Monitoring for Radio Bila Hora broadcast on New Year's Eve

Hobbyist are speculating if the Euro pirate, Radio Bila Hora will recommence their annual New Year's Eve broadcast for 2018. If the station follows suit as in past years, they should broadcast on 3381.260 kHz. The station has also broadcast on 3334.82 kHz.

Last year's broadcast was logged from 1500 - 2330 UTC, and heard from remote SDR units in Germany, Hungary, Norway, and Sweden. The station's power at one time, was reported as 150 watts, and the transmitter was constructed by one of the radio operators. The exact location is unknown, but was mentioned as "outside the territory of the Czech Republic." The 2017 broadcast included two anthems played at 2300, speech segments, pop and local Czech music.

The 2017 broadcast also included a pre-recorded program presented by the former Czechoslovak pop singer, Richard Adams who was very popular in the 1950's and 1960's. Mr. Adams died in 2017 at age 86. He prepared the program for Radio Bila Hora several years ago, and the station presented it in his memory.

The station's English ID as, "Radio White Mountain," is a reference to the historical significance of the Battle of White Mountain, the most famous battle in Czech history.

The email address to send reception reports was rbb@email.cz

For a sample of previous programming, refer to You Tube videos at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKnBaUGPydA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_B8Ie1OjfU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CHEoDnS0lo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg6oG5eXCkY

FRS Holiday programming on 30 December

On Sunday December 30th, FRS-Holland will traditionally ring out the Old Year with its Seasonal Broadcast on 7700//5800 kHz. Programs will run from 08:52- 14:05 UTC/ 09:52- 15:05 CET.

In addition all programs will be repeated following close down of the first run: 14:05- 19:10 UTC/ 15:05- 20:10 CET. Particularly during the final hours of the second run, conditions will be
changing and as a result, signals will likely skip large areas. For that reason the final three hours- starting just after 16:00 UC/ 17:00 CET- will go out on an extra 3rd frequency: 3975 kHz.

The complete FRS team will join the party including Dave Scott, Jan van Dijk, Roger Davis, Bert van Leer & Peter Verbruggen. Traditionally it will be a mix of carefully selected rock/pop music
and a number of (radio related) program items as well as mail from November 18th and seasonal greetings. We also look back in the comprehensive FRS archives: a flashback to a December broadcast
many years ago. And a new edition of FRS goes DX will be aired  including news from the world of (free) Radio. Just listen for yourself!!

Important: it can happen that we are forced to change frequency during the broadcast. In such case FRS will publish it on the website. So...if there's latest news...you will find it at  http://www.frsholland.nl/  at Latest News.

May we take this opportunity to thank you, the listener for your support over 2018 hoping we may count on you in 2019, being our 39th year as a Free Radio station on short wave. We would like to
express the wish that  2019 will become a peaceful, successful and healthy year ! 

Have a great Season Holiday, 
73s from Peter, Jan, Brian, Dave, Roger & Bert

Schedule news from World Music Radio

Denmark
Some more details about this, including QSL info, from Stig (NB no QSLs will be issued for reports via remote receivers):

World Music Radio (WMR) commenced broadcasting on 15805 kHz on December 24th
2018 with a power of 200 W. Transmissions were irregular for the first couple of days, but should hopefully now be regular. The old transmitter and the simple aerial willing. Until January 6th 2019 the approx. hours of daily operation will be 0700-2000 UTC.   As from January 7th 15805 kHz will
probably be on the air Saturday-Sunday only.

Power is only 200 W, which of course is a very low on the 19 meter band, propagation is quite poor on this band now - and the aerial (a simple dipole) is not very efficient so reception is quite difficult and irregular.

So far -  poor to fair reception in Southern Europe has been observed in daytime till around 1300 UTC and fair to good reception in Ireland, Scotland, western England and Iceland has been experienced during evenings around 17-20 UTC.

Transmissions on 5840 kHz continues 24/7 with a power of 100 W.

The transmitter site for 5840 as well as 15805 kHz is Randers, Denmark.

QSL Cards
Please note that the current QSL-design will be used for reception reports covering reception in 2018 only. A new design will be used in 2019.

An eQSL is available for reports sent to wmr@wmr.dk - a reply can be expected within a month or so.

A printed QSL is available for reports sent to World Music Radio, PO Box 112, DK-8960 Randers SØ, Denmark.  Return postage is kindly required. For a fast reply enclose 5 euro or 5 USD (QSL will be mailed from Denmark, where postage rates are the highest in the world - 29DKK for a post card). If less return postage is enclosed, you will still get a QSL-card, but will have to wait some time till the QSLs can be mailed out from outside of Denmark.

Please note that no QSLs are available for reports made by listening via remote receivers.

MEDIUM WAVE

No news as for 927 kHz Copenhagen. Still struggling to find a transmitter site there.

Best 73s and Happy New Year,
Stig Hartvig Nielsen,
World Music Radio - WMR
www.wmr.radio
(HCDX)

Shortwave Radiogram weekend schedules

Hello friends,

The humble municipal Christmas decorations featured in last weekend's program resulted in many nice shortwave-enhanced MFSK64 images, submitted by listeners via email and Twitter (@SWRadiogram). Some examples are below.

Videos of last weekend's Shortwave Radiogram (program 79) are provided by Scott in Ontario (Friday 2030 UTC),  Ralf in Germany (Saturday 1400 UTC) and Lolo sdr in Spain (Sunday 2330 UTC). The audio archive is maintained by Mark in the UK. Analysis is prepared by Roger in Germany.

This weekend we stay with MFSK32 and MFSK64. The show will include eleven images, including the second of six images in the Tecsun Radios Australia decoding competition.

Here is the lineup for Shortwave Radiogram, program 80, 28-30 December 2018, in MFSK modes as noted:

 1:39  MFSK32: Program preview
 2:50  MFSK64: New Horizons probe approached Ultima Thule*
 6:53  Images of the week*
22:24  Second image in the Tecsun Radios Australia competition*
27:18  MFSK32: Closing announcements

* with image(s)

Please send reception reports to radiogram@verizon.net

And visit http://swradiogram.net

Twitter: @SWRadiogram or https://twitter.com/swradiogram (visit during the weekend to see listeners' results)

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

Shortwave Radiogram Transmission Schedule
UTC Day UTC Time Frequency Transmitter
Friday 2030-2100 UTC 7780 kHz WRMI Florida
Saturday 1400-1430 UTC 9400 kHz Space Line Bulgaria
Sunday 0800-0830 UTC 5850 kHz
7730 kHz WRMI Florida
Sunday 2330-2400 UTC 7780 kHz WRMI Florida

Slow Scan Radio transmits SSTV images and text modes Saturdays at 1300-1330 UTC on 6070 kHz (and maybe also 7440 kHz) via Channel 292 in Germany -- according to the latest schedule information I have. The website is http://www.slowscanradio.com. Reception reports to x@xdv.me.

The Mighty KBC transmits to Europe Saturdays at 1300-1400 UTC on 11600 kHz from Bulgaria, with the minute of MFSK at about 1330 UTC (if you are outside of Europe, listen via websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/ ). And to North America Sundays at 0000-0200 UTC (Saturday 7-9 pm EST) on 5960 kHz, via Germany. The minute of MFSK is at about 0130 UTC.  Reports to Eric: themightykbc@gmail.com . See also http://www.kbcradio.eu/ and https://www.facebook.com/TheMightyKbc/.

Italian Broadcasting Corporation (IBC)  Five minutes of MFSK32 is at the end of the 30-minute English-language “Shortwave Panorama. For the complete IBC transmission schedule visit  http://ibcradio.webs.com/ 

Broad Spectrum Radio is (sometimes) transmitted by WRMI Florida Sundays at 0700-0800 UTC on 5850 and 7730 kHz. MFSK32 is broadcast during the second half hour of the show. Reports to broadspectrumradio@gmail.com.

Thank you for listening, decoding, writing in, tweeting, producing videos, and for all your support in 2018. Wishing you a great 2019!

Kim Andrew Elliott, KD9XB
Producer and Presenter
Shortwave Radiogram
Reporting on international broadcasting at https://twitter.com/kaedotcom

Images decoded by Zach in Alabama, 21 December 2018, 2030-2100 UTC, 7780 kHz from WRMI Florida. Zach writes: "Don't laugh, but I always enjoying seeing the decorations that cities put up for Christmas! Ultra modern or totally old-fashioned, they're all getting me in the spirit of the season."

Ralf in Germany received these images 22 December 2018, 1400-1430 UTC, 9400 kHz from Bulgaria.

The Saturday 1400 UTC images were also received by Lorne in New Zealand.

Al in Florida received these images 23 December 2018 during the 0800-0830 UTC show on 5850 kHz from WRMI Florida. He wrote: "Visions of sugar plum images danced in my head as I set up FLDigi and settled into bed. In northern Florida not a creature stirred 0800z on 5850 kHz not even my mouse! Awoke & away to my Windows I flew like a flash to find Santa had left me this nice little stash... "

With some more distance from the Florida transmitter, Hal Fi in California decoded even clearer images on 5850 kHz.

On 23 December, the 2330-2400 UTC broadcast, 7780 kHz from WRMI in Florida, was decoded by Marco in Italy.

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2018 Dec 24 0103 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/content/subscription-services
#
#                Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 17 - 23 December 2018

Solar activity was very low throughout the period. No Earth-directed CMEs were observed this period.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached moderate levels each day of the period.

Geomagnetic field activity was quiet to unsettled on 18 and 20 Dec with quiet conditions observed throughout the remainder of the period.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 24 December - 19 January 2019

Solar activity is expected to be very low throughout the outlook period.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to reach high levels on 06-12 Jan with moderate flux levels expected on 04-05 Jan and 13-19 Jan. Normal levels are expected
throughout the remainder of the period.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to reach active levels on 29 Dec, 04 Jan, and 16 Jan due to recurrent, CH HSS influence. Quiet to unsettled conditions are expected throughout the remainder of the outlook period.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2018 Dec 24 0103 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/content/subscription-services
#
#      27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
#                Issued 2018-12-24
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2018 Dec 24      71           8          3
2018 Dec 25      71           5          2
2018 Dec 26      71           5          2
2018 Dec 27      71           5          2
2018 Dec 28      71           8          3
2018 Dec 29      71          12          4
2018 Dec 30      71          10          3
2018 Dec 31      72           8          3
2019 Jan 01      72           5          2
2019 Jan 02      72           5          2
2019 Jan 03      72          10          3
2019 Jan 04      72          12          4
2019 Jan 05      72          10          3
2019 Jan 06      70          10          3
2019 Jan 07      70           8          3
2019 Jan 08      70           5          2
2019 Jan 09      70           5          2
2019 Jan 10      70           5          2
2019 Jan 11      70           5          2
2019 Jan 12      70           5          2
2019 Jan 13      70           5          2
2019 Jan 14      69           5          2
2019 Jan 15      69           5          2
2019 Jan 16      69          12          4
2019 Jan 17      69           5          2
2019 Jan 18      69           5          2
2019 Jan 19      71           5          2
(NOAA)

Merry Christmas to our global followers

Teak Publishing wishes all of our global followers a very Merry Christmas in 80 languages !
Gayle & Larry Van Horn


Afrikaans - 'n Geseende Kersfees en 'n voorspoedige Nuwejaar
Afrikaans - Een Plesierige Kerfees
Albanian -- Gezuar Krishtlindje
Arabic - I'd Miilad Said Oua Sana Saida
Armenian - Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand
Azeri - Tezze Iliniz Yahsi Olsun
Basque - Zorionstsu Eguberri. Zoriontsu Urte Berri On
Bengali - Bodo Din Shubh Lamona
Bohemian - Vesele Vanoce
Breton - Nedeleg laouen na bloavezh mat
Bulgarian - Tchestita Koleda; Tchestito Rojdestvo Hristovo
Celtic - Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda
Chinese -
     (Mandarin) Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan
     (Cantonese) Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun
     (Hong Kong) Kung Ho Hsin Hsi. Ching Chi Shen Tan
Cornish - Nadelik looan na looan blethen noweth
Cree - Mitho Makosi Kesikansi
Croatian - Sretan Bozic
Czech - Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok
Danish - Gladelig Jul
Dutch - Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar
English - Merry Christmas
Esperanto - Gajan Kristnaskon
Estonian - Roomsaid Joulu Puhi
Farsi - Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad
Finnish - Hyvaa joulua
French - Joyeux Noel
Frisian - Noflike Krystdagen en in protte Lok en Seine yn it Nije Jier
German - Froehliche Weihnachten
Greek - Kala Christouyenna
Hawaiian - Mele Kalikimaka
Hebrew - Mo'adim Lesimkha. Chena tova
Hindi - Bada Din Mubarak Ho
Hungarian - Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket
Icelandic - Gledileg Jol
Indonesian - Selamat Hari Natal
Iraqi - Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah
Irish - Nollaig Shona Dhuit
Italian - Buon Natale or Buone Feste Natalizie
Japanese - Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
Kala - Khristougena kai Eftikhes to Neon Etos
Korean - Sung Tan Chuk Ha
Latvian - Priecigus Ziemas Svetkus un Laimigu Jauno Gadu
Lettish - Priecigus Ziemassvetkus
Lithuanian - Linksmu Kaledu
Manx - Nollick ghennal as blein vie noa
Maori - Meri Kirihimete
Marathi - Shub Naya Varsh
Navajo - Merry Keshmish
Northern Sotho - Matlhatse le matlhogonolo mo ngwageng o moswa.
Norwegian - God Jul Og Godt Nytt Aar
Pennsylvania German - En frehlicher Grischtdaag un en hallich Nei
Yaahr
Papiamento - Bon Pasku i Felis Anja Nobo
Pig Latin - Errymay ristmaskay
Polish - Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
Portuguese - Feliz Natal (Used in Portugal, Brazil and several former Portuguese colonies)
Rapa-Nui - Mata-Ki-Te-Rangi. Te-Pito-O-Te-Henua
Romanian - Craciun Fericit
Russian - Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva i s Novim Godom
Samoan - La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou
Serbian - Hristos se rodi
Scottish - Nollaig Chridheil agus Bliadhna Mhath Ur
Serbian - Hristos se rodi
Singhalese - Subha nath thalak Vewa. Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa
Slavonic - Christos Razdajetsja! Slavite Jeho!
Slovak - Sretan Bozic or Vesele vianoce. A stastlivy Novy Rok
Slovene - Vesele Bozicne. Screcno Novo Leto
Spanish - Feliz Navidad (Used in Spain as well as Mexico and most of Central and South America)
Swahili - Krismasi Njema
Swedish - God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt Ar
Tagalog - Maligayamg Pasko. Masaganang Bagong Taon
Tamil - Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal
Thai - Sawat Dee Wan Kritsamas
Turkish - Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun
Ukrainian - Srozhdestvom Kristovym
Urdu - Bara Din Mubarak Ho
Vietnamese - Chung Mung Giang Sinh
Waray - Maupay nga Pasko ngan Mainuswagon nga Bag-o nga Tu-ig
Welsh - Nadolig Llawen
Zulu - Nginifisela inhlanhla ne mpumelelo e nyakeni

Special Christmas programming from VORW Radio International

Hello shortwave listeners! I never like doing any self-promotion but nobody would know about this otherwise.

Coming up this Tuesday the 25th of December (Christmas) I will have a special onw hour program broadcast to North America on 9350 kHz via WWCR (100 kW) at the time of 2100 UTC, 3 PM Central or 4 PM Eastern.

The show will feature some lively talk and mixed music - some Christmas tunes and some alternative/indie/classic rock music as well. I just hope for it to be a fun show on Christmas afternoon for whoever listens.

Spread the word to any DX groups that might be interested. Feedback is most welcome at vorwinfo@gmail.com and I've even designed a special QSL just for this program.

Hope you can listen in,

John J. (VORW Radio Int.)

Radio Vatican Christmas programming

There will be a special broadcasts on shortwave from Radio Vaticana (Vatican News) n the following schedule:

December 24th 
1600-1650 UTC  Holy Mass in Chinese  6055 and 7400 kHz

December 24th  2025-2230 UTC 
Holy Mass presided by Pope Francis with comments:  Arabic 7435   Portuguese 9700   French 7365  English 6010  Chinese 6185 & 7410 kHz

December 25th
 1055-1130 UTC  Urbi & Orbi blessings with comments: Arabic 15595  Portuguese 17590  French 15585  English 15695 kHz
(Christian Ghibaudo, Nice, Frane/HCDX)

(photo: CNS)

Christmas transmission from Grimeton Radio / SAQ

In the morning of Christmas Eve, December 24, we will try to start the old Alexanderson 200 kW transmitter, from 1924 and send out a Christmas message on VLF 17.2 kHz CW.

The transmitter will be tuned up from around 08:30 (07:30 UTC) and a message* will be transmitted at 09:00 (08:00 UTC).

https://alexander.n.se/scheduled-transmission-from-grimeton-radio-saq-on-christmas-eve-december-24-2018/?lang=de
(BDXC)

Uncle Bill's Melting Pot Special Holiday Broadcasts

In addition to its regularly- scheduled programming, UBMP (Uncle Bill's Melting Pot), a program that presents music from around the world along with a little comedy now and then,  will be presenting the following hour-long holiday specials for the Americas in December:

1. Uncle Bill's X-Mess Special, featuring Christmas music from around the planet, unusual holiday customs, a laugh or three and other stuff to help you escape the 86th version of that song you just heard 85 times...

Tuesday, Dec 25 8-9pm Eastern US time (meaning Wednesday, 0100-0200 UTC) on WBCQ 5130 kHz

2. Uncle Bill's Rockless New Year's Eve Special: We'll take a look at some of the more unusual NYE / New Year's Day rituals around the world with appropriate music to go with the countries in question. If you like to wear weird underwear, set fire to things or gorge on grapes, we may have just the thing for you...
Monday Dec 31 7-8pm Eastern US Time (meaning Tuesday, 0000-0100 UTC) on WBCQ 5130 kHz for the Americas
Monday, Dec 31, 1800-1900 UTC on Space Line, 9400 kHz, directed to Western Europe

William "Bill" Tilford, Owner/Producer
Tilford Productions, LLC

Channel 292 set for Christmas programming

Channel 292 will cover special Christmas programming during the holidays

All times UTC

Super Clan Radio: 24,25 & 26 Dec - 0800-0900, 6070 and 7440 kHz

Radio Ohne Namen: 24 Dec - 0900-1300, 6070 and 7440 kHz

Radio Waves International 25 Dec - 1300-1400, 6070 and 7440 kHz

SM Radio Dessau: 26 Dec - 0900-1000, 6070 kHz (100kW via Nauen, Germany)

Radio Power Rumpel: 26 Dec - 1000-1100, 6070 kHz (100kW via Nauen, Germany)

Radio Decade AM: 26 Dec - 1100-1200, 6070 kHz (100kW via Nauen, Germany)

Radio Klein Paris International 26 Dec - 1200-1300, 6070 kHz
(R Pearson)

Special Christmas Eve broadcast from NDR

To receive the "greetings on board" broadcasts
It has tradition and exudes a very special pre-Christmas mood: On Christmas Eve greetings are sent to the sailors from all over the world on NDR Info starting at 8:05 pm. And on the most different channels and technical ways, so that the greetings and messages can be guaranteed to be received on all seven seas.

The ship's crews have several options to receive the message "Greeting on board". Also the shortwave belongs to it.
The livestreams of the program (20.05 to 22 clock and 23.05 clock to 24 clock MEZ) can be found here: NDR Info and NDR Info Special . In addition, there is the possibility to listen to the program via the NDR radio app. NDR Info can also be received via FM, DAB + and DVB-S radio, NDR Info special only via DAB + and DVB-S radio.

So that all crew members on board - on the seas or in the harbors - can receive the traditional program, the NDR radio has also rented shortwave frequencies:

From 19:00 to 21:00 UTC (20:00 to 22:00 CET), the shortwave transmits over the following frequencies (UTC is the abbreviation for Universal Time Coordinated):

"Greeting on board" via shortwave
frequency target area
6.080 kHz Atlantic - North
11,650 kHz Atlantic - South
9,800 kHz Atlantic Ocean / Indian Ocean (South Africa)
9,740 kHz Indian Ocean - West
9,570 kHz Indian Ocean - East
6,030 kHz Europe
From 21:00 to 23:00 UTC (22:00 to 24:00 CET), the shortwave transmits over the following frequencies:

"Greeting on board" via shortwave
frequency target area
6,145 kHz Atlantic - North
9,830 kHz Atlantic - South
9,590 kHz Atlantic Ocean / Indian Ocean (South Africa)
9,720 kHz Indian Ocean - West
9,650 kHz Indian Ocean - East
6,155 kHz Europe
NDR Info sends the "Greetings on Board" from 20:05 to 22:00 CET. Then follows from 22 to 23 clock MEZ the transmission of the Protestant Christmette from the Neustädter Hof and Stadtkirche in Hanover. From 23.05 bis 24 clock MEZ there is the second part of "Greeting on board".

From late in the evening you will find a recording of the show here to listen - for legal reasons, however, without much of the music recordings.
(translation from Grman website at www.ndr.de)
Norddeutscher Rundfunk

KTWR Special DRM Christmas programming

The staff at KTWR wants to give their listener's with DRM receivers, a Christmas gift this year. The DRM broadcast will be on the following schedule.

KTWR Christmas DRM Broadcast Schedule

Language Coverage Area Date Time (UTC) Frequency (kHz) Tx Power (kW)

Japanese Japan
12/23/2018 1245-1315 7500 7 50

English South Asia 12/24/2018 1245-1315 9380 7 75
12/25/2018 1245-1315 9380 7 75

English ANZ/South Pacific 12/24/2018 1030-1100 11995 7 50
12/25/2018 1030-1100 11995 7 50

Japanese will be at 350 degrees; ANZ will be at 165 degrees; and South Asia will be at 285 degrees.
Mike Sabin
Asia Regional Support Services
Director, Asia Broadcast Operations
Trans World Radio
Guam

Special Christmas programming from 16 Gwendoline Street

Special Christmas programming for 16 Gwendoline Street will broadcast on the following schedule:

All times UTC

Saturday, December 22, 2018
0900-1000 on 9510 kHz

Sunday, December 23, 218
1200-1300 on 9510 kHz
1900-2000 on 7290 kHz

Previous IRRS programming was on 6075 kHz daily.

For a QSL request of 16 Gwendoline Street, email your program details to gwendolinestreet@gmail.com. A brief run of QSL cards have been printed with the programs updated details.

Don't forget to tune-in to 16 Gwendoline Street for the special Christmas programming.
(Stephen Jones)

Shortwave Radiogram schedules, December 21-23

Hello friends, I hope you are enjoying the holidays. And I hope you can spare some time from your holiday activities for Shortwave Radiogram this weekend. News: John Piek is planning an extra transmission of his Slow Scan Radio on 26 December. See details below. Videos of last weekend's Shortwave Radiogram (program  ) are provided by Scott in Ontario (Friday 2030-2100 UTC) and Ralf in Germany (Saturday 1400-1430 UTC). Also, Paul in Belgium produced a video showing his decode an MFSK image by placing his Tecsun PL-310ET near his Android phone. Finally, three brief videos (one two three) from RadioMan96 in Russia. The audio archive is maintained by Mark in the UK. Analysis is prepared by Roger in Germany. This weekend, MFSK32 and MFSK64, images for the holidays, and the first of six images in the Tecsun Radios Australia competition. Here is the lineup for Shortwave Radiogram, program 79, 21-23 December 2018, in MFSK modes as noted ...  1:44  MFSK32: Program preview  2:54  MFSK64: First voice from space, 60 years ago*  7:34  This week's images (US municipal Christmas decorations)* 22:02  Message from Tecsun Radios Australia (first of six images)* 26:42  MFSK32: Closing announcements * with image(s) Please send reception reports to radiogram@verizon.net And visit http://swradiogram.net Twitter: @SWRadiogram or https://twitter.com/swradiogram (visit during the weekend to see listeners' results) Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/567099476753304 Shortwave Radiogram Transmission Schedule UTC Day UTC Time Frequency Transmitter Friday 2030-2100 UTC 7780 kHz WRMI Florida Saturday 1400-1430 UTC 9400 kHz Space Line Bulgaria Sunday 0800-0830 UTC 5850 kHz 7730 kHz WRMI Florida Sunday 2330-2400 UTC 7780 kHz WRMI Florida Slow Scan Radio transmits SSTV images and text modes Saturdays at 1300-1330 UTC on 6070 kHz and 7440 kHz) via Channel 292 in Germany. John will also have a special transmission 26 December at 2100-2130 UTC, also on 6070 and 7440 kHz. The website is http://www.slowscanradio.com. Reception reports to x@xdv.me. The Mighty KBC transmits to Europe Saturdays at 1300-1400 UTC on 11600 kHz from Bulgaria, with the minute of MFSK at about 1330 UTC (if you are outside of Europe, listen via websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/ ). And to North America Sundays at 0000-0200 UTC (Saturday 7-9 pm EST) on 5960 kHz, via Germany. The minute of MFSK is at about 0130 UTC.  Reports to Eric: themightykbc@gmail.com . See also http://www.kbcradio.eu/ and https://www.facebook.com/TheMightyKbc/. Italian Broadcasting Corporation (IBC)  Five minutes of MFSK32 is at the end of the 30-minute English-language “Shortwave Panorama. For the complete IBC transmission schedule visit  http://ibcradio.webs.com/  Holiday wishes! Kim Andrew Elliott, KD9XB Producer and Presenter Shortwave Radiogram Reporting on international broadcasting at https://twitter.com/kaedotcom SV1XV in Greece received these images during the previews of the Tecsun Radios International competition, 7 and 14 December 2018.

Gough Lui in Australia used the University of Twente SDR in the Netherlands to receive these images and text during the Friday 2030 UTC show. On 15 December, there was not much trans-Atlantic reception of the Saturday 1400-1430 UTC broadcast on 9400 kHz from Bulgaria, but Al in Florida was able to decode these images, including a very artistic St. Mary's Cathedral in Sydney.  Lorne in New Zealand received these images Saturday, 1400-1430 UTC, 9400 kHz from Bulgaria. Also the image (top left) from The Mighty KBC, 1330 UTC, 11600 kHz, also from Bulgaria. The winter solstice, plus or minus, is the time to receive the Sunday 0800-0830 UTC transmission in Europe. Frederic in France received these images and text on 7730 kHz from WRMI Florida. Carroll in Oregon had good reception of text and images Sunday at 0800 UTC. Marco in Italy stayed up late and was rewarded with good images and text during the Sunday 2330 UTC broadcast. Copyright © 2018 Shortwave Radiogram, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you sent an email to Shortwave Radiogram or VOA Radiogram. You can unsubscribe by using the link provided. Our mailing address is: Shortwave Radiogram 10400 NW 240th Street Okeechobee, FL 34972

Christmas Eve Programming from Grimeton Radio SAQ

Grimeton Radio

In the morning of Christmas Eve, December 24, we will try to start the old Alexanderson 200 kW transmitter, from 1924 and send out a Christmas message on VLF 17.2 kHz CW. The transmitter will be tuned up from around 08:30 (07:30 UTC) and a message* will be transmitted at 09:00 (08:00 UTC).

Guests are welcome to attend the transmission at the radio station in Grimeton from 08:00 local time. The Alexander association will arrange coffee and Christmas cookies, free of charge. No entrance fee.

For those of you who can not attend, we will broadcast the event live from Grimeton, Sweden at https://alexander.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=521e9c51318e4c7f70e1e6b56&id=34585b8f40&e=043d6be82d

QSL-reports on the SAQ transmission are kindly received via
E-mail to: info@alexander.n.se
or via: SM bureau
or direct by mail to:

Alexander - Grimeton Veteranradios Vaenner
Radiostationen Grimeton 72
SE-432 98 GRIMETON
Sweden

The SK6SAQ amateur radio station will be QRV on the following frequencies:
7.035 kHz CW or
14.035 kHz CW or
3.755 kHz SSB

Two stations will be on the air most of the time.
*The world heritage site Grimeton is a living cultural heritage. All transmissions with the long-wave transmitter SAQ are therefore preliminary and may be set at short notice.
The Alexander Association Grimeton SAQ Veteran Radio Friends ·
Radiostationen Grimeton 72 · Grimeton 43298 · Sweden
(Larry Van Horn N5FPW/Clive S Carver/UDXF)
(photo/wikipedia)

The New China Bridge and the Radio Scene on the Islands of Macau

Macau (wikipedia)

Throughout our modern world, there are many remarkable and spectacular bridges.  The longest bridge in Europe is the 7½ miles long Vasco da Gama Bridge that crosses the Tagus River in Lisbon Portugal. 

The bridge with the tallest piers in the world is also found in Europe.  The Millau Viaduct Bridge in France is suspended from seven tall towers, one of which stands at 1125 feet, a little less than a quarter mile.

In the United States, the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is a dramatic suspension bridge 1¾ miles long that is sometimes photographed with its upper structures above the cloud line.  This now more than 80 year old bridge carries more than 100,000 motor vehicles daily. 

The General Belgrano Bridge in Argentina South America is one mile long and it spans the Parana River, thus connecting the two cities, Corrientes and Resistencia.  Another spectacular bridge in South America is the Orinoquia Bridge in Venezuela.  This three mile long roadway and railway bridge crosses a small island in the Orinico River.  Three countries; Dubai, South Korea and Vietnam; have each erected spectacular bridges that now spurt waters that are lit in color at night.

It seems that China can boast the most superlative bridges in the world.  Their Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge is a high speed railway bridge that spans the Yangtse River Delta in China for 102 miles, the longest in the world. 

Their Duge River Bridge is the highest in the world.  It is a roadway bridge three quarters of a mile long and it stands more than a quarter mile above the gorge below. 

China has also erected several spectacular tourist bridges with panels of glass up to six inches thick.  Many pedestrians are terrified at crossing any of these high level bridges, one of which has a specially prepared area that gives the fake appearance of cracking as it is crossed.

Towards the end of October 2018, China opened the world’s longest over the ocean bridge in the world.  This new China Bridge spans 34 miles of open sea waters across the Pearl River Estuary and it joins formerly Portuguese Macau with formerly British Hong Kong, and with Zhuhai in mainland China.  This mega-bridge system cost the equivalent of multi-trillions of dollars to construct and to establish for daily usage, and it was built to withstand massive earthquakes and the strongest of typhoons.

The islands of Macau, at the farthest extent of the New China Bridge, were a Portuguese colony for around 500 years.  This territory is considered to be the world’s most densely populated area, with a total population of two thirds of a million people. 

Macau still issues its own currency even though the territory was absorbed into mainland China at the turn of the century.  Tourism makes it one of the richest territories in the world, with an influx of more than 20 million visitors each year.

On the wireless/radio scene, the Portuguese authorities established a small wireless communication station in Macau soon after the end of World War 1.  This new facility with the callsign CRS was installed on Siac Island, a small island of ¾ square mile, just off the main populated area of Macau.  The callsign CRS seems to indicate China Radio Siac.     

Then in 1925, as reported by the American monthly journal, Radio News, there was a small low powered radio station on the air in Macau, in March of that year.  This new station, we would suggest, was an amateur radio station installed privately on Macau Island, and it was in use occasionally for the broadcast of entertainment and informational programming, as was the custom for amateur radio stations back then.  Radio News described the station as an excellent station.

Macau Island itself was originally an island of 3¼ square miles, though land fill has subsequently joined the island to mainland China as a peninsula.  The crossover point between Macau and mainland China is just 1,000 yards wide.

In 1933, a new communication station was installed in Macau under the callsign CQN.  This 500 watt shortwave station was noted occasionally in the United States, as well as in Australia and New Zealand.  Even though it was specifically a communication station, yet occasional radio broadcast programs were noted in the 49 metre band. 
Four years later (1937), station CQN was closed in order to renovate the ailing transmitter.  Then on December 26 in the next year (1938), the station was again heard back on the air in Australia, though now under a new callsign.  Shortwave station CQN had became CRY9, and it was still operating in the 49 metre band.

The utility communication station CRY9 was owned and operated by the government of Macau, and the entire facility was housed in the relatively new Post Office Building which was located at the intersection of Senado Square and Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro in Sé, Macau.  This communication station was on the air with program broadcasting for just a couple of hours one evening a week.  Their chosen channel was usually 6080 kHz, and they were listed officially with 500 watts, though in reality it was only about half that power, at 250 watts.

With the ever increasing threat of Japanese aggression in mainland China, and the possibility of some form of involvement for Portuguese Macau, the government broadcasting service established a Foreign Service that was broadcast by their 250 watt transmitter in the 19 metre band.  This new international program service was officially inaugurated by the territorial governor, His Excellency Gabriel Maurício Teixeira, on May 28, 1941.  Programming during that era was broadcast in Chinese, Portuguese and English.

A 1947 listing of communication stations worldwide shows station CRY Macau on the air with four different shortwave transmitters ranging in power from 300 watts up to 2½ kW.  Each shortwave channel was listed with a CRY callsign, followed by a suffix number indicating the specific frequency.  Then, a much later listing in 1978 shows the communication station in Macau under another new callsign, this time XXF.

More about the radio scene in Macau and Hong Kong, another time.
(AWR wavescan/NWS 512)

NHK World Japan to launch new Chinese service in January

NHK World Japan, is launching on January 15th of next year (2019) a new online Chinese-language service. NHK Huayu Shijie will broadcast some of the most popular programs that focus on news, culture and current events.

The service will be for five hours on weekdays. Five anchors will each be assigned a day and bring the news on that day, starting at seven PM.

The program will also have a trends feature, give medical information and air a documentary from the Asian region.

Nanami Sakuraba, presenter of the program, said that she hopes the service can introduce emerging trends in Japanese culture.

NHK Newscaster James Tengan said he will prioritize objectivity and neutrality when he reports the news.

NHK announcer Chiaki Kamakura said that more than 30 million people have visited Japan this year. She added that about half of them speak Chinese so it makes sense to provide them relevant information.

The number of foreign visitors is expected to grow with the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics in 2020 and the World Expo in Osaka in 2025.
(Kanwar Sandhu, Abbotsford BC Canada/NHK-World Japan)

Nhk World Japan https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/