READING INTERNATIONAL RADIO GROUP The next meeting will be on April 10 in Room 3, Reading International Solidarity Centre, 35-39 London Street, Reading at 2.30 p.m. For more information email me or phone 01462 643899.
AUSTRALIA The Darwin site ended transmissions on 31st January, and is being dismantled ahead of CVC's lease expiry in June. CVC is not ending all shortwave broadcasting - Santiago and Lusaka still serve viable targets in Latin America and Africa, and The Voice Asia, which we broadcast from Tashkent, generates tens of thousands of responses every month. When you combine changing patterns of media consumption with a tough financial climate, it's necessary to examine where funds will make the most impact. This is clearly a time of transition and nobody quite knows how it will pan out as target demographics, media access, habits and trends are non-homogenous. Radio is still an important part of the mix, especially for those who cannot access new media, and it does things that other media can't do; but a generation of a billion (and increasing) 'connected' mostly-young people has emerged for whom radio has little or no relevance. This presents a huge opportunity which we cannot ignore.
CVC is the owner of all the technical equipment on site, this is variously being sold, redeployed or scrapped. (Andrew Flynn, Christian Vision via DX Listening Digest)
Discussions are currently taking place between Radio Australia, VT and the Singapore government about the possible use of the Kranji relay facility to further bolster Radio Australia’s transmissions to Asia. As reported last month transmissions have moved to Palau and Dhabbaya. (Mike Bird, Media Network)
A blog entry Goodbye SW- Hello Mobile Streaming at the cvcradio.in website found by Glenn Hauser in DXLD says:
Well it is February which marks the end of an era for CVC radio SW broadcasts. But it also marks the beginning of a fantastic new direction for CVC as we leap feet first into the digital era! You can now listen to CVC Radio 24/7 via our streamlined mobile website m.cvcradio.in
Underneath there are 8 audio clips of the January 31 shortwave broadcast including shout-outs to various South East Asian listeners and clubs. (Mike Barraclough)
The transmitter power information for Darwin in WRTH and Aoki is not correct.
Two of the three 250 kW Collins transmitters from 1968 (the only other site still using such equipment is Sackville) were disconnected and replaced by two Continental 100 kW transmitters, brought in from somewhere else. These transmitters were stand-by units and never in regular use. The third old Collins was still operational but had to be tuned manually requiring 15 minutes for a frequency change. This transmitter covered the peak requirements when four frequencies were on air simultaneously.
The site had the Thomson transmitter originally installed in 1984 at Carnarvon, the provisional site that remained in use for two decades. After its final closure in 1996 the transmitter was moved to Darwin. Two further Thomson units were purchased and installed at the Darwin site in 1994. These three 300 kW Thomson transmitters were the core of its recently closed operations. What arrangements have been made in regard to the equipment? The antenna system must have cost millions, and the transmitters certainly also still represented a considerable value in 2000, when two of them were just six years old. (Kai Ludwig, Germany, DX Listening Digest)
AUSTRIA The complete antenna array of the Wien-Bisamberg mediumwave site was due to be demolished at the end of last month. So far it is not known what will happen with the grounds. The transmitter building is under a preservation order.
Transmissions from this site, on 1476, ceased on 31 Dec 2008 at 2310. The 120 metre "Südmast" for 1476 was supposed to be kept, and Osterreichische Rundfunksender told ADXB-OE that the frequency would still be available for interested broadcasters. This development makes the Moosbrunn site the only operational AM transmission facility in Austria. (Kai Ludwig, Germany, DX Listening Digest)
AZERBAIJAN/ NAGORNY KARABAKH Adalan Sasi Radiosu, Stepanakert heard on 9677.5 from 0600 sign on January 16 in Azeri, interval signal and identification followed by news and reports. Full identification at 0625 sign off. Good signal, but bad audio quality, SINPO 35442. (Patrick Robic, Austria, DX Window)
BANGLADESH Bangladesh Betar Home Service schedule is now 0645-1500 on 4750. (Alokesh Gupta, India, Cumbre DX)
BOLIVIA Radio San Miguel, Riberalta noted reactivated on 4700 2245 to 2301 January 23,
Spanish religious talk and songs, SINPO 35333. (Anker Petersen, Denmark, PLAYDX via DX Listening Digest)
CHAD Radio Chad still active on 6165, noted at 0545 February 27 with talks in French and African music, fair on clear channel with some fading until wiped out by Croatia signing on at 0600. (Mike Barraclough)
CHINA Xizang PBS heard January 26, 27 and 28 with the Holy Tibet English broadcast at a new time of 2230-2300, SINPO 45344 in Denmark on 4905. Other frequencies used are 4920 5240 6110 6130 6200 and 7395. (Anker Petersen, PLAYDX via DX Listening Digest)
COLOMBIA La Voz del Guaviare heard on 6935 0053 to 0301 off January 29, local pop and folk music, identifications and Spanish announcements. National anthem 0259. Poor with adjacent channel splatter. On February 14 sign off time was earlier, 0056. (Brian Alexander, Pennsylvania, Cumbre DX)
CONGO RTVC Brazzaville noted on 6115 at 1921 January 25, French talk and hilife music to past 1926. Very poor copy, as it's sandwiched between two powerhouses. Slightly better copy in LSB on January 25. (David Sharp, New South Wales, DX Listening Digest)
CUBA Radio Republica schedule is now 0000-0300 on 9490 Tuesday to Saturday and 0300-0500 on 9955 via WRMI. (Jeff White, DX Listening Digest)
9490 is via Sackville. (DX Mix News Bulgaria via Cumbre DX)
CZECH REPUBLIC Radio Prague’s new shortwave schedule from February 1 has 27 minute English broadcasts at 0800 on 7345, 1000 on 21745, 1130 on 9880, 1400 on 11600, 1700 on 5930, 1800 on 5930, 2100 on 5930, 2230 on 7355, 2330 on 5930, 0100 on 7355, 0200 on 7355, 0400 on 7345 and at 0430 on 9855. Selected programmes are also broadcast via WRMI. (Station website)
Jeff White said January 29 about the Prague relays: “It looks like it will be 0300-0400 and 1000-1100 seven days/week, first half hour English, second half hour Spanish; plus the French programme from 1200 to 1230 Monday-Friday. (Glenn Hauser, DXLD)
DJIBOUTI La Voix de Djibouti/Coodka Jabuu6i launched on January 7, broadcasts in French and Somali Thursdays only 1530-1630 on 15165. Site not yet determined. (Chris Greenway, Caversham, DX Listening Digest)
ECUADOR Starting in January, HCJB Global-UK assumed production of the “Spotlight” radio programme, designed to serve users and learners of English as a foreign language around the world. The programme is produced in their studios in Bradford. “Spotlight,” a cooperative effort with U.S.-based Words of Hope and Reframe Media, is aired primarily in areas where people want to learn or improve their English. The programme goes out on more than 60 stations around the world, including some of HCJB Global’s partners in Latin America, Asia Pacific and North Africa/Middle East. Most of these are local FM stations, but some are external (shortwave or satellite.) (HCJB Global News Update via DXLD)
Spotlight remained the only English programme on HCJB after English was cancelled, and probably still is on 6050. Schedule was Tuesday to Saturday 0330-0345, but not reconfirmed lately. (Glenn Hauser, ibid)
One 100 kW transmitter, some lower powered (30/10 kW) transmitters and other material are left from the Pifo site, closed down and dismantled by HCJB Global. This equipment, in particular the 100 kW transmitter, has been donated to Vozandes Media. It is planned to set it up in Ecuador again for broadcasts in German and Portuguese, in a joint effort with HCJB Brazil. They hope to be able to keep transmissions from Chile on air until this new facility is ready. (Kai Ludwig, Germany, DX Listening Digest)
ERITREA Voice of the Broad Masses of Eritrea was heard with separate programming on 7175 and 7210. Very strong noise jamming from Ethiopia was sometimes, but not always, heard on 7175. Both channels now open their evening transmission period at 1300, an hour earlier than before.
Radio Bana was not positively logged, but very strong Ethiopian-style jammer was heard on 5060 in the early evening, closing at 1630, suggesting that Bana may have been underneath it. (Chris Greenway, Nairobi, DX Listening Digest)
ESTONIA Tallin Volmet heard on 4645 USB at 0016 January 20, identification "This is Tallin airport", then meteo information. Reception quality was fair. (Giampiero Bernardini, Italy, PLAYDX via DX Listening Digest)
The club does not usually cover utility voice transmissions except for occasional items like this one where the country has no shortwave broadcast transmitters.
Volmet is metereorological information for aircraft in flight. Reports are sent using automated voice transmissions. The Volmet network divides the world into specific regions, and individual Volmet stations in each region broadcast weather reports for specific groups of air terminals in their region at specific times, coordinating their transmission schedules so as not to interfere with one another.
Most schedules are determined in intervals of five minutes, with one Volmet station in each region broadcasting reports for a fixed list of cities in each interval, the schedules repeating each hour. However Tallinn is the only Volmet station on 4645, transmissions are listed as continuous. There’s a list of Volmet broadcasters, though not updated since November 2007, at www.dxinfocentre.com/volmet.htm
ETHIOPIA Radio Ethiopia National Service was heard on 5990, 7110 and 9704, 5990 seems to be irregular. The Monday-Friday English broadcast is still running at 1200-1300.
Radio Ethiopia External Service is regular on 7165 and 9560.
Radio Fana's frequency usage seems to be erratic. 6110, 6890 and 7210 were all heard, though only on one or two frequencies at a time. 7210 was only heard in the early morning. Care is needed as 7210 is also used by Eritrea.
Voice of Tigray Revolution was only heard on 5950.
Radio Oromia and Amhara Regional State Radio were heard at various times on 6030 and 6090 respectively. Both were heard closing at 1900. (Chris Greenway, Nairobi, DXLD)
The Radio Xoriyo Ogadenia 1700-1730 Monday/Friday transmission on 7530 and 9610 has been cancelled.
Radio Bilal is now at 1800-1900 daily on 9345 via Samara. (DX Mix News, Bulgaria via Cumbre DX)
FREE RADIO UK based Radio Star International heard until 1505 on February 14 on 6400, said that they will be back on the air in 8 weeks. (Allen Dean)
That’s April 11. Very good signal on clear frequency here at 0910, ukdxer blog said that they signed on at 0900. (Mike Barraclough)
GERMANY AWR Wavescan again being heard well at 1530-1600 Sundays on 11675. (Allen Dean)
Is via the Wertachtal transmitter. (Mike Barraclough)
Radio Oomrang broadcasts once a year on shortwave, heard February 21 1600-1700 on 15245. Strong signal, mostly talk in a strange dialect of German, interspersed every few minutes with halting English identifications, which had hum on them, and went approximately, “Hello, this is Radio Oomrang, the free voice of the Frisian people. Welcome to the new year 2010. Welcome to our broadcast on high nineteen FM via Juelich with the frequenz 1-5-2-3-0 k-h-zed”. Wrong frequency and transmitter site, 500kw via Wertachtal. At 1655, English closing: “the producer says goodbye until 2011”. (Glenn Hauser, DX Listening Digest)
Postal address: Mr. Arjan Kolzow, Tanenwai 24, 25946 Nebel (Amrum island), Germany who is the sponsor of the broadcast. Broadcast was in Friesian (lower German), similar to the Dutch West Frisian language spoken in North West Netherlands. (Wolfgang Bueschel, ibid)
Nebel is the largest village on Amrun Island, close to the Danish border. (Mike Barraclough)
Julich is still active, from November 20 they have been carrying TWR in Armenian 1629-1659 on 5980 as well as Radio Xoriyo on 9820 Thursday and Friday at the same time. It seems that the current state of the site is similar to what IBB circles call "caretaker status", with transmitter engineers showing up on workdays and the transmitters being used for real transmissions instead of testing them on dummy loads. (Kai Ludwig, Germany, DXLD)
GREECE Radio Filia is now using 11645, ex 12105, at 0600-1000. English at 0600, French 0700, Spanish 0800, German 0900 and Russian 0930-1000. (Wolfgang Bueschel)
HAITI Even though the communications infrastructure in earthquake-ravaged Haiti is being rebuilt, there is still need for Amateur Radio communications. To assist in this effort, the ARRL's Ham-Aid programme is providing equipment for local amateurs to use.
On Friday, January 22, the League sent a programmed Yaesu VHF repeater with a microphone, as well as ICOM handheld transceivers, Yaesu mobile 2 metre rigs with power supplies and Kenwood mobile 2 metre rigs. Comet antennas, Larsen mobile antennas with magnet mounts, coax and batteries were also included in the package that was shipped to the home of the President of the Radio Club Dominicano (RCD) for distribution. All items were donated by their manufacturers. (ARRL via Yimber Gaviria, Colombia, DXLD)
As reported last month the US military began airborne broadcasts to Haiti on two FM frequencies plus 1030 conducted by "Commando Solo" C130 aircraft of the Air Force Special Operations Command's 193rd Special Operations Wing (SOW), based in Pennsylvania.
Jim Solatie and Hakan Sundman in Finland were the first Dx’ers to pick up Commando Solo tentatively on January 19 on 1030, with a relay of Voice of America programming.
According to the 193rd SOW, three C-130 aircraft are involved, but only one serves as a flying radio station, while the other two transport cargo. The aircraft are "staged at locations outside the devastated area," says a press release by the 193rd SOW. In practise this would most likely mean Guantanamo or Puerto Rico. The aircraft left their home base on January 14 and 15. (DXing.info via DX Listening Digest)
Jim sent me audio clips, he heard the station just before 2300. (Glenn Hauser, ibid)
In 1998 at my first Airfest at MacDill Air Force Base one of their C-130's was parked on the tarmac and open for interior tours, and I met one of the ops who was familiar with the Grenada-based Spice Island Radio on 990 which was operational after the shooting stopped in Grenada back around 1982?. They had started with flying aircraft, then built a 5 kw ground station. (Bob Foxworth, Florida, ABDX via DX Listening Digest)
The January 20 VOA Public Relations blog press release about expansion of VOA Creole broadcasts, including shortwave, quoted by the Heritage Foundation led to this being posted in their comments section by Bruce Sherman, Broadcasting Board of Governors:
“Very few Haitians, less than 1%, use shortwave, and only 8% use AM, per the BBG’s June 2009 national survey in Haiti. Haiti’s an FM market.”
Kim Andrew Elliott on his blog commented that:
VOA Creole has always used shortwave for its broadcasts to Haiti. Rebroadcasts on FM and AM stations in Haiti are a more recent addition to the media mix. When the local affiliates were disrupted by the earthquake, VOA stepped up its shortwave broadcasting into Haiti, using the limited number of IBB and borrowed shortwave transmitters still available in the Western Hemisphere.
A June 2009 audience survey in Haiti found that, among the VOA Creole audiences, 81% listened via FM affiliates, 8% via affiliates on the AM band, and almost no one listening via shortwave. This shows, not surprisingly, that audiences, if they have the choice of FM, AM, and shortwave, prefer to listen via FM. But what happens when, due to an emergency, local rebroadcasting outlets become unavailable? What, specifically, happened in Haiti? The June 2009 survey indicates that only about one percent of Haitians have access to a radio with a shortwave band, versus 96% with FM bands, and 63% with AM bands. The cheapest radios nowadays have only an FM band. Also, many mobile phones have an FM band.
Throughout the world, how many people will keep on hand a shortwave radio for possible crises when local broadcasting, internet access, and mobile networks go down? How many international broadcasters will keep shortwave transmitters in operation for such emergencies. It is possible as these calamitous events happen in the future, HF communications transmitters will have to be pressed into service for ad hoc shortwave broadcasting efforts. The receivers will be in the hands of government agencies, emergency service organizations, radio amateurs, and hobbyist shortwave listeners. This is hardly a mass
audience, so the information will have to be passed on to the general public through word of mouth, any functioning local networks, and other means.
In the twenty-first century, with the dominance of local broadcasting and the internet, people are better informed that ever -- during normal times. But, during crises, with the corresponding decline in shortwave, people may be less well informed than they were in the 1960s and 1970s.
INDIA All India Radio heard on 9690 with perpetual big hum Monday February 1 at 1430 tune-in, time for mailbag Faithfully Yours. First up was mail from someone in China who reported on several AIR English frequencies, next a letter from Hannover, Germany, in November. Emphasized that no return postage is wanted, IRC’s or money, as the Indian Government pays the postage, and any such enclosures risk the letter being stolen.
This was sounding very familiar. All India Radio was playing back an old Faithfully Yours I already heard several weeks ago. (Glenn Hauser, Oklahoma, DX Listening Digest)
Radio Kashmir, Leh heard on 4760 January 30 signing on 0210 to 0250 fade out. Interval signal, hymn, drums, sign on announcement then talk, possibly news in Laddakhi at 0215, news in English 0245 SINPO 25222. (Anker Petersen, Denmark, PLAYDX via DXLD)
INDONESIA Voice of Indonesia German programme heard on 9526 at 1715 February 13, good signal strength, should be in Arabic at this time according to their schedule. (Wolfgang Bueschel)
Heard here February 16 from 1750 on 9526, local music, closing announcements in Spanish, start of German service at 1800 with news. Fair signal but with weak presumed heterodyne eliminated by using USB. (Mike Barraclough)
LIBERIA I have just finished a 2500 Watt transmitter for Liberia on 4025. I build about 15 stations a year, and would love feedback on how they are being heard. (Jamie La Bada via Ralph Brandi via DXplorer January 28 via Wolfgang Bueschel)
MADAGASCAR Radio Madagasikara heard on 5010 at 0304-0315 January 24, local religious programming with choral music. Malagasy talk. Prayers. Poor in noisy conditions. The broadcast was in full AM mode. (Brian Alexander, Pennsylvania, Cumbre DX)
Radio Madagascar heard on 7105 at 1430 January 24, good with local music, parallel to 6135 which was audible under co-channel interference. (David Sharp, New South Wales, DX Listening Digest)
Radio Mada noted February 20 on new 15660, ex 15670 to avoid interference from Miraya FM. Schedule is Saturday and Sunday 1530-1600. (Glenn Hauser, DX Listening Digest)
MOLDOVA Radio PMR (Pridenestrovia) has expanded its schedule on 6240. 15 minute transmissions in English monitored February 12 and 13 at 1800, 1845 and 1930, French 1815 and 1900 German 1830, 1915 and 1945, probably Monday to Friday.
Family Radio is relayed 2000-2200.
Radio PMR transmissions also monitored in English at 2200, 2245 and 2330, French 2215 and 2300, German 2230, 2315 and 2345. These may be Sunday to Thursday. Massive signal here throughout the whole span. (Dave Kenny, Caversham, DX Listening Digest)
MONGOLIA Voice of Mongolia noted on 9665 in English 1532 to past 1545 February 23, news followed by local song. Fair and steady signal, well above some co-channel interference, presume Pyongyang slightly off channel causing a weak heterodyne. (Mike Barraclough)
MYANMAR Myanmar Radio heard on 7185.7 from 1444 to 1530 off February 13 in vernacular with easy listening indigenous songs, 1528 sign off announcement with frequencies; followed by indigenous instrumental music. It was not parallel to 5985. 5915 and 9730.8 not heard. On February 15 they were heard with two different audio feeds, one was weak and parallel to 5985, one at a fair level and not parallel to 5915. 5915 seems to have an earlier sign off time now. (Ron Howard, California, Cumbre DX)
NORTH KOREA Three different programmes noted in Korean at 2300-2348 on January 25: Home Service 1 on 2850, 9665. Home Service 2 on 4450, 6250, 6399, both till 2400 and later. Voice of Korea on 3560, 6280, 7180, 7570, 9345, 9975, 11535, 12015 starting and ending at 2347 with the national anthem. (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD)
Home Service 1 is Korean Central Broadcasting Station for North Korea. Home Service 2 is Pyongyang Broadcasting Station (PBS), targeted mainly for South Korea via a high-power medium and shortwave and separate FM service for North Korea, also partly relayed on some KCBS mediumwave frequencies for North Korea. Voice of Korea Korean programmes are produced by KCBS. PBS has some one hour transmissions, which are not in parallel with the long PBS transmission.
At 0900 there are at least four services in Korean from North Korea on shortwave: Voice of Korea produced by KCBS: for example on 9345. Pyongyang BS one hour service: for example on 15245. Pyongyang BS long transmission: for example on 6251 and KCBS home service for example on 9665.
4450 belongs to Pyongyang Branch of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front, which has for many years been in parallel with PBS, the only exception being the sign on and sign off announcements. (Mauno Ritola, WRTH, ibid)
Shiokaze (Sea Breeze) via Yamata on 5910 noted in English Thursday January 28 and February 4 at 1400-1430, this is in addition to their Friday English broadcast, February 15 they were back on their alternate frequency of 5985. (Ron Howard, California, Cumbre DX)
Furusato no Kaze in Japanese now using 9775 via Taiwan, ex 9950, at 1333-1357 and 9950 via Palau, ex 9880 via Darwin, at 1430-1500.
Ilbone Baram (Nippon no Kaze) in Korean now using 9975 via Palau, ex 9690 via Darwin, at 1500-1530. (S. Hasegawa, Nagoya DX Circle via DX Listening Digest)
Free North Korea Radio now on 12155, ex 12150, at 1100-1200 via Dhabbaya. (DX Mix News, Bulgaria via Cumbre DX)
PAKISTAN Radio Pakistan announced the re-launching of Tamil, Nepali and Sinhala Services from February 1. The decision is bizarre in view of poor condition of 100 kW transmitters of Radio Pakistan through which these transmissions were earlier broadcast. (Aslam Javaid, Pakistan, DX Listening Digest)
Nepali is 1000-1030 on 9375 11570, Sinhali 1200-1300 and Tamil 1300-1330 on 11525 and 11630. (Noel Green via Wolfgang Bueschel)
PERU Radio Reina de la Selva heard on reactivated on 5485.5 January 30, end of song then announcer at 0012. More music for 2 minutes, then fast-talking announcer in slight echo effect including several identifications. Back to nice lively Peruvian campo music at 0016. (Dave Valko, Pennsylvania, Cumbre DX)
Heard here February 3 on 5485.5 at 0134-0142, music talk and adverts, poor overall and gone at 0215 recheck. (Richard D’Angelo, Pennsylvania)
SAUDI ARABIA BSKSA was Buzzing Service of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia January 26. The 15435 transmitter was already on at 1456 and I could hear the buzz between 15390 and 15455, along with some Arabic modulation underneath At 1516 recheck the buzz could be heard all the way from 15355 to 15500. Instead of multiple overlays of buzzing, at the edges it was steady pulsing at the rate of four times per second, something I had not noted previously.
It was much worse on January 27, at 1500 the buzzing was between 15390 and 15460 however at 1518 it was from 15270 to 15775, the upper end overlapping radar from Cyprus on 15745.
Even worse on January 30 at 1522, the full buzz covered 15205 to 15500 with 4 per minute pulsing edges reaching down to 15115 and up to 15940. The only signal in this entire range that was strong enough to overcome it was Portugal on 15560.
It was fixed, or transmitter substituted, February 2, no buzz at all and occupying normal bandwidth not exceeding 10 kHz. But not totally healthy as it does have a light whine on it. Apparently BSKSA finally got an earful at HFCC Kuala Lumpur, or somehow, that they had a slight problem for the past year.
On February 3 at 1500 Arabic talk heavily marred by pulsing carrier shifts plus hum. Several times per second irregularly we would hear chirps. With BFO on, it seemed that the transmitter was putting out spurious carriers a kHz or two off main channel, interfering with it. This did not cover the entire 19 metre band, like the buzz did, but only bled up to 15450 and not significantly downward from 15435. By 1532 the chirps had stopped so we could hear some intentional Arabic. The BSKSA engineers were obviously finally working on this transmitter, trying to get it into whack, but not yet very successfully.
On February 4 no chirping and certainly no buzz, almost back to normal, only marred by a slight hum and whine, and occupying proper bandwidth only, so congratulations are in order. (Glenn Hauser, DX Listening Digest)
SOLOMON ISLANDS In a letter to the Solomon Star, Cornelius Rathamana, General Manager of the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) says that the BBC radio relay on the National AM service after midnight has had to be switched off. The people of the Solomon Islands have been receiving BBC World Service relays from the SIBC National Service since the beginning of this millennium from 11 PM to 6 AM local time next day. This is due to the high cost of electricity.
Mr Rathamana says that SIBC can restore the relay if the electricity costs of the relay times were sponsored. The annual cost for the relay on one HF transmitter at 10kW is estimated at around US$11500. (Media Network)
The relays were at 1200-1900. Harold Sellers in British Colombia via DXLD noted January 20 and 22 that the 5020 outlet was no longer being heard.
SOMALIA Radio Bar-Kulan (Meeting Place) is a new broadcast to Somalia launching March 1 0500-0600 on 15750 via Dhabbaya and 1600-1700 on 9960 or 9930 via Meyerton.. They hope to expand broadcasting hours later. It is UN aided in support of the UN and African Union Mission information operations. (Chris Greenway, Caversham, DXLD)
First broadcast was March 1. Heard from 1637 to 1700 off on 9960, fair with some fading on clear channel. Horn of Africa music, announcements 1657, Ko’ran, more announcements, transmitter off after brief burst of music and an Adventist World Radio identification. (Mike Barraclough)
SUDAN Miraya FM relay via IRRS via Slovakia noted on new 15670 February 2 at 1508. English and Arabic dialect mixed together, actualities and voice-overs. Somewhat rough modulation, probably a feed input problem rather than a transmission problem. The broadcast is 1500-1800. (Glenn Hauser, DXLD)
Miraya FM has a new morning transmission 0300-0600 on 7285. (DX Mix News, Bulgaria via Cumbre DX)
Sudan Radio is using 7200 most or all of the day, WRTH shows it taking a break at 0430-1500. (Chris Greenway, Nairobi, DX Listening Digest)
SYRIA Radio Damascus noted on 9330 January 29 at 2132 to 2201 off, English news about Haiti earthquake and Middle-East peace efforts, identifications and local pop music, more news at 2150, anthem at 2200 and off the air. Back at 2202 sign on with Spanish programming. Good, strong audio but slight hum. 12085 not heard. (Brian Alexander, Pennsylvania, DX Listening Digest)
TANZANIA No sign of Radio Tanzania Zanzibar on 6015 or 11735. Still active on 585 mediumwave. (Chris Greenway, Nairobi, DX Listening Digest)
There has been a power outage on Zanzibar since 10 December. Industries and businesses are relying on diesel generators and tourist industry is badly affected. This is due to a breakdown of the submarine cable linking the island to the mainland which should have been repaired by the end of last month. (Brian Clark, New Zealand, Bernie O'Shea, Canada, DXLD)
THAILAND The Broadcasting Board of Governors station in Thailand accepts reception reports by e-mail for any programmes, including Radio Thailand, carried by the transmitters at Udorn as well as the medium wave site on 1575. QSL replies are usually received in a week or two. E-mail reports to: manager_thailand@tha.ibb.gov (Mike, Ohio, DX LD)
UGANDA Radio Uganda is still active on 4976 and 7195. (Chris Greenway, Nairobi, DX Listening Digest)
UNITED KINGDOM An experimental 26 Mhz DRM station did go on the air in London. I recently had lunch with one of the principals behind this station. Unfortunately he could not decode the signal in his home 3 miles from the transmitter, which was running more than 1 kW. He believes building penetration is a key problem.
A great deal of propagation science has been done on 26 MHz DRM at the Basque university in Spain. They believe in it. It might yet happen. (Ben Kobb, drmna group)
Latest RSL’s from the Ofcom website:
Birmingham: Burn FM 106.2 March 7 to 26
Birmingham: Radio Vaisakhi 87.7 April 1 to 28
Brixton: TLS FM 87.7 April 5 to 30
Bury: Project Radio 87.9 March 13 to April 9
Cheltenham: Cheltenham Radio 87.7 March 16 to 19
Farnborough: Echo 87.7 March 1 to 26
Hinckley: Vine FM 87.7 March 27 to April 4
Leeds: Akash FM 99.9 March 25 to April 21
Leicester: RadioSchoolFM 95.1 March 7 to 12
Leicester: Radio Seerah 87.7 March 31 to April 27
Leicester: Vaisakhi Radio 95.1 March 29 to April 25
Limavdy: New Life Radio 106.0 April 2 to 4
Lisburn: Emmanuel Live 107.7 April 9 to 11
Manchester: Refresh FM 87.7 March 22 to April 11
Norwich: Exchange Radio 87.7 March 21 to 25
Poole: Nerve FM 87.7 March 12 to 26
Redditch: Kingfisher FM 87.7 March 15 to April 11
Saintfield, Co. Down: 105.4 March 26 to 28
Stoke on Trent: Create Radio FM 87.7 March 26 to April 10
Sutton: Point FM 87.7 March 21 to April 4
UNITED STATES The Broadcasting Board of Governors 2011 Budget request has proposed the closure of the Greenville transmitting station, a saving of 3.2 million dollars. It also proposes the elimination of VOA Croatian and Greek and a reduction of the VOA Persian news network. (Kimandrewelliott.com)
VOA Creole noted on new 5835 0100-0200 February 2.
VOA and Radio Marti are co-producing a Spanish broadcast at 0100-0200 weeknights. It was first noted here February 2 on 7340 9415 and 11625. (Glenn Hauser, DXLD)
It is called "A Fondo" or "In Depth" and provides news and analysis from around the hemisphere. It was developed in part to target Venezuela, where President Hugo Chavez has cracked down on opposition and independent media and frequently criticizes U.S. foreign policy. (VOA public relations blog)
WWCR moved to 4840 March 1 at 0300-1200, they had moved from 5070 to 4775 during this time slot last month. They are no longer using 3240 at 2300-0200 on transmitter 1, 7465 is now used 2100-0100, 7490 0100-0200. (Station website)
WWCR had to vacate 3240 due to an interference complaint from a Military Auxiliary Radio system operation. We have received an interference complaint from a foreign government's fixed operation concerning WWCR's 5070 operation. We are currently communicating with that government agency concerning this. (Tom Lucey, FCC, DX Listening Digest)
KJES heard February 2 at 1449 on 11715, into Spanish at 1600, very undermodulated and co-channel interference, had not been reported for almost two months. Later the same day heard on 15385 at 1905 and on February 3 heard on 7555 at 0205. (Glenn Hauser, DXLD)
WJHR International Radio, 15550 via Milton FL, full-data card with WB4BFO ham card in 6 days for a taped report and $2.00. Address: George S. Mock, 5920 Oak Manor Drive, Milton FL 32570. (Smith, Massachusetts, QSL Report, Feb NASWA Journal via DXLD)
WYFR is now using 6875 0300-1200 ex 6915. (Station via DX Listening Digest)
VANUATU I updated some portions of Radio Vanuatu’s equipment early February, adding a second frequency, either 5055 or 7260, depending on the testing. It's a Solid State system, broadband operating in Class E. Modulation is Pulse Width. The 3945 antenna is a 180 foot long fan dipole, around 60 feet high. The 5055 antenna is about 90 feet long, and up about 45 feet. (Jamie La Bada via Ralph Brandi, Dxplorer January 28 via Wolfgang Bueschel)
Tests of 5055 heard on February 19 at 0715 parallel to 3945. (Bryan Clark, New Zealand, DX Listening Digest)
WESTERN SAHARA National Radio of Saharui Republic has not been heard on 6297 recently here. (Edwin Southwell)
Not heard here for a few days but still active on 1550. (Carlos Goncalves, Portugal, Feb 14, DX Listening Digest)
YEMEN Republic of Yemen Radio heard on 9780 at 1825 February 25, Western pop music, short anthem, identification and news bulletin in English at 1830, fair strength, some co-channel interference but Yemen quite easily readable. On March 1 they were audible but below stronger Radio Liberty in Russian to the Caucasus 1800-1900. (Mike Barraclough)
ZAMBIA CVC International is using new 5915 at 0400-0500 for English to West Africa. This replaces 9430 now used 0500-0700. (DX Mix News, Bulgaria via Cumbre DX)
As already reported in the Zambian press transmissions from ZNBC on both 5915 and 6165 are off, owing to problems at the transmitter site. (Chris Greenway, Nairobi, DXLD )
CONTRIBUTORS: Germany: Wolfgang Bueschel, UK: Allen Dean, Edwin Southwell. United States: Richard D’Angelo. Until next month, MIKE
