Friday, December 29, 2023

New Year's Eve broadcast from Radio Andorra

 

 'Radio Andorra' will be on the air on 31 December for the four-hour New Year's Eve programme "42 ans de Dance Music sur Radio Andorre" from 2000-2400 UTC on 7540 kHz.  

The "Aqui Radio Andorra" Facebook page now confirms that 7540 kHz will be via Armenia with 100 kW for the first two hours, and 300kW 'from 11pm' (I think that is French time - so probably from 220UTC).

Thanks to Christian Ghibaudo for the tip.
(BDXC/Alan Roe, Teddington, UK)

Radio Thailand schedule update from 01 January 2024

 


Radio Thailand World Service posted this schedule update on Facebook today, taking effect on 1 January.


Dear listeners around the world We would like to inform you about an important update regarding the schedule of the Radio Thailand World Service (Shortwave Radio Program). 

Effective January 1st, 2024, there will be a change in the broadcast schedule. The new schedule will take effect at 0000 UTC.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
Best regards,
Radio Thailand World Service
0000-0030  English  13750
0200-0230  English  13750
0500-0530  English  17640
1200-1230  English  9385
1230-1245  Mandarin  9940
1245-1300  Malaysian  9940
1300-1315  Japanese  9940
1800-1830  English  7475
1830-1930  English  7475
(BDXC/Alan Roe, Teddington, UK)

Repost reminder for DR Kalundborg last broadcast on December 31

 


DR Kalundb 243kHz. Information and Program Schedule.

Yduns MW Info, December 19

Translated from Danish:

Her Majesty Queen Margrethe will get the last word on longwave when DR shuts down the signal from Gisseløre [Kalundborg 243 kHz] on December 31, according to the daily Nordvestnyt on Saturday.
From 15-18 [14.00-17.00 UTC] on New Year’s Eve, DR will broadcast a mix of what has been sent through the station’s 96-years lifespan, in particular music programs but also historical radio clips about and from the station itself.
Exactly at 18 [17.00 UTC], Queen Margrethe’s New Year’s speech will be broadcast live, after which the well-known pause signal “Jeg drømte mig en drøm i nat” [I dreamed a dream last night] fades out and will mark the final switch off of the signal.
Kalundborg Langbølgesender FB group (2023-12-18)

The carrier is switched on some minutes before the start of the interval signal (IS) and stays on for some time after the end of each broadcast.

For a fine reception, you should use the very sensitive Danish SDR (Software Defined Radio) located near Skanderborg in Eastern Jutland: www.85.191.35.22:8073
Also, there is generally very good reception using the University Enschede Twente SDR receiver, and north German SDRs.

About the programs:
The interval signal (IS) at the start of the broadcasts is a recording of the mechanically played IS and is an old Danish song, “I dreamt a dream tonight about silk and rich clothes…“. It was used for the first time on August 28, 1931.
The other interval signal heard is composed for the long wave broadcasts.
Weather forecasts: They were broadcast directly from the Danish Meteorological Office. The forecasts terminated at 11.45 CET on November 1st, 2023, and were replaced by a short info program and
interval signal.
The News relays are taken from DR’s P4.
The Church Service is broadcast live from the Cathedral of Copenhagen, but remotely controlled. Also broadcast on DR P2 and DR TV channel 2.
The Excercises, “ Body and Movement“, are a number of old recordings, each lasting 10 minutes.
Marine Intelligence, broadcast from the Defence Operations Center, including gunnery practices at the end. The information is repeated.

The very last broadcast is on December 31, at 17.40-approx. 18.30 CET. Information in Danish about the closure of 243 kHz: www.dr.dk/am (use Google translate).

Thursday, December 28, 2023

Logging observations from Canada and Spain

 

Listening at my DXing site in Canada, outside of the city, with a CommRadio CR-1a and a Wellbrook ALA-1530LN loop


Ascension Island
21630 BBC World Service at 1749, Dec. 27, in English, ID, news magazine program. Poor.
17780 BBC World Service at 1842, Dec. 27, in English, some people sharing memories from their pasts. Fair.

Austria
17765 Adventist World Radio at 1754, Dec. 27, in Masai with talk and instrumental music, 1758 a few announcements and off at 1759. Poor.

Eswatini
13800 Trans World Radio at 1804, Dec. 27, in Arabic, man and woman with Christian programming, 1805 into a dramatization. Good.
7410  Trans World Radio at 1927, Dec. 27, in Portuguese, man preaching, 1930 hymn. Fair.

Madagascar
13670 African Pathways Radio signing on at 1800, Dec. 27, in English, beginning with This Day in History feature. Good.
7445 BBC World Service at 1908, Dec. 27, in English, interviews with foreign correspondents about 2023
11965 African Pathways Radio at 2017, Dec. 27, in English, Christmas song, 2020 interview. Good.

Philippines
12120 Radyo Pilipinas at 1834, Dec. 27, man speaking in Tagalog, some background music. Poor, //15190 very poor.
9800  VOA at 1903, Dec. 27, in Korean, woman with news. Good. //7465 poor.

United Kingdom
15510 FEBA Radio Sama, via Woofferton, at 1827 in Fur language, a man with prayer, announcements, music, switched to Arabic at 1830 with two men talking. Fair.

Vatican State
9705 Vatican Radio at 2000, Dec. 27, in English, man and woman with sign on, ID. Very poor, //11870 also very poor.

Vietnam
11885 Voice of Vietnam at 1900 sign-on, Dec. 27, in English, man and woman. Very weak.
(Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Canada)


Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain (logs from Friol, northwest of Spain)

Sangean ATS-909X, Tecsun PL-880, cable antenna, 8 meters.

Bangladesh
4750, Bangladesh Betar, Shavar, 1844-1856, 24-12, English, comments. 25432.

Brazil 
5940.2, Voz Missionaria, Camboriú, 0631-0655, 25-12, religious and Christmas songs. 34433.
6010, Radio lnconfidencia, Belo Horizonte, 0627-0712, 25-12, Brazilian songs, id. “Inconfidencia de Radio”. 25432.
6150, Radio Saturno, Belo Horizonte, 0618-0758, 25-12, Brazilian songs, Portuguese, comments. At 0758 eclipsed by Europa 24, Germany, signing on. 25432.
9550, Radio Boa Vontade, Porto Alegre, 2148-2202, 24-12, religious comments and songs. // 11895. 14421.
11780, Radio Nacional da Amazonia, Brasilia, 1814-1827, 24-12, Brazian songs. 25432.
11895, Radio Boa Vontade, Porto Alegre, 2150-2158, 24-12, religious comments, male. // 9550. 14421.

Colombia
5910, Alcaraván Radio, Puerto Lleras, 0631-0723, 25-12, Spanish, religious comments, religious and Latin American songs. 25432.

Cuba
4765, Radio Progreso, Bejucal, 0341-0349, 25-12, Cuban songs. 35433.

Denmark
5970, Radio 208, Hvidovre, 0735-0743, 25-12, rock and pop songs in English. 25432.

Germany 
6085, Radio Mi Amigo International, Kall Krekel, 0806-0823, 25-12, songs in English, oldies, English, comments, id. “Radio Mi Amigo…”. 25432.
6095, Radio SE-TA-2, Nauen, 0929-0938, 25-12, German, songs, comments. 35433.
6150, Europa 24, Datteln, *0758-0821, 25-12, id. in English “Europa 24”, German, id. news, comments, songs. 24432.
9670, Six International, Rohrbach, 1000-1012, English, id. “Radio Six International”, comments, songs, oldies. 35433.

Japan
6115, Radio Nikkei 2, Chiba-Nagara, 0743-0812, 25-12, pop songs in English. 13321,

Liberia
6050, ELWA Radio, Monrovia, 0617-0634, 25-12, English, Christmas songs, religious comments. 25432.

Madagascar
7445, BBC World Service, Talata-volonondry, 1620-1633, 24-12, Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, at 1630 BBC news. 35433.

Mexico
6185, Radio Educación, Ciudad de México, 0703-0738, 25-12, music, Spanish, comments. 15421.

Netherlands
5955, Radio Veronica, Westdorpe, 0629-0649, 25-12, songs in English, oldies, id. “Radio Veronica”, Dutch, comments. 35433.
6110, Radio Delta International, Elburg, 1816-1827, 24-12, songs in English, id. “Delta Radio”, English, comments. 35433.
Also heard 0701-0724, 25-12, English, comments, id. “Radio Delta, Elburg”, “Christmas celebration from Radio Delta”, songs in English. 35433.
12030, Radio Delta International, Elburg, 0933-0955, 25-12, English, “Merry Christmas from Radio Delta”, reading messages from listeners, and songs in English. 35433.

New Zealand
13755, Radio New Zealand International, Rangitaiki, 1040-1052, 25-10, Christmas church service, “Cook Islands Christian Church Service”, “Merry Christmas”. 45444.

Tajikistan
4765, Tajik Radio, Dushanbe, 1857-1935, Tajik, comments, songs. Very weak. 15421.

Tibet
7385, PSB Xizang, Lhasa, Tibet, 1635-1647, 24-12, English, program “Holy Tibet”. // 4905. 34433.

USA, 15770, NDR – Gruss an Bord (Greetings on board), Okeechobee, 1850-1857, 24-12, German, comments. // 6080, 6030, 9635, 11650, 13725. 35433.

Uzbekistan
6080, NDR – Gruss an Bord (Greetings on board), *1800-1817, 24-12, music, German, id. “Gruss an Bord”, comments, male, female, songs. // 9635, 11650, 13725. 35433.

Vanuatu
9960, Radio Vanuatu, Port Vila, 0623-0658*, 25-12, Bislama, English, comments, Island songs. QRM on 9955. 13321.

Vatican State
9710, Vatican Radio, Santa Maria di Galeria, 1826-1842, 24-12, Holy Mass, French comments. 45444.
11875, Vatican Radio, Santa Maria di Galeria, 1831-1846, 24-12, Holy Mass, English comments, 35433.
17735, Vatican Radio, Santa Maria di Galeria, 1056-1122, 25-12, Christmas Message and Urbi et Orbi Blessing, English comments. 45444.
21565, Vatican Radio, Santa Maria di Galeria, 1100-1119, 25-12, Christmas Message and Urbi et Orbi Blessing, Portuguese comments.

Zambia
4965, Voice of Hope Africa, Lusaka, 1840-1853, 24-12, religious songs in English. 15331.

KBS World Radio adjust English service on January 1

 


Due to a technical issue, KBS WOorld Radio’s English Service will make an inevitable adjustment in the shortwave frequency and time as follows as of January 1, 2024. We ask for your kind understanding. Please send your listener feedback to English Service via email, snail mail, website, and social media as always. Thank you.


 January 1st, 2024
Frequency (kHz) 9580 9570
Time (UTC) 02:00-03:00 11:00-12:00
Target Area South America Southeast Asia

Polish Government Dissolves Public Broadcasters in Media Row

 


(Bloomberg) -- Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s cabinet placed public television and radio under liquidation after the president vetoed legislation providing subsidies to the state-run media amid a political standoff over the broadcasters.

Culture Minister Bartomiej Sienkiewicz said on Wednesday that Telewizja Polska SA, Polskie Radio SA, and news agency Polska Agencja Prasowa SA have been disbanded after a “suspension in financing” due to President Andrzej Duda’s veto. The liquidation status will help to efficiently restructure public media and avoid layoffs amid a lack of public funding, the ministry said.

Earlier, Tusk said he was willing to work with Duda and members of the opposition Law & Justice party in the future to create a “more balanced public media” landscape and a stable funding system replacing the current finance ministry subsidies. His cabinet’s decision last week to reshuffle the management ranks of public broadcasters fueled sit-in protests by Law and justice officials, who lost their governing majority in an October election.

Additional story: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/polish-government-dissolves-public-broadcasters-173411520.html

(Bloomberg photo)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

 Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts

:Issued: 2023 Dec 25 0302 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/content/subscription-services
#
#                Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 18 - 24 December 2023


Solar activity was at low to moderate (R1-Minor) levels over the past week. Moderate levels were observed on 21-22 Dec and 24 Dec. The strongest event was an M4.2/1n flare (R1) at 21/0538 UTC from Region 3519 (S12, L=71, class/area=Dai/180 on 21 Dec). Other, lower, M-class (R1) events were observed from Region 3529 (S19, L=345, class/area=Dko/450 on 20 Dec) and event from just beyond the SE limb on 24 Dec. The other 18 numbered active regions either produced only C-class activity or were relatively quiet. 

Other activity included a ~22-degree filament eruption, centered near N48W35, that began around 24/0920 UTC. A subsequent CME signature was observed in SOHO/LASCO C2 imagery at 24/1224 UTC. Another CME from a filament eruption, centered near S20E48, was observed after 24/1438 UTC. Modeling of the two events suggested a potential glancing blow late on the 27th and in to the 28th of Dec. No other Earth-directed CMEs were identified in available coronagraph imagery. 

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached high levels on 21-22 Dec due to elevated geomagnetic activity earlier in the week. The remainder of the period was at normal to moderate levels. 

Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storm levels. G2 conditions observed on 28 Dec were in response to the waning portion of a CME that left the Sun over 14-15 Dec. Solar wind speeds were just under 500 km/s and the Bz component was near -10 nT around the time of the activity. Conditions decreased to active levels as transient influence weakened over 19-20 Dec. Mostly quiet to unsettled levels were observed for the remainder of the week (21-24 Dec). 

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 25 December - 20 January 2024

Solar activity is expected to be at low levels, with a chance for moderate levels (R1-R2/Minor-Moderate), throughout the outlook period. Increased potential for activity is due to multiple R1 events or greater producing regions either on the visible disk or due to return in the coming weeks. 

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to reach high levels over 31 Dec - 05 Jan and 09-12 Jan due to multiple anticipated CH HSSs. The remainder of the outlook period is likely to be at moderate levels. 

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to range from quiet to active levels. Active levels over 27-28 Dec are due to potential CME influence. Active conditions on 30 Dec and unsettled conditions on 31 Dec - 02 Jan and 08-10 Jan are likely due to anticipated influence from multiple, recurrent CH HSSs. The remainder of the outlook period is likely to be mostly quiet. 

:Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:

Issued: 2023 Dec 25 0303 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC contact on the Web
#
#      27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
#                Issued 2023-12-25
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2023 Dec 25     180           5          2
2023 Dec 26     170           5          2
2023 Dec 27     165          10          4
2023 Dec 28     162          12          4
2023 Dec 29     155           5          2
2023 Dec 30     145          12          4
2023 Dec 31     140          10          3
2024 Jan 01     140           8          3
2024 Jan 02     140           8          3
2024 Jan 03     140           5          2
2024 Jan 04     150           5          2
2024 Jan 05     150           5          2
2024 Jan 06     150           5          2
2024 Jan 07     150           5          2
2024 Jan 08     155          10          3
2024 Jan 09     155          10          3
2024 Jan 10     155           8          3
2024 Jan 11     155           5          2
2024 Jan 12     150           5          2
2024 Jan 13     155           5          2
2024 Jan 14     160           5          2
2024 Jan 15     170           5          2
2024 Jan 16     175           5          2
2024 Jan 17     180           5          2
2024 Jan 18     180           5          2
2024 Jan 19     180           5          2
2024 Jan 20     180           5          2
(NOAA)

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Pop Shop Radio slated for New Years programs

 


NEW YEARS SHOW NUMBER 1 -- 250,000 watts via Woofferton beamed to North America
0200 UT on 30 December on 5960 kHz

This show will be repeated on Channel 292 (10,000 watts) on 3955, 6070, and 9670 kHz at 2200 UT on 31 December. 9670 will have a beam to North America

NEW YEARS SHOW NUMBER 2 
In addition to this, our regular show will air as the normal schedule
Channel 292: 3955 and 9670 kHz
1700 UT 27 Dec and 22 UT 30 Dec
WRMI: 5950 kHz
2100 ET 31 Dec which is 0200 1 Jan

Although shows 1 and 2 will have different content, they will both be mega-music shows with 25 records per show!

Cheers
Tony Pavick

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Holiday programming from SE-TA 2

 


As a Christmas and post-Christmas "listening treat" I would like to announce broadcasts

from SE-TA 2, Christoph Gerber:

"Musikalischer Frühschoppen"

December 25
25.12.2023 from 10-12:00 CET [0900-1100 UTC] via Nauen on 6095 KHz AM

27.12.2023 from 11:00 CET [1000 UTC] on 6195 KHz in DRM

31.12.2023 from 10-12:00 CET [0900-1100 UTC] on 6115 KHz AM

 
"Let's Go Rock'n Roll"

January 6
06.01.2024 from 12:00 CET [1100 UTC] via Nauen 6095 KHz AM
07.01.2024 from 12:00 CET [1100 UTC] on 6115 KHz AM

08.01.2024 from 11:00 CET [1000 UTC] on 6195 KHz in DRM

 
With kind regards
Detlef Pagel
Chairman German DRM Forum
(BDXC)

Radio Northern Europe International holiday programming

 


The latest from Radio Northern Europe International .....

The RNEI Christmas special will broadcast from 1400-1700  UTC on 5940kHz (125 kW Wooferton, UK) on December 25. 

There will be appearances from Stephen (16 Gwendoline Street), Mamma (M3), DK (DK Radio and Luca (Radio Carpathia) for a party of Christmas and our usual music. 

Website:
Radio Northern Europe International https://rnei.org
(Teak Publishing)

Friday, December 22, 2023

Program summaries from Radio Exterior Espana

 


I have just received program summaries for Radio Exterior de Espana's English language broadcasts for 25, 27 and 29 December as follows:

Monday 25 December 2300UT: Christmas carols and traditions from every corner of Spain, in different regional languages.

Wednesday 27 December 2300UT: Giving in the holiday season: "Una sonrisa por navidad" (A smile for Christmas) is a campaign that seeks to brighten the holiday season for the less fortunate. We interview María Mompó, the project coordinator.

Friday 29 December: Ringing in the new year: the workers at the Relojería Losada are the watchmakers in charge of maintaining the clock that strikes midnight on New Year's every year from Madrid's Puerta del Sol. We interview Jesús Lopez Terrada, of the relojería, about the preparations for the New Year. We also read listener letters and emails that we have received throughout 2023.

I have added these to the Holiday Programmes on Shortwave list (which is now at version 4) now available to download from 

Once again: best wishes for Christmas and a Happy New Year
(BDXC/Alan Roe, Teddington, UK)

SAQ Grimeton Radio Station scheduled for Christmas Eve programming

 

 
On Christmas Eve morning, Sunday December 24th 2023, SAQ Grimeton is scheduled* to be on the air, to send out the traditional Christmas message to the whole world, using the 200kW Alexanderson alternator from 1924, on 17.2 kHz CW.  

Program and transmission schedule:
08:00 CET (07:00 UTC: The transmitter hall at World Heritage Grimeton is opened for visitors.

Transmission & YouTube Live stream:
08:25 CET (07:25 UTC): Live stream on YouTube begins.
08:30 CET (07:30 UTC): Startup and tuning of the Alexanderson Alternator SAQ.
09:00 CET (08:00 UTC): Transmission of a message from SAQ.

Test transmissions
We are planning to carry our some test transmissions on Friday, December 22nd, approximately between 13:00 CET (12:00 UTC) and 16:00 CET (15:00 UTC). SAQ will be on the air shorter periods of time during this interval, when we will be carrying out some tests and measurements. Your comments are welcome to info@alexander.n.se.

Live Video from World Heritage Grimeton Radio Station
The event can be seen live on our YouTube Channel or by following the link below.

Live Video Stream from World Heritage Grimeton Radio Station. 
Scheduled at 08:25 CET (07:25 UTC) on Dec 24th, 2023 

QSL reports to SAQ are most welcome and appreciated!

For guaranteed E-QSL from us,
please report using our 
ONLINE QSL FORM.

We can not guarantee that reports by Email /  bureau will be confirmed.
The online form will be open from October 24th until January 14th, 2024.

Amateur Radio Station SK6SAQ
The Amateur Radio Station with the call “SK6SAQ” will be QRV on the following frequencies:
– 3517.2 kHz CW
– 7017.2 kHz CW
– 14017.2 KHz CW
– 3755 kHz SSB
– 7140 kHz SSB

QSL-reports to SK6SAQ (NOT SAQ) are kindly received via:
- Email to info@alexander.n.se
- or via: SM bureau
- or direct by postal mail (link to address here)
Two stations will be on the air most of the time.

Visiting World Heritage Grimeton Radio Station
Visitors are most welcome to World Heritage Grimeton Radio Station on Christmas morning, Dec 24th. The doors to the transmitter hall will open at 08:00 CET.
Pre-booking is recommend. Get your free entrance ticket here.
We will offer all visitors free coffee with Christmas buns and ginger snaps.
Read more about the event on World Heritage Grimeton Radio Station Facebook page.

Join the Alexander Team!
We welcome you as a member of the Alexander SAQ Grimeton Friendship Association, to support our non-profit activities in preserving, documenting and bringing to life the unique Alexanderson alternator from 1924. 

As a member, you have 10% discount on the World Heritage Grimeton Radio Station gift shop and café (not ice cream) and free entrance to the evening tours and the Alexanderson Day event, by showing your membership card. Four times per year, you will receive our online magazine “Alternatorn”, exclusively available only to our members.
Members also get access to our online library with lots of unique historical documents about SAQ and the Alexanderson alternator. 
NEW! Our library now also includes several SAQ educational videos. 

Membership costs SEK 125 / year.
APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP 
Help us to keep SAQ Grimeton operational.
Just a small donation will be of great help to us, in our work to keep SAQ in operational condition. Your donation will go to the work of maintaining, displaying and running the historical Alexanderson alternator, as well as passing on knowledge to current and future generations.
(BDXC)


Annual Christmas Eve programming schedule from "Gruss an Bord"




GERMANY (FRANCE/USA/UZBEKISTAN)
Gruss an Bord, Greetings on Board transmission, December 24, 2023 at 1800-2100 UTC.
 
"Gruss an Bord" NDR Hamburg: So empfangen Sie die Sendung 2023: In der Zeit von 18 bis 21 Uhr UTC (19 bis 22 Uhr MEZ/CET) sendet die Kurzwelle ueber folgende Frequenzen (UTC ist die Abkuerzung fuer die koordinierte Weltzeit, Universal Time Coordinated):
 
"Gruss an Bord" via Kurzwelle Frequenz Zielgebiet
 
15770 kHz Atlantik - Nordwest, RMI Okeechobee-FL-USA
13725 kHz Atlantik - Sued      MBR Nauen, Germany
 6030 kHz Atlantik - Nordost   TDF Issoudun France
 9635 kHz Indischer Ozean      MBR Nauen, Germany
11650 kHz Atlantik, Indischer Ozean, (SoAF)  TDF Issoudun France
 6080 kHz Europa     CRRT RRTM Telecom Tashkent Uzbekistan SW Transmitting
 
in B-22 last year:
15770 1800-2100 RMI 100 NDR USA MBR Atlantic Northwest
 6030 1800-2100 ISS 250 NDR F   MBR Atlantic Northeast
13725 1800-2100 NAU 250 NDR D   MBR Atlantic South
11650 1800-2100 ISS 250 NDR F   MBR Atlantic Indian Ocean (South Africa)
 9740 1800-2100 NAU 250 NDR D   MBR Indian Ocean
 6080 1800-2100 TAC 100 NDR UZB MBR Europe
 
<https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/info/Gruss-an-Bord-So-empfangen-Sie-
die-Sendung-2023,grussanbord814.html>
 (via Manuel Mendez-Spain, BrDXC-UK iogr Nov 23/TopNews/NASWA)

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Holidays Programs on Shortwave - Version 3.1 update

 


The fully updated third edition of Holiday Programmes on Shortwave (version 3.1) is now available to download from https://app.box.com/s/kbdxb4c5lwpju0kpoi27aiwc35br2g2a   

This covers the holiday period up to Monday 1 January 2024. The list includes seasonal and non-seasonal programming. Regular weekly music programming, where no special advance program information has been provided, are not generally included in this list, but please refer to my Music on Shortwave list also available from the above links.

In the event that further information becomes available, I will issue incremental updates and post to the above permanent links. Note however, that these will most likely not be announced in social media posts (unless there have been significant changes) so you may wish to check the above links from time to time.
Once again: best wishes for Christmas and a Happy New Year
(BDXC/Alan Roe, Teddington, UK)

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Sweden: The Asphalt Telegraph - Asfaltstelegrafen 1494 kHz

 

Hello! In the midst of all the closure hysteria on mediumwave, we invest here in Sweden!! Since our national broadcaster had stopped broadcasting 13 years ago, we think it’s time to invest again!

We have purchased a brand new 1 kW AM transmitter that is tuned to 1494 kHz. Unfortunately, we have not received a permanent license, which is completely incomprehensible, but we have in any case received a 14-day license from December 23, 2023 to January 5, 2024 on 1494 kHz again. The station has moved within the country [Sweden], so now the reception may be a little worse to the south, but still better north and east in Finland instead. Unfortunately, we will not be on air every day, we at the station have a regular job to attend to.

All listener mail is welcome at the following email: 1494khz@gmail.com
Torleif, Asfalttelegrafen, Ludvika 
(via Jari Lehtinen, SDXL Finland 7.12.23 https://sdxl.fi/asvalttilennatin-lennattelee-jouluna/ )
Was logged in the UK back in winter of 2019/20.
(Alan Penningtn/BDXC)

welle370 scheduled for special broadcast on shortwave

 


Listen to the Christmas concert as scheduled below: 

22 December 2023 at 1300 UTC (2:00 PM local Germany)

Frequency: 
6095 kHz  from Nauen, Germany
5960 kHz from Moosbrunn, Austria

Monday, December 18, 2023

The radio scene in Bermuda - Part 1


 Jeff: Today we’re taking a look at the radio scene in Bermuda, beginning with the early wireless scene and broadcasting on shortwave. First, though, Ray has some interesting information about Bermuda itself.


Ray: Thanks, Jeff.  The British dependency of Bermuda is made up of more than 300 islands with a total area of just 21 square miles, though only 20 islands are inhabited.  These islands are the most northerly coral atoll in the world and they lie midway between eastern Canada and the Caribbean islands, nearly 700 miles out in the Atlantic from New York City.  Another claim to fame is that the Bermuda Islands form the fifth smallest country in the world.

The Bermuda Islands lay virtually undiscovered and uninhabited for millennia, though it is known that survivors from occasional shipwrecks did spend at least a short while on the islands before departing again for the Americas or their return to Europe.  In the year 1505, the Spanish explorer Captain Juan de Bermudez visited the islands intentionally and charted them for the first time.

The first permanent settlers on Bermuda came, again, from a shipwreck.  The ship ‘Sea Venture’ was carrying colonists from England to North America and the ship was destroyed in a storm near Bermuda.  Most of the survivors left later for the Americas, though two remained on the main island.  Five years later, a boatload of passengers from England established the first deliberate attempt at colonizing the islands.

The total population these days is around 60,000, although 100,000 tourists flock to the islands each year.  The capital city is Hamilton, located on the main island, of Bermuda.

Another claim to fame for these isolated islands in the Atlantic is that they gave their name to the so-called ‘Bermuda Triangle’.  The story goes that an inordinate number of ships and airplanes have mysteriously disappeared in the triangular area between Bermuda, the Bahamas, and Puerto Rico.

However, one historian has researched a large number of these disappearances and in his book, he provides a logical explanation for each incident.  In addition, he also states that the number of apparently strange disappearances in this ‘Bermuda Triangle’ is really no more than the same statistical ratio as elsewhere in the world, when the busy flow of shipping and aircraft through the area is taken into account.

The first known wireless station in Bermuda itself was established by the British Royal Navy somewhere around the year 1913, and it was on the air under the irregular callsign QWC.
During the following year, 1914, the British government bought a large property on Somerset Island and constructed a large wireless listening station with very tall towers.  By this time, the station callsign was regularized according to the latest international prefixes and it was identified on air with the callsign BZR.

The story of radio broadcasting in Bermuda didn’t actually begin in the islands, though, but rather just outside London, England!  For it was there, in Caterham, Surrey, that radio experimenter Gerald Marcuse first obtained the amateur experimental call sign G2NM soon after the end of WWI.  In the 1920s, radio experimenters were encouraged, perhaps even expected, to transmit radio broadcast programming, usually on medium wave, but sometimes on shortwave also. During the year 1927, Gerald Marcuse, G2NM, made successful contact with an amateur radio operator living in Bermuda.  This trans-Atlantic communication grew into regular communication, and the Bermudan radio operator often relayed the voice communications, and sometimes the radio programming from England, for other listeners in the islands.

The success of these relays in Bermuda sparked an interest in Gerald Marcuse in the concept of radio broadcasting on SW, perhaps even to the entire British Empire, and he applied to the licensing authorities for a permit to broadcast regular programming.  The official permit granted approval for Marcuse to broadcast speech and music for two hours daily, on 23 and 33 meters with a power limit of 1 kw, for an experimental period of just six months, which was subsequently extended for a further six months.

And so, a full five years before the BBC launched its Empire Service in 1932, Gerald Marcuse launched his successful Empire Broadcasts on SW from England. The introductory program from amateur station G2NM in England was a concert primarily beamed to Australia on September 11, 1927.  The Marcuse version of the Empire Broadcasts were on the air daily for almost exactly one year, and they were relayed in Bermuda.

Many QSL cards were issued to verify the reception of these broadcasts, and Gerald Marcuse later went on to become president of the Radio Society of Great Britain, the RSGB. 

In January 1932, a new communication radio station was inaugurated in Hamilton, Bermuda under the callsign VRT with a transmitter power rated at 1.5 kW.  This new communication station was noted by SW listeners in the United States in contact with station WNB at Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and with the new passenger liner ‘Monarch of Bermuda’ under the callsign GMBJ. Three months later, the primary callsign for the maritime station in Bermuda was changed to ZFA, with subsidiary callsigns ZFB and ZFD, depending on which shortwave channel was in use.

The callsign for the maritime station in Bermuda subsequently became ZBM, and in more recent times, this was changed to ZBR, which is the current callsign. This station can sometimes be heard with weather reports on 2582 kHz; and yes, they do verify by letter.

In addition, there have been at least three other major communication stations located in Bermuda.  The United States established both an Air Force Base and a Navy Base in Bermuda during World War II; the callsign for the Air Force Base was AFJ, and for the Navy it was NWU. 

Interestingly, the Canadian Navy established their own base in Bermuda back in 1963,
and its communication radio station was licensed with a Canadian callsign, CZB. The Canadian facility was closed 30 years later, in 1993.

Well, that’s as far as we can go this week with the radio story in Bermuda.  After Christmas, we’re planning to present the story of medium-wave broadcasting in Bermuda, and that’s really very interesting also.

Back to you, Jeff.
(Ray Robinson/AWR)

VORW begins new program on December 11

 


Hello shortwave listeners! I wanted to share an exciting update about a new high power broadcast I'll be doing for listeners in Africa, Europe and beyond!

Beginning Monday the 11th of December, 2023 and continuing every Monday – this radio program will now be heard across Africa, Europe & Beyond from a high power transmitter in Issoudun, France.

The broadcast is 1 hour in length and I always consider it to be a light entertainment program. The aim of this radio show is to provide good music and occasional news commentary to listeners worldwide. Oftentimes, listener music requests are taken and played and all are invited to participate.

Here is the broadcast schedule for this additional airing:
Mondays 1900 UTC  – 11920 kHz – Issoudun 100 kW – Africa, Europe, Middle East

For this airing I will resume QSL verification of reception reports, there will be a new QSL every month! 
Reception reports and feedback are most welcome at vorwinfo@gmail.com

That’s all for today, I just wanted to let you all know that there’s a new airing out there if you’d like something to listen to!
John (VORW Radio International.)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

 Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2023 Dec 18 1406 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
#
#                Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 11 - 17 December 2023


Solar activity ranged from low to high levels. Of the 19 numbered active regions that were observed on the visible disk this week, Region 3514 (N05, L=141, class/area=Ekc/470 on 14 Dec) was primarily responsible for the most significant activity. 

The region produced an X2.8 flare (R3-Strong) at 14/1702 UTC, the strongest since Sep 2017. Associated with the event were Type II (est. 2118 km/s) and Type IV radio sweeps, radio burst values with a Castelli-U profile, a Tenflare, and extremely high radio burst fluxes reported by the USAF RSTN observatories. Subsequent coronagraph imagery contained a CME signature with a halo shock and ejecta that was primarily headed toward the SW. This ejecta was modeled alongside other CME-producing events, an M5.8 flare (R2 - Moderate) at 14/0744 UTC, an M2.3 flare (R1 - Minor) at 14/1348 UTC and a double peak M6.9 flare at 15/0734 UTC. The resulting WSA-Enlil output suggested anticipated CME influence for late 16 Dec and through 17 Dec. 

Other activities of note included coronal dimming on 11 Dec and 12 Dec from the vicinity of Region 3514. The X-ray response from these events was below the R1 event threshold but signatures in coronagraph imagery were identified following the events. Modeling and analysis of these events suggested CME influence likely around 14-15 Dec. 

With high levels observed on 14-15 Dec, and moderate levels observed on 17 Dec (all from Region 3514), the remainder of the summary period was at low solar activity levels. Other CME activity observed in coronagraph imagery was determined to not be along the Sun-Earth
line. 

The GOES-16 greater than 10 MeV proton flux briefly exceeded the S1 (Minor) threshold at the very end of the 15 Dec UT day. Flux levels reached a peak of 13.9pfu shortly after at 16/0015 UTC. The proton enhancement was thought to be produced by the combined contribution of the CMEs associated with the X2.8 flare at 14/1702 UTC and the M6.9 flare at 15/0734 UTC. 

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at high levels on 11-12 Dec. Due to an increase in geomagnetic activity, electron flux levels remained at normal to moderate levels from 13-17 Dec. 

Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to G1 (Minor) storm levels. Quiet levels were observed over 11 Dec. An increase to active levels was observed after a brief period of southward Bz reached -12 nT. This was likely caused by a filament eruption on the Sun over 08 Dec. Quiet to unsettled conditions on 13 Dec increased to active levels again on 14 Dec (southward Bz reached ~-11 nT). On 15 Dec, only quiet to unsettled conditions followed the arrival of a CME associated with activity on the Sun over 11-12 Dec. 

An increase to active conditions was observed on 16 Dec when solar wind speeds increased to above 500 km/s. Activity would increase to G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm levels over 17 Dec as CME influence from activity on the Sun over 14-15 Dec passed by Earth. Total magnetic field strength increased to a peak 17 nT and Bz reached as far south -14 nT as the CME passed. Solar wind speeds increased to roughly 550 km/s before decreasing to below 500 km/s by the end of the 17 Dec UT day. 

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 18 December - 13 January 2024


Solar activity is expected to be at low levels, with a chance for moderate activity (R1-R2/Minor-Moderate) throughout the outlook period. 

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to reach high levels due to multiple, recurrent CH HSSs on 20-22 Dec, 03-05 Jan, and 08-10 Jan. The remainder of the outlook period is likely to be at normal to moderate levels. 

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to reach G1 (Minor) storm on 18 Dec due to waning CME influence. Active levels are likely on 19 Dec as solar wind influence is anticipated to transition to a CH HSS. Unsettled levels due to recurrent CH HSSs are also likely on 20-21 Dec, 23 Dec, 30 Dec-02 Jan, and 08-10 Jan. The remainder of the outlook period is expected to be mostly quiet. 

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2023 Dec 18 1406 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/content/subscription-services
#
#      27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
#                Issued 2023-12-18
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2023 Dec 18     147          15          4
2023 Dec 19     145          15          4
2023 Dec 20     140          12          3
2023 Dec 21     138           8          3
2023 Dec 22     136           5          2
2023 Dec 23     136           8          3
2023 Dec 24     140           5          2
2023 Dec 25     145           5          2
2023 Dec 26     148           5          2
2023 Dec 27     145           5          2
2023 Dec 28     145           5          2
2023 Dec 29     145           5          2
2023 Dec 30     145           8          3
2023 Dec 31     150           8          3
2024 Jan 01     145          10          3
2024 Jan 02     140           8          3
2024 Jan 03     138           5          2
2024 Jan 04     136           5          2
2024 Jan 05     136           5          2
2024 Jan 06     140           5          2
2024 Jan 07     145           5          2
2024 Jan 08     148          10          3
2024 Jan 09     145          10          3
2024 Jan 10     145           8          3
2024 Jan 11     145           5          2
2024 Jan 12     145           5          2
2024 Jan 13     150           5          2
(NOAA)

Radio in South Africa Turns 100!

 


Who remembers listening to Radio RSA ? I certainly do! They issued lovely QSL cards, and I hope you have some in your collection. Mike Terry of the British DX Club, shares the following
(Gayle Van Horn W4GVH)

18 December 2023
Radio in South Africa turns 100 years old today. But advances in technology mean the medium is not standing still.

A lengthy but interesting article is here:

Sunday, December 17, 2023

DXtreme Monitor Logs 14 & 15

 New releases  from DXtreme

Special thanks from Bob Raymond

Product 1: DXtreme Monitor Log 14™
Our Flagship Logging Program for Radio Monitoring Enthusiasts
Lets you log stations throughout the radio spectrum.

Your choice of country format: NASWA Countries or ARRL Entities.

Schedule Checker™ helps you find broadcast stations to monitor. Integration with optional Afreet Band Master helps you find ham stations.

Its editable Signal Modes module lets you track the mode your receiver is set to and its editable Transmission Modes module lets you track the mode the target station is transmitting — especially those exotic digital modes like HFDL, STANAG 4285, and MIL-STD-188-141A.

Rig Control via Afreet Omni-Rig and popular SDR applications.

Reception Report creation for requesting QSLs from broadcast and utility stations. eQSL.cc Integration for requesting eQSLs from hams.

Improv Imaging™ and QSL Imaging™ for scanning, capturing, and viewing screenshots, documents, QSLs, and eQSLs.

Performance Reports to track the performance of your monitoring station, including integration with optional Afreet DX Atlas for plot and pin maps. Stations Reports for viewing lists of stations you've monitored and verified by the presence of QSL cards, letters, and eQSLs; audio files including station IDs, and Improv Images showing station IDs on captured decoding applications.


Product 2: DXtreme Station Log 15™
Our Logging Program for Amateur Radio Operators
Provides traditional logging functions, LoTW support, ADIF import, imaging features, and rig control via integration with Afreet Omni-Rig.

Plus JT Log Entry Processing with its management of native WSJT-X and JTDX worked-before notifications as you perform Station Log-centric logging.

Its DX Spot Checker™, with your choice of Rich Site Feed or Grid Feed, shows DX spots, indicates DXCC/VUCC status based on your database, and performs server queries.

Supports Logbook of the World, including your choice of Automatic or Semiautomatic Uploads, capture of LoTW QSO Record Status, processing of Incoming LoTW QSLs, and indication of when other LoTW users last updated.

Features Improv Imaging™ and QSL Imaging™ for scanning, capturing, and viewing screen shots, documents, QSLs, LoTW QSLs, and eQSLs.

Offers Performance Reports to track the performance of your station, including integration with optional Afreet DX Atlas for plot and pin maps.'


Additional product information at: dxtreme.com

New U.S. and Canadian MW Slogans List complete

 


From the IRCA Group.io Group - this amazing compilation of US and Canadian MW slogans - is incredibly useful when we're struggling through the static on this side of the Atlantic.
 
Here's the post from that group:
 IRCA Slogans as of December 14, 2023
 (K Krist/BDXC)

Now available.
 
 
4,752 stations with slogans.
 
If a station doesn't appear this indicates I don't have the station slogan. Since silent stations come and go, seemingly, quicker than I can update the list, silent stations remain in the list until they are actually deleted from the FCC list.
Acknowledgments are given on the final page of the Slogans List.
 
The "Recent MW Station Contacts for Reception Report Verifications" link to the list is also available on the same webpage. The Verifications page was updated on November 29, 2023.
 
As always, please let me know of additions, corrections, problems, etc.

New monitoring observations from Spain

 

Log in Lugo and Friol, NW of Spain.

Sangean ATS-909X, Tecsun PL-880, cable antenna, 8 meters.


All times UTC

ANTARCTICA
15476usb, LRA 36, Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel, Base Esperanza, 1800-2140, 16-12, Morse code, Spanish, id. “Están escuchando Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel en español para todo el mundo”, program “Ecos de la Antártida”, comments about Base Esperanza and Base Marambio by Juan Benavente and female, at 1827 “Noticias australes”, 1936 “Uniendo Voces del Pueblo”, “San Martín de los Andes”, amateur radio news, songs., more comments, “Uniendo Voces, LRA 36, Radio Argentina al Exterior y la Universidad Nacional de Quilmes en el aire del mundo”, “Jóvenes de la Antartida, una produción de LRA 36, Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel”. 35433.

BRAZIL
4885, Radio Clube do Pará, Belém, 0540-0619, 17-12, relaying Radio Bandeirantes news. 25432.

4985, Radio Brasil Central, Goiania, 0547-0608, 17-12, Brazilian songs, some songs in English, program “Madrugada Musical”. // 11815. 13321.

5940.2, Voz Missionaria, Camboriú, 0641-0657, 17-12, religious songs. 35433.

6010, Radio Inconfidencia, Belo Horizonte, 2057-2113, 16-12, Brazilian songs, Portuguese, comments. 13221.
Also heard 0604-0651, 17-12, Brazilian songs. 25432.

6180, Radio Nacional da Amazonia, Brasilia, 2112-2129, 16-12, Brazilian songs, comments. // 11780. 25432.

9550.1, Radio Inconfidencia, Belo Horiznte, 2125-2137, 16-12, religious comments and songs. // 11895. 15421.

11780, Radio Nacional da Amazonia, Brasilia, 1908-2219, 16-12, Brazilian songs, Portuguese, comments. 35433.

11815, Radio Brasil Central, Goiania, 1914-1956, 16-12, Brazilian songs, “16 horas e 15 minutos” id. “Radio Brasil Central”, comments. Distored signal. 34433.

11895, Radio Boa Vontade, Porto Alegre, 2107-2133, 16-12, Portuguese, religious comments and songs. 24322.

CANADA
6070, CFRX, Toronto, 0550-0604, 17-12, English, comments, advertisements, news. 24322.

COLOMBIA,
5910, Alcaraván Radio, Puerto Lleras, 0548-0637, 17-12, Latin American songs, Spanish, comments. 25432.

DENMARK
5930, World Music Radio, Bramming, 1640-1655, 16-12, songs in English, Latin American songs, id. “World Music Radio”. 25432.

5970, Radio 208, Hvidovre, 0549-0618, 17-12, pop and rock songs in English, id. “208”. 24322.

15700, World Music Radio, Randers, 1023-1042, 17-12, Andean song, more songs, Latin American songs, id. “World Music Radio, más información en www.wmr.dk”. 45444.

25800, World Music Radio, Marslet, 1040-1102, 17-12, Brazilian songs, id. “This is World Music Radio”, songs in English, Cuban song “Hasta Siempre Comandante”. 25432.

ECUADOR
6050, HCJB, Pichincha, 0453-0500*, 17-12, Spanish, program “Ritmos y Canciones de Nuestra Tierra”, songs, comments. 35433.

GERMANY
5920, HCJB Germany, Weenermoor, 0611-0630, 17-12, German, religious comments. 25432.

6005, Radio Slovakia International, Kall Krekel, 1621-1630*, 16-12, Spanish, comments, id. “Radio Slovakia Internacional”, at 1627 Shortwave Service interval signal and close at 1630. 25432.

JAPAN
6115, Radio Nikkei 2, Chiba-Nagara, 0734-0800*, 17-12, Japanese, female, comments. QRM from Radio Delta on 6110. 12421.

LIBERIA
6050, ELWA Radio, Monrovia, *0601-0637, 17-12, English id. “ELWA Radio”, Christmas religious songs and comments. 25432.

MALI
5995, Radio Mali, Bamako, 1845-1905, 16-12, African songs, at 1850 English program “English Magazine”, news and comments about Mali, at 1903 African songs. 34433.

MEXICO
6185, Radio Educación, Ciudad de México, 0532-0812, 17-12, music, Spanish, comments, Latin American songs. 24322.

MONGOLIA
12085, Voice of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, 1000-1012, 17-12, interval signal, Chinese, comments. Very weak. 15421.

NETHERLANDS
5955, Radio Veronica, Westdorpe, 0733-0815, 17-12, pop songs in English, oldies, Dutch, comments, id. “Radio Veronica”. 35433.

6060, Radio Casanova, Winterswijk, 0740-0756, 17-12, Dutch songs and comments. 35433.

6110, Radio Delta International, Elburg, 0650-0810, 17-12, pop songs in English, id. “Radio Delta”, comments in English, “Radio Delta, your window to the world”, “Five decades of music”. 45444.

7700.4, FRS Holland, 0857- , 17-12, interval signal, time signals, English, id. “The Free Radio Service Holland on short wave…”, comments, songs in English, oldies. // 9300.7 and 6185. 35433. 

12030, Radio Delta International, Elburg, 0917- , 17-12, songs in English, id. “Radio Delta…”. 35433.

PIRATE
5880, Radio Rock Revolution, 2114-2129, 16-12, rock and pop songs, id. “Radio Rock Revolution”, Bob Dylan song. 35433.

SAUDI ARABIA
11745, Al-Azm Radio, Jeddah, 1731-1745, 16-12, Arabic songs. 34433.

TIBET
4905, PSB Xizang, Lhasa, Tibet, 1620-1649, 16-12, English, program “Holy Tibet”, comments, Tibetan songs. // 7385. 25432.

VENEZUELA or COLOMBIA
4940, Estación 4940, 0542-0624, 17-12, Spanish, religious comments and songs. 25432.
(Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain)

Holiday Programmes on Shortwave - Version 2 now available

 


I am continuing to collate a list of programming on shortwave over the forthcoming holiday period, covering Saturday 16 December 2023 to Monday 1 January 2024. The list includes seasonal and non-seasonal programming. Regular weekly music programming, where no special advance programme information has been provided, are not generally included in this list, but please refer to my Music on Shortwave list. 


The fully updated second edition of this compilation is now available to download from https://app.box.com/s/kbdxb4c5lwpju0kpoi27aiwc35br2g2a (or for short: https://bit.ly/3LgKNJ2 

This list will be updated regularly if and when more information becomes available, and you are encouraged to check back regularly as each update may not necessarily be announced here.

2. Also, if you enjoy the programmes from the English service of Radio Romania International, you will also find a separate download listing details of most programmes for each day from 18 December to 2 January very kindly compiled and supplied by Vlad Paclu from RRI. If you find this of interest, please let Vlad and the team at RRI know that their efforts to provide such information over the holiday period was useful - their email address is rritheenglishservice@...

I hope that you find these resources useful.

Additions and corrections are most welcome to alan-roe-swl@...

Best wishes for Christmas and a Happy New Year
(BDXC/Alan Roe, Teddington, UK)

Saturday, December 16, 2023

Mediumwave monitoring observations from London

 


As I said last week, here is the MW Bandscan I did in London on 5th December from Greenwich, in a residential area beside the A206 facing the train station.


It can be browsed here: https://youtu.be/c2X4KWpEBf4

British MW is starting to be simpler as diversity is fading out. Now, big national channels with a few locals and still a few ethnic ones, including Panjab radio spreading aside its signal. Unfortunately, I could not catch any LPAM.

Surprisingly no trace of Desi Radio 1602 kHz; also some of the stations heard are now gone forever

Spain and Spanish is well represented not only by visitors in the city but also by several channels so there is still good opportunities to record local IDs.

Comments welcome!

73 de Jorge
(BDXC/Jorge Garzón (EA1FOV · EA1036SWL)
Calle Torrelavega 39. 39340 SUANCES (España) 

Radio Romania International program list information

 


Vlad Paclu from the English service of Radio Romania International has kindly compiled as a one-off a complete daily list of programmes for each day from 18 December to 2 January. I have added this information to my Holiday Programmes on Shortwave list, but I didn't want anyone who doesn't download that list to miss out on this fantastic information, so I attach it here as a PDF.

It lists the programmes for 1200 and 1800 UTC, but is also valid for 2300 and for the following UTC day at 0100 and 0400.

If you find this useful, do let Vlad and the team at RRI know that their efforts to provide such information over the holiday period are useful - their email address is rritheenglishservice@gmail.com.

(I have also uploaded it to my permanent link at https://app.box.com/s/kbdxb4c5lwpju0kpoi27aiwc35br2g2a, and by the way: version 2 of the Holiday Programmes on Shortwave will be published tomorrow!)
73's
(BDXC/Alan Roe, Teddington, UK)

Friday, December 15, 2023

FRS December broadcast schedule

 
Dear FRS Friend,

A long tradition is going to be continued!

Next Sunday December 17th the spirit of December and Free Radio will be radiated across Europe and the rest of the world. Another FRS December broadcast filled with music, memories, letters and more.
 
Programs will start at 08:52 UTC/ 09:52 CET sharp and close down is scheduled just after 14 UTC/ 15 CET.

An extra long version of 'FRS goes DXmas' will be aired among all the other shows hosted
by our dedicated team: Mike, Bet, Jan, Dave & Peter.. Frequencies: 6185, 7700//9335 (or another frequency within the 9300-9345 kHz range).

We invite you to join us...make sure you don't miss it next Sunday...it will be worthwhile.

Here's our streaming schedule:

1
frsonline.ddns.net
Monday December 18th
17:00- 21:30 UTC/ 18:00- 22:30 CET

2
frsonline.ddns.net
Wednesday December 20th 
17:00- 21:30 UTC/ 18:00- 22:30 CET

3
frsonline.ddns.net
Friday  December 22nd
17:00- 21:30 UTC/ 18:00- 22:30 CET

4
[ http://laut.fm/jukebox]
Saturday December 23rd
18:00- 23:00 UTC/ 19:00- 24:00 CET

5
[ http://laut.fm/jukebox]
Monday December 25th 
11:00- 16:00 UTC/ 12:00- 17:00 CET

6
[ http://laut.fm/jukebox]
Wednesday December 27th
09:00- 14:00 UTC/ 10:00- 15:00 CET

7
[ http://laut.fm/jukebox]
Thursday January 4th
17:00- 22:00 UTC/ 18:00- 23:00 CET

We wish all of you an atmospheric month of December. Enjoy the Holiday Season.

Warm greetings from the entire FRS team !!
 

Thursday, December 14, 2023

Shortwave Radiogram, Program 334

 


Hello friends


The holiday season generates many colorful photos to include in Shortwave Radiogram. Most of this week's MFSK images will continue in that theme.

While searching for seasonal images, some content sources were upfront about the fact that their images were created using artificial intelligence. I prefer images created by human intelligence, but it was nice of them to let me know. I was hoping to complete my remaining years blissfully ignorant of AI, but it looks like AI is being thrust upon us.

Occasionally while searching for news articles to use in the broadcast, I will find one that seems to have been written by AI, with wooden prose and lacking in nuance. Photos and art created by AI might be harder to spot. The best paintings, however, are blessed by imperfections that can only be human.

Looking ahead, the end-of-year show will be an all-image, all-art "spectacular." It will be broadcast December 22-25 and probably repeated December 29-January 1. I'll let you know next week.
 
A video of last weekend's Shortwave Radiogram (program 333) is provided by Scott in Ontario (Friday 1300 UTC). The audio archive is maintained by Mark in the UK. Analysis is provided by Roger in Germany.

Here is the lineup for Shortwave Radiogram, program 334, 15-18 December 2023, in MFSK modes as noted:

 1:41  MFSK32: Program preview
 2:50  MFSK32: New fiber combines conductivity and flexibility*
 7:47  MFSK64: India's Moon craft returns to Earth orbit*
12:18  MFSK64: This week's images*
28:30  MFSK32: Closing announcements

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 
  
Other Shortwave broadcast programs that include digital text and images include The Mighty KBC, Pop Shop Radio and Radio North Europe International (RNEI). Links to these fine broadcasts, with schedules, are posted here.
 
Thanks for your reception reports!
Kim

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

Shortwave radio blackout reported

 




Sunspot 3514 erupted on Dec. 14th.

Radiation from the flare has caused a deep shortwave radio blackout over the Americas. Ham radio operators may have noticed a loss of signal at all frequencies below 30 MHz for more than 30 minutes after the flare.

Details at: 
(Mike Terry/BDXC)

Holiday Programming-Version 1


 I have again been collating a list of programming on shortwave over the forthcoming holiday period, covering Saturday 16 December 2023 to Monday 1 January 2024. 


The list includes seasonal and non-seasonal programming. Regular weekly music programming, where no special advance program information has been provided, is not generally included in this list, but please refer to my Music on Shortwave list.  

The first edition of this compilation is now available to download from these permanent links: 
(or for short: https://bit.ly/3LgKNJ2 ).

This list will be updated if and when more information becomes available, and you are encouraged to check back regularly.
I hope that you find it of interest.
As always, I appreciate any updates or corrections.
(Alan Roe, Teddington, UK/BDXC)