SLBC to open Yarl FM

The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation plans to open a fully fledged radio station in Jaffna with islandwide coverage in about two weeks. This station is named Yarl FM, symbolizing the cultural identity of the people of the Northern Province, states a SLBC press release.

More at :
http://lankagazette.com/topstories/slbc-to-open-yarl-fm

Deutsche Welle begins second test phase for radio in Bangladesh

Following the beginning of test transmissions on Bangladesh Betar's FM network last month, Deutsche Welle will now start testing radio transmissions in three additional cities on May 1. DW-RADIO will be broadcasting daily on 102.0 MHz in Khulna, 105.0 MHz in Rajshahi and 105.4 MHz in Rangpur from 8:00 am and 8:30 am as well as 8:00 pm and 8:30 pm BST.

Since April 14, FM test transmissions have started on 97.6 MHz in Dhaka, 105.4 MHz in Chittagong and 105.0 MHz in Sylhet at the same time. This is the second part of the planned test roll-out, which comprises six major cities in Bangladesh. Deutsche Welle is planning several accompanying marketing campaigns, including a road show that will take place later this year.

The agreement between Deutsche Welle and Bangladesh Betar was signed into effect on March 9 in Bangladesh. It marks just another milestone in the relationship between Deutsche Welle and Bangladesh Betar and it is something that will help Germany's international broadcaster to expand its Bengali radio services in Bangladesh via FM.

Radio in Bangladesh is a very important form of media and it reaches a large percentage of the 153 million people daily. International broadcasters can only be active in this market with cooperation from the national public broadcaster Bangladesh Betar, which was founded in 1971.

(Press Release)

SOMALIA: IRIN Radio gets the thumbs up

NAIROBI, 29 April 2010 (IRIN) - A new independent audience survey commissioned by IRIN shows that 72 percent of Somali radio listeners in Somalia and the refugee camps in Kenya listen regularly, if not daily, to IRIN Radio’s Somali service.

Read the full story here :

http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=88962

Download the report here :

http://www.irinnews.org/pdf/IRINRadio_ListeningSurvery.pdf

BBC World Service's language teams connect global audiences with UK Election 2010

In the run-up to Election Day, BBC World Service's 32 language and regional services have mounted extensive programming, making the connection between the UK's key political event on the one hand and the lives of people around the world on the other. The international broadcaster is placing UK Election 2010 in the context of the issues relevant and important to its audience – across platforms, across languages and across regions.

BBC World Service's journalists examine why the decision made by the British electorate matters to people in places as diverse as China and the Arab world, Ukraine and Burma, India and Albania, Indonesia and Russia, Iran and Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Bangladesh. They will follow and report the campaign trail, analysing the effects of the possible outcome on countries and regions.

Peter Horrocks, Director, BBC Global News, says: "The British General Election is of huge interest to audiences around the world who want to discuss and debate the impact the UK votes may have on their lives. The BBC's international multimedia services have gathered the thoughts, hopes and fears of other countries, while reflecting the excitement of this race to a global audience."BBC Persian TV has embarked on the Great British Election Road Trip 2010 – a series of short films in which the presenter, Pooneh Ghoddoosi, and her team hit the road to discover the issues that really matter to the British people and look at themes that are often bypassed by standard daily news coverage.BBC Arabic correspondents, too, are travelling across the UK. On the campaign trail with the three party leaders, they are gauging opinions of the UK's Arab and Islamic communities.

On Election Day, presenter Tony El Khoury will be anchoring a major multimedia broadcast talking to the main parties and audiences, with young British Arabs sharing their views via webcam. The day after the election, the BBC Arabic flagship multimedia interactive programme, Nuqtat Hewar, will feature a studio audience of British Arabs discussing the election result and the impact it will have on their lives.Representatives of the leading parties were quizzed by Russian-speaking online users on BBC Russian. While, on the BBC Afghanistan service in Pashto and Dari, MPs are answering the questions from UK's ethnic Afghans, journalists from the BBC Uzbek for Afghanistan team broadcast from Wootton Bassett – talking about the UK as a military power, asking how people in the UK see Britain's place in the world and the role Afghanistan plays in the UK election. A panel of four ethnic Albanians – a Conservative council candidate in London, an advisor to a Labour MP, a political activist and a business expert – talk about economy, emigration and foreign policy on BBC Albanian.

BBC Indonesia discusses these issues with UK-based Indonesians, while BBC Ukrainian explores the party policies with regard to an issue of utmost interest to its audience – the EU expansion. The educational aspect of the election is an important focus of the coverage by the Central Asian and Caucasus services – BBC Azeri, BBC Kyrgyz and BBC Uzbek. They look at how the elections work in a Western democracy, how the opposition functions, what are the forces influencing UK politics and politicians and what's the role of the British media.

BBC Azeri is reporting from Belfast as the city's conflict-resolution background is relevant to Azerbaijan's conflict with Armenia.As the Burmese government is planning to hold a general election for the first time in 20 years, the BBC Burmese programming specifically targets Burma's young people who have never voted.

The BBC Burmese journalists report on the UK parliamentary system, the relationship between the UK government and the opposition parties, why people vote – and whether they vote for the personality or for electoral platform. The Head of African News & Current Affairs, Joseph Warungu, is doing a series of reports for BBC World Service and BBC Radio 4's The World This Weekend on how the British "do" elections – from canvassing to party leaders' meetings, and the issues the voters are talking about such as sleaze. Using his experience in covering elections in Africa and the US, Warungu takes a personal look at what marks out British elections from other democracies.

BBC Swahili puts under the spotlight UK nationals of African descent who are campaigning for parliamentary and civic seats – or simply playing an active role in the election. All key Swahili programmes will bring live updates reporting the vote on the Election Day, and will analyse the outcome on the next day.

BBC Hausa is looking at a range of issues, from funding of political parties to ideology to vote count, and talking to the UK's Hausa-speaking diaspora about their views of the elections. This general election sees a growing number of candidates from ethnic minorities.

The BBC Chinese online forum offered the audiences an opportunity to question a panel of the UK's ethnic Chinese candidates. And as five parties are fielding ethnic Bangladeshis in a London constituency, the BBC Bangla multimedia programming explores the attitudes of the non-Bangladeshi electorate to these candidates, how UK citizens of Bangladeshi descent see their role in mainstream UK politics, and the influence of Islamists within this community.The stake and clout of the Indian diaspora in certain constituencies is in the focus of BBC Hindi. The service also explores similarities and differences between elections in India and the UK, compares the representation of women in the UK and Indian parliaments and profiles female candidates of Indian descent and their campaigns. Another theme is the role of "Indian" money – financial contributions to political parties from businesses such as Mittals, Pauls, Noons. Teaming up with BBC Tamil and BBC Sinhala, BBC Hindi also explores the constituencies with sizeable Tamil populations in the aftermath of the fall of the Tamil Tigers.

On UK election night, BBC World Service English will broadcast a seven-hour election night special. The programme will offer global audiences bespoke analysis and regular updates throughout the night. Presenter Robin Lustig will be joined by leading politicians and political pundits as they bring the results to the world.For details of programmes and more information, go to bbcworldservice.com.

BBC World Service is an international multimedia broadcaster delivering 32 language and regional services, including: Albanian, Arabic, Azeri, Bengali, Burmese, Cantonese, English, English for Africa, English for the Caribbean, French for Africa, Hausa, Hindi, Indonesian, Kinyarwanda/Kirundi, Kyrgyz, Macedonian, Mandarin, Nepali, Pashto, Persian, Portuguese for Africa, Portuguese for Brazil, Russian, Serbian, Sinhala, Somali, Spanish for Latin America, Swahili, Tamil, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Uzbek, and Vietnamese. It uses multiple platforms to reach its weekly audience of 188 million globally, including shortwave, AM, FM, digital satellite and cable channels. Its news sites, which received 4.7 million weekly visitors in September 2009, include audio and video content and offer opportunities to join the global debate. It has around 2,000 partner radio stations which take BBC content, and numerous partnerships supplying content to mobile phones and other wireless handheld devices. For more information, visit bbcworldservice.com. For a weekly alert about BBC World Service programmes, sign up for the BBC World Agenda e-guide at bbcworldservice.com/eguide.

(BBC World Service International Publicity)

Vatican Radio A10 Frequency change.

Frequency changes effective Sunday, 2nd May 2010:

0025-0040 URDU Monday,Thursday 11850* ( ex 7335)
0040-0200 HINDI,TAMIL,MALAYALAM,ENGLISH Daily 11850* (ex 7335)

* from Tashkent

(Alokesh Gupta )

Jamming in Ethiopia Virtually Silences Free Voice, Experts Say

Read the VOA report here :

http://128.11.143.121/horn/2010-04-20-voa1.cfm

China’s voice woos Texan ears

John Pomfret/The Washington Post
Galveston (Texas), April 27, 2010

Cruise southeast out of Houston, past the NASA exits and toward the Gulf of Mexico, and you pick up something a little incongruous on the radio, amid country crooners, Rush Limbaugh, hip-hop and all the freewheeling clamour of the American airwaves.

"China Radio International," a voice intones. "This is Beyond Beijing." Way, way beyond Beijing.

Read the full story here :
http://tinyurl.com/2drz2dl

BBS to cover SAARC Summit Live

Bhutan's national teveision channel Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) will cover the two-day 16th SAARC Summit live. BBS radio will also braodcast the event live.

All the necessary arrangements to provide live coverage of the Summit on April 28 and 29 has been done say BBS officials. BBS has enough manpower and equipment to provide exclusive coverage of the SAARC Summit, said a BBS official. "Through our normal broadcast with commentary in Dzongkha we will cover the two day event," said Panchaman Rai, officiating chief engineer at BBS. "Along with the live coverage, we have also made arrangements to provide clean feed that is without the commentary of the main Summit for international broadcasters." The other television stations can downlink the clean feed of the summit at their respective stations. These clean feeds of the SAARC summit will be given for free. However BBS will also have an arrangement of up linking facilities at the Media Centre on booking basis, which will enable the broadcasters to uplink their news feed directly, said Panchaman Rai. These up linking facilities is on a payment basis in local currency equivalent to US dollar 20 a minute which covers the satellite space segment and payout of the feed. This rate is as per the norm being practiced in the previous SAARC Summits.

This is one of the biggest challenges BBS is taking up to provide exclusive coverage of the Summit with high quality of signal to meet the international standard, say BBS officials. "However, with experience we gained from the coverage of last election and coronation and centenary celebration, BBS do not have any difficulties to cover the event," said Panchaman Rai.
Apart from the live coverage of the main summit and up linking facilities, BBS will also be recording all the press conferences that would take place and provide video footages for free. BBS will also try to broadcast interviews of SAARC leaders.

(Source : Bhutan Times)

Ranchi University to launch FM channel

Published on 04/26/2010 - 09:14:14 AM By Chandrabindu

Ranchi: The Ranchi University (RU) is all set to plunge into an unconventional arena of broadcasting. It has decided to launch its own FM (frequency modulation) radio station, as part of its golden jubilee celebrations in July this year.

The upcoming channel will serve both as a leisure pursuit as well as information kiosk for the students.

Full story at :

http://www.igovernment.in/site/ranchi-university-launch-fm-channel-37436

Ethiopia: Information Without Interference

http://www.ethiopianreview.com/content/27707

New website of national DRM platform for South Africa

The South African National DRM Platform has launched its website :

http://drmza.org/9.html

Giving a voice to India's villagers

In a remote corner of rural India, a new experiment using mobile phones is bringing people news made by local villagers. The BBC's Geeta Pandey travels to Rajnandgaon district in the central state of Chhattisgarh to see who is tuning in.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8617943.stm

OE10M, International Marconi Day station on 14255u

OE10M, the special event "International Marconi Day" station right now (1450 UTC) on 14255 U.
Contacts made on Saturday, 24th April, are valid for the IMD Award.

QSL via OE QSL Bureau or direct to OE1WHC.
Cards without SAE and (new!) IRC or USDs to cover postage will be processed via Bureau.

To see the QSL, go to: www.qsl.at/down/oe10m.jpg

Radio tech heads for convergence with Net

HYDERABAD: In this age of Internet penetration, imagine sending an e-mail even when your Internet or local wire line connection is down.
In what could be a major boon for the people caught in calamities and wanting mode for transmitting information, the National Institute of Amateur Radio (NIAR) has taken a significant step towards integration of radio technologies communications with Internet. Being tested on a pilot basis in 10 areas across the country, the project once successful will ensure the much-desired last mile connectivity to places where Internet penetration is still a far cry.

Read the full story here : http://www.thehindu.com/2010/04/19/stories/2010041960550600.htm

Voice of Tibet says China 'jamming' quake condolences

The Voice of Tibet (VOT) radio service slammed the Chinese authorities on Thursday for jamming condolence messages from exiled Tibetans over the deadly earthquake in northwest China.

Read the full story here : http://tinyurl.com/29a4zlx

Clear frequencies requested for China quake relief

From the WorldRadio Online newsroom...

Hams worldwide have been asked to keep 7.050 and 7.060 MHz clear for emergency communications in the wake of China's second major earthquake in a year, on April 13. According to the ARRL, the request came from the Chinese Radio Sports Association, which is coordinating
ham radio activity in the relief efforts. Nearly 1200 people were killed by the 7.1-magnitude quake in Qinghai Province, another 10,000 were hurt and thousands of families were left homeless.

"Good Morning! This Was All India Radio!"

Sethu Das / April 13, 2010

Most of us grew up listening to the radio at a time when subjects had to pay the state for the cautiously-edited news broadcasts under the radio receiver license system of 1928. Design & People Co-founder Sethu Das wonders why India wants to keep radio a state property while it tries to open up television so much.

More at :

http://www.designandpeople.org/creativeresistance/all_india_radio.html

City tunes in to amateur radio

Express News Service

First Published : 14 Apr 2010 04:36:00 AM IST

BANGALORE: Understanding the need and importance of timely rescue operation, Civil Defence is going to launch two ham (amateur) radios on Wednesday to enable communication in emergency situations.

Full story at :
http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/city-tunes-in-to-amateur-radio/165251.html

Will apathy kill the radio star?

April 17th, 2010

DC CorrespondentChennai, April 16: What is the common link between Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Amitabh Bachchan, the Maran brothers, A.V.M. Saravanan, N. Ravi, A. C. Muthiah, Mammootty, Manoj Kumar Sonthalia, Kamal Haasan and Charu Hassan? They are all members of the exclusive ham radio community and are in touch with other ham operators on a regular basis.

More at :
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chennai/will-apathy-kill-radio-star-867

Amateur radio museum opens

Express News Service
First Published : 19 Apr 2010 08:10:24 AM IST

HYDERABAD: Over 40 percent of rural people do not know how to use the latest technology that simplifies their regular activities and makes their life easy, Congress MP Kavuri Sambasiva Rao said and stressed the need to educate people on the benefits of technology by organising special camps. The MP inaugurated the Amateur Radio Museum, Knowledge and Awareness Centre at the National Institute of Amateur Radio (NIAR) here on Sunday.

More at :
http://expressbuzz.com/cities/hyderabad/amateur-radio-museum-opens/166486.html

For AM DXers, the Romance Lives On

by James Careless, 04.21.2010
DX is a radio hobbyist acronym for long distance. Since the earliest days of radio, AM DXers have "surfed" the AM band, trying to hear distant stations. When they hear a distant station's call sign, DXers write it down along with details of what's being played on air, the time and date. They send that information to the station in hopes of having their "reception reports" verified by the station's engineer.

Read the full story here : http://www.rwonline.com/article/99602

ITU World Telecommunication Development Conference in India

ITU World Telecommunication Development Conferencewill meet in Hyderabad, India, 24 May - 4 June 2010

The ITU World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-10) will open its doors on 24 May in Hyderabad, India. The Conference is expected to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India, Mr Manmohan Singh in the presence of visiting Heads of State and Government, Ministers, heads of international organizations, development banks and regulatory agencies, and CEOs of private sector companies.

More details at :

http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2010/Advisory-06.aspx

Amateur Radio Museum Inauguration at NIAR - Pics

Photo's of Amateur Radio Museum inauguration at National Institute of Amateur Radio, Hyderabad courtesy VU2YAM

http://tinyurl.com/y5jgesc

World DX Club introduces e-membership

The World DX Club is pleased to announce that we can now offer E-Membership at a considerably reduced rate compared to standard postal rates.

The World DX Club was founded in May 1968, and the first edition of Contact published by the club was mailed soon afterwards. Today, the club continues to publish Contact Magazine every month, consisting of up to 56 pages containing station logs, news, information and comment about radio and radio broadcasts, both current and historical, primarily, but not exclusively, international shortwave radio.

E-Members receive Contact Magazine as a downloadable pdf file. Each month they are sent a password enabling them to download that month's issue from the World DX Club webpages. Note that E-Members do not receive postal copies of the magazine.

Details of membership rates, a free sample copy of a recent issue of Contact magazine for download as well as other information on international radio can be found at:

http://www.worlddxclub.org.uk

Mike

International Amateur Radio Day Greetings

Hi All

SWLs, Radio Hams, Radio Fanatics, XYLs, YLs, QRPs, OMs, OBs

Wishing you all Greetings of "International Amateur Radio Day" today on April 18, 2010.

More Dxing, Morse Dxing
Less QRM, Better Propogation
Better Sunspot cycle.

CW, SSB, PSK, TNC, RTTY, AMTOR
Dipole, Whips, Mounts, Slinkys
VHF, UHF, HF
20, 40, 15, 2, 70

Ham Fests, Ham Picnics, Eyeball QSOs
Field Days, Mike Oscar, Radio Camps
Fox Hunting or RDF, Moon Bouncing,
CW Net, VHF Net, UHF Net, HF Net

Hamsat, Ham Radio or Hammer Radio
Be there, by radio, for the radio.

73

VU2OEC
Rajesh Chandwani
Gurgaon

Dxers Unlimited weekend edition for 18-19 April 2010

Dxers Unlimited weekend edition for 18-19 April 2010
Radio Havana Cuba
By Arnie Coro
Radio amateur CO2KK

http://tinyurl.com/y3xqd4g

DRM Newsletter - April 2010

Read the DRM Newsletter 4/2010 here :

http://www.drm.org/index.php?id=365

All India Radio Prepares for Digital Transmission with Thomson Megawatt Transmitters

Las Vegas (National Association of Broadcasters Convention – Booth# SL106) April 10, 2010 — All India Radio, the national radio broadcaster, has unveiled a five year program to modernize and digitize its networks. Two new Thomson megawatt radio transmitters will be supplied while the existing network of Thomson transmitters will be updated to incorporate Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) transmission.

The Ministry of Information in the Indian government has determined that the digitization programs for the country's radio broadcasting should be a smooth transition, with parallel broadcasting of analog and digital services. DRM is the perfect platform for such a program.

Working with Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL), two new Thomson 1000 kW medium-wave transmitters, with both analog and DRM exciters, will be provided. The contract includes all auxiliary work, commission, and testing – the new transmitters will be installed in late 2010.

"The order for the two megawatt transmitters is a very important step for All India Radio towards developing our digitization and modernization strategy and we've received excellent technical support throughout the entire ordering process," said S. R. Aggarwal, Chief Engineer, Chief of All India Radio.

"We have been supplying All India Radio with high-power transmitters since 1985," said Nicolas Dallery, Vice President and General Manager of the Radio/TV Transmission business unit within Grass Valley. "Today's transmitter technology enables us to give them the flexibility to migrate to DRM at their own pace. In association with our partner BECIL, we can provide a dynamic support service which gives All India Radio very good cost of ownership over the long lifetime of their network."

(Grass Valley Press Release)

BBC to reinstate FM broadcasts via Sri Lankan national broadcaster SLBC

BBC World Service is to reinstate its FM programming on the Sri Lankan national broadcaster SLBC from Thursday 15 April. This will be the first BBC programming on the SLBC FM network for 14 months.

The BBC suspended its programmes in the English, Sinhala and Tamil languages on 10 February 2009, following deliberate interference in its broadcasts. During the suspension, the BBC's services in all three languages remained available in Sri Lanka via short wave – on bbc.com/news, bbcsinhala.com and bbctamil.com via the internet – and news bulletins in English via the Sri Lankan commercial broadcaster MBC.

Director of BBC Global News, Peter Horrocks, said: "The BBC wishes to rebuild its partnership with SLBC – part of a strong relationship with listeners in Sri Lanka that goes back to the Forties. "We have been reassured by SLBC that our contractual agreement will be respected, which guarantees that our programmes in English, Sinhala, and Tamil are broadcast uninterrupted.

"We are pleased that we can now offer listeners to the SLBC FM network the BBC programmes they used to enjoy. Our audiences understand that in order to cover news events in the most comprehensive and balanced way, the BBC adheres to specific editorial values that include impartiality, editorial independence and seeking a relevant range of views on any topic. "It is something audiences value. It is the only way we can meet our audiences' high expectations and maintain our reputation as the world's most trusted international broadcaster."

These are the short wave frequencies and timings to hear BBC services in Sri Lanka:
BBC Tamil1545-1615 GMT = 21.15-21.45 Local Time15690 kHz (19mb), 15390 kHz (19mb), 9860 kHz (31 mb), 7435 kHz (41 mb)

BBC SinhalaLive FM broadcast will be at:1545-1615 GMT = 2115-2145 Local Time on SLBC Sinhala National ServiceSinhala Programme will be repeated on shortwave at:1630-1700 GMT = 2200-2230 Local Time13630 kHz (22 mb), 7435 kHz (41 mb)

BBC World Service in EnglishDetails of BBC World Service programmes and services in English can be found at: bbc.co.uk/worldservice/schedules/internet/800/radio_frequencies_south_asia.shtml

Mainstays of the 24-hour-a-day coverage (but mainly daytime) are 17790 kHz (16 mb) and 15310 kHz 19 (mb).Evenings: 11915 kHz (25 mb), 9740 kHz (31 mb), 7355 kHz (41 mb), 5975 kHz (49 mb).

BBC World Service is an international multimedia broadcaster delivering 32 language and regional services. It uses multiple platforms to reach its weekly audience of 188 million globally, including shortwave, AM, FM, digital satellite and cable channels. Its news sites, which received 4.7 million weekly visitors in September 2009, include audio and video content and offer opportunities to join the global debate. It has around 2,000 partner radio stations which take BBC content, and numerous partnerships supplying content to mobile phones and other wireless handheld devices. For more information, visit bbcworldservice.com. For a weekly alert about BBC World Service programmes, sign up for the BBC World Agenda e-guide at: bbcworldservice.com/eguide.

(BBC World Service International Publicity)

EMR Birthday Transmission

EMR Birthday Transmission this Sunday April 18th. Time 0900-1000 UTC
Channel 6140 kHz M&B Wertachtal, 100 kW, non-dir.

Programmes:
1000 Tom Taylor programme.
1030 Mike Taylor (Mail Box programme).

EMR Internet radio service on Sunday and Monday. Programme repeats are at the following times: 1000, 1300, 1600, 1900, 2200 UTC. Please visit and click on the "EMR internet radio" button which you will find throughout the website (see the menu on the left). Please send all reception reports to:

Good Listening

(Tom Taylor, April 15)

DSWCI Newsletter : DX Window 400 free download

The jubilee edition of DX Window newsletter published by Danish Shortwave Club International is available for free download by everyone :

http://www.dswci.org/try/dxw/dxw400.pdf

Best 73
Rolf Wernli
Webmaster

Danish Shortwave Club International

Ham Radio Growing In The Age Of Twitter

Only a few years ago, blogs listed ham radio alongside 35 mm film and VHS tape as technologies slated to disappear. They were wrong. Nearly 700,000 Americans have ham radio licenses — up 60 percent from 1981, a generation ago. And the number is growing.

Read the NPR story here :
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125586086

DRM consortium at the 2010 NAB Show

The Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) Consortium is at the 2010 NAB Show and is highlighting a few of its solutions for the radio broadcasting industry to go digital.

More at :

http://tinyurl.com/y2fzkov

Kochi Gyanvani, an educational FM channel, will start its broadcast today

C.P. Rajasekharan, station manager, Gyan Vani Educational FM, said in a release that it is an initiative of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). A studio will be set up in Thiruvananthapuram in the future, he said. A special musical feature on the occasion of Vishu will also be broadcast on April 15. The relevance of the festival will be highlighted through the programme.

More at : http://beta.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/article396866.ece

T.R.Rajeesh from Thrissur, Kerala confirms Gyanvani Kochi on 105.6 MHz from 0555 IST (0025 UTC)

Mexico Is Set to Elect IBOC

by Gabriel Sosa Plata, 04.14.2010
MEXICO CITY — HD Radio, the in-band, on-channel system developed by iBiquity Digital Corp., will be chosen as the standard for terrestrial digital radio in Mexico, according to the country's broadcast regulator, the Comisión Federal de Telecomunicaciones.

More at : http://www.radioworld.com/article/99364

Indian Amateur Radio pioneer meets Her Majesty Queen of England

National Institute of Amateur Radio (NIAR), Hyderabad has pleasure to inform you that on the eve of the Commonwealth Observance Day, 8th March 2010 at the West Minster Abbey, London the Royal Commonwealth Society had invited Mrs. D. Bharathi Prasad, VU2RBI, the Chief Coordinator of NIAR, to provide a testimony in the presence of Her Majesty Queen of England, Prince of Edinburgh, Prince Charles, High Commissioners of Commonwealth Countries and a group of school children etc. narrating her experiences in the field of Amateur Radio Communication and her contribution to the society for promoting Science & Technology. She was the only person who got an invitation covering this field from the 54 Commonwealth countries, which is a rare honour to an Indian lady.
After the ceremony, she had also attended the tea party at Royal Commonwealth Society and a reception at Buckingham Palace where she met Her Majesty the Queen of England and explained the Queen about her involvement in the promotion of Amateur Radio Communication in India and the activities of National Institute of Amateur radio, Hyderabad in the last three decades in disaster management.

The Commonwealth Foundation, London has shown great interest in promoting Amateur Radio Communication as a part of disaster management in the Commonwealth Nations.

During the tea party, Mrs. Bharathi had also met Mr. Dave Wilson, M0OBW, President of Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB), Mr.Peter Kirby, G0TWW, General Manager, RSGB and other Officials and exchanged the information on the subject of development of Amateur Radio Communication in India and UK.

Mrs. Bharathi had also met Mr. Rojer, G3KMA, the Chairman of IOTA and Mr. Rojer, G3LQP along with Mr. Gopan, VU3HPF and Mr. Vamsi at Rojer's house on 6th March 2010.

On 10th March 2010, Ms. Ellian Richards, the Chief Editor of Radcom, RSGB met Bharathi in her hotel and interviewed her.

Sony brings the world's radio into your room

By PETER CROOKES

FM flight: In the old days, listening to the radio meant turning a dial and hunting out a few signals amid waves of static. FM stations in particular have moved beyond such primitiveness, but it is on the Internet that radio has made its greatest strides. Internet radio is one of the less obvious features Sony brings to the table in the form of its new NAS-V7M all-in-one dock station.

Full story at :
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nc20100414pc.html

DW Bengali revised A10 schedule, morning service retimed

With effect from 14th April (Bengali New Year's Day) DW has retimed its morning Bengali Service at 0200-0230 UTC (instead of 0100-0130 UTC) and the SW frequency has been changed to 11970 kHz .

0200-0230 UTC on 11970 kHz ( ex 0100-0130 UTC on 9855, 15345 kHz)
1530-1600 UTC on 1548, 6180,9540, 9655 kHz

Effective today Bangladesh Betar will broadcast DW Bengali programmes in half hour slots twice a day at 8 to 8.30 am and 8 to 8.30 pm (Bangladesh local time) on following FM frequencies :

Dhaka - FM 97.6
Chittagong - FM 105.4
Sylhet - FM 105.0
Khulna - FM 102.0
Rajshahi - FM 105.0
Rangpur - FM 105.4

Latest Pacific Asian Radio Guide

Media Release
Radio Heritage Foundation
www.radioheritage.net

Latest Pacific Asian Log Radio Guide Now Available

The Radio Heritage Foundation has just released at its website www.radioheritage.net the latest version of the PAL Pacific Asian Log Radio Guide covering all AM [mediumwave] radio stations across the region.

Used by radio listeners, broadcasters and the general public, the guide lists all known AM radio stations operating in the area with detailed information about operating times, languages, location, and much more...in fact more than 50,000 separately updated data entries across thousands of individual stations.

With riots in Thailand, earthquakes in Indonesia and Taiwan, tsunamis across the Pacific, civil unrest and censored local radio media, the information in the latest Pacific Asian Log Radio Guide is also very useful for travellers, travel agents and others who need to keep their clients informed.

Search the latest edition now at www.radioheritage.net - simply click on 'PAL AM Radio' in the Radio Guides factbox on any page. You can also search for shortwave stations in the region [PAL SW Radio], Australian narrowcast AM radio [Australia 1611-1701 AM], New Zealand Low Power FM Radio Guide [NZLPFM Radio] and the Borderless Radio Rankings [What is Borderless Radio].

These services are provided free to the community by the Radio Heritage Foundation, a non-profit organization connecting popular culture, nostalgia and radio heritage across the Pacific.

Donations are welcome to support this service and annual supporter packages begin at US$10 with full details at www.radioheritage.net

BBC ceases partnership with Radio Chaska, Choklate

By: Anita Iyer 13 Apr 10 14:11 IST
MUMBAI: FM radio broadcasters in smaller towns had to face repercussions of BBC's content syndication tie up with Reliance Media World's Big FM.

Read the full story here :

http://www.radioandmusic.com/content/editorial/news/bbc-ceases-partnership-with-radio-chaska-choklate

World Amateur Radio Day 2010 programs in India

World Amateur Radio Day 2010
April 18, 2010

The World Amateur Radio Day is being celebrated every year on April 18 to commemorate the formation of International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) on that day in 1925 at Paris. This theme for this year is "Amateur Radio : Combining communication experience with modern digital techniques".

In this connection, several special programs are planned by Amateur Radio clubs in India.

National Institute of Amateur Radio, VU2NRO, Raj Bhavan Road, Hyderabad 500082 : Inaguration of Ham Radio Museum at 11.00 am. Email: vu2nro@gmail.com, URL: www.niar.org

Quilon Amateur Radio League, VU2QAR, Kollam : Fox Hunt on 17th April 2010 at 2.00 pm, Hamfair 2010 on 18th April 2010 at 1100-1600 Hrs at Jaladarshini Mini Auditorium, Thevally, Kollam, Kerala. Email: vu2syt@yahoo.com, URL: www.vu2qar.com

Indian Wave of Amateur Radio, VU2IWA, Kolkata : Celebrations on 18th April 2010 at 1000-1600 Hrs at Bally Girls High School, Bally, Howrah 711201, West Bengal. Email:vu2iwa@gmail.com URL:www.vu2iwa.org

(Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Hyderabad)
Telefax: 91-40-2331 0287 Cell:94416 96043

www.qsl.net/vu2jos www.niar.org

Govt plans community radio stations in all states

Stepping up measures to connect the rural hinterland with the national mainstream, government has decided to take its community radio station initiative to all the states.A senior official in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry said that during the current fiscal, the community radio network will focus on covering states like Andhra Pradesh and Orissa, which have remained untapped so far.

Full report at :
http://www.hindustantimes.com/rssfeed/india/Govt-plans-community-radio-stations-in-all-states/Article1-530650.aspx

Radio Ooo La La 91.9 FM Guwahati completes 3 glorious years

Radio Ooo La La, Guwahati has completed 3 glorious years of its existence. At the doorstep of the 4th year, they have announced that despite facing tough competition they have successfully retained the number one position. With PCPL taking over its management & has undergone makeover.

Commemerating the completion of 3 years Radio Ooo La La announced the launch of a new FPC (Fixed Point Chart) . The new FPC has the best of humor, romance, popular game show, shows that talk taboos, shows that discuss social problems, corporate public responsibility initiatives, crack-a-joke sparklers, DJ shows, quiz contest a lot more.

Ham Radio Museum to be inaugurated at NIAR on 18 Apr 2010

A museum is devoted to collecting, preserving and exhibiting the history of the Amateur Wireless Technology from the roots of inventions / experiments to today's scenario will be inaugurated on the ocassion of World Amateur Day,18th April 2010 at 11.00 AM. The museum is situated at the premises of National Institute of Amateur Radio at Raj Bhavan Road, Hyderabad.
The museum includes an impressive display of wide range of HF/VHF/UHF amateur radio wireless communication equipment and accessories from popular manufacturers like YAESU, ICOM, KENWOOD etc., of over the years and antenna systems of StepIR, Hi-gain, Create, Force-12 etc. The accessories included power supplies, antenna tuners, antenna rotators, towers. Several homebrew devices and accessories including HF transceivers, antennas, baluns, Direction finding devices which is used for hunting hidden transmitter in the game of 'Fox Hunt' etc are also on display.

AIR Churachandpur to be officially inaugurated after 10 years !

All India Radio Churachandpur station will be officially inaugurated today after 10 years of completion of the construction of the station complex, and having all the necessary machineries, equipments and staffs. State Chief Minister Okram Ibobi will inaugurate the station at a glittering function to be held on the premises of the radio station at Churachandpur. To start with the programmes, the AIR Churachandpur will relay the programmes of FM Rainbow of New Delhi from 4 pm to 5.30 pm. From 5.30 pm onward, direct local programmes will be broadcast. The daily programmes will start from 4pm and close at 9.30 pm.

Read the full story here :
http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=1..130410.apr10

Update :

Paite to be link language for AIR CCpur: CM
http://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=headline&newsid=52464&typeid=1

Doha Regional Conference on Amateur Radio a Big Success

Written by OD5TE - Hani

Sunday, 11 April 2010 12:18

The Regional Conference on Amateur Radio, hosted by the The Qatar Amateur Radio Society (QARS) in Doha, Qatar was one of the largest regional conferences of amateur radio in the Middle East. It took place on April 4-6 2010 under the patronage of His Excellency Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah (A71AU), Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Energy and Industry, Chairman of the Qatar Amateur Radio and in cooperation with the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU).

Read the full report here : http://tinyurl.com/yb2yo7y

The Domestic Broadcasting Survey 12 (DBS-12), April 2010

The DOMESTIC BROADCASTING SURVEY 12 (DBS-12), April 2010 edited by DSWCI Chairman, Anker Petersen. ISSN 1399-8218

NEW SURVEY AVAILABLE: The 53 years old DSWCI which counts experienced DX-ers in 33 countries all over the world as members, has just issued the 12th Edition of its annual Domestic Broadcasting Survey. This survey is divided into three parts:

Part 1: The 38th edition of the Tropical Bands Survey covering all ACTIVE broadcasting stations on 2300 - 5700 kHz, including clandestines.

Part 2: Domestic stations on international shortwave bands above 5700 kHz broadcasting to a domestic audience.

Part 3: Deleted frequencies between 2 and 30 MHz which have not been reported heard during the past five years, but may reappear.

This new Survey is based upon many official sources and DX-bulletins. A10 schedules are included when available.

In order to make the DBS reliable, our own monitors around the world have checked throughout the period May 2009 – March 2010, if each of the 900 station frequencies is on the air. ACTIVE stations are marked with an A ("Regular"), B ("Irregular") or C ("Sporadic") in the list. D means "Likely inactive".

A unique feature is the right column called "Last log". It shows the last month and year before DBS deadline on March 31, 2010 when the particular station was reported logged by a DX-er somewhere in the world. This is another way of indicating the current audibility of the station. To avoid inactive stations in this DBS, most frequencies which have not been heard during the past year, have been deleted and are moved to Part 3.

Other useful features for easy identification (ID) are the parallel frequencies and reference to Station ID slogans.

Reviews can be found on http://www.dswci.org

All buyers of DBS-12 will get a username and password to the monthly updates on the tropical bands published as "Tropical Bands Monitor" on our website. The similar data from 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 are available at http://www.dswci.org/tbm to anybody.

The 28 pages A-4 size DBS-12 is available by e-mail as pdf-format (about 365 KB). A limited number is also available printed on paper. Since the clandestines are not included any longer above 5700 kHz, the prices have been reduced.

It is sold by the treasurer:

DSWCI, c/o Bent Nielsen, Egekrogen 14, DK 3500 Vaerloese, DENMARK

E-Mail edition: DKK 35,00 or USD 7.00 or EUR 5,00 or GBP 4,00 or SEK 50,00 or IRC 4.

Printed edition: DKK 65,00 or USD 12.00 or EUR 9,00 or GBP 8,00 or SEK 90,00 or IRC 7.

Payment by cash notes are accepted whereas checks and postal money orders are not accepted.
DSWCI Bank is Danske Bank, 2-12 Holmens Kanal, DK-1092 Copenhagen K.
BIC/SWIFT : DABADKKK. IBAN: DK 44 3000 4001 528459.
Danish buyers please use: Reg. 3001- konto 4001528459.

If you have EURO as national currency, you are advised to pay to our representative in Germany, Andreas Schmid.

If you want to pay via PAYPAL, please unconditionally contact Andreas Schmid for information.

Andreas Schmid, Lerchenweg 4, D-97717 Euerdorf, Germany.
Account 2912472076 at Citibank BLZ: 30020900. BIC: CIPRDEDD. IBAN: DE24300209002912472076

Best 73's,
Anker Petersen and Bent Nielsen

MIB, GOI Annual Report 2009-10

Annual Report of Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Govt. of India for the year 2009-2010 is now available for download from this link (approx 97 MB) :

http://mib.nic.in/writereaddata/html_en_files/document/ar/annualreport_E2009-2010.pdf

Excerpts related to AIR ....

Growth of Network and Coverage

All India Radio, since independence, has become one of the largest broadcasting networks in the world. At the time of independence there were six radio stations and 18 transmitters (6 MW and 12 SW), which covered 11% population and 2.5 % area of the country.

As on date there are 233 AIR stations and a network of 375 transmitters (149 MW, 54 SW and 172 FM) which provide coverage to 99.16 % of the population spread over 91.82 % area of the country.

Activities undertaken during the year

(i) New station with 5 KW FM Transmitter has been commissioned at Oras (Sindhudurganagary) in Maharashtra.

New Stations are also ready at :

Rairangpur (Orissa)- 1 KW FM Tr
Longtherai (Tripura)- 1 KW FM Tr.(Interim set up for 5 KW FM Tr.),
Suryapet (Andhra Pradesh)-1 KW FM Tr. (Interim set up for 10 KW FM Tr.),
Dungarpur (Rajasthan)- 1 KW MW Tr.
Dharmanagar (Tripura)-1 KW MW. Tr.

(ii) Digitalization of AIR Network is one of the major thrust areas of 11th Plan. This includes Digitalisation of Programme Production Facilities, Transmission Facilities and Connectivity.

(iii) During the year Computer Hard Disc Based recording, editing and playback systems have been provided at 69 more stations in addition to the 76 AIR stations already provided.

Procurement of Hard Disc Based Systems with provision for High-end Servers with centralized storage and software for 48 major stations of All India
Radio is also currently in
progress. 564 workstations and sound cards have been procured and procurement of High-end Servers for these workstations is in progress.

Special Package for J&K

(i) Phase-I of Special Package for expansion and improvement of AIR services in J&K has been implemented. There are now 16 AIR Stations and 25 Transmitters (MW 14, FM 8, SW 3) in J&K. 99.52% of State's population is now covered by radio signals.

(ii) Phase-II scheme has been approved to provide additional diesel generators and UPS for the existing stations of AIR to further strengthen the Captive power supply. This will help in ensuring continuity of broadcast service during power supply failures and also during emergency or natural calamity.15 KVA (9 Nos.) DG sets, 62.5 KVA (6 Nos.) DG sets have already been procured and installed. SITC work (Supply, Installation, Testing and Commissioning) for 7 UPS and SITC Work for 2 DG Sets of 1000 KVA at Jammu have been awarded. Price bids for 1000 KVA DG set at Narbal, Srinagar and two 500 KVA DG sets for Pampore, Srinagar are under process..

(iii) Phase-III, a special scheme amounting to Rs. 100 crores of J&K Special Package is under process for further improvement of FM and TV coverage in the J&K border areas. This includes three FM/TV High Power Transmitters to be set up at hilltops and one FM/TV Transmitter proposed to be set up at existing AIR and DD Centers. In addition to this, Low Power Transmitters have also been proposed in uncovered regions.

Phase-II of North East Special Package

Special Package for expansion and improvement of AIR services in North East and Island Territories is under implementation. The package includes:

(i) 1 KW FM stations – 19 Nos.
1. Arunachal Pradesh : Anini,Bomdila, Changlang, Daporjio, Khonsa
2. Assam : Karimganj, Lumding, Goalpara
3. Manipur : Ukhrul, Tamenglomg
4. Meghalaya : Dawki
5. Mizoram : Tuipang, Chemphai, Kolasib
6. Nagaland : Wokha, Zunheboto, Phek
7. Tripura : Udaipur, Nutan Bazar

• New sites are to be acquired for setting up 19 new FM Stations.
Offer of sites and demand notes by the State Governments are under process. 15 sites have been finalized including five finalized during the current year.

• 14 sites have been taken over and taking over one site is expected to materialize shortly.
Four sites at Anini (Arunachal Pradesh), Tamenglong (Manipur), Ukhrul (Manipur) and Zunheboto (Nagaland) are in the process of being finalized.

• Civil works - Construction of security fencing at Udayapur and Nutan Bazar is complete and is in progress at Goalpara, Lumding, Daporijo, Bomdila, Changlang, Tuipang, Champhai, and Kolasib.

• Building works have been awarded at Goalpara, Tuipang, and Kolasib and tender action is under process to award the work at Daporijo, Nutan Bazar and Udayapur. Estimates for Building at Champhai and Khonsa are under process.

(ii) Silchar-5 KW FM Tr. and Gangtok – 10 KW FM Transmitter.

• Civil works for the FM transmitter at Silchar and Gangtok are complete.
• Purchase proposal for 5 KW FM transmitters at Silchar is under process.
• Procurement of Gangtok 10 KW FM Tr. has got delayed due to litigation.

(iii) 100 W FM relay centres at 100 places -
Installation has been completed at 77 places and is in progress at another 12 places. For the remaining 11 places (7 in Mizoram and 4 in Manipur), matter is being pursued with the State Governments to finalize the installation sites. In Manipur there is law and order problem.

(iv) Chinsurah -1000 KW MW Tr.(Replacement of existing 1000 KW MW Tr.). Advance AT for Tr. has been placed..

(v) Kavaratti- 10 KW MW Transmitter (Repl of 1 KW MW) – Purchase proposal for transmitter is under process.

(vi) Digital Satellite News Gathering Systems /MSS terminals – Procurement of the equipments is under process.

(vii) It may be mentioned that in order to quicken the pace of execution of projects in Northeast, the zonal office at Guwahati needs to be strengthened in terms of manpower, permanent office building and staff quarters. Therefore, a proposal to provide permanent office accommodation and Staff Quarters for NE Zone at Guwahati is under process. Computerization of AIR stations and offices is in progress to facilitate online exchange of information and improvement of efficiency.
Permanent studio facilities equipped with digital equipment and computerized Hard Disc Work Stations for recording, dubbing, editing and playback are being provided at Jaipur (Rajasthan) and Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh).

NEW INITIATIVES

All India Radio has laid thrust on providing good digital quality signal by adopting new technologies. Main thrust areas of 11th Plan are given below:
• To provide digital quality signal.
• To provide listeners multiple choice of programmes.
• Expansion of VHF/FM coverage to 54% of population.
• To strengthen radio coverage in the border areas.
• To strengthen existing External Radio Services.
• Introduction of multi-media services and Value Added Services.

Research & Development

The Research Department is engaged in research and development work for incorporating state-of-art technology in radio and television broadcasting. It is a premier national R&D institute involved in broadcast engineering. Following activities were undertaken during the year.
(i) Telemetry System for Medium Wave Transmitters
(ii) Propagation Studies and Investigation
(iii) Acoustic Test Measurements
(iv) Departmental Acoustical Measurement of AIR Leh, J&K
(v) Experiment Digital Radio Transmission (DRM)
(vi) FM-DARC Billboard Application
(vii) Telemetry System for FM Transmitters
(viii) Multilingual News Automation System for Regional News Units of All India Radio
(ix) Prototype Units

Radio India's Foremost Tool of Mass Media

By Manipadma Jena, Womens Feature Service

http://newsblaze.com/story/20100409184454iwfs.nb/topstory.html

Indian government approves country’s Digitalisation plan using DRM

London, April 9th 2010: The Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) Consortium has welcomed the Indian government's approval of All India Radio (AIR)'s ambitious plan of converting its vast broadcasting network to digital using the DRM standard. India is one of the first countries in the world to implement such an extensive and wellresearched plan to upgrade its radio infrastructure using the global open DRM radio technology and thereby ensuring that it can maintain significant reach to its 1.2 billion strong population whilst delivering enhanced radio services.
India's Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure on Thursday 8th April gave its approval to the proposal from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting regarding 11th Plan of Digitalisation where Rs 9.20 billion (approx 200 million USD) have been earmarked for AIR to convert to digital which will cover approx 70 per cent of the country. By converting to digital, AIR will deliver enhanced radio services that offer crystal clear sound, increase user experience with additional functionality such as automatic tuning by station name, interactive user interface through digital screens that offer slide-shows and many other services like EPG, Journaline. The digitisation scheme involves the installation of over 40 digital (DRM capable) transmitters as well as other digital enhancements and networks for both state radio and television.
All India Radio (AIR) began moving towards digitisation with the adoption of the DRM standard after extensive field trials and tests since 2007 that was offering in their opinion the most 'robust, reliable' technology. Last year, it started a regular DRM broadcast from one of its high-power shortwave transmitter located at Khampur near Delhi and this year it acquired two high powered MW DRM transmitters.

(DRM Consortium Press Release)

Radio Prague Competition 2010

Radio Prague has announced its 10th annual listeners’ competition.

Details at : http://www.radio.cz/en/static/competition-2010/

CR News – Tracking Community Radio in India

ANNOUNCING the launch of CR News – Tracking Community Radio in India

We are delighted to announce the launch of a quarterly e-newsletter on Community Radio developments in India: CR News – Tracking Community Radio in India. The newsletter will be the first of its kind in the country and will provide a platform for community radio practitioners, advocates, academics, and policymakers to share community radio news, events, challenges and opportunities. Supported by UNESCO, and produced by the Department of Communication, Sarojini Naidu School of Arts and Communication, University of Hyderabad, the e-newsletter’s editorial team consists of Ashish Sen (Trustee of VOICES, Bangalore and President, AMARC Asia-Pacific) as the Editor; Kanchan Malik (University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad) as the Associate Editor; and Vasuki Belavadi (University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad) for Design and Production.

CR News has an Advisory Board that includes: Prof. Vinod Pavarala (University of Hyderabad and President, Community Radio Forum of India); Frederick Noronha (Independent Journalist, Goa); Anita Gurumurthy (ITforChange, Bangalore); Rajen Varada (UNESCO, Delhi); Anujaa Shukla (Radio Bundelkhand, TARAgram Orchha, MP) and Nikhil Dey (Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, Rajasthan).

The e-newsletter will comprise four segments, namely:

News and Events

Voices from the field

Opinion and Feedback

Announcements

The inaugural issue of CR News – Tracking Community Radio in India is scheduled to be launched mid-June, 2010.

CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS

The editorial team seeks contributions by way of news reports, features, announcements and opinions on recent community radio activities in your organization/region/nation. Voices/Stories from the field, including interviews with community members (listeners and producers) are especially welcome.

Kindly note: Contributions should be in English, restricted to 200 words for news/event and 250 words for opinion pieces and features, and typed double spaced. Contributions may preferably be accompanied by photographs/illustrations. Contact address and details of authors/organization should accompany the contributions. The last date for submissions is May 10th, 2010. Electronic submission of contributions is recommended. Please email your articles/reports/features to: crnews2010@gmail.com

If you are unable to email, you can also send your typed articles/reports/features to:

Dr. Kanchan Malik

Department of Communication;

Sarojini Naidu School of Arts & Communication;

University of Hyderabad;

Gachibowli, Hyderabad 500046

Phone: +91-40-23135506(O); +91-990-858-2613(M)

The final selection of contributions will be determined by the editorial team. We look forward to hearing from you about your community radio station or all the community radio related developments that you are following. Please remember, the deadline for the content to reach us is: May10, 2010. Thank you in anticipation.

Best Regards

Ashish Sen (Editor) & Kanchan Malik (Associate Editor)

Join the Community Radio Forum. For membership details, please go to www.crforum.in

(Via cr-india list)

Pubcasters' DD & AIR digitization plan gets Cabinet approval

Source: MM Network

By: Media Mughals

The Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure has given its approval to the proposal of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting regarding 11th Plan Scheme of Doordarshan – 'Digitalization of Transmitters & Studios in Doordarshan Network, today.

With this consent an allocation of Rs 620 crore has been sanctioned in the 11th Plan for implementation of the programme in case of DD and Rs 920 crore in case of AIR.

More at :
http://tinyurl.com/yg832af

Related news :

Govt clears Rs 1,540-cr digitalisation scheme (Times Now)
http://tinyurl.com/y8bu88l

Govt clears digitalisation scheme for DD, AIR (The Hindu)

http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article391917.ece

Say goodbye to your transistor radio - digital switchover is coming

By Neil Midgley

Published: 8:30AM BST 08 Apr 2010

But now the hiss and crackle of the analogue radio set are finally set to become a thing of the past, with a new law passed yesterday paving the way for digital radio switchover in 2015.

Read the full story here :

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/7564692/Say-goodbye-to-your-transistor-radio-digital-switchover-is-coming.html

The right frequency

Ashish Sinha

Posted online: Apr 07, 2010 at 2044 hrs

The private FM radio industry, comprising 40-odd radio firms, has raised a red flag against the third phase of FM radio expansion envisaged by the government, threatening the FM-III rollout.

More at : http://www.financialexpress.com/printer/news/600929/

HFCC A10 Frequency Schedule

HFCC A10 data file is now available for download :

http://hfcc.org/data/index.phtml

Direct link : http://hfcc.org/data/a10/a10allx2.zip

Digital makeover for DD, AIR soon

Nandini R Iyer, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, April 07, 2010

In three years from now, when the spectrum wars hot up, and television and radio channels will be fighting left, right, and centre for space, our own home-brewed Doordarshan and All India Radio will be sailing through with twice their present capacity.

Read the full story here :
http://www.hindustantimes.com/rssfeed/newdelhi/Digital-makeover-for-DD-AIR-soon/Article1-528462.aspx

Radio days are back

Sharmistha Mukherjee / Kolkata April 08, 2010, 0:03 IST

India Inc has been quick to spot the value-for-money brand promotion opportunity on radio

More at :
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/radio-daysback/391132/

Radio Ga ga

Source: IMPHAL FREE PRESS
Posted: 2010-05-07

One and half decades after the establishment of an All India Radio, AIR, station in Churachandpur, radio service is still not launched from this centre not for any technical non-feasibility, but because the major communities residing in the district, in particular Thadou Kuki, Paite, and Hmar are not able to come to a consensus as to which of their languages should be the base medium.

Read the full story here :

http://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=headline&newsid=2361&typeid=0

Dxers Unlimited's HF plus low band propagation update

And now amigos, as always at the end of the program here is Arnie Coro's Dxers Unlimited's HF plus low band propagation update and forecast.

It's in the public domain so it can be reproduced freely to help fellow short wave listeners and amateur radio operators to enjoy our hobby !!! Solar activity is expected to be very low for the next two UTC days (7 and 8 April). There is, however a chance for an isolated C-class event from Solar active sunspot Region 1061. It is also expected that yet another increase to unsettled levels with a chance for active periods is expected will happen on the 7th of April due to the onset of a high speed stream of particles flowing from a favorably positioned coronal hole.

Activity levels are expected to decline to mostly unsettled levels by Thursday April 8 UTC day.... Don't forget that abnormal propagation conditions sometimes bring in unsual stations that you will not be able to pick under normal conditions !!!

Amigos, don't forget to set aside a little time and tell me your impressions about this program , send your radio hobby related questions and any ideas you may have on how to improve it !!! Send mail to inforhc at enet dot cu or VIA AIR MAIL to Arnie Coro, Radio Havana Cuba, Havana , Cuba.

Read the full version of Dxers Unlimited's mid week edition for 6-7 April 2010 here :

http://dxersunlimited.blogspot.com/2010/04/dxers-unlimiteds-mid-week-edition-6-7.html

Children on air

JABIR MUSHTHARI

Students get to script and present their own shows on their school radio

The ripples of the recent radio revolution have reached the classrooms too. Its arrival, as it was in some of the primary schools in Kozhikode, was promising to make the process of learning a lot more interesting and interactive for students.

Read the story here :
http://beta.thehindu.com/life-and-style/kids/article386967.ece

MV Baltic Radio is on 6005 khz this Saturday (TX power of 1 kw)

Dear Listeners,

MV Baltic Radio is on the air this Saturday the 3rd of April 2010. The frequency will be 6005 khz, and the time slot will be 0900 utc.

For more information, please email MV Baltic Radio on the day of the Transmission.

Good Listening

73s
Tom Taylor

Listen to RTI for a chance to win a RTI T-Shirt

Purpose
Radio Taiwan International (RTI) is giving away a limited number of t-shirts to our listeners around the world to thank you for your support of the radio station.

How to enter
To enter for a chance to win a t-shirt, you can send us an email or a reception report about the reception condition in your part of the world. RTI will send you a Qualified Shortwave Listener (QSL) card along with a contest entry card. Return the contest entry card back to RTI with your name and mailing address. There is no limit to the number of entries listeners can send. Photocopies of the card, however, will not be accepted.

Deadline for receiving QSL card and contest entry card Send us an email that is time-stamped or a reception report that is postmarked between April 1, 2010 and June 30, 2010 to receive the QSL card and the contest entry card.

Deadline for mailing contest entry card
Mail your contest entry card to RTI with a postmark between April 1, 2010 and August 15, 2010 to enter the drawing.

Mailing Address
RTI's mailing address is P.O. Box 123-199, Taipei 11199, Taiwan.

Indian listeners can send their entries to :
RTI, PO BOX 4914, S.J.ENCLAVE, NEW DELHI 110029.

Contest drawing date
The drawing will be held on September 1, 2010.

Prizes
RTI will give away 400 t-shirts. Multiple entries will increase your chance of winning, but each winner is only eligible to receive one t-shirt regardless of the number of winning entries that individual has submitted.

Anouncement of Winners
The list of winners will be announced on RTI's programs and posted on RTI's Web site.

Radio Nepal celebrates 60th anniversary

KATHMANDU - "Radio Nepal", the national broadcasting service of Nepal celebrated its 60th anniversary on 1st April, 2010. On the occasion Radio Nepal organised a musical program at its Singhadurbar premises in the capital Kathmandu. Minister for Information and Communications Shankar Pokharel felicitated the employees & winners of the music competition.

Pictures of Radio Nepal 60th Anniversary celebrations :

http://www.radionepal.org/events/anniversary.php

Radio Nepal New Studio Facility at Singhdurbar

http://www.radionepal.org/events/studio1.jpg

Radio Nepal Multitrack Studio at Singhdurbar

http://www.radionepal.org/events/multitrack.jpg

(Alokesh Gupta)

New time for BBC Evening Urdu

http://tinyurl.com/ykee27d

Radio Joystick Relay on 9515 kHz

Dear Listeners,

The relay of Radio Joystick is on this Saturday the 3rd of April 2010 on 9515 khz. The Transmission time is between 0800 to 0900 UTC with a power of 150 KW via the IRRS. Radio Joystick is on the air every 1st Saturday of the month at the same time and on the same channel.

Good listening

73s

Tom Taylor

Voice of Russia shifts to digital standard

Apr 1, 2010 18:10 Moscow Time

Russia's government is shifting to DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) the digital radio system. The Voice of Russia broadcasting company was the first to implement the new digital standard 7 years ago.

Read the full report here : http://english.ruvr.ru/2010/04/01/5905343.html

All India Radio Thiruvananthapuram celebrates 60 Years of broadcasting

Express News Service

First Published : 01 Apr 2010 02:24:00 AM IST

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For All India Radio, Thiruvananthapuram station, April 1, 2010, marks 60 years of broadcasting. The station has rolled out a bunch of special programmes in connection with its 60th anniversary.

More at :http://tinyurl.com/y8syr7v

Russian government approves expediency of introducing DRM in Russia

Apr 1, 2010 12:08 Moscow Time

The Russian government has approved the expediency of introducing the European digital radio system, DRM, in Russia and will draw up national standards for it within two years to come. The Voice of Russia has been broadcasting to Europe in the DRM format since April 2003. The DRM is used by the BBC, Deutsche Welle and Radio France International.

http://english.ruvr.ru/2010/04/01/5884377.html

Transradio installs 600 kW DRM enabled MW txer in Qatar

A 600 kW DRM enabled MW transmitter was installed on 15th March 2010 at Al-Arish, Qatar by the state broadcasting company. The overall project included the installation of two TRAM 300 AM transmitters, one Paralleling Unit (PU), two digital DRM Exciter DMOD2, and an antenna for medium wave frequency 675 kHz. Antenna design & construction was by Thomson Broadcast & Multimedia GmbH & was commissioned from Schifferstadt. New antenna design was developed in collaboration between Thomson & Transradio that meets the requirements for the future signal encoding.

The result is a transmitter with an impressive signal quality. Despite the relatively low frequency DRM mask a reserve of 6.17 dB in the real antenna is achieved. In addition, logs the efficiency measurement spot with values up to 88.6%, the continuous development and improvement of the TRAM-channel series of TRANS RADIO. The transmissions will begin in the next few days. With this transmitter, an older station near the Qatari capital of Doha will be replaced.

2010 Easter Radio Caroline Support Group Live from the Ross Revenge

It's another Easter give away over the Bank Holiday weekend with not one, but two, very special gifts for those joining our Support Group or making a minimum donation of £30!

We've manufactured a special Live From The Ross Revenge Easter 2010 edition of our 'Digital World' T-shirt for every new member or minimum donor plus a DVD packed with great Caroline features.

We also have dozens of spot-prizes to give away to new members and minimum donors.

Do seriously consider helping the station if you enjoy listening to us. We can only continue with the generosity of people like you.

This Easter those listeners joining the RCSG or making one-off donations of £30 or more between Monday March 29th and Monday April 5th will receive two free gifts:

Gift 1: A DVD Double Feature containing:

• A previously unreleased video documentary of the Radio Caroline 40th Anniversary bash, featuring Ronan O'Rahilly, Johnnie Walker, Robbie Dale, Keith Skues and a whole host of other Caroline luminaries, past and present; and
• The Mi Amigo Goes Down, the seminal 2005 video documentary on the sinking of the Mi Amigo, featuring key interviews with Tom Anderson and other pivotal Caroline personnel, directed, edited and narrated by Mark Dezzani.
• Plus the DVD contains bonus features of a Justin Hayward interview on Caroline and all the Horizon Magazine back issues from 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Gift 2: Your choice of a blue or white Radio Caroline Support Group Easter 2010 Live From The Ross Revenge tee shirt, specially created as a "one off" for this event.

You'll also be entered in our fabulous draw taking place over the four day Easter Holiday with over 40 prizes including:

• 9 Bob Dylan prizes, including his seminal autobiography, Chronicles, his key albums such as Blonde on Blonde and Highway 61 Revisited, his 4 disc Greatest Hits Vols 1-3 and the Martin Scorsese directed documentary, No Direction Home.
• 6 Copies of the soon to be re-released Rolling Stones dream double album, Exile on Main Street, featuring 10 previously unreleased and recently discovered tracks from the Exile sessions.
• 6 copies of The Who's just released Greatest Hits and More double CD featuring their greatest hits and an extra disc of rare live recordings.
• 10 copies of the soon to be released American hardback edition of Tom Lodge's The Ship That Rocked The World, completely revised, expanded and re-written featuring over 250 pages, signed by the author and featuring a foreword by the E Street Band's Steve van Zandt.
• 6 CD box sets, including 60 Punk Classics, Reggae Steady Ska and Teenage Kicks.
• Movie DVDs, including The Boat That Rocked.

To join or donate, click on the 'Directly Help' button at the top of our Home Page or click here to go to our Support Group page which also contains a list of Frequently Asked Questions about our Easter Membership Drive.

Please also visit our Webshop over the Easter holiday for great Caroline clothing, electronics, music, books, memorabilia and more.

Radio Caroline
http://www.radiocaroline.co.uk/

Article on Amateur Radio in "Mint"

An article on Amateur Radio published in the 23rd March 2010 edition of "Mint" (Business paper from HT group) :

The real masters
If you have always wanted to be an amateur radio enthusiast, but didn't know how to go about it, read on ....
Nishit Rastogi

http://www.livemint.com/2010/03/23213319/The-real-masters.html

SLBC beams to Lankans in Korea

Ishara JAYAWARDANE
The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation ceremonially launched a new program to broadcast its services to Korea last Sunday between 1030-1130 UTC on 15120 kHz. The event was held at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation premises under the patronage of South Korean Ambassador Choi Ki Chul.

Full story at :http://www.dailynews.lk/2010/04/01/news22.asp

Trans World Radio launches in the North West UK

TWR is launching a new North West DAB radio station in the North West on April 1st. TWRThrough the deal with MXR Digital Ltd, TWR, which until recently was called Transworld Radio, will be transmitting speech-led Christian radio, aimed at all ages.

More at : http://tinyurl.com/ykutp7n