HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year to all our blog readers, and Twitter followers. Make 2014 you're best ever !!!

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts

:Issued: 2013 Dec 30 0227 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 December 2013

Solar activity reached moderate levels during the period. Region 1928 (S17, L=008 class/area Ekc/460 on 21 Dec) started the week off with an M1/1n flare at 23/0905 UTC before rotating around the west limb on 24 December. Activity decreased to low levels from 24 - 28 Dec with the largest event coming from Region 1936 (S17, L=224 class/area Eac/170 on 29 Dec), a C9/Sn flare at 28/1802 UTC. On 28 December, around 28/1720 UTC, GOES 15 SXI and SDO/AIA imagery  observed movement and enhanced brightening on the west limb. Shortly after, SOHO/LASCO C2 imagery detected a fast moving CME lifting off the west limb, first visible at 28/1800 UTC. The CME was determined too far west to be geoeffective however it was likely the cause of the greater than 10 MeV proton event to be discussed in the next
section. Moderate levels were experienced on 29 December as Region 1936 produced an M3/1n at 29/0756 UTC. Two filament eruptions were observed early on 29 December near S26E42 between 29/0104 - 0225 UTC. The WSA-Enlil model suggests the ejecta will merge with a high speed stream expected to affect Earth around 02 January. 

The greater than 10 MeV protons at geosynchronous orbit crossed the 10 pfu alert threshold at 28/2150 UTC, reached a peak of 29 pfu at 28/2315 UTC and the event ended at 29/0645 UTC. The enhancement was likely the result of the large CME observed around the west limb at 28/1800 UTC. 

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

Geomagnetic field activity was quiet with active to minor storm periods observed at high latitudes on 25 December and an isolated active period on 29 December. 

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 30 December - 25 January 2014

Solar activity is expected to be low with a chance for moderate activity through 25 January. Region 1936 is expected to rotate around the west limb on 04 January but the anticipated return of old Region 1928 keeps chances for M-class activity intact until 17 January when Region 1936 is scheduled to return and finish out the period. 

A chance for a greater than 10 MeV proton event exists through 04 January. Flux levels at geosynchronous orbit are still slightly elevated and Regions 1934 and 1936 are in good position to produce further enhancement should they erupt in the next few days. Probabilities will drop significantly once these regions rotate around the west limb. 

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at normal to moderate levels throughout the period. 

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be mostly quiet through 31 December. Quiet to unsettled conditions with isolated active periods are expected from 01 - 04 January due to a combination of a positive polarity coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS) and a possible weak impact from the CMEs associated with two filament eruptions observed early on 29 December. Mostly quiet conditions are expected throughout the period with possible unsettled conditions on 10 - 11 January, 14 - 17 January and 23 - 24 January when recurrent CH HSS features are expected to be geoeffective. 

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2013 Dec 30 0227 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html
#
#      27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
#                Issued 2013-12-30
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2013 Dec 30     140           5          2
2013 Dec 31     130           5          2
2014 Jan 01     135          10          3
2014 Jan 02     140          15          4
2014 Jan 03     150          10          3
2014 Jan 04     150           8          3
2014 Jan 05     155           5          2
2014 Jan 06     155           5          2
2014 Jan 07     150           5          2
2014 Jan 08     140           5          2
2014 Jan 09     140           5          2
2014 Jan 10     135          15          4
2014 Jan 11     140           5          2
2014 Jan 12     135           5          2
2014 Jan 13     145           5          2
2014 Jan 14     145           5          2
2014 Jan 15     150           5          2
2014 Jan 16     150           5          2
2014 Jan 17     150           5          2
2014 Jan 18     150           5          2
2014 Jan 19     145           5          2
2014 Jan 20     140           5          2
2014 Jan 21     140           5          2
2014 Jan 22     135           5          2
2014 Jan 23     135          10          3
2014 Jan 24     135           8          3
2014 Jan 25     140           5          2

(NOAA)

Liberia's ELWA to return to shortwave on January 1 ?

Liberia - ELWA 

All times UTC

Monitoring observations. Edited for clarity

4760  ELWA Monrovia Return.
Surprised to find a signal here with male preaching with the mic positioned in the back of the room at 0704 tune-in. At 0705, preaching ended and the studio male came on in Afro-accentedEnglish and mentioned "beautiful celebration," and then at 0708:40, was shocked to hear ELWA IDs clearly and somewhat slowly!! Then went into Hi-life music. At 0714, male announcer returned with additional mentions of "celebrate" and "celebration", "broadcast". At 0718 program into choral singing with male announcer's talk and voice-over saying "hallelujah." Male program host on at 0721; 0726-0731 noted Christmas tune Oh Holy Night. Station identification at 0732:05. 

Mentions of Liberia during talk by announcer at 0741. Signal Was gradually and slowly fading but really took a nosedive between 0741-0751. Signal still barely audible with Afro singing at 0752. Barely visible in the display at 0800. Very surprised and glad to see them back.

e-QSL already received from Moses Nyantee who says they are testing 5:30-10:00 AM and 5:00-10:00 PM Liberia time. Will begin regular broadcasts on 1 January.
(Dave Valko-PA-USA, hcdx Dec 21/WWDXC Top Nx)

PCJ plans Sunday broadcast

Sunday December 29, at 1330-1430 UTC on the following schedule:

Target: East and South-east Asia: 9335 kHz/ 125 kW
Target Area: North America (test only): 11880 kHz/ 100 kW
Target Area: Europe (test only): 5995 kHz/ 125kW.

 (Goonetilleke, Dec 23/DXW 495))

EMR Program Schedule

EMR Transmissions 28th December 2013

28th December: EMR  09.00 to 09.45 UTC via IRRS on 9510 KHz  Tom & Mike Taylor

Please send all E.M.R. reports to:  studio@emr.org.uk
Thank you!


EMR Internet repeats on Saturday and Sunday:    
Program repeats are at the following times: 09:00, 13:00, 17:00, 20:00 UTC

Please visit www.emr.org.uk and click on the “EMR internet radio” button which you will find throughout the website (see the menu on the left).
 
Good Listening!
73s
Tom Taylor

Merry Christmas in 80 Languages

We wish our readers "Merry Christmas" in 80 different languages. 

Gayle & Larry Van Horn

Afrikaans - 'n Geseende Kersfees en 'n voorspoedige Nuwejaar

Afrikaans - Een Plesierige Kerfees

Albanian -- Gezuar Krishtlindje

Arabic - I'd Miilad Said Oua Sana Saida

Armenian - Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand

Azeri - Tezze Iliniz Yahsi Olsun

Basque - Zorionstsu Eguberri. Zoriontsu Urte Berri On

Bengali - Bodo Din Shubh Lamona

Bohemian - Vesele Vanoce

Breton - Nedeleg laouen na bloavezh mat

Bulgarian - Tchestita Koleda; Tchestito Rojdestvo Hristovo

Celtic - Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda

Chinese -

     (Mandarin) Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan

     (Cantonese) Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun

     (Hong Kong) Kung Ho Hsin Hsi. Ching Chi Shen Tan

Cornish - Nadelik looan na looan blethen noweth

Cree - Mitho Makosi Kesikansi

Croatian - Sretan Bozic

Czech - Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok

Danish - Gladelig Jul

Dutch - Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar

English - Merry Christmas

Esperanto - Gajan Kristnaskon

Estonian - Roomsaid Joulu Puhi

Farsi - Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad

Finnish - Hyvaa joulua

French - Joyeux Noel

Frisian - Noflike Krystdagen en in protte Lok en Seine yn it Nije Jier

German - Froehliche Weihnachten

Greek - Kala Christouyenna

Hawaiian - Mele Kalikimaka

Hebrew - Mo'adim Lesimkha. Chena tova

Hindi - Bada Din Mubarak Ho

Hungarian - Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket

Icelandic - Gledileg Jol

Indonesian - Selamat Hari Natal

Iraqi - Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah

Irish - Nollaig Shona Dhuit

Italian - Buon Natale or Buone Feste Natalizie

Japanese - Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto

Kala - Khristougena kai Eftikhes to Neon Etos

Korean - Sung Tan Chuk Ha

Latvian - Priecigus Ziemas Svetkus un Laimigu Jauno Gadu

Lettish - Priecigus Ziemassvetkus

Lithuanian - Linksmu Kaledu

Manx - Nollick ghennal as blein vie noa

Maori - Meri Kirihimete

Marathi - Shub Naya Varsh

Navajo - Merry Keshmish

Northern Sotho - Matlhatse le matlhogonolo mo ngwageng o moswa.

Norwegian - God Jul Og Godt Nytt Aar

Pennsylvania German - En frehlicher Grischtdaag un en hallich Nei

Yaahr

Papiamento - Bon Pasku i Felis Anja Nobo

Pig Latin - Errymay ristmaskay

Polish - Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia

Portuguese - Feliz Natal (Used in Portugal, Brazil and several former Portuguese colonies)

Rapa-Nui - Mata-Ki-Te-Rangi. Te-Pito-O-Te-Henua

Romanian - Craciun Fericit

Russian - Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva i s Novim Godom

Samoan - La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou

Serbian - Hristos se rodi

Scottish - Nollaig Chridheil agus Bliadhna Mhath Ur

Serbian - Hristos se rodi

Singhalese - Subha nath thalak Vewa. Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa

Slavonic - Christos Razdajetsja! Slavite Jeho!

Slovak - Sretan Bozic or Vesele vianoce. A stastlivy Novy Rok

Slovene - Vesele Bozicne. Screcno Novo Leto

Spanish - Feliz Navidad (Used in Spain as well as Mexico and most of Central and South America)

Swahili - Krismasi Njema

Swedish - God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt Ar

Tagalog - Maligayamg Pasko. Masaganang Bagong Taon

Tamil - Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal

Thai - Sawat Dee Wan Kritsamas

Turkish - Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun

Ukrainian - Srozhdestvom Kristovym

Urdu - Bara Din Mubarak Ho

Vietnamese - Chung Mung Giang Sinh

Waray - Maupay nga Pasko ngan Mainuswagon nga Bag-o nga Tu-ig

Welsh - Nadolig Llawen

Zulu - Nginifisela inhlanhla ne mpumelelo e nyakeni

Christmas programming 2013

Christmas Programming

The Christmas countdown is upon us. Amid the mad dash of shopping and decorating your abode, take some time to enjoy seasonal programming from shortwave radio. Choral music, dramas, religious services, and old time radio shows dominate the bands. 

This is a great time to take advantage of the special holiday programming on shortwave. Stations across the globe broadcast a variety of programs of dramas, choral music, religious services, comedy, and old time radio shows. For QSL fans you can preserve your favorite station or holiday program

Between Christmas and New Year, look for year-end retrospectives, looking back at the events of 2013 and forward to 2014. New Year celebrations begin in New Zealand at 1100 UTC on December 31, as you follow the New Year around the globe (easy on the toasting).

There are endless hours of specials from across the globe leading up to Christmas. In Central and South America, the Posadas religious commemoration can be heard on shortwave . During the ensuing evenings many Spanish stations air extended programming - some may broadcast all night, while a few networks have been known to activate relays for the holiday season.

On Christmas Eve the BBC World Service revives an annual tradition live from the  Chapel of King‛s College, Cambridge. On Christmas Day, special programming continues from BBC World Service for airing of the Queen‛s Christmas Message. Others to tune in include Germany‛s Deutsche Welle, Vatican Radio, HCJB, Radio Romania International and many others.

Below is a small sampling of what is available. 

BBC Christmas links http://www.bbc.co.uk/search/?q=Christmas%20Eve
Curators discover first recording of Christmas Day http://www.bbc.co.uk/search/?q=Christmas%20Eve

Her Majesty the Queen's Christmas Message http://www.bbc.co.uk/search/?q=Christmas%20Eve

Old Time Radio Christmas programs http://www.christmasradioshows.com/
http://www.live365.com/stations/christmasparrot

WCC's Rockin' Christmas - December 20, 21 at 7:00 PM
http://www.wccnc.org/rockinchristmas?gclid=CKfltqu7v7sCFTJp7Aod5TsAZw

EWTN Christmas programming http://www.ewtn.com/radio/

All times UTC

December 21/28
January 4, 11, and 18, 2014
The Wolf is also back on 6095 ... 5 weeks long.

Our schedule for:
Saturday 21 & 28 December 2013
Saturday 4, 11 & 18 January 2014

09.00 - 11.00 Emperor Rosko
11.00 - 12.00 Dave Mason
12.00 - 14.00 Wolfman Jack
14.00 - 16.00 Mike Marwick

After January 18 we go back to our normal Saturday schedule

And on 7375 kHz The Wolf Is Rocking Over The Ocean between 00.00 - 02.00 UTC 23, 24, 25,
26 & 27 December Rock & Roll with Wolfman Jack on The Mighty KBC!
(ODXA)

December 22, 2013
Special PCJ Christmas broadcast via Trincomalee, Sri Lanka transmitter:
1330-1430 on 9335 kHz to south Asia.PCJ will also broadcast a special
at 1330-1430 on 11880 kHz via Okeechobee, Florida to North America.

Decembe 22/28
Latvia - 1485  Arctic Radio Club special Christmas programs

Radio Merkurs in Riga, Latvia will be broadcasting special Christmas programs for ARC on the 22nd and 28th December 2013 via the transmitter near the seaside resort Jurmala on the Latvian west coast broadcasting on 1485 kHz. The schedule is 1400-1500.

The programs will be produced by the ARC member Ronny Forslund (Ronny B Goode) and every member that wants to send a special dedication can do so. Send your mp3 file with your Christmas greetings and your music request to info @ rock.x.se

Artic Radio Club will confirm all correct reports with our special QSL-card. Send your report and mp3-file to: info @ rock.x.se
or ARC
c/o Ronny Forslund
Vita Huset
SE-17995 SVARTSJOE, SWEDEN.

If you want a QSL card, please include some form of return postage. Email reports will be confirmed by email.
(Bengt Ericson-SWE, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Nov 13)

December 22/29
PCJ Radio International Special Happy Station Show
1330-1430 on 5995 NAU (Germany) transmitter site to WeEu English
1330-1430 on 9335 TRM (Sri Lanka) transmitter site to 125 kW / 045 deg to EaAs English
1330-1430 on 11880 YFR (FL USA) transmitter site to 100 kW / 355 deg to ENAm English
(Bengt Ericson-SWE, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Nov 13)

December 24
NDR Hamburg "Gruss an Bord" christmas program on shortwave again!

NDR Norddeutscher Rundfunk Hamburg program on December 24 again also on shortwave service on air.

German public broadcaster Norddeutscher Rundfunk NDR Hamburg will air its special X-mas program "Gruss an Bord" for German sailors merchant ships. Here is the schedule for Tuesday December 24, 2013.

The NDR also sends this year on 24 Dec 2013 its tradition of sending "Greeting on board" again on shortwave. The NDR streams this program since 1953 year on Christmas Eve, the program is thus in this year 60 years old. The broadcasting is done in two blocks

Part 1:
1900-2100  6125 NAU 100 kW 285 deg to North Atlantic Ocean
1900-2100  9925 NAU 100 kW 163 deg to SoEaAF, Indian Ocean, SoWeAF
1900-2100  9460 ??? 100 kW 120 deg to Western Indian Ocean
1900-2100 11955 NAU 125 kW 200 deg to South Atlantic Ocean
1900-2100  9885 ??? 125 kW 090 deg to Eastern Indian Ocean
               
1900 UT German news to 1905 UT, then bells, foghorn and start of "Gruss an Bord" program. Mention SW, MW frequencies, livestream internet. Greetings to people aboard ships starts at 1910. A neat, different sort of program. GREYLINE is approx. on Missisippi river area during 1st part transmission.

Part 2:
2100-2300  6040 ??? 100 kW 270 deg to North Atlantic Ocean
2100-2300  9435 NAU 125 kW 200 deg to South Atlantic Ocean
2100-2300  9880 ??? 100 kW 120 deg to Western Indian Ocean
2100-2300  9625 ??? 125 kW 090 deg to Eastern Indian Ocean
2100-2300  9925 NAU 100 kW 163 deg to SoEaAF, Indian Ocean, SoWeAF
??? not registered until now, but could be transmitted either
via MOS-ORS Moosbrunn Austria or ISS-Issoudun installation.

From 2100-2215 UT the transmission actually consisted of a church service - German "Christmette" from Cologne, 2215-2300 UT will be from NDR studios again with greetings and music.
(WWDXC/Top Nx 1139)

"Gruss an Bord" is a show recorded live in Hamburg and NDR target for sailors around the world, mainly in German and even Low German sometimes. First time it is on shortwave again after decades. It was
regularly on Christmas Eve via Deutsche Welle shortwave from 1953 to early 1990's.

Audible online at "NDR Info Spezial" and NDR Hamburg mediumwaves.
(wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Nov 26)
(DX Mix Nx 827, ODXA, Victor Goonetileke-CLN 4S7VK,/PCJ Frequency Manager)

ARRL Letter on Voice of Russia future

Voice Of Russia  -Former 'Radio Moscow' - To End Shortwave Broadcasts

Voice of Russia (http://english.ruvr.ru/), the former Radio Moscow during the USSR era, will cease shortwave broadcasts as of January 1, 2014. From the 1950s through the 1980s, the station, as Radio Moscow, was a virtual beacon for short-wave listeners (SWLs), many of whom gravitated into Amateur Radio.

Voice of Russia currently broadcasts to 160 countries in 38 languages for an aggregate 151 hours per day on short and medium waves, on FM, via satellite, and via the Internet. Earlier this year shortwave transmissions were cut to 26 hours a day in all languages, down from more than 50 hours a day in 2012.
VOR, which claims to be the first radio station to broadcast internationally, will continue to broadcast online and via three medium-wave transmitters.

 In 2003 VOR was among the first major international radio broadcasters to launch daily broadcasts to Europe in Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM http://www.drm.org/).

As a result of a decree signed earlier this month by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Voice of Russia radio company officially ceased to exist on December 9 and merged with several other state-run news agencies as part of Rossia Segodnya, a Russia-based international news service. Putin's decree also abolished the State Fund of Television and Radio Programs, placing it under control of All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company.
(ARRL Letter)

Outside firms looking into Vatican Radio departments

VATICAN CITY, December 19
By Philip Pullella

The Vatican said international management consultancy company McKinsey had been hired to come up with a plan to make its communications "more functional, efficient and modern."

The Vatican has six distinct communications departments - a press office, television, radio, newspaper, an internet office and a communications council, which exercises an academic and policy-making role.

They have been known to not communicate or cooperate with each other and sometimes have appeared to be in competition. In the past, one department has published important information without telling the others.

The Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, is 150 years old, and its editor is trying to modernise it to help shed its drab and staid image.

Vatican Radio, which broadcasts in 40 languages, takes up a big chunk of the Vatican's budget and some officials have questioned whether such a big structure is necessary in the Internet age.

Some of the languages the radio uses are holdovers from the period when it, like Radio Free Europe, was one of the few sources of independent information in the communist East bloc.

The Promontory Financial Group and Ernst and Young are already looking into other Vatican departments.

(BBG)

BBG host technology panel

WASHINGTON, DC - Measuring impact, supporting experimentation, defining a clear vision and motivating staff to drive change were topics highlighted in a technology panel hosted by the Broadcasting Board of Governors and featuring Netflix CEO Reed Hastings.

"The story of Netflix has many parallels to our challenges here," said BBG Chair Jeff Shell in introducing Hastings. "It started out as a physical DVD-by-mail company, and now, Netflix is one of, if not the largest, streaming media company in the world. The parallels to the challenges of this agency as we transform, makes Netflix a great company to try to learn from."

The discussion with industry leaders was part of the BBG's fresh approach to help the agency navigate media's evolving landscape and build audience engagement.

Hastings noted, "Having a clear vision of your long-term goal helps move an organization forward."

He also provided examples of rapidly evolving overseas technology, saying, "When you look at the rate of smart phone adoption, it's pretty easy to see that Internet connectivity via phone devices is going to be almost ubiquitous."

After an opening conversation with Shell, Hastings was joined by Macon Philips, Coordinator of the State Department's Bureau of International Information Programs, and Tom Cochran, Chief Technology Officer at Atlantic Media, for a panel discussion on managing international media organizations in the digital age. The panel, moderated by the BBG's Director of Innovation, Robert Bole, covered a variety of topics from recruiting talent to utilizing engagement data.

When asked about how to attract and keep talent, Cochran, who prior to joining Atlantic Media served as Director of New Media Technologies for the White House, explained that the key is selling the mission. "Engineers want to solve big problems," he said. "We have to sell them [engineers] on the mission of media. We have to sell them on the fact that they can help change the world, the way news and information is consumed, and that's important."

Passion for an organization's mission, and the freedom to take risks, the panel concluded, will also drive internal innovators to collaborate and try to solve complex problems and overcome obstacles.

"One of the advantages of being in business rather than government is that mistakes are encouraged," Hastings added. "In business, we say fail a lot, fail fast, and figure it out... our fundamental mantra for employees is 'Freedom and Responsibility'. Our employees can do almost anything, but we educate them on responsibility."

Macon Phillips, who was instrumental in the development and implementation of the "We the People" online petition platform as the then Director of Digital Strategy at the White House, argued that media and technology are not just tools for informing people. Instead, media should be thought of as means of engaging audiences and giving them a stake in the endeavor. Thanks to digital, audiences are "more powerful. They have access to more information and they can organize themselves. They don't need governments and businesses as much." Rethinking strategy for engagement, therefore, is crucial, he concluded.

Understanding your audience is also a key to adapting successfully, the panelists agreed. "Without quantitative data, you can't tell if you are succeeding," Cochran explained. Using engagement metrics to understand not only who you are reaching, but how they are interacting with your content is especially important.
(VOA)

BBG announces discussions on Voice of America

WASHINGTON, DC -The Broadcasting Board of Governors today announced an interim management structure, took an in-depth look at the Voice of America and hosted a rich discussion on technology and innovation with key industry leaders.

The Board agreed to divide the responsibilities of the recently retired IBB Director among three members of the senior management team in order to help pave the way for a future Chief Executive Officer. Under this interim structure, André Mendes will serve as Director of Global Operations, Robert Bole will be Director of Global Strategy, and Suzie Carroll will serve as Director of Global Communications. Together they will lead the agency in an arrangement that is expected to begin in January, pending congressional approval.

"These individuals were chosen because they are forward thinkers and change agents," said Chair Jeff Shell. "We are extremely committed to bringing on board a CEO, and this interim management structure will prepare the organization for that reform."

Mendes, Bole, and Carroll will provide, in their respective areas, oversight and direction to the Director of the Voice of America, the Director of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, and all other offices of the federal agency. The three will work together until a CEO is selected and hired. Governor Matt Armstrong will serve as the Board's Management Liaison.

Jeff Trimble, IBB Deputy Director, will transition to a new role to be announced separately. Shell thanked Trimble for taking the helm of the IBB management team after IBB Director Dick Lobo's retirement.

After the regular business meeting, including comments from the public, the Board held a 90-minute "deep dive" session focused on the Voice of America. Before a live studio audience, VOA Director David Ensor reviewed the network's worldwide activities, distribution and effectiveness, illustrating his talk with numerous examples of excellent work by VOA journalists. Ensor also fielded questions from the Board concerning mission, allocation of resources, and audience engagement.

The technology and innovation panel opened with a discussion between Shell and Reed Hastings, CEO of Netflix, about the challenges of steering a large international media organization. Hastings was then joined by Macon Phillips, Coordinator of the State Department's Bureau of International Information Programs, and Tom Cochran, Chief Technology Officer of Atlantic Media, in a panel moderated by Bole. An engaging conversation followed between the panelists, governors, and assembled audience on topics including measuring impact, developing partnerships and revitalizing content strategies.
(VOA)

WRN Program Schedule

Welcome to the last edition of the WRN Newsletter providing details of upcoming programs that can be heard on the World Radio Network.

WRN Broadcast has announced that as part of the company’s continued growth strategy it will be refocusing its seven international radio networks to concentrate on the core service regions.  As a result the French and German Networks will cease broadcasting from midnight 31 December 2013, and the wrn.org web-based stations audio on-demand and podcasting service will cease on 16 December 2013. This Newsletter will also close with the last edition published on 20 December 2013.

WRN is pleased to offer a free desktop Widget that streams all of the WRN radio services. To find out more, visit the tools section on the WRN website. The WRN website also provides schedule and ways to listen information as well as details about our partner broadcasters including links to their websites.

If you would like to contact us, please send email to contactus@wrn.org

Why not subscribe to our Twitter feed and receive updates on the latest English networks news and developments.

Sunday December 22: A Prairie Home Companion
 This week on A Prairie Home Companion from The Town Hall in New York City, join Garrison Keillor with special guests, pianist Rob Fisher, Bensonhurst carolers The DiGiallonardo Sisters, and vocalists Heather Masse and Aoife O'Donovan. Plus, the Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Tim Russell, Sue Scott, and Fred Newman, musical director Rich Dworsky with the Saturday Night Band (Richard Kriehn, Dean Magraw, Ray Marchica, and Gary Raynor) and the latest news from Lake Wobegon.

Broadcast times:
In Europe:                       Sun 1100 UTC / 1200 CET

Asia Calling
Saturday December 21: Asia Calling
 Asia Calling is a weekly current affairs programme produced in Jakarta by Indonesia’s only independent radio network KBR68H.

Broadcast times:
In Europe:                      Sat 1500 UTC / 1600 CET
In North America:               Sat 1100 EST / 0800 PST
In Africa & the Middle East:    Sat 0700 UTC / 0900 CAT
In Asia & the Pacific:          Sat 0700 UTC / 1800 AEDT

Radio Guangdong
 Saturday December 21/Sunday December 22. Radio Guangdong
Radio Guangdong, established in October 1949, is a leading radio group in south China.  Radio Guangdong programs cover political, economic, social and cultural issues; programs about Guangdong, programs about Guangdong people and programs linking Guangdong with the world.

In the program this week: Where are China's charities and how do they compare to the rest of the world?  China Chat answers these questions with Asha Hoffman from the Netherlands, Matt Horn from the UK, and Yuzi Zhu from China. Following a piece of Guangdong music, a review of what has been happening in Guangdong this past week.

Broadcast times:
In Europe:                     Sat 2030 UTC / 2130 CET      
In North America:              Sat 2130 EST / 1830 PST
In Africa & the Middle East:   Sat 1730 UTC / 1930 CAT                                                                      
In Asia & the Pacific:         Sun 2300 UTC / Mon 1000 AEDT

Radio New Zealand International
Saturday December 21: Radio New Zealand International Dateline Pacific

RNZI is New Zealand's only shortwave station, broadcasting to the Island nations of the Pacific. Its broadcasts range from Papua New Guinea in the west across to French Polynesia in the east, covering all South Pacific countries in between.

In the programthis week: The Solomon Islands' maritime safety authority is expected to lay charges over this week's ferry sinking; a New Zealand academic looks at how Papua New Guinea can ensure its resource wealth is used to benefit all; the International Commission of Jurists calls for an official inquiry into West Papua's Biak massacre; and in sport, the Papua New Guinea Government signals a funding boost for cricket.

Broadcast times:
In Europe:                      Sat 0400 UTC / 0500 CET
In North America:               Sat 1000 EST / 0700 PST
 (WRN)

VOA Radio weekend schedule December 21-22

Hello friends,
Thanks for your reports from the past weekend. Because of travel earlier this week, I'm very much behind in responding, but I'll try to get that done before the end of the weekend.

We had good results last weekend, as illustrated by these images of the National Christmas Tree all received on 17860 kHz by listeners from Estonia to California.

Even though we are in the midst of the holiday season, our experiments continue.

Our MFSK64 mode centered on 1500 Hz has data from 1000 to 2000 Hz, with a second audio harmonic from 2000 to 4000 Hz.

Technically, there is no overlap, but there is also no "guard band" between the fundamental and the second harmonic. This can cause interference, especially with less selective, lower cost receivers.

To determine if a guard band would be helpful, we will first transmit an MFSK64 image on our usual center audio frequency of 1500 Hz.

Then we will move the center audio frequency up to 1700 Hz. The fundamental will be 1200 to 2200 Hz. The second harmonic from 2400 to 4400 Hz. The guard band will therefore be 200 Hz wide, between 2200 and 2400 Hz.

Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 38, 21-22 December 2013:

 1:33  MFSK16: Program preview (2:58)
 5:40  MFSK32: Introduction to experiment (1:21)
 7:36  MFSK64/1500 Hz: Image of Christmas tree (2:05)
10:17  MFSK64/1700 Hz: Same image of Christmas tree (2:05)
12:22  MFSK64/1700 Hz: Collapse of universe (3:39)
16:15  MFSK64/1700 Hz/Flmsg*: Electronic waste, with image (3:26)
19:41  MFSK64/1700 Hz: Converting algae to oil, with image (4:19)
24:41  MFSK64/1500 Hz: Same image (1:46)
26:38  MFSK32/1500 Hz: Closing announcements (:35)

*Use Flmsg with Fldigi. *To make Flmsg work with Fldigi (both can be downloaded from w1hkj.com), in Fldigi: Configure > Misc > NBEMS -- Under Reception of flmsg files, check both boxes, and under that indicate where your Flmsg.exe file is located.

Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com

VOA Radiogram transmission schedule
(all days and times UTC)
Sat 1600-1630 17860 kHz
Sun 0230-0300 5745 kHz
Sun 1300-1330 6095 kHz
Sun 1930-2000 15670 kHz
All via the Edward R. Murrow transmitting station in North Carolina.


VOA Radiogram schedule change 28 December

On 28 December 2013, VOA Radiogram will add a new transmission Saturday at 0930-1000 UTC on 5745 kHz.

To keep the VOA Radiogram schedule to its modest two hours per week, the transmission on Sunday at 1300-1330 UTC on 6095 kHz will be discontinued after the broadcast on 22 December 2013.

I hope to hear from you this weekend.

Kim

Kim Andrew Elliott
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram
voaradiogram.net

Radio Geromino slated for Sunday broadcast

Radio Geronimo Shortwave, Sunday December 22: 1000-1200 UTC

Dear friends of shortwave radio,
Something is happening on 6070 kHz. Last Sunday the tests of our new stand-by transmitter between 0900 and 1000 UTC were successful. This weekend we will try to run the transmitter for the first time with regular programming.
We hope during nighttime, too. This should make reception possible in the United States. For this transmission we would be glad to receive detailed reception reports, especially concerning the signal  modulation. Send program details to: geronimoshortwave@hotmail.com

VOA Studio 7 Livetalk News

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Fans of LiveTalk, VOA Zimbabwe's tri-lingual radio call-in show, can now watch the interactive program on an expanded one-hour TV webcast.

The first half hour of LiveTalk still airs on shortwave and medium wave Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 9 p.m. in Zimbabwe.

Online audiences will be able to watch an extended full hour edition of the program, which is captured with hi-definition cameras rolling in VOA's Washington studio. The program is streamed live on the VOA Zimbabwe website (in English, Shona and Ndebele) and is available on demand.

"The Zimbabwe Service has found a very effective and creative way to integrate TV into their lineup," says Africa Division Director Gwen Dillard. "Our audiences in Zimbabwe and throughout southern Africa and the diaspora have been asking for something like this, and we are pleased to be expanding to television."

LiveTalk hosts Blessing Zulu and Gibbs Dube introduce the day's news and take callers' questions in English, Ndebele, and Shona, with a mix of politics, sports, and social issues.

"LiveTalk has consistently had people waiting on the phone lines after 30 minutes, so the TV simulcast will give our audience more of a chance to interact with us," says Zimbabwe Service Senior Editor Ray Choto.

The web audience will get a fly-on-the-wall experience of watching a live radio show, but Choto says the long-time radio audience won't be forgotten.

"We really want this to be a radio show on TV, in that radio audiences won't lose anything, but those who tune into the TV webcast will get a feel for what goes into a live radio call-in show," Choto says.

The first expanded edition of LiveTalk focused on the legacy of Nelson Mandela, and featured guests Dewa Mavhinga, a researcher at Human Rights Watch, and South African writer Raks Seakhoa, who spent time in prison with Mandela on Robben Island. Listeners from South Africa, the U.S., Zimbabwe, and other regions weighed in on the loss, and callers on the ground in Johannesburg painted a picture of a city still in mourning.
LiveTalk has been part of VOA Zimbabwe's (also known as Studio 7) lineup since 2010. The program airs in Zimbabwe and across southern Africa on shortwave and medium wave radio, and is also available online as well as live or on-demand over the phone for listeners in South Africa, the UK, and North America.

HCJB Australia New Antennas

HCJB Australia Research Project

HCJB Australia - Writing our Story

Radio Free Asia Anniversary QSL offer to December 31

On the heels of RFA’s popular IBB Saipan QSL card, RFA announces the release of their 17^th year anniversary card. Radio Free Asia’s first broadcast was on September 29, 1996, and  RFA continues their commitment to bring news, commentary and cultural programming to Asian countries, where accurate and timely news reports are unavailable.

            Reception reports may be submitted online by following the QSL Reports link at http://techweb.rfa.org or via email to: qsl@rfa.org Send your postal reports to Reception Reports, Radio Free Asia, 2025 M. Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036 USA.  This card will be used to confirm all valid reception reports from September 1-December 31, 2013.

(RFA)

Transmitters via; Kuwait, Lithuania, Tinian-Mariana Island, Mongolia, Palau, Russia, Saipan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tajikistan, United Arab Emirates.

All times UTC

Effective to: 29 March 2013

All programming targeted to Asia

All times

Burmese                  
0030-0130   12115 15700 17835
1230-1400   11795 12105 13735
1400-1430   11795 12105
1630-1730    9940

Cantonese                
1400-1500   13690
2200-2300    9780

Khmer                    
1230-1330   17735
2230-2330   11850

Korean                  
1500-1700     648  5855  7210 11585
1700-1900     648  5855  9720
2100-2200     648  7460  9385 11995

Lao                      
0000-0100   15690
1100-1200    9325 15120

Mandarin                
0300-0600   11980 15665 17690 21700
0600-0700   11980 15150 15665 17690 21700
1500-1600    6020  9495  9790 11945
1600-1700    7415  9455  9915 11945
1700-1800    6020  7415  9355  9455
1800-1900    5865  7415  9355  9455
1900-2000    1098  5865  6020  6095  9355  9455
2000-2100    1098  5865  6020  6095  7495  9355  9455
2100-2200    1098  6095  7495  9355  9455
2300-2400    9585  9825 11775

Tibetan                  
0100-0200    9670 11695 13620 15610 17730
0200-0300    9670  9700 11695 15520 17730
0600-0700   17515 17675 21610 21680
1000-1100    9690 15140  17810
1100-1200    7470  9350 11545 15375
1200-1400    7470  9350 11590 12050 15375
1500-1600    5825  9955 11640 11865
2200-2300    6005  7470  9835
2300-2400    6010  7470  7550  9875

Uyghur                  
0100-0200    7480  9480  9645  9690 17805
1600-1700    5830  7310  9725 12015

Vietnamese              
0000-0030    9920 11805 15170
1400-1430    1503 12130 13735 15310
1430-1500   12130 13735 15310
2300-2330    1503
2330-2400    1503 11605 11805 15170
 (A.J. Janitschek)
(reformatted by Gayle Van Horn/International Shortwave Broadcast Guide, available from Amazon)

Update - Int'l Shortwave Broadcast Guide: December 16, 2013

This is a schedule update for the 2013-2014 Winter - International Shortwave Broadcast Guide.
The 684 page Teak Publishing shortwave radio hobby e-book can be purchased at Amazon.com for US$4.99. You can buy this new e-book at
http://http://www.amazon.com/International-Shortwave-Broadcast-Winter-2013-2014-ebook/dp/B00H8X7LHM/

All time references are UTC and frequencies are in kHz (kiloHertz) // indicates a parallel frequency.
=================================================================

Clandestine
Oromo Voice (new station schedule from 16 December)
Oromo
1500-1530  Sat 15515af Former 1600-1630 (Mon/Wed/Sat) broadcast on 17850 has been cancelled.
Somali
1500-1530  f   15515af

Radio Assenna
Tigrinya
1700-1800 thas  11720af (ex 15245)

Radio Inyabutatu
Kinyarawanda
1700-1800 Sat 15310af (ex 17870)

Voice of the Forum of Eritreans
Tigrinya
1700-1800 11720af  15245af (interference on 11725 from China Radio Intl in Arabic from Cerrik, Albania)

Ecuador
HCJB/LV de los Andes
Kichwa (new service and frequency)
0030-0100 6050va (ca/sa)
0100-0300  Sat/Sun  6050va (ca/sa)
0830-1100 6050(va) ca/sa
1100-1130 Sat/Sun  6050va (ca/sa)
Spanish
0300-0400 6050va (ca/sa)
0400-0500 6050va (ca/sa)

Germany
Deutsche Welle
Dari
1330-1400 15700as (ex 9440)
Hausa
1300-1400 17860af (ex 12070)
Pashto
1400-1430 15700as (ex 9440)
Portuguese
1930-1957 11800af (additional frequency)
Urdu
1430-1457 15700as (ex 15275)
1430-1500 9440as inactive

Greece
Voice of Greece
Station broadcast on an irregular basis, and many frequencies are not active for the winter schedule period.
Greek
0000-0300 7475na 9420na 15650sa
0300-0600 7475na 9420na 11645eu
0600-0700 7475af 9420eu 11645eu
1900-2300 7450eu 9420eu 15650eu
2300-0000 7475na 9420na 15650sa

India
All India Radio/External Svc
Arabic
1730-1945 9620me inactive
Baluchi (new service and frequencies)
1500-1600 6165as  7340as (ex Urdu 1430-1600)  9620as
Chinese
1145-1315 11840as inactive  15795as inactive
Dari
0300-0345 9835as inactive
1315-1415 9910 inactive
1315-1415 11740 (ex 11670)
English
1000-1100 15030 inactive
1330-1500 9690as
1745-1945 9445af inactive
2245-0045 9705as (additional frequency)
Farsi
1615-1730 9620as inactive
French
1945-2030 9620af inactive
Hindi
0315-0415 11840 inactive
1615-1730 9445me inactive  9950af inactive
Nepali
0130-0230 9810as inactive
Pashto
0215-0300 9835as inactive
1415-1530 11740as (ex 11670)
Russian
1615-1715 DRM 15140eu inactive
Swahili
1515-1615 9950 inactive
Telugu
1215-1245 15770 inactive
Urdu
1430-1600 6045as (ex 7340as)

New Zealand
Radio New Zealand International
English
1059-1258 13840pa (ex 15720)

Rwanda
FEBA Radio
Tigrinya
1730-1800 9540af (ex 1729-1757 on 9630af)

Solomon Islands
SIBC
English/Pidgin
2000-2300 9545do (additional frequency)

United Kingdom
BBC
English
0800-1100 17640af (additional frequency)
0800-1700 15400af (additional frequency)
0800-1600 17830af (additional frequency)
1100-1130 17640af (additional frequency)
1100-1400 21470af (additional frequency)
1130-1400 21470af (additional frequency)
2000-2100 15420af (additional frequency)
2100-2200 11810af  12095af daily (ex mtwhf)
2200-0000 12095af (additional frequency)
Hindi
0230-0300 9560as (frequency deleted 13 Dec)
Somali
1400-1500 21470af frequency inactive

United States
KVOH/VO Hope effective from 16 December
English
0300-0500  sm 9975ca
Spanish
1400-2000  mtwhf  17775ca
(Top Nx; DX Mix Nx)
***********************************
Legend
Days:
m (Monday)
t (Tuesday)
w (Wednesday)
h (Thursday)
f (Friday)
a/Sat (Saturday)
s/Sun (Sunday)

Target Areas:
af (Africa)
as (Asia)
ca (Central America)
eu (Europe)
me (Middle East)
sa (South America)
va (various)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2013 Dec 16 0846 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 09 - 15 December 2013

Solar activity remained at low levels during the week, but two Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were observed associated with two filament eruptions. The first was a 15 degree filament, centered near S31W41, that was observed in SDO/AIA 304 imagery lifting off the solar disk from 12/0304 UTC to 12/0330 UTC.
In H-alpha imagery, it appeared that the eruption was connected to Region 1912 (S21, L=140, class/area=Hsx/110 on 09 Dec) and was largely responsible for the C4/Sf flare at 12/0336 UTC. The eruptive filament structure had an associated Type II (estimated at 511 km/s) and Type IV radio sweeps as well as a partial halo CME first observed in SOHO/LASCO C2 imagery at 12/0336 UTC. 

Later on 12 December, a 7-degree filament eruption centered near S32E27 was observed from approximately 12/0451 UTC to 12/0624 UTC. The filament eruption appeared in conjunction with the C3 flare at 12/0659 UTC from Region 1917 (S15, L=77, class/area=Dkc/340 on 15 Dec), as observed in GOES-15 SXI imagery. An associated CME was observed in SOHO/LASCO C2 imagery beginning at 12/0636 UTC.
WSA/Enlil model output indicated a glancing blow from the combination of both CMEs was likely by early on 15 December. 

Region 1921 (N07, L=43, class/area=Hkx/400 on 15 Dec) produced the largest flare of the week, a C5/Sf at 12/2214 UTC, and was also the largest region on the visible disk. The remainder of the week was characterized by low level C-class events and several CMEs, none of which appeared to be particularly Earth-directed. 

No proton events meeting alert criteria were observed at geosynchronous orbit, however an enhancement in 10 MeV flux was observed from 14 - 15 December. The peak flux observed by GOES-13 was 1.68 pfu at 15/0005 UTC. 

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit ranged from normal background to moderate levels during the week. 

Geomagnetic field activity began the week at quiet levels with the exception on a single unsettled period on 10 December. By weeks end, the geomagnetic field activity increased to active levels with minor storm periods observed at high latitudes. A geomagnetic sudden impulse was observed in global magnetometer data (e.g. 26 nT at Canberra, Australia) at 12/1323 UTC following an interplanetary shock seen in ACE/SWEPAM data at 13/1210 UTC. This shock was believed to herald the arrival of a corotating interaction region in advance of a negative polarity coronal hole high speed stream. Over the next 36 hours, solar wind speed would increase from around 270 km/s to reach a maximum of 607 km/s on 14/2114 UTC. Examination of ACE/EPAM low energy particle flux showed peaks around 14/1400 and 14/2300 UTC, suggesting the CMEs mentioned earlier arrived, embedded in the high speed solar wind stream. Bz reached a minimum near -12 nT at 14/0248 UTC and active conditions were subsequently observed during the 14/0300-0600 UTC synoptic period. A second active period was observed during the 14/1800-2100 UTC synoptic period while activity reached minor storm levels at high latitudes. The following day saw a return to mostly quiet conditions. 

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 16 December - 11 January 2014

Solar activity is expected to be at low levels with a chance for M-class evens (R1 - minor - radio blackouts) through the period, particularly with the return of Old Region 1913 on 18 Dec. 

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to begin the period at high levels through 18 Dec, decreasing to normal to moderate levels for the remainder of the forecast period. 

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to reach active levels on 26-27 Dec, 03-04 Jan, and 10 Jan in response to recurrent coronal hole high speed streams. Minor storm conditions may be possible on 04 Jan. Quiet to unsettled levels are expected for the remainder of the forecast period in the absence of any transient features. 

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2013 Dec 16 0846 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html 
#
#      27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
#                Issued 2013-12-16
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2013 Dec 16     150           5          2
2013 Dec 17     150           5          2
2013 Dec 18     155           5          2
2013 Dec 19     155           5          2
2013 Dec 20     150           5          2
2013 Dec 21     140           5          2
2013 Dec 22     135           5          2
2013 Dec 23     135           5          2
2013 Dec 24     150           5          2
2013 Dec 25     155           5          2
2013 Dec 26     155          12          4
2013 Dec 27     160          10          4
2013 Dec 28     160           8          3
2013 Dec 29     165           5          2
2013 Dec 30     165           5          2
2013 Dec 31     165           5          2
2014 Jan 01     170           5          2
2014 Jan 02     170           5          2
2014 Jan 03     175          10          4
2014 Jan 04     175          20          5
2014 Jan 05     175           5          2
2014 Jan 06     175           5          2
2014 Jan 07     170           5          2
2014 Jan 08     165           5          2
2014 Jan 09     165           5          2
2014 Jan 10     165          15          4
2014 Jan 11     160           7          2

(NOAA)

Monitoring Times-December QSL Report column

Monitoring Times has ceased publication, however, this is my last printed column with the magazine, December 2013 

New projects for the radio hobbyist

            Thank you to all that have read, written, or contributed to this column. I have corresponded with many amazing people from my  association with Monitoring Times. It has been a pleasure to meet many of you at our former MT conventions.

            Though I am involved in many outside activities, I plan to continue my work in the radio hobby. Look for continued radio-related postings on my Shortwave Central blog at http://mt-shortwave.blogspot.com/ You are also welcome to follow me on Twitter at: Gayle Van Horn @ QSLRptMT for last minute tips or breaking news.

            I will continue to publish the by-hour, multilingual frequency guide, renamed the  International Shortwave Broadcast Guide and published by Teak Publishing. This is an exciting development for Larry and I, and we hope you will take advantage of this new source to compliment your listening time. For complete in-depth details, please refer to this month’s What’s New edition. Look for continued announcements on our blogs as we expand our publishing projects.

            Kind regards to all, and I hope to hear from you again.

Gayle Van Horn  

BRAZIL

Rádio Educação Rural De Tefé, 4925.24 kHz. Full data QSL card, signed by Thomas Schwamborn. Received in 32 days for a Portuguese report and mint stamps. Station address: Praça Santa Tereza, 283 69470-000 Tefé, AM Brasil (Frank Hillton, Charleston, SC) Website: www.radioruraltefe.com Email: rert@osite.com.br

Rádio Inconfidência, 15190 kHz. Full data QSLs in 21 months, for multiple reports by postal mail and email from Marco Antônio P. Coelho, Técnico.  Station address: Av Raja Gabáglia, 1666-Gutierrez, 30441-194 Belo Horizonte, Brasil ((Artur Fernandez Llorella/HCDX) Website:www.inconfidencia.com Email: inconfidencia@inconfidencia.com.br (or) diretoria@inconfidencia.com.br

GERMANY

Vechte Welle/Delux FM 3985 kHz, via Radio 700. Full data QSL and station info sheet. Received in five weeks. QSL address: Ems-Vechte-Welle, z.H.d., Mathias Volta, Halle IV, Kaiserstrasse 10a, D-49809 Lingen, Germany. (Llorella)

MEDIUM WAVE

Hungary-Dankó Rádió, 1251 kHz AM. Full data verification letter, signed by Miklós Kenderessy, Director Technical Department. Received in one month for an AM report. Station address: Kunigunda útja 64, H-1037 Budapest. (Llorella)

Morocco-Radio Melilla 1485 kHz AM. Station stamp and seal noted with “reception ok” on original report, signed by Antonia Ramos Pelaez, Directora. Received in 594 days from original Spanish report with mint stamps. Station address: Muella Ribera s/n, E-52005 Melilla, Morocco aramos@prisaradio.com. (Al Munick, PA/HCDX) If using the NASWA Country List, this station counts as Spanish Morocco.

USA-KSEY, 1230 kHz AM. Full data Cowboy Boot/Horseback Rider card, signed by James T. Pogue, QSL Manager. Received in 69 days for a SASE (used), plus KH2AR ham card. QSL was for a DX Test. QSL address: Box 3777, Memphis, TN 38173-0777 (Bill Wilkins, Springfield, MO) Station is licensed to serve Seymour, Texas and broadcast a sports talk format to the greater Wichita Falls, Texas. Sister station is KSEY-FM www.radioksey.com.

WQQK643, 1700 kHz AM. Received a City of Happy Valley folding card, signed by Edith Foteff, Community Liasion. Received in 150 days for an AM report. QSL address: 16000 SE Misty Drive, Happy Valley, OR 97086. MW QSL # 3,037 (Patrick Martin, Seaside, OR) This is a community service radio station www.ci.happy-valley.or.us. The WQQK call sign is actually licensed by the FCC to a microwave service in Shenadoah, Virginia.

WTAD, 930 kHz AM. Original reception report returned with “Confirmed” written at bottom, signed by Michael J. Moyers Sr., VP/General Manager. Received in six days for an AM report, address label (used) and $1.00 US. Station address: 329 Maine St., Quincy, IL 62301 (Wilkins).

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Wantok Radio Light, 7325 kHz. Personal letter signed by Dorish Asang, (Administration Receptionist) Mr. Alois Ok, (Business Manager) and Joel Dopo (RF Technician), plus a full data QSL card. Received in 183 days for an mp3 CD of recorded programming, and return mint postage. QSL address: P.O. Box 1273, Port Moresby, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea (Patrick Robic, Austria/WWDXC Top News).

ROMANIA

Radio City-The Station of the Cars 7290 kHz via Tigandesti, Romania. Full data E-QSL which included a two page history and information on the station. Received in 20 minutes for an English report to citymorecars@yahoo.com.(Gayle Van Horn, NC) The station’s DJ presents an oldies based format of European off-shore tunes, cruising music, album tracks, hits from the U.S. and more.   

UTILITY

Croatia-MRCC Rijeka 2187.5 kHz. Full data ship card and prepared QSL verified. Received in 47 days after follow up. QSL address: Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, Harbour Master’s Office Rijeka, Senjsko pristaniste 3, Croatia (Andy/UDXF)

Czech Rep.-NDB “L” Praha/Liboc 372 kHz. Full data verification letter, signed by Jan Bernatzik. Photo of the transmitter and stickers enclosed. Received in 11 days for a utility report. QSL address: Air Navigation Services of Czech Republic, Administration ANS, Navigacni 787, 25261 Jenec, Czech Republic (Robic).

NDB “CK” Prerov 441 kHz. Full data verification letter, signed by 1LT Jan Zak, Frequency Manager. Received in 18 days. QSL address: National Radio Frequency Agency (NAFRA CZE), Ministry of Defence-1341, 16001 Praha 6, Czech Republic (Robic) Email: nafra@army.cz

Italy-NDB “FOG”340 kHz. Prepared QSL card signed by Giuliano Nardini and stamped as verified. Received in 11 days. QSL address: ENAV S.p.A., NAAV Foggia, Aeroporto Gino Lisa, Viale degli Aviatoria, 71100 Foggia, Italy (Robic).

           

USA-AFS9AZ, 14411 kHz. Full data Emergency Operations Center card, Papago Military Reservation, unsigned. Received in 22 days for utility report and SASE (used). Verification was for 2013 MARS Armed Forces Day Crossband test. Station address: AFS9AZ, Atten: Paul Swietek, 5427 E. Broadway Ave., Apache Junction, AZ 85119-9307 (Wilkins).

NPD, 7476.5 kHz LSB. Partial data Naval Support Activity Mid-South card, signed by A. H. Hillard. Received in 62 days for a SWL report and a SASE (used). QSL was for the 2013 Armed Forces Day Crossband test. Station address: Atten: Mr. A.H. Hilliard, 4237 Bacon St., Memphis, TN 38128 (Wilkins).

News on Taiwan's upcoming test broadcasts

Taiwan
Radio Taiwan International will be testing an additional  frequency of 6130kHz for their French Service from 1900-2000UT on  December 14 and 15th. No indication given of the transmitter site (I  have now e-mailed RTI and asked). Below is what I received from Radio  Taiwan International French Service.

(NASWA/Alan Roe, Teddington, UK)

Cher ami auditeur,
En vue d’améliorer les conditions d’écoute de notre programme, Radio Taiwan International étudie différentes options concernant la diffusion en ondes courtes. Dans ce cadre, nous souhaitons tester une *nouvelle fréquence de  diffusion vers l’Europe*, à titre d’essai, en vue d’évaluer et mesurer
les résultats obtenus.
Durant le *weekend du 14-15 décembre* *2013*, le programme du service français sera donc également diffusé sur la fréquence *6130kHz (19H00-20H00 UTC)*.
Nous avons besoin de vos impressions et points de vue le plus vite possible après ces deux essais, en vue de vous offrir les meilleures condition d’écoute possible !
Merci de votre contribution en nous faisant part de vos rapports sur la qualité de diffusion /via/ cette fréquence, *à titre d’essai*.
Ce test de diffusion ne remplace pas la diffusion habituelle de notre programme. Nous vous remercions de votre compréhension et tenons à vous redire notre amitié.
Service Français
*R*adio *T*aiwan *I*nternational

QSL Report

Australia
HCJB Australia, 15490 kHz. E-QSL received in five days for report to english@hcjb.org.au (Sam Wright, MS)

Austria
OEH2601-Johanniter Hohe Wand, 3628 kHz. Verified with a full data card in five days via OE3GKB. Station heard during AOEC. (Patrock Robis, Austria/UDXF)
OEY201, Bundesheer Salzburg/Wals, 3737,5 kHz. Full data QSL card via OE2VRM. Received in 253 day (Robic).

Bulgaria
Bible Voice via Kostinbrod, 9635 kHz. Full data E-QSL for report to mail@bvbroadcasting.org (Wright).

Costa Rica
Radio Exterior Espana 11815 kHz. Anniversary card, unsigned, received via snail mail. Received in 91 days. Report to: ree@tve.es (Sam Wright, MS)

Germany
Atlantic 2000 International via MVBR, 9480 kHz. Special QSL for 31st Anniversary. Received in two weeks for e-report to atlantic2000international@gmail.com (Hillton)
Radio Free Asia relay 15140 kHz. Full data QSL received ib 60 days for report sent to qsl@rfa.org (J. Belton, WA).

Ireland
St. Munchin's Church rockhill, 27765 kHz. Verified with a personal letter, Signed by Very Rev. Desmond McAuliffe, plus signed/stamped my prepared card. Received in six days. QSL address: Parochial House, Rockhill, Breree, Co., Limerick. (Robic)
SS Peter & Paul Church Balbriggan, 27755 kHz. Verified with signed prepared QSL card in 27 days. QSL address: The Presbytery, Dublin Rd., Balbriggan, Co. DUblin, Oreland
(Robic).
St. John the Baptist Church Kinsalem 27791 kHz. Verified with signed prepared QSL card by Fr. Young in 12 days. QSL addressL Parish Office, Frenchfield, Lower Catholic Walk, Kinsale, Co.
Cook, Ireland. (Robic).
Daniel O'Connell Memorial Church Cahersiveen, 27601 kHz. Verified with no-data card, and signed and stamped by Canon William Crean. He will not be there in the future, as Pope
Benedict appointed him as Bishop of Cloyne. (Robic).

Italy
Associazione Amici Italcable, 10000 kHz. Verified in partial data QSL card. Received in 30 days. QSl address: Via del Borgo 6, 55049 Viareggio (LU), Italy. (Robic)

Juan Fernandez
ONEMI-Juan Fernandez, 17426 kHz. Verified with no-data email response from Vladimir Maturana via the regions 5 Headquarters in Valparaiso onemi@gorevalpaiso.cl (Robic).

Marianas Islands
Vatican Radio relay via Tinian, 15595 kHz. Full data E-QSL. Received in three weeks for e-report to gestfreq@vaticanradio.va (Wright)

New Zealand
ZWAK Auckland Radio/Volmet, 6679 kHz USB. Full data personal letter, with illegible signature. Received in 36 days. (Wright)

Ship Traffic
IWA: NRTF-USCG Cutter Active (WMEC-618), 7527 kHz ALE, with a partial data QSl, prepared QSL card and souvenir ship patch. Received in 134 days after report follow-up. ACTIVE regularly patrol in the Pacfic Ocean and conduct Maritime Law Enforcement and SAR Operations. Homeport: Port Angeles, Washington. (Andreas Ibold, Germany/UDXF)
IWA: FNEH-Kalliste (Ferry), MMSI 227202000, 2187.5 kHz DSC. Partial data QSL, prepared QSL card verified and viewcard. Received in 22 days. SHip position: 43 00 N 003 40 E.
(Ibold)
IWA: C4P2-Ulysses (Ferry), MMSI 209952000, 2187.5 kHz DSC. Partial data QSL and verified prepared QSL card. Received in 56 days. Ship position: Holy Head Port, United Kingdom 53 19, N  004 37,2 W (Ibold)
IWA: 3FIM5-City of St. petersburg (Vehicle Carrier), MMSI 353083000, 2187, 5 kHz DSC. Received prepared QSL verified in 34 days (Ibold).

Tunisia
TDF/Radio Algerienne via Issoudun, France, 7295 kHz. Full data scenery card of Tunisia received in three months. QSL address: 106 Avenue Marx Dormoy, 92541 Montrouge Cedex, France.(Frank Hillton, SC)

United Kingdom
Church of the Immaculate Conception Ballygawley, 27741 kHz. Verified with a stamped prepared QSL card. Received in 13 days. QSL address: Parochial House, 115 Omagh Rd., Bayyygawley, Dunngannon, Co Tyrone BT70 2AG, UK. (Robic)
Radio Joystick via Issoudun, France, 7330 kHz. E-QSL received in one day for e-report to radiojoystock@gmail.com (Hillton).

United States
AFA5QW-MARS Greenwood, In; 11098.5 kHz. Verified with a signed prepared QSL card. Received in ten days via WD9DVA-Edward J. Woods. (Robic).
NJT-21st Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team, Fort Dix, NJ on 14885 kHz. Verified with an email report in two days (Robic).

NBL-NAVMARCORMARS Groton, 14391,5 kHz. Verified with full data QSL card. QSL address: Robert Veth, Director Region One, 4 Lantern Lane, Chelmsford, MA 01824-1316 USA. (Robic).

Vietnam
XVN-Nha Trang Radio, 8414.5 kHz. Verified with a signed prepared QSL card in 68 days (Robic).

December amateur radio special events calendar

December 10-16
8P   KI1U (8P9IU), N1TA (8P9TA) and K0BJ (8P9BJ)  will  be  active from Barbados (NA-021). They will  participate  in  the ARRL 10 Meter Contest as 8P8T  (QSL via KI1U). [TNX NG3K]

December 10-16
Rudolf County Christmas
1700Z-2359Z, W9R, Rudolph, WI. Central Wisconsin Amateur Radio Enthusiasts. 28.420 21.320 14.260 7.210 3.950. Certificate & QSL. Myron Oestreich, KB9STB, 648 Main St, Junction City, WI 54443. Our special event station will be on the air before and after the actual event. The Rudolph, WI, post office offers annual celebratory post cards for the event and we will provide a post card and certificate. QSL via KB9STB. QSL with SASE. kb9stb@gmail.com

December 10-31
A9  Celebrating Manama, Capital of Arab Tourism, A92AA and A93LT are active as A91MCAT  from  the capital  city of Bahrein until  31December. QSL via IZ8CLM.

December 11
ZD7  Daniel, ZS1BBT expects to arrive on St. Helena Island (AF-022) on 11 December. he will remain there for twelve days. He  plans  to  be QRV from the school station. [TNX The Daily DX]

December 11-18
YN  Scott, K7ZO will be active once again as YN5Z from Nicaragua. He will be QRV on 20-10  metres, and will participate in the ARRL 10 Meter Contest. QSL via K7ZO and LoTW. [TNX NG3K]

December 12-22
SP  Slawek, SQ1KSM and Weronika, SQ1KSL will be active as HF1ZIMA and SN1ZIMA. Other stations participating in the "Welcome Winter" (zima  in  Polish) award are 3Z3ZIMA, F3ZIMA,SN0ZIMA, SN3ZIMA and SN5ZIMA. Further information on qrz.com

December 13-14
Friday the 13th Special Event Operation
0001Z-0700Z, W1E, Burley, WA. Burley Amateur Radio Club. 28.313 14.303 7.233. Certificate & QSL. W1E BARC W7JQ, PO Box 639, Burley, WA 98322. Commemorating historical significance of Friday the 13th. Thursday evening and all day Friday local time. For Special QSL card only please send your QSL with SASE. For Special Certificate and QSL both send $2, your written address, and your QSL. (or send a certificate size SASE with your QSL and $1). www.qrz.com/db/w7jq

December 14
Pearl Harbor Rememberance
1700Z-2359Z, NI6IW, San Diego, CA. USS Midway (CV-41) Museum. 14.320 7.250 SSB; 14.070 PSK31; DSTAR wide area reflectors. QSL. USS Midway Museum Radio Room, 910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101.



December 14-15
Christmas City Special Event
1400Z-2300Z, WX3MAS, Nazareth, PA. The Christmas City Amateur Radio Club. 21.365 14.265 7.270 3.850 CW and PSK31. Certificate. WX3MAS, 14 Gracedale Ave - Greystone Building, Nazareth, PA 18064. Special Event Station WX3MAS is on the air the 15th 16th of December, from 1400Z to 2300Z, to celebrate the Holidays from the twin Christmas Cities of Nazareth and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Sponsored by the Christmas City Amateur Radio Club and the Delaware/Lehigh Amateur Radio Club, WX3MAS is QRV every year during the Holiday Season. Listen for us on or about 28.465 21.365 14.265 7.270 3.850. depending on conditions, we also will be operating CW and PSK 31 on 20 and 40 meters, 10 and 15 meters as well if there is good band conditions. Did you contact WX3MAS? Send a QSL and 9x12" SASE for a colorful commemorative certificate! Happy Holidays to all amateurs everywhere from WX3MAS! cjfishing@rcn.com

December 14-15
Shore Acres Holiday Lights
0100Z-2300Z, K7CCH, Coquille, OR. Coos County Radio Club. 28.325 14.325 7.235 3.935. QSL. Coos County Radio Club, K7CCH, PO Box 698, Coos Bay, OR 97420.

December 14-15
Wheeling Light Fest
1010Z-1000Z, W8ZQ, Wheeling, WV. Northern Panhandle Amateur Radio Club. 14.250 7.232. Certificate. Joe Mccready, PO Box 192 , Blaine, OH 43909. j_t_mccready@yahoo.com

December 15-17
Bill of Rights Day in Bakersfield
0000Z-0000Z, K6GIB, Bakersfield, CA. Bakersfield Day of Resistance. 14.268 14.285 14.295 14.345. Certificate. Scott Gibson, PO Box 9522, Bakersfield, CA 93389. The Bakersfield City Council approved Bill of Rights Day in Bakersfield. December 15th! Now the city of Bakersfield will encourage all people of all ages to read, discuss, perhaps DISCOVER the importance of The Bill of Rights.

December 15-January 15
S7  Igor, UA3DJY  will  be active as S79ACR from Mahe (AF-024),Seychelles for one month. QSL via home call. [TNX DX World]

December 17-31
UA_ssh Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Russian Robinson Club, Alex RW3RN and Oleg   A3HK/ZS1OIN will be active as RI20ANT from Bellingshausen Station on King George Island, South Shetlands (AN-010) on 17-31 December. Main activity will be on 20 metres  (on or around 14160 kHz) SSB and CW. QSL via RW3RN. [TNX UA9OBA]

December 18-24
Christmas in Bethlehem
1500Z-2300Z, KC5OUR, Belen, NM. Valencia County Amateur Radio Association. 28.483 21.283 14.283 7.283. QSL. Valencia County ARA, PO Box 268, Peralta, NM 87042. www.kc5our.com




December 21
1400Z-2200Z, W3C, Bethlehem, MD. Easton Amateur Radio Society. 14.255 14.055 7.255 7.055. QSL. Easton Amateur Radio Society, PO Box 311, Easton, MD 21601. All QSLs will be postmarked Bethlehem.

December 21-25
YB  Look for Budi YF1AR/8 and  Imam YB4IR/8  to be active from Pulau Kisar, part of the Terselatan Islands in the wider Maluku Barat Daya  Islands group  (OC-272, new one for IOTA). They will have two transceivers running 100 watts on 40-10 metres SSB, CW and the digital modes. QSL YF1AR/8  via N2OO (logsearch On Club Log and OQRS on http://df3cb.com/oqrs/n2oo/),  QSL YB4IR/4 via home call  (OQRS on Club  Log). Further  information at www.yf1ar.com/2013/12/kisar-island-oc-272-new-iota.html [TNX YF1AR]

December 26-01 January
W  Once again Joe, K5KUA will be  active as K5KUA/5 from Galveston Island (NA-143). He usually operates CW only on 40-10 metres. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. Logsearch on Club Log. [TNX rsgbiota.org]

December 28
U.S. Claims Midway Island in 1867, 1700Z-2359Z, NI6IW, San Diego, CA. USS MIDWAY (CV-41) Museum. SSB 14.320 7.250 SSB; PSK31 14.070; DSTAR wide area reflectors. QSL. USS MIDWAY Museum Radio Room, 910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101.

December 28-31
OZ  Ric, DL2VFR will be active from Romo Island (EU-125) during the New Year holidays. He will operate CW as OU1RAEM (QSL via DF5LW, direct or bureau) and as OZ/DL2VFR on  1-3 January (QSL via home call, direct or bureau). [TNX rsgbiota.org]

December 29-January 5
0000Z-1800Z, W2V, Bethpage, NY. Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club. 21.260 18.130 14.260 7.260; digital and CW. QSL. Phil Lewis, N2MUN, 22 Belle Terre W, Lindenhurst, NY 11757. QSL with SASE to N2MUN, W2 QSL buro or LoTW. hamradiouniversity.org
(DX Nx 1179/ARRL)