Trans World Radio launches mediumwave station in Africa

US-based Christian radio network Trans World Radio (TWR) is launching a new mediumwave station in Africa. A 100-kilowatt transmitter located in Parakou, Benin, is currently being tested before regular broadcasts, scheduled to begin on February 1. Test broadcasts on the frequency of 1566 kHz were first reported heard by Michael Hoover in Portugal on January 21. According to Mission Network News, TWR will be broadcasting programs from local churches and ministries in at least 15 languages, reaching nine countries across Western Africa.
      TWR began Christian broadcasts in 1954. Currently TWR transmits in more than 200 languages and dialects from 14 transmitting sites, by satellite, and via the Internet. TWR can be reached at: Trans World Radio, 300 Gregson Drive/Box 8700, Cary, NC 27512, USA.
(DXing.info, January 26, 2008)

Catholic Radio Maria takes over 675 kHz in the Netherlands

Arrow Classic Rock will be replaced by Catholic Radio Maria on the frequency of 675 kHz in the Netherlands. The transmitter is located in Lopik, and has a power of 120 kilowatts. According to DutchMedia Weblog, test broadcasts starting on February 1 will consist of music and announcements, with proper programming beginning later. Radio Maria was founded in Italy in 1983. Currently Radio Maria broadcasts in 15 languages in more than 40 nations.
(DXing.info, January 26, 2008)

New solar cycle has begun

A new solar cycle is under way. According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the first sunspot of a new 11-year cycle (Solar Cycle 24) has appeared in the sun's northern hemisphere. A sunspot is an area of highly organized magnetic activity on the surface of the sun. Currently we are experiencing the solar minimum, during which solar activity is at its lowest and sunspots are smaller and less frequent than during solar maximum, the peak of the cycle. The new 11-year cycle is expected to build gradually, with the number of sunspots and solar storms reaching a maximum by 2011 or 2012, though devastating storms can occur at any time. During a solar storm, highly charged material ejected from the sun may head toward Earth, where it can bring down power grids as well as disrupt airline and military communications, GPS signals and even cell phones. For radio hobbyists, increasing solar activity will improve long-distance reception on parts of the shortwave frequency spectrum, while long-distance reception conditions on the mediumwave band are likely to deteriorate gradually.
(DXing.info, January 18, 2008)

Celtic Music Radio promoting Scottish music on 1530 kHz

Glasgow community station Celtic Music Radio has begun broadcasting on 1530 kHz mediumwave. The first test broadcasts aired on January 12, and regular AM broadcasting began on January 16. The transmitter power is about 70 watts. Transmitter site is Shieldhall Wharf on the Clyde to the west of the city. The station has a 5-year Community Radio licence. Celtic Music Radio intends to be a cultural voice for contemporary and traditional Scottish music and song. You can contact the station by writing to the studio at: Celtic Music Radio (Studio), Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, University of Strathclyde, Livingstone Tower, 26 Richmond Street, Glasgow G1 1XH, United Kingdom (also email), or by writing to the administration/head office address: Celtic Music Radio Ltd, 153 Queen Street, Glasgow G1 3BJ, United Kingdom, or by email. Information about the station was published by Dave Kenny on the BDXC mailing list on January 14.
(DXing.info, January 18, 2008)

Finland's YLE closed down last AM transmitter

The Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) has silenced its last remaining mediumwave transmitter on the frequency of 558 kHz. A 50-kilowatt transmitter in the capital Helsinki was closed down at 2200 UTC on December 31, 2007. The Helsinki transmitter was used for relaying talk radio network Radio Peili to neighboring countries. YLE announced the closure of 558 AM in the end of November, as part of measures intended to cut costs. YLE has been forced to reduce expenses as an increasing number of Finland's population has stopped paying license fees which form the backbone of YLE revenue. After the closure of 558 kHz, there are no longer any daily broadcasts from Finland on the AM band. Only Radio Hami (1584 kHz) and Scandinavian Weekend Radio (1602 kHz) have periodical low-power transmissions.
(DXing.info, January 3, 2008)

Peruvian Radio Manantial and Radio Superior on shortwave

Radio Manantial is a new shortwave station in Peru. Radio Manantial broadcasts from Huancán on 4990.8 kHz in the 60 meter shortwave band. According to Henrik Klemetz, the station has no connection with Radio Ancash, which has previously been heard on the same frequency. Officially the shortwave frequency is given as 4985 kHz. The station broadcasts also on 960 kHz mediumwave in Huancayo and on 94.9 MHz FM in Huancavelica. The 1-kilowatt shortwave transmitter of Radio Manantial is located in the district of Huancán, in the Huancayo area. The postal address is in care of I.E.P.J. "Templo La Hermosa", Jirón Santa Cecilia No. 107, Chilca, Huancayo, Peru.
      Also from Peru, Radio Superior has been heard on 4523.5 kHz. The station was logged by Rafael Rodriguez in Colombia on December 29-30, 2007, and posted on Radioescutas mailing list. The location of this station has not been determined. During past years, stations named Radio Superior have operated in Distrito de Bolivar (5300 kHz) and Naranjos (6237 kHz, variable frequency).
(DXing.info, January 3, 2008)

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