Stormy West Pacific November28

This interesting surface chart was sent by KVM 70, Hawaii, this morning on 16135.0 kHz USB (dial frequency 16133.1), at 1815 UTC:



Note the path of Super Typhoon Nida, which has taken the predicted curve to the northeast away from Japan. Everything's going up and around those two huge highs to the east.

UPDATE 29 NOV: Nida has stalled out, now moving very slowly northwestward, expected to curve westward and dissipate.

HLL Korean Typhoon Warning Chart

This fuzzy chart was received late last night in SoCal, around 0800 UTC, on 9165 kHz USB (assigned channel center). It shows the plotted and forecast path of Super Typhoon Nida, a monster with a well-developed stadium-effect eye and 145 kt sustained winds around it.



Fortunately, longer term forecasts show Nida curving eastward and missing Japan, while losing strength out at sea.

Happy Thanksgiving, all!

Interesting Maritime CW Activity Coming Up Saturday

From Richard Dillman:

World War II destroyer USS Cassin Young (DD-793)/NTTH will be on the air again this Saturday, as will WWII Victory ship SS American Victory/KKUI. Both ships will attempt to communicate with KSM, as they did last Saturday. But this Saturday they will also attempt to contact each other. Both ships will be using their original radio equipment which has been restored to operation.

Beginning at about 1700GMT both ships will call KSM on ITU global calling channel 3 for the 12Mc band, 12552.0kc. NTTH will use a working frequency of 12453.5kc (primary) or 12423.0kc (secondary). As always, when in communication with either ship, KSM will key all HF and MF transmitters to give the greatest number of listeners the best chance to hear at least one side of the exchange. KSM will also announce the working frequency to be used by the ship(s) to give listeners a chance to listen for them as well.

KSM will begin its Morse press broadcast at 1800GMT as usual but will interrupt the broadcast to answer calling ships if needed. Otherwise the KSM "wheel" will be heard on all HF transmitters. KSM will send the traffic list at 2100GMT and high seas North Pacific weather at 2130GMT as usual. KSM press and weather RTTY broadcasts will begin at 1900GMT as usual.

KSM CW Frequencies (in kHz):

426
500
4350.5
6474.0
8438.3
12993.0
16914.0
22445.8

STS-129 To Land Friday

From NASA:

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Atlantis and its seven-member crew are expected to return to Earth on Friday, Nov. 27, after an 11-day mission. The two landing opportunities at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida are at 9:44 a.m. and 11:19 a.m. EST.

NASA will evaluate weather conditions at Kennedy before permitting Atlantis and its crew to land. If bad weather prevents a return to Florida on Friday or Saturday, both Kennedy and the backup landing site at Edwards Air Force Base in California will be activated for consideration on Sunday. For recorded updates about the shuttle landing, call 321-867-2525.

Japanese FAX Warning Map

Part of a Kyodo News transmission received here in SoCal at 0430 UTC on 25 November 09. Frequency was the usual 16971.0 kHz USB (dial reading 1.9 kHz lower).



I suspect from the mention of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), that these are warning areas for some type of rocket or missile activity.

WGS-84 refers to the datum for the map coordinates (World Geodetic System 1984), and IGS is the International GNSS Service. Yes, a nested acronym. GNSS is for Global Navigational Satellite Systems, referring to the US GPS and the Russian GLONASS.

GPS is, of course, yet another acronym, for Global Positioning System. GLONASS is a translation of the Russian acronym for ГЛОбальная НАвигационная Спутниковая Система. It translates as GLObal NAvigation Satellite System.

More New Cherry Ripe Frequencies

Eddy Waters in Australia has reported that the 0700 UTC broadcast of the UK MI6's Cherry Ripe numbers station (E03a) has new frequencies as well.

These are 19884 and 21866 kHz USB.

Cherry Ripe Frequency Change

According to Eddy Waters in Australia, the British MI6 numbers station called Cherry Ripe (E03a) has changed the frequency of its broadcast at 0500 UTC.

The new frequency is 21866 kHz USB. There is probably a parallel transmission on another new frequency, but Eddy has not found it.

Old frequencies (now unused) were 16525.0 and 18565.0 kHz USB.

As we know, Cherry Ripe has moved its transmitter site from Guam to Humpty Doo in Australia's Northern Territory. This is a "numbers" transmission that is no doubt intended for spies. Target area remains Mainland China.

The station signs on with a musical tune of an old British folk song (from which the name Cherry Ripe comes). A "female" digitally sampled voice then gives number groups in English.

STS-129 Upgrades ISS Ham Capability

Tomorrow's EVA includes the installation of new ham radio antennas to the International Space Station, and a general upgrade to the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) equipment.

ARRL:

Besides taking spare parts to the International Space Station (ISS) this coming Monday, the space shuttle Atlantis (STS-129) will deliver the module antennas for Columbus -- the laboratory built by the European Space Agency (ESA) and host of two Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) antennas.

...

Astronauts will install and deploy our ARISS antennas during the second spacewalk of STS-129. The ham team will monitor the spacewalk activity via a NASA real-time teleconference call. "The new antennas will increase opportunities for the many hams who covet making contacts with astronauts and cosmonauts," White [ARRL ARISS Program Manager Rosalie White, K1STO] explained. "Frequencies available for transmission to and from Columbus will be 2 meters, 70 centimeters, L-band and S-band. To start, the two Ericcson radios (2 meters and 70 centimeters) that are already on the ISS (but seldom used) will be moved and installed in Columbus."

...

The antenna -- along with another VHF antenna -- was developed by ARISS in cooperation with the ESA to support an experiment involving the maritime Automatic Identification System (AIS)," Ransom [NASA ISS Ham Radio Project Engineer Kenneth Ransom, N5VHO] explained. "Both antennas will be installed on the Earth-facing starboard edge of the Columbus module. The AIS antenna will be forward and the ARISS antenna will be aft. The ARISS team is planning to migrate some stowed Amateur Radio gear to take advantage of the new antenna."

Chilean Navy Forecast Chart, Nov. 17

Chart received here in 120/576 FAX from Playa Ancha (Valparaiso) Radio, Chile. Note the large area covered by the Chilean weather office. It goes clear into Antarctic waters.

NASA STS-129 Booster Recovery Ops on 9132 kHz

Listener "MDMonitor" passes along the following. May be useful next time.

9132.0 BRD (NASA Booster Recovery control): 1936 USB w/Freedom Star (NASA Booster Recovery vessel) advising that countdown has resumed & they are ready to launch.

STS-129 Count Is On Time

Astronauts are in the vehicle, and count is proceeding for a launch at 2:28 PM Eastern Standard Time (1928 UTC). This is a space station resupply mission with an approximately 5-7 minute launch window.

Weather is near perfect.

Latest Honolulu Weather Fax Schedule

This is the 2009 schedule as broadcast by the station. It is more up to date than most of the ones on the Internet:


HONOLULU, HAWAII, U.S.A.

CALL SIGN KVM70

FREQUENCIES
9982.5 0519-1556 F3C 4 KW
11090 ALL BROADCAST TIMES F3C 4 KW
16135 1719-0356 F3C 4 KW
120/576

0519/1719 TEST PATTERN
0524/1724 SIGNIFICANT CLOUD FEATURES 03/15 D
0535/1735 CYCLONE DANGER AREA 03/15 E
0555/1755 STREAMLINE ANALYSIS 00/12 B
0615/1815 SURFACE ANALYSIS 00/12 C
0635/1835 EAST PACIFIC GOES IR SATELLITE IMAGE 06/18 G
0649/1849 SW PACIFIC GOES IR SATELLITE IMAGE 06/18 H
0701/1901 24HR SURFACE FORECAST 00/12 A
0714/1914 48HR SURFACE FORECAST 00/12 A
0727/1927 72HR SURFACE FORECAST 00/12 A
0740/1940 WIND/WAVE ANALYSIS 00/12 B
0753/1953 24HR WIND/WAVE FORECAST 00/12 B
0806/2006 24HR WIND/WAVE FORECAST 00/12 4
0816/2016 48HR SURFACE FORECAST 00/12 1
0826/2026 48HR WIND/WAVE FORECAST 00/12 1
0836/2036 48/96 HR WAVE PERIOD, SWELL DIR 00/12 1
0846/2046 rebroadcast/ 96HR SURFACE FORECAST 12/12 1
0856/2056 rebroadcast/ 96HR WIND/WAVE FORECAST 12/12 1
0906/2106 PACIFIC GOES IR SATELLITE IMAGE 06/18 5
0917/2117 SURFACE ANALYSIS (PART 1 NE PACIFIC) 06/18 2
0930/2130 SURFACE ANALYSIS (PART 2 NW PACIFIC) 06/18 3
0943/2143 TROPICAL GOES IR SATELLITE IMAGE 06/18 Y
0954/2154 TROPICAL SURFACE ANALYSIS 06/18 Z
1008/2208 24HR TROPICAL WIND/WAVE FORECAST 00/12 Z
1042/2242 CYCLONE DANGER AREA 09/21 E
1102/2302 48HR WIND/WAVE FORECAST 00/12 B
1115/2315 72HR WIND/WAVE FORECAST 00/12 B
1128/2328 SEA SURFACE TEMPS LATEST F
1141/2341 rebroadcast 24HR WIND/WAVE FORECASTS 00/12 B
1154/2354 STREAMLINE ANALYSIS 06/18 B
1214/0014 SURFACE ANALYSIS 06/18 C
1234/0034 EAST PACIFIC GOES IR SATELLITE IMAGE 12/00 G
1248/0048 SW PACIFIC GOES IR SATELLITE IMAGE 12/00 H
1300/0100 SCHEDULE PART I
1320/0120 SCHEDULE PART II
1340/0140 SYMBOLS OR PRODUCT NOTICE BULLETIN
1400/0200 24HR TROPICAL SURFACE FORECAST 00/12 Z
1410/0210 48HR TROPICAL SURFACE FORECAST 00/12 Z
1420/0220 72HR TROPICAL SURFACE FORECAST 00/12 Z
1430/0230 48/72 HR TROPICAL WAVE PER,SWELL DIR 00/00 Z
1440/0240 TROPICAL SEA STATE ANALYSIS 12/00 Z
1450/0250 rebroadcast 24HR WIND/WAVE FORECASTS 00/12 Z
1500/0300 48HR TROPICAL WIND/WAVE FORECAST 00/12 Z
1510/0310 72HR TROPICAL WIND/WAVE FORECAST 00/12 Z
1520/0320 rebroadcast/SEA STATE ANALYSIS 00/00 1
1530/0330 SURFACE ANALYSIS(PART 1 NE PAC) 12/00 2
1543/0343 SURFACE ANALYSIS(PART 2 NW PAC) 12/00 3
1556/0356 TROPICAL SURFACE ANALYSIS 12/00 Z

MAP AREAS:
A. 30S - 50N, 110W - 130E
B. 30S - 30N, 110W - 130E
C. EQ - 50N, 110W - 130E
D. 30S - 50N, 110W - 160E
E. EQ - 40N, 80W - 170E
F. EQ - 55N, 110W - 160E
G. 05S - 55N, 110W - 155E
H. 40S - 05N, 130W - 165E
1. 20N - 70N, 115W - 135E
2. 20N - 70N, 115W - 175W
3. 20N - 70N, 175W - 135E
4. 18N - 62N, EAST OF 157W
5. 05N - 55N, EAST OF 180W
Y. 05N - 32N, EAST OF 130W
Z. 20S - 30N, EAST OF 145W


STREAMLINES ARE LINES OF CONSTANT WIND DIRECTION. WIND SPEEDS ARE GIVEN BY WIND BARBS INDEPENDENT OF STREAMLINES.

THE SIGNIFICANT CLOUD FEATURES CHARTS DEPICT CLOUD FEATURES BASED UPON IMAGES FROM THE VARIOUS GEOSTATIONARY AND POLAR ORBITING SATELLITES OVER THE PACIFIC. ABBREVIATIONS ON THESE CHARTS INCLUDE: AC - ALTOCUMULUS; AS - ALTOSTRATUS; BKN - BROKEN; CB - CUMULONIMBUS; CC - CIRROCUMULUS; CI - CIRRUS; CS - CIRROSTRATUS; CU - CUMULUS; FEW - FEW; ISOL - ISOLATED; LYRS - LAYERS; NS - NIMBOSTRATUS; OVC - OVERCAST; SC - STRATO-CUMULUS; SCT - SCATTERED; TCU - TOWERING CUMULUS; TSTM - THUNDERSTORM

RADIOFAX FREQUENCIES ARE ASSIGNED FREQUENCIES. TO CONVERT TO CARRIER FREQUENCIES, SUBTRACT 1.9 KHZ FROM THE ASSIGNED FREQUENCIES.

YOU MAY ADDRESS COMMENTS ABOUT THIS BROADCAST TO:

Meteorologist In Charge
National Weather Service
2525 Correa Rd.
Honolulu, HI 96822
PHONE: (808) 973-5270/FAX: (808) 973-5281
E-Mail norman.hui@noaa.gov

Many of these charts also broadcast via Pt. Reyes, CA and Kodiak, AK

If you have access to the World Wide Web be certain to check out the following webpages. See these pages for further links.

http://www.nws.noaa.gov NWS Homepage
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/home.htm NWS Marine Page
cell.weather.gov Cellphone page
mobile.weather.gov Mobile Page

(Schedule Effective Nov 03, 2008 Information dated Apr 06, 2009)

CFH Fax Image of Nor'Ida, 11/12

This fax sent by CFH, Canadian Forces METOC Centre, Halifax, NS is a 24-hour prognostic chart showing Nor'Ida taking shape in the Mid-Atlantic.

Nor'Ida is the name that people have started giving the combination of the remnants of Hurricane Ida and a cold front. This grew into a Perfect Storm type of nor'easter, which went on to cause considerable damage and some loss of life in VA, NC, and other states.

Frequency was 13508.0 USB, at 12/1716 UTC.



US state lines are no longer visible on this reduced image, but the forecast position of the low is just off North Carolina.

STS-129 Pre-Launch & Countdown for Monday 11/16

Nov. 4, 2009

Allard Beutel
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
allard.beutel@nasa.gov

Katherine Trinidad
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
katherine.trinidad@nasa.gov

MEDIA ADVISORY: M09-211

NASA SETS STS-129 PRELAUNCH EVENTS AND COUNTDOWN DETAILS

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - News conferences, events and operating hours for the news center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., are set for the upcoming launch of space shuttle Atlantis. The shuttle's STS-129 mission to the International Space Station is scheduled to lift off at 2:28 p.m. EST on Monday, Nov. 16.

A NASA blog will update the countdown beginning Nov. 16 at 9:30 a.m. Originating from Kennedy, the blog is the definitive Internet source for information leading up to launch. During the mission, visitors to NASA's shuttle Web site can read about the crew's progress and watch the mission's three spacewalks live. As Atlantis' flight concludes, the NASA blog will detail the spacecraft's return to Earth. For NASA's launch blog and continuous mission updates, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle

The NASA News Twitter feed will be updated throughout the shuttle launch countdown, mission and landing. To follow, visit:

http://www.twitter.com/nasa

Two STS-129 astronauts are tweeting about their pre-launch preparation and are expected to provide updates to their Twitter accounts during the shuttle mission. Bobby Satcher, an orthopedic surgeon, can be followed at: http://www.twitter.com/Astro_Bones and http://www.twitter.com/ZeroG_MD. The latter account focuses on a discussion of medical issues for space exploration.

His crewmate Leland Melvin can be followed at:

http://www.twitter.com/Astro_Flow

Detailed lists of countdown milestones, news briefing times and participants, and hours of operation for Kennedy's news center and media credentialing office are available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/news

For NASA TV streaming video, scheduling and downlink information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

8658.0 Japanese Fishery FAX

Someone is sending FAX fishery information from Japan out to fleets operating in the East Pacific. The frequencies are the ones listed in old utility guides as "Chuo Fishery" or "Chuo Gyogyo" (same thing, different languages). This was 8658.0. A parallel exists on 16907.5. It hasn't been audible in California, but it has been confirmed by Eddy Waters in Australia.

Here's one I snagged at 0650 UTC last night:



The information has to do with fish market prices in Japan. Martin Foltz, another DXer in SoCal, ran one of his intercepts past a Japanese speaker. It was identified as a mackerel market table sent by the "Fukushima Business Radio Station" from the Fukushima Prefecture Fishery on the island of Honshu. Efforts continue to track down this transmitter out of the 900 or so fishery radio stations in Japan.

Air Recon Taskings for 11/10

000
NOUS42 KNHC 091430
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
0930 AM EST MON 09 NOVEMBER 2009
SUBJECT: TROPICAL CYCLONE PLAN OF THE DAY (TCPOD)
VALID 10/1100Z TO 11/1100Z NOVEMBER 2009
TCPOD NUMBER.....09-165

I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. TROPICAL STORM IDA
FLIGHT ONE -- TEAL 72
A. 10/1200Z,1500Z
B. AFXXX 0911A IDA
C. 10/0915Z
D. 30.0N 88.2W
E. 10/1100Z TO 10/1530Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT

2. SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK.....NEGATIVE.

II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS
1. NEGATIVE RECONNAISSANCE REQUIREMENTS.
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY.....NEGATIVE.

III. NOTE: WINTER STORM REQUIREMENTS ARE NEGATIVE.
JWP

T.S. Ida Advisory #23

000
WTNT31 KNHC 091443
TCPAT1
BULLETIN
TROPICAL STORM IDA ADVISORY NUMBER 23
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL112009
900 AM CST MON NOV 09 2009

...IDA WEAKENS TO A TROPICAL STORM...

AT 9 AM CST...1500 UTC...ALL HURRICANE WARNINGS AND WATCHES ALONG THE GULF COAST HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED. A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM GRAND ISLE LOUISIANA EASTWARD TO THE AUCILLA RIVER FLORIDA...INCLUDING NEW ORLEANS AND LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN. A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN 24 HOURS.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST OFFICE.

AT 900 AM CST...1500 UTC...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM IDA WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 26.5 NORTH...LONGITUDE 88.3 WEST OR ABOUT 185 MILES...300 KM...SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF THE MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND ABOUT 285 MILES...460 KM...SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF PENSACOLA FLORIDA.

IDA IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHWEST NEAR 17 MPH...28 KM/HR. A TURN TOWARD THE NORTH AND THEN TO THE NORTH-NORTHEAST IS EXPECTED OVER THE NEXT 24 HOURS. ON THE FORECAST TRACK...THE CENTER OF IDA IS EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL ALONG THE NORTHERN GULF COAST TUESDAY MORNING. AFTER LANDFALL...A TURN TO THE EAST IS EXPECTED ON TUESDAY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS CONTINUE TO DECREASE AND ARE NOW NEAR 70 MPH...110 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. SOME ADDITIONAL WEAKENING IS EXPECTED TODAY AS IDA APPROACHES THE COAST.

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 200 MILES...325 KM FROM THE CENTER.

THE ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 996 MB...29.41 INCHES.

RAINS FROM IDA WILL BE REACHING THE COAST OVER PORTIONS OF THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT HOUR OR SO. TOTAL STORM ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 6 INCHES...WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM STORM TOTALS OF 8 INCHES...ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING FROM THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN GULF COAST NORTHWARD INTO THE EASTERN PORTIONS OF THE TENNESSEE VALLEY...THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS...AND THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES.

A DANGEROUS STORM TIDE WILL RAISE WATER LEVELS BY AS MUCH AS 3 TO 5 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL ALONG THE COAST NEAR AND TO THE EAST OF WHERE THE CENTER MAKES LANDFALL. NEAR THE COAST...THE SURGE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LARGE AND DESTRUCTIVE WAVES.

...SUMMARY OF 900 AM CST INFORMATION...
LOCATION...26.5N 88.3W
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...70 MPH
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NORTH-NORTHWEST OR 340 DEGREES AT 17 MPH
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...996 MB

AN INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER AT 1200 PM CST FOLLOWED BY THE NEXT COMPLETE ADVISORY AT 300 PM CST.

$$
FORECASTER FRANKLIN

Air Recon Taskings for 11/9-10

000
NOUS42 KNHC 081500
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
1000 AM EST SUN 08 NOVEMBER 2009
SUBJECT: TROPICAL CYCLONE PLAN OF THE DAY (TCPOD)
VALID 09/1100Z TO 10/1100Z NOVEMBER 2009
TCPOD NUMBER.....09-164

I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. HURRICANE IDA
FLIGHT ONE -- TEAL 70
A. 09/1800Z,10/0000Z
B. AFXXX 0711A IDA
C. 09/1630Z
D. 26.9N 88.5W
E. 09/1700Z TO 10/0000Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT

FLIGHT TWO -- TEAL 71
A. 10/0300Z,0600Z,0900Z
B. AFXXX 0811A IDA
C. 10/0045Z
D. 28.6N 88.3W
E. 10/0200Z TO 10/0900Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT

2. SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK: CONTINUE 3-HRLY FIXES
IF SYSTEM REMAINS A THREAT.

3. REMARKS: P-3 RESEARCH CONTINUING EVERY 12 HRS.

II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS
1. NEGATIVE RECONNAISSANCE REQUIREMENTS.
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY.....NEGATIVE.

III. NOTE: WINTER STORM REQUIREMENTS ARE NEGATIVE.
JWP

Hurricane Ida Advisory #20

000
WTNT31 KNHC 082048
TCPAT1
BULLETIN
HURRICANE IDA ADVISORY NUMBER 20
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL112009
300 PM CST SUN NOV 08 2009

...CENTER OF IDA MOVING INTO THE SOUTHERN GULF OF MEXICO...

A HURRICANE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE NORTHERN GULF COAST FROM GRAND ISLE LOUISIANA TO MEXICO BEACH FLORIDA. THIS WATCH DOES NOT INCLUDE THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS. A HURRICANE WATCH MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA...GENERALLY WITHIN 36 HOURS.

A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE YUCATAN PENINSULA OF MEXICO FROM PLAYA DEL CARMEN TO CABO CATOCHE. A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN 24 HOURS. PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION IN THE WARNING AREA.

A HURRICANE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE YUCATAN PENINSULA OF MEXICO FROM TULUM TO PLAYA DEL CARMEN. A HURRICANE WATCH MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE YUCATAN PENINSULA OF MEXICO FROM PUNTA ALLEN NORTHWARD TO PLAYA DEL CARMEN AND FROM CABO CATOCHE WESTWARD TO SAN FELIPE. A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN 24 HOURS.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE CUBAN PROVINCE OF PINAR DEL RIO.

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE ISLE OF YOUTH.

INTERESTS ELSEWHERE ALONG THE NORTHERN COAST OF THE GULF OF MEXICO SHOULD MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF IDA. ADDITIONAL TROPICAL CYCLONE WATCHES OR WARNINGS MAY BE REQUIRED TONIGHT OR MONDAY.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA IN THE UNITED STATES...INCLUDING POSSIBLE INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST OFFICE. FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE.

AT 300 PM CST...2100 UTC...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE IDA WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 22.2 NORTH...LONGITUDE 86.3 WEST OR ABOUT 95 MILES... 155 KM...WEST-NORTHWEST OF THE WESTERN TIP OF CUBA AND ABOUT 510 MILES...815 KM...SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF THE MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

IDA IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHWEST NEAR 10 MPH...17 KM/HR. A GRADUAL TURN TOWARD THE NORTH AND AN INCREASE IN FORWARD SPEED ARE EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 24 TO 36 HOURS. ON THE FORECAST TRACK... IDA IS EXPECTED TO CROSS THE GULF OF MEXICO TONIGHT AND MONDAY... AND BE NEAR THE NORTHERN GULF COAST ON TUESDAY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 100 MPH...160 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. IDA IS A CATEGORY TWO HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE. LITTLE CHANGE IN STRENGTH IS EXPECTED TONIGHT...AND IDA IS FORECAST TO GRADUALLY WEAKEN ON MONDAY.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 35 MILES...55 KM...FROM THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 140 MILES...220 KM.

THE MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE JUST REPORTED BY AN AIR FORCE RESERVE HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT IS 976 MB...28.82 INCHES.

IDA IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE TOTAL RAIN ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES OVER PORTIONS OF THE YUCATAN PENINSULA AND WESTERN CUBA...WITH POSSIBLE ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF 10 INCHES.

RAINS WILL BE INCREASING WELL IN ADVANCE OF IDA ACROSS THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN GULF COAST...BUT WILL BECOME STEADIER AND HEAVIER BY MONDAY INTO TUESDAY. TOTAL STORM ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM STORM TOTALS OF 8 INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE THROUGH TUESDAY FROM THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN GULF COAST NORTHWARD INTO THE EASTERN PORTIONS OF THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AND THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS.

A STORM SURGE COULD RAISE WATER LEVELS BY AS MUCH AS 3 TO 4 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL ALONG THE COAST OF THE YUCATAN PENINSULA. NEAR THE COAST...THE SURGE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LARGE AND DESTRUCTIVE WAVES.

...SUMMARY OF 300 PM CST INFORMATION...
LOCATION...22.2N 86.3W
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...100 MPH
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NORTH-NORTHWEST OR 330 DEGREES AT 10 MPH
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...976 MB

AN INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER AT 600 PM CST FOLLOWED BY THE NEXT COMPLETE ADVISORY AT 900 PM CST.

$$
FORECASTER BEVEN/ROBERTS

Air Recon Taskings for 11/7-9

000
NOUS42 KNHC 061545
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
1045 AM EST THU 06 NOVEMBER 2009
SUBJECT: TROPICAL CYCLONE PLAN OF THE DAY (TCPOD)
VALID 07/1100Z TO 08/1100Z NOVEMBER 2009
TCPOD NUMBER.....09-162

I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. TROPICAL DEPRESSION IDA
FLIGHT ONE - TEAL 70
A. 07/1600Z
B. AFXXX 0211A IDA
C. 07/1115Z
D. 17.2N 84.7W
E. 07/1500Z TO 07/1900Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT

FLIGHT TWO - TEAL 71
A. 08/0600Z
B. AFXXX 0311A IDA
C. 08/0145Z
D. 18.7N 85.4W
E. 08/0500Z TO 08/0900Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT

2. SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK: POSSIBLE 6 HRLY
FIXES BEGINNING AT 08/1800Z

II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS
1. NEGATIVE RECONNAISSANCE REQUIREMENTS.
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY.....NEGATIVE.

III. NOTE: WINTER STORM REQUIREMENTS ARE NEGATIVE.
CAD


000
NOUS42 KNHC 071500
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
1000 AM EST SAT 07 NOVEMBER 2009
SUBJECT: TROPICAL CYCLONE PLAN OF THE DAY (TCPOD)
VALID 08/1100Z TO 09/1100Z NOVEMBER 2009
TCPOD NUMBER.....09-163

I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. TROPICAL STORM IDA
FLIGHT ONE -- TEAL 70
A. 08/1800Z,09/0000Z
B. AFXXX 0411A IDA
C. 08/1500Z
D. 21.0N 86.0W
E. 08/1700Z TO 09/0000Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT

FLIGHT TWO -- TEAL 75
A. 09/0000Z
B. AFXXX 0511A IDA
C. 08/1730Z
D. NA
E. NA
F. 24,000 TO 33,000 FT

FLIGHT THREE -- TEAL 71
A. 09/0600Z,1200Z
B. AFXXX 0611A IDA
C. 09/0330Z
D. 22.8N 87.2W
E. 09/0500Z TO 09/1200Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT

2.SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK: CONTINUE 6-HRLY FIXES.
A SYNOPTIC SURVEILLANCE MISSION AT 10/0000Z.

3. REMARKS:
A. A RESOURCE PERMITTING FIX AT 08/1200Z.
B. P-3 RESEARCH MISSIONS EVERY 12 HRS BEGINNING
AT 08/2000Z.

II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS
1. NEGATIVE RECONNAISSANCE REQUIREMENTS.
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY.....NEGATIVE.

III. NOTE: WINTER STORM REQUIREMENTS ARE NEGATIVE.
SEF

Ida: Our November Visitor

000
WTNT31 KNHC 072049
TCPAT1
BULLETIN
TROPICAL STORM IDA ADVISORY NUMBER 14
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL112009
400 PM EST SAT NOV 07 2009

...IDA NEAR HURRICANE STRENGTH...STILL MOVING NORTHWARD...

A HURRICANE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE YUCATAN PENINSULA OF MEXICO FROM TULUM TO CABO CATOCHE. A HURRICANE WATCH MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA...GENERALLY WITHIN 36 HOURS.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR GRAND CAYMAN ISLAND.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE YUCATAN PENINSULA OF MEXICO FROM PUNTA ALLEN NORTHWARD TO SAN FELIPE. A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE WARNING AREA...GENERALLY WITHIN 24 HOURS.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE CUBAN PROVINCE OF
PINAR DEL RIO. HURRICANE FORCE WINDS COULD SPREAD ACROSS PORTIONS OF WESTERN CUBA ON SUNDAY AND A HURRICANE WARNING MAY BE REQUIRED FOR THIS AREA LATER TONIGHT.

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR THE ISLE OF YOUTH.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE.

AT 400 PM EST...2100 UTC...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM IDA WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 18.9 NORTH...LONGITUDE 84.3 WEST OR ABOUT 200 MILES...325 KM...EAST-SOUTHEAST OF COZUMEL MEXICO AND ABOUT 195 MILES...320 KM...SOUTH OF THE WESTERN TIP OF CUBA.

IDA IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTH NEAR 10 MPH...17 KM/HR. A TURN TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHWEST WITH A GRADUAL INCREASE IN FORWARD SPEED IS EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT DAY OR SO. ON THE FORECAST TRACK...IDA IS EXPECTED TO MOVE THROUGH THE YUCATAN CHANNEL ON SUNDAY AND INTO THE SOUTHEASTERN GULF OF MEXICO SUNDAY NIGHT.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 70 MPH...110 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. IDA IS EXPECTED TO BECOME A HURRICANE TONIGHT OR SUNDAY...BUT WEAKENING IS FORECAST AFTER IT ENTERS THE GULF OF MEXICO.

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 140 MILES...220 KM FROM THE CENTER.

ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 990 MB...29.23 INCHES.

IDA IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE TOTAL RAIN ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES OVER PORTIONS OF THE YUCATAN PENINSULA AND WESTERN CUBA...WITH POSSIBLE ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF 10 INCHES. RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ARE ALSO POSSIBLE ACROSS THE CAYMAN ISLANDS.

...SUMMARY OF 400 PM EST INFORMATION...
LOCATION...18.9N 84.3W
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...70 MPH
PRESENT MOVEMENT...NORTH OR 355 DEGREES AT 10 MPH
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...990 MB

AN INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER AT 700 PM EST FOLLOWED BY THE NEXT COMPLETE ADVISORY AT 1000 PM EST.

$$
FORECASTER BROWN/CANGIALOSI

Afternoon US Kyodo News is JSC, Not JJC

Still getting great reception of the Kyodo News FAX on 16971 kHz USB, 60/576. Today I caught a sign-on, identifying the transmitting station as JSC, Kagoshima Radio, not the usual JJC, Tokyo.



Some Googling around turned up the following (badly translated) information:

07.04.12 [April 2007 -hugh] 16971kHz 10kW JSC Fisheries Kagoshima consignment sent to radio stations (for the direction of Hawaii)

I interpret this to mean that this one frequency is broadcast for part of the day over a separate transmitter with a different beam. This certainly explains why only part of Kyodo's 24/7 sked is being sent, and why it's so much louder on the US Pacific Coast than any of the others. It sounds like a special contract to transmit a newspaper to Japanese fishing boats operating in the Eastern Pacific.

You learn something new every day in this hobby.

ITU Monitoring Database Extract #13 (7500-8000)

7501.35 Unid J3E USB voice
7508.00 RAT21 F1B Russian Mil?
7531.30 RIJ8 R7B Wtk200/Fvb(30.9/28.7)
7534.00 RCE56 F1B 75 Bd
7556.30 FUG G7D French Navy Stanag 4285
7556.40 FUG J2B French Navy
7556.50 FUG J2B French Navy
7566.00 Unid A1B CW
7595.08 Unid A1B CW [Numbers hrd here]
7595.80 Unid F1B 170hz, 50bd ITA2
7595.83 Carabineri? F1B 50 Bd
7596.00 Unid A1A CW
7596.00 Unid F1B Baudot, 250hz, 75 Bd
7598.00 Unid J3E LSB in Italian
7600.00 Unid J3E Arabic Language
7600.40 3A7D A1B CW Russian or Chinese clg DKG6
7601.15 Unid A1B CW Russian or Chinese
7602.00 TA7D A1B CW Russian or Chinese
7605.00 471 A3E Clandestine 5 Fig Groups
7615.00 Unid A1B CW Morse
7621.50 Unid D7D Digital Transmission
7622.00 Unid A1B CW
7624.00 Unid D7D Digital Transmission
7625.00 RRL2 F1B Encrypted 100/500
7630.00 RTV2 F1B Encrypted 100/500
7635.00 RWA50 F1B Encrypted 100/500
7636.50 Unid A1A
7646.00 DDH7 (Pinneberg) F1B 50/450 ITA2 - Hamburg Meteo
7650.00 RBW45 F1B 96 Bd
7654.00 Spanish Fishermen J9W Secure voice
7656.00 Unid H3E USB in English
7664.00 RIW A1A Russian Mil
7668.00 9200 J7D ALE
7672.00 Unid A1B CW Morse
7672.00 Unid F1B 500hz,100bd (ITA2)
7690.00 EZI H3E [E10]
7690.00 EZI2 H3E [E10]
7696.00 RYH F1B 75 Bd
7701.30 RNS61 R7B Wtk 200(00.9/98.7)
7710.00 Unid R3E USB in English
7710.00 RRG F1B 75 Bd
7718.00 Unknown F1B Globedata 100/200
7720.00 Unid J3E LSB Italian sailors
7722.00 Unid J3E Oriental Language
7723.00 Unid J3E Spanish Fishermen
7723.00 KHF F1B Agana, Guam Globedata 100/200
7726.00 Unid J3E USB maritime tfc
7735.00 Unid J3E USB English
7735.00 Unid J3E USB tfc in Spanish
7740.00 Unid A1B CW Morse
7740.00 Unid J3E USB
7742.00 Unid A1B CW
7743.00 Unid A1B CW
7753.00 WNU F1B Slidell Radio, Globedata
7758.00 Unid A1B CW
7760.00 ULX2 H3E [E10]
7778.70 Unid F1B Sitor-A,170hz,100bd
7780.00 Unid J3E USB maritime in English
7789.00 T8C7 A1A Tactical C/S Mil Net
7793.30 WNU F1B Slidell Radio, Globedata
7802.00 Unid A1B CW
7811.00 AFRTS J3E USN voice channel relay
7816.70 Unid F1B Embassy Tfc To Cairo
7818.00 Unid J3E Fishing
7825.00 ? A1A Morse
7833.00 Unid A1B CW
7836.00 ? F1B 50 Bd Reversals
7841.00 Unid F1B Shift=250hz, 50bd
7845.00 G7D 2400 Bd Stanag 4285
7848.00 ? J1B 12 Tone Piccolo
7850.00 CHU R3E Canadian time station
7853.00 7J9T A1B Russ or Chinese mil
7855.50 FDI 22 F1B French mil, 50/850
7859.00 REG6 A1B
7875.00 Unid J3E Spanish Fishermen
7880.00 DDK3 (Pinneberg) F1C Hamburg Meteo Fax 120/576
7886.00 Unid J3E USB
7887.00 ? A3E Clandestine
7888.00 Unid J3E USB English, North Sea
7898.00 Unid J3E Fishermen
7902.00 Unid J3E Spanish Fishermen
7904.75 Unid J2B
7905.00 IB9 J7D 125 Bd
7906.00 T1L1 A1A Mil
7911.00 Unid J3E Vietnamese fishing
7911.01 KZAH A1A Mil?
7918.00 YHF R3E [E10]
7918.00 YHF2 R3E [E10]
7918.00 Unid R3E USB at sea
7921.81 Unknowh G7D 2400 Bd Stanag 4285
7929.00 Unid J3E Usb
7932.00 VDPM A1B Mil
7935.00 Unid A3E Pirate?
7950.00 Unid J3E USB
7950.00 ? A3E German Pirate
7951.19 FDI22 F1B French mil 75 Bd
7959.00 "8" F1B 1khz, 100 Bd, Baudot
7959.30 RAE6 R7B
7961.80 Unid G7D 2400 Bd
7965.00 RMP A1A Russian mil
7969.00 PHVZ A1B Mil
7970.00 Unid A1B CW Morse
7971.00 Unid J3E Spanish Fishermen
7974.00 Unid A1B CW Morse
7979.00 Unid J3E Spanish Fishermen
7985.00 Unid D7D Digital Transmission
7987.00 Unid A1B CW Morse
7989.15 Unid F1B Arq-E 46 Baud
7990.00 RBA2 F1B 40 Bd
7990.00 Cyprus P0N Pulse
7994.00 Unid A1A Morse; Russian PVO
7998.02 RFL9 F1B

JJC Tokyo News FAX Received Nov 3

You know the fall DX season has arrived when Southern California has a relatively clear copy on the Kyodo News FAX from Japan. This is the best one I've received in a long time.

Frequency was 16971.0 kHz USB, time was just after zero UTC. Parameters were 60/576.



It's worth repeating that, unlike the weather charts, the news FAX is copyrighted material, reproduced here at a greatly reduced size under fair use for the purposes of amateur radio propagation reporting. Any unauthorized commercial use would probably prompt Kyodo to start scrambling the faxes again. We'd hate to lose the last news FAX on the air for DXing.

Utility World Blog Stirs Back To Life

I just noticed that i've only made something like 3 posts to this blog in the past month.

Apologies are in order. I was out of town and away from any radios, but I had a laptop so there's no excuse.

I'll do better.

A few things are happening in the utility scene right now that are worth watching.

The most newsworthy one is that November/December of 2009 is the Moment of Truth for solar Cycle 24. There are indications that this late cycle is beginning to rise, pretty much in line with the scaled-back newer predictions. Some daily fluxes around 81 have occurred, which are promising. Expect some definite changes in conditions if it gets over 90 for any length of time.

If the cycle does not rise at all, and we fall back into spotless days, weeks, and maybe months, all bets are off. Meanwhile, a lively and information-packed web site for all this is SolarCycle24.com.

NMC FAX Satellite Image Nov. 2

Copied on 8682 kHz at 2113 UTC. Note the multipath and cyclical selective fading, both of which are typical of this path and time of day.



Also note the pronounced "Pineapple Express" moisture feed from the tropics near Hawaii to the northwestern continental United States.