Thank you for another great response to the VOA
Radiogram for the weekend of 8 and 9 June. Your audio samples were
especially helpful.
During the past weekend, we experimented with
mixing music with MFSK text modes. Reducing the MFSK modes by 9 dB was
not a problem if the signal level was good, but the MFSK text did break
up for some listeners if reception conditions were
marginal.
For many listeners, a new web page popped up after
the VOA News story in Flmsg format was transmitted. As for the EasyPal
image, there was more success in Europe than in North America.
This weekend, 15 and 16 June, we will mix some
actual noise taken from shortwave with MFSK text. After the noise
begins, a VOA News story in MFSK16 will first be transmitted at full
level, then reduced to -6 dB, then reduced to -12 dB.
I will probably lose many of you when the level is reduced to -12 dB,
but please stay tuned: the audio level will soon be restored.
Please note that noise that is mixed with MFSK text
as part of the VOA Radiogram production is not an ideal simulation of
co-channel interference. This is because real co-channel interference
involves two (or more) transmitters at different
locations and with different propagational characteristics.
Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, 15 and 16 June 2013:
2:10 MFSK16: Program preview
1:58 MFSK16: Introduction to noise experiment
10:09 MFSK16: At -0 -6 -12 dB versus noise
:59 MFSK16: Image of VOA logo
:47 MFSK16: Introduction to MFSK32
:51 MFSK32: Image of VOA logo
3:19 MFSK32: VOA News re Curiosity Rover on Mars
MFSK32: VOA Radiogram logo
2:40 EasyPal Image of the week
1:10 MFSK16: Closing announcements
:20 Surprise mode of the week
As usual, your audio samples of bad reception that
nevertheless results in a successful decode of at least MFSK16 would be
appreciated. This email address -- radiogram@voanews.com -- seems
tolerant of attachments up to 20 MB or so.
Also, if you are able to use portable shortwave
radios to receive VOA Radiogram, this would be helpful. This will help
us determine if typical listeners will be able to decode the digital
text modes.
Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com
Kim
Kim Andrew Elliott
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram
VOA Radiogram transmission schedule
(all days and times UTC)
Sat 1600-1630 17860 kHz
Sun 0230-0300 5745 kHz
Sun 1300-1330 6095 kHz
Sun 1930-2000 15670 kHz
All via the Edward R. Murrow transmitting station in North Carolina.
VOA Radiogram
radiogram@voanews.com
Twitter: @voaradiogram
