Shortwave observations from 8/10/12 to 8/13/12

Some observations of shortwave broadcast listening from
August 10 to 13, 2012.

Country in brackets is the country of origin of the
trasmission, and not necessarilly the transmitter site,
unless specified. After that, the date, time and frequency
in kHz is listed. All times in UTC and all stations heard
on TECSUN PL-380 in Euless, Texas, USA, with 25 foot
reel wire antenna, unless otherwise noted.

[SPAIN] 08/10/12, 0247, 6055 -- Radio Exterior de Espana.
Spanish. Two males talking  about sleep and health. Do spaniards
sleep more, or less, compared to other Europeans? Apparently
they get less sleep, due to different work schedules and social
habits. Vely intelesting. Per Shortwaveschedule.com, this came
from the 350 kw Noblejas transmitter, in Spain itself. SINPO
44333.

[USA] 08/10/12, 0300, 4840 -- WWCR, Nashville, TN. Talk show
with two males discussing power company rip-offs. Alex Jones at
0300, "live from Austin". Some talk about blacks and abortion.
44344.

[ROMANIA] 08/10/11, 0305, 11795 -- English, Radio Romania
International. "Radio Newsreel", YL reading news.Talk about Olympics,
Romania was ranked 22nd in medals, at the time of the broadcast. Tax
policy, IMF, Romanian budget deficit. End of the contest "My Cultural
Bucharest" announced. Excellent reception, SINPO 54444. Transmitter
loc. Tiganesti, Romania, 300 kw.

[CUBA] 08/11/12, 0320, 11760 -- Spanish, Radio Habana Cuba.
Fidel Castro speech from 8/22/1975 dealing with the anniversary
of the Communist Party of Cuba. SINPO 45444. Recording made
and available at the link: https://www.box.com/s/8f3965fa3aa798544fdf

[CHINA] 08/11/12, 0325, 9690 -- English, China Radio Int'l.
Good signal, 43344. News headlines, then OM on show about
words after 0330. First word for tonight: "anticippointment",a
combination of anticipation and dissapointment. Never heard it
before. Per Aoki, transmitted from Noblejas, Spain @ 350 kw.

[IRAN] 08/11/12, 0345, 13650 -- English, Voice Of Islamic
Republic of Iran. Weak reception, marred by noise, fading in and
out, but was able to make out OM, some talk about drought and
the expected rise in worldwide corn prices. Afghanistan was
mentioned. Per shortwaveschedule.com, txmitter is in Sirjan,
Iran. First time hearing this station.

[RUSSIA] 08/11/12, 1330, 15510 -- OM talking in non-English
language. Per Aoki A12 schedule, this is Voice of Russia in
Pashto, presumably directed at Pakistan/Afghanistan. SINPO
33222.

[NORTH KOREA] 08/11/12, 1338, 11710 -- Voice of Korea in
English, poor reception, 23222, lost it a few times. Was able
to make out "korean workers" and "Japan", which was mentioned
several times. I'm sure in a less than positive light,
considering the source. Choral-sounding music, YL singer at
1342, more talk at 1346, "1940s...Japan", perhaps talking
about the Japanese occupation of Korea of 1910-1945? First
time station for me, recording made:
https://www.box.com/s/d3d2313acc37fa76da9b

[CUBA] 08/13/12, 1220, 11760 -- Happy Birthday, Fidel Castro!
I always remember, because he shares a b-day with my sister.
Turned this on before work at around 7:20 AM CDT, Spanish,
OM talking about how USA & Co. are paying off Syrian diplomats
to defect and turn against Assad. Syrian official in Mauritania
was offered at least a million, plus $20k/year to defect. I
can't verify that independently, atm. Great signal, just using
the Tecsun's telescoping antenna, no wire! SINPO 55455.

[NEW ZEALAND] 8/13/12 -- Web QSL received today in my e-mail
for my reception report on 6/26/12, 0300-0310 UTC, 15720 khz,
from their "Thompson CSF 100 kw transmitter is located at
Rangitaiki, east of Lake Taupo, and is linked to our studios
in Wellington, 340 kms south of the town Taupo." From Adrian
Sainsbury, Frequency Manager. Pictured below.