WORLDWIDE DX CLUB Weekly Top News

It appears that RN has further transmissions to here not listed on their
schedule, besides the one I heard Saturday morning. Monday May 15 from
2140 to closing at 2156* was hearing 15540 in presumed Sranan Tongo
language, during the hour previous to the scheduled Dutch broadcast via
Bonaire on the same frequency.
(Glenn Hauser-OK-USA, dxld May 17)
17 May, 2102 UT, Radio Boskopoe 15540, SINPO 45544.
(Jose Miguel Romero-ESP, hcdx May 17)
EXTRA RADIO NETHERLANDS TRANSMISSIONS FOR SURINAM.
Due to the flooding in Surinam, Radio Netherlands has added some extra
shortwave transmissions relaying Radio Boskopoe, a local public radio
station in Totness, the capital of the Coronie district, that normally
broadcasts on FM. With the addition of shortwave frequencies, Radio
Boskopoe can reach the entire country. Programmes are in Dutch and Sranan
Tongo.
These extra broadcasts are scheduled as follows:
1359-1500 UT Bonaire 15540 kHz 133 degrees
2059-2157 UT Bonaire 15540 kHz 133 degrees
1015-1045 UT Bonaire 6020 kHz 110 degrees
(an extension of the regular
0930-1015 UTC transmission to the Caribbean).
(Andy Sennitt-HOL in RNW MN NL May 16)
Boskopoe Number One.
Might be an interesting story why R. Boskopoe, of all the stations in
Suriname, was chosen to be relayed by RN. And how long will this last?
(Glenn Hauser to Andy Sennitt, via dxld May 17)
I have no idea, but I assume it's because the station is located in the
worst-affected area, and is non-commercial. Apart from the national public
station in Paramaribo, I think it's the only other non-commercial station
in the country. As to how long it will last, this depends how quickly the
region gets back to normal. Enough money has been collected in the
Netherlands to fund the relief operation, and some Dutch soldiers have
already arrived. But I guess it will be some days, probably weeks. That
part of Surinam is isolated from the rest of the country, and I suppose
some of the roads and bridges have been cut. I will let you know if I find
out any additional information.
(Andy Sennitt-HOL, dxld May 17)
Further to what I wrote yesterday, there is nothing to add except that I
found out that Radio Boskopoe is one of our partner stations (we have
6000, so I can't remember every one). Our partner desk contacted them to
find out what we could do to help, and since they only have a 65 watt FM
tx they wanted extended coverage. The audio is being fed via ISDN, direct
to Bonaire as far as I know. We have no end date for this project; it will
continue for as long as they need it.
(Andy Sennitt-HOL, dxld May 18)
Makeover on Bonaire.
Radio Netherlands relay station being refurbished, by Andy Sennitt
The Radio Netherlands relay station on Bonaire in the Netherlands Antilles
is almost 40 years old. The existing SW txs have been in sce since the
station opened, and are overdue for replacement.
(...) In recent years, budget cuts have reduced the amount of SW airtime
needed by Radio Netherlands itself, but this has made it possible for
other international broadcasters to avail themselves of the opportunity to
get strong signals into the Americas.