Friday, October 31, 2008

Special US Election Coverage in Bengali English Urdu on 5th Nov.

Fri, 31 Oct 2008
VOA will b'cast special live coverage of US Presidential Election on 4th November. VOA is adding extra transmissions in addition to the regular b'cast on SW on 5th November (UTC) time as the per following schedule :

Bengali : 0200-0230 UTC 11500 15205
Urdu : 0200-0400 UTC 7135 9325
English :
0000-0100 UTC 7405 9490 9715
0030-0200 UTC 15185
0000-0200 UTC 6105 7315 15230 17685
0200-0300 UTC 6105 7315 11705 12090 13860 15095 15185 15230 17685
0300-0500 UTC 9700 9550 11785 12090 13860 15095 15230 15530 17780

(Alok Dasgupta via http://dxasia.info/news/20081031)

VOA Bengali B08 Frequency change at 1600 UTC

Alok Dasgupta from Kolkata informs that due to co-channel interference VOA is changing it's Bengali evening frequency from 7180 kHz to the new 7435 kHz at 1600-1700 hrs UTC effective 1st November 2008 in parallel to 11500 kHz.

25th Anniversary Passport Now Available!


PASSPORT TO WORLD BAND RADIO
25th Anniversary Edition 2009
Now Available!

The 2009 Passport to World Band Radio is off press and shipping now, as always by fast Priority Mail/Airmail worldwide. The new edition's two-page table of contents can be downloaded using this link :
http://www.passband.com/pdf_files/TOC.pdf

Can be ordered online from here :
https://www.passband.com/secure/orderform.htm

B08 Frequency Schedules

HFCC B08
http://hfcc.org/data/b08/b08allx2.zip

FCC B08
http://www.fcc.gov/ib/sand/neg/hf_web/B08FCC01.TXT

Primetime SW B08 (sorted by time)
http://www.primetimeshortwave.com/time.txt

Thursday, October 30, 2008

India's first female Dalit radio makes waves

26 Oct 2008, 0120 hrs IST, Roli Srivastava, TNN
HYDERABAD: Algole Narsamma makes for an unusual reporter. Every morning at 10, she starts her journey to various villages in search of stories that Algole Narsamma interviews a daily wage farm worker for 90.4 FM. (TOI) are neither breaking news nor juicy snippets that sell. But the 25-year-old mother of two says she is always sure her reports strike a chord with listeners every time they are aired.
Read the full story here :
Dalit_radio_makes_waves/articleshow/3641458.cms

VOA Provides multi-media 2008 election night coverage in 45 languages

Washington, D.C., Oct. 29, 2008 - Live reports from Kenya, home of Barack Obama's late father, and Vietnam, where John McCain was imprisoned for seven years, highlight the Voice of America's (VOA) special election programs around the globe November 4. VOA's coverage of the historic election will be available in English and 44 other languages that reach an estimated worldwide audience of 134 million. Comprehensive, multimedia coverage at VOA's new website, USAVotes2008.com, allows people to receive up-to-date news and information and post comments about the race. "The presidential contest of 2008 has riveted people around the world from Azerbaijan to Zimbabwe," said VOA Director Danforth Austin. "Because we broadcast in English and vernacular languages, VOA has the unique ability to deliver news and information about the election, the democratic process and the people of the United States," he said, adding, "We'll be using every technology possible to reach people with the results of this race." VOA's English-language radio and TV will air extensive election coverage, culminating in non-stop simulcast programming beginning at 10:00 p.m. EST (0300 UTC) and running until five minutes past the winning candidate's victory speech. Coverage will include the latest election returns, live
correspondent reports from the McCain and Obama camps and updates on key Congressional and regional races. Audiences in Kenya, Vietnam, and Indonesia, Obama's childhood home, have
shown a particularly keen interest in the race, prompting special VOA programs. On election night, the Swahili service will co-produce shows with Citizen FM and Radio Free Africa in East Africa; the Vietnamese service will fan out across the United States to interview people in Vietnamese communities; and the Indonesian service will participate in a 90-minute panel discussion on Metro TV.

Highlights of VOA language coverage include:

Radio:
- African affiliate stations in Rwanda and Burundi will expand programming from VOA's Kinyarwanda and Kirundi services with a live interactive show involving VOA reporters and RPA-FM in Kigali.
- VOA Kurdish will air an extra hour of programming to Iraq, from 0600 to 0700 UTC Wednesday morning (1:00-2:00 a.m. EST).
- VOA Spanish reporters will conduct live interactives with affiliate stations throughout Latin America.
- VOA Creole will have two live, one-hour interactive broadcasts with Haitian analysts and journalists in Washington and Port-au-Prince.

Television:
- VOA Persian will produce a live election night special 10:30-11:30 p.m. EST (0330-0430 UTC), including guest commentary and analysis, and reports from each candidate's campaign headquarters.
- VOA Albanian will cap a week of special programming with a 90-minute program on the elections, co-produced with Albania's Top Channel and co-hosted by Top Channel's news director.
- VOA Bosnian, Croatian, Macedonian, Serbian, and Ukrainian services will all provide live reports for affiliate stations.
- VOA Indonesian will deliver more than two dozen reports to seven Indonesian national TV networks throughout November 4, along with the 90-minute panel discussion with Indonesia's all-news station Metro TV.
- VOA Cantonese will supply live election updates to Asia TV, serving Hong Kong and southern China.
- VOA's Thai service will report on radio and through Thai TV networks MCOT and True Vision.
- VOA's Urdu service will broadcast election specials with the Pakistan Television Network (PTV), the state broadcaster.

On the web:
- VOA Russian will provide on-camera, hourly updates; blogs from Republican and Democratic headquarters; views and commentaries on how a new president may shape U.S.-Russian relations; and interactive dialogue about the election and process.
- VOA Mandarin will engage audiences through a live web chat with VOA reporters and U.S. experts.

(Press Release)

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Radio, the latest hype in Bangladesh

Posted on 28 October 2008 by Ronnie Siraji
The relationship with radio and the people of Bangladesh dates back to the pre liberation war era when Radio Pakistan used to broadcast its transmission in the region now known as Bangladesh, which was liberated on December 16, 1971. In those days the only source of entertainment was listening to the radio, which definitely was not by design though.

Pakistan is changing back to normal time effective 2nd Nov 2008

Oct 28, 2008 (14 hours ago)
from DXAsia News
Due to the local time (UTC + 5.00 hrs) change in Pakistan the following
changes are effective 2nd November 2008 for VOA URDU SERVICE :
MW 972 1539 kHz is available at 1400-0200 hrs instead of 1300-0100 hrs.
SW service 0100-0200 (ex 0000-0100) on 9520 9820 kHz.
SW service 1400-1500 (ex 1300-1400) on 7440 9390 kHz.

(Alok Dasgupta, Kolkata via http://dxasia.info/news/20081028)

Media Broadcast transmits Time Signals to 100 Million Radio Clocks

Bonn, October 24, 2008
On the last weekend of October it will be that time of year again: we will have to set our clocks to winter time. Owners of radio clocks do not have to worry about the time change. MEDIA BROADCAST's DCF77 time signal transmitter in Mainflingen by Frankfurt broadcasts the legal time for Germany by order of the Federal Physical and Technical Institute (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt) (PTB). The signal that repeats itself every minute will also broadcast the new time on October 26 at three o'clock at night. Radio clocks will be automatically set back by one hour. MEDIA BROADCAST broadcasts the reference time of atomic clocks of the PTB, which are located in the transmitting radio station in Mainflingen. Monitoring by PTB clocks in Braunschweig guarantees an accuracy of one second in two million years. In Mainflingen the long-wave transmitter DCF77 broadcasts the signal on the frequency 77.5 kilohertz with a range of 2,000 kilometers. The timing cycle reaches around 100 million recipients in households, in the scientific and economic communities and in daily public traffic.

029/2008
(Press release)

Sun TV to launch FM stations in Sikkim, Mizoram

29 Oct, 2008, 1808 hrs IST,IANS
CHENNAI: The city-based television major Sun TV Network Ltd, through its subsidiary South Asia FM, will launch FM radio stations in Gangtok and Aizawl, the respective capital cities of Sikkim and Mizoram, a company official said. Holding licences for 45 FM stations in the country, the Sun TV group has launched 43 so far, the latest in Siliguri of West Bengal Tuesday. Once the Gangtok and Aizawl stations go live, the group will be one of the largest FM radio station operators in the country. Asked about the likely launch date, the official said work was on but a specific date could not be committed now. The company is also entering into movie production through a separate division, Sun Pictures.

Colombo soft launches FM channel in Tamil Nadu

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 28 October 2008, 17:15 GMT]
Sri Lanka government resumed its broadcast to 'Listeners in All India', with a newly adopted name, diplomatically aiming at dampening the emotional upsurge of sympathy and support expressed all over Tamil Nadu State, sources in Chennai said. The Tamil Nadu media reports related to the Sri Lankan government's war on the Tamils in Vanni being unfavorable to it, the resumption of the broadcast from Colombo appears to be a propaganda measure adopted by Sri Lanka government, the sources added. The earlier broadcasting service from Sri Lanka Broadcasting Service named Colombo International Broadcasting Service had been stopped since 31 May 2008 due to the lack of advertisement revenues from Medium Wave broadcast as many competitors had shifted to FM in recent times. However, the state-owned broadcasting corporation was recently instructed to launch the FM service to disseminate government views to the audience in Tamil Nadu, informed sources in Colombo said. Though only entertainment programs would be broadcast first, news stories are to follow soon, the sources added. http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=27299

Sunday, October 26, 2008

VOA Beng B08 clashes @ 1600 UTC

VOA Bengali B08 - 1600-1700 UTC

1575 kHz - Occupied by Radio Farda, no Beng

7180 kHz - Sever co-ch qrm by a Chinese speaking stn.
Seems like a CRI or CNR outlet as add anncd in Beijing.
Listen to this :
http://alokeshgupta.googlepages.com/vobeng_7180_1639utc_26oct2008.mp3

11500 kHz - 35433

I&B tie up with NGO for community radio

16:41 IST
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has launched its first-ever community radio in collaboration with an NGO, the Society for Development Alternatives, on October 23, 2008 at Taragram, Orchha in Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh. This has become possible after the Ministry's permission to the Society, a Delhi based NGO, to establish, maintain and operate a Community Radio. 34 NGOs have so far got I&B Ministry's permission to set up and operate Community Radio Stations in different parts of the country. The Society for Development Alternatives, among other things, is engaged in Natural Resource Management in the region through a range of activities involving conversion of wasteland to productive land, water conservation and promotion of appropriate farming practices and livestock management. Besides, the society is developing partnerships and alliances with banks, research institutes, government departments, panchayats and civil society organizations to ensure convergence of developmental goals in Bundelkhand. The Government of India, in December 2006, had liberalized the Policy on Community Radio by bringing in the civil society and voluntary organizations, agricultural universities, ICAR institutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, etc also under its ambit. The policy was liberalized with a view to allow greater participation by the civil society on issues of development and social change. The Community Radio initiative aims to empower the women, youth and marginalized groups to take part in local self-governance and overall socio-economic and cultural development of the area. SP/AS

(Press Infirmation Bureau, Govt of India )

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Racal HF Receiver used by Late Prime Minister Sri.Rajeev Gandhi

Racal HF receiver used by Late Prime Minister Sri.Rajeev Gandhi kept at VU2NRO, Club Station of National Institute of Amateur Radio,Hyderabad

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Major DRM Broadcasts during Africast exhibition

Nigeria, Africa - DRM Member Thomson Broadcast & Multimedia showcases its latest DRM offerings at the Africast exhibition in Abuja, Nigeria, taking place from October 21-23. The Thomson stand will be featuring live DRM demonstrations with the latest digital receiver sets as well as a wide variety of product presentations. From the broadcasting side, the DRM Members BBC, CVC, Deutsche Welle (DW) and TDF actively contribute to the Africast exhibition by broadcasting in DRM to Africa.

BBC World Service will broadcast DRM for Africast, Abuja on Tuesday and Wednesday, 21st/22nd October, 13:00-15:00 UTC on 17565 kHz from a UK site. Programming will be in English 13:00-13:45 and 14:15-15:00 and incorporate the BBC's regular Hausa programmes from 13:45-14:15.

CVC will broadcast in DRM from its Juelich transmitter site. The content will be "1Africa" (http://www.1africa.tv) and the DRM signal will be on air on Monday 20th until Thursday 23rd of October from 09:00 to 16:00 UTC. The frequency will be 17860 kHz.

DW will transmit in DRM -mode from Sines on 21st and 22nd October from 1300 -1455 UTC (1400 -1600 Local Time Nigeria), first hour in Haussa, second hour in English. The frequency will be 17500 kHz.

The DRM broadcast from TDF are on air from 13.00-15.00 UTC on 21st - 22nd of October. On Thursday 23rd of October, TDF will transmit from 14:00 – 15:00 UTC. All TDF transmissions will be on 17685 kHz.

SLBC restarts their Tamil service on 873 kHz

Due to heavy loss of advertisment revenue & huge maintanance cost recently Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corpn., had shut down their MW (Tamil) service on 873 kHz. But Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corpn., yesterday announced that their MW Tamil service on 873 kHz will restart with effect from 22nd Oct, 2008. The new name for the MW 873 kHz is "India Sevai" (South India Service) Time : 0130 UTC - 0530 UTC

(Thanks to K.Raja,Chennai DX Club)

Friday, October 17, 2008

BBC World Service launches a news programme for and about South Asia

Date: 17.10.2008
BBC World Service is reaching out to audiences across South Asia with the launch of a special English-language news and current affairs programme - broadcast from the region and tailored for the region. From Monday 20 October, Evening Report will bring audiences in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka - as well as South Asian diaspora audiences, wherever they are - half an hour of daily news and information, covering key regional developments and the most relevant global stories. Broadcast live every weekday evening from the BBC Delhi bureau, Evening Report's regular presenter will be Tinku Ray, a highly experienced and accomplished broadcaster and reporter. "This is a fresh way of telling the region what's happening across South Asia," Tinku says. "It's always exciting to be the launch presenter of a new and ambitious
programme, and I want our millions of listeners to share in that excitement." From Monday to Friday, Evening Report is essential listening for anyone across South Asia who seeks a global perspective of the events in the region and wants to keep abreast of key world news. Evening Report brings its South Asian audiences news and analysis of the day's political, business and sports developments as well as human interest stories reflecting the diversity and vibrancy of the region. News Editor, BBC World Service, Andrew Whitehead, says: "The BBC has a fantastic network of reporters across South Asia, and Evening Report will be using them to provide our listeners with up-to-the-minute news coverage and analysis of the region and beyond. "This will be a lively, engaging programme - from South Asia, for South Asia." In its first week on air, Evening Report will feature interviews with key decision makers and political leaders across the region, among them Nepal's new President, Ram Baran Yadav. Presenter Tinku Ray will also be reporting from India's space centre. There are plans for Evening Report to be anchored from capital cities across the region. Evening Report will be broadcast on shortwave across the region, on Worldspace satellite, via BBC Global News channel covering South and East Asia, and on FM in following locations: Bangladesh: Dhaka 100 FM Nepal: Kathmandu 103 FM Sri Lanka: via SLBC - Anuradhapura, Batticoloa and Tricomalee 99.6 FM, Colombo 95.6 and 96.4 FM, Galle 90.8 FM, Gampaha 96.4 FM, Kandy 96.4 FM, Matara 98.4 and 90.8 FM, Nuwara Eliya 100.2 FM. Evening Report will be broadcast at following local times: at 8.00pm in Bangladesh; 7.30pm in India; 7.45pm in Nepal; 7.00pm in Pakistan and 7.30pm in Sri Lanka. The programme is also available in audio online, via bbcworldservice.com/evening report and at bbc.com/news.

(BBC World Service Press Office)

"Ham Radio no longer just a hobby"

Here's a report on Hamfest India 2008 :

http://www.radioandmusic.com/content/editorial/news/ham-radio-no-longer-just-a-hobby

BSF's community radio service in line

Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 16 2008: The Border Security Force will be launching community radio service in Manipur before the end of the current financial year, said BSF DIG, Sector Hqs CI (Ops), Gopal Krishna. The Ministry concerned has already given consent to launch the community radio service in Manipur. For this, a sum of Rs 25 lakhs have also been sanctioned, he said. The first community radio will be installed at BSF Sector Hqs, Koirengei within March next year. This radio will disseminate information beneficial to the common people in a way different from the All India Radio, the DIG claimed adding that it will provide information on agriculture, health, education and other sectors. Till date, BSF's 88 Bn, 115 Bn, 140 Bn and 193 Bn stationed in Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts have been providing sewing machines, computer sets and opening vocational training centres under its civic action programme for the people. Last year, BSF spent Rs 10 lakhs in civic action programmes in Manipur. This year spending on MCA programmes may touch Rs 25 lakhs, GK Sharma said. All these activities and expenditures were an integral part of the BSF's effort to keep cordial relationship with the people, restore peace and bring prosperity in the State. Today's function of handing computer sets and accessories to Advance Intermediate College was organised by BSF 193 Bn.

http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=4..171008.oct08

Two new members join Prasar Bharati Board

Oct 17, 08 Vinod Behl
Two new persons, Retd Major General Utpal Chattopadhayay and journalist Sunil Dang, have been inducted as part time members on the Prasar Bharati Board on October 16. They have come in place of Chitra Mudgil and ML Mehta.

Read the full story here :
http://www.exchange4media.com/peoplemovement/movement_fullstory.asp?section_id=23&news_id=32853&tag=27788&pict=1

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

DDS Sangham Radio Inaugrated

October 15, 2008
History was made today when Sangham Radio, India's first Rural Community Radio Station was inaugurated at Machnoor Village in Medak District by former Justice of Supreme Court Justice P.B.Sawant. This is also the first all woman community radio station in Asia. The radio is completely owned, managed and operated by women from marginalized rural communities. The radio will broadcast to a radius of 25 kms covering about 100 villages and a population close to 50,000. The radio is facilitated by and licensed to the Deccan Development Society an NGO working in the Zaheerabad region of Medak District for the last 25 years. As soon as Justice Sawant switched on the 50 watt transmitter at 1100 hours today, the voice of the DDS women went out on air when they sang : Akka Chellenlu Podaame mana sanghamku maatlada podaamey… [Come sisters let us go to our Sanghm to talk] reflecting the aspirations of thousands or the members of DDS womens sanghams. The Sangham Radio is their effort to use the airwaves liberated by Justice Sawant, who switched on their transmitter, from the state control through a landmark judgement in 1995. The women want to use this new media space to save their dying language and cultures, spread their message of sisterhood, ecological agriculture, women's control over seeds and a host of their issues. Justice Sawant recalling the way his judgement had been realized by the marginalise women of the DDS community exhorted them to use their radio to reclaim their human rights and realize a true democracy that is distinct from the electoral democracy of the day which abandons people once elections are over. He recalled the revolution started 150 years ago by Mahatma Phule when he opened a school for dalit girls and compared it the the Sangham Radio run primarily by dalit women and said that this was a second revolution comparable to Mahatma Phule's. Dr Bhaskar Ghose, formerly Secretary Information and Broadcasting, Government of India asked the DDS women to treat the running of the radio as a challenge and make it a vibrant and robust radio sought after by people. The challenge of tomorrow is much greater than the achievement of today. If you fail in making your radio work, you would be failing the community radio movement, he said. Eminent journalist Kalpana Sharma, former chief of Press Academy Pothuri Venkateswara Rao and eminent artist Prof Laxma goud also spoke and saw a great role for the Community radio in altering the balance in the media world. The Sangham Radio, which will broadcast for about 90 minutes daily is expected to enlarge its repertoire even while expanding its broadcast time. Mr P V Satheesh, Director, Deccan Development Society while introducing the Sangham Radio said that it was the realization of the media autonomy of the people who were completely ignored by the mainstream media.

Deccan Development Society Community Media Trust
--
Deccan Development Society (DDS)
101 Kishan Residency, street no- 5,
Begumpet,Hyderabad-16,
AP,India.
Ph# + 91-40-27764577 / 27764744
Visit us at : http://www.ddsindia.com/

(Press Release)

Popularising amateur radio

Special Correspondent
COIMBATORE: The Coimbatore Amateur Radio Club organised a fox hunt here recently that sought to keep alive the interest in ham operation. Organiser of the hunt R.R. Balasundaram said the event aimed at popularising ham operation, especially as a medium of communication during emergencies. The hunt involved the locating of a 'fox hole' (amateur radio station) located within a 30 km radius. Participants had to locate the radio station using the tone that came on their very high frequency radio sets every five minutes. As for fox hunt, it could be fun and yet very demanding in terms of efforts to locate the station. The hunt could get tougher as participants neared the station because signals could come from 360 degrees. A press release explained that ham radio was a 'scientific hobby'. One could establish one's own radio station and talk to friends across the world. At the same time, ham offered a solution when all normal forms of communication break down during calamities such as floods, landslips, cyclones or earthquakes. This form of communication also came in handy during rail, road or plane accidents. Ham ensured proper information flow to the community during such incidents, when telephone lines were down. But, a ham operator could not broadcast news to the public. One operator could communicate only with another operator. But, when many operators were involved, information would get passed on to the general public. Amateur radio operators should pass an examination conducted by the Union Ministry of Communications and obtain licence for operating a radio station. Persons aged above 12 were permitted to appear for the Amateur Station Operator Licence Examination. No educational qualification was prescribed. Training for two hours a day for over two months enabled people to take the examination. Interested persons should qualify in a test on Morse code (transmission and reception), communication procedure and basic electronics. Mr. Balasundaram said ham radio was a hobby and the operators should not use it as a means of income. Coimbatore District had about 200 hams. Apart from being a hobby, the hams in Coimbatore provided a communication back up during motor rallies conducted by the Coimbatore Motor Sports Club.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/15/stories/2008101550240200.htm

Nepal: First FM in Tharu language inaugurated

TGW
First Community FM radio station in Tharu Language has been established in Bansgadi area of Bardia District, Nepal. The Guru-Baba FM will transmit all its programs in the Tharu language sing a 100 W transmitter in 106.4 Mhz frequency, said Pushpa Chaudhary-the FM station in-charge. The FM radio station was inaugurated by the Maoists' CA member Bishnu Chaudhary on October 14, 2008.
http://telegraphnepal.com/news_det.php?news_id=4204

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Deutsche Welle Gains New Partner in Bangladesh

DW to work with bdnews24.com, Bangladesh's first online bilingual news source, on training, technology and content. Deutsche Welle has partnered with Bangladesh's bdnews24.com, as the two news providers will work together in the future on several shared multimedia projects. Readers can now access three links to Deutsche Welle content from bdnews24.com's Bengali and English homepages, including DW-TV's live stream, and English and Bengali news on DW-WORLD.DE. In addition, DW-AKADEMIE will provide technical assistance and support in creating a new concept for the company's website, according to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two organizations. In 2009, DW-AKADEMIE will also organize training courses in "online journalism" for bdnews24.com's staff. "We are very excited about this cooperation and are happy to gain such a great partner in Bangladesh," says Petra Schneider, Head of Sales and Service at Deutsche Welle. "This partnership will help us to reach a broader audience throughout the region." "We are immensely proud to be working with the internationally renowned news organization, Deutsche Welle," says bdnews24.com Chief Editor Toufique Imrose Khalidi. "This collaboration with a global leader – especially in media technology – will do us a world of good as we strive to introduce new media in Bangladesh." bdnews24.com – Bangladesh's first online, bilingual news provider – has become the most-visited news site in the country, its readers ranging from policy makers and corporate executives to a rising generation of Internet-savvy Bangladeshi around the world.

October 13, 2008
(DW Press Release)

Hamfest India 2008

Speaker of Gujarat assembly Shri.Ashok Bhatt inaugrating Hamfest India 2008 at Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

His excellency Pt.Naval Kishore Sharma, Governer of Gujarat during the closing ceremony of Hamfest India 2008.

Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation starts a new radio service

Monday, October 13, 2008, 4:22 GMT, Colombo Page News Desk, Sri Lanka. Oct 13, Colombo: Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) recently commenced a new radio service called Sandya Guwanviduliya (evening radio). This new service which starts everyday at 6:30 p.m. will broadcast discussions and documentary helpful for the rural farmers and community development programs. At present, SLBC's domestic FM network broadcasts six regular programme channels on a nationwide basis.

http://www.colombopage.com/archive_08/October1342237SL.html

Wayne Pederson Named New President of HCJB Global

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Wayne Pederson will become HCJB Global's new president Nov. 1, the international missions organization announced today. Wayne PedersonPederson, now vice president of Moody Broadcasting, will replace David Johnson, who stepped down in June after serving for seven years. Dr. James D. Allen has been serving as acting president. Pederson is the seventh person to serve as HCJB Global's president. He has been a member of the board of directors of HCJB Global for two-and-a-half years. He also has worked with the ministry to raise money for key projects, including the launch of its satellite ministry in Latin America and Russia."The board is delighted that Wayne has accepted the call to become HCJB Global's president. With his combination of godly character, seasoned leadership skills and passion for HCJB Global and its mission, he is uniquely equipped to serve as our president," said John Baugus, chairman of the board for HCJB Global. "Wayne Pederson has a great heart for missions, and he is intimately acquainted with HCJB Global," said Glen Adams, the HCJB board member who headed the search team that selected Pederson. "He is an exceptional leader with many years of experience in Christian broadcasting. "Further, he comes to us at an important time in the life if our ministry, and he brings a vision that will challenge all of us as we join together in the coming months and years to be the 'voice and hands of Jesus,'" Adams said. "I have a passion to see people come to Jesus," Pederson said. "My focus has been on using the media to accomplish that. However, as I grow older, God has sensitized my heart to the physical needs of people worldwide. "By combining HCJB Global Voice with HCJB Global Hands, we can demonstrate the love of Christ in very practical ways. That kind of caring opens the door for us to share the great spiritual truth that God cares not only for people's eternal salvation, but for their welfare in this life," Pederson said. A native of Minnesota, Pederson has a bachelor of arts degree in psychology
from the University of Minnesota and a master of theology from Free Lutheran Theological Seminary in Minneapolis. He and his wife Norma live in Chicago and have two married children.
Prior to joining Moody Broadcasting as manager of WMBI, Pederson was executive director of Christian Music Broadcasters, president of the Mission America Coalition and president and chairman of the National Religious Broadcasters. From 1967 to 2002, he held various positions at Northwestern College, rising to the level of executive vice president for radio.

(Source : HCJB Global)

Radio communication should be made optional at schools

Express News Service Posted: Oct 12, 2008 at 0207 hrs IST
Ahmedabad, October 11 The chairman of Gujarat Institute of Amateur Radio (GIAR), S K Nanda said on Saturday that the Government should incorporate radio communication as an optional subject in schools and colleges. Nanda, who is also the Principal Secretary (Forest), emphasised on this while addressing a gathering of Ham radio operators in Gandhinagar. "Having radio communication as a subject in educational institutes will help develop people's interest in Ham radios. This will result into more people joining the group, which will subsequently result into more traffic in the amateur radio spectrum and better connectivity," said Nanda. Over 300 Ham radio operators from across the country are participating in the two-day event, HamfestIndia. Gujarat Assembly Speaker Ashok Bhatt inaugurated the event. Ham radio operators demonstrated innovative techniques of radio communication, and also present their technical papers at the event. Besides GIAR members, engineering students, particularly studying communication and information technology, also attended the event on its first day. The event envisages to popularise Ham radio activities in Gujarat. There are nearly 600 licensed Ham radio operators in the state, mostly senior government officials. Ham radio, which is usually taken up as "a scientific hobby", has emerged as "a life-saving means" of communication during natural calamities across the world.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/-Radio-communication-should-be-made-optional-at-schools-/372341

Monday, October 13, 2008

I&B ministry gives green signal for FM stations to air news

Monday - Oct 13, 2008
Deepasree Venugopal - Televisionpoint.com Mumbai
Are you late for office or slipped your daily dose of stock movements. Don't fuss and put not yet payable stress on your grey cells, for now you can know the stock motions while driving. Confused?
The Information and Broadcasting (I&B) ministry and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has given its green signal for the FM radio stations to broadcast news on their stations across the country. From December 01, 2008, not only the stock movement, but one can also tune in to the latest happenings in the business and political world, with just a flick of the radio channel. The ministry has given a go-ahead for 261 FM channels to air news and current affairs programmes produced by All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan. TRAI has earlier suggested that FM radio broadcasters should be permitted to broadcast news using content from AIR, DD and other authorised news channels. It has recommended that to sustain the growth evinced in FM Radio sector, major policy decisions should be taken and these include allowing FM channels to broadcast news under certain FDI parameters.
Read the full story here :

http://www.televisionpoint.com/news2008/newsfullstory.php?id=1223902420

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Angola: National Radio Engaged in Technological Modernisation for Countrywide Coverage

5 October 2008
Luanda
The National Radio of Angola (RNA) has undertaken a plan for technical and
technological modernisation aiming at providing radio coverage throughout
the national territory.

Read the full report here :
http://allafrica.com/stories/200810060766.html

Monday, October 06, 2008

RTI - 97th National Day celebrations on October 10th

Radio Taiwan International - On October 10th, the live coverage of the 97th national day celebrations can be heard from 0200 to 0300 UTC on 15320 KHz to Southeast Asia. Those of you who live in other parts of the world are welcome to visit our website to hear the webcast of the live coverage. Meanwhile, RTI's English broadcast to North America from 0200 to 0300 UTC on 5950 KHz will be cancelled on October 10th.

Sunday, October 05, 2008

Radio: A friend in need, a friend indeed

Ashok Kumar Panigrahi
Radio can rightly be called as a friend in need, a friend indeed. Once again, it proved that even amidst the glare of hundreds of TV channels and glossy magazines, it remains the trusted well wisher of the common folks during the floods in Bihar.
AMJAD KHAN, not the dreaded Gabbar of Sholay, but an eight year old boy in new shirt given in the camp. He is gazing at the faces, on the platforms of Bathnaha railway station, that has been turned into a mega relief camp for the flood affected people of Bihar. His eyes dried in search of his abba (father) and two aapas (elder sisters) who have been swept away by the cruel Kosi. Embracing a branch of tree for five days and fighting for life without any food and drinking water, he was rescued by army personnel and brought to the relief camp of Batnaha. It took ten minutes for the All India Radio (AIR) team to make this boy speak and then, he spoke live on radio through their mobile phone. His voice choked with emotions and fear "abba, ahan kahan chee? I am alone here. Please come and take me back." Hundreds of eyes surrounding him in the camp were flooded with tears. Anil Tiwari of AIR Purnea, who was accompanying the team could rediscover the power of his small local radio station to reach to the hearts of the people.
Read the amazing story at :

Voice of Nigeria expands shortwave

The Voice of Nigeria (VON) transmitting station in Abuja will be completed by the first quarter of 2009, according to Alhaji Abubakar Jijiwa, the station's Director-General.The cost of the project, located in Lugbe on the Airport road Abuja, has been put at N4.8b. Jijiwa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that construction work at the project site had reached 80 percent completion while the civil works were 100 percent ready. In his words, `` most of the equipment in terms of transmitters, antennae, mast systems and generators are already on site at the moment.''The Director-General, (DG) said that on completion, the project would produce the first radio station with capability to broadcast in digital and analogue systems, within the Short Wave Bands. The Biggest In Africa according to him, `` if the budget works out well in 2009, we should be able to roll out the project in terms of getting it commissioned in the first quarter of next year. When that project is completed and commissioned, it promises to be the biggest in Africa, whether North or South of the Sahara.''He explained that the new transmitters would expand the international coverage of the station, because it would be heard worldwide.The VON DG said `` the station has the capability of a rotating antenna that can target any country in the world when desired.''On digitisation, Jijiwa said there was no cause for alarm over the country's road-map to digital broadcast migration, beginning from June 2012, compared to South Africa which had set Nov. 1 as start up date.Nigeria AheadHe said that there is anything much Nigeria can learn from South Africa in terms of broadcasting; they might have better facilities in terms of equipment but in human capacity, we are far ahead of them.This statement follows South Africa's digitisation programme in good time in preparation for the 2010 World Cup. In reality, South Africa will not fully digitize until 2010 but they are going to start skeletal movement from analogue system, just like its being done in the UK. Jijiwa is the Chairman of Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), a voluntary umbrella body for all broadcast stations in the country and the President, Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA).NAN/ Qasim/G.O.

Friday, October 03, 2008

BBC's Indian Ocean relay station marks 20th anniversary

Photo By : Volker Willschrey

02.10.2008 - The BBC's Indian Ocean relay station is commemorating 20 years of transmissions from Grand Anse, Mahé, in the Seychelles.Launched in October 1988, and currently run on behalf of BBC World Service by VT Communications, the station is transmitting BBC World Service programmes on shortwave to an estimated audience of up to nine million listeners across East Africa.The BBC Indian Ocean relay station in the Seychelles broadcasts BBC World Service in a range of languages including the BBC's English-language output for Africa as well as programmes in Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Somali and French.It brings the BBC's radio output to audiences in countries such as Burundi, DR Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Nigel Fry, Head, Transmission and Distribution, BBC World Service, says: " The BBC Indian Ocean relay station constitutes the backbone of the BBC's shortwave broadcasts to East Africa."In many areas of the countries it covers, the shortwave broadcasts relayed by the station are the only way in which audiences can get BBC news and information."To commemorate the anniversary, VT Communications will be holding a series of events in the Seychelles.These include an Open Day exhibition on Monday 6 October, which will highlight the history, operations and the safety aspects of the station.

BBC in the Seychelles: noteworthy dates

1985 - BBC World Service signs an agreement with the Seychelles Government allowing it to broadcast from the Seychelles.

1986 - Building work begins on the station. A plaque was unveiled on 9 June 1986 by the BBC's Austen Kark (MD, External Broadcasting) and Bryce McCrirrick (Director of Engineering) to mark the commencement of building work.

1988 - Test transmissions began in September 1988. Opening ceremony of the station on 7 October 1988 was attended by John Tusa, MD, BBC World Service and Bill Dennay, Director of Engineering, BBC World Service.

1995 - BBC World Service starts FM transmissions in Seychelles on 106.2 MHz in Victoria (eastern part of the island).

1997 - BBC World Service contracts out the operation of its transmissions sites. Merlin Communications is formed.

1998 - Initiation of localisation process. Cable and Wireless Engineering Operations contract comes to an end in 1999.

2000 - Merlin Communications is bought by VT group. Renamed VT Merlin Communications, later VT Communications.

2004 - BBC World Service starts transmissions on 105.2 MHz in Anse Soleil (western part of the island), in June, and on 105.6 MHz in Pointe aux Sel (southern part of the island), in July. Localisation process started in 1998 comes to successful conclusion, with the appointment of the first Seychellois manager, completing the objective of 100% local staff.

(BBC World Service Publicity)

BBC to launch six new YouTube channels

BBC Global News has extended its relationship with YouTube, the leading online video community, by signing an agreement to add six BBC video news channels in Russian, Portuguese, Spanish, Arabic, Persian and Urdu to its existing BBC World News channel. In what is the first multi-language deal by a major international news broadcaster with YouTube, users will have access to high quality, independent and impartial news clips produced by the BBC World Service in six languages. Video news stories will run each day across the different language Channels and each channel will be branded and tailored to its specific audience. The videos will also be fully discoverable via Google Video search. Jim Egan, Director of Strategy and Business Development, BBC Global News, says: "We are very pleased to extend our relationship with Google through the planned launch of six new channels, offering video news to YouTube's users in Russian, Portuguese, Spanish, Arabic, Persian and Urdu. "This deal reflects BBC Global News' determination to reach and engage with audiences across the world in unique and pioneering ways."Patrick Walker, YouTube's Director of Video Partnerships for Europe, Middle East and Africa, says: "YouTube is a truly global platform that connects millions of people from all over the world, many of whom have a strong interest in international news. "By bringing top quality news content to the YouTube community in many languages, the BBC is taking an innovative step to engage with this large and diverse audience." The six new language channels are set to launch by the end of this year.
(BBC World News Press Office)

Thursday, October 02, 2008

AIR DRM Test - 2nd Oct

Kept on trying with longwire which overloaded the RP2100, at around 1120 UTC switched to internal antenna & was able to decode.
Here are couple of screenshots :


TAIWAN: GIO chief denies government trying to censor RTI

Taipei Times
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
By Shih Hsiu-Chuan
Government Information Office (GIO) Minister Vanessa Shih yesterday denied a report that state-owned Radio Taiwan International (RTI), which broadcasts in 13 languages around the world, had been told by the government not to denounce China. A front-page story in the Chinese-language Liberty Times (the Taipei Times' sister newspaper) yesterday said some independent directors of RTI were planning to resign en masse to express their dissatisfaction with the government's intervention in the company's operations. "The GIO, as a supervisor of RTI, has urged it to build a good image of the country. It has not asked them not to criticize China," Shih said. RTI chairman Cheng Yu said he has told the GIO that he intends to step down
and will give his letter of resignation to a provisional meeting of RTI's board of directors today. Cheng was assigned by the former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government to lead the RTI. His term expires next September. Board member Luo Chih-cheng said that he, several independent directors and RTI director general Shao Li-chung would submit their resignations today to protest the government's repression of free speech and its pro-China position. Meanwhile, Cheng refused to respond to comments by some Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers that he should have resigned after the KMT administration took office since RTI is a national station. KMT Legislator Kuo Su-chun accused Cheng of using political intervention as an excuse to quit his job. DPP Legislator Tsai Huang-liang criticized the KMT government for reshuffling RTI's board for political reasons.
Date Posted: 10/1/2008

http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=98263

News on FM radio may be allowed by year-end

Nivedita Mookerji
Thursday, October 02, 2008 03:51 IST
Reading from wire services, DD, AIR may be allowed NEW DELHI: A decision to permit news in private FM radio stations may be taken by the government around end of this year, almost three years after the Prime Minister's Information, Communication and Entertainment Committee okayed the proposal.
Read the full report here :

BBC World Service on DAB+ in Malta

BBC World Service will be available in the DAB+ standard for the first time, thanks to an agreement with Malta's digital audio broadcasting operator, Digi B Network Ltd. From Wednesday 1 October 2008, BBC World Service's programmes will be rebroadcast around the clock in Malta on the multiplex Digi B Network 1. Malta is one of the first countries in Europe to adopt the new DAB+ standard, the most recent addition to the DAB family already in use across Europe. Now listeners in Malta will be able to tune in to BBC World Service's English-language news and information programmes for Europe in this top-quality sound, 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Lindsay Cornell, Principal Systems Architect, BBC, and Technical Committee Chairman, World DMB, says: "DAB+ is an excellent digital radio technology. It combines great user benefits with efficient use of spectrum. The launch of DAB+ services in Malta is very exciting news for listeners right across Europe." Nigel Fry, Head of Transmission & Distribution, BBC World Service, comments: "As a keen advocate of digital broadcasting, BBC World Service is pleased to offer its programmes as part of the first European DAB+ service. "DAB+ builds on the
original DAB standard and offers further benefits to both the audience and broadcasters. We congratulate the operators, Digi-B, and wish them well with this exciting service." Sergio D'Amico, Managing Director of Digi B Network Ltd, adds: "The future of radio is down the digital path, and DAB will be in the forefront. We are proud to be amongst the first to roll out DAB+, and we are even more proud having BBC World Service present on the platform." BBC World Service is also available in Malta via the country's Public Service Broadcaster (PBS) stations - Radio Malta 93.7FM, 999AM, Malta's Magic 91.7 FM - University of Malta radio station Campus FM 103.7FM and on Melita Cable TV. It is also available online on bbcworldservice.com.
(BBC World Service Publicity)

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

New 10 kW AIR FM station coming up at Chanchal in Malda district,West Bengal

Jose Jacob informs that the Information and Broadcasting Minister, Mr. Priyaranjan Dasmunsi laid the foundation stone of a new 10 kW FM station of All India Radio at Chanchal in Malda district of West Bengal on 30th Sept,2008. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Dasmunsi expressed the hope that the new station will cater to the needs of new talents of Malda and North Dinajpur districts of North Bengal.
(Photo Courtesy : Press Information Bureau, Govt of India)

Gautam Sharma on VOA Hindi's swan song

Did you tune into Voice of America-Hindi's last transmission via shortwave on September 30, 2008 ???

If not, then ........ Mere Awaaz Hi Meri Pehchan Hai......

Yes, its by this song by Lata Mangeshkar & Bhupendar, Voice of America Hindi bids good bye to listeners via shortwave after nearly 53 years of dedicated service.There was a special programmes containing feedbacks of listeners via letters & also recorded interviews etc of listeners on the closer of VOA Hindi via shortwave. All long time presenters of VOA Hindi Shova Bedi (who is in VOA Hindi for nearly 43 years), Ashok Sarin & others like Nirmala Joshi,Rashmi Sukla,Vijay Lakshmi, Shashi Prakash etc shared their feelings on their association with VOA Hindi's radio transmission. Also VOA Hindi's New Delhi based representative Kanhaiya Lal Nandan aired his feelings etc. I was listening to this transmission via my Grundig YB 400 Rx on 7430 kHz. I was very sad & depressed after listening to this last transmission of VOA Hindi via shortwave. And I recalled my first listening experience VOA-Hindi wayback in 1983 perhaps during one of the most dark period of my home state Assam's history in my materal uncle's residence at nearly 10 years of age. I think its not a fair decision at all. I don't think BBG had taken into account listeners response & feedbacks etc before taking a decision of closing down VOA Hindi's shortwave transmission.

73 & 55
Gautam Kumar Sharma, Assam.

VOA Hindi final transmission

Those who missed the VOA Hindi final transmission can listen online using this link :
http://www.voanews.com/real/voa/sca/hind/hind1600a.ram

OR, can download using this link
http://www.voanews.com/hindi/audio_archive.cfm

All India Radio - DRM Tests

Screen shot of decoded signals during last AIR DRM Test

ALL INDIA RADIO
REGULAR DRM TESTS FROM HPT, KHAMPUR,DELHI
WITH EFFECT FROM 2ND OCT, 2008

Service : VIVIDH BHARATI SERVICE
Time : 0900-1200 UTC (1430-1730 IST)
Allocations for DRM Transmission : D17/DD 6100 kHz (H 2/1/0.2)
Target/ Coverage Area : Within 600 Km range
Parameters :
POWER: 50 kW (7dB below the original analog power)
MODE: B (NVIS)
QAM: 16
INTERLEAVE: L
PROTECTION RATIO: 0.5

Service : GOS-IV/ HINDI/GOS-V
Time : 1745 - 2230 UTC (2315-0400 IST)
Allocations for DRM Transmission : D17/NW 9950 kHz (HRR4/4/0.75)
Target/ Coverage Area : UK & WEST EUROPE
Parameters :
POWER: 50 kW (7dB below the original analog power)
MODE: B
QAM: 64
INTERLEAVE: L
PROTECTION RATIO: 0.6

Reception reports to: spectrum-manager@air.org.in