News

08/02-2010

NIGERIA
The Ekiti State Broadcasting Station (BSES) in Nigeria has been shut down because of a faulty power generator, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
The broadcasting outfits run by the station are the AM Radio (Voice of Ekiti), FM Radio (Golden Voice of Ekiti), and the television station (Channel 41 UHF), all located at Ilokun-Ekiti.
Confirming the closure, the Director General of the station, Segun Aderiye, said in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, that the station, launched on May 22 1999, was shut seven days ago because its only electricity generating set was faulty. He could neither confirm when the generator would be repaired nor when the radio and television channels would resume transmission, but described the generator problem as a major fault.
Source: 234next.com via Media Network weblog via mwcircle yg (8/2-2010)

07/02-2010

MOLDOVA
The transmitter in Maiac on 621 kHz (relaying International Russian Radio) was switched off on 1 January.
Oleksandr Egorov, Ukraine in open_dx via Bernd Trutenau, ARC Info Desk
I think this may have been overlooked.
73 Steve Whitt, mwcircle yg (6/2-2010)

GERMANY
Recent observations from Scandinavia about the DRM hiss being gone from 729 kHz can be fully confirmed: Gerhard Roleder reported in the Radio-Kurier magazine that Deutschlandradio cancelled it on 31 Dec 2009.
It now also shows up in a presentation of "available mediumwave transmitters that can be put on air immediately":
http://www.media-broadcast.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Downloads/Freie-MW-Vers-jan10.pdf
What catches one's eye most here is of course the inclusion of 1539 kHz. Apparently Evangeliums-Rundfunk plans to stop its mediumwave transmissions altogether. At present http://www.erf.de/1212-Empfang.html mentions as remaining airtime 0500-0900 and 1830-2200 UT, but I think it now needs to be confirmed if 1539 is still on air at all.
Kai Ludwig via dxld yg (6/2-2010)

I heard TWR in the morning (close to 0900) on 1539 about a week ago. I'll try to monitor it again.
Sergei via dxld yg (6/2-2010)

ERF has stopped transmitting at daytime so you can rent it at that times. But there are no plans to stop completely and - what's interesting - M&B is restricted of whom they an lease the available airtime to.
73, Stephan Schaa via dxld yg (7/2-2010)

I'm hearing ERF (presumed) this Sun. morning at around 6.30 UT on 1539.
73, Sergei via dxld yg (7/2-2010) 

05/02-2010

INDIA
AIR to get 2 MW DRM transmitters for Gujarat, W Bengal

All India Radio (AIR) has placed an order for the supply of two 1000 kilowatt DRM capable medium wave transmitters. These will replace old analogue transmitters of same capacity at Chinsurah (West Bengal) and Rajkot (Gujarat), with state-of-the-art solid state transmitters.

The new Megawatt transmitters can be operated in analogue, in simulcast or in DRM mode with automatic change-over between these three operational modes. The transmitters shall provide coverage to very large areas in the Indian sub-continent as well to the West, North, East and Southeast Asia.

This significant purchase was revealed at the recently concluded Broadcast Engineering Society (BES) India’s conference in New Delhi, attended by exhibitors and participants from all over the world. The need for cheaper digital radio sets and content innovation was highlighted by speakers during the event.

All India Radio has already chosen DRM as the technology for converting its vast analogue network to digital. This is part of its digital radio switchover strategy where more than 40 transmitters are to be made DRM capable in the near future. AIR is already broadcasting in DRM from one of its high-power shortwave transmitter located at Khampur near Delhi that covers an area of approximately 800 kilometre radius.

The DRM Consortium says the development underlines the commitment made by India to new technology in general and the DRM standard in particular.

Source: http://www.radioandmusic.com/content/editorial/news/air-get-2-mw-drm-transmitters-gujarat-w-bengal

Jaisakthivel, Tirunelveli, India via dxld yg (5/2-2010)

30/01-2010

AUSTRALIA
1323 khz new station in Australia. Just heard that the new 2KIX transmitter now on air as of 0400UTC 30/1/10 on air Canberra 400 watts of power on/off as testing as required by
the authorities for interference etc...for a full week.
John Wright, Australian Radio DX Club via hcdx via mwcircle yg (30/1-2010)

29/01-2010

CANADA
If you're an AM DXer in the eastern part of North America, you'll be interested to know CINF 690 and CINW 940 Montreal are going off the air permanently as of 7 p.m. tonight (0000 UTC Saturday).
The two stations are victims of the recession, says the station's owner, Corus Quebec. There were eight layoffs at CINF and two at CINW.
As of now, a press release and a recorded message from the station manager is all you get when you go to http://www.940hits.com/
The site for CINF http://www.info690.com/ redirects you to the homepage of Corus Quebec news.
73, Ricky Leong, Calgary via dxld yg (29/1-2010)

27/01-2010

U S A / HAITI
Sixty miles west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, an Air Force C-130 makes slow and lazy ovals over the Golfe de la Gonzave, a 264-foot weighted wire dangling from its belly like a plumb line.
This is Commando Solo, a radio station in the sky. The long wire, kept vertical by a 500-pound lead weight, is helping transmit an AM radio signal [1030 kHz] to the people of Haiti. Four other antenna on the wings and fuselage are sending FM signals.
For the full CNN report read
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TECH/01/26/haiti.flying.radio/index.html
CNN website via Mike Terry via dxld yg (26/1-2010)

U K
Forthcoming MW RSL station in London:
Market Radio, 1134 AM - London N7.
On air from: 10/02/10 to 09/03/10
Contact: Christan Nyampeta
Telephone: 07824710270
Email: allemensen@hotmail.com
Steve Whitt, mwcircle yg (26/1-2010)

25/01-2010

AUSTRIA
The complete antenna array of the Wien-Bisamberg mediumwave site will be demolished at the end of February. So far it is not known what will happen with the grounds. The transmitter building is under preservation order.
http://wien.orf.at/stories/417899/

Transmissions from this site, on 1476 kHz, ceased on 31 Dec 2008 at 2310 UT. At this point it was planned to blow up only the 265 m tall "Nordmast" (northern mast), once used for the 585 kHz outlet that is silent for almost two decades now. The 120 m "Südmast" for 1476 kHz was supposed to be kept, and Österreichische Rundfunksender GmbH told
ADXB-OE that the frequency would still be available for interested broadcasters. But now they dump this option definitely.
Some photos of the antenna array:
http://www.wabweb.net/radio/sender/bisamberg2005.htm

More photos, also of the old tube transmitters, with a link to an even larger photo collection that includes also a shot of the Thomson M2W transmitter that had been used during the last years of operation:
http://radiomuseum.heim.at/index-Dateien/Page541.htm

This development makes the Moosbrunn site the only operational AM transmission facility in Austria. (AM in the German meaning, technically correct covering all amplitude-modulated broadcasting, also dubbed "LMK".)
Kai Ludwig via dxld yg (25/1-2010)

U S A / HAITI
Commando Solo broadcasting to Haiti on 1030 kHz AM.
The U.S. military has begun airborne broadcasts as part of the relief effort to help earthquake victims in Haiti. Broadcasts are conducted by "Commando Solo" aircraft of the Air Force Special Operations Command's 193rd Special Operations Wing, based in Pennsylvania. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, AM transmissions are aired on 1030 kHz AM, as well as on 92.4 and 104.1 MHz FM. In coordination with the government of Haiti, the U.S. Joint Task Force-Haiti (JTF-Haiti) is broadcasting news and information on public health, safety and aid distribution. CNN reports that also messages discouraging Haitians from trying to flee to the United States have been aired. CNN, citing U.S. authorities, says that broadcasts last five hours daily, but no schedule has been published.

Commando Solo's frequency of 1030 kHz is the same as that of Radio Ginen in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince. The office building of Radio Tele Ginen collapsed in the earthquake, and it remains unclear whether 1030 kHz is still on the air.
Jim Solatie and Håkan Sundman in Finland were the first DXers to pick up Commando Solo tentatively on January 19 on 1030 kHz, with a relay of Voice of America programming.

According to the 193rd SOW, three C-130 aircraft are involved, but only one serves as a flying radio station, while the other two transport cargo. The aircraft are "staged at locations outside the devastated area," says a press release by the 193rd SOW. In practise this would most likely mean Guantánamo or Puerto Rico. The aircraft left their home base on January 14 and 15.

The Air Force is also delivering 50,000 hand-held receivers for distribution to survivors of the recent earthquake. The receivers are distributed by Joint Task Force Haiti. The small emergency radios are both solar-powered and hand-cranked and don't require batteries.
DXing.info (24/1-2010)

23/01-2010

U S A
WTNI [Biloxi MS] is now "Sports Radio 1490/1640 The Team" with ESPN according to their
(messy & incomplete) web site.
Seems to be the outcome of the transition I heard on air on the 19th Jan [on 1640 kHz in morse code: de wtni am biloxi ms usa /ed]
73s Steve Whitt, mwcircle yg (21/1-2010)

21/01-2010

U S A / HAITI
Found this at Shortwave Central:

AM Broadcast DXers should look for EC-130 transmissions on 1030 kHz AM. See our related story on the Commando Solo aircraft at
http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2010/01/193rd-special-operations-wing-to.html

HOMESTEAD ARB, Fla. - A U.S. Air Force C-130 is delivering 50,000 hand-held radios for distribution to Haitian earthquake survivors by the recent devastating earthquake.

The radios will be distributed by JTF-Haiti and are expected to arrive later this week.

The small emergency radios are both solar-powered and hand-cranked and do not require batteries.

Radios are being distributed in order for affected citizens to receive news and important information concerning international relief efforts.

In close coordination with the government of Haiti, JTF-Haiti is currently broadcasting news, public health, safety and information regarding relief efforts via a military aircraft equipped with FM and AM broadcasting capability.

Public safety messages are broadcasting in the following frequencies: 92.4 FM, 104.1 FM, 1030 AM.

The role of U.S. military forces during this humanitarian assistance and disaster relief effort is to rapidly respond with critically needed supplies and medical services in those areas the Haitian government deems necessary.

U.S. Department of Defense forces are part of a larger, unified United States federal response to the Government of Haiti's request for humanitarian aid. U.S. Southern Command is working with the Department of State, USAID, the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance and others to aggressively provide life-sustaining services to the people of Haiti. at 7:10 AM Labels: Earthquake relief, EC-130 Commando Solo, Haiti, Operation Unified Response, USAF.
73 and Best of DX Shawn Axelrod, Winnipeg CAN via mwdx yg (21/1-2010)
REMEMBER ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN HEAR FOREVER

19/01-2010

NETHERLANDS
On Thursday 21 January, a number of Dutch radio and TV stations will join together for a day of fundraising for the victims of the Haiti earthquake. The radio stations, including a number of the most popular commercial stations as well as public networks 3FM and Radio 2, will broadcast a joint programme between 0500 and 2000 UTC identifying as Radio 555. The giro number 555 is used in the Netherlands for donations to charities belonging to the coordinating organisation SHO.

The action is a repeat of one held in January 2005 following the tsunami in Asia. Seven national Dutch radio stations - 3FM, Radio 2, Radio 538, Radio Veronica, Q-music, Radio 10 Gold and Slam!FM - will be carrying Radio 555.

RNW will also carry portions of the programme to Dutch expats on all the regularly scheduled frequencies beamed to Europe, and the programme in its entirety will be carried via the RNW1 Satellite/Internet streams. In addition, some frequencies will be on the air for extended hours:

• 5955 kHz at 0600-1800 UTC
• 9895 kHz at 0600-1700 UTC
• 1296 kHz mediumwave (via Orfordness, UK) at 0900-1700 UTC

The Radio 555 website will go live on Wednesday. The playlist will reflect the music played on all the participating stations. News will be supplied by NOS, and read by newsreaders from the different stations. Reporters will be out and about giving live updates from different parts of the country. Stations not carrying the special programming will be supporting the fundraiser with specially recorded spots.

The line-up of presenters/reporters will be as follows:

• 0500-0700 UTC: Sander de Heer (Radio 2) and Menno de Boer (Slam!FM). Reporter: Gijs Staverman (Q-music)
• 0700-0900 UTC: Giel Beelen (3FM) and Edwin Evers (Radio 538). Reporter: Bert Kranenbarg (Radio 2)
• 0900-1100 UTC: Tim Klijn (Radio 538)  and Jurjen Gofers (Slam!FM). Reporter: Jeroen Kijk in de Vegte (Q-music)
• 1100-1300 UTC: Erik de Zwart (Radio Veronica) and Ruud de Wild (Q-music). Reporter: Lex Gaarthuis (Slam!FM)
• 1300-1500 UTC: Coen Swijnenberg (3FM) and Frits Spits (Radio 2). Reporter: Marlous Loffelman (Veronica)
• 1500-1700 UTC: Rob van Someren (Radio Veronica) and Dennis Ruyer (Radio 538). Reporter: Michiel Veenstra (3FM)
• 1700-2000 UTC: Rob Stenders (3FM/Radio 2) and Jeroen van Inkel (Q-music). Reporter: Niek van der Bruggen (Radio 538)

In the evening, public TV channel Nederland 1 and commercial channels RTL4 and SBS6 - the three most-watched channels in the country - will present a joint TV programme.
Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog (19/1-2010)

HAITI / BONAIRE
International Christian media ministry Trans World Radio (TWR) has since last Thursday been simulcasting local Christian programming from Haiti’s Radio 4VEH via TWR’s 100kW AM outlet on Bonaire. Broadcasts of Radio 4VEH’s live Internet audio stream will be aired on 800 kHz from 0315-0700 UTC.
“Two solid Christian stations on Haiti are Radio 4VEH and Radio Lumière,” explains TWR Americas International Director Tim Klingbeil. “Since Radio Lumière is off the air due to a damaged transmitter facility, we believe broadcasting Radio 4VEH’s programs from Bonaire will reach people who currently are not able to receive much-needed gospel messages.” Radio 4VEH is located on the northern part of Haiti, and broadcasts do not effectively reach listeners in Port-au-Prince.
According to sources from Radio 4VEH, the station plans to make adjustments to its regular programming in an effort to address the needs of those who are suffering and looking for help. “Our thinking is that we will continue providing simulcasts at least until Radio Lumière is able to go back on the air,” Mr Klingbeil says.
TWR press release via Media Network blog (19/1-2010)

U S A / HAITI
Coverage adapts to changing circumstances.

Voice of America (VOA) Creole-language broadcasts to earthquake-stricken Haiti are now being heard throughout that country on multiple radio frequencies, many delivered by transmitters aboard a U.S. Defense Department-sponsored aircraft that began flying Saturday.

The added service features a five-hour afternoon FM program providing news and disaster relief information for the Haitian people, struggling to cope with that country's worst natural disaster in over 200 years.

Since the January 12 earthquake, VOA has increased its Creole programming from 1.5 hours to 10.5 hours Monday through Friday and from 1 hour to 9.5 hours Saturday and Sunday.

"We are very gratified to have the direct FM transmission to complement our shortwave and AM broadcasts in response to the crisis in Haiti," said Danforth W. Austin, VOA director. "These broadcasts demonstrate how U.S. Government agencies can work together when disaster strikes."

VOA Creole is covering the relief efforts in Haiti with VOA correspondents and Haitian stringer reporters on the ground, as VOA Washington headquarters and Miami bureau staffs work the crisis around the clock. Public service announcements are airing hourly to provide information about public safety and availability of water and food and other disaster assistance. VOA has also set up a call-in line to broadcast messages from family members and friends to Haiti, along with Twitter and Facebook accounts.

VOA Creole has long been a trusted source of news and information in Haiti and is the most popular international broadcaster in the country with a weekly audience reach of just over 50% of the adult population, according to independent survey research.
VOA press release, 2207 UT Jan 17 via DXLD (17/1-2010)

WTFK?!?!?! The FM band is 20 MHz wide. Now I wonder how many duplicates of this will show up? Has anyone managed to hear Creole on 1180, day or night?
Glenn Hauser, DXLD (17/1-2010)

17/01-2010

U S A
1560 KKAA Sioux Falls SD: Now on with U4 10000/10000 doubling their nighttime power. No change in the night pattern, except size, as it shoots up over the Minnesota, North and South Dakota borders into Manitoba. (and beyond with religious format hi! BD)
NRC via Barry Davies, mwcircle yg (17/1-2010)

16/01-2010

MEXICO
730, dominating the channel for a few minutes from 0445 UT Jan 16 on the nondirexional caradio, not XEX, the onetime clear-channel leader, but instead Radio Viva-something, serving Chihuahua and Durango, which fits since it`s XEHB at Hidalgo del Parral, Chihuahua, right on the Durango border. Despite many repetitions of the ID, it was hard to tell what the second word was.

WRTH 2010 shows XEHB on 730 as Radio Viva Vida, 50 kW day and 1 kW night, so suspect it may be on day power.

Uplooked later in the new ``Quick & Easy`` MWList, http://www.mwlist.org/mwlist_quick_and_easy.php?area=3#kHz730
it`s not there! They still have XEHB under its previous identity on 770 whence it moved and where we first heard it long ago.

Then checking another source, Fred Cantú`s Mexico Radio site:
http://mexicoradiotv.com/listchih.htm
We get a different name, Radio Viva Villa! I`ll bet his version is correct since there is a graphic of the logo, very small which needs to be blown up; unfortunately no hotlink to a website.

That name presumably means ``long live Pancho Villa``, a local hero. I wonder what the new IRCA Mexican log shows?
Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST (16/1-2010)

U S A
VOA'S CREOLE SERVICE EXPANDS HOURS,
ADDS AM FREQUENCY TO REACH QUAKE VICTIMS.
VOA is providing earthquake victims with news and information in their own language.

Washington, D.C., January 14, 2010 - The Voice of America's (VOA) Creole Service, reaching out to Haitian earthquake victims in their language, is ramping up the strength and frequency of emergency broadcasts to Haiti.

With Haiti's communications infrastructure badly damaged, the VOA, the largest international broadcaster in Haiti, is providing listeners with news and information via a combination of shortwave, AM and satellite broadcasts.

"We're doing everything we possibly can to reach people in Haiti who have a desperate need for information," said Alberto Mascaro, chief of VOA's Latin America Division.
He said Creole Service programming on shortwave and satellite radio has expanded from 1.5 hours daily to 5 hours. Programs now air at 7:30-8:30 am EST (1230-0130 UTC); 12:30-2:30 pm EST (1730-1930 UTC); 5:00-6:00 pm EST (2200-2300 UTC) and 8:00-9:00 pm EST (0100-0200 UTC). The evening programs can also be heard on 1180 AM from a transmitter and tower in Marathon, Florida, pre-empting Radio Marti at those times.

VOA is playing a leading role to help Haitians reach out to one another. A special call-in number - 1-202-205-9942, mailbox 42 - has been established for people to leave messages that will be broadcast to Haiti. Facebook and Twitter accounts have also been created in Creole.

VOA reporters are on the ground in Haiti, covering the international response to the disaster. Basic survival information, statements by President Obama and messages from Haitians living in the United States have been broadcast back to those dealing with the disaster.

Like other native Haitians living in the United States, VOA Creole staffers are still trying to confirm the status of their relatives on the island, according to Ronald Cesar, chief of the Creole Service.

VOA's Creole Service reaches more than 50 percent of adult Haitians on a weekly basis. Up-to-date information is also available around the clock on www.VOANews.com/creole
mwcircle yg (14/1-2010)

12/01-2010

DXPEDITION
Very interesting reading on http://www.dxing.info/dxpeditions/lem287rep.dx where Mika Mäkalainen reports from the recent Lemmenjoki / Lapland dxpedition.
Ydun Ritz (12/1-2010)

11/01-2010

U K
York: URY 1350 Returned to the air at noon Sunday 10th January.
73 Steve Whitt, mwcircle yg (11/1-2010)

09/01-2010

U K
Today I heard here again Garrison Radio from Colchester on 1287 kHz. They were some months off the air on that frequency.
Garrison R. is also on http://www.vsc.co.uk/default.asp?PageID=110
73 Hugo Matten, Veurne (Western part of Belgium) via mwcircle yg (9/1-2010)

U S A
DX TESTS - WGGH 1150 IL MARION.
Date: Sunday morning (late Saturday night)
February, 6, 2010. Time: 0000-0200 ELT (0500-0700 UTC).
Mode of Operation: 5000 watts (daytime pattern).
Programming: Classic Country, oldies music and various sound effects.

The test will consist of classic country and oldies music along with tons of various sound effects. It should be fairly easy to identify the station, as our slogan is somewhat unique, "Monster Radio AM 1150". We also have TM Century jingles, including one used every hour for a legal id (spoken… "Southern Illinois Trusted Voice Since 1949, (sung) AM 1150 WGGH Marion." The time the test actually starts will be largely dependent on when the last classic country song in the 11pm hour ends.
We will remain at low power until the exact moment before our 12am legal id plays. (It has run as late as 12:03am). I plan on being in the studio live and "jocking" the test. We may or may not have a contest with a prize to giveaway but a call-in contest. I need to find a prize of interest to people nationwide, if anyone has anything to donate, please let me know. Our studio number is (618) 993-8102. Do NOT call about anything DX test related until the night of the actual test. I will NOT be in the studio till right before the test. I will handle QSL requests, but you MUST send a self addressed envelope with at least 2 stamps, otherwise you will not get a reply. I do not have the time, energy or money to be buying stamps or envelopes. I *PROMISE* to reply to everyone who sends one in this time!! I will want to know your location, types of radio used, when/what you heard. If you send a CD, do NOT send the entire test, just a few relevant clips. If you send a cassette tape, cue it up to where it needs to be or I won't listen. Our web streaming will be disabled during this test. Also, please be aware our mailbox at the post office is only checked twice a week, so you may not get an immediate reply. Make SURE you address the envelope and letter to my attention or I may not see it right away. Unfortunately, we have no bumper stickers, pens or anything else to give out. You will most likely get just a letter. If we have coverage maps, I might send those. If I have forgotten anything, I will add to it later.
Paul B. Walker, Jr., WGGH-AM 1150, PO Box 340, Marion, IL 62959.
Broadcast Test Coordinator courtesy (IRCA/NRC) via mwcircle yg (8/1-2010)

BELARUS
I've been hearing presumed Belarus on 279 with a good signal past 2300, 0000 and 0100 for a few days now. There has also been another weaker signal under Belarus but too weak to hear even if the speech is by a man or a woman! This morning, January 6, at 0010 I heard a clear Belaruskaye Radio ID. http://www.emwg.info shows 0400- 2200 so is this a permanent change or just an extension for Christmas / New Year?
Regards Harry Brooks, North East England, UK, Jan 6, dxldyg
Harry, according to recent reports in the Russian DX-circles, BR returned to its 24x7 operation on 279 kHz (perhaps from Jan.1). To me this news came as a surprise since I didn't realize that 279 wasn't on around the clock (since when I wonder?).
Sergei S
Sergei, http://www.beaconworld.org.uk/files/LWBC.pdf has Belarus as 0400-2300 in July 2005. I'm pretty certain they reduced 2300 back to 2200 either last year or the year before as well. I think that 279 is not as consistently as strong a signal as it was 3 or 4 years ago.
Regards Harry Brooks, North East England, UK, dxld 10-01 (6/1-2010)

05/01-2010

NETHERLANDS
One of the longest-serving commercial radio stations in the Netherlands, Radio 10 Gold, has a new owner - media conglomerate RTL Nederland.
RTL's CEO, Bert Habets, explained that Radio 10 Gold, with its oldies format, complements its other stations which cater for different listener groups. The station has broadcast without interruption since 1988 and is currently heard only on cable and satellite.
Dutch media mogul John de Mol, whose company Talpa have owned Radio 10 Gold since 2003, says he is happy about the sale because RTL will give the station the attention it deserves. Mr De Mol also said that as he is also a shareholder in RTL Nederland, he doesn’t have to say goodbye to the station.
Nothing has been said so far about whether RTL intends to try getting the station back on terrestrial transmitters. In the 1990s the Dutch station enjoyed wide popularity in neighbouring countries owing to its broadcasts via a powerful mediumwave transmitter.
RNW website (5/1-2010)
Until end of August 2007 Radio 10 Gold was on 1008 kHz.
Ydun Ritz (5/1-2010)

04/01-2010

SWEDEN / NORWAY
A Reminder:
Arctic Radio Morokulien is a new short-term radio station on the Swedish-Norwegian border on 1584 kHz AM. Also 1602 kHz may be used for test broadcasts. Transmitter power will be about 400 watts. The station is run by the Arctic Radio Club (ARC) of Sweden from December 28, 2009, to January 10, 2010. The station plans to broadcast at the following times:
Dec. 28: 0000-0100
Dec. 28: 1400-1500
Dec. 30: 0900-1000
Jan. 6: 0900-1000
Jan. 10: 1400-1530
Jan. 10: 2100-2300
All times are in Swedish local time, which is one hour ahead of UTC. Most of the broadcasts will be in Swedish, but there will be some English content. The broadcast site on the border is called Peace Kingdom Morokulien. Arctic Radio Club of Sweden and the Peace Kingdom Morokulien jointly celebrate their 50th anniversaries by these broadcasts. ARC will be publishing more details in its blog. Reception reports can be sent to Arctic Radio, PO Box 5050, SE-350 05 Växjö, Sweden, or by email. Two domestic Swedish postage stamps are required if a printed QSL card is requested. ARC indicated that there will be more commemorative broadasts during 2010.
DXing.info (24/12-2009)

01/01-2010

CANADA / UNID
Hi! What was the station which played nonstop "Final Countdown" music on 31st December 2009 on 1540 kHz? Maybe a North American (Canadian) station closing down AM in 2010? I got the best signal with 293 degrees antenna.
Happy New Year 2010 and Good DX!
73s Hannu Romppainen, mwcircle yg (1/1-2010)

GERMANY
Hessischer Rundfunk 593 / 594 kHz. After the news and followed by announcement of night concert relay at 00.05:33 CET on Jan 1st, 2010 Hessische Rundfunk Frankfurt's
mediumwave stations at Weiskirchen and Hoher Meissner switched off for ever.
So a mixture of Bulgarian, Moroccoan and Portuguese programes remain on our ears here in southern Germany.
Personally heard this program often in past 58 years.
History.
Radio Frankfurt started after WW II on Aug 23, 1947 at Heiligenstock site[by Reichspost in 1935y] via movable mediumwave "Martha" transmitter, which carried on 14 trucks and was one of numerous movable transmitter units by former "Reichspost" and used by special technical forces from places all over Europe, like Soldatensender Belgrade, in Sowjetunion, Netherlands, Norway and Karelia Finland. Four towers at 121 m height. Was screeend
towards 16 and 121 degrees at Sundvall-SWE and Pleven-BUL.
Replaced on Oct 16, 1967 to new Weiskirchen site. Maximal 950 kW ERP, screened towards Sundvall-SWE and Sofia-BUL at 50°03'21.82"N 08°51'45.42"E
To cover Northern Hessen due to the screening towards Sweden, Hessischer Rundfunk erected a smaller relay station at Hoher Meissner (Hausen Lichtenau) on June 1, 1952. Started with 20 kW, was increased later to 100 and then maximal 250 kW of power during cold war time. Two towers of 110 and 160 m height. Signals were also screened at 17 and 127 degrs.
This caused a heavy buzz on daytime, because exact sychronization between the two MW locations was not very sufficient these days in 1952, 1953 ...
The station was also well heard up to 300 kilometers into communist GDR (Soviet Occupied Zone of Germany) area.
Wolfgang Bueschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews (1/1-2010)

NEW ZEALAND
'Connecting popular culture, nostalgia and radio heritage across the Pacific'
It's our 5th birthday, and the holiday season....
It's time for another popular competition!!!!!!!!
Yes, we launched www.radioheritage.net back on December 26 2004 and it's now grown to rank almost in the top 1 million websites in the world.......and we've only scratched the surface, giving some free tastes of what connects popular culture, nostalgia and radio heritage.
Thanks for trusting us with your memories, stories, photographs, audio recordings, and memorabilia during this time....we have so much more we'll share with you in 2010 as our resources allow.
Everything you find at www.radioheritage.net is available for your free personal use. Our philosophy has always been to bring information and memories to you free of charge, unlike so many better resourced archives, collections and organizations.....and we will
continue to do so in 2010..........
Before introducing our 5th birthday competition, I'd like to personally thank everyone who has helped us on our journey so far. There are business partners [Apex Car Rentals, 2day.com, ProCopy and PCWIZ2U] and individuals all over the world who make this
possible....donating memorabilia, ideas, time, and even small amounts of money towards our costs.
With tough economic times in 2009, our income will be struggling to reach the US$6000 we achieved last year, and this only covers about 33% of just our operating costs.....so I have a special request this holiday season, will you make a donation towards our operating costs so we can bring you even more memories, information and free content in 2010?
It's possible to make donations using your VISA, Mastercard, Amex or Paypal account from the donation button at any page on www.radioheritage.net. It's also possible to use major currencies, just change the drop down menu on the donate now button. Thanks so much.

Our new COMPETITION
But let's move right along to our new competition........
Question: How many minutes walk from the Pacific Ocean is Tema Beach Bungalow, the restored 1920's heritage beach bungalow that is available for a South Pacific vacation in return for specific donations to the Radio Heritage Foundation?
Just look for the Tema Beach Bungalow photo on every page at www.radioheritage.net and click through to find out the answer.
Send your email entry to Radio Heritage with 'Tema Beach Bungalow' in the subject line to reach us no later than midnight January 24 2010 your local time and date. The judges decision will be final. The prize is a copy of the World Radio TV Handbook 2010.
Radio Heritage Foundation www.radioheritage.net (27/12-2009)

27/12-2009

NORTH AMERICA, ALASKA TO MEXICO
QUICK & EASY MW FREQUENCY LIST.
http://www.mwlist.org/mwlist_quick_and_easy.php?area=3
Via David Hamilton via Ken Baird, via SW Bulletin Dec 27 via DXLD yg (27/12-2009)

Plus: linx to some stations` websites, but a lot are missing so far
Plus: includes live audio linx for some stations
Plus: includes TIS/HAR stations, many with descriptions of locations by streets or highways. Makes the list VERY long
Minus: TIS/HAR under each frequency in no discernible order
Minus: Broadcast stations in no discernible order under each country
Minus: OMITS states and provinces for all listings. You`d better know your geography for even the most obscure localities.
Or: each place has a googlemap link, but that is hardly quick and easy
Minus: includes powers but no antenna info whatsoever. No indications of differing day/night powers except for an occasional remark
Minus: is it up to date? No: e.g. my local KFXY-1640 is still shown with a very old call used only briefly, KFNY.
There are three other lists covering other worldparts, including LWBC.
Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST (27/12-2009)

BANGLADESH
Prime Minister inaugurates 1000 kW MW transmitter of Bangladesh Betar at Dhamrai.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally launched 1000-Kilowatt MW transmitter of the Bangladesh Betar by pressing a button at the Super power Transmission Centre, Dhamrai near Dhaka on December 09, 2009. She was talking to local people in a video conference after inaugurating the newly installed 1000-kilowatt medium-wave transmitter. The prime minister understand the need for building a science and technology based modern Bangladesh free from hunger and poverty by implementing the "Vision 2021".
The Prime Minister said her government, after assuming office through a free, fair and credible election on December 29, is working relentlessly to build a self-reliant Bangladesh through implementing it election pledge. She said apart from bringing down the prices of essential commodities, her government has undertaken various programmes for self-employment of the country's young generation.
Information Secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury briefed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina about the transmitter, its utility and on the whole of the installation project. Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad, members of parliament, high officials of Bangladesh Betar including Md. Mahbubul Alam, DG, Bangladesh Betar and a large number of local people were present on the occasion.

Project in a brief:
- The project ended in June 2009.
- To strengthen the MW radio broadcasting of Bangladesh Betar, Dhaka by replacing the 36 year-worn out valve type 1000KW Medium Wave(MW) transmitter by a new solid-state 1000KW MW transmitter.
- Efficiency of the new transmitter will be much better than the existing one. 95% area of the country will be covered by this high quality transmitter.
- The new transmitter has the energy saving provisions which will be helpful to avoid huge electricity consumption.
- The new modern solid -state transmitter is compatible to future DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) broadcast.
- A generator of 1500KVA is included to meet power failures. - Cost (revised) about 350 million (BDT).
Details about this transmitter: http://www.grassvalley.com/products/s7hp
Freq is 693 kHz
Source : Bangladesh Betar website via Alokesh Gupta, VU3BSE, New Delhi, India via dxld 9/086 (22/12-2009)

NORWAY
In the absence of any significant trans-Atlantic DX this evening, I decided to check reception of Bodo Radio from Norway. At 2305 UT had good reception of all transmitters in English, Norwegian:
Sandnessjoen 1710 kHz
Andenes 1659 kHz
Jan Mayen 1743 kHz 71 degrees north
Hammerfest 1635 kHz
Vardo 1713 kHz 70 degrees north
Svalbard 1731 kHz and 4357 kHz 78 degrees north.
All with audio in // but noticed that Jan Mayen audio is delayed by about 100ms. (That seems too short for geo-stationary satellite delay, so I wonder how the audio reaches the Jan Mayen island transmitter.
Indeed geo-stationary satellite reception might be tricky in Jan Mayen at 71 degrees North. Oddly Svalbard with is even further north did not exhibit the same audio delay. Perhaps Norway uses sub sea cables to connect Svalbard? Answer to my own question is here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svalbard_Undersea_Cable_System
Steve Whitt, England, Dec 20, MWC yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1492, dxld 9/086 (22/12-2009
Those would make fine TA catches in North America; unseems I ever saw them reported, but considered utility by MW and SWBC DXers. Jan Mayen, Svalbard (et al.?) may be considered separate radio countries.
Glenn Hauser, dxld 9/086 (22/12-2009)

19/12-2009

Daytime DX in Oklahoma
Glenn Hauser's MW bandscan.
DX Listening Digest (19/12-2009)

17/12-2009

RUSSIA / CLANDESTINE
From around 7st of September 2009, Radio Kavkaz has a 24 hour, 7 days a week schedule according to my observation on 171 khz longwave. I think they doesn't using the name 'Radio Free Chechnia' anymore. My location doesn't make it possible to monitor Radio Kavkaz's mediumwave frequency of 657 kHz. My QTH is Magyarlak, western part of Hungary.
Tibor Gaal (17/12-2009)

ALGERIA
From 11st of December, 2009 i discovered that ALG - Alger Chaine 1 is broadcasting again on 549 khz. This is parallel to 531 khz. My QTH is Magyarlak, in western part of Hungary.
Tibor Gaal (17/12-2009)

U S A
WURA is a new AM station licensed to Quantico, Virginia, close to the nation's capital Washington DC. WURA operates on 920 kiloherz at a power of 7 kW daytime (directional to Northeast) and 0.97 kW at nights (directional to Southeast). Quantico is located on the Potomac River and is known for its large Marine Corps base. According to Wikipedia, WURA was launched on December 13, broadcasting Christmas music. WURA has not yet been reported heard by DXers, but local listeners have reported the station on dcrtv.com website.
DXing.info (16/12-2009)

U K
In the United Kingdom, Flame Christian Community Radio (CCR) has begun broadcasting on 1521 kHz AM. Flame CCR is licensed to transmit at a power of 30 watts. The station was first reported by David Thorpe on BDXC mailing list. The station can be contacted by email or by writing to Flame FM Wirral, PO Box 53, UPTON, CH49 3WB, United Kingdom.
DXing.info (16/12-2009)

16/12-2009

SWEDEN / NORWAY
quoted from www.qrz.com
"MW-Broadcasting from Morokulien, SJ9WL/LG5LG.
A 50th anniversary-broadcast will start from Morokulien on the 28 of december at 00.00 SNT. (Swedish lokal time is UTC + 1) The name of the station will be "ARCTIC RADIO MOROKULIEN".
The broadcasting will be on 1584 kHz and for the most in Swedish.
The broadcasting will be done to celebrate the 50th anniversery of Morokulien and the Arctic Raduio Club."
Their licence runs till 10 January 2010.
vy73 Harald Kuhl, Germany (16/12-2009)

SWEDEN / NORWAY
The Peace Kingdom Morokulien, located right on the border between Norway and Sweden, just northwest of Charlottenberg, ARCTIC RADIO CLUB starts a new radio station (RSL-restricted special license) on mediumwave on December 28, 2009 thanks to good cooperation with the chairman of Arima, Amateur Radiooperators in Morokulien.

Arctic Radio Club of Sweden and the Peace Kingdom Morokulien jointly celebrate their 50th anniversaries by these broadcasts.

The radio station's main frequency is 1584 kHz, but some test broadcasts will also be carried out on 1602 kHz. The power is approximately 400 watts. The coordinates of the transmitting station is: N 59 degrees, 56 min, 15 sec. E 12 degrees, 12 minutes, 30 seconds. All information on transmissions, frequencies and possible additional test transmissions will be announced at ARC News Flash: www.radioenthusiasts.blogspot.com.

Official broadcast schedule:
28.12.2009 00:00 - 01:00                                        
All times are Swedish Standard Time.
28.12.2009 14:00 - 15:00 (UTC + 1 hour)
30.12.2009 09:00 - 10:00
06.01.2010 09:00 - 10:00
10.01.2010 14:00 - 15:30
10.01.2010 21:00 - 23:00
Transmission will be in Swedish, but some small part in English occurs. Station Identification will be in both languages.

ARC concludes its celebration with broadcasts on Sunday 10 January, 2010.
For those interested, a unique QSL card will be printed. This is of course, a QSL card for the first mediumwave transmission from the Peace Kingdom Morokulien.
See more on the Peace Kingdom Morokulien: a movie made by Swedish TV this year:
http://svtplay.se/v/1695307/varmlandsnytt/morokulien_50_ar www.morokulieninfocenter.com
www.fredsmonumentet.com/index.html
Please contact the ARCTIC RADIO, PO Box 5050, SE-350 05 Växjö, Sweden.
Email: arctic.radio.morokulien @ telia.com

Reception reports are welcome to the above addresses and if you request a printed QSL-card for the correct reception report, please include 2 stamps for Swedish domestic postage.
By letter correspondence please enter your email address and we can notify
you of further commemorative broadcasts in 2010
Bengt Ericsson (16/12-2009)

GERMANY
Oldiestar from Zehlendorf, Germany now on 603 kHz. 18:15 UTC 14-12-2009
Fair reception here in Ardenne, Belgium. Best receiving station on this frequency.
Greetings from Ge Huijbens, Beffe, Belgium via emwg yg (16/12-2009)

CANADA
CJEU is a Canadian radio station broadcasting French-language children's programming on 1670 kHz AM. CJEU is licensed to Gatineau, Québec, next to the capital Ottawa. The first test transmissions were reported heard in many parts of North America on December 10. The license is held by Fondation Radio-Enfant, a non-profit educational agency, and the station identifies as "Radio Enfant". CJEU operates 24/7 at a power of 1 kilowatt both day and night. The radio not only aims its programs at children and youth, but the programs are also made by children to some extent. The station is located at Atelier Radio Enfant Inc, Studio de la Maison de la culture, 855 boul de la Gappe pièce 310, Gatineau, Québec J8T 8H9, Canada. CJEU can also be contacted by email or by phone at +1-819-243-6226.
DXing.info (12/12-2009)

BANGLADESH
Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina has formally inaugurated the newly commissioned 1000 kW mediumwave transmitter of Bangladesh Betar at Dhamrai [on 693 kHz at 2300-0510 and 0730-1630 UTC]. This new solid-state transmitter replaces a 36-year-old valve [tube] type transmitter. The new transmitter is compatible for DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) broadcasts and covers 95% area of the country. It broadcasts centrally produced radio programmes and plays an important role during natural disasters.
Bangladesh Betar Dhaka Station broadcast the inaugural function live while the Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Rangpur and Sylhet regional stations of Bangladesh Betar relayed the proceedings simultaneously. The superpower transmitter was originally commissioned on 63 acres of land at Dhamrai with the assistance of the then Soviet Union government in 1972. Broadcasting formally began on 16 May 1976.
Source: Alokesh Gupta, Radioactivity via DRM Consortium via Media Network via mwdx yg (14/12-2009)

07/12-2009

PORTUGAL
Here's an update on RCP-R.Club Português http://radioclube.clix.pt/ on 1035 & 783 kHz.  This is owned by MCR http://mcr.clix.pt/index.asp

1035 Belmonte 100 kW
The situation of irregularity seems to have been cured at last (!), and the Thales/Thomcast 100 kW tx is now running normally, but the technicians were instructed to leave it at just 50 kW after a very brief period of tests ran at full power.  This site (and the Avanca one)  includes a backup generator, but not a 2nd tx.

783 Avanca 100 kW
Both the Thomcast/Thales team and the stn team were unable to put it to work back in October after the check of the twin unit near Lisboa simply because the tx tuning circuit was part damaged, part stollen, so it will take a bit of time until the new pieces arrive, are installed and tested. The perpetrators were obviously looking for copper, and did manage to steal some. The nearby ATU, which also houses parts in copper, was left intact though.
Carlos Goncalves (7/12-2009)

05/12-2009

NETHERLANDS
Answers to a couple of questions about Big L 1395 kHz:
The schedule is on www.kbcradio.eu below the Latest News, under the photos.
During the night the power is 20 KW. That is the maximum which is allowed.
Ydun Ritz (5/12-2009)

By the way, Big L was heard here at my location [50 kms north of the German/Danish border] around 1300 UTC with good signal. IDs, advertisements, mx (Mull of Kintyre a.o.) and nx.
SINPO 34232
Receiving equipment: Sangean 909 and the PK loop.
Ydun Ritz (5/12-2009)

04/12-2009

NETHERLANDS
A fair signal from Trintelhaven transmitter of Big L 1395. I wonder if you can tell me what kW power is currently using as i noted it had been using 120 kW in past few years when it was R 10 gold.
Adam Birchenall, Torquay, DEVON U.K - 2015 UTC (4/12-2009)
No effect known here; will try to find out.

NETHERLANDS
Receiving Big L on 1395 loud and strong here in Stourport On Severn in Worcestershire UK
Some phasing and fading of course and some distortion.
However surprisingly strong at this stage. Do you have a programme schedule yet?
Glyn Jones - 1655 UTC (4/12-2009)
Glyn, not aware of a schedule at the moment.

03/12-2009

NETHERLANDS
kbc/ bigl testing on 1395khz, good signal in south wiltshire.
David James, UK - 1900 UTC (3/12-2009)

NETHERLANDS
Good reception at 1395 kHz Big L with nonstop oldies.
Nice signal here in South Belgium.
Greeting Ge Huijbens, Beffe, Belgium via mwcircle yg - 1813 UTC (3/12-2009)

NETHERLANDS
Big L/KBC Radio now testing on 1395 kHz
Today the long-awaited return of the Dutch mediumwave transmitter at Trintelhaven on 1395 kHz became a reality. Test transmissions started today around lunchtime, and an official relaunch of Big L sponsored by KBC Import.com is imminent. There are already quite a few commercials, including one which I find rather bizarre - an ad for the Isle of Bute in Scotland (which I know well as I used to visit it every year when I was a teenager) spoken in English with a Dutch accent! But this time, the daytime mediumwave transmissions are intended primarily for a Dutch audience who want an alternative to the normal Dutch commercial stations. At night, there is quite a good skywave signal from this transmitter that reaches much farther afield. Every weekday at 0500-0600 UTC there will be a programme in Dutch from Transport Radio
http://www.transportradio.nl/inhoud/index.php presented by Bob van Beeten who also presents RNW's programme for Dutch truckers, Onderweg. The transmitter on 1395 kHz will be on the air 21 hours a day (2200-1900 UTC), leaving the channel clear for Trans World Radio's broadcasts from Albanian between 1900 and 2200 UTC.
This from the Media Network blog http://blogs.rnw.nl/medianetwork/ earlier today:
The website of KBC Radio http://www.kbcradio.eu/ has photos of the (re-)installation work of the Dutch transmitter at Trintelhaven on 1395 kHz, which will carry the programmes of KBC and Big L. Work was carried out yesterday, and is apparently continuing today. Tests have now started (thanks to Mike Barraclough for the tip - see comments). These tests are
subject to interruption. It appears that the transmitter is not yet operating at full power.
Media Network Newsletter by Andy Sennitt via dxld yg - 1754 UTC (3/12-2009)

NETHERLANDS
Big L on air now [1395 kHz]. Big signal. Good music but sad for TA DX.
73, Guido Schotmans via mwdx yg 1756 UTC(3/12-2009)

29/11-2009

U S A
The 1550 WSRY DX test heard here in Winnipeg Mb got the Morse code ID under CBE and UNID Spanish station. NEW!!!
73 and Best of DX, Shawn Axelrod, (WRH and WRTH Collector) via mwdx yg (29/11-2009)
REMEMBER ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN HEAR FOREVER

28/11-2009

U S A
DX TEST Sun 11/29/09 0001-0100 1550 WSRY Elkton MD (Oetting)
Date: Sunday morning (late Saturday night) November 29 2009.
Time: 0001-0100 ELT (0501-0600 UTC).
Mode of Operation: 1000 watts directional to north-northwest (daytime pattern).
Programming: Tune in and find out! QSL and other information to follow shortly.
Courtesy IRCA via mwneditor, mwcircle yg (26/11-2009)

U K
Forest of Dean Community station to close 1503/1521 kHz.
The UK's first fully licensed full-time community radio station is to cease broadcasting at the end of the year due to lack of funding.
Forest of Dean Radio, which was awarded an Access Radio licence in 2002, will close at midnight on December 31st.
The station started life in 1995 with a number of short-term RSL broadcasts and went on to win the first Community Radio licence in 2005.
A statement from the station says: "Despite many months of effort the project has been unable to secure sufficient funding and resources to enable it to continue until the end of its present five year license at the end of 2010.
"Management have taken this decision now in order to preserve the core of the project assets so as to provide a foundation on which community media work in the future may be built, although what form that may take is currently uncertain."
A number of other community radio stations have either closed or failed to launch, including Trust FM in Chesterfield, Chelmsford Calling, Kool AM in Harlow, Sound Radio in Hackney, Talkin' Toxteth TTFM in Liverpool, Aspire FM in Poole and Ness FM in Inverness. (www.radiotoday.co.uk)
John Williams via mwcircle yg (23/11-2009)

26/11-2009

CANADA
CFUN AM 1410 http://www.talk1410.com Vancouver is now fully operational from its new transmitter site in Delta. The old site will be kept operational until December to allow CFUN to remain on the air while engineers tune CKST AM 1040 http://www.team1040.ca/ which is
currently operating at half power from the new site. The old CKST towers, immediately to the north of the new ones, will be cut down next Monday. CHUM Radio engineers expect to have CKST fully operational at its new location by the end of this month. Both stations will broadcast with 50 kW from the new state-of-the-art seven tower site at 49-05-33 122 57. CFUN will radiate directionally from two towers with the same constants day and night, while CKST will be directional from 5 towers with different constants day and night.
Northwest Broadcasters website 10/16/09:
http://members.shaw.ca/nwbroadcasters/recentnews.htm via Pat Martin, IRCA via mwcircle yg (18/11-2009)

16/11-2009

BELGIUM
No signal here in Belgium from Pure FM on 1233 & 1305 kHz. Well mention on the web side of RTBF/Pure FM.
Greetings Ge Huijbens, Belgium, mwcircle yg (14/11-2009)

NIGERIA
FRCN Kaduna commissions transmitter.
Latest news, written by Ibraheem Musa, Kaduna Friday, 13 November 2009 00:42:
About nine months after it was handed over by the Japanese government, the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Kaduna's 200Kw medium wave transmitter was commissioned at the Jaji transmission station yesterday.
This is not the first time Japan is granting such aid to the FRCN, Barrister Yusuf Nuhu, the Director General said.
"I can be recalled vividly between 1989 and 1990, it extended to FRCN a 2. 5 billion yen, which is equivalent to N1.5 billion grant in aid of our alternative power generating project", he said. The Director General also disclosed that work was presently going on in the second phase of the same project at the Enugu national station.
This donation, he further said, symbolized the mutual wish of both Nigeria and Japan to work together. Alhaji Halilu Getso, a former Zonal Director of FRCN Kaduna, praised the Japanese government for assisting the radio station. He however lamented that the commissioning was a day of sober reflection and not celebration. According to him, the station's Jaji transmitting station used to have 10 of such 200 mw transmitter that was
being commissioned.
The former Zonal Director said the neglect of those in authority contributed to the collapse of the transmitters and the radio station was celebrating the receipt of one. Emir of Zazzau Alhaji Shehu Idris acknowledged the station's programmes, adding that radio was central to the Distance Learning Programme which the government had introduced.
(Report above mentions no frequency but presumably is the transmitter handed over in February (reported in Media Network blog via DXLD 9-018) for FRCN Kaduna Ch1 in Hausa on 594 kHz? - Alan Pennington)
Nigerian newspaper Daily Trust website http://www.news.dailytrust.com via Alan Pennington, dxld yg (13/11-2009)

U S A
ESPN Deportes Radio WAMA 1550 AM Launches in Tampa.
ESPN Deportes Radio, the only around-the-clock national Spanish-language radio network in the U.S., launched in Tampa as ESPN Deportes WAMA 1550 AM. WAMA is owned by ZGS Communications, a Hispanic-owned media company with interest in radio, television and web.
"This is a great step forward in our effort to make ESPN Deportes Radio available to Hispanics in leading U.S. Hispanic markets," said Oscar Ramos, senior director and general manager, ESPN Deportes Radio. "ESPN Deportes Radio offers an incredible sports programming mix. We are sure that the radio network will be well-received by the Hispanic sports fans in Tampa."
"We are excited to welcome ESPN Deportes Radio to our multimedia platform which includes Telemundo Tampa, and our new web portal holaciudad! The launch of ESPN Deportes Radio in Tampa provides our local community with the latest in sports news and information, and gives advertisers and marketers a unique opportunity to reach area Hispanics," said Jayme Ribeiro Neto, general manager of WAMA 1550 AM. Mr. Ribeiro Neto oversees all ZGS media
properties in Tampa.
With this new affiliate, ESPN Deportes Radio now has 39 affiliates nationwide, including 11 of the top U.S. Hispanic markets. The radio network is also available nationally on SIRIUS Satellite Radio. ESPN Deportes Radio offers a variety of sports talk programming and events, including exclusive, national Spanish-language broadcasts of Major League Baseball's All-Star Game, League Championship Series, and World Series, Spain's La Liga, South American World Cup Qualifiers, Copa America soccer tournament, NASCAR and much more. ESPN Deportes Radio also features sports news talk, including top-rated show "Jorge Ramos y su Banda" which provides soccer analysis from the most respected sports journalists in the U.S.; "Raza Deportiva," which covers the latest sports information and news; "ESPN al Despertar," the radio network's morning drive talk show; and "A los Golpes" which offers weeknight listeners a fast-paced overview of the latest news in the world of boxing.
For a full schedule of ESPN Deportes Radio programming line-up visit
www.espndeportesradio.com
ESPN Inc. PRNewswire via Steve Whitt, mwcircle yg (13/11-2009)

12/11-2009

U K
Heard gurka radio bfbs blandford 0930 gmt strong signal 5 miles south of salisbury 1287 khz.
David James (12/11-2009)

10/11-2009

CANADA
Changes at CFUN: Heard at 1000 UTC"14-10 AM is now "Team 14-10" with ESPN.
Paul Crankshaw, mwcircle yg (10/11-2009)

09/11-2009

RUSSIA
MW tx which formerly carried Radio Mayak broadcasts on 1521 kHz in Kazan, Russia, is silent since 1 Nov. I phoned the transmitting center, and they told me that it has been switched off for good.
252 kHz with Radio Rossii / Radio Tatarstana / Na Volne Tatarstana was not affected by this decision and continues operation in regular mode.
73, Dmitry Mezin, Kazan, Russia via emwg yg (8/11-2009)

U S A
970 WZAN ME Portland - Special Temporary Authorization granted for U1 5000/1250.
Pending construction on nighttime tower ATU housing unit (doghouse), they will be operating non-directional during nighttime hours at one-fourth of their normal 5000 Watts. Since their nighttime pattern favors the northeast, DXers to the west are encouraged to try for WZAN.
News via NRC
For European listeners it seems that there will be much less power radiated out towards the Atlantic. That may make it easier to hear other US stations on 970 (e.g WDAY Fargo ND!)
Steve Whitt, mwcircle yg (8/11-2009)

U S A
DX Test: WSRY 1550 MD ELKTON. Date: Sunday morning (late Saturday night) November 29 2009. Time: 0001-0100 ELT (0501-0600 UTC). Mode of Operation: 1000 watts directional to north-northwest (daytime pattern). Programming: Tune in and find out! QSL and other information to follow shortly.
IRCA via Steve Whitt, mwcircle yg (7/11-2009)

CANADA
1410 CFUN BC Vancouver: Former talk station flipped to all-sports format 11/5; now known as “Team 1410” with all jock talk. Heavy coverage of NHL hockey and Canadian Football League. I’ll miss their Canadian-perspective talk format.
Jim Tedford Bothell, WA via NRC via Barry Davies, mwcircle yg (7/11-2009)
Their web page says it will be ESPN. I wonder whats happening to co-owned 1040 CKST, sports on both stations?
Barry Davies, mwcircle yg (7/11-2009)

07/11-2009

05/11-2009

RUSSIA
Here's my translation of the news that appeared in Russian Open_DX conference today:

The medium wave transmitter of R.Mayak in Kazan on 1521 kHz has been turned off. I called radio/TV transmitting center and was told it's for good - that's VGTRK's decision.
Now we can enjoy China Radio International on AM, too :-(((
73! Dmitry Mezin, Kazan

Here's the formal announcement in Russian:
http://www.mcrt.ru/index.php?nodeid=2&id=8926
Mayak's AM relay in Kazan was closed down on Nov.1. If I'm not mistaken it was a 20-kW transmitter.
Sergei via dxld yg (5/11-2009)