Friday, February 27, 2009

Blog Logs - Africa

Blogs Logs - Africa

All times UTC // parallel frequency *sign-on sign-off*

Ascension Island
BBC relay. 7160, 0535. English service with discussion on Formula One and yacht racing. Fair signal quality. BBC relay noted on 7160, 0520-0538. Mid-week wake up show for Africa. Music in several languages with multiple announcers in English. Weather for several African capitals. Good signal quality. (Jow Wood, TN).


Botswana
4930, VOA relay, via Moepeng Hill. 0320-0330, Feb 10,. Group of people discussing current events in English. Poor signal quality. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Chad
Radio National Tchadienne via N'djamena. 4905, 0602-0610. Brief comments in vernacular language, followed by African style music. Talk resumed amid good signal despite CODA interference. (Jim Evans, TN).

Radio Tchad, Gredia, N'Djaména, 4905, 1900-2230*, Feb 04, 06, 07, 08, 09, 11, 12, 13 and 14. French talk, Afropop to a period of steady drum beats until 2200. Newscast and comments to ID. Martial anthem at 2229. SINPO 44444 with QRM from weaker Tibet from *2050. (Bolland, Mille, Otávio, Petersen and Romero). Also heard at 0515-0604, Feb 05 and 11, "toujour jamais" phone in speaker in French and song, 0600 comments in Arabic and ethnic music, 44524. (Liangas and Romero/DX Window 371)

Djibouti
Rdif. TV de Djibouti, Arta, 4780, 0310-0337, Feb 02 and 10. Qu'ran type praying and talk in Middle Eastern language. Signal poor to fair. (Bolland and Ronda). Also heard at 2038-2043, Feb 8, vernacular by man, 34333. (Mille/DX Window 371

Egypt
Egyptian Radio. 6290, 0522-0527. Two male host trading Arabic announcements and talk. Call-in show to news and items about countries in Africa. (Joe Wood, TN).

Radio Wadi el-Nil. 9250, 2115-2130. Ten minutes of Arabic music to 2115. Time pips at 2130, followed by apparent station ID and newscast. Signal just a whisper over noted interference, but no fading noted. (Bruce Barker, PA).

Equatorial Guinea
Radio Africa. 15190, *1517-1530. Abrupt sign-on with station's usual English religious announcement. Gospel music during fair signal level but poor audio level with slight distortions and low modulation. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Radio Nacional-Malabo. 6250, 0533-0545. Spanish announcement to "Radio Malabo" identification. Brief breaks of Afro-pop music to phone conversation. This station not heard everyday. 6250, *0517-0605 with abrupt sign-on with Afro-pop music to lite instrumentals and Spanish ballads. "Radio Malabo" ID and "Radio Nacional" ID. Signal very weak at sign-on but improved to a good level by 0555. 6250, 0622-0645 in Spanish. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Radio Nacional-Bata. 5005, 2245-2258.* Afro-pop music to Spanish announcements. Station sign-off with national anthem at 2255. Fair signal quality. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Radio Nacional (tentative). 5005, 0534-0547. Fair reception of high-life music and songs. A good evening for African reception, as it is not often I hear this station this well. (Ron Howard, CA).

Eritrea
Radio Bana, Asmara, 5100, 1741-1745, Feb 13. Discussion vernacular language. SINPO 22332.(Mille/DX Window 371)

Ethiopia
Radio Ethiopia 7165, *0659-0725. Sign-on with interval signal on electronic keyboard, followed by Amharic talk. Horn of Africa music noted weak but readable. Some occasional amateur radio interference (Brian Alexander, PA).

Radio Ethiopia 9560.31v, 1800-1815. Tentative on station noting Horn of Africa music style to text in unidentified language in echo effect. Signal drifting up to 9560.36 by 1810. Signal poor in noisy conditions. (Brian Alexander, PA).

Radio Ethiopia. 9560.28v, 1815-1833.* Talk in unidentified language to local Horn of Africa style music. Abrupt sign-off. Frequency varying between 9560.0-9560.30 as signal observed weak to poor. very poor on // 7165 covered by Iran's sign-on at 1825 (Brian Alexander, PA).

Radio Ethiopia 9704.18, 2025-2101.* Horn of Africa style music to Amharic talk. Station sign-off with national anthem at 2058. Good strong signal, fair on // 7110. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Radio Fana. 6890.0, 2025-2059.* Amharic talk to regional music. Station signal fair, observing stronger on // 6110, but with co-channel QRM. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Radio Fana via Addis Ababa. 6110, 0428-0434. Horn of Africa style music to Oromo talk via announcer. Moderate signal, easily dominating co-channel interference. Observed // 6890 much weaker. SINPO 33333. (Jim Evans, TN).

Guinea
Radio Conakry, Sonfonia (tentative), 7125, 2224-2241, Feb 06. African music to unreadable talk. Signal with low modulation. SINPO 22322. (Otávio/DX Window 371)

Liberia
ELWA. 6070, 2240-2302.* Religious music to announcers' talk segment. Sign-off with national anthem. Signal weak under a strong Romanian signal, though in the clear after Romania's sign-off at 2257 (Brian Alexaner, PA).

Madagascar
RTB Malagasy, Antananarivo. 5009.96, 0203-0232. Music program with choral-like tunes and instrumnetal ballads. Cover of Beatles Obladee Oblada tune in presumed Malagasy. Signal good at tune-in, deteriorating by 0230. (Scott Barbour, NH)

Radio Nasionaly Malagasy. 5009.92, 1508. Surprised to hear this station for the first time in the conventional DSB mode. (Ron Howard, CA).

Radio Dabanga via Madagascar. 13800, 0515-0527.* Arabic text to ID and jingles. Fair signal on // 7315 via Germany, poor due to strong tone on frequency. (Brian Alexander, PA).

3215, Radio Feon'ny Filazantsana, via Talata-Volonondry, 1628-1645, Feb 11 and 13. Malagasy religious talks and hymns by vocal and choir, 34333 Utility QRM. Off when rechecked at 1657. (Petersen). 3215, Cf. UNID in DX-Window no. 370: In the last of December 2008, I made daily recordings on 3215 between 1625 and 1710 of this station. Daily I had a very weak station with few talking and religious music. On Dec 21 the signal was best and I am quite sure this was this station ending around 1700.(Van Arnhem, Feb 10/DX Window 371)

Mauritania
Radio Mauritanie. 4845, 0740-0801. Arabic and French service for program mix. Arabic readings from the Qu'ran, followed at 0745 by news presumed by mentions of names/place names. Musical signature at 0800, followed by "As Salaam Alaykum." 4845, 0815 in Arabic and mentions of Mohammed. (Bruce Barker, PA)

RTV Mauritania via Nouakchott. 4845, 2335-2345. Arabic programming from announcer duo. Observed good signal with substantial audio. SINPO 43333. (Jim Evans, TN).

Morocco
9575, Radio Mediterranee International, Nador, 1940-1945, Feb 07. French news, correspondents reports to music. SINPO 55555. (Romero/DX Window 371)

Nigeria
Radio Nigeria. 6090, 0352-0410. Very tentative on this station. Anguilla station not heard until after a check at 0502, so was able to hear possibly Nigeria with non-stop repitive music and mixing with station in Portuguese (probably Brazil's Rádio Bandeirantes on 6089.94). Nigeria also on low side of 6090, poor, but still nice to hear something other than Anguilla. (Ron Howard, CA).

4770, Radio Nigeria, Kaduna, *0429-0525, Feb 04. Drums, choral national anthem, prayer in English. Announcer's station ID to opening announcement. Program previews and music to 0459 drums followed by ID. Time check and news. Signal Poor to fair with some utility QRM. (D'Angelo). Also heard at 2022-2130, Feb 05 and 15, English talk and music. Station ID as, "Radio Nigeria." SINPO 35443. (Mille and Romero/DX Window 371)

Voice of Nigeria. 15120, 1856-1905. English commentary to station identification and frequency schedule. Pop music, ID repeat and news at 1900. Modearte signal quality, improving in strength over the time. SINPO 34333. (Jim Evans, TN).

São Tomé e Príncipe
Affia Darfur, Washington, via Pinheira, 4960, 0315-0330*, Feb 10 and 11, Arabic comments about Darfur, 33443 CODAR QRM. (Bolland and Petersen/DX Window 371)

Seychelles
BBC relay via Mahe. 11860, 1703. English news regarding "futbol" game and South African Parliament to station ID. Signal poor. (Scott Barbour, NH).

Sudan
Presumed station as Radio Omdurman, Khartoum. 7200, 0242-0303. Arabic service for announcer's text to Qu'ran recitations. Presumed ID though too much 7205 VOA Persian service via Wertachal, Germany for anything solid. Brief items from announcer to music at 0300. Signal fair at tune-in and no sign of listed Bulgaria. (Scott Barbour, NH).

Republic of Sudan Radio. 7200, 0537-0547. Arabic text via male/female host to talk and music mix of Middle Eastern and Sub-Saharan music. Mentions of Khartoum. Dead air from 0553-0600 when a lively lady hostess came back on. (Joe Wood, TN).

Swaziland
Trans World Radio relay via Manzini. 4775, 0414-0425. German service including religious choir music and talk from lady hostess. Apparent religious sermon at 0422. Good signal despite CODAR interference. SINPO 33333. (Jim Evans, TN).

Trans World Radio relay via Manzini. 4775, 0350-0415. German religious service followed by brief religious music and abrupt carrier drop at 0358. Program back at 0400 with English ID by male/female in German. Religious vocals amid very good signal quality. SINPO 43333. (Jim Evans, TN).

Tunisia
RTV Tunisiene. 7275, 0510-0520. Arabic service including talk and comments, followed by dramatic operetta style vocal music accompanied by orchestra and piano. Signal very good. SINPO 44333. (Jim Evans, TN).

Uganda
UBC Red channel, Kampala, 4976, 2017-2022, Feb 08. Recitatyions. SINPO 44333. (Mille). Also heard at 0512, Feb 12, talks, hip hop music, S2, QRM from 4975. (Liangas/DX Window 371)

Zambia
Radio Christian Voice via Lusaka. 4965, 0255-0305. Vernacular programming including contemporary Christian music to announcer's text after 0300. Good signal with heavy fading and less distinct audio during talk segment. Difficult to determine language, but did not appear to be English. SINPO 34323. (Jim Evans, TN).

Radio Zambia/Radio One (presumed). 5925, 0413-0426. Call-in program in Vernacular language with high-life music between calls. Signal almost fair but troubled with being over modulated. (Ron Howard, CA).

ZNBC. 5915, *0248-0300. Station sign-on with Fish Eagle interval signal to choral national anthem at 0250. Vernacular language talk to local choral music and possible religious text. Signal poor with adjacent co-channel splatter. (Brian Alexander, PA).

Zimbabwe
ZBC Gweru. 3396, 0249-0303. Lite Afro pop music to announcer Vernacular item as he talks over the music at 0300. Presumed news headlines to 0303. Signal observed as poor-weak. (Scott Barbour, NH)

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Afghanistan - The Remains of Radio Sohl


Thanks to our contributor Al Muick, for the update on Radio Sohl
Gayle VH

Over the past week I have been talking to various intel people and spooks who are here on base. I have been directed to this area of Kandahar where there is a fixed frequency dipole, roughly about ½ wave at 6700 kHz along with its ATU (antenna tuning unit).

The picture does not show the antenna very well, but it is still there and in good condition. One of the photos shows the sealed container where the transmitter lies and the transmission cable is buried underground. In the foreground of this picture is a communications satellite and I do not yet know if this is part of the Radio Solh operation.

I am trying to find someone who may have keys or know who has the keys to the container so I can get a good shot of the transmitter. I will take better pictures of the antenna and ATU in the coming days for your publication use. Please bear with me as I have to work this in between setting up the internet service on base here. I’m working 14 hour days and am quite exhausted at the end of it.

I have been told that the studios, etc., have already been dismantled and removed.

Best 73,
Al Muick
Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Blogs Logs - focus on the Subcontinent


All times UTC // parallel frequency *sign-on sign-off*

India
All India Radio reported everyday while on DXpedition. Good signal and no interferences observed. Monitored on the following AIR frequencies from 0030.

AIR-Imphal 4775
AIR-Bhopal 4810
AIR-Gangtok 4835 (first log of this site)
AIR-Mumbai 4840
AIR-Lucknow 4880
AIR-Jaipur 4910
AIR-Chennai 4920
AIR-Guwahati 4940
AIR-Shillong 4970
AIR-Thinanvatapuram 5010
AIR-Jeypore 5040
(Arnaldo Slaen, Buenos Aires, Argentina)

All India Radio-Bangalore. 9445, 2100. Newscast to 2105 including items on US relations with politics. Engineer missed several program cues for canned spots and music, but finally was nudged awake by 2115! Knock your socks off signal but over modulated (Bruce Barker, PA).

All India Radio-Bangalore. 9690, 1427. Subcontinental music to lady announcer's English reference to Listener's Choice music program (Ron Howard, CA).

All India Radio-Bangalore. (tentative) 9870, 1359-1427. Subcontinental music and vocal tune to CRI (China) sign-on at 1400 which was stronger than AIR (Ron Howard, CA).

All India Radio-Bangalore. 11620, 2219. Forestry and Glocal Ecology program. SIO 444. (Robin Tancoo, Trinidad)

All India Radio-Bangalore. 11620, 2223-2230.* Featured program on music and musical artist. Station identification followed by traditional Indian music. Voice-overs of closing program routine of announcements and schedules . Moderate signal despite fading. No parallel frequencies audible. SINPO 34323 (Jim Evans, TN).

All India Radio-Chennai. 4920, 0112-0130. Vernacular language programming with presumed call-in program. Piercing flute music bits at 0127, followed by various announcers and music segments (Scott Barbour, NH).

All India Radio-Guwahati. 4940, 1150-1200. Deep-voiced lady announcer amid muffled audio 1220-1205. Possible newscast, no ID observed. return to music by 1205. Speech coverage at 1227 recheck. Great signal. (John Wilkins, CO).

All India Radio-Hyderabad. 7140, 0537. Hindi service including commercials and station identification. Fair signal considering the time of the day and frequency. (Al Muick, Kabul, Afghanistan).

All India Radio-Lucknow. 4880, 1208-1213. Usual AIR interval signal. Announcer's opening routine of announcements at 1215 into vocal music by male chorus. (John Wilkins, CO).

All India Radio-Panaji (Goa). 9820, 1303-1310. Listed as Sinhala. Hindi-like musical ballads to announcer's text. Observed // 7270 AIR-Chennai. Signal poor with amateur radio operators interference (Scott Barbour, NH).

All India Radio-Panaji (Goa). 9705, *2245-2300. Interval signal at 2244 to English station identification and opening announcement at 2245. Traditional vocal music. Station ID and newscast at 2300. Signal generally poor, though gradually improving on peaks over time. All parallel frequencies checked, but nothing heard. SINPO 23222 (Jim Evans, TN).

All India Radio-Shillong. 4970, 1507-1512. Local programming in English, switching over to New Delhi programming at 1512, which becomes // 9425. Have observed AIR always switches over to New Delhi programming at 1512, and continue such to "news at nine" until 1545. Afterwards, AIR switches to local Shillong programming until 1631 sign-off (Ron Howard, CA).

New DRM Receiver announced

The Di-Wave receiver from UniWave Development SAS, France is expected to make its debut March 25, 2009 at the DRM General Assembly in Germany. This is a SW/MW/LW/FM radio with DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) on SW, MW and LW. More information on this page. It will also be the first consumer DRM receiver authorized by the FCC for sale in the USA (though approval has not yet been granted). When authorization is received, the UniWave Di-Wave will be available from Universal Radio at http://www.universal-radio.com/.
(Source: 26MHz.us/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

39 Dover Street program schedule

All times UTC

Sunday, March 1, 2009 9510 at 1230
7290 at 1815

Guest program - Pandora from Radio Caroline (My first day off in three years!)

Sunday, March 8, 2009 as above, the first in a short series featuring Music from Spain - Mutenrohi.

Sunday, March 15, 2009 as above, music from La Shica.
Sunday, March 22, 2009 as above, music from 0801.

We are also on Saturdays - 9510 at 0945, 7290 at 1915 which are repeats of recent programs, all through IRRS.
(Stephen John Jones)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2009 Feb 24 2151 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
16 - 22 February 2009

Solar activity was very low. No flares were observed. The visible disk was spotless.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at high levels during 16 - 18 February.

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet levels during most of the period. ACE solar wind velocities decreased from 523 to 282 km/sec during 16 - 18 February as a recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream (CH HSS) subsided. Solar wind velocities gradually increased from 282 to 490 km/sec during 19 - 22 February, possibly due to a recurrent HSS. During this period, IMF Bz varied from +08 to -06 nT and IMF Bt ranged from 01 to 10 nT.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
25 February - 23 March 2009

Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to increase to high levels during 14 - 18 March. Normal flux levels are expected during the rest of the period.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at predominantly quiet levels during 25 February - 12 March. Activity is expected to increase to quiet to active levels during 13 - 14 March with storm periods possible at high latitudes due to a recurrent CH HSS. Activity is expected to decrease to mostly quiet levels during 15 - 23 March.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2009 Feb 24 2152 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 Feb 24
#
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2009 Feb 25 70 5 2
2009 Feb 26 70 5 2
2009 Feb 27 70 5 2
2009 Feb 28 70 5 2
2009 Mar 01 70 5 2
2009 Mar 02 70 5 2
2009 Mar 03 70 5 2
2009 Mar 04 70 5 2
2009 Mar 05 70 5 2
2009 Mar 06 70 5 2
2009 Mar 07 70 5 2
2009 Mar 08 70 5 2
2009 Mar 09 70 5 2
2009 Mar 10 70 5 2
2009 Mar 11 70 5 2
2009 Mar 12 70 5 2
2009 Mar 13 70 12 4
2009 Mar 14 70 10 3
2009 Mar 15 70 5 2
2009 Mar 16 70 5 2
2009 Mar 17 70 5 2
2009 Mar 18 70 5 2
2009 Mar 19 70 5 2
2009 Mar 20 70 5 2
2009 Mar 21 70 5 2
2009 Mar 22 70 5 2
2009 Mar 23 70 5 2
(NOAA)

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Shortwave Blog "Bytes" on Mardi Gras Day

Welcome to February 24th, where most places its just Tuesday - but in New Orleans it's Mardi Gras Day, also known as Fat Tuesday. No one does this crazy day of wildness quite like New Orleans. WWL AM 870 will keep you up to date at www.wwl.com/ Check out the craziness also at http://www.nola.com/ and http://www.mardigras.com/ with live Mardi Gras parades, updates and more.

On this special day, here's the latest "bytes" from the world of shortwave radio! Laissez le bon temp rouler !!
Gayle Van Horn

All times UTC // parallel frequency *sign-on sign-off*

Adventist World Radio QSLs
11780 Adventist World Radio via Wertachtal, Germany. Full data E-QSL received after several attempts. Reply in seven months total for an initial email report to: QSL-Shortwave@media-broadcast.com Veri signer Michael Puetz. (Edward Kusalik, Canada)

All India Radio launches first digital radio transmission
From Delhi in shortwave band using DRM Technology on Jan 16 for the following services:
9950 GOS-IV 1745-1945 UK and WEST EUROPE
9950 HINDI 1945-2045 UK and WEST EUROPE
9950 GOS-V 2045-2230 UK and WEST EUROPE
6100 VIVIDH BHARATI SERVICE 1430-1730 800 Km. radius (Approx.) (AIR Website via Gupta) (DX Window # 371)

Australian DX Report # 139 available for download
The latest episode, No. 139, of the Australian DX Report, a weekly audio news magazine with news and information about shortwave broadcasting, from an Australian perspective, is now available.

It's 14 mins 32 secs, and may be downloaded from

http://airm.edxp.org

The site allows you to listen to the ADXR and other audio features directly (streaming audio) via your MP3 player, or via the site's embedded mini-player. Podcasts, iTunes capability, full RSS/XML/Atom feeds, and free subscriptions are supported - full details are at the site.

The ADXR is compiled from the resources of the Electronic DX Press Radio Monitoring Association.

Your comments and feedback are particularly important!

You can also hear the episodes on-air, via WWCR Nashville, every Sunday at 0300-0315 on 5070 and on Mondays 1245-1300 on 15825. The WWCR release is also available as streaming-audio, live, from http://wwcr.com

Good listening to the Australian DX Report Episode No. 139!
Bob Padula,
Melbourne

BBC's secret war with with offshore radio stations
They are now fondly remembered for helping kickstart the swinging Sixties and revolutionising the airwaves forever. But the fear that the arrival of offshore pirate radio stations drove into the broadcasting establishment has only now become clear. Previously unseen documents from the BBC archives disclose how the corporation was so alarmed at the rise of the stations that it launched a secret “dirty tricks” campaign to have them shut down.

Related story from Telegraph .co.uk
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/4741298/BBCs-secret-war-with-the-pirates.html
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Brazil on 9819.47
Radio Nove de Julho, Sao Paulo, 9819.47. Spanish at 1330-1335 on Feb 21, Portuguese, ID & announcement as; "A Radio Nove da Julho, emissora catolica...". Time check to program conducted by male/female duo. SINPO 34433. (Arnaldo Slaen-ARG, DXplorer Feb 21/BC-DX #900)

Canada's CHU QSLs in four hours
7850 CHU E-QSL from reception report replied in four hours.
"Thank you for the reception report from Deutschland.
A QSL card will be sent to you soon."
Regards, Raymond Pelletier
(DX Window)



Canada's CHU contact address
Government of Canada, Frequency and Time Institute for National Measurement Standards National Research Council Canada M-36, Room 1026, 1200 Montreal Road Ottawa, Canada K1A 0R6 Tel: (613) 993-3430 Fax: (613) 952-1394 raymond.pelletier@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca (Friedrich-Walter Adam-D, A-DX Feb 19/BC-DX # 900)

China's CRI Newsradio now also on shortwave
My colleague Ehard Goddijn reports that China’s CRI Newsradio is now broadcasting on shortwave. Noted on 11790 and 9665 kHz at 1300 UTC with English ID and programming in Chinese in parallel with the Internet audio stream. These shortwave frequencies are not listed in ILG/HFCC B08. The station also broadcasts on satellite. Related story: http://blogs.rnw.nl/medianetwork/china-radio-international-launches-new-domestic-fm-channel . (R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Clandestine to Ethiopia
9695 \\ 11760 Voice of the Oromo Liberation targeted to Ethiopia, via Wertachtal, Germany. Audible 1617-1659* Feb 1. Program of commentary and interview and talks about situation in Ethiopia, Horn of Africa musical breaks, off with Horn of Africa musical interlude at 1659 after closing notes by female speaker in Oromo language. Frequency 9695 kHz was stronger but prone to het whistle with 11760 kHz better audio.(Edward Kusalik, Canada/DXplorer Feb 15/BC-DX #900)

Clandestine - Open Radio for North Korea contact address
Station broadcast in Korean on 7390 kHz.
Open Radio for North Korea
P.O.Box 158
Mapo, Seoul, 121-600
Republic of Korea

Clandestine - Free Radio for North Korea feedback
7585, Free North Korea, via Uzbekistan. No data thank you letter with history of their station and the movement via email in 64 days for email report in English. Veri signer, Min Jae Oh, mjoh6701@naver.com . Text of letter is below:

"Dear Albert Muick,
Thank you so much for your kind and detailed reception report. Please have all our staffs thanks and appreciation!

Free North Korea Radio is a non-profit organization which is consisted of NK defectors and has been devoted for the dissemination of the idea of freedom and democracy to North Koreans who are deprived of basic human rights, and to raise awareness of the North Korean human rights situation in South Korea and the international community.

FNKR started its internet broadcasting toward North Koreans at December, 2003 and now expanded its activity to shortwave radio broadcasting for 5 hours per day. FNK Network is consisted of "Free NK Radio" which delivers democracy and latest news from the world, "NK Information Center" which provides NK related confidential information, "NK defectors Rescue Center" which is committed to rescue the NK defectors from repatriation to NK and "Voice of Freedom Radio" which delivers Gospel to NK people. FNKR will continue to encourage North Korean people to establish for themselves a democratic, sovereign and liberal government. And in order to achieve this historical goal, FNK Network will strive to broadcast more influential, relevant and practical programs and to provide NK's hidden truth as well. Many thanks again. With Best Regards, Min Jae Oh mjoh6701@naver.com ". (Muick, Feb 10/DX Window # 371)

Greenland in the clear
3815, KNR, Tasiilaq, 2042-2047, Jan 27. Talk, very weak, 15321. (Mille). Also a seldom catch at 2125-2135, Feb 16, announcer in Greenlandic, songs, 2130 KNR news jingle and news. SINPO 24322. QRM female netcall from Russian airports *2127-2128*. (Petersen/DX Window 371)

Greenland logging using a Web receiver in the United Kingdom
Greenland 3815USB, Kalaalit Nunaata Radio 2115-2130. Non stop unrecognizable pop music to 2130. Announcer with five words with separation between each, quite probably a countdown. Musical fanfare signature, then male announcer with presumed news in Kalaallisut(?) or similar Inuit language. Sound very much like Quechua!! 2142 same fanfare as outro, then PSA by woman annnouncer then male announcers, 2143-2144 brief feature intro then male announcer in presumed Kalaallisut. What sounded like another feature from 2145-2154 presented by male announcer. Long pop song with vocals 2154-2159. Then the same canned public service announcement by woman announcer in presumed Kalaallisut. Announcer then heard in English as earlier at 2142 with the English portion sounding like "?? for fighting the ?? people.example.programs ?? open to you. You can enter your.". 2159 countdown by woman again ending with tone denoting top of the hour, then same fanfare and woman announcer with apparent news to at least 2205. Signal poor to fair but clear. Heard on a Bedfordshire, UK Web receiver. (21 Feb.) (Dave Valko, PA/Cumre DX)

Honduras' HRMI log
3339.98 HRMI-Radio Misiones Interrnacional, 0815-0835, Feb 20, Spanish ballads to Spanish ID announcement at 0830 as "Radio Misiones Internacionales." Very good signal. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Iran IRIB contacts
IRIB - Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting contact:
sw@irib.com Website: http://www.irib.com/
(BC-DX # 900)

Kuwait reactivates 11990
Radio Kuwait 11990 (reactivated). English service with Under the Umbrella of Islam program followed by pop music and rap music. Station ID at 1828 ID to frequencies announced as; " 963 kHz, 96.3 MHz and 11990 kHz for Europe and North America." Five plus one time pips at 1830 followed by ID and local time check as "7:30 PM Kuwait local time." Good signal, I checked for this during the week but unheard so not sure when it returned. Nice to have the English service back. (D'Angelo/DX Window # 371)

Myanmar on 5985.77
5985.77-.81v Myanma Radio. Randomly heard from 1318 to 1531, Feb 20. They have switched back to the transmitter I assume is located at Yagon, as opposed to the usual transmitter at this time from Nay Pyi Taw, which has a steady frequency of 5985.00 kHz. Yesterday after 1500, noted VOR (sounded to be in Turkish), with a much stronger signal than Myanmar, both on 5985.0 kHz. So do they hope for better reception being slightly off-frequency or are they just doing maintenance/repair work at Nay Pyi Taw? Noted a distinct drifting down in frequency. Was in vernacular till English at 1530. (Ron Howard, CA)

New broadcaster aims to awaken the Netherlands
The Telegraaf Media Groep (TMG), which publishes the populist newspaper De Telegraaf, is
planning to set up its own public broadcasting association. TMG hopes to go on air next
year under the name Wakker Nederland (Awake Netherlands). Andy Sennitt's feature article http://www.radionetherlands.nl/features/media/090217-telegraaf-broadcasting
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Opposition radio, Voice of Asena also broadcast in Arabic
Radio Asena, known as Dimtsi Asena and Sewt Asena in Tigrigna and Arabic respectively, yesterday (Feb 20) aired successfully “the first ever Arabic broadcast to Eritrea by an independent opposition media” [According to Dave Kernick, that claim is not correct - see comments]. With that, Radio Asena has kept its promise and declared its objective of broadcasting to Eritrea in two languages, Mondays and Wednesdays in Tigrigna and Fridays in Arabic [1730-1800 UTC on 9610 kHz].

Related story at: http://blogs.rnw.nl/medianetwork/eritrean-opposition-group-to-start-shortwave-broadcasts-on-16-february

Dave's comments:
Confirmed that this broadcast is brokered by TDP as it’s now appeared on TDP’s website schedule, so presumably it will be via the same 250 kW transmitter in Samara (Russia) as is used for other Eritrean and Ethiopian opposition broadcasts on that frequency.
(Source: Eritrea Daily/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Press freedom body to launch new radio station
Dave Kernick writes: Radio France International’s [RFI] “African Media” programme on 20 February featured a discussion about the new Eritrean opposition radio Voice of Asena. Concluding the programme, presenter Zeenat Hansrod asked Reporters Sans Frontieres [RSF] representative Leonard Vincent about his organization’s plan for a new radio station:
ZH: “Leonard Vincent, I understand that RSF will soon launch a radio station as well?”
LV: “Yes, we have a similar project. In fact, we’re going to try to be on Arabsat broadcasting satellite, radio made by journalists in exile.
ZH: “Then when will that project take place?”
LV: “Well, in the coming weeks, we intend to start broadcasting during, let’s say, in April”
TH: “Thank you Leonard Vincent from Reporters Without Borders in Paris”.

Reporters Sans Frontieres, known in English as Reporters Without Borders, is a Paris-based organization campaigning for press freedom.
(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Voice of Asena QSLs
New opposition station via TDP - Voice of Asena from Feb. 16:
1730-1800 on 9610 SAM 250 kW 188 deg to EaAf Mon/Wed/Fri in Tigrinya
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Feb 16)

I am happy to announce that I got a very nice, personal letter in English, confirming my reception of Voice of Asena on 9610 kHz on the 16th of February. The director and founder, Amanuel Eyasu, says that I was the first to send them feedback trough a detailed report. When you say "Asena" to a person it means "that you are happy about something", so I say
"Asena" to you all.

Website: http://www.assenna.com/
Email to the station: aseye.asena@googlemail.com
(Bjoern Fransson-SWE, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Feb 17/BC-DX #900)

Polish Radio Warsaw - English schedule via Media Broadcast
Effective to 29 March 2009
1300-1400 on 9450 WER 100 kW 300 deg to WeEu English
1800-1900 on 6015 WER 040 kW 300 deg to NoEu English DRM
1800-1900 on 7345 ISS 250 kW 025 deg to NoEu English
(BC-DX #900)

Radio Free Asia via Itanawila, Sri Lanka
9385 RFA/Iranawila. *1700-1730 Feb 15. Ststion identification as "This is Radio Free Asia..the following program is in Korean". Noted with interviews, English audio clips commentary and a report about Iranian and North Korean relations. (Edward Kusalik-Daysland-Alb-CAN, DXplorer Febr 16/BC-DX #900)

Russia's GTRK on 7320
GTRK Magadan; 0220-0300, 7320, Feb 03. Local to regional programming scheduled from 0210 to 0300, on weekdays only; in Russian. Observerd before 0230 phone numbers given and singing jingle. After 0230 many mentions of Magadan, sounded like an interview. Played Russian pop songs and ballads. Programa Radio Rossii at 300. Reception would have been fair except for a moderately strong heterodyne. Have not listened to Magadan in over a month, so assume this
heterodyne is a new development. I asked Mauno Ritola, if he could also hear this heterodyne
and asked for his opinion/ comments about it: "I can also hear the heterodyne, actually 600 Hz on both sides. It looks like it is separate from the Magadan transmitter, ..when I switch to another antenna, the strength of the side carriers change independently of Magadan audio and carrier. Hopefully it goes away." (Ron Howard, CA/DX Window # 371)

Solomon Islands on 9545.5
9541.5 Radio Happy Isles on Feb 22 with best signal heard yet, S 4 level. Signal good enough to detect a strong hum or other transmitter distortion on the frequency - couldn't tune it out by varying frequency. The signal was also good enough for me to record at 6 kHz bandwidth -
normally I don't exceed 5 kHz.

From 0849 UT tune, pop music to local commercials. Program announcements by woman in English, a couple of island music selections, more announcements by man/female. Drum interval signal at 0900, followed by English feature program. Drum interval signal again at 0916. After 0908 had some short periods of decreased power when a Chinese language station would dominate (Bruce Churchill, CA/Cumbre DX)

Uzbekistan frequency change
Suab Xaa Moo Zoo (Voice of Hope) in Hmong via VTC:
2330-0000 new frequency 5890 via tashkent 100 kW 131 degree to Southeast Asia (ex 7115)
(R Bulgaria DX Mix news, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX Top News Feb. 23/ DX Mix News # 561 wb, Germany)

WRTH free update on the internet
A reminder to our blog readers:

WRTH is pleased to announce an update file for the Winter (B08) International radio schedules is now available to download from: http://www.wrth.com/ . The file is a pdf file and will require the
free adobe acrobat reader, available from http://www.adobe.com/ . The file is 8 pages long and is approx 51kB in size.

Included in this file are updates for: Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Benin, Croatia, Ecuador, France, Gabon, Germany, Guam, India, Iran, Italy, Korea (Rep), Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, USA, Vatican, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia and more. We hope you find this a useful accompaniment to the printed WRTH. (Gilbert, via DXplorer, Feb 03/DX Window # 371)

WYFR Family Radio Worldwide via Media Broadcast
English effective to 29 March 2009
1900-2200 on 9480 WER 500 kW 185 deg to WCAf English
2000-2100 on 9480 WER 500 kW 185 deg to WCAf English
2100-2200 on 9480 WER 500 kW 185 deg to WCAf English
(BC-DX #900)

Monday, February 23, 2009

Blog Logs - Indonesia


All times UTC // parallel frequency *sign-on sign-off*

2960, RPDT2, Manggarai (tentative), 1205, Feb 05, program in Bahasa Indonesian, O=2 very bad modulation. (Volk/DX Window 371)

4790.04 RRI Fak Fak 1450-1455* Feb 7. Vocal music, then LoveAmbon at 1453 with male voice-over and closedown announcement. Transmission closedown at 1455, although carrier stayed on past 1500. (Wilkins-CO)

4789.96 RRI Fak Fak, 1428-1453* In Bahasa Indonesian with easy-listening pop Indonesian songs, nice kroncong music before sign-off. Clear signal for ID as "R.R.I. Fak Fak." Light to moderate CODAR QRM. 2/19 & 20/09 returned to their usual 4790.03 (Howard-CA/NASWA Flashsheet # 370)

4790.04 RRI Fak Fak, 1338, 2/22/09. Fast-paced Indo talk between male/female announcer. Heavy CODAR sweep. Without CODAR, fair to good (Strawman-IA/NASWA Flashsheet # 370).

4925, RRI Jambi, 1250, Feb 05, Bahasa Indonesia, O=3. (Volk/DX Window # 371)

4925, RRI Jambi (presumed), 1426-1526, Jan 27. This rarely gets above threshold level, but today was almost fair. In Bahasa Indonesia with numerous on-air phone calls, many "Hello, hello"; played some pop Indonesian songs. Had the best reception around my local sunrise at 1514. (Howard/DX Window # 370)

3995, RRI Kendari, 1240, Feb 05, Bahasa Indonesia, O=3. (Volk/DX Window # 371)

3995.05, RRI Kendari, 1418-1436, Jan 22, songs, chatty announcer with long yaks between selections. Fair signal. (Wilkins in DXplorer/DX Window # 370).

3325 RRI Palangkaraya 1358-1438 Feb 7. Calliope interval signal to 1400 Indo talk, possbily regional news to 1422. Lite vocal music to1438 tuneout. Fair signal but tough copy through my local noise. (Wilkins-CO)
3325, RRI Palangkaraya, 1403-1421, Jan 26, Bahasa Indonesia local news and many IDs for "Radio Republik Indonesia Palangkaraya". Played pop songs, with fair reception. Radio Bougainville was here with a better signal than RRI at 1306-1311*, Jan 25. (Howard/DX Window # 370)

3976.06, RRI Pontianak, 1319-1336, Jan 22, Indonesian vocal music, announcement and talk, fair, amateur radio interference. (Wilkins in DXplorer/DX Window # 370)

9525.90, 1302-1330+ Voice of Indonesia, Feb 20,tune-in to opening English ID announcements. English news at1304. Signal poor to fair. Stronger than usual. (Brian Alexander, PA)

11785.86, Voice of Indonesia, Cimanggis, 1805, Jan 21, Spanish announcement to IDs and schedules. SINPO 45444. (Wiespointner/DX Window # 370)

Media Broadcast B08 schedule update - Part 2 of 4


Media Broadcast (ex DTK - T Systems)
Schedules via French Guiana and German transmitter sites


Part 2 of 4
All times UTC

IBC Tamil Radio
0000-0100 on 6045 WER 250 kW / 105 deg to SoAs Tamil

Voice of Russia
0000-0100 on 11605 GUF 250 kW / 181 deg to SoAm Portuguese
0100-0300 on 13630 GUF 250 kW / 195 deg to SoAm Spanish
0200-0300 on 6155 WER 250 kW / 300 deg to NoAm Russian WS
0200-0400 on 7335 WER 500 kW / 300 deg to NoAm English WS
0400-0600 on 7335 GUF 250 kW / 318 deg to NoAm English WS
0300-0500 on 6155 WER 250 kW / 300 deg to NoAm English WS
1500-1600 on 13755 WER 100 kW / 120 deg to ME Russian "Commonwealth"
2300-2400 on 6175 WER 125 kW / 105 deg to ME Arabic

Voice of Croatia
0000-0400 on 7375 WER 100 kW / 300 deg to NEAm Croatian/English/Spanish
0200-0600 on 7375 WER 125 kW / 325 deg to NWAm Croatian/English/Spanish
2300-0400 on 7375 WER 100 kW / 240 deg to SoAm Croatian/English/Spanish

Gospel For Asia
0030-0130 on 7215 WER 250 kW / 090 deg to SEAs South East Asian langs
1230-1330 on 15520 NAU 250 kW / 078 deg to SEAs South East Asian langs
1330-1430 on 13750 NAU 250 kW / 088 deg to SEAs South East Asian langs
1330-1500 on 15185 WER 250 kW / 090 deg to SEAs South East Asian langs
1430-1530 on 12005 WER 250 kW / 075 deg to SEAs South East Asian langs
1530-1630 on 11645 WER 250 kW / 090 deg to SEAs South East Asian langs
2330-0030 on 7200 WER 250 kW / 075 deg to SEAs South East Asian langs

Radio Free Asia
0100-0300 on 9670 WER 250 kW / 075 deg to SEAs Tibetan

Voice of America
0230-0330 on 7205 WER 250 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Persian
0230-0330 on 9495 WER 250 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Persian
0500-0600 on 15225 NAU 250 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Kurdish
1400-1500 on 9565 WER 250 kW / 075 deg to WeAs Pashto Deewa Radio
1600-1630 on 9465 WER 250 kW / 105 deg to CeAs Georgian
1630-1930 on 5850 WER 250 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Persian
1630-1700 on 15620 WER 250 kW / 135 deg to EaAf Somali
1700-1800 on 9770 WER 250 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Dari/Pashto R. Ashna
1700-1830 on 9540 NAU 125 kW / 100 deg to WeAs Persian
1730-1800 on 9485 WER 250 kW / 135 deg to EaAf Afan Oromo Mon-Fri
1730-1800 on 11905 WER 250 kW / 150 deg to EaAf Afan Oromo Mon-Fri
1800-1900 on 9485 NAU 250 kW / 140 deg to EaAf Amharic
1800-1900 on 11905 WER 250 kW / 150 deg to EaAf Amharic
1830-1930 on 9680 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg to WeAs Persian
1900-1930 on 9485 NAU 250 kW / 140 deg to EaAf Tigrigna
1900-1930 on 9815 WER 250 kW / 150 deg to EaAf Arabic Hello Darfur
2030-2100 on 6040 NAU 250 kW / 190 deg to CeAf Hausa Mon-Fri
2030-2100 on 6040 NAU 250 kW / 190 deg to CeAf French Sat/Sun

Radio Liberty
0300-0400 on 7105 WER 250 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Persian Radio Farda
0400-0500 on 6105 WER 250 kW / 060 deg to EaEu Belorussian
0400-0500 on 9430 WER 250 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Persian Radio Farda
0400-0600 on 6120 WER 250 kW / 060 deg to EaEu Belorussian
0600-0700 on 17675 WER 250 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Persian Radio Farda
1230-1600 on 13680 WER 250 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Persian Radio Farda
1400-1500 on 9595 WER 250 kW / 075 deg to CeAs Uzbek
1400-1500 on 12015 WER 250 kW / 075 deg to CeAs Uzbek
1500-1530 on 7150 WER 250 kW / 075 deg to CeAs Kyrgyz
1600-1700 on 7220 NAU 250 kW / 065 deg to CeAs Russian
1600-1700 on 9415 WER 250 kW / 060 deg to EaEu Belorussian
1600-1700 on 9485 NAU 250 kW / 103 deg to CeAs Azeri
1600-1700 on 9520 WER 250 kW / 045 deg to EaEu Russian
1600-1700 on 11605 WER 250 kW / 090 deg to CeAs Avari/Chechen/Cherkessi
1800-1900 on 9595 WER 250 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Persian Radio Farda
2000-2200 on 7165 WER 250 kW / 060 deg to EaEu Belorussian

Adventist World Radio
0300-0330 on 7280 WER 250 kW / 135 deg to EaAf Oromo
0300-0400 on 7315 WER 250 kW / 135 deg to EaAf Tigrigna/Amharic
0400-0430 on 7425 WER 250 kW / 120 deg to ME Arabic
0500-0600 on 6025 WER 100 kW / 120 deg to EaEu Bulgarian
0700-0800 on 9595 WER 100 kW / 210 deg to NoAf Arabic
0800-0830 on 11975 WER 100 kW / 210 deg to NoAf Kabyle
0800-0900 on 12010 WER 100 kW / 210 deg to NoAf French/Tachelhit
1000-1100 on 9610 NAU 100 kW / 180 deg to SoEu Italian Sun
1200-1300 on 15495 WER 250 kW / 090 deg to SoAs English/Bangla
1300-1330 on 11720 WER 250 kW / 075 deg to EaAs Chinese Mon-Fri
1300-1330 on 11720 WER 250 kW / 075 deg to EaAs Uyghur Sat/Sun
1330-1500 on 11725 WER 250 kW / 075 deg to EaAs Chinese
1500-1600 on 9665 WER 250 kW / 090 deg to SoAs Punjabi/Hindi
1500-1600 on 11675 WER 250 kW / 075 deg to SoAs Nepali/English
1630-1700 on 11905 WER 250 kW / 135 deg to EaAf Somali
1700-1730 on 9445 WER 250 kW / 120 deg to ME Arabic
1730-1800 on 9830 WER 100 kW / 210 deg to NoAf Kabyle
1730-1800 on 11795 WER 250 kW / 135 deg to EaAf Oromo
1900-2000 on 11760 WER 100 kW / 210 deg to NoAf Arabic/Tachelhit
2000-2030 on 9805 WER 100 kW / 210 deg to NoAf French
1900-2000 on 11955 NAU 100 kW / 215 deg to NoAf Arabic
2000-2030 on 7110 WER 250 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Persian
2030-2100 on 9505 JUL 100 kW / 210 deg to NoAf Chinese

Radio Japan NHK World
0430-0500 on 5980 WER 250 kW / 060 deg to RUS Russian
0830-0900 on 15190 WER 500 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Persian
1300-1345 on 15215 WER 500 kW / 075 deg to SoAs Bengali
1345-1515 on 15215 WER 500 kW / 090 deg to SoAs Hindi/Urdu

Radio Dabanga
0430-0525 on 7315 WER 250 kW / 150 deg to EaAf Arabic

Brother Stair/The Overcomer Ministries
1400-1600 on 6110 JUL 100 kW / 290 deg to WeEu English
1400-1500 on 13810 NAU 100 kW / 120 deg to ME English
1500-1600 on 13810 NAU 125 kW / 120 deg to ME English
1500-1600 on 17485 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg to CeAf English
1900-2100 on 6175 WER 100 kW / 300 deg to WeEu English (ex 2000-2200)

CVC International
0830-1200 on 17590 JUL 100 kW / 090 deg to SoAs Hindi DRM >>from Feb.23
1400-1700 on 13670 JUL 100 kW / 090 deg to UKR Ukrainian
1400-1800 on 15745 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg to CeAf English
1800-2100 on 11775 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg to CeAf English

IBRA Radio
1730-1800 on 11645 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg to EaAf Swahili
1730-1800 on 9660 JUL 100 kW / 140 deg to EaAf Somali
1800-1900 on 9470 WER 250 kW / 150 deg to CeAf Arabic+local
1900-2030 on 9845 NAU 125 kW / 200 deg to WeAf Hausa/French/Bambara+lacal

HCJB Global
1800-1900 on 3955 JUL 100 kW / non-dir to WeEu German

Lutheran World Fundation
1830 1900 on 9800 WER 500 kW / 180 deg to WCAf Fulfulde

FEBA Radio
1900-1930 on 7235 WER 250 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Arabic

Democratic Voice of Burma
2330-0030 on 5955 WER 125 kW / 075 deg to SEAs Burmese

Frequency change for Voice of America in Georgian from Feb.18:
1700-1800 NF 9405 LAM 100 kW / 075 deg, ex 12130 BIB 100 kW / 085 deg
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Feb 23)
(DX Mix News # 561 via wb, Germany)

DRM special broadcast Feb 23-25

TDF
There will be special DRM transmissions from TDF / Issoudun to India.
Date 23rd to 25 Feb 2009. Code DRM Power 150 kW,
Frequency 21620 kHz, Azimuth 80 degr, Antenna Alliss 4/4
Time 0830-1300 UTC
DRM Parameters Mode B, BW 10 kHz, MSC 16 QAM, CR 0.62.
Audio bit-rate ~ 14 kbits/sec, Audio Encoding AAC, no SBR,
Depending on reception results, these parameters could be adjusted.
TDF would be pleased to receive DRM reports from India and other parts of
the world.

CVC
Will be broadcasting in Hindi towards India for the duration of the BES Expo 2009 in Delhi. Dates 23-25 Feb 2009
Time 0830-1200 UT. Frequency 17590 kHz via Juelich Germany.
Any reception reports and comments would be welcome.
(DRM Software Radio Forum via Alokesh Gupta-IND, DXindia Feb 21)
(BC-DX #900 via wb, Germany)

Friday, February 20, 2009

South America on shortwave

All times UTC // parallel frequency *sing-on sign-off*

Bolivia
4409.81, Radio Eco, Reyes (p), 2255-2305, Feb 06. Spanish talk, SINPO 15232. (Petersen)

4699.14, Radio San Miguel, 0118-0130, Feb 14. Conversation with mentions of "Bolivia", poor. (Bolland)

4716.70, Radio Yura, Yura, 2325-0140, Feb 06, 07 and 14, Spanish talk. Canned promos and advertisements to Bolivian pop songs, political speech, comment, possibly presenting a news program. SINPO 15321. (Bolland and Petersen)

6080, Radio San Gabriel, La Paz (tent.), 1118-1130, Feb 11. "Possibly" HCJB heard with talk from 1108, but at 1118 a second signal faded in with Bolivian type music mixing in with HCJB. At 1122 talk Quechua. Both signals were poor. (Bolland)

6155.25, Radio Fides, La Paz, 1016-1100, Feb 03 and 07. Spanish conversation, canned promos for a product called "Olympia" possibly? 1025 live comments, at 1030, canned promos for "Olympia" again, news, poor to fair. (Bolland)

Brazil
5035, Radio Aparecida, Aparecida, SP, 2314, Feb 07. Romantic ballads in Portuguese, IDs at 2320 and 2329, fair. (Ronda)

9645, Radio Bandeirantes, São Paulo, SP, 1046-1052, Feb 08. Portuguese talk, SINPO 24322. (Méndez)

11725, Radio Novas de Paz, Curitiba, PR, 1023-1026, Feb 08. Religious hymns and announcements, SINPO 23322. (Méndez)

11735, Radio Transmundial, Santa María, RS, 1020-1023, Feb 08. Religious talks by man and woman, SINPO 23322. (Méndez)

Colombia
5910, R Marfil Estereo, Lomalinda, 2350-2356, Feb 13. Latin American style music. SINPO 33333. (Mille)

Ecuador
6050, HCJB, Pifo, 2340-0035, Feb 08 and 12. Spanish talks and ID, chant-like songs with lots of Hallelujah shouts, 0030 time signal and talk in the Cofan language (listed, it is spoken in Ecuador's Napo Province in the northeast part of the country), best in LSB, SINPO 44343. (Bredahl Jorgensen and Ronda)

Peru
3329.6, Ondas del Huallaga, Huánuco, 1115-1145, Feb 04 and 05, Spanish with several IDs. (Wilkner)

4774.90, Radio Tarma, Tarma, 1047-1100, Feb 07, Huaynos type music with Spanish comments, 1054 time check and ID, poor and CODAR. (Bolland)

4790.05, Radio Visión, Chiclayo, 0250-0300, Feb 11, Spanish religious talk, hymns, SINPO 23222 CODAR QRM. (Petersen)
(DX Window 371)

Pirate BBC Essex to return to the air this Easter

Back by popular demand, the award-winning Pirate BBC Essex returns to the air this Easter (10-13 April, 2009) for a four-day broadcast. The BBC Essex team will be on board the LV18 which will be moored in Harwich. Legendary DJs Tony Blackburn and Johnnie Walker are just two of the original sixties offshore presenters who will be teaming up with the BBC Essex hosts to celebrate the unique sound of pirate radio.

“In 2007 we told listeners it could be the last time for Pirate BBC Essex,” said BBC Essex Managing Editor Gerald Main. “Ever since, fans from Essex and across the world have been asking us to do it one more time. We’ve been swayed by their wishes and their ship is literally coming in.”

In 2007 and in the first broadcast in 2004, Pirate BBC Essex came from the LV18 half a mile off the Essex coast. This year, the vessel will be moored alongside the Harwich Ha’penny Pier. The vessel’s bridge will be converted into a radio studio from where Pirate BBC Essex will broadcast on 729, 765 and 1530 kHz mediumwave and on bbc.co.uk/essex from 7am (0600 UTC) on 10 April.

“Thousands of sixties pirate radio fans will be able to get within a few feet of the fun and action,” said Pirate BBC Essex creator Steve Scruton. The vessel that hosts the four-day broadcast is a star in its own right as it is featured in the new film The Boat That Rocked, written and directed by Richard Curtis and starring Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans and Kenneth Branagh.
(Source: BBC Norwich Press Office/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Radio Netherlands - Program Guide Feb. 21- 27


All times UTC

Radio Netherlands Worldwide PROGRAMME PREVIEW

Saturday 21 February - Friday 27 February

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 February
*** The State We're In ***
We learn that being a human rights lawyer in China means putting up with a lot: being followed all the time, having your phones bugged, never winning cases and, in the case of Gao Zhisheng, being arrested, tortured or just disappearing altogether.

Also, do we have a right to drugs? What if that drug is cocaine? What if you're a Bolivian cocaine farmer and this is your culture and livelihood. We report. We also meet the woman who took on the British Health service to demand a life-saving cancer drug and won.

And it's just come out that German Railways has been spying on all of its employees for years. After years of Nazi spying, the East German Stasi and West German anti-leftist intelligence work, the country is in an uproar.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 East Asia 6040, Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia/China 9720
1506 South Asia 12080, 5825, 15595, 9345
1806 Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 11655, 15535
2006 Southern Africa 7120, West Africa 17810, 11655

Broadcast times on MW (UTC):
2300 South Asia 1548

Broadcast times on WRN UTC:
1300 North America
2200 Asia

*** 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 Network Europe Week satisfy your needs with this digest of the programme's top stories.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1404 South Asia 11520, 12080, 5825, 15595, 9345
1904 East Africa 12045, East/Central Africa 11655, West Africa 11805, Central/Southern Africa 7120

Broadcast times on MW (UTC):
1600 Benelux 1296

Broadcast times on WRN UTC:
0400 Africa, Asia
1600 Europe

Note that on Saturday we also run repeats of:

Curious Orange:
1430 South Asia 11520, 12080, 5825, 15595, 9345
1930 East Africa 12045, East/Central Africa 11655, West Africa 11805, Central/Southern Africa 7120

Bridges with Africa:
0030 Europe (WRN)

Earthbeat:
1630 Benelux (MW 1296) and Europe (WRN)

SUNDAY 22 February
*** 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 6040, Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia/China 9720
1404 South Asia 11520, 12080, 5825, 15595, 9345
1804 Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 11655, 15535
2004 West Africa 17810, 11655

Broadcast times on MW (UTC):
2300 South Asia 1548

Broadcast times on WRN UTC:
1300 North America
1600 Europe
2200 Asia

*** Reloaded ***

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

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1030 East Asia 6040, Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia/China 9720
1430 South Asia 11520, 12080, 5825, 15595, 9345
1830 Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 11655, 15535
2030 West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425

Broadcast times on MW (UTC):
1630 Benelux 1296
2330 South Asia 1548

Broadcast times on WRN UTC:
1330 North America
1630 Europe
2230 Asia

Note that on Sunday we also run:

Bridges with Africa:
1500 South Asia 12080, 5825, 15595, 9345
1600 Benelux (MW 1296)
1904 East Africa 12045, East/Central Africa 11655, West Africa 11805, Central/Southern Africa 7120

Radio Books:
1530 South Asia 12080, 5825, 15595, 9345
1600 Benelux (MW 1296)
1930 East Africa 12045, East/Central Africa 11655, West Africa 11805, Central/Southern Africa 7120

Curious Orange:
0030 Europe (WRN)

MONDAY 23 February
*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1400 South Asia 11520, 12080, 5825, 15595, 9345
1530 South Asia 11520, 12080, 5825, 15595, 9345
1800 Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 11655, 15535
1904 East Africa 12045, East/Central Africa 11655, West Africa 11805, Central/Southern Africa 7120
2000 West Africa 17810, 11655

Broadcast times on MW (UTC):
2300 South Asia 1548

Broadcast times on WRN UTC:
2200 Asia

*** Curious Orange ***

This week on Curious Orange, life is a cabaret! But there won't be any scantily clad women or men in top hats dancing across our stage! No, here in Holland, cabaret means something quite different. We'll explain the whole Dutch song and dance, then take you backstage to meet a performer.

Also on the bill, Columnist Perro de Jong with his Critical Eye, and the winner of our Loesje contest! So take a seat and enjoy the show.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 East Asia 6040, Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia/China 9720
1430 South Asia 11520, 12080, 5825, 15595, 9345
1830 Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 11655, 15535
1930 East Africa 12045, East/Central Africa 11655, West Africa 11805, Central/Southern Africa 7120
2030 West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425

Broadcast times on MW (UTC):
1630 Benelux 1296
2330 South Asia 1548

Broadcast times on WRN UTC:
1300 North America
1630 Europe
2230 Asia

Note that on Monday we also run:

Earthbeat:
1030 East Asia 6040, Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia/China 9720
1330 North America (WRN)
1500 South Asia 12080, 5825, 15595, 9345

Network Europe live:
1600 Benelux (MW)

Network Europe Extra:
0400 Africa, Asia (WRN)
0500 North America (WRN)

Reloaded:
0030 Europe (WRN)
0530 North America (WRN)

TUESDAY 24 February
*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1400 South Asia 11520, 12080, 5825, 15595, 9345
1530 South Asia 11520, 12080, 5825, 15595, 9345
1800 Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 11655, 15535
1904 East Africa 12045, East/Central Africa 11655, West Africa 11805, Central/Southern Africa 7120
2000 West Africa 17810, 11655

Broadcast times on MW (UTC):
2300 South Asia 1548

Broadcast times on WRN UTC:
0400 Africa, Asia
0500 North America
2200 Asia

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

We learn that being a human rights lawyer in China means putting up with a lot: being followed all the time, having your phones bugged, never winning cases and, in the case of Gao Zhisheng, being arrested, tortured or just disappearing altogether.

Also, do we have a right to drugs? What if that drug is cocaine? What if you're a Bolivian cocaine farmer and this is your culture and livelihood. We report. We also meet the woman who took on the British Health service to demand a life-saving cancer drug and won.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 East Asia 6040, Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia/China 9720
1430 South Asia 11520, 12080, 5825, 15595, 9345
1830 Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 11655, 15535
2030 West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425

Broadcast times on MW (UTC):
1630 Benelux 1296
2330 South Asia 1548

Broadcast times on WRN UTC:
1300 North America
1630 Europe
2230 Asia

Note that on Tuesday we also run:

Bridges with Africa:
1030 East Asia 6040, Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia/China 9720
1330 North America (WRN)
1500 South Asia 12080, 5825, 15595, 9345
1930 East Africa 12045, East/Central Africa 11655, West Africa 11805, Central/Southern Africa 7120

Network Europe live:
1600 Benelux (MW)

Newsline:
0400 Africa, Asia (WRN)
0500 North America (WRN)

Curious Orange:
0030 Europe (WRN)
0530 North America (WRN)

WEDNESDAY 25 February
*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1400 South Asia 11520, 12080, 5825, 15595, 9345
1530 South Asia 11520, 12080, 5825, 15595, 9345
1800 Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 11655, 15535
1904 East Africa 12045, East/Central Africa 11655, West Africa 11805, Central/Southern Africa 7120
2000 West Africa 17810, 11655

Broadcast times on MW (UTC):
2300 South Asia 1548

Broadcast times on WRN UTC:
0400 Africa, Asia
0500 North America
2200 Asia

*** Radio Books ***
'The Final Judgement' - by Bart Koubaa

Belgian author Bart Koubaa studied photography and Arabic. He won the Flemish Debut Prize in 2000 for his first novel Fire. He's written a Kafkaesque story for Radio Books. A man has been brought before the court and a jury deliberates his fate. But he is uncertain what crime - if any - he may have committed.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 East Asia 6040, Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia/China 9720
1430 South Asia 11520, 12080, 5825, 15595, 9345
1830 Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 11655, 15535
2030 West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425

Broadcast times on MW (UTC):
1630 Benelux 1296
2330 South Asia 1548

Broadcast times on WRN UTC:
1300 North America
1630 Europe
2230 Asia

Note that on Wednesday we also run:

Curious Orange:
1030 East Asia 6040, Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia/China 9720
1330 North America (WRN)
1530 South Asia 12080, 5825, 15595, 9345
1930 East Africa 12045, East/Central Africa 11655, West Africa 11805, Central/Southern Africa 7120

Network Europe live:
1600 Benelux (MW)

The State We're In - Midweek Edition:
0030 Europe (WRN)
0530 North America (WRN)

THURSDAY 26 February
*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1400 South Asia 11520, 12080, 5825, 15595, 9345
1530 South Asia 11520, 12080, 5825, 15595, 9345
1800 Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 11655, 15535
1904 East Africa 12045, East/Central Africa 11655, West Africa 11805, Central/Southern Africa 7120
2000 West Africa 17810, 11655

Broadcast times on MW (UTC):
2300 South Asia 1548

Broadcast times on WRN UTC:
0400 Africa, Asia
0500 North America
2200 Asia

*** Earthbeat ***
It's International Polar Year, so Earthbeat tunes in to the latest research coming out of the least hospitable parts of the planet. And we speak via satellite phone to one of the scientists who produces this research and ask what it's like to be stuck on a base in subzero temperatures for months on end with the same group of people and no chance of escape. Antarctica's science and society revealed on this week's Earthbeat.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 East Asia 6040, Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia/China 9720
1430 South Asia 11520, 12080, 5825, 15595, 9345
1830 Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 11655, 15535
2030 West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425

Broadcast times on MW (UTC):
1630 Benelux 1296
2330 South Asia 1548

Broadcast times on WRN UTC:
1300 North America
1630 Europe
2230 Asia

Note that on Thursday we also run:

Network Europe Extra:
1030 East Asia 6040, Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia/China 9720
1330 North America (WRN)
1500 South Asia 12080, 5825, 15595, 9345
1930 East Africa 12045, East/Central Africa 11655, West Africa 11805, Central/Southern Africa 7120

Network Europe live:
1600 Benelux (MW)

Radio Books:
0030 Europe (WRN)
0530 North America (WRN)

FRIDAY 27 February
*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1400 South Asia 11520, 12080, 5825, 15595, 9345
1530 South Asia 11520, 12080, 5825, 15595, 9345
1800 Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 11655, 15535
1904 East Africa 12045, East/Central Africa 11655, West Africa 11805, Central/Southern Africa 7120
2000 West Africa 17810, 11655

Broadcast times on MW (UTC):
2300 South Asia 1548

Broadcast times on WRN UTC:
0400 Africa, Asia
0500 North America
2200 Asia

*** Bridges with Africa ***

We take an in-depth look at Liberia's biggest foreign investment package ever: 2.6 billion dollars from China Union. And we ask 2 questions: Will it improve the living standard of Liberians? And should environmental groups be worried?

From hard cash we move to colorful garments and Africa's longstanding love affair with textiles. Or will cheap imports from Asia cause a break-up?
We talk to textile designers and dress makers from Nigeria, Zambia and the Netherlands.

And we have music from Congolese artist Lokas.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 East Asia 6040, Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia/China 9720
1430 South Asia 11520, 12080, 5825, 15595, 9345
1830 Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535
2030 West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425

Broadcast times on MW (UTC):
1630 Benelux 1296
2330 South Asia 1548

Broadcast times on WRN UTC:
1300 North America
1630 Europe
2230 Asia

Note that on Friday we also run:

Radio Books:
1030 East Asia 6040, Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia/China 9720
1330 North America (WRN)
1500 South Asia 12080, 5825, 15595, 9345
1930 East Africa 12045, East/Central Africa 11655, West Africa 11805, Central/Southern Africa 7120

Network Europe live:
1600 Benelux (MW)

Earthbeat:
0030 Europe (WRN)
0530 North America (WRN)
(R Netherlands & special thanks to Andy Sennnitt)

Shortwave Blog "Bytes"


All times UTC

BBC frequency changes
U.K.(non)
1300-1330 on 12075 CYP 250 kW / 064 deg,new on SW in Kyrgyz
13845 RMP 500 kW / 062 deg,new on SW in Kyrgyz
15180 SLA 250 kW / 020 deg,new on SW in Kyrgyz
1330-1500 NF 7550 TAC 100 kW / 131 deg, ex 7580 in Bengali, Sunday only
1400-1500 NF 9535 NAK 250 kW / 300 deg, ex 9800 in Hindi
(DX Mix News #560)

Croatian Radio frequency change
Croatian Radio HS-1 in Croatian from Feb.18:
0858-1357 NF 7370 DEA 100 kW / non-dir, ex 9830
(DX News #560)

New opposition station via TDP Belgium
Voice of Asena from Feb.16:
1730-1800 on 9610 SAM 250 kW / 188 deg to EaAf Mon/Wed/Fri in Tigrinya
(DX Mix News #560)

Peru logs
4857.43, Radio La Hora, 1115-1125. Signal consisted of steady music with canned ID every once in awhile over the music. The time framewas rather late, so the signal was very poor with deep fades.(Chuck Bolland, FL February 12, 2009)

5039.16, Radio Libertad, 1125-1135. Another late logging, noted music here. It was the traditional Huaynos type of music. Between music, noted a male in Spanish comments. Signal was fading to threshold. (Chuck Bolland, February 12, 2009)

Radio Notre Dame Des Ondes audio clip
Radio Notre Dame Des Ondes broadcast every Sunday, 1700-1800 UTC. The holy mass via Radio France (TX Lyon 603 KHz). The audioclip with the station ID is available at:
http://blog.libero.it/radioascolto/6521840.html (Francesco/playdx2003)

QSL Card from Radio Bana
5100 KHz. Radio Bana - Eritrea confirm with QSL card in 76 days.
Pictures available at:
http://blog.libero.it/radioascolto/6509826.html
(Francesco/playdx2003)

Radio Nacional de Venezuela on 6060
6060, Radio National de Venezuela via Hava, Cuba. 1138-1145.Tune in while news is being presented in English. This was followed by ID as, "Radio National of Venezuela...". Later a brief sound bite from Chavez and then more English comments from a female. Signal was fair. (Chuck Bolland, Fl February 12, 2009)

Voice of America frequency change
via Meyerton, South Africa.
Kurdish service:
1400-1500 NF 17740 MEY 250 kW / 015 deg, ex 15530
(DX Mix News #560)

Voice of Russia additional frequency
In German in DRM mode:
1000-1300 on 7325 KLG 015 kW / 220 deg to Central Europe
(DX Mix News #560)

WYFR-Family Radio Worldwide adds new tranmission
New additional txion of WYFR Family Radio via TRW from Feb.13
1100-1200 on 9720 NVS 250 kW / 125 deg to EaAs in Chinese
(DX Mix News #560)

Blog Logs - India

Shortwave reception from India

All times UTC // parallel frequency *sing-on sign-off*

4760, Radio Kashmir, Leh, 0235-0250. Signal fade out, Feb 11. Vernacular talk, 0245 English news from New Delhi heard // 4860, 4880 and 4895, SINPO 25222. (Petersen)

4760, All India Radio-Port Blair, 1651-1653, Feb 12. Vernacular talk, SINPO 22332. (Mille)

4775.00, All India Radio-Imphal, 0035-0040, Feb 09. English news from New Delhi, SINPO 34333. (Petersen)

4800, All India Radio-Hyderabad, 1736-1738, Feb 07. Vernacular // 4810, SINPO 23332. (Mille)

4810, All India Radio-Bhopal, 1738-1742, Feb 07, Vernacular // 4800, SINPO 23332. (Mille)

4835.00, All India Radio-Gangtok, *0100-0145 fade out. Feb 05, Nepali, opening procedure, traditional Nepali songs and music, interview, SINPO 25232. (Petersen)

4840, All India Radio-Mumbai (p), 0208-0225, Feb 10, music and comments by individuals. Signal faded up and down between poor and poorer. (Bolland)

4880, All India Radio-Lucknow, *0023-0100, Feb 05. Opening procedure, 0030 news in Hindi from New Delhi // 4840, 5010 and 5040, 0035 local program of talks and advertisements to songs on sitar and flute, SINPO 35333. (Petersen). Also heard at 1724-1728, Feb 12, local song, 23332. (Mille)

4900, All India Radio-Guwahati, -1700*, Feb 08. Heard here instead of scheduled 4940. Also noted *0000, Feb 09. They must have switched off transmitter at night and just put on again in the morning without any checking of the frequency. But Feb 09 evening was noted back on the original frequency of 4940. However, again noted on 4900 just now at 1330, Feb 10. (Jacob)
Still heard on 4900 and not on 4940, *0000-0020, Feb 11, AIR interval signal, followed by a greeting and the usual hymn. Then an announcement probably in Nepali and local songs. SINPO 44444 with only slight QRM from Mongolia on 4895 and Tibet on 4905. (Petersen) .

4920, All India Radio-Chennai, 0125-0140, Feb 08. Another one of those really weak stations where I cannot make out the language. Can hear a female and a male conversing back and forth while background music is also heard. Signal was poorest. (Bolland). Heard strong 1710, Feb 11, when Tibet seemed off air. (Koie). Chennai mostly broadcast in Tamil. (Ed)

6085, All India Radio-Gangtok (10 kW), sign on just before 0500 till around 0930, Feb 16, covering the budget programs in Parliament. This frequency is used only on rare occasions. (Jacob)

AIR has launched first Digital Radio Transmission from Delhi in SW band by using DRM Technology on Jan 16 for the following services:
9950 GOS-IV 1745-1945 UK and WEST EUROPE
9950 HINDI 1945-2045 UK and WEST EUROPE
9950 GOS-V 2045-2230 UK and WEST EUROPE
6100 VIVIDH BHARATI SERVICE 1430-1730 800 Km. radius (Approx.) (AIR Website via Gupta)
(DX Window #371)

All India Radio 9425 1952 Hindi 333 Jan 26 YL wsith music vocals. (MacKenzie,CA)

All India Radio- Chennai (tentative). 0125-0140 Another one of those really weak stations where I can't make out the language. Can hear a female and a male conversing back and forth while background music is also heard. The language is not English or Spanish, so the only other guess would be Hindu at least that's what EIBI says - haven't received my WRTH yet - so I am staying with a tentative AIR on this. Signal was poorest. (Chuck Bolland, February 8,
2009)

The Happy Station Show Returns

Press Release
February 17, 2009

After an almost 15 year absence on the shortwave dial The Happy Station Show returns this March.

What is Happy Station?

The Happy Station is one the longest running shows ever on shortwave. In March of 1927 when Philips Radio started broadcasts over station PCJJ as a way to reach the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia).

Sometime in 1928 a very young Edward Startz created the Happy Station, he changed PCJJ to PCJ, which he said stood for Peace, Cheer & Joy. The show continued until the start of war. During WW2 the only shortwave done by the Dutch was via the BBC in London broadcasting back to Holland with Radio Orange. After the war around 1946 the Dutch Government founded Radio Nederland Wereldomroep and Edward Startz returned to microphone as presenter of The Happy Station Show. Edward remained with the show for 43 years, way past the legal
age to retire in the Netherlands.

In January 1970 Tom Meijer who was working for the Dutch section of Radio Nederland took over as host. This was a major transition. With Tom the show took on a new life and energy. The Tom Meijer era was one of fun, with Tom making you feel that the Sunday broadcasts were
bringing all the listeners together for a family gathering. It truly was your Sunday family show of smiles across the miles. Tom Meijer stayed with Happy Station for 21 years until he retired. After he left the show it was first taken over by long time Radio Netherlands announcer/producer Pete Myers and then by Jonathan Groubert. The Happy
Station Show was canceled in 1995.

Why return Happy Station?

The Happy Station had and still has a very loyal audience and now the time is right to return with the same message of Peace, Cheer & Joy and Smiles Across The Miles that Edward and Tom brought listeners every week.

What is different?

One of the major changes with the Happy Station today is it won't be a Radio Netherlands production. Instead it will be independently produced and distributed. Radio Netherlands has given permission for the new producer and presenter to use the name Happy Station, as long
as it's made clear there is no affiliation with Radio Netherlands.

The new Happy Station host will be Keith Perron a Canadian broadcaster who has been based in Asia for almost 10 years. He has worked as an announcer/producer with CKUT Montreal, Radio Canada International, and Radio Havana Cuba, CHMB Vancouver, China Radio International and has freelanced for Monitor Radio, CBC Radio and others over the last 17
years.

The new Happy Station Show won't be produced in Holland, but will be based in Taipei, Taiwan and will be distributed using many different channels and all aspects of technology, new and old to bring the show to the audience. The first will be shortwave on the frequency of 9955 kHz via WRMI (Radio Miami International) for listeners in North and South America. After the shows first transmission on shortwave, it will be uploaded as a podcast so fans of the show not in the target region will be able to tune in. A plan is in place to bring it on shortwave to other regions of the world; this will be announced at a later date. A facebook page has also been set up where listeners can send in pictures and recorded messages, which will be used on the show.

With the revival of The Happy Station Show there will also be a Happy Station youtube channel, where listeners will be able to upload videos from where ever they are in the world. The new host of the show will also present videos and a behind the scenes look at the new show and
it's new surrounding.

For listeners who remember the Spanish version of the show La Estación de la Alegría, Keith will at a later date present both editions. At the beginning the show will be bi-weekly, when the Spanish edition comes at a later date, it will rotate with the English Happy Station.

For those who fondly remember Tom Meijer you will also have a chance to hear him again in guest spots as well as some of the songs he recorded at Radio Netherlands over the years. The first edition will be a tribute to Tom and the original Happy Station with contributions
from listeners from around the world and some very famous voices from the shortwave dial.

For more information, audio samples and pictures contact:
Skype: pcj.happystation
Email: pcj.happystation@gmail.com
Telephone: +886 938408592
Facebook: The New Happy Station
Post: Happy Station Show Attn: Keith Perron, 8th Floor, No47, Lane 31,
Section 1, Sanmin Road, Banciao, Taipei, Taiwan (ROC), 22070

Some Happy Stations shows and extracts are available at the Radio Netherlands Historical Audio Archive, as well as other English language programmes, latest two full Happy Station shows uploaded are Open House Show 4 February 1972, uploaded January 23 and a Seasons
Greetings Programme from December 13 1965 uploaded January 8, click oudere posts at the bottom of the page for earlier uploads:
http://blogs.rnw.nl/haa/?s=happy+station
(Mike Barraclough, UK/worlddxclub)

RNW - The new international disaster service

Press release

Date: 19 February 2009

RNW: the new international disaster service
Hilversum – When disaster strikes anywhere in the world Radio Netherlands Worldwide will go into action as an international disaster service. RNW will not only report on the events, it will provide a complete information service for any Dutch victims, those in trouble and their relatives. With special broadcasts, a separate website and mobile phone platforms all serving to keep the audience constantly up to date. RNW expects the disaster service to go into operation by spring 2009.

Dutch emigrants, expats and holidaymakers are regularly faced with natural disasters, major accidents, terrorist attacks, political upheavals and social conflicts. Everyone who is faced with these situations, directly or indirectly, wants fast answers to pressing questions: What happened? How could this happen? And then … who is missing? How do I get home? Who has more information? What can I do? Where can I get what I need?

One hour after the first report of a disaster a specially trained RNW team will start answering all those questions via radio, mobile phone, internet and BVN television. The news and information stream will be kept up to date from minute to minute with special broadcasts, a separate website and mobile platforms. For as long as is needed.

Editor-in-chief Rik Rensen explains: “It’s an extra service in addition to our existing programs. The disaster team is RNW’s response to the urgent requests for help and information we received during recent events like the violence in Mumbai and the lengthy airport strike in Bangkok.”
(R Baughn, MT)