Making Lemonade

Looks like a lot of our usually outdoor activities are going on hold this summer. The price of gas was already going to limit our travels this summer. We like to go hiking on local trails and that is out due to my wife's injury. Looks like the shack is going to serve a more important role for entertainment this summer. Hopefully I can also get the time to do regular and a better quality of posting here. So cheers to trying to make the best of a bad situation.

Kim broke her ankle

It has been an interesting two days. We had a Memorial day weekend over at our place on .Sunday. We had just opened the pool and Kim did the first cannon ball of the season and landed on the bottom of th pool wrong. She ended up brreaking her leg and there was a 14 mm (over half an inch separation of the bone. Needless to say, I have not been listening to much radio lately but did add to the scanner traffic.

Radio Netherlands E-mail Newsletter

Radio Netherlands has an email newsletter and below is a copy of one with information on how to get it. Enjoy!


Radio Netherlands Worldwide PROGRAMME PREVIEW Saturday 24 May - Friday 30 May

Welcome to our weekly guide to Radio Netherlands Worldwide's English Service - a list of the new programmes coming up on Radio Netherlands Worldwide this week, beginning on Saturday.


SATURDAY 24 MAY

*** The State We're In ***
This week on the show that looks at how we treat each other we're focusing on the growing trend in corporate philanthropy - companies, or rich individuals, giving money to help others. And we're not talking bake sales - we're talking canapés, cocktails and celebrities. So we go to the Global Philanthropy Forum to meet some of the charities vying for the billions at stake. Plus we speak with the GPF's head Jane Wales, who tells us why giving has become de rigueur for, in particular, the IT jet set.

We look at the right to sex and talk to the Dutch organisation that arranges 'sex care givers' for the disabled and learn that the word 'gig' in Thai means 'friendship with benefits'.

And getting back to philanthropy, but on a smaller scale, we talk about Kiva.org, the site where you can loan as little as 25 US dollars to a perspective entrepreneur in the developing world. We meet an American lender and the Ugandan woman who took the money, started a clothing retail business and, in contrast to the system of charity and grants, is now paying the cash back so it can be loaned to someone else.


Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1006 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
1406 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1800 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1900 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2000 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)


*** Network Europe Week ***
A collaboration by Europe's leading broadcasters

A pan-European team links up across the continent to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe. If you missed any editions of Network Europe Week satisfy your needs with this digest of the programme's top stories.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1500 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)

Note that on Saturday we also run repeats of:

Curious Orange: 1530 (South Asia 9345, 12080, 15595)
Bridges with Africa:
0000 (Eastern N America 9845)
0100 (Central N America 9845)
0400 (Western N America 6165)



SUNDAY 25 MAY

*** Network Europe Extra ***
Arts and Culture brought to you from Europe's widest partnership of international broadcasters.


Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1005 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
1405 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1500 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1800 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1900 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2000 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)


*** Reloaded ***
Your chance to catch up with some of the highlights from recent programmes; the best, the most interesting or newsworthy, or sometimes the funniest, chosen by our producers and presented by Mindy Ran.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1030 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
1430 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1530 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1830 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1930 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2030 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)

Note that on Sunday we also run:

The State We're In:
0000 (Eastern N America 9845)
0100 (Central N America 9845)
0400 (Western N America 6165)




MONDAY 26 MAY

*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1400 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1530 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1800 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1900 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2000 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)



*** Curious Orange ***
This week on Curious Orange: leaving the Lowlands. More and more Native Dutch are leaving Holland - we'll find out where they're going and why.

And, Arts & Culture editor Philip Smet will tell us about 'gevelstenen' - it doesn't really translate, so you'll just have to tune in to find out what they are!

Also, Perro de Jong will be in with his critical eye. And, as always, we'll feature a little Dutch music. This week we'll hear from the gypsy orchestra Zigeunerorkest Servus.


Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
1430 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1830 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1930 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2030 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)

Repeated:
Tuesday:
0000 (Eastern N America 9845)
0100 (Central N America 9845)
0400 (Western N America 6165)
Wednesday
1030 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
Saturday
15:30 1000 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)

Note that on Monday we also run:

Network Europe Extra followed by Reloaded:
0000 (Eastern N America 9845)
0100 (Central N America 9845)
Bridges with Africa followed by Radio Books:
0400 (Western N America 6165)



TUESDAY 27 MAY

*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
0000 (Eastern N America 9845)
0100 (Central N America 9845)
0400 (Western N America 6165)
1400 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1530 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1800 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1900 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2000 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)


*** The State We're In - Midweek Edition ***
This week on the show that looks at how we treat each other we're focusing on the growing trend in corporate philanthropy - companies, or rich individuals, giving money to help others. And we're not talking bake sales - we're talking canapés, cocktails and celebrities. So we go to the Global Philanthropy Forum to meet some of the charities vying for the billions at stake. Plus we speak with the GPF's head Jane Wales, who tells us why giving has become de rigueur for, in particular, the IT jet set.

We look at the right to sex and talk to the Dutch organisation that arranges 'sex care givers' for the disabled and learn that the word 'gig' in Thai means 'friendship with benefits'.


Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
1430 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1830 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1930 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2030 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)


Note that on Tuesday we also run:

Bridges with Africa:
1030 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
Network Europe:
1500 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
Curious Orange:
0030 (Eastern N America 9845)
0130 (Central N America 9845)
0430 (Western N America 6165)



WEDNESDAY 28 MAY

*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
0000 (Eastern N America 9845)
0100 (Central N America 9845)
0400 (Western N America 6165)
1400 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1530 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1800 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1900 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2000 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)


*** Radio Books ***
Earlier this year Radio Books invited you to send in entries for its short story competition. Almost 70 arrived from as far afield as New Zealand, Bangladesh, China and the US. Over the next few weeks the five winning entries will be broadcast together with an interview with the author.

This week the overall winner will be announced and his powerful winning entry is sure to leave you listening to the last breath.


Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
1430 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1830 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1930 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2030 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)

Repeated:
Thursday:
0030 (Eastern N America 9845)
0130 (Central N America 9845)
0430 (Western N America 6165)
Friday
1030 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)

Note that on Wednesday we also run:

Curious Orange:
1030 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
Network Europe:
1500 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
The State We're In Midweek Edition:
0030 (Eastern N America 9845)
0130 (Central N America 9845)
0430 (Western N America 6165)



THURSDAY 29 MAY

*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
0000 (Eastern N America 9845)
0100 (Central N America 9845)
0400 (Western N America 6165)
1400 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1530 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1800 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1900 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2000 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)


*** Earthbeat ***
'Two women'

Host Dheera Sujan replays interviews with two of the most inspiring women she's met - they live in separate parts of the world, yet they have much in common. Both have given up their middle class lives of relative luxury to live in rural areas to help the children most in need. Every day, they look starvation and misery in the face and dedicate their lives to helping people combat them. Both have an endless capacity for love and despite daily proof of the contrary, both continue to believe that it is love that will in the end, conquer all.


Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 (East/Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia 9795, Far East 6040)
1430 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1830 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 11655, 12050)
1930 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2030 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)


Repeated:
Friday
0030 (Eastern N America 9845)
0130 (Central N America 9845)
0430 (Western N America 6165)
Monday
1030 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)


Note that on Thursday we also run:

Network Europe Extra:
1030 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
Network Europe:
1500 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
Radio Books:
0030 (Eastern N America 9845)
0130 (Central N America 9845)
0430 (Western N America 6165)


FRIDAY 30 MAY

*** Newsline ***
The latest world news and current affairs.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
0000 (Eastern N America 9845)
0100 (Central N America 9845)
0400 (Western N America 6165)
1400 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1530 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1800 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
1900 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2000 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)


*** Network Europe ***

A Pan European team links up across the continent each week to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe.

The programme is a unique example of European co-operation, produced by the continent's leading international broadcasters, it reflects the diversity of European society and voices. Each week we drop in on specialists around Europe and catch up with our extensive network of correspondents for their unique take on the events shaping the week.

Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
0030 (Eastern N America 6165)
0130 (Central N America 6165)
0530 (Western N America 6165)
1030 (East/Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia 9795, Far East 6040)
1430 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1830 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 15535)
2000 (East Africa 11805, 12050, West Africa 17810, Central/Southern Africa 7120)


*** Bridges with Africa ***
This week on Bridges with Africa we see how South Africa's children orphaned by hiv/aids deal with this trauma.

We compare Africa's development over the past half century with Asia.

We conclude our interview series with the woman who set out to answer the question: what has happened to Robert Mugabe?

And we have more about the ups and downs of the annual jazz festival in St. Louis (Senegal).


Broadcast times on SW (UTC):
1000 (East/Southeast Asia 12065, East Asia 9795, Far East 6040)
1430 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
1830 (Southern Africa 6020, East/Central Africa 11655, 12050)
1930 (East/Central Africa 15535, West Africa 11660, 15335, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)
2030 (West Africa 17810, East Africa 5905, Southern Africa 7425)

Repeated:
Saturday
0030 (Eastern N America 9845)
0130 (Central N America 9845)
0430 (Western N America 6165)
Tuesday
1030 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)


Note that on Friday we also run:

Radio Books:
1030 (East/Central Asia 15510, East Asia 13820, Southeast Asia 11895, Far East 12065)
Network Europe:
1500 (South Asia 9345, 9890, 11835)
Earthbeat:
0030 (Eastern N America 9845)
0130 (Central N America 9845)
0430 (Western N America 6165)



For more information on tuning in via radio, satellite and the internet, visit here.

Enews is here.

Checker Board Lounge

This show was on WBCQ for a while. They played some excellent, gritty blues. I absolutely loved their selections and was saddened when I found out it was not being continued and lived a far too short of a life. At least I got a QSL as a reminder and enjoyed some really good blues. i think there are archives of it on wbcq if I remember right.

Checker

Swedish QSL

This is a QSL I got frrom radio Sweden back in June of 2005. I always like their nautical themed QSLs.

Back in the Saddle

For the first time in a while, I had two full evenings of shortwave. It was almost entire WBCQ but it felt like visiting home. Listened to Bluegrass State of Mind, 867-5309, Allen Weiner Worldwide, Timtron and Marion's Attic. What a collection of good music, humor and generally weird stuff (not to forget the red stuff that Timtron drinks). I got a new shortwave that seams to be working out really good. I will give a review on it later. I am kinda proud of the fact that I have the scanner going on in the background. It has been too long since I have listened to that and storm season is warming up.There are things I need to learn to get more out of that unit.

I had to laugh when I canceled the satellite tv a month ago. The rep asked what were we going to do about tv, I felt like asking him if he knew about over the air tv and that there are other medias other than the one eyed mind sucking monster called tv. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy tv but it is no where near the only show in town. Between the internet, radio, and my mp3 player, plus all the other things both necessary and fun, i don't miss having the tv on most days. I still watch some but it is increasingly little.

Vatican Radio QSL

I thought it was weird how I started getting QSL's from Vatican Radio. I had noticed that some of the Voice of Russia transmissions I was getting were via the Vatican City transmitters so I thought to look up Vatican Radio's schedule to hear them since I was hearing their transmitters. Piece of cake and got this QSL and one other from them. Hopefully in a future post I will put up the other one.

The Shack has gone partially deaf

Carp! One of my shortwave receivers is down. Definitely a bummer and worse than being bogged by other priorities instead of listening in the shack. I will see what I can do to get back up and running.

C. Crane FM Transmitter

I don't know if this really belongs in this blog but it has to do with broadcast so I will throw it in. I got a C. Crane FM transmitter for Christmas. This weekend I got to field test it on a road trip to just south of Chicago, Illinois from just north of Fort Wayne, Indiana. I got some interesting results. First of all, overall, it worked really well. Second, I noticed that when I was going past semi trucks, I would get some interference. My guess is that it was from their satellite radio system but I could very much be wrong. The model I have has full spectrum broadcast sweep so that helped take out the interference. The only big downside was that when we got near enough to Chicago with all their station, it was hard to find a clear channel to listen on. Annoying and as disappointing as that is, it worked for most of the trip flawlessly. Not to disregard the weakness to much but I was not too upset by the way it functions. It is usually in the open areas and not the city centers where I would be using this the most with my mp3 player. In the population centers, I would be wanting to get the local radio more. Not perfect but at least for me, it works with how I want to use it.