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Saturday, May 30, 2015

Summer frequency updates


Germany, AWR Europe
French
2000-2030 9565 NAU 250 kW / 185 deg to WCAf French from May 25 (ex 17570 ISS)

Oromo
1730-1800 17720 NAU 250 kW / 145 deg to EaAf Oromo from June 1 (ex 15155 ISS)

Madagascar, AWR Africa
Kiswahili
1700-1730 17720 MDC 250 kW / 310 deg to CEAf from May 22  (ex 17570*)
(SWL DXing/23 May)

UK, BBC
English
U.K.(non)   Frequency changes of BBC World Sce in English
0000-0100 6005 SLA 250 kW / 063 deg to SoAs, ex 5970
0000-0100 9755 NAK 250 kW / 290 deg to SoAs, ex 9410
// frequency 12095 SNG 250 kW / 320 deg to CeAs unchanged
(SWL DXing/5/24)


VOA Radiogram weekend schedule

Hello friends,

It has been several months since we last transmitted slow scan television (SSTV) on VOA Radiogram.  Emiliano in Italy notes that the International Space Station has been using the PD180 SSTV mode. He suggested that we compare PD180 SSTV images with our usual MFSK32 images. And, so, we will do that this weekend.

To decode PD180, download MMSSTV from http://hamsoft.ca/pages/mmsstv.php . (In theory, MultiPSK also decodes PD180, although I have not yet successfully decoded PD180 using MultiPSK.)

In the MMSSTV interface, under RX Mode, right-click on any mode to reveal the complete list of modes. Left click on the mode for it to appear in the main menu.  "Auto" under RX Mode should detect that PD180 is the  mode, but to be safe, manually select PD180.

After the image is fully decoded, you can right click on the image, then Copy it to MS Paint or other program that lets you save images. Or, by clicking on MMSSTV's History, you can use the left-right arrows to find the image you have decoded, then use the copy icon, or right-click to copy.

Another twist in this weekend’s show will be the transmission schedule in Olivia 64-2000 16 dB under the closing music. That will be followed by the usual “thank you” message, also in Olivia 64-2000, but at full level. The RSID will not be sent during the second Olivia 64-2000 transmission, so if you missed it at

-16dB, set the mode manually.

Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 113, 30-31 May 2105, all in MFSK32 except where noted …

1:33  Program preview

2:50  Science of nighttime thunderstorms*

8:21  Plankton are a major source of oxygen*

15:06  Volcano on Galapagos

18:08  SSTV PD180 test

21:28  Same image (but smaller) in MFSK32

25:11  Closing announcements

26:12  Bonus mode: Olivia 64-2000 at -16dB

27 17  Olivia 64-2000 at full audio level
* 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 17870 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 Sunday at about 0230 UTC (Saturday 10:30 pm EDT) on 9925 kHz (via Germany). This temporary time slot is one hour later than usual, and it coincides with the VOA Radiogram broadcast at the same time. If you have only one radio, decode from The Mighty KBC at 0230 UTC, then quickly retune to 5745 kHz for VOA Radiogram. Reports for the KBC MFSK64 to Eric: themightykbc@gmail.com .  

Thank you for your reports from last weekend. I continue to be two weeks behind is responding to your emails, but I will try to improve that to merely one week behind.

I hope you can tune in and write this weekend.

Kim Andrew Elliott
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram
voaradiogram.net


Radio free Europe/Radio Liberty frequency update


USA(non)   Additional frequency of Radio Liberty was observed on May 29:
All times UTC

0600-0805 on  9420 unknown transmitter  to EaEu Russian, ERT Open is off
0600-0800 on  9635 LAM 100 kW / 055 deg to EaEu Russian
0600-0700 on 11850 LAM 100 kW / 055 deg to EaEu Russian
0600-0700 on 17770 KWT 250 kW / 035 deg to FERu Russian
0700-0800 on 15195 LAM 100 kW / 077 deg to CeEu Russian
0700-0800 on 17770 LAM 100 kW / 053 deg to CeEu Russian
(SWL DXing/30 May)

WBCQ updates summer schedule



 
(via playdx)

USA Updated summer A-15 schedule of WBCQ The Planet:
All times UTC

2000-2100 on 7490vBCQ 050 kW / 245 deg to ENAm English Tue
2100-2200 on 7490vBCQ 050 kW / 245 deg to ENAm English Mon-Fri
2200-2300 on 7490vBCQ 050 kW / 245 deg to ENAm English Sun
2300-2400 on 7490vBCQ 050 kW / 245 deg to ENAm English Mon-Fri Brother Stair
2300-2400 on 7490vBCQ 050 kW / 245 deg to ENAm English Sat/Sun
0000-0100 on 7490vBCQ 050 kW / 245 deg to ENAm English Daily
0000-0500 on 5110vBCQ 050 kW / 245 deg to ENAm English CUSB Sun/Mon
0100-0200 on 5110vBCQ 050 kW / 245 deg to ENAm English CUSB Tue-Fri Brother Stair
0100-0200 on 5110vBCQ 050 kW / 245 deg to ENAm English CUSB Sat
0100-0200 on 7490vBCQ 050 kW / 245 deg to ENAm English Mon Brother Stair
0200-0400 on 7490vBCQ 050 kW / 245 deg to ENAm English Daily Brother Stair
0200-0500 on 5110vBCQ 050 kW / 245 deg to ENAm English CUSB Tue-Sat Brother Stair
0400-0500 on 7490vBCQ 050 kW / 245 deg to ENAm English Mon-Sat
0400-0500 on 7490vBCQ 050 kW / 245 deg to ENAm English Sun Brother Stair
5110v=5109.8
7490v=7489.9


Cancelled transmissions
1700-2100 on 15420 BCQ 050 kW / 245 deg to ENAm English CUSB Daily
2100-2200 on 15420 BCQ 050 kW / 245 deg to ENAm English CUSB Sun
2200-2300 on 9330 BCQ 050 kW / 245 deg to ENAm English CUSB Mon-Fri
0000-0100 on 9330 BCQ 050 kW / 245 deg to ENAm English CUSB Sat

(SWL DXing/30 May)

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Radio Mi Amigo set for daily broadcast in June



(QSL via playdx)

Radio Mi Amigo new transmissions every day from 1st of June:

Shortwave-program:
Radio Mi Amigo International will be on shortwave EVERY DAY from 1st of June.
The exact times are (all times CET) :
Monday to Friday:  ---  7.05pm to 8pm  ---   6005 khz
Saturday: ---   8am to 2pm   ---   6005 khz  (from 10am to 2pm also on 9560 khz)
Sunday:   ---   8am to 12midday   ---   6005 khz  (from 10am to 12midday also 9560 khz)
Sunday:   ---   12 midday to 4pm  ---   7310 khz (from 12 midday to 2pm also on 9560 khz)

Mediumwave-program:
From June you can also listen to Radio Mi Amigo programmes on 1485 khz from Riga, Latvia which also
serves parts of Scandinavia and parts of north east Germany.
..
Saturday :   ---   10pm to midnight   ---   1485 khz
Sunday   :   ---   05pm to 6pm and 8pm to midnight    ---   1485 kHz
(Manuel Méndez,Lugo, Spain/HCDX)

Through the Years With Shortwave WYFR



On a recent occasion here in Wavescan, we presented an episode about the illustrious shortwave station WYFR up to the time when all 14 shortwave transmitters were installed in their new facility at Okeechobee in Florida.  This bevy of transmitters included one new unit that had been in storage for some time at the Continental factory in Dallas Texas; 5 that were transferred from the WRUL-WNYW-WYFR shortwave station at Hatherly Beach, Scituate in Massachusetts; and 8 that were constructed by the station staff at Okeechobee.

            In the onward flow of information about this huge shortwave station, we pick up the story again in the year 1988 at the time when the full complement of transmitters at Okeechobee was on the air in active service.

            As the transferred and new transmitters were installed progressively at Okeechobee, they were initially designated with the numbers from 1 - 14 in the order in which they were installed.  However, as time went by, the designation of each unit was modified and each transmitter was then identified in the progressive order of the actual location within the transmitter building.

            At this stage (1988), shortwave WYFR contained the following compliment of transmitters:-

                        2 Continental     418D     100 kW        New, though one was previously on air at Scituate

                        1 Continental     417B        50              Previously on air at Scituate

                        2 Harris Gates  HF100   100               Previously on air at Scituate

                        1 Gates             HF50C     50             Previously on air at Scituate

                        8 WYFR                           100             All new, design based on Continental 418D

 
            All 14 shortwave transmitters at WYFR were on the air in daily usage with programming in some 20 languages beamed at varying times throughout the day to all continents.  And, beginning each day at  2200 UTC in 1988 for example, all 14 transmitters were on the air at the same time, with a total output power into the antenna systems of a massive 1.3 MW (megawatts).

            In addition to the full complement of 14 shortwave transmitters, 2 at 50 kW and 12 at 100 kW, WYFR programming  was beamed almost worldwide with a bevy of 23 antennas; 12 log periodics, 5 nested double rhomboids (10), and a TCI curtain with a passive reflector.  The feeder transmission lines running from the transmitter building to the various antenna systems as shown on an engineering map are described as appearing like the spokes of a huge wagon wheel.

     Audio Insert

            WYFR: Theme music & identification announcement

 

            Over the years, there have been a few occasions when WYFR has sustained significant  damage under the impact of tropical storms and hurricanes.  For example, during the year 2004, WYFR was damaged by Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne, and then again during the following year by Hurricane Wilma. 

            In advance of the coming storms, the WYFR staff made adequate preparation to safeguard their station against wind, rain and lightning.  Outdoor items that might blow around were secured, the transmitters and other electronic equipment inside the transmitter building were covered with plastic sheeting to safeguard against rain, and the transmitters were shut down when the open wire transmission lines began to slap around in the wind.

            On these stormy occasions, some of the outdoor facilities were damaged, including antennas, feeder lines and switches.  After the systems were repaired following Hurricane Wilma, the 100 kW transmitters were on the air for a while at half power.

            During its nearly 36 years of active service, shortwave WYFR was on the air daily with the continuous broadcast of its massive program output that was heard in almost every country of the world.  During this long era, they celebrated four major anniversaries, their 10th, 20th, 25th and 30th.

One of the unique broadcasting arrangements that was implemented by Family Radio was a long series of relay transmissions via major shortwave stations operated by other international radio broadcasting organizations.  The first of these international program relays began without prior announcement on January 1, 1982, under a reciprocal agreement with Radio Taiwan International.  WYFR programming was relayed via RTI, and RTI programming was relayed by WYFR.   

            Over a period of more than 30 years, the international programming of Family Radio was noted on the air via shortwave transmitters owned and operated by a multitude of other shortwave broadcasting organizations at more then 30 different locations on all continents except Australia.  During a special series of test transmissions in 2003 that was arranged by NASB, the National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters, two half hour programs compiled by WYFR were broadcast over the original WRMI at Hialeah with 50 kW on 7385 kHz.

            The most unusual relay of WYFR programming had to be over station WTTZ somewhere in Europe.  A listener in Kristiansand Norway reported in 2008 that he was listening to the programing from station WTTZ on 6925 kHz several nights in a row.  The noted American specialist in pirate radio activity, George Zeller, states that he knows nothing about the unauthorized European shortwave station with a fake American callsign, and we can only presume that the WYFR relay via WTTZ was an unauthorized operation by a hobby broadcaster.

            Shortwave station WYFR was always a prolific verifier of reception reports and their QSL cards were issued from their head office in Oakland California.  More than a dozen different QSL cards are known, and if any international radio monitor in some part of the world out there was able to collect at least one card from each design, the tally would be much higher.

            Their  20th anniversary QSL card was quite unique, in that it was in reality a pair of cards.  The photo on the left hand side card featured the studio staff in Oakland California, and the photo on the right hand side card featured the staff at the transmitter station in Okeechobee Florida.  When the two cards are placed side by side, the reading of the text, and the map of the world, are shown as complete.

            The end came mid year 2013, on June 30, to be exact; and the illustrious WYFR was no more.  It was silenced forever, at least under the original callsign.  As we know, the station itself was taken over by Radio Miami International and rejuvenated, and the callsign WRMI was transferred from the 50 kW station in Hialeah to the Okeechobee station with its 14 transmitters.  This station is still the largest privately operated shortwave station in the Western Hemisphere.

            We express appreciation to Dan Elyea, Engineering Manager at WYFR, for information he has provided for this lengthy series of topics on this illustrious shortwave station in Florida.  In addition, he kindly vetted each of the scripts in the series on WYFR to ensure that the information was accurate, and that it presented the story appropriately.  We wish him well for a well-deserved and happy retirement.

            On the next occasion when we take a look at the story of an international shortwave station in the United States, we plan to go back to the beginning, and present the long and interesting history of the shortwave station associated with the famous mediumwave station KDKA in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.
(AWR Wavescan/NWS 326)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins



Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2015 May 25 0854 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 18 - 24 May 2015

Solar activity was at low levels from 18-23 May with very low levels observed on 24 May. Only low level isolated C-class flaring was observed during the period originating from Regions 2349 (S21,
L=002, class/area Dao/060 on 24 May), 2351 (N22, L=330, class/area Cso/020 on 20 May), and 2353 (N07, L=344, class/area Dao/060 on 24 May). Region 2339 (N13, L=129, class/area Fkc/900 on 08 May), which was very productive last period, decayed as it quietly rotated around the NW limb on 18 May. Region 2349 emerged on the visible disk on 18 May, but did not show any significant growth until 23 May. Region 2353 emerged on 21 May and exhibited growth through the end of the period. However, both regions only managed 60 millionths of coverage by the end of the period. No Earth directed coronal mass ejections were observed.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at normal levels on 19 and 24 May, moderate levels from 20-23 May, and at high levels on 18 May.

Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to major storm conditions. The period began under the influence of a co-rotating interaction region followed by a positive polarity equatorial coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS). Total field increased to a maximum of 18 nT at 19/0052 UTC while the Bz component fluctuated between +13 nT and -15 nT late on 18 May through early on 19 May.
Solar wind increased to near 575 km/s by midday on 19 May before slowly returning to nominal conditions by late on 20 May. The geomagnetic field responded with minor to major storm conditions
late on 18 May through early on 19 May. Quiet to unsettled levels were observed on 20 May. A return to quiet conditions occurred on 21 May and persisted through the end of the period.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 25 May - 20 June 2015

Solar activity is expected to be at very low to low levels. A chance for moderate levels exists from 30 May through 11 Jun with the return of Region 2339.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at normal to moderate levels with high levels possible from 31 May-01 Jun, 04-06 Jun, 10-12 Jun, and 16-20 Jun due
to recurrent CH HSS effects.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at unsettled to active levels from 28-30 May, 02-03 Jun, 07-11 Jun, and 13-15 Jun with possible minor storm levels on 08-09 Jun due to recurrent CH HSS
effects.
Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2015 May 25 0854 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 2015-05-25
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2015 May 25     100           5          2
2015 May 26     100           5          2
2015 May 27     100           5          2
2015 May 28      95           8          3
2015 May 29      90          12          4
2015 May 30     105           8          3
2015 May 31     110           5          2
2015 Jun 01     115           5          2
2015 Jun 02     120          15          4
2015 Jun 03     120          10          3
2015 Jun 04     125           5          2
2015 Jun 05     125           5          2
2015 Jun 06     120           5          2
2015 Jun 07     115          10          3
2015 Jun 08     115          25          5
2015 Jun 09     115          20          5
2015 Jun 10     115          12          4
2015 Jun 11     110           8          3
2015 Jun 12     105           5          2
2015 Jun 13     100           8          3
2015 Jun 14     100          15          4
2015 Jun 15      95          12          4
2015 Jun 16      90           5          2
2015 Jun 17      90           5          2
2015 Jun 18      95           5          2
2015 Jun 19      95           5          2
2015 Jun 20      95           5          2
(NOAA)

Monday, May 18, 2015

QSL of the Week - DW Kigali When the Station Was New

Deutsche Welle QSL (Gayle Van Horn Collection)
In recent time, the attention of the international radio world has been focused on the closure of the  Deutsche Well shortwave relay station located north of Kigali in the land-locked African nation of Rwanda.  Our QSL of the week was issued by Deutsche Welle verifying the reception of their Kigali relay station, not at the time when it was closing, but rather at the time when it had just been opened and taken into service, in 1963.
            Norbert Reiner of Karlsruhe in Germany recently sent us a reception report of an AWR program in the French language that was on relay from Deutsche Well Kigali.  His recent report was one of the last AWR broadcasts from Kigali, and it was heard on the frequency 17800 kHz just before the station was closed.

            In his recent reception report addressed to the AWR office in Indianapolis, Norbert Reiner states: In my QSL collection there is a verification for my reception of the inauguration broadcast of the Deutsche Welle Kigali relay station.  The date for that memorable broadcast was way back more than half a century ago.
AWR-Wavescan/NWS 325)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins


Cranky Sun (NOAA)
Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2015 May 18 0402 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 11 - 17 May 2015

Solar activity was low from 11-15 May. The largest event of the period was a C9/1n at 13/1838 UTC associated with a filament eruption near Region 2345 (N16, L=113, class/area Axx/020 on 13
May). Region 2339 (N13, L=129, class/area Fkc/900 on 08 May) was the most active region on the disk and produced 19 C-class events during the period. There were several filament eruptions observed during the period however, none of them turned out to be geoeffective. Solar activity decreased to very low levels for 16-17 May. 

The greater than 10 MeV proton flux at geosynchronous orbit was enhanced on 12 May reaching a peak flux of 6 pfu at 12/0720 UTC but never crossed alert threshold. 

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at normal to moderate levels on 11-13 May before reaching high levels daily for the remainder of the period in response to effects from a negative polarity coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS). 

Geomagnetic field activity was at unsettled to active levels on 11 May and mostly unsettled levels on 12 May due to extended periods of negative Bz. On 13 May, geomagnetic field conditions increased to active to major storm levels due to the onset of a recurrent negative polarity CH HSS. Quiet to unsettled levels persisted on 14-15 May as effects from the HSS subsided. Quiet conditions
prevailed for the remainder of the period. 

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 18 May - 13 June 2015

Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels with a chance for C-class flares and a slight chance of M-class flares on 18 May before decreasing further to only a chance for C-class flares once
Region 2339 rotates fully around the west limb on 19 May. The chance for M-class activity increases on 25 May with the return of old Region 2335 (S15, L=192) and remain elevated through the remainder of the forecast period. 

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at moderate to high levels from 18-28 May due to residual effects from last weeks negative polarity CH HSS followed
by effects from an anticipated positive polarity HSS due to become geoeffective on 18 May. Normal to moderate levels are expected to prevail with the exception of 31 May-01 Jun, 04-06 Jun, and 10-12
Jun following various recurrent CH high speed streams. 

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be quiet to active on 18-19 May due to effects from a positive polarity CH HSS. Mostly quiet conditions are expected from 20 May to 01 Jun. Quiet to
unsettled conditions with a chance for active periods are expected on 02-03 Jun due to effects from a negative polarity HSS followed by quiet conditions through 06 Jun. Unsettled conditions are expected on 07 and 10 Jun as well as active to minor storm conditions on 08-09 Jun due to the anticipated return of the recurrent negative polarity CH HSS that yielded major storm conditions this week. Mostly quiet conditions are expected for the remainder of the period. 

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2015 May 18 0403 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 2015-05-18
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2015 May 18     115          15          3
2015 May 19     105          12          4
2015 May 20      95           5          2
2015 May 21      90           5          2
2015 May 22      90           5          2
2015 May 23      90           5          2
2015 May 24      95           5          2
2015 May 25     105           5          2
2015 May 26     105           5          2
2015 May 27     105           5          2
2015 May 28     105           5          2
2015 May 29     105           8          3
2015 May 30     105           8          3
2015 May 31     110           5          2
2015 Jun 01     115           5          2
2015 Jun 02     120          15          4
2015 Jun 03     120          10          3
2015 Jun 04     125           5          2
2015 Jun 05     130           5          2
2015 Jun 06     130           5          2
2015 Jun 07     120          12          3
2015 Jun 08     120          25          5
2015 Jun 09     120          25          5
2015 Jun 10     120          12          3
2015 Jun 11     120           5          2
2015 Jun 12     120           5          2
2015 Jun 13     110           8          3
(NOAA)

Monitoring Voice of Nigeria




Voice of Nigeria QSL (Gayle Van Horn Collection)
Voice of Nigeria

All times UTC

Voice of Nigeria in Monday, May 11
1700-1730 on  9690 IKO 250 kW / 248 deg to WCAf English, instead of Igbo
1730-1800 on 15120 IKO 250 kW / 007 deg to NoAf English, instead of Arabic + DRM
from 1752 on 15120vAJA 250 kW / 248 deg to WCAf English DRM, scheduled from 1800

Voice of Nigeria problem with modulation continues again on May 15. Modulation of transmitter in Ikorodu is like a Radio Cairo or Radio Pakistan:
0700-0800 on 15120 IKO 250 kW / 007 deg to NoAf English, not French, good as usual
1500-1600 on 15120 IKO 250 kW / 007 deg to NoAf English awful modulation
1600-1630 on  9690 IKO 250 kW / 248 deg to ECAf Swahili awful modulation
1630-1700 on  9690 IKO 250 kW / 248 deg to WCAf Yoruba awful modulation
1700-1730 on  9690 IKO 250 kW / 248 deg to WCAf Igbo awful modulation
1730-1800 on 15120 IKO 250 kW / 007 deg to NoAf Arabic awful modulation
1800-2000 on  7255vIKO 250 kW / 248 deg to WCAf English, IKO or AJA, third transmitter ? 
1800-2000 on 15120vAJA 250 kW / 248 deg to WCAf English DRM
(DX Mix Nx 910)

VOA on the Frontlines of Political Crisis in Burundi

(photo by VOA)
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 13, 2015 -- Voice of America is leading international coverage of the political upheaval in Burundi with on-the-scene reporting and new programming in KirundiKinyarwanda, French, Swahili, and English.

VOA East Africa Correspondent Gabe Joselow reported from the streets of Burundi's capital early Wednesday amid reports of a coup against President Pierre Nkurunziza. He filmed thousands of people cheering President Nkurunziza's apparent ouster, but also cautioned that their celebrations may be premature as the depth of military support for coup leader General Godefroid Niyombare was unclear.

VOA's Central Africa Service broadcast General Niyombare's statement claiming power and balanced it with an interview with President Nkurunziza's Interior Minister Edouard Nduwimana, who said the coup had failed and the president was on his way back to Bujumbura. VOA reporters in Burundi provided live updates on the standoff outside the national radio station along with a series of interviews with protestors.

The Central Africa Service broadcast White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest's call for all sides to end the violence and his pronouncement that the Obama administration continues to recognize President Nkurunziza. The Service also spoke to opposition politician Hussein Radjab and George Mason University professor Elavie Ndura while profiling General Niyombare and his objection to President Nkurunziza running for a third term.

VOA's Swahili Service reported from Dar es Salaam, where President Nkurunziza was scheduled to meet with regional leaders to discuss Burundi's political crisis. Swahili carried a statement from Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete condemning the coup and calling for a postponement of next month's vote. The service also interviewed Burundian opposition politician Agathon Rwasa, who backed removing the president but objected to military rule.

VOA's French-to-Africa Service preempted regular programming to focus on the crisis in Burundi. The English-language television show Africa 54 led with original Joselow reporting from Bujumbura and an on-set interview with Professor Ndura.
 
The political upheaval follows President Nkurunziza's decision to run for re-election, which his opponents say violates a regional peace accord limiting the president to two terms. President Nkurunziza says he is not bound by those limits because parliament voted him to his first term.

As clashes between police and anti-government protesters increased, VOA this week began boosting broadcasts to Burundi, adding shortwave and FM broadcasts in Kirundi, Kinyarwanda, Kiswahili, French, and English. VOA is now able to provide more reporting from the ground, new drive-time newscasts, and an expanded call-in show.

"The uncertainty of the situation in Burundi following the coup attempt makes accurate reporting even more essential," says VOA Director David Ensor. "Our coverage played a vital role before these events, and it is even more important now to help keep our audiences informed."
(VOA)

All times UTC

Extended schedule of VOA to Burundi from May 11:
0330-0400 on  7305 SAO 100 kW / 100 deg to SoAf Kirundi Daily
0330-0400 on  7325 SAO 100 kW / 100 deg to SoAf Kirundi Daily
0330-0400 on 11905 SAO 100 kW / 114 deg to SoAf Kirundi Daily

0400-0430 on  7305 BOT 100 kW / 010 deg to SoAf Kirundi Sat/Sun
0400-0430 on  7325 BOT 100 kW / 350 deg to SoAf Kirundi Sat/Sun
0400-0430 on 11905 KWT 250 kW / 220 deg to SoAf Kirundi Sat/Sun

0400-0430 on  7350 BOT 100 kW / 350 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Fri
0400-0430 on  9815 BOT 100 kW / 010 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Fri
0400-0430 on 11905 SAO 100 kW / 114 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Fri

0430-0505 on  7350 BOT 100 kW / 350 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Fri
0430-0505 on  9815 BOT 100 kW / 010 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Fri
0430-0505 on 11905 SAO 100 kW / 114 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Fri

0505-0530 on  7350 BOT 100 kW / 010 deg to SoAf English Mon-Fri
0505-0530 on  9815 BOT 100 kW / 350 deg to SoAf English Mon-Fri
0505-0530 on 11905 SAO 100 kW / 114 deg to SoAf English Mon-Fri

1600-1630 on 13630 BOT 100 kW / 350 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Fri
1600-1630 on 11865 MEY 100 kW / 015 deg to SoAf Kirundi Sat
1600-1630 on 15460 SAO 100 kW / 100 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Sat
1600-1630 on 17530 SAO 100 kW / 100 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Sat

1830-1900 on 11865 SMG 250 kW / 170 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Fri
1830-1900 on 13785 SAO 100 kW / 100 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Fri

1930-2000 on  9470 SAO 100 kW / 088 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Fri
1930-2000 on 11615 SAO 100 kW / 100 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Fri
1930-2000 on 12140 BOT 100 kW / 010 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Fri
(DX Mix Nx 910)

WRTH Bargraph Frequency Guide A15 now available


Now Available - Order your CD or download today!

We are delighted to announce the availability of the new WRTH Bargraph Frequency Guide for the A15 season. The CD contains the complete, and monitored, A15 international broadcasts on LW, MW and SW, and fully updated domestic shortwave, displayed as a pdf colour bargraph.

There are also other pdf and xls files to help you get the most out of the Bargraph. All these files are also available on a downloadable Zip file...

The CD and Download are only available from the WRTH site. Visit our website at
www.wrth.com/_shop at  http://www.wrth.com
(Hardyman, May 12; via Anker Petersen-DEN, dswci DXW May 13/WWDXC Top Nx 1208)

Monitoring Al Dhabbaya UAE relays



United Arab Emirates
6180.091 Another odd frequency outlet from Al Dhabbaya UAE relay site. IBRA Radio in Somali language noted performing a sidelobe signal of S=9+5dB into southern Germany, at 1745 UT on May 10, til 17.59:20 UT TX sign-off.

And from 1800 UT switched to 6145.091 kHz into BBC Somali service, same 250 kW unit, same 215degrees curtain antenna usage.

6119.995 TWR Africa in Kunama language on Sundays, heard at 1805 UT via Al Dhabbaya UAE relay, children's chorus, on 2500 kW unit at 225 degrees according listing.

9409.989 BBCWS in English noted in 18-20 UT slot from Al Dhabbaya relay, S=8-9 sidelobe signal at 1822 UT May 10. Registry request of 250 kW at 220 degrees. Discussion about coming U.K. politics, premier minister, Scotland separation plans, and EU matter opinions.

15420.123 Another odd frequency outlet from Al Dhabbaya's four 250 kW units. BBCWS English noted at 0550 UT on May 9. On 15790 kHz BBC Arabic is on even frequency from UAE?, or is back again to BBC Al Seela Oman relay site outlet?
(wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 9 / 10)
(WWDXC/Top Nx 1208)

Dunamis Shortwave Loggings


Uganda
4750 Dunamis Shortwave, Mukono. May 5, 2015 at 1800 UT noted gospel songs on 4750 kHz with poor/fair reception due to local noise. Later also English religious programming. Couldn't get an ID but a fellow DXer here in Finland, Jari Lehtinen, managed to hear them ID. Signed off at 1909 UT. Dunamis Shortwave, Mukono had been silent and irregular for quite some time.
(Jari Savolainen-FIN, DXplorer May 5)

4750 Dunamis SW. Per Jari's tip (tnx Yari!) Heard this station via the Perseus site in east Finland on May 6 with non-stop highlife music from 1744 tune to 1836 UT, at which time the Perseus site abruptly disconnected and I could not re-tune.
(Mauno Ritola-FIN, DXplorer May 6)

4750 Dunamis, SW
Dunamis SW was better today than 6 May with signals improving steadily after 1830 UT to sign off - programming abruptly stopped in mid-song at 1917 UT and the carrier went down at 1917:29 UT. Whatever happened on 7 May was fixed today. Tuned both Karelia MWDX and TreDXK Perseus sites today with similar signal levels on both sites.

No announcement heard, and no religious programming, just local music. Decent signal strength (SINPO 2v3/3/3/3/3) with periodic utility interference both below and above the channel. Re-tuning today (May 7), good carrier presentation from same site as well as north Sweden, but audio was pretty
much non-existent. Likewise from the Brisbane site, but there the carrier was a bit weaker. Perhaps station staff is having technical issues with thetransmitter.
(Bruce Churchill-CA-USA, DXplorer April 7 / 8)
(WWDXC-Top Nx 1208)

Solomon Island Monitoring and Observations


Solomon Islands

All times UTC

5020.0 SIBC - The Voice of the Nation, May 12 back to their normal frequency; ex anomaly 9545 kHz; at 0922 UT with the "Derek Prince Legacy Radio" religious program in English; ID - SIBC, the Voice of the Nation; 1015 UT info about a tropical low causing rain, but "possibility of a cyclone is low"; poor with Cuban interference from 5025 kHz.
(Ron Howard-CA-USA, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 12)

5019.999 SLM SIBC Honiara, in English, S=9+15dB -58dBm, heard Daily Police Report at 0843 UT. Splatter from adjacent 5025.0 CUB Exciting Cuban music heard on Radio Rebelde program,
via Quivican Bejucal old USSR relay site, S=9+10dB or -62dBm strength.
(wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 13)

5020 SIBC Honiara on May 12. Heard this morning from 1132 to 1204* UT with rather good signals (improving due to dawn enhancement). Noted with news at 1132 UT, followed with a variety program, with one selection by Amy Cross (C&W Ballad) .TC at 1155 UT, then Religious Sermon by preacher with rather dubious "Hell and Brimstone" scriptures. Closing announcements, nice ID for SIBC and then National Anthem played to 1204* UT. Best heard on the 31/60 meter Trap-sloper.
(Edward Kusalik-Alb-CAN VE6EFK, DXplorer May 12)
(WWDXC-Top News 1208)

HCJB Announces New Items on Tribute Page


Ecuador

HCJB Quito, Ecuador is surely one of the most famous shortwave stations. We have a number of historic items from the station, and we are going to put them all on a special "HCJB Tribute" page.

To start off we have posted a pamphlet called "Songs and Scenes" which, as the name implies, contains some photos of the station as well as sheet music for some songs, several of which were written by HCJB co-founder Clarence W. Jones.

Judging from the copyright dates of the songs and the "Gospel Sound Truck"  in one of the photos, this pamphlet appears to date from the very late 1940s or early 1950s. Note the group photo on p. 14. That's definitely Clayton Howard in the front row, far left, and maybe Helen in the back row, fourth from the left. Both had arrived at the station circa 1941.
(via new History material at  http://www.ontheshortwaves.com
(Jerry Berg-MA-USA, DXplorer May 10/WWDXC Top Nx 1208)

Clandestine frequency updates

Frequency update for Radio Tamazuj and Radio Dabanga



Radio Dabanga
0430-0600 11645 SMG 250 kW / 146 deg to EaAf Sudanese Arabic, ex 11650

Radio Tamazuj
0400-0430 11645 SMG 250 kW / 146 deg to EaAf Sudanese Arabic, ex 11650
(Ivo Ivanov/11 May)


BBC Uzbek frequency update



BBC frequency updates for Uzbek service - from May 11:

All times UTC

1300-1330 15180 SLA 250 kW / 010 deg to CeAs Uzbek Mon, ex 15330
1300-1330 on 15330 SLA 250 kW / 010 deg to CeAs Uzbek Tue, ex Daily
1300-1330 15500 SLA 250 kW / 010 deg to CeAs Uzbek Wed, ex 15330
1300-1330 on 15330 SLA 250 kW / 010 deg to CeAs Uzbek Thu, ex Daily
1300-1330 15180 SLA 250 kW / 010 deg to CeAs Uzbek Fri, ex 15330
1300-1330 15500 SLA 250 kW / 010 deg to CeAs Uzbek Sat, ex 15330
1300-1330 15180 SLA 250 kW / 010 deg to CeAs Uzbek Sun, ex 15330

1300-1330 on 17510 SNG 250 kW / 315 deg to CeAs Uzbek Mon, ex Daily
1300-1330 17575 SNG 250 kW / 315 deg to CeAs Uzbek Tue, ex 17510
1300-1330 on 17510 SNG 250 kW / 315 deg to CeAs Uzbek Wed, ex Daily
1300-1330 17665 SNG 250 kW / 315 deg to CeAs Uzbek Thu, ex 17510
1300-1330 17575 SNG 250 kW / 315 deg to CeAs Uzbek Fri, ex 17510
1300-1330 17665 SNG 250 kW / 315 deg to CeAs Uzbek Sat, ex 17510
1300-1330 17665 SNG 250 kW / 315 deg to CeAs Uzbek Sun, ex 17510

1300-1330 17760 NAK 250 kW / 325 deg to CeAs Uzbek Mon, ex 17735
1300-1330 17760 NAK 250 kW / 325 deg to CeAs Uzbek Tue, ex 17735
1300-1330 17860 NAK 250 kW / 325 deg to CeAs Uzbek Wed, ex 17735
1300-1330 17860 NAK 250 kW / 325 deg to CeAs Uzbek Thu, ex 17735
1300-1330 17860 NAK 250 kW / 325 deg to CeAs Uzbek Fri, ex 17735
1300-1330 on 17735 NAK 250 kW / 325 deg to CeAs Uzbek Sat, ex Daily
1300-1330 17760 NAK 250 kW / 325 deg to CeAs Uzbek Sun, ex 17735
(Ivanov/17 May)

Friday, May 15, 2015

Weekend VOA Radiogram schedule

Hello friends,

After the MT63-2000L bonus mode of program 108, Walt in the UK suggested that we transmit an entire news story in this mode. That will happen this weekend. This long-interleave version uses the entire 2000 Hz we have available in one sideband of a shortwave AM channel. I have measured its speed at nearly 200 words per minute, about twice as fast as our usual MFSK32 mode.

Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 111, 16-17 May 2015, all in MFSK32 except where indicated:

1:29  Program preview
2:44  VOA increases broadcasts to Burundi*
8:09  Forest management to reduce hunger*
16:02  Shipwreck found during search for MH370*
23:19  MT63-2000L: Huge demand for US entrepreneur visas
27:11  MFSK32: Closing announcements
28:40  Olivia 64-2000: Bonus 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 17870 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 Sunday at about 0130 UTC (Saturday 9:30 pm EDT) on 9925 kHz, via Germany. (It will be a van Gogh painting.) Reports to Eric: themightykbc@gmail.com .

If you have an Android device, try the beta AndFlmsg app, available from http://www.w1hkj.com/vk2eta/

The Saturday 0930 UTC transmission is now propagating to Japan.  See videos at …
http://voaradiogram.net/post/118013945737/videos-of-voa-radiogram-on-2-may-2015-from-japan

I continue to be two weeks behind in answering your emails. I’ll try to send out all the galleries for program 109 before the end of Saturday.

Despite the backlog, please tune in and write in this weekend. 

Kim

Kim Andrew Elliott
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram

   

IBB Frequency updates




Radio Free Asia from May 14
1300-1400 NF 11595 KWT 250 kW / 070 deg to CeAs Tibetan, ex 11605
1600-1700 NF 12035 TIN 250 kW / 303 deg to CeAs Uyghur, ex 12075

Radio Liberty from May 14
1400-1500 NF 15180 LAM 100 kW / 077 deg to CeAs Uzbek, ex 15480

Voice of America from May 14
1400-1500 NF 17595 LAM 100 kW / 077 deg to CeAs Tibetan, ex 17570

Voice of America from May 16
1600-1700 NF 15505 BIB 100 kW / 085 deg to CeAs Tibetan Mon, ex 15495 
1600-1700 NF 11910 PHT 250 kW / 315 deg to CeAs Tibetan Tue, ex 15505 
1600-1700 NF 15505 BIB 100 kW / 085 deg to CeAs Tibetan Wed, ex 15495 
1600-1700 NF 11910 PHT 250 kW / 315 deg to CeAs Tibetan Thu, ex 15505 
1600-1700 NF 15505 BIB 100 kW / 085 deg to CeAs Tibetan Fri, ex 15495 
1600-1700 NF 11910 PHT 250 kW / 315 deg to CeAs Tibetan Sat, ex 15505 
1600-1700 NF 11910 PHT 250 kW / 315 deg to CeAs Tibetan Sun, ex 15505 
(SWL DXIng/15 May)


Full data QSL Card for Spy Transmission, including Callsign


A valid QSL from a spy numbers station is quite a rarity, and the only known spy numbers station ever known to verify was on the air in Prague, Czechoslovakia under the callsign OLX.  Over the years, many international radio monitors have heard this enigmatic station when it was broadcasting a series of numbers in groups of five, either in Morse Code or in speech. 
            It is understood that these numbers broadcasts utilize a once only numbers pad and that they are one way transmissions to spies in another country.  Similar radio transmissions have been noted from other shortwave stations located in several different countries in Europe and the Americas.
            It is believed that the numbers broadcasts from Prague emanated from the Ministry of Internal Affairs building in Prague, though the actual location of the shortwave transmitter itself is not known. The callsign OLX belongs to the Czech News Agency, so probably the spy broadcasts were transmitted from their shortwave station, perhaps somewhere on the edge of Prague.

            The QSL sheet from station OLX, as todays QSL of the Week, was addressed to Vassily and it shows a panorama picture of downtown Prague.  The QSL verifies a reception report dated December 7, 1995 when the station was heard on 9320 kHz in SSB single side band mode, apparently in speech.         It is known that just a few other international radio monitors have received a verification from spy numbers station OLX.  This broadcast service ended many years ago, in 1977.
(AWR Wavescan/NWS 324)

Tribute to Nepal: The Early Radio Scene

As would be expected after such a massive earthquake that occurred recently, the Himalayan country of Nepal is still in recovery mode in a slowly progressive move towards normalcy.  Crumbled buildings are still yielding the dead, and during the past week a few living though injured survivors have been rescued. 
            Massive aid has been brought in to Nepal, and the need for just as much further aid is still required.  It is indeed additionally requisite that a monumental endeavor on the part of the Nepali government as well as its citizens will need to be implemented in order to piece together again the regular routine of family and business life throughout their nation.
            The mountainous country of Nepal lies as a buffer state between its hugely larger neighbors, China and India. The country itself is 500 miles long and 150 miles wide.  The northern areas are composed of rugged and high mountain ranges, and the southern areas are made up of farmlands and villages, though in many locales it is still quite hilly.  The total population is in the range of 27 million, and their capital city is Kathmandu with around ¾ million inhabitants.

            From the very earliest times, people have lived in the Nepali areas of the Himalaya Mountains.  It is thought that the earliest known society in Nepal were the Kusunda people, who lived in what is now western Nepal. 
            According to a feature article broadcast by the BBC London three years ago, there was only one person left who still speaks the Kusunda language.  Subsequently however, a few other people who are fluent in the language have been discovered, and the known total now stands at seven or eight.  There are several different theories regarding the Kusunda language, including that the Kusunda people and their language are related to the Andaman Islands, and to Irian Jaya, western New Guinea.
            A national census in 2011 listed 123 spoken languages in Nepal, though the regional language of Kathmandu, Nepali, has become the official national language.  The Nepali language is closely related to Hindi and Bengali, and it is written with the Devanagari script, as in Hindi.
            Around 500 BC, small kingdoms and clan confederations began to grow in the southern more hospitable areas of Nepal.   A prince in one of these small kingdoms renounced his royal privileges; he led an ascetic life, and developed a new religion.  The young prince is better known in our era as Gautama Buddha. 
            However, Buddhism is not the dominant religion in Nepal these days.  Around 10% are Buddhist, and around 80% are Hindu.  Both Islam and Christianity are minority religions in Nepal.
            Towards the end of the 1700s, the various communities in Nepal began to come together as one nation, though this was accomplished in several bloody battles.  British influence came to Nepal with the growing encroachments of the British East India Company in Calcutta, and this included another war.
            The Royal family in the Kingdom of Nepal provided top government leaders, including Prime Ministers, for more than two centuries, though these days, Nepal is considered to be a Federal Parliamentary Republic.
            It was back in the year 1929 that the first radio receivers were imported into the country of Nepal.  The royal family imported from England half a dozen already assembled receivers that were made available to family members and top government officials.  It is stated that Mr. Dev Mani Dixit in Kathmandu imported the seventh radio receiver independently from England and when he received it, he staged a celebration party to honor the occasion. 
            It is probable that the imported English radio receivers back then were housed in ornate wooden cabinets and that they were capable of receiving radio stations that were broadcasting on the mediumwave and longwave bands.  However, at that stage, there were no radio transmitters in Nepal, and the only radio broadcasting stations on the air anywhere nearby were located in India.  At that time, the broadcasting stations in India were transitioning from the experimental era to the early era under what later became AIR, All India Radio.
            During the earlier part of World War 2 in Asia, the government of Nepal confiscated all radio receivers throughout Nepal and they were taken into storage at Singha Durbar in suburban Kathmandu.  At the time, it is estimated that there were just 500 receivers in Kathmandu itself.  However in 1946, many months after the war was concluded, the receivers were returned to their owners.
            Available information would indicate that the first radio transmitter in Nepal was a low powered unit that was installed for official communication purposes in 1939.  This transmitter, rated at just a ¼ kW we would suggest, was heard in the United States in December on a communication channel 14780 kHz with the identification announcement Radio Kathmandu.  For a couple of months, this station was heard occasionally in the United States at 4:00 am and 9:30 pm, eastern.
      
      During the era before the official government radio broadcasting station, Radio Nepal, was established in 1951, there were at least four separate occasions when radio broadcasting was attempted.  However, none of these attempts resulted in establishing a permanent station.
            In April 1945, the American radio journal Radio News carried a news item stating that a shortwave station that identified as The Voice of the Himalayas was on the air from 3:00  am to 9:00 am American eastern time.  The operating frequency was 11790 kHz in the standard 25 metre band. 
            Nothing else is known about this purported Voice of the Himalayas.  Was it an unsuccessful attempt at program broadcasting via the ¼ kW communication transmitter?  I guess we will never know!
            However, during the following year (1946) there was another beginning for radio broadcasting in Kathmandu.  Prime Minister Padma Shamsher Rana, a member of the royal family, had a radio transmitter assembled from radio receivers that were brought back into the country by soldiers returning home after the end of World War 2. 
            This radio station was placed on the air so that the Prime Minister could address the nation on important issues.  It was on the air for only a few months at the most.
            Two years later in January 1948, the same prime minister assembled a hybrid carrier current style system at Bijuli Adda in suburban Kathmandu.  The equipment was transferred from Bojhpur in eastern Nepal where it had been in use locally under a company style title, Mohan Aakashbani.
            This hybrid telecommunication system consisted of a low power transmitter with programming that was distributed over the telephone system, as in cable radio.  However, the signal from the transmitter could also be picked up direct on a radio receiver.
            This prime minister resigned on April 30 (1948), and the radio station was closed soon afterwards.  However, the radio station was reopened in August under the new prime minister,
Mohan Shamsher who was another member of the Rana royal family.  He also imported two new radio transmitters, though it does not seem that they were ever installed and taken into usage.
            Then in early 1951, a group of political leaders installed a radio broadcasting station at Biratnagar, in eastern Nepal near the border with India.  This station was on the air for just a few weeks at the most, under the political title, Prajatantra Nepal Radio.
            However shortly afterwards, all of the available radio equipments were assembled in Kathmandu and installed into a two storey building that had been previously in use as a privately operated school.  With the usage of the previous ¼ kW shortwave communication transmitter, Nepal Radio made its inaugural broadcast on 7100 kHz in the 40 metre amateur band, on April 3, 1951. 

            And thats where we plan to pick up the story again, here in Wavescan next week.
(AWR-Wavescan/NWS 324)