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News and Notes |
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Updated Mar 4, 2010 | |||||||
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NEW HISTORY MATERIAL AT <http://www.ontheshortwaves.com > For many years the National Radio Company of Melrose, Massachusetts was one of the leading names in shortwave receivers. This week, under "DX History/Equipment & Advertising," we have posted a booklet that was published by National in 1964 in commemoration of the company's 50th anniversary. It contains photos of much of the fondly remembered National equipment. National started business in 1914 (!) as a manufacturer of power plant specialty items. It expanded into the toy business, then aircraft parts and household items, finally getting around to radio in 1924. -- Also this week, under "Specialized Resources," you will find two new "Wavescan" scripts: January 31, 2010, "In Touch With Time--The Story of Chronohertz Station ATA in India," and February 7, 2010, "Eclipse Monitoring in the Pacific (1930)." Under "DX History/Stations," we have posted a group of postcard views, undated, of Japan Wireless Telegraph Company facilities. The company, a semi-official organization, was formed in 1925 to assume control over the government commercial (utility) radio stations. There are six cards: a map of the country's stations, views of the Kaizo and Fukuoka receiving stations, and views of the Yosami, Haranomachi and Tomioka transmitting stations. -- And under "Specialized Resources," four "Wavescan" scripts: February 14, 2010: "The Story of the Good Ship Seth Parker," and "In the Air and On the Air With Many Callsigns and Many Locations--NBC Shortwave Transmitter, Part 1," and February 21, 2010: "Radio Broadcasting in Tajikistan, Part 1," and "In the Air With Many Locations and Many Callsigns, Part 2." DXAsia-UADX News and information about radio broadcasts in and for South
Asiahttp://dxasia.info/ The Union of Asian DXers has recently revived the UADX
Newsletter. It is available free of charge by e-mail and back issues are
archived at their website. The World DX Club, Great Britain The World DX Club is pleased to announce that we can now
offer E-Membership of the World DX Club at a considerably reduced rate compared
to standard postal rates. E-Membership will entitle you to receive Contact Magazine by
a downloadable pdf file. Each month you will be sent a password to enable
you to download that month's issue from the World DX Club webpages. Note
that E-Members will not receive postal copies of the magazine. For details of E-Membership rates, and on how you can join
the World DX Club, just go to http://www.worlddxclub.org.uk. You can also download a free sample copy of a recent issue
of Contact magazine on that page. The World DX Club was founded in 1968, and the first edition
of Contact published by the club was mailed soon afterwards. Today, the
club continues to publish Contact Magazine every month, consisting of up to
56 pages containing station logs, news, information and comment about
radio and radio broadcasts - primarily, but not exclusively, international
shortwave radio. ***
Special
Notice Regarding LORAN Closure: *** http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/Loran/default.htm In accordance with the DHS Appropriations Act,
the U.S.
Coast Guard will terminate the transmission of all U.S. LORAN-C signals
effective 2000Z 08 Feb 2010. At that time, the U.S. LORAN-C signal will
be
unusable and permanently discontinued. This termination does not affect
U.S.
participation in the Russian American or Canadian LORAN-C chains. U.S.
participation
in these chains will continue temporarily in accordance with
international
agreements. You may read more and download pertinent documents via
our LORAN-C page LORAN-C
GENERAL
INFORMATION LORAN-C was originally developed to provide
radionavigation
service for U.S. coastal waters & was later expanded to include
complete
coverage of the continental U.S. as well as most of Alaska. Twenty-four
U.S.
LORAN-C stations work in partnership with Canadian and Russian stations
to
provide coverage in Canadian waters and in the Bering Sea. They system
provides
better than 0.25 nautical mile absolute accuracy for suitably equipped
users
within the published areas. and provides navigation, location, and
timing
services for both civil and military air, land and marine users. It is
approved
as an en route supplemental air navigation system for both Instrument
Flight
Rule (IFR) and Visual Flight Rule (VFR) operations. The LORAN-C system
serves
the 48 continental states, their coastal areas, and parts of Alaska.
Dedicated
Coast Guard men and women have done an excellent job running and
maintaining
the LORAN-C signal for 52 years. It is a service and mission of which
the
entire Coast Guard can be proud. LORAN-C
Termination Information The Coast Guard published a Federal Register
notice on Jan.
7, 2010, regarding its intention to terminate transmission of the
LORAN-C
signal Feb. 8, 2010. A LORAN Programmatic Environmental Impact
Statement Record
of Decision stating that the environmentally preferred alternative is
to
decommission the LORAN-C Program and terminate the North American
LORAN-C
signal was published in the Federal Register on Jan. 7, 2010. The Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010 allowed for termination of the LORAN-C signal on January 4, 2010, after certification from the Commandant of the Coast Guard that it was not needed for maritime navigation and from the Secretary of DHS that it is not needed as a backup for GPS. Full details are contained in Section 559 of this act which can be found at the Government Printing Office website (clicking on the link will open a new window). In
accordance with the DHS Appropriations Act, the U.S.
Coast Guard will terminate the transmission of all U.S. LORAN-C signals
effective
2000Z 08 Feb 2010. At that time, the U.S. LORAN-C signal will be
unusable and
permanently discontinued. This termination does not affect U.S.
participation
in the Russian American or Canadian LORAN-C chains. U.S. participation
in these
chains will continue in accordance with international agreements. The
Canadian
Coast Guard has also issued a statement, which is
shown on their website. You may view the estimated remaining LORAN-C
signal coverage
areas of these international chains in Appendix B, pages B-6 through B-9 of the
Specification of the LORAN-C
Transmitted Signal, COMDTINST M16562.4A. The entire Specification may be
downloaded also. The Coast Guard strongly urges mariners
currently using
LORAN-C for navigation to shift to a GPS navigation system and become
familiar
with its operation as soon as possible. Mariners will not be able to
rely upon
LORAN-C for navigation as of Feb. 8, 2010. LORAN-C has, as a result of technological
advancements in
the last 20 years, became an antiquated system no longer required by
the armed
forces, the transportation sector or the nation’s security
interests and is
used only by a small percentage of the population. The Coast Guard
understands
that LORAN-C is still used by a small segment of the public and that
those
users will have to shift to GPS or other systems; however, continued
use of
limited resources to operate LORAN-C is no longer prudent use of
taxpayer funds
and is not allowed under the 2010 DHS Appropriation Act. The Coast Guard has enjoyed a long and close
relationship
with the many communities located near LORAN-C facilities and we value
those
relationships. The Coast Guard will continue to honor those
relationships by
working to minimize any adverse impacts to communities caused by site
closures. Letter
from Fred Saxon, Toronto: “As an information and entertainment medium, the radio is #1. I am always thrilled to receive the miracle of free radio signals to my 35 feet rooftop bare copper aerial through the sky to feed to Palstar R30A short-wave receiver. “I look up your World English Survey chart. This is the best short-wave listener’s guide. My favourite short-wave stations: NHK World Radio Japan, The Voice of Russia, The Spanish National Radio, Radio Ukraine International. The signals of these radio stations are almost always loud and clear. Also, their news production and the selected local news is always good, relevant and interesting. “Between the sunset and sunrise time in Toronto, I listen to 880 kHz WCBS New York for the CBS news, the New York weather and traffic. “Between the sunrise and the sunset time in Toronto, I listen to 1180 kHz WHAM Rochester, New York, for the ‘Fox’ news and 970 kHz WNED Buffalo, New York, for the ‘NPR’ news from Washington.”
NEW HISTORY MATERIAL AT <http://www.ontheshortwaves.com Under "DX History/Stations" we have posted some interesting material on the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation that was received from Martin Hadlow, Associate Professor at the University of Queensland in Australia and a follower of ontheshortwaves.com. Martin was involved in the development of the SIBC, and has sent a booklet which he produced commemorating the opening of the SIBC Broadcasting House in 1982, together with a broadcasting-related First Day Cover issued in the Solomons in 1984. Thanks, Martin, for this excellent material. -- And under "Specialized Resources," two new "Wavescan" stories, both from December 20, 2009--"Radio Australia Anniversary-Wanneroo" and "Pitcairn Island-Callsigns and QSL-Cards." No doubt it has been some time since the postman has brought you a schedule for the External Service of Radio Ghana. Under "DX History/Stations," we have posted one for the period January-March 1977. Along with African political news, it contains the schedules for the station's six English services, two French services, and two Arabic services, together with services in Portuguese, Hausa and Swahili. Just reading the frequencies on the back cover reminds us--not that we need it--how much the shortwave scene has changed. Ghana's external service began in the early 1960s. In 1977 it was on 6130, 9545, 11850, 15285, 17870, 21545, 21720 kHz. It is hard to believe that it was over 30 years ago. -- Also this week, under "Specialized Resources," two new "Wavescan" scripts--December 27, 2009, covering the Philippines on Medium Waves (Early Years), and January 3, 2010, covering the BBC London on Shortwave (Start Point), and Dutch Radio Stations in Australia. TURN ON
MORNING RADIO---AND YOUR COFFEE MAKER Tyler Hamilton, Toronto Star, via Jeff Richardson ODXA Yahoo Group, January 12, 2010 CBC Radio could soon be providing more than news and weather in the morning. How about adjusting your thermostat, or maybe switching on your coffee-maker before you slink out of bed? Canada's national radio broadcaster has partnered with e-Radio Inc. of Toronto to test a way to control "smart grid" appliances using FM radio frequencies. So far, the companies say, the results are encouraging. At the heart of the technology is e-Radio's FM receiver module, a tiny chip that's slightly smaller than a postage stamp. When installed inside the control system of a smart appliance, such as a dishwasher or thermostat, it allows for remote operation of the appliance using wireless FM frequencies. "Pre-production units are already installed in a real residential setting and successfully tested in Toronto," said Jackson Wang, president and chief executive of e-Radio. "I believe it is a first in Canada." The idea of using FM frequencies to manage appliances has been picking up momentum. In October, the U.S. National Association of Broadcasters asked the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to permit the use of FM radio data system (RDS) signals to enable smart grid applications. "In many cities, RDS technology is used to communicate traffic information to consumer GPS devices," said the association, pointing out that it doesn't require investment in new infrastructure to expand that use to smart-grid applications. "The radio broadcast communication system is already built and provides service to nearly every house and vehicle in America." The data are delivered over an FM sub-channel so the quality of radio broadcasts is not affected. The signals could eventually be used to broadcast electricity price information to e-Radio's FM receivers, making it to possible to program appliances so they only run when power demand and prices are at their lowest, or at times when wind farms are most productive. Wang said CBC Radio's FM signals reach close to 99 per cent of the Canadian population, making the national broadcaster an ideal partner. He said e-Radio is also working with one of the largest appliance makers in the world to embed FM receivers in standard household appliances. "We will be disclosing our specific activities with this partner in due time," said Wang. The company is taking part in at least six pilot projects to test its technology. It's widely believed General Electric is one of the appliance makers working with e-Radio. In addition to FM radio technology, GE is developing appliances that can use the ZigBee and HomePlug standards to communicate. Michel Tremblay, senior vice-president of corporate strategy, said CBC Radio is "proud to help pioneer this new made-in-Canada innovation. If it takes off, FM radio broadcasters could find it a valuable source of new income." HCJB DX Partyline Co-host Helen Howard Dies At 89 Source: HCJB Global Jan. 7, 2010 A missionary teacher and broadcaster whose work with HCJB Global spanned more than four decades, Helen Howard, died Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010, at Go Ye Village in Tahlequah, Okla. She was 89. Born into a Baptist minister’s family in Pontiac, Mich., on March 29, 1920, Helen was raised in the Midwest. Missionaries, including HCJB Global co-founder Clarence Jones, were often in her parents’ home. She went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Christian education from Wheaton College in Illinois in 1942. While there she met Clayton Howard whom she later agreed to marry. In 1942 she sailed to Ecuador to serve with Radio Station HCJB in Quito, joining Clayton who had arrived in the South American country about a year earlier. Her voyage required travel in blackout conditions due to a threat of enemy attack on the Chilean ship during World War II. A year earlier, the Howards’ long-distance courtship had culminated in an on-air proposal on the live program, “The Back Home Hour.” Helen and Clayton’s Sept. 12, 1942, wedding was also broadcast live on the international shortwave radio station. “They were probably the first couple to be married over shortwave radio so the folks back home could hear it,” said Chuck Howard, their son who serves with HCJB Global in Ecuador. Helen’s minister father in the U.S., along with Rev. Evan Welsh, pastor of Clayton’s home church, had sent a recording of the complete service to Ecuador with Helen, only leaving gaps for “I do” from both Helen and Clayton. During the next 42 years in Ecuador, Helen’s passion was in child evangelism. She began holding child evangelism classes in her backyard, and as others joined these efforts it led to the founding of Iñaquito Evangelical Church in Quito where she was a deaconess and teacher. She also did home visitation and counseled for the church’s Women’s Society. “I would often come home from school to find her in the front living room, leading someone to the Lord,” said Chuck. “She won many people to the Lord.” Helen assisted Clayton as host of the ever-popular shortwave radio listeners’ program, “DX Partyline,” as well as answering English-language letters from listeners worldwide. And she was involved in Andes DXers International, or ANDEX, a shortwave listeners’ club sponsored by Radio Station HCJB. She also did secretarial work, helped in the record library and taught kindergarten. “We remember Helen as our neighbor in Quito for many years and the beloved teacher of the mission’s Humpty Dumpty Nursery School,” said HCJB Global’s Doug Peters, now retired in Florida. “My heart has always been with children’s work,” Helen said in an interview in 1988. “We enjoyed going into the country and holding classes with children. Adults would also attend.” The Howards retired and left Ecuador in 1984, living for about a decade in Florida before moving to Oklahoma. In addition to her husband, Clayton, Helen is survived by three children—all involved in Christian work—as well as 11 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Her children include Leland, a pastor in Lamar, Mo.; Ruth Anne Leaf, who retired as a missionary to Japan; and Chuck, a missionary schoolteacher in Quito. Helen’s testimony and life continue to speak of her Savior. In Ecuador, Chuck received word of his mother’s death 15 minutes before teaching his youth Sunday school class. His lesson preparation had been on the death of an Old Testament character, Abraham. “I taught the class and just shared from my heart,” Chuck said. “Boy, those young people listened!” A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8, in the chapel of Go Ye Village. Memorial gifts in honor of Helen Howard may be designated either for HCJB Global or Go Ye Village. Memorial gifts may be sent to Clayton Howard in care of Go Ye Village.Thanko debuts
USB shortwave, AM & FM radio Japan's purveyor of odd electronic curios, Thanko, has
released what it claims is the first USB shortwave radio. The device
also picks
up AM and FM radio and allows you to simply plug into your computer
(after
installing the appropriate software) and begin drawing sounds from the
ether. The
connection also lets you save audio in MP3 or WAV format
to your computer's harddrive, perfect for collecting those spooky late
night
transmissions floating around the shortwave frequency. Thanko's USB
shortwave
radio can be yours for just 3,980 yen ($44.73). (via Mike Barraclough,
DXLD
Yahoo Group) NEW HISTORY MATERIAL AT
<http://www.ontheshortwaves.com Under "DX History/Equipment & Advertising," we have posted a nice Hallicrafters catalog dating from around 1948 or 1949. There are a lot of familiar communication receivers here--the SX-43, S-40A, S-53 and S-38, as well as FM, TV, and amateur equipment. -- And under "Specialized Resources" we have added two new editions of"Wavescan," both aired on November 29, 2009: "Radio Australia--Lyndhurst" and "Shortwave Listener Cards." (More on Lyndhurst can be found in the Wavescan scripts #480, March 14, 2004 and #497, July 11, 2004. More on radio cards can be found in the scripts of August 2, 9 and16 and September 13, 2009.) Tour of
VOA Transmitter - Greenville, NC on April 26, 1998 Jim Hawkins' 1998 video tour of the VOA (actually International Broadcasting Bureau) is now available on YouTube Site A (now mothballed), near Greenville, North Carolina, is now available at YouTube as Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5. Greenville Site B is still in operation. Three GE 250KW, one 500KW Marconi and One 500KW Continental transmitter(s). Part
1 of 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7g8UCEQFE8 Part 3 of 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffnxBJQA6rU
Part 4
of 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYp2zw8FuKg For
more transmitter site tours, please visit www.j-hawkins.com/radio.html Latest News About Passport to World Band Radio November 28 posting on Passport to World Band Radio website by Larry Magne, Editor: Thanks for your many kind and helpful comments, which have touched us greatly. Alas, although the long-term future of IBS’ activities continues to be mulled over, there will definitely be no printed 2010 edition of Passport to World Band Radio. At this juncture it appears nearly as certain that online options aren’t going to be feasible, either. Nonetheless, the Japanese-language (only) Blue Pages for 2010 will be offered within Japan, as in the past, by ohtaket@kyp.biglobe.ne.jp later this year. For equipment issues, Passport
readers have
increasingly been visiting Passport equipment maven David
Zantow’s webpage for
up-to-date equipment news and expert
advice. Two Years
of Ultralight Radio Reviews Those DXers considering a purchase of one of the new DSP-enhanced Ultralight radios may not be aware that almost every popular AM-DXing pocket radio has been extensively reviewed during the past two years, with the competitive results posted on the web. Those considering a purchase of any ULR radio (DSP or otherwise) are welcome to download any of the following major competitive reviews, covering the models listed: Original Sony SRF-59 Review (November 2007).....SRF-59 http://dxer.ca/latest/55-sony-srf-59-reviewed Ultralight Radio "Round One" Shootout (December 2007).....SRF-59, SRF-M37V, DT-200VX, ICF-S10Mk.2 http://dxer.ca/latest/56-ultralight-radio-am-dx-shootout-round-one 2008 Ultralight Radio Spring Shootout (January 2008)....SRF-39FP, SRF-T615, DT-180V, DT-210V, C.Crane SWP 2008 Ultralight Radio Summertime Shootout (September 2008)...SRF-S84, SRF-M97, E100, SRF-M37W, DT-400W http://www.mediafire.com/?2t5godzzyaw 2009 Ultralight Radio Shootout (September 2009)...R911 (a.k.a.WRX911), R9012, C.Crane SWP (a.k.a RP300), DE1123, PL-300WT (a.k.a. G8), D92L, D96L http://www.mediafire.com/?nokcjzwtyzt Tecsun PL-310 Review...PL-310 http://www.mediafire.com/?yennzd1iu0i Hopefully all DXers thinking about trying out the fun of Ultralight radio DXing this season can use the above resources to make wise purchasing decisions, and choose the best models for their needs. 73 and Good DX,
New AM
Radio Log Available The NRC's AM Radio Log is a source for information on AM Radio Stations in the United States and Canada. The 30th edition of the Log contains approximately 290 pages of data and cross references and 18 pages of instructions in 8-1/2" x 11" size, 3-hole punched, U.S. loose leaf format. This publication fits nicely into a 1" three-ring binder. Nearly 8000 updates since last year's 28th Edition of the log! Additional reference lists include call letters of FM simulcasts, listings of regional groups of stations in the groups section (separate section of the log book) and a cross reference of those stations that are licensed to use IBOC (In Band On Channel) digital audio. Details at http://www.nrcdxas.org/Ascension
Budget Problems Threaten Relay Station The Times, October 21, 2009 via Mike Barraclough, DXLD Yahoo Group More than 1,000 miles from the African coast, Ascension Island is a refuge and breeding ground for millions of birds. For the past two centuries it has also served as one of the Western world's most vital staging posts, guarding Napoleon in his St Helena exile, policing the seas to stamp out slavery, linking the Atlantic's undersea cables, offering a lifeline to the Falklands and monitoring the skies for satellites, space shots, radio transmissions and the electronic signals of terrorists and hostile powers. The birds, once threatened with extinction, are now returning in their millions, thanks to a programme to eradicate feral cats and other predators. Unless the Ministry of Defence pays millions of pounds in unpaid taxes for its RAF airbase, the island will be bankrupt by June. The only school will have to close, the hospital will have no doctors, the few shops, one hotel and fledgeling tourist trade will be unviable. Even the conservation programme will have to be abandoned. The threat comes because the MoD is determined to cut costs to pay for Afghanistan. Its refusal to pay back-taxes on the airbase that Britain shares with the US has left Ascension with a £900,000 deficit on its £6 million budget. The island's small council and government, responsible for all services to the 900 inhabitants, have cut spending to the bone. Unless a deal can be done in Whitehall, Britain's strategic asset in the South Atlantic may soon become no more than a barren fortress, the function it first had when troops arrived in the 1820s to prevent a French fleet from rescuing Napoleon. The row pits the MoD against the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which has a keen interest in Ascension's viability, not only because of international obligations to protect the island's ecology, but also because Ascension houses a key listening post for GCHQ, Britain's electronic intelligence service. It also has one of the world's most powerful relay stations, broadcasting BBC programmes in dozens of languages across Africa and Latin America. The BBC World Service depends on Ascension, and the 50 specialist engineers who maintain the power station and vast array of transmitters, antennas and satellite dishes would leave overnight if they were forced to send their families off the island. Without the BBC relay there would be no power generation or desalination plant. There would be no water for anyone on the island except the Americans, who operate their own power and desalination plants. The quarrel stems from the establishment of a proper administration in 2002 to replace the ad hoc services reluctantly provided by the BBC and other users of the island. It is also the result of Britain's decision to keep Ascension a closed island, inaccessible without a permit and with no right of abode for those working there. The reason is that Ascension is one vast listening station, packed with radar, antennas and military intelligence personnel. The Americans, who own the two-mile runway (one of the world's longest, designed to accommodate the space shuttle), have no interest in outsiders prying into their affairs. The crisis comes as Ascension boasts one of the boldest and most successful conservation programmes in any British overseas territory. The plan to kill all the feral cats was controversial. The birds now nest on the main island again — and thousands circle the guano-covered rocks daily in a long breeding season. Some of the work is vital in monitoring climate change. Next year, if the budget is not settled, it may all stop. The tiny island that has played such a crucial role in British history, from Napoleon to the Falklands war, would be ruined by a quarrel in Whitehall. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article6882948.eceNational
Association of Shortwave Broadcasters, Inc. Annual
Meeting 8:30
am FRIDAY,
MAY 21, 2010 at
Hamilton,
Ontario,
Canada hosted
by
Galcom
International USA DRM Group Meeting will be held Thursday May
20, 2010 ----------
If
you plan to attend, please notify Dan Elyea at
863-763-0281 or by e-mail no later than May 10,
2010 at: fsiyfr@okeechobee.com Dan Elyea, Secretary National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters,
Inc. 10400 N.W. 240th Street Okeechobee, FL 34972 Tentative Plans for 2010 NASB Annual Meeting in
Hamilton,
Ontario Thursday,
May
20, 2010 8:30 am - “100 Huntley
Street” -- Taping of this syndicated
national television show at Crossroads Media 10:30 am - Crossroads Facility Tour 11:00 am - Tour of Galcom International's
facility where
fix-tuned receivers are manufactured 12:00 pm - Barbecue Lunch at Galcom 1:00 pm - DRM USA Meeting begins at Mohawk
College in
Hamilton 2:30 pm - Coffee Break 4:00 pm - DRM USA Meeting ends 4:30 pm - Bus Tour & Dinner, Niagara
Falls Friday, May
21, 2010 9:00 am - NASB Annual Meeting begins
– Speakers will include
representatives from Canadian shortwave stations and shortwave clubs 10:30 am - Coffee Break 12:00 pm - Lunch (at Mohawk College) 1:00 pm - NASB Business Meeting 3:00 pm - Coffee Break 5:00 pm - Meeting ends
----- There is a planned bus tour to
Niagara Falls on
Thursday evening. There will be a dinner at a restaurant in Niagara
Falls
called the Old Stone Mill. The tentative menu is: Bread Service; 1st
course:
Mixed Green Salad with House Dressing; Main course - choice of: Dry
Aged Angus
Prime Rib of Beef au jus with Yorkshire Pudding, Mashed Potatoes and
Seasonal
Vegetables, or Angel Hair Pasta with Caramelized Onions, Crumbled Goat
Cheese,
Arugula in Garlic & Olive Oil, or Eggplant Parmesan; Dessert
course -
choice of: New York Style Cheesecake or Lemon Craze or Apple Blossom;
Coffee,
Tea. If you have any questions about the 2010 NASB-DRM USA Annual Meetings, or would like to sponsor an event at the meetings, contact Jeff White at radiomiami9@cs.com Early
Development of Radio - 600 BC to the early 1920s via Mike Terry, DXLD Yahoo Group For
those who enjoy studying history, especially early radio
history, here's a real treat. 'The
History of the development of radio from 600BC to the
early broadcast days' is the title of a wonderful, illustrated
website put
together by Greg Whiter, VK3CA. In
six parts, it chronicles the many discoveries and
inventions that have led to the development of radio as we know it
today. All
the ususal suspects are here - Samuel Morse, Michael
Faraday, Heinrich Hertz, Nikola Tesla, Reginald Fessenden and of course
Guglielmo Marconi - plus many other not so well-known names. So,
begin your history lesson by clicking here: http://www.clarkmasts.net.au/developement%20of%20radio/history%20of%20radio%20-%20page%201.htm
Enjoy some great archived audio from Radio
Canada’s
International Shortwave Service at the following link. http://archives.cbc.ca/arts_entertainment/media/clips/10982/ An
example: Who's
listening? Broadcast Date: Feb. 23, 1950 When the International Service reaches out to
listeners, they reach
back. The service has been on the air for five years, and if there's
any way of
judging its success, listener mail might be it. Letters —
135,000 so far — have
come from wherever the Canadian shortwave service is heard. In this
clip
celebrating the fifth anniversary of the International Service, we hear
excerpts from letters sent by listeners in Czechoslovakia, the
Netherlands,
Germany and Argentina. LETTERS John Schmelzer, St. Louis, MO: Keep those
letters and e-mails coming! Harold Sellers On
The Shortwaves NEW HISTORY MATERIAL AT
<http://www.ontheshortwaves.com> Under
"DX History/QSLS & Other Station
Memorabilia," we make a visit to Radio New York Worldwide. The station
traces its history to W1XAL, which came on the air in 1931 (and itself
traces
its history to W2XAL, which started broadcasting in 1927). W1XAL became
WRUL in
1939, and--with the same call letters--Radio New York Worldwide in
1962. It
adopted the call letters WNYW in 1966. This program schedule is from
May-October 1964, and illustrates one of the best modern-day examples
of
American private shortwave broadcasting. It points out the station's
coverage
of the 1964-65 World's Fair in New York; the station's political,
olympic and
Wall Street coverage; a special Peace Corps program; the Indianapolis
500; and
more. There is a brief history of the station on p. 6, and on p. 7 news
from
listeners (including a promotion for the ASWLC, which had been formed
in 1959).
Radio New York Worldwide's affiliation with ABC gave the station access
to a
professional news team, whose members are shown on the last page. Under "DX History on the Net," some new website URLs. -- A new entry under "Stations and Voices of war" is (1) "World War II Radio Propaganda: Real and Imaginary" http://www.albany.edu/talkinghistory/index.html In
this April 24,
2008, program of the "Talking History" project, downloadable in two
parts, historians Ann Pfau and (her husband) David Hochfelder discuss
their
research into the World War II propaganda broadcasts from Japan and
Germany
made by Iva Toguri, William Joyce, Mildred Gillars,and Rita Zucca. They
cover
wartime rumors, popular legends about World War II radio propaganda,
oral
history, British and American wartime propaganda monitoring, soldier
surveys,
and popular histories and Hollywood depictions of Tokyo Rose, Lord Haw
Haw, and
Axis Sally. Pfau is researching a book about World War II
radio
traitors. (Select "Jan-June 2008" in "The Radio
Archive" window and click "Go.") Under "Listening in Wartime," check out (2)
"Honoring Those Who Listened" http://www.usmm.org/duffyhonoring.html
>
Capt. George Duffy
had been a POW in Japan. His site presents some of the cards
and letters
that his mother received from 35 POW message monitors when two of
George's
letters were read over the air. Increase the magnification of
your
browser to better read this material. And under
"Post-War Shortwave," three new
sites. (3) "Radio in Latin America in 1963--David Gleason on
the
Web" http://www.davidgleason.com/Radio%20Photos.htm
>
is an excellent
collection of photographs taken at various radio station studios,
transmitter
sites, etc. in Latin America during the mid-1960s. In 1963,
following an
internship in Mexico, David Gleason wandered through Central America,
Colombia
and Venezuela. These are some pictures of the radio stations
he visited
in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and
Colombia. On the "Swan Island DX Assn." website http://www.qsl.net/sidxa/history.html
are a number of
interesting links to information about Radio Swan, the CIA-operated
station
that operated in 1960-1961 before becoming Radio Americas.
Also of
interest is http://cuban-exile.com/doc_226-250/doc0241.html
which is a short
paper from the "Cuban Information Archives" concentrating on the
anti-Castro role of the station.
(5) And finally, the "Russian Woodpecker" site http://www.artificialowl.net/2008/12/abandoned-giant-duga-3-system-antenna.html
Remember the
strong, rapid-fire tapping
of the Russian woodpecker that emanated from several Russian
over-the-horizon
radar installations? Operating at unpredictable hours and for
varying
durations, the woodpecker affected many frequency ranges and radio
services,
including international broadcasting, and often rendered reception
virtually
impossible over wide swaths of frequencies. It
didn’t disappear until
1989. This website has pictures of a woodpecker installation
in Ukraine. Under "DX History/Stations," we have posted a
file
containing three issues of "The Voice of Denmark," a quarterly
newsletter
published by that station's shortwave department. Included
are the
newsletter's first issue, published in the fourth quarter of 1958, plus
issues
from the third quarter of 1959 and the first quarter of 1961.
Intended to
appeal to a broad audience, there were articles in English, Danish and
Spanish. The 1958 issue contains an introduction to the
station and a
description of the English department; the 1959 issue has an article
(and
photo) of WRTH publisher (and Voice of Denmark DX bulletin preparer) O.
Lund
Johansen; and the 1961 issue contains a photo of Hans Hansen, the
"Saturday Night Club" host at the time. Each issue contains a
schedule of the station's shortwave broadcasts. --
Also under
"DX History/Stations," an article about CHNX by Harold
Sellers.
-- And under "Specialized Resources" we have posted four
"Wavescan" scripts from Adrian Peterson. These are about the
original Empire Service from England (Sep 13), early radio between
Australia
and New Zealand (Sep 13), early QSO verification cards (Sep 13), and
G5SW,
predecessor to the BBC's station at Daventry (Sep 20). Although White's Radio Log was not the first AM
station log,
it became the best known; and while it disappeared for a time in the
1950s and
again in the 1980s, it also had the longest overall lifespan.
Known under
various names in its early days, the first issue was published in 1924,
and the
last in 1985. This week, under "DX History/Lists, Logs,
Guides &
Columns," we have posted a very early copy of White's, known as White's
Mileage and Radio Call Book. This was probably not the first issue of
White's;
however, this one was published in 1924, which was White's first year
of
publication. It lists stations by call letters and states
(but not by
frequency, which came later). It was published in Rhode
Island, and the
New England flavor of this edition is evident by the mileage chart (p.
16) that
is based on Boston, and the hours of operation (p. 18) "of the
principal
broadcasting stations commonly heard by Mass. radio fans."
--
And under "Specialized Resources," we have posted another of Adrian
Peterson's "Wavescan" scripts (September 27), this one continuing the
story of the BBC at Daventry. Under "Specialized Resources," we have posted
the
final two parts of Adrian Peterson's five-part "Wavescan" series on
the BBC shortwave station at Daventry. The two parts are "BBC
Daventry" (October 4, 2009) and "Demise of BBC Daventry"
(October 11). To complement these articles, we have also posted, under
"DX
History/Recordings," a recording of the closedown announcement for
BBC-Daventry that was broadcast on March 29, 1992 at 1126 UTC on 15070
kHz., a
frequency that had come into use (as GWC) around 1941. (More than one
BBC
transmitter was operating on 15070 at the time, so the actual moment of
Daventry's closedown cannot be discerned on the recording.) An
excellent
95-page book about BBC-Daventry, "Daventry Calling the World," was
authored by Norman Tomalin in 1998, and is available free on line in
PDF format
at <http://www.bbceng.info/Books/dx-world/dx-calling-the-world-2008a.pdf This week, under "DX History/Equipment
&
Advertising," something that will bring back memories for SWLs who were
active in the late 1950s and early 1960s: a SW equipment feature from
the
January 1962 issue of Electronics Illustrated. The first six pages
contain
brief writeups on some of the most popular equipment of the day--the
Knight
Ocean Hopper, the Space Spanner, the Heathkit AR-3, the National NC-60,
the
Hallicrafters S-38, the Hammarlund HQ-145X, and others, plus
accessories.
Following this are three articles on "new" receiver kits of the
day--the Heathkit GR-91, the Philmore CR-5AC, and the Knight-Kit R-100.
"Those were the days!" -- And under "Specialized
Resources," three new "Wavescan" scripts": early radio
broadcasting in Irian Jaya (August 23), early wireless stations in the
Philippines (August 30), and radio in connection with the 1937 eclipse
(September 6). Under "DX History/Stations," we have posted an
interesting historical item from VU2ZP, an early Armed Forces Radio
Service
station located in Bangalore, India, in the "China-Burma-India"
theater. A mediumwave station, it operated on 1355 kc. There is some
history
about the station on the web at <http://cbi-theater-1.home.comcast.net/~cbi-theater-1/roundup/roundup122745.html and <http://www.cbi-history.com/part_vi.html
-- And
under "Specialized Resources," "Wavescan," a new
entry about the original Radio
Australia, at Pennant Hills (November 1, 2009) Under "DX History/Philately," we have posted
some
new philately items: (1) an envelope from HCJB showing the various
mediumwave
and shortwave frequencies that the station was using at the time (1948,
if I
read the postmark correctly); (2) a 1979 stamp from Radio Nacional de
Bolivia
commemorating the station's 50th anniversary; (3) a stamp from Peru
depicting
the Radio Nacional del Peru antennas and giving the call letters and
frequencies of familiar R. Nacional shortwave channels 9562 and 6082
kHz.; (4)
a first day cover issued in 1970 to commemorate the fifth anniversary
of Trans
World Radio transmissions from Bonaire; (5) a first day cover issued in
2008 in
recognition of Radio El Salvador; and (6) a great looking 12-stamp
sheet issued
by Galei Zahal, the Israeli armed forces station, in 2008. Radio
Philately
Welcome
to the website
of RADIO PHILATELY related to the postage stamps of radio
stations and
brodcasting. http://radiofilateliadx.weebly.com 2009
Ultralight Radio Shootout Article Uploaded Hello All, For those interested in the new DSP-enhanced
Ultralight
radios and their awesome DXing potential, a full review of the newest
Chinese-market models has been uploaded to DXer.ca (http://www.dxer.ca/file-area/doc_download/258-2),
and the Yahoo Ultralightdx file site. Including full coverage of the Kchibo D96L,
D92L, Degen
DE1123, Grundig G8/ Tecsun PL-300WT, C.Crane SWP, Tecsun R911 and R9012
models,
complete details on relative sensitivity, selectivity, nulling ability,
spurs/images, AGC, audio quality, digital tuning noise and quality
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compared with the SRF-59, SRF-39FP, SRF-T615, SRF-M37V/W, E100,
DT-400W,
DT-200VX and the DT-210V. After reading this article, you will have all
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for an
exciting new DX season. If you have yet to enjoy the unique thrills of
Ultralight
radio DXing, we welcome you to join us as we experience more DXing fun
than we
have had in decades! 73 and Best Wishes, Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA), Sept. 26/09 |
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