Mexican AM station broadcasting on 1700 kHz

XEPE from Tecate in the state of Baja California Norte has become the second Mexican station to broadcast on the extended AM band. XEPE is broadcasting on 1700 kHz using the slogan La Romántica 1700 AM (). The station was first logged on June 14 by Don Kaskey on IRCA, and has since been monitored with irregular broadcasts by several DXers in California. Previously XEPE has broadcast on 560 kHz with a daytime power of 20 kW and 10 kW at nights. XEPE (ex-XEKTT) has been changing frequencies very often. After operating on 1600 kHz, the station moved to 550 and again to 560 kHz in 2003. Since then, several U.S. West Coast stations operating on 560 kHz have complained to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) about interference caused by XEPE. On the new frequency of 1700 kHz its closest rivals are in Texas.
(DXing.info, June 22, 2004)

Radio Integracion new on the Buenos Aires AM dial

Radio Integración is the latest non-official station to hit the airwaves in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires. Radio Integración is broadcasting on the frequency of 1310 kHz. The station uses the slogan La Trece Diez, says Argentine DXer Marcelo Cornachioni who was the first to report the station in Conexión Digital no. 268 on June 19. The address of the station is Av. Corrientes 1922, 6º Piso, Of. 63 (C1045AAO) Buenos Aires, telephone (011) 4951-2652, 4951-9103. The station can also be contacted by email. Ramon Grinceri works as program director.
     To escape interference caused by the newcomer, Radio Almirante Brown () from Barrio San Jose, has migrated from 1310 to 1460 kHz, Cornachioni reports. Also in Buenos Aires, Radio Renacer has returned to its original frequency of 1560 kHz after broadcasting temporarily on 1530 kHz.
(DXing.info, June 22, 2004)

Radio Virgen de Remedios from Bolivia on 5500 kHz

A new Bolivian station has begun broadcasting on shortwave. Radio Virgen de Remedios from Tupiza, in Departamento de Potosí, transmits on 5500 kHz. The station was first logged on May 29 by Rogildo F. Aragão in Bolivia, who has picked up for instance the following station identification: "Radio Virgen de Remedios, Tupiza, frecuencia modulada y onda corta, la voz católica en su casa, con la cadena Radio Católica Mundial." (listen to the ID in the DXing.info audio archive). Radio Virgen de Remedios has been heard signing off around 2230 UTC.
(DXing.info, June 13, 2004)

Radio Finland may close down shortwave and mediumwave

Radio Finland, the external service of the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE), may close down its service on the shortwave and mediumwave bands. This would leave external service programming available only via satellite and on the Internet. The aim would be to cut expenses. Currently distribution costs for Radio Finland total 3.4 million euros annually. YLE Administrative Council is expected to decide the fate of shortwave later this year. In 2002 (see DXing.info news in June and September 2002) Radio Finland closed down its services in English, German and French, while Finnish, Swedish and Russian programming continued on shortwave as well as for Northern Europe also on the mediumwave band. A source at YLE tells DXing.info that possible lobbying from the part of DXers would only reduce the chances of remaining on the air, because the only justification for shortwave is to serve expatriate Finns, who number about 250.000. A decision to cut shortwave would become easier if the station is viewed as serving primarily a fringe audience of radio hobbyists.
      YLE has responded by saying that it is not about to close down Radio Finland. According to a press release, shortwave transmissions will continue in the present form until the end of 2006, when the current transmission contract expires and YLE "needs to consider various options."
(DXing.info, June 9, 2004, updated on June 10)

Catholic Radio on shortwave from Papua New Guinea

Catholic Radio Network (CRN) has begun shortwave broadcasts from Vanimo in Papua New Guinea. CRN is broadcasting 24 hours a day on 4960 kHz in the 60-meter band shortwave. The station was first reported heard on June 4 by Bob Padula in Australia, carrying relays of the CRN FM network from Port Moresby and other programming. Overnight programming from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. local time consists of non-stop gospel music.
     "The transmitter power is 1 kilowatt and the antenna is an omni-directional Delta with high angle radiation. The service is intended to cover the immediate area out to 300 kilometers or so. At night the coverage will be greater but during the day a bit less," says Engineering construction manager Wayne Wilson to DXing.info.
     The shortwave station in Vanimo receives the network program from Port Moresby via satellite and also has a small local studio. The program is transmitted locally on a 300-watt FM transmitter and simultaneously on shortwave, Wilson explains. Vanimo is part of a nationwide network being developed by the Catholic Church. The Catholic Radio Network of Papua New Guinea (CRN PNG) has been established by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Island (CBC PNG and SI). The first FM transmitters were launched in July 2003, and currently the network includes five FM transmitters around the country. More stations both on FM and on shortwave are planned.
     Reception reports can be sent to Engineering construction manager Wayne Wilson by email.
(DXing.info, June 4, 2004)

Polish community station begins on 1062 kHz

Twoje Radio Pulawy was the third Polish community radio station to hit the airwaves on May 4. The station broadcasts on 1062 kHz with a power of 1 kW. According to Bernd Trutenau who reported news about the station on Mwdx mailing list, Twoje Radio Pulawy has own local programming at 0600-0700 and at 1600-1700, while at other times it relays Polskie Radio Lublin. The two other community radios are Twoje Radio Lipsko on 963 kHz and Twoje Radio Cmolas on 1062 kHz. Trutenau reports that 12 new stations are currently under preparation.
(DXing.info, June 1, 2004)

The purpose of the radio news section is to inform about new mediumwave (AM) and shortwave broadcasting stations worldwide. Other news are published only on major international broadcasters or issues very relevant to DXers. New programs and schedules are not covered.

The news are edited by Mika Mäkeläinen. Extracts from news items may be quoted if the website http://www.DXing.info is mentioned as source. See terms of use for details.