Propagation news and forecast update

ARLP035 Propagation de K7RA

ZCZC AP35
QST de W1AW
Propagation Forecast Bulletin 35 ARLP035
From Tad Cook, K7RA
Seattle, WA August 24, 2007
To all radio amateurs

SB PROP ARL ARLP035
ARLP035 Propagation de K7RA

Conditions were quiet this week, with no geomagnetic disturbances and most days had zero sunspots. For the past two days, August 22-23, the sunspot number was 11 and 12, indicative of a single sunspot group.

Slightly unsettled conditions are expected this weekend, with a planetary A index from August 24-30 expected at 8, 15, 15, 12, 8, 8 and 5. Sunspot activity is expected to remain low, as lone sunspot 969 moves across the sun.

Geophysical Institute Prague predicts quiet conditions for August 24, unsettled August 25, quiet to unsettled August 26, quiet August 27, unsettled August 28, and quiet again August 29-30.

Back in ARLP032 dated August 3, this bulletin said if the average sunspot number for August is above 20, then we will see another rise in our three-month moving average, which was also shown in that issue. Instead, for the three weeks and two days of this month we've had eight days of no sunspots, and the average sunspot number for the month thus far is 8.7. So perhaps early this spring was not the sunspot cycle minimum. Note the average sunspot numbers for March and April of this year were 9.8 and 6.9. Monthly averages seemed to be rising, until now.

Jerry Reimer, KK5CA wrote to us recently about NVIS propagation (Near Vertical Incidence Skywave, or high angle radiation for local or regional coverage). In his email, he wrote, ''NVIS experimenters and practitioners would do well to always consider the foF2 and fMUF values, available here:
http://www.sec.noaa.gov/ftpmenu/lists/iono_day.html . For most of the U.S., 40m is currently well above what is usable for NVIS propagation. Sometimes 60m is not usable, and this can sometimes also include 75/80m for some areas. Many people are confused when their low ''NVIS'' antenna (often a resonant horizontal wire dipole at 6-20 feet) is ineffective for high angle propagation above the fMUF, while it is effective in working stations over 200 miles away. Most of these antennas radiate signals at all angles, not just the highest angles, and the lower angle signals are refracted with more favorable S/N ratios than are the vertical signals, which pass through the F-layer. For reliable NVIS propagation, it is critical to select a frequency which is 50-80 percent below the fMUF''.

In that list that Jerry referenced, there are isosonde stations in North America, one of which may be local to you. Each page lists a latitude and longitude, but the format may be unfamiliar. They use an odd longitude reading that goes from zero degrees on the prime meridian east, covering the full 360 degrees. So if the number is E359, that would be one degree west of the meridian. For these stations in North America, just subtract the number shown from 360 to get the approximate location of the ionospheric sounding. For Dyess, it shows the location as N32E260. This would be 32 degrees north latitude, 100 degrees west longitude, because 360 minus 260 is
100.

Locations you might check, shown with the states they are in, are Millstone Hill (MA), Point Arguello (CA), Boulder (CO), Bear Lake (UT), Wallops (VA), Eglin (FL) and Dyess (TX).

The critical frequency you are looking for is in the foF2 column.
An interesting article about ionosondes is at
http://www.prc68.com/I/MWI.shtml .

Another list of stations is
http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/stp/IONO/StationP12.html
, but I don't know where to get data from these.
(Source: Dave Raycroft/ODXA)

Harris Expands Broadcast Operations in Brazil

8.24.2007
Harris Corp. is expanding its presence in Brazil.
It said it has a growing customer base in the South American broadcast product, systems and services market. In September it will move its Alphaville office to a larger facility in the Brooklin neighborhood of São Paolo.
The expanded office will serve as regional headquarters for Harris Broadcast Communications’ Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) operations.
Broadcast Division President Tim Thorsteinson said Harris “considers Brazil to be one of the most promising and fastest-growing broadcast markets in the world.” Nahuel Villegas is regional vice president for CALA.

Also in Brazil, Dielectric hopes to expand its business through a new deal. It will work with Trans-Tel, a manufacturer of RF products that designs and installs systems. Dielectric will provide RF antennas and components that complement Trans-Tel’s line; the latter will provide engineering support and service in its market while acting as Dielectric’s certified technical consultant in the country.
The companies noted emerging business opportunities related to DTV deployment in that populous nation.

(Source: RWOnline)

Deutsche Welle begins DRM service to India

8.24.2007
German international service Deutsche Welle has launched DRM transmissions to India of its English-language services.
According to Peter Senger, director of DRM for Deutsche Welle and chairman of the DRM consortium, the commitment of the German international broadcaster shows that the DRM take-off in India is “on the right track.”
With the Indian government having decided to convert all medium- and shortwave transmitters to the DRM standard, Deutsche Welle programs are available in FM-like quality across much of the subcontinent.
During a DRM trial conducted by All India Radio, the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union and the DRM Consortium in May, Deutsche Welle transmitted DRM signals from its Trincomalee relay station in Sri Lanka.

Northeast Leads in HD Radio Rollout

8.24.2007
The HD Radio rollout is the most advaced in the northeastern region of the United States.According to an analysis from BIA Financial Network prepared for the Radio World HD Radio Scoreboard in the Sept. 1 issue, 13.8% of stations in that region are on the air with the digital radio format. The south-central states lag all other regions at 7.8% on the air.
Statistics are provided by BIAfn using Ibiquity data. The scoreboard appears in the HD Radio News section of next week’s RW.
(Source: RWOnline)

Shortwave Log Summary

The following is a sample from the recent MARE Log Summary, of stations logged from June - August 2007.

All freqs are in kHz and times/dates UTC unless otherwise noted.
* indicates a sign-on or sign-off time
(p) indicates a presumed station (ID not heard)
(t) indicates a tentative ID heard
SWBC relay sites are per published references such as Passport to
World Band Radio, World Radio TV Handbook or station web sites.

0000-0100
4780 Radio Cultural Coatan, Guatemala; SS, Jul (HF,JW)
6040 Radio Budapest, Hungary; Jun (LC)
6055 REE Spain; EE, Aug (BC)
6925-6950 North American pirates; Aug (JW)
6971.2 Galei Zagal, Israel (p); HB, Jun (HF)

0100-0200
4052 Radio Verdad, Guatemala; SS, Aug (JW)
4780 Radio Cultural Coatan, Guatemala; SS, Jul (HF,JW)
4810 Radio Transcontinental, Mexico; SS, Aug (JW)
4885 Radio Clube do Para, Brasil; PP, Aug (JW)
5025 Radio Rebelde, Cuba; SS, Aug (JW)
5070 WWCR Nashvile TN, USA; EE, Aug (JW)
6925 North American Pirates; Jul (HF)

0200-0300
3185 WWRB Manchester GA, USA; EE, Jul (HF)
6195 Radio Budapest, Hungary; Jun (LC)
6875-6954 North American Pirates; Jul (HF)
6890 WWRB Manchester GA, USA; EE, Jul (HF)
7250 Voice of Russia via Armenia; RR/GG, Aug (JW)

0300-0400
4780 Radio Djibouti; AR, Jun (JW)
5910 Radio Republica, presumed via Germany; SS, Jun (JW)
6055 Radio Exterior de Espana; SS, Jun (JW)
6080 Radio Prague, Czech Rep.; EE, Jul (JW)

0400-0500
3955 Family Radio via Great Britain; GG, Jun (LC)
4052.5 Radio Verdad, Guatemala (p); SS, Jul (HF)
7475 Foni Tis Helladas, Greece; GK, Jun (JW)
9860 Voice of Russia (via Vatican); EE, Jun (JW)
9865 Radio Farda via Morocco; LL, Jun (JW,LC)
9880 Voice of Russia; EE, Jul (JW)
9970 RTBF Belgium; FF, Jun (JW)

0500-0600
4052 Radio Verdad, Guatemala; EE, Jun (JW)
4770 Radio Nigeria Kaduna; EE, Jun (JW)
9600 Voice of America via Botswana; EE, 0530*, Jun (JW)
9615 Radio New Zealand Int'l; EE, Jul (JW)
9685 Channel Africa, South Africa; EE, Jul (JW)
9865 Radio Farda via Morocco; LL, Jul (JW)

0600-0700
5995 RdfTV Malienne, Mali; FF, Jun (LC)
9740 HCJB, Ecuador; Low GG, Jun (LC)

0700-0800
7125 RdfTV Guinieene, Guinea; FF, Jun (LC)
9740 HCJB, Ecuador; High GG, Jun (LC)

1000-1100
3279 La Voz del Napo, Ecuador; SS, Jun (JW)
4919v Radio Quito, Ecuador; SS, Jun (JW)
5025 Radio Rebelde, Cuba (p); SS, Jul (JW)

1500-1600
11730 Radio Japan; EE, Jun (JW)
13775 Radio Austria Int'l via Canada; EE, Jun (JW)

1700-1800
11775 University Network via Anguilla; EE, Jun (JW)
11780 Radio Nacional da Amazonia, Brasil; PP, Jun (JW)
11960 HCJB, Ecuador; EE, Jun (JW)
12160 WWCR Nashville TN, USA; EE, Jun (JW)

1900-2000
11092.5 Radio St. Helena (p); USB, Test, Jul (JC)
11590 Kol Israel; EE/FF, Jun (HF)
11990 Radio Kuwait; EE, Aug (JW)
17735 Radio Netherlands via Bonaire; EE, Jun (JW)

2000-2100
11092.5 Radio St. Helena (p); USB, Test, Jul (HF)

2200-2300
6090 University Network via Anguilla; EE, Jul (HF)
6160 CKZN St. Johns NL, Canada (p); EE, Jul (HF)
9790 Radio Romania Int'l; EE, Jul (HF)
9989v Radio Cairo, Egypt; EE, Jun (JW)
11440 Radio Continental, Argentina, SS, LSB feeder, Jun (HF)
13845 University Network via WWCR Nashville TN; EE, Jul (HF)
15344 RAE Argentina; SS, Aug (BC)

2300-2400
4835.6 RTV Mali; FF, Aug (HF)
5030 Radio Burkina, Burkina Faso; FF, Aug (HF)
5995 RTV Mali; FF, Aug (HF)
11440 Radio Continental, Argentina, SS, LSB feeder, Jun (HF)
11700 Radio Bulgaria; EE, Jul (JW)
12133.5 AFRTS, Key West FL, USA; EE, USB, Jun (HF)
13700 RDP Int'l, Portugal; PP, Jul (HF)

Language abbreviations used for SWBC:
AK Afrikaans GG German PD Pidgin
AR Arabic GK Greek PP Portuguese
CC Chinese HB Hebrew QC Quechua
DU Dutch IT Italian RR Russian
EE English JJ Japanese SS Spanish
FF French KR Korean TG Tagalog
LL Unid or Other VN Vietnamese

REPORTERS:
(BC) B. Carney, MI
(HF) H. Frodge, MI
(JC) J. Coatsworth, Canada
(JM) J. Miller, MI
(JW) J. Wood, TN
(LC) L. Cameron, MI
(Source: MIchigan Area Radio Enthusiasts, Inc)

The Allure of Radio

"Whatever happens, (Radio) is by its nature the poor relation in broadcast media: and poor relations are much easier to love than rich ones."
The new listeners
In this age of high-definition TV and digital gadgets, surely no one tunes in to radio any more. So how come listener figures are soaring? Zoe Williams thinks she has the secret to the allure of the airwaves
Friday August 24, 2007The Guardian
It is difficult to keep interested in facts, unless there is an obvious loser. So last week's Rajar figures posed a conundrum: radio listenership is soaring.
Commercial radio's overall reach is at its highest for four years and, in the second quarter of the year, advertising earned the stations a whopping £150m. BBC stations, ceding some of their audience share to the flourishing commercial sector, nevertheless record brilliant numbers. Chris Moyles is hoovering up listeners as if they were Pringles: he now has Radio 1's breakfast listenership up to 10.87 million. It is closing the gap with Radio 2, which is by no means struggling itself, at 13.7 million listeners. Its director, Lesley Douglas, is so popular in the corporation that she can have as much money as she wants, for anything, and they are currently trying to clone her on the back of a mouse. The digital stations BBC 6 Music and the speech-only BBC7 inspire Joan of Arc-like loyalty.
Audience-wise, Radio 3 looks to the uninitiated like the poor relation (1.78 million out of the UK's total 45.6 million listeners), but in other ways it remains a heavy hitter: it is the largest commissioner of new music in the world, with insiders portraying it as an artistic patron on the scale of Louis XIV. (Roger Wright, the controller, remarks in a measured way, "People do describe us like that, forgetting we are a radio station. And it's true that there are certain things that we do and that the licence fee allows us to do which we wouldn't do if audience numbers were our only consideration." Of which, more in a minute.)The commercial sector is gaining on the BBC, recording its highest listener-share at 43.5%. Virgin, to pick one example, has increased its audience by 200,000, to record its highest numbers for four years.
Listening figures for digital radio, meanwhile, have increased from under a million in 2003 to 12 million in the first quarter of this year. That is more than a quarter of the UK population, listening through either digital sets, televisions or the internet: when you consider how many people can't work out how to use Freeview, and didn't know you could listen to the radio through it anyway, that proportion is phenomenal.
Old people think they are the only ones listening to radio because the young have taken over the telly with their shouty nonsense. Young people think they are the only ones listening to it because old people don't know how to use it properly (4.4 million listeners access the radio via their mobile phones, up more than 25% on last year: 1.8 million of them are 15-24). The middle-aged (which I mean in the old-fashioned sense: people who are neither young nor old; me) think we are the only ones listening to it, for both of those reasons. Radio's popularity does not simply climb - it dovetails with new technology, so that, unlike television (and, ahem, print), it can see web developments as a boon rather than a threat. And it does not just dominate the mainstream, it picks up new listeners, from new generations, listening in new ways. TV would kill for a growth curve like this. When did radio get so good?
It is partly just the way the internet-cookie crumbles. Podcasts have worked very well for radio, intensifying listener loyalty. Three of the top 20 downloads on iTunes are BBC shows, and they are not even serials (Chris Moyles, Russell Brand and Colin Murray) - you're not even going to miss anything, in other words; there is no narrative arc, this is just chat, so called "linear" entertainment, stuff you want on all the time, when you're ironing (although I can't see Moyles's fans doing much ironing ... or Murray's, for that matter).
When people download pirated television shows, or avail themselves of the natural wonder that is Sky Plus, it is for "on-demand" viewing, the kind of thing that also comes in a DVD box set, the kind of thing that is, frankly, most often American.
Television here has been hoist with its own petard. Buying shows from America seemed like a brilliant idea, and indeed it was. It is cheaper and quicker than making them yourself, and they are good. But they give the viewer a different relationship with the telly: we are empowered by the box set. We need not sit through that woman shouting at toddlers. TV cannot compete with its own foreign imports any more, which would be just about bearable if those imports weren't also available via the internet: where technology has been a facilitator to radio, it is a competitor to telly. The act of just flicking on the set to see what is on is very old-fashioned now, and it shows in the demographic trends. The average Briton watches 25 hours and 30 minutes of telly a week; for the average 16- to 24-year-old, that drops to 18 hours 20 minutes.
But none of that would make any difference if radio were not superior in the first place. For this article, I canvassed opinion from all over radio - from controllers, DJs and producers. All their points were very different, all were incredibly convincing. If you were to stake them out, though, and pin down their thumping heart, I think it would be: follow the money. TV costs too much; the stakes are too high; the tolerance of risk is too low; and it attracts the wrong sort of people ...
An independent producer of local radio from the Midlands, who wished to remain nameless, said: "Even before these Rajar figures [showing commercial local radio dominating the commercial share overall], I would have said the main difference between radio and TV is that community radio is, or can be, quite cool, where community TV is rubbish." There is something uniquely depressing about regional television, which is nothing to do with local talent or anything else. The sheer cheapness of it makes it look unprofessional and schlocky and like it's just about to fall over, which has a certain knock-on effect on its credibility, even when it's talking about something as local and believable as the weather. The invisibility of radio, besides making it much cheaper, closes the gap between national and regional output, in terms of production quality, and all the benefits of being local come to the fore: a sense of community, of immediacy, of belonging.
John Cassels set up The Saint FM in the Essex town of Burnham-on-Crouch eight years ago, and the station really typifies how low overheads can work in a medium's favour: everyone involved is a volunteer, it will not even have a permanent licence until the end of this year (it has been running off one-month licences for nearly a decade), and yet the Rajar figures show a very substantial 10% listenership in the area it reaches. "I suppose it's more immediate [than television]," says Cassels, "because it's less bulked out with all that clobber."Stuart Maconie, who does the Radcliffe and Maconie show Monday to Thursday on Radio 2, delights in the more generalised sense of proximity you get from this disembodied voice. "It's much more intimate and alluring, isn't it? When you see someone on television, you think they're talking to everyone but you. When you hear someone on the radio, you think they're only talking to you.
"You know how it is with telly - everyone says they want to do something brilliant and original, but really they want something that everyone else is doing, that they know works." There is a risk-culture in radio, which paradoxically increases that sense of intimacy. The mistake television makes is to think that the less demanding the content, the more universal the experience will be. In fact, the opposite is true: the more people are stretched beyond what is familiar to them, the greater their sense of identification and belonging.
Of course, you will never get 20 million people listening to a concert of new music on Radio 3. But that is not a thought that causes much dismay. Even the most popular radio station in the country - Radio 2 - has yet to embrace the idea that listener figures are all. Radio 4 pretends to be proud of its massive listenership (11.2% of the total share, second only to Radio 2), but privately, many of its producers envy the more esoteric, devil-take-the-listening-figures approach of 3. Roger Wright outlines the priorities of the station, which are focused "particularly on new work, both new music and new writing. We wouldn't have a programme like [the 'arts and ideas' show] Night Waves in the heart of the evening schedule if all we wanted to do was to get people listening to us. We're also about patronage; it's about supporting new ideas as well as juxtaposing the classical cannon, both in music and in drama. So you genuinely try to take people further than they wouldnormally go." Wright is not what you would call a show-off, but he does concede, "If you pulled our investment away, the cultural life of the whole country would be denuded."
Of course the commercial sector is much more, well, commercial, but the days are gone when the music was just there to separate the adverts. I think adverts play a very different role in commercial radio than they do in television.
Because TV is much greedier for your attention in the first place, it requires you to sit still and usually not read or crochet or anything; adverts, then, are a sensory relief. They present no relief on the radio, just an interruption of the intense and intricately imagined relationship going on between the presenter and the listener. This would explain why radio adverts have never taken any place in the cultural-historical silt; advertising is the one aspect, indeed, of the media in which television succeeds creatively and radio does not. But as a result, TV has been much readier to imbibe the values of the advertising industry, viz, go for bulk; if someone else is getting more than you, copy them; if it turns out later that you are after ABC1s and not just any old scumbag, it is always easier to skim off flotsam than to start from scratch.
And then, of course, there is the trusty archive. The two great success stories of the BBC's digital output, 6 Music and 7, are essentially object lessons in the proper use of a back catalogue: in the case of music - ie, 6 - the answer is to reinstate elitism. Commercial radio and, of course, Radio 1, have playlists, which are repetitive and governed entirely by the market and as mainstream as they could be. They leave little room for idiosyncrasy or expertise. I would say 6 Music was inconsistent, but that is because I don't like everyone on it: it would not be idiosyncratic if it were possible to like them all. I like Gideon Coe a lot. Sorry, I digress: the point of the station, as a whole, is to de-democratise. Take the emphasis off interactivity - if everyone wants to have a go, they can go to a karaoke bar.
And at the risk of sounding too BBC-centric - this bit has to be, really: the Beeb's the one with the archives - BBC7 introduces us to archiving as an art form, rather than just 100 Best Ways To Do Something Really Cheap. Mary Kalemkerian, the channel's controller, is terribly well thought-of for turning what could have been a sub-visual UK Gold into the most successful digital channel there is, unless you count Five Live's cricket coverage (which they undoubtedly do). The distinctive thing about her approach is that with comedy (much of the station's output) she is not looking for kitsch or nostalgia, but for programmes that actually make people laugh. Not that even she would claim a 100% success rate. "We have a regular feature called the Comedy Controller," she says, "in which we invite a well-known comedian to select six of his favourite archive shows. Bill Oddie chose some programmes, and he said, 'My God, I remember these being really funny.' And he said so on air.Some of these things just don't last." Again, it comes down to discernment, a word so old-fashioned it even looks dated on the page.
In conclusion, radio is not blooming by accident: it commands a very great loyalty, for every one of these reasons and no doubt just as many again, and they all boil down to the same thing. Whatever happens, it is by its nature the poor relation in broadcast media: and poor relations are much easier to love than rich ones.
· Guardian Media Group owns 37 radio stations under networks that include Smooth Radio and Real Radio.
http://media.guardian.co.uk/radio/comment/0,,2155442,00.html
(Source: Fred Waterer/ODXA)

United Christian Broadcasters extends UK audience

United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) is to extend its DAB Digital radio broadcasting reach across England and Wales with the addition of five regions which, with its existing London and Stoke licences, will mean that virtually all major cities in England and Wales will be able to hear Christian radio, most of them for the first time.

UCB will commence broadcasting in the new regions on 1 October 2007 taking its potential audience on the DAB Digital radio network to just under 30 million adults, according to communications regulator Ofcom.

MXR Limited, which operates the five DAB Digital radio networks, covering almost 18 million adults, invited UCB to apply for access to their North East, North West, Yorkshire, West Midlands and Severn Estuary regions in March.

UCB is actually launching two radio stations across the five regions: UCB UK and UCB Inspirational. UCB UK is UCB’s ‘flagship’ station which is currently being broadcast on DAB Digital radio across London and much of Staffordshire.

Towns and cities able to receive UCB’s DAB Digital radio broadcasts for the first time will include Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Bradford, Leeds, Sheffield, Hull, Lincoln, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Coventry, Swansea, Cardiff, Bristol and Bath.
(Source: UCB via Ray Woodward/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

RTÉ Radio audience increases

Irish public broadcaster RTÉ says it’s pleased with the latest Joint National Listenership Research (JNLR) figures which demonstrate that strategic schedule changes are paying dividends.

Managing Director of RTÉ Radio, Adrian Moynes said: ”I’ve always said we’re in this for the long haul. RTÉ Radio made strategic changes last year on RTÉ Radio 1 and RTÉ lyric fm, and earlier this year on RTÉ 2fm. The initial signs are that listeners are welcoming those changes. We are determined that this pattern will continue.”

RTÉ Radio broadcasts 9 out of the Top 10 most popular national radio programmes, with RTÉ Radio 1’s leading programmes all making gains compared to the last set of figures. RTÉ Radio 1 has also seen growth in weekend listenership for sport and for the arts, features and drama.

RTÉ 2fm has seen increases throughout the entire schedule, and its daytime share in Dublin increased by 2% points.
(Source: RTÉ/Radi Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

HCJB Glocal launches search for new president

HCJB Global has launched a worldwide search to find a new president to replace David Johnson, who announced he will step down in September 2008 after more than six years of success and major accomplishments as leader of the international missions organization. HCJB Global’s Board of Trustees have established a four-man presidential search team, which has already begun the process of looking for a replacement for Johnson.
In an unrelated announcement, Dr Ron Cline, who will turn 70 in January 2008, will retire as chairman of the board of HCJB Global after 25 years at the helm. Cline will continue to host “Beyond the Call,” an inspirational daily radio programme, and serve in a new role created by the board – global ambassador for HCJB Global. Dr James D Allen, HCJB Global’s senior vice president, will replace Cline as board chairman in September of this year.
(Source: HCJB Global/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Radio Japan shortwave schedule changes during re-engineering

Radio Japan advises on its website that some of its shortwave transmissions will change site and/or frequency due to re-engineering of its transmission facilities.
The Arabic transmission at 0700-0730 UTC currently on 15220 kHz via Ascension Island will move to Meyerton (South Africa) from 29 August onwards. From 28 October the site changes again to Rampisham (UK) and the frequency will change to 9440 kHz.
The broadcast in Japanese at 2200-2300 UTC via Ascension Island will change its frequency from 9655 kHz to 11955 kHz from 29 August onwards.
(Source: NHK Online/Radio Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Radio Netherlands Program Preview August 25 - 31

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

SATURDAY 25 AUGUST
*** The State We're In ***
This week on The State We're In:

This week on The State We're In, we ask how we're treating the old, or are they called the elderly, or senior citizens? Well, first we figure out what to call them! Then we look into how the elderly are treated in modern Thailand.

A study shows that you lose your sense of humour as you grow older, so we ask a comedian specialised in jokes for the aged how to make 'em laugh. We meet the iCat, the feline android that will purr its way into your grandma's heart. And a resident of America's first retirement community for homosexuals tells us what it's like to live exclusively amongst the gay and grey.

Finally, we tell you the tale of the Dutch high school student who started the first float for gay and lesbian minors, and their parents, at this year's Amsterdam Gay Pride Parade.

And that's in The State We're In this week.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 1000 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1100 (Eastern N America), 1500 (South Asia), 1800 & 2000 (Central, East and South Africa), 0000 (Eastern N America), 0100 (Central N America), 0400 (Western N America)

Note that on Saturday we also run repeats of:
Network Europe on SW: 1400 (South Asia)
The Research File: 1430 (South Asia)

Amsterdam Forum and Echoes: 1900 and 1944 respectively (Central, East and South Africa)

SUNDAY 26 AUGUST
*** Amsterdam Forum ***
Why are the poorest countries in the world failing and what can be done about it?

Aid alone will never be enough to help the world's poorest countries. And if the 'bottom billion' are to escape the pitfalls that have kept their economies stagnant for decades, Western governments will have to offer much more than money.

In some cases they may even have to send troops. That's what Paul Collier argues in his latest book, 'The Bottom Billion'. Collier, former director of development research at the World Bank, says global poverty is falling. But fifty failing states, the worlds poorest people, face a tragedy that is growing inexorably worse. Why do these states defy all attempts to help them? And why does current aid seem unable to make a difference? What is the best way to help the world's poorest?

Tune in on Sunday 26th to hear Paul Collier's new agenda for action.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 1000 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1100 (Eastern N America), 1500 (South Asia), 1800 & 2000 (Central, East and South Africa), 0000 (Eastern N America), 0100 (Central N America), 0400 (Western N America)

Repeated: Sat 1900 (Central, East and South Africa)

*** Echoes ***
Our new listener feedback programme. Mindy Ran responds to your comments, queries and complaints about our programmes. And featuring every week A Critical Eye - commentary from Perro de Jong.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 1045 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1145 (Eastern N America), 1545 (South Asia), 1845 & 2045 (Central, East and South Africa), 0045 (Eastern N America), 0145 (Central N America), 0445 (Western N America)

Repeated: Sat 1945 (Central, East and South Africa)

Note that on Sunday we also run repeats of:
Flatlanders or EuroHit 40: 1400 (South Asia)
Arts and Culture: 1430 (South Asia)
The State We're in: 1900 (Central, East and South Africa)

MONDAY 27 AUGUST
*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.
Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 1000 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1100 (Eastern N America), 1400 & 1530 (South Asia), 1800, 1930 & 2030 (Central, East and South Africa), 0000 (Eastern N America), 0100 (Central N America), 0400 (Western N America)

*** Flatlanders ***
Have you ever wondered why it is that every time mankind solves one problem, we just end up creating another, sometimes even bigger, problem? Well the answer is, simply: stupidity. Our guest in the next edition of Flatlanders, Dutch philosopher and writer Matthijs van Boxsel, is devoting a life of scholarly research to the study of stupidity and is publishing his findings in 'The Encyclopedia of Stupidity'. The first introductory volume has already been translated into sixteen languages. Listen to what he has to say in the next edition of Flatlanders.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 1030 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1130 (Eastern N America), 1430 (South Asia), 1830 & 2000 (Central, East and South Africa), 0030 (Eastern N America), 0130 (Central N America), 0430 (Western N America)
Repeated: Sun 1400 (South Asia), Wednesday 1500 (South Asia) 1900 (Central, East and South Africa)

TUESDAY 28 AUGUST
*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.
Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 1000 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1100 (Eastern N America), 1400 & 1530 (South Asia), 1800, 1930 & 2030 (Central, East and South Africa), 0000 (Eastern N America), 0100 (Central N America), 0400 (Western N America)

*** The State We're In, Midweek Report ***
This week on The State We're In - Midweek Edition:

This week on The State We're In - Midweek Edition, we ask how we're treating the old, or are they called the elderly, or senior citizens? Well, first we figure out what to call them! Then we look into how the elderly are treated in modern Thailand.

A study shows that you lose your sense of humour as you grow older, so we ask a comedian specialised in jokes for the aged how to make 'em laugh. And we meet the iCat, the feline android that will purr its way into your grandma's heart.

All this and the human rights news, in this week's The State We're In - Midweek Edition.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 1030 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1130 (Eastern N America), 1430 (South Asia), 1830 & 2000 (Central, East and South Africa), 0030 (Eastern N America), 0130 (Central N America), 0430 (Western N America)
Repeated: Thu 1430, 1500 (South Asia), 1900 (Central, East and South Africa) Sun 1900 (Central, East and South Africa)

WEDNESDAY 29 AUGUST
*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.
Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 1000 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1100 (Eastern N America), 1400 & 1530 (South Asia), 1800, 1930 & 2030 (Central, East and South Africa), 0000 (Eastern N America), 0100 (Central N America), 0400 (Western N America)

*** Arts and Culture ***
"A Deep Cancer - The Collapse of Zimbabwe"

Zimbabwe used to be the breadbasket of southern Africa. Today it cannot feed itself. It has the world's highest inflation rate - over 1400 percent - and 80 percent of the population is unemployed. It's a state teetering on the brink of collapse.

Most Zimbabweans and outsiders blame the government of President Robert Mugable for this situation. Many Zimbabweans have had enough. Join Eric Beauchemin for "A Deep Cancer: The collapse of Zimbabwe" - the last programme in the four-part series "The Abyss".

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 1030 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1130 (Eastern N America), 1430 (South Asia), 1830 & 2000 (Central, East and South Africa), 0030 (Eastern N America), 0130 (Central N America), 0430 (Western N America)

Repeated: Fri 1500 (South Asia), 1900 (Central, East and South Africa), Sun 14:30 (South Asia)
THURSDAY 30 AUGUST
*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.
Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 1000 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1100 (Eastern N America), 1400 & 1530 (South Asia), 1800, 1930 & 2030 (Central, East and South Africa), 0000 (Eastern N America), 0100 (Central N America), 0400 (Western N America)

*** The Research File ***
This week in the Research File:
The Research File this week looks back a the strange weather of 2006. It seem like a climatic record was broken at last.

Also we'll take a closer look at biometrics - identification by measuring our bodies.
Then there is a new device which helps prevent side effects from radiation treatment in prostate cancer.
And we'll talk about Autism - are we seeing an epidemic?
So join us, for the Research File.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 1030 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1130 (Eastern N America), 1430 (South Asia), 1830 & 2000 (Central, East and South Africa), 0030 (Eastern N America), 0130 (Central N America), 0430 (Western N America)

Repeated: Mon 1500 (South Asia), 1900 (Central, East and South Africa), Sat 1430 (South Asia)
FRIDAY 31 AUGUST
*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 1000 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1100 (Eastern N America), 1400 & 1530 (South Asia), 1800, 1930 & 2030 (Central, East and South Africa), 0000 (Eastern N America), 0100 (Central N America), 0400 (Western N America)

*** Network Europe ***
A Pan European team links up across the continent each week to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

The programme is a unique example of European co-operation, produced by the continent's leading international broadcasters, it reflects the diversity of European society and voices. Each week we drop in on specialists around Europe and catch up with our extensive network of correspondents for their unique take on the events shaping the week.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC): 1030 (Asia/Far East/Pacific), 1130 (Eastern N America), 1430 (South Asia), 1830 & 2000 (Central, East and South Africa), 0030 (Eastern N America), 0130 (Central N America), 0430 (Western N America)

Repeated: Tues 1500 (South Asia), 1900 (Central, East and South Africa), Sat 1400 (South Asia)
(Radio Netherlands)
Photo/Radio Netherlands Madagascar Relay Station/remco.org

Congress should help unique local stations

By JOSEPH TORRES
You used to be able to drive cross-country and hear different sounds at every stop: classic country in Nashville, soul music in Memphis, zydeco in New Orleans, Tejano in Corpus Christi. Now you can go coast-to-coast and hear the same 15 songs in heavy rotation the whole way. It all sounds the same.

Runaway consolidation has virtually wiped out local music, culture and news on the radio dial. Companies like Clear Channel and Cumulus have swallowed up thousands of stations and piped in cookie-cutter content and canned playlists. Fewer stations employ reporters to cover local news, and fewer local artists are making it on the air.
Read more at:
The Tennessean
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070823/OPINION01/708230406/1008

More negotiations slated for internet radio and music industry

Large Internet radio operators and the music industry are expected to head to the negotiating table today in search of harmony on music streaming royalty rates. Some small Internet radio broadcasters are rejecting a new offer from a music industry group to pay discounted royalty rates for streaming music online through 2010.
Read more at:
New York Post
http://www.nypost.com/seven/08232007/business/musical_chairs_talk_at_negotia.htm
Forbes:
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/08/22/ap4045521.html
The Inquirer UK:
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=41870

Long-running Scandinavian program can edure on radio

The tradition of Scandinavian broadcasting is continued to this day by "The Scandinavian Hour," heard Saturdays on KKNW-AM (1150), likely the longest-running local show on Seattle radio + A longtime announcer, reporter and producer for KUOW-FM (94.9), Ken Vincent, has left the station, citing differences with management.
Read more from TV & Radio
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/tv/328664_radiobeat23.html

Iran to resume Daylight Savings Time in 2008

Iran will again start to observe Daylight Saving Time from 2008.

Majlis approves bill on clock change Thursday, 23 Aug 2007 09:32:14 Iranian Majlis has adopted a single-urgency bill regarding Summer Time, proposing to change official time twice a year.

The MPs, during their weekly open session on Wednesday, approved that the official clock would change once at the beginning of the Iranian calendar year (March 21) and once at the start of the second half of each year (September 23).

Daylight Saving Time (DST) also known as Summer Time is used to ultimately save energy. It involves adjusting the official local time forward during the summer months, therefore moving an hour of daylight from morning to evening and once oppositely in winter.
Of the 196 votes cast, 121 were in favor of general outlines of the bill, 54 against and seven abstained.
SF/SG/BGH http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=20379§ionid=351020102
[Note: the start of the Iranian calendar year varies from year to year in regard to the Gregorian calendar, thus the begin/end of DST will vary accordingly. More e.g. here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_calendar - bt]
(Source: Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania via Cumbre DX)

Blog Logs - Part 2

Thursday's Blog Logs feature Part 2 of logs from the latest DX Window. Thanks to Anker Petersen and the group. Best of DX your way! Todays edition begings with logs from Peru.
Gayle VH

All times UTC * sign-on sign-off *

Peru
4755.0v, R Huanta 2000, Huanta, *0913, Aug 15, sign on ann, but dominated by Campo Grande, Brazil. Checked back at 1054 "sunrise at transmitter" enhancement and heard it all alone with many mentions of Huanta and Peru and lots of sound effects, although overall poor due to static. Transmitter drifted downwards until finally settling on 4754.97 around 1035. (Jordan). Also heard 2239-2248, Aug 13, Quechoa, Indian songs, talks about Huanta, 45332. (Gonçalves)

4774.96, R Tarma, Tarma (p), *1059-1118, Aug 15, transmitter turned on at 0953 and measured at 4774.98. No audio noted until almost 1100 and barely improving to threshold audio by 1115-1118 despite greyline between Tarma and Memphis, at which time the transmitter had stablized around 4774.96. (Jordan)

4974.80, R del Pacifico, Lima (p), 0105-0115, Aug 08, Spanish report, 24222 weak utility QRM + CODAR. (Petersen)

4990.90, R Ancash, Huaraz, Ancash, 2230-2315, Aug 06, Spanish ID, "noticias" read by man and woman, 24332. (Schulze)

5039.10, R Libertad, 1049-1100, Aug 10, Spanish comments, Huaynos and canned ID using Echo Chamber effect. Signal was poor. (Bolland)

Russia
5940, R Rossii via Magadan, 0955-1010 and 1252-1300*, Aug 15 and 17, Russian commants and music, 1000 and 1300, 5+1 pips, fair-poor. Parallel with 7320 (fair) also via Magadan and 5920 (good) via Petropavlovsk-Kamchatka. 7200 via Yakutsk was not heard at 1255. (Bolland and Howard)

Sierra Leone
13760, Cotton Tree News, via Rampisham, *0730-0800*, Aug 08, 09 and 21, brief African drums (same as for Star R) at 0730 sign on then female announcer with "CTN" ID in English and into local news in English, Creole, Mende, Limba and Temne to 0800 and off, 33433 QRM Voice of Korea in Korean on 13760. Ex 9525. (Ford and Petersen)

Singapore
6150, Mediacorp R, Singapore, 1525-1535, Aug 08, English phone-in programme with a Doctor in studio, two ID's "93.8 Live", mentioned National Day tomorrow, 32333 QRM ORF 6155 so best heard in LSB. Also heard 1547-1600*, Aug 09, English ann, pop songs, ID before close: "93.8" and programme preview for FS programme at 1100 UTC 33333. (Petersen)

7235, R Warna, Singapore, 1530-1600*, Aug 08 and 09, Bahasa Malaysia ann, local pop songs, closed with R Warna jingle and frequency ann, 45434. (Petersen)

7275, Olikkalanjiam, Singapore, 1453-1605, Aug 08, 09 and 15, Tamil programme of film songs, but advs in English, 1500 and 1600 news ?, 44434. (Gonçalves and Petersen)

Sudan
7200.0, R Omdurman, Al-Aitahab, 0310, Aug 12, Arabic talk, music bridges between segments then into religious
monologue at 0317. Dominant over co-channel R Bulgaria Russian service, with HAM SSB QRM on both sidebands. (Jordan). Also heard 1512-1516, Aug 15, Arabic talks, 34332, amateur CW QRM. (Gonçalves)

Tajikistan
7245, Voice of Tajikistan, Yangiyul, *1659-1743, Aug 05 and 06, IS, National Anthem, English news with music bridges, Middle East music, 1730: "..You are listening to the Voice of Tajikistan...", reports, on Aug 04 it was in Vernaculars only, 44433. (Schulze)

Uganda
4975.97, R Uganda, Kampala, 0245-0300, Aug 12, on early with long monologue in presumed Swahili, mentions of various African countries, then African vocals at the top of the hour. Mainly poor with moderate CODAR QRM, best in USB to avoid heterodynes from presumed Peru and Brazil on 4974.8. (Jordan)

Vietnam
9530, Voice of Vietnam 1, Son Tay, Hanoi, fade in 1540-1635, Vietnamese. Also heard *2200-2300, Jul 14, National Anthem, ID's, news, reports, adv for "Ajinamoto", 55444. (Schulze)

9725, Voice of Vietnam, via Moosbrunn, *1700-1730, Aug 15, English news, comment, Letterbox mentioning my report! folksong, 33332 improving to 44444, QRM VOV Son Tay 9730 in Vietnamese to Europe(!). (Petersen)

9730, Voice of Vietnam, Son Tay, 1600-1630, Aug 15, English news, comment, Letterbox mentioning my report!, folksong, 53444 QRM KBS in Korean underneath. Heard again with same programme 1900-1930, Aug 15, this time with 42442 QRM VOV via Skelton in Russian (QSA 5!) // 7280 (21321) QRM REE 7275
(Source: DX Window # 331 via ANker Petersen)
(Photo: Machu Picchu, Peru)

September Means Better Radio Conditions

With September a few days away, its time to consider that summer static levels will be decreasing soon, which means better radio conditions.

Now is the time, if you haven't already, to get your listening post in order for the coming DX season. Have you updated your station and countrys totals, and prepared a Most Wanted List of stations to log and verify this season? Radios and outside antennas should be checked, and any necessary repairs made before it's too cold or icy to do so. Hopefully, you have completed any outstanding station correspondence including follow-up reception reports before September. Is your computer software or radio log book updated?

This is a perfect opportunity to concentrate on stations you'd like to log and verify this year as you prepare for the seasonal condition changes beginning in September.

Twilight and nightime patterns will continue to change in September as longer darkness paths provide an extended time to bandscan. Look for stations from South America, Europe, and Africa to fade in earlier, improving prior to 0000 UTC. Stations located in the tropical bands (roughly 2-6 MHz), including East Asia and Indonesia, are being heard beginning at twilight in the evenings, and any time from 0900 - 1500 UTC, depending on your location. The Indian subcontinent's signal will improve in September and peak in the winter months.

South America begins to fade in around 0700 UTC, followed by the Papua New Guinea stations by 0800 UTC. Medium wave conditions are improving too. Autumn and winter are prime time for DXing, especially hearing cross country or transcontinental signals.

In case you're anxious for radio conditions to improve - September is a few days away, and from there conditions will continue to improve. Now is the time to prepare for a new DX season. Hope this one will be your best ever!
(Gayle Van Horn/QSL Report)

Blog Logs

Today's Blog Logs, features a sample of logs from the latest DX Window enewsletter. Looks like DXers have been busy at the dials, and thanks to Anker Petersen and the group.

All times UTC * sign-on sign-off *

Bolivia
4545.48, R Virgen de Remedios, Tupiza, 2325-2330, Aug 15, Spanish religious programme, hymns, SINPO 24332. (Slaen)

4865.05, R Logos, Santa Cruz (t), 0125-0150*, Aug 12, long religious solo vocals, low-key talk by male between songs and suddenly gone at 0150*. Strong S7 signal but weak audio, best in LSB to avoid utility QRM. Weaker UNID on 4865.01 close enough to not cause a heterodyne. (Jordan)

5952.5v, R Pío XII, Siglo XX, 2218-0130, Aug 05, 08 and 12, Spanish and Quecha talks, phone-ins, 44433. Signal used to be much stronger. (Gonçalves, Petersen and Wilkner). Also presumed this one switching the transmitter on at *1004, Aug 16. Threshold audio noted from 1100 with male announcer. Extremely poor on both sidebands due to slop from adjacent channels. (Jordan)
6134.80, R Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, 0113, Aug 12, religious talk, choir music, mentions of Bolivia. S6-7 signal, best in LSB to avoid probable R Cairo in Spanish on 6135.015. (Jordan). Also 1025-1035, Aug 16, Spanish, good. (Bolland)

Brazil
4785.07, R Caiari, Porto Velho, RO, *0844-1028 fade down, Aug 15, transmitter switched on at *0844, but no audio heard until beginning around 1020 with Portuguese talk and audio slightly improving until vocals at 1027 "sunrise at transmitter" enhancement. Poor in static with mild CODAR. (Jordan).Also 2232-2239, 14 Aug, news,25331(Gonçalves)

4865, R Alvorada (?), Londrina, PR, 2132, Aug 12, sermon followed by “momentos de oração”, 34342, QRM from Bolivia. (Gonçalves)

4915, R CBN Anhangüera (t), Goiânia, GO, 2205-2214, Aug 12, religious programme, 43332. QRM from R Difusora, Macapá AP with programme from Associação Espírita de Macapá. (Gonçalves)

5034.99, R Aparecida, Aparecida, SP, 2205-0105, Aug 12 and 14, A Voz do Brasil national newscast, Com a Mãe Aparecida program with contemporary religious vocals, Catholic religious talk, IDs and ann at 0100, prayers. Poor to fair, 33432, slowly drifted downward 7 Hz by tune-out. (Jordan)

11815, R Brasil Central, Goiânia, GO, 1425-1515 and 2200-2223, Aug 13, 15, advs, sports news, 35443. (Gonçalves)

11830, R CBN Anhangüera, Goiânia GO, 1433-1512, Aug 15, programme “CBN Mais Desporto”, 34443. (Gonçalves)

Burkina Faso
5030, R Burkina, Ouagadougou, 2347-0001*, Aug 07, highlife vocals hosted by a man announcer with French talks and ID at 2358 with closedown ann, instrumental National Anthem. Fair to good. (D'Angelo)

Canada
9625, CBC, Northern Quebec Service, via Sackville, 0053, Jul 30, English programme "World of music", ID:".. on CBC Radio One and Radio Two...", 55544. (Schulze). Also heard 2331-2340, Aug 15, English, ID: “....CBC Radio One....”, news, 23322 (best reception on LSB mode). (Slaen)

China
9170, Voice of Shenzhou, Beijing, 2130-2140, Aug 14, Chinese or Amoy talk and ann. Light Chinese music and songs by solists and later a choir, 34343. The // frequency of 6165 was not heard. (Bredahl Jorgensen)

Clandestines
4880, SW R Africa, via Meyerton, South Africa Rep., 1842-1858*, Aug 14, English to Zimbabwe, reports about Zimbabwe, 44343, QRM Zimbabwean jammer playing an endless tune. SW R Africa is s/on at 1700. (Gonçalves)

6003, Echo of Hope, via Gimpo, South Korea, *1055:48-1200, Aug 14 and 16, on with IS (chimes, repeating 5 notes), 1057 singing and music on top of IS, 1100 gong rung slowly 3 times over IS, into Korean programming, fair, in the
clear in California, but heavy Cuban QRM from 6000 in Tennessee. // 3985 and 6348. (Howard and Jordan)

6348, Echo of Hope, via Gimpo, South Korea, 1100-1115, Aug 11 and 14, Korean news, 23432, heavy jamming. (Howard and Slaen)

9820, Nihon no Kaze, via Tanshui, Taiwan (100 kW, 002 degrees), now 1700-1735, ex 1700-1730 in Korean to North Korea. (Ivanov via Bueschel and Gupta Aug 09)

Ethiopia
5990, R Ethiopia, Geja Dera, 1837-1905, Aug 04, Vernaculars ann, African Horn music, 1900 ID, 34333 - 32432 DRM QRM increased and finally covered the signal. (Schulze)

7110.01, R Ethiopia, Geja Dera, 0320-0330, Aug 12, Amharic news magazine format program, brief music bridges between segments then traditional vocal at 0330. Good signal with slight hum from moderate ± 50 Hz spikes. // 5990.006 (poor) and only a S1 carrier on 9704.17. (Jordan)

Guatemala
4779.96, R Cultural Coatán, San Sebastian de Coatán, Huehuetenango, *1030-1036, Aug 15. Sign-on with National Anthem, canned ID at 1036, "Buenos dias.... Estereo Coatán..", organ music. (Jordan). Also heard 0055-0155, Aug 11, Spanish/ Chuj talks, marimba music, ID, frequency ann, songs, 25232. (Petersen)

India
4800, AIR, Hyderabad, 1638-1703, Aug 15, Indian music, 15321, improving steadily but still noisy. (Gonçalves)

4810.03, AIR Bhopal, *0023-0052, Aug 12, Hindi greeting, hymn, frequency ann, instrumental music, 0030 TS, "Akashvani", news, 0035 Indian songs, 44434. Drowned *0052 by Armenian Public R. (Petersen)

5010, AIR, Thiruvananthanpuram, 1644-1707, Aug 15, Indian songs, traditional chanting, 25332. (Gonçalves)

6110, AIR Srinagar, 0207, Aug 15, Hindi speech by Indian Prime Minister on the occasion of Independence Day, poor on clear frequency. Same ceremony was also audible on // 6155 (Kingsway), 7140 (Hyderabad), 7160 (Chennai), 7180 (Bhopal), 7290 (Thiruvananthapuram). (Groot)

Indonesia
3987.06, RRI Manokwari (p), 1036-1103, Aug 18, Nonstop Indonesian Pops amid HAM QRM. Finally deep-voiced male announcer came on at 1059 but was covered almost immediately by Ham. What sounded like a station signature melody followed, then ann again, presumed news, but Hams made it impossible to copy. Fading. (Valko)

11860, RRI Jakarta, Cimanggis, 0615 fade in, Jul 29, also heard 1730-2002*, Jul 19, Bahasa Indonesia programme "Pro Tiga" with phone-in's, news on the Hour, 1900 SCI, ID, "Sari Berita", 1908 "Bagu Negri", international music with Brian Adams, 2000-2002* SCI. I never heard then so late. Best reception around 1900: 45533. (Schulze)

Madagascar
5010, R Nasionaly Malagasy, Ambohidrano, 1834-1851, Aug 19, Malagasy, radio theatre, 35231. (Gonçalves)

9688.70, R Madagasikara, 0605-0615, Aug 14, talks, ann in Malagasy, fair. // 6134.97 (poor) and 7105.0 (good). (Korinek in DXplorer)

Mauritania
4845.15, R Mauritanie, Nouakchott, *0703, Aug 15. Transmitter switched on at *0703 with news in progress in French. S6 signal, significant static and strong utility QRM on lower side. Sign-on was too late for 0646 "sunrise at transmitter" enhancement, good modulation, so audio was at decent levels despite the noise. (Jordan)

7245, R Mauritanie, Nouakchott, 1305-1435, Aug 12, chanting, French reports about flooding; 55343. This outlet is still silent mornings till around 1200. (Gonçalves)

Mexico
4810.00, XERTA, México City, 0900-1200, Aug 15, same new age synthesized tune played over and over, no ann at all, just this boring tune non-stop. (Jordan)

Myanmar
7185, Myanma R, Yangon (t), 0031, Aug 20, Bamar (?) female opening ann after one-minute intro on some indigenous instrument.Unfortunately spoilt by co-channel North American HAMs constantly yakking away. CRI 7180 and SLBC 7190 were not really bothersome. To my surprise this was exactly on frequency. If you stay up late for Bhutan, you might like to help confirm? (Groot)

Papua New Guinea
3334.97, R East Sepik, Wewak, 1014-1033, Aug 18, "Baby When You Talk to Me" by The Outfield, ann, short canned adv, TC: 5 o'clock and Papua New Guinea mentioned, pleasant island Pop song and "More Than a Feeling" by Boston. Has drifted down from the usual 3335, since the last time I heard it. Best Papua New Guinean on 90 meters. (Valko)
(Source: DX Window 331 via Anker Petersen)

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity

22 August - 17 September 2007

Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to reach high levels during 28 August - 10 September.

Quiet to unsettled conditions are expected during 22 - 24 August. A recurrent high-speed stream is expected to disturb the field during 25 - 28 August with unsettled to active conditions expected. Activity is expected to decrease to quiet to unsettled levels during 29 August - 02 September. Activity is expected to increase to unsettled to minor storm levels on 03 September due to a recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream. Activity is expected to decrease to quiet to unsettled levels during 04 - 05 September. Unsettled to active conditions are expected during 06 - 07 September as another recurrent high-speed stream disturbs the field. Activity is expected to decrease to quiet to unsettled levels for the rest of the period.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2007 Aug 21 2154 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Environment Center
# Product description and SEC contact on the Web
# http://www.sec.noaa.gov/wwire.html
#
# 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
# Issued 2007 Aug 21
#
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2007 Aug 22 70 10 3
2007 Aug 23 70 5 2
2007 Aug 24 70 5 2
2007 Aug 25 70 15 4
2007 Aug 26 70 10 3
2007 Aug 27 70 5 2
2007 Aug 28 70 15 4
2007 Aug 29 70 5 2
2007 Aug 30 70 5 2
2007 Aug 31 70 5 2
2007 Sep 01 70 5 2
2007 Sep 02 70 10 3
2007 Sep 03 70 20 5
2007 Sep 04 70 8 3
2007 Sep 05 70 5 2
2007 Sep 06 70 15 4
2007 Sep 07 70 15 4
2007 Sep 08 70 5 2
2007 Sep 09 70 5 2
2007 Sep 10 70 5 2
2007 Sep 11 70 5 2
2007 Sep 12 65 10 3
2007 Sep 13 65 8 3
2007 Sep 14 65 5 2
2007 Sep 15 65 5 2
2007 Sep 16 70 5 2
2007 Sep 17 70 5 2
(NOAA)

UK pirate operators gather for anti-crime cause

A remarkable event took place in London yesterday, when DJs from more than 20 pirate radio stations in the UK gathered together at the launch of the Don’t Trigger Campaign in South London, designed to take a stand against gun and knife crime. The rise in teenage killings and gang murders is a major source of concern in Britain, and it’s said that the communities worst affected are often the ones where the pirate radio stations are located. Some observers claim that the type of music transmitted by these stations encourages gun and knife crime.
Although the police have the power to detain and arrest those involved in illegal broadcasting, they have chosen instead to cooperate with the pirate stations involved in the campaign, realising that they are acting for the greater good. This is all the more remarkable as at least some of the UK’s 150 pirate stations are believed to be run by criminal gangs, that use them as a front to run drugs operations. Indeed, the police have even helped to create anti-gun-crime adverts especially for the pirate stations.
Don’t Trigger ‘07
(Source: R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)