Beheading Britain, shafting Southasia

By Daniel Lak

Mourning recent cuts to the BBC World Service

Read the detailed story here :
http://www.himalmag.com/component/content/article/4311.html

(Thanks to Naleen Kumar for the link)

Clearer, Stronger Medium Wave from Swaziland

excerpt ...

This rebuilt transmitter was a prototype, which was never intended to be sold or used on the open market. It was originally given by its manufacturer, Harris, to HCJB Global, as payment for work done. There it sat, without being used and with no real future possibility of use. But God had His eye on it, for Kingdom use! At the request of Swaziland’s Station Manager, Mark Blosser, HCJB Global agreed to give us the transmitter for a fraction of what it would cost to buy a new one.

Full story at : http://www.twrafrica.org/0344.asp

Sound of Hope Bucks the Trend and Expands Broadcasts to China

While BBC is canceling its Mandarin broadcasts in April 2011 and Voice of America (VOA) its Mandarin and Cantonese broadcasts in October 2011, Sound of Hope Radio (SOH) Network announced that they will be expanding short-wave broadcasting to China to meet the demands of its Chinese audience.

Full story at :
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/world/sound-of-hope-bucks-the-trend-and-expands-broadcasts-to-china-51736.html

Radio Taiwan International - Frequency change for listeners in South Asia

Starting March 7th, 2011 our english transmission to South Asia from 1600 to 1700 UTC on 11550 KHz will be replaced by 9435 KHz. While we do notice the occasional problem of noise and interference in certain parts of India, the new frequncy has a stronger signal than 11550 KHz. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank listeners for monitoring the reception condition for us in India.

(RTI)

Radio Heritage Foundation: Pacific Radio Guide 2011 Updates

Latest versions of the PAL Radio Guides covering all AM [mediumwave] and SW [shortwave] radio stations across the Asia and Pacific region are now available from the Radio Heritage Foundation website www.radioheritage.com.

This includes our updates for 2011 with a lot of new information in the PAL mediumwave version.

The Pacific Asian Log [PAL] Radio guides list all known AM and SW radio stations operating in the region with detailed information about operating times, languages, location, and much more...across many thousands of individual stations.

Information in the new Pacific Asian Log Radio Guides is also useful for travellers, travel agents, corporates and others who need to keep clients and staff informed.

Radio saves lives in emergencies and these guides list the stations you need to know about across the region.

The PAL Radio Guides are compiled in Seattle [USA] by our editor-in-chief Bruce Portzer from monitoring reports, official sources and feedback from listeners across the region.

Search the two guides online now by options such as location and frequency or download copies for your own personal use from www.radioheritage.net.

You can also search our other frequently updated online guides to Australian narrowcast AM radio [Australia 1611-1701 AM] and the New Zealand Low Power FM Radio Dial [NZLPFM Radio]

Feedback, corrections and updates from users are always welcome and will be incorporated in future versions. Simply email us with your comments to info@radioheritage.net.

____________________________________________________
Radio Heritage Foundation is a registered non-profit connecting popular culture, nostalgia and radio heritage across the region. Free community access to the PAL Radio Guides and other services is available at our global website www.radioheritage.com.

Only 9 more sponsors still needed for February. Will you help cover our operational costs for the month? Full details and Paypal options now at www.radioheritage.com.

Read about the 'Helping Rebuild Christchurch' project as part of the Kiwi Radio Campaign after the devastating earthquake on February 22 and how you can help today.
____________________________________________________

(Media Release, Radio Heritage Foundation , www.radioheritage.com)

Christchurch Earthquake Radio Status

Christchurch Earthquake New Zealand - Radio Broadcasting Status

A major 6.3 earthquake struck Christchurch on the South Island of New Zealand on February 22 2011 with nearly 400 killed or missing and most of the CBD of this city of 350,000 ruined.

A complete list of AM and FM radio services in Christchurch with updates on their current status is now available.

Many studios are located in the CBD, are damaged and no longer accessible and several locally based stations [such as Plains FM] are no longer broadcasting.

Main transmitter sites are operational, but several local low power FM stations in the eastern suburbs of Aranui, South New Brighton and Sumner have all sustained damage and are silent.

Other local LPFM stations such as Power Hits 87.7 FM have been broadcasting emergency accommodation messages for the St Albans/Mairehau community and offers to help stations have come from other local stations as far away as Wellington and Queenstown.

Volcano Radio 88.5 FM in Lyttelton returned to the air shortly after the quake and has been broadcasting community messages and information since.

The detailed list is available for download from www.radioheritage.com and is located at the homepage under the header 'Christchurch Earthquake 2011'.

Donations towards the 'Helping Rebuild Christchurch' project which was launched only the day before the earthquake as part of the Kiwi Radio Campaign are also welcomed through Paypal at the website or can be mailed to the Radio Heritage Foundation, PO Box 20024, Newtown, Wellington 6242. Donations are tax deductible.

The Radio Heritage Foundation is a registered non-profit organization connecting popular culture, nostalgia and radio heritage.

We host the PAL Mediumwave and Shortwave Radio Guides, the New Zealand Low Power FM Radio Guide and maintain Pacific country directory listings for the World Radio TV Handbook.

Our latest radio heritage radio documentary about the FM radio dial in Bacolod City, Philippines can be downloaded from the Mailbox audio page for February 21 at Radio New Zealand International www.rnzi.com.
The second in this series is scheduled for broadcast March 7.

Our global website is www.radioheritage.net. Thank you for supporting our ongoing operational costs through Paypal donations.

(Media Release,Radio Heritage Foundation, www.radioheritage.com)

BBC Serbian language service waves goodbye

As the BBC World Service closes several of its language services including Serbian, Portuguese for Africa and English for the Caribbean, BBC Belgrade correspondent Mark Lowen reflects on the impact and legacy of the Serbian Service.

More at :
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/9407506.stm

FRS right now on air

Right now FRSH is on air.

Here's the schedule:
0752- 1400 UTC 7600//5800 kHz
0752- 1400 UTC 6085 kHz

Our internet stream is running at the same times as the SW broadcast: 0752- 1400 UTC.
Surf to <nednl.net:8000/frsh.m3u>.

73s,
on behalf of the FRS staff

(Peter V., Jan van Dijk, Paul Graham, Dave Scott, Brian & Bobby Speed)

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>

DX and Shortwave meetings of 2011

Date: February 26 (1430-1700 BST)
Location: Reading International Solidarity Centre (RISC), 35-39 London
Street, Reading RG1 4PS, England
Organization: Reading International Radio Group
Expected attendance: 20
More info: www.bdxc.org.uk
Note: these Reading DX meetings are held with 1-2 months interval.

Dates: March 4-5
Location: Plymouth Meeting (near Philadelphia), PA, USA
Description: Winter SWL Fest
More info: www.swlfest.com
Expected attendance: 150

Dates: March 16-20
Location : Holzerbachtal in Solingen-Wald, Germany
Description: DX-Camp
Organization: Kurzwellenfreunde Rhein/Ruhr
More info: dx-camp@kwfr.de

Dates: May 13-16
Location: Miami, FL, USA (cruise to Bahamas and back)
Description: Annual NASB Conference
Oganisation: National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters+DRM Consortium, USA
More info: www.shortwave.org

Dates: May 14, 2011
Location: Ottenau im Murgtal, Germany (Gasthaus Strauss, Marxstrasse
12, D-76571 Ottenau)
Description: 30th ueberegionales DX-Treffen mit RTI Hoererklubtreffen.
Oganisation: Kurzwellenhoererklub Murgtal & RTI Hoererklub Ottenau.
More info: preuti@aol.com

Dates: May 20-22
Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA
Organization: Dayton Hamvention
Expected attendance: 20,000
More info: www.hamvention.org

Dates: May 20-22
Location: Vejers Beach, Jutland, Denmark
Description: The annual general meeting of DSWCI and listening camp
Organization: Danish Short Wave Club International
Expected attendance: 30
More info: www.dswci.org, kaj.bredahl@mail.dk

Dates: June 23-26
Location: Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Description: 2011 IRCA Convention
More info: www.ircaonline.org

Dates: June 24-26
Location: Friedrichshafen, Germany
Description: Ham Radio, biggest annual hamfest in Europe
Expected attendance: 20000

Dates: July 1-3
Location: Motala, Sweden
Description: DX-Parlamentet 2011, the annual meeting of the SDXF
Organization: The Swedish DX-Federation (SDXF)
More info: www.sdxf.se

Dates: July 9-24
Location: Döbriach, Austria
Description: DX-Camp
More info: www.dxcamp.org

Dates: August 5-7
Location: Korpilahti (Jyvaskyla), Central Finland
Description: The Annual Summer Meeting
Organization: The Finnish DX Association
Expected attendance: 70
More info: www.sdxl.org

NOTE: tentative, hopefully to be cofirmed soon!
Dates: August 18-22
Location: Melnik and Sofia, Bulgaria
Description: European DX Conference, the annual meeting of EDXC
Organization: European DX Council
Expected attendance: 50
More info: www.edxc.org,tiszi2035@yahoo.com

Dates: August 27-28
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Description: Big ham fair with a SW sector (Japan SW Club stand & lectures)
Organization: Tokyo Ham Fair
Expected attendance: 30000
More info: ohtaket@live.jp

Dates: September 2-7
Location: Berlin, Germany
Name: IFA Internationale Funkausstellung
Description: Consumer Electronics Fair - Including Radios

Dates: September 14-18
Location: Germany
Description: DX-Camp of the Oldenburger Kurzwellenfreunde
More info: Karl-J.Conrads@t-online.de

Dates: September 21-25
Location: Holzerbachtal in Solingen-Wald, Germany
Description: DX-Camp
Organzation: Kurzwellenfreunde Rhein/Ruhr
More info: dx-camp@kwfr.de

November 5
Location: Hannover, Germany
Description: Interradio in the hall 20 of the Hannover Messe (with ADDX stand)

--
Risto Vähäkainu
tietotekniikka-asiantuntija
Helsingin yliopisto

(Via HCDX List)

Objectivity could go as British Forces Broadcasting Service contracted out

Military radio and TV network founded in 1943 is going to tender shortly, prompting fears for its unbiased reporting

Read the Guardian story here :
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/feb/25/fears-objectivity-british-forces-contract

SLBC to launch new radio channel for fishing community

The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) will launch Sayura FM, a new radio channel which caters to the fishing community, by the end of March. Fisheries Ministry Media Secretary Nandana Rajapaksa said the new channel will air its programs from midnight to 4.00 am daily.

More at :
http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2011/02/27/new24.asp

800 more FM stations to be auctioned: Ambika Soni

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni has said that nearly 800 FM stations were likely to be auctioned in the third phase of expansion of FM Radio services in the country.

Full story at :
http://netindian.in/news/2011/02/25/00011270/800-more-fm-stations-be-auctioned-ambika-soni

Related News :

Punjab to have 15 FM stations
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Punjab-to-have-15-FM-stations/articleshow/7578700.cms

The last broadcasts to a wider world

Regarded as a treasure by millions in often desolate regions, the BBC's World Service is facing the cold winds of cutbacks and changing ambitions, writes MARK HENNESSY, London Editor

More at :

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2011/0226/1224290904711.html

Radio Verdad anniversary special

Radio Verdad, Guetamala is celebrating its eleventh anniversary on Feb 26, 2011 with special live programming today [Saturday 2200-Sunday 0400 UTC] (also webcast)

Have a look at thier new QSL card : http://www.radioverdad.org/

(Glen Hauser via DXLD list)

Radio Hobbyists and Radio Free Libya

http://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2011-02-24/voce-libici-liberi-viaggia-101709.shtml?uuid=AauXM2AD

Relative of former British PM behind Radio Free Sarawak

Clare Rewcastle Brown, the sister-in-law of former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and Peter John Jaban, an Iban activist, have been revealed as being the forces behind Radio Free Sarawak, The Star reported.

Read the full story here :

http://www.abu.org.my/abu/index.cfm/elementid/67423/Relative-of-former-British-PM-behind-Radio-Free-Sarawak

World Radio TV Handbook B10 CD

World Radio TV Handbook B10 CDWRTH Bargraph Frequency Guide B10 Now Available - Order your copy today!

If you have not yet ordered the WRTH Bargraph Frequency Guide for B10 we thought that you might like to know that Anker Petersen said in DX-Window:

"I just received my CD and it is beautiful and excellent! It includes all international broadcasters on LW, MW and SW plus domestic broadcasters on SW. It is highly recommendable."

and Gerry Dexter concludes his review for Popular Communications with the words:

"I can't say enough about the new WRTH Bargraph Frequency Guide. On a scale of one to ten, I give it a twelve!"

The CD is only for sale on the WRTH site. Visit our website at www.wrth.com to find out more and to order a copy.

I hope you enjoy using this new guide.

Nicholas Hardyman
Publisher

Our mailing address is:
WRTH Publications Ltd 8 King Edward Street Oxford, OXON OX1 4HL

Our telephone:
+44 (0)1865 514405

FRS on next Sunday February 27th

Dear FRS Friend,

At last Sunday February 27th 2011 the final & 3rd FRS 30th Anniversary broadcast will take place. We will complete the FRS Anthology !
Next Sunday 27th February we will feature the period 1998- 2010. Mind you: we will kick off at already 07.52 UTC=08.52 CET.
In contrast with our previous mail, a change has taken place. 6085 will be on for the complete 6 hours 08-14 UTC. No alternative 48 mb freq will be used. March 6th could see a repeat of part of the shows lasting 2 or 3 hours. We are understandably curious to receive your letters and mails. That's very important for us and that's the only way in which you can show your respect and interest.

Here's the schedule:
07.52- 14.00 UTC 7600//5800 kHz
07.52- 14.00 UTC 6085 kHz

Of course we have special QSLs for this broadcast. With the ones issued for the previous two broadcasts, it will form the FRS 30th Anniversary QSL Series.
Hope to have your company on the 27th...it will be great fun: 30 Years of FRS-Holland on SW!

73s, on behalf of the FRS staff

(Peter V., Jan van Dijk, Paul Graham, Dave Scott, Brian & Bobby Speed)

IRRS cancellation of 5775 tests, new tests on 9510 and 9435

Hi There,

Following my email yesterday, I apologize but due to technical problems we had to cancel all tests on 5775 kHz at the very last moment.

In the meantime we are announcing these additional tests:

Feb 25, 2011 from 0930-1230 UTC on 9510 kHz to Europe
Feb 28, 2011 from 0930-1230 UTC on 9510 kHz to Europe

Feb 25, 2011 from 1800-2000 UTC on 9435 kHz to Europe
Feb 26, 2011 from 1800-2000 UTC on 9435 kHz to Europe
Feb 27, 2011 from 1800-2000 UTC on 9435 kHz to Europe

We will appreciate your reception reports for all of our tests by email at reports at nexus.org

Our regular broadcasts continue also on AM/Medium Wave daily on 1368 kHz in North/Eastern Italy (covering Padua, Venice, Vicenza, Verona and Bologna) and on 1566 in Rome, daily from 20:00-01:00 Central European Time. (in Vicenza we have a large US military base, and we know that we have many listeners there). These times may be extended later on.

We received several reports from 1368 kHz from Italy and outside of Italy. Our sincere thanks to all who tuned in, and wrote us. All will be getting a personal reply soon, please bear with us while we are very busy in setting up and verifying coverage for all tests.

Some of you asked about TX location, however: it is our policy that while we always make public the target area(s), the exact transmitter location(s) may change over time, and always remains strictly confidential.

Thank you again, and stay tuned.

Ron

At Radio Free Libya, change is on the air

Tobruk's Radio Free Libya was among the first three stations in the country to offer uncensored updates on the revolt against Gadhafi's regime, which still controls the capital, Tripoli, and most of the western part of this restive North African nation.

Read the full story here :

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/02/24/2084014/at-radio-free-libya-change-is.html

Digitalization: The Need of the hour- Raghu Menon Secretary, I&B Inaugurates BES EXPO- 2011

Shri Raghu Menon, Secretary, I&B, said innovations in technology led to increased access to quality information, facilitated better connectivity with affordable services and created a platform for mass empowerment and participation amongst the people. The emergence of new media had resulted in unconventional ways in which news and information was now being circulated. This has resulted in a series of policy initiatives which have aimed to create an enabling environment in the media and entertainment industry. Shri Menon stated this while inaugurating the BES Expo 2011 at Pragati Maidan, here today.

Elaborating on the initiatives, Secretary, I&B mentioned, promoting digitalization was one of the main thrust areas of the Ministry. Digitalization with addressability was the answer as it would enable delivery of a number of channels as well as facilitate triple play i.e. provisioning of TV, Telephony and Internet services through cable. While discussions had been held with TRAI on related issues, regarding the finalization of the sunset date, a final decision had not yet been firmed up. The endeavor of the ministry was to outline a roadmap which took into account the enormity of the task keeping in mind the concern of key stakeholders. The finalization of a sunset date for digitalization would also evince interest for better participation in the Headend- in-the Sky Policy.

Regarding the issue of Mobile TV, Shri Menon said the ministry was presently engaged in laying down a suitable regulatory framework enabling private players to provide Mobile TV services. In this context, the recommendations of TRAI had been examined and certain issues related to spectrum identification within the recommended band, the determination of service area licenses and the number of providers is under discussion.

Regarding the initiatives taken by Doordarshan to provide a low cost alternative for the poor, Shri Menon said, the Ministry had approved a plan scheme for upgrading the free-to-air DTH platform of Doordarshan to be able to carry 97 channels instead of 57 channels as of now. This capacity increase is likely by December 2011. It is planned to further increase the carrying capacity to 200 channels in the 12th Plan period. This would enable those persons who could not afford to incur recurring expenses on a monthly basis to be able to watch TV channels at a onetime cost for purchase of STB without any further expenses.

Regarding the FM Radio initiatives, Secretary stated that opening up of the FM Radio Sector for private participation had resulted in huge growth in FM Radio Industry. It offered new areas for creating employment and had the potential to generate revenue for the Government by efficiently utilizing the frequency radio spectrum earmarked for FM Radio services. In the FM Phase- III, 806 new FM Channels in 283 cities would be positioned. Shri Menon added that the Ministry would seek the approval of the Cabinet shortly.

On the issue of content Secretary mentioned that the ministry supported the mechanism of self regulation. Organisations such as NBA and ASCI had put systems in place, which were working effectively. A process of self regulation with the IBF was being worked out through mutual discussions.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairperson, Prasar Bharti, Smt. Mrinal Pande said a balance had to be maintained between programming and technology. Content had to be carefully designed in such a way that it did not create a disconnect within society. It was the responsibility of Prasar Bharti to rise up to the challenges of disseminating quality information as a public broadcaster.

The three day expo is expected to discuss a range of issues, which include Digital Broadcasting- Growth and Implementation in India, Technology for HD, VFX & 3D Stereoscopic Content Production, Content Creation- Trends and Challenges, Tapeless Content Workflow- XDCAM HD
422, DVB Second Generation- Success Story, 3G and Beyond, IP Enabled Solutions and Broadcast Regulation.

(Press Information Bureau, Govt of India)

Hacking and Signal Interference of U.S. International Broadcasting

As popular protests unfold across the Middle East, U.S. international broadcasting faces increased satellite signal interference and a web Domain Name System (DNS) attack.

"Our broadcasters are at the forefront of reporting the most tumultuous events we have seen unfold since 1989," said Walter Isaacson, Chair of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) which oversees all U.S. international broadcasting including the Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Europe (RFE). "It is a testament to their vital role that they are subject to the work of hackers and signal interference."

On Monday, February 21, an unknown party hacked the Voice of America's primary domain name (VOANews.com), along with numerous related domains registered with Network Solutions. Web users were directed to a website claiming to be run by a group called the "Iranian Cyber Army."

"There's a saying that a hit dog hollers - that can be applied to whoever tried to cut off access to VOA News by attacking the domain provider on Monday. The fact that the sites were redirected to the Iranian Cyber Army certainly raises an eyebrow or two," said Dana Perino member of the BBG. "Technology is chipping away at the stranglehold on free and fair information inside Iran. VOA News is strongly committed to providing the news at it happens in a variety of ways so that every Iranian that can get access to the free media can benefit from our journalists' reporting."

This was a Domain Name System (DNS) attack redirecting the VOANews.com website. This was not a breach of internal systems or servers. No data was lost or compromised as a result of this event. An investigation is underway to determine who is responsible.

Since February 13, there has been intermittent but frequent interference of VOA's Persian News Network (PNN) and RFE's Radio Farda satellite signals with programming in Persian for audiences in Iran.

As of the morning of February 21, there has been a continuous service interruption on one satellite channel carrying VOA's PNN. PNN is carried on three other satellite paths as well as online including a popular TV satire, "Parazit". Millions of the show's fans use proxy servers to access the program through social media sites like Facebook and YouTube. In the last month, Facebook recorded more than 20 million impressions on Parazit's page.

The Broadcasting Board of Governors is an independent federal agency, supervising all U.S. government-supported, civilian international broadcasting, whose mission is to promote freedom and democracy and to enhance understanding through multimedia communication of accurate, objective, and balanced news, information, and other programming about America and the world to audiences overseas. BBG broadcasts reach an audience of 165 million in 100 countries. BBG broadcasting organizations include the Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (Alhurra TV and Radio Sawa), Radio Free Asia, and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Radio and TV Marti).

(BBG Press Release)

IRRS-Shortwave tests on 5775 kHz

Dear Listeners and Monitors,

From Thursday Feb. 24 until Saturday Feb. 26, 2011, IRRS-Shortwave will be testing on the frequency of 5775 kHz from 1800-2000 UTC with 300 kW to Central & Eastern Europe, North Africa and the Mediterranean.

We will appreciate receiving your reception reports for these tests by email at reports@nexus.org

I would like also to mention that we are also on the air in English with the call-sign IRRS-ediumwave on 1368 kHz in North/Eastern Italy (covering Padua, Venice, Vicenza, Verona and Bologna) and on 1566 in Rome, daily from 20:00-01:00 Central European Time. As 1368 kHz is quite clear in Europe, our broadcasts may be heard outside of our main coverage area in all neighbouring countries, including Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, and up north in the Sweden, Norway and Finland with DX conditions.

Our program and frequency schedules are online at http://www.nexus.org/schedules

Due to severe budget cuts, we will be unable to reply to all reports by QSL, but we will acknowledge all reports and reply to any question by email.

Thank you for your understanding and help, and stay tuned!

Take care & best 73s.

Ron & all the NEXUS-IBA staff in Milano

--
Ron Norton NEXUS-Int'l Broadcasting Association
email: ron@nexus.org http://www.nexus.org/

BES Expo 2011

The BES Expo 2011 - 17th International Conference & Exhibition on Terrestrial & Satellite Broadcasting organized at Pragati Maidan New Delhi from 24th to 26th Feb 2011 will be inaugurated today at 10.00 am, Hall No. 12A,Pragati Maidan.

Shri Raghu Menon, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting will be the Chief Guest at the inaugural ceremony of BES Expo 2011. The EXPO is being organized by Broadcast Engineering Society of India.

More info on BES Expo 2011 :
http://www.besindia.com/bes_expo.asp

For those interested in DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) demo please visit Prasar Bharati stand ( Stand # 1 to 4) at Hall 11A, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

Related News :

French Pavillion at BES Expo 2011
http://www.efytimes.com/e1/58845/fullnews.htm

Thomson Broadcast to display products at BES Expo 2011
http://www.mediamughals.com/News/1/7/Article/6856/Thomson_Broadcast_to_display_products_at_BES_Expo_2011.htm

New shortwave service to be launched from PCJ

PCJ Media announces the creation of a new international shortwave radio service with targeted programming to Latin America, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific.

PCJ sees an opportunity to fill a void being left by large publicly funded broadcasters. In the last few months a number of well-respected international broadcasters have dropped their shortwave transmissions to these regions in favor of internet and podcasts. Most notably are the significant cuts to the BBC World Service and the Voice Of America transmissions.

To fill this void, PCJ’s new service would broadcast in five languages, with programming targeted to the audiences of those specific languages. New distribution platforms such as the internet will also be used.

The five language groups which PCJ Radio would target are:

Farsi – Middle East
Mandarin – China
Spanish – Latin America
Ukrainian/Russian – Eastern Europe
English - to regions mentioned above

Launch date TBA.

For more information please contact Keith Perron of PCJ Media.
Email: pcjmedia@gmail.com
Tel: +886 938 408 592

BBC Hindi still offers vital service

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/19/bbc-hindi-offers-vital-service

Digital Radio Week at the EBU

The European Broadcasting Union hosted the Digital Radio Week event in Geneva, Switzerland. Standardization around an open source and royalty-free codec could be just what the radio industry needs to make the switch from analogue to digital happen on a global scale.

Read this interesting blog entry here :
http://sourcefabric.org/en/community/blog/509/

On 80th birthday, Vatican Radio rides wave of digital technology

By John Thavis
Catholic News Service

Read the story here :
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1100669.htm

Reliance's BIG FM to be first Indian radio channel in Bhutan

Entering into a strategic alliance with Bhutan's High 92.7 FM radio channel, Reliance Broadcast Network's radio arm 92.7 BIG FM has become the first-ever Indian radio station to enter Bhutan.

Full story at :
http://m.economictimes.com/PDAET/articleshow/7523195.cms

Comments by Alokesh Gupta :

High FM 92.7 the 5th private radio station in Bhutan was inaugurated on 6th Aug 2010. Owned by Ugyen Dorji, name is similar to the popular Indian radio station in North Bengal by same name. Surprisingly not listed in WRTH2011.

BBC to air Cricket World Cup highlights

www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/news/a304313/bbc-to-air-cricket-world-cup-highlights.html

Timeline of Radio and Television History

http://www.uncp.edu/home/acurtis/Courses/ResourcesForCourses/RadioTelevisionHistoryTimeline.html

DRM trial II in Sottens

http://www.opendigitalradio.org/index.php/DRM_trial_II_in_Sottens

BBC veteran Tully slams end of Hindi radio service

Mark Tully, the veteran BBC reporter whose dispatches have been followed by generations of Indians, on Thursday led an angry attack on the corporation's axing of its Hindi-language radio service.

Read the AFP story here : http://tinyurl.com/4pfyzqv

VOA, BBC cease radio shows into China

Major Western media organizations, faced with big budget cuts, are turning to more modern ways to reach out to Chinese audiences, shifting their focus from shortwave radio to digital media.

Full story at :
http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20110217-263994.html

Deutsche Welle satellite transmissions jammed

Deutsche Welle has experienced jamming of its signals from the Hotbird 8 satellite. The source of the jamming has not been confirmed.

Engineers at Deutsche Welle detected interference of transmissions coming from the Hotbird 8 satellite beginning Monday at 13:07 UTC.

It is believed the DW transmissions are being "jammed" by foreign signals, though the source of the signals can not be confirmed.

Deutsche Welle last experienced jamming in February 2010, which was believed to have emanated in Iran.

The disturbances are affecting DW-TV Europe, DW-TV Arabia, as well as very high frequency (VHF) and shortwave signals in regions including Europe, the Middle East and parts of Asia.

TV live streaming on Deutsche Welle's multi-language news website is also affected by the disturbances.

To ensure the transfer of Deutsche Welle content, alternate transmission services have been arranged for Internet and satellite broadcasting. Partner stations that rebroadcast DW have been informed.

Author: Birgit Görtz / dfm
Editor: Martin Kuebler

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14843697,00.html

Solar Flare Suspends Parts of Radio Communications in Korea

http://www.arirang.co.kr/News/News_View.asp?nseq=112659&code=Ne2&category=2

Related News :

Solar flare affects shortwave radio communications in southern China

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-02/16/c_13733621.htm

BBC-DW DRM LOG ON 5845

Screenshots from BBC-DW DRM logs on 5845 kHz at 1730-1800 UTC, 14th Feb 2011. Interestingly txn carried a 0.54 kbps data service "Journaline" offering news text from BBC Eng, DW Eng, BBC Hindi & DW Hindi.

Click on the screenshots to enlarge....

Group Offers Shortwave Radios to Poor Communities

Read the VOA story here :

http://www.voanews.com/learningenglish/home/Group-Offers-Shortwave-Radios-to-Poor-Communities--116112444.html

FRS-Holland Final Anniversary broadcast Febr. 27th

Dear FRS Friend,

At long last Sunday February 27th 2011 the final & 3rd FRS 30th Anniversary broadcast will take place. We will then complete the FRS Anthology !
In two weeks time on the 27th February we will feature the period 1998- 2010. Mind you: we will kick off at already 07.52 UTC=08.52 CET.

Here's the schedule:
07.52- 14.00 UTC 7600//5800 kHz
07.52- 11.00 UTC 48 mb frequency (unknown)
11.00- 14.00 UTC 6085 kHz

Of course we have special QSLs for this broadcast. With the ones issued for the previous two broadcasts, it will form the FRS 30th Anniversary QSL Series.
Hope to have your company on the 27th...it will be great fun: 30 Years of FRS-Holland on SW!

73s, on behalf of the FRS staff

(Peter V., Jan van Dijk, Paul Graham, Dave Scott, Brian & Bobby Speed)

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

FRS-Holland
POBox 2702
6049 ZG Herten
The Netherlands

e-mail: frs.holland at hccnet.nl
e-mail: frs at frsholland.nl

PU's Radio "Jyotigarmye" 91.2 FM to be inaugurated today

The Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ms Ambika Soni, is visiting the School of Communication Studies, Punjab University, for the inauguration of `Jyotirgamaya' PU's own Community Radio Station and for the foundation stone laying ceremony of the proposed Educational Multimedia Research Centre.

The details are as follows:
Venue : School of Communication Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh
Date: 13th February,2011
Time: 4.00 PM

The station is already functioning on a trial basis and a schedule would be fixed after the ceremony.

Related News :

PU Radio: This is "Jyotigarmye" 91.2 FM
http://news.puchd.ac.in/show-news.php?id=24

QSL from AFN Diego Garcia

Radio Taiwan International test to South Asia

Frequency : 9435 kHz (replacing 11550 kHz)
Time : 1600 to 1700 UTC
Dates : February 13 to 16, 2011
Language : English

Reception reports to : paula at rti.org.tw

Vatican Radio marks 80 years, looks to new media

By NICOLE WINFIELD
The Associated Press
Thursday, February 10, 2011; 4:08 PM
VATICAN CITY -- Vatican Radio, which broadcasts the pope's message in 45 languages worldwide, is looking to a future in new media, said a top official on Thursday, as the station launched an exhibition commemorating 80 years of broadcasting.

Read the full story here :

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/10/AR2011021004355.html

UN radio ordered off the air in Ivory Coast

By MARCO CHOWN OVED

The Associated Press

Thursday, February 10, 2011; 12:43 PM

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast -- United Nations radio was ordered off the air in Ivory Coast by a regulatory board loyal to incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo, though the station refused to comply Thursday.

Read the full story here :
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/10/AR2011021002544.html

Fantastic condition on FM band this morning !

Fantastic conditions noted this morning :

10 Feb 2011 (Fri) @ 0030- 0200 UTC

88.0 Unid weak
89.8 Unid from Nepal
90.8 Jaagran FM , Nepal 55555
91.4 Unid from Nepal
91.9 Mantra
92.4 Indreni FM
93.2 Phoolbari Fm Nepal 55555
93.8 Dinesh FM, Nepal
94.0 Krisnasar FM
94.6 Bageshwari FM 55555
95.6 Radio Bheri Awaz , Nepal
96.2 Radio Mahakali, Mahendranagar,Nepal
97.3 Unid Nepali
98.6 Radio Bheri, Nepal 55555
99.4 Shuklaphanta FM, Nepal 55555
100.1 AIR Gorakhpur
100.2 AIR Patiala 55555
100.3 AIR Unid
100.4 AIR Bareilley 55555
100.6 AIR Varanasi
100.7 AIR Lucnow
100.9 AIR Shimla
101.0 Unid from Nepal
101.3 AIR Aligarh 55555
101.4 AIR Kurukshetra 55555
101.5 AIR Sawai Madhopur
101.8 AIR Hamirpur
102.1 AIR Mussourie 55555
103.0 Radio Nepal Buditola 55555
103.1 AIR Chandigarh 55555
103.4 AIR Dharamshala
103.5 AIR Rohtak
103.7 AIR Unid 55555
104.5 Unid Weak
107.2 AIR Kasauli
107.3 Unid Nepal weak

Hep forecast :
http://www.dxinfocentre.com/tropo_mid.html

IMD Fog forecast :
http://121.241.116.157/dynamic/weather/fogforecast.html

Sony XDR-F1HD + Trax 5 ele Yagi beaming at 60 deg

(Alokesh Gupta, VU3BSE)

The Wave Silenced

The BBC Hindi radio, a constant for the last seven decades, is set to go off air
Namrata Joshi

Read the Outlook story here :

http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?270321

Why ham radio endures in a world of tweets

Somehow it makes little sense that amateur "ham" radio continues to thrive in the age of Twitter, Facebook and iPhones. Yet the century-old communications technology -- which demands such commitment that you must generally pass an exam to receive a licence........

Read the article here :

http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2011-02/03/why-ham-radio-endures?page=all

Invitation for inauguration of RMS station at Trivandrum

INVITATION

We cordially invite all Hams & SWLS for the inauguration of the Radio Mail Server (RMS) station set up by National Institute of Amateur Radio (NIAR)at Amateur Radio Club, VU2CLU, Kerala State Science & Technology Museum, Trivandrum under "Amateur Radio Advanced Digital Communications System" project of Department of Information Technology, Govt. of India.

Date: Monday, 7 February 2011
Time: 6.00 pm
Venue: Kerala State Science & Technology Museum & Priyadarshini Planetarium, PMG Junction, Vikas Bhavan PO, Trivandrum 695033

Shri. M.A.Baby, Hon'ble Minister for Education & Culture, Govt. of Kerala will inaugurate the same in a function presided over by Shri. V. Surenderan Pillai, Hon'ble Minister for Ports & Youth Affairs, Govt. of Kerala.

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

Radio silence in Khandwa

BBC Hindi will no longer be heard in the north Indian heartland from March. Achala Sharma, former head of the service, remembers how a British broadcaster brought the world to the towns and villages of India.

Read the 'Indian Express' story here :
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/radio-silence-in-khandwa/746519/0

Making the cut

BBC Nepali Service survives budget cuts, expands listenership

RUBEENA MAHATO

http://nepalitimes.com/issue/2011/02/04/Nation/17921

BBC defends scaling back World Service in Egypt

BBC says majority of World Service listeners in troubled Middle East nation tuned in on FM or via local broadcasting partners

Read the Guardian report here :
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/feb/03/bbc-world-service-egypt

DRM+ Trial in the UK

For the first time, the technical capability of the DRM+ digital radio system in FM band II is going to be tested in the UK. This four month long trial, organised by the DRM Consortium and its partners, will take place in the Edinburgh area of Scotland from February 2011.

The DRM+ transmission will operate into an existing antenna that is shared with two FM services via a combiner. Those services cover more than 500,000 people in urban, suburban and rural terrain. This will be a closed technical trial with no direct involvement from the public.

DRM provides many features to allow user-friendly, high quality radio to be broadcast, including use of station names rather than frequencies, consistent digital audio, additional text and visualisation, an EPG, alternate service signalling, and automatic service following to DRM, DAB, FM and AM services. More details can be found at www.drm.org

The purpose of the trial is to measure the coverage of DRM+ operating in various transmission modes (lower capacity, higher ruggedness; higher capacity, lower ruggedness). There will also be a comparison of the coverage of FM and DRM+ in terms of transmitter power. Other objectives
include being able to assess the impact of DRM+ on FM and vice-versa; demonstrate the performance of DRM+ in a range of environments, for example, urban, suburban, rural, etc., and therefore provide an analysis of performance against the challenges of these environments. The pattern of the antenna will also be measured, in order to correlate performance in different directions with the expected performance. This trial should also provide suitable measurement data to international regulatory bodies, such as CEPT and ITU.

The trial transmissions will carry audio material consisting of both programme and test sequences. At least two modes will be tested to allow planning parameters to be determined for

different scenarios.

DRM Chairman, Ruxandra Obreja said: " After recent trials in Sri Lanka, Germany, Italy and Brazil this will give us a chance to test the DRM standard in its DRM+ extension to an extent never done before in a complex and challenging environment. We hope that by the early summer we will have accumulated additional data on the robustness and flexibility of DRM+"

About DRM
Digital Radio MondialeTM (DRM) is the universal, openly standardised digital broadcasting system for all broadcasting frequencies up to 174MHz, including LW, MW, SW, band I and II (FM band). DRM provides digital sound quality and the ease-of-use that comes from digital radio, combined with a wealth of enhanced features: Surround Sound, Journaline text information, Slideshow, EPG, and data services. DRM on short, medium and long wave for broadcasting bands up to 30 MHz (called 'DRM30') provides large coverage areas and low power consumption. The enhancement of the DRM standard for broadcast frequencies above 30 MHz ('DRM+') uses the same audio coding, data services, multiplexing and signaling schemes as DRM30 but introduces an additional transmission mode optimized for those bands.

(Press Release)

Blow to digital radio switchover as DAB listenership stalls

Plans for a mandatory switchover to digital radio have suffered another blow, with new figures showing that the share of listening achieved by DAB broadcasts has stalled for the last nine months.

More at : http://tinyurl.com/6g5c5az

Shortwave proved to be lifeline in Australia during cyclone Yasi

Shortwave again proved to be lifeline during the category 5 (weakend to cat 2 later) tropical cyclone Yasi that hit the Queensland coast in Australia.

ABC Local Radio Queensland started non stop coverage of cyclone on shortwave (9710 kHz during local daytime & 6080 kHz during night) but later was carried by all the Radio Australia's shortwave channels.

Here's an audio excerpt recorded last night on 9475 kHz, ABC Local Radio QLD's Kelly Higgins with non-stop coverage......live call-in reports, repeated announcements of emergency phone numbers, weather updates and all.

Listen to the audio file : http://tinyurl.com/4z2ovur

An interesting quote form David Sharp in the dxld list .....

Quote ....
Have been listening to coverage on ABC-Queensland. They have been repeatedly mentioning, that people should tune to 9710 or 6080 kHz, "if (their) local ABC transmitter goes off." Then the announcer added: "Shortwave is 'crackly' but at least IT WORKS!"

First World broadcasters, who think shortwave is redundant...TAKE NOTE.

One final thought-- it's good to see the Australian government acknowledge the benefits of HF broadcasting, especially when in the past, Radio Australia's future was uncertain. If the axe had fallen on RA, how would people impacted by Yasi get their news (if the local stations are off the air)?

73s
David Sharp, NSW Australia

Related links :

ABC Emergency Page
http://www.abc.net.au/emergency/cyclone/yasi/

For reliable broadcasts during disaster, turn to short wave
http://blog.marxy.org/2011/02/for-reliable-broadcasts-during-disaster.html

The ABC show us the way again with Cyclone Yasi
http://james.cridland.net/blog/the-abc-show-us-the-way-again-with-cyclone-yasi/

Why is the BBC cutting Hindi radio from the World Service?

At a time when Britain is seeking closer engagement with India, the decision to cut off 10 million listeners looks like a mistake.

Read the Guardian report here :

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/feb/01/bbc-world-service-hindi-radio

It’s a New Day for the Radio Dial

After three runs in Congress and 10 years of mounting grassroots pressure, the Local Community Radio Act was signed into law on Jan. 4. Radio lovers, would-be independent broadcasters and communities without access to local media are celebrating a new day for the radio dial.

More at :
http://www.radioworld.com/article/112908

Ending an era: Radio Prague signs off on shortwave

Radio Prague ends 75 years of shortwave radio service today. As many of you know by now, austerity measures across Czech governmental ministries have forced budget cuts in many sectors, and public broadcasting is one of them. For most of the last century our signal has gone out to six continents, carrying news and information about Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic to listeners all over the world.

More at :

http://www.radio.cz/en/section/special/ending-an-era-radio-prague-signs-off-on-shortwave