Trans World Radio revamps website

TWR-Asia recently launched a revitalized website. The design has been updated to reflect a vibrant and modern media organization. The site has also been enhanced to make it more easier to read and navigate.
Users can now quickly find out who we are, what we do and why we do it. You can also explore the various ways in which you can get involved with our ministry.

One new feature is improved integration on every page with social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, to allow visitors to conveniently share what they are reading with their friends and “followers.”

Another highlight is that people will now have the opportunity to listen to sample episodes of programs that TWR broadcasts in more than 80 languages across Asia.

Check out the new website now! http://www.twrafrica.org/
(TWR)

Updated summer schedule of NEXUS-IBA IRRS Shortwave

Arab Woman Today in Arabic (TWR program)
0800-0815 11910 TIG 300 kW 140 deg to NE&ME/WeAS Wed
1400-1415 11910 TIG 300 kW 140 deg to NE&ME/WeAS Fri

Radio Joystick in English
0800-0900 9510 TIG 150 kW 290 deg to WeEUR/NoEUR 1st Sat

Radio City in English
0800-0900 9510 TIG 150 kW 290 deg to WeEUR/NoEUR 3rd Sat

NEXUS-IBA/IPAR in English
0800-0900 9510 TIG 150 kW 290 deg to WeEUR/NoEUR 2nd/4th Sat

European Gospel Radio in English
0930-1200 9510 TIG 150 kW 290 deg to WeEUR/NoEUR Sun

Brother Stair TOM in English
1300-1400 15610 TIG 300 kW 100 deg to AS/AUS/NZL Daily
1730-1800 7290 TIG 150 kW 290 deg to WeEUR/NoEUR Sun
1800-1900 7290 TIG 150 kW 290 deg to WeEUR/NoEUR Daily
1900-2000 7290 TIG 150 kW 185 deg to CeAF/SoAF Daily
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 12/DX Mix News 694)

Voice of America frequency changes

All times UTC

Transmitters via Germany, Kuwait, Madagascar, South Africa, Sri Lanka and USA

Kurdish
1400-1500 NF11640 WER 250 kW 105 deg to WeAS, ex11645
1700-1800 NF11640 LAM 100 kW 108 deg to WeAS, ex11645

Portuguese (new transmission)
1630-1700 9805 MEY 100 kW 330 deg to CeAF, Fri only
1630-1700 13635 GB 250 kW 094 deg to CeAF, Fri only
1630-1700 17820 WER 250 kW 180 deg to CeAF, Fri only

Tibetan
1400-1500 NF17670 LAM 100 kW 077 deg to CeAS, ex17760

Uzbek
1500-1530 NF17600 KWT 250 kW 046 deg to CeAS, ex15780/13755

Various*
1700-1800 NF12120 MDC 250 kW 265 deg to ZWE, ex12130
1800-1900 NF12120 IRA 250 kW 251 deg to ZWE, ex12130
*Shona 1700-1730 Mo-Th; 1800-1810 & 1830-1840 Fr; 1700-1720 Fr-Su
English 1730-1800 Mo-Th; 1810-1820 & 1840-1850 Fr; 1720-1740 Fr-Su
Ndebele 1800-1830 Mo-Th; 1820-1830 & 1850-1900 Fr; 1740-1800 Fr-Su
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 12/DX Mix News 694)

BBC adjust frequencies

All times UTC

Transmitters via Ascension Island, South Africa and Thailand

Frequency changes of BBC: /NF new frequency
0000-0200 NF15755 NAK 250 kW 025 deg to EaAS, ex15360 English
1400-1415 NF17870 ASC 250 kW 055 deg to WeAF, ex17780 Hausa Sun-Fri
1415-1430 NF17870 ASC 250 kW 055 deg to WeAF, ex17780 Hausa Sat
1430-1600 NF17870 ASC 250 kW 055 deg to WeAF, ex17780 En,(exHausa)
2200-2400 5935 MEY 100 kW 330 deg to WeAF, ex22-23 English
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 12/(DX Mix News 694)

Broadcasting Board of Govenors to Meet on Sept 15

The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) will meet on Thursday, September 15 at BBG headquarters in Washington, D.C. to receive and consider a report from the BBG’s Governance Committee, including the revision of Agency grant agreements. There will be an update on digital innovations. Broadcast executives will give programming and coverage updates.

The meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m., will be webcast both live and on-demand, at http://www.bbg.gov/ .

For more information, please call the BBG's Office of Public Affairs at 202-203-4400 or e-mail publicaffairs@bbg.gov .

(Leticia King/VOA)

South Sudan Minister warns, "go on the air or lose your license"

Idle radio and television licensees that are not on air risk their licenses being withdrawn, Hon Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin, South Sudan Minister for Information and Broadcasting has warned. ”The licences are issued for you to operate and if you are only carrying them in your briefcases to show that you have a broadcasting station, there is no reason why we should not withdraw them”, said Dr Marial.

He explained that there are so many media houses knocking at the ministry’s doors for licences and they can’t get some of the frequencies because they have been taken by companies which are nonfunctional.

The minister issued this warning yesterday during a meeting at the ministry headquarters while addressing operational issues with the top ministry officers. Dr Marial asked the Director of Public Information in the ministry, Paul Jacob Kumbo, to write to the managers of all these “stations” to explain why they remain idle.
(Source: Government of South Sudan/R Netherlands media Network Weblog)

Is Radio a Dying Medium ?

by Nickie Wang

Back in college, we were taught that radio is the theater of the mind because tuning in a radio program involves a lot of imagination. We rely on sounds to create pictures of what we hear from it so listeners are able to think and be attentive—a good exercise for our brain cells.

Also in college, we were told that radio is in peril because of the dominance of more influential media like the television and the Internet. Whether it’s music, drama, or talk show, the aforementioned media are always on the top of mind.

Most media consumers nowadays, most especially in the Philippines are relatively young. That is why you will receive an affirmative answer if the question “Is radio broadcasting a thing of the past?” is asked. Sure, they can easily relate when you tell them about podcasting and streaming.

One of the first lessons we learned about radio is that it is very accessible. Buying a transistor radio is cheaper than buying a television set and it can still operate without electricity. Not everybody realizes that radio is still a major player in the world of communication particularly in journalism. In music, amid the presence of MTV and YouTube, radio is still leading force.

Additional story at Manila Standard Today
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideEntertainment.htm?f=2011/september/12/entertainment2.isx&d=2011/september/12

A nostalic look at Voice of America's Bethany Station

The Voice of America Bethany Station was built in 1944 on a wartime basis under the direction of broadcasting pioneer Powel Crosley. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was determined to broadcast radio messages overseas. Powel Crosley committed his innovative team of engineers in Cincinnati to building transmitters and antennae system capable of this. A 640‐acre site was selected north of Cincinnati in the rural community of West Chester and not far from neighboring Crosleyʹs powerful WLW transmitter. Here, engineers set about building something that had never been built before. Intricate antennae systems would soon be scattered throughout the property and an impressive art‐deco structure resembling a WWII airfield control tower was built to accommodate the six new 200‐kilowatt transmitters (10 kW was the standard power at the time). The transmitters were designed and built by Crosley engineers with every component custom‐made; and they would remain in service to the U.S. government for the next 50 years.

The technology was top secret and perplexed Hitler and others as Americaʹs Voice continued to permeate Europe and South America. Frustrated by the inability to block this powerful voice, Hitler referred to the facility as ʺthose Cincinnati Liars.ʺ

The structure itself, while built during the shortages of war, was designed to highlight and pay tribute to the powerful technology held within its walls. The art‐deco building is made of glazed block with a four‐story tower that during time of national crisis held armed guards.

The bulk of the building was referred to as the Great Concourse, an open space with a 25‐foot ceiling, curved balcony and six transmitters on two podiums. This impressive space in the 1940s would have been a vision of technology and progress. Powel Crosley referred to this concourse as ʺThe Temple of Radio.ʺ

Unique American message ‐ While the structure of the building is significant in an architectural sense, it is the story of The Voice of America Bethany Station that speaks to our nationʹs history. This building represents American ideals in so many ways. In service of their country, a group of innovators united to create technology that had only been imagined.

They made it possible for the unique American message of freedom and democracy to shared with people oppressed by tyrannical leaders yearning for the truth. For the next 50 years, these engineers used their imaginations and their skills to make sure Americaʹs message was always heard, defeating jamming efforts and overcoming technological challenges. In times of war and in times of peace, The Voice of America Bethany Station delivered the news and culture of America, including the music of Louis Armstrong and others, to victims of war, the oppressed, the curious and service men and women serving their country around the globe.

With the advent of newer satellite‐based technology, ground stations like VOAʹs Bethany were no longer needed, and the facility was decommissioned in 1995. Shortly afterward, dozens of radio towers and curtain antennae were razed at the West Chester location, and the facility and about 500 of the surrounding acres were turned over to West Chester Township and Butler County Metro Parks for public use. The VOA Bethany Station and its surrounding 20 acres were given to West Chester Township for historic monument purposes.

Joining efforts ‐ Over the next several years interested citizens worked to convert the Bethany Station into a museum. Most notable among them was the local VFW Post and the West Chester Amateur Radio Association. As the museum took shape it was evident that the space was larger than needed for just the VOA Museum and West Chester Amateur Radio Association, which was operating an amateur radio station out of the building. At the same time two local museums were looking for new homes. They were the Gray History of Wireless Museum and Media Heritage. Both were excellent fits for the VOA Museum. The Gray History of Wireless Museum boasts one of the largest collections of antique radio equipment in the country and was assembled by Jack Gray, a former VOA Bethany Station engineer.

Media Heritage is dedicated to the preservation, restoration and maintenance of historic broadcast recordings, photographs, scripts, film, printed text, oral histories and other media related to the history of radio and television in the Greater Cincinnati area, the Midwest and the nation. Both of these museums are now housed in the Bethany Station building. In order to facilitate three museums and an operating radio station (WC8VOA) occupying one building, West Chester Township formed an independent board. Its mission is to develop and operate the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting. To determine the best way to merge these entities into a cohesive experience the board commissioned Jack Rouse Associates to develop a Concept Master Plan. Meanwhile West Chester Township, with a grant from the state of Ohio, has spent $1.5 million restoring the building to its original 1944 exterior façade. This restoration was completed in 2011 and they are planning additional major repairs to the building for 2012.

The National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting Board has accepted the Rouse Master Plan. The plan can be viewed on the museum website. The fundraising campaign to complete the detail engineering and construction has begun. The goal is to raise $12 million to convert the Bethany Station into a museum that will preserve the rich history of VOA, wireless radio and Cincinnati broadcast history. Please visit www.voamuseum.org for more information on the affiliated organizations. If you are interested in contributing, please click on www.givevoa.org/ it links to the West Chester/Liberty Community Foundation, which is collecting the donations.

Thanks to: Bob Antoniuk, Shawn Axelrod, Wayne Heinen, Tim Noonan, Dave Schmidt, Radio‐Info.com, and Radio World Online.
(DX News 78-30)

Radio Netherlands Program Preview, Sept. 9-15

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

Two Enemies, One Heart

Two soldiers, one Iraqi and one Iranian, meet on the battlefield. The Iranian saves the Iraqi’s life, risking his own in the process. That was 1982. Nearly 20 years later, and on the other side of the world, sheer coincidence brings the two men together again in a life-saving drama.

First airing: Saturday 02:00 UTC

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

Fantastic Plastic, and the things you can make out of it. Houses. Blood. An island. And, of course, Tupperware. Plus, making a biodegradable plastic from plants. Doing good with plastic, on the next edition of Earth Beat.

First airing: Friday 03:00 UTC

South Asia Wired
Stories from South Asia.

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

Living in the United States immediately after 9/11, Indian filmmaker Meghna Haldar began to feel distinctly foreign. She felt dirty, she says. So she took up her camera to explore ideas of dirtiness and purity, of "us" and "them", of sacred and profane. The product is a film called Dirt.

Haldar talked to a wide range of people: sex workers in Canada; priests and soil biologists in the US; artisans, cleaners and her family in India. In South Asia Wired this week, we get down and dirty with Meghna Haldar to talk about the clean and the profane.

First airing: Thursday 14:00 UTC

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

East Africa Special

Have we learned from the famine in the 1980s?
A look at the trial of Nigerian environmental activist Sunny Ofehe
And a chat with Malian singer Fatoumata Diwara about her upcoming album

First airing: Friday 00:00 UTC

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

Dr Pascoal Mocumbi has dealt with health matters from two perspectives: as a doctor and as a politician. He was a founding member of Mozambique’s liberation movement, and served as Prime Minister and Health Minister of his country.

As a medical doctor he has always been interested in maternal health. More specifically, he’s involved in research on how to prevent malaria among newborns.

He is our guest in this edition of Africa in Progress.

First airing: Monday 18:00 UTC

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

The Beast that Came from the Sea - by Lani Young (Samoa)

A natural disaster and a mother's tragic loss, read by Nadine Marshall.

First airing: Tuesday 00:55 UTC

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

Who says I can’t squat?

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

First airing: Monday 17:30 UTC

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

This week's edition comes with an Iberian flavour, with artists all having some Portuguese, Spanish or Brazilian connection.

Singer Lura, born in Lisbon, sings catchy songs to rhythms from her ancestral Cape Verde.

Luiz Melodia is a Brazilian singer. Since the 1960s, samba, bossa nova and Western pop music have been the main ingredients of his music.

Christina Branco is Portuguese but has strong ties with the Netherlands, where she started a revival of fado, the Portuguese blues full of longing and nostalgia.

And finally there's flamenco music based around the works of Garcia Lorca, performed by the Dutch Metropole Orchestra under Vince Mendoza.

First airing: Monday 00:00 UTC

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

Streaming audio: www.radionetherlands.nl/

Radio Netherlands - multilingual broadcast schedule
Effective to 29 October 2011

Dutch
0000-0027 9445na
0059-0100 6190ca
0100-0127 6190ca
0259-0300 6190na
0300-0327 6190na
0329-0357 6195sa
0359-0400 6165am
0400-0427 6165am
0459-0500 5955eu 6015eu 6125eu 9840eu 9895eu
0500-0557 5955eu 6015eu 6125eu 9840eu 9895eu
0558-0600 5955eu
0559-0600 6035eu 9895eu 11660eu
0600-0657 6035eu 11660eu
0600-0659 9895eu
0600-0700 5955eu
0657-0700 6035eu
0657-0700 Sat/Sun 6035eu
0659-0700 9740eu 9895eu 11935va
0700-0757 6035eu
0700-0800 5955eu 9740eu 9895eu 11935va
0700-0800 Sat/Sun 6035eu
0757-0800 6035eu
0759-0800 6120eu
0759-0800 mtwhf 6120eu
0800-0900 5955eu 6035eu
0800-0900 mtwhf 6120eu
0800-0900 Sat/Sun 5955eu 9895eu
0900-1000 5955eu 6035eu
0900-1000 mtwhf 6120eu
0900-1000 Sat/Sun 5955eu 9895eu
0929-0957 15750as
0929-1000 Sat/Sun 6020ca
0959-1000 13700eu
1000-1100 mtwhfa 5955eu 9895eu 13700eu
1000-1100 Sun 5955eu 9895eu
1059-1100 7360as 9670as
1100-1127 7360as 9670as
1100-1200 mtwhfa 5955eu 9895eu 13700eu
1100-1200 Sun 5955eu 9895eu
1159-1200 9595eu 9620eu 9665eu 13700eu
1200-1300 9595eu 9620eu 9665eu 13700eu
1200-1300 mtwhfa 5955eu 9895eu 13700eu
1259-1300 9650pa 2085as
1300-1327 9650pa 12085as
1300-1400 9595eu 9620eu 9665eu 13700eu
1300-1400 Sun 5955eu 9895eu
1300-1400 mtwhfa 5955eu 9895eu 13700eu
1400-1500 9595eu 9620eu 9665eu 13700eu
1400-1459 mtwhfa 5955eu 9895eu 13700eu
1400-1459 Sun 5955eu 9895eu
1459-1500 5955eu 9895eu 13700eu
1500-1557 13700eu
1500-1559 5955eu 9895eu
1500-1600 9595eu 9620eu 9665eu
1559-1600 9625as 9895eu
1600-1627 9625as
1600-1657 5955eu 9895eu 13700eu
1659-1700 6020af 9445va 15710af 15720af
1700-1727 6020af 9445va 15710af 15720af
1959-2000 6040va 6125eu
2000-2100 6040va 6125eu
2059-2100 5930af 9895eu 17605sa
2100-2127 5930af 9895eu 17605sa
2100-2200 6040va 6125eu
2159-2200 9500af 15540sa
2200-2227 9500af 15540sa
2259-2300 17605sa
2300-2327 17605sa
2359-0000 9445na

English
0959-1000 12065as 15110as
1000-1057 12065as 15110as
1359-1400 11835as
1400-1457 9800as 11835as
1759-1800 6020af 15495af
1800-1857 6020af 15495af
1859-1900 7425af 11610af
1900-1957 7425af 11615af 15495af
2000-2057 7425af 11615af

Indonesian
1059-1100 9720as 9795as 15650as
1100-1157 9720as 9795as 15650as
2259-2300 6120as
2300-2357 6120as

Spanish
0000-0100 6165sa
0100-0157 6165sa
0159-0200 6165am
0200-0300 6165am
0300-0357 6165am
1059-1100 6165ca
1100-1127 6165ca
1129-1157 6165sa
1159-1200 6165sa 9715ca
1200-1227 6165sa 9715ca
2359-0000 6165sa
(R Netherlands)

BBG 9/11 programming to reach millions around the globe

On the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, US international broadcasting offers compelling coverage of the impact of these events around the globe. Through on-the-scene reporting, local investigative journalism, social media and in-depth interviews with opinion makers and world leaders, BBG brings top quality programming to its worldwide audience of 165 million listeners, viewers and fans.

“The BBG is engaging audiences around the globe in a conversation about 9/11,” said Walter Isaacson, Chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors that oversees all US international broadcasting. “From Kabul to Cairo to Beijing, our coverage presents a sweeping picture of how the world was transformed by the 9/11 attacks—and where it is a decade later.”

Starting in late August and culminating in live coverage on September 11, BBG programming includes the following:

Alhurra TV airs 50 hours of programmes focused on religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue: “The Road” documents the journey of six young men from extremism to tolerance; the “9/11 Generation” series features young Arab adults whose lives have been shaped by9/11; and “Hope Town”, a VOA-Alhurra co-produced documentary, tells the story of the peaceful coexistence of Muslims, Jews and Christians in Teaneck, New Jersey.

VOA broadcasts in-depth reports from Kabul, Baghdad, Islamabad, Jakarta and Nairobi that explore the progress made and challenges remaining in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, the complicated alliance between Pakistan and the US, the trends of terrorism in Asia and Africa, and the US continuing battle against terrorism globally.

On social media, from Facebook, Twitter to YouTube, BBG conducts an interactive conversation on “My 9/11”, “What’s Your 9/11?” and “What Does Religious Tolerance Mean to Me?” All networks conduct extensive interviews with those touched personally by 9/11: survivors, witnesses and families of victims, Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans, American community and religious leaders, residents in Afghan villages and ethnic Muslim Uyghurs in China.

Alhurra TV and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty score high profile interviews with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen, Senior White House Advisor Valerie Jarrett , former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, former National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, former First Lady Laura Bush, Senator Ben Cardin, and global terrorism expert Charles Kurzman; and
Serving their audience of 165 million and in 59 languages, all networks will provide live coverage on September 11 from New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC including locations at the State Department, Capitol Hill, and California.
(Source: Broadcasting Board of Governors/VOA)

pirate radio logs

nice selection of US and European pirates logged recently...

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

Logs edited for clarity

Available Time Slot Radio
7415.15AM, 2325. Music with female vocalist, good AM sound. Ride of the Valkyries with female vocal at 2330. ID, Available time slot radio, mentions WBCQ, at 2334. S7/S9. (L. Will)

Captain Morgan captainmorganshortwave@gmail.com
6924.9/AM, 0059-0110.+ Classic guitar rock and station ID. SIO=3+53- (Frodge-MI)

MAC
6925, 0035. Huge S9+10 to S9+20 signal. Ultraman with a bunch of TV theme songs from '60s spy shows, including "Get Smart" and "Mission Impossible." Now Trashmen with "Surfin' Bird." (Yoder,PA)

Radio Appalachia
6935, 0126-0148.* Old country music, including Lefty Frizell “Saginaw, Michigan.” Many IDs, Location announced as Moundsville, West Virginia — from the old Marx toy factory? Nice signal and excellent AM audio. My first pirate logged on the Hammarlund SP-600-JX26 that I drug home from a hamfest earlier in the day. Please QSL? (Yoder,PA)

Radio True North
6924.6, 0422-0502. Pretty good signal here. Glen Frey "Smuggler's Blues" ID with reverb, "What I Like About You" etc. A lot of local noise here, but the thunderstorms from Irene probably weren't that far away from here (Yoder,PA)

Voice of Captain Ron captainronswr@yahoo.com
6930-1USB, 0059-0106.* Pretty good signal with metal, IDs with e-mail address before low power. Captain Ron e-mailed some photos to me, presumably from the show. Thanks! (Yoder,PA)

XFM
6950USB, 0447.+ Super signal with Billy Idol and B-52s. Accurate time checks and even SSTV. Unfortunately, I couldn't copy the SSTV because the shift is off. I tried to reset it a couple of times and it was still too steep. Sorry. Entertaining show, as always.(Yoder,PA)
(FRN 812/813)

Europe
Black Bandit Radio
6420, 0505-0520.+ Variety of music, including country and folk and clear IDs..."from sunny Holland...this is Black Bandit Radio." Hit S9+5. Aside from Mystery Radio and Radio Odyssey, biggest signal I’ve had from Europe in about 10 years! Too bad this was so late at night—I’d bet it would’ve been audible for DXers all over ECNA! Please QSL (Yoder,PA/FRN 813)

Laser Hot Hits
6940, 0014-0100.+ Light pop music, ads/promos, some talk. Probably the best signal that I’ve had from them yet on 43m, but still weak. Light audio mostly disappeared by 0100. The carrier is audible about 10 or so hrs per day, but rarely strong enough for audio to make it (Yoder,PA/FRN813)

Mike Radio
6960, 1340. Giving out contact details and playing Polka music. Good signal. SINPO 44344
(Irish Paul)

Mustang Radio
6905, 0026+, SIO:152. Clear IDs, some were prerecorded and sounded like US FM station IDs—in the vein of those on XFM. Music by CCR and Spin Doctors. Best European pirate signal I’ve heard in months! (Yoder, PA/FRN813)

Radio Alice
6290, 1018. Radio Alice playing Elvis Presley's "Devil in Disguise" and station IDs. Fair signal with some deep fading. SINPO 43323. (Irish Paul)

Radio Devalon
6280, 0832. Playing Danny And The Juniors tune "Rock n'Roll is Here to Stay". Followed by reading reception logs and playing some recordings of the stations he logged. Strong Signal SINPO 54444. Good to hear this interesting station on shortwave again.(Irish Paul)

Radio Marconi
6300, 1740. Playing Polka Music. Strong Signal SINPO 54444 (Irish Paul)

Radio Orang Utan
6200, 0625. Playing Polka and Dutch Music. Fair signal for SINPO 43333. Also heard later at 0755 playing Dire Straits and Harpo. Signal fading a little now. (Irish Paul)

Radio Pioneer
6425, 0735. Playing Dutch music and station ID jingle. Fair signal, but occasionallly is hard to hear, due to utility interference. SINPO 42333. (Irish Paul)

Wizard Radio
6300, On After Radio Marconi closed down. Heard calling Radio Marconi.Also playing instrumental music in ihe background while saying hello to UK DXer and Radio Shadow. Good signal SINPO 44344 (Irish Paul).

September specials from DX Stamp Service

September 2011 DX STAMP SPECIALS

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

3 Italy-$8.25 2 Spain-$3.00 2 Canada-$2.00 3 Japan-$3.90

September 2011 DX SUPPLY SPECIALS

200/200 European Air Mailers & Returns $35

200/200 Stateside Mailers & Returns $16

2 Standard QSL Albums & 1 pack of extra pages $40

Shipping charges extra on supply specials

PRIORITY MAIL Shipping Rates for Supplies

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

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

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

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

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

Now you're set for the upcoming DX season! Recheck this blog regularly for Bill's monthly specials!
Gayle Van Horn

Mighty KBC set to return to shortwave in October

Dutch-based KBC Radio has published the following information: “The Mighty KBC will start broadcasting on shortwave on 30-10-2011 Saturday and Sunday between 11.00 – 16.00 UTC. There is a good chance that we will use our new frequency during weekdays as well in the future. Within a few weeks we will announce our new frequency.”
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)


Earlier comments from the station; The KBC Radio website adds: “We are trying to return on SW in November 2011. Minimum power is 100KW. We are also checking if we can beam again to the USA on shortwave.

“For reception reports please mail to KBC531 @ gmail.com or write to The Mighty KBC, Argonstraat 6, 6718 WT Ede, The Netherlands. Send 2 USD if you want to receive our Mighty KBC QSL card.”
(Source: KBC Radio)

Radio Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2011 Sep 06 2004 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact: www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html
#
# Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 29 August - 04 September 2011

Solar activity began the week at low levels with 27 C-class flares between 09 August - 03 September and ended at moderate levels with an M3 flare at 04/1145 UTC from Region 1286 (N20, L=304, class/area Dso/080 on 03 September). The M3 event was associated with a partial-halo coronal mass ejection which was directed away from the west limb. Although Region 1282 (N25, L=300, class/area Eso/170) did not produce any significant activity during the period, it did develop a delta magnetic configuration on 03 September. Region 1283 (N14, L=223, class/area Dsi/220) developed into the largest spot group during the period.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

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

Geomagnetic field activity began the week at generally quiet to unsettled levels with isolated active and minor storm periods at high latitudes due to a negative polarity coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS). Activity decreased to mostly quiet levels for 30 August - 02 September. A tivity increased to quiet to unsettled levels with isolated acti e periods at high latitudes for 03 - 04 September. An isolated major storm period occurred at high latitudes during 03/0900 - 1200 UTC. Solar wind data indicated a solar sector boundary crossing on 02 September at about 1000 UTC, and a co-rotating interaction region on 03 September at about 0100 UTC followed by a negative polarity CH HSS.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 07 September - 03 October 2011

Solar activity is expected to be low with M-class activity likely and a slight chance for X-class activity through 11 September when Region 1283 rotates off the disk. A decrease to very low to low levels is expected from 12 - 17 September. An increase to low to moderate levels is expected as old Regions 1286 and 1283 return and transit the disk from 18 September through the remainder of the forecast period.

A slight chance for proton events is expected at geosynchronous orbit until 12 September.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at high levels 07 - 08 September, followed by normal to moderate levels for 09 - 12 September. High levels are expected 13 - 14 September, followed by another decrease to normal to moderate levels for 15 - 8 September. High levels resume 29 - 30 September. Normal to moderate levels are expected 01 - 03 October.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at mostly quiet levels through 09 September. Activity is expected to increase to unsettled to active levels 10 - 13 September with the arrival of a coronal mass ejection coupled with a CH HSS. Mostly quiet levels will prevail from 14 - 29 September. An increase to unsettled is expected 30 September - 01 October due to another recurrent CH HSS. Quiet levels will predominate for 02 - 03 October.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2011 Sep 06 2004 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html
#
# 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
# Issued 2011-09-06
#
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2011 Sep 07 115 5 2
2011 Sep 08 110 5 2
2011 Sep 09 105 5 2
2011 Sep 10 100 18 4
2011 Sep 11 100 15 3
2011 Sep 12 100 10 3
2011 Sep 13 100 8 3
2011 Sep 14 100 5 2
2011 Sep 15 100 5 2
2011 Sep 16 103 5 2
2011 Sep 17 103 5 2
2011 Sep 18 105 7 2
2011 Sep 19 105 7 2
2011 Sep 20 105 5 2
2011 Sep 21 105 5 2
2011 Sep 22 105 5 2
2011 Sep 23 103 5 2
2011 Sep 24 100 7 2
2011 Sep 25 100 7 2
2011 Sep 26 100 5 2
2011 Sep 27 105 5 2
2011 Sep 28 110 5 2
2011 Sep 29 110 5 2
2011 Sep 30 110 10 3
2011 Oct 01 110 8 3
2011 Oct 02 110 5 2
2011 Oct 03 110 5 2
(NOAA)

QSL Report Central

more extra QSLs to share with our readers ....

Belarus
Belaruskoje Radyjo, 11930 kHz. Postcard of Natinal Library with handwritten message from Larisa Suarez on the back. Received in 52 days for postal report. (Bruce Portzer/HCDX)

Brazil
Radio Senado, 5990 kHz. Full data card, signed by "Staff." Received in 780 days for a follow up report to radiosenado@senado.gov.br (Rafael Rodriguez/playdx)

Canada
KBS via Sackville relay, 6045 kHz. Full data QSL, sticker and report form. Received in 11days for report to spanish@kbs.co.kr (Gomez/playdx)

Colombia
Voz de Guaviare, 6035 kHz. Friendly but no data Spanish email reply from Mayerly Soto, Secretary lavozdelguaviare@hotmail.com. Received in two days for report.(Bruce Portzer/HCDX)

France
Radio Taiwan International relay via Issoudun, 3965 kHz. Full data and station souvenirs (pencils, calendar, schedules and stickers). Received for posting report online at http://spanish.rti.org/customerservice/ReceptionForm,aspx (Gomez/playdx).

Medium Wave
Canada, CKIM Baie Verte, NFL 1240 AM kHz. E-QSL from Richard King, Program Director. Received in three days for email report to rking@vocm.com (Molano/playdx)

China-CNR-1, Changzhou, 600 kW, 1593 AM kHz. QSL card, received in 60 days via postal mail. Station address: China National Radio, P.O. Box 4501, Beijing 100866, China. (M Molano, Spain/playdx)

Colombia-HJKN Radio Unina, Bogota, 1280 AM kHz. E-QSL from Yaned Caro, Asistente Administrativa. Received in seven days for email report to ycaro@todelar.com (Molano/pladx)

Italy-IQX Trieste Radio, 518 AM kHz. E-QSL in 34 days for email report to romeradio.iar@srmsitalia.interbusiness.it (Molano/playdx)

Philippines
Radyo Pilipinas, 15190 kHz. Station QSL card signed by Ric G. Lorenzo, plus sticker and schedule. Received in 76 days. (Bruce Portzer/HCDX)

Pirate (Europe)
Caroline Rainbow, 6375 kHz. E-QSL. Received in one day for email report to carolineradio@hotmail.com (Artur Llorella, Spain/playdx)

Denmark-Radio Spaceshuttle International via WMR, 5815 kHz. E-QSL and letter from Dick. Received in 28 minutes for email to spaceshuttleradio@yahoo.com (Gomez/playdx)

Radio Star International, 6400 kHz. E-QSL from Jan Vraag. Received in nine days for email report and MP3 to rsi@live.co.uk (Roberto Pavanello/playdx)

Zender Bizon, 6300 kHz. E-QSL. Received in 32 days for email report to radio97.1@hotmail.com . (Artur Llorella, Spain/playdx)

Pirate (US)
Crystal Ship, 6815 kHz. Full data personalized QSL. Received in 14 days for an email report to tcsshortwave@gmail.com . QSL for the April 25 broadcast. (Zichi, MI/FRN) station is no longer broadcasting on shortwave.

Radio Appalachia, 6935 kHz. Full data map card of Appalachia. Herman the German apologizes for taking so long, but I think that 33 days is just fine. (Ron Hunsicker/FRN)

Radio Ronin Shortwave, 6945 kHz. Full data E-QSL of Shogun of Shortwaves card. Received in 19 days. (Rich D'Angelo, PA/FRN)

Voice of Next Thursday. QSL package including greeen QSL card # 52 and a yellow booklet on VoNT Volume One. (Finn, PA/FRN)

Special thanks again to Alokesh Gupta for sharing the following information on QSLs he has received in recent months.

Guam, KTWR, 11870 kHz. Full data Old Spanish Bridge card, signed by Kathy. Received in 44 days. Guam, Adventist World Radio, 9585 kHz. Full data card signed by Dr. Adrian Peterson. Received in 75 days. Received same for 11690 kHz.
India, All India Radio, 6090/6100 kHz. Partial data email from Director, SMS, on simulcast transmission (analog + DRM). Received in one day.
Israel, Galei Zahal, 15785 kHz. Full data card unsigned. Received in 22 days.
Japan, Radio Japan, 17810 kHz. Full data Spring Tea Ceremony card noted via Yamata, unsigned. Received in 30 days.
Nepal, Radio Pariwartan, 89.4 FM. Full data email, unsigned. Received in two days.
Portugal, RDP Internacional, 15560 kHz. Full data RTP 75th Anniversary card, signed by Paula Nunes. Received in 25 days.
Portugal, RDP Internacional, 13755 kHz. Full data RTP 75th Anniversary card, signed by Paula Nunes. Received in 25 days. Received same for 9820 kHz.
Singapore, Singapore Volmet, 6676USB, Full data verification letter signed by Chua Guat Mui. Received in 24 days.
Taiwan, Radio Taiwan International, 13840 kHz. Full data Flora Expo card, unsigned. Received in 145 days.
Taiwan, Radi Taiwan International, 9435 kHz. Full data Lukang Longshau Temple card. Received in 55 days.
Thailand, Radio Farda, 21715 kHz. Full data card IBB Udon Thani Station with illegible signature. Received in 20 days.
Thailand, Radio Thailand, 17655 kHz. Full data Pagoda's card unsigned. Received in 12 days.
Turkey, Voice of Turkey, 15520 kHz. Full data Mesin Erdeemli CEC Group card, unsigned. Received in 35 days.
Uzbekistan, Radio Japan relay, 15, 205 kHz. Full data Spring Tea Ceremony card unsigned. Received in 30 days.
USA, AFN via Diego Garcia, 12759USB. Full data AFN logo card, unsigned. Received in 15 days.
Zambia, CVC 1 Africa, 13590 kHz. Full data verification letter signed by Brigette. Received in 120 days.

British Forces Broadcasting Service launches new website

The British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) has launched a new radio website. The site gives listeners the latest news from the three main military radio services and the 11 local radio stations, including BFBS Afghanistan. Visitors to the site can listen live to the UK DAB schedule, BFBS Radio 2, BFBS Gurkha and programming from BFBS Germany, BFBS Northern Ireland and BFBS Falkland Islands.
(Source: Coventry Telegraph/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)
BFBS - http://www.bfbs.com/

Blog Logs

Blog Log audio for September 6, 2011 Azad Kashmir



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

Logs edited for clarity

Argentina
11710.43, RAE 0156. End of program in Portuguese; 0056-0100 tinkly eight note interval signal with occasional "RAE, Argentina" IDs. Time ticks 5+1, then usual fanfare music theme with Spanish ID by male/female announcers - then multi-lingual IDs. Possible Japanese program to 0157. Same interval signal routine. Time ticks, and fanfare to ID routine. Male announcer at 0202 with three news headlines. "Unlimited sounds on the international service of the Argentine radio". Male/female host chatter and program rundown. Talk about a Cumbia artist, followed by music. Fairly decent with a very subtle drift. (Dave Valko, PA/HCDX)

Australia
2368.5 Radio Symban 1007. Strong enough to hear and differentiate music and talk, but that's about it. Nice to get some audio though. A lot of thunderstorm static crashes. (Dave Valko,PA/HCDX)

2368.49, Radio Symban 0935-1006. Ballads in listed Greek. Announcer at 1005. Fade-in by 1000 UTC. Signal poor in ECCS-USB when there was enough signal for it to lock onto. (Scott Barbour, NH)

Bahrain
9745 Radio Bahrain 2204-2257. Nothing but nonstop Arabic vocals and Arabic music. Noted jammed in LSB. Clearer in USB. Another co-channel station came on at 2230 and was equal to slightly stronger after 2237. Rado Romania International came on at 2257 and wiped it out. May have had this earlier at 1934 heavily jammed then as well. (Dave Valko, PA/HCDX)

Bolivia
3309.97, Radio Mosoj Chaski Cochabamba 0831-0841. Spanish sign-on announcement in progress. Male/female announcers with brief talks between ballads. Poor-fair signal. (Scott Barbour, NH)

4111, Radio Virgen de Remedios, Tupiza (very tentative). 0102-0112. Noted a carrier, at brief moments sounded like talks but it's uncertain. At intervals, a pulse noise. Lúcio Otávio Bobrowiec, Brazil/HCDX)

6134.813, Radio Santa Cruz, 2345-2359. Noted program of music and comments. Very pleased to hear this still on. Signal fair with local thunderstorm interferences. (Chuck Bolland, FL).

Brazil
3375.42, Radio Municipal Cachoeira 0939. Portuguese ballads and 'canned' announcements at 0943. Signal poor. (Scott Barbour, NH).

4915.009, Radio Difusora Macapa, 2330-2345. Not quite faded in yet, but noted a male in Portuguese with comments between Brazilian style musiuc. Canned ads and promos noted at 2345. SIgnal poor. (Chuck Bolland, FL).

China
4940, Voice of the Strait, Fuzhou 1028-1041. Chinese ballad at tune-in with announcement and solid station identification at 1030. Ad string, then back to ballads at tune-out. SIgnal poor - best in ECCS-LSB. (Scott BArbour, NH)

Japan
3945, Radio Nikkei 2, Chiba-Nagara. 0851-0900 Pop ballads in Japanese by female singer selections. In a battle against Vanuatu, but Nikkei 2 prevailing; last heard in March, SINPO 32533. Lúcio Otávio Bobrowiec, Brazil/HCDX)

Malaysia/Sarawak
9835, RTM Kajang 1121-1203. Pop ballads in listed Malay with female announcer between selections. Qu'ran recitations frm 1150 with occasional female's talk and Arabic sounding talk at 1202. Into snippet of Arabic music, then back to Malay ballad at tune-out. No discernible ID noted. Signal poor-fair. (Scott Barbour, NH)

Pakistan
3975, Azad Kashmir Radio, Islamabad. 0042-0050. Urdu/Kashmiri (listed) music probably local Folk, short Qu'ran, male and female talks, back Qu'ran. SINPO 35533. Lúcio Otávio Bobrowiec, Brazil/HCDX)

Suriname
4990, Radio Apintie Paramaribo, 0846-0902. Male announcer with lengthy talk in listed Dutch. 'Canned' announcement to choral music at 0855. Percussion/bongo music at 0858. Ad string at the hour amid weak but clear signal. Best logging in some time. (SCott Barbour, NH)

4989.98 Radio Apintie, Paramaribo. Strange mixture of songs after 0907. Carnival like song, fast version of presumed national anthm, followed by male announcer's mention of f Apintie, and female's spiritual talk. Male again at 0918 with mentions of FM stereo and Internet. Strong but very low modulation. (Dave Valko,m PA/HCDX)

USA/Alaska
9920, KNLS Anchor Point 1110. CHinese musical ballad and female announcer's talk and station URL mentioned. Signal battling for dominance with co-channel FEBC Bocaue featuring male announcer's lengthy talk in unid language. Signal was fair with constant "siren" effect heard throughout. (Scott Barbour, NH)

New Peruvian station on shortwave

You Tube audio OAW4Y - Radio JPJ del Peru (Jesus Parraga Jimenez)

Lima, Peru



Radio JPJ is a new legal shortwave station from Peru, broadcasting on 3360 kHz. Radio JPJ (named after its director Jesús Párraga Jiménez) is located in Monte Los Olivos, Distrito de San Martin de Porres, in the Province and Department of Lima. The station was first heard on June 9, 2011, by Markku Kaunisto, Jouni Keskinen and Juha Vehmas in Finland. According to information received by Henrik Klemetz and Alfredo Cañote, Radio JPJ uses call letters OAW4Y and has a power of 1 kW. The address is Manzana D, Lote 9, Asoc. Vivienda Monte Los Olivos, Distrito de San Martín de Porres, Provincia y Departamento de Lima, Perú.
(DXing.info)

Radio JPJ streaming audio http://www.radiojpj.com/

(log edited for clarity)

3360 Radio JPJ (Jesús Párraga Jiménez). Audible 0824 with definite music here from this new Peruvian. Heard 0826 what sounded like a jingle with last syllable in last word repeating like an echo. Into lively pop-like music sounding like Ramones "I Wanna Be Sedated"!! Another rock song to 0833 with another brief echo jingle. Definitely "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor at 0837-0840, then echo jingle again but local interference taking over. Same jingle at 0844 as the 0826. Stronger audio at 0850 with jingle just before "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" remake by Cyndi Lauper. Dance remake of "Bette Davis Eyes" at 0858 going to 0900, and into next dance song. "Sweet Child O Mine" by Guns N Roses at 0917. Sounded like more tropical Latin American pops at 0955. Gradually faded but still audible at 1007. The jingles heard on the website match up pretty well with what I heard. It would have been much easier if not for the horrendous QRN. (11 August)
(Dave Valko, PA/HCDX & Scott Barbour, NH)

Voice of America's Role in the Internet Age

Host Scott Simon speaks with David Ensor, who took over directorship of Voice of America last month. A longtime journalist for NPR, CNN and ABC News, his most recent post was in Afghanistan, where he was director for communications and public diplomacy at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.

Script availble and audio link at: http://www.npr.org/2011/09/03/140163727/voice-of-americas-role-in-internet-age

Happy Labor Day Weekend !

To our blog readers across the globe - this is America's three-day Labor Day holiday weekend. Traditionally, we celebrate this weekend as the end of summer and the beginning of college football season. Family and friends gather for cookouts, picnics, fireworks and parades. Monday will be the official 'Labor Day' - a federal holiday set aside to honor the working men and women of America.

As for me ? Family, football and a cookout are on my agenda ... and a few days off. See ya next week.