BBS live broadcast continues on Radio & TV

Bhutan Broadcasting Service continues live broadcast of jont sitting of parliament on both Radio (6035 kHz SW) & TV all of this week.

NHK Radio Japan Hindi Frequency change

NHK Radio Japan Hindi Frequency change wef 14th June 2010

1345-1430 UTC (1915-2000 IST) on 11825 kHz ( ex 5975) Daily

NASB Shortwave Listener Survey

New NASB Shortwave Listener Survey, is now online. The purpose of the survey is to gather demographic and other information about shortwave listeners in North America and around the world. Questions deal with listener preferences regarding shortwave stations, programming, receivers, DRM and much more. The NASB is requesting and encouraging all shortwave publications and websites to place a link to the survey, which will be online until May of 2011. The survey results will be announced to the public at the 2011 NASB annual meeting.

The URL for links to the survey is: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6LRVLJ7

(NASB Newsletter, May 2010)

Radio Fly on Shortwave

Radio Fly on Shortwave
Tabubil, Papua New Guinea

Listeners in countries such as Japan and New Zealand have been reporting reception of new shortwave broadcaster Radio Fly in recent days.

Radio Fly is a community radio station operated by the Ok Tedi Mine management in the isolated Western Province of Papua New Guinea, about 800km west of the capital Port Moresby.

According to Jobby Paiva, who hosts the evening show on Radio Fly, the station operates from two FM transmitters [95.3 at the port town of Kiunga and 103.8 in the main company town of Tabubil about 90km inland] and recently started shortwave relays on 3915kHz and 5960kHz.

English news is scheduled 7am-7.30am Tue-Sat and again at 7.30pm-7.45pm Mon-Fri [local times] and the 6am-10pm [2000-1200 UTC] broadcast day is divided into the Breakfast Shift 6am-10am, Mid Morning/Mid Afternoon Shift 10am-2pm, Afternoon Drive 2pm-6pm and the Night Shift 6pm-10pm closedown.

He tells us that the transmitter power details for the SW outlets will be available shortly and they're delighted to be getting emails in from a growing number of listeners around the world.

Station details will be included in the 2011 WRTH: Radio Fly studios are on Dakon Street, Tabubil. Mailing address: PO Box 1, Tabubil, Western Province, Papua New Guinea. Team Leader: Michael Miise. Telephone: +675 649 3924. Fax: +675 6493023. Email: jobby.paiva@oktedi.com.

Jobby has previously been a broadcaster with Nau FM and other commercial stations in Papua New Guinea and maintains a regular blog where updates about Radio Fly can be found:
www.jobbyswalk-about.blogspot.com.

Tabubil is the site of one of the world's largest copper mines [previously gold mining] about 20km from the border with Indonesia and just over 300km from Jayapura. Annual rainfall is around 315 inches [8 meters] and the township is located in extremely dense jungle.

A road links Tabubil with a port at Kiunga where the copper slurry is taken by pipeline, and the port mainly exists to service Tabubil. Both Kiunga and Tabubil are in the highly mountainous North Fly District of Western Province.

Radio Fly serves a combined Tabubil/Kiunga urban population of about 25,000 [estimated] and began broadcasting on FM in 2004. For more information about Radio Fly and the Ok Tedi mining operations see: www.oktedi.com.

Pacific Radio News
Radio Heritage Foundation
www.radioheritage.net
______________________________________________________
Radio Heritage Foundation is a non-profit organization connecting popular culture, nostalgia and radio heritage across the Pacific. Free community access is provided to the online PAL Radio Guides and other valuable resources at the global website www.radioheritage.net. Annual supporter benefits start at just US$15 and online advertising rates are now available.

We also maintain the Pacific area broadcasting content [20+ countries] for the World Radio TV Handbook [www.wrth.com] and welcome news and updates about MW, FM and shortwave stations across the region to info@radioheritage.net.

BBS Live broadcasts on 28th May

Bhutan Broadcasting Service will broadcast live the opening session of Bhutanese Parliament today, 28th May morning on 6035 kHz. The Speaker of the Parliament of India, Meira Kumar, will be attending the opening session of the Bhutanese Parliament & will deliver the inaugural address at the opening session.

Live txn starts at 0240 UTC, address by speaker of Indian parliament at 1100 BST (0500 UTC)

Brazilian Broadcasters make public open letter in support of DRM

http://tinyurl.com/3xlgxgw

Don’t Silence Voice of America

Interesting article ....

http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2010/05/Dont-Silence-Voice-of-America

CRI English & Bengali on FM in Bangladesh

Bangladesh Betar and China Radio International (CRI) signed a three yearagreement on May 17, 2010 under which Bangladesh Betar will re-broadcast CRI Bengali program everyday at 1830 - 1930 BST (1230-1330 UTC) on 103.2 MHz FM in Dhaka and105.4 MHz FM in Chittagong simultaneously. English program of CRI will alsobe re-broadcast everyday at 1730 - 1830 BST (1130-1230 UTC from Dhaka station on 103.2 MHz FM. For the re-broadcast service, Bangladesh Betar will earn about US$ 50,000.00 annually. CRI will provide technical assistance to Bangladesh Betar & will also extend training facilities for employees of BangladeshBetar. Md. Mahbubul Alam, Director General Bangladesh Betar and Mr. Wang Yu, Political Counselor of Chinese Embassy in Dhaka signed the agreement. High officials of Ministryof Information and Bangladesh Betar were present on the occasion.

(Source : Bangladesh Betar)

Unfolding drama for broadcasts in Malawi

http://www.feba.org.uk/blog/unfolding-drama-broadcasts-malawi

North Korean Threatens Loudspeaker Network

Along the demilitarized zone between North Korea and South Korea, however, both sides have used loudspeaker networks to boom audio programming to the other’s citizenry. Under an agreement in 2004, the loudspeaker networks on both sides of the DMZ were dismantled; however, in the wake of the 26 March sinking of a South Korean navy vessel, the South Korean military reportedly is moving to rebuild the loudspeaker network.

Full story at :http://www.rwonline.com/article/101030

BBC's international news services attract record global audience despite short wave radio losses of 20 million

The BBC attracts a record weekly global audience of 241 million people to its international news services like BBC World Service and the BBC World News television channel, according to independent surveys. This is up three million on last year's overall audience estimate. However, the multimedia BBC World Service lost 20 million short wave radio listeners during the year; reflecting the increasing global decline of the medium. But during the year BBC World Service attracted around nine million new viewers to its television, online and mobile services; in addition to new listeners to BBC radio programmes through local FM and medium wave radio partner stations in a number of countries.

BBC Global News Director, Peter Horrocks, said: "BBC Global News's record audience demonstrates that people come to us for journalism that is challenging and asks difficult questions, yet respects different points of view and actively encourages debate. "The figures also show the success of our multimedia strategy and investments for global audiences. But the continued dramatic decline in short wave listening shows that those audiences are rapidly changing the way they access international news. Unless BBC World Service can accelerate its response to those changes, it will face a rapid deterioration of its impact as other technologies become more prominent in international media markets."

BBC World Service drew an overall weekly multimedia audience of 180 million across television, radio, online and mobiles. This is eight million down on last year. The audience losses were mainly due to a sharp overall decline in short wave radio listening during the year. Radio audience losses were particularly dramatic in Bangladesh (-7 million), India (-8.2m), and Nigeria (-2.9 m). However, there were significant radio audience gains in Tanzania (+1.4m), and the US (+ 600,000), mainly through BBC programmes being used on local FM and medium wave radio partner stations.

The multimedia BBC Arabic service attracted an audience of 22 million a week, including 12 million watching BBC Arabic television. The BBC Persian multimedia news and information service was hampered by the jamming of its newly launched TV satellite service and the continued blocking of its online service by the Iranian authorities. However, in a hostile environment for research, the independent surveys indicated audiences of 3.4 million, including 3.1 million watching BBC Persian television in Iran.

Together the channels contributed a 72% increase in the estimated audience of BBC World Service's non-English television services.BBC World Service continued to have strong impact in Afghanistan, where BBC audiences are 10 million; and in Iraq where the BBC reaches 4.5 million people each week. In Burma, the BBC now reaches 8.5 million listeners, up 1.4 million on the last survey.

BBC's commercial international news services BBC World News and bbc.com/news – the BBC commercial international television and online news services – attracted a combined global audience of 83 million. BBC World News has a weekly audience of 71 million. The news, weather and sport sections of the BBC's international commercial site, bbc.com, increased to more than 17.2 million unique users every week. It also attracted more than 1.1million unique users in February 2010 accessing mobile news, weather and sport content from BBC Global News every week. By April, this had increased to 1.5 million unique users every week. There has been an increase of 120% in page impressions in the last year. Mobile traffic to news pages alone on the bbc.com mobile site increased tenfold.

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 180 million globally, including shortwave, AM, FM, digital satellite and cable channels. Its news sites, which received 7.3 million weekly visitors in March 2010, 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 News, the BBC's commercially funded international 24-hour news and information channel, is owned and operated by BBC World News Ltd, a member of the BBC's commercial group of companies. BBC World News attracts 71 million viewers a week, is available in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, and reaches 303 million households and more than 1.8 million hotel rooms. The channel's content is also available on 81 cruise ships, 46 airlines, 36 mobile phone networks and a number of major online platforms including bbc.com/news. For further information on how to receive BBC World News, download schedules or find out more about the channel, visit bbcworldnews.com.

The new BBC World Service global audience estimate is derived from a comprehensive programme of independent audience research. This year's figure incorporates new data from 25 countries – some 57% of this year's audience.

The BBC World News audience figure is compiled from multiple surveys (syndicated, omnibus and specifically commissioned) from over 100 countries. The surveys are carried out by independent market research groups and comply with international standards of audience research.

(BBC World Service Publicity)

Radio Japan Bengali on new 11965 kHz - Wrong Frequency choice ?

Radio Japan Bengali service changed its frequency to 1165 kHz (ex 6155 kHz) at 1300-1345 UTC with effect from 23rd May 2010, how this seems to be a wrong frequency choice as TRT (Voice of Turkey) uses the same frequency 11965 kHz for their Russian service at 1300-1355 UTC using a 500 kW transmitter.

Consequently co-channel interfernce was noted by many on the first day of thier transmission, here's how it sounded in New Delhi :

http://tinyurl.com/3xluqm2

The old frequency 6155 kHz also suffered due to co-channel QRM from CNR 2 at 1000-2300 UTC using a 150 kW txer.

Digital radio switchover gets poor reception

Senior broadcasters and leading industry figures have joined a backlash against the rush to digital radio following the Government's decision to set 2015 as the target date for the switchover.

Read the Telegraph story here :
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/7753364/Digital-radio-switchover-gets-poor-reception.html

Tuning into nostalgia -AIR Mysore

The radio today is a symbol perhaps of what we have lost — a sharedsense of community, of a people with a common destiny, a goal that weall aspired to together, says Usha K R

Decades ago, before TV, long before news became entertainment, when ITstill meant income tax, when technology and 'truth' were somehowconsidered akin (it was a short electromagnetic leap from Marconi toMelville de Mello...) radio ruled the waves. That was the time whendinner was not served till the master of the house had listened to the9 o'clock on All India Radio — and if it was the voice of de Mello orLatika Ratnam or Surajit Sen, how could the news be doubted?

Read the full story here :
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/70940/tuning-nostalgia.html

Star Radio re-activates SW service on 4025 kHz

The Management of Star Radio has announced the re-activation of its shortwave service in Liberia. The entity’s Station Manager James Morlu disclosed the institution has begun test transmitting on its shortwave service. Mr. Morlu did not state the length of coverage of the new shortwave service, but said it creates a medium to interact with more listeners. Accoridng to him, the frequency of the shorwave is 4.025 MHz in 75-meters band.

More at :

http://www.starradio.org.lr/component/option,com_news_portal/Itemid,302/

AIR extended txn's due to cyclone

Following All India Radio stations were noted continously on air giving alerts about Cylone Laila which is active in the area :

738 Hyderabad 200 kW
837 Vijayawada 100 kW
900 Cuddapah 100 kW
927 Visakhapatnam 100 kW
4800 Hyderabad 50 kW

A Team from National Institute of Amateur Radio has already moved to the area. Frequencies are 7073 & 14160 kHz. Callsigns from the field stations are VU2MYH, VU2SD, VU2MCW plus VU2NRO ie NIAR HQ Hyderabad.

(Jose Jacob, VU2JOS , National Institute of Amateur Radio, Hyderabad)

AP takes care of wild Laila

Alert administration takes precautionary measures, evacuates over 31,000 people before the cyclone hits the state's coast .

Hyderabad: The preparedness of the administration in the nine coastal districts to reduce the damage during cyclone Laila, which crossed the coast at Bapatla in Guntur district, showed results in terms of minimizing human and cattle loss. Warned early by the meteorological office, the government took precautionary measures like forcibly evacuating people.

Officials depended on ham radio. Heavy to very heavy rains have been forecast all over Andhra Pradesh for the next 36 hours.

Read the full report here :

http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/3/201005212010052104331185087fd77ed/AP-takes-care-of-wild-laila.html

26010 kHz DIGIDIA Radio

http://www.drmrx.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2227

17875 and 15740 Khz TDF MONTSINERY

http://www.drmrx.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2228

Eton E1/E1XM Discontinued

Thanks to a tip from NASWA's Rich Dangelo, Universal Radio is announcing that Eton has discontinued production of the E1 in both the XM and XM-less versions. Speculation has run wild for well over a year that this was imminent and now we know.

(Mark Coady, Ontario DX Association via ODXA List)

Radio Marti Marks 25th Anniversary

Miami, 05/20/2010
Today marks the 25th anniversary of the launch of Radio Marti, which began its broadcasts to Cuba with a simple "buenos dias Cuba."

In the years since, Radio Marti's news programs, dedicated to being accurate, objective and comprehensive, have offered the Cuban people a welcome alternative to state-controlled media propaganda.

"I appreciate the opportunity in this historic day to acknowledge all journalists, engineers and support staff for your commitment in providing professionalism, objectivity and balance in all our programs and newscasts," said Pedro Roig, director of the U.S. government's Office of Cuba Broadcasting, which oversees Radio Marti. "Congratulations to all in these 25 years of commitment to the freedom of Cuba."

Cuba has one of the world's most restrictive media environments - in the bottom 10 of the Freedom of the Press rankings by Freedom House and among the 10 worst countries to be a blogger according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Radio Marti and its sister television and Internet outlets broadcast across multiple media platforms to combat the massive jamming efforts of the Cuban government.

With an all news format, Radio Marti programs air 24 hours a day Tuesday through Sunday, and 18 hours on Monday on shortwave and AM frequencies. Approximately 70 percent of the broadcast hours are live newscasts. Three daily half-hour programs are dedicated to information
and reports from dissidents, independent journalists, independent librarians and pro-democracy advocates within Cuba.

The Office of Cuba Broadcasting, which is funded by the U.S. government through the presidentially appointed Broadcasting Board of Governors, was established in 1990 to oversee the operations of Radio and TV Marti, which broadcast news and information to the people of Cuba. For more information, please call the BBG's Office of Public Affairs at 202-203-4400 or e-mail publicaffairs@bbg.gov.

(BBG Press Release)

National Public Radio picks Balfour Beatty to build headquarters

Read the Washington Business Journal story here :

http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2010/05/17/daily33.html

RNZI Funding Frozen

New Zealand Budget 2010 - Radio New Zealand International Funding Frozen

Radio New Zealand International [RNZI], the country's shortwave broadcaster receives no additional funding in the latest government budget for 2010/2011 announced in Wellington yesterday.

Funding remains at NZ$1.9m [US$1.26m] and it's required to deliver 16 hours of good quality reception daily to a minimum of 11 Pacific nations with one 100kW analog transmitter installed in 1990 and one 100kW digital capable transmitter installed in 2005.

The primary coverage nations it's funded for are French Polynesia, Cook Islands, Tokelau, American Samoa, Samoa, Niue, Tonga, Wallis and Futuna, Fiji, Tuvalu, New Caledonia and Vanuatu.

The secondary coverage nations are Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Nauru and Kiribati, whilst general coverage must be provided to the Asia/Pacific and Pacific Rim region including the Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands and Palau.

In addition, RNZI must increase the number of Pacific radio stations relaying or rebroadcasting its news bulletins to 18 and is permiited a maximum 1% of transmission time lost from equipment failure.

The Radio Heritage Foundation welcomes the continued funding of RNZI as recognition by the government that it provides a valuable service for New Zealand's interests in the Pacific.

'At a time when many shortwave broadcasters face budget cuts and complete closedown of services, this continued confidence in RNZI's ability to deliver a quality service with a bare-bones budget is tribute to the extreme dedication to duty and pragmatism of the entire RNZI team" says chairman David Ricquish.

RNZI provides valuable cyclone, extreme weather watch and tsunami warnings for the entire South Pacific region. It also provides local FM quality news, information and other programs for rebroadcast on a growing number of local Pacific island radio stations.

"With Fiji in media censorship lockdown and media freedoms poorly understood in many of the target nations, RNZI provides local listeners with a respected and valuable news source from a Pacific perspective" adds Ricquish.

"Every week, thousands of New Zealanders are on holiday, on business visits or working and living in the Pacific and RNZI provides a valuable service for their continued safety."

"To maintain this security, RNZI should also be urgently capital funded for a replacement of the 20 year old analog transmitter with another high power digital capable shortwave transmitter sooner rather than later" says Ricquish.

Catastrophic RNZI transmitter failure co-inciding with natural disasters or sudden political events and instability in the region could threaten the lives of New Zealanders and New Zealand's security and commercial interests.

Radio Heritage Foundation is a registered non-profit organization connecting popular culture, nostalgia and radio heritage across the Pacific. It's global website www.radioheritage.net offers free community access to Pacific Radio Guides and other valuable resources. Annual supporter packages start at US$10 and online advertising rates are now available.

Media Release
Radio Heritage Foundation
www.radioheritage.net

A10 Summer schedules file - new version available.

An updated version of the recent A10 schedules file has been uploaded to the WRTH website: http://www.wrth.com which addresses some issues that have arisen since the original file was published. Changes have been highlighted in red text to enable easy identification.

Sean Gilbert, International Editor - WRTH (World Radio TV Handbook)

Web: http://www.wrth.com

RX : Icom IC756PRO; Racal RA1792
ANT : 15.5m Inverted Vee @ 10m; ALA1530 @ 3m

VOA Increases coverage of crucial Ethiopian election

Washington, D.C., May 19, 2010 – The Voice of America is expanding coverage of Sunday's Ethiopian parliamentary elections with special daily radio programs in English, enhanced multi-media efforts, and additional live broadcast hours on election-day in Amharic, Tigrigna, and Afaan Oromoo.

A 10-minute daily English-language program, titled Ethiopian Elections in Focus, is now airing evenings with the latest on the issues and candidates as they prepare for the crucial May 23 vote. The program, which is part of VOA English to Africa's extensive lineup, will continue all week after the election.

Analysis, interviews, special reports and features are available at www.voanews.com, and through a special newsletter that is being distributed by email in an effort to reach listeners who have been affected by the jamming of VOA's popular broadcasts to Ethiopia.

VOA's Horn of Africa service will broadcast live to Ethiopia election-day from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the evening, bringing uncensored coverage to its large audience through shortwave and on VOA 24, a new satellite service carried by Arabsat. The extended election coverage, in Afaan Oromoo, Amharic, and Tigrigna, will include on-the-scene reporting of election-day events, panel discussions of polling station turnout and interviews with Ethiopians around the
world. VOA has also added a 30-minute morning program in Amharic that starts at 6 a.m.

Earlier this month, Voice of America Director Danforth W. Austin issued an open letter to Ethiopian listeners expressing deep concern about the jamming of VOA broadcasts and websites. He also assured listeners that VOA will continue to do all it can to bring Ethiopian listeners the news they have come to trust and rely on for almost 30 years.

(VOA Press Release)

Radio is the 'most trusted' source of news, says Ofcom

Recent figures suggest more people are listening to radio than ever before Radio is the most trusted source of news in the UK, beating both TV and the internet, according to a report from Ofcom.

More at : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment_and_arts/10121759.stm

Govt tunes into AIR to fight private radios

New Delhi: With the third phase of private FM radio still far from becoming a reality, the government has decided to revamp the FM and medium wave channel network of All India Radio (AIR) to make it more competitive.

Read the Financial Express story here :

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/govt-tunes-into-air-to-fight-private-radios/616110/1

Radio Japan changes frequency for its Bengali Service

Due to bad reception condition NHK Radio Japan has changed frequency for its Bengali Service with effect from 23rd May 2010. New frequency is 11965 kHz replacing 6155 kHz.

Schedule : 1300-1345 UTC (1830 - 1915 IST) on 11965 kHz

(Ratan K.Paul)

AIR Saiha upgraded to Local Radio Station

Siaha, May 18, 2010 (Samaw.com news) – All India Radio Saiha (AIR Saiha/Akashvani Saiha) has been upgraded from Community Radio Station to a full-fledged Local Radio station this week, according to Moonlight newspaper in Siaha (Saiha), south Mizoram. AIR Saiha is the only radio station in the three autonomous district councils of Chakma, Mara and Lai in Mizoram. Saiha is the headquarters of erstwhile Chhimtuipui, one of the three districts in Mizoram and it is the third biggest town in Mizoram after Aizawl and Lunglei. Saiha Community Radio Station (CRS) started airing on June 13, 2000 along with Champhai CRS. Aizawl and Lunglei are the other two towns where AIR has radio stations in Mizoram. AIR Saiha is broadcast in two languages – Mara and Mizo apart from relaying news in Hindi and English from New Delhi. AIR Saiha can be reached at 1602 kHz on Medium Wave (MW).

Source :http://samaw.com/air-saiha-upgraded-to-local-radio-station/3367

New media (almost) killed the radio

The recent wave of new media has forced a number of city radio stations to turn to off-air events to find ways to survive.

Read the Jakarta Post article here : http://tinyurl.com/38xq9xq

Listen to your hometown radio anywhere in India

Bharti Airtel has introduced a new innovation for its customers called 'Mirchi Mobile' which enables Airtel customers to tune into India’s leading private FM radio station "Radio Mirchi' from anywhere in India

More at : http://tinyurl.com/2e9myxo

VOA Launches new English programs

Washington, D.C., May 17, 2010 – Voice of America has unveiled a dynamic new lineup of interactive radio programs and Web features aimed at expanding its English-speaking audience around the world.

Three new radio programs, Daybreak Asia, Crossroads Asia, and Middle East Monitor, focus on key developments in each region, with in-depth features, more newsmaker interviews and dynamic interaction with listeners, viewers and website visitors. Another program, International Edition, provides lively, fast-paced world news coverage, and American Café brings you stories about life in the United States.

Listen to VOA programs and explore the new Web features at www.voanews.com

VOA English Programs Director John Stevenson describes the new programs as, "for and about the people in the regions, providing the story behind the story, with more background and analysis, increased use of graphics on our website and more social networking with sites like Facebook."

VOA English has an estimated global weekly radio audience of more than 11 million people. VOA newscasts and programs are available on a host of platforms, including our website, via podcasting, social networking sites, radio and television affiliate stations around the world, and now on VOA's upgraded mobile phone site http://english.voa.mobi.

Other languages are also available by going to http://www1.voanews.com/english/mobile/ and selecting from the list.

The Voice of America, which first went on the air in 1942, is a multimedia international broadcasting service funded by the U.S. Government through the Broadcasting Board of Governors. VOA broadcasts approximately 1,500 hours of news, information, educational, and cultural programming every week to an estimated worldwide audience of more than 125 million people. Programs are produced in 44 languages and are intended exclusively for audiences outside of the United States.

(VOA Press Release)

RTI Contest: Win an EP of modern aboriginal music!

Radio Taiwan International Contest: Win an EP of modern aboriginal music!

Feast Meets West is giving away 10 EPs of modern indigenous music from Taiwan by Amis musician/composer Suming! He will release his first solo album on May 15, and we'll be inviting him to join us on the May 29th edition of our program to help us give awaythese CDs which contain two songs from his new album.

DETAILS

* All you have to do is send us a email with the name of Suming's tribe (hint: it's the largest tribe of indigenous people in Taiwan)!

* Entries must be received by Monday, May 24th to be eligible for a prize. Winners will be announced in the May 29th edition of Feast Meets West* Send your entry by email: androo@rti.org.tw

Thanks, as always, for listening!

(Source : Radio Taiwan International)

Engineers Install Additional Shortwave Stations in Central African Republic

Source: HCJB Global (written by Jean Muehlfelt)
Imagine living in a country where you can't access the Internet, watch television, read newspapers or even receive mail. Except in Bangui, the capital city of the Central African Republic (C.A.R.), that's what life is like for most of the country's 4.5 million residents. Their lifeline to the rest of the world? Radio. People in C.AR., a country about the size of Texas, depend on radio broadcasts to keep informed. Almost every village has a radio, and some have more than one. The sets are affordable, costing as little as US$6, usually coming from countries such as Nigeria and Niger. The radios typically have FM, shortwave and medium-wave bands.

Until 2005 there were only six private FM stations and one governmental shortwave station in this country where villagers have a life expectancy of just 44 years. It was then that Integrated Community Development International (ICDI), a partner of HCJB Global, was granted permission to open the country's first privately owned shortwave radio station, Radio ICDI.

In early 2006 the ministry acquired an eight-acre tract of land on the plateau above the town of Boali. A road to the transmitter site was built, and electricity was installed. Equipment was transported in large shipping containers, and eventually one of the 20-foot-long metal containers was converted into a studio and transmitter building.A year later a team from HCJB Global Technology Center in Elkhart, Ind., spent three weeks at the broadcast site, installed the first shortwave radio station. They also put in two satellite downlinks that provided access to the Internet and made it possible to receive French-language Christian programming from Trans World Radio, another HCJB Global partner.

Last month HCJB Global engineers returned to C.A.R. to put in two additional regional shortwave radio stations in Boali, similar to the station installed in 2007. One of the new stations will help extend the broadcast hours of the existing ICDI station into the nighttime. Each station only works well during a portion of each day because of how shortwave signals travel through the atmosphere.

The new ICDI radio stations will provide more programming opportunities for broadcasting the gospel across C.A.R. in Sango (the country's trade language), French and various tribal dialects. Additional hours will also increase the opportunity to air more community development programs on AIDS prevention, orphan care, well-water repair programs and many other relevant humanitarian topics.

Curt Bender, manager of broadcast services at HCJB Global in Elkhart, said, "I want to give the Lord recognition for sustaining our team through two difficult installations in the past three years and to praise Him for the success."

For more information visit http://www.icdinternational.org

Old technology supplies magic over the air

I have a house full of computers - I enjoy them and make a living with them - but I've never recovered from an early love affair with shortwave radio. There's a room in the basement lined with radios - some new and computerized along with a few old ones that glow in the dark from light produced by their tubes.

Read the full story here : http://tinyurl.com/36dg66m

New website of "Broadcasting Corp. of India"

New website of Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India)

http://prasarbharati.gov.in/

Some interesting links related to AIR :

Digitalization
http://prasarbharati.gov.in/Technology/Radio/Digitalization.htm

Key Technological Projects
http://prasarbharati.gov.in/Technology/Radio/Key+Technological+Projects.htm

Research & Development
http://prasarbharati.gov.in/Technology/Radio/Research+and+Development/

http://prasarbharati.gov.in/Technology/Radio/Research+and+Development/FM+Antennae.htm

(Alokesh Gupta)

DRM Newsletter 05/2010

Read the latest issue of DRM Newsletter here :

http://www.drm.org/old/index.php?id=366

BBC : Official radio listening figures reach new high

Digital radio grew with almost a quarter of all listening, more people are tuning into the radio than at any time since the current system of measuring listener numbers began, official figures have shown.

More at :
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8679214.stm

UKRocksTheWorld Broadcasting Sunday 16th May

Dear Listener,

UKRocksTheWorld will be back on the air on Sunday 16th May at 15:00 GMT.

Frequency: 15.760 MHz

Target Area: North America (but reception reports worldwide gratefully received)

Please tune in and record MP3's of your reception. We look forward to receiving your feedback.

ENJOY!!!

Regards
The UK Rocks The World Team

(Craig Seager via ARDXC mailing list)

NHK laboratories mark 80th anniversary

http://www.abu.org.my/abu/index.cfm/elementid/60705/NHK-laboratories-mark-80th-anniversary

Vietnam, Laos discuss digital radio roadmap

http://www.abu.org.my/abu/index.cfm/elementid/60733/Vietnam-Laos-discuss-digital-radio-roadmap

Radio Nepal to broadcast Republic Day function live

The government of Nepal has decided to organise several programmes to mark the Republic Day on May 29. On May 29, a Republic Day celebration function will be organised at Tundikhel that will be broadcast live in Nepal Television and Radio Nepal.

Brazil Could Pick Digital Standard in 2010

http://www.radioworld.com/article/100546

New Zealand Radio DX League offers FREE "DX Times" newsletter

New Zealand Radio DX League FREE "DX Times" for 3 months!!

The DX Times has been the focal point of the DX hobby in New Zealand for over 60 years. Each magazine carries station tuning information, news, member contributions and more. To pick up your free DX Times, all you have to do is join the NZRDXL Yahoo Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dxdialog/

Please e-mail Paul ZL4PW for further information zl4pw@orcon.net.nz

New iPhone OS to bring background online radio listening

http://www.radiosurvivor.com/2010/05/11/new-iphone-os-to-bring-background-online-radio-listening/

Ameen Sayani will rule airwaves again

http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_ameen-sayani-will-rule-airwaves-again_1381988

Video hasn’t quite killed the radio star

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Video-hasn-t-quite-killed-the-radio-star/Article1-542413.aspx

Voice of Russia on the Crest of a Radio Wave

The world will tune in to the Voice of Russia even in a 100 years from now, the Chairman of the Voice of Russia radio broadcasting company Andrei Bystritsky is absolutely certain on that score.

As we can see today, multi-media technologies have already brought radio broadcasting into a new orbit, which has made it possible to broaden the borders and to draw the continents closer. Thanks to the Internet and digital technologies, the audiences in many countries can not only listen to our programmes and see video clips, but also have a good chance to carry out a permanent dialogue with the Voice of Russia radio, Andrei Bystritsky said in an interview on the occasion of Radio Day, which is marked in Russia on May 7th.

A 21st -century person is a very busy person. People have less spare time today, and each minute is worth its weight in gold. That is why radio remains the only source of information for many, as actually everybody can listen to the radio, whatever the situation, Andrei Bystritsky says.

More at :
http://english.ruvr.ru/2010/05/06/7410424.html

Related News :

Radio is still in demand – Putin
http://english.ruvr.ru/2010/05/07/7500494.html

Russia marks Day of Radio
http://english.ruvr.ru/2010/05/07/7458389.html

Radio is still in demand – Putin

http://english.ruvr.ru/2010/05/07/7500494.html

Related News :

Russia marks Day of Radio
http://english.ruvr.ru/2010/05/07/7458389.html

TWR on SIRIUS Satellite Radio

http://www.twr.org/news/twr_sirius_satellite_radio

TWR Europe Debuts New Web Site

Vienna/Bratislava, May 6, 2010—TWR Europe (TWR-E) announces the release of a dynamic new Web site spotlighting Christian outreach efforts to men, women and children throughout the European continent and beyond. The engaging site is located at www.twreurope.org.

TWR-E, also known as Trans World Radio Europe, is a region of TWR International, a global media ministry that engages million in 160 countries with biblical truth. Speaking fluently in more than 200 languages and dialects, TWR exists to reach the world for Jesus Christ. TWR-E's broadcasts reach into Europe, Russia, Central Asia, North Africa and the Middle East in about 60 languages and dialects.

"This site enables a wonderful experience to get to know the challenging world of TWR and its purpose and it provides the means to get actively involved in the world of TWR," says TWR-E International Director Felix Widmer.

In addition to offering up-to-date ministry news, a program schedule search, practical spiritual resources and stories of changed lives, TWR-E's new site also provides the following:

A Listen Now section that allows visitors to hear programming from Germany, Albania and various other countries.

An Interactive Map that reveals how God is using TWR-E ministry partners to make a lasting spiritual difference around the region.

A Watch Now section featuring inspiring on-demand videos such as compassion-filled endeavors to the Roma (Gypsy) people of Eastern Europe.

"I trust that through visiting this site many will not remain casual visitors but turn into regular visitors, where inspiring information, challenging news and God speaking into lives will not just change the people in the stories but also the visitor to this site. Since this site is an interactive site we would love to hear from you too!" says Widmer.

Visit www.twreurope.org to learn more about TWR Europe's vital outreach.

(Source :TWR)

Bashir Arif is new director of Radio Kashmir Srinagar

Director Commercial Broadcasting Service Bashir Aarif has been appointed as the new Director of Radio Kashmir Srinagar.

Check out the full story at :
http://www.risingkashmir.com/?option=com_content&task=view&id=23175

Hudson Samarasinghe Chairman of SLBC for 4th time

Mr. Hudson Samarasinghe has assumed duties for the fourth time as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. Mr. Samarasinghe, who is a veteran and a famous journalist locally and internationally, has served in SLBC for more than 40 years.

More at : http://tinyurl.com/3xs6tpl

Voice of Afghan cricket lights up World Twenty20

Alison Mitchell 06:45 UK time, Friday, 7 May 2010

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/alisonmitchell/2010/05/a_slightly_built_young_man.html

VT Group gets award for flood efforts in BBC Asia relay station in Thailand

Support services company VT Group, which transmits the BBC World Service, has been presented with the Professional Services Award at this year's BBC Global News Reith Awards for its exceptional effort in protecting the BBC Asia relay station in Thailand from severe flooding
and maintaining transmission.

The site, located in the Nakhon Sawan province in Northern Thailand, is owned by the BBC and operated by 29 VT Group staff.

The building faced major damage and the staff were also in danger after extreme rainfall in the region caused authorities to divert flood waters from dams to protect the population of Bangkok and other urban areas.

However, as a result, the transmitting station was in the direct path of the diverted flood waters and desperate action was needed to protect the site and staff. Hundreds of tons of sand were packed into bags to protect site buildings and inside doors were sealed and additional barriers erected.

More at :
http://www.vtplc.com/Media/Pressreleases/floodefforts/

WRN Rebrands

International broadcast services company WRN has unveiled its new brand identity - WRN Broadcast - to reflect the comprehensive range of broadcast services it provides for television and radio broadcasters, content owners and brands worldwide.
WRN Broadcast has expanded its offering to become a comprehensive global broadcast services provider following its acquisition of TSI Broadcast last year. The company now offers clients an end-to-end solution for ingest, content management, playout, encoding/multiplexing and worldwide distribution via fibre and satellite, building on its heritage as an international radio distributor.

More at :

http://www.wrnbroadcast.com/corporate/wrn-rebrands-as-wrn-broadcast/

DRM tests in Brazil on 26 MHz

Tests in the frequency 26.040 MHz - Sao Paulo - Brazil

Source:Tele-Hours Summary - Digital Radio

The FCC has issued authorization to the Padre Anchieta Foundation, an organization maintains the Radio and TV Culture, for the testing of the System of Digital Audio Broadcasting DRM -Digital Radio Mondiale, standard developed in Europe. Tests will be done in the frequency 26.040 MHz, with bandwidth digital signal that is radiated between 10 kHz and 20 kHz, in Sao Paulo.

The tests will be conducted over a period of one year but may be extended for an equal period, and aim to support the choice of standard to be adopted by the country. The experiments will be
suspended if found the occurrence of harmful interference to radio stations regularly licensed and installed.

At the end of March, decree published by the Ministry of Communications announced the technical guidelines of what should be the model of digital radio to be deployed in Brazil. One of the requirements is that the standard to be adopted meets both the AM and FM systems, ensuring that the consumer has to buy different devices for each system.

According Minicom, so far, the two patterns tested - DRM and IBOC European American - did not meet all technical requirements. According to the tests already carried out, the digital systems in the world today do not bring a quality far superior to the one presented by the FM (Frequency Modulated) analog.

The European standard, DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale), also has the preference of the government for being an open system, which opens the possibility of technology transfer. U.S. standard, the IBOC (In-Band-On-Channel), already tested in Brazil, besides depending on the payment of royalties for their use, presents difficulties for transmissions in Medium and Short Wave, where there is greater interest of the government. (From the Newsroom)

(PP5AZF-Ataliba via drmrx forum)

http://www.drmrx.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2219

Radio Bar-kulan - Somali Radio by Somalis

by Jonathan Marks

http://vimeo.com/11502839

DRM+ Symposium Slated for May 27 in Germany

The State Media Authority of Rhineland-Palatine (LMK) and the University of Applied Sciences of Kaiserslautern have scheduled a symposium to explore prospects for the use of DRM+ in VHF band III. Entitled "Together with DAB+: The Positive Potential for Digital Broadcasting," the event is scheduled for May 27, 2010, at Novotel Kaiserslautern, in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

More at :
http://radiomagonline.com/digital_radio/drm-symposium-may-27-0505/

VOA Launches Digital Frontiers Project

Washington, D.C., May 6, 2010 -- A pioneering new Voice of America Web feature, "Digital Frontiers," is offering visitors the chance to share their experiences with freedom and censorship in the rapidly evolving world of internet and mobile communication.

VOA Director Danforth Austin says, "We hope to make 'Digital Frontiers' a global resource for those interested in online freedom and to expand this online project into broadcasts, seminars and other outreach."

"Wherever you live, you have something to teach the world," Austin says, and "with 'Digital Frontiers' we'll tell your story, and share it with the world."

VOA is inviting you to email or send videos that explain how you dealt with a censorship issue, or how the Web and mobile phones have changed the fabric of life where you live.

"Digital Frontiers" will make your story part of an interactive discussion that explores how our digital world is changing and how issues like privacy, identity, security and freedom are impacting real people.

The new Web feature launches May 6. Tell us your story by writing or sending videos to our website, Twitter, or Facebook page.

The new Web feature can be found at www.voanews.com/digitalfrontiers.

(VOA Press Release)

Digital transition in Asia-Pacific region to take some time

The transition of broadcasting operations from the current analogue system to digital would take some time in the Asia-Pacific (A-Pac) region, remarked David Astley, Acting Secretary-General for Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU).

http://www.mediamughals.com/Tech-Speak/Article/27/Digital_transition_in_Asia-Pacific_region_to_take_some_time.htm

IRS 2010: More people listen to Radio

With the recently released results of Indian Readership Survey, many interesting facts have been revealed. According to the survey, Radio is also making huge profits and as compared to earlier, more people listen to Radio nowadays.

Read the full story here :

http://www.mediamughals.com/News/1/2/Article/5317/IRS_2010:_Has_web_started_dominating_Print?

Radio Mirchi dominates the airwaves in the IRS Q1 2010 data

Radio Mirchi sweeps off the leading position in listnership as per the recently published Indian Readership Survey (IRS) Q1, 2010. The Radio network has over 41.2 million listeners week after recall according to data released by the Media Research Users Council (MRUC).

More at :

http://www.mediamughals.com/News/1/3/Article/5312/Radio_Mirchi_dominates_the_airwaves_in_the_IRS_Q1_2010_data

HAMSAT VO-52 Completes 5 Years

HAMSAT VO-52 was launched on 05.05.05 from India by PSLV C6. Today, HAMSAT is entering into its 6th year after successfully completing five years of fruitful service in the orbit. On this great occasion, we all at 'Upagrah Amateur Radio Club' ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore, India take pleasure in expressing our sincere thanks & gratitude to each & everyone in ISRO, who contributed to the success of 'HAMSAT'. Our good wishes & greetings to 'HAMSAt VO-52' to remain in orbit with good health for many more years and to provide the services as one of the 'most favorable satellite' among all of us. We wish 'HAMSAT VO-52 'A Happy Birthday'.

(Mani, VU2WMY, Secretary & Station-In-Charge, Upagrah Amateur Radio Club VU2URC, ISRO Satellite Centre,Bangalore )

Digital radio trial to begin in Canberra

A regional trial of DAB+ digital radio is to begin in the Australian capital, Canberra, in early July. The announcement was made today by Commercial Radio Australia, which represents the country's commercial radio broadcasters, and SBS, the government-funded, multicultural broadcaster.

More at :

http://www.abu.org.my/abu/index.cfm/elementid/60602/Digital-radio-trial-to-begin-in-Canberra

Ethiopia - What next for VOA Amharic?

By Hindessa Abdul

http://nazret.com/blog/index.php?blog=15&title=ethiopia_what_next_for_voa_amharic&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

SLBC English to be back on 15745 from 7th May onwards

SLBC (Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corpn.,) announced during its English txn today they will be back on 15745 KHz from 7th May onwards at 0055-0330 UTC. SLBC is temporarily using 15120 kHz due to txer problem for its english txn at 0055-0330 UTC. 15120 kHz suffers from co-channel QRM from CRI English 0300 UTC onwards.

Schedule :
SLBC All Asia Service 0055-0330 UTC ( Sunday upto 0430 UTC) on 6005 (10 kW), 9770 (10 kW) & 15745 (35 kW) kHz

(Alokesh Gupta)

Radio Foorti acquires BE FM Transmitters for expansion in Bangladesh

Radio Foorti expanded its network in Bangladesh last month with the installation of Broadcast Electronics BE) FM 10S transmitter systems at five new sites Khulna, Rajshahi, Barishal, Mymensingh & Cox's Bazar, becoming the largest privately operated network of FM stations in Bangladesh. This adds to Radio Foorti's existing FM transmitters at Dhaka, Sylhet and Chittagong, which went on the air in 2006.

Read the BE Press Release here : http://www.bdcast.com/news/?o=full&news_id=233

VOA Deewa Radio on new 621 kHz via Afghanistan

Logged VOA Deewa Radio in Pashto on 621 kHz on 2nd May during check at around 1750 UTC , this is via the new MW transmitter site in Afghanistan located in Tani-Khost (33°19'54.76N, 69°56'10.84E), near airport. A 200 kW Harris -transmitter was installed recently.

Schedule : 0100-0400 & 1300-1900 UTC on 621 kHz in Pashto

However this frequency is still not listed on the VOA schedule page :

http://author.voanews.com/english/about/frequenciesAtoZ_p.cfm

Here's an audio file :

http://sites.google.com/site/alokeshgupta2/deewa_radio_voa_621_1758-1800utc_2may2010r.mp3?attredirects=0&d=1

VOA Launches News on Arabsat for Ethiopia and the Region in Three Languages

Voice of America announced Wednesday the start-up of a new satellite transmission of many of its Africa language broadcasts, giving the Horn of Africa broadcasts in Afan Oromo, Amharic and Tigrigna prime evening listening time on the 24-hour schedule.

More at :
http://www.voanews.com/horn/2010-04-29-voa2.cfm

Radio Slovakia International introduces strange frequency schedule

During the period between the 1st of May and the 30th of September 2010 the following changes will be implemented in our broadcasting schedule.

•Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday broadcasting will only take place on one frequency.
•Highlighted frequencies will be broadcast during even weeks.
•Frequencies which are not highlighted will be broadcast during odd weeks.
•There will be no changes to broadcasts during Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Here's the schedule : http://tinyurl.com/67aes2

(RSI Website)

Media monopoly – with Chinese characteristics

Eight journalists join together around a tiny radio set outside the small studio in Dharamsala, eagerly waiting for the transmission to start. Hoping, at least for the ‘condolence’ program, it will reach out without interference from China – at least for today. After all today is ......

Read the blog entry here :

http://weblog.savetibet.org/2010/04/30/media-monopoly-%e2%80%93-with-chinese-characteristics/

FRS on air late May/ FRS 30 years

Dear FRS Friends,

May 2010 broadcast
Since our February 28th broadcast, FRS has been silent. However we feel that in this very special year, it's important to keep in touch with our listening audience. May 30th- on the 5th Sunday- FRS will take to the air from 07.52- 12.45 UTC (6400) and 13.52-18.45 UTC (7600). The morning/ early afternoon shows will be repeated as from 13.52 UTC onwards. Right now there is still an option to use a 2nd frequency in parallel, we will inform you about that at a later stage. Expect the usual mix of music & information.

2010: 30 Years of FRS-Holland on Short Wave

In the mean time FRS is preparing the 30th anniversary which will take placed in October 2010. Five years ago, FRS would have been celebrating its 25th birthday but that celebration had to be cancelled due to personal circumstances. Sad but true. This year things are looking different and we feel it's time to do a big on air celebration. And that will certainly happen !
But: we feel that an on air celebration would be incomplete without our listeners' input!

Therefore we explicitly invite you as FRSH listener to participate:

"2010 will be a very special year for all at FRSH: 30 years on the air! We will be celebrating this later in 2010. We invite our listening audience to participate in the celebrations later this year. We'd like to receive your personal FRS memories. Put them on a sheet of paper or send them by mail and most wanted: record your personal message and send an mp3 audio file. All listener's contributions will be collected and together it will be our anthology of 30 years of SW broadcasts. When did you hear us for the first time, what was your favourite show, when did you get your first QSL, how much did you listen to FRS, any special on air moments you remember? All this info could be part of your personal FRS contribution. For any serious contribution, we have a nice surprise and that is a promise!"

Important: as we have to do a lot of preparations for that very special broadcast, we urge to send your contribution as soon as possible!
<frs@frsholland.nl> or POBox 2702, 6049 ZG Herten, the Netherlands.

If you have any questions/ remarks, feel free to contact us!!

73s, Peter Verbruggen (on behalf of the FRS Team)
a Balance between Music & Information joint to one Format....

FRS-Holland
POBox 2702
6049 ZG Herten
The Netherlands

e-mail: < frs.holland@hccnet.nl>
e-mail: < frs@frsholland.nl>

FRS Test May 2nd

Dear FRS Friends,

There will be a short test on 9300 kHz/ 31 metres tomorrow Sunday May 2nd at approx 0800 UTC.

In case you are able to tune in, please do so and send us a brief report . This test is carried out to find out whether it is useful to use 9300 kHz as a parallel frequency on Sun May 30th.

Your reports are highly appreciated !!

73s, Peter V.

a Balance between Music & Information joint to one Format....

FRS-Holland
POBox 2702
6049 ZG Herten
The Netherlands

e-mail: < frs.holland@hccnet.nl>
e-mail: < frs@frsholland.nl>

DRM Consortium unveils upgraded website

DRM Consortium has launched an upgraded new website with better features and special members' area for more interactivity, have a look at :

http://www.drm.org/