NASB Newsletter for May 2009

The May 2009  National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters Newsletter can be found here (in doc -format).

Best Regards,

Dan Elyea

Secretary-Treasurer, NASB

April 2009 NASB Newsletter

The April 2009  National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters Newsletter can be found here (in doc -format).

Best Regards,

Dan Elyea

Secretary-Treasurer, NASB

The Happy Station Show Returns

Press  Release February  17,  2009

After  an  almost  15  year  absence  on  the  shortwave  dial   The  Happy  Station  Show returns  this  March.
What  is  Happy  Station?   The  Happy  Station  is  one  the  longest  running  shows  ever on  shortwave.

In  March  of  1927  when  Philips  Radio  started  broadcasts  over  station PCJJ  as  a  way  to  reach  the  Dutch  East  Indies  (Indonesia).  Sometime  in  1928  a  very young  Edward  Startz  created  the  Happy  Station,  he  changed  PCJJ  to  PCJ,  which  he said  stood  for  Peace,  Cheer  &  Joy.  The  show  continued  until  the  start  of  war.  During WW2  the  only  shortwave  done  by  the  Dutch  was  via  the  BBC  in  Londonbroadcasting  back  to  Holland  with  Radio  Orange.

After  the  war  around  1946  the  Dutch  Government  founded  Radio  Nederland Wereldomroep  and  Edward  Startz  returned  to  microphone  as  presenter  of  The Happy  Station  Show.  Edward  remained  with  the  show  for  43  years,  way  past  the legal  age  to  retire  in  the  Netherlands.
In  January  1970  Tom  Meijer  who  was  working  for  the  Dutch  section  of  Radio Nederland  took  over  as  host.  This  was  a  major  transition.  With  Tom  the  show  took on  a  new  life  and  energy.  The  Tom  Meijer  era  was  one  of  fun,  with  Tom  making  you feel  that  the  Sunday  broadcasts  were  bringing  all  the  listeners  together  for  a  family gathering.  It  truly  was  your  Sunday  family  show  of  smiles  across  the  miles. Tom  Meijer  stayed  with  Happy  Station  for  21  years  until  he  retired.  After  he  left  the show  it  was  first  taken  over  by  long  time  Radio  Netherlands  announcer/producer Pete  Myers  and  then  by  Jonathan  Groubert.  The  Happy  Station  Show  was  canceled  in 1995.

Why  return  Happy  Station?   The  Happy  Station  had  and  still  has  a  very  loyal audience  and  now  the  time  is  right  to  return  with  the  same  message  of  Peace,  Cheer &  Joy  and  Smiles  Across  The  Miles  that  Edward  and  Tom  brought  listeners  every week.
What  is  different?   One  of  the  major  changes  with  the  Happy  Station  today  is  it won’t  be  a  Radio  Netherlands  production.  Instead  it  will  be  independently  produced and  distributed.  Radio  Netherlands  has  given  permission  for  the  new  producer  and presenter  to  use  the  name  Happy  Station,  as  long  as  it’s  made  clear  there  is  no affiliation  with  Radio  Netherlands.

The  new  Happy  Station  host  will  be  Keith  Perron  a  Canadian  broadcaster  who  has been  based  in  Asia  for almost  10  years.  He  has  worked  as  an  announcer/producer with  CKUT  Montreal,  Radio  Canada  International,  and  Radio  Havana  Cuba,  CHMB Vancouver,  China  Radio  International  and  has  freelanced  for  Monitor  Radio,  CBC Radio  and  others  over  the  last  17  years.

The  new  Happy  Station  Show  won’t  be  produced  in  Holland,  but  will  be  based  in Taipei,  Taiwan  and  will  be  distributed  using  many  different  channels  and  all  aspects of  technology,  new  and  old  to  bring  the  show  to  the  audience.  The  first  will  be shortwave  on  the  frequency  of  9955khz via  WRMI (Radio  Miami  International)  for
listeners  in  North  and  South  America.  After  the  shows  first  transmission  on shortwave,  it  will  be  uploaded  as  a  podcast so  fans  of  the  show  not  in  the  target region  will  be  able  to  tune  in.  A  plan  is  in  place  to  bring  it  on  shortwave  to  other regions  of  the  world;  this  will  be  announced  at  a  later  date.

A  facebook  page  has  also been  set  up  where  listeners  can  send  in  pictures  and  recorded  messages,  which  will
be  used  on  the  show. With  the  revival  of  The  Happy  Station  Show  there  will  also  be  a  Happy  Station
youtube  channel,  where  listeners  will  be  able  to  upload  videos  from  where  ever  they are  in  the  world.  The  new  host  of  the  show  will  also  present  videos  and  a  behind  the scenes  look  at  the  new  show  and  it’s  new  surrounding.

For  listeners  who  remember  the  Spanish  version  of  the  show  La  Estación  de  la Alegría,  Keith  will  at  a  later  date  present  both  editions.  At  the  beginning  the  show will  be  bieweekly,  when  the  Spanish  edition  comes  at  a  later  date,  it  will  rotate  with the  English  Happy  Station.

For  those  who  fondly  remember  Tom  Meijer  you  will  also  have  a  chance  to  hear  him again  in  guest  spots  as  well  as  some  of  the  songs  he  recorded  at  Radio  Netherlands over  the  years.   The  first  edition  will  be  a  tribute  to  Tom  and  the  original  Happy Station  with  contributions  from  listeners  from  around  the  world  and  some  very famous  voices  from  the  shortwave  dial.

For  more  information,  audio  samples  and  pictures  contact:

Skype:  pcj.happystation
Email:  pcj.happystation at gmail.com
Telephone;  +886  938408592
Facebook:  The  New  Happy  Station
Post;  Happy  Station  Show  Attnf  Keith  Perron,  8 th   Floor,  No47,  Lane  31,  Section  1,
Sanmin  Road,  Banciao,  Taipei,  Taiwan  (ROC),  22070

Shortwave Radio Meetings – 2009

The list is compiled by Risto Vähäkainu/The Finnish DX Association
Dates: March 13-14
Location: Kulpsville, PA, USA
Organzation: Winter SWL Fest
Expected Attendance: 200
More Info: www.swlfest.com

Dates: May 7-8
Location: Nashville, TN, USA
Oganisation: National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters
More Info: www.shortwave.org

Dates: May 15-17
Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA
Organization: Dayton Hamvention
Expected Attendance: 20,000
More Info: www.hamvention.org

Dates: May 15-17
Location: Vejers Beach, Jutland, Denmark
Description: The annual general meeting of DSWCI and listening camp
Organization: Danish Short Wave Club International
Expected Attendance: 30
More Info: www.dswci.org

Dates: June 12-14
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Description: The annual DX-Parliament of Swedish DXers
Organization: Swedish DX Federation
Expected Attendance: 30
More Info: www.sdxf.org

Dates: June 26-28
Location: Friedrichshafen, Germany
Description: Ham Radio, biggest annual hamfest in Europe

Dates: July 29-August 1
Location: Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
Description: The Annual Mexican DX Meeting (15th anniversary)
Expected Attendance: 50
More Info: www.gratisweb.com/dxmexico/english.htm

Dates: August 7-9 (not confirmed)
Location: Finland, no more exact info yet
Description: The Annual Summer Meeting
Organization: The Finnish DX Association
Expected Attendance: 80
More Info: www.sdxl.org

Dates: August 20-24
Location: Solingen-Wald, Germany
Description: Summer DX Camp
Organization: Kurzwellenfreunde Rhein/Ruhr
More Info: infohq@kwfr.de

Dates: August 22-23
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Organization: Tokyo Ham Fair
Expected Attendance: 30000

Dates: August 28-30
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Description: European DX Conference
Organization: European DX Council/Irish DX Club
Expected Attendance: 50
More Info: www.edxc.org

Dates: September 4-9
Location: Berlin, Germany
Name: IFA Internationale Funkausstellung
Description: Consumer Electronics Fair – Including Radios

ZLXA to cease broadcasting on 3935 kHz – last transmission dates

Dear friends,

This is the message from the QSL Manager of ZLXA about a Board decision of making a final SW broadcast on 3935 kHz on 20-22 March for us international DX-ers.

Best 73,
Anker Petersen
Danish Shortwave Club International

—– Original Message —–
From: Kelvin Brayshaw
Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2009 12:31 AM
Subject: Decision on ZLXA 3935 kHz

Dear Friends

Following a meeting of the Board of N.Z. Radio for the Print Disabled Inc. on 2 Feb 2009, below is an extract from the Secretary’s reply to my letter of 26 January in which I discuss the possible closure of our shortwave service.

Quote:
The Board of the NZ Radio for the Print Disabled considered all the facts presented but came to the decision to cease broadcasting as ZLXA on 3935 kHz forthwith.  The main reason for this decision is the state of the valves on the transmitter.  We would need to renew the four valves (4/400c) at a cost of approximately $3000 also the cost of power at $400 per month and an annual licence of $700 combined makes this broadcasting service completely unfeasible.

We are at this point in time trying to raise finance to replace the MW transmitter which suffered damage during last year’s storm.

The Board, though, has agreed to broadcast on 3935 kHz over a weekend from 5.00pm Friday 20th March through to Monday morning 23rd March 2009, (0400 20/3 – 1900 22/3 UTC), depending on the transmitter functioning for that period.

This is the best that we can do to enable the many international DXers to receive our transmission for one last time.

Unquote.

As you will appreciate, for an organisation reliant on grants and donations to continue serving our listening community, the shortwave component is no longer viable.  Therefore, RRS will maintain local broadcasts on 1602 kHz  (2XA) and 107.3 MHz FM only.

Kindest regards & Best DX
Kelvin Brayshaw
QSL Manager
NZ Radio Reading Service
LEVIN

New Zealand’s ZLXA 3935 Goes Silent

Dear Dx-Friends all over the World ! I just received this message from the Pacific Ocean Region.

Best 73, Tibor Szilagyi, EDXC Secretary General

___________________________________

New Zealand’s ZLXA 3935 Goes Silent

___________________________________

We’ve just heard that New Zealand shortwave station, ZLXA of the Radio Reading Service, is about to permanently sign off the air. In fact, it has already been silent since December 1 2008 and, as the following message from Kelvin Brayshaw [QSL Manager] says, the chances of it returning, except for a last special broadcast for DXers, are very unlikely.

“Subject: Radio Reading Service -ZLXA 3935 kHz

Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:44:53 +1300

From: Kelvin Brayshaw

I’m sorry to have to tell you that, in all probability, the shortwave service of the Radio Reading Service will soon be discontinued. ZLXA, 3935kHz, has been in abeyance since 1st December 2008 pending the result of a listener survey and the consideration of cost-effectiveness. The final outcome is expected to be advised following deliberations by management at the first board meeting of the year – probably in February. I feel there will be members of SWL groups who might appreciate an opportunity to log this transmitter one last time during the northern winter, and I’m sure that if you were to make a special request on behalf of shortwave listeners, RRS management would, in a continuing spirit of goodwill, consider marking an event of such significance to the worldwide DX community by resuming transmission for a brief period. In the meantime Radio Reading Service programmes are streaming on the Internet.

73 & Best DX Kelvin Brayshaw QSL Manager“

According to the Radio Heritage Foundation [www.radioheritage.net] you can contact ZLXA Radio Reading Service by email: info@radioreading.org, or by mail to PO Box 360, Levin, New Zealand. The website is www.radioreading.org where you can learn more about the Shortwave Survey, about new technology options to reach listeners, and also learn more about the services provided by the station to its listeners in New Zealand. Until last month, ZLXA broadcast with 1kw on 3935 kHz shortwave.

Here at the Radio Heritage Foundation, we share the disappointment of many international listeners to this news. However, we also understand the issues facing the Radio Reading Service board of management that are leading up to this decision. We encourage radio listeners worldwide to take advantage of this offer by the station to make one more shortwave broadcast before leaving the air and to stay tuned for more information as to the date and time of this last broadcast.

New Global Standard for Fully Networked Home

Dear   Friends,

Here is the latest news about New Global Standard for Fully Networked Home.

http://www.itu.int/newsroom/press_releases/2008/36.html

Wish you interesting reading !

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009 !

Best wishes and greetings from Sweden,

T i b o r      S z i l a g y i

EDXC  Secretary  General

QSL-Calendar 2009 from Rhein-Main-Radio-Club

Rhein-Main-Radio-Club, Frankfurt, Germany, one of the leading German DX-clubs since 30 years proudly present the 4nd edition of the unique QSL-Calendar 2009.
The full colour art print calendar offers real treasures from our historical QSL archives, covering QSL cards from the 1930’s to present. The calender is in English and costs 15 Euro including shipment world
wide. The new QSL-calendar is available now. The calendar is rare, unique and a special gift to radio freinds.

The QSL-calendar project is a Non Profit project supporting far distance listening. We would be happy if you will order some copies. You can order direct from me or at our homepage www.rmrc.de

best 73

Harald Gabler
RMRC CEO
www.rmrc.de

Rhein-Main-Radio-Club, Frankfurt, Germany

NASB Newsletter for November 2008

The latest NASB Newsletter can be read here (in doc -format). “IBB Greenville Showcased at NASB-DRM USA Annual Meeting”, and other news items.

Virtual Museum of Radio Communications online now

Rainer Brannolte has launched his virtual museum of radio communications. His website www.utilityradio. com is dedicated to ancient utility-stations on the bands between 9 KHz and 30 MHz. He offers legendary sound files from stations that ceased duty long ago. You can find some very interesting QSL on his web pages, too.
His little online-museum is still growing but with some very interesting sound clips he opened his doors today.
Please be kind and take a look at www.utilityradio. com [http://www.utilityradio.com/] – and discover some interesting facts of what was on the bands between the 1960s and today. Listen to stations from Cameroon, Belgium, the former G.D.R. or have a look at some utility TX-sites on Google Maps.
Everyone is invited to visit www.utilityradio. com [http://www.utilityradio.com/] and enjoy sounds from long ago. If you like you can also contribute your own recordings from stations on the bands. And your images of rare QSLs are appreciated, too. Share the history of utility radio with us.
OM Rainer and I hope to see you at www.utilityradio. com [http://www.utilityradio.com/

(Thomas Ingenpass, Germany, in UDXF yg, via Horacio Nigro, Uruguay, DXLD)