Monday, July 31, 2017

From the Isle of Music and Uncle Bill's Melting Pot program, July 30-August 5



Concert Hall #1
No interviews this week – This week we feature selections from the nominees and winner of the Concert Soloist (Solista Concertante) category of Cubadisco 2017. If you enjoy Classical music, this is an episode especially for you.

Four opportunities to listen on shortwave:
1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area in all directions with 100Kw, Sunday 1500-1600 UTC on SpaceLine, 9400 KHz, from Kostinbrod, Bulgaria (1800-1900 MSK)
2. For the Americas and parts of Europe, Tuesday 0000-0100 UTC on WBCQ, 7490 KHz from Monticello, ME, USA (Monday 8-9PM EDT in the US)
3 & 4. For Europe and sometimes beyond, Tuesday 1900-2000 UTC and Saturday 1200-1300 UTC on Channel 292, 6070 KHz from Rohrbach, Germany.

Episode 23 of Uncle Bill’s Melting Pot, a musical variety program that features a little bit of everything from around the planet, will air on WBCQ the Planet, 7490 KHz, Thursday, August 3 from 2300-2330 UTC (7:00pm-7:30pm EDT in the Americas). This week we go south to Brazil and Puerto Rico.
William "Bill" Tilford, Owner/Producer
Tilford Productions, LLC

Voice of Hope Africa schedule update


Zambia
KVOH Voice of Hope Africa Lusaka, Zambia

All times UTC
0500-0800 on  9680 LUS 100 kW / 000 deg to SoAf English Mon-Fri tx#1, new additional
0500-0800 on 11680#LUS 100 kW / 315 deg to WeAf English Mon-Fri tx#2, new additional
1600-1900 on  4965 LUS 100 kW / 000 deg to SoAf English Mon-Fri tx#1, ex 1630-2200UT
1600-1900 on  6065 LUS 100 kW / 315 deg to WeAf English Mon-Fri tx#2, ex 1630-2200UT
1200-1700 on  9680*LUS 100 kW / 000 deg to SoAf English Sat/Sun tx#1, unchanged time
1200-1700 on 13680 LUS 100 kW / 315 deg to WeAf English Sat/Sun tx#2, unchanged time
1700-1730 on  9680 LUS 100 kW / 000 deg to SoAf English Sunday  tx#1, new additional
1700-1730 on 13680 LUS 100 kW / 315 deg to WeAf English Sunday  tx#2, new additional
# co-ch same 11680 KNG 050 kW / non-dir to NEAs Korean KCBS Pyongyang, QRM TRT 11675
* co-ch same  9680 PAO 100 kW / 352 deg to EaAs Chinese R.Taiwan Int+CNR-1 1200-1400
(Ray Robinson/DX Bulgaria)

New shortwave station begins test broadcast, August 1



 A new shortwave station will begin test broadcast on August 1, 2017. The new station, Shortwave
Radio Service which will commence test transmissions. This station is fully licensed, and is not a pirate. Full details will be announced by the station operators shortly prior t o the launch of full programming.  The signal will be audible throughout most of Benelux/UK/Ireland.

Test period: August 1-October 28. Test transmissions details:

All times UTC

1000-1200 on  6160 tx Lower Saxony, Germany ??? kW / ??? deg to NWEu English Mon-Sat
1200-1400 on  3975 tx Lower Saxony, Germany ??? kW / ??? deg to NWEu English Mon-Sat
1400-1600 on  6160 tx Lower Saxony, Germany ??? kW / ??? deg to NWEu English Mon-Sat
1600-1800 on  3975 tx Lower Saxony, Germany ??? kW / ??? deg to NWEu English Mon-Sat
1800-2000 on  6160 tx Lower Saxony, Germany ??? kW / ??? deg to NWEu English Mon-Sat
2000-2200 on  3975 tx Lower Saxony, Germany ??? kW / ??? deg to NWEu English Mon-Sat

Further info will follow soon. Contact/reports/audio/comments can be sent either to:
3975@shortwaveradio.de, 6160@shortwaveradio.de
Website: http://shortwaveradio.de/
(SLW DXing)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins


Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2017 Jul 31 0238 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html
#
#                Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 24 - 30 July 2017 Solar activity was very low throughout the summary period. A B1 flare, observed at 27/2136 UTC from a plage region near center disk, was the strongest event of the period. Region 2668 (N03, L=311, class/area Axx/010 on 25 Jul) decayed to plage by 26 Jul and Region 2669 (N18, L=255, class/area Axx/010 on 30 Jul) remained inactive. No Earth-directed CMEs were observed in available coronagraph imagery.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at normal to high levels on 26 Jul, high levels on 30 Jul and moderate
to high levels throughout the remaining days of the period. A maximum flux of 18,800 pfu was observed at 25/1515 UTC. The enhancements in flux levels were due to persistently elevated solar
winds from a slowly-waning, positive polarity CH HSS. Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to active levels over the past week. Quiet to active levels were observed on 24 Jul and 26 July; quiet to unsettled levels were observed on 25 Jul and 27-28 Jul; the remaining days were quiet. Geomagnetic activity was associated with the influence of a slowly-waning, positive polarity
CH HSS enhancing solar wind speeds. A steady decline in wind speed was observed over the entire reporting period from a peak speed of 705 km/s at 24/2219 UTC to a low of around 350 km/s by the end of 30 Jul.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 31 July - 26 August 2017
Solar activity is expected to be at low levels with a chance for M-class flare (R1-R2/Minor-Moderate) on 31 Jul - 13 Aug due to the return of old Region 2665 (S06, L=113) rotating across the visible
disk. The remainder of the outlook period is expected to be at very low levels.  No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to range from normal background to high levels. High levels are expected on 01-03 Aug, 05-10 Aug, and 18-26 Aug; moderate levels are expected 31 Jul and 11 Aug; normal background levels are expected for 04 Aug and 12-17 Aug. All enhancements in electron flux are due to multiple anticipated recurrent CH HSSs.
Geomagnetic field activity is expected to range from quiet to G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm levels. G1 (Minor) storm levels are likely on 04-05 Aug and again on 17-18 Aug; active conditions are likely on 31 Jul, 06 Aug and 19 Aug; unsettled levels are likely on 01-02 Aug, 07 Aug and 20-21 Aug; quiet conditions are expected for the remaining days of the outlook period. All anticipated enhancements in geomagnetic activity are due to multiple, recurrent CH HSSs.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2017 Jul 31 0238 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html#
#      27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
#                Issued 2017-07-31
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2017 Jul 31      78          12          4
2017 Aug 01      78          10          3
2017 Aug 02      78           8          3
2017 Aug 03      75           5          2
2017 Aug 04      75          25          5
2017 Aug 05      75          18          5
2017 Aug 06      75          12          4
2017 Aug 07      75           8          3
2017 Aug 08      75           5          2
2017 Aug 09      75           5          2
2017 Aug 10      75           5          2
2017 Aug 11      75           5          2
2017 Aug 12      75           5          2
2017 Aug 13      75           5          2
2017 Aug 14      73           5          2
2017 Aug 15      70           5          2
2017 Aug 16      70           5          2
2017 Aug 17      70          15          5
2017 Aug 18      70          15          5
2017 Aug 19      70          12          4
2017 Aug 20      70          10          3
2017 Aug 21      70          10          3
2017 Aug 22      70          10          3
2017 Aug 23      70           5          2
2017 Aug 24      70           5          2
2017 Aug 25      70           5          2
2017 Aug 26      70           5          2
(NOAA)

Saturday, July 29, 2017

August Specials, from DX Stamps & Supplies

Tahiti postage stamps

Dear Customer,

Below are DX specials and news for AUGUST  2017.  If you need a current stamp list or supply list, I can email it to you. 

 NEWS:   AUGUST COMBO DEAL:  BUY  200/200 European Mailers and Returns & BUY  500 x 49c stamp units (Forever, 3-stamp or 4-stamp units) & you'll get FREE SHIPPING!!!

 NEWS:  I have 125 Postcard Rate Forever stamps (34c). Face value=$42.50...Offered at 85% for $36.00ppd. Email me if you want it and I'll put aside for you.

 HAMFEST NEWS:  Did great with fountain pens and pencils at Sussex ARC Hamfest....You have rec'd latest pen and pencil listing. If there is something in the listing that interests you, let me know.

FLEA MARKET: 

NEW RATES:

 IN STOCK AGAIN:  Moldova

STAMPS ON BACK ORDER:  Saudi Arabia

U.S. DISCOUNT POSTAGE DEALS!!
                                         Save Big on your domestic mailings when you plaster 
                                                your envelope with colorful vintage stamps!

HAPPY  MAILING!!

49c units
Forever

in  2 stamps
3 stamps  
 4 stamps
x 100
$45.00

xxxx
$41.00
$40.00 
x 200
$85.00

$65.00
$63.00 
$62.00 
x 500
$208.00

xxxx 
$157.00 
$157.00 

 Payment by Credit card, check or money order

               for forever stamps and 49c units                   

No Charge for posting Discount Postage Offers, sending only to USA addresses. 

 AUGUST 2017  DX  STAMP  SPECIALS

2 Germany-$2.60       2 Russia-$2.60       3 Japan-$3.90  

2 Italy-$7.00    2 UK-$3.00    2 France-$3.60    5 Spain-$10.00

 AUGUST 2017  DX  SUPPLY  SPECIALS

200/200 European Plain Mailers and Plain Returns - $40.00

200/200 European Air Mailers and Plain Returns - $40.00

200/200 STATESIDE Mailers and Returns - $22.00

European AIR Returns are SOLD OUT!!

AUGUST  BIG TIME SPECIALS

500/500 European AIR Mailers and Plain Returns - $85.00

500/500 European Plain Mailers and Plain Returns - $85.00

500/500 Stateside mailers and Returns -$45.00

2 Deluxe QSL Albums - $70.00

2 Deluxe QSL Albums Slightly damaged - $55.00

Priority Mail Shipping Rates: Orders up 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. (07/2015 modified)

Stamps Only Orders: Just add $1.00 P&H for posting to USA, add $2.00 for posting to Canada.

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



Friday, July 28, 2017

Shortwave Radiogram weekend schedule July 29-30


Frank, VK6FH, in Perth, Western Australia, received these images 22 July 2017, 1600-1630 UTC, on 9400 kHz via Bulgaria

Hello friends,
More broadcasters are making use of the 9400 kHz frequency from Space Line in Bulgaria. If you have ever considered producing your own radio program, either digital text or traditional voice, contact Space Line via spaceline.bg (I think Saturday 1630-1700 UTC is available!), or Radio Miami International via wrmi.net. (I do not work for or derive income from either transmission company.) 

 This weekend, most of Shortwave Radiogram is in our usual MFSK32 mode, with five images. If reception is difficult, there is also one brief item from Radio Prague in Olivia 64-2000.

Here is the lineup for Shortwave Radiogram, program 6, 29-30 July 2017, all in MFSK32 except where noted:

 1:31  Program preview

 2:44  China steps up efforts against unauthorized VPNs*

 8:25  Iran tests rocket capable of launching satellites*

13:01  Daimler CEO touts diesel car engines*

19:33  Olivia 64-2000: Czech Republic car production increases

23:57  MFSK32: Image* and closing announcements*

 * with image
Please send reception reports to radiogram@verizon.net
And visit http://swradiogram.net
Twitter: @SWRadiogram



Shortwave Radiogram Transmission Schedule

Saturday
1600-1630 UTC
9400 kHz
Space Line, Bulgaria
Sunday
0600-0630 UTC
7730 kHz
WRMI Florida
Sunday
2030-2100 UTC
11580 kHz
WRMI Florida
Sunday
2330-2400 UTC
11580 kHz
WRMI Florida


The Mighty KBC transmits to Europe Saturdays at 1500-1600 UTC on 9400 kHz (via Bulgaria), with the minute of MFSK at about 1530 UTC (if you are outside of Europe, listen via websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/ ).  And to North America Sundays at 0000-0200 UTC (Saturday 8-10 pm EDT) on 9925 kHz, via Germany. The minute of MFSK is at about 0130 UTC.  Reports to Eric: themightykbc@gmail.com . See also http://www.kbcradio.eu/ and https://www.facebook.com/TheMightyKbc/

 Italian Broadcasting Corporation (IBC)  For the complete IBC transmission schedule visit  http://ibcradio.webs.com/  Five minutes of MFSK32 is at the end of the 30-minute English-language “Shortwave Panorama,” per the schedule below:

WEDNESDAY  18.55 UTC  6070 KHZ TO EUROPE

                        19.55 UTC  1584 KHZ TO EUROPE

THURSDAY     02.55 UTC  1584 KHZ TO EUROPE

FRIDAY           01.25 UTC  9955 KHZ TO CENTRAL/SOUTH AMERICA

SATURDAY     01.55 UTC 11580 KHZ TO NORTH AMERICA

                        20.25 UTC  1584 KHZ TO SOUTH EUROPE

SUNDAY          00.55 UTC  7730 KHZ TO NORTH AMERICA

                        10.55 UTC  6070 KHZ TO EUROPE

Thanks for your reports.  I will begin sending replies and QSLs for SWRG program 4 this 
Kim Andrew Elliott, KD9XB
Producer and Presenter
Shortwave Radiogram


Free Radio Service Holland to broadcast July 30


Dear FRS Friend,
Upcoming Sunday July 30th, FRS -Holland will be on air with a Summer evening broadcast.
For details please check our website at: http://www.frsholland.nl/20-latest-news/105-frs-on-air-sunday-july-30th.html .
Hopefully we will meet next Sunday!
73s  Peter Verbruggen (on behalf of the FRS team)

Two African stations 'fire up' on shortwave



In the past 48 hours, two African stations have made their presence felt on 6 mHz. The observations below were noted here at Mount Evelyn. But I'm pleased to give credit to my DXing friend and fellow amateur radio operator, Jordan Heyburn MI6JVC, who alerted me and other members of the WRTH Facebook group to the current operations of both these broadcasters. Jordan lives in Armagh, Northern Ireland and is very active on both the shortwave broadcast and ham bands.

5995   MALI. Radiodiffusion Télévision du Mali - Bamako.Noted at Mount Evelyn via the long path at 0655 UTC with unusual African instrumental sounds, then news in French at 0700. Occasional phoned-in news reports. At 0720, Malian stringed music behind studio announcements, then more commentaries. A Malian song at 0725. This station appears to have taken some corrective measures at the transmitter as it seems to be producing much better modulation and audio now. Perhaps the problem that has plagued this outlet for years may now be fixed? I couldn't hear them at all last week, so definitely something has changed! Not a strong signal but quite good considering it was long path propagation. July 26.

6250   EQUATORIAL GUINEA. Radio Malabo (Radio Nacional de Guinea Ecuatorial) - Malabo. First tuned in at 2015 UTC but all that could be heard was Echo of Unification plus heavy jamming. But I waited until propagation from Korea started to dissipate (high signal absorption along the daylight path between Korea and Mount Evelyn fixes that!). Actually, the Korean interference fell away very quickly around 2125. Radio Malabo could then be heard and clearly noted at 2130 with Spanish IDs and announcements. Then into back-to-back Afro music programming with no further announcements. A fair signal from 2130 but weakened considerably by 2210. More announcements at 2230 and the station finally faded by 2250. Great to see this station reactivated after a long absence. July 27.

Further Note:
Dave Kernick (USA) has some really interesting audio of Radio Malabo shortly after Jordan first heard it. Dave recorded this "in the period 23:00-23:10 UT on 26 July 2017. In this 4-minute clip you'll hear a 'canned' ID followed by live ID and frequency announcement. This was monitored on shortwave 6250 kHz via a remote web SDR receiver located in Asferg, northern Denmark." Check out Dave's Soundcloud file at:  https://soundcloud.com/intervalsignals/radio-malabo-radio-nacional-de-guinea-ecuatorial-26-july-2017
Thanks Dave.
73 and good DX everyone,
Rob Wagner VK3BVW

Radioo Mi Amigo set for Summer Beach Party 2017


Hello to all Radio Mi Amigo International friends, we celebrate a 'offshore-summer-beach-party' together with our team' and you !
The upcoming program will be in English, Dutch and German, on July 30 from 1700-1900 UTC, airing on 11845 kHz, using 100 kW of power (via Yerevan, Armenia) across Europe and online at:
http://radiomiamigointernational.comhttp://radiomiamigointernational.com
During the two hour broadcast, each announcer will remember the greatest summer hits from the off-shore days of 1964-1989.

We invite you to tune-in and enjoy ! Our Summer Competition is still ongoing to September 30, 2017.
To find additional details, refer to:
http://radiomiamigointernational.com/english/competition.html
http://radiomiamigointernational.com/deutsch/competition.html
http://radiomiamigointernational.com/nederlands/competition.html

Our program-schedule, frequencies and online stream at:
http://radiomiamigointernational.com
                                  
Coming Soon .! A brand new weekend schedule with two more Big Names joining our team.
Kind regards,
Cpt. Kord and the whole team
http://radiomiamigointernational.com

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

The Radio Scene on an almost Canadian Island in the Caribbean


During the past century or more, there have been several calls on the part of the Canadian government, and at times by the Canadian populace, to accept a distant and isolated territory into the Canadian federation.  For example, at some time or another, consideration has been given to the political possibility of various island groups in the areas of the Americas joining with Canada in some form of union. 

Among the islands for which some form of union with Canada has been considered over the years are the Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Jamaica and the West Indies Federation, all British territories.  However, the island cluster for which the most frequent consideration has been given for a union with Canada are the Turks and Caicos Islands on the edge of the Caribbean and the Atlantic.

The earliest consideration for the Turks and Caicos Islands joining Canada came from the Canadian Prime Minister Dr. Robert Borden in 1917.  Since then, serious consideration has been given to this matter on many occasions, including as recently as 2014 when Premier Rufus Ewing of the Turks and Caicos Islands made a visit to Ottawa, the capital city of Canada. 

During his visit Premier Ewing stated that he was open to a possible marriage between his islands and Canada, sometime in the future.  During the 1990s, 90% of the citizens of the Turks and Caicos Islands were in favor of a special relationship with Canada. 

Back during the year 2007, Dr. Kim Elliott with the Voice of America in Washington DC, observed that Canada has given consideration on several occasions to the possibility of annexing the Turks and Caicos Islands and that this would provide a suitable location for a shortwave relay station for RCI Radio Canada International.  Back then, RCI was still on the air worldwide.   

The Turks and Caicos Islands are sister archipelagoes lying side by side north of the island of Hispaniola (which contains Haiti and the Dominican Republic).  The Turks and Caicos are made up of 8 main islands with 299 small island cays, 40 of which are inhabited.  They are a British Overseas Territory and they are a holiday destination for North America and Europe.

The Turks were named after the Turk’s Cap Cactus, and the Caicos received its name from two words in the local language meaning string of islands.  The total population is 35,000; and the United States dollar is the official currency.   According to Trip Advisor Travelers Choice, the Grace Bay Beach on Providenciales Island received the best beach in the world award for 2016.

As with all of the islands in the chain of islands located along the edge of the Caribbean and the Atlantic, the original inhabitants were Amerindians who had migrated into the area.  It is thought that the first European to sight the Turks and Caicos was the famous Italian born Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus in 1492, though the first historically recorded actual visit was made by the Spanish conquistador, Juan Ponce de León twenty years later, in 1512.

During the following year (1513), the Spanish captured all of the inhabitants of the Turks and Caicos and transported them for slave labor to Hispaniola and other nearby islands.  Thus, it is reported, the Turks and Caicos Islands lay uninhabited for more than a century.

Around 1680, salt collectors from Bermuda settled in the Turks and Caicos and slave labor was brought in from Africa.  The Spanish and French showed an interest in the islands and then in 1799 the English annexed the islands as part of the Bahamas.  The capital city for the Turks and Caicos is Cockburn Town on the quite small island known as Grand Turk Island.  Grand Turk is just 6½ miles long and 1½ miles wide.

The first wireless station in the Turks and Caicos Islands was installed in December 1939.  We would presume that the location was Grand Turk, and that this facility was a forerunner to Cable and Wireless C&W in this island cluster.  The operating frequency was 5975 kHz, and the power level was just 20 watts.

According to the Turks and Caicos entries in the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association Handbooks, which were issued every second year back then, the usage of a low power C&W transmitter each evening for a brief news bulletin lasting ten minutes or so began in the mid 1950s.  The annual editions of the WRTVHB picked up the information regarding this rare country on shortwave in 1961.  At that time, these evening news bulletins were on the air with 200 watts on 4560 kHz under the callsign VSI8.
  
Six years later, Arthur Cushen at the tip of South New Zealand reported in the Australian monthly magazine Radio and Hobbies that the transmitter on Grand Turk was a Marconi
unit at 100 watts and the signal was fed into a half way center fed T type antenna system 50 feet high.  At that time, the brief daily transmissions were logged on exactly 8000 kHz.

The shortwave news broadcasts were gradually extended over a period of time but they came to an abrupt end in 1976 when a 1½ kW mediumwave transmitter was inaugurated on 1550 kHz under the callsign VSI.  Both the studios and transmitter were located at Governor’s Beach on Grand Turk Island.

 Four years later (1980), the transmitter power was increased to 2½ kW, the operating frequency was adjusted to 1460 kHz, and a new callsign was in vogue, VHT.  However, the mediumwave station was closed fourteen years later (1994) when a 1 kW FM transmitter was launched on 94.9 MHz.  These days, the capital city area Cockburn Town receives its FM coverage from the government operated radio broadcasting station on the adjusted channel 101.9 MHz.

More about the radio scene in the Turks and Caicos Islands next time, including: What happened to the projected VOA relay station in the Turks and Caicos Islands?
(AWR-Wavescan/NWS 439)

Radio Erena: a beacon of hope for Eritrea





An interesting behind the scenes look of clandestine station, Radio Erena International.

"You have to understand: no information is available there at all, about the outside world or internally"

Ten  years ago, Biniam Simon, a journalist at Eri-TV, Eritrea's state television channel, was informed by his government overlords that he would, after all, be allowed to travel to Japan to attend a seminar on video production. This, to put it mildly, was surprising. Those whose leave Eritrea, a single party state with one of the worst human rights records in the world, usually do so only by clandestine and extremely risky means. But if Simon was astonished, he was also realistic. "They only allowed me to go because they thought there was no way to escape to Japan,: he says. "Japan had agreed I would be returned to Eritrea." Knowing this, he didn't allow himself even to toy with the idea of defection, He made no plans. He dreamed no dreams. He hoped only to enjoy a few peaceful days outside the prison of his homeland.

Additional story at:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/16/radio-erena-beacon-of-hope-for-eritrea-biniam-simon-paris

Station website with English link: http://erena.org/

Station summer schedule, all times UTC
1730-1800 mtwhf in Arabic on 11965 kHz
1700-1730 mtwhf in Tigninya on 11965 kHz
1700-1800 Sat/Sun in Tigrinya on 11965 kHz

Monday, July 24, 2017

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins


Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2017 Jul 24 0308 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 17 - 23 July 2017

Solar activity was at low levels on 17-19 Jul and very low levels on 20-23 Jul. Region 2665 (S06, L=111, class/area Ekc/710 on 09 Jul) produced the strongest flare of the period, a C2 flare observed at 19/0007 UTC from around the west limb. Region 2666 (N13, L=103, class/area Cro/030 on 13 Jul) was mostly quiet as it decayed to plage before rotating around the west limb. No Earth-directed CMEs were observed in available coronagraph imagery.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at high levels throughout the summery period. A maximum flux of 13,630 pfu was observed at 19/1755 UTC.

Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to G2 (Moderate)  geomagnetic storm levels throughout the reporting period. On 17 Jul, the continuing influence of a CME caused quiet to active conditions
with an isolated period of G2 (Moderate) storm levels reported during the 1500-1800 UTC synoptic period. Waning CME effects led to quiet to unsettled conditions on 18 Jul. Conditions were quiet on 19 Jul through early on 20 Jul. Late on 20 Jul conditions reached unsettled as a solar sector boundary crossing (SSBC) became geoeffective. An isolated period of active was observed during the
0000-0300 UTC synoptic period on 21 July as total magnetic field strength (Bt) increased to near 10 nT. Following the SSBC was a co-rotating interaction region (CIR), causing solar wind speeds to
increase from around 450 km/s to a peak of 800 km/s observed at 21/1804 UTC. With the exception of G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm conditions observed during the 22/0900-1200 UTC synoptic period, quiet to active conditions were observed through the remainder of the period under the influence of positive polarity CH HSS.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 24 July - 19 August 2017

Solar activity is expected to be low with a chance for M-class flare activity (R1-R2/Minor-Moderate) on 30 Jul - 12 Aug due to the return of old Region 2665 (S06, L=115) as it rotates through the visible
disk. Very low activity is expected for the remainder of the outlook period.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to range from normal to high levels. The influence of recurrent, positive polarity CH HSSs are expected to cause high
levels from 24-29 Jul and again on 18-19 Aug. Moderate levels are expected on 30-31 Jul and the remainder of the outlook period is likely to be at normal levels.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to range from quiet to G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm levels. Quiet to G1 (Minor) storm levels are likely on 05 Aug; quiet to active levels are likely on 24 Jul
and 17-18 Aug; quiet to unsettled levels are likely on 06-07 Aug and 19 Aug. All enhancements in geomagnetic activity are due to the influence of multiple, recurrent, positive polarity CH HSSs. The
remainder of the outlook period is expected to be quiet under a
nominal solar wind regime.


Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2017 Jul 24 0308 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 2017-07-24
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2017 Jul 24      70           8          4
2017 Jul 25      70           5          2
2017 Jul 26      70           5          2
2017 Jul 27      70           5          2
2017 Jul 28      70           5          2
2017 Jul 29      70           5          2
2017 Jul 30      80           5          2
2017 Jul 31      82           5          2
2017 Aug 01      82           5          2
2017 Aug 02      82           5          2
2017 Aug 03      82           5          2
2017 Aug 04      82           5          2
2017 Aug 05      82          25          5
2017 Aug 06      82          10          3
2017 Aug 07      82           8          3
2017 Aug 08      82           5          2
2017 Aug 09      82           5          2
2017 Aug 10      82           5          2
2017 Aug 11      82           5          2
2017 Aug 12      80           5          2
2017 Aug 13      75           5          2
2017 Aug 14      70           5          2
2017 Aug 15      70           5          2
2017 Aug 16      70           5          2
2017 Aug 17      70          15          4
2017 Aug 18      70          15          4
2017 Aug 19      70          12          3
(NOAA)

Saturday, July 22, 2017

From the Isle of Music and Uncle Bill's Melting Pot schedules, July 23-29



From the Isle of Music, July 23-29
This week, to celebrate the nomination of Abracadabra in the Fusion category of Cubadisco 2017, we are rebroadcasting our interview (with music) with Oriente López. We will also taste a little of Daniel Martin’s new album Distintos.
Four opportunities to listen on shortwave:
1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area in all directions with 100Kw, Sunday 1500-1600 UTC on SpaceLine, 9400 KHz, from Kostinbrod, Bulgaria (1800-1900 MSK)
2. For the Americas and parts of Europe, Tuesday 0000-0100 UTC on WBCQ, 7490 KHz from Monticello, ME, USA (Monday 8-9PM EDT in the US)
3 & 4. For Europe and sometimes beyond, Tuesday 1900-2000 UTC and Saturday 1200-1300 on Channel 292, 6070 KHz from Rohrbach, Germany.
From the Isle of Music is not available for listening on demand but some broadcasts can be heard online during the time of the broadcast using Web SDRs or the WBCQ website (during their broadcast) if you are not receiving the radio signal.
Last week, there was fair to good reception of the signal on 9400 in Japan!


Episode 22 of Uncle Bill’s Melting Pot, a musical variety program that features a little bit of everything from around the planet, will air on WBCQ the Planet, 7490 KHz, Thursday, July 27 from 2300-2330 UTC (7:00pm-7:30pm EDT in the Americas). This week some of our stops include Colombia, South Korea and Bosnia.  Lately the WBCQ signal has been punching well into Central Europe as well as the Americas. 
William "Bill" Tilford, Owner/Producer


Hello friends,
Sorry about the break in transmission during last weekend’s broadcast at 1600-1630 UTC on 9400 kHz. At least the disruption was fairly brief. I really start to worry when the transmitter goes off the air and does not return.

 The Olivia 64-2000 last weekend was successful in several instances where the MFSK32 struggled due to marginal reception.  You can see an example about 10 minutes into this YouTube video produced by TW in Japan, from his reception Sunday 0600-0630 UTC, 7730 kHz.


We will experiment further with the Olivia modes during future shows.

This weekend, however, MFSK32 will be our only mode, including four images.
 Here is the lineup for Shortwave Radiogram, program 5, 22-23 July 2017, all in MFSK32 centered on 1500 Hz:

  1:28  Program preview
 2:34  Navy vessels use signal lamps for text messaging*
  10:27  Hyperloop travel is coming to Europe*
19:56  Worries about radio spectrum interference in Europe*
24:05  Closing announcements*

* with image
Please send reception reports to radiogram@verizon.net
And visit http://swradiogram.net
Twitter: @SWRadiogram (especially active during and after broadcasts)
Facebook group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/567099476753304


Shortwave Radiogram Transmission Schedule

Saturday
1600-1630 UTC
9400 kHz*
Space Line, Bulgaria
Sunday
0600-0630 UTC
7730 kHz
WRMI Florida
Sunday
2030-2100 UTC
11580 kHz
WRMI Florida
Sunday
2330-2400 UTC
11580 kHz
WRMI Florida

* Reception in the Americas is unlikely, but you can tune in via http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901


 The Mighty KBC transmits to Europe Saturdays at 1500-1600 UTC on 9400 kHz (via Bulgaria), with the minute of MFSK at about 1530 UTC (if you are outside of Europe, listen via websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/ ).  And to North America Sundays at 0000-0200 UTC (Saturday 8-10 pm EDT) on 9925 kHz, via Germany. The minute of MFSK is at about 0130 UTC.  Reports to Eric: themightykbc@gmail.com . See also http://www.kbcradio.eu/ and https://www.facebook.com/TheMightyKbc/

 Italian Broadcasting Corporation (IBC)  For the complete IBC transmission schedule visit  http://ibcradio.webs.com/  Five minutes of MFSK32 is at the end of the 30-minute English-language “Shortwave Panorama,” per the schedule below:

WEDNESDAY  18.55 UTC  6070 KHZ TO EUROPE
                          19.55 UTC  1584 KHZ TO EUROPE
THURSDAY     02.55 UTC  1584 KHZ TO EUROPE
FRIDAY           01.25 UTC  9955 KHZ TO CENTRAL/SOUTH AMERICA
SATURDAY     01.55 UTC 11580 KHZ TO NORTH AMERICA
                       20.25 UTC  1584 KHZ TO SOUTH EUROPE
SUNDAY        00.55 UTC  7730 KHZ TO NORTH AMERICA
                       10.55 UTC  6070 KHZ TO EUROPE

 Thank you for your reports from last weekend.  I am now answering reports to Shortwave Radiogram program 3 and hope to send all of those before the weekend is over.

This reminder that Fldigi saves your decoded MFSK images as png files in the folder \fldigi.files\images\.  Please attach those files to your reception reports.
Kim Andrew Elliott, KD9XB
Producer and Presenter
Shortwave Radiogram