Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts:

Issued: 2010 Jun 22 2151 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact: www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html

Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
14 - 20 June 2010

Solar activity ranged from very low to low levels during the period. Activity was at low levels on 14 June, due to a C1/SF flare at 14/0051 UTC from Region 1081 (N25, L=101, class/area Bxo/010, on 14 June). Activity decreased to very low levels for the remainder of the period (15-20 June) with Region 1082 (N27, L=306, class/area Dso/030, on 20 June) producing a B5/SF flare at 17/1033 UTC.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux levels at geosynchronous orbit was at normal to moderate levels during 14-16 June. Flux levels increased to high levels during 17-20 June.

The geomagnetic field ranged from quiet to unsettled levels, with minor and major storms at high latitudes. On 14 June, the geomagnetic field was at quiet levels, with isolated unsettled levels at high latitudes. Activity increased to quiet to active levels, with minor and major storm levels occurring on 15-16 June. Activity decreased on 17 June, with quiet to unsettled levels and an isolated major storm period at high latitudes between 17/06-09 UTC. The disturbances during 15-17 June were associated with a recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream (CH HSS). During this period, solar wind data from the ACE spacecraft indicated elevated wind speeds at 602 km/s at 16/0825 UTC, with increased IMF total field intensity of 12 nT at 15/1228 UTC, with intervals of southward IMF Bz to -9 nT at 16/0126 UTC, and increased density to 22 p/cc at 15/0742 UTC. The geomagnetic field decreased to quiet levels for the remainder of the period, 18-20 June.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
23 June - 19 July 2010

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

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at high levels for most of the forecast period due to recurrent high speed streams with the exception of 23-25 June and 11-13 July when the background is expected to decrease to normal levels.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at predominantly quiet levels during 23-24 June. Quiet to unsettled levels, with isolated active levels at mid-latitudes and isolated minor storm levels at high latitudes, are expected during 25 June - 01 July, due to a recurrent CH HSS. Activity is expected to decrease to predominantly quiet levels from 02-11 June. Activity is expected to increase to quiet to unsettled levels, with isolated active levels, on 12 -14 July, due to another recurrent CH HSS. Predominantly quiet levels are expected for the remainder of the forecast period, 15-19 July.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2010 Jun 22 2151 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact: www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html
# 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table

Issued 2010 Jun 22
#
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2010 Jun 23 72 5 2
2010 Jun 24 75 5 2
2010 Jun 25 75 5 2
2010 Jun 26 75 15 3
2010 Jun 27 75 12 3
2010 Jun 28 75 10 3
2010 Jun 29 75 8 3
2010 Jun 30 75 8 3
2010 Jul 01 72 8 3
2010 Jul 02 72 5 2
2010 Jul 03 72 5 2
2010 Jul 04 72 5 2
2010 Jul 05 72 5 2
2010 Jul 06 72 5 2
2010 Jul 07 72 5 2
2010 Jul 08 72 5 2
2010 Jul 09 72 5 2
2010 Jul 10 72 5 2
2010 Jul 11 72 5 2
2010 Jul 12 72 8 3
2010 Jul 13 70 10 3
2010 Jul 14 70 8 3
2010 Jul 15 70 5 2
2010 Jul 16 70 5 2
2010 Jul 17 70 5 2
2010 Jul 18 70 5 2
2010 Jul 19 70 5 2
(NOAA)

Non QSL Cards - Mediumwave and Shortwave

It is probable that every international radio monitor of long standing anywhere in the world has experienced the personal embarrassment of receiving notification from some shortwave station somewhere that his reception report cannot be verified, due to some mistake in the reception report. In actual reality, sometimes the listener has made the mistake, and sometimes it is a mistake on the part of the staff at the radio station. Nevertheless, the receipt of this form of communication is indeed a disappointment to the listener. Hence, a non-QSL card, or maybe, letter.

In order to cope with this type of circumstance, several of the large international shortwave broadcasting stations have printed special cards that outline the likely problem, and these are posted to the listener, rather than the desired QSL card.

For example, Radio Netherlands in Hilversum Holland, printed a special card back some forty years ago that was a non-QSL card. On one side was a world map in two colors, and on the text side was a statement indicating appreciation for the communication from the listener, but the reception details were incorrect. The listener was invited to write in again. At least two forms of this card are known, the only difference between the two is a variation in the colors on the map. Interestingly, Radio Netherlands also used this exact same design as a genuine QSL card.

In addition on other occasions, Radio Netherlands used another non-QSL card which was quite plain on both sides. On the text side, were small boxes which could be marked with an X indicating the information that was considered to be incorrect in the listener’s reception report. Many years ago, Radio Canada International also prepared a non-QSL card for similar usage, printed in English and French on a green card.

More common though, were QSL cards which could be used in both ways; that is, to verify the report, or to point out that the report contained inaccuracies. The earliest card of this nature in the Indianapolis Collection was issued by the mediumwave station KGU in Honolulu back in the 1930s. An X could be placed against a line of type thus verifying the report, or against another line of type stating that the report was inaccurate. Interestingly, a third line of type on this same card indicated that the programming of KGU was also heard on shortwave from the RCA communication station located at Kahuku on the northern tip of the island of Oahu.
The major Gospel station, HCJB in Quito Ecuador, also followed the same concept with many of their QSL cards. For example a series of QSL cards issued in the 1970s contained the twin options; either verifying the reception report, or stating that it was incorrect. Interestingly, these cards were signed by Roger Stubbe who was at the time the Director of Engineering for shortwave station HCJB.

Back in the 1960s, the BBC Far Eastern Relay station in Singapore issued a plain text card with four possibilities:-
The report is in accordance with their schedules.
The listener’s information does not seem to be correct.
The report was probably for a rebroadcast of the BBC over another station.

The listener’s report does not agree with any known BBC transmission.
With this BBC card from Singapore, X marked the spot that was most appropriate. It should be stated though, that seldom in its entire history has the BBC ever officially acknowledged listener reception reports with a valid QSL card.

Of real interest are the QSL cards issued by the New Zealand Broadcasting Service for its network of mediumwave relay stations throughout both islands. In the Indianapolis Collection there are more than eighty QSL cards in this style, black text printed on bright pink card stock. These cards do not give any specific information about the station that is verified in this way and they were in use for a period of some 20 years, running from 1936 to the mid 1950s.
A careful examination of these cards indicates at least nine different printings, all in almost the exact same style. Specific cards, identifying the actual station with its callsign and location, were printed for the main stations in the YA network, that is:-

1YA Auckland
2YA Wellington
3YA Christchurch
4YA Dunedin

All of the other cards in this same bright pink style were generic and could be used to verify the reception of any of the multitude of mediumwave stations that were on the air in this government broadcasting network. This same card was also used to verify the reception of the news broadcasts from shortwave station ZLT7 in 1945 & 1946, and also for station 2AP at Apia in New Zealand Samoa. The interesting thing about these particular QSL cards is that they could also deny valid reception. One line stated that the reception report is verified, and the line below stated that the report did not contain sufficient information for verification. The station secretary who checked the listener reception report simply Xed out the line with a typewriter that did not apply, thus leaving open the line that did apply.

So there you have it. Even non-QSL cards over a period of time contain really interesting radio history.
(Adrian Peterson/AWR Wavescan)

Details for the big AWR 2010 DX Contest

It’s that time of the year again! Yes, we’re talking about our big annual DX contest here in Wavescan. You might want to get a sheet of paper and a ball point pen to write down the details. The title for our big 2010 DX contest is “Station Profiles”, and here are the details for all five parts in this year’s contest:-

A. Five Station Profiles:
Make a list of five different radio stations for which you would like to have a Station Profile presented in a coming edition of Wavescan. You may suggest five different radio stations, or the radio stations in five different cities, or in five different countries, or any combinations of these designations. These radio stations may still be on the air, or they may now be silent. You may choose only shortwave broadcasting stations, or shortwave communication stations that have been used also for broadcasting.

B. Five Paragraphs:
You are invited to write just one short paragraph about each of the five stations you have chosen in the above list, and state why you have chosen that particular station.

C. Five Photocopies:
You are invited to search your QSL collection, and where possible, provide a photocopy of a QSL from each of the five radio stations in your above list. These photocopies should be in color if possible, but black & white copies are also acceptable. If you do not have a QSL from any of the stations you select, then you should indicate the reason why you do not have a QSL; such as for example, the station is now silent, or you are unable to hear the station in your part of the world, or they do not verify reception reports, etc.

D. Three Reception Reports:
You are invited to send in at least three reception reports on any transmission from Adventist World Radio on any station, shortwave, mediumwave and FM.

E. Three Radio Cards:
Where possible, you are invited to include three radio cards for the Indianapolis Heritage Collection with your contest entry. These cards may be old or new, and they may be QSL cards, reception report cards, or picture cards of radio stations, etc. (Not valid for this contest are amateur cards nor CB cards.)

Other Contest Details:
Well, there you have it, the details for our Wavescan 2010 Station Profile DX Contest. This
contest will run through the month of July 2010, and all contest entries should be postmarked at your local post office anywhere in the world on any date before August 1, and they should be received at the AWR post office address in Indianapolis no later than the end of the month of August.

Return postage in the form of currency notes in an international currency, or mint postage stamps, or IRC coupons would be welcome. Where possible, a self addressed return envelope, business size or half quarto size, would also be welcome.

The awards for this year’s contest will be similar to to all previous occasions. There will be a special award for the world winner, one of the Jerry Berg radio history books; and World Radio TV Handbook 2011 for each continental winner. In addition, there will be other special awards and AWR and radio curios for many participants. There will also be special awards for contest entries from Africa.

You can remember that all reception reports will be verified with a specially endorsed AWR QSL card. Please remember that it will take a period of many months to process all of the reception reports, but each will in due course be verified. In addition, and over a period of time, it is our intent to present in our Wavescan DX program, many, and perhaps all, of the Station Profiles as submitted in this year’s DX contest.

When we present in our Wavescan program each of these specific Station Profiles, we will also call on-air the listener who made the suggestion. When the listener hears his name in the program, he can send in a reception report and receive a specially endorsed QSL card.
The only address for the AWR Station Profile DX Contest is:-

Station Profile DX Contest
Box 29235
Indianapolis
Indiana 46229 USA
(Adrian Peterson/AWR Wavescan)

TWR Radio 155

www.twrradio155.org.za/

As listeners from nearly every nation tune into the world’s biggest sporting event, a brand new sports programme, called Up For The Corner, commenced on 9 June ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. The daily broadcast will air on TWR Radio 155 and the internet from the 9th of June to the 12th of July, covering the duration of the sporting event. Refer to the bottom of the page for broadcast times.

Based in the host city for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, Johannesburg, South Africa, the sport programme includes the freshest details on the games with a unique Christian perspective. “We have a great opportunity to engage with football fans during the tournament,” said CEO Adrian Barnard from 2K Plus, a broadcast partner of Up For The Corner. 2K Plus is the World’s only Christian sports media agency, and has reported on Olympic Games and World Cups since 1991. Feba South Africa, Rhema FM 91.9, and HCJB Global will also help produce the sport programme.

Up For The Corner’s coverage will include news, commentary and analysis on the World Cup, as well as Christian outreach events and interviews with Christian footballers, such as Brazil’s Lucio and Kaka. Steve Bickers, an experienced BBC World Service sports producer, produces and presents the programme, assisted by local 2K Plus reporter Solomon Ashoms and sports journalist, Marcos Falcao from London. The focus of the programme is to express a Christian perspective on the sport, culture and community surrounding Africa’s first Soccer World Cup.

Additionally, Up For The Corner is being produced in both Spanish and French. “We pray that our partnership for the Gospel will be a strong witness as well as the content in the programmes,” said Adrian Barnard. To promote a relevant, alternative, Christ-centred lifestyle to sports fans around the world is one of the outcomes desired by producers of Up For The Corner. But above all, on a backdrop of colours from all flags and races of the world, this programme wishes to bridge all participants of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ with the knowledge of God.

TWR will be airing Up For The Corner on the following platforms at the following times:
Monday to Saturday - [Central African Time]

08:00 on Vivid Satellite Platform (Ch number varies)
13:30 on TWR Radio 155 (DStv Audio Channel 155) – which will be simulcasts on TWR Malawi
22:00 on TWR Radio 155 (DStv Audio Channel 155) – which will be simulcasts on TWR Malawi
And at the above times as a live broadcast on www.twrafrica.org and http://www.twrradio155.org.za/.

The programme will also be available from the 2K Plus Gateway website; and on the TWR Africa website as a daily podcast.
Source: World Cup Radio Programme Kicks Off http://bit.ly/9m6IpF

MORE...

About TWR Radio 155

In 1968 TWR began pursuing the possibility of building a radio station in southern Africa. Six years later, on 1 November 1974, TWR went on the air from the Kingdom of Swaziland - an answer to some 25 years of prayer by Christians in South Africa.

Today, from Swaziland and Johannesburg, programmes in 60 languages are beamed to southern, East and West Africa via short- and medium wave, FM and satellite.

Many programmes are also aired to the area known as the 10/40 window.

TWR Radio 155 today...

Trans World Radio - South Africa (TWR-SA), with offices and studios in Kempton Park and Pinetown, is the national partner of TWR.

On 4 December 1994 – Trans World Radio (Johannesburg, South Africa) increased its number of transmitting stations to ten with the start-up of broadcasts from a transmitting station south of Johannesburg, South Africa. With the addition of the Johannesburg transmitting site, TWR has dramatically expanded its area of broadcast coverage on the African continent.

Satellite delivery lets TWR Radio 155 relay its programs simultaneously to broadcast outlets in dozens of countries, allowing TWR to operate special broadcast centers in multiple languages. On several continents, listeners can receive TWR programming through home satellite dishes or from broadcasts on 24-hour satellite channels. TWR continues to leverage online technology to reach millions over the internet via the audio streaming process.

TWR Radio 155, in partnership with Triple M Productions, provides high-quality programming to local broadcasters is a very effective means to increase the listenership of the stations. Christian, secular, and even some government stations broadcast a wide variety of TWR programming.

LISTEN: http://infant.antfarm.co.za/twr/player.asp

Taken from the website: http://www.twrradio155.org.za/about.php
(Yimber Gaviria, Colombia)

Radio Heritage Newsletter

Newsletter # 26
June 2010
Hello everyone

Welcome to our latest update on what's happening, our first in a few months now

Since we started this project, we've been encouraged and delighted by the global response from many thousands who share our vision to celebrate radio heritage and its connections with popular culture and nostalgia....and to step in and save ephemera and other radio related artifacts....see our latest success story later on in this newsletter!

Celebrating Popular Culture
New right now, Radio in Papua New Guinea, a documentary you'll find at http://www.rnzi.com/ (Mailbox audio for June 14) Diamonds of the Dial the story of 75 year old heritage radio calls in Australia.

Updated editions of the famous PAL Radio Guides for the entire Asia-Pacific region, new radio book reviews and other content you'll find now at http://www.radioheritage.net/ .

Use the Google Search button to dig out stories about stations, people and places you're interested about.

AM Radio gets airplay in the popular press
Thanks to Bill Hester, one of our supporters, here's a link http://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/124955-am-gold-82/PO to an article written by Canadian Jay Somerset at http://www.popmatters.com/ .

It's about 'The Day the [AM] Music Died' - a well researched look at how oldies music just sounds different on AM radio, and how new artists and the decline in talk radio may just be combining to bring back music to the AM radio dial.

Actually, Radio World magazine in the USA, http://www.radioworld.com/ has an ongoing series of features about AM radio which we highly recommend reading, and in their latest June 16 edition (available free online) you'll also read 'QSL From Long Ago And Far Away' [page 4] and Keep the Heritage Alive, (page 33), two items about the Radio Heritage Foundation and the value of keeping old radio ephemera.

There's also a nice feature by James O'Neale in the same issue [page 34] called, I Remember the Power of Night-Time Radio, which remembers the 50kW clear channel signals that covered the US radio dial, a theme we'll be exploring ourselves at www.radioheritage.net shortly with a nice feature from the afore-mentioned Bill Hester.

We'd also like to thank all of you who continue to send in photos, stories, magazine and newspaper articles and more, such as those from Phillipa Downie whose Dad helped establish commercial radio in New Zealand and then went on to be the first manager of 2AP in Apia, Samoa.

Keep digging these gems out and send them on to us to share!

Constant Calls in a World of Fads, Fashions and FM
Talking of gems, you'll enjoy one of our recent features, Diamonds of the Dial, which looks at the 40 Australian heritage AM stations that have broadcast with the same callsign for at least 75 years!

It's also miraculous to find 40 station owners willing to keep their original station callsigns instead of flipping calls for the latest fad or fashion!

The same exercise for Californian AM radio stations found only about 5 or 6 that met the same criteria...75 years on the air with the same callsign, amongst them KFI and KNX both in Los Angeles and KXO El Centro.

FM is getting older by the day
Of course heritage isn't just restricted to AM radio, there's also FM which has now been around for some 70 years in the USA, and even 60 years in Australia (if we include the long forgotten early ABC-FM broadcasts from the 1950's)

One from the Yes! Success Files
Explaining the cultural value of radio heritage has its challenges. The University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand recently decided to auction off the original pioneer transmitter used in the first AM broadcast in the country just to clear space (and no doubt to make a few dollars), luckily the public outcry from local citizens and organizations such as the Radio Heritage Foundation led to a very rapid retreat from the idea. We're pleased they followed our advice to lease the equipment to a local museum instead.

It's one of a growing number of success stories we're quietly chalking up behind the scenes, and if you'd like to volunteer some time to protect items of radio heritage in your community, drop us a line and tell us more about what you'd like to keep safe for future generations.

Thanks for your donations
The worldwide financial crisis has been having a tough impact on our finances and therefore our ability to get more content online.

Last year we raised US$3500 in donations, paid 20% of our bills and put in 2000 plus hours of unpaid time on our work, so we really need your words of encouragement, annual supporter donations (US$10 or more), and sponsorship or partnership of specific projects, such as meeting operating costs, funding some of those unpaid hours, and more features and articles at http://www.radioheritage.net/

Will you help?

You can donate online right now, and also choose some of the radio books and CD's we've got available, buy your books, music and magazines through our online Amazon store and support our Google Ad advertisers.

I really recommend Keith Richardson's book and CD package (Never a Dull Moment) for a highly entertaining inside story about early Top 20 radio in the Pacific and great tales from behind the mike. I talked with Keith just today and his health is not so good and he also tells me he's down to just a few copies of his book left, so don't leave it too late to get your copy from us.

In the meantime, thanks for your ongoing support and do visit http://www.radioheritage.net/ to refresh your radio memories!

Warm regards
David Ricquish
Chairman
(Rachel Baughn, MT)

BBC Antarctic midwinter broadcast available online

Once a year, staff at the four British Antarctic bases - Rothera, Halley, King Edward Point and Bird Island - cluster round their shortwave radios to hear the BBC’s Gabrielle Walker present half an hour of music requests and special messages from their loved ones back home. The programme is produced and presented for the 45 scientists and technical staff who keep the Antarctic bases of the British Antarctic Survey running through the long, cold darkness of the polar winter.

This year’s broadcast took place at 2130-2200 UTC yesterday (21 June) on 5950, 7295 and 7360 kHz. But it’s now available online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/2010/06/100621_antarctic_midwinter_special_2010.shtml if you want to hear what the BBC describes as “possibly the World Service’s most unusual broadcast.”
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

1929 broadcast featuring Thomas Edison recovered

A 1929 recording of a radio broadcast of Thomas Edison has been recovered from a recording made on a machine that no longer exists. Audio experts had to recreate the early sound recording device based only on old photos and descriptions of the machine. Called the “pallophotophone,” the machine recorded onto movie film light emissions made from sound.

Writing for the Times Union, Paul Grondahl says “Listening to the elderly Edison lose his place, become confused and nearly weep over the depth of his admiration for Ford more than 80 years after he spoke those heartfelt words to a live audience has the power to cause a lump to rise in one’s throat.”

Full story at: http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=942480#ixzz0rUuIqn20

Listen to the audio at: http://www.timesunion.com/multimedia/video/TUvideo.asp?title=Hear+the+audio&vidid=96943642001&bccapt=Listen+to+the+audio+of+Thomas+Edison +speaking.
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Blog Logs

the latest from DXers monitoring the shortwave bands

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



Argentina
6060, Radio Nacional, 0214-0233.* Doing fairly well mixing with Cuba. Station IDs to promo for fútbol, played the World Cup “Africa” jingle that I have heard before via Madagascar. Latin American ballads, did not hear any of their other frequencies. (Joe Wood, TN)

Costa Rica
3350, Radio Exterior Espana relay, 0449-0500. English/Spanish. Male/female announers with point/counter-point talk over middle-of-the-road music. Into solid music at 0454. Time pips and ID at 0500. (Joe Wood, TN)

Cuba
5040, Radio Habana, 0520. Spanish ID by male announcer with mentions of several Latin American countries and a request for letters from each. This is the first time I have heard RHC on this frequency. Very good signal (Joe Wood, TN).

Equatorial Guinea
15190, Radio Africa, 2115-2135. English religious talk. “Radio Africa” ID announcement at 2133 along with email address and address in Ghana. Gospel music followed. Fair. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Honduras
3340, Radio Misiones Intl (HRMI) (Comayaguela) (presumed), 0301-0315. Spanish. Slow ballad style music (possibly contemporary religious). Short announcements by man between selections. More talk than music at 0312. Weak signal with noise and fading. First log of anything on 3340 this year. Quick check at same time tonight found only a carrier. (Evans, TN)

Israel
15785, Galei Tzahal, 0130-0140. US and Euro-pop music. Hebrew program announcements. Signal Poor to fair. Much better on // 6973. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Liberia
4024.99, Star Radio, 0620-0640. Signal very weak with talk. Presumed. Too weak to pull out any further details. (Brian Alexander, PA)

New Zealand
11725, Radio New Zealand Intl. (Rangitaki). 0534-0605. English. This program reminds me why I have always considered RNZI one of the best shortwave broadcasters. Excellent music program featuring mostly cover versions of island musicians playing popular music from the 1950-1970’s. Pips and ID at 0600, followed by newscast. Signal very good (Joe Wood, TN).

Peru
6019.25, Radio Victoria, 1008-1015, Noted male/female in Spanish language comments.
Although there's interference from 6020 station, using LSB brings out Victoria's signal pretty well, resulting in a fair level. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Pirate (US)
6925 USB, Voice of Chaos, 0010-0025. Station ID and email address. Pop music by Tom Jones, Led Zeppelin and others. Short editorial about the nuclear arms race. Very good. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Sri Lanka
15745, SLBC, 0100-0217. English programming with preview of upcoming programs at 0100. ID. Inspirational talk at 0101. Time checks to Sunday Morning Show at 0105 with lite pop music. Birthday greetings. La Macarena song. News at 0200-0212. Local choral music at 0215 and religious talk. Fair signal. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Taiwan
9774, Fu Hsing BS (tentative), 1253-1300.* Chinese service. Traditional Chinese instrumental music. Signal poor with adjacent interference. Best to monitor in LSB, unable to confirm if // 9410, due to heavy interference from two stations there. Am IDing this based on language, unique frequency and sign off time. (Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

USA
7506.20, WRNO, 0255. End of program in English, says to stay tuned for Johnny in Arabic, 0256 Christian program in Arabic. I first heard Arabic here on a Thursday (Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

5446.5u USA, AFRTS (Key West). 0527-0533. English. Sports news program talking about Tiger Woods. Ments of the NBA Championship, and into an item the high level of pitching in the Major Leagues. Good signal. (Joe Wood, TN).

Radio RFA announces new QSL series

Radio Free Asia (RFA) announces the release of the second card in the QSL series celebrating musical instruments of Asia. This card shows a traditional Burmese harp, also known as the saung or the saung gauk. It is an arched harp that usually has 13 to 16 strings that are traditionally made from silk though nylon strings are now more prevalent. The harp is played while sitting on the floor and holding it in one’s lap; the strings are plucked with the right hand while the musician uses their left hand to dampen the strings which improve note clarity and help produce staccato notes. This card will be used to confirm all valid reception reports from July 1 – August 31, 2010.

Radio Free Asia (RFA) is a private, nonprofit corporation that broadcasts news and information to listeners in Asian countries where full, accurate, and timely news reports are unavailable. Created by Congress in 1994 and incorporated in 1996, RFA currently broadcasts in Burmese, Cantonese, Khmer, Korean to North Korea, Lao, Mandarin, the Wu dialect, Vietnamese, Tibetan (Uke, Amdo, and Kham), and Uyghur. RFA strives for accuracy, balance, and fairness in its editorial content. As a ‘surrogate’ broadcaster, RFA provides news and commentary specific to each of its target countries, acting as the free press these countries lack. RFA broadcasts only in local languages and dialects, and most of its broadcasts comprise news of specific local interest. More information about Radio Free Asia, including our current broadcast frequency schedule, is available at www.rfa.org .
RFA encourages listeners to submit reception reports. Reception reports are valuable to RFA as they help us evaluate the signal strength and quality of our transmissions. RFA confirms all accurate reception reports by mailing a QSL card to the listener.
RFA welcomes all reception report submissions at www.techweb.rfa.org (follow the QSL REPORTS link) not only from DX’ers, but also from its general listening audience. Reception reports are also accepted by email at qsl@rfa.org, and for anyone without Internet access, reception reports can be mailed to:

Reception Reports
Radio Free Asia
2025 M. Street NW, Suite 300
Washington DC 20036
United States of America.

pon request, RFA will also send a copy of the current broadcast schedule and a station sticker.
(A.J. Janitschek/RFA)

Shortwave Blog "Bytes"

All times UTC

Australia DX Report #207 available for download
Australian DX Report audio news magazine about shortwave broadcasting includes field monitoring research in the 6 MHz, 7 MHz and 9 HHz bands. I also features, news and information about shortwave roadcasting, propagation, a solar activity report, monitoring notes, and extracts from schedules of the new A10 season.

It's 16 mins duration, and may be accessed from the Australian Internet Radio Service website, at http://airm.edxp.org/

You may download/listen to/save the episodes as MP3 files on your laptop/desktop/iPad, set up a Podcast, or receive/save them on your mobile phone or other portable internet-enabled digital device. You may also subscribe via the site's RSS/Atom feed - full details are at the site.

Links to the episodes are also available on my Facebook service within a few minutes of their release.

The shows are very popular - in the four weeks to June 15, 2010, there have been 2158 downloads by subscribers, 1093 site visitors, and 316 episode hits. All-time Channel views have now exceeded 30,000, and now total 30,129!

The episodes are also available on-air, over WWCR Nashville, 0200-0215 on Sundays, on 4840, and on Mondays 1145-1200 on 15825, and via WWCR's streaming audio (live) at http://wwcr.com/

Good listening to the Australian DX Report Episode No. 207, and enjoy the musical interludes!
(Bob Padula, Melbourne, Australia)

Bolivia on 6155.26
Radio Fides, 1010-1030. Threshold signal here with a male in Spanish language comments. Believe I can hear a female talking also. The audio periodically faded in for a moment or two, but never anything steady. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

C Crane catalog available
A full version of the C. Crane Company Catalog. This catalog is in Adobe Acrobat* format. The text is searchable and you can print the catalog. Adobe Acrobat Reader* version 3.0 or higher is required to view this catalog.

Download
https://www.ccrane.com/instruction-manuals/ccrane-catalog.pdf
(Yimber Gaviria, Colombia/playdx)

Indonesian logs
9525.88, Voice of Indonesia, 1050-1100. Usual good signal, noted a male and female in English language comments resembling an AM Radio type format of some music and chatter. Signal went off the air abruptly at 1057, but came back 20 seconds later. At 1058 music and female gives credits and then into Indonesian(?) with URL. Signal was good. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

9525.83, Voice of Indonesia, 1030-1045. Female's English comments with an ID at 1031 as "Voice of Indonesia ..." Signal was good. (Chuck Bolland, FL).

DX News 02
Visit the blog http://www.ipernity.com/home/75006
http://www.ipernity.com/home/75006 and / or download free the new e-newsletter on radio DXing and listening, in Portuguese, to the address:

http://sharex.xpg.com.br/files/8689638469/DX_NEWS_02.doc.html
http://sharex.xpg.com.br/files/8689638469/DX_NEWS_02.doc.html
(Jorge Frietas, Brasil/Cumbre DX)

Germany's Südwestrundfunk re-starts DRM transmission
http://www.drm.org/index.php?p=news_item&uid=207
(Alokesh Gupta, India/drma)

Pacific Asian Radio Guides
Media Release
Radio Heritage Foundation
www.radioheritage.net

New PAL Radio Guides
now available online
Mediumwave and Shortwave

New versions of both the PAL Radio Guides covering all AM [mediumwave] and SW [shortwave] radio stations across the region are now available from the Radio Heritage Foundation website http://www.radioheritage.net/.

The Pacific Asian Log [PAL] Radio guides list all known AM and SW radio stations operating in the region with detailed information about operating times, languages, location, and much more...across many thousands of individual stations.

Information in the new Pacific Asian Log Radio Guides is also useful for travellers, travel agents, corporates and others who need to keep clients and staff informed.

The PAL Radio Guides are compiled in Seattle [USA] by our editor-in-chief Bruce Portzer from monitoring reports, official sources and feedback from listeners across the region.

Search the two new guides online now by options such as location and frequency or download copies for your own personal use from http://www.radioheritage.net/.

You can also search our other frequently updated online guides to Australian narrowcast AM radio [Australia 1611-1701 AM] and the New Zealand Low Power FM Radio dial [NZLPFM Radio]

Feedback, corrections and updates from users are always welcome and will be incorporated in future versions. Simply email us with your comments to info@radioheritage.net.
(Radio Heritage Mail)

European Music Radio slated for Sunday broadcast

EMR this Sunday, June 20 at 0900 UTC

0900-1000 UTC on 6140 kHz


Programs:

09.00 Tom Taylor Program

09.20 Mike Taylor (Mail Box Program)

EMR Internet radio service on Sunday and Monday

Program repeats are at the following times:

10.00, 13:00, 16:00, 19:00, 22:00 UTC

Please visit http://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).

Please send all reception reports to: studio@emr.org.uk

Good Listening 73s Tom
(Tom Taylor)

All India Radio updates external services

India

The following are the recent changes noted to AIR External Services.

11620 Aligarh 0015-0430 (Ex 0100-0430)
7410 Bangalore 1745-1945 English (W.NW Africa) (Ex 7550)
7550 Delhi 1745-1945 English, 1945-2045 Hindi
2045-2230 English (Europe) (Ex7400, 7410)
9940 Delhi 1745-1945 English, 1945-2045 Hindi
2045-2230 English (Europe) (Irregular)
15075 Delhi 1615-1730 Hindi (Back on air)
9810 Panaji 0130-0230 Nepali (Back on air)
15185 Panaji 0315-0415 Hindi, 0415-0430 Gujarati,
0430-0530 Hindi (Back on air)

The updated lists are available as follows:

Complete SW in kHz order
External Services in Language order
External Services in Time order
Complete SW Stations order

(Jose Jacob-IND VU2JOS, DXindia June 15)
(BC-DX #968, wb, Germany)

KNLS Alaska A10 shortwave schedule

Effective to: 30 October 2010

ALl times UTC
broadcast daily unless otherwise indicated

English
0800-0900 11765
1000-1100 11765
1200-1300 7355, 9680
1400-1500 11765

Mandarin
0800-0900 11870
0900-1000 11870
1000-1100 11870
1100-1200 11870
1300-1400 9920
1300-1400 9795
1400-1500 7355
1500-1600 9920
1600-1700 9920
1700-1800 9920

Russian
0900-1000 9615
1100-1200 11765
1600-1700 11765
1700-1800 11765
(Walter Eibl-D, wwdxc June 09)
(BC-DX # 968, wb, Germany)

Radio Netherlands Worldwide, Program Preview June 18-25

Welcome to our weekly guide to Radio Netherlands Worldwide's English Service - a list of the new programmes coming up on Radio Netherlands Worldwide this week, beginning on Saturday.

SATURDAY 19 JUNE
*** The State We're In ***

Eyewitness to horror: 3 December 1984 may well have been the worst environmental catastrophe in history. This collection of voices, recorded on location in Bhopal, retells what it was like for the people who lived through that night, when hundreds of tons of toxic gas were accidentally released on the sleeping population.

Bhopal champion: Sathyu Sarangi was living in another city when he heard about the disaster. He arrived in Bhopal two days later and what he saw that night has kept him there for the last 25 years, fighting for the most vulnerable people in the city. Taking charge: The Chingari Trust helps children and grandchildren of victims who were exposed to toxic gas in Bhopal. Correspondent Chhavi Sachdev met them in person and talks to Jonathan about the spirit of resilience she encountered.

Hearts for the prime minister: Teenager Safreen Khan grew up in Bhopal. Despite having respiratory problems, she walked 800 km (500 miles) to the prime minister's house to draw attention to the problems she and others in her generation face. She helped organise the sending of paper hearts to the Indian PM - hoping to inspire him to help bring justice to the children of the tragedy.

Union Carbide: Union Carbide sent us a prepared statement stating their position on the disaster and its after-effects. They also sent us an audio clip, expressing sympathy for the victims.

Truth and reconciliation - Canada: Generations of aboriginal children were sent to residential schools where they were culturally denuded and often abused.

Now there's a special commission to heal old wounds. Chief Robert Joseph explains what happened to him and why he thinks the TRC is worth it.

Truth and reconciliation - South Africa Catherine Mlangeni's son was killed by a letter bomb sent to him by South African police. She participated in TRC hearings, but still doesn't have the answers she's waited years to get - and is still waiting for.

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

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

*** Network Europe Week ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe. If you missed any editions of Network Europe satisfy your needs with this digest of the programme's top stories.`

This week:
· Flemish nationalists win big in Belgium's election - we look at the results.
· Is Europe taking a scary turn to the right?
· Violence in Kyrgyzstan - we look at the view from Russia.
· Bloody Sunday report exonerates massacre victims.
· Romania's health care system on life support.
· Italy fines tourists for purchasing counterfeits - just in time for summer.
· Web trends: the internet's love-hate relationship with the vuvuzela.

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

Broadcast times on WRN
17.00 Europe
22.00 Asia and North America

SUNDAY 20 JUNE
*** Radio Books ***

'Rage' - by Marjolijn Februari
Dutch philosopher and author Marjolijn Februari won the Multatuli Prize for her debut novel in 1989. Her latest novel The Literary Circle was nominated for the 2008 Golden Owl Award and is due to be published in English translation. Her Radio Books story is about a troubled 17-year-old who feels he's at a turning point in his life. But which way will he turn?

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

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

*** Network Europe Extra ***

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

This week:
Talking about the British novelist JG Ballard, whose archives
recently arrived at the British Library. Also in the show - festival
season in Romania this summer. And a look at music as torture -
literally.

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

MONDAY 21 JUNE
*** Classic Dox ***

'Baking Holy Bread' (Orig. broadcast Oct 2001)
Profile of Antoine de Bakker who for 40 years earned his living making and improving machines used to produce hosts for the Catholic Church. Producer Liesbeth de Bakker talked to him on the eve of his retirement, as well as nuns in Scotland who benefited from his machines. The programme won a Bronze Medal at the New York Festivals.

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

Broadcast times on WRN
10.30 Africa and Asia
12.00 North America

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

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

Broadcast times on WRN
22.00 Asia and North America

*** Network Europe ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

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

Broadcast times on WRN
17.00 Europe

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

Your host Hans Mantel takes a closer look at the tenor saxophone. In the early 20th century it was regarded as a novelty instrument, but it developed into something really special in jazz music. Classical saxophone is usually just one sound, but in jazz on saxophone everybody has their own voice.

*** Live! at the Concertgebouw ***
The Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic conducted by the Danish maestro Michael Schønwandt, plays music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Francis Poulenc,

Maurice Delage and George Bizet. Hosted by Hans Haffmans.

*** The State We're In - Midweek Edition ***
Eyewitness to horror: 3 December 1984 may well have been the worst environmental catastrophe in history. This collection of voices, recorded on location in Bhopal, retells what it was like for the people who lived through that night, when hundreds of tons of toxic gas were accidentally released on the sleeping population.

Bhopal champion: Sathyu Sarangi was living in another city when he heard about the disaster. He arrived in Bhopal two days later and what he saw that night has kept him there for the last 25 years, fighting for the most vulnerable people in the city.

Taking charge: The Chingari Trust helps children and grandchildren of victims who were exposed to toxic gas in Bhopal. Correspondent Chhavi Sachdev met them in person and talks to Jonathan about the spirit of resilience she encountered.

Hearts for the prime minister: Teenager Safreen Khan grew up in Bhopal. Despite having respiratory problems, she walked 800 km (500 miles) to the prime minister's house to draw attention to the problems she and others in her generation face. She helped organise the sending of paper hearts to the Indian PM - hoping to inspire him to help bring justice to the children of the tragedy.

Union Carbide: Union Carbide sent us a prepared statement stating their position on the disaster and its after-effects. They also sent us an audio clip, expressing sympathy for the victims.

TUESDAY 22 JUNE
*** Network Europe ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

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

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** Commonwealth Story ***

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

'The sound of one hand clapping' - by Becky Apteker from South Africa.
A young Zulu couple grieve for their lost son.


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

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

*** Live! at the Concertgebouw ***

Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 2, 'Resurrection', is performed by the Netherlands Radio Choir and the Concertgebouw Orchestra conducted by Mariss Jansons.

Hosted by Hans Haffmans.

*** Classic Dox ***

'Truffle Wars' (Orig. broadcast Nov 2001)
In 2001 producer Ann-Marie Michel travelled to Italy's Umbria region, famous for its truffles. She discovered a war being waged for this precious, if odorous, delicacy. Truffle hunters were even killing their rival's truffle hunting dogs. What is it that makes this unusual foodstuff so remarkably valuable?

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

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

Broadcast times on WRN
22.00 Asia and North America

WEDNESDAY 23 JUNE
*** Network Europe ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

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

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

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

Broadcast times on WRN
22.00 Asia and North America

*** Reloaded ***

Weekly highlights presented by Mindy Ran

*** Classic Dox ***

'Diner Pensant' (Orig. broadcast June 2006)
A 'diner pensant,' or dinner discussion, is a unique Dutch phenomenon. Producer Michele Ernsting sits down to a four-course meal with Professor of Food Philosophy Michiel Korthals to talk about the role of food in society. What's more important - to know where our food comes from or to simply enjoy eating it?

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America

THURSDAY 24 JUNE
*** Network Europe ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

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

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America
17.00 Europe

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

Join your host Chhavi for a focused look at Zimbabwe, a country which has seen years of severe political repression, a recent cholera epidemic, and an inflation rate measured in the millions of percent that eventually led to the adoption of the American dollar very recently. Stay tuned to hear from three mothers who tell us about keeping their families together, the minister of water resources and management, and the folks who run Radio Voice of the People.

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

Join your host Chhavi Sachdev as we explore the theme of water: we test drive a portable potable invention - the life straw. We hear the definitive answer to whether the next World War will really be over water, and finally we have an inspirational story from Lake Chilka in Orissa.

*** South Asia Wired ***

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

*** Classic Dox ***

'Let Them Eat Cake' (Orig. broadcast July 2002)
Historians agree that Marie Antoinette never uttered the most famous quote attributed to her. But legend has it she brought the recipe for her favourite Kugelhopf cake from Austria to France. Producer Mindy Ran visits the kitchen of food historian Lisette Kruijff to sort through the myths and bake a deliciously sweet Kugelhopf as they chat.

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

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

Broadcast times on WRN
22.00 Asia and North America

FRIDAY 25 JUNE
*** Network Europe ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

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

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** Bridges with Africa ***

We're giving the microphone to Diaspora groups in Europe and are linking up with stations in Africa. The show goes beyond the clichés of starving children and war-ridden countries and seeks to bring you genuine voices from a vibrant continent.

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

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

*** Earth Beat ***

The nine-month odyssey of a man who tried to build a toaster from scratch leads us to question technology: can electronics ever be made without using harmful substances mined in harmful ways? On the other hand, how can gadgets help us live in a more sustainable way?

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

*** Classic Dox ***

'The Food of the Gods' (Orig. broadcast July 2001)
Chocolate is the western world's most craved edible product. For some it's comfort food, for others a substitute for sex. Producer Dheera Sujan traces the history of the fussy cocoa plant and its precious bean. She talks with chocoholics and explores the role the Dutch played in popularising the chocolate drink.

Broadcast times on WRN
12.00 North America

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

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

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

Radio City set for Saturday relay

Dear Listeners,
This Saturday the 19th of June 2010 Radio City will return to the airwaves via Nexus (ex. IRRS) with 150 kW on 9515 kHz.

The time slot is 08.00 - 09.00 UTC

Our contact address is still citymorecars@yahoo.ca
Best regards Radio City - the Station of the Cars
Good listening
Tom Taylor

Shortwave on an iPhone ?

All you have to do is build a quadrature sampling detector

Stan Horzepa: "[A] software defined radio (SDR) application for the Apple iPhone, iPod touch and iPad called iSDR. It is a portable software-defined radio receiver designed for experimenters, shortwave listeners and Amateur Radio operators -- and it is free! A caveat: receiving live on-the-air signals with iSDR requires purchasing or constructing a quadrature sampling detector (QSD) RF front-end device that connects between an antenna and the microphone input jack of the iPhone, iPod or iPad."
(ARRL/Kim Elliott)

Additional info: http://digitalconfections.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=54

Photos of listeners to the Swiss shortwave service, 1930s-1950s

"This year the internet portal swissinfo.ch is marking its 75th anniversary. The Swiss shortwave service was set up in 1935 and was renamed Swiss Radio International (SRI) in 1978. Listeners from all over the world were very motivated to write in, as a look in our archive reveals."
(Kim Elliott)

Radio Canada International via your toaster ?

In an amusing piece, the website canadaeast.com tells us how residents in Tantramar marsh hear voices from their bathtubs, refrigerators, washing machines and toasters. These are apparently coming from the nearby Sackville transmitter site of Radio Canada International (RCI), though I am slightly puzzled at the sentence “Speaking in tinny, muffled tones, these voices ramble, sing and chat in Italian, Chinese, Portuguese and various other sing-song languages of the world” as RCI does not broadcast in Italian.
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Artist is, so far, unable to hear Radio Canada International shortwave on a kitchen sink
Victoria Handysides: "The people of the Tantramar marsh [New Brunswick] hear voices. ... Through the miracle of external rectification - aka: 'the rusty bolt effect' - folks around the region have been receiving misdirected radio waves for over half a century. They're unintentionally intercepting Radio Canada International broadcasts from CBC's shortwave broadcasting transmitter, built in the marshy wetlands to send radio waves across the globe. 'The plumbing acts as an antenna,' area artist and burgeoning historian Amanda Christie said. ... Christie, a 33-year-old Sackville resident, is attempting to record the area's buzzing and undocumented history; she's creating an audio/visual art project to tell the tale. ... The filmmaker/gallery worker has never heard the waves through her own appliances, so she's trying to fake it. Christie has constructed a homemade sink, with makeshift antenna copper piping. ... So far, nothing yet - but Christie's resolve is strong."
(CanadaEast Interactive, June 17/Kim Elliott)

Tougher action aganist Dutch pirate radio stations

The Radiocommunications Agency Netherlands (AT) is stepping up action to prevent illegal radio radio broadcasts. The agency will not only close down stations that are on the air without permit, but will also target aerial towers “obviously intended for illegal broadcasts”.

As a first step, AT inspectors will pay warning visits to land and home owners on whose premises suspicious constructions are spotted. “If these are used illegally, they will be fined 2,500 euros plus a conditional fine of 2,250.” The total fine that illegal broadcasters risk “can total up to 33,750 euros”, according to AT spokesman Gernant Deekens.

The new approach will first be used in the relatively rural northeastern province of Drenthe. Pirate stations are often run from hideouts in sheds and barns, playing popular music to a local audience for a couple of hours a day. It is often felt that “official” radiostations are catering insufficiently for regional tastes, prompting enterprising individuals to set up their own transmissions on AM or FM. The quality of the transmitters is often such that the broadcasts are causing interference on other channels, often without the pirates even being aware of it.

“Pirate radios are causing a lot of trouble in the north and east of the Netherlands,” according to AT Chief Inspector Peter Spijkerman. “Their illegal broadcasts are interfering with legal radio stations here and in neighbouring Germany. Air traffic communication, too, is disrupted by illegal transmissions. This can lead to dangerous situations. We primarily want to take preventive action, but if people break the law, we’ll give the pirates tit for tat,” Mr Spijkerman warned.
(Source: RNW News/Radio Netherlands)

North Korea moves quietly onto the internet

In the past few months, a block of 1,024 Internet addresses, reserved for many years for North Korea but never touched, has been registered to a company with links to the government in Pyongyang. It is unclear how the country’s secretive leadership plans to make use of the addresses. It seems likely they will be assigned for military or government use, but experts say it is impossible to know for sure.

Additional story at: http://www.goodgearguide.com.au/article/350262/north_korea_moves_quietly_onto_internet/ (R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)