Atlantic 2000 set to broadcast May 17

 

Atlantic 2000 will be on the air this Friday, 17th of May 2024 from 19:00 to 20:00 UTC 

on 3955 and 6070 kHz with the courtesy of Channel 292.

Streams will be available at the same time here: http://radioatlantic2000.free.fr

Reports to: atlantic2000international@gmail.com

Before that, you can listen to our 24/7 webstream or our podcasts on our website.

Good listening!

 

The Zenith Story - Part 3

 

Special thanks to Ray Robinson and Jeff White for sharing Part 3 from the AWR Wavescan program. 

Part 1:  https://mt-shortwave.blogspot.com/2024/04/the-zenith-radio-story-part-1.html     

Part 2: https://mt-shortwave.blogspot.com/2024/04/the-zenith-story-part-2.html

Jeff: Here in Wavescan, we’ve been serializing the history of the Zenith Radio Corporation, based largely on a brochure issued by the company in 1955.  Today we reach part 3, which picks up the story from 1925.  Here’s Ray Robinson.

Ray: Thanks, Jeff.

CREATION OF FEDERAL RADIO COMMISSION

In 1925 in the United States, one man had sole control of radio, with the Secretary of Commerce being the supreme czar.  E.F. McDonald Jr., whose financial backing and initiative had powered the growth of the company in the early 1920’s, said to then Secretary Herbert Hoover that he did not believe the law was sound.  On the invitation of Mr. Hoover, who said he would welcome a test case, McDonald violated a Department of Commerce order and broadcast on a Canadian wavelength.

The Department brought an action against Zenith, and against McDonald personally.  Zenith went into court with the contention that the radio law of 1912 was out of date in 1926.  And, Zenith won.

Congress then passed a law establishing the Federal Radio Commission (now the FCC) whose task it was to minimize the growing interference between stations on the same wavelength.  Zenith officials took a leading part in helping to frame and pass the new law.

FIRST AC SETS

In 1926 came one of the most important milestones in radio set history, another Zenith First.  Up to that time home radios operated on heavy storage batteries called accumulators, dry batteries, or a combination of both.  Zenith developed and put on the market the first home receiver that operated directly from regular AC electric current.  For most homes this meant the end of cumbersome and messy batteries, and made radio safe for the living room rug.  That marked the transition of radio from tinkerer’s toy to a standard household necessity.

Another Zenith First of 1926 turned out to be the better mouse trap that the world didn’t beat a path to.  It was the first railroad train in the world equipped with shortwave radio communications, actually on 70 meters.  It was a New York Central special of twelve cars that pulled out of Elkhart, Indiana on June 11, and made the 100 mile run to Englewood, Illinois with all communications between cab and caboose conducted by radio.

The equipment was designed and installed by a then young Zenith engineer named G.E. Gustafson.  He started from scratch, developing suitable antennas, signaling systems to call the crew at either end, methods of preventing road noises from getting into the mikes, etc.

The October, 1927 issue of Proceedings of the Institute of Radio Engineers reported, “No difficulty was had in maintaining two-way conversation between the caboose and the locomotive when standing still or when running at top speed.  The engineer was able to hear and understand everything coming from the loudspeaker behind his head without diverting his attention from the road ahead...  all train orders were given by means of the radio installation ...  the train was stopped and the engine uncoupled from the train and run ahead under orders given entirely by radio from the caboose ...  communication was maintained with loudspeaker operation at both ends up to a distance of four miles ...”

There was an official demonstration on July 8, with a 116 car freight train carrying a passenger car and caboose filled with newspaper men and radio and railroad officials.  It made the run from Englewood to Elkhart with all communications between cab and caboose by radio.  Results of the official test were entirely satisfactory, and radio transmission of signals saved the delays that ordinarily had occurred previously when a train man had to walk the entire length of the train.

Zenith did not go into the railroad radio business because the limited market didn’t justify the heavy expense involved, and because of the Management’s conviction that Zenith’s future lay in mass production of radio equipment for the public.

So, the idea didn’t take hold straightaway, partly because of the shortage of radio frequencies, and partly because the idea was not vigorously promoted.  But, development of FM, and expansion of radio into the shortwave spectrum, did lead to extensive use of radio by railroads in subsequent years.  All railroads now have their trains equipped with radio to communicate both between cab and the rest of the train, and between the train and land stations.  Before the cell phone era, some also used radio to provide links for passenger use from moving trains to the long distance telephone network.

THE LATE TWENTIES

By 1927 the radio manufacturing industry encompassed a helter-skelter of many brand names, most of which have long since disappeared, and radios had wide variation in quality and performance.  Zenith, which already possessed an outstanding reputation, placed even greater emphasis on superior quality and engineering innovations, and on marketing these features.  The company’s advertising employed such slogans as “The Quality Goes in Before the Name Goes On,” “Known the World Over,” and “World’s Largest Manufacturer of High Grade Radio.”

Through most of 1927 Zenith continued to be the only manufacturer producing all-electric AC sets.  To this feature was added automatic push button tuning, which enabled the user to select any of nine stations by simply pushing the appropriate button.

The company was really beginning to roll, and in the next year, Zenith moved into high gear.  The company offered a line of all-electric sets, many with automatic tuning, which sold in a price range from $100 to $2,500.  By 1929, company earnings broke the million dollar mark for the first time with a thumping $1,110,000.

An interesting highlight of 1929 was the production of a custom-built radio for King Alexander I of Yugoslavia.  A special emissary of the King called.  He said he had been turned down by radio manufacturers in New York who thought he was pulling a gag, and he said that he wanted to purchase a special radio set for His Majesty.  He came out to the factory in formal attire, with a ribbon across his chest, and placed the order.

The set was housed in one of Zenith’s most ornate cabinets.  It included Zenith’s finest longwave and shortwave chassis, plus a remote control on a 75 foot cord.  The King had a wonderful time with it.  At one party he confounded his generals by switching from station to station, and shortwave to longwave, with the remote control.  They thought it was pure magic.  The King was so pleased with the set that he gave Zenith an order to supply radios for the Yugoslavian school system.

The outlook for business seemed rosy in these last months of “the era of wonderful nonsense.” Then came the market crash of October, 1929, and the depression years that followed.  All business suffered severely, and the young radio industry was thrown into virtual chaos.

THE DEPRESSION YEARS

Zenith retrenched savagely.  The Michigan Avenue offices were shut fast, and all operations were consolidated in the plant at Iron Street.  Product planning was regeared to meet the times.  Large sets were replaced in the line by smaller, lower-priced models, but the emphasis on quality was not relaxed.  Employees, imbued with fierce pride and loyalty, tightened their belts along with management.

Among Zenith’s depression weapons was a new line of low priced table model receivers introduced in 1931.  These sold in great volume.  Another was a 110 volt DC radio operating directly from the electric line.  This model was very popular in such cities as New York and Chicago, where large areas still had direct current, particularly in business and apartment hotel districts.

ECONOMIC UPTURN

The economic turn for Zenith began in 1933, and in 1934, they introduced a car radio which had the tuning control on the steering column in easy reach of the driver.  In subsequent years Zenith became one of the largest suppliers of car radios to the automobile industry.

FREE POWER FROM THE WIND

One of Zenith’s other recovery tools was a legacy from McDonald’s voyages to the Arctic.  Along the route he had presented radio receivers to a number of missionaries and government officials, with what he believed to be an ample supply of batteries.  But he had forgotten the loneliness of the six month long Arctic night, when these remote spots were completely out of touch with civilization.  Radio was like a new breath of life to these isolated people, bringing them news and entertainment from all over the world.  As a consequence, supplies of batteries that should have served for three years were exhausted in less than one.

McDonald did the best he could for his Arctic friends by sending them new batteries as needed.  At the same time he began wondering if there were not some other method of supplying them with dependable power.  One day while sailing a boat it occurred to him that the one great source of power that was available almost everywhere was the wind.

In 1935, with major depression problems solved, he asked Zenith engineers to find out if there was in existence a practical device for translating free power of the wind into electricity.

Within 24 hours the engineers reported back that there were two Iowa farm boys, John and Gerhard Albers, who were associated with the Wincharger Corporation in Sioux City, which was building wind driven generators for charging 6-volt storage batteries.  They had solved the problem of getting their generators to work in light winds by using two airfoil sections for blades on their “wind mill.” The wind pulled these airfoils around, as compared to the way wind pushed the multitude of blades on the low-speed windmills used for farm water pumps.

The Albers boys had done all of their development work without the aid of wind tunnels.  Instead, they mounted Winchargers on automobiles; on calm days, the speedometer reading gave them the wind velocity.

Zenith, meanwhile, had developed an efficient battery radio that operated on a single 6-volt storage battery.  When used together, this radio and the Wincharger unit could provide unfailing radio operation, with a total power cost of about fifty cents a year.  Moreover, it had enough reserve power to operate a few lights from the storage battery, a Godsend to farms that had no electricity.

Zenith bought control of Wincharger, which then acquired a larger factory in Sioux City, and started mass production.  The first order from Zenith to Wincharger called for fifty thousand units.

The 6-volt Wincharger was sold for $10 to purchasers of Zenith radios who wanted the power unit.  It was an outstanding commercial success.  Sales were counted in tens of thousands, and since each $10 Wincharger sale usually resulted in the sale of a Zenith radio, the company soon became the industry’s leading supplier of farm radios.

In 1937, Zenith purchased all outstanding stock to make Wincharger a wholly owned subsidiary.

And there we have to leave the Zenith story once again, but we’ll be back with part 4 in a few weeks’ time.  Back to you, Jeff.

(AWR/Wavescan)

Blog Logs, May 2024

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

 Thank you to all the contributors for sharing their loggings – do you have any loggings or information to share for the next edition of Blog Logs? Your input from mediumwave, or shortwave is welcome at: 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  

 The new Shortwave Central Kiwi SDRs are up and running. at: http://192.168.0.244:8073/ and  DX Central at: http://21730.proxy.kiwisdr.com:8073/ The SDR's are a great aid for your listening from our southeast Louisiana location.

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

 Blog Logs Issue # 5

 Language services, SDR or receivers as indicated.

// denotes station heard on a parallel frequency

*Sign-on Sign-Off*

All frequencies in kilohertz

Monitored 14 April - 14 May 2024

All times UTC

Mediumwave

Brazil

570, Rádio Eldorado, Criciuma SC, 2225. Sports news ‘Avail FC)’ ads for “Supermercado (?) Criciuma Tubarão. SINPO 34433. Best reception on USB and interference from 560 Rádio Deus é Amor, Santa Isabel.

590, Rádio 79, Ribeirão Preto SP, 2115 with sports talk, news to “Betafogo de Ribeirão Preto.” SINPO 35553.

730, Rádio Cidade, Jundiai, SP 2158. Sports news, station ID “ZYK523 Rádio Cidade…a voz do Brasil” on 2200. Interference from Rádio Trianon, São  Paulo SP.

750, Rádio América, Belo Horizonte MG, 2234. Brazilian songs, oldies, and station promo. SINPO 22432. Interference from Rádio CBN Vale, São José dos Campos SP. Also on 580 with religious broadcasting. SINPO 24422.

750, Rádio CBN Vale, São José dos Campos SP. At 2231 with ID as “CBN,” into news bulletin. SINPO 33433. Interference from Rádio América, Belo Horizonte MG.

820, Rádio Jauense, Jaú SP at 2206. Sports program, “Quinze de Jaú…jogo na cidade de Barretos.” SINPO 24522.

1160, Rádio Cacique, Taubaté SP, 2156. “noticias das Estrada do Vale do Paraiba, Conexão da Tarde”, grupo de emissoras Coligadas…” SINPO 34333.

1320 Rádio Tropical Gospel, Curitiba PR at 2204. “Igreja Visão Missionária..” Commercials for Curitiba, Cajuru, Missionário Alexandre da Rosa.” SINPO 35553.

1380, Rádio Cidade, Brasópolis MG at 2156. Brazilian song, station jingle, and ID “ZYL218 AM 1380 Rádio Cidade, Brasópolis, Minas Gerais.” SINPO 35443. (Rudolf Grimm, São Bernardo SP, Brazil).

Kuwait

630, Radio Kuwait, Quran Channel (Madirat al-Kuwayt/Al-Masqua 2210-2220. Ongoing Arabic Quran recitations in progress at tune-in. This is a 24-hour station.

1134, Radio Kuwait Multilingual Channel 2215-2225. Arabic programs including clear ID, and program previews into the presentation.

1548, USAGM/Radio Farda 1548-1555. Clear ID at tune-in to Arabic easy-listening vocals. http://www.radiofarda.com Station at Al-Kuwayt/Umm al-Rimam 1630-2330 schedule. (Van Horn/Kiwi Qatar SDR)

Paraguay

650, Radio Uno, Asunción. Spanish at 2324. Sports commentary for ‘futebol.’ (soccer). Guarani, Sudamericana. Station comments with SINPO 24332. (Rudolf Grimm, São Bernardo SP, Brazil).

Peru

1360, Radio Sicuani, 2330-0020. Spanish. Music which was presumed to be in Quechua and mentions of “provincial de Canchis.” Noted Sicuani is the capital of Canchis province. (RealDX/Paul Crankshaw).

United Arab Emirates

846, Umm al-Quwain/Quran Radio 1820-1835 with ongoing Quran recitations. 

1476, Radio Keralam, Ras-al-Khaimah with Indi pops, station ID, and jingles. Sitar vocals. (Van Horn/Qatar Kiwi)

Uruguay

1180, Radio La Voz de Artigas, Artigas. Spanish “Sonido professional, como lo sabes tu … Artigas.” Pop music tune, SINPO 25432 ((Rudolf Grimm, São Bernardo SP, Brazil).

Shortwave

Algeria

13790, Radio Ifrikiya FM, 2142. Arabic service including pop music and announcer’s talk. SINPO 35543 with transmission to west Africa (Rudolf Grimm, Sao Bernardo, Brazil

15110, Radio Ifrikiya FM, 0105-0115. Arabic/French programming including regional Arabic and pop vocals. Fair signal SINPO 35433.

15160, Radio Ifrikiya FM, 1725-1727. Arabic vocals from tune-in. Announcer duo’s station promo. Recheck 2155 on 13790 with Afro pops and no // 13590. Afro pops to 2100 time-tips to ID and Arabic script. (G. Van Horn/Kiwi Qatar SDR). https://ifrikyafm.com/

Austria

15440, Adventist World Radio/AWR relay at 2040. French service for religious text and prayer. Announcer’s station info during poor signal quality. (Harold Sellers, Vernon, BC, Canada). http://www.awr.org 

Bolivia

3310, Radio Mosoj Chaski, Cotapachi, 0017-0025. Poor signal with unreadable Spanish comments, Strong carrier for extremely weak audio (Manuel Méndez, Spain/BDXC).

Botswana

6195, USAGM/Voice of America relay Selebi-Phikewe 2055 with lady’s programming including pop music. SINPO 25322 as a target to central Africa. (Grimm).

15580, USAGM/Voice of America relay Selebi-Phikewe 1735-1852. English service of national news and interviews on humanitarian aid to Gaza. Fan-fare melody into replay interview on the annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House. Shift to 6080 no // 4930. Issues In the News segment on Ukraine’s continuing war. Recheck 2010 on 6195. ID to African rap vocals // 4930 (SIO 444) // 909 (SIO 323) (Van Horn/Kiwi Kenya SDR/Kiwi South Africa SDR). http://www.voanews.com

Brazil

6150, Rádio Saturno, Belo Horizonte at 1100 with station ID. Station Portuguese schedule (ex 6170):0430-1455; 2040-2100. Log 0600-0645. (Van Horn).

6180, Rádio Nacional da Amazonia, Brasilia DF at 2050. Station‘s Portuguese identification and announcer’s chat. Instrumental music program. SINPO 45544. Targeted to northern Brazil (Grimm). http://www.ebc.com.br

9665, Voz Missionaria, Cambori?, 0522-0546 // 5940, 11749.9 with Portuguese religious songs. Méndez)

9819 Rádio 9 de Julho, São Paulo 2034-2047 with Portuguese religious songs. SINPO 15421 (Méndez).

11815, Rádio Brasil Central, Goiania, 2033-2048 with Brazilian music. SINPO 35433 (Mendéz)

15190, Rádio Inconfidência at 0102. Portuguese ads to announcers’ frequency quote. Local time check into Brazilian dance music. Fair signal quality as the band is only fair. (Sellers) 1941-2018 with Braz music and ID as “Rádio Inconfidencia, inconfidencia.com.br” SINPO 25432 (Méndez) http://www.inconfidencia.com.br

Clandestine

6045, Voice of Freedom (tentative) from 0940-0950. Open carrier observed but no audio with North Korean jamming underneath. (Frank Hillton, SC).

9490, Radio República. 0132 Good signal for Spanish broadcast including several ID’s as “Radio República, la voz de la Resistencia Cubana.” (Sellers). The station is prone to jamming by Cuba.

Denmark

5930 World Music Radio, Bramming 2025-2045 with Southern American instrumentals to station identification. (Sam Wright, MS)

Ethiopia

6030, Radio Oromiya, Addis Ababa 1914-1936. East African songs and vernacular comments (Méndez).  

6090, Radio Amhara/Amhara State Radio 1745-1805. Male/female with presumed Amharic conversation. Newscast and “Amhara” ID at 1800. SIO 322. (Méndez).

6110, Radio Fana/Fana Broadcasting Corp. 1755-1810. Tune in with program text in presumed Amharic. Poor signal SIO 222. (Van Horn/Kiwi Qatar SDR) The Kiwi Kenya SDR has an ongoing “buzz.”

Euro Free Radio

6275, Radio Argus 1902-1925. English pop tune at tune-in. “Radio Argus” ID at 1902 into new tune. Music titles to DJ Bert Bridges intro for Pink Floyd music. (Van Horn) Additionally found out this was the station’s first broadcast in 21 years, and unfortunately the email address posted on the BDXC email group bounced twice for me! Does anyone have a current address?

5879.97 Radio Rock Revolution 2000-2015 with rock music and DJ’s identification, better in LSB (Giovanni Serra, Roma, Italy/NASWA)

6285.02 Zender Akenzo 2006-2018 with Dutch programming for disco pops (Serra).

Kuwait

15750, USAGM/Radio Mashaal. Pashto program at 1110. SINPO 15321 for transmission to Afghanistan and Pakistan (Grimm).

Liberia

6050, ELWA Radio 0600-0615. The station’s interval signal to ID and greetings to listeners. Religious devotionals and gospel vocals (Van Horn) ** See comments in my Bits & Bytes column on ELWA, in the upcoming June 2024 issue of The Spectrum Monitor e-zine.

http://www.elwaministries.com

Madagascar

11965 African Pathways Radio at 2033. English service with station’s website information into the program about Eswatini, formerly known an Swaziland. (Sellers).

11610, World Christian Broadcasting 2146. The Light of Life in Chinese. Station identification with station info. SINPO 25532 to Western Europe (Grimm).

México

6185, Radio Educacion, Ciudad de México 0625-0645 and 0100-0135 with classic Mexican music and station IDs. Also noted as Señal Cultura México, schedule 2200-1100 UTC. (Hillton). http://www.radioeducacion.edu.mx

Norway

5895, Radio Northern Star, Bergen, 2026-2037. English comments and station ID at 2030 “Radio Northern Star.” English pop music for SINPO 25432 (Méndez).

Peru

4820, Radio Senda Cristiana, Cotahuasi, Arequipa, 0018-0127. Spanish programming to religious text. SINPO 15421 (Méndez).

Romania

11620 Radio Romania International at 0011. English service with lady’s newscast for a good signal. 13650 at 2031 with newscast, also on // 11975. Noted on fair quality 11800 at 2219 with a program on health issues (Sellers). http://www.rri.ro

Thailand

13750, Radio Thailand at 0001. English service covering newscasts by male/female duo. Fair signal. (Sellers).

15090 USAGM/Radio Azadi via Udon Thani. Heard at 0231. Pashto programming to Afghanistan. (Grimm) the station also broadcast this time on 9480. http://www.azadiradio.com

United Kingdom

3955, SM Radio Dessau 1902-1925. Woofferton, UK relay and replay of earlier broadcast from Germany relay at 1200 and 0800. Classical music to German announcements and the May Day program. (Van Horn/NLD Twente SDR) E-QSL received in three days.

United States

9265, WINB 2045-2050. The signal barely audible through archived audio from Bro. Stair’s sermons // 9665.

9980, WWCR 1850-1905. Parallels 15825 or 13845 not heard.  Religious text to hymns, canned station ID into Overcomer Ministry programming; 12160 at 1800-1830; 12160 at 2000-2010; 9350 at 2050-2100 with discussion on current politics and upcoming elections.

9275, WMLK Radio, Bethel, PA 1910-1920. Fair signal from tune-in for archived Elder Jacob O. Meyer religious text. SIO 232. Audible 2045-2055 with very weak text.

5950, WRMI/Radio Tumbril 0200-0220. “Radio Tumbril” identification for Encore classical music program from host Brice Avey. Music from Hummel and Mendelssohn, SINPO 44344

15770, WRMI 2220-2230. Spanish program to Latin America. Station ID; 9455 at 2230 with Overcomer Ministry program; 7730 at 2240 Supreme Master’s program; 5850 Radio Prague French newscasts.

9475, WTWW 2100-2110. Scriptures for America into archived programming from the late Pastor Peter J. Peters from LePorte Church. (Van Horn/SW Central Kiwi SDR LA).

Vanuatu

7260, Radio Vanuatu 0620-0640. Noted a public service format in Bislama, followed by national news and pop vocals. (Hillton).7260, 0610-0655 Poor signal quality but Vanuatu (Wright) https://www.vbtc.vu

Vatican State

9705, Vatican Radio via Santa Maria di Galeria. French service heard at 2029. Interval signal to ID as “Radio Vaticana.” Instrumental music and lady’s program info. SINPO 35543 with programming targeted to Africa. Heard on 21470 via BBC relay in English with sports programming and station station ID. SINPO 35553 to Africa (Grimm). http://www.vaticannews.va 

A glimpse of Tunisian radio broadcast history

 

Sixty-five years ago, in May 1959, Tunisia launched its international service on short waves. The first short wave transmitter was in Djedeida near Tunis (36°50'12.4"N 9°55'45.5"E). This is a 50 kW Telefunken.

Ten years later, a new transmitter center is installed in Sidi-Mansour, near Sfax (34°49'13.9"N 10°51'08.5"E). It comes equipped with 2 100 kW Telefunken transmitters. Antennas point to the Maghreb, Europe and the Middle East.

In 1975, a third transmitter of the same type came to strengthen broadcasting.

In 1999, after the end of the Cold War and as all countries reduced their investment in short waves, Tunisia did the opposite! The transmitter center was modernized at a great cost. All transmitters were replaced by four 500 kW Thales TSW2500. To finance the works the Tunisian state made a thirty-year loan that it must repay by 2028.

After repayment of the first deadlines, the National Office of Television noted it is necessary to save money and the transmitters are only used at reduced capacity. Worse yet, while only half the loan is repaid, the government is trying to find a buyer for this material. 

Unfortunately, the shortwave market had collapsed and 500 kW transmitters had become unsellable. At the end of 2013, broadcast on shortwave were suppressed, because it costs nearly 3 million dinars/year to taxpayers.

Since then, Radio Tunis International has broadcasted its programs in French, Italian, English, German and Spanish on medium waves 963 kHz, 100kW and FM at Bizerte 92.0 MHz Tunis 98.2 MHz Sousse 92.0 Mhz Sfax 99.5 MHz Kef 88.2 MHz Gafsa 101.8 MHz and fortunately on the net at http://www.rtci.tn/ and apps. 

Over the years, this large international chain has served more foreign residents and tourists.

(Radio World/FB)

(edited by Teak Publishing for clarity)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

 Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts

:Issued: 2024 May 13 1020 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 06 - 12 May 2024

Solar activity was high. The bulk of the activity came from Region 3664 (S17, L=347, Fkc/BGD on 10 May). This region was responsible for 41 M-class and 9 X-class flares accounting for approximately 72% of the 74 energetic events observed during the week. It was also responsible for several CMEs, On Monday, 6 May the region had grown to an Ekc/BGD group, having been a numbered region since 01 May. By the 8th, it had more than doubled in size to 1200 microhemispheres. and had produced its first three X-class flares. By 10 May, it had doubled again in size to 2400 microhemispheres and produced a total of 6 X-class flares. 

Flares and CMEs noted included the following from Region 3664, with flare maximum time and particulars followed by the time the CME was first visible in C2 imagery: 

08/0509 X1.0 - 08/0600

To be determined, 08/1224

08/1753 M7.9/2N, 08/1912

08/2236 X1.0, 2140

09/0913, X2.2/3B; 09/0948.

These CMEs were all modeled in a 09/1300 Enlil run which prompted the dissemination of a G4 geomagnetic storm watch (See alerts listing). Additional flares and CMEs prior to the onset of the geomagnetic storm occurred at: 

09/1744 X1.1/2B, 09/1912

10/0654 X3.9, 09/0748

11/0123 X5.8/2B, 11/0136

Note: The flare/CME associations are provisional at this point and may need revision. Please see the Energetic Events list for information regarding radio emissions associated with the flare described above and for information regarding the remainder of the flares not described above. Additonal CMEs occurred in conjunction with the remaining flares but are not described here. 

Proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit. A 10 Mev at 10 pfu event, associated with an X3.9 flare from region 3664, began on 10 May at 1335, peaked at 207 pfu on 10/1745, and ended at 12/1235. A 100 MeV proton event, associated with an X5.8 flare from Region 3664, began on 11 May at 0210, reached a peak of 7 pfu at 11/0715, and ended at 12/0030. 

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

Geomagnetic field activity reached extreme levels, and saw the largest geomagnetic storm since the 2003 Halloween superstorms. DST dipped to -412 on 11 May at 0300 UT. The week began with a relatively benign solar wind environment, indicative of a relatively unremarkable high speed stream that may have included a weak transient passage. With the exception of one active period, the geomagnetic field remained at quiet to unsettled levels until the arrival of a barrage of CMEs described above on 10 May. 

Interplanetary shock passage was observed at 10/1639 and followed by a sudden impulse at 1645 of 108 nT at the Boulder magnetometer. Over the remainder of the 10th, the total interplanetary magnetic field strength at L1 increased to 75 nT and Bz remained southward, dipping to -50 nT at times. The solar wind speed jumped from around 450 km/s to 700 km/s with the arrival of the shock, eventually reaching a peak near 1000 km/s on 12/0057. The geomagnetic field responded promptly and had reached a Kp=7 by 10/1718, Kp=8 by 11/0338, and Kp=9o by 10/2334. 

The Kp remained at 9o through the 11/00-03 synoptic period, and at 8+ or above for the next 15 hours. A third period of 9o was again observed during the 11/09-12 synoptic period.The Oulu, Finland cosmic ray detector indicated a Forbush decrease of 10% between the 10th and 11th. From 11/1800 to 12/0600 the Kp remained between 7+ and 7- before dropping below minor storm levels through the 12/21 synoptic period. An extremely weak shock was observed at 13/0900 followed by a decrease in density and a jump in temperature. The signature had the hallmarks of a fast stream becoming geoeffective. By 13/1900, the temperature began dropping and the density began rising. This was followed by an increase in geomagnetic activity to moderate (Kp between 6- and 6+) levels. 

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 13 May - 08 June 2024

Solar activity is expected to remain at moderate to high levels through the forecast period. Region 3664 will rotate off the visible disk by 14-15 May, and another 10 regions will depart the visible disk between 16 and 23 May. This will lead to a relative lull in activity compared to the past week. However, a couple of regions rotating on will maintain the potential for at least moderate activity. Region 3663 is expected to return on the 23rd and Region 3664 on the 28th of May, with a significant increase in the threat of high activity. 

There is a chance for proton events at geosynchronous orbit, particularly with the return of Region 3664. This doesn't preclude the possibility of an event in the days leading up to the 23rd, but the risk will increase with each day Region 3664 moves across the visible disk. 

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

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at minor storm levels to being the period, with a lingering chance of moderate to strong levels through the 14th. A relatively quiet period follows, interrupted by coronal hole high-speed stream activity between 23 May and 3 June. 

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

:Issued: 2024 May 13 1020 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 2024-05-13

#

#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest

#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index

2024 May 13     220          40          7

2024 May 14     215          18          5

2024 May 15     200          12          4

2024 May 16     190           5          2

2024 May 17     180           5          2

2024 May 18     170           5          2

2024 May 19     170           5          2

2024 May 20     160           5          2

2024 May 21     165           5          2

2024 May 22     165           5          2

2024 May 23     160           8          3

2024 May 24     160          12          4

2024 May 25     160           8          3

2024 May 26     160           5          2

2024 May 27     165          12          4

2024 May 28     175           8          3

2024 May 29     195           5          2

2024 May 30     205           5          2

2024 May 31     205           8          3

2024 Jun 01     215          12          4

2024 Jun 02     220          12          4

2024 Jun 03     225           8          3

2024 Jun 04     220           5          2

2024 Jun 05     220           5          2

2024 Jun 06     225           5          2

2024 Jun 07     225           5          2

2024 Jun 08     225           5          2

(NOAA)

Music Programs on Shortwave - Verson 2 update

 

An updated version (v2) of my "Music Programmes on Shortwave" PDF file for the current A-24 broadcast season is now available to download from the permanent link at:

https://app.box.com/s/kbdxb4c5lwpju0kpoi27aiwc35br2g2a (or for short: https://bit.ly/3LgKNJ2

I hope that you find it of interest.

As always, I appreciate any updates or corrections.

Alan Roe, Teddington, UK 

Voice of Indonesia frequency adjustment on May 13

 

Voice of Indonesia, the Overseas Service of Radio Republik Indonesia (VOI RRI) will carry out an adjustment on our shortwave frequency starting Monday, 13 May 2024 at 0000 UTC. We are moving from 4750 kHz to 4755 kHz. 

Meanwhile, our 3325 kHz will continue as usual. We are asking for your understanding. Please send your feedback to our email address voilisteners@gmail.com

Thank you. (Station Direct via WRTH Facebook)

(R D'Angelo/NASWA)

(edited or clarity)

Voice of Indoneaia website: https://voinews.id/ 

Shortwave Radiogram, Program 353, May 9-15

 

Hello friends

If you are in the USA. I hope you were not inconvenienced (or worse) by the bands of severe weather the moved across the country during the past few days. Here in the Washington DC area, we have been promised interesting weather as part of this system, but each new forecast calls for less drama. I think we'll be lucky to get a few drops of rain.

Space weather has also been disruptive lately. I've noticed that the amateur radio bands have featured more noise than stations the past few days. I hope this week's Shortwave Radiogram is audible.

A video of last week's Shortwave Radiogram (program 352) is provided by Scott in Ontario (Wednesday 1330 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 353, 9-15 May 2024, in MFSK modes as noted:

 1:44  MFSK32: Program preview

 2:53  MFSK32: World heat records for 11th month in a row

 4:59  MFSK64: Proposal to replace collapsed Baltimore bridge*

 9:32  MFSK64: This week's images*

28:36  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

Trans World Radio - Monte Carlo

 

Special thanks to Ray Robinson and Jeff White for sharing a recent edition of Wavescan.

Jeff: 63½ years ago, in October 1960, Trans World Radio, now the largest Christian broadcaster in the world, began broadcasting from a facility in Monte Carlo.  Last week, Ray Robinson in Los Angeles covered their early beginnings as the Voice of Tangier in the Tangier International Zone.  Now here he is with the story of broadcasting in Monaco, and Trans World Radio, Monte Carlo in particular.

Ray:  Thanks, Jeff.  The small independent European Principality of Monaco is a micro-state, located on the French Riviera just ten miles west of the French border with Italy.  This country is listed as the second smallest in the world, with only the Vatican State being smaller.  Monaco is a little more than two miles long, east to west, and at its narrowest point it’s only 200 yards wide.  The total area is just ¾ square mile, and almost a quarter of that total area has been recovered from the Mediterranean Sea.

The capital city of Monaco is, Monaco; although another well-known city in this tiny enclave is Monte Carlo.  The total population of Monaco is around 39,000.  The country obtains much of its revenue from tourism, with 1½ million people flooding into the area each year.

The national flag of Monaco has two horizontal bars - red at the top and white at the bottom.  Surprisingly, the Monaco flag is exactly the same as the flags of both Indonesia & the German state of Hesse, though the dimensions are slightly different.

The country of Monaco is also well known for its Casino; the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix car race; the Monte Carlo Rally run annually since 1911, and the Tour de France bicycle race which always passes through the Principality.  Monaco issues its own colorful postage stamps, and also its own bank notes and coinage, now in the Euro series.

It was back in the year 1956, that the American Hollywood actress Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier of Monaco in a highly publicized wedding ceremony.  The reigning Grimaldi family traces their dynasty back to the year 1297, when the first of their clan took over the throne.

This little southern European country was named by Greek seafarers who set up their own colony in the 7th century AD.  600 years later, the area was reestablished as an Italian colony dependent upon the city of Genoa.  Even though Monaco is an independent country, it is heavily dependent upon neighboring France.

It was back in 1923 that initial consideration was given to establishing a radio station in Monaco, though nothing definite came of this matter until some 20 years later.  During 1942, discussions for the establishment of a new international shortwave station took place between the government of Monaco and the governments of both Germany & Vichy France.  In May, a permit was issued for the construction of a powerful shortwave station that could give wide area coverage for Nazi German radio programming.

Work on the new station moved slowly, though two shortwave transmitters, rated at 100 kW each, were ordered through the Indonesian government, although they were never delivered.  A new transmitter building was built into the side of Mt Agel, behind Monte Carlo, and located actually in what is officially French territory.

Radio Monte Carlo had an official opening ceremony on July 17, 1943, with the well-known French actor, Maurice Chevalier as the Master of Ceremonies.  For this, they utilized a small 200 watt shortwave transmitter located in Monaco itself, and also a medium wave outlet via the already established transmitter of Radio Mediterranee on 1240 kHz, located some distance away at Antibes in France.  A little over a year later, this wartime Radio Monte Carlo was closed.  So, although Herr Hitler had paid for the construction of a super-power station, it wasn’t finished in time to be used by his regime.

In June 1945, Radio Monte Carlo was re-opened by the French, first with a 300 watt shortwave transmitter on 6130 kHz; and a year later, a 10 kW medium wave transmitter on 410 metres, 730 kHz was added.  Both of these units were heard by international radio monitors in England.  One year later again, a 25 kW shortwave transmitter was installed and this was noted on air in the United States, as well as in New Zealand & Australia.

Meanwhile, across the Mediterranean from the south coast of Spain, the city of Tangier enjoyed a status known as the Tangier International Zone from 1924-1956.  In this zone, there were no controls on broadcasting, and as we explained last week, in 1954 an American by the name of Dr. Paul Freed founded a station known as the Voice of Tangier, first by buying time on the commercial Radio Tangier, and then by installing his own shortwave transmitters.  His initial vision was simply to broadcast to Spain where under Franco’s government, Spanish protestants were forbidden to evangelize or distribute Christian resources, but the vision grew quickly from there.

When Morocco gained independence in 1956, the Tangier International Zone was reunited with the rest of the country, and all broadcasting in Tangier came under government control.  In April 1959, it was announced that all stations would be nationalized at the end of that year.  Dr. Freed began serious negotiations with Radio Monte Carlo about the lease of airtime.  In his book, ‘Towers to Eternity’, Dr. Freed explains that Monte Carlo was the only station in Europe at that time, and at any price, that would allow him the privilege of broadcasting the Gospel full time and indeed it remained so for more than another decade.

In September 1959, he signed a contract with Radio Monte Carlo for the establishment of a large shortwave station, the transmitters for which would be installed in the by then disused building in the side of Mt Agel.  The terms of the agreement were that TWR had to buy the transmitters, but they would be owned by Radio Monte Carlo and leased back full time to TWR for their exclusive use.

An antenna system was constructed in a strategic location, high on the bluffs of the Southern Alps, overlooking the Mediterranean.  It consisted of mostly high-gain curtain antennas with 21 steel framed towers up to 175 feet high.  They had one antenna each for:

• The Middle East

• British Isles

• Scandinavia

• Russia

There was also a reversible antenna which reached Spain on one side and Eastern Europe on the other, and several stack dipoles with reflectors and directors which gave coverage into the nearby countries of Italy, Germany and France.

The Voice of Tangier closed on December 31st, 1959, and TWR Monte Carlo went on the air for the first time on October 16, 1960, just nine months later.  Initially they had just one 100 kW shortwave transmitter, under the official callsign 3AM5.  A second 100 kW transmitter was added the following year, plus a 500 kW unit in 1982.  TWR’s studios and offices occupied three floors of a multi-storey building in Monte Carlo, and over 18,000 letters from listeners were received in the first year.

At the height of their operation in Monte Carlo, TWR was on the air from the three shortwave transmitters and ten curtain antennas, as well as on medium wave from a high powered facility nearby, and in French on longwave.  I personally was first introduced to the programming of Trans World Radio by my grandparents in the late 1960’s, who always used to listen to the English programs from 7:25-9:00am each day.  I remember them well on 7290 kHz, which generally provided a very solid, reliable signal.  Here’s a shortwave sign-on from 1979:

On April 1st, 1966, TWR began leasing the 400 kW medium wave transmitter of Radio Monte Carlo on 205 metres (1466 kHz), for early morning and late evening programming in German, French and English.  The English segment was from about 10:30pm to midnight each evening.  Most programming was American, but in the 1970’s, some British-produced programs were added, such as the one for young people called Rendezvous with evangelist Dick Saunders.  Here’s a medium wave closedown from March 1971:

In 1974, a new Thomson CSF medium wave transmitter was installed, boosting TWR’s output power to 1 MW in the evenings.  From the mid-1970’s, though , the frequency became a challenge, because in the UK, many BBC local radio stations started using the adjacent frequency of 206 metres (1457 kHz), and the station where I lived in London did so with 50 kW!  Cheap portable transistor radios with only average selectivity struggled to separate the signals, and the resulting splatter on 205 wasn’t something to which a casual user would listen. 

TWR closed their shortwave operations from Monte Carlo in 1996, after a new station had been opened in Cyprus.  An evening medium wave relay from Monte Carlo continued until 2020, but since 2022, all broadcasting in Monaco has been on FM and DAB only.

 

On two different occasions, Adventist radio programming was noted over Radio Monte Carlo.  Beginning in 1957 for a year or two, the French version of the “Voice of Prophecy” was heard on three shortwave channels; and for a few months in 1999, Adventist World Radio took out a relay via another medium wave transmitter on 702 kHz for coverage into North Africa in both Arabic & French.

QSL’s from Radio Monte Carlo were fairly common, and multitudes of QSL cards have been issued over the years by Trans World Radio, Monte Carlo.

Back to you, Jeff.

(Wavescan/05 May 2024)

From War Propaganda to Gospel Outreach: The Story of Trans World Radio Monte Carlo

On this occasion, we are presenting the story of Radio Monte Carlo, and we are also honoring Trans World Radio in Monte Carlo on the occasion of their 50th anniversary. The November issue of the American radio magazine, “NASWA Journal”, reminds us that TWR Monte Carlo celebrated its 50th anniversary a few weeks ago; and some time back, Christian Ghibaudo in France provided us with much of the background information for this feature item.
The small European country of Monaco is located against the Mediterranean coast of France, just ten miles from the border of Italy. This country is listed as the second smallest in the world, with only the Vatican being smaller. Monaco is a little more than two miles long, and at its narrowest point it is only 200 yards wide. The total area is just ¾ square mile, and almost a quarter of this total area has been recovered from the Mediterranean Sea.
The capital city of Monaco is, Monaco; though another well known city in this tiny enclave is Monte Carlo. The total population of all of the country of Monaco is around 33,000. The country obtains much of its revenue from tourism, with 1½ million people flooding into the area each year.
Their national flag shows a plain red banner on the top half and a plain white banner on the bottom half. Surprisingly, the Monaco flag is exactly the same as the flag of both Indonesia & the German state of Hesse, though the dimensions are slightly different.
The country of Monaco is also well known for its Casino; and the Monaco Grand Prix car race; and its Tour de France bicycle race. Monaco issues its own colorful postage stamps, and also its own coinage, now in the Euro series.
It was back in the year 1956, that the American Hollywood actress Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier in a highly publicized wedding ceremony. The reigning Grimaldi family traces their dynasty back to the year 1297, when the first of their clan took over the throne.
This little southern European country was named by Greek seafarers who set up their own colony around the 600s. Another 600 years later, and the area was refounded as an Italian colony dependent upon the city of Genoa. Even though Monaco is an independent country, it is heavily dependent upon neighboring France.
It was back in the year 1923 that initial consideration was given to establishing a radio station in Monaco, though nothing definite came of this matter until some 20 years later. During the year 1942, discussions for the establishment of a new international shortwave station took place between the government of Monaco, and the governments of both Germany & Vichy France. In May, a permit was issued for the construction of a powerful shortwave station that could give wide area coverage to German radio programming.
Work on the new station moved slowly, though two shortwave transmitters, rated at 100 kW each, were ordered through the Indonesian government. A new transmitter building was constructed into the side of Mt Agel, behind Monte Carlo, and located actually in what is officially French territory.
A temporary radio station was inaugurated in an official opening ceremony on July 17, 1943, with the well known French actor, Maurice Chevalier as the Host of Ceremonies. A small shortwave transmitter with just 200 watts was located in Monaco itself, and the mediumwave outlet was the already established transmitter of Radio Mediterranee on 1240 kHz which was located some distance away at Antibes in France. A little over a year later, this new Radio Monte Carlo was closed.
In June 1945, Radio Monte Carlo was re-opened by the French, with a 300 watt shortwave transmitter on 6130 kHz; and a year later, a 10 kW mediumwave transmitter on 410 metres, 730 kHz. Both of these units were heard by international radio monitors in England. One year later again, a 25 kW shortwave transmitter was installed and this was noted on air in the United States, as well as in New Zealand & Australia.
On two different occasions, Adventist radio programming was noted over Radio Monte Carlo. Beginning in 1957 and for a year or two, the French version of the “Voice of Prophecy” was heard on three shortwave channels; and for a few months in 1999, Adventist World Radio took out a relay via the mediumwave transmitter on 702 kHz for coverage into North Africa in both Arabic & French.
In 1958, Trans World Radio signed a contract with Radio Monte Carlo for the establishment of a large shortwave station, and the transmitters would be installed in the disused building constructed into the side of Mt Agel during the German era. Trans World Radio was on the air previously from a site in Tangier, North Africa, but, with the changing political scene in Tangier-Morocco, it became necessary for them to re-locate elsewhere.
The new facility for TWR Monte Carlo was inaugurated on October 16, 1960, with the use of a new 100 kW shortwave transmitter under the official callsign 3AM5. An additional 100 kW shortwave transmitter was installed during the following year, and a 500 kW transmitter in 1982. Their studios and offices occupied three floors in a multi-storeyed building in Monte Carlo.
At the height of their operation in Monte Carlo, TWR was on the air from the three shortwave transmitters and ten curtain antennas, as well as on mediumwave from a high powered facility nearby. The main antenna systems are located in French territory rented to Monte Carlo, though one antenna for coverage into Europe is located on the northern slopes of Mt Agel in what is regular French territory.
These days, with the usage of their own shortwave stations elsewhere, as well as with rental time on additional relay stations, the TWR station in Monte Carlo is in part time use only, just for the morning hours on the two 100 kW transmitters.
QSLs from Radio Monte Carlo are quite evident, and multitudes of QSL cards have been issued over the years by Trans World Radio Monte Carlo.
(NWS # 96 via Adrian Peterson)

(photo via Teak Publishing Archives)

Programming update for FTIOM and UBMP

 The main feature will be special guest Kiki Valera with some of his new son cubano album Vacilón Santiaguero

From the Isle of Music

The main feature will be special guest Kiki Valera with some of his new son cubano album Vacilón Santiaguero

May 11: 0900-1000 UTC 9670 kHz 

1900-2000 UTC 3955 and 6070 kHz

Uncle Bill’s Melting Pot, May 18, 2024

The main feature will be special guest Eugene Pao, Hong Kong’s foremost jazz guitarist, with some of his new album Jazz at Lincoln Center recorded live during a tour of the United States. 

May 18 0900-1000 UTC 9670 kHz 

1900-2000 UTC 3955 and 6070 kHz

Both programs will feature additional music to round out the hour.

It’s great to be back on Channel 292!

(Bill Tilford/Tilford Productions)

DX Central Announces a New Summer-Long AM DX Challenge

 

 THE 2024 SUMMER OF DX!

DX Central and Loyd Van Horn are pleased to announce the latest challenge for MW DXers to test their skills against the temperament of the ionosphere with the 2024 Summer of DX challenge, open now through 2359 UTC on August 31, 2024.

"Who says that mediumwave season ends in May?  Definitely not us," says Van Horn.  "Some of my best MW DX catches ever have come through in the summer months.  While more difficult, the patient and determined DXer can reap fantastic results by braving the lightning crashes and summer static for MW DX!"

The Summer of DX challenge is open to any DXer, worldwide, for any station broadcasting between 530 and 1710 kHz.  There will be point values assessed for each entry and final point totals will be calculated after the conclusion of the challenge.  Results will be presented during the season premiere of Season 5 of the popular DX Central Live! DX-themed livestream in the fall of 2024.

"We made a conscience effort with our scoring setup for this challenge to try to level the playing field as much as we could to remove biases such as the use of SDRs or proximity to stations, that some DXers may see as discouraging for participation," says Van Horn.

"I wanted to make this something that any DXer around the world would want to actively be a part of!"

Those interested in participating can find a full list of rules, scoring information and other details at the challenge Web site:  dxchallenges.com.  Once registered, DXers can begin submitting their logs and accumulating points!

DX Central is a multimedia platform that specializes in mediumwave (AM) and FM DX and related topics.  The platform includes a web site with written educational material on MW and FM DX, propagation, equipment reviews and more; a popular weekly livestream during the peak of MW season in the Northern Hemisphere with live DX, discussions around DX-related topics and active participation from viewers; the DX Central YouTube channel with a large assortment of videos including instructional videos from the DX101 and Radio101 series as well as MW and FM identification airchecks to aid DXers in identifying their own DX catches; and the host of a series of weekly frequency challenges during the peak of MW DX season to motivate DXers to push their skills and help them hear more stations!

The DX Central Platform:

dxcentralonline.com

dxcentrallive.com

youtube.com/@DXCentral

dxchallenges.com

Voice of Indonesia to adjust frequency

 

Voice of Indonesia, the Overseas Service of Radio Republik Indonesia (VOI RRI) will carry out an adjustment on our shortwave frequency starting Monday, 13 May 2024 at 0000 UTC. We are moving from 4750 kHz to 4755 kHz. 

Meanwhile, our 3325 kHz will continue as usual. We are asking for your understanding. Please send your feedback to our email address voilisteners@gmail.com

Thank you. (Station Direct via WRTH Facebook)

(R D'Angelo/NASWA)

(edited or clarity)

Voice of Indoneaia website: https://voinews.id/ 

HAARP slated for research campaign

 

The High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) will be conducting a research campaign on May 8-10 UTC, with operating times specified below. Operating frequencies will vary, but all HAARP transmissions will be between 2.8 MHz and 10 MHz.

Actual transit days and times are highly variable based on real-time ionospheric and/or geomagnetic conditions. All information is subject to change.

This campaign is being conducted in support of research proposals from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and is a study of mechanisms for the detection of orbiting space debris. Space debris poses a major risk to all space operations, including manned spacecraft and communications satellites. 

These experiments are being performed at HAARP will help identify ways to improve collision detection on satellites.

For more information on space debris, see the NASA Orbital Debris Program Office's FAQ at: https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/faq. For more information research at HAARP, see the online HAARP FAQ at: https://haarp.gi.alaska.edu/faq 

Date (UTC) May 8 May 9 May 10

Time (UTC) 2000-0200 2000-0200 2000-0230

Frequencies (MHz) 3.25, f0F2 3.25, f0F2 3.25, f0F2

For updates on ionospheric cconditions in Gakona, please consult ionograms from the HAARP

Diagnostic Suite: https://haarp.gi.alaska.edu/diagnostic-suite

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

 Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts

:Issued: 2024 May 06 0628 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 29 April - 05 May 2024

Solar activity was at moderate to high levels. Moderate levels were observed on 29 Apr and 01-02 May. High levels were reached on 30 Apr, due in part to an M9.5/2b flare at 30/2346 UTC from Region 3654 (S07, L=134, class/area Fkc/550 on 30 Apr). Region 3654 was the largest and most complex spot group on 28 Apr-01 May, however it was in decay as it approached the SW limb on 01 May. The region produced a total of 11 M-class flares. On 30 Apr, Region 3663 (N26, L=037, class/area Fkc/580 on 05 May) emerged in the NE quadrant, followed by Region 3664 (S19, L=352, class/area Ekc/580 on 05 May) on 01 May. Both regions grew steadily over the following days. Region 3663 produced 17 M-class flares and 3 X-class flares while Region 3664 produced only 5 M-class flares. The three X-class flares included an X1.6/1b at 03/0222 UTC, an X1.3/1b at 05/0601 UTC, and an X1.2/1b at 05/1154 UTC. The X1.6 flare had associated Type II (959 km/s) and IV radio sweeps, a 550 sfu Tenflare and an associated CME first observed in SOHO/LASCO C2 imagery at 03/0248 UTC. Modelling of the event showed a potential glancing blow arriving around 05/1800 UTC.

There were two further CME runs of note. Those included an eruption near N13W09 at 29/0909 UTC that displayed a westward flow across GOES 16 SUVI imagery. C2 imagery showed a CME off the NW limb at 29/1248 UTC that was modelled as a potential glancing blow on 03 May around 1500 UTC. Lastly, a CME that was associated with a C3.9 flare at 03/2037 UTC from a plage area in the NE quadrant. The flare had associated Type II (392 km/s) and Type IV radio emissions and a CME first observed in C3 imagery at 03/2218 UTC. Analysis showed a potential glancing blow on 09 May. Other eruptive events associated with radio signatures were observed, but did not produce ejecta determined to be on the Sun-Earth line. 

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

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

Solar wind parameters began the period under mild positive polarity CH HSS influence solar wind speed was mostly in the 450-500 km/s range and total field around 2-4 nT. Solar wind speed began to diminish to nominal levels on 30 Apr. After 30/1130 UTC, the first of three CMEs were observed. Total field increased to near 14 nT while the Bz component rotated from -9 nT to +13 nT. Solar wind speed continued to decrease to near 350 km/s. The geomagnetic field responded with quiet levels on 29 Apr, followed by quiet to active levels on 30 Apr-01 May. On 02 May, a shock arrival was observed at 02/1317 UTC, indicating the arrival of the second CME. This CME was possibly the one that left the Sun on 29 Apr. The IMF increased to approximately 21 nT and the Bz component shifted southward to -19 nT. Solar wind speed increased initially to near 450 km/s and later to near 510 km/s on 03 May. The geomagnetic field responded with unsettled to G3 (Strong) storm levels on 02 May and quiet to active levels on 03 May. By early on 03 May, the IMF had decreased to nominal levels with solar wind speed slowly returning to background conditions. Nominal conditions returned on 04 May and through the midday on 05 May. Around 05/1500 UTC, another enhancement was observed in the IMF, likely the arrival of the 03 May CME. 

Total field strength increased gradually to 14 nT while the Bz component reached a southward deflection of -12 nT. Solar wind speed increased to near 380 km/s. The geomagnetic field responded with unsettled to active levels late on 05 May. 

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 06 May - 01 June 2024

Solar activity is expected to be at moderate to high levels (R1-R3/Minor-Strong) through 12 May as Regions 3663 and 3664 rotate across the visible disk. Low to moderate levels are expected on 12 May-01 Jun. 

There is a chance for S1-S2 (Minor-Moderate) solar radiation storm levels on 06-13 May due to the flare potential of Regions 3663 and 3664. 

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at normal to moderate levels on 06 May-01 Jun. 

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at unsettled to G2 (Moderate) storm levels on 06 May due to persistent CME influence. The geomagnetic field is expected to reach unsettled to active levels on 07-09 May, 12-14 May, 23-25 May, 27-28 May, and 31 May-01

Jun due to recurrent CH HSS activity. 

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

:Issued: 2024 May 06 0628 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 2024-05-06

#

#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest

#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index

2024 May 06     180          35          6

2024 May 07     185          12          4

2024 May 08     190           8          3

2024 May 09     185          10          3

2024 May 10     175           5          2

2024 May 11     175           5          2

2024 May 12     175           8          3

2024 May 13     175          15          4

2024 May 14     180          10          3

2024 May 15     205           5          2

2024 May 16     205           5          2

2024 May 17     200           5          2

2024 May 18     195           5          2

2024 May 19     190           5          2

2024 May 20     185           5          2

2024 May 21     180           5          2

2024 May 22     175           5          2

2024 May 23     170           8          3

2024 May 24     165          12          4

2024 May 25     170           8          3

2024 May 26     175           5          2

2024 May 27     175          12          4

2024 May 28     170           8          3

2024 May 29     165           5          2

2024 May 30     165           5          2

2024 May 31     165           8          3

2024 Jun 01     175          12          4

(NOAA)

Propagation news update from the U.K.

 

RSGB

May 3, 2024

What a strange week we had; with the solar flux index in the 167 range, falling to 130, conditions should have been reasonable, but the Kp index hit 4 and even 5.33 on the evening of Friday 26 April, which meant propagation on Saturday the 27th was truly dire.

Stations taking part in International Marconi Day on the 27th found the 40m band only open to long skip in the morning. This was due to the critical frequency being below 5MHz. The predicted MUF over a 3,000km path fluctuated between 15MHz and 19MHz for the whole day, which meant only 14MHz was open reliably. As a result, QSOs were hard to come by and many stations reported that it was slow going with virtually no signals from outside of Europe.

So what happened? Well, it was a combination of factors. The increased Kp index—due to a fast solar wind—took its toll; and we are now moving to a summer ionosphere, where chemical changes make it harder to ionize. This will mean we should see MUFs dropping as the season progresses, at least during the day. Nighttime MUFs will be higher than in winter.

So it may be that the glory days of 28MHz F2-layer propagation are on hold until autumn, with only short-skip sporadic E on the 10m band to keep us entertained.

F2-layer propagation is still available on the higher HF bands, but it may be patchy.

International Marconi Day station GB0CMS in Caister, Norfolk, reported that its 20m signals were picked up by a reverse beacon network skimmer in Utah, despite not working anyone outside of Europe. 

Meanwhile, on the morning of the 2nd, Laurie, G3UML was quite surprised to work YJ0CA on Vanuatu on the 15m band using SSB. He also worked 3D2CCC on Conway Reef on the 20m band using CW, and JD1BMH in Japan on the 15m band, also using CW.

Next week NOAA predicts the solar flux index will be in the 125 range, rising to 175 as the week progresses. Geomagnetic conditions are dependent on coronal mass ejections. We have had eight M-class solar flares in the past three days, and a Kp index of 5 on Thursday, the 2nd, which doesn’t bode well for next week. So, keep an eye on solarham.com for current conditions, and look for the best HF propagation if the Kp index is low for a day or two.

VHF and up propagation news from G3YLA and G4BAO:

The weather pattern remains very unsettled for the whole period, with areas of low pressure edging north across the UK from the continent.

There will be a risk of thundery weather at times, with locally heavy rainfall, which will be good for rain scatter on the Gigahertz bands. Tropo looks to be hard to find as we end the current week dominated by low-pressure systems, but there are signs of high pressure returning after mid-week, but only temporarily.

This could produce some tropo paths, especially across surrounding waters such as the Irish Sea, English Channel, and North Sea.

The nominal summer season of sporadic E propagation is upon us and—from May to early September—daily blogs will be provided on the propquest.co.uk website, highlighting the possible sporadic E

It’s well worthwhile getting into the habit of regularly checking the DX clusters and activity maps since the early season is usually characterized by a complex jet stream pattern with multiple potential locations for sporadic E propagation.

Timewise, it eventually settles into a more traditional behavior with activity often in two phases, one in the morning and the second in late afternoon and early evening.

As you listen to this report, the Eta Aquariids meteor shower should be peaking. Unfortunately, the best viewing for the shower—which is part of the debris from Halley’s comet—will be in the southern hemisphere.

Nevertheless, this is expected to be one of the best showers this century. For those viewing the shower, a waning Moon means that light levels should be low, making for ideal visual sighting.

For EME, the Moon will be waning all week with the New Moon around 8 May. The Moon will be rising in the sky throughout the week, with zero declination on 5 May and peaking at its highest in the sky on Saturday, 11 May.

The lowest additional path loss occurs Sunday and Monday, the 5th and 6th, but high Sun noise–with the Moon close to the Sun at New Moon—occurs shortly afterward. Later in the week, as the Sun ‘leaves’ the Moon behind, noise levels, at least on the higher bands will fall to around normal.

https://rsgb.org/main/blog/news/gb2rs/propagation-news/2024/05/03/propagation-news-5-may-2024/

(Mike Terry/BDXC)

FastRadioBurst 23 to air on May 5

 

FastRadioBurst 23 will air on Sunday, May 5 at 0900 and 1300 UTC on 6160 kHz and at 2000 UTC on 6160 kHz & 3975 kHz. The program will be on  Test Cards on Radio. This program is beamed to Europe via Shortwave Gold. Don't miss it !!