QSL Report 2.0-February 2025

 

                     Bringing the latest in QSLing from across the globe

Welcome to the February issue of QSL Report 2.0! Thank you for your comments and contributions.

. 

QSL Report 2.0, is a relaunch from my previous QSL Report column, in Monitoring Times magazine. You will find news on QSLing trends, what worked (and didn’t) special event QSLs and QSLs from shortwave, pirate radio, mediumwave, utility longwave and amateur radio. If you QSL any of those stations – please tell the world your results! 

Your contributions are welcomed to w4gvhla@gmail.com  QSL Report 2.0 will bring YOU the latest and keep you informed! 

Euro Free Radio

1332, Radio Monique. Full data e-QSL in two days from Eric Bronner, for e-report to studio@radiomonique.am (Juan Carlos P Montero, Spain/DX Fanzine)

1620, Radio Igloo (Sweden) Full data e-QSL received in nine days for e-report to radioigloo@gmail.com (Christian Ghibaudo, France/BDXC)

1620, Radio Alabama. No-data e-mail in one day, for e-report to paramaribo1@gmail.com (Ghibaudo).

5840, Taxus Radio. Full data e-QSL and friendly reply. Received within the day for e-report to taxus-radio@gmx.net (J. Carr, UK)

5940, FRS Holland. QSL by postal mail in 23 days, for English e-report to frs@frsholland.nl (Ghibaudo/France)

6045, Telstar Radio International (Netherlands) via Nauen, Germany. Full data e-QSL in 29 days, for e-report to erdenman@gmx.de (Pradip Chander Kundu, India/IDXCI)

6275, Radio Lowland. Full data e-QSL in five days for e-report to radiolowland@hotmail.com (Galien/BDXC).

6306, Radio Sombrero. Full data e-QSL in one day, for e-report to radio.sombrero@proton.me (Hallyard Gjerde, Norway/DX Fanzine).    

6335, Radio Batavia. Full data e-QSL in four days for e-report to radiobatavia@hotmail.com (Galien/BDXC).

6935, Radio Argus. Christmas card with greetings from Bert Bridges. Received in four days for e-report to planet266@outlook.com (Mike Barraclough, UK/BDXC)

6960, Enterprise Radio. Full data e-QSL in three days for e-report to enterpriseradio@hotmail.com (Galien/BDXC).

Mediumwave

Bahamas

1540, ZNS Radio, The National Voice. Full data e-QSL in 47 days for e-report to dmorris@znsbahamas.com (Miguel Angel Rocha Gamez, Colombia/DX Fanzine).

Benin

1566, Trans World Radio. Full data e-QSL received in 14 days for e-report to lstravrop@twr.org (Galien/BDXC).

Bolivia

760, Radio Fides. Full data e-QSL within the day from Bernardino Zurita Zelada, Supervisor Técnico. E-report to contactos@radiofides.com and sistemas@radiofide.com (Ariel Osvaldo Torres, Argentina/DX Fanzine)

Chile

620, Radio Norte Verde. Full data e-letter from Administrador de la emisora, Ricardo Melo Morales. Received in two weeks for e-report to radionorteverde@mail.com (Ariel Osvaldo Torres, Arge/DX Fanzine)

China

621, RTHK Hong Kong. Full data color QSL card of RTHK-FM Stereo’s transmitting mast in Hin Kong Harbor. Separate letter from Ms Yuky NG for the Director of Broadcasting. Received in three weeks for e-report to am621@rthk.hk (Chander, India)

Uruguay

1470, CX147 Radio Cristal. Partial data e-letter from Mr Manuel Pérez, Gerente in 24 hours, for e-report to cristal@gmail.com (Néstor Damiano Fischetto, ARG/DX Fanzine)

Venezuela

1260, BBN Radio Caracas. No-data e-letter in 24 hours from Mr Daniel Francia, BBN Regional Manager for Latin America, for e-report to red@bbnmedia.org  (FischettoDX Fanzine).

Shortwave

Brazil

9665, Rádio Voz Missionaria. Full data e-QSL in 25 days for Portuguese e-report to radiovozmissionaria.oc@gmail.com (R Pearson, FL)

Clandestine

17555, Radio Dabanga via Issoudun, France relay. Full data red/white logo card. Received in four weeks for e-report to info@dabangasudan.org (F.R. Schmidt, TX)

Eswatini

15105, Trans World Radio. Full data e-QSL in three days, for e-report to lstavrop@twr.org (Frank Hillton, SC)

Finland

6185, RealMix Radio. Full data e-QSL and letter from operator Joakim Weckstrom. Received in 20 days for e-report to realmix.sw@gmail.com (Kevin Clement, PA)

France

13600, NHK World Japan relay via Issoudun, France relay. Full data QSL received by postal mail in 37 days, for French report posted on NHK website form link (Clement, PA)

Germany

3955, Texas Radio Shortwave via Channel 292. Full data e-QSL in two days for e-report to texasradioshortwave@protonmail.com (Jouke van der Galien, NLD/BDXC)

HCJB Deutschland QSL

5920, Radio HCJB Deutschland. Full data e-QSL from Mark Tortsen-Wardein, plus info sheet and broadcast schedule. Received in three months for e-report to info@hcjb.de and postal report and $2.00 to Radio HCJB Deutschland, Postfach 2504, D-32715 Detmold, Germany. (G Van Horn, LA). 

6070, Atlantic 2000 International via Channel 292. Full data e-QSL in three days for French e-report to atlantic2000international@gmail.com (T Bourdeaux, France)

6095, Welle 370 via Nauen. Full data QSL received by postal mail in 21 days, for e-report to welle370@funkerberg.de (Ghibaudo/BDXC).

6020, Radio Casanova. Full data e-QSL within one day, for e-report to radiocasanova@hotmail.com (Galien/BDXC)

6160, Pop Shop Radio via ShortwaveRadio relay. Received in 20 days for an e-report to radiopopshop@gmail.com (Ghibaudo/BDXC).

Guam

12060, AWR/KSDA. Full data e-QSL in four days for e-report to qsl@awr.org (Van Horn).

India

Askashvavi - Akashvani QSL

15410, Akashvani via Bengaluru. Full data color QSL postcard featuring Eleven Headed Avalokitesvara, Alchi Monastery, Ladakh. Received in six weeks for e-report to spectrum-manager@prasarbharati.gov (G Van Horn).

Madagascar

13670, Madagascar World Voice-Radio Feda. Full data color postcard in two weeks via postal mail, for e-report to wcbn@worldchristian.org (Van Horn, Airspy LA)

Mongolia

VO Mongolia QSL

12015, Voice of Mongolia. Full data e-QSL in two days. Received for an e-report to mnb_vom@yahoo.com (Montero/DX Fanzine).

Philippines

12120, Radyo Pilipinas. Full data e-QSL in one day, for e-report to dzrp.radyopilipinas@gmail.com (S. Wright, MS)

Taiwan

11995, Radio Taiwan International. Full data e-QSL, for French report to fren@rti.tw (Bourdeaux).

Tajikistan

5875, 7515, Radio Free Asia via Dushanbe, Tajikistan relay. Two full data RFA cards in two months by postal mail. Postal report to: 2025 M Street NW # 300, Washington, DC 20036 USA (G Van Horn, LA)

Thailand

9940, Radio Thailand. Full data card received by postal mail in 25 days, for e-report to rthworldservice@gmail.com (Wright).

United Kingdom

11900, Texas Radio Shortwave via Woofferton relay. Special 2024 Christmas broadcast. Full data e-QSL in one day for e-report to texasradioshortave@protonmail.com (Bill McDavitt, USA/BDXC)

United States

15770, WRMI, Okechobee, Florida. Full data QSL by postal mail in 22 days for Italian e-report to andrea@pec.mangiarotti.org to verify I Love Italy program. (Ghibaudo/BDXC).

Uzbekistan

9950, Voice of the Martyrs via Tashkent relay. Full data confirmation letter received in 25 days from Pastor Till Dilmuth, for email report to tdillmuth@vomkorea.com (Wright).

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

 

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts

:Issued: 2025 Feb 03 0137 UTC

# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center

# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/content/subscription-services

#

#                Weekly Highlights and Forecasts

#

Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 27 January - 02 February 2025

Solar activity ranged from low to moderate levels (R2-Moderate). Minor (R1-Minor) levels were observed on 27-29 Jan, 31 Jan and 01-02 Feb. Moderate (R2-Moderate) levels were observed on 31 Jan and 02 Feb. Region 3976 (N13, L=001, class/area Ekc/260 on 02 Feb) produced 31 C-class flares and 2 M-class flares, the largest an M2.6 at 27/0812 UTC. Region 3977 (N19, L=002, class/area Cao/120 on 02 Feb produced 10 C-class flares and 6 M-class flares, the largest an M5.1 at 02/1404 UTC. 

Region 3978 (N11, L=350, class/area Dai/200 on 02 Feb) produced 5 C-class flares and 1 M-class flare, the largest an M6.7/1n at 31/1406 UTC. Associated with this event was a 270 pfu 10cm burst and a 673 km/s Type II sweep. Region 3981 (N05, L=338, class/area

Dsi/190 on 02 Feb) produced 10 C-class flares and 4 M-class flares, the largest an M4.1 at 02/2324 UTC. All other active regions were either quiet or contributed C-class events. Potential Earth-directed CMEs were observed on 29 and 31 Jan. 

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at high levels on 02 Feb with a maximum flux of 1,653 pfu at 02/1550 UTC. Normal to moderate levels were observed on 27-31 Jan and 01 Feb. 

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet to active levels. Unsettled to active levels were observed on 27-28 Jan due to weak CME effects. Mostly quiet levels were observed on 29-31 Jan. Unsettled to active levels were observed on 01-02 Feb due to positive polarity CH HSS effects. Solar wind parameters were slightly enhanced on 27-29 Jan due to weak CME effects. Greater enhancements were observed on 01-02 Feb with total field at highs of 18 nT and the Bz component reaching -17 nT at times. Wind speeds increased from about 410 km/s to about 750 km/s late on 01 Feb. 

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 03 February - 01 March 2025

Solar activity is expected to be at R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) levels throughout a majority of the outlook period, all due to numerous, significant solar regions expected on the solar disk. 

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at high levels on 03-04 Feb, 18-19 Feb, 27-28 Feb and 01 Mar, all due to CH HSS effects. Normal to moderate levels are expected on 05-17 Feb and 20-26 Feb. 

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at unsettled to active levels on 03-05 Feb due to a combination of positive polarity CH HSS and weak CME effects. Unsettled to active levels are expected on 10-19 Feb due to recurrent negative polarity CH HSS effects.

Unsettled to minor storm (G1-Minor) levels are expected on 27-28 Feb and 01 Mar due to positive polarity CH HSS effects. 

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt

:Issued: 2025 Feb 03 0137 UTC

# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center

# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/content/subscription-services

#

#      27-day Space Weather Outlook Table

#                Issued 2025-02-03

#

#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest

#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index

2025 Feb 03     215          14          3

2025 Feb 04     215          18          4

2025 Feb 05     215           8          3

2025 Feb 06     215          10          3

2025 Feb 07     210           5          2

2025 Feb 08     210           5          2

2025 Feb 09     200           5          2

2025 Feb 10     200          10          3

2025 Feb 11     195          15          3

2025 Feb 12     195          15          4

2025 Feb 13     195          20          5

2025 Feb 14     190          10          3

2025 Feb 15     180          15          4

2025 Feb 16     180          20          4

2025 Feb 17     185          10          3

2025 Feb 18     185          10          3

2025 Feb 19     180          10          3

2025 Feb 20     180           5          2

2025 Feb 21     175           5          2

2025 Feb 22     185           5          2

2025 Feb 23     190           5          2

2025 Feb 24     190           5          2

2025 Feb 25     185           5          2

2025 Feb 26     185           5          2

2025 Feb 27     195          10          3

2025 Feb 28     205          25          5

2025 Mar 01     210          25          5

(NOAA)

Blog Logs-February 2025

 

Welcome to the February 2025 edition of Blog Logs. Thank you for your emails and for following the Shortwave Central blog and X at Shortwave Central @QSLRptMT. 

Do you have any radio loggings or information for the March 2025 edition? Your input from mediumwave, or shortwave can be sent to: w4gvhla@gmail.com  Tell the world what you're hearing from your listening post or portable monitoring!

Don’t forget to subscribe to the Shortwave Central YouTube channel. There is a large selection of videos and audio airchecks, and the Playlist is growing! Join your fellow radio enthusiasts at: https://www.youtube.com/c/ShortwaveCentral   

By following the Shortwave Central blog and X postings, you will receive the latest tips and information from the ever-changing realm of radio! Additional station news is covered in my monthly column, Bits & Bytes in The Spectrum Monitor e-zine at https://www.thespectrummonitor.com/ 

Language services as indicated.

// denotes station heard on a parallel frequency

*Sign-on Sign-Off*/ frequencies kHz

Monitored January 1 – 28, 2025

All times UTC

Mediumwave

Brazil

750, Rádio CBN Vale, São José dos Campos SP, 0103. Identification, “CBN…Jornal da CBN, Repórter CBN ..., as principais noticias do dia, a cada meia hora…CBN Vale.” SINPO 35543. (Rudolph Grimm, Brazil/Kiwi Brazil)

860, Rádio Cidade, Fortaleza CE, 0438. Comments and local news to ID and time check. SINPO 25322 (Grimm).

880, Rádio Inconfidencia, Belo Horizonte, 0450. Brazilian songs to statin ID. SINPO 45554 // 6010 kHz (Grimm).

1080, Rede Aleluia, Brasilia, 0500 Comments about “Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus, Brasilia.” SINPO 23422 (Grimm).

Estonia

1035, Radio Eli 2348-2350. Very weak Russian programming including holiday music. SIO 232 Kiwi Germany (G Van Horn, LA).

Paraguay

650, Radio Uno, Asunción. Spanish programming, including Paraguayan music. SINPO 23522 (Grimm)

Saudi Arabia

1449, SBA Radio Riyadh. 2300. Twenty-four Arabic programming with announcer’s chat and phone calls, announcements, and Arabic music  // 1467, 1260, 1215, and 1071 kHz. Best reception on 1449. (Kiwi Kuwait/Van Horn, LA)

Shortwave

Algeria

13855, Ifrikya FM 2021-2035. Arabic/French. Lady’s poetry readings to station ID. Arabic chat, upbeat Arabic tunes to ID, “la voix d’Afrique.” SINPO 45544 (Frank Hilton, SC).

Ascension Island

BBC QSL - Ascension Islands

6135, BBC World Service relay at 0533 (schedule: 0530-0600). Hausa service with newscast // 7305 poor signal; 9410 at 0601. Ascension Island Voice of America relay on 6170 at 0533. Hausa service for talks about Nigeria (Harold Sellers, BC Canada). https://www.bbc.co.uk/ 

Bolivia

3310, Radio Mosoj Chaski 2320. Quechua text to typical Bolivian instrumental music. Announcer comments. SINPO 35543; Additional log at 2326 in Quechua. (Grimm) FB: https://www.facebook.com/123bfhr/ 

Brazil (Portuguese)

11780, Rádio Nacional do Amazonia 2125-2135. Afternoon newscast from announcer duo and phone-in news calls. (Han Horn/Kiwi SW Central, LA) https://radios.ebc.com.br/nacionalamazonia 

4985, Rádio Brasil Central 2342. Station ID to Brazilian tunes. SINPO 35543; 5940, Radio Voz Missionaria, Camboriu at 1418. With talk and phone-in interviews. SINPO 45554; 6180, Radio Nacional da Amazonia, Brasilia at 2315. ID to Brazilian music. SINPO 35553; YouTube video https://studio.youtube.com/video/bBKLWKYTjPg/edit  (Van Horn/Airspy LA)

Rádio Inconfidencia 6010, 2045-2113. Brazilian vocals to station ID. Also heard 0550-0623 with the program, “Memoria Nacional,”, comments and station ID. Additional program A Hora do Fazendeiro.” SINPO 15422 (Manuel Méndez, Spain/BDXC). https://www.inconfidencia.com.br/ 

 9818 Rádio Nove de Julho, Comments to station ID. SINPO 25442; (Grimm, Brazil).Video at: https://studio.youtube.com/video/7wZfunZirBw/edit 

6150, Rádio Saturno, Belo Horizonte, 0541-0631. Pop songs in English to Brazilian songs. Station identification. Noted also at 0608-0627 with Brazilian songs. SINPO 15422 (Méndez).

5940, Radio Voz Missonária 0115-0125. Religious programming over background music. Heard on parallel 11750 and 9665 kHz. Station sked 1300-0800. YouTube video: https://studio.youtube.com/video/0kilz1qDMBQ/edit (Kiwi Brasilia/Van Horn).

Canada

6070, CFRX Toronto. Newstalk 10-10 at 0514. Commercial spots including Gaviscon, Crave and Consolidated Credit Counselling. Signal fair-poor. (Sellers). 6070, 0846 with station IDs and news bulletins. (Grimm).

China

3950, PBS Xinjiang, Urumqi. Mandarin service at 0018. Male/female’s commentary to instrumental music. SINPO 15321 to Europe; 3990 PBS Gannan, Hezuo in Chinese at 0019. Commentary and Asian music (Grimm).

Clandestine

12050, Radio Ndarason International via Ascension Island relay at 2003-2015. Kanada service with station jingles and talk-to-news reporting format. (Van Horn, Kiwi SW Central/LA) 12050 at 0700 with station sign-on in Kanuri. Lady announcer hosting newscast for fair signal quality (Sellers). https://ndarason.com/en/ 

Denmark

25800, World Music Radio, Marslet. Multilingual services at 1535; international contemporary music to Europe. SINPO 15321 (Grimm).

Ecuador

A vintage QSL from HCJB

6050, HCJB Quito, 2350. Christian broadcast to commentary from male/female duo. Programming targeted to South America. No QRM was noted from Xizang, just a signal from HCJB. (Grimm). https://hcjb.org/ 

Eswatini

7410, Trans World Radio via Manzini at 1947. Program Radio Trans Mundial with text and messages and contact information (Grimm). http://www.twr.org 

Germany

3955, Texas Radio Shortwave (relay special of Swedish pirate station Radio Igloo). 2200-2210. 

17550, Bible Voice Broadcasting via Nauen at 1444. Christian broadcast and sermon, targeting to Northeast Africa (Grimm).FB https://www.facebook.com/texasradiosw 

Guam

7510, KTWR Trans World Radio at 1920. Christian broadcasts and songs in Korean. SINPO 25542. Target to North and South Korea (Grimm).AWR via Guam was heard on 9885 at 2034 in Korean to North and South Korea (Grimm). www.twr.org 

India

A vintage QSL from All India Radio

9620, Akashvani/All India Radio via Bengaluru in Arabic at 1820. Indian vocals to comments by announcer duo. SINPO 25442 (Grimm). https://prasarbharati.gov.in/homepage-air/ 

Japan

13705, NHK Radio Japan via Yamata in Thai at 2300. Instrumental music, time-pips to ID as “Radio Japan.: News bulletin, SINPO 35553 target to Southeast Asia (Grimm)

Liberia

6050, ELWA Radio via Monrovia at 2047. Christian broadcast and message by male host. Christian songs, target Africa. SINPO 15321 (Grimm). https://www.elwamausa.org/ 

Kuwait

RFA QSL 2024

9455, Radio Free Asia relay. 2112-2125. Chinese programming with reading presentation, is presumed to be a cultural feature. SIO 433. Kiwi Saudi Arabia) Van Horn) http://rfa.org 

Madagascar

11610, Madagascar World Voice via Mahajanga 2110-2125. Chinese text and special program presentation. Musical jingle. SIO 434. Schedule 1800-1900; 2000-2100 on 11965 (Van Horn/Kiwi SW Central LA). Subsequent monitoring 1759- 1805. YouTube video: 

https://youtu.be/PEb_bUPax6U 

Mali

136300, China Radio International relay via Bamako 2035-2055. English service for two announcer’s conversations about technologies. SINPO 45544. (Hilton). 5995, Radio Mali at 2039. Talk and announcements from the announcer. SINPO 25432. (Grimm).0620 on 5995 with Sub-Saharan style music. Poor signal quality in French (Sellers).

Myanmar

5915, Myanma Radio, Naypyidaw. Burmese service at 2338. Typical Burmese music and announcer’s comments. Additional instrumental music. Programming targeted to Pacific regions. SINPO 25442.  (Grimm).

New Zealand

17675, RNZ Pacific , Rangitaiki. Comments by the announcer pair to instrumental music. SINPO 35543 to Pacific regions (Grimm). https://www.rnz.co.nz/

Peru

4775, Radio Tarma at 0009. Spanish speech to comments within the broadcaster’s studio. SINPO 25432 to a national audience. Peru’s Radio Cultural Amauta on 4955 at 2334. Commentary to flute and Peruvian style music. SINPO 25421 (Grimm).

Philippines

9390, Radio Free Asia relay via Tinang, Philippines 2232-2300. Khmer service with national news fanfare intros for program feature on Kampuchea to 2300. Kiwi Saudi Arabia (Van Horn/Kiwi Hong Kong). 

United Arab Emirates

15420, BBC World Service relay via Al-Dhabbiya in Somali. Newscast at 1416 with topics and comments. SINPO 25442 (Grimm). https://www.bbc.co.uk/ 

United States

5010, Radio Prague via WRMI Okeechobee, FL relay at 0006. Announcer duo with comments on European topics, mainly on the Czech Republic. SINPO 25542 (Grimm). https://www.wrmi.net/

6075, KNLS Anchor Point, Alaska, 0801. Sign-on in English with ID, intros, and program lineup with excellent signal quality (Sellers). https://www.knls.org/ 

15770, WRMI 2050-2105. Religious programming to 2059. Station jingle to WRMI identification, website info, and talk. Music program on 9395, 2200-2210. https://www.wrmi.net/ 

 9565, USAGM/Radio Marti 2200-2210. Spanish text to station ID, station info and promo for the upcoming newscast. News items about Cuba // 11930.(Van Horn/LA Airspy)

WRMI QSL

9930, WWCR 2150-2200. Conversations on proper health care issues and medication concerns. Musical instrumentals to public-service announcements. World Christian Radio ID and upcoming program promo. (Van Horn/Kiwi SW Central LA). 13845 at 2238 with religious text (Grimm).

9475, WTWW Lebanon TN 2218-2235. Recorded biblical teachings to religious praise music at 2220. Additional music to Overcomer Ministry promo to classic Bro. Stair devotionals. (Van Horn/LA Airspy) 

Vietnam

9730, Voice of Vietnam via Hanoi-Sontay,  // 11885, 1720-1730. Vietnamese service with newscast to music fanfare and additional features. (Van Horn). https://vovworld.vn/ 

An extra look at propagation from the U.K., January 31

 

RSGB

GB2RS News Team

January 31, 2025

Last week was pretty unremarkable as far as the Sun goes, but it looks like that is about to change.

The seven days preceding Thursday 30 January were characterised by reasonably settled geomagnetic conditions, with a maximum Kp index of 3.67 and a solar flux index that fell from 205 on the 24 January, to the 170s by the 30 January. During this period there had been only four M-class solar flares and no X-class events.

Over the next few days, things could change. Two large coronal holes near the Sun’s equator threaten to upset the quiet conditions. As the solar material flows out it could cause the Kp index to rise, perhaps to 4, with reduced maximum usual frequencies and noisy conditions. But this will depend upon its associated Bz or interplanetary magnetic field.

If it is south-pointing it will couple more easily with the Earth’s magnetic field, allowing plasma to flow in, and the Kp index will rise.  However, if it is north-pointing we may see very little effect at all.

So, keep an eye on Solarham.com for real-time updates and look for increased solar wind speed as the main indicator of the approaching solar material.  If the Bz does point south we may expect unsettled conditions and possible aurora today, the 2 February.

Meanwhile, three sunspot groups are rotating into an Earth-facing position in the Northern Hemisphere on the Eastern side of the Sun. We have already seen an M-class flare from one of them.

These could boost the solar flux index but could also be a source of solar flares and coronal mass ejections over the coming week.

Strangely, NOAA does not seem to think they will, as its predicted solar flux index over the next seven days is in the 150 to 160s range. It does agree with our prediction of unsettled geomagnetic conditions, although with a projected Kp index of 5 today, the 2 February, falling to 4 over the next three days.

We will just have to wait and see.

Meanwhile, maximum useable frequencies over a 3,000km path are still exceeding 28MHz from around 0830 to 1600UTC. As the month moves on, we can expect the amount of daylight to increase, so this period may be extended.

Make the most of 160 and 80m as the optimum time for these bands has now passed.

VHF and up :

The tail end of the previous week saw a few weak weather features as lows and a front brushed past. However, from this first weekend of February, there will be a trend to higher pressure, which will offer up some tropo opportunities at times during the coming week.

There is a chance of the occasional decaying front drifting down the country but, for most of the next week, it’ll be a tropo story, if anything.

50MHz has been quiet again as we await the return of maybe the last Spring equinox-style propagation of this cycle around mid-March.

Meteor scatter is once again mostly down to random activity although there is one minor shower, the Capricornids-Sagittariids, which peaked yesterday, Saturday the 1st of February.

Rain scatter may be somewhat rarer due to the mainly high-pressure pattern.

Some auroral propagation is not without hope in view of the large coronal hole, which crossed the Sun last week. Keep a lookout for high Kp values, and keep an ear open for watery signals on the LF bands as a good sign of potential activity on the higher bands.

Moon declination goes positive again today, the 2 February. With perigee having passed late yesterday, the 1 February, this means that the upcoming week will be good for EME. This is especially true on the GHz bands, if you have a clear view of the horizon. 144MHz sky noise is low, rising to moderate next weekend.

One final note: there have been some access problems with the data feeds for the Propquest website. Hopefully, these are temporary and have fixed themselves by the time you hear this broadcast. The other data plots such as jet stream charts should continue to update so there is plenty to look at on the other pages.

https://rsgb.org/main/blog/news/gb2rs/propagation-news/2025/01/31/propagation-news-2-february-2025/

(Mike Terry/BDXC)

Weekend broadcast on shortwave

 All times UTC

Finland

Radio Blacksmith Knoll 

We are pleased to announce our newest broadcast, scheduled to air on Saturday, February 1st, 2025. on 6120 kHz

As atmospheric conditions tend to vary significantly during the winter season, we have planned our broadcast to air at the following times:

07:00 - Show Premiere

10:00 - Re-Run

18:00 - Re-Run

In the event of QRM, QRN, operator unavailability, or an unscheduled transmission on the frequency, our broadcast will be canceled without prior notice.

Reception reports

For the reception report and eQSL, please provide the following details via email to: blacksmith.knoll@gmail.com

Mandatory Information:

QTH or WebSDR Location

RX Equipment and Antenna Type Used

Time of Reception (in UTC)

SINPO (or a plain language description of reception quality)

Audio Clip of the Station ID (preferred), or a written description of the station ID with a timestamp

Other Information (Optional):

Additional details about the RX site, or any information you’d like to share about yourself, dear listener!

All valid reception reports will be acknowledged with a special Radio Blacksmith Knoll eQSL card.

You can reach us via e-mail: BLACKSMITH.KNOLL@GMAIL.COM

https://blacksmith-knoll.blogspot.com/

RealMix Radio

February 1-2, 2025, for 24 hours

6185 kHz

Reception Report link: https://www.realmix.fi/#receptionreports

Website: https://www.realmix.fi

Scandinavian Weekend Radio

1602 kHz

5880 kHz/6170 kHz

11690 kHz/ 11720 kHz

Tarja Lunnas Show 06:00 

Finnish Metal DJ Janne 15:00 

Email: info@swradio.net

Website: http://www.swradio.net/

Germany

Monthly broadcast on the first Sunday. Classic broadcast from Radio Andorra.

February 2, a rebroadcast of a show from August 1976. It will be the "Disco Show" presented by Lionel Cassan. 

Via Kall-Krekel

1700 on 6005 kHz 

2000 UTC on 3985 kHz

United States

Texas Radio Shortwave

Music of Amanda Shires

Feb 1: 2200 3955 kHz

Feb 2: 1300 9670 kHz

KSKO today at 2100 UTC

 

Join me on shortwave today, 2100 -2200 UTC. I'll be broadcasting live on 5900 kHz via Sofia, Bulgaria with a live simulcast of the KSKO Lunch time show.... a variety of music and lots of local information.

Paul Walker

"The Alaska Radio Nerd"

paul@alaskaradionerd.com

Program Director: KSKO 89.5 FM McGrath, Alaska, USA

Shortwave Radiogram, Program 387

 

Hello friends,

I have produced this week's program (387) using the latest alpha version of Fldigi: 4.2.06.20. According to our expert Tobias in Germany, this version "added short signal ramps to MFSK (and other) modes ... which ... should help initial MFSk synchronization after any signal gaps etc. I hope this will also improve the reliability to receive complete image headers, and thus the respective images."

Let's see if this improves (or impairs) the performance of RSID mode changes and image headers. You can continue to use your present version of Fldigi. The modifications in 4.2.06.20 (that I am using) affect only the encoding.

This reminder that the swradiogram.bsky.social account is now active. This is where I repost listeners' results. And the @SWRadiogram X (Twitter) account is also active, for the time being. I think you can read the bsky even if you don't have a Bluesky account. Let me know if you can't.

A video of last week's Shortwave Radiogram (program 386) is provided by Scott in Ontario (Wednesday 1330 UTC). The audio archive is maintained by Mark in the UK. Analysis is provided by Roger in Germany.

Here is the lineup for Shortwave Radiogram, program 387, 31 January-5 February 2025, in MFSK modes as noted:

 1:45  MFSK32: Program preview

 2:54  MFSK32: Private craft on way to moon photographs Earth*

 6:53  MFSK64: "Traffic light" system warns of solar storms*

14:43  MFSK64: Images of the week*

28:33  MFSK32: Closing announcements

* with images

Please send reception reports to radiogram@verizon.net

And visit http://swradiogram.net 

Twitter: @SWRadiogram or https://twitter.com/swradiogram 

(visit during the weekend to see listeners’ results)

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/567099476753304

Shortwave Radiogram Gateway Wiki: https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Shortwave_Radiogram_Gateway

  

Other Shortwave broadcast programs that include digital text and images include The Mighty KBC, Pop Shop Radio and Radio North Europe International (RNEI). Links to these fine broadcasts, with schedules, are posted here.

 

Thanks for your reception reports!

Kim

Kim Andrew Elliott, KD9XB

Producer and Presenter

Shortwave Radiogram

Reporting on international broadcasting at https://twitter.com/kaedotcom

  

February programming from Texas Radio Shortwave

  All times UTC/kHz

Programming for February 2025 features the Music of Amanda Shires

February 1, 2025 

0200, 3955 to Eastern North America 

2200, 3955 to Europe  

February 2, 2025

0200, 3955 to Eastern North America 

0400, 9670 to Western North America

1300, 9670 to Europe 

February 9, 2025

1800, Mixcloud Worldwide - Texas Gospel Music (Reprise)

This schedule is subject to change without notice.

Programs for Europe and beyond are transmitted on Channel 292 in Rohrbach, Germany, 10 kiloWatts with an omnidirectional antenna.

Programs to North America and beyond are transmitted on Channel 292, 10 kilowatts with a 10.5 dB gain beam antenna.

Programs on Mixcloud are streamed at www.mixcloud/live/texasradiosw/ beginning at 1758 UTC with TRSW's interval signal

Texas Radio Shortwave is an independent producer of musical and topical shows, usually about Texas

Texas Radio Shortwave uses a version of The Yellow Rose of Texas as its interval signal and signature song.

Feb 2025 TRSW QSL

Texas Radio Shortwave verifies correct, detailed reception reports by electronic QSL. This includes reports from listeners using a remote receiver (SDRs), and listeners to the Mixcloud stream.

Many TRSW programs are archived at www.mixcloud.com/texasradiosw

The program email is texasradioshortwave@protonmail.com

Follow us on Facebook at the Texas Radio Shortwave Listener's Group at: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/580199276066655

(TRSW)

AWR updates winter schedule

 

Effective to: 29 March 2025

GUAM/GERMANY/MADAGASCAR   B24 AWR Short Wave Broadcast Schedule

Reception reports to:  qsl@awr.org

AWR website: awr.org

Site StartStop  Language   Target Area                  kHz     kW   Days

        UTC     Service

SDA  1900 2000  Arabic     Egypt, Iraq, Arab Peninsula  11985   100  daily

SDA  0000 0030  Burmese    Myanmar, Thailand, China     17650   100  daily

MDC  0300 0400  Malagasy   Madagascar                    6065   100  daily

SDA  1000 1100  Mandarin   Ce/No-China                  15430   100  daily

SDA  1000 1100  Mandarin   So-China                     15295   100  daily

SDA  1100 1200  Mandarin   Ce/No-China                  15430   100  daily

SDA  1100 1130  Indonesian We-Indonesia                 15500   100  daily

SDA  1100 1200  Mandarin   So-China                     15295   100  daily

SDA  1130 1200  Sundanese  Indonesia, Malaysia          15500   100  1357

SDA  1130 1200  Javanese   Indonesia, Malaysia          15500   100  246

SDA  1130 1200  Shan       Myanmar                      15530   100  daily

SDA  1200 1230  MinNan Chi Ce/No-China                   9610   100  12345

SDA  1200 1230  Mandarin   Ce/No-China                   9610   100  67

SDA  1200 1230  Mandarin   So-China                     15550   100  67

SDA  1200 1230  MinNan Chi So-China                     15550   100  12345

SDA  1200 1230  Mon        Myanmar                      15430   100  daily

SDA  1230 1300  Cantonese  Ce/No-China                   9610   100  123457

SDA  1230 1300  Mandarin   So-China                     15550   100  6

SDA  1230 1300  Cantonese  So-China                     15550   100  123457

SDA  1230 1300  Mandarin   Ce/No-China                   9610   100  6

SDA  1300 1330  Dayak      We-Indonesia                 15680   100  daily

SDA  1300 1330  Kachin     Myanmar                      15530   100  daily

SDA  1300 1330  Mandarin   We-China                     15600   100  23456

SDA  1300 1330  Uighur     We-China                     15600   100  17

SDA  1300 1330  Bangla     Bangladesh                   15255   100  daily

SDA  1330 1400  Assamese   NE-India                     17735   100  14

SDA  1330 1400  Lisu       Myanmar                      17755   100  daily

SDA  1330 1400  Kokborok   Bangladesh                   15255   100  daily

SDA  1400 1430  Karen      Myanmar, Thailand, China     15400   100  daily

SDA  1400 1430  Mandarin   We-China                      9720   100  daily

SDA  1400 1500  Mandarin   We-China                     15710   100  daily

SDA  1400 1430  Asho Chin  Myanmar                      15505   100  daily

MDC  1400 1500  Malagasy   Madagascar                    6065   100  daily

SDA  1430 1500  Burmese    Myanmar                      15530   100  daily

SDA  1430 1500  Karen      Myanmar, Thailand, China     15400   100  daily

SDA  1500 1530  Kannada    So-India                     15215   100  daily

SDA  1500 1530  Tamil      So-India                     15530   100  daily

SDA  1530 1600  Hindi      No-India                     15215   100  daily

SDA  1530 1600  Kannada    So-India                     15680   100  daily

SDA  1600 1630  Telugu     So-India                     15665   100  daily

SDA  1630 1700  Pushto     No-India                     15360   100  246

SDA  1630 1730  Korean     Korea                         9870   100  daily

SDA  1630 1700  Sindhi     Pakistan                     15360   100  1357

SDA  1730 1830  Korean     Korea                         6180   100  daily

NAU  1730 1800  Oromo      So-Ethiopia                  15460   250  daily

NAU  1800 1830  Tigrinya   Eritrea                      15460   250  daily

SDA  1800 1900  Korean     Korea                         9760   100  daily

NAU  1830 1900  Amharic    Ethiopia                     15460   250  daily

SDA  1830 1930  Korean     Korea                         6180   100  daily

SDA  1900 2000  Arabic     Egypt, Iraq, Arab Peninsula  11985   100  daily

NAU  1900 1930  Hausa      Nigeria                      11700   250  daily

NAU  1930 2000  Ibo        E-Nigeria                    11700   250  daily

SDA  2000 2100  Korean     Korea                         9885   100  daily

NAU  2000 2030  Yoruba     Nigeria                      11700   250  daily

NAU  2030 2100  Pidgin     Nigeria                      11700   250  daily

SDA  2100 2200  Mandarin   Ce/No-China                  15625   100  daily

SDA  2200 2300  Mandarin   NE-China                     15625   100  daily

SDA  2300 2400  Mandarin   Ce/No-China                  17530   100  daily

SDA  2300 2400  Mandarin   NE-China                     17620   100  daily

(AWR/Pino)

Finland's RadioRealMix slated for weekend broadcast

 

"According to the new radio license, regular Finland's RealMix Radio broadcasts will be heard again in February on Saturdays and Sundays and the entire last week of February on the frequency 6185 kHz at 0000-2100 UTC

During the spring, maybe (if the economy allows) we will get 250W transmission power, which would improve the signal strength. (Nowadays 100W carrier)

Updates and news regarding RealMix Radio broadcasts are posted on the station's Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/share/17zTYb1YsK/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Radio France International will air English on World Radio Day

 

On February 13, 2025, Radio France International, as in past years, will broadcast special programming on World Radio Day. 

"As we do every year, we'll have a feast in *The Sound Kitchen*, filled with your voices.

Send your SHORT recorded greetings to thesoundkitchen@rfi.fr by February 1.

 This year the program theme will be "Radio and Climate Change", but you don't have to talk about the theme - if you just want to say "hello!", that's fine, too.

Be sure you include your name and where you live in your message

Send your reception reports to: 

relations.auditeurs@rfi.fr

virginie.champ@rfi.fr

sebastien.bonijol@rfi.fr

(Christian Ghibaudo, France/BDXC)

A new CME is heading for Earth....maybe

 

The storm cloud was hurled into space by a dramatic filament eruption on Jan. 26th.

Most of the CME will sail south of our planet, but NOAA forecasters believe it could graze Earth as it passes by.

If so, a G1-class geomagnetic storm could occur on Jan. 29th.

Additional information at: https://spaceweather.com/

(Mike Terry, UK/BDXC)

Review of World Radio TV Handbook 2025

 

In the February edition of The Spectrum Monitor, I review the 2025 World Radio TV Handbook edition. This is the first published review and you don't want to miss it!! 

Not a subscriber ? Get the details at https://www.thespectrummonitor.com 

Gayle Van Horn W4GVH

An extra look at propagation from the U.K.

 

RSGB

GB2RS News Team

January 24, 2025

This week, ending today the 26 January, has looked a lot like a repeat performance of two weeks ago. The majority of the sunspots are in the western hemisphere with very few in the eastern side. This means that

the solar flux index could drop over the coming week unless there are sunspots ready to rotate into view to replace those being lost.

A look at the STEREO Ahead spacecraft imagery suggests that there are indeed sunspots over the Eastern limb, so all may not be lost.

Overall, the Sun has been fairly quiet. There were no X-class flares and only five M-class flares from the 19 to the 23 January. The Kp index has also been relatively low, only peaking at four for one three-hour period on the 20 January.

As a result, with the solar flux index in the 200s, HF conditions have been quite good. The maximum usable frequency over a 3,000km path has been consistently over 28MHz, from around 0830 to 1600UTC. However, the

20, 17, 15 and 12m bands, seem to be carrying most of the DX at the moment.

Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will remain in the mid-200s. Geomagnetic conditions are also predicted to be good until the end of the month, but a Kp index of 5 is forecast for the 31 January,

and this could last for a few days.

So, we urge you to make the most of the conditions now, before geomagnetic storming, if it occurs, makes a mess of HF as we enter February.

  VHF and up :

The weather pattern is being driven by a very strong winter jet stream across the Atlantic Ocean. This gives scope for rapid development of deep lows and consequent gales and damaging winds.

On Friday 24 January, the first big storm hit the northwest of Britain. We may find that the next low in the series is heading for southern Britain tomorrow, the 27 January.

This all makes tropo unlikely for much of the week ahead since it stays unsettled through most of the period, but with the smallest hint of higher pressure trying to return from Thursday.

Rain scatter will probably be worth some consideration on the GHz bands while meteor scatter remains driven by random activity rather than any major showers.

There have been further aurora alerts over the last week and it’s always worth keeping the Kp index in view to monitor any possible chances for aurora. High figures, above a Kp index of 4, are a good trigger point to get interested.

Moon declination reaches minimum in the northern hemisphere today, the 26 January, when Moon windows are at their shortest and peak Moon elevation is at its lowest.

Path losses are now falling as we passed apogee on Tuesday the 21 January. 144MHz sky noise is high, reaching over 3,000 Kelvin today, the 26 January, before dropping to moderate until Wednesday when the Moon and Sun are very close in the sky for the whole Moon pass. After this, it drops to low for the rest of the week.

https://rsgb.org/main/blog/news/gb2rs/propagation-news/2025/01/24/propagation-news-26-january-2025/

(Mike Terry, UK/BDXC)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

 Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts

:Issued: 2025 Jan 27 0230 UTC

# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center

# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/content/subscription-services

#

#                Weekly Highlights and Forecasts

#

Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 20 - 26 January 2025

Solar activity ranged from low to moderate levels (R1-Minor). Moderate levels were observed on 21 Jan from Region 3967 (S14, L=148, class/area Eai/110 on 21 Jan) with an M3.3/Sf observed at  21/1039 UTC. This flare also produced a Type II sweep with an estimated shock velocity of 565 km/s. Region 3961 (S09, L=181, class/area Fkc/800 on 20 Jan) produced an M1.3/1f at 22/1108 UTC with a Type II sweep with an estimated shock velocity of 561 km/s. This region also produced an M2.7/1f flare at 24/2104 UTC. All other active regions were either quiet or contributed only C-class events. Potential Earth-directed CMEs were observed on 21 and 22 Jan. 

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbits.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached high levels on 20, 22, and 23 Jan. Normal to moderate levels were observed on 21 and 24-26 Jan. 

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet to active levels. Isolated active periods were reached on 20 Jan with unsettled levels observed on 20-24 Jan. Quiet levels were observed on 25-26 Jan. All elevations in geomagnetic activity were attributed to influence from multiple, negative polarity CH HSSs. 

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 27 January - 22 February 2025

Solar activity ranged from low to moderate levels (R1-Minor). Moderate levels were observed on 21 Jan from Region 3967 (S14, L=148, class/area Eai/110 on 21 Jan) with an M3.3/Sf observed at 21/1039 UTC. This flare also produced a Type II sweep with an estimated shock velocity of 565 km/s. Region 3961 (S09, L=181, class/area Fkc/800 on 20 Jan) produced an M1.3/1f at 22/1108 UTC with a Type II sweep with an estimated shock velocity of 561 km/s. This region also produced an M2.7/1f flare at 24/2104 UTC. All other active regions were either quiet or contributed only to C-class events. Potential Earth-directed CMEs were observed on 21 and 22 Jan. 

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbits.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached high levels on 20, 22 and 23 Jan. Normal to moderate levels were observed on 21 and 24-26 Jan. 

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet to active levels. Isolated active periods were reached on 20 Jan with unsettled levels observed on 20-24 Jan. Quiet levels were observed on 25-26 Jan. All elevations in geomagnetic activity were attributed to influence from multiple, negative polarity CH HSSs. 

Product:  27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt

:Issued: 2025 Jan 27 0230 UTC

# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center

# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/content/subscription-services

#

#      27-day Space Weather Outlook Table

#                Issued 2025-01-27

#

#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest

#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index

2025 Jan 27     165           5          2

2025 Jan 28     160           5          2

2025 Jan 29     155          10          3

2025 Jan 30     150           5          2

2025 Jan 31     150          12          3

2025 Feb 01     145          12          3

2025 Feb 02     150          20          5

2025 Feb 03     165          15          4

2025 Feb 04     160          12          4

2025 Feb 05     165          12          4

2025 Feb 06     160          10          3

2025 Feb 07     155           5          2

2025 Feb 08     150           5          2

2025 Feb 09     145          10          3

2025 Feb 10     140          12          4

2025 Feb 11     140          18          5

2025 Feb 12     140          15          4

2025 Feb 13     140          20          5

2025 Feb 14     140          12          4

2025 Feb 15     145          15          4

2025 Feb 16     145          15          3

2025 Feb 17     150          10          3

2025 Feb 18     150          10          3

2025 Feb 19     155          10          3

2025 Feb 20     165           5          2

2025 Feb 21     170           5          2

2025 Feb 22     170           5          2

(NOAA)

An update on demolition of Moosbrunn transmitters

The latestinformation from Top News

AUSTRIA   Heise Online (German article which has been translated to En.)

ORF has Austria's 500-kilowatt short-wave transmitter to be blown up.

{Made in Germany by AEG Telefunken Berlin of 1983 year, wb.)

The whole world can be reached with a unique short-wave antenna from

ORS Moosbrunn Austria site.

It could be blown up as early as Thursday Jan 30 at 13 UTC (wb.)

WWDXC Top Nx/25 jan 2025)

Demolition of the Moosbrunn transmitter postponed

 At the end of the year, the Austrian shortwave stopped broadcasting. For cost reasons and because there were hardly any broadcasts about them anymore. This morning it suddenly said: “There will be a blast today!” But nothing comes of it for the time being.

The Austrian shortwave broadcasting center Moosbrunn has existed since 1959 and was used for a long time to broadcast Austria's foreign service. A modern, efficient system was built for this purpose.

After Radio Österreich International was discontinued, the system stayed alive through broadcasting time rentals. However, as of fall 2024, the primary airtime tenant, Adventist World Radio, has withdrawn from shortwave. A hit below the belt for the shortwave center.

 

Should be saved

 Since the technical systems and the existing antennas are still in full working order, the Moosbrunn shortwave center would continue to be fully operational. Above all, the large rotating antenna offers the system a very high level of flexibility, which allows it to broadcast to almost any region of the world.

As recently as December 2024, it was said that efforts were being made to save the system and the 320-ton rotating antenna. The same thing could still be heard at the beginning of January 2025. In addition, the ORF general director is said to have said at the end of 2024 that the facility would not be blown up.

 

Surprising turnaround?

 We don't (yet) know the exact background of what happened behind the scenes over the last few weeks. In any case, this morning it was surprisingly announced that the large rotating antenna would be blown up.

 

Inquired

 We asked the Moosbrunn municipal office. An employee there confirmed to us that the demolition of the facility was scheduled for today, but had been canceled for the time being. He couldn't give the reasons for this. The gentleman in the Moosbrunn municipal office did not know a new date for the demolition of the facility.

 

What's next?

 This is completely open. Based on what we have been able to find out over the last few weeks, it seems to us that some decision maker is trying to ignore all ongoing efforts and create facts. True to the motto: “The system has to go, so BOOM”.

 

Cheers from Bremerhaven,

Lesley Illingworth

 https://www.digitalfernsehen.de/news/empfang/radio/sprengung-des-senders-moosbrunn-wurde-verschoben-1132593/

(photo via Wikipedia)