Hello friends,
Last week's surprise mode was 8PSK-125. The 8PSK modes were added to Fldigi as of version 3.22.00.
Most of you were unable to decode the 8PSK-125 transmission. I think this is because I used Fldigi 3.22.00 to produce the 8PSK-125 segment, and most of you installed Fldigi 3.22.01. There was a change to the 8PSK encoding scheme with version 3.22.01.
This weekend, I will try another transmission in 8PSK-125, this time produced using Fldigi 3.22.01. If you do not already have Fldigi 3.22.01 installed, please download it from http://www.w1hkj.com/download.html.
You will notice that 8PSK-125 is fast: 316 words per minute, versus 120 wpm for our usual MFSK32 mode. Despite its speed, it does have some forward error correction (FEC), so it might be able to withstand some of the degradations of shortwave propagation.
Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 83, 1-2 November 2014:
1:47 Program preview (now)
2:57 Introduction to 8PSK-125 test
3:54 8PSK-125: Radio/TV Martí PSAs
4:40 Failure of Antares rocket launch*
11:41 Solar power from Tunisia will supply Europe*
17:56 Recycling e-waste in Ghana without burning*
25:04 Closing announcements with MFSK64 logo
28:25 Surprise 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 17860 kHz
Sun 0230-0300 5745 kHz
Sun 1930-2000 15670 kHz*
All via the Edward R. Murrow transmitting station in North Carolina.
*North American listeners: With the time change, note that the Sunday 1930 UTC transmission is now one hour earlier for most of you, e.g. 2:30 pm Eastern *Standard* Time.
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) on 7375 kHz. Both frequencies are via Germany. Reports to themightykbc@gmail.com .
Thank you for your reports from last weekend. I am now constructing the eQSL and will reply soon.
Kim
Kim Andrew Elliot
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram
voaradiogram.net
Thursday, October 30, 2014
8PSK-125 Returns In VOA Radiogram for 1-2 November 2014
From Kim Andrew Elliot:
Monday, September 29, 2014
R. Martí to Test MFSK16
From Kim Andrew Elliott:
Hello friends,
Starting tonight, Radio Martí will transmit a minute of MFSK16 centered on 2500 Hz, daily, according to the following schedule:
0558:40 UTC 1180 6030 7405 kHz0758:40 UTC 1180 5980 6030 kHz0858:40 UTC 1180 5980 6030 kHzEach transmission is 57 seconds.
The 1180 kHz is medium wave, from the Florida Keys. The shortwave frequencies (5980, 6030, and 7405 kHz) are all via North Carolina.
You will probably hear noise on the frequency.
Recordings of your reception would be appreciated.
The email address for reception reports is included in the text transmission, but if you are not able to decode it, just send the report to radiogram@voanews.com.
Kim
Kim Andrew Elliott
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram
voaradiogram.net
Friday, September 19, 2014
Autumnal VOA Radiogram for September 20-21
Read past the schedule for word of the latest incomprehensible IBB/USIA/VOA decision to shoot itself in its collective foot. One wonders whether this is the whole story, or if the decision was a result of diplomatic pressure regarding the anti-jam tests.
From Kim Andrew Elliott:
From Kim Andrew Elliott:
Hello friends,
VOA Radiogram this weekend will include a detailed VOA news item about U.S. public diplomacy.
Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 77, during the weekend of 20-21 September 2014. All content is in MFSK32 centered on 1500 Hz except for two surprise modes at the end:
1:34 Program preview
.2:35 Device produces water from fog, with image.
7:34 NASA contract for manned spacecraft, with image
11:33 NASA's asteroid detection effort, with image
18:15 US information "battle" with Russia, IS
26:41 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 Radio Free Asia transmissions of digital text via shortwave have ended and will not resume. I am surprised by this decision, because the RFA tests showed that in even in the face of deliberate Chinese co-channel interference, digital text provided a very successful decode.
Here is an example: RFA Cantonese as received in Hong Kong, 14 September 2014, 2257 UTC, on 15390 kHz. The female voice is China National Radio. The male voice in the background in RFA Cantonese. The mix of CNR and RFA creates a generally inaudible mess. The Olivia 32-2000 mode penetrates the cacophony, resulting in successfully decoded text (try decoding it yourself)...
https://soundcloud.com/voaradiogram/rfa-cant-140914-2257-15390-hk
I initiated experiments with digital text via analog shortwave broadcast about two years ago to find a way to work around the blockage and censorship of Internet content. The VOA Radiogram experiments show that text and images can successfully be transmitted via shortwave: a useful capability when the Internet is blocked.
However, we can assume that if a country blocks Internet traffic, it will probably also jam shortwave transmissions. Text via shortwave must also have anti-jamming capabilities. Tests of digital text modes amid actual jamming are -- were -- essential to the VOA Radiogram concept. Now that VOA and RFA have both discontinued tests of text to China, experiments with Chinese jamming are no longer possible within the realm of US-government-funded international broadcasting.
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) on 7375 kHz. Both frequencies are via Germany. Reports to themightykbc@gmail.com.
Thanks for your interesting reports from last weekend's VOA Radiogram. I will begin answering those reports now.
Kim
Kim Andrew Elliott
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram
voaradiogram.net
Low-VHF F2 Skip is Back!
After hearing a solid signal from the 29620 kHz FM repeater in New York State, I checked higher up. Indeed the first VHF skip of the season was coming into California from the New York City area, with the usual NYC taxi dispatchers. These were also good signals.
Since this time, Bz has moved south, and the Kp index is around the storm threshold at 4. Radio conditions are deteriorating somewhat. Still, the season is coming......
Log:
kHz UTC Tone Traffic
30620.0 1902 210.7 LOUD carriers, SS dispatcher
Since this time, Bz has moved south, and the Kp index is around the storm threshold at 4. Radio conditions are deteriorating somewhat. Still, the season is coming......
Log:
kHz UTC Tone Traffic
30620.0 1902 210.7 LOUD carriers, SS dispatcher
30660.0 1814 77.0 Huge carrier
30720.0 1822 ? Weak carrier, longer xmsns than rest
30740.0 1901 107.2 Taxi, probably NYC, usual fast
SS
30800.0 1919 88.5 Taxi, probably NYC, usual fast
SS
30820.0 1902 151.4 Carriers, OM and YL dispatchers
31360.0 1910 CSQ Weak EE/OM, "right next door to your
right"
Sunday, September 14, 2014
HFDL System Table Updates to #49
ARINC recently updated its System Table of frequencies used by High-Freqency Data Link ground stations. The current table is number 49 (decimal). If you're using PC-HFDL, it should have switched to index numbers instead of the frequencies in kHz.
To get the kHz back, the user must either:
1. Listen to some squitters to make sure you have a good copy on the ground station. Wait for an aircraft to report that it is using version 48, which triggers an auto-update from the ground. As it receives the uplink data to the aircraft, clever PC-HFDL will write a new pchfdl.dat file over the existing one. I must be slipping - I didn't do this on September 4 when it changed, and now it's a little late for a ground station to be sending it.
2. Get a file called pchfdl.dat from someone who has done the update. Exit PC-HFDL. Go to your PC-HFDL directory*, change to the sub-folder called "configs," and copy in the new one from wherever. The old one is useless, so there's no tragedy if it gets lost. Even so, I tend to rename it and move it somewhere else first. Restart PC-HFDL, and if the numbers have switched to frequencies, you're there.
The pchfdl.dat file on this column's web site has been replaced. It works here. That doesn't always guarantee anything, but it's there. Again, the operative number is #49.
As always, the new frequencies aren't all that different from the old ones. The only visible change is the addition of three new frequencies for Johannesburg, South Africa. These, listed in ARINC's usual descending mode, are 17922, 11321, and 5529.
Good hunting!
*Most Windows 7-8 users make a radio directory outside of C:\Program Files, because otherwise older programs don't work right. Mine is C:\Radio\PC-HFDL. Even then, I had to mess around with it a bit to get the new pchfdl.dat to work. Most people, though, seem to have it work right the first time.
To get the kHz back, the user must either:
1. Listen to some squitters to make sure you have a good copy on the ground station. Wait for an aircraft to report that it is using version 48, which triggers an auto-update from the ground. As it receives the uplink data to the aircraft, clever PC-HFDL will write a new pchfdl.dat file over the existing one. I must be slipping - I didn't do this on September 4 when it changed, and now it's a little late for a ground station to be sending it.
2. Get a file called pchfdl.dat from someone who has done the update. Exit PC-HFDL. Go to your PC-HFDL directory*, change to the sub-folder called "configs," and copy in the new one from wherever. The old one is useless, so there's no tragedy if it gets lost. Even so, I tend to rename it and move it somewhere else first. Restart PC-HFDL, and if the numbers have switched to frequencies, you're there.
The pchfdl.dat file on this column's web site has been replaced. It works here. That doesn't always guarantee anything, but it's there. Again, the operative number is #49.
As always, the new frequencies aren't all that different from the old ones. The only visible change is the addition of three new frequencies for Johannesburg, South Africa. These, listed in ARINC's usual descending mode, are 17922, 11321, and 5529.
Good hunting!
*Most Windows 7-8 users make a radio directory outside of C:\Program Files, because otherwise older programs don't work right. Mine is C:\Radio\PC-HFDL. Even then, I had to mess around with it a bit to get the new pchfdl.dat to work. Most people, though, seem to have it work right the first time.
Saturday, September 13, 2014
High Bands Working as Magnetic Storm Abates
Bz remained strongly northward through the night (U.S. time), and the estimated Kp index stayed well below storm levels for the entire period. HF has recovered nicely, with good signals, especially at the high end. The 10 meter amateur beacon band (28200-28300 CW) is alive with Morse code signals for the first time in a while here.
Photos of spectacular aurora in the far northern US are all over the internet. Vermont and New Hampshire were treated to an amazing display of green, yellow, and purplish-red "northern lights."
It's worth watching the dreaded Bz, as it is very slowly moving southward at present. It will do what it wants to do, and this is not a prediction of the future. But a storm watch remains in effect.
Photos of spectacular aurora in the far northern US are all over the internet. Vermont and New Hampshire were treated to an amazing display of green, yellow, and purplish-red "northern lights."
It's worth watching the dreaded Bz, as it is very slowly moving southward at present. It will do what it wants to do, and this is not a prediction of the future. But a storm watch remains in effect.
Friday, September 12, 2014
Kp Index Reaches 7, then Storm Calms Somewhat
As predicted, the 0000 UTC estimated Kp index reached 7. There was a period of high-latitude G3 geomagnetic storming, which is currently over. At 0300, estimated Kp was 4, right at the storm threshold.
Aurora watchers should still check the sky, because substorms are always possible. Additional G3 storming is not out of the question, though the continued strong northward orientation of Bz makes it less likely than it would be if the interplanetary magnetic field were to turn south again.
In general, HF band conditions seem improved over this afternoon (U.S. time).
Aurora watchers should still check the sky, because substorms are always possible. Additional G3 storming is not out of the question, though the continued strong northward orientation of Bz makes it less likely than it would be if the interplanetary magnetic field were to turn south again.
In general, HF band conditions seem improved over this afternoon (U.S. time).
K Index of 7 Predicted as Storm Continues
While the highest Kp index encountered so far in this event has been 6, the Space Weather Prediction Center is expecting it to go to 7 tonight (U.S. time). This would be a G3 level event. If it happens, aurora should be visible in the extreme northern U.S., and power grid fluctuations are possible in higher latitudes. Auroral radio propagation is likely.
Some predictions have the Kp as high as 8, which is getting up there, but these assume a negative Bz magnetic polarity. Right now, following a negative swing, it has gone strongly positive again. This possibly explains the drop to 5 in the last Kp index.
(Keep in mind that K is a quasi-logarithmic range index of magnetic fluctuation, always expressed in whole integers between 0 and 9. A condition measuring at K=9, as high as it can go, makes for interesting, if unpredictable, conditions on the radio bands. Here, it's usually first noted as severe auroral flutter on WWV, with Doppler shift, even though this is a relatively low-latitude path. )
From SWPC:
Some predictions have the Kp as high as 8, which is getting up there, but these assume a negative Bz magnetic polarity. Right now, following a negative swing, it has gone strongly positive again. This possibly explains the drop to 5 in the last Kp index.
(Keep in mind that K is a quasi-logarithmic range index of magnetic fluctuation, always expressed in whole integers between 0 and 9. A condition measuring at K=9, as high as it can go, makes for interesting, if unpredictable, conditions on the radio bands. Here, it's usually first noted as severe auroral flutter on WWV, with Doppler shift, even though this is a relatively low-latitude path. )
From SWPC:
:Product: 3-Day Forecast
:Issued: 2014 Sep 12 1230 UTC
# Prepared by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA,
Space Weather Prediction Center
#
A. NOAA Geomagnetic Activity Observation and Forecast
The greatest observed 3 hr Kp over the past 24
hours was 5 (NOAA Scale G1).
The greatest expected 3 hr Kp for Sep 12-Sep 14
2014 is 7 (NOAA Scale G3).
NOAA Kp index breakdown Sep 12-Sep 14 2014
Sep 12 Sep 13 Sep 14
00-03UT 5 (G1) 6 (G2) 4
03-06UT 5 (G1) 7 (G3) 5 (G1)
06-09UT 2 6 (G2) 5 (G1)
09-12UT 3 5 (G1) 4
12-15UT 3 5 (G1) 3
15-18UT 3 4 3
18-21UT 3 5 (G1) 3
21-00UT 6 (G2) 5 (G1) 4
Rationale: G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storms are
expected by late on day one (12 Sep) due to continued
effects from the 09 Sep CME along with the arrival
of the 10 Sep CME. G3 (Strong) geomagnetic storms are
expected on day two (13 Sep) with continued CME effects.
Unsettled to G1 (Minor) storm levels are expected for
day three (14 Sep) as CME influence begins to subside.
Source Link: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/ftpdir/latest/three_day_forecast.txt
Moderate Geomagnetic Storm in Progress
Coronal mass ejection from Wednesday's bright and long-duration X1.6 flare hit the Earth's magnetic field at 1555 UTC this morning (Western Hemisphere). The K index jumped from 2 to 6, indicating moderate storm conditions.
The most visible effect will be increased aurora, moving south perhaps to the northern U.S..
On the radio, polar absorption has greatly increased. Lower latitudes should encounter unstable and/or disturbed propagation today into tomorrow.
Interestingly, the Bz component of the magnetic field is oscillating wildly in some places, and at other locations it has moved well to the north. Generally, a southward Bz corresponds with the heaviest storm conditions.
The most visible effect will be increased aurora, moving south perhaps to the northern U.S..
On the radio, polar absorption has greatly increased. Lower latitudes should encounter unstable and/or disturbed propagation today into tomorrow.
Interestingly, the Bz component of the magnetic field is oscillating wildly in some places, and at other locations it has moved well to the north. Generally, a southward Bz corresponds with the heaviest storm conditions.
VOA Radiogram/ RFA Cantonese/ Mighty KBC for Sep. 13-15
From Kim Andrew Elliott:
Hello friends,
As we approach autumn in the northern hemisphere, shortwave propagation is changing. The 17860 and 15670 kHz transmissions may become more difficult to hear in Europe. On the other hand, last weekend, Chris in New Zealand received the 15670 kHz transmission with a 100% decode (including the Russian).
Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 76, 13-14 September 2014, all MFSK32 except for surprise modes at the end of the show:
.1:35 Program preview
2:33 "Internet slowdown" campaign, with image
10:19 Ozone layer may be recovering, with image
17:26 New VOA Russian TV program, with image
26:09 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 Radio Free Asia Cantonese Service continues its transmissions of Olivia 32-2000 this weekend and Monday, as follows:
UTC Dates
1458-1500 UTC
2258-2300 UTC
Saturday, 13 Sept
13635 kHz
15380 kHz
Sunday, 14 Sept
13700 15390 Monday, 15 Sept
13585 15260
The Olivia 32-2000 is centered on 1500 Hz. Each transmission is about a minute and a half. All frequencies are via Tinian. Send reports for these transmissions to qsl@rfa.org -- include your postal address, because they send paper QSLs.
The Mighty KBC will transmit its usual minute of MFSK64 Saturday at about 1130 UTC on 6095 kHz and Sunday at about 0130 UTC (Saturday 9:30 pm EDT) on 7375 kHz. Both frequencies are via Germany. Reports to themightykbc@gmail.com.
Thanks for your reports to VOA Radiogram last weekend, to which I will respond this weekend.
I hope you can tune in this weekend.
Kim
Kim Andrew Elliott
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram
voaradiogram.net
Tuesday, September 09, 2014
RFA Extends Cantonese Digital Broadcasts
Frequencies have been corrected per subsequent e-mail announcement sent 1811 UTC. This table reflects the corrected ones.
From Kim Andrew Elliott:
From Kim Andrew Elliott:
Hello friends,
The Radio Free Asia Cantonese Service will resume its digital text transmissions, Olivia 32-2000 centered on 1500 Hz, at the following times, on the following frequencies, all via Tinian. Expect co-channel Chinese domestic radio on all of these frequencies:
UTC Dates 1458-1500 UTC 2258-2300 UTC Tuesday, 9 Sept 13595 kHz 15270 kHz Wednesday, 10 Sept 13585 15280 Thursday, 11 Sept 13595 15290 Friday, 12 Sept 13585 15300 Saturday, 13 Sept 13635 15380 Sunday, 14 Sept 13700 15390 Monday, 15 Sept 13585 15260
These frequencies [were] not confirmed [possibly may be now]. If you do not hear RFA, tune within the same band for two stations in Chinese dialects on the same frequency.
Reports to qsl@rfa.org .
cc: to radiogram@voanews.com
Kim
Thursday, September 04, 2014
RFA Cantonese September 5, VOA Radiogram 6-7, and Mighty KBC
From Kim Andrew Elliott:
Hello friends,
Radio Free Asia will try digital text in its Cantonese Service on Friday, 5 September:
1458 UTC 13585 kHz
2258 UTC 15120 kHz (Saturday early morning in East Asia)
Both frequencies are via Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands. The mode is Olivia 32-2000 centered on 1500 Hz. Expect co-channel Chinese domestic radio. Reception reports to qsl@rfa.org .
VOA Radiogram this weekend will include interesting (and longer than usual) stories, one about an Internet conference in Turkey, the other about a major Russian news agency reverting to the name TASS. There will also be a brief item in Russian, so set Configure > Colors & Fonts to the UTF-8 character set.
Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 75, 6-7 September 2014, all in MFSK32 centered on 1500 Hz except for two surprise modes at the end of the show:
1:31 Program preview (now)
2:26 Internet Governance Forum in Turkey, with image
11:02 Russia's renamed TASS news agency, with image
21:31 VOA Russian: paper microscope, with image
25:57 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 repeat last weekend's one-minute test of the vertical blue line in MFSK64. This will be Saturday at about 1130 UTC on 6095 kHz and Sunday at about 0130 UTC (Saturday evening 9:30 pm EDT) on new 7375 kHz. Both frequencies are via Germany. Reports to themightykbc@gmail.com.
Thank you for your reports to VOA Radiogram during the weekend of 30-31 August. I saw many successful displays of the Tibetan text. I will try to answer all your emails by the end of this weekend.
Kim
Friday, August 29, 2014
More on VOA Radiogram Tibetan Font
From Kim Andrew Elliott:
Hello friends,For this weekend’s transmission of Tibetan text on VOA Radiogram, you might be able to see the Tibetan characters in the receive pane. No copy and paste to a word processor will be required. If all goes well.Dave, W1HKJ, lead developer of Flidigi, suggests an adjustment to RX Font: Configure > Colors & Fonts: The Rx/Tx Character set should be UTF-8, then (if you have a Microsoft OS) change Rx font to Microsoft Himalaya. Because this font is very small, increase the point size to 20.With Linux, the font is Tibetan Machine Uni. I’m not sure which point size is best in this OS.You can switch to the Himalaya font just before the Tibetan is transmitted 22:39 into the show. Or you can use the Himalaya font for the entire show, because it prints out adequately in English. (I don’t know if Tibetan Machine Uni does English.)I look forward to seeing your results. Please send reports to radiogram@voanews.com .Kim
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Nines in HM01 Transmissions: A correction
The September Utility Planet, out today, contains the assertion that the number nine ("nueve" in Spanish) rarely appears in Cuban numbers transmissions.
While this was true until fairly recently, a lengthy HM01 project done by this editor shows that the number nine now appears as often as any other.
A note to this effect was put into the October column, which will be out next month, along with a better explanation of how the 5-number groups that designate the digital file transfers often increment each day.
These files are completely binary, and no one in the hobby has successfully decrypted one. There is no telling what's in them.
While this was true until fairly recently, a lengthy HM01 project done by this editor shows that the number nine now appears as often as any other.
A note to this effect was put into the October column, which will be out next month, along with a better explanation of how the 5-number groups that designate the digital file transfers often increment each day.
These files are completely binary, and no one in the hobby has successfully decrypted one. There is no telling what's in them.
Himalayan VOA Radiogram for 30-31 August
From Kim Andrew Elliott:
Hello friends,VOA Radiogram during the weekend of 30-31 August will begin with the transmission of a straight vertical blue line. Some of us experience slant when we decode MFSK images, so this line will help us determine if we have a slant problem. If your line is slanted, URLs for web pages that might help solve the problem will be provided.Near the end of the program will be a brief sample of Tibetan language text. “Chicken tracks” like this will appear in the Fldigi receive pane…Copy this line and paste it to a word processor, and the Tibetan text might display correctly. Your PC will need the MS Himalayan font installed.Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 74, 30-31 August 2014:MFSK32 centered on 1500 Hz1:30 Program preview2:31 Vertical line for sound card calibration4:18 Neuron loss and insomnia, with image9:36 Producing rubber from dandelions, with image14:47 North Korea inspecting TVs from China, with RFA logo22:39 Some Tibetan text24:05 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, 30 August 2014, at 1130 UTC on 6095 kHz, and Sunday, 31 August, at 0130 UTC (Saturday 9:30 pm EDT) on 9925 kHz. Both frequencies are via Germany. Reports to themightykbc@gmail.com .I may still have a few reports still to answer from program 72 (weekend of 16-17 August), but will finish those soon and begin responding to your reports from program 73 (23-24 August).I hope you can tune in and write in this weekend.KimKim Andrew ElliottProducer and PresenterVOA Radiogramvoaradiogram.net
Friday, August 22, 2014
VOA Radiogram and Mandarin for August 23-24
From Kim Andrew Elliott:
Hello friends,
VOA Radiogram for this weekend includes excerpts from an interesting Radio World article about the future of shortwave broadcasting. The article includes a mention of VOA Radiogram.
Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 73, 23-24 August 2014 (MFSK32):
1:31 Program preview
2:32 Congressional staffs urged to use Wikipedia
6:38 Electric propulsion for spacecraft, with image
15:12 Biobattery tattoo produces energy, with image
20:54 Reconsidering shortwave broadcasting, with image
26:06 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.
VOA Mandarin digital text ends Monday
The last VOA Mandarin text transmission will be Monday, 25 August, at 0027 UTC.
VOA Mandarin is transmitting 1 minute, thirty seconds of Olivia 32-2000 daily on this schedule:
2257:45 UTC 6135 9845 kHz
0057:45 UTC 9880 15385 15565 17560 kHz
All via Asian relay transmitters
Chinese domestic radio will be co-channel and usually dominant on all these frequencies. The Olivia 32-2000 has often provided successful decodes, despite the interference, even outside the East Asian target region.
Please send reception reports for the VOA Mandarin digital text to radiogram@voanews.com .
The Mighty KBC will transmit its usual 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. Reception reports to themightykbc@gmail.com .
Thank you for your interesting reception reports on all the above transmissions. Because of a disruption to my usual routine on Friday and Saturday, I will be late answering reception reports with the eQSL, and won't meet the usual end-of-weekend deadline.
Kim
Kim Andrew Elliott
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram
voaradiogram.net
Saturday, August 09, 2014
VOA SWBC Committee Reports on HF Audience Research
Copied from VOA Radiogram on 5745 kHz at ~0250 UTC, 10 Aug 14:
[accompanied by an image showing vultures perched on a short wave radio antenna.]
To Be Where the Audience Is - Report of the Special Committee on
the Future of Shortwave Broadcasting
WASHINGTON (August 1, 2014) - The Broadcasting Board of Governors
today released "To Be Where the Audience Is," a report that found
shortwave radio to be essential to listeners in target countries,
but of marginal impact in most markets. The report's
recommendations came after a comprehensive review, grounded in
audience-based research, of the efficacy of shortwave as a
distribution platform for U.S. international media.
"Shortwave radio continues to be an important means for large
numbers of peoÆq6e [garble - Hugh] countries to receive news and
information," said Matt Armstrong, who chaired the BBG's Special
Committee on the Future of Shortwave Broadcasting, which issued
the report. "However, many of our networks' target audiences have
moved to newer platforms including TV, FM and digital media. This
report maps a way forward for U.S. international media to remain
accessible for all our audiences."
Research-based evidence of media trends suggests that the
increased availability and affordability of television, mobile
devices and Internet access has led to the declining use of
shortwave around the world. Still, the report finds that
substantial audiences embrace shortwave in Nigeria, Burma, North
Korea, Afghanistan, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Cuba and other target
markets for the BBG.
At the same time, the committee's recommendations make clear that
the BBG will need to continue to reduce or eliminate shortwave
broadcasts where there is either minimal audience or that
audience is not a U.S. foreign policy priority. It also ratifies
reductions that were made in redundant signals in 2013 and
further cuts in transmissions that were made in 2014.
Even with these recent reductions, the BBG makes programs in 35
of its 61 broadcast languages available on shortwave where there
is a strategic reason to do so.
The report notes there is no evidence that shortwave usage
increases during crises. At such times, audiences continue to use
their preferred platforms or seek out anti-censorship tools to
help them navigate to the news online, including firewall
circumvention tools or offline media including thumb drives and
DVDs.
The Shortwave Committee report will be discussed at the August 13
public meeting of the Broadcasting Board of Governors.
http://www.bbg.gov/blog/2014/08/01/to-be-where-the-audience-is-re
port-of-the-special-committee-on-the-future-of-shortwave-broadcas
ting/
The full report can be found via this page:
http://www.bbg.gov/about-the-agency/research-reports/board/
Note from Kim: Documentation about VOA Radiogram was provided to
committee, and many VOA Radiogram listeners sent comments. VOA
Radiogram was, however, not mentioned in the report.
[accompanied by an image showing vultures perched on a short wave radio antenna.]
Thursday, August 07, 2014
VOA Radiogram for August 9-10, VOA Mandarin, and Mighty KBC
From Kim Andrew Elliott:
Hello friends,
VOA Radiogram this
weekend includes news items about international media, including the
much anticipated report of the Broadcasting Board of Governors
shortwave committee.
Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 71, 9-10 August 2014 (MFSK32)…
1:32 Program preview
2:36 Siberian activism may bring Russian Internet controls
7:24 Chinese TV channel disrupted by "hacktivist," with image
14:29 SW Radio Africa ends broadcasts to Zimbabwe, with image
19:22 BBG shortwave committee issues report, with image
26:23 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.
(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.
VOA Mandarin continues its daily MFSK transmissions, now MFSK16 centered on
2000 Hz. Very precise tuning of the audio frequency is necessary for a successful decode of MFSK16.
Daily (each transmission is 1 minute, 22 seconds):
2258 UTC 6135 9845 kHz
0058 UTC 9880 15385 15565 17560 kHz
Via Asian relay stations
Please send reception reports for the VOA Mandarin MFSK tests to
radiogram@voanews.com. Audio
recordings would be appreciated, but no need to send audio if the MFSK
is not heard well enough for at least a 50% decode.
The Mighty KBC
will transmit a minute of MFSK64 Saturday at about 1130 UTC on 6095
kHz, and Sunday about 0130 UTC (Saturday 9:30 pm EDT) on 9925 kHz. Both
frequencies
are via Germany. Reports to themightykbc@gmail.com .
The U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors
will meet Wednesday, 13 August, beginning at 1300 UTC. The meeting will
include discussion of the BBG shortwave committee report. Live and
on-demand video will
be available here:
http://www.bbg.gov/blog/2013/10/24/board-meeting-august-13-2014/
Thank you for your reception reports from last weekend. I will respond before this weekend is over.
Kim
Kim Andrew Elliott
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram
voaradiogram.net
Hurricane Iselle Advisory Number 30
WTPA33 PHFO 071442
TCPCP3
BULLETIN
HURRICANE ISELLE ADVISORY NUMBER 30
NWS CENTRAL PACIFIC HURRICANE CENTER HONOLULU HI EP092014
500 AM HST THU AUG 07 2014
...DANGEROUS ISELLE BEARING DOWN ON THE BIG ISLAND...
SUMMARY OF 500 AM HST...1500 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...18.5N 150.6W
ABOUT 305 MI...490 KM ESE OF HILO HAWAII
ABOUT 510 MI...825 KM ESE OF HONOLULU HAWAII
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...80 MPH...130 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 285 DEGREES AT 17 MPH...28 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...986 MB...29.12 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
CHANGES IN WATCHES AND WARNINGS WITH THIS ADVISORY...
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR KAUAI COUNTY.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT...
A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* HAWAII COUNTY
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* MAUI COUNTY...INCLUDING THE ISLANDS OF MAUI...MOLOKAI...LANAI...
AND KAHOOLAWE.
* OAHU
* KAUAI COUNTY INCLUDING THE ISLANDS OF KAUAI AND NIIHAU.
A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED
SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE WARNING AREA. PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND
PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN 36 HOURS.
INTERESTS IN THE NORTHWEST HAWAIIAN ISLANDS SHOULD MONITOR THE
PROGRESS OF ISELLE.
FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...PLEASE MONITOR
PRODUCTS ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN
HONOLULU HAWAII.
DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK
------------------------------
AT 500 AM HST...1500 UTC...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE ISELLE WAS
LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 18.5 NORTH...LONGITUDE 150.6 WEST. ISELLE IS
MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 17 MPH...28 KM/H...AND THIS
MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH FRIDAY...WITH SOME SLOWING
IN FORWARD SPEED ON FRIDAY NIGHT. ON THE FORECAST TRACK...THE
CENTER OF ISELLE IS EXPECTED TO PASS OVER THE BIG ISLAND
TONIGHT...AND PASS JUST SOUTH OF THE SMALLER ISLANDS FRIDAY.
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 80 MPH...130 KM/H...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS. SOME WEAKENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS...BUT
ISELLE IS EXPECTED TO BE NEAR HURRICANE STRENGTH AS IT MAKES
LANDFALL ON THE BIG ISLAND TONIGHT.
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 ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 986 MB...29.12 INCHES.
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
WIND...THE ONSET OF TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS IS EXPECTED ON THE
BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII THIS AFTERNOON...WITH HURRICANE CONDITIONS
EXPECTED TONIGHT. TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OVER MAUI
COUNTY TONIGHT...OVER OAHU ON FRIDAY...AND OVER KAUAI COUNTY ON
FRIDAY AFTERNOON.
SURF...VERY LARGE AND DAMAGING SURF IS EXPECTED TO RAPIDLY BUILD
ALONG EAST AND SOUTH FACING SHORES TODAY AND TONIGHT...ESPECIALLY ON
THE BIG ISLAND.
RAINFALL...RAINFALL TOTALS OF 5 TO 8 INCHES...WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM
AMOUNTS TO 12 INCHES...ARE EXPECTED ALONG THE TRACK OF ISELLE.
THESE RAINS COULD CAUSE LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODS AS WELL AS
ROCK AND MUD SLIDES.
STORM SURGE...THE COMBINATION OF A DANGEROUS STORM SURGE AND THE
TIDE WILL CAUSE NORMALLY DRY AREAS NEAR THE COAST TO BE FLOODED BY
RISING WATERS. THE WATER COULD REACH THE FOLLOWING HEIGHTS ABOVE
GROUND IF THE PEAK SURGE OCCURS AT THE TIME OF HIGH TIDE...
BIG ISLAND WINDWARD AND KAU...1 TO 3 FT
THE HIGHEST WATER WILL OCCUR ALONG THE IMMEDIATE COAST IN AREAS OF
ONSHORE FLOW. THE SURGE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LARGE AND DAMAGING
WAVES. SURGE RELATED FLOODING DEPENDS ON THE RELATIVE TIMING OF THE
SURGE AND THE TIDAL CYCLE...AND CAN VARY GREATLY OVER SHORT
DISTANCES.
NEXT ADVISORY
-------------
NEXT INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY...800 AM HST.
NEXT COMPLETE ADVISORY...1100 AM HST.
$$
FORECASTER BIRCHARD
TCPCP3
BULLETIN
HURRICANE ISELLE ADVISORY NUMBER 30
NWS CENTRAL PACIFIC HURRICANE CENTER HONOLULU HI EP092014
500 AM HST THU AUG 07 2014
...DANGEROUS ISELLE BEARING DOWN ON THE BIG ISLAND...
SUMMARY OF 500 AM HST...1500 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...18.5N 150.6W
ABOUT 305 MI...490 KM ESE OF HILO HAWAII
ABOUT 510 MI...825 KM ESE OF HONOLULU HAWAII
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...80 MPH...130 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 285 DEGREES AT 17 MPH...28 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...986 MB...29.12 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
CHANGES IN WATCHES AND WARNINGS WITH THIS ADVISORY...
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR KAUAI COUNTY.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT...
A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* HAWAII COUNTY
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* MAUI COUNTY...INCLUDING THE ISLANDS OF MAUI...MOLOKAI...LANAI...
AND KAHOOLAWE.
* OAHU
* KAUAI COUNTY INCLUDING THE ISLANDS OF KAUAI AND NIIHAU.
A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED
SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE WARNING AREA. PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND
PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN 36 HOURS.
INTERESTS IN THE NORTHWEST HAWAIIAN ISLANDS SHOULD MONITOR THE
PROGRESS OF ISELLE.
FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...PLEASE MONITOR
PRODUCTS ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN
HONOLULU HAWAII.
DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK
------------------------------
AT 500 AM HST...1500 UTC...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE ISELLE WAS
LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 18.5 NORTH...LONGITUDE 150.6 WEST. ISELLE IS
MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 17 MPH...28 KM/H...AND THIS
MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH FRIDAY...WITH SOME SLOWING
IN FORWARD SPEED ON FRIDAY NIGHT. ON THE FORECAST TRACK...THE
CENTER OF ISELLE IS EXPECTED TO PASS OVER THE BIG ISLAND
TONIGHT...AND PASS JUST SOUTH OF THE SMALLER ISLANDS FRIDAY.
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 80 MPH...130 KM/H...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS. SOME WEAKENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS...BUT
ISELLE IS EXPECTED TO BE NEAR HURRICANE STRENGTH AS IT MAKES
LANDFALL ON THE BIG ISLAND TONIGHT.
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 ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 986 MB...29.12 INCHES.
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
WIND...THE ONSET OF TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS IS EXPECTED ON THE
BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII THIS AFTERNOON...WITH HURRICANE CONDITIONS
EXPECTED TONIGHT. TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OVER MAUI
COUNTY TONIGHT...OVER OAHU ON FRIDAY...AND OVER KAUAI COUNTY ON
FRIDAY AFTERNOON.
SURF...VERY LARGE AND DAMAGING SURF IS EXPECTED TO RAPIDLY BUILD
ALONG EAST AND SOUTH FACING SHORES TODAY AND TONIGHT...ESPECIALLY ON
THE BIG ISLAND.
RAINFALL...RAINFALL TOTALS OF 5 TO 8 INCHES...WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM
AMOUNTS TO 12 INCHES...ARE EXPECTED ALONG THE TRACK OF ISELLE.
THESE RAINS COULD CAUSE LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODS AS WELL AS
ROCK AND MUD SLIDES.
STORM SURGE...THE COMBINATION OF A DANGEROUS STORM SURGE AND THE
TIDE WILL CAUSE NORMALLY DRY AREAS NEAR THE COAST TO BE FLOODED BY
RISING WATERS. THE WATER COULD REACH THE FOLLOWING HEIGHTS ABOVE
GROUND IF THE PEAK SURGE OCCURS AT THE TIME OF HIGH TIDE...
BIG ISLAND WINDWARD AND KAU...1 TO 3 FT
THE HIGHEST WATER WILL OCCUR ALONG THE IMMEDIATE COAST IN AREAS OF
ONSHORE FLOW. THE SURGE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LARGE AND DAMAGING
WAVES. SURGE RELATED FLOODING DEPENDS ON THE RELATIVE TIMING OF THE
SURGE AND THE TIDAL CYCLE...AND CAN VARY GREATLY OVER SHORT
DISTANCES.
NEXT ADVISORY
-------------
NEXT INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY...800 AM HST.
NEXT COMPLETE ADVISORY...1100 AM HST.
$$
FORECASTER BIRCHARD
Pacific Air Recon for Iselle/ Julio
000
NOUS42 KNHC 061230
REPRPD
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
0830 AM EDT WED 06 AUGUST 2014
SUBJECT: TROPICAL CYCLONE PLAN OF THE DAY (TCPOD)
VALID 07/1100Z TO 08/1100Z AUGUST 2014
TCPOD NUMBER.....14-067
I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. NEGATIVE RECONNAISSANCE REQUIREMENTS.
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY.....NEGATIVE.
II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS
1. HURRICANE ISELLE
FLIGHT ONE -- TEAL 71 FLIGHT TWO -- TEAL 72
A. 07/1730, 2330Z A. 08/0530, 1130Z
B. AFXXX 0609C ISELLE B. AFXXX 0709C ISELLE
C. 07/1545Z C. 08/0415Z
D. 18.9N 152.0W D. 19.4N 154.6W
E. 07/1715Z TO 07/2330Z E. 08/0515Z TO 08/1130Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT F. SFC TO 10,000 FT
2. HURRICANE JULIO
FLIGHT ONE -- NOAA 49
A. 08/0000Z
B. NOAA9 0110C JULIO
C. 07/1730Z
D. NA
E. NA
F. 41,000 TO 45,000 FT
3. SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK:
A. ANOTHER 6-HRLY FIX MISSION ON ISELLE.
B. BEGIN 6-HRLY FIXES ON JULIO AT 09/0530Z.
C. A POSSIBLE G-IV MISSION DEPARTING PHNL AT 08/1730Z
FOR HURRICANE JULIO.
$$
JWP
NOUS42 KNHC 061230
REPRPD
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
0830 AM EDT WED 06 AUGUST 2014
SUBJECT: TROPICAL CYCLONE PLAN OF THE DAY (TCPOD)
VALID 07/1100Z TO 08/1100Z AUGUST 2014
TCPOD NUMBER.....14-067
I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. NEGATIVE RECONNAISSANCE REQUIREMENTS.
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY.....NEGATIVE.
II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS
1. HURRICANE ISELLE
FLIGHT ONE -- TEAL 71 FLIGHT TWO -- TEAL 72
A. 07/1730, 2330Z A. 08/0530, 1130Z
B. AFXXX 0609C ISELLE B. AFXXX 0709C ISELLE
C. 07/1545Z C. 08/0415Z
D. 18.9N 152.0W D. 19.4N 154.6W
E. 07/1715Z TO 07/2330Z E. 08/0515Z TO 08/1130Z
F. SFC TO 10,000 FT F. SFC TO 10,000 FT
2. HURRICANE JULIO
FLIGHT ONE -- NOAA 49
A. 08/0000Z
B. NOAA9 0110C JULIO
C. 07/1730Z
D. NA
E. NA
F. 41,000 TO 45,000 FT
3. SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK:
A. ANOTHER 6-HRLY FIX MISSION ON ISELLE.
B. BEGIN 6-HRLY FIXES ON JULIO AT 09/0530Z.
C. A POSSIBLE G-IV MISSION DEPARTING PHNL AT 08/1730Z
FOR HURRICANE JULIO.
$$
JWP
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