VOA Radiogram Weekend Schedule

Hello friends,

Last week's surprise mode was 8PSK-125. The 8PSK modes were added to Fldigi as of version 3.22.00.

Most of you were unable to decode the 8PSK-125 transmission. I think this is because I used Fldigi 3.22.00 to produce the 8PSK-125 segment, and most of you installed Fldigi 3.22.01. There was a change to the 8PSK encoding scheme with version 3.22.01.

This weekend, I will try another transmission in 8PSK-125, this time produced using Fldigi 3.22.01. If you do not already have Fldigi 3.22.01 installed, please download it from http://www.w1hkj.com/download.html.

You will notice that 8PSK-125 is fast: 316 words per minute, versus 120 wpm for our usual MFSK32 mode. Despite its speed, it does have some  forward error correction (FEC), so it might be able to withstand some of the degradations of shortwave propagation.

Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 83, 1-2 November 2014:

 1:47  Program preview (now)
 2:57  Introduction to 8PSK-125 test
 3:54  8PSK-125: Radio/TV Martí PSAs
 4:40  Failure of Antares rocket launch*
11:41  Solar power from Tunisia will supply Europe*
17:56  Recycling e-waste in Ghana without burning*
25:04  Closing announcements with MFSK64 logo
28:25  Surprise mode of the week

*with image

Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com.

VOA Radiogram transmission schedule
(all days and times UTC):
Sat 0930-1000 5745 kHz
Sat 1600-1630 17860 kHz
Sun 0230-0300 5745 kHz
Sun 1930-2000 15670 kHz*
All via the Edward R. Murrow transmitting station in North Carolina.

*North American listeners: With the time change, note that the Sunday 1930 UTC transmission is now one hour earlier for most of you, e.g. 2:30 pm Eastern *Standard* Time.

The Mighty KBC will transmit a minute of MFSK64 Saturday at about 1230 UTC on 6095 kHz, and Sunday at about 0130 UTC (Saturday 9:30 pm EDT) on 7375 kHz. Both frequencies are via Germany. Reports to themightykbc@gmail.com .

The new UTC time shift is because of last weekend’s time change in Europe. The frequency is 6095 kHz.

The Mighty KBC’s North American transmission stays at the same UTC time all year: UTC Sunday 0000-0200 UTC. This weekend, the MFSK64 transmission will be at about 9:30 p.m. Saturday Eastern Daylight Time, then next weekend 8:30 p.m. Saturday Eastern Standard Time. The frequency is 7375 kHz.

On VOA Radiogram this weekend, the press release transmitted in 8PSK-125 will have accented letters and typesetter quotation marks, so you will need the UTF-8 character set: Configure > Colors & Fonts > Rx/Tx Character Set. As stated in my previous email, you will need Fldigi 3.22.01 for correct decoding of the 8PSK-125. It will be centered on 1500 Hz, the same as the MFSK32.

In the Windows operating system, MFSK images decoded by Fldigi are stored as png files in the folder \fldigi.files\images\ somewhere in your hard disk. The folder names may be different in other operating systems. You may send those png images with your reception reports.

I hope you can tune in and write in this weekend: radiogram@voanews.com .  

Thank you for your reports from last weekend. I am now constructing the eQSL and will reply soon.

Kim

Kim Andrew Elliot
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram
voaradiogram.net

100th Anniversary Panama Canal: The Radio Story-Part 1

Quite recently, we discovered an important anniversary from a couple of months earlier that had escaped our attention.  The official opening of the Panama Canal in Central America to shipping traffic occurred on August 15, 1914, and here we are a little over one hundred years later, and we have not yet presented a feature on this important anniversary.

            Let us catch up on this highly significant world event; and so here in Wavescan today we present this slightly delayed feature on the story of the Panama Canal, together with part 1 of the radio history in the American administered Panama Canal Zone.   

            We go back to the beginning, and we discover that the first suggestion for digging a canal across Central America to link the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans came from the Spanish in the year 1529.  Of course, back then technical capability was quite limited and there was no practical way in which this concept could be implemented. 

            In the year 1821, the Central American colony of Panama broke away from Spain, declared its independence from European control, and joined South American Colombia, which conjoined ultimately emerged as the Republic of New Granada.  However, 82 years later, on November 3, 1903, Panama split off from Colombia and thus became an independent nation in its own right. 

            It was in 1826 that the United States began preliminary negotiations with New Granada for the construction of a canal, though the French actually began construction work on the canal in the territory of Panama a little over half a century later.  Just two weeks after Panamanian independence (November 3, 1903), the United States and Panama signed a treaty which established the Panama Canal Zone (November 18).

            The Panama Canal Zone was administered as an American territory, and it encompassed 553 square miles in a swathe of jungle territory ten miles wide, plus all of the lakes and waterways that feed into the canal.  During its ¾ century tenure, the Zone issued its own postage stamps, some of which were overprinted Panamanian and American stamps, though the valid currency generally speaking was the American dollar.

            Nearly 50,000 men from all around the world were employed in canal construction, large numbers of whom died from poor hygiene, deadly jungle snakes, and a multitude of diseases, including malaria from the mosquito infected jungles.  In 1906 alone, 80% of the work force were hospitalized at some time or another for malaria.

             Work on the Panama Canal was completed in ten years, and the official opening took place one hundred years ago, on August 15, 1914 when the cargo ship SS “Ancon” traversed the entire system.  However, the first ship to traverse the canal was a pleasure boat the “Lasata” which made an unofficial voyage during the day before.

            The highest fee ever paid for the use of the canal was more than $⅓^rd million by the cruise ship “Norwegian Pearl” in 2010; and the lowest fee ever was paid by American Richard Halliburton who swam the full distance of the canal in 1928.  This epic swim took 50 hours of swimming spread out over 10 days and it cost him just 36 cents.  These days, more than 30 ships traverse the eight hour journey through the canal each day. 

            The Panama Canal Zone was taken over by the government of Panama on October 1, 1979 and once again the two sides of Panama were joined together into a single country.  The Panama Canal Zone, which for example had a population of 45,000 in 1970, was no longer an American territory.

            The first wireless station in the Panama Canal Zone was installed by Dr. Lee de Forest for the United States navy near the Atlantic entrance to the canal at Colon in 1906 and it was on the air originally under the callsign SL.  The 35 kW longwave spark wireless transmitter operated on 1250 metres, 240 kHz. 

            A couple of years later, a 100 kW spark transmitter was installed and the callsign was regularized to an American navy callsign NAX.  This station was in regular usage up into the 1930s.

            The United States navy operated two other wireless stations in the Panama Canal Zone: stations NNL at Coco Solo and NBA at Balboa.  The Coco Solo Station was located at a submarine base and it was on the air in the 1920s.

            Additionally, the U. S. army also operated half a dozen wireless stations in the Canal Zone, and these were located at army camps and they were on the air under army callsigns, such as:-

                        WUCG Fort de Lesseps         WUCH Fort Sherman                         WUCI Fort Randolph             

            The two best known wireless/radio stations in the Panama Canal Zone were the navy communication station NBA at Balboa, and the army broadcasting station at Quarry Heights.  That is the story next time, when we present part 2 of the story about radio broadcasting in the Panama Canal Zone.

(AWR/Wavescan-NWS 296)

November 2014-Amateur Radio Special Events Calendar

This is just a sampling of special events during November, available to log and QSL for amateur radio operators and shortwave listeners. QSLing requirements are listed with postings. Don't forget, scanned QSL images as well as contributions are always welcome for my monthly column, QSL Report. Either may be sent to w4gvh  at  frontier.  com

November 1-4
Belarus-EW3, (WFF Op). Eugene, EW3LK, will activate Prostyr (EWFF-024) for the World Wide Flora & Fauna Award (WWF). Activity will be on 80-10 meters using CW and SSB.

(via qsl.net)

November 1 - 9
South Cook Islands, Just a reminder that Bill, N7OU, will once again be operating as E51NOU from Rarotonga (OC-013), South Cook Islands, between October 13th and November 9th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters, CW only, in his spare time as work allows. QSL via N7OU.

November 1- 10
Tromelin Island-FT4TA. Just a reminder that members of the F6KOP Team and Lyon DX Gang will be activating FT4TA from Tromelin Island. They plan to have 4 stations on the air for ten days, on 160-10 meters using SSB, CW and RTTY. Suggested frequencies are http://www.tromelin2014.com/plan-de-bande/ CW - 1826.5, 3523, 7023, 10115, 14023, 18079, 21023, 24894 and 28023 kHz SSB  - 3790, 7082, 14185, 18130, 21285, 24955 and 28485 kHz  RTTY - 10142, 18099, 21080, 24912 and 28080 kHz 6m  - 50105/CW and 50105/SSB

November 1-30
Lampedusa Island, AF-109.  Miran, S50O, will operate as IG9/S50O from Lampedusa Island, from Punto Alaimo (WW LOC JM65HM) until end of November. Miran will participate in both SSB and CW CQWW Contests as IO9Y team member in Multi/Multi entry from ZONE 33. All QSLs for IG9/S50O via his home callsign by the Bureau, direct with SASE + 2 USDs or Clublog's OQRS. Cards will be ready to print soon into 2015, LoTW later.

(Italian  QSL via Larry Van Horn)

November 1 - December 31
Italy-IY, (Special Prefix). Look for special event station IY1EY to be active, from Loano www.ariloano.it to commemorate the experiments conducted by Gugliemo Marconi from his yacht
'Elettra' in the Ligurian Sea between 1919 and 1936. Expect activity on CW and SSB, and on all bands including 30/17/12m. Receive a special QSL card via IK1QBT direct.

November 3 - December 12
Madagscar, Eric, F6ICX, will once again be active as 5R8IC from Saint Marie Island (AF-090). Activity will be holiday style on all HF bands operating maily CW, but some SSB, RTTY, and PSK63, using a FT450 with 100 watts into various GPs or Inverted-Ls and a Hexbeam for 20-10 meters. There will be no online log during his activity. QSL via his home callsign (QRZ.com).
Logs will be uploaded to ClubLog and LoTW.

November 5-12
Brunei-V8, Lady operators Kyoko/JR3MVF, Evelyne/F5RPB, Ruth/IT9ESZ and Waltraud /DJ6US will be active as V84YL from Darussalam. Activity will be on all HF bands using CW and SSB.
QSL via DJ6US, by the Bureau or direct.

November 7-10
Micronesia-V6, Operators Shinji/JF2SDR and Nobuaki/JA0JHQ will be active as V63PJ and V63XP, respectively, from the SouthPark Hotel on Phonpei Island (OC-010). Activity will be on 40-6 meters.
QSL via the operator's home callsign. More details are forthcoming.

November 17 - December 2
Ascension Island-ZD8, Marko, N5ZO, will be active as ZD8O from Ascension Island between November 17th and December 2nd. Activity will be mainly in contests. His activity in the CQWW DX CW Contest will be Single-Op/All-Band entry. QSL via OH0XX.

November 19 - 27
Juan Fernandez Island-CE0Z, Felipe, CE5WQO, will be active as CE0Z/CE5WQO from Juan Fernandez Island (SA-005) between November 19-27th. He informs OPDX that this will be a vacation, so operations will be holiday style on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. Equipment will be an Icom IC-746Pro + Icom PS 125 with a Yaesu FL-2100z amp (600w) into a
W8AMZ G5RV antenna and 2 element yagi for 10m. Please note ...Felipe would like to know which bands and modes the HAM community needs for CE0Z. Also, if any one wants to sponsor a better antenna, to please contact him so he can receive any package at his address in Miami, FL. QSL via KA3LKM (w/2 IRCs or green stamps).

November 22
Kuwait-9K, Ned, AA7A, Voodoo Contest Group team leader for 2014, sent out the following press release [edited] "The Voodoo Contest Group is on the move again in 2014 for the CQWW DX CW Contest. The team has been invited to operate at the emerging Multi-Multi contest station being assembled by 9K2HN, Hamad Alnusif in the Abdali area in northern Kuwait. They will operate using the callsign 9K2HN in the Multi-Multi category in the contest. In addition to 9K2HN, operators will include Ned/AA7A, Don/G3XTT, Fred/G4BWP, Ray/G4FON, John/G4IRN, Mike/KC7V, Dave/N4QS, Bus/N7CW, and Bob/W6RGG, with the potential for other local 9K operators. The visiting Voodudes will arrive on November 22, and will operate before the contest with particular emphasis on the lower bands. QSLs for 9K2HN are via instructions on QRZ.com. Further information about the Voodoo Contest Group can be found at: http://voodoocontestgroup.com

November 25 - December 24
Vietnam-3W, Tony, KM0O, will be active as 3W3O from Danang. His main activity will be the CQWW DX CW Contest (November 29-30th) as a Single-Op/All-Band entry. Tony likes 80 and 160 meters, so he will probably be emphasizing those bands before and after the contest. QSL via LoTW, by the Bureau or KM0O (see QRZ.com). He will upload his logs to LoTW as promptly as possible. QSLs will not go out until summer of 2015.

November 26 - December 17
Jamaica-6Y, Armin, DK9PY will be active as 6Y6N from Saint Elizabeth. Activity will be holiday style on the HF bands using his FT-857 into an inverted L. Look for him to be in the CQWW DX CW Contest (November 29-30th) as a Single-Op/All-Band entry using Josh, 6Y5WJ, station. QSL via his home callsign, direct or
by the Bureau.

IOTA News

November 1- 30
AF-019. (Correction - Not AF-109) Miran, S50O, will operate as IG9/S50O from Lampedusa Island, QTH Punto Alaimo (WW LOC JM65HM) until the end of November. Miran will participate in both SSB and CW CQWW Contests as IO9Y team member in Multi/Multi entry from ZONE 33. All QSLs for IG9/S50O via his home callsign by the Bureau, direct with SASE + 2 USDs or Clublog's OQRS. Cards will be ready to print soon into 2015, LoTW later.

November 18 - December 2
Cucracao-PJ2, Operators Martin/K2PLF, Jeff/K8ND, Gene/KB7Q, Bill/K9HZ, Lee/KY7M, Rich/N0YY, Fred/NA2U, Jim/W8WTS, Geoff/W0CG (PJ2DX), Kyle/WA4PGM, Joerg/DF9LJ and possibly others will be active from the Caribbean Contesting Consortium's (CCC) Signal Point contest station on Curacao Island (SA-099, WLOTA 0942) between November 18th and December 2nd. The team's main focus will be on the CQWW DX CW Contest (November 29-30th) as a Multi/? entry using the callsign PJ2T. Outside the contest, operators will be signing PJ2/homecall or their own personal PJ2 callsign. QSL PJ2T via W3HNK. QSL PJ2DX direct to W0CG. QSL all others via their home callsigns.

November 23 - December 1
AS-099.  Members of the Balkan Contest Group will be active as TC0A from Bozcaada Island in Asiatic Turkey. Activity will also include the CQWW DX CW Contest (November 29-30th) as a Multi-2 entry. QSL via LoTW or direct to LZ1NK: NIKOLAY ENCHEV, P.O. Box 176, 4300 Karlovo, Bulgaria. Operators mentioned are Nick/LZ1NK, Christo/LZ3FN, Plamen/LZ1DCW, Llian/LZ1CNN, Nick/LZ3ND, Nasko/LZ3YY, Yasar/ TA3D, Mustafa/TA2TX, Miroslav/LZ1MBU and Krasi/LZ2UW. For more detail, past operations and updates, see: http://tc3a.alle.bg

Caribbean Tour
Alex, PY2SEX/PY1KS/DL1NX, informs OPDX that he has chosen warm spots in the Caribbean for his next ham vacation (not like JW/PY2SEX in Jan Mayen). His tentative schedule is as follows:
November 25 - December 2 Bonaire Island (SA-006); callsign PJ4S; operation will include an entry in the CQWW DX CW Contest.

December 2-9
Curacao Island (SA-099); callsign PJ2/DL1NX. Activity from both islands will be holiday style on 80-6 meters using mainly CW, SSB and maybe RTTY. He will only be using an Elecraft KX3 and a Buddipole. QSL both operations via DL1NX, by the Bureau, direct or LoTW. For more details and updates, watch the following URLs: http://pj4s.py2sex.com  http://pj2.py2sex.com http://twitter.com/py2sex

Isle of Man QSL

November 29-30
Isle of Man-GD6, Chris, GM3WOJ (ZL1CT), will once again be active as GD6IA from the contest station www.gd6ia.com/ on the I.O.M. during the CQWW DX CW Contest (November 29-30th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. QSL via GD6IA, direct only to: GD6IA, PO Box 1, PEEL City, Isle of Man IM5 1XG, British Islands. No QSL Bureau - No eQSL - No LoTW.

Cyprus-P3, Operators Bob/5B4AGN, Dennia/F5VHY, Roger/G3SXW and Jack/G8DX will be active as P3F from the Cyprus QTH of 5B4AGN for the CQWW DX CW  Contest (November 29-30th) in the Multi-Two category. The visiting operators will probably operate before and after the contest as 5B/homecall. QSL via their home callsigns. QSL P3F via M0URX or LoTW.

Curacao-PJ2, Frank, PA4N, will be active as PJ2V from Curacao Island (SA-099) during the CQWW DX CW Contest (November 29-30th) as a Single-Op/ Single-Band (15m) entry. Outside of the contest, Frank states, "I might be active as PJ2/PA4N, holiday-style operation." He will upload his log to LoTW within one week after the contest. QSL via his home callsign.

November 29-30
Georgia-4L, Operator Vaho, 4L8A, will be active during the CQWW DX CW Contests (November 29-30th) as a Single-Op/Single-Band (20m) entry. QSL
via K1BV or LoTW.

November 29-30
East Malaysia-OC-133. Saty, JE1JKL, will once again be active as 9M6NA from Labuan Island, East Malaysia, during the CQWW DX CW Contest
as a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. QSL via LoTW, or to JE1JKL, by the Bureao or direct. To see his station, visit:          http://jsfc.org/je1jkl/9m6na.html


*****************************************
Islands, Castles and Portable Operations

November 1-4
Jersey. Rich, M5RIC and Jack, G8DX plan to operate as GJ8DX on the isle of Jersey (EU-013, WLOTA 0818. They hope to be QRV on all bands CW/SSB/RTTY with a focus on the WARC bands. QSL via LoTW, ClubLog OQRS or G8DX direct. Cards sent to the bureau will not be answered - please use OQRS. [NG3K]

November 1-4
Pohnpei Islands. Naoki, JS3LSQ, will be active as V63WJ from Pohnpei islands (OC-010), F.S.M.. Activity will be on 20/17/15/12/10 metre SSB. QSL via JS3LSQ, direct (w/SAE and 1 IRC or 2 GSs) or by the Bureau. [OPDX Bulletin]

November 1-8
Zimbabwe-Chris PA2CHR (Z21CHR), Lins PA3CMC (Z21CMC), John ZS6JON (Z21EME) and Paul ZS6NK (Z21NK) have made plans for a EME DXpedition from Zimbabwe as Z21EME. Activity will be on 2m, 6m, 70cm and 23cm EME from WW Locator KG58gh. Station setup: 6m 11 el m2. 2m 2 x 10el X-pole DK7ZB. 70cm 1 x 38el. m2. 23cm 67 el. Further information, QSL routes and updates at: www.pa3cmc.nl/ [DXAT]

November 7-10
Look for Nobuaki JA0JHQ and Shinji JF2SDR to be active as V63XP and V63PJ, respectively, from the South Park Hotel, Kolonia, island of Phonpei (OC-010, WW Loc. QJ96cx), FSM, between 7-10th November, 2014. Plans are to be QRV on 40-6 metre SSB, CW and Digital modes. QSL via their home calls, direct or Bureau. Further information and updates at:
www.qrz.com/db/jf2sdr [DX-World]

November 1-10
Tromelin Island. FT4TA is the callsign issued to the DXpedition to Tromelin Island (AF-031, DIFO FR-006, WLOTA 0383). While planning continues, donations are still gratefully accepted as "the budget is not balanced yet and all kinds of help will be necessary to make this expedition possible". Further information and updates at: www.tromelin2014.com/ [425 DX News]

November 1- 11
Maldives Island. George, GM0IIO, plans to be active from Kuredu Island, Republic of the Maldives (AS-013) as 8Q7OO QRV on the HF bands. QSL direct only to home call QTHR (George Berrich, 6 Victoria Place, Stirling FK8 2QX, Scotland). No eQSL, LoTW or Bureau. [DX-World]

November 1-11
Namibia. Sebastian, OE3SZA, will be active as V5/OE3SZA from Namibia. Activity will be SSB only running QRP with an Yaesu FT-817. QSL via OE3SZA, direct or by the OEVSV Bureau. [OPDX Bulletin

November 1-16
Malta. Klaus, DD1AY, will be active from the island of Malta (EU-032, WLOTA 1113) as 9H3GK (Part IV). Just Married XYL Jacky and OM Klaus DD1AY. QRV holiday style on the HF bands, propagation permitting. QSL via home call. [DxCoffee]

November 1-20
Nepal. Toshi, JA8BMK, will again be active from Kathmandu, Nepal, as 9N7BM. Holiday style activity using verticals+amp, with focus on 160 and 80 metres. QSL via JA8BMK. [DX-World]

November 7-10
Look for Nobuaki JA0JHQ and Shinji JF2SDR to be active as V63XP and V63PJ, respectively, from the South Park Hotel, K

November 7-10
Kolonia, island of Phonpei Look for Nobuaki JA0JHQ and Shinji JF2SDR to be active as V63XP and V63PJ, respectively, from the South Park Hotel, Kolonia, island of Phonpei (OC-010, WW Loc. QJ96cx), FSM. Plans are to be QRV on 40-6 metre SSB, CW and Digital modes. QSL via their home calls, direct or Bureau. Further information and updates at: www.qrz.com/db/jf2sdr [DX-World] (OC-010, WW Loc. QJ96cx), FSM, between 7-Plans are to be QRV on 40-6 metre SSB, CW and Digital modes. QSL via their home calls, direct or Bureau. Further information and updates at:
www.qrz.com/db/jf2sdr [DX-World]

November 7-16
 Koror Island. Hidenari, JA0FKK, will once again be active as T88XC from the VIP Guest Hotel, Koror, Koror Island, Republic of Palau (OC-009). QRV on all bands using SSB, CW and the Digital modes. QSL via home call, Bureau or direct. [Palau Radio Club]

November 18 - December 2
Geoff W0CG (PJ2DX), Gene KB7Q (PJ2/KB7Q), Joerg DF9LJ (PJ2/DF9LJ) and possibly others will be active from the Signal Point contest station, island of Curacao (SA-099, WLOTA 0942) between 18th November and 2nd December, 2014. Main focus will be on the CQWW DX CW Contest (29-30 November) as a Multi/? entry using the callsign PJ2T. Outside the contest look for activity on the HF bands using with PJ2T or their personal PJ2 callsigns. QSL PJ2T via W3HNK. QSL PJ2DX direct to W0CG. QSL others via their home calls. [CCC]

November 22 - December 6
Grenada-Rob, DL7VOA, will be active from the island of Grenada (NA-024, WLOTA 0718) as J34O. Activity to include a Single-Op/All-Band entry in the CQWW DX CW Contest (29-30 November). Outside of the contest, Rob will be QRV on the HF bands holiday style. QSL J340 via DL7VOA, direct or Bureau [DX-World]

November 26 - 1 December
Republic of Palau. Look for Hiroo, JA1WSX, to be active as T88WX from the VIP Guest Hotel, Koror, Koror Island, Republic of Palau (OC-009)  Activity will include an entry in the CQWW DX CW Contest (29-30 November). QSL direct only to JA1WSX (QRZ.com). [Palau Radio Club]

November 29-30
Curacao-Frank, PA4N (FOC #2034, FISTS #3750), will be active as PJ2V from the island of Curacao (SA-099, WLOTA 0942) for the CQWW DX CW Contest, as a Single-Op/Single-Band (15m)/Low-Power entry. Outside the contest look for Frank be active holiday style as PJ2/PA4N. QSL via home call, Bureau preferred. Logs will be upload to LoTW when he returns home. [DXAT]

November 29-30
Vakhtang, 4L8A, plans a Single-Op/Single-Band (20m) entry in the CQWW DX CW Contest (29-30 November) from Tbilisi, Georgia (CQ zone 21). QSL via K1BV and LoTW. [NG3K]

November 29-30
Operators Jussi-Pekka OH6RX, Esa OH7WV and Harry WX8C will activate the Mariana Intrepid Contest Club AH0K, located on Tinian Island (USi NI-003S, WLOTA 3108, WW Loc. QK25ve), Northern Mariana Islands (OC-086) for the CQWW DX CW Contest (29-30 November) as a Multi-2 entry, CQ zone 27. Direct QSL to AH0K via OH6GDX. They will QSL via Bureau and will upload all logs to LoTW as well. Possibly on air day or two before the contest. [NG3K]
(OPDX 1180/1183/1184/ICPO)

Global 24 Radio set to air October 31

Press Release

Hollywood, FL) Oct. 21, 2014 – Global 24 Radio LLC announced today that its inaugural broadcast will go live at 7:00 p.m., Friday, Oct. 31, with a line-up of new and well-known programs and around-the-clock English language programming.  The broadcast can be heard 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 9395 kHz on WRMI broadcasting from Okeechobee, Florida.

“We’re very excited about launching Global 24 and the important contributions it will make to shortwave radio listening – as both a medium worth preserving and a vital part of the modern media mix for so many listeners around the world,” said Phil Workman, general manager of Global 24.   “Our broadcast will appeal to dedicated shortwave listeners (SWL) all over the world looking for breaking news, opinion and music.”


Global 24 aims to revitalize the shortwave medium by bringing general interest news and entertainment into sharper focus for listeners looking for high quality programming on a daily basis.  Regular listeners will be informed, entertained and engaged in an ever more complex world.

According to Jeff White, general manager of WRMI,  “Global 24 represents another step in the long overdue commercialization of shortwave radio.  We are excited to be working with them on their ambitious program to engage and entertain a global audience.”

Additional press releases in coming days will announce our broadcast schedule, our Listeners’ Club, contests, sponsors, our web store, staff and much more.  Follow us on Twitter at @Global24Radio or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/global24radio.  Visit our website:  http://www.global24radio.com  to join our email newsletter for the most current updates.

We love to hear from our listeners.  Reception Reports can be sent to:
qsls@global24radio.com
-or-
Global 24 Radio
2719 Hollywood Blvd  B-16

Hollywood FL 33020 USA

Be sure to include:
1) SINPO Report
2) Mailing Address for QSL Card (if desired)

See more at: http://about.global24radio.com/for-immediate-release-shortwaves-newest-broadcaster-global-24-takes-to-the-air-at-700-pm-eastern-on-october-31-on-9395-khz/#sthash.qIoKxvPL.dpuf
(Jeff Demers/Global 24)

Hams await Navassa Island project in January

"Navassa Island is currently ranked #2 on the DX Magazine's "Most Wanted List".

KP1, Navassa Island (Press Release)

From the The KP1-5 Project, dated October 22nd

"The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has notified the KP1-5 Project that they will be the team to activate Navassa Island (KP1) in January 2015.  The DXpedition will be a maximum of fourteen days. The exact dates in January will be determined by USFWS mission requirements and weather
windows.
 
 Our experienced team of fifteen is complete and is ready for the challenge. The weeks ahead will be extremely busy as the team has less than 90 days before the DXpedition comes on the air.  January is the month of minimum bird nesting activity and this is the primary reason USFWS is asking that the operation be completed during that month. However, the weather is unpredictable in January and becauseNavassa is surrounded by cliffs, this may preclude a safe landing by boat. For safety reasons and in order to maximize our time on the Iiland and on the air, a helicopter operation is planned. Navassa is over 100 miles (160 km) from the nearest helicopter staging point and as many as
ten round trips will be required at the beginning and end of the operation.

Obviously, this means that there will be a significant cost for activating this #1 ranked DXCC entity.
In the next few weeks, we be working with USFWS and as details firm up, we will issue periodic press releases. Check our webpage www.kp1-5.com for more details of the operation and how you may financially support this DXpedition.

The KP1-5 Project team has committed to fund 50% of the total costs. We are hopeful the DX community at large will fund the remainder  for The KP1-5 Project,
   Bob Allphin, K4UEE, President
   Glenn Johnson, W0GJ, Vice-President
   Mike Thomas, NA5U, Secretary"

  Added Notes:
 * OPDX was informed that the callsign they will use on the island will be "K1N".

 * Press Release: "INDEXA Supports Navassa Island DXpedition

Hello fellow DXers and INDEXA Members:
     INDEXA is pleased to announce that we are generously supporting the just announced major DXpedition to Navassa Island, KP1. The official team announcement says this will occur in January, 2015. The DXpedition call will be announced later. Navassa Island is currently ranked #2 on
   the DX Magazine's "Most Wanted List".
     The Navassa Island DXpedition Team leader is Bob Allphin, K4UEE, and he has assembled an extraordinary team of DXpeditioners with the know-how to plan, implement and activate the rarest of the rare DX entities.
The team includes AA7JV, HA7RY, K0IR, K4UEE, K5AC, K9CT, N2TU, N4GRN, NA5U,
   NM1Y, VE7CT, W0GJ, W6IZT, and WB9Z.
     INDEXA is the first DXpedition support group to announce financial support for this DXpedition. This support is possible because of your membership in INDEXA and the many prior donations. Interestingly, over half of the DXpedition team is made up of INDEXA officers, directors and members. INDEXA has provided support that is over and above what is customary; so if you would like to help replenish our reserves you might  consider an additional contribution via the web page
   www.indexa.org.
     This DXpedition should provide many of you with an all-time new DXCC entity as well as new band/mode countries for various ARRL, CQ and IOTA awards.
     Regards,
      Gary Dixon, K4MQG   - INDEXA President
      John Scott, K8YC    - VP-Newsletter Editor
      Dick Williams, W3OA - Secretary-Treasurer"
(OPDX 1186)

RTÉ Radio - Longwave Closure Postponed

by Paul Riismandel on October 20, 2014 in International, Internet radio,Radio Bands

The imminent closure of the Irish public broadcaster’s longwave service we reported last week has been postponed until January 19, 2015. Its original shut down date was next week, October 27.

The Managing Director of RTÉ Radio Jim Jennings plans to travel to the UK to meet with community groups affected by the loss of service to see what other solutions might be found for them. Longwave is the only RTÉ radio service that reaches the UK, though the global Irish diaspora can also listen online.

The outcry over the closure was greater than expected, but Jennings says the longwave service is still set to be shuttered.

Additional text of copyright article at: www.radiosurvivor.com/2014/10/20/rte-longwave-closure-postponed/

Hams Ready for CQ Contest this weekend

It is almost time for the CQ WW SSB DX Contest which kicks off on Saturday, October 25 at 0000 UTC and runs until Sunday, October 26 at 2359 UTC.

I fully plan to be in the contest this year looking for new countries to add to my DXCC totals. Might even work a state or two I need to finish off the ARRL Triple Play award I have been working on. 

I also plan to have a presence during the CQ WW CW DX contest that starts on 

Saturday, November 29 at 0000 UTC and concludes on Sunday, November 30 at 2359 UTC. I hope to finish out the countries I need for an ARRL CW DXCC award.

 

These are two of my favorite contest and are a lot of fun to participate in at any level. Several years ago I won 1st place in my category, but since I am on a country hunt, I won't be submitting a contest log for these two amateur radio contest.

 

Complete details can be found on the CQ World-Wide Contest website athttp://www.cqww.com/.

Late Breaking News from the ARRL Contest Newsletter:-

CQ Communications has reconsidered its initial policy on stations operating in Crimea for the CQ World Wide contest. Logs will be accepted and counted for the country indicated by the call sign of the station. This aligns CQ policy with DXCC policy. See the CQ website for complete details.

 

On a related topic, found this that was posted to the ARRL website on 17 Oct 2014:--

CQ WILL NOT ACCEPT LOGS FROM STATIONS IN CRIMEA USING RUSSIAN-ISSUED CALL SIGNS

CQ has announced that it will no longer accept logs for any CQ-sponsored contest from stations in Crimea operating with Russian-issued call signs. CQ Magazine said that “after considerable deliberation,” it has decided to follow the lead of the US government and the United Nations and will consider the embattled Crimea region to be a part of Ukraine, “until such time as the political situation there is resolved.” In addition, contacts made by others with Crimean stations using Russian-Issued call signs will be removed from contestants’ logs without penalty. “No contact or multiplier credits will be given,” the CQ announcement said.

“We fully realize that our action may very well disenfranchise several Crimean contesters who use Russian prefixes instead of Ukrainian prefixes,” CQ said. “As regrettable as that may be, our action is consistent with international law, as well as with our own rules.”

CQ sponsors several major international operating events, including the CQ World Wide SSB and CW contests. The first contest to be affected by the new policy would be the CQ World Wide SSB Contest, which takes place this year over the October 25-26 weekend.
 

VOA Radiogram Schedule: Oct. 25-26

Hello friends,

The surprise mode on this weekend's VOA Radiogram requires the newest version of Fldigi -- 3.22 -- which can be downloaded from http://www.w1hkj.com/download.html. The surprise mode will be transmitted during the closing music and will be centered on 1500 Hz.

Also on this weekend's program, a news item about a shortwave broadcasting initiative, and another about a U.S. government agency's planned use shortwave (HF) for emergency communications.

Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 82, 25-26 October 2014:


 1:31  Program preview
 2:34  New shortwave initiatives, with images
 8:29  New network sharing system
12:28  Ocean microbes eat methane, with image
20:05  Morocco solar power plant, with image
25:53  Closing announcements, with MFSK64 logo
28:29  Surprise mode of the week (requires Fldigi 3.22)

Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com.

VOA Radiogram transmission schedule
(all days and times UTC):
Sat 0930-1000 5745 kHz
Sat 1600-1630 17860 kHz
Sun 0230-0300 5745 kHz
Sun 1930-2000 15670 kHz
All via the Edward R. Murrow transmitting station in North Carolina.

The Mighty KBC will transmit a minute of MFSK64 Saturday at about 1130 UTC on 6095 kHz and Sunday at about 0130 (Saturday 9:30 pm EDT) on 7375 kHz. Both frequencies are via Germany. Reports to themightykbc@gmail.com.

Thanks for your reports from last weekend. I'll answer them this weekend.

Kim

Kim Andrew Elliott
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram
voaradiogram.net

KDKA Memorial: Historic 95th Anniversary Ceremony in Pennsylvania

A few days ago, Ray Robinson of shortwave KVOH in Los Angeles alerted us to the information regarding a special historic ceremony in suburban Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.  Because of the interest and significance of this event, we postpone our intended opening feature in this edition of Wavescan and we present the story of this KDKA Memorial: Historic 95^th Anniversary Ceremony in Pennsylvania. We are indebted to a feature article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette written by Dave Zuchowski for his information regarding this event, and additional information is taken from other historical sources.

            It was on Friday evening October 17, 1919 that the Westinghouse engineer Dr. Frank Conrad made a significant broadcast over his amateur radio station 8XK.  The station was installed in the second floor of his red brick garage in Wilkinsburg, a city adjacent to the better known city Pittsburgh.                  This was Conrad’s first broadcast after the United States re-opened the usage of the airwaves to amateur radio operators subsequent to the end of World War 1 and it was one of the very early program broadcasts in the history of radio broadcasting.  This initial two hour broadcast over his homemade radio equipment included several different styles of recorded music together with announcements and spoken information.  This historic broadcast proved so popular that he began a series of similar broadcasts each Wednesday and Saturday evening from the same station 8XK.

            In September of the following year, the local newspaper ran an advertisement on behalf of the Home Department Store offering the sale of radio receivers which could tune in Conrad’s radio program broadcasts.  The Westinghouse company decided that they would construct their own radio broadcasting station and install it in a small wooden and canvas shack on the roof of their K factory building in suburban East Pittsburgh.

            Engineer Conrad assembled the necessary equipment for their new radio station and they requested a commercial license from the federal government licensing authorities.  This new station made its first broadcast on Tuesday evening November 2, 1920 with progressive information about the Harding-Cox presidential election.  For this inaugural broadcast, Westinghouse was on the air under a temporary callsign 8ZZ, and a couple of days later the commercial license arrived by post, granting a consecutively issued callsign KDKA.

            To honor Dr. Conrad’s contributions to the broadcast industry, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission approved a historic marker to be erected on a street adjacent to the Conrad garage and this was dedicated on December 1, 1990.  That marker was later removed and placed in storage when the property and garage were sold during the year 2000 to make way for a fast-food restaurant.  With financial backing, the garage was dismantled and all of the items were placed in storage along with documentation on how to reassemble the garage once more.

            At 2:00 pm last Friday October 17, just two days ago, a special commemorative ceremony was held at a planned new location at South Trenton and Penn Avenues in Wilkinsburg and the original marker was rededicated at its new location.  This event took place exactly 95 years later to the very day after Conrad’s first historic broadcast and it was staged at two consecutive locations, the Community Life Building at 301 Meade Street and then at the new location for the memorial marker.  Present were two of Frank Conrad’s great grandsons, Jamie Conrad and actor David Conrad.

            Plans are in hand to reassemble the garage and currently they are looking at several sites in the Pittsburgh area.  It is intended to have the garage rebuilt in time for the 100^th anniversary of Conrad’s first broadcast, October 17, 2019.  The completed project will cost an estimated $1.6 million and already $225,000 has been raised for this historic event.

            The international radio world is indebted to the historic endeavors carried out by Dr. Frank Conrad, together with Westinghouse and radio station KDKA.  It is true that there were many earlier ventures into radio broadcasting in the United States and in several other countries, and even their historic election broadcast was not the first in the history of radio broadcasting.  However, the KDKA venture was indeed a major turning point in the development of radio program broadcasting, not only in mediumwave broadcasting but subsequently also in shortwave broadcasting.

                                                                                                                        Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

                                                                                                                        By Dave Zuchowski

                                                                                                                        September 25, 2014

(AWR Wavescan/NWS 295)

                                                                                                                      

Special QSL: Airplane Monitoring, AFRS, Adana, Turkey

          Jack Brown interviews Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart for
broadcast to troops overseas on AFRS during World War II

For our weekly feature about unusual, rare and unique QSLs, our DX editor Adrian Peterson tells the story about his QSL card verifying the reception of a low powered radio broadcasting station in Turkey.  Back in the year 1980, he was flying from India to the United States to attend meetings at the head office for Adventist World Radio in suburban Washington DC. 

            While the passenger airliner was flying high over Turkey, he was invited into the flight deck of the passenger airliner and given the use of one of the plane’s radio receivers.  He tuned the radio to 1590 kHz and heard his desired station, the low powered AFRS American Forces Radio Station which was installed in the American Air Base near Adana, in the Mediterranean corner of Turkey. 

            At the same time as he was seated in the comfortable high flying airplane, he could see in the distance the clear figure of Mt Ararat, covered in brilliant white snow.  Mt Ararat is a reminder of another method of travel, in a long distant era, with a huge wooden boat, Noah’s Ark, the remains of which are said to be in that area to this day.

            In due course, a do-it-yourself, self-prepared tourist travel QSL card, replete with American postage stamps, was received.  This card, with full QSL details, verified AFRS Adana, with just 10 watts on 1590 kHz.  Interestingly, the wavelength is shown as 61886.792 feet which is actually a mistake in calculation.  By moving the decimal place by two positions, the equivalent is indeed 1590 kHz.

            This unusual QSL card features a unique threesome: a receiver in the flight deck of a passenger airliner, a low powered medium wave station on the ground, and a wavelength measured in feet, not metres.

(AWR Wavescan/NWS 295 via Adrian Peterson) 

(photo/wikipedia)

Now is a 'great time' to log Ethiopia

Voice of Ethiopia  (Gayle Van Horn Collection)

From this week's DX Window, comes a great tip for DXers that want to add Ethiopia to their station logbook

Ethiopia gets better and better during autumn/winter season 

All times UTC  - *sign-on  /  sign-off*

(logs edited for clarity)

5950.00, Voice of Tigray Revolution, Addis Ababa, 1615-1725 and 1945-2000*, Oct 01 and 04. Local music, Announcement in  vernacular. SINPO 33333, Interference from IRIB (Iran) Sirjan in Tajik on 5949.99. (Bueschel and Giroletti)

6030.00, Radio Oromiya, Geja Jewe, 1615 and 1945-2000.* Oct 01. Horn of Africa music, wandered up and down. (Bueschel)

6089.98, Radio Amhara, Geja Jewe, *0300-0310, Sept 28. Interval signal to station identification at under the interference from Anguilla. (Pankov). Also heard at *1600-1900* Sept 30. Station is back on shortwave in Amharic. Interference from Radio Nigeria Kaduna on 6089.9 and 1700-1800 China Radio Int'l on 6090 in English. (Ivanov). Also heard at 1615, Oct 01. Wandered approximately 10 - 15 hertz up and down continuously. Interference from Nigeria on 6089.86. (Bueschel) 

6110.00, Radio Fana, Addis Ababa, 1945-2100, Oct 01, S=9+15dB. China's CRI started co-channel interference at 1957. (Bueschel)

(DSWCI-DX Window 516)

The Secret Machine Behind Soviet Number Stations

by Paul Riismandel on October 20, 2014 in History, International

I recently learned of a series of YouTube videos that show a German machine that is alleged to be the voice behind Soviet cold war numbers stations. The videos, uploaded four years ago, show something that looks like a piece of electronic lab equipment that emits a sampled or synthesized voice rattling off a programmed sequence of numbers. According to the accompanying description, the voice comes from swappable program chips, and the machines are owned by a German spy-gadget collector.

Additional story at Radio Survivor: www.radiosurvivor.com/2014/10/20/secret-machine-behind-soviet-numbers-stations/