Clandestine station updates broadcast schedule

Radio Dabanga
Effective: 01 March, 2019

All times UTC

0430-0500 7315 via Issoudun, France 250 kW to EaAf Juba Arabic - unchanged
0430-0500 11650 via Talata Volonodry, Madagascar 250 kW to EaAf Juba Arabic, ex 9600 Meyerton, South Africa
1530-1600 on 15350 via Issoudun, France 250 kW to EaAf Juba Arabic, ex same Meyerton, South Africa
1530-1600 on 15550 via Santa Maria di Galeria 250 kW to EaAf Juba Arabic, ex Issoudun, France
(DXB)

Radio Dabanga targets programming to listeners in the Darfur area of Western Sudan. Occasionally broadcast may be jammed.
https://www.dabangasudan.org/en

Dxers Unlimited, Tuesday 26 February

Radio Havana Cuba

Dxers Unlimited - for Tuesday 26 February 2019 

Arnie Coro, CO2KK

  

The Cuban CW Group of amateur radio operators is promoting a project that will help both beginners and experts operate on CW Morse Code Radiotelegraphy mode using a simple low power transmitter... Two versions of the low power rigs are now in the early design stages, one using all solid state devices recycled from retired computer CRT monitors and TV sets, and the other a hybrid transmitter using low power transistors and a pair of also recycled vacuum tubes operating as the driver and final RF amplifier stages. 

But, Jav, CO3JK, charlie oscar three Juliet Kilo, the Secretary of the Cuban CW Group wrote an e'mail explaining that the first part of the project aims at building a rugged, reliable power supply for the transmitters.

More radio hobby related information coming direct and from the source... in a few seconds after a short break for a station ID, I am your host Arnie Coro, CO 2 KILO KILO in sunny La Habana, Cuba enjoying wonderful early spring weather...

Si amigos this is Radio Havana Cuba... the name of the show is Dxers Unlimited and here is now more radio hobby related information... a few days ago I decided to dismantle an old hybrid amateur radio transceiver that had broken down many times , making each time more and more difficult to repair. 

It was not an easy decision, but when I started to take the rig apart, it proved to be the correct thing to do, when after testing the first ten electrolytic capacitors removed from the Kenwood TS820S using an equivalent series resistance meter, they all proved to be totally out of the minimum parameters... Attempting to revive that rig without a supply of high quality fully tested electrolytic capacitors for both the high voltage and low voltages power supplies would be simply an impossible task and it will also require a tremendous amount of time. 

Another finding that came out during the first steps of the dismantling process was related to the type of wrap around solderless connections used by Kenwood, that in my opinion was a very poor choice by the designers... The rest of the story is that so far I have carefully removed the VFO assembly, and the big power transformer that will soon be used for other home brew projects... Other small parts will need to be removed by first extracting printed circuit boards where valuable parts like the single side band filter and many quartz crystals can be recovered for recycling. 

Needless to say the Kenwood TS820 S had provided a useful service life of several decades that could had extended further more  if a different method of assembly had been used...  An before I forget the radio frequency driver stage and the two beam power tubes power amplifier were also neatly removed and could be used for a simple single band rig, making good use of a power supply built using the big transformer recovered from the transceiver.

ASK ARNIE, la numero uno, the most popular section of Dxers Unlimited is now on the air... answering a question sent by listener Salvatore from Romen , Italy... Amigo Salvatoreo wants to hear my opinion about the possibility of building self excited power oscillators for CW that use the Hartley – Hull circuit... Well amigo Salvatore, all I can say is that it can be done, but it does require the use of some hard to find parts, like wide spaced air variable capacitors , that are essential to achieve the required frequency stability, and you will also need a very stable fully regulated supply to feed the power oscillator.

My very good Italian friend Cris Greggio has built a prototype Hartley Hull single stage power oscillator that sounds very good on the air and does not drift at all. I remember many years ago building a similar CW rig using a single triode connected 807 type tube , fed from a professional high voltage regulated power supply... It provided about 15 watts output on the 40 meters band and was really stable ... Keying was excellent and no chirp was heard from that rig... Using an also home brew regenerative receiver, the 807 triode connected power oscillator made possible making some very nice DX contacts, but I must add that this happened many years ago during solar cycles 20, 21. 22 and 23 that were much more active than the present very weak cycle 24...

Soon, Radio Havana Cuba will be changing to the A19 transmissions schedule... and very few changes are expected to take place... The reason for not having to change many frequencies has to do with the very low solar activity expected for this season that starts during the spring and comes to an end during October.

.You can send your signal reports and comments about our short wave broadcasts to inforhc@enet.cu, again inforhc@enet.cu, and don't forget to include details of the programs heard so that we may verify your reception reports with a nice QSL card....

More radio hobby related information coming up: Recent radio noise measurements done at several of the world's most populated cities and also done at smaller towns and villages show something in common... The general background radio frequency noise levels within the frequency range from three to thirty megaHertz has increased dramatically during the past five years where ever measurements made five years ago were available... 

The results of those carefully done bandscans measuring the background noise demonstrate that services that once where capable of providing good quality coverage like the AM medium wave broadcast band have become, at some urban locations almost useless, even when the stations are using high power transmitters .... Add also that the FM broadcast band is also suffering from many electromagnetic incompatibility problems that reduce the service area of many stations in a significant way....

And now just at the end of the show,here is Arnie Coro's Dxers Unlimited's HF propagation update and forecast, expect poor to very poor conditions during the next two days due to the likely to happen effects of a high speed solar wind stream coming from a coronal hole... All  I will recommend is to monitor the lower frequencies for possible propagation anomalies... 

Send your signal reports and comments via AIR MAIL to Arnie Coro, Radio Havana Cuba, and use our primary e'mail address inforhc@enet.cu .See you at the weekend edition of Dxers Unlimited on the air next Sunday and Monday UTC days,

(Arnie Coro) 

Sentech Facility to Cease Shortwave Relays

Brixton Tower-Sentech

Jeff White of WRMI, has confirmed that the Sentec transmitting facility, in Meyerton, South Africa, will cease shortwave relays at the closure of the winter broadcast period, on 31 March 2019. The information was announced during his February 24 broadcast, of AWR Wavescan. The future of the stations using the Meyerton facility is unknown at this time, though speculated that most will shift to the Madagascasr transmitter site.

The following is a list of stations currently using the Meyerton facility.

All times UTC
Effective to: 31 March 2019

Channel Africa
0300-0455 on  3345 MEY 100 kW / 005 deg to SoAf English Mon-Fri
0300-0355 on  6155 MEY 250 kW / 019 deg to ECAf English Mon-Fri
0500-0900 on  7230 MEY 100 kW / 005 deg to SoAf English Mon-Fri
0600-0655 on 11925 MEY 250 kW / 315 deg to WeAf English Mon-Fri
0900-1200 on  7230 MEY 100 kW / 005 deg to SoAf English Mon-Fri
1200-1300 on  7230 MEY 100 kW / 005 deg to SoAf Nyanja Mon-Fri
1300-1400 on  7230 MEY 100 kW / 005 deg to SoAf Lozi Mon-Fri
1400-1500 on  7230 MEY 100 kW / 005 deg to SoAf Portuguese Mon-Fri
1500-1600 on  7260 MEY 100 kW / 005 deg to SoAf English Mon-Fri
1500-1555 on 17770 MEY 250 kW / 019 deg to ECAf Swahili Mon-Fri
1600-1655 on 15235 MEY 250 kW / 328 deg to WeAf French Mon-Fri
1700-1755 on 15235 MEY 250 kW / 328 deg to WeAf English Mon-Fri

Clandestine-Radio Dabanga
0430-0500 on  9600 MEY 250 kW / 355 deg to EaAf Juba Arabic
1530-1600 on 15350 MEY 250 kW / 005 deg to EaAf Juba Arabic

BBC
0500-0600 on  3255 MEY 100 kW / 000 deg to SoAf English
0500-0600 on  6190 MEY 100 kW / 015 deg to SoAf English
0500-0600 on  9915 MEY 250 kW / 019 deg to CEAf English
0500-0600 on 11945 MEY 250 kW / 005 deg to ECAf Kinyarwanda/Kirundi Sat
0500-0600 on 15490 MEY 250 kW / 005 deg to ECAf Kinyarwanda/Kirundi Sat
0530-0600 on 11945 MEY 250 kW / 005 deg to ECAf Kinyarwanda/Kirundi Sun
0530-0600 on 15490 MEY 250 kW / 005 deg to ECAf Kinyarwanda/Kirundi Sun
0600-0700 on  6190 MEY 100 kW / 000 deg to SoAf English
0600-0700 on 12095 MEY 250 kW / 342 deg to CeAf English
0600-0700 on 15420 MEY 100 kW / 019 deg to SoAf English
0700-0800 on  6190 MEY 100 kW / 000 deg to SoAf English
0700-0800 on 15420 MEY 100 kW / 019 deg to SoAf English
0700-0800 on 15490 MEY 250 kW / 340 deg to CeAf English
1130-1400 on 17745 MEY 250 kW / 032 deg to EaAf Somali Sat Premier League
1200-1230 on 17870 MEY 250 kW / 342 deg to CeAf French
1400-1430 on 17640 MEY 250 kW / 328 deg to WeAf Hausa Mon-Fri
1400-1500 on 17745 MEY 250 kW / 032 deg to EaAf Somali
1500-1600 on 15420 MEY 100 kW / 019 deg to CEAf English
1600-1700 on  3255 MEY 100 kW / 000 deg to SoAf English
1600-1700 on  6190 MEY 100 kW / 015 deg to SoAf English
1600-1700 on 12095 MEY 100 kW / 019 deg to CEAf English
1630-1700 on 17870 MEY 250 kW / 007 deg to ECAf Kinyarwanda/Kirundi Mon-Fri
1700-1800 on  3255 MEY 100 kW / 000 deg to SoAf English
1700-1800 on  6190 MEY 100 kW / 015 deg to SoAf English
1700-1800 on  9410 MEY 250 kW / 019 deg to CEAf English
1700-1930 on  9465 MEY 100 kW / 030 deg to EaAf Somali Sat Premier League
1730-1750 on 12095 MEY 100 kW / 015 deg to EaAf Amharic Mon-Fri
1750-1810 on 12095 MEY 100 kW / 015 deg to EaAf Afan Oromo Mon-Fri
1810-1830 on 12095 MEY 100 kW / 015 deg to EaAf Tigrinya Mon-Fri
1800-1830 on  7395 MEY 250 kW / 076 deg to SoAf French
1800-1830 on  9465 MEY 250 kW / 032 deg to EaAf Somali
1800-1830 on 11875 MEY 100 kW / 030 deg to EaAf Somali
1800-1900 on  3255 MEY 100 kW / 000 deg to SoAf English
1800-1900 on  6190 MEY 100 kW / 015 deg to SoAf English
1830-1850 on  9885 MEY 250 kW / 019 deg to EaAf Amharic Mon-Fri
1850-1910 on  9885 MEY 250 kW / 019 deg to EaAf Afan Oromo Mon-Fri
1810-1930 on  9885 MEY 250 kW / 019 deg to EaAf Tigrinya Mon-Fri
1900-2000 on  3255 MEY 100 kW / 000 deg to SoAf English
1900-2000 on  6190 MEY 100 kW / 015 deg to SoAf English

Radio Sonder Grense
0500-0755 on  7285 MEY 100 kW / 275 deg to SoAf Afrikaans
0800-1755 on  9650 MEY 100 kW / 275 deg to SoAf Afrikaans
1800-0455 on  3320 MEY 100 kW / 275 deg to SoAf Afrikaans

Deutsche Welle
0630-0700 on 15200 MEY 250 kW / 330 deg to WeAf Hausa
1000-1100 on 17710 MEY 250 kW / 007 deg to EaAf Swahili
1800-1900 on 15200 MEY 250 kW / 330 deg to WeAf Hausa

South African Radio League Amateur Radio Today
0800-0900 on  7205 MEY 100 kW / non-dir to SoAf English Sun
0800-0900 on 17760 MEY 250 kW / 019 deg to EaAf English Sun
1630-1730 on  4895 MEY 100 kW / non-dir to SoAf English Sun

Voice of America
1630-1700 on 11850 MEY 100 kW / 020 deg to SDN  Sudanese English Mon-Fri
1630-1700 on 15260 MEY 250 kW / 007 deg to CeAf Swahili
1730-1800 on 12040 MEY 100 kW / 020 deg to EaAf Oromo Mon-Fri
1800-1900 on 12040 MEY 100 kW / 020 deg to EaAf Amharic
(DX Bulgaria/AWR Wavescan)
(photo/wikipedia)

Channel Africa seeks listener feedback

South Africa
Channel Africa is conducting a listener feedback session. If you have any comments, concerns, questions and suggestions about Chanel Africa, please send voice notes or call on Whatsapp: +27 76 300 3327 or social media Facebook: Channel Africa and Twitter: @Channel Africa1. You can also call in live on: +27 11 714 3943/3944/3946. The station management will be in studio to respond to your queries make sure you tune on the following times & dates

All times UTC

1400-1500 on  7230 MEY 100 kW / 005 deg to SoAf Portuguese on Feb.27
1500-1555 on 17770 MEY 250 kW / 019 deg to ECAf Kiswahili on Feb.28
1600-1655 on 15235 MEY 250 kW / 328 deg to WeAf French on Feb.28
1500-1600 on  7260 MEY 100 kW / 005 deg to SoAf English on March 1
From April 1 Channel Africa might continue on internet only. BBC relays will be moved from Meyerton to Malagasy Glabal Business S.A.in Talata-Volonondry.
(DX Bulgaria)
(graphic/PlayDX)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2019 Feb 25 0822 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/content/subscription-services
#
#                Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 18 - 24 February 2019

Solar activity was very low. A DSF centered near N19W38 was observed lifting off after 23/2332 UTC. A subsequent CME signature was first observed in LASCO C2 imagery at 24/0125 UTC. However, after forecaster analysis and WSA/Enlil modeling, the CME was determined
to be off the Sun-Earth line.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached moderate levels on 18-20 Feb. Normal levels were observed during the rest of the summary period.

Geomagnetic field activity reached active levels on 21 Feb due to CH HSS influences. The remainder of the period was at mostly quiet levels.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 25 February - 23 March 2019

Solar activity is expected to remain very low for 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 on 25 Feb - 10 Mar, and 13 Mar due to recurrent CH HSS activity. Normal to moderate levels are expected for the remainder of the outlook period.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at G1 (Minor) storm levels on 27-28 Feb due to recurrent CH HSS activity. The remainder of the period is expected to be mostly quiet to unsettled.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2019 Feb 25 0822 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC contact on the Web
# https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/content/subscription-services
#
#      27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
#                Issued 2019-02-25
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2019 Feb 25      71           5          2
2019 Feb 26      71           5          2
2019 Feb 27      71          18          5
2019 Feb 28      71          24          5
2019 Mar 01      71          16          4
2019 Mar 02      71          12          4
2019 Mar 03      71           8          3
2019 Mar 04      71           5          2
2019 Mar 05      71           8          3
2019 Mar 06      71           5          2
2019 Mar 07      71           8          3
2019 Mar 08      71          10          4
2019 Mar 09      71           8          3
2019 Mar 10      71           5          2
2019 Mar 11      71           5          2
2019 Mar 12      71          12          4
2019 Mar 13      71          10          3
2019 Mar 14      71           5          2
2019 Mar 15      71           5          2
2019 Mar 16      71           5          2
2019 Mar 17      71           5          2
2019 Mar 18      71           5          2
2019 Mar 19      71           5          2
2019 Mar 20      71          10          3
2019 Mar 21      71           5          2
2019 Mar 22      71           5          2
2019 Mar 23      71           5          2
(NOAA)

Shortwave Radiogram, weekend schedules

Hello friends,

Information below about "This is a Music Show," on WRMI, which includes some MFSK. Also, some changes to the PANBEMS Net.

WINB's DRM transmitter was not on the air last weekend: apologies if you tried to tune in. And WINB has a new frequency for its DRM transmitter: 13755 kHz. Shortwave Radiogram will be today (Friday) at 1500-1530 UTC on 13755. You can use KiwiSDR receivers in conjunction with the Dream software to decode DRM. See this post from the website for instructions.

Last weekend we another example of an amazingly successful decode of Olivia 64-2000 text under adverse conditions. You can see/hear/decode that Olivia 64-2000 here.

Videos of last weekend's Shortwave Radiogram (program 87) are provided by Scott in Ontario (Friday 2030 UTC), Ralf in Germany (Saturday 1400 UTC), Martín In Mexico (Sunday 0800 UTC 7730 kHz), and "youngalientype" (Sunday 2330 UTC, Olivia 64-2000 segment). The audio archive is maintained by Mark in the UK. Analysis is prepared by Roger in Germany.

Here is the lineup for Shortwave Radiogram, program 88, 22-24 February 2019, in MFSK modes as noted:

 1:44  MFSK32: Program preview
 2:49  NASA to test X-ray communication system on the ISS
 7:19  MFSK64: Earth's atmosphere extends to 630,000 km*
12:20  This week's images*
27:33  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 1500-1530 UTC 13755 kHz DRM WINB Pennsylvania
Friday 2030-2100 UTC 7780 kHz WRMI Florida
Saturday 0330-0400 UTC 9265 kHz WINB Pennsylvania
Saturday 1400-1430 UTC 9400 kHz Space Line Bulgaria
Saturday 1830-1900 UTC 9265 kHz WINB Pennsylvania
Sunday 0800-0830 UTC 5850 kHz
7730 kHz WRMI Florida
Sunday 2330-2400 UTC 7780 kHz WRMI Florida

"This is a Music Show" is the newest addition to digital modes via analog shortwave. Most of the show is a music show, but the host transmits some MFSK text and image near the end of the broadcast. It's transmitted on WRMI, 5850 kHz, Thursday 0100-0200 UTC (Wednesday evening in the Americas). The first show this past Wednesday had MFSK64 text and an MFSK32 image. You might have to set the mode manually. Also look for a waterfall ID at the beginning of the show.

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 -- 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/.

New York and Pennsylvania NBEMS nets. Most weekends, as KD9XB, I check in to the New York NBEMS (Narrow Band Emergency Messaging Software) net Saturday at 1300 UTC on 3584 kHz USB, and the Pennsylvania NBEMS net Sunday at new 1230 UTC for out-of-state stations (1300Z for stations in Pennsylvania)  on 3583 kHz USB. Check-ins are in Thor 22, and messages are in MFSK32, although PANBEMS is experimenting with Thor50x1 for traffic. Messages usually use the Flmsg add-on to Fldigi. If you are a radio amateur in eastern North America, feel free to check in. Outside the region, use an SDR in the eastern USA to tune in and decode. You do not need Flmsg to check in, and most of the messages can be read without Flmsg. If you can decode the net, send me an email to radiogram@verizon.net , or tweet to @SWRadiogram , and I will let them know you are tuned in.

Thanks for your reception reports!
Kim
Kim Andrew Elliott, KD9XB
Producer and Presenter
Shortwave Radiogram
Reporting on international broadcasting at https://twitter.com/kaedotcom

Radio Öömrang revives for a day

If it's February 21, time for the annual broadcast from Radio Öömrang, and if you missed last year, here’s a new opportunity. Once a year on February 21, citizens from one of Germany’s North Frisian Islands, celebrate Bikebrånen, a major North Frisian holiday. 

The first broadcast was founded by amateur radio operator Ajan Kölzow on the island of Amrum in 2006. Annual programs are aimed at the descendants of North Frisian immigrants to North America. 

Programs are presented in English and Standard German with talk and interviews in the North Frisian language of the Öömrang dialect. Programming may be live, or a recording from past editions to celebrate their special day.

The winter 2019 broadcast for Radio Öömrang, is schedule for February 21, 2019,  1600-1700 UTC on 15215 kHz, relayed from the Issoudun, France transmitter.  

The scheduled 2019 broadcast has been confirmed by Michael Puetz, of Media Broadcast. To request an e-QSL, send your program details to: 

qsl-shortwave@mediabroadcast.com

(Global Radio Guide-Winter 2018-2019/Bits & Bytes excerpt)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts

:Issued: 2019 Feb 18 0458 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/content/subscription-services
#
#                Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 11 - 17 February 2019
Solar activity was at very low levels. There were no numbered spot regions. No Earth-directed CMEs were observed in coronagraph imagery. No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached high levels on 11 and 14 Feb, with a maximum flux of 1,890 pfu at 11/1445 UTC. Normal to moderate levels were observed on the remaining days. 

Geomagnetic field activity was at mostly quiet to unsettled levels. Active levels were observed on 13 Feb. 

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 18 February - 16 March 2019
Solar activity is expected to be very low levels throughout the forecast period. No notable regions are due to return to the visible disk. 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 21 Feb - 10 Mar and 13 Mar. Normal to moderate levels are expected for 18-20 Feb, 11-12 Mar, and 14-16 Mar. 

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storming levels on 28 Feb - 01 Mar as the result of recurrent, negative polarity CH HSS influences. Mostly quiet to unsettled levels are expected for the rest of the outlook period. 

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 
:Issued: 2019 Feb 18 0458 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/content/subscription-services
#
#      27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
#                Issued 2019-02-18
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2019 Feb 18      70           5          2
2019 Feb 19      70          12          4
2019 Feb 20      70          16          4
2019 Feb 21      70          12          3
2019 Feb 22      70           8          3
2019 Feb 23      70           5          2
2019 Feb 24      70           5          2
2019 Feb 25      70           5          2
2019 Feb 26      70           5          2
2019 Feb 27      68          15          4
2019 Feb 28      68          18          5
2019 Mar 01      68          18          5
2019 Mar 02      68          12          4
2019 Mar 03      68           8          3
2019 Mar 04      68           5          2
2019 Mar 05      68           8          3
2019 Mar 06      68           5          2
2019 Mar 07      68           8          3
2019 Mar 08      68          10          4
2019 Mar 09      68           8          3
2019 Mar 10      68           5          2
2019 Mar 11      68           5          2
2019 Mar 12      70          12          4
2019 Mar 13      70          10          3
2019 Mar 14      70           5          2
2019 Mar 15      70           5          2
2019 Mar 16      70           5          2

(NOAA)

QSL Report

QSL Report

QSL listings are from various post, from the February 2019 issue of NASWA, Listener's Notebook.

Information edited for clarity by Teak Publishing

QSL via Gayle Van Horn Collection

Brazil

6135 kHz, QSL Radio Aparecida. Received in 2.5 months. Verification card from Cassiano Macedo, for Portuguese reception report. Program details to: contato@a12.com; producao@radioaparecida.com.br; and cassianomac@yahoo.com.br. (Ivan Zelenyi-Russia, HCDX/Jan 19/WWDXC-TopNews)

Bulgaria

9400 kHz, The Mighty KBC via Kostinbrod. Full data E-QSL for English program. Received in four days for program details to: themightykbc@gmail.com. (Hansjoerg Biener-Germany/WWDXC-Top News)

China

9520 kHz, PBS Nei Menggu (Hohhot). E-QSL received in one day, for Chinese program. Program details to: yinglian@cri.com.cn. (Rudolf Grimm-Brazil/WWDXC-Top News)

4850 kHz, PBS Xinjiang (Urumqi), E-QSL received in three days for Kazakh program details to: yinglian@cri.com.cn. (Rudolf Grimm-Brazil/WWDXC/Top News)

China (Tibet) 4905 kHz. Holy Tibet. Full data QSL card Potala Palace in Lhasa. Received in 104 days for Tibetan program details to: holytibetprogram@163.com. (Alexander Golovikhin-Russia/WWDXC-Top News)

Clandestine

9975 kHz. Furusato no Kaze, Full data verification letter and frequency schedule in Japanese/Korean. Received in 113 days for program details to: info@rachi.go.jp. (Alexander Golovikhin-Russia/WWDXC/Top News)

Germany

6005 kHz. Voice of Mongolia via Kall, Germany relay. Handwritten partial data QSL on a greeting card. Received in 18 days for English programming. E-report to: vomen@yahoo.com  (Hansjoerg Biener-Germany/WWDXC/Top News)

India

9620 kHz, All India Radio via Aligarh and Delhi on 11560. Full data QSL card. Received in 111 days for e-report to: spectrum-manager@air.org.in. (Ivan Zelenyi-Russia/DX Fanzine)

Thailand

Radio Thailand. After a repeated reminder at the end of November, a new QSL card from Radio Thailand was received for a report dated June 20, 2018. The card’s theme is Democracy Monument, a public monument in the center of Bangkok, Photo by Pori Kittawornrat. Frequency schedule also received. (Dmitry Elagin, Saratov-RUS, via RUSdx #1008/WWDXC/Top News)

LATE BREAKING NEWS - WWV ... Lives On !!

Now that the bill has been signed on February 15, 2019 by President Trump, WWV is fully funded.

It’s a celebratory year for the WWV stations. The fiscal year (FY) 2019 budget — once signed — will include full funding for the stations, which also mark their 100th year this fall. The WWV Centennial Committee has a tentative agreement with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to mount a special event station this fall adjacent to the WWV site in Colorado to mark the 100th anniversary of the time and frequency standard station, the world’s oldest continuously operating radio station. A memorandum of understanding is in the works.

Dave Swartz, W0DAS, of the Northern Colorado Amateur Radio Club (NCARC) heads the committee, which is developing plans for an NCARC special event from September 28 through October 2, with a NIST centennial observance tentatively set for October 1.

The NIST budget for WWV, WWVH, and WWVB will remain level for FY 2019. With the funding suspense over, Swartz told ARRL, “our committee is moving forward.”

Swartz and committee members Darren Kalmbach, KC0ZIE, and Kevin Utter, N7GES, met on February 8 with WWV/WWVB/WWVH Station Manager John Lowe, WWV Electronics Technician Glenn Nelson, and WWV Chief Engineer Matt Deutch, N0RGT.

“This was the first meeting for the committee and the first to include NIST upper management,” said Swartz, who called the meeting “very productive.” Swartz said NIST management is “on board” with the celebration, and Deutch plans to attend Hamvention May 17 – 19 to promote the centennial event.

Although the US government cannot fund any Amateur Radio special event expenses, the club members will be allowed to use a 15-acre parcel on WWV property, Swartz explained on the WWV Centennial website. “The operating site lies outside the security fence and simplifies logistics,” he said.

Swartz hopes that other clubs in Colorado will be able to pitch in to make the WWV Centennial a success. The WWV Centennial Committee will meet again on February 22.
(ARRL)

Mid-Winter Schedule Updates

Information edited for clarity by Teak Publishing

All times UTC

Clandestine
JSR Shiokaze / Sea Breeze
Effective: 14 Feb. 2019
1300-1400 6085 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 7345 as follows
1300-1330 Chinese Mon; Japanese Tue/Sat; Korean Wed/Fri/Sun; English Thu
1330-1400 Korean Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat; Japanese Tue/Sun; English Thu
1405-1435 6085 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Japanese Daily, ex 7295
1600-1700 7440 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6095 as follows
1600-1630 Chinese Mon; Japanese Tue/Sat; Korean Wed/Fri/Sun; English Thu
1630-1700 Korean Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat; Japanese Tue/Sun; English Thu

Voice of Tibet
Effective: 14 Feb. 2019
Tibetan
1335-1400 9900 DB  100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs ex 9904

Nigeria
Radio Nigeria Kaduna via Issoudun, France relay -  now three hours per day
Hausa
0500-0700 on  7335 ISS 150 kW / 170 deg to WeAf
0700-0800 on 13840 ISS 150 kW / 170 deg to WeAf
0800-0900 on 13840 ISS 150 kW / 170 deg to WeAf inactive at present
0900-1500 on 17690 ISS 150 kW / 170 deg to WeAf inactive at present
2000-2300 on  7235 ISS 150 kW / 170 deg to WeAf inactive at present
(SWL/DX Bulgaria 14 Feb., 2019)

Shortwave Radiogram Schedules, February 15-17, 2019

Hello friends,

The International Space Station is transmitting SSTV again this weekend, until Sunday at  1725 UTC, on the usual 145.8 MHz (FM).

From your reports, I learned that last weekend's Shortwave Radiogram segment of Olivia 64-2000 succeeded when the MFSK32 and 64 showed errors due to poor reception conditions.You can see, and decode for yourself, this example of Olivia 64-2000 decoding 99% in very poor reception, with MFSK32 and 64 mostly unintelligible. For most listeners, reception was good enough that the Olivia 64-2000 was not necessary.

Videos of last weekend's Shortwave Radiogram (program 86) are provided by Scott in Germany (Friday 2030 UTC), Ralf in Germany (Saturday 1400 UTC) and DFS2010 in Japan (Sunday 0800 UTC 7730 kHz). Marco in Italy provided an example of the MFSK128 decoding from the WINB DRM transmission (video only, the music was not part of the broadcast). The audio archive is maintained by Mark in the UK. Analysis is prepared by Roger in Germany.

This weekend, hoping for some instances of bad reception, we will transmit another segment of Olivia 64-2000 (with another reminder about the Winter SWL Fest, 28 Feb-2 Mar). There will also be another broadcast via the WINB DRM transmitter, today (Friday) at 1500 UTC, 13690 kHz, likely with the content of last weekend's show.

Here is the lineup for Shortwave Radiogram, program 87, 15-17 February 2019, in modes as noted:

 1:41  MFSK32: Program preview
 2:53  Russia mulls test of disconnecting from the internet
 7:32  Olivia 64-2000: Winter SWL Fest reminder
11:17  MFSK64: Opportunity mission on Mars ends*
14:59  Mars MAVEN orbiter will dip closer to Mars*
19:24  Images of the week*
27:18  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 1500-1530 UTC 13690 kHz DRM
Program 86 audio probably WINB Pennsylvania
Friday 2030-2100 UTC 7780 kHz WRMI Florida
Saturday 0330-0400 UTC 9265 kHz WINB Pennsylvania
Saturday 1400-1430 UTC 9400 kHz Space Line Bulgaria
Saturday 1830-1900 UTC 9265 kHz WINB Pennsylvania
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 -- 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/. 

New York and Pennsylvania NBEMS nets. Most weekends, as KD9XB, I check in to the New York NBEMS (Narrow Band Emergency Messaging Software) net Saturday at 1300 UTC on 3584 kHz USB, and the Pennsylvania NBEMS net Sunday at 1300 UTC on 3583 kHz USB. Check-ins are in Thor 22, and messages are in MFSK32. Messages usually use the Flmsg add-on to Fldigi. If you are a radio amateur in eastern North America, feel free to check in. Outside the region, use an SDR in the eastern USA to tune in and decode. You do not need Flmsg to check in, and most of the messages can be read without Flmsg. If you can decode the net, send me an email to radiogram@verizon.net , or tweet to @SWRadiogram , and I will let them know you are tuned in.

Thanks for your reception reports!
Kim
Kim Andrew Elliott, KD9XB
Producer and Presenter
Shortwave Radiogram
Reporting on international broadcasting at https://twitter.com/kaedotcom 

The Radio Scene on the Islands of Macau

Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge

After the end of the Pacific War, shortwave station CR8AA Radio Club Macau returned to the air and it was first noted in Australia on 7530 kHz with what was described as a good signal in August 1945.  Their first QSL card was a large oversized card with an artistic representation of a beach scene along the Macau coastline.

Two years later (1947), Radio News in the United States reported that the station was on the air daily with regular programming on 9500 kHz with a power output of just 200 watts.  The programming content was in three languages; Portuguese, Chinese and English.  At this stage, it was stated, Radio Macau was planning a power increase up to 1 kW.

Two years later again (1949), Radio Macau was off the air shortwave, though a new mediumwave channel was in use, 1270 kHz with again an output power of only 200 watts.  Apparently the shortwave transmitter had been re-engineered for use on a mediumwave channel.  At this stage, they were promising a power increase on shortwave up to 5 kW. 

After another two years, now 1951, a monitoring observation in the United States indicated that a 1 kW transmitter was on the air from Macau on 9500 kHz though it was not carrying the programming of Radio Macau but rather Radio Vila Verde.  This shortwave relay was heard during the months of April and May only, and the news report stated that this shortwave relay was simply a temporary fill in while they were awaiting a new mediumwave transmitter.  This shortwave transmitter actually belonged to Radio Macau, not Radio Vila Verde, and apparently its normal usage was for international communication.

Would you believe it?  Again, after another two years, this time during the year 1953, it was stated that no shortwave transmitter in Macau was active with the broadcast of radio programming, and that Radio Club Macau may some time soon take into usage its 1 kW communication transmitter for the relay of their own mediumwave programming.  However, that never eventuated either.  At that stage, a 250 watt mediumwave transmitter was in use on 900 kHz.

Back then, the call signs in use by Radio Club Macau were rather unusual; the shortwave call sign was CR8AA and the medium wave callsign was CR9AA.  The international radio prefix CR8 belonged officially to Goa the Portuguese colony in India; and the international radio prefix CR9 belonged officially to Macau, the Portuguese colony in China.

In the 1960s, the 250 watt mediumwave transmitter was retuned to 1200 kHz, and a new 1 kW mediumwave transmitter took over the 900 kHz channel.  Both channels carried the same programming in parallel in both Cantonese and English.

In 1976, the Radio Macau broadcasting service was reorganized under the auspices of the Information and Tourism Center with programming in just two languages, Chinese and Portuguese.

Interestingly in 1983, two European countries, France and Portugal, announced that they planned to install a jointly operated shortwave broadcast station in Macau, though that project was never implemented either.  The usage of medium wave in Macau was dropped in favor of FM during the 1990s.

With the 1999 re-integration of the Portuguese colony Macau into China looming up on the horizon, Radio Macau again announced that they would re-introduce a shortwave service that would continue on air after the high profile political changeover took place.  However, due to the growth of FM radio broadcasting throughout the world as well as in Macau, the usage of both medium wave and shortwave was dropped entirely.  Thus, over nearly half a century, Radio Macau indicated its intention to increase the power of its international shortwave service on five separate occasions, all without fulfillment. 

These days, Radio TV Macau is on the air via two FM transmitters, each rated at 2½ kW, and they are both on the air 24 hours daily.  The FM channel 100.7 MHz carries Cantonese and Mandarin programming, and the other FM channel 98.0 MHz carries Portuguese programming with occasional inserts in Indonesian and Tagalog.

Coming soon here in Wavescan will be the story of the other radio station in Macau, Radio Vila Verde.
(AWR-Wavescan-NWS 520-10 Feb 2019)

What is the Future for VOA on the Island of Tinian?

Super Typhoon Yutu (VOA News)

In our program today, we pick up Part 2 in the radio scene on the Pacific island of Tinian.  Last week, we presented the story of island backgrounds, and we mentioned just a little regarding radio stations on Tinian Island.  This time, we finalize the radio story on Tinian, with the following information regarding the shortwave radio stations on this island.

There is no evidence that an early wireless communication station or a mediumwave broadcasting station was ever installed on the island; no, not under the German administration and not under the Japanese administration, nor under the American.  However in 1944, Japanese forces rapidly strengthened their military presence on the island, and it is obvious that they would have used shortwave radio for distant communication.

American forces took over the island on August 1, 1944 and they then constructed the world’s largest air force base with the presence of 40,000 Americans.  It is obvious again, that the Americans would be using shortwave equipment for communication with airplanes, shipping, and distant headquarters. 

At this stage, the Americans designed the layout of the island similar to the layout of Manhattan Island in New York, even giving the same names to streets and localities as on Manhattan.  These days, the previous airways locality on Tinian is abandoned and inhabited by feral cats and rats.

However during the year 1996, the Voice of America in Washington DC announced that plans were already underway for the construction of a huge shortwave relay station on the island of Tinian.  It was envisaged that this station, on a land estate of 800 acres, would contain six shortwave transmitters at 500 kW each, together with an antenna system comprising seven pairs of curtain antennas. 

Ground work on the new station began in 1996; an experienced company in Kuwait was awarded the contract for the installation of the electronic equipment; the six transmitters would come from a closed shortwave station in Portugal; and the antennas would be installed by Continental-Telefunken.  Programming for the Tinian station would be provided by satellite from the studios of the Voice of America and Radio Free Asia in Washington DC.

The first test broadcasts from VOA Tinian began a little more than two years later on January 5, 1999, when two transmitters were activated at night in order to test for the possibility of arcing problems in the antenna systems.  These two transmitters began regular programming ten days later, on January 15 (1999); by which stage, a third transmitter had already been installed and it too was ready to be activated.

When the Tinian shortwave station was completed, it contained not six transmitters but eight.  There were two Continentals at 250 kW each from the United States, Model 419F2; and six transmitters at 500 kW each from ABB in Switzerland, Model SK552C3P.  These six units had previously been on the air for Radio Liberty and Radio Free Europe in the shortwave relay station at Maxoqueira in Portugal.

The Tinian station was located at the northwestern coast of the island, and the antenna systems were arranged in an arc facing the ocean, and Asia.  A total of eleven curtain antennas were erected, including five pairs of active curtains with passive reflectors.

On October 24 last year (2018), Super Typhoon Yutu, described as the most violent wind storm ever on Earth, struck the island of Tinian and wrought untold havoc and destruction, though fortunately, few lives were lost.  According to VOA station management:   “Both stations (Tinian and Saipan), were completely wiped out.  Antennas mangled, roofs partially torn off, fence lines flattened.  Both sites will be off the air for a minimum of six months, possibly up to a year.”
As a result of the massive destruction wrought by Super Typhoon Yutu, programming from the Voice of America and Radio Free Asia has been farmed out to other available stations that provide shortwave coverage into Asia.

In the December 19 (2018) issue of the America journal, Radio World, writer James Careless provides an update to the Tinian radio scene.  So strong were the winds that the concrete counter-weights on the curtain antennas were literally shaken to pieces.  Feed lines and power lines were  knocked down, and the curtain antennas became a mangled mess.  Satellite dishes were either  fragmented, or blown away.  Fortunately, the transmitters themselves were not damaged, though there has been some water seepage.

In a comment by the well known Dr. Kim Andrew Elliott, he states that it would be wise for the United States to retain the usage of at least one of the two damaged shortwave stations (Tinian or Saipan) for Asian coverage.  However, he added, the cost of rebuilding the stations might mean an opportunity for their permanent closure.  Dr. Elliott is well known for his service in audience research with the Voice of America, his production of the former VOA DX program Shortwave Radiogram, and as an experienced international radio monitor.

So what will happen to the shortwave station on the Island of Tinian?  Will it be restored to active service or is it now gone forever?  Only time will tell.

After a week or two, we plan to begin the very interesting story of the other shortwave station that was destroyed by Super Typhoon Yutu, the VOA relay station on the island of Saipan.
(AWR-Wavescan/NWS 519)

Related article:

Super Typhoon Devastates USAGM Transmission Sites
Yutu scored a direct hit on two islands in the Northern Mariana Islands in October

James Carless, December 20, 2018
Two shortwave radio transmission/antenna farms used by the U.S. Agency for Global Media in Saipan and Tinian were ripped apart by 180 mph winds in October. That’s when Category 5 Super Typhoon Yutu ravaged the Northern Mariana island group in the northwestern Pacific Ocean.

Addtional story at: https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/super-typhoon-devastates-usagm-transmission-sites

Radio New Zealand International, winter schedule update

Radio New Zealand International (RNZ Pacific)
Effective: 12 February, 2019


All times UTC

2051-0358 13840 RAN 050 kW / 035 deg to All Pacific English, ex 15720
0359-0458 13840 RAN 050 kW / 035 deg to All Pacific English, ex 13730
0459-0658 11725 RAN 050 kW / 035 deg to All Pacific English, ex 13730
1059-1258 7330*RAN 100 kW / 325 deg to NWPacPNG/As English, ex  9700
* 11-12 co-ch 7330 MOS 100 kW / 283 deg to CeEu German 1st Su R.Joystick

(RNZ)

KNLS stations update their winter schedules

KNLS stations, Madagscar and Alaska have each cut four hours from their current broadcast schedule. Changes are due to the increase in electricity and diesel fuel, causing constant interruptions. The upcoming A-19 summer period from 31 March, will reflect these changes.

All times UTC

Effective: 01 February, 2019
World Christian Broadcast KNLS Madagascar World Voice, Mahajanga
0200-0300 on  6190 MWV 100 kW / 250 deg to SoAm Spanish tx#2 La Voz Alegre
0200-0300 on 15510 MWV 100 kW / 040 deg to SoAs English tx#3 African Pathways Radio
2200-2300 on 11790 MWV 100 kW / 325 deg to NoAf Arabic  tx#2 Radio Feda
2200-2300 on 11965 MWV 100 kW / 055 deg to EaAs Chinese tx#3 The Light of Life

Effective: 01 February, 2019
World Christian Broadcast KNLS The New Life Station, Anchor Point
1600-1700 on  7370 NLS 100 kW / 315 deg to NEAs Russian tx#1 KNLS, New Life Station
1600-1700 on 11965 NLS 100 kW / 300 deg to NEAs Chinese tx#2 The Light of Life
1700-1800 on  7370 NLS 100 kW / 315 deg to NEAs Russian tx#1 KNLS, New Life Station
1700-1800 on 11965 NLS 100 kW / 300 deg to NEAs Chinese tx#2 The Light of Life
(DX Bulgaria 11 Feb 2019)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts

:Issued: 2019 Feb 11 0402 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/content/subscription-services
#
#                Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 04 - 10 February 2019

Solar activity was at very low levels. There were no numbered sunspot regions. No Earth-directed CMEs were observed in available coronagraph imagery. 

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit ranged from moderate to high levels with a peak flux of 8,980 pfu observed on 04 Feb. High levels were observed on 04 Feb as a result of elevated solar wind speeds. Flux levels then ranged from moderate to high levels through 07 Feb under a mostly background solar wind regime, and remained at moderate to high levels through 10 Feb while under weak CH HSS influences. 

Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to active levels. Unsettled periods were observed late in the day on 04 Feb into the first period of 05 Feb as solar wind speeds decreased from around 500 km/s to around 400 km/s under weakening effects from a negative polarity CH HSS. Unsettled conditions were again observed on 06 Feb as a result of minor solar wind enhancements. 

A SSBC on 08 Feb, and marginally elevated solar wind speeds, resulted in active levels the last period of the day. Unsettled levels were observed early on 09 Feb with the onset of an additional negative polarity CH HSS. Quiet to unsettled levels were observed on 10 Feb with ongoing CH HSS influences. 

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 11 February - 09 March 2019

Solar activity is expected to be predominantly at very low levels throughout the forecast period. However, low levels are possible with the return of old Region 2733 (N05, Lo=261) on 12 Feb. This region was very active while transiting the visible disk, and produced a C5 flare at 30/0611 UTC near the west limb, in addition to several other weaker B and C-class flares. 

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. High levels are expected on 11-12 Feb and 21 Feb-09 Mar. Moderate levels are expected 13-20 Feb. All elevated levels of electron flux are anticipated due to influence from multiple, recurrent CH HSSs. 

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be mostly unsetted 11-12 Feb as a result of a recurrent, negative polarity CH HSS. G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storming can be expected with a recurrent, positive polarity CH HSS on 19-21 Feb, and also with a recurrent, negative polarity CH HSS on 27-2 Mar. Mostly quiet to unsettled conditions are anticipated with another weaker, recurrent, negative polarity CH HSS on 07-09 Mar. 

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2019 Feb 11 0402 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/content/subscription-services
#
#      27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
#                Issued 2019-02-11
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2019 Feb 11      70           5          2
2019 Feb 12      71           8          3
2019 Feb 13      72           8          3
2019 Feb 14      72           5          2
2019 Feb 15      72           5          2
2019 Feb 16      72           5          2
2019 Feb 17      72           5          2
2019 Feb 18      72           5          2
2019 Feb 19      72          12          4
2019 Feb 20      72          20          5
2019 Feb 21      72          12          4
2019 Feb 22      72           8          3
2019 Feb 23      72           5          2
2019 Feb 24      72           5          2
2019 Feb 25      72           5          2
2019 Feb 26      71           5          2
2019 Feb 27      71          12          4
2019 Feb 28      71          15          5
2019 Mar 01      71          15          5
2019 Mar 02      71          10          4
2019 Mar 03      71           5          2
2019 Mar 04      71           5          2
2019 Mar 05      71           8          3
2019 Mar 06      71           5          2
2019 Mar 07      71           8          3
2019 Mar 08      71          10          4
2019 Mar 09      71           8          3

(NOAA)

From the Isle of Music & Uncle Bill's Melting Pot schedules, February 10-16

From the Isle of Music, February 10-February 16, 2019:

This week, our guest Erik Alejandro Rodríguez brings the Funk with the music of the sensational group Cimafunk, whose album Terapia was a Cubadisco 2018 nominee. We also listen to some of Moncada En Vivo en el Bule Bar 66, Grupo Moncada's album that won the Tropical Music category in Cubadisco 2018.

The broadcasts take place:

1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area in most of the Eastern Hemisphere (kHz, from Kostinbrod, Bulgaria (1800-1900 MSK)

2. For the Americas and parts of Europe, Tuesday 0100-0200 UTC (New UTC) on WBCQ, 7490 KHz from Monticello, ME, USA (Monday 8-9PM EST in the US).

3-4. For Europe and sometimes beyond, Tuesday 1900-2000 UTC and Saturday 1200-1300 UTC (New CETs) on Channel 292, 6070 kHz from Rohrbach, Germany.

Uncle Bill’s Melting Pot, February 10 and 12, 2019:
Episode 99, International Ladies' Night, features female vocalists from the US, Cuba, Malta, Spain and Romania.
The transmissions take place:

1.Sunday 2300-2330 UTC (6:00PM -6:30PM Eastern US) on WBCQ The Planet 7490 kHz from the US to the Americas and parts of Europe

2. Tuesday 2000-2030 UTC on Channel 292, 6070 kHz from Rohrbach, Germany for Europe. If current propagation conditions hold, the broadcast should reach Iceland AND Western Russia due to

a long skip.

Also recommended:
Marion’s Attic, a unique program produced and hosted by Marion Webster featuring early 20th Century records, Edison cylinders etc played on the original equipment, comes on immediately before UBMP on Sundays from 2200-2300 UTC on WBCQ 7490 kHz.

William "Bill" Tilford, Owner/Producer
Tilford Productions, LLC
5713 N. St. Louis Av
Chicago IL 60659-4405
email: bill@tilfordproductions.com
phone: 773.267.6548
website: www.tilfordproductions.com

Shortwave Radiogram weekend schedules

Hello friends,

A reminder that the Winter SWL Fest will be 28 February-2 March at Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia). Information at swlfest.com. I will be there to demonstrate Shortwave Radiogram.

SSTV will be transmitted this weekend from the International Space Station, from 1400 UTC today (Friday) through Sunday, 10 February, at 1830 UTC. The frequency is 145.8 MHz (FM). The SSTV mode will be PD120. Use MMSSTV or the receive-only RXSSTV or similar software to decode. You can track the location of the ISS here. During these events, I keep a radio tuned to 145.8 MHz FM and MMSSTV running, and periodically check for any results.

Last weekend's experiment with multiple modes, some very fast, via WINB's DRM transmitter was complicated by generally poor conditions. We will transmit the same content today (Friday) at 1500-1530 UTC on 13690 kHz from WINB in Pennsylvania. For details about the program and information about receiving and decoding the WINB DRM broadcast, see this post at swradiogram.net. (Expect the PSK-1000R to fail!)

Also at swradiogram.net is this audio of reception in Alberta of the MFSK32 text, Saturday 1400-1430 UTC, 9400 kHz from Bulgaria.You can decode from this example showing how MFSK32 can communicate even in very difficult conditions.

Videos of last weekend's Shortwave Radiogram (program  ) are provided by youngalientype (not sure of his location) with the first ten minutes of the DRM transmission Friday at 1500 UTC, Scott in Ontario (Friday 2030 UTC),  Ralf in Germany (Saturday 1400 UTC), and a first effort by Adrian in Ireland (Sunday 2330 UTC), battling some heavy noise interference. The audio archive is maintained by Mark in the UK. Analysis is prepared by Roger in Germany.

Shortwave Radiogram this weekend will include a brief segment of Olivia 64-2000. This robust mode might provide a good decode even in very poor conditions, where the MFSK modes are unsuccessful. Examples would include Bulgaria on 9400 kHz direct to North America, and WINB on 9265 in the eastern USA, within the skip zone. Even if you are not hearing or decoding anything else, manually set the mode to Olivia 64-2000 and, at seven minutes into the broadcast, see if there are any results. For best performance, turn the squelch (SQL) off.

Here is the lineup for Shortwave Radiogram, program 86, 8-10 February 2019

 1:40  MFSK32: Program preview
 2:48  Manual vs. automatic transmissions in Switzerland
 7:04  Olivia 64-2000: SWL Fest and ISS SSTV
 9:39  MFSK64: Mars cubesats have gone silent*
13:53  Images of the week*
28:24  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 1500-1530 UTC 13690 kHz DRM
special content WINB Pennsylvania
Friday 2030-2100 UTC 7780 kHz WRMI Florida
Saturday 0330-0400 UTC 9265 kHz WINB Pennsylvania
Saturday 1400-1430 UTC 9400 kHz Space Line Bulgaria
Saturday 1830-1900 UTC 9265 kHz WINB Pennsylvania
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 -- 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/.

New York and Pennsylvania NBEMS nets. Most weekends, as KD9XB, I check in to the New York NBEMS (Narrow Band Emergency Messaging Software) net Saturday at 1300 UTC on 3584 kHz USB, and the Pennsylvania NBEMS net Sunday at 1300 UTC on 3583 kHz USB. Check-ins are in Thor 22, and messages are in MFSK32. Messages usually use the Flmsg add-on to Fldigi. If you are a radio amateur in eastern North America, feel free to check in. Outside the region, use an SDR in the eastern USA to tune in and decode. You do not need Flmsg to check in, and most of the messages can be read without Flmsg. If you can decode the net, send me an email to radiogram@verizon.net , or tweet to @SWRadiogram , and I will let them know you are tuned in.

Thanks for your reception reports!
Kim
Kim Andrew Elliott, KD9XB
Producer and Presenter
Shortwave Radiogram
Reporting on international broadcasting at https://twitter.com/kaedotcom

Radio Sputnik Delivers Polished Sound

Russian government station ditches stiff "Radio Moscow" style

James Careless, Feb. 4, 2019
WASHINGTON — Back during the height of the Cold War, international shortwave station Radio Moscow broadcast news, views, and programming to the West; all reflecting the views of the Soviet government that funded its operations. (The same was true for Voice of America, which was and is still funded by the United States government.)

Additional story at: https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/radio-sputnik-delivers-polished-sound

Venezuelan forces crack down on media in a bid to keep leadership showdown off airwaves

Juan Guaidó speaks to Venezuelan protest crowd

By Andrew Wight, Medellin

At 8pm on the day Juan Guaidó swore himself in as Venezuela's interim leader, police raided the local television stations of Aventura TV and Global TV in the western oil city of Maracaibo.

More than 20 government officials then took both channels off the air by disconnecting and destroying or seizing all the equipment they could find, according to Julio Reyes, the director of Aventura TV and the digital newspaper noticiaaldia.com.

"The channels received the action in reprisal for the live broadcast [of Guaidó's ceremony] made by Global TV, while noticiaaldia.com received a much stronger and more violent reprisal for the coverage it made of the civic demonstrations in Maracaibo," Reyes told The Telegraph .

Additional story at: The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/02/03/venezuela
(photo/U.S. Embassy Uruguay)

VORW Radio International, winter schedule update

VORW Radio International has updated their schedule, including a new broadcasts to Europe

All times UTC / kHz/ // parallel frequency/  target areas

Thursday 1000, 5950 Mexico
Thursday 1000,  6070 // 7440 kHz Western & Central Europe (new broadcast)
Thursday 2000,  7780 Eastern North America
Thursday 2100,  7780 North America and Europe (new broadcast)
Thursday 2300,  9955, South America
Friday 0000, 7730 Western North America
Friday 0100, 5850 // 7780 // 9395 Europe and North America
Friday 0400, 7730 Western North America
Friday 2200, 9955 South America
Saturday 2300, 9395 North America
Sunday 0100, 4840 North America
Sunday 2200, 7570 North America

VORW Radio International is a light-entertainment program which consists of listener requested music of all genres and eras, as well as miscellaneous commentary on various topics. Reception report details may be sent to: vorwinfo@gmail.com

Asian clandestine stations, winter schedule updates

All times UTC/ transmitter sites as indicated

North Korea Reform Radio
Korean
1430-1500  daily 7600as (Dushanbe, Tajikistan)  (ex 7580 (Tashkent, Uzbekistan)
1500-1530  daily 7600as (Dushanbe, Tajikistan)  (ex 7580 (Tashkent, Uzbekistan)
2030-2100  daily 7505as (Dushanbe, Tajikistan) (ex  7495 (Tashkent, Uzbekistan)

Voice of Freedom
Korean
0000-0200  daily 5920as (Hwaseong, Jangan, South Korea) (ex 6045)
0300-0800  daily 5920as (Hwaseong, Jangan, South Korea) (ex 6045)
0900-1400  daily 5920as (Hwaseong, Jangan, South Korea) (ex 6045)
1500-2000  daily 5920as (Hwaseong, Jangan, South Korea) (ex 6045)
2100-0000  daily 5920as (Hwaseong, Jangan, South Korea) (ex 6045)

Voice of the Martyrs Korea
Korean
1530-1600  daily 7520as (Tashkent, Uzbekistan) (ex 7505)
(7520 frequency variable)
(WRTH 04 Feb 2019)

BBC World Service, winter schedule update

BBC World Service
All times UTC / transmitter sites as indicated

Bengali
1330-1400  daily 7520as (Tashkent, Uzbekistan) (ex 5875)

Burmese
1330-1400  daily 9560as (Tinang, Philippines) (ex 5855 Tashkent, Uzbekistan)

Dari
1700-1800  daily 5875as (Gavar, Armenia) (ex 5910)

English
0000-0100  daily 5835as (Gavar, Armenia) (ex 5970)
0100-0200  daily 5835as (Gavar, Armenia) (ex 15510)
2200-2300  daily 5845as (Singapore) (ex 5890)
2300-0000  daily 5845as (Singapore (ex 5890)

Korean
1530-1600  daily 5845as (Singapore) 5895as (Dushanbe, Tajikistan)
1600-1700  daily 5845as (Singapore) 5895as (Dushanbe, Tajikistan)
1700-1800  daily 5845as (Singapore) 5895as (Dushanbe, Tajikistan)
1800-1830  daily 5845as (Singapore) 5895as (Dushanbe, Tajikistan)

Pashto
1800-1900  daily 5875as (gavar, Armenia) (ex 5910)

Somali
(English Premier League football coverage)
1700-1800  Sat 9465af (Meyerton, S Africa) 9600af (United Arab Emirates)
1800-1900  Sat 9465af (Meyerton, S Africa) 9600af (United Arab Emirates)
1900-1930  Sat 9465af (Meyerton, S Africa) 9600af (United Arab Emirates)

Urdu
1500-1600  daily 5830as (Gavar, Armenia) (ex 7300 United Arab Emirates)
(WRTH 04 Feb 2019)

USA stations winter schedule updates

All times UTC

USAGM/ Radio Free Asia
Tibetan
1200-1300  daily 13830as (ex 15375)
1300-1400  daily 13830as (ex 15375)

USAGM/ VOA Ashna Radio
Pushto
1630-1700  daily 9975as (ex 9480)
1700-1730  daily 9975as (ex 9480)

USAGM/ Voice of America
English
0300-0400  daily 11925af (ex 15580)
0400-0500  daily 11925af (ex 15580)
1130-1200  daily 11620as (ex 17790)

Tibetan
1400-1500  daily 11760as (ex 17830) 13830 (ex 15160)

KVOH/Voice of Hope
English
1600-2000  Sat 17775ca

Spanish
1500-2000  mtwhf 17775ca
2000-2200  th 17775ca

WHRI/ World Harvest Radio
English/Russian
0300-0400  Sun 7520va (N Amer, Europe)

WRMI/Supreme Master TV http://www.suprememastertv.com 
Winter schedule to 31 March 2019
English/others
0000-0100  daily 5950na
1100-1400  daily 7570va  (N America, Asia)
1400-2000  daily 15770va (Africa, Europe)
2000-2100  daily 5950na 
2100-0000  daily 4980va (Central/S America)

WWRB Morrison, TN
English
0000-0200  sm 3215va (Central/S America)
0200-0500  sm 3185va (Central/N America)
2300-0000  Sat/Sun 3215va (Central/N America)
(times irregular, due to booking arrangements)
(WRTH 04 Feb 2019)