Clandestine Radio Watch 039

--------------xxxxxxxxxx CRW 039 xxxxxxxxxx--------------

CLANDESTINE RADIO WATCH
December 31, 1999

Clandestine Radio Watch (CRW) is a biweekly report which centralizes
the latest news and developments affecting the study of clandestine
radio in an easy-to-read format. Editions are published Thursday
evening or Friday morning (UTC) through E-mail and are posted on the
CRW web site within 24 hours. Subscription to CRW is free.

CRW is both not-for-profit and non-partisan. We welcome your inte-
rest, input and queries. Contributions, input and support, logs, QSL
verification info, as well as background material can be sent to
either of CRW's editors: New co-editors for CRW are welcome as well.
CRW issues will include parts in English, Spanish and German.

: A.F.Mastrapa : polisci@mindspring.com (Eng., Spa.)
CRW Editors : Martin Schoech : schoechi@gmx.de (Engl., German)
: Nick Grace C.: yb0rmi@hotmail.com(Engl., Indon.)

Next issue - CRW 040 : January 31, 2000

Current and old issues of CRW can be accessed on-line at:
http://www.swl.net/swl-de/swl-cla.html

The base of CRW's data is the Clandestine Radio Intel web:
http://www.clandestineradio.com

------------xxxxxxxxxx Breaking News xxxxxxxxxx----------------

1999 Clandestine Activity Survey
Arutz Sheva raided in Israel

...............................................................

1999 Clandestine Activity Survey

Dec 18, 1999 by Mathias Kropf-D

Clandestine Activity decreases again

In 1999 the activity of political clandestine stations on shortwave
has decreased by 8.7 % to 1116 Weekly Broadcasting Hours (WBHs). This
marks the seventh year of decreasing activity in a row. The highest
activity since this survey has been published (1986) was 2284 WBHs in
1990.

This year, activity on the Asian continent has decreased by 6.5 % to
819 WBHs, activity to target areas on the American continent has
decreased by 7.4 % to 176 WBHs and activity to African target areas
has even dropped by 20.3 % to 114 WBHs. Clandestine stations to
target areas in Oceania are still active with 7 WBHs.

When compared with 12 months ago, the number of active target areas
worldwide has dropped from 19 to 18. While Nigeria and Tajikistan are
no longer active, Sri Lanka is shown active for the first time since
1990.

The three most active target areas worldwide are Iraq with 330 WBHs
(+38 when compared with last year), Cuba with 162 WBHs (unchanged)
and North Korea with 140 WBHs (-98).
(M.Kropf-D Dec 18 for CRW)


Bilanz der Untergrundsendungen 1999: 1999 nahmen die Untergrund-
sendungen auf Kurzwelle um 8,7 Prozent auf 1116 Wochenstunden ab.
Damit ist nun schon im siebten Jahr in Folge ein Rückgang zu
verzeichnen. 1990 waren es noch 2284 Wochenstunden. Nach Kontinenten
ergibt sich folgende Verteilung:
Asien 819 Stunden (-6,5 Prozent), vor allem für den Irak 330 Stunden
(+38 Stunden) und für Korea 140 Stunden (-98 Stunden)
Amerika 176 Stunden (-7,4 Prozent), vor allem für Kuba 162 Stunden
Afrika 114 Stunden (-20,3 Prozent)
Ozeanien 7 Stunden
Untergrundstationen richteten sich 1999 an 18 Länder (1998: 19).
Nigeria und Tadschikistan gehören nicht mehr dazu, dafür aber Sri
Lanka zum ersten Mal seit 1990.
(Mathias Kropf 18.12.1999 via WB in NTT 2000-01b)

...............................................................

ARUTZ 7 RAIDED FOR ILLEGAL OPERATION

Two hundred police officers raided the Arutz 7 studios in Beit El
on Tuesday for illegally operating a radio station on Israeli soil,
THE JERUSALEM POST reported. Police said that Arutz 7 was
broadcasting from its Beit El studio and not merely from a ship off
the coast of Israel as Arutz 7 staff had claimed. According to Israel
Radio, KOL YISRAEL, Police Commissioner Yossi Sadbon said that Arutz
7's broadcasts were interfering with aircraft operations and military
radio channels. The raid followed a general clampdown that began last
May against 70 pirate stations, including religious, secular, Russian
and Arab stations. Police said that Attorney General Elyakim
Rubenstein authorized the raid. According to HA'ARETZ, sources at the
Ministry of Justice said that the police had acted on their own and
possess the authority to oppose pirate radio stations broadcasting in
violation of the law.
During the three hour search of the station, hundreds of Beit El
residents and individuals from surrounding settlements protested
outside. The raid was stopped to avert possible bloodshed after
Commander of the Judea and Samaria District Maj.-Gen. Yitzhak
Aharonivitz, during a conversation with Beit El Rabbi Zalman Melamed,
called Minister of Public Security Shlomo Ben-Ami.
Arutz 7's station manager Ya'akov Katz called Tuesday's raid a
foolish attempt to silence the voice of the nationalist camp in
Israel because of showings in recent polls regarding a possible
withdrawal from the Golan Heights. Knesset Member Shaul Yahalom (NRP)
told Prime Minister Ehud Barak that his party would find it difficult
to remain in the coalition if the station's now legitimate broadcasts
were disrupted. MK Haim Druckman (NRP) advised colleagues to vote
against the state budget, labeling the raid an
anti-democratic scandal.
According to MA'ARIV, the Prime Minister's Office refuted the
allegation that Tuesday's raid was connected in any way to preparing
for a struggle over the Golan Heights.
(Bjarke Vestesen-DNK Dec 29 in HCDX)

------------xxxxxxxxxx Schedules xxxxxxxxxx--------------------

ASIA

9360Radio Free Asia. 1530-1600. 19 de diciembre. 45354 (S9)
Comentario en mandarin (menciona a Camboya) - mx - ID en EE - off @
1600 -la frecuencia no esta señalada en el WRTH, pero en opinion del
colaborador, estaria utilizando el sitio transmisor de Tajikistan.
(S.Micciche & R.Scaglione-I in ConDig 35)



AZERBAIJAN (Nagorno-Karabakh).

9677v, Voice of Justice, still regular here with the same poor
modulation, hardly readable.Noted regularly during the last three
weeks, Wed & Sat at *0600-0635v*. Heavy QRM from RL in RS on 9680.
Fair signal levels, and all prgmng seems to be in Azeri.
(Titarev-UKR in NU 1558)



BELORUSSIA

POLAND R Racja Belorussian via Warsaw 100 kW / 47 degr.
0600-0700 6035 strong co-ch VOA En and Se. 1100-1200 6180 (23322)
very bad propagation 6 MHz. 1900-2000 6165 under SRI/CRI/
NHK/RNChadienne !!!
(OBSERVER-BUL, Ivo Ivanov, Dec 15 via BCDX 445)



CHINA

8300 New Star fue escuchada a las 1600 del 05 de diciembre con
jamming.
(Z.Liangas-GRC in ConDig 33)

11430, New Star Radio, with typical mx item, ID, then slow speed
reading, presumed numbers in CH, 1300-1400 Dec 4 or 5, not on 8300 at
this time.
(Paniview-BLG via Bueschel-D in NU 1557)


Die oppositionelle Stimme Tibets hat am 10.12.1999 mit einer
Viertelstunde in Mandarin-Chinesisch 12.30-12.45 Uhr begonnen. Mit
Wirkung zum 8.12.1999 sendete man Tibetanisch ab 12.15 Uhr auf 9910
und 15650 kHz aus Kasachstan bzw. Tadschikistan. (World Tibet News
via Mizuno Mitsuaki 27.12.1999 via WB in NTT 2000-01b)

9920-KAZ VoTibet from Oslo Norway, 2309-2359*, open carrier with
tones until 2312, three pips and instr. mx prior to opening anmts and
ID by woman at 2315. Long talk progr with closedown anmt at 2358.
Fair. (Richard D'Angelo/FCDX-PA, NU, Dec 18) [at 0100-0145 VoTibet
9920-TJK, 1215-1300 9910-KAZ, 15650-TJK, ed.]
(in BCDX 444)



COLOMBIA

6161v Dic 20 Voz de la Resistencia-Bloque Oriental,1150-,333,aun
aqui,jamming LV del Pueblo
(Y.Gaviria-CLM in ConDig 35)


6261.14, LV de la Resistencia, 1133 Dec 16, apparent s/on with IDs
and anthem, into nx, 1136 a jammer with a moderately strong het began
spinning their VFO up and down arnd the carrier. Possibly faint audio
on the jammer, but the het was more bothersome.At 1045, canned ID
into cmtry, and fading by 1145. (Mohrmann-USA via NU 1557)

6261.15, 1132-1144 Dec 19, ID at tune-in, M&W with anmts, very
Peruvian-like Andean flute mx, anmts about various cities.Fair.
(Moore-USA in NU 1557)

6261.15, 1132-1150 Dec 19, ID at tune-in, talk by woman with brief
bits of mx between items, male vocal at 1148.Poor.
(Kohlbrenner-USA in NU 1557)


La Voz de la Resistencia, FARC clandestine, 6261.12 or so, presumed
with talk and music bits, close het on high side gradually closing in
and lowering pitch; held up past 1205
(G.Hauser-USA in SWDXR 99-79, Dec 23, 1999)



IRAN

6230 Democratic Voice of Iran (tentativa). 1544. 08 de diciembre.
32443 mx (cantos en farsi) - Anuncios: "...Iran ... Iraq ..."
(repetido varias veces) - Seña horaria.
(S.Micciche-ITA in ConDig 33)


5670 Voice of Mujahed, 0140-0148, 23 de diciembre,44444
conversacion enfarsi - Musica,-Anuncio: "...sharia Khomeyni...
Iran..."
(S.Micciche-ITA in ConDig 36)

7072 Sedeye Mojahed tuned in to much better reception Dec 25 and
heard man in Farsi ID as this during the closing annts at 1418*.
Presume this one as I don't know of another stn with this name. Not
much of a problem with the jammer here, but much stronger in
Mauritius judging from the audio file that I got from Mahendra.
Heard same fanfare and IDs today at 1415*.
Very strange, I have never known this stn to hang on to a freq.
Usually they are jumping all around every two to three minutes to
avoid jamming.
(H.Johnson-USA, CDX Dec 26 via BCDX 448)

7072Sedeye Mojahed. Contrary of what I heard on Dec 25 at 1400 here
the reception was not only strong but free from any jamming at 0155 a
long relig chant by man without any musical instrument then annt
probably in Farsi mentioning Ramadan then an another chant of the
same style and after the chant at 0207 a sound like knocking an Iron
plate with an hamme for many times then followed immediately by Azam
[calling for prayer]. And just after that at 0214 probably ID and
fanfare mx and after a short while an ID in En by man as "You are
listening to Baghdad Saudia International" a short mx and went off at
0215.
(M.Vaghjee-MAU, Dec 27 in BCDX 448)


Here's a list of the clandestine stns to IRQ [?]I picked up during
the month of Ramadan:
3900 VO the Iraqi People / VO the Communist Party of IRQ *0400.

4000 Vo the Iraqi Communist Workers *0400 only in Ar, heavy QRM from
3995 DW I guess !

4060 Voice of the Kurdish People -V O the Patriotic Union of
Kurdistan Party. *0400 in Ar parallel 6090.

4085 VO the Iraqi Kurdistan - VO the Kurdish Democratic Party. *0400
in Ar.

4130 Voice of the Kurdish Democratic Socialist Party. I heard them in
Ar 0300 with the ID and Koran followed by nx till 0330 followed by
the Kurdish progr.

4145 Voice of the Kurdish Conservative Party they are on around 0400
Ar progr is on around 0430 Koran chanting and nx.

4250 VO the Kurdish Toilers the Ar progr is at 0345 starting with the
Quran this is new, still no clue after listening to them some times
which party they represent !

4435 I couldn't ID this one they are on at 0330 with the Holy Koran
till 0400 then ID in Kurdish. (any clues)?
(T.Zeidan-EGY, CDX Dec 27 via BCDX 448)



IRAQ

VO Islamic Revol of IRQ in Ar via Iranian txs: 0330-0530 6095K,
6195S, 7235A, 7295S. A=Ahwaz, K=Kamalabad, S=Sirjan.
(OBSERVER-BUL, Ivo Ivanov, Dec 15 in BCDX 445)


3900Sawt ash-Shab al-Iraqi (Voice of People of Iraq, clandestina)
1612-1620. 05 de diciembre. 33343 mx arabe - Comentario anti-Iraq -
ID : "...Iraqi... Amerikiyah..."
(S.Micciche-ITA in ConDig 33)

4755[clandestine] Voice of Iraqi People 1810-1840, annts and local
mx to nx 1827, off 1840 with ID and brief anthem. ID was "Idha'at
sawt al- sha'b al-iraqi, idha'at al-hizb al-shuy'i al-iraqi". Fair
signal, was txing in upper sideband. I was not sure of the ID at
first, put a message out on the hard-core-dx list and received a
reply from Al Bolton at Caversham 20 mins later, proves the value of
being online.
(M.Barraclough-UK, Jan 2 in BCDX 447)



KOREA

4450 26/12,2025-2116 Voice of National Salvation 34243.
Conversacion en coreano. Breve himno. ID. "...Korea" -
(S.Micciche-ITA in ConDig 36)


Korean clandestines.I have been doing some research into the
NoKoreans and also the No and SoKorean clandestines. I will forward
here some of my findings about the clandestines.

KOR to KRE:Echo of Hope - Now on 3985 and 6003, same progr. Heard
opening 0900 or 1100 (more precisely 1057), the later time perhaps on
Sat/Sun, and closing 2100 on 3985. 6003 heard to at least past 1700.
Early morning freqs unchecked so far. Seems not to be jammed.

Voice of the People - 3881 and 3912 heard from 1100 to 2100, with
carrier detectable from well before 1000. Same progr on both freqs.
This stn is jammed by KRE.

KRE to KOR:Voice of Nat Salvation: 1000-1700 on 3481, 4120, 4450,
4557, 6010. 3481 and 4557 are weak. 4450 heard regularly at a fair
level, much interference (intentional?). The site of this one is
unknown, seems not to be affected by the frequent blackouts. 6010
closes at 1400 and is testing on 6240 at 1402, HS progr s-on at 1500.
4120 runs full time and is on 9665 at other times. 6010 and 4120
belong to the Pyongyang group of txers and no doubt are co-located.
They have been badly affected by the recent blackouts. Actually the
stn opens at 0954 with IS, then faked SoKorean s-on at 0955 with
freqs and call letters. S-off is at 1704 after a lengthy anthem (?).
4450 heard again from 1955. Typical SoKorean jammers heard on
3481 and 4120 (same kind regularly heard on MW 1053 in Northern
Lapland).
(O.Alm-SWE, Dec 26 in BCDX 445)

Echo of Hope 3985/6012 again s-on at 1100 today, Monday, so seems to
be a schedule change. Also noted past 2100 last evening on 3985.
(O.Alm-SWE, Dec 27 in BCDX 445)

Echo of Hope 3985 now confirmed s-off at 2300, so the current
schedule is 1100-2300, 2h later than the previous one.
(O.Alm-SWE, Dec 30 in BCDX 446)



KURDISTAN

4130 Voice of Kurdistan, 2042, Dic. 30, con musica de Vangelis,
locutor hablando en arabe con dos ID's huna dengi Kurdistan y luego
el himno y cierre (s/off) a las 2100, seNal 24222
(Z.Liangas-GRC in ConDig 37)

4250Voice of Kurdistan Toilers. 1605-1612.05 de diciembre. 32343
noticias en kurdo - musica kurda - ID: "Voce delle Fatiche del
Kurdistan" (arabe: Sawt at-Ta'ab al-Kurdistan), Es una nueva emisora
kurda? Interferencia de emisora en lengua incomprensible
(S.Micciche-ITA in ConDig 33)

4059.65 Voice of People of Kurdistan . 1540-º1543. 08 de diciembre(//
6980) 44243. Conversacion en kurdo - mx
(Salvo Micciche-ITA in ConDig 33)

6980Voice of People of Kurdistan. 1740-1747. 05 de diciembre.
44454 Charla en arabe: "...Kurdistan ...al-Wataniyah..." - mx - ID:
"sawt al-Kurdistan..." - mx arabe - Comentario anti-Iraq - ID :
"...Iraqi... Amerikiyah..."
(S.Micciche-ITA in ConDig 33)



New NE Clandestine radio stns observed during Ramadan month. Known
stns operated from Kurdistan area on 3880 & 4370; 4000; 4060 & 4085.

Additional increased broadcasts to mention:
3900R Freedom, *1600-1700*.Voice of the People of Iraq
*1730-1840*, and *0400-0600*, all in Ar lang.

4130R Kurdistan *0300-0500* & 1430-1800, *1940-2057* in Ar,
Kurdish.

4140UNIDentified stn in Kurdish, 0340-0420.

4150Voice of Iranian Kurdistan in Kurdish, Ar, Persian, and Jamming
from IRN, *0327-0427*.

4160UNIDentified stn in Kurdish, Ar. 0340-0440 & 1530-1630, the
jingles used on 4160 are same as on 4130.

4250(?Voice of Iranian Toilers?) in Kurdish, Ar & Turkmen?,
0330-0450, 1530-1630.

4290UNIDentified (presumed) VOthe Struggle of Iranian Kurdistan
0350-0420, 1600-1620.

4435UNIDentified 0430-0500.
All observed on Dec 21, 27, 28,29.
(R.Pankov-BUL, Dec 29 in BCDX 447)



PNG

3850R Independence, Bougainville, 1000 with drums and into communal
singing. Heard on 20th Dec and not on every night. Generally weak so
would be good catch from Scandinavia or NoAM.
(D.Norrie-NZL, Dec 30 in BCDX 446)



RUSSIA

7335 Radio Free Chechenia (tentativa). 0315. 20 de noviembre.
Comentario en ¿?. 232
(N.Pugliese-ARG in ConDig 33)

15605R Free Chechnya , 0935 . 05 de diciembre. Transmision en ruso.
A 1000 IS e IDcomo "R Chechnya Svobodna". Noticias. En 11635 llega
con44444y en15605con 44444.
(Z.Liangas-GRC in ConDig 34)

11635Radio Chechniya Svobodnaya (Radio Rossi, // 11650).
1025-1033. 25 de diciembre.45454 mx clasica "russa" (Katchaturan,
Mahler, Marcia Turca...) - Conversacion politica en ruso.
(S.Micciche-ITA in ConDig 36)

(Correction).15335, R. Chechnya Svobodnya:This item should have
read 15355 in NU 1555, and I should have labeled it tentative.
Listened to tape again and cannot say 100% that ID says R. Chechnya
Svobodnaya; does not sound like R. Rossii to me.
(Sgrulletta-USA in NU 1558)

Radiostantsiya Chechnya Svobodnaya continues to provide incongruous
1930s American film tunes, as heard again Monday Dec 27 on 11635 in
the 1311-1330 period, such as In Some Secluded Rendezvous (sung in
English), Tea for Two, some instrumentals I could not name, and
Jealousy. After 1331 into Humoresque and Black Eyes. Fair with
dual-path echo
(G.Hauser-USA in SWDXR 99-81, Dec 27, 1999)



SRI LANKA

7460IBC Tamil, Internat Broadc Corpor London in Tamil lang via
Gavar(Kamo/ARMENIA) tx site at 0000-0100 to SLK, likely En
0050-0100?. 44444.
(W.Bueschel-D Dec 17 in BCDX 444)



SUDAN

8000.7presumiblemente Sawt al-Dimuqratiyah as-Sudan 1750-1803. 05
de diciembre.43454 conversacion en arabe - musica. S/off Según
comenta nuestro colaborador, se trataria de la clandestina desde
Asmara, con transmisiones anti-Sudan
(S.Micciche-ITA in ConDig 33)

8000.8, Voice of Sudan, 1559-1620, 07 de diciembre. Arabe S/ON con
marcha, ID "Huna..."(menciona Sudan),A 1612 musica. Sio 433.
(A.Napolitano-ITA in ConDig 33)

6965 (cland) V of Freedom and Ren 0400, with Sudanese songs ID in Ar
at 0401 "idaat jumhuria sawt sudfaniya" by YL then nearly the same
with "idaat jumhurija - saab sudaniya" by OM. Good signal.
(Z.Liangas-GRC Dec 29 in BCDX 445)



WESTERN SAHARA

1550 R. N. Democratic Sahara (Tinduf, Argelia) . 2120. 09 de
diciembre. 33333 mxen arabe.
(S.Micciche-ITA in ConDig 34)


------------xxxxxxxxxx Logs xxxxxxxxxx-------------------------

UNID

488222/12,2335-2345 UNID (Voice of Mujayed?) 23122 mx oriental.
Transmision en farsi?Voice of Mujayed esta reportada en 4880v
(S.Micciche-ITA in ConDig 35)


3880 COREA? 1925 . 12 de diciembre.Conversacion entre dos lucutores.
Pobre recepcion
(Z.Liangas-GRC in ConDig 34)


4061 No identificada. Anuncia:' .. Kurdistan iraqi' a 2020 del
12.12. Noticias sobre Kurdistan, Iraky Turquia. Musica. .
(Z.Liangas-GRC in ConDig 34)

3880 No identificada // 3912 (V of the people?)Escuchada a las
1953.18 de diciembre.
(Z.Liangas-GRC in ConDig 35)

4434 kHz en Kurdo a1906 el 18 de diciembre.ID como 'Kurdistani
Iraqi' Musica kurda.
(Z.Liangas-GRC in ConDig 35)

------------xxxxxxxxxx QSL Verifications xxxxxxxxxx------------

CHINA

11940 Voice of China, P.O. Box 273538, Concord, CA 94527, Estados
Unidos. Carta QSL con datos completos y tarjeta postal en 50 dias.
(A.Slaen-ARG in ConDig 34)

------------xxxxxxxxxx Miscellaneous xxxxxxxxxx----------------

AFGHANISTAN

UNID Possibly Voice of Shari'ah?7072 in AM, heard from 0237 tune in
25/Dec very weakly with talk in vernacular by mostly YL, interspersed
with music, but too weak to ascertain much.Signed off at 0258, and
carrier off soon after.No idea who this could be, but I do recall
hearing Voice of Shari'ah here last year, about the same time.
(W.Salmaniw-USA Dec 25 in HCDX)


This [unid log above by Salmaniw] could be Takhar Radio from Taloqan
in Northern Afghanistan which BBCM has recently confirmed around
0230-0330 on 7070v. Takhar Radio is run by the anti-Taleban Northern
Alliance.
(D.Kenny-UK Dec 28 in HCDX)


My latest information is that Takhar Radio (Taloquan, Afghanistan) is
being heard on 7000v at 0230-0330, with Voice of Mojahed (from Iraq)
on 7072 around the same time. Mahendra Vaghjee kindly send me an
audio clip of what he heard on 7072 a couple of days ago - after some
talk in Farsi it switched at 0214 to ID in English "This is Baghdad,
Radio Iraq International" !! Probably a mixup on the link from
Baghadad to the transmitter...
(D.Kenny-UK Dec 30 in HCDX)


7000, Takhar Radio, b/cs from the north of Afghanistan in support of
the anti-Taleban Northern Alliance led by Ahmad Shah Masud and
Borhanoddin Rabbani.It can currently be heard in Europe from
0230/0235 till 0330-0335.You can hear a clip of this station s/on
at http://home.clara.net/dkernick/(Dave
Kernick-England,
dkernick@clara.co.uk, rec.radio.shortwave via NU 1558)


7072, unid., moderate level with call to Prayer, into nx at 0220 Dec
31; not squeezed at all, some QRN. (Henderson-USA in NU 1559)


I noted Kabul on Dec 29 (and subsequent days) on MW 1107 during our
local Indian evening, including the regular En slot at 1500-1515
including talk on Islam and Islamic-style choruses sung in En by male
voices -- lyrics such as '(indistinct) AFG, your holy religion is
Islam, your constitution is Koran', closing at 1515 with annt to the
effect: 'thanks for listening, see you again at same time tomorrow'
followed by ID in unknown lang including phrase 'Kabul, AFG'.

Unfortunately signal always fades under co-channel Indian stn when an
En ID should be audible at top of hour, so I'm not sure exactly what
they call themselves now. No trace of them on 7200 which is dominated
by VOIRI Tehran at that time. There is a strong and distorted signal
audible here at 0515- 0600/0645v on 7199.5v, but I've no idea whether
it's them -- working on it.
(Alan Davies, travelling in IND, Dec 29 in BCDX 447)

...............................................................

BELORUSSIA

POLAND.R. Racja:Confirming their daily sked as 0600-0700 on 6035,
1100-1200 on 6180 and 1900-2000 on 6165 (all in Belarusian), BBC
Monitoring notes that all prgms are // their FM fqy of 105.5.
"Racja" means "reason" in Belarusian.This is a Belarusian-lang.
stn
based at Bialystok. Its b/cs are aimed at the Belarusians in Poland
as well as Belarus.The Belarusian Union of the Polish Republic is
majority shareholder in the Racja company.
(BBCM via NU 1556A)

More:There has been some confusion about the name of the stn; the
BBCM interpretation is partly incorrect.R. Racja is the Polish name
of the stn, since it was registered under the Polish b/cing law. The
Belarusian name is Radyyo Ratsyya.
(Trutenau-LTH via BC-DX via NU 1557)


POLAND.R. Racja, new sked, in Belorussian:0500-0600 & 0600-0700
on 6035, 1100-1200 on 6180; 1900-2000 on 6165 is deleted. (R.
Bulgaria "Observer" via Bueschel-Germany)Polish TV rpts that R.
Racja started b/cing in Bialystok, Poland, on 105.5.The rptr said
that at this time R. Racja would b/c daily at 1600-1700 local time
(1500-1600 UTC) in Belarusian with short main information summaries
in Polish.Later it would "gradually increase the amount of airtime
after direct links to Sowlany xmtng center near Bialystok are
established," said the rptr.As the camera showed also
the studio of R. Racja in Bialystok, and an ancr at work, I presume
that they will produce their own prgms, not the same that are
broadcast on SW (the latter are largely produced in Minsk, Belarus).
(Zilionis, DX Editor, R. Vilnius, Lithuania via NU 1559)


6035, R. Racja, 0649-0659* Dec 23, tuned in late on this date and VOA
was off.Hrd a YL with talks in Polish, reference to Chechyna at
0652, at 0655 closing anmts, sked and clear ment. of b/c to Poland.
This was followed by a Polish folk ballad on strings to s/off.VOA
was off on Dec 25, but no sign of Racja. On Dec 26, VOA was on with
the African svc to 0700*.Racja at 0648-0658* with female talks in
Polish, orch. bridge mx (distorted audio and a low hum), 0654 female
with talk, giving some numbers and then playing the same Polish folk
ballad as above to 0658*.On Dec 30, no VOA but nothing hrd other
then a weak carrier.On Dec 31, 0638-0650 with a prgm of broken
talks that were quite distorted at times, short bridges of orch. mx;
signal was hampered by a low audio hum, plus severe QRM from a stn on
6030.VOA s/off at 0631 on Dec 31.I have been staying up late
trying to nail solid details, but, unfortunately, other than the
above, not much else.Anyone have an address for this stn?
(Kusalik-CAN in NU 1559)


LITHUANIA Changes on MW 612 in Vilnius. As of Jan 1, 2000, Progr 2
of Lietuvos Radijas will change freq at its Vilnius site: 612
replaced by 1107, be used with 25 kW of power. There are intentions
to make the same change at the Klaipeda site, but no concrete
decisions have been made so far.

Vilnius 612 with 50 kW of power will be used in the very near future
for relays of R Polonia's bcs in Belarusian daily 1730-1755. It is
highly possible that this will start Jan 1, 2000 as well. Later in
Jan or Feb, relays of RFE-RL bcs in Belarusian are to be added, as
well as relays of R Racja, a Belarusian stn based in Bialystok-POL.

These relays will be made by a new Lithuanian broadcaster R Baltic
Waves, which was licensed in Aug 1999 to use Vilnius MW 612
throughout the year 2000. Radio Baltic Waves plans to add its own
programming later in the year 2000, depending upon financing from
western free speech and human rights foundations.

Radio RACJA starts on 105.5 MHz (off-topic as non-Lithuanian,
nevertheless related to the above) TVP1 (Polish TV) reported today in
its main newscast that R Racja started broadcasting in Bialystok-POL,
on 105.5 MHz. The reporter said that at this time R Racja would
broadcast daily 1500-1600 in Belarusian with short main information
summaries in Polish.

Later, it would "gradually increase the amount of airtime after
direct links to Sowlany txing center near Bialystok are established",
said the reporter. As the camera showed also the studio of R. Racja
in Bialystok, and an announcer at work, I presume that they will
produce own progrs, not the same that are bc on SW (the latter are
largely produced in Minsk, Belarus). (Sigitas Zilionis, DX Editor
dx@is.lt Dec 29)

Lithuanian State Radio & TV (LRT) decided on 3 Jan to reduce
drastically the bc times from 15 Jan-15 Feb as an emergency measure
to cope with the imminent financial crises of the company. During
that time the following schedules will apply:

LR-1: 0400-2200 on FM & 1557, 0400-1800 on 666.
LR-2: no txions*LR-3: no txions

*) The LR-2 MW txs on 612/1107 will however carry relig prgrs on Sun
and live bcs from parliament on Tues & Thurs.

On 1 Jan, the non-commercial Radio Baltic Waves (RBW) [Lithuanian:
Baltijos bangu radijas] started in Vilnius on 612 kHz (50kW). The stn
is aimed at ethnic Belarusians in LTU and listeners in BLR. It
currently is on the air with a relay of R Polonia in Belarusian at
1730-1800.

Later the stn will add further relays of Belarusian language prgrs
(like R Liberty, R Racja) and is planning to air also own prgrs.
Address: P.O.Box 3245, LT-2013 Vilnius.

In connection with the start of RBW, Lithuanian State Radio 2 left
612 kHz in Vilnius and moved to 1107 kHz.
(B.Trutenau-LTU, 5 Jan in BCDX 446)

...............................................................

CHINA

New sked for Voice of Tibet, Dec-22: Tibetan 0100-0145 9920,
1215-1300 9910 15650, 2315-0000 9920, via Alma Ata. Station was set
up by the Oslo-based Worldview International Foundation in
collaboration with the Norwegian Tibet Committee and other human
rights groups. It commenced broadcasts on May-14, 1996, aimed at
Tibetan people both in Tibet and in neighbouring countries. In an
interview, the editor-in-chief described the service as a "voice of
the voiceless people". Programs are produced in Oslo and Dharamasala
(India) and were originally transmitted via FEBA Seychelles. It now
broadcasts over hired facilities in Central Asia. Its Web sites are
http://www.vot.organd http://www.voti.com , where archived audio is
offered in Mandarin and Tibetan.
(BBCM via EDXP 152)

9920, Voice of Tibet via Norway, 2309-2359* Dec 18, open carrier with
tones until 2312, three pips and instr. mx prior to opening anmts and
ID by woman at 2315.Long talk program with closedown anmt at 2358.
Fair.
(D'Angelo/FCDX-PA in NU 1557)

15650, Voice of Tibet, now here ex-15645 at *1215, and noted daily
this past week.9910 occasionally hrd in // for the first ten mins.
or so, but more often is little more than a weak carrier.Also
audible at *2315 on 9920, weak at start, but builds up nicely after
2330.B/c length seems to vary, 55-57 mins., depending on how long
the closing mx is.
(Jones-PRG in NU 1557)

The VoTibet (VOT) radio launched a Ch lang progr sce starting from
Dec 10. The daily 15 mins sce will focus on Tibet related nx and
information in Mandarin.The new sce will start at 1245 and follows
immediately after the end of the present 30 mins Tibetan lang sce,
which will start at 1215.The start of the Tibetan section has
expanded by 10 mins to the 1215 start from 8th Dec.These progrs are
also re-broadcasted the next morning.
(World Tibet News via M.Mitsuaki-JPN, CDX Dec 27 via BCDX 446)

At present on 9910-KAZ, 15650-TJK. 11540-TJK and 15695-KAZ in Tibetan
at 1250, scheduled 1100-1400. On parallel7470 and 9365 only CHN
jamming stns heard.
(W.Bueschel-D, Jan 1 in BCDX 446)

...............................................................

ETHIOPIA

Ethiopian for Democracy 0810-0835, Vn, lang is supposedly Oromo, for
sure I never heard it before. The stn is on air only Suns 0800-0900
as of Dec 26, the only other freq in use is supposed to be 11670 on
Weds 1600-1700 [started Dec 22], mostly African-style mx with annt at
0815, the only words I could make out were 'Demokrati, Meter Band,
Kilohertz', the same annt was repeated a few times, booming signal
with slight fading.
(Thomas Roth-D, Dec 26 in BCDX 445)

21550, came to our attention on Dec 6th, according to R Bulgaria
Monitoring stn, Ivo Ivanov. New relay via DTK Juelich.11670
1600-1700 145 degr Wed only, starts Dec 22. 21550 0800-0900 145 degr
Sun only, starts Dec 26.
(News and observations by OBSERVER-BUL Ivo Ivanov, Dec 6 via BCDX
445)

Clandestine from Germany: Confirmed the Ethiopia for Democracy
broadcast is on 11670 Wednesdays 1600-1700. Announcements in
undetermined language over Horn of Africa music at sign on, slight
echo effect made copy difficult but many mentions of Demokrati.
Mostly music broadcast but announcements in between again mentioning
Demokrati several times. Fair at start with some fading, steady
signal by end of broadcast
(M.Barraclough-UK Dec 29 via GH SWDXR 99-83, Dec 30, 1999)

11670ETHian for Democracy 1620-1659*, vernac political talks,
mentioning Addis Ababa and often "Democracy", folksongs of the
African Horn. SINPO 35444.
(A.Petersen-DEN, Dec 29 )

Perhaps this is the latest incarnation of Radio Voice of One Free
Ethiopia/Voice of Ethiopian Patriotism/Free Radio Voice of Ethiopia
Unity/Voice of United and Free Ethiopia. I believe they all used the
Wed and Sun only schedule via the CIS [to make it clear via Kiev-UKR,
ed]. I think that the ETHiopian Nat Congress backed these previous
operations, but it remains to be seen who is behind this one. No logs
or any nx of these progrs in over a year, but it looks as though they
are still around.
(Johnson-USA, Cumbre Dx, Dec 30)

...............................................................

IRAN

7520, R. International:BBC Monitoring confirms that this is the
same stn that b/c in late 1998 and early 1999 via WWCR. The current
b/cs are "believed to be via a transmitter in C.Asia." They appear to
b/c in support of Ali Javadi, publisher of "Porsesh"
("Question")
journal.Address is:R. International, BM Box 1499, London WC1N
3XX, UK, tel. +44-771-461-1099.Sked is Sun, Tue, Thu, Fri & Sat at
1730-1800 in Persian. (BBC Monitoring)John Campbell notes that "BM"
is British Monomarks, a company which hires out boxes.
(in NU 1556)


Clandestine radio station 7520 kHz in Persian language.

Hello, heard of the monitoring observation results on this frequency
today: Daily exc Mon & Fri 1730-1800 UTC f = 7520 kHz.

On Dec 16th German monitoring stns verified some direction finding
measurements [acc to DW sources]:
determined coordinats 46N38, 30E58. -- That means MIDST between
Grigoriopol Maiac-MDA and Nikolayiv Kopani-UKR. I don't know from
what location that transmission coming from, most likely from MDA,
when I take some inaccuracy in consideration. Also UKR served some
ETH clandestine transmissions in the past: I remember me on approx.
9920 kHz KIEV outlet few years ago, 160 degrs towards Horn of Africa
target. (W.Bueschel-D Dec 18 for CRW)

About a direction finding exercise by Deutsche Welle monitoring
[station Bockhacken], which pinpointed the origin of R International
on 7520 as G.C. 46N38 and 30E58, just east of Tiraspol, so these is
almost definitely still Grigoriopol. By the way, a few years ago
R Pridnestrovye used 7520 for a daily Russian-lang bc, perhaps
indicating that especially the 235 and 250 degrees aerials are
indeed capable to beam also reverse to 55 and 70 degrees, respectively.
(K.Ludwig-D, Dec 19 in BCDX 444)

7520, R. International, *1730-1759* Dec 27, 1000 Hz tones at 1725,
then s/on with clear ID for "R. International" followed by talks in
Farsi, prgm features and mx bridges, one selection played in EG by
Whitney Houston. S/off consisted of clear ID, then tel. numbers twice,
E-mail address, final closing selection. Signal was fair-good on this
date. Also at *1729-1750 Dec 30, much poorer rcpn, similar details with
nice orch. melody used for s/on, then ID in Farsi with political comtry
by M&W. (Kusalik-CAN in NU 1559)

...............................................................

KURDISTAN

Voice of the Struggle of Iranian Kordestan
(Kurdish: "Aira Dangi Khabati Kurdistani Iran") has been observed
intermittently since 1988. Programmes are hostile to the Iranian
government. Frequencies are subject to variation. Frequencies used
in the past include: 7435, 7000, 5080 and 4185 kHz. Current schedule:
1600-1700 Daily KURDISH MEDom 4.290
(BBCM Dec 15 via WOR 1016 via GH SWDXR 99-75, Dec 17, 1999)

...............................................................

VIETNAM

9930, Que Huong Radio via KWHR, *1532-1630* Dec 18, s/on with martial
mx/fanfare and opening anmts in VT, prgm of political talks and reform
for Vietnam. Gave California address and website/E-mail (see NU 1552)
at the close by female speaker. Initial rcpn was fair, with QRM from
VOA in EG *1530-1600*, but gradually improved to very good by s/off.
(Kusalik-CAN in NU 1558)

Que Huong Radio (2670 S. White Road, Suite 165, San Jose, California 95148,
USA; (408) 223-313-T 0, F 1; e-Mail: qhradio@aol.com ,
http://www.quehuongmedia.com ) sendet seit
1.1.2000 nach folgendem erweiterten Sendeplan für Vietnam:
13.00-13.59 Uhr (14.00 Uhr MEZ) 9930 kHz Montag-Donnerstag
23.00-23.59 Uhr (00.00 Uhr MEZ) 17510 kHz Montag-Samstag
Que Huong Radio ist der Radioableger einer südvietnamesischen
Exilzeitung, der lokal in San Jose auf 1120 kHz zu hören ist und seit
November 1999 über KWHR Hawaii auch auf Kurzwelle sendet. Seinerzeit
sendete man montags bis samstags 15.30-16.00 Uhr am Schluss eines
Programmblocks für Vietnam, nun sendet man vor dem US-amerikanischen
Auslandsdienst Radio Free Asia.
(L.Maes 30.12.1999, von HjB ergänzt via NTT 2000-01b)

As of January 1, 2000, Que Huong Radio will expand its transmissions
on shortwave as follows: - Monday to Thursday from 1300 to 1359 UTC
on 9930 kHz - Monday to Saturday from 2300 to 2359 UTC on 17510 kHz
Programmes are in Vietnamese and broadcast from [KWHR] Hawaii towards
Vietnam. If you are looking for air-time on shortwave, be sure to
check http://www.air-time.org .
(L.Maes-BEL Dec 30 via GH SWDXR 99-83, Dec 30, 1999)

------------xxxxxxxxxx Sources xxxxxxxxxx----------------------

Thanks to the following contributors : Ludo Maes, Mathias Kropf

Source Abbreviations:

ACH: Anti-Castro Historiography-USA
A-DX : A-DX-mailing list-Austria
BBCM : BBC Monitoring-UK
BCDX : Broadcast DX-Germany
CDX: Cumbre DX-USA
ConDig : Conexion Digital-Argentina
CRW: Clandestine Radio Watch
GAT: Gatflash-Italy
SWDXR: Hauser's SW DX Report-USA
HCDX : Hard-Core-DX-mailing list
JPM: Japan Premium-Japan
KWWH : Kurier mit wwh-Germany
NU : Numero Uno-USA
PDX: Play DX-Italy
TFW: The Four Winds Online-Italy

BBCM items are Copyright BBCM 1999.
DIRECT items are Copyright Hans Johnson 1999.
______________________________________________________