The Sprawling Radio Network That China’s Firewall Can’t Stop

 

With 120 stations surrounding China, Sound of Hope boasts one of the largest shortwave broadcasting networks.

By Eva Fu

|

January 31, 2024

Updated:

February 03, 2024

Locked inside the crowded Chinese prison, blind lawyer Chen Guancheng hid his most treasured possession from the guards—inside a single-serve milk box.

A pocket-size shortwave radio.

For three years, Mr. Chen looked forward to the hours after curfew. With a blanket wrapped over his head and the radio’s metal antenna parallel to his body, he lay still as the vibrating device under his ear brought to life a world outside the prison’s walls. Petitioners, protesters, human rights abuses, a grassroots movement to cut ties with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)—in that tiny murmuring voice, he saw them all. He was free.

Additional story at: https://www.theepochtimes.com/article/the-sprawling-radio-network-that-chinas-firewall-cant-stop-5576671

(photo/Epoch Times)

What happened to the Chinese jamming?

 

Interesting article on  Chinese Jamming .... is it declining ?

https://medxr.blogspot.com/2023/07/chinese-jamming-is-it-declining.html

Shortwave Central YouTube channel on Firedrake Jammer 9860 kHz  1910 UTC, 21 Jan 2021 

https://youtu.be/lshXwJtZcqM

Télédiffusion du Congo receives new shortwave transmitter

 

Media: Télédiffusion du Congo with a new transmitter

Wednesday, August 31, 2022 - 5:11 p.m.

The Chief of Staff to the Minister of Communication and Media, Antoine Oviebo Ethaï, officially received a new shortwave transmitter on August 30 after several tests were carried out in Brazzaville.

The device was installed at the Djoué transmitter center by Chinese experts, the result of Sino-Congolese cooperation. The work was carried out for two months. The shortwave transmitter has a capacity of 50kw. It will operate on the frequency of 6,015 KH [sic]* in the 49m band, capable of serving the entire national territory as well as beyond the African continent.

The ceremony of handing over this antenna was marked by the signing of the end of works documents between the Chinese experts and the technical adviser, also acting director of the Télédiffusion du Congo, Martin Songa.

The technical advisor explained on this occasion that the new transmitter comes to complete the lack of coverage of the national channel in information with frequency modulation transmitters.

“The first transmitter installed at PK 13 has lived. It has become obsolete from the point of view of signal quality", he indicated, adding that "the new transmitter delivers a quality signal close to the modulated frequency because when you listen to the radio in frequency modulation the signal will be identical throughout the country".

At the end of the ceremony, the Chinese experts received certificates of honor from the Congolese side.

Lydie Gisele Oko

Captions and photo credits:

The short wave transmitter handed over to the Télédiffusion du Congo (Adiac)

translated from original in French at:

https://www.adiac-congo.com/content/medias-la-teledifusion-du-congo-dotee-dun-nouvel-emetteur-140824

and 1 Sept 2022 edition of Les Depeches de Brazzaville:

https://www.lesdepechesdebrazzaville.fr/flex/php/simple_document.php?doc=20220901_DBZ_DBZ_ALL.pdf 

(A. Pennington/BDXC)

28 Aug log: 

Congo 

6115, Radio Congo, Bravaville (presumed), 1824-1843*, 28-08, French, comments, advertisements, some African songs. Transmission cut off abruptly at 1843. SINPO 15421 to 25422.

I was not able to hear a positive identification, but the program format coincides with the one I heard so many times from Radio Congo.

The closing time and the abruptly cut off  transmission also coincides with Radio Congo

(Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain)

17th Edition of the Global Radio Guide (Winter 2021-22) Now Available

 

Press Release:                                                                         

Teak Publishing Company 

P.O. Box 297

Brasstown NC 28902

www.teakpublishing.com

For Immediate Release                                                                       Thursday, December 2, 2021

On any given day, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) fueled by a meteoric rise in the country's economics, politics, the covid pandemic, cyber security and human rights issues, Beijing Winter 2022 Olympics, and a strident expansion of the country’s military forces dominates global news headlines and news cycles. These headlines include China’s recent tensions with Taiwan, which are said to be the worst in forty years, and its other neighbors in the South China Sea region.

As China’s influence continues to expand worldwide, so have the country’s huge radio broadcast services. Local, regional, and international mediumwave and shortwave networks carry news and programming to audiences around the world. Since these services are government-sponsored you are hearing China’s Communist Party’s (CCP) perspective of worldwide events as they unfold. Topping the list of the country’s media outlets is China Radio International (CRI) the largest and most widely heard station in China.

For those who want to follow all the ongoing storylines originating from the PRC, Gayle Van Horn’s 17th Edition of her Amazon bestselling Global Radio Guide (Winter 2021-22) has all the details you need to monitor all the radio services from the Land of the Red Dragon.

Her feature is one of the most comprehensive articles ever written on the Chinese radio broadcast system. Complete schedules for all China radio services, a section of how to ID national stations broadcasting in Chinese, and links to videos with CRI IDs in 45 languages on the author’s YouTube channel that are just some of the materials you will find in this all-important cover story in the GRG. This is an indispensable guide to for the radio listener to hear China as tensions in the region continue to heat up.

China’s broadcasters are not the only focus of this completely updated edition of the GRG, though. Worldwide, tensions are continuing to escalate, and – in another case of what is old becoming new – people around the world are once again turning to shortwave radio to place themselves on the front lines.

With the help of the GRG, you can tune in to shortwave broadcast stations from other hotspots such as Cuba, India, Iran, North/South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and many other counties. If you have a shortwave radio receiver, SDR or Internet connection, pair it with this unique radio resource to know when and where to listen to the world.

This newest edition of the GRG carries on the tradition of those before it with an in-depth, 24-hour station/frequency guide with schedules for selected AM band, longwave, and shortwave radio stations. This unique resource is the only radio publication that lists by-hour schedules that include all language services, frequencies, and world target areas for over 500 stations worldwide. The schedules included in this edition of the GRG are valid from 31 October 2021 until 26 March 2022, the B21 broadcast schedule period.

The GRG includes listings of DX radio programs and Internet website addresses for many of the stations in the book. There are also entries for time and frequency stations as well as some of the more “intriguing” transmissions one can find on the shortwave radio bands.

Gayle has also updated her now-famous SDR Buyer’s Guide, a must-have compendium that helps you navigate through the revolutionary world of software-defined radios (SDRs), the new digital frontier of the radio hobby.

Also new in this 17th edition, James Careless, in an article that originally appeared in Radio World, looks at the current state of shortwave receiver technology. Dr. Adrian Peterson of AWR looks back at the early days of Philippine broadcasting. David Harris has written a review of the bhi NES10-2MK4 Noise Cancelling Speaker. Spectrum Monitor columnist Fred Waterer will take you on a guided tour of shortwave music programs from around the world.

There are updated columns including the latest radio news in Bits & Bytes, current radio QSL information and addresses, the Best of the Best DX shortwave program listings, and a listing of radio station Internet websites.

This edition also has introductory articles for beginners on Traveling the World via Shortwave Radio Broadcasts, Monitoring the Shortwave Action Bands, and Teak’s latest greatly expanded frequency list of HF non-broadcast radio stations worldwide.

Global Radio listeners are routinely entertained with unique perspectives to events, music, culture, history, and news from other countries that you will not see or hear on your local or national broadcast channels. Global Radio broadcasts are not restricted by country borders or oceans and can travel thousands of miles, reaching millions of listeners worldwide, now in over 300 different languages and dialects.

Whether you monitor shortwave radio broadcasts, amateur radio operators, or aeronautical, maritime, government, or military communications in the HF radio spectrum, this book has the frequencies to help you to hear it all. Teak Publishing’s Global Radio Guide "brings the world to you."

You can find this edition of the Global Radio Guide, along with all of Teak Publishing e-book titles currently available for purchase, on the Teak Publishing Web site at http://www.teakpublishing.com. This includes all previous editions of the Global Radio Guide available at reduced sale prices.

The 17th edition of the Global Radio Guide e-Book (electronic book only, “no print edition available”) is available worldwide from Amazon and their various international websites at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MV5XMFZ.

The price for this latest edition is US$8.99 for over 1000 pages of radio hobby content and frequencies. Since this book is being released internationally, Amazon customers in the United Kingdom, Germany, France Spain, Italy, Japan, India, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and Australia can order this e-Book from Amazon websites directly servicing these countries. Customers in all other countries can use the regular Amazon.com website to purchase this e-Book.

You can read any Kindle e-Book with Amazon’s ‘free’ reading apps on literally any electronic media platform. You do not have to own a Kindle reader from Amazon to read this e-book. There are Kindle apps available for iOS, Android, Mac, and PC platforms. You can find additional details on these apps by checking out this link to the Amazon website at http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771. 

ABC Australia plans to boost Pacific presence as China's shadow grows

 

No indication regarding a resumption on shortwave

By Zoe Samios and Rob Harris

ABC managing director David Anderson has revealed the national broadcaster is preparing to step up its presence in the Asia-Pacific region significantly next year, more than seven years after its cable channel dedicated to the region was shuttered.

In a wide-ranging interview with The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, Mr. Anderson said the public broadcaster was exploring ways it could expand its presence in the region, to serve both Australian and regional audiences.

Additional story at: https://tinyurl.com/3cztj7cw

Corona virus, the mail, and QSLing ?

Worth repeating folks ...  If you've been wondering where your mail could have absconded to - this might be the answer. E-QSLing remains the better alternative.

Mail exchange between Kazakhstan and China has been suspended.

Director of the Department of Advertising and PR at Kazpost Dilara Zarlykova on her Facebook page said that the postal exchange of auto, air and rail links between China and Kazakhstan on the initiative of the Chinese postal administration has been canceled, writes zakon.kz.

Due to the cancellation of the postal exchange, Kazpost suspended the acceptance of all types of postal items to China, as well as countries to which mail arrives in transit through China (Bangladesh, Brunei, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Laos, North Korea, Thailand,  Sri Lanka, Philippines, Taiwan), she wrote.

Here, the Kazakhstanis received an answer to the question, but what will happen to those parcels that have already been sent?

"Those ordered are on the way. Even if they don't return it, Aliexpress will return the money"?said Dilara Zarlykova.

"Everything will reach. Departments work as usual, parcels sent by China earlier via transit countries are now arriving. As soon as China Post works, all the packages will arrive in KAZ.

Some of the packages are also located at Khorgos, which is closed to prevent the spread of the virus among the people who work there,"?added Saul Mukasheva, an employee of the advertising and PR department at Kazpost, to complement her response.

Recall that the World Health Organization (WHO) said that when receiving parcels and letters from China, it is impossible to become infected with a new coronavirus.

According to recent studies, coronaviruses do not live long outside the body, so there is no risk of infection, the organization explained.

https://tinyurl.com/smfma85
(Anatoly Klepov-RUS, RUSdx #1067 via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 9)

Inside China's audacious global propaganda campaign - including radio

Beijing is buying up media outlets and training scores of foreign journalists to ‘tell China’s story well’ – as part of a worldwide propaganda campaign of astonishing scope and ambition.

By Louisa Lim and Julia Bergin

Fri 7 Dec 2018 01.00 EST Last modified on Tue 11 Dec 2018 05.03 EST
Shares
5,850
As they sifted through resumes, the team recruiting for the new London hub of China’s state-run broadcaster had an enviable problem: far, far too many candidates. Almost 6,000 people were applying for just 90 jobs “reporting the news from a Chinese perspective”. Even the simple task of reading through the heap of applications would take almost two months.

For western journalists, demoralised by endless budget cuts, China Global Television Network presents an enticing prospect, offering competitive salaries to work in state-of-the-art purpose-built studios in Chiswick, west London. CGTN – as the international arm of China Central Television (CCTV) was rebranded in 2016 – is the most high-profile component of China’s rapid media expansion across the world, whose goal, in the words of President Xi Jinping, is to “tell China’s story well”. In practice, telling China’s story well looks a lot like serving the ideological aims of the state.

Additional story at The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/dec/07/china-plan-for-global-media-dominance-propaganda-xi-jin

Blog Logs – Monitoring signals behind the Bamboo Curtain

For decades, the term Bamboo Curtain was the Cold War political demarcation between the Communist states of East Asia, particularly the People’s Republic of China.

Radio signals in China, continue to capture the attention of shortwave listeners from every corner of the globe. While other stations are reverting to internet or FM broadcasting, China continues to increase their presence on medium wave and shortwave.
To many hobbyists, China remains a fascination amid a vast continent of mystery, revolution and dynasties.

This edition of Blog Logs is a sampling of stations broadcasting from China, monitored using various SDR receivers.

All times UTC / frequency in kHz (kilohertz) // parallel frequency

Schedules and frequencies from the summer edition of International Shortwave Broadcast Guide 2018.

Tai-Ho Hall

China

6165 // 6175, 7235, 7420, 9570, 12015, 13760, 1705-1735. China Radio International, English service conversation on recent swimming accidents at seaside resort. Promo for Land of China and intro into Roundtable Discussion program. Best signal on 7420 a solid 444 SIO. http://www.cri.cn (SDR Shenzhen, China)

9600 // 13760, 1805-1845. China Radio International, English service; Take Away Chinese segment on popular English/Chinese phrases and expressions from male/female duo to 1827. Station ID, China Plus website plug to preview on

China’s trends in apps, and national technology market. Frequencies 9600 // 13760 targeted to Africa.

Additional English monitored to Europe 2000-2057 on 5985 // 7295, 7415, 9440. 

English discussion on Chinese markets on 9590 to Central America, 2240 tune-in.  Schedule: 2200-2257. Active 0030 on 11790 // 11885, 13750 and 15175. Repeat of program on technology market logged earlier.  (SDR Shenzhen, China)

Bengali service on 9600 (SIO 333) // 9490 (SIO 222) 1345-1355. Asian pop vocals to 1350. Intro to easy-listening vocals. CRI French service on 7350 // 9645 to Europe 1830-1900. CRI German service on 1800-1900 on 7395 // 11650 // 11775 kHz to Europe. CRI Russian service on 7210 // 9560 // 9765 to Europe. Esperanto service on 7300 to Europe // 9880 to Africa. Lady’s CRI program feature to Esperanto folk music vocals. CRI Korean service on 7290, 2200-2257. Cambodian service tune-in 0020 on 9765 // 11990 to Asia. Reference to CRI into Asian vocals. Schedule to 0057. Cantonese service heard 0030 on 11820 // 17490. (SDR Shenzhen, China)

5925, CNR 5/Voice of Zhonghua, 2256-2305. Piano instrumentals at tune-in, // 7385, 9665. Announcer’s Chinese opening at 2300 with additional Chinese station on frequency. Tentative on this station, though running parallels as did Lingshi. (SDR Shenzhen, China)

9420 // 9890, 1735-1805. CNR 13/Lingshi. Active on two frequencies. Service listed as Uyghur to 1805. Lady announcer’s voice-over during pop Asian vocals. SIO 433 on 9420 // SIO 232 on 9890. Time pips at 1800. This station follows the traditional ID format after the time announcement. Asian instrumentals. Two more parallel frequencies noted on 9630 (SIO) 323) and 11630 (233) audible with Asian vocals. Service is listed as Kazakh. (SDR Shenzhen, China)

4800 China National Radio/CNR 1, 2027-2158. Chinese music to announcer’s Chinese ID and martial national anthem to 2029. Opening program 2030 of children’s vocals into evening feature // 4750, 5945, poor (SIO 222) // 6000 weak, but audible under jammer // 6125 (SIO 232) 6175 (SIO 232) 7215 (212) 7345 (212). (SDR Shenzhen, China)

7315 // 7395, China National Radio /CNR 2-Business Radio, 2115-2135. Chinese reporting style format. SIO 444. Heard on // 6040, 6065, 6155, 6190, 7245, 7355, 7370, 9515, 9755, 9775, and 9820. (SDR Hebei, China). Chinese business reports on 11670 from 2230-2245 tune-out. Recheck 0020 on 7335 with business report (SIO 333) http://www.cnr.cn (SDR Shenzhen, China).

7375 // 11740, China National Radio /CNR 2-Business Radio, 1325-1345. Chinese. Announcer’s trade-off business reporting. Parallel frequencies noted with fair signal quality (SIO 232) 3985, 6065, 6090, 6155, 7245, 7315, 7335 7425, 9515, 9755, 9775, 9820; 7375 // 11740 best quality at 433 SIO. (SDR Hanoi, Vietnam).

Voice of Strait QSL

4940, Haixa zhi Sheng/Voice of Strait, 2305-2335. Tentative as Chinese duo trade presumed news items with audio clips. The 4940 frequency is classified as News Radio, and the format likely is VO Strait. http://www.vos.com.cn/ (SDR Shenzhen, China)

5990, PBS Qinghai, 2325-0005. Scheduled as Tibetan service (Amdo dialect). Tune-in to news format and lady’s presumed station info after 2330. Chinese bamboo flute instrumentals under announcer’s text from 2335-2358. Asian vocals to time tips 0000. Announcement to fanfare segment. Reporting format noted on // 9850. (SIO 434). (SDR Shenzhen, China)

Firedrake's large footprint on the bands

Firedrake Jammer 6080 // 9355 // 9745, 2030-2050. Broadcast of usual very loud oriental orchestral music. Jammer frequencies are typically used against broadcasts in Chinese targeted to Asia. Frequency 6080 is listed as a portion of the CNR/CNR 1 Chinese schedule of 2025-0000 and 0000-1200. SINPO at tune-in 44444. (SDR Hebei, China).

(GVH/NC) 

China's Propaganda Department Takes Over Regulation of All Media

The ruling Chinese Communist Party is strengthening its hold on all forms of public expression, enlarging its powerful propaganda department to absorb agencies responsible for regulating the mass media, and exporting its ideology to the rest of the world via a new mega-broadcaster.

As President Xi Jinping embarks on a second, unlimited term in office following the annual National People's Congress (NPC) last week, he is presiding over a massive restructuring in which the ruling party will take over key government agencies and ministries.

"In order to strengthen the party’s centralized and unified leadership in public opinion work by the media, strengthen the management of publishing activities and develop a prosperous, socialist publishing industry with Chinese characteristics, the responsibilities of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) will be reassigned to the Central Propaganda Department," the party's central committee said in a directive published in state media this week.

"After this adjustment, the main responsibility of the Central Propaganda Department will be to implement the party’s propaganda guidelines," it said, adding that the department will also formulate and implement media and publication policy and manage the sectors.

Additional story at Radio Free Asia website: https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/china-propaganda-03212018140841.html
(graphic via RFA)

Major changes of China domestic services

China
Additional frequency of CNR-17
Effective: 17 May 2017

All times UTC
0300-0900 on 15190 DOF 100 kW / 015 deg to EaAs Kazakh

China Domestic Service CNR-10 and CNR-16
CNR-10 Laonian zhi sheng
2230-1300 on 17875 BEI 150 kW / non-dir to EaAs Chinese, and respectively:
2300-1300 on  9620 BEI 150 kW / non-dir to EaAs Chinese CNR-2 is cancelled
1300-1805 on  9620 BEI 150 kW / non-dir to EaAs Chinese and co-channels*
2025-2300 on  9620 BEI 150 kW / non-dir to EaAs Chinese and co-channels#
1230-1500 on  9620*ALG 250 kW / 282 deg to WeAs Sindhi All India Radio, inactive
1500-1600 on  9620*ALG 250 kW / 282 deg to WeAs Baluchi All India Radio, inactive
1615-1730 on  9620*ALG 250 kW / 282 deg to WeAs Farsi All India Radio, inactive
1730-1945 on  9620*ALG 250 kW / 282 deg to N/ME Arabic All India Radio, inactive
2030-2125 on  9620#EMR 500 kW / 105 deg to SEAs English Voice of Turkey

CNR-16 Voice of China 
1100-1605 on  9700 BEI 100 kW / 163 deg to EaAs Chinese
2055-2230 on  9700 BEI 100 kW / 163 deg to EaAs Chinese and co-channels*
2230-1100 on 17780 BEI 100 kW / 163 deg to EaAs Chinese and co-channels#
2040-2100 on  9700*SMG 250 kW / 114 deg to N/ME Arabic Vatican Radio
2100-2200 on  9700*TIN 250 kW / 329 deg to EaAs Korean Radio Free Asia
0130-0230 on 17780#PHT 250 kW / 283 deg to SEAs Burmese Voice of America
0400-0426 on 17780#TIG 300 kW / 067 deg to EaAs Chinese Radio Romania Int
0500-0600 on 17780#TRM 250 kW / 300 deg to CEAf Arabic Adventist World Radio
(DX Bulgaria)

PBS Xizang Lhaza Tentative B13

The following schedule though listed as an A13 update, should be used and monitored for revisions until the B13 version is released. This schedule is tentative.

China, XZDT PBS Xizang Lhaza (Tibet)

All target areas to Asia





All times UTC

Chinese
0000-0100 4820as 5935as 6050as 7240as 7450as
0100-0200 4820as 5935as 6050as 7240as 7450as
0200-0300 4820as 5935as 6050as 7240as 7450as 11950as
0300-0400 4820as 5935as 6050as 11860as 11950as
0400-0500 4820as 5935as 6050as 11860as 11950as
0500-0600 4820as 5935as 6050as 11860as 11950as
0600-0700 4820as 5935as 6050as 11860as 11950as
0700-0800 4820as 5935as 6050as 11860as 11950as
0800-0900 4820as 5935as 6050as 11860as 11950as
0900-1000 4820as 5935as 6050as 7240as 7450as
1000-1100 4820as 5935as 6050as 7240as 7450as
1100-1200 4820as 5935as 6050as 7240as 7450as
1200-1300 4820as 5935as 6050as 7240as 7450as
1300-1400 4820as 5935as 6050as 7240as 7450as
1400-1500 4820as 5935as 6050as 7240as 7450as
1500-1600 4820as 5935as 6050as 7240as 7450as
1600-1700 4820as 5935as 6050as 7240as 7450as
1700-1800 4820as 5935as 6050as 7240as 7450as
2000-2100 5935as 6050as 7240as 7450as
2100-2200 4820as 5935as 6050as 7240as 7450as
2200-2300 4820as 5935as 6050as 7240as 7450as
2300-0000 4820as 5935as 6050as 7240as 7450as

English
0700-0800 4905as 4920as 6025as 6110as 6130as 6200as 9490as 9580as
1600-1700 4905as 4920as 6025as 6110as 6130as 6200as 7255as 7385as

Tibetan
0000-0100 4905as 4920as 6025as 6110as 6130as 6200as 7255as 7385as
0100-0200 4905as 4920as 6025as 6110as 6130as 6200as 7255as 7385as
0200-0300 4905as 4920as 6025as 6110as 6130as 6200as 9490as 9580as
0300-0400 4905as 4920as 6025as 6110as 6130as 6200as 9490as 9580as
0400-0500 4905as 4920as 6025as 6110as 6130as 6200as 9490as 9580as
0500-0600 4905as 4920as 6025as 6110as 6130as 6200as 9490as 9580as
0600-0700 4905as 4920as 6025as 6110as 6130as 6200as 9490as 9580as
0800-0900 4905as 4920as 6025as 6110as 6130as 6200as 9490as 9580as
0900-1000 4905as 4920as 6025as 6110as 6130as 6200as 7385as 9490as
1000-1100 4905as 4920as 6025as 6110as 6130as 6200as 7255as
1100-1200 4905as 4920as 6025as 6110as 6130as 6200as 7255as
1200-1300 4905as 4920as 6025as 6110as 6130as 6200as 7255as
1300-1400 4905as 4920as 6025as 6110as 6130as 6200as 7255as
1400-1500 4905as 4920as 6025as 6110as 6130as 6200as 7255as
1500-1600 4905as 4920as 6025as 6110as 6130as 6200as 7255as
1700-1800 4905as 4920as 6025as 6110as 6130as 6200as 7255as 7385as
1800-1805 4905as 4920as 6025as 6110as 6130as 6200as 7255as 7385as
2050-2100 4905as 4920as 6025as 6110as 6130as 6200as 7255as 7385as
2100-2200 4905as 4920as 6025as 6110as 6130as 6200as 7255as 7385as
2200-2300 4905as 4920as 6025as 6110as 6130as 6200as 7255as 7385as
2300-0000 4905as 4920as 6025as 6110as 6130as 6200as 7255as 7385as
(Aoki-Nagoya list, wb, wwdxc BC-DX Top News Aug 28)
(WWDXC/Top Nx 1129)
(transcribed by GVH 16 Sept 2013)

XZDT Lhasa - summer schedule update

Potasi Monastery

China

XZDT/Lhasa Baiding

Transmitter Center # 602

All times UTC

 4820 PBS Xizang 0000-0600 1234567 Chi 100  85
 4820 PBS Xizang 0600-1000 12.4567 Chi 100  85
 4820 PBS Xizang 1000-1800 1234567 Chi 100  85
 4820 PBS Xizang 2000-2400 1234567 Chi 100  85

 4905 PBS Xizang 0000-0700 1234567 Tib  50  ND
 4905 PBS Xizang 0700-0800 12.4567 Eng  50  ND
 4905 PBS Xizang 0800-0950 12.4567 Tib  50  ND
 4905 PBS Xizang 0950-1600 1234567 Tib  50  ND
 4905 PBS Xizang 1600-1700 1234567 Eng  50  ND
 4905 PBS Xizang 1700-1805 1234567 Tib  50  ND
 4905 PBS Xizang 2050-2400 1234567 Tib  50  ND

 4920 PBS Xizang 0000-0700 1234567 Tib  50  ND
 4920 PBS Xizang 0700-0800 12.4567 Eng  50  ND
 4920 PBS Xizang 0800-0950 12.4567 Tib  50  ND
 4920 PBS Xizang 0950-1600 1234567 Tib  50  ND
 4920 PBS Xizang 1600-1700 1234567 Eng  50  ND
 4920 PBS Xizang 1700-1805 1234567 Tib  50  ND
 4920 PBS Xizang 2050-2400 1234567 Tib  50  ND

 5935 PBS Xizang 0000-0600 1234567 Chi 100  85
 5935 PBS Xizang 0600-1000 12.4567 Chi 100  85
 5935 PBS Xizang 1000-1800 1234567 Chi 100  85
 5935 PBS Xizang 2000-2400 1234567 Chi 100  85

 6025 PBS Xizang 0000-0700 1234567 Tib  50  ND
 6025 PBS Xizang 0700-0800 12.4567 Eng  50  ND
 6025 PBS Xizang 0800-0950 12.4567 Tib  50  ND
 6025 PBS Xizang 0950-1600 1234567 Tib  50  ND
 6025 PBS Xizang 1600-1700 1234567 Eng  50  ND
 6025 PBS Xizang 1700-1805 1234567 Tib  50  ND
 6025 PBS Xizang 2050-2400 1234567 Tib  50  ND

 6050 PBS Xizang 0000-0030 1234567 Chi 100 290
 6050 PBS Xizang 0030-0600 1234567 Chi 100 290
 6050 PBS Xizang 0600-1000 12.4567 Chi 100 290
 6050 PBS Xizang 1000-1030 1234567 Chi 100 290
 6050 PBS Xizang 1030-1100 1234567 Chi 100 290
 6050 PBS Xizang 1100-1800 1234567 Chi 100 290
 6050 PBS Xizang 2000-2230 1234567 Chi 100 290
 6050 PBS Xizang 2230-2300 1234567 Chi 100 290
 6050 PBS Xizang 2300-2400 1234567 Chi 100 290

 6110 PBS Xizang 0000-0700 1234567 Tib 100 220
 6110 PBS Xizang 0700-0800 12.4567 Eng 100 220
 6110 PBS Xizang 0800-0950 12.4567 Tib 100 220
 6110 PBS Xizang 0950-1600 1234567 Tib 100 220
 6110 PBS Xizang 1600-1700 1234567 Eng 100 220
 6110 PBS Xizang 1700-1805 1234567 Tib 100 220
 6110 PBS Xizang 2050-2400 1234567 Tib 100 220

 6130 PBS Xizang 0000-0700 1234567 Tib 100 290
 6130 PBS Xizang 0700-0800 12.4567 Eng 100 290
 6130 PBS Xizang 0800-0950 12.4567 Tib 100 290
 6130 PBS Xizang 0950-1600 1234567 Tib 100 290
 6130 PBS Xizang 1600-1700 1234567 Eng 100 290
 6130 PBS Xizang 1700-1805 1234567 Tib 100 290
 6130 PBS Xizang 2050-2400 1234567 Tib 100 290

 6200 PBS Xizang 0000-0700 1234567 Tib 100  ND
 6200 PBS Xizang 0700-0800 12.4567 Eng 100  ND
 6200 PBS Xizang 0800-0950 12.4567 Tib 100  ND
 6200 PBS Xizang 0950-1600 1234567 Tib 100  ND
 6200 PBS Xizang 1600-1700 1234567 Eng 100  ND
 6200 PBS Xizang 1700-1805 1234567 Tib 100  ND
 6200 PBS Xizang 2050-2400 1234567 Tib 100  ND

 7240 PBS Xizang 0000-0300 1234567 Chi 100 290
 7240 PBS Xizang 0900-1000 12.4567 Chi 100 290
 7240 PBS Xizang 1000-1800 1234567 Chi 100 290
 7240 PBS Xizang 2000-2400 1234567 Chi 100 290

 7255 PBS Xizang 0000-0200 1234567 Tib 100  85
 7255 PBS Xizang 0957-1600 1234567 Tib 100  85
 7255 PBS Xizang 1600-1700 1234567 Eng 100  85
 7255 PBS Xizang 1700-1805 1234567 Tib 100  85
 7255 PBS Xizang 2050-2400 1234567 Tib 100  85

 7385 PBS Xizang 0000-0200 1234567 Tib 100 290
 7385 PBS Xizang 0930-0950 12.4567 Tib 100 290
 7385 PBS Xizang 0950-1600 1234567 Tib 100 290
 7385 PBS Xizang 1600-1700 1234567 Eng 100 290
 7385 PBS Xizang 1700-1805 1234567 Tib 100 290
 7385 PBS Xizang 2050-2400 1234567 Tib 100 290

 7450 PBS Xizang 0000-0300 1234567 Chi 100  85
 7450 PBS Xizang 0900-1000 12.4567 Chi 100  85
 7450 PBS Xizang 1000-1800 1234567 Chi 100  85
 7450 PBS Xizang 2000-2400 1234567 Chi 100  85

 9490 PBS Xizang 0200-0700 1234567 Tib 100  85
 9490 PBS Xizang 0700-0800 12.4567 Eng 100  85
 9490 PBS Xizang 0800-0957 12.4567 Tib 100  85

 9580 PBS Xizang 0200-0700 1234567 Tib 100 290
 9580 PBS Xizang 0700-0800 12.4567 Eng 100 290
 9580 PBS Xizang 0800-0930 12.4567 Tib 100 290

11860 PBS Xizang 0300-0600 1234567 Chi 100  85
11860 PBS Xizang 0600-0900 12.4567 Chi 100  85

11950 PBS Xizang 0200-0600 1234567 Chi 100 290
11950 PBS Xizang 0600-0900 12.4567 Chi 100 290
(from Aoki-Nagoya list, wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Aug 28)
(WWDXC/Top Nx 1129)

Monitoring Voice of Pujiang

China

5075 kHz, Voice of Pujiang via Shanghai, 1219-1233 UTC, April 4. Chatting in Chinese, 1227 - spot in English (“a smile is the sunshine after the rain . . . let’s smile”; interview with “Michael.” Fair signal. MP3 audio at https://www.box.com/s/36j8de0gnsps10b1y1dx . Am grateful to Timm Breyel (Malaysia) for his excellent work establishing the following contact information! Please see Timm’s website:
http://shortwavedxer.blogspot.com/2012/12/want-qsl-from-voice-of-pujiang.html   .

Sent off a report of my reception to victor.pujiang@gmail.com , along with my box.com audio reference. Also told him how I miss visiting the old Xiangyang Market (which was across the street from Xiangyang Park that I often visited), where they use to sell fake designer goods (closed 2006). Received this reply:
“Thank you for your reception report! I have listened to the record. I confirm you were listening to Voice of Pujiang, please find the QSL- letter in the attachment.

When I was a high school student, many of my classmates went to the Xiangyang Market to get some cheap stuff. :) If you have another chance to Shanghai, you are most welcome to come to our station, the address is  shown on the QSL letter, or we can have a coffee together, I am also a DXer. Have a nice weekend!”
https://www.box.com/s/dffglzuqo0erpr53jb80 contains a copy of the attached QSL letter. Have listened to this station for many years and am very pleased to finally have a very nice confirmation of reception (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA/Cumbre)
(photo/wikimedia)

Tuning in Zhaojun Cultural Festival on shortwave

For those of us lucky enough to be able to hear the Chinese Service of PBS Nei Menggu, I suggest we tune in on July 15, for the special coverage in Chinese and English of the 12th Annual Zhaojun Cultural Festival held in Hohhot, capital of the Inner Mongolian utonomous Region. Last year’s coverage of the opening ceremony started about 1255 UTC on 7420 and 9520, but we should probably start checking somewhat earlier. Last year’s theme was Heavenly Grassland and presented many musical selections from the USA (County Roads), Africa, China, etc. and the sound of fireworks. www.box.net/shared/3e1vuu5beyy72z1dgsp2 has an MP3 audio of last year’s opening announcement in English. Hope it will again be well heard and be as entertaining as last year’s festival!
(Ron Howard, California, July 12/Cumbre DX)

(photo/opening ceremonies of the Hohhot Zhaojun Cultural Festival)

China expands it's reach to the world

With deep pockets, China's "big four" --- CCTV, Xinhua, and China Daily --- reach out to the world

David Shambaugh: "The Chinese government is investing a reported $8.7 billion in 2009-2010 in its 'external publicity work' — primarily on the 'Big Four': China Central Television (CCTV), China Radio International (CRI), Xinhua News Agency and the China Daily newspaper — while media executives and opinion shapers from various countries are being brought to China for 'familiarization' tours. All four of these external media outlets have had major makeovers in recent months, all intended to give a less propagandistic face to the world. Foreigners now anchor news broadcasts; op-ed pages are becoming more serious; radio programs are more diversified; Web sites are more informative; and newspapers are publishing more investigative stories. Some specific efforts include Xinhua TV now operating a 24 hour news channel that is trying to imitate Al Jazeera; CCTV News is trying to compete with CNN and BBC; CRI is buying more air time in a number of AM and FM radio markets in the United States and Europe, while broadcasting directly into Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. CCTV now broadcasts six international channels in five languages and claims a total global audience of about 125 million." -- Recommended reading, with more details of China's international media outreach. A "less propagandistic face" can still provide propaganda by the selection of news topics. Also, CCTV's "global audience of about 125 million" needs documentation. Reaching a number like that requires a rare combination effective delivery and attractive content. Viewership among Chinese diasporas might achieve that number.
(New York Times 07 June 2010 via Kim Elliott)

Xingjiang PBS A10 summer schedule

China

Xingjiang PBS A-10 summer sked. Xingjiang PBS began the summer schedule at 1100 UTC on May 13.

Uighur
2300-1800 (off the air Tues. & Thurs. 0800-1100)
6120 2300-0300, 1200-1800
9560 0300-1200
7205 2300-0230, 1400-1800
13670 0230-1400
7275 2300-1800

Chinese
2300-1800 (off the air Tues. & Thurs. 0800-1100)
5960 2300-1800
7260 2300-1800
7310 2300-0300, 1400-1800
9600 0300-1400
11770 2300-1800

Kazakh
2330-1800 (off the air Tues. & Thurs. 0800-1100)
6015 2330-0300, 1151-1800
9470 0300-1150
7340 2330-1800

Kyrgyz
0330-0530, 1030(Tues. Thurs)
11975 0330-0530, 1030-1230
(Sei-ichi Hasegawa-JPN, NDXC HQ May 14/BC-DX Top News 964)

'KNLS Alaska is famous all over China'

World Christian Broadcasting operates shortwave station KNLS in Alaska, which is a member of NASB. The station broadcasts to Asia in Russian, Chinese and English. Recently, WCB sponsored a tour of China. Thirty-one persons visited the Chinese cities of Beijing, Xian, Luoyang, Zhengzhou, Shanghai and Hong Kong. WCB President Charles Caudill described a very interesting experience he had on that trip which highlights the importance of shortwave radio in China:

“A few weeks before leaving for China, I was contacted by e-mail with an invitation to speak for the worship service of one of the underground churches. I emailed back that I would be honored to bring the sermon. I was contacted shortly after that by someone who said she was my contact person and that she would also be my interpreter. She explained that she would meet [my daughter] Kelly and me in the lobby of our hotel and that we shouldn't try to come to them. No problem. We didn't have the address. We still don't.

“At the agreed upon time, a young lady, talking on her cell phone, walked directly to me and called me by name. That's not too surprising since I was the only American man in the crowded lobby. We took a cab and rode for almost an hour. She asked the driver to stop a few blocks from our destination. She did not want the cab driver to know where we were going. We walked those several blocks and were told we were near the building where the church meets regularly. We walked by another building to make sure we were not being followed. After a cell phone call, the lobby door opened and we took an elevator to one of the top floors. Another cell phone call got the door to the apartment opened. We walked into a room that was set up for a worship service – song books, Bibles and study materials.

“Why all of the clandestine moves? Remember, what we were about to do is illegal in China. The participants could be subject to arrest, or even worse. The authorities probably would not have done any violence to Kelly or me because we were foreigners. They simply would have sent us home.

“For years we have wondered about the reception of the KNLS signal in the large cities of China. Our monitors tell us the signal is being received, but that frequently the signal is jammed. We were also concerned about the relatively small amount of mail we receive from this particular city. At the same time we realize that it is illegal to write to us. And now that emails are monitored by the Chinese government, many of our listeners are even afraid to send emails to us.

“So, when I asked the question at the beginning of my talk, 'How many of you are familiar with KNLS?' I was surprised when more than one half of those young people raised their hands with smiles on their faces. Two of them even spoke out and said, “KNLS is famous in [their city.]” Afterward, a patent attorney, one of the leaders of the congregation, told me that the statements made during worship were true. He said, “KNLS is famous all over China.” He said that he listens every day and is a great fan of [KNLS announcer] Edward Short. He expressed surprise that Edward is American and not Chinese. He was amazed that somone other than a native Chinese could display such excellent use of their language.”
(NASB DSec 09/Dan Elyea)

Holy Tibet program in English

Tibet 6200, Xizang PBS-Lhasa, 1630-1700, Dec 11. In English. Holy Tibet program to traditional Tibetan music and item about "Barkhor Street" in downtown Lhasa, capital of Tibet, crowded with people for the celebration of Tibetan Women's Day on December 2, in memory of the "Goddess White Lhamo". Outstanding reception, able to make out just about 100% of what was said!

Seven minute audio segment to download of the above log at:
www.mediafire.com/?nk1nmajgnwm
(Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

New shortwave station launches in Nanning, China

Tony Harding, a Hong Kong-based journalist covering the 6th China-ASEAN Expo, has just sent us this report:

Guangxi People’s Radio and China Radio International today launched a new radio service - Beibu Bay Radio - “Voice of Guangxi Beibu Gulf”. The station broadcasts on a network of 15 FM frequencies and 2 shortwave transmitters across Southern China from studios in Nanning, Guangxi province. The station will be on the air from 0700-2400 daily (2300-1600 UTC), in Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Thai and English.

There are DX opportunities to hear the station on 5050 kHz and 9820 kHz, and on the Web at http://www.bbrmedia.com/ . The main English language program, called The Hot Pot Show (This a Chinese form of eating, not a reference to the Golden Triangle in South East Asia), is from 1600-1800 local time (0800-1000 UTC).

At the opening ceremony, attended by the consuls of Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, the wish was expressed that the station will be able to give China’s angle on events and trade in the area.

The launch of the station coincides with the 6th China-ASEAN Expo being held in the city and is also in preparation for the 1 January 2010 removal of trade tariffs between the 11 countries to form the biggest free trade area in the world. China is attempting to bolster cooperation as well as projecting a more favourable image abroad.
(Source: Tony Harding for Media Network/R Netherlands Weblog)

China Radio International's report of the ceremony at:
http://english.cri.cn/6909/2009/10/23/1461s524477.htm

The Lost Voices of Tiananmen

James Miles has a unique insight into the way China works based on over 20 years' experience as a correspondent there.

He was the BBC's China correspondent in 1989 when he was eye-witness to the events leading up to the Tiananmen Square protests Miles describes what it was like to witness such a moment in history and why the crackdown was so brutal.

He considers how the Tiananmen Square massacre shaped the China we see now.

But most of all, how important the protests were for China. Were they an aberration which has been crushed forever? Or could those cries for democracy re-emerge as China grapples with the effects of the global economic crisis.

Additional information:
The Lost Voices of Tiananmen - Part One
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/documentaries/2009/05/090519_lostvoices_tiananmen_one.shtml

The Lost Voices of Tiananmen - Part Two
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/documentaries/2009/05/090526_lostvoices_tiananmen_two.shtml (Jaisakthivel, ADXC, Chennai, India/HCDX/flickr)