March 2001 DX news archives -- on hard-core-dx.com

DX news

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March 2001

Two major solar flares
Two major flares have erupted on the surface of the Sun.
The group is the biggest seen on the surface of our star for more than a decade. One of the flares was so energetic that it ejected a cloud of superhot gas into space.
Solar observers say that the cloud, called a coronal mass ejection (CME), is heading towards the Earth and will reach us within the next 24 to 36 hours. Scientists are predicting a "geomagnetic storm" when it reaches us.
BBC News Online, via DLDX, March 30, 2001

More on High Adventure's web site

Radio Unión, Peru, drifting around
Radio Unión, Lima, officially on 6115 kHz, heard on 6304v kHz in March, 2001, by several DXers, as reported on the HCDX mailing list.
Björn Malm, in Quito, Ecuador, reports that the station was not heard on it´s listed frequency 6115 kHz, and that it on one occasion also was heard on 6386v kHz.
"So obviously Radio Unión suffers from technical problems", says Björn Malm.
IDs as "Unión la radio" and "Unión la más potente del país".
hcdx news desk, March 26, 2001

Radio Independencia back on 4574v kHz
Radio Independencia, Provincia de Chiclayo, on 4574.64v kHz, heard on March 16, 2001, until close down at 0005.
Heard for the first time Feb 12, 2001, on 4573.63v kHz (see SWB 1453). After that the station seems to have been off the air until this date, March 15.
Close down at 0005 after a musical program called "Por los caminos del Perú".
Often very “crowded” in the area below 4600. For instance on the evening ofMarch 17, there were 3 stations, all with decent signals, lousy audio and frequency drift: 4520v, 4553v and 4576v.
Björn Malm, Ecuador, hcdx partner SWB, March 21, 2001

Radio Sorocucho now on 5586.7 kHz
Radio Sorochuco, Sorochuco, on 5586.69 kHz, March 21, 2001, until close down at 0130 UTC..
This station, listed on 5760 kHz, was never logged by me until now. A loud voiced, screamy, male DJ with a distorded microphone managed the programme which consisted of Peruan, domestic music, among others from the Cajamarca-area but also modern music, like Enrique Iglesias among others. Several IDs. Besides "Radio Sorochuco" I also think they give IDs like "Radio L.M.(?) de Sorochuco". Was heard for the first time this date. Close down at 0130 UTC.
Björn Malm, Ecuador, hcdx partner SWB, March 21, 2001

Radio Peru back on 5637.6 kHz
Radio Perú, San Ignacio, on 5637.26 kHz, heard on March 22, 2001 at 1140 UTC. Reactivated after being off air for a longer period.
ID as "Esta es la señal de más alta calidad, Perú tu radio! Ahora en 97.7 frecuencia modulada y estéreo digital y siempre en onda corta 5635 kHz para llegar más lejos".
Björn Malm, Ecuador, hcdx partner SWB, March 22, 2001

World Beacon testing UAE site
Beginning the week of March 25, the religious broadcaster World Beacon plan to test a new transmitter site in the United Arab Emirates.
They will be experimenting on a variety of frequencies in the 17 MHz band and seek feedback on the quality of the reception in your area.
When you hear the Beacon in the 17 MHz band, send your reception report to reception@worldbeacon.net.
" We will be verifying reports with a limited edition QSL card that will make a great addition to any collection", informs the World Beacon web site.
Pentti Lintujärvi, Finland, hcdx list, March 22, 2001

Radio Netherlands' World Beacon Profile

Siemens pull plug on PLC
The German electronics giant Siemens has decided to pull out of experiments with powerline communications, for the time being at least.
Siemens says it believes that the right conditions, particularly the regulatory framework, are not yet in place for such projects to be profitable.
In addition to regulatory problems, there are also technical problems, such as noise on the line as electrical appliances are turned on and off. That can make a data connections fail or interfere with the datastream. Furthermore, different technical standards in different countries are also proving a major problem.
Although Simens is the only company to have decided to pull out, its explanation will give heart to opponents of PLC, which include international broadcasters and listeners who use shortwave.
Andy Sennitt, Radio Netherlands, hcdx list, March 22, 2001

Shortwave come back for Djibouti
Radio Télévision de Djibouti, RTD, is to return to shortwave thanks to a donation of equipment from the UNESCO.
The donation, estimated at 11m US dollars, includes spare parts for the transmitters at the Doraleh center. The center, established in 1983, has had difficulties since 1996.
The RTD management thanked UNESCO for the donation, which will enable Radio Djibouti to optimally resume its broadcasts in shortwave, according to a Radio Djibouti broadcast in French on March 17.
RTD used to transmit on 4780 kHz, with a power of 20 kW.
More info on RTD's background and present situation can be found at the station's web site.
BBCM via DXLD and hcdx news desk, March 21, 2001

Indonesia abandoning shortwave
Indonesians are disappearing as fast as we can say Dengan Hormat.
T he only RPDK stations on shortwave now, for example, are RPDT2 Manggarai-2960 and RPDT2 Ngada-2899.
Other stations, which have been cornerstones as late as last year and are now gone, including RRI Kupang-3385 and RPDT2 Sumbawa Besar-3542.
The problem with RRI-Biak seems to be a very poor modulator. I have heard it nicely for several days, and on other days the modulator seems to be barely functioning. It will probably go within the next year if not before.
RRI Serui- 4606 is nicely heard, with a good signal and good modulator.
RRI- Merauke on 3905 is spotty--it is on some days, but more often not on..
Dan Henderson, Australia, NU via DXLD, March 21, 2001

Shortwave situation in Guatemala
3300 -- Radio Cultural on 24 hours.
3370/4835 -- Radio Tezulutlán switched to FM, shortwave may be off for good.
4052 -- Radio Verdad, from Chiquimula close to Honduras.
4780 -- Radio Cultural Coatán now on FM.
4800 -- Radio Buenas Nuevas moving to FM and considering discontinuing on shortwave.
5955 -- Radio Cultural on for a few hours each night which homemade 1 kW "hobby" transmitter.
6180 -- Radio Nacional not on shortwave since 1999, and may never return.
Wayne Berger, Radio Cultural, Guatemala, Cumbre DX via DXLD, March 14, 2001

Standoff with KSMR Underway
A standoff is underway between the U.S. government and the recently-launched Kentucky State Militia Radio (KSMR) and the situation is on the verge of reaching critical mass.
With time ticking both sides are preparing for a showdown that could happen within days.
Nick Grace C, hcdx partner Clandestine Radio, March 15, 2001

Full Clandestine Radio Watch story

QSL from WGIT, Puerto Rico
Rolf Fredriksson, Boden, Sweden, reports recpetion of a QSL letter, info folder, and pen from WGIT, Puerto Rico, on 1660 kHz.
The letter, written in Spanish, was signed by Olga Rosario de Matos, Presidente.
Address is WGIT, P O Box 7, Moca, PR 00676.
Phone 1-787-449-2757.
Fax 882-1343.
Rolf Fredriksson , Sweden, hcdx partner Distance, March 8, 2001

New Uruguay station on shortwave
Radio Sarandi del Yí, Sarandi del Yí, heard on 6154 kHz (nominal 6155) until close down at 0309 on March 10.
Carrying "Festival Folklórico de Pan de Azúcar" along with "CORI" network.
Local IDs by woman: "Transmite CW155, Radio Sarandí del Yí, conjuntamente con 'Banda Oriental' en 6155 kHz onda corta desde Sarandí del Yí, Durazno."
E-mail address: norasan@adinet.com.uy
Postal address: Radio Sarandi del Yí, Banda Oriental, Durazno, Uruguay, Calle Sarandí del Yí 328, Sarandí del Yí, Uruguay.
Tel. number (also fax) is +03679155.
Welcomes greetings and messages, and promises a "souvenir" from the station.
Note the "fantasy" name, "Banda Oriental," the ancient name of the territory which is Uruguay today.
Horacio A. Nigro, Uruguay, hcdx list, March 11, 2001

I phoned the station, and spoke with owner, Nora San Martín de Porro. She informs that sked will be 0130-0300.
They inaugurated on Mar 1, 2001, with test b/cs. Power is 2 KW. Antenna: folded dipole.
I commented they are off-fqcy, but she denied that, saying they had the correct crystal.
Horacio A. Nigro, Uruguay, hcdx list, March 12, 2001

Radio Sarandi del Yí heard in Denmark on 6154 kHz with a very weak signal from around 0050. Hardly readable, but by 0250 some music and female talk in Spanish could be heard till s/off around 0300 with a tent. ID.
Stig Hartvig Nielsen, Denmark, hcdx list, March 12, 2001

Estación X, Peru, new on 5544.7 kHz
Estación X, Bagua, Departamento de Amazonas, heard March 5, 2001, to close down at 0300.
New Peruvian which I reported last year (see SWB 1449) without getting the name of the station. Started around Dec 22 and was active only a few days - then off air until March 5.
Björn Malm, Ecuador, hcdx partner SWB, March 5, 2001

Estación X heard on 8 March, 2001, between 0140-0305 on 5544.7 kHz.
On 9 March I got another clear ID, saying "su Estación Equis, la Radio -- un saludo para los amigos de Bagua que nos están escuchando, les estamos presentando su programa Gorrioncito Cantor por su Estación Equis, la Radio..."
Pedro F. Arrunátegui, Peru, Chasqui DX 181

More on VOA

Go get those rare birds
"Go DXing with pictures", Tracy Woods said when addressing the Kulpsville radio meeting.
And do it now, before more of those eluding signals from space get encrypted.

Go for hidden antennas
No way of getting that great antenna of your dream?
Antenna guru Skip Arey tells you how to do it.

Live reports from Kulpsville 2001

SODRE transmitting 24 hours
SODRE, CX6, in Uruguay, transmitting on 650 kHz medium wave has increased its broadcasting to 24 hours from March 1.
Its operation on shortwave 9620 kHz is not used 24 hours, though.
Horacio Nigro, Uruguay, hcdx list, March 11, 2001

Right wing militia group on 3260 kHz
American right wing groups are following in the steps of religious groups by starting using the tropical bands for their broadcasts.
Kentucky State Militia Radio has been heard broadcasting on 3260 kHz by American radio listener Paul McDonough, in Medford, MA. Reports McDonough on the HCDX mailing list:
Kentucky State Militia Radio heard in USB on 3260 kHz on March 7 from 0310 until signing off at 0400.
Programming with "Major Steve Anderson of the 6th Batallion of the Kentucky State Militia", saying that regular transmissions would begin by the end of the month. He also said he'd be getting new transmitting tubes for higher power, and he'd be getting a satellite receiver to receive satellite feeds like Genesis.
The announced address, according to McDonough, is 245 Elrod-Martin Rd, Somerset, Kentucky 42503.
hcdx news desk, March 7, 2001

Free Kentucky
United States Citizens' Militia
Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism
Public Eye, challenging right-wing agenda

Clandestine Radio on American soil
Kentucky State Militia took to the airwaves this week in what appears to be a serious effort to propagandize against the United States government, reports HCDX partner Clandestine Radio Watch, adding:
Clandestine radio, a weapon of propaganda rarely seen on American soil, seems to have appeared from within the heartland.
Clandestine Radio Watch, March 8, 2001

Full Clandestine Radio Watch story

Difusora Taubaté gone on 4925 kHz
Rádio Difusora Taubaté, 4925, has vanished. No more signals from it on the 60 meter band.
Anyone who got a QSL from this a few weeks ago (with extensive promotional material) may feel privileged.
MW 570 continues on the air, heard with some difficulty here in São Bernardo
Rudolf Grimm, Brazil, radioescutas via DXLD, March 4, 2001

Who did you spy on, Putin?
Which countries did you spy on while serving as a spy agent for the Soviet Union?
This is one of the many questions Russian president Vladimir Putin will be asked when answering questions live on BBC World Service on 6 March at 1500.
You too can ask president Putin your question via BBC News Online.
hcdx news desk, March 2, 2001

P.O. Boxes not for Brazilians
Many radio stations in Brazil no longer use 'Caixas Postais', (P.O. Box). I had many negative experiences during last year, using Caixa Postal. Several letters came back to me.
When WRTH or Passport indicates Caixa Postal, I phone the station, and obtain the correct address. In most cases, no more Caixa Postal.
So try the street addresses. I could make it. 73s, (Rudolf Grimm São Bernardo, SP, radioescutas via DXLD)
Rudolf Grimm, Brazil, radioescutas via DXLD, March 1, 2001

SWRS back with test transmissions
The Short Wave Relay Service, which labels itself Broadcasting facilities for free and community radio, has announced a comeback with new transmitters and antennas to be tested.
Regular tests are scheduled for 11470 kHz as follows:
Saturday March 3 between 1700-2300
Sunday March 4 between 0830-1900.
Reception reports wanted by e-mail to swrs@usa.net.
hcdx news desk, March 1, 2001