DX LISTENING DIGEST 1-084, June 16, 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 1083: (stream) http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/wor1083.ram (download) http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/wor1083.rm (summary) http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/wor1083.html WOR ON WWCR: We are advised that from early July, the Saturday 1130 UT airing on 15685 will be replaced by something else. MUNDO RADIAL Junio-Julio 2001: (escuchar) http://www.freespeech.org/hauser/sounds/mr0106.ram (guión) http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/mr0106.html ** ANGUILLA. Radio ZJF back on air | Text of report in English from Radio Netherlands "Media Network" web site on 11 June Anguilla, 11 June: Radio ZJF is returning to 105.7 FM after being off the air for nine months. Station manager Victor Nickeo Brooks says the programming will be targeted primarily towards tourists visiting Anguilla and St. Maarten. ZJF's return will increase the number of radio stations on Anguilla to seven. Source: Radio Netherlands "Media Network" web site, Hilversum, in English 11 Jun 01 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** ARGENTINA. LOL Standard Time and Frequency Station. Corresponding to the reply from the station, the transmitting schedule and etc. are as follows: *LOCATION Buenos Aires (34 deg 37'19"S, 58 deg 21'18"W) *FREQUENCIES 5, 10, 15 MHz *TRANSMITTING HOURS 11:00-12:00, 14:00-15:00, 17:00-18:00. 20:00-21:00, 23:00-24:00 UTC *POWER 2 kW *MODULATION FREQUENCY 440/1000 Hz 440Hz: 05-08, 15-18, 25-28, 35-38, 45-48 minutes 1000Hz: 00-03, 10-13, 20-23, 30-33, 40-43, 50-53 minutes *MODURATION INTERVALS 03-05, 08-10, 13-15, 18-20, 23-25, 28-30, 33- 35, 38-40, 43-45, 48-50, 53-55, 58-00 minutes *ANNOUNCEMENT 04, 09, 14, 19, 24, 29, 34, 39, 44, 49, 54, 59 minutes *INFORMATION OF TIME 55-58 minutes *PRECISION OF FREQUENCIES Two parts in 10E-10 [sic] *WEB SITE http://www.hidro.gov.ar/ *E-MAIL onba@rina.hidro.gov.ar *ADDRESS Armada Argentina Servicio de Hidrografia Naval Observatorio Naval Buenos Aires, Av. España 2099, 1107-Buenos Aires, Argentina (Kazutoshi Ogino, Japan, June 11, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. Latest that I have heard is that Christian Voice has (at least temporarily) CEASED operations from Darwin and turned over ALL its time back to the site's original owner, Radio Australia (Eric Cooper, Mission Viejo, CA, June 14, swl@qth.net via DXLD) I`m not sure where that story came from but it is, and was, incorrect. RA is leasing 7-1/2 hours out of DRW. CV is currently running 12 hours there and will shortly add more (Dan Ferguson, ibid.) See also UK [non]! {Source was Bob Padula, quoted in DXLD 1-073 -gh} ** AUSTRALIA. Alice Springs, 2310, heard relaying 3LO Melbourne, which it occasionally does, but strange to hear news on the hour (Chris Hambly, Victoria, 2125 UT June 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BELGIUM. Glenn, the Wavre tx on 621 kHz transmitting French network RTBF La Première with 300 kW is down to 20 kW due to works on the site. Source is http://www.rtbf.be. The Flemish network VRT Radio 2 http://www.vrt.be or http://www.radio2.be obviously is also affected; the signal seems to be weaker than normal, but I didn`t get further information. The works will continue until July 2001. 73 (Sascha A. Zimmer, Viersen / Germany, June 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. De Taubaté, Márcio A. Pereira nos traz algumas interessantes notícias sobre a Rádio Difusora Taubaté que transmite em 570 e 4925 kHz. A Rádio Difusora está dispensando um tratamento muito especial com os dexistas e radioescutas que a sintonizam e a reportam nos 4925 kHz. Para tanto foi criado um novo cartão QSL que será enviado a todos aqueles que tiverem seus relatórios confirmados pela emissora. Eles planejam também, sem seu horário noturno, se identificar em espanhol e ingles. Ainda como demonstração no interesse que tem nos ouvintes das ondas curtas, todos IRC's e notas de 1 dolar estão sendo devolvidos junto com os QSL's. Talvez o atual racionamento de energia atrapalhe no momento, mas a emissora está se aprontando para aumentar sua potencia de 1 para 5 kW em 4925 kHz, além de estar realizando melhorias em sua antena. O endereço da Rádio Difusora Taubaté: Rua DR. Souza Alves, 960 12020-030 Taubaté-SP BRASIL telefone/fax : 0xx12 2328122 73 (Samuel Cássio, DXCB, radioescutas June 15 via DXLD) [above station has a new QSL card, plans English and Spanish IDs in nighttime operation -gh, {WORLD OF RADIO 1084}] ** BURMA [non]. The Voice of Democratic Burma via Madagascar at 1429- 1455 UTC has changed frequency to 17805 kHz. 73, (Andy Sennitt, RN, June 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST; also via Ricky Leong) ** CANADA. From CBC domestic programs it sounds like a goodly number of the Alliance MPs are suspended for calling for the replacement of leader Stockwell Day and Stockwell Day is calling for a referendum on merging with the Progressive Conservatives. So right now it seems a bit unlikely that the Alliance can do anything about RCI (Joel Rubin, NY, June 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. RCI: I wonder if the reason for the latest axing is really the need to pay for transmissions via Merlin facilities when the airtime exchange with the BBC comes to an end? In addition to the cancelation of the morning broadcasts also 1500-1659 on 11935 was shifted from Skelton to Wertachtal (a satellite delay compared with Rampisham 15325 and Woofferton 17820 confirms this) to use the airtime quota which is no longer needed in the morning. Moosbrunn is now in use only 0330-0359 on 11835 and 1915-1944 on 15200, both with 100 kW only, making me wonder if Sackville transmits ROI 1500-1600 on 17865 still with 250 kW? (Kai Ludwig, Germany, June 12, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. Hi, Glenn. Please check out the RCI Action Committee webpage as soon as possible. It was announced today that Executive Director Robert O'Reilly has retired! He is being replaced by a CBC insider, from the Radio-Canada French language domestic network. Also interesting to note that the replacement's title will be "General Manger" and not "Executive Director". After talking to Wojtek today, it sounds like the new management is going to use the "we just got here" excuse for not answering pointed questions put to them about exactly what is going on at the station. I have my own initial feelings on this latest development. Since O`Reilly first arrived at RCI, there were many people who feared that he was another CBC henchman brought in to try to shut things down as the two former Executive Directors, Terry Hargreaves and Andrew Simon, tried to do. After having dealt with O`Reilly on a few occasions, I was of a different opinion. I feel that if we look at the track record of O`Reilly in the position, things were pretty much all positive with RCI. If the statements are true, he managed to run the operation in the last year with a budget surplus. Now, the new management is trying to implement changes which they claim are being put into place to prepare for a budget shortfall in the future. I personally feel that perhaps O`Reilly did his job too well, making RCI possibly more efficient; something that CBC administrators just couldn't swallow. I have a feeling that perhaps CBC tried to implement changes to try to destroy some of the things that O`Reilly was able to accomplish in his term as Director. I feel that this may have pushed O`Reilly into making his decision. I don't know the full terms of his decision, but I find it interesting that he is not only giving up his RCI position, but also his International Affairs position which he also held in the CBC. It seems to me like he possibly just had enough and basically said "I'm outta here!" I could be wrong and I am going to try to contact O`Reilly personally to see if he is willing to confirm any of this. Please feel free to publish this information. I am sick and tired of the meddling of CBC in the operations of RCI, and I want people to know it. I think it is time we called a spade a spade. This is nothing more than the beginnings of a full-fledged, all out attack on RCI, with the ultimate goal of complete absorption of RCI into the ranks of CBC. If RCI is going to look good in the public eye, the CBC now wants to take the full responsibility for it, but under their own terms, with their own underlying goals. I don't think we're far away from the name "Radio Canada International" being dropped, to be replaced with something like the International Service of the CBC. I've had enough and I'm going all out to scream it from the rooftops. Hopefully somebody with the power to stop these people will be listening (Sheldon Harvey, QU, June 12, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. 6030 CFVP (CKMX): nice reception tonight; I guess Martí and jammer are off on Sunday nights. 0307 with Michael McDonald music and then canned ID and slogan by the same male who does all their IDs at 0311. Wonder how far this gets out on Sunday nights? (Hans Johnson, WY, Jun 11, Cumbre DX via DXLD) {See DXLD 1-085} ** CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC. Central African Republic radio resumes broadcasts State-run Radio Centrafrique resumed broadcasts at 0800 gmt on 13 June. As of 1405 gmt on 13 June, the radio was only broadcasting music. [Radio Centrafrique had been unheard in Bangui since 28 May, after a failed coup attempt against President Ange-Felix Patasse which left at least a dozen people dead.] Source: Radio Centrafrique, Bangui, in French 1405 gmt 13 Jun 01 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** CHINA. Terry, BD7NQ, informs OPDX that they are planning to run a China DX Net once a week. They would like to let many DX stations work China and help more China DXers and novices work DX. The net will run on frequency 21410 kHz, the time will start at 1300z or 2300z on Saturday. They will pick up a better time depending on the propagation. They welcome any DX station checking in to their net and making a QSO with any China station. To search for QSL information on Chinese stations, go to URL: http://www.chinaqrz.com (KB8NW/OPDX June 11/BARF-80 via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. On 15285 loud Chinese jamming (overmodulated signal type) was present; aiming at the BBC in Mandarin via Singapore as I found later from the listings (Kai Ludwig, Germany, June 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA/VIETNAM. Jamming against religious broadcasting Recently, a DX friend linked the topics of jamming, clandestine broadcasting and religious broadcasting. In this context, one should note that for decades a "gentlemen agreement" was in effect between some governments and some missionary broadcasters. Religious programming was to remain undisturbed as long content was considered purely religious. This was openly confirmed by this item in the Mission Network News programme for April 4th 2001 "(China)--We begin today's newscast with reports from China and Tibet saying the communist government is stepping up their attempts to jam the increasing number of foreign radio broadcasts into isolated areas of the country. Far East Broadcasting Company's Jim Bowman says the government is actually trying to stop broadcasts like 'Free Tibet', and others that they fear could cause an insurrection. Bowman explains the irony. "We've been told this by Chinese officials many times, especially with regard to our office in Hong Kong. As long as we broadcast strictly what they call 'religious' material, or the Gospel, they won't jam, but if we do anything that sounds to them like politics, then they do jam." In the case of FEB-international you will remember that Chinese jammers showed their muscles against FEBA-Radio when Voice of Tibet broadcast via FEBA-Radio. In the case of Vietnamese jamming against FEB-Hmong broadcasts this is obviously to be seen in connection with a Government crack down on Hmong self organization reflected in the founding of numbers of Christian grass roots congregation. One might also remember that Christian missionaries in South East Asia usually were successful in minorities marginalized by the official Burmese, Khmer or Vietnamese leaderships and that during the Indo-China wars the "hill tribes" were counted as allies against Communist forces (Hansjörg Biener, Germany, June 12, 2001 for Clandestine Radio Watch via DXLD) ** COSTA RICA. Randi Steele is interviewed on this week`s Far Right Radio Review on RFPI, all about her break with WBCQ over hate speech (George Thurman, IL, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Repeats Sat June 16 at 2030, Sun 0230, 0830, 1430 (RFPI Mailbag) And should soon be added to the audio archive at http://www.rfpi.org/progdesc/frrr-pd.html#audioarchive -- A full hour about Allan Weiner and his ethics, motivations (gh, DXLD) ** CUBA. The web site for Radio Cadena Habana is extremely well done and very informative: http://www.cadenahabana.islagrande.cu/ This web site points to several other "Estaciones de Radio" in Cuba, and it also pointed me to another link for Cuban radio stations, at: http://www3.cuba.cu/portal3.php?categoria=Noticias-Radio&base=0 (F W Mooney, swl@qth.net via DXLD) ** CUBA [non]. Herminio San Román, Director of Radio and Television Martí, has announced that he will step down on 27 July (Media Network newsletter via John Norfolk, DXLD) {Much more: DXLD 1-085} ** DIEGO GARCIA. I guess a while ago someone on the list asked if AFRTS Diego García has gone off the air. Well, June 13th around 2000 UT there was AFRTS program audible on 4319. Usual, rather weak signal, interference from utes, like it has been last several months in my QTH. 73 (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski Finland, June 14, hard- core-dx via DXLD) ** ETHIOPIA [non]. CIS, 12110: The new approx. ID "Natanat Lediopyan Radio" [Netsanet Le-Ethiopia] 1700-1800 seems to be anti-Ethiopian govt, but sure is from Moldova or Russia, at 1655 the typical opening procedure pips given. Not from Bulgaria ! (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, May 31, BC-DX via DXLD) ** FINLAND. Seldom reported is a problem with YLE`s 11755 channel: It suffers often from an echo effect. Perhaps the result of two transmitters in use and one getting delayed audio? (Kai Ludwig, Germany, June 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FINLAND. Excerpt of YLE schedule: 1230-1300 Daily ENGLISH Am 15.400 17.670 1253-1300 Su.....Sa LATIN Am 15.400 17.670 (BBC Monitoring June 13 via DXLD) ** FRANCE. French-language Radio Monte Carlo has changed its name to "RMC Info," according to a report in the Nice-Matin newspaper. The change, announced on June 5, comes after the station adopted a news- talk format in January (Mike Cooper, GA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. The Wilsdruff 1431 outlet of Mega-Radio is probably operated with the announced new Telefunken TRAM transmitter now. I note increased signal strength and slightly changed modulation. Around 1120 only an open carrier was aired, then switched off until the transmitter came back on with audio. It`s difficult to judge the actual power by comparing with co-located 1044 due to the different amount of groundwave absorption, but anyway 1431 still not exactly sounds like running the announced 250 kW. By the way, they still air the "local news" from Schwerin also on 630, 1431 and 1575 (so certainly also on 1440, too) (Kai Ludwig, Germany, June 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Later: Wilsdruff 1431 is meanwhile back to the tiny 10 kW signal, suggesting that the new transmitter is not in regular service yet (Kai Ludwig, Germany, June 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. Of the six frequencies I have listed for AIR at 1000 (to Asia/Pacific), I can definitely hear four, possibly five. The best (in order) are 13700, 15020, 17895, and 17840. There`s something on 17510 but I can`t tell what it is and nothing on 11585. 13700 is moderate and readable (Liz Cameron, MI, 14 June, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. All India Radio, JEYPORE, in the Eastern State of Orissa is noted back on SW after about 2 years from this morning. The schedule is 5040 kHz 0025-0430, 1135-1730; 6040 0700-0905. The tx was noted going off several times abruptly during the broadcast and test tones noted at other times. It is of 50 kW and was off air due to shortage of spare valves. Address for reports is: All India Radio, Jeypore 764005, Orissa, India. 73 (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS Hyderabad, India, June 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Slight changes of AIR Jeypore sked: 5040 0025-0430 1130-1730; 6040 0700-0935 (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, June 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) {Further update: DXLD 1-085} ** IRAN. I think the Iranian elections are over, and moderates - or more moderate than the rest - have won most seats. Hopefully the jamming affecting the VoA/RL/BBC is only temporary. Maybe things will quieten down when their new govt becomes established. Unless, of course, they can't find a better use for all of their SW transmitters! (Noel R. Green-UK, Jun 10, BC-DX via DXLD) ** ITALY. RAI seems to have shifted its broadcast in English (and the subsequent broadcast in French) to North America to five minutes later. English newscast now airs at 0055 UTC with French beginning at 0115. Format of the 20-minute broadcast remains unchanged, with 10 minutes of news followed by 10 minutes of fill music. (Mike Cooper, GA, June 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KURDISTAN [non]. Radio Bopeshowa renewed transmissions via a powerful transmitter. Noted on May 25th with a strong signal. The current schedule: 1500-1600 on 9960 kHz on Mon/Wed/Fri (not on Thu now). First half of programme is in Arabic, second in Kurdish (opening with 'Lambada' music). (Robertas Petraitis, Lithuania, June 13, 2001 for Clandestine Radio Watch via DXLD, {WORLD OF RADIO 1084}) ** KURDISTAN [non]. CLANDESTINE from RUSSIA? to IRAQ: 15770, Voice of Mesopotamia, June 5 1518-1600*. Noted with long talks in Kurdish with a very haunting melodramatic violin music played in the back-ground. Signal was quite good with only very slight jamming noted. 1552 many mentions about the Kurdish Opposition, with several English phrases such as 'yesterday's news' & 'Arabian Mosque' At the end of the BC (1558) several clear ID's for 'denge Mesopotamia'; schedule (hours & kHz mentioned) With one point there was mention of 'P.O. Box' (but nothing else) so really don`t know if it was a address or not. Sign- off abrupt in mid-sentence (Ed Kusalik, Alberta, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Voice of Mesopotamia and Radio Must are not two different stations, but two different identifications of the same station. This station was observed on 23rd May 1500-1600* UT on 9960 kHz in Turkish and Kurdish. Signal was strong and clear. In programme were: talks about Kurdistan, "haci kader" (=pilgrims) and a lot of Turkish music (announced: "Turkçe musik"). Heard many identifications "Dengi Mesopotamia" also "Radio Must, Mesopotamia". Next day (24th May)- silence on this frequency, but on 25th May there was Radio Bopeshowa 1500-1600. Tentative that Voice of Mesopotamia used the freq. 9960 only for 1 or 2 days (Robertas Petraitis, Lithuania, June 13, 2001 for Clandestine Radio Watch via DXLD) ** MALAYSIA SARAWAK. Below is the current observed SW schedule of RTM Radio Malaysia Sarawak. During school terms educational programmes are also carried within the 0100-0300 period Mon-Sat on 6050 and 7130. Schedule is modified around major holidays, especially 1 June (Harvest Festival). Via Kuching: 4895 2200-0100, 0800-1500 in Iban exc. Kayan/Kenyah 0800-1000 5030 2200-2400 (Sun -0100), 1000-1500 in Bidayuh 7130 Sun 2330-0100, daily 0400-0600 in Bidayuh 7270 Mon-Sat 0100-0300 in Bisaya from Limbang; Sun 0058-0500 in Iban; Mon-Sat 0400-0500 in Iban; 0500-0600 in Kayan/Kenyah; 0600-0800 in Lun Bawang (Murut) from Limbang; 0800-1000 in Kayan/Kenyah; 1000-1500 in Iban NB: Two transmitters seem to be used on 7270, one weaker and a few 100 Hz above channel after 0800 and all day Sundays, one stronger and on channel before 0800 Mon-Sat. The latter is presumably the newer 100 kW unit. At least four of the older 10 kW txs must still be in operation, as they are on simultaneously for just two minutes a week Sun 0058-0100 on all of the above frequencies. Via Sibu: 6050 2200-0100 in Iban, local program from Sibu: 2300-2400; 0400-0500 in Iban; 0500-0600 in Kayan/Kenyah 0600-0800 local program from Miri in Iban; intermittently Sun 0800-0900 Chinese Christian religious programme (//MW and FM networks), on some Sundays is off air at this time; 0900-1000 local program from Sri Aman in Iban; 1000-1200 local program from Sibu in Iban; 1200-1500 in Iban News in Malay from Radio 1 Kuala Lumpur is relayed at 0900 and 1300 on 4895 and 7270, also at 1300 on 5030. {MALAYSIA SABAH} RTM Radio Malaysia Sabah 'Siaran Berbagai Bahasa' ('Broadcast in Various Languages') is heard 0325v-1330 on 5979v. Languages are English to 0730, Kadazan 0730-1000, Bajau 1000-1200, Dusun 1200-1315, Murut from 1315. According to their website http://www.p.sabah.gov.my/rtm (beware of force-fed audio) the exact location of the 10 kW NEC HFB-215 transmitter is Kampung Laya-Laya, Tuaran, north of Kota Kinabalu. On one Monday morning in May I noted the tx already on for a brief period around 0200 relaying Chinese, presumably a test. Not heard at that time on following Mondays (Alan Davies, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, Jun 10, BC-DX via DXLD) ** MEXICO. XEUT, Tijuana on 1630 kHz was heard last December and mailed report in rudimentary Spanish with 1 US$1 and a local postcard. 6 months later rcvd a big envelope containing a full-data QSL certificate, big wall poster, personal letter in Spanish, schedule and decal. Signer is Martha Adriana Arquez, Jefe & postal address is UABC Radio, 233 Paulin Ave. P.O.Box MSC 5163, Calexico CA 92231-2646 USA. Regards from (Bill Flynn in Oregon, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NETHERLANDS. Re Will Martin`s request for morning broadcasts: While it is very flattering to Radio Netherlands, I once again must reiterate that it is not our mandate to provide services which the BBC has decided to abrogate. And since planning and budgeting is done well ahead of time, we cannot just create new services at short notice with no extra staff or resources. Also, we need evidence that there's a demand. 250 or so people on a mailing list does not quite cut the mustard :-) I'd be interested to know what proportion of the 1.2 million BBC listeners are currently tuning in at that time of day (Andy Sennitt, swprograms via DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS [non]. The Dutch Radio Nationaal announces on its website http://www.radionationaal.nl/ that it will start broadcasting via [UK] Orfordness 1296 on July 1st at 12 AM (CET). The webpage sells the 1296 usage with coverage maps, including a comparison with the formerly used 1035 and 1332 transmitters in the Netherlands, which were switched off by Nozema due to unpaid bills; since then Radio Nationaal was broadcasting within the cable nets only. Needless to say that one has really to wonder how a station, which was almost bust, can finance a 500 kW transmitter now (Kai Ludwig, Germany, June 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEW ZEALAND [non]. RNZI has a new weekday program, Korero Pacifica, at 1600-1615 UT on World Radio Network 1 (webcast at http://www.wrn.org). This title doesn`t appear on RNZI`s shortwave schedule (and SW isn't even on the air at 1600 UT). It`s a "new Pacific News & topic of the day programme," per http://www.rnzi.com/pages/listen.htm (Kevin Kelly, Arlington, Mass., PublicRadioFan.com DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. Voice of Russia on 11750: The programming is the usual 7125 schedule, so it will be interesting to learn if this an additional outlet or a summer replacement for 7125. Site: The HFCC registration suggests Tbilisskaya; the other usual suspect is Grigoriopol` (Kai Ludwig, Germany, June 12, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SPAIN/GERMANY. I checked the listing of migrations from VHF to UHF against the list of Spanish TV transmitters in WRTH 1999: Most of the entries indeed seems to concern low powered gap-fillers, although it includes also some high power transmitters. Anyway I found no entry in the list for these transmitters (all carrying TVE-1): Site ch. kW Pol. Izana 3 200 h Aitana 3 60 h Tibidabo 4 150 h Guadalcanal 4 120 h Santiago de Comp. 4 112 h Madrid 4 15 h Ares 5 50 h Sierra Almaden 5 40 h Parada de Sil 5 40 v Alpicat 5 15 h Sierra de Lujar 7 150 h Castropodame 7 22 v Benicasim 7 10 v Fuencaliente 7 10 h Matadeon 8 12 h El Cabaco 9 63 h La Mancha 9 60 h Paramo 9 9 h Domayo 10 10 h Pozo d.l. Nieves 10 10 h In addition the WRTH list shows three sites with // transmissions on VHF and UHF, in this cases the VHF transmitter was probably shut down in the meantime: Santiago de Compostela TVE-2 ch. 2 (40 kW) as well as ch. 45 (316 kW); Alfabia TVE-1 ch. 6 (50 kW) as well as ch. 54 (119 kW); Villadiego ch. 8 (13 kW) as well as ch. 47 (40 kW). It is especially interesting that TVE not only keeps the so-called band III, which starts with ch. 5 on 175.25 MHz, but also the low- frequency band I (ch. 2 = 48.25 MHz, ch. 3 = 55.25 MHz, ch. 4 = 62.25 MHz). If I remember correctlly, Norway intends to replace all band I transmitters by UHF, and in the GDR the last band I outlet disappeared already about 25 years ago when the absolutely insufficient old Calau facility with only a single FM transmitter was replaced by a new tower for full service of both TV and FM (all five radio networks). This new tower got no new band I transmitter but instead one on ch. 53, a much higher frequency (727.25 MHz) than in use by any other GDR TV transmitter so far, resulting in some problems because older TV sets could be tuned up to ch. 39 only (Kai Ludwig, Germany, June 12, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. Dubai 21605 splatters heavily over more than +/- 20 kHz. As far as I remember nothing new, instead I read complaints about this transmitter splattering into the 15 metre ham band already years ago (Kai Ludwig, Germany, June 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. If BBCWS goes through with its shortwave cutbacks on July 1, some prime shortwave frequencies at prime listening times could be taken over by some truly awful programming. Perhaps the best replacement programming on those Merlin-owned or Merlin-brokered transmitters would also come from the U.K. Non-BBC radio stations generally don`t have the wherewithal for the well crafted block programs of BBCWS. So the format would probably be music and DJ, something like the old Radio Luxembourg on 6090. Imagine an all-night DJ on a small FM station in Leicester or Taunton suddenly adding all of the North America (and perhaps also Australia and New Zealand) to his/her audience. Preferably, this would be someone familiar with shortwave and excited about speaking to transoceanic audiences. The program should be live so that the DJ can take phone calls and answer e-mails in real time. The ideal format would be world music (alas, I doubt Andy Kershaw at this stage of his career would want to work an all-night shift), with perhaps a 60s retro offshore-pirate-style show on weekends. Other possibilities: The Virgin Radio "classic" audio service has oldies of the 60s through 80s. This would interest the fifty- something listeners who dominate the shortwave community now, and also appeal to the much needed younger listeners. Among other formats, most shortwave listeners probably don`t want more news, but the ITN audio news service does flow nicely. Money would be the problem. Merlin Network One and other attempts to sell advertising on shortwave have not succeeded. The data needed by ad agencies are not available for internationally dispersed audiences. But, throughout the United States, there are salespeople for small radio stations that cannot afford Arbitrons, or where audiences are not measured. By sheer pluck, they sell ads to local businesses and keep their stations in business. A similar salesperson in the U.K. would hammer away at all the British businesses, in tourism, transport, export, etc., that seek U.S. customers. A long shot, perhaps, but consider the alternative. Perhaps our U.K. friends could suggest some content possibilities. And we can go to http://www.comfm.fr and sample British radio (among the audio streams that actually work). (Kim Elliott, DC, June 12, swprograms via DXLD) speaking for ke and not for voa.gov ** U K. BBC WS DROPS BROADCASTS TO US, CANADA AND AUSTRALIA Opposition to this decision continues to be posted on internet newsgroups on a daily basis. There have been several letters published in the Daily Telegraph as well as letters and/or articles in the Guardian, Glasgow Herald and Financial Times. To co-ordinate efforts a campaign group has been set up. You can visit their website at http://www.savebbc.org [there is currently a link to a Newshour June 15 interview with Ralph Brandi of the coalition, and WS director Mark Byford rebutting -gh] Now that the election is over British listeners have a chance to influence the decision. Mr Denis MacShane has been appointed as Minister with Responsibilty for World Service at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Their address is King Charles Street, London SW1A 2AH. The Opposition Foreign Secretary is the Rt. Hon Francis Maude M.P.. The Liberal Democrat Spokesman is the Rt. Hon Menzies Campbell C.B.E, Q.C., M.P. They can be reached at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. The Prime Minister`s Office has directed some enquiries to the Department of Media, Culture and Sport which has responsibility for the BBC as well as tourism. BBC WS is financed by an FCO grant but is also part of the BBC which comes under this departments remit. The Minister for Culture, Media and Sport is the Rt.Hon Tessa Jowell M.P., department address is 2-4 Cockspur Street, London SW1Y 5DH. Opposition spokesmen are Peter Ainsworth (Conservative), Nick Harvey (Liberal Democrat). I have today written a letter to Mr MacShane and Ms Jowell asking for their respective departments to ask the BBC to urgently reconsider the decision. I have circulated a copy to my local MP and advised the Ministers that I have done so. Copies have also gone to the Opposition spokesmen. I have asked my local M.P. to make sure the decision will be subjected to Parliamentary scrutiny. I have mentioned about the ineffectiveness of FM rebroadcasting and internet audio, the size of the shortwave audience, which is 1.2 million, and the increasing growth of shortwave radio sales in North America. I have mentioned how BBCWS is a positive influence in attitudes towards Britain which pays off in business investment, tourism and political support. Americans gets a balanced view of UK affairs through the BBC, important in issues such as Northern Ireland for example. As well as reading the coverage in issues of DXLD posted here visit the website which has a point and counterpoint section for use by letter writers. I would urge other members to write letters similar to mine. Politicians have not had a chance to scrutinise this decision due to the election campaign. The decision is at best premature and should, in my view, be challenged. Please advise of any reactions you get. (Mike Barraclough, UK, June 14, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** U K. Long article in today`s June 14 Daily Telegraph, seems from the last paragraph the staff are now questioning the decision (Mike Barraclough, BDXC-UK via DXLD) 'Our World is Coming to an End' Fans of BBC radio in America and Australasia are angry that short wave broadcasts stop next month. Tom Leonard reports. Ralph Brandi is an internet editor from New Jersey and is glued to the BBC World Service for 20 hours a week. John Figliozzi, a journalist in New York, listens for two or three hours a day on a tiny portable radio he takes around the house. It is, says Mr Brandi, in a generous tribute to British broadcasting, simply the best radio station in the world. From July 1st, however, they, and many like them say that, reluctantly, they will be listening a lot less. Next month the World Service will cease broadcasting to North America and Australasia in a controversial move to switch off its shortwave transmitters. Listeners will have to listen on the internet or rely on FM rebroadcasts on local stations - options which fans such as Mr Brandi and Mr Figliozzi insist are simply not viable alternatives. The change which will save just half a million pounds from an annual budget of 183 million pounds, has predictably caused uproar, with hundreds of listeners writing to complain. Mark Byford, director of the World Service, argues that his decision reflects a fundamental change in the way listeners in "developed markets" are accessing the station. The savings will be invested in poorer regions where shortwave is the only way listeners can access the service. Meanwhile disgruntled fans such as Mr Brandi and Mr Figliozzi have formed an international coalition to lobby the BBC and the Foreign Office. On their website, the group provides a comprehensive rebuttal of the BBC's case. The groups central point is that the BBC's sums simply don't add up. According to Mr. Brandi while 1.2 million people listen to the World Service in the United States alone, across the world the BBC website can currently support only 20,000 simultaneous internet listeners. Despite being a heavy internet user, Mr Brandi rarely uses it to access the radio. He says it is complicated to access, relatively expensive and requires listeners to stay within earshot of the computer. He also disputes the BBC's assertion that sound quality is better on the internet. The hollow metallic digital sound that comes via a computer soon makes it tiring on the ears he says. Sports rights provide a further problem for the internet. The World Cup was just one of a number of sports events that World Service listeners could follow on short wave but could not be broadcast on the internet. The protesters are equally dismissive of the BBC's other option. They say that of the 220 American stations listed by the BBC as carrying the World Service on FM, 100 of them broadcast it only betwen midnight and 6am. Of the rest many carry at most an hour a day of World Service, others as little as a five minute news bulletin. Mr Brandi predicts the BBC will haemorrhage listeners, annoyed not only by the change but by the corporations condescending stance. "The BBC seems to be saying, 'Our programmes are so good we can dictate how you listen to them' "I always thought the BBC was there to serve," says Mr Figliozzi. "If there's a sizeable number listening to short wave, they should still be there. Their most loyal listeners deserve a little more consideration." Byford however, is unmoved by the protests of what the BBC likes to portray as a band of shortwave hobbyists. Despite insisting that the station remains "a service for the whole world". He talks of his "target audience" of opinion formers and decision makers in the developed world listening predominantly via the internet and FM re-broadcasts. The existence of listeners in places such as North America and New Zealand who actually prefer shortwave - and 300,000 US and Canadian listeners only tune in via short wave - doesn't fit in with the thinking at Bush House. Byford says that the World Service has achieved its biggest ever audience - 153 million listeners - precisely because it has developed a "multi-delivery strategy" to adapt to different audiences. "It's not about cutting but re-prioritising," he says, "We risk losing listeners but we risk losing listeners by standing still across the world." Unfortunately for Byford, the protestors views are shared by many of his own staff. "It's just another stupid change by a stupid management. We understand in the long term that short wave will be less important but why make the change so dramatically as this?" says one senior journalist. "It's completely mad. We've gone to a lot of trouble to build up an audience and they're ready to throw it away." (via Mike Barraclough, BDXC-UK via DXLD) One of the BBC frequencies to the Americas that they have indicated that they will keep on the air is 12095 kHz. Is that frequency really better for reception in the Central & South America area than it is here in the central US? There has been utility interference just above that frequency constantly for all the time I have ever tried to listen to it. Is that interference there in the nominal target area too? If so, can anyone explain just why the BBC keeps that interfered-with frequency and lets others go? What is so important about 12095? I wrote "Write On" some time ago about it, before all the cutback news came out. No response ever emerged. It's not only the upper RTTY (or whatever) noise; on 6/6/01 I and my wife were listening at 2145 UT and I had tuned the Sony 2010 off the nominal frequency to eliminate that noise, but the signal was still plagued by some howling that sounded like a cat in agony. We both reached that evaluation independently. If they are going to cut off the Sackville relays, why would they keep this frequency as one of the few remaining? Anybody have any rational explanation as to why they haven't moved off 12095 years ago? I would think that some SW-band-type analog radios wouldn't even tune that high for the 11 MHz band, anyway. What does 12095 have going *for* it? (Will Martin, Saint Louis, Missouri USA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. subject: Receipt of BBC World Service Letter Hi Glenn: I just received an unsolicited form letter by postal mail from the BBC World Service, Bush House this morning. I don`t believe that it provides much new information, but it is at least another official explanation of their short wave service cuts to the USA. The full text (less the BBC and my address) follows: (Michael W. Enos, Tallmadge, OH, June 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 28 May 2001 Dear Mr. Enos: As a regular listener to the World Service, I would like you to know about the latest developments in BBC World Service’s broadcasting in the USA. Over the last five years we have adopted a deliberate policy of delivering services to listeners on multiple platforms. We have made the most of new technologies to help people access us when and how they find it convenient. This has meant being at the forefront of online broadcasting and continually seeking new partnerships with other media players. You can now hear BBC World Service radio programmes free of charge online, both live and on demand, on our website at http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice and on Yahoo! Our news channel and our regular mixed programme channel are available online 24 hours a day. At the same time, we have enhanced our services to radio listeners by continual expansion of our network of contacts and partnerships with local stations across the country, so that most of our listeners (about 2.3 million people) now hear us via local stations on FM, rather on short wave. In light of this expansion, and as a result of the significant take- up of these newer delivery methods, direct short-wave transmissions to North America are being withdrawn from 1st July 2001. However, in some areas of North America it may still be possible to listen on frequencies for other regions of the world; transmissions to the Caribbean, Central & South America and East Asia remain unaffected. Further developments this year will include the launch of two providers of national digital radio services to US audiences, XM radio and Sirus Radio. Meanwhile, satellite listeners can still hear BBC World Service via C-SPAN. You will find more information about how you can continue to listen to BBC World Service on the Americas pages of our website ww.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/americas [sic], or you can call us on telephone number 011 44 8700 100 670 for advice. BBC World Service remains committed to its listeners around the world. We believe we can maintain our reputation as the world`s most trusted international broadcaster by targeting our resources carefully, and the changes to our transmission services in North America reflect our commitment to our role in a rapidly changing modern media world. With best regards, Your sincerely (signed) Jerry Timmins, Head, Americas Region, BBC World Service (via Michael W. Enos, OH, DXLD) I decided to try listening to the BBC only on South/Central American and West African frequencies over this weekend to see what the BBC would be like with no English Broadcasts directed to North America. So far, not too bad. At 0000 UT until 0300, 9915 to South America has been very strong here in Connecticut on my portable Grundig Yacht Boy. 17640 (to North Africa) and 15220 (Central America) were received well here between 1000-1400ut. 17840 at 1600ut (right now) is being received at 55555 levels. I went to the BBC schedules page and printed out frequency charts for English to these distant locations. I cross referenced those against their soon to be eliminated and reduced time frequencies. I believe here in the Northeast US, we still be able to regularly receive the BBC but it will be harder to keep track of the frequencies. Sincerely (while listening to Sportsworld) - (Dean Bonanno, Durham, CT, June 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) For those who are too busy to write a letter and want to express their concern to keep the BBC North American Service, please dial the BBC at 011-44-8700-100-222 and let them know! It took me all of one minute to do this. You can also ring David Belgrove (Media and Public Affairs) at the Ottawa British Consulate at 613-237-1542 extension 262 and let him know there is at present no comparable alternative to the BBC shortwave service available in North America. He's a very affable and reasonable fellow. I enjoyed speaking with him. I guess that's why he's their public relations representative. You can brush up on your facts by first visiting http://www.savebbc.org 73 (Paul Pasternak, B.A. (Hons) C.P.C.C., June 12, ODXA via DXLD) ** U K [non] Excerpt from the Merlin schedule regarding 12035 0300- 0500: [answering a previous question as to site, beams] 12035 0300 0400 smtwtfs Cyprus 250 173 ENGLISH E AF 12035 0400 0500 s.....s Cyprus 250 328 ENGLISH EUR 12035 0400 0500 .mtwtf. Cyprus 250 328 ENGLISH EUR (Kai Ludwig, Germany, June 12, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UK [non]. Christian Voice studios Christian Voice is a British based religious broadcaster which now owns and operates short wave stations in Zambia (*1994), Chile (*1998) and Australia (*2000) and also applied for a local FM licence in the UK Midlands. The 24 h English programme broadcast from Zambia and now Australia is produced at the organizations headquarters in West Bromwich near Birmingham and fed to the stations by satellite. Merlin Communications recently announced that they would take care of the feed to Australia. Nonetheless, Christian Voice did announce plans to build a studio in Australia, too. Similarly, the Spanish programmes broadcast from Chile are not produced in South America but in Miami, Florida. It is an old issue in missionary circles whether programmes produced way outside the intended target areas can indeed be effective in communicating the Gospel. The Lutheran Radio Voice of the Gospel (1963-1977) was the first international missionary station that tried to broadcast only programmes produced by churches and church councils (not individual missionaries!) based in the target areas. The only exception to this rule were the programmes in Chinese. After the nationalization of the Radio Voice of the Gospel facilities by the then Marxist government of Mengistu Haile Mariam some of the regional partners were able to continue by producing cassette tapes, programmes to be broadcast in their national broadcasting systems or also internationally. For example, the KiSwahili programmes on TWR Swaziland are entirely produced by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (Dr Hansjoerg Biener, June 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Departing chief on planned VOA News Now format change | Excerpt from report by "Communications World" report by Voice of America on 9 June [Presenter] ... Perhaps you heard VOA Director Sandy Ungar on VOA's Talk to America on Monday [4 June]. This was a farewell appearance, because Mr Ungar will leave VOA on 30 June to become president of Goucher College in Baltimore. In response to a call from Thomas in Japan, who was critical of the VOA News Now format, Mr Ungar had this news: [Ungar] I can tell you now, jumping the gun a little bit, we are about to modify the format of VOA News Now within the next couple of months. This is a project that I've been working on, oh I don't know at least six or nine months now, with the task force that I established and we are going to put some music back on into the schedule. We're going to have more cultural and softer news on VOA News Now because there was some feeling and some impression from people that it had gone a little bit hard news and maybe was too repetitive. [Presenter] Via e-mail on Tuesday [5 June] , and at meetings on Wednesday [6 June], VOA News Now broadcasters were informed of the changes. Details are sketchy until VOA management discusses the new programming requirements with the union that represents VOA broadcasters. Mr Ungar said he wants these changes to take place mid to late July [2001]. I'll let you know when more information is available. Source: Voice of America, Washington, via World Radio Network in English 0830 gmt 9 Jun 01 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** U S A. [E-mail to VOA employees]: Effective July first, the Broadcasting Board of Governors has asked Myrna Whitworth, currently VOA Program Director, to serve as Acting Director of the Voice of America. Prior to becoming Program Director in January 1998, Myrna spent six years as the Director of the Office of Affiliate Relations, Media Training and Research. A long time VOA employee, Myrna also served in a number of managerial positions within VOA`s News and Worldwide English Divisions and was the Executive Producer of World Report and other English news programs. Myrna previously served as Acting VOA Director from March to June 1999. Kelu Chao, currently Director of VOA`s East Asia and Pacific Division has been named Acting Program Director and will manage the daily operations of the Voice of America. Kelu has been with VOA for over twenty years. Prior to her position as EAP Division Director, she was the Mandarin Service Chief overseeing a major expansion of the Service in the 1990's. Kelu established the EAP Hong Kong Office and served as its first managing editor. In her early career, she covered a wide variety of news events, including the buildup to the Tiananmen incident in 1989. (via Kim Elliott, VOA, June 12, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Ex VOA Bethany site: http://cnniw.yellowbrix.com/pages/cnniw/Story.nsp?story_id=21454536&ID=cnniw (via David Walcutt, via Dan Ferguson, swbc via DXLD) ** U S A. WMLK: due to some unforeseen problems, their 250 kW transmitter is still not on the air. They are not sure when they will have it on (Hans Johnson, WY, Jun 14, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** U S A. Hi there, WWCR people! One of the programs I try to listen to every week on WWCR is the little science discussion show "New Horizons". Over the past months, you have aired the same edition of this show over and over and over, week after week. That is the one that begins with the discussion of ships being lost due to gas bubbles rising from the seabed. You must have aired that same show for two months, it seems. On Friday June 8, I listened at 2015 UT and finally heard a new edition. But reception here in St. Louis was poor on 15685 kHz at that time. So I looked forward to hearing this new edition clearly on 5070 on Saturday night. But then (at 0130 UT Sunday) that new edition did NOT come on, but yet another repeat of the same old New Horizons I had heard many times before! What a disappointment! Please go into your tape/digital file/CD/whatever library and find this well-worn and too-often-aired edition of New Horizons and throw it away, or erase it, or somehow make it no longer playable. Please let us hear new editions of New Horizons each week. If you don't get new versions every week, at least rotate the ones you have so that there is something different from week to week, and retire the ones over several months old. Thanks! Regards, (Will Martin, Saint Louis, Missouri USA, cc to DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. I was tuning around the shortwave and landed on a "Hate Radio" white separatist call in show on WWCR 5070. An angry man was complaining that you can`t trust the media because they are owned by Jews. Nothing new there, but, he added, you can't trust NBC because they are run by Masons! I guess they're running out of people to hate (Brock Whaley, GA, June 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Oh, the Masons have been bêtes noires amongst the paranoid hate community forever (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. Regarding my earlier log of WWL 870 on 6484.4, it turns out to be a mixing product. Mark Morhmann noted that 870 + 6484.4 = 7354.4, which is a frequency used by WRNO New Orleans. I thought WRNO was long gone, but apparently they now lease TX time to evangelical christians. I noted The Overcomer and then the Last Day Prophet, exactly on 7353.4 @ 2315, with WWL audible in the background. Only WWL audible on 6484.4. This just goes to show, it is best to start with the obvious (David Hodgson, TN, 13 June, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Classical KXTR in Kansas City has now officially moved from 1250 to 1660 (after moving from 96.5 last year). 1250 is now airing satellite Spanish-language programming. Don't know which one yet (-- Rob Zerwekh, Topeka, June 14, amfmtvdx@qth.net via DXLD) ** U S A. An FCC-declared general communications emergency in Texas and Louisiana for 3873 and 7285 kHz was rescinded at 2300 UT on June 15 (ARRL Letter June 15 via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DXLD) ** U S A. Thursday June 14 9:44 PM ET Clear Channel to Test Web-Only Ads Next Week By Sue Zeidler LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Clear Channel Communications Inc. (NYSE:CCU - news) on Thursday said it may begin testing Internet-only advertisements on some of its Web sites next week, marking the largest broadcaster's return to streaming after retreating from the Web two months ago due to a dispute over fees for traditional radio commercials. ``We are going to put them back up soon. It's possible that we'll be running some tests as early as next week,'' Kevin Mayer, chief executive of Clear Channel Interactive told Reuters during the Radio and Records Convention here. Clear Channel and several major radio stations yanked their streams from the Web back in April to avoid paying higher fees for broadcasting traditional radio commercials online. More at: http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010614/wr/media_radio_streaming_dc_ 1.html (via Sergei Sosedkin, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. RFA schedule in A-01, valid til Oct 28, 2001. RFA currently bcs at 1100-0700; there are no txions between 0700 and 1100. Daily programming incl Mandarin for 12 hrs, Cantonese for two hrs, and Tibetan for eight hrs. RFA uses IBB txs in HOL=Holzkirchen Germany, IRA=Iranawila Sri Lanka, SAI=Saipan & TIN=Tinian NoMariana Isls. *Test transmissions. 0000-0100 LAO 12015I 13830 15545T 0030-0130 BURMESE 13680T 15660 17525 17645S 0100-0300 TIBETAN 9365 11695* 11975H 15225T 15695 17730 0100-0130 UIGHUR 9350 11520 11895* 11945* 15405T 0300-0600 MANDARIN 13670T 13760T 15150T 15665T 17495 17525 17615S 17880S 21690T 0600-0700 MANDARIN 13670T 13760T 15150T 15665T 17495 17525 17615S 17880S 0600-0700 TIBETAN 17510 17535 17720 21500T 21690* break 1100-1300 TIBETAN 7470 11590 13625T 15545* 15695 17855-(fr 1200) 1100-1200 LAO 9355S 9545T 15560I 15660 1230-1330 CAMBODIAN 13765I 15525T 15660 1300-1400 BURMESE 9385 11765T 13745T 15680 1300-1400 TIBETAN 7470 11590 13625T 15545* 15695 17855H 1400-1500 CANTONESE 9445S 11950S 13625T 1400-1500 VIETNAMESE 9455S 9635T 9930W 11510 11520 11605* 11765T 13775P 15660 1400-1500 KOREAN 7380 11790T 13720T 15690 1500-1600 TIBETAN 7470 11510 11780* 13835 1500-1600 MANDARIN 9905P 11765T 11945S 13625T 13690T 15510T 15585* 15680 17640T 17675* 1600-1630 UIGHUR 7460 9370 9555* 9675* 13625T 1600-1700 MANDARIN 9455S-(fr 1630) 9905P 11750T 11795T 11945S 13690T 15510T 15520* 15680 17640T 17675* 1700-1800 MANDARIN 9455S 9905P 11750T 11795T 11945S 13690T 15510T 15520* 15680 17640T 17675* 1800-1900 MANDARIN 9455S 11520 11740T 11815* 11945S 11955T 13680T 15510T 15680 17640T 17675* 1900-2000 MANDARIN 9455S 9905P 11520 11740T 11785T 11815 11945S 11955T 13680T 15510T 15680 17665 2000-2100 MANDARIN 9455S 9905P 11520 11700T 11740T 11785T 11815* 11935S 13625T 13670T 15355* 15515T 15670 2100-2200 CANTONESE 9355S 11785T 13675T 2100-2200 MANDARIN 9455S 9910P 11700T 11740T 11815* 11935S 13625T 15355* 15515T 15680 2200-2300 CANTONESE 9355S 9955P 11785T 13675T 2200-2300 KOREAN 7460 9455S 11670S 2230-2330 CAMBODIAN 9930P 11570 15175 15485T 2300-2359 MANDARIN 9910P 11770* 11785T 13755* 13800S 15430T 15550T 15680 2300-2359 TIBETAN 7470 9365 9805* 9875H 15695 2330-0029 VIETNAMESE 11540 11560 11580 11605* 11670T 13720S 15560P (various sources, updated on Jun 13, 2001, via Wolfgang Büschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [censored version] ** U S A [clandestine]. UNITED PATRIOT RADIO, 6900-USB, 0204-0209* 6/15: Steve talking about lack of support, except from a few faithful. Mentioned large phone and electricity bills. Said he would take station off the air due to lack of support. Then he did (Larry Russell, MI, DX LISTENING DIGEST) CLANDESTINE to/from USA. United Patriot Radio R.I.P.? A Cumbre DX source reports that two different ham freqs are buzzing with the following.: According to a ham that just spoke with him by telephone, Steve Anderson [who runs UPR] is very disappointed by the lack of support. Getting rid of the equipment, pulling antennas down tomorrow, and going out and looking for a job. Anderson had gone to the Mark Koernke rally over the weekend and there were not very many people there. Less than a couple of hundred (Cumbre DX Special Jun 14 via DXLD) Been checking both 6900 and 3260 kHz tonight, both untraced, so it looks like he may have indeed pulled the plug (Hans Johnson, ibid., Jun 15 via DXLD) Subject: UPR GONE! pulls plug @ 0210Z 15JUN2001 From: "Rafman©" rafman2u@yahoo.com Date: 6/14/01 9:34 PM Central Daylight Time Forum: rec.radio.shortwave Steve Anderson, sounding agitated more than I have ever heard him, has announced that due to lacking donations & lack of turn out at the Free Mark Koernke Rally, he was pulling UPR of the air. This rant started at 0200Z when the station reappeared after "satellite problems" for what was the usual "Intelligence Report". He claimed that only the "faithful few" had supported him with funding. I find these comments in stark contrast to the other evening when he claimed all was well & that he could pay the electric bill & water bill. He also claimed to be adding an FM transmitter on 88.5 FM & had been considering adding a second HF transmitter. I recorded this segment & found it to be most contrary to his agitation tonight. Is it me or his denial that it had anything to do with anything other than funding hard to believe? I think he got the screws put to him & he stepped back before getting screwed. Well to all those who have listened to history being made, as I have, I will miss UPR. Maybe this is a ploy to get donations but somehow I think there is more than what he said before pulling the plug abruptly at 0210Z. At least I taped history in the making. I will relisten to the tape when he announced that he was OK, here to stay & had no problems paying the bills. I really suspect something had happened late last night when he mentioned a vehicle coming in. They went off at midnight & were not on for the Intell Hour... Too bad, maybe if he had QSL'd, we might have stuffed the envelopes with some greenbacks. I would have but either this is a ploy or it is a done deal. Will we ever know the truth? (via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** VATICAN. DX Information from the British DX Club (BDXC-UK). Vatican Radio has resumed broadcasts on 4005 kHz. I've heard it for the first time today at 2110 gmt in Italian. 73, (Stefano Valianti, Italy, June 14, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** VIETNAM [non]. CLANDESTINE from TAIWAN to VIETNAM: I have heard RFA Vietnamese via a "mysterious" transmitter on 11605 for some days. First I noted that the txer had an offset that varied from day to day and that it went off at 1400 after an unknown transmission and returned after a switching break with the same offset and RFA Vietnamese. Today, with good East Asian signals, I could easily identify the transmission before 1400 as RTI Japanese with several IDs and the CBS URL. The carrier went off at 1400.00 and returned after 40 seconds with the RFA Vietnamese program. The offset was about +260 Hz and was exactly the same before and after the break (I fine tuned SSB reception before 1400 and it was still fine tuned to the signal after 1401). So there is no doubt that an RTI txer is now used by RFA (unless someone is relaying RTI from a foreign location, but that seems very unlikely). (Olle Alm, Sweden, Jun 8, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Probably arranged thru Merlin. One wonders if the Taiwanese would dare to broadcast RFA in Chinese languages (gh, DXLD, {WOR 1084}) UNIDENTIFIED. Around 1500 I once again did some listening in the field and found the 12175...12195 range covered by a rather strong noise, which sounded exactly like the trash from a TV set (I mean the HF trash, not the disastrous TV programming...), making me wonder whether it was propagated or from a semi-local source? (Kai Ludwig, Germany, June 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ###