New from Radio Australia: "Five Minutes to Midnight"

The University of Melbourne's "Asialink Centre" [sic] promotes understanding of the countries of Asia and creates links with Asian counterparts.

Radio Australia has begun to air a series of lectures entitled "Five Minutes to Midnight", dealing with the Doomsday Clock, established in 1947 at the University of Chicago to reflect concerns over the risk of nuclear war.

Radio Australia's Roger Broadbent tells me the second lecture in the serieswas recorded a couple of weeks ago, and will go to air this coming weekend.

Broadcast times are:
Friday 20 July @ 2330 UT (Asia/Pacific & OnLine)

Saturday 21 July @ 1030 UT (Asia & OnLine - the Pacific will hear coverage of a Rugby Union game between Australia & NZ)

Sunday 22 July @ 0230 & 0530 (OnLine only)

Sunday 22 July @ 1130 UT (World Radio Network - North America stream)

(BTW - the morning SW service we hear in North America is the Pacific service).

MP3 & Podcast - of both lectures is available on the Radio Australia website at:
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/fivemins/

As you may know, Five Minutes to Midnight refers to planetearth's current position on the Doomsday Clock, based on nuclear,environmental and technological threats. The clock ticked forward two minutes in January 2007, due to climate change.

The second lecture in this three part series is titled: "Terrorism as a Family Activity: Understanding Jemaah Islamiyah's Social Ties", presented by Sidney Jones of the International Crisis Group (ICG).

July 2007: NASWA "Easy Listening" column

The best new program on shortwave in many years?

Radio Netherlands’ The State We’re In

For years, Jonathan Groubert has been increasingly associated with high-quality, award-winning programming from Radio Netherlands; most recently, he was the host of the weekly EuroQuest magazine show. Several months back, Radio Netherlands announced that EuroQuest would be ending, and Jonathan was in the process of developing a new series for Radio Netherlands. That series debuted at the end of May, and Radio Netherlands has clearly invested a significant portion of its talent to create what is now termed its “flagship” program, The State We’re In. No matter how you listen, The State We’re In is one of the most interesting new public broadcasting programs created in recent memory; what’s even better is that Radio Netherlands still uses shortwave to get the program to us in North America. Hooray!

So, why the hubbub? The program itself is about “…how we treat each other…;” the subtitle for the program is “Human rights, Human wrongs, and what we do about them.” The State We’re In is a magazine program; it runs roughly 50 minutes each week, with a series of stories each running 5-10 minutes each; several of the stories surround a common theme. The theme for the June 30^th edition of The State We’re In is Religion; the theme a week prior was Adoption.

One of the reasons The State We’re In impresses is that several well-known members of the Radio Netherlands team in addition to Jonathan Groubert participate in each wek’s program. Eric Beauchemin, who produces the majority of Radio Netherlands’ weekly documentaries, takes a look at human rights stories in the news over the past week in one segment; Michelle Ernsting (Sound Fountain) is the program’s editor, Dheera Sujan (Sound Fountain, Vox Humana), Marnie Chesterton (The Research File, Newsline), Marijke van der Meer, Fiona Campbell, Hélène Michaud (A Good Life, Documentaries), Tim Fisher (Euro Hit 40), and Bertine Krol (Dutch Horizons) all are regular contributors. Another interesting name in each week’s credits is Jim Russell. No, you won’t recognize his name from any Radio Netherlands programming; Russell was the creator of the USA public radio program Marketplace, and now provides consulting services to public radio organizations in the area of program creation; he’s credited as a Creative Consultant for The State We’re In.

I like this program a lot. The first reason is the host: It's clear Jonathan Groubert has done this before -- he has a remarkably relaxed air about him as host and interviewer. He also asks questions they way that one would ask questions of someone in a pub -- as in, "now, wait a minute, why do you believe what you believe?" He has me saying to myself, "that's how I would chat with that person if I were in his shoes..." Hearing people like Eric Beauchemin, Michelle Ernsting, Chris Chambers, and other longtime Radio Netherlands presenters along with Jonathan G., in the same program is impressive, knowing the skill and capabilities all of this team bring to the radio craft.

Program subjects are frequently topical from a newsworthy sense – for example, much focus in the program’s first month has been on the Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip. While these subjects are broadly relevant, they are simultaneously intimate, using one-on-one interviews and profiles to help paint a highly personal picture of the subject being explored. Two weeks back, Jonathan interviewed a Gaza-born, Gaza-based journalist, who daily risked his life to take video and produce reports for outside broadcasters. Jonathan helped you get to know the individual as well as the overall sense of despair that currently pervades Gaza; this intimate, one-on-one approach reminds me of another personal favorite program, the CBC’s As It Happens.

You would think that a program with human rights as its major theme could consistently dreary on a regular basis, but The State We’re In regularly mixes in stories that inspire the listener. For example, in the June 16^th edition, which had “Press Freedom” as its theme, there was a story about a 24-year-old citizen journalist in rural Darfur, Sudan who publishes a magazine about the local region that is – literally – posted on a tree in the center of town. Others post comments and corrections on the stories she writes; she adds them to the stories she “posts” on the tree. The woman’s initiative, and dedication, are unique given the day-to-day challenge faced by refugees in Darfur.

The State We’re In airs on shortwave to North America at 1100 Saturdays (11675 kHz), 2000 Saturdays (15315, 17735, 17660 kHz), plus 0000, 0100 and 0400 Sundays, on 9845 kHz (0000, 0100) and 6165 kHz (0400). Additional midweek airings of an edited 30-minute version can be heard 1130 Tuesdays (11675), 0027 and 0127 Wednesdays (9845), plus 0430 (6165).

In addition to the shortwave airings, listeners to the World Radio Network in North America via Sirius satellite radio or local rebroadcast can hear the long-version of The State We’re In Saturdays 1200 and 2200, plus Sundays 1900; WRN listeners can hear the midweek edition Tuesdays 1230 and 2229.

On the internet, The State We’re In can be streamed on-demand and can be downloaded in an MP3 file. A podcast version is also available. Prior editions, so far, can be listened to in their entirety, or can be downloaded by individual story. Radio Netherlands’s English language service is also available 24 hours per day in a live stream; the live stream schedule is shown at http://www.radionetherlands.nl/listeningguide/how_to_listen_namerica, and link to the live stream is provided on that page.

Radio Netherlands isn’t the only organization behind The State We’re In; the Washington, DC-based public radio station WAMU is also shown as a sponsoring organization, though The State We’re In doesn’t appear yet on WAMU’s schedule.

As one might expect for a newly-launched program, the website for The State We’re In offers several opportunities for listener interaction. You can reach the website for The State We’re In via the usual Radio Netherlands website (http://rnw.nl), but the program also has claimed its own domain, http://www.thestatewerein.org. The website offers a forum (which wasn’t operating when I recently checked it) and a chance to pose a query or conundrum to Shabnam Ramaswamy, a young Indian woman who has demonstrated Solomon-like justice without benefit of legal training nor official status; her approach is even supported by the local police.

Other new Radio Netherlands programming

There have been other changes to Radio Netherlands’ programming in addition to the launch of The State We’re In. Here’s a rundown of other programming that joined the Radio Netherlands schedule as of the end of March

Flatlanders

This is a program featuring conversations with people who have a connection with the Netherlands; I outlined this program in the April Easy Listening column. Flatlanders airs on shortwave at 1130 on Thursdays; 0027, 0127 and 0427 on Fridays; 1900 Saturdays, and 0000 Sundays.

Echoes

This is a weekly 15-minute listener-comment / “mailbag” program, hosted by Mindy Ran. One segment consists of commentary from Perro de Jong. Most of the letters are simply read in the studio; some comments from Yours Truly on The State We’re In were aired in the June 23^rd edition of the program. Echoes airs to North America Saturdays at 1942, Sundays at 1142 and 2042, plus Mondays at 0042, 0142 and 0442.

Arts & Culture

This is mostly a mix of art- and culture-focused features that previously aired in either Vox Humana or as a Documentary; shortwave air times to North America include Wednesdays 1130, plus Thursdays 0027, 0127, and 0430. Once each month, a newly-produced series, Radio Books, airs in this timeslot; Radio Books is an eclectic collection of short stories by Dutch and Flemish writers presented for the first time in English translation. Radio Books will become a weekly feature as of the Winter 2007 schedule.

Other programs currently on the Radio Netherlands schedule previously discussed here include Network Europe, Research File, Amsterdam Forum, and the daily Newsline current affairs program. All these programs can be heard in Radio Netherlands’s daily shortwave broadcasts targeting North America, as well as via the World Radio Network, live webcast, on-demand streaming, and podcast.

As you review this list, you’ll see some familiar programs are no longer aired: Documentaries, A Good Life, Vox Humana, Dutch Horizons, and EuroQuest have all ceased (or possibly just suspended) production. This certainly gives further emphasis to the importance of The State We’re In on the Radio Netherlands schedule.

Other summertime changes

Radio Australia

The University of Melbourne's Asialink Center promotes understanding of the countries of Asia and creates links with Asian counterparts. Radio Australia has begun to air a series of lectures entitled Five Minutes to Midnight, dealing with the Doomsday Clock, which was established in 1947 at the University of Chicago to reflect concerns over the risk of nuclear war.

The initial MP3 file from the program is available, and one can subscribe to a podcast, but the program doesn't appear in the program schedules offered at the Radio Australia website. It appears to be a very occasional series, airing once per month or less. I’ll update the schedule via the NASWA Flashsheet, my blog (http://intlradio.blogspot.com) and the swprograms list.

Canada’s CBC Radio One

While the CBC’s domestically-produced English language spoken-word programming is no longer aired on shortwave, many shortwave enthusiasts still listen to the CBC via its online streaming and Sirius satellite radio outlets.

The CBC traditionally puts several regular series on hiatus, and launches new series or brings back old ones for a repeat performance. I tend to miss these, but this year I have made notes on them just as the CBC’s summer season has started. Here’s what you can expect from now through September 2^nd that’s different:

Afghanada, August 6^th – August 31^st: This widely-regarded dramatic series that probes the war in Afghanistan through the eyes of Canadian soldiers. Every day, Canadian soldiers on the ground confront the chaos and violence of life in Afghanistan. Afghanada offers a grunts’-eye-view of the conflict, mirroring events currently taking place overseas. Airs Weekdays 1130 AM local time (see notes below); Afghanada is not on the Sirius satellite radio schedule.

All The Rage: Steven Page (of the Barenaked Ladies rock group) takes an entertaining look at fads and trends through the ages…and uncovers the surprising ways they connect to our lives today. Tuesdays 730 PM and Saturdays 11 AM, local time; Saturdays 1400, Sundays 0000, Tuesdays 2230 and Wednesdays 0230 (all times UTC) on Sirius Satellite Radio.

Climate Currents: Anna Maria Tremonti distills some of the highlights of The Current's climate change coverage into a compelling series of portraits of the people and places affected by climate change and provocative discussions of the issues Canada and the rest of the world will have to deal with. Mondays at 930 AM and Thursdays 730 PM local time; Mondays 1230 and 1530, plus Thursdays 2230 and Fridays 0230 on Sirius.

Crossing Boundaries: 30-minute documentaries from sources we know well: Radio Netherlands, the BBC World Service, New Zealand’s National Radio, and Australia’s Radio National. Tuesdays 330 PM local time (some locations) and Sundays 730 PM local time (830 PM in Atlantic Canada, 900 PM in Newfoundland); Tuesdays 0830 and Sundays 2230 on Sirius.

Destination Wellsville: A weekly half-hour show tracking the personal journey of Canadians in one community as they to get and stay healthy. From deciding on the right cancer treatment - to trying to get fit - we follow the people of Kentville, Nova Scotia on one leg of their on-going effort to stave off the inevitable. Airs Thursdays 930 AM and Sundays 1130 PM, local time; not aired on Sirius.

Feeling The Heat: A new program that inspires Canadians to get serious about the environment. Feeling the Heat will provoke passionate debate and showcase a world of innovation in the fight to keep our planet healthy and livable. Airs Fridays 930 AM local time; Fridays 1230 and 1530 on Sirius.

Festival of Funny: This program brings you the best standup comedy in the country from the stages of the CBC Winnipeg Comedy Festival and the Ha Festival in Halifax. Saturdays 1130 AM local time; Saturdays 1430 and Sundays 0030 on Sirius.

Flavour Of The Week: Explore a new culinary flavour with people who know how to make the most of it! Salt, Peppers, Vanilla, Durian, Saffron, Sambal, Kim Chee, Lemongrass, Bay leaves…the list goes on! Social and cultural references to literary, scientific and historical facts are explored. Wednesdays 330 PM (some locations) Fridays 730 PM local time; Wednesdays 2030, Thursdays 0230, Fridays 2230, and Mondays 0130 on Sirius.

White Coat, Black Art: Dr. Brian Goldman takes listeners through the swinging doors of hospitals and doctors' offices, behind the curtain where the gurney lies. It's a biting, original and provocative show that will demystify the world of medicine. Doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals will explain how the system works, and why, with a refreshing and unprecedented level of honesty. Wednesdays, 930 AM and Sundays 11 AM local time; Wednesdays 1230 and 1530, plus Sundays 1300 and 1800 on Sirius.

Times shown as “local times” apply to the various live streams offered by the CBC; live streams include five of Canada’s six time zones (Atlantic, Eastern, Central, Mountain, Pacific). This corresponds to a range of UTC-3 to UTC-7; you can select relevant live streams at http://www.cbc.ca/listen/index.html. All times shown for Sirius satellite radio are UTC.

There are a few others I didn’t have space for – check out additional details at http://www.cbc.ca/radiosummer/index.html.

Hope your summer brings you good listening – use the time to fix those outdoor antennas, and remember to unplug those antennas when thunderstorms are nearby!

See you next month – 73 DE Richard

Re: [Swprograms] WNYC's Selected Shorts Now Avail as Podcast

This continues a trend of public radio programming migrating from the
audible.com paysite to stations' or programs' own websites.

"Car Talk" is now podcast free of charge, as is "Marketplace" -- there
may be others as well.

Most of the ABC's "Radio National" programs are also podcast; DW has
also increased its podcast offerings. The BBC (Radio 4, World
Service) has not recently augmented its podcast capabilities, though
much of the documentary archive can now be downloaded. A larger
inventory of BBCWS documentaries is available via podcast at the
"Changing World" site maintained by PRI for the remarketing of the
BBCWS documentaries; see http://www.thechangingworld.org/.

Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA

On 5/14/07, Chet C <chetcope2@yahoo.com> wrote:
> WNYC's Selected Shorts Now Avail as an NPR Podcast!

<snip>
> Previously Selected Shorts was downloadable only via Audible.com (paysite).

>

cNet perspective: "Is Uncle Sam serious about Sirius-XM?"

See here.

As one might expect, this is pro - "wide competitive landscape" --
that Satellite Radio isn't a market unto itself.

Key quote: "What is most important now for sound communications
policy is to move beyond classifying and regulating services based on
the particular technology or slice of spectrum used for distributing
the service. Whether evaluating the competitive impact of a particular
merger or deciding whether to jettison archaic, unduly burdensome
regulations devised during an earlier, generally monopolistic analog
era, the important question should be: do consumers have reasonable
alternative choices in the marketplace?"

As one who is about to switch off his satellite radio subscription due
to lack of use -- I have an inventory of podcasts and downloaded
programs I listen to in the car -- I agree that there are many
reasonable alternative choices, each with their own strengths and
weaknesses.

Richard Cuff

"Future of Radio" -- Harry Helms interview in Monitoring Times

I'm back... hopefully (yet again!) I'll publish here more often as the year goes on.

I am sure many fans of shortwave radio remember the name Harry Helms -- principally as the author of Shortwave Listening Guidebook. In more recent times, Harry has authored a blog, called "The Future Of Radio", which challenged much of the traditional thinking in the role of shortwave radio as an international broadcasting medium targeting North America.

Harry's health required him to end production of the blog this past August, but the Internet Archive provides at least a partial history of his musings.

A good example of Harry's position taken from an archived page of his blog: "I've made the point here before that podcasting, internet streaming, and satellite radio are far better suited for reaching audiences in developed nations than shortwave."

A phone interview with Harry is carried in the April 2007 issue of Monitoring Times magazine. It summarizes much of Harry's thinking in this area.

Longtime shortwave enthusiasts will not enjoy what Harry has to say, but when you couple what he says with the trends identified in the recent PBS Frontline documentary series News War, if you put yourself in the shoes of a broadcaster trying to reach a North American audience, you can see why there is movement away from shortwave.

Good food for thought.

Richard

Another promising "Internet Radio"

Kevin Kelly, who runs the fine Public Radio Fan website, has had good things to say about the Slim Devices Squeezebox -- it's marketed as a "Network Music Player" but frankly is also an Internet Radio -- not limited specifically to music.

Might be worth checking out as well -

Richard

Shameless Cross-Promotion: Winter SWL Fest

The 20th (!) Winter SWL Fest is this coming March 8th - 10th, 2007 at the Best Western -- Inn At Towamencin in Kulpsville, Pennsylvania.

It's North America's largest annual gathering of shortwave radio enthusiasts... for more information visit the Fest website.

We also have a Fest blog as well.

Hope to see many of you in Kulpsville!

Richard

Internet Radio -- finally ready for prime time?

When web audio started becoming feasible in the late 1990s, there was plenty of hope that an "Internet appliance" could be developed that could be "tuned" like a radio.

Now, with broadband Internet and WiFi networks becoming the norm, it appears the concept of Internet radio has become real; one can get themselves started for as little as $150.

There appear to be two good choices out there -- The Roku Labs SoundBridge and the Acoustic Energy WiFi Radio both appear to provide the capability to use your WiFi connection to access streaming audio services without being tethered to a computer.

The SoundBridge also streams digital audio files from your computer; its biggest detriment is that it can't stream in RealAudio format, one of the more widely used formats in digital audio (and the one most used by the BBC World Service). This week RokuLabs is selling the M1000 for only $149, a verrry temping price.

Meanwhile, the Acoustic Energy (AE) product is designed to be like a radio out of the box -- it is not designed as a gizmo to interface with your MP3 collection. Acoustic Energy appears to be well regarded for its speakers as well, suggesting the AE product may hold the edge in audio quality. Acoustic Energy is based in the UK; I've seen the AE radio priced from $225 - $299 on sites listed at Froogle; C. Crane, a shortwave vendor, sells it for $299.95. The Acoustic Energy radio is compatible with RealMedia formats.

Would I get more enjoyment out of an Eton X1 than one of these? Tough call...I'm not so sure that's the case, primarily because I already have a decent Sony '2010.

So if you see Santa...

BBC World Service now 24/7 -- thanks to HD radio

High definition radio appears to be finally taking off in the USA. As most know, the USA's approach is "in-band, on channel", or IBOC, which doesn't utilize additional spectrum space.

One of the consequences of HD radio is that stations can air multiple channels of programming within their existing frequency bandwidth. The greatest number of channels I've seen for a single station so far is 3.

My web wanderings have turned up 3 public radio stations that offer the BBC World Service 24 hours per day:

WMUB, Oxford, Ohio (between Dayton and Cincinnati)

KNOW, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN

KUOW, Seattle/Tacoma, WA

It has long been the dream of the BBC World Service to gain 24/7 access to leading USA cities, and it appears that for some, HD radio might do the trick.

Those who took the plunge into satellite radio in order to hear the BBCWS 24/7 might want to ask their local public radio stations to consider offering the BBCWS as one of their HD side channels. It might enable you to drop your satellite radio subscription.

Radio Canada International's new mandate

I mentioned this in the Easy Listening column posted on November 25th that RCI now has Canadian immigrants, along with prospective immigrants, as part of its mandate. This is the first time I believe an international broadcaster has specifically targeted a domestic audience.

Others will mention that Radio Sweden and YLE Radio Finland have relayed shortwave broadcasts to a domestic audience, but that was just an adjunct to the primary mission of serving an international audience.

This is different, because RCI is specifically targeting immigrants.

Longtime listeners are apprehensive about this, as it's a big change, and the new program clearly targets a younger demographic than before. IMO it's worth giving the new RCI ("RCI Viva") a chance to find its sea legs.

November 2006 "Easy Listening" Column

Key Seasonal Changes

Radio Canada International

The most significant development in terms of seasonal changes this October is the revamping of Radio Canada International’s program schedule. As I mentioned in the October column, RCI ended most of its weekday RCI-produced programming as of September 29th, replacing it temporarily with a one-hour version of Canada Today that was not differentiated for the various regions where it was targeted.

We now know what the new programming will be, though we don’t have detailed descriptions yet; we do know the frequencies and air times, however. Most significantly for us in North America, we’ll hear the new programming during the broadcasts that target our part of the world, unlike the prior programming roster.

Importantly, RCI’s reason for existence has been tweaked somewhat. RCI is now chartered with reaching new immigrants to Canada in Canada – in addition to reaching foreigners, with an important subset of those being foreigners considering emigration to Canada. Exactly how these new Canadians will be able to receive this new program isn’t clear, for now, the only alternatives for Canadian listeners are Sirius satellite radio subscribers, who can hear the program on the Sirius RCI Plus channel, #188, along with on-demand and live streaming audio.

The new weekday program runs two hours (!) each day, though the only region that will get both hours on shortwave is North America; other regions will only get the second hour on shortwave. This new program is entitled The Link, which is a double play on words: The Link serves as a link to Canada for those who are new to the country, and The Link serves as Canada’s link to listeners around the world. In addition to shortwave and Sirius airings, The Link will also be streamed live and on-demand at RCI’s website, http://www.rcinet.ca.

Like Canada Today, The Link will be a magazine-style program, with a varying mix of news, feature stories and music. Listener participation is encouraged, both via the phone and via e-mail. The toll-free phone number is 866-202-0145; e-mail comments, music requests, and questions regarding Canada are encouraged via the e-mail address thelink@rcinet.ca.

There is a second new RCI program joining the schedule, entitled Blink. This is a one-hour weekend compilation of the best of The Link. Clever, eh?

New to RCI and the CBC is a 12-week drama series, Afghanada, about four soldiers in the Canadian army in Afghanistan. This replaces Monsoon House.

With The Link now joining the North American shortwave schedule, we will lose the shortwave relay of the domestic CBC-produced The Current, along with the (presumed) last half-hour of Sounds Like Canada. These shows will remain on the CBC Radio One schedule and can be heard via webcasts and Sirius satellite radio beyond Canada’s borders.

Here’s how the new RCI schedule shakes out, sorted by time:

0000-0057 to SE Asia (9880): Monday, Maple Leaf Mailbag; Tuesday-Saturday, The Link (2nd hour); Sunday, Blink

0000-2000 to EUS / Caribbean / Mexico (9755): Monday, The World This Weekend, Wiretap, Maple Leaf Mailbag; Tuesday-Saturday, The Link (both hours); Sunday, The World This Weekend, Afghanada, Blink

0100-0157 to India (5840, 5970): Monday, Maple Leaf Mailbag; Tuesday-Saturday, The Link (2nd hour); Sunday, Blink

1200-1300 to China (7105, 9665): Monday, Writers & Company; Tuesday-Saturday, Ideas; Sunday, Quirks & Quarks

1400-1700 to EUS, CUS, Caribbean, South America (9515, 13655, 17820): Monday-Friday, The Link, Sounds Like Canada; Satuday, Blink, Vinyl Café, Quirks & Quarks; Sunday, Maple Leaf Mailbag, The Sunday Edition

1430-1500 to Eastern & Central Europe (7240 DRM): Monday, Maple Leaf Mailbag; Tuesday-Saturday, The Link (2nd hour); Sunday, Blink

1500-1557 to India (9635, 11870, 11975): Monday-Friday, The Link (2nd hour); Saturday, Blink; Sunday, Maple Leaf Mailbag

1800-1900 to Sub-Saharan Africa (7185, 11875, 13650, 15365, 17740): Monday-Friday, The Link (2nd hour); Saturday, Blink; Sunday, Maple Leaf Mailbag

2100-2300 to Southeastern USA, Cuba, Haiti (15180): Monday-Friday, Freestyle; Saturday, Definitely Not the Opera; Sunday, Cross Country Checkup

2100-2200 to Europe (5850, 9770): Monday-Friday, The Link (2nd hour); Saturday, Blink; Sunday, Maple Leaf Mailbag

2200-2300 to Northeastern USA (9800 DRM): Monday-Friday, The Link (2nd hour); Saturday, Blink; Sunday, Maple Leaf Mailbag

2300-0000 to Eastern USA, Cuba, Haiti (6100): Monday-Friday, The World At Six, As It Happens; Saturday, The World This Weekend, Afghanada; Sunday, The World This Weekend, Wiretap

RCI will continue to offer live 24/7 streaming, but schedules were not available as of deadline.

Radio Slovakia International

Quick – name the first significant international broadcaster to return to shortwave following the shutdown of its shortwave service…it’s Radio Slovakia International, which comes back on air as of October 29th.

Frequencies and times for English language program for the Americas include 0100-0130, 7230 kHz (North America), and 9440 (South America); you might also try 1730-1800 on 5915 and 6055 kHz, targeting Western Europe, as well as 1930- 2000 on 5915 and 7345, also targeting Western Europe.

RSI’s daily 30-minute magazine programs contain news from Slovakia, features on the Slovak economy, science, culture, geography, environment, sports, the arts, and extended interviews. Make sure you zap a note to RCI welcoming them back to shortwave; their e-mail addresses are groch@slovakradio.sk (Michael Groch) and miller@slovakradio.sk (Pete Miller).

Radio Netherlands

Not too much new to report for Radio Netherlands; there are no programs leaving or entering the English schedule. The shortwave schedule changes somewhat, as the 1100 UT release moves to 1200, and the 0400 release moves to 0500. Some shortwave frequencies also change; here are the details of frequencies and programs targeting North America:

0000-0100, 0100-2000, and 0500-0600 (6165): Amsterdam Forum and Dutch Extra (Mon), Newsline (Tue-Sat), Research File (Tue), EuroQuest (Wed), Documentary (Thu), Dutch Horizons (Fri), A Good Life (Sat), Weekend Connection and Vox Humana (Sun)

1200-1300 (11675): Newsline (M-F), Research File (M), EuroQuest (Tue), Documentary (Wed), Dutch Horizons (Thu), A Good Life (Fri), Weekend Connection and Vox Humana (Sat), Amsterdam Forum and Dutch Extra (Sun)

1900-2000 (15315, 15525, 17725): Dutch Horizons and Weekend Connection (Sat), Vox Humana and Documentary (Sun)

2000-2100 (15315, 15525, 17725): Vox Humana and Weekend Connection (Sat), Amsterdam Forum and Dutch Extra (Sun)

All of Radio Netherlands’ programming can be streamed on-demand, and can also be downloaded or podcast; visit the Weekly Archive section of the website for the latest editions of each program. It appears that eight weeks’ worth of the weekly programs are maintained in the RNW podcast inventory.

BBC World Service

There aren’t significant changes in the World Service program schedule, though the BBC tends to shift programming to match the summer time – winter time shifts in the target regions. If you listen to programming targeting the Americas or Europe, programming will shift ahead one hour; the Africa streams are not shifted in UTC timings. Expect some frequency changes; I haven’t seen those posted yet.

BBC World Service Highlights

In lieu of detailed frequency listings, upcoming programs are possible interest are listed under the day of the week when they first go to air. The BBC’s website lists original and repeat air times for each program in each of the BBC’s global regions; see http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/programmes/programme_times/a_d.shtml for details.

Wednesdays, beginning November 8th: A new four-part series of Heritage, the programs about archaeology and history, begins in the Wednesday Documentary timeslot – the series is titled The Archaeology of Patriotism and explores the making of US patriotism, visiting sites that help to explain to foreigners why Americans are so patriotic. Excavations of the first Jamestown settlement are the initial focus; the program later visits Independence Hall in Philadelphia; the little known industrial museum site in New Haven, Connecticut, where Eli Whitney experimented with an early form of mass production; Ellis Island in New York Harbor, and Williamsburg, the 18th century town that John D. Rockefeller rescued and restored in the 1920s. Malcolm billings returns as the host of the series.

Saturday, November 11th: BBC World Drama (formerly Play of the Week) presents Small Talk: Big Picture – ten writers from 10 different countries around the world have each been commissioned to write a 10 minute play as part of a joint project between BBC World Service and London’s Royal Court Theatre. The writers, who are taking part in the Royal Court’s annual International Residency, have been asked to explore personal experiences in their society against the backdrop of wider public events. The BBC World Service is broadcasting a selection of the plays during this week; all ten will be performed at the Royal Court on Thursday 16th and Friday 17th November. Selections include Whiteout by Anupama Chandrasekhar from India, the tragic story of an Indian farmer who switched from potatoes to growing cotton; Quiet and We Hear by Philip Luswata from Uganda, is about soccer fans getting caught up around the world in an Arsenal versus Manchester United match. An Infidel in the Upper Room asks whether friendship is possible across a religious divide, prompted by the controversy that ensued the Danish cartoons depicting the profit Mohammed. The Khomenko Family Chronicle is by Natalia Vorozhbit from Ukraine; The Eleventh Minute, by Naghmeh Samini from Iran, is the story of a mother/daughter relationship disrupted by the upheavals of the region.

Fridays, beginning November 17th: A two-part documentary series entitled Asian Games occupies the Friday Documentary timeslot. Asia’s biggest sporting extravaganza brings together a plethora of stars from a richly diverse array of countries. Among the nations invited are North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Nepal – some of the world’s most controversial geopolitical hotspots. Richard Fleming assesses the impact of international politics on participation of some of these countries in the Asian Games, reviews its history and looks forward to the forthcoming Games in Doha.

Fridays, beginning November 17th: The Close Up program gives way to a two-week documentary series called Online Frontiers, exploring how the development of the Internet has changed the language of creativity: both ordinary people and established artists are discovering new ways to create and display their work to an online audience. For example – by day, Thomas Hawk is an investment consultant sitting at his desk in his San Francisco office. But at night he transforms into one of the most famous photographers on the Internet with tens of thousands of admirers worldwide.

Looking ahead to early December, the BBC will be featuring a week of programming focusing on understanding and exploring the world from the perspective of young people under age 18, called the Generation Next season.

The BBCWS in high(er) fidelity

Since many of us probably do most of our evening listening to the BBC World Service online nowadays, it can be helpful to know where to listen to get the best quality audio. As you might suspect, the BBC World Service’s own website streams its audio reliably, but only at a relatively narrow 16kbps bandwidth. Options for most prime time hours include an online streaming service from Ohio’s WKSU public radio station; from 0100 to 1300 UTC most days the “WKSU 2” stream consists of the PRI feed of BBC World Service – this is the same feed carried on Sirius satellite radio. WKSU offers a variety of audio formats; the AACplus format streamed at 32kbps is noticeably higher in quality than the audio provided at the BBC World Service website. Check it out at http://www.wksu.org/; click on the icon labeled News adjacent to the icon for Now Playing to reach the streaming audio links.

Radio Australia Tidbit

Just enough space to mention Speaking Out, a program produced for ABC Local Radio by aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander indigenous broadcasters. It’s a view of Australia that helps provide insights into the culture, lifestyle and political issues faced by these cultures as they work to keep their culture from being overrun by Western influences. Speaking Out airs 1130 UTC Sundays.

Until next month,

73 DE Richard

December 2005 "Easy Listening" column

15 years ago…

I began my tenure as Easy Listening editor in December of 1990, with a one-page column on a couple Radio Australia programs, if I recall. I haven’t had 15 years of continuous service, as I took a leave of absence in the mid-90s, with John Figliozzi pinch hitting for a stretch.

International Broadcasting – and the hobby it supports – has certainly changed in those 15 years – back in 1990, the Internet was the domain of academic and government organizations, and the World Wide Web had not yet been adopted as an Internet communications protocol. We were communicating electronically about the hobby even before the Internet, as bulletin board services (remember Tom Sundstrom’s Pinelands BBS? Fidonet?) and commercial services (CompuServe, GENIE, Prodigy) provided e-mail and bulletin board-like messaging and collaboration services allowing us to share logs, schedules, news and opinions. DX Listening Digest and Review of International Broadcasting existed in printed form.

Nowadays, our electronic communications are near-instantaneous, with Internet Relay Chat and instant messaging enabling us to exchange information in real-time. Get-togethers like the Winter SWL Fest could continue in a virtual mode before and after the gathering. Glenn Hauser still publishes DXLD, but does so electronically.

Broadcasters themselves face an increasing number of choices in how they deliver their programming to audiences. The BBC World Service, Deutsche Welle, the Voice of America and Radio France International have eliminated most or all English language programming targeting North America; Radio Vlaanderen International, Radio Norway, Radio Bras, YLE Radio Finland and others have eliminated English language broadcasting entirely.

Domestic shortwave broadcasting – which provides most of the DX targets for North American listeners – has also declined, as FM broadcasting has become more feasible and more affordable for domestic services.

Despite these setbacks, shortwave listening remains an interesting and enjoyable activity, as it contains elements of “treasure hunting”, along with knowledge of propagation theory and serendipity when the airwaves yield surprising openings and unexpected listening targets. Listening to webcasts, in and of themselves, are “utilitarian”, to steal a phrase from John Figliozzi, but I find it interesting to keep track of how stations are growing the scope of their websites and their use of online archives to dramatically increase the programming available for online listening. Gradually the concept of schedule-based listening is falling by the wayside for many – they choose what they want to listen to, and when they want to listen to it.

It’s my intention to continue Easy Listening each month, focusing on programming suggestions and new developments in how international broadcasters are adapting to take advantage of new technologies and new trends in how listeners find out about their world.

Hearing the BBCWS on shortwave in North America: Daytime is the best time

As you’ll probably see in the Musings column, I recently joined Bob Montgomery, Ed Mauger, John Figliozzi, and Rich D’Angelo for a French Creek DXPedition. My greatest enjoyment at a DXPedition is to be able to listen uninterrupted to shortwave broadcasters at many different times of the day – times of the day when, during most weeks, life seems to get in the way of good listening.

One of my primary listening goals was to find usable frequencies for the BBC World Service for those times when there are no services targeting the Caribbean region and Central America – since this region is now only targeted directly for a few hours per day. While I try not to use the Easy Listening column to list frequencies, I felt this was a useful approach to help you find more useful air times for favorite programs. The table below shows those frequencies that worked best for us in southeastern Pennsylvania in a quiet listening environment.

0000-0100 UTC: 5975 kHz remains the best, targeting the Americas

0100-0200 UTC: Nothing audible to other regions, and nothing to the Americas.

0200-0300 UTC: 5975 again the best.

0300-0400 UTC: 5975, also 6190 (SAf), 7160 (WAf), 12095 (SAm).

0400-0500 UTC: 7160 and 11765 (WAf).

0500-0600 UTC: 7160 (WAf). 11765 subject to QRM from Cuba.

1000-1100 UTC: 6195 targeting the Americas remains the best.

1100-1200 UTC: 11855 targeting CAm / Car.

1200-1300 UTC: 11855 targeting CAm / Car; 15190 (CAm / Car and SAm)

1300-1400 UTC: 15190 best; 21470 (SAf / EAf) usable; 15485, 17640, and 17830, targeting Africa, faint but improving.

1400-1500 UTC: 21470 good, also 17640.

1500-1600 UTC: 17640 and 21470 (Af); also 12095 (Eu)

1600-1700 UTC: 12095 (Eu) best; also, 15400, 17640, 17830 and 21470 (all Af)

1700-1900 UTC: 9410 and 12095 (Eu 1700-1800, Af 1800-1900); 15400, 15420 and 21470 (Af) for both hours.

1900-2000 UTC: 9410 (Eu), 12095 (Af), 15400 and 17830 (Af) less usable.

2000-2100 UTC: 9410 (Eu) but with some interference; 12095 (Af) the best. Also try 6195, 15400, and 17830, all targeting Africa.

2100-2200 UTC: 9410 (Eu) but with interference; 11765 (Am) the best; also 12095 (Af).

2200-2400 UTC: 5975 targeting the Americas remains the best.

Region codes: Af – Africa; Am – Americas; CAm – Central America; Car – Caribbean; EAf – East Africa; Eu – Europe; SAf – South Africa; SAm – South America;

Perhaps someone on the West Coast, or someone who is up in the wee hours of the morning in the East, can check the times from 0600 to 0900 that I didn’t monitor at French Creek; 9740 from Singapore signs on at 0800 and may be usable out west; it did not propagate well to French Creek.

So, the BBCWS is generally audible from 1000 UTC straight through to 0600 UTC in Eastern Pennsylvania, except for the prime evening listening hour of 0100-0200 UTC.

RCI Programming Changes

I mentioned some of the new programming coming to RCI in last month’s column, but we didn’t have many details. Turns out the two new midday CBC Radio One programs, The National Playlist and Freestyle, emphasize music more heavily than their predecessor shows. The National Playlist is a daily half-hour discussion program focusing on popular music from the 1960s through the present; each week there are additions and deletions from this “top ten” list, with the list changing as a result of user votes. The new list is revealed every Friday, and the entire list is played on Saturday evenings on CBC Radio One; local airtimes appear to be 9 PM to all time zones except the Atlantic and Newfoundland time zones, where 6 PM (Atlantic) and 6:30 PM (Newfoundland) are shown. The weekday version airs on shortwave to North America at 1630 UT on 9515, 13655 and 17820 khz. Since most of the weekend programming on CBC’s Northern Quebec shortwave service is from Radio One, you may find the Saturday evening edition on 9625 kHz at 0200 UTC Sundays. Worth a shot, anyway.

Meanwhile, Freestyle is also a music-oriented program, though the emphasis includes popular culture in Canada and globally. Canadian musicians (surprise!) are also featured. Freestyle airs on CBC Radio One domestically at 2 PM local time; Freestyle also airs on RCI’s shortwave service targeting the southeastern USA on weekdays 1600-1800 UT on 15180 kHz.

Both of these programs target a younger, domestic Canadian audience listening frequently at work and wanting something lighter in tone than the heavier spoken-word fare typically aired by Radio One. It will be interesting to see how well the programs are received.

Speaking of the CBC, the Sirius Canada launch is expected for “early December”, although a specific launch date has not been given. This should also be the date when CBC Radio One – in some form – is added to Sirius’ USA offerings.

Multiple streams forthcoming from Radio Australia

The differing needs of Radio Australia’s two target audiences – in Asia and the Pacific – have prompted Radio Australia to alter its programming targeting the two regions to better fit local time zones. Up till now, the separate Asia stream has not been distributed via shortwave; it has been available as a webcast and is sent via satellite to local rebroadcasters in the region. It is these local rebroadcasters that have been behind the push for a more narrowly-focused Asia service.

Soon Radio Australia’s shortwave services will also be split part of the time, with the shortwave releases beamed towards Asia will having the same programming as is provided via satellite and the web. Most of the shortwave frequencies that propagate well to North America are frequencies beamed towards the Pacific, so it won’t be easy for us to hear the two services simultaneously.

This dual streaming does have a benefit for web listening – at those times when shortwave is given over to sports coverage – for which webcast rights aren’t available – Radio Australia can keep the web feed going with the alternate service and not resort to silence as the BBC has done.

Some might look at multiple streams apprehensively, because many have felt the BBC World Service lost focus when it began multiple streams. The folks at Radio Australia believe their implementation is consistent with their strategic objectives to focus on Asian and Pacific listeners, and to not be a “global” service. They feel this change enhances the value they provide their listeners, and does not detract from this value. While Radio Australia appreciates that North Americans show interest in Radio Australia programming via the World Radio Network, Internet access, and via those shortwave frequencies that happen to propagate to North America, we North Americans aren’t their target audience. As a result, Radio Australia doesn’t see the BBC World Service experience as a parallel to their own.

The dual streaming operates from 2330 UT to 0900 UT from Sundays to Fridays. You can see examples in the online programming schedules – for example, at 0400 Thursdays, Background Briefing is shown for Asian listeners, and In The Loop is shown for Pacific listeners. The new flagship Asian program is The Breakfast Club, which provides “…a lively mix of music, interviews, entertainment, news, sport, art, finance and weather…” and airs from 2330 to 0130 from Sundays through Thursdays.

Christmas and New Year’s Programming

As usual, the Journal deadline comes before most broadcasters have finalized their plans for programming around the holidays. For many broadcasters, you can expect special pre-recorded year-end editions of programs, thus allowing program hosts to spend holiday time with families.

Broadcasters with especially extensive special programming are highlighted below.

Radio Canada International / CBC

The ODXA’s Fred Waterer along with John Figliozzi, have assembled the following notes on what to expect from the CBC:

As It Happens, especially on Christmas Eve, produces a special annual program. Each year, the program contacts members of the Canadian Armed Forces serving with the UN, NATO, NORAD and those serving in the far north. Each unit has 3 or 4 people speak for those serving with the unit. In past years, the units have served in such diverse locations as Canadian Forces Base Alert (Arctic), Colorado Springs (Norad), Germany, Cyprus, Golan Heights, Bermuda (!), the Persian Gulf, Somalia, Bosnia and Croatia, and Kosovo. It also has its moments of humor, such as the time the Canadian naval personnel stationed in Bermuda tried to claim they missed the Canadian winter real bad! (via Fred Waterer/ODXA).

This year, any special edition of As It Happens would likely be the December 23^rd edition, since Christmas Day is on a Sunday in 2005.

Also, in 2003, listeners in the United States and the Caribbean heard Holly & Maple on Christmas Morning from 1300 to 1600 UTC. RCI has changed their morning schedule to 1400 to 1700 UT for all seven days of the week, so any special would be heard at that time. Later that day, in 2003, listeners in the United States and the Caribbean heard Winter Stories from 2300 to 0100 UTC; the new schedule has programming airing to North America at 2100-2300, and then 2300-2400 and 0000-0200. Holiday Soirée: A Christmas Homecoming was heard on Boxing Day in Southeast Asia and China from 0000 to 0100 UTC December 26th and once again from 1200 to 1300 UTC December 26^th. Listeners in India heard Holiday Soirée: A Christmas Homecoming on Boxing Day from 1500 to 1600 UTC. (via RCI / Bill Westenhaver)

I’ll update the CBC / RCI plans in the NASWA Flashsheet once they’re available.

BBC World Service

The BBC World Service hasn’t publicized their holiday plans yet, but there are several annual traditions that are expected to continue:

The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is a long standing tradition. Expect the program to originate once again from King’s College in Cambridge; the Festival is a celebration of the birth of Christ in readings from the Bible and beautiful choral music. It features traditional favorites such as Once In Royal David’s City as well as new music specially composed for the occasion. Last year’s airings included Christmas Eve at 1501 and Christmas Day at 1301.

The Queen’s Christmas Message to the Commonwealth is another annual tradition, lasting just 10 minutes but a highlight from year to year. Last year’s airtimes included December 25^th at 1505.

Voice of America

As far as I know, Kim Elliott will host Talk To America sometime around New Year’s day, but watch the NASWA Flashsheet or the swprograms e-mail list for updates.

Two years ago, VOA News Now featured a Special Christmas program called "The 12 Hours of Christmas". It is a syndicated program from Kris Eric Stevens Productions. The show featured Christmas classics from yesterday and today plus holiday features and vignettes. This program ran from 0000 UTC through 23 hours UTC on Christmas day, which was a weekday. As Christmas falls this year on a Sunday, any specials might air on the previous Friday, but this speculative schedule is also subject to revision once the VOA announces its plans.

Non-Shortwave Suggestions

Italy -- Informoj el Italio (Esperanto)

There aren’t too many international broadcasts remaining in Esperanto these days, and budget cuts have generally preserved other languages at Esperanto’s expense.

However, every Saturday, at 2000 UT, RAI’s multilingual satellite audio service airs a one-hour program in Esperanto. The direct link to RAI’s satellite audio is rtsp://live.media.rai.it/redundant/international.rm.

I can’t tell you much about the program itself, since I don’t speak Esperanto.

The first 20 minutes of the program airs on shortwave, but isn’t targeted to North America; listen at 2000 on 6045 and 9760.

Until next month, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year!

73 DE Richard

Winter SWL Fest Registration Form now online

The registration form for the 2006 Winter SWL Fest is now online, thanks to assistant webmaster Ralph Brandi.

Thanks, Ralph!

Radio Netherlands now podcasting

A visit to RNW's weekly archive section of their website shows they're now podcasting.

This is a notable development -- making the RNW the first international broadcaster to podcast essentially all its content. Radio Sweden also podcasts its programs, but RNW is the first to podcast its programs by subject.

I'll be watching other broadcasters for this development.

CBC Radio One Sirius -- program schedule now posted

The schedule for CBC Radio One on Sirius satellite radio channel #137 is now posted at the CBC website. The schedule is posted here.

One entry that several of us were curious about is "The Lab", which doesn't appear anywhere on the CBC A-Z program listings. Turns out it's an experimental program, produced exculsively for Sirius.

Quoting from John Figliozzi's post at swprograms:

" "The Lab" refers to a *radio* lab, a place for
experimentation with radio and the audio medium in general. This
will apparently be done both conceptually and aurally, both as to
form and substance--judging from the first program that aired this
weekend which included an attempt to create a new game and an
examination of why the "f__" word was so taboo and is apparently less
so today."

CBC Radio One on Sirius

CBC Radio One on Sirius is a welcome addition -- it's channel #137 in the Sirius lineup.

The schedule is generally an amalgamation of the Atlantic and Pacific Time Zone feeds of Radio One, spiced somewhat with repeat editions of weekly programs.

I have been posting schedule notes to the swprograms list, but I recommend you use Kevin Kelly's Public Radio Fan website, shown at right under "Links", for updated information.

Richard

Relaunch of Richard Cuff's Musings blog

I am relaunching this blog -- I'll reduce my vision to something, hopefully, more manageable on a day-to-day basis. Hopefully this will be a useful resource to those who enjoy the public radio and international broadcasting field.

Please contact me with any suggestions!

Richard