BBC Hindi additional txn's re-instated !

As of 27th March 2012, BBC Hindi txns which were cut back on 31st March 2011 have been re-instated after one year !

Schedule :

0100-0130 UTC – 1413, 9440, 9915, 11995, 15510 kHz

0230-0300 UTC – 1413, 9410, 11975, 15510, 17510 kHz

1400-1430 UTC – 1413, 7565, 9410, 9510, 11795, 15470 kHz (ex 1400-1500 UTC)

1600-1630 UTC – 1413, 7565, 9605, 9675, 13695, 15710 kHz

MP Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched Radio Azad Hind

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched Radio Azad Hind on 25th March 2012, it is the first radio of its kind in the country, which is fully dedicated to the values of freedom struggle and self-rule.
It can be heard on 90.8 megahertz daily from 7 am to 12 pm and 5 to 10 pm. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had set up Radio Azad Hind 70 years ago on March 25, 1942. Radio Azad Hind has been launched to commemorate this day.

Here's the press release from Madhya Pradesh Govt. :
http://www.mpinfo.org/mpinfonew/newsdetails.aspx?newsid=120325N6&flag1=1

Related news :

Radio Azad Hind dedicated to values of freedom fighters goes on air
http://post.jagran.com/radio-azad-hind-dedicated-to-values-of-freedom-fighters-goes-on-air-1332742531

Radio Azad Hind back on air
http://dailypioneer.com/state-editions/bhopal/52583-radio-azad-hind-back-on-air.html

BBC Hindi to re-instate morning txn's

BBC Hindi is going to re-instate morning SW txn's at 0100 UTC & 0230 UTC, Program titled "Namaskar Bharat" will start on 27th March 2012. Neil Curry, Head of business development, Asia Pacific region will be in India to see the start of morning txn.

AOKI A12 SCHEDULES

AOKI A12 schd’s are now available for download :

http://www1.m2.mediacat.ne.jp/binews/bia12.zip

Soldiers cut off state TV and radio in Mali

By BABA AHMED, Associated Press
BAMAKO, Mali (AP) --
Disgruntled soldiers have stormed state TV and radio in Mali's capital and cut off broadcasts in a growing fallout over a northern rebellion where Tuareg separatists are besting the military.

Read more at this link

Related News :

Unrest in Mali Capital; Radio, TV Off Air

Jose Jacob gets Diamond DXCC Award

On 6 Feb 2012 Jose Jacob, VU2JOS qualified for Diamond DXCC Award issued by American Radio Relay League (ARRL) by contacting 100 countries / entities during the calendar year 2012. The award is issued to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the prestigious DXCC award. One has to make contacts with 100 entities as per the Diamond DXCC list (Countries list as it was in 1937). More details at : http://www.arrl.org/diamond-dxcc

It took Jose 37 days to make the contacts. Being a CW enthusiast, he reported that out of 100 entities contacted, as many as 92 of them were in CW and the rest 8 in SSB. In fact till now he has already contacted 111. ARRL has informed that Jose Jacob was first from India to apply for this award.

The interesting ones that Jose contacted are (as per current DXCC names) are the following Dxpeditions / stations:

Pitcairn Island VP6T
Grenada J38EA
Malpelo Island HK0NA (Colombia)
Aruba P48ADI
Dominican Republic HI3DX
Ecuador HC2/KF6ZWD
Guadeloupe FG5FR
Surinam PZ5RA
Rwanda 9X0PY
Angola D2QV
Cameroon TJ3AY
Comoro TO4M
Congo TN2T
Iceland TF3DX
Mexico XE2/K6PT
Mozambique C91IW
Nigeria 5N7M
East Timor 4W0VB

Band wise details of contacts are as follows:

14 MHz: 33
7 MHz : 22
10.1 MHz: 18
28 MHz : 18
21 MHz : 4
18 MHz: 3
24 MHz : 2

The contacts were made from National Institute of Amateur Radio (NIAR).

-----

Radio Australia commences DRM txn

Radio Australia will commence a DRM schedule from its main Pacific station at Shepparton, Victoria from 1 April 2012. Average power is 40 kW from a Continental 418G transmitter. Competent reception reports welcome especially notifying interference to the RA transmissions. Include postal details if emailing reports.
Broadcasts to central Pacific may also be audible in North America; broadcasts to the south-west Pacific and PNG may also be audible in eastern Australia. Broadcasts to south-east Asia may be audible in Europe.

Details are:

Time (UT) Freq.(kHz) Target DRM mode

0100-0300 19000 central Pacific mode C 10 kHz 16QAM level 1 11 kb/s
0700-0900 7410 south-west Pacific mode B 10 kHz 64QAM level 2 24 kb/s
0900-1100 9475 south-west Pacific mode B 10 kHz 64QAM level 2 24 kb/s
1100-1300 6080 west Pacific & PNG mode C 10 kHz 16QAM level 1 11 kb/s
1300-1500 9890 central Pacific mode C 10 kHz 16QAM level 1 11 kb/s
1500-1700 5940 SE-Asia mode C 10 kHz 16QAM level 1 11 kb/s
1700-1900 9475 SE-Asia mode C 10 kHz 16QAM level 1 11 kb/s

Nigel Holmes, Chief Engineer, Radio Australia via Craig Seager

(Via Australian Radio DX Club Mailing List)

NASB-DRMUSA Annual Meeting 2012

Speakers to include Dr. Dowell Chow (President, Adventist World Radio); Dan Robinson (Chief White House Correspondent, Voice of America); David Baden (Chief Technical Officer, Radio Free Asia; Adil Mina (Continental Electronics), Charlie Jacobson (HCJB Global); Betsy Henderson (Audience Research Director, Radio Free Asia); Thomas Witherspoon (Ears to Our World); AJ Janitschek (Radio Free Asia); Mark Allen (Antenna Products); Dr. Jerry Plummer (WWCR). Special hotel rate and availability is guaranteed until April 9, 2012.

2012 NASB - DRM USA Annual Meeting at Radio Free Asia headquarters - Washington, DC

May 10-11, 2012

Tentative Agenda

Thursday, May 10

9:00 am - Opening remarks by NASB, DRM USA and RFA officials

9:15 am - Technical overview of Radio Free Asia by David Baden, RFA Chief Technical Officer

9:45 am - Tour of Radio Free Asia

10:30 am - Coffee Break

11:00 am - Radio Free Asia Audience Research, by Betsy Henderson, Director of Research for RFA

12:00-1:00 pm - Lunch break

1:00 pm - DRM USA Seminars - Speakers will include:

Adil Mina of Continental Electronics and the DRM Consortium Steering Board, who will have the latest news from the DRM General Assembly in London which takes place in late March and the NAB Convention in mid-April, as well as the latest information about DRM receivers.

Charles Jacobson from the HCJB Global Technology Center in Indiana, who will provide updates on DRM conversion of HCJB's HC100 shortwave transmitters, DRM tests and evaluation with which HCJB is helping in Ecuador, the DRM diversity receiver project at LeTourneau University.

5:00 pm - End of DRM USA meeting

Friday, May 11

9:00-9:15 am - Official opening of meeting

9:15-9:45 am - VOA Reporter's Journal - by Dan Robinson, Chief White House Correspondent for the Voice of America (subject to preemption due to breaking news or residential travel)

9:45-10:15 am - Media on the Move: Smartphone apps that help broadcasters and Engineers - by AJ Janitschek, Director of Program and Operation Support, RFA

10:15-10:45 am - Coffee Break

10:45-11:15 am - Dr. Dowell Chow, President of NASB member Adventist World Radio

11:15 am-12:00 pm - Shortwave for Good - Thomas Witherspoon explains his initiative for shortwave radio to support educational efforts worldwide

12:00-1:00 pm - Lunch break

1:00-1:15 pm - An Introduction to Antenna Products, NASB's newest associate member, by Mark Allen

1:15-1:30 pm - NASB Spanish Shortwave Listener Survey Results - presented by Dr. Jerry Plummer of NASB member station WWCR

1:30-4:00 pm - NASB Annual Business Meeting

4:00 pm - End of NASB meeting. (The newly-elected NASB Board members will have a brief meeting from approximately 4:00-4:30 pm.)

Conference Hotel - Although the meetings will be held at Radio Free Asia,the NASB has arranged a special hotel rate of $99.00 per night (plus tax) at the Country Inn & Suites in Camp Springs, Maryland - just outside of Washington, near Andrews Air Force Base. This rate is for a room with one king-size bed. Rooms with two double beds are available for $134.00 plus tax. These rates are guaranteed until May 9, 2012. Those who are flying to Reagan National Airport in Washington can take the DC Metro system direct from the airport to the Branch Avenue Metro station, where a free hotel shuttle will pick you up and take you to the hotel. The hotel also offers a free hot breakfast and free highspeed Internet access. The hotel address is: 4950 Mercedes Blvd., Camp Springs, MD 20746. Telephone +1-240-492-1070. Fax +1-240-492-1089. The hotel's reservations line, which is toll-free in the US and Canada, is +1-800-596-2375. To get the special NASB conference rate, call the hotel and ask for the NASB rate when you make your reservation. You must guarantee your reservation with a credit card. Reservations can be canceled until two days before arrival with no penalty. Most meeting participants will arrive on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 (since the meeting will begin at 9 am on May 10) and will depart on May 11 after the meeting ends in the afternoon, depending on flight arrangements. You can also make a reservation by e-mailing Ms. Ranak Patel, Director of Marketing at the hotel. Her e-mail is: ranak.patel@countryinns.com. If you have any problem making a reservation at the NASB rate, please contact Jeff White at radiomiami9@cs.com and we will help you make the reservation or make it for you. Transportation from the hotel to Radio Free Asia will be possible by a combination of the free hotel shuttle and a low-cost Metro ticket to a station near Radio Free Asia.

Sponsorship - Sponsors are being sought for the Thursday and Friday lunches at the Annual Meeting. If your company would like to sponsor a lunch, contact Jeff White at radiomiami9@cs.com.

(NASB Newsletter, March 2012)

HFCC A12

A12 schedules are now available at HFCC website :

http://www.hfcc.org/data/a12/index.phtml

SLBC launches a new Radio Service

Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, the originator of broadcasting services in the country launched a new Service from today. Named as “The Times Radio”, the new service will broadcast latest sports news together with musical programmes. The new service was inaugurated under the patronage of the Chairman of the SLBC Hudson Samarasinghe at 9.30 am today.

More at :

http://www.news.lk/news/sri-lanka/1712-slbc-launches-a-new-radio-service

VON’s ultra modern transmission station launched

The Nigerian government has reiterated its commitment to support Voice of Nigeria to meet international standards as part of its transformation agenda. President Goodluck Jonathan stated this at the commissioning of VON’s Ultramodern Transmission Station at Lugbe, a suburb of the capital city, Abuja.

More at :
http://www.voiceofnigeria.org/Nigeria/VON-ultramodern-transmitters-launched.html

Radio Serbia celebrates 76th anniversary, revamps its website

On the occasion of Day of International Radio Serbia, March 8, director of Radio Serbia Milorad Vujović has organized a reception for ministry and media officials and other eminent guests.
The press conference has also seen the presentation of the new internet portal of the International Radio Serbia, with latest design and program solutions, and whose start coincides with the 15th anniversary since the introduction of internet radio. The new website has the same address http://www.glassrbije.org/ , and its features are informative value, simplicity and modern outlook. Radio Serbia also unveiled a new logo.

More at :
http://voiceofserbia.org/content/international-radio-serbia-76-years-tradition

(Logo courtesy Radio Serbia)

Mr.Suri, VU2MY, Chairman NIAR selected for "Amateur of the Year" Award - Awards Committee of Dayton Hamvention 2012

Hamvention® 2012 Awards Committee chooses 2012 winners

The Hamvention Awards Committee is announcing the winners for 2012. Mr. S.Suri, VU2MY has been selected as the amateur of the year, with Joel Hallas, W1ZR winning the technical achievement award and Steven Betza, WZ2V receiving the special achievement award. The Deutscher Amateur Radio Club was chosen for the Club of the Year Award.

Mr. Suri, can be described as the H.P. Maxim of India. He is well recognized throughout the vast country of India. Mr. Suri was instrumental in establishing the art and science of amateur radio as well as leading his country's effort to establish the National Institute of Amateur Radio (NIAR). Staying with his avocation, Mr. Suri has lead search and rescue and recovery efforts in many natural emergency events throughout India and elsewhere. It gives us great pleasure in presenting Mr. Suri with the 2012 Hamvention Amateur of the Year Award.

Winning the Technical Achievement Award is Joel Hallas. Joel is better known for his monthly QST column titled "The Doctor Is In". This lively column answers many of the basic and not-so-basic technical questions of ham radio.
Joel answers these questions in a easy to read format that has a low "intimidation factor". Many amateurs worldwide appreciate his help. He is the author of Basic Radio, Basic Antennas, The ARRL Guide to Antenna Tuners, Care and Feeding of Transmission Lines and Understanding and Using Your Antenna Analyzer. Joel has garnered many technical awards and remains one of
the top technical authors in our avocation.

Steven Betza wins the Special Achievement Award for 2012. Steven enjoys teaching a wide range of students through live experiments and missions.
Through a project called "Blue Horizon", he caused the licensing of 38 new hams, set the world record for the highest amateur balloon vehicle (125,000 feet AGL), and demonstrated many technical feats relating to the flight.
Steve has contributed in a major way to college and high school education programs in electronics engineering.

The Annual Club Award goes to Deutsche Amateur Radio Club (DARC). DARC has organized the country of Germany into one unified national radio organization. It can be compared to the ARRL in the United States. It provides educational and technical support for radio amateurs and shortwave listeners. Prior to formal regulations in Germany, DARC provided guidance in terms of frequency and power. DARC plays a major role in training and licensing and is well respected throughout the European Union (EU).
Please visit the Hamvention Web Site frequently for updates on the winners of the prestigious Hamvention 2012 Amateur Radio Awards.

Frank Beafore/WS8B David Crawford/KF4KWW
Awards Chair Awards Co-Chair
------------------------------------------------------------
Release Date: 6 March 2012

(Via NIAR List)

Voice of Nigeria testing in DRM mode

Screenshot courtesy Sixten, SM5DAG via drmrx.org forum

Voice of Nigeria noted with test transmission on 15120 kHz at around 1100 - 1530 UTC, logs at :

http://www.drmrx.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2390

Equador testing DRM standard alongwith HCJB & UNP

Gustavo Orna,head of SUPERTEL, Equador talks about DRM test.......SUPERTEL of Equador is conducting technical tests of DRM standard alongwith HCJB and UNP.

Read the 'Radio World' story here :
http://tinyurl.com/7x6phdu

The radio wave

Faizan Ahmad March 3, 2012

Last week, a scheme to gift radio sets to all the 2. 2 million Mahadalit families in Bihar took wing in Masaurhi block, 40 km from Patna. Once the radios are distributed, the government will air
exclusive educational and cultural programmes for the backward community on All India Radio in the local dialect. "Three places - Patna, Gaya and Muzaffarpur - have been selected in the first phase from where this community-based radio will be launched, " says Ravi Parmar, SC/ST welfare department secretary. "We hope to start in July. "

Under this Rs 85-crore plan, radio sets will be made available to all Mahadalit families by the end of 2014. Each family will receive a coupon worth Rs 400 after identification and verification and can procure a radio set from "radio fairs" to be held in 534 blocks covering 45, 103 villages.

More at :
http://www.timescrest.com/society/the-radio-wave-7382

Radio Canada Intl. introduces new DRM txn towards India

Radio Canada International is going to introduce a daily half hour transmission towards India in DRM mode with effect from A12 season starting 25th March 2012 :

1500-1529 UTC

17815 kHz

125 kW

85 Deg

Ant HR 4/4/1.0 41

ENGLISH

Daily
via SMG (Santa Maria Galeria, Vatican City)

Radio Patuljak, Pancevo, Serbia

Transmitter-photos from Serbia: Radio Patuljak from Pancevo (near Belgrade). This is an old pirate since the 70's. The operator built his first tx in the age of 12 and is still on this road !

Photo's & write up at Harri Kujala's blog :

http://hkdx2.blogspot.in/2012/03/radio-patuljak-pancevo-serbia.html

Happy 71st birthday to FM radio

Say happy 71st birthday to FM radio. The very first commercial FM radio station was W47NV in Nashville, and it began broadcasting on March 1, 1941

More at :
http://www.dmwmedia.com/news/2012/03/05/happy-71st-birthday-to-fm-radio

MV Baltic Radio & R Gloria this Sunday

Dear Listeners,
MV Baltic Radio and Radio Gloria are on the air this Sunday the 4th of March
2012

MVBR Schedule for 9480 KHz with 1 KW:

Station Name Time Slot Programmes
MV Baltic Radio 10.00 to 1100 UTC The real music Station
Radio Gloria 11.00 to 13.00 UTC (repeat from last month)
MV Baltic Radio 13.00 to 1400 UTC (repeat from 1000 UTC)

Please send all M.V.B.R reception reports to: info@mvbalticradio.de
Please send all R Gloria reception reports to: radiogloria@aol.com

Starting on the 25th of March MVBR will start there 6140 KHz transmissions
again

Radio Gloria: 25th of March at 09.00 UTC on 6140 KHz with 100 KW
MV Baltic Radio: 1st of April at 09.00 UTC on 6140 KHz with 100 KW

Good Listening

73s
Tom Taylor

Community radio station launched in Mewat area of Haryana

A new community radio station '107.8 Alfaj-e-Mewat' has started broadcasting
its programmes from Mewat district of Haryana. An official spokesman said on
Wednesday that the radio station had been set up by Union agriculture ministry in collaboration with Institute of Rural Research and Development at Ghaghas village of Nagina block in Mewat district.

More at :
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab/Chandigarh/Community-radio-station-launched-in-Mewat-area-of-Haryana/SP-Article1-819172.aspx

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) - launches new multi-lingual web and social media services

MELBOURNE - Radio Australia - the international broadcasting service of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) - launches new multi-lingual web and social media services. Targeting audiences in Asia and the Pacific, the new digital services bring greater immediacy in coverage of breaking news, major stories, activities and events as they happen in and around Asia and the Pacific including Australia.
New multi-lingual web sites featuring Burmese, French, Indonesian, Khmer, Mandarin, Tok Pisin and Vietnamese will be accompanied by three English language web sites, tailored for Asian, Pacific and the wider international audiences. As well as continuing to offer high quality news and current affairs radio programs in multiple languages, Radio Australia's new web services encourage the sharing, participation and collaboration of stories of interest and relevance among audiences in Asia and the Pacific. English language learning content is also available in five languages.
Visitors to Radio Australia's new sites will experience more tailored and relevant content thanks to the latest technology that allows location detection enabling content to be delivered to and tailoredfor audiences on the basis of location and language.
"Socially, politically, and economically, Australia continues to more closely embrace the people, nations and cultures of Asia and the Pacific.
Our neighbours in this region are growing in wealth, education and confidence and we are interested in what matters to them, what they are doing and what they have to say. In addition to that, our neighbours are curious about us, as Australians, who we are and what we do, how we live our lives and why we think and perceive issues the way we do. Our new web and social media services provide the opportunity for thoughts, attitudes and opinions to be shared and exchanged," said Dr Mike McCluskey, CEO of Radio Australia.
Radio Australia's new web site is located at www.radioaustralia.net.au and for Australian audiences Radio Australia's multi-lingual audio streams can be accessed through the ABC's mobile apps at: http://www.abc.net.au/services/mobile/

(Press Release)

Scandanavian Weekend Radio to hit the airwaves on 2nd & 3rd March 2012

Scandanavian Weekend Radio will hit the airwaves on 2nd & 3rd March 2012

Schedule at :
http://www.swradio.net/schedule.htm

Why Terrestrial Radio Will Never Be Great Again

By Rick Aristotle Munarriz, The Motley Fool Posted 3:00PM 03/01/12

There was a time when car radios cranked out the soundtrack of our lives. Before that, families would huddle around the radio at home to hear serialized presentations, sporting events, and the latest music hits.These days, radio is a bit of a forgotten toy.

More at :
http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/03/01/why-terrestrial-radio-will-never-be-great-again/

Radio Free Asia QSL commemorates 25th Annual SWL Fest

Radio Free Asia (RFA) announces the release of 44th QSL card. This QSL commemorates the 25th annual SWL Fest, March 1-3, in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. The SWL Fest is a premier DX'er event in the USA attracting hundreds of attendees. It is sponsored by the North American Shortwave Association (NASWA) and covers shortwave, mediumwave (AM), scanning, satellite TV, pirate broadcasting and more. This QSL card will be used to confirm all valid RFA reception reports for March 2012. RFA's new QSL card commemorates the 25th annual SWL Fest.

RFA is a private, nonprofit corporation that broadcasts news and information to listeners in Asian countries where full, accurate, and timely news reports are unavailable. Created by Congress in 1994 and incorporated in 1996, RFA currently broadcasts in Burmese, Cantonese, Khmer, Korean to North Korea, Lao, Mandarin, the Wu dialect, Vietnamese, Tibetan (Uke, Amdo, and Kham), and Uyghur. RFA strives for accuracy, balance, and fairness in its editorial content. As a 'surrogate' broadcaster, RFA provides news and commentary specific to each of its target countries, acting as the free press these countries lack. RFA broadcasts only in local languages and dialects, and most of its broadcasts comprise news of specific local interest. More information about Radio Free Asia, including our current broadcast frequency schedule, is available at http://www.rfa.org/.

RFA encourages listeners to submit reception reports. Reception reports are valuable to RFA as they help us evaluate the signal strength and quality of our transmissions. RFA confirms all accurate reception reports by mailing a QSL card to the listener. RFA welcomes all reception report submissions at http://www.techweb.rfa.org/ (follow the QSL REPORTS link) not only from DX'ers, but also from its general listening audience. The free mobile app for your smartphone is available at http://gettag.mobi/. Reception reports are also accepted by email at qsl@rfa.org, and for anyone without Internet access, reception reports can be mailed to:
Reception Reports
Radio Free Asia
2025 M. Street NW, Suite 300
Washington DC 20036
United States of America.
Upon request, RFA will also send a copy of the current broadcast schedule and a station sticker.

(Radio Free Asia)

Beyond the Radio Days

Some view Voice of America as "stuck in the 1950s with short-wave radios," as one of the agency's Washington-based Africa TV hosts recently phrased it. But the onslaught of 21st century communications has outfitted the one-time Cold War broadcasters with a wider global reach via the Web and social media. And the demands of digital have forced some new thinking on old rules.

More at :
http://news.gnom.es/public-policy/beyond-the-radio-days

RRI Contest: Targu Mures in History and In Our Times

Dear friends of Radio Romania International, you are invited once again to take part in a competition called "Targu Mures in History and In Our Times", with some exciting prizes on offer. The competition is dedicated to a very interesting area in the center of Romania, Mures County, and especially to its main city, Targu Mures.
Situated in the middle of the Transylvanian highlands, the county covers the Caliman Mountains (over 2,000 meters high), the Gurghiu Mountains, to the Tarnave Highland and the Transylvanian Plain. The Mures River basin and its tributaries cover the county's entire watershed. Targu Mures is not the only attraction, however. Sighisoara in particular stands out with its exceptional medieval fortress, which is still inhabited, as well as Reghin, which has been a major center for musical instrument making for centuries.
Targu Mures is notable as an important medical center, with its extraordinary achievements in cardiovascular medicine and urology. It is also a center of culture, with its libraries, museums, theaters, and with its special musical institutions. It is home to the National Theater of Targu Mures, the State Philharmonic of Targu Mures, as well as the 'Teleki-Bolyai' County Library, boasting one of the richest old book collections in Transylvania and the County Museum, with its many sections.
Targu Mures is a scholarly city, and has been famous as such since the Middle Ages, with its many schools and universities. In addition, it boasts many architecturally important buildings, such as the Administration Palace and the Palace of Culture, both in Secession style, the Orthodox Cathedral, the Flower Park, and the Targu Mures Zoo, to name just a few of the attractions in the city.
You are invited to follow our broadcasts, our website and our profiles on Facebook, Twitter and Flickr for this contest and answer a number of questions in writing. The contest closes on March 15th 2012, which is the mailing date for your answers.
Our two Grand Prizes are two trips for one, for seven nights, with full board at the Targu Mures City Hall Guesthouse, in the 'Muresul' Sports and Entertainment Complex.
Radio Romania International's partners in this contest are the Targu Mures City Hall, the Mures Association of Fine Artists, and Mures City Council. As usual, you'll need to arrange your own transport to Romania and obtain a travel visa, if necessary. For listeners who don't win the Grand Prize, there are other prizes and honorable mentions on offer, including a number of gifts relating to Targu Mures and Mures County, provided by our partners and sponsors.
The county has numerous historical and architectural attractions, buildings dating back to the 14th to 18th centuries, bearing the influence of various European styles. The attractions include the Saschiz fortified medieval church, the medieval fortifications of Sighisoara (from the 14th century) and of Targu Mures (from the 17th century), and the Iernut fortified castle.
We should also mention the spa resort of Sovata, which dates back at least a century. There's plenty for nature lovers too, since the county boasts a number of beautiful nature reserves where rare species of plants can be found, such as Zau de Campie with its steppe peony, Poiana Narciselor, the ancient forest of Mociar, and the Gurghiu Tree Park.

Now here are the questions:

1. What is the name of the most important mountain chain in Mures county?

2. Please tell us at least 3 cultural or tourist attractions in Targu Mures.

3. What is the name of the city in Mures County whose medieval center is a UNESCO cultural heritage site?

4. When was the Targu Mures Palace of Culture built?

Please fill in the competition form on our website, http://www.rri.ro/, or mail, fax or e-mail your answers. Please also make sure to mention what motivated you to take part in the contest, and, if you wish, mention what sources of information you used other than our broadcasts, the RRI website and our social network profiles (Facebook / Twitter).
Our address is: 60-64, G-ral Berthelot street, sector 1, Bucharest, PO BOX 111, zip code 010165, Fax: 00.40.21.319.05.62, E-mail: engl at rri dot ro

We are eagerly waiting for your answers by March 15, 2012, mailing date. The winners will be announced right after April 1, 2012, allowing them time to prepare for the journey. Good luck!

(Source : Radio Romania International)

The slow death of shortwave radio

With the advent of the Internet, Digital Audio Broadcasting and satellite transmission, shortwave radio is in decline. Even the BBC World Service, which once covered the entire globe, has cut back on its services. But the demise of shortwave will be missed by many millions who regularly tune in from remote locations.

More at :
http://tvnewswatch.blogspot.in/2012/02/slow-death-of-shortwave-radio.html

BBC World Service celebrates 80th Anniversary

Global audience gets unique behind the scenes access as move from iconic London home begins.
Audiences are to be given unprecedented behind the scenes access as part of a special day of live programming on February 29, to mark the BBC World Service's 80th birthday. Highlights from the day will include a special global audience with Sir David Attenborough and The Strand - the WS global arts programme - will be edited by guest artist and music producer William Orbit. Audiences will be able to join a special debate about what they want from the World Service, both on air, online and across social media forums. (#bbcws80)
The day will give audiences around the world a unique insight into production of their favourite programmes and multilingual videos will be produced of all the broadcasts throughout the day online at bbc.co.uk/worldservice.For the first time audiences will be invited to watch and participate in over 12 hours of programmes in English and across more than 12 different languages. The day will be hosted by BBC Persian's Pooneh Ghoddoosi and BBC World Service presenter Ros Atkins.
BBC World Service's daily morning editorial meeting, which normally takes place behind the doors of Bush House, will be opened up and broadcast live for the first time. In this meeting - a daily part of life in the building - the newsroom's editors discuss and agree the big stories and developments and decide on which stories will shape the day's news agenda.
The open courtyard of Bush House will host many of the programmes that day. Flagship programmes such as Newshour and World Have Your Say will invite audiences to join a conversation about international broadcasting and the future priorities of the BBC World Service.
Listeners around the world - and the audience at Bush House - will have the chance to shape the news agenda and debate by making suggestions from the floor, or through Twitter, Facebook and Skype.
Peter Horrocks, Director of BBC Global News, said: "The 80th birthday and departure from Bush House means these are historic and changing times for the BBC World Service. We want our audiences to be at the heart of both the commemoration of the past and conversation about the future."
BBC World Service Commissioning Editor, Steve Titherington, said: "We are turning Bush House inside out showing who we are and what we do to our audiences and asking what the world wants next from the BBC World Service."
On February 29, BBC World Service is also launching a new series of programmes on the human body. Linked to the Olympics, The Human Race will invite the public to take part in a 'healthcheck special' featuring leading international scientists and sportspeople.
Not only celebrating 80 years of broadcasting, this special day of programming marks the start of the BBC World Service's move from Bush House, its iconic London home for over 70 years, to a new state of the art broadcasting centre in Oxford Circus.
The move will see all of the BBC's news services - UK and international - based together for the first time. The aim is to create 'the world's newsroom' - enhancing the BBC's global newsgathering and creating a forum for the best journalism in the world.

(Press Release)

Related News :

Shortwave radio memories: BBC World Service turns 80
http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/29/shortwave-radio-memories-bbc-world-service-turns-80/