Monday, January 30, 2017

From the Isle of Music-week of January 3-February 4


This week we get back to Una Mecanica Diferente for lovers of Concert Music, the new album by Septeto Santiguero for lovers of traditional Son, the recent album by Roberto Fonseca for Cuban Jazz lovers and some vintage Los Tainos and Orquesta Estrellas Cubanas for dancing.

Three options for listening on shortwave:
WBCQ, 7490 KHz, Tuesdays 0100-0200 UTC (8pm-9pm EST Mondays in the Americas)
Channel 292, 6070 KHz, Fridays 1100-1200 UTC (1200-1300 CET) and Saturdays 1200-1300 UTC (1300-1400 CET)

Updated winter schedule for Bible Voice Broadcasting


All times UTC

0200-0215 on 11790 MDC 125 kW / 050 deg to SoAs English Tue
0200-0230 on 11790 MDC 125 kW / 050 deg to SoAs English Thu/Sat
0200-0300 on 11790 MDC 125 kW / 050 deg to SoAs English Sun
0300-0315 on  7325 NAU 250 kW / 128 deg to N/ME Arabic Dardasha 7
0430-0450 on  5980 NAU 125 kW / 120 deg to N/ME Arabic Dardasha 7 Mon-Fri
0430-0445 on  5980 NAU 125 kW / 120 deg to N/ME Arabic Dardasha 7 Sat/Sun
0445-0515 on  5980 NAU 125 kW / 120 deg to N/ME Arabic Dardasha 7 Sun
0500-0515 on  9450 NAU 250 kW / 120 deg to N/ME Arabic Fri
0600-0615 on  9440 NAU 125 kW / 180 deg to NoAf Arabic Dardasha 7
0800-0830 on  7220 NAU 100 kW / 260 deg to WeEu English Sat/Sun
1200-1230 on 21480 MDC 125 kW / 045 deg to EaAs English Sat
1230-1245 on 21480 MDC 125 kW / 085 deg to SEAs English 1st&3rd Sun
1400-1430 on 17510 ISS 250 kW / 083 deg to SoAs English 1st Sat
1430-1515 on 17510 ISS 250 kW / 083 deg to SoAs English Sat
1530-1545 on 13630 NAU 100 kW / 095 deg to SoAs English Sun
1600-1630 on 11790 NAU 100 kW / 148 deg to EaAf Oromo Sat-Tue
1630-1700 on 11790 NAU 100 kW / 148 deg to EaAf Amharic Mon/Wed/Fri
1630-1700 on 11875 NAU 100 kW / 145 deg to CeAf Nuer
1630-1700 on 11790 NAU 100 kW / 148 deg to EaAf Somali Sat/Sun
1630-1730 on 11790 NAU 100 kW / 148 deg to EaAf Amharic Tue
1630-1800 on 11790 NAU 100 kW / 148 deg to EaAf Amharic Thu
1700-1715 on 11700 SOF 100 kW / 126 deg to N/ME Arabic Dardasha 7
1700-1715 on 11915 NAU 250 kW / 125 deg to N/ME Arabic Sat
1700-1730 on 11790 NAU 100 kW / 148 deg to EaAf Amharic Sat/Sun
1700-1800 on  9600 SOF 100 kW / 090 deg to WeAs Persian
1700-1800 on 11790 NAU 100 kW / 148 deg to EaAf Tigrinya Mon/Wed
1715-1745 on 11700 SOF 100 kW / 126 deg to N/ME Arabic Tue
1715-1800 on 11700 SOF 100 kW / 126 deg to N/ME Arabic Mon/Wed/Fri
1730-1800 on 11790 NAU 100 kW / 148 deg to EaAf Hadiyya Sat/Sun
1800-1815 on  9715 MOS 100 kW / 115 deg to N/ME English Fri
1800-1830 on  7365 NAU 100 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Persian Fri/Sat
1800-1830 on  9715 MOS 100 kW / 115 deg to N/ME English Thu
1800-1900 on  7365 NAU 100 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Persian Thu
1815-1900 on  9715 MOS 100 kW / 115 deg to N/ME Arabic Sun
1830-2000 on  9715 MOS 100 kW / 115 deg to N/ME English Sat
1830-2000 on  6030 NAU 100 kW / 090 deg to EaEu English Sun
1900-2000 on  9715 MOS 100 kW / 115 deg to N/ME English Sun
1915-1930 on  9470 NAU 250 kW / 125 deg to WeAs English Sun
1830-1900 on  7365 NAU 100 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Persian Tue/Sun
1930-2000 on  5930 NAU 250 kW / 155 deg to NoAf English Sun
1930-2015 on  9925 NAU 100 kW / 129 deg to N/ME English Sun
2000-2015 on  5940 NAU 250 kW / 120 deg to N/ME Arabic Dardasha 7
2030-2045 on  9515 NAU 250 kW / 180 deg to NoAf Arabic Dardasha 7
(SWL DXing 29 Jan)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins


Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2017 Jan 30 0445 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 23 - 29 January 2017

Solar activity was at mostly very low levels with low levels observed on 28 January due to an isolated C2 flare at 28/2109 UT from Region 2627 (N06, L=193, class/area Dai/110 on 22 January). An associated coronal mass ejection (CME) was observed off of the west limb in coronagraph imagery beginning at 28/2148 UTC but was determined not to have a geoeffective component. No Earth-directed CMEs were observed.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at normal to moderate levels with high levels observed on 23-24, and 26-29 January. The largest flux value of the period was 2,495 pfu observed at 28/1800 UTC.

Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to active levels over the period. Solar wind parameters were indicative of background conditions to start the period. Midday on 26 January, wind speed began to increase as an isolated, positive polarity coronal hole high-speed stream (CH HSS) became geoeffective. Wind speed reached a maximum of 697 km/s at 27/0609 UTC and total field peaked at 16 nT at 26/2330 UTC before gradually decreasing throughout the remainder of the period. The geomagnetic field was at quiet levels on 23-24
January, quiet to unsettled levels on 25, 28-29 January, and quiet to active levels on 26-27 January.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 30 January - 25 February 2017

Solar activity is expected to be very low with a slight chance for C-class flares on 30 January - 04 February as Regions 2628 (N12, L=174, class/area Dso/220 on 23 January) and 2629 (N15, L=110, class/area Dao/220 on 25 January) rotate across the visible disk. Very low levels are expected from 05-11 February. Very low levels with a slight chance for C-class flares are expected on 12-25 February with the return of Region 2627.

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 with high levels likely on 01-13, 16-18, and 22-25 February due to CH HSS influence.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at unsettled to active levels on 30 January - 07 February, and again on 14-18 and 22-25 February with G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm levels likely on 31 January, and 01 February due to recurrent CH HSS effects.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2017 Jan 30 0445 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 2017-01-30
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2017 Jan 30      76          10          3
2017 Jan 31      75          25          5
2017 Feb 01      75          20          5
2017 Feb 02      75          18          4
2017 Feb 03      74          15          4
2017 Feb 04      74          15          4
2017 Feb 05      72          15          4
2017 Feb 06      72          10          3
2017 Feb 07      75           8          3
2017 Feb 08      76           5          2
2017 Feb 09      77           5          2
2017 Feb 10      77           5          2
2017 Feb 11      77           5          2
2017 Feb 12      77           5          2
2017 Feb 13      78           5          2
2017 Feb 14      79          15          4
2017 Feb 15      81          10          3
2017 Feb 16      83          10          3
2017 Feb 17      83           8          3
2017 Feb 18      83           8          3
2017 Feb 19      85           5          2
2017 Feb 20      85           5          2
2017 Feb 21      85           5          2
2017 Feb 22      80          10          3
2017 Feb 23      80          15          4
2017 Feb 24      80          10          3
2017 Feb 25      75          10          3
(NOAA)

Sunday, January 29, 2017

VOA celebrates 75 years, February 1, 2017

Vintage VOA QSL via Gayle Van Horn Collection
Dear Friends,

The Voice of America celebrates its 75th anniversary on February 1, 2017. In honor of this momentous occasion, we are taking you on a journey around the U.S. to showcase vibrant and exciting celebrations that take place in various diaspora communities every year. From Persian New Year celebrations in Los Angeles to the West Indian American Day Parade in New York City, to Carnival in Puerto Rico, these celebrations highlight the multicultural diversity that makes the United States what it is today. For example, did you know that the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. all started with a gift of cherry trees from the mayor of Tokyo more than 100 years ago?

Voice of America’s audience growth has been exponential. In fact, our 2016 numbers were the highest to date. We now reach a record number of 236.6 million people weekly around the globe through various platforms – television, radio, and the web. Every year more people get their news and information from digital platforms, so we placed a greater emphasis on social media this year, and our numbers skyrocketed. VOA sites now enjoy nearly seven  million hits weekly from people around the world.

See full article here:


(BDXC)

Saturday, January 28, 2017

Marconi Radio International slated for Sunday broadcast


Please be advised that  Marconi Radio International will be on the air  Sunday, 29 January 2017, from 1315 to 1615 UTC on 7700 kHz USB Mode.

Reception reports with audio clips (mp3-file) are welcome and confirmed by QSL verification. Some lucky listeners will ALSO receive our printed QSL card, so don't forget to include your postal address. E-mail: marconiradiointernational (at) gmail.com

Last but not least, we need your help! If you are a DX blogger, or use social networks, please post an announcement on your own  blog and/or Facebook or send out a tweet. You can also forward this message to a friend.

This should help increase our potential audience.

We hope to hear from a lot of shortwave listeners about our transmissions.
Best 73's
Marconi Radio International (MRI)

Friday, January 27, 2017

The waning days of Australia on shortwave

Radio Australia QSL (via Gayle Van Horn Collection)


The ABC announced last month that it would stop broadcasting shortwave transmissions in to the Asia Pacific.

It helped our troops during World War II and spread impartial news in the Pacific region for decades, but Shepparton's shortwave broadcasting facility's future is uncertain.

The ABC announced last month that it would stop broadcasting shortwave transmissions in to the Asia Pacific, putting an end to more than 70 years of continuous shortwave transmissions.

Opening in 1944, the transmission site in north Shepparton was first used to spread morale-boosting broadcasts to troops in the Pacific and, after the war it was the grunt that helped push ABC's Radio Australia broadcast beyond our shores.

The final Radio Australia shortwave broadcast will go out on Tuesday, January 31, in a decision the ABC said was about moving away from the outdated technologies.

"Savings realised through decommissioning this service will be reinvested in a more robust FM transmitter network and an expanded content offering for the region that will include English and in-language audio content," an ABC spokesperson said.International listeners will still be able to listen to Radio Australia through a web stream. Just what the shutdown means for the broadcast towers beyond January 31 was still uncertain.

When asked by The News, the ABC said the towers were in the ownership of Broadcast Australia, which was part of BAI Communications. A spokesperson for BAI Communications said the future of the site was not decided yet.

"At this stage Broadcast Australia has made no plans in respect to retaining the infrastructure in place, and the decision to retain or decommission the redundant sites and equipment will be taken by Broadcast Australia in due course," the spokesperson said. If the site was decommissioned it would be a sad day for Australia, according to former transmitter operator Rodney Champness.

He worked at the facility for seven years and believed it was still a vital piece of national infrastructure that could not be replicated by web streaming. "In those countries we are aiming at they can get the internet, but it is expensive and for many people their wages are not high enough to afford it," Mr Champness said. "They don't have a lot of money and shortwave radio is cheap."

Shepparton was chosen in the 1940s for a few reasons, including the relatively flat terrain which was beneficial for broadcasts, and its location, away from inland cities and domestic flight routes.

"It's away from the coast so Japanese or German aircrafts could not easily get to it, and the building was blast proof for the bombs from that era," he said. If the site was decommissioned, it would be a sad day for Australia and especially for Shepparton, he said.

"I just think it's an icon, and people don't really even realise it's there," Mr Champness said.

Site off the airwaves; Shepparton_News Australia, by Barclay White, Jan 21 http://www.sheppnews.com.au/2017/01/21/70273/radio-australia-site-a-
vital-link http://www.sheppnews.com.au/2017/01/21/70270/site-off-the-airwaves
(via Mike Terry-UK, BrDXC ng Jan 21)

Radio Australia
All times UTC
English
0000-0100 15240va 15415pa 17840va
0100-0200 15240va 15415pa 17840va
0200-0300 15240va 15415pa 17840va
0300-0400 15240va 15415pa 17840va
0400-0500 15240va 15415pa 17840va
0500-0600 15240va 15415pa 17840va
0600-0630 15240va 15415pa 17840va
0700-0800 15240va 15415pa 17840va
0800-0900 15240va 15415pa 17840va
0930-1000 9580va 12065pa 12085va
1000-1100 9580va 12065pa 12085va
1100-1200 9580va 12065pa 12085va
1200-1300 9580va 12065pa 12085va
1300-1400 9580va 12065pa 12085va
1400-1500 9580va 12065pa 12085va
1500-1600 9580va 12065pa 12085va
1600-1700 9580va 12065pa 12085va
1700-1800 9580va 12065pa 12085va
1800-1900 9580va 12065pa 12085va
1900-2000 9580va 12065pa 12085va
2000-2100 9580va 12065pa 12085va
2100-2200 15240va 15415pa 17840va
2200-2300 15240va 15415pa 17840va
2300-0000 15240va 15415pa 17840va

French
0800-0805 15240va 15415pa 17840va

Tok Pisin
0630-0700 15240va 15415pa 17840va
0900-0930 9580va 12065pa 12085va
(Gary Baxter)

Australia, NTSW Svc VL8 Alice Springs
English
0000-0100 4835do
0100-0200 4835do
0200-0300 4835do
0300-0400 4835do
0400-0500 4835do
0500-0600 4835do
0600-0700 4835do
0700-0800 4835do
0800-0900 4835do
0900-1000 4835do
1000-1100 4835do
1100-1200 4835do
1200-1300 4835do
1300-1400 4835do
1400-1500 4835do
1500-1600 4835do
1600-1700 4835do
1700-1800 4835do
1800-1900 4835do
1900-2000 4835do
2000-2100 4835do
2100-2200 4835do
2200-2300 4835do
2300-0000 4835do

Australia, NTSW Svc VLT Tennant Creek
English
0000-0100 4910do
0100-0200 4910do
0200-0300 4910do
0300-0400 4910do
0400-0500 4910do
0500-0600 4910do
0600-0700 4910do
0700-0800 4910do
0800-0830 4910do
0830-900    2325do
0900-1000 2325do
1000-1100 2325do
1100-1200 2325do
1200-1300 2325do
1300-1400 2325do
1400-1500 2325do
1500-1600 2325do
1600-1700 2325do
1700-1800 2325do
1800-1900 2325do
1900-2000 2325do
2000-2100 2325do
2100-2130 2325do
2130-2200 4910do
2200-2300 4910do
2300-0000 4910do

Australia, NTSW Svc VLK Katherine
English
0000-0100 5025do
0100-0200 5025do
0200-0300 5025do
0300-0400 5025do
0400-0500 5025do
0500-0600 5025do
0600-0700 5025do
0700-0800 5025do
0800-0830 5025do
0830-0900 2485do
0900-1000 2485do
1000-1100 2485do
1100-1200 2485do
1200-1300 2485do
1300-1400 2485do
1400-1500 2485do
1500-1600 2485do
1600-1700 2485do
1700-1800 2485do
1800-1900 2485do
1900-2000 2485do
2000-2100 2485do
2100-2130 2485do
2130-2200 5025do
2200-2300 5025do
2300-0000 5025do
(WRTH)

VOA Radiogram, January 28-29


Hello friends,

Last weekend, I had problems with our Outlook contact lists, resulting in some of you receiving two emails, and some VOA Radiogram listeners receiving no email. I’ve reconstructed the mailing lists. If you have previously unsubscribed and are receiving this email again, let me know, and I will delete you again.

DigiDX is taking a few weeks off. VOA Radiogram will be heard during the DigiDX broadcast times on WRMI Florida and IBC Italy. See the expanded schedule below.

The expanded schedule is a good way to celebrate the 200th program of VOA Radiogram this weekend.

Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 200, 28-29 January 2017, all in MFSK32 except where noted:

1:52  Program preview
 3:02  Strange insect gets new scientific order*
8:54  China will crack down on VPNs*
14:02  Olivia 64-2000: Naval Academy HF Cubesat
21:30  MFSK32: 200th edition of VOA Radiogram*
25:09  Closing announcements*

* with image

Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com.

VOA Radiogram transmission schedule (expanded):

UTC Day
UTC Time
kHz
Transmitter
Target*
Saturday
0930-1000
5865
North Carolina
Americas
Saturday
1600-1630
17580
North Carolina
Europe
Sunday
0230-0300
5745
North Carolina
Americas
Sunday
1930-2000
15670
North Carolina
Europe
Sunday
2030-2100
11580
WRMI Florida
Europe
Sunday
2330-2400
11580
WRMI Florida
Americas
Monday
2000-2030
3975
IBC Italy
Europe
Wednesday
2100-2130
3975
IBC Italy
Europe

* But often heard outside the nominal target area

The Mighty KBC broadcast to North America will be Sunday at 0000-0200 UTC (Saturday 7-9 pm EST) on 6145 kHz, via Germany. A minute of MFSK32 will be transmitted at about 0130 UTC. Reports to Eric: themightykbc@gmail.com . See also http://www.kbcradio.eu/ and https://www.facebook.com/TheMightyKbc/

DigiDX is taking a few weeks off.  See http://www.digidx.uk/ and https://www.facebook.com/digidx/

Italian Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) has digital modes as follows:
EVERY WEDNESDAY ON 3975 KHZ 20.30-21.00 UTC in MFSK32 and OLIVIA 16-500
EVERY FRIDAY ON 9955 KHZ 02.25-02.30 UTC in MFSK32
EVERY SATURDAY ON 1584 KHZ 21.25-21.30 UTC in MFSK32
EVERY SUNDAY ON 7730 KHZ 00.55-01.00 UTC in MFSK32
EVERY SUNDAY ON 6070 KHZ 11.30-12.00 UTC  in MFSK32 and OLIVIA 16-500 (VIA RADIO BCLNEWS)
For the complete IBC transmission schedule, including voice broadcasts, visit  http://ibcradio.webs.com/

Winter SWL Fest.  I am planning to attend the Winter SWL Fest, March 2-4, 2017, at Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. Hope to see you there. Information at  http://www.swlfest.com .

Thanks for your reports from last weekend. I am still compiling the gallery from program 198 (14-15 January). I hope to have it finished this weekend and send it to everyone who provided reports.

I hope you can tune in and write this weekend.

Kim

Kim Andrew Elliott, KD9XB
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram
voaradiogram.net
Twitter: @VOARadiogram  (especially active just before, during, and after broadcasts)

PS: A few operating notes:

  • For best Olivia 64-2000 performance, turn Fldigi's squelch (SQL) off.
  • The RSID at 1500 Hz sometimes mixes with the transmitter hum, most noticeable at 360 Hz, to move your receive audio frequency down to 1140 Hz, resulting in no decode. To prevent this, in Fldigi: Configure > IDs  > RsID > unselect Searches passband.  Your center audio frequency will wander no more than +/- 200 Hz.
  • Fldigi automatically saves your decoded MFSK images as png files in the folder \fldigi.files\images\ (in Windows; folder names might be different with other operating systems). You can attach those png files with your reception report.
  • The VOA Radiogram Twitter account @VOARadiogram is especially active before, during, and after the broadcasts. You don't need a Twitter account: just go to https://twitter.com/voaradiogram and refresh it occasionally.

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

DXers Unlimited - January 22 edition


Radio Havana Cuba
Dxers Unlimited's weekend edition for Sunday 22 January 2017
By Arnie Coro/CO2KK

Hola amigos radioaficionados all around the world.. I am Arnaldo, Arnie,  Coro your host here at the weekend edition of Dxers Unlimited, the one  and only radio hobby program covering almost all of the 91 different  ways we can enjoy playing with our radios and accessories...

First news item... the Sun making a come back of sorts, after stalling  for about 10 days at the beginning of 2017... Sunspots are back in sight and the daily 10.7 centimeters solar radiation flux has moved up to around 85 units...  Correspondingly the next few days will see better propagation conditions on the short wave bands, especially between 10 a 21 megaHertz...

Item two.... good news coming from the European Broadcasting Union...
They are announcing a New dot radio Internet Domain The EBU is launching a new Top Level Domain (TLD) name -dot .radio - aimed at the radio community including Radio Amateurs. The launch is planned for September 2017 and the EBU says this which will progressively change the way people are reaching internet resources linked to radio.

These categories will be accepted for the use of a dot .radio domain:
• Radio Amateurs
• Radio broadcasting stations
• Unions of Broadcasters
• Internet radios
• Radio professionals (journalists, radio hosts, DJs, …)
• Radio-related companies selling radio goods and services
Item three: More and more radio amateurs around the world are learning standard electronic workshop procedures, like soldering , measuring  circuit parameters, reading circuit diagrams , also learning how to  visually identify electronic components, and all that new knowledge opens the way to start building the new generation of user friendly  radio kits... Yes I am very pleased to say that several of the most recently advertised via Internet amateur radio transceivers kits intended to be assembled at home using simple hand tools and standard measuring equipment like the now classic digital multimeters have proven  to be very reliable after proper assembly.

One recent example is the Bayou Jumper solid state QRP transmitter receiver rig, that was derived from the World War II Paraset rig used by paratroopers launched behind enemy lines and by freedom fighters in countries occupied by the Nazis to communicate vital information.  The twenty first century version uses all solid state components for the regenerative detector receiver and the power transistors transmitters...

Limiting the coverage to a narrow segment of the 40 meters band has proven to be a very wise decision, because it has helped to create more activity on the 40 meters band segment between 7100 and 7125 kHz.. Of course that this little rig is a CW only transmitter...  and it is able to receive also single side band voice signals as well as digital modes. Among the bright ideas brought forward by the radio club that is promoting this kit of parts we must include the use of coils that are part of the printed circuit board supplied with the kit of parts. Coil winding to exact specifications has proven to be a long time  problem for home builders. The Bayou Jumper, spelled B A Y O U  J U M P E R uses a single easy to wind toroid coil for the receiver...

The Bayou Jumper Transceiver was designed by two American radio amateurs Jim Giammanco N5 IB and David Cripe N M Zero S---- Here are now some
Specifications and Design Features of this very interesting amateur radio 40 meters band transmitter and receiver set General
     N5IB: Original prototype development, receiver development, PCB and
panel layouts, part sourcing.
     NMØS: Transmitter design, PCB, panel, parts sourcing, assembly manual.
     RXTX Design: Separate receiver and transmitter, built in RIT..
     T/R Switching: Hand switched with a chicken head knob, just as in the old days.
     Single Bander: 40M as supplied.
     Toroids: Only one toroid to wind in the receiver, and none in the transmitter. Only ONE for the whole rig!
     NO SMT: All parts are through hole, there are NO surface mount
devices in the kit.
     Current Requirements: Receiver 20ma, Transmitter 750ma
 
Enclosure: Beautiful silk screened panel and commercial wooden box,
for a very retro look. Dim. L x W x H, 7.75" x 5.5" x 3.25"

Here is more about how volunteer groups around the world are promoting the home assembly of ham radio equipment by designing rigs that can be successfully completed thanks to the use of high quality electronic components , extremely well designed and made printed circuit boards as well as excellent step by step instruction manuals.

The Bayou Jumper solves many of the problems found in previous attempts of making kits by addressing the most frequent failures of those projects, like for example the need to wind several toroidal ring inductances using very fine wires, a task that is quite a challenge for the older radio amateurs and also to younger less experienced home builders.

Now I am going to share with you the specifications of the performance achieved by the Bayou Jumper kit. Amazing as some them may seem to be, they were all fully verified with advanced electronic test instruments.
Receiver
     Tuning and Regeneration: Grounded front panel, and insulated shafts
on the controls, so hand effect detuning is minimized.
     Sensitivity: -120 dB (approx S1). Well below the typical rural band
noise level of approx. -100dB (approx. S4).
     Tuning Range: Tuning range approximately 120 to 150 kHz.
     One Knob tuning: No bandset/band spread needed.
     Varactor Tuning: Varactor tuning employing readily available
Schottky diodes as varactor diodes.
     RF Gain: Optional RF attenuator control, useful when employing
full-scale antennas.
     Audio: Plenty of headphone audio, and will drive a small speaker.
     Transmitter
     NS-40: Integrated into the PCB is Dave's famous NS-40 Class E
transmitter.  
More info here:
     Crystal Controlled: The rig has a socket for the old-style FT243 crystals, plus 7030 and 7122 kHz crystals and included crystal adapters. If you have old 7MHz Novice crystals, you can use them with this rig!
     Output Power: Solid 5 Watts.
     No Toroids: No toroids to wind, all inductors are etched on the pc board.
     Keying Options: Straight key built into the front panel, just like the original Paraset! Also includes a 1/8" jack so you can use it with your favorite mechanical key, or an electronic keyer with an interface, such as one of these.
     Spotting: You can activate the crystal oscillator at low power to allow zero beating the receiver to the transmit frequency.
     Final Amp: Cool running robust MOSFET.
     Spectral Purity: All harmonics and spurious emissions are 50dB or more below the carrier.
Using a half wave 40 meters band dipole antenna fed via a one o one balun with 50 ohms coaxial cable, my 5 Watts output QRP transceiver provides good two way contacts under normal propagation conditions. My daytime coverage reaches all over the Cuban archipelago, and at night I can work all over the Americas, Europe, Western Africa. Under very good propagation conditions early pre sunrise propagation of 40 meters makes possible DX contacts with Japan, Australia, New Zealand and many Pacific Islands nations--- Now at the end of the show... a short form HF bands propagation update::. Conditions have improved and will continue to improve due a slight but noticeable increase in solar activity... see you all at the middle of the week edition of Dxers Unlimited next Tuesday and Wednesday UTC days  just after the half hour newscast here
at Radio Havana Cuba.
(Arnie Coro/R Havana)

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Monitoring "out of band" transmissions


Recent international monitoring of stations broadcasting on "out of band" frequencies. Though this is not a complete list of all out of band frequencies, it reflects a portion of what has been monitored.
Freq/ UTC
Bangladesh, Bangladesh Betar
4750       1400-1704

Bolivia, R Mosoj Chaski
3310       0033

Brazil, Radio Clube do Para
4885       1242

Brazil, Difusora Acreana
4885       0339

Canada, CHU Time/Frequency Station
3330       0440
Canada, VFG Gander Volmet (meteorological information for aircraft in flight)
3486       0720      
3476       0718      
3477.4  0716       

China, China National Radio 1
4749.992   1300-0000
4750       0015-0300, 0905-1532, 2040-2130
4799.995   0000-0322, 0920-1127, 1533-1804 , 2023-0000
4800       1219-1533, 2147

China, China National Radio 2
3985       1302-0000

China, PBS Hulin Buir
3900       1220-1223

China, PBS Hunan
4990       0923

China, PBS Xinjiang
4500       0000-0200, 1230-1800, 2340

China, PBS Xizang Lhasa 
4820       1016-1227, 1510-1525, 2004-2148
4920       1510-2112

China, Voice of Strait
4940       1028-1523

Clandestine, Voice of People
3480       0600-0630, 0858-0902-0930, 1013, 1205-1235, 1504-1552, 1758-1829, 2009-2135

Euro pirate - Radio Batavia
3929       2155

France, Radio France International
3965       DRM 0000-1120, 0900, 1627-0000

French pirate stations
3450       2120

Germany, DDH Hamburg Meteo (meteorological information)
3855       0419-2250 

Germany, HCJB Deutsche Life FM
3995       24 hour schedule

Germany, Radio 700  (station previously reported as "inactive," monitored 28 October 2016)
3985       0000-0900, 1604-0000

India, AIR Port Blair
4760       0212-0330

India, AIR Shillong
4970       1512-1524

Ireland, Shannon Volmet  (meteorological information for aircraft in flight)
3412       0000-0600, 2225-0130 
3413       0130 
3414.362   0715-723   

Japan, R Nikkei Prgm 1
3925       1019-1225

North Korea, KCBS Pyongyang
2850       0001-0338, 0557-0752, 0854-0925, 1001-1215 1454-1510, 1754-2137
3220       0005, 0607-1009, 1204, 1456-1550, 1756-2140,
3250       0330, 0603, 1456-1522, 1755-2109
3320       0000-0311,0608-1011, 1204-1211, 1503-1515, 1755-1815-2145   
3980       0915-1225
  
North Korea, Voice of Korea
3250       0001, 00759-1218, 2141-2352
3320       0803-1014

North Korean jamming
3320       0310
3910       1813
3911       1035
3912       0314, 0605-0632, 0902-1018, 1215-1225, 1500-1832, 2005-2035, 2107-2146
3985       0610
4450       0609-1234, 1533-2144
4550       1229
4557       0609-1027, 1843-2150

Papua New Guinea, NBC R Madang
3260       0906

Papua New Guinea, NBC R Manus
3309.977  1846-1851  (station previously reported as "inactive", monitored 02 October 2016)
3315       0925  monitored 11 October 2016

Papua New Guinea, NBC R Simbu
3355       0928 (station previously reported as "inactive", monitored 11 Nov 2016

Peru, Radio Chota
4890       1243    (station previously reported as "inactive", monitored 07 October 2016)

Portugal, CSV Santa Maria Control
3492       0753       Aircraft traffic

Russian pirate station
2995       0140
3082       0157
3124       0152

Shanwick Radio (Air Traffic Control)
2872       0050, 0720
3446       0520, 0712
3447.4   0715-0725
3450       1715-1740

South Africa, Radio Sonder Grense
3320       0040

South Korea, KBS World
3955       2000-0000
  
Swaziland, TWR Africa
3240       0330
4759.995   1630-1645 

Turkey, TAH Marine Coastal Station
4560       0713, 1603-1753, 1858-1915 Sitor

UK, BBC
3915       2300
3955       DRM 0500-0600
4789.988  1300-1330

USA, WWCR Nashville TN
4840       0320

Vatican City State, Vatican Radio

3975       2040-2100

Monday, January 23, 2017

From the Isle of Music programming January 23-28



From the Isle of Music, Week of January 23-28, 2017

SPECIAL EDITION: To honor the first anniversary of the passing of Miguel Angel Rasalps "Lele", who sang with Elio Reve, Los Van Van and the funky, rocking yet very Cuban Los Reyes 73, music from all three groups with special guest Ricardo Delgado, who played saxophone with Los Reyes 73 in the 1970s.

Three options for listening on shortwave:
WBCQ, 7490 KHz, Tuesdays 0100-0200 UTC (8pm-9pm EDT Mondays in the Americas)
Channel 292, 6070 KHz, Fridays 1100-1200 UTC (1200-1300 CET) and Saturdays 1200-1300 UTC (1300-1400 CET)
See the NOTES section of our Facebook page for instructions for listening online if you are out of range or don't have a shortwave radio.

(Tilford Productions)

Radio Australia a 'vital link'


Radio Australia Transmitter, Shepparton

Shepparton News
By Gary Baker, former District Manager at Radio Australia, Shepparton
January 21, 2017
Recently I heard that the HF radio transmission site at Shepparton, known as Radio Australia, is to be shut down. I believe this is mostly due to budget cuts to the ABC by the Federal Government. The ABC uses this site to broadcast services into Asia and the Pacific Islands. The site is owned by a private company, Broadcast Australia. The ABC pays Broadcast Australia to use the transmission site at Shepparton, but it does not own the facility.

I understand the ABC needs to cut back on some services it provides and make use of the latest technology. This makes sense except in the case of the Shepparton facility. The Shepparton transmission site has the capability to direct radio signals into specific countries as we see fit. This is unique to this site, as no other site can reach the countries this one can.

In my time as District Manager at the Shepparton site, I recall some instances where the Shepparton site was called upon to direct radio signals to specific targets. At one point the Fiji Government shut down the local Australian ABC transmitter.Shepparton sent radio into that country to keep Australians informed during that time. When there was a coup in the Solomon Islands, once again we sent signals into that country.

We also sent radio signals into Myanmar at the request of the Australian Government.Another task that the Shepparton site fulfils is to send signals into northern Australia in times of need, for example during Cyclone Larry when the Northern Territory radio service was beamed back to the tropical north from Shepparton. The Shepparton site is in a location that has good weather and is politically stable. This makes it an ideal tool for widespread information broadcasting.

The ABC would argue that this HF radio service is old technology and can be replaced by the internet or satellite services. This is true.

However, the ABC and the Federal Government do not control the internet or satellite services in other countries and therefore they are not reliable. HF radio broadcasting from a secure location is very reliable.

So why remove this service? Does the Federal Government understand the value of this international radio service?

I hope that in writing this letter, its value will become clear to those who have the power to make decisions. The Australian Government is in the position of being ‘hands off’ the ABC’s management of services, and I would agree for every service it provides except this one. Radio Australia Shepparton should be partly controlled by the Australian Government, not just the ABC.

I plead that this broadcasting site remains in service and continues to provide northern Australia and oversees services for Australians home and abroad. You could also argue that long-range radio lets the world know we are here, and gives Australians both in our home country and overseas vital information in times of need.
(BDXC/Mike Terry post 23 Jan 2017)
photo via panoramio)

Updated winter B-16 clandestine station schedules



original post 30 December 2016

All times UTC

Radio Republica
0100-0300 on  9490 ISS 150 kW / 285 deg to Cuba Spanish

Radio Payem e-Doost
0230-0315 on  7460 KCH 500 kW / 116 deg to WeAs Farsi

Denge Kurdistan
0330-0600 on  7350 KCH 300 kW / 130 deg to WeAs Kurdish

Radio Tamazuj
0330-0400 on  7315 SMG 250 kW / 146 deg to EaAf Juba Arabic
0400-0430 on  7315 SMG 250 kW / 151 deg to EaAf Juba Arabic
0330-0430 on  9600 ISS 250 kW / 138 deg to EaAf Juba Arabic
0330-0430 on 15540 MDC 250 kW / 335 deg to EaAf Juba Arabic

Radio Dabanga
0430-0600 on  7315 SMG 250 kW / 151 deg to EaAf Juba Arabic
0430-0530 on 15540 MDC 250 kW / 335 deg to EaAf Juba Arabic
0530-0600 on 15540 SMG 250 kW / 151 deg to EaAf Juba Arabic

Eye Radio
0400-0500 on  7250 ISS 250 kW / 130 deg to EaAf Arabic/English*
*including other languages Dinka/Nuer/Shilluk/Bari/Zande/Lutoho

Radio Dandal Kura International
0500-0700 on  7415 ASC 250 kW / 055 deg to WeAf Kanuri

Republic of Yemen Radio
0600-0900 on 11860 JED 050 kW / non-dir to N/ME Arabic

Radio Dandal Kura International
0700-0800 on 15480 WOF 300 kW / 165 deg to WeAf Kanuri

Denge Kurdistan
0600-1300 on 11600 KCH 300 kW / 130 deg to WeAs Kurdish

Republic of Yemen Radio
0900-1800 on 11860 unknown tx / unknown to N/ME Arabic

Radio Free North Korea
1100-1300 on  9355 TAC 100 kW / 076 deg to NEAs Korean

Suab Xaa Moo Zoo, Voice of Hope
1130-1200 on 11570 TSH 100 kW / 250 deg to SEAs Hmong

Voice of Khmer M'Chas Srok
1130-1200 on 17860 TAC 100 kW / 122 deg to SEAs Khmer Thu/Sun

Voice of Tibet
1200-1230 on 11513 DB  100 kW / 095 deg to EaAs Chinese
1230-1300 on 11507 DB  100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs Tibetan

Que Me
1200-1230 on  9930 HBN 100 kW / 318 deg to EaAs Vietnamese Fri

Radio ERGO
1200-1300 on 17845 DHA 250 kW / 225 deg to EaAf Somali

National Unity Radio
1200-1500 on  7520 DB  100 kW / 071 deg to NEAs Korean

Denge Kurdistan
1300-1600 on 11600 KCH 300 kW / 116 deg to WeAs Kurdish

Shiokaze Sea Breeze
1300-1330 on  6145 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Chinese Mon
1300-1330 on  6145 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Japanese Tue
1300-1330 on  6145 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Korean Wed
1300-1330 on  6145 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs English Thu
1300-1330 on  6145 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Korean Fri
1300-1330 on  6145 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Japanese Sat
1300-1330 on  6145 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Korean Sun

Nippon no Kaze
1300-1330 on  9465 TSH 300 kW / 002 deg to NEAs Korean
1300-1330 on  9950 TSH 100 kW / 002 deg to NEAs Korean

Voice of Tibet
1300-1330 on 11513 DB  100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs Tibetan
1330-1400 on  9508 DB  100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs Tibetan

Shiokaze Sea Breeze
1330-1400 on  6145 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Korean Mon
1330-1400 on  6145 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Japanese Tue
1330-1400 on  6145 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Korean Wed
1330-1400 on  6145 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs English Thu
1330-1400 on  6145 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Korean Fri
1330-1400 on  6145 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Korean Sat
1330-1400 on  6145 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Japanese Sun

Furusato no Kaze
1330-1400 on  9705 TSH 300 kW / 002 deg to NEAs Japanese
1330-1400 on  9950 TSH 100 kW / 002 deg to NEAs Japanese

Voice of Wilderness
1330-1530 on  7615 TAC 100 kW / 070 deg to NEAs Korean

Shiokaze Sea Breeze
1405-1435 on  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Japanese

Furusato no Kaze
1430-1500 on  9560 TSH 300 kW / 002 deg to NEAs Japanese
1430-1500 on  9960 HBN 100 kW / 345 deg to NEAs Japanese

Radio Tamazuj
1430-1500 on 13800 NAU 125 kW / 152 deg to EaAf Juba Arabic
1430-1500 on 15540 ISS 250 kW / 138 deg to EaAf Juba Arabic
1500-1530 on 13800 MDC 250 kW / 340 deg to EaAf Juba Arabic
1500-1530 on 15540 SMG 250 kW / 151 deg to EaAf Juba Arabic

North Korea Reform Radio
1430-1530 on  7590 TAC 100 kW / 076 deg to NEAs Korean

Nippon no Kaze
1500-1530 on  9800 TSH 300 kW / 002 deg to NEAs Korean
1500-1530 on  9975 HBN 100 kW / 345 deg to NEAs Korean

Denge Kurdistan
1500-1600 on 11600 ISS 250 kW / 090 deg to WeAs Kurdish

Radio Al-Mukhtar
1500-1530 on 11670 ISS 100 kW / 125 deg to EaAf Arabic Tue
1530-1600 on 11670 ISS 100 kW / 125 deg to EaAf Tigrinya Tue

Radio Voice of Adal
1500-1530 on 11670 ISS 100 kW / 125 deg to EaAf Arabic Wed/Sat
1530-1600 on 11670 ISS 100 kW / 125 deg to EaAf Tigrinya Wed/Sat

Radio Warra Wangeelaa-ti
1500-1530 on 15515 SCB 050 kW / 195 deg to EaAf Afar Oromo Sat

Radio Biafra
1500-1600 on 15325 SCB 100 kW / 195 deg to WeAf English

Nippon no Kaze
1530-1600 on  9465 TSH 300 kW / 002 deg to NEAs Korean
1530-1600 on  9965 HBN 100 kW / 345 deg to NEAs Korean

Living Water Ministry Broadcasting
1530-1630 on  9650 unknown probably PUG to NEAs Korean Wed

Radio Dabanga
1530-1630 on 13800 MDC 250 kW / 340 deg to EaAf Juba Arabic
1530-1630 on 15540 SMG 250 kW / 151 deg to EaAf Juba Arabic

Voice of Martyrs
1530-1700 on  7510 TAC 100 kW / 076 deg to NEAs Korean

Shiokaze Sea Breeze
1600-1630 on  6110 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Chinese Mon
1600-1630 on  6110 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Japanese Tue
1600-1630 on  6110 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Korean Wed
1600-1630 on  6110 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs English Thu
1600-1630 on  6110 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Korean Fri
1600-1630 on  6110 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Japanese Sat
1600-1630 on  6110 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Korean Sun

Denge Kurdistan
1600-1930 on  7455 ISS 250 kW / 090 deg to WeAs Kurdish

Furusato no Kaze
1600-1630 on  9690 TSH 300 kW / 002 deg to NEAs Japanese
1600-1630 on  9975 HBN 100 kW / 345 deg to NEAs Japanese

Radio Xoriyo Ogaden
1600-1630 on 11970 ISS 500 kW / 130 deg to EaAf Somali Tue/Sat
1600-1630 on 17870 ISS 500 kW / 130 deg to EaAf Somali Mon/Fri

Eye Radio
1600-1700 on 15250 ISS 250 kW / 130 deg to EaAf Arabic/English*
*including other languages Dinka/Nuer/Shilluk/Bari/Zande/Lutoho

Radio Voice of Independent Oromiya
1600-1630 on 17850 ISS 250 kW / 130 deg to EaAf Oromo Sun

Shiokaze Sea Breeze
1630-1700 on  6110 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Korean Mon
1630-1700 on  6110 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Japanese Tue
1630-1700 on  6110 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Korean Wed
1630-1700 on  6110 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs English Thu
1630-1700 on  6110 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Korean Fri
1630-1700 on  6110 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Korean Sat
1630-1700 on  6110 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Japanese Sun

Radio Sagalee Qeerroo Bilisummaa
1630-1658 on 17840 ISS 250 kW / 130 deg to EaAf Oromo Tue/Thu/Fri

Radio Ranginkaman/Radio Rainbow
1700-1730 on  7580 KCH 500 kW / 116 deg to WeAs Farsi Mon/Fri

Voice of Oromo Liberation
1700-1730 on 11810 NAU 100 kW / 139 deg to EaAf Afar Oromo Wed/Fri/Sun
1730-1800 on 11810 NAU 100 kW / 139 deg to EaAf Amharic Wed

Dimtse Radio Erena
1700-1730 on 11965 SCB 050 kW / 195 deg to EaAf Tigrinya Mon-Fri
1730-1800 on 11965 SCB 050 kW / 195 deg to EaAf Arabic Mon-Fri
1700-1800 on 11965 SCB 050 kW / 195 deg to EaAf Tigrinya Sat/Sun

Radio Front for Independence of Oromo
1730-1758 on 17765 ISS 150 kW / 125 deg to EaAf Oromo Sun

Radio Payem e-Doost
1800-1845 on  7480 KCH 500 kW / 116 deg to WeAs Farsi

Radio Publique Africaine
1800-1831 on 11550 MDC 250 kW / 295 deg to SoAf Kirundi
1831-1858 on 11550 MDC 250 kW / 295 deg to SoAf French

Radio Itahuka
1800-1900 on 15420 MDC 250 kW / 320 deg to CeAf Kirundi Sat

Radio Biafra
1800-2000 on 15325 SCB 100 kW / 195 deg to WeAf English

Radio Dandal Kura International
1800-2100 on 12050 ASC 250 kW / 065 deg to WeAf Kanuri

Republic of Yemen Radio
1800-2300 on 11860 JED 050 kW / non-dir to N/ME Arabic

Lutheran World Federation/Voice of Gospel/Sawtu Linjilia
1830-1858 on  9800 ISS 500 kW / 180 deg to WCAf Fulfulde

Sedoye Bahar Voice of Spring
1900-1930 on  7510 KCH 500 kW / 116 deg to WeAs Farsi Thu/Fri

Denge Kurdistan
1930-2130 on  7455 KCH 300 kW / 116 deg to WeAs Kurdish

North Korea Reform Radio
2030-2130 on  7500 TAC 100 kW / 076 deg to NEAs Korean

Stream of Praise Music Ministries
2100-2115 on  7530 TAC 100 kW / 090 deg to EaAs Cantonese
2115-2130 on  7530 TAC 100 kW / 090 deg to EaAs Chinese

Suab Xaa Moo Zoo, Voice of Hope
2230-2300 on  7530 TSH 100 kW / 250 deg to SEAs Hmong

Republic of Yemen Radio
2300-0600 on 11860 unknown tx / unknown to N/ME Arabic
(DX Mix Nx/Ivo 30 Dec)


Frequency Updates

All times UTC

Clandestine
Additional broadcasts of Living Water Ministry Broadcasting
1500-1600 on  9650*unknown probably PUG to NEAs Korean Tue/Wed/Thu, ex Wed# * co-ch same  9650 CON 050 kW / non-dir to WeAf French Radio Guinea Conakry # probably from Jan. 3 and from same date at new time 1500-1558, ex 1530-1630.

Ecuador
Updated schedule of HCJB Voice of The Andes on 6050 kHz 
0930-1400 on  6050 QUI 010 kW / 018 deg to CeAm various*, ex 0830-1500
0930-1400 on  6050 QUI 010 kW / 172 deg to SoAm various*, ex 0830-1500
2100-0230 on  6050 QUI 010 kW / 018 deg to CeAm various*, ex 1900-0500
2100-0230 on  6050 QUI 010 kW / 172 deg to SoAm various*, ex 1900-0500
* including Cofan/Chapala/Spanish/Shuar/Quechua/Waodani & other langs.

Vietnam    
Updated schedule of Voice of Vietnam 
Effective from: 15 January 
2000-2028 on  7280 SON 100 kW / 320 deg to WeEu German, not Russian
2000-2028 on  9730 SON 100 kW / 320 deg to WeEu German, not Russian
2030-2058 on  7280 SON 100 kW / 320 deg to WeEu French, not English
2030-2058 on  9730 SON 100 kW / 320 deg to WeEu French, not English
2130-2158 on  7280 SON 100 kW / 320 deg to WeEu English, additional
2130-2158 on  9730 SON 100 kW / 320 deg to WeEu English, additional

Zambia    
Updated schedule of KVOH /Voice of Hope Africa 
Effective from: 23 January 
1700-2200 on  4965 LUS 100 kW / 000 deg to SoAf English Mon-Fri tx#1, new additional
1700-2200 on  6065 LUS 100 kW / 315 deg to WeAf English Mon-Fri tx#2, new additional
1200-1700 on  9680 LUS 100 kW / 000 deg to SoAf English Sat/Sun tx#1, unchanged
1200-1700 on 13680 LUS 100 kW / 315 deg to WeAf English Sat/Sun tx#2, unchanged
0500-0800 on  9680 LUS 100 kW / 000 deg to SoAf English Mon-Fri tx#1, cancelled
0500-0800 on 11680 LUS 100 kW / 315 deg to WeAf English Mon-Fri tx#2, cancelled
(SWL DXing/DX News/Ivo Ivanov)
(graphics: Gayle Van Horn Collection)