DX LISTENING DIGEST 1-046, March 31, 2001 edited by Glenn Hauser, wghauser@hotmail.com {Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. For restrixions and searchable 2001, 2000 contents archive see} http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/Dxldmid.html [NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn] WORLD OF RADIO WEBSITE has now been updated for DST: http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/ (SW-only master sked): http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/wormassw.html (Master sked by time including local times, satellite): http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/wormast.html (Nets to You, new April edition for DST): http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/nets2you.html (Used Receiver Prices, new edition courtesy of MARE): http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/rxtips.txt ** ARGENTINA. I rarely hear anything on 15820, the ISB frequency relaying various broadcasters, but definitely some talk on LSB only, March 30 at 2327, but could not get through high noise level; a time to recheck (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. Yes, Radio Australia has done it again! Having squeezed some more money from the Government, they are spending some of it on a relay from Taiwan from 0800 on the same frequency being used at the same time by one of their own transmitters in Shepparton. Here in southern Victoria, there is a delay of almost a second for the Taiwan signal creating a barely intelligible program when it used to be very clear. I know that Shepparton at that time is beamed East whereas Taiwan is beamed broadly towards Indonesia. Perhaps someone in the target areas can report whether this idea works, but I very much doubt it. There are enough clear frequencies at that time, so why do they do this? Radio Australia has someone occupying the position of "Frequency Manager". I did write "occupying the position" which is not the same as achieving successful outcomes! (Morrison Hoyle, Australia, Electronic DX Press via DXLD) WTFK?? [later: the time 0800 above I think must be local UT+10, i.e. 2200 UT, when we know there is a clash on 15240 -gh] ** BELGIUM. 15799.9 LSB, R Borderhunter test transmission 2315-2327 March 30. Very good signal here in southeast USA. SINPO: 45444. First heard an AM carrier flicker on and off around 2310-2312. Nice carrier strength, don't know if that was Borderhunter or not. A couple of minutes later, test transmission began in LSB with a strong signal. Audio was somewhat distorted. Program content consisted of mostly techno mx. First ID was given at 2317 announcing that this was a test trans. of R. Borderhunter. A few minutes later Alice Cooper's "School's Out" was played. Then the announcer said he used to play that song for East Germany. He also added, that it was very early in the morning in Europe, and no one was up, except a few pirate operators. A little more mx, then sign off, mentioning that he heard condx were not good, and hoped for better the next time. (Actually, I think the band was working fairly well, at the time of the px.) PX ended @ 2327 (David Hodgson, TN, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I was also listening at 2300, but may have quit before 2310; however, did not expect to hear much with disturbed propagation (gh, OK, DXLD) Cumbre DX Special 340.1 follow up. I just got an e-mail message from the operator of Radio Borderhunter. Apparently he was doing more tests and attempting to improve the modulation (after the Cumbre Special announcing the upcoming test) and a fire broke out in the amplifier. So he won't be able to make the 0500 UT broadcast. As he says: "Now I`m sitting near the transmitter with tears in my eyes knowing that I can`t make it before 0500 UTC" (Dave Valko, PA, Mar 31, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** CHINA [non]. Re: [SWL] Falun Gong Radio. A Follow up to this post. Today the Falun Gong Radio was again on-air but from three separate senders on adjacent channels. Firstly there was a signal on 12130 kHz in the clear with the same format but this time with a male announcer. On 12120 there was a much weaker signal buried in a RTTY signal yet clearly the identical program. Around 2248 a third sender came up on 12135 which did have a very weak signal there previously and it [may] have been a Chinese jammer because it sounded over- modulated as most jammers are. All senders were perfectly synchronised with their programming feed although I think they came from differing locations, judging by the propagation. S/off today was at 2303 and the senders went off in this order. Firstly, 12120 then 15 seconds later by 12130 and 7 seconds later by 12135. I think 12120 was further north yet still west and the other two may have been from a common site (Robin VK7RH L. Harwood, Tasmania, swl@qth.net via DXLD) I was monitoring at the same time and had rather different results. March 30 after 2230, the only frequency heard was 12135. It did not move around or go on and off; there was jamming and a het. At 2240 there were at least two talkers, at least one of which was definitely in Guoyü, but not sure if WFDR or a jammer. The het was missing about 2240-2250, then came back; all still going well past 2300 but gone at 2310 recheck. During this half hour I frequently tuned from 12120 to 12155 and did not hear any other signs of WFDR or jamming against it (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ECUADOR. I happened to read Alok das Gupta's notes ("Media Monitor" in the South Asia Radio Guide website) regarding HCJB's new transmissions to India, and he points out that they are actually targeting India with shortwave programs after a 25 year break. Really? I don't recall them having such transmissions before, but I do know that they tried English programming to Japan with test broadcasts in the mid-80s (Joe Hanlon in Philadelphia, March 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) It`s UT April 1, and HCJB`s live streaming is officially underway via http://www.hcjb.org This is the ONLY station of any kind I have ever brought up for webcast which forced an audiovisual commercial on me first (for cough drops). I am not pleased. Does this mean Hall`s is endorsed by J.C.? This at 0100 UT in preparation for DX Partyline, which came through complete on webcast without glitches, very nice except for tinny sound. Allen Graham, now back in Quito, mentioned that the new release to India is *Friday* at 2300 UT. Their website schedule does not make clear about days of week, since the transmission starts at 2300 the previous UT day, so DXPL evidently now gets its first airing UT Friday at 2310. AAMOF, the NAm program schedule in UT also shows the ``wrong`` days in the 0000-0700 period. Allen added that making programs available ondemand is their next project, and next week back to 49.5 minute program (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GEORGIA. 4875, Radio Khara via Dusheti tx. March 29th. While routinely scanning the band, stopped here at 1610 UT to check who was the one playing nice instrumental music. Strong signal. Some talks in Abkhaz language (my guess), but mainly instrumental jazz-type music. Program ends at 1630 with several "Radio Khara" IDs. Tx off at 1631. So, at least on Thursdays they are on at this time. To produce so strong signal, they might well be using a 50-100 kW tx. 73 (Jari Savoläinen, Kuusankoski, Finland, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) ** GREECE [non]. VOG, 17705 via Delano, confirmed with ``Hellenes Around the World`` again audible via super-signal relay, Sat 1600 March 31 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE. Fwd: PETITION - DIAMARTYRIA GIA TO KLEISIMO DEKADON RADIOFONIKWN STA8MWN. Dear Glenn, As I have contributed to this web site before. I have some pages from Greek Media for your DX Digest section. Though it is mostly in Greek, there are some sections in English. Topic closure of many Free broadcasting radio stations a few days ago in Greece. 73,s Costa (Costas Constantinides, Cyprus, March 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [DXLD is not a vehicle for petition campaigns, but I will include this one, also because it`s interesting to see how the Greeks have adapted the Roman alphabet for this purpose! -gh] From: "Greek Media" Subject: PETITION - DIAMARTYRIA GIA TO KLEISIMO DEKADON RADIOFONIKWN STA8MWN Date: 29 Mar 2001 21:03:55 -0000 Greek Media - http://www.media.net.gr Sto http://www.media.net.gr exei sth8ei sullogh ipografwn gia na ekfrasoume th diamartiria mas pros thn kivernish gia ton kleisimo dekadwn nomimwn radiofonikwn sta8mwn. At http://www.media.net.gr there is now a petition to collect signatures, so that our outrage can be expressed at the Greek government for the illegal closure of dozens of legal radio stations. http://www.media.net.gr savefreeradio@mail.gr Mixalhs Neuradakhs To unsubscribe, write to Grmedia-unsubscribe@listbot.com (via Costa, DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. Great visible aurora displays have been reported as far south as NM and AZ last night. If you have a clear view of the northern sky tonight or the next few nights, take a look! And report unusual radio reception. One place for latest on auroral conditions is http://www.spaceweather.com (Glenn Hauser, OK, March 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAN. Checked VOIRI 0030 in English to NAm, UT March 31 under very poor propagation conditions. Barely able to confirm 9835 and unlisted 9022 were parallel in heavy flutter, unintelligible audio. The other frequency on the list, 11970, was dominated by a distorted RHC. Given the prevailing conditions, I doubt that the het on it came from Iran. Elementary lesson the Islamic extremists have not learned: do not broadcast to North America on a Habana frequency. 24 hours later, Cuba 11970 had cleared up, and no trace of co-channel; 9022 very poor but better than 9835 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAËL. Reshet Gimmel`s website is finally online... It`s Hebrew only, and I don't see any live audio. It has schedules etc.: http://gimmel.iba.org.il OR you can find the link from http://www.iba.org.il (Daniel Rosenzweig, March 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JAPAN. DX Information from the British DX Club (BDXC-UK). From EDXP I have just receive the following information from STATION JJY : time signal from Japan on shortwave on 8000 khz. They are going to stop broadcasting on short wave until April 12th, 2001 and they will have a especial QSL card. Reports should be sent to: STATION JJY MINISTERY OF POST AND TELECOMUNICATIONS 2-1 Kukui-kftamachi 4 Chome Koganei - shi Tokyo 184 - 8795 JAPAN Please include 01 IRC (International Reply Coupon) or $1.oo US dollar. Thanks (CESAR PEREZ DIOSES via BDXC-UK via DXLD) Really? Was supposed to have QRT UT March 31 at 0300; so is anyone still hearing it? Surely you don`t really mean they plan to come back April 12 either (gh, DXLD) ** KALININGRAD. 1386: The LBH transmissions ceased on March 24; now Voice of Russia English is carried 1900-2100, then Bolshakovo signs off (Kai Ludwig, Germany, March 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MÉXICO. Hi, received today a thick envelope from Radio México Internacional (11770 kHz) containing a T-Shirt, a CD with Mexican jazz music and a friendly personal letter from Lic. Ana Cristina del Razo Esqueda, Gerente, thanking me for my RR of October 2000 and inviting me to visit the the station the next time I`m in México. 73, (Enzio Gehrig, Denia/Spain, (38.50N/000.04E), hard-core-dx via DXLD) DX Information from the British DX Club (BDXC-UK). From: rmi@eudoramail.com Dear Mike, Thank you for taking the time to write to us and taking an interest in the new programming schedule. You can find it posted on our web page along with a questionnaire that we would very much appreciate if you filled out and sent back in one form or another. Our web address is: http://www.rmi.gob.mx We look forward to your response. Best wishes from all your friends here at Radio Mexico International. Sincerely, (Cristina del Razo, Station Manager, XERMX, via Mike Terry, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** MÉXICO. Subject: Ayuda para XEQM 6105. La XEQM 6105 necesita ayuda para incrementar su potencia de 500 watts a 1000 watts; para ello necesita lo siguiente: Cuatro tubos (válvulas) tipo 4-400-C, Dos cristales a la frecuencia de 6,106 kHz, Frecuencia de corte 6,105 kHz, Frecuencia de operación 6,105 kHz; Tipo "D" Capacidad cond. 32pf Resonancia en paralelo; Temperatura de operación: 30 grados; Tipo alfileres para base: octal. Si alguien puede conseguir precio y lugar donde se puede conseguir este material, se los agradeceré mucho me informaran. o si alguien puede donarlos o bien proponer alguna forma de cómo podemos ayudarla ... saludos (Héctor Garcia Bojorge, México DF, March 30, Conexión Digital via DXLD) email bojorge@servidor.unam.mx http://troyadii.fi-p.unam.mx/radio/ Hola Hector. Las válvulas 4-400C las puedes conseguir en RF Parts a un costo de $130.00 C/U http://www.rfparts.com/ e-mail rfp@rfparts.com. Para los cristales y sus precios debes contactar alguna de los siguientes proveedores: http://www.ilsiamerica.com/ http://www.icmfg.com/ http://www.bomarcrystal.com/ http://www.hyqusa.com/ Te recomiendo el primero, ILS. Suerte con tu proyecto (José M. Valdés R., YV5LIX, http://www.yv5lix.org ibid.) ** NETHERLANDS. NEWS FROM FRS HOLLAND: We have decided to give it another try on 32 metres next Sunday morning. Previous Sunday we were testing on 9295 kHz between approx. 0615-0800 UT. As our Engineer Bobby Speed overslept, the test started not at the announced 0530. That`s also free radio.... During the test FRSH was received in a very nice quality at the US East coast as well in Australia with a poor signal. We also received reports from European DXers. We would like to thank each of you for sending an E-mail report. This Sunday our test is running between 0430-0630 UT (approximately!!). We will be just above 9295 kHz (9297/9298) to avoid QRM with our colleagues from Radio Nova and provided that will be a clear frequency. Remember a couple of hours before our actual test, summer time will replace winter time. For that reason we start already at 0430 UT/ 0630 CEST. The regular March 11th broadcast on 6200 (0900-1200 UT) produced a thick pile of letters. Thank you very much! Hopefully we may hear from you later this weekend..... 73's, (Peter V. (on behalf of the FRS team), Free Radio Weekly via DXLD) Subject: Test next Sunday. Dear FRS Friends, For the 3rd weekend in a row, FRS-Holland is planning a test broadcast on 32 metres. Following successful tests March 18th and 25th, we will conduct another test next Sun April 1st. The test will commence at 0430 UT/0630 CEST and will last two hours. Frequency is approx. 9297 kHz. We welcome any Email reports. Snailmail reports will be verified with our QSL and should be sent to our new P. O. Box 2702 in 6049 ZG Herten, the Netherlands. Email addresses: frsh@go.to , frsh@club.tip.nl or peter.verbruggen@tip.nl Hopefully we may hear from you later this weekend.....FRS-Holland- Just a bit Different. Have a very nice weekend, 73's, Peter Verbruggen, March 30, (on behalf of the FRS team) via BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** ROMANIA. Checking out previous RRI schedules claiming 9750 for English at 2300 to NAm, contrary to Bob Thomas` report: Bob is right, March 30 at 2314 English, RRI ID in passing, poor on 9570 here, but nothing on 9755 -- if there were it would be splashed by RCI; other listed frequencies: 11775 jammed, nothing on 11940 or 15105 in subnormal MUF conditions (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio Romania International in A-01: http://www.rri.ro A lot of changes and retimings occurred. En, Ru, It, Turkish, Serbian, Hungarian, Greek retimed too. Romanian programs extended. External Services 0000-0300 Romanian 5955 7225 (time extended) 0000-0100 Spanish 15105 13405 [sic -- 15405?] 17805 17815 0100-0200 Portuguese 15340 17815 0200-0300 English 11940 15105 15180 15340 17735 17790 0300-0400 Romanian 5955 7225 9690 11810 addit 0300-0400 Spanish 11970 15365 0400-0500 English 11940 15365 17735 21480 0400-0500 Romanian 7225 9625 9690 11810 addit 0500-0530 Bulgarian 5965 0500-0600 French 9510 11940 0500-0600 Romanian 7225 9625 EUR 15250 17805 21480 AUS/NZL 0530-0600 Ukrainian 756 7195 0600-0656 Multilingual to EUR 11775 11830 15105 15365 Romanian 0600-0615 French 0615-0628 German 0628-0641 English 0641-0656 0600-0700 English 11940 15180 0600-0630 Hungarian 5965 0630-0700 Chinese 17735 21480 retimed (ex 0330-0400) 0700-0800 Arabic 15370 15380 17720 17745(17815 printed) 0700-0800 English 17735 0700-1100 Romanian 11830 15105 (addit) 1100-1200 French 15250 15380 17805 17815 1100-1130 Italian 11725 (ex 1400-1430) 1100-1300 Romanian 15105 15390 17790 17850 1130-1200 Turkish 9625 (ex 1530-1600) 1200-1300 German 9690 11940 1200-1300 Russian 15270 17745 (ex 1300-1400) 1300-1500 Romanian 15105 15390 17720 17850 (addit) 1300-1330 Serbian 756 9680 (ex 1700-1730) 1330-1400 Greek 756 9680 (ex 1930-2000) 1400-1500 Arabic 15250 15365 15380 17745 17790 17815 1400-1500 English 15250 17735 (ex 1300-1400) 1400-1430 Italian 756 11810 (ex 1500-1530) 1430-1500 Chinese 17790 21510 1500-1600 French 15250 15380 17735 17815 1500-1600 Romanian 15270 ISR (addit) 1500-1700 Romanian 15105 17850 (addit) 1500-1600 Russian 11775 15365 1600-1700 German 9690 11940 15180 1600-1700 Romanian 15270 17720 1600-1630 Ukrainian 756 9665 1630-1700 Bulgarian 756 7105 1700-1800 English 11740 15365 15380 17805 1700-1900 Romanian 11940 15105 15405 17850 1700-1730 Turkish 756 9625 (ex 1830-1900) 1730-1800 Greek 756 9535 1800-1830 Macedonian [not yet on service, not realized] 1800-1830 Aromanian 756 11725 1800-1900 Spanish 15380 17745 1830-1900 Serbian 756 9510 (ex 1900-1930) 1900-2000 German 9690 11940 1900-2100 Romanian 7105 9625 11970 15405 (addit) 1900-2000 Russian 9680 11775 1930-2000 Hungarian 630 (ex 2030-2100) 2000-2100 French 11940 15255 15390(15405?) 17720 2000-2030 Italian 756 11765 2030-2100 Aromanian 756 11740 2100-2200 English 9725 11740 11940 15365 2100-2200 Romanian 7105 9625 11970 15405 2200-2300 Portuguese 15365 17815 2200-2300 Romanian 7105 9625 EUR 15255 17775 (ex 2300-2400) 2200-2300 Spanish 15380 17805 2300-0000 English 9570(9750printed) 11775 11940 15105 (RRI web site, Mar 31 via BC-DX via DXLD) For Seamen (Sundays only) !!!! last year season A-00 schedule. Needs further check tomorrow !! 0800-0900 on 15370 17790 17805 17865 0900-1000 on 15180 15270 17745 17790 17840 21490 1000-1100 on 15250 15380 17745 17790 21480 Relay of Home Service (Actualitatsi) !!!! from last year season A-00. Needs further check !!!! 0600-2200+ 11830 0000-0600 7225 0600-1900 15105 1800-0600 9625 1900-2200+ 9530 73 de (Wolfgang Büschel df5sx March 31 via DXLD) ** SERBIA. See UK for BBC reading of book about B-92 ** SPAIN. REE`s new 15385 for English at 0000 is very weak and unusable here April 1, due to very disturbed propagation, whilst e.g. HCJB on 15115 is fine. Just another evidence that Europeans need to use Caribbean-area relays for greater reliability in NAm. Oh! Spain has such a relay, Costa Rica, but have always refused to use it for low-priority English. Vies with France to slap North Americans in the face with the unimportance of our primary tongue (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. I apologise for this information being too late for your programme, but you might be interested anyway. If you can tune into BBC Radio 4 via the internet next week, starting on 2 April, listen to the series of readings called Book of the Week. The book next week is about the 10-year struggle by Radio B92 in Belgrade against the Miloshevich regime. Log on at either 4:45 am Eastern Time or 7:30 pm Eastern Time. Remember that the 4:45 a.m. Eastern time broadcast is carried only on FM in the UK. I do not know if Radio 4 has 2 streams of programmes covering the period when their radio frequencies are split, and I don't want you to have to put up with the very boring Daily Service at that time. However, the 7:30 pm broadcast is heard on all Radio 4 transmitters, and as that is obviously a more conveniently suitable time for you there should be no problem, if you can give it a listen. I am sure it will be really interesting (Paul David, 020 8933 9126, England, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 12:30am Book of the Week: This Is Serbia Calling - A Window on the World : Jack Davenport reads Matthew Collins` gripping account of life at B92, the independent Belgrade radio station that waged a ten-year campaign for freedom under the repressive regime of Serbian President Slobodan Miloshevich. Abridged in five parts by Roger Pine. Broadcast earlier (BBC Radio 4 listings via gh) That`s 2330-2348 UT! ** U S A. WBCQ 17495 totally inaudible Saturday afternoon for new CVS lineup, e.g. 2200, due to magstorm, depressed MUF. That being the case, not much chance of WLIO 26410 either, too close anyway to here for F2, but Fred said he might leave it on until noon Sunday (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [clandestine]. Glenn, Checking to hear if KSMR is on Saturday March 31, 2001 0300 UT and I hear "United Patriot Radio" on 3260 USB. Began with the song "Take My Gun From My Cold Dead Hand". Coughing male announcer said "We used to be KSMR and now we`re United Patriot Radio. We're still waiting on the satellite." Mentioned he will have a guest announcer in the studio during tomorrow's broadcast. Also said, "Station will be off the during norm creek.". Whatever "norm creek" means. Announcer then continued with "Hard News". Strong signal S9 +40 dB. Slight QRN. 73, (Kraig Krist, KG4LAC, VA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) USA - Kentucky: UPR (United Patriot Radio) heard UT 31 March 03 s/on to 0412 s/off on 3260U, good signal. Steve Anderson doing his thing, gave contact info as 245 Elrod-Martin Road, Somerset, KY 42503, asking for contributions at the conclusion of the show. Long list of militia contacts in all states given. Also mentioned he is no longer associated with Kentucky State Militia, but rather station has gone national to support all militia groups. Seeking help with satellite system. And so it goes... blah, blah... (Tom Sundstrom, NJ, NRD-525, various wires, SWBC list via DXLD) Glenn, 3260 USB was back in action tonight. I tuned in to the end of the broadcast, shortly after 0400 UT, as militia contact info was being delivered. The program is now being announced as "United Patriot Radio." (Michael Kallstrom, KY, March 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I was also tuned to 3260-USB UT March 31, and at 0300:00 sharp, on came ``Cold Dead Hands`` and Steve Anderson; same old slogans and rants except for name change to United Patriot Radio, ``used to be KSMR``. Said they had been ``down for a while, and now we`re not,`` thanks to sponsors he would not identify. Still waiting on satellite stuff for full operation. Needs a pro to set up this satellite with a good receiver to find the bird; has done all he can do. [Note: the satellite is that thing up in the sky. On the ground are *dishes* - gh]. Plans for a guest tomorrow night from Kentucky Riflemen Militia. Soon Steve will not be heard so much on the Militia Hour. And the station will not be operational during Norm Creek (the militia convention next weekend), which can be found by following the signs at the Upton KY exit, either direxion, from the interstate. Then spent a lot of time berating do-nothing patriots who offer nothing but verbal support to Mark Koernke, and did not show up for his trial, which he called a kangaroo court, in Ann Arbor (``why weren`t the streets packed with patriots ... in the communist republic of Michigan?``). Said Koernke was not allowed to defend himself, and was denied bail as a habitual offender, tho had never been convicted before. On March 29 was convicted of felonious assault, obstructing an officer, and eluding... Called for written character references from anyone Koernke has ever helped, and financial donations c/o his wife Nancy, who will be at Norm Creek, BTW. Also spelled out Koernke`s current mailing address at a county jail on Hogback Road. Nancy claims he will be killed if he then goes to a state prison. I quit listening at 0323 but let the tape run. Still going past 0400, wrapped up at 0407, then a brief QSO with ``Wolfman`` who had a much weaker signal. I assume from UT Monday this will be at 0200-0300+ (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ###