dxAce wrote:

** U S A. Rumors have reached us about imminent
drastic cuts in the output of
VOA, RFE/RL and possibly other IBB outlets, on
shortwave, as of Feb. 1. If you
find your favorite, or any such frequencies
missing, that may be why. Please
report your monitoring results on this (Glenn
Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

dxAce
Michigan
USA




Here's the skinny ...

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Subject: Transmission Reductions
Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2006 07:45:00 -0500
From: George Moore, Director of IBB Engineering and Technical Services

Gentlemen,

Fiscal Year 2006 and 2007 budget constraints for the Broadcasting
Board of Governors require implementation of across the board
efficiencies so that our overall broadcast mission can concentrate
on its support of this country's war on terrorism. The nation's
need to secure and bolster its defenses against terrorism, the
terrible damage and cost of recovery caused by hurricane Katrina,
added to an already high U.S. Government budget deficit, means
that our broadcasting mission must become more focused.

In realignment of funding for 06 and 07, we have to reduce
shortwave transmissions throughout the network for most of our
broadcast services.

Approximately 90,000 transmission hours will come off of the
network. These reductions will provide greater flexibility within
the network for Engineering to realign its transmission assets to
achieve maximum effectiveness for its target areas. Operational
orders implementing these reductions will be sent to all
stations in the next few days, effective February 1st, that will
provide further details of the individual station reductions.

In addition to these reductions, it is possible that further
efficiencies will be necessary to meet the budgetary goals and
objectives that have been established by the President.

As you may "read" into this message, the next few years are
going to require the Agency to make very difficult decisions.

I'm providing you with as much information on the budget
situation as I can at this time. You may use the information
in this email to brief your staff, as they will be concerned
when they see the reduced schedule.

Very Best - George

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