[HCDX]: TFW 53 3/3

[Giovanni Serra <g.serra@xxxxxx>]

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THE FOUR WINDS ON LINE  - Copyright 1998  Part  3
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Year 3 -  Number  53  - Rome,  3  March  1998

INDIA - 5040 AIR new frequency, but not sure of the site just yet, Heard
with solid election coverage during 1500 and 1600 hours. Perhaps a
special program or an existing AIR outlet on a new channel. Nothing on
February 10. February 11, 1433, with english news and AIR ID. Maybe this
frequency  will be used for Election coverage which will be held in the
coming month in India. (9-Feb/Vaghjee-MAU/DSWCI DX Window/Veldhuis-NL /
NASWA LN March 98)

INDIA - Another point of interest lately with AIR stations is my log and
that of Mahendra Vaghjee of Mauritius on Feb 9 of an unID AIR station on
5040  kHz, as early as 1445 and to after 1625+. I thought it strange to
hear subcontinental music on this frequency which is usually dominated
by RRI Pekanbaru. Rechecking at 1550 revealed AIR Home Service news in
English, parallel many other AIR channels. Unfortunately, after 1555,
the transmitter  began to periodically cut out. A further recheck at
1625 had them back with talk in Hindi but the signal was fading out
rapidly by this time (08:30 local). Mahendra mentioned current election
coverage in India as a possible explanation. The site, however, is
unknown. (Martin/World Radio Report/Clark-ON / NASWA LN March 98)

IRAQ - Baghdad seems to be back attempting an external service with no
more success than before. Following tip in DX Window, checked 11785 Feb
24 from 2000 when dominated by DW in Portuguese to Africa, but a
subaudible heterodyne of 3-4 Hz steadily increased during the hour,
presumably from Iraqi transmitter. Clear of DW after 2050, but hum from
generator(?), low and distorted modulation made it impossible to
determine if language was German as previously reported, and even worse
by 2130 when may have been English. However, the carrier hum remained
audible as late as 2340 (Glenn Hauser, OK, and WORLD OF RADIO 930 / GH
SW/DX Report 98-08, Feb 26, 1998)

ITALY - Tele Radio Stereo noted again here in Roma on February 24 
morning on 6012.4v, // 92.7 Mhz in FM Stereo. On February 26 evening,  I
dialled Play DX Editor Dario Monferini in Milano who confirmed to send
in all reports for Tele Radio Stereo to his address, (I think it is
better with one US Dollar.):  DARIO MONFERINI,  VIA DAVANZATI  8  -
20158  MILANO - ITALY.  Dario confirmed that TRStereo can be on air on
Shortwaves 24 hours at day, with irregular TX.  For the propagation
joke, it is easy SW signal cannot be hear in neighbour TX zone during
evening and night hours here in Roma and in the range of about 50
Kilometers.  Its GM and DJ Dario Sbrigoli utilizes an AM tube
transmitter on 1503 kHz, in parallel of FM TX, and SW 6012v kHz is the
voluntary forth harmonic of this frequency (1503 x 4 = 6012). Dario
Sbrigoli  is famous here in Roma, as well in Italy, because invented a
new DJ trend in Italy, broadcasting TRStrereo mx programs with his
original, soft, warm voice. TRStereo on shortwaves is to be considered a
pirate broadcast: commercial FM radios cannot transmit on SW, because it
is forbidden in Italy to broadcast any kind of publicity on SW.  BTW,
till  now Mr. Sbrigoli is very able to avoid any control of the Escopost
(the Italian Postal police, as the FCC in U.S.A.). Usually, Escopost
intervenes on specific denunciations only. --- On Feb 28, only
unmodulated carrier at around  0830 and hrd usual FM program at early
afternoon on 6012.3v; (G. Serra, Roma Italy, TFW ed.)

KOREA (NORTH)  - Pyongyang Broadcasting Station on 6250 was observed on
approx. 6248 on January 24 from 0100 until S/off at 2030 and again on
Jan. 26 from 0300. As of 0830 both 6250 and 6400 are off the air for
presumed power shortage. It was back to 6250 sharp temporarily around
1500 on Jan. 25, but drifted 2 kHz to 6248 the next day. If this is an
attempt to evade QRM from the strong Japanese ulitity station on 6251,
it is in fact quite  effective. There is also a strange utility signal
on 6393 that sounds the same as 6251, and it effectively jams 6400 when
it is on 6398v as is often the case. I don't know who runs 6251 and
6393, but a friend who is a telecom specialist says they don't sound
like any real utility transmission. One suspects these are jammers in
disguise, but who?  Today, when Pyongyang was on 6400 sharp, up 2 kHz
from the usual 6398v,reception was much better than most days.  Mystery
deepens. I will keep up my night watch. (26-Jan/Ashimori-JPN/DSWCI DX
Window/Veldhuis-NL / NASWA LN March 98) 

KOREA (NORTH) - Further to my recent reports, at 1500 on Jan. 28,
Pyongyang Broadcasting Station was observed on 3250, 3320, 6250 (back
from 6248), and 6399 (as usual). As of 0700 on Jan. 29, 6399 is off the
air, others unchanged. (Ashimori, Japan / NASWA LN March 98 ) 

KOREA (NORTH) - North Korea's power shortage seemingly subsided slightly
during the first weeks of January, but now it is obviouly getting worse
again as some of domestic and international broadcasts are constantly 
observed off the air. (Ashimori, Japan / NASWA LN March 98)

LAOS - Foreign sce of Lao National Radio Vientiane on SW is still
inactive at present. No signals on 7116 or 7145 either. Active stations
are obviously LNR Vientiane on 6130 kHz (strong signal the whole day)
and LNR Luang Prabang auf 6975v (irregularly and weak signal). All other
stns mentioned in WRTH couldn't been traced, are seemingly inactive.
(Volk-PHL and THA/Jan 20-Feb 17/WWDXC TopNews/Bueschel-FRG/ NASWA LN
March 98 )

LITHUANIA - [non]. R. Vilnius on new 5950, Feb 21 at 0030-0100* in
English ex-5905, //5880 (Brian Alexander, PA, WORLD OF RADIO 930 / GH
SW/DX Report 98-08, Feb 26, 1998) Checked Feb 26, and pretty clear on
5950; WYFR carrier came on at 0047, but Vilnius was still somewhat
audible under it (Glenn Hauser, OK / GH SW/DX Report 98-08, Feb 26,
1998)

MEXICO - XERTA, 4800, may resume testing this week, says Julian Santiago
on a Radio-Enlace interview Feb 13. I checked Feb 18 around 0300 and
heard nothing but Guatemala, 0400 and nothing but Lesotho. He is also
still calling for listener letters to R. Mil urging them to split 6010
from MW for original SW programming, including the DX show he wants to
produce (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 929 / GH SW/DX Report 98-07, Feb
19, 1998)

NICARAGUA - I keep seeing reports of R. Miskut mentioning their FM
station with an uncertain name. This was explained in my DX report of
July 10, 1997, on World of Radio 901, and subsequently in Monitoring
Times: The FM operations are currently going by the name "Radio Bilwi". 
Bilwi is the indigenous name for the city of Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua.
Later there may be some differences in program material on the SW and FM
frequencies. More later. (John C. Freeman, Tech Systems, July 2 on WORLD
OF RADIO 901 via Hauser, Feb 19 / GH SW/DX Report 98-07, Feb 19, 1998)

NIGERIA - [non]. R. Kudirat, 11540, announced as "test frequency" and
asking for reports from Nigeria comparing it to //6205, 1940 Feb 25.
Signal steadily improved during the hour. Tnx to tip from Novello via
NASWA. Presumably, but not definitely also via South Africa. Someone
should check to be sure they two are in sync (Glenn Hauser, OK, and
WORLD OF RADIO 930 / GH SW/DX Report 98-08, Feb 26, 1998)

PERU - 5083.8V Radio Mundo, Cusco; has celebrated its 14th anniversary.
The station was inaugurated by Valentin Oliverra Puelles, on February
17, 1984, and began its first operation from the studio installed at
Calle Monjapata 701-705 in Cusco. Radio Mundo is authorized to broadcast
with the following callsigns and frequencies: OCX7R 870kHz and OAZ7D
5045kHz. The medium wave outlet operates at 0900-0100 (daily) with a
"Jorge Gomez Torres" brand transmitter (1kW) + 1/4 wave vertical antenna
(86 meters high above the ground). The shortwave outlet operates at
0900-1500 and 2000-2400 (daily) with a "Jorge Gomez Torres" brand
transmitter (1kW) + 1/2 wave dipole antenna (15 meters high above the
ground). Radio Mundo has  been officially assigned on 5045kHz in the 60
meter band since its foundation, but when the shortwave outlet was first
observed in February 1984, it had been broadcasting on 5120.4kHz outside
of 60 meter band. In February 1986, the shortwave outlet was temporally
observed on 5045.4kHz (very near its authorized frequency), probably
under the frequency adjustment control of the Ministry of Transports and
Communications, but it moved down to 5081VkHz to avoid the congestion of
usual 60 meter band. In October 1993, it was observe d on 5046.1kHz,
afterward it returned to the traditional frequency 5083VkHz, ranged
between 5082.9kHz and 5083.4kHz. The transmitting unit is installed on
the hill of Sacsayhuaman Ruins. The station also has a FM transmitter
(1kW) which was made by Sergio Nunez (a radio-engineer in Iquique,
Chile) and has been waiting for the license. It will broadcasts on
90.5MHz. QTH: Calle Tecte No.214, Cusco, Peru. (TIN / Relampago Dx
22/FEB/1998)

PERU - 5323.6 Radio Origen, Huancavelica; has celebrated its 7th
anniversary. The station was established by Oscar Andrez Alvarado
Yalico, on February 12, 1991 after an experimental transmission for one
month. The station broadcasts with a transmitter of 250W (nominal output
power) originally built by Vicente Crisostomo, and a 1/2 wave dipole
antenna. The transmitter had been formerly used by Radio Acobamba,
observed on 5324.8kHz from May 1983 through June 1986. They also
currently operate a FM relay station of Radiomar on the frequency of
93.1 Mhz with "QEI" brand transmitter. The FM station commenced the
operation on October 10, 1994. QTH: Av. Augusto B. Leguia No.196,
Huancavelica, Departamento de Huancavelica, Peru. (TIN / Relampago Dx
22/FEB/1998)

PERU - 5816V Radio La Voz del Altiplano, Puno; has celebrated its 41th
anniversary. The station was established on February 17, 1957. The
station initially transmitted on 5850kHz and 1560kHz with "KBH" brand
transmitters, but afterward it was licensed to operate on the following
callsigns and frequencies: OAX7N 1030 kHz (1kW) and OAX7L 5960kHz
(0.3kW). The shortwave outlet has been observed in range of 5816.0kHz
and 5816.4kHz until December 1989. Reportedly the shortwave outlet has
been out of service due to technical problem, but the station is still
active on 1030kHz. (TIN / Relampago Dx 22/FEB/1998)

PIRATE SOUTH AMERICA - Radio Cochiguaz will be active again on the next
weekend 7/8 March 1998, testing a new 1/2 wave V inverted dipole
antenna.  -On 7 March 1998:  6950 khz LSB   0100-0150, 0330-0420 &
1000-1050 --- On 8 March 1998:  6950 khz LSB   0230-0320.  The Andino
Relay Service, on 6960 khz LSB will be active making some relays
according to the following sked:  On 7 March 1998:  Jolly Roger Radio
Int.  0000-0045 --- Radio Blandengue  0200-0300 --- Radio Pasteur
2230-2330 & 0330-0430.  On 8 March 1998:  Jolly Roger Radio Int. 
0000-0045 --- Radio Blandengue  0100-0200.  Contact addr. to the
stations:  Radio Cochiguaz: via RC, Box 2571, Buenos Aires 1000,
Argentina, or Radio Cochiguaz, Box 109, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17214,
USA. E-mail: (only for to receive messages): < rc@xxxxxxxxx > Radio
Blandengue: via RB, Box 2571, Buenos Aires 1000, Argentina, or contact
directly on E-mail: < radio.blandengue@xxxxxxx > The Andino Relay
Service: via ARS, Box 2571, Buenos Aires 1000,  Argentina.  Radio
Pasteur, c/o Claudio Morales, Box 1852, Buenos Aires 1000, Argentina.
E-mail: < morales.arg@xxxxxxxxxx > Jolly Roger Radio International, Post
Box 39, Waterford, Ireland.  Only snail mail reports will be verified
w/QSL, pls include 2 IRCs  to cover postal fees. Source:        Cachito
Mamani, Radio Cochiguaz; Raul Gonzalez, Radio Blandengue.  Place:
Somewhere in South America (via Raul Gonzalez)

ROMANIA - Keeping the "Why don't they turn that awful noise off" award
in the neighborhood following Grigoriopol's buzz on 7125, is the home
service on 17850, as IDed by Kai Ludwig. I have been hearing a
continuous roar with traces of audio, such as Feb 17 at 1329, and still
there after 1400 when it interferes badly with France (Glenn Hauser, OK,
WORLD OF RADIO 929 / GH SW/DX Report 98-07, Feb 19, 1998)

SEYCHELLES - FEBA Radio in Seychelles has moved their Tibetan program
from 15445 to 15480 at 1200-1230 in order to avoid jamming by China with
their En programming. Also Tamil is now 7365 (ex 7350 to avoid DW on
7355) in Tamil at 0130-0200. (Alok das Gupta, Feb-23/EDXP # 80)

URUGUAY - 9620 CXA6,SODRE is inactive due to txer's transformer failure
at exciter stage. There are not specific spare parts available for
replacing it, so it should be rewinded.(Escobar, SODRE's technician at
xter site via Nigro-Uruguay, Feb. 28)

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DX PROGRAMS
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WORLD OF RADIO SCHEDULE, effective February 26: On WWCR Nashville, Thu
2130 15685 [ex-9475], Sat 0700 5070 AND 3210, Sat 1230 5070, Sun 0730
5070, Mon 0500 5070, Tue 1330 15685. On RFPI Costa Rica: Fri 2000, Sat
0400, 1100, 1800, Sun 0200, 0900, 2300, Mon 0700, Tue 1900, Wed 0300,
1000--on 15050-USB 24h but currently 1800-2400 with 6980-USB resumed at
0000-1400], 7385 2200-1200, 21465 1200-2400 [but currently off the air].
[Note the changes in hours and modes, implementation underway but may
not be completed yet] On WGTG, Georgia, UT Sun 0030 on 5085-USB
effective Mar 8, replacing Tue 0500. An additional time on 9400 is being
sought. (Glenn Hauser, OK USA)

CONTINENT OF MEDIA (COM) is an additional half-hour carried only by
RFPI, produced about once a month and repeated weekly until a new
edition arrive, on a new schedule: Fri 1930 on 15050-USB and 21465, Sat
0330 and 1030 on 7385, 6980-USB. For the time being, also Wed 2300 on
15050-USB, 7385, 21465; Thu 0700 on 7385, 6980-USB; and also at
unscheduled times when available, especially immediately after WORLD OF
RADIO on Sat, Tue. It deals primarily with domestic media developments
in North America. The February edition started Feb 18; the March is
expected about a month later. (Glenn Hauser, OK USA)

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DX PHILATELY
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Sometimes a new radio related stamp issue leaves the collector quite
baffled. That was the case with a Japanese pair of stamps, honouring
Radio Japan several years ago. A considerable knowledge of Japanese
mythology was needed to understand the significance of the design.  On
other occasions it is extremely difficult to find out the exact reason
why a certain stamp was released.  Last Year the Central American nation
of Costa Rica issued a postage stamp commemorating the 50 th anniversary
of Radio Netherlands. The denomination is 45 colones.  The design is
quite unusual, featuring a  man and his daughter listening to the radio
(presumably Radio Netherlands).  As far as I know the Dutch Post Office
did not issue any stamps to mark the 50 th anniversary of the nation' s
foreign broadcaster.  Radio Netherlands offers Spanish language
programming beamed to listeners in Latin America. A relay station on
Bonaire (part of the Netherlands Antilles) undoubtedly provides
excellent reception in the target areas.  Radio Netherlands also
provides recorded programmes to a large number of Latin American radio
stations. I guess that many local Costa Rican radio stations avail
themselves of this service.  However, I very much doubt that these are
the reason why Costa Rica issued the stamp. For a number of years, Radio
Netherlands has printed and distributed its programme guide from an
office in Costa Rica. It seems that the commemorative stamp was used on
the mailing of the programme schedules last year.  Radio Netherlands,
the Dutch foreign service, started way back in 1947. This was not the
first international station in the country, as an earlier shortwave
station had been calling listeners in the Dutch East Indies since the
1920' s.  Radio Netherlands has developed into a major international
broadcaster with relay stations in Madagascar, the Netherlands Antille
and elsewhere.  Media Network, the station' s media programme, has a
worldwide audience.  Today the programme deals  mainly with satellite
broadcasting and computers which makes it less interesting as far as the
traditional shortwave DX listener is concerned.  I have a number of mint
copies of new Costa Rican stamp.  Send 1  IRC per stamp, plus 1 IRC for
return postage to Christer Brunstrom, Kungsgatan  23,  SE - 302   45  
Halmstad, Sweden.  (via Play DX # 970 Feb 23 )



<  Marconi ha dato agli uomini un nuovo
modo di conoscersi, di aiutarsi, di 
amarsi, quale nessun  poeta o scienziato
aveva mai immaginato.  >
                                                  Nuova Antologia 

< La conoscenza e' la prima forma di liberta'. >
                                                       Giovanni Serra 

< Un uomo che abbia qualcosa da dire
e non trovi chi l' ascolta, 
se la passa male.
Ma ancora peggio
se la passano gli ascoltatori
che non trovano nessuno
che abbia qualcosa da dire >
                                              Bertold Brecht, 1927
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