READING INTERNATIONAL RADIO GROUP The next meeting of the Reading International Radio Group will be on April 18 in Room 3, Reading International Solidarity Centre, 35-39 London Street, Reading at 2.30 p.m. Amongst other items we will be continuing our look at pre-war shortwave broadcast listening, BBC programmes in 1936 as well as more recent developments and audio from international and UK radio. For more information email me or phone 01462 643899.
7100-7200 EXCLUSIVE AMATEUR BAND Radio Bulgaria has already deleted all its usage of 7200, in preparation for the non-availability of 7100-7200 for broadcasting come A-09; not sure what has replaced 7200, if anything. As 7200 will become the boundary between the ham and broadcast bands, theoretically no station of either type should use it, and keep their sidebands from crossing the line. (Glenn Hauser, February 24, DXLD)
Ham radio operators may use 7195 with upper side band mode in 7195 to 7199.999 portion, with strict elimination of 7200 signal portion and beyond.
Ham radio operators may use 7200 with lower side band mode, with strict elimination of 7200 signal portion and beyond.
7200 Radio broadcasting, no A3E (normal AM broadcast) transmission mode allowed.
7205 Radio broadcasting, lower side band portion of A3E transmission mode is allowed in range 7200.001 to 7205. (Ulrich Bihlmayer, DJ9KR via Wolfgang Bueschel, DXLD)
International Amateur Region Union Region 3 Monitoring Systems Coordinator, B.L. (Arasu) Manohar, VU2UR, has been scanning the segment. He did this for four days recently to identify 58 broadcast transmissions, their frequencies, times and signal strengths. Mapping of broadcasters on the 40-Metre band will be important should IARU need to mount a case to fight any continued occupancy of the 7100-7200 range after 29 March. (Ray, VU3ORN, March 1, DX India via DXLD)
ANGUILLA Caribbean Beacon on 1610 seems to have reinvented itself and is now reported coming in powerfully all over the world by many DXers. I have even received it here inland on my Eton E100 ultralight, so powerful was the signal. Yet WRTH lists it as only 10 kW. Can it be that they upgraded the transmitter to a more powerful level recently? (John Plimmer, South Africa, DX Listening Digest)
It’s now 25 kW, same non-directional single tower antenna. (George McClintock, ibid)
ARGENTINA RAE heard on 11710.7, 0142-0147, February 28, tune-in to English DX Special programme reading loggings from various sources. Gave full credit to DX Listening Digest for logs used. Even heard my own name mentioned. Fair to good signal. (Brian Alexander, Pennsylvania, DX Listening Digest)
AUSTRIA Looking at the new Radio Austria International schedule it would seem that the 3 minute news bulletin at 0608 on 6155, followed by French, will be repeated during Journal at 0013 on new 9820. (Glenn Hauser, DX Listening Digest)
BANGLADESH Bangladesh Betar still active on 7250, noted March 4 1230-1241 in English, SINPO 23332, opening announcement, news bulletin, steady signal but low level, traditional flute music followed by talk. (Tony Ashar, Indonesia, DX Listening Digest)
BELGIUM RTBF in French in A09 is on 9970 to South Europe 0500-2000 and to Central Africa 0300-0430 and 1900-2100. RTBF special programmes are broadcast on Saturdays at 0630-0700 and 1630-1700. At other times they relay the domestic programmes Première (info and music), VivaCite (light music) or Classic (oldies and rock/pop classics), the latter only on Mondays 1900-2100. The station verifies reception reports in English. (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria via Wolfgang Bueschel)
BENIN TWR Benin has no licence yet for shortwave in Benin. They are hoping it will be granted during 2009. After the licence is secured, it will take a year or more for fund raising and constructing. (Jari Savolainen, Finland, DSWCI DX Window via DXLD)
BRAZIL Super Radio Deus heard on 11765 2241-2301 March 6, Portuguese religious programme, parallel to 6060, instead of government-mandated A Voz do Brazil programme. I guess Deus gave them permission to ignore the law. Good reception on 11765, poor on 6060. (Don Moore, Michigan, DX Listening Digest)
No longer required to be broadcast at 2200, it seems. (Glenn Hauser, ibid)
CAMEROON Following up Dzever Ishenge’s log in last months Contact I heard Buea, Cameroon on 6005 March 14 at 0700 under BBC WS, in the clear 0706 with distorted audio. On March 16 heard at 1300 tone jingle, news headlines in English, followed by French. 1305 identification in English "The National Station of the CRTV", then listing of FM frequencies in major cities but no mention of shortwave. 1307 programme in English about the Pope's upcoming visit to Cameroon. At 1700 same day heavy interference from Russian and Iran, Cameroon still heard briefly underneath. The station is not very strong in Niger State, a little better in a location I visit further east in Nigeria. (James MacDonnell, Nigeria, DXLD)
CANADA CVC Chile cut back operations on 6070 during most of the night March 3, this meant that CFRX is relatively unimpeded by interference through the darkness hours, in A-09 CVC is scheduled on 6070 2300-0200. On March 4 CFRX heard here at 0748 with late night talk show. (Glenn Hauser, DX Listening Digest)
CHINA My colleague Ehard Goddijn reports that China’s CRI Newsradio is now broadcasting on shortwave. Noted on 11790 and 9665 at with English identification and programming in Chinese in parallel with the Internet audio stream. These shortwave frequencies are not listed in the B08 HFCC registrations. The station also broadcasts on satellite. (Andy Sennitt, Media Network)
CRI, and CNR (China National Radio) put programmes on shortwave as a way to jam foreign broadcasters. With the National People’s Congress coming up jamming is 5 times more than at normal times. (Peter Sabrie, ibid)
We are well aware of the jamming problem, and have reported it in this blog. Ehard carefully checked the usage of both 9665 and 11790, and neither has anything listed as active which the Chinese would be likely to jam. Of course we cannot be 100% sure, but it’s important not to jump to conclusions. (Andy Sennitt, ibid)
I have some pictures of one of the jamming locations just outside the city, in a place called Shunyi about 20 minutes from the city centre; there is also a one in Hunaghuacheng also just outside Beijing. At this time of year because of the upcoming National People’s Congress, they always do this.
I understand I should not jump to conclusions, but I have lived in Beijing for 12 years and know all the tricks used the Ministry of Propaganda. The funniest one was last year at this time. All of a sudden on shortwave was Shanghai Children’s Radio. Shanghai Radio announced they would be now on shortwave. Then 2 weeks to the day the People’s Political Consultive ended so did the 12 frequencies they were using. (Peter Sabrie, ibid)
Voice of Strait (VOS) heard on 4940 at 1516-1530 March 1. “Focus on China”, Sunday programme in English with news items, identification “This is the Voice of Strait. If you want more information on China, please write to Box 187, Voice of Strait, Fuzhou, Fujian, zip code 350012, P.R.C.”; 1530 into Chinese; for the first time I heard a heterodyne here, assume caused by either AIR or VOS being slightly off frequency, best in USB to get away from the het. (Ron Howard, California, Cumbre DX)
The Tibetan service of CNR-8 (Voice of Minorities) was divided and became the CNR-11 Tibetan service from March 1, Shortwave schedule is: 6010 2155-2400, 1030-1605; 7350 0900-1605; 7360 2155-2400; 9480 2155-0100, 0800-1605; 9530 0000-1030; 11685 0000-0900 and 15570 0100-0800.
CNR-11 English programme is broadcast at 0530-0600 on 9530 11685 and 15570 and at 1430-1500 on 6010 7350 and 9480. (S. Hasegawa, Japan, Nagoya DX Circle via DXLD)
Programme heard in English on 6010 1430-1500 March 8; started with identification:;“China National Radio. Welcome to our English programme from Tibet”; presented a Sunday programme of Tibetan music and songs; “Coming to you from Tibet”; seemed to acknowledge a listeners letter; mostly poor; parallel with 7350 and 9480 both poor. (Ron Howard, California, Cumbre DX)
CONGO DR Shocked to get a nice reply in the mail from BESI/Radio Kahuzi headquarters in San Marcos, California. Confirmation frequency folder card "handmade by members of a Radio Kahuzi Club utilizing dried banana bark. The cards are sold in the local markets surrounding Bukavu and the funds raised are used to minister to orphans, widows, and malnourished children". The dried banana bark was cut and pasted creating a scene of the 3 Magi following the Star of Bethlehem. Also sent an info card, a computer generated full/data ham-type card, and complete programme schedule in local time. A unique QSL and one of my best. (Dave Valko, Pennsylvania, Cumbre DX)
CUBA Radio Havana being heard well on 6140 0600-0700 in English. (Allen Dean)
6140 has replaced 6180, strong signals here 0630 March 29, parallel 6060 which was fair and 6000 which was poor strength. (Mike Barraclough)
ETHIOPIA Radio Bilal via Samara, Russia on 9610 sent me a thank you style of email confirmation. The writer seemed rather peeved to receive the report, saying, "Why are you concern to the radio which you don't understand? Are you in shortwave radio business or you just monitoring because it is your hobby? Or are you doing research? study? Please let us know? We just want to save a time for you, we have enough people to give us a report." Reply within 24 hours from bilalradio@yahoo.com (David Foster, Australia, Dxplorer via Wolfgang Bueschel)
Now scheduled 1700-1800 Sunday on 15350. (Mike Barraclough)
FRANCE Radio France International ceased transmissions on medium wave in Paris March 5. This was because of a declining audience, “no one listens to this type of frequency”.
(Mike Cooper, Georgia, DX Listening Digest)
FREE RADIO Ofcom says there are more than 150 pirate radio stations operating across the UK, half of which operate in London and South East England. Last year, officers raided 43 studios used by illegal stations and shut down 838 illegal transmitters. (Press release)
There have been questions recently about both Playback International (PBI), now on 6880, and Mystery Radio on 6220, and their location and output powers. I'm not sure of the power of PBI's transmitter, but I suspect rather low, maybe 100 Watts or so. As far as their location, quite a number of pirate listeners have put it in the mountains of northern Italy or southern Switzerland. One listener on the alfalima pirate forum said he had evidence it was in southern Switzerland, and the operator of PBI all but admitted it in a reply.
As far as Mystery Radio, it has also been said for quite a while to be in the mountains of northern Italy. From an e-QSL from the station for a live broadcast in December 2006, a phone call to the studio during a live broadcast, and information from other pirates using Mystery as a relay I have gathered that the transmitter can put out about a kilowatt, but usually runs at a lower power; anywhere from 300 to 800 watts. (Alex Vranes, Jr., West Virginia, DX Listening Digest)
Playback International noted on new 6850 2120 March 7, weak in noisy conditions. On March 20 they had moved to 6874, heard 0245-0300. (Brian Alexander, Pennsylvania, Cumbre DX)
Laser Hot Hits returned to 4025 March 7, fair to good signal here at 1136. Posters on a couple of anorak forums had noticed that Laser Hot Hits had been absent from 4025 for some time, Dave Kenny in the Alternative Airwaves column, BDXC-UK Communication, reported that the station said that this was due to technical problems and that repairs had been delayed by the bad weather. He'd assumed that there was a problem with the aerial. The station started on 23rd May 1993 on FM in London, started on shortwave on 13 February 1994. FM was discontinued on 7 December 1996. They have broadcast very regularly on shortwave ever since, until their recent absence, every evening and all weekend. Website: www.laserhothits.co.uk (Mike Barraclough)
GABON Africa Number One says the absence of transmissions on 15475 and 17630 is temporary and the station confirms it is still operating on 9580. There was a major breakdown in the IMP transmitter on 15475 and the station is waiting on replacement parts which are difficult to find. The situation isn't helped by the current business situation. Technicians are currently working to get 17630 back on. (Email from their engineers to Mike Cooper, Georgia, DX Listening Digest)
GERMANY A report from Deutsche Welle to Germany’s Parliament says that radio programmes in English, Arabic and Russian will be broadcast in different regional variations. Weekly reach of DW radio in 2007: 39 million for foreign language services, 9 million for English, 7 millions for German which is a "considerable" decline, from their point of view another reason to cut it back. Audience numbers for all media (radio plus TV plus online): 43
million in Africa, 14 in Latin America, 12 in Europe, 10 in Asia, 4 in North America. (Kai Ludwig, Germany, DX Listening Digest)
HCJB noted in German on 3902 and 4007 1800-1900 February 1 and later, I reported it to Media Broadcast, it was a problem in the PAM modulator stage of the transmitter and difficult to trace, transmitter repaired February 10. (Kai Ludwig, Germany, DXLD)
Spur again noted March 23 at 1820 when HCJB German was on 3910. (Mike Barraclough)
GREECE One of the Avis transmitters was severely damaged last month and Voice of Greece ran only 2, instead of three simultaneous, transmissions for some time. (Demerit Vanes, ERA via John Babies, DX Listening Digest)
Voice of Greece Radio Filial programme in English now on 11645 0600-0700, strong on clear channel March 30. (Mike Barraclough)
INDIA All India Radio regional transmitters in the 7100-7200 range have moved. Bhopal 7180 to 7430, Chennai 7160 to 7380, Hydria 7140 to 7420, Impale 7150 to 7335, Japer 7120 to 7325, Luck now 7105 to 7440, Port Blair 7115 to 7390, Shilling 7130 to 7315. (T. R.. Rajesh)
IRELAND Unlicenced station Radio North in County Donegal on 846 which runs 1kw ran a DX test 0200-0600 March 15 with voice identifications and slow speed CW identifications on the hour and half hour . The station offered full data QSL cards for reports to radionorth846am@gmail.com (Nick Hall-Patch, British Columbia, IRCA via DXLD)
RTE launched a daily shortwave broadcast to Africa on St Patrick’s Day. This link with home is in response to many requests from Irish people scattered throughout the continent, and working in fields such as aid, peace-keeping, construction projects, and missionary work. According to the Irish government there are many thousands of Irish working in Africa. Those in remote regions of Africa have asked for old fashioned short-wave transmissions which will reach portable radio sets in areas which do not even have electricity supplies let alone easy access to satellites and the web. The main coverage area will be West, Central and East Africa. The service on Worldspace provided to these areas has effectively ceased. Schedule is 1930-2030 on 6220 via Meyerton. (Press release)
Fair reception here on March 30 at 1930, however the broadcast was not RTE. I heard UN Radio. The broadcast has been arranged by World Radio Network and Meyerton is relaying their English to Africa service, this carries RTE at 1830-1930. (Mike Barraclough)
ISRAEL The Israel Broadcasting Authority is gradually eliminating AM (medium-wave) broadcasts, a cost-cutting measure that will seriously harm Israel Radio's news in English and a dozen other foreign languages, the Jerusalem Post has learned. An IBA spokesperson confirmed that AM broadcasts were being cut. The spokesperson said the annual cost of maintaining an AM transmitter is NIS 20 million, a sum the IBA, in its current financial situation, can no longer afford.
When the IBA switched off its shortwave transmitters two years ago, it promised that its website, iba.org.il, would provide better service. During Israel's recent assault on Hamas in Gaza, high listener demand, especially for English news broadcasts, often made it impossible to log on. Those responsible for the Web site budgeted for a very limited number of listeners; one estimate is that only 350 people could access the live service at any given time - which an industry source called "woefully inadequate." (Jerusalem Post via Zacharias Liangas)
This could also have implications for the remaining shortwave transmissions to Iran. It was reported that the IBA gets dedicated funds of 3.6 million NIS per year for the Persian shortwave broadcasts. So far the Yavne transmitter site has still been maintained, because the last remaining high power mediumwave outlets are located there. A shut-down of these mediumwave facilities would mean that the operating telcom company (Bezeq) has to keep the complete site for the Persian shortwave broadcasts only. I just cannot imagine them doing this. (Kai Ludwig, Germany, DX Listening Digest)
JAPAN FAX broadcast JMH, 3622.5 7795 13988.5 by Japan Meteorological Agency switched both their facility and transmitter site at 0421 March 4, from Nazaki Transmitter Site to Kagoshima Fishery Transmitting Station. Tokyo Volmet (2863 6679 8828 13882) also changed the transmitter site at 0440 the same day, from Nazaki to Kagoshima.
There will be no transmission from Nazaki Transmitter Site hereafter. Nazaki Transmitter Site, located in Koga City, Ibaragi prefecture, was built in 1934 for overseas shortwave broadcasting. On August 15, 1945, "Edict of Ending the War" by Emperor Hirohito was transmitted over this site. The site was used for overseas broadcasting until 1970. After that the site has been used for standard time signal (JJY/JG2AS), FAX news and meteorological broadcasts, and Volmet broadcast. Yamata transmitter site, now used for overseas broadcasting, is neighbouring this site. (Takahito Akabayashi, Japan, DX Listening Digest)
LATVIA The Latvian 9290 low powered 10 kW relay project that was due to return to the air in February 2009 is now on hold until later this year as the financial crisis has affected the station. (Tom Taylor, Cumbre DX)
LIBERIA The 0700-0730 shortwave transmissions of Star Radio have been cancelled. (DX Mix News Bulgaria via DX Listening Digest)
LITHUANIA Big L Shortwave via KBC will broadcast during the Easter weekend, April 11, 12 and 13, on 9770 via Sitkunai at 0730-1430. Presenters will include Adrian John, Mike Read and Roger Davis. KBC also broadcasts 2130-2230 on 6055 and Sundays 0200-0300 on 6110. Carries Wolfman Jack Monday to Friday and Big L programmes Saturday and Sunday. (KBC website)
MADAGASCAR Radio Mada started broadcasts March 20 at 0400-0430 and 1700-1730 on 5895, pro-Ravolomanana, the President who has resigned. (Glenn Hauser, DXLD)
Work on the new station continues in Madagascar. The three 100,000 watt transmitters have been built, tested, and are in Dallas waiting to be shipped out of Houston. Two additional diesel powered generators that have been built are in port in Madagascar and will be taken to the site to provide the electricity that is needed. The 4 antennas being built will be digital ready, which means that from each antenna, 4 simultaneous broadcasts on 4 different frequencies will be possible.
Wire, cable tools, and building supplies that we had stored in a warehouse were destroyed during the uprisings. This may set back the project by three to six months. All but one of the buildings that we need have been completed and the towers are up. The curtain antennas are being constructed. (Andy Baker, World Christian Broadcasting Update via DXLD)
MALAYSIA Radio Malaysia Sarawak heard on 5030 March 4 1540 to 1600 close, pop songs, orchestral music at 1559. Later close down than previously, SINPO 33433 in Denmark. (Anker Petersen, PLAYDX via DX Listening Digest)
MOLDOVA Radio PMR Pridnestrovye not heard since the beginning of March on 7370 for services in English, French and German starting at 1430. (Edwin Southwell)
The late evening transmissions on 6240 were still heard last month. The station’s foreign service has not yet been traced as of March 31. (Mike Barraclough)
NETHERLANDS When cutting off North America in English last year, Radio Netherlands claimed to still be getting huge response to its Spanish broadcasts on shortwave, which would continue and take over hours that had been in English. But from A-09, transmissions to South America south of the Amazon are being deleted. (Glenn Hauser, DXLD)
NIGERIA I received a partial/data card from Voice of Nigeria featuring Zuma Rock Mountain, station sticker and a schedule in 125 days for an English report, applause card, local post card, and $2. English. Station address: Ayedeke Suleimun, Director of Programming, Voice of Nigeria, 6th and 7th Floor, Radio House, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria. I am very happy to receive this one. I have listened to Voice of Nigeria for over 15 years and have sent many reports in over the years. I just hope that I don’t start getting investment letters! It makes country 83 for me. (Joe Wood, Tennessee, MARE Tipsheet via DXLD)
Aso Radio schedule is now 0530-0600 on 9680 and 1600-1630 on 15215 Monday to Friday. (TDP website)
Was via Samara, Russia in their previous schedule. (Mike Barraclough)
In A-09 it looks like Voice of Biafra via WHRI moves to 17650 at 2000-2100 again on Fridays, but we’ll see. (Glenn Hauser, DX Listening Digest)
NORTH KOREA The European Union (EU) and Reporters sans Frontiers will provide 400m won (290,000 US dollars) to help anti-Pyongyang radio broadcasting stations run mostly by defectors from North Korea. The deal has been signed with three stations, Free North Korea Radio, Open Radio for Korea and Radio Free Chosun, to fund their programmes for the next three years. (Yonhap news agency via DXLD)
PERU Radio Rasuwilca, Ayacucho is a new station on 4805, heard at 2235, address: Faldas del Cerro La Picota, Ayacucho. (Alfredo Benjamin Canote Bueno, Peru, Connexion Digital via DX Listening Digest)
Radio Victoria presumed the station heard on 6019.4 at 0618 to past 0630 March 7, healer in Spanish (almost sounds like a Portuguese accent) with many sob stories, 9720 not audible. Still on at 0659. (Harold Frodge, Michigan, Cumbre DX)
Has been fairly regular here in March from around 0730 tune in on clear channel, 9720 not audible here either. (Mike Barraclough)
You have discovered Pastor David Miranda and his unique language, Portunol, which the South Americans seem to prefer to call it rather than Espanhugues, beats me why, actually a mixture of the two, not just an accent. (Glenn Hauser, DX Listening Digest)
PHILIPPINES Radio Pilipinas English service noted March 30 0200-0330 on 11880 15285 and 15510. (Alokesh Gupta, India, Cumbre DX)
RUSSIA Voice of Russia is now using the 1323 Wachenbrunn, Germany transmitter for English 1900-2100, very well heard in the UK. (Dan Goldfarb, DX Listening Digest)
On March 30 English continued until 2200. (Kai Ludwig, ibid)
The 657 Grozny, Chechnya transmitter is in a train. It's a system called Metel, capable of running 100 kW but used at 50 kW. It went on air in April 2000 after the Grosny mediumwave station has been destroyed. This mobile transmitter will be replaced by a new mediumwave site with two Transradio TRAM 50 transmitters for 657 and 1287, respectively, scheduled to be completed in June. (Kai Ludwig, Germany, DXLD)
The train mounted transmitters were common in the USSR during WWII. I remember reading a "train radio" operator's memoirs. Three railroad cars were parked discreetly somewhere near the front line, on a dead-end railroad. They housed a transmitter, generator, studio and living quarters. According to that book, all the broadcasts were in Russian, targeting the Soviet troops. (Sergei Sosedkhin, Illinois, ibid)
That reminds me about a TV-series shown in the Finnish TV decades ago. It was about a Romanian WW2 clandestine station called Radio Muntenia or similar. At one point it operated from a railroad car. The Nazis were all the time chasing the station. The RIZ transmitter company in Croatia had earlier for sale mobile transmitters installed on heavy trucks. (Jari Savolainen, Finland)
DXing.ru reported that starting March 29, Voice of Russia (VoR) would be going through some major changes. They included both output increases and numerous language cuts. Voice of Russia World Service in English becomes a 24/7 service again instead of 16 hours daily. There are increases in Spanish, Kurdish, German, Serbo-Croatian and Hindi. Russian World Service and Sodruzhestvo (Commonwealth) Service were to be merged into one, round-the-clock channel. About a third of VoR's language service were to be shut down. They included Albanian, Bengali, Bulgarian, Czech, Finnish, Greek, Korean, Norwegian, Romanian, Slovak, Swedish, Urdu and Vietnamese. Some of those services are over 50 years old. (Sergei Sosedkin, Illinois, DX Listening Digest)
35 foreign language services from Moscow are currently on air. How big was the peak figure? In 1990 the number of Radio Moscow language services had been specified as 65, and WRTH 1994 still showed 45 ones, amongst them Dutch of which I happen to remember had been cancelled in spring 1994. (Kai Ludwig, Germany, March 12, ibid)
The official figure in December 2008 was 38 because of newly added CIS languages. The highest number of the language services for Radio Moscow that I saw in Soviet publications was 85. (Sergei Sosedkin, Illinois, DX Listening Digest)
SIERRA LEONE Cotton Tree News tentative A-09 schedule is 0730-0800 on 15220 via Rampisham, ex 11875. (Glenn Hauser, DX Listening Digest)
SOMALILAND Thanks to Sam Voron tip via Harald Kuhl in DXplorer 30 March at 1535 tune-in nice signal of Radio Hargeisa on 7145. Alone on the frequency, not even any ham interference. (Jari Savolainen, Finland, Cumbre DX)
Heard same day from 1509 via Global Tuners, Australia. This sounds like the new 25kw transmitter British DX Club reported had been installed last March. (Bruce Churchill, ibid)
SPAIN Radio Exterior de Espana English now scheduled to Europe 1900-2000 Monday to Friday on 9665, 2100-2200 Saturday and Sunday on 9650; to Africa 1900-2000 Monday to Friday on 11620; to North America 0000-0100 daily on 6055. (Jose Miguel Romero, Spain, Hard Core DX)
SRI LANKA SLBC noted signing off at 1230 on 7190 & 11905. The Hindi service in evening from 1230 has been dropped again. (Jose Jacob, India, DX Listening Digest)
SUDAN Radio Dabanga schedule is now 0430-0527 on 13800 Dhabbaya, 13840 Madagascar and 1530-1727 on 11500 Madagascar, 13730 Werchatal. (Glenn Hauser, DX Listening Digest)
Station heard with strong signals here March 30 at 1533 with talk in vernacular on 11500, weak with fading on 13730, both channels free of interference. (Mike Barraclough)
Radio is the only way of reaching the people of Darfur," Leon Willems, director of the Dutch non-governmental organisation Press Now behind the initiative, told AFP. "It is what sustains life." When Radio Dabanga starts up each morning, people in these camps huddle in hordes around battery-powered radios for a brief connection with the outside world, said Muhagir Muhagir, 47, one of six Darfuri journalists on the editorial team in Hilversum. The programming focuses on hard news, reported by some four dozen volunteer local correspondents in five languages.
Radio Dabanga, is funded by governments and donors and has a budget of two million euros for 2009. "We receive dozens of telephone calls every day from listeners in Darfur or Chad," said Willems, who found this "astonishing" given the expense. But not all calls to the show are from fans. "We also receive messages of anger," said Muhagir, who said he left Sudan under threat for the Netherlands 14 years ago. "Some believe we are making propaganda. Working at Radio Dabanga, you satisfy many people but you also make enemies," he added. "We are afraid that pressure might be put on our families who have remained behind in Darfur." (Part of AFP report via Zacharias Liangas)
SWEDEN Radio Sweden has closed down its Swedish language department and has stopped producing programs intended specifically for Swedes abroad. Broadcasts on shortwave, mediumwave and satellite will continue until further notice. Daily programs will be mainly replaced by repeated newscasts of Sveriges Radio. The budget resources released will primarily be put on the enhancement of SR International's Somali, Romani and English services. So, the end of 70-year history. (Serghey Nikishin, Russia, DX Listening Digest)
TUNISIA RTT due to move 7190 to 7335 for the morning broadcast and to 7345 for the evening broadcast. (Glenn Hauser, DX Listening Digest)
RTT were still on 7190 March 29 when I checked 0645 but had moved to 7335 when I checked at the same time March 30. Evening broadcast heard on 7345 the same day. (Mike Barraclough)
UNITED KINGDOM The Independent ran an article on Nigel Chapman, who recently stepped down as head of BBC World Service which said in part:
More than three years on and Nigel Chapman says he's still troubled by the anguished facial expressions of his staff, the victims of the most bloody cut backs in the history of the BBC World Service. When Chapman took out his sword and severed 10 language services, including those in Polish, Greek, Hungarian and Czech, he did away with 200 jobs. "I can still see the faces of the people right in front of me now, their sad faces, proud but sad about having to leave the BBC," he says of the moment he called a mass meeting in Bush House in October 2005 to announce that he wanted to take the budget from those services and spend it on plans for an Arabic TV channel. "I got quite a tough time from them, as you'd expect. People felt angry and upset and that would only be human wouldn't it?"
Then again, he says, his decision was "strategically absolutely right". Chapman, without hesitation, embraces the suggestion that he has been a "radical" director of one of the most famous services in broadcasting and hopes to be remembered that way, after stepping down following five years in the post. (Richard Cuff, Swprograms)
Latest RSL’s from the Ofcom website:
Badminton: Radio Badminton 87.7 May 7 to 10
Ballymoney: Life 4 You 105.3 May 1 to 3
Banff: Deveron FM 87.7 April 20 to May 17
Berwick: BHS Brick FM 106.9 April 24 to May 4
Birmingham: South Birmingham Community Radio 87.7 May 4 to 31
Bradford: Asian Air 87.7 May 2 to May 29
Coventry: Synergy FM 102.6 May 4 to 22
Crewe: The Cat 87.7 April 27 to May 25
Edinburgh: The Coast 107.0 May 23 to June 19
Great Yarmouth: Caister Soul Radio 105.4 May 1 to 4
Ilfracombe: Celebrate FM 87.7 April 9 to 19
Kingston upon Thames: Kingston Green Radio 87.7 May 8 to 17
Leicester: Wiggle FM 95.1 May 16 to 23
Liverpool: KVfm 87.7 April 24 to May 15
London SE14: South City Radio 87.7 April 29 to May 20
Luton: Radio Lab 87.9 April 28 to May 25
Manchester: NME Radio 87.7 May 4 to 31
Peterborough: OSCAR Radio 96.3 April 28 to May 11
Peterborough: Truckfest FM 106.2 May 1 to 4
Portishead: Dynamic FM 87.9 April 14 to 17
Rossendale: Alderbeat 87.9 April 28 to May 1
Shrewsbury: Shrewsbury Dog TC 87.7 May 2 to 3
Southampton: Awaz Radio 87.8 March 29 to April 25
Swindon: Flame FM 87.7 May 4 to 31
Thornbury: Thornbury FM 87.7 April 18 to May 15
Watford: The Vibe 101.8 April 1 to 28
Weybridge: Brooklands FM 87.7 April 9 to May 6
UNITED STATES Another afternoon of KVOH providing us eight frequencies for the price of one! Possibly assisted by sporadic E, but which did not reach VHF, 17775 was strong at 2035 March 5. I first ran across it on 17487, I then tuned around to many other multiples of 144 kHz away from the fundamental and found KVOH on most of them, 17199 (-4 x 144) at S9,17343 (-3 x 144): S9+10, 17487 (-2 x 144): S9+10, 17631 (-1 x 144): S9+15, 17919 (+1 x 144): S9+15, 18063 (+2 x 144): S9+ 5 peaks, 18207 (+3 x 144): barely audible.
These are all approximately the centres of the big filthy distorted FMy blobs, worst when KVOH was playing peppy Mexican music with a heavy beat, apparently with a live DJ. I was sorely tempted to phone and tell him about his seven extra frequencies, but figured I would be taken as a kook, or he would simply not understand what I was talking about. Nor would it do any good to try to reach their chief engineer, since they obviously do not have one, at least one who is competent, since these spurs have been heard repeatedly here for years . The transmitter surely ought to be overhauled or dumped.
A major victim of this was Radio France International, a strong signal on 17630 2100-2130 in Spanish but blown away by KVOH. Why hasn`t RFI raised hell about this with KVOH, FCC, ITU, HFCC? Why hasn’t FCC fined them on its own initiative? Why haven’t aeronautical interests on 17921 complained, where the spur could be a threat to safety? Ditto maritime interests impacted by 17199 and 17343? Searching DXLD archives I get hits on this from as far back as 2005. At 2124 recheck on 17921, the DJ claimed to be broadcasting on only one frequency. (Glenn Hauser, DX Listening Digest)
It's a fourty-year-old rig, thrown out by HCJB more than 15 years ago and replaced by their own HC100 model. The same happened with two identical transmitters which went to Palau and are still in use at what is now WHR's T8WH plant. (Kai Ludwig, Germany, ibid)
VIETNAM Voice of Vietnam English to Europe from March 29 will move to 9725 at 1700-1730, ex 5955 at 1800-1830. Other frequencies remain unchanged. (Voice of Vietnam Mailbag programme via Edwin Southwell)
This is the usual change for the transmission via Moosbrun, Austria. (Mike Barraclough)
ZAMBIA CVC Lusaka 1Africa tentative schedule from March 29: 0500-0600 9430, 0600-1900 13590, 1900-2200 5940. (Glenn Hauser, DX Listening Digest)
ZIMBABWE SW Radio Africa tentatively due to replace 11745 with 12035 via Rampisham at 1700-1900. (Wolfgang Bueschel)
CONTRIBUTORS: Germany: Wolfgang Bueschel, Greece: Zacharias Liangas, India: T R Rajeesh, UK: Allen Dean, Edwin Southwell.
Until next month, MIKE
