March Special Events Calendar

Amateur radio operators and shortwave listener's have extra QSLing opportunities with special event via radio.

This is just a sampling of special event stations available to hear and verify. Stations are listed with event, day, time, frequencies and QSL or contact information, plus 'QSL' or 'Certificate.'

Special event QSLing is an added touch to your QSLing collection.

90th Anniversary of WWL 870 AM New Orleans
Mar 1-31, 0000-2300 UTC. W5WWL, New Orleans, LA. WWL Radio. Operating on; 28.425, 14.235, 7.185, 3.820 MHz. QSL. W5WWL, 400 Poydras, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70130. Special operation by Club Station W5WWL http://www.wwl.com/

150th Anniversary Battle of Hampton Roads
Mar 9-11, 1000-1700 UTC. W4M, Newport News, VA. The Mariners' Museum. SSB CW All HF. Certificate. Cindi Verser, The Mariners' Museum, 100 Museum Dr, Newport News, VA 23606. Commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Battle between the Civil War Ironclads CSS Virginia and USS Monitor. Friday March 9, 2012 school children will get the opportunity to make contacts between 0900 -1700 hours. March 9-10 station runs 0900-1700 hours; March 11 station times 1200-1700. SASE or stamps for Certificate. Contact ironcladbattle@gmail for more information. ironcladbattle@gmail.com

40th Anniversary of the European Youth Center
Mar 9-11, 1000-0900 UTC. TP8CE, Strasbourg Council of Europe, France. Council of Europe Radio Amateur Club. Operating on; 28.500, 21.200, 14.200, 7.160 MHz. All HF frequencies, SSB, CW, RTTY, PSK and satellite. QSL. Christian Chaudron, 15 rue Préfet Lezay Marnésia, Haguenau 67500, France. http://www.ewwa.free.fr/

109th Anniversary Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge
Mar 10, 1400-2100 UTC. W4OT, Vero Beach, FL. Vero Beach Amateur Radio Club. Operating on; 28.450, 21.350, 14.240, 7.255 MHz. Certificate. VBARC- W4OT, PO Box 2082 , Vero Beach, FL 32961. Leave the location for the park - commemorating the country's first National Wildlife Refuge. http://www.vbarc.net/

Navy Seabees Birthday, Girl Scouts of America Founded 1912
Mar 10, 1700-2359 UTC. NI6IW, San Diego, CA. USS Midway (CV-41) Museum Radio Operations Room. Operating on SSB 14.320, 7.250 MHz, PSK31 14.070 MHz D-STAR 012C and 2 meter/70 cm SOCAL reports. QSL. USS Midway Museum Radio Room, 910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101. kk6fz@arrl.net

USS Wisconsin -Participating in Wisconsin QSO Party
Mar 10-11, 1500-2130 UTC. N4WIS, Virginia Beach, VA. USS Wisconsin Radio Club. Operating on; 14.264, 7.264 MHz. QSL. USS Wisconsin Radio Club, PO Box 6682, Virginia Beach, VA 23456. First of four special events for the year. Actual operating times Saturday 1500 to 2130, Sunday 1700 to 2130 UTC www.n4wis.org/n4wis/index.php

American Red Cross Month Special Event Station
Mar 11-12, 1700-2300 UTC, W8NVY, Muskegon, MI. American Red Cross Serving Muskegon Oceana and Newaygo Counties. Operating on; 14.260, 7.245, 147.420 MHz Simplex EchoLink: W8NVY, Node # 349350. Certificate & QSL. Karen Strait, KD8DHJ, 1479 Sullivan Rd, Ravenna, MI 49451. Times are daily. dstlead@arcmon.org or http://www.arcmon.org/

International Pi Day / Einstein's Birthday
Mar 14, 0000-2359 UTC. KD8DKU, Marquette, MI. Lake Effect Amateur Radio Club. Operating on; PSK31 14.070, SSB 7.285 MHz. QSL. Lake Effect ARC/Pi, 36 Southfork St, Marquette, MI 49855. A fun event for the nerd in all of us. Lemon pi(e) at club HQ for drop-ins! Will sked QSOs. www.lakeeffectarc.info/Event-PiEinsteinDay/PiDay.htm

30th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival
Mar 17, 1500-2200 UTC. W4BKM, Macon, GA. Macon Amateur Radio Club. Operating on; 14.240 7.225 MHz. Certificate. MARC, PO Box 4862, Macon, GA 31208. w4bkm.com

Tollerdown Shutter Telegraph Over 200 Years
Mar 25-30, 0000-2359 UTC. GB5TST, Tollerdown, Dorset, England. Radio Society of Great Britain. Operating on; 14.200 MHz. QSL. RSGB or direct to John Wakefield, Oakhurst, Lower Common Rd, West Wellow, Romsey SO51 6BT, England. www.qrz.com/db/gb5tst

Civil War Battle of Shiloh, TN 150th Anniversary
Mar 30-Apr 1, 1200-2000 UTC, NA5MS, New Albany, MS. Northeast Mississippi Amateur Radio Club. Operating on; 3.860 MHz. Certificate. Charles Buster, 305 N Broad St, New Albany, MS 38652. Operating from the Shiloh Battlefield during a weekend reenactment of the battle. Operating in the lower parts of the General phone bands and 10meter Technician band. Certificate is a special limited edition unfolded lithographed print for $4.00 US postage included. Full color QSL available for $1.00 US postage included. Mailing should be received within 30 days of event.

Blog Logs

*sign-on / sign-off* // parallel frequency

loggings edited for clarity

All times UTC

Albania
7530, Radio Tirana. Signal on the air at 2058:58 and immediately into interval signal. Musicto lady announcer's voice-over ID and English schedule announcement. News opening announcement from announcer, followed by music. Strong signal. (Brian Alexander, PA/Cumbre)

Argentina
13363.5 LSB, Radio Continental, 0010-0102.* Spanish talk. Short breaks of instrumental music. ID. Fair signal. (Brian Alexander-PA/Cumbre)

Bangladesh
4750.00, Radio Bangladesh Betar, 1200-1215. Female taking the mic between music until 1203 when some sort of religious programming begins with chanting and comments by the female. At 1206 a male begins talking with flute music in the background. Signal was fair to good.(Chuck Bolland, FL)

Bolivia
5952.48, Emisora Pio XII, 1030-1045. Muffled and weak signal here with a female's
Spanish comments. Can't clearly make out what she is saying for sure. At 1031 music heard as background. Getting a lot of splatter from nearby signal. Pio XII remained at a poor level during the period. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Brazil
15189.86, Radio Inconfidência, 0015-0040, Portuguese ballads. Portuguese talk. ID. Weak, // 6010 - weak, poor with adjacent channel splatter. (Brian Alexander-PA/Cumbre)
　
4878v, Rdif Roraima, 0335-0402:25.* Still heard here as a very distorted blob of noise. Portuguese talk. Sign off with national anthem. (Brian Alexander-PA/Cumbre)

Djibouti
4780, Radio Djibouti, *0323:30-0345. Late and abrupt sign on with Arabic talk. Horn of Africa style pop music. Local children’s chorus. Indigenous tribal music. Poor to fair signal. (Brian Alexander-PA/Cumbre)

Egypt
6270, Radio Cairo, 2205. Male/female announcers with totally muffled talk to Middle Eastern instrumentals with good audio at 2211. Return of female announcer with slightly less muffled audio to station ID and mention of US Senator John McCain at 2213. Music instrumentals with good audio at 2214. Good signal wasted with muffled talk (Mark Coady, Canada/Cumbre)

Ethiopia
9705, Radio Ethiopia, 2025-2101.* Local Horn of Africa music. Amharic talk. Sign off with national anthem at 2059. Good signal. (Brian Alexander-PA/Cumbre)

9705 Radio Ethiopia, 2045. Excellent signal with Horn of Afica pop music. Pop music and Arabic style songs. Male announcer at 2055 over the music. Usual news format and fanfares to brief news briefs. Canned station ID and mentions of "program" several times. ID sounds like "NEE-Jes-car Radio". Choral national anthem to 2101 and off. (Brian Alexander, PA/Cumbre)

Guatemala
4055, Radio Verdad, 1108-1125. Tune-in to interval signal on electronic keyboard. National anthem at 1111. Opening multi-lingual ID announcements at 1116 along with contact information. Religious music at 1122 and Spanish talk. Fair at tune-in but poor in noise by 1125. (Brian Alexander, PA/HCDX)

Guyana
3289.99, The Voice of Guyana/Guyana Broadcasting Corp., Georgetown. Very nice signal 2/17 0750 past 0835. Not rare DX by any means, but highly enjoyable;Noted with BBC relay at tune-in, which lasted until 0800, when local announcer said, "it is now 4 hours in Guyana . . . this is the Voice of Guyana, broadcasting on 560 kiloHertz in the medium wave band . . . and 102.5 megaHertz in FM stereo in Guyana . . ." Then a very nice choral national anthem to formally start their local broadcast day, sounding almost hymnlike. At 0404, live deejay again, "Good morning, everyone! This is the V-O-G, the Voice of Guyana. The Broadcasting Corporation of Guyana has its broadcasting house located at . . . and on 760 kiloHertz in the medium wave band . . . It is now 4 hours 4 minutes." Tuned away but on return at 0835, signal had further improved and delightful Hindi musical program in progress. (Ralph Perry, IL/playdx)

Libya
11600, Radio Télévision Libye - Radio Libye. Looking for Libya at various times between 1630-1800 UTC but nothing heard. (Brian Alexander-PA/Cumbre)

Madagascar
5010.00, Radio Madagasikara, 0218-0245. Carrier + USB. Tune-in to local African music. 25 second interval signal at 0229 followed by choral national anthem. Local guitar music and opening announcements at 0231. Malagasy talk. Local choral music. La Bamba song. Weak but readable. (Brian Alexander-PA/Cumbre)
　
Myanmar
7110, Myanmar Radio, 1105-1130. Local pop music. Vernacular talk. Weak but readable. Heard only a threshold signal when checked earlier around 1040.(Brian Alexander, PA)

5985.85, Myanma Radio, 1112-1146. Vernacular language. Pop easy-listening music and songs. Phone ringing and beginning of conversations, “Radio Myanma.”; Indigenous music at 1130 UTC, but no longer with chimes. One of their best receptions. Edited MP3 audio at http://www.box.com/s/3sa7ceprcme9nvvk9v1u.

7110, Myanma Radio, 1133-1201. Distance Learning Service segment is longer than I first thought, perhaps 1130 to 1200 (or longer?). Sounds like they play a song or jingle between lectures (college song or theme song?). Along with marching band music and trumpet fanfares -a lecture on economics in vernacular. Many mentions of “economics” along with one sentence in English. “Economics is the study of economy and of similar . . .”(?), 1201 back to music. MP3 audio clip with English at 0:33 http://www.box.com/s/7q9u6n5duxp7qngeungh. (Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre)

Niger
9704.99, LV du Sahel, 2101-2301.* Threshold signal heard when Ethiopia signed off at 2101. Improved to a weak but readable level by 2140. Vernacular and French talk. Wide variety of indigenous music, Afro-pop and Euro-pop music. Qur`an at 2255:40. Short 20 second flute interval signal at 2259 followed bynNational anthem. Some adjacent channel splatter. (Brian Alexander-PA/Cumbre)

Peru
6173.89, presumed Radio Tawantinsuyu, Cusco. Tune-in and holding up past 1052. Weak to fair signal strength only. Reception best with narrowest bandwidth and in ECSS-LSB with notch deployed to knock out annoying het from Asian station on 6175.00. Couple male announcer's alternating in Spanish and occasionally presumed Quechua. Odd programming this morning, no music at all, and at first mistakenly thought might be taped replay from sporting event, from night before (had a bit of that kind of cadence to the announcements). But then noted many clear, live time checks in a "doubling-up" kind pattern throughout entire program of " . . . las cinco de la manana, las cinco de la manana, amigos oyentes. Adelante!! . . ." So, was a live broadcast. Most of the time, only fragments of speech were decipherable, such as at 1017, " . . . muy buenos dias, Cusco . . . la primera voz . . . de la patria . . ." Taped ads were noted at 1024 and 1047, during which hward different, more bassy-voiced man in studio echo effect. Almost sounded like live feed from remote, but at 5:30 a.m. in Cusco that doesn't make too much sense. Not sure what this was, but could have been live feed from Ash Wednesday morning procession or something else like that. Will be diligently patrolling this frequency in the mornings now and hoping for better conditions soon. (Ralph Perry, IL/Cumbre)

5039.18, Radio Libertad de Junin. Signal on the air at 0942:30. Music began at 0944:55. Long canned echo talk by announcer 0948-0955, then different male announcer to pleasant Latin American music. Another canned announcement at 1000. Music and farm animal (cows, chickens, crickets) SFX, and live studio announcer with long talk. Good signal. (Brian Alexaner, PA/Cumbre)

5120, Ondas del Suroriente. Found the signal came on at 1047:54.Programming finally started at 1104:10. Canned announcement by male announcer, but just couldn't copy. Fairly strong when the signal came on but it faded quickly in 15 minutes. (Brian Alexander, PA/Cumbre)

4955, Radio Cultural Amauta. Suddenly on in mid-progrma at 1046:25 with nice campo music. Announcer in presumed Quechua, followed by choral music. Fanfare and very beautiful clear ID as - "desde cuidad de Huanta, transmite radio Cultural Amauta en FM 9?.9 estereo". Back to campo music at 1053 for about 45 seconds, then live studio male announcer again over the song with nice quick ID and talk. Mentioned a few cities and towns. Continued song, and announcer returned again at 1058:00 with another ID and more announcements. More of the same music and talk with mentions of Huanta, Pasco, cultural. Very nice signal. (Brian Alexander, PA/Cumbre)

6173.916, Radio Tawantinsuyo, 1034-1045. Male's Spanish comments with an adjacent signal on 6175.026 KHz causing a hetrodyne. Noted signal as very poor and muffled.(Chuck Bolland, FL)

Radio Netherlands Program Preview Feb 25-March 1

The State We're In
Jonathan Groubert and his team look at current events from an unexpected perspective.

For the Record

A former US serviceman on founding America’s first black platoon of paratroopers; a journalist from Ghana on why he went undercover to expose wrongdoings, and a Senegalese hip hop artist on returning to her home village to break the taboos about female genital mutilation.

First airing: Saturday 02:00 UTC

Earth Beat
Marnie Chesterton and her team look at the footprint we’re leaving on our planet.

The End of the World

What would happen if the world came to an end, at least as we know it? From building bunkers and preparing for the worst, to photographing parts of the Earth that we’ve destroyed, we examine what happens when the end comes.

First airing: Friday 03:00 UTC

South Asia Wired
Stories from South Asia.

We meet Bangladeshi photographer and social activist Shahidul Alam, who’s worked as a university lecturer and professor in various places in the world. Alam he keeps coming back to his native country, though. He’s recently published a book of his finest works, titled “My Journey as a Witness”. He takes us along on that journey in this edition of the programme.

Also on the show the rather peculiar story of Indian Arunchalam Muruganantham, who has developed a cheap alternative to sanitary pads for women. The social entrepreneur has invented a machine that is used by women groups and neighbourhoods all over India, where women make their own pads.

(There'll be a new edition of the programme on Thursday)

First airing: Thursday 10:00 UTC

Bridges With Africa

Africa in Progress
Inspiring round-table discussions with guest speakers and in-depth interviews give listeners food for thought.

Africa’s cultural heritage threatened in the Netherlands

The Dutch government has announced drastic budget cuts that threaten one of the oldest and best-loved ethnographic museums in the Netherlands. The Tropical Museum in Amsterdam with its impressive African collection might be forced to close its doors at the end of this year.

Our guest in this edition of Africa in Progress is Paul Faber, head curator of the Africa department at the museum. He explains why artefacts from Africa are so important for present-day Dutch society and considers different measures that could help save his beloved institution.

Commonwealth Story
A selection of winning stories chosen from the large number of entries for the 2010 Commonwealth Short Story Competition.

The Kettle, by Jason James Less from New Zealand. A story from the boxing ring. Read by Khalid Abdalla.

First airing: Tuesday 01:50 UTC

Global Perspective
Who says I can’t… is the motto of this year’s collaboration of international broadcasters, offering stories of defiance and perseverance.

Who says I can’t squat?

Radio Netherlands Worldwide’s Dheera Sujan visits Sanne, Tom and Bo – three Dutch squatters. She hears their struggle to build – and keep – their home amid the new anti-squat laws in the Netherlands.

First airing: Monday 17:30 UTC

Hear the World
The current series of European Jazz Stage has come to an end. But don’t despair, there’s plenty of good music to come. We’ve started a new series of Hear the World, hosted by Dheera Sujan.

Latin, salsa, reggae and African music are the ingredients in this first edition.

Timbazo is a thirteen-piece Latin band Cuban playing timba, jazz and salsa.
Singer and guitarist Khalu Dee from Senegal made a great impression at the 2010 Afro-Latino Festival.
And you’ll be surprised by a recent recording in our special Dutch Music Delights slot.

First airing: Monday 01:00 UTC

RNW Classical
Classical concerts from the Royal Concertgebouw as well as studio recordings of Dutch performers, presented by Hans Haffmans.

Available 24 hours a day

Radio Netherlands 24 hours streaming audio www.radionetherlands.nl/

Radio Gloria and EMR slated for Sunday broadcast

Dear Listeners,

European Music Radio and Radio Gloria are on the air this Sunday the 26th of February 2012

MVBR Schedule for 9480 KHz with 1 KW:

Station Name Time Slot Channels & Internet repeats

European music Radio 08.00 to 09.00 UTC 9480 kHz www.emr.org.uk

Radio Gloria 09.00 to 11.00 UTC 9480 kHz

Radio Gloria 10.00 to 11.00 UTC 6005 kHz "shortwaveservice.com"/6005
Radio Gloria 13.00 to 15.00 UTC 9480 kHz (repeat) from 09.00 UTC
Radio Gloria 16.00 to 17.00 UTC "Coloradio.org"

Please send all Radio Gloria reports to: radiogloria@aol.com

Please send all E.M.R. reports to: studio@emr.org.uk

PS: Main Schedule for 9480 KHz for 2012:

1st Sunday MV Baltic Radio

3rd Sunday E M R

4th Sunday Radio Gloria

Technical Information for Receiving 9480 KHz:

The transmitter at Göhren is using A3H (carrier with upper side band) modulation.

If you use a normal AM - shortwave receiver, please tune exactly to 9480 KHz.

If you use a SSB - receiver, please tune to 9480 KHz, USB - mode for best results.

Good Listening 73s Tom

RFA Year of the Dragon QSL ends Feb 29

a reminder to our readers.....

RADIO FREE ASIA ISSUES YEAR OF THE DRAGON QSL CARD JANUARY 2012

Radio Free Asia (RFA) announces the release of our 43nd QSL card. This QSL commemorates 2012 as the Year of the Dragon. According to ChineseZodiac.Com, Dragons are characterized as ambitious, risk takers, and as people who gravitate toward challenges. If left on their own and allowed to live by their own rules, Dragons are usually successful. Dragons are also passionate in everything they do and while they frequently help others, Dragons will rarely ask for help. The Year of the Dragon is from January 23, 2012 – February 9, 2013. This QSL card will be used to confirm all valid RFA reception reports for January-February 2012.

RFA’s 43rd QSL card commemorates 2012 as the Year of the Dragon.

RFA is a private, nonprofit corporation that broadcasts news and information to listeners in Asian countries where full, accurate, and timely news reports are unavailable. Created by Congress in 1994 and incorporated in 1996, RFA currently broadcasts in Burmese, Cantonese, Khmer, Korean to North Korea, Lao, Mandarin, the Wu dialect, Vietnamese, Tibetan (Uke, Amdo, and Kham), and Uyghur. RFA strives for accuracy, balance, and fairness in its editorial content. As a ‘surrogate’ broadcaster, RFA provides news and commentary specific to each of its target countries, acting as the free press these countries lack. RFA broadcasts only in local languages and dialects, and most of its broadcasts comprise news of specific local interest. More information about Radio Free Asia, including our current broadcast frequency schedule, is available at http://www.rfa.org/

RFA encourages listeners to submit reception reports. Reception reports are valuable to RFA as they help us evaluate the signal strength and quality of our transmissions. RFA confirms all accurate reception reports by mailing a QSL card to the listener. RFA welcomes all reception report submissions at http://www.techweb.rfa.org/ (follow the QSL REPORTS link) not only from DX’ers, but also from its general listening audience.

Reception reports are also accepted by email at qsl@rfa.org , and for anyone without Internet access, reception reports can be mailed to:

Reception Reports
Radio Free Asia
2025 M. Street NW, Suite 300
Washington DC 20036
United States of America.

Upon request, RFA will also send a copy of the current broadcast schedule and a station sticker.
(A.J. Janitschek/RFA)

Adventist World Radio & WYFR schedule update

All times UTC

Adventist World Radio
0400-0430 on 5975 WER 100 kW / 120 deg to EaEu Bulgarian
1600-1630 on 6100 WER 100 kW / 120 deg to EaEu Bulgarian
1000-1100 on 9610 NAU 100 kW / 180 deg to SoEu Italian Sun
0700-0800 on 11975 WER 100 kW / 210 deg to NoAf Arabic
0800-0830 on 15125 WER 100 kW / 210 deg to NoAf Kabyle
0800-0900 on 15145 WER 100 kW / 210 deg to NoAf French/Tachelhit
1730-1800 on 11860 WER 100 kW / 210 deg to NoAf Kabyle
1900-1930 on 11860 WER 250 kW / 210 deg to NoAf Wolof
1900-2000 on 11760 WER 100 kW / 210 deg to NoAf Arabic/Tachelhit
2000-2030 on 9805 WER 100 kW / 210 deg to NoAf French
1900-2000 on 9535 NAU 125 kW / 215 deg to NoAf Arabic
0300-0330 on 7315 NAU 250 kW / 140 deg to EaAf Tigrigna
0300-0400 on 9610 WER 250 kW / 135 deg to EaAf Oromo/Amharic
1630-1700 on 17575 ISS 250 kW / 125 deg to EaAf Somali
1730-1800 on 11795 NAU 250 kW / 140 deg to EaAf Oromo
1200-1300 on 17510 NAU 250 kW / 085 deg to SoAs English/Bangla
1500-1600 on 15270 WER 250 kW / 090 deg to SoAs Punjabi/Hindi
1500-1530 on 15255 WER 250 kW / 075 deg to SoAs Nepali
1530-1600 on 15255 WER 250 kW / 075 deg to SoAs English Sat-Wed
1530-1600 on 15255 WER 250 kW / 075 deg to SoAs Tibetan Thu/Fri
1300-1330 on 15480 NAU 250 kW / 070 deg to EaAs Chinese Mon-Fri
1300-1330 on 15480 NAU 250 kW / 070 deg to EaAs Uyghur Sat/Sun
1330-1500 on 15480 NAU 250 kW / 070 deg to EaAs Chinese


WYFR Family Radio
1700-1800 on 11690 WER 100 kW / 180 deg to NoAf Arabic
1800-1900 on 9840 WER 250 kW / 150 deg to NoAf Arabic
1900-2000 on 9500 WER 250 kW / 150 deg to NoAf Arabic
1900-2000 on 9695 NAU 500 kW / 207 deg to WeAf French
2000-2100 on 9595 NAU 500 kW / 205 deg to WeAf French
2000-2100 on 9515 NAU 250 kW / 210 deg to WeAf Arabic
2100-2200 on 6010 NAU 250 kW / 210 deg to WeAf Arabic
1800-1900 on 11665 WER 500 kW / 180 deg to WCAf English
2100-2200 on 7305 NAU 500 kW / 180 deg to WCAf French
1600-1700 on 13660 ISS 500 kW / 125 deg to EaAf Oromo
1600-1700 on 15160 ISS 500 kW / 131 deg to EaAf Amharic
1700-1800 on 15160 ISS 500 kW / 131 deg to CeAf Swahili
1600-1700 on 11995 WER 250 kW / 125 deg to N/ME Arabic
1700-1800 on 9810 NAU 250 kW / 125 deg to N/ME Arabic
1600-1700 on 11955 NAU 500 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Persian
1700-1800 on 9800 NAU 500 kW / 095 deg to WeAs Persian
1400-1500 on 13605 WER 250 kW / 075 deg to CeAs Uzbek
1300-1500 on 17510 NAU 500 kW / 085 deg to SoAs Bengali
1400-1500 on 15315 WER 500 kW / 105 deg to SoAs Malayalam
1400-1500 on 15325 WER 500 kW / 090 deg to SoAs Oriya
1400-1500 on 13655 WER 500 kW / 090 deg to SoAs Sindhi
1500-1600 on 13655 NAU 500 kW / 105 deg to SoAs Kannada
1400-1600 on 13700 NAU 500 kW / 095 deg to SoAs Hindi
1500-1600 on 13630 NAU 500 kW / 100 deg to SoAs Gujarati
1500-1600 on 11935 WER 500 kW / 090 deg to SoAs Tamil
1500-1600 on 15470 WER 500 kW / 090 deg to SoAs Marathi
2200-2400 on 7360 GUF 500 kW / 170 deg to SoAm Portuguese/English
2200-2400 on 15280 GUF 500 kW / 215 deg to SoAm Spanish
(Ivo Ivanov/DX Mix News 718)
(Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India)

Voice of America schedule update

All times UTC

2030-2100 on 11665 WER 250 kW / 180 deg to CeAf Hausa Mon-Fri
1600-1700 on 17895 WER 250 kW / 150 deg to CeAf English
1630-1700 on 15670 WER 250 kW / 180 deg to CeAf Portuguese Fri
1630-1700 on 9785 WER 250 kW / 150 deg to SDN En"So.Sudan in Focus" Mo-Fr
1630-1700 on 11905 WER 250 kW / 150 deg to SDN En"So.Sudan in Focus" Mo-Fr
1630-1700 on 13635 WER 250 kW / 150 deg to SDN En"So.Sudan in Focus" Mo-Fr
1800-1830 on 9805 WER 250 kW / 150 deg to SDN Arabic "Afia Darfur"
1900-1930 on 9815 WER 250 kW / 150 deg to SDN Arabic "Afia Darfur"
1630-1700 on 15620 WER 250 kW / 135 deg to EaAf Somali
1730-1800 on 9485 NAU 250 kW / 140 deg to EaAf Afan Oromo Mon-Fri
1730-1800 on 11905 WER 250 kW / 150 deg to EaAf Afan Oromo Mon-Fri
1800-1900 on 9485 NAU 250 kW / 140 deg to EaAf Amharic
1800-1900 on 13625 WER 250 kW / 135 deg to EaAf Amharic
1900-1930 on 9485 NAU 250 kW / 140 deg to EaAf Tigrigna Mon-Fri
0230-0330 on 7265 WER 250 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Persian
0500-0600 on 9760 NAU 250 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Kurdish
1400-1500 on 13580 WER 250 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Kurdish
1500-1530 on 5930 WER 250 kW / 075 deg to CeAs Uzbek
1600-1700 on 7390 WER 250 kW / 090 deg to CeAs Georgian
1700-1800 on 9760 WER 250 kW / 090 deg to CeAs Georgian
1830-1900 on 9435 WER 250 kW / 090 deg to CeAs Azeri
(Ivo Ivanov/DX Mix News 718)
(Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India)

Bible Broadcasting Network schedule update

All times UTC

Via Media Broadcast

0800-0830 on 7220 WER 100 kW / non-dir Sun to WeEu English
0800-0845 on 7220 WER 100 kW / non-dir Sat to WeEu English
1900-1930 on 6030 WER 100 kW / 060 deg Tue to EaEu Russian
1900-1915 on 6030 WER 100 kW / 060 deg Thu to EaEu Ukrainian
1900-1915 on 6030 WER 100 kW / 060 deg Fri to EaEu Russian
1915-1945 on 6030 WER 100 kW / 060 deg Sat to EaEu English
1900-2000 on 6030 WER 100 kW / 060 deg Sun to EaEu English
0900-1000 on 17545 WER 125 kW / 135 deg Fri to NEAf Arabic
1630-1730 on 11875 WER 100 kW / 150 deg Daily to CEAf Nuer/Dinka
1600-1630 on 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg Mon/Thu to EaAf Oromo
1630-1700 on 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg Mon/Fri to EaAf Amharic
1700-1730 on 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg Mon/Tue/Fri to EaAf Tigrinya
1730-1830 on 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg Mon/Tue/Fri to EaAf Amharic
1630-1700 on 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg Tue to EaAf Amharic
1630-1800 on 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg Wed to EaAf Amharic
1630-1830 on 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg Thu/Sun to EaAf Amharic
1630-1745 on 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg Sat to EaAf Amharic
1745-1800 on 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg Sat to EaAf English
1600-1630 on 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg Fri/Sun to EaAf Oromo
1800-1830 on 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg Fri-Sun to EaAf Somali
1800-1900 on 6110 WER 125 kW / 120 deg Sat to N&ME English
1830-1900 on 6110 WER 125 kW / 120 deg Sun to N&ME English
0500-0530 on 7410 WER 250 kW / 120 deg Thu to N&ME Arabic
0500-0515 on 7410 WER 250 kW / 120 deg Fri to N&ME Arabic
1715-1800 on 9465 WER 100 kW / 120 deg Mon/Wed/Fri to N&ME Arabic
1800-1830 on 9465 WER 100 kW / 120 deg Tue to N&ME English
1800-1915 on 9465 WER 100 kW / 120 deg Sun to N&ME English
1645-1700 on 11700 WER 100 kW / 120 deg Mon/Wed to N&ME English
1645-1720 on 11700 WER 100 kW / 120 deg Tue to N&ME English
1645-1745 on 11700 WER 100 kW / 120 deg Thu to N&ME English
1645-1715 on 11700 WER 100 kW / 120 deg Fri to N&ME English
1645-1800 on 11700 WER 100 kW / 120 deg Sat/Sun to N&ME English
1700-1720 on 11915 WER 250 kW / 120 deg Mo/Tu/Th/Fr to N&ME Arabic
1700-1735 on 11915 WER 250 kW / 120 deg Wed to N&ME Arabic
0400-0430 on 5950 WER 100 kW / 105 deg Sat-Mon to WeAs Luri
1800-1830 on 7365 WER 100 kW / 090 deg Mon/Wed/Fri to WeAs Persian
1800-1900 on 7365 WER 100 kW / 090 deg Tue/Thu to WeAs Persian
1800-1815 on 7365 WER 100 kW / 090 deg Sat to WeAs English
1830-1900 on 7365 WER 100 kW / 090 deg Sun to WeAs Persian
1900-2000 on 9470 WER 250 kW / 105 deg Sat to WeAs English
1915-1945 on 9470 WER 250 kW / 105 deg Sun to WeAs English
1630-1830 on 9925 WER 100 kW / 105 deg Daily to WeAs Persian
1530-1545 on 11965 WER 250 kW / 105 deg Sun to WeAs Persian
0030-0100 on 7395 WER 250 kW / 090 deg Mon-Thu to SoAs Hindi
0030-0100 on 7395 WER 250 kW / 090 deg Fri to SoAs English
0030-0115 on 7395 WER 250 kW / 090 deg Sat/Sun to SoAs English
1530-1600 on 13670 WER 100 kW / 090 deg Wed/Thu to SoAs Urdu
1515-1600 on 13670 WER 100 kW / 090 deg Fri to SoAs English
1515-1530 on 13670 WER 100 kW / 090 deg Sat to SoAs English
1500-1515 on 13740 WER 250 kW / 075 deg Sun to SoAs English
1400-1430 on 15470 WER 250 kW / 090 deg 1st Sun to SoAs English
1400-1430 on 15470 WER 250 kW / 090 deg Sun to SoAs English
1430-1500 on 15470 WER 250 kW / 090 deg Sat to SoAs English
(Ivo Ivanov)
(DX Mix News 717 via Alokesh Gupta, India)

BBG station's frequency updates

All times UTC / NF new frequency

0100-0200 NF 7515 KWT 250 kW / 070 deg, ex 7470 RFA Tibetan Mon/Thu
0100-0200 NF 7500 KWT 250 kW / 070 deg, ex 7470 RFA Tibetan Wed/Sun
0100-0200 NF 7530 KWT 250 kW / 070 deg, ex 7470 RFA Tibetan Tue/Fri
0100-0200 NF 7545 KWT 250 kW / 070 deg, ex 7470 RFA Tibetan Sat
0100-0200 NF 17850 TIN 250 kW / 313 deg, ex 17825 RFA Uighur Tue
0200-0300 NF 15520 TIN 250 kW / 295 deg, ex 15220 RFA Tibetan Mon/Wed/Fri
0200-0300 on 15220 TIN 250 kW / 295 deg, ex Daily RFA Tibetan Thu
0200-0300 NF 15540 TIN 250 kW / 295 deg, ex 15220 RFA Tibetan Sun/Tue/Sat
0300-0600 NF 21555 TIN 250 kW / 304 deg, ex 21540 RFA Chinese Sat
0300-0320 NF 7425 BIB 100 kW / 088 deg, ex 11925 RFE Avari
0320-0340 NF 7425 BIB 100 kW / 088 deg, ex 11925 RFE Chechen
0340-0400 NF 7425 BIB 100 kW / 088 deg, ex 11925 RFE Circassian
0330-0400 NF 13745 IRA 250 kW / 263 deg, ex 9845 VOA Somali
0600-0700 NF 17675 KWT 250 kW / 070 deg, ex 17715 RFA Tibetan Mon/Wed/Fri
0600-0700 on 17715 KWT 250 kW / 070 deg, ex Daily RFA Tibetan Thu
0600-0700 NF 17685 KWT 250 kW / 070 deg, ex 17715 RFA Tibetan Sun/Tue/Sat
1100-1200 NF 11510 TIN 250 kW / 295 deg, ex 11590 RFA Tibetan Mon/Wed/Fri
1100-1200 on 11590 TIN 250 kW / 295 deg, ex Daily RFA Tibetan Thu
1100-1200 NF 11545 TIN 250 kW / 295 deg, ex 11590 RFA Tibetan Sun/Tue/Sat
1230-1400 NF 13595 TIN 250 kW / 280 deg, ex 7245 RFA Burmese
1400-1500 NF 11880 BIB 100 kW / 105 deg, ex 15265 VOA Kurdish
1500-1530 NF 11640 KWT 250 kW / 046 deg, ex 13785 VOA Uzbek
1500-1600 NF 12085 KWT 250 kW / 070 deg, ex 11625 RFA Tibetan
1600-1630 NF 13740 SAO 100 kW / 100 deg, ex 12010 VOA Kinyarwanda Sat
1630-1700 NF 17655 GB 250 kW / 094 deg, ex 17650 VOA Portuguese Fri
1700-1800 NF 17655 GB 250 kW / 094 deg, ex 17650 VOA Portuguese
1800-1830 NF 17655 GB 250 kW / 094 deg, ex 17650 VOA Portuguese Mon-Fri
1830-1900 NF 9435 WER 250 kW / 090 deg, ex 9440 VOA Azeri, re-ex 9440
2030-2100 NF 11670*WER 250 kW / 180 deg, ex 7315 VOA Hausa Mon-Fri, re-ex 9780
2330-0030 NF 9920 IRA 250 kW / 073 deg, ex 5885 RFA Vietnamese
* strong co-ch AIR in Hindi/English

RFA/ Radio Free Asia
RFE/ Radio Free Europe
VOA/ Voice of America
(DX Mix News 715 via Alokesh Gupta, India)

Deutsche Welle frequency updates

All times UTC / NF new frequency

0500-0600 NF 11800 KIG 250 kW / 295 deg to WCAf, ex 9810 in English
0530-0600 on 17800 DHA 250 kW / 230 deg to SoAf, add.freq in Portuguese
1200-1300 NF 21780 KIG 250 kW / 295 deg to NWAf, ex 17800 in French
1300-1400 NF 21780 KIG 250 kW / 295 deg to NWAf, ex 21550 in Hausa
1800-1900 on 17500 DHA 250 kW / 255 deg to WCAf, add.freq in Hausa
1800-1900 on 21780 KIG 250 kW / 295 deg to WCAf, add.freq in Hausa
1800-1900 on 12070 KIG 250 kW / 295 deg to WCAf, ex WOFtx in Hausa
1930-2000 on 12045 MEY 100 kW / 330 deg to SoAf, add.freq in Portuguese
(DX Mix News 715 via Alokesh Gupta, India)

Clandestine station schedule updates

All times UTC

Clandestines
TDP (Transmitter Documentation Project) Belgium broker
Denge Mezopotamya
Kurdish
0400-1600 on 11530 SMF 300 kW / 129 deg to WeAs, ex 0400-1500
1600-2000 on 7540 SMF 500 kW / 129 deg to WeAs, ex 1500-2000

Kazakhstan
New time for Voice of Orthodox
Russian
1600-1630 on 7515 A-A 200 kW / 310 deg to CeAs Tue/Fri, ex 1630-1700

MBR (Media Broadcast) Germany broker
Radio Oeoemrang
1600-1700 on 15215*WER 500 kW / 300 deg Tue to WeEu/NoAm German Feb.21 only
* but on same frequency 1600-1630 is AWR/KSDA in English with strong signal

Voice of Oromiyan Liberation Front
1600-1630 new freq 15315 WER 500 kW / 135 deg Sun to EaAf Oromo, ex 11760 NAU

Voice of Oromo Liberation
1700-1800 on 11810 NAU 100 kW / 142 deg Su/We to EaAf Oromo/Amharic, ex WER

Radiyo Y'Abadanga Ababaka
1700-1715 on 17725 WER 250 kW / 150 deg Sat to EaAf Swahili, deleted

Hamada Radio International
0530-0600 on 7350 WER 100 kW/ 180 deg Mon-Fri to WeAf Hausa
1930-2000 on 11865 WER 100 kW / 180 deg to WeAf Hausa, deleted

New station - Radio Hirad in Somali via Babcock broker, UK
1730-1800 on 11610 MEY 100 kW / 015 deg to EaAf

Radio Hirad planned transmission by Dutch-based Free Press Unlimited organization
0430-0500 on 13750 MDC 250 kW / 000 deg to EaAf, cancelled
1700-1800 on 11850 MDC 250 kW / 000 deg to EaAf, cancelled
(Ivo Ivanov)
(DX Mix News 715/716/717 via Alokesh Gupta, India)

New Pressure on Jammers of International Broadcasts

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has called upon the world’s nations to take “necessary actions” to stop intentional interference with satellite transmissions.

The change in ITU regulations, which was approved at the just-concluded World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12) in Geneva, Switzerland, came after numerous complaints that international satellite TV programs in Persian and Arabic were suffering from deliberate interference, known as “jamming”.

Two satellite operators that have been targeted, Eutelsat and Arabsat, said the interfering signals originated from Iran and Syria.

“We are gratified to see the World Radiocommunication Conference take a position on this vital issue,” said Richard M. Lobo, Director of the United States International Broadcasting Bureau.

“Of course, it remains to be seen whether Iran, Syria and other countries which interfere with international satellite communications will change their practices. Jamming is a fundamental violation, not only of international regulations and norms, but of the right of people everywhere to receive and impart information,” Lobo said.

The interference, which has increased since September, 2011, affected broadcasts of the British Broadcasting Corporation, Broadcasting Board of Governors , Audiovisuel extérieur de la France RFI and France 24 TV, Deutsche Welle, and RFE/RL, Inc.’s Radio Farda. Joining in backing the ITW rule change were Radio Netherlands Worldwide and the European Broadcasting Union.

The change in the regulation came after hours of discussion and debate, both in small groups and on the floor of the WRC. A report by the ITU’s Radio Regulations Board noted “the persistent character of the harmful interference” and the fact that “in some cases, the administrations involved have not responded … and appear to take no action to resolve the interference.”

The revised language says administrations “shall ascertain the facts and take the necessary actions” when they encounter jamming.

Prior to the WRC action, the Directors-General of five major international broadcasters charged that jamming is a violation of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Reporters Without Borders called for nations to “firmly condemn countries that do not respect the fundamental principles of the free flow of information,” adding, “the ITU must not be the accomplice of regimes that obstruct the flow of news and information on their telecommunications networks.”

The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran termed satellite jamming part of a broader effort. “The Iranian government is also engaged in comprehensive attempts to take complete control of online access to the internet as well as restricting mobile voice and data communications,” the group said in a statement urging the WRC to address the jamming issue.
(Leticia King/BBG)

Radio NZ International ready for Australian Radio 1922 documentary

Join us from Monday, February 20 2012 to enter the fascinating world of Australian radio broadcasting in 1922 on the Mailbox program from Radio New Zealand International.

For 20 years, Australian radio amateurs had the right to broadcast local music and other programs on the standard mediumwave radio dial, sharing frequencies with licenced commercial radio stations in the evenings and on Sunday mornings.

You can listen directly via shortwave radio from RNZI in New Zealand, or audio on demand [for the following month] with full details of current broadcast frequencies [both DRM and analog] and times possible for your area as well as audio downloads at http://www.rnzi.com/ .

In the years between 1921 and 1922, over 50 local radio stations were broadcasting in Australia, all run by local radio amateurs.

Some of these operations were very sophisticated for their time, broadcasting for nearly 10 hours each week and operators soon going on to help establish the ABC and commercial radio stations.

2CM Sydney was the first station with 3ME Melbourne, 4CM Brisbane, and 5BG Adelaide also amongst the early starters.

In the program, you'll hear more about these stations and the pioneers such as Charles MacLurcan, Ray Allsop, Harry Douglas, Sydney Neuman, Thomas Elliott and others.

You'll also hear some of the music played by these early radio stations, which stayed on the air until late 1939 when WWII finally silenced them.

So join us from Monday, February 20 2012 as we enjoy some early Australian radio history from 90 years ago on the Mailbox program from Radio New Zealand International [www.rnzi.com].
(Radio Heritage Mail/HCDX)
(photo/Atwater Kent)

Monitoring Radio Vanuatu

Log edited for clarity

3945, Radio Vanuatu, Emten Lagoon, 1108-1233 UTC, Feb 07. Running well past their normal sign off time, in vernacular. Many IDs, talk in large room (poor audio), background sounds of phone ringing, and several mentions of “government of Vanuatu.” At 1121 - station promo: “hello. I am Captain Jesse Wilson, the Mission Commander for Pacific Partnership 2011 and when I am in Vanuatu, I listen to Radio Vanuatu.” Announcement at 1122 that at “half past ten” (1130 UT) there would be information about "Cyclone Jasmine." Pop songs, 1130-1138 Report about Cyclone Jasmine (wind speeds and direction), provided emergency phone number at Port Moresby and also a website. Pop island songs. Another update at 1216 on Cyclone Jasmine, 1225announcement. C&W music. Based on my daily monitoring of this, today was well above normal reception. Four minute edited MP3 audio at www.box.com/s/mzlrp4lvclnglrn07jac .
(Ron Howard, CA/DX WIndow 488)

Myanmar begins new minority language program

Logs and information edited for clarity

All times UTC // parallel frequency - sign-off*

Station ID in Bamar given as: "Rakhine Athan Lwin Thana ma athan lwin ne baday, yakhu achien ga sa bi thayinda asisingo set la athan klwin ba may shin ", (we are broadcasting from Rakhine Broadcasting Station, from now you will listen our minority language program"). According to station announcement in Bamar this morning (Feb 07), they started broadcasting minority language program three times daily:

Morning:
2330 to 0030 Chin 7110
0030 to 0130 Kachin 7110
0130 to 0230 La 9590
0230 to 0330 Po 9590

Afternoon:
0530 to 0630 Geba 9590
0630 to 0730 Kokang 9590
0730 to 0830 Karen 9590
0830 to 0930 Shan 9590

Evening:
1030 to 1130 Kayah 7345
1130 to 1230 Gekho 7345
1230 to 1330 Mon 7345.
(Babul Gupta, via Goonetilleke)

5770, Myanmar Defense Forces, Taunggyi, 0030-0300, Feb 08. Vernaculars, also heard at 1130-1500, SINPO 35333. (Goonetilleke)

5915, Myanma Radio, Nay Pyi Taw, 2300-0300, Feb 09. Vernaculars, also heard at 0930-1500* // 729, SINPO 44444. (Goonetilleke)

5985, Myanma Radio, Nay Pyi Taw, 2300-0130, Feb 10. Vernaculars, SINPO 34443. (Goonetilleke)

5985.8, Myanma Radio, Yangon, 0930-1630, Feb 10. English at 1530-1630, SINPO 34443. (Goonetilleke)

6030, Myanma Radio, Nay Pyi Taw (???), 2300-0130, Feb 09. Burmese music and announcement in vernaculars, SINPO 44444. (Goonetilleke). New unknown station! (Ed)

7110, Myanma Radio, Nay Pyi Taw, *2330-0130, Feb 08 and 11. Vernacular announcement, station ID "Rakhine Atan ..." and always lots of music. SINPO 45544 in Sri Lanka, SINPO 24332 in Austria. (Goonetilleke and Robic). Also heard at 1030-1430, Feb 08, 09 and 11. Vernaculars, local pop music, SINPO 45544 in Sri Lanka, weak but readable in USA. (Alexander in DXplorer, Goonetilleke, Hauser and Perry)

7345, Myanma Radio, Nay Pyi Taw (presumed), 1030-1330*, Feb 07, 08, 09 and 11. Burmese dialects, spots of music with few announcements in vernaculars. Sign off with repeat of two gongs plus drum, SINPO 34433 in Sri Lanka, SINPO 24132 in Denmark. CNR 1 heard in Chinese weaker on 7345 at 1330-1405 // 6030. (Goonetilleke and Petersen). This must be the new minority language program ”Rakhine Broadcasting Station.” According to the Danish Newspaper Jyllandsposten in a report from Yangon Feb 10, all Burmese journalists still have to get their articles censured before publishing, if allowed at all. This cannot be a new, independent station, but a new program from Myanma Radio. (Ed)

9460, Myanma Radio, Nay Pyi Taw (???), 0330-0630, Feb 08. Burmese announcement on 9590, Myanma Radio, Nay Pyi Taw (presumed), 0130-0330, Feb 08. Burmese announcement and many music items at 0600-0830 in vernaculars, SINPO 45544. (Goonetilleke). Also new minority language program ”Rakhine Broadcasting Station”. (Ed)

9730.8, Myanma Radio, Yangon, 0130-0100, Feb 09. English at 0230-0330 and 0700-0730, vernaculars, SINPO 45544. (Goonetilleke)
(DX Window 448)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2012 Feb 14 2216 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html
#
# Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 06 - 12 February 2012

Solar activity began the week at moderate levels due to an M1/Sf flare produced by Region 1410 (N18, L=056, class/area Cso/240 on 01 February) at 06/2000 UTC. Activity levels decreased to very low to low levels for the remainder of the week. Noteworthy events include
a long duration C7 limb event from Region 1410 at 07/2219 UTC, and a CME associated with a filament eruption at 10/1154 UTC. Region 1410 produced a long duration C7 limb event at 07/2219 UTC.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit started the period at normal background levels, increased to moderate levels on 07 February, and reached high levels on 08-09 February. The electron flux returned to moderate levels for the remainder of the
period.

The geomagnetic field was at mostly quiet levels for the majority of the period. There were a few periods of unsettled to active conditions at mid-latitudes with active to minor storm conditions at high latitudes, early in the week on 7 and 8 February. This activity was associated with solar wind speeds between 450-500 km/s and periods of southward Bz. Mid-day on 09 February, unsettled to active periods were observed at high latitudes due to the arrival of a
co-rotating interaction region followed by a weak coronal hole high speed stream. From late on 09 February until the end of the period, mostly quiet conditions prevailed.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 15 February - 12 March 2012

Solar activity is expected to be low with a slight chance of M-class activity until Region 1419 rotates off the visible disk on 26 February. Very low to low levels are expected to prevail for the remainder of the period.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

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

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at mostly quiet levels throughout the period, with the exception of any currently unanticipated future CME events. Increased field activity due to
recurrent disturbances is expected on 18-19 February, 23 February, 2-3 March, and 7 March.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2012 Feb 14 2216 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html
#
# 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
# Issued 2012-02-14
#
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2012 Feb 15 105 5 3
2012 Feb 16 105 5 2
2012 Feb 17 110 5 2
2012 Feb 18 110 8 3
2012 Feb 19 110 8 3
2012 Feb 20 110 5 2
2012 Feb 21 105 5 2
2012 Feb 22 115 5 2
2012 Feb 23 115 8 3
2012 Feb 24 115 5 2
2012 Feb 25 115 5 2
2012 Feb 26 115 5 2
2012 Feb 27 110 5 2
2012 Feb 28 110 5 2
2012 Feb 29 110 5 2
2012 Mar 01 105 5 2
2012 Mar 02 105 8 3
2012 Mar 03 105 8 3
2012 Mar 04 110 5 2
2012 Mar 05 110 5 2
2012 Mar 06 110 5 2
2012 Mar 07 105 8 3
2012 Mar 08 105 5 2
2012 Mar 09 105 5 2
2012 Mar 10 105 5 2
2012 Mar 11 105 5 2
2012 Mar 12 110 5 2
(NOAA)

RNW Madagascar relay off the air following tropical cyclone

Today a category 4 tropical cyclone (Giovanna) crossed the island of Madagascar. The road from the capital city to our relay station is a mud stream right now and lower parts of the Island are flooded. Schools and businesses are closed.

First reports mention a lot of damage. We lost the roofs from two small buildings including the high voltage area. So this forced us to close down the operation this morning completely because of the massive rain showers. Four antennas and two satellite dishes are damaged and need to be repaired. Fortunately the transmitter building was not damaged and luckily none of our team was injured. Also our office in Antananarivo in Ivandry had some damage and we lost our wireless link from the office to the station. Communication with the station is difficult.

Tomorrow at daylight we can exactly assess the damage and start repairing. We expect to be on air with the most important services at 1300 UTC. We’ve been in contact with all clients. IBB, DWL and Vatican will try to cover from their own sites.
(Source: Rocus de Joode, RNW Programme Distribution/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Radio Netherlands Program Preview, Feb. 10-16

The State We're In
Jonathan Groubert and his team look at current events from an unexpected perspective.

Valentine’s Special

How a Palestinian Romeo crept through illegal tunnels to be with his Juliet in Gaza. Why an American sociologist thinks that monogamy virtually guarantees cheating. What happened when a woman in Toronto answered an ad for female escorts. And how a man annoyed a woman so much on a flight... she married him.

First airing: Saturday 02:00 UTC

Earth Beat
Marnie Chesterton and her team look at the footprint we’re leaving on our planet.

Valentine’s Special

We go all gooey on the inside, for people with a passion for what they do. There was the man who panned for gold to make a very special ring, the tea drinker who turned her love of a nice cuppa into a career, and a woman mapping where we make out. Pucker up, cos this show’s a labour of LOVE.

First airing: Friday 03:00 UTC

South Asia Wired
Stories from South Asia.

This week on South Asia Wired, we feature a harrowing story on modern day witch hunting in Chhattisgarh as three women recount how they were beaten, stripped and electrocuted after they were accused of being witches. And we hear from the people who are trying to combat this medieval practice by introducing modern ideas of science and law.

(There'll be a new edition of the programme on Thursday )

First airing: Thursday 10:00 UTC

Bridges With Africa
We're giving the microphone to Diaspora groups in Europe and are linking up with stations in Africa.

More than 20,000 flee Mali as Tuareg rebels step up their offensive against the government
The Rwandan taxi cyclist going for Olympic gold
And the new album from Congo’s hottest R N B group, Makoma

Africa in Progress
Inspiring round-table discussions with guest speakers and in-depth interviews give listeners food for thought.

First airing: Monday 19:00 UTC

Commonwealth Story
A selection of winning stories chosen from the large number of entries for the 2010 Commonwealth Short Story Competition.

Sister Rose, by Lydia Vonyler (Grenada).Lessons in lying.Commonwealth Short Stories Competition 2010. Read by Dona Croll.

First airing: Tuesday 01:50 UTC

Global Perspective
Who says I can’t… is the motto of this year’s collaboration of international broadcasters, offering stories of defiance and perseverance.

Who says I can’t die… or live?

Bun Chai, who is paralysed from the neck down, made a public appeal to the Hong Kong government for the right to end his life… and in the process found a way to live. We hear Bun Chai’s story from Radio Television Hong Kong.

First airing: Monday 17:30 UTC

European Jazz Stage
Unique jazz performances from the continent’s hottest clubs, concert halls and festivals, including the spectacular North Sea Jazz Festival.

From the Mississippi Hall at the 2010 North Sea Jazz Festival, it's a line-up of unknown, but promising artists.

16-year-old Canadian jazz phenomenon Nicky Yanofsky, the incredible Royal Conservatory Big Band packed with young talent, and Maite Hontelé, a young woman from Holland who's blowing her 'trompeta del son' across the port of Rotterdam.

Your host is Benjamin Herman.

First airing: Monday 01:00 UTC

RNW Classical
Classical concerts from the Royal Concertgebouw as well as studio recordings of Dutch performers, presented by Hans Haffmans.

Available 24 hours a day

Streaming audio: www.radionetherlands.nl/

English Service to 25 March 2012

1000-1057 12065as
1400-1457 12080as
1800-1900 11655af
1900-1957 11655af
1900-1959 11615af
1900-2000 7425af
2000-2057 7425af 11615af
(original Excel via Leo van der Woude, R Netherlands. Reformatted
from BCL post by GVH)
(photo/Commercial Appeal)

Sharing in the magic of radio

YOU ARE INVITED TO SHARE THE MAGIC OF HF BROADCASTING AND AMATEUR RADIO TO A WORLD WIDE LISTENING AUDIENCE.

YOU ARE INVITED TO CALL IN AND SHARE WITH A HUGE GLOBAL RADIO AUDIENCE.

WHAT YOU LOVE ABOUT AMATEUR RADIO

YOUR FAVORITE MODES KHZ

YOUR LOCAL AMATEUR RADIO CLUB AND ITS ACTIVITIES

YOUR PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN AMATEUR RADIO THIS SATURDAY Feb 11 at 4 PM CENTRAL

FROM 4 – 6 PM / 2200 - 2400 UTC THE FREQUENCY IS 9990 KHZ

FROM 6 – 10 PM / 2400 - 0400 UTC THE FREQUENCY IS 5085 KHZ

THE CALL IN NUMBER IS 615-547-9520

It is not very often that you can hear a new HF shortwave radio station sign on the air. WTWW a new International Shortwave Radio facility just outside of Nashville, TN is launching a new transmitter this Saturday with a broadcast we are calling “This Is Only A Test” starting at 4 pm Central Standard Time. This is a 100,000 watt
transmitter running into a full size rhombic antenna.

This is a global radio event with radios being tuned in all over the world.

The QSO radio show has requested that we could air this broadcast as a amateur radio event to promote amateur radio along with shortwave listening. Why? Well, the shortwave listening audience is huge.

The typical shortwave radio listener is a great potential candidate for amateur radio.

There are more than 1.5 billion shortwave receivers in use worldwide, the BBC estimates that at any given moment, over 200 million sets are tuned to shortwave broadcasts.

This is the second time WTWW has allowed us to conduct this kind of broadcast on a powerful new shortwave facility.

The purpose of this broadcast is to demonstrate HF communications and to put radio amateurs on the air to a worldwide audience to tell their story.

This is not a commercial venture in any way.

So spread the word to all of your amateur radio friends and call us on Saturday on “This Is Only A Test” and talk to the world about Amateur Radio!

Thanks and 73

Ted Randall

QSO Radio Show

http://www.qsoradioshow.com
(Rachel Baughn/MT)

Blog Logs

Logs edited for clarity

// parallel frequency *sign-on / sign-off*

All times UTC

Bolivia
5952.41, Radio Pio Doce, 1035. Fair signal, clear frequency despite hissing ambient noise on band. Morning 'noticiero' in Spanish and frequent mentions of Bolivia. Female announcer noted at 1043 into taped ad string. Quite reliable in the mornings lately, not sure how long this will hold up. (Ralph Perry, IL/Cumbre DX)

6134.827, Radio Santa Cruz, 0935-1000. Male announcer's Spanish comments to 9943, followed by music. Comments resumed, plus more music. Signal at fair level to full 'cannned' ID as, "... Radio Santa Cruz ..." over music. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Brazil
9819.62, Radio 9 de Julho, (presumed) 0305-0330. Portuguese talk to lite instrumental music. Portuguese religious music. Poor signal. (Brian Alexander, PA)

15190.05, Radio Inconfidência, 2345-0020. Portuguese and US pop music. Portuguese ballads and Portuguese talk. Weak but readable. // 6009.98 - weak, poor with adjacent channel splatter. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Djibouti
4780, Radio Djibouti, *0306-0345. Abrupt sign on with Qur`an. Arabic talk at 0318. Indigenous vocals at 0330. Fair signal quality. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Ecuador
6050, HCJB, Quito-Pifo, 1158-1200. Male's Spanish comments, then male/female music talk-overs at 1159. Pips on the hour followed by ID and announcements. Moderate signal strength with minimal fading. (Jim Evans, TN)

Eritrea
7174.99, Voice of the Broad Masses of Eritrea - Program 2, *0255-0330. Sign on with interval signal. Vernacular talk at 0300. Horn of Africa music. Fair signal. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Ethiopia
9705, Radio Ethiopia, *0258-0320. Sign on with interval signal and opening announcements. National anthem at 0259. Chimes at 0300 and Amharic talk. Horn of Africa music. Fair signal. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Indonesia
4750.00, Radio Makassar, 11:50-1200. At tune in, noted Qur'an recitations followed by annoucer's comments in Indonesian Music presented at 1152. Signal was fair. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Libya
11600, Radio Télévision Libye - Radio Libye, 1712-1732.* French talk. Short breaks of lite instrumental music. Abrupt sign off. Fair signal. Not heard earlier between 1600-1630. Very erratic schedule lately. Heard at *1714-1805*. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Madagascar
5010.00, Radio Madagasikara, 0218-0240. Carrier + USB. Local Afro-pop music. Short 25 second interval signal at 0226 followed by choral national anthem. Opening ID announcements at 0229. Malagasy talk. Local Afro-pop music. “La Bamba” song. Poor in noisy conditions. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Malaysia
9835, RTM (Sarawak FM), Kajang, 1213-1221. Pop ballad music with an Asian sound. Talk in Malay by a man at 1221. Poor signal strength, slowly fading down to barely above the noise at 1221. (Jim Evans, TN)

Myanmar
7110 Myanma Radio. Almost a daily visitor around 1300 with easy-listening local hits. (Ralph Perry, IL/Cumbre DX)

Oman
Radio Sultanate of Oman 13750. Caught at 1433 with Arabic to eastern Africa. Koranic chanting into long-winded discussion program between two men. Fair signals, considering the broadcast is supposed to be beamed to eastern Africa. (Al Muick, PA/HCDX)

Peru
3329.53, Ondas del Huallaga, Huánuco 1008-1015. Lively Peruvian music, CHU notched. (Robert Wilkner/HCDX)

4826.316, Radio Sicuani, Sicuani, Cusco 2310. Deep fades for announcer in Spanish. Music also, plus noted fading out 1115-1125. (Robert Wilkner, FL/HCDX)

5460.1, Radio Bolivar Cd. Slight drift, energetic male announcer in Spanish 2350-0025(Robert Wilkner, FL/HCDX)

5921.26, Radio Bethel, Arequipa. Station noted at 2326-0007. (Robert Wilkner, FL/HCDX)

6173.9, Radio Tawantinsuyo, Cusco 1000-1035. Male announcer's talk entire period. Noted in as late as 1115 on subsequent rechecks. (Robert Wilkner, FL/HCDX)

Sudan
7200, SRTC, *0255-0328. Abrupt sign on with Arabic talk. Chirping birds at 0259. Local chants at 0320. Fair, but covered by Iran at their 0328 sign on. (Brian (Alexander, PA)

Thailand
9720, Radio Thailand, Udon Thani, 1231-1235. English service newscast with emphasis on issues concerning Thailand and India. Moderate signal strength with a small amount of fading. (Jim Evans, TN)

Uzbekistan
9500, CVC International, Tashkent, 1303-1305. Contemporary religious music followed at 1305 by talk in Hindi. Poor signal but steady signal in lots of noise. (Jim Evans, TN)

Radio Netherlands to end Dutch service on shortwave

On Friday, 11 May we will have a marathon [Dutch] radio broadcast in which we look back with pride at 65 years of Dutch radio for expatriates, and which will also serve as the ‘farewell’ broadcast. Activities in other languages, especially those for the Dutch Caribbean and Indonesia, will also be discussed in detail. The choice of date has to do with the preparation time required to produce the radio marathon.

The activities of the Dutch department will be phased out, but the timetable will depend on the progress of the reorganization and the available manpower needed to guarantee the quality of the programmes. No formal decision has yet been made about the date of the final Dutch radio broadcast. However it is extremely unlikely that Dutch language radio broadcasts will continue through the summer.
(Source: RNW Editor-in-Chief/R Netherlands Media network Weblog )

Keeping an eye on Israel and Iran via shortwave

With Iran and Israel currently leading the news, this would be an excellent time to monitor both on shortwave. Kol Israel, in recent years have reduced their shortwave service to two hours in Persian as; 1500-1600 UTC on 9985 and 13850 and 1600-1630 UTC (Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sun) on 9985 and 13850 kHz. Israel's Galei Tzahal operates in Hebrew, 24 hours on 7635 kHz.

Tensions could expand and following shortwave is a great extra source.

VOIRI - Iran

Effective to: 25 March 2012

All times UTC

Albanian
0630-0727 on 13810 15500
1830-1927 on 6085 9760
2030-2127 on 6165 9760

Arabic
0230-0527 on 7350 9740 9895
0330-0427 on 7295 9500 "Voice of Palestine"
0530-0827 on 13690 15735 17820
0830-1027 on 13740 13790 15735 17820
1030-1427 on 13790 15735 17670
1430-1627 on 9830 17670
1630-1727 on 6065 9830
1730-2027 on 6065 7335
2030-0227 on 6065

Armenian
0300-0327 on 5915 7300
0930-0957 on 11820 15220
1630-1727 on 5915 7435

Azeri
0330-0527 on 6200
1430-1657 on 6200

Bengali
0030-0127 on 5915 6100
0830-0927 on 13680
1430-1527 on 7320 9730 11805

Bosnian
0530-0627 on 13760 15500
1730-1827 on 6030 9850
2130-2227 on 5950 9710

Chinese
1200-1257 on 13825 15150 15360 15525
2330-0027 on 5955 6110 7380

Dari
0300-0627 on 9805 11860
0830-1157 on 13840 15545
1200-1427 on 11640 13840
1430-1457 on 11640

English
0330-0427 on 7200 7365 "Voice of Justice"
1030-1127 on 21575 21695
1530-1627 on 13785 15525
1930-2027 on 6010 #6115 7320 13670 15450

German
0730-0827 on 15085 17690
1730-1827 on 6205 #7420 7425

French
0630-0727 on 17560 17865
1830-1927 on 6055 #6115 7380 15345

Hausa
0600-0657 on 17810
1130-1157 on 21480 21800
1830-1927 on 11965 13730

Hebrew
0430-0457 on 9755 11870
1200-1227 on 13740 15515

Hindi
0230-0257 on 9510 11710
1430-1527 on 11700 13750

Indonesian
1230-1327 on 17720 21630
2230-2327 on 7380 9675

Italian
0630-0727 on 13650 15085 (9770 SIT deleted)
1930-1957 on 5890 7215

Japanese
1330-1427 on 9585 9625
2100-2157 on 6145 7200

Kazakh
0130-0227 on 7205 7265
1530-1627 on 7380 9540 9850

Kurdish
0430-0527 on 7370 9610
1330-1627 on 5920

Pashto
0230-0327 on 5950 6095
0730-0827 on 13720 15440
1230-1327 on 7225 9725
1430-1527 on 5985
1630-1727 on 6005 7345

Russian
0300-0327 on 7370 9510
0500-0527 on 12025 13680 17680 21600
1430-1527 on 7285 9685 11860 (7420 SIT deleted)
1700-1757 on 3965 6090
1800-1857 on 6130 7305
1930-2027 on 4005 7205

Spanish
0030-0227 on 6010 7345
0230-0327 on 6010
0530-0627 on 13710 15330
2030-2127 on 5930 9630 (6055 SIT deleted)

Swahili
0400-0457 on 13680 15260
0830-0927 on 21510 21640
1730-1827 on 9830 11715

Tajik
0100-0227 on 5950 7300
1600-1727 on 5955 7295

Turkish
0430-0557 on 6085 7360
1600-1727 on 6175 7315

Urdu
0130-0227 on 3965 6100 6185
1300-1427 on 9715 11685 11720
1530-1727 on 6115

Uzbek
0230-0257 on 6175 7300
1500-1557 on 6070 7215
# via Sitkunai,Lithuania
(DX Mix News 703 via Alokesh Gupta, India)
(photo/earthhope action network)

Radio Netherlands Program Preview, Feb. 2-10

The State We're In
Jonathan Groubert and his team look at current events from an unexpected perspective.

This week: The fight of your life

A young woman in Kabul boxes to change her life and her country. A philosopher believes virtue can be taught in the boxing ring. And a Kenyan woman who was attacked while running for election is determined to run again.

First airing: Saturday 02:00 UTC

Earth Beat
Marnie Chesterton and her team look at the footprint we’re leaving on our planet.

This week: Out of place but not out of mind

Things that, at first glance, seem a little out of place. Like turning water into fire, or a man who can make a gas guzzling car drive like it’s a green dream machine, or building a mountain in the Netherlands.

First airing: Friday 03:00 UTC

South Asia Wired
Stories from South Asia.

This week:

We hear from India’s suicide capital, Bangalore, where old values are clashing with new aspirations of consumerism and people can’t always cope. And we hear from an old lady in Burma who is more than coping with being a dissident in a military regime.

(There'll be a new edition of the programme on Thursday 9 February)

First airing: Thursday 10:00 UTC

Bridges With Africa
We're giving the microphone to Diaspora groups in Europe and are linking up with stations in Africa.

This week:

Violence flares as Senegal’s incumbent president Abdoulaye Wade can run for a third term as president.
How can African economies survive in the global economic crisis? We seek the answer at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
‘Mr Hotel Rwanda’ Paul Rusesabagina visits the Netherlands amid protests. Not everybody is convinced of his heroism.
South Sudan is closing down its oil production. Our reporter Jared Ferrie visited an oil field in South Sudan.

First airing: Friday 00:00 UTC

Africa in Progress
Inspiring round-table discussions with guest speakers and in-depth interviews give listeners food for thought.

This week: Fela Kuti is alive and kicking

A musical about the Nigerian music legend and political activist Fela Kuti is conquering the world, from Lagos to New York and Amsterdam. In this report, Fela’s sons Femi and Seun, themselves well known musicians, reflect on his life and times.

The creators of the musical talk about his legacy. All agree that Fela’s message for the emancipation of Africa is still relevant today, not only for Nigeria, but for the entire continent.

First airing: Monday 19:00 UTC

Commonwealth Story
A selection of winning stories chosen from the large number of entries for the 2010 Commonwealth Short Story Competition.

This week: This place is not for sale - by Stephen Ralph (Trinidad & Tobago). The mystery of an old fisherman's house.

First airing: Tuesday 01:50 UTC

Global Perspective
Who says I can’t… is the motto of this year’s collaboration of international broadcasters, offering stories of defiance and perseverance.

This week: Who says I can’t fish?

Around one billion people in the world rely on fish as their primary source of protein, but fishermen in many parts of the world are having greater restrictions put on their fishing because of concerns about the level of fish stocks and the marine environment. The BBC World Service introduces us to Fred Normandale, one of the few remaining fishermen in the small town of Scarborough in the North East of England.

First airing: Monday 17:30 UTC

European Jazz Stage
Unique jazz performances from the continent’s hottest clubs, concert halls and festivals, including the spectacular North Sea Jazz Festival.

This week:

From the North Sea Jazz Festival 2010 we bring you the Chris Potter Tentet, Singer Kurt Elling's Coltrane and Hartman Project, and piano innovator Jason Moran & the Bandwagon. Your host is Benjamin Herman.

First airing: Monday 01:00 UTC

RNW Classical
Classical concerts from the Royal Concertgebouw as well as studio recordings of Dutch performers, presented by Hans Haffmans.

Available 24 hours a day
(R Netherlands)

24 hour streaming audio at: www.radionetherlands.nl/

English service effective to 25 March 2012

All times UTC

1000-1057 12065as
1400-1457 12080as
1800-1900 11655af
1900-1957 11655af
1900-1959 11615af
1900-2000 7425af
2000-2057 7425af 11615af
(original Excel via Leo van der Woude, R Netherlands. Reformatted from BCL post by Gayle Van Horn)

DX Stamp Service February Specials

Plenty of news this month.

On Back Order: Russia and Spain. Both on order, expecting Spain updates next week.

In Stock Again: Netherlands, Australia, Lebanon and Mexico

Our Shipping Rates Priority Mail rates increased a very small amount. Our rates will remain the same. Those rates are for envelope, album or page orders and appear at the bottom.

New Postal Rates and Prices
Aland Island now 1,00 euro, but their forever stamp we supply covers it.
Belgium rate now 1,29 up from 1,20 euro, but their forever stamp we supply covers it
Brazil now 2,10r up from 2,00. We've been supplying 2,30 for a few months now to cover
Colombia now 6100 up from 5600
Denmark now 14 DK up from 13 DK, but 13DK covers their economy "B" rate
Greenland now 10,50 DK up from 10DK
Hungary now 300 HUF up from 270 HUF, we have 30 HUF updates
Iceland now 230 ISK up from 220 ISK their forever stamp covers it which we supply
Norway now 15K up from 14 K their forever stamp covers it
Saudi Arabia now 4 SR up from 2SR...New price for this is now $2.40
Spain now 0,85 up from 0,80 We have 5c makeups coming.

Great Website!! Check out customer and good friend, Hal, K4HB's postage rate site at http://www.k4hb.com/postage.html If you notice new postage rates on incoming QSLs drop me and Hal an email. It sure helps!

Dept. of Oops ! Another country for which we supply a forever stamp is Falkland Islands. We forgot to include this in last month's listing. We will begin supplying the new France forever stamp very very soon. France also covers the French islands in the Caribbean, F. Guiana, Corsica, Reunion Island, and soon will cover Mayotte once again. French stamps do not cover F. Poly or New Caledonia.

Dept. of OUCH!! Just restocked several South American countries. Paraguay new price is $5.00....My cost was a whopping $4.80....I don't think I'll be selling many of these and might drop once supply goes...or grows moldy....

Deposit Account Deal If you want to start a deposit account OR add $$ to an existing account, this is the DEAL for you! Send $100 (check only) and we'll credit your account $110. Send $200 (check only) and we'll credit your account $225!! February's a short month, so act FAST!!
February 2012 DX STAMP SPECIALS

3 Germany-$3.90 3 UK (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) $4.50

3 Italy-$8.25 2 Spain-$3.00 2 Canada-$2.20 3 Japan-$3.90

February 2012 DX SUPPLY SPECIALS

**200/200 European Air Mailers & Returns $37**

200/200 Stateside Mailers & Returns $16

2 Standard QSL Albums $40

2 Deluxe QSL Albums $60

Shipping charges extra on supply specials
(Bill Plum)

Mint postage stamps of foreign countries can be purchased from Bill Plum's Airmail Postage and DX Supplies, 12 Glenn Road, Flemington, NJ 08822 USA.

Include a self-addressed-envelope for his current price list or request a price list via email at plumdx@msn.com . The prices represent Airmail rate to North America. Prices are subject to change without notice. No mimimum order via check, money order or credit card, but credit card orders under $ 15.00 will incur a $ 2.00 extra charge. Visa, MC, AMEX are accepted. Please include billing and shipping address for AMEX.

Don't forget the DX supplies include European Airmail envelopes (European Air Return and European Air Mailer). These envelopes are perfectly acceptable for mailing to ALL parts of the world, not just to Europe. Their size insures you that a 4"x6" DX QLSs will not come back to you folded which could happen if you used small U.S. sized airmail envelopes. Bill's European Air Return fits into a European Air Mailer without folding. These two envelopes and up to 5 QSL cards weigh less than one ounce. The European Air Return and 2 QSLs weigh less than 10 grams. All envelopes are sealed in plastic for protection. Envelopes are packed 100 per size per package. The 5-/50 Combo comes in one package.

I have used Bill's service for years and find his prices affordable and dependable. All stamps are enclosed within a glassine envelope, so no worries of stamps sticking to the letter, and you can enclose the stamps as is in the letter to the station.

Recheck this blog at the first of the month for Bill's monthly specials!
Gayle Van Horn

Newdesigned Deutsche Welle website to premier Feb 6

Press Release

Deutsche Welle's completely redesigned website will go online on February 6, 2012. Deutsche Welle Director General Erik Bettermann announced the new online services at a press conference held in Berlin on January 31, 2012. The new website will retain the multilingual, multimedia content that DW has been known for, but will have a look and feel based on Germany's international broadcaster's new corporate identity. The website also has a
new Internet address: www.dw.de/

"The new website encompasses everything that DW has to offer - articles, audio, video and interactive content," said Bettermann. "dw.de is a source of reliable information from Germany and high-quality journalistic content in 30 languages. A refreshing color concept and modern design give the site a friendly face."

Quality journalism with a straight-forward design

Users will be able to get their bearings quickly at dw.de due to its intuitive navigation and design. Content is developed and organized exactly to the users' expectations - from the homepage to the last article. The modern layout makes it possible to put focus on key issues and topics. It also creates more room for background information and features. Visually, dw.de resembles a high-quality magazine with clearly defined structure and topical focus. "As the reliable expert from Germany, it is DW's task to organize and breakdown important events and developments from Germany and our target regions, while explaining the outcomes and providing in-depth analysis," explained Bettermann. "Multilingual, multimedia, in-depth
reporting - the new DW website underscores our focus on high-quality journalism," said the Director General.

Links will always lead the user to corresponding content, special topics and DW multimedia projects. Bettermann said the large-scale layout provides more room for images and videos and makes it easier for the user to sift through the day's news.

Ready for the next Internet revolution

The website also offers improved integration of social media - making it easier for the user to enter into dialogue with DW. The layout was based on usage models from several target regions. From a technical point of view, www.dw.de/ will give DW the flexibility it needs in the future. The modular concept and transparent interface will ensure that the website is ready for
the next Internet revolution.

The new design is also based on a new technical infrastructure. The website will automatically readjust to match the device that is being used - regardless of it is a desktop computer, a tablet or a smart phone. Access for all of these devices is available today: The media player has been
converted to HTML5 - a real bonus for people watching videos on mobile devices.
(via Alokesh Gupta)

Voice of America looks to the future on 70th anniversary

Washington, D.C. — February 1, 2012 —
Voice of America turned 70 on Wednesday, and VOA Director David Ensor says the international broadcast agency is aggressively moving forward with new programs that ensure it remains an “information lifeline to people in closed societies like Iran.”

Addressing VOA journalists at the agency’s Washington headquarters, Ensor pointed to a television news show for Burma that began airing in January, a popular video blog that has been viewed more than 7 million times in China, expanded TV broadcasts to Iran, and new health programs on radio in Africa. He also described plans for a Russian language TV program that will harness popular social media programs to make citizen journalists and the audience a key part of the show. Ensor said the one-time cold war broadcaster is “as relevant today as it was February 1st, 1942,” the date of the first shortwave radio broadcast to Germany.”

Created by the U.S. government in the opening days of World War Two, the Voice of America has evolved into a global multi-media organization, broadcasting balanced and comprehensive news in 43 languages to an estimated weekly audience of 141 million.

The first shortwave radio transmission, spoken in German just weeks after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, began with the words “Here speaks a voice from America.” The broadcast went on to promise, “The news may be good. The news may be bad. We shall tell you the truth.” Ensor, the 28th Voice of America director, says the agency continues to be guided by those words.

VOA radio remains highly popular in many markets, including Somalia, parts of Pakistan and Haiti. Ensor says the agency is moving forward with new television and Internet programs that target countries like Iran, where the government restricts the free flow of information.

VOA programs are delivered on satellite, cable TV, mobile, shortwave, FM, medium wave, the Internet, and on a network of about 1,200 affiliate stations around the world. In addition to more than 1,100 employees in Washington, VOA works with contract journalists in trouble spots around the world. Last month the Taliban claimed responsibility for the murder of a reporter working for VOA in Pakistan.
(VOA)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2012 Jan 31 2314 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html
#
# Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 23 - 29 January 2012

Solar activity ranged from low to high levels. Region 1402 (N28, L=214, class/area=Eko/630 on 17 January) produced a long duration M8/2b flare at 23/0359 UTC. Multiple radio emissions from 25 MHz to 15.4 GHz, including a 5100 sfu Tenflare, and a Type IV sweep were also observed. Finally, an approximately 1600 km/s asymmetric full-halo coronal mass ejection (CME) was seen in SOHO/LASCO C2 imagery beginning at 23/0412 UTC. Activity returned to low levels as* Region 1402 made its way across the visible solar disk producing occasional low to mid level C-class flares. On 27 January, Region 1402 moved to N29W71 before producing an X1/1f flare at 27/1837 UTC. Radio phenomena, including a Type II (1523 km/s) and a Type IV radiosweep with an 810 sfu Tenflare accompanied this flare. An asymmetric halo CME was later observed in LASCO C2 coronagraph imagery with an estimated plane-of-sky speed near 2000 km/s. Region 1402 rotated off the west limb on 28 January. Region 1402’s counterpart, Region 1401 (N18, L=213, class/area=Eki/540 on 19 January) was the second largest and most magnetically complex (beta-gamma) region on the disk during the period. Region 1401 was only responsible for a couple of low level C-class flares during the period. Region 1401 decayed to spotless plage on 26 January.

Energetic proton flux levels reached strong levels during the period as two proton events energized the Earth's magnetosphere. The first event began minutes after the M8/2b flare on 23 January. The 10 MeV proton flux crossed the 10 pfu event threshold at 23/0530 UTC. The 10 MeV protons increased steadily to a peak flux of 6310 pfu at 24/1530 UTC, following the arrival of the interplanetary shock. This 10 MeV proton event ended at 27/1025 UTC when the enhancement dropped below the 10 pfu level. This 10 MeV proton event was the largest enhancement since Oct 29, 2003 (29,526 pfu) and the 11th largest since January, 1975. Also with this event, the 100 MeV proton flux exceeded the 1 pfu threshold. The 100 MeV flux began at 23/0445 UTC, increased to a peak of 2 pfu at 23/0750 UTC, then steadily declined until it dropped below the 1 pfu threshold at 23/2050 UTC. The second event began on 27 January, after the X1.7/1f flare. The 10 MeV proton flux crossed the 10 pfu event threshold at
27/1905 UTC. The 10 MeV protons increased steadily to a peak flux of 796 pfu at 28/0205 UTC. The 10 MeV proton event was still in progress at the time of this report. The associated 100 MeV event began at 27/1900 UTC, reached a maximum of 11 pfu at 27/2140 UTC and ended on 28/2120 UTC.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit began at background levels, but increased to moderate levels late on 23 January. Values increased to high levels on 27-28 January, before decreasing to moderate levels through the end of the period.

Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to minor storm levels at mid-latitudes and briefly reached severe storm conditions at high latitudes. The magnetic field was mostly quiet on 23 January with an isolated minor storm observed at high latitudes from waning effects from a CME. On 24-25 January, activity increased to isolated minor storms at low latitudes and severe storms at high latitudes, due to the arrival of a CME, associated with the 23 January M8/2b flare. An interplanetary shock was observed at the ACE spacecraft at 24/1431 UTC followed by a 37 nT increase in total field, as measured by the ACE spacecraft, at 24/1439 UTC. A corresponding sudden impulse was observed in the Boulder magnetometer with a 22 nT deviation at 24/1504 UTC. Solar wind speed, as measured by the SOHO spacecraft, was approximately 750 km/s at the time of the shock passage before decreasing to approximately 650 km/s. The geomagnetic field decreased to predominantly quiet levels for the remainder of the period.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 01 February - 27 February 2012

Solar activity is expected to be at very low to low levels from 01-09 February until old Regions 1401 and 1402 are due to return. Solar activity is expected to increase to low levels with a chance for M-class flares and a slight chance for X-class flares for the remainder of the period.

The greater than 10 MeV proton flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to remain elevated from 01-02 February but below the 10 pfu threshold values. A return to background levels is expected from 03- 08 February. On 09 February, old Regions 1401 and 1402 are due to return to the visible disk. From 09 February until the end of the forecast period, there will be a slight chance for a proton event. The greater than 2 MeV electrons at geosynchronous orbit are expected to be at normal to moderate levels for the entire forecast period.

The geomagnetic field is expected to be at predominantly quiet levels for the entire period. Quiet to unsettled levels are expected on days 03-04 February, 09 February, 12 February, and 23 February. This increased activity can be attributed to multiple, recurrent coronal hole, high speed wind streams.


Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2012 Jan 31 2314 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html
#
# 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
# Issued 2012-01-31
#
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2012 Feb 01 115 5 2
2012 Feb 02 115 5 2
2012 Feb 03 115 5 2
2012 Feb 04 115 5 2
2012 Feb 05 115 5 2
2012 Feb 06 110 5 2
2012 Feb 07 110 5 2
2012 Feb 08 110 5 2
2012 Feb 09 120 8 3
2012 Feb 10 130 5 2
2012 Feb 11 130 5 2
2012 Feb 12 130 8 3
2012 Feb 13 130 5 2
2012 Feb 14 130 5 2
2012 Feb 15 130 5 2
2012 Feb 16 130 5 2
2012 Feb 17 130 5 2
2012 Feb 18 130 5 2
2012 Feb 19 130 5 2
2012 Feb 20 130 5 2
2012 Feb 21 130 5 2
2012 Feb 22 130 5 2
2012 Feb 23 120 8 3
2012 Feb 24 115 5 2
2012 Feb 25 115 5 2
2012 Feb 26 115 5 2
2012 Feb 27 115 5 2
(NOAA)

Bible Voice Broadcasting winter schedule updates

Some MBR changes:

NF/new frequency

All times UTC

Bible Voice Broadcasting Network to East Africa
1600-1630 NF 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg, ex 13810 Oromo Mon/Thu
1630-1700 NF 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg, ex 13810 Amharic Mon/Fri
1700-1730 NF 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg, ex 13810 Tigrinya Mon/Tue/Fri
1730-1830 NF 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg, ex 13810 Amharic Mon/Tue/Fri
1630-1700 NF 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg, ex 13810 Amharic Tue
1630-1800 NF 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg, ex 13810 Amharic Wed
1630-1830 NF 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg, ex 13810 Amharic Thu/Sun
1630-1745 NF 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg, ex 13810 Amharic Sat
1745-1800 NF 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg, ex 13810 English Sat
1600-1630 NF 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg, ex 13810 Oromo Fri/Sun
1800-1830 NF 15335 ISS 100 kW / 131 deg, ex 13810 Somali Fri-Sun

Bible Voice Broadcasting Network to N&ME:

NF/new frequency

All times UTC

1715-1800 NF 9465 WER 100 kW / 120 deg, ex 7355 Arabic Mon/Wed/Fri
1800-1830 NF 9465 WER 100 kW / 120 deg, ex 9460 English Tue
1830-1900 NF 9465 WER 100 kW / 120 deg, ex 9460 Hebrew Tue
1800-1915 NF 9465 WER 100 kW / 120 deg, ex 9460 English Sun
1645-1700 NF 11700 WER 100 kW / 120 deg, ex 9460 English Mon/Wed
1645-1720 NF 11700 WER 100 kW / 120 deg, ex 9460 English Tue
1645-1745 NF 11700 WER 100 kW / 120 deg, ex 9460 English Thu
1645-1715 NF 11700 WER 100 kW / 120 deg, ex 9460 English Fri
1645-1800 NF 11700 WER 100 kW / 120 deg, ex 9460 English Sat
1630-1800 NF 11700 WER 100 kW / 120 deg, ex 9460 English Sun
(DX Mix 714, Ivo Ivanov via Alokesh Gupta, India & Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany)