BBG Budget News Including Plans for Shortwave

 The Broadcasting Board of Governors, consisting of VOA, RFE/RL, Radio Free Asia, Radio/TV Marti, Radio Sawa and Alhurra, is slated for a $24 million budget reduction in fiscal year (FY) 2019.  Of course, Congress will review and probably will modify the President's budget request for BBG and other agencies. 

Here are excerpts from the budget request pertaining to shortwave:
 TSI [Technology, Services and Innovation, i.e. BBG engineering] continues to move the BBG from traditional broadcasting technologies, such as cross-border radio transmissions on shortwave (SW) and mediumwave (MW serving regions where these platforms are no longer popular, to other delivery systems that are rapidly growing in effectiveness and are less expensive to operate (e.g., FM radio, DTH satellite, internet streaming, mobile, and social media).

As part of its multi-year global network realignment, TSI will continue to focus efforts on upgrading its shortwave capacity at the Kuwait Transmitting Station, even as use of SW decreases. With superior strategic location and extremely low operating costs, this station will be able to serve the overwhelming majority of legacy SW audiences in the most cost-effective manner possible, at a fraction of the cost of other BBG operated site or expensive leased capacity.

Over the years, the use of shortwave (SW) radio has declined globally.  TSI has responded by consolidating broadcasts to more cost-effective transmitting stations and reducing or even eliminating SW where it is no longer relevant. In markets where SW does still retain a sizable, valuable audience, TSI is committed to making SW service available in the most cost-effective way possible.

To meet this need, TSI has been upgrading the Kuwait Transmitting Station (KTS), which enjoys a superior strategic location and extremely low operating costs. In FY 2017 TSI continued to expand that facility, and in FY 2018 TSI will procure and install new antennas.  In FY 2019, TSI is committed to investing in the KTS expansion further, utilizing whatever resources may be available, in order to realize
longer-term savings. Ultimately, the BBG's goal is to be able to serve most legacy SW audiences from this one site, at a fraction of the cost of all the other transmitting stations, so that other, more expensive sites may be scaled back or closed.

Philippines relay will close:  In FY 2017, TSI completed the closure of the station in Sri Lanka and in FY 2018 will close the BBG facility in Poro, Philippines.  TSI’s systematic and thorough review of all transmission leases will continue in FY 2019, identifying further opportunities for savings.  In the years between 2010 and 2016, total costs associated with Cross Border Radio (SW and MW ) have declined by over $25 million (34.5%), and we expect this decrease to continue as we respond to market needs and as the Administration and Congress authorize us to shutter less effective legacy facilities.

In China, including Tibet, TSI will continue to provide satellite TV and radio service via Telstar 18, the most popular satellite in China, for only a fraction of the cost of the BBG's legacy shortwave and
medium wave transmissions to the region.  This allows TSI to leverage the widespread use of satellite receiver dishes across the country and provide accessible programming where local cable and
internet access is restricted . In FY 2018, TSI will procure additional satellite capacity on this satellite, allowing BBG to simultaneously distribute HD and SD TV programming and capitalize on the migration of Chinese audiences to HDTV, while not stranding legacy SD users.

Radio remains a very popular platform in many BBG markets, particularly Africa. BBG global weekly radio audiences increased by a stunning 28 million in 2016 alone and by 35 million since 2012. While shortwave continues to be a relevant means of delivery in several African markets, in most countries rapid growth and competition in the media market have shifted radio habits almost entirely towards FM.  The BBG provides 24/7 FM radio programming in over 30 markets across the
continent.

But good news for Kuwait and Greenville stations. As part of its multi-year global network realignment, TSI will continue to focus efforts on upgrading its shortwave capacity at the Kuwait Transmitting Station, even as use of SW decreases.  With superior strategic location and extremely low operating costs, this station will be able to serve the overwhelming majority of legacy SW audiences in the most cost-effective manner possible, at a fraction of the cost of other BBG operated sites or expensive leased capacity.

The BCI [broadcasting capital improvement] funds in FY 2018 (and base funds in FY 2019) will be used to continue the planned reconfiguration and expansion of the shortwave broadcast infrastructure at the Kuwait Transmitting Station.  This will allow BBG to enhance transmission to multiple regions, including Africa, and achieve cost savings for shortwave broadcasts.  Because of the very low cost of electrical power in Kuwait, the Kuwait Transmitting Station is the least expensive IBB
station to operate.  This project will allow the agency to shift mission-critical but higher cost transmissions from other stations in the IBB network to Kuwait.

TSI will install and deploy three newer SW transmitters at the Greenville, NC Edward R. Murrow transmitting station enabling a doubling of frequencies servicing Cuba and making it extremely
difficult for the Cuban government to effectively block Radio Marti signals into the Island.

To serve audiences in less developed areas of the world, the BBG must continue to broadcast via traditional technologies, such as shortwave, and maintain capability and improve efficiency on these platforms by replacing antiquated equipment.  But to stay relevant in competitive news markets and serve current and future audiences, the BBG must continue to invest in new cutting-edge technology.  
In areas where ownership and usage of shortwave radio has declined significantly, the Agency has evolved away from broadcasting in that medium.  The BBG has closed transmission stations, repurposed equipment and invested these savings in platforms that the audience has shifted to, primarily television and digital media.
(AWR Wavescan/NWS 472)

Special Report: History of Broadasting in Zambia

A brief history from Ray Robinson of KVOH Los Angeles, on the history of broadcasting in Zambia

Jeff:  Formerly known as Northern Rhodesia, Zambia is located in southern central Africa, and it is a landlocked country bounded by the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique on the east, Zimbabwe on the south, and Angola and Namibia on the west and southwest.  Its area of 290,586 square miles makes it somewhat smaller than Turkey but larger than Texas. 

The population of 7 million consists mainly of the Bemba and Tonga ethnic groups, although there are several smaller groups as well.  The official language is English, but over 70 other languages are also spoken.  About 15% of the population are Christian, whereas the remainder practice tribal religions.  Ray Robinson joins us now with the history of radio broadcasting in Zambia.

Ray:  Thanks, Jeff.  Zambia consists mostly of high plateau country covered with thick forests, the altitude varying from about 3,500 to 8,000 feet.  It is drained by a number of rivers, the best known one being the Zambezi, which separates it from Zimbabwe, and from which the country takes its name.

In the south on the border with Zimbabwe is the 175-mile long Lake Kariba, formed by the Kariba Dam across the Zambezi.  It is the site of one of the world's largest hydroelectric projects, opened in 1960.

The history of Zambia, or Northern Rhodesia as it was formerly known, goes back to the early 19th century when various Portuguese explorers traversed the country between Angola on the west coast of Africa and Mozambique on the east, both Portuguese colonies. In 1850, Dr. David Livingstone reached the Zambezi from the south, and in 1855 he discovered the Victoria Falls on his famous missionary journey. 

It is worth mentioning here that the Victoria Falls greatly surpass Niagara in dimensions. The width of the falls is one mile, with a maximum height of 420 feet.  Although of great volume, Niagara has parallel drops of only 158 and 167 feet, which makes Victoria Falls nearly twice as wide, and about two and a half times higher than Niagara.

Cecil Rhodes obtained mining concessions in Zambia in 1889 from King Lewanika of the Barotse tribe in the southwest, and he sent settlers to the area.  The country was under the administration of the British South Africa Company from 1889 to 1924, when a British protectorate was established. 

 In 1953, Northern Rhodesia became part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, which was dissolved in 1964.  On 24 October 1964, Zambia became an independent republic within the British Commonwealth, with Dr. Kenneth Kaunda as its first President.

It was not until World War II that Northern Rhodesia acquired a radio service.  In 1941 the Government's Information Department installed a 300 watt transmitter in Lusaka, the capital.  This station was built for the purpose of disseminating war related information.
 From the outset, the Lusaka radio station addressed programs to Africans in their own languages, becoming the pioneer in the field of local vernacular broadcasting.  In 1945 Harry Franklin, Lusaka's far sighted information officer, proposed that Radio Lusaka concentrate on developing programming for Africans.

Since Northern Rhodesia could not afford such a specialized service on its own, the administrations of Southern Rhodesia and Nyasaland were persuaded to share in the operating costs, while the British Government agreed to provide the initial capital funds.  Thus, the Central African Broadcasting Station came into being. 

Among the by-products of this effort were the world's most extensive collection of ethnic African music, and a breakthrough in that most formidable barrier to audience growth, the lack of a receiver which Africans could afford to buy.  Franklin tried for three years in the late 1940s to persuade British manufacturers that a potential mass market existed among Africans for a very simple inexpensive battery-operated shortwave receiver.  One must bear in mind that this was before the days of transistors.  He finally persuaded a battery company to invest in the research and development of the idea. 

One of the early models was mounted experimentally in a 9-inch diameter aluminum (or, aluminium) housing, originally intended as a saucepan.  Thus was born in 1949 the famous "Saucepan Special", a 4-tube tropicalized short wave receiver, which succeeded even beyond Franklin's expectations.  It cost five pounds Sterling, and the battery, which lasted 300 hours, was an additional one pound five shillings. 
 Within the first three months, 1,500 of the Saucepan Specials had been sold, and in the next few years, 50,000 sets were imported.  Franklin had hopes of capitalizing on a world market for the sets, but within a few years the transistor radio came into mass production and so his brainchild became a mere historical curiosity.

In 1953, Federation came, and in 1958 a new broadcasting organization, the Federal Broadcasting Corporation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was founded, with headquarters in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe).  Lusaka continued to use African languages as well as English, but the spirit which had animated the original station had long since been drowned by the rising tide of animosity between the tribes.  Eventually in 1964, Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland broke away from the Federation and were granted independence as Zambia and Malawi. 

The station in Lusaka was then known as the Zambia Broadcasting Corporation until 1966, when it changed to Zambia Broadcasting Services (ZBS).  This was again changed at the end of 1988 to the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC).  The ZNBC is a Government department, now under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services (MIBS).

For many years, ZNBC broadcast a “General Service” and a “Home Service” on both AM and shortwave transmitters that covered the country.  However, with the implementation of FM transmitters in the major population centers, the AM transmitters were all switched off some years ago.

ZNBC also used to broadcast an “External Service” called Radio Zambia International, beamed to Southern Africa over a 50 kW transmitter.  Much of the programming was anti-apartheid material produced by nationalist political groups. However, after South Africa gained majority rule in 1991, the need for this service evaporated, and it went off the air.

These days, there are now four ZNBC domestic radio services, known as:
  Radio 1 (the former General Service)
  Radio 2 (the former Home Service)
  A National Assembly channel (which carries parliamentary proceedings)
  Radio 4 – a mostly English language Christian music station

The first three channels are widely available throughout the country on FM, but for the fourth network, the 2018 edition of WRTH only lists four low-power transmitters, and on a visit I made to Lusaka last month, the Radio 4 transmitter there was off the air.

Radios 1 and 2 also used to be carried on shortwave to fill in the rural areas where the FM signals do not reach.  Equipment failures are a constant problem, and Radio 2 has not been heard on shortwave since about 2012.  It’s a pity, because Radio 2 is primarily an English language channel.  It is believed that the shortwave transmitter for Radio 2 has been cannibalized to keep the transmitter for Radio 1 on the air.

Radio 1 itself was also off the air for some months last year, but it was just reactivated on 5915 kHz in January 2018.  The transmitter is a 100 kW Continental model 418-E, usually run at about half power into an omni-directional antenna.

It is now generally on the air daily from 0245-2205 UTC (4:45 am -12:05 am local Central African Time), broadcasting mostly in seven local languages: Bemba, Nyanja, Lozi, Tonga, Kaounde, Lunda and Luvale, but also with news bulletins in English at the top of each hour

The languages are used in rotation, and programs include news, public affairs, light entertainment, sport, religion and education.  School broadcasts are also carried during school semesters, and there are agricultural programs for farmers in the country areas.  The station interval signal is the distinctive call of the fish eagle, a striking reddish-brown, black winged bird with white head and breast, found throughout southern Africa.

The best time to hear this station in North America is around sign-on and immediately thereafter, when there is a path of darkness across the Atlantic.
   
 Our thanks to Colin Miller in Sarnia Ontario Canada for the original script regarding the radio scene in Zambia, and to Ray Robinson at KVOH in Los Angeles California for the update in the Zambia radio scene, and for information regarding their Voice of Hope shortwave station in that same African country.
(AWR-Wavescan/NWS 470)

From the Isle of Music & Uncle Bill's Melting Pot schedules

From the Isle of Music, April 8-14:
April is Jazz Appreciation Month around the world, and we are going to celebrate by taking a look at some of the roots of modern Cuban Jazz in both Cuba and the United States. This week, we are going to dive into some of the epic Cuban Jam Session recordings made in the Panart (now Areito) studios in Havana in the 1950s.
Four opportunities to listen on shortwave:
1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area in most of the Eastern Hemisphere (including parts of East Asia and Oceania) with 100Kw, Sunday 1500-1600 UTC on SpaceLine, 9400 KHz, from Kostinbrod, Bulgaria (1800-1900 MSK)
2. For the Americas and parts of Europe, Tuesday 0000-0100 UTC on WBCQ, 7490 KHz from Monticello, ME, USA (Monday 8-9PM EST in the US). This has been audible in parts of NW, Central and Southern Europe with an excellent skip to Italy recently.
3 & 4. For Europe and sometimes beyond, Tuesday 1900-2000 UTC and Saturday 1200-1300 UTC on Channel 292, 6070 KHz from Rohrbach, Germany.

Uncle Bill's Melting Pot, Sunday, April 8
Episode 57 is a Polish Polka Party featuring the music of Frank Wojnarowski's orchestras.
Sundays 2200-2230 UTC (6:00PM -6:30PM Eastern US) on WBCQ The Planet 7490 KHz shortwave from the US to the Americas and parts of Europe.
In recent weeks the signal has had a nice bounce to Spain, Italy and Switzerland as well as Iceland, Ireland and parts of the UK. Also audible in Brasil, Paraguay and points North.
William "Bill" Tilford, Owner/Producer

Good news for listeners in Europe:
Uncle Bill's Melting Pot, a program of world music (including Americana), novelty and comedy songs which currently airs on WBCQ 7490 on Sundays, is adding a transmission for Europe effective May 1.   This new transmission will air on Channel 292 Tuesdays from 2000-2030 UTC on 6070 Khz (right after From the Isle of Music on that frequency).Tilford Productions, LLC

Shortwave Radiogram weekend schedule

Mark in the UK received five images (on his Icom IC-7200 transceiver, also pictured), 1 April, 2330-2400 UTC, 7780 kHz from WRMI Florida.

Hello friends,

Program 41 of Shortwave Radiogram was inauspicious. First, the promised transmission Friday at 2030 UTC did not happen because WRMI's automated playout system had not been updated. (I had a suspicion that would happen). Then, as I was listening to the Saturday 1600 UTC show, I had a sense of déjà vu. Ultimately I realized that, due to a production error on my part, the story about plastics in the ocean was broadcast twice, at the expense of the advertised item about SSTV from the International Space Station. I fixed that mistake, and the correct stories were broadcast Sunday and Monday.

You can view, and decode from, Scott's video of the Sunday 2330 UTC broadcast at https://youtu.be/
_KdRVwHBfkM. And Mark in the UK maintains an audio archive of all Shortwave Radiograms here.

The program that has replaced Shortwave Radiogram Saturday at 2030 UTC on 7780 and 9455 kHz is about US military retirement, with emphasis on reserve military pensions. If that subject interests you, this might be a useful program.

Let's hope for no mishaps this weekend, because it will be a complicated show. It will include text and images in MFSK128, MFSK64, and MFSK32. Usually MFSK128 is too fast for typical shortwave conditions, so expect to see some errors. In general, this is my rule of thumb for the MFSK modes ...

Mode	Text speed wpm	Appropriate for reception condition …
MFSK16	55	Poor
MFSK32	120	Fair (typical)
MFSK64	240	Good
MFSK128	480	Excellent (e.g. local VHF or UHF)

After the closing announcements will be two surprise modes. However, for readers of this email, I will reveal that the first of the surprise modes will be Olivia 64-2000, mixed with some strange noises. The same Olivia 64-2000 will also be transmitted this weekend on The Mighty KBC during its digital mode segment.

Please note that the first broadcast is today, Friday, at 2030 UTC, admittedly not a convenient hour for pre-retired North Americans.

Here is the lineup for Shortwave Radiogram, program 42, 6-9 April 2018, in modes as noted:
 
 1:38  MFSK32: Program preview
 3:09  MFSK128: Scientists find new black holes in Milky Way*
 5:57  MFSK64: NASA commissions new supersonic plane*
10:19  MFSK32: NZ's Rocket Lab readies first commercial launch*
16:00  Interference threat from wireless power transfer*
23:06  DSWCI publishes new domestic shortwave broadcasting list*
25:06  Closing announcements and surprise modes

Please send reception reports to radiogram@verizon.net

 And visit http://swradiogram.net

Twitter: @SWRadiogram (even if you do not have a Twitter account, visit https://twitter.com/swradiogram to see last weekend's and this weekend's results)

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/567099476753304

Shortwave Radiogram Program 42 (6-9 April 2018)
Friday	2030-2100 UTC	7780 kHz 9455 kHz	MFSK32, MFSK128, MFSK64, MFSK32, and surprise modes	WRMI Florida
Saturday	1600-1630 UTC	9400 kHz		Space Line, Bulgaria
Sunday	2330-2400 UTC	7780 kHz		WRMI Florida
Monday	0800-0830 UTC*	7730 kHz 5850 kHz		WRMI Florida

 * MFSK32 has been transmitted on the program "Broad Spectrum Radio," 0700-0800 UTC, same frequencies.

The Mighty KBC transmits to Europe Saturdays at 1500-1600 UTC on 9400 kHz (via Bulgaria), with a minute of Olivia 64-2000 (replacing the usual MFSK32) at about 1530 UTC (if you are outside of Europe, listen via websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/ ).  And to North America Sundays at 0000-0200 UTC (Saturday 8-10 pm EDT) on 5960 kHz, via Germany, with the minute of Olivia 64-2000 at about 0130 UTC.  Reports to Eric: themightykbc@gmail.com . See also http://www.kbcradio.eu/ and https://www.facebook.com/TheMightyKbc/.

Italian Broadcasting Corporation (IBC)  For the complete IBC transmission schedule visit  http://ibcradio.webs.com/ ; Five minutes of MFSK32 is at the end of the 30-minute English-language “Shortwave Panorama,” per the schedule below:

Italian Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) Broadcasts in English with MFSK32 during the last five minutes of each
Tuesday	0100-0230 UTC	5950, 7730 kHz	Americas
Wednesday	2000-2030 UTC	5845, 6070 kHz	Europe/Middle East/Asia
Friday	0100-0130 UTC	9955 kHz	Americas
Friday	0230-0300 UTC	5985 kHz	Americas
Saturday	0030-0100 UTC	9395 kHz	Americas
Saturday	0130-0200 UTC	5850, 5950, 7780, 9455 kHz	Americas
Sunday	0030-0100 UTC	7730 kHz	Americas
Sunday	1030-1100 UTC	6070 kHz	Europe

Thanks for your reception reports! 

Kim

Kim Andrew Elliott, KD9XB

Producer and Presenter
Shortwave Radiogram
Reporting on international broadcasting at https://twitter.com/kaedotcom

Domestic Broadcast Survey 2018, now available

Musicians at the entrance to Le Lux Thai Cultural Show near Pukhet, Thailand

(photo by Anker Petersen)

The New DOMESTIC BROADCASTING SURVEY (20th edition, April 2018) is now available. Edited by Anker Petersen, its 16 pages, covering 2850-17900 kHz, can be downloaded FREE OF CHARGE from http://www.dswci.org/ : from menu click Domestic Broadcasting Survey, Latest Issue.

This year's edition lists in frequency order, all active Domestic shortwave stations, based on loggings from DXers around the world during the past year. An invaluable aid to your shortwave hobby.

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Sun's sonargram 

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts

:Issued: 2018 Apr 02 0443 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html#
#                Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 26 March - 01 April 2018
Solar activity was mostly at very low levels with the exception of 30 Mar when an isolated C4/Sf flare was observed at 30/0804 UTC from Region 2703 (S08, L=193, class/area Axx/010 on 31 Mar). Associated with the flare was a Type II radio sweep (805 km/s) and a coronal mass ejection (CME) off the east limb first observed at 30/0840 UTC in SOHO/LASCO C2 imagery. No Earth-directed CMEs were observed during the period.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached high levels throughout the period with a maximum flux of 43,750 pfu observed at 28/2045 UTC.

Geomagnetic field activity began the period under continued effects from a negative polarity coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS). Solar wind speed ranged from approximately 450-550 km/s on 26-27 Mar with total field between 2-8 nT. By 28-29 Mar, solar wind speeds slowly returned to nominal levels while a solar sector boundary crossing was observed around 29/0710 UTC into a positive sector.
Solar wind speed showed a slight increase in speed to 380-480 km/s from 30 Mar-01 Apr with total field variable between 2-9 nT suggesting possible intermittent connections with a northern polar
extension positive polarity CH HSS. The geomagnetic field was mostly quiet with periods of unsettled activity observed on 26-27 Mar and again on 31 Mar.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 02 April - 28 April 2018

Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels with a slight chance for a C-class flare from 02-10 Apr due to potential further activity from Region 2703. Very low levels are expected through the
rest 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 moderate to high levels on 02-04 and 12-28 Apr due to CH HSS influence.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at unsettled to active levels on 05-07, 10-16, 18-23 Apr with G1 (Minor) storm levels likely on 12 Apr due to recurrent CH HSS activity.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2018 Apr 02 0443 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html
#
#      27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
#                Issued 2018-04-02
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2018 Apr 02      69           5          2
2018 Apr 03      69           5          2
2018 Apr 04      69           5          2
2018 Apr 05      69           8          3
2018 Apr 06      69           8          3
2018 Apr 07      69           8          3
2018 Apr 08      69           5          2
2018 Apr 09      69           5          2
2018 Apr 10      68          10          3
2018 Apr 11      68          15          4
2018 Apr 12      68          20          5
2018 Apr 13      68          18          4
2018 Apr 14      68          18          4
2018 Apr 15      68          15          4
2018 Apr 16      68          10          3
2018 Apr 17      68           5          2
2018 Apr 18      68           8          3
2018 Apr 19      68          15          4
2018 Apr 20      68          15          4
2018 Apr 21      68          15          4
2018 Apr 22      68          12          4
2018 Apr 23      69          10          3
2018 Apr 24      69           5          2
2018 Apr 25      69           5          2
2018 Apr 26      69           5          2
2018 Apr 27      69           5          2
2018 Apr 28      69           5          2
(NOAA)

April Specials from Airmail Postage & DX Supplies

Dear Customer,
Below are DX supply Offers and news for APRIL 2018. 

 DX Supplies 2018:  Sorry to say, but I do not plan to restock Euro or stateside envelopes once they sell out. Envelope sales for 2017 were half the envelope sales of 2016, and a dismal 20%  of what I sold in 2013. I know 2018's selling pace will be even slower. Below are listed new envelope ordering options designed to maximize sales based on what I have on hand.  QSL Albums and pages will not be restocked either, once supply is exhausted. At this point, it just doesn't make sense to re-stock items that take so long to sell...or not to sell.   DX Postage: Some countries will be deleted over time, when supply is exhausted.  US Discount postage offers will continue, as this is the only area of my business that shows growth. It's something.  Fountain Pens:   I'll continue my pen selling efforts at local flea/craft fairs and hamfests...plus it's a day out to socialize...a good break. I have 11 events planned for this year---will certainly add 5+ new ones.

MY EYE on SUPPLIES:

I will keep you informed of supply stock in future emails.

Both sizes of Stateside envelopes are in shortest supply.
European AIR Mailers are next.

QSLing Methods have changed greatly since I started this business about 35 yrs ago!!

That beautiful 1914 green jade Sheaffer Ladies flat top pen is now in proper hands.

 Hamfest at Cherryville was well attended. Great coverage in local paper before and after event.  Zero sales of DX envelopes or QSL albums tho...(and at last yr's Sussex Hamfest, I had same result...), but unloaded a nice qty of 1930s mech. pencils...Buyer knew what he wanted and found a nice double ended red/blue mech. pencil from the 1930s and a 1922 silver plated one as well.

***Was very pleased to get a plug on YouTube via Ham Nation episode 341..... I am not N2MZZ tho.

DISCOUNT POSTAGE!!:  The Forever stamps I have listed below in the grid are mostly full sheets. Single Forever stamps:  Offered CHEAP!!  100 for only $42.00  Email me to reserve.

 HAMFESTS & Flea Markets/Craft Shows:

 April 28th: Branchburg Middle School, Baird Rd, Branchburg, NJ with fountain pens & mechanical pencils.

May 5th: Ringoes Grange, Rt 179, Ringoes, NJ with pens and mech. pencil hoard.

July 15th: Sussex Hamfest, Augusta, NJ with pen/pencil hoard.

 FOUNTAIN PEN & PENCIL PRICE LIST:  Request your updated copy today.

NEW FOREIGN RATES:  

   Russia now 45 P = 45 Rubles
   On April 2nd, Portugal increases from 0,80 to 0,91...no problem their Int. forever stamp covers new rate.
   On April 4th, Ireland increases from 1,35 to 1,50
***IF you notice rate increases, let me know.***

IN STOCK AGAIN: 

 STAMPS ON BACK ORDER:   Thailand
STAMP PRICE LIST UPDATE:

U.S. DISCOUNT POSTAGE DEALS!!

Save Big on your domestic mailings when you plaster 

 your envelope with colorful vintage stamps!

HAPPY  MAILING!!

50c units	Forever		in  3 stamps	4 stamps	5 stamps
x 100	$46.00		$43.00	$42.00	$41.00
x 200	$88.00		$65.00	$64.00	$63.00
x 500	$215.00		$160.00	$159.00	$158.00

        Sent to USA addresses only.        

Add $1.00 for P&H

       APRIL 2018  DX  SUPPLY  OFFERS

NOTE: NEW Envelope Options With NEW PRICING!!!

50/50 European Plain Mailers and Plain Returns - $16.00

200/200 European Plain Mailers and Plain Returns - $45.00

400/400 European Plain Mailers and Plain Returns - $85.00

200/200 European AIR Mailers and Plain Returns - $45.00

400/400 European AIR mailers and Plain Returns - $85.00

European AIR Returns are SOLD OUT.

Wanna Use Just the One larger Euro Mailer Envelope?

$ave on These Clearance Deal$!

400 European AIR Mailers only - $40.00

400 European PLAIN Mailers only - $40.00

Stateside Envelope Supply Almost Sold Out. 

200/200 STATESIDE Mailers and Returns - $25.00

400/400 STATESIDE Mailers & Returns - $45.00

Slightly Damaged QSL Binder Sale!

(slight cut or break in green vinyl)

Buy Now & $ave!!

2 Standard Albums - $55.00

100 #6-3/4 Forever Stamped Envelopes - $47.00

(save a little on shipping and order with other supplies!)

Only 3 remaining!!!

Priority Mail Shipping Rates: Orders up to $40.00 add $9.00, orders from $41.00 to $100.00 add $15.00. orders from $101.00 to $150.00 add $20.00, orders over $150.00 add 15%. When ordering supplies and stamps, the stamps ride free, just use supply total to figure shipping costs. Shipments to Canada and overseas ship at a greater cost. (07/2015 modified)

Stamps Only Orders: Just add $1.00 P&H for posting to USA, add $2.00 for posting to Canada.

73, bill

William Plum

12 Glenn Road
Flemington, NJ 08822
908 788 1020
Email: plumdx@msn.com

Radio Sawa to Scale Back Regional Broadcast

(IBB.gov)

In cost-saving move, BBG network plans to focus its OTA transmissions just on Iraq
James CarelessMar 28, 2018

To save $9.5 million in 2019, the U.S. government’s Arabic language broadcaster Radio Sawa plans to restrict its FM and AM transmissions to Iraq. This will mean the end of Radio Sawa’s radio service, AM and FM, to the rest of the Middle East.

In addition, Radio Sawa’s country-centric feeds for Egypt, the Gulf, Jordan, Lebanon, Mauritania, Morocco and Sudan will be terminated, both on air and online at www.radiosawa.com. The remaining Radio Sawa Iraq feed will be streamed.

Cuts to Radio Sawa are part of a bigger reduction for the Broadcasting Board of Governors in proposed federal budgets for FY 2018 and 2019. Billing itself as “America’s civilian international media agency,” the BBG oversees the Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Radio Free Asia (RFA), Alhurra TV and Radio Sawa (under Middle East Broadcasting Networks — MBN), and Radio and TV Martí. The BBG budget was proposed at $661.1 million for FY 2019, down from $685.2 million in 2018 and $786.6 million in 2017.

A BBG information page says, “Radio Sawa attracts young audiences by playing contemporary Arabic and Western music with news and information programs. It is one of the most popular radio stations in the countries where it can be heard on FM.” So why is the BBG reducing Radio Sawa from a Middle Eastern regional broadcaster to an Iraq-only station?

Additional story at: https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/radio-sawa-to-scale-back-regional-broadcasts

Marconi Radio plans two special broadcasts

Marconi Radio International has planned two special broadcasts, from 1630 to 1930 UTC, as follows: on 7 April 2018 on 7720 kHz (100 Watts, USB Mode) and on  9 April 2018 on 6970 kHz (1000 watts, USB mode). 

The aim of those broadcast, are to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the New Zealand DX League  with the hope that at least one of the frequencies will propagate to New Zealand. Reception reports to:  marconiradiointernational@gmail.com 
Regards,
Marconi Radio International