From the Isle of Music & Uncle Bill's Melting Pot schedules, Sept 29-Oct 5

From the Isle of Music, September 29-October 5: 
This week, our very special guest is Feliciano Arango, an important force in the evolution of both Cuban Jazz and Timba. He will present the explosive new album by Los Hermanos Arango, Bendita Guanabacoa. Don't miss this episode!

The broadcasts take place:

For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area in most of the Eastern Hemisphere (including parts of East Asia and Oceania) with 100Kw, Sunday 1500-1600 UTC on SpaceLine, 9400 kHz, from Sofia, Bulgaria (1800-1900 MSK)

If you don't have a shortwave radio or are out of range, you can listen live to an uplink from a listening radio in the Netherlands during the broadcast at
http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/?tune=9400am 

For the Americas and parts of Europe, Tuesday 0000-0100 UTC (New UTC) on WBCQ, 7490 KHz from Monticello, ME, USA (Monday 8-9PM EST in the US).

If you don't have a shortwave or are out of range, you can listen to a live stream from the WBCQ website here (choose 7490) http://www.wbcq.com/?page_id=7

For Europe and sometimes beyond, Tuesday 1900-2000 UTC and Saturday 1200-1300 UTC on Channel 292, 6070 KHz from Rohrbach, Germany.

If you don't have a shortwave radio or are out of range, you can listen live to an uplink from a listening radio in the Netherlands during the broadcast at
http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/?tune=6070am 

Uncle Bill's Melting Pot, September 29 and October 1: 
Episode 132 presents Rai from Algeria.

The transmissions take place:

Sundays 2200-2230 UTC (6:00PM -6:30PM Eastern US) on WBCQ The Planet 7490 KHz from the US to the Americas and parts of Europe

If you don't have a shortwave or are out of range, you can listen to a live stream from the WBCQ website here (choose 7490) http://www.wbcq.com/?page_id=7

Tuesdays 2000-2030 UTC on Channel 292, 6070 KHz from Rohrbach, Germany for Europe.
If you don't have a shortwave radio or are out of range, you can listen live to an uplink from a listening radio in the Netherlands during the broadcast at http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/?tune=6070am 

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

Free Radio Skybird set for September 29 broadcast

Free Radio Skybird is heard on 6070 kHz shortwave in Europe and we are interested in sharing the program with radio listeners in North America. Free Radio Skybird is low-key, homemade radio that celebrates music in all genres and hearkens back to underground and freeform radio stations. We have monthly segments including Mini Indie Radio with Steve (all indie music) One Deck Pete (variety) and Justin Moore’s Radiophonic Laboratory. Here is a link to our most recent broadcast:
https://soundcloud.com/djfrederick/free-radio-skybird-1-september-2019

Our next broadcast is on September 29 at 0800 UTC on 7440 kHz. We send e-qsls for emailed reports and paper QSLs for postal reports.
(DJ Frederick Moe)

Shortwave Radiogram schedules, September 26-29

Hello friends,

Following preview for this weekend  (26-29 September) and the following weekend (3-6 October 2019).

Before that, however: Videos of last weekend's Shortwave Radiogram (program 118) are provided by Scott in Ontario and (Sunday 0800 UTC on 5850 kHz) and W5IJH in Oklahoma (Sunday 2330 UTC). 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 119,  26-29 September 2019, in MFSK modes as noted:

 1:37  MFSK32: Program preview
 2:41  Festival of Frequency Measurement honors WWV centennial*
 6:48  MFSK64: MIT engineers produce blackest material*
11:47  This week's images*
27:09  MFSK32: Closing announcements*

* with image(s)

Here is the lineup for Shortwave Radiogram, program 120,  3-6 October 2019, in MFSK modes as noted:

The introduction will be in MFSK32. Then there will be a change to MFSK64 for ten images of birds from various parts of the world.

The images will be somewhat larger than those we usually transmit on Shortwave Radiogram. Because of this, slant in the images may be more noticeable.

If a triangle forms along the left side of the image, try an Rx PPM correction of (+)100, and adjust from there. If the triangle form from the right side, try an Rx PPM correction of -100 and adjust from there.

In Fldigi: Configure > Sound Card > Settings: Set Rx PPM ...

Closing announcements will be in MFSK32.

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
Thursday  2330-2400 UTC 9265 kHz  WINB Pennsylvania
Friday  1300-1330 UTC 15770 kHz  WRMI Florida
Friday 1500-1530 UTC 15120 kHz DRM WINB Pennsylvania
Saturday  0230-0300 UTC 9265 kHz  WINB Pennsylvania
Sunday 0800-0830 UTC 5850 kHz/ 7730 kHz  WRMI Florida
Sunday 2330-2400 UTC 7780 kHz  WRMI Florida

The Mighty KBC transmits to North America Sundays at 0000-0200 UTC (Saturday 8-10 pm EDT) on 5960 kHz, via Germany. A 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/.

“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, Thursdays at 0100-0200 UTC on 5850 kHz and 0130-0230 UTC on 9395 kHz (Wednesday evening in the Americas). Also look for a waterfall ID at the beginning of the show. thisisamusicshow@gmail.com . www.instagram.com/thisisamusicshow/ www.twitter.com/ThisIsAMusicSho/ @ThisIsAMusicSho

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 1200 UTC on 3584 kHz USB, and the Pennsylvania NBEMS net Sunday at 1200 UTC on 3583 kHz USB (with out-of-state check-ins now starting at 1130 UTC). Check-ins are usually in Thor 22, and messages are in MFSK32 (PA NBEMS is experimenting with Thor 50x1 for messages). Messages generally 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. USEast NBEMS Net: Please also note the USEast NBEMS Net, Wednesdays at 2300 UTC (7 pm EDT) on 3536 kHz USB. I will try to check in to this net more frequently.jjjj

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 Vanuatu eyes upgrades in radio and TV

Radio Vanuatu QSL (Gayle Van Horn Collection)

Vanuatu Capital Development Work Begins 

With the support of the Government of Vanuatu, the Vanuatu Broadcasting & Television
Corporation (VBTC) has begun work this month on a 942 million vatu (US$8.1m)
infrastructure upgrade to improve radio and free-to-air television service throughout
Vanuatu.

The first phase involves the design, installation and commissioning of a new shortwave (HF)
and medium wave (MF) service for Radio Vanuatu, the country’s public radio service. Costing
for phase one will be in excess of 242 million vatu (US$2.2m) and is funded by the
Government of Vanuatu. Following the improvements to shortwave and medium wave
services, VBTC will also undertake technical work to strengthen the coverage and reliability
of its FM services.

A 10kw MF Nautel transmitter imported out of Canada and a 10kw HF transmitter
manufactured by Hanjin Electronics of South Korea will be installed at VBTC’s major public
service transmission site at Emten Lagoon on Efate. Both transmitters will be commissioned
before the end of 2019.

The second phase, beginning early 2020, will reopen Radio Vanuatu’s medium wave radio
transmission facilities at St Michelle in Luganville on the island of Santo. This will provide AM
service to provinces in the top half of Vanuatu at a cost in excess of 300 million vatu
(US$2.5m).

The third phase will expand the national television free-to-air service, Television Blong
Vanuatu, along with a new digital television service. This final phase will cost an estimated
400 million vatu (US$3.5m).

Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas launched the capital development upgrade at a
special function attended by cabinet ministers, senior members of the public service,
members of the diplomatic corps and members of Vanuatu’s business and non-profit
communities on Friday September 20 in Port Vila before he departed the country to attend
the UN General Assembly in New York.

In his address, the Prime Minister spoke at length about the importance to Vanuatu of having
a strong national public radio and television broadcasting service and announced assistance
from Vanuatu’s development partners to help achieve this objective.

The Government of Australia funded the scoping study for the radio upgrade project and is
providing funding support to implement the strategic reform programme of VBTC which the
Prime Minister said is making good progress.

“I’m also happy to announce that the New Zealand Government is keen to support the
second stage of the Radio Vanuatu technical infrastructure upgrade while China is
considering my request to support the upgrade of Television Blong Vanuatu’s technical
infrastructure.”

Meanwhile Kordia New Zealand Limited has been awarded the contract to project manage,
design, install and commission the new radio transmission facilities beginning with the
facilities at Emten Lagoon outside Port Vila.

VBTC Chief Executive Officer, Francis Herman said that “Kordia has extensive experience in
the broadcasting and telecommunications industry in the Pacific, and recently completed a
major project in Samoa for State-owned Radio 2AP funded by the Australian Government”.
“We’ve worked hard with Kordia and a number of other technical experts to investigate the
most efficient and sustainable transmission solution for Vanuatu taking into account the
inclement weather, and the need to keep operating costs affordable.”

The shortwave service, which will be commissioned before the end of this year, will provide
national radio coverage to the 82 islands spread spanning 1,300 kilometres between the
most northern and southern islands.

“Our role as Vanuatu’s national broadcasting service is centered on helping create an
informed public opinion so our people can contribute more effectively to national
development”, Herman added.

“VBTC has struggled to remain relevant over the past decade because its technical
infrastructure was obsolete and badly neglected making it challenging for us to provide an
efficient, reliable, and responsive national radio and television service.”

Alongside the infrastructure upgrade, is an extensive programme to strengthen the technical
capacity of Vanuatu’s broadcast technicians along with a long-term maintenance regime to
expand the life of the equipment.
(SWLingPost/Twitter/25 Sept 2019)

Additional story at: http://www.asiaradiotoday.com/news/radio-vanuatu-begins-upgrading-infrastructure

Historic Woofferton Boasts a Modern Twist

Woofferton, England (wikipedia)

At 75, U.K.’s last public shortwave site provides essential info to listeners globally via analog and digital broadcasts

NEALE BATEMAN

WOOFFERTON, England — Nestled in the beautiful Shropshire countryside, just a few miles from England’s border with Wales, is the tiny village of Woofferton. That name is synonymous with shortwave radio for millions of listeners around the world as just a short distance from the village itself, lays the United Kingdom’s last remaining public service shortwave transmitting station.

Now owned and operated by Encompass Digital Media, Woofferton recently celebrated its 75th birthday. Additional story at Radio World: https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/historic-woofferton-boasts-a-modern-twist

A Brief History
The Woofferton transmitting station is owned and operated by Encompass Digital Media, as one of the BBC’s assets which were handed over as part of the privatization of World Service distribution and transmission in 1997. It is the last remaining UK shortwave broadcasting site, located at Woofferton, south of Ludlow, Shropshire, England. The large site spreads across into neighbouring Herefordshire.

The station was originally built by the BBC during World War II to house additional shortwave (HF) broadcasting transmitters. When it officially started broadcasting on 17th October 1943 it had six 50 kW RCA transmitters, obtained by lend-lease. The site has been modernised many times over the years and is now DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) capable providing daily digital radio programmes. Woofferton is used to broadcast shortwave radio programmes on HF 4 MHz - 26 MHz to Europe, Russia, North/Central Africa, Middle East and South America for BBC World Service , Deutsche Welle, Voice of America, Voice of Vietnam just to name a few key international broadcasters. The site is also used for satellite communications and monitoring.

Cold War
During the Cold War, the station was equipped with six Marconi BD272 250 kW shortwave transmitters. Much of the capacity was leased by the BBC to the Voice of America (VoA) in order to enhance the latter’s coverage in the Eastern bloc. It provided a stronger shortwave broadcast signal into the Eastern Bloc than any other western shortwave broadcast transmitter during the years of Soviet jamming.

Privatisation
All the BBC’s transmitting facilities were privatised in the 1990s. The shortwave sites were sold to Merlin Communications, which was acquired by VT Group plc trading under the name VT Communications until acquired by Babcock International Group in March 2010. Subsequently, Babcock's Media Services was acquired by global technology services company Encompass Digital Media in September 2018.

Transmitters
Woofferton Transmitting Station currently has ten HF transmitters. There are 3 x Riz 250 kW (installed 2007-2008), 1 x Riz 500 kW (installed 2006), 4 x 300 kW Marconi B6124s (installed 1980) and 2 x 250 kW Marconi BD272s (installed 1963). The Riz transmitters are DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) capable and transmit digital programmes on a daily basis for BBC World Service, NHK & KBS. It also has a 300-watt mediumwave (MF) transmitter for BBC Hereford and Worcester (formerly used by BBC Radio Shropshire), as well as a 1 kW VHF FM transmitter for local Ludlow commercial station Sunshine Radio.
(Wikipedia)

Introduction to Woofferton Transmitting Station - Part 1 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QovPkM35aF0

Woofferton Transmitting Station Part 2 - Modernisation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGk7djV6VxY

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Autumn Equinox - 23 Septmebr 2019 (SImon's World Map)

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2019 Sep 23 0156 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 16 - 22 September 2019

Solar activity was at very low levels. No sunspots were observed on the visible disk. An anpproximately 20 degree filament erupted near S35W02 around 19/2200 UTC which produced a narrow, slow-moving CME signature near the Sun-Earth line. Modeling of the event suggested most of the ejecta was oriented south and eastward of Earth's orbit; however, Earth may still observe weak influence from the periphery of the CME.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at normal to moderate levels from 16-21 Sep and dropped to just normal levels through 22 Sep.

Geomagnetic field activity was quiet to active conditions. Elevated wind speeds from a waning positive polarity CH HSS produced isolated active conditions on 16 Sep. Variable phi angle on 17 Sep suggested influence from a SSBC, cause a period of isolated active conditions.  Quiet to unsettled levels on 18 Sep decreased to just quiet levels on 19-20 Sep. A brief period of southward Bz produced a single period of unsettled on 21 Sep. The remainder of the summary period was quiet.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 23 September - 19 October 2019

Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels over the outlook period.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to range from normal to high levels. High levels are expected on 28 Sep - 12 Oct and 14 Oct; moderate levels are expected on 24-27 Sep, 13 Oct, and 15-18 Oct. The remainder of the outlook period is expected to be at normal levels. All enhancements in electron flux are in anticipation of multiple, recurrent CH HSSs.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet to G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storm levels. G2 levels are expected on 28 Sep followed by G1 (Minor) geomagnetic levels on 29 Sep. Active conditions are expected on 23-25 Sep, 30 Sep and 06 Oct. Unsettled conditions are expected on 26-27 Sep, 01-03 Oct, 10 Oct and 12-15 Oct. The remainder of the outlook period is expected to be at quiet levels. All enhancements in geomagnetic activity are in anticipation of multiple, recurrent CH HSSs.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2019 Sep 23 0156 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 2019-09-23
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2019 Sep 23      68          12          4
2019 Sep 24      68          12          4
2019 Sep 25      68          12          4
2019 Sep 26      68           8          3
2019 Sep 27      68           8          3
2019 Sep 28      68          38          6
2019 Sep 29      68          28          5
2019 Sep 30      68          10          4
2019 Oct 01      68           8          3
2019 Oct 02      68          10          3
2019 Oct 03      68           8          3
2019 Oct 04      68           5          2
2019 Oct 05      68           5          2
2019 Oct 06      68          12          4
2019 Oct 07      68           5          2
2019 Oct 08      68           5          2
2019 Oct 09      68           5          2
2019 Oct 10      68           8          3
2019 Oct 11      68           5          2
2019 Oct 12      68           8          3
2019 Oct 13      68          10          3
2019 Oct 14      68           8          3
2019 Oct 15      68           8          3
2019 Oct 16      68           5          2
2019 Oct 17      68           5          2
2019 Oct 18      68           5          2
2019 Oct 19      68           5          2
(NOAA)

Radio for Peace International schedule update

All times UTC

2100-2200 on  9955 RMI 100 kW / 160 deg to LaAm French every Wed WRMI-10
0200-0300 on  5130vBCQ 050 kW / 245 deg to ENAm French first Thu WBCQ-04
1400-1500 on 21525 RMI 100 kW / 087 deg to NCAf French third Thu WRMI-07
2000-2100 on 15770 RMI 100 kW / 087 deg to NCAf French every Fri WRMI-09
1900-2000 on  6070 ROB 010 kW / non-dir to CeEu French second Sat Ch-292
0000-0100 on  9395 RMI 100 kW / 355 deg to ENAm French every Sun WRMI-06
* RFPI Eu is a sister station of Atlantic 2000 International v=5130.4 kHz is in CUSB, all the other broadcasts are in AM.
(DXB 21 Sept/Teak Pub)

Shortwave Radiogram, weekend schedules

Hello friends,

Last weekend's "hidden message" in BPSK63F at 70 Hz was fairly successful. Several listeners reported successful decodes. It looks like 70 Hz will be our standard frequency for text that is mostly inaudible but usually decodable. There will be no hidden message this weekend, but we will resume these experiments later this year.

A video of last weekend's Shortwave Radiogram (program 117)), Friday 1300 UTC, is provided by Scott in Ontario (you can decode the BPSK63F and other modes from the audio). The audio archive is maintained by Mark in the UK. Analysis is prepared by Roger in Germany.

This weekend's show is in the usual MFSK32 and MFSK64, with nine images.

Here is the lineup for Shortwave Radiogram, program 118, 19-22 September 2019, in MFSK modes as noted:

 1:39  MFSK32: Program preview
 2:44  Synthetic Hall Effect achieves one-way radio transmission
 9:12  MFSK64: Volcano may explain recent purple sunrises*
15:01  This week's images*
27:27  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
Saturday 0230-0300 UTC 9265 kHz WINB Pennsylvania
Sunday 0800-0830 UTC 5850 kHz /7730 kHz WRMI Florida
Sunday 2330-2400 UTC 7780 kHz  WRMI Florida

The Mighty KBC transmits to North America Sundays at 0000-0200 UTC (Saturday 8-10 pm EDT) on 9925 kHz, via Germany. A 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/.

“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, Thursdays at 0100-0200 UTC on 5850 kHz and 0130-0230 UTC on 9395 kHz (Wednesday evening in the Americas). Also look for a waterfall ID at the beginning of the show. thisisamusicshow@gmail.com . www.instagram.com/thisisamusicshow/ www.twitter.com/ThisIsAMusicSho/ @ThisIsAMusicSho

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 1200 UTC on 3584 kHz USB, and the Pennsylvania NBEMS net Sunday at 1200 UTC on 3583 kHz USB (with out-of-state check-ins now starting at 1130 UTC). Check-ins are usually in Thor 22, and messages are in MFSK32 (PA NBEMS is experimenting with Thor 50x1 for messages). Messages generally 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. USEast NBEMS Net: Please also note the USEast NBEMS Net, Wednesdays at 2300 UTC (7 pm EDT) on 3536 kHz USB. I will try to check in to this net more frequently.jjjj

Thanks for your reception reports!
Kim

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

National VOA Museum of Broadcasting Plans Anniversary Party 21 September

VOA Bethany Museum

Bethany Relay Station approaches 75 years

Joe Molter  

Her six massive transmitters may be quiet, but she is far from silent.

Amateur radio operators routinely talk to the world from station WC8VOA in West Chester, Ohio, located about 25 miles north of Cincinnati. This former VOA relay station is now the National VOA Museum of Broadcasting with collections from the Gray History of Wireless Museum; Powel Crosley Jr., and Cincinnati radio and TV broadcasting history; and the Voice of America. Next week the museum celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Bethany Station Saturday, Sept. 21, with a fundraiser to make the first floor of the museum accessible for people for all abilities.

Additional story at Radio World https://tinyurl.com/yynn5pm2

Norway's last longwave station to close in October

Norway's last LW station (Ingøy, 153 kHz) to close in October

 The one remaining MW station (Longyearbyen 1485 kHz, Svalbard) proposed upgraded to 3 kW.
Full report in Norwegian:
https://tinyurl.com/y4q263bh

(Bjarne Mjelde on DXing.info Facebook Group, 18 Sept)

Google translation from Norwegian:
Although not many people are aware of this, NRK still has broadcasts on both long and medium wave. However, today NRK has a very limited service over radio on AM. Only the long-wave transmitter at Ingøy in Finnmark is still in operation, in addition to a medium-wave transmitter in Longyearbyen on Svalbard. Here NRK P1 is distributed with extended weather reports, among other things aimed at shipping.

NRK has now considered the need to continue broadcasting on AM, according to a letter the State channel has sent to the Ministry of Culture. NRK considers the utility of the broadcasts from Ingøy to be limited. The service is, according to NRK, in low use. In April 2018, stakeholders were given the opportunity to comment on the closing of this transmitter. No one has reported any objections to the termination of the service.

The coastal fishing fleet and other smaller vessels normally stay within the 50 kilometer limit and thus have the possibility of receiving DAB as well as weather over VHF. NRK's DAB network has now been developed and covers 50 km from the coast, NRK writes.

Seagoing vessels normally have the possibility of receiving radio and weather via satellite. NRK is available with weather forecasts for both Thor 5 and Sirius 4. With this in mind, NRK will close the broadcasts on the long wave from Ingøy in October 2019

NRK has a MW transmitter on AM [1485 kHz] in Longyearbyen at 1000 Watts. Feedback from the Governor and the population shows that this consignment is still used, especially at leisure and trapping cabins in parts of Svalbard. In addition, additional reception technology is desirable for emergency preparedness.

Today's facility is approaching 50 years and must be replaced if it is to continue. NRK will therefore renew and upgrade the AM plant (from 1000watt to 3000watt) on Svalbard and continue it as Norway's last AM station, the letter from NRK to the Ministry of Culture states.

NRK has previously broadcast radio broadcasts at AM, including from Kløfta, Kvitsøy, Fredrikstad and Vigra. These were previously closed down due to low usage, as well as the introduction of alternative reception technologies that are more cost-effective and user-friendly. Public broadcasters such as the BBC, DR and SR have in recent years also reduced their offerings on AM. Swedish Radio has put down all its services over AM.

Source: Ministry of Culture
(BDXC 18 Sept)

Germany, Shortwaveradio schedule update

Germany
Shortwaveradio

All times UTC

Effective: 16 September 2019
1400-2200 on  6160 WIS 001 kW / non-dir to NWEu English, ex 16-22UT
1600-2300 on  3975 WIS 001 kW / non-dir to NWEu English, unchanged
(DXB/Teak Publishing)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2019 Sep 16 0139 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 09 - 15 September 2019

Solar activity was at very low levels. No spots were observed on the visible disk. 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 was moderate to high levels were throughout the summary period due to influence from multiple CH HSSs. A maximum flux of 8,450 pfu was observed at 09/1745 UTC.

Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to active levels. An isolated period of active was observed on 09 Sep in response to a positive polarity CH HSS increasing solar wind speeds to ~525 km/s. Isolated unsettled conditions, associated with further enhancements from multiple positive polarity CH HSSs, were observed on 12-15 Sep. Quiet conditions were observed over the remainder of the summary period.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 16 September - 12 October 2019

Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels over 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 16-19 Sep and 27 Sep - 12 Oct. Moderate levels are expected from 20-26 Sep. All enhancements in the electron flux are due to elevated wind speeds from multiple, recurrent, CH HSSs.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to range from quiet to G2 (Moderate) storm levels. The G2 conditions are likely on 27-28 Sep; G1 (Minor) conditions are likely on 29 Sep; active conditions are likely on 30 Sep and 02 Oct; unsettled conditions are likely on 16-18 Sep, 23 Sep, 26 Sep, 01 Oct, 03 Oct, 06 Oct, 10 Oct and 12 Oct. All enhancements in geomagnetic active are in response to the anticipated influence of multiple, recurrent CH HSSs. The remainder of the outlook period is expected to be mostly quiet under nominal solar wind conditions.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2019 Sep 16 0139 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 2019-09-16
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2019 Sep 16      68           6          3
2019 Sep 17      68           8          3
2019 Sep 18      68          10          3
2019 Sep 19      68           5          2
2019 Sep 20      68           5          2
2019 Sep 21      68           5          2
2019 Sep 22      68           5          2
2019 Sep 23      69           8          3
2019 Sep 24      69           5          2
2019 Sep 25      69           5          2
2019 Sep 26      69          10          3
2019 Sep 27      69          35          6
2019 Sep 28      69          45          6
2019 Sep 29      69          20          5
2019 Sep 30      69          10          4
2019 Oct 01      69           8          3
2019 Oct 02      69          10          4
2019 Oct 03      69           8          3
2019 Oct 04      69           5          2
2019 Oct 05      69           5          2
2019 Oct 06      69          12          3
2019 Oct 07      70           5          2
2019 Oct 08      68           5          2
2019 Oct 09      68           5          2
2019 Oct 10      68           8          3
2019 Oct 11      68           5          2
2019 Oct 12      68           8          3
(NOAA)

World Music Radio's last broadcast ... for now

In a completely unexpected move, the Danish authorities has withdrawn the permission to use out of band frequencies (on a non interference basis) for World Music Radio (WMR). This means that WMR will be ceasing operations on 5840 and 15805 tomorrow Sunday September 15th 2019 at 2200. WMR may return to shortwave – using frequencies inside the official shortwave bands, but this may take several months.

Current schedule of WMR is:
0000-2400 on 5840 RND 0.1 kW Daily, Sept.15 till 2200
0700-2000 on 15805 RND 0.2 kW Sat/Sun & will be off air! (Stig Hartvig Nielsen-Denmark)

From the Isle of Music & Uncle Bill's Melting Pot schedules, September 15-21

This week we focus on Cuba's urban music with special guests from Zona Franca.
The broadcasts take place:

For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area in most of the Eastern Hemisphere (including parts of East Asia and Oceania) with 100Kw, Sunday 1500-1600 UTC on SpaceLine, 9400 kHz, from Sofia, Bulgaria (1800-1900 MSK)
If you don't have a shortwave radio or are out of range, you can listen live to an uplink from a listening radio in the Netherlands during the broadcast at
http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/?tune=9400am

For the Americas and parts of Europe, Tuesday 0000-0100 UTC (New UTC) on WBCQ, 7490 kHz from Monticello, ME, USA (Monday 8-9PM EST in the US).
If you don't have a shortwave or are out of range, you can listen to a live stream from the WBCQ website here (choose 7490)
http://www.wbcq.com/?page_id=7

For Europe and sometimes beyond, Tuesday 1900-2000 UTC and Saturday 1200-1300 UTC on Channel 292, 6070 kHz from Rohrbach, Germany.
If you don't have a shortwave radio or are out of range, you can listen live to an uplink from a listening radio in the Netherlands during the broadcast at
http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/?tune=6070am

Uncle Bill's Melting Pot, September 15 and 17:

Episode 130, A Different Kind of Country, presents Country music you will like even if you hate Country music. Trust Uncle Bill on this one.
The transmissions take place:

Sundays 2200-2230 UTC (6:00PM -6:30PM Eastern US) on WBCQ The Planet 7490 kHz from the US to the Americas and parts of Europe
If you don't have a shortwave or are out of range, you can listen to a live stream from the WBCQ website here (choose 7490)
http://www.wbcq.com/?page_id=7

Tuesdays 2000-2030 UTC on Channel 292, 6070 kHz from Rohrbach, Germany for Europe.
If you don't have a shortwave radio or are out of range, you can listen live to an uplink from a listening radio in the Netherlands during the broadcast at
http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/?tune=6070am

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

Shortwave Radiogram weekend schedules

Hello friends,

Today I had difficulties uploading Shortwave Radiogram to WINB. We will find out at  2330 UTC if the correct program (number 117) is transmitted.

Last weekend's hidden message in Thor Micro at 70 Hz was mostly successful. This weekend, it was my intention to try Throb 1, another very narrow mode, also at 70 Hz, but I could not get a decode from the recording. It seems that Throb 1 does not like the very low audio frequencies. Our hidden message will be in BPSK63F instead, at a center audio frequency of 70 Hz.

A video of last weekend's Shortwave Radiogram (program 116)  is provided by Scott in Ontario (Friday 1300 UTC) (and it is a good example of mostly successful decoding in challenging conditions). The audio archive is maintained by Mark in the UK. Analysis is prepared by Roger in Germany.

This weekend's show is in the usual MFSK32 and MFSK64, with nine images. Also the BPSK63F hidden message.

Here is the lineup for Shortwave Radiogram, program 117, 12-15 September 2019, in modes as noted:

 1:38  MFSK32: Program previoew (now)
 2:46  CPJ's list of 10 most censored countries*
 8:50  MFSK64: Exoplanet in habitable zone has water vapor*
13:34  This week's images*
26:31  MFSK32: Closing announcements
28:17  BPSK63F: "Hidden message" centered on 70 Hz

* 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
Thursday 2330-2400 UTC 9265 kHz WINB Pennsylvania
Friday 1300-1330 UTC 15770 kHz WRMI Florida
Friday 1500-1530 UTC 15120 kHz DRM WINB Pennsylvania
Saturday 0230-0300 UTC 9265 kHz WINB Pennsylvania
Sunday 0800-0830 UTC 5850 kHz
7730 kHz WRMI Florida
Sunday 2330-2400 UTC 7780 kHz WRMI Florida

The Mighty KBC transmits to North America Sundays at 0000-0200 UTC (Saturday 8-10 pm EDT) on 5960 kHz, via Germany. A minute of MFSK64 is at about 0130 UTC.  Reports to Eric: themightykbc@gmail.com . See also http://www.kbcradio.eu/ and https://www.facebook.com/TheMightyKbc/.

“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, Thursday, 0100-0200 UTC on 5850 kHz, and 0130-0230 UTC on 9395 kHz (Wednesday evening in the Americas). Also look for a waterfall ID at the beginning of the show. thisisamusicshow@gmail.com . www.instagram.com/thisisamusicshow/ www.twitter.com/ThisIsAMusicSho/ or @ThisIsAMusicSho

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 1200 UTC on 3584 kHz USB, and the Pennsylvania NBEMS net Sunday at 1200 UTC on 3583 kHz USB (with out-of-state check-ins now starting at 1130 UTC). Check-ins are usually in Thor 22, and messages are in MFSK32 (PA NBEMS is experimenting with Thor 50x1 for messages). Messages generally 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. USEast NBEMS Net: Please also note the USEast NBEMS Net, Wednesdays at 2300 UTC (7 pm EDT) on 3536 kHz USB. I will try to check in to this net more frequently.

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 Becomes New Battlefield in Yemen War

Stations attacked and threatened by Houthi rebels as they attempt to influence largely illiterate listenership.


BY JOSHUA HOLMES / THE MEDIA LINE  SEPTEMBER 12, 2019

On a bright January morning, Abbas Al-Akbari, a seasoned producer at Hodeidah Radio, glanced outside his office window and noticed a pick-up truck rapidly approaching his building.

Al-Akbari’s story is far from unusual. As the war in Yemen between a Saudi-led coalition supporting the Yemeni government and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels continues to spiral out of control, a new battlefield has emerged in the war-torn country over the electromagnetic spectrum.

Additional story at The Jerusalem Post: https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Radio-becomes-new-battlefield-in-Yemen-war-601371  


Additional Yemen monitoring:
Radio Al-Azm (Saudi Broadcasting Corp.) Schedule in Arabic, 0300-0000 UTC on 11745 kHz. Transmitting via SBC for Saudi military personnel serving in Yemen and Southern Saudi Arabia. Location presumed to be Jeddah, though has not been confirmed.

Republic of Yemen Radio (Radio Sana'a)
Arabic 0300-0000 UTC on 11860 kHz.
Broadcast in support of Yemeni president, and Aden-based provisional government. Possibly produced in state radio studio in Aden or Saudi Arabia, and possibly aired via Saudi Arabian transmitter.

Voice of the Republic
Arabic 1500-0300 UTC on 1170 kHz AM via Yemen. Broadcast times may be variable and are in support of National Resistance Forces (RNF).
(WRTH/Teak Publishing-GRG)

Meet the Mosquito Network

Tarawa, Gilbert-Islands WWII 1943 (Brittanica)

Mark Durenberger

Inside the U.S. effort in a battle of the airwaves during the Pacific campaign of World War II

We can’t fully appreciate the importance of news from home to those who served in World War II. In the Pacific campaigns, G.I.s, sailors and Marines fought bloody island-hopping battles; as each island was cleared, garrison troops and hospitals moved in and carried on their own war against mosquitoes, isolation and boredom. The island fighters were fortunate if dated mail caught up with them before they moved on to the next target. Timely personal-level communications were pretty much absent.

Radio programming from America was available but only on shortwave. And shortwave radios were not generally available.

Additional story at Radio World: https://tinyurl.com/y4cf74k7

NOAA Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2019 Sep 09 0301 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 02 - 08 September 2019

Solar activity was at very low levels. Region 2748 (N14, L=205, class/area Hsx/020 on 02 Sep) was quiet and stable and decayed to plage on 03 Sep. No Earth-directed CMEs were observed.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at very high levels on 02-04 Sep and high levels on 05-08 Sep. Electron flux reached a maximum of 87,900 pfu at 04/1835 UTC.

Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to G1 (minor) storm levels on 02 Sep due to effects from a large, recurrent, positive polarity CH HSS. From 03-06 Sep, quiet to active levels were observed as HSS effects continued. Quiet to unsettled levels were observed from 07-08 Sep. Wind speeds began the period near 750 km/s, but slowly decayed to end the period near 400 km/s.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 09 September - 05 October 2019

Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at high levels from 09-13 Sep, and again from 27 Sep - 06 Oct due to HSS effects. Normal to moderate levels are expected on 14-26 Sep.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at mostly quiet levels on 09-26 Sep. Isolated unsettled periods are possible on 23, 26 and 30 Sep, and 01-03 Oct. G1 (minor) to G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storm levels are likely on 27-29 Sep due to positive polarity CH HSS effects.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2019 Sep 09 0301 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 2019-09-09
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2019 Sep 09      68           5          2
2019 Sep 10      68           5          2
2019 Sep 11      68           5          2
2019 Sep 12      68           5          2
2019 Sep 13      68           5          2
2019 Sep 14      68           5          2
2019 Sep 15      68           5          2
2019 Sep 16      68           5          2
2019 Sep 17      68           5          2
2019 Sep 18      68           5          2
2019 Sep 19      68           5          2
2019 Sep 20      68           5          2
2019 Sep 21      68           5          2
2019 Sep 22      68           5          2
2019 Sep 23      69           8          3
2019 Sep 24      69           5          2
2019 Sep 25      69           5          2
2019 Sep 26      69          10          3
2019 Sep 27      69          35          6
2019 Sep 28      69          45          6
2019 Sep 29      69          20          5
2019 Sep 30      69          10          4
2019 Oct 01      69           8          3
2019 Oct 02      69          10          4
2019 Oct 03      69           8          3
2019 Oct 04      69           5          2
2019 Oct 05      69           5          2
(NOAA)

Australian Shortwave Callsign VLR

Throughout the entire one and a quarter centuries of wireless and radio history, there have ever been only two stations that have been allotted the callsign VLR.  The first application of the call VLR was for the communication transmitter aboard a small passenger/cargo ship in the waters off New Zealand, and the second application of the callsign VLR was for the  the internationally well known low power shortwave service operated by the ABC and Radio Australia at Lyndhurst in Victoria.

The SS Marama was built at Greenock in Scotland and it was launched in 1907.  During its 30 years of international ocean going service, it was in use for the TransTasman route between New Zealand and Australia, and in the TransPacific service between New Zealand and North America.

The normal peacetime service of the SS Marama was interrupted for a period of four years during World War 1 while it was in use as New Zealand’s second Hospital Ship for soldiers wounded on service in Europe.  On one occasion, the Marama was accosted by a German submarine in the North Atlantic, but as a hospital ship it was permitted to move on unmolested.

The Marama was laid up at Evans Bay, Wellington in 1936, and next year it was sold to China, and then sold again, this time to Japan at a nice profit.  It was broken up at Osaka in Japan during the year 1938.

During the early 1920s, the callsign aboard the Marama was VLR, and this callsign was modified to ZLR on January 1, 1929 due to new international radio regulations.  During the 1930s, there were times when a daily newspaper was published aboard the Marama with news taken from various radio sources.  This daily newspaper was given the appropriate though rather unimaginative title, Daily News.

The original VLR shortwave station in Australia was born in a galvanized iron shed on top of a low rise near Lyndhurst some 25 miles southeast of Melbourne in Victoria, in 1928.  Back then, this locally made 600 watt transmitter was operated experimentally without callsign on 5800 kHz.  However, due to the fact that the audio source for this little new shortwave transmitter was taken from the two mediumwave stations in Melbourne, 3LO & 3AR, then the shortwave unit was soon afterwards given a sort of combined call 3LR.

Due to a change in international radio regulations, amateur stations in Australia were required to add the prefix VK to their callsigns, by December 31, 1928.  In order to ensure the change of callsign throughout Australia by the effective date, the Chief Radio Inspector Mr Jim Malone authorized the usage of the new VK prefix from December 8 onwards.  That was for all amateur radio stations.

However, mediumwave broadcasting stations in Australia never did use a prefix, just a single digit number identifying the state, followed by two letters identifying an individual station.  But, the radio relay station at Lyndhurst was an anomaly, it was neither an amateur station nor a mediumwave broadcasting station.  According to the QSL cards that were issued during that era, the accepted callsign for Lyndhurst shortwave was simply 3LR.   In this way, it was treated as a broadcasting station.

During the year 1934, a new building was constructed adjacent to the old original shack at Lyndhurst, and on  March 12, shortwave 3LR began a regular relay of programming for the benefit of people living in Australia’s isolated outback areas.  At this stage, the transmitter was still operating at just 600 watts and the usual channel was 9580 kHz.  The regular broadcast antenna was a horizontal half wave doublet at 95½ degrees from true north, with a radiation lobe towards the great outback.

Back during this era, the Lyndhurst transmitter with its programming relay from 3LO and 3AR was identified officially and unofficially as both 3LR and VK3LR.  In experimental usage though, the allotted callsign was VK3XX, with the X following the American pattern identifying an experimental station.  In May 1935, the 600 watt transmitter was engineered to operate then at 1 kW.

Around June 1936, transmitter (VK)3LR began to carry an experimental 10 minute bulletin of news twice weekly in French for the benefit of French islands in the South Pacific.  This genuine overseas foreign language service, though quite short in duration, was a forerunner to the inauguration of Australia Calling/Radio Australia three years later.  The French Consul-General in Sydney made request for the continuity of this French language service. 

In 1937, the Lyndhurst transmitter was completely reconditioned and the power rating was increased to 2 kW, though still with the same original transmitter.  Soon afterwards, the power level was again increased, this time to 5 kW.

At this stage, the lonely little shortwave transmitter at Lyndhurst now radiated through two antenna systems as needed; for national coverage through the same horizontal doublet, and for international coverage, a rhombic beamed on Daventry in England.  December 1 (1937) was the official date for the regularization of the callsign from (VK)3LR to the now more familiar VLR.
More about VLR next time.
(Jeff white, Adrian Peterson-AWR Wavescan 547)

From the Isle of Music & Uncle Bill's Melting Pot schedules - September 8-14

From the Isle of Music, September 8-14:
This week our special guests are members of Grupo Canela, which celebrated its 30th Anniversary in August. We also present a portion of a new recording by Legendarios del Guajirito.

The broadcasts take place:
For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area in most of the Eastern Hemisphere (including parts of East Asia and Oceania) with 100Kw, Sunday 1500-1600 UTC on SpaceLine, 9400 kHz, from Sofia, Bulgaria (1800-1900 MSK) If you don't have a shortwave radio or are out of range, you can listen live to an uplink from a listening radio in the Netherlands during the broadcast at
http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/?tune=9400am

For the Americas and parts of Europe, Tuesday 0000-0100 UTC (New UTC) on WBCQ, 7490 kHz from Monticello, ME, USA (Monday 8-9PM EST in the US). If you don't have a shortwave or are out of range, you can listen to a live stream from the WBCQ website here (choose 7490)
http://www.wbcq.com/?page_id=7

For Europe and sometimes beyond, Tuesday 1900-2000 UTC and Saturday 1200-1300 UTC on Channel 292, 6070 KHz from Rohrbach, Germany. If you don't have a shortwave radio or are out of range, you can listen live to an uplink from a listening radio in the Netherlands during the broadcast at http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/?tune=6070am

Uncle Bill's Melting Pot, September 8 and 10:
The broadcasts take place:

Sundays 2200-2230 UTC (6:00PM -6:30PM Eastern US) on WBCQ The Planet 7490kKHz from the US to the Americas and parts of Europe. If you don't have a shortwave or are out of range, you can listen to a live stream from the WBCQ website here (choose 7490)
http://www.wbcq.com/?page_id=7

Tuesdays 2000-2030 UTC on Channel 292, 6070 kHz from Rohrbach, Germany for Europe.
If you don't have a shortwave radio or are out of range, you can listen live to an uplink from a listening radio in the Netherlands during the broadcast at  http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/?tune=6070am
William "Bill" Tilford, Owner/Producer
Tilford Productions, LLC

U.S.-Based Shortwave Broadcasters Eye Digital

Group seeks a path to “affordable, distributable” DRM receivers

JAMES CARELESS, 26 August 2019
Relatively few Americans are aware of it, but the United States is home to many ommercial/religious international broadcasters that transmit programming worldwide using analog shortwave radio transmitters. They are supported by an industry group called the National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters.

Unfortunately, analog shortwave radio transmissions are notorious for interference and signal dropouts. For listeners in other countries, the sound coming out of their shortwave radios lacks the superior audio range of domestic U.S. AM (yes, we said AM) and is often wracked with static and signal fading.

Additional story at Radio World: https://tinyurl.com/yxke6rke

The Early Wireless Scene in South American Uruguay

SODRE Uruguay QSL

In our Wavescan program today, we honor the Montevideo DX Group in Uruguay, and we begin a two or three part topic on the story of radio broadcasting in their country.

The South American country of Uruguay is located on the Atlantic seaboard, and it is sandwiched between Brazil and Argentina. It is the third smallest territory in South America, with an area of 68,000 square miles and a population of three and a half million people.  This country has a coastline of about 400 miles and it stretches inland about the same distance.

Their capital city is Montevideo, meaning approximately “Mountain View”, and it is the third most southerly capital city in the world.  Only Canberra in Australia, and Wellington in New Zealand reach further south than Montevideo. There is at least one question that people living in other parts of the world would ask regarding this area in South America, and that is: Why the similarity in name between Paraguay and Uruguay? 

According to the authorities, both names, Paraguay and Uruguay, are variations of the original local language, Guarani.  The meanings of the two country names can be described as follows:-

Paraguay = River of the Guarani people
Uruguay = Colorful water bird of the Guarani people

In the pre-colonial days, South American native tribes lived in what is now called Uruguay, and the Spanish and the Portuguese were the first Europeans to visit the area, in the early 1500s. Uruguay has endured a turbulent past, and it established its own independence in 1825. Both Spanish and Guarani are the official languages of Uruguay, though Spanish is the preferred language of business and government.

Soon after the beginning of World War 2, Uruguay came into prominence during the high profile events associated with the German battleship Graf Spee. Just a dozen weeks into the war, the Graf Spee was wounded in battle against British warships in the South Atlantic, and so this pride of the German Kriegsmarine sought shelter in the harbor at Montevideo, in neutral Uruguay.

Radio broadcasts from the British navy indicated, falsely, that British navy vessels were stationed in international waters outside Montevideo, ready to sink the Graf Spee should she venture out into the Atlantic.  A radio message from Berlin gave Captain Hans Langsdorff two options; either flee across La Plata Estuary to nearby Buenos Aires, or scuttle in the estuary itself.  He chose the latter, and exactly one week before Christmas 1939, to avoid capture, the Graf Spee was deliberately sunk, with all crew ashore. 

As was the case with many other countries around the world, Uruguay began the installation of wireless stations in the early 1900s, now more than one hundred years ago.  On November 12, 1904, the government of Uruguay gave formal approval for the installation of a German coastal wireless station at Punta Yeguas, on the edge of La Plata Estuary, a little west of Montevideo. 

Construction work was completed two years later (1906), and a new 1 kW Telefunken wireless transmitter was taken into Morse Code service under the callsign MV, obviously identifying Montevideo.  Subsequently, this callsign was modified with an initial letter U standing for Uruguay, and callsign MV became UMV.

Not to be outdone by their German competitors, the English Marconi company installed their own wireless station at Punte del Este, a very small peninsula some 80 miles east of the capital city Montevideo.  This new wireless station, also with a power of 1 kW, was inaugurated three years later in 1909, under the callsign MO, also obviously identifying Montevideo. 

It was the custom of the Marconi company back at that stage to choose the first and the last letters of the location of a land based station as the station callsign.  However subsequently, the Marconi company required all of their stations worldwide to insert an M as the first letter of their callsigns, and thus station MO Montevideo became MMO.

During the middle of the year 1912, a new government wireless station on a large 10 acre property near Cerrito Montevideo was taken into regular service under the callsign CWA.  This new coastal wireless station CWA replaced both the German Telefunken station UMV at Punta Yeguas and the English Marconi station MMO at Punta del Este.   

This station was licensed also for additional subsidiary callsigns, one for each shortwave channel.  These callsigns descended in alphabetic order; CWA, CWB, CWC, CWD, etc.

The well known international radio monitor Horacio A. Nigro of Montevideo provides detailed information about the new government operated CWA. Several new buildings were erected for this new coastal wireless station; the 2½ kW longwave spark transmitter was also made by Telefunken in Germany; the two steel antenna towers stood 200 feet tall and they were spaced 325 ft apart; the four phosphor bronze antenna wires were m

ore than one inch thick; and there was a counterpoise earthing system just above ground level. 

The main power source was provided by the city electricity company, though there was also a backup generator system.  The receiver was a new complicated uptodate version of what was originally a simple crystal set receiver.

Back during this original wireless era, several additional wireless stations were installed at various locations throughout Uruguay, including at lighthouses, as well as at inland locations.  In addition, some of the lower powered wireless stations were mobile units that could be installed wherever a temporary location was needed.

The long time coastal wireless station CWA in Uruguay dates its earliest origins back to the year 1904, and 115 years later, after several modernizations and periodic updates, this station is still on the air to this day, and still under its original callsign CWA.

More about the radio scene in Uruguay next time.
(Jeff White/Adrian Peterson-AWR/Wavescan-NWS 547)

Uruguayan stations in the Global Radio Guide-Summer 2019
Radio Carve 850 kHz AM 24hrs http://www.carve850.com.uy/
Radio Clasica 650 kHz AM 24 hrs http://www.clasica.uy/
Radio Oriental 770 kHz AM 24 hrs http://www.oriental770.com/
Radio Rural 610 kHz AM 24 hrs http://www.radiorural.uy/
Radio Tacuarembo 1280 kHz AM 24 hrs http://emisorastacuarembo.com/
(Gayle Van Horn/Teak Publishing)

BBC frequency updates freqs for English and French

BBC World Service

All times UTC

English
2200-2300 7445*SLA 250 kW / 105 deg to SEAs  ex 6115 SLA from Aug.28

French
0600-0630 12030 SAO 100 kW / 088 deg to CeAf ex 7305 ASC from Sept.2
2200-2300 7445*SLA 250 kW / 105 deg to SEAs English, ex 6115 SLA from Aug.28
*to avoid on  6115 WWCR 100 kW / 046 deg to ENAm English WWCR-1 traditional freq
(DXB 06 Sept 2019)

KTWR updates their DRM schedule

KTWR transmitters, Guam

Hi Everyone,

                Based on comments received from listeners, KTWR will be modifying its DRM broadcast schedule as follows:

Effective 12 Sep.

                The 11995kHz 1026-1056 UTC Thursday broadcast to Japan/SK will be changed to 9900kHz 1215-1245UTC on Thursday.

Effective 15 Sep.

                The 11580kHz 1215-1245 UTC Monday broadcast to South Asia will be changed to 15200kHz 1026-1056UTC on Sunday.

                The 11995kHz 1026-1056 UTC Wednesday broadcast to China will be unchanged.

                The 11995kHz 1025-1056 UTC Tuesday broadcast to Australia will remain suspended.

(Mike Sabin/TWR)

Free Radio Service Holland to repeat Anniversary broadcast

FRS will be on air Sunday 08 September, 2019, repeating the 29th Anniversary program, on 5810 kHz between 1700 to 2100 UTC, 1900 to 2300 CEST.

News from the station;
"Unfortunately we haven't been very lucky with our evening broadcasts this summer. Next Sunday there will be a repeat of our 39th Anniversary broadcast from last Sunday on 5810 kHz between 19-23 CEST.
Keep on writing and supporting Free Radio on short wave!

73s 
Peter Verbruggen

To learn more about FRS Holland, visit their website at:
http://www.frsholland.nl/

RTÉ begins maintenance service

Fine Gael
By Hildegarde Naughton TD
4th September 2019 

Works have begun today to help ensure the continuance of RTÉ’s longwave radio service for a minimum of two years, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, Chair of the Oireachtas Communications Committee, said: “I have received confirmation from the national broadcaster that works have begun today on elements of the transmission equipment which will help ensure the continuance of the longwave service for a minimum of a further two years.

“The maintenance of long wave radio for the Irish diaspora has been a significant concern to the Committee.

“Earlier this year, RTÉ committed to maintaining the service following engagement with the Committee and I am pleased that listeners abroad can now be assured that service will continue for a minimum of two years.”

Deputy Naughton continued: “While other long term alternative solutions continue to be explored, RTÉ has to undertake significant remedial works on elements of the transmission equipment, mainly the antenna/mast.

“Given the height of the mast this work has to happen now in advance of the winter. To facilitate this essential maintenance, and to ensure the safety of those undertaking the work, service was suspended for a time today and will be suspended again tomorrow, Thursday, from 9.30am until 4.30pm.

“This initial outage is to facilitate the preparatory work for a subsequent, more extensive and essential body of work to maintain this service.

“This larger body of maintenance work will be carried out between Tuesday 10th September and Thursday 17th October.“During both of these times, RTÉ Radio 1 will not be available via LW, however listeners will be advised of the various alternatives available such as listening via apps and television while the usual service is off air.”

Deputy Naughton concluded: “I welcome the efforts being made to continue this service, which serves as an invaluable link between the diaspora and home.

“However I intend to work with the committee to explore other longer term alternative solutions to ensure this service continues in the long term.

https://www.finegael.ie/works-to-maintain-longwave-radio-service-begin-today-naughton/

(BDXC)