Local
AM stations launched in Poland and Ireland
A new Polish station has
been recently launched on the mediumwave frequency
of 1332 kHz. Twoje Radio Stalowa Wola has a power
of 0.5 kilowatts. News about the new stations was
published by Bernd Trutenau on mwdx mailing list
on September 29.
In Ireland, a temporary station "949
The Rock" is licensed to broadcast on 1278
kHz mediumwave during the weekends until December
2. 949 The Rock - simulcasting on FM 94.9 MHz -
began transmissions at midnight on September 27,
according to Radiowaves.fm. The station broadcasts
24 hours a day on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays,
covering the capital Dublin area. The Rock plays
a mix of rock music from the 1960s to the present
day. The station can be contacted by writing to
949 The Rock, Marina House, Clarence St., Dun Laoghaire,
Co. Dublin, Ireland, by phone at +353-1-2844738
or by email.
(DXing.info,
September 29, 2007)
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Nighttime digital
broadcasting begins on the US AM band
Several
broadcasters around the United States turned on
their digital AM transmitters last night, as soon
as it was allowed by the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC). As a result, interference caused
by digital transmitters to analogue broadcasters
has increased considerably. Until now, digital IBOC
broadcasting was only allowed during the daytime
to minimize interference. Skywave propagation during
the night enables digital hiss to spread much further.
DX listeners have reported several
strong stations switching to IBOC immediately after
midnight, September 14, resulting in severe adjacent-channel
interference. Among the strongest stations using
IBOC at night are WHO Des Moines IA (1040 kHz),
WTAM Cleveland OH (1100 kHz), KFAB Omaha NE (1110),
KEX Portland OR (1190) and KFBK Sacramento CA (1530
kHz).
Many dxers fear that widespread
adoption of IBOC can render the AM broadcasting
band useless for long-distance analogue reception.
For example, Clear Channel Communications, which
is the largest radio station owner in the U.S. operating
more than 1200 stations, is planning to begin nighttime
digital broadcasts on all its stations capable of
doing so. However, many other radio stations are
still reluctant to switch to IBOC because of high
costs, marginal improvement in reception, and low
penetration of digital HD receivers.
(DXing.info,
September 14, 2007)
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.
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