Blog Logs

Thanks to Arnaldo Slaen, Brian Alexander, Ron Howard and Peter Ng for the following logging contributions. Have you sent yours in yet?
Gayle VH

All times UTC // parallel frequencies *sign-on sing-off*

Ascencion Island
9525, Star Radio, via Ascension, *0700-0730, Nov 23, Sign on with ID & into English news concerning Liberia. Audio somewhat muffled but good signal strength. Radio Okapi programming heard on this frequency the previous morning but now back to the normal Star Radio programming this morning. English CTN news at 0730. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Australia
Australia, 4910, ABC- Tennant Creek, 1028-1040 With a fair signal, noted male and female in English language news and comments and ID as "ABC". At 1035 popular music presented. So this is suppose to secure at 0830 UTC and it's still up at 1035 on Sunday morning with a fair signal? (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Bolivia
4796.39, Radio Mallku, Uyuni, 0935-0945, Nov 24, Bolivian folk music. ID at 0940. Weak. Poor with CODAR QRM.(Brian Alexander, PA)

Bolivia
5996,35 Radio Loyola, Sucre, 0915-0925, November 17, Spanish, TC: “5 de la mañana con 25 minutos en todo el pais...”, Programme conduced by male, SINPO 32422 (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina)

Brazil

9514.98, Radio Novas de Paz, Curitiba, 0850-0905, Nov 24, local music. Portuguese talk. Religious talk & music at 0900. Fair. weaker on // 11725. Very poor on // 6080.14-with co-channel QRM. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Brazil
9645.24, Radio Bandeirantes, Sao Paulo, 0915-0930, Nov 24, Portuguese talk. // 11925.20 - both frequencies weak. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Brazil
9664.97, Radio Marumby, Florianopolis, 0920-0930, Nov 24, Portuguese talk. Local folk music. Fair. Much weaker on // 11749.88-with co-channel QRM. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Burkina Faso
5030, Radio Burkina, *0525-0555, Nov 22, Sign on with test tone. National Anthem at 0528. Opening French announcements at 0530 followed by local African music. French & vernacular talk. Fair but some adjacent channel splatter from Cuba 5025. University Network 5030 not on the air. (Brian Alexander, PA)

China
China, 4919.92, People's Broadcasting Station, 1132-1145 At tune in, noted a female in Tibetian language comments. Sounded like news. At 1138 music heard briefly. Female back in comments at 1139. At 1140 a male joins the fun. This is parallel on 4905 KHz at this time. Both signals are equally poor, but readable. (Chuck Bolland, November 23, 2007)

Clandestine
[broadcasting to North Korea], 5985, Shiokaze/Sea Breeze via Yamata, Japan, *1400-1430*, Nov 23 (Fri.), in English, open carrier on at 1359, starts with piano IS, YL with sign-on announcements, requests information about abductees, gives e-mail address, mailing address and three phone numbers (seemed to be 81356845058, etc.), OM with program "News on North Korea Issues", reading items from Japanese newspapers, IDs "This is Shiokaze Sea Breeze from Tokyo, Japan", YL with sign-off announcements, gives clear "JSR" callsign, so Yamata indeed does still use their callsign, but used only once. Some days have noted strong jamming here, but not today. Reception was fair. (Ron Howard, CA)

Ecuatorial Guinea
5005, Radio Nacional-Bata, *0459-0555, Nov 22, Sign on with National Anthem. Spanish announcements at 0502. Variety of Spanish pops/ballads, orchestral music & Afro-pops.
Spanish talk. Weak with low modulation. I have been checking for the 6250 transmitter but only heard one day, Nov 17. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Gabon
4777, Radio Gabon, *0457-0505, Nov 24, Sign on with National Anthem. Opening French ID announcements at 0459. Local African music at 0500. French talk. Canned IDs. Good. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Indonesia
9680, RRI-Jakarta, 1007-1027, Nov 25 (Sun.)in English, KGRE program #5702 presented by Sue, Maggie and Kevin, talks about the KGRE anniversary BBQ, played pop Indonesian songs, fair, light QRM (WYFR in French). Propagation this year has indeed been different. In past years when WYFR switched to this frequency, it was usually goodbye to RRI & KGRE, but not this year. Some days now it is hard to tell if WYFR is even under RRI. (Ron Howard, CA)

Kang Guru Radio English: Recently received a friendly e-mail from Sue Rodger (ELT Materials and Training Coordinator at KGRE). They have been funded by AusAID (The Australian Government' Overseas Aid Program) for 18 years now and in late October they celebrated 10 years in Bali (before that they were located in Jakarta) with an Aussie BBQ for some listeners/users teachers, club members, students, etc. At her location in Bali they have just recentl completed work on a new small, but functional recording studio. IALF Indonesia Australia Language Foundation) and KGRE moved to their present campus two and a half years ago and had always wanted to build this recording studio. They presently broadcast on over 130 RRI and private radio stations across Indonesia. (Ron Howard, CA)

Iran

7325, 0003. V.O.I.R.I. Chinese newscast read by male/female duo amid fair reception quality. (Peter Ng, Malaysia)

Latvia
9290 Radio SWH / Latvia Today program, 0845-0900, November 24, English, instrumental songs, long talk by male, identification and annmt by female, SINPO 24332 (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina)

9290 Radio City, 0900-0910, November 24, ¿language?, low signal, music, SINPO 14321. (Arnaldo Slean, Aergentina)

Laos

6130, 1128. Laos National Radio. Talk by female announcer, followed by Laotian music/song until station interval signal played on a mouth organ. Big Ben Ben signal and station identification at 1200 by male announcer. (Peter Ng, Malaysia)

Mexico
599.29, Radio UNAM, Mexico City, 0755-0810, Nov 23, classical music. ID at 0803. Good signal & in the clear. Also heard at 1910. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Oman
15140, Radio Sultanate of Oman, 1400-1500, Nov 24, Pop music. English news at 1430-1438. Sports news at 1439. "November Achievements" program at 1445. Pop music at 1456Chimes/gongs at 1500. Very weak. Threshold signal at times, but in quiet conditions for a change. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Rwanda
5975, Sudan Radio Service, via Kigali, *0300-0330*, Nov 22, opening English ID to station announcements. News at 0302. Program at 0315 about government policies in Southern Sudan. Mon-Fri only. Poor to fair with adjacent channel splatter. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Russia
15390, Southern Sudan Interactive Radio Instruction, via Armavir, *1400-1428*, Nov 24, ID. English language lesson about the meaning of words. Doorbell sound between lessons. Local African music. Poor to fair. Tues, Thur, Sat only. NOT // 15675. Different English language lesson on 15675. (Brian Alexander, PA)

South Africa
15675, Southern Sudan Interactive Radio Instruction, via Meyerton, *1400-1429*, Nov 24, ID. English language lesson about how to ask about members of the family. Doorbell sound between lessons. Good signal. Tues, Thur, Sat only. NOT // 15390. Different English language lesson on 15390. (Brian Alexander, PA)

USA/Hawaii
9930, KWHR, 1100-1105, Nov 25 (Sun.), in English, Norma Bonds religious program, fair. Checking to see if Open Radio North Korea (ORNK) ever added their weekend schedule, as was mentioned back in June. Website http://www.nkradio.com/eng/sub.html?s=2_2 continues to shows ORNK still on from Monday to Friday, 8 PM - 9 PM [Pyongyang Standard Time] [11 UT - 12 UT] on 9930. Why the long delay in implementing a weekend schedule? (Ron Howard, CA)

7555 KJES, Vado, NM, 0205+, November 24, English, talk by male, SINPO 24432. (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina)

7595 VOA-Radio Ashna via CLN, 0210+, November 24, ¿Urudu?, talk by male, SINPO 23121 // 9335 via KWY with 24222 (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina)

9265.04, WMLK, Bethal, PA, 1929-1932*, Nov 23, Just caught the end of their transmission with IDs & their usual theme music to sign off. Fairly good audio. Sign off was a little earlier than usual. I believe sign off is usually around 2000-2100. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Zanzibar
11735, Radio Tanzania-Zanzibar, 1759-1809, Nov 23, drums at 1759. Time pips, "Spice FM" ID and English news at 1800- 1808. Back to Swahili at 1808. Good. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Radio Netherlands Program Preview - Nov 26-30

MONDAY 26 NOVEMBER
*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
0500 (Western N America 6165)
1000 (East/Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia 9795, Far East 6040)
1200 (Eastern N America 11675)
1400 (South Asia 9345, 12080, 15595)
1530 (South Asia 9345, 12080, 15595)
1800 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 11655, 12050)
1930 (East Africa 11805, 12050, West Africa 17810, Central/Southern Africa 7120)
2030 (East Africa 11805, 12050, West Africa 11655, 17810, Central/Southern Africa 7120)
0000 (Eastern N America 6165)
0100 (Central N America 6165)

*** Curious Orange ***

You can listen to a new Curious Orange every Monday. If you miss it, don't worry! We repeat it for your listening pleasure on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Of course, it's available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day on the web - www.radionetherlands.nl/curiousorange.

This week on Curious Orange, radicalism on the right - what it means for Holland and what the Dutch think about it.

Also, should gays be allowed in the Christian Union party? Some say No. We ask why.

And, between the extremes comes Sinterklaas and his army of Zwarte Pieten! We take you to the annual parade and share a few seasonal treats.

Of course, we'll tie it all together with a little Dutch music. That's this week on Curious Orange.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
0030 (Eastern N America 6165)
0130 (Central N America 6165)
0530 (Western N America 6165)
1030 (East/Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia 9795, Far East 6040)
1230 (Eastern N America 11675)
1430 (South Asia 9345, 12080, 15595)
1830 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 11655, 12050)
1830 (East Africa 11805, 12050, West Africa 17810, Central/Southern Africa 7120, Eastern N America 15525, Central N America 15315)
2000 (West Africa 11655)

Repeated:
Wednesday
1500 (South Asia 9345, 12080, 15595)
1900 (East Africa 11805, 12050, West Africa 17810, Central/Southern Africa 7120)
Saturday
1430 (South Asia 9345, 12080, 15595)

TUESDAY 27 NOVEMBER
*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
0500 (Western N America 6165)
1000 (East/Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia 9795, Far East 6040)
1200 (Eastern N America 11675)
1400 (South Asia 9345, 12080, 15595)
1530 (South Asia 9345, 12080, 15595)
1800 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 11655, 12050)
1930 (East Africa 11805, 12050, West Africa 17810, Central/Southern Africa 7120)
2030 (East Africa 11805, 12050, West Africa 11655, 17810, Central/Southern Africa 7120)
0000 (Eastern N America 6165)
0100 (Central N America 6165)

*** The State We're In, Midweek Report ***

This week on The State We're In - Midweek Edition, the show about human rights and human wrongs:

We find out whether biofuels can really save the planet - or take food from hungry mouths.

Plus, we look at overconsumption around the world and explore the alternatives, from raiding dumpsters for discarded food to Beirut's culture of bling.

These stories in the next edition of the State We're In - Midweek Edition.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
0030 (Eastern N America 6165)
0130 (Central N America 6165)
0530 (Western N America 6165)
1030 (East/Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia 9795, Far East 6040)
1230 (Eastern N America 11675)
1430 (South Asia 9345, 12080, 15595)
1530 (South Asia 9345, 12080, 15595)
1830 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 11655, 12050)
2000 (East Africa 11805, 12050, West Africa 17810, Central/Southern Africa 7120)

WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER
*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
0500 (Western N America 6165)
1000 (East/Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia 9795, Far East 6040)
1200 (Eastern N America 11675)
1400 (South Asia 9345, 12080, 15595)
1530 (South Asia 9345, 12080, 15595)
1800 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 11655, 12050)
1930 (East Africa 11805, 12050, West Africa 17810, Central/Southern Africa 7120)
2030 (East Africa 11805, 12050, West Africa 11655, 17810, Central/Southern Africa 7120)
0000 (Eastern N America 6165)
0100 (Central N America 6165)

*** Radio Books ***

'Christophe Vekeman - Father is Peeing on the Whole Bloody Thing'

Ralph Koorman is thirty-five years old and is on holiday in Paris with his wife and four-year-old son. He's feeling tired and neglected and finds himself battling against his own demons and the realisation that life isn't going quite as he'd expected. With children come responsibilities and change. Change which Ralph Koorman can't yet fully accept.

The eighth in our Radio Books series of contemporary short stories by Dutch and Flemish writers is Father is Peeing on the Whole Bloody Thing by Christophe Vekeman.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
0030 (Eastern N America 6165)
0130 (Central N America 6165)
0530 (Western N America 6165)
1030 (East/Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia 9795, Far East 6040)
1230 (Eastern N America 11675)
1430 (South Asia 9345, 12080, 15595)
1830 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 11655, 12050)
2000 (East Africa 11805, 12050, West Africa 17810, Central/Southern Africa 7120)

Repeated:
Friday 1500 (South Asia 9345, 12080, 15595)
1900 (East Africa 11805, 12050, West Africa 17810, Central/Southern Africa 7120)


THURSDAY 29 NOVEMBER
*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
0500 (Western N America 6165)
1000 (East/Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia 9795, Far East 6040)
1200 (Eastern N America 11675)
1400 (South Asia 9345, 12080, 15595)
1530 (South Asia 9345, 12080, 15595)
1800 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 11655, 12050)
1930 (East Africa 11805, 12050, West Africa 17810, Central/Southern Africa 7120)
2030 (East Africa 11805, 12050, West Africa 11655, 17810, Central/Southern Africa 7120)
0000 (Eastern N America 6165)
0100 (Central N America 6165)

*** Earthbeat ***

Nobel Prize winning economist Joe Stiglitz and sustainability guru Vandan Shiva share their ideas on who makes the real money from globalisation, whether the trickle down effect works and whether there's a chance of heading towards a 'kinder economics' in the future.


Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
0030 (Eastern N America 6165)
0130 (Central N America 6165)
0530 (Western N America 6165)
1030 (East/Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia 9795, Far East 6040)
1230 (Eastern N America 11675)
1430 (South Asia 9345, 12080, 15595)
1830 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 11655, 12050)
2000 (East Africa 11805, 12050, West Africa 17810, Central/Southern Africa 7120)

Repeated:
Monday
1500 (South Asia 9345, 12080, 15595)
1900 (East Africa 11805, 12050, West Africa 17810, Central/Southern Africa 7120)
Saturday
1900 (East Africa 11805, 12050, West Africa 17810, Central/Southern Africa 7120)

FRIDAY 30 NOVEMBER
*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
0500 (Western N America 6165)
1000 (East/Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia 9795, Far East 6040)
1200 (Eastern N America 11675)
1400 (South Asia 9345, 12080, 15595)
1530 (South Asia 9345, 12080, 15595)
1800 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 11655, 12050)
1930 (East Africa 11805, 12050, West Africa 17810, Central/Southern Africa 7120)
2030 (East Africa 11805, 12050, West Africa 11655, 17810, Central/Southern Africa 7120)
0000 (Eastern N America 6165)
0100 (Central N America 6165)

*** Network Europe ***

A Pan European team links up across the continent each week to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

The programme is a unique example of European co-operation, produced by the continent's leading international broadcasters, it reflects the diversity of European society and voices. Each week we drop in on specialists around Europe and catch up with our extensive network of correspondents for their unique take on the events shaping the week.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
0030 (Eastern N America 6165)
0130 (Central N America 6165)
0530 (Western N America 6165)
1030 (East/Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia 9795, Far East 6040)
1230 (Eastern N America 11675)
1430 (South Asia 9345, 12080, 15595)
1830 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 11655, 12050)
2000 (East Africa 11805, 12050, West Africa 17810, Central/Southern Africa 7120)

Repeated:
Monday
1500 (South Asia 9345, 12080, 15595)
1900 (East Africa 11805, 12050, West Africa 17810, Central/Southern Africa 7120)
Saturday
1900 (East Africa 11805, 12050, West Africa 17810, Central/Southern Africa 7120)
(R Netherlands)

Radio Belarus - B07

BELARUS Radio Belarus, B07 schedule.

All times UTC

BR-1
250 kW 0500-0800 7170 kHz 1600-1800 6090 kHz
150 kW 0300-0200 6080 kHz
75 kW 0300-2300 6115 kHz 2300-0200 6105 kHz

Kanal Kultura 0300-0000 1125 kHz 150 kW

Belorusskoe Radio
250 kW 1805- .... [-0000 seemingly 7420 ??, wb.]
150 kW 1200-0000 7390 kHz
75 kW 1200-0000 7360 kHz
(Sergey Akekseychik-BLR, RUSdx Nov 18)
(Source: WWDX Top News/BC-DX #835)

BBC Radio 7 set to revive Letter From America

From BBC Radio 7:

Letter From America
One of the most enduring series on Radio 4 was Alistair Cooke's weekly Letter From America I am delighted that we have been able to clear a selection of his legendary letters to include in our "Stars and Stripes" season.

Although born in Salford, Alistair became an American citizen in 1941 and 1946 saw the first broadcast of American Letter, which in 1949 became Letter from America. Apparently Alistair Cooke rarely decided which topic he would talk about until he began to write his script, made no notes during the preceding week and preferred to rely on his memory.

In next week's selection of letters you can hear him recounting his first meeting with a native American, an entertaining lunch with Groucho Marx, musings on how a Polish immigrant became an ice cream millionaire and reflections on the burgeoning American TV industry.

These are fascinating programmes from a consummate broadcaster, who continued working into his 90s. Alistair Cooke died in March 2004 aged 95.
Monday to Friday 7th December at 1:15pm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/newsletter/newsletter_thisweek.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/
(Source: Fred Waterer)

Beam change for Radio Netherlands Dutch service

From Monday 26 November, the RNW Dutch transmission at 1659-1757 UTC from Madagascar on 11655 kHz will be on a beam of 335 degrees instead of 305 degrees.
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Ethiopia: Radio Fana to construct new building

Radio Fana, a pro-government station in Ethiopia, is to construct an 11 storey building inside its compound, in a bid to upgrade its broadcasting capacity, sources have told The Daily Monitor. The construction of the new building will enables the station to scale up its transmission capacity to 18 hours a day, from the present 11 hours a day.

The radio station, which started operation in 1995, celebrates its 12th anniversary today. Radio Fana broadcasts on AM, FM and shortwave to in Amharic, Oromiffa, Amharic and English.

(Source: The Daily Monitor/Radio Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Another test Saturday Nov. 23 from Radio Waddenzee

Tomorrow, Saturday 24 November, there will another test transmission from the shipborne transmitter of Dutch regional commercial station Radio Waddenzee. The test will take place on 1602 kHz between 1200 and 1600 UTC. The station says that last week’s test was successful. We’ve seen reports that in some locations the signal was stronger than the normal transmitter in Pietersbierum. Maintenance work will be carried out on the regular transmitter while the shipborne transmitter is on the air.

Related story:
Dutch regional commercial broadcaster Radio Waddenzee, based in Harlingen, Friesland, is currently on the air on 1602 kHz from a transmitter on board its vessel Jenni Baynton, the former lightship “Light Vessel Number Eight”. During this time, the regular mediumwave transmitter in Pietersbierum has been switched off. Broadcasts from the ship began at 1200 UTC and will end at 1800 UTC. This is a test transmission to check out the coverage of the shipborne transmitter, and reception reports are welcomed to info@radiowaddenzee.nl.
(Source: Radio.nl/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Special DRM transmission from Bonaire to Ecuador on November 26

In connection with a conference on digital broadcasting to be held in Ecuador next week, RNW Bonaire will make a special DRM transmission to Ecuador with the following parameters:

Date: Monday November 26th
Time: 1600-1800 UTC
Frequency: 15245 kHz
DRM output power: 120 kW
Antenna: HRS 4/4/1 230 degrees
Language: RNW Spanish
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Radio France International to cease broadcast in Azerbaijan

The broadcasts of Radio France International on 105.0 MHz FM in Baku, Azerbaijan, will be stopped. Nushirevan Maharramli, chairman of the Azerbaijani National TV and Radio Broadcasting Council, told the Trend News Agency today that Azerbaijan has repeatedly appealed to the French radio to submit the licence [sic - presumably application].

The Council has issued licences for the broadcasting of RFE/RL and the Voice of America, as well as the BBC. The issue concerning the interruption of RFI will be considered during the meeting of the Council tomorrow.
(Source: Trend News Agency/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Azerbaijan to be included in ITU European broadcasting area

At the recently-concluded World Radiocommunication Conference, the ITU decided to include Azerbaijan in the European Broadcasting Area. According to the Azerbaijani Communications and IT Ministry, this means that in the future all European countries will co-ordinate the technical aspects of broadcasting with Azerbaijan, and it will be easy to solve technical issues.
(Source: Trend News Agency/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Karen dialect radio stations in northern Thailand put off air

The northern community radio network says it will protest to the governor of Chiang Mai province in Thailand after two of its 10 member stations broadcasting in a hilltribe dialect were forced off the air for security reasons. Sangmuang Mangkorn, coordinator of the Chiang Mai-based Migration Action Programme, said a man claiming to represent the Third Army called up the two stations, in Fang and Chom Thong districts, and ordered them to stop broadcasting, citing security reasons. The stations broadcast in Karen dialect.

”These stations have never posed any national security threat, they only broadcast useful information to the public,” Mr Sangmuang said. ”They avoid political issues and have never influenced their audience on election choices.” He said there might be a political motive behind the closure order as the 23 December general election was approaching.

Mr Sangmuang said his radio station in Chiang Mai’s Muang district, which broadcasts in the ethnic Shan dialect on FM 99 MHz, had also been warned that it might be shut down even though the station’s programme content focuses on health and law issues. ”I am ready to talk with the local authorities about this matter,” he said.
(Source: Bangkok Post/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

America's Thanksgiving Holiday 2007

Today, November 22, America celebrates our annual Thanksgiving holiday. It is a time we gather with family and friends to give thanks for the blessings we have received throughout the year and enjoy a day of family traditions and feasting.

To our military troops stationed far from home and those serving in harms way, we offer our thanks and support.

Thank you to our blog readers and may you have a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving Day and holiday weekend - wherever you are !

Gayle & Larry Van Horn
Teak Publishing

SIRIUS Radio to celebrate Thanksgiving with exclusive music programming

Thanksgiving Day specials will feature live coverage of Graceland Holiday tree lighting ceremony, Arlo Guthrie, Jimmy Buffett, Tommy Lee, Dionne Warwick, Fred Imus and Mojo Nixon
November 20, 2007: 02:17 PM EST

NEW YORK, Nov. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SIRIUS Satellite Radio will celebrate Thanksgiving with a unique line-up of special broadcasts.

The exclusive programming will feature the annual lighting of Elvis's "Blue" Christmas tree, broadcast live from Graceland; a special broadcast of Arlo Guthrie's epic Thanksgiving song "Alice's Restaurant Massacree"; Radio Margaritaville's Annual Thanksgiving Jimmy Buffett Concert; Tommy Lee and DJ Aero spinning electro-house beats live from Pacha in New York City; a visit by Dionne Warwick; a special Thanksgiving edition of Fred Imus' Trailer Park Bash and an exclusive interview with Arlo Guthrie.

For the program line-up consult CNNMoney.com at:
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/NYTU12820112007-1.htm

Time to Give Thanks to the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsman

For those seeking a quick way to show appreciation for troops' serving far from home this holiday season, look no further than "Giving Thanks," a new initiative from the Defense Department's America Supports You program.

America Supports You connects citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.

"This is a simple way to connect our citizens to our (servicemembers) using modern technology," Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communications and public liaison, said of the text messaging program.

The program officially kicked off Nov. 17 and concludes at midnight PST Nov. 22. Between those times, people wishing to express gratitude to the troops for their service can text a brief message to 89279. Each text message sent will receive a response from an active-duty servicemember in return.

Major mobile wireless providers, including AT&T, Verizon, Sprint Nextel, and T-Mobile, will provide access to the Giving Thanks text messaging program.

"We know that thousands of families will be sitting down for Thanksgiving dinner and thinking about loved ones who are far away from home serving their country," Ms. Barber said. "We are counting on other American families to take a moment during their holiday celebration to think of those families and their family members who are serving and say, 'Thanks.'

"The reassurance that others are thinking about them will mean a lot to our troops," she added.

Those who send a message during the six days of the Giving Thanks program also will be directed to the America Supports You Web site. There, they'll find a sampling of messages from the public and a running tally of how many messages have been received. They'll also be able to read messages from the troops.

Some servicemembers in Iraq and Afghanistan already have sent messages thanking the public for the support. Angie, an Airman serving in Iraq, wrote: "Your support means so much, especially during the holidays. God Bless."

Troops of Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan also wrote to express their appreciation for the continued support they receive.

"To all the great Americans who go out of their way to support all the Soldiers of the Combined Security Transition Command in Afghanistan, thank you."

In an effort to reach the Hispanic community, which is represented in large numbers in the armed services, America Supports You is working with Interlex, an advertising, marketing and public relations firm with multicultural capabilities.

"What we are doing is complementing the general market efforts to mobilize the Hispanic community to become involved in America Supports You," said Rolando Rodriguez, Interlex's managing director for public relations and community-based outreach. "Obviously that's important because many Hispanics do consume different press than the general market would."

The firm's goal is to inform Hispanic communities that many Hispanic youth are serving in the military. "There (also) are a number of Hispanic families that (will be) impacted during the holidays because (the servicemembers) are not sitting at the table with them, so it's important to show their appreciation," Rodriguez said.

MTV Tr3s, an American Spanish-language network launched in September 2006, is one way the firm hopes to reach America's Hispanic community. The network reaches 30 million homes and 6.5 million Hispanic households across the country, Rodriguez said.

"MTV Tr3s has Mi TRL, (and) what they're going to do is ... live reads on their video countdown, which is their signature program," he said. "They're going to talk about, 'Hey, support this initiative.'"

Mi TRL also will run a banner at the bottom of the screen promoting the text messaging program. In addition, the program will air a full screen of information on how to thank troops.

Interlex USA also is working to involve Hispanic celebrities to let the Hispanic community know that thanking a servicemember for their sacrifices this holiday season is as easy as sending a text message.

"When we talk about text messaging, Hispanics ... out-pace all groups," Mr. Rodriguez said, adding the text messaging group tends to be younger, much like MTV Tr3s viewers, who range from 12-34.

He added that his team is working to get the message out to Hispanic communities in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and Dallas through Spanish-language media outlets, as well as entertainment and sporting venues.

These are the same types of venues that will carry information about the America Supports You Giving Thanks program to the general market, officials said.

Radio New Zealand International voted Radio Station of the Year

Shortwave Central Blog congratulates Radio New Zealand International. Kudos to Kiwis!!
Gayle VH

Radio New Zealand International has been voted International Radio Station of the Year [beating out BBC World Service and Radio Sawa] and also winner of the Most Innovative Partnership award [beating out Radio Australia, Radio Canada and Zonemedia Romantica].

Full details are in the media release at http://www.rnz.co.nz/ . A copy of the release is also attached.

The Radio Heritage Foundation [www.radioheritage.net] produces regular radio heritage documentaries for broadcast over RNZI and congratulates RNZI's team and its partner stations throughout the Pacific for achieving these awards against tough international
competition.

RNZI celebrates 60 years of shortwave broadcasting from New Zealand to the Pacific in September 1948, supports the shortwave listening hobby, and broadcasts in both analog and digital DRM as well as online via http://www.rnzi.com/ .

Radio Heritage Foundation
'Sharing the stories of Pacific radio'
www.radioheritage.net
(Source: HCDX)

Hit Parade Hall of Fame

Gil Bateman, Gary Theroux, Ed Salamon, Rollye James, Jason Rook and John Rook have been busy preparing the 2008 nominations to the "Hit Parade Hall of Fame" that will be announced during the first week of the new year. Inductees from the 2007 nominees will be announced during Christmas week a month from now

Visit http://www.hitparadehalloffame.org/ to vote and read more.

Digital radio rocked ?

It has not been a good few days for digital radio. Virgin Radio is closing one of its digital stations, Virgin Radio Groove, and is not even going to bother launching Virgin Radio Viva, planned for the new Channel 4 DAB radio platform, while UBC Media has written off its 49% investment in digital speech station Oneword. What next?

Channel 4 put a brave face on the loss of Viva, saying it had signed "nearly all its long-term carriage agreements" and had secured agreements with nine podcast partners.

But it will inevitably be disappointed to lose the Virgin station - aimed at 15 to 29-year-old women - coming a month after Charles Allen's Global Radio pulled out of its joint venture with Sky to launch Sky News Radio, also due to launch on the Channel 4 platform.

Digital radio hasn't lost its appeal among listeners - 28.4% of the population listened via DAB radio, digital TV and the web in the third quarter of this year, according to the latest Rajar figures, and there are DAB sets in around 6 million homes.
Read more from the Guardian via John Plunkett's blog at:
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/organgrinder/2007/11/digital_radio_rocked.html

Propagation Forecast Bulletin

Propagation Forecast Bulletin 48 ARLP048
From Tad Cook, K7RA
Seattle, WA November 21, 2007
To all radio amateurs

SB PROP ARL ARLP048
ARLP048 Propagation de K7RA

This is an off-schedule bulletin before Thanksgiving. Because ARRL headquarters is closed on Friday, the day this bulletin is normally released, and this bulletin was written before the end of our reporting week (which is Thursday through Wednesday), the sunspot, solar flux and geophysical numbers normally at the end of this bulletin will appear in a new propagation bulletin on Monday, November 26. Friday, November 30 will find us back on the regular schedule.

Another sunspot appeared in the past week, but just for two days, November 16-17. The sunspot number was 13 on both days. Neil Klagge, W0YSE of Layton, Utah wondered why the last Propagation Forecast Bulletin ARLP047 said there was only one sunspot on November 6 when the sunspot number for that day was 11. That is because of the arcane method used to derive sunspot numbers. A sunspot number of 11 means just one sunspot. The number is derived by counting 10 points for each sunspot group, and adding one point for each spot. So 11 is also the minimum non-zero sunspot number.

It is either 0, or 11, or something higher, with nothing from 1-10. So in reality, this week when we said there was one sunspot for November 16-17, because the sunspot number was 13, that can onlymean that there was one group of sunspots, but three spots were observed, although they were tiny.

We had some geomagnetic activity this week from a coronal wind stream. On November 20 the planetary K index rose to 6 for one period, and the planetary A index for the day was 28. Alaska's College A index was 48. The predicted planetary A index for November 21-27 is 20, 15, 10, 8, 15, 10 and 5. Note that this weekend, November 24-25, is the CQ Worldwide DX CW Contest. Sunspot and solar flux numbers should remain about the same, with an occasional spot appearing, and solar flux hanging around 70 or slightly lower.

Jon Jones, N0JK noted some trans-equatorial 6-meter e-skip propagation from Florida to Brazil on the evening of November 18. From 2358z November 18 through 0002z November 19, KE4WBO worked PY2XB. K4CVL, also in Florida, worked P43A in Aruba on 6 meters at the same time, 0001z. All reported good signals.

If you would like to make a comment or have a tip for our readers, email the author at, k7ra@arrl.net .

For more information concerning radio propagation, see the ARRL Technical Information Service at, http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html. For a detailed explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin see, http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/k9la-prop.html. An archive of past propagation bulletins is at http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/prop/. Monthly propagation charts between four USA regions and twelve overseas locations are at, http://www.arrl.org/qst/propcharts/ .
NNNN
(Source: ARLP048 via Dave Raycroft/ODXA & Larry Van Horn)

Blog Logs

All times UTC

Japan
5985 Shiokaze/Sea Breeze via Yamata, Japan, Nov 3 first day of heavy jamming, also covered Myanma Radio on 5985.8. Reception this past week fair to poor, with Nov 2 (Fri.) in English with "Shiokaze Sea Breeze" ID. Still need to check if they use callsigns (JSR) in any IDs. (Ron Howard-CA-USA, JPNpremium )

Kazakhstan
As in B-06 Voice of Orthodox (Golas Pravaslavia) in Russian 1630- 1700 Tue and Fri on 7460 kHz, announced address in St. Petersburg Russia. (Rumen Pankov-BUL, wwdxc BC-DX Nov 9)

North Korea
Voice of Korea was reported on Nov the 3rd at 1600 with Nat. Anthem and prgrs in English on 3560 \\ 9990 and in French on 4405 \\ 13760. BTW on Nov the 5th at 0700 UT started the winter schedule - times are as in A-07 and freqs are as in B-06. (Rumen Pankov-BUL, wwdxc BC-DX Nov 9)

11735v Voice of Korea in Russian at 0800-0900 UT. Noted two independent carriers here, the stronger on 11734.90, and another on 11735.03 kHz, hetting each other. Two co-channels txs in use ?
(wb, Nov 10)

4450 KCBS Pyongyang, 1127-1140, Nov 10, Korean. Announcer at tune-in ballads from 1135 thru t/out. Poor/weak under QRN. (Scott Barbour-NH-USA, DXplorer Nov 11)

Kuwait
13620 DRM Radio Kuwait Nov 11 at 1145 Conversation in Arabic with gentleman on telephone; strong signal, S/N 15-16 dB, 100% intelligible with no dropouts on this 11.64 kbps stream. (Ralph Brandi-NJ-USA, DXplorer Nov 11)

Laos
Lao National Radio - updated information. There's a bunch of links on Lao National Radio's web page under which you can find information on Lao regional broadcasting. Here are some bits of information on unlisted and upgraded stations:

Khammouane Provincial Radio Station was established in 1996 and broadcasts on 765 kHz using a 10 kW transmitter donated by China.

Luang Prabang Radio Station recently acquired a 10 kW AM transmitter from the USA, and now broadcasts across the entire province on 705 kHz.

Oudomxai Provincial Radio and Television Station was completely rebuilt in 1993 and today it's broadcasting on 102 MHz FM using a 100W TSD transmitter donated by China and on 705 kHz AM using a 1 kW transmitter donated by China.

Vientiane Capital Radio and Television Station has had two second-hand transmitters that have been donated by Lao National Radio - a 50 kW transmitter which broke down and could not be repaired due to lack of spare parts, and most recently a 10 kW transmitter which is still
operating. Today Vientiane Capital Radio and Television Station broadcasts for 10 hours each day on 640 kHz. (LNR web page via via ARC MV-Eko Nov 12) Comments by Alan Davis:

Vientiane has been using 640 kHz for a few years, replacing 702 kHz, but unfortunately for DXers it was only operating in local daylight at 2330- 1000 UTC last time I checked. I suppose there's a faint chance it could be detected in Europe around the 2330 sign-on. I believe the 10 kW 640 kHz transmitter is the unit that used to carry LNR International Service on 1030
kHz.

I've never been able to hear Khammouane 765 kHz, and suspect it may be inactive. It was definitely not on air when I visited the Thai city of Nakhon Phanom, just across the Mekong, which would have been in 1999 as I recall. In the past few years I've checked 765 quite often from various locations in Laos and neighbouring countries, but have never heard a Lao
station on that frequency. In WRTH 2008 I've marked the listing as "unconfirmed".

Oudomxay's listed MW frequency is 800 kHz 1 kW with a Chinese transmitter, rather than 705 kHz as mentioned below, so probably 705 is a mix-up with Luang Prabang. In any case, I believe Oudomxay has been inactive for several years on MW and is now on FM only, based on information from recent Internet sources.

Luang Prabang has been heard much better at night over the past few years on 705 kHz than it used to be, so the story about the new 10 kW transmitter is very credible. For some reason they decided to stay on the split frequency. (Alan Davis-Asia via ARC MV-Eko Nov 12)


Liberia
4760 presumed ELWA Radio, 2125-2301* UT on Nov 14, English. Rough copy at t/in w/ CODAR,QRN and fading. Bits of religous talk b/w music. Slowly improving by ToH w/ OM w/ more religous talk; real "feel good" stuff; b/w choral music bits. Contact info for California. Hymn-like music from 2226 UT, sounded Italian, until barely audible announcer at
2300 followed by Liberian NA. NA matches that of old R. Liberia clip at intervalsignals.net

Liberia 4760 reactivated? Not 100% certain with this, but the NA and s/off time, which they
broadcasted up to occassionaly, lean toward ELWA. (Scott R. Barbour-NH-USA, DXplorer Nov 14)

I was listening to ELWA at the same time (2215-2301 UT) same day. Similar programming heard here with deep fades. Went down just before TOH but the N/A came again very nicely. No positive ID here either, but N/A and freq suggests this is ELWA. Haven't heard them for a long time (I guess I haven't tried hard enough :-)

I heard 14 Nov ELWA, Monrovia, Liberia again on 4760 kHz until sign-off 2301 UT.

I checked various websites and found out that ELWA has a new 5 kW sw transmitter under installation, maybe even testing now. They will use old 4760 frequency and another channel in the 49 meterband. Some pages suggest 6070 will be used.

Not yet known which transmitter will be on which frequency. I e-mailed the station in Monrovia and hopefully we'll have the latest from them. (Jari Savolainen-FIN, DXplorer Nov 15)

Micronesia
4754.9 Pacific Missionary Aviation (tentative) on Nov 9 at 0807 UT. Christian music mixed with religious talk in English, alternating between the two; much static, not easily intellibigle, minor CODAR interference. (Ralph Brandi-NJ-USA, DXplorer Nov 11)

Mongolia
7260 presumed Mongolian Radio, at 1203-1230 UT on Nov 6, Vernacular. News/soundbites at t/in. Exotic ballads from 1211 until announcer at 1228 UT. Wiped out by USB chatter at 1230 UT. Weak/fading. (Scott Barbour-NH-USA, DXplorer Nov 11) scheduled 0700-1300 UT

Myanmar
5985.8 Radio Myanma, at 1506-1600* UT on Nov 12, in English; pop songs, political slogans ("united we stand", etc.), more songs, usual marching music, at 1516 - "9:46 Myanmar time", YL with news, many clear mentions of the State Peace and Development Council, followed by commentary given with indigenous music in the background, 1528-1558 UT non-stop generic EZL instrumental music, YL gives list of titles of the music played, ID "Myanma Radio", anthem. Poor to fair. Also briefly noted in vernacular at 1356 with fair signal, but totally covered by Shiokaze sign-on at 1400 UT on 5985.0 kHz. (Ron Howard-CA-USA


Nigeria
4770 Radio Nigeria Kaduna Nov 8 at 2111 UT. News in English, ID in news at 2114 UT, canned ID at 2115 UT, ad for station, lots more talk. (Ralph Brandi-NJ-USA, DXplorer Nov 11)

Papua New Guinea
3335 Radio East Sepik, 1147-1215, Nov 9, Tok Pisin/English. YL w/ news at t/in, ments. Lorangau. NBC relay at ToH with English news re Pakistan and U.N. Back to YL at 1203 and OM b/w choral music bits. Animal/bird-like call at 1206 into presumed radio drama thru t/out.
Remarkable signal at t/in, eventually fading out by 1215. Quick checks for other 90m PNG's revealed a few carriers but nothing like this one. (Scott Barbour-NH-USA, DXplorer Nov 11)

Russia
11615 DRM -Voice of Russia Nov 11 at 1138 UT. Signal on the brink of decoding, 12 dB S/N, but only occasional snippets of audio making it through; program in German. 17.46 kbps stream. (Ralph Brandi-NJ-USA, DXplorer Nov 11)
(Source: WWDXC Top News/BC-DX #834 via W.B., Germany)

New episode of Global Crisis Watch available

November 12, 2007 Episode #55
Chaos in Pakistan and IRGC's nuclear program in Iran

Global Crisis Watch returns to discuss the game of chicken playing out in Pakistan between Musharraf and Bhutto and its CT and NatSec implications, and investigates the IRGC's role in Iran's "peaceful" nuclear research program. Guests: B. Raman, Director, Institute for Topical Studies in Chennai, India, Dr. Rohan Gunaratna, International Center for Political Violence and Terrorism in Singapore and author of "Inside al Qaeda," and Alireza Jafarzadeh, author of "The Iran Threat," in Switzerland.

Link: http://threatswatch.org/site-resources/podcast/gcw_071112.mp3
40:00 minutes 13.5 Megs

Playlist
Harry Gregson Williams - Number 23 #6
Kenji Kawai - Seven Swords #5
Seong Jun Kim - A Bloody Aria #9
Seong Jun Kim - A Bloody Aria #15

Note
We are also pleased to announce our partnership with the non-profit Center for Threat Awareness (CTA) and its Web site ThreatsWatch.org. CTA seeks to increase public awareness of national security threats and to assist in the delivery of professional and open source information vital to maintaining an informed public in a manner readily understandable by as broad an audience as possible. GCW shares the mission of CTA and will serve exclusively as the organization's official podcast.

Gobal Crisis Watch (GCW) is a groundbreaking and eclectic counterterrorism and national security podcast that takes listeners to the front lines of the long war and into the back rooms of the intelligence community. Hosted by Nick Grace and Sasha Eckstein in Washington, DC, GCW features discussions with newsmakers, analysts, journalists and activists across the world - from Aceh to Mogadishu
(Source: Nick Grace)