Weekend VOA Radiogram schedule

VOA Radiogram this weekend will be, as usual, mostly in MFSK32, with some Olivia 64-2000. It will include information about VOA’s 75^th anniversary, which was 1 February. And the show will conclude with mention of the last Radio Australia shortwave transmission on 31 January.

Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 201, 4-5 February 2017, all in MFSK32 except where noted:

 

 1:48  Program preview

 2:58  Saturn's rings revealed in unprecedented detail*

7:05  Batteries will help power California's grid*

11:37  Olivia 64-2000: Breitbart News expands to Europe

19:31  MFSK32: VOA's 75th anniversary on 1 February*

26:52  Closing announcements* 

* with image

Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com.

VOA Radiogram transmission schedule (temporarily expanded):

UTC Day	UTC Time	kHz	Transmitter	Target	Also try in …
Saturday	0930-1000	5865	North Carolina	Americas	Asia-Pacific, Europe
Saturday	1600-1630	17580	North Carolina	Europe	Americas, Asia-Pacific
Sunday	0230-0300	5745	North Carolina	Americas	Europe
Sunday	1930-2000	15670	North Carolina	Europe	Americas, Asia-Pacific
Sunday	2030-2100	11580	WRMI Florida	Europe	Americas
Sunday	2330-2400	11580	WRMI Florida	Americas
Monday	2000-2030	3975	IBC Italy	Europe
Wednesday	2100-2130	3975	IBC Italy	Europe

The Mighty KBC broadcast to North America will be Sunday at 0000-0200 UTC (Saturday 7-9 pm EST) on 6145 kHz, via Germany. A minute of MFSK32 will be transmitted at about 0130 UTC. Reports to Eric: themightykbc@gmail.com . See also http://www.kbcradio.eu/ and https://www.facebook.com/TheMightyKbc/ . 

DigiDX is taking a few weeks off, hence the VOA Radiogram transmissions via WRMI and IBC.  See http://www.digidx.uk/ and https://www.facebook.com/digidx/

Italian Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) has digital modes as follows:

EVERY WEDNESDAY ON 3975 KHZ 20.30-21.00 UTC in MFSK32 and OLIVIA 16-500

EVERY FRIDAY ON 9955 KHZ 02.25-02.30 UTC in MFSK32

EVERY SATURDAY ON 1584 KHZ 21.25-21.30 UTC in MFSK32

EVERY SUNDAY ON 7730 KHZ 00.55-01.00 UTC in MFSK32

EVERY SUNDAY ON 6070 KHZ 11.30-12.00 UTC  in MFSK32 and OLIVIA 16-500 (VIA RADIO BCLNEWS)

For the complete IBC transmission schedule, including voice broadcasts, visit  http://ibcradio.webs.com/

Winter SWL Fest.  I am planning to attend the Winter SWL Fest, March 2-4, 2017, at Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. Hope to see you there. Information at  http://www.swlfest.com .

Thanks for your reports from last weekend (show 200). I hope to resume responding to your emails during this weekend.

I hope you can tune in and write this weekend.

Kim

Kim Andrew Elliott, KD9XB

Producer and Presenter

VOA Radiogram

voaradiogram.net

Twitter: @VOARadiogram  (especially active just before, during, and after broadcasts)

PS: A few operating notes:

• For best Olivia 64-2000 performance, turn Fldigi's squelch (SQL) off.
• The RSID at 1500 Hz sometimes mixes with the transmitter hum, most noticeable at 360 Hz, to move your receive audio frequency down to 1140 Hz, resulting in no decode. To prevent this, in Fldigi: Configure > IDs  > RsID > unselect Searches passband.  Your center audio frequency will wander no more than +/- 200 Hz.
• Fldigi automatically saves your decoded MFSK images as png files in the folder \fldigi.files\images\ (in Windows; folder names might be different with other operating systems). You can attach those png files with your reception report.
• The VOA Radiogram Twitter account @VOARadiogram is especially active before, during, and after the broadcasts. You don't need a Twitter account: just go to https://twitter.com/voaradiogram and refresh it occasionally.

February Specials from DX Stamp Service

Dear Customer,

YES!!!  ADDITIONS TO THE DISCOUNT POSTAGE GRID!!!!!!!!!  Currently OUT of 2 stamp units...BUT have 3 stamp and 4 stamp units. The 500 qty priced the same...at 64% of face!!

Below are specials for February 2017.

 If you need a current stamp list or supply list, I can email it to you. 

NEWS:  Discount Postage Grid has been updated.

IDEA:  Slightly damaged Deluxe QSL Album   now $30.00 -or- buy 2 for only $55.00!!!

NEW RATES:

Sweden now massive 19,50 kr!!! YIKES!

Iceland rate increased..no problem as their Int. forever stamp I supply covers the rate, no matter what it is!

If you hear of or notice any new rates, let me know.

NEW PRICES:   Sweden now priced at $3.00 ea

Suriname now $3.50 when in stock soon.

 IN STOCK AGAIN:  

STAMPS ON BACK ORDER: Algeria, Mexico, Namibia, Peru, Suriname

U.S. DISCOUNT POSTAGE DEALS!!

Save Big on your domestic mailings when you plaster 

 your envelope with colorful vintage stamps!

HAPPY  MAILING!!

49c units	Forever		in  2 stamps	3 stamps	4 stamps
x 100	$45.00		xxxx	$39.00	$38.00
x 200	$85.00		xxxx	$63.00	$62.00
x 500	$208.00		xxxx	$157.00	$157.00

Payment by Credit card, check or money order

               for forever stamps and 49c units                   

No Charge for posting Discount Postage Offers, sending only to USA addresses. 

                                     FEBRUARY 2017  DX  STAMP  SPECIALS

2 Germany-$2.60       3 Japan-$3.90  

2 Italy-$7.00    2 UK-$3.00    2 France-$3.60    2 Spain-$4.00

 FEBRUARY 2017  DX  SUPPLY  SPECIALS

200/200 European Plain Mailers and Plain Returns - $40.00

200/200 European Air Mailers and Plain Returns - $40.00

European AIR Returns are SOLD OUT!!

5 Packs of Extra QSL Album pages - $22.00

FEBRUARY 2017 CLOSE OUT SPECIALS

500 European Air Mailers - $42.00

1000 European AIR Mailers - $76.00

200/200 Stateside mailers and Returns - $23.00

500/500 Stateside Mailers and Returns - $43.00

  

Priority Mail Shipping Rates: Orders up to $40.00 add $9.00, orders from $41.00 to $100.00 add $15.00. orders from $101.00 to $150.00 add $20.00, orders over $150.00 add 15%. When ordering supplies and stamps, the stamps ride free, just use supply total to figure shipping costs. Shipments to Canada and overseas ship at a greater cost. (07/2015 modified)

Stamps Only Orders: Just add $1.00 P&H for posting to USA, add $2.00 for posting to Canada.

73, bill

William Plum

12 Glenn Road

Flemington, NJ 08822

908 788 1020

Email: plumdx@msn.com

Indiana 200th Anniversary: Early Radio Broadcasting Stations in Indiana

Beginning in the year 1910 and extending over a period of nine years, several student and staff personnel at Purdue University in West Lafayette Indiana experimented with the construction and usage of locally made wireless equipment, though with limited success.  These endeavors were under the auspices of the School of Electrical Engineering for which valid degrees were issued.

            However during the year 1918, Purdue University introduced a new class of instruction in radio technology and during the following year (1919) they applied to and received approval from the licensing authorities for the installation and operation of a wireless telegraphy Morse Code station.  This new experimental wireless station was granted an amateur callsign 9YB.

            Station 9YB was granted a 2 kW spark license for operation on 800 kHz and 1500 kHz, both frequencies within what became the standard mediumwave band.  Their T type center fed antenna was 100 feet high and 100 feet long.

            Then three years later, the amateur Morse Code station morphed into a radio broadcasting station that was granted the callsign WBAA.  The official date for the inauguration of the new WBAA broadcasting station was April 4, 1922. 

            The original operating channel for the new WBAA was the standard nationwide 833 kHz, and this Indiana station was permitted 250 watts.  These days, WBAA operates with 5 kW on 920 kHz.

According to the WPA Guide to Indiana, station WBAA is the oldest continuously operating radio broadcasting station in Indiana.

            Another early wireless station was established by the Dodge Institute at Valparaiso on the edge of suburban Chicago in the top north western corner of Indiana.  Back a hundred years ago, the Dodge Institute was the largest school of wireless and radio instruction in the United States.

            In the latter part of the year 1913, the Dodge Institute installed a Special Land Station, as they were called in those days, an experimental Morse Code wireless station with the callsign 9XD.  This station was in use for a dozen years, and it was closed in 1926.

            However, give another nearly two score years, and a new station was installed at Valparaiso; a program broadcasting station under the callsign WNWI, with the letters NWI standing for North West Indiana.  The new WNWI was inaugurated on December 31, 1965, the 39^th anniversary to the very day of the official closure of the earlier wireless station 9XD.

            Radio station WNWI began with 250 watts on 1080 kHz.  However, after 33 years at Valparaiso, station WNWI was reborn (1998) under the same callsign at a new location in suburban Chicago, with now 3 kW on the same channel 1080 kHz.  Studios are at Oak Lawn, the transmitter is at Riverdale, and programming is in East European languages.

The first radio broadcasting station in Indianapolis was established in the Hamilton Manufacturing Company building at 2011 Alabama Street.  This station was launched as 9ZJ  on February 2, 1920, and it broadcast the famous election night results as WLK on November 2, the same night that brought lasting fame to mediumwave station KDKA in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.  Station WLK was closed in 1923 and the equipment was sold during the following year to station KFGZ-WEMC at what is now Andrews Adventist University at Berrien Springs in Michigan. 

            The oldest continuously operating broadcasting station in Indianapolis began life on October 23, 1924 as WFBM with studios on the fourth floor in the Indianapolis Athletic Club building at 350 North Meridian Street.  The original transmitter was a converted carrier current unit intended for use in transmitting company messages along the high power electricity lines.

            Initially, this WFBM transmitter was installed in the Harding Street electricity generating plant.  They began with 250 watts on 1130 kHz, and they operate now as WNDE with 5 kW on 1260 kHz.

Radio station WSBT in South Bend lays claim to being the first commercial radio broadcasting station in Indiana.  They began life as W9FP in April 1922, and three months later they changed callsign to WGAZ, standing for World’s Greatest Automobile Zone.  They changed call again in 1925 to WSBT to reflect the station’s ownership, the South Bend Tribune.  These days station WSBT operates with 5 kW on 960 kHz though on air they promote their FM outlet on 96.1 MHz which was added  in 2012.

             The well known full power 50 kW WOWO in Fort Wayne was inaugurated upstairs at the Main Auto Supply Company on 213 Main Street with 500 watts on 1320 kHz on March 31, 1925.  Their 50 kW transmitter at nearby Roanoke was officially taken into service on February 1, 1954.

            In an unusual move, the owners of station WLIB in New York bought station WOWO in Fort Wayne in 1954 so that they could decrease the night time signal from WOWO and increase the night time signal from WLIB.  These days WLIB in New York operates on 1190 kHz with 10 kW during the day and 30 kW at night, whereas WOWO Fort Wayne operates also on 1190 kHz with 50 kW during the day and only 9.8 kW at night. 

 (AWR Wavescan/NWS 413)

BBC World Service frequency updates

All times UTC

1400-1430 on  7565 TAC 100 kW / 141 deg to SoAs Hindi till Feb.4&cancelled
1400-1430 on  9510 SNG 100 kW / 320 deg to SoAs Hindi till Feb.4&cancelled
1400-1430 on  7600 TAC 100 kW / 141 deg to SoAs Hindi continues on the air
1400-1430 on 11995 SNG 250 kW / 315 deg to SoAs Hindi continues on the air
2000-2200 on  3255 MEY 100 kW / 000 deg to SoAf English Wed/Thu from Feb.1
2000-2200 on  6145 MEY 100 kW / 015 deg to SoAf English Wed/Thu from Feb.1
2000-2200 on  7435 MDC 250 kW / 315 deg to CEAf English Wed/Thu from Feb.1
2000-2200 on  9495 DHA 250 kW / 225 deg to SoAf English Wed/Thu from Feb.1

(SWL DXing 03 Feb)

Shiokaze Sea Breeze frequency update

Clandestine

Frequency changes of Shiokaze Sea Breeze 

Effective: January 30, 2017
1300-1330 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6145 Chinese Mon
1300-1330 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6145 Japanese Tue
1300-1330 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6145 Korean Wed
1300-1330 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6145 English Thu
1300-1330 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6145 Korean Fri
1300-1330 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6145 Japanese Sat
1300-1330 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6145 Korean Sun
1330-1400 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6145 Korean Mon
1330-1400 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6145 Japanese Tue
1330-1400 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6145 Korean Wed
1330-1400 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6145 English Thu
1330-1400 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6145 Korean Fri
1330-1400 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6145 Korean Sat
1330-1400 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6145 Japanese Sun
1405-1435 on  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Japanese Daily, no change
1600-1630 NF  6085 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6110 Chinese Mon
1600-1630 NF  6085 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6110 Japanese Tue
1600-1630 NF  6085 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6110 Korean Wed
1600-1630 NF  6085 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6110 English Thu
1600-1630 NF  6085 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6110 Korean Fri
1600-1630 NF  6085 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6110 Japanese Sat
1600-1630 NF  6085 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6110 Korean Sun
1630-1700 NF  6085 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6110 Korean Mon
1630-1700 NF  6085 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6110 Japanese Tue
1630-1700 NF  6085 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6110 Korean Wed
1630-1700 NF  6085 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6110 English Thu
1630-1700 NF  6085 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6110 Korean Fri
1630-1700 NF  6085 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6110 Korean Sat
1630-1700 NF  6085 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6110 Japanese Sun

(Bulgarian DX blog)

From the Isle of Music-week of January 3-February 4

This week we get back to Una Mecanica Diferente for lovers of Concert Music, the new album by Septeto Santiguero for lovers of traditional Son, the recent album by Roberto Fonseca for Cuban Jazz lovers and some vintage Los Tainos and Orquesta Estrellas Cubanas for dancing.

Three options for listening on shortwave:
WBCQ, 7490 KHz, Tuesdays 0100-0200 UTC (8pm-9pm EST Mondays in the Americas)
Channel 292, 6070 KHz, Fridays 1100-1200 UTC (1200-1300 CET) and Saturdays 1200-1300 UTC (1300-1400 CET)

Updated winter schedule for Bible Voice Broadcasting

All times UTC

0200-0215 on 11790 MDC 125 kW / 050 deg to SoAs English Tue
0200-0230 on 11790 MDC 125 kW / 050 deg to SoAs English Thu/Sat
0200-0300 on 11790 MDC 125 kW / 050 deg to SoAs English Sun
0300-0315 on  7325 NAU 250 kW / 128 deg to N/ME Arabic Dardasha 7
0430-0450 on  5980 NAU 125 kW / 120 deg to N/ME Arabic Dardasha 7 Mon-Fri
0430-0445 on  5980 NAU 125 kW / 120 deg to N/ME Arabic Dardasha 7 Sat/Sun
0445-0515 on  5980 NAU 125 kW / 120 deg to N/ME Arabic Dardasha 7 Sun
0500-0515 on  9450 NAU 250 kW / 120 deg to N/ME Arabic Fri
0600-0615 on  9440 NAU 125 kW / 180 deg to NoAf Arabic Dardasha 7
0800-0830 on  7220 NAU 100 kW / 260 deg to WeEu English Sat/Sun
1200-1230 on 21480 MDC 125 kW / 045 deg to EaAs English Sat
1230-1245 on 21480 MDC 125 kW / 085 deg to SEAs English 1st&3rd Sun
1400-1430 on 17510 ISS 250 kW / 083 deg to SoAs English 1st Sat
1430-1515 on 17510 ISS 250 kW / 083 deg to SoAs English Sat
1530-1545 on 13630 NAU 100 kW / 095 deg to SoAs English Sun
1600-1630 on 11790 NAU 100 kW / 148 deg to EaAf Oromo Sat-Tue
1630-1700 on 11790 NAU 100 kW / 148 deg to EaAf Amharic Mon/Wed/Fri
1630-1700 on 11875 NAU 100 kW / 145 deg to CeAf Nuer
1630-1700 on 11790 NAU 100 kW / 148 deg to EaAf Somali Sat/Sun
1630-1730 on 11790 NAU 100 kW / 148 deg to EaAf Amharic Tue
1630-1800 on 11790 NAU 100 kW / 148 deg to EaAf Amharic Thu
1700-1715 on 11700 SOF 100 kW / 126 deg to N/ME Arabic Dardasha 7
1700-1715 on 11915 NAU 250 kW / 125 deg to N/ME Arabic Sat
1700-1730 on 11790 NAU 100 kW / 148 deg to EaAf Amharic Sat/Sun
1700-1800 on  9600 SOF 100 kW / 090 deg to WeAs Persian
1700-1800 on 11790 NAU 100 kW / 148 deg to EaAf Tigrinya Mon/Wed
1715-1745 on 11700 SOF 100 kW / 126 deg to N/ME Arabic Tue
1715-1800 on 11700 SOF 100 kW / 126 deg to N/ME Arabic Mon/Wed/Fri
1730-1800 on 11790 NAU 100 kW / 148 deg to EaAf Hadiyya Sat/Sun
1800-1815 on  9715 MOS 100 kW / 115 deg to N/ME English Fri
1800-1830 on  7365 NAU 100 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Persian Fri/Sat
1800-1830 on  9715 MOS 100 kW / 115 deg to N/ME English Thu
1800-1900 on  7365 NAU 100 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Persian Thu
1815-1900 on  9715 MOS 100 kW / 115 deg to N/ME Arabic Sun
1830-2000 on  9715 MOS 100 kW / 115 deg to N/ME English Sat
1830-2000 on  6030 NAU 100 kW / 090 deg to EaEu English Sun
1900-2000 on  9715 MOS 100 kW / 115 deg to N/ME English Sun
1915-1930 on  9470 NAU 250 kW / 125 deg to WeAs English Sun
1830-1900 on  7365 NAU 100 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Persian Tue/Sun
1930-2000 on  5930 NAU 250 kW / 155 deg to NoAf English Sun
1930-2015 on  9925 NAU 100 kW / 129 deg to N/ME English Sun
2000-2015 on  5940 NAU 250 kW / 120 deg to N/ME Arabic Dardasha 7
2030-2045 on  9515 NAU 250 kW / 180 deg to NoAf Arabic Dardasha 7
(SWL DXing 29 Jan)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2017 Jan 30 0445 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 2017

Solar activity was at mostly very low levels with low levels observed on 28 January due to an isolated C2 flare at 28/2109 UT from Region 2627 (N06, L=193, class/area Dai/110 on 22 January). An associated coronal mass ejection (CME) was observed off of the west limb in coronagraph imagery beginning at 28/2148 UTC but was determined not to have a geoeffective component. No Earth-directed CMEs were observed.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at normal to moderate levels with high levels observed on 23-24, and 26-29 January. The largest flux value of the period was 2,495 pfu observed at 28/1800 UTC.

Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to active levels over the period. Solar wind parameters were indicative of background conditions to start the period. Midday on 26 January, wind speed began to increase as an isolated, positive polarity coronal hole high-speed stream (CH HSS) became geoeffective. Wind speed reached a maximum of 697 km/s at 27/0609 UTC and total field peaked at 16 nT at 26/2330 UTC before gradually decreasing throughout the remainder of the period. The geomagnetic field was at quiet levels on 23-24
January, quiet to unsettled levels on 25, 28-29 January, and quiet to active levels on 26-27 January.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 30 January - 25 February 2017

Solar activity is expected to be very low with a slight chance for C-class flares on 30 January - 04 February as Regions 2628 (N12, L=174, class/area Dso/220 on 23 January) and 2629 (N15, L=110, class/area Dao/220 on 25 January) rotate across the visible disk. Very low levels are expected from 05-11 February. Very low levels with a slight chance for C-class flares are expected on 12-25 February with the return of Region 2627.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at normal to moderate levels with high levels likely on 01-13, 16-18, and 22-25 February due to CH HSS influence.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at unsettled to active levels on 30 January - 07 February, and again on 14-18 and 22-25 February with G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm levels likely on 31 January, and 01 February due to recurrent CH HSS effects.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2017 Jan 30 0445 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 2017-01-30
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2017 Jan 30      76          10          3
2017 Jan 31      75          25          5
2017 Feb 01      75          20          5
2017 Feb 02      75          18          4
2017 Feb 03      74          15          4
2017 Feb 04      74          15          4
2017 Feb 05      72          15          4
2017 Feb 06      72          10          3
2017 Feb 07      75           8          3
2017 Feb 08      76           5          2
2017 Feb 09      77           5          2
2017 Feb 10      77           5          2
2017 Feb 11      77           5          2
2017 Feb 12      77           5          2
2017 Feb 13      78           5          2
2017 Feb 14      79          15          4
2017 Feb 15      81          10          3
2017 Feb 16      83          10          3
2017 Feb 17      83           8          3
2017 Feb 18      83           8          3
2017 Feb 19      85           5          2
2017 Feb 20      85           5          2
2017 Feb 21      85           5          2
2017 Feb 22      80          10          3
2017 Feb 23      80          15          4
2017 Feb 24      80          10          3
2017 Feb 25      75          10          3
(NOAA)

VOA celebrates 75 years, February 1, 2017

Vintage VOA QSL via Gayle Van Horn Collection

Dear Friends,

The Voice of America celebrates its 75th anniversary on February 1, 2017. In honor of this momentous occasion, we are taking you on a journey around the U.S. to showcase vibrant and exciting celebrations that take place in various diaspora communities every year. From Persian New Year celebrations in Los Angeles to the West Indian American Day Parade in New York City, to Carnival in Puerto Rico, these celebrations highlight the multicultural diversity that makes the United States what it is today. For example, did you know that the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. all started with a gift of cherry trees from the mayor of Tokyo more than 100 years ago?

Voice of America’s audience growth has been exponential. In fact, our 2016 numbers were the highest to date. We now reach a record number of 236.6 million people weekly around the globe through various platforms – television, radio, and the web. Every year more people get their news and information from digital platforms, so we placed a greater emphasis on social media this year, and our numbers skyrocketed. VOA sites now enjoy nearly seven  million hits weekly from people around the world.

See full article here:

https://docs.voanews.eu/en-US-INSIDE/2017/01/03/561d9621-e45c-4ef5-93c2-b49f658c826c.pdf

(BDXC)

Marconi Radio International slated for Sunday broadcast

Please be advised that  Marconi Radio International will be on the air  Sunday, 29 January 2017, from 1315 to 1615 UTC on 7700 kHz USB Mode.

Reception reports with audio clips (mp3-file) are welcome and confirmed by QSL verification. Some lucky listeners will ALSO receive our printed QSL card, so don't forget to include your postal address. E-mail: marconiradiointernational (at) gmail.com

Last but not least, we need your help! If you are a DX blogger, or use social networks, please post an announcement on your own  blog and/or Facebook or send out a tweet. You can also forward this message to a friend.

This should help increase our potential audience.

We hope to hear from a lot of shortwave listeners about our transmissions.
Best 73's
Marconi Radio International (MRI)

The waning days of Australia on shortwave

Radio Australia QSL (via Gayle Van Horn Collection)

The ABC announced last month that it would stop broadcasting shortwave transmissions in to the Asia Pacific.

It helped our troops during World War II and spread impartial news in the Pacific region for decades, but Shepparton's shortwave broadcasting facility's future is uncertain.

The ABC announced last month that it would stop broadcasting shortwave transmissions in to the Asia Pacific, putting an end to more than 70 years of continuous shortwave transmissions.

Opening in 1944, the transmission site in north Shepparton was first used to spread morale-boosting broadcasts to troops in the Pacific and, after the war it was the grunt that helped push ABC's Radio Australia broadcast beyond our shores.

The final Radio Australia shortwave broadcast will go out on Tuesday, January 31, in a decision the ABC said was about moving away from the outdated technologies.

"Savings realised through decommissioning this service will be reinvested in a more robust FM transmitter network and an expanded content offering for the region that will include English and in-language audio content," an ABC spokesperson said.International listeners will still be able to listen to Radio Australia through a web stream. Just what the shutdown means for the broadcast towers beyond January 31 was still uncertain.

When asked by The News, the ABC said the towers were in the ownership of Broadcast Australia, which was part of BAI Communications. A spokesperson for BAI Communications said the future of the site was not decided yet.

"At this stage Broadcast Australia has made no plans in respect to retaining the infrastructure in place, and the decision to retain or decommission the redundant sites and equipment will be taken by Broadcast Australia in due course," the spokesperson said. If the site was decommissioned it would be a sad day for Australia, according to former transmitter operator Rodney Champness.

He worked at the facility for seven years and believed it was still a vital piece of national infrastructure that could not be replicated by web streaming. "In those countries we are aiming at they can get the internet, but it is expensive and for many people their wages are not high enough to afford it," Mr Champness said. "They don't have a lot of money and shortwave radio is cheap."

Shepparton was chosen in the 1940s for a few reasons, including the relatively flat terrain which was beneficial for broadcasts, and its location, away from inland cities and domestic flight routes.

"It's away from the coast so Japanese or German aircrafts could not easily get to it, and the building was blast proof for the bombs from that era," he said. If the site was decommissioned, it would be a sad day for Australia and especially for Shepparton, he said.

"I just think it's an icon, and people don't really even realise it's there," Mr Champness said.

Site off the airwaves; Shepparton_News Australia, by Barclay White, Jan 21 http://www.sheppnews.com.au/2017/01/21/70273/radio-australia-site-a-
vital-link http://www.sheppnews.com.au/2017/01/21/70270/site-off-the-airwaves
(via Mike Terry-UK, BrDXC ng Jan 21)

Radio Australia
All times UTC
English
0000-0100 15240va 15415pa 17840va
0100-0200 15240va 15415pa 17840va
0200-0300 15240va 15415pa 17840va
0300-0400 15240va 15415pa 17840va
0400-0500 15240va 15415pa 17840va
0500-0600 15240va 15415pa 17840va
0600-0630 15240va 15415pa 17840va
0700-0800 15240va 15415pa 17840va
0800-0900 15240va 15415pa 17840va
0930-1000 9580va 12065pa 12085va
1000-1100 9580va 12065pa 12085va
1100-1200 9580va 12065pa 12085va
1200-1300 9580va 12065pa 12085va
1300-1400 9580va 12065pa 12085va
1400-1500 9580va 12065pa 12085va
1500-1600 9580va 12065pa 12085va
1600-1700 9580va 12065pa 12085va
1700-1800 9580va 12065pa 12085va
1800-1900 9580va 12065pa 12085va
1900-2000 9580va 12065pa 12085va
2000-2100 9580va 12065pa 12085va
2100-2200 15240va 15415pa 17840va
2200-2300 15240va 15415pa 17840va
2300-0000 15240va 15415pa 17840va

French
0800-0805 15240va 15415pa 17840va

Tok Pisin
0630-0700 15240va 15415pa 17840va
0900-0930 9580va 12065pa 12085va
(Gary Baxter)

Australia, NTSW Svc VL8 Alice Springs
English
0000-0100 4835do
0100-0200 4835do
0200-0300 4835do
0300-0400 4835do
0400-0500 4835do
0500-0600 4835do
0600-0700 4835do
0700-0800 4835do
0800-0900 4835do
0900-1000 4835do
1000-1100 4835do
1100-1200 4835do
1200-1300 4835do
1300-1400 4835do
1400-1500 4835do
1500-1600 4835do
1600-1700 4835do
1700-1800 4835do
1800-1900 4835do
1900-2000 4835do
2000-2100 4835do
2100-2200 4835do
2200-2300 4835do
2300-0000 4835do

Australia, NTSW Svc VLT Tennant Creek
English
0000-0100 4910do
0100-0200 4910do
0200-0300 4910do
0300-0400 4910do
0400-0500 4910do
0500-0600 4910do
0600-0700 4910do
0700-0800 4910do
0800-0830 4910do
0830-900    2325do
0900-1000 2325do
1000-1100 2325do
1100-1200 2325do
1200-1300 2325do
1300-1400 2325do
1400-1500 2325do
1500-1600 2325do
1600-1700 2325do
1700-1800 2325do
1800-1900 2325do
1900-2000 2325do
2000-2100 2325do
2100-2130 2325do
2130-2200 4910do
2200-2300 4910do
2300-0000 4910do

Australia, NTSW Svc VLK Katherine
English
0000-0100 5025do
0100-0200 5025do
0200-0300 5025do
0300-0400 5025do
0400-0500 5025do
0500-0600 5025do
0600-0700 5025do
0700-0800 5025do
0800-0830 5025do
0830-0900 2485do
0900-1000 2485do
1000-1100 2485do
1100-1200 2485do
1200-1300 2485do
1300-1400 2485do
1400-1500 2485do
1500-1600 2485do
1600-1700 2485do
1700-1800 2485do
1800-1900 2485do
1900-2000 2485do
2000-2100 2485do
2100-2130 2485do
2130-2200 5025do
2200-2300 5025do
2300-0000 5025do
(WRTH)