Interview with Radio Damascus June 2009

Antwerpen, Belgium, 7th of June 2009

Dear Radio Friends

I just arrived back home in Belgium today after a fabulous 4-week visit to the beautiful and friendly country Syria is.

My very dear friends of Radio Damascus organised a whole program for me, reflecting the legendary Syrian hospitality.

The head of the English section, Mr. Rasheed Haidar, also organised several meetings for me with the director of the External services , the chief engineer of Radio Damascus' shortwave station in Adra and the other staff of Radio Damascus.

Here are some answers to questions which will interest you all :

Question : Radio Damascus is using a media mix to distribute it's programs. You are now using shortwave, mediumwave (for the Hebrew and Russian program), satellite (Hotbird, Arabsat and Nilesat) and the internet (http://www.syriaonline.sy/radio.php).
Since a very long time, listening to Radio Damascus on shortwave has had it's difficulties due to modulation problems. Are you aware of this?
Answer : Yes, many listeners, all over the world, are writing us about the modulation problems. The problem with the shortwave transmitters of Radio Damascus at the Adra shortwave station is that they are aging. The French made transmitters were installed in the beginning of the 1980's and the tubes of the transmitters have to be replaced. Unfortunately, replacing these tubes is a very expensive matter and Radio Damascus has a limited budget to operate. As a matter of fact, there are 2 kinds of tubes in the transmitter. 2 RF carrier tubes (Radio Frequency Carrier) and 2 tubes responsible for the modulation. We recently, at the beginning of 2009, replaced the RF carrier tubes which resulted in a stronger and better signal on both 9330 and 12085 Khz (12085 Khz is back on the air after a long time of absence).

Question : How many shortwave transmitters are installed at Adra shortwave station?
Answer : There were 4 French made shortwave transmitters installed at Adra in the beginning of the 1980's. Two of them are operational, using the frequencies 9330 and 12085 Khz.

Question : What is the power outlet of these 2 shortwave transmitters?
Answer : Originally, they are 500 KW shortwave transmitters but they are now operating at 400 KW now.

Question : Since the replacement of the RF-carrier tubes the signal has improved. But what are you going to do about the modulation problems?
Answer : As a matter of fact, we are planning to install a new shortwave transmitter to serve our listeners better. We are planning to do this next year, that will be in 2010. This will probably be a 250 KW transmitter. We will soon invite manufacturers to submit their tenders and we will study these offers. After the installation of the new shortwave transmitter, next year, we will be evaluating the results and if the results are good we will not rule out the installation of another new transmitter. But first we will install that one new shortwave transmitter next year.

Question : You are using 2 frequencies. 9330 and 12085 Khz. To where are these transmissions specifically beamed?
Answer : Adra shortwave station has a full range of antennas to reach different parts of the world.
The transmitter operating on 9330 Khz is specifically targeting Europe. We are also getting reception reports from other parts of the world for the transmissions on this frequency, which is of course very nice, but the main target for this frequency is Europe.
The other frequency, 12085 Khz, is beamed to the U.S.A., Japan and Australia. Although, as with 9330 Khz, we do get reception reports from parts of the world which are not the prime target of this frequency.

Question : You are also operating a 300 KW mediumwave transmitter on the frequency of 783 Khz. This transmitter is based in Tartous, a city on the Syrian coast. This transmitter is used for the Hebrew program from 16.00 till 18.30 UTC time and the Russian program from 18.30 till 19.30 hours UTC. I noticed myself excellent reception of the mediumwave transmissions while I was in that region. So, I am sure that the Hebrew program is very well received in Israel on that frequency. What about the Russian program? Is 783 Khz mediumwave also well received in parts of Russia?
Answer : We do get a lot of response and interaction of listeners tuning in to the Hebrew program and that mediumwave transmitter is indeed very well received in Israel.
Concerning the Russian program on the mediumwave. The main target of this transmission is not Russia itself but also Israel and the occupied territories. As you may know, there are many immigrants from Russia settling in Israel and the occupied territories. They are the target audience of the Russian program on 783 Khz mediumwave.

Question : Besides the modulation problem, there is also the problem of buzz or hum of the transmitters? What will you do about this?
Answer : Yes, we are also aware of this problem because of the many kind letters and reception reports we receive from our listeners all over the world. And we are also working on this. The replacement of the RF-carrier tubes was our main priority and this should result in better results. But we are now also working on the buzz or hum coming from the transmitters.

The chief engineer of Radio Damascus is I calling upon you, dear listeners of Radio Damascus, to let him know how you receive Radio Damascus in your part of the world on the shortwave bands. On which frequency you listen (9330 or 12085 khz). And if there is an improvement in modulation and reception conditions in general of Radio Damascus.
In this context I also urge you to make a short audio recording of how you receive Radio Damascus on shortwave. You can send all reception reports and audio recordings to Radio Damascus and these will be rewarded with a beautiful Radio Damascus QSL-Card.

The kind and motivated people at Radio Damascus love to hear from you, their listeners, what you like and think about the programs. Your suggestions are welcome at :

Radio Damascus
P.O. Box 4702
Damascus
Syrian Arab Republic

Or you can send me an email at radiodamascusenglish@yahoo.com which I will forward to the Radio Damascus staff immediately.

Kris Janssen

Radio Damascus Listeners Club
http://www.radio-damascus-listeners-club.tk or
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/radio_damascus

Belgium