Shortwave Radiogram, Program 370

 

Hello friends,

The anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, earlier this week, generated memories of that event, including the role of the mass media. While I am still able to remember 23 years ago, I decided to post a series of tweets to my X/Twitter account @kaedotcom. I was a VOA broadcaster then and played a small part in providing coverage. Those tweets are consolidated into the MFSK32 text item in this week's broadcast.

A listener alerted me to an anomaly at the swradiogram.net website. The Shortwave Radiogram transmission schedule, which displays correctly in the emails, is "clipped" on the left and right edges. If you click on that schedule, it displays completely from left to right. That will have to be the solution until I figure out a way to insert, quickly, tables in both the email (Mailchimp) and the website (Tumblr) 

A video of last week's Shortwave Radiogram (program 369) is provided by Scott in Ontario (Wednesday 1330 UTC). Mark maintains the audio archive in the UK. The analysis is provided by Roger in Germany.

Here is the lineup for Shortwave Radiogram, program 370, 12-18 September 2024, in MFSK modes as noted:

 1:40  MFSK32: Program preview

 2:44  MFSK32: How VOA News Now covered 9/11

 6:26  MFSK64: The Milky Way is bigger than we thought

 8:57  MFSK64: This week's images

28:36  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

  

UK Propagation Update

 

RSGB

GB2RS News Team | September 13, 2024

Last week showed that HF conditions are improving as we head into the autumn.

With a solar flux index still above 200, there was plenty of DX available to work. CDXC members reported working VP6WR on the Pitcairn Islands, KH8T on American Samoa and 3D2USU on Fiji, which is not a bad catch for early September.

A little closer to home, 9A168TESLA in Croatia has been popping up for short periods celebrating the 168th anniversary of the birthday of electrical pioneer Nikola Tesla. Watch DX Summit closely for operating times.

The daylight maximum useable frequency, or MUF, over 3,000 kilometres remains above 28MHz on the whole, although a raised Kp index tends to reduce this.

Geomagnetic conditions remained relatively calm with the Kp index below

3 all week. That changed on Thursday 12 September as material from a coronal mass ejection, or CME, passed the ACE spacecraft in the early hours.

The solar wind speed increased to more than 500 kilometres per second and the Bz swung south. On Thursday 12 September, the Kp index was 5 and the Met Office Space Weather department was forecasting potentially unsettled conditions for this weekend, ending today the 15 September.

At the same time an X-class flare occurred, with lowered MUFs due to increased D-layer absorption.

Two large coronal holes on the Sun’s surface are also now Earth-facing and threaten to add to the solar wind this weekend.

According to NOAA’s predictions, the solar flux index should stay in the

210 to 225 range next week, although a large number of spots are about to rotate off the Sun’s visible disk.

This may be compensated by an active region that’s about to rotate into view. This has been emitting C-Class and lower-level M-flares and could potentially be the same region that produced a number of energetic eruptions off the far side of the Sun over the past week. Time will tell.

VHF and up :

The heavy showers at the end of last week produced some good rain scatter, but no QSOs in the UK were noted due to the showers not coinciding with GHz contests and few suitable home stations were active to take advantage of them.

After a gradual build-up of pressure over this weekend, ending the 15 September, high pressure is suggested by most models during the coming week. However, there is some uncertainty about the position of the high.

Currently, models are favouring the north of Britain and this means that in the south, although still on the edge of high pressure, there could be a brisk northeasterly breeze, which may weaken the inversion prospects. It’s not clear if the Tropo will be functioning in time for the 70MHz Affiliated Societies Contest today, the 15 September, but should be helpful for the 1.3GHz UK Activity Contest on Tuesday 17 September and the 70MHz UK Activity Contest on Thursday 19 September.

Solar conditions are still likely to offer the chance of the occasional elevated Kp index, which is a good sign of possible aurora. It will be interesting to see how things evolve this weekend, ending the 15 September, as a series of expected CMEs are due to reach earth.

The amateur bands between 10m and 2m are the ones to check as well as looking out for ‘watery’ sounding signals on the HF bands. Remember it doesn’t have to be dark for radio aurora, so don’t wait for dusk before checking.

Meteor scatter is mainly down to random activity in the coming week. 

However, with the September Epsilon Perseids stream still active until the 21 September, having peaked on the 9 September, conditions may be slightly enhanced.

For EME operators, Moon declination is negative but rising and going positive again on Wednesday 18 September. Moon visibility windows will continue to rise while path losses decrease as we approach perigee on Wednesday 18 September. 144MHz sky noise is moderate for the whole of next week.

https://rsgb.org/main/blog/news/gb2rs/propagation-news/2024/09/13/propagation-news-15-september-2024/

(Mike Terry/BDXC)

From the Isle of Music, September 14, 2024

 

Times & Frequencies are: 

1700-1800 UTC 9670 kHz with beam E-F towards South Asia but usable in Eastern Europe and parts of Eurasia 

1900-2000 UTC 3955 & 6070 kHz (omnidirectional for Europe and beyond) 

2300-2400 UTC 9670 kHz with beam P aimed at the Caribbean but usable in much of the Americas and possibly listenable in parts of Sourh Asia 

All transmissions from Channel 292, Rohrbach, Germany 

Reception reports will be recognized via eQSLs even if webSDRs are used (provided that which SDR is clearly identified and the report covers the whole program, not just a few minutes.)
(Bill Tilford/Tilford Productions)

(Bill Tilford/Tilford Productions)

Upcoming program from Pop Shop Radio

 

Based upon the excellent results Terry received for Texas Shortwave Radio on a beam from Channel 292 to North America, the second show will re-air at 0300 UT Thursday 12 Sept (2300 ET Wednesday in the USA) on a beam to North America, and on Saturday 14 Sept at 2100 UT beamed to Australia -- both on 9670 kHz from Channel 292.

On Saturday it will back to back with the regular show at 2200 UT

Fingers crossed that the gods of the ether will smile upon us with good propagation!

Tony Pavick

Pop Shop Radio celebrates four years

 

Just a quick reminder that Pop Shop Radio will be celebrating four years on the air next week with a special best of program transmitted from Woofferton in the UK. 

We will be on 11990 kHz at 0300 UTC on 10 September -- which is of course 11 PM ET 9 PM on 9 September.

We now have T-shirts and mouse pads and other Pop Shop Radio goodies available for sale

 https://www.cafepress.ca/shop/PopShopRadioSwag

(Tony Pavik, Hope, Canada)

Scandinavian Weekend Radio this weekend

 

Scandinavian Weekend Radio studios

All times UTC

Finnish/English

(From Sept 6, 2024  at 2100 UTC - Sept 7)

Active on mediumwave 1602 and FM 94.90 - 24 hours

0000-0100  6170  11690

0100-0200  6170  11690

0200-0300  6170  11690

0300-0400  6170  11690

0400-0500  6170  11690

0500-0600  6170  11690

0600-0700  6170  11690

0700-0800  6170  11690

0800-0900  6170  11690

0900-1000  6170  11690

1000-1100  6170  11690

1100-1200  6170  11690

1200-1300  6170  11690

1300-1400  6170  11690

1400-1500  6170  11690

1500-1600  6170  11690

1600-1700  6170  11690

1700-1800  6170  11690

1800-1900  6170  11690 

1900-2000  6170  11690 

2000-2100  6170  11690

2100-2200  6170  11720

2200-2300  6170  11720

2300-0000  6170  11720

Station website for additional information: http://www.swradio.net/

The Dawn of the Ross Weekend

 

80s Weekend Live Broadcast Special from Ross Revenge

We go back to the 80s on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th September when we celebrate Radio Caroline’s return to the airwaves from our new radio ship Ross Revenge in August '83.

Join us for a live broadcast from Ross Revenge with fabulous music and magical memories from the 80s. Hosted by past presenters from the decade, and some still on Caroline today.

Our great line-up features: Tommy Rivers, Paul McKenna, Stuart Vincent, Susan Charles, John Ford, John Dwyer, Carl Kingston, Chris Pearson, Peter Philips, Kevin Turner and Dave Richards.

The Dawn of The Ross Weekend – music and nostalgia from those who were on board Ross Revenge when it returned in the 1980s!

Listen on 648 AM or here via the pop-up player which will be available over the weekend.

(Mike Terry/BDXC)

https://www.radiocaroline.co.uk/#home.html

Blog Logs, September 2024

 Welcome to the September 2024 edition of Blog Logs. Thank you for your emails and for following the postings on the Shortwave Central blog and X/Twitter at Shortwave Central @QSLRptMT. 

Do you have any radio loggings or information to share for the October edition of Blog Logs? Your input from mediumwave, or shortwave can be sent to: w4gvhla@gmail.com  Tell the world what you're hearing from your listening post or portable monitoring!

Have you subscribed to the Shortwave Central YouTube channel? There is a large selection of videos and audio airchecks with more planned for the future! Join your fellow radio enthusiasts at: https://www.youtube.com/c/ShortwaveCentral   

By following the Shortwave Central blog and following on X, you will receive the latest tips and information from the ever-changing realm of radio!

Additional station news is covered in my monthly column, Bits & Bytes in The Spectrum Monitor e-zine.

Thank you to the new and regular contributors. Your monitoring is always welcome!

Language services as indicated.

// denotes station heard on a parallel frequency

*Sign-on Sign-Off*/ frequencies kHz

Monitored 15 August - 04 September 2024July – 08 August 2024

All times UTC

Mediumwave

Brazil

540, Rede Aleluia, Goiania, Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus…” comments. SINPO 25442 (Rudolf Grimm, São Bernando SP, Brazil).

830, Rádio Tropical, Noa Iguaçu, Brazilian song to ID “ Rádio Tropical.” SINPO 24542 (Grimm)

880, Rádio Deus é Amor, Porto Alegre, 0135. “Igreja Pentecostal Deus é Amor.” SINPO 23422. Interference from Rádio Inconfidencia 880 kHz (Grimm).

Shortwave

Ascension Island

A flyover at Ascension Island

9410, BBC WS at 0509. Discussion on issues with Israeli war with excellent signal // 15490 via UK poor (Harold Sellers, BC Canada). 9915, BBC WS 0559-0605 with English service ID and Newsday program. Poor to fair // 9410 from Ascension Island relay (Tony Pavik, BC, Canada). 9765 KBS World Radio relay via Georgetown in French. Heard at 2011 with comments and instrumental music to North Africa.  SINPO 45554 (Grimm).

Australia

5045, Bay Islands Radio, 0817 with pretty decent copy of Styx, Mr Roboto tune. SINPO 45344. Great signal for only 150 watts! Ad for some kind of club mentioning burlesque dancing. (Paul Walker, McGarth, AK)

Austria

15265, Adventist World Radio, 1459-1505. Turkish service with ID in English “this is Adventist World Radio.” Followed by contact info and “the following program is in Turkish.” Talk continued with ID and station info (Pavik). 

Brazil (Portuguese)

4985, Rádio Brasil Central, Goainia, 0550-0624. Brazilian songs Madrugada Musical program. SINPO 23422. Noted on 11815, 2041-2056 (Manuel Méndez, Spain/BDXC). 

6010, Rádio Inconfidencia, Belo Horizonte. 0451-0554. Brazilian songs part of the musical program. SINPO 25422 (Méndez).

6150, Rádio Saturno, Belo Horizonte, 0449-0527. Brazilian music program Faixa Brasil. SINPO 15422 (Méndez).

6180, Rádio Nacional da Amazonia, Brasilia, 2037-2051. // 11780. SINPO 15422 (Méndez).

9818.3 Rádio 9 de Julho, São Paulo. Religious music and comments to station ID. SINPO 25422 (Méndez).

6180, Rádio Nacional da Amazonia, Brasilia, 0110. Pounding signal for jazzy standards type music. Love the evening host they have on several days a week, Maurico Rebelo. Recent query to station on beam headings as “11780 is beamed at 312 degrees for the Amazon. (Walker) 

11750, Rádio Voz Missionaria at 0322. Music and religious preaching, SINPO 45344. (Walker)

China

5975, China Radi International, Beijing. Chinese service with comments and instrumental music SINPO 35553 to West Africa (Grimm)

7410, China Radio International (Jinhua) 1533-1545. Japanese service with Chi-pop music into talk segment (Pavik). CRI on 9550 in Vietnamese at 1400-1405. CRI 9605 in Russian 1559-1605. Early sign-on at 1559 into standard CRI ID in Russian. CRI 9740 (Jinhua) in Sinhala with frequency info and email address. (Pavik).

Clandestine

4560, Voice of the People (South Korea) 1229-1235. Korean service followed by K-Pop tunes for fair signal (Pavik).

4885, Echo of Hope (South Korea) 1229-1240. Korean for lengthy text to light music at 1240. Fair signal quality (Pavik).

6350, Echo of Hope (South Korea), 1200-1205 in Korean. Music at 1200 station ID into newscast. Fair-poor signal (Pavik).

9705, Furusato no Kaze (Paochung) via Taiwan, 1330-1340 in Japanese. Big, beautiful signal for this station. Almost perfect (Pavik).

11570, North Korea Reform Radio via Tashkent, Uzbekistan in Korean. Noted comments at 2035 with comments targeted to North Korea. SINPO 25442 (Grimm).

15505, Radio Ndarason International via Ascensio Island. Kannada service with African songs and comments. SINPO 35443 to Africa (Grimm). 5960 at 0552 in Kanuri, abruptly off before 0600. (Sellers).

21485, Radio Tamazuj via Issoudun, France relay in Sudanese at 1537. Comments and interviews targeted to South Sudan. (Grimm).

Cuba

5025, Radio Rebelde, Bauta, 0611-0655. Program, A Esta Hora. Cuban songs to announcer’s comments and ID “Rebelde, A Esta Hora.” “Hablando Claro.” Additional songs, and weather report (Méndez). Noted this frequency at 0959-1010 with ID, and text about an event. Signal good-fair (Pavik).

10345, Cuban Number Station HM01, 0559-0605. Spanish female’s numbers/tones. Four files decoded but not decrypted. (Pavik).

Ecuador

6050, HCJB, Pichincha, 0443-0500* Spanish religious programming Vida Real en Familia. SINPO 25422 (Méndez). HCJB 6050, 0115-0215 with regional music, IDs and Spanish text (Sam Wright, MS)

Eswatini

Eswatini studio

9940, TWR Africa, Manzini. Interval signal to music and ID and comments about Congo. SINPO 35553 targeted to Democratic Rep of Congo; 7410 in Portuguese at 1950. Christian music and comments. Service to Angola. (Grimm). 13800 TWR in Arabic with religious programming. Audio filter opened up to 8kHz bandwidth. Fantastic signal 9500 in English at 1816 with Tony Evans preaching. SINPO 55454 (Walker).

Germany

11790, Adventist World Radio via Nauen. Yoruba service with comments and instrumental music. Noted in Arabic at 0724 to Africa. SINPO 35543; 17570 via Nauen with Christian programming. French service 9555 at 2025 with contact info, interval signal and closing (Grimm).

9670, Atlantic 2000 International via Rohrbach, 0800-0821. Station ID “Radio Channel 292” and “Radio Atlantic 2000 International.” French comments to English pop tunes and oldies. SINPO 35433 (Méndez).

Guam

9900, KSDA AWR via Agat at 2006. Christian programs and message. SINPO 45554 to North and South Korea. Great signal! KTWR on 9320 at 1920 in Korean with Christian programming. SINPO 35433 (Grimm).

Liberia

6050, ELWA *0559-0607. Sign-on interval signal to English Christian programs. Very weak and fading out due to daylight. SINPO 15421 (Méndez).

Pirate (USA)

7475, YHWH, 0315. Religious pirate station with sermons disparaging modern-day society and religion. SINPO 44334. Noted some noise and quick fading that obscures the program contact. First time I’ve heard him in months (Walker).

Madagascar

11825, African Pathways Radio at 0456. English program with poor signal quality (Sellers). 9845, World Christian Broadcast KNLS via Mahajanga in Russian. Instrumental music to announcers' talks and Internet info link. SINPO 25432 (Grimm).

15605, Adventist World Radio via Madagascar relay, 1500-1510 in listed Lushai. Station ID to music by male vocalist to 1507. Fair-poor signal (Pavik).

México

6185, Radio Educación,, Ciudad de México, 0451-0604. Spanish programming and comments. SINPO 24422 (Méndez). Noted this frequency 0700-0705. Up-tempo music to station ID at 0701. Fair signal with clear ID (Pavik). Noted the same freq at 0200-0300 with text and Spanish music program (Frank Hilton, SC).

Netherlands

5940, Free Service Holland 1858-2037. Song, interval signal and ID as, “Free Radio Service Holland.” Pop songs, oldies, and comments // 9300.8. Additional logs via Netherlands: Radio Veronica, Westdorpe 0457-0512 in Dutch on 5955; Radio Europe, Alphen 2005-2300 on 6130 in English; Radio Onda, Borculo 0612-0700 on 6140 in French; Radio Delta, Elburg 2014-2233 in English (Méndez).

New Zealand

9700, RNZ Pacific, Rangitaiki. 0500 with instrumental music and station reference. SINPO 35543 (Grimm). 9700, 0559-0630 with interval signal, ID, time pips and BBC Newsday program with headlines. (Pavik).

North Korea

15180, Voice of Korea, 0500-0505. Spanish service sign-on with male/female host to anthem. Signal fair-noisy (Pavik).

Philippines

9350, VOA relay ay 1159-1205. Korean service with interval signal, VOA newscast with lead story on Ukraine. Almost perfect signal (Pavik).

Romania

Radio Romania Int'l QSL

13580, Radio Romania International at 0511 to Central Africa. Excellent, clean signal of Romanian music. SINPO is almost all 55555. English on 11975 to Western Europe at 2046. Segment on Romanian history. SINPO 55454. This feed is actually stronger and clearer than the 13650 kHz feed to Eastern North America at the same time! (Walker). RRI’s DRM service on 15170 via Tiganesti in Spanish on 15170. Comments about Romania, music and station ID. SINPO 45554 (Grimm).

Saudi Arabia

11935, Republic of Yemen Radio, Riyadh. Programming noted to the Gulf at 1755.Continuous Arabic vocals with the best signal I ever had from 11935 or its predecessor on 11860. Also noted at 1844 on this frequency. Noted no jamming for weeks but noted its return recently. (Walker). 11935.43, 1400-1405 in Arabic. Music to the top-of-the-hour, followed by a presumed newscast. Signal noisy and fair-to-poor (Pavik).

United States

7505, WRNO New Orleans 0359-0401. Unknown language from female host. Station ID at 0359 including email and postal address in Ft. Worth, Texas. Country Roads tune by John Denver played until carrier cut at 0401. Good signal! (Pavick) 7505, 0130-0150 with local NOLA music and “this is WRNO Worldwide.” (Wright)

Vanuatu

7260, Radio Vanuatu at 0609. Poor signal quality for Pacific music. Not audible before 0600, improved by 0645. Bislama service with ID, local ads and abruptly off before 0659 (Sellers). Noted station on 7260, 0920-0930 to 0935 sign-off. (Wright). 7260, 0659-0715 in Bislama (Pavik).

Radio Vanuatu monitoring observations

Here are some observations of Radio Vanuatu using the Brisbane KiwiSDR in Australia on 5 September (times are UTC):

3945 kHz: heard from sign-on  1845 to 1958 and then moved to 7260 kHz

7260 kHz: heard from 1959 and presume they remained here for just one hour to 2058, then moved to 9960 kHz

9960 kHz: heard at 2120, so presumably they had moved here at 2059 ...

73's Tony Rogers/BDXC

(graphic/QSL archives)

Additional observations 06 Sept 2024

A further update on Radio Vanuatu for 6 September 2024, again using the Brisbane KiwiSDR (times are UTC):

7260 kHz: found them here at 0628 tune-in, so they had switched from 9960 kHz sometime earlier in the day (Vanuatu time). Off at 0658 as had been noted in recent days.

3945 kHz: started up here at 0659 as expected.

I did a quick check on 7260 kHz at 0645 using the Wessex KiwiSDR but nothing of note seemingly reaching the British Isles at this time.

73's Tony

Encore classical music from Radio Tumbril

 

Regular Broadcast times of Encore By WRMI and Channel 292 are:

02:00 - 03:00 UTC Friday 5850 kHz WRMI to US

20:00 - 21:00 UTC Friday 15770 kHz WRMI to Europe

10:00 - 11:00 UTC Saturday 9670 kHz Channel 292 to Europe

01:00 - 02:00 UTC Sunday 5850 kHz WRMI to US and Canada

19:00 - 20:00 UTC Sunday 3955 kHz Channel 292 to Europe

02:00 - 03:00 UTC Monday 5950 kHz WRMI to the US and Canada

13:00 - 14:00 UTC Tuesday 15770 kHz WRMI to Europe, east coast of US and Iceland. (Sometimes RTTY on the lower sideband. Suggest notch out or use USB.)

 

Some Things to see on The Encore Website:

The Encore website is www.tumbril.co.uk where you will find:

Important information about funding of Encore - Radio Tumbril.

Up to date transmission times and frequencies.

The playlists for the most recent programmes.

An email link.

Informal reception reports as well as those requesting eQSL cards are welcome.

 

ENCORE IS A ONE-MAN OPERATION -  PLEASE MAKE A PAYPAL DONATION OR 'BUY ME A COFFEE' AND HELP PAY THE  BROADCASTERS AND KEEP ENCORE ON THE AIR - Go to - www.tumbril.co.uk

 

WRMI and Channel 292 are very generous with their air-time but Encore still costs around 100 Dollars/Euros a month to broadcast.

If you can - please send a small contribution to help Encore keep going.

 

THE DONATION BUTTON is on the homepage of the website - www.tumbril.co.uk - which folks can use if they would like to support Encore.

 

(Please don't be put off by the POWR security wall when using the PAYPAL button - it is a harmless requirement of WIX the website hosting service.)

 

THIS FORTNIGHT'S PROGRAMME - First broadcast this FRIDAY 6th September by WRMI at 0200 UTC on 5850, and 2000 UTC on 15770 and then Channel 292 on SATURDAY 7th September at 10:00 UTC on 9670 kHz:

Starts with a Song by 16th Century composer Giobanni Bassano scores for cornet instead of voice, Part of a Ravel string quartet, and some modern sitar music.

After that - part of the violin concerto in E Minor by Mendelssohn, and an aria by Handel.

The programme finishes with some of the 'Trout' Quintet from Schubert , and the poem Pleasure no More by Clément Marot set to music by Ninfea Cruttwell-Reade.

 

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.

 

Thank you for spreading the word about Encore - Classical Music on Shortwave on Radio Tumbril - and thank you for your support.

 

Brice Avery - Encore - Radio Tumbril - www.tumbril.co.uk 

GMØTLY

Shortwave Radiogram, Program 369

Hello friends

Each week, I spend a few hours perusing news articles about science and technology. The result of the search is the two articles we transmit on Shortwave Radiogram: one shorter in MFSK32 (120 wpm) and one longer in MFSK64 (240 wpm).

Of course, AI (artificial intelligence) is the subject of a large and increasing percentage of the articles I find. I am resisting these, hoping that I will get through life without knowing much about AI. I am still trying to learn about genuine human intelligence, flawed as it may be. 

Occasionally I will run across an article that is not about AI, but seems to have been written by AI. Such writings are, so far, easy to spot, because they lack nuance and any sort of literary soul. When they are not easy to spot, then I'll really worry.

A video of last week's Shortwave Radiogram (program 344) is provided by Scott in Ontario (Wednesday 1330 UTC). The audio archive is maintained by Mark in the UK. An analysis is provided by Roger in Germany.

Here is the lineup for Shortwave Radiogram, program 369, 5-11 September 2024, in MFSK modes as noted:

 1:44  MFSK32: Program preview

 2:52  MFSK32: Eco-friendly cargo ship revives sail power*

 8:39  MFSK64: Germany seeks improvements to passenger rail*

11:59  MFSK64: This week's images*

27:35  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, 

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

  

Texas Radio Shortwave, September programmng

 

Texas Radio Shortwave has another excellent program scheduled in September. Don't miss it, where the show will feature the music from Steven Stills on the following schedule:

September 7  1900 UTC on 3955 to Europe

September 8 0100 UTC 9670 to Eastern North America

                     0300 UTC 9670 to Western North America

                     1200 UTC 9670 to Europe

Texas Radio Shortwave uses a version of The Yellow Rose of Texas as its interval signal/signature song.

TRSW verifies correct, detailed reception reports by electronic  QSLs. This includes reports from listeners using remote SDR radios.

TRSW on Facebook www.facebook.com/texasradiosw

Program details at: texasradioshortwave@prontomail.com 

Keep Longwave Update

 

Dear all,

Thank you for your support of the Campaign to Keep Longwave and for signing up on the website to stay in touch with the campaign. This email is intended as an update of where we are at present. We are still primarily continuing with our 'Plan A', with 3801 signatures so far on the petition for the BBC to keep Radio 4 Longwave.

Meanwhile, Plan B - to keep longwave broadcasts even without the BBC - continues to develop as a backup option in the event that the BBC decides to pull the plug. There are some in the local council that would like to see the Droitwich masts listed, which would save them from demolition. This month, we expect the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) to discuss proposals for them to support longwave broadcasts with their expertise and help. We are also trying to contact Arqiva to get them on-board for a plan that could see amateur broadcasts made using Droitwich, but responses from them are not yet forthcoming. I'll try to keep you updated on this. Please let me know if you have any advice or contacts that might help with this.

This Friday 6th September is the 90th Anniversary of the Droitwich transmitter, so look out for a new article celebrating the anniversary on the website in the coming days. It's also a good opportunity to spread the word about the campaign. And do of course tune into Droitwich if you can! The BBC has made this very small acknowledgment of the occasion on its website:

https://www.bbc.com/historyofthebbc/anniversaries/september/droitwich

Many thanks again for you support - and happy listening!

Tobias

Dr Tobias Thornes

Campaign to Keep Longwave

(Mike Terry, UK/BDXC)

(photo/Wikipedia)

2024 Fu-Hsin Broadcasting Station, International Shortwave Event

 

               

Here comes good news. Fu-Hsin Broadcasting Station is holding the “2024 International Shortwave Event” again!

The contest which began August 1, will extend to 15 October, we welcome friends and around the world to participate.

Just write down what program type you want to hear, or even suggestions on the shortwave report form 

You will receive a special delicate QSL card, and what’s more, great chances to win fantastic prizes that we prepare for you.

Follow the instructions and fill in the form, you could be the lucky one.      

Activity time? 1 August to 15 October 2024                                                    

Email  FHBSTP@...                                                         

Address: No.5, Ln 280, Sec 5, Zhongshan N Rd., Shilin Dist., Taipei City, Taiwan (R.O.C.) -Zhu Ming Xin, Taiwan

Drawing 21 October 2024                                                        

Date of announcement? 23 October 2024

Please visit our official website:

www.fhbs.com.tw

Prize delivery  28-31 October 2024                                               

Download - Shortwave Report Form    

2024 International Shortwave Event?Prize list

{SANGEAN Radios, et al.}

https://fhbs.com.tw/

A reminder of upcoming Vatican Radio special broadcasts

 

 

Sept. 5th  0150-0300: 15500 in English

                 0950-1130: 17540 in English, 17555 in French, 21710 in Portughese

Sept. 7th  0735-0840: 17540 in English, 17555 in French, 21710 in Portughese    Arrival in Papoua New Guinea;

Sept. 8th 2240-0015: 15500 in English

Sept. 9th 2340-0055: 15500 in English  Arrival in Dili, Timor Leste.

Sept. 9th 0950-1030: 17540 in English, 17555 in French, 21710 in Portughese

Sept. 10th 0020-0130: 15500 in English

                   0720-0900: 17540 in English, 17555 in French, 21710 in Portughese

Sept. 11th 0020-0130: 15500 in English     Arrival in Singapore

                  

Sept. 12th 0220-0300: 15500 in English

                   0910-1045: 17540 in English, 17555 in French, 21710 in Portughese.

All transmissions beamed to Africa, except those on 15500 beamed to Asia.

(BDXC/Christian G., France) 

Music Programs on Shortwave Update

 

Music Programmes on Shortwave (UPDATED) and VO America English Programme Grid (NEW).

An updated version (v4) of my "Music Programmes on Shortwave" PDF file for current A-24 broadcast season is now available to download from the permanent links below.

The programme schedules for Voice of America on their website programme are both incomplete and outdated. I have therefore now produced my own "at-a-glance" schedule of VOA English programmes on shortwave.

These are both available at the permanent link at:

• https://app.box.com/s/kbdxb4c5lwpju0kpoi27aiwc35br2g2a 

• or for short: https://bit.ly/3LgKNJ2

You will also find shortwave programme grids for BBC WS in English and CGTN Radio in English.

I hope that you find these of interest.

As always, I appreciate any updates or corrections.

(BDXC/Alan Roe, Teddington, UK)

Radio Andorra available on Mixcloud

 

The programme is now on Mixcloud. Includes two long recordings of their broadcasts with some excellent music. Narrated in English by a French speaker.

 

https://www.mixcloud.com/AquiRadioAndorra/radio-428-night-radio-waves-from-andorra/

 

The presenter has a detailed website on the history of Radio Andorra. Using Chrome translated straight away to English.

https://www.aquiradioandorra.com/

 

At the start of the broadcast, there's a short clip of Don Allen on the Radio Caroline Revival Hour broadcast via Radio Andorra on March 2, 1969 the first anniversary of the MV Caroline and MV Mi Amigo being towed away. The full broadcast is on Mixcloud.

 

https://www.mixcloud.com/alfred-bunzl/radio-andorra-428-mw-radio-caroline-revival-hour-with-daffy-don-allen-sunday-2nd-march-1969/

(BDXC/Mike Barraclough)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

 Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts

:Issued: 2024 Sep 02 0154 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 26 August - 01 September 2024

Solar activity ranged from low to high levels. Low levels were observed on 28-29 Aug; moderate levels were observed on 26-27 Aug and 30-31 Aug; high levels were observed on 01 Sep. The strongest event of the reporting period was a long-duration M5.5 (R2-Moderate) flare at 01/1322 UTC from a yet to be numbered region rotating around the SE limb. A large CME was associated with the flare but given its proximity to the limb, the primary body of the ejecta is not expected to be Earth-directed. Two other regions produced R1 (Minor) events, Region 3796 (S03, L=353, class/area=Dki/380 on 23 Aug and Region 3806 (S11, L=212, class/area=Ekc/480 on 31 Aug). 

The greater than 10 MeV proton flux at geosynchronous orbit rose above background levels, but still well below event threshold, following the M5.5 flare from the SE limb on 01 Sep. 

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

Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storm levels. Quiet conditions were observed on 26 Aug. Unsettled to active levels on 27 Aug marked the arrival of a CME that left the Sun on 23 Aug. Total magnetic field strength initially increased to the lower teens. G2 conditions on 28 Aug were observed following a further increase in total field to 18 nT, with the Bz component reaching as far south as -15 nT. 

Total field maintained in the upper teens over Aug 29, however, slow solar wind speeds and a predominantly northward Bz resulted in quiet geomagnetic conditions. Further transient activity was observed over 30 Aug - 01 Sep, with modest wind speeds mostly between ~350-440 km/s. However, the Bz component of the magnetic field was sustained southward from 30 Aug - 01 Sep, which resulted in G1 (Minor) activity on 30-31 Aug and active conditions 01 Sep. 

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 02 September - 28 September 2024

Solar activity is likely to be at moderate levels (R1-R2/Minor-Moderate), with a slight chance for X-class events (R3-Strong), throughout the outlook period due to complex regions on the visible disk as well as the anticipated return of complex regions from the Sun's farside. 

There is a chance for proton events at geosynchronous orbit on 02-03 Sep due to an M5.5 flare from the SE limb on 01 Sep. An increase in proton flux was observed following the event and there is potential for a gradual climb to the S1 (minor) threshold over the next couple of days. 

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at normal to moderate levels. 

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to range from quiet to G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm levels. G1 conditions are forecast on 27-28 Sep; active conditions are likely on 28 Sep, and unsettled levels are likely on 02 Sep, 08 Sep, and 17-18 Sep. All increases in geomagnetic activity are from anticipated recurrent features in the solar wind. The remainder of the outlook period is likely to be mostly quiet. 

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

:Issued: 2024 Sep 02 0154 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 2024-09-02

#

#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest

#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index

2024 Sep 02     230           8          3

2024 Sep 03     240           5          2

2024 Sep 04     245           5          2

2024 Sep 05     250           5          2

2024 Sep 06     240           5          2

2024 Sep 07     240           5          2

2024 Sep 08     245          10          3

2024 Sep 09     245           5          2

2024 Sep 10     240           5          2

2024 Sep 11     240           5          2

2024 Sep 12     240           5          2

2024 Sep 13     240           5          2

2024 Sep 14     250           5          2

2024 Sep 15     255           5          2

2024 Sep 16     245           5          2

2024 Sep 17     240           8          3

2024 Sep 18     235           8          3

2024 Sep 19     240           5          2

2024 Sep 20     245           5          2

2024 Sep 21     240           5          2

2024 Sep 22     240           5          2

2024 Sep 23     245           5          2

2024 Sep 24     245           5          2

2024 Sep 25     240           5          2

2024 Sep 26     235          25          5

2024 Sep 27     230          25          5

2024 Sep 28     225          15          4

(NOAA)

A nostalgic look at TV Noordzee

 

1st September 1964: TV Noordzee became Europe's first pirate TV station, transmitting from the man-made “REM island” off the Dutch coast.

Radio and TV Noordzee was founded in 1963 with land-based offices and broadcasts from the sea. The artificial island was built in the harbour of Cork, Ireland. It was towed to its location and anchored in cement on the seabed. On 12 August 1964, a test broadcast was performed and on 15 August regular broadcasting started. The radio service broadcast on 1400 kHz, while on television it used Channel E11

While Dutch authorities were unhappy with the broadcasts, they did not possess the legal right to stop them. However, on the 12 of December, 1964, the government passed the REM law, which split the North Sea into continental sections. The sea bed under REM Island, to which the structure was attached, was therefore declared Dutch territory. Five days later, the Netherlands Marine Corps boarded the platform and ended broadcasting.

I remember the story made the UK headlines;  the front page of the Evening News in London had various photos including the troops abseiling from helicopters.

Note - no connection with Radio Northsea International which broadcast from the Mebo 2 in the early  1970s.

(photo/logopedia)

(Mike Terry/BDXC)  (with help from Wikipedia)

The artificial island is now a restaurant in Amsterdam. I walked from Amsterdam town centre to see it some years ago when I was staying there to attend the then-annual Radio Day focusing on offshore radio stations.

 

https://rem.amsterdam/en/

 

A Dutch documentary that features some rare shots from the days when Radio/ TV Nordzee was on the air.

Look out for some Dutch TV commercials, The Rolling Stones ' visit to the island, and the raid which eventually silenced the Radio/TV station.

The presenter is Marian, a former Nordzee member of staff. 5 minutes 48.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jge17vz73Ns

 

Daily Telegraph December 18th 1964 Page 1 report on the raid and photo

https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-rem-island-raid/154492934/

Daily Telegraph December 18th Page 16 photos of raid

https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-rem-island-raid-phot/154492684/

(Mike Barraclough/BDXC)

U.K. Propagation Report from the U.K.

 

RSGB

rsgb | August 30, 2024

We had a good week for HF propagation, at least until we had a Kp index of 5.67 on Wednesday, the 28th. This was caused by the Bz component of the interplanetary magnetic field moving into a south-pointing position.

Luckily, it didn’t last long and geomagnetic conditions were back to normal by Thursday.

The solar flux index remains above 200 with no sign of it dropping. But solar flare activity has not diminished either with 16 M-class flares over the past seven days and more than 60 C-class events. There remains a 55 percent chance of a further M-class flare and a 10 percent chance of an X-class event.

Tuesday, the 27th, saw some good activity on the upper HF bands with the 10m band opening up at times. VK has been heard on 28MHz in the mornings, which bodes well for the coming months.

The top DX choice this week has been CY9C on Saint Paul Island near Newfoundland. The team is active on all bands until 5 September using CW, SSB, FT8, Super Fox and RTTY. VOACAP Online shows that the 20 and 17m bands offer the best chance for a contact and are open from 0900 to 2000UTC. The 30m band is another strong contender from 2000 to 1000UTC.

Next week, NOAA predicts that the solar flux index will start at around 250 but could end the week at 275. As always, it estimates the Kp index will be at 2 all week, but this will depend upon coronal mass ejections, so keep an eye on solarham.com for daily updates.

If a solar flare and associated coronal mass ejection does occur, expect the Kp index to rise after about 48 hours, with a lowering of the maximum useable frequency.

VHF and up propagation :

The autumn season usually brings thoughts of tropo, since areas of high pressure can often be a feature of this time of year. Most models predict that there will be high pressure moving in to offer tropo conditions on Sunday, 1 September.

Thereafter, the models differ, and some bring low pressure over the country for much of the coming week, while others maintain a high-pressure story and the continuation of tropo.

This is potentially useful for the 144MHz UK Activity Contest on Tuesday and Wednesday and, if it lasts, the 144MHz Trophy Contest next weekend along with the Backpackers Contest on Sunday, 8 September.

With the uncertain feel to the forecast at the moment, we may find rain scatter is the main option on the GHz bands.

Meteor scatter is again reduced to non-shower random events with just a minor shower, the Aurigids, peaking on 31 August. This shower has produced brief unexpected outbursts with a zenithal hourly rate of around 30 to 50 per hour in 1935, 1986, 1994, and 2019.

Random meteor flux is at its annual maximum in September with relatively good rates, especially during morning hours. Pre-dawn is the best time to try.

The solar conditions continue to provide chance auroras. Keep one eye on the Kp index and lock the frequency of some northern European beacons into your rig’s memory.

Lastly, it’s the nominal end of the 2024 summer sporadic E season and the daily blogs on Propquest have finished. However, some years can produce surprise sporadic E events during the first week of September.

Moon declination starts the weekend still high but falling, going negative again on Thursday, the 5th. So, Moon visibility windows will also fall, as will peak Moon elevation.

Moon apogee is also next Thursday so path losses are still increasing. 144MHz sky noise is low until Monday but, shortly after moonrise that day, the Sun and the Moon become close in the sky and continue to be until after moonset on Tuesday.

This means sky noise will be very high, especially at VHF, due to wide antenna beamwidths.

https://rsgb.org/main/blog/news/gb2rs/propagation-news/2024/08/30/propagation-news-1-september-2024/

(Mike Terry/BDXC) 

Papal Vist to the Far East with radio specials

 

 From September 4 - 13, 2024, Pope Francis will visit four countries in the Far East.

In doing so, Vatican Radio will have special shortwave broadcasts,  targeted to Africa. 

The first country to visit will be Indonesia, with the following schedule:

September 4 0320-0500 UTC on 15500 in English; 0920-1030 UTC; 1035-1135 UTC: English on 17540, French on 17555, and Portughese on 21710 kHz

September 5 at 0350-0500 UTC on 15500 in English, 17555 in French, 21710 in Portuguese.

More to follow, next week.

(BDXC/Christian G., France)