Pakistan on Shortwave: The Rawalpindi Story

In our program today, we return to the shortwave radio scene in Pakistan; and in particular, to the city of Rawalpindi in the far north of the country. Actually Rawalpindi, together with its twin city Islamabad, make up the 3rd largest city complex in Pakistan, behind Karachi & Lahore. At one stage, Rawalpindi was the temporary interim capital city of Pakistan during the transitional era between the transfer from Karachi in the south up to the newly built Islamabad in the north.
Three thousand years ago, Buddhist culture flourished in the area during the Vedic era, and the locality was known at various times under several different names, including the short name Rawal. It was Jhandar Khan who augmented the name to Rawalpindi in 1493. The British came in 1849, and they ultimately established Rawalpindi as their largest army camp anywhere in colonial India.
The first radio station in Rawalpindi was an army station under the callsign VVX. This was a shortwave facility rated at around 1 kW and it was the northern Punjab unit in the British army network of communication stations that were on the air during the 1930s with three letter callsigns beginning with VV.
Pakistan exerted its independence from British India at the time of partition at midnight on August 14-15 1947 and radio became an important priority in the new country. The first new radio station in the new Pakistan was established at Rawalpindi, and this was a small shortwave unit with an output of just 500 watts.
This new and rather temporary broadcasting station was inaugurated on April 16 of the following year 1948, and it operated under the callsign APR. There are no known loggings of this quite low powered shortwave station though it must have been heard, at least locally and into nearby countries.
The international range of callsigns allocated to the new Pakistan included the series beginning with the two letters AP, with A indicating Asia & P indicating Pakistan. The third letter in Pakistani callsigns indicated the city of location; and for Rawalpindi, this was of course the letter R.
Mediumwave came to Rawalpindi with just 100 watts a year later, and during the following year, this facility was upgraded to a 1 kW unit on 1260 kHz with the callsign APR1. In the meantime, a much larger facility was under construction just beyond the edge of suburban Rawalpindi on the south side of the Grand Trunk Road running west towards Peshawar. This radio station is located near the more recently established Riphah International University near Naseerabad just out of Rawalpindi.
On September 1, 1950 the mediumwave transmitter at this new location was inaugurated as Rawalpindi 1 with 10 kW on 1260 kHz, though the channel was moved to 1150 kHz four years later. This transmitter was de-activated in 2001 at the time when a new 100 kW mediumwave transmitter at an unstated location took over the programming from Rawalpindi 1. Due to the fact that the area around the original transmitter base near Naseerabad is now overcrowded with housing, it is probable that the 100 kW mediumwave transmitter was installed at a new and somewhat isolated location.
Ten years after the mediumwave unit was inaugurated at this Rawalpindi radio station, a 10 kW shortwave transmitter was activated at this same location on the tropical shortwave bands for local and regional coverage. The inauguration date was October 15, 1960. This shortwave transmitter was on the air regularly for around a quarter century carrying the regional programming as Rawalpindi 2 and subsequently as Rawalpindi 3.
However in 1973, the regional programming listed as Rawalpindi 3 was then transferred to a 100 kW transmitter located at Rawat, 25 miles east of Rawalpindi. This transmitter site is officially identified as Islamabad, and the specific 100 kW transmitter was listed as API8.
However, the 10 kW shortwave transmitter located on the western edge of Rawalpindi was apparently renovated, and it was re-activated again somewhere around the year 2001 on its same familiar channel 4790 kHz. The programming relay was split between Azad Kashmir Radio and Rawalpindi 3, though it should be remembered that the 100 kW transmitter located at Islamabad-Rawat was also operating at certain times of the day on this same channel, 4790 kHz, and with similar programming.
The production and on air studios for Radio Pakistan were transferred from Karachi to an in town location in Rawalpindi in 1967; then they were moved again within Rawalpindi seven years later, and then finally to a new headquarters building in Islamabad in 1977.
Thus it is that the radio station known as Rawalpindi has been on the air from several different locations over the years as follows:-
Mediumwave
Rawalpindi & Naseerabad, and perhaps one new and as yet unstated location
Shortwave
Rawalpindi & Naseerabad, and also Rawat-Islamabad
Studios
Three consecutive locations in Rawalpindi & then Islamabad

Over the years, many QSL cards have been issued for the broadcasts of Radio Pakistan Rawalpindi, though the earliest of which we are aware is dated in the year 1955. Currently, QSL cards are still available for this station from their national head office in Islamabad.
(AWR Wavescan/NWS # 98 via Adiran Peterson)

Radio Netherlands Program Preview, Jan 9-14

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 coming week, beginning on Saturday.
We hope you will enjoy our radio programmes, whether you listen to them online, via satellite, your local station, or shortwave. Stay tuned!


So this coming week on:

*** The State We're In ***

A mother's strength: When Naseera Dutour's son, Amine, was "disappeared" along with thousands of other young men by the Algerian government; she started a long, impassioned campaign to find him, and others like him. Her strength shines through the documentary about her, "Chanson pour Amine". As she tells Jonathan, more than a decade has passed, but she refuses to believe he's dead and gone.

Making a splash: Christoffer Lindhe in Sweden was once a competitive swimmer. But a few years ago, he nearly died in a train accident, in which he lost both his legs and one arm. Now he's back in the pool and ranked in the top five in the world. He tells Jonathan how competing has given him his life back.

Busi's van: Contributor Sibusisiwe (Busi) Ndlovu and her husband face the same problems millions do in Zimbabwe: hyperinflation and diminishing earnings. So they came up with a plan to help them secure a decent future: they'd buy a van and start a small transport company. They scraped together their life savings, borrowed from family and bought a van. But when she went to collect it, government authorities had already sold it on the black market. Yet her faith that better days lie ahead remains unshaken.

Persian cats: Veteran filmmaker Bahman Ghobadi knew nothing about the underground music scene in his native Iran. He was surprised at both the quality of the music and the integrity of the musicians. The spirit of their music keeps the flame of defiance going in Iran.

Maida's music: Maida is 76 years old and has advanced dementia. The piano was always part of her life and every Monday her son comes to her care home with his violin and they play music for the other residents. And for a few brief moments, Maida returns to being the person her son grew up with.

*** Earth Beat ***

Marnie Chesterton and her team look at the footprint we're leaving on our
planet

On this week's edition of Earth Beat, no more plugs as wireless electricity fills your home. Save water by washing your clothes in a waterless washing machine. Grow your clothes locally from bacteria.
We explore some great and sometimes bizarre ideas that are just around the corner. And we ask what it is that is keeping them waiting in the wings.

*** Africa in Progress ***

African youths want to break sex taboos
It many societies, it is difficult to talk about sexuality. Yet it is important for the youth to get the right information so that they can make healthy choices about their lives. In this edition, two young African sex educators discuss how sexual taboos should be addressed.

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

It's African beats and stuff this week, but not necessarily directly from Africa. Rokia Traoré brings in melodies from Mali, and Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 send sounds from Nigeria. Then from across the oceans it's Anthony Joseph and the Spasm Band with Trinidad music - although the band is based in England. Hear the World is hosted by Djeera Sujan.

*** Live! at the Concertgebouw ***

Monday:
The Netherlands' Radio Chamber Philharmonic, conducted by John Nelson, in works telling the story of Orpheus, music's greatest hero, who saved his beloved Euridice from Hell, just by playing the lyre. The music is by Von Gluck and Beethoven, the concert is hosted by Hans Haffmans.

Tuesday:
Yannick Nézet-Seguin and the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra take you to Spain. Ravel's Bolero is joined by works by Berlioz, de Falla and Massenet with a decidedly Hispanic flavour. Hans Haffmans is your host.

*** Bridges with Africa***

Lively discussion and thought-provoking reports about and from the African
continent

*** Commonwealth Story ***

Judgement Day - by Farah Ghuznavi from Bangladesh.
A sci-fi story of a marriage, read by Sudha Bhuchar.
(Hilary Staples/Radio Netherlands)

Radio Netherland - English service

All times UTC

English
1000-1057 9720as 12065as (Asia)
1400-1500 12080as 15595va (Various)
1500-1557 15595as
1800-1857 6020af 11655af (Africa)
1900-1957 7425af 9895af 11615af 11655af
2000-2057 5935af 7425af 11655af
(R Netherlands/Leo van der Wounde)

Blog Logs

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

Argentina
15345.00, RAE, 2205-2305. Spanish. Easy-listening music to news and many “RAE” IDs. Segment on “XERMX, Radio Mexico International, onda corta.” Signal fair to almost good. (Ron Howasrd, CA/Cumbre DX)

Bangladesh
4750, Bangladesh Betar, 1403. Has been interesting to find they routinely have music of the bagpipes. Very distinctive! Still no sign of RRI.(Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

Belarus
7390, Radio Belarus International (Minsk / Kalodzicy)(presumed), 2327-2336. Russian. Talk by man to pop music at 2334. Signal poor, noisy signal with fading. Nothing heard on listed parallel frequencies. (Jim Evans, TN)

Bolivia
6134.732, Radio Santa Cruz, 2310-2320. Weak signal here with a male's Spanish comments. Although the signal is weak, with a fair amount of tweeking, it can be cleaned up to be clearly heard. That didn't last long when the signal began to fade and around 2320 and music was presented.Still into music at 2336, but signal very poor.(Chuck Bolland, FL)

Brazil
15190, Radio Inconfidencia (Belo Horizonte), 2255-2310. Portuguese. Man talking. Musical theme followed by ID at 2259. Time by second man at 2300, ID, and talk (presumed to be news). Jazz vocal by woman at 2307. Good signal with some slow fading. Weak parallel noted on 6010. (Jim Evans, TN)

Canada
6070, 2135, CFRX Tornoto. Local news and promos with ads between announcer's phone-in segments. (Gayle Van Horn, NC)

6100, 2138, Radio Canada International. French service with male/female host in conversation and listeners' phone-in segments. Station ID and promo, plus frequency quote, postal and email addresses. (Gayle Van Horn, NC)

China
6060, PBS-2 Sichuan, 1527 + 1555. For New Year’s, running well past their normal 1515*. (Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

Clandestine
6205 Radio Free Sarawak 1214-1252. Presumed the one with talks in presumed Bahasa Malaysia on this date and others (when I'm up that early). Fair signal at best but noisy band keeps readability down.(John Wilkins-CO)

Colombia
5910, Marfil Estereo (Puerto Lleras), 2354-2400. Spanish. Slow paced local pop music. Announcement by man at 2357. Moderate signal with some fading. (Jim Evans, TN)

Guatemala
4052.5, Radio Verdad, Chiquimula, 0037. Spanish announcer's religious talk and mention of Guatemala and "La Familia" (Steve Wiseblood, TX)

Indonesia
9525, Voice of Indonesia (Cimanggis), 1337-1400. English. Local pop/ballad music with a female singer and Indonesian instruments. Announcements by a woman. Identification at 1355 followed by more Western sounding pop music. Identification at 1400, then switch to Indonesian with a male announcer. Good signal, the best in some time, with an occasional deep fade. (Jim Evans, TN)

India
5010, AIR Thiruvananthapuram, 1510-1520. Another day with coverage of the India vs. South Africa cricket match in English and Hindi. Best in LSB, as Madagascar was fairly strong in USB. Today AIR Jeypore (5040) was off the air. (Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

Indonesia
3325, RRI Palangkaraya. Dec 31 noted running past normal sign off time for New Year’s, past 1637.

9680, RRI Jakarta, random checks from 1433 to 1636, Dec 31. Special New Year’s program running past their normal sign off. A number of DJs seemed to be at a club with background sounds and played a wide variety of music (pop/rock, indigenous, etc.) Signal fair-good. (Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

Kashmir
4950, Radio Kashmir Srinagar, *0118-0225*. Open carrier and test tone noted at 0113 tune in; 0118 start of AIR interval signal followed by their national song, “Vande Mataram,” 0121 subcontinent songs, 0125-0135 seemed to be news, 0135 reciting from the Qur’an followed by Islamic singing and subcontinent songs; 0225.* Is rather a late sign off for them nand went from poor to almost fair and back to poor by sign off.(Ron Howard, CA)

Malaysia/Sarawak
5030, Sarawak FM via RTM. Noted already off the air by 1555. Dec 31 from 1556-1600*; // 9835.

9835, Sarawak FM via RTM, 1600. Pips (1+1), choral national anthem (Negaraku – Lagu Kebangsaan Malaysia), in vernacular. Pop songs, website given for online listening; many on air phone calls and asking each caller a question about Malaysia. Signal fair to good till strong NHK sign on at 1655. Audio www.mediafire.com/?e7kdfmxnljj3nh5 (Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

Myanmar
5985.86 Radio Myanma 1434-1444. Female announcer's talking - English maybe? Can't tell due to low signal level and high band noise. Went into regional vocal music at 1439. (John Wilkins-CO)

Nigeria
15120, Voice of Nigeria (Ikorodu), 1800-1815. English. Identification and announcements by woman. News by man. Identification by woman at 1805 followed by highlights of their program schedule for the week. Good signal.(Jim Evans, TN)

Peru
6019.262, Radio Victoria, 2339-2350. Sounds like Victoria is not broadcasting at this time event though their carrier is quite strong because there is no audio being heard. It's possible that there's a broadcast of something going on now, but I can't hear it. (Chuck Bolland,FL)

Philippines
11730, 15190 Radio Pilipinas 1755-1900+. English ID at 1755 as "Radyo Pilipinas, the Overseas Service of the Phillipine Broadcasting," followed by a man/woman in lighthearted Tagalog chat with much laughter. 11730 was mixing with, and soon overtook, co-channel RHC. 15190 was very poor at first but improved dramatically and was very good at 1810. Multiple ID's for Radyo Pilipinas, PBS, Radio Ng Bayan, etc. at 1858 were followed by a very long list of affiliates (DZRM, DWCC, and at least a dozen others). (John Wilkins-CO)

Romania
6115, 2142, Radio Romania International. National politicla news on conservatives vs democrats - part of Newsreeel program. Station identification at 2144 followed by Travelers Guide program with focus on 'best of' list for holiday destinations to mountain resorts in Romania. Switched to 7310 at 2150 as program continued. Station ID and Sports Highlights from 2010. Instrumental pop music and closing routine at 2155 with IDs, freqs, broadcast hours and freqs for upcoming broadcast at 2300 UTC. Station interval signal to off the air at 2157. (Gayle Van Horn, NC)

Vietnam
9840, Voice of Vietnam (Hanoi-SonTay), 2331-2357. English. News by a woman. ID by a man at 2337 followed by more news. A brief musical selection at 2340, then talk by a man and a woman. Vietnamese pop music at 2354. Announcement by a woman at 2357, then either sign off, or the signal faded away. Poor to moderate signal with fading, degrading over time. Low side interference from HCJB via Chile. (Jim Evans, TN)

Zambia
5915, ZNBC/Radio Zambia 1, 0249-0251. They seemed rather late in starting the African Fish Eagle interval signal, was not heard at 0245. Heard under CRI, // 6162 after the distinctive interval signal was mostly unusable. (Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

WRN programming highlights

Welcome to the latest edition of the WRN Newsletter which keeps you informed of upcoming programme highlights on WRN's English networks that broadcast to North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Asia Pacific region.

Happy Reading and Happy Listening!

Please send emails to contactus@wrnbroadcast.com or letters and postcards to WRN Broadcast, PO Box 1212, London, SW8 2ZF, UK. You can also reach us via fax at +44 20 7896 9007 or via telephone at +44 20 7896 9010.

Programming available at http://www.wrn.org/

Sunday, January 9 2011: A Prairie Home Companion

This week "A Prairie Home Companion" is back home at the Fitzgerald Theatre in St. Paul, Minnesota, with our favourite Doris Day gumdrop, Nellie McKay, plus a tune for 4 (count 'em 4!) fiddles for the new year with Deena and Sedra Bistodeau, Catie Jo Pidel and Richard Kriehn. With the Royal Academy of Radio Acting; Tim Russell, Sue Scott, Tom Keith and Rich Dworsky and the Guy's All-Star Shoe Band. Plus, the ice fishing has begun in Lake Wobegon and the cranky gumshoe is back on the slippery streets of Good Ol' St. Paul.

In Africa and Europe: 1100 UTC / 1200 CET / 1300 CAT

Saturday, January 8 and Sunday, January 9 2011: Asia Calling

Developed to reflect the lives and reality of citizens across the region, "Asia Calling" is a weekly radio programme from Indonesia’s Radio News Agency KBR68H.

In North America: 2230 ET / 1930 PT

In Europe: 2100 UTC / 2200 CET

In Africa and Asia 1200 UTC / 1300 CET / 1400 CAT

Saturday, January 8 2010: Radio Australia

To find out about all the latest inventions and technological progress made in many different fields, tune into Radio Australia's science magazine "Innovations"… A showcase of Australian design, discovery, invention, engineering and research skills!

Sunday, January 9 2010: Radio Australia

From dreaming to depression, addiction to artificial intelligence, consciousness to coma, psychoanalysis to psychopathy, free will to forgetting - "All in the Mind" explores the human condition through the mind's eye.

In North America: 1530 ET / 1230 PT

In Europe: 0830 UTC / 0930 CET

Saturday, January 8 and Sunday, January 9 2010: Radio Guangdong

Radio Guangdong, established in October 1949, is a leading radio group in south China. Radio Guangdong programmes cover political, economic, social and cultural issues; programmes about Guangdong, programmes about Guangdong people and programmes linking Guangdong with the world.

In many Chinese cities, urban development and protecting heritage form an obvious is a contradiction hard to overcome. In Guangzhou, an old, yet rapidly growing city, it’s inevitably that people are confronted with this issue. In "Today’s Focus", the presenters will look at a renovation project on Enning Road in the older part of the city known as "Xiguan", which literally means the Western Gate of the Old Town.

And the headlines this week: Inter-city High-Speed railway opens linking 4 cities in the Pearl River Delta / Continuous & Unusual Cold Weather Over Guangdong / Hundreds of Additional trains added for Spring Festival.

In North America: Sat 1200 ET / 0900 PT
Sun 2030 ET / 1730 PT

In Africa and the Middle East: Sat 0115 UTC / 0315 CAT
Sat 1700 UTC / 1900 CAT
Sat 2045 UTC / 2245 CAT
Sun 0900 UTC / 1100 CAT

In Asia and the Pacific: Sat 0115 UTC / 1215 AEDT
Sat 1700 UTC / 0400 (Sun) AEDT
Sat 2045 UTC / 0745 (Sun) AEDT
Sun 0900 UTC / 2000 AEDT

In Europe: Sat 2045 UTC / 2145 CET

Saturday, January 8 and Sunday, January 9 2010: Radio Netherlands

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

A mother’s strength: When Naseera Dutour’s son, Amine “disappeared” along with thousands of other young men in Algeria; she started a long, impassioned campaign to find him, and others like him. Her strength shines through the documentary about her, “Chanson pour Amine”. As she tells Jonathan, more than a decade has passed, but she refuses to believe he’s dead and gone.

Making a splash: Christoffer Lindhe in Sweden was once a competitive swimmer. But a few years ago, he nearly died in a train accident, in which he lost both his legs and one arm. Now he’s back in the pool and ranked in the top five in the world. He tells Jonathan how competing has given him his life back.

Busi’s van: Contributor Sibusisiwe (Busi) Ndlovu and her husband face the same problems millions do in Zimbabwe: hyperinflation and diminishing earnings. So they came up with a plan to help them secure a decent future: they decided to buy a van and start a small transport company. They scraped together their life savings, borrowed from family and bought a van. But when she went to collect it, government authorities had already sold it on the black market. Yet her faith that better days lie ahead remains unshaken.

Persian cats: Veteran filmmaker Bahman Ghobadi knew nothing about the underground music scene in his native Iran. He was surprised at both the quality of the music and the integrity of the musicians. The spirit of their music keeps the flame of defiance going in Iran.

Sunday, January 9 and Monday, January 10 2010: Radio Netherlands

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

Friday, January 14 2010: Radio Netherlands

In "Earth Beat", Marnie Chesterton looks at the footprint we are leaving on our planet and runs stories from the people trying to make that footprint lighter.

On this week’s edition of "Earth Beat": no more plugs as wireless electricity fills your home. Save water by washing your clothes in a waterless washing machine. Grow your clothes locally from bacteria.

The presenters explore some great and sometimes bizarre ideas that are just around the corner. And they ask what it is that is keeping them waiting in the wings.

Radio Netherlands broadcast times:
In North America: 0800 ET / 0500 PT
1800 ET / 0300 PT
0000 ET / 2100 PT

In Africa and the Middle East: 1000 UTC / 1200 CAT
2200 UTC / 0000 CAT
0400 UTC / 0600 CAT

In Asia and the Pacific: 1000 UTC / 2100 AEDT
2200 UTC / 0900 AEDT
0500 UTC / 1600 AEDT

In Europe: 1930 UTC / 2030 CET 1400 UTC / 1500 CET
0030 UTC / 0130 CET

Saturday, January 8, Sunday, January 9 and Monday, January 10 2010: Radio New Zealand International

RNZI is New Zealand's only shortwave station, broadcasting to the Island nations of the Pacific. Its broadcasts range from Papua New Guinea in the west across to French Polynesia in the east, covering all South Pacific countries in between.

In North America: Mon - Fri 1200 ET / 0900 PT

Sun 1530 ET / 1230 PT

In Africa and the Middle East: Sun 0100 UTC / 0300 CAT

In Asia and the Pacific: Sun 0100 UTC / 1200 AEDT

In Europe: Sat 1500 UTC / 1600 CET
Sun 0530 UTC / 0630 CET

Friday, January 7 and Saturday, January 8 2010: Radio Romania International


"A Challenge for the Future" will be taking a look at the challenges Romania is going to face in 2011. And “Practical Guide” brings information on how to take residence in Romania.

Saturday, January 8 and Sunday, January 9 2010: Radio Romania International

“World of Culture” features the Ethnographic Museum of Banat based in the western Romanian city of Timisoara. “RRI Encyclopedia” profiles Ioan Petru Culianu, an outstanding personality of Romania, a world rounded scholar and historian of religions. And in “Roots” the presenters will be talking about a religious holiday, the Epiphany, Romanians celebrated on January 6th.

Sunday, January 9 and Monday, January 10 2010: Radio Romania International

“Inside Romania” finds out why Romanians working and living abroad choose to spend the winter holidays in Romania.

Monday, January 10 and Tuesday, January 11 2010: Radio Romania International

"Pro Memoria" looks at the trivia in the history of the Romanian press.

Radio Romania International broadcast times:

In North America: 0600 ET / 0300 PT
1000 ET / 0700 PT
1730 ET / 1430 PT

In Africa and the Middle East: 1230 UTC / 1430 CAT
0530 UTC / 0730 CAT

In Asia and the Pacific: 1230 UTC / 2330 AEDT
0530 UTC / 1630 AEDT

In Europe: Mon - Fri 0500 UTC / 0600 CET 2000 UTC / 2100 CET

Saturday, January 8 2010: RTE Ireland

"Seascapes" is Radio 1's weekly maritime programme, providing comprehensive coverage of the marine sector presented by Marcus Connaughton.

This week's "Seascapes" features Fish Quota talks; Anne & Steve Redmond; Paul Bourke on Angling and the Battle of Lepanto.

In Africa and the Middle East: 0330 UTC / 0530 CAT

In Asia and the Pacific: 0330 UTC / 1430 AEDT

In Europe: 1900 UTC / 2000 CET

Sunday, January 9 and Monday, January 10 2010: RTE Ireland

"Saturday View" puts the political world in context. Each week Rachael English picks the most important stories, sniffs the political winds and fills Studio 5 and often regional studios with newsmakers, their critics and opponents for lively debate.

While the main focus is on the Dáil and the home stories, the outside world is not forgotten and the big international stories are regularly discussed.

In North America: 1400 ET / 1100 PT

In Africa and the Middle East: 0330 UTC / 0530 CAT
1930 UTC / 2130 CAT

In Asia and the Pacific: 0330 UTC / 1430 AEDT
1930 UTC / Mon 0630 AEDT

In Europe: 1900 UTC / 2000 CET

Wednesday, January 12 2010: RTE Ireland

"This Week" gives you an in-depth look at events making the news in the past seven days. Tune in to hear Irish views and commentaries.

In North America: 2100 ET / 1800 PT

In Africa and the Middle East: 0330 UTC / 0530 CAT

In Asia and the Pacific: 0330 UTC / 1430 AEDT

Saturday, January 8, Sunday, January 9 and Monday, January 10 2010: United Nations Radio "UN and Africa"

"UN and Africa" is a weekly, 15-minute radio programme that aims to cover topical and current affairs-related stories about what the UN is doing for Africa, in Africa and about Africa.

For over a month now, people from Côte d'Ivoire have been seeking refuge in neighbouring Liberia, victims of the uncertainty and post electoral tensions in their country. Many are women and children who have experienced war before. UNHCR has registered 22,000 Ivorian refugees in Liberia.

Tens of thousands of people continue to flee Somalia as violence continues to grip the country. Refugees have made their way to camps in Kenya and Djibouti, but some of these desperate people prefer to try their luck at travelling further afield in search of a better life, a decision which can often have fatal consequences.

The top United Nations envoy for Somalia, Ambassador Augustine Mahiga visited the Somali capital Mogadishu on Tuesday. The visit came as the Somali government continues its efforts to create stability. The government has completed a roadmap to achieve that in the next 8 months.
In North America: Sun 2045 ET / 1745 PT

In Africa and the Middle East: Sat 1130 UTC / 1330 CAT

In Asia and the Pacific: Sat 1130 UTC / 2230 AEDT
Sat 2030 UTC / 0730 AEDT

In Europe: Sat 0515 UTC / 0615 CET
(WRN Newsletter 419)

Germany and Italy stamp news

For DXers in need of mint postage stamps for Germany or Italy for their reception report, the following news from DX Stamp Service will be of interest to you.

Germany's new rate of 0,75 back in stock, back orders being filled and posted.

Italy RAISED their rate to USA from 0,85 to 1,60 euros!!! Italy now priced at $3.00. The $3.00 price is also for Sicily, Sardinia, San Marino and Vatican City. We have new stamps on order. I think we'll be able to run a special on Italy 3 for $8.25 in the near future.

...what Germany taketh away, Italy addeth....
(Bill Plum)

Include a self-addressed-envelope for a 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

William Plum
12 Glenn Road
Flemington, NJ 08822
908 788 1020
fax 908 782 2612

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2011 Jan 04 1950 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
27 December - 02 January 2011

Solar activity was at very low levels during 27 – 30 December. Activity increased to low levels on 31 December when Region 1138 (N13, L = 320, class/area Dai/060 on 28 December) produced a C1 flare at 31/0425 UTC. This event was associated with a Type II radio
sweep with an estimated shock velocity of 875 km/s. Activity decreased to very low levels for the remainder of the summary period. A partial-halo CME was observed departing the southwest quadrant at around 30/0736 UTC associated with a filament eruption centered at N36W50. New Region 1140 (N32, L= 190, class/area Hsx/200 on 01 January) rotated onto the visible disk on 31 December. Two new regions emerged on the disk on 01 January; Region 1141 (N35, L = 267, class/area Dso/100 on 01 January) and Region 1142 (S14, L = 208, class/area Dso/090 on 02 January). No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

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

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet levels from 27 December until 28 December at 1200 UTC. During 28/1200-2100 UTC, activity increased to unsettled to minor storm levels, with two isolated periods of severe storm levels observed at high latitudes. Activity decreased to predominantly quiet levels for the rest of the period. The increased activity on 28 December was associated with the CME observed on 23 December. During this period, the Bz component of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) , as measured by the ACE spacecraft, reached a maximum deflection of -13nT at 28/1401 UTC, while total field (Bt) peaked at 14nT at 28/1315 UTC.


Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
05 January - 31 January 2011

Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels with a chance for low levels from 05 – 13 January, as Regions 1141, 1142 and 1140 rotate off the visible disk. Activity is expected to decrease to predominantly very low levels for the remainder of the period.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at normal to moderate levels during 05 – 09 January. Flux levels are expected to increase to high levels during 10 – 14 and decrease to normal levels for the remainder of the period.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet levels on 05 January. Activity is expected to increase to quiet to unsettled levels during 06 - 07 January in response to a co-rotating
interaction region in advance of a coronal hole high- speed stream (CH HSS). From 08-11 January, quiet to unsettled levels with isolated active levels are possible as the CH HSS moves into a geoeffective position. Activity is expected to decrease to predominantly quiet levels during 12-20 January. Quiet to unsettled levels are expected on 21-22 January in response to another CH HSS. Mostly quiet conditions are expected for the remainder of the period.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2011 Jan 04 1950 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 2011-01-04
#
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2011 Jan 05 92 5 2
2011 Jan 06 90 7 3
2011 Jan 07 88 7 3
2011 Jan 08 88 10 4
2011 Jan 09 88 10 4
2011 Jan 10 88 10 4
2011 Jan 11 85 7 3
2011 Jan 12 85 5 2
2011 Jan 13 80 5 2
2011 Jan 14 80 5 2
2011 Jan 15 80 5 2
2011 Jan 16 78 5 2
2011 Jan 17 78 5 2
2011 Jan 18 78 5 2
2011 Jan 19 80 5 2
2011 Jan 20 80 7 3
2011 Jan 21 80 7 3
2011 Jan 22 80 5 2
2011 Jan 23 80 5 2
2011 Jan 24 80 5 2
2011 Jan 25 80 5 2
2011 Jan 26 82 5 2
2011 Jan 27 88 5 2
2011 Jan 28 88 5 2
2011 Jan 29 88 5 2
2011 Jan 30 88 5 2
2011 Jan 31 90 5 2
(NOAA)

Sri Lanka seeks Norway's help to legalize Voice of Tigers

A top secret diplomatic cable obtained by Wikileaks and published by the Oslo-based newspaper Aftenposten makes a startling revelation that the then United National Party (UNP) government of Sri Lanka led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, had requested Norwegian assistance in the importation of radio equipment for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in a bid to give legal recognition to the “Voice of Tigers”.

“Norwegian Ambassador (Jon) Westborg told us that the Sri Lankan government had specifically requested his Embassy’s assistance (for the importation of radio equipment) several months ago,” reveals the cable, dated December 20, 2002. “The Norwegians underscore that they were working to further the peace process at GSL [Government of Sri Lanka] request,” the cable further states.

“The recent import of radio equipment for the LTTE has stirred controversy, with critics asserting that the government and the Norwegian facilitators have gone too far in pleasing the Tigers. In response, the GSL says it assisted in the import of the equipment in exchange for the LTTE´s agreement to work within broadcasting regulations.”

However the Government of Norway “(GoN) only agreed to help if the equipment was provided to the (Sri Lankan) Peace Secretariat - and not directly to the LTTE,” it added. The US Embassy opined that “the incident has left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth.”
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Aditional story at: Asian Tribune
http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2011/01/07/sri-lanka%E2%80%99s-unp-government-requested-norwegian-help-tiger-radio-equipment

QSL Report

Today's QSL contributions, come from Mukesh Kumar of the Kosmos Club. Thanks for sharing your QSLs with our readers.
Gayle VH

Station: - KBS World Radio
Date: - 18-12-2010
Frequency: - 9515 kHz
Time: - 1600-1700 UTC
Language: - English
Description: - 2010-2012 VISIT KOREA YEAR – Korean Traditional Mask: Tal – Korean traditional masks, known as Tal, are not only beautiful artwork but also a significant medium used to convey satire and humor in Korean culture. Hahoe Village in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province is home to Hahoe Tals donned in the mask play, “Hahoe Byeolsin Exorcism.” The village was added to UNESCO’ World Heritage List in August, 2010.

Station: - Voice of Russia
Date: - 12-11-2010
Frequency: - 9885 kHz
Time: - 1300 UTC
Language: - Hindi
Description: - The Voice of Russia 80, All the roads lead to VOR headquarters on Pyatnitskaya street. House of Music.

Station: - TRT Voice of Turkey
Date: - 28-11-2010
Frequency: - 11735 kHz (EMR)
Time: - 1330-1425 UTC
Language: - English
Description: - Topkapi Sarayi – Topkapi Palace The Ottoman sultan’ renowned palace in full moon.

Station: - Radio Free Asia
Date: - 20-11-2010
Frequency: - 17515 kHz (Asia)
Time: - 0600-0630 UTC
Language: - Tibetan
Description: - 14 Years. This QSL card commemorates RFA’s 14 years of broadcasting excellence. The collage on the front represents a mall sample of the many stories RFA has covered since our first broadcast on September 29, 1996. This QSL is issued for all confirmed reception reports from September – December 2010. Please continue to send your
reception reports to us via www.techweb.rfa.org or by email qsl@rfa.org

Station: - The Voice of Greece
Date: - 26-11-2010
Frequency: - 15650 kHz
Time: - 1100-1300 UTC
Language: - Greek
Description: - THE VOICE OF GREECE - Hellenic Radio Television. “The prince of the lillies” fresco from Knossos (1.500 B.C.) Heraklion Archaeological Museum (Crete)

Station: - Deutsche Welle
Date: - 18-11-2010
Frequency: - 9560 kHz (Trincomalee)
Time: - 1500-1530 UTC
Language: - English
Description: - 20 Years of German Unity.

Station: - NHK World Radio Japan
Date: - 14-11-2010
Frequency: - 17810 kHz (Yamata)
Time: - 0500-0530 UTC
Language: - English
Description: - Old School Tree (Tottori Prefecture).

Station: - Radio Netherlands Wereldomroep
Date: - 15-11-2010
Frequency: - 12065 kHz
Time: - 1000-1100 UTC
Language: - English
Description: - Photograph of Holland.

Station: - HCJB Global Australia
Date :- 28-11-2010
Frequency:- 15400 kHz (Transmitting from Kununurra in the northwest of Australia)
Time: - 1300-1330 UTC
Language:- English
Description: - Lighthouses send out beacon warning ships passing by of rocky coastlines..

Station: - The Overcomer Ministry
Date :- 28-12-2010
Frequency:- 13810 kHz
Time: - 1400-1430 UTC
Description: - e-QSL verified by Brother Stair.


Regards & 73’s
Mukesh Kumar
THE COSMOS CLUB
MISCOT-3, R-8, RAMNA
MUZAFFARPUR – 842002
BIHAR, INDIA
Email: mukesh.letters@gmail.com
Visit: http://thecosmosclub.blogspot.com/
Join: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hindidx

DRM + trial in the UK in first quarter of 2011

The DRM Digital Radio Mondiale standard was extended in 2009 to add an additional mode for operation in the VHF broadcasting bands (known as DRM+), enhancing the established capability of DRM for digital radio services in the bands below 30 MHz.

DRM provides many features to allow user-friendly, high quality radio to be broadcast, including use of station names rather than frequencies, consistent digital audio, additional text and visualisation, an EPG, alternate service signalling, and automatic service following to DRM, DAB, FM and AM services.

After the successful trial in Sri Lanka (November 2010) the DRM Consortium will mount a comprehensive DRM+ trial in the UK. The trial will take place in the Edinburgh area of Scotland in the first quarter of 2011. Its objectives are:

To measure the coverage of DRM+ operating in various transmission modes (lower capacity, higher ruggedness; higher capacity, lower ruggedness)

To compare the coverage of FM and DRM+ in terms of transmit power

To assess the impact of DRM+ on FM and vice-versa

To demonstrate the performance of DRM+ in a range of environments throughout the coverage area, for example, urban, suburban, rural, etc., and therefore provide an analysis of performance in the presence of multipath interference, terrain shielding, man-made obstructions, etc., in both strong and weak signal areas;

To measure the pattern of the antenna in order to correlate performance in different directions with expected performance;

To provide suitable measurement data to international regulatory bodies, such as CEPT and ITU.
(Source: DRM Consortium/Rod Pearson, FL)

Radio Free Asia releases Year of the Rabbit QSL

Radio Free Asia Issues Year of the Rabbit QSL card January 2011

Radio Free Asia (RFA) announces the release of our 35th QSL card. This latest card continues our series of Chinese Lunar New Year commemorative QSLs. 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit and begins on February 3, 2011 and runs through January 22, 2012 Those born in a rabbit year are said to be kind, sensitive, soft-spoken, gracious, good natured, reserved, cautious, artistic, thorough, self-assured, shy, astute, and lucky. This QSL card will be used to confirm all valid reception reports from January 1 – March 31, 2011.

RFA’s 35th QSL commemorating 2011 as The Year of the Rabbit

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

Oops ! Forgot to post the current schedule for Radio Free Asia, so this is a repost from my earlier posting today.

Radio Free Asia

broadcast daily, all target areas to Asia

Radio Free Asia does not broadcast in English

All times UTC

Burmese
0030-0100 12115 13710 15700
0100-0130 12115 13710 15700
1230-1300 7515 11795 12105
1300-1400 7515 11795 12105
1400-1430 11795 12105
1630-1700 7570
1700-1730 7570

Cantonese
1400-1500 5810 7470
2200-2300 9780 11740 17775

Khmer
1230-1300 13810 15160
1300-1330 13810 15160
2230-2300 5790 11850
2300-2330 5790 11850

Korean
1500-1600 5860 7210 9385
1600-1700 5860 7210 9385
1700-1800 5860 7210 9385
1800-1900 5860 7210 9385
2100-2200 5825 7460 9385

Lao
0000-0100 9815 15690
1100-1200 9325 15120

Mandarin
0300-0400 11980 13710 15665 17615 17880 21540
0400-0500 11980 13710 15665 17615 17880 21540
0500-0600 11980 13710 15665 17615 17880 21540
0600-0700 11980 13710 15665 17615 17880 21540
1500-1600 5810 7445 9790 9905 11945 13725
1600-1700 5810 7415 9455 9905 11945 13725
1700-1800 5810 7415 9355 9455 9905 11945 13670
1800-1900 5810 7385 7415 9355 9905 11790 11945 13670
1900-2000 5810 6095 7385 9455 9875 9905 11790 11945
2000-2100 5810 5860 6095 7355 7495 9355 9875 11900 11945
2100-2200 5810 6095 7355 7495 9355 9455 9875 11900 11945
2300-0000 7540 9825 11775 11975 13745 15550

Tibetan
0100-0200 7470 9670 11695 15220 17730
0200-0300 7470 9670 11695 15220 17730
0600-0700 17515 17715 21490 21695
1000-1100 9690 15140 17750
1100-1200 7470 11540 11590 15375
1200-1300 7470 11540 11590 13625 15375
1300-1400 7470 11540 11590 13625 15375
1500-1600 5780 7470 11585 11880
2200-2300 5820 7470 9835
2300-0000 6010 7470 7550 9875

Uyghur
0100-0200 7480 9480 9645 9690 12010
1600-1700 5780 7470 9725 12080

Vietnamese
0000-0030 5850 11605 11965 15135
1400-1430 5855 7515 9990 11605 12130 13580
1430-1500 5855 7515 9990 12130 13580
2330-0000 5850 11605 11965 15135
(RFA/A .J. Janitschek)

Rhein Main Radio Club, 2011 Calendar Offer

RMRC and ADDX clubs are offering their 2011 QSL calendar. This unique annual edition offers colorful historical cards from the 1930's to present. For cost and ordering information go to www.rmrd/de

Shortwave Blog Bytes

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

Clanny, Radio Free Sarawak adjust schedule
Transmitting via Tajikistan and Palau transmitters from December 26, 2010.
1000-1100 15420 HBN 100 kW 270 deg to SoEaAS, no change
1200-1300 6205 DB 100 kW 117 deg to SoEaAS,x2230-2330 7590 same transmitter.
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 3/DX Mix News 658)

Democratic Voice of Burma changes frequency
Frequency change in Burmese from Jan 1
1430-1530 new freq 9355 via Armenia - 300 kW 100 deg to SoEaAS, x11515 // 17790 MDG
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 3/DX Mix News 658)

NEXUS 2011 weekend winter schedules
(ex IRRS)

Frequency 6140 kHz - 10.00 to 1100 UTC

1st Sunday – MV Baltic Radio

3rd Sunday – European Music Radio (March)

4th Sunday – Radio Gloria International

Frequency 9510 kHz 0900 - 1000 UTC

1st Saturday – Radio Joystick

3rd Saturday – Radio City
(Tom Taylor)

New Bargraph Frequency Guide for WRTH
Looking through the 2011 WRTH, I see on page 47 that in January they are coming out with the "WRTH Bargraph Frequency Guide" CD, a Passport-style band survey compilation. It is also mentioned in the editorial on page 7: "We have had many requests to publish something akin to the 'Blue Pages' of the much-lamented Passport to World Band Radio. Doing this in WRTH would unfortunately mean increasing both its size and extent, but we are pleased to announce that we will be producing a CD of the full international schedules and domestic shortwave in bargraph form." It looks like the format of the old WRTH "Shortwave Guide" that was published in 2002 and 2003(Berg). Good news! (DX Window 418)

Pakistan heard on 7100 kHz
Radio Pakistan on 7100 at 1130, Dec 25. Noted here in middle of amateur band with ID etc in Urdu with clean signal. Off by 1200. Not heard or seen listed. Sounded like Home Service. (Jacob/DX Window 418)

Philippines monitoring
9435, FEBC, *2228-2304. Interval signal alternating with ID in Bahasa Indonesia, 2330 opened with male preacher's sermon in English with another man repeating in Bahasa Indonesia. Signal poor to fair. In the clear until CRI in Japanese opened at 2300. (D’Angelo/FCDX)

11730, Radio Pilipinas, *1730-1759. Many Radio Pilipinas, the Voice of the Philippines IDs in Tagalog. Info at http://twitter.com/alan_allanigue/status/9417993452781568 must be outdated, as there was no simulcast today of the Radio ng Bayan program Talking Points, but they did carry the “P-B-S Radio ng Bayan news” and a segment with “ASEAN news,” 1800 long series of Radio Pilipinas IDs. Signal fair // 11890 good (thanks to Gupta for the reminder about this // frequency). Mixing with Radio Africa on // 15190. (Ron Howard, CA)

11890, DZRM Radio Magasin simulcast via Radio Pilipinas, *1730-1830. Tagalog with cultural programming, IDs: “DZRM Radio Magasin 1278 kHz” and “simulcast” via Radio ng Bayan on 738 kHz. and “Radio Pilipinas overseas radio station”, 1830-1845, English language lesson (British accent) ended with “Cherrio.” Signal fair to poor, did not hear // 15190 (only Radio Africa there) // 11730 had transmitter problems and was off the air for a while, as also noted yesterday. (Ron Howard, CA)(DX Window 418)

Radio Free Asia working on new QSL for 2011
Our new QSL for January will commemorate 2011 as the Year of the Rabbit, the design is still being finalized, but look for an announcement sometime next week. Feel free to submit new reception reports as of Jan 01, we will honor them with the new QSL card. All the best from RFA. (Janitschek, Dec 27/DX Window 418)

Sudan's Radio Omdurman on 7200
7200.02, Radio Omdurman, Khartoum, 0212-0242, Dec 23. Early sign on with non-stop Sudanese songs with drums, 0227 Arabic announcement and recitations from the Holy Qur'an. SINPO 35333. (Petersen). Also heard at 1512-1528*, Dec 16, Arabic. Website given as, "“w-w-w sudan . . . ”. Mostly songs, 1526, call-to-prayer for the Maghrib prayer (just after sunset, which was at 1521) and is the fourth prayer of the day for Muslims. Strange sign off time? Better than normal reception. (Ron Howard, CA/DX Window 418)

Shortwave Central blog launches the Monitoring Times Shortwave Central Facebook Fan Page
With the tremendous success of the Shortwave Central blog, we are pleased to announce the launch of the Facebook Fan page, listed on the Facebook System as Monitoring Times Shortwave Central. Postings complement the Shortwave Central Blog and include additional monitoring observations, MT previews, last minute tips and informal radio related post from our readers. We invite Facebook followers to visit the new Monitoring Times Shortwave Central page and click "Like" to be a fan. For Twitter fans, do not forget QSLRptMT for brief radio "tweets" throughout the day.
Gayle Van Horn W4GVH, Monitoring Times Frequency Manager, QSL Report Columnist, Shortwave Central blog http://mt-shortwave.blogspot.com/ . (Gayle Van Horn, Dec 18/DX Window 418)

TDP station updates from Ukraine and Taiwan
New clandestine, Gunaz Radio from December 29, 2010 in Azeri. 1430-1930 7510 SMF (Ukraine) 250 kW deg to Central Asia, co-channel FEBA Silte 1730-1800.

Suaab Xaa Moo Zoo (Voice of Hope) in Hmong from December 10. 2230-2300 new freq 5930 via Taiwan 100 kW deg to Southeast Asia (ex 7530)
(R Bulgaria DX Mix News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX Top News Jan 3/DX Mix News 658 via wb, Germany)

Voice of Vietnam sets out targets for 2020
The Voice of Vietnam (VOV) has published details of its plans for the decade ahead. It says it “aims to become an influential national radio broadcaster with regional and international recognition.” As far as the international service is concerned, “VOV will combine different channel for transmission and broadcast to extend and improve the quality of coverage both at home and abroad. It will increase the air time and the number of radio programmes in foreign languages via satellite, on the ground, on the internet as well as develop multimedia contents.”

VOV also says that “The national radio station will broadcast information on entertainment and tourism in English 24 hours a day in the capital and major cities in Vietnam on VOV5. The channel will expand its coverage to other continents and key regions in the world via satellites from third countries.”
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Radio Zambia being heard again on shortwave
5915, ZNBC/Radio Zambia 1, Lusaka, 0245-0249, Dec 20. Reactivated with their distinctive African Fish Eagle interval signal. Poor signal, well under the fair signal of CRI in Russian. Perhaps after 0357 Zambia will have a chance with CRI off the air? (Howard)

6162, ZNBC/Radio Zambia 2 (presumed), Lusaka, *1556-1645, Dec 20. Christmas songs, 1559 drums, 1600-1610, news in English, back to non-stop Christmas songs (Bobby Helms with Jingle Bell Rock, etc.), African Hi-Li, etc. First heard carrier about 1525, but was not till about 1556 that audio showed up, faded up slightly and then down again till very poor by 1645. Their local sunset was at 1636 - too poor to make out any news items. Adjacent interference. I will defer to the Japanese DXers with their accurate Perseus software, as my E1 tends to show a lower frequency that true. Nice to have Zambia reactivated again. (Ron Howard, CA/DX Window 418)

WYFR schedule updates

Winter B10 schedule updates for WYFR Family Radio

Using transmitters in Ascension Island, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom
(via BABCOCK (former VTC-MER)

All times UTC

1800-1900 6090 RMP 500 kW 095 deg to CeEUR in Czech
1800-1900 7240 SKN 300 kW 110 deg to EaEUR in English

1700-1800 9430 SKN 300 kW 110 deg to SoEaEUR in Turkish
1800-1900 9885 RMP 500 kW 105 deg to SoEaEUR in Turkish
1800-1900 9660 SKN 300 kW 140 deg to NoAF in Arabic
1800-1900 11875 ASC 250 kW 065 deg to WeAF in Igbo
1830-1930 17660 ASC 250 kW 085 deg to WeAF in French
1900-2000 9685 DHA 250 kW 260 deg to WeAF in Hausa
2000-2100 11615 ASC 250 kW 027 deg to WeAF in English
1900-2000 11665 ASC 250 kW 065 deg to WeCeAF in Yoruba
1800-1900 9595 MEY 100 kW 350 deg to CeAF in Kituba
1900-2000 9705 MEY 250 kW 340 deg to CeAF in English
1900-2000 13740 DHA 250 kW 225 deg to CeAF in Lingala
2000-2100 15520 ASC 250 kW 065 deg to CeAF in English
2000-2200 15195 ASC 250 kW 065 deg to CeAF in English
1700-1800 6045 DHA 250 kW 225 deg to EaAF in Amharic
1700-1800 11665 RMP 500 kW 120 deg to EaAF in Somali
1700-1800 21680 ASC 250 kW 085 deg to EaAF in English
1800-1900 9895 DHA 250 kW 230 deg to EaAF in English
1900-2000 9660 MEY 250 kW 019 deg to EaAF in Swahili
1900-2000 9885 DHA 250 kW 210/225 to EaAF in English
1600-1700 6225 MEY 250 kW 076 deg to SoEaAF in Malagasy
1500-1600 21840 ASC 250 kW 115 deg to SoAF in English
1600-1700 9795 DHA 250 kW 215 deg to SoAF in English
1600-1700 17540 ASC 250 kW 085 deg to SoAF in English
1700-1800 6225 MEY 100 kW 076 deg to SoAF in French
1700-1800 12045 ASC 250 kW 102 deg to SoAF in English
1700-1800 17505 ASC 250 kW 102 deg to SoAF in Shona
1800-1900 6045 MEY 100 kW 015 deg to SoAF in English
1800-1900 9770 MEY 100 kW 007 deg SoAF in Kinyarawanda-Kirundi
1900-2000 3230 MEY 100 kW 005 deg to SoAF in English
1900-2000 3955 MEY 100 kW 076 deg to SoAF in Portuguese
1900-2000 6100 MEY 100 kW 335 deg to SoAF in Portuguese
1700-1800 9530 SKN 300 kW 110 deg to NE/ME in Arabic
1300-1400 17735 DHA 250 kW 100 deg to SoAS in Kannada
1300-1400 17810 DHA 250 kW 100 deg to SoAS in Telugu
1400-1500 9855 DHA 250 kW 105 deg to SoAS in Marathi
1400-1500 15520 DHA 250 kW 090 deg to SoAS in Hindi
1400-1500 17810 DHA 250 kW 100 deg to SoAS in Tamil
1500-1600 9895 DHA 250 kW 105 deg to SoAS in English
1500-1600 11995 DHA 250 kW 090 deg to SoAS in English
1600-1700 11740 DHA 250 kW 090 deg to SoAS in English
1200-1300 17505 DHA 250 kW 090 deg to SoEaAS in Khmer
1200-1300 17545 DHA 250 kW 090 deg to SoEaAS in Lao
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 3)
(DX Mix News 658 via wb, Germany)

Transmitters in Taiwan
Winter B-10 of WYFR Family Radio updates

All times UTC

1500-1700 9955 TAI 250 kW 352 deg to CeAS in Russian
1300-1500 11560 HUW 100 kW 285 deg to SoAS in English
1500-1600 11560 HUW 100 kW 285 deg to SoAS in Hindi
1500-1600 6280 TSH 300 kW 285 deg to SoAS in English
1500-1600 6280 TSH 300 kW 285 deg to SoAS in Hindi
0800-0900 11895 TAI 100 kW 002 deg to EaAS in Korean
0900-1000 11565 TAI 100 kW 310 deg to EaAS in Chinese
0900-1100 9545 TAI 100 kW 310 deg to EaAS in Chinese
0900-1100 9945 TAI 100 kW 310 deg to EaAS in Chinese
1000-1100 9920 TAI 100 kW 310 deg to EaAS in Chinese
1100-1600 6240 BAO 100 kW 310 deg to EaAS in Chinese
1100-1600 9280 YUN 100 kW 335 deg to EaAS in Chinese
1200-1300 11535 YUN 100 kW 335 deg to EaAS in Chinese
2100-2400 9280 YUN 100 kW 335 deg to EaAS in Chinese
2200-2400 6230 BAO 100 kW 310 deg to EaAS in Chinese
2300-2400 9540 TAI 100 kW 310 deg to EaAS in Chinese
0000-0100 11630 PAO 100 kW 225 deg to SoEaAS in Vietnamese
0000-0100 11865 PAO 100 kW 180 deg to SoEaAS in Indonesian
0900-1100 9465 PAO 100 kW 180 deg to SoEaAS in English
1000-1100 9455 TAI 100 kW 267 deg to SoEaAS in Vietnamese
1100-1200 6220 HUW 100 kW 265 deg to SoEaAS in Burmese
1100-1200 11550 TAI 300 kW 205 deg to SoEaAS in Indonesian
1100-1200 11520 PAO 100 kW 180 deg to SoEaAS in Tagalog
1200-1300 7460 PAO 100 kW 225 deg to SoEaAS in Vietnamese
1200-1300 11520 PAO 100 kW 180 deg to SoEaAS in Indonesian
1200-1300 11570 HUW 100 kW 265 deg to SoEaAS in Burmese
1300-1400 7260 TAI 100 kW 250 deg to SoEaAS in Vietnamese
1300-1400 9960 TAI 100 kW 267 deg to SoEaAS in Vietnamese
1400-1500 9585 PAO 100 kW 225 deg to SoEaAS in Vietnamese
1300-1400 11520 PAO 100 kW 180 deg to SoEaAS in English
1400-1500 11520 PAO 100 kW 180 deg to SoEaAS in Indonesian
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 3)
(DX Mix News # 658 via wb, Germany)

Extra Grimeton Radio transmission Tuesday Jan 4

EXTRA - GRIMETON RADIO/SAQ TRANSMISSION.

There will be an extra transmission with the Alexanderson alternator on 17.2 kHz for, for primarily, listeners in North America, at:

00:00 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) WeEurope. Tuesday, Jan 4th, 2011

* 01:00 CET (Central European Time) LT in Sweden. Tue, Jan 4th, 2011

QSL-reports are kindly received:
- E-mail to: info@alexander.n.se
- or fax to: +46-340-674195
- or via: SM bureau
- or direct by mail to:
Alexander - Grimeton Veteranradios Vaenner,
Radiostationen, Grimeton 72
S-430 16 ROLFSTORP, Sweden

Also read our web site: www.alexander.n.se
Yours
Lars Kalland SM6NM
(via Martin Elbe DD9MW - http://home.wolfsburg.de/elbe/ A-DX Dec 29)
(BCDX # 996/Top News via wb, Germany)

Maldives on amateur radio

Andrew, G7COD, will be operational from Adaaran Hudhuranfushi in the North Male Atoll, Maldives, AS-013 using the call 8Q7AK from 5th January to 16th January 2011. Using SSB and CW on the 80 to 10 metre bands including WARC, he hopes to be operational most days in his spare time from approximately 07:30 to 08:30, 09:00 to 10:30, 13:00 to 1500 and 17:30 to 18:00 UTC.

This time it is with work, not holiday, therefore I hope to be qrv during my spare time.

Spot frequencies to be used are:

3.793, 7.063, 14.190, 18.133, 21.253 and 24.953 MHz SSB +/- 10KHz to allow for QRM.

3.503, 7.003, 10.103, 14.003, 18.073, 21.003 and 24.893 MHz CW +/- to allow for QRM.

For comprehensive details of QSL information etc, please check 8Q7AK on QRZ.COM

IMPORTANT NOTE: I am completely up to date with the return of QSL's for those received direct from previous activations. If you have not received yours, please send your QSL again.

All QSL's should be sent via the bureau or direct to G7COD.

Please note: 8Q7AK is approved for DXCC credits.

All the very best for 2011.

Andrew, G7COD
(ICPO)

The Mystery of Curom Radio

Whatever Happened to Curom Radio on Curacao Island n the Caribbean ?

An interesting exchange of information between well known and highly respected international radio monitors is printed in the November issue of the American radio magazine, NASWA Journal. The question under discussion was: What happened to Curom Radio on the island of Curacao? This exchange of information prompted a spate of research on our part; and in our program today, we present our findings, in this story of shortwave broadcasting on the island of Curacao.
The island of Curacao is located in the Caribbean, just 44 miles north of Venezuela in South America. Curacao is just 44 miles long, and less than ten miles wide. The highest peak is Mt Christophelberg at 1230 ft high, and the island has no rivers and no lakes.
It is understood that Amerindians from South America arrived on the island around 2500 BC as the first inhabitants, though none of these peoples are found on the island today. The first European colony was established by the Spanish around 500 years ago, and the Dutch took over a hundred years later.
During the year 1800, the French attempted unsuccessfully to take over the island of Curacao, and subsequently the British took over twice for a few years, but the island still remains as part of the Dutch kingdom. During World War 2, the American & British forces took over the island temporarily as a protective measure that ended after peace returned to Europe.
As a matter of human interest, the world’s oldest inhabitant, Eugenie Blanchard, died last November at the age of nearly 115. She had served on the island of Curacao as a Catholic nun.
Wireless came to Curacao very early. In the year 1908, the Dutch warship, Jacob van Heemskerck, brought a set of wireless equipment to Curacao and this was established in Fort Rif at the mouth of Willemstad Harbor as a coastal wireless station. The original callsign was CRC, though this was regularized to PJC a few years later.
This callsign, PJC on Curacao, is reminiscent of the more familiar callsign PCJ which was the call of the well known Dutch international shortwave broadcasting station back in the early days of radio broadcasting. In fact, back ¾ of a century ago, radio journals of the era sometimes got the callsigns mixed up, and the Curacao call was sometimes printed incorrectly as PCJ, instead of PJC.
In 1928, for the first time, a radio telegraph service between Curacao & Holland was established by PJC on Curacao. Two years later a similar radio communication service was established between Curacao and New York.
According to a report in the club magazine from the International Shortwave Club in the United States, Curom Radio, as a shortwave broadcasting entity was launched around April 1937. This was the first radio broadcasting station on the island, and it was installed in Rif Fort, as a function of the maritime radio station PJC.
This new radio broadcasting service, under the specific callsign PJC1, emitted just 150 watts on 9091 kHz and occasionally it was heard in the United States. This was officially a government radio broadcasting service operated by the Curacao Radio Club, from which came the abbreviated name, Curom Radio.
In 1941, the ISWC magazine proclaimed that Curom Radio would soon be upgraded to 2 kW; and in 1943, the station was relaying programming on behalf of AFRS, the American Forces Radio Service, on 5930 kHz with a power of 3 kW.
A final listing during this era is found in a publication in New Zealand, which shows Radio Princess Juliana Radio on 7250 kHz in 1946. However, the World Radio Handbook lists PJC2 with 3 kW on either 7250 kHz or 5017 kHz from 1947 through 1953, though the last listing in this reference source shows that the station was inactive.
A report in the NASWA Journal states that Curom Radio was noted on shortwave in the United States during the year 1960 with programming in the 31 metre band.
According to Jerry Berg in his monumental book on Broadcasting on the Shortwaves, Curom Radio was again reactivated for a short period of time in the 1970s when it was heard again in the United States on 17513.5 & 20779 kHz.
According to the WRTVHB, mediumwave radio came to Curacao in 1953 with a power of 3 kW on 722 kHz. Subsequently, other mediumwave stations, all commercially operated, have been inaugurated on the island.
These days, there is no shortwave broadcasting service on the island of Curacao, and just one mediumwave station, though 24 FM stations are listed. The one mediumwave station is PJZ86, the familiar Radio Curom, with 10 kW on 860 kHz.
It should also be noted that a mediumwave station under the callsign KWJG was installed at the Hato airfield on Curacao in the year 1943. This station was a local unit, probably quite low powered, operated for AFRS, the American Forces Radio Service.
In its early years, Curom Radio was branded by the radio magazines of the era as being a poor verifier. However, as time went by, this scene changed and many QSL cards were issued. The highly desired QSL card from Radio Curom shows a stylistic map of Curacao with a tall antenna tower.
It should also be stated that the maritime station on Curacao, with which Curom Radio was associated, also issued QSL cards as verification of listener reports. Two cards are known; one shows
a map of the island, and the more recent card shows the figurative shield of Curacao in color.
So, Curom Radio was indeed on the air shortwave, back many years ago, and apparently during three different eras, beginning in 1937 and ending in the early 1970s.
(AWR Wavescan/ NWS # 97 via Adrian Peterson)

Blog Logs

This is the first edition of Blog Logs for 2011. Dxers are enjoying some excellent catches on the bands and we welcome our readers to share their logs, observations or station news. Hope your DX in 2011 is superb.
Gayle Van Horn

Austria
5875DRM / BBCWS in English via Moosbrunn-AUT relay, Current Affairs program at 0720 UT, report from Haiti earthquake disaster. Hurt many children too, and brought them via airplane to US hospital recovery help ... S=9+35dB strength, SNR powerhouse roughly around 26.0 dB.(wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 28/HCDX)

Bolivia
6134.806, Radio Santa Cruz, 1020-1035. Period of music at tune in. At 1024, male breaks in with time check and Spanish comments about the music. Back to music at 1026at 1030 promos and canned ID.s Signal was good.(Chuck Bolland, FL)

5952.410, Emisora Pio XII, 1034-1045. Heard at tune-in male announcer in Spanish with program comments. Possibly the comments were news items? Signal was fair but splatter was making copy difficult. (Chuck Bolland, FL).

Brazil
15190.0, Radio Inconfidência, 2325-2345. Brazilian music. Portuguese talk. Threshold signal but improved to weak but readable levels on peaks. No // heard. (Brian Alexander-PA)

Clandestine
6205 Radio Free Sarawak. At 1200 tune with nice S-3 signal, improving to nearly S-4 after 1230. Man announcer with deep voice at start to 1206.5, then carrying on a conversation with other man/men (sounded like remote feeds) throughout the broadcast. Pop vocals with male singer at 1225 to 1230.5 and with female singer 1237.5 to 1240.5. Announcer with deep voice seemed to be program host. Man announcer with background instrumental music at 1258.5, then just music at 1300 for five seconds - carrier off at 1300:08. No interference or noise. SINPO 3/45544. Best signal here from Tajikistan since a few years back on the old home service channel of 4635. The 2230-2330 bcst on 7590 has not been audible here (although a distinct carrier can be seen on the Perseus). (Bruce Churchill, CA/Cumbre DX)

Colombia
2980.01, Radio Vida Nueva, Barranquilla, 1020-1100. Presumed second harmonic of 1490v. Spanish religious music. Occasional Spanish announcements. Very Weak. (Brian Alexander-PA)

Cuba
5025, 0131, Radio Rebelde with latin music and echo announcements. Verified by streaming audio. Very weak at the time I caught it. I will try to get up earlier tomorrow and see if the signal is stronger. Two positive Rebelde IDs. Radio Habana also coming in on 5040 which is supposedly beamed towards North America. Much better signal on this frequency.(Al Muick, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan).

India
9690 AIR 1445-1459.* Sub-continent music to 1455, then ID for General Overseas Service and news bulletin. Closedown announcement and off at 1459.All programming in English for fair signal Fair signal. (John Wilkins-CO)

Indonesia
9680.061, RRI Jakarta, 1220-1230. Group of individuals in Indonesian with comments. This sounds like a discussion between the group which includes a female. Signal was good. Using the WR-G31DDC which shows a second signal on 9680.00 kHz which could be R Taiwan International which is scheduled to be up on Fridays. Howeveer, Jakarta is stronger and can't hear any audio from Taiwan. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

9525.965, Voice of Indonesia, 1223-1235. Noted a female with Japanese comments,but at 1225 she gives an ID in English as, "Voice of Indonesia ..." Missed words could have been Japanese in the ID. Following this, Japanese music presented with talk over it in Japanese. Signal was Good. Chuck Bolland, FL).

Lithuania / Iran
9770 IRIB Tehran in morning Italian language service via Sitkunai-LTU relay. 0652 UT, Dec 28. S=9+30dB. politics report about Palestine Guerra, occupation by Israel. \\ direct from Kamalabad Iran, 15085 kHz only S=8 - poor propagation condition today, 13620 kHz at S=9+20dB much better signal strength. But also the very strong Chinese signals from Kashi and Urumchi suffer this morning.

13600 IRIB Tehran via Kamalabad-IRN in French at same time span, Holy Quran prayer program sung at S=9+15dB at 0705 UT, and \\ from Sirjan-IRN site 15560 kHz S=8 only.
(wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 28/HCDX)

Malaysia / Sarawak
5030.02 Sarawak FM 1452-1502. Phone calls to 1500, then two time pips, and into presumed news in Bahasa Malaysia, I think. Fair signal here, there was something on 9835 but could not tell if this was the new parallel or something else. (John Wilkins-CO)

7295, RTM Kuala Lumpur, (presumed) 1153-1200. Noted just music at tune in. At 1159 a male in English comments. Signal too weak to pull out details, but heard a couple of words such as "welcome". This is followed with the news. A recheck at 1213 produce a better signal with music being heard. Signal was threshold at the top, but was poor by 1213. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

7270, RTM, Kuching, (presumed) 1208-1230. Heard some music at tune in, immediately followed by comments from a female. Comments were probably in Iban. After a moment local type music is heard. At 1214 a female in Iban comments briefly then back to music.At 1215 the audio portion of the signal drops off the air while the carrier is still up. Maybe the band is changing? Didn't hear anything more after that. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

9750.034, Voice of Malaysia, 1220-1245. Have been listening to this for almost a half hour without realizing it was Malaysia, since the announcer was using a language I wasn't expecting. I still don't know what it was. Indonesian is scheduled, but it sounded more like Spanish to my untrained ear. Gotta get my ear trained. Anyway at 1239 ID was given and I was able to copy "Malaysia" in there. This was followed with music. At 1243 another ID given by a male in possibly Indonesian language. Signal was good.(Chuck Bolland, FL)

Peru
6019.257, Radio Victoria, 0920-0930. Noted two ladies in Spanish conversation. This continues during the period. Needless to say, the frequency is covered with splatter as well as general interference. Signal was fair however. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Romania
6020DRM / RRI Bucharest via Galbeni site in English at 0630-0657 UT Dec 28. S=9+25dB level, signal SNR ratio up to 17.8 dB. "Galbeni ID 300-1, ID: 1001". Nx, with election report in Moldova item, and EURO popularity poll in Germany, latter the people majority will back the former DeutschMark currency.

9450DRM / RRI Bucharest's German service, both via Tiganesti site. S=9+20dB on 0710 UT Dec 28. Labeled "SNR Tiganesti E1, ID 1001", SNR 22.3 dB. \\ in AM mode on 7210am at S=9+20dB signal strength.(wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 28/HCDX)

Russia
9840 Radio Rossii national bc program in Russian from Moscow Taldom site scheduled 5-8 UT westwards to Russian community in western Europe. 0645 UT Dec 28. S=9+20dB, nx items, "Russia's National Technology Project", special report "New German Bundeswehr Army soldiers" on private voluntaries in future.

11635DRM / Voice of Russia's English sce program towards East Asia and Pacific. Due to poor propagation signal level, only 7dB above the average noise level, SNR suffered a little bit this morning. SNR varied between 11 and 18.7 dB, S=9+15dB, but also some audio breaks via my Dream software/soundcard loudspeaker line. At 0732 UT report from Russia, "Pushkin prayed to the Gospel"...(wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 28)

6075, Radio Rossii, 1135-1145. Barely able to hear any audio, but when I do it's a male in Russian with comments. Mainly hearing the tone that this station is transmitting from it's own transmitter. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Rwanda
6055, 1923, Radio Rwanda with telephone call-ins in French and vernacular as well as some really nice African choral music. Fairly good signals but fighting a losing battle with China, also in French on the frequency. It was a multi-station pile-up, but confirmed with streaming audio (had to download Silverlight plugin for Linux!). (Al Muick, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan)

Sri Lanka
11905 Radio Ceylon *1530-1628.* Time pips (2+1) to 1530:35,then several Radio Ceylon ID's in English and presumed Hindi. Time check for "9:00"; also heard an ID for Sri Lanka Bcsting Company. Some sub-continent music was followed by English news at 1543. More music followed to 1617, then seemed news again in Hindi. Off at 1628. Good signal with minor co-channel interference. (John Wilkins-CO)

USA
3160.04, WPJK, Orangeburg, SC, *1232-1245. Second harmonic of 1580. Several false starts of canned opening announcement, then full complete opening ID announcement. Station promos and into the Gospel Train Show with several “Q-toots”. Gospel music. Weak but readable. (Brian Alexander-PA)

Zambia
6162, ZNBC, 2150-2206.* Afro-pop music. Talk. Instrumental national anthem at 2205 followed by test tone and off. Poor. Very weak. Too weak to catch many program details but did hear definiten national anthem. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Radio Panorama RP7: Early Signals Through the Air

It was in the 1800s that a host of scientific and amateur experimenters in the Old & the New World played with chemicals and metals in an effort to thrust an intelligible electrical signal into space and to pluck it out again, equally intelligible, at a distance. Many great men, and an equal number of lesser men too, whose names and achievements have been chronicled and re-chronicled by professional and amateur historians, participated in the the quest for adequate methods whereby meaningful signals could be transmitted through space.
However, not only was the development of wireless techniques dependent upon the inventive genius of many scientists and experimenters, but it was also dependent upon available technology.
In our regular series of topics under the title “Radio Panorama”, we come to the era of early experimentation in signaling through the air. In the year 1802, Italian philosopher Gian Domenico Romagnosi experimented with electricity and a compass needle. He discovered that a spark discharge from a voltaic pile caused a deflection in the needle of a nearby magnetic compass, and he published his findings in Italian newspapers.
Two decades later; the year is 1820, the month is April, and the country is Denmark. It was at this time that Hans Christian Oersted, professor of science at the University of Copenhagen, invited a group of students and friends into his home to observe a scientific experiment. He intended to show that an electric current passing through a wire produces heat, and that it also causes a change in the deflection of a magnetic compass needle. The compass was mounted on a wooden stand nearby.
Oersted demonstrated that the electricity flowing through the wire produced a change in the deflection of the compass needle, even though the compass was several feet way from the wire. He was surprised however, to discover that a change in the direction of the flow of the current also produced a change in the direction of the compass needle.
On September 3 of the following year, 1821, Michael Faraday in England made his initial experiments with a wire and a compass. A vertical wire, with an electrical current running through it, was moved near a magnetic compass needle, thus causing the needle to deflect.
Ten years later, Michael Faraday made another series of similar experiments and it happened to be at the same time as Joseph Henry was working independently along the same lines in the United States. Joseph Henry passed an electric current through a wire on the 2nd story of a house and discovered that the spark induced a similar current in a wire two floors below.
At this stage, Joseph Henry performed his experiments mostly in August 1830, and Michael Faraday performed his experiments a few months later. However, Faraday published the results of his experiments first and he is generally given the credit for this discovery of magnetic induction, which is an early fore-runner to wireless transmission.
It is stated that the Scottish physicist, James Clerk Maxwell, began his initial experiments with electro-magnetic waves in the year 1861. However, his greatest contribution to the introduction of wireless technology was not his experimentation, but rather the development of his mathematical and theoretical basis for the propagation of electro-magnetic waves.
Maxwell presented two major papers on his theories to the Royal Society in London, one in 1867 and the other in 1873. It was upon the Maxwell theories about the propagation of electro-magnetic waves, and his insightful predictions regarding their usage in wireless technology, that inspired subsequent experimenters to persevere in their onward search for practical realities in the transmission of electrical and electronic signals through space.
During the year 1879, David Edward Hughes in London began experimenting with the transmission of a wireless signal. A coil of wire and a battery served as the transmitter, and a coil of wire and a telephone acted as the receiver.
The initial experiments were conducted in his London home, and afterwards he went out into the nearby street. When the circuit in the transmitter coil of wire was broken, the spark could be heard in the telephone in his receiver circuit. He discovered that the strongest signal could be heard at about 180 ft, and the signal got weaker until it could not be detected at about a quarter mile.
During the two following years, David Hughes made public demonstrations before prominent people, though he never developed his experimentation any further.
Comes the year 1887, and the noted experimenter, Heinrich Rudolf Hertz, constructs a simple wireless transmitter and receiver. At the time, Hertz was Professor of Physics at the Karlsruhe Polytechnic in Germany.
As the transmitter, Hertz used a coil of wire and a battery connected to two polished brass knobs quite close together. As the receiver, Hertz used a coil of wire connected to two more small brass knobs. When a spark was induced across the knobs in the transmitter circuit, a similar though smaller spark was noted in the receiver circuit several feet away.
These experiments by Hertz were a major development that set the stage for the introduction of experimentation in the transmission of wireless signals.
(AWR Wavescan/ NWS 97 via Adrian Peterson)

January specials from DX Stamp Service

Happy New Year!

Thanks for your orders during 2010!

So far noted,
NEW Rates:
Canada increases to $1.03 on Jan 17th, we've been supplying the new rate for past 2 weeks, if you need 3c makeups, just ask with your next order. Norway increased from 13, to 14, but if you have their "verdun A" stamp, that covers rate increases.

NEW:
Now offering Finland 2nd class stamps. You still get airmail service, just a bit slower and cheaper.

NEW: German rate to NA now 0,75 down from 1,70. We are awaiting the new stamps. See Jan. special deal.

NEW PRICES:
Germany now $1.50 regular price. Mongolia now $2.00

On Back Order: Germany, Serbia, Kuwait, Oman, Brunei.

Stamps in Stock Again: French Polynesia, Mongolia, Iceland, South Africa and PR China.

73 and good dx in the new year!
bill

January 2011 DX STAMP SPECIALS

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

2 New Zealand-$3.20 2 Canada-$2.00 3 Japan-$3.60

NEW!! 2 Finland 2nd Class-$2.40

January 2011 DX SUPPLY SPECIALS

200/200 European Air Mailers & Returns $35

200/200 Stateside Mailers & Returns $16

2 Standard QSL Albums $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. (04/2008)

William Plum
12 Glenn Road
Flemington, NJ 08822
908 788 1020
fax 908 782 2612
(Bill Plum)

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

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

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

Now you're set for DXing in 2011. Recheck this blog regularly for Bill's monthly specials!
Gayle Van Horn

Zender Postoffice streaming today

This evening, Jan 2, 2011 starting at 18:00 UTC , will be Zender Postoffice's first broadcast of 2011.

Schedule:

18:00 It's Only Rock'n'Roll with Alex East
19:00 Ronnie Rodent (live) - will include a look ahead to some new music in
2011.

Listen at: http://www.zenderpostoffice.co.cc (or) http://zenderpostoffice.webs.com
Email: zenderpost@hotmail.com
Chat at: http://www.easyshopdiscountzone.com/radio/pirate/chat.html
(Ronnie Rodent/SW-pirates)

MV Baltic Radio slated for Sunday broadcast

Dear Listeners,

MV Baltic Radio is on the air this Sunday the 2nd of January 2011.

The frequency will be 6140 kHz, and the time slot will be 1000 to 1100 UTC.

Good listening and good reception!
(Tom Taylor)

China International Broadcasting Network to be launched

In his New Years message, The Director-General of China Radio International Wang Gengnian said: “This year, 17 new full frequency [sic] FM or AM radio stations were established abroad, a multimedia entity consisting of radio, television, and internet is taking its shape, and a brand new broadcasting building is in the works. Before long, China International Broadcasting Network (CIBN) will be set up. With the help of new media, CRI is ready to offer more timely and accessible information. All our efforts have paid off. We have received a record of more than 3 million letters and e-mails from listeners and netizens around the world.
(Source: China Radio International/Radio Netherlands Media Network Weblog)