ShipCom Emergency Net Corrects All Frequencies

The new U.S. nationwide emergency ALE net has recently corrected all frequencies to conform with international practice. Everything has been shifted down 1.4 kHz to account for USB offset when using ALE and follow-on voice.

Two sets of frequencies, separated by this 1.4 kHz, are licensed to this venture. What was happening was that the net was operating on the higher set, which is authorized for modes centered around the assigned carrier frequency. Transmitting USB, which is offset, put the signals technically off-channel.

All frequencies have been tested and found to be 1.4 kHz lower.  The new frequencies for this net are:

2679.6
4234.0
6335.6
7315.6
8085.5
10170.6
13152.0
17287.0
19755.0
22738.0 .

The two Los Angeles, CA area stations, and two at the Annapolis, MD control point, continue to make hourly soundings. While voice test counts and operator chatter have been heard on this net, there haven't been any reports of these for a while now.

No News on HFDL System Table

As of yesterday, ground stations heard by this author were all using System Table 49. However, some are reporting 48 still in use at Guam and maybe other places.

I really don't know how the HFDL system can function properly with two different tables in circulation, unless they're identical or the aircraft can store old ones.  Fortunately, PC-HFDL remains configured for System Table 49, and when 48 appears it goes back to the numbers.  I won't be trying to see what happens if #48 is pushed out to an aircraft.  Only #49 ground stations for me.

Regardless, the pchfdl.dat file on this column's web site has just been changed to the one in use here for System Table 49.  The file length looks right.  While your mileage may vary, it is probably sufficient to update PC-HFDL's commercial version.

New VOA Radiogram Frequency for May 2-3

From Kim Andrew Elliott:

Hello friends,

This weekend the VOA Radiogram broadcast Saturday at 1600-1630 UTC moves to the new frequency of 17870 kHz. This replaces 17860 kHz, which was suffering interference from Radio Exterior de España on 17855 kHz. For those of you using low cost radios with less selectivity, please let me know in 17870 kHz provides enough separation from 17855 kHz.

VOA Radiogram begins this weekend with a rather lengthy but, I hope, interesting story about a new report on world press freedom.

Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 109, 2-3 May 2015, all in MFSK32 except where noted:

 1:32  Program preview
 2:45  Freedom House report on world press freedom*
14:12  BBC adds shortwave transmissions for Nepal
17:09  Mobile phone ownership increases in Africa
21:21  Computer servers heat homes in the Netherlands*
27:12  Closing announcements*
28:39  Thor 16: Bonus mode of the week

* with image

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 17870 kHz (new, replaces 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 (I think) transmit a minute of MFSK64 3 May at about 0130 UTC (Saturday 9:30 pm EDT) on new 9925 kHz (via Germany). Reports to Eric: themightykbc@gmail.com .

Thank you for your reception reports for last weekend's broadcast.  I have not yet finished answering all the reports from program 107, 18-19 April 2015, because of a busy week involving my audience research tasks for VOA and the U.S. International Broadcasting Bureau. I hope to catch up with the correspondence this weekend.

Kim

Kim Andrew Elliott
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram
voaradiogram.net

Santa Cruz Using Database #48

At 2100 UTC on 23 April, the Santa Cruz HFDL ground station in Bolivia is still using system table #48. Meanwhile, Riverside is working some of the same aircraft, and using #49.

Dizzy.

Canarias Still Using HFDL Database #48

At 2020 UTC in 23 April, the HFDL ground station named Canarias, in the Canary Islands, was still using system table #48.  However, when PC-HFDL is tuned to a station using #49, the frequencies replace the numbers again.

Unless there is no difference between the two database revisions, this is all a bit strange.

Albrook Still Using System Table #48

This is getting confusing. HFDL listeners are reporting that the Albrook/Panama City ground station is still on system table #48. This has been confirmed by reception here at 1900 UTC on 23 April.

Other stations have had #49 for a whole day now.  It was found here to be in use by San Francisco, Molokai, and Riverhead. But now PC-HFDL has gone back to the numbers, and my config file is useless.  Therefore I can't post it.

The saga continues.

HFDL System Table #49 Is Current

For about 24 hours now, Molokai has been pushing out these frequencies:

Version 49

Ground Station ID 1
SAN FRANCISCO - CALIFORNIA
UTC UNLOCKED
Longitude 121 45 34  W  Latitude 38 22 48  N
Squitter Version 0
Number of frequencies 8
Frequency 21934000 Hz Master Frame Slot 4
Frequency 17919000 Hz Master Frame Slot 12
Frequency 13276000 Hz Master Frame Slot 8
Frequency 11327000 Hz Master Frame Slot 4
Frequency 10081000 Hz Master Frame Slot 4
Frequency 8927000 Hz Master Frame Slot 12
Frequency 6559000 Hz Master Frame Slot 8
Frequency 5508000 Hz Master Frame Slot 4

Ground Station ID 2
MOLOKAI - HAWAII
UTC UNLOCKED
Longitude 157 10 46  W  Latitude 21 10 47  N
Squitter Version 0
Number of frequencies 12
Frequency 21937000 Hz Master Frame Slot 0
Frequency 17919000 Hz Master Frame Slot 7
Frequency 13324000 Hz Master Frame Slot 3
Frequency 13312000 Hz Master Frame Slot 3
Frequency 13276000 Hz Master Frame Slot 3
Frequency 11348000 Hz Master Frame Slot 11
Frequency 11312000 Hz Master Frame Slot 11
Frequency 10027000 Hz Master Frame Slot 11
Frequency 8936000 Hz Master Frame Slot 0
Frequency 8912000 Hz Master Frame Slot 0
Frequency 6565000 Hz Master Frame Slot 7
Frequency 5514000 Hz Master Frame Slot 7

Ground Station ID 3
REYKJAVIK - ICELAND
UTC UNLOCKED
Longitude 21 50 59  W  Latitude 64 4 47  N
Squitter Version 0
Number of frequencies 7
Frequency 17985000 Hz Master Frame Slot 11
Frequency 15025000 Hz Master Frame Slot 7
Frequency 11184000 Hz Master Frame Slot 3
Frequency 8977000 Hz Master Frame Slot 0
Frequency 6712000 Hz Master Frame Slot 11
Frequency 5720000 Hz Master Frame Slot 7
Frequency 3900000 Hz Master Frame Slot 3

Ground Station ID 4
RIVERHEAD - NEW YORK
UTC UNLOCKED
Longitude 72 38 22  W  Latitude 40 52 47  N
Squitter Version 0
Number of frequencies 7
Frequency 21931000 Hz Master Frame Slot 1
Frequency 17919000 Hz Master Frame Slot 9
Frequency 13276000 Hz Master Frame Slot 5
Frequency 11387000 Hz Master Frame Slot 1
Frequency 8912000 Hz Master Frame Slot 9
Frequency 6661000 Hz Master Frame Slot 5
Frequency 5652000 Hz Master Frame Slot 1

Ground Station ID 5
AUCKLAND - NZ
UTC UNLOCKED
Longitude 174 48 35  E  Latitude 37 1 10  S
Squitter Version 0
Number of frequencies 6
Frequency 17916000 Hz Master Frame Slot 12
Frequency 13351000 Hz Master Frame Slot 8
Frequency 10084000 Hz Master Frame Slot 4
Frequency 8921000 Hz Master Frame Slot 12
Frequency 6535000 Hz Master Frame Slot 8
Frequency 5583000 Hz Master Frame Slot 4

Ground Station ID 6
HAT YAI - THAILAND
UTC UNLOCKED
Longitude 100 23 23  E  Latitude 6 56 23  N
Squitter Version 0
Number of frequencies 7
Frequency 21949000 Hz Master Frame Slot 10
Frequency 17928000 Hz Master Frame Slot 6
Frequency 13270000 Hz Master Frame Slot 2
Frequency 10066000 Hz Master Frame Slot 10
Frequency 8825000 Hz Master Frame Slot 6
Frequency 6535000 Hz Master Frame Slot 2
Frequency 5655000 Hz Master Frame Slot 10

Ground Station ID 7
SHANNON - IRELAND
UTC UNLOCKED
Longitude 8 55 46  W  Latitude 52 43 48  N
Squitter Version 0
Number of frequencies 8
Frequency 11384000 Hz Master Frame Slot 2
Frequency 10081000 Hz Master Frame Slot 2
Frequency 8942000 Hz Master Frame Slot 6
Frequency 8843000 Hz Master Frame Slot 6
Frequency 6532000 Hz Master Frame Slot 10
Frequency 5547000 Hz Master Frame Slot 2
Frequency 3455000 Hz Master Frame Slot 6
Frequency 2998000 Hz Master Frame Slot 6

Ground Station ID 8
JOHANNESBURG - SOUTH AFRICA
UTC UNLOCKED
Longitude 28 12 35  E  Latitude 26 7 46  S
Squitter Version 0
Number of frequencies 8
Frequency 21949000 Hz Master Frame Slot 10
Frequency 17922000 Hz Master Frame Slot 6
Frequency 13321000 Hz Master Frame Slot 2
Frequency 11321000 Hz Master Frame Slot 10
Frequency 8834000 Hz Master Frame Slot 6
Frequency 5529000 Hz Master Frame Slot 10
Frequency 4681000 Hz Master Frame Slot 6
Frequency 3016000 Hz Master Frame Slot 6

Ground Station ID 9
BARROW - ALASKA
UTC UNLOCKED
Longitude 156 46 46  W  Latitude 71 18 0  N
Squitter Version 0
Number of frequencies 19
Frequency 21937000 Hz Master Frame Slot 10
Frequency 21928000 Hz Master Frame Slot 10
Frequency 17934000 Hz Master Frame Slot 6
Frequency 17919000 Hz Master Frame Slot 6
Frequency 11354000 Hz Master Frame Slot 2
Frequency 10093000 Hz Master Frame Slot 2
Frequency 10027000 Hz Master Frame Slot 2
Frequency 8936000 Hz Master Frame Slot 10
Frequency 8927000 Hz Master Frame Slot 10
Frequency 6646000 Hz Master Frame Slot 6
Frequency 5544000 Hz Master Frame Slot 2
Frequency 5538000 Hz Master Frame Slot 2
Frequency 5529000 Hz Master Frame Slot 2
Frequency 4687000 Hz Master Frame Slot 2
Frequency 4654000 Hz Master Frame Slot 2
Frequency 3497000 Hz Master Frame Slot 10
Frequency 3007000 Hz Master Frame Slot 10
Frequency 2992000 Hz Master Frame Slot 10
Frequency 2944000 Hz Master Frame Slot 10

Ground Station ID 11
ALBROOK - PANAMA CITY
UTC UNLOCKED
Longitude 79 32 59  W  Latitude 8 58 12  N
Squitter Version 0
Number of frequencies 6
Frequency 17901000 Hz Master Frame Slot 6
Frequency 13264000 Hz Master Frame Slot 2
Frequency 10063000 Hz Master Frame Slot 10
Frequency 8894000 Hz Master Frame Slot 6
Frequency 6589000 Hz Master Frame Slot 2
Frequency 5589000 Hz Master Frame Slot 10

Ground Station ID 13
SANTA CRUZ - BOLIVIA
UTC UNLOCKED
Longitude 63 7 46  W  Latitude 17 40 11  S
Squitter Version 0
Number of frequencies 7
Frequency 21997000 Hz Master Frame Slot 3
Frequency 17916000 Hz Master Frame Slot 11
Frequency 13315000 Hz Master Frame Slot 7
Frequency 11318000 Hz Master Frame Slot 3
Frequency 8957000 Hz Master Frame Slot 11
Frequency 6628000 Hz Master Frame Slot 7
Frequency 4660000 Hz Master Frame Slot 3

Ground Station ID 14
KRASNOYARSK - RUSSIA
UTC UNLOCKED
Longitude 92 18 0  E  Latitude 56 6 0  N
Squitter Version 0
Number of frequencies 7
Frequency 21990000 Hz Master Frame Slot 4
Frequency 17912000 Hz Master Frame Slot 12
Frequency 13321000 Hz Master Frame Slot 8
Frequency 10087000 Hz Master Frame Slot 4
Frequency 8886000 Hz Master Frame Slot 12
Frequency 6596000 Hz Master Frame Slot 8
Frequency 5622000 Hz Master Frame Slot 4

Ground Station ID 15
AL MUHARRAQ - BAHRAIN
UTC UNLOCKED
Longitude 50 39 0  E  Latitude 26 16 12  N
Squitter Version 0
Number of frequencies 6
Frequency 21982000 Hz Master Frame Slot 1
Frequency 17967000 Hz Master Frame Slot 9
Frequency 13354000 Hz Master Frame Slot 5
Frequency 10075000 Hz Master Frame Slot 1
Frequency 8885000 Hz Master Frame Slot 9
Frequency 5544000 Hz Master Frame Slot 5

Ground Station ID 16
AGANA - GUAM
UTC UNLOCKED
Longitude 144 48 0  E  Latitude 13 28 11  N
Squitter Version 0
Number of frequencies 7
Frequency 21928000 Hz Master Frame Slot 1
Frequency 17919000 Hz Master Frame Slot 9
Frequency 13312000 Hz Master Frame Slot 5
Frequency 11306000 Hz Master Frame Slot 1
Frequency 8927000 Hz Master Frame Slot 5
Frequency 6652000 Hz Master Frame Slot 1
Frequency 5451000 Hz Master Frame Slot 9

Ground Station ID 17
CANARIAS - SPAIN
UTC UNLOCKED
Longitude 15 23 23  W  Latitude 27 56 59  N
Squitter Version 0
Number of frequencies 6
Frequency 21955000 Hz Master Frame Slot 4
Frequency 17928000 Hz Master Frame Slot 12
Frequency 13303000 Hz Master Frame Slot 8
Frequency 11348000 Hz Master Frame Slot 4
Frequency 8948000 Hz Master Frame Slot 12
Frequency 6529000 Hz Master Frame Slot 8

HFDL Database 49 Now Current

Molokai just switched to #49 and pushed it to an aircraft.  Will post the new PCHFDL file when things settle down.

New HFDL System Table

Yesterday the HFDL system went to table 48, then to table 49, now possibly back to 48.  More when it settles down.

Frequency Change for VOA Radiogram April 4-5

From Kim Andrew Elliott:

Hello friends,

The Saturday 0930-1000 broadcast of VOA Radiogram returns to 5745 kHz as of this weekend (4 April).

Yes, there were some breaks in transmission at the beginning of last week's transmission Sunday at 1930 UTC on 15670 kHz. It was not your receiver, computer, or software.

Last week's test of the 8PSK FEC modes was interesting. In general, the 8PSK FEC modes did not perform as well as well as the MFSK modes. [They were much more problematic here, in The Land That Short Wave Forgot, with the fast one being totally uncopyable. You really need the MFSK 100% duty cycle and phase tolerance to punch through fades on these marginal paths. We'll see if the pilot tone makes any difference. -Hugh] However, Richard in New Brunswick and I, using a receiver in Nova Scotia, had 100% copy of all the modes, including 8PSKR250F at 635 wpm! This mode might be useful for high-speed data transmission, including formatted web pages, over distances of 1500 km or less, especially when propagation is stable.

This weekend we will do one more test of 8PSK125F. This will actually be two transmissions, one without the pilot tone, and one with the pilot tone. You do not need to make any adjustments to  detect the pilot tone, other than to have the Fldigi RxID on (green). "The RsID signal will both determine the mode and the mode center frequency (to the nearest 2.6 Hz). A finer resolution of the mode center frequency can be made using the optional pilot carrier," according to the Fldigi Users Manual.

Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 105, 4-5 April 2015, all in MFSK32 except where indicated ...

 1:27  Program preview
 2:46  Russia Denies License to Tatar-Language TV*
 8:53  8PSK125F: Tatar-language TV channels off air
10:03  8PSK125F (with pilot tone): Same story
11:08  MFSK32 resumes: Cyberattack targets GitHub*
16:39  Google and Chinese website certificates*
21:18  Cuba will increase Internet access*
27:10  Closing announcements
28:35  Bonus mode: Olivia 16-1000

* with image

Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com .

VOA Radiogram transmission schedule
(all days and times UTC):
Sat 0930-1000 5745 kHz (new frequency)
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 Sunday at 0130 UTC (Saturday at 9:30 pm EDT) on 7375 kHz (via Germany). This is part of the expanded KBC transmission UTC Sundays at 0000-0300 UTC on 7375 kHz. The Saturday transmission of The Mighty KBC on 6095 kHz is discontinued.  Reports to Eric at themightykbc@gmail.com .

WRMI, Radio Miami International, 9955 kHz, will transmit IDs in digital modes again this weekend. You might not hear these transmissions, or even see a trace of the digital modes on your waterfall, but you might still successfully decode the text. Reports to Jeff at info@wrmi.net .

UTC Day	UTC Time	Center audio frequency	Mode
Saturday	1014:30	2000 Hz	MFSK32 image
Saturday	2129:30	2000 Hz	MFSK16
Sunday	0129:30	2000 Hz	MFSK32
Sunday	0329:30	1500 Hz	Olivia 32-2000
Sunday	1039:30	2000 Hz	MFSK32 image
Sunday	2259:30	2000 Hz	MFSK16
Monday	0059:00	2000 Hz	MFSK32
Monday	0329:00	1500 Hz	Olivia 32-2000

AndFlmsg (Fldigi for Android). If you have an Android tablet or phone, a new beta release (B0.5.0) of AndFlmsg  is now available at  http://www.w1hkj.com/vk2eta/ . This new version can decode MFSK images and has other improvements. Please let me know your results. (This tip from the developer: On the modem screen, to copy and paste part of the decoded text, simply stop the modem with the Modem On/Off button, then long-press on the received text to show the select/copy tool. The text can then be pasted into an email app for example.) (AndFlmsg B0.5.0 may not yet have the 8PSK125F mode.)

Thank you for your helpful reports from last weekend's broadcast (program 104). I will compile the gallery of MFSK images and answer those reports as soon as I can.


Kim


Kim Andrew Elliott
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram
voaradiogram.net