Shortwave Central

FRS Holland to air repeat broadcast Nov. 22

2009-11-20T16:47:00.000-08:00

Next Sunday November 22, sees a full repeat of last week's broadcast . The broadcast will start at 10.52 UTC/ 11.52 CET sharp and close down will be at 15.40 UTC/16.40 CET. Of course we do hope propagation will be satisfactory that day. That was certainly the case last Sunday and
we were happy about the results, as 5810 was doing fine and 7600 was excellent at various locations throughout Europe.

Next Sunday we have chosen to start three hours later than on the 15th to find out how the 7600 signal 'behaves' later in the afternoon. And there's another important change: instead of 5810, we will be on 9300 kHz/ 31 metres. Of course we are very curious how the 9300 signal will do, especially in those areas where 7600 is only poor/ fair. Radio entertainment on a Sunday. Tune in...7600 kHz/ 39 metres ánd 9300 kHz / 31 metres (low power only).

Info about the internet stream:
One Sun Nov. 22nd FRS will be again active with an Internet stream. Surf to http://radio-freeform.de:8290/listen.pls.
We will most likely start at 14.00 UTC/ 15.00 CET.
73s,
Peter V.
(on behalf of the FRS staff)

PCJ Media to present Ears To Our World Nov. 21

2009-11-20T16:41:00.000-08:00

On November 21 at 0200 and 1400 UTC, PCJ Media will present a special show looking at Ears To Our World, a US-based charity that provides schools and teachers in Africa with radios. This special show will also focus on the important role SW radio plays in Africa.

Frequency 9955 kHz
Web: www.wrmi.net

Guests include:
Thomas Witherspoon - Founder, Ears To Our World
Fred Osterman - Universal Radio
Walter Hess - Etón Corp.
David Smith - formerly with Radio Canada International, Radio Netherlands, and United Nations Radio.
Soule Issiaka - an expert on the role of radio in Africa and freelance with Radio Netherlands

ARRL Sweepstakes Takes to the Phone Bands Nov. 21-23

2009-11-20T16:37:00.000-08:00

The SSB portion of the ARRL November Sweepstakes -- the premier domestic HF contest -- takes place next weekend, running 2100 UTC Saturday, November 21 to 0300 Monday, November 23 (or 4 PM Saturday to 10 PM Sunday EST). According to ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, the event -- first called "The January Contest" -- started back in 1929 as a competition for handling formal traffic messages. "Sweepstakes is one of the oldest traditions in Amateur Radio," Kutzko said. "The contest exchange contains more elements than usual, an homage to the traffic-handling days of yore. If you have never participated in Sweepstakes, you are really missing out on some serious fun!"

Kutzko said the phone portion of Sweepstakes differs a bit from the CW portion: "The phone bands are considerably more crowded than CW. First there's the bandwidth issue: A single phone QSO takes up more -- at least six times more -- bandwidth than a CW signal does. There also tends to be more casual (non-contest) phone operating, such as nets, rag chews and scheduled contacts with which you need to be aware and coexist." He advises those participating in radiosport events such as Sweepstakes be courteous to other band occupants, whether they are contesters or not.

QST Contributing Editor H. Ward Silver, N0AX, said that some hams have picked up the habit of using "the last two" to call a station, meaning using just the last two letters of your call. "Please use your entire call sign," he advised. "Nine times out of 10, the other station will copy all of it the first time." Use standard phonetics, such as the ones found here. A complete primer by Silver on how to participate in Sweepstakes can be found here.

Kutzko and Silver both agreed that signal quality is much more of an issue on phone. Their advice? Before the contest, have a friend check your signal at full power -- is the audio clear and splatter-free? If not, take steps to make it so -- you will make more contacts and have fewer problems on adjacent frequencies. And a tip -- having a noise blanker or preamp turned on will likely lead to severe intermodulation and overload problems in your receiver. Turn them off whenever possible. In fact, cranking in some attenuation or turning down the RF Gain control will improve receiver performance dramatically.

If you submit a score, Kutzko said to be sure to keep in mind the new deadlines for log submissions. The log submission deadline for the SSB Sweepstakes is 0300 UTC Tuesday, December 8. The preferred method of log submission is the Cabrillo electronic format. "We have several links on the ARRL Contest Branch Web page devoted to Sweepstakes tutorials, including how Cabrillo works and even templates for submitting an entry," Kutzko explained. "While the ARRL will never turn away a paper log, we are asking all entrants to submit their log electronically if possible; this will greatly help us to publish the scores in 60 days as many participants have requested. Contest clubs are encouraged to assist their club members with paper logs in the Cabrillo conversion process. The WA7BNM Cabrillo Web Forms site will walk you through creating a Cabrillo-formatted log."

Numerous certificates and plaques will be awarded. ICOM America is the principal awards sponsor of the November Sweepstakes. Special participation pins and Clean Sweep mugs will be available for purchase as always. Pins are available for $6 to any station that submits a log with more than 100 QSOs. Clean Sweep mugs will be available to any station that submits a log with all 80 Sections worked; mugs cost $12.

While the object of the November Sweepstakes is to work all 80 ARRL and RAC Sections, no one says you have to do so! Sweepstakes is a good time to get on the air for a couple of hours and see what you can do. Whether you are operating from a fixed station with stacked arrays for every band or a small rig and a dipole, you are bound to make QSOs and have fun at the same time. Sweepstakes has been a part of Amateur Radio for nearly eight decades. Don't sit this one out -- get on the air, have fun and take part of one of Amateur Radio's oldest and finest traditions."
(ARRL)

Radio City relay on 9510 kHz

2009-11-20T16:30:00.000-08:00

This Saturday the 21st of November, Radio City will return to the airwaves via Nexus (ex. IRRS) with 150 kW on 9510 kHz.

The time slot is 09.00 - 10.00 UTC

Our contact address is still citymorecars@yahoo.ca
Best regards
Radio City - the Station of the Cars
(Tom Taylor)

KSM plans test with USS Cassin Young

2009-11-20T03:56:00.000-08:00

From Paul Dobosz: KSM plans to participate in tests with USS Cassin Young DD-793/NTTH on 21 and 28 November. USS Cassin Young is located near Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

A crew of dedicated volunteers has restored the radio spaces aboard the ship to the point that they are now operational using the ship's original equipment. Astute listeners to the KSM traffic list may have noted that NTTH has been on the list for the last few weeks in anti-cipation of these tests.

More information about USS Cassin Young may be found at:
http://www.nps.gov/bost/historyculture/usscassinyoung.htm

NTTH plans to call KSM on 12552.0kc some time after 2000Z. They may move to a working frequency (QSS) after initial contact is made, as is normal procedure.

If contact is successfully made KSM will key all HF and MF transmitters so that listeners will have the best chance of hearing at least one side of the contact. If NTTH moves to a working channel, that channel will be announced by KSM. This is not standard procedure as coast stations took pains to not let other ships know what the current ship's working frequency would be for fear that they would all pile on that frequency and start calling. But since those golden days are past the frequency will be announced.

The KSM Morse transmitting frequencies are: 426, 500, 4350.5, 6474.0, 8438.3, 12993.0, 16914.0, 22445.8

NOTE: SS American Victory/KKUI may also be calling KSM on 11/21 so listeners may have the rare opportunity of hearing two ships on the air on that date.

Reception reports for USS Cassin Young may be sent to: MARK S STARIN 457 VARNEY ST., MANCHESTER NH 03102

Reception reports for KSM may, as always, be sent to our QSL Mistress:
Ms. Denice "DA" Stoops, P.O. Box 381, Bolinas CA 94924-0381

Good Listening & 73, Richard Dillman, W6AWO, Chief Operator, Coast
Station KSM, Maritime Radio Historical Society
http://www.radiomarine.org/
(MARE #555)

New frequency for BBC Hindi service

2009-11-19T12:01:00.000-08:00

Effective 17th November 2009, BBC has swapped 7205 kHz with 7395 kHz. BBC Hindi is now on 7395(ex-7205) kHz 1400-1500 hrs while 7205 kHz(ex-7395) is taking over BBC Burmese at 1345-1430 hrs. Parallel channels in Hindi are 5845, 5960, 9505 and 12065 kHz.
Alok Dasgupta, Kolkata
http://dxasia.info/news/20091117

New Solar Cycle 24 Sunspot Group

2009-11-19T11:54:00.000-08:00

http://www.wcflunatall.com/nz4o4

The Cycle 24 sunspot group that I mentioned on November 18, 2009 has been numbered 11033 by the NOAA/SWPC. It is located near N17E20 and contains a beta magnetic signature capable of producing very small B class solar flares. As mentioned yesterday SIDC Belgium assigned it Catania #28.

The old solar cycle 24 sunspot group #11029 has produced new sunspots and has been re-numbered 11033 by NOAA/SWPC. SIDC Belgium has given the sunspot group Catania 30. It is located near N21E47 and contains a beta magnetic signature capable of producing very small B class solar flares.

The NOAA/SWPC sunspot number is 29 (the second highest so far for solar cycle 24) and the SIDC Belgium sunspot number is 30. The solar flux index (SFI) is 77.4.

The new sunspot groups could push the SFI above 80 in coming days. This would raise the maximum usable frequency (MUF) of the F layer high enough to improve propagation conditions on 20, 17 and 15 meters.

Solar cycle 24 continues to ramp up this month!
Tomas F. Giella, NZ4O
Lakeland, FL, USA
nz4o@arrl.net

COL LF/MF/HF/VHF/UHF Frequency Radiowave Propagation Email Reflector:
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/spaceweather

NZ4O Daily Solar Space Weather & Geomagnetic Data Archive:
http://www.wcflunatall.com/nz4o1.htm

NZ4O Solar Space Weather & Geomagnetic Data In Graphic & Image Format:
http://www.wcflunatall.com/nz4o2.htm

NZ4O Daily LF/MF/HF/6M Frequency Radiowave Propagation Forecast & Archive:
http://www.wcflunatall.com/nz4o3.htm

NZ4O Solar Cycle 24 Forecast Discussion & Archive:
http://www.wcflunatall.com/nz4o4.htm

NZ4O 160 Meter Radio Propagation Theory Notes:
http://www.wcflunatall.com/nz4o5.htm

NZ4O Solar Space Weather & Geomagnetic Raw Forecast Data Links:
http://www.wcflunatall.com/nz4o6.htm

Florida & U.S. Raw Weather Forecasting Resource Links:
http://www.wcflunatall.com/kn4lf13.htm

Radio Prague adjust time slot and frequency

2009-11-19T10:42:00.000-08:00

via Portugal / Czech Republic

9805 kHz, after four weeks on 11690 kHz at 1630-1657 UT slot, Radio Prague in German replaced now to 9805 kHz channel, also via TransE urope Sines relay [DWL/VTC], but on originally time slot 1730-1757 UT, which is also printout primarily on their RPR operational schedule.

Signal strength on AOR AR7030 rx at 11 of 14 display segments luminous, on Eton E1 S=9+15 dB in peaks, here in Germany. TX sign-on at 17.29:45 UT, two seconds of VTC Cello interval signal of London control room, then 17.29:47 ... :59 UT fanfare of Radio Prague.

Tiny interference on adjacent channel 9800drm kHz from Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada.
(wb, Germany/HCDX)

Radio Netherlands Program Guide - Nov. 21-27

2009-11-19T05:40:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our weekly guide to Radio Netherlands Worldwide's English Service - a list of the new programmes coming up on Radio Netherlands Worldwide this week, beginning on Saturday.
SATURDAY 21 NOVEMBER
*** The State We're In ***

This week: Coming Clean from Dirty Wars

Ex-Somali Jihadist Speaks Out: Two years ago, when Ilyas Hassan Omar was 22, he joined the radical Islamist group, al-Shabab. After shooting and beheading people, he grew disenchanted. He now rejects the hardline stance of al-Shabab, and prays for forgiveness for his sins.

In Fear of Al-Shabab: Hassan (not his real name) is a Somali MP. He once fought along side them, but rejected the group's "un-Islamic lust for power". Now he lives in fear of them.

Sara and Simón: Uruguay's Dirty War: Sara Méndez was abducted in 1976 and separated from her 20-day-old son, Simón. After spending five years in detention as a political prisoner, Sara began to look for Simón. It took her 26 years to find him.

Blessed by Fire: A new film exposes the maltreatment, starvation and torture of Argentinian soldiers at the hands of their own officers during the war in the Falklands. After 25 years of silence, some veterans are out for justice.

Dilemma: Cash or Integrity?: Jonathan talks with webmaster Rob Cockerham about a dilemma he faced when the company exposed as a scam by his website made him an offer to change his site.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.00 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
15.00 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.00 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.00 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
00.30 Europe
05.00 North America
14.00 Europe
23.00 North America and CBC

*** Network Europe Week ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe. If you missed any editions of If you missed any editions of Network Europe earlier this week, satisfy your needs with this digest of the programme's top stories:

The EU Council picks its first President - Kosovo holds its first elections since Independence - and 20 years on, we report on the re-enactment of the student protests that led to the fall of communism in Czechoslovakia.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
19.30 East Africa 12045, West Africa 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
04.00 Africa and Asia
13.00 North America
17.00 Europe
22.00 Asia

*** Network Europe Extra ***

Arts and Culture brought to you each Sunday from Europe's widest partnership of international broadcasters.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1505 South Asia 11835 and 15815, Southeast Asia/India 7530, Tibet 5825

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
0300 North America
1200 North America
1500 Europe

SUNDAY 22 NOVEMBER
*** Network Europe Extra ***

Arts and Culture brought to you each Sunday from Europe's widest partnership of international broadcasters.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 East Asia 12065, 6040, East China 9720
1800 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
1900 East Africa 12045, West Africa 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN (UTC):
0400 North America
0500 North America
1000 Africa and Asia
1200 North America
1430 Europe
1700 Europe
2200 Asia

*** Radio Books (primary programme) ***

'Frog' by Rachida Lamrabet

Flemish-Moroccan writer and lawyer Rachida Lamrabet won the Debut Prize for her 2007 novel 'Woman Country.' In her Radio Books story, a woman travels to Columbia on a biological research project after suffering a traumatic family loss. An unexpected discovery helps her come to terms with her deep sorrow.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.30 East Asia 12065, 6040, East China 9720
14.00 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.30 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
19.30 East Africa 12045, West Africa 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
00.30 Europe
05.30 North America
10.30 Africa and Asia
14.40 Europe

MONDAY 23 NOVEMBER
*** Curious Orange (primary programme) ***

Paul Anstiss is your guide to modern-day Holland.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.00 East Asia 12065, 6040, East China 9720
14.30 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.30 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.30 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
00.30 Europe
13.00 North America
14.30 Europe
22.10 Asia
23.10 North America and CBC

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
15.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.04 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.04 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
14.04 Europe
22.00 Asia
23.00 North America and CBC

*** Network Europe ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
19.04 East Africa 12045, West Africa 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
05.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** Euro Hit 40 ***

Europe's No.1 chart Show.

Broadcast times on WRN
05.20 North America

*** Classic Dox ***

'Hoppin' Alive'

Lindy hop is back! Amsterdam has rediscovered the American feel-good dance of 1930's swing jazz . Hundreds of enthusiastic hoppers enjoy workshops, master classes and parties. Special guest star Frankie Manning who rocked the cradle of this happy dance helps producer Liesbeth de Bakker get the rhythm.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.00 East Asia 12065, 6040, East China 9720

Broadcast times on WRN
13.20 North America

*** European Jazz Stage/ World Music ***

Highlights from the 2007 North-Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam, with the Bob Brookmeyer New Art Orchestra, Jesse van Ruller and Bert van de Brink, Reboot Your Soul, Marvin Stamm and Bill Mays. An impressive line-up ranging from the intimate duo to the exuberant big band.

All of that, on the European Jazz Stage with Daniel Frankl.

*** Live! at the Concertgebouw 2008 ***

Part of the concert is in a serious mood, with Berlioz' Trista and Bruckner's Mass No. 3 in f minor. They are accompanied by two pieces inspired by William Shakespeare: Kuhlau's Overture, and the Fantasy Overture Romeo and Juliet by Tchaikovsky. Hans Haffmans and Cyntia Wilson are the programme's hosts.

TUESDAY 24 NOVEMBER
*** Network Europe ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
19.04 East Africa 12045, West Africa 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
05.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** The State We're In - Midweek Edition ***

This week: Coming Clean from Dirty Wars

Ex-Somali Jihadist Speaks Out: Two years ago, when Ilyas Hassan Omar was 22, he joined the radical Islamist group, al-Shabab. After shooting and beheading people, he grew disenchanted. He now rejects the hardline stance of al-Shabab, and prays for forgiveness for his sins.

In Fear of Al-Shabab: Hassan (not his real name) is a Somali MP. He once fought along side them, but rejected the group's "un-Islamic lust for power". Now he lives in fear of them.

Sara and Simón: Uruguay's Dirty War: Sara Méndez was abducted in 1976 and separated from her 20-day-old son, Simón. After spending five years in detention as a political prisoner, Sara began to look for Simón. It took her 26 years to find him.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.30 East Asia 12065, 6040, East China 9720
14.15 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.15 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.15 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
04.00 Africa and Asia
10.30 Africa and Asia
14.15 Europe

*** Live! at the Concertgebouw 2009 ***

The Rotterdam Philharmonic under Ingo Metzmacher is performing the centrepiece of this concert, Beethoven's Symphony No 7 in A major. They're also heard in Mahler's Blumine and Berg's Violin Concerto "Dem Andenken eines Engels".

Your host is Hans Haffmans.

*** Commonwealth Story ***

A selection of winning stories chosen from the large number of entries for the 2009 Commonwealth Short Story Competition.

This week's story by Juliet Barnes, Kenya. A dark shadow falls on a young servant's daughter.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.50 East Asia 12065, 6040, East China 9720

Broadcast times on WRN
00.50 Europe
04.25 Africa and Asia
10.50 Africa and Asia
22.50 Asia
23.50 North America and CBC

*** Classic Dox ***

'Do the Hustle!'

Music writer John Manuel Andriote and producer David Swatling present a brief history of disco - the dance and music craze which burst into clubs in the mid-1970's. It inspired films, fashion and technological developments in the pop music industry. The first of two parts covers the origins of the craze and the iconic Studio 54 in New York.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.30 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
15.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.04 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.04 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
14.04 Europe
22.00 Asia
23.00 North America and CBC

WEDNESDAY 25 NOVEMBER
*** Network Europe ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
19.04 East Africa 12045, West Africa 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
05.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** Reloaded (primary programme) ***

Another selection of this week's programme highlights presented by Mindy Ran.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
18.15 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.15 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
14.15 Europe
22.10 Asia

*** Classic Dox ***

'Fever to Inferno'

Music writer John Manuel Andriote and producer David Swatling continue this brief history of disco with a focus on its huge success for disco stars like the Bee Gees, Village People and Donna Summer - as well as the iconic film Saturday Night Fever. But if disco died in 1979, how did it manage a come-back?

*** Newsline ***

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
15.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.04 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.04 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
14.04 Europe
22.00 Asia
23.00 North America and CBC

THURSDAY 26 NOVEMBER
*** Network Europe ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
19.04 East Africa 12045, West Africa 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
05.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** Earth Beat (primary programme) ***

Vertical gardens, green roofs and green greenhouses on this week's programme. We talk to the man who pioneered growing gardens on the sides of city buildings. Patrick Blanc says the more plants you have in your life, the more receptive you are to the problems of the world.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.00 East Asia 12065, 6040, East China 9720
14.30 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.35 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.15 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
04.00 Africa and Asia
05.10 North America
10.00 Africa and Asia
13.00 North America
14.00 Europe
17.30 Europe
22.10 Asia
23.10 North America and CBC

*** Classic Dox ***

'Tango in the Minor Key'

Finland is known as a cold place with hot saunas. The last thing we associate with Finland is the tango. And yet producer Dheera Sujan discovered that the tango is the country's unlikely national dance enjoyed by thousands of Finns at lakeside dance halls.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
15.15 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
15.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.04 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.04 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
14.04 Europe
22.00 Asia
23.00 North America and CBC

FRIDAY 27 NOVEMBER
*** Network Europe ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
19.04 East Africa 12045, West Africa 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
05.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** Bridges with Africa (primary programme) ***

We're giving the microphone to Diaspora groups in Europe and are linking up with stations in Africa. The show goes beyond the clichés of starving children

and war-ridden countries and seeks to bring you genuine voices from a vibrant continent.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.00 East Asia 12065, 6040, East China 9720
14.30 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.15 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.15 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
05.10 North America
10.00 Africa and Asia
13.00 North America
17.30 Europe
22.10 Asia
23.10 North America and CBC

*** Classic Dox ***

'Running the Goat'

The 17th-century Canadian fishing community of Harbour Deep vanished from the map not long ago. But its ghost survives in a traditional set dance called Running the Goat. Summer tourists now learn the steps for an authentic taste of Newfoundland out-port life. Producer Chris Brookes was awarded the Prix Marulic for this lively feature.

*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
15.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.04 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.04 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
14.04 Europe
22.00 Asia
23.00 North America and CBC
(R Netherlands)

Bible Voice Broadcasting - B09 multilingual schedule

2009-11-18T12:00:00.001-08:00

Here is the revised B09 multi schedule for BVB. Readers may recall my faux paus from November 16 as a post of their former A09 schedule. Opps...it happens
Gayle VH

Effective to 28 March 2010

All times UTC
Target areas: af (Africa) as (Asia) eu (Europe) me (Middle East)

Broadcast days: smtwhfa (Sunday - Saturday)

Adja
1945-2000 11830af

Amharic
0430-0500 Sat/Sun 11635af
1600-1700 w 13810af
1630-1700 13810af
1700-1800 13810af
1830-1900 13810af

Arabic
0430-0500 mtwhf 11865me
0500-0545 f 11865me
0900-1000 f 17535af
1545-1600 mw 9430me
1600-1700 mw 9430me
1615-1630 f 9430me
1625-1700 mtwh 13580me
1700-1715 f 13580me
1700-1730 w 13580me

Bahasa
1730-1745 13590me

Bengali
0030-0045 Sat/Sun 9815as
1400-1415 h 7485as
1500-1530 smtf 15295as

Cantonese
1200-1230 5945as
1215-1230 5945as

Dinka
1700-1730 15495af

Dzongkha
1400-1415 f 7485as

English
0030-0100 fas 9490as
0700-0730 Sun 5945eu
0700-0800 Sat 5945eu
0745-0800 f 5945eu
0800-0815 Sat 5945eu
1015-1045 Sun 5910as
1115-1130 mwhf 5945as
1115-1200 5945as
1115-1200 Sat 5945as
1400-1500 Sat/Sun 15680af
1500-1515 Sun 15680af
1500-1530 Sat 15295as
1530-1600 Sun 13590me
1530-1600 15680as
1545-1600 mtwhfa 13590me
1600-1615 f 13590me
1600-1620 t 13590me
1600-1700 Sun 13590me
1615-1700 13590me
1700-1730 13590me
1700-1800 Sat 9430me
1700-1800 Sun 13590me
1730-1800 13590me
1730-1800 Sun 9430me
1800-1815 Sun 13590me
1800-1830 13590me
1800-1830 fa 9430me
1800-1900 Sun 6130eu 9430me
1830-1900 f 9430me
1845-1900 11830af
1900-2000 11830af
1945-2000 mtwhf 11830af

Farsi
1530-1600 12140me
1800-1815 Sat 11970me
1800-1830 mwf 11970me
1800-1900 th 11970me
1830-1900 Sun 11970me

French
1930-1945 Sat 11830af

Fur
1730-1745 15495af

Hebrew/English
1715-1800 13590me

Hindi
0030-0100 mtwh 9490as
1415-1500 7485as
1530-1600 15295as
1615-1645 13590me

Japanese
1045-1100 5910as
1100-1130 (Japanese Music) 5910as
1130-1145 5910as

Korean
2000-2100 Sun 5910as

Mandarin
1130-1200 5945as
1200-1215 5945as

Nepali
1415-1430 7485as

Nuer
1630-1700 15495af

Oromo
1600-1630 smhf 13810af

Punjabi
1515-1530 f 15680as

Somali
1800-1830 13810af

Swahili
1830-1845 Sun 11830af

Tamil
1500-1515 h 15295as

Telegu
1515-1530 15295as

Russian
1800-1830 tf 6130eu
1815-1830 mw 6130eu
1815-1845 6130eu

Tigrinya
1530-1600 17650af
1700-1730 13810af

Ukranian
1800-1830 h 6130eu

Urdu
1530-1600 mtwh 15680as

Uyghur
1200-1230 mtwhf 15610as

Vietnamese
1230-1245 5945as

Uganda
Dunamis SW 4750af
(Giovanni Lorenzi via Alokesh Gupta, India)

Former Texas sheriff charged as radio pirate operator

2009-11-18T11:15:00.000-08:00

Raymond Frank faces fees for radio piracy
Updated: Wednesday, 18 Nov 2009, 10:43 AM CST
Published : Tuesday, 17 Nov 2009, 3:39 PM CST

Carla Castaño
WEST LAKE HILLS, Texas (KXAN) - A former Travis County Sheriff is being charged for breaking the law by running his own pirate radio station and illegally broadcasting the controversial Alex Jones radio show.

Alex Jones, who describes his radio show as "conspiracy-tinted site containing strong opposition to socialism, communism, and the New World Order," said he had no idea Frank was illegally broadcasting his show.

Additional story at: http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/Former-Sheriff-charged-as-radio-pirate

pirate radio monitoring

2009-11-18T08:57:00.000-08:00

Time to catch up on newsletters and logs, to see what the pirate radio fans have been monitoring lately. What are you hearing on the bands?
Gayle VH

All times UTC

Ann Hoffer Radio
6925 USB, 2207 Ann singing "Ahh-woo!" Werewolves of London SINPO 24222. Only occasionally audible above the mush. (Lex-TX)

Barnyard Radio
6930 USB 22:40, SINPO 35343
Maniacal laughter into Barnyard announcement. All in the Family clip, Capt & Tennille (Ragnar).

Blitzkreig Radio
6925 USB, 0215-0510. Signal fair/poor, various Vaudeville tunes including Making Whoopee. Much dead air. At 0450, Klezmer and Yiddish music, song "Lilly Marlene" sung in German, quick ID then off. (Hassig-IL)

Bunny News Network (BNN) Relay Service
6900 AM, 2107-2153+ Shows from Iron Man Radio, OTH Radio and Dirty Radio were relay by
BNN relay service. Commander Bunny will broadcast shows that sent to the BNN. The FRN Grapevines announcements has the information. Nice shows with a good signal (Majewski CT)

KBOX
6925 USB, 0104*-0141.* Lengthy opening ID with male/female announcers with "All Boxy, all the time." Beatles tunes. Good signal. (Sedlacek-NE) kboxradio@gmail.com

Iron Man Radio
6925 USB 2345, SINPO 35434 John Henry, XRay Specs, Keel Brothers. Great signal on a station I only have heard rarely. (Ragnar)

Captain Morgan
6925.0/A, 2117-2136. Captain Morgan ID with email asking for FRN reports, playing blues music today. ID with email to The Blues Brothers! Soul Man, Blues Brothers 2135 Twilight Zone theme, 2136 off Fair. (Rohde) captainmorgan@gmail.com

Crocodile Radio
6925 USB, 0131-0146.+ Top 40 not-so-oldies and non Top-40 tunes. Station ID. SIO 243 with one rata-a-tat burst. (Frodge, MI)

KUSA
6925 USB, 0050-0125. Fair with some static. Monty Python song Bright Side of Life. Oldies of Alley-Oop, At The Hop, Baby It's You, New Roller Skates/New Key, Bus Stop, Chains Of Love, Chantilly Lace, etc, sed kusanorthamerica@gmail.com, I emailed KUSA several min ago,no bounce yet. (Hassig-IL)

Liquid Radio
6925 AM, 1845. Presumed with SINPO 25333. Intermittent dance music. Possible ID of Liquid Radio. (Ragnar)

Marine Corp Birthday Radio
6925 AM, 2050-2104. SINPO 35232. It's the Marine Corp Birthday with Sgt Balz, patriotic marches and a gruff Marine Corp Sgt to make all us silly villains stand at attention. (Ragnar)

6925 AM. 2153-2210. SIO 433. Program celebrating the 234th birthday of the Marine Corp. Sgt. Buster Balz calling cadence and playing Marine Corp Hymn . Please QSL (Smith-OH).

Northwoods Radio
6925 USB, 1340-1408.* SIO 242/141. Program of instrumental rock and rock and new age music. Did not catch an ID until 1402, but the ID also had their normal loon call interval signal. Weak and slightly distorted signal at times. (Zeller-OH)

Outhouse Radio
6925 USB, 0309-0325. Rock music with man announcer hosting and giving several IDs and talk. Poor and seemed to disappear under a pile of noise around 0325. (D'Angelo-PA) outhouseradio@gmail.com

Pumpkin Patch Radio
6925 USB, 2330. Song in Spanish, B&W SSTV with Radio Crimes caption, theme music from movie "Halloween." Difficult copy, only occasionally audible. (Lex-TX)

6925 USB, 0148-0212 Halloween movie theme, "Welcome to the pumpkin patch", AC/DC music Highway to Hell. Halloween movie theme again. SINPO - 24312, only occasionally audible, mostly fades into S2-S3 noise here (Lex-TX)

Radio Casablanca
6940AM, 2250-0004. Casablanca movie theme stations, lots of period music including, Blue Skies, I'll Be Seeing You, Joltin' Joe DiMaggio, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Begin the Beguine, Dream a Little Dream of Me, sounds like Ella Fitzgerald/Louis Armstrong version, Animal Crackers in My Soup, If I Didn't Care for You, Gene Kelly's Singing in the Rain and Paper Moon. Ended with Radio Casablanca ID, e-mail address, audio clip from Casablanca movie ("I am shocked, shocked!"), La Marseillaise, "...this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship" line from movie. SINPO - 33323. (Lex-TX)

Radio GaGa
6925 USB, 0015-0024.* Fair/good signal with female pop group. Two stations were on at the same time. Northwoods Radio was under Radio GaGa. It was hard to sort which program was being heard. At one time, there was a song about Deer Camp. Both station identifications were heard. (Majewski CT)

6925 USB, 1300-1335. Spooky sound to SSTV of pumpkin, a little different version of the familiar "Monster Mash", followed with several SSTV images in B&W8 mode. SINPO - 34333, good audio (Lex-TX)

6925 SSB, 1648. Station ID "Radio GaGa" (Friesen MB Canada)

Satan Radio
6925 USB, 2235-2255. Deep voice IDs, heavy metal music, SSTV Scottie DX mode of Ouija board w/ Satan Radio ID. SINPO 24232 (Lex-TX)

Scott Joplin Radio
6925 USB, 0306. Tuned in to piane music, sounded like it was from The Sting. Station ID and whistling at 0311, back to music. The Sting played at 0314, 0319 a weak announcement and gone. Strong for a while, I have a recording. PLS QSL (Foltz-CA)

6935 USB, 0152-0206 Ragtime piano, Scott Joplin Radio ID and whistle after "The Entertainer" SINPO - 23222, some fades to inaudible (Lex-TX)

Shay Man
6925 USB, *0248-0250.* SIO 242+. Brief transmission of a robot vox saying "testing, 1, 2, 3, this is Shay-Man." Same remarks delivered twice, and then off. Obviously a test of some sort.
(Zeller-OH)

WSTH/We're Stairway To Heaven
6899.95 AM, 2109-2126+. Stairway to Heaven by various artists. WSTH Your Stairway to Heaven Station. SIO=2+52 (Frodge-MI)

6900.0 AM, 2257. A station that boasts 100 different versions of Stairway to Heaven, Heard many versions including, country, opera,Elvis, Gilligan’s Island version Good. (Rohde)

Wolverine Radio
6930 USB, 0116. Barely audible signal, then 0118, what sounded similar to a scanner. Per FRN this was a SSTV image from Wolverine Radio. (Foltz-CA)
(FRW # 712, 713, 715, 717, 718)

Radio GaGa SSTV QSL courtesy of Christopher Friensen via Greg Majewski/FRW

The Bermuda Story - Ship Broadcasting

2009-11-18T08:17:00.000-08:00

a nostalgic look at the Bermuda radio scene

On two previous occasions, we have presented information about the radio scene on the island of Bermuda, in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of North America. On this occasion, we continue in our Bermuda series and we tell the story of radio broadcasting from passenger liners that have been associated with Bermuda.

It is the story of three passenger liners, all built in islandic Europe. These ships were named: Empress of Britain, Monarch of Bermuda, and Queen of Bermuda, and each ship was noted on air back in the 1930s with radio program broadcasting.

The Empress of Britain was launched by the Brown Shipyard at Clydebank in Scotland on June 11, 1930. This large passenger ship, owned and operated by Canadian Pacific, replaced an older ship with the same name. At the time, it was described as a very modern passenger liner, designed for winter cruising, and with a radio receiver in each cabin.

It was touted as the world’s most economical fuel consumer per horsepower hour, burning 356 tons of fuel oil each day. It was so large that it had a clearance of just seven and a half inches on each side as it traversed through the lock system in the Panama Canal.

The Empress of Britain plied the Atlantic on numerous voyages, and occasionally out in the Pacific. On one occasion, this ship crossed the Atlantic, from Halifax Nova Scotia in Canada to Southampton in England with just forty passengers on board. However, these passengers were King George 6 & Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain, together with their royal entourage.

On September 8, 1939, the Empress of Britain arrived at Quebec at the end of a quick voyage across the Atlantic. It was commandeered for navy service, painted with camouflage paint, and used as a troop carrier back to Europe.

On what became its last voyage, it was attacked off the coast of Ireland by a German long range bomber on October 26 in the following year, 1940. Next day, it was attacked by a German submarine, and early in the morning of the third day, it sank upside down in 500 ft of water.
Our second ship in this feature presentation was the Monarch of Bermuda and it was built at the Vickers Armstrong shipyards in England for passenger service between New York and Bermuda, a voyage of just forty hours each way.

Three years later, the Monarch of Bermuda received accolades for the rescue of passengers and crew from another passenger ship that was on fire off the coast of New Jersey, the Morro Castle.
Towards the end of the year 1939, this ship was also requisitioned for navy service and it was in use as a troop carrier across the Atlantic. In 1946, it resumed its peace time role and it carried war brides from Europe to Canada.

During the following year, the Monarch of Bermuda was gutted by fire while it was undergoing re-fitting for further passenger service. The burned out shell was moved to Southampton where it was rebuilt and renamed New Australia. This ship made its first voyage to Australia, filled with English migrants in August 1950.

Subsequently, this ship was involved in a collision in Torres Straight north of Australia, it was then bought by a Greek company, modernized, and renamed Arkadia for use as a cruise ship. However, eight years later, it was sold for scrap in Spain.

Our third passenger liner in this feature was the Queen of Bermuda and this ship was also built at the Vickers Armstrong shipyards in England and launched one year later again after the previous ship. It was taken into passenger service in the Atlantic.

In August 1939, the Queen of Bermuda was requisitioned by the British navy, converted into a merchant cruiser, and taken into service in the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans. In 1961, the ship was completely rebuilt for passenger service, but five years later it was withdrawn from service, taken to Scotland, and scrapped.

Now, what about the matter of radio broadcasting from these three notable passenger liners? The Empress of Britain was described in the 1930s as the most active ship broadcaster during that era. It was on the air with music programs mainly, under the British callsign GMBJ. Program broadcasts from the Empress of Britain GMBJ were relayed off air by NBC in the United States, as well as by national networks in Canada, England, and Australia. This ship was often heard in radio contact with the marine radio station in Bermuda, and some times with spontaneous radio broadcasts for whoever might be listening.

The Monarch of Bermuda was often heard in contact with Bermuda Radio and New York Radio during the 1930s, and it was noted also with occasional spontaneous radio broadcasts and with relays to local mediumwave stations in the United States. This ship operated under several consecutive callsigns, such as the English registered GTSD, and the Canadian registered VTSX and VQJM.

Likewise, the Queen of Bermuda was also often heard by North American DXers in communication traffic with Bermuda Radio and New York Radio. This ship was also noted occasionally with program broadcasts, and it was on the air under two consecutive Canadian callsigns, VPTG and VQJP.

And what about QSL cards acknowledging the reception of radio broadcasts from these three passenger liners? We have never seen any, although it is possible that they do exist somewhere. Maybe some of these exotic QSL cards, if they do exist, will turn up one day in some old QSL collection in North America, or perhaps even in England.
(NWS 38 via Adrian Peterson)

ship photo Monarch of Bermuda/ancestry

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

2009-11-18T07:21:00.000-08:00

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2009 Nov 17 1851 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact: www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html
#

Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
09 - 15 November 2009

Solar activity was very low. No flares occurred during the summary period. Region 1030 (N25, L=046, class/area Cro/050 on 05 November) was observed to have a few spots without penumbra at the beginning of the period and rotated off the visible disk on 12 November. Old
Region 1029 (N17, L=213, class/area Eko/380 on 29 October), which rotated off the disk on 1 November, returned into view on 14 November as a spotless plage area. New Region 1031 (N30, L=257, class/area Bxo/010 on 15 November) emerged on the disk on 15 November. A small CME from the west limb was observed to enter the LASCO C2 field of view at 1254 UTC on 15 November. EUV imagery from the STEREO-A spacecraft clearly showed the source was in the vicinity of Region 1030 which was three days behind the limb at the time of the event.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at normal levels during the period.

The geomagnetic field was predominantly quiet throughout the summary period with the exception of a period of unsettled levels at high latitudes from 0600-1200 UTC on 09 November, a period of unsettled levels at some mid-latitude stations and active at high latitudes from 0900-1200 UTC on 14 November, and a period of unsettled levels at high latitudes from 1200-1800 UTC on 15 November. Solar wind observations from the ACE spacecraft showed a slow decline of solar wind velocity from about 450 km/s at the beginning of the period down to about 280 km/s by 2200 UTC on 11 November. In addition, the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) showed a small increase between 2000 UTC on the 13th through 1840 UTC on the 15th, with peak Bt values around 8 nT and peak negative Bz values around -6 nT.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
18 November - 14 December 2009

Solar activity is expected to be predominantly very low with just a slight chance for brief periods of low.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.
The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is

expected to be at normal levels through the period.

The geomagnetic field is expected to be mostly quiet for 18-19 November. An increase to unsettled with a chance for active periods is expected between 20-22 November due to effects from a favorably positioned coronal hole. Quiet levels are expected to prevail for the remainder of the interval from 23 November through 14 December.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2009 Nov 17 1851 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact: www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html
#
# 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
# Issued 2009 Nov 17
#
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2009 Nov 18 78 6 2
2009 Nov 19 78 7 2
2009 Nov 20 78 10 3
2009 Nov 21 76 15 3
2009 Nov 22 75 9 3
2009 Nov 23 72 6 2
2009 Nov 24 72 6 2
2009 Nov 25 72 5 2
2009 Nov 26 72 5 2
2009 Nov 27 70 5 2
2009 Nov 28 70 5 2
2009 Nov 29 70 5 2
2009 Nov 30 70 5 2
2009 Dec 01 70 5 2
2009 Dec 02 70 5 2
2009 Dec 03 70 5 2
2009 Dec 04 70 5 2
2009 Dec 05 70 5 2
2009 Dec 06 70 5 2
2009 Dec 07 70 5 2
2009 Dec 08 72 5 2
2009 Dec 09 72 5 2
2009 Dec 10 72 5 2
2009 Dec 11 75 5 2
2009 Dec 12 75 5 2
2009 Dec 13 75 5 2
2009 Dec 14 75 5 2
(NOAA)

BBG still attracting large radio audiences

2009-11-18T07:15:00.000-08:00

US international broadcasting attracted wide audiences worldwide in 2009, particularly in key countries including Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran, despite declines in press freedom and the targeting of journalists in some countries, the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) announced today.

More than 171 million people worldwide turn to US international broadcasts across media platforms every week for reliable news and information, according to the BBG’s independent research. This figure is statistically unchanged from the BBG’s global audience estimate of 175 million reported in June 2008 and represents an increase of more than 70 percent over the 100 million listeners and viewers in 2002.

Countries with the highest percentage of audience reach include Iraq (72 percent), Rwanda (72 percent), Kosovo (64 percent), Afghanistan (56 percent) and Haiti (50 percent). Audiences increased to a record 43 percent in Armenia and to 16 percent in Zimbabwe.

The largest audiences for US international broadcasting include Nigeria (22 million), Indonesia (16 million), Iran (14.5 million), and Iraq (11.7 million). The BBG’s first-ever survey of Niger found an audience of nearly 3 million in that country, while the first nationwide survey of Haiti found 1.4 million listeners. The audience also increased by 1.4 million in Egypt.

In order to reach key audiences on preferred media, the BBG has taken a number of strategic steps including continuing to increase TV offerings, expanding local FM presence where possible, and maximizing online content. Audience engagement through call-in shows and social networking is another priority effort.

Harassment and threats to journalists in Pakistan, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Cambodia along with persistent censorship in many countries including China, Iran and Cuba are ongoing challenges. Government crackdowns, most notably in Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan, prevented local radio and TV affiliates from carrying programming and caused declines in audience estimates. In addition, some radio audience declines were observed due to increased local competition, crowded FM markets and increased popularity of satellite TV.

At the same time, the BBG is delivering a significant amount of news on the Internet, via SMS text messaging and other new media platforms. The largest BBG Internet audiences are in Iraq, Oman, Kosovo, Morocco, and the UAE.

The BBG’s audience and market research is done independently via local market research firms around the world through a contract with the InterMedia Survey Institute. The standard measure of audience reach for the BBG and other international broadcasters is the number of adults (age 15 and above) who “listened or viewed last week.” The audience estimate includes research conducted over a three year period in 70 countries, including 39 in Fiscal Year 2009.

Audience reach is one criterion the BBG uses to assess effectiveness. Broadcasting impact on the target audience, audience perception of the broadcasters’ credibility and improved understanding of the United States and current events are also key indicators of effectiveness.

In many countries, audience samples are extremely limited and require audience members to acknowledge illegal listening and/or viewing, activities that result in severe penalties. Numbers for these hard to reach countries and regions such as Somalia, North Korea, Tibet, and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region are not included in the overall estimate. Such restrictive environments may make survey participants reluctant to reveal media habits that include banned international broadcasts.

The BBG is announcing its global audience estimate in conjunction with the release of the Fiscal Year 2009 Performance and Accountability Report.
(Source: BBG/Radio Netherlands Media network Weblog)

Chinese shortwave stations available on NK black market

2009-11-18T07:12:00.000-08:00

Radio Free Asia quotes a defector as saying that North Korea allowed ships to carry shortwave radios as a safety measure after a seismic wave struck North Korea’s East coast and killed thousands of fishermen in 2005. Radio channels were fixed to government frequencies, but North Koreans took advantage of this relative relaxation to begin smuggling in radios from China and are now selling them on the black market.

Pyongyang remains deeply wary of international broadcasts, said the defector, whose identity must remain a sceret. “The North Korean government’s biggest concern is international radio broadcasts like those of Radio Free Asia. Content promoting democracy and disclosing leaders’ corruption as well as North Korea’s human rights situation—the Kim Jong Il regime considers this its biggest threat. When people learn these things, they don’t believe in the regime anymore. In this context, I think those broadcasts are fulfilling their mission fully and serving as a pillar for the spirit of the North Korean people.”
(Source: Radio Free Asia/Radio Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Follow the latest from yahoo's 'shortwavesites' group

2009-11-17T17:04:00.000-08:00

Looking for a new way to follow the latest in the world of shortwave transmitter sites and info? Here's the latest from our Aussie friend Ian Baxter on yahoo's 'shortwavesites' group. Thanks Ian.
Gayle VH

I established the 'shortwavesites' Yahoo Group in 2005 & am the Owner of the group, Mauno Ritola (Finland) is the Moderator.

The idea for the creation of the group began began in the late 1990's from an idea inspired from Geoff Cosier (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) when his SW transmitter site listings were published in early editions of DX Australia's monthly magazine 'DXers Calling' from the 1983/84 era.

I started compiling the list of sites around the year 2003 & finally published the Excel Lists in 2005. The list & growth in material has grown greatly since that time thanks to the great efforts of a small handful of our members & a huge amount of research. We are however eager for much more material & offers of assistance.

Recently Jonathan Marks provided some publicity about our group on his web blog & we also appear in the Yahoo Groups section of the WRTH.

Full details about our group can be found on our website (which I need to update a little since the address/formatting change by the Google people).

http://sites.google.com/site/shortwavesites/

Hope this helps. Thanks :-)

Regards
Ian

real life on the North Sea

2009-11-17T16:52:00.000-08:00

Pirate Radio, the US version of the Richard Curtis movie, has opened in the US. It differs from the European version mainly by changing more of the facts to appeal to North American audiences. Even the European version isn’t factually accurate on many levels.

But there are a few people in the US who know what it was really like to work on offshore radio in the 1960s. Tom Lodge, who now lives in Santa Cruz County, was the first programme director of Radio Caroline. He tells the Santa Cruz Sentinel that the movie misses the import of the real story. “They made it a lot of fun with sex and drugs and rock ‘n’ roll,” he said. “But that’s not really what it was about then. It was about a transition in popular music. We changed the world.”

Tom Lodge said he sent his book and a screenplay based on it to writer/director Curtis but was told that the filmmaker was not interested in working with him. He hopes that the forthcoming publication of the book might one day spark another film to tell the “real” story of Radio Caroline

Complete article http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_13777887
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

WHRA confirmed as off the air

2009-11-17T07:32:00.000-08:00

I just spoke to Larry Vehorn, engineer for WHRI Cypress Creek, South Carolina, and he confirms that WHRA in Greenbush, Maine has signed off the air for good. All equipment has been dismantled. Former frequencies for WHRA have been reasigned for WHRI useage.
Gayle Van Horn, Frequency Manager, Monitoring Times

Bible Voice Broadcasting - B09 schedule followup

2009-11-16T18:00:00.000-08:00

Today's earlier post (which I have deleted) for the B09 multilingual schedule for Bible Voice Broadcasting, was sent to me earlier as the confirmed B09 schedule. Unfortunately, as happens from time to time as stations adjust their seasonal schedules, it was incorrect - infact, it was the A09 schedule!

I regret this, and apologize to my blog readers for this error. I plan to adjust my schedule (again) and will repost the correct B09 this time! Thanks for understanding.
Gayle Van Horn

Clandestine stations - B09 schedule revisions

2009-11-16T11:10:00.000-08:00

All times UTC

Transmitter sites via Armenia, Germany, Korean, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan

Radio Free Chosun is transmitted on Nov. 26 at 2000-2100 UT in Korean on 7515 kHz.

Radio Free Chosun
1200-1300 11560 via ERV
1230-1300 12085 via TAC
1545-1615 9940 via ERV
2000-2100 7515 via TAC 100kW 65deg WRN

RadioFree North Korea
1100-1200 12150 via DB
1300-1500 7490 via DB
1900-2100 7530 via ERV

Open Radio for North Korea
1300-1330 11640 via ERV
2100-2200 7510 via ERV

Effective from November 16, Open Radio for North Korea's new schedule:
1400-1430 7550 via TAC
2100-2200 7510 via ERV to Dec 15

CMI:Voice of Wilderness
1300-1400 9850 via ERV
2000-2100 Su. 5915 via WER
2000-2100 Sa. 1566 via HLAZ (ex. 2000-2030)

North Korea Reform Radio
1500-1600 7590 via TAC

Voice of Freedom
Re-activeted on Nov 1, stopped it from Oct 1.
1600-1700 6240 kHz via TAC
(Sei-ichi Hasegawa-JPN, NDXC Nov 7)
(BC-DX #938/wb, Germany)

Radio Netherlands Program Guide - Nov.16-20

2009-11-15T07:22:00.000-08:00

MONDAY Nov. 16

Curious Orange (primary program) ***
This week on Curious Orange - 1000 people in the Netherlands get divorced every week. The government says it's threatening society. The Dutch healthcare system is the best in Europe. But don't get sick if you're an illegal immigrant. Explore the secrets of the deep at Amsterdam's North Sea Underwater Film Festival. And find out what's making waves on the Dutch music scene.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.00 East Asia 12065, 6040, East China 9720
14.30 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.30 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.30 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
00.30 Europe
13.00 North America
14.30 Europe
22.10 Asia
23.10 North America and CBC

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
15.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.04 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.04 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
14.04 Europe
22.00 Asia
23.00 North America and CBC

*** Network Europe ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
19.04 East Africa 12045, West Africa 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
05.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** Euro Hit 40 ***

Europe's No.1 chart Show.

Broadcast times on WRN
05.20 North America

*** Classic Dox ***

'Family Mystery, Family Myths'

Producer Jonathan Groubert travels from Holland to the United States, England and Poland in search of the truth behind his family's emigration from Europe to

America at the turn of the twentieth century. He discovers some unexpected truths behind the family myths he grew up hearing.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.00 East Asia 12065, 6040, East China 9720

Broadcast times on WRN
13.20 North America

*** European Jazz Stage/ World Music ***

Jazz music programme hosted by Daniel Frankl.

*** Live! at the Concertgebouw ***

Live! at the Concertgebouw 2008

The Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Jaap van Zweden will play 'Four Last Songs' by Richard Strauss, Otto Ketting's 'Fourth Symphony'
and Franz Schubert's 'Ninth Symphony', also know as 'The Great'. The concert is hosted by Hans Haffmans and Cynthia Wilson.

TUESDAY 17 NOVEMBER
*** Network Europe ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
19.04 East Africa 12045, West Africa 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
05.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** The State We're In - Midweek Edition ***

We hear from a woman who has no regrets calling in the help of the union, even though she now fears losing her job and from a former union organiser who now
helps companies prevent and preclude unions from operating within their organisation.
RNW's Eric Beauchemin went to Mozambique and spoke with a man whose brother was killed by the police about what happened, and how his family eventually got justice.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.30 East Asia 12065, 6040, East China 9720
14.15 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.15 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.15 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
04.00 Africa and Asia
10.30 Africa and Asia
14.15 Europe

*** Live! at the Concertgebouw ***

Live! at the Concertgebouw 2009
The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra conducted by Herbert Blomstedt will perform Felix Mendelssohn's 'Overture The Hebrides' and 'Third Symphony' also known as the 'Scottish Symphony' and Carl Nielsen's 'Third Symphony'. Your host is Hans Haffmans.

*** Commonwealth Story ***

A selection of winning stories chosen from the large number of entries for the 2009 Commonwealth Short Story Competition.

This week's story by the regional winner for the Pacific Terri-Anne Green (Australia) is The colour of rain - A tender and moving story of drought and
childhood innocence.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.50 East Asia 12065, 6040, East China 9720

Broadcast times on WRN
00.50 Europe
04.25 Africa and Asia
10.50 Africa and Asia
22.50 Asia
23.50 North America and CBC

*** Classic Dox ***

'Ode to Josephine'

Producer Dheera Sujan takes a personal journey back to her childhood in India with her 'memories of a parallel mother'. Josephine Fernandez was her ayah(nanny) and as she shares the smells, sounds and tastes of childhood with her sister, she also hunts for a fish curry recipe to help pass the memories on to her own daughter.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.30 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
15.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.04 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.04 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
14.04 Europe
22.00 Asia
23.00 North America and CBC

WEDNESDAY 18 NOVEMBER
*** Network Europe ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
19.04 East Africa 12045, West Africa 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
05.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** Reloaded (primary program) ***

Another selection of this week's programme highlights presented by Mindy Ran.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
18.15 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.15 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
14.15 Europe
22.10 Asia

*** Classic Dox ***

'The Girl at the Window'

Producer Anna Yeadell searches for the artist of a painting which hangs on her wall. She has admired it since she first saw it in her grandparents' house.

Her quest leads her to Germany and a poignant meeting with 90-year-old artist Ursula Pusch-Wennrich who has her own remarkable story to tell.

*** Newsline ***

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
15.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.04 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.04 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
14.04 Europe
22.00 Asia
23.00 North America and CBC

THURSDAY 19 NOVEMBER
*** Network Europe ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
19.04 East Africa 12045, West Africa 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
05.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** Earth Beat (primary program) ***

On next week's Earth Beat meet Ric O'Barry, the world's most famous dolphin trainer has become the industry's worst enemy. "It wasn't until Flipper died that I walked away from that industry and never looked back. Actually, I did look back, and started throwing rocks." He's the star of the movie The Cove, a documentary that exposes the annual dolphin slaughter in Japan.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.00 East Asia 12065, 6040, East China 9720
14.30 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.35 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.15 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
04.00 Africa and Asia
05.10 North America
10.00 Africa and Asia
13.00 North America
14.00 Europe
17.30 Europe
22.10 Asia
23.10 North America and CBC

*** Classic Dox ***

'Cycling with Frits'

Producer David Swatling discovered a cassette tape made for him years ago by Dutch friend and photographer Frits de Ridder. A musical bicycle journey to the

Amsterdam countryside turns into an audio meditation on art and photography, AIDS and activism, and most of all - friendship.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
15.15 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595

*** Newsline ***

The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
15.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.04 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.04 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
14.04 Europe
22.00 Asia
23.00 North America and CBC

FRIDAY 20 NOVEMBER
* Network Europe ***

A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
19.04 East Africa 12045, West Africa 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
05.00 North America
17.00 Europe

*** Bridges with Africa (primary program) ***

We're giving the microphone to Diaspora groups in Europe and are linking up with stations in Africa. The show goes beyond the clichés of starving children

and war-ridden countries and seeks to bring you genuine voices from a vibrant continent.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
10.00 East Asia 12065, 6040, East China 9720
14.30 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.15 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.15 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
05.10 North America
10.00 Africa and Asia
13.00 North America
17.30 Europe
22.10 Asia
23.10 North America and CBC

*** Classic Dox ***

'Short Circuit'

Producer Michele Ernsting explores the neurological condition of synaesthesia - which literally means 'a crossing of the senses'. When she hears words, she

sees colours. To better understand her condition, she talks with experts as well as two artists who use their work to translate the complex landscapes of their minds.

*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
14.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
15.04 South and Southeast Asia 12080, 15595
18.04 East Africa 12045, Central and East Africa 11655, South Africa 6020
20.04 West Africa 21525, 11655, South and Central Africa 7425

Broadcast times on WRN
14.04 Europe
22.00 Asia
23.00 North America and CBC
(R Netherlands)

Radio St. Helena set for Saturday broadcast

2009-11-13T13:23:00.000-08:00

Radio St. Helena Day 2009 will be on Saturday, 14. November 2009

The "Party On-The-Air" will have the following schedule.

Time in UT Target Area(s)
2000-2100 India / Southeast Asia
2100-2200 Japan / Asia
2200-2330 Europe
2330-0100 North America / Central America / Caribbean

The transmission will be on 11092.5 kHz in Upper Side Band, as usual.

Email: radio.announcements4669@msn.com (must be in lower case letters)

Radio St. Helena is very pleased to announce that the newly designed RSD 2009 QSL cards will be sponsored by the highly respected Japan Short Wave Club. This good news has been reported by Mr. T. Ohtake of the JSWC. It can truly be said, that without the very generous help of the JSWC, there would not have been a RSD Revival in 2006.

To get a QSL from Radio St. Helena, you must send a written and verifiable reception report by AIRMAIL and include sufficient return postage. Email-reports will be not be verified. Recordings will not be returned. In EURO-countries, please send a 5-Euro banknote. Otherwise, please send 3 or more US dollar banknotes to cover the required return postage.

Radio St. Helena
P. O. Box 93
Jamestown, St. Helena
STHL 1ZZ
South Atlantic Ocean
via AIRMAIL
via United Kingdom & Ascension

The last two lines of the above address are very important and should be written as shown. Be sure to use sufficient postage on your letter to RSH. Ask at your local post office for the correct AIRMAIL postage for your letter to go all the way to St. Helena.

Emails and telephone calls from DXers everywhere are very welcome during the broadcasts. A special email address for RSD 2009 will, probably, be announced in October.

Gary Walters and his Team at RSH wish everyone excellent listening conditions, hope that you enjoy the programming, and hope that the sunspots will be kinder to us this year.

FRS Holland, Nov 15 broadcast

2009-11-13T13:16:00.000-08:00

FRS-Holland will be on air next Sunday November 15th 2009.
The broadcast will start at 07.52 UTC/ 08.52 CET sharp and close down will be at 12.35 UTC/13.35 CET.
Of course we do hope propagation will be satisfactory that day.
Programme line-up consists of FRS Magazine, German Service, FRS Goes DX and FRS Golden Show.

In addition an 'old' new presenter will make his debute show on FRS-Holland. We are very happy he has joined our team.

Ingredients....great music, DX News, letters, the day calendar for November 15th, various adior retelated items, the Phrase that Pays and extracts of landbased pirate station of the past.

Radio entertainment on a Sunday. Tune in...7600 kHz/ 39 metres ánd 5810 kHz / 51 metres (low power only). Info about the internet stream will be sent later this week.

One Sun Nov. 22nd FRS will be again on with a full repeat of upcoming Sunday's broadcast. Pxs on the 22nd will commence at 10.52 UTC/ 11.52 CET and 5810 will be replaced by another frequency. More info about that at a later stage.

All letters from the previous broadcasts are handled coming your way very soon (with the brandnew QSL cards). Emails have already been done. The tests on Oct. 4th & 11th produced over 100 reports from all over Europe and beyond. Thanks you all!!
(Peter V. (on behalf of the FRS staff)

Address: FRSH, P.O.Box 2702, 6049 ZG Herten in The Netherlands.
Free Radio Service Holland is an Independent and Free radio station broadcasting on SW since August 1980. Broadcasts are carried out in Dutch, German and English at an irregular basis on 48 & 41 metres.
(FRS -Holland)

Philippine DX News No. 33

2009-11-13T13:07:00.000-08:00

November 8, 2009

Hello everyone and welcome to the November edition of the Philippine DX News. This report No.33 and I’m Henry Umadhay in Antique, Philippines. Glad to be back and thank you for tuning by. In today’s program we have few items about FEBC new MW station, B09 Frequency Schedule and reception log.

First about FEBC AM Station DZMR

When the radio station -1143 AM DZMR Santiago, Isabela in Northern Philippines – begins its operation this year, there will be programs in Ilocano, Ibanag, Itawis and Kalanguya.

The goal is to broadcast in at least 14 local dialects and languages to reach more people groups especially in the mountainous areas of the Cagayan Valley and Cordillera regions including three people groups who were once headhunters.
Besides daily bible readings in Ilocano, 1143 DZMR Santiago will also produce original songs in all dialects that the broadcast reaches. When it is fully operational, the radio station will offer Christian programming to more people groups than any Christian radio station. This early, Back to the Bible- Philippines is planning to reach out to the Ilocano, Ibanag, Itawis and Kalanguya by producing radio programs which will be aired through DZMR Santiag 1143 Khz.

Radio Sweden
No More Printed Schedule or QSL Cards
With the start of the new transmission period for short and medium wave, as well as satellite, on October 25, Radio Sweden will only be publishing the broadcast schedule on the web.
This a logical consequence of the increasing importance of the internet as broadcast platform and because they stopped broadcasting their programs in Swedish.

At the same time they are simplifying their marketing and audience services.

At the same time they are discontinuing mailing QSL Cards to listeners in response to reception reports.

B09 Frequency Schedule
From October 25, 2009 – March 27, 2010

Deutsche Welle in English to the Philippines

0000-0100 UTC 7265 from Trincomalee
9785 from Trincomalee
15640 from Petropavl

0900- 1000 17710 from Trincomalee
21780 from Trincomalee

Deutsche Welle
German

0800-0958 17520 from Trincomalee

Radio Veritas Asia
Filipino

2300-2327 9720
1500-1553 11715

Radio Taiwan International
English to the Philippines

0100-0200 11875
1100-1200 11715

To Southeast Asia
0300-0400 15320
1100-1200 7445

FEBC in English
1400-1415 12025

Reception logs from TC Patterson

On October 18, 2009 T.C. did scan the 49 meter band and have listed some of the
stations he noted. .
Between 2030 and 2100:
5820 GERMANY – RFE/Radio Liberty relay via Biblis in Belorussian;
5830 KUWAIT – Radio Farda relay via Sulaibiyah in Persian; and
5885 VATICAN CITY – Vatican Radio from St Maria di Galeria in Arabic.
Between 2100 and 2130:
6075 UNITED KINGDOM – DW relay via Rampisham in German;
6085 JAPAN – Radio Japan (NHK) from Yamata in Japanese;
6115 PHILIPPINES – Radio Veritas Asia from Palauig in Mandarin; and
6145 FRANCE – CRI relay via Issoudun in Albanian.
All of these heard using the ICOM R75 receiver.

Our 2nd year anniversary QSL Card is still available. And our 3rd QSL Card is available. For your reception report, please send 1-IRC International Reply Coupon. Return postage will be greatly appreciated.

And friends, if you want to get the transcript of today’s Pilipinas DX news, please visit http (colon – double-forward slash) pilipinasdx (dot) wordpress (dot) com. That’s http (colon – double-forward slash) pilipinasdx (dot) wordpress (dot) com. OR http://pilipinasdx.blogspot.com , or you may want to send us your comments, suggestions, reception logs, and information’s to pilipinasdx@yahoo.com . That’s P-I-L-I-P-I-N-A-S-D-X for PilipinasDX [at] yahoo [dot] com.
This has been Henry Umadhay for Wavescan in Antique, Central Philippines saying…
Mabuhay! At Maraming Salamat po!
(Henry Umadhay/Cumbre DX)