Uncle Bill’s Melting Pot, new program on WBCQ

I am launching a second program, Uncle Bill’s Melting Pot, a half hour music variety program, on March 2 on WBCQ, 7490 kHz.  It will be a combination of Americana, World Music, Comedy, Novelty,  and I will do my best to ensure that it will  be one of the most musically eclectic programs on any band along with a few laughs here and there.

Tilford Productions, which brings you From the Isle of Music, is launching a second program, Uncle Bill's Melting Pot, a half-hour musical variety program on WBCQ 7490 KHz perhaps best described as indescribable, or as host Bill Tilford states, "from the ridiculously sublime to the sublimely ridiculous with genres from A-Z".
The inaugural broadcast is Friday, March 3, 0000-0030 World Date/UTC
(Thursday, March 2, 7:00pm-7:30pm EST in North America)
Bill Tilford, Producer and Host
From the Isle of Music
Uncle Bill's Melting Pot

HAARP Goes Classical During New Experimental Campaign

ARRL
February 23, 2017

The just-concluded run of ionospheric investigations conducted from Alaska’s High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) observatory — quite likely the most powerful HF transmission facility in the world — revived the latent short-wave listener (SWL) lurking within most radio amateurs. Operating under Part 5 Experimental license WI2XFX, HAARP this month even aired some classical music as it conducted its first scientific research campaign since being taken over 18 months ago from the military by the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Geophysical Institute.
UAF Space Physics Group Assistant Research Professor Chris Fallen, KL3WX, focused on two experiments — one called “airglow” that literally aimed to light up the ionosphere, and another to demonstrate the so-called “Luxembourg Effect,” first noticed on a 1930s Radio Luxembourg broadcast. Public engagement was part of his plan, and Fallen this week said the Twitter and e-mail feedback from his transmissions had been “fantastic,” and that his science campaign had become “quite an event.”
“Thank you for making a difference and advancing Amateur Radio as well,” Doug Howard, VE6CID, tweeted. Another Twitter follower enthused, “You’re running the coolest DX station in the world.” Fallen said he also received “a lot of great waterfalls,” as well as video and audio recordings from hams and SWLs.
Fallen started and stopped each experiment block with DTMF tones, transmitted in AM on or about 2.8 and 3.3 MHz, each channel fed with audio tones of different frequencies or, in the case of music, as a separate stereo channel. If the “Luxembourg Effect” is present, skywave-signal listeners would hear both channels combined on a single frequency; Fallen said the effect is easier to detect with tones. In addition to tones, he transmitted “a ‘dance track,’ a Pachelbel Canon arrangement, and a variation of ‘Row, Row, Row Your Boat.’” Jeff Dumps, KL4IU, composed some of the music, and he arranged and performed all of it.
The CW “airglow” artificial aurora experiment followed the Luxembourg Effect transmissions. All week, Fallen despaired that the “ratty” ionosphere and cloud cover were diminishing his hopes for success with the artificial aurora experiments. But on the last night, he tweeted, “Seeing artificial airglow with the spectrometer. Film at 11.”
Fallen is now evaluating the results of his HAARP efforts. He said one listener posted “a most excellent” YouTube clip. He was not specific; several have been posted that document this week's experiments, including this one from Stephen Oleson, VE6SLP. Laurence Howell, KL7L, in Wasilla, Alaska, posted an audio file.
“The miracle of crowd sourcing!” Fallen said. “If only the Luxembourg Effect was more pronounced, but it is in the 3,300 kHz recording.”
Fallen has been working under a $60,000 National Science Foundation grant. “During campaigns, significant expenditures for fuel and personnel are required,” the grant abstract said. “Large start-up costs make HAARP experiments largely inaccessible to individual researchers unless multiple experiments and funding sources can be bundled together during a campaign of up to two-week duration.” According to the abstract, public participation would maximize “the broader impacts of the investigations.”
“HAARP again...perhaps sometime this summer!” Fallen tweeted on February 23. He has posted additional information on his “Gakona HAARPoon 2017” blog.
(Mike Terry/BDXC)
http://www.arrl.org/news/haarp-goes-classical-during-new-experimental-campaign
(photo/ARRL)

DX Stamp Service, March 2017 Specials

Dear Customer,

Below are specials for March 2017.

 If you need a current stamp list or supply list, I can email it to you.

NEWS:   Am hoping to acquire higher values to bring back 49c in 2 stamps. If that happens, I will make a special emailing to all.  NOTE!!!! Discount postage prices at 100 qty. have been adjusted upwards a bit...a nice way to say increased. STILL a great deal!!

IDEA:  Slightly damaged Deluxe QSL Album   now $30.00 -or- buy 2 for only $55.00!!!

NEW RATES:
Argentina now $63 for 20 gram letter
Peru now 9,70 s
Russia now 40 Rb, up from 35 Rb.
Costa Rica still $600. A few customers mentioned $665 rate...the extra $65 was a charity surcharge for a children's fund around Christmas time: "sobretasa para los Niños" A few countries do this from time to time: Serbia is one. Cyprus is constant with their Refugee stamp.

If you hear of or notice any new rates, let me know.

NEW PRICES:  
 IN STOCK AGAIN:  Algeria, Mexico, Peru.
 STAMPS ON BACK ORDER: Namibia, Saudi Arabia, Suriname
 
U.S. DISCOUNT POSTAGE DEALS!!
 Save Big on your domestic mailings when you plaster
 your envelope with colorful vintage stamps!
HAPPY  MAILING!!
49c units
 Forever
 
 in  2 stamps
 3 stamps
  4 stamps

x 100
 $45.00
 
 xxxx
 $41.00
 $40.00

x 200
 $85.00
 
 xxxx
 $63.00
 $62.00

x 500
 $208.00
 
 xxxx
 $157.00
 $157.00

Payment by Credit card, check or money order

               for forever stamps and 49c units                  

No Charge for posting Discount Postage Offers, sending only to USA addresses.

 MARCH 2017  DX  STAMP  SPECIALS
2 Germany-$2.60       2 Russia-$2.60       3 Japan-$3.90  
2 Italy-$7.00    2 UK-$3.00    2 France-$3.60    2 Spain-$4.00

  MARCH 2017  DX  SUPPLY  SPECIALS
200/200 European Plain Mailers and Plain Returns - $40.00
200/200 European Air Mailers and Plain Returns - $40.00
European AIR Returns are SOLD OUT!!
5 Packs of Extra QSL Album pages - $22.00

MARCH 2017 CLOSE OUT SPECIALS
500 European Air Mailers - $42.00
1000 European AIR Mailers - $76.00
200/200 Stateside mailers and Returns - $23.00
500/500 Stateside Mailers and Returns - $43.00
 
Priority Mail Shipping Rates: Orders up to $40.00 add $9.00, orders from $41.00 to $100.00 add $15.00. orders from $101.00 to $150.00 add $20.00, orders over $150.00 add 15%. When ordering supplies and stamps, the stamps ride free, just use supply total to figure shipping costs. Shipments to Canada and overseas ship at a greater cost. (07/2015 modified)

Stamps Only Orders: Just add $1.00 P&H for posting to USA, add $2.00 for posting to Canada.

73, bill

William Plum
12 Glenn Road
Flemington, NJ 08822
908 788 1020
 Email: plumdx@msn.com

From the Isle of Music, Week of February 27- March 4, 2017

This week, our special guest tresero Pancho Amat shares music from his extensive career, and we listen to some excellent Sones composed by Lazaro Blanco Kindelan

WBCQ, 7490 KHz, Tuesdays 0100-0200 UTC (8pm-9pm EST Mondays in the Americas)

Channel 292, 6070 KHz, Fridays 1100-1200 UTC (1200-1300 CET) and Saturdays 1200-1300 UTC (1300-1400 CET)

(Tilford Productions)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2017 Feb 27 0113 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html
#
#                Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 20 - 26 February 2017

Solar activity was at very low levels on 20-21 and 25-26 Feb with low levels observed on 22-24 Feb. Region 2638 (N19, L=111, class/area Dso/150 on 22 Feb) produced three C-class flares, one each on 22-24 Feb. The largest of these was a C4/1f flare observed on 22/1327 UTC. Several weak CMEs were observed during the period, but none of them had an Earth-directed component.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at moderate levels on 20, 22-24 and 26 Feb. High levels were observed on 21 and 25 Feb.

Geomagnetic field activity was at predominately quiet to active levels with an isolated minor storm (G1-Minor) interval early on 24 Feb. Quiet to unsettled levels were observed on 20-21 and 25-26 Feb under a nominal solar wind regime. Quiet to isolated G1 levels were observed on 22-24 Feb under the influence of a positive polarity CH HSS. Solar wind speeds reached a peak of 671 km/s at 24/0516 UTC. Total field (Bt) reached a peak of near 12 nT late on 23 Feb while the Bz component reached a maximum southward extent of -10 nT, again late on 23 Feb. Phi angle was in a predominately positive solar sector throughout the summary period.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 27 February - 25 March 2017

Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels with a chance for isolated C-class activity during the outlook period.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at high levels on 27 Feb, 01-13, 19-20 and 24-25 Mar. Normal to moderate levels are expected on 28 Feb, 14-18 and 21-23 Mar.

Geomagnetic field activity is likely to be reach G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm levels on 01-02 and 16 Mar due to recurrent CH HSS influence. Unsettled to active geomagnetic field activity is expected on 28 Feb, 03-04, 15, 17-19 and 21-24 Mar due to CH HSS influence. Mostly quiet conditions are expected for the remainder of the period under a nominal solar wind regime.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2017 Feb 27 0113 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html
#
#      27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
#                Issued 2017-02-27
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2017 Feb 27      79           5          2
2017 Feb 28      77          12          4
2017 Mar 01      77          25          5
2017 Mar 02      79          20          5
2017 Mar 03      79          15          4
2017 Mar 04      79           8          3
2017 Mar 05      75           5          2
2017 Mar 06      72           5          2
2017 Mar 07      72           5          2
2017 Mar 08      73           5          2
2017 Mar 09      74           5          2
2017 Mar 10      75           5          2
2017 Mar 11      75           5          2
2017 Mar 12      75           5          2
2017 Mar 13      75           5          2
2017 Mar 14      75           5          2
2017 Mar 15      74          10          3
2017 Mar 16      75          20          5
2017 Mar 17      77          15          4
2017 Mar 18      79          10          3
2017 Mar 19      80           8          3
2017 Mar 20      82           5          2
2017 Mar 21      82           8          3
2017 Mar 22      82          10          3
2017 Mar 23      82          15          4
2017 Mar 24      80           8          3
2017 Mar 25      80           5          2
(NOAA)

The Final End of an old Voice of America Relay Station

During the month of January, work began on the removal of 500 antenna poles from the marshy property of what was at one stage, one of the world’s best known maritime radio communication stations.  This station was on the air under the famous historic callsign WOO; its shortwave signal was heard almost worldwide; during the horrendous years of World War 2 it was an important relay station for the programming of the Voice of America; and the removal of the antenna poles seems to be the final indignity for a shortwave radio station whose story should be honored and memorialized, not buried in the forgotten events of the past.
And before we penetrate into the long and illustrious history of this mighty shortwave station, we express appreciation to Ray Robinson, who is serving at the modern Gospel shortwave station KVOH on the edge of Los Angeles.  Thank you Ray, for alerting us to the news about this closing episode in the history of the illustrious AT&T maritime shortwave station WOO at Ocean Gate in coastal New Jersey.  Let’s go back now to the beginning.  
The 70 historic years of international radio service rendered by this AT&T communication station at Ocean Gate, on the edge of the Atlantic coast in New Jersey, encompass the experimental years of shortwave development, the rise of shortwave coverage to an international high, and into the era that many people today wrongfully see as the downward slope in the continuing capability of international shortwave coverage.
It was back in the year 1929, that AT&T procured a large tract of land, 175 acres of salt water marsh on the water front at Good Luck Point, on the southern side of the mouth of the Tom’s River, opposite Long Beach Island.  This unassuming property on the Atlantic coastline some fifty miles south of New York City was procured for the purpose of installing a large maritime transmitter station.
The average elevation at this Ocean Gate property was just eighteen inches above high water, and so deep drainage pipes were inserted below ground level, entirely surrounding the three storeyed transmitter building.  The original electronic facilities installed at Ocean Gate included a 15 kW shortwave transmitter together with two curtain antennas seventy feet high.
The primary callsign at this new shortwave station has always been WOO, though this call was actually transferred from an even earlier and smaller shortwave station operated by AT&T at nearby  Deal Beach, also on the New Jersey coastline.
As was the confusing custom in those days, over the years an additional cluster of callsigns was also employed at Ocean Gate, for the identification of each transmitter as well as for the identification of each shortwave channel.  These additional callsigns were usually in the form of three letters, in the series beginning with WD and WO, such as for example WOA and WOZ, WDI and WDL.
The main transmitter building at Ocean Gate was three stories high, including a small basement which provided heating for the interior of the building.  Several of the antenna systems were installed on nearby marshy areas, some of which might be described as low tidal islands.
The ground floor contained the heavy electrical equipment such as power generators and huge transformers.  Thick cork padding was used under the generating machinery in order to dampen the heavy vibrations.
The top floor of the building housed the transmitters and the line switching, from the 20 mile distant receiver station and to the antenna systems.  Over the years, new transmitters were installed in this station, and older ones were removed.
Radio station WOO at AT&T Ocean Gate New Jersey was commissioned in 1930 with some excellent publicity in the local newspaper about this new international communication station.  The initial purpose for Ocean Gate Radio was for contact with Atlantic shipping, and for communication with land-based stations in Europe and South America.
Although this large and impressive shortwave station was erected primarily for commercial communication purposes, yet beginning in the year 1933, it was noted on the air on several occasions with broadcast programming intended for mediumwave relay in Europe and Latin America.  During the strident war years, WOO Ocean Gate Radio was also in use by OWI, the Office of War Information, for the relay of VOA Voice of America programming to Europe, South America, and the South Pacific.
Initially, the receiver station for WOO Ocean Gate was the already established station located at Forked River, just ten miles south of Ocean Gate itself.  A new receiver station was constructed at Manahawkin on the coastline, ten miles further south below Forked River. and when this new station was activated soon afterwards, the Forked River station was closed.
It was in May 1942, that a daily four hour service of VOA programming for Australia and the South Pacific was implemented at Ocean Gate Radio, over two outlets, channel callsigns WOJ and WOK.  During the following two years, a total of ten known shortwave channels and callsigns were noted on air with the relay of VOA programming for direct reception, and also for onward relay by radio stations located in North Africa and in England.
Signal strength from Ocean Gate Radio as heard in Australia and New Zealand was often described as at a good level.  It is probable that all of these transmissions were made at a power output of 20 kW.
For example, on several occasions station WOO was noted on 12840 kHz with a relay of VOA programming in parallel with WGEO in Schenectady New York.  Then, Ocean Gate Radio WOO9 was noted with a VOA relay on 8660 kHz in parallel with the 35 kW NBC shortwave station WNBI at Bound Brook, also in New Jersey.  
Foreign language programming was noted in Spanish on channel callsign WOK on 10555 kHz, and in French on channel callsign WOO4 on 8760 kHz.  There was also a daily three hour session of news bulletins in several languages noted on 9750 kHz under the callsign WDL.
The Australian magazine Radio and Hobbies states that the final known VOA broadcasts from Ocean Gate Radio were on the air in January 1944.  At that time, these transmissions were radiated  under the callsign WDI on 5052 kHz.
However, WOO Ocean Gate still remained in continuous use for several more years as an American terminal for international phone calls from many different countries and from ships at sea.  In the mid 1950s, the large array of curtain antennas was removed and replaced with a series of twenty nine rhombic antennas.
By the time the station was closed more than forty years later again, the facility contained a bevy of transmitters rated at 10 kW, and perhaps also one at 50 kW.  When additional undersea cables were subsequently laid between Europe and North America, and when satellite communication became available, AT&T Ocean Gate Radio was no longer needed.
The original date for the closure of the Ocean Gate station was announced as February 28, 1999, and after a couple of postponements, the station was finally closed on November 9 of that same year, 1999.
These days, the Ocean Gate property is now a wildlife refuge owned by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service, and the large transmitter building, abandoned, derelict and vandalized, is owned by the local city government.  When the wooden poles that supported the rhombic antennas are removed,  the property returns to its original state as a marshy refuge for migratory birds.  WOO Radio?  Yes, gone, and forgotten!
During the time of its on air usage as a relay station for the Voice of America, as far as is known, no QSLs were ever issued.  However, during the final twenty or thirty years of its on air service as a shortwave communication station, many QSL cards were issued on behalf of AT&T-Bell Ocean Gate Radio, WOO.
These AT&T QSL cards were all oversized postcards, carrying the AT&T and& Bell logos on the address side.  One of their QSL cards showed a map of the world on the other side, with all of the many AT&T locations marked.  These QSL cards from Ocean Gate Radio WOO were usually posted from the AT&T receiver station at Manahawkin in New Jersey.
(AWR-Wavescan/NWS 417)

VOA Radiogram weekend schedule

Hello friends,

With reception conditions apparently improving, we will take a chance with MFSK64 (240 wpm) for one of our news stories this weekend.

But if reception conditions are poor, we will also transmit one story in MFSK16 (58 wpm).  Tuning for MFSK16 needs to be precise, so if the RSID does not work, I precede it with a 10-second tuning signal.

So this will be a weekend to compare MFSK16, 32, and 64, including one image transmitted in both MFSK64 and 32, and another image transmitted in both MFSK16 and 32.   

Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 204, 25-26 February 2017, all in MFSK with baud rates as noted:

1:59 MFSK32: Program preview

3:10 MFSK64: Astronomers discover "new earths"*

8:06 MFSK32: Image* and HAARP experiment*

16:28 MFSK16: Arctic seed vault*

22:44 MFSK32: Image* and closing announcements*

* with image

Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com.

VOA Radiogram transmission schedule (temporarily expanded):

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

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

DigiDX is taking a few weeks off, hence the VOA Radiogram transmissions via WRMI and IBC.  See http://www.digidx.uk/ and https://www.facebook.com/digidx/

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

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

Thanks for your reports.  I will try to respond to program 203 reports this weekend.

I hope you can tune in and write in.

Kim

Kim Andrew Elliott, KD9XB
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram
voaradiogram.net

Twitter: @VOARadiogram  (especially active just before, during, and after broadcasts)

PS: A few operating notes:

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

From the Isle of Music plans special test

The following is of special interest to DXers in Russia and neighboring countries:

On Sunday, February 26, from 1500-1600 UTC,  From the Isle of Music, a program dedicated to Cuban music, will be broadcast in a special test transmission on shortwave using Spaceline, 9400 kHz, from Kostinbrod, Bulgaria using an array especially suited for reception in Russia.   If the test and a subsequent one are successful, we may use this to improve access to the program for listeners in Russia and neighboring countries.

 We will be continuing on Channel 292 and WBCQ for their target areas regardless of the outcome of the tests on Spaceline.

I will be monitoring an SDR near Moscow but would appreciate any and all reception reports.  

William "Bill" Tilford, Owner/Producer
Tilford Productions, LLC
Email for reception reports:   tilfordproductions@gmail.com

Voice of Azerbaijan revised winter schedule

Voice of Azerbaijan - revised Winter Schedule 2016/2017

Armenian
0900-1000 daily   Cau 1296hqb

Azeri**
0425-0725 m.w.fss IRN 1296hqb
0425-0730 .t.t... IRN 1296hqb

Azeri/ Armenian*
1300-1400 daily   AZE 1296hqb

Farsi
1100-1200 daily   IRN 1296hqb

Georgian
0740-0800 m.w.f.. Cau 1296hqb

Kurdish*
0745-0800 .t.t... AZE 1296hqb

Lezgi*
0725-0740 m.w.... AZE 1296hqb

Russian*
1800-1830 daily   Cau 1296hqb

Talysh*
0730-0745 .t.t... AZE 1296hqb

Turkish
0800-0900 daily   TUR 1296hqb
1000-1100 daily   TUR 1296hqb
1200-1300 daily   TUR 1296hqb

Key:
* For ethnic minorities in Azerbaijan
(Azeri/Armenian: Prgr "Vaetaen" (Homeland) for listeners in Mountainous
Karabagh);

** Prgr "Gueney Azaerbaycan" (South Azerbaijan) for Azeri listeners in
Iran.

Notes: The table shows the current satellite / online schedule.
1296 kHz continues to be announced as terrestrial freq in the various
language services, but the current use of the MW tx has still to be
confirmed. Taken from

<http://www.wrth.com/_shop/wp-
content/uploads/WRTH2017IntRadioSuppl1_B16SchedulesUpdate.pdf>

(WRTH B16 update;  via AK Anatoly Klepov, Moscow-RUS,
RUSdx #911 via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 12)
(WWDXC/Top Nx)

Blog Logs

A sampling of station's broadcasting on shortwave. What are you hearing in your listening post. Contributions are always welcome at to the above email address. Best of DX your way !
Gayle Van Horn

All times UTC

Brazil 
Radio Nacional, Brasilia 11780 at 0220. Portuguese programming to sign-off. Additional monitoring as; 11780, at 1015. Sign-off on 6180//11780 kHz. (Iota Xavier, Brazil/HCDX)

Radio Clube do Pará, Belem, 4885, 2134-2145, Portuguese comments, SINPO 14321. Also 0717-0735 with Brazilian songs and Portuguese, comments. SINPO 24322. (Manuel Méndez/HCDX)
Additional Brazilian monitoring as; Voz Missionaria, Camboriú, 5939.98, 0810-0823 with religious comments. Radio Aparecida, Aparecida, 6135.1, 0727-0744 with religious songs and comments. Station ID as "Radio Aparecida". SINPO 14321. Radio Cançao Nova, Cachoeira Paulista, 9674.8, 2105-2112 with religious comments and songs. SINPO 14321. Radio Brasil Central, Goiania, 11815, 0925-0940, Brazilian songs, "6 y 27." SINPO 34433.  Radio Inconfidencia, Belo Horizonte 15190 at 1140-1202 with program comments and Brazilian songs. SINPO 14321. Also 0915-0933 with Brazilian songs and program "Trem Caipira." Station ID. SINPO 24322. (Méndez)

Colombia
Alcaraván Radio, Puerto Lleras, 5910, 0707-0810. Spanish, religious comments by Martin Stendal, Latin American songs to station ID as, "Alcaraván Radio." SINPO 34433. La Voz de tu Conciencia, Puerto Lleras, 6010, 0715-0745 with Spanish, religious comments. SINPO 14321. (Méndez)

China
China National Radio on 11685 at 0303 via Baoji-Sifangshan. Tibetan Amdo progframming with lady announcer's talks. Poor transmission quality. SINPO 35332 (Xavier)

Clandestine
Dandal Kura 12050, tune-in at 1915. Announcer's conversation is presumed to be Kanuri, as listed in ISWBG Winter 2017 edition. Fair signal quality. Clandestine station Denge Kurdistane 7455 kHz at 1923 tune-in. Brief Kurdish announcement to Kurdish vocal music. (GVH)

Ethiopia
EBC Radio Fana 6110. Tune-in 1850. Conversations among announcers. ISWBG Winter B16 edition, list languages at this time as Afar, Amharic, and ethnics to China Radio Internaitonal sign-on at 1900 on 6100eu 6110eu, 7245eu. Interval signal to sign-on ID and Russian newscast.(GVH)

Ethiopia
Radio Oromiya 6030, 1904. Horn of Africa musical vocals at tune-in. ISWBG B16 winter edition, list languages as Amharic, English and Oromo. HOA music to 1909. Three minutes brief announcements, to HOA style music with vocals. SIO 323. (GVH) Amhara State Radio from Addis Ababa on 6090 at 0352. Amharic service with talks with fair signal and slight to moderate interference by Caribbean Beacon on 6090 English religious teachings. SINPO 33432 (Xavier).

France
Radio France International 9790, 11995, 13790, 15350 with French features from 1935 tune-in (possibly a sports commentary). Not heard on // 13695 or 17850 kHz. (R Pearson, FL) 9790, at 2058. Two announcer's with French comments to sign-off at 2059. (Harold Sellers, BC Canada)

France
RTA Algerienne via Issoudun, 11660. French announcements from 1805 to Arabic Qur'an 1819-1840. Arabic text to 1849, and Arabic music vocals to 1858. Poor copy but routine followed a news headlines style. Switched to 9870 kHz at 1900. No French news bulletin as listed, instead Arabic vocals to 1904, followed by French. Back to Arabic at 1913 with Qur'an. Freq 11660 fair-poor signal quality (SIO 232) 9810 SIO 323) Shifted to 9710 in Arabic at 1958. Arabic service still audible on 9710 at 2045 recheck (GVH).

RTA Algerienne 9810 Qur'an recitations at 2035 with CNR 1 China dominating the frequency. Poor signal noted. (Sellers)

Guinea
Radio Guinea, Conakri on 9650 at 1020 with local vernacular talks to woman's comments and station ID. Transmission with slight interference by Voice of Korea on 9650kHz, at 1029 with interval signal and national anthem. SINPO 44433 (Xavier).

India
All India Radio via Bangalore in English on 13605 at 1048. Indian music to talks and station ID. Postal P.O Box quote and bits of song "Fernando." Time pips to sign-off for poor quality transmission. SINPO 35432. Noted on 13640 at 1937 via Bangalore, in Arabic. Arabic songs to announcer's talk to 1945 interval signal. French service from 1945 with ID and music. Good signal and fair modulation. SINPO 45433. All India Radio also noted on 15410 at 0115 via Panaji (Goa) in Thai language. Interval signal to announcer's talks and Indian music. Transmission barely audible and sometimes very poor. SINPO 25331 to 25332 (Xavier).

All India Radio via Gangtok (Sikkim) on 4835. Unusually good propagation, the best reception I have ever had here. Noted at 1508 with subcontinent music. Switch at 1512 switch over to audio feed from New Delhi, starting with tone. Singing ads in Hindi. Tone signal at 1515 before news in Hindi. (Ron Howard, CA/DX-India)

Mali
Radio Mali, Bamako, 5995 at 0718-0736 in French. Program comments and music. SINPO 14321. Radio Mali, Bamako, 9635 at *0759-0815. Tuning music to French station ID as "Içi Radio Mali emettant du Bamako ...." Program comments. SINPO 14321. (Méndez

Morocco
Radio Medi 1, Nador on 9575 at 0135. Noted transmitter problems with text and sign-off. (Xavier).

New Zealand
Radio New Zealand International, Rangitaiki, in English. Audible on 15710 at 0400. Time pips to lady announcer's talks and station ID. Very poor signal. SINPO 25432, sometimes as 35432 (Xavier).

Saudi Arabia
Radio Saudi Gen Prgm 1, 9555//9870 Tune-in at 1835. Two male's Arabic conversation about Iran. Saudi Arabia, R Saudi Gen Prgm 2, 9580 kHz at 1845. Discussion with mentions of Yemen and Iraq. Fanfare intro music for program feature. Radio Saudi Holy Qur'an, 11820 from 1845 with Arabic recitations // 11925 and 11930. (S Write,MS)

Tanzania
ZBC Radio 11735 at 2030. Swahili service with announcer's two phone calls to local indigenous music. God signal quality. (Sellers) Noted on 6015 at 0334. Lady announcer's text, joined by male's concersation.  Transmission with interference as presumably jamming. SINPO 43332 (Xavier).

Turkey
Voice of Turkey on 9650 at 0226. Spanish talks to newscast. Program "Las Fortalezas de Turquía": hoy, sobre la Fortaleza de Alania; Everything about a monument. "La Pregunta del Més" at 0237, and at 0240 Música Turca" program with good signal and modulation. SINPO 45544 (Xavier).

USA
9955. Feb 21 at 2330, Hobart Radio International relay via WRMI Okeechobee, Florida on 9955 at 2330. English programming with ID and talks and music. Fair signal quality with SINPO 35433 (Xavier).

Armenia monitoring

Voice of Armenia QSL (Gayle Van Horn Collection)

International Public Radio of Armenia is the foreign service of Armenian Radio.

Transmitter site: Gavar, near Noratus, Gegharkunik
MW - 1000 kW; SW - 100 kW.

Time/UTC  Days    Language  Target           Freqs/kHz
1530-1545 Daily   Assyrian  Middle/Near East 4810
1545-1600 Daily   Greek     Middle/Near East 4810
1600-1630 Daily   Kurdish   Middle/Near East 1314 4810
1630-1700 Daily   Yezidi    Middle/Near East 1314 4810
1700-1715 Daily   Turkish   Middle/Near East 1314 4810
1715-1730 Mon-Fri Azeri     Middle/Near East 1314 4810
1715-1730 Sat/Sun Turkish   Middle/Near East 1314 4810
1730-1745 Daily   Turkish   Middle/Near East 1314 4810
1745-1815 Daily   Persian   Middle/Near East 4810
1815-1845 Daily   Arabic    Middle/Near East 4810

Middle East & Caucasus on Mediumwave and Shortwave published by / British DX Club, UK.
(via Anatoly Klepov-RUS, RUSdx #912 via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 19)
(WWDXC/Top Nx)

World Radio Network, Russian schedule

World Radio Network in Russian schedule from Feb. 1, 2017. This schedule may change.

All times UTC

UTC / Broadcast
0000-0029  Golos Nadezhdy
0030-0059  KBS World radio
0100-0128  Radio Polonia*
0130-0159  Radio Slovakia International
0200-0229  "Radiosetka" (Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun)
0200-0229  "Radiopanorama" (Tue)
0200-0229  "Special program" (Wed, Thu)
0230-0259  Radio Exterior de Espana (Mon, Thu)
0230-0259  Russkoe radio Australia (Tue, Sat)
0230-0259  UN - a weekly review (Wed, Sun)
0230-0259  Radio Prague (Fri)
0300-0329  On the Islamic culture and civilization
0330-0400  Radio Japan*
0400-0429  KBS World radio
0430-0458  "Radiosetka" (Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun)
0430-0458  "Radiopanorama" (Mon)
0430-0458  "Special program" (Tue, Wed)
0500-0529  Radio Slovakia International
0530-0559  Radio Japan*
0600-0629  On the Islamic culture and civilization
0630-0659  KBS World radio
0700-0729  Golos Nadezhdy
0730-0759  "Radiosetka" (Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat)
0730-0759  "Radiopanorama" (Sun)
0730-0759  "Special program" (Mon, Tue)
0800-0829  Radio Exterior de Espana (Mon, Thu)
0800-0829  Russkoe radio Australia (Tue, sat)
0800-0829  UN - a weekly review (Wed, Sun)
0800-0829  Radio Prague (Fri)
0830-0859  Radio Slovakia International
0900-0928  Radio Polonia
0930-0959  On the Islamic culture and civilization
1000-1029  Golos Nadezhdy
1030-1059  KBS World radio
1100-1130  Radio Japan*
1130-1159  Radio Slovakia International
1200-1228  Radio Polonia
1230-1258  "Radiosetka" (Mon, Wed, Tue, Fri)
1230-1258  "Radiopanorama" (Sat*)
1230-1258  "Special program" (Yue, Sun*)
1300-1329  Radio Exterior de Espana (Mon, Thu)
1300-1329  Russkoe radio Australia (Tue, Sat)
1300-1329  UN - a weekly review (Wed, Sun)
1300-1329  Radio Prague (Fri)
1330-1359  KBS World radio*
1400-1429  On the Islamic culture and civilization
1430-1459  Radio Slovakia International*
1500-1529  "Radiosetka" (Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat)
1500-1529  "Radiopanorama" (Sun)
1500-1529  "Special program" (Mon, Tue)
1530-1559  KBS World radio
1600-1630  Radio Japan*
1630-1659  Radio Slovakia International
1700-1729  On the Islamic culture and civilization*
1730-1759  KBS World radio
1800-1828  "Radiosetka" (Thu, Fri, sat, Sun)
1800-1828  "Radiopanorama" (Mon)
1800-1828  "Special program" (Tue, Wed)
1830-1859  Radio Slovakia International
1900-1929  On the Islamic culture and civilization
1930-1959  Radio Polonia (Sun-Thu)
1930-1959  Russkoe radio Australia (Fri)
1930-1959  Radio Slovakia International (Sat)
2000-2029  KBS World radio
2030-2038  "Radiosetka" (Tue*, Wed, Thu*, Fri)
2030-2038  "Radiopanorama" (Sat)
2030-2038  "Special program" (Mon, Sun)
2100-2129  Golos Nadezhdy*
2130-2159  On the Islamic culture and civilization
2200-2230  Radio Japan
2230-2259  Radio Exterior de Espana (Sun, Wed)
2230-2259  Russkoe radio Australia (Mon, Fri)
2230-2259  UN - a weekly review (Tue, Sat)
2230-2259  Radio Prague (Thu)
2300-2329  Radio Slovakia International
2330-2358  "Radiosetka" (Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri)
2330-2358  "Radiopanorama" (Sat)
2330-2358  "Special program" (Sun, Mon)
*- New release
http://wrn.ru/programm.html
(via Anatoly Klepov-RUS, "RUS-DX" #910  Febr 5)
(BDXC/Top Nx)

Radio Öömrang annual February 21 broadcast

Radio Öömrang (“Radio Amrum”) is tentatively scheduled for their annual February 21st broadcast. Each year, on this special day, broadcast are conducted to celebrate the major North Frisian holiday (Biikebrånen).

The initial programs were founded by radio amateur Arjan Kölzow on the island of Amrum in North Germany. The first shortwave broadcast was on 21 February 2006, and have continued their annual programming aimed at the descendants of North Frisian immigrants in North America. Programming is presented bilingually in Standard German and English, including interviews in the North Frisian language, which is part of the Öömrang dialect.

This year’s broadcast is tentatively scheduled for 1600-1659 UTC on 15215 kHz, relayed via the Nauen, Germany or the Issoudun, France transmitter sites. For a full data QSL, send your reception reports to: Media Broadcast qsl-shortwave@media-broadcast.com

You Tube link from 2016 broadcast  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffbd5oB0SLs

From the Isle of Music, Week of February 20-25, 2017

This week, special guest Julio Montoro shares the music of Alma Latina; some music from one of Cuba's first JoJazz competition winners, Carlos Sarduy, and the Timba of Pedro Pablo & La Rebambaramba.

WBCQ, 7490 KHz, Tuesdays 0100-0200 UTC (8pm-9pm EST Mondays in the Americas)
Channel 292, 6070 KHz, Fridays 1100-1200 UTC (1200-1300 CET) and Saturdays 1200-1300 UTC (1300-1400 CET)
(Tilford Productions)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2017 Feb 20 0107 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center # Product description and SWPC contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html
#
#                Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 13 - 19 February 2017

Solar activity was at very low levels with only weak background flare activity observed. An 11 degree long filament eruption, centered near N08E02, was observed in SDO/AIA 193 imagery beginning around 19/0525 UTC. A faint CME was observed off the NE limb, observed in LASCO C2 imagery, at around 19/0648 UTC. WSA-Enlil analysis indicated a possible glancing blow at Earth mid to late on 22 Feb. No other activity was observed.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached high levels on 13-14 Feb with moderate levels observed on 15-19 Feb.

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet levels on 13-15 Feb, quiet to isolated unsettled to active levels on 16 Feb, quiet to active levels on 17-18 Feb and quiet to unsettled levels on 19 Feb. A recurrent, positive polarity coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS) became geoeffective early on 17 Feb affecting the geomagnetic field through late on 19 Feb. During this period, solar wind speeds
generally ranged from 500-600 km/s, total field Bt peaked at 13 nT early on 17 Feb while the Bz component reached a maximum southward extent of -8 nT early on 17 Feb. Phi angle was in a predominately positive orientation.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 20 February - 18 March 2017

Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels with a chance for isolated C-class activity throughout the period.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at high levels on 20-27 Feb and 01-13 Mar. Normal to moderate levels are expected for the remainder of the outlook period.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to reach G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storm levels on 28 Feb and G1 (Minor) storm levels on 24 Feb, 01-02 Mar and again on 16 Mar due to recurrent CH HSS influence. Active geomagnetic field activity is expected on 23 and 25 Feb, 03-05 Mar and 17 Mar due to CH HSS influence. Isolated active conditions are likely on 22 Feb due to a glancing blow from the 19 Feb CME. Quiet to unsettled activity is expected for the remainder of the period under a nominal solar wind regime.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2017 Feb 20 0107 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html
#
#      27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
#                Issued 2017-02-20
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2017 Feb 20      82          12          4
2017 Feb 21      82          10          3
2017 Feb 22      82          12          4
2017 Feb 23      82          15          4
2017 Feb 24      82          20          5
2017 Feb 25      82          18          4
2017 Feb 26      80          10          3
2017 Feb 27      76           8          3
2017 Feb 28      76          30          6
2017 Mar 01      75          25          5
2017 Mar 02      75          20          5
2017 Mar 03      73          15          4
2017 Mar 04      73          15          4
2017 Mar 05      72          15          4
2017 Mar 06      72           8          3
2017 Mar 07      72           5          2
2017 Mar 08      73           5          2
2017 Mar 09      74           5          2
2017 Mar 10      75           5          2
2017 Mar 11      75           5          2
2017 Mar 12      75           5          2
2017 Mar 13      75           5          2
2017 Mar 14      75           5          2
2017 Mar 15      74          10          3
2017 Mar 16      75          20          5
2017 Mar 17      77          15          4
2017 Mar 18      79          10          3
(NOAA)

Sunday, February 19 relays on shortwave

All times UTC

Please be advised that  Marconi Radio International will be on the air  Sunday, 19 February, from 1315 to 1615 on 7700 kHz USB Mode.

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

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

Hamburger Lokal Radio via Göhren, Germany with 1KW to Western Europe:
 9485 KHz 10.00 - 13.00      
Contact email: redaktion@hamburger-lokalradio.de

Shortwave Station Göhren on 9485 KHz 09.00-10.00
Channel 292 on 6070 KHz 16.00 - 17.00
Contact email: emrshortwave@gmail.com

Internet Repeats themightykbc@gmail.com
EMR will repeat this months Transmissions via two streams running at: 16.00, 18.00, 20.00
http://nednl.net:8000/emr.m3u will be on 96 kbps /44 kHz stereo for normal listening http://nednl.net:8000/emr24.m3u will be 24 kbps / 22 kHz mono will be especially for low bandwidth like mobile phones.
 
KBC via:
Media Broadcast to America on 6145 kHz 00.00-01.00
Contact email: themightykbc@gmail.com 

Hobart Radio via:
WRMI to Americas, Asia/Pacific on 9955 04.30-05.00
Contact email: hriradio@gmail.com

For outside the listening area please try the Twente/Netherlands Web RX at http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/

You can also hear many European free and alternative stations via the Internet at http://laut.fm/jukebox 

Radio Channel 292  Transmission schedules on 6070 kHz

Radio Mi Amigo Transmission schedules
www.radiomiamigo.es/shortwave
 Good Listening!
73s
Tom Taylor

BBC to Expand Audio Content Globally

The broadcaster hopes to use its vast radio archives to attract more listeners
by James Careless

OTTAWA — Nothing less than “a Netflix of the spoken word”: That is what BBC Director-General Lord Tony Hall promised on Nov. 23, 2016, when he announced the BBC’s plans to offer its full archive of audio content to online listeners around the world.

“The BBC makes the best radio in the world ... and we have an extraordinary wealth of audio riches at our disposal,” said Lord Hall during his keynote address to the Voice of the Listener and Viewer Autumn Conference in London. With our world-class content, we could use our current output and the richness of our archive to create a Netflix of the spoken word. It’s one of the things that will help the BBC carry the full weight of Britain’s culture and values, knowledge and know-how to the world in the years ahead — and say something really important about modern Britain.”

Additional article at: http://www.radioworld.com/global/0007/bbc-to-expand-audio-content-globally/339089
(photo/BBC & Radio World)

VOA Radiogram 18-19 February

Hello friends,

Last weekend, we marked World Radio Day with a malfunction of the radio transmitter on 17580 kHz, during the time that the World Radio Day logo should have been broadcast.  Other than that, we had a good weekend of reception and decoding!

For a good example of Olivia 64-2000 performing well despite poor reception, try decoding from this audio that I recorded from an SDR in Australia: http://voaradiogram.net/post/157100458412/voa-radiogram-olivia-64-2000-received-in-nsw

This weekend, we will again transmit an excerpt of text in a non-Latin Alphabet. This time it will be Ukrainian. Use the UTF-8 character set, which, in Fldigi, you can adjust (if necessary) via Configure > Colors & Fonts.

Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 203, 18-19 February 2017, all in MFSK32 except where noted:

1:50  Program preview

 3:17  Trump Administration sued over bumble bee protection*

9:18  India rocket launches 104 satellites*

16:09  Olivia 64-2000: First white dwarf pulsar discovered

20:44  MFSK32: World Radio Day items from RFE/RL*

23:27  Ukrainian text**

25:59  Closing announcements*

* with image

** use UTF-8 character set

Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com.

VOA Radiogram transmission schedule (temporarily expanded):

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

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

DigiDX is taking a few weeks off, hence the VOA Radiogram transmissions via WRMI and IBC.  See http://www.digidx.uk/ and https://www.facebook.com/digidx/

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

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

Thanks for your reports from last weekend.  I am now sending out confirmations from program 201, with hopes to send out confirmations from program 202 during this weekend.

I hope you can tune in and write in.

Kim

Kim Andrew Elliott, KD9XB
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram
voaradiogram.net

Twitter: @VOARadiogram  (especially active just before, during, and after broadcasts)

PS: A few operating notes:

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