Progreso, Rebelde, and Reloj:  The Three Todopoderosos

By Bruce Conti

Radio Progreso, Radio Rebelde, and Radio Reloj are the three omnipotent national radio networks of Cuba, "los tres todopoderosos."  Fluency in Spanish is not required to identify radio stations broadcasting any of these networks.  Here's all you need to know to identify them.

Radio Reloj is most easily recognized by the syncopated clock (similar to the sound of the WWV clock) always running in the background with 'round the clock news, and minute markers with "RR" identification in Morse code every minute.  The Morse code can cut through co-channel interference over exceptionally long distances.  Time checks on the minute will include voice identification; "Radio Reloj," beep, "once, veinte dos minutos," RR in Morse code.  On Sundays into Monday mornings the RR code might be replaced by chimes, but the exact time when chimes are used appears to be variable network-wide and between individual radio stations.

Radio stations affiliated with the other two national networks are easily identified by parallels, by receiving two or more frequencies carrying the same programming.  Radio Rebelde will be the easiest to identify due to its shortwave parallel on 5025 kilohertz and a number of high power signals on mediumwave.  For example, if you believe that Radio Rebelde is being received on 1180 kilohertz, check 600, 670, 710, and 5025 kilohertz for the same audio.  If it matches them all or just 5025 shortwave, then you've definitely received Cuba.  Radio Rebelde often identifies as, "Radio Rebelde, la emisora de la revolución," or only as "Rebelde" with "la Habana" mentions and sometimes with a unique attention signal or sounder which you'll quickly learn to recognize.  Sometimes Radio Rebelde will carry programming from other networks, including Radio Habana Cuba and Radio 26, especially when covering live political or sporting events, so don't be fooled.  Always check for parallels.

Radio Progreso often identifies as, "Cadena nacional... la onda de la alegría."  Sometimes the initials RP are used in identification or slogans, such as "Noticiero RP" during news segments.  Listen for the signature "onda de la alegría" identification accompanied by instrumental background music from Isao Tomita's version of Debussy's Arabesque No. 1, on "Snowflakes Are Dancing," for an unequivocal positive ID.  Again, it's most important to remember, if you believe it's Cuba, check for parallels to help with positive identification.  640, 880, and 890 kilohertz tend to be the more commonly received Radio Progreso outlets.  Sometimes both Radio Progreso outlets are received on 640 kilohertz resulting in "synchro echo" due to the audio delay between stations.

The following target list is provided as a quick reference for identification and chasing parallels.  This list is by no means complete.  These are simply the national network affiliates, plus a few of the local or regional network stations, most frequently logged by mediumwave DXers in recent years.  In some cases where there is more than one station carrying the same network on the same frequency, the most powerful signal is listed first.  Coordinates are approximations based upon mapping of the listed locations, and might be useful for identification of co-channel signals, or multiple signals on the same frequency, by direction-finding.  There's still much confusion as to exact callsigns and locations of radio stations.  Accurate information from Cuba is difficult to obtain, therefore some of the data represent a best guess.  Consult the latest edition of the World Radio TV Handbook for what is probably the most complete list published.  This list will be maintained and updated as warranted on ¡BAMLog!

Cuba Target List

Updated 4 Jan '08.

Radio Progreso  (www.radioprogreso.cu)

                630          CM-- Pinar del Río (22°25'N 83°43'W)

                640          CMBC Guanabacoa (23°08'N 82°15'W) 50 kW

                                CMDQ Las Tunas (20°57'N 76°57'W) 10 kW

                660          CMHG Santa Clara (22°24'N 79°56'W)

                690          CM-- Jovellanos, Matanzas (22°49'N 81°10'W)

720 Unknown location.

                730          CMBB Nueva Gerona, Isla de la Juventud (21°53'N 82°48'W)

                740          CMJL Camagüey (21°23'N 77°54'W)

                750          CMHV Trinidad, Sancti Spíritus (21°48'N 79°59'W)

760 Unknown location (Former R.Reloj outlet?)

                810          CMDW Guantánamo (20°07'N 75°13'W)

                820          CMJT Morón (22°06'N 78°36'W)

                880          CMAF Pinar del Río (22°25'N 83°43'W)

                890          CMDZ Chambas, Ciego de Avila (22°11'N 78°54'W)

                900          CMKP Cacocum - San German, Holguín (20°44'N 76°20'W)

                942          Unknown location; off-frequency 940 CM-- Sancti Spíritus?

1590 CMBQ Manzanillo, Granma (20°19'N 77°07'W)

              1760         CMAF Pinar del Río (22°25'N 83°43'W), harmonic of 880 kHz

Radio Rebelde  (www.radiorebelde.com.cu)

                530          CM-- Unknown location (Also R.Cadena Habana and R.Enciclopedia)

                540          CMHV Sancti Spíritus (21°56'N 79°26'W)

                550          CMAA Pinar del Río (22°25'N 83°43'W) 30 kW

                                CMDN Guantánamo (20°07'N 75°13'W) 10 kW

                                CMNA Manzanillo, Granma (20°19'N 77°07'W) 1 kW

                560          CM-- Moa, Holguín (20°40'N 74°56'W)

                580          CMAM Mantua, Pinar del Río (22°17'N 84°17'W) 10 kW

                                CMDF Baracoa, Guantánamo (20°21'N 74°29'W) 5 kW

590 CM-- Unknown location

                600          CMKV Urbano Noris, Holguín (20°35'N 76°08'W)

                610          CMAN Bahía Honda, Pinar del Río (22°53'N 83°09'W)

                620          CMGN Colón, Matanzas (22°42'N 80°52'W) 25 kW

                                CMKF Moa, Holguín (20°40'N 74°56'W) 1 kW

                650          CMDC Media Luna, Granma (20°09'N 77°26'W) 1 kW

                                CMKU Santiago de Cuba (20°00'N 75°49'W) 1 kW

                670          CMQ Arroyo Arenas, Ciudad Habana (23°00'N 82°30'W)

CM-- Unknown location

                710          CMW La Julia, La Habana (22°47'N 82°16'W) 150 kW

                                CMHQ Santa Clara (22°24'N 79°56'W) 50 kW

                                CMJN Camagüey (21°23'N 77°54'W) 30 kW

                                CMKJ Holguín (20°54'N 76°14'W) 10 kW

                770          CMKB Las Mercedes, Granma

              1180         CMBA Villa María, Ciudad Habana (23°07'N 82°22'W) 50 kW

CMDB Mayarí Arriba, Santiago de Cuba 1 kW

              3000         CMKV Urbano Noris, Holguín (20°35'N 76°08'W), harmonic of 600 kHz

              3600         CMKV Urbano Noris, Holguín (20°35'N 76°08'W), harmonic of 600 kHz

              5025         CM-- Bauta, La Habana (22°59'N 82°36'W)

Radio Reloj  (www.radioreloj.cu)

                570          CMDC Santa Clara (22°24'N 79°56'W)

                660          CM-- Unknown location

                670          CM-- Unknown location

                760          CMCD Las Mercedes, Granma (20°07'N 77°00'W); 20 kW, off the air?

                                CM-- La Habana 1 kW

                790          CMAQ Pinar del Río (22°25'N 83°43'W)

CM-- Unknown location

                820          CMDE Contramaestre, Santiago de Cuba (20°18'N 76°15'W)

                830          CM-- Holguín (20°54'N 76°14'W)

                850          CM-- Nueva Gerona, Isla de la Juventud (21°53'N 82°48'W)

                860          CMDB Baracoa, Guantánamo (20°21'N 74°29'W) 1 kW

CM-- Colón, Matanzas (22°42'N 80°52'W) 5 kW

                870          CMDT Sancti Spíritus (21°56'N 79°26'W)

                910          CMGL Bolondrón, Matanzas (22°46'N 81°27'W)

                930          CMJS Ciego de Avila (21°50'N 78°45'W) 10 kW

                                CMGB La Jaiba, Matanzas 1 kW

                                CMKN Santiago de Cuba (20°00'N 75°49'W) 1 kW

                940          CMKD Holguín (20°54'N 76°14'W) 10 kW

                                CMGU Central España, Matanzas 10 kW

                950          CM-- La Habana 10 kW

                                CM-- Mayarí Arriba, Santiago de Cuba (20°25'N 75°32'W) 1 kW

                960          CMDJ Guantánamo (20°07'N 75°13'W)

1020        CM-- Unknown location; Bahía Honda or Moa?

              1180        CMOD Nueva Gerona, Isla de la Juventud (21°53'N 82°48'W)

              1270        CMHD Camagüey (21°23'N 77°54'W)

1610 Unknown location (new, 2006)

6060        CM-- Bauta (23°00'N 82°30'W), or Bejucal (22°55'N 82°23'W); irregular, when R.Habana Cuba is off.

Local Networks

530 CM-- R.Cadena Habana, unknown location (Also R.Enciclopedia and R.Rebelde)

590 CMHI R.Musical Nacional, Santa Clara (22°24'N 79°56'W)

740          CM-- R.Angulo, unknown location; occasional relay by CMJL R.Progreso Camagüey?

                840          CMHW Doblevé, Santa Clara (22°24'N 79°56'W)

                840          CMBQ R.Enciclopedia, La Fé, Isla de la Juventud (22°02'N 84°13'W)

840 CMKC R.Revolución, Santiago de Cuba

                910          CMHA R.Cadena Agramonte, Camagüey (21°23'N 77°54'W)

990 CMAP R.Guamá, San Luís, Pinar del Río

1000 CM-- R.Granma, Manzanillo (ex-1590)

1000 CMAC R.Guamá, Los Palacios, Pinar del Río

1040 CMBF R.Musical Nacional, Villa Clara

              1050        CMKT R.Victoria, Las Tunas (20°57'N 76°57'W)

              1060        CMDX Cadena CMKS, Baracoa, Guantánamo (20°21'N 74°29'W)

1060 CM-- Radio 26, Matanzas

              1070        CMKS Cadena CMKS, Guantánamo (20°07'N 75°13'W)

              1080        CMCU R.Cadena Habana, Güines, La Habana (22°51'N 82°01'W)

              1100        CMCH R.Cadena Habana, La Salud, La Habana (22°53'N 82°26'W)

              1140        CMBW R.Cadena Habana, La Habana

1140 CM-- R.Bayamo, Media Luna 1kW

1150 CMKX R.Bayamo, Entronque de Bueycito 10 kW

1160 CM-- R.Bayamo, Pilón, Granma 1 kW

              1180        CM-- Rebelde FM, unknown location

1200 CMGM R.Sancti Spíritus, Yaguajay, Sancti Spíritus (22°20'N 79°14'W)

              1210        CMGL R.Sancti Spíritus, Sancti Spíritus (21°23'N 77°54'W)

1220 CM-- R.Caribe, Nueva Gerona, Isla de la Juventud (ex-1270?)

              1380         CMHY R.Cadena Agramonte, Central Brasil, Camagüey (21°49'N 77°57'W)

73 and Good DX!