At 2258 on 7/31 (UTC), the daily VOA test of MFSK32 capability gave useful copy on an Asian receiver despite a loud Chinese domestic station (not Firedrake) being on the 6135 kHz AM frequency.
Signal quality is hard to assess using remotes, but a surprising amount of information made it through to this computer, as decoded on Fldigi with UTF-8 characters enabled.
---------------------------
RSID received
Mode: MFSK32
Eoj° |ú
<STX>
这是美国之音以MFSK32模式（å¤e,频ç§Á<SUB>”®控32波特ir¼‰发射的ä¿aOd€‚ 多频移键控32
baud是业余无线电使用的流行模式
。我们现在试验通过短波信劷发射机用该模式发射信号。
请尨的收听情况报告寄至 Chinese@voanews.com,请在您的回复电邮主题栏内写上“VOA Radiogram”作
为您回
复电邮的题目。
<EOT>
------------------
A quickie Google translation gives:
This is the VOA to MFSK32 mode (å ¤ e, frequency ç § Á <SUB> "® control 32 Potter ir ¼ ‰ launch ä ¿aOd €, multi-frequency shift keying 32
baud is a popular mode of amateur radio use
. We now believe 劷 via shortwave transmitter test signals are transmitted by the model.
Please listen to the report of the shaggy dog sent Chinese@voanews.com, please e-mail your reply on the subject line write "VOA Radiogram" for
For your back
Complex email problems.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
VOA Radiogram Mandarin & Interesting 2-3 August Sked
From Kim Andrew Elliott:
Hello friends,Our new experiments with MFSK32 on the VOA Mandarin Service continue. The center audio frequency has been moved up to 2500 Hz, so you will probably need a 6 kHz bandwidth for best results.Until the MFSK32 begins, most of the audio you hear will probably be Chinese domestic radio on the same frequency as VOA Mandarin.Each MFSK32 transmission is 1 minute, 10 seconds. Here is the schedule:DailyUTC2258 6135 9845 kHz0058 9880 15385 15565 17560 kHzPlease send reception reports for the VOA Mandarin MFSK32 to radiogram@voanews.com. Audio recordings (mp3 is OK) are especially helpful.TW in Shimane Prefecture, Japan, prepared these YouTube videos of his decoding:VOA Radiogram this weekend will include news about legislation that could bring major changes to VOA and to other entities of U.S. international broadcasting.Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 70, 2-3 August 2014 (MFSK32):1:32 Program preview2:40 International broadcasting bill passes House, with image8:17 Moose drool detoxifies fungus, with image11:36 ESA spacecraft will land on comet, with image18:18 Bahama Islands formed from Sahara dust, with image22:29 Outernet, via satellite, launches 11 August, with logo25:25 Closing announcementsPlease send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com.VOA Radiogram transmission schedule
(all days and times UTC):
Sat 0930-1000 5745 kHz
Sat 1600-1630 17860 kHz
Sun 0230-0300 5745 kHz
Sun 1930-2000 15670 kHz
All via the Edward R. Murrow transmitting station in North Carolina.The Mighty KBC will transmit a minute of MFSK64 Saturday at 1130 UTC on 6095 kHz and Sunday at 0130 UTC (Saturday 9:30 pm EDT) on 9925 kHz. Both frequencies are via Germany. Reports for this broadcast to themightykbc@gmail.com .Thanks to everyone who have sent reception reports for VOA Radiogram and for the VOA Mandarin tests. I will prepare a new eQSL for both of these and start sending them tomorrow.KimKim Andrew ElliottProducer and PresenterVOA Radiogramvoaradiogram.net
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
A Day In the Life of HM01
Following yesterday's blog entry, all but one of HM01's known time slots have been checked live or by timer. Here is the result.
7/28 2100 n/h any freq
7/28 2200 10715 S5, weak, cut, resumed
7/28 2300 n/h any freq
7/29 0500 14375 S8, readable with deep fading, 28629 07712 57251 34031 55525 14421
7/29 0600 14375 S7 carrier, extremely low audio, uncopyable
7/29 0700 13435 Weak, readable with deep fades, 28629 07712 57251 34031 55525 14421
7/29 0800 11635 Weak, fading, 28629 07712 57251 34031 55525 14421
7/29 0900 12120 n/h
7/29 1000 8642 n/h
7/29 1600 n/h any freq
7/29 1700 n/h any freq
7/29 1800 n/h any freq
7/29 2100 ---missed---
7/29 2200 17480 S8, readable, fading, 83121 07713 57251 34031 55526 14421
7/29 2300 n/h any freq
While HM01 is consistently weaker here in Southern California, all but 10715 at 2200 were only by 1-2 S units.
Notice how some callup 5F groups may increment by one, while others don't. This is typical, and the increment might mean there's a new message. Also, notice the 28629 group, which is also typical. When the last figure gets to nine, it will either stay there or a new group will appear. We saw this on the 29th, in the 2200 slot.
7/28 2100 n/h any freq
7/28 2200 10715 S5, weak, cut, resumed
7/28 2300 n/h any freq
7/29 0500 14375 S8, readable with deep fading, 28629 07712 57251 34031 55525 14421
7/29 0600 14375 S7 carrier, extremely low audio, uncopyable
7/29 0700 13435 Weak, readable with deep fades, 28629 07712 57251 34031 55525 14421
7/29 0800 11635 Weak, fading, 28629 07712 57251 34031 55525 14421
7/29 0900 12120 n/h
7/29 1000 8642 n/h
7/29 1600 n/h any freq
7/29 1700 n/h any freq
7/29 1800 n/h any freq
7/29 2100 ---missed---
7/29 2200 17480 S8, readable, fading, 83121 07713 57251 34031 55526 14421
7/29 2300 n/h any freq
While HM01 is consistently weaker here in Southern California, all but 10715 at 2200 were only by 1-2 S units.
Notice how some callup 5F groups may increment by one, while others don't. This is typical, and the increment might mean there's a new message. Also, notice the 28629 group, which is also typical. When the last figure gets to nine, it will either stay there or a new group will appear. We saw this on the 29th, in the 2200 slot.
Monday, July 28, 2014
HM01 Data Needed!
Those who follow "numbers" are probably aware that the Cuban DGI/DI intelligence broadcasts called "HM01" (for the "hybrid" mode used) have been in a state of change. After disappearing altogether, they came back, but now there seem to be changes that are not known yet.
These include new frequencies and schedules. Also, signals seem different. Tony Agnelli (FL) and a listener in NY both report weaker carrier and/or audio levels. I haven't noticed this change here on the other US coast, but I'll be listening today.
Reports either at the Utility Planet e-mail address (mt utility world at Google), or to such online groups as Spooks and UDXF.
Thank you.
These include new frequencies and schedules. Also, signals seem different. Tony Agnelli (FL) and a listener in NY both report weaker carrier and/or audio levels. I haven't noticed this change here on the other US coast, but I'll be listening today.
Reports either at the Utility Planet e-mail address (mt utility world at Google), or to such online groups as Spooks and UDXF.
Thank you.
VOA Radiogram Takes On Firedrake!
From Kim Andrew Eliott:
------
Hello friends,
The VOA Radiogram experiment enters an interesting new phase with MFSK32 text included in the shortwave broadcasts of the VOA Mandarin Service.
Beginning UTC Sunday at 2258 UTC (Monday morning in China)...
There will be 1:10 (1 minute, 10 seconds) of MFSK32 in Chinese beginning at..
2258:15 UTC 6135 9845 kHz
and
0058:10 UTC 9880 15385 15565 17560 kHz
These transmissions will continue for two weeks. The transmissions are via VOA relays stations in Asia.
The MFSK32 will be Chinese characters. You will need the UTF-8 character set. In Fldigi: Configure > Colors & Fonts.
Usually there will be Chinese domestic radio jamming VOA on the same frequency. It will therefore be MFSK32 versus the Chinese jamming.
I know that most of you are outside of the target area for these VOA Mandarin broadcasts directed to China, but you might be able to hear these transmissions on at least one frequency.
If you can hear these broadcasts, it would be very helpful if you can send me recordings (mp3 is OK), including at least one minute before the MFSK32 begins.
The weekend English broadcasts of VOA Radiogram will continue.
Thanks!
Kim
------
Hello friends,As a follow-up to my previous email about the MFSK32 on VOA Mandarin, I want to clarify that these transmissions will be daily for the next two weeks, at least.2258:15 UTC 6135 9845 kHz
0058:10 UTC 9880 15385 15565 17560 kHz
The transmissions are via IBB relay stations in Asia.
The MFSK32 will be Chinese characters. You will need the UTF-8 character set. If using Fldigi: Configure > Colors & Fonts.
If you are unable to hear these frequencies from your location, perhaps you can via the University of Twente SDR receiver: http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/ -- or a web controlled receiver in Asia, if you have access to one.
Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com . Audio recordings, including a minute or two before the MFSK32 starts, would be especially helpful – even if you can’t decode the tones. Mp3 files are OK.
The English VOA Radiogram broadcasts on weekends will continue.KimKim Andrew ElliottProducer and PresenterVOA Radiogramvoaradiogram.net
Friday, July 25, 2014
VOA Radiogram for July 26-27
From Kim Andrew Elliott:
Hello friends,Sorry for the late notice about this weekend’s program.It will include two stories about international broadcasting, and one in Russian. For the Cyrillic text to display correctly, use the UTF-8 character set (Fldigi: Configure > Colors & Fonts).Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 69, 26-27 July 2014 (MFSK32):1:38 Program preview2:32 Voice of Russia in Washington, with image6:14 Iranian satellite jamming, with image10:47 Battery of the future, with image18:29 VOA Russian on global Internet policy, with image25:10 Closing announcementsPlease send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com .VOA Radiogram transmission schedule
(all days and times UTC):
Sat 0930-1000 5745 kHz
Sat 1600-1630 17860 kHz
Sun 0230-0300 5745 kHz
Sun 1930-2000 15670 kHz
All via the Edward R. Murrow transmitting station in North Carolina.Thanks for your reports from last weekend. I’ll begin to answer them later today.Please tune in and write in this weekend.KimKim Andrew ElliottProducer and PresenterPS: The Mighty KBC will transmit a minute of MFSK64 Saturday at about 1130 UTC on 6095 kHz and Sunday at about 0130 UTC (Saturday 9:30 pm EDT) in 9925 kHz. Both frequencies are via Germany. Reports for KBC should go to themightykbc@gmail.com .
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Massive Cuts at Radio Australia
I don't usually do broadcasting, but the latest round of catastrophic budget cuts threatens to reduce or even eventually eliminate a real fixture on the US West Coast short wave dial. That's Radio Australia.
The ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) international division is facing a >50% funding cutback. According to one source being quoted around the Internet, that will eliminate the English language section. While no immediate cuts to short wave hours have been announced, it is most likely only a matter of time.
From an Australian media site:
The ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) international division is facing a >50% funding cutback. According to one source being quoted around the Internet, that will eliminate the English language section. While no immediate cuts to short wave hours have been announced, it is most likely only a matter of time.
From an Australian media site:
A Radio Australia staff member told Crikey 25 editorial jobs will go, while seven people in operations will also be sacked. Staff have been told that this will include the entire English-language division of Radio Australia, which the CPSU has confirmed. All casuals and contract staff will be dropped. Asked if this number of redundancies would have a large impact on Radio Australia, a staff member told Crikey they amounted to “gutting” the network. It’s understood just 30 staff will be retained in the division, with cuts in content expected. Flagship program The World will be reduced to a half-hour program.
In ABC International, another 46 jobs are going. Staff have been told the Australia Network may stop broadcasting earlier than September.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Night of Nights Update
This just in!
Night of Nights Final Update
Dedicated to True Believers Worldwide
10 July 2014
Final details for Night of Nights 2014
Event Date:
Saturday 12 July 2014 Pacific Daylight Time
First Transmission from MRHS Stations:
5:01pm Pacific Daylight Time 12 July, 0001Z 13 July 2014
For full station and frequency information and directions to the site please see our Newsletters No. 45 and No. 46
> KLB will not be on the air
> Amateur station W4WLO on the air
> Hear KWMR program on Night of Nights and Marconi anniversary
> KLB will not be on the air
We've just received word from Rene of Shipcom LLC that station KLB will not be on the air for Night of Nights 2014 due to illness. We wish CJ, the op at KLB, a fast recovery and hope that KLB will return to the air next year
> Amateur station W4WLO on the air
Rene has also advised that amateur station W4WLO will be on the air for Night of Nights 2014. Their operating frequencies will be 7055kc and 14055kc, just up the band from K6KPH. So listen for W4WLO for a chance to work another historic coast station.
> Hear KWMR program on Night of Nights and Marconi anniversary
As mentioned in previous numbers of the Newsletter (see above), 2014 is the 100th anniversary of the commencement of service by the Marconi stations at Bolinas, CA and Marshall, CA. There are many wonderful events and exhibits available to commemorate this event.
On Wednesday 9 July community radio station KWMR in Point Reyes Station broadcast a special program about these events and exhibits and about Night of Nights with Carola DeRooy, archivist at the Point Reyes National Seashore, Elia Haworth, curator of the Bolinas Museum and Richard Dillman of the MRHS. Click HERE to listen to that program.
We very much look forward to hearing you on the air or seeing you in person on Night of Nights. Until then we wish you the best of luck and fair winds & following seas.
73,
MRHS
Maritime Radio Historical Society CW Night of Nights 2014!
From Maritime Radio Historical Society:
Here's all the basic time, station and frequency information.
Click HERE for MRHS Newsletter No. 45 for related stories and event information.
Date: Saturday 12 July 2014 Pacific Daylight Time [13 July UTC -Hugh]
Location: RCA receiving station, 17400 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Point Reyes National Seashore
Click HERE for a map of the location from Google Maps
Time: Doors open at 3:00pm pdt, first transmission 5:01pm pdt (0001gmt 13 July)
Refreshments: Served
Photographs: Encouraged
Tours: Given
None of this would have been possible without the trust and vision of the Point Reyes National Seashore. The only reason these facilities were spared the bulldozer that visited all the others is that they are on park land. And the only reason they have been restored to operation is that the PRNS staff understood their importance and trusted the MRHS to restore them to life.
We will send last minute changes and signal reports by Twitter. You can join Twitter free at:
https://www.twitter.com
and follow us at @Radiomarine
MRHS Stations
Sixteen transmitters will be on the air from the MRHS transmitter site in Bolinas. That doesn't include transmitters held in ready reserve in case of failure. Members of the crack MRHS Transmitter Department and the H Set Team will be on hand to assure that all goes well.
> KPH:
Frequency Transmitter Antenna
500/426 Henry MF-5000D Marconi T
4247.0 RCA K Set Double Extended Zepp
6477.5 RCA K Set Double Extended Zepp
8642.0 RCA L Set Double Extended Zepp
12808.5 RCA L Set H over 2
17016.8 RCA L Set H over 2
22477.5 RCA H Set H over 2
The restoration of the H set has been chronicled in past issues of the Newsletter. It will return to revenue service for the first time in decades for Night of Nights. See Newsletter No. 38 for information about and photos of this magnificent transmitter.
> KFS
We want to offer our sincere thanks to Globe Wireless for the help and support they have provided for our project since the very beginning.
Frequency Transmitter Antenna
12695.5 Press Wireless PW15 H over 2
17026.0 Henry HF-5000D H over 2
> KSM
Frequency Transmitter Antenna
500/426 Henry MF-5000D Marconi T
8438.3 Henry HF-5000D Double Extended Zepp
12993.0 Henry HF-5000D H over 2
16914.0 Henry HF-5000D H over 2
22445.8 Henry HF-5000D H over 2
> K6KPH
K6KPH ops will monitor the frequencies below as propagation and the number of available operators permit.
Frequency Transmitter Antenna
3550.0 Henry HF-5000D Double Extended Zepp
7050.0 RCA L Set Double Extended Zepp
14050.0 Henry HF-5000D H over 2
18097.5 Henry HF-5000D H over 2
21050.0 Henry HF-5000D H over 2
> Reception Reports
Reception reports and verification requests for the MRHS stations listed above may be sent to:
Maritime Radio Historical Society
PO Box 392
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
USA
> Station Telephone
The receive site may be contacted by phone on 415-669-9646
USCG Stations
NOTICE!
This may very well be the last time ever that USCG stations can be heard on the air using A1A (Morse) emission. As new equipment is installed the hardware and wiring for Morse has been progressively removed. And the personnel who knowledgeable in the art retire or are reassigned. So be sure to listen for these stations.
Many USCG personnel at all levels are responsible for bringing these stations back on the air for Night of Nights 2104. We want to particularly thank ET1 Mike Leska for taking the lead for this year's project.
> NMC (Transmit Bolinas, Receive Pt. Reyes)
Frequency Transmitter Antenna
448.0 Nautel ND2500TT/6 173' monopole tower
472.0 Nautel ND2500TT/6 173' monopole tower
500.0 Nautel ND2500TT/6 173' monopole tower
6383.0 Rockwell-Collins RT-2200 Omni-directional
8574.0 Rockwell-Collins RT-2200 Omni-directional
17220.5 Rockwell-Collins RT-2200 Omni-directional
NOTE regarding NMC/NMQ/NMW MF transmissions. Only one MF transmitter will be in service at each station. Morse transmissions will be made on an as-available basis from each station as USCG operators must also accommodate scheduled NAVTEX transmissions.
> NMQ (Transmit Cambria, CA, Receive and Control Pt. Reyes)
Frequency Transmitter Antenna
448.0 Nautel ND2500TT/6 Inverted L
472.0 Nautel ND2500TT/6 Inverted L
500.0 Nautel ND2500TT/6 Inverted L
> NMW (Transmit Astoria, OR, Receive and Control Pt. Reyes)
Frequency Transmitter Antenna
448.0 Nautel ND2500TT/6 Capacitive top hat
472.0 Nautel ND2500TT/6 Capacitive top hat
500.0 Nautel ND2500TT/6 Capacitive top hat
> Reception Reports
Reception reports and verification requests for the USCG stations listed above may be sent to:
Attn: OSCS Phil Marsh
USCG CAMSPAC Point Reyes
17000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
USA
Self addressed stamped envelope requested!
> Shipcom LLC Stations
All thanks to Rene at WLO and CJ at KLB for the work they do each year to bring these stations back on the air. They are true radiomen.
> WLO
2055.5
4343.0
8658.0
12992.0
16968.5
> KLB
488.0
500.0
8582.5
> Reception Reports
Via email (for both stations) to: wloradio@wloradio.com
> Calling Channels
All commercial and USCG stations listed above will listen for calls from ships on 500kc and on ITU Channel 3 HF:
4184.0
6276.0
8368.0
12552.0
16736.0
22280.5
Listen on these frequencies if you want to copy both sides of ship to shore contacts.
> Commemorative Messages
Was your father, uncle or grand dad a commercial op or amateur operator? Would you like to send a commemorative message in their honor over KPH, KFS and KSM? We have sent several of these messages in past events and they were all very moving. If you would like us to send such a message this year please send it to us no later than Wednesday 9 July pdt so we can be sure to include it. Sent it to info@radiuomarine.org
We look forward to meeting you in person or on the air for N of N 2014.
Questions? Need more info? Just shoot an email to info@radiomarine.org
VOA Radiogram for July 12-13
From Kim Andrew Elliott:
[The picture was in regard to VOA's latest round of cutbacks, which will again further reduce short wave. -Hugh]
Hello friends,
Thank you for your reception reports from the weekend of 5-6 July 2014.
One of the images sent during that program was a part of a portable shortwave radio, with blue at the bottom of the picture. That was not an error in transmission. The blue was an ocean -- as in shortwave sinking into the ocean. I should have selected a picture of an ocean with more waves and whitecaps, so it would have been more obvious.
[The picture was in regard to VOA's latest round of cutbacks, which will again further reduce short wave. -Hugh]
This weekend, 12-13 July, VOA Radiogram will provide information about “Night of Nights,” an annual commemoration of the commercial maritime radiotelegraphy industry, which ended in 1999. Several coast maritime CW (Morse code) stations will be on the air UTC 13 July at 0000-0700 UTC. If your CW skills are rusty, remember that you can use Fldigi to decode CW.
More information at http://www.radiomarine.org (follow the link to the schedule).
Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 67, 12-13 July 2014 (MFSK32):
1:31 Program preview
2:36 Maritime radiotelegraph commemoration, with image
9:35 "Nanojuice" improves intestinal scans, with image
15:16 Titan's subsurface ocean probably is salty, with image
21:27 Training center could lead to South Korean-Russian rail link, with image
26:48 Closing announcements
Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com
VOA Radiogram transmission schedule
(all days and times UTC):
Sat 0930-1000 5745 kHz
Sat 1600-1630 17860 kHz
Sun 0230-0300 5745 kHz
Sun 1930-2000 15670 kHz
All via the Edward R. Murrow transmitting station in North Carolina.
The Mighty KBC will transmit a minute of MFSK64 Saturday (12 July) at about 1130 UTC on 6095 kHz, and Sunday (13 July) at about 0130 UTC (Saturday 9:30 pm EDT) on 9925 kHz. Both frequencies are via Germany. Reports for these KBC transmissions to themightykbc@gmail.com.
I will start today to answer reports from the weekend on 5-6 July, then, if there is time over the weekend, work back through the reports during May that I have not yet answered because of my travels.
I hope you can tune in and write in this weekend.
Kim
Kim Andrew Elliott
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram
radiogram@voanews.com
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