World DX Club - DX News October 2008

ABKHAZIA Apsua radio heard in Russian at 9494.8 at 1400 with identification "Apsua Radio” and “Radio Abchasiya Respublika ", news headlines followed by folk music, SINPO 23432. (Patrick Robic, Austria, A-DX via Wolfgang Bueschel)
Heard in Russian on 9494.8 1530-1600 September 6 in Russian with strong signal, heard earlier at 0400-0515 on 9495.6, two different transmitters in use?
On September 8 they were on 9494.8 morning and afternoon. On September 9 they were on 9495.6, this transmitter has a modulator problem and a wobbling audio signal. Sign off was 0806. (Wolfgang Bueschel)
Good reception on 9494.8 September 9 with positive identification in Russian at 1500, programme mainly local music, no relay of Radio Rossii news at 1500 as most stations in European Russia do. (Jorma Mantyla, Finland, Hard Core DX via DX Listening Digest)
September 15 and 16 in Northern Bulgaria I observed shortwave broadcasts on 9495 at 0400-0600 and 0700-0800 with own programmes in Abkhaz, relay Radio Rossii 0600-0700. At 1100-1130 there were programmes with news in Abkha & Russian. At 1354 sign-on on 9495, 1400-1500 Abkhaz Radio, 1500-1559 pop music programme of Vesti FM, closed at 1600. (Rumen Pankov via Wolfgang Bueschel)
E-mail reply from Apsua Radio which, translated from Russian, reads, in part: "Good evening, Don Jensen. We have received your letter. Thank you for the fact that responded to our radio broadcasting. We are very pleased to hear from you that information. Yes, indeed, you listened Abkhaz radio. We get lots of (mail) from different countries as Canada, Italy, Greece, Holland and other countries. Our editorial staff will write more to you on the radio programme Abkhazia Apsua Radio." Since receiving this I have had several more email interchanges with the sender with information that they hope to have an English service, but, unfortunately, not any time soon. The report was sent via registered mail to the several mail drops in Russia which I found in on-line searches. I don't know which one of them actually got through to the station in Sukhumi. Email reply came from apsuaradio1@mail.ru. Dan Henderson has also now had a reply from that address in 4 days. All my emails translated into Russian using Google translate which I also used to translate the replies. (Don Jensen, Wisconsin, NASWA Yahoo Group)

AFGHANISTAN Periodic reconfirmation of Radio Solh via UK, 17700 on September 1 1346-1349 playing exactly same recording day after day for at least a year, music ruined by skipping CD; fair signal. (Glenn Hauser, Oklahoma, DXLD)

ARGENTINA Radio Baluarte heard on 6214.2 September 10 at 2218 to 2229, talks in Portuguese, poor strength and splatter from Mystery Radio on 6220. (Carlos Goncalves, Portugal, DX Listening Digest)

AUSTRALIA An email from their manager in August said that the current situation with Radio Symban 2368.5 is that they are in the process of moving to a bigger studio and premises. The antenna that handles the shortwave frequency is pulled down with a new bigger and better antenna being currently manufactured. They expected to be back on air with the shortwave frequency in the next 8 to 12 weeks. (NZ DX Times via DXLD)
I see the Radio Symban licence on 2368.5 which was from up near Gosford no longer exists but the station now has one at Marrickville. So perhaps the station will come back on air once they relocate the transmitter. (Richard Jary, Australia, ARDXC, ibid)

BAHRAIN Radio Bahrain heard on 6010 September 8, techno instrumental music from 1838, co-channel to Belarus, lady in English and disco song at 1852. (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria via Wolfgang Bueschel)

BHUTAN Bhutan Broadcasting Service heard on 6035 August 27 from 1401 to 1501 sign off in English, signature music, then news and public service announcements followed by a phone-in programme for dedications of pop songs, but actually mostly just phone calls and very few songs, one caller was from Australia, indigenous instrumental music before sign-off, best reception after 1430. (Ron Howard, California, DXLD))
Also heard here in Finland, armchair levels on mostly clear channel. (Jari Savolainen, ibid)

BOLIVIA Radio Fides heard on 6155 0352 to 0359 September 7, 0352-0359, talk and identification in Spanish, blocked by Austria signing on at 0359, SINPO 24322. (Manuel Mendez, Spain, Cumbre DX)
Radio Estambul, Guayaramerin heard back on its old frequency of 4498 at 2220 September 1, drifting in frequency and poor modulation just understandable in AM mode. (Jan Edh, Sweden, SW Bulletin via Thomas Nilsson, DX Listening Digest)
Radio Causauki Coca is a new Bolivian station on 6075 in the Cochabamba region, heard to 0200 with broadcast on the anniversary of the City Council, closed 0230 with a poem in honour of the "sacred leaf of Tawantisuyo", announced as "the voice" of the Democratic Revolution Cultural Evo Morales. (Rafael Rodriguez, Colombia, PLAYDX via DXLD)
A slogan in the broadcast said Viva la Coca, death to drug trafficking. (Dario Monferini, Italy, ibid)

BRAZIL Radio 9 de Julio, Sao Paulo is a new Brazilian station on shortwave, heard on 9820 at 1345-1405 September 13 in Portuguese with religious programme. (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, Cumbre DX)
Started on September 11. The station was on the 31 metre band in the 1970’s but had its licence cancelled by the military dictatorship. Programming is not only religious. (Celios Romais, DX Listening Digest)
Station is blocked by Cuba when Mesa Redonda is on at variable times between 2200 and 2400, RDPI Portugal is also scheduled on 9820 at 1900-2300. (Glenn Hauser, ibid)

CANADA Ian Jones announced on the Maple Leaf Mailbag September 14 that as of October 26 Radio Canada International will no longer transmit to Europe on Shortwave. The reasons given were the high costs of transmitting. Ian apologised to listeners who would be affected but highlighted that RCI will continue to be available via the internet at their website www.rciviva.ca, via Hotbird Satellite 6 and digital radio. He also highlighted WRN's service online. (Jonathan Murphy, Ireland, Edwin Southwell)
Refers to broadcasts in English and French, Russian and Ukrainian will continue. (Kraig Krist, Virginia, DX Listening Digest)
CFRX heard on 6070, relaying CFRB at 2050 September 4. (Steve Lare, Michigan, DX Listening Digest)
Heard an unfamiliar heterodyne September 4 at 2315 on 6070, identified as Newstalk 10-10,
CFRB, so the long-delayed revival of CFRX has finally happened. But it was off-frequency, about 6069.8. Has been off since September 20 2006 though intermittent for some time before that. (Glenn Hauser, ibid)
It might be a good idea for anyone who enjoys listening to CFRB/CFRX to email CFRB letting them know that you are listening on 6070. The email is: gm@cfrb.com Let them know that shortwave is still alive. (Phil Rafuse, Prince Edward Island, ABDX via DXLD)
When I was on the Richard Skyrett show on CFRB several months ago, I was speaking with him and his engineer during a commercial break, and casually mentioned I used to hear CFRX via shortwave when I lived in California. Both seemed genuinely surprised that people still listen to shortwave today. Perhaps I should claim credit for being the motivation for CFRX's return to the air! (Harry Helms, Texas, ibid)
On the sixth day after reactivation, CFRX frequency adjusted much closer to 6070. On September 10 at 1218 it had a subaudible heterodyne of approximately 6 Hz against presumed CVC Chile. (Glenn Hauser, ibid)
I was at the CFRB site September 10 to see Ian on his usual Tuesday maintenance visit and took a look at the new shortwave transmitter in operation. Everything seems to be humming along well. One thing I noticed, and it was mentioned in a very recent reception report, was that CFRX wasn't dead-on 6070 kHz but off by about 100 Hz or so. Ian got out his trusty frequency counter and sure enough, it was off by 120 Hz. He got into the transmitter later in the afternoon and managed to tweak it to 6070. (Steve Canney, CFRB/CFRX QSL Manager (17 years), CFRX Yahoo group, ibid)
On September 13 at 2253 they had fair carrier on 6070 but almost ‘open’, occasionally I could make out a bit of modulation. Engineer was due to look at that, I‘m pretty sure their licensed power is 1 kw. (Glenn Hauser, ibid)

CENTRAL EUROPE The Insight Central Europe programme has come to an end. It was announced by Kerry Skyring at the end of the programme on August 29. The following day Radio Prague made a similar announcement:
After almost seven years on air, Insight Central Europe, a joint project of six Central European radio stations covering life and events in Central Europe, has this weekend come to an end. The project was launched in October 2001 by Radio Austria International in co-operation with Radio Polonia, Radio Prague, Radio Budapest, Radio Slovakia International and later joined by Radio Slovenia.
Kerry did express the hope that the programme would make a return in the future. (Jonathan Murphy, Ireland)

CONGO DR Radio Kahuzi, Bukavu heard on 6210 1756 to 1925 September 26 with Vernacular and French talk and songs, SINPO 14232. From 1925 interference from Iran on 6205. (Anker Petersen, Denmark, PLAYDX via DX Listening Digest)

COSTA RICA TIRWR, the so-called University Network relay in Cahuita, has been off the air for several weeks, and we doubt it will ever come back, as the land it’s on is probably more valuable for development without the shortwave site in the way. The old frequency list, in case a last gasp recurs: 5030, 6150, 7375, 9725, 11870, 13750, 15460. (Glenn Hauser, September 15, DX Listening Digest)

CROATIA. After 1400 September 1 I was for a moment surprised to hear Italian on 6165, I then realised it's Deanovec, relaying Radio Pula. More such relays are supposed to originate from Mostar 1430-1500 and from Osijek (in Hungarian) 1630- 1700, all Monday to Friday only. (Kai Ludwig, Germany, DX Listening Digest)

CUBA Radio Havana Cuba noted in English on new 13680 September 28 at 2103 tune in, same programme as on 11760 but not exactly synchronised, they were 3 minutes and 9 seconds behind! Also the audio sounds very different, clipped as if going a long way through some circuits to another transmitter site. New overseas relay or two different Cuban sites? (Glenn Hauser, DX Listening Digest)
A scan of the 49 metre band revealed a little more activity than usual. A strong carrier was noted on 5883 at 0655 before the Cuban lady began to read numbers (in AM) from 0700. Earlier I noted that a similar strength signal on 6060 went off air by 0650 - could it be the same transmitter? (Noel Green, Blackpool, DX Listening Digest)
The surge in spy-number station activity after 0700 is suspicious, as that is exactly when several Radio Havana transmitters are freed up and the numbers can be exceedingly strong, certainly comparable to Radio Havana or even stronger, perhaps due to more favourable azimuths for spies in North America. Not to say that there are not also numbers or cut numbers running before 0700. (Glenn Hauser, ibid)

ECUADOR HCJB German service to Europe 0630-0730 on 9740 was due to close September 30. The stererable antenna in use has to be dismantled by the end of the year and due to its complexity a three month period is needed. German transmissions to the Americas will continue, expected B08 schedule is 0230-0330 on 9780 to Mexico, 2230-2330 on 12040 to South America. HCJB German to Europe via MediaBroadcast, probably via Werchatal or Julich, will also continue 1600-1700 on 3955. All transmissions are Low German in the first hour, High German in the second. (Kai Ludwig, Germany, DX Listening Digest)

ERITREA Station heard on 8000 at 1700 on August 22, clear identification "Redio end Televizhun Ertran", R&TV spelled as in English. Many times speaking about "Ertran", seems the name of Eritrea in Amharic. News, jammer and at 1702 songs. On August 31 signed on at 1454 with interval signal and identification, two minutes of news followed by identification at 1500, 1600 and 1700. (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, Australian DX News via DXLD)
Voice of Broad Masses of Eritrea observed around 1506 on 8000 with weak signal, much stronger at 1657 retune, transmitter cuts out at 1700 but back at 1701 with sign off 1800. Another station also heard around 8000, mainly during Voice of Broad Masses transmitter breaks, seems to be in Arabic and I noted Call to Prayer at 1700 on September 5. Weaker and jamming has also been noted. (Edwin Southwell)

ETHIOPIA Voice of Peace & Democracy, via Radio Ethiopia transmitters to Eritrea heard on 7165 0400 to 0430 off, August 29. Opening announcements at 0400 & talk in listed Tigringa. Local drums, some Horn of Africa music. Poor with interference from noise jammer at 0401. Better on parallel 9559.6, drifting up to 9560 by sign off. According to WRTH this is Mon, Wed, Friday only at 0400-0430. (Brian Alexander, Pennsylvania, Cumbre DX)
Ginbot 7 Dimits Radio, a radio broadcast of Ginbot 7 Movement for Justice, Freedom and Democracy (G7) started shortwave transmissions on September 11. Schedule is 1700-1730 Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday on 17655 and 21555. (Alan Pennington, Chris Greenway, DX Listening Digest)
Ginbot 7 Dimts Radio on 17655 and 21555 1700-1730 was heavily jammed September 23 by the Ethiopian government with same like buzz like signal used against Deutsche Welle Amharic on 15 MHz, white noise hissing. Station weak and hardly heard underneath the jamming on 17655 here and only white noise on 21555. (Wolfgang Bueschel)
Is via Samara. Addis Dimts Radio in Amaharic is now at 1600-1700 on 21585 via Samara on Sundays. (DX Mix News, Bulgaria via DX Listening Digest)
Voice of Oromia Liberation Front is now Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday on 15670 via Julich. (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, Jeff White via DX Listening Digest)
Radio Oromiya observed at 0627 September 12 on 6030 with Horn of Africa music, identification followed by talk, fair reception. (Edwin Southwell)
Among "25 most influential" Ethiopians: Bereket Simon, propagandist. He is chief of propaganda for the Woyanne tribal junta. Bereket is responsible for controlling the flow of information in Ethiopia. He is behind the blockade of Ethiopian news web sites, the jamming of Voice of America, Deutsche Welle and other radio broadcasts to Ethiopia, the shutting down of most of the private newspapers in the country, and the jailing of journalists and editors. Bereket has paid a huge amount of money to the Chinese government to jam the VOA daily broadcasts to Ethiopia. VOA countered by launching more powerful frequencies. VOA continues to be heard through out Ethiopia clearly, despite desperate efforts by Chinese engineers to jam it." (Ethiopian Review via kimandrewelliott.com)

FINLAND IBB relays via Pori, planned to start September 15, have been cancelled. (Glenn Hauser, DX Listening Digest)

GREENLAND Taasilaq relaying Nuuk transmitter heard on 3815 USB September 23 at 2015 and a few times recently. Weak signal. (Thomas Nillsson, Shortwave Bulletin via Cumbre DX)
Tentatively heard in Finland at 2045 September 28. (Mauno Ritola, ibid)

INDONESIA RRI Pontianak heard at 1630 September 7 on 3976 with weak signals, Islamic music and talk, off 1655 after Love Ambon. (Aart Rouw, Germany, bdx via DXLD)

IRAN Radio Democracy Shorayee broadcasts 1700-1800 on 12120 have been cancelled. (DX Mix News, Bulgaria via DX Listening Digest)

KURDISTAN Radio Voice of Kurdistan heard on 3928.4 0223-0329 September 13, Kurdish announcement, martial song, early programme during Ramadan, jammed by Iran, at 0230 jumped to 3934 while the jammer continued on 3928, Kurdish songs heard well in USB: 45444. At 0320 recheck was on 3937.5 with talk in Kurdish and no jamming 35343.
Voice of Iranian Kurdistan heard 0250-0330 September 13 on 4864.7 with Kurdish talk jammed by Iran, SINPO 32432. (Anker Petersen, Denmark, PLAYDX via DXLD)

KUWAIT Radio Kuwait not heard on 11990 at 1800 in English over the past few days, perhaps they have ceased this service. (Edwin Southwell)
Not audible here September 30, they were on 15110 0715 tune in to 0756 off October 1, assume English service though just pop songs, no announcements. (Mike Barraclough)

LIBERIA ELWA heard on 6070 August 26 on 6070 from 2235 with gospel songs, sign-off at 2300 with Liberian National Anthem. Aoki says it's only 1 kW. (Bob Hill, Massachusetts, DXplorer via Wolfgang Bueschel)
Heard in Denmark September 2 2225 to 2301 off, talks in English and hymns, SINPO 33323, interference from Deutsche Welle on 6075. (Anker Petersen, Dxplorer via Wolfgang Bueschel)
Schedule of ELWA on 6070 is 0530-0800, 1730-2300 with 1 kW. (Anker Petersen, DX Window)

MONACO The only shortwave transmitter actually located in Monaco is operated by the Naya company on 8728 SSB; often heard with weather reports in French and English. For example at 1658 they announce a full list of Naya`s FM and TV transmitters and satellites, before closing with the Monaco national anthem. Address is http://www.naya.mc (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, BDXC-UK Communication via DX Listening Digest)
Monaco Radio heard on 8728 USB at 0810 August 11, Monaco Radio, weather reports for Mediterranean, off 0818, English, SIO 243. (Dave Kenny, England, ibid)

MONGOLIA Mongolian Radio heard on 7260 at 1455 September 19, Mongolian closing announcement, 2-minute orchestral national anthem, carrier off 1501. Weak on clear channel. (Martien Groot, Netherlands, DX Listening Digest)

MYANMAR Democratic Voice of Burma has started relays via KHBN Palau at 1300-1400 on 12095 Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday only. There is another new relay of something via KHBN under VTC auspices, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 1530-1600 on 9965 at 345 degrees. Looks like that should be for Korea North. Perhaps experimental as otherwise would be daily. (Glenn Hauser, DX Listening Digest)

NETHERLANDS On October 27 2007, Radio Netherlands stopped using the transmitters in Flevo owned by KPN Broadcast. During the last few months KPN Broadcast in cooperation with a company is in the process of dismantling the four 500 kW AEG Transmitters in Flevo. The future for the transmitter building and antenna’s is not known at the moment. All the transmitter parts will be used as spare for a German shortwave station, perhaps Nauen, Julich or Wertachtal. Pictures can be seen at www.omroepzendermuseum.nl. (Jan Osterveen, Netherlands, DX Listening Digest)
Radio Netherlands Worldwide's English broadcasts are available in North America in an increasing variety of different ways. More and more partner stations are taking our programming (a growing number of NPR stations in the US and CBC in Canada) and there are now a variety of satellite options (including Sirius satellite radio). The programmes are also available live, on- demand and via podcast.
Radio Netherlands now feels that the number of alternatives for listeners in North America is such that we have decided to end our shortwave broadcasts to the region. This will take effect from 26 October 2008. The decision has been backed up by a recent survey which showed a decline in the number of listeners using shortwave in North America. We believe that shortwave is still an effective means of reaching listeners where there are fewer alternatives. As such Radio Netherlands Worldwide will now concentrate its English shortwave broadcasts to South Asia and Africa. (Website via Sergei Sozedkin, DXLD)
The decision was the result of a lot of conversations, research and analysis over the past 12 months. The final decision was taken shortly before the HFCC Conference in Moscow a few weeks ago. It's impossible to say exactly what the numbers of shortwave listeners in North America are, but when the mail drops to a tiny fraction (less than 10%) of what it once was, I
think you can say with reasonable certainty that most of the audience has disappeared.
The Dutch service is in a different situation, because the potential audience is already small, and we don't have domestic distribution of our Dutch programmes in the US and Canada. RNW is mandated to provide a service for Dutch expats worldwide. But our Dutch department is carrying out its own research at the moment, and may very well decide to drop shortwave to North America. The three transmitter hours per day that we currently use for English via Bonaire are being transferred to the Spanish service. (Andy Sennitt, DXLD)

NEW ZEALAND ZLXA, Reading Service, Levin heard on 3935 at 1727 September 9, local news in English, good copy for just three minutes, carrier still detectable at 1813. (Maurits Van Driessche, Belgium, bdx mailing list via DX Listening Digest)

NIGERIA Voice of Biafra International is back on 17650 ex-15280 which was in use July-August; Fridays only at 2000- 2100 via WHRI, 250 kW at 87 degrees. (Glenn Hauser, DX Listening Digest)

NORTH KOREA Shiokaze heard on 6020 1419 August 29 with English news about North Korea and identification. They then went into a new language, French at 1422, back into English at 1425 with 'This is Shiokaze, Sea Breeze from Tokyo, Japan'. (Walt Salmaniw, British Columbia, DX Listening Digest)
On September 5 I heard the French segment at the same time, the introduction said something like “Today we present the information by French language. We confirm North Korea abducted some French nationals in 1970 and guess they stayed in North Korea till now,…information to them by our shortwave radio. (Ron Howard, California, ibid)

PRIDNESTROVYE Radio PMR Pridnestrovye observed on 7370 while band scanning on September 9 at 1400, ex 12135. Rolling programme of English, French and German. English to Europe at 1400, 1445, 1530 and 1615. French 1415, 1500, 1545, 1630. German 1430, 1515, 1600, 1645. Monday to Friday. No change to North American service, still noted on 6040 September 15. (Edwin Southwell)
Heard here in English 1400 to 1415 September 23 on 7370, the entire programme was on the Republic of South Ossetia celebrating the eighteenth anniversary of its declaration of state sovereignty and recognition of this by Russia. Excellent reception. (Mike Barraclough)

ST. HELENA Radio St. Helena Day 2008 will be broadcast on 11092.5 KHz in USB on Saturday, 15. November as follows: 2000-2100 to Japan, 2100-2230 to Europe, 2230-2330 to North America. Because of the very long "Revival" and "Double- Anniversary" transmissions in 2006 and 2007 and the especially heavy workload at Radio St. Helena it was decided that transmission times would be reduced. The QSL procedure is the same as in 2006 and 2007, and the QSL address is: Radio St. Helena, P. O. Box 93, Jamestown, St. Helena, STHL 1ZZ, South Atlantic Ocean. (Robert Kipp via Mark Nicholls, NZ DX Times, via Alokesh Gupta, Cumbre DX, Edwin Southwell)

SRI LANKA SLBC Colombo heard on 6004.7 at 0100 September 18, English opening announcement after drums, National Anthem and time pips. Clear but off frequency, had drifted up 40 Hz at 0109 recheck, parallel to 9770 which was a lot stronger. (Martien Groot, Netherlands, DX Listening Digest)

UGANDA Radio Dunamis is active again on 4750, heard 1745 fade in-1830 off , August 17, 20, 25 and September 01, active again. English religious programme with preacher and a religious choir, some identifications in between, signs off with a choir. (Anker Petersen, Denmark, Roland Schulze, Germany, DX Window)

UKRAINE Radio Ukraine International has a new schedule for English: To Europe: 1900-2000 7490, 2100-2200 5840, 0500-0600 7420, 0900-1000 and 1100-1200 9950. To North America: 0000-0100 and 0300-0400 on 7440. They have a new QSL card for reports of RUI and the domestic service. (Edwin Southwell)
The new Ukrainian domestic relay heard on 5970 September 1, suffered splash from Vatican 5965 until about 0700, then clear with a fair to good signal. (Noel Green, Blackpool, DXLD)
It's the first shortwave signal from Brovary after six years, after the minimised Radio Ukraine
International schedule came in force in autumn 2002. (Kai Ludwig, ibid)

UNITED KINGDOM BBC World Service has launched a special news and current affairs programme for audiences in the Southern and Eastern regions of Afghanistan. It brings 30 minutes of news and in-depth analysis to Pashto-speakers, including those on the Pakistan border, daily at 1630. It is available on 11 FM frequencies in key towns across Afghanistan as well as on 6100 7295 and 9915. (Paul Gager, A-DX via Wolfgang Bueschel)
BBC World Service and Deutsche Welle, have announced plans to launch a joint radio service to Europe on DRM Shortwave. The new stream, which will be entirely in English, is expected to go live in early 2009. It will be available from early morning till late at night targeting Western and Central Europe with global news, current affairs and a mix of in-depth analysis, documentaries and cultural programmes. The service will provide a multimedia offer of audio and text, the latter coming automatically from the BBC News website.
Erik Betterman, Director General at Deutsche Welle, said: "It is great that two of the world's most established broadcasters can work together on a project of this scale. This is an exciting venture that will offer European listeners top class content and provides the perfect opportunity to reintroduce listeners to DRM."
Mike Cronk, Controller, Future Media, Technology & Distribution, BBC World Service, said: "This is an important time for DRM and a huge opportunity for broadcasters across Europe to look at the potential for new services and reaching new audiences. With this announcement, two of the most important players in international broadcasting are re-affirming their faith in the DRM standard."
Ruxandra Obreja, Chair of the DRM Consortium and Controller, Business Development, BBC World Service, said: "This new stream for Europe will give a welcome boost to international digital radio. Listeners in Western and Central Europe can now buy one of the growing selection of DRM-capable receivers and hear in excellent quality top class programmes that in recent years they could only access online." (BBC Press Office)
This is an attempt by the two largest international broadcasters that were involved in the development of DRM to kick-start some interest in the platform by developing something that isn't available in AM. Neither station broadcasts in English on analogue shortwave to Europe at the moment. There may have been some pressure from one or more of the receiver manufacturers to show some real intent on the broadcasters' side before they will commit to producing DRM receivers on a commercial scale. Note that the service "is expected" to go live in early 2009, suggesting it is contingent on other things being in place. There's also the fact that DRM has been omitted from the pan-European digital radio profiles announced recently. Obviously, the existence of a pan- European DRM service will strengthen the DRM Consortium's hand in getting DRM included in the final version. If it isn't, DRM is dead in this part of the world. (Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog comment)
I would assume that BBC and DW will be marketing receivers to their audiences, as to the DRM Consortium Chairman’s talk of growing number of receivers there’s only one new model been announced at IFA and it’s too expensive, they urgently need a small cheap receiver which can run off batteries and that includes the other European digital radio platforms. According to a posting on the drmrx forums this new stream “will replace the existing (DRM) broadcasts of Deutsche Welle and BBC World Service.” which are two separate services. If this is correct will it be a mix of programmes, some from the BBC, some from DW and some jointly produced? There are questions of editorial control here I would have thought, particularly on news output. (Mike Barraclough)
Latest RSL’s from the Ofcom website:
Bradford: Sabrang Radio 87.9 October 20 to November 16
Bristol: Radio Mast FM 87.7 October 9 to November 5
Cardiff: Rookwood Sound 87.7 October 6 to November 2
Chertsey: Radio Wey FM 87.9 October 16 to November 12
Gloucester: CAM FM 87.7 October 18 to 19
Great Yarmouth & Lowestoft: GYFM 107.3 October 6 to November 2
Leeds: Akash Bani Radio 87.7 October 5 to 18
Leeds: Akash Radio 99.9 October 27 to November 23
Leicester: Kohinoor Radio 95.1 November 3 to 30
Lewes: Rocket FM 87.7 October 18 to November 6
Lowestoft: East of England Radio 87.7 October 24 to 26
Manchester: Fuse FM 106.6 November 4 to December 1
Manchester: Origin 42 106.6 October 6 to November 2
Norwich: Exchange Radio 87.7 November 2 to 6
Redditch: Kingfisher FM 87.7 November 3 to 30
Selston: Radio Salistune 102.4 November 1 to 7
Slough: Awaz Radio 87.7 October 25 to November 21
Southampton: Awaaz FM 87.7 October 20 to November 16
Sutton: Youth FM 87.7 October 20 to 31
Thornbury: Thornbury FM 87.7 November 3 to 30
Tyseley, Birmingham: Shree Hindu 87.8 October 4 to 31
West Bromwich: Raaj FM 87.7 October 20 to November 16
Winchcombe: Radio Winchcombe 87.7 October 20 to 26
Wolverhampton: Akaal Radio 106.9 October 17 to November 13

UNITED STATES The VOA Serbian, Bosnian, Macedonian, and Hindi services transmitted their last radio broadcasts on 30 September. The services will continue via internet and/or television. VOA Serbian and Hindi were on shortwave until the end, while Bosnian and Macedonian were only via affiliates in their target countries, plus internet audio.
VOA Russian radio already ended on 26 July, continuing as an internet-only service. VOA Georgian was slated to close down completely, via all media, on 30 September, but the Georgian-Russian conflict has given that service an indefinite stay. The Broadcasting Board of Governors reversed its decisions to eliminate VOA radio in Turkish, Croatian, and Greek. RFE/RL radio broadcasts continue in Russian, Georgian, Serbian, Bosnian and Macedonian. (Kimandrewelliott.com)
WRNO 7505 heard signing on 0100 August 29, and immediately into news read by local announcer. Top story was about Christian schools versus Sharia law in Nigeria; also items re Thailand, South Ossetia, UK terrorist threats, Obama about to accept. Lasted 3 minutes, the news update by `“John ----`”, `“as reported by the BBC.” Hard to believe a BBC newscast would have led with the Nigeria story, WRNO apparently picks items from BBC news and slants them for their own ideology. A much greater public service would be to relay real BBCWS news on shortwave to North America. Caleb Duncan followed as apparently live DJ starting at 0103, asking for requests by e-mail to wrnoradio@mailup.net and starting with “Carry On, My Wayward Son” requested by a previous 1980s WRNO listener in Minnesota. They were off the air August 31 to September 10, affected by power loss due to Hurricane Gustav but no damage to the antenna or tower. (Glenn Hauser, Oklahoma, DXLD)
WRNO has had no RF interference complaints from the neighbourhood. RF is at the full 50 kW licensed output and modulation is clean. The transmitter runs cool with current readings at the low end of their maximum ratings. The daytime frequency of 15590 has not been on the air long enough (only testing at this point), to determine how it will get along with the neighbourhood but testing results were good. As time goes on, Air Time will be increased as will the daytime frequency of 15590. (Larry Thom, Chief Engineer WRNO, radio-info.com via Richard Lewis, ibid)
Area 51 is now on WBCQ daily 2300 to 0100 on 5110, this is a free form entertainment programme, several contributions from the free radio community. The electricity bill at WBCQ is growing and many airtime contributors are struggling to pay due to the economic crisis. (Sergei Sosedkin, Allan Weiner, Larry Will, DX Listening Digest)
I drove by KAIJ late July to find their wire log periodic had been removed, leaving the towers (and the old towers of their previous corner reflector system). Drove up to the building to find the door swinging open, so I took a peek inside. All equipment has been removed, and the building apparently raided for its copper. Left behind were leavings of the live-in technician (and his family?). Also large amounts of trash and several waist-high oil-filled capacitors inside an old storage container (very nasty). (Pete, DX Listening Digest)

VANUATU Radio Vanuatu is currently using a low power modified amateur radio transmitter to broadcast weak signals on 7260. Reception has been monitored of Pacific style music in the past day or so. The new 10 kW shortwave transmitters are still enroute to Vanuatu. Delivery has been delayed for a variety of reasons, including difficulties obtaining freight space on cargo ships visiting Vila. An RNZI technician has just returned from Vila where preparation work has been underway for installation of the two new DRM/analogue transmitters later this year. (David Ricquish, Radio Heritage Foundation, DXLD)
Radio Vanuatu heard weakly on 7260 in Bislama (Pidgin English) at 0325 until 0400 when blocked by Algeria via UK. Frequency clear again after 0600 when American religious programme heard and signal strength improved to fair by 0700 when tuning signal played, followed by news bulletin in Bislama. (Bryan Clark, New Zealand, DX Listening Digest)

VIETNAM Que Hong Radio in Vietnamese is now Wednesdays to Fridays 1200-1300 on 15680 via Dhabbaya, was Monday to Saturday. (DX Mix News Bulgaria via DXLD)

CONTRIBUTORS: Germany: Wolfgang Bueschel, Ireland: Jonathan Murphy, UK; Edwin Southwell.

Until next month MIKE