cobalt pet shortwave / mediumwave weblog

24 August 2006

shortwave summary: aug 2006 (part 2)

    august 2006 reception reports: (part 1) (part 2) (part 3)

Here's another instance where a story (the AIDS conference in Toronto) was told by more than one station. There's also news about abortions in Quebec, gorillas in the Calgary zoo, and my complaint that Radio Thailand gave out their contact information too quickly for copying.

Receiver used: Sony ICF SW7600GR

Received stations:
* Radio Canada International
* Radio Thailand

* 19 Aug 2006, 0105 UTC, 13710 khz (Radio Canada Intl): I started off the hour by trying to make use of a noisy and faint signal from Radio Budapest on 9590 khz. Sadly, it wasn't happening. I'd be happy to add that station to my list!

When I picked up RCI, they were discussing an AIDS conference currently being held in Toronto. On one of the days during the conference, hotel workers showed up wearing labor union pins attached to red AIDS ribbons, and were reprimanded. The workers are involved in a labor dispute due to working without a contract since February.

The United Nations wants 3500 troops on the Lebanon border within 10 days. France's small troop contribution is being criticized, although Italy may fill the gaps. Clear rules of engagement need to be established. Israel destroyed an estimated $3.6 billion worth of Lebanon's infrastructure. Iran is reportedly sending money to Hezbollah from its oil riches. Hezbollah has been giving cash to the Shia. Olmert put an indefinite hold on a plan to redefine Israel's borders. Israel will instead focus on rebuilding the north and taking care of its own. The cost for Israel's military offensive is estimated at $6 billion. The UN food agency will send aid to North Korea after a flooding incident last month. North Korea initially refused aid (it practices a self-reliance doctrine known as juche).

A judgment in Quebec requires the reimbursement of $13 million that was paid to private clinics for abortions. The Canadian government considers itself financially responsible for the procedures under its Federal health act. Some women had to go to private clinics due to overcrowding at public facilities, but then they had to pay out-of-pocket. Ford is cutting production by 20% in its 4th quarter, causing its stock price to fall. On Friday, the Toronto stock market was down by 11 points. Canada has 800 organized crime groups. A baby gorilla died at the Calgary zoo after it was taken from its mother by another gorilla. The new mother was not producing milk. 30% of gorillas born in captivity do not survive.

This was a loud and clear broadcast. At the half-hour mark, which is about when I stopped listening, the broadcast was identified as a transmission to central and western United States on 13710 khz starting at 0100 UTC. The same content is also on Sirius satellite radio, channel 137, but I don't use that craptechnology.

* 20 Aug 2006, 0200 UTC, 5890 khz (Radio Thailand): The royal highness will pay a visit to Japan, present a talk in Tokyo, and visit some museums there. Leaders in Thailand say that every party should put their bodies and souls into solving unrest problems in the deep south. All citizens are encouraged to visit the fair on its 8th and final day on Sunday. Scholarship programs for underprivileged and poverty-stricken children have been expanded; the scholarships encourage the students to complete studies and seek work near their homes. A youth fair was held at the national stadium on Saturday. Thailand was praised at the Toronto AIDS conference for working to prevent the spread of the disease. Elections are coming on 15 October (although I missed the purpose of the elections). The new international airport will be operational on 15 September, and airlines are encouraged to begin flights there. 28 September will be the end of operations at the old airport.

There were unauthorized price increases for powdered milk and fish sauce. 33 youths at a detention center escaped by climbing a wall; 31 were already recaptured. During their excursion, they threatened a bus driver with a knife. The escape was provoked by youths with behavior problems. License plate numbers were recently auctioned off; the most popular number was "9999". Thailand's king is the longest-reining monarch in Thai history, marking 60 years on the throne. He has "worked tirelessly to ease [citizens'] hardships." "This is Radio Thailand news." Now, someone is discussing Bali, and it sounds a lot like an advertisement. The segment only lasted for a minute or two. It has relaxed beaches on the east, and more active, happening beaches on the west. Its government has developed three areas as tourist resorts. Hungary national day is 20 August. The forefathers of Hungary were from Asia. (This part is a recording of the Hungarian ambassador to Thailand, and included the standard praise for the king.) "Time for us to bid farewell." They mentioned a gmail email address but I didn't hear it clearly. Grandfather clock bells are marking the end of the broadcast. "That concludes our program in English to the United States west coast." More clock bells.

A notable exclusion from this broadcast was any mention of John Mark Karr, a murder suspect who recently surrendered while staying in Thailand.

Unfortunately, the quick delivery of contact information made it impossible for me to copy it. I just went to their website to retrieve it, but the webpage says "this account has been suspended. Please contact the billing/support department as soon as possible."

After this reception, I reached the end of my second "marble memo" reception report notebook.

    august 2006 reception reports: (part 1) (part 2) (part 3)

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