Commando Solo heard on new shortwave frequency

Commando Solo, the US airborne radio station operating above Libya on behalf of NATO, was heard on 1 June using a new shortwave frequency, 10125 kHz, USB mode, to transmit messages intended for Gaddafi’s forces. This frequency is in the 30 metre amateur band, but is also used by the Libyan army.

Commando Solo has previously used 6877 kHz and 10404 kHz. The change in frequency is probably due to the jamming by the Libyan army noted on 10404 kHz the previous day, and reported here.
(Source: signal-monitoring.blogspot.com/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

VOA operator plans 'sunset' for shortwave radio broadcast

The sun is setting on Voice of America's shortwave radio service, heard worldwide in dozens of languages for 70 years.

A strategic technology plan prepared by the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), the federal agency responsible for Voice of America, Alhurra, Radio Free Asia and other international stations, concludes that it should end many shortwave broadcasts in favor of "more effective" media such as internet radio.

"The intrinsic high cost of operating high powered shortwave stations is constantly being weighed against the rapidly diminishing effectiveness of shortwave within a growing number of countries," the report states. "... the cost effectiveness of shortwave transmissions continues to wane and is expected to be circumscribed to a very small number of target countries in the relatively near future."

The "sun-setting strategy" proposed will reduce the number of stations owned by the BBG in favor of lease or sharing arrangements with—or outsourcing to—independent broadcasters. A "long-term analysis" of each country and language, and in-house research on shortwave's effectiveness in each, would determine which areas retain service.
(Alokesh Gupta, India)

Additional story at: http://www.boingboing.net/2011/06/06/voice-of-america-ope.html

Radio Netherlands Worldwide Program Guide

Programming for June 3 - 9, 2011

Hello,

Exploring taboo subjects - we like doing that on RNW. But we're not the only ones. Join this week's Africa in Progress to hear how an African multimedia initiative is breaking sexual taboos and helping young people take responsibility for their sexual health.

Enjoy our programmes!
Hilary

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

This week: Be a Man

Men grappling with what it means to be a man, including the story of the father of a murdered teenager who counselled his son’s friends from seeking revenge. The son of former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl talks about getting out from his father’s shadow. And a man who found making the coffin for his distant father an odd gesture of love.

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: Things that are going places

From rubber duckies sailing the ocean seas for a couple of decades, to the world’s most gruelling marathon and the first man to walk around the world, we’ll take you places you’ve never been.

First airing: Friday 03:00 UTC

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

Bridges with Africa is RNW's radio programme linking Africans in Africa and Africans in the diaspora. Every week we bring you interviews, feature stories and African music. From culture and business to scandals and sports. You'll hear what makes Africans tick.

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: Straight talk about love matters
Africa in Progress often explores taboo subjects: topics that people are not keen to discuss openly; one of them is sexuality. In recent editions, we heard young people talking about what they need to know about sexuality, and we discussed the role of parents and the role of educators.

In this edition, we hear about an African multimedia initiative that is breaking sexual taboos and helping young people take responsibility for their sexual health.
First airing: Monday 18:00 UTC

South Asia Wired
Programme in which South Asians get to talk to each other, hosted by Dheera Sujan.

This week:

Nepal has been without a proper constitution for three years and it looks like it's going to take a little longer than expected. Last week, Nepal's parliament delayed the deadline once more with another three months. But what does it mean for the Nepalese that they are without a constitution?

Also on the programma, the story of Christy Raj from India. She was born a female, but she wishes to identify herself as a man. While transgenders in India traditionally have a designated place in society, for people like Christy, life can be very difficult.

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

First airing: Thursday 14:00 UTC

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

This week: Framing the nation - by Sylvia Schlettwein (Namibia). Where to hang an old family painting?

First airing: Tuesday 00:55 UTC

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

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

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

This week:

Rich in sounds from Africa, with Manou Gallo and Lucas van Merwijk’s Music Machine, Renaud Garcia-Fons and Still Black Still Proud with a tribute to US soul star, James Brown. This week's Africa Unsigned artist is Xuman.

First airing: Monday 00:00 UTC

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

Available 24 hours a day via our sister web station RNWclassical.com

Streaming audio available at: www.radionetherlands.nl/

Radio Netherlands English Service to Asia and Africa

0959-1000 12065as 15110as

1000-1057 12065as 15110as

1359-1400 11835as

1400-1457 9800as 11835as

1759-1800 6020af 15495af

1800-1857 6020af 15495af

1859-1900 7425af 11610af

1900-1957 7425af 11615af 15495af

2000-2057 7425af 11615af
(R Netherlands)

Chasing pirate radio with FRW

Today's selection of pirate logs, comes from the DXers at Free Radio Weekly, who make 'chasing pirates' an art form all their own. With the weekend hours away, this is a great opportunity to scan the bands for pirate activity. Good luck !

Logs edited for clarity

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

Captain Morgan Shortwave
6925AM, 2235-2330+ SIO322+/111. Music tune, Brandy by Looking Glass followed by Dobie Gray's Drift Away at 2237. Music medley from the 60's at 2241, Kink's You Really Got Me at 2326. Jimi Hendrix's Along The Watchtower. Station heard via secret slohb online receiver in NC. (Captain Ganja, IL)

Channel Z
6925AM, 0000-0050. SINPO 25311. Faint music in the static. Music included, Free Ride, Come on Feel the Noise. (Ragnar)

Crystal Ship Radio
6815.6 AM 0009-0110.+ SIO=343. Sign-on with the usual Doors rock riff interval signal, into Soviet Union national anthem by chorus. Program of rock oldies such as Along Comes Mary and Itchycoo Park, Live for Today, and Journey to the Center of the Mind. Volunteers by Jefferson Airplane. Not much political talk on this program (Zeller-OH)

Hunk-A-Junk Radio
6925USB, 2330-2340. SINPO 35443. Yo ho, Bo Jangles, and Got That Right. Many station IDs. (Ragnar) Also noted on 6925USB, 2125, SINPO 35343. Diamond's Sweet Caroline.
Audio off and out. Male operator giving live ID (Ragnar)

International Bowling League Relay Service
6925AM, 0417-0452. Several parodies of Beatles, Green Acres and other songs with ID by man announcer: “You are listening to the International Bowling League Relay Service right here on 6925 shortwave.” Seemed to disappear in the noise around 0440 but popped out of noise again around 0451. Poor to fair signal otherwise. Please QSL. (D’Angelo-PA)

Radio 2012 International
6925AM, 2257-2357. SINPO 45344. Techno/Dance music to multiple male/female IDs. Signal slightly hot. (Ragnar)

Radio Appalachia
6935AM, 0132-0205.* Bluegrass music, including a live recording of a concert that included Ricky Scags. First song that I heard might have been, Saginaw, Michigan. Several IDs. (S8 over S6 noise, Hunsicker, PA)

Radio Free Mars
6925AM, 0100-0113. SINPO 45344. Computer ID repeated. Distorted ID & voice, unknown music was clear.(Ragnar)

Radio Gaga
6925USB, 1200-1255. SINPO 45434. Tune, Fly Robin Fly, Ozzy, George Bush clips, Thunderstruck. Dancing Queen, Warren Zevon off with SSTV (Ragnar)

Radio Ronin
6944.75AM, 0005-0048. Signal good/fair S9max S5-6nf. Excellent program of Motown hits including tunes, I Heard it Thru the Grapevine, Dancing in the Street, Baby I Need Your Loving, You Better Shop Around, River Deep Mountain High, Stop In the Name of love. Mentioned "hello to all the service men and women in the armed forces." Email: radioroninshortwave@gmail.com . (Hassig-IL)

Rave On Radio
6925USB, 0018-0020. SINPO 35433. Male voice with ID of Rave On Radio broadcasting from the studio in the woods and requesting reception reports to HFunderground. (Ragnar)

Renegade Radio
6925USB, 0215-0232. Fair signal with S9max, S7nf. Music ballads and rock including -Time For Me to Fly, and also End of the World As We Know It. Dedicated to H. Camping and Family Radio. Air conditioner humm during announcement. Short program, no address given.(Hassig-IL)

WPON
6925USB, 2143-2202.* Drama protesting with police sirens, lawyers, Peter Gunn theme music followed by a vocal. Also “I’m mad as hell and I am not going to take it anymore” segment with Howard Beal from movie Network. Woman with simple station ID at closedown. Poor signal quality. (D’Angelo-PA)

WRRR (World Rabbit Rapture Radio)
6925.1AM, 1855.+ SIO 333. "World Rabbit Rapture Radio" ID, followed by "I am a good
monkey" loop. Commander Bunny said "send your QSLs, jewelry, deeds, etc". Heard via secret slohb online receiver in NC.(Captain Ganja, IL)
(FRN # 794 via Fredirck Moe/FRN #796 via Bill Finn/FRN #797 via Greg Majewski/FRN #798 via Harold Frodge)

Euro Pirate logs

Bogusman
3932, 1950-2140+ Program of rock Anathema, a song I didn't know that he said he bought in 1999, early XTC Tissue Tigers. Talk about looking at the price of some used motorcycles, but 100 pounds was too much. Another batch of talk about the website being up on weekends. Program looped after about an hour or so. Said he had a guy announce the address in Liverpool every week but no one could understand it, so consequently no one wrote in. differentradio@yahoo.co.uk . Said he's only mildly interested in Rachel nextdoor. Guy tried to convince him to buy his bike shop. (Yoder, PA via UK web receiver/FRN # 794)

Misti Radio
6290, 1430-1440. Light pop tune, I Never Knew Love Like This Before, reggae song, Rock Me, Baby, plus some organ schlager. Misti John IDed, said hi to listeners on Iann’s chat room & asked if people liked the music. He said “Roni, you make an old man very happy.” (Yoder, PA via UK web receiver/FRN 794)

Mustang Radio
6325, 1451-1452. Just heard end, male announcer DJ saying “Radio Mustang…low-power…5 watts.” Off after ABBA “SOS.” (Yoder, PA via UK web receiver/FRN 794)

Northcoast Radio
6300, 1430-1745+. Lots of pop and dance music, including New Order's Blue Monday at 1436. Hi to Chris, but no IDs. Went on Iann’s chatroom & asked Chris who it was myself (so ID per Chris). Later, IDs and tune, Highway to Hell AC/DC, They’re Coming to Take Me Away Ha Ha Napoleon XIV, Slade, Madness, ZZ Top, Steppenwolf, Sweet, Supertramp, Shocking Blue, Shania Twain, Santana, Guns & Roses, Queen plus occasional schlager. Mostly music with very rare IDs. For about an hour or so, nearly every artist started with “S” (Yoder, PA via UK web receiver/FRN 794)

Radio Altex
6220, 1808. Culture Club's Do You Really Want to Hurt Me? song. Huge signal and mooing cows. Noted in passing. (Yoder via Bedford, UK web receiver/FRN 796)

Radio Merlin Internatinal
6300, 1850-2000. Hi to everyone on Dr. Tim’s chat. Lots of short echo jingles. ‘50s and early ‘60s American rock music: My Boyfriend’s Back, Stand by Me, Ain’t That a Shame, Rubber Ball, Tequila, Heartbreak Hotel, That’ll Be the Day. DJ with some time checks, said hi to me for my e-mail, comments about how the records were skipping and he needed to put coins on the tone arm to keep it steady. Said one was a 12” arcade record. Also 6300, hrd later 1300+ female announ cer DJ with music by Argent, George Michael, Foreigner, KISS, ZZ Top, etc. Gave out e-mail and phone numbers. Said she was located in Liverpool and she pre-records her shows. Sounded like it was running from cassette that was either tight or being run from an unstable voltage because the playback speed varied a little. A lot of bleedover from an adjacent-channel station. (Yoder, PA via UK web receiver/FRN 794)

Radio Trans Europe
6300, 1400-1414.* Played a few rock songs, then signed off. Said 70 watts and that he hoped to be back later. Nice signal on the tuner. (Yoder, PA via UK web receiver/FRN 794)

Radio Underground
3905, 2000-2100.+ Steve listening to Radio Caroline’s RSL from Ross Revenge, RC having tech problems with Internet, etc. Said he could hear storms on 48 m, so 76m probably wasn’t the best choice. Giving phone numbers for those inside and outside the “uck” (UK). 44-077-510-13709 Odd mix of pop music, including one whistling tune. Occasional brief blasts of digital data from a utility. Played Alan Parsons tune -I, Robot and said it makes him think of Austin Powers, but he couldn’t think of the name, so he asked for some listener participation. radioundergroundsw@gmail.com (Yoder, PA via UK web receiver/FRN 794)

Radio Vendor
6310, 1747-1807.* Schlager and Dutch country music. Male DJ with announcements in Dutch, 1805 into instrumental techno with announcements over top. Transmitter off immediately thereafter. I guess this was the sign off announcement. Noted later on 6325, 1820-1829.* Instrumental Schlager song with whistling, then another song that the DJ talked over. “This is Radio Vendor…and I hope you enjoyed the music from the Netherlands. I’m closing down here.” Then an announcement in Dutch. Into another instrumental song, then off and back on the air mid-song several times and finally off for good after end of song. (Yoder via Bedford, UK web receiver/FRN 796)

Sky Lab Radio
6280, 1833-1843.+ Eagles' song Take It Easy. Clear station ID, followed by Eagles' song One of these Nights. Skylabradio@hotmail.com Weaker and in more noise than most stations I hear on this receiver, but I think the transmitter was either a bit overmodulated or getting some RF feedback. Sounded live someone else signed on frequency at 1841 and created a nasty heterodyne. It was a big mess at 1843. (Yoder via Bedford, UK web receiver/FRN 796)

New Zealand updates summer broadcast schedule - again

All times UTC

Effective to: (unknown)

English
0000-0100 15720pa
0100-0200 15720pa
0200-0300 15720pa
0300-0400 15720pa
0400-0458 15720pa
0459-0500 11725pa
0500-0600 11725pa
0600-0658 11725pa
0659-0700 6170pa
0700-0758 6170pa
0759-0800 6170pa
0800-0900 6170pa
0900-1000 6170pa
1000-1058 6170pa
1059-1100 9655pa
1100-1200 9655pa
1200-1258 9655pa
1259-1300 6170pa
1300-1400 6170pa
1400-1500 6170pa
1500-1550 6170pa
1551-1600 7440pa
1600-1700 7440pa
1700-1800 7440pa
1800-1835 7440pa
1836-1850 9615pa
1851-1900 9615pa
1900-1950 9615pa
1951-2000 11725pa
2000-2050 11725pa
2051-2100 11725paq
2100-2150 11725pa
2151-2200 15720pa
2200-2300 15720pa
2300-0000 15720pa

DRM
0000-0100 17675pa
0100-0200 17675pa
0200-0300 17675pa
0300-0400 17675pa
0400-0458 17675pa
0459-0500 11675pa
0500-0600 11675pa
0600-0658 11675pa
0659-0700 7440pa
0700-0758 7440pa
0759-0800 7440pa
0800-0900 7440pa
0900-1000 7440pa
1000-1058 7440pa
1059-1100 7440pa
1100-1158 7440pa
1551-1600 6170pa
1600-1700 6170pa
1700-1800 6170pa
1800-1835 6170pa
1836-1850 9890pa
1851-1900 15720pa
1900-2000 15720pa
2000-2050 15720pa
2051-2100 11675pa
2100-2150 11675pa
2151-2200 17675pa
2200-2300 17675pa
2300-0000 17675pa
(DX Mix News 680 via Ivo Ivanov, Bulgaria & Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany)

WYFR Family Radio summer broadcast schedule

Effective to: 30 October 2011

Spanish

All times UTC
Target Areas: ca (Central America) eu (Europe) na (North America) sa (South America)



0000-0045 6915sa
0000-0100 5930sa 5985ca 11530sa 11835na 11855ca
0100-0145 11855ca 17725sa
0100-0200 5950na 5985ca 7570sa 11580sa 15255sa
0200-0300 11580sa 15255sa
0200-0245 11530sa
0200-0300 11740ca
0300-0400 6875ca 9680na 9715na 9985sa
0300-0345 9385ca 11580sa
0400-0445 6875ca 7730sa 9985sa 11740ca 15255sa
0500-0545 7520ca
0500-0600 5850ca 9505ca 9715na 9985eu
0600-0700 5985na 9505ca 9715na
0700-0745 9355eu 9680na
0700-0800 5850ca 9715na
0800-0900 5850ca 9505ca 9550sa 9715na 11855sa 11970sa
0900-0945 5850ca 9505ca
0900-1000 5950na 9715na 9550sa 11855sa 11970sa
1000-1100 6085ca 9550sa 9715na
1100-1145 5985na 9355sa 9715na 11855sa
1100-1200 6085ca 9605sa 11970sa
1200-1300 6085ca 7730sa 9605sa 11970sa 13800sa 15130na 15770sa
1300-1345 7730sa 9605sa
1300-1400 6085ca 13800sa 15130na 15770sa
1400-1500 6085ca 11670ca 11865na 11970sa 13800sa 15130na 17555sa 18980sa
1500-1545 11670ca 11970sa 13800sa 17555sa
1500-1600 6085ca 13695na 15130na
1600-1700 15130na 21670eu
1700-1800 6085ca 13615na 15130na
1800-1845 21670eu
1800-1900 6085ca 9635eu 15130na
1900-2000 15130na
2000-2100 5985ca 11855ca 13690na 15130na 15600eu
2100-2200 5985ca 6915sa 11855ca 15130na
2200-2300 5985ca 6915sa 7520sa 9935sa 11855ca 15130na 15255sa
2300-2345 15130na
2300-0000 5985ca 6915sa 9935sa 11530sa 11855ca
(WRTH 05 update)

Radio Nikkei broadcast schedule

All times UTC

Japanese
Program 1
000-1500 mtwhf 3925as 6055as 9595as
2225-0000 mtwhf 3925as 6055as 9595as
0000-1230 Sat/Sun 3925as 6055as 9595as
2155-0000 Sat/Sun 3925as 6055as 9595as

Program 2
0000-0900 Sat/Sun 3945as 6115as 9760as
2300-0000 Sat/Sun 3945as 6115as 9760as
(Toshi Ohtake, Japan/HCDX/plydx)

NASB Report: On Board the Majesty of the Seas

Around 1300 shortwave listeners from around the globe took part in the NASB shortwave listener survey between May of 2010 and May of 2011, and the results of the survey were announced at the 2011 NASB annual meeting on May 14th. In the conference center of Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas, anchored off the coast of CocoCay in the Bahamas, Dr. Jerry Plummer of WWCR announced the results for the first time. Jerry is the administrator of the survey, which was posted
online at the NASB website, www.shortwave.org. with links on other shortwave and DX websites.
Most of the respondents were located in North America and Europe, with significant numbers from Asia and Oceania as well. Nearly half of those who responded were also amateur radio operators. Around 97 percent were male. Not surprisingly, most listeners who took the survey listen to shortwave stations for news and commentary, and many listen for cultural programs as well. Around 7 percent listen for religious programming of a variety of faiths. The number one shortwave station in the poll was the BBC. Full results of the survey will be published in the next NASB Newsletter, which will also be on the NASB website, www.shortwave.org.
The NASB meeting took place on the Majesty of the Seas May 13 to 16, sailing from Miami to CocoCay and Nassau in the Bahamas, then returning to Miami. Twenty-one persons from the United States, France, England and Finland participated, including representatives of NASB member stations, associate member organizations and DX clubs. It was the first time the NASB has ever held its annual meeting on a cruise ship. In addition to the meetings, delegates were able to enjoy a variety of entertainment onboard the ship, a private beach resort in the Bahamas, and a sightseeing tour of Nassau, capital of the Bahamas.
The meeting began May 13th with a presentation sent especially for the meeting by Chinese shortwave listener and language teacher Cui Litang, who explained about Chinese jamming of shortwave signals and Internet sites, as well as about his use of shortwave station language programs for teaching English in China. John Wineman of HCJB's Global Technology Center in Indiana showed the new Pappradio DRM receiver housed in a small external hard drive box.
On May 14th, Risto Vahakainu of the Finnish DX Association told particpants about his country in northern Europe and the special challenges and opportunities of doing shortwave and mediumwave DXing there. He presented a video produced by his club about DXing in the Arctic at the very northernmost part of Finland, where mediumwave stations from North America can often be heard using so-called beverage antennas stretching up to one kilometer through the forests of northern Finland. For a totally different venue, Jerome Hirigoyen of TDF -- Telediffusion de France -- told about his company's shortwave sites and other installations, including the large relay station in exotic Montsinery, French Guiana, where a number of 500-kilowatt transmitters are located, reaching nearly all of the Americas and West Africa as well.
On May 15th, there was a slide presentation about the NASB's two member stations in Florida -- veteran broadcaster WYFR in Okeechobee and relative newcomer WRMI, Radio Miami International, in Miami. Michel Penneroux, chairman of the DRM Consortium's Commercial Committee, explained the difficulties and delays involved with the mass production of low-cost DRM digital shortwave receivers, and he presented an investment plan for producing a large number of such receivers within a 12- to 18-month period. Rex Morgan, senior producer for Latin America for World Christian Broadcasting, talked about his efforts to reach Latin American listeners from Miami via shortwave and other media, and Kok Hai Tan from the same organization presented a timely video about the progress of World Christian Broadcasting's new shortwave station being built in Madagascar and where it will reach with programs in Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese and other languages, including transmissions to India.
Finally, at the NASB business meeting, two new members were elected to the board of directors. George Ross, frequency manager of KTWR in Guam, was elected to replace Bill Damick, also of Trans World Radio, whose term was ending. And Charles Caudill, President of World Christian Broadcasting, was elected to replace David Creel of Far East Broadcasting Company, whose term also ended this year. Both Jeff White of WRMI and Adrian Peterson of Adventist World Radio are currently members of the NASB Board of Directors.
Others attending the NASB meeting included Arto Mujunen, a Finnish DXer who works at the U.S. International Broadcasting Bureau monitoring office in Helsinki; Michael Murray, a British DXer who is a former secretary general of the European DX Council; Dino Bloise of Miami, who produces a syndicated Spanish-language DX program called "Frecuencia al Dia;" Brady Murray, operations manager of WWCR in Nashville; and Terry Borders and Ed Mathis of the Catholic shortwave station WEWN in Birmingham, Alabama. A number of spouses also took part in the cruise. The meeting was organized by Jeff and Thais White of WRMI in Miami.
Next year's NASB annual meeting will take place at the headquarters of Radio Free Asia in Washington, DC on May 10th and 11th, 2012. And just before concluding this year's meeting, the NASB board accepted an invitation by WEWN in Birmingham to host the 2013 NASB annual meeting.
(AWR Wavescan/NWS118 via Adrian peterson)

AWR's Choose a Channel Contest

AWR Wavescan “Choose a Channel” 2011 Anniversary DX Contest

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of Adventist World Radio, our DX program “Wavescan” is conducting a big worldwide DX contest, “Choose a Channel”. It was back on October 1, 1971, that AWR made its first broadcast on shortwave in a service originating out of Portugal and beamed towards various countries in Europe.
Here are the details of our 2011 “Choose a Channel” DX Contest:-

A. Choose a Channel
We invite you to choose any shortwave frequency, just one channel, anywhere in the world upon which Adventist World Radio is broadcasting, during the month of June 2011.

B. Prepare Reception Reports
You are invited to listen to the shortwave channel that you have chosen at any time, day and/or night, during the month of June 2011, and see how many different stations, including Adventist World Radio, that you can hear on that one specific channel. You are invited to prepare a standard reception report for each station, one sheet of paper for each station.

C. Photocopies
You are invited to search your QSL collection, and where possible, provide a photocopy of a QSL that you already hold in your collection from each of the shortwave stations that you hear on that one channel. These photocopies should be in color if possible, but black & white is also acceptable. If you do not already have a QSL from any of the stations you select, then you should state so in your contest entry.

D. Three Radio Cards
Where possible, you are invited to include three radio cards for the Indianapolis Heritage Collection with your contest entry. These cards may be old or new, and they may be QSL cards, reception report cards, or picture cards of radio stations, etc. (Not valid for this contest are amateur cards nor CB cards.)

E. Assemble Your Contest Entry
Post your entry with all items to Adventist World Radio in Indianapolis, remembering that the total number of stations you hear on the channel, and neatness and preparation, will all feature in the judging procedure. Remember also, that we will then post your reception reports to the other shortwave stations involved, requesting them to issue QSL cards to you in response.

Other Contest Details
Well, there you have it, the details for our Wavescan 2011 “Choose a Channel DX Contest”. This contest will run through the month of June 2011, and all contest entries should be postmarked at your local post office anywhere in the world on any date up to the end of the month of June, and they should be received at the AWR post office address in Indianapolis no later than the end of the month of July 2011.
Return postage in the form of currency notes in an international currency, or mint postage stamps, or IRC coupons would be welcome. Where possible, a self addressed return envelope, business size or half quarto size, would also be welcome.
The awards for this year’s contest will be similar to all previous contests. There will be a special award for the world winner, one of the Jerry Berg radio history books; and World Radio TV Handbook 2012 for each continental winner. In addition, there will be other special awards as well as AWR souvenirs and radio curios for many participants.
You can remember that all AWR reception reports will be verified with a specially endorsed AWR QSL card. Please remember that it will take a period of many months, well into the new year 2012, to process all of the contest entries and reception reports, but each will in due course be processed.

The only address for the AWR “Choose a Channel” 2011 DX Contest is:-
Choose a Channel DX Contest
Box 29235
Indianapolis
Indiana 46229 USA
(AWR Wavescan/NWS 118 via Adrian Peterson)

June specials from DX Stamp Service

Dear Customer,

Stamps on back order: Australia, Bosnia, Macedonia, Saudi Arabia and Oman.
Stamps In Stock Again: France, Monaco, Hungary, PR China, Armenia and Singapore.

Price Increases: Due to weak US dollar, recent purchases have cost more:
Norway: Now priced at $3.00 up from $2.50
Greenland: Now priced at $2.50 up from $2.00

Dropping: Finland 2nd class stamps (B rate). Several customers report their OH contacts are adding the 0,10 stamp to the 2nd class stamp to make it 1st Class. We will do the same with remaining 2nd class stamps.

Discount US Postage:
Recently acquired a good supply and can offer the following 44c units (2 or 3 stamps)
200 units $88.00 at 90% of face value for $79 ppd. (pay by check only)
500 units $220.00 at 85% of face value for $187 ppd. (pay by check only)
Email me and I'll set aside and await your check.

June specials appear below

June 2011 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-$2.00 3 Japan-$3.90

June 2011 DX SUPPLY SPECIALS

200/200 European Air Mailers & Returns $35

200/200 Stateside Mailers & Returns $16

2 Standard QSL Albums $40

Shipping charges extra on supply specials

PRIORITY MAIL Shipping Rates for Supplies

Orders under $16.00 add $6.50, Orders from $16.00 to $40.00 add $9.00, Orders from $41.00 to $100.00 add $13.00, Orders from $101.00 to $150.00 add $18.00, orders over $150.00 add 12%. When ordering supplies AND stamps, use supply total to figure shipping costs. Stamps “ride free” when you order supplies. Shipments to Canada ship at a greater cost. (04/2008)
(Bill Plum)

For Bill's latest price list and products email to: plumdx@msn.com

RNW intensifies cooperation with Deutsche Welle

Radio Netherlands Worldwide is to intensify its cooperation with Deutsche Welle as of 1 June 2011. In the coming two years the two international news organisations will share their internet content in Arabic, Chinese and Indonesian as well as other languages, and make a number of joint productions. The media organisations, which both provide news and background to areas with an information deficit, expect the plans to enable them to provide a better service to their internet audience and to work more efficiently.

Editor-in-Chief of Radio Netherlands Worldwide Rik Rensen: “We are both involved in broadcasting to the Arab World, China and Indonesia. Some of our internet stories for these areas do not have a specific Dutch or German angle. It is this kind of content that we want to exchange and produce jointly. This way we can provide a better service to our audience and avoid overlaps.”

Director of Deutsche Welle, Erik Bettermann: “This is a historic moment. In this way we can, from Europe, solidify our shared values such as freedom of the press, human rights and democracy.”

The editorial teams in Hilversum (Radio Netherlands Worldwide) and Bonn (Deutsche Welle) will periodically discuss which news issues can be covered jointly and which audio and video reports can be co-produced.

The two media organisations will also look into how they can combine efforts to better protect internet users and social media platforms. This is in response to developments in which press freedom is increasingly coming under threat across the world. To avoid putting internet users in countries with little or no press freedom in danger (for instance in countries where they could face imprisonment or worse) the two broadcasters will look for ways to enable their readers to visit websites without risk. This will be done by developing software which protects the ‘footprints’ of internet users.

(Source: RNW Press Release/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2011 May 31 2115 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 May 2011

Solar activity was at very low to moderate levels during the period. The period began with very low activity, with a few isolated B-class flares observed. A long-duration B2 flare was observed at 24/2237 UTC from Region 1220 (N13, L=248, class/area Bxo/050 on 23 May). Activity increased to low levels on 25 May, with two C-class flares from Region 1223 (S16, L=115, class/area Dso/050 on 27 May). The first was a C1 flare at 25/2103 UTC, followed by a C1/Sf at 25/2158 UTC. A nine-degree filament eruption was observed between 25/0801-1256 UTC. Activity decreased to very low on 26 May, with three B-class flares, included a B4/Sf at 26/0110 UTC. Activity increased to low levels on 27 May, with five C-class flares, including a C5 flare at 27/1643 UTC from Region 1226 (S21, L=036, class/area Eki/360 on 29 May). Activity increased to moderate levels during 28-29 May. A long-duration M1 /Sf was observed at 28/2150 UTC from Region 1226, as well as an M1/1F observed at 29/1033 UTC. Type II radio emission (554 km/s shock velocity) was associated with this event.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at normal to moderate levels during 23 - 28 May. High levels were reached on 29 May.

Geomagnetic field activity was predominantly quiet during 23 - 26 May. Activity increased to quiet to unsettled levels, with active periods at high latitudes, on 27 May. Activity increased to quiet to severe levels during 28-29 May. A co-rotating interaction region, in advance of a coronal hole high-speed stream (CH HSS), occurred during 27- 29 May. A CME was was observed to interact with the field during 28-29 May.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 01 June - 27 June 2011

Solar activity is expected to be low with a chance for M-class flares through 9 June. Activity is expected to decrease to very low to low levels during 10 - 14 June. Activity is expected to increase to low with a chance for M-class flares.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at high levels through 5 June. Normal levels are expected during 9 - 27 June.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet to unsettled levels, with active levels at high latitudes during 1 - 5 June, due to an expected CME and a recurrent CH HSS. Activity is expected to decrease to predominantly quiet levels during 6 - 10 June. Activity is expected to increase to quiet to unsettled levels, with isolated active levels at high latitudes during 11-13 June, due to an expected CH HSS. Quiet to unsettled levels are expected during 14-22 June. Quiet to unsettled levels, with isolated active levels are expected during 23 - 25 June due to a recurrent CH HSS. Actitvity is expected to decrease to mostly quiet during 26 - 27 June.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2011 May 31 2115 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html
#
# 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
# Issued 2011-05-31
#
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2011 Jun 01 115 10 4
2011 Jun 02 115 12 4
2011 Jun 03 115 8 3
2011 Jun 04 110 8 3
2011 Jun 05 110 7 2
2011 Jun 06 105 5 2
2011 Jun 07 105 5 2
2011 Jun 08 100 5 2
2011 Jun 09 90 5 2
2011 Jun 10 90 5 2
2011 Jun 11 85 12 4
2011 Jun 12 90 12 4
2011 Jun 13 90 10 3
2011 Jun 14 90 5 2
2011 Jun 15 95 5 2
2011 Jun 16 95 5 2
2011 Jun 17 100 5 2
2011 Jun 18 100 5 2
2011 Jun 19 100 5 2
2011 Jun 20 105 5 2
2011 Jun 21 105 5 2
2011 Jun 22 110 4 2
2011 Jun 23 110 12 4
2011 Jun 24 115 15 4
2011 Jun 25 115 10 3
2011 Jun 26 115 5 2
2011 Jun 27 115 5 2
(NOAA)

ITU forum highlights radio interference concerns

Non-ITU compliant home network equipment may cause problems

Concerns that home networking products using power line transmission (PLT) technology may cause interference with radio services led to a Forum last week in Geneva to address the issue. ITU’s own home networking standard ITU-T G.hn was considered to have electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and mitigation techniques that go well beyond those considered essential for protecting radio services.

Given the variety of electronic devices in our homes, strict EMC requirements are imperative. Over-the-air broadcast services in particular could be subject to interference from PLT systems.

The event took place in parallel with an interoperability event giving ITU-T G.hn chipset vendors the opportunity to test their products, which will be on the market later this year. It brought together radio spectrum experts from national regulators, service providers, and product manufacturers, as well as standards development organizations (SDOs) and industry alliances including ETSI, IEC, IEEE, HomeGrid Forum, IARU, NAJO/IAU and HomePlug.

The Forum successfully achieved its goal of agreeing on commitments and future actions by all stakeholders to resolve interference issues in the interest of consumers. A key conclusion is that ITU will act as the focal point for coordinating other SDOs and industry alliances in order to agree further developments.

“There are PLT products on the market that do not conform to the necessary EMC standards, and this is very much a concern,” says Dr Hamadoun Touré, Secretary-General, ITU. “We are fortunate in ITU to have telecom and radio experts from both the private sector, government and regulators. Together they have agreed the necessary requirements to ensure that products conforming to ITU standards do not cause interference, which may have potentially serious consequences. We would caution service providers and others against rolling out technologies conforming to specifications that do not meet ITU requirements.”

John Shaw, representing BBC World Service, said at the meeting: “For broadcasters, it is extremely important that products sold do not interfere with the reception of programmes or reduce coverage. We applaud the efforts of ITU to ensure international acceptance of the organization’s stringent guidelines on compatibility between electronic communication systems and the use of the radio frequency spectrum.” Similar views were also expressed by representatives of the aeronautical and radio astronomy communities.
(Source: ITU/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

RFE/RL marks 60th anniversary of Czech service

RFE/RL is marking the 60th anniversary of its first broadcast service today with an event hosted by Johns Hopkins University in Washington. Those first broadcasts were to a country that no longer exists today: Czechoslovakia. To commemorate the start of the broadcasts JHU’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) is holding a roundtable at its campus.
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Full story at RFE/RL:
http://www.rferl.org/content/rferl_marks_60th_anniversary_of_czechoslovak_service/24213050.html

WWCR updates summer broadcast schedule

Effective to: 30 October 2011
Target Areas: af (Africa) eu (Europe) na (North America)
All times UTC

English
0000-0100 3215eu 4840na 5935af 7465eu

0100-0200 3215eu 4840na 5935af

0200-0300 3215eu 4840na 5890af 5935af

0300-0400 3215eu 4840na 5890af 5935af

0400-0500 3215eu 4840na 5890af 5935af

0500-0600 3215eu 4840na 5890af 5935af

0600-0700 3215eu 4840na 5890af 5935af

0700-0800 3215eu 4840na 5890af 5935af

0800-0900 3215eu 4840na 5890af 5935af

0900-1000 4840na 5890af 5935af 9985eu

1000-1100 4840na 5890af 5935af 9985eu

1100-1200 4840na 5890af 5935af 15825eu

1200-1300 7490af 9980af 13845na 15825eu

1300-1400 7490af 9980af 13845na 15825eu

1400-1500 7490af 9980af 13845na 15825eu

1500-1600 9980af 12160af 13845na 15825eu

1600-1700 9980af 12160af 13845na 15825eu

1700-1800 9980af 12160af 13845na 15825eu

1800-1900 9980af 12160af 13845na 15825eu

1900-2000 9980af 12160af 13845na 15825eu

2000-2100 9980af 12160af 13845na 15825eu

2100-2200 7465eu 9350af 9980af 13845na

2200-2300 7465eu 9350af 9980af 13845na

2300-0000 7465eu 9350af 9980af 13845na
(DX Mix News 680 via Ivo Ivanov, Bulgaria & Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany)

Commando Solo active again on shortwave

Nato’s airborne radio station Commando Solo, broadcasting to Libyan forces and Libyan civilians, is active on shortwave again. Ehard Goddijn reports: “Just 1026 UTC May 31st 2011 tuned to 10404 kHz USB. They have new messages in English and Arabic right now.”

Later: “Transmission stopped at 1049 UTC. And the jamming 10 seconds later!! Probably transmission will start again at 1200 UTC and/or 1230 UTC.”
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

WEWN summer frequency update

WEWN
Effective to: 30 October 2011

All times UTC

English
0000-1000 11520 EWN 250 kW 085 deg to WeAF
1000-1200 9390 EWN 250 kW 355 deg to SoEaAS
1200-1400 13580 EWN 250 kW 355 deg to SoEaAS
1400-2000 15610 EWN 250 kW 040 deg to NE/ME
2000-2200 15610 EWN 250 kW 085 deg to WeAF
2200-2400 15610 EWN 250 kW 040 deg to NE/ME

Spanish
0000-1000 11870 EWN 250 kW 155 deg to SoAM
1000-1700 12050 EWN 250 kW 155 deg to SoAM
1700-2400 13830 EWN 250 kW 155 deg to SoAM

Spanish
0000-0500 5810 EWN 250 kW 220 deg to CeAM
0500-1300 7555 EWN 250 kW 220 deg to CeAM
1300-1800 11550 EWN 250 kW 220 deg to CeAM
1800-2400 12050 EWN 250 kW 220 deg to CeAM
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 31)
(DX Mix News 679 via Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany & Ivo Ivanov, Bulgaria)

Radio Vertias Asia updates summer broadcast schedule

Philippines

Radio Veritas Asia http://www.rveritas-asia.org/

All times UTC

Bengali
0030-0057 11710 PUG 250 kW 280 deg to SoAS
1400-1427 11870 PUG 250 kW 300 deg to SoAS

Burmese
1130-1157 15450 PUG 250 kW 280 deg to SoEaAS
2330-2357 9720 PUG 250 kW 280 deg to SoEaAS

Chin
1430-1457 9535 PUG 250 kW 280 deg to SoEaAS

Hindi
0030-0057 11850 PUG 250 kW 280 deg to SoAS
1330-1357 11870 PUG 250 kW 280 deg to SoAS

Hmong
1200-1227 11935 PUG 250 kW 280 deg to SoEaAS

Kachin
1230-1257 15225 PUG 250 kW 280 deg to SoEaAS
2330-2357 9645 PUG 250 kW 280 deg to SoEaAS

Karen
0000-0027 11935 PUG 250 kW 280 deg to SoEaAS
1200-1227 15225 PUG 250 kW 280 deg to SoEaAS

Khmer
1000-1027 11850 PUG 250 kW 280 deg to SoEaAS

Mandarin
1000-1157 9615 PUG 250 kW 355 deg to EaAS
2100-2257 6115 PUG 250 kW 350 deg to EaAS

Filipino
1500-1557 15280 SMG 250 kW 130 deg to NE/ME
2300-2327 9720 PUG 250 kW 331 deg to CeAS

Sinhala
0000-0027 9670 PUG 250 kW 280 deg to SoAS
0000-0027 11850 PUG 250 kW 280 deg to SoAS
1330-1357 9520 PUG 250 kW 280 deg to SoAS

Tamil
0030-0057 11935 PUG 250 kW 280 deg to SoAS
1400-1427 9520 PUG 250 kW 280 deg to SoAS

Telugu
0100-0127 15530 PUG 250 kW 280 deg to SoAS
1430-1457 9515 PUG 250 kW 280 deg to SoAS

Urdu
0100-0127 15280 PUG 250 kW 300 deg to SoAS
0100-0127 17860 PUG 250 kW 300 deg to SoAS
1430-1457 15260 SMG 250 kW 070 deg to SoAS

Vietnamese
0130-0227 15530 PUG 250 kW 280 deg to SoEaAS
1030-1127 11850 PUG 250 kW 280 deg to SoEaAS
1300-1327 11850 PUG 250 kW 280 deg to SoEaAS
2330-2357 9670 PUG 250 kW 280 deg to SoEaAS

Zomi-Chin
0130-0157 15520 PUG 250 kW 280 deg to SoEaAS
1430-1500 9620 PUG 250 kW 280 deg to SoEaAS
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 31)
(DX Mix News 679 via Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany & Ivo Ivanov, Bulgaria)

Radio Marti summer schedule

Effective to: 30 October 2011

All times UTC
Programming targeted to Central America

Spanish
0000-0100 6030ca 7365ca 11775ca
0100-0200 6030ca 7365ca 11775ca

0200-0300 6030ca 7365ca 11775ca
0300-0400 twhfas 6030ca 7405ca
0400-0500 twhfas 6030ca 7405ca
0500-0600 twhfas 6030ca 7405ca
0600-0700 twhfas 6030ca 7405ca
0700-0800 twhfas 5980ca 6030ca
0800-0900 twhfas 5980ca 6030ca
0900-1000 5980ca 6030ca 9805ca
1000-1100 5980ca 6030ca 9805ca
1100-1200 5980ca 6030ca 9805ca
1200-1300 6030ca 7405ca 9805ca
1300-1400 7405ca 11845ca 13820ca
1400-1500 11845ca 11930ca 13820ca
1500-1600 11845ca 11930ca 13820ca
1600-1700 11845ca 11930ca 13820ca
1700-1800 9565ca 11930ca 13820ca
1800-1900 9565ca 11930ca 13820ca
1900-2000 9565ca 11930ca 13820ca
2000-2100 9565ca 11930ca 13820ca
2100-2200 9565ca 11930ca 13820ca
2200-2300 6030ca 9565ca 11930ca
2300-0000 6030ca 9565ca 11930ca
(WRTH 2011/May update)

Radio Netherlands Program Preview, May 27-June 2

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

This week: Image Busting

Aa Kuwaiti man is repulsed by western stereotypes and Muslim fanatics, so he made a comic book series based on Allah’s attributes. He tells Jonathan how it’s become a spectacular success, and made him enemies. A Cambodian singer explains how performing old rock ‘n roll songs helps keep her culture alive. And an African American photographer talks about challenging racial assumptions through his retrospective on “white people”.

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:

We go all arborophile, or tree hugger, as we celebrate the joys of tree. What we use them for, how to climb them, how to chuck them out of an aeroplane… In-tree-gued? Tune in to Earth Beat for more bad puns and all things tree.

First airing: Friday 03:00 UTC

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

This week:

As troops from North Sudan take over the oil-rich region of Abiyei, we ask: Is Sudan on the brink of civil war?
Despite Alassane Ouattara's victory, thousands of refugees continue to flee Ivory Coast.
Music by Zita Zwoon

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: Is education a good investment in Africa?

It is often said that a good education is a good investment. Are we receiving good quality education on the continent? How does public education compare to private education?

In this edition, we hear from those involved in the education sector in four African countries and find out whether it is only about books and pens, or something more.

First airing: Monday 18:00 UTC

South Asia Wired
Programme in which South Asians get to talk to each other, hosted by Dheera Sujan.

This week:

We look back on Bob Dylan’s 70th birthday on May 24, which was celebrated the world over. One of the least likely places for a celebration was India’s north eastern city of Shillong, where a 64-year-old fan has organised a Dylan fest every year since the early 1970s. This year’s edition was obviously very special.

And a report from The Hague where hundreds of Tamils from Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and France gathered to demand arrest warrants for Sri Lanka's President Fonseka, his ministers and army generals, following the end of the Tamil war in 2009.

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

First airing: Thursday 14:00 UTC

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

Thi week:

Dinner for Three - by Shola Olowu-Asante from Nigeria. A desperate quest.

First airing: Tuesday 00:55 UTC

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

This week: Who Says I Can’t have sex?

Broadcaster John Blades from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation has a significant disability and he’ll be your guide on a journey through the uncharted waters of sexuality and the disabled. Just a warning: the programme contains material of an adult nature.

First airing: Monday 17:30 UTC

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

This week:

Hear the World brings you music on a global scale. Tune in for Prattyush Banerjee, Boi Akih Group and Kiran Ahluwalia. And this week's new act from Africa is Sammukat.

First airing: Monday 00:00 UTC

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

Available 24 hours a day via our sister web station RNWclassical.com.

Radio Netherlands English Service to 30 October 2011

All times UTC

0959-1000 12065as 15110as

1000-1057 12065as 15110as

1359-1400 11835as

1400-1457 9800as 11835as

1759-1800 6020af 15495af

1800-1857 6020af 15495af

1859-1900 7425af 11610af

1900-1957 7425af 11615af 15495af

2000-2057 7425af 11615af
(R Netherlands)