Special programming from PCJ Radio International March 12

PCJ Radio International to celebrate it's 5th Anniversary


Special programming

All times UTC

English

0130-0230 on  7730 YFR 100 kW / 222 deg to Mexico 
1330-1430 on  5995 NAU 100 kW / non-dir to WeEurope 
1330-1430 on  9335 TRM 125 kW / 045 deg to EaAsia 
1330-1430 on 15455 TRM 125 kW / 345 deg to N/Middle East 
1330-1430 on 15720 MDC 250 kW / 300 deg to CeAfrica 

QSL Report: March 2014

Clandestine
Voice of Martyrs 7515 kHz. Full data verification letter from Adam Bakhit Bushra, Director of French Section. Received in three days for 2009 report details to: bakhit02bb@yahoo.com (Artur Fernandez Llorella, Castalonia, Spain/playdx)

Voice of Liberation via Issoudun, France. Full data E-QSL card from Walter Brodowsky. Received in five days for report details to: walter.brodowsky@media-broadcast.com (Wendel Craighead, KS)

FM
Finland-Iskelmaa 96.20 KHz. Prepared QSL card returned as verified, plus large card and a full data Listening Certificate (a great surprise). Received in ten days. QSL address: Tallberginkatu 1 C, 00180 Helsinki, Finland. Heard this station in Tallinn, Estonia. (Norbert Reiner, Germany/playdx)

Radio Nostalgia. Prepared QSL card returned as verified. Received in two weeks. QSL address: Kiviaidankatu 2 I, 00210 Helsinki, Finland. (Norbert Reiner, Germany/playdx)

France-Radio Beur 106.70 MHz. Prepared QSL returned as verified, plus business card. Received in
10 days. QSL address: Boite Postal 249, 75524 Paris Cedex 11 France. (Norbert Reiner, Germany/playdx)

Radio Fréquence Protestante 100.70 MHz. Prepared QSL card returned as verified. Received in five days. QSL address: 1 Rue Denis Poisson, 75017 Paris, France. (Norbert Reiner, Germany/playdx)

Radio Judaïques FM 94.80 MHz. Prepared QSL returned as verified. received in two weeks. QSL address: A.P.D.C.J., Judaïques FM 94.8, 58 Rue Lhomond, 75008 Paris, France. (Norbert Reiner, Germany/playdx)

Radio Néo, Paris 95.20 MHz. Prepared QSL returned as verified, signed by Seb. Lascoux, Directeur d' Antennes. QSL address: 3 Rue Clairaut, 75017 Paris, France. (Norbert Reiner, Germany/playdx)

Radio Notre Dame 100.70 MHz. Prepared QSL card returned as verified. Received in five days. QSL address: 6 Boulevard Edgar Quinet, Paris, France (Norbert Reiner, Germany/playdx)

Italy-Radio 24, 89.9 MHz. Full data E-QSL from Dario Arbulla, Ufficio Tecnico dario.arbulla@radio24.it  Received in one  day for report details to: info@radio24.it (Christian Ghibaudo, France/playdx)

Germany
Ichtys Radio via HCJB Weenermoor, 3995 kHz. Full data verification e-letter from Sven Tasche and Debby Tasche-Wolf. Received in one days for repor to: kontakt@ichtys-radio.de (Artur Fernandez Llorella, Castalonia, Spain/playdx)

JSWC via AWR Wavescan, Nauen, Germany 15335 kHz. E-QSL from Kazuhiko Iwasa. Received in three days for report to: jswcqsl@live.jp (Artur Fernandez Llorella, Catalonia, Spain/playdx)

Radio Öömrang 15215 kHz. Full data E-QSL, signed by Michael Puetz. Received in five days for report details to: michael.puetz@media-broadcast.com (Rod Pearson, St Augustine, FL)

ELWA Liberia

Liberia
ELWA Radio, 4760 kHz. Email response from Moses Nyantee, who noted; "we are broadcasting on a 1 kilowatt shortwave transmitter from Monrovia, Liberia. We are on from 0530-1000 and 1700-2400.' (local time is UTC). Received e-reply in one day. (Rich D'Angelo/DXplorer)

Malaysia
Sarawak FM 9835 kHz. Full data QSL, signed by Zulfiki Ab Rahim, Senior Asst. Director, RTM Kajang Traxx FM. Received in six weeks for report details to: zulrahim@rtm.gov.my (Artur Fernandez Llorella, Catalonia, Spain/playdx)

Medium Wave
India-AIR Rajkot 1071 kHz AM. E-QSL. Received in ten weeks for details to: spectrum-manager@air.org.in and rajkot@air.org.in (Artur Fernandez Llorella, Catalonia, Spain/playdx)

Ireland-549 kHz AM, Spirit Radio via Carrickroe. Verification letter, prepared QSL letter returned, plus
brochure, sticker and postage receipt for contribution. Received in eight days. QSL address: Radio Centre,
Killarney Road, Bray, County Wicklow, Republic of Ireland. (CRS, in BrDXC Communications/QSL)

Romania-Radio Targu Mures, 1323 kHz AM. Full data QSL card , signed by Virgi Natea, marketing & PT Coordinator. Received in 18 days. QSL address: B.dul 1Decembrie 1918 Nr. 109, ROU 540445 Targu Mures. Email: vnatea@radiomures.ru Website: www.radiomures.ro (Christian Ghibaudo, France/playdx)

Spain-Radio Vitoria 1602 kHz AM. Full data E-QSL from Xabier Matxain. This was a special QSL for the last transmission. Received in two days for report details to: radio.vitoria@eitb.com (Artur Fernandez Llorella, Catalonia, Spain/playdx)

USA-KAAY 1090 kHz AM. Full data station card signed by Program Director. Received in five days for medium wave report and mint stamps (for return postage). Station address: 1090 KAAY, 700 Welliington Hills Road, Little Rock, AR 72211 USA. (Rod Pearson, St Augustine, FL)

Romania
IRRS via Tiganesti, 15215 kHz. E-QSL in 11 months for report details to: support@nexus.org (Artur Fernandez Llorella/playdx)

Voice of Russia QSL

Russia
Voice of Russia via Novosibirsk, 21820 kHz. Full data QSL in three weeks for report details to: world@ruvr.ru (Artur Fernandez Llorella/playdx)

Sri Lanka
AWR Wavescan via Trincomalee 15255 kHz. Full data QSL card, signed by Adrian M. Peterson. Received in 18 weeks for report details to: wavescan@awr.org (Artur Fernandez Llorella, Catalonia, Spain/playdx)

Syria
Radio Damascus, 9330 kHz. E-QSL from Amalia Puga. Received in two years for report details to: radiodamasco@yahood.com Station address: P.O. Box 4702, Damascus, Syria. ((Artur Fernandez Llorella/playdx)

United States
Pilipinas DX News via AWR Wavescan via WINB 13.570 MHz. Full data Maningning Island, Antique, Philippines beach scene. Received in sevwen months from Henry L. Umadhay-Engineer. Received for report details to: Pilipinas DX, San Pedro, San José, Antique, Philippines 5700. (Wendel Craighead, KS).

Radio Taiwan International, 7570 kHz via Okeechobee, Florida. Full data QSL card and schedule. Received in six months for report details to: esp@rti.org.tw (Artur Fernandez Llorella, Catalonia, Spain/playdx)

Utility
2BAI3-Seafox 2 (Platform) MMSI 235064417, 2187.5 MHz. Full data prepared QSL card and letter returned as verified. Received in 55 days. (Andy, Germany/UDXF)

A8BM7-Noble Al White (Drilling Rig) 2187.5 MHz. Full data prepared QSL card and letter returned as
verified. Received in 25 days. (Andy, Germany/UDXF)

China-Guangzhou Coastal Radio Station XSQ, 12.613 MHz. E-QSL in one day from Mr. Luo Mingbiao. Report details to: lmb@gzrdo.com Station address: 12th Floor, 40 Binjiang West Road, Guangzhou 510235, China. (Norbert Reiner, Germany/playdx)

French Polynesia- FUM-Marine Nationale Papeete 8625 kHz. No-data QSL card, signed by MP Pjilippe Millet. Received in 21 days. QSL address DIRISI, Le chef des stations HF, Boite Postal 9462, 98715 Papeete CMP, France (Patrick Robic, Austria/UDXF)

Italy-IQ2MI, Beacon 501.350 MHz. E-QSL in 15 months from Giulio Fiocchi-I2FGT. Giulio sent me an email verification two weeks after my reception in December 2011. Two years later he sent me the promised QSL card and my return postage. QSL address: Sezione ARI Milano, Via Natta 11, 20151 Milano, Italy. (Norbert Reiner, Germany/playdx)

Italy-AH Alghero, Beacon 337 kHz. No data prepared QSL card returned. Received in eight days. QSL address: Ente Nazionale Assistenzia al Volo, Centro Aeroportuale di Alghero, 07040 Fertilla, Italy (Patrick Robic, Austria/UDXF)

Ireland
Church of Immaculate Conception Castlecoomer, 27601 kHz. No-date letter , signed by José Campion S.A.C. QSL address: Parochial House, Castlecomer, CO. Kikenny, Ireland. (Patrick Robis, Austria/UDXF)

St. Joseph's Church Glenville, 27631 kHz. No-data card, and signed prepared QSL card. Received in 18 days. QSL address: Parish Office, Watergrasshill, Co. Cork, Ireland. (Patrick Robic, Austria/UDXF)

USA-WLO Mobile Coastal Radio Station 17362 kHz. Full dat E-QSL from Rene Stiegler. Received in two weeks for report details to: info@shipcom.com (Artur Fernandez Llorella, Catalonia, Spain/playdx)

USA-WWV Fort Collins, 10000 kHz. Full data station logo card, signed by John B. Milton. Received in 68 days for e-report to: nist.radio@boulder.nist.gov (Patrick Robic, Austria/UDXF)

2DMO6-Stena Britannica

Utility/Ship Traffic
2DMO6-Stena Britannica (Ferry) 2187.5 MHz. Full data prepared verification letter returned as verified. Received in 41 days. (Andy, Germany/UDXF)

LAWA-Viking Queen (Multi Supply Vessel) 2187.5 MHz. Full data prepared verification letter returned as
verified. Received in 35 days. (Andy, Germany/UDXF)

MMVV5-Sand Harrier (Sand suction dredger) MMSI 232704000, 2187 kHz. Partial data prepared QSL card returned. Received in 89 days. (Andreas Ibold, Germany/UDXF)

NOJ-USCG Kodiak 12412.5 kHz. Full data card signed by Michael Haselden, OS3, Received in 18 days. QSL address: Commanding Officer, USCG Communications Station, P.O. Box  190017, Kodiak, AK 99619-0017 USA. (Patrick Robic, Austria/UDXF)

UOS Explorer (Anchor Handling Vessel) 2187.5 MHz. Full data prepared verification letter returned as
verified. Received in 17 days. (Andy, Germany/UDXF)

Uzbekistan
Radio Vatican via Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Full data QSL. Received in two weeks for report details to: gestfreq@vatiradio.va (Artur Fernandez Llorella, Catalonia, Spain/playdx)

TWR India, 7505 kHz via Tashkent. Full data E-QSL from Franklin Abraham. Received in ten weeks for report details to: fabraham@twrindia.org (Artur Fernandez Llorella, Catalonia, Spain/playdx)
***************************************************
QSL Address/Email and Veri Signer Updates

Cuba
Radio Progreso
Atten: Transmision Banda Tropical
P.O. Box 3042
Codigo postal 10300
La Habana, Cuba

Diego Garcia
AFN/AFRTS
Reception reports:
Dept. of Defense
NMC Det AFRTS-OMC
23755 Z St., Bldg. 2730
Riverside, CA 92518-2017 USA
qsl@dodmedia.osd.mil

Euro Free Radio

Atlantic 2000 International atlantic2000international@gmail.com
Baltic Sea Radio balticseapirate@gmail.com
Bogusman differentradio@yahoo.co.uk
Cool AM bluebird1944@hotmail.com
Combinatie studio.f16@home.nl 
Geronimo SW geronimoshirtwave@hotmail.com
Ghoul Radio differentradio@yahoo.co.uk
Over 60 Degree Radio over60dgr@rocketmail.com 
Pink Panther Radio pinkpantheram@hotmail.com
Radio Bluebird bluebird1944@hotmail.com 
Radio Centurion Box 73, NL-7160 Neede, Netherlands
Radio City citymorecars@yahoo.ca 
Radio Fox 48 radiofox48@hotmail.com
Radio Merlin radiomerlin@blueyonder.co.uk
Radio Morningstar radiomorningstar@home.nl
Radio Norton radio.norton@hotmail.com
Radio Tidalwave radiotidalwave@hotmail.com
Radio Underground radioundergroundsw@gmail.com
Zwarte Panter zwartepanter1951@hotmail.com

DX Stamp Service: March Specials

Dear Customer,
Below are specials for March.
If you need a current stamp list or supply list, I can email it to you. I also have a list of the countries we stock that have issued their own international forever stamps, yours for the asking too.



NEW RATES:
Canada increases from $1.10 to $1.20 on March 31st. Units are updated now.
 
MAKE UPS: Canada: 10c makeup is 20c

NEW PRICES:
Canada: $1.50 (See Canada special listed below!)
Belgium: now $2.00 up from $1.80
 
STAMPS IN STOCK AGAIN: Bosnia/Herz., Mongolia, Netherlands, Panama*, Spain. *Panama hasn't issued any stamps in the past three years. I only have a small supply of 5c stamps. Rate is 35c so I will send enough to cover the rate. My suggestion is just include the stamps with your QSL rather then try to apply that many stamps to your return envelope. Best I can do for the moment.

STAMPS ON BACK ORDER: Brazil, Morocco, Poland, Thailand.

 U.S. DISCOUNT POSTAGE DEALS!!

Save Big on your domestic mailings when you plaster
your envelope with colorful stamps.

49c Units
  2 stamps
  3 stamps
  4 stamps
  5 stamps

x 100
 $46.00
 $43.00
 $42.00
 $41.00

x 200
 $89.00
 $84.00
 $81.00
 $78.00

x 400
 xxx
 $161.00
 $157.00
 $154.00

(3 stamps means 49c unit made up in 3 stamps such as 22c, 22c and 5c)
   
For US postage deals, payment by  
CREDIT CARD NOW ACCEPTED!!

 No charge for shipping US postage deals to US addresses.
ORDER NOW!
 
MARCH  2014  DX  STAMP  SPECIALS
    3 Canada-$3.90          2 Latvia-$2.00         3 Japan-$3.90
2 Finland 1st Kl.-$3.00     3 Finland 2nd Kl.-$3.00
Finland 1st class is priority rate
 2nd class is economy rate, it goes airmail too and saves you a bit!    
     
MARCH  2014  DX  SUPPLY  SPECIALS
200/200 European Air Mailers and Air Returns -$40.00
200/200 Stateside Mailers and Returns - $19.00
2 Standard QSL Albums - $40.00
Buy 2 DX Supply Specials...Deduct $5.00!!
 
Priority Mail Shipping Rates: Orders up to $16.00 add $6.50, orders from $16.01 to $40.00 add $9.00, orders from $41.00 to $100.00 add $15.00. orders from $101.00 to $150.00 add $20.00, orders over $150.00 add 15%. When ordering supplies and stamps, the stamps ride free, just use supply total to figure shipping costs. Shipments to Canada and overseas ship at a greater cost. (01/2014)
Stamps Only Orders: Just add $1.00 P&H for posting to USA, add $2.00 for posting to Canada.

73, Bill

William Plum
12 Glenn Road
Flemington, NJ 08822
908 788 1020
908 782-2612 FAX
Email: plumdx@msn.com

BBG seeks feedback on future of shortwave

Shortwave radio has been a mainstay of U.S. international media since the 1940s.  Over time, however, the number of countries in which shortwave is the medium of choice for audiences overseas has been shrinking.  In many places, people are increasingly turning to other means to get news and information – including but not limited to FM radio, satellite television, web sites, social media, and their mobile phones.

The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), the independent federal government agency that oversees U.S. civilian international media, has been adjusting to these changes over the years and now delivers news and information programs on a wider variety of platforms in more languages than any other media organization.  To support its commitment of reaching audiences on their preferred media, the Board recently established a Special Committee on the Future of Shortwave Radio Broadcasting, which has been conducting a thorough review of the agency’s use of shortwave radio as a distribution platform, the associated costs, and the likely reliance on it by next-generation audiences.

This Committee is now seeking feedback from external experts and stakeholders on their perspectives on the role of shortwave radio broadcasting as a BBG distribution platform. We are particularly interested to hear views that consider the evolving media consumption of target audiences, changing access to shortwave and other platforms, and the need to prioritize in an austere federal budget environment.

The BBG is committed to sustaining shortwave broadcasting to regions where a critical need for the platform remains.

The Shortwave Committee has held two meetings focused on the shortwave audience’s listening experience, the BBG networks’ success in reaching target audiences, the role of shortwave in the networks’ engagement strategies in various markets, the cost of operating shortwave transmitting facilities, and the BBG’s research into how shortwave is being used and its impact on audiences.

Your input will better inform the Committee’s recommendations and could help shape its comprehensive report to the plenary Board.

Please contribute questions, comments or suggestions via e-mail to ShortwaveCommittee@bbg.gov by March 14, 2014.  To facilitate the review process, please limit your submission to 1200 words or fewer.  All comments may be reprinted as part of the Committee’s proceedings and may be made public.

The news and information provided by our networks helps bring the light of truth to some of the darkest corners of the world.  By supporting the free flow of news and information, including combatting Internet censorship and providing news and information tailored for specific audiences, developing local media, and creating access to global media, we purposefully support the freedom to speak, the freedom to listen, and the freedom of expression.

If you are aware of anyone with special interest in this topic, I encourage you to share this request with them.

Thank you for your interest in taking part in this process to help the BBG become more efficient and effective in supporting U.S. national security and foreign policy.

Sincerely,

Matthew C Armstrong
Chairman
BBG Special Committee on the Future of Shortwave Broadcasting
(Kim Elliott/NASWA)

Weekly propagation forecast bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts

:Issued: 2014 Mar 03 0835 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html
#
#                Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 24 February - 02 March 2014

An X4/2b x-ray flare on 25/0049 UTC from Region 1990 (S15, L=108, class/area=Hkx/250 on 24 Feb) brought solar activity to high levels and affected the character of the space weather environment for the
remainder of the week. This event was associated with Type II (est. shock speed 1972 km/s) and Type IV radio sweeps, as well as a fast-moving, asymmetric-halo coronal mass ejection (CME) that was first seen in Lasco C3 imagery at 25/0130 UTC. Although not aimed directly at Earth, the glancing blow from this CME brought major geogmagnetic storm conditions on 27 February described below. Region 1990 was also responsible for two other M1 flares the day prior at 24/1117 UTC (with an Sf optical flare) and 24/1205 UTC. M1 flares were also attributed to Region 1982 (S10, L=106, class/area Ekx/450 on 24 Feb) at 26/1501 UTC (M1/1n) and 01 Mar at 1333 UTC (M1); Region 1992 (S24, L=93, class/area=Eki/370 on 02 Mar) at 28/0048 UTC (M1/Sn); and Region 1986 (N14, L-176,  class/area=Cro/40 on 25 Feb) at 02/2319 UTC (M1/Sf). 

The greater than 10 MeV proton flux at geosynchronous orbit was elevated following the flare on 25 February. By 25/1355 UTC flux had exceeded the 10 pfu threshold. It stayed above 10pfu throughout the
remainder of the week. On 27 Feb, the flux was further enhancement as the shock from the 25 Feb CME described above arrived. 10 MeV flux briefly crossed S2 (Moderate) levels by 28/0835 UTC, reached a
peak value of 103 pfu at 28/0845 UTC, and began a very gradual decline afterwards. The greater than 100 MeV proton flux at geosynchronous orbit was also enhanced following the X4/2b flare, but only reached a peak of 0.9 pfu at 25/1945 UTC. 

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at low to moderate levels all week. 

For the second time during the month of February, the geomagnetic field reached major storm levels. At 27/1609 UTC, the shock from the 25 Feb CME described earlier arrived at the ACE spacecraft. Solar
wind speed jumped from pre-shock values near 350 km/s to a maximum of 519 km/s by 27/1936 UTC before beginning to decline.. Bz plummeted to -18 nT by 27/1804 UTC while total field reached 22 nT
around the same time. Bz remained mostly negative until about 28/0200 UTC. A geomagnetic sudden impulse was subsequently observed at the Hartland magnetometer (22 nT) at 27/1653 UTC. Geomagnetic
conditions were initially at active levels for the 27/1500-1800 UTC period, but increased to major storm levels for the 27/1800-2100 UTC period. Minor storm (G1-Minor) levels were observed during the
27/2100-2400 UTC period. Unsettled to active levels persisted through the 28th before returning to mostly quiet levels. Data from the GOES 13 and 15 magnetometers suggested a magnetopause crossing around 27/1700 and 2000 UTC, respectively. The geomagnetic storm was also associated with an ionospheric storm-enhanced-density episode over western North America and the east Pacific. Aurora was reported as far south as East Anglia in the United Kingdom. Relatively nominal solar wind conditions returned by late on the 28th after which the geomagnetic field settled down to quiet to occasionally unsettled levels. 

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 03 March - 29 March 2014

Solar activity is expected to be low to moderate levels with high levels possible throughout the forecast period. 

There is a chance for a proton event at geosynchronous orbit throughout the forecast period. 

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at normal to moderate levels with a chance for high levels on 09-10 and 13-15 March in response to effects from a coronal hole high speed stream. 

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at mostly quiet and unsettled levels in the absence of any transient features. There is a chance for active levels on 09-10 March in response to a negative polarity coronal hole high speed stream. 

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2014 Mar 03 0836 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html
#
#      27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
#                Issued 2014-03-03
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2014 Mar 03     165           5          2
2014 Mar 04     165           5          2
2014 Mar 05     160           5          2
2014 Mar 06     155           5          2
2014 Mar 07     155           5          2
2014 Mar 08     155           5          2
2014 Mar 09     150           8          3
2014 Mar 10     145           8          3
2014 Mar 11     130           5          2
2014 Mar 12     135           5          2
2014 Mar 13     135           5          2
2014 Mar 14     135           5          2
2014 Mar 15     130           5          2
2014 Mar 16     130           5          2
2014 Mar 17     130           5          2
2014 Mar 18     135           5          2
2014 Mar 19     135           5          2
2014 Mar 20     135           5          2
2014 Mar 21     145           5          2
2014 Mar 22     155           5          2
2014 Mar 23     155           5          2
2014 Mar 24     155           5          2
2014 Mar 25     160           5          2
2014 Mar 26     160           5          2
2014 Mar 27     160           5          2
2014 Mar 28     155           5          2
2014 Mar 29     150           5          2

(NOAA)

Rising tensions in the Pacific

SHANGHAI -- A Chinese military expert is explaining to a conference here what he sees as the benign inevitability of Beijing's rising power in the Pacific. "You should trust China," he says cheerily. "In 10 years, we will be much stronger, and you will feel safer."

This Chinese prediction did not appear to reassure most of the several dozen European and American experts gathered for discussions last weekend. Instead, there was a consensus, even among most of the Chinese participants, that Beijing's growing military power has worried its neighbors and led to friction with Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam over disputed islands and maritime rights.

"You think we are a bully," conceded the Chinese military expert. "We think we are a victim." But nobody in the room disagreed about the reality that tensions in the Pacific are rising -- and that China and its neighbors cannot seem to find a way out. Which leaves the United States awkwardly in between, trying to support traditional allies such as Japan, without encouraging them to take reckless moves.

It is a sign of the times that delegates here talked openly about the danger of war in the Pacific. That's a big change from the tone of similar gatherings just a few years ago, when Chinese officials often tried to reassure foreign experts that a rising China wasn't on a collision course with the U.S. or regional powers. Now, in the East and South China seas, the collision seems all too possible.

Read more: www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2014/02/27/rising_tensions_in_the_pacific_121720.html#ixzz2ur7fCCfi
Follow us: @RCP_Articles on Twitter

Frequency Update - International Shortwave Broadcast Guide: March 1, 2014

The following is the fifth series of schedule updates for the 2013-2014 Winter - International Shortwave Broadcast Guide. The 684 page Teak Publishing shortwave radio hobby e-book can be purchased at Amazon.com for US$4.99. The e-book is available at:
www.amazon.com/International-Shortwave-Broadcast-Winter-2013-2014-ebook/dp/B00H8X7LHM/

All time references are UTC and frequencies are in kHz (kilohertz) // indicates a parallel frequency.
Broadcast are daily unless otherwise indicated.

County/Station
Language
Hrs/freq/info

Clandestine, R Dabanga
Arabic
0430-0500  15530af (ex 13800af) // 7315af, 11940af
0500-0600  15530af (ex 13800af) // 7315af, 11940af
1530-1600  15530af (ex 15535af) // 13800af
1600-1630  15530af (ex 15535af) // 13800af

Clandestine, R Tamazuj
Arabic (ex Arabic/Sudanese)
0400-0430  15530af (add)  // 7315af, 11940af
1500-1530  15530af (ex 15535af)

Clandestine, JSR Shiokaze/Sea Breeze
Chinese/Korean
1330-1400  t  6135asw (ex 5985as)
1400-1430  t  6135as (ex 5985as)
English
1330-1400  f  6135as  (ex 5985as)
1400-1430  f  6135as (ex 5985as)
Japanese
1330-1400  mwh  6135as (ex 5985as)
1400-1430  mwh  6135as (ex 5985as)
1600-1700  mwh  5910as (new entry)
Japanese/Korean
1330-1400  Sat/Sun  6135as (add) (ex 5985as)
1400-1430  Sat/Sun  6135as (add) (ex 5985as)

Clandestine, VO Tibet
Chinese
1300-1315  9332as (add) (ex 9318as)
1315-1330  9338as (add) (ex 9323)
1330-1345  9338as (add) (ex 9323)
1345-1400  9343as (add) (ex 9328as)
Tibetan
1300-1315  15553as (add) (ex 15573as)
1315-1330  15553as (add) (ex 11518as)
1330-1345  11527as (add) (ex 11513as)
1345-1400  11538as (add) (ex 11513as)
1400-1415  11543as (add) (ex 11507as)
1415-1430  11543as (add) (ex 11507as)

Germany, Overcomer Ministries (via Media Broadcast)
English
1400-1500  13810me (add)
1500-1600  13810me (add)

Greece, VO Greece
Greek
0500-0600  11645eu (ex 15630eu) heard from 0530
1000-1100  7475af (add) // 9420eu  15650eu

Sri Lanka, SLBC
Bengali (add)
0115-0130 11905as (religious programming w/ co-channel interference from China, CNR-6 in Amoy)
English
0230-0300  11905 (add) (religious programming w/ co-channel interference from China, CNR-6 in Amoy)
Hindi (add)
0130-0200  11905as (add) (co-channel interference from China, CNR-6 in Amoy)
0300-0330  11905as (add) (co-channel interference from China, CNR-6 in Amoy)
1115-1130  9720as (add)
1145-1200  9720as (add)
Malayalam
1130-1145  9720as (add) (religious programming)

UK, BBC World Service
Hindi
0100-0130  5980as (ex 6165as // 7325as  11995as, 15510as

USA, R Free Europe/R Liberty
Russian
1700-1800  9790as (add)
1800-1900  9790as (ex 9590as)
1900-2000  5905as (add) (ex 6170 // 7255as, 7460as)
2000-2100  9490eu (ex 5885eu)

USA, VOA/R Ashna
Dari
1500-1530  11595as (add) (ex 17580as)

USA, VO America
Bangla
1600-1700  11850as (add) from 23 Feb
Tibetan
1400-1500  17740as (ex 9670as) from 24 Feb

USA, VOA/Deewa R
Pashto
0100-0200  9765as (ex 9370as)
0200-0300  9765as (ex 9370as)
0300-0400  9765as (ex 9370as)

USA, WBCQ Monticello ME (complete revision)
English
0000-0100 9330na
0000-0100  Sun  7490na
0100-0200 5110na  7490na 9330na
0200-0300 5110na 7490na  9330na
0300-0400 5110na 9330na
0300-0400  mtwhfa  7490na
0400-0500 5110na 9330na
0400-0500  mtwhfa  7490na
0500-0600 9330na
0600-0700 9330na
0700-0800 9330na
0800-0900 9330na
0900-1000 9330na
1000-1100 9330na
1100-1200 9330na
1200-1300 9330na
1300-1400 9330na
1400-1500 9330na
1500-1600 9330na
1500-1600  Sat  15420na
1600-1700 9330na
1600-1700  Sat  15420na
1700-1800 9330na
1700-1800  Sat  15420na
1800-1900 9330na 15420na
1900-2000 9330na  15420na
2000-2100 9330na  15420na
2100-2200 9330na
2100-2200  mtwhf  7490na
2200-2230  smf  7490na
2200-2300 9330na
2230-2300  smtwhf  7490na
2300-0000 9330na
2300-0000  smtwhf  7490na

Spanish
2200-2230 twh  7490na

USA, WRMI Okeechobee FL/Overcomer Ministries
English
0100-1100  7570na (add)
0300-1300  9495ca (cancelled broadcast)
2300-0000  9955ca

***********************************
Legend
Days:
m (Monday)
t (Tuesday)
w (Wednesday)
h (Thursday)
f (Friday)
a/Sat (Saturday)
s/Sun (Sunday)
DRN Digital Radio Mondiale

Target Areas:
af (Africa)
am (Americas)
as (Asia)
ca (Central America)
do (Domestic)
eu (Europe)
me (Middle East)
sa (South America)
va (Various)

HLR and MVBR weekend schedule

March 1
Saturday is HLR:

06 - 09 UTC on 7265 KHz
09 - 12 UTC on 6190 KHz
12 - 16 UTC on 7265 KHz

March 2

Sunday is MVBR and HLR:
08 - 09 UTC, MVBR on 7265 KHz
09 - 10 UTC, MVBR on 9485 KHz
11 - 13 UTC, HLR    on 9485 KHz


Please all reception reports for MVBR to QSL@mvbalticradio.de

Good Listening

73s

Tom

VOA Radiogram weekend schedule

Hello friends,

This weekend on VOA Radiogram, in addition to our usual MFSK32, we will conduct experiments with Olivia at different speeds.

In general, the Olivia modes are too slow for broadcasting. However, we should keep in mind that text via shortwave can be received unattended, for later retrieval, making speed less of an issue. Furthermore, the Olivia modes might be more capable of overcoming co-channel interference than our usual MFSK modes.

The speed of the Olivia modes increases as 1) bandwidth increases and 2) the number of tones decreases. However, as the number of tones decreases, the robustness of the mode, i.e. the ability to decode in difficult reception conditions, decreases.

On our shortwave broadcast channel, we will use the maximum 2000 Hz bandwidth. We will transmit about three minutes of content in each of Olivia 64-2000 (29 wpm), 32-2000 (48 wpm), 16-2000 (76 wpm), and 8-2000 (104 wpm). As the number of tones decreases, and the Olivia modes become faster, how much does performance deteriorate?  

There are RSIDs for each of these Olivia modes. If you change modes manually, you will have to use the Custom menu for the 32-, 16-, and 8-tone versions. Even if the signal is so bad that you can barely hear it, change the modes manually at the appointed time, and you might see the text. Because of latency in the Olivia modes, text will not begin to display until a few seconds after the tones begin.

Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 48, 1-2 March 2014:

1:34  MFSK32: Program preview (now)

2:48  MFSK32: Introduction to Olivia experiment

4:35  Olivia 64-2000: Excerpt of VOA News story

8:29  Olivia 32-2000: Excerpt from same VOA News story

12:02  Olivia 16-2000: Excerpt from same VOA News story

15:17  Olivia 8-2000: Excerpt from same VOA News story

18:23  MFSK32: Hospital machinist, with image

26:07  MFSK32: Closing announcements

Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com

VOA Radiogram transmission schedule

(all days and times UTC):

Sat 0930-1000 5745 kHz

Sat 1600-1630 17860 kHz

Sun 0230-0300 5745 kHz

Sun 1930-2000 15670 kHz

All via the Edward R. Murrow transmitting station in North Carolina.

MFSK image preambles

Last weekend's VOA Radiogram, program 47, brought good decoding results in many parts of the world. One problem noticed by some listeners is that if the preamble to an MFSK image is not received correctly, none of the picture is visible. At voaradiogram.net, I will post mp3 audio of both of this weekend's images. You can "borrow" the preamble from the mp3 recording and "graft" it into a recording of your reception of VOA Radiogram 48.

The 0930 UTC broadcast

The new broadcast Saturday at 0930-1000 on 5745 kHz is becoming very difficult to hear in Europe as we approach spring (although it doesn't feel like spring here in the USA). I was hoping for reports of this broadcast from the Asia-Pacific region, but so far have received none. This past weekend, I did receive my first report from New Zealand, but it was for the transmission Sunday at 1930-2000 UTC on 15670 kHz -- apparently via a very long path from North Carolina.  

The 0930 UTC broadcast does provide very good reception to the North American west coast, so if you live in western North America, try unattended reception while you sleep. 

In the next few weeks, we will probably change this broadcast to another time and frequency. This might be Sunday at 1400 UTC on a higher frequency receivable in Europe and perhaps farther east.

MFSK64 on The Mighty KBC

The Mighty KBC will transmit another minute of MFSK64 Saturday at about 1230 UTC on 6095 kHz, and Sunday at about 0130 UTC (Saturday evening 8:30 pm EST) on 7375 kHz. Reports to Eric at themightykbc@gmail.com . The Mighty KBC schedule and other information are at kbcradio.eu.

I'll now begin answering your reports from last weekend. I hope to hear from you this weekend.

Kim

Kim Andrew Elliott

Producer and Presenter

VOA Radiogram

radiogram@voanews.com

http://voaradiogram.net

Twitter: @VOARadiogram

Tribute to Family Radio Shortwave: The Final Years with Walter Lemmon

In the continuing saga about the long and illustrious history of the shortwave station that finally  became WYFR and then WRMI, we pick up the chain of events in the middle of the year 1953.  At this stage, station WRUL, as it was at the time, was on the air at Hatherly Beach with five transmitters:-

                        3 @ 50 kW, 1 @ 20 kW and 1 @ 7 or 80 kW (with or without a huge power amplifier).

            On June 30, 1953, the 5 WRUL transmitters were officially released from service with the Voice of America and the station was reverted back to regular programming under its ownership with Walter Lemmon.  The usage of the Boston studios had ended two years earlier and WRUL had established a New York office at 1 East 57^th Street, which according to the city address list, is the location for the voluminous fashion icon Louis Vuitton store.  A few blocks away was the location for the original production and on-air studios of the Voice of America.                    

            At the same time as WRUL was released from VOA service in mid 1953, so also was the Westinghouse shortwave station WBOS at Hull, located at the end of the Nantasket Peninsula out from Boston.  Westinghouse then closed this station and sold the equipment to WRUL at Hatherly Beach.          The leftover equipment from the two transmitters WBOS & WPIT at Hull was incorporated into the WRUL facility, though never as a separate transmitter unit.  At this stage, WRUL was no longer an official relay station for the Voice of America with programming from VOA and the Armed Forces Radio Service.

            Then, in 1960, the 65 year old Walter Lemmon relinquished control of the station, selling it off to Metro Media in New York.  At this stage, the same five transmitters were still in use:-

                        3 @ 50 kW, 1 @ 20 kW and 1 @ 80 kW.

            MetroMedia, that is the Metropolitan Broadcasters of New York, also owned mediumwave WNEW, as well as a small network of radio and television stations across the country.  They transferred the studios for their new shortwave acquisition into 4 West 58^th Street, the location of the famed Paris Theatre, quite near to Central Park.  This new suite of radio studios was titled the Worldwide Communication Center.

            However, MetroMedia retained the usage of the Hatherly Beach shortwave station for just three years only after which they sold it off to the International Educational Broadcasting Corporation IEBC in Salt Lake City Utah for $1¾ million.  This change of ownership was effective on October 10, 1962, and a new on air slogan was introduced, Radio New York World Wide, though the old and familiar callsign WRUL was still retained.  At this stage, the same five transmitters were on the air, though they were now listed as 4 @ 50 kW and 1 @ 80 kW.  A total of eleven antenna systems were in use.

            Soon after IEBC obtained WRUL at Hatherly Beach, this organization morphed into Bonneville International both of which had close ties with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, the Mormons. 

            Interestingly, there was a previous attempt on the part of the Mormon Church to go shortwave and this was back in the year 1939.  At that time, the experimental shortwave broadcasting station W9XAA was on the air in Chicago with a 500 watt transmitter located at suburban Downer’s Grove.              This shortwave station was owned by the Chicago Federation of Labor, who also operated the well known mediumwave station WCFL.  The Chicago Federation of Labor in Chicago wanted to sell its co-owned shortwave station W9XAA to mediumwave KSL in Salt Lake City Utah. 

            They lodged a request with the FCC to sell the station, increase its power, and move it to Saltair, near Salt Lake City.  However, in September 1939, the FCC denied this request; and so this first attempt on the part of the Mormon Church to establish a shortwave station came to nothing.

            Returning to the story of the Boston shortwave station, we might add, that in the year 1964, the long standing Adventist radio program, Voice of Prophecy with the illustrious Dr. H. M. S. Richards was on the air from the shortwave station WRUL twice each Sunday.  At both 1200 & 1900 GMT, as it was in those days or UTC as it is today, this half hour program was noted on all four active transmitters in parallel, on 11950 15385 15440 & 17760 kHz.

     

            The vigorous radio entrepreneur Walter Lemmon was born in New York City on February 3, 1896, and on March 1, 1967, he passed to his rest at Old Greenwich Connecticut, age 71. 

            He gained a B.Sc. degree in electrical engineering at Columbia University in New York City.  As 

Lieutenant Walter Lemmon with the Coast Guard he was appointed as a wireless operator onboard the navy vessel USS “George Washington”, and he also served as Wireless Operator for President Woodrow Wilson at the Versailles Peace Conference in France in 1919.  While the ship was anchored in port at Brest Harbor in coastal France, he made a series of experimental radio broadcasts containing news about the Peace Conference. 

            On the return journey across the Atlantic, Walter Lemmon aboard the “George Washington” presented several broadcasts of recorded music for the benefit of nearby ships and for listeners along the eastern seaboard of the United States.  When the ship was still 300 miles from port, he persuaded President Wilson to make a special July 4 radio broadcast to the United States.

            Wilson did indeed make the brief speech in between music items during the Independence Day broadcast, though he stood so far away from the microphone that his words were not heard clearly in the broadcast.  A news reporter subsequently re-read the speech which this time was transmitted quite clearly.

            Ten years later, Walter Lemmon became the general manager for shortwave station W2XAL in Coytesville New Jersey, a station that he bought two years later and ultimately transferred to Boston in association with TV experimenter Hollis Baird.  Lemmon manager the Boston shortwave station WRUL for a period of nearly 30 years, running from 1931 right up to the year 1960, developing it into one of the world’s largest and most powerful shortwave stations in the middle of last century.

            Walter Lemmon invented the 3-gang tuning condenser which he sold to RCA for $1 million; and he also invented the radiotypewriter which enabled typed messages to be transmitted by radio and instantly received on a similar typewriter anywhere in the world.  He was also an executive with the IBM Corporation; and in addition to his management of shortwave WRUL, Lemmon was the manager for an early FM station, WGCH 95.9 MHz in Greenwich Connecticut.

            Walter Lemmon sold his shortwave station WRUL in 1960, he went into retirement at the age of  64, and died seven years later.  By this time, his shortwave station was now on the air under the new callsign WNYW.  

            But that’s a story for next time.

 (AWR Wavescan/NWS260)

Australian Radio History

A most remarkable compendium of radio history comes from Dr. Bruce Carty, under the title, Australian Radio History.  This lively and colorful presentation of more then 100 pages is amply illustrated with early radio memorabilia that vividly portrays the more than 100 years of collective wireless and radio history throughout the continent of Australia.

            An introductory timeline, stretching from the ancient 1906 right up to the modern 2009, gives a progressive view of wireless and radio events throughout the Commonwealth, beginning with Australia’s first official wireless communication (across Bass Strait to Tasmania) and ending with the introduction of digital TV in five state capital cities.  Also listed is a brief life sketch of many of the leading radio personnel in the early days of radio history in Australia, 

            Several feature articles tell the story of early significant events in full detail.  Among these interesting feature articles is one that lists and describes early radio receivers manufactured by the well known radio company in Australia AWA.  This listing in the year 1926 describes the crystal set receiver as well as the more recently developed superheterodyne receiver.

            Another feature article tells the story of a portable shortwave transmitter in use for remote broadcasts by mediumwave station 2UW in Sydney in 1932.  This transmitter with its associated equipment was carried by two men, and the occasion was the long list of celebrations for the official opening of one of Australia’s major tourist icons, the Sydney Harbour Bridge.   

            Another feature article tells the story of an important amateur radio broadcasting station in Brisbane back during the 1920s.  This station, 4CM, was owned and operated by Dr. Val McDowell with 20 watts on 800 m (375 kHz longwave) and it was heard throughout eastern Australia as well as in New Zealand, and also on Ocean Island out in the Pacific some 2,000 miles distant.

            Every mediumwave callsign ever in use in Australia, all 700 of them, is listed chronologically by state, with an outline history of each station; experimental, amateur broadcast and fully licensed radio broadcasting stations.  We take a look at some of the interesting facts that Dr. Bruce Carty has listed in his new book:-

              * Australia’s first licensed radio broadcasting station was not 2SB-2BL as often quoted but rather           station 2CM which was granted License No 1.  

              * All the fish in the aquarium at 2KA died during the first day of operation at their new studios in              Penrith, New South Wales.

              * Radio station 6WF in Perth opened with the use of a 10 kW transmitter obtained from Radio                Luxembourg in Europe.  The original 6WA transmitter also came from Radio                     Luxembourg.

              * Australian personnel have established radio broadcasting stations at 6 different locations in                  Antarctica.

              * Station 2UW in Sydney operated a relay station 2UX in Wagga Wagga with all programming                 on relay from 2UW via the well known shortwave station VK2ME.

            * Station 2BH in Broken Hill relayed some of the programming from 5AD in Adelaide which was             recorded and sent by train to Broken Hill.

            * In 1946, station 2XL in Cooma reported that a railway train was lost and they asked any                         listeners if they knew where the train was located to report the information to the radio                  station.

            * In 1933, 3KZ in Melbourne used all available hair dryers from one of their client advertisers in                order to keep their transmitter on the air during floods.

              * The announcer at 3AK in Melbourne lowered a rope from the open studio window to which the           morning newspaper was tied.  He retrieved the paper each morning and from its pages                read the bulletin of early morning news.

              * All local train services were suspended when the tower at 3WR Shepparton fell across the                   railway line in 1934.

              * The announcer at station 5CL in Adelaide held the microphone outside the studio window to                 broadcast the hourly chimes from the clock on the GPO building.

            Throughout the book, there are many illustrations, some in black & white and some in color.   On an introductory page, you will find the reproduction of  the front page of a brochure advertising Australia’s first serious attempt at radio broadcasting from a train; the Great White Train with station 2XT aboard.  There is a photo of the good ship “Kanimbla” with its 50 watt broadcasting station 9MI aboard. 

            You will also find a QSL card in color from Australia’s first radio broadcasting station station 2CM; a photo of 3YB aboard the motor vehicle and the railway train; a reproduction of the motor vehicle license plate showing 7HO on 864 kHz; and a photo of the mobile broadcasting station “in the islands”, 9AO.

            The author of “Australian Radio History”, Dr. Bruce Carty, has spent a lifetime in Australian radio in several different states and he writes from a rich knowledge and experience in the radio scene.  We are grateful also, Dr. Carty, for your acknowledgement of our DX host, Dr. Adrian Peterson, in your  informative pages.  Dr. Carty may be contacted at Bruce.Carty@bigpond.com.

(AWR Wavescan/NWS 260)

Focus on Asia Philippines: Naval Wireless Station at Cavite

The Cavite Peninsula on the edge of Manila Bay in the Philippines has played a pivotal role throughout the lengthy eras of Philippine history.  The Cavite Peninsula is located on the edge of modern Metro Manila and the name comes into the Spanish language from an ancient word in the Tagalog language, Kawit, meaning a hook, which is the geographic shape of the peninsula.
The earliest settlers on Cavite came from Borneo Sulu some time during the dim distant past; and because of its deep water anchorage, this location became a moorage for ocean going Chinese junks involved in international trade.  The Spanish began their rule of the Philippines at Cavite in 1571; and ¾ century later, the Dutch came and made their attack against the Philippines at this same location.  The British followed in 1672 with an attack on the Philippines at Cavite, though their rule lasted for only two years.
The American era began on May 1, 1898 with an attack against the Spanish at Cavite.  Nearly ½  a century later, the Japanese invaded the Philippines and their attack against Cavite itself began on December 10, 1941, just three days after Pearl Harbor.  A little less than three years later, the Americans returned to Cavite; and ultimately the area was officially handed over to the Philippine government on September 1, 1971.
It was back in the Spring of 1903 that the American navy procured 20 sets of Slaby-Arco wireless equipment from Germany, both transmitters and receivers.  One of these sets of wireless equipment was installed at the American navy base at Cavite, and  a year later the station was taken into regular service for Morse Code traffic, on September 5, 1904.
The original callsign back then was UT, though this was changed on October 1, 1908 to the more familiar internationally recognized callsign NPO.  Back then, the transmitter was described as a composite unit rated at 5 kW and radiating on 500 kHz.
During the year 1915, two tall towers were erected at the American navy base at Cavite and these were 141 feet and 134 feet tall.  The operating power was increased from 5 kW up to 25 kW and station NPO identified as Radio Sangley, honoring the name of the American Naval Station, Sangley Point.
In the early 1920s, three new self supporting radio towers were erected at Cavite, each at 600 feet tall.  When these came into use for supporting the antenna system at NPO, this naval radio station was sending out in Morse Code 2,000 words daily on longwave13900 metres (21.5 kHz) to the navy receiver station in San Francisco.  It is stated that these three tall towers were visible from Manila City, ten miles distant.
  The usage of shortwave for international radio communication was implemented at the Cavite radio station in the early 1920s.  For example, it is recorded in the year 1926 that station NPO was utilizing two shortwave channels 3548 and 4283 kHz.  Then, in 1929, an additional six shortwave transmitters were installed at NPO, each at 10 kW.
During the 1930s, the PanAm Seaplane Clippers, passenger and freight service, called at Cavite once each week in their flights between the United States and several Pacific locations.  A color postcard from this era shows the PanAm Clipper moored at Cavite, with the skyline in the distance.
On December 10, 1941, a Japanese air raid badly damaged the radio station at Cavite setting the radio station building on fire, and damaging one of the tall towers.
Beginning just five days later, on December 15, 1941, eight daily special programs were beamed to the Philippines on shortwave for rebroadcast via 12 mediumwave and shortwave stations in Manila.  Some of these relay programs were picked up at Cavite and rebroadcast on their transmitters also.  Then when the Japanese took over Manila, Cavite continued to re-broadcast the program  information from California for a few additional days, apparently from temporary facilities.
Soon afterwards, on January 2 of the next year, 1942, the order was given to evacuate Cavite.  When the Americans returned three years later, they found the three towers still standing.
The famous wireless station at Sangley Point, the American navy base at Cavite in the Philippines, is an example of  the widespread network of huge wireless stations established by America in strategic locations around our globe.  As the well known writer and editor stated in Popular Communications a few years ago, “The Cavite station was a most historic wireless facility, a well known landmark.”  That statement came from the pen (or maybe the typewriter) of the late Tom Kneitel, writing under the pseudonym Alice Brannigan.
(AWR Wavescan/NWS 260)