Weekend VOA Radiogram schedule

Hello friends,

Now that most of North America has changed to Daylight Savings Time, most Americans and Canadians will hear VOA Radiogram one hour later by local time. This is because VOA Radiogram stays at the same UTC time year round. The same will happen for European listeners beginning 26 March 

Also that last weekend of March, many shortwave broadcast stations will change some of their frequencies to correspond with seasonal shifts in propagation. The only change for VOA Radiogram from North Carolina is that the Saturday 0930-1000 UTC broadcast will move from 5865 to 5745 kHz, effective 1 April.

Effective 26 March, IBC (Italian Broadcasting Corporation) will drop its 3975 kHz frequency for the summer. IBC will no longer broadcast VOA Radiogram. There might be one more VOA Radiogram via IBC, Wednesday, 22 March, at 2100-2130 UTC, on 3975 kHz.       

This weekend’s VOA Radiogram will be all MFSK32, except for one item in MFSK16, in case reception is difficult.

Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 207, 18-19 March 2017, all in MFSK32 except where noted:

1:46  Program preview  

 2:56  Fog-clearing apparatus used at Oregon airport*

9:52  'Boaty McBoatface' submarine to embark on first mission*

16:44  MFSK16: RFE/RL photo archive from 1950s USSR

21:50  MFSK32: Images* and closing announcements

* with image(s)

Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com .

VOA Radiogram Transmission Schedule
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
Wednesday	2100-2130	3975 **	IBC Italy	Europe
* Moving to 5745 kHz effective 1 April ** Discontinued after 22 March

The Mighty KBC broadcast to North America will be Sunday at 0000-0200 UTC (Saturday 8-10 pm EDT) 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/.  (KBC will move to 9925 kHz on 7 May.)

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)  For the complete IBC transmission schedule, including changes after 27 March, visit  http://ibcradio.webs.com/  The new English version of IBC’s “Shortwave Panorama” begins  31 March, via WRMI Florida, Friday 01.00-01.30 UTC on 9955 kHz, Saturday 01.30-02.00 UTC 11580 kHz, and
Sunday 00.30-01.00 UTC on 7730 kHz. The last five minutes of these shows will be in MFSK32.

Thanks for your reception reports from last weekend. In comparison of the two 58-wpm modes, MFSK16 and Olivia 8-1000, it appears that MFSK16 performed better, based on most reports.

Due to commitments related to my audience research work at VOA, I am vastly behind in answering your reports, but I hope to get back on track this weekend.

I hope you can tune in and write in 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.
•  

Euro weekend relays

All times UTC

Hamburger Lokal Radio via Shortwave Station Göhren, Germany with 1KW to Western Europe:
 6190 KHz     Every Saturday      07:00-11:00
 7265 KHz     Every Saturday      11:00-16:00    
 9485 KHz     Every Sunday        10:00 to 13:00    
Contact email: redaktion@hamburger-lokalradio.de
 
Next scheduled transmissions from Radio City
Friday March 17th at 19:00- 20:00 via IRRS on 7290 kHz and repeated Saturday March 18 at 09:00-10:00 via IRRS on 9510 kHz
Older programs may be repeated at random other Saturdays. Older programs may also be transmitted by Challenger Radio in Italy on 1368, 846 and 567 kHz.
Saturdays at 00:00 and Saturdays at 20:30 (two different slots). There will be a different program via Hamburger Lokalradio Saturday March 25 at 13:00-14:00 on 7265 kHz. After that, during the period of daylight shifting time transmissions will be one hour earlier in UTC schedules.

Our contact address remains  citymorecars@yahoo.ca Website: http://yahoo.ca

European Music Radio Transmissions via:
WBCQ to Central & North America on 5130 kHz on March 18, 23:00 to 00:00.
Shortwave Station Göhren on 9485 kHz on March 19, 09:00-10:00.
Channel 292 on 6070 kHz on March 19, 16:00-17:00.
Contact email: emrshortwave@gmail.com  
Internet Repeats on 19th March 2017:
EMR will repeat this months transmissions via two streams running at the following times:16:00, 18:00, 20:00.
http://nednl.net:8000/emr.m3u will be on 96 kbps /44 kHz stereo for normal listening.
http://nednl.net:8000/emr24.m3u will be 24 kbps / 22 kHz mono will be especially for low bandwidth like mobile phones.

KBC via:
Media Broadcast to America on 6145 kHz Every Sunday between 00:00 to 01:00
Contact email: themightykbc@gmail.com

 Hobart Radio via:
Channel 292 to Western Europe on 6070 kHz Saturdays fortnightly between 09:00 to 09:30.
WRMI to Americas, Asia/Pacific on 9955 kHz Sunday between 04:30 to 05:00
WRMI to Americas, Asia/Pacific on 9955 kHz Tuesday between 23:30 to 00:00
WBCQ to North America on 5130 kHz Mondays 04:30 to 05:00
Contact email: hriradio@gmail.com

For outside the listening area please try the Twente/Netherlands Web RX at http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/

You can also hear many European free and alternative stations via the Internet at: http://laut.fm/jukebox

Radio Channel 292  transmission schedules on 6070 kHz (on the air every day):
http://www.channel292.de/schedule-for-bookings/
Radio Mi Amigo Transmission schedules: www.radiomiamigo.es/shortwave
Good Listening!
73s
Tom Taylor

Final End of Another VOA Relay Station

Several emessages on the internet dated for January 19 inform us that the previous VOA Voice of America relay station located at Iranawila in Sri Lanka is under demolition.  This is now the second VOA station on the island of Ceylon-Sri Lanka that has been closed and demolished; and this Iranawila station was listed as the largest VOA station outside of the United States.  This is the story.    

            In December 1984, authorities representing the Voice of America and the Sri Lankan government signed a document of approval to establish a new VOA station on the island.  This new station would be set up with a total of 6 shortwave transmitters; 2 at 250 kW and 4 at 500 kW.

            At the time of my visit to the Iranawila site by taxi during the following year (1985), I found the projected new location, though it was still in occupation by the local village people, with all of the protected coconut palm trees still standing.  At the approach to the property on the track leading to the projected station, there was a big signboard in the two languages, English and Sinhala (SING-a-la or sin-HA-la), indicating that this was the location for the huge new VOA relay station.  This station was located on the coast on an extensive property of 1,000 acres, in walking distance to the Indian Ocean.

            According to international radio reports back then, supplementary information about the new station included the installation of an additional powerful 600 kW mediumwave transmitter.  In addition, the already operational receiver station a few miles distant at Seeduwa would be upgraded.

            During the initial stages of development of the property, there was considerable opposition to the project on the part of the 188 fisher families that would be displaced.  Their opposition included attacks on construction personnel, one resulting in death, and damage to the station itself. 

            Villagers attending the local Catholic Church supported the opposition to the radio project.  It seems that subsequently the acquisition of the property was modified somewhat, and perhaps moved just a little further inland.

            Progress on the project was slow and the first four transmitters, new 500 kW units from Cincinnati Electronics in Ohio Model 86128 were installed in 1992.  Three years later, three transmitters from the closed VOA station in Bethany Ohio, BBC Model SK53C3, were taken out of storage in Brooklyn New York and shipped to Sri Lanka for installation at Iranawila.  

            An additional four Marconi transmitters at 500 kW Model B6132 were subsequently shipped to Iranawila, but during installation, one was destroyed by fire.  The three remaining units were still in their original unopened shipping containers and not damaged. 

            It is officially stated that the cause of the fire on November 5, 1996 remains unknown.  An additional replacement transmitter was shipped out from England soon afterwards.

            Then in 1997, three more transmitters were shipped out to Sri Lanka from the recently closed VOA relay station at Gloria in Portugal.  These additional units were nine years old, Continentals at 250 kW Model 419F2.

            The first test transmissions from the new VOA Iranawila were noted in the United States on October 30, 1997.  One transmitter was on the air, and test tones were radiated progressively on several different shortwave channels. 

            Some eighteen months later, the station underwent a weeklong series of proof of performance tests, beginning on July 17, 1999.  At the end of seven long years of construction activity, this new VOA relay station was now on the air, carrying a full load of VOA programming beamed to the many countries of Asia.

            However, give another seventeen years, and the antenna systems needed considerable repair, including the replacement of a quarter million bolts due to salt air corrosion.  It was declared that the station was too expensive to operate, and it would be closed.  Friday June 10 (2016) was the last day of on air operation.  Next day, the station lay silent.

            On January 19 (2017), English newspapers in Colombo Sri Lanka reported that the VOA shortwave station at Iranawila was being dismantled.  The station assets would be taken over by the Sri Lankan army, Sri Lanka Telekom, and SLBC the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. 

            It was reported that SLBC planned to take over one of the 250 kW transmitters, presumably as a replacement at their recently acquired station in Trincomalee.  The land, now measuring only 410 acres for which VOA was paying $40,000 a year on lease, will be taken over by the island government and developed as an eco-friendly tourist zone.

            On March 16, 1999, two well known and highly respected international radio monitors, Anker Petersen from Denmark and Victor Goonetillike from nearby Colombo, paid a visit to the station by prior appointment, and they reported that the station contained 4 transmitters at 500 kW each, together with 26 curtain antennas. 

            At the time of closure in the middle of last year, the newspapers reported that the station contained a total of 8 transmitters in use; 6 at 250 kW and 2 at 500 kW.  At this stage, the 2016 edition of the WRTVHB listed 7 transmitters at Iranawila; 3 at 250 kW and 4 at 500 kW, though the 2004 edition of the WRTVHB listed 10 transmitters; 6 @ 250 kW and 4 at 500 kW.

            Relying upon all of the international radio reports over the past nearly quarter century, we would suggest that a total of 13 shortwave transmitters had been installed at VOA Iranawila, including the one that was destroyed by fire.  Only 8 were listed as active at the time when the station was closed. 

            What happened to the other 4 transmitters?  Were they active but not listed?  Were they on site but inactive?  Had they been removed and sold as scrap?  Or is our information not totally accurate?  I guess we will never know. 

            And in answer to another question: Was the VOA relay station at Iranawila the largest outside the United States?  It is true, VOA did contemplate enlarged plans for their station in Sri Lanka.   However, even if all 13 transmitters are taken into account, the VOA station at Tinang in the Philippines does actually possess a larger contingent of shortwave transmitters than the one in Sri Lanka.

 (AWRWavescan)

QSL Report

Australia
2325 kHz (Tennant Creek), 2485 kHz (Katherine) and 4835 kHz (Alice Springs) verified as the last day transmission sent by regular postal mail with a nice, long e-mail response from Ryan MacArthur who works in Master Control at ABC Darwin. Received in 14 days. He attached a scan of their previous QSL card, since they no longer have any physical cards to send out. "Our presenters and staff enjoyed hearing from shortwave listeners all around the world. Most recently, we heard from a listener as far away as Finland.  It is a shame that yours will probably be the last correspondence we receive, now that the shortwave service has ended."
(Rich D'Angelo-PA-USA, DXplorer via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews March 5)

Germany/Russia
QSL card from the "Voice of the Andes" for Voronezh for the reception in Russian - 04 Febr 2017 at 1530-1600 UTC {only Saturdays, 1530 UT Russian, 1600 UT Chechen language, wb.) on 11900 kHz (the transmitter is MBR Nauen, Germany, 100 kW). The report sent via e-mail: mks@intercon.ru Winter landscape on QSL. (DK  Dmitry Kutuzov, Ryazan, Russia / "deneb-radio-dx" via RUSdx #915 via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews March 12)

Guatemala
4055 kHz. E-QSL from Radio Verdad, plus photo and calendar, sticker and banner. Received via email fro e-report of 28 February 2017,at 0420-0450 UTC on 4055 kHz. Best to send via email, as mail has not worked for them for seven months. Email: radioverdad5@yahoo.com. (VL  Vasily Lazarev, Samara region, Russia, "deneb-radio-dx"
via RUSdx #915 via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews March 12)

Tajikistan
7245 kHz. Received an E-QSL from Ovozi Tojik, plus photos of employees. They accepted the transmission of the radio station Ovozi Tochik in Russian on February 18, from 0800 to 0900 UTC.
(SR  Shukhrat Rakhmatullaev, Tashkent, Uzbekistan / "deneb-radio-dx" via RUSdx #915 via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews March 12)

Vietnam
7280 kHz. Received for station's Russian service, "Voices of Vietnam" for reception on January 15, 2017, at 1630-1658 UTC, via transmitter in Hanoi Son Tay 100 kW. Card notes "Lace bridge Longbyen." Reception report was sent via email to: golosvietnama@gmail.com.
(WWDXC/Top News 13 March 2017)

From the Isle of Music and Uncle Bill's Melting Pot weekly schedules

From the Isle of Music, Week of March 13-18, 2017
This week, in the first of two parts, special guest Pablo Menéndez, leader of the current supergroup Mezcla and member of the past supergroup Grupo de Experimentación Sonora del ICAIC, converses with us in English about these groups (and, of course, we will have a lot of music). In Part 1, we discuss GESI, a group whose many important members profoundly influenced several genres of modern Cuban music from Nueva Trova to Cuban Jazz.
Three opportunities to listen via shortwave:
1. For the Americas and parts of Western Europe:
WBCQ, 7490 KHz, Tuesdays 0000-0100 UTC (Mondays 8pm-9pm EDT in the Americas)
2. For Europe and beyond,
Channel 292, 6070 KHz, Fridays 1100-1200 UTC (1200-1300 CET) and Saturdays 1200-1300 UTC (1300-1400 CET)

Uncle Bill's Melting Pot, Week of March 13-18, 2017
Episode 3 of Uncle Bill's Melting Pot, a musical variety program that features genres from A-Z, will air:
WBCQ the Planet, 7490 KHz, Thursday, March 16 from 2300-2330 UTC (7:00pm-7:30pm EDT in the Americas).
Brought to you by Tilford Productions, which also brings you From the Isle of Music.  (We aren't showing on the WBCQ website yet, but we'll be on.)  Check us out, and let us know what you think!   Episode 3 will have some St. Patrick's Day music for people who are doing the "Irish for a day" thing and a few other bits of fun.
(Tilford Productions)

Voice of Tibert frequency update

Clandestine

Effective from 11 March 2017

All times UTC


1200-1210 on 11513 DB  100 kW / 095 deg to EaAs Chinese no change
1210-1230 on 11508 DB  100 kW / 095 deg to EaAs Chinese no change
1230-1235 on 11507 DB  100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs Tibetan no change
1235-1245 NF 11513 DB  100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs Tibetan, ex 11507
1245-1305 NF 11508 DB  100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs Tibetan, ex 11512
1305-1330 NF 11503 DB  100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs Tibetan, ex 11518
1330-1335 NF  9513 DB  100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs Tibetan, ex  9512
1335-1345 NF  9507 DB  100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs Tibetan, ex  9512
1345-1400 NF  9507 DB  100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs Tibetan, ex  9517
(DX Remix 998)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2017 Mar 13 0238 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html
#
#                Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 06 - 12 March 2017

Solar activity was at very low levels throughout the reporting period. No CMEs observed in available SOHO LASCO imagery were determined to be Earth-directed.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at high levels on 06-08 Mar. Normal to high levels were observed on 09 Mar and moderate to high levels were observed on 10 Mar. On 11 Mar, a return to normal to high levels were observed, with moderate to high levels ending the period on 12 Mar. Sustained levels of electron flux was caused by continuous influence of a CH HSS throughout the reporting period.

Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to G1 (Minor) levels during the reporting period due to a negative polarity, CH HSS that persisted throughout most of the week. On 06 Mar, quiet to G1 (Minor) levels represented a peak in geomagnetic activity caused by 650 km/s solar wind speeds, the highest levels observed from the CH HSS. A very gradual decline in solar wind speeds caused unsettled to active conditions on 07 Mar followed by quiet to active levels on
08-10 Mar. Quiet to unsettled conditions were observed on 11 Mar. An isolated period of active conditions, associated with a sustained period of southward Bz, was observed early on 12 Mar which quickly transitioned to quiet conditions for the rest of the day.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 13 March - 08 April 2017

Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels throughout the outlook period.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at high levels on 13-17 Mar, 19-20 Mar, 24 Mar, and 29 Mar - 08 Apr due to influences from multiple, recurrent, CH HSSs. Normal to moderate levels are expected on 18 Mar, 21-23 Mar, and 25 Mar-28 Mar.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet to G2 (Moderate) levels over the next 27 days. Unsettled conditions are likely on 13-17 Mar, 19 Mar, 22 Mar, 24 Mar, 01 Apr, 03-05 Apr and 08 Apr. Active conditions are likely on 18 Mar, 23 Mar, 01 Apr, and 03-05 Apr. G1 (Minor) conditions are likely on 30-31 Mar and 02 Apr. G2 (Moderate) conditions are likely on 28-29 Mar. All enhancements in geomagnetic activity are due to the influences of multiple,
anticipated, recurrent CH HSSs. Mostly quiet conditions are likely for the remaining days of the outlook period.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2017 Mar 13 0238 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html
#
#      27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
#                Issued 2017-03-13
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2017 Mar 13      70           8          3
2017 Mar 14      72           8          3
2017 Mar 15      72           8          3
2017 Mar 16      72           8          3
2017 Mar 17      74           8          3
2017 Mar 18      74          12          4
2017 Mar 19      74          10          3
2017 Mar 20      74           5          2
2017 Mar 21      74           5          2
2017 Mar 22      76          10          3
2017 Mar 23      76          15          4
2017 Mar 24      76           8          3
2017 Mar 25      76           5          2
2017 Mar 26      74           5          2
2017 Mar 27      74           5          2
2017 Mar 28      74          35          6
2017 Mar 29      74          30          6
2017 Mar 30      72          20          5
2017 Mar 31      72          18          5
2017 Apr 01      72          15          4
2017 Apr 02      72          20          5
2017 Apr 03      72          15          4
2017 Apr 04      70          12          4
2017 Apr 05      70          12          4
2017 Apr 06      70          10          3
2017 Apr 07      70           5          2
2017 Apr 08      70           8          3
(NOAA)

VOA Radiogram schedule, March 11-12

Hello friends,

Apologies for the mix-up in the images transmitted last weekend. I was in too much of a hurry while preparing the VOA Radiogram demonstration at the Winter SWL Fest. It was good to meet some of you there!

Two weeks ago, we were impressed with the performance of the MFSK16 mode in difficult reception conditions.  We will include MFSK16 again this weekend, but we will compare it to another 58-wpm mode, Olivia 8-1000. The same AP news story will be sent in each mode. Note that MFSK16 is 316 Hz wide, while Olivia 8-1000 is 1000 Hz wide. After the RSID for each mode will be a 15-second tuning signal, in case you need to manually set the mode and/or center audio frequency.

Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 206, 11-12 March 2017, all in MFSK32 except where noted:

 1:51  Program preview (now)
 3:09  China seeks international law for Internet control*
10:07  North Korea bans overseas citizens from mobile Internet*
18:18  MFSK16: Satellite maps lightning flashes
21:55  Olivia 8-1000: Satellite maps lightning flashes
25:18  MFSK32: VOA tweet on International Women's Day*
27:15  Closing announcements

* with image

Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com.

VOA Radiogram transmission schedule (temporarily expanded) (listeners in most of North America note that transmissions Sunday at 1930 UTC and after will be one hour later by local time):

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 .  (Single-day walk-ins are welcome.)

Thanks for your reception reports from last weekend, especially because I was not able tune in to most of the broadcasts while attending  the Winter SWL Fest (and because of terrible shortwave reception in my hotel room).

I'll try to get back on track this weekend responding to your reports.


I hope you can tune in (especially because I may not be able to) and write in this weekend.

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.

BBC World Service drops Thailand relays

From January 1 BBC World Service has stopped broadcasting from one of its major global transmission stations situated in Nakhon Sawan, Thailand.
All of NAK frequencies are transferred to other transmitter sites as follows:

All times UTC

0000-0030 on  5875 TAC 100 kW / 131 deg to SEAs Burmese, ex NAK
0030-0100 on  5875 TAC 100 kW / 131 deg to SoAs Bengali, ex NAK
0100-0130 on  9560 SNG 250 kW / 315 deg to SoAs Hindi, ex NAK
0100-0200 on  9410 SNG 100 kW / 315 deg to SoAs English, ex NAK
0100-0200 on 12095 SNG 100 kW / 013 deg to SoAs English, ex NAK
0130-0200 on  9560 SNG 250 kW / 340 deg to SoAs Bengali, ex NAK
0200-0230 on  7485 SNG 100 kW / 340 deg to SEAs Burmese, ex NAK
0200-0230 on  9560 SNG 250 kW / 340 deg to SEAs Burmese, ex NAK
0200-0230 on 15755 SNG 100 kW / 315 deg to WeAs Pashto, ex NAK
0230-0300 on 15755 SNG 100 kW / 315 deg to WeAs Dari, ex NAK
0830-0900 on 17720 DHA 250 kW / 045 deg to WeAs Dari, ex NAK
0900-0930 on 17720 DHA 250 kW / 045 deg to WeAs Pashto, ex NAK
0930-1000 on 17720 DHA 250 kW / 045 deg to WeAs Dari, ex NAK
1000-1030 on 17720 DHA 250 kW / 045 deg to WeAs Pashto, ex NAK
1030-1100 on 17720 DHA 250 kW / 045 deg to WeAs Dari, ex NAK
1200-1300 on 11895 SNG 100 kW / 013 deg to EaAs English, ex NAK
1300-1330 on 15510 DHA 250 kW / 020 deg to CeAs Uzbek, ex NAK
1330-1400 on  5855 TAC 100 kW / 131 deg to SoAs Bengali, ex NAK
1330-1400 on  7565 TAC 100 kW / 131 deg to SoAs Bengali, ex NAK
1330-1415 on  7485 SNG 100 kW / 340 deg to SEAs Burmese, ex NAK
1415-1500 on  7485 SNG 100 kW / 340 deg to SEAs Burmese Mon-Fri, ex NAK
1500-1600 on  9920 ERV 300 kW / 100 deg to SoAs Urdu, ex NAK
1545-1600 on  7600 ERV 100 kW / 125 deg to SoAs Tamil, ex NAK
1630-1700 on  5875 TAC 100 kW / 131 deg to SoAs Bengali, ex NAK
1630-1700 on  7600 ERV 100 kW / 125 deg to SoAs Sinhala, ex NAK
1700-1730 on  5875 ERV 300 kW / 100 deg to WeAs Dari, ex NAK
1700-1730 on  9810 SNG 250 kW / 315 deg to WeAs Dari, ex NAK
1730-1800 on  5875 ERV 300 kW / 100 deg to WeAs Pashto, ex NAK
1730-1800 on  9810 SNG 250 kW / 315 deg to WeAs Pashto, ex NAK
1800-1830 on  5875 ERV 300 kW / 100 deg to WeAs Dari, ex NAK
1800-1830 on  7560 ERV 300 kW / 100 deg to WeAs Dari, ex NAK
1830-1900 on  5875 ERV 300 kW / 100 deg to WeAs Pashto, ex NAK
1830-1900 on  7560 ERV 300 kW / 100 deg to WeAs Pashto, ex NAK

In HFCC Database are still registered these frequencies as NAK, but all are cancelled, according IBB Monitoring
0000-0100 on  7465 NAK 250 kW / 290 deg to SoAs English
0000-0100 on  9410 NAK 250 kW / 275 deg to SoAs English
0200-0300 on 15310 NAK 250 kW / 290 deg to SoAs English
1000-1200 on  9740 NAK 250 kW / non-dir to SEAs English
1000-1200 on 11895 NAK 250 kW / 045 deg to EaAs English
1000-1100 on 17760 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English
1100-1200 on  9740 NAK 250 kW / non-dir to SEAs English
1200-1400 on  5875 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English
1300-1400 on 15310 NAK 250 kW / 290 deg to SoAs English
1430-1800 on  5845 NAK 100 kW / 290 deg to SoAs English DRM
2200-2300 on  5840 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English
2200-2300 on  5905 NAK 250 kW / 045 deg to EaAs English
2300-2400 on  5840 NAK 250 kW / 045 deg to EaAs English
2300-2400 on  5840 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English
2300-2400 on  7490 NAK 250 kW / 025 deg to EaAs English
(DX Bulgaria/08 Mar)

From the Isle of Music, Week of March 5-11, 2017

This week, some concert music selections from the vast repertoire of composer and pianist José María Vitier and a tribute to the late, great trombonist and bandleader extraordinaire and exceptional producer Juan Pablo Torres.

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)
See the From the Isle of Music Facebook page for more information.
(Tilford Productions)

KBS World Radio slated for test broadcast

QSL via Gayle Van Horn Collection 

KBS World Radio English Service will carry out test transmission from March 6 to 9 ahead of the A17 shortwave frequency adjustment. Please tune into the following frequencies and send us your reception reports. Your feedback will help us greatly in choosing the best frequency option for the new season. Thank you!

----------------------------------------------------------
Date Time (UTC) Frequencies(KHz) Target Area
March 6, 7 23:00 – 24:00 11,810 Europe
March 6, 7 14:00 – 16:00 9,525 India
March 8, 9 14:00 – 16:00 9,880 India
----------------------------------------------------------
Address
KBS World Radio
13 Yoigongwon-ro
Yeongdeungpo-gu
Seoul
07235
Republic of Korea

English english@kbs.co.kr       http://world.kbs.co.kr/
(BDXC)

__._,_.___

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2017 Mar 06 0431 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html
#
#                Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 27 February - 05 March 2017

Solar activity was at very low levels. The strongest flare of the period, a B9, was produced by Region 2641 (N15, L=041, class/area Cao/100 on 28 Feb).

A ten degree long filament, centered at approximately S21W35, erupted from the solar disk around 27/1421 UTC. A subsequent CME was observed in SOHO C2 imagery. Analysis and modeling of the event suggested no Earth-directed component was present.

On 05 Feb, coronal dimming was observed in SDO/AIA 193 imagery near
the location of N10E33 around 05/1200 UTC. SOHO C2 imagery displayed
a faint, slow-moving eruption that appeared to be associated with the dimming. At the time of this writing, analysis is ongoing to determine if the likelihood of an Earth-directed component.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at normal background to moderate levels on 27 Feb and normal background levels on 28 Feb. From Mar 01-05, an increase to moderate to high levels was observed in response to the onset and persistent influence of a negative polarity CH HSS.

Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to unsettled levels from 27 Feb through the beginning of 01 Mar. Unsettled levels transitioned to G1 (Minor) storm levels, with a peak activity level of G2 (Moderate) by the end of the day on 01 Mar due to the onset of southern polar connected, negative polarity CH HSS. The CIR enhanced total magnetic field strength to maximum value of 21 nT by midday on 01 Mar. Solar wind speeds steadily increased from around 390 km/s at the beginning of the day to 750 km/s by the end of the 01 Mar. As the CH HSS persisted, unsettled to G1 (Minor) activity was observed on 02 Mar, quiet to G1 (Minor) activity on 03-04 Mar, and finally quiet to active conditions were observed on 05 Mar. Solar wind speeds were still elevated, mostly between 600-650 km/s, by the end of the period.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 06 March - 01 April 2017

Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels throughout the outlook period.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at high levels on 06-13 Mar, 19-20 Mar, 24 Mar, and 29 Mar - 01 Apr due to influences from multiple, recurrent, CH HSSs. Normal to moderate levels are expected on 14-18 Mar, 21-23 Mar, and 25-28 Mar.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet to G2 (Moderate) levels over the next 27 days. Unsettled conditions are likely on 09-10 Mar, 15 Mar, 18-19 Mar, and 24 Mar. Active conditions are likely on 06 Mar, 17 Mar, 23 Mar, and 01 Apr. G1 (Minor) conditions are likely on 16 Mar and 30-31 Mar. G2 (Moderate)
conditions are likely on 28-29 Mar. All enhancements in geomagnetic activity are due to the influences of multiple, anticipated, recurrent CH HSSs. Mostly quiet conditions are expected for the remaining days of the outlook period.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2017 Mar 06 0431 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html
#
#      27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
#                Issued 2017-03-06
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2017 Mar 06      73           8          3
2017 Mar 07      73           5          2
2017 Mar 08      73           5          2
2017 Mar 09      73           8          3
2017 Mar 10      72           8          3
2017 Mar 11      72           5          2
2017 Mar 12      74           5          2
2017 Mar 13      74           5          2
2017 Mar 14      74           5          2
2017 Mar 15      74          10          3
2017 Mar 16      74          20          5
2017 Mar 17      76          15          4
2017 Mar 18      78          10          3
2017 Mar 19      78           8          3
2017 Mar 20      78           5          2
2017 Mar 21      78           8          3
2017 Mar 22      78          10          3
2017 Mar 23      78          15          4
2017 Mar 24      76           8          3
2017 Mar 25      75           5          2
2017 Mar 26      75           5          2
2017 Mar 27      75           5          2
2017 Mar 28      75          35          6
2017 Mar 29      75          30          6
2017 Mar 30      73          20          5
2017 Mar 31      73          18          5
2017 Apr 01      73          12          4
(NOAA)

Madras-Chennai: The Early Years

This is now our third recent topic about the radio scene in the city of Madras-Chennai and on this occasion we go back to the very early years, getting close to a century ago.  We acknowledge with appreciation information provided by Jose Jacob VU2JOS at the National Institute of Amateur Radio in Hyderabad India.

            It was back on May 16, 1924 that Mr. C. V. Krishnaswamy Chetty formed the Madras Presidency Radio Club, with Viscount George Goschen, the Governor of the Madras Presidency, as the club patron.  Mr. Chetty had just returned from England where he had studied electrical engineering and he brought back sufficient components with which to build a 40 watt radio transmitter. 

            The new transmitter was installed in the Ripon Building, the official government building on Sydenham Road Madras, where occasional test transmissions and demonstrations were made.  Ripon Building had been constructed a decade earlier and it was named in honor of a former Viceroy of India under the British Raj, George Robinson, Lord Ripon.

            a couple of months later, the transmitter was re-installed in a small bungalow in Holloways Garden at 13 Casa Major Road in Egmore, suburban Madras, where a regular broadcast service was inaugurated on July 31 (1924).  Shortly afterwards, the original low power transmitter was replaced by an imported 200 watt Marconi unit from England.

            After nearly three years of broadcast service, this radio broadcasting station was closed (1927) due to lack of funding and the transmitter was donated to the Madras Corporation, the governing state entity.  The original Holloways Garden location is now the sports ground for the Don Bosco School in Egmore.

            On April 1, 1930, the Madras Corporation re-activated this same 200 watt transmitter on 750 kHz with broadcast programming under the licensed callsign 2GR.  Radio receivers for public benefit were installed in a nearby park, at the beach, and in 14 government schools. 

            Three years later in 1933. a new callsign was allocated to the Madras station and it was then identified as the very familiar VUM.  However, give five more years and the Madras Presidency station was closed on June 16, 1938 in favor of a new station installed by All India Radio at four different locations in the Madras area.

            In Summary: Four new facilities of pre-war AIR All India Radio in suburban Madras

                        Studios at The Nook

                        Mediumwave transmitter at Guindy

                        Shortwave transmitter at Avadi

                        Receiver station at Egmore.

            The original studios for the new AIR VUM were installed in an already available edifice in the  upscale area known as The Nook some ten miles south of downtown Madras.  This studio location was in constant usage until a special AIR building was constructed in 1953 overlooking the sea at suburban Mylapore just three miles south from downtown Madras.  The original studio location at The Nook now has a large commercial cement building on the site. 

            The mediumwave transmitter site was located at suburban Guindy eight miles southwest from Madras, and a new 250 watt transmitter was inaugurated on 1420 kHz as VUM by the state governor, His Excellency Lord John Erskine, on June 15, 1938.  Eleven years later on January 4, 1959, a 1 kW mediumwave transmitter was inaugurated at the Guindy location on the same channel 1420 kHz.   A 20 kW unit was also inaugurated at this site on 940 kHz on January 11, 1956.

            In the early 1990s when Jose Jacob made a visit to the Guindy transmitter station, he noted that there were three mediumwave transmitters in use:-

                        AWA    Australia          BTH2               2½ kW                          783 kHz         VB program

                        BEL     India                HMB103          1                      1395                B Channel

                        Collins USA                20T                  1                      MW                 Standby

            The AIR mediumwave site at Guindy was decommissioned in the mid 1990s after a new mediumwave site was taken into operation adjacent to the first shortwave station at Avadi.  A major FM facility for All India Radio Chennai is co-sited with the main TV station at Chepauk on the southern edge of the downtown city area.

            Before we leave the topic of early radio broadcasting in Madras-Chennai, we should mention that the Crompton Electric Company of Madras gave serious consideration in 1926 to establishing a mediumwave station with 120 watts on 1365 kHz.  However, the best available evidence would suggest that this projected radio broadcasting station never became a reality.

 (AWRE-Wavescan)

Updated schedule of WINB

Updated schedule of WINB Red Lion effective from March 5:

All times UTC

USA  
1200-1400 on  9265 INB 050 kW / 242 deg to CeAm English Sun
1400-2100 on  9265 INB 050 kW / 242 deg to CeAm English Sat/Sun
2045-2100 on  9265 INB 050 kW / 242 deg to CeAm Eng/Spa Mon-Thu
2045-2100 on  9265 INB 050 kW / 242 deg to CeAm English Fri
2100-2330 on  9265 INB 050 kW / 242 deg to CeAm English Daily
2330-2400 on  9265 INB 050 kW / 242 deg to CeAm Spanish Mon
2330-2400 on  9265 INB 050 kW / 242 deg to CeAm English Tue-Sun
0000-0400 on  9265 INB 050 kW / 242 deg to CeAm English Daily
0400-0500 on  9265 INB 050 kW / 242 deg to CeAm English Mon
Bulgaria DX)

VOA Radiogram weekend schedule

Speaking of the Winter SWL Fest, on its agenda is the Shortwave Shindig, which will be broadcast live on WRMI, 6855 kHz, Saturday 0300-0600 UTC (Friday evening in North America). Host David Goren, of Shortwaveology, plans to include one or two MFSK32 images during the show.

Please also note that The Mighty KBC will transmit on 6040 kHz, in addition to its usual 6145 kHz, Sunday 0000-0200 UTC (Saturday 7-9 pm EST). This is because of an interfering signal just above 6145 kHz. A minute of MFSK32 will be at about 0130 UTC.

Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 205, 4-5 March 2017, all in MFSK32:

 1:49  Program preview
 2:54  Cambodia threatens media outlets*
12:31  Foreign TV blocked for North Koreans in China*
19:28  Few complain after ABC drops shortwave
23:26  Dubai amateur radio satellite*
27:24  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 and 6040 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 .  (Single-day walk-ins are welcome.)

Thanks for your reports from last weekend. Our experiment with MFSK64, 32, and 16 was very interesting, with MFSK16 performing very well in poor reception conditions.
Because of preparations for the Winter SWL Fest, and attending it, there will be some delay in answering your reports. Apologies for that and thanks for your patience.

I hope you can tune in (especially because I may not be able to) and write in this weekend.
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.