U.S. Navy-Marine Corps MARS to Phase Out

The US Navy-Marine Corps branch of the Military Auxiliary Radio System is closing down. This quasi-amateur radio service supported the Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard. The transition is gradual, and will be completed by September 30 of this year. Members are encouraged to apply to the Army or Air Force MARS.

On 12 May, the announcement came in a message passed from Chief, Navy-Marine Corps MARS to all members. Here are some excerpts:

2. Evaluation of the NAVMARCORMARS program by Fleet Cyber Command (FCC)/ Commander 10th Fleet (C10F), Naval Information Domination Forces (NAVIDFOR), and NCTAMS LANT determined that there are no U.S. Navy service unique requirements.

3. NCTAMS LANT will work with other U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Strategic Command, Department Of Homeland Security representatives, and NAVMARCORMARS volunteers to develop a transition plan for NAVMARCORMARS members which meets the requirements of Ref B and Ref C. [Department of Defense plans for MARS and its mission. -Hugh]

…

4. Current NAVMARCORMARS individual members and clubs are encouraged to begin submission of applications to U.S. Army MARS or U.S. Air Force MARS programs as soon as possible.

…

5. Additional guidance will also be provided SEPCOR [SEParate CORrespondence -Hugh] for MARS stations under military auspices, agency stations, and individual members who also participate in the DHS Shared Resources (SHARES) HF radio program.

More from ARRL:

One individual who is very familiar with the MARS program said the change was not unexpected and came to a head as the US Strategic Command embraced Army MARS as the lead branch for contingency communication and Air Force MARS began partnering with the US Army program on the operations side.

“The Army and Air Force MARS branches have an obvious role in providing contingency communications for the 50 states,” said the individual, who preferred not to be cited by name. “Members are everywhere ‘on the ground,’ and experience in Afghanistan and Iraq has proven the tactical usefulness of HF on land. There was no similar role for the landlocked membership of Navy-Marine Corps MARS.”

He said the MARS program can use all the volunteers it can attract and hopes the Navy-Marine Corp MARS volunteers will join one of the other MARS branches.

Army MARS has announced that volunteers in good standing can join as full members, without starting over.

Bravo Zulu to Navy-Marine Corps MARS for its many years of service to those who serve.

UVB-76/ MDZhB/ S28 Is Back Full Strength

The question is, "Did it ever really go away?"  Can't answer that.  Band conditions can be pretty wretched this close to the Northern Hemisphere summer.

In any event, it's back, in all its bizarre glory, to launch a thousand more conspiracy theories.

UVB-76/ MDZhB/ S28 Back with Very Low Audio

On the usual 4625 kHz, the WebSDR does pick up a very weak and raspy audio tone at 250 Hz with a possible harmonic at 500 Hz.  This tone is becoming louder at 1700 UTC, and its timing and waveform are very similar to the "buzz."  Is this a lowered gain or a second transmitter?

In any event, we can safely conclude that either something's still being emitted on this channel, or that someone's playing around.

UPDATE 1717: It's definitely the same tone, just not as loud.  Conditions, lower gain, or is there actually a second transmitter as some have theorized?

UVB-76/ MDZhB/ S28 Silent After 2 Voice Messages

At some point this morning (US Pacific time), perhaps around 1500 UTC, the notorious buzzer station on 4625.0 kHz broadcast two voice messages with the group military call sign MDZhB.  At 1628 UTC, the transmitter is ominously silent, as heard here on WebSDR and by other people.

The text of these messages has not yet been reported. Presumably, it's in the usual Russian strategic format, which vaguely resembles the US "SKYKING" broadcasts in content and purpose.

This activity corresponds to a flurry of traffic on the Bear-H net, with markers and traffic on the summer ground frequency of 8895 kHz CW, and aircraft responding on summer frequency 9128 kHz CW. The aircraft transmissions were reported as unusually loud in the UK, and indeed some unusual RAF activity has been heard on the usual non-HF channels.  There is no way to know whether this is related.

It is now 1640, and there is still no buzzer.  Since Russian dead-hand nuclear missiles have not auto-launched, we can safely conclude (again) that the country's supposed fail-deadly system uses a different trigger.  That is, if it really exists at all.

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

ALE Included in 2015 US Armed Forces Day Tests

Every year, various US military auxiliary (MARS) stations conduct an activity in which they listen for stations on amateur frequencies and transmit on out-of-band military frequencies.  This operation is specifically authorized by FCC rules once a year for what's called the Armed Forces Day Communication Test. Indeed, the activity used to be on Armed Forces Day, the third weekend in May. In recent years, however, they've moved it up a week to avoid conflict with the popular Dayton Hamvention.

This year's test will include Automatic Link Establishment.  Yes, this is legal for hams to use, and there is an HFLINK net that does just that. The only hard part is transmitting, since antenna match has to be retuned very quickly by the standards of amateur gear. Good autotuners are essential.

Receiving in scanning mode, though, can be done with plain old PC-ALE. Create a .qrg file of the mil frequencies, and off you go.

From the announcement:

ALE IN USA ANNUAL ARMED FORCES DAY CROSS-BAND
COMMUNICATIONS TEST (09-10 MAY 2015)


= Armed Forces Day ALE Direct Interoperability =

This is the first year that ALE will be in use for this event.
Ham operators may use ALE "Individual Call" selective calling
to connect with a military station, for voice communications.
Amateur Stations with Automatic Link Establishment (ALE)
capability can contact a military station directly on specific
half duplex “cross band” channels established for this purpose.

Military stations will scan and receive certain Amateur
HFLINK ALE frequencies, and transmit on the corresponding
military ALE frequency. Military stations will also
transmit ALE station identification (soundings) on each
military frequency at 30 to 90 minute intervals. Amateur
stations which are capable may scan the military frequencies
and monitor the soundings to build the LQA database or
select the channel manually. HF Radios with an embedded
ALE feature, or ham radios with computer-based PC-ALE,
are compatible for use with the military 2G-ALE used in
this event.


============================

 ALE Military Stations:

 CALLSIGN | ALE ADDRESS

 AAZ | AAZ
 NBL | HMBNNN
 NUW | NUW
 AGA2SY | 2SYAGA

 ============================


Armed Forces Day Interoperability

 ALE CHANNEL FREQUENCY LIST:

 Channel| Amateur      | Military
 X75US  |  3,996.0 USB |  4,000.0 USB
 X60INT |  5,371.5 USB |  5,385.5 USB
 X40US  |  7,296.0 USB |  7,357.0 USB
 X20INT | 14,346.0 USB | 14,846.0 USB
 X17INT | 18,117.5 USB | 18,272.5 USB
 X15INT | 21,432.5 USB | 20,940.0 USB
 X12INT | 24,932.0 USB | 24,858.5 USB
 
Upper Sideband (USB) is utilized on all frequencies
for transmit and receive.

============================

Amateur stations seeking more information about ALE go to
http://hflink.net http://hflink.net

============================

ABOUT THE ANNUAL ARMED FORCES DAY CROSS-BAND MILITARY/AMATEUR
RADIO COMMUNICATIONS TEST (09-10 MAY 2015)

The US Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard
are co-sponsoring the annual military/amateur radio
communications tests in celebration of the 65th Anniversary
of Armed Forces Day (AFD) and the 90th Anniversary of MARS.

The annual celebration is a unique opportunity to test two
way communications between Amateurs and military communicators
authorized in 47 CFR 97.111, and features traditional military
to amateur cross band SSB voice, Morse Code, practice using
legacy interoperability waveforms, as well as an opportunity
for Amateurs to utilize more modern military communications
modes such as MIL-STD Serial PSK and Automatic Link
Establishment (ALE). These tests give Amateur Radio operators
and Short Wave Listeners (SWL) an opportunity and a challenge
to demonstrate their individual technical skills, and to
receive recognition from the appropriate military radio
station for their proven expertise. QSL cards will be
provided to those stations making contact with the military
stations.

Important Experimental 5-mode VOA Radiogram for March 28-29

VOA Radiogram is having an important test session this week.  Please read these essential instructions if you wish to participate in this test.

From Kim Andrew Elliott:

Hello friends,

For this weekend's VOA Radiogram, please download Fldigi 3.22.06 from http://w1hkj.com/download.html.

We will try two of the new 8PSK modes with forward error correction (FEC). These are available in 3.22.06. The FEC built into 8PSK125F and 8PSK250F might help these modes survive the rigors of shortwave, despite their fast speed.

Fldigi 3.22.06 also restores the ability to display UTF-8 characters [broken in 3.22.05 -Hugh], although this weekend's program contains no non-Latin characters or exotic punctuation marks.

This weekend's program (program 104) will transmit the same 724-word Reuters news story about social media in Africa in five different modes, each increasing in speed, until MFSK32 resumes to close the show ...

 2:53 MFSK32 (120 wpm)*
12:18 MFSK64 (250 wpm)*
18:05 8PSK125F (317 wpm)
20:55 MFSK128 (480 wpm)*
25:17 8PSK250F (635 wpm)
26:51 MFSK32: Closing announcements
27:33 MFSK32: Bonus image of solar eclipse

* with image

It is likely that decoding errors will be seen as the modes increase in speed. Nevertheless, please stay tuned until the closing announcements and image in MFSK32.

In Fldigi: Configure > Modems > PSK: At the bottom of this menu under "8 psk", leave the Pilot tone box unchecked, which is the default. We will try the pilot tone with 8PSK during the weekend of April 4-5.

Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com.

VOA Radiogram transmission schedule
(all days and times UTC):
Sat 0930-1000 5910 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.

* This will change to 5745 kHz beginning 4 April 2015.

The Mighty KBC will transmit a minute of MFSK64 Saturday at about 1230 UTC on 6095 kHz and Sunday at about 0130 UTC on 7375 kHz. Both frequencies are via Germany. The last KBC Saturday broadcast on 6095 kHz will be 28 March. KBC will continue Sundays at 0900-1600 UTC on 6095 kHz.

AndFlmsg. If you have an Android device, please try the free beta Android app AndFlmsg from http://www.w1hkj.com/vk2eta/. Although AndFlmsg is designed for Flmsg forms, it also decodes plain text (non-Flmsg) content. Swipe AndFlmsg until you reach the modem screen, the one with the W.Fall On/Off button bottom right. Acoustic coupling -- radio speaker near the Android device's built-in mic -- usually works well. [Works great here. Everything but the images. - Hugh]

Thank you for your reception reports from last weekend. I will compile the MFSK image gallery and respond to your reports as soon as I can.

As of the end of March 2015, VOA Radiogram has been on the air two years. We are still learning new things about text and images via shortwave, and software is being developed. Thanks for your support.

Kim

Kim Andrew Elliott
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram
voaradiogram.net

Vanuatu Cyclone Relief on HF

From Dallas McKenzie on UDXF:

8.992 (RNZAF) and 8.867 (Auckland Radio)

Severe (Kp=8) Geomagnetic Storm in Progress

From Solarham:

March 17th, 2015 is turning out to be a very lucky day for sky watchers. A Severe G4 Level (KP=8) Geomagnetic Storm was observed following the passage of a coronal mass ejection (CME). Solar wind speeds increased to near 700 km/s and the Bz component of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) pointed sharply south (-20 to -25nT) for long durations, thus helping to intensify storm conditions. Sky watchers at middle to high latitudes should be alert for additional aurora displays during the next 24 hours once it is dark outside. Additional sub-storming will be possible should solar wind conditions cooperate.

The aurora photos making the Internet rounds are unbelievable.  The full structure of the aurora is revealed, with the different colors from different spectral lines all visible at once.

Screen Shot of VOA Radiogram on Android Tablet

17860 kHz ~1610 UTC Mar 14 2015:
(disregard time shown on screen)

Interesting VOA Radiogram for March 14-15

From Kim Andrew Elliott:

Hello friends,

Last weekend's tests with audio levels and the "wandering RSIDs" were not especially conclusive. I will study your reports in more detail as I read and answer your emails in the next few days.

[I can't get a handle on that one either.  It happened to me once, but I couldn't find a reason despite having the SDR's I/Q recording. -Hugh]

The VOA news item in Flmsg generally worked well.

A few listeners, including me, tried the new AndFlmsg Android app to decode VOA Radiogram. That was also successful. See more here:

http://voaradiogram.net/post/113349398627/decoding-voa-radiogram-on-android-devices

I bought a US$80 Android tablet.  I never before owned a tablet or played with Android, but I was able to download the app and make it work. (I still have much to learn about tablets, Android, and the app.)

If you have an Android device, you can download the beta version of AndFlmsg from:

http://www.w1hkj.com/vk2eta/

[I grabbed this app after Kim mentioned it last week. It works on my ASUS tablet here.  Screen shot:


]

It has been the custom on VOA Radiogram to insert line breaks at 65 characters.  This seems to provide the best looking print-out of text on most personal computers. On this weekend's  program, there will be no line breaks on the second news story: It will be pure "wrap."  Let me know how it looks on your display. This will be especially interesting if you are trying the AndFlmsg app on an Android app.  

This weekend's VOA Radiogram will include a brief Flmsg item (using plaintext form), just before the closing announcements and using the plaintext form. It will be interesting to see how this renders on personal computers using Fldigi and on Android devices using And Flmsg.

Yes, last weekend's transmission UTC 8 March at 0230-0300 had technical difficulties. The transmitter stayed on the air, but the audio input was interrupted in the beginning, so the first MFSK32 image could not be decoded.

Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 102, 14-15 March 2015, all in MFSK32 except where noted:

  1:58  Program preview
  3:02  Iran's "Halal" Internet*
10:37  Islamic state's Facebook alternative goes offline*
17:12  North Koreans import smartphones to store videos*
24:51  Flmsg about AndFlmsg
25:47  Closing announcements
28:19  Olivia 32-1000: Bonus mode of the week

* with image

Please send reception report to radiogram@voanews.com.

VOA Radiogram transmission schedule
(all days and times UTC):
Sat 0930-1000 5910 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 MFSK (an image showing the central railway station in Ede, the Netherlands, home of KBC) on Saturday at 1230 UTC on 6095 kHz, and Sunday at 0130 UTC (Saturday evening 9:30 pm EDT) on 7375 kHz. Both frequencies are via Germany. Reports to Eric at themightykbc@gmail.com .

Thanks for your very interesting reception reports from last weekend.  I'll compile a gallery of MFSK images and respond as soon as possible.

Kim

Kim Andrew Elliott
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram
voaradiogram.net