January 2001

Final blow to shortwave listening?
Plans on using shortwave frequencies for in-house data communications are moving on fast in Germany, in spite of protests from radio listeners, broadcasters and official agencies.

Read more: More on Internet EDXC: We have to investigate "EDXC is blowing it"

Studies by the Radiocommunications Agency, responsible for the supervision of the British radio spectrum, shows that "broadband data access methods over existing telephone or mains wiring will cause unintentional RF emissions which may adversely affect the established radio noise floor".
The Smith Group Limited adds that "it is clear that the [noise] levels produced by the real-life systems are very significant".
Still, German power companies continues to push for Powerline Communications, planning to use frequencies between 9 kHz and 30 MHz.
"If allowed to go ahead as proposed, Powerline Communications will be a new and unwelcome source of potential interference to the shortwave broadcasts", warns Andy Sennitt of Radio Netherlands.
He urge all users of the radio spectrum in Germany, especially shortwave listeners and broadcasters to file protests to the German he regulatory authority.
"The German bureaucrats would love it if nobody bothered to register their concerns or objections," adds Sennitt.
"That would make their job easier, and ensure that the interests of SWL's and DXers do not have to be taken into account when calculating permitted field strengths etc."

More PLC info on the Internet:
Official info from RWE Powerline, Germany
White paper from Ilevo, Sweden [PDF]
EDN Magazine background
Nein zu Powerline
Keine PLC
hcdx news desk, January 30, 2001

Please don't bother the EDXC
I was concerned about this, and hoped to involve the European DX Council.
Therefore I sent a message to the EDXC mailing list, asking if the EDXC wants to take a position on this.
The reply:
"Your message has been deemed inappropriate by the moderator."
This sounds unbelievable to me.
Enrico Oliva, Italy, hcdx list, January 30, 2001

EDXC: We have to investigate
After lots of requests for action against the planned introduction of PLC systems, the new EDXC Secretary General Luigi Cobisi has come forward with an answer:
"This requires the Council to get more information on the scientific side", says Cobisi.
The EDXC Secretary General has asked for help from professor Filippo Giannetti at the University of Pisa, Italy, "to produce a document about possible interference of PLC techninques on radio listening".
This information is expected at the end of February.
One major problem here is that German regulatory authority has set February 16 as deadline for presenting views on Germany's plans for PLC systems.
Luigi Cobisi, Italy, edxc mailing list, February 1, 2001

EDXC is blowing it
It's ironic, the one chance in ages for the EDXC to make real impact - if not on the Germans, then certainly within the DX hobby - and they have blown it.
How sad, says Radio Netherlands' Andy Sennitt.
Andy Sennitt, Netherlands, hcdx list, January 31, 2001

Success story on HCDX
Australian DXer Bob Padula is most satisfied with the informative forces of HCDX.
"I recently offered the new Electronic DX Press publication "China Shortwave Guide" through this group, and I would like to advise that the response has been fantastic", says Bob Padula.
Nearly 100 hobbyists worldwide have been sent a copy.
Those still wanting to receive this free guide in Excel format can make a request to Bob Padula at bobpadula@bigpond.com.
A print edition is also offered. More info on this at the EDXP web site.
Bob Padula, Australia, hcdx list, January 30, 2001



Voz de la Resistencia on 6233 kHz
Colombian clandestine station La Voz de la Resistencia, Bloque Oriental, has been noted at 1232 with good quality observed on the new frequency 6233 kHz.
S/off at 1235 with usual Compañeros de la FARC.
Also heard on January 16 at 2140 with Notienfoque Voz de la Resistencia (news pgm).
Yimber Gaviria, Colombia, hcdx list, January 21, 2001

Also heard in Europe: I just tried to catch the Colombian clandestine station - La Voz de Resistencia - and yes, there they were. Not excactly loud and clear, but with a perfectly readable signal and lots of nice dancable music from tune in at 2220. By 2230 a couple of station identifications followed by a revolutionary march and sign off at 2233.
Frequency was 6233.72 or 6233.73 kHz.
Stig Hartvig Nielsen, Denmark, hcdx list, January 21, 2001



Another try by Iglesia del Pueblo
Swedish based Radio Iglesia del Pueblo is giving another try with shortwave programming, having lost the first one.
This will be the first short wave transmission from the organisation Iglesia del Pueblo, normally operating on low power community Radio in Stockholm (Sweden) area.
Naturally, it is very interesting to know how the reception at different locations, also outside the primary target areas, are and reports as well as comments can be sent to:
Short Wave Transmission, Iglesia del Pueblo, P. O. Box 122, SE-191 22 Sollentuna, Sweden
The planned schedule looks as follows:
Sunday, Jan 7: 5925 kHz 21.00-21.30 to Europe.
Monday, Jan 8: 5925 kHz 03.00-03.30 to Europe, N and C America.
Sunday, Jan 14: 5925 kHz 21.00-21.30 to Europe.
Monday, Jan 15: 5925 kHz 03.00-03.30 to Europe, N and C America.
Magnus Nilsson, Teracom, Sweden, hcdx list, January 3, 2001



Radio Litoral, Honduras, logged on 4832
Radio Litoral, La Ceiba, Honduras, on 4832.08, first noted 2232-0002* December 25, fair and improving steadily to very good w/ M preacher in Miskito, gospel vocals, mentions of "Litoral" and "R Litoral."
At 2329, M: "R Litoral, 4830 kHz... R Litoral, Apartado Postal 878, La Ceiba, Honduras." More gospel vocals into carrier, off.
Subsequently heard on December 29 till 2347-0005*, similar format and in Miskito again, closing by M over music bed: "R Litoral... Apartado Postal 878, La Ceiba, Provincia Atlántida, Honduras..." then another ID, filler music, live M in Miskito, and off.
Also on January 1, 2001, 2237-2350 with Miskito preacher, organ music at good level. (Terry Krueger, FL, Tocobaga DX via hard-core-dx via DXLD)
Terry Krueger, USA, hcdx list, January 2, 2001



QSL from Rádio Difusora Taubaté
QSL received Dec 28 for a report sent Dec 20 to R. Difusora Taubaté, Brazil, reactivated on 4925.
Besides v/l, enclosed stickers, pens, keychains, and a nice T-shirt.
V/s: Emílio Amadei Beringhs Neto, Diretor Superintendente.
Address: Rua Dr. Sousa Alves 960, Taubaté-SP.
I advise QSL-collectors to send reports to the station now, as they are currently disposed to reply, always accompanied by some good souvenirs.
Rudolf Grimm, Brazil, Jan 5 2001, radioescutas, translated by gh for DXLD



VoA on medium wave from Abu Dhabi
The Voice of America is planning to buy transmitting times on an medium wave transmitter in Abu Dhabi.
"For the month of January only, you should hear VOA NewsNow programming from 0200-0300 and 1600-1800", says Bill Whitacre at the Spectrum Management Division at the International Broadcasting Bureau.
Mr Whitacre asks listerners in "the Levant" and the Middle East to report the performance of these transmissions.
Reports could be sent by email to Bill Whitacre at bw@his.com.
Bill Whitacre, IBB, hcdx list, January 2, 2001