Wednesday, April 29, 2015

BBC World Service broadcasts Lifeline programmes in Nepal

In response to the aftermath of the earthquake in Nepal, the BBC World Service is now broadcasting additional programming on shortwave in both Nepalese and in English.
BBC Media Action - the BBC's international development charity - is working with the Nepali Service on BBC World Service (radio and online) and local partner radio stations to broadcast 'Lifeline' programming.
Liliane Landor, Controller of World Service Languages, says: "Information is vital and we are doing all we can to make sure that our audiences in the affected areas receive their local and regional news as well as 'Lifeline' programming designed to give practical information to help deal with the aftermath of the earthquake."
The Nepali language programme is available on shortwave as follows:
Nepali dawn transmission (01:30-01:45 GMT)
11995 kHz (25 metre band)
15510 kHz (19 metre band)
Nepali evening transmission (15:00-16:00 GMT)
9650 kHz (31 metre band)
5895 kHz (49 metre band)
The availability of World Service English on short wave to Northern India and Nepal has been extended with the service now starting one hour earlier than normal at 23.00 GMT.
Additional frequencies for World Service in English (to S Asia) from 23:00 GMT to 24:00GMT
5895 kHz (49 metre band)
9540 kHz (31 metre band)
From 00:00GMT the broadcasts continue as normal on 12,095kHz, 9,410kHz and 5970kHz
(BBC WS Press Release)

New BBC Nepali frequencies as following :

1500-1545 UTC  .234567 5895, 9650 May 4
1500-1600 UTC  1 ......     5895, 9650
0130-0145 UTC  .2 .....     11995, 15510
0130-0200 UTC  1.34567 11995, 15510 May 5

Disaster Management Communication Broadcasts by All India Radio in the wake of the devastating Earthquake in Nepal and India

A) Details of programming by the External Services Division (ESD) of All India Radio
 
·   As soon as the News of devastating Earthquake ravaging large part of Nepal started trickling in, as an immediate measure, SOS announcements advising people not to panic and take precautionary safety measures against the possible aftershocks were made.
 
·      Thereafter, the service got in touch with the MEA officials and by 7 pm, the helpline numbers of MEA, the Indian Mission in Kathmandu were repeatedly announced.  People were advised to take all precautionary measures, as per the guidelines provided by the NDMA. Appeal of ADG, NDMA was also recorded over telephone and broadcast.
 
·      Since, all lines of communication had broken down; the Nepali Service being broadcast on Short-wave remained the only available communication link to reach out to the distressed people in Kathmandu valley and the hinterland Nepal.
 
·       Hence, the normal programming of the whole evening transmission was changed and programmes relating to the Earthquake were broadcast continuously.
 
·       A special report about the flying in of medical help, relief material and NDMA experts by India for the help of the Nepalese people in their hour of crisis was broadcast to boost the morale of the people and to inform that India is by their side at this critical situation.
 
·  The next morning transmission also included interview of Shri Krishna Prasad Dhakal, Deputy Chief of Mission of Nepal in India, who elaborately spoke regarding the situation, the need of relief materials, medical aid etc.
 
·     The SOS announcements were continued to be made as many aftershocks were felt. Appeal announcements requested by the 2nd Secretary in the Nepalese Embassy regarding rehabilitation and requirements of different relief materials like Dry ration, Medicine, Tents and Baby Food, Drinking Water etc were also made in the morning and mid-day transmission of Sunday.
 
·         Interview and bytes of some of the persons evacuated from Nepal were also broadcast. In the evening transmission on Sunday, the appeal made by the Prime Minister's in his special radio programme Mann Ki Baat broadcast at 11.00 am was included.
 
·     On Monday, telephonic interviews of Indian- Nepalese volunteers who are going to Nepal for helping in the rescue and relief work were broadcast in the transmissions. SOS announcements, helpline numbers, health precautions to be taken etc were broadcast in the morning and mid-day transmission.
 
·         A press conference called in the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi, where details of relief and rescue works were given and India's yeoman help at the hour of crisis was lauded, has been covered and excerpts are being broadcast in the evening transmission.
 
·    The efforts of the Nepali Service to disseminate vital and crucial information to the distressed people of Nepal and also to the rescue workers would continue over the next few days till life comes back to normalcy.
 
·       The tone, tenor and the content of the service will be calibrated to suit the requirements as the events unfold.
 
·     The In-charge of the Nepali Service, and the Head of External Services Division have been personally monitoring the situation and are in constant touch with the MEA, Embassy of Nepal in Delhi, Indian Mission in Kathmandu, NDMA and other agencies involved to cater to their communication needs and providing important and critical information to the suffering people.
 
  B) Programming by AIR stations serving Indo-Nepal Border and areas affected by the
       Earthquake
 
In the wake of the earthquake that struck and caused  heavy damages in some of the States bordering Nepal recently, All India Radio stations situated in the affected areas have been playing a vital role in disaster management communication to bring succour to the  affected people. AIR Stations have acted as the fastest mode of communication to reach the affected people and provide them the vital information for their safety and well-being.
 
As soon as the news about the killer quake broke out on 25th April, 2015, AIR Stations  serving the areas which suffered due to earthquake were advised to mount suitable programmes keeping in view the situation in their respective service areas. These Stations have also been advised that depending upon the extent of damage, they may contact various State and local government authorities which deal with disaster management activities such as rescue, relief and rehabilitation for their broadcasts in their respective regions.
 
As per standing instructions for AIR stations regarding disaster management in such situations, the concerned AIR stations in these areas have started giving wide publicity to helpline numbers of various relief agencies. Special educative and informative programmes have been mounted disseminating information about the various relief and rescue measures taken by the administration in order to reach out to the affected people. In this direction, AIR Patna, AIR Darbhanga, AIR Gorakhpur, AIR Lucknow, AIR Gangtok, AIR Siliguri, AIR Guwahati, AIR Delhi, etc put out suitable programmes to generate awareness among the masses, particularly informing them how to deal in such situations and also not to fall prey to rumour mongers. Accordingly, the quake related broadcasts have been suitably devised and these programmes are being continued with updated information as the situation continues to unfold and concerned agencies step up their efforts to keep people abreast of the latest situation. Emphasis is also being given to educate the people on the possible post- quake health issues in specially mounted health programmes.
 
 C) Details of some of the programmes broadcast/planned for broadcast by various
      channels  of AIR, Delhi
 
FM Rainbow
Date of broadcast: 25 April, 2015
Time of broadcast: 1700 to 1800 hours
Dial out: Professor K J Anand Kumar, NIDM, New Delhi and,
   Shri S S Guleria, DIG, NDRF, New Delhi
 
FM GOLD
Date of broadcast: 25 April, 2015
Time of broadcast: 1745 to 1800 hours
Dial out: Professor K J Anand Kumar, NIDM, New Delhi
 
FM Rainbow
Date of broadcast: 27 April, 2015
Time of broadcast:  0800 to 0900 hours
Dial out: Shri M. Sashidhar Reddy, Former Vice Chairman, NDMA, New Delhi
 
RAJDHANI CHANNEL
Interview: "Understanding Earthquakes"
Date of broadcast:  27 April, 2015
Time of broadcast: 2130 to 2200 hours
Expert: Shri O. P. Mishra, Seismologist, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, New Delhi
 
FM GOLD
Date of broadcast: 28 April, 2015
Time of broadcast: 1300 to 1400 hours
Dial out: Shri Sailesh Naik, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, New Delhi
 
FM Rainbow
Date of broadcast: 28 April, 2015
Time of broadcast: 0800 to 0900 hours
Dial out: Major General R. K. Kaushal, Senior Consultant, NDMA, New Delhi
 
Indraprastha Channel and FM Rainbow
Saturday Phone-in-Program on "Bhukamp Aur Aapda Prabhandan".
Date of broadcast: 02 May, 2015
Time of broadcast: 0910 to 1000 hours
Experts: Professor Santosh Kumar, Director, SAARC Disaster Management Centre, New Delhi
Professor V K Sharma, Consultant, Disaster Mnagement, IIPA, New Delhi
Shri O. P. Singh, Director General, NDRF, New Delhi
 
PS: Programme presenters/comperes of FM Rainbow, FM Gold, Indraprastha and Rajdhani channel of All India Radio, Delhi are educating the masses/listeners regarding precautions they should take before and after earthquakes since the evening of 25/04/2015. Other important information including details of helpline numbers (latest 011-1078 – the national earthquake related NDMA helpline) is also being provided regularly.
 
 
Related :
 
All India Radio and BBC World Services design special programming for earthquake affected Nepal
 
 

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

KTWR Guam starts emergency broadcast for Nepal Earthquake

KTWR Guam has started one hour emergency shortwave broadcast wef 27th April 2015 :

1400-1500 UTC (1945-2045 Nepal Time) on 15280 kHz in English/Nepali/Hindi/Bhojpuri


The Trans World Radio (TWR) Nepal team visited the affected areas to better understand the situation, and will continue to visit other affected areas over the next several days. To address the long-term spiritual and emotional needs, TWR will produce a 15-minute program in Nepali to be broadcast once a day, seven days a week over 15 FM stations in the affected districts.
 
TWR will also produce a one-hour program with four 15-minute segments in Nepali, Hindi, Bhojpuri, and English. The programs will be broadcast once a day, seven days a week, over shortwave from Guam to reach those closer to Mount Everest, where they may not be able to receive FM broadcasts.
 
TWR would like to distribute at least 5,000 radios in the region to replace those that may have been damaged or lost in the quake.

Related :



BBC World Service additional txns to Nepal

With effect from 27th April, 2015 BBC World Service has started emergency additional shortwave broadcasts in response to the recent earthquake in Nepal :
 
2300-0000 UTC (0545-0615 Local Time) on 5895, 9540 kHz English
0130-0145 UTC (0715 -0730 Local Time) on 11995, 15510 kHz Nepali
1500-1600 UTC (2045 - 2115 Local Time) on  5895, 9650 kHz Nepali
 
(Via Hiroshi's Blog)

 

Monday, April 27, 2015

Nepal Earthquake - Emergency Traffic



25th April 2015
 
Emergency traffic related to Nepal earthquake was noted on 14210 kHz usb at 1840 UTC, 4X6TT shared that Satish 9N1AA from Nepal telecom is safe. Later on 9N1AA was on air with the ground report from Nepal.
 
Video of Nepal earthquake emergency traffic 14210 USB 1846 UTC 25 Apr 2015


 
Radio Nepal was heard last night with centralised special live transmission which continued beyond 1 am IST (1930 UTC) to help millions of distressed and homeless peoples. 684 Pokhara was best. 792 Kathmandu , 576 Surkhet, 1143 Bardibas were also received fair/poor. 648 Dhankuta & 810 Dipayal could not be heard here at Agartala. Tecsun PL660 with Telescopic ant. used.


(Pradeep Kundu, Tripura on FB)
  
Due to disruption of internet service in Singha Durbar area online streaming service of Radio Nepal was not available, you can now listen to Radio Nepal live using this link :



Radio Nepal MW stations at 1945 UTC, 26 April 2015 :
 
All the 6 stations were noted on air with special programme on earthquake.
 
576 100 KW Surkhet ...
648 100 KW Dharan, Sunsari
684 100 KW Malepatan, Pokhara
792 100 KW Bhainsepati, Kathmandu
810 10 KW Doti, Dipayal
1143 10 KW Mahottari, Bardibas
 
Nepal Earthquake - Report from Region 3
 
http://www.iaru-r1.org/index.php/emergency-communications/1420-nepal-earthquake-report-from-region-3


Updates 28th April 2015


Ham operators to help in quake rescue efforts
 
 
Amateur Radio Volunteers in Nepal, India Continue to Aid Earthquake Response
 
 
How radio killed the video star
 
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/How-radio-killed-the-video-star/articleshow/47076710.cms


With effect from 27th April, 2015 BBC World Service has started emergency additional shortwave broadcasts in response to the recent earthquake in Nepal :
 
0000-0030 UTC (0545-0615 Local Time) on 5895, 9540 kHz English
0130-0145 UTC (0715 -0730 Local Time) on 11995, 15510 kHz Nepali
1500-1600 UTC (2045 - 2115 Local Time) on  5895, 9650 kHz Nepali


(Via Hiroshi's Blog)


All India Radio and BBC World Services design special programming for earthquake affected Nepal
 
 
How ham radio can be useful during natural disasters
 
 
Nepal earthquake update #3
 
 
Govt plans HAM radio centres in each Maha district
 
 
Disaster Management Communication Broadcasts by All India Radio in the wake of the devastating Earthquake in Nepal and India
 
 
When Radio overshadowed TV during earthquake in Nepal

 
Amateur Radio Groups Give Quake-Rattled Nepal a Helping Hand
 
After Nepal earthquake, people turn to ham radio
An old tech shows its resilience, while new tech reveals its problems
 



Friday, April 24, 2015

Special TEST of Radio Spaceshuttle !

Radio Spaceshuttle will have SPECIAL TEST transmission on 13800 kHz on Sunday 26th of 2015 at 20:00-21:00 UTC-time (21-22 in UK, 22-23 in Central Europe, 23-24 in Eastern Europe)

This transmission will be made to study is this frequency more free to be listened this time. As well we like to gather information of areas where this transmission might be received-  Reception reports with audio files are very welcome!

Please send your reports with fee of 2 euros/ 3 US-$ or IRC's to our Herten Postal Box:
Radio Spaceshuttle International
P.O.Box 2702
6049 ZG Herten
The Netherlands



All India Radio's four regional channels go online

NEW DELHI: Listeners of Gujarati, Marathi, Punjabi and Malayalam channels of All India Radio (AIR) can now also hear the programmes of their choice online as the public broadcaster has begun live streaming the four regional language channels on its website.

These four channels can now be listened on the website allindiaradio.gov.in in addition to FM Gold, FM Rainbow, and FM Urdu of Delhi station and Vividh Bharati (Mumbai) which were already being live streamed.
  
Read more at:


Saturday, April 18, 2015

AIR DRM Test Transmission with multiple programmes from SPT Bangalore

All India Radio will be conducting trial transmission in DRM mode with multiple programmes from SPT Bangalore as per below :


Date : 20th April to 30th April, 2015 (Extended after 30th April 2015 until further notice)


1745 - 2230 UTC (2315-0400 IST) - 7550 kHz to UK & West Europe


Programme 1 = GOSIV/HINDI/GOS-V
Programme 2 = Vividh Bharati


Consequently GOS V Service from 2045-2230 UTC (0215 -0400 IST) on 11620 kHz to Aus/NZ will be shifted from DRM mode to analog mode.


Please send your reception reports to spectrum-manager@air.org.in

A special QSL card is available for this DRM test transmission.


(Alokesh Gupta)


Friday, April 17, 2015

Minister inaugurates AIR Delhi Vividh Bharati Service on FM (100.1 MHz)

Minister of Finance, Corporate Affairs and I&B, Shri Arun Jaitley has said that the introduction of the Vividh Bharati services from Delhi, on the FM platform had addressed the content and entertainment needs of the audiences residing within the NCR region. The transmission within the minimum radius of 60 kms would enable the people to enjoy high quality rich content programs with utmost clarity transmitted by the given platform. Technological advancement and availability on FM Mode would make Vividh Bharati and other channels of AIR available on mobile phones, car stereos and internet. This initiative would also mainstream the platform with audiences proactively offering them different program segments and keeping pace with contemporary themes on the entertainment segment. Shri Jaitley stated this while inaugurating the Vividh Bharati FM service at the AIR, New Broadcasting House here today. MoS I&B Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore, Secretary I&B Shri Bimal Julka and CEO, Prasar Bharati Shri Jawhar Sircar, DG, AIR Shri Fayyaz Sheheryar were also present on the occasion.

Reiterating the historical role played by Vividh Bharati channel in the broadcast of entertainment programs, Shri Jaitley said that the different programs had left a deep imprint on the minds of the listeners since it began in 1957. While the programming had witnessed qualitative improvement, the extension of this platform from New Delhi on the FM stream would further enhance the quality of transmission and sound reception. Vividh Bharati as a platform had created landmarks which remain predominant in the minds of the listeners. Shri Jaitley recalled some of the prominent programs that had been successfully broadcast since the last several decades. The Minister mentioned 'Bhule Bisre Geet, Hawa Mahal, Jaimala for the Army personnel, Sangeet Sarita and Youth Express.' All these programs addressed the varied audiences' needs successfully across the country.

The audience of Vividh Bharati Service in Delhi was hithertofore being beamed through MW only. Now the signal shall be available through Frequency Modulation (FM), which has stereophonic sound quality and has the inbuilt feature of becoming available on mobile phones and car stereos. A dedicated 10 KW transmitter has been installed for the VB Service Delhi and it will cover a minimum radius of 60 kms.

Vividh Bharati on FM will be available in Delhi on 100.1 MHz. This is in addition to its availability on MW 1368 kHz. Two other existing FM services of AIR are FM Gold(106.4MHz) and FM Rainbow(102.6 MHz). AIR also has its Local Radio Station Network in Frequency Modulation.Vividh Bharati is considered to be the most popular channel of All India Radio across the nation. While its services were available across most parts of the country on FM mode, in the 4 metros (with the highest population densities) it was being transmitted only on Medium Wave till recently.

CP/ST
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting


Audio file of inaugural transmission :


(Alokesh Gupta)


Monday, April 13, 2015

AIR Vividh Bharati service at Delhi will be inaugurated on 14th April

Jose Jacob informs All India Radio Delhi Vividh Bharati service at Delhi will be inaugurated on 14th April, 2015 by Shri Arun Jaitley, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India. All India Radio will broadcast inauguration ceremony live 11 am onwards.

AIR VBS at adelhi will be available on 100.1 MHz

Related :

AIR VBS testing in Delhi on 100.1 & Mumbai on 102.8 MHz




Saturday, April 11, 2015

Eternal Good News A15

Eternal Good News A15


Friday; 15,525 kHz; 19m; 11:30 UTC
Saturday; 11,635 kHz; 25m; 04:45 UTC
Saturday; 15,215 kHz; 19m; 18:00 UTC
Saturday; 21,600 kHz; 13; 17:30 UTC
Saturday; 6,130 kHz; 49m; 1930 UTC
Sunday; 21,480 kHz; 13m; 11:15 UTC
Sunday; 9,930 kHz; 31m; 12:30 UTC
Sunday; 11,855 kHz; 25m; 18:15 UTC
Sunday; 15,530 kHz; 19m; 21:00 UTC
Sunday; 7,315 kHz; 41m; 23:45 UTC
Monday; 7,385 kHz; 31m; 02:00 UTC


Reception reports to gabry@cox.net


(Alokesh Gupta)


Free issue of DX Times from NZ Radio DX League

The New Zealand Radio DX League invites you to download the April issue of the DX Times for free from http://www.radiodx.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/DX-Times-Standard-2015-4.pdf
 
This is a marketing promotion aimed at making people aware that the New Zealand Radio DX League exists and is still flourishing 66 years on from its inception!
 
(Paul Ormandy)
 
 

Thursday, April 09, 2015

BBC World Service launches one minute of global news updated every 30 minutes

BBC Minute is a new 60-second dynamic news blast aimed at younger audiences worldwide.
 
BBC Minute, a pacey new one-minute news summary, launches globally on 1 April 2015.
 
The 60-second broadcast is aimed at digitally connected audiences and promises an alternative news source from the BBC World Service. BBC Minute is available for download on iTunes and will also be distributed via partnerships with radio music stations around the world, particularly those aimed at younger listeners.
 
BBC Minute will keep audiences updated on what's trending and being shared on social media as well as the latest international news headlines, plus sport, tech, entertainment and science. BBC Minute is updated twice an hour, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
 
Mary Hockaday, Controller, World Service English says: "BBC Minute shows the World Service doing things differently. We're providing a lively, bite-sized summary of the day's global news for younger audiences. I'm thrilled so many partner stations are keen to work with us to bring our impartial, accurate news – the world's most trusted – to fresh listeners, as we're always looking for new ways to reach new audiences."
 
Steve Titherington, Senior Commissioning Editor, World Service says: "BBC Minute provides direct news for the young and curious. Half the world is under 35. They are hungry for information and connected to the world in ways they themselves are shaping. BBC Minute shares in this change with new forms of storytelling and new forms of audio. The result is vibrant and quick but it's also ruthlessly accurate and balanced. This is an alternative World Service but still the BBC World Service!"
 
BBC Minute has been running in Africa since February, with partners including YFM 99.2 in South Africa.
 
Now more radio stations around the world are signing up to BBC Minute, including RJFM 100.3 and DZRJ 810 AM nationwide on the Rajah Broadcasting Network, Inc. in the Philippines, and Splash FM in Nigeria.
 
Bea Jacinto, Assistant to the President of Rajah Broadcasting Network, Inc. says: "We welcome the BBC Minute which will fit perfectly into our listener profile of trendsetters, decision makers, and young professionals. We are very excited to be the only radio network in the Philippines to be launching this radio news programme with our long time media partner, the BBC World Service."
 
Bisi Asomolowo, Chief Operating Officer at Splash FM, says: "It's amazing how much information can be absorbed in a minute over a whole day without having to sit through the usual formats of traditional news. BBC Minute is very punchy, we love it at our station and I particularly find myself looking forward to the next ‎bite size."
 
The Beat 99.9 in Lagos, Nigeria, and Fresh FM in Namibia are among other new partner stations.

(BBC Press Release)

Wednesday, April 08, 2015

KTWR Guam DRM Test

KTWR Guam DRM Tests

Date : 8th & 9th April 2015 (Wed and Thurs)
1000 -1030 UTC (3.30 - 4 pm IST)
Frequency : 15300 kHz (Two channels with different content)
Azi : 255 Deg (so may be heard in southern part of India if at all)

Wednesday, April 01, 2015

Digital Radio Mondiale™ (DRM) and Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) Conclude Successful DRM Digital Radio Trial and Workshop

The Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) Consortium and the Indonesian public broadcaster, Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI), held a most comprehensive DRM30 digital radio trial and workshop in Jakarta, between 24th and 27th of March. This was one of the most comprehensive such events ever organised by the Consortium. The technical presentations on the first day were perfectly illustrated by the medium wave trial organised the next day at the Bogor station, about 60 kilometres south of Jakarta. The practical discussion of the excellent trial results on the 26th and the exploration of all DRM options and benefits completed the picture. On the last day of the workshop a discussion on the best way to introduce DRM countrywide and the possibilities of producing single or multi-standard receivers in the country completed a very successful event.

Mr Sunarya Ruslan, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of RRI Indonesia, hailed the DRM, RRI joint endeavour as most significant: "In our country of over 13,000 islands and about a quarter billion people we want to have radio broadcast services that are economical, easy, and mobile. They need to offer the same good quality to Indonesian citizens, whether they are in big or small cities, near or afar. Good sound, good programmes and available and affordable receivers for everyone is the aim now."

Mr Muhammad Rohanudin, Technology and New Media Director of RRI, was enthusiastic about the ease of adapting the existing analogue infrastructure (in Bogor) in record time in order to carry digital programmes in simulcast or pure digital. He declared the DRM sound quality "spectacular" and thought that "DRM can provide an option for RRI to reach every corner of the country, if all stakeholders work together."

Ruxandra Obreja, DRM Consortium Chairman, was delighted to see that the event involved RRI but also  spectrum specialists, representatives of the government, of private broadcasters and receiver manufacturers. "The DRM trial and workshop", she said, "demonstrated that DRM offers the coverage, multi-platform content, excellent audio quality, extra features and cost savings that really fit with RRI's aspirations. DRM is made for Indonesia and Indonesia is made for DRM."

(Press Release)

VATICAN RADIO A15

Vatican Radio A15 schedule