R A D I O A C T I V I T Y

BBG Calls for Agency Restructuring

noreply@blogger.com (Alokesh Gupta) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:26:00 +0000

Washington, D.C., January 18, 2012 – The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) announced its intention to restructure U.S. international broadcasting. It will seek legislation that would include establishing a Chief Executive Officer to manage the enterprise. In addition, the Board called for a plan to consolidate the agency's three non-federal broadcast networks: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks.
"The Board is ready to strengthen U.S. international broadcasting in part by freeing up resources locked up in inefficient and duplicative administrative structures and reinvesting in programming," said BBG Chairman Walter Isaacson. "This is a historic agreement by the Board to streamline international broadcasting into one great organization focused on quality journalism with many brands and many divisions but unified as one organization."
In a resolution passed at its January 13 meeting in Washington, the Board announced its intention to restructure international broadcasting in accordance with its recently released 2012-2016 Strategic Plan. The Board outlined proposed reforms and its intent to develop a draft legislative package to be called the International Broadcasting Innovation Act of 2012 (the "IBIA"). It would establish a CEO who would report to the Board and provide day-to-day executive leadership. In addition the proposed package calls for a new organization that would reflect the optimal mix of federal and non-federal assets in support of international broadcasting; repeals the domestic dissemination ban in the Smith-Mundt Act; and renames the agency to reflect the mission of a unified structure. The restructuring package would be subject to appropriate administration approval and Congressional consideration.
"While there is a compelling case for streamlining the BBG's complex structure and leveraging the highly professional newsgathering activities of our independent broadcast services, any reform plan will retain and celebrate the individual and historic brands and their journalistic mission," said Isaacson in summarizing the Board's recommendations. "We look forward to working with internal and external stakeholders and experts as well as with the Administration and Congress on these proposals."
During its strategic review process, the Board engaged the services of management consultant Deloitte and external counsel Baker and Mackenzie to gain a detailed understanding of the costs, benefits and legal issues involved. The resulting studies indicated a compelling case and potential substantial savings over five years from eliminating duplicative management and administrative functions and affirmed the legal feasibility of a merger. Further details of the Board's Record of Decisions and previous discussions can be found below:

(BBG Press Release)

All Quiet on the Western Front

noreply@blogger.com (Alokesh Gupta) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:19:00 +0000

2012 Challenges and Opportunities in the Five-Year Strategic Plan for U.S. International Broadcasting - by Alan L. Heil Jr.

As the Voice of America marks its 70th anniversary, what lies ahead for all of the world’s publicly-funded overseas networks in the year ahead? For Western broadcasters collectively, 2011 was the most potentially devastating year in more than eight decades on the air. Now, because of fiscal uncertainties in their host countries and rapidly evolving competition from both traditional and new media, they face huge cuts in airtime and operations. Can America step up to help fill the gap? A new strategic plan for U.S.-funded overseas broadcasting charts a possible path.

Read the article at :
http://www.unc.edu/depts/diplomat/rev_item/2012/0106/ca/heil_quiet.html

Radio Free Sarawak relaunched today

noreply@blogger.com (Alokesh Gupta) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:50:00 +0000

Radio Free Sarawak re-launched today (Tues 17th January) with an exciting new format and an expanded team of presenters on Short Wave 15420 kHz, from 6pm daily. Joining the show for the first time, as a surprise appointment, is one of Sarawak’s best-known Iban speaking radio presenters, Christina Suntai. Also, returning to the show is the original presenter, ‘Papa Orang Utan’, Peter John Jaban, who acted as the show’s full-time D Jay last year.
The two high profile personalities will be joining the existing on-air team, which includes Michael Ngau, Stanley Rentap and Kakak Burung Tiong. The station is limbering into ‘election gear’ with a new emphasis on inter-active dialogue with listeners: “It is important, particularly during an election period, for listeners to
the show to be able to contact us directly with their problems and issues and to give us their views and opinions”, explains the London based founder, Clare Rewcastle Brown. There is a new local phone-in number, so listeners can leave messages or request to come on air. From Tuesday the line opens on 082-237191, available for messages 24 hours, 7 days a week.Radio Free Sarawak also connects with its audience via facebook and hosts an online site radiofreesarawak.org, where the show can be listened to for free online.
Radio Free Sarawak is also promising more action, more fun and more exposes,
beginning with a world exclusive story involving a Sarawak based company. Broadcast on shortwave from 6-8pm daily, the programme is regarded as an important vehicle by the opposition PKR party, which has been largely excluded from the BN dominated state media. The station is featured in much of the party’s election material, now being distributed in target areas.
“For the past 30 years and more Sarawak has been run by a corrupt political elite, who have thought only of lining their own pockets”, says Rewcastle Brown. “The state’s indigenous peoples have been left behind on health, on education and on the basic amenities of life. They have received no benefits from the deforestation of their lands and the destruction of the environment to grow oil palm. These issues deserve to be raised and not hidden out of the way by pro-government broadcasts”
Radio Free Sarawak will also be returning to its original Short Wave frequency of 15420 kHz. For more details on the new look of Radio Free Sarawak visit radiofreesarawak.org Or contact the Radio Free Sarawak team at info@radiofreesarawak.org

'The Economist' on future of BBC

noreply@blogger.com (Alokesh Gupta) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:28:00 +0000

http://www.economist.com/node/21542783?fsrc=scn/tw/te/ar/auntiesbigyear

(Thanks to Naleen Kumar for sharing the link)

Ethiopia accused of jamming Eritrea's broadcast signals

noreply@blogger.com (Alokesh Gupta) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:24:00 +0000

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
January 13, 2012 (ADDIS ABABA) - Ethiopia is blocking satellite transmissions from Eritrea, the government in Asmara accuses its larger neighbor, this week. The Eritrean Ministry of information in a statement Thursday warned to take legal action. It further said Addis Ababa has been warned by the Arab Satellite Communications Organization over the illegal acts.

More at :
http://www.sudantribune.com/Ethiopia-accused-of-jamming,41286

Hear the voice of the marginalized

noreply@blogger.com (Alokesh Gupta) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:20:00 +0000

BANGALORE: If you have not tuned into 90.4 MHZ, then do so. In today's life, when the voices of marginalized communities are lost in the hustle-bustle of the city, this radio station provides an opportunity for these secluded communities to express themselves. Imparting the real meaning of broadcast media, the channel brings fourth the voices that are heard the least. Sex workers, transgenders, rag-pickers, auto drivers, physically disabled, slum-dwellers and HIV positive persons, all are part of this community radio station called Radio Active.

Read the full story here :
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Hear-the-voice-of-the-marginalized/articleshow/11418041.cms

AIR Imphal hosts 10 day long Akashvani Shumang Leela Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Alokesh Gupta) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:17:00 +0000

In an honest effort to provide a chance to enjoy our very own Shumang Leela by the people of the state free of cost, All India Radio (AIR), Imphal kicked off its 10-day long Akashvani Shumang Leela Festival, 2012 at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound from 11th Jan 2012. The festival was inaugurated by RK Nimai, Commissioner of Arts and Culture, GoM as Chief Guest, renowned Musicologist Laishram Birendrakumar as Functional President and M Kanankumar, Assistant Station Director (ASD), AIR, Imphal as Guest of Honour.

More at :
http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=13..110112.jan12

Delphi's DRM car radio

noreply@blogger.com (Alokesh Gupta) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 12:32:00 +0000

A car radio receiving Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) signals was put for public display at Auto Expo India held in New Delhi (5-11th Jan 2012). Developed by Delphi which is a leading global supplier of electronics and technologies for automotives, the new device can do Analogue AM and FM, as well DRM Digital radio. The receiver uses the NXP processor which recently added DRM capability. Delphi has a history of developing other Digital Radio Platforms (HD, DAB) and is offering solutions tailored to individual OEM requirements. The device is simulcast compatible and also package protected for DRM+ with a DRM compatible receiver antenna (short stub wide band). It should be available for the market by Q4 2012.

(Source : DRM Newsletter, Jan 2012)

Mid-air scare shuts JU radio

noreply@blogger.com (Alokesh Gupta) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 10:49:00 +0000

Repeated overlap between the signals of Radio JU and the air traffic control had triggered mid-air confusion, forcing Jadavpur University to take the FM channel off air.
The channel that used to broadcast at 90.8 MHz was shut mid-December following a directive from the department of telecommunications of the Union government.

More at :
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120111/jsp/calcutta/story_14989029.jsp

DRM Newsletter 1/2012

noreply@blogger.com (Alokesh Gupta) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 07:50:00 +0000

DRM Newsletter 1/2012 is now available at :

http://newsletters.lavishcreative.com/t/ViewEmailArchive/r/DBC4D2F4CD63FB83/C67FD2F38AC4859C/

Main stories :

- ITU endorses DRM+
- DRM and NXP Semiconductors announce a new digital car radio solution at
CES, Las Vegas
- Delphi's DRM car radio on display at New Delhi Auto Expo
- Community Radio stations ask for the introduction of DRM+ in Europe
- Vatican Radio Trials DRM+ in Rome on VHF band II

BBG Condemns Signal Interference as Rights Threat

noreply@blogger.com (Alokesh Gupta) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 05:44:00 +0000

Washington, D.C., January 13, 2012 – The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) condemned the purposeful interference with broadcast transmissions to Iran as a threat to human rights and cited new evidence that jamming signals are now emanating from Syria. "Recent interference with the Eutelsat satellite originates from near Damascus, Syria," said André Mendes, Director of Technology, Services and Innovation of the International Broadcasting Bureau – the engineering arm of the BBG. "The Persian broadcasts of the Voice of America are impacted as well as the BBC."
"The notion that the locus of some jamming of our broadcasts into Iran is from Syria is something that people should know," observed BBG Chairman Walter Isaacson. In addition, interference with the Arabsat satellite has affected Alhurra TV, Radio Sawa, RFE/RL's Radio Farda and several VOA services according to Mendes.In a resolution passed at its January 13 meeting in Washington, the BBG called on delegates to the upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference in Geneva and the satellite industry to "repudiate this illegal behavior."
"The BBG strongly supports the United States Government's position that interference with free media and the free flow of information and ideas constitutes a threat to human rights and freedom and to the principles stated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," the resolution said. Last month, international broadcasters - VOA, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Deutsche Welle (DW), Audiovisuel Extérieur de la France (AEF) and Radio Netherlands Worldwide (RNW) – also spoke out against the practice of signal interference. The meeting, which began at 2:00 p.m., was webcasted live. On Demand Links will be available soon.

(BBG Press Release)

DSWCI - Latest issues of SWN and DXW for free download

noreply@blogger.com (Alokesh Gupta) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 03:37:00 +0000

The homepage of the Danish Shortwave Club International (www.dswci.org) has
been updated as follows:
A present to our not-yet-members:
The latest issues of Shortwave News (January 2012) and DX Window (No. 445)
can be downloaded for free as sample issues at : www.dswci.org/try

Best 73
Rolf Wernli
(Rolf Wernli, Danish Shortwave Club International)

or these direct links :
SWN Jan 2012
http://www.dswci.org/try/swn/201201/index.html

DXW 445
http://www.dswci.org/try/dxw/dxw445.pdf

Radio Bulgaria drops shortwave wef Feb 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Alokesh Gupta) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 01:53:00 +0000

Dear listeners and friends of the short waves and Radio Bulgaria, with a huge regret to inform you very bad news. After more than 75 years in the world broadcasting from January 31, 2012 at 2200UT Radio Bulgaria cease broadcasting on short and medium waves. The solution is that Radio Bulgaria is not necessary now its short waves and medium waves listeners. The reason -no money for broadcast on short and medium waves. And who listens to short waves today? Already has internet. Maintaining the short waves was "Mission Impossible"! Hope dies last. As a frequency manager in the last 19 years my main task was to provide best quality signal of Radio Bulgaria in worldwide coverage. There will be no short waves, there will be no frequency manager. For all people who work in Radio Bulgaria that bad news is shock and horror
Beginning of the end. But expect your moral support. Please send e-mail to:

Albanian section: albanian @ bnr.org
Bulgarian section: bulgarian @ bnr.org
English section: english @ bnr.org
French section: french @ bnr.org
German section: german @ bnr.org
Greek section: greek @ bnr.org
Russian section: russian @ bnr.org
Serbian section: serbian @ bnr.org
Spanish section: spanish @ bnr.org
Turkish section: turkish @ bnr.org

and from January 14, 2012: http://www.saveradiobulgaria.com/

Thank you and goodbye,
Ivo Ivanov

P.S. SW txs Kostinbrod & Padarsko will be destroyed in the next few months.

Winter B-11 of Radio Bulgaria until January 31, 2012 - 2200 UT / 0000 Local

ALBANIAN
0630-0700 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU Mon-Fri
0630-0700 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU Mon-Fri
0700-0800 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU Sat/Sun
0700-0800 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU Sat/Sun
1700-1730 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU
1700-1730 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU
2000-2100 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU
2000-2100 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU

BULGARIAN
0100-0200 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to NoAM
0100-0200 on 7400 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to NoAM
0100-0200 on 7300 PLD 170 kW / 260 deg to SoAM
0100-0200 on 9400 PLD 170 kW / 245 deg to SoAM
0530-0600 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU Mon-Fri
0530-0600 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU Mon-Fri
0530-0600 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 115 deg to N&ME Mon-Fri
0530-0600 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 126 deg to N&ME Mon-Fri
0530-0600 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to WeEU Mon-Fri
0530-0600 on 7400 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to WeEU Mon-Fri
0500-0600 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU Sat/Sun
0500-0600 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU Sat/Sun
0500-0600 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 115 deg to N&ME Sat/Sun
0500-0600 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 126 deg to N&ME Sat/Sun
0500-0600 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to WeEU Sat/Sun
0500-0600 on 7400 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to WeEU Sat/Sun
1400-1500 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 078 deg to CeAS
1400-1500 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 030 deg to EaEU
1400-1500 on 11600 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to WeEU
1400-1500 on 15600 PLD 300 kW / 306 deg to WeEU
1600-1700 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU
1600-1700 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU
1600-1700 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 078 deg to CeAS
1600-1700 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 030 deg to EaEU
1600-1700 on 9700 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to WeEU
1600-1700 on 15700 PLD 300 kW / 185 deg to SoAF
1900-2000 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU
1900-2000 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU
2200-2300 on 6000 PLD 170 kW / 260 deg to SoEU
2200-2300 on 9400 PLD 170 kW / 245 deg to SoEU
DX MIX NEWS 0545-0600 Sun; 1445-1500 Sun; 1945-2000 Sun

ENGLISH
0000-0100 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to NoAM
0000-0100 on 7400 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to NoAM
0300-0400 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to NoAM
0300-0400 on 7400 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to NoAM
0730-0800 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to WeEU
0730-0800 on 9400 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to WeEU
1830-1900 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to WeEU
1830-1900 on 9700 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to WeEU
2200-2300 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to WeEU
2200-2300 on 7400 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to WeEU
DX MIX NEWS 2230-2240 Fri; 0030-0040 Sat; 0330-0340 Sat; 0740-0750 Sat

FRENCH
0200-0300 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to NoAM
0200-0300 on 7400 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to NoAM
0700-0730 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to WeEU
0700-0730 on 9400 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to WeEU
1800-1830 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to WeEU
1800-1830 on 9700 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to WeEU
2100-2200 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to WeEU
2100-2200 on 7400 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to WeEU
DX MIX NEWS 2130-2140 Tue; 0230-0240 Wed; 2130-2140 Sun; 0230-0240 Mon

GERMAN
0630-0700 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to WeEU
0630-0700 on 9400 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to WeEU
1730-1800 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to WeEU
1730-1800 on 9700 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to WeEU
2000-2100 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 306 deg to WeEU
2000-2100 on 7400 PLD 300 kW / 295 deg to WeEU
DX MIX NEWS 2050-2100 Tue; 0650-0700 Thu; 2020-2030 Sat

GREEK
0600-0630 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU Mon-Fri
0600-0630 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU Mon-Fri
0600-0700 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU Sat/Sun
0600-0700 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU Sat/Sun
1730-1800 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU
1730-1800 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU
2100-2200 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU
2100-2200 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU

RUSSIAN
0400-0430 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 030 deg to EaEU
0400-0430 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 078 deg to CeAS
1500-1600 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 078 deg to CeAS
1500-1600 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 030 deg to EaEU
1900-2000 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 078 deg to CeAS
1900-2000 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 030 deg to EaEU
DX MIX NEWS 1540-1600 Sat; 1940-2000 Sat; 0410-0430 Sun

SERBIAN
0700-0730 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU Mon-Fri
0700-0730 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU Mon-Fri
0800-0900 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU Sat/Sun
0800-0900 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU Sat/Sun
1800-1830 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU
1800-1830 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU
2200-2300 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU
2200-2300 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU

SPANISH
0000-0100 on 7300 PLD 170 kW / 260 deg to SoAM
0000-0100 on 9400 PLD 170 kW / 245 deg to SoAM
0200-0300 on 7300 PLD 170 kW / 260 deg to SoAM
0200-0300 on 9400 PLD 170 kW / 245 deg to SoAM
0700-0730 on 7300 PLD 170 kW / 260 deg to SoEU
0700-0730 on 9800 PLD 170 kW / 245 deg to SoEU
1730-1800 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 260 deg to SoEU
1730-1800 on 9400 PLD 170 kW / 245 deg to SoEU
2100-2200 on 6000 PLD 170 kW / 260 deg to SoEU
2100-2200 on 9400 PLD 170 kW / 245 deg to SoEU
DX MIX NEWS 1750-1800 Sun; 2120-2130 Sun; 0020-0030 Mon; 0220-0230 Mon

TURKISH
0600-0630 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 115 deg to N&ME
0600-0630 on 7400 PLD 170 kW / 126 deg to N&ME
1830-1900 on 747 PET 300 kW / non-dir to SEEU
1830-1900 on 1224 VDN 300 kW / 205 deg to SEEU
1830-1900 on 5900 PLD 170 kW / 078 deg to N&ME

MW: PET=Petritch (G.C. 41N28/023E19) 1 x 300 kW
VDN=Vidin (G.C. 43N50/022E43) 1 x 300 kW

SW: PLD=Padarsko (G.C. 42N23/024E52) 2 x 300 kW, 3 x 170 kW

ADDR: 4, Dragan Tsankov Blvd., 1040 Sofia and P.O.Box 900, 1000 Sofia.
Tel.: +359 2 933 66 33; fax.: +359 2 865 05 60; Website: http://www.bnr.bg/

(Ivo Ivanov)

Global Pirate HF-Weekend schedule for 14th & 15th Jan 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Alokesh Gupta) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:01:00 +0000

Global Pirate HF-Weekend schedule for 14th & 15th Jan 2012 has now been posted at Harri's blog :

http://hkdx2.blogspot.com/2012/01/global-pirate-hf-weekend-14-1512012.html

Happy pirate dxing !

Global Shortwave Conference extends its scope

noreply@blogger.com (Alokesh Gupta) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:42:00 +0000

The 8th Global Shortwave Coordination Conference decided to extend the shortwave coordination process to incorporate other international delivery platforms like the internet and other new media delivery methods.

Full story at :
http://www.abu.org.my/Latest_News-@-Global_Shortwave_Conference_extends_its_scope_.aspx

SWR schedule for 13/14 Jan 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Alokesh Gupta) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:37:00 +0000

Scandinavian Weekend Radio schedule for 13 & 14th Jan 2012 :

http://www.swradio.net/schedule.htm

Delphi's DRM car radio

noreply@blogger.com (Alokesh Gupta) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:32:00 +0000

Babcock wins contract with BBC World Service

noreply@blogger.com (Alokesh Gupta) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:39:00 +0000

Babcock International Group (Babcock) has won a 10-year contract to continue providing services relating to the transmission and distribution of radio and television for the BBC World Service.
The contract was awarded to Babcock following a rigorous competitive process. It is designed to ensure that the BBC receives the optimum value for money that continues to deliver high levels of service for its audience. The contract start date is 1 April 2012; it is worth circa £200 million over 10 years.
Babcock has been a trusted delivery partner for the BBC World Service for 15 years, and has ensured that the BBC World Service reached its audience of 166 million. Under the terms of the new contract, Babcock will build upon this heritage and provide essential support to ensure that the BBC provides a reliable and resilient service to its global audience. This will include:
Scheduling and co-ordination of all BBC World Service shortwave broadcasts across the globe. In the first year of the new contract Babcock will co-ordinate a total of 180,335 hours of transmissions for the BBC.
Operating and maintaining the BBC's six high power sites and a power station to ensure global coverage. This includes the BBC key target areas of Africa and the Middle East, the Indian Sub-Continent and South East Asia.
Monitoring of high frequency broadcast performance (using independent data). The BBC is committed to offering the best quality of service to its worldwide audience and Babcock's monitoring ensures the best possible audio quality is achieved in the desired target areas.
Managing the satellite network contracts and support of the satellite distribution systems including 1,300 receivers worldwide in over 650 locations in 128 countries.
Maintaining the BBC World Service's FM Relay network. In addition to the satellite receiver maintenance, Babcock will support the equipment of more than 150 FM relay sites around the world. This will underpin the resilience of the service offered by the BBC.
By the end of the new contract the partnership will have lasted for a quarter of a century. In 2009 Babcock and the BBC World Service jointly won the 'Team of the Year - Professional and Support Services' at the BBC Global News Reith Awards.
This was the first time an external supplier won an award at this event. The year after Babcock was selected as the winner of the Reith Award under the category of Professional Services.
Bryan Coombes, Director, Communications, Babcock, said: "Our history of working in partnership with the BBC shows that we can deliver value for money and unprecedented levels of performance. We know and understand the BBC and the broadcasting industry and are committed to finding the right solutions to the challenges the broadcaster faces over the next ten years. We will achieve this through offering innovative ideas that drive efficiencies over the life of the contract."
Nigel Fry, Head of Distribution BBC Global News, said:"The new contract with Babcock builds on the success of the last 15 years. It will provide us with clarity of costs over the coming years, and significant savings that are critical in the current economic climate. Importantly, these savings will not affect the quality of service that our global audience expects."

(Source : Babcock)

Proposal to add more channels within existing bandwidth opposed by FM operators

noreply@blogger.com (Alokesh Gupta) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:23:00 +0000

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (Trai) proposal to introduce more radio stations in metros within the existing FM radio bandwidth by reducing the channel spacing between two stations did not get any support from the FM operators except from Radio Mirchi.

More at
http://www.mediamughals.com/News/1/3/Article/8901/Proposal_to_add_more_channels_within_existing_bandwidth_opposed_by_FM_operators.htm

Youths to bond with the best - ham radio

noreply@blogger.com (Alokesh Gupta) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 04:06:00 +0000

Guess what's going to ensure uninterrupted communication at NYF? It's neither the internet nor the smartphone - Gen Y is going to be connected, albeit indirectly, via amateur radio aka ham radio, which is a first for youth festival.

More at :
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/Youths-to-bond-with-the-best-ham-radio/articleshow/11457175.cms

ITU endorses DRM+

noreply@blogger.com (Alokesh Gupta) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:51:00 +0000

The ITU has just published three recommendations on DRM+, known in the documents as Digital System G. This heralds the introduction of the full DRM system (DRM 30 and DRM+).

Read more at : http://www.drm.org/news_item/_ITU_endorses_DRM%252B_

ABU President launches new website

noreply@blogger.com (Alokesh Gupta) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:41:00 +0000

The President of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, Dr Kim In-Kyu, has officially launched the union's new website during a visit to the ABU Secretariat in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

ABU website has a refreshing new look, here's the URL
More info at

DW Trincomalee on noted on 1548 kHz at 1730 UTC

noreply@blogger.com (Alokesh Gupta) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:25:00 +0000

Jose Jacob from NIAR, Hyderabad observed on 8th Jan 2012 medium wave frequency of 1548 kHz was on air at 1730 UTC tune in till 1829 UTC sign off. (ie 11.00 pm to midnight local time in India) with Deutsche Welle ID via Trincomalee, Srilanka playing non stop music & regular announcements in German, English,French, Russian & Arabic...."This is Deutsche Welle, the external broadcasting services of Federal Republic of Germany in Bonn, we are sorry you are unable to receive our regular programs at this moment." 1548 kHz was a popular DW channel from Trincomalle, including DRM . DW has closed down this facility & stopped all broadcasts on 3oth Oct 2011, this transmitting facility was suppose to be handed over to Sri Lankan authorities by Jan 2012, probably handed over & SLBC engineers were testing ?

Here's the audio file as heard in New Delhi on 8th Jan 2012 ...
http://tinyurl.com/76rnphr

VOA's Deewa Radio Goes on Satellite TV to Pakistan

noreply@blogger.com (Alokesh Gupta) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:03:00 +0000

Deewa Radio, Voice of America's popular Pashto language news service to the volatile border region of north western Pakistan, has launched a new television program that is now being broadcast on direct to home satellite TV.

Here's more info

SLBC is to start a special round the clock Muslim service.

noreply@blogger.com (Alokesh Gupta) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:02:00 +0000

Speaking at prize giving ceremony of the Quran recital in connection with the holy month of Ramazan last year at Ananda Samarakoon studio of the SLBC on 8th Jan 2012 Chairman of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation Hudson Samarasinghe said that a special Muslim service which would broadcast round the clock will be started on the forthcoming birthday of the holy prophet Mohammed.

(Source : SLBC)