Shortwave Radiogram, weekend schedules

Hello friends,

Last weekend's "hidden message" in BPSK63F at 70 Hz was fairly successful. Several listeners reported successful decodes. It looks like 70 Hz will be our standard frequency for text that is mostly inaudible but usually decodable. There will be no hidden message this weekend, but we will resume these experiments later this year.

A video of last weekend's Shortwave Radiogram (program 117)), Friday 1300 UTC, is provided by Scott in Ontario (you can decode the BPSK63F and other modes from the audio). The audio archive is maintained by Mark in the UK. Analysis is prepared by Roger in Germany.

This weekend's show is in the usual MFSK32 and MFSK64, with nine images.

Here is the lineup for Shortwave Radiogram, program 118, 19-22 September 2019, in MFSK modes as noted:

 1:39  MFSK32: Program preview
 2:44  Synthetic Hall Effect achieves one-way radio transmission
 9:12  MFSK64: Volcano may explain recent purple sunrises*
15:01  This week's images*
27:27  MFSK32: Closing announcements*

* with image(s)

Please send reception reports to radiogram@verizon.net
And visit http://swradiogram.net
Twitter: @SWRadiogram or https://twitter.com/swradiogram (visit during the weekend to see listeners' results)
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/567099476753304

Shortwave Radiogram Transmission Schedule
UTC Day UTC Time Frequency Transmitter
Saturday 0230-0300 UTC 9265 kHz WINB Pennsylvania
Sunday 0800-0830 UTC 5850 kHz /7730 kHz WRMI Florida
Sunday 2330-2400 UTC 7780 kHz  WRMI Florida

The Mighty KBC transmits to North America Sundays at 0000-0200 UTC (Saturday 8-10 pm EDT) on 9925 kHz, via Germany. A minute of MFSK is at about 0130 UTC.  Reports to Eric: themightykbc@gmail.com . See also http://www.kbcradio.eu/ and https://www.facebook.com/TheMightyKbc/.

“This is a Music Show” is the newest addition to digital modes via analog shortwave. Most of the show is a music show, but the host transmits some MFSK text and image near the end of the broadcast. It’s transmitted on WRMI, Thursdays at 0100-0200 UTC on 5850 kHz and 0130-0230 UTC on 9395 kHz (Wednesday evening in the Americas). Also look for a waterfall ID at the beginning of the show. thisisamusicshow@gmail.com . www.instagram.com/thisisamusicshow/ www.twitter.com/ThisIsAMusicSho/ @ThisIsAMusicSho

New York and Pennsylvania NBEMS nets. Most weekends, as KD9XB, I check in to the New York NBEMS (Narrow Band Emergency Messaging Software) net Saturday at 1200 UTC on 3584 kHz USB, and the Pennsylvania NBEMS net Sunday at 1200 UTC on 3583 kHz USB (with out-of-state check-ins now starting at 1130 UTC). Check-ins are usually in Thor 22, and messages are in MFSK32 (PA NBEMS is experimenting with Thor 50x1 for messages). Messages generally use the Flmsg add-on to Fldigi. If you are a radio amateur in eastern North America, feel free to check in. Outside the region, use an SDR in the eastern USA to tune in and decode. You do not need Flmsg to check in, and most of the messages can be read without Flmsg. If you can decode the net, send me an email to radiogram@verizon.net , or tweet to @SWRadiogram , and I will let them know you are tuned in. USEast NBEMS Net: Please also note the USEast NBEMS Net, Wednesdays at 2300 UTC (7 pm EDT) on 3536 kHz USB. I will try to check in to this net more frequently.jjjj

Thanks for your reception reports!
Kim

Kim Andrew Elliott, KD9XB
Producer and Presenter
Shortwave Radiogram
Reporting on international broadcasting at https://twitter.com/kaedotcom

Special broadcast for Mini Transat sailing race

There will be a special transmission via TDF Issoudun, France for the sailing race Mini Transat between 22-29 September at 1500-1600 UTC, daily on the following frequencies: 13730kHz AM & 15300kHz DRM

There will be a second leg in early November.
(Mauno Ritola/WRTH FB 04 Sept)

Mini Transat 6.50 also known as Transat 650 is a solo transatlantic yacht race, and associated Classe Mini class, that starts in France and ends in Le Marin bay, Martinique in the Caribbean. The race covers over 4,000 miles with a stop in the Madeira or the Canary Islands.

National VOA Museum of Broadcasting Plans Anniversary Party 21 September

VOA Bethany Museum

Bethany Relay Station approaches 75 years

Joe Molter  

Her six massive transmitters may be quiet, but she is far from silent.

Amateur radio operators routinely talk to the world from station WC8VOA in West Chester, Ohio, located about 25 miles north of Cincinnati. This former VOA relay station is now the National VOA Museum of Broadcasting with collections from the Gray History of Wireless Museum; Powel Crosley Jr., and Cincinnati radio and TV broadcasting history; and the Voice of America. Next week the museum celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Bethany Station Saturday, Sept. 21, with a fundraiser to make the first floor of the museum accessible for people for all abilities.

Additional story at Radio World https://tinyurl.com/yynn5pm2

Norway's last longwave station to close in October

Norway's last LW station (Ingøy, 153 kHz) to close in October

 The one remaining MW station (Longyearbyen 1485 kHz, Svalbard) proposed upgraded to 3 kW.
Full report in Norwegian:
https://tinyurl.com/y4q263bh

(Bjarne Mjelde on DXing.info Facebook Group, 18 Sept)

Google translation from Norwegian:
Although not many people are aware of this, NRK still has broadcasts on both long and medium wave. However, today NRK has a very limited service over radio on AM. Only the long-wave transmitter at Ingøy in Finnmark is still in operation, in addition to a medium-wave transmitter in Longyearbyen on Svalbard. Here NRK P1 is distributed with extended weather reports, among other things aimed at shipping.

NRK has now considered the need to continue broadcasting on AM, according to a letter the State channel has sent to the Ministry of Culture. NRK considers the utility of the broadcasts from Ingøy to be limited. The service is, according to NRK, in low use. In April 2018, stakeholders were given the opportunity to comment on the closing of this transmitter. No one has reported any objections to the termination of the service.

The coastal fishing fleet and other smaller vessels normally stay within the 50 kilometer limit and thus have the possibility of receiving DAB as well as weather over VHF. NRK's DAB network has now been developed and covers 50 km from the coast, NRK writes.

Seagoing vessels normally have the possibility of receiving radio and weather via satellite. NRK is available with weather forecasts for both Thor 5 and Sirius 4. With this in mind, NRK will close the broadcasts on the long wave from Ingøy in October 2019

NRK has a MW transmitter on AM [1485 kHz] in Longyearbyen at 1000 Watts. Feedback from the Governor and the population shows that this consignment is still used, especially at leisure and trapping cabins in parts of Svalbard. In addition, additional reception technology is desirable for emergency preparedness.

Today's facility is approaching 50 years and must be replaced if it is to continue. NRK will therefore renew and upgrade the AM plant (from 1000watt to 3000watt) on Svalbard and continue it as Norway's last AM station, the letter from NRK to the Ministry of Culture states.

NRK has previously broadcast radio broadcasts at AM, including from Kløfta, Kvitsøy, Fredrikstad and Vigra. These were previously closed down due to low usage, as well as the introduction of alternative reception technologies that are more cost-effective and user-friendly. Public broadcasters such as the BBC, DR and SR have in recent years also reduced their offerings on AM. Swedish Radio has put down all its services over AM.

Source: Ministry of Culture
(BDXC 18 Sept)

Germany, Shortwaveradio schedule update

Germany
Shortwaveradio

All times UTC

Effective: 16 September 2019
1400-2200 on  6160 WIS 001 kW / non-dir to NWEu English, ex 16-22UT
1600-2300 on  3975 WIS 001 kW / non-dir to NWEu English, unchanged
(DXB/Teak Publishing)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2019 Sep 16 0139 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/content/subscription-services
#
#                Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 09 - 15 September 2019

Solar activity was at very low levels. No spots were observed on the visible disk. No Earth-directed CMEs were observed in available coronagraph imagery.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was moderate to high levels were throughout the summary period due to influence from multiple CH HSSs. A maximum flux of 8,450 pfu was observed at 09/1745 UTC.

Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to active levels. An isolated period of active was observed on 09 Sep in response to a positive polarity CH HSS increasing solar wind speeds to ~525 km/s. Isolated unsettled conditions, associated with further enhancements from multiple positive polarity CH HSSs, were observed on 12-15 Sep. Quiet conditions were observed over the remainder of the summary period.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 16 September - 12 October 2019

Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels over the outlook period.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to reach high levels on 16-19 Sep and 27 Sep - 12 Oct. Moderate levels are expected from 20-26 Sep. All enhancements in the electron flux are due to elevated wind speeds from multiple, recurrent, CH HSSs.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to range from quiet to G2 (Moderate) storm levels. The G2 conditions are likely on 27-28 Sep; G1 (Minor) conditions are likely on 29 Sep; active conditions are likely on 30 Sep and 02 Oct; unsettled conditions are likely on 16-18 Sep, 23 Sep, 26 Sep, 01 Oct, 03 Oct, 06 Oct, 10 Oct and 12 Oct. All enhancements in geomagnetic active are in response to the anticipated influence of multiple, recurrent CH HSSs. The remainder of the outlook period is expected to be mostly quiet under nominal solar wind conditions.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2019 Sep 16 0139 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/content/subscription-services
#
#      27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
#                Issued 2019-09-16
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2019 Sep 16      68           6          3
2019 Sep 17      68           8          3
2019 Sep 18      68          10          3
2019 Sep 19      68           5          2
2019 Sep 20      68           5          2
2019 Sep 21      68           5          2
2019 Sep 22      68           5          2
2019 Sep 23      69           8          3
2019 Sep 24      69           5          2
2019 Sep 25      69           5          2
2019 Sep 26      69          10          3
2019 Sep 27      69          35          6
2019 Sep 28      69          45          6
2019 Sep 29      69          20          5
2019 Sep 30      69          10          4
2019 Oct 01      69           8          3
2019 Oct 02      69          10          4
2019 Oct 03      69           8          3
2019 Oct 04      69           5          2
2019 Oct 05      69           5          2
2019 Oct 06      69          12          3
2019 Oct 07      70           5          2
2019 Oct 08      68           5          2
2019 Oct 09      68           5          2
2019 Oct 10      68           8          3
2019 Oct 11      68           5          2
2019 Oct 12      68           8          3
(NOAA)

World Music Radio's last broadcast ... for now

In a completely unexpected move, the Danish authorities has withdrawn the permission to use out of band frequencies (on a non interference basis) for World Music Radio (WMR). This means that WMR will be ceasing operations on 5840 and 15805 tomorrow Sunday September 15th 2019 at 2200. WMR may return to shortwave – using frequencies inside the official shortwave bands, but this may take several months.

Current schedule of WMR is:
0000-2400 on 5840 RND 0.1 kW Daily, Sept.15 till 2200
0700-2000 on 15805 RND 0.2 kW Sat/Sun & will be off air! (Stig Hartvig Nielsen-Denmark)

From the Isle of Music & Uncle Bill's Melting Pot schedules, September 15-21

This week we focus on Cuba's urban music with special guests from Zona Franca.
The broadcasts take place:

For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area in most of the Eastern Hemisphere (including parts of East Asia and Oceania) with 100Kw, Sunday 1500-1600 UTC on SpaceLine, 9400 kHz, from Sofia, Bulgaria (1800-1900 MSK)
If you don't have a shortwave radio or are out of range, you can listen live to an uplink from a listening radio in the Netherlands during the broadcast at
http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/?tune=9400am

For the Americas and parts of Europe, Tuesday 0000-0100 UTC (New UTC) on WBCQ, 7490 kHz from Monticello, ME, USA (Monday 8-9PM EST in the US).
If you don't have a shortwave or are out of range, you can listen to a live stream from the WBCQ website here (choose 7490)
http://www.wbcq.com/?page_id=7

For Europe and sometimes beyond, Tuesday 1900-2000 UTC and Saturday 1200-1300 UTC on Channel 292, 6070 kHz from Rohrbach, Germany.
If you don't have a shortwave radio or are out of range, you can listen live to an uplink from a listening radio in the Netherlands during the broadcast at
http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/?tune=6070am

Uncle Bill's Melting Pot, September 15 and 17:

Episode 130, A Different Kind of Country, presents Country music you will like even if you hate Country music. Trust Uncle Bill on this one.
The transmissions take place:

Sundays 2200-2230 UTC (6:00PM -6:30PM Eastern US) on WBCQ The Planet 7490 kHz from the US to the Americas and parts of Europe
If you don't have a shortwave or are out of range, you can listen to a live stream from the WBCQ website here (choose 7490)
http://www.wbcq.com/?page_id=7

Tuesdays 2000-2030 UTC on Channel 292, 6070 kHz from Rohrbach, Germany for Europe.
If you don't have a shortwave radio or are out of range, you can listen live to an uplink from a listening radio in the Netherlands during the broadcast at
http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/?tune=6070am

William "Bill" Tilford, Owner/Producer
Tilford Productions, LLC

Shortwave Radiogram weekend schedules

Hello friends,

Today I had difficulties uploading Shortwave Radiogram to WINB. We will find out at  2330 UTC if the correct program (number 117) is transmitted.

Last weekend's hidden message in Thor Micro at 70 Hz was mostly successful. This weekend, it was my intention to try Throb 1, another very narrow mode, also at 70 Hz, but I could not get a decode from the recording. It seems that Throb 1 does not like the very low audio frequencies. Our hidden message will be in BPSK63F instead, at a center audio frequency of 70 Hz.

A video of last weekend's Shortwave Radiogram (program 116)  is provided by Scott in Ontario (Friday 1300 UTC) (and it is a good example of mostly successful decoding in challenging conditions). The audio archive is maintained by Mark in the UK. Analysis is prepared by Roger in Germany.

This weekend's show is in the usual MFSK32 and MFSK64, with nine images. Also the BPSK63F hidden message.

Here is the lineup for Shortwave Radiogram, program 117, 12-15 September 2019, in modes as noted:

 1:38  MFSK32: Program previoew (now)
 2:46  CPJ's list of 10 most censored countries*
 8:50  MFSK64: Exoplanet in habitable zone has water vapor*
13:34  This week's images*
26:31  MFSK32: Closing announcements
28:17  BPSK63F: "Hidden message" centered on 70 Hz

* with image(s)

Please send reception reports to radiogram@verizon.net
And visit http://swradiogram.net
Twitter: @SWRadiogram or https://twitter.com/swradiogram (visit during the weekend to see listeners' results)
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/567099476753304

Shortwave Radiogram Transmission Schedule
UTC Day UTC Time Frequency Transmitter
Thursday 2330-2400 UTC 9265 kHz WINB Pennsylvania
Friday 1300-1330 UTC 15770 kHz WRMI Florida
Friday 1500-1530 UTC 15120 kHz DRM WINB Pennsylvania
Saturday 0230-0300 UTC 9265 kHz WINB Pennsylvania
Sunday 0800-0830 UTC 5850 kHz
7730 kHz WRMI Florida
Sunday 2330-2400 UTC 7780 kHz WRMI Florida

The Mighty KBC transmits to North America Sundays at 0000-0200 UTC (Saturday 8-10 pm EDT) on 5960 kHz, via Germany. A minute of MFSK64 is at about 0130 UTC.  Reports to Eric: themightykbc@gmail.com . See also http://www.kbcradio.eu/ and https://www.facebook.com/TheMightyKbc/.

“This is a Music Show” is the newest addition to digital modes via analog shortwave. Most of the show is a music show, but the host transmits some MFSK text and image near the end of the broadcast. It’s transmitted on WRMI, Thursday, 0100-0200 UTC on 5850 kHz, and 0130-0230 UTC on 9395 kHz (Wednesday evening in the Americas). Also look for a waterfall ID at the beginning of the show. thisisamusicshow@gmail.com . www.instagram.com/thisisamusicshow/ www.twitter.com/ThisIsAMusicSho/ or @ThisIsAMusicSho

New York and Pennsylvania NBEMS nets. Most weekends, as KD9XB, I check in to the New York NBEMS (Narrow Band Emergency Messaging Software) net Saturday at 1200 UTC on 3584 kHz USB, and the Pennsylvania NBEMS net Sunday at 1200 UTC on 3583 kHz USB (with out-of-state check-ins now starting at 1130 UTC). Check-ins are usually in Thor 22, and messages are in MFSK32 (PA NBEMS is experimenting with Thor 50x1 for messages). Messages generally use the Flmsg add-on to Fldigi. If you are a radio amateur in eastern North America, feel free to check in. Outside the region, use an SDR in the eastern USA to tune in and decode. You do not need Flmsg to check in, and most of the messages can be read without Flmsg. If you can decode the net, send me an email to radiogram@verizon.net , or tweet to @SWRadiogram , and I will let them know you are tuned in. USEast NBEMS Net: Please also note the USEast NBEMS Net, Wednesdays at 2300 UTC (7 pm EDT) on 3536 kHz USB. I will try to check in to this net more frequently.

Thanks for your reception reports!
Kim

Kim Andrew Elliott, KD9XB
Producer and Presenter
Shortwave Radiogram
Reporting on international broadcasting at https://twitter.com/kaedotcom

Radio Becomes New Battlefield in Yemen War

Stations attacked and threatened by Houthi rebels as they attempt to influence largely illiterate listenership.


BY JOSHUA HOLMES / THE MEDIA LINE  SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

On a bright January morning, Abbas Al-Akbari, a seasoned producer at Hodeidah Radio, glanced outside his office window and noticed a pick-up truck rapidly approaching his building.

Al-Akbari’s story is far from unusual. As the war in Yemen between a Saudi-led coalition supporting the Yemeni government and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels continues to spiral out of control, a new battlefield has emerged in the war-torn country over the electromagnetic spectrum.

Additional story at The Jerusalem Post: https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Radio-becomes-new-battlefield-in-Yemen-war-601371  


Additional Yemen monitoring:
Radio Al-Azm (Saudi Broadcasting Corp.) Schedule in Arabic, 0300-0000 UTC on 11745 kHz. Transmitting via SBC for Saudi military personnel serving in Yemen and Southern Saudi Arabia. Location presumed to be Jeddah, though has not been confirmed.

Republic of Yemen Radio (Radio Sana'a)
Arabic 0300-0000 UTC on 11860 kHz.
Broadcast in support of Yemeni president, and Aden-based provisional government. Possibly produced in state radio studio in Aden or Saudi Arabia, and possibly aired via Saudi Arabian transmitter.

Voice of the Republic
Arabic 1500-0300 UTC on 1170 kHz AM via Yemen. Broadcast times may be variable and are in support of National Resistance Forces (RNF).
(WRTH/Teak Publishing-GRG)