Scanning - Shortwave - Ham Radio Equipment - Computers - Antique Radio Volume 26, No. 11 November 2007 U.S. $5.95 A Publication of Grove Enterprises Can. $5.95 Printed in the United States Listening to Clandestine Radio Also in this issue: • Zimbabwe’s Radio Voice of the People MT Reviews: • Kaito’s Multifaceted KA1121 • GRE PSR-500 Raises the Bar SR2000A_MonTimes 8/14/07 7:06 AM Page 1 Watch What Happens! AOR SR2000A The SR2000A is an ultra-fast spectrum Frequency Monitor display monitor that lets you SEE � Frequency coverage: received signals in 25MHz 3GHz (no gaps)* � Ultra-stable, high-sensitivity triple-conversion receiver � External video output (composite video) � AM/NFM/WFM/SFM/TV receive modes � Displays up to 40MHz of spectrum bandwidth (20MHz or 40MHz selectable)** � P25 decoding function available with optional P25-8600 � Waterfall (time) display function � 1000 memory settings (100ch x 10 memory banks) � Average or peak value readings � Video display function (NTSC/PAL/SECAM auto Using the power of FFT (Fast Fourier select)*** Transform) algorithms with a powerful � 5 inch TFT color LCD display receiver covering 25MHz ~ 3GHz*, the � Versatile color display SR2000A features a color monitor that uses state of the art displays up to 40MHz spectrum simulated video digital signal processing bandwidth or video display of NTSC, PAL or SECAM signals. � High speed FFT search quickly Ultra-sensitive, incredibly fast, yet easy to use, with a high quality captures new signal transmissions internal speaker for crisp, clean audio signals. � Easy menu-driven operation � PC control through RS232C Scans 10MHz in as little as 0.2 seconds! Instantly serial port or USB interface detects, captures and displays transmitted signals. AOR U.S.A., Inc. *Government version. Cellular blocked for US ® consumer version. 20655 S. Western Ave., Suite 112, Torrance, CA 90501, USA Tel: 310-787-8615 Fax: 310-787-8619 **No audio is available when the frequency span [email protected] http://www.aorusa.com is set to 20MHz or 40MHz. ***No audio available while displaying video Authority on Radio signal on the LCD. If both video and audio need Communications to be monitored simultaneously, an optional (external) TV2000 is required. SR2000A_MonTimes 8/14/07 7:06 AM Page 1 Watch What Happens! AOR SR2000A The SR2000A is an ultra-fast spectrum Frequency Monitor display monitor that lets you SEE � Frequency coverage: received signals in 25MHz 3GHz (no gaps)* � Ultra-stable, high-sensitivity triple-conversion receiver � External video output (composite video) � AM/NFM/WFM/SFM/TV receive modes � Displays up to 40MHz of spectrum bandwidth (20MHz or 40MHz selectable)** � P25 decoding function available with optional P25-8600 � Waterfall (time) display function � 1000 memory settings (100ch x 10 memory banks) � Average or peak value readings � Video display function (NTSC/PAL/SECAM auto Using the power of FFT (Fast Fourier select)*** Transform) algorithms with a powerful � 5 inch TFT color LCD display receiver covering 25MHz ~ 3GHz*, the � Versatile color display SR2000A features a color monitor that uses state of the art displays up to 40MHz spectrum simulated video digital signal processing bandwidth or video display of NTSC, PAL or SECAM signals. � High speed FFT search quickly Ultra-sensitive, incredibly fast, yet easy to use, with a high quality captures new signal transmissions internal speaker for crisp, clean audio signals. � Easy menu-driven operation � PC control through RS232C Scans 10MHz in as little as 0.2 seconds! Instantly serial port or USB interface detects, captures and displays transmitted signals. AOR U.S.A., Inc. *Government version. Cellular blocked for US ® consumer version. 20655 S. Western Ave., Suite 112, Torrance, CA 90501, USA Tel: 310-787-8615 Fax: 310-787-8619 **No audio is available when the frequency span [email protected] http://www.aorusa.com is set to 20MHz or 40MHz. ***No audio available while displaying video Authority on Radio signal on the LCD. If both video and audio need Communications to be monitored simultaneously, an optional (external) TV2000 is required. CONTENTS Vol. 26 No. 11 November 2007 Radio Voice of the People .............................................. 13 By Richard d’Angelo Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) won its independence from Britain in 1980. Since that time the country has had only one ruler – Robert Mugabe. Radio Voice of the People was inaugurated in 2000 to counter government shortwave broadcasts and to give a voice to opposition parties in the election. Although the effort to unseat Mugabe failed, the international community continues to support VOP as an alternative voice. Scanning Alaska ............................................................. 16 By Bob Grove On a recent trip to Alaska, publisher Bob Grove went for simplicity by toting along a scanner with “Close Call” capability. His logs reflect what the scanner picked up in the largest US state Lead Story which also has the nation’s smallest population. Clandestine Radio By Gayle Van Horn TWR’s Poster Antenna Project ........................................18 By Ernie Franke “Voices for change” pret- In today’s difficult economic realities and increasing energy costs, ty much sums up the com- broadcasters continue to search for ways to reduce transmitting mon character of clandestine radio stations. Whether the power while retaining their target audience. To offset power reduc- station is agitating for po- tions, Trans World Radio borrowed loop antenna technology from litical reform from inside the time of Marconi to engineer an inexpensive way for listeners to the country, or seeking to boost reception at the receiver’s end. foment revolution from a secret location outside the reach of the current regime, clandestine stations are seeking to overturn some governmental status quo. Find a political hot spot and you’ll no doubt find at least one “clannie.” Clandestine stations (ex- cept for those in your own back yard) can be very chal- lenging to catch. Fortunately, there are hobbyists who spe- Reviews cialize in the pursuit of such “subversive” stations. Turn MT takes its First Look at the removable MP3 player into its de- to page 8 for clandestines, GRE PSR-500 this month. Bottom sign. With long wave to shortwave past and present, how to line? “No one in the scanner mar- coverage, weather channels, SSB find them on the dial, and ketplace right now offers a handheld reception, and rechargeable batter- even how to sometimes QSL scanner model that has the listening ies, it is an impressive undertaking them. capability that is found in the PSR- at a very modest price (see page 500.” (See page 66.) 70). On Our cover: Israeli Defense KAITO’s KA1121 is keeping up Computers & Radio columnist Forces female soldiers slouching toward Jaffa with guns and radio; with the times by incorporating a John Catalano concludes that Dx- photo courtesy Helena Cobban treme Software’s RECEPTION LOG (http://justworldnews.org) is an outstanding logging program, one of the best he’s used (see page MONITORING TIMES (ISSN: 0889-5341; Publishers Mail Agree- ment #1253492) is published monthly by Grove Enterprises, Inc., Brasstown, North TABLE OF CONTENTS Carolina, USA. Copyright © 2007 Grove Enterprises, Inc. Periodicals postage paid at Brasstown, Departments: Second Departments NC, and additional mailing offices. Short Letters ..............................................4 Milcom ...........................................52 excerpts may be reprinted with appropri- Communications ..............................6 Monitoring the RAF ate credit. Complete articles may not be Stock Exchange ..............................77 The Fed Files ..................................54 reproduced without permission. Advertisers Index ..........................77 Fed Files FAQ Address: 7540 Highway 64 West, Boats, PLANES, Trains ...................56 Listening to Small Airports Brasstown, NC 28902-0098 First Departments Telephone: (828) 837-9200 Getting Started Below 500 kHz ..............................58 Your FAQs Answered Fax: (828) 837-2216 (24 hours) Beginners Corner ..........................20 Outer Limits ...................................59 Internet Address: www.grove-ent.com or Yard Work and Radio www.monitoringtimes.com Ask Bob .........................................22 Thanksgiving = Pirate Radio On the Ham Bands ........................60 Editorial e-mail: [email protected] The MT Help Desk .........................23 Subscriptions: [email protected] Promoting Ham Radio Subscription Rates: $28.95 in US; $39.50 Scanning Report ............................24 Canada; and $58.50 foreign elsewhere, The Search for Meaning... Technical Departments US funds. Label indicates number of is- Utility World ..................................28 Antenna Topics ..............................62 sues left. Renewal notice is cover sheet 3 Summertime in Antarctica Useful Indoor Antennas months before expiration. See page 77 Digital Digest ................................31 Radio Restorations ........................64 for subscription information. The Codan 16-Tone Modem Power Supplies for the BC-348 First Look .......................................66 Postmaster: Send address changes to Monitoring Times, Global Forum ................................32 GRE’s PSR-500 Raises the Bar 7540 Highway 64 West, Brasstown, NC Monitoring 190kHz at a Time MT Review .....................................70 28902-0098. Broadcast Logs ..............................35 Kaito’s Multifaceted