Monday, January 28, 2013

Radio Coverage and Two Hurricanes


Two hurricanes at the end of October last year struck heavily populated areas in the United States and India, causing disastrous damage and hundreds of deaths.  Hurricane Sandy came ashore on the eastern coast of the United States and it is described as the largest hurricane ever to strike North America.  This massive weather pattern covered more than 1/3rd of the continental United States, reaching from the eastern seaboard well into the midwest state of Illinois.

            In India at the same time, another hurricane, or strictly speaking a cyclone, struck the central east coast of the Indian sub-continent.  Cyclone Nilam also caused widespread damage in an area that periodically suffers the onslaught of these massive wind storms.    

            Jose Jacob VU2JOS, reporting from the National Institute of Amateur Radio in Hyderabad, states that All India Radio on both mediumwave and shortwave provided special radio coverage during the emergency.  He states that AIR Hyderabad with 200 kW on 738 kHz mediumwave and 50 kW on 4800 kHz shortwave provided emergency coverage, as did Vijayawada with 100 kW on 837 kHz and Vishakhpatnam also with 100 kW on 927 kHz.

            Jose Jacob also states that AIR Chennai operated four mediumwave channels and local shortwave with their own diesel generators, but the international shortwave service with 100 kW on 7270 kHz was off the air.

            The New York mediumwave station WINS, with 50 kW on 1010 kHz, was off the air due to equipment damage and they invited listeners to tune to sister station WCBS on 101.1 MHz for their storm coverage.  However, as Netnews stated, the emergency programming was heard actually on station WXRK on 92.3 MHz FM.  New York’s mediumwave giant WNYC was also silenced when the transmitter area was flooded and the emergency programming was transferred to an FM channel.

            Radio World reported that mediumwave WOR, with studios in New York and transmitter in a low lying area near Rutherford New Jersey, remained on the air with the usage of its emergency power generator.  The water floodline came very close to the transmitter building.

            Several new reports tell of the loss of the sailing ship, “Bounty”, a movie replica of the original HMS “Bounty” of Pitcairn Island fame.  The modern replica was around 90 miles out at sea off the coast of North Carolina.  Seventeen crew members were rescued by Coast Guard helicopter, but the captain and one crew member were lost when the ship sank.

            Robert Wilkner in Florida reported that he heard several area wide radio stations on the air with weather reports and emergency updates at the time of Hurricane Sandy.  Some of the stations he heard were:-

     * Bahamas ZNS3 with 1 kW on 810 kHz & ZNS1 with 8 kW on 1540 kHz with evacuation orders and             shelter information

     * Puerto Rico WKAQ with 10 kW on 580 kHz with weather bulletins

     * Bahamas communications stations at 3 different locations on 4045 kHz with weather reports and     emergency storm information

     * Key West communication station on 7268 kHz with storm information

(AWR Wavescan/NWS 205 via Adrian Peterson) 

Focus on Africa


Radio Broadcasting in the Land of the Mountain Lion

As we have mentioned previously here in Wavescan, we are planning to present many topics throughout this year 2013 as part of our project, “Focus on Africa”.  We would like to encourage the shortwave scene in Africa, broadcasting as well as listening and DX clubs, and our opening feature today is another interesting topic about radio broadcasting in one of the countries of Africa. 

            The title for this feature is “Radio Broadcasting in the Land of the Mountain Lion”, and if you have already guessed that this country is Sierra Leone, you would be correct.  It was a Portuguese explorer, Pedro da Cintra, who visited coastal Africa in the year 1462 and he gave the name Sierra de Leao in Portuguese to this territory.  Some time subsequently, the territory name was changed to the Italian version, Sierra Leone, which means of course, Lion Mountain.

            The country of Sierra Leone is located towards the bottom of the western bulge in the continent of Africa.  It is in the shape of a rough circle about 200 miles across, with an Atlantic coastline of 250 miles.  The capital city is Freetown, and the Freetown Harbour is listed as the world’s 3rd largest natural harbor.

            The total population is around 7 million, made up of 16 different ethnic groups, though English is the national language.  Their major natural exports are diamonds, titanium & gold.

            Somewhere around 500 BC, the earliest settlers to migrate into the area were African tribals; and a thousand years later, this area became a major slave center for the Portuguese, Dutch, French & British empires.  However, on March 11, 1792, England established the colony of Freetown for freed slaves from the British Empire.  Sixteen years later, the settlement was annexed as a British Crown Colony.

            Sierra Leone gained its independence in 1961, and 10 years later it was declared a republic.   However, a disastrous civil war broke out in 1991, and this catastrophic era lasted for eleven years, ending only quite recently, in 2002.

            The radio broadcasting scene in Sierra Leone began in the earlier part of the 1930s as cable radio, or as it was known at the time, a rediffusion service.  The newly appointed governor, Sir Arnold Hodson, had recently transferred from the Falkland Islands, where he had already established a similar system. 

            The new cable radio for Freetown was inaugurated on May 7, 1934 at 7:00 pm when Governor Hodson spoke into a microphone at Wilberforce Memorial Hall and declared the system open.  This was the 1st cable radio system in West Africa, and subsequently Governor Hodson established his 3rd rediffusion service in Accra in the Gold Coast soon after he was transferred there to serve as governor.

            The cable radio system in Freetown was distributed by wire to the residents and the daily programming was mainly a relay of BBC programming received on shortwave, with occasional local inserts.  At the height of its success some 20 years later, the Freetown Rediffusion Service with 2300 subscribers was described as healthy & vigorous, though it should be noted that reception by cable in the homes could be variable, particularly during the rainy monsoon season.  Freetown cable radio came to an end in 1963, soon after independence by which time radio broadcasting was somewhat regularly in service. 

            Actually, the first wireless station in Sierra Leone was activated somewhere around 1921, when Morse Code spark equipment was installed in Freetown.  This facility, under the callsign VPU, was installed in the cable terminal of the African Direct Telegraph Company in Freetown.

            Then, in December 1947, a new shortwave communication station was installed in Freetown, with a 1 kW voice transmitter, a Marconi SWB-8E from Chelmsford in England.  This station, under the callsign ZHV5, was established for inter-African communication with Bathurst Gambia, Lagos Nigeria & Accra Ghana.

            Station ZHV5 was logged in Australia on 8125 kHz, and the station was noted requesting reception reports on its transmissions.  Initially, this new shortwave station was on the air on Monday mornings only.

            As far as the radio broadcasting scene is concerned, consideration was given to this matter in 1949 when the British government allocated a large sum of money to expand the radio studio at the cable radio station and install a radio transmitter.  Two years later, experimental broadcasts went on the air from a 300 watt transmitter on 9630 kHz in Freetown.  We could guess that this was in reality a series of test broadcasts from the communication transmitter ZHV.  However, after a few weeks on the air, this radio broadcasting service was terminated in July 1951 due to lack of funding. 

            Four years later, another financial grant from London enabled the construction of a new radio studio at Pemba Road, New England, Freetown, together with a 5 kW transmitter at Hill Station on the edge of Freetown.  This new radio broadcasting service was inaugurated in 1956, with the station under the jurisdiction of the government Public Relations Department, the studio & transmitter under the Posts      & Telegraph Department, and programming mainly taken from large recorded discs from the BBC in London.

            Very soon after this station was inaugurated, with 5 kW on the familiar 3316 kHz, it was heard in Sweden for which a QSL letter was issued.

            At this stage, a radio man from England was installed as the Director of Broadcasting, and that’s where we take up the story of radio broadcasting in Sierra Leone next time.
(AWR Wavescan/NWS205 via Adrian Peterson)

Voice of America winter schedule revisions

All times UTC

Voice of America
via Media Broadcast

1600-1700 on 17895 WER 250 kW / 150 deg to CeAf English
1630-1700 on 15670 WER 250 kW / 180 deg to CeAf Portuguese Fri
2030-2100 on  9690 NAU 250 kW / 185 deg to CeAf Hausa Mon-Fri
1630-1700 on 11905 WER 250 kW / 150 deg to SDN  En"So.Sudan in Focus" Mo-Fr
1630-1700 on 13625 WER 250 kW / 150 deg to SDN  En"So.Sudan in Focus" Mo-Fr
1800-1830 on  9645 WER 250 kW / 150 deg to SDN  Arabic "Afia Darfur"
1900-1930 on  9815 NAU 250 kW / 155 deg to SDN  Arabic "Afia Darfur"
1630-1700 on 15620 WER 250 kW / 135 deg to EaAf Somali
1730-1800 on  9485 NAU 250 kW / 140 deg to EaAf Afan Oromo Mon-Fri
1730-1800 on  9860 WER 250 kW / 150 deg to EaAf Afan Oromo Mon-Fri
1800-1900 on  9485 NAU 250 kW / 140 deg to EaAf Amharic
1800-1900 on  9755 WER 250 kW / 135 deg to EaAf Amharic
1900-1930 on  9485 NAU 250 kW / 140 deg to EaAf Tigrigna Mon-Fri
0230-0330 on  7360 WER 250 kW / 090 deg to WeAs Persian
0500-0600 on  9760 NAU 100 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Kurdish
1400-1500 on 13580 NAU 250 kW / 120 deg to WeAs Kurdish
1600-1800 on 11775 WER 250 kW / 090 deg to CeAs Georgian
1830-1900 on  9435 NAU 250 kW / 090 deg to CeAs Azeri
(DX Re Mix 765 via Balkan DX 29 Jan 2013)

Media Broadcast winter schedule revisions


Media Broadcast is a major transmitter network operator in Germany and owns the shortwave transmitting centers in Nauen and Wertachtal, Germany. The following is a partial listing of station winter schedule revisions.

All times UTC

Trans World Radio
0645-0700 on  5910 WER 100 kW / 055 deg Mon-Fri     to WeEu Polish
0800-0850 on  6105 WER 100 kW / 300 deg Daily       to NoEu English
0930-1000 on  7210 WER 100 kW / 105 deg Daily       to WeEu Hungarian
1100-1130 on  6105 WER 100 kW / 105 deg Sat         to EaEu Romanian
1500-1530 on  7295 WER 100 kW / 060 deg Mon         to EaEu Belarussian
1500-1530 on  7295 WER 100 kW / 060 deg Tue-Fri     to EaEu Russian
1630-1700 on  6105 WER 100 kW / 105 deg Sat         to EaEu Romanian

Iceman Radio
0900-1000 on  6045 WER 100 kW / non-dir 4th Sun     to CeEu Music

Transportradio
0900-1100 on  6095 WER 100 kW / non-dir Mon-Fri     to WeEu Music

Mighty KBC Radio
0900-1600 on  6095 WER 100 kW / non-dir Sat/Sun     to WeEu Music

Radio Joystick, from Feb.3 and test on Jan.20
1100-1200 on  7330 ISS 100 kW / 060 deg 1st Sun     to CeEu German

Evangelische Missions Gemeiden
1130-1200 on  6055 WER 125 kW / non-dir Sat/Sun     to CeEu German
1200-1230 on 13730 WER 250 kW / 045 deg Sat         to FE   Russian
1600-1630 on  9605 WER 250 kW / 060 deg Sat         to EaEu Russian
Missionswerke Arche Stimme des Trostes
1200-1215 on  6055 WER 250 kW / non-dir Sun         to CeEu German

Pan American Broadcasting
1400-1415 on 15205 NAU 100 kW / 090 deg Sun         to SoAs English
1415-1430 on 15205 NAU 100 kW / 090 deg Daily       to SoAs English
1430-1445 on 15205 NAU 250 kW / 090 deg Sun         to SoAs English
1930-2000 on  9685 NAU 250 kW / 155 deg Sun         to NoAf English
1930-2030 on  9685 NAU 250 kW / 155 deg Sat         to NoAf English

HCJB Global Voice
1530-1630 on 13740 NAU 100 kW / 095 deg Sat         to CeAs Russian
2245-2300 on 11920 WER 100 kW / 240 deg Daily       to BRA  Kulina
2300-2330 on  9835 NAU 100 kW / 240 deg Daily       to BRA  German
2300-0045 on 11920 WER 100 kW / 240 deg Daily       to BRA  Portuguese

OGM Radio Xoriyo
1600-1630 on 17630 ISS 500 kW / 130 deg Tue/Sat     to EaAf Somali

Radio Oeoemrang
1600-1700 on 15215 WER 500 kW / 300 deg Tue Feb.21  to NoAm German

Voice of Oromiyan Liberation Front till Dec.30 and cancelled
1700-1730 on 15315 WER 125 kW / 135 deg Sun         to EaAf Oromo

Voice of Oromo Liberation
1700-1800 on 13810 ISS 100 kW / 126 deg Sun/Wed     to EaAf Oromo/Amharic

Christian Science Sentinel
1900-2000 on  5960 WER 100 kW / 075 deg Sat         to EaEu Russian

Radio Biafra London till Jan.17 and cancelled
1900-2000 on 11830 WER 125 kW / 180 deg Thu/Sat     to WCAf Igbo/

Athmik Yathra/Gospel For Asia
0030-0130 on  7215 NAU 250 kW / 100 deg to SoAs South East Asian langs
1230-1500 on 15285 NAU 250 kW / 089 deg to SoAs South East Asian langs
1330-1530 on 15235 NAU 250 kW / 085 deg to SEAs South East Asian langs
1530-1630 on 15150 NAU 250 kW / 099 deg to SoAs South East Asian langs
2330-0030 on  7240 NAU 250 kW / 085 deg to SEAs South East Asian langs

Radio Japan NHK World
0200-0500 on  9620 WER 250 kW / 135 deg to WeAs Japanese
1700-1900 on 15445 WER 250 kW / 135 deg to WeAs Japanese
2200-2300 on  9620 WER 500 kW / 135 deg to WeAs Japanese

Radio Dardasha 7:
0330-0345 on  6095 NAU 125 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Persian
1600-1615 on  9665 WER 250 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Persian
0300-0315 on  7325 NAU 250 kW / 124 deg to N/ME Arabic
0430-0445 on  5980 NAU 125 kW / 120 deg to N/ME Arabic
1700-1715 on  9440 WER 125 kW / 120 deg to N/ME Arabic
2000-2015 on  5940 NAU 250 kW / 120 deg to N/ME Arabic
0600-0615 on  9440 NAU 125 kW / 180 deg to CEAf Arabic
2030-2045 on  9515 NAU 250 kW / 180 deg to CEAf Arabic

Hamada Radio International:
0530-0600 on  7350 NAU 100 kW / 180 deg to WeAf Hausa Mon-Fri

Brother Stair/The Overcomer Ministry
1300-1400 on 15370 TRM 250 kW / 060 deg to SEAs English
1400-1600 on  9460 WER 100 kW / non-dir to WeEu English
1400-1600 on 13810 WER 100 kW / 120 deg to N/ME English
1900-2000 on  9835 WER 500 kW / 165 deg to NWAf English
Lutheran World Federation, Voice of Gospel (Sawtu Linjilia)
1830-1900 on  9800 WER 500 kW / 180 deg to WCAf Fulfulde

Radio Liberty
0300-0500 on  6105 WER 250 kW / 060 deg to EaEu Belorussian
0400-0500 on  6075 WER 250 kW / 060 deg to EaEu Belorussian
1500-1700 on  6120 WER 250 kW / 060 deg to EaEu Belorussian
1200-1230 on 15265 WER 250 kW / 075 deg to CeAs Kyrgyz
1400-1500 on  9595 WER 250 kW / 075 deg to CeAs Uzbek
1400-1500 on 13645 WER 250 kW / 075 deg to CeAs Uzbek
1500-1530 on 11790 NAU 250 kW / 075 deg to CeAs Kyrgyz
1500-1600 on 13775 NAU 250 kW / 085 deg to CeAs Avari/Chechen/Circassian
1600-1700 on  9445 NAU 250 kW / 085 deg to CeAs Tajik
1600-1800 on 11775 NAU 250 kW / 090 deg to CeAs Georgian
1700-1800 on  9585 NAU 250 kW / 095 deg to CeAs Russian "Caucasus Echo"

Radio Farda
0500-0730 on 13615 NAU 250 kW / 110 deg to WeAs Persian
1230-1430 on 13635 WER 250 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Persian
1500-1630 on 13680 WER 250 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Persian

Radio Mashaal
0500-0900 on 13580 NAU 250 kW / 094 deg to WeAs Pashto

Radio Free Afghanistan
1230-1330 on 13830 NAU 250 kW / 110 deg to WeAs Dari
1330-1430 on 13830 NAU 250 kW / 110 deg to WeAs Pashto/Dari

Deewa Radio
1400-1500 on  9565 WER 250 kW / 090 deg to WeAs Pashto

Radio Ashna
1530-1730 on  9770 NAU 250 kW / 110 deg to WeAs Dari/Pashto
(DX Re Mix 765 via Balkan DX 29 Jan 2013)




Adventist World Radio winter schedule revisions


All times UTC

Adventist World Radio
0400-0430 on  5975 NAU 100 kW / 130 deg to EaEu Bulgarian
1600-1630 on  6100 WER 100 kW / 120 deg to EaEu Bulgarian
1000-1100 on  9610 NAU 100 kW / 180 deg to SoEu Italian Sun
0700-0800 on 11975 NAU 100 kW / 210 deg to NoAf Arabic
0800-0830 on 15125 WER 100 kW / 210 deg to NoAf Kabyle
0800-0900 on 15145 NAU 100 kW / 205 deg to NoAf French/Tachelhit
1730-1800 on 11860 WER 100 kW / 210 deg to NoAf Kabyle
1900-1930 on 11860 WER 250 kW / 210 deg to NoAf Wolof
1900-2000 on 11760 WER 100 kW / 210 deg to NoAf Arabic/Tachelhit
2000-2030 on  9805 NAU 100 kW / 205 deg to NoAf French
1900-2000 on  9535 NAU 100 kW / 215 deg to NoAf Arabic
0300-0330 on  7315 NAU 250 kW / 140 deg to EaAf Tigrigna
0300-0400 on  9610 NAU 250 kW / 140 deg to EaAf Oromo/Amharic
1630-1700 on 17575 ISS 250 kW / 125 deg to EaAf Somali
1730-1800 on 11795 NAU 250 kW / 140 deg to EaAf Oromo
1200-1230 on 11670 TRM 250 kW / 045 deg to SoAs Mon
1230-1300 on 11670 TRM 250 kW / 025 deg to SoAs Meitei Sun/Wed/Fri
1230-1300 on 11670 TRM 250 kW / 025 deg to SoAs Bangla Mon/Tue/Thu/Sat
1500-1600 on 15270 TRM 250 kW / 355 deg to SoAs Punjabi/Hindi
1500-1530 on 15255 TRM 250 kW / 005 deg to SoAs Nepali
1530-1600 on 15255 TRM 250 kW / 025 deg to SoAs English Sat-Wed
1530-1600 on 15255 TRM 250 kW / 025 deg to SoAs Tibetan Thu/Fri
1300-1330 on 15480 TRM 250 kW / 005 deg to EaAs Chinese Mon-Fri
1300-1330 on 15480 TRM 250 kW / 005 deg to EaAs Uighur Sat/Sun
1330-1500 on 15480 TRM 250 kW / 005 deg to EaAs Chinese
(DX Re Mix 765 via Balkan DX 29 Jan 2013)

Deutsche Welle updates winter schedule


All times UTC

Transmitters via Kigala, Rwanda, Ascension Island, UAE, Wofferton, UK; Armenia, Singapore, Meyerton, South Africa

0300-0400 on  5905 KIG 250 kW / non-dir to CeAf Swahili
0300-0400 on  5925 KIG 250 kW / 180 deg to CeAf Swahili
0300-0400 on  7265 KIG 250 kW / non-dir to CeAf Swahili
0300-0400 on 12070 ASC 250 kW / 085 deg to CeAf Swahili
0400-0500 on  5905 KIG 250 kW / non-dir to EaAf English
0400-0500 on  7285 KIG 250 kW / 295 deg to WeAf English
0400-0500 on  9800 KIG 250 kW / 030 deg to EaAf English
0400-0500 on  9470 KIG 250 kW / 295 deg to WeAf English
0500-0530 on  5905 KIG 250 kW / non-dir to EaAf English
0500-0530 on  7425 ASC 250 kW / 100 deg to SoAf English
0500-0600 on  9470 KIG 250 kW / non-dir to EaAf English
0500-0600 on 11800 KIG 250 kW / 295 deg to WeAf English
0530-0600 on  7425 ASC 250 kW / 100 deg to SoAf Poprtuguese
0530-0600 on 12045 KIG 250 kW / 180 deg to SoAf Poprtuguese
0530-0600 on 17800 DHA 250 kW / 230 deg to SoAf Poprtuguese
0600-0630 on 12045 KIG 250 kW / 295 deg to WeAf English
0600-0700 on 13780 KIG 250 kW / 295 deg to WeAf English
0600-0700 on 17800 KIG 250 kW / 295 deg to WeAf English
0630-0700 on 12045 KIG 250 kW / 295 deg to WeAf Hausa
0630-0700 on 15275 KIG 250 kW / 295 deg to WeAf Hausa
0630-0700 on 21780 DHA 250 kW / 260 deg to WeAf Hausa
0800-0830 on 15640 DHA 250 kW / 045 deg to WeAs Pashto
0800-0830 on 17710 DHA 250 kW / 050 deg to WeAs Pashto
0830-0900 on 15640 DHA 250 kW / 045 deg to WeAs Dari
0830-0900 on 17710 DHA 250 kW / 050 deg to WeAs Dari
1000-1100 on  9800 KIG 250 kW / non-dir to CeAf Swahili
1000-1100 on 12070 KIG 250 kW / 265 deg to CeAf Swahili
1000-1100 on 15275 KIG 250 kW / non-dir to CeAf Swahili
1000-1100 on 15700 KIG 250 kW / 180 deg to CeAf Swahili
1200-1300 on  9800 KIG 250 kW / non-dir to CeAf French
1200-1300 on 15275 KIG 250 kW / 275 deg to NoAf French
1200-1300 on 15440 KIG 250 kW / non-dir to CeAf French
1200-1300 on 17800 WOF 250 kW / 182 deg to NoAf French
1200-1300 on 17820 WOF 250 kW / 150 deg to NoAf French
1200-1300 on 21780 KIG 250 kW / 295 deg to WeAf French
1300-1400 on 15275 KIG 250 kW / 280 deg to WeAf Hausa
1300-1400 on 17800 KIG 250 kW / 295 deg to WeAf Hausa
1300-1400 on 21780 KIG 250 kW / 295 deg to WeAf Hausa
1330-1400 on  9440 ERV 300 kW / 100 deg to WeAs Dari
1330-1400 on 15640 SNG 250 kW / 315 deg to WeAs Dari
1400-1430 on  9440 ERV 300 kW / 100 deg to WeAs Pashto
1400-1430 on 15640 SNG 250 kW / 315 deg to WeAs Pashto
1430-1500 on 15275 KIG 250 kW / 030 deg to WeAs Urdu
1430-1500 on 15360 SNG 250 kW / 315 deg to WeAs Urdu
1430-1500 on 15640 DHA 250 kW / 060 deg to WeAs Urdu
1500-1600 on  7300 KIG 250 kW / non-dir to CeAf Swahili
1500-1600 on  9800 KIG 250 kW / 265 deg to CeAf Swahili
1500-1600 on 12055 KIG 250 kW / non-dir to CeAf Swahili
1500-1600 on 12070 KIG 250 kW / 180 deg to CeAf Swahili
1600-1700 on  9800 KIG 150 kW / non-dir to EaAf Amharic
1600-1700 on 12070 KIG 250 kW / 030 deg to EaAf Amharic
1600-1700 on 15275 KIG 250 kW / non-dir to EaAf Amharic
1700-1800 on  9795 KIG 250 kW / non-dir to CeAf French
1700-1800 on 12070 KIG 250 kW / 295 deg to WeAf French
1700-1800 on 15275 KIG 150 kW / 295 deg to WeAf French
1700-1800 on 15700 WOF 250 kW / 170 deg to NoAf French
1800-1900 on 12070 KIG 250 kW / 295 deg to WeAf Hausa
1800-1900 on 15275 KIG 150 kW / 295 deg to WeAf Hausa
1800-1900 on 17800 KIG 250 kW / 295 deg to WeAf Hausa
1900-1930 on 11800 KIG 250 kW / 210 deg to SoAf English
1900-2000 on 12070 KIG 250 kW / non-dir to SoAf English
1900-2000 on 15275 KIG 250 kW / non-dir to SoAf English
1930-2000 on 11800 KIG 250 kW / 210 deg to SoAf Poprtuguese
1930-2000 on 11865 KIG 250 kW / 180 deg to SoAf Poprtuguese
1930-2000 on 12045 MEY 250 kW / 315 deg to SoAf Poprtuguese
2000-2200 on  9655 KIG 250 kW / 295 deg to WeAf English
2000-2200 on 11800 KIG 250 kW / non-dir to CeAf English
2000-2200 on 12070 KIG 250 kW / 210 deg to SoAf English
(DX Re Mix News 765 via Balkan DX)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletin


Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2013 Jan 28 0352 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 21 - 27 January 2013

Solar activity has been at very low levels for the past week. At the beginning of the summary period, Region 1654 (N08, L=151 Class/Area Fki/1100 on 11 Jan) rotated off the west limb without producing any major activity. Region 1660 (N13, L=065 Class/area Dao/220 on 25 Jan) was the only other region of magnetic complexity on the visible disk. However, very little activity was attributed to Region 1660. The remaining regions on the disk remained stable and quiet. A couple of non-Earth directed CMEs were observed during the period. On 23 January, a large filament eruption was observed off the northeast quadrant of the visible disk. LASCO C2/C3 and STEREO A/B COR2 imagery supported an associated CME with this event. SWPC forecaster analysis and WSA-Enlil models runs indicated this event was Earth directed, however very little affects would be observed
upon arrival.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was normal to moderate levels during the summary period.

Geomagnetic field activity was at mostly quiet levels from 21 -25 January. On 26 January, solar wind measurements from the ACE spacecraft indicated the arrival of a coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS), preceded by a co-rotating interaction region (CIR). The ACE measurements showed and small increase in solar wind density, followed by an increase in solar wind speed, accompanied by an enhancement in the total interplanetary magnetic field. In response to these changes, quiet to active levels were observed. As effects from the CH HSS waned, a return to quiet levels was observed on 27 January. An instrument on the ACE spacecraft called the EPAM, used to monitor energetic protons and electrons in the solar wind, indicated the possible arrival of the 23 January CME late on 26 January. Due to the arrival of the CH HSS, it was hard to discern which effects can be attributed to the CH HSS and which can be attributed to the CME.
Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 28 January - 23 February 2013

Solar activity is expected to be very low levels with the possibility of C-class events for the entire forecast period. Even though several of the returning regions show magnetic complexity, very little data has indicated increases in activity while these regions rotate around the far side of the disk.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be normal to high levels on 28-30 January and 11-12 February in response to CH HSS effects. Normal to moderate levels are expected for the remainder of the period.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at mostly quiet levels for the entire forecast period, except for 09-10 February and 22-23 February. Quiet to active levels are expected on these days in response to CH HSS effects.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2013 Jan 28 0352 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 2013-01-28
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2013 Jan 28      95           8          3
2013 Jan 29      95           5          2
2013 Jan 30     110           5          2
2013 Jan 31     125           5          2
2013 Feb 01     125           5          2
2013 Feb 02     125           5          2
2013 Feb 03     130           5          2
2013 Feb 04     140           5          2
2013 Feb 05     140           5          2
2013 Feb 06     135           5          2
2013 Feb 07     135           5          2
2013 Feb 08     130           5          2
2013 Feb 09     125           8          3
2013 Feb 10     120           8          3
2013 Feb 11     120           5          2
2013 Feb 12     115           5          2
2013 Feb 13     110           5          2
2013 Feb 14     105           5          2
2013 Feb 15     105           5          2
2013 Feb 16     110           5          2
2013 Feb 17     110           5          2
2013 Feb 18     110           5          2
2013 Feb 19     105           5          2
2013 Feb 20     105           5          2
2013 Feb 21     105           5          2
2013 Feb 22     105          15          4
2013 Feb 23     105          10          3
(NOAA)

Friday, January 25, 2013

European AM Perspective


From the Italradio newsdesk in Florence, here’s European Perspective, a monthly feature about international broadcasting from the Old Continent.
            Are Italian Medium Waves really so near to disappearance that an announcement was necessary to inform listeners to switch to the FM network?  Last December 14th, local newscasts in at least twelve out of twenty Italian regions informed listeners about frequency changes and/or the suppression of Medium Wave broadcasts.  The announcement was aired only once but worries are growing about a possible winding up of all Medium Wave operations by RAI. 
            The RAI Medium Wave network was starkly reduced in 2006, and earlier last year also when Naples (657 kHz) and Bari (1116 kHz), two historical stations, were dismantled.  Sources agree that 6 to 12 stations are to survive but no official information is available nor is any announcement repeated. 
            Italradio was able to confirm that Pisa Coltano on frequency 657 kHz will be operational also in the future.  Plans have been prepared to use the station also for DRM experiments.
            Italian Medium Wave stations are operated by RAI under the provisions of a State mandate as a part of general public broadcasting service.  Nevertheless a list of mandatory Medium Wave stations is not available.
            In the mean time, on December 31st, 2012 the last three broadcasts in Italian, German and French were relayed from Moscow through the antenna in Monte Ceneri, Switzerland, on 558 kHz, from 1000 to 2000 UTC.  This historical station was used by Italian Swiss Radio until June 2008, and by the Voice of Russia from 2011 for which a five year license was granted to the Russian international radio. The Voice of Russia confirmed that all broadcasts from Monte Ceneri will be discontinued notwithstanding the fact that they received a five year license in 2011 from the Swiss Federal Telecommunication Regulatory Board.
            Until 30 June 2008 the station was used by Italian Swiss Radio.  Shortly afterwards, BAKOM-UFCOM collected declarations of interest from private companies, among them the Italian religious station Radio Mater, but in 2011 a license (due to expire on 31 December 2015) was granted to the Voice of Russia after diplomatic contacts between Switzerland and Russia.
            The Monte Ceneri station is the only Swiss Medium Wave plant still on the air, after both stations in Sottens & Beromuenster were dismantled.  It is operated by Swisscom, but no official information about the future of the station has been released until now.
            Finally an item of good news for Medium Wave listeners in Southern Europe.  Radio Capodistria, the Italian language station serving Italian communities in Slovenia and Croatia, will extend broadcasts to 24 hours daily.  As from 1 January 2013, Italian programs cover also the nightly hours, from midnight to 6 am CET.  This will present a new opportunity for listeners to hear Italian broadcasts on Medium Wave (1170 kHz).  
            This station, part of the Regional Studio Koper-Capodistria of RTV Slovenia, has extended their DALET control system, enabling it to automatically repeat broadcasts at night in two segments (8 pm - MN CET and MN - 6 am CET).  Music and repeats of daily broadcasts will be included.            Italian communities scattered in Istria, Dalmatia and Fiume (Rijeka) regions became a national minority after the area was included into former Yugoslavia at the end of World War 2.  Under existing laws they were granted special rights in Slovenia and Croatia including radio and TV broadcasting.
            The medium wave station in Croce Bianca (Beli Kriz by Pirano - Piran, Istria) is operated by Radio Capodistria (1170 kHz) and their Slovenian sister station Radio Koper (549 kHz) with 15 kW. Listeners confirm that the station is being heard as far as Central and Southeastern Italy and the eastern Adriatic Coast.
            There is a new opportunity for tourists in Pisa.  After visiting the famous leaning tower, a short walk to the Arno side leads to the State Archives where documents are now exhibited to explain the early years (1904-1918) of the Coltano trans-continental wireless station built by Marconi over a hundred years ago.  This exhibition offers plans and texts about the building of the station which proved to be decisive in connecting Italy to the Americas and Africa up until its destruction in WW2.
            Until today a little Marconian building is still visible along with the remains of the aerial abutments at Coltano (a rural area very near to the city centre).  Documents found at the State Archive show the technologies that were used back in 1904 to build the station in a wet area which was good for transmission but very difficult for the construction of metal and wooden buildings.  The exhibition is a new positive effort to preserve Marconi's memories in Pisa, and it can be visited at the Pisa State Archive (Archivio di Stato) until January 31st, 2013.
            And that’s all from Florence this month; if you wish to be informed on what’s going on in the Italian and European international broadcasting scene, please check our web site at www. italradio. org. You can also find a “portale” that’s to say a web portal with current news, in English too.  Thank you for listening and we wish you a very good year 2013.
(AWR Wavescan/NWS 204 via Adrian Peterson)

Nostalgic Story of the Indian Shortwave Transmitter



The Final Episode in the Story of Radio Broadcasting in Afghanistan


The Story of the Indian Shortwave Transmitter

In the long and interesting story of radio broadcasting in the land locked western Asian country of Afghanistan, we come now to the final episode: The Story of the Indian Shortwave Transmitter.
            Back in the much happier days, their first shortwave transmitter was activated at Yakatut, on the eastern edge of Kabul in Afghanistan.  The original complement of shortwave transmitters at this location were German made units, 1 @ 10 kW, and 2 @ 25 kW with combined output at 50 kW.  These were inaugurated progressively in the late 1950's for national and international coverage.
            In August 1966, an additional 100 kW Siemens transmitter was installed; and then 10 years later, 5 replacement transmitters were installed, 3 @ 50 kW & 2 @ 10 kW.  However, much of this equipment was destroyed at the time of the Russian invasion in 1979.
            Then in May 1993, at least one of the shortwave transmitters was rejuvenated, though during the following year that also was damaged in further fighting.  One year later, a composite transmitter was assembled with the usage of available parts and this was activated on September 23, 1995.  At this stage, the main broadcasting channel was 7200 kHz.  However, on October 8, 2001, this unit was destroyed in an American air raid.
            Almost immediately, a 100 kW Russian made R-118 unit was installed and this was activated in December in the 7 MHz band, though monitoring reports suggest that the power output was considerably less than the rated 100 kW.  At this stage, shortwave usage was very spasmodic.
            In an endeavor to obtain wide national coverage on shortwave, USAID installed satellite equipment in Kabul, and in this way, programming was conveyed from the Kabul studios to transmitter bases in Russia, Austria, Norway and the United Arab Emirates.  These offsite relays of Kabul programming began in May 2002, though they were terminated in June of the following year.
            At this stage, the Indian government granted a huge financial package for the restoration of Afghanistan, and this included a new shortwave station.  With this aid, the facility at Yakatut was rebuilt, and a 100 kW transmitter was installed, together with 7 antenna systems. 
            Initially, it was thought that the new transmitter would be an Indian made unit from BEL in Bangalore.  However, BBC Monitoring stated that this new transmitter provided by Indian Aid was a Thompson unit from France, and this fact was also confirmed by the well known international radio monitor, Jose Jacob VU2JOS in Hyderabad India.  
            Work on the revived shortwave facility at Yakatut began in February 2005, but progress was considerably delayed.  Even when the work was completed there was a further delay, awaiting the connection to the city power grid.
            The new 100 kW shortwave service was officially inaugurated on July 30, 2011, and the first  published monitoring observation was from a listener in Russia who heard the station next day on 6100 kHz.  Two days after the official opening, the new station was noted by another well known international radio monitor, Victor Goonetilleke in Colombo Sri Lanka.
            Last year’s World Radio TV Handbook listed the scheduling for just one hour a day, beginning at 1530 UTC on 6102 kHz.   However, according to many international radio monitors in several different countries, the operating frequency was changed at the beginning of the year to 7200 kHz.
            But alas, the last known monitoring of Radio Afghanistan with its brand spanking new transmitter was in April last year, and apparently it is still off the air to this day.
            It always seemed to be difficult to obtain a QSL card from Radio Afghanistan, yet there are multitudes of these cards in personal QSL collections throughout the world, and many are offered for sale on eBay.  The earliest known QSL card was printed in black ink on grey card.  That was in 1958, quite soon after their first shortwave transmitter was inaugurated.
            The well known QSL card showing a map of Afghanistan in color, was first issued around the mid 1960s.  This card showed the large letters QSL, but no photo of the Bamiyan Buddhist statue, and at least 4 different printings are known.  However, the same card, with the Buddhist statue, came out about 10 years later.
            In addition, during the 1970s and again in the early 1980s, Radio Afghanistan issued many different QSL cards depicting attractive tourist sites in color.
(AWR Wavescan/NWS 204 via Adrian Peterson)

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Snakes Alive at All India Radio !


Amid the schedule revisions and station news I peruse, on occasion I come across a story that bears repeating. While it won't help you nab a QSL, or hear a favorite station - this is one example of hazardous work conditions!
Enjoy....
Gayle Van Horn

India - All lndia Radio - Port Blair

On January 15, a snake disrupted the programme production works of AIR Port Blair for nearly five hours.

According to reports a long snake entered inside the audition studio of AIR Port Blair this morning. When someone noticed the snake, he immediately cautioned others and everyone inside the studio came out and cried for help.

Soon a team of Forest Department was called to catch the snake. Though the snake was seen somewhere around 10.30 am but only by 3.30 pm, the snake could be caught, to the much delight of AIR staffs.

This is not the first such incident in AIR Port Blair. Earlier in several occasions snakes had entered the studio and duty room area. Very recently a snake had bitten a lady causal announcer at night hours. Sources said that the jungle around the AIR’s Port Blair unit is infested with deadly snakes and in future human and wildlife conflict may yield fatal results.

This is high time for the authorities of AIR, Port Blair to clean bushes and jungle around the studio and approach road to get rid of snake menace. (http://tinyurl.com/a37gnox 
(via Alokesh Gupta) (DSWCI/DX Window 471)
(photo/Echo India)

New source for QSLing Malaysia



Malaysia

Radio TV Malaysia (RTM) regional broadcasts can now be verified directly by sending e-mail reports to Mr. Zulkifli Bin Abdul Rahim at zulrahim@rtm.gov.my .

Also the reports may alternatively be mailed to Deputy Director Mr. Othman Bin Md. Said at othman@rtm.gov.my .
If postal reports need to be acknowledged with QSLs, reports must be addressed to:
Mr. Zulkifli Abdul Rahim, Head of Assistant Director (Quality Measurement)
Technical Section – RTM Kajang, Radio Television Malaysia
Angkasapuri
50614
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia.
Reports may also be addressed to:
Mr. Othman Mohammed Said, Deputy Director, Networks Technical Section
RTM Kajang, Radio Television Malaysia
Angkasapuri
50614, Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia.
Reports addressed to regular RTM address may not verify, if correct official/department is not mentioned. Since it may not reach the right official.
Thanks to Mr. Timm Breyel in Malaysia, who provided me some information about this.
Mr. Othman Md. Said signed a nice QSL card on my three reception reports on 9835 and 11665 dated Dec 07 and 08, 2012.
(Rajeesh, Dec 31) DSWCI/DX Window 471)

Moldova seeks listener feedback


Moldova
Radio Moldova International was on SW for a brief period of time. Somehow I managed to stay on their mailing list all these years. Mainly I have gotten numerous contest anns but this one had a familiar theme of closing down the station; of course their use of the term "liquidated" makes things sound real serious:

Dear friends,
As we have already informed you in one of our programs from 2012, reforms are developing at present at the Public Broadcaster ”Teleradio Moldova”. On the eve of New Year we were informed that R Moldova International will be liquidated. The administration believes that the programs, we develop at present don’t meet the requirements of the listeners. The leadership of the Company proposed that our programs should not be broadcast, but some of our stories will be translated into Russian and English on the web page of the Company.

We would kindly ask you to express your opinions on this issue. What do you think- does the foreign listener need such a RMI station and its programs?
We would be grateful to you if you back us and send to us your opinions on the following emails:
presedinte@trm.md, presedinteco@trm.md, dorogan.sandu@gmail.com  moldovainternational@gmail.com  .
(D’Angelo, Jan 10)
(DSWCI/DX Window/471)

RFA Announces New 2013 QSL Card

             Radio Free Asia Announces Year of the Snake QSL Card - January 2013


Radio Free Asia (RFA) announces the release of our 2013 Year of the Snake QSL card. According to tradition, everyone born in a snake year is considered wise and intelligent.  Other characteristics of those born in snake year is they are charming, romantic, exceptional communicators, maintain good tempers and excellent manners, and they like to be in control therefore they are also very calculating. Snake people love the arts, including books, music, and photography along with fine clothes, food, and luxurious surroundings. They are also patient, waiting for the right moment to achieve their goals. This card will be used to confirm all valid reception reports from January 1-April 30, 2013.

 

RFA is a private, nonprofit corporation that broadcasts news and information to listeners in Asian countries where full, accurate, and timely news reports are unavailable. Created by Congress in 1994 and incorporated in 1996, RFA currently broadcasts in Burmese, Cantonese, Khmer, Korean to North Korea, Lao, Mandarin, the Wu dialect, Vietnamese, Tibetan (Uke, Amdo, and Kham), and Uyghur. RFA strives for accuracy, balance, and fairness in its editorial content. As a ‘surrogate’ broadcaster, RFA provides news and commentary specific to each of its target countries, acting as the free press these countries lack. RFA broadcasts only in local languages and dialects, and most of its broadcasts comprise news of specific local interest.  More information about Radio Free Asia, including our current broadcast frequency schedule, is available at www.rfa.org.

 
RFA encourages listeners to submit reception reports.  Reception reports are valuable to RFA as they help us evaluate the signal strength and quality of our transmissions. RFA confirms all accurate reception reports by mailing a QSL card to the listener.  RFA welcomes all reception report submissions at www.techweb.rfa.org (follow the QSL REPORTS link).
 
 
Reception reports are also accepted by email at qsl@rfa.org  and for anyone without Internet access, reception reports can be mailed to:
Reception Reports
Radio Free Asia 2025 M. Street NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20036
United States of America

Upon request, RFA will also send a copy of the current broadcast schedule and a station sticker.
(A.J. Janitschek/RFA)

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Radio Japan updates winter schedule


Radio Japan NHK World

All times UTC

0130-0200 on  9785 TAC 100 kW / 163 deg to SoAs Hindi
0200-0300 on 11860 SNG 250 kW / 340 deg to SEAs Japanese
0400-0430 on 11730 TAC 100 kW / 236 deg to WeAs Farsi
0500-0530 on  6195 HRI 250 kW / 188 deg to CeAm Spanish
0500-0530 on 17760 DHA 250 kW / 305 deg to WeEu English
0800-1000 on 11740 SNG 250 kW / 000 deg to SEAs Japanese
0930-1000 on  6195 HRI 250 kW / 152 deg to SoAm Spanish
0945-1030 on  9860 SNG 250 kW / 140 deg to SEAs Indonesian
1000-1030 on 11740 SNG 250 kW / 000 deg to SEAs English
1030-1100 on 11740 SNG 250 kW / 330 deg to SEAs Burmese
1100-1200 on  9760 WOF 100 kW / 105 deg to WeEu English/Russian Fri DRM
1100-1130 on 11740 SNG 250 kW / 000 deg to SEAs Vietnamese
1130-1200 on 11740 SNG 250 kW / 000 deg to SEAs Thai
1200-1230 on 11740 SNG 250 kW / 000 deg to SEAs English
1230-1300 on 11740 SNG 250 kW / 000 deg to SEAs Thai
1300-1330 on 11730 TAC 100 kW / 141 deg to SoAs English
1300-1330 on 11740 SNG 100 kW / 000 deg to SEAs Vietnamese
1300-1345 on 12035 SNG 250 kW / 315 deg to SoAs Bengali
1315-1400 on 11925 HBN 100 kW / 270 deg to SEAs Indonesian
1400-1430 on 11695 TAC 100 kW / 163 deg to SoAs English
1400-1430 on 11925 HBN 100 kW / 270 deg to SEAs English
1430-1500 on 11740 SNG 250 kW / 330 deg to SEAs Burmese
1500-1700 on 12045 SNG 250 kW / 315 deg to WeAs Japanese
1515-1600 on 13870 DHA 250 kW / 060 deg to SoAs Urdu
(DX Re Mix 764/21 Jan 2013)

Voice of Vietnam winter schedule update

Voice of Vietnam

relays via Babcock

All times UTC

0100-0128 on  9640 WOF 250 kW / 294 deg to NEAm English
0130-0228 on  9640 WOF 250 kW / 308 deg to NEAm Vietnamese
0230-0258 on  9640 WOF 250 kW / 308 deg to NEAm English
0300-0328 on  6175 HRI 250 kW / 173 deg to CeAm Spanish
0330-0358 on  9640 WOF 250 kW / 294 deg to NEAm English
0400-0428 on  6175 HRI 250 kW / 173 deg to CeAm Spanish
0430-0528 NF  6175 HRI 100 kW / 315 deg to NWAm Vietnamese, ex 7345 WOF
1800-1828 on  5955 MOS 100 kW / 300 deg to WeEu English
1830-1928 on  5955 MOS 100 kW / 300 deg to WeEu Vietnamese
1930-1958 on  5955 MOS 100 kW / 300 deg to WeEu French
2000-2028 on  6135 WOF 250 kW / 075 deg to NEEu Russian
2030-2058 on  6175 DHA 250 kW / 315 deg to WeEu German
2100-2128 on  6175 DHA 250 kW / 315 deg to WeEu German
2130-2228 on  7370 WOF 250 kW / 114 deg to SEEu Vietnamese
(DX Re Mix 764/21 Jan 2013)

Voice of Tibet winter schedule update


Clandestine

all times UTC

1200-1230 on 11528 DB  100 kW / 131 deg to EaAs Tibetan, ex Chinese
1230-1245 on 15503 DB  100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs Tibetan
1245-1310 on 15513 DB  100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs Tibetan
1300-1330 NF 15427 DB  100 kW / 095 deg to EaAs Chinese, but no signal on Jan.20
1310-1330 on 15522 DB  100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs Tibetan
1330-1400 NF  7557 DB  100 kW / 095 deg to EaAs Chinese, but no signal on Jan.20
1330-1430 on 11518 DB  100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs Tibetan
1400-1430 on 15400 MDC 250 kW / 045 deg to CeAs Tibetan
1430-1500 on 17535 MDC 250 kW / 045 deg to CeAs Tibetan
1530-1600 on 15485 MDC 250 kW / 045 deg to CeAs Tibetan
(DX Re Mix 764/21 Jan 2013)

Radio Veritas winter schedule update



Philippines

all times UTC

effective: 28 January 2013

0030-0057 11855 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs Tamil,  ex 11935#
1330-1357 11915 PUG 250 kW / 300 deg to SoAs Hindi,  ex 11870*
1400-1427 11915 PUG 250 kW / 300 deg to SoAs Bengali,ex 11870*
# to avoid China National Radio 5 in Chinese
* to avoid Radio Romania Internatinal in Romanian
(DX Re Mix 764/21 Jan 2013)

IRRS Shortwave winter schedule update

via Italy and Romania

all times UTC

NEXUS-IBA/EGR/IPAR:
1900-2000 on  7290 SAF 150 kW / 290 deg to WeEu English 1st/2nd/4th Fri
1900-2000 on  7290 SAF 100 kW / 290 deg to WeEu English Sat/Sun
0900-1000 on  9510 SAF 150 kW / 290 deg to WeEu English 1st/2nd/4th Sat
1030-1300 on  9510 SAF 150 kW / 290 deg to WeEu English Sun
Radio City:
1900-2000 on  7290 SAF 150 kW / 290 deg to WeEu English 3rd Fri
0900-1000 on  9510 SAF 150 kW / 290 deg to WeEu English 3rd Sat
Universal Life (Radio Santec):
1500-1530 on 15190 TIG 300 kW / 100 deg to SEAs English Sun
(DX Re Mix 764-21 Jan 2013)

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins


Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2013 Jan 14 0326 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC at www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html
#
#                           Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 07 - 13 January 2013

Solar activity was at low to moderate levels. Low levels were observed on 07-10 January and again on 12 January. Moderate levels were observed on 11 and 13 January. At the beginning of the period, there were 12 numbered regions on the visible disk. Most of the regions were relatively stable producing low level C-class flares. The most magnetically complex spot group was Region 1652 (N17, L=184, class/area Fkc/320 on 07 January); a Fkc/BG spot group. By early 08 January, Region 1654 (N08, L=151, class/area Fki/1100 on 11 January) rotated around the NE limb. Both Regions 1652 and 1654 were responsible for the majority of the C-class activity that occurred through the rest of the period. By 11 January, moderate levels were reached as Region 1654 produced two M-class flares; an M1 at 11/0911 UTC with associated Type II (537 km/s) and Type IV radio bursts and an M1/1f at 11/1507 UTC. Other activity on 11 January included a 174 sfu Tenflare associated with a C1 flare from Region 1654 at 11/1846 UTC. Low levels returned on 12 January. By 13 January, moderate levels returned as Region 1652 produced two M-class flares; an M1 at 13/0050 UTC and another M1 at 13/0838 UTC with associated Type II (649 km/s) and Type IV radio sweeps as well as an Earth-directed CME. First seen in STEREO-A COR2 imagery at 13/0909 UTC (estimated
speed of 371 km/s), the ejecta appeared in SOHO/LASCO imagery as a faint halo beginning at 13/1236 UTC.
No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at normal levels.

Geomagnetic field activity was quiet for the majority of the period through late on 13 January. The solar wind speed, measured at the ACE spacecraft, ranged from 272 km/s to 375 km/s while the Bz component of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) did not vary much beyond +/- 5 nT. By late on 10 January, the phi angle changed from predominantly negative (towards) to positive (away)  indicative of a solar sector boundary crossing. By mid day on 13 January, solar wind speed began to increase from approximately 400 km/s to 510 km/s. An increase in temperature and total field strength (10 nT) was observed as a positive polarity coronal hole high speed stream became geoeffective. Unsettled periods were observed from 13/1800-2400 UTC.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 14 January - 09 February 2013
Solar activity is expected to be at low to moderate levels until Region 1654 rotates around the west limb on 20 January. Very low to low levels are expected until Regions 1652 and 1654 return beginning on 31 January. A chance for M-class flares exists from 31 January through the end of the forecast period.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at normal to moderate levels throughout the forecast period with possible high levels on 15-16 January and again on 19-20 January due to coronal hole high speed stream and CME effects.
Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be quiet to active on 14 January due to continued coronal hole high speed stream effects. Quiet levels are expected through mid-day on 17 January. By mid to late 17 January, a CME is expected to become geoeffective causing unsettled to active periods through 18 January. Conditions are expected to return to quiet levels by 19 January and continue until 09 February when a coronal hole high speed stream is expected to return.
Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2013 Jan 14 0326 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC contact at www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html
#
#      27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
#                Issued 2013-01-14
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2013 Jan 14     155           8          4
2013 Jan 15     150           5          2
2013 Jan 16     145           5          2
2013 Jan 17     140           8          3
2013 Jan 18     135          12          4
2013 Jan 19     140           5          2
2013 Jan 20     145           5          2
2013 Jan 21     135           5          2
2013 Jan 22     130           5          2
2013 Jan 23     130           5          2
2013 Jan 24     130           5          2
2013 Jan 25     130           5          2
2013 Jan 26     135           5          2
2013 Jan 27     135           5          2
2013 Jan 28     135           5          2
2013 Jan 29     130           5          2
2013 Jan 30     135           5          2
2013 Jan 31     140           5          2
2013 Feb 01     140           5          2
2013 Feb 02     150           5          2
2013 Feb 03     155           5          2
2013 Feb 04     155           5          2
2013 Feb 05     150           5          2
2013 Feb 06     150           5          2
2013 Feb 07     150           5          2
2013 Feb 08     150           5          2
2013 Feb 09     150           8          3
(NOAA)