Radio Netherlands to end Dutch service on shortwave

On Friday, 11 May we will have a marathon [Dutch] radio broadcast in which we look back with pride at 65 years of Dutch radio for expatriates, and which will also serve as the ‘farewell’ broadcast. Activities in other languages, especially those for the Dutch Caribbean and Indonesia, will also be discussed in detail. The choice of date has to do with the preparation time required to produce the radio marathon.

The activities of the Dutch department will be phased out, but the timetable will depend on the progress of the reorganization and the available manpower needed to guarantee the quality of the programmes. No formal decision has yet been made about the date of the final Dutch radio broadcast. However it is extremely unlikely that Dutch language radio broadcasts will continue through the summer.
(Source: RNW Editor-in-Chief/R Netherlands Media network Weblog )

Keeping an eye on Israel and Iran via shortwave

With Iran and Israel currently leading the news, this would be an excellent time to monitor both on shortwave. Kol Israel, in recent years have reduced their shortwave service to two hours in Persian as; 1500-1600 UTC on 9985 and 13850 and 1600-1630 UTC (Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sun) on 9985 and 13850 kHz. Israel's Galei Tzahal operates in Hebrew, 24 hours on 7635 kHz.

Tensions could expand and following shortwave is a great extra source.

VOIRI - Iran

Effective to: 25 March 2012

All times UTC

Albanian
0630-0727 on 13810 15500
1830-1927 on 6085 9760
2030-2127 on 6165 9760

Arabic
0230-0527 on 7350 9740 9895
0330-0427 on 7295 9500 "Voice of Palestine"
0530-0827 on 13690 15735 17820
0830-1027 on 13740 13790 15735 17820
1030-1427 on 13790 15735 17670
1430-1627 on 9830 17670
1630-1727 on 6065 9830
1730-2027 on 6065 7335
2030-0227 on 6065

Armenian
0300-0327 on 5915 7300
0930-0957 on 11820 15220
1630-1727 on 5915 7435

Azeri
0330-0527 on 6200
1430-1657 on 6200

Bengali
0030-0127 on 5915 6100
0830-0927 on 13680
1430-1527 on 7320 9730 11805

Bosnian
0530-0627 on 13760 15500
1730-1827 on 6030 9850
2130-2227 on 5950 9710

Chinese
1200-1257 on 13825 15150 15360 15525
2330-0027 on 5955 6110 7380

Dari
0300-0627 on 9805 11860
0830-1157 on 13840 15545
1200-1427 on 11640 13840
1430-1457 on 11640

English
0330-0427 on 7200 7365 "Voice of Justice"
1030-1127 on 21575 21695
1530-1627 on 13785 15525
1930-2027 on 6010 #6115 7320 13670 15450

German
0730-0827 on 15085 17690
1730-1827 on 6205 #7420 7425

French
0630-0727 on 17560 17865
1830-1927 on 6055 #6115 7380 15345

Hausa
0600-0657 on 17810
1130-1157 on 21480 21800
1830-1927 on 11965 13730

Hebrew
0430-0457 on 9755 11870
1200-1227 on 13740 15515

Hindi
0230-0257 on 9510 11710
1430-1527 on 11700 13750

Indonesian
1230-1327 on 17720 21630
2230-2327 on 7380 9675

Italian
0630-0727 on 13650 15085 (9770 SIT deleted)
1930-1957 on 5890 7215

Japanese
1330-1427 on 9585 9625
2100-2157 on 6145 7200

Kazakh
0130-0227 on 7205 7265
1530-1627 on 7380 9540 9850

Kurdish
0430-0527 on 7370 9610
1330-1627 on 5920

Pashto
0230-0327 on 5950 6095
0730-0827 on 13720 15440
1230-1327 on 7225 9725
1430-1527 on 5985
1630-1727 on 6005 7345

Russian
0300-0327 on 7370 9510
0500-0527 on 12025 13680 17680 21600
1430-1527 on 7285 9685 11860 (7420 SIT deleted)
1700-1757 on 3965 6090
1800-1857 on 6130 7305
1930-2027 on 4005 7205

Spanish
0030-0227 on 6010 7345
0230-0327 on 6010
0530-0627 on 13710 15330
2030-2127 on 5930 9630 (6055 SIT deleted)

Swahili
0400-0457 on 13680 15260
0830-0927 on 21510 21640
1730-1827 on 9830 11715

Tajik
0100-0227 on 5950 7300
1600-1727 on 5955 7295

Turkish
0430-0557 on 6085 7360
1600-1727 on 6175 7315

Urdu
0130-0227 on 3965 6100 6185
1300-1427 on 9715 11685 11720
1530-1727 on 6115

Uzbek
0230-0257 on 6175 7300
1500-1557 on 6070 7215
# via Sitkunai,Lithuania
(DX Mix News 703 via Alokesh Gupta, India)
(photo/earthhope action network)

Radio Netherlands Program Preview, Feb. 2-10

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

This week: The fight of your life

A young woman in Kabul boxes to change her life and her country. A philosopher believes virtue can be taught in the boxing ring. And a Kenyan woman who was attacked while running for election is determined to run again.

First airing: Saturday 02:00 UTC

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

This week: Out of place but not out of mind

Things that, at first glance, seem a little out of place. Like turning water into fire, or a man who can make a gas guzzling car drive like it’s a green dream machine, or building a mountain in the Netherlands.

First airing: Friday 03:00 UTC

South Asia Wired
Stories from South Asia.

This week:

We hear from India’s suicide capital, Bangalore, where old values are clashing with new aspirations of consumerism and people can’t always cope. And we hear from an old lady in Burma who is more than coping with being a dissident in a military regime.

(There'll be a new edition of the programme on Thursday 9 February)

First airing: Thursday 10:00 UTC

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

This week:

Violence flares as Senegal’s incumbent president Abdoulaye Wade can run for a third term as president.
How can African economies survive in the global economic crisis? We seek the answer at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
‘Mr Hotel Rwanda’ Paul Rusesabagina visits the Netherlands amid protests. Not everybody is convinced of his heroism.
South Sudan is closing down its oil production. Our reporter Jared Ferrie visited an oil field in South Sudan.

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.

This week: Fela Kuti is alive and kicking

A musical about the Nigerian music legend and political activist Fela Kuti is conquering the world, from Lagos to New York and Amsterdam. In this report, Fela’s sons Femi and Seun, themselves well known musicians, reflect on his life and times.

The creators of the musical talk about his legacy. All agree that Fela’s message for the emancipation of Africa is still relevant today, not only for Nigeria, but for the entire continent.

First airing: Monday 19:00 UTC

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

This week: This place is not for sale - by Stephen Ralph (Trinidad & Tobago). The mystery of an old fisherman's house.

First airing: Tuesday 01:50 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.

This week: Who says I can’t fish?

Around one billion people in the world rely on fish as their primary source of protein, but fishermen in many parts of the world are having greater restrictions put on their fishing because of concerns about the level of fish stocks and the marine environment. The BBC World Service introduces us to Fred Normandale, one of the few remaining fishermen in the small town of Scarborough in the North East of England.

First airing: Monday 17:30 UTC

European Jazz Stage
Unique jazz performances from the continent’s hottest clubs, concert halls and festivals, including the spectacular North Sea Jazz Festival.

This week:

From the North Sea Jazz Festival 2010 we bring you the Chris Potter Tentet, Singer Kurt Elling's Coltrane and Hartman Project, and piano innovator Jason Moran & the Bandwagon. Your host is Benjamin Herman.

First airing: Monday 01:00 UTC

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

Available 24 hours a day
(R Netherlands)

24 hour streaming audio at: www.radionetherlands.nl/

English service effective to 25 March 2012

All times UTC

1000-1057 12065as
1400-1457 12080as
1800-1900 11655af
1900-1957 11655af
1900-1959 11615af
1900-2000 7425af
2000-2057 7425af 11615af
(original Excel via Leo van der Woude, R Netherlands. Reformatted from BCL post by Gayle Van Horn)

DX Stamp Service February Specials

Plenty of news this month.

On Back Order: Russia and Spain. Both on order, expecting Spain updates next week.

In Stock Again: Netherlands, Australia, Lebanon and Mexico

Our Shipping Rates Priority Mail rates increased a very small amount. Our rates will remain the same. Those rates are for envelope, album or page orders and appear at the bottom.

New Postal Rates and Prices
Aland Island now 1,00 euro, but their forever stamp we supply covers it.
Belgium rate now 1,29 up from 1,20 euro, but their forever stamp we supply covers it
Brazil now 2,10r up from 2,00. We've been supplying 2,30 for a few months now to cover
Colombia now 6100 up from 5600
Denmark now 14 DK up from 13 DK, but 13DK covers their economy "B" rate
Greenland now 10,50 DK up from 10DK
Hungary now 300 HUF up from 270 HUF, we have 30 HUF updates
Iceland now 230 ISK up from 220 ISK their forever stamp covers it which we supply
Norway now 15K up from 14 K their forever stamp covers it
Saudi Arabia now 4 SR up from 2SR...New price for this is now $2.40
Spain now 0,85 up from 0,80 We have 5c makeups coming.

Great Website!! Check out customer and good friend, Hal, K4HB's postage rate site at http://www.k4hb.com/postage.html If you notice new postage rates on incoming QSLs drop me and Hal an email. It sure helps!

Dept. of Oops ! Another country for which we supply a forever stamp is Falkland Islands. We forgot to include this in last month's listing. We will begin supplying the new France forever stamp very very soon. France also covers the French islands in the Caribbean, F. Guiana, Corsica, Reunion Island, and soon will cover Mayotte once again. French stamps do not cover F. Poly or New Caledonia.

Dept. of OUCH!! Just restocked several South American countries. Paraguay new price is $5.00....My cost was a whopping $4.80....I don't think I'll be selling many of these and might drop once supply goes...or grows moldy....

Deposit Account Deal If you want to start a deposit account OR add $$ to an existing account, this is the DEAL for you! Send $100 (check only) and we'll credit your account $110. Send $200 (check only) and we'll credit your account $225!! February's a short month, so act FAST!!
February 2012 DX STAMP SPECIALS

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

3 Italy-$8.25 2 Spain-$3.00 2 Canada-$2.20 3 Japan-$3.90

February 2012 DX SUPPLY SPECIALS

**200/200 European Air Mailers & Returns $37**

200/200 Stateside Mailers & Returns $16

2 Standard QSL Albums $40

2 Deluxe QSL Albums $60

Shipping charges extra on supply specials
(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.

Recheck this blog at the first of the month for Bill's monthly specials!
Gayle Van Horn

Newdesigned Deutsche Welle website to premier Feb 6

Press Release

Deutsche Welle's completely redesigned website will go online on February 6, 2012. Deutsche Welle Director General Erik Bettermann announced the new online services at a press conference held in Berlin on January 31, 2012. The new website will retain the multilingual, multimedia content that DW has been known for, but will have a look and feel based on Germany's international broadcaster's new corporate identity. The website also has a
new Internet address: www.dw.de/

"The new website encompasses everything that DW has to offer - articles, audio, video and interactive content," said Bettermann. "dw.de is a source of reliable information from Germany and high-quality journalistic content in 30 languages. A refreshing color concept and modern design give the site a friendly face."

Quality journalism with a straight-forward design

Users will be able to get their bearings quickly at dw.de due to its intuitive navigation and design. Content is developed and organized exactly to the users' expectations - from the homepage to the last article. The modern layout makes it possible to put focus on key issues and topics. It also creates more room for background information and features. Visually, dw.de resembles a high-quality magazine with clearly defined structure and topical focus. "As the reliable expert from Germany, it is DW's task to organize and breakdown important events and developments from Germany and our target regions, while explaining the outcomes and providing in-depth analysis," explained Bettermann. "Multilingual, multimedia, in-depth
reporting - the new DW website underscores our focus on high-quality journalism," said the Director General.

Links will always lead the user to corresponding content, special topics and DW multimedia projects. Bettermann said the large-scale layout provides more room for images and videos and makes it easier for the user to sift through the day's news.

Ready for the next Internet revolution

The website also offers improved integration of social media - making it easier for the user to enter into dialogue with DW. The layout was based on usage models from several target regions. From a technical point of view, www.dw.de/ will give DW the flexibility it needs in the future. The modular concept and transparent interface will ensure that the website is ready for
the next Internet revolution.

The new design is also based on a new technical infrastructure. The website will automatically readjust to match the device that is being used - regardless of it is a desktop computer, a tablet or a smart phone. Access for all of these devices is available today: The media player has been
converted to HTML5 - a real bonus for people watching videos on mobile devices.
(via Alokesh Gupta)

Voice of America looks to the future on 70th anniversary

Washington, D.C. — February 1, 2012 —
Voice of America turned 70 on Wednesday, and VOA Director David Ensor says the international broadcast agency is aggressively moving forward with new programs that ensure it remains an “information lifeline to people in closed societies like Iran.”

Addressing VOA journalists at the agency’s Washington headquarters, Ensor pointed to a television news show for Burma that began airing in January, a popular video blog that has been viewed more than 7 million times in China, expanded TV broadcasts to Iran, and new health programs on radio in Africa. He also described plans for a Russian language TV program that will harness popular social media programs to make citizen journalists and the audience a key part of the show. Ensor said the one-time cold war broadcaster is “as relevant today as it was February 1st, 1942,” the date of the first shortwave radio broadcast to Germany.”

Created by the U.S. government in the opening days of World War Two, the Voice of America has evolved into a global multi-media organization, broadcasting balanced and comprehensive news in 43 languages to an estimated weekly audience of 141 million.

The first shortwave radio transmission, spoken in German just weeks after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, began with the words “Here speaks a voice from America.” The broadcast went on to promise, “The news may be good. The news may be bad. We shall tell you the truth.” Ensor, the 28th Voice of America director, says the agency continues to be guided by those words.

VOA radio remains highly popular in many markets, including Somalia, parts of Pakistan and Haiti. Ensor says the agency is moving forward with new television and Internet programs that target countries like Iran, where the government restricts the free flow of information.

VOA programs are delivered on satellite, cable TV, mobile, shortwave, FM, medium wave, the Internet, and on a network of about 1,200 affiliate stations around the world. In addition to more than 1,100 employees in Washington, VOA works with contract journalists in trouble spots around the world. Last month the Taliban claimed responsibility for the murder of a reporter working for VOA in Pakistan.
(VOA)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2012 Jan 31 2314 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 23 - 29 January 2012

Solar activity ranged from low to high levels. Region 1402 (N28, L=214, class/area=Eko/630 on 17 January) produced a long duration M8/2b flare at 23/0359 UTC. Multiple radio emissions from 25 MHz to 15.4 GHz, including a 5100 sfu Tenflare, and a Type IV sweep were also observed. Finally, an approximately 1600 km/s asymmetric full-halo coronal mass ejection (CME) was seen in SOHO/LASCO C2 imagery beginning at 23/0412 UTC. Activity returned to low levels as* Region 1402 made its way across the visible solar disk producing occasional low to mid level C-class flares. On 27 January, Region 1402 moved to N29W71 before producing an X1/1f flare at 27/1837 UTC. Radio phenomena, including a Type II (1523 km/s) and a Type IV radiosweep with an 810 sfu Tenflare accompanied this flare. An asymmetric halo CME was later observed in LASCO C2 coronagraph imagery with an estimated plane-of-sky speed near 2000 km/s. Region 1402 rotated off the west limb on 28 January. Region 1402’s counterpart, Region 1401 (N18, L=213, class/area=Eki/540 on 19 January) was the second largest and most magnetically complex (beta-gamma) region on the disk during the period. Region 1401 was only responsible for a couple of low level C-class flares during the period. Region 1401 decayed to spotless plage on 26 January.

Energetic proton flux levels reached strong levels during the period as two proton events energized the Earth's magnetosphere. The first event began minutes after the M8/2b flare on 23 January. The 10 MeV proton flux crossed the 10 pfu event threshold at 23/0530 UTC. The 10 MeV protons increased steadily to a peak flux of 6310 pfu at 24/1530 UTC, following the arrival of the interplanetary shock. This 10 MeV proton event ended at 27/1025 UTC when the enhancement dropped below the 10 pfu level. This 10 MeV proton event was the largest enhancement since Oct 29, 2003 (29,526 pfu) and the 11th largest since January, 1975. Also with this event, the 100 MeV proton flux exceeded the 1 pfu threshold. The 100 MeV flux began at 23/0445 UTC, increased to a peak of 2 pfu at 23/0750 UTC, then steadily declined until it dropped below the 1 pfu threshold at 23/2050 UTC. The second event began on 27 January, after the X1.7/1f flare. The 10 MeV proton flux crossed the 10 pfu event threshold at
27/1905 UTC. The 10 MeV protons increased steadily to a peak flux of 796 pfu at 28/0205 UTC. The 10 MeV proton event was still in progress at the time of this report. The associated 100 MeV event began at 27/1900 UTC, reached a maximum of 11 pfu at 27/2140 UTC and ended on 28/2120 UTC.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit began at background levels, but increased to moderate levels late on 23 January. Values increased to high levels on 27-28 January, before decreasing to moderate levels through the end of the period.

Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to minor storm levels at mid-latitudes and briefly reached severe storm conditions at high latitudes. The magnetic field was mostly quiet on 23 January with an isolated minor storm observed at high latitudes from waning effects from a CME. On 24-25 January, activity increased to isolated minor storms at low latitudes and severe storms at high latitudes, due to the arrival of a CME, associated with the 23 January M8/2b flare. An interplanetary shock was observed at the ACE spacecraft at 24/1431 UTC followed by a 37 nT increase in total field, as measured by the ACE spacecraft, at 24/1439 UTC. A corresponding sudden impulse was observed in the Boulder magnetometer with a 22 nT deviation at 24/1504 UTC. Solar wind speed, as measured by the SOHO spacecraft, was approximately 750 km/s at the time of the shock passage before decreasing to approximately 650 km/s. The geomagnetic field decreased to predominantly quiet levels for the remainder of the period.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 01 February - 27 February 2012

Solar activity is expected to be at very low to low levels from 01-09 February until old Regions 1401 and 1402 are due to return. Solar activity is expected to increase to low levels with a chance for M-class flares and a slight chance for X-class flares for the remainder of the period.

The greater than 10 MeV proton flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to remain elevated from 01-02 February but below the 10 pfu threshold values. A return to background levels is expected from 03- 08 February. On 09 February, old Regions 1401 and 1402 are due to return to the visible disk. From 09 February until the end of the forecast period, there will be a slight chance for a proton event. The greater than 2 MeV electrons at geosynchronous orbit are expected to be at normal to moderate levels for the entire forecast period.

The geomagnetic field is expected to be at predominantly quiet levels for the entire period. Quiet to unsettled levels are expected on days 03-04 February, 09 February, 12 February, and 23 February. This increased activity can be attributed to multiple, recurrent coronal hole, high speed wind streams.


Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2012 Jan 31 2314 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 2012-01-31
#
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2012 Feb 01 115 5 2
2012 Feb 02 115 5 2
2012 Feb 03 115 5 2
2012 Feb 04 115 5 2
2012 Feb 05 115 5 2
2012 Feb 06 110 5 2
2012 Feb 07 110 5 2
2012 Feb 08 110 5 2
2012 Feb 09 120 8 3
2012 Feb 10 130 5 2
2012 Feb 11 130 5 2
2012 Feb 12 130 8 3
2012 Feb 13 130 5 2
2012 Feb 14 130 5 2
2012 Feb 15 130 5 2
2012 Feb 16 130 5 2
2012 Feb 17 130 5 2
2012 Feb 18 130 5 2
2012 Feb 19 130 5 2
2012 Feb 20 130 5 2
2012 Feb 21 130 5 2
2012 Feb 22 130 5 2
2012 Feb 23 120 8 3
2012 Feb 24 115 5 2
2012 Feb 25 115 5 2
2012 Feb 26 115 5 2
2012 Feb 27 115 5 2
(NOAA)

Bible Voice Broadcasting winter schedule updates

Some MBR changes:

NF/new frequency

All times UTC

Bible Voice Broadcasting Network to East Africa
1600-1630 NF 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg, ex 13810 Oromo Mon/Thu
1630-1700 NF 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg, ex 13810 Amharic Mon/Fri
1700-1730 NF 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg, ex 13810 Tigrinya Mon/Tue/Fri
1730-1830 NF 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg, ex 13810 Amharic Mon/Tue/Fri
1630-1700 NF 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg, ex 13810 Amharic Tue
1630-1800 NF 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg, ex 13810 Amharic Wed
1630-1830 NF 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg, ex 13810 Amharic Thu/Sun
1630-1745 NF 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg, ex 13810 Amharic Sat
1745-1800 NF 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg, ex 13810 English Sat
1600-1630 NF 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg, ex 13810 Oromo Fri/Sun
1800-1830 NF 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg, ex 13810 Somali Fri-Sun

Bible Voice Broadcasting Network to N&ME:

NF/new frequency

All times UTC

1715-1800 NF 9465 WER 100 kW / 120 deg, ex 7355 Arabic Mon/Wed/Fri
1800-1830 NF 9465 WER 100 kW / 120 deg, ex 9460 English Tue
1830-1900 NF 9465 WER 100 kW / 120 deg, ex 9460 Hebrew Tue
1800-1915 NF 9465 WER 100 kW / 120 deg, ex 9460 English Sun
1645-1700 NF 11700 WER 100 kW / 120 deg, ex 9460 English Mon/Wed
1645-1720 NF 11700 WER 100 kW / 120 deg, ex 9460 English Tue
1645-1745 NF 11700 WER 100 kW / 120 deg, ex 9460 English Thu
1645-1715 NF 11700 WER 100 kW / 120 deg, ex 9460 English Fri
1645-1800 NF 11700 WER 100 kW / 120 deg, ex 9460 English Sat
1630-1800 NF 11700 WER 100 kW / 120 deg, ex 9460 English Sun
(DX Mix 714, Ivo Ivanov via Alokesh Gupta, India & Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany)

Radio Netherlands Program Preview

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

This week: Freedom’s road

The first Western media interview of Imad Ghalioun, the Syrian politician who defected recently, a Wikileaks pioneer and politician from Iceland who helped make public the 'collateral murder' video, and a former East German cyclist who defected just before he went to the Olympics.

First airing: Saturday 02:00 UTC

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

This week:

A show full of fun and games. From forest kindergartens and forsaking a childhood in the woods for the concrete of the suburbs, to generating power on a merry-go-round. Ooh, and how to play a pig. Fooling around for the sake of our planet, and why it’s important to play.

First airing: Friday 03:00 UTC

South Asia Wired
Stories from South Asia.

This week:

We hear about the opening media landscape in Burma during an unprecedented time of reform and why Dutch photographer Frans Welman fell in love with the Nagas, who live in the rarely visited region of Nagaland in India’s northeast.

(There'll be a new edition of the programme on Thursday 2 February)

First airing: Thursday 10:00 UTC

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

This week:

The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor has ruled that there is enough evidence to put four of Kenya’s leading politicians on trial for crimes against humanity. But should the ICC be meddling in Africa’s affairs? We report from Kenya and The Hague.
How to get around town the 'green' way – the skateboarding craze hitting Nairobi’s streets.
High-tech music from the desert - with Mali’s Super Onze.

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.

This week: How to save 29,000 lives

Figures released by the World Health Organisation in January 2012 show that Africa is the most dangerous place in the world to get pregnant. And ending a pregnancy is highly dangerous too. In Africa, 29,000 women die every year as a result of unsafe abortions.

This is a public health emergency and the issue of unsafe abortions was high on the agenda at the World Conference on Family Planning, held last year in the Seneglese capital Dakar.

During that conference, we spoke with three medical doctors who have had first-hand experience with the consequences of unsafe abortions and are determined to improve reproductive health for women.

First airing: Monday 19:00 UTC

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

This week: The nearly departed soul - by Rosemarie Johnson Clarke (Bahamas). An irrepressible great grandmother.

First airing: Tuesday 01:50 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.

This week: Who says we can’t be gay, Muslim, and successful?

Elkader is a small town in the center of the American Midwest. It’s not where you’d expect to find a gay couple starting an Algerian restaurant. But this town in Iowa was named after a 19th-century Algerian jihadist. WAMU radio takes us to Elkader to see how the residents have found their way through the Islamophobia debate.

First airing: Monday 17:30 UTC

European Jazz Stage
Unique jazz performances from the continent’s hottest clubs, concert halls and festivals, including the spectacular North Sea Jazz Festival.

This week:

A triple Dutch edition this week, featuring three ensembles from the rich jazz scene of the Netherlands.

Pianist Peter Beets and his New York quartet take on Frédéric Chopin. Saxophonist Ben van Gelder brings his scrapple from the Big Apple, and saxophonist Ad Colen leads his quartet to new heights in Dutch jazz.

First airing: Monday 01:00 UTC

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

Available 24 hours a day

Streaming 24 hour audio: www.radionetherlands.nl/

English service
1000-1057 12065as
1400-1457 12080as
1800-1900 11655af
1900-1957 11655af
1900-1959 11615af
1900-2000 7425af
2000-2057 7425af 11615af
(original Excel via Leo van der Woude, R Netherlands. Reformatted from BCL post by GVH)

DXing from an Australian perspective

Thanks to Bob Padula for sending in his monitoring observations.
Gayle VH

According to the Ionospheric Prediction Service, Sydney, solar activity on Jan 26 dropped to 126 (10.7 cm flux) and 79 (SSN). Predictions for Jan 28 are 120/72.

There is continuing excellent propagation into Melbourne in the 7 MHz band during our post sunrise period, with signal paths from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle dominant.

This band has become heavily congested during the window 1930 to 2000 UTC, and this is a summary of key occupancies observed in that time on January 26, 2012.

7200 SUDAN R, Omdurman
7205 IRAN VOIRI *1930 Russian
7210 ETHIOPIA R. Fana
7215 CHINA CRI Cantonese
7225 RUSSIA CRI-Moscow Turkish
" GERMANY RFE Lampertheim Russian
7230 RUSSIA VOR Moscow Russian
7235 GERMANY VOA Biblis *1930 Albanian
7245 CHINA CRI Russian
7255 CHINA CRI Turkish
7265 CRI Esperanto
7280 VIETNAM VOV French
7290 MOLDOVA R. Prednestrovye, Kishinev area, German
7295 MALAYSIA RTM Kajang English
7305 FRANCE CRI Issoudin Czech
7315 CHINA CRI Kashi Albanian
7320 RUSSIA R. Rossi, Magadan
7335 CHINA CRI Jinhua Portuguese
" IRAN VOIRI Arabic
7345 ROMANIA RRI Macedonian *1930
7350 CHINA CRI Urumqi French
7360 ALBANIA CRI Cerrick French
7365 VATICAN VR Romanian to 1940
7375 CYPRUS BBC Arabic
7385 ALBANIA CRI Cerrick French
7395 CHINA CRI Kashi German
7405 CHINA CRI Xian Portuguese
7410 INDIA AIR English to 1945*
7425 MADAGASCAR RN English
7435 VATICAN VR Latin Mass *1940-2000*
7440 CHINA CRI Xian Romanian
7450 GREECE R. Macedonia, Greek
7480 SRI LANKA Iranawela English
7520 THAILAND R. Farda, Udon
7530 SRI LANKA RL Iranawela Tajik
7550 INDIA AIR English to 1945*
7530 SRI LANKA R. Farda, Iranawela
7540 RUSSIA R. Dengo Mesopotamia, Nikol. Kurdish

Regards from Melbourne!

Bob Padula

Radio Bulgaria's countdown on shortwave

A reminder to our readers that Radio Bulgaria's final day on shortwave will be January 31, 2012.

All times UTC

Albanian
0630-0700 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU Mon-Fri
0630-0700 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU Mon-Fri
0700-0800 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU Sat/Sun
0700-0800 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU Sat/Sun
1700-1730 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU
1700-1730 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU
2000-2100 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU
2000-2100 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU

Bulgarian
0100-0200 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to NoAM
0100-0200 on 7400 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to NoAM
0100-0200 on 7300 PLD 170 kW / 260 deg to SoAM
0100-0200 on 9400 PLD 170 kW / 245 deg to SoAM
0530-0600 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU Mon-Fri
0530-0600 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU Mon-Fri
0530-0600 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 115 deg to N&ME Mon-Fri
0530-0600 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 126 deg to N&ME Mon-Fri
0530-0600 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to WeEU Mon-Fri
0530-0600 on 7400 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to WeEU Mon-Fri
0500-0600 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU Sat/Sun
0500-0600 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU Sat/Sun
0500-0600 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 115 deg to N&ME Sat/Sun
0500-0600 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 126 deg to N&ME Sat/Sun
0500-0600 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to WeEU Sat/Sun
0500-0600 on 7400 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to WeEU Sat/Sun
1400-1500 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 078 deg to CeAS
1400-1500 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 030 deg to EaEU
1400-1500 on 11600 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to WeEU
1400-1500 on 15600 PLD 300 kW / 306 deg to WeEU
1600-1700 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU
1600-1700 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU
1600-1700 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 078 deg to CeAS
1600-1700 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 030 deg to EaEU
1600-1700 on 9700 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to WeEU
1600-1700 on 15700 PLD 300 kW / 185 deg to SoAF
1900-2000 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU
1900-2000 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU
2200-2300 on 6000 PLD 170 kW / 260 deg to SoEU
2200-2300 on 9400 PLD 170 kW / 245 deg to SoEU
DX MIX NEWS 0545-0600 Sun; 1445-1500 Sun; 1945-2000 Sun

English
0000-0100 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to NoAM
0000-0100 on 7400 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to NoAM
0300-0400 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to NoAM
0300-0400 on 7400 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to NoAM
0730-0800 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to WeEU
0730-0800 on 9400 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to WeEU
1830-1900 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to WeEU
1830-1900 on 9700 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to WeEU
2200-2300 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to WeEU
2200-2300 on 7400 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to WeEU
DX MIX NEWS 2230-2240 Fri; 0030-0040 Sat; 0330-0340 Sat; 0740-0750 Sun

French
0200-0300 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to NoAM
0200-0300 on 7400 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to NoAM
0700-0730 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to WeEU
0700-0730 on 9400 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to WeEU
1800-1830 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to WeEU
1800-1830 on 9700 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to WeEU
2100-2200 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to WeEU
2100-2200 on 7400 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to WeEU
DX MIX NEWS 2130-2140 Tue; 0230-0240 Wed; 2130-2140 Sun; 0230-0240 Mon

German
0630-0700 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to WeEU
0630-0700 on 9400 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to WeEU
1730-1800 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to WeEU
1730-1800 on 9700 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to WeEU
2000-2100 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to WeEU
2000-2100 on 7400 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to WeEU
DX MIX NEWS 2050-2100 Tue; 0650-0700 Thu; 2020-2030 Sat

Greek
0600-0630 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU Mon-Fri
0600-0630 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU Mon-Fri
0600-0700 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU Sat/Sun
0600-0700 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU Sat/Sun
1730-1800 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU
1730-1800 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU
2100-2200 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU
2100-2200 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU

Russian
0400-0430 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 030 deg to EaEU
0400-0430 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 078 deg to CeAS
1500-1600 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 078 deg to CeAS
1500-1600 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 030 deg to EaEU
1900-2000 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 078 deg to CeAS
1900-2000 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 030 deg to EaEU
DX MIX NEWS 1540-1600 Sat; 1940-2000 Sat; 0410-0430 Sun

Serbian
0700-0730 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU Mon-Fri
0700-0730 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU Mon-Fri
0800-0900 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU Sat/Sun
0800-0900 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU Sat/Sun
1800-1830 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU
1800-1830 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU
2200-2300 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU
2200-2300 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU

Spanish
0000-0100 on 7300 PLD 170 kW / 260 deg to SoAM
0000-0100 on 9400 PLD 170 kW / 245 deg to SoAM
0200-0300 on 7300 PLD 170 kW / 260 deg to SoAM
0200-0300 on 9400 PLD 170 kW / 245 deg to SoAM
0700-0730 on 7300 PLD 170 kW / 260 deg to SoEU
0700-0730 on 9800 PLD 170 kW / 245 deg to SoEU
1730-1800 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 260 deg to SoEU
1730-1800 on 9400 PLD 170 kW / 245 deg to SoEU
2100-2200 on 6000 PLD 170 kW / 260 deg to SoEU
2100-2200 on 9400 PLD 170 kW / 245 deg to SoEU
DX MIX NEWS 1750-1800 Sun; 2120-2130 Sun; 0020-0030 Mon; 0220-0230 Mon

Turkish
0600-0630 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 115 deg to N&ME
0600-0630 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 126 deg to N&ME
1830-1900 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU
1830-1900 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU
1830-1900 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 078 deg to N&ME

MW: PET=Petritch (G.C. 41N28/023E19) 1 x 300 kW
VDN=Vidin (G.C. 43N50/022E43) 1 x 300 kW

SW: PLD=Plovdiv (G.C. 42N23/024E52) 2 x 300 kW, 3 x 170 kW

Address:
4, Dragan Tsankov Blvd., 1040 Sofia and P.O.Box 900, 1000 Sofia.
Website: www.bnr.bg
(DX MIX NEWS & BCL)

Monitoring India on shortwave radio

All times UTC

AIR/All India Radio

3945, AIR Gorakhpur, 1625-1628, Jan 15, talks, SINPO 15321. (Mille)

4747.6, Radio Kashmir, Leh, -1631*, Jan 10 and 11. Even after many weeks, still continues on this odd frequency instead of 4760. I could not get the proper audio at my location. (Jacob). On Jan 10, at 1330-1450, the stronger than usual open carrier, but as normal unable to confirm any audio due to adjacent QRM from Bangladesh Betar and CNR1 mixing together on 4750. It is of some comfort to learn that even at your location in India, you do not have the best of audio from them. (Howard). It was not heard on 4747.6 Jan 17 evening or Jan 18 morning. However some suspected carrier was noted by Victor Goonetilleke and myself drifting up and down near 4720 around 1615 to past 1630, Jan 17. I have spoken to the Station Engineer at Radio Kashmir, Leh Jan, 18 and informed him of 4760 frequency variation problem. He told me, that his SW transmitter is having problems and they are attending to it. E-mail is not working well there. He also informed, that it is heavily snowing there now with maximum temperature Minus 16 degrees Centigrade! (Jacob)

4775, AIR Imphal. Regarding my logging at 0000-0040, Dec 24, in DX-Window no. 444. (Petersen). It is test that you heard. That station is heard often testing on SW around 0000 just before normal transmission starts. Many AIR stations are also similarily noted testing like that on MW before start of normal transmissions in the morning. Some of them are tests of standby transmitter. On SW I have observed only 4775 like that. (Jacob)

4820.86, AIR Kolkata, 1415-1440, Jan 15, Bengali (presumed) talk, best in USB due to interference from Xizang PBS 4820, 33443. (Petersen and Savolainen)

4840.01, AIR Mumbai, 0018-0030, Jan 23, Indian music. Weak. WWCR 3 is not up yet? Maybe their gone? (Bolland)

4910, AIR Jaipur, 1641-1643, Jan 17, talks, SINPO 25332. (Mille)

5010, AIR Thiruvananthapuram, 0035-0056, Jan 20. English news concluding with report of the Australian Open in tennis, 0040 into Malayalam with mix of talk and music, 0055 some type of promotional ann with fanfares, 0056 possibly news headlines, but fading badly now. Occasional QRM from possibly fisherman speaking in Spanish. Poor. Jan 20. Next evening, Jan 21, I was listening for their 0020 sign on and English news at 0035. Although a carrier was detectable at 0035, it was not until 0045 that the signal rose out of the noise. Malayalam vocals until 0057 when a man spoke. Very poor. (Sellers). Also heard at 1645-1648, Jan 17, talk, 34343 (Mille)
(DX WIndow 446)

Blog Logs

Logs edited for clarity

// parallel frequency *sign-on / sign-off*

All times UTC

Bahrain
9745, Radio Bahrain, 0055-0115. Carrier + USB. Local Middle-Eastern vocals. Weak. Poor with adjacent channel splatter.(Brian Alexander, PA)

Bolivia
6134.822, Radio Santa Cruz, 1045-1100. Male's comments at tune in to music. Program format continued until the hour with a female joining in now and then. The noise was bad this morning, however the Russian that has been here lately blocking Radio Santa Cruz, was not on the air today. Maybe it has moved somewhere else? Radio Santa Cruz was a poor level during the period. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Brazil
4877.30v, Rdif Roraima, 0315-0400. Poor to fair signal level but with very wobbly, unstable carrier. Portuguese ballads. Portuguese talk. Sign off around 0402.(Brian Alexander, PA)

China
4940.009, Voice of Strait. (presumed) 1120-1130. Noted a male/female announcers in Chinese with conversation. Signal peaks at 1122 briefly. Conversation continues to 1135 and beyond with signal steady at a fair level. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Clandestine
4875.01, Voice of Iranian Kurdistan, 0405-0429.* Presumed with talk in unidentified language. Sign off with Middle-Eastern style music. Fair. Also heard earlier with interference from Brazil’s Roraima 4877.3v.(Brian Alexander, PA)

Cyprus
9505, BBC relay, 1550 English. “Sports World” with reports from the Africa Cup of Nations and British football matches. Fair signal. (Harold Sellers, Canada)

Djibouti
4780, Radio Djibouti, *0312-0334.* Abrupt sign on with Qur`an in progress. Arabic talk at 0316. Abruptly off the air at 0334. Poor in noisy conditions and occasional interference from two-way utility traffic. (Brian Alexander, PA)

4780, Radio Djibouti, 0318-0410. Tune-in to talk in unidentified language. Local tribal music at 0340. Some Horn of Africa style music. Poor to fair in noisy conditions. Improved to fair to good levels at 0340.(Brian Alexander,PA)

4780, Radio Djibouti, 2045-2102.* Talk in unidentified language. Horn of Africa style music. Sign off with instrumental national anthem at 2101. Barely audible, threshold signal at tune-in, but improved to a very weak, but audible level by sign off. Jan 21.(Brian Alexander, PA)

4780, Radio Djibouti, 2140-2300.+ Talk in unidentified language. Some local African music. Poor in noisy conditions. On the air past 2300 but gone at 2340 check. Running past their normal 2100 sign off time. (Brian Alexander, PA)
　
Ecuador
4918.98, Radio Quito, "me too" on this one. Bumped into big signal at 1033. Program of male/female in Spanish but mainly indigenous language (probably Quechua), reading items punctuated with bursts of musica ecuatoriana. Program ran to 1054 when nice ID, then orchestral version of HC national anthem (long form, with prelude, chorus, vocal middle section and grand wrap-up). Again, ID for Radio Quito afterward and then at 1100, into news show which sounded like "Noticiero Ecuadoradio" (?) presented by female in Spanish. After 1100, signal was much improved music. A few times heard some RTTY mixing with RQ, on same channel -- almost seemed same trnasmitter as Radio Quito. I wonder if they are sharing a utility transmitter for SW and using one of the sidebands for broadcast? (Ralph Perry, IL/Cumbre DX)

4918.98, Radio Quito, 0146-0300. Spanish talk. Station identification. Spanish ballads and pop music. Some Ecuadorian style music. Fair to good signal strength but announcements somewhat distorted. Still here at 0520 check. Jan 21. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Ethiopia
5950, Voice of Tigray Revolution, *0255-0305. Sign on with local flute interval signal. Local music and vernacular talk at 0257. Weak under Okeechobee.(Brian Alexander, PA)

Guam
5765 GUAM AFRTS 1430 in USB. Military PSAs reguarding drugs, etc.,1432 reporting on the South Carolina Primary, their audio feed was breaking up badly today, sometimes brief, sometimes up to 5 seconds off. Fair signal. (Harold Sellers, Canada)

Madagascar
5010.00, Radio Madagasikara, 0220-0250. Carrier + USB. Tune-in to African choral music. Twenty-five second interval signal at 0226 followed by national anthem. Opening ID announcements at 0228:30. Malagasy talk. Local music. Weak but readable. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Niger
9704.99, LV du Sahel, 2250-2259.* Indigenous music. French talk. Local chants at 2254Flute interval signal at 2257. Choral national anthem at 2257:30. Seven second test tone at 2259 and off. Poor to fair with some adjacent channel splatter. (Brian (Alexander, PA)

North Korea
Between 1300-1500 UTC, on Jan 24th I checked the various North Korean broadcasts and jamming stations on different remote units worldwide.

621, 1053, 2349.721, 3220.117, 3911.990, 3959.028, distorted audio modulation 3966v and 3979v, 3985, 4450, 5855, 6003, 6015, 6100, 6185.011, 6230, 6251 distorted,
6284.990, 6348, 6400, distorted 6509...6531, plus OHR 6522-6545 of unknown country origin, 6600, 7570.017, 9335.010, 9849.968, 9975.011, 11680, 11709.983, 12015.286 kHz. (W. Bueschel, Germany/HCDX)

Peru
4774.953, Radio Tarma, 1101-1115. Single male in Spanish with program comments. At 1106, second announcer joins in with comments, followed with promos and commercilas at 1107 UTC. Live comments at 1109. Signal was fair at times and dropping to poor at other times.(Chuck Bolland, FL)

Singapore
11890, BBC relay 1446 English. “Sports World” looking at the Africa Cup of Nations (soccer). Fair-good. (Harold Sellers, Canada)

Taiwan
9440, Radio Taiwan Int’l, 1606 English. Man and woman with an item on Taiwanese political party, numerous IDs, addresses in Bangladesh and India, program “People” interviewing a hotel general manager. Fair. (Harold Sellers, Canada)

Best of the Best Shortwave DX Programs

As the weekend nears, time to plan for some weekend DX programs on shortwave radio. Programs include shortwave news, propagation, frequency updates, amateur radio, receiver reviews and more.

You've heard the rest - now tune into the best DX programs for the weekend.

All times UTC

Saturday
0100 Allan Weiner Worldwide WBCQ 5110,7490
0245 DXers Special Supplement R.A.E. 11710
0830 Wavescan WRMI 9955
1210 World Wide Friendship KBS World Radio 9650
1345 DX Corner Voice of Turkey 12035 bi-weekly
1530 Wavescan WRMI 9955
1700 Australian DX Report WWCR 12160
1715 Ask WWCR WWCR 12160
1730 Wavescan WWCR 12160
1900 QSO WTWW 9479
2315 DX Corner Voice of Turkey 5960 bi-weekly

Sunday
0400 DXing With Cumbre WHRI 7465
0415 DX Corner Voice of Turkey 9655 bi-weekly
0600 Wavescan WRMI 9955
0730 DXing With Cumbre WHRI 11565
1045 Ask WWCR WWCR 4840
1530 Int'l Radio Report CKUT Montreal www.ckut.ca
1530 Wavescan WRMI 9955
2015v DXers Unlimited Radio Habana Cuba 11760
(ODXA)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2012 Jan 24 2144 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html
#

Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 16 - 22 January 2012

Solar activity reached moderate levels as Regions 1401 (N18, L=213, class/area Eki/540 on 19 January) and 1402 (N28, L=214, class/area Eko/630 on 17 January) both produced M-class events. Region 1401 produced an M1/1n on 17/0453Z and an M1/1n on 18/1912Z. Region 1402 followed with an M3/2n on 19/1605Z. The 19 January event was associated with and Type IV radio emission and a full halo CME. Type II emissions were detected on 19/1252Z and 19/1933Z with speeds of 933 km/s and 694 km/s respectively. Partial halo CMEs were also observed on 16 and 18 January. Activity decreased to very low levels late on 19 January. Isolated low-level C-class flares were observed on 20 - 22 January. Plage Region 1396 (N27, L=287, class/area Dao/110 on 17 January) produced a C1 flare at 20/2112Z associated with a Type II radio sweep (945 km/s) and a non-Earth-directed CME. Region 1402 produced a long-duration C1 flare at 20/2333Z associated with a weak Type IV radio sweep.

An enhancement of the greater than 10 MeV proton flux at geosynchronous orbit began around 20/0800Z and continued through the end of the period.

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

Geomagnetic field conditions ranged from quiet to unsettled levels, with a brief excursion into active-major storm levels at high latitudes on 22 January. Field conditions were predominately quiet from 17-21 January. On 22 January, an interplanetary shock passed the ACE spacecraft at approximately 22/0514Z, likely indicating the arrival of the full-halo CME observed on 19 January in LASCO imagery. This was followed by a geomagnetic sudden impulse (SI) at 22/0614Z (31 nT observed by the boulder magnetometer). Field activity increased to unsettled to major storm levels at high latitudes following the SI.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 25 January - 20 February 2012

Solar activity is expected to be low with M-class flares likely until Regions 1401 and 1402 depart on 28 January. Predominantly quiet levels are expected for the remained of the period.

Protons greater than than 10 MeV are expected to remain above event threshold from 25 - 26 January. A return to background levels is expected for the remainer of the period.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at normal to moderate levels the entire period.

The geomagnetic field is expected to be at active to minor storm levels on 25 January as effects from the CME from 23 January wane. Quiet levels are expected on 26 January. Quiet to unsettled levels are expected on 27 January as a coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS) becomes geoeffecitve. A return to quiet levels is expected until 02 - 03 February, with quiet to unsettled levels expected as another CH HSS becomes geoeffective. Predominantly quiet levels are expected from 04-08 February. Another CH HSS is expected to become geoeffective with quiet to unsettled levels expected from 09-10 February. Predominantly quiet levels are expected for the remainder of the period.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2012 Jan 24 2144 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 2012-01-24
#
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2012 Jan 25 145 20 5
2012 Jan 26 145 5 2
2012 Jan 27 145 8 3
2012 Jan 28 140 5 2
2012 Jan 29 140 5 2
2012 Jan 30 135 5 2
2012 Jan 31 135 5 2
2012 Feb 01 135 5 2
2012 Feb 02 135 8 3
2012 Feb 03 140 8 3
2012 Feb 04 140 5 2
2012 Feb 05 140 5 2
2012 Feb 06 140 5 2
2012 Feb 07 140 5 2
2012 Feb 08 140 5 2
2012 Feb 09 145 8 3
2012 Feb 10 150 8 3
2012 Feb 11 155 5 2
2012 Feb 12 155 8 3
2012 Feb 13 155 8 3
2012 Feb 14 150 5 2
2012 Feb 15 150 5 2
2012 Feb 16 150 5 2
2012 Feb 17 150 5 2
2012 Feb 18 150 5 2
2012 Feb 19 150 5 2
2012 Feb 20 145 5 2
(NOAA)

Blues Radio International - a Hit on shortwave !

Jesse A. Finkelstein, host and producer of Blues Radio International, sends word, "that for a limited time, but at least through the month of March we will be mailing a free blues CD to anyone sending us a reception report for Blues Radio International (Monday 0200 UTC on 9955 kHz. Each new Monday show replays Thursday 0200 UTC). Might be of interest to listeners looking for more than just a QSL.

Blues Radio International brings Blues Music to a potential audience of tens of millions through Radio Miami International, a privately owned international broadcast station in Miami, Florida.
"We are excited to bring Blues Music to a worldwide audience, which includes both Blues enthusiasts and tens of millions of potential new Blues music fans" said Jesse Finklestein.

Programming is also streamed simultaneously for listeners at http://www.wrmi.net/
The thirty minute program features the best in classical Blues music, as well as important new music from today's most promising Blues artists.

If you're a blues fan of Buddy Guy, Howling Wolf, Albert King, B.B. King and many more - tune into Blues Radio International. If reporting reception, tell them you read about it on the Shortwave Central blog.
Gayle Van Horn

Blog Logs

Logs edited for clarity

// parallel frequency *sign-on / sign-off*


All times UTC

Bolivia
4699.33, Radio San Miguel, Riberalta. Heard at 1008 thru 1029. Fair signal and muffled mod with that "bottom of the barrel" sound. At 1014 seemed like a regional news segment with light echo. Clear mentions of Bolivia, and then, at 1016 "...las seis de la manana y 16 minutos con la musica de la madrugada en San Miguel . . .". Into nondescript vocals. Ad string at 1028 but couldn't pick up any product names. (Ralph Perry, IL/Cumbre DX)

6134.823, Radio Santa Cruz, 0030-0100. Station is now a tough catch. Voice of Russia is on 6135 with a very strong signal, while RSC is half as strong being drown out by VOR. Noted a female in Spanish comments from Radio Santa Cruz. At 0035 noted music being presented. Signal remained at a threshold level however. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Brazil
6120, Super Rádio Deus é Amor, 0850-0900. Usual emotional Portuguese preacher. Poor to fair. Covered by Radio Netherland after 0900. Fair to good on // 6059.95. Threshold signal on // 9564.87. (Brian Alexander, PA)

6150, Radio Record, Sao Paulo (presumed), 2314-2332. Talk in Portuguese by man followed by pop ballad music. Talk by male/female announcers over music at 2322. Back to music at 2324 with a couple of English language selections ("Unforgettable", etc.) Portuguese talk by announcer duo at 2331. Poor to moderate signal strength with fading. Chinese talk sometimes heard faintly below. (Jim Evans, TN)

9550.1, Radio Boa Ventade, Porto Alegre, 2303-2307. Pop ballad music. Talk in Portuguese over music by announcer duo at 2306. Poor signal strength, occasionally fading up to moderate. (Jim Evans, TN)

9665, Radio Voz Missionaria, Florianopolis, 2255-2300. Talk in Portuguese by man. Moderate signal strength with cochannel interference from KCBS in Korean. (Jim Evans, TN)

9665.02, Voz Missionária, 0610-0635. Portuguese inspirational music and Portuguese announcements. Weak in noisy conditions. Slightly stronger on // 5940.04 - but poor with adjacent channel splatter. (Brian Alexander, PA)

11765, Super Rádio Deus é Amor/Radio Tupi, Curitiba, 2304-2307. Contemporary religious music. Talk in Portuguese by man followed by more music. Moderate signal strength. (Jim Evans, TN)

11780, Radio Nacional de Amazonia, Brasilia, 2306-2309. Talk in Portuguese between studio announcer and second man at remote location or on call-in. Pop ballad music at 2307. Moderate signal strength with little fading. (Jim Evans, TN)

11815, Radio Brazil Central, Goiana, 2309-2313. Fast talk in Portuguese by man over pop vocal music. Music only at 2310. Moderate signal strength. (Jim Evans, TN)

11855, Radio Aparecida, Aparecida, 2311-2314. Talk in Portuguese by woman. A few bars of music followed by talk by man. Poor signal, just above noise level, with little fading. (Jim Evans, TN)

Canada
6159.98 CKZU Vancouver 1422-1431. Gogi Grant's "Wayward Wind," then male/female chatting to 1430. CBC Regional News was next. Fair signal in the noise. (John Wilkins, CO/Cumbre DX)

Chad
6164.96, RNT, 0427-0445. Audible after Radio Netherlands 6165 sign off at 0427. Local Afro-pop music. French announcements. Poor with weak interference from unidentified station on 6165. Possibly Zambia. (Brian Alexaner, PA)

Colombia
5910, Radio Alcaraván 0632 Spanish. Songs, full ID with frequency at 0634, 0637 tune-out. Fair. (Harold Sellers, Canada)

Ecuador
4814.98, Radio El Buen Pastor. Head at 1106 with Ecuadorian pasillos featuring guitars and piano. Usual high-voiced male announcer with timecheck at 1108, then back into pleasant program of folklorico music. Fair signal with usual blipping utility interference. One of the only places on the band to hear wonderful Ecuadorian folkloric music, the other being HCJB - Pichincha on 6050 kHz. Speaking of that, what is the source of the unid signal hetting HCJB at approx 6050.84, many mornings? Can never raise audio from it but certainly tantalizing. (Ralph Perry, IL/Cumbre DX)

Guyana
3290, Voice of Guyana, Sparendaam, 0634-0640. Talk in English by man, apparently BBC programming. Poor signal with fading and lots of static making it difficult to understand the subject discussed. 1/13/2012 (Evans - TN)

3290, Voice of Guyana, Georgetown 0945-1002. Male announcer with morning devotional program and "Answers to Life's Questions." Statiob ID and music at 1000 UTC. Fair signal quality. (Scott Barbour, NH)

India
9425, All India Radio National Channel, Bengaluru, 2249-2255. Non-stop Hindi music. Moderate signal strength with atmospheric noise and occasional deep fades. Weaker but less noisy parallel heard on 9470 (Aligarh). (Jim Evans, TN)

9470, All India Radio National Channel, Aligarh, 2249-2255. Non-stop Hindi music. Poor to moderate signal strength with only minor fading. Stronger but noisy parallel noted on 9425 (Bengaluru). (Jim Evans, TN)

4820.82 AIR Kolkata(presumed) 1356-1420. Mostly talk to occasional short music clip. Signal strength almost fair but no competition for the S-9 band noise. Would have been readable were it not for the noise. On this freq next three mornings. (John Wilkins, CO/Cumbre DX)


Indonesia
4750.015, RRI Makassar, 1145-1200. Noted a female in Indonesian with comments until about 1148 when music is heard. Specifically hear a female singing. Signal remain a threshold level during the period. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Iran
7320 Iran, V.O.I.R.I., Kamalabad 1431. Chorus with anthem, woman with sign-on (listed Bangla), Islamic call to prayer, 1435 man with news. Poor signal. (Harold Seller, Canada)

Libya
11600, Radio Télévision Libye - Radio Libye, *1612-1806* Station sign on with French talk and lite French instrumental music. French ballads. IDs. Talk. Fair, but some occasional strong noise. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Madagascar
5010.00, Radio Madagasikara, 0238-0300. Carrier + USB. Local African music. Rooster crows. Malagasy talk. Poor to fair in noisy conditions. Jan 13. Thanks to Ron Howard tip. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Mali
5995, RTVM, 0725-0800.* Continuous vernacular talk. Flute interval signal and a closing French announcement at 0759. Fair, but co-channel interference from Radio Australia at their 0758 sign on. (Brian Alexander, PA)
　
5995, RTVM, 0645-0701* Various male/female announcements in Arabic to indigenous music bits. Announcer's tentative ID at 0700. Music bit into talk then pulled the plug. Signal weak but clear and fair at best. (Scott Barbour, NH)

Mauritania
7245, IGIM, *0550-0610. Abrupt sign on with local chants. Good. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Mexico
6009.96, Radio Mil, 0850-0905. Spanish pop music. Spanish IDs at 0859 and back to Spanish pop tunes at 0900. Poor in noisy conditions. (Brian Alexander, PA)

North Korea
11680, KCBS, Kanggye, 2251-2300. Classical vocal music with announcements in Korean by woman between selecions. Announcements by woman at 2259 followed by pips on the hour, and more talk. Poor signal with fading and Portuguese language co-channel interference. Stronger parallel noted on 9665. (Jim Evans, TN)

Oman
9410 BBC relay, 1509 English service with “World Briefing” taking an in-depth look at news stories, 1514 tune-out. Very poor signal. (Harold Sellers, Canada)

Palau
9965 Via Radio Australia 1411 Chinese. Language lesson teaching English to 1424, then Chinese program. Poor, //11660 via Shepparton. (Harold Sellers, Canada)

Peru
5038.18, Radio Libertad de Junin. Came here from Tarma at 1035 and found fairly good signal, certainly best Andean signal on the band. Morning folklorico program, nice huaynos with yipping singers backed by guitars. At 1040 reverb taped ads followed by very nice, live ID by announcer "...en la ciudad de Junin, amables oyentes, ustedes escuchando a Radio Libertad . . . esperando le gusta . . . la musica nacional . . " Then into huayno with lady and guitar. (Ralph Perry,IL/Cumbre DX)

6173.931, Radio Tawantinsuyo, 0050-0100. Noted a truly threshold signal here with music until 0052 when a male comments for a minute. Language seemed to be Spanish, but uncertain due to weakness of the signal. Station remained active, but dropped into the noise as the top of the hour approached.(Chuck Bolland,FL)

Suriname
4990, Radio Apintie Paramaribo 1006-1011. Service listed as Dutch. Female announcer with talk between up-beat music bits. Station ID announcments & "Radio Apinitie" jingle ID. male announcer at 1010 then signal rapidly faded out. (Scott Barbour, NH)

USA
9655 KNLS-Alaska. Heard at 1502. English service under Radio Romania Int’l, with man and woman, program lineup, song, 1507 another ID. Poor. (Harold Sellers, Canada)

WYFR frequency updates

Via Babcock, UK

All times UTC

WYFR
1700-1800 9430 WOF 250 kW 107 deg to SoEaEUR Turkish
1800-1900 9885 WOF 250 kW 105 deg to SoEaEUR Turkish
1700-1800 9530 SKN 300 kW 110 deg to NE/ME Arabic

1800-1900 9660 WOF 250 kW 140 deg to NoAF Arabic
1900-2000 9685 DHA 250 kW 260 deg to WeAF Hausa
1800-1900 11875 ASC 250 kW 065 deg to WeCeAF Igbo
1900-2000 11665 ASC 250 kW 065 deg to WeCeAF Yoruba
1900-2000 9705 MEY 250 kW 340 deg to WeCeAF English
2000-2100 15520 ASC 250 kW 065 deg to WeCeAF English
2000-2200 15195 ASC 250 kW 065 deg to WeCeAF English
1600-1800 17545 ASC 250 kW 085 deg to CeAF English
1830-1930 17660 ASC 250 kW 085 deg to CeAF French
1700-1800 6045 DHA 250 kW 225 deg to EaAF Amharic
1700-1800 11975 WOF 250 kW 128 deg to EaAF Somali
1800-1900 9895 DHA 250 kW 230 deg to EaAF English
1900-2000 9805 DHA 250 kW 210 deg to EaAF Swahili, exMEY
1600-1700 6175 MEY 250 kW 076 deg to SoEaAF Malagasy
1700-1800 5925 MEY 100 kW 076 deg to SoEaAF French
1500-1600 21840 ASC 250 kW 115 deg to SoAF English
1800-1900 5890 MEY 100 kW 015 deg to SoAF English
1900-2000 3230 MEY 100 kW 005 deg to SoAF English
1900-2000 5850 MEY 100 kW 005 deg to SoAF English
1900-2000 9885 MEY 250 kW 340 deg to SoAF English
1900-2000 3955 MEY 100 kW 076 deg to SoAF Portuguese
1900-2000 5935 MEY 100 kW 335 deg to SoAF Portuguese
1300-1400 17735 DHA 250 kW 100 deg to SoAS Kannada,
1300-1500 17810 DHA 250 kW 100 deg to SoAS Telugu/Tamil
1400-1500 9855 DHA 250 kW 105 deg to SoAS Marathi
1400-1500 15520 DHA 250 kW 090 deg to SoAS Hindi
1500-1600 11610 DHA 250 kW 100 deg to SoAS English
1500-1600 11995 DHA 250 kW 090 deg to SoAS English
1600-1700 11740 DHA 250 kW 090 deg to SoAS English
1000-1200 9955 HBN 100 kW 345 deg to EaAS Korean
1200-1300 17880 DHA 250 kW 095 deg to EaAS Thai
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 13)
(DX Mix News 713 via Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany)

Radio Australia frequency updates

Via Babcock, UK

All times UTC

Radio Australia
0100-0130 11780 SNG 100 kW 340 deg to SoEaAS Burmese
0500-0530 11700 SNG 100 kW 140 deg to SoEaAS Indones
1100-1300 6140 SNG 100 kW 013 deg to SoEaAS English
1600-1630 9580 SNG 100 kW 340 deg to SoEaAS Burmese
0400-0430 17840 HBN 100 kW 270 deg to SoEaAS Indones via T8WH Angel 4
1300-1430 9965 HBN 100 kW 318 deg to EaAS Chinese via T8WH Angel 4
0000-0030 9490 DHA 250 kW 105 deg to SoEaAS Indones
2200-2330 9525 DHA 250 kW 105 deg to SoEaAS Indonesian
2200-2400 9855 DHA 250 kW 090 deg to SoEaAS English
2300-2330 5955 DHA 250 kW 085 deg to SoEaAS Burmese

(DX Mix News 713 via Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany)

FEBA Radio frequency updates

Via Babcock, United Kingdom

FEBA Radio
2145-2215 11985 ASC 250 kW 027 deg to WeAF Pulaar Thu-Tue
1830-1845 15250 ASC 250 kW 070 deg to WeCeAF French
1600-1630 12125 ERV 300 kW 192 deg to EaAF Amharic Thu-Sun
1600-1630 12125 ERV 300 kW 192 deg to EaAF Guragena Mon-Wed
1630-1700 12125 ERV 300 kW 192 deg to EaAF Amharic
1600-1630 11875 KIG 250 kW 030 deg to EaAF Afar
1630-1700 9850 DHA 250 kW 230 deg to EaAF Tigrinya Sun-Wed
1630-1700 9850 DHA 250 kW 230 deg to EaAF Amharic Thu-Sat
1700-1800 9595 KIG 250 kW 030 deg to EaAF Orominya/Tigrinya
1700-1730 6180 DHA 250 kW 215 deg to EaAF Somali
1730-1800 7510 ERV 300 kW 192 deg to EaAF Silte
0800-0830 15220 MOS 300 kW 115 deg to NE/ME Arabic
1800-1930 9550 KIG 250 kW 030 deg to NE/ME Arabic
0200-0230 6125 DHA 250 kW 045 deg to WeAS Pashto
0230-0300 6125 DHA 250 kW 045 deg to WeAS Dari (R Sadaye Zindagi)
0300-0315 6125 DHA 250 kW 045 deg to WeAS Mixed langs
1500-1530 9400 ERV 300 kW 100 deg to WeAS Dari (R Sadaye Zindagi)
1530-1600 9400 ERV 300 kW 100 deg to WeAS Pashto
1400-1445 7230 NVS 250 kW 195 deg to SoAS Urdu/Balti
0000-0030 7485 TAC 100 kW 131 deg to SoAS Bangla
0030-0045 7485 TAC 100 kW 131 deg to SoAS Hindi Sun/Wed
0030-0045 7485 TAC 100 kW 131 deg to SoAS Mixed langs Mon/Tue
0030-0045 7485 TAC 100 kW 131 deg to SoAS Bangla Thu-Sat
0045-0100 7485 TAC 100 kW 131 deg to SoAS Hindi
1500-1530 7485 TAC 100 kW 131 deg to SoAS Bangla
0200-0230 7315 DHA 250 kW 060 deg to SoAS Urdu Sun
0200-0215 7315 DHA 250 kW 060 deg to SoAS Urdu Mon-Sat
0215-0230 7315 DHA 250 kW 060 deg to SoAS Mixed langs Mon-Sat
0800-0830 15205 DHA 250 kW 060 deg to SoAS Urdu
1200-1230 15215 DHA 250 kW 085 deg to SoAS Tibetan
1430-1445 9650 DHA 250 kW 070 deg to SoAS Urdu/Punjabi
1445-1500 9650 DHA 250 kW 070 deg to SoAS Kashmiri/Punjabi Wed-Sat
1445-1500 9650 DHA 250 kW 070 deg to SoAS Punjabi Sun-Tue
(DX Mix news 713 via Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany)

Radio Bulgaria slated to leave shortwave January 31

Bulgaria

Dear listeners and friends of the short waves and Radio Bulgaria, With a huge regret to inform you very bad news. After more than 75 years in the world broadcasting from January 31, 2012 at 2200UT Radio Bulgaria cease broadcasting on short and medium waves. The solution is that Radio Bulgaria is not necessary now its short waves and medium waves listeners. The reason -no money for broadcast on short and medium waves. And who listens to short waves today? Already has internet. Maintaining the short waves was "Mission Impossible"! Hope dies last. As a frequency manager in the last 19 years my main task was to provide best quality signal of Radio Bulgaria in worldwide coverage. There will be no short waves, there will be no frequency manager.
For all people who work in Radio Bulgaria that bad news is shock and horror Beginning of the end. But expect your moral support.

Please send e-mail to:

Albanian section: albanian@bnr.bg
Bulgarian section: bulgarian@bnr.bg
English section: english@bnr.bg
French section: french@bnr.bg
German section: german@bnr.bg
Greek section: greek@bnr.bg
Russian section: russian@bnr.bg
Serbian section: serbian@bnr.bg
Spanish section: spanish@bnr.bg
Turkish section: turkish@bnr.bg

and from January 14, 2012: http://www.saveradiobulgaria.com/
Thank you and goodbye,
Ivo Ivanov

P.S. SW txs Kostinbrod & Padarsko will be destroyed in the next few months.
(DX Mix News 713 via Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany)

Radio Netherlands Program Guide, Jan. 13-19

The State We're In
This week: The call of duty

After almost seven decades, a former Dutch resistance fighter admits she assassinated the wrong man. A Canadian woman tries to help the poor and finds her idealism challenged. An out lesbian photographer tries to create beauty amongst the violence she and other gay women face in South Africa. And an ex-Mafia princess explains her struggle to go straight.

First airing: Saturday 02:00 UTC

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

This week:

It may be cold outside, but we’re warming to winter, meeting people who like to feel the chill. From a husky dog breeder to a long distance skater, to the man who helps improve the lives of people who live in winter cities.

First airing: Friday 03:00 UTC

South Asia Wired
Stories from South Asia.

This week:

Manika Jha, a 23-year-old Nepalese journalist, is threatened in her own country because she isn’t afraid to write about the oppression of Nepalese women in the Tharai region. She was in the Netherlands and South Asia Wired spoke to her.

(There'll be a new edition of the programme on Thursday 19 January)

First airing: Thursday 10:00 UTC

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

This week:

Somalis living in the Netherlands protest over Dutch plans to ban the mild narcotic, khat.
Revered for defeating apartheid, but is South Africa’s liberation movement any good at government? We have a special report on the ANC, 100 years old this month.
The Ethiopian Krar Collective revisit the ancient music of their native homeland.

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.

This week: Understanding the beat of Freetown

Europe has been fascinated with Africa for centuries. This is reflected in recent work of a young academic who wanted to know how people experience music in the capital of Sierra Leone, Freetown. To conduct his research, he didn’t visit libraries. Instead he went to bars and discos and music shops and asked how certain beats move and inspire Freetonians.

For this original perspective the German-Polish anthropologist won the yearly Africa thesis award presented by the Africa Studies Centre in Leiden in the Netherlands.

First airing: Monday 19:00 UTC

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

This week: Education for life - by Anna Lewis (UK). A young woman is determined to transform herself.

First airing: Tuesday 01:50 UTC

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

This week: Who says I can’t escape?

Canada is a nation of immigrants. Its self-image as a safe haven for refugees is a point of national pride. But there is always a gatekeeper, a bureaucrat in an immigration office who says you can - or can’t - come in. And that’s where broadcaster Natasha Fatah begins the story of Eduardo Lopez in her documentary Escape from Honduras, from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

First airing: Monday 17:30 UTC

European Jazz Stage
Unique jazz performances from the continent’s hottest clubs, concert halls and festivals, including the spectacular North Sea Jazz Festival.

This week:

Fusion is jazz's second nature. Mixing styles and ideas has been part of jazz culture right from the start, a century ago.

Join host Benjamin Herman for three groups that mash up jazz with other influences: Galliano, Rubalcaba, Bona & Penn; the Toon Roos Group featuring Peter Erskine; and Roy Hargrove's RH Factor.

First airing: Monday 01:00 UTC

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

Available 24 hours a day

Radio Netherlands streaming audio: www.radionetherlands.nl/

QSL Report Central

AustraliaVMC Charleville Meteo, Charleville QLD, 16546 USB. Full data logo/flaEe-QSL in two days for an email English report. Thanks for Alokesh Gupta for pointing me to the correct person to send the reports to! You can send yours to Mr. Navin Chandran, N.Chandran@bom.gov.au. Navin informs me that the previous QSL Manager, Mike Dalakis, has retired and he has assumed Mike's duties. (Al Muick, PA)

Clandestine
Radio Mada International, 15670 kHz. E-QSL from Christian Lehmann. Received in 45 days for E-report to radiomada.int.gmail.com (T Banks, TX)

France
3AC Monaco Radio, 8728 kHz. Date only notation on QSL sheet (photo and letter). Received in 11 days for two IRCs and English airmail report. QSL is in French with a short thank you in English. (Muick)

French Guyana
Radio Taiwan relay, 9840 kHz. Full data Taiwan skyline card, unsigned. Received in 38 days for English report. (Banks).

Germany
NHK/Radio Japan 15445 kHz relay via Wertachtal, Germany to the Middle East. Full data Kochi Prefecture QSL card with transmitter site notation. Also received a program schedule and a blank reception report from. Received in 38 days. (Edward Kusalik, Alberta, Canada)

Radio Farda 7280 kHz. Full data RFE/RL card in 139 days from Prague address. (Frank Hillton, SC)

North Marianas Island
Radio Free Asia 7390 kHz via IBB/Voice of America Tinian transmitter site. Full data card with site notation for special RFA/Hamfest 2011 Tokyo Japan QSL card. Received in 29 dayd=s for an email report. (Kusalik)

Romania
Overcomer Ministry program 15610 kHz via Trganeshti transmitter. Partial data QSL card (date, frequency, trasmitter) card of multi-scenes, signed by Bro. Stair. Verification letter and schedule included. Received in 14 daayas for a postal report to Wasterboro, South Carolina address.

Russia
St. Petersburg Regional Center, 6135 kHz. Full data commemorative QSL card in 13 days for English email report on Spanish Vof Russia program, signed by Mikhail
Timofeyev. Also sent very beautiful 10th anniversary pennant which will hang proudly on my wall. Truly a beautiful card showing the beauty of the St. Petersburg area and broadcast tower. (Muick)

United Arab Emirates
Polish Radio Warsaw relay via Abu Dhabi 9650 kHz. Verification letter from Slawek Szefs. Received in 56 days for letter to Warsaw address. (Hillton)

Babcock relay stations winter schedules

Effective to: 25 March 2012

All times UTC

Polish Radio External Service
1400-1430 on 15245 WOF 125 kW / 062 deg to EaEu Russian
1400-1430 on 15770 WOF 125 kW / 070 deg to EaEu Russian
1430-1500 on 15245 WOF 125 kW / 075 deg to NEEu Belorussian
1500-1530 on 9580 WOF 125 kW / 078 deg to WeEu German
1530-1600 on 9580 WOF 125 kW / 066 deg to EaEu Russian
1600-1630 on 11905 WOF 125 kW / 078 deg to NEEu Ukrainian
1630-1730 on 6050 WOF 125 kW / 082 deg to NEEu Polish
1730-1800 on 9545 WOF 250 kW / 105 deg to N&ME Hebrew
1800-1900 on 3955 SKN 250 kW / 106 deg to WeEu English
1900-2000 on 5920 WOF 125 kW / 070 deg to NEEu Belorussian
2000-2100 on 5920 WOF 125 kW / 070 deg to NEEu Polish
2200-2300 on 7330 WOF 250 kW / 282 deg to NEAm Polish
2200-2300 on 15260 SAC 250 kW / 285 deg to NEAm Polish