WWCR Summer Schedule

WWCR

Effective: 31 March - 31 May 2013

All times UTC/ frequencies in MHz

English

Transmitter #1 - 100 KW - 46 Degrees
12:00 AM-04:00 AM 0500-0900 3.215 
04:00 AM-04:00 PM 0900-2100 15.825 
04:00 PM-08:00 PM 2100-0100 6.875 
08:00 PM-12:00 AM 0100-0500 3.215 


Transmitter #2 - 100 KW - 85 Degrees
12:00 AM-07:00 AM 0500-1200 5.935 
07:00 AM-10:00 AM 1200-1500 7.490 
10:00 AM-04:00 PM 1500-2100 12.160 
04:00 PM-07:00 PM 2100-0000 9.350 
07:00 PM-12:00 AM 0000-0500 5.935 


Transmitter #3 - 100 KW - 40 Degrees
12:00 AM-07:00 AM 0500-1200 4.840 
07:00 AM-07:00 PM 1200-0000 13.845 
07:00 PM-12:00 AM 0000-0500 4.840 


Transmitter #4 - 100 KW - 90 Degrees
12:00 AM-07:00 AM 0500-1200 5.890 
07:00 AM-07:00 PM 1200-0000 9.980 
07:00 PM-09:00 PM 0000-0200 7.520 
09:00 PM-12:00 AM 0200-0500 5.890 
(WWCR)

VOA to Reduce Frequencies

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Voice of America is reducing some of its radio transmissions this weekend and ending shortwave broadcasts to regions where audiences have alternative ways of receiving VOA news and information programs.


The transmission reductions allow VOA to comply with budget cuts required by sequestration and to avoid furloughs of staff members.

When the new broadcast schedule goes into effect on March 31st, cross-border shortwave and medium wave broadcasts to Albania, Georgia, Iran and Latin America will be curtailed, along with English language broadcasts to the Middle East and Afghanistan.


Additional story at: http://www.insidevoa.com/content/voa-reducing-radio-frequencies/1629194.html

Frequency updates and monitoring observations

All times UTC

Argentina
Radiodifusion Argentina Al Exterior  (RAE)
0900-1000 6060  BUE 100 kW / non-dir to SoAm Spanish Mon-Fri
0900-1000 15345 BUE 100 kW / 348 deg to SoAm Spanish Mon-Fri
1000-1100 6060  BUE 100 kW / non-dir to SoAm Japanese Mon-Fri
1000-1100 15345 BUE 100 kW / 348 deg to SoAm Japanese Mon-Fri
1100-1200 6060  BUE 100 kW / non-dir to SoAm Portuguese Mon-Fri
1100-1200 15345 BUE 100 kW / 348 deg to SoAm Portuguese Mon-Fri
1200-1500 15345 BUE 100 kW / 335 deg to NoAm Spanish Mon-Fri
1700-1800 15345 BUE 100 kW / 035 deg to WeEu German Mon-Fri
1800-1900 15345 BUE 100 kW / 035 deg to WeEu English Mon-Fri
1900-2000 15345 BUE 100 kW / 035 deg to WeEu Italian Mon-Fri
2000-2100 15345 BUE 100 kW / 035 deg to WeEu French Mon-Fri
2100-2200 15345 BUE 100 kW / 035 deg to WeEu German Mon-Fri
2200-2400 11710 BUE 100 kW / 335 deg to NoAm Spanish Mon-Fri
2200-2400 15345 BUE 100 kW / 035 deg to WeEu Spanish Mon-Fri
2300-2400 6060  BUE 100 kW / non-dir to SoAm Spanish Mon-Fri
0000-0100 11710 BUE 100 kW / 335 deg to NoAm Portuguese Tue-Sat
0100-0200 11710 BUE 100 kW / 335 deg to NoAm Japanese Tue-Sat
0200-0300 11710 BUE 100 kW / 335 deg to NoAm English Tue-Sat
0300-0400 11710 BUE 100 kW / 335 deg to NoAm French Tue-Sat
1800-2400 15345 BUE 100 kW / 335 deg to NoAm Spanish Sun
2000-2400 6060  BUE 100 kW / non-dir to SoAm Spanish Sat
2000-2400 15345 BUE 100 kW / 035 deg to WeEu Spanish Sat
0000-0230 6060  BUE 100 kW / non-dir to SoAm Spanish Sun
0000-0230 15345 BUE 100 kW / 035 deg to WeEu Spanish Sun
0000-0300 15345 BUE 100 kW / 335 deg to NoAm Spanish Mon

Clandestine
Voice of Tibet
Effective from: 16 March 2013
1200-1230 11527 DB  100 kW / 095 deg to EaAs Chinese
1230-1245 15503 DB  100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs Tibetan, ex 15502
1245-1305 15512 DB  100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs Tibetan
1300-1330 11527 DB  100 kW / 095 deg to EaAs Chinese
1305-1330 15513 DB  100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs Tibetan, ex 15518
1330-1340 15602 DB  100 kW / 095 deg to EaAs Chinese, ex  7557
1330-1345 15518 DB  100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs Tibetan, ex 11517
1340-1400 15603 DB  100 kW / 095 deg to EaAs Chinese, ex  7547
1345-1405 15517 DB  100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs Tibetan, ex 11517
1405-1430 15523 DB  100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs Tibetan, ex 11527
1400-1430 15400 MDC 250 kW / 045 deg to CeAs Tibetan
1430-1500 17535 MDC 250 kW / 045 deg to CeAs Tibetan
1530-1600 15485 MDC 250 kW / 045 deg to CeAs Tibetan

Indonesia
Voice of Indonesia
1000-1100 9526 JAK 250 kW / 135 deg to AUS  English
1100-1200 9526 JAK 250 kW / 010 deg to EaAs Chinese
1200-1300 9526 JAK 250 kW / 010 deg to EaAs Japanese
1300-1400 9526 JAK 250 kW / 010 deg to EaAs English
1400-1500 9526 JAK 250 kW / 010 deg to EaAs Indonesian
1500-1600 9526 JAK 250 kW / 010 deg to EaAs Chinese
1600-1700 9526 JAK 250 kW / 290 deg to N/ME Arabic
1700-1800 9526 JAK 250 kW / 290 deg to WeEu Spanish
1800-1900 9526 JAK 250 kW / 290 deg to WeEu German
1900-2000 9526 JAK 250 kW / 290 deg to WeEu English
2000-2100 9526 JAK 250 kW / 290 deg to WeEu French
2200-2300 9526 JAK 250 kW / 010 deg to EaAs Japanese NEW???

Pakistan
New additional hour for evening transmission of Radio Pakistan:
1600-1700 9560 ISL 250 kW / 313 deg to WeEu Urdu. First noted on Mar.16
1600-1700 11570 ISL 250 kW / 313 deg to WeEu Urdu. First noted on Mar.16
1700-1900 9560 ISL 250 kW / 313 deg to WeEu Urdu, no En news 1700-1710!
1700-1900 11570 ISL 250 kW / 313 deg to WeEu Urdu, no En news 1700-1710!
(Balkan DX 17 March 2013)

EMR and Radio Geronimo set for Sunday shows

EMR is on this Sunday the 17th of March between:
08.00 to 09.00 UTC on 7265 KHz via MVBR
09.00 to 10.00 UTC on 6005 & 9480 KHz via MVBR & R.700

EMR's internet broadcasts are at the following times: 
0900, 1400, 1700, 2000 on Sunday & Monday:
Please visit   www.emr.org.uk  and click on the "EMR internet radio" button
which you will find throughout the website (see the menu on the left).

Radio Geronimo Sunday 17th of March:
10.00 to 12.00 UTC 9480 KHz  via MVBR
All reports to:  geronimoshortwave@hotmail.com;   Thank you!
Good Listening!
Tom Taylor

Australia latest to suffer jamming

Beijing jamming Australia
A growing electronic blitzkrieg by Beijing - blasted by Barack Obama as ''state sponsored'' hacking and now extending to the jamming of Australia's radio news broadcasts in Asia - threatens to derail delicate negotiations for the ABC to win television rights in China.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/beijing-jamming-radio-australia-20130314-2g3ml.html#ixzz2NihMKFb7

Opposition Leader 'horrified' by Radio Australia jamming
Australian Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says he would be 'horrified' if the ABC's international service was being blocked from broadcasting in China.
The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) says English-language broadcasts from the ABC's Radio Australia, as well as the BBC World Service and the Voice of America, are being jammed.
Read more at: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-03-15/an-abbott-horrified-by-radio-australia-jamming/4574834


Broadcasters in a jam over China signal
As the Chinese political leadership transitions this weekend, there's increased sensitivity towards foreign media broadcasts in the world's most populous nation. There are concerns that signals carrying English language broadcasts into China are being jammed. Voice of America has been outspoken in condemning what it sees as censorship while the ABC's Radio Australia is treading much more cautiously and not registering any formal complaints with China.
Read more at: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-03-15/broadcasters-in-a-jam-over-china-signal/4575914
(Nigel Holmes/Radio Australia)

AWR plans tribute to Ekala

 

The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation has announced that they plan to close their historic shortwave station located at Ekala, a dozen miles north of Colombo in Sri Lanka.  In view of the close association of Adventist World Radio with SLBC and their Ekala shortwave station over a long period of time beginning back in 1951, we are planning to honor the occasion with a special edition of the AWR DX program Wavescan, under the title "Tribute to Ekala".  We plan to broadcast this special edition of Wavescan under the old title from around 40 years ago, "Radio Monitors International".  At this stage, the closure date for SLBC Ekala is not yet finally confirmed, though it is our intent to place this special program on the air in the regular scheduling of Wavescan to co-incide with their last week on the air.  SLBC plans to transfer their shortwave planning to the ex-Deutsche Welle station located near Trincomalee on the east coast of the island.

A special one time only QSL card will be prepared, based on the early QSL cards issued in Poona India for the broadcasts from AWR-Asia and Radio Monitors International.  All reception reports for this one particular edition of Wavescan-Radio Monitors International will be verified with this

special card, and the reception reports can be for any of the broadcasts of this program over any station that carries the program.  Postal mail reception reports are preferred, with return postage, though in some cases email reports will be verified.

 The only address for this special QSL card "Tribute to Ekala", is:

 Adventist World Radio

Box 29235
Indianapolis
Indiana 46229
USA

 Wavescan Scheduling: A13 Transmission Period

March 31, 2013 - October 26, 2013

Day UTC Call     kHz kW Station   Location Country

Sun

1030 WRMI      9955   50 Radio Miami Int   Miami Florida USA
1530 AWR 15335 250 Media Broadcast   Nauen Germany
1600 KSDA 15360 100 Adventist World Radio  Agat Guam
1600 KSDA 15670 100 Adventist World Radio  Agat Guam
2230 KSDA 15320 100 Adventist World Radio  Agat Guam
2330 KSDA 17650 100 Adventist World Radio  Agat Guam

Mon

1100 WRMI      9955   50 Radio Miami Int   Miami Florida USA

Wed
MN00 WRMI      9955   50 Radio Miami Int   Miami Florida USA
1100 WRMI      9955   50 Radio Miami Int   Miami Florida USA
2000 WINB   13570   50 World International   Red Lion Pennsylvania USA

Thu

0300 WRMI      9955   50 Radio Miami Int   Miami Florida USA

Fri
0315 WRMI      9955   50 Radio Miami Int   Miami Florida USA

Sat

1100 WRMI      9955   50 Radio Miami Int   Miami Florida USA
1300 WRMI      9955   50 Radio Miami Int   Miami Florida USA
1530 WWCR2 12160  100 Worldwide Christian   Nashville Tennessee USA
2230 WRMI      9955   50 Radio Miami Int   Miami Florida USA
(Anker Peterson/AWR & Alokesh Gupta, India)

Update on digital text via shortwave this weekend

Special thanks to Kim Elliott for the program update information on this weekend's "soft launch" Radiogram programs.
Gayle Van Horn

The new Voice of America service Radiogram will be on the air March 16 and 17th.  VOA Radiogram is a program experimenting with digital text and images via shortwave broadcasting.

To decode the digital text and images transmitted on VOA Radiogram, download Fldigi, Flmsg and Flamp from www.w1hkj.com

All times UTC
Saturday 1600-1630 17860 kHz
Sunday 0230-0300 5745 kHz (Saturday evening in North America)
Sunday 1300-1330 6095 kHz
Sunday 1930-2000 15670 kHz

More information:
http://voaradiogram.net/post/45287954494/soft-launch-of-voa-radiogram-this-weekend

Text modes will be included in the North America broadcast of The Mighty KBC, Sunday March 17 at 0000 to 0000 on 7375 kHz via Nauen, Germany.

At about 0130, PSK250R will be centered on 1000 Hz and MFSK63 on 2000 Hz (same as on March 10 except the audio frequencies are reversed).

At just before 0200, MT63-1000 (long interleave) formatted for Flmsg will be centered on 1000 Hz. An image in MFSK32 will be centered on 2500 Hz.
(VOA radiogram.net)

Radio Dialogue Raided

The following statement comes from Peter Zwidekalanga Khumalo Chairperson, Radio Dialogue
Joint Statement on the Radio Dialogue Raid

March 4, 2013
Radio Dialogue and the Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS) wish to make its stakeholders and the public aware of the developments regarding the raiding of Radio Dialogue on Friday the 1st of March 2013.

Around 10am on the said day, ten ZRP officers from Hillside police station pounced at a Radio Dialogue property located at No. 45 Moffat Ave in Hillside .Upon arrival at the Radio Dialogue property, the police barricaded the road that leads into the referred property and locked some people outside including staff members, with women who were selling their wares along Moffat Ave forced to disperse. The police produced a search warrant and went into the house. Some of the officers were left to stand guard at the gate which they kept locked.The search warrant was in the name of the Radio Dialogue Editor, Zenzele Ndebele, who was suspected to be in possession of 45  solar powered radio sets. The warrant mentioned that Zenzele Ndebele was in possession of ‘smuggled illegal goods.’

Following their search, the officers took with them a total of 180 radio sets to Hillside Police Station together with Zenzele Ndebele, under the pretext that they wanted him to sign for the radios. On arrival at the police station, Ndebele was interrogated by officers suspected to be from the CIO department .The officers proceeded to interrogate Ndebele and wanted to know the source of the radios and why they were being distributed to different communities.

After the interrogation, Ndebele was taken to Bulawayo Central Police Station for further interrogation at the Law and Order Section. During the interrogation, the Law and Order Officers wanted to know where the radios came from and why they were being distributed. Upon completion > of the interrogation, the police added an additional charge to that on the warrant. They added a charge of possession of radios without a listener’s licence. The intensive interrogation lasted seven hours,and at 5pm Zenzele Ndebele was released into the custody of his legal representative ,Kucaca Phulu, until he appears in court . Noting the charges levelled against Radio Dialogue through their representative Zenzele Ndebele, a docket was opened and a subsequent court case was scheduled for Monday, the 4th of March 2013 in Bulawayo. Ndebele has since reported to the police station and the case has been moved to tomorrow,5 March 2013.

Both ZACRAS and Radio Dialogue condemn the action by the Zimbabwe Republic Police .We call upon the Inclusive Government to draw reason from Article 19 of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) which clearly provides for freedom of expression and access to information for citizens including the establishment of new media organisations, community radio stations included.
We believe this move by the Inclusive Government is meant to suffocate the free flow of information as the country moves towards critical periods of the Constitutional Referendum and General Elections. Our view is that it is important for citizens to have free access to information and be able to freely express themselves in order for them to make informed decisions during this critical period and beyond.

We call upon all progressive Zimbabweans and in solidarity with Radio Dialogue, to castigate actions by those that are against the promotion of access to information and free expression .We call upon the Inclusive Government, through the co-ministers of the Home Affairs Ministry to stop the systematic crackdown on progressive forces in Zimbabwe. Radio is a powerful tool for enhancing the active participation of citizens. If this Government is not prepared to make an intervention, we will, as Zimbabwean citizens, continue to feel oppressed by our own Government. Peter Zwidekalanga Khumalo Chairperson (Radio Dialogue) (Alokesh Gupta)

Radio Dialogue shortwave schedule as noted in the March 2013 Monitoring Times MT Xpress:
1600-1700 UTC on 12105 kHz, targeted to Africa. Broadcasting in English, Ndebele and Shona.
 (via WRTH Jan 2013)

Weekend relay schedules

 

 

All times UTC

Radio City relays:
Friday 15th:
19.00 to 20.00 on 7290 via IRRS, and on MW 1368 kHz from Padova, Italy
Saturday 16th:
09.00 to 10.00 on 9510 via IRRS
20.00 to 21.00 on 1485 via Radio Merkurs in Latvia with a weekly separate program.
Every 4th Sunday:
13.00 to 14.00 via Hamburger Lokalradio on 7265
The email address remains citymorecars@yahoo.ca Thank you!

EMR is on this Sunday the 17th of March between:
08.00 to 09.00 on 7265 via MVBR
09.00 to 10.00 on 6005 and 9480 via MVBR and Radio 700

EMR's internet broadcasts are at the following times:
0900, 1400, 1700, 2000 on Sunday and Monday:
Please visit www.emr.org.uk and click on the "EMR internet radio" button which you will find throughout the website (see the menu on the left).

Radio Geronimo Sunday 17th of March:
10.00 to 12.00 on  9480 via MVBR
All reports to: geronimoshortwave@hotmail.com; Thank you!

Good Listening!

73s,
Tom Taylor

Stamps and more for QSLing

 The radio hobby, whether medium wave, shortwave or amateur radio, agree there is only one source for foreign stamps and DX supplies. Bill Plum’s Airmail Postage and DX Supplies, offers hobbyists a source for worldwide postal stamps, that can be enclosed within outgoing reception reports.

Stamps are enclosed in a glassine envelope, eliminating the worry of stamps sticking to your letter. Among the DX supplies are European Air Mailer and European Air Return Envelopes, and excellent alternative to the smaller U.S. sized airmail envelopes. To learn more about Bill’s products line or the current postage stamp price list, send email to plumdx@msn.com or write him at; Bill Plum’s Airmail and DX Supplies, 12 Glenn Road, Flemington, NJ 08822.

  Radio Algérienne has resumed broadcasting on shortwave, using transmitters in Issoudun, France. The current Arabic schedule is available in MTXpress. Send program details to; Radio Algérienne, 21 Boulevard des Martyrs, 16000, Algiers, Algeria. Streaming audio at www.radioalgerie.dz/

Victor Goonetilleke informs DXers of a new contact from Bhutan Broadcasting Service. Victor states, “they have no QSL cards, so he is sending personal replies. I prepared my QSL text, which he can cut and paste for ease.” Send program details to Kaka Tshering, General Manager at kakatschering@bbs.bt

Curious about the presence of shortwave during the Cold War era ? It was a time when a plethora of stations flooded the airwaves with an entertaining and ideological stance of east against west. The Glory Days of Shortwave Radio is presented by Georgi Bancov of SWL DX Bulgaria. The 41 minute video brings an extensive video of interval signals, identifications and QSLs, presented in alphabetical order by-country at www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf_UzdvTyKQ

BANGLADESH

Bangladesh Betar, 7250 kHz. Full data color Tribal Girl card in headdress. signed by Abu Tabib Md. Zia Hasan, Senior Engineer. Received in 30 days, by postal mail, in reply to email report to rrd@dhaka.net with attached audio clip. Station address: Research & Receiving Center, Bangladesh Betar 121, Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, Shabag Dhaka-100, Bangladesh. (Supratik Sanatani, Kolkata, India/playdx) Streaming audio www.betar.org.bd/
     
              
GUATEMALA
Radio Verdad 4055 kHz. Full data QSL and personal letter signed by Dr. Edgar A. Madrid, Director, plus pennant and station info pamphlet. Received in four weeks for an English report and currency. Station address: Apartado Postal 5, Chiquimula, Guatemala. (Artur F Llorella, Catalonia, Spain/HCDX) Streaming audio www.radioverdad.org   Email: radio.verdad.em@gmail.com

MEDIUM WAVE                                                                                                                

Luxembourg-RTL 236 kHz AM. Full data station QSL card, unsigned. Received in 18 days for an AM report. Station address: 45, boulevard Pierre Frieden, L-1543 Luxembourg. (Christian Ghibaudo/playdx)  Streaming audio www.rtl.lu/

Mexico-XEFD 590 kHz AM. Full data prepared QSL card returned as verified by Ing. Sergio Guttierrez. Received in 93 days for fourth followup. Previously sent reports in 2001, so actually  seven follow ups. QSL address: Blvd. Hidalgo 200-A, Fracc Polanco, 88710 Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. (John Wilkins, CO/NRC DX News 80-03) ^ Streaming audio via tunein http://tunein.com

 USA-KCCY, 1350 kHz AM. Pueblo’s Legendary Country. Full data prepared QSL card returned as verified by Jenna J. Mangino, plus note. Received in seven days from follow up. Station address: 1350 KCCY, 106 West 24^th Street, Pueblo, CO 81003 (Wilkins). Streaming audio via iHeart www.1350kccy.com

 USA-KCJJ, 1630 kHz AM. The Mighty 1630. Full data prepared QSL card returned as verified by Tom S., General Manager. Received in nine days for an AM report, prepared QSL card and one mint stamp. Station address: KCJJ Radio, 845 Quarry Road, Suite 120, Coralville, IA 52241 P.O. Box 2118, Iowa City, IA 52244. (Loyd VH, SC) Website: www.1630kcjj.com/

WBT 1110 kHz AM. Charlotte’s News Talk. Full data station logo card with illegible signature. Received in seven days for an AM report, prepared QSL card (not returned) and one mint stamp. Station address: One Julian Price Place, Charlotte, NC 28208  (Van Horn) Streaming audio www.wbt.com/    

WFBL 1390 kHz AM. CNY Talk Radio. No data email response from Don Wagner, General Manager d.wagner@lmgiradio.com. Received several hours after email followup. Original AM report sent with two mint class stamps. Station address: CNY Talk Radio, 8456 Smokey Hollow Road, Baldwinsville, NY 13027. (Al Muick, PA/HCDX) Website: www.wflb.com/

WOR 710 kHz AM. Full data station card, signed by Timothy Reill, W2TRP, V.P. of Engineering, plus prepared QSL card returned as verified. Received in nine days for an AM report, prepared QSL card and one mint stamp. Station address: 111 Broadway, 3^rd Floor, New York, NY 10006. (Van Horn) Streaming audio www.wor710.com/

 WQLR 1660 kHz AM. The Fan. Full data prepared QSL card returned as verified by Peter F. Tani, V.P. of Operations, plus coverage map and sticker. Received in nine days for an AM report,  prepared QSL card and one mint stamp. Station address: 4200 West Main, Kalamazoo, MI 49006 (Van Horn)  Streaming audio http://1660thefan.com/

 MYANMAR

Radio Thazin, 7110 kHz. Generic style email reply, thanking me for listening. Email indicated though a new station, they are trying to get better performance. Received for monitoring their English program 1430-1500 UTC. Reply received in less than two hours for email to thazinradio@yahoo.com  (Ron Howard, CA/DX Fossils/NASWA)

SOMALILAND

Radio Hargeisa, 7120 kHz The Voice of the Republic of Somaliland. No data E-QSL confirming reception only, from Saafi Ali, Online Officer. Received for an E-report to radiohargaysa@hotmail.com  (Howard)

 UTILITY

Brazil-Babitonga Patrol Ship, 12681 kHz. Full data prepared QSL card returned as verified by 1^st Lt. Raphael Cruz Rangel de Souza. Received in 92 days for a utility report. QSL address: Commando Do 5° Distrito Naval, Av. Almirante Cerqueira e Souza, 70 Rio Grande, RS Brazil. (Roberto Landolfo/UDXF)

Germany-Hamburg Radio, 13146 kHz. Full data QSL card, signed by Reiner Dietzel. Received in 23 days for a utility report. Station address: DP07 Seefunk, Esteich 84, 21129 Hamburg, Germany, (Patrick Robic, Austria/UDXF)

Honduras-Cenamer Radio, 10024 kHz. No data letter and prepared QSL card returned, signed by Jorge Rodriguez, Jefe Unidad de Coordinación de Búsqueda y Salvamento. Received in 58 days. QSL address: Corporación Centroamericana de Serviscios de Navegación Aérea COCESNA, Centro Coordinator de Salvsmento, RCC Centroamerica, Apartado Postal No. 660, Tegucigalpa M.D.C., Honduras. (Robic)

(Monitoring Times/QSL Report-Gayle Van Horn)

VOA Provides Critical Information on Zimbabwe Referendum

WASHINGTON, D.C. - As Zimbabwe prepares for Saturday's planned constitutional referendum, VOA's Studio 7 is broadcasting crucial information about key elements of the charter, which calls for limits on the powers of the president and the elimination of the prime minister post.
 

VOA's Studio 7, one of the leading international broadcasters in Zimbabwe, has published the full text of the draft constitution on its website (here) and has been providing in-depth coverage of constitutional issues online and on its 90-minute evening radio broadcast.

A 30-minute call-in program, LiveTalk, which follows the regular Monday through Friday broadcast, has hosted guests from all parties in the national unity government, activists and academics, as well as experts from the U.S. and around the world.

Audience feedback has been positive.  "Thank you to Studio 7 for all of your Referendum news!", one person wrote.  Another said, "Thank you to Studio 7 for bringing us the truth of these matters."

In addition to broadcasting key provisions of the proposed constitution, VOA is providing extensive coverage of both 'yes' and 'no' supporters. The shows include segments on citizenship, the powers of the president and gender equality.  Additional programs on constitutional issues are planned.

The referendum is expected to be followed by national elections and Studio 7 will offer interviews from candidates in all the parties and their plans to address specific issues.  Studio 7 also has a new media presence online, on Facebook, and mobile sites with links to audio downloads and top stories.

With more than 11,000 SMS subscribers, Studio 7 offers news alerts and other information for mobile phone users.  Studio 7 broadcasts in three languages: English, Shona, and Ndebele.

Research shows that VOA is well known among Zimbabweans.  Studio 7's overall reach is driven primarily by radio, with 13.5% of Zimbabwean adults tuning in every week, according to the most recent audience survey.

Domestic media in Zimbabwe remains tightly controlled and the government has recently begun confiscating shortwave radios which are commonly used to listen to the Voice of America.
(VOA/Kyle King)

DX Stamp Service March Specials

Dear Customer,

Below are specials for March.

If you need a current stamp list, supply list or discount US postage list, I can email it to you, just ask.

at plumdx@msn.com

 

STAMPS on back order: Brazil, but a few did arrive and I was able to fill several of the oldest back orders. Still awaiting more to fill remaining back orders and have Brazil back in stock for new orders.

U.S. DISCOUNT POSTAGE DEALS!!

46c units

( 20c and 13c and 13c)

What A Deal!!

100 x 3 stamps-$40.00

200 x 3 stamps-$78.00

400 x 3 stamps-$145.00

**200 x 4 stamps-$75.00**

International Rate

$1.10 units

(i.e. 60c and 25c and 25c)

50 x 3 stamps-$48.00

100 x 3 stamps-$91.00

For US postage deals, payment by check or m.o. only. Reason for payment by check: I'm charged 4% for credit card transactions. That 4% would eat up my profit on the US postage deals. No charge for shipping US postage deals.

ORDER NOW! For all your domestic and international mailings!

MARCH 2013 DX STAMP SPECIALS

3 Germany-$3.90 5 France-$6.50 3 Italy-$9.00

2 Spain-$3.20 2 Canada-$2.20 3 Japan-$3.90

MARCH 2013 DX SUPPLY SPECIALS

200/200 European Air mailers and Air Returns -$37.00

200/200 Stateside mailers and Returns - $19.00

Priority Mail Shipping Rates: 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, the stamps ride free, just use supply total to figure shipping costs. Shipments to Canada and overseas ship at a greater cost. (04/2008)

73,

Bill

William Plum

12 Glenn Road

Flemington, NJ 08822

908 788 1020

908 782-2612 FAX

Email: plumdx@msn.com

Review of Klingenfuss 2013 Shortwave Frequency Guide

Review by Gayle Van Horn-Monitoring Times

The 17th Edition of the 2013 Shortwave Frequency Guide - one of five annual radio reference books and CDs available from Klingenfuss Publications, has recently been released.

This year’s 376 page book begins as last year, with a general overview of radio observations by Joerg Klingenfuss (author/publisher), followed by a section devoted to monitoring utility stations. This chapter will be of special interest to utility listeners and includes a basic explanation of the various aspects of utility monitoring and a by-frequency listing of stations with call signs, station name, mode and details.

The heart of this book and the primary focus is on shortwave broadcast stations, frequencies, and schedules. The 2013 Shortwave Frequency Guide covers the latest 2013  schedules for worldwide clandestine, domestic, and international broadcast stations, which are derived from the Klingenfuss 2013 Super Frequency List on CD.

The broadcast radio stations by frequency section, contains introductory material and a segment devoted to Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) that includes a comprehensive list of DRM schedules, and a brief look to the future of shortwave and the debate over it's decline. A three-page chapter on Internet, SATCOM and HF Radio, features an interesting evaluation of the censorship of the Internet in dictatorships.

The by-frequency list covers freqs from 2310 kHz - 26060 kHz. Each frequency listing includes the station name, location, start and end times of each broadcast, language, target area, and selected remarks.

If focusing on a particular country of interest, the by-country section of the book, labeled the "Alphabetical List of Broadcast Radio Stations" in the Table of Contents, will be of particular interest.

Frequency information for international broadcast stations, clandestine, and domestic stations are accurate at time of publication and include seasonal frequency adjustments. Klingenfuss uses a volunteer staff of worldwide radio listeners and broadcasters that contribute information to this publication and keep the information accurate and up-to-date.

The easy-to read book is a real asset at your listening post, regardless of whether you monitor the utility bands or enjoy programming from shortwave broadcast stations. The 2013 Shortwave Frequency Guide is an excellent annual publication for the beginner or experienced radio hobbyist who seeks a complete HF spectrum reference book (utility/broadcast station listings). This is a basic no-frills radio reference guide. The book easily opens and remains open at the selected page for easy reference at your receiver. This year’s edition, as in past years, is a fine addition to my listening post.

To order the 2013 Klingenfuss Shortwave Frequency Guide book, go to the Klingenfuss website at www.klingenfuss.org or order from Universal Radio at www.universal-radio.com. The book number # 5958 for $49.95 plus shipping and handling., or order from Universal via phone 1-800-431-3939; Fax 1-614-866-2339. Postal mail to: Universal Radio, Inc., 6830 Americana Parkway, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068-4113 USA

Weekly Propagation Forcast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2013 Mar 11 0413 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html
#
#                Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 04 - 10 March 2013

Solar activity ranged from very low to moderate levels. A majority of the week was dominated by very low levels with only B-class events observed on 04, 06 and 08 - 10 March. Activity increased to
moderate levels on 05 March when Region 1686 (S13, L=263, class/area Dac/140 on 06 March) produced an impulsive M1/Sf flare at 05/0754 UTC. Associated with this event were weak, low frequency radio emissions including a Type II signature with an estimated shock velocity of 1011 km/s. Later on 05 March, this region produced a C1 event at 2044 UTC as well as another C1 event at 08/1644 UTC as it rotated off the visible disk. The other spotted regions on the disk were quiet and stable through the period. No Earth-directed CMEs were detected during the week.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at high levels 04 - 08 March, reaching a peak flux of 7905 pfu at 06/1925 UTC. Flux levels decayed to moderate levels on 09 - 10
March.

Geomagnetic field activity was at predominately quiet levels with an isolated unsettled period observed at 05/0000 - 0300 UTC. Solar wind speed, as measured at the ACE spacecraft, ranged from   high of about 500 km/s early on 04 March and exhibited a slow, steady decay in speed through the week, ending the period near 340 km/s. Total field measurements ranged from 1 nT to 9 nT while  interplanetary magnetic field Bz ranged between +/- 5 nT. The Phi angle began the period in a mostly negative (towards) orientation through about 06/0800 UTC. Through the remainder of the period, field orientation was variable, shifting from negative to positive (away).

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 11 March - 06 April 2013

Solar activity is likely to be low through the period. A slight chance for M-class activity exists through 16 March while Region 1689 remains on the disk, and again from 21 March - 03 April with
the return of old Region 1686 (S12, L=263).

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 through 28 March. Moderate to high levels are possible from 29 March - 04 April with
the return of a recurrent coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS). Normal to moderate levels are expected for the remainder of the period.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be predominately quiet to unsettled. Active periods are possible on 28 March due to CH HSS effects.
Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2013 Mar 11 0413 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 2013-03-11
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2013 Mar 11     120           5          2
2013 Mar 12     120           5          2
2013 Mar 13     120           5          2
2013 Mar 14     120           5          2
2013 Mar 15     120           5          2
2013 Mar 16     115           5          2
2013 Mar 17     115           5          2
2013 Mar 18     110           5          2
2013 Mar 19     105           5          2
2013 Mar 20     100           5          2
2013 Mar 21     100           8          3
2013 Mar 22      95           5          2
2013 Mar 23      95           5          2
2013 Mar 24      95           5          2
2013 Mar 25     100           5          2
2013 Mar 26     100           5          2
2013 Mar 27     105           5          2
2013 Mar 28     110          18          4
2013 Mar 29     110          10          3
2013 Mar 30     110           5          2
2013 Mar 31     110           5          2
2013 Apr 01     115           5          2
2013 Apr 02     115           5          2
2013 Apr 03     115           5          2
2013 Apr 04     120           5          2
2013 Apr 05     120           5          2
2013 Apr 06     120           5          2
(NOAA)