READING INTERNATIONAL RADIO GROUP Three more dates have now been booked for next year, they are February 7, April 18 and June 6.
ABKHAZIA Abkhazian Radio heard at 0500-0600 on usual 9494.7 November 24 but also in parallel with same power level on clear channel 9535. At 0700 only 9494.7 was still in progress in Russian language, but 9535 was off. (Wolfgang Bueschel)
AFGHANISTAN Radio Solh is scheduled 0200-0300 on 5925 via Dhabbaya as well as the transmissions listed in last months DX News. (Dragan Lekic, Serbia, DX Listening Digest)
ALBANIA Radio Tirana has moved its morning Albanian transmission from 7105 in the soon to be exclusively amateur 7100 to 7200 band, it is now using 7360 for the broadcast at 0730-1000. The station is now using 7425, ex 9345, for the 0100-0130 Albanian and 0130-0200 English transmissions to North America. (Wolfgang Bueschel)
ARGENTINA On October 24 at 1904 I heard Morocco in Arabic dominating RAE on 15345, frequencies were maybe 150 Hz apart, both transmitters are under modulated, by 1946 the heterodyne was stronger as RAE increased in strength.
RAE was off for six weeks recently, and did they take the opportunity to make any improvements? No, when they came back, same old variable frequency colliding with Morocco.
Neither of these stations participates in the HFCC, but surely RAE management has heard by now from numerous listener complaints, that Morocco is blocking them in the European target languages. Yet all they do is change transmission times by one hour depending on the local clock when what they need to do is change frequency. Some complimentary consultancy: in B-08 every 5-kHz channel from 15335 to 15360 should be clear for all the hours RAE is presently using 15345 to Europe. A simple switch to 15350 should do the trick, or should I say, forcing the transmitter to vary more than it usually does. Anyone want do donate a new crystal? (Glenn Hauser, DX Listening Digest)
ARMENIA Armenian National Radio heard on 4810 with Arabic-type music at 1920 November 13, several station identifications in presumed Arabic and transmitter off at scheduled 1930. Poor signals, but no interference and moderate fading.
I was going to check for their sign on at 0200 on this frequency as listed in the WRTH. When I checked at 0130, they were already on in mid-programming. (Al Muick, Afghanistan, Hard Core DX)
AUSTRIA Radio Austria International noted Sunday October 26 on 17855 at 1320 with English discussion of airline privatisation in Austria followed by Post Box. (Glenn Hauser, DX Listening Digest)
Their weekend English programming is not appearing as scheduled to Europe 1300-1358 on 6155 and 13730, frequencies carry German, it’s been like this for several weeks. In the December BDXC-UK Communication Darren Rozier reported that he had advised them of this and they replied that his observations had been forwarded to their technicians. But still no English weekend programming to Europe November 29 and 30. (Mike Barraclough)
AZERBAIJAN Authorities in Azerbaijan say they plan to halt local broadcasts by foreign stations by the end of the year. The chairman of Azerbaijan's National Television and Radio Council, Nushiravan Maharramli, says his country is not interested in granting local frequencies to foreign broadcasters. He says the change will affect the BBC, U.S. financed Voice of America and Radio Liberty.
The U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors, the federal agency responsible for all U.S. government-supported, non-military international broadcasting, says it strongly objects to the proposal. A BBG Board Member, Steven J. Simmons, says the decision follows a "disturbing pattern" that began with harsh restrictions on private broadcasters within Azerbaijan two years ago and now directly impacts international media. (VOA News via Dale Park, Hawaii, Alokesh Gupta, India via DX Listening Digest)
BELARUS The local transmitter at Mahilou has made the customary winter shift from 7145 to 7235 - I've tried, but I can't think of a reason why it does - and was heard at fair strength around 0750, but not with the same programme as Hrodna 7265 - also fair strength. It will be interesting to see what happens in A-09 when 7145 will be within an exclusive ham band if they make the shift back. (Noel Green, Blackpool, DX Listening Digest)
BELGIUM I came shortly across a signal on 5960 at 1850 with soft modulation, containing a well-known pop song in a Bantu language, the remains of Radio Vlaanderen Internationaal. Off at 1900, continued from 1900 via Skelton on 6040. (Kai Ludwig, Germany, DXLD)
Schedule is 0700-0800 13685 via St Petersburg, 0800-0900 9790 via Skelton, 1800-1900 5960 via St. Petersburg, 1900-2000 6040 via Skelton. (Aoki B08 online schedule)
Radio Traumland schedule is 1400-1500 Sundays on 5965 via Julich. (Wolfgang Bueschel)
BHUTAN I received an Electronic QSL card via email in 9 days from Bhutan Broadcasting
Service for a report on 6035. Report sent to bbs@bbs.com.bt. Verification signer was Dorji Wangkhunk (Head of Transmissions), email: dwangk@bbs.com.bt (Ivan Zelenvi, Russia via Dario Monferini, PLAYDX via DX Listening Digest)
On November 15 I received a highly appreciated QSL from Bhutan. The e-mail address dwangk@gmail.com was used, response in just 1 hour and 41 minutes from when I sent my report. I heard the station on November 9 at 0000-0110. (Anker Petersen, Denmark, ibid)
Following on from Anker’s publicising the gmail.com address Wendel Craighead received a QSL in 6 hours and Bruce Churchill in 3.5 hours, both reporting to Cumbre DX.
Bhutan Broadcasting Service being heard regularly here on 6035 fading in around 1345, weak but audible, English service starts 1400, signal fades up but still quite weak to 1430 when Polish Radio signs on in Belarussian, prior to that usually a pop music and phone in programme with a lady announcer. (Mike Barraclough)
BOLIVIA Radio Pio Doce heard October 23 at 0125-0135 on 5952.8, heavy interference from WYFR on 5950. Years ago I heard it quite regularly and I got to know the Roman Catholic brothers who supported the station, financially and technically. One of them later visited me en route back to his home near Montreal. The station's purpose then, at least, was to support, educationally and politically, the tin miners' union in the mining town of Siglo Veinte. The political aspect resulted in the station being dynamited several times by government goons. That, at least, is not likely to be repeated during the Morales regime. (Don Jensen, Wisconsin, NASWA Yahoo group)
BRAZIL Radio Nove de Julho, Sao Paulo heard back on 9820 at 0743-0800, November 8, many identifications as: "....a Nove de Julho, a radio catolica". (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, Cumbre DX)
Observatorio Nacional, Rio de Janeiro has a new time signal station on 10000, heard November 23 at 1807, pips and announcement "Observatorio Nacional, desesseis horas, sete minutos. zero segundos" (Marcelo Bedene, Brazil, DX Clube do Parana via DXLD)
Webpage gives address as MCT - Observatorio Nacional, Divisao Service da Hora, Rua Gal. Jose Cristino, 77 - Sao Cristovao, CEP 20921-400, Rio de Janeiro, email dsh@on.br. (Dario Monferini, PLAYDX via DX Listening Digest)
BULGARIA Apparently the high power medium wave and shortwave transmitters in Bulgaria are now usually run at reduced power, 300 instead of 500 and 170 instead of 250 kW. (Kai Ludwig, Germany, DX Listening Digest)
Radio Bulgaria heard last month using two frequencies again. (Edwin Southwell)
They had a problem with a defective transmitter last month, malfunctioning exciter causing an awful warble. This was reported in DX Listening Digest by Glenn Hauser, Wolfgang Bueschel and Kai Ludwig among others. Ivo Ivanov, their frequency manager wrote that the problem was fixed as of November 26 and thanked all for their monitoring. Glenn also reported a similarly malfunctioning Russian transmitter on 5900, the same frequency Radio Bulgaria uses to North America, which has not been fixed as of deadline.
CHAD Radiodiffusion Nationale Tchadienne heard on 6165 from tune-in at 2158 on October 28 with African rhythms, news and reports in French at 2201 followed by further music and announcements through to sign-off at 2230 with National Anthem. Fair reception on a clear channel. (Tony Rogers, Birmingham, British DX Club email group)
Not now being noted on 4905. (Mike Barraclough)
CONGO DR Radio Kahuzi heard in French on 6210 from 1905 tune in November 14, political talk with several mentions of President Bush and Barack Obama and fewer references to Congo and Kinshasa. After a time check there was a discussion, clear identification at 1935, SINPO 22332 with splash from 6205. (Arthur Miller, Wales)
CROATIA The 1134 Voice of Croatia transmitter will soon stop broadcasting in analogue and switch to DRM once a new transmitter is installed. (Dragan Lekic, Serbia, DXLD)
CUBA Following a report of Radio Republica on 9600 I checked it November 5 at 0255 to past 0300, it was in fact Radio Havana Cuba parallel to 6060, it was also jammed. On November 7 Radio Republica was there too 2330 to past 2400.
On November 8 Radio Republica went to a revised schedule: 2200-2400 Saturday and Sunday 11835, 2300-2400 Monday to Friday 11835, 0000-0200 daily 9785 as well as Monday to Friday 1100-1200 on 6100 all via Sackville. (Glenn Hauser, DXLD)
CYPRUS Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation heard 2215-2245 November 7 on new 6180, ex 5930. Sign on with Greek music followed by Greek talk. Fair but some adjacent channel splatter, parallel to 7210 which was strong but co-channel interference from China and 9760 which was good. (Brian Alexander, Pennsylvania, Cumbre DX)
These broadcasts are Friday, Saturday and Sunday. (Mike Barraclough)
ERITREA Voice of Democratic Eritrea schedule is 1700-1800 Thursdays on 11835 via Nauen. (Eike Bierwirth B08 online schedule)
Radio Bana heard in Vernacular from 1700 (apparent sign on) on November 11 on 5100, music, which might have been the National Anthem, identification and frequencies, talk and song, SINPO 24332, also heard other days around this time with weaker signals. (Arthur Miller, Wales)
ETHIOPIA Seems that since about November 7 or 8 radio wars around 7100/8000 suddenly stopped. Not much at all heard from Eritrea since. (Thorsten Hallmann, Germany, DXLD)
Radio Fana is now using 6889.3, heard identifying at 1500 November 25, weak parallel noted on 6110 under Brother Stair. (Jari Savolainen, Finland, Cumbre DX)
Radio Fana heard signing on at 0256-0310 November 26 on 6889.9, ex-7210.
Voice of Tigray Revolution heard on new 5980 signing on 0258 to past 0310 November 27, weak but readable, parallel 5950 poor and mixing with WYFR. (Brian Alexander, Pennsylvania, ibid)
Ginbot 7 Dimts Radio schedule is 1700-1730 Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday on 12120 and 15350.
Radio Xoriyo Ogadenia schedule is 1400-1430 Tuesday and Saturday on 21585.
EOTC Holy Synod Radio schedule is 1600-1700 Monday and Addis Dimts Radio 1600-1700 Sunday on 15195. All use the Samara site. (TDP website, Aoki B08 online schedule)
Voice of Oromo Liberation schedule is 1700-1730 Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday on 11810 via Werchatal.
Voice of Democratic Path of Ethiopian Unity schedule is 1700-1800 Wednesday, Friday and Sunday on 6145 via Nauen. (Aoki B08 online schedule)
Voice of Oromia Independence schedule is 1700-1730 on 9680 Saturday.
Radio Oromiyaa Liberation schedule is 1730-1759 on 9680 Friday.
Voice of Oromiyan Liberation Front is 1600-1659 on 9695 Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday. All these stations use the Julich site. (Jeff White, DX Listening Digest)
EUROPE (TWR) Trans World Radio is using a new address for Europe: TWR, Stredna Europa, P.O. Box 12, 820 02 Bratislava 22, Slovakia. (Allen Dean, Lancashire)
GABON Africa Number One heard on 9580 only for several weeks, 15475 and 17630 inactive. (Thorsten Hallmann, Germany, DX Listening Digest)
GERMANY MV Baltic Radio is scheduled Sundays 1300-1400 on 6140 via Werchatal. They do not transmit every week, other stations such as European Music Radio are also heard here at that time. (Mike Barraclough)
GUAM The 1730-1800 AWR Guam transmission in English on 9980 has been cancelled. (DX Mix News Bulgaria via DX Listening Digest)
ISRAEL Kol Israel noted in Persian at 1500-1630 on 11595 October 28, no jamming. (Wolfgang Bueschel)
Broadcast is 1500-1625, except Fridays and Saturdays when until 1600, on 9985 11595 and 13850. This is Kol Israel’s only remaining shortwave broadcast. (Aoki B08 online schedule)
Galei Tzahal being heard well of late throughout the day on 15785. (Allen Dean)
KURDISTAN Denge Mezopotamya schedule is now 0500-1400 on 11530 and 1400-2100 on 7540 via Mykolaiv, Ukraine. From January 1 change in frequency will be made at 1500. (TDP website, Aoki and Eike Bierwirth B08 online schedules)
LAOS LNR Vientiane presumed the one heard 1248-1258 November 27 on 7145, male speaker in monotonous drone, songs with a distinct SE Asian flavour. Still there at 1357 recheck, 1411 carrier off after 10 minutes of dead air. Frequency blocked by VOA Chinese last year but now clear. (Martien Groot, Netherlands, DX Listening Digest)
Moj Them Radio broadcasts 0100-0130 Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Haiv Hmoob Radio 0100-0130 Tuesday, Hmong Lao Radio 0100-0200 Thursday and Sunday and Hmong World Christian Radio 0100-0130 Saturday all on 15260 via Taiwan. (TDP website, Aoki B08 online schedule)
Hmong Lao Radio via WHRI now Saturday and Sunday 1400-1500 on 11785.
Hmong World Christian Radio via WHRI is Saturday 1500-1530 on 11785. (Glenn Hauser, DX Listening Digest)
LIBERIA/SIERRA LEONE Star Radio 0700-0730 and Cotton Tree News 0730-0800 are now using 11875 ex 9525 via Ascension. (Glenn Hauser, DX Listening Digest)
LITHUANIA Radio Vilnius is dropping 7325; now 9770 is the only frequency on 310 degrees to North America between 0000 and 0300, including English at 0030 and 0130? (Glenn Hauser, DX Listening Digest)
MADAGASCAR KNLS say that they soon will be broadcasting an additional 30-35 hours from their new station in Madagascar in at least three additional languages – Arabic, Spanish and Portuguese.
The construction in Madagascar is on schedule. The guardhouse and staff home are built and painted. As of September 12, the floors of the transmitter building were being poured and the walls were expected to go up shortly. Two members of the Malagasy staff visited the U.S. this past summer to learn to dismantle and assemble the new transmitters. This experience will enable them to assemble and install the transmitters when they arrive in Madagascar. Hurricane Ike has delayed the shipment of two 40-foot containers from Houston, although the containers were not damaged in the storm. (November NASB Newsletter via DXLD)
The transmitter building will contain three 100 kilowatt transmitters. The antenna towers are up and the wire will begin to be stretched in January 2009. (World Christian Broadcasting November bulletin, ibid)
MAURITANIA I was surprised to find what appeared to be Nouakchott on air as early as 0730 on 7245 on October 28. Good signal but with some splash from the Vatican on 7250. A man was reading what appeared to be news items in a unknown language with string instrumental music as links from one item to the next. (Noel Green Blackpool, DXLD)
MEXICO XEXQ Radio Universidad de San Luis Potosi returned to the air mid October on 6045, good signal in Central Mexico. Their inverted V shortwave antenna has been re-located. They are transmitting with 250 watts and have applied for permission to increase power to 1 kilowatt. Schedule is 1200-0400 with cultural and informational programming.
Candela FM heard with a much improved signal on 6104.9 November 14 following a number of changes that have been made to their 30 year old homebrew 250 watt transmitter to a quarter wave dipole. (Julian Santiago Diez deBonilla, Mexico City, DXLD)
Candela FM very strong in Florida on 6104.9 November 14 at 1400, is on almost 24 hours a day with numerous identifications. (Bob Wilkner, Cumbre DX)
I sent them an email report with mp3 clip to tecnico@rasayucatan.com and got a reply within hours, the station says that it will soon retransmit the Mayan language service Radio Yool Iik which is on 810. (Don Jensen, Wisconsin, NASWA Yahoo group)
Radio Educacion heard in the clear on 6185, though squeezed by 6180 and 6190 transmitters, at 0000 October 18 giving contact addresses in Spanish and English, each twice: Apartado/P O Box 44277, 03101 Mexico DF. This may be new; not as in WRTH 2008 which only gives a physical address. (Glenn Hauser, DX Listening Digest)
XERTA Radio Transcontinental had 4800 to itself after Radio Buenas Nuevas in Guatemala closed down at 0430 November 15. Programme of continuous songs until 0515 when an identification was given. SINPO 24222. Not the most inspiring of shows, I went to bed after hearing the identification. (Arthur Miller, Llandrindod Wells, Wales)
MYANMAR Democratic Voice of Burma schedule is now 1300-1400 on 11880 via Palau, 1430-1530 on 9415 via Yerevan and 17495 via Madagascar, 2330-0030 on 5955 via Werchatal. (Station website, Glenn Hauser via DXLD, Aoki B08 online schedule)
NIGERIA Voice of Biafra International has moved to 15665 for its Friday only broadcast 2000-2100 via WHRI. (Glenn Hauser, DX Listening Digest)
New on shortwave is Aso Radio on 15180, heard November 4 1600-1645, Hausa talks after drums interval signal, folksongs and closed with Afropop, SINPO 35343. (Anker Petersen, Denmark, PLAYDX via DX Listening Digest)
Aso Radio is a new government-owned station in Abuja, Nigeria. Radio Miami International produced a series of jingles for them. (Jeff White, DXLD)
NORTH KOREA Fursato no Kaze schedule is 1333-1357 on 9965 via Taiwan, 1430-1500 on 9880 via Darwin, 1600-1630 on 9780 via Taiwan.
Nippon no Kaze schedule is 1500-1530 on 9690 via Darwin, 1530-1557 on 9965 via Palau and 1700-1730 on 9820 via Taiwan
Shiokaze schedule is 1400-1430 on 5910, 2030-2100 on 6045 via Yamata.
Free North Korea Radio schedule is 1100-1200 on 11750 via Taiwan, 1400-1600 on 7585 via Tashkent, 1900-2100 on 7530 via Yerevan.
Open Radio for North Korea schedule is 1300-1400 on 7515 via Tashkent, 2100-2200 on 9950 via Yerevan.
Radio Free Chosun schedule is 1200-1300 on 11560 via Taiwan, 1545-1615 on 9970 via Yerevan.
CMI Voice of Wilderness schedule is 1300-1400 on 11640 via Yerevan.
North Korea Reform Radio schedule is 1300-1330 on 9965 via Taiwan, 1330-1400 on 9330 via Dushanbe.
Voice of Free Radio schedule is 1600-1630 on 7530 via Tashkent. (S. Hasegawa, Nagoya DX Circle via DX Listening Digest)
PALAU VTC has recently started offering shortwave capacity from a site on the island of Palau that provides extensive coverage of South East Asia. VTC has been successfully testing the site for a number of broadcasters. (VT Communications Newsletter via Dave Walcutt, DX Listening Digest)
World Harvest Radio from Palau heard on 9930 with strong signal at 1150 November 23, SINPO 43433, English programmes which continued after 1200. The following day English was replaced by Chinese at 1200. (Arthur Miller, Llandrindod Wells, Wales)
9930 monitored schedule for religious programmes is 0800-1200 daily, 1200-1500 Saturday and Sunday. Call letters are now TW8H. (S. Hasegawa, Nagoya DX Circle via DXLD)
PERU Radio La Hora is back on the air., heard on 4857.5 at 2350 October 29 with talk by two men in presumed Quecha, heavy CODAR interference and blotted out at 0005 when AIR Delhi carrier started on 4860. (Anker Petersen, Denmark, PLAYDX via DXLD)
PHILIPPINES Radyo Pilipinas in English is noted on new 17770 0200-0330 parallel to 11880 and 15285. The announcement flourish continues to make the station appear exotic: "This is the Overseas service of Philippines Broadcasting Corporation, broadcasting from the Presidential Palace in Manila, Philippines". (Supratik Sanatani, India, DX Listening Digest)
ROMANIA Mr. Radu Ianculescu from Radio Romania International sent me an e-mail confirming that all their new shortwave transmitters are on air since November 11. (Wolfgang Bueschel)
Several reports mentioning the much improved reception and good audio quality of Radio Romania International broadcasts now. (MB)
RUSSIA Voice of Russia is now using the Montsinery, French Guiana site, 0000-0100 on 11605 in Portuguese, 0100-0300 13630 in Spanish, 0200-0600 7335 in Russian 0200-0400 and in English 0400-0600. 7335 replaces 6100 in English 0200-0400 and 6135 in English 0400-0600. (DX Mix News, Bulgaria via DXLD, Vadim Alexeew, Voice of Russia via Michael Bethge, Germany via Wolfgang Bueschel)
The new Voice of Russia relays via Montsinery represent about a third of all transmissions via this site. They are the first transmissions of Radio Moscow/Voice of Russia via transmitters in the western hemisphere for 17 years I believe as, was it not in 1991 that the airtime exchange of Radio Moscow and Radio Havana Cuba stopped? (Kai Ludwig, Germany, DX Listening Digest)
Tatarstan Wave schedule is 0510-0600 on 15105, 0710-0800 on 9860, 0910-1000 on 11915, all via Samara. (DX Mix News, Bulgaria via DX Listening Digest)
RWANDA Radio Rwanda heard on 6055 at 1925 to 2101 off November 2, beautiful upbeat
hilife-style music, local language to 2000, then French. Informal "Radio Rwanda" IDs near 2000. In the clear and strong from 1945-2030, interference from Iran in Spanish after 2030. Plug pulled in mid-song at 2101. (Steve George, Massachusetts, Cumbre DX)
SPAIN Radio Exterior de Espana English to Europe Monday to Friday 1900-2000 observed on 9665 rather than scheduled 9690, parallel to 9605 to Africa. (Edwin Southwell)
SWAZILAND Trans World Radio is using a new 100kw shortwave transmitter built at the HCJB technology centre in Elkhart, Indiana. It began broadcasting October 23 replacing an outdated Continental unit. (HCJB press release via DX Listening Digest)
SUDAN Sudan Radio 7200 heard at 1702 November 20 with Arabic news and commercials, including singing commercials. Quite slick production and good signal in Kabul. (Al Muick, Hard Core DX)
Sudan Radio noted with similar programming 1807 to past 1815 November 24 on 7200, fair strength on relatively clear channel 1800-1830, Bulgaria closes 1800, China Radio International on 1830 and Serbia very weak. (Mike Barraclough)
Southern Sudan Interactive Radio Instruction broadcasts via Meyerton are 0600-0630 Monday to Friday on 15750, 0630-0700 on 15360 15745 and 1300-1330 on 15250 15325 both these Monday, Wednesday and Friday. (Kathy Otto, Sentech, DXLD)
The station also uses 15215 0630-0700 Monday to Friday via Rwanda and 15215 0600-0630 Monday to Friday, 15530 0630-0700 Monday, Wednesdays and Friday and 15760 0630-0700 Monday to Friday, all these via Dhabbaya. (Aoki B08 online schedule)
Radio Miraya FM via IRRS Slovakia site now scheduled 1500-1800 on 15650. (Aoki B08 online schedule)
Is co-channel Voice of Greece to 1550. (Wolfgang Bueschel)
A new radio station launched November 15, supported by Radio Netherlands Worldwide. Radio Dabanga is broadcasting to the Darfur region of Sudan in Sudanese Arabic and local languages at 0429-0527 on 13800 via Madagascar. (Media Network)
Radio Dabanga is also using 7315 via Werchatal. (DX Mix News, Bulgaria via DXLD)
Very good reception November 21 at 0430 on 7315 and 13800. Programming was announcements and local music. They announced the address radiodabanga@ yahoo.com and my report to that address gave a reply and confirmation in a few hours. Postal address is: Press Now, Witte Kruislaan 55, 1217 AM Hilversum. On December 1st they were due to commence news and information programmes. (Bjorn Fransson, Sweden, DXLD)
Sudan Radio Service schedule is now 0300-0400 5975, 0400-0500 7280, 0500-0600 13720 and 1700-1730 9840, all these Monday to Friday via Dhabbaya. English is 0300-0330 and 0530-0600. They also broadcast on 17745 via Sines 1500-1600 daily and 1600-1700 Monday to Friday, English at 1500-1530. (Aoki B08 online schedule)
SWITZERLAND Beromunster Musikwalle programmes on 531 will be on the air until 2159:59 on Sunday December 28. On December 29, 30 and 31 the station will run a service loop announcing that Musikwalle is no longer transmitted on the frequency. (Wolfgang Bueschel/Bengt Ericson, Nov ARC Information Desk via DXLD)
TAJIKISTAN Tajik Radio is using new 4765 ex 4635, first heard October 27 1450 to 2000 off with Tajik talk and folk songs and again signing on 2300 with opening announcement and heavy Tajik Rock to wake people up, continued to past 0110. (Anker Petersen, Denmark, PLAYDX via DX Listening Digest)
UGANDA Dunamis Shortwave on 4750 was heard from 1800 to 1904 closedown November 14. Programme consisted of hymns with little speech, short excerpt from a “hot gospeller” with a congregation. English announcement prior to 1900, listeners were referred to as “friends”, followed by a short music segments and then closing announcements in a local language which were gabbled so fast I doubt even native speakers could follow them. SINPO at 1845 was 23222 and improving, as was Radio Uganda on 4976. (Arthur Miller, Llandrindod Wells, Wales)
They are back in operation after antenna repairs, scheduled operations are 1500-1900. (Bruce Churchill, Cumbre DX)
UKRAINE The Radio Ukraine International schedule in last months Contact had these additional transmissions: Mykolaiv 100kw 0300-1500 7285 and 1500-0200 on 6020, Mykolaiv 250kw 1900-0300 9785, Lviv 1000kw renewed after 8 years 0600-1400 on 15635. It’s a pity that such additional transmissions of the Ukrainian Radio can be guaranteed only to the end of this year. The future of them depends on the Ukrainian budget 2009. (Olex Yegorov, RUI Whole World on the Radio Dial via DXLD)
UNITED KINGDOM Latest RSL’s from the Ofcom website:
Alderney: Quay FM 87.7 December 8 to 25
Ballymoney: Fuse FM 106.2 November 22 to December 19
Belfast: Shankhill Radio 106.2 December 1 to 18
Bradford: Haaj FM 87.9 November 20 to December 17
Bradford: Radio Muharram 87.9 December 19 to January 15
Brill, Bucks: Brill Oldies 87.9 December 26 to January 4
Brownlow, Co. Armagh: Xtreme FM 103.9 November 29 to December 19
Carrickfergus: Carrickfergus FM 107.6 December 3 to 24
Cheltenham: Cheltenham Radio 87.7 December 12 to 13
Glasgow: Radio Eid Milan 106.6 December 7 to 28
Godmanchester: Huntingdon Community Radio 101.1 November 28 to December 15
Guernsey: The Coast 87.9 November 17 to December 14
Kilmarnock: Bonnet FM 105.7 December 5 to 24
Larne: Chaine FM 106.3 December 1 to 24
Leicester: Panji Pani Radio 107.5 January 2 to 29
Limavdy: Roe Valley Christian Radio 106.4 December 30 to January 1
Llanreath, Pembrokeshire: Cleddau FM 87.9 November 27 to December 24
London SW4: Generation Radio 87.7 January 5 to 26
Louth: Heat Rays Radio 87.8 December 18 to 21
Manchester: BMC Radio 87.7 December 10 to 18
Manchester: Kwanzaa Radio 106.6 December 6 to January 2
Merstham: Spin FM 87.7 December 19 to January 4
Newport: Newport Radio 87.9 December 15 to January 11
Omagh: Strule FM 87.7 November 27 to December 23
Romney Marsh: Romney Marsh FM 87.8 January 3 to 30
Rugby: Cracker FM 87.9 November 27 to December 24
Southport: Southport Community Radio 87.7 December 10 to January 6
Whitehead: Tune FM 106.2 December 20 to 24
UNITED STATES WMLK Pennsylvania presumed the one on 9265 at 2106 to past 2111 October 25. (Harold Frodge, Michigan, Cumbre DX)
No, it’s WINB which switches from 13570 at 2100. WMLK has been inactive for years though still registered on 9265 at 0400-0900 daily and 1600-2100 except Sundays. (Glenn Hauser, DX Listening Digest)
At their webpage, http://wmlkradio.net/index.html, there are updates on progress with the 250kw BBC transmitter they have purchased for which they need some printed circuit boards and pictures of the ice storm damage to their antennas in February. (Mike Barraclough)
WRNO heard several times November 1 on 7505, first noted 1040-1056, identification 1054 said the station would be on the air for several hours for transmitter maintenance, presumed them again at 2328 with enormous signal and Christmas music. (Dave Yocis, West Virginia, DX Listening Digest)
On November 3 heard them from 0010 tune in to past 0255, continuous religious music with first identification 0150: "Please stay tuned as we do our maintenance broadcasting. WRNO Worldwide, broadcasting on 7505 kHz”. Identification repeated at 0207, 0230 and 0254. (Ed Insinger, New Jersey, ibid)
WRNO has had several technical problems with their new ELCOR transmitter, which are covered by the ELCOR warranty. ELCOR engineers had arrived at New Orleans and were repairing and testing the transmitter.
Testing of a transmitter is authorized by the FCC during the periods that have been coordinated with the HFCC, and at other periods as needed, provided interference is not caused to other stations that have coordinated the use of 7505 kHz, or + or- 5 kHz.
When WRNO returns to regular broadcasting, they must then, of course, adhere to their coordinated schedule as authorized by the FCC, 2300-1600 on 7505 and 1400-2300 on 15590. (George Jacobs, ibid)
KNLS is regularly heard on 6915 at 1600 at the start of their Mandarin programme. Also heard on 6915 November 24 at 1200 with English programme, SINPO 24322. The interval signal is very useful in identifying the station. (Arthur Miller, Llandrindod Wells, Wales)
VOA Special English observed on 4930 6080 11975 and 13710 while tuning the bands at 1930 earlier this week. (Edwin Southwell)
Didn’t write down when I received this from Edwin, VOA seems to have been transmitting the wrong programme as the 1930-2000 Special English transmission is scheduled to West Asia and Eastern Europe on 9785 and 12020. The frequencies are scheduled as English to Africa. (Mike Barraclough)
WWRB is now using 9385 1300-2200, 3215 2200-0200, 3145 0200-0500 and 3185 0500-1255 for Brother Stair. (Dave Frantz, DX Listening Digest)
A 10 minute video about saving VOA Delano which also looks at the historical impact of shortwave from the US has been posted at YouTube, put Save the Delano VOA in the search engine.
It’s been posted by Mike Dorrough whose biography at www.261.gr/mdorrough.html says that “He is attempting to establish a short wave broadcast service/recording archive from his new home in Oregon, to be run for and by blind and visually impaired people.” In a RadioWorld interview June 11 this year reproduced at www.dorrough.com/mike.html he says he has collected a massive audio archive and plans a non-profit operation broadcasting an endless array of diverse programmes created for radio. Buildings and antennas were already in place on his 16.2 acre plot of land when he noticed ground stakes outlining what looked like a house foundation in close proximity to his antenna array but only about one sixth of the minimum required for residential construction. He is currently taking legal and other advice to help salvage the project. (Mike Barraclough)
VENEZUELA Radio Nacional de Venezuela via Cuba heard on 15250 at 2332-2348, October 26, outstanding reception, very strong signal, in Spanish and English, identification in Spanish, into their program "Contact" in English, acknowledged reception reports (one from Japan), full explanation of the SINPO codes and about UTC, back to Spanish with speeches by Hugo Chavez. (Ron Howard, California, Cumbre DX)
Radio Nacional Venezuela via Cuba heard on 11680 at 1518 October 27 with lady in broken English talking about a supreme court case involving articles 105, 42 and 55 and Mayor Lopez. My ears glazed over. (Glenn Hauser, DX Listening Digest)
VIETNAM Que Hong Radio schedule is 1200-1300 on 15680 Wednesday, Thursday, Friday via Dushanbe. (TDP website, Aoki B08 online schedule)
WORLDSPACE Worldspace (UK) Ltd called in the liquidators on November 14. The action means an immediate suspension of the Afristar channels that were being transmitted from London by World Radio Network. The move also means that Worldspace UK’s few remaining staff have been let go, according to informed sources. London employees have received no salaries since September. WorldSpace UK is a separate operation to Washington based WorldSpace Inc, which is went into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on October 17. Our sources suggest that WorldSpace’s London assets (transmission equipment and so forth) had already been formally seized ahead of the liquidation because WorldSpace is in default on payments. (Rapid TV News)
CONTRIBUTORS Germany: Wolfgang Bueschel. UK- Allen Dean, Arthur Miller, Edwin Southwell. Until next month, MIKE
