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Persian
1700-1800 on 9800 NAU 500 kW / 095 deg to WeAs Persian
1400-1500 on 13605 WER 250 kW / 075 deg to CeAs Uzbek
1300-1500 on 17510 NAU 500 kW / 085 deg to SoAs Bengali
1400-1500 on 15315 WER 500 kW / 105 deg to SoAs Malayalam
1400-1500 on 15325 WER 500 kW / 090 deg to SoAs Oriya
1400-1500 on 13655 WER 500 kW / 090 deg to SoAs Sindhi
1500-1600 on 13655 NAU 500 kW / 105 deg to SoAs Kannada
1400-1600 on 13700 NAU 500 kW / 095 deg to SoAs Hindi
1500-1600 on 13630 NAU 500 kW / 100 deg to SoAs Gujarati
1500-1600 on 11935 WER 500 kW / 090 deg to SoAs Tamil
1500-1600 on 15470 WER 500 kW / 090 deg to SoAs Marathi
2200-2400 on 9465 GUF 500 kW / 215 deg to SoAm Spanish
2200-2400 on 7360 GUF 500 kW / 170 deg to SoAm Portuguese
0000-0100 on 7360 GUF 500 kW / 170 deg to SoAm English
0000-0100 on 7395 GUF 500 kW / 215 deg to SoAm English
(Iva Ivanov)
(DX Mix News 707 via Alokesh Gupta, India & Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany)

WEWN Winter Schedule

USA - Winter B-11 of WEWN Global Catholoc Radio:

Effective to 25 March 2012

English
0000-0300 on 11520 EWN 250 kW / 040 deg to N&ME
0300-0600 on 11520 EWN 250 kW / 040 deg to WeEU
0600-0900 on 11520 EWN 250 kW / 085 deg to WeAF
0900-1200 on 9390 EWN 250 kW / 335 deg to SEAS
1200-1500 on 15610 EWN 250 kW / 040 deg to N&ME
1500-1800 on 15610 EWN 250 kW / 040 deg to WeEU
1800-2400 on 15610 EWN 250 kW / 085 deg to WeAF

Spanish
0000-1000 on 11870 EWN 250 kW / 155 deg to Caribbean
1000-1700 on 12050 EWN 250 kW / 155 deg to Caribbean
1700-2400 on 13830 EWN 250 kW / 155 deg to Caribbean

Spanish
0000-0500 on 5810 EWN 250 kW / 220 deg to Mexico
0500-1300 on 7555 EWN 250 kW / 220 deg to Mexico
1300-1800 on 11550 EWN 250 kW / 220 deg to Mexico
1800-2400 on 12050 EWN 250 kW / 220 deg to Mexico
(DX Mix News 707 via ALokesh Gupta, India & Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany)

KNLS Alaska - Winter Schedule

Alaska
Winter B-11 of KNLS New Life Station -
Effective to 25 March 2012

All times UTC
0800-0900 on 9655 NLS 100 kW / 315 deg in Russian
0900-1000 on 9655 NLS 100 kW / 285 deg in Chinese
1000-1100 on 9615 NLS 100 kW / 270 deg in English
1100-1200 on 9615 NLS 100 kW / 285 deg in Chinese
1200-1300 on 9615 NLS 100 kW / 270 deg in English
1300-1400 on 9680 NLS 100 kW / 285 deg in Chinese
1400-1500 on 9615 NLS 100 kW / 285 deg in Chinese
1500-1600 on 9655 NLS 100 kW / 270 deg in English
1600-1800 on 6190 NLS 100 kW / 315 deg in Russian
(DX Mix News 707 via Alokesh Gupta, India & Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany)

Monitoring Bhutan

Bhutan
5030.03v, BBS, 1244-1500:44* (UTC) Dec 15. Decent reception - an excellent frequency choice as it has been vacant since Sarawak closed down in the middle of this year. Mostly in what sounded like French although I thought I heard a different dialect too? Slowly drifted down to 5030.0. Very nice! Their external service? Played a lot of nice indigenous music!

1244-1330 on air phone calls.
1330-1359 cute on air phone calls from young children singing songs.
1400-1423 talking followed by indigenous music.
1500 - English “This is the new service of the Bhutan Broadcasting Service” and shortly off.

MP3 edited audio in no particular chronological order, with ID in English
at 1:01 - http://www.box.com/s/jd191ljp5lruprrqorkr
(Ron Howard,CA/cumbredx)

B11 Winter schedule
FREQ STATION UTC Su-W-Sa Language Pow Azi Location
6035 Bhutan BS 0000-0300 1234567 Dzongkha 100 ND Thimphu
6035 Bhutan BS 0300-0400 1234567 Sharchop 100 ND Thimphu
6035 Bhutan BS 0400-0500 1234567 Lhotsham/Nepali 100 ND Thimphu
6035 Bhutan BS 0500-0600 1234567 English 100 ND Thimphu
6035 Bhutan BS 0600-0700 1234567 Sharchop 100 ND Thimphu
6035 Bhutan BS 0700-0800 1234567 Dzongkha 100 ND Thimphu
6035 Bhutan BS 0800-0900 1234567 English 100 ND Thimphu
6035 Bhutan BS 0900-1000 1234567 Sharchop 100 ND Thimphu
6035 Bhutan BS 1000-1100 1234567 Lhotsham/Nepali 100 ND Thimphu
6035 Bhutan BS 1100-1500 1234567 Dzongkha 100 ND Thimphu
6035 Bhutan BS 1500-1600 1234567 English 100 ND Thimphu

However now a days they sign off around 1300 UTC.
(Alokesh Gupta, India)

The DX Challenge is Back !

After a lengthy absence, the Shortwave DX Challenge is back and it runs for the month of January. Log as many countries as you can in the month. All loggings must be of at least five minutes in length with as much program detail as possible. Only shortwave broadcast and time signal stations count. Relay transmissions count as the country where the transmitter is located. All entries must be e-mailed in or postmarked by February 15th. NO HAND WRITTEN ENTRIES. I'm getting too old to decipher chicken scrawl. You can also send in entries as you log them and they will be tallied together at the end.

And there will be a nice prize for whoever logs the most countries over the month of January.

Use the NASWA country list available at:
http://www.naswa.net/images/NASWA_country_list.pdf to for your loggings. Use the snail/e-mail address below or see the January issue of my column, Your Reports, when it is posted to the ODXA website. All entries may be used in the column.
(Mark Coady/ODXA)

FRS slated for December 18 broadcast

Dear Radio Friends,

Sunday December 18th FRS-Holland will be on air with its annual special December broadcast.

Sunday December 18th FRS-Holland will be on air with its annual special December broadcast.
The broadcast will be on 7600//5800 between 07:52- 14:00 UTC/ 08:52- 15:00 CET.
That day we will feature a wide variety of quality pop music from the past 45 years along with
several radio related programme items.

FRS-Holland offers you the opportunity to send in your December greetings to radio friends and relatives.
Your contributions are highly appreciated and will add something special to our programmes!
You can easily produce a little (written) message and send it to [frs@frsholland.nl]. It only takes a few minutes of your spare time....
We raffle a radio DVD among those who participate in our December broadcast with their Seasonal greetings.
We'd like to ask you to do it as soon as possible as some shows will already be recorded this upcoming weekend.
Don't hesitate but just do it!
If you have the opportunity to send in an audio (mp3) clip you are more than welcome!

The staff of FRS-Holland hopes to hear from you...
73s,
Peter Verbruggen on behalf of the staff

"a Balance between Music & Information joined to one Format.... "

FRS-Holland
POBox 2702
6049 ZG Herten
The Netherlands

e-mail: frs.holland@hccnet.nl
e-mail: frs@frsholland.nl

Radio Romania Intl welcomes questionnaire 2011-212

Radio Romania International has a continued commitment towards improving the structure, content and journalistic quality of radio broadcasts (by modernizing short wave emitters, short wave digital content, expanding re-broadcasting services through partner stations). At the same time, we have enhanced our on-line presence, branching out on social networks and content sharing platforms.

This questionnaire is our latest attempt to gauge how well received and appreciated these efforts were by our audience. You are kindly invited to fill in this questionnaire and send it to RRI as soon as possible, but no later than 15 March 2012. The first 100 of our listeners who return the complete questionnaire by any means (regular mail, e-mail, fax, or by filling in the form received through RRI newsletter) will receive a small gift as a sign of our appreciation. Be assured that your answers are entirely confidential, and will be used by RRI for statistical purposes only. The only exception to that may be answers that we quote on the air with your explicit consent.

Thank you in advance,
Eugen Cojocariu
Head of RRI


For more...
http://www.rri.ro/art.shtml?lang=1&sec=1112&art=198982
(Yimber Gaviria, Colombia/playdx)

Don't let Voice of America broadcasts go static

Voice of America (VOA), the jewel in America's public diplomacy effort abroad, is set to be streamlined. Some programs can be downsized. But VOA is in the national interest, especially as Russia, China, and Iran expand state-supported media. Cuts should be handled with care.

By John Hughes / December 12, 2011

Read the CSM story here .....

http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/John-Hughes/2011/1212/Don-t-let-Voice-of-America-broadcasts-go-static
(Alokesh Gupta,VU3BSE New Delhi , INdia)

Marti Program Bridging Cuban and American Business

An innovative Martí program focuses on the future of Cuba through conversations bridging Cuban and American business people as part of the next episode of Avanza Cuba (Cuba Forward), scheduled for December 14, 2011 from 11am to 12pm.

The program, to be broadcast from Radio Martí’s Miami studios, will feature Cuban bloggers and entrepreneurs from within the island, in conversation with Cuban business owners in Union City, New Jersey, as well as other special guests and audience participation. The episode focuses on the nascent Cuban business community made up of "cuentapropistas", a uniquely Cuban term for entrepreneurs which roughly translates as "being-on-their-owns".

“We are providing a unique opportunity for Cubans interested in starting or operating small businesses to ask questions and share their experiences with practitioners in Miami, London and New Jersey,” said Carlos Garcia Pérez, Director of Radio and TV Martí. “The incremental relaxation of the market rules in Cuba invites a rich conversation about the current environment as well as the future of the Island.

Avanza Cuba premiered in September 2011, featuring prominent Cuban bloggers, professors, and students discussing new media and the role of technology in Cuba. The program incorporates all of the Martí’s radio, TV, and online streams and aims to create a dialogue and share information to help Cubans make educated decisions about the future of their country.

Avanza Cuba moves beyond politics to foster discussion of topics of interest to the audience, including creating opportunities to use social media and fostering Cuban entrepreneurship.

In response to the first Avanza Cuba program, notable Cuban blogger Yoani Sánchez Tweeted: “A lot of people calling me from the provinces after today’s show. Incredible how many Cubans listen to the ‘forbidden radio.’”

During the broadcast, join the conversation by following @AvanzaCuba on Twitter, liking the “Avanza Cuba” page on Facebook, or emailing avanzacuba@gmail.com.
Visit www.martinoticias.com for more information on Avanza Cuba and other Radio and TV Martí programs.
(Leticia King/VOA)

EMR - Radio Saxonia - Atlantic 2000 this Weekend

MV Baltic Radio relay service is on the air this Sunday the 18th of December 2011

MVBR Schedule:

All times UTC

08.00 to 09.00 on 9480 KHz - Atlantic 2000 International

09.00 to 10.00 on 9480 KHz - Radio Saxonia

10.00 to 11.00 on 6140 KHz - EMR

10.00 to 11.00 on 9480 KHz - EMR

13.00 to 14.00 on 9480 KHz - Radio Saxonia ( Repeat from 09.00 )
Good Listening 73s Tom

Due to Technical reasons the last transmission from MVBR on 6140 KHz will be on
the 25th of December 2011. MVBR on 9480 KHz will continue in 2012 as normal.
(Tom Taylor)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2011 Dec 13 1738 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 05 - 11 December 2011
Solar activity was at predominantly low levels for the summary period. From 05 - 06 December, two regions dominated the disk in size and solar flare production, Region 1363 (S21, L=108, class/area=Eki/620 on 05 December) and Region 1362 (N08, L=131, lass/area=Eso/220 on 03 December). Both regions produced multiple C-class events with Region 1363 responsible for the largest event of the period, a C6/Sf flare at 05/2325 UTC. From 07 - 10 December, Region 1374 (S17, L=352, class/area=Dso/210 on 11 December) and
Region 1375 (N08, L=356, class/area=Cso/140 on 11 December) dominated the disk, each producing several small C-class events. The only days of the summary period with activity at very low levels were 06 and 11 December . Multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were observed throughout the week, however, none of them were geoeffective.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at moderate levels from 05 - 09 December. A return to background levels was observed on 10 December.

Geomagnetic activity was at predominantly quiet levels during the summary period. From 05 - 08 December, quiet conditions were observed at all latitudes. On 09 December, an isolated period of active conditions was observed at high latitudes. On 10 December, quiet to unsettled conditions were observed as a coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS) moved into a geoeffective position. Solar wind speed increased from around 330 km/s to around 500 km/s at the ACE spacecraft and the total IMF rose to around 11 nT. Another isolated period of active conditions was observed at high latitudes on 11 December as a result of the CH HSS effects.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 14 December - 09 January 2012

Solar activity is expected to be at predominately low levels with a chance for isolated M-class activity from 12 - 22 December. A decrease to predominantly low levels is expected from 23 -24 December as Regions 1374 and 1375 rotate off the disk. An increase to a slight chance for M-class activity is expected on 25 December as Region 1363 returns and remain for the duration of the forecast period.

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 the entire forecast period (14 December - 09 January).

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at mostly quiet levels from 14 - 25 December. Quiet to unsettled conditions are expected on 26 - 29 December due to effects from a recurrent CH HSS. A return to quiet levels is expected from 30 December - 04 January followed by an increase to quiet to unsettled levels on 05 - 06 January due to effects from a second recurrent CH HSS. Mostly quiet conditions are expected for the remainder of the period.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2011 Dec 13 1738 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 2011-12-13
#
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2011 Dec 14 135 5 2
2011 Dec 15 135 5 2
2011 Dec 16 135 5 2
2011 Dec 17 135 5 2
2011 Dec 18 135 5 2
2011 Dec 19 135 5 2
2011 Dec 20 135 5 2
2011 Dec 21 130 5 2
2011 Dec 22 130 5 2
2011 Dec 23 135 5 2
2011 Dec 24 135 5 2
2011 Dec 25 140 5 2
2011 Dec 26 140 8 3
2011 Dec 27 140 8 3
2011 Dec 28 140 8 3
2011 Dec 29 145 8 3
2011 Dec 30 150 5 2
2011 Dec 31 150 5 2
2012 Jan 01 150 5 2
2012 Jan 02 145 5 2
2012 Jan 03 145 5 2
2012 Jan 04 145 5 2
2012 Jan 05 140 8 3
2012 Jan 06 140 8 3
2012 Jan 07 135 5 2
2012 Jan 08 135 5 2
2012 Jan 09 135 5 2
(NOAA)

Radio Stations in the UK 2012 now available

The new 2012 (23rd) edition of Radio Stations in the UK is now available from the British DX Club.

Radio Stations in the UK is a comprehensive 76-page guide to BBC, commercial, community and low power AM/FM services on MW and FM, with lists in frequency order and by station name. It includes transmitter power and site details, plus contact information and a new digital radio section. Frequencies are cross-referenced to help you find parallels. It comes with a separate guide covering Radio Stations in the Republic of Ireland.

Radio Stations in the UK is a must for anyone interested in UK domestic radio. This edition will bring you right up to date with all the changes since the last edition published almost two years ago, including many station mergers and new community radio services.

Despite the extra pages and higher postage rates, all prices have been held this year, including the special offer for two copies.

Price per copy (includes postage):
to UK addresses - £ 4.00.
to Europe - £ 5.00, 7 euros* or 8 IRCs
to Rest of World - £ 6.00, US$10* or 9 IRCs
Special price for 2 copies: UK: £7.00, Europe: 10 euros*

Please send orders to: British DX Club, 10 Hemdean Hill, Caversham, Reading RG4 7SB, UK.

UK Cheques/POs payable to British DX Club. *Dollar/Euro payments by PayPal or cash only

PayPal payments or email enquiries to bdxc@bdxc.org.uk

Full details also on the BDXC-UK website.

Radio Netherlands Program Preview, Dec 9-15

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

Betrayal
A Norwegian filmmaker on joining anarchists in their fight against neo-Nazis, and the betrayal she regrets to this day. A Dutch wallpaperer and his comic odyssey in becoming part owner of one of the most expensive soccer clubs in the world. And a 97-year-old veteran on the Warsaw Uprising who was jailed by the country he put his life on the line for.

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 on Earth Beat, we’re heading up, up and away to take a look at the view from above. From using Google Earth to discover archeological sites to a scientist with a head for heights, and a group of intrepid twenty-something canoeists who decided to paddle 7000 km across the second largest country in the world to understand exactly how bit it is. Getting a bit of distance...
First airing: Friday 03:00 UTC

South Asia Wired
Stories from South Asia.

Bangladesh’s struggle for independence from Pakistan – 40 years ago this year – came with a price. Many Bangladeshi women were raped during the final stages of the war, but a very conservative society left no space for the victims to talk about their terrifying experiences.

On this week’s South Asia Wired, you can hear the story of two sisters who were both raped by the soldiers. They’re not afraid to break the wall of silence that, even 40 years on, holds so many other women in Bangladesh captured.

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

First airing: Thursday 10:00 UTC

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

Violence flares on the streets of Kinshasa, over claims of election fraud in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We ask what the future has in store for peace in the country

In the first of two special reports, we ask what makes homosexuality such an anathema in countries across Africa.

And we hear from Ghanaian-American, Blitz the Ambassador, about his own blend of hip hop straddling Africa and America.

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.

Think out of the box and create your job!

More than half of African youths are unemployed. This is because there is little formal employment for them.

This edition features three successful African entrepreneurs who did not wait for jobs to come to them. They thought out of the box, and even broke a few taboos in order to create their own jobs. One is a professional toilet cleaner, one started a delivery business and another helps people run their businesses.

First airing: Monday 19:00 UTC

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

'Thembi's Bicycle' by Rachel Tucker (South Africa). A grandmother's gambling dreams. Read by Jack Klaff.

First airing: Tuesday 01:50 UTC

Global Perspective
Who says I can’t… is the motto of this year’s collaboration of international broadcasters, offering stories of defiance and perseverance.

Who says I can’t fish?

Around one billion people in the world rely on fish as their primary source of protein, but fishermen in many parts of the world are having greater restrictions put on their fishing because of concerns about the level of fish stocks and the marine environment.

The BBC World Service introduces us to Fred Normandale, one of the few remaining fishermen in the small town of Scarborough in the North East of England.

First airing: Monday 17:30 UTC

European Jazz Stage
Unique jazz performances from the continent’s hottest clubs, concert halls and festivals, including the spectacular North Sea Jazz Festival.

This week we make a virtual journey of 3000 miles from Seattle to New York, all via music stages in the Netherlands.

Originally a computer science prodigy, Aaron Parks from Seattle switched to piano playing aged 16. He characterises his own music as 'spontaneous and cinematic'.

Next on the stage of the Amsterdam BIM house is Dutch drummer Erik Ineke's band JazzXpress, joined from Kansas City by singer Deborah Brown. Their show is a tribute to vocalist Ivy Anderson, known for her work with Duke Ellington in the 1930s.

The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, known for its unbroken string of Monday evening concerts over 45 years in the Greenwich Village Jazz Club, ends the programme. Thad Jones compositions are the mainstay of their music.

First airing: Monday 01:00 UTC

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

Available 24 hours a day via our sister web station RNWclassical.com

Radio Netherlands streaming audio www.radionetherlands.nl/

Radio Netherlands English service to 25 March 2012

1000-1057 12065as
1400-1457 12080as
1800-1900 11655af
1900-1957 11655af
1900-1959 11615af
1900-2000 7425af
2000-2057 7425af 11615af
(original Excel via Leo van der Woude, R Netherlands)