Monday, August 31, 2020

Most Important American radio station in the South Pacific during WW II

 Somerville Communication-Centre WWII
Back during the Pacific War in the middle of last century, American forces installed shortwave radio equipment at the direction of General Douglas MacArthur in five different locations in the areas around the city of Brisbane in Queensland Australia.

In our previous programs, we have presented the story of three of these interconnected shortwave radio facilities:
AMP Building Brisbane, Major Communication Center, WVJJ-WTO
Somerville House, South Brisbane (secondary station, one transmitter, receiver)
Golf Course, Redland Bay (secondary station, one transmitter)

Today we present the story of the two primary shortwave stations that the Americans installed near Brisbane, a transmitter station and a receiver station.  These two units formed the largest and most important of all of the American communication radio stations established throughout the South Pacific arena in the middle of last century.

We examine first, the record of the transmitter station that was established near Hemmant, just ten miles east of downtown Brisbane. Early in the year 1942, American Signal Corps personnel took over a large tract of swampy vacant farm land at 180 Youngs Road near Hemmant on which a solidly constructed thick-walled T-shaped brick building was constructed.  This tidal swampy site near the coast was chosen in order to enhance the transmission of shortwave signals, though the new transmitter building itself was constructed on short brick-stilted pylons above any possible danger of flooding. 

A total of five rhombic antennas were constructed and they spanned the swampy areas on both sides of Youngs Road. Each three-wire rhombic antenna was supported on wooden poles standing 100 feet tall. These diamond-shaped antenna systems provided radio coverage within Australia and to the scattered Pacific Islands, and also to Hawaii and California, as well as to Asia.

In addition to the main transmitter building, an additional smaller building housed a 250 kW diesel power generator, due to the fact that no locally generated electrical power was available in the Hemmant area. Their first power generator was built by Buckeye in Lima Ohio. 

Over a period of time, several different shortwave transmitters were installed at the American army communication station in Hemmant, including an Australian made 10 kW AWA unit for the communication circuit to Hawaii, and an American made 40 kW PWI transmitter for the circuit to New Delhi in India and to California in the United States.  Contact with the MacArthur Communication Center in the basement of the AMP Building in Brisbane was provided by an above ground wire circuit thirty miles long.

The Hemmant Transmitter station was taken into service towards the end of the year 1942, and it provided widespread communication with American bases throughout the Pacific and Asia.  In addition, this station provided communication circuits for wartime news dispatches from forward areas back to the news media in the United States and elsewhere. 

Additionally in December 1943, the Hemmant station began the regular daily transmission of time signals at 7:00 and 11:00 am, and 7:00 and 11:00 pm.  A new antenna system was installed for this particular purpose. These time signals were provided by two transmitters, the 1 kW American made Federal, and the Australian made 10 kW AWA unit, and they were broadcast, surprisingly, on exactly 5 MHz, 10 MHz, and 15 MHz.  Back in those days, the well known WWV was located too far away, in Washington DC, and the Australian VNG was not yet on the air.  American personnel needed an accurate time signal service back then much closer, in the Pacific arena.

When the American armed forces moved “up north” towards Japan in 1944 and 1945, they simply abandoned their most important radio transmitter station in the South Pacific, Hemmant, and left it as it was. The equally important receiver station was located at Capalaba, a dozen miles southeast from Brisbane and ten miles south of the Hemmant transmitter station. The land was owned at the time by the Cotton family, and it was commandeered by the American forces in 1942. In earlier times, this land had been known as the Willard’s Old Property.

The main building for the receiver station at Capalaba was similar to the main building at the  Hemmant transmitter station.  The original receivers installed at Capalaba were four American made Wilcox Model CW3D units and they were initially capable of receiving teletype and Morse Code, though speech capability was subsequently enabled.  There was also landline connection with the MacArthur Communication Center in the AMP Building in Brisbane, as well as to the transmitter facility at Hemmant.

The original receiving antennas were small and simple in design, though three diamond shaped rhombics were installed subsequently. The Capalaba Receiver Station was taken into service towards the end of the year 1942 and it received from the same Pacific and Asian areas as covered by the Hemmant transmitter station. Likewise when the American armed forces moved “up north” towards Japan in 1944 and 1945, they simply abandoned their most important radio receiver station in the South Pacific, Capalaba, and left it as it was. 

But that is not the end of the story. Very little is known, even in Australia, as to what happened to these two important radio stations; and that will be the story here in Wavescan, on another program.
(AWR Wavescan/NWS 599)
(photo/wikipedia)

Voice of Tibet, summer schedule update



Voice of Tibet via Tajikistan relay

Effective: 28 August 2020

All times UTC

1300-1305 on 9896 DB 100 kW  to CeAS Tibetan (no change)
1305-1310 NF 9884 DB 100 kW  to CeAS Tibetan, ex 9876
1310-1331 NF 9864 DB 100 kW  to CeAS Tibetan, ex 9866
1330-1336 NF 9876 DB 100 kW  to CeAS Tibetan, ex 9899
1331-1340 on 9884 DB 100 kW  to CeAS Tibetan (no change)
1336-1336 NF 9894 DB 100 kW  to CeAS Tibetan, ex9 814
1336-1400 NF 9864 DB 100 kW  to CeAS Tibetan, ex 9834
1340-1400 NF 9924 DB 100 kW  to CeAS Tibetan, ex 9826
1300-1330 only one transmitter s on the air.
1330-1400 two frequencies are on air.
(Ivo Ivanov-BUL, hcdx via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Aug 28)


Bible Voice Broadcasting summer schedule updates



Corrections noted, schedule effective to 25 October 2020

All times UTC

0200-0230 on 11945 ERV 100 kW to SoAs English Thu
0300-0315 on  5900 SCB 050 kW to N/ME Arabic Dardasha 7
0315-0330 on  5900 SCB 050 kW to N/ME Arabic Dardasha 7
0501-0516 on  9735 NAU 250 kW to N/ME Arabic/English Fri
0600-0615 on 11655 NAU 125 kW to NoAf Arabic Dardasha 7
1200-1230 on 21480 MDC 125 kW to EaAs English Sat
1230-1245 on 21480 MDC 125 kW to SEAs Indonesian 1st &3rd Sun
1200-1300 on  6240 TAC 100 kW to SoAs Urdu/Punjabi Sat
1300-1330 on 11540 DB  100 kW to EaAs English Mon-Wed, not 11550
1300-1315 on 11540 DB  100 kW to EaAs English Fri, not 11550
1300-1330 on 11540 DB  100 kW to EaAs Korean Sat/Sun, not 11550
1400-1430 on 15265 NAU 250 kW to SoAs English 1st Sat
1430-1500 on 15265 NAU 250 kW to SoAs English Sat
1500-1530 on 15265 NAU 250 kW to SoAs English Sat, new addition
1630-1700 on 15350 ISS 100 kW to CeAf Nuer Daily
1600-1630 on 15310 NAU 100 kW to EaAf Oromo Sun-Tue
1630-1700 on 15310 NAU 100 kW to EaAf Somali Sat/Sun
1630-1730 on 15310 NAU 100 kW to deg to EaAf Amharic Tue
1700-1730 on 15310 NAU 100 kW to EaAf Amharic Wed/Thu
1730-1800 on 15310 NAU 100 kW to EaAf Amharic Sun
1730-1800 on 15310 NAU 100 kW to EaAf Tigrinya Tue/Wed
1700-1730 on  9810 MOS 100 kW to N/ME English Thu
1700-1715 on  9810 MOS 100 kW to N/ME English Fri
1730-1830 on  9810 MOS 100 kW to N/ME English Sat/Sun
1715-1730 on  9490 SCB 050 kW to N/ME Arabic Mon/Wed
1715-1745 on  9490 SCB 050 kW to N/ME Arabic Thu/Fri/Sat
1745-1800 on  9490 SCB 050 kW to N/ME Arabic Dardasha 7, not 5995#
1800-1830 on  9610 NAU 100 kW to WeAs Persian Fri
1800-1900 on  9610 NAU 100 kW to WeAs Persian Thu
1830-1900 on  9610 NAU 100 kW to WeAs Persian Tue/Sun
1815-1830 on  9635 NAU 250 kW to N/ME English Sun, not 1915-1930*
1830-1845 on  7520 DB  100 kW to EaAs Korean  Sat/Sun, new addit
1831-1916 on  9635 NAU 125 kW to N/ME English Sun
1931-1946 on  5900 SCB 050 kW to N/ME Arabic Dardasha 7
1945-2000 on  9400 SCB 100 kW to NoAf Arabic Dardasha 7
# this is winter B-19 frequency; * this is winter B-19 time slot
(DXB/Ivanov)

From the Isle of Music and Uncle Bill's Melting Pot, info and testing schedules



There will be a test of FTIOM & UBMP on 9670 kHz (Channel 292 from Germany)  from 1600-1800 UTC. The rest of the week's schedule follows:

From the Isle of Music, to September 5: 
This week, we present a potpourri of various styles of Cuban music.

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,

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

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

NEW: For Europe and possibly beyond, Saturday 0800-0900 UTC (1000-1100 CEST) on Channel 292, 9670 kHz from Rohrbach, Germany.
Our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/fromtheisleofmusic/ 
Our V-Kontakte page is https://vk.com/fromtheisleo hfmusic 
Our Patreon page is https://www.patreon.com/tilford 

Uncle Bill’s Melting Pot, September 1 and 5:
Episode 180 presents various styles of music by Chicago-based bands.

The transmissions take place:

Tuesday 2000-2100 UTC on Channel 292, 6070 kHz from Rohrbach, Germany for Europe.. NEW SATURDAY TEST 0900-1000 UTC (1100-1200 MESZ) on Channel 292, 9670 kHz from Rohrbach, Germany for Europe and beyond.

If you don’t have a shortwave radio or are out of range, you can listen live to an uplink from different web SDRs in Europe
Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/UncleBillsMeltingPot/
Our V-Kontakte page is https://vk.com/fromtheisleofmusic 
William "Bill" Tilford, Owner/Producer
Tilford Productions, LLC
email: bill@tilfordproductions.com
phone: 773.267.6548
website: www.tilfordproductions.com

Special Simulcast on Channel 292 and WBCQ


Both WBCQ The Planet and Radio Channel 292 will be presenting special simulcasts featuring multiple music and variety programs in September, both with time donated by the stations:

1. Showcase 292 will air with time donated by the station on Radio Channel 292 from Rohrbach, Germany on September 7 from 2100 to 2200 UTC on 3955, 6070 and 9670 kHz. This is Channel 292's first collaborative simulcast featuring five music and variety programs that appear on its weekly schedule - Alt Universe Top 40 (rock), Encore (classical Music), From the Isle of Music (Cuban music), Uncle Bill's Melting Pot (world and novelty music) and the Voice of the Report of the Week (listener request music plus commentary).


Frequencies 3955 and 9670 are both new, and listeners are encouraged to try them as a DX catch in Eastern Canada, although it is uncertain whether they will be received there. A special eQSL will be available from the producer (details will be given during the broadcast) ; 6070 kHz will of course not be receivable in Canada due to CFRX on the same frequency.

2. WBCQ The Planet from Monticello, Maine, USA continues its popular simulcast series with time donated by Allan and Angela Weiner with WBCQ Works! on September 7 from 10pm to 11pm EDT (0200-0300 UTC September 8) on 5130, 6160 and 7490 kHz with five of its popular regular music offerings - Area 51, beHAVior night, the Lost Discs Radio Show, Marion's Attic and Uncle Bill's Melting Pot.

In another recent broadcast, 6160 was heard as far as Western Russia and may be listenable throughout most of Canada away from the NE. 5130 may be better for NE Canada, and 7490 may be better out west. This, too, will have a special eQSL from the producer, details will be given during the broadcast. Since it will be Labor Day in the United States, at least some of the songs will be related to work or the lack of it.
(Bill Tilford/Tilford Productions)

September schedules for Radio Emma Toc World Service


Program Contents - A look at two documentaries about 1920's radio - Radio Sings and Sounds From The Ether, the BBC Antarctica Midwinter broadcast, Radio Caroline Memories, Radio Shack's Sounds of SW, and hello to listeners.


Ways to listen...Radio Emma Toc World Service - Program No. 5 - September 2020

www.emmatoc.com or visit the World Service page at www.emmatoc.org/world-service-prog-5 

You can listen to our shortwave or FM broadcasts via our relay partners as follows:

WRMI - Radio Miami International on 9955 kHz covering Latin America and beyond on            Tuesdays 18:00 Eastern Time / 22:00 UTC

WRMI - Radio Miami International on 9455 kHz covering Eastern North America and far beyond. Sundays 21:00 Eastern Time / 01:00 (Monday) UTC

Unique Radio Australia , online  and covering Australia and beyond. Saturdays 17:30 AEST / 07:30 UTC and Sundays 17:30 AEST / 07:30 UTC

World  FM -  88.2MHz / 107.6 MHz and covering Tawa, Marahau and Stoke, New Zealand on. Sundays 22:00 NZST / 10:00 UTC and Thursdays 16:30 NZST / 04:30 UTC. Every other week, alternating with Hobart Radio International

Channel 292 - 6070 kHz - covering Europe and beyond, Friday 04 September 20:00 UTC  and Saturday 19 September 19:00 UTC

Scandinavian Weekend Radio - 6170 kHz / 11690kHz / 1602 kHz / 94.9 MHz. Covering Finland and Europe on Saturday 03 October 05:00 UTC

 Happy listening! If you are outside the transmitter coverage areas, why not listen via the broadcaster's online services ? Website details for the above stations are listed on our own website at  www.emmatoc.org/worldserviceschedule 

If you do not have access to receivers and aerials, you can try using an online SDR receiver (ve3sun.com/KiwiSDR). Experience the enjoyment of tuning around shortwave from worldwide locations online.

We are happy to issue e-QSLs for reception reports sent to emmatoc1922@gmail.com and will gladly include online reports. If using an online SDR, please give us the SDR location.

If any stations wish to relay our program, a download link is available on our website. Please advise us of times and dates so we can publicize in our schedule.

Finally, please note we are still able to take requests for our November Global Request Show. Email us with your song choices!

Thank you!
(James Salmon)

Encore - Classical Music program schedule


Dear listener,

Here are details of a one-off broadcast coming soon:

Showcase 292 will air with time donated by the station on Radio Channel 292 from Rohrbach, Germany on September 7 from 2100 to 2200 UTC on 3955, 6070 and 9670 kHz.  This is Channel 292’s first collaborative simulcast featuring five music and variety programs that appear on its weekly schedule – Alt Universe Top 40 (rock), Encore (classical music), From the Isle of Music (Cuban music), Uncle Bill’s Melting Pot (world and novelty music) and the Voice of the Report of the Week (listener request music plus commentary).  3955 and 9670 are both new frequencies,  and listeners are encouraged to try them as a DX catch  in eastern Canada and the eastern United States.  A special eQSL will be available from the producer (details will be given during the broadcast).  6070 kHz will of course not be receivable in Canada due to CFRX on the same frequency.


Regular Broadcast times of Encore are:
10:00 - 11:00 UTC Saturday 6070 kHz Channel 292 to Europe - Simulcast on 9670 kHz
Repeated:
21:00 - 22:00 UTC Saturday 7780 kHz WRMI to US and Europe
01:00 - 02:00 UTC Sunday 5850 kHz, Simulcast on 5010 kHz WRMI to the US, Canada and Central America.
16:00 – 17:00 UTC Sunday 9670 kHz Channel 292 to Europe
21:00 - 22:00 UTC Sunday 3955 kHz Channel 292 to Europe
02:00 – 03:00 UTC Monday 9455 kHz WRMI to the US and Canada
13:00 - 14:00 UTC Tuesday 15770 kHz WRMI to Europe, east coast of US and Iceland.
13:00 - 14:00 UTC Thursday 15770 kHz WRMI to Europe, east coast of US and Iceland.
20:00 - 21:00 UTC Thursday 15770 kHz WRMI to Europe, east coast of US and Iceland.
19:00 – 20:00 UTC Friday 6070 kHz Channel 292 to Europe.

Our email is  encoretumbril@gmail.com. Informal reception reports as well as those requesting eQSL welcome.
The website is www.tumbril.co.uk where we show transmission times and frequencies, the playlist for the most recent programme, more information about Radio Tumbril, and the email link.

This week's programme begins with Steve Hackett, one time member of Genesis - The British progressive rock group,  playing a Bach cello piece on the guitar. After that we will have two Hungarian Dances by Brahms - arranged for the piano. Two songs from the opera next - Placido Domingo as Figaro in the Barber of Seville, and the final trio from Die RosenKavalier. An Octet by Schubert and two pieces by contemporary composer Caroline Shaw follow on. The programme finishes with some lute music and part of a Brahms string quartet.

Channel 292 can be pulled live off the internet if the reception is poor in your location. Easy to find their site with a google search.

A very good site for online SDR receivers all over the world is: http://kiwisdr.com/public/  Click the 'Map' button in the top left of the screen.

In the meantime - thank you for spreading the word about Encore - Classical Music on Shortwave on Radio Tumbril.

Brice Avery - Encore - Radio Tumbril - Scotland

www.tumbril.co.uk

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins



Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2020 Aug 31 0137 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 24 - 30 August 2020

Solar activity was very low for the highlight period. No spotted regions were present on the visible disk. There were no Earth-directed CMEs observed during the period.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at normal to moderate levels on 24-29 Aug. High levels were observed on 30 Aug with a peak flux of 2,800 pfu observed at 30/1845 UTC.

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet levels on 24-26 Aug under a nominal solar wind environment. Activity levels increased to unsettled on 27 Aug as a positive polarity CH HSS moved into a geoeffective position. G1 (minor) storm levels were observed on 28 Aug with unsettled to the active conditions observed on 29-30 Aug, all due to positive polarity CH HSS influences. During this period of activity, solar wind speeds reached a peak of 530 km/s at 29/0631 UTC, total field reached a maximum of 11nt on mid to late 28 Aug while the Bz component reached a maximum southward extent of -8 nT during that same time frame. Phi angle was in a mostly negative solar sector through about midday on 25 Aug when it switched to a predominately positive orientation and through the remainder of the period.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 31 August - 26 September 2020

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

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at moderate to high levels on 31 Aug - 07 Sep and again on 26 Sep due to recurrent CH HSS influences. The remainder of the period is expected to be at normal to moderate levels.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at unsettled to active levels on 31 Aug - 02 Sep, unsettled levels on 18-19 Sep and unsettled to active levels on 23-26 Sep, all due to recurrent CH HSS influences. The remainder of the outlook period is expected to be at quiet levels.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2020 Aug 31 0137 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 2020-08-31
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2020 Aug 31      70          10          3
2020 Sep 01      70          12          4
2020 Sep 02      70          10          3
2020 Sep 03      70           5          2
2020 Sep 04      70           5          2
2020 Sep 05      70           5          2
2020 Sep 06      70           5          2
2020 Sep 07      70           5          2
2020 Sep 08      70           5          2
2020 Sep 09      70           5          2
2020 Sep 10      70           5          2
2020 Sep 11      70           5          2
2020 Sep 12      70           5          2
2020 Sep 13      70           5          2
2020 Sep 14      70           5          2
2020 Sep 15      70           5          2
2020 Sep 16      70           5          2
2020 Sep 17      70           5          2
2020 Sep 18      70           8          3
2020 Sep 19      70           8          3
2020 Sep 20      70           5          2
2020 Sep 21      70           5          2
2020 Sep 22      70           5          2
2020 Sep 23      70           8          3
2020 Sep 24      70          10          4
2020 Sep 25      70          14          4
2020 Sep 26      70          10          3
(NOAA)

Saturday, August 29, 2020

FRS Holland special Sunday broadcast

Upcoming Sunday August FRS-Holland will be on air celebrating its 200th official broadcast on short wave.

The FRS presenting team is excited about this milestone and looking forward to this special broadcast.

Neither costs nor efforts were spared to serve you, the listener, with the best in Free Radio.
That means an evening full of  great music but above all interesting info blocks related to our 40 year history.

Forty years? Yes, one day later, Monday August 31st 2020  FRS-Holland becomes 40 years.
We have decided to split the festivities: on Sunday our 200th broadcast and late October/ early November the celebration of our 40th Anniversary.  Of course we will inform you prior to that broadcast.

But for now we concentrate on our 200th....look at   for full details:
http://www.frsholland.nl/20-latest-news/144-frs-holland-s-200th-broadcast.html 

See you on Sunday!!

73s , the FRS-Holland team

Offshore Radio History broadcast schedule




Offshore Radio History broadcast

August 31 via Channel 292, Rohrbach, Germany relay

All times UTC

3955 kHz, 1600-1900
6070 kHz, 0400-0700, 0800-1400, 1630-1930
9670 kHz, 0530-1500, 1600-1900

https://www.channel292.de/
(Manuel Méndez, Spain/HCDX)

Friday, August 28, 2020

Radio Classic Sunday special broadcast




New shortwave radio station Radio Classic Sunday 5940 kHz, will look back on the offshore radio stations of that time on August 30, 2020, from 0700-1000 UTC. 

Music from that time and many jingles will be featured. Caroline, Mi Amigo, Laser 558, Radio Veronica, Voice of Peace and many more will be featured that morning.

Disc jockeys Mart Walther, Rene van Elst and Jan Staphorst are the initiators behind this opportunity radio station.The broadcast will air all over Europe via shortwave on 5940 kHz. The broadcasts will later be available on the Internet.

Would you like to respond now or request a special radio tune, record ? Mail request to: plate@classicsunday.eu
More info at: www.radioclassicsunday.nl/
(Jan Staphorst on SMC's Facebook Spot, 11 Aug)
* according to Jan on FB, this is Dutch time so = 0700-1000 UTC on 30th August
(Alan Pennington/BDXC)

Monday, August 24, 2020

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins



Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2020 Aug 24 0151 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 17 - 23 August 2020

Solar activity was very low for the highlight period. The largest flare was a B3.9 on 19 Aug from Region 2772 (N18, L=296, class/area Cro/30 on 19 Aug). There were no Earth-directed CMEs observed during the period.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at normal to moderate levels for the highlight period.

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet to unsettled levels during the period with weak influences from coronal hole high speed streams.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 24 August - 19 September 2020

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

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at moderate to high levels on 02 - 09 Sep due to recurrent coronal hole high speed stream influences. The remainder of the period is expected to be at normal to moderate levels.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at unsettled levels on 24 - 26 Aug, 28 Aug - 02 Sep due to recurrent coronal hole high speed stream influences. The remainder of the outlook period is then expected to be at quiet levels.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2020 Aug 24 0151 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 2020-08-24
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2020 Aug 24      70           8          3
2020 Aug 25      70          12          3
2020 Aug 26      70           8          3
2020 Aug 27      70           5          2
2020 Aug 28      70           5          2
2020 Aug 29      70           8          3
2020 Aug 30      70          12          3
2020 Aug 31      70          10          3
2020 Sep 01      71           8          3
2020 Sep 02      71           5          2
2020 Sep 03      71           5          2
2020 Sep 04      72           5          2
2020 Sep 05      72           5          2
2020 Sep 06      72           5          2
2020 Sep 07      72           5          2
2020 Sep 08      72           5          2
2020 Sep 09      72           5          2
2020 Sep 10      71           5          2
2020 Sep 11      71           5          2
2020 Sep 12      71           5          2
2020 Sep 13      71           5          2
2020 Sep 14      71           5          2
2020 Sep 15      71           5          2
2020 Sep 16      71           5          2
2020 Sep 17      70           5          2
2020 Sep 18      70           5          2
2020 Sep 19      70           5          2
(NOAA)

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Monitoring Bhutan


BHUTAN   6035 kHz.  BS BTN Thimphu in Sharchogpa language scheduled,S=9+10dB signal in Delhi Perseus unit. At 01.37 UT on Aug 18. But was OFF the air when checked at 01.48 UT again !? 6 kHz wide audio visible, mostly audio on lower sideband seen !

Lately, some heavy political dispute in that mountain region, about the demarcation line between India / Bhutan and China, remnants of the British Empire finale of 1948 on South Asian subcontinent.
(wb  df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Aug 18)
(WWDXC Top news 1436)

Overcomer Ministry summer schedule update

A-20 shortwave schedule - Brother Stair/The Overcomer Ministry 

All times UTC

0000-0200 on  7520 WCR 100 kW / 090 deg to CeAm English Dly WWCR tx#04
0000-1100 on  7570 RMI 100 kW / 315 deg to WNAm English Dly WRMI tx#11
0100-0200 on  3215 WCR 100 kW / 046 deg to ENAm English Sun WWCR tx#01
0100-0800 on  7730 RMI 100 kW / 285 deg to MEXI English Dly WRMI tx#13
0200-0400 on  5890 WCR 100 kW / 090 deg to CeAm English Su/Mo WWCRtx#4
0400-0500 on  3215 WCR 100 kW / 046 deg to ENAm English Mo-Fr WWCRtx#1
0300-0700 on  9395 RMI 100 kW / 355 deg to ENAm English Dly WRMI tx#06
0300-0800 on  5850 RMI 100 kW / 315 deg to WNAm English Dly WRMI tx#12
0300-2000 on  9455 RMI 100 kW / 355 deg to ENAm English Dly WRMI tx#08
0300-1500 on  7780 RMI 100 kW / 044 deg to WeEu English Dly WRMI tx#01
0400-0500 on  4840 WCR 100 kW / 040 deg to ENAm English Mon WWCR tx#03
0400-1200 on  5890 WCR 100 kW / 090 deg to CeAm English Dly WWCR tx#04
0500-1100 on  3215 WCR 100 kW / 046 deg to ENAm English Dly WWCR tx#01
0600-0900 on  4840 WCR 100 kW / 040 deg to ENAm English Mo-Fr WWCRtx#3
0700-1000 on 11600 SCB 100 kW / 126 deg to N/ME English Dly* NURTS SPL
0900-1000 on  7730 RMI 100 kW / 285 deg to MEXI English Dly WRMI tx#13
0900-1200 on  4840 WCR 100 kW / 040 deg to ENAm English Mo-Sa WWCRtx#3
0900-1900 on  9395 RMI 100 kW / 355 deg to ENAm English Dly WRMI tx#06
1000-1600 on  5850 RMI 100 kW / 315 deg to WNAm English Sat WRMI tx#12
1000-1600 on  7730 RMI 100 kW / 285 deg to MEXI English Sat WRMI tx#13
1100-2400 on  5950 RMI 100 kW / 285 deg to MEXI English Dly WRMI tx#05
1200-1300 on 15770 RMI 100 kW / 044 deg to WeEu English Dly WRMI tx#09
1200-2000 on  9980 WCR 100 kW / 090 deg to CeAm English Dly WWCR tx#04
1300-1400 on 13845 WCR 100 kW / 040 deg to ENAm English Sat WWCR tx#03
1300-1600 on  5010 RMI 100 kW / 181 deg to CARI English Sat WRMI tx#14
1400-1500 on  7490 WCR 100 kW / 085 deg to CeAf English Sun WWCR tx#02
1400-1600 on  7570 RMI 100 kW / 315 deg to WNAm English Sat WRMI tx#11
1400-1900 on 13845 WCR 100 kW / 040 deg to ENAm English Mo-Sa WWCRtx#3
1400-2100 on  5800 RMI 100 kW / 160 deg to LaAm English Sat WRMI tx#10
1430-1600 on  9955 RMI 100 kW / 160 deg to LaAm English Sat WRMI tx#03
1500-1600 on  7780 RMI 100 kW / 044 deg to WeEu English Sat WRMI tx#01
1530-1600 on  9400 SCB 100 kW / 126 deg to N/ME English Mo-SaNURTS SPL
1600-1655 on 11600 SCB 100 kW / 306 deg to WeEu English Dly  NURTS SPL
1600-1800 on 11700 SCB 100 kW / 195 deg to EaAf English Dly* NURTS SPL
1600-1900 on  7490 BCQ 050 kW / 245 deg to ENAm English Dly WBCQ tx#01
1600-1700 on  9400 SCB 100 kW / 126 deg to N/ME English Dly  NURTS SPL
1700-1800 on 12160 WCR 100 kW / 085 deg to CeAf English Sun WWCR tx#02
1700-1800 on 15825 WCR 100 kW / 046 deg to WeEu English Mo-Fr WWCRtx#1
1700-2000 on  9400 SCB 100 kW / 126 deg to N/ME English Dly* NURTS SPL
1700-2000 on  7780 RMI 100 kW / 044 deg to WeEu English Dly WRMI tx#01
1800-2000 on 12160 WCR 100 kW / 085 deg to CeAf English Sat WWCR tx#02
1900-2000 on  7490 BCQ 050 kW / 245 deg to ENAm English Wed-Mon WBCQ-1
2000-2100 on  7490 BCQ 050 kW / 245 deg to ENAm English Sat-Mon WBCQ-1
2000-2100 on  9980 WCR 100 kW / 090 deg to CeAm English Sa/Su WWCRtx#4
2000-0255 on  5900 SCB 100 kW / 306 deg to ENAm English Dly  NURTS SPL
2100-2200 on  7490 BCQ 050 kW / 245 deg to ENAm English Sat WBCQ tx#01
2100-2200 on  9350 WCR 100 kW / 085 deg to CeAf English Sat WWCR tx#02
2100-2300 on 15770 RMI 100 kW / 044 deg to WeEu English Dly WRMI tx#09
2100-2400 on  9980 WCR 100 kW / 090 deg to CeAm English Dly WWCR tx#04
2200-2300 on  7490 BCQ 050 kW / 245 deg to ENAm English Mon-Fri WBCQ-1
2200-2300 on  6115 WCR 100 kW / 046 deg to ENAm English Mo-Fr WWCRtx#1
2200-2300 on  9350 WCR 100 kW / 085 deg to CeAf English Mo-Fr WWCRtx#2
2200-0100 on  9455 RMI 100 kW / 355 deg to ENAm English Dly WRMI tx#08
2300-2400 on  5850 RMI 100 kW / 315 deg to WNAm English Fri WRMI tx#12
Transmissions of Brother Stair TOM via WINB in DRM mode are cancelled:
0700-0830 on  7315 INB 015 kW / 062 deg to WeEu English Mo-Fr DRM WINB
0830-1100 on  9980 INB 015 kW / 062 deg to WeEu English Mo-Fr DRM WINB
* transmissions on 11700 & 9400 are inactive via NURTS SPL Secretbrod.
1400-1600UT on Saturday "Sabbath Service" LIVE with Brother R.G.Stair.
(Ivo Ivanov 22 Aug 2020)

Transmissions of Brother Stair TOM via WINB in DRM mode are cancelled:

0700-0830  7315 INB 015 kW 062 deg to WeEUR English Mo-Fr DRM WINB
0830-1100  9980 INB 015 kW 062 deg to WeEUR English Mo-Fr DRM

WINB transmissions 11700 & 9400 are inactive via NURTS SPL Kostinbrod.
(Ivo Ivanov-BUL, hcdx via wwdxc BC-DX Topnews Aug 22)

Programming schedules for From the Isle of Music and Uncle Bill's Melting Pot


On August 23 from 0400-0600 UTC, there will be a Sunday morning  test transmission of From the Isle of Music and Uncle Bill's Melting Pot on Channel 292, 9670 kHz. 

Then, the rest of the schedule for these programs for the week is as follows:

From the Isle of Music, August 23-29
This week, we present a Cuban concert hall with a variety of academic music.

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)

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

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

NEW: For Europe and possibly beyond, Friday 1600-1700 UTC (1800-1900 CEST) on Channel 292, 9670 kHz from Rohrbach, Germany.

Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/fromtheisleofmusic/
Our V-Kontakte page is https://vk.com/fromtheisleofmusic
Our Patreon page is https://www.patreon.com/tilford 

Uncle Bill's Melting Pot, August 23, 25 and 28
Episode 179 presents rock, blues and psychedelic folk from South Korea.

The transmissions take place:
Sunday 2200-2300 (6:00PM -7:00PM EDT) on WBCQ The Planet 7490 kHz from the US to the Americas and parts of Europe
Tuesday 2000-2100 UTC on Channel 292, 6070 kHz from Rohrbach, Germany for Europe.
NEW FRIDAY TEST 1700-1800 UTC (1900-2000 MESZ) on Channel 292, 9670 kHz from Rohrbach, Germany for Europe and beyond.

Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/UncleBillsMeltingPot/
Our V-Kontakte page is https://vk.com/fromtheisleofmusic
Our Patreon page is https://www.patreon.com/tilford 

William "Bill" Tilford, Owner/Producer
email: bill@tilfordproductions.com
Website: www.tilfordproductions.com

Friday, August 21, 2020

Shortwave Radiogram weekend schedules

Hello friends,

Last weekend's experiment with Belarusian text from RFE/RL was generally successful. It was also timely, given the interdiction of the internet in Belarus. This tweet showing distant reception of the Belarusian text using simple equipment generated much interest.  For now, the text is decoded using software and apps designed for the amateur radio community. We need simpler software and apps so that news consumers can use shortwave (and medium wave and longwave) to receive text when the internet is restricted or otherwise not available.

Videos of last weekend's Shortwave Radiogram (program 165) are provided by Scott in Ontario (Friday 1300 UTC) and Frigid RF in Virginia (Saturday 1330 UTC).  The audio archive is maintained by Mark in the UK. Analysis is prepared by Roger in Germany.

This weekend, no exotic modes or non-Latin alphabets. We will return to those experiments in the future and welcome your suggestions. This weekend's show is in the usual MFSK32 and MFSK64, with eleven images (1 x MFSK32 and 10 x MFSK64) .

Here is the lineup for Shortwave Radiogram, program 166, 20-23 August 2020, in MFSK modes as noted:

 1:43  MFSK32: Program preview
 2:46  Scientists monitor changes in magnetic field*
 7:55  MFSK64: Review of new film biopic Tesla*
12:14  This week's images*
28:32  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 Gateway Wiki https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Shortwave_Radiogram_Gateway 

Shortwave Radiogram Transmission Schedule
UTC Day UTC Time Frequency Transmitter
Saturday  0230-0300 UTC 9265 kHz  WINB Pennsylvania
Saturday  1330-1400 UTC 15770 kHz  WRMI Florida
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 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” 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 0200-0300 UTC on 5850 kHz (Wednesday evening in the Americas) and a new time also on WRMI, Wednesdays at 2100-2200 UTC on 7780 kHz (aimed towards Europe) . Also look for a waterfall ID at the beginning of the show. thisisamusicshow@gmail.com .  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. 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 2300 UTC (7 pm EDT) on 3536 kHz USB.

Thanks for your reception reports!
Kim

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

Encore-Classical Music broadcast schedules







Dear listener,

Regular Broadcast times of Encore are now:
10:00 - 11:00 UTC Saturday 6070 kHz Channel 292 to Europe - Simulcast on 9670 kHz
Repeated:
21:00 - 22:00 UTC Saturday 7780 kHz WRMI to US and Europe
01:00 - 02:00 UTC Sunday 5850 kHz, Simulcast on 5010 kHz WRMI to the US, Canada and Central America.
16:00 – 17:00 UTC Sunday 9670 kHz Channel 292 to Europe
21:00 - 22:00 UTC Sunday 3955 kHz Channel 292 to Europe
02:00 – 03:00 UTC Monday 9455 kHz WRMI to the US and Canada
13:00 - 14:00 UTC Tuesday 15770 kHz WRMI to Europe, east coast of US and Iceland.
13:00 - 14:00 UTC Thursday 15770 kHz WRMI to Europe, east coast of US and Iceland.
20:00 - 21:00 UTC Thursday 15770 kHz WRMI to Europe, east coast of US and Iceland.
19:00 – 20:00 UTC Friday 6070 kHz Channel 292 to Europe.

Our email is  encoretumbril@gmail.com. Informal reception reports as well as those requesting eQSL welcome.
The website is www.tumbril.co.uk where we show transmission times and frequencies, the playlist for the most recent programme, more information about Radio Tumbril, and the email link.

This week's programme begins with a little Franz Liszt, and then some Thomas Campion - the 16th Century English composer. Next, part of the first string quartet composed by Carl Nielsen. We will then hear some of Copeland's Appalachian Spring, pieces by Mozart and Brahms, and the work Matin sur L'eau by the 20th century composer Jaques Ibert.

Channel 292 can be pulled live off the internet if the reception is poor in your location. Easy to find their site with a google search.
A very good site for online SDR receivers all over the world is: http://kiwisdr.com/public/  Click the 'Map' button in the top left of the screen.

In the meantime - thank you for spreading the word about Encore - Classical Music on Shortwave on Radio Tumbril.

Brice Avery - Encore - Radio Tumbril - Scotland

www.tumbril.co.uk

V.O.R.W. announces special Saturday programming

Dear Listeners,

I'm very happy to announce that there will be a special broadcast of VORW Radio International this Saturday, August 22nd on 6070 kHz Shortwave for listeners in Europe and Asia!

The broadcast will be transmitted with 300 kW of power and should guarantee a clear signal to listeners all across Europe and much of Asia. If you don't have a radio or aren't located in the target area, there are still ways to listen!

The show will be broadcast live from a transmitter Moosbrunn, Austria and will feature a fun hour of music and commentary. I hope to take listener music requests as well!

Here is the broadcast schedule:

(LIVE) Saturday 1700 UTC (1 PM Eastern / 7 PM CEST) – 6070 kHz – Moosbrunn 300 kW – Europe, The Middle East & Africa

If you do not have a radio, you can still listen online via a WebSDR Receiver streaming the audio at the following link:

http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/?tune=6070am - At 1700 UTC (1 PM Eastern / 7 PM CEST) Saturday

A QSL will be given to any and all listeners who submit reception reports. Feedback is most welcome at vorwinfo@gmail.com

I hope you can tune in!

All the best,

John (VORW Radio International)
Manuel Méndez, Spain/BDXC)

From the Isle of Music and Uncle Bill's Melting Pot, testing schedules




Our August 14 tests of FTIOM & UBMP on 9670 were more successful than the prior week's, but we want to try a Sunday morning test before making any decisions about September for that frequency for our programs. 

Our August 21 test transmissions are being rescheduled to August 23 as follows:

From the Isle of Music:  Sunday, August 23 from 0400-0500 UTC
Uncle Bill's Melting Pot:  Sunday, August 23 from 0500-0600 UTC 

There is a fair chance that at least UBMP will be listenable in parts of the east coast of NAm and an excellent chance that both will be well heard in western Russia.   Incidentally, the program that will be on after us at 0600 UTC, Radio Waves International, is a very pleasant music program that came to our attention during our previous tests. 

We will be continuing on 6070 under any scenario as long as propagation permits, if/when it goes to a long skip later this year we might adjust then. 

William "Bill" Tilford, Owner/Producer
Tilford Productions, LLC
email: bill@tilfordproductions.com
website: www.tilfordproductions.com

Thursday, August 20, 2020

Summer schedule updates

All times UTC

Clandestine, MGB Eye Radio
Effective: 01 September, 2020

0359-0457 on  7340 SMG (250 kW) to EaAf Juba Arabic* Mon-Fri
0459-0545 on 11650 MDC (250 kW) to EaAf Juba Arabic* Daily#
1559-1657 on 15410 ISS (250 kW) to EaAf Juba Arabic* Mon-Fri
1659-1745 on 15410 ISS (250 kW) to EaAf Juba Arabic* Daily#
* including other langs English/Dinka/Nuer/Shilluk/Bari/Zande/Lutoho
# special COVID-19 prgr English/Dinka/Nuer/Shilluk/Bari/Zande/Lutoho

Inactive transmissions of MGB Eye Radio from August 1 are deleted
0459-0557 on  7340 MDC 250 kW / 335 deg to EaAf Juba Arabic Daily
1459-1557 on 15410 MDC 250 kW / 340 deg to EaAf Juba Arabic Daily

Vatican Radio
Frequency change of Vatican Radio via USAMG Tinang from August 22:
1230-1315 NF  9590 PHT 250 kW / 315 det to EaAs Chinese Mass Sat, ex 9585 to avoid
at same time  9580 BGL 500 kW / 038 deg to CeAs Tibetan Daily All India Radio AIR.
1230-1315 on  6085 PHT 250 kW / 332 det to EaAs Chinese Mass Sat, remain unchanged
1230-1315 on  7485 PHT 250 kW / 332 deg to EaAs Chinese Mass Sat, remain unchanged
(edited version for clarity from DXB/20 Aug 2020)

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Blog Logs

Example of monitoring via Airspy HF Discovery
Monitoring 10-18 August, 2020


All times UTC/ SDR units as indicated

Chile
Radio Cooperative, 760 kHz from 1715 tune-in. News-talk format in Spanish with national news items and brief references to station. Confirmed via parallel audio at station’s website http://www.cooperativa.cl . Station operates on 24-hour schedule. Chile’s Radio Nacional Santiago on 1140 kHz from 1725-1740. News topics and announcer’s friendly conversations about Santiago. Station ID, frequency and local Santiago time check to station jingles. (Chile SDR)

Clandestine
Denge Welat via Moldova relay on 11530 kHz. Tune-in 1305-1335. Kurdish news, references to station and lengthy commentary. Slight fades, but overall good signal. (Poland SDR).

Eswatini (ex Swaziland)
TWR Africa, 6130 kHz (100 kW) Religious text cadence from 1835, listed as Umbunbu ethnic language (Mon-Fri) in GRG Summer 2020 edition. Format continued to 1842. Noted on-frequency digital signal interference, likely ANDVT every 24-25 second intervals. Religious chorus, sermon’s text as signal intermittently fades. (SIO 322.Vocal segments to 1903. (S Africa SDR)

Ethiopia
Amhara Radio 6090 kHz. Tune-in 1905 to news script format in presumed Amharic. Ethiopian music with announcer’s voice-overs. Fair signal SIO 322. (Qatar SDR)


Germany
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty via Lampertheim relay; 11850 kHz. Tune-in 1400 (SIO 323) // 15450 (SIO 222) Announcer’s Tajik service schedule to 1600. Udon, Thailand relay with excellent signal on 15255 from 1420 with Turkmen text. Kuwait relay audible from 1425 ID on 11790. Uzbek service via Woofferton, UK relay from 1428 on 11790 // 15310 kHz. NLD & Qatar SDR)

Iran
VOIRI/Pars Today 6060 kHz. Arabic service covering items about Iran into program intros. Islamic feature with commentary. SIO 433. Opening instrumentals on 7235 kHz at 1920. Station ID, station frequency quote into French service. (Qatar SDR)

Kuwait
Radio Kuwait Classical Arabic Music Channel, 1269 kHz (100 kW). Arabic vocals to classical music and intermittent Arabic text over music segments. Schedule listed to 0000 UTC. Enjoyable Arabic music. Kuwait’s Quran Prgm in Arabic noted on 630 kHz (24 hour schedule) with SIO 434. (Qatar SDR)




Malaysia
RTM Sarawak WAI FM 9835 kHz at 1225 tune-in. Lady’s Malay item to Asian rap vocals and jingle format. Station ID at 1230 Additional Asian pops, and PSA’s about Covid. Mentions of Malaysia to additional pop tunes. Parallel frequency 11665 not heard. (Philippine SDR)


ORTM Mali signal on 9635 kHz
Mali 
ORTM Mali, 9635 kHz. Tune-in 1755 to mbira music, followed by ethnic vocals to 1759. Time tips signal tones to drum instrumental segment, closing on 9635. Shifted to 5995 kHz from 1800. Very weak (SIO 222) ethnic vocals to announcer’s French items at 1815. (Sevilla, Spain SDR)



Philippines
FEBC Philippines, 9275 // 9400. Good signals from 1243 tune-in. Chinese religious text format. This schedule to 1600 and 2230-0000 UTC. Khmer service on 13870;  1100-1300 UTC.  Occasional ID breaks and station info. (Philippine SDR)

Poland
Polskie Radio 1, 225 kHz LW. Tune-in 1253 with Polish announcements. PSA formats and several “Polski” references. Station ID to time ticks at 1300 UTC. Additional ID into national news format. At 1301. (NLD SDR)

United States
USAGM-Radio Farda in Persian from 1445 tune-in on 12005 (300 kW) via Woofferton, UK relay. (NLD SDR)

USAGM-Radio Martí 11930 kHz via Greenville, NC // 11860 // 13605 from 1420-1445. Persistent jamming from Cuba on three frequencies. (Airspy HF Discovery/W6LVP, Brasstown, NC)


Uruguay
Radio Clasica/Rdif Nacional, 650 kHz (25 kW) from 1510-1520. Spanish announcers occasional “canned” ID to classical music programs Radio el Espectador on 810 kHz from 1520. Station’s slogan and items on Uruguay, ads with phone numbers and ID breaks. (50 kW). Radio Monte Carlo 930 kHz (50 kW) from 1525 tune-in. Spanish pop vocals and easy-listening tunes. ID, station promo and singing slogans. Audio parallel with station’s online streaming at http://www.radiomontecarlo.com.uy. Radio Oriental on 770 (50 kW) with promos, and slogans from 1530 tune-in. Program for morning greetings to listener’s, promo for the news and ID. Audio parallel with station’s online streaming at http://www.oriental770.com/ (Montevideo, UR SDR)
(Gayle Van Horn, Teak Publishing, Brasstown, NC)


Monday, August 17, 2020

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins



Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2020 Aug 17 0158 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 10 - 16 August 2020

Solar activity was at very low levels on 10-14 and 16 Aug. Low levels were observed on 15 Aug due to a C2 flare from Region 2770 (N23, L=24, class/area Cso/70 on 07 Aug.

Coronal dimming near S30E30 was observed in GOES-16 SUVI 195 imagery around 16/1700 UTC. An associated CME signature was observed in LASCO C2 imagery at 16/1812 UTC and in the STEREO-A COR2 coronagraph imagery beginning at 16/1824 UTC. Analysis of this event remains underway at the time of this writing. No other Earth-directed CME activity was detected during the period.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at high levels on 10-11 Aug due to coronal hole high speed stream influence. The maximum flux of the period was 2,950 pfu and observed at 10/1550 UTC. Normal to moderate levels were observed on 12-16 Aug.

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet levels throughout the period.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 17 August - 12 September 2020

Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels throughout the 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 01-07 Sep due to recurrent coronal hole high speed stream influence. Normal to moderate levels are expected for the remainder of the outlook period. Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be unsettled to active on 30 Aug, unsettled on 19-20 Aug and 29, 31 Aug-all due to recurrent coronal hole high speed stream influence. Quiet levels are also expected for the remainder of the outlook period.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2020 Aug 17 0158 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 2020-08-17
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2020 Aug 17      70           5          2
2020 Aug 18      70           5          2
2020 Aug 19      70          10          3
2020 Aug 20      70          10          3
2020 Aug 21      70           5          2
2020 Aug 22      70           5          2
2020 Aug 23      70           5          2
2020 Aug 24      71           5          2
2020 Aug 25      71           5          2
2020 Aug 26      71           5          2
2020 Aug 27      71           5          2
2020 Aug 28      72           5          2
2020 Aug 29      72           8          3
2020 Aug 30      73          16          4
2020 Aug 31      73           8          3
2020 Sep 01      73           5          2
2020 Sep 02      73           5          2
2020 Sep 03      73           5          2
2020 Sep 04      73           5          2
2020 Sep 05      73           5          2
2020 Sep 06      72           5          2
2020 Sep 07      72           5          2
2020 Sep 08      72           5          2
2020 Sep 09      72           5          2
2020 Sep 10      71           5          2
2020 Sep 11      71           5          2
2020 Sep 12      70           5          2
(NOAA)

Saturday, August 15, 2020

From the Isle of Music and Uncle Bill's Melting Pot schedules, August 16-22


From the Isle of Music, August 16-22: 
This week, our special guest is Gastón Allen, director of Orquesta Hermanos Avilés, which was founded in 1882 and is Cuba's earliest band that still performs today. Some fascinating history and some excellent dance music.

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 on WBCQ, 7490 kHz from Monticello, ME, USA (Monday 8-9PM EDT 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 uplinks from various websdrs in Europe.

NEW:  For Europe and possibly beyond, Friday 1600-1700 UTC on Channel 292, 9670 kHz from Rohrbach, Germany. If you don't have a shortwave radio or are out of range, you can listen live to uplinks from various websdrs in Europe.
Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/fromtheisleofmusic/  
Our V-Kontakte page is  https://vk.com/fromtheisleofmusic 
Our Patreon page is  https://www.patreon.com/tilford 

Uncle Bill's Melting Pot, August 16, 18 and 21: 
Episode 178 features several styles of music from Uruguay.
The transmissions take place:

Sundays 2200-2300 (6:00PM -7:00PM EDT) 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 2000-2100 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 different web SDRs in Europe
including a live uplink from a listening radio in the Netherlands at http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/?tune=6070am  

NEW: Fridays 1700-1800 UTC on Channel 292, 9670 kHz from Rohrbach, Germany for Europe and beyond.
If you don't have a shortwave radio or are out of range, you can listen live to an uplink from different web SDRs in Europe
including a live uplink from a listening radio in the Netherlands at http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/?tune=9670am 
Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/UncleBillsMeltingPot/ 
Our V-Kontakte page is  https://vk.com/fromtheisleofmusic 
Our Patreon page is https://www.patreon.com/tilford 

William "Bill" Tilford, Owner/Producer
Tilford Productions, LLC
email: bill@tilfordproductions.com
Website: www.tilfordproductions.com

Friday, August 14, 2020

Four Radio Stations Knocked Silent by Midwest Derecho Storm

Iowa's Derecho Weather Map (WTHR.com)

The Midwest derecho storm that swept across Iowa this week with winds that topped 100mph has left at least four radio stations off the air according to an update from the Federal Communications Commission.

It activated its Disaster Information Reporting System or DIRS to get a fix on how bad things were. The response shows that as of Today three FM and one AM were still off the air. The list included Alpha Media’s hot AC “Energy 106.7” KRTI and soft AC KGRN (1410) in Grinnell, IA; Kirkwood Community College’s jazz KCCK-FM Cedar Rapids (88.3), and the low-power KRQC-LP (107.9) in the Quad Cites market. No television stations were off the air, according to the FCC.

Meantime, iHeartMedia “News Radio 600” WMT Cedar Rapids also lost one of its three towers in the storm but it is now operating with low power. In a filing with the FCC it said the loss of the tower means did not impact is daytime nondirectional signal, but it won’t be able to use its regular nighttime signal pattern.

The station asked the FCC to allow it to run with the daytime pattern at a 25% power cut after dark until it is able to make the repairs. WMT is the go-to news source in central Iowa and iHeart understated that telling the FCC that “the interests of the public will be served” by allowing the station to stay on the air during its repairs.

Radio is especially important right now in the region. The FCC reported on Thursday that 12.4% of the cell phone towers in central Iowa are not operational.
(Radio Insight 14 Aug 2020)

Additional story at USA Today - Iowans grapple with aftermath Monday's deadline derecho, 'a disaster we have never seen':
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/08/14/iowa-derecho-deadly-storm-power-outages-national-guard/5581492002/

WBCQ acquires World Harvest Radio



Family Broadcasting Corporation is selling shortwave Christian “World Harvest Radio” WHRI Furman, South Carolina, to Allan Weiner for $1.25 million. Weiner also owns shortwave Talk “The Planet” WBCQ Monticello , Maine, as well as Talk/Rock 780 WXME/98.3 W252DW and Classic Country “Kixx 94.7” WBCQ-FM Monticello.

The seller owns multiple Christian television stations as well as Christian AC “Pulse-FM” 103.1 WHME South Bend IN, 96.9 WHPZ Bremen IN, and 92.1 WHPD Dowagiac MI.

Fifth Estate Broadcasting donates Full Service AAA “102.9 The Mater” 1430 WHAN/102.9 W275BQ Ashland VA to Stu-Comm Inc. WHAN, which serves the northern portions of the Richmond market, will join Stu-Comm’s AAA WNRN network joining 1590 WFTH/88.5 W203CB/103.1 W276BZ Richmond..
Additional article at Rradio Insigh: https://radioinsight.com/headlines/195902/station-sales-week-of-8-14/

Shortwave Radiogram weekend schedule


Hello friends,

Apologies for the late start last weekend of the Friday 1300-1300 UTC broadcast on 15770 kHz. When it finally came on the air about halfway in to the half-hour, reception was great here in the mid-Atlantic USA. The Saturday 1330-1400 UTC show, also on 15770, was transmitted in its entirety, but reception in North America was not good. It did reach Europe, however. Such is the daily variability of shortwave.

We had fun last week with the two exotic modes. The Hell 80 was visible most places.  It's not very practical, but it interesting to try occasionally. The 32xPSK63R (1760 wpm!) failed to achieve a 100% decode in most places, as expected. There, however, some successes. Most were one hop from the transmitter. Some were as far as California and Europe (see this example from France).  The 32xPSK63R mode might be useful for reliable, short-hop circuits in which a large amount of content -- such as a formatted web page -- needs to be sent without taking too much time. 

Videos of last weekend's Shortwave Radiogram (program 164) are provided by Scott in Ontario (Saturday 1330 UTC), Brijesh E.P using an SDR in Texas (Sunday 0800 UTC on 5850 kHz), and Ralf in Germany (Sunday 2330 UTC). 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 ten images (1 x MFSK32 and 9 x MFSK64).

Here is the lineup for Shortwave Radiogram, program 165, 13-16 August 2020, in MFSK modes as noted:

 1:42  MFSK32: Program preview
 2:47  Excerpt of Belarusian report from RFE/RL* **
 7:12  MFSK64: Telegram circumvents Belarus's blocked internet
12:32  This week's images*
28:25  MFSK32: Closing announcements

* with image(s)
** use UTF-8 character set (default in Fldigi and TIVAR) for the Cyrillic text

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 Gateway Wiki https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Shortwave_Radiogram_Gateway

Shortwave Radiogram Transmission Schedule
UTC Day UTC Time Frequency Transmitter
Saturday 0230-0300 UTC 9265 kHz WINB Pennsylvania
Saturday 1330-1400 UTC 15770 kHz WRMI Florida
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 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” 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 0200-0300 UTC on 5850 kHz (Wednesday evening in the Americas) and a new time also on WRMI, Wednesdays at 2100-2200 UTC on 7780 kHz (aimed towards Europe) . Also look for a waterfall ID at the beginning of the show. thisisamusicshow@gmail.com .  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. 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 2300 UTC (7 pm EDT) on 3536 kHz USB.

Thanks for your reception reports!
Kim

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