DX LISTENING DIGEST 1-167, November 7, 2001
    edited by Glenn Hauser, wghauser@hotmail.com

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WORLD OF RADIO #1104
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WORLD OF RADIO ON WBCQ: UT Thursday 0030 on 7415 (first airing)
UT Thursday 0600 on 7415 (NEW TIME effective immediately, second
airing, ex-0515)

FIRST AIRINGS ON WWCR:
Thursday 2130 on 15685, Friday 1030 on 9475, Saturday 0300 on 3215

FIRST AIRINGS ON RFPI:
Friday 1930, Saturday 0130, 0730, 1330 on some of: 21815-USB, 15040,
7445 (when reactivated)

** AFGHANISTAN [non]. USA: Lower house of Congress okays Radio Free
Afghanistan | Text of report by Czech TV on 7 November

A short while ago the lower house of the US Congress, the House of
Representatives, passed a law on setting up Radio Free Afghanistan
radio station which should broadcast 12 hours a day. The measure still
has to be approved by the Senate. Prague is one of the candidates for
the location of the radio. Source: Czech TV1, Prague, in Czech 1815
gmt 7 Nov 01 (via BBCM via DXLD)

** AFGHANISTAN [and non]. I've seen several DXLD references to
articles that mention the dropping of wind-up radios in Afghanistan,
but have not seen any definitive info on them after following the
links. Surely there must be something later and more precise than the
"Clockwork Warfare" BBC News item from Oct. 10 (DXLD 1-146).

That pictures a Freeplay S360 model and says that the company had
orders for "tens of thousands" of some model(s) not specified "for
the region". But I wonder if these are really the pictured S360,
because those just showed up at the US discount closeout-merchandise
chain "Big Lots" at $19.99 each (I bought 2). These are the little
AM/FM ones which actually operate off a NiMH battery pack, and the
spring generator and solar cells recharge the battery. So they do not
have the inherent life of the no-battery earlier larger models, since
those batteries must eventually die. I think they will always work
off the solar cells, but I don't know if the cranked generator will
operate the radio if its output is being directed into trying to
charge dead batteries. The generator in these little models runs far
faster than the crank turns on the other earlier models (of which I
have a couple different ones), so if the batteries are not working,
one would have to be cranking a lot more frequently than the every-
half-hour the older ones require. (The amazing thing about the $19.99
price is that a pair of equivalent NiMH cells from Radio Shack cost
about $15, so you're getting the radio for $5 if you look at it that
way... :-)

But I would really like to learn if these fabled single-frequency
wind-ups really exist, just who makes/made them, how the frequency
setting is determined (they must be somehow settable after purchase
since the military would have to stock them and set them to the
appropriate frequency after determining where they are to be used),
and any other technical details. A picture would be nice. (They cannot
be classified, since they are being strewn over enemy territory after
all! :-)

And if anyone can find out just what Baygen/Freeplay radios are being
used, and what the distribution method on those are, and what
organization is actually procuring them, please let us all know!

Somewhere else recently there was a reference to a wind-up being made
or marketed by Philips for the Indian market. Anyone know if these are
coming from the same Chinese source that is now producing the Freeplays?
Are any of the wind-up products still made in South Africa, or has the
entire production of these devices shifted to China?

It would be sad if the whole wind-up technology is being lost to China. I
have to hang on to my grandparents' 1912 Brunswick wind-up
victrola as a sample of a former American technology now lost to the
foreigners. :-) 73, (Will Martin, MO, Nov 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

BTW, if they do exist, that would explain why BBCM have been able to
verify Commando Solo on only one MW frequency of the three claimed (gh)

** AUSTRALIA. I believe that the R. Australia sked in DXLD #1-157, even
with
the addition of the extra info in DXLD #1-163, is
incomplete. I base this on the fact that, on 11/3/01 during the 0900
UT hour, I heard a very weak and poor R. Australia signal on 11880
kHz, and that frequency isn't listed as being on at that time in either set

of data. But that frequency IS listed on the R.Australia
website's rather lousy "Hear Us" section, which just gives generic
"Morning", "Daytime", "Evenings" shortwave frequency lists for the
Pacific and Asia.

There seems to be a method of getting a detailed time/frequency
listing off that website, but it appears to require downloading a Word
document, a task which these public-access library computers I use do
not allow.

I wonder if it would be possible for a future DXLD to include
a complete plain-text R. Australia SW time & frequency schedule?
Perhaps some kind contributor could get that fabled Word document
and produce a plaintext SW sked out of it. Or maybe it actually exists
somewhere on their website and I just never found it.

I am rather disappointed in the current overnight-in-the-US available
R. Australia reception. I've been used to hearing them clearly in the
middle of the night on 13605 or 15240 kHz and now those seem to be gone.

9580 kHz is good in the later mornings, like around 1300 UT, but it is
poor here at 0900 UT, at least the few times I've been awake then and
tried it since the sked-change weekend. Any suggestions as to better
choices in that timeframe? US insomniacs will appreciate it. 73, (Will
Martin, MO, Nov 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** BOLIVIA. The internet edition of Sucre based newspaper Diario Correo del

Sur mentions 58th anniversary celebrations of R La Plata
"La V de la Capital", active on SW 9717v during the local daylight
hours.

On Nov 7, the newspaper reported that the military busted R Soberanía
"La V del Cocalero", an FM station located at Chipiriri and financed
and operated by the coca growers of the Chapare province (Henrik
Klemetz, Sweden, Nov 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** CHINA. Came across powerhouse signal at 1900-2100 UT on 12015 kHz,
playing continously LOVELY guitar and mandolin instrumental music,
undoubtedly from CHINA. 73 (Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany, Nov 6, DX
LISTENING DIGEST) As in further new transmitter testing (gh)

** COLOMBIA. 7380.00, Idea Radio, 0920-1115 Nov 7, LA pop music and
canned IDs in Spanish and English. Address given as P.O. Box 25733,
Bogota, Colombia; email idearadio@hotmail.com Very strong signal.
Thanks to Kraig Krist and Jim Renfrew tips via HCDX (Mark Mohrmann,
VT, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Idea Radio

Rafael Rodríguez, in Bogotá, has asked me to translate and post his
findings after 4+ hours of monitoring of Idea Radio, 7380.

Last night, Nov 6, I was able to tune in to this station on 7380
between 0330 and 0600, and also this morning at 1000-1200. The station
is using four different canned ID´s, two each in EE and SS. There is a
male speaker with a foreign accent and a female speaker who is fluent
in SS. On top of the hour, and at each half-hour, there is a short
segment called "Un minuto para pensar positivamente", roughly: One
minute of positive thinking, featuring subjects such as responsability,
strength and charity. The presenter identifies himself
as a "psico-orientador" (psychological guide or trainer) Yesús Santos.
(First name is NOT pronounced "Jesús"). In almost 5 hours of
monitoring, I heard only three themes interpreted by Colombian artists
(Carlos Vives, Los 50 de Joselito and Diomedes Díaz). Now and then,
also [religious] themes of worship and praise ("alabanza") in salsa,
vallenato and merengue vein. Although the vallenato is Colombian
style, I was unable to identify one single theme or interpreter. The
signal is strong, usually at least level 8 out of 10 (on the signal
strength display of my Sony ICF2010), and they appear to be on the
air continuously all night. I will send them a letter to the P O Box
they mention and I will also check to see if this Box is in the
Chapinero P O (where it ought to be located). Despite 4+ hours of
monitoring, I have no definite clue as to the location of the station.
(From an email by Rafael Rodríguez, Bogotá, November 7, translated and
edited by Henrik Klemetz, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Dario Monferini points out that the name Idea Radio was formerly used
by a European pirate. Our hearing it almost until 1200 UT rules out a
European location. Our recording of the ID at 1101 UT is on WORLD OF
RADIO 1104 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** CONGO DR. RTNC installs new SW transmitter at Lubumbashi | Excerpt
from report by Congolese TV from Kinshasa on 4 November

The RTNC [Radio-Television Nationale Congolaise] station in Lubumbashi
is to increase its broadcasting capability. This will be achieved
thanks to the 1-kW shortwave transmitter that the local government
has bought for the station. Interim Governor Jacques Myomba personally
chaired the launching of the new transmitter. RTNC Lubumbashi
correspondent Gregoire Sumba reports.

[Sumba] Mr Jacques Myomba was welcomed to the venue by the Lubumbashi
deputy mayor, Dr Laurent Kissire Kayimbe; the provincial director of
the National Satellite Telecommunications Network [Renatelsat]; the
representative of the Electronic Telecommunications Laboratory
[Letcom], which supplied the transmitter; the RTNC provincial manager;
and the municipal administrative officer, Mr Pierre Mulolo Mabakapo
Mpo.

Immediately after the traditional dances, the provincial chief
switched on the 1-kW shortwave transmitter to the great satisfaction
of the delegation accompanying him, and the Lubumbashi RTNC workers
who had left Kisanga to attend the ceremony. The Lubumbashi RTNC team
was led by Engineer Loma Djessa, the provincial Renatelsat manager,
and the Letcom representative.

Then Mr Jacques Myomba inspected the equipment, namely the FM radio
transmitter, the television transmitter, and the room designed to
receive signals from the parent station in Kinshasa. This new
equipment will enable all Katanga people to closely follow government
activities, under the leadership of the head of state, Gen Joseph
Kabila, as part of efforts to develop our country. The equipment will
also raise people's awareness about the national and local
authorities' efforts to restore peace in the country. This is in
reference to the inter-Congolese dialogue.

The Katanga chief executive, Jacques Myomba, therefore, made it clear
during the ceremony that this challenge in the field of communication
was only part of many other achievements, including the restoration of
roads and the boosting of agriculture in the best interest of the
Katanga people...

Source: RTNC TV, Kinshasa, in French 1230 gmt 4 Nov 01 (via BBCM via
DXLD) WTFK?!

** PERU. Radio LTC ("La Transmisión Correcta"), Juliaca, 6011.37.
Handwritten letter on blue letterpaper. V/s Julio Nunez Paredes,
administrador. 3 months. The QSL was sent through Carlos Gamarra
Moscoso at Radio La Hora, who fixed it in connection to a visit in
Juliaca, 350 km distant from Cusco. He says that the station is not
practicing to reply any reports from listeners abroad, but that he can
assist if IRCs are enclosed (preferred instead of dollar bills which
easily can be stolen). With this info an earlier e-mail with a
verification text from a Peruvian station is now understood. The mail
gave no idea from which station the verification came and my mail
questions have not given any result. That mail was signed by Maria
Luisa Nunez Aspilcueta, administradora..... Radio LTC uses the name
"Radio La Transmisión Correcta S.C.R.L.". Says their MW-frequency is
1100 kHz and FM 102.7 MHz, in addition to shortwave "official" 6010
(Jan Edh, Sweden, SW Bulletin Nov 4, translated by editor Thomas
Nilsson for DXLD)

** U S A. Associated Press/The Arizona Republic

Nov. 06, 2001 12:20:00

EAGAR - A national leader of the militia movement has been killed and
an Apache County sheriff's deputy wounded in a shootout, authorities
said.

William Milton Cooper, 58, of Eager, had hosted a talk show broadcast
on the Worldwide Christian Radio out of Nashville, which receives it
via phone from his home in St. Johns. He had millions of listeners
worldwide, including Timothy McVeigh. The deputy, whose name was being
withheld by authorities, was shot twice in the head while trying to
arrest Cooper, a state Department of Public Safety spokesman said
today. Cooper was killed by another officer. Several deputies were
attempting to arrest Cooper, who was armed with a handgun, said
Officer Steve Volden, a spokesman for the DPS, which was investigating
the shooting.

He said details of the shooting would be released later today. The
deputy was in critical condition at a Phoenix hospital early today,
Volden said. Cooper was one of the most widely known prophets of the
"patriot movement," railing at the federal government and talking of
doomsday omens in his radio broadcast. McVeigh, who was executed in
May for the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City, listened
to Cooper's broadcasts for inspiration, according to testimony by
James Nichols, brother of Oklahoma bombing co-defendant Terry Nichols
during a 1996 pretrial hearing.

Like some other patriot leaders, Cooper refused to get a driver's
license or pay federal income taxes, saying he is willing to risk
getting ticketed and has found a legal way to avoid the taxes. The
patriot movement grew during the 1990s, fed by a series of news events
- the siege of Randy Weaver in Idaho, the raid on the Branch Davidians
near Waco, Texas and the signing of gun-control laws.

(via Jack... via Larry Van Horn, Monitoring Times, via DXLD)

Cooper had been broadcasting lately via WBCQ, and I`m not sure where
else; airtime available! Check the cryptic headline from WBCQ about
this at http://wbcq.net (gh)

UNIDENTIFIED -- France? 26143-26150, Wideband FM TV feeder station,
1310-1345, 5 Nov, Excellent 11 meter skip from Europe today. Recieved
this wideband FM signal from France this morning, with very nice solid
peaks. Single wideband TV channel audio present from 26143 all the way
up to 26150, as opposed to the pile up of FF NFM signals heard on
25925-25928, recently. 100% sure FF language PX. Made nice tape
recording.

When audio feed was not present, there were bleeps and pulses and
strange sounds in place of it, then audio would return.I am not 100%
sure, but it sounded like someone was occasionally talking over the
audio as if giving instructions of some sort. Deep fades but some
very nice peaks. Also heard very strong CB signals from all over
Europe, as well as NFM FF signals from 25925-8 (David Hodgson, TN, DX
LISTENING DIGEST)

UNIDENTIFIED. French (language) TV feeder, 26143-50 FM, 1330, 7 NOV,
This feeder was received here in Nashville USA again with fairly good
signal, this morning. At this point I am uncertain to even the
continent of origin. I heard references to France and Paris, but many
more to Quebec, Montreal and Ottawa. I do not speak any FF, so I have
no idea from where this one comes. Propagation from Europe is
expected this time of day. I would think Quebec would not open till
later, but I guess it is still a possibility. Here are some details.
This is not a narrow band FM signal. The bandwidth is around 7 kHz,
therefore it's not terribly wide either, like FM BC or TV which is
around 40 kHz. This is the first time I have tuned an FM signal on
11m that was more wide then NFM. The station is an obvious TV cue
station. I can hear technicians talking over the feed from time to
time; sometimes I can hear a phone being dialed, ringing, then
conversation superimposed on the feed audio. Program consists of news,
commentary, small talk and ads. It apears that this will be a fairly
easy catch in the Eastern half of NAm in the very near future. If
there are NAm DXers interested in trying this, do so around 1330. By
1345 one of those cursed freq sweeps has become active, both times I
have heard it. Sorry, this is all the info I can give at this time.
I'm sure the origin would be very obvious to anyone who spoke French
(David Hodgson, TN, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ###