::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :: SWEDEN CALLING DXERS :: :: from Radio Sweden :: :: Number 2050--July 4, 1989 :: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Shortwave and other electronic media news from Radio Sweden. This week's bulletin was written by George Wood. Packet Radio BID SCDX2050 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- SWEDEN--The board of the Swedish National Radio Company has approved funds for a continuation of Radio Sweden's experimental broadcasts in Estonian and Latvian until the end of the year. These are 16:45-17:00 hrs on 1179 and 6065 kHz. This week's English edition of Sweden Calling DXers is a special link-up with the Radio Japan DX Corner, with a special feature on clandestine broadcasting in China. Some time during the next couple of weeks the Electronic Edition may suddenly disappear, at least from some bulletin boards and systems. Our first child is due any day now, and I'll be taking a short paternity leave as well as vacation during the month of August. The program will continue on the air, and David Snyder of the ANARC Computer Information Committee has kindly offered to transcribe an Electronic Edition from off the air. But David's version may not be uploaded to all the places where the regular Electronic Edition may be found. Everything should return to normal in September. (George Wood) COMPUTER CORNER--The Association of North American Radio Clubs computer bulletin board system has been closed down temporarily, as sysop Kirk Baxter is moving. But the system is to be at its new location from July 1st. The new telephone number, in the United States, is 913-345-1978. The ANARC BBS now includes a huge database of English language shortwave programs. You can view it online, or download it to your own computer. (ANARC Newsletter) The Italian Radiolisteners' Association has set up its own computer bulletin board in Modena. The number is +39-59-39 67 38. Florence is to host the 4th "Hambit" conference dedicated to radio and the computer, October 21st and 22nd. For more information call Carlo Ciapetti at +39-55-49 67 03 or by Fax to +39-55-47 55 69. (Luigi Cobisi, Italy) ALBANIA--On June 15th, Albanian Radio announced that their second program would start broadcasts on 1458 kHz at 07:00-12:00 hrs. (BBC Monitoring) AUSTRALIA--Radio Australia has expanded broadcasts in English to China, from one to five and a half hours a day. The frequency is 17715 kHz, and the schedule 04:00-09:30 hrs. That's one of Radio Australia's major sporting frequencies, but another transmitter on 21525 kHz will be used on weekends only for "Sportworld" and Rugby coverage in South Asia. That can be heard Saturdays at 02:00-07:30 and Sundays at 04:00-07:30 hrs. (Radio Australia via BBC Monitoring) Radio Australia is broadcasting in French 06:00-08:00 hrs to Vanuatu and New Caledonia on 17795 kHz; to French Polynesia, Madagascar, and Mauritius on 15320 kHz; and to Southeast Asia on 17750 kHz. (Francois Chalory, France) CANADA--The Canadian government is cutting the budget of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation by 140 million dollars over the next five years. According to Ian McFarland of Radio Canada International, the impact on RCI will be severe. There is even a possiblity that RCI's shortwave services may be eliminated. Ian suggests that listeners might want to write to RCI to make their opinions known. Due to the present situation in China, on June 19 RCI has started its Chinese language service about a year earlier than originally planned. The format for English and French to Asia at 22:00 and 22:30 hrs weekdays will be changed to include a newscast in Standard Chinese. On October 1st RCI will replace this temporary arrangement with two half hour news and current affairs programs in Standard Chinese. (RCI via BBC Monitoring) ECUADOR--HCJB is joining with Trans World Radio, the Far Eastern Broadcasting Company, and ELWA in Liberia in a project called World 2000. The four Protestant broadcasters are dividing the world between them, adding 124 new languages, each spoken by at least 1 million people. When the project is completed, the four stations will reach some 97% of the world's population, in their native languages. HCJB will be adding 15 new languages, such as Georgian to the USSR, Luri to Iran, and Kongo to Zaire and Angola. HCJB is also building a new shortwave transmitter for the FEBC in Saipan. (Moritz Saarman, HCJB) FINLAND--Some publications have indicated that Finnish Radio YLE has abandoned use of 558 kHz, which has been used by the British offshore pirates Laser 558 and Radio Caroline. But a new transmitter site for 558 kHz is being built in Helsinki, and is to go on the air in August. The service on 558 kHz will continue in its present format--selected portions of the YLE netowkrs one, two, three, and four, and Radio Finland programs in English, German, and French. Services on 1404 kHz have been discontinued. (Juhani Niinistoe, Radio Finland) Radio Finland is broadcasting in English at 08:00-08:25 hrs on 17795 and 21550 kHz and 08:30-08:55 hrs on 15245 and 17795 kHz. (Salil Kumar Paul, India) FRANCE--Radio France International has begun broadcasting half an hour a day in Chinese to Beijing. This program is relayed from a transmitter in Japan 22:00-22:30 hrs. (France Inter via BBC Monitoring) INDIA/SRI LANKA--With the recent Tamil Tiger ceasefire in Sri Lanka, pressure is increasing on the Indian Peace-keeping force to leave the island republic. There is a special television service called "IPKF TV" beamed to the Indian troops on TV channel 10 from a transmitter near Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. The program is fed to the IPKF TV from the Madras TV Centre in India. The station broadcasts news in Tamil daily at 15:45 hrs. At 16:00 hrs there's a relay of news from Delhi. (M.K. Shaikh Jawahar, India) INDONESIA--Radio Republik Indonesia has been heard on 9742.5 kHz with Indoensian news from Jakarta at 07:00 hrs. RRI Sarong is listed in the WRTH 89 on 9740 kHz. (Richard E. Wood, Hawaii) IRAN--Updating SCDX-2036, the Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran broadcast in German at 18:00-18:45 hrs is now on 6030 kHz, as well as 9022. French at 18:45-19:30 hrs is on the same frequencies, while the French broadcast at 06:30-07:30 hrs is now on 9745, 9022, and 15084 kHz. Spanish to Europe is 20:30-21:30 hrs on 6030 and 9022 kHz, while the broadcast to Latin America at 01:30-02:30 hrs is on 9022, 11930, and 15084 kHz. The English broadcast to Europe is 19:30-20:30 hrs on 1404, 6030 and 9022 kHz. All of these broadcasts are also carried on FM 100.7 MHz. (Manfred Boehmer, Harry Niehbuhr, and Uwe Gruner, all West Germany) ISRAEL--The Reshet Bet (Network B) IBA shortwave relay has been heard on a new frequency of 21545 kHz, in parallel with the usual 17545. Soccer football commentary was carried in Hebrew at 15:30 hrs. (Richard E. Wood) MEXICO--All Mexican shortwave stations must activate a minimum number of days every year, or lose their licence. Normally inactive XEWW is currently in such an active period on 9515 kHz. It's been noted with a special program for other countries called "Muy Buenos Noches, America Latina" 05:30-06:00 hrs on a local Sunday (Monday morning UTC). The program was carried as well on the always active medium wave frequency of 900 kHz. (Richard E. Wood) MONTSERRAT/USA--The German-owned Radio Antilles faces a financial crisis, and may have to close at the end of the year, when subsidies from Germany are expected to end. The Voice of America is considering taking over Radio Antilles. According to the Voice of Barbados, VOA director Richard Carlson made the disclosure before a US Senate subcommittee looking at the VOA's role in the coverage of events in China. (BBC Monitoring) NETHERLANDS ANTILLES--Trans World Radio in Bonaire is broadcasting in Portuguese to Brazil 06:55-09:30 hrs on a new frequency of 11865 kHz, replacing 6145. 9515 kHz remains in parallel. Unlike some other TWR operations, the Brazilian service contains comprehensive international news. (Richard E. Wood) NORWAY--Because of budget restrictions, beginning May 7th, Radio Norway International has reduced its programs in Norwegian from 45 minutes to 30 minutes. Music is filling in for the lost 15 minute blocks. Radio Norway is negotiating with Radio Denmark to buy 30 minute blocks. It had been hoped this could begin in July, but possible Danish relays would begin in 1990 at the earliest. The reduction has not affected the weekly half hour programs from Radio Norway International in English, but the weekly 5 minutes in Spanish has been dropped. (Einar Lie, Radio Norway International) POLAND--Radio Polonia is broadcasting in French: 06:00-06:30 hrs on 7270 and 9675 kHz; 11:00-12:00 hrs on 6135, 9540, and 15120 kHz; 13:00-13:30 hrs on 6135 and 9540 kHz; 13:30-13:55 hrs on 9525, 11840, and 15120 kHz; 15:00- 15:25 hrs on 9525 and 11840 kHz; 17:00-17:25 hrs on 9525, 11815, and 11840 kHz; 18:30-18:55 hrs on 6095 and 9540 kHz; and 22:00-22:25 hrs on 1503, 5995, 6135, 7125, and 7270 kHz. (Francois Chalory) SWITZERLAND--The Swiss Post Office has announced plans to build new transmitters for Swiss Radio International. The Post Office says it will build four new sites in the western Swiss cantons of Aargau and Fribourg. (SRI via BBC Monitoring) SYRIA--Radio Damascus is broadcasting in Russian 17:00-18:00 hrs on 17710 kHz. (Pavel Puchkov, USSR) UNITED ARAB EMIRATES--Updating SCDX-2045, and despite announcements, UAE Radio in Dubai is no longer heard on 15300 kHz during the English broadcast at 16:00 hrs. 21605, 15320, and 11790 kHz remain in use. (Guenther Bardolf, Austria) The Voice of the UAE from Abu Dhabi is no longer using 6170 kHz at 22:00- 00:00 hrs. 9597, 11965, and 13605 kHz remain in use. (Uwe Gruner) USA--Updating SCDX-2043, WHRI now has the following schedule to South America: 00:00 hrs 9495 kHz, 08:00 hrs 7355, 11:00 hrs 11790, 14:00 hrs 15105, 16:00 hrs 11790, 17:00 hrs 15105, and 18:00 hrs 17830 kHz. The European service is: 00:00 hrs 7365 kHz, 06:00 hrs 9620, 08:00 hrs 7355, 11:00 hrs 9465, 15:00 hrs 21840 kHz, and 17:00 hrs on 13760 kHz. These schedules are until Sept. 24, 1989. (Markus Brinker, West Germany) VATICAN CITY--Vatican Radio is broadcasting to Africa in Amharic at 15:15 hrs, French at 15:30, and English 15:45-16:00 hrs on a new frequency of 21657.5 kHz. This is a disastrous choice of frequency since the BBC via the Seychelles is broadcasting to Africa in English and Swahili on 21660 kHz. (Richard E. Wood) UNOFFICIAL RADIO--Newspapers in Turkey says that Bizim Radyo, operated by the Communist Party of Turkey, will shortly leave the air, after more than 30 years in operation. Haluk Mesci tells us that the move is seen as part of efforts to encourage the Turkish government to allow the formation of legal Communist parties in Turkey. (Haluk Mesci, Turkey) Bizim Radyo (which means "Our Radio") and its sister station, the Voice of the Turkish Communist Party, were originally aimed at Turkish immigrant workers in West Germany. By 1974, broadcasts were directed to Turkey itself. The transmitters are in Magdeburg, East Germany and in a small village outside Bucharest, Romania. ("Clandestine Confidential" by Gerry Dexter) AMATEUR RADIO--The SWL DX Net in the United States has a new schedule. It's now Sundays at 03:00 to 04:00 hrs on 7050 kHz. (EDXC Newsletter) There's a new similar net in operation in South Asia. Abhilash Thadhani, VU2JYY, is hosting the "South East Asian DX Network" on Sundays at 13:00 hrs on 14275 kHz, plus or minus the interference. ("SSA Bulletin", Sweden) The Danish navy is sailing its training ship "Georg Stage" to the United States. During its visit to Mystic, Coonecticut July 14th and 15th, KA1OLM/W1, Bo Strandnes, will be operating onboard 13:00 to 24:00 hrs. The frequencies for phone operation will be 14277 and 21347 kHz, upper side band. (Bo Strandnes) PUBLICATIONS--The Danish Shortwave Clubs International has released the 17th edition of its "Tropical Bands Survey", which is the best guide around to the tropical bands between 2300 and 5900 kHz. Compiled by Bernhard Gruendl, this 34 page listing by frequency is available by surface post for 7 IRCs or 25 Danish kroner, by air for 9 IRCs or 30 kroner. The address is DSWCI, DK-2670 Greve Strand, Denmark. "Latin American Radio World" is a guide for those interesting in Latin American DXing. Produced by Julian Anderson and Gabriel Ivan Barrera, it includes frequency listings, station names, transmitter sites, schedules, and verification information. It's accurate as of July, 1989, and is to be updated with newsletters every two months. The guide is available by airmail worldwide for USD 5 or 10 IRCs, from: Latin American DX World, Casilla 4616, 1000 Buenos Aires, Argentina. Another interesting publication is the 1989 edition of the "European FM Handbook", published by Timo Leponiemi and the Finnish DX Association. This second edition of the handbook lists tens of thousands of European FM station in 168 pages. The book is divided up by country, and then by frequency. It even includes many telephone numbers and addresses for stations. Looking at the Swedish section, it even includes all the dozens of 10 or 20 or 100 watt community radio transmitters. The "European FM Handbook" is available for 100 Finnish Marks within Europe or 120 marks outside of Europe. You can order from Timo Leponiemi, Box 95, SF-04301 Hyryla, Finland. FINNFEST--Radio Finland is be represented at the Finnfest, the national convention of Americans with a Finnish background. It will be held July 12- 16th at the University of Washington campus in Seattle. Radio Finland will be represented by announcer Cheryl Riggins. (Juhani Niinistoe, Radio Finland) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sweden Calling DXers is the world's oldest radio program for shortwave listeners. Radio Sweden has presented this round-up of radio news, features, and interviews on Tuesdays since 1948. RS broadcasts to North America: 15:30 hrs on 17880 and 21610 kHz 03:00 hrs on 9695 and 11705 kHz To Europe, Africa, and the Middle East: 15:30 hrs on 21675 kHz (East Africa) 17:00 hrs on 1179, 6065, and 9615 kHz 21:00 hrs on 1179, 9655 and 11705 kHz And to Asia and the Pacific: 12:30 hrs on 17705 and 21610 kHz 14:00 hrs on 17705 and 21610 kHz 01:00 hrs on 15390 and 17790 kHz The Radio Sweden schedule to Europe can be found on Sky Channel's teletext Service, Sky Text, on page 496. The Electronic Edition is based on the Sweden Calling DXers bulletins which are mailed out every 4 weeks to contributors. Contributions can be sent to DX Editor George Wood to Swedish telex 11738, CompuServe (via the HamNet Forum or Easyplex 70247,3516), through the FidoNet system to 2:202/297 or to SM0IIN at the packet radio BBS SK0TM. Reports can also be sent to: Radio Sweden S-105 10 Stockholm Sweden Contributions should be NEWS about electronic media--from shortwave to satellites--and not loggings of information already available from sources such as the "World Radio TV Handbook". Clubs and DX publications may reprint material as long as Sweden Calling DXers and the original contributor are acknowledged, with the exception of items from BBC Monitoring, which are copyright. We welcome comments and suggestions about the electronic edition, Sweden Calling DXers, and our programs in general. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks to 49 contributors this week Good listening!