How can you tell?

[Rob]

I'm picking up a lot of stations south of the border and don't know what they are. For example, 1050 is a very strong musical station in spanish as well as 540 but they ID out of the British Antilles (must be a full 50KW station)

There are still a lot of mystery stations along the dial i'm not sure about. does anyone know where they are coming from or a site that tells me (in english)

640 I know is radio rebelle (sp?) what's the english translation to that?

-Rob

 

[davideduardo]

I'm picking up a lot of stations south of the border and don't know what they are. For example, 1050 is a very strong musical station in spanish as well as 540 but they ID out of the British Antilles (must be a full 50KW station)

There are still a lot of mystery stations along the dial i'm not sure about. does anyone know where they are coming from or a site that tells me (in english)

640 I know is radio rebelle (sp?) what's the english translation to that?

-Rob

First, where are you?

1050 in Spanish in most of the US is XEG in Motnerrey, MX. But it could be something else, depending.

Radio Rebelde is the spelling. Loosly, it means "Rebel Radio."

There is no 540 in the British Antilles as there is no such thing as the British Antilles. There are British crown colonies and former colonies in the Lesser Antilles, as well as Bermuda, Bahamas and Turks and Caicos (530 is Radio Vision, a religious 50 kw station there). There is not much AM left in the former British possessions, as most of the Caribbean has gone to FM.

The National Radio Club has a site (google it) and there is a link for a free listing of Mexican stations on AM. For the rest, order World Radio TV Handbook 2007 for about $25 from Amazon. If you really get into it, joi n the NRC, the largest US medium wave club.

 

[Rob]

Fort Walton (Pensacola), FL

-Rob

 

[davideduardo]

Fort Walton (Pensacola), FL

-Rob

Them 1050 is XEG... right across the Gulf. There is a slight chance at some times of the day it could be the 35 kw station in Cancun, but less likely. 640 is Re3belde network, and 530 is Turks & Caicos Islands, SE of Nassau off the north coast of the DR.

 

[mimo]

If you're hearing a station in Spanish at 540, it could very well be XEWA San Luis Potosi, Mexico, they are a 150 thousand watt blowtorch, they have been a relay of XEW 900 in Mexico City for most of their existence, but did become an independent playing what we'd call "regional Mexican" music, their slogan was "La Casa De Los Super Grupos". Now they're back to simulcasting XEW as of the very late 90's. I used to hear them in Toronto when I lived there in 96 to 97. XEWA is Non Directional and the most powerful of stations in latin America at 540.

 

[w9wi]

There are still a lot of mystery stations along the dial i'm not sure about. does anyone know where they are coming from or a site that tells me (in english)

A couple of random hints:

- Never assume a Spanish-language station is foreign. There are quite a few here in the U.S., often in markets where you might not expect it.

- The station with the ticks every second and the brief Morse Code at the top of each minute is Radio Reloj from Cuba. (literally "Clock Radio" - obviously not in the same sense as that term is used in the US!)

- Cuban stations don't have advertising. If you hear ads, it definitely isn't Cuba and is probably Mexico. (though other Latin American countries can also be heard, probably moreso at your location on the Gulf)

- Cuban stations operate in large networks. You'll hear the same program on several frequencies. (maybe another frequency will be clearer and will allow a better chance of an ID?) The individual frequencies do NOT have their own callsigns, at least not that are announced on the air.

- Mexican stations often run extensive station identification announcements on the hour. These include the same information as is in a U.S. legal ID (call letters & city). (plus other info not of much use in identifying the station)

- Can't you get some Cuban frequencies during the day at FWB? It might be worthwhile to listen for a few hours & just become familiar with the programming, with the "sound" of Cuban radio, at a time when you can hear the stations in the clear, without interference.

- If you hear a station from Cuba at the top of the expanded band, you're actually hearing shortwave. For technical reasons many radios have a spurious response that allows reception of a 6000kHz shortwave broadcast when tuned near 1700. There is a powerful Cuban shortwave station on this frequency.

- The "540" station in the "British Antilles" is probably 530 RVC from the Turks & Caicos. That's a British possession off the east end of the Bahamas chain. The station relays WWRV-1330 New York City, and I would expect to hear a regular US-style legal ID for the NYC station at the top of the hour. (I just can't remember whether they switch to English for the ID or not!)

- Musical styles are different in Cuba and in Mexico.

 

[davideduardo]

- Never assume a Spanish-language station is foreign. There are quite a few here in the U.S., often in markets where you might not expect it.

Good point. There are 900 US Spanish stations, about 400 are AMs.

- The station with the ticks every second and the brief Morse Code at the top of each minute is Radio Reloj from Cuba. (literally "Clock Radio" - obviously not in the same sense as that term is used in the US!)

As "Reloj Nacional" this was the world's first all-news station, started by Goar Mestre in around 1948!

- Cuban stations don't have advertising. If you hear ads, it definitely isn't Cuba and is probably Mexico. (though other Latin American countries can also be heard, probably moreso at your location on the Gulf)

But the Cuban stations do have the equivalent of PSAs, announcements promoting hygiene, health, honoring the party, etc., which sound like old-fashioned ads from 40's US network radio. Production values are not the same as the rest of Latin America... but then again, it's hard to be enthusiastic when you can't buy food.

- Cuban stations operate in large networks. You'll hear the same program on several frequencies. (maybe another frequency will be clearer and will allow a better chance of an ID?) The individual frequencies do NOT have their own callsigns, at least not that are announced on the air.

There are quite a few small independent stations, but these are ones that are not high powered. There are also some "ring networks" that have two or three small signals encircling a large city or population area. Again, less easy to hear.

- Mexican stations often run extensive station identification announcements on the hour. These include the same information as is in a U.S. legal ID (call letters & city). (plus other info not of much use in identifying the station)

Some of the ID requirements, like ownership and address, can be useful if you download Callarman's great Mexican logs by frequency and location on the NRC website (lower right, little box has link) and it is free.

- Musical styles are different in Cuba and in Mexico.

To learn a little bit about different styles, try www.hispanicformats.com

 

[schmave]

A bit off topic:
Here in Houston AM 800 has been blasting in with music the last several nights ... is XEROK back up to full power or at least a portion of it?

 

[Rob]

I can hear the ticks on 570 in the daytime.
Some people tell me it's only 10KW others say its 150KW.

-Rob

 

[BRNout]

I can hear the ticks on 570 in the daytime.
Some people tell me it's only 10KW others say its 150KW.

-Rob

I've heard that 570 is supposed to be 10 kw, but it varies greatly. I don't know that it ever even approaches the huge wattage of 150 kw, though.

It often reaches into the northeast at night and I have picked up traces of it during daylight hours from the Sarasota area. Between the salt water path and the frequency location at the low end of the band, it should have an excellent groundwave signal....even with 10,000 watts.

 

[davideduardo]

I've heard that 570 is supposed to be 10 kw, but it varies greatly. I don't know that it ever even approaches the huge wattage of 150 kw, though.

The 150 kw stations, and the tandem 300 kw (used on radio Taíno in the past) used 1965 to 1966 vintage Czech transmitters using Svetlana tubes. I do not believe they are operative, unless modified at lower power for current generation tubes. The 570 is likely in the 10 to 20 kw range.

There is really no data on power. When a major station (Progreso, rebelde, Reloj) has a big rig failure, they seem to take transmitters from less important stations and use them... overall, the total AM output of Cuba, with all stations combined, seems to be decreasing as transmitters grow obsolete. Remember, Cuba has vintage 50's cars still running, so they do seem to have a skill for making older stuff work... it is not a "throw away" society.

 

[Rob]

OK, scanning during the "window" i hear radio disney on 540 then boom.. spanish. looks like whatever radio disney was it just lowered their power to flea power.

-Rob

 

[mimo]

I've heard that 570 is supposed to be 10 kw, but it varies greatly. I don't know that it ever even approaches the huge wattage of 150 kw, though.

The 150 kw stations, and the tandem 300 kw (used on radio Taíno in the past) used 1965 to 1966 vintage Czech transmitters using Svetlana tubes. I do not believe they are operative, unless modified at lower power for current generation tubes. The 570 is likely in the 10 to 20 kw range.

There is really no data on power. When a major station (Progreso, rebelde, Reloj) has a big rig failure, they seem to take transmitters from less important stations and use them... overall, the total AM output of Cuba, with all stations combined, seems to be decreasing as transmitters grow obsolete. Remember, Cuba has vintage 50's cars still running, so they do seem to have a skill for making older stuff work... it is not a "throw away" society.

Cubans, due to economics, must be the most RESOURCEFUL people on the planet. Since 1959, it's been very difficult, if not impossible to get new things into Cuba, so the people have learned to maintain what they have. The mechanics all have moulds of each piece of any car built pre-revolution, so when a part goes, they simply just make a new one exactly like the original, and often do it by hand. While a car may be a 57 chevy, chances are, a go0d portion of it is newer, such as engine parts, etc. Seriously, if I really needed a go0d mechanic, I'd try and get a Cuban mechanic first. Given the conditions of the country, it's absolutely amazing what they've done to survive, and to keep things working. My hat is off to them.

 

[Rob]

Listening to AM 900 now sounds like a soccer game. I can hear them singing the songs in the background. I think it's the world cup.

570 is being blocked with what sounds like mexicana music crap over RR.

Tampa hardly ever comes in here which makes me think their 570 is VERY directional.

-Rob

 

[davideduardo]

Listening to AM 900 now sounds like a soccer game. I can hear them singing the songs in the background. I think it's the world cup.

The World Cup does not play for three years.

570 is being blocked with what sounds like mexicana music crap over RR.

Why is it crap? Because you don't like it? I probably don't like the music you enjoy, but I don't think it is crap... it is just not my taste.

 

[KW4RZ]

Rob, I'm in fort Walton Beach and hear XEG Monterrey, Mexico on 1050 AM most every evening. I'm not a big AM Dxer but that one is almost always there. They ID as "La Ranchera" http://www.nucleoradio.com/PotentiaWeb/portal/genera/VistasV2_1/PlantillasV2/1031.asp?Portal=12

 

[Tom Wells]

- If you hear a station from Cuba at the top of the expanded band, you're actually hearing shortwave. For technical reasons many radios have a spurious response that allows reception of a 6000kHz shortwave broadcast when tuned near 1700. There is a powerful Cuban shortwave station on this frequency.

6000 minus 1700 is 4300, divided by 910 or 455 doesn't come up with an image or spur I can easily envision.
I guess I can't think straight after a 16 hour day. What's the math on this one? Does it need another signal to intermod with?
Can't say I've ever heard this, but all my real radios have an RF preselector. Maybe it's only likely with input direct to converter?

 

[w9wi]

6000 minus 1700 is 4300, divided by 910 or 455 doesn't come up with an image or spur I can easily envision.
I guess I can't think straight after a 16 hour day. What's the math on this one? Does it need another signal to intermod with?
Can't say I've ever heard this, but all my real radios have an RF preselector. Maybe it's only likely with input direct to converter?

It involves harmonics of the local oscillator. Let's see if I can remember how to do the math... (guess I got a decent night's sleep: only had to work 12 hours...)

OK. Radio has 455kHz IF, high-side injection.
Tune to 1700kHz. Local oscillator is on 1700+455=2155kHz.
3rd harmonic of 2155 is 6465kHz.
Strong 49-meter SWBC station on 6010kHz.
6465-6010=455kHz.

Presume the front-end filter isn't tight enough to keep a strong 6010kHz signal out of the mixer. (I don't find that far-fetched at all given some of the cheap radios that have been affected and the strength of a powerful 49-meter signal from Cuba. My FT-1000MP doesn't have this problem, but then again I paid a LOT more than $50 for it!)

I guess to make it work out for a 6000kHz station you have to be tuned a bit below 1700 - my sleep-deprived brain suggests 1697kHz is the right figure - refutable...

 

[Rob]

Why is it crap? Because you don't like it? I probably don't like the music you enjoy, but I don't think it is crap... it is just not my taste.
[/quote]

because it's all over the band! what sounds like 1 station is heard on others! which is making me think MX has it's own network just like we have PREMIERE, Jones Satellite and TESH (though TESH let's their stations pick and choose their music I was surprised he's fed using Starguide III vs the interent)

(and, to my FWB neighbour, our 100.3 is streamed via Jones)

Radio Mega is heard on various frequencies in the MW band. and yes, I think the music is crap and not to my taste either. I know I shouldn't be talking about other cultures like that.

-Rob