Canada Post issues 'History of Radio in Canada' stamps to mark 100th anniversary of Canada's first radio broadcast

(Photo courtesy : www.linns.com)

On May 20, Canada Post is issuing a se-tenant (side-by-side) pair of nondenominated permanent-rate (currently 92¢) History of Radio in Canada stamps. The new issue comes in a self-adhesive booklet of 10.

The stamps commemorate Canada's inaugural radio broadcast, which hit the airwaves a century ago on the evening of May 20, 1920. According to Canada Post's Details magazine for collectors, the radio program came from Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company's studios in Montreal, Quebec, and was a closed broadcast for a Royal Society of Canada gathering at the Chateau Laurier hotel in Ottawa, Ontario.

Further details at :

https://www.linns.com/news/us-stamps-postal-history/history-of-radio-in-canada-stamps-available-may-20

Here's the link to order online :

https://www.canadapost.ca/shop/stamps/canada/p-414140111.jsf?execution=e1s1#

New Web site devoted to AM/FM DX launched

Longtime DXer and Monitoring Times writer, Loyd Van Horn, launches DX Central

With FM DX season now upon us, longtime DXer and Monitoring Times writer, Loyd Van Horn (W4LVH), announces the launch of his new Web site, DX Central(www.dxcentralonline.com). The site, which specializes in AM and FM DX,launched  Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 0000 UTC (8:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time)

"DX Central is the culmination of both what I have learned as a DXer through the past 30 years, as well as helping me to flush out all of the things I still want to learn," says Van Horn. "There are many sites out there for AM and FM DXers, but I have always wished there was a site that taught the art of DX and helped cultivate that skill, as well as provided information on equipment from the perspective of the DXer, airchecks of station IDs and other things that would help flatten the learning curve a bit."

One of the main components of DX Central is the DX 101 section which provides a primer for getting started in DXing, a glossary of DX-related terms, an FAQ and commonly used abbreviations.  It also includes breakout sections specific to AM and FM DXing.

"I wanted this to be a site where someone that didn't even know what DX meant could be provided enough information to get them started.  At the same time, I wanted to make sure there was enough information there for experienced DXers to still find the site useful."

There is also a blog with DX tips and tricks, up-to-date news and information and logs from Van Horn's own DX pursuits from his home in Charleston, South Carolina as well as his travels.

"I try to bring an SDR with a small loop antenna with me when I travel.  My goal is to get as many pristine airchecks as I can from various cities so that other DXers can use that to compare with what they are hearing through their own radios."

There are plans to expand the site with what Van Horn calls "phase II" in the coming months.

"There are some additional sections I am working through that just will not be ready in time for our launch date and the heart of FM DX season.  Those are all being worked up for phase II."

Van Horn began as a DXer at an early age after growing up in a radio family. His father, Larry Van Horn (N5FPW) and mother, Gayle Van Horn (W4GVH) are both widely known in the DX community for their work with Monitoring Times and later, their self-published Kindle books under the banner of their publishing company, Teak Publishing.

After graduating from college, Van Horn spent nearly a decade in the media industry as an on-air personality, news director, assistant program director, public service coordinator, talk show host, sportscaster and advertising executive.

Van Horn later wrote for Monitoring Times as well, penning the monthly GlobalNet column devoted to online streaming of radio and television.  Van Horn used his broadcast experience to bring an insiders' look into the trends and strategies of station's online presence.

After Monitoring Times ceased production, Van Horn took some time out of the spotlight to get back to spending time in front of a radio, catching up on recent advancements in AM and FM DX technology and techniques.

He resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his wife, Megan and their dog, Ace.  He is an extra class amateur radio operator, trained Skywarnstorm spotter, ARRL VEC examiner, and member of the National Radio Club, International Radio Club of America and Worldwide TV-FM DX Association. When not DXing, he is also a musician with three albums released to-date and performs a solo acoustic show around the Charleston area (additional information is available on his music site:  www.loydvanhorn.com)

# # #  

Texas Radio Shortwave to test new shortwave frequency on May 16, 2020

GULF OF MEXICO, May 9, 2020 — Texas Radio Shortwave, an American free radio station, today announced three test broadcasts on May 16, 2020. The broadcasts will determine listenership and propagation feasibility on a newly activated frequency in the 75-meter shortwave broadcast band.

Channel 292 in Germany will transmit the hour-long broadcasts — at 0300 UTC, 1800 UTC, and 2100 UTC — on 3955 kHz with a transmitter power of 4 kW.

Texas Radio Shortwave will send a limited-edition commemorative electronic verification for correct, detailed reception reports. Reports should be sent to texasradiosw@gmail.com.

Reception reports must contain times, song titles, the text of announcements, a SINPO/SIO signal rating, information on receiver and antenna, and comments on the program content. Listeners using remote software-defined receivers (SDRs) should mention that. Texas Radio Shortwave would like to receive audio clips of the broadcast along with detailed reports.

3955 kHz is part of the 75-meter amateur band in IARU Region 2 (consisting mostly of North and South America).

During May, propagation predictions for 0300 UTC show the strongest signal into the Eastern US and Canada, the Northern half of Africa, all of Europe, and portions of Eastern Asia. At 1800 UTC, the prediction is for the strongest signal in Europe and the Northern third of Africa. Strongest signal coverage for the 2100 UTC broadcast is predicted to be like 0300 UTC excluding North America. Listenable signals may be possible in other areas of the world.

Texas Radio Shortwave is located on a ship anchored in the Gulf of Mexico off the South Texas coast. Its programs are broadcast in North America and Europe.

(Press Release)

AIR resumes External Services broadcasts

All India Radio resumed its external services broadcasts to neighboring countries on 8th May;2020, few more will resume today as per below :

0100-0200 UTC Sindhi 7380 kHz (B)

0700-0800 UTC Nepali 9950 kHz (Ki) 11620 kHz (Ki)

0830-1130 UTC Urdu 9950 kHz (Ki)

1145-1315 UTC Chinese 17510 kHz (B)

1215-1330 UTC Tibetan 9575 kHz (B)

1315-1415 UTC Dari 11560 KHz (B)

1415-1530 UTC Pushtu 11560 kHz (B)

1500-1600 UTC Baluchi 9620 kHz (D)

Tamil & Bangla Services had resumed a few days back.

Reception Reports appreciated to    

spectrum-manager@prasarbharati.gov.in

Please see the current full schedule in

Time wise : https://qsl.net/vu2jos/es/time.htm

Language wise: https://qsl.net/vu2jos/es/Language.htm

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

Radio Pilipinas shortwave transmissions back on air

Radio Pilipinas shortwave transmissions were noted back on the air with effect from 1st May, 2020

Due to implementation of enhanced community quarantine in Philippines, shortwave broadcasts of Radyo Pilipinas were temporarily off air.

A20 Schedule :

0200-0300 UTC - 12020, 15640, 17820 kHz English

1730-1930 UTC - 9960, 12120, 15190 kHz Filipino  

(250 kW from Tinang)

(With additional inputs from Jose Jacob)

ABS-CBN: Philippines' biggest broadcaster forced off air

The Philippines' top broadcaster has gone off air after it was ordered by the media regulator to stop operations.  

Read the full story here :  https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-52548703

NTC has ordered ABS-CBN to stop broadcasting - Listed on the halt order are 42 TV stations across the country, including Ch2, 10 digital broadcast channels, 18 FM and 5 AM radio stations, including #DZMM Radio

The following 5 medium-wave radio stations are affected by suspension of license extension (broadcast stop order) for ABS-CBN. (Source : @radio_no_koe on twitter)

DZMM 630 50k Obando, Bulacan

DYAP  765 10k Puerto Princesa, Palawan

DYAB 1512 10k Cebu City

DXAB 1296 10k Davao City  

DYRV 1188 1k Catbalogan, Western Samar

Meanwhile ABS-CBN Sports turns to digital amid broadcast shutdown

As ABS-CBN goes off-air, S+A shifts its efforts to other platforms to continue showing fans their favorite game replays and highlights

https://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/other-sports/260077-abs-cbn-sports-turns-to-digital-broadcast-shutdown

Radio208 now on 5805 kHz

After four unsuccessful attempts over the last couple of months today Radio208 finally began broadcasting on shortwave on 5805 kHz. The American built 250 Watts transmitter for 5805 kHz blew up three times in the process. Then a new British built 250 Watt transmitter was purchased, but it turned out that the maximum power it could radiate was 164 Watt.  However it's a fine transmitter, so this transmitter has now successfully been put into operation – running about 75 Watts at present;  will be increased to 150 Watts later.

The transmitter site is Hvidovre, a suburb of Copenhagen and the aerial is a dipole.

This is the first time for more than 30 years that shortwave broadcasting is being carried out from Copenhagen. Radio Denmark ceased broadcasting from its Herstedvester site on in February 1990.

Radio208 still continuous broadcasting on 1440 kHz (500 W) from Ishøj, also a suburb of Copenhagen.

Both transmitters (1440 and 5805 kHz) are running 24/7.

Stig Hartvig Nielsen

www.radio208.dk

(Via HCDX list)

Radio Free Asia Hosts Secure Mirror Websites for Asian, Chinese Audiences

Sites circumvent blocking, improve access to COVID-19 and other sensitive coverage

WASHINGTON – Radio Free Asia (RFA), in partnership with the Open Technology Fund (OTF), is hosting dedicated .onion addresses for its Mandarin and Cantonese Services' websites, in addition to its English-language site. These sites enhance the ability of audiences in restricted media environments, including mainland China, to securely access RFA's up-to-date, accurate reports and content on the coronavirus pandemic, among other topics deemed sensitive to censors.

"Radio Free Asia's mission is to inform audiences in China about critical developments and topics that are censored in state media," said Bay Fang, RFA's President. "With the deadly Covid-19 pandemic and the abuse of information about it via China's official media, this responsibility for our organization takes on an even greater urgency. These secure websites will help to protect and empower our audiences, whether they are in mainland China, where RFA's online content is blocked, or in Hong Kong where the growing threat of surveillance can have a chilling effect on freedom of information."

"RFA's decision to begin hosting dedicated Tor .onion sites will only make it easier for audiences in Asia to get around censors and access news and information relevant to their everyday lives," said Sarah Aoun, Director of Technology at OTF. "RFA continues to leverage the power of technology in order to further fulfill its mission of bringing free press to closed societies."

In hosting .onion websites, RFA joins other news organizations such as the BBC and Deutsche Welle in making its content available on this secure network. In the months since the coronavirus outbreak, RFA Mandarin has seen a boost in visits to its website, along with sharp increases in the number of user profiles following the service's Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Concerns about blocking by Chinese authorities, who tightly control the narrative around major news developments, were a significant factor in the decision to better ensure access to RFA's timely reports. These include RFA's recent investigation into the official statistics of Wuhan's coronavirus fatalities, as well as coverage of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, and the crackdown on ethnic minorities such as Uyghurs and Tibetans, among other restricted issues. China's vast filtering and censorship of its internet and social media platforms has earned it the dubious distinction of being "the world's worst abuser of internet freedom," according to Freedom House.

RFA's .onion websites are:

English: https://www.rfa62zl6z6owmtlf.onion/english/

Cantonese: https://www.rfa62zl6z6owmtlf.onion/cantonese/

Mandarin: https://www.rfa62zl6z6owmtlf.onion/mandarin/

(RFA Press Release)

AIR Special broadcasts for Ramadan

Like every year, the special transmissions for Ramadan has started from AIR stations in Jammu and Kashmir as follows:

Timings (variable) : 2145/2205 to 2305 UTC (0335-0435 IST)

Frequencies :

1116 kHz 300 kW  Srinagar

1350 kHz 20 kW Kupwara

4950 kHz 50 kW Srinagar

103.5 MHz 10 kW Srinagar

This  transmission is for about 1 hour and sign on and sign off timings vary.   These special programs will continue for a month, till Ramzan day ie around 23 May 2020. The 1 hour program consists of prayers, songs and advertisments. In the previous years sign on timings varied as the days went on.

(Via Jose Jacob, NIAR, Hyderabad)

Digital Radio Mondiale™ (DRM) collaborates with ABU and ASBU to jointly host webinar

Under the theme of "DRM Benefits in Times of Crisis," The DRM Consortium in collaboration with Asia-Pacific Broadcast Union (ABU) and Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) will jointly and for the first time host a two-part interactive webinar session. The webinar will focus on key DRM benefits and what makes the standard so useful in times of crisis and disasters.

The first session will take place on Thursday 23rd April 2020 and the second session will take place a week later Thursday 30th April 2020 (0800 UTC, 0900 BST- London and Tunis time, 1600 MYT, Kuala Lumpur time).

Both webinars will explore the benefits of the DRM digital radio technology in times of crisis and disasters by demonstrating key features such as, Emergency Warning Functionality (EWF), monitoring map, content server programming using Journaline and how the DRM technology is used in public signage. The webinars will also delve into how DRM data casting technology could be valuable in education for all, especially in regions which are not always covered by internet or television signals.

The speakers will include: Ruxandra Obreja (DRM Chair), Alexander Zink (Fraunhofer IIs, DRM Vice-Chair), Yogendra Pal (Chair Indian Platform), Simon Keens (Ampegon), Jan Bremer (NXP) and Radu Obreja (DRM Marketing Director).

According to DRM Chairman, Ruxandra Obreja:" This webinar duo on the 23rd and 30th of April is a first for us as our long and fruitful cooperation with ABU is now being enriched with that of ASBU. We feel that as a lot of people are under lockdown just now, a webinar is an excellent opportunity to learn more about DRM and its many advantages, beyond excellent audio, which can become particularly useful in times of crisis. We hope that many participants will register for the two events to be technically hosted by ABU".

To register please click below:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6731508559177040909

Webinar ID: 318-732-411

(DRM Press Release)

Latest info on All India Radio

Updates on All India Radio - External and Home services 

As reported earlier, transmissions of AIR External Services are suspended from 24 March 2020 due to national lockdown. The national lock down in India has been extended to 3rd May 2020.
Hence the External Services of All India Radio is expected to resume transmissions only after that.

Only the following External Service has resumed transmission from 12 April 2020:
Tamil 1115-1215 UTC 7270 kHz via Chennai to Sri Lanka /SE Asia

However new Digital Channel of All India Radio External Service is now available on YouTube as per below :

0600-0630 UTC Hindi Transmission 1   (1130 am to 12.00 pm IST):

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpDd2xJrNQKWAmfWjXhZgbw

0830-0900 UTC Urdu Transmission 1 (2.00 to 2.30 pm IST):

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG3E4dwKhE0OYvakWuKlD4g

1400-1430 UTC English Transmission 1   (7.30 to 8.00 pm IST):

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSE_P_fj1EMu0PO7lf4v6IA

1435-1505 UTC Hindi Transmission 2   (8.05 pm to 8.35 pm IST):

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpDd2xJrNQKWAmfWjXhZgbw

1515-1545 UTC Urdu Transmission 2 (8.45 to 9.15 pm  IST):

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG3E4dwKhE0OYvakWuKlD4g

1600-1630 UTC English Transmission 2 (9.30 to 10.30 pm IST):

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSE_P_fj1EMu0PO7lf4v6IA

Tests on External Service transmitters are noted occasionally eg:

594 kHz Chinsurah 1000 kW (Around 1730-1830 UTC)
Bengaluru 500 kW on 6110, 7550 (DRM), 9690, 9865, 9950, 11560, 17510 etc. at various times especially at around 1330-1430 UTC
Delhi 100 kW 9950, 11620

Home Services:

Since the national lock down, programs of all stations of AIR has changed with more emphasis on news including new and extended bulletins. Several stations are noted relaying Vividh Bharati Service (Entertainment Channel) from Mumbai instead of regular programs.

AIR Mumbai is noted now operating continuously at night on MW as follows instead of signing off around midnight:
558 kHz 100 kW  Vividh Bharati channel
1044 kHz 100 kW AIR Live news 24x7 channel

Live streaming of most stations of AIR is available in "Live Radio" in  http://prasarbharati.gov.in/

The updated complete SW service of AIR in Frequency order is available in: http://qsl.net/vu2jos/sw/freq.htm

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

TRAI issues recommendations on reserve price for auction of FM radio channels

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on Saturday recommended that the reserve price for FM radio channels for 273 new cities has been fixed at 80 per cent of the valuation for each city.

Consultation Paper on Reserve Price for auction of FM Radio channels can be downloaded here :

https://main.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/CP_16102019.pdf

Comments on  digital radio :

Excerpts :

2.24  Presently radio signals are largely transmitted in analog mode in the country. Analog terrestrial radio broadcasting, when compared with digital mode, is inefficient and suffers from operational restrictions. With the advancement in technologies, digital radio technologies around the globe have been developed and adopted by several countries in order to offer more choice to listeners along with efficient use of spectrum. Digital Radio broadcasting provides a number of advantages over analog radio broadcasting. The biggest advantage of digital radio is that it is possible to broadcast three to four channels on a single frequency carrier while ensuring excellent quality of audio for all the channels whereas analog mode broadcasts only one channel on a frequency carrier.

2.25 Looking at the advantages of digital radio broadcasting and in order to develop an eco-system, which can facilitate deployment of digital radio broadcasting, TRAI had suo-motu sent its recommendations on "Issues related to Digital Radio Broadcasting in India" to the government on 1st February 2018. The Authority while framing these recommendations noted that the Phase-III policy guidelines mandate radio broadcasting using analog FM technology and does not permit use of any other radio broadcasting technology. The Authority also noted that in Phase-III expansion of FM radio, 966 FM radio channels were made available for auction. Auction of FM radio channels for Phase-III were conducted by MIB in two batches in 2015 and 2016, wherein a total of 162 FM Radio channels were successfully auctioned indicating that MIB would be required to auction remaining 804 FM radio channels.

2.26 In light of above, the Authority was of the view that in order to facilitate smooth transition to digital radio broadcasting, Phase-III policy should be revised to permit use of any transmission technology, analog or digital or both, for channels yet to be auctioned, which can provide radio 19 broadcasting services in the 88 – 108 MHz. 

Accordingly, the Authority in its recommendations dated 1st February 2018 recommended that: "The auction of remaining channels of Phase-III should be done by delinking them from technology. Broadcasters should be permitted to use any technology (analog or digital or both) for radio broadcasting on the frequency allocated to them through auction in future. In case Radio broadcasters opt for digital technology, they should be permitted to broadcast more than one channel subject to technical feasibility on single frequency allocated to them."

2.27 TRAI's recommendations on Digital Radio Broadcasting are still pending with MIB. In its reference dated 22nd August 2019 MIB has sought reserve prices in 283 cities wherein total 805 channels are available for auction in Phase-III. Therefore, the issue again arises whether the future auction of remaining channels of Phase-III may be done by delinking them from technology and Radio broadcasters may be permitted to use any technology (analog or digital) for radio broadcasting on the frequency allocated to them through auction in future based on their business plan.

2.28 In order to facilitate smooth transition to digital radio broadcasting, PhaseIII policy may need to be revised to permit use of any transmission technology, analog or digital or both, for channels yet to be auctioned, which can provide radio broadcasting services in the 88 – 108 MHz. However, in FM technology only one Radio channel is possible on a single frequency, whereas in digital technologies multiple channels are possible on single frequency. One may argue that in order to provide level playing field between the operators using analog and digital technologies both should be allowed to broadcast one channel on single frequency. On the other hand, some may argue that operators using digital technologies 20 should be incentivized by permitting them to broadcast more than one channel on single frequency. Stakeholders may provide their comments.

(Source :  The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India)

Vatican Radio Easter SW Broadcasts

Scheduled Easter Weekend Broadcasts from Vatican Radio :

Friday, 10 April, Way of the Cross
18:55–20:30 UTC
Portuguese: 9620 kHz
French: 9705 kHz
English: 7360 kHz
Arabic: 9450 kHz

Saturday, 11 April, Easter Vigil
18:55–20:30 UTC
Portuguese: 9620 kHz
French: 9705 kHz
English: 7360 kHz
Arabic: 9450 kHz

Sunday, 12 April, Easter Sunday Holy Mass and Urbi et Orbi Blessing
08:55–10:30 UTC
Portuguese: 17710 kHz
French: 15575 kHz
English: 13830 kHz
Arabic: 15605 kHz

(Richard Langley via WOR list)

LRA36 Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel special broadcast

LRA36 Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel special broadcast

On Tuesday, April 7, at 11:00 Argentina time (14:00 UTC), the LRA 36 Radio Nacional "Arcángel San Gabriel" station of the Esperanza Base, Antarctica, will air a new special program, the central theme of which will be reminder of World Health Day.

The program belongs to the annual "Antarctic Heart" cycle and will have the Esperanza Base medical personnel as special guests.

Radio Nacional Arcangel San Gabriel celebrates a new anniversary ...

Also, the new anniversaries of the foundations of the Argentine Antarctic bases Cámara and Brown will be remembered.

The "Antarctic Heart" cycle is produced and performed by Yanina Galeano, Julia Morena, Tamara Milan and Eliana Baraldo, together with the SI Damián Tranamil technical operation.

LRA 36 can be heard on the short-wave frequency of 15476 kHz in AM, and on the Internet from the site http://www.radionacional.com.ar - Emisoras - Antártida.

Program produced and carried out entirely at the Esperanza Base.

Reception reports to : tranalra36@radionacional.gov.ar

(Glenn Hauser via WOR list)

DW A20

DW A20
wef 29 March TO 24 Oct 2020

Language Time/UTC  Freq   Transmitter  Site  Target Weekday
---------------------------------------------------------------------
AMHARIC 1600-1700 13775 kHz ISSOUDUN   Ethiopia      daily
AMHARIC 1600-1700 15275 kHz ISSOUDUN   Ethiopia      daily
HAUSA   0630-0700 9830  kHz SAO TOME   Africa (west) daily
HAUSA   0630-0700 11850 kHz ISSOUDUN   Africa (west) daily
HAUSA   0630-0700 15215 kHz ISSOUDUN   Africa (west) daily
HAUSA   1300-1400 9830  kHz SAO TOME   Africa (west) daily
HAUSA   1300-1400 11850 kHz SAO TOME   Africa (west) daily
HAUSA   1300-1400 15215 kHz ISSOUDUN   Africa (west) daily
HAUSA   1800-1900 9830  kHz SAO TOME   Africa (west) daily
HAUSA   1800-1900 11850 kHz ISSOUDUN   Africa (west) daily
HAUSA   1800-1900 15215 kHz ISSOUDUN   Africa (west) daily

Football specials :
HAUSA   1325-1530 15195 kHz ISSOUDUN Africa (west) Saturday 04.04.20 to 16.05.20
HAUSA   1325-1530 15350 kHz ISSOUDUN Africa (west) Saturday 04.04.20 to 16.05.20 

(Alokesh Gupta)