BRD is still on 9132 kHz USB. An issue with slight damage to a tile near the hatch has been resolved by repairing the tile. An issue with a power bus has been worked around and cleared. Another issue appears to have been caused by sunlight, and is not a factor.
Weather remains go.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
STS-133 Booster Vessels Heard on 9132 kHz USB
Both Booster Recovery Vessels, the Liberty Star and the Freedom Star, were just heard on 9132 kHz USB in radio checks with the Booster Recovery Director at Cape Canaveral.
Various listeners in the eastern US have also heard comm on 10780 kHz USB from Cape Radio. The 9132 shore side is a remote transmitter at "Andrews."
Astronauts are currently entering the vehicle.
Weather is now 90% go.
The launch is being blogged here.
Various listeners in the eastern US have also heard comm on 10780 kHz USB from Cape Radio. The 9132 shore side is a remote transmitter at "Andrews."
Astronauts are currently entering the vehicle.
Weather is now 90% go.
The launch is being blogged here.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
STS-133 Counting for 2150 UTC Launch
The STS-133 count remains on schedule at this time.
Fueling of Discovery's external tank is expected to begin at approximately 1225 UTC. NASA TV coverage begins at 1215 UTC.
This flight delivers a storage module and a robot ("R2") to the ISS.
The STS-133 crew members are Commander Steven Lindsey, Pilot Eric Boe and Mission Specialists Alvin Drew, Michael Barratt, Steve Bowen and Nicole Stott. Bowen replaced astronaut Tim Kopra, who was injured in a bicycle accident in January.
Discovery will deliver and install the Permanent Multipurpose Module, the Express Logistics Carrier 4 and provide critical spare components to the International Space Station. This will be the 35th shuttle mission to the station. It is also Discovery's final flight.
The Eastern Test Range uses many frequencies for booster recovery and safety, but some recent ones are 5711, 6751, 9043, 9132, 10780, 11104, 11548, 13212, and 14837 kHz USB.
Weather forecast shows only a 20% possibility of preventing launch.
Fueling of Discovery's external tank is expected to begin at approximately 1225 UTC. NASA TV coverage begins at 1215 UTC.
This flight delivers a storage module and a robot ("R2") to the ISS.
The STS-133 crew members are Commander Steven Lindsey, Pilot Eric Boe and Mission Specialists Alvin Drew, Michael Barratt, Steve Bowen and Nicole Stott. Bowen replaced astronaut Tim Kopra, who was injured in a bicycle accident in January.
Discovery will deliver and install the Permanent Multipurpose Module, the Express Logistics Carrier 4 and provide critical spare components to the International Space Station. This will be the 35th shuttle mission to the station. It is also Discovery's final flight.
The Eastern Test Range uses many frequencies for booster recovery and safety, but some recent ones are 5711, 6751, 9043, 9132, 10780, 11104, 11548, 13212, and 14837 kHz USB.
Weather forecast shows only a 20% possibility of preventing launch.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Aero Frequencies for North African Trouble Spots
Major World Air Route Areas (MWARA):
AFI-2
3419 5652 8894 13273 17961
AFI-3
3467 5517 6574 11300 13288 17961
Regional and Domestic Air Route Areas (RDARA):
2562 (Egypt)
2815 (Libya)
2854-3488
3175 (Egypt)
4651-4696
5481-5526
5547-5640
5790 (Egypt)
5830 (Egypt)
5859 (Egypt)
6526-6701
6930 (Egypt)
8816-8960
10006-10096
10947 (Egypt)
11276-11396
13270 13276 13291 17913 17943 17955
AFI-2
3419 5652 8894 13273 17961
AFI-3
3467 5517 6574 11300 13288 17961
Regional and Domestic Air Route Areas (RDARA):
2562 (Egypt)
2815 (Libya)
2854-3488
3175 (Egypt)
4651-4696
5481-5526
5547-5640
5790 (Egypt)
5830 (Egypt)
5859 (Egypt)
6526-6701
6930 (Egypt)
8816-8960
10006-10096
10947 (Egypt)
11276-11396
13270 13276 13291 17913 17943 17955
STS-133 Launch Set For 2150 UTC on 24 Feb
Old news, but:
Feb. 18, 2011
Candrea Thomas
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
candrea.k.thomas@nasa.gov
Joshua Buck
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
jbuck@nasa.gov
RELEASE: 11-047
NASA SETS LAUNCH DATE FOR SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY MISSION
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Discovery is scheduled to begin an 11-day mission to the International Space Station with a launch at 4:50 p.m. EST on Thursday, Feb. 24, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The STS-133 mission is Discovery's final scheduled flight.
Discovery's launch date was announced Friday at the conclusion of a flight readiness review at Kennedy. During the meeting, senior NASA and contractor managers assessed the risks associated with the mission and determined the shuttle and station's equipment, support systems and personnel are ready.
The six astronauts for the mission will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) to the station. The PMM was converted from the multi-purpose logistics module Leonardo and will provide additional storage for the station crew. Experiments in such fields as fluid physics, materials science, biology and biotechnology may be conducted inside the module.
The PMM also carries Robonaut 2, the first human-like robot in space, which will become a permanent resident of the station. In addition, the flight will deliver critical spare parts and the Express Logistics Carrier 4, an external platform that holds large equipment.
STS-133 Commander Steve Lindsey and his crew are scheduled to arrive at Kennedy on Sunday, Feb. 20, for final launch preparations. Joining Lindsey are Pilot Eric Boe and Mission Specialists Alvin Drew, Steve Bowen, Michael Barratt and Nicole Stott. Bowen and Drew will conduct two spacewalks to install new components and perform maintenance.
Discovery's launch will occur six hours after the planned docking of the European Space Agency's Automated Transfer Vehicle-2 "Johannes Kepler" to the space station.
STS-133 is the first mission planned for 2011. It is Discovery's 39th flight and 35th shuttle mission to the station. There are two other flights planned before the shuttle retires this year. For the schedule of upcoming missions to the International Space Station, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/stationflights
For more information about the space station, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/station
Stott will send mission updates to her Twitter account:
http://www.twitter.com/Astro_Nicole
For more information about the STS-133 mission, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
-end-
Feb. 18, 2011
Candrea Thomas
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
candrea.k.thomas@nasa.gov
Joshua Buck
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
jbuck@nasa.gov
RELEASE: 11-047
NASA SETS LAUNCH DATE FOR SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY MISSION
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Discovery is scheduled to begin an 11-day mission to the International Space Station with a launch at 4:50 p.m. EST on Thursday, Feb. 24, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The STS-133 mission is Discovery's final scheduled flight.
Discovery's launch date was announced Friday at the conclusion of a flight readiness review at Kennedy. During the meeting, senior NASA and contractor managers assessed the risks associated with the mission and determined the shuttle and station's equipment, support systems and personnel are ready.
The six astronauts for the mission will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) to the station. The PMM was converted from the multi-purpose logistics module Leonardo and will provide additional storage for the station crew. Experiments in such fields as fluid physics, materials science, biology and biotechnology may be conducted inside the module.
The PMM also carries Robonaut 2, the first human-like robot in space, which will become a permanent resident of the station. In addition, the flight will deliver critical spare parts and the Express Logistics Carrier 4, an external platform that holds large equipment.
STS-133 Commander Steve Lindsey and his crew are scheduled to arrive at Kennedy on Sunday, Feb. 20, for final launch preparations. Joining Lindsey are Pilot Eric Boe and Mission Specialists Alvin Drew, Steve Bowen, Michael Barratt and Nicole Stott. Bowen and Drew will conduct two spacewalks to install new components and perform maintenance.
Discovery's launch will occur six hours after the planned docking of the European Space Agency's Automated Transfer Vehicle-2 "Johannes Kepler" to the space station.
STS-133 is the first mission planned for 2011. It is Discovery's 39th flight and 35th shuttle mission to the station. There are two other flights planned before the shuttle retires this year. For the schedule of upcoming missions to the International Space Station, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/stationflights
For more information about the space station, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/station
Stott will send mission updates to her Twitter account:
http://www.twitter.com/Astro_Nicole
For more information about the STS-133 mission, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
-end-
Friday, February 11, 2011
Egyptian Government Changes Hands
At approximately 1600 UTC, the VP of Egypt came on air for about 20 seconds to say the president had resigned, and a military council had taken power. This came a few hours after President Mubarak left the palace, and the military tanks guarding the perimeter turned their turrets so that the cannon faced inward at the facility, not outward at the crowd.
That probably says it all.
Egyptian MFA is probably the best catch right now. There might be some opchat in amid the encrypted messages. Keep in mind that often their ARQ teleprinting uses ATU80, an Arabic alphabet, instead of the standard ITA2.
Aero freqs might be good as well.
Along with the Middle East in general, Egypt will be a good country to keep tabs on until things shake out. This process could last well after the promised September elections.
That probably says it all.
Egyptian MFA is probably the best catch right now. There might be some opchat in amid the encrypted messages. Keep in mind that often their ARQ teleprinting uses ATU80, an Arabic alphabet, instead of the standard ITA2.
Aero freqs might be good as well.
Along with the Middle East in general, Egypt will be a good country to keep tabs on until things shake out. This process could last well after the promised September elections.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Transcript of Announcement at End of NMN WX
A day or two ago, I tweeted that the US Coast Guard was making an ominous-sounding announcement at the end of its offshore weather voice schedule simulcast on NMN, Camslant Chesapeake, VA, and NMG, Commsta New Orleans. "Iron Mike," who is never the most intelligible on a good day, really stumbles over this one, plus the dates and frequencies go by way to fast to keep up on a noisy HF frequency.
Therefore, as a special service to you the utility listener, I recorded and transcribed what turned out to be two announcements, both of them very old news. Here you go:
It appears safe to disregard this information...... :-)
Therefore, as a special service to you the utility listener, I recorded and transcribed what turned out to be two announcements, both of them very old news. Here you go:
Effective 2259 Zulu, 31 March 2008, Camslant Chesapeake Virginia will terminate all high frequency on-call SITOR services. The shore receive frequency 6262.8, 8286.3, 12488.3, 16694.8, and 22295.8 will no longer be active after this date. Broadcast SITOR service remains unaffected. Break.
As of 0001 Zulu, 01 August 2007, Camslant will only acknowledge or respond to Digital Selective Calling test calls to Camslant Chesapeake Virginia, call sign November Mike November, MMSI number 003669995, and New Orleans, Louisiana, call sign November Mike Golf, MMSI number 003669998, on 4207.5 kilohertz. Test calls made to Boston, Massachusetts, call sign November Mike Foxtrot, MMSI number 003669991, and Miami, Florida, call sign November Mike Alpha, MMSI number 003669997, will not be acknowledged. No other Digital Selective Calling services have changed. Break.
To provide comments about this broadcast… (etc)
It appears safe to disregard this information...... :-)
Sunday, January 30, 2011
More Egyptian MFA Hits
These come from a listener in Germany. The same operator tried all these frequencies in ARQ Sitor-A between 2125 and 2147 UTC:
7778.7 10223.7 10334.7 9106.7 9046.7
[N.B.: the x.7 in these frequencies is due to offset. 10222 and 10223.7 are the same frequency depending on the dial reading when it is properly tuned.]
7778.7 10223.7 10334.7 9106.7 9046.7
[N.B.: the x.7 in these frequencies is due to offset. 10222 and 10223.7 are the same frequency depending on the dial reading when it is properly tuned.]
Egyptian Crisis On HF
People in Europe are reporting radio transmissions associated with the Egyptian crisis. The ones of most interest to us are the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The MFA maintains a global network using a couple of teleprinting formats, often in an Arabic alphabet called ATU80.
This network is still active. Traffic is encrypted. A recent hit comes from Ary Boender, who got it from an anonymous listener in Europe. It used ARQ on approximately 9078.7 kHz. The message body was enrypted, but the preamble wasn't. It was clearly a diplomatic cable to Washington, DC, marked URGENT.
Some other known Egyptian MFA frequencies (from the log) are: 5370 6785 7759.7 7815 8022 9035 9067.7 10176.7 11056.7 14923.7 16067.7 16236.7 17434.7 18331.7 18451.7.
HF radio in general appears to be serving as a back-channel communication mode in the absence of Internet and mobile phone circuits (though these are coming back). On Friday, CW comms were reported on several 40 meter amateur frequencies. Two I recall off the top of my head are 7010 and 7076, though the latter is also a JT65A weak signal channel. I do not know if the CW was "real" or some kind of black propaganda diversionary operation.
Egypt has a secured airport that is being used by members of the upper class to flee the country. Bizjets have been heard by Allan Stern on 5517 kHz USB (their local night) and 11300 USB day. It's assumed that, since Murabak is likely holed up at his vacation home nearby, that any flight carrying him out of the country might check in here.
On the broadcast side, Gayle Van Horn has posted a Radio Cairo International schedule here. We also have a warning out from informed radio sources that a US web site purporting to be Radio Cairo is not official and should be ignored.
This network is still active. Traffic is encrypted. A recent hit comes from Ary Boender, who got it from an anonymous listener in Europe. It used ARQ on approximately 9078.7 kHz. The message body was enrypted, but the preamble wasn't. It was clearly a diplomatic cable to Washington, DC, marked URGENT.
Some other known Egyptian MFA frequencies (from the log) are: 5370 6785 7759.7 7815 8022 9035 9067.7 10176.7 11056.7 14923.7 16067.7 16236.7 17434.7 18331.7 18451.7.
HF radio in general appears to be serving as a back-channel communication mode in the absence of Internet and mobile phone circuits (though these are coming back). On Friday, CW comms were reported on several 40 meter amateur frequencies. Two I recall off the top of my head are 7010 and 7076, though the latter is also a JT65A weak signal channel. I do not know if the CW was "real" or some kind of black propaganda diversionary operation.
Egypt has a secured airport that is being used by members of the upper class to flee the country. Bizjets have been heard by Allan Stern on 5517 kHz USB (their local night) and 11300 USB day. It's assumed that, since Murabak is likely holed up at his vacation home nearby, that any flight carrying him out of the country might check in here.
On the broadcast side, Gayle Van Horn has posted a Radio Cairo International schedule here. We also have a warning out from informed radio sources that a US web site purporting to be Radio Cairo is not official and should be ignored.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Is the Japanese Whaling Fleet Using HF CW?
I was keeping this quiet because both sides of the famous "Whale Wars" dispute monitor the Internet almost as intently as the radio, looking for any information on position and course of the others. However, they have now made contact, and awareness of the existence of communication no longer gives either one useful information for location.
The "Whale Wars" are, of course, the yearly Japanese whaling expedition to the Southern Ocean every summer, and the efforts of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society to shut it down. This is shown every year, a few months later, on the Animal Planet TV show with this name.
About a week ago, suspicious Morse code comms were heard on 12443 kHz CW. This frequency is in the ship CW working band, but it is not an international channel. It's one kHz off from 12442.0, the ship transmitting side of a duplex pair with 9MG, Penang, on 12943.5 kHz.
These comms, however, are simplex. The ship operator sends Morse with a standard "straight key," not a "bug" or automatic keyer. Content is mostly numbers, though the people who are able to hear this have reported non-international Morse characters that could be Japanese or other languages.
One listener in New Zealand reports that he copied the words "Sea Shepard." It's not known whether the CW op misspelled it or it was a typo. He also notes that he has heard Antarctic CW activity on 12443 kHz simplex in previous Southern Hemisphere summers.
This activity coincides with reports on the Sea Shepherd web site of a series of complex tactical maneuvers ending in their intercepting the factory ship Nisshin Maru, making it impossible to process whales and bringing the Japanese whaling to at least a temporary halt.
So, have utility listeners done the seeming impossible, and heard the Nisshin or one of its associated vessels? This is not known. It could be another vessel mentioning the activity. It's sure fun to speculate, though. Did the whaling fleet think no one would check the old CW frequencies?
But, regardless of who you think is right in this yearly dispute, anything actually associated with it would be a major utility catch. Who says there's nothing on short wave?
The "Whale Wars" are, of course, the yearly Japanese whaling expedition to the Southern Ocean every summer, and the efforts of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society to shut it down. This is shown every year, a few months later, on the Animal Planet TV show with this name.
About a week ago, suspicious Morse code comms were heard on 12443 kHz CW. This frequency is in the ship CW working band, but it is not an international channel. It's one kHz off from 12442.0, the ship transmitting side of a duplex pair with 9MG, Penang, on 12943.5 kHz.
These comms, however, are simplex. The ship operator sends Morse with a standard "straight key," not a "bug" or automatic keyer. Content is mostly numbers, though the people who are able to hear this have reported non-international Morse characters that could be Japanese or other languages.
One listener in New Zealand reports that he copied the words "Sea Shepard." It's not known whether the CW op misspelled it or it was a typo. He also notes that he has heard Antarctic CW activity on 12443 kHz simplex in previous Southern Hemisphere summers.
This activity coincides with reports on the Sea Shepherd web site of a series of complex tactical maneuvers ending in their intercepting the factory ship Nisshin Maru, making it impossible to process whales and bringing the Japanese whaling to at least a temporary halt.
So, have utility listeners done the seeming impossible, and heard the Nisshin or one of its associated vessels? This is not known. It could be another vessel mentioning the activity. It's sure fun to speculate, though. Did the whaling fleet think no one would check the old CW frequencies?
But, regardless of who you think is right in this yearly dispute, anything actually associated with it would be a major utility catch. Who says there's nothing on short wave?
Sunday, January 23, 2011
NOAA/ Teal Winter Storm Recon Continues Daily (check WSPODs)
000
NOUS42 KNHC 221800
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
0100 PM EST SAT 22 JANUARY 2011
SUBJECT: WINTER STORM PLAN OF THE DAY (WSPOD)
VALID 23/1100Z TO 24/1100Z JANUARY 2011
WSPOD NUMBER.....10-053
I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. NEGATIVE RECONNAISSANCE REQUIREMENTS.
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY:
A. A66/ 28.2N 91.5W (DROP 10)/ 25/1200Z
B. A65/ 27.3N 78.6W (DROP 10)/ 26/0000Z
II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS
1. FLIGHT ONE -- NOAA49--
A. P77/ 37.6N 171.8E (DROP 11)/ 24/1200Z
B. NOAA9 09WSW TRACK77
C. 24/0800Z
D. 20 DROPS AS SHOWN ON TRACK
E. 41,000 TO 45,000 FT/ 24/1800Z
2. SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK: POSSIBLE
P73/ 439N 172.3E (DROP 11)/ 25/1200Z
WVW
---------
000
NOUS42 KNHC 231730
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
1230 PM EST SUN 23 JANUARY 2011
SUBJECT: WINTER STORM PLAN OF THE DAY (WSPOD)
VALID 24/1100Z TO 25/1100Z JANUARY 2011
WSPOD NUMBER.....10-054
I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. FLIGHT ONE -- TEAL 70 --
A. A66/ 28.2N 91.5W (DROP 10)/ 25/1200Z
B. AFXXX 12WSA TRACK66
C. 25/0645Z
D. 10 DROPS AS SHOWN ON TRACK
E. AS HIGH AS POSSIBLE/ 25/1400Z
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY:
A. A64/ 30.3N 75.0W (DROP 10)/ 26/0000Z
B. A64/ 30.3N 75.0W (DROP 10)/ 26/1200Z
II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS
1. FLIGHT ONE -- NOAA49--
A. P73/ 43.9N 172.3E (DROP 11)/ 25/1200Z
B. NOAA9 10WSW TRACK73
C. 25/0800Z
D. 20 DROPS AS SHOWN ON TRACK
E. 41,000 TO 45,000 FT/ 25/1800Z
2. SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK.....NEGATIVE.
WVW
NOUS42 KNHC 221800
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
0100 PM EST SAT 22 JANUARY 2011
SUBJECT: WINTER STORM PLAN OF THE DAY (WSPOD)
VALID 23/1100Z TO 24/1100Z JANUARY 2011
WSPOD NUMBER.....10-053
I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. NEGATIVE RECONNAISSANCE REQUIREMENTS.
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY:
A. A66/ 28.2N 91.5W (DROP 10)/ 25/1200Z
B. A65/ 27.3N 78.6W (DROP 10)/ 26/0000Z
II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS
1. FLIGHT ONE -- NOAA49--
A. P77/ 37.6N 171.8E (DROP 11)/ 24/1200Z
B. NOAA9 09WSW TRACK77
C. 24/0800Z
D. 20 DROPS AS SHOWN ON TRACK
E. 41,000 TO 45,000 FT/ 24/1800Z
2. SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK: POSSIBLE
P73/ 439N 172.3E (DROP 11)/ 25/1200Z
WVW
---------
000
NOUS42 KNHC 231730
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
1230 PM EST SUN 23 JANUARY 2011
SUBJECT: WINTER STORM PLAN OF THE DAY (WSPOD)
VALID 24/1100Z TO 25/1100Z JANUARY 2011
WSPOD NUMBER.....10-054
I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. FLIGHT ONE -- TEAL 70 --
A. A66/ 28.2N 91.5W (DROP 10)/ 25/1200Z
B. AFXXX 12WSA TRACK66
C. 25/0645Z
D. 10 DROPS AS SHOWN ON TRACK
E. AS HIGH AS POSSIBLE/ 25/1400Z
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY:
A. A64/ 30.3N 75.0W (DROP 10)/ 26/0000Z
B. A64/ 30.3N 75.0W (DROP 10)/ 26/1200Z
II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS
1. FLIGHT ONE -- NOAA49--
A. P73/ 43.9N 172.3E (DROP 11)/ 25/1200Z
B. NOAA9 10WSW TRACK73
C. 25/0800Z
D. 20 DROPS AS SHOWN ON TRACK
E. 41,000 TO 45,000 FT/ 25/1800Z
2. SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK.....NEGATIVE.
WVW
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Still Nothing New on WebSDR
The most recent posting to the WebSDR site in the Netherlands shows no change in the problems getting the equipment back up and running:
Those of us who have had any experience with university amateur radio clubs, and the strange workings of the schools that support them, will be less amazed that a club dependent on outdoor antennas would be given a room with no access to same. Universities are like this.
Update 4 January:
Happy new year everyone!
Unfortunately, there's no news yet about our antenna connection.
Thanks for all the mails I got, expressing support and/or with tips on how to feed an antenna signal through a window that cannot be opened. Unfortunately, those tips are not usable: our only window is to the corridor, not to the outside. That is because our club room is in a part of the building that originally was only meant for storage, so no outside windows were installed.
Those of us who have had any experience with university amateur radio clubs, and the strange workings of the schools that support them, will be less amazed that a club dependent on outdoor antennas would be given a room with no access to same. Universities are like this.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Winter Storm Taskings for 1-10/11
000
NOUS42 KNHC 091630 COR
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
1130 AM EST SUN 09 JANUARY 2010
SUBJECT: WINTER STORM PLAN OF THE DAY (WSPOD)
VALID 10/1100Z TO 11/1100Z JANUARY 2011
WSPOD NUMBER.....10-040 -CORRECTED
I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. FLIGHT ONE -- TEAL 70--
A. A65/ DROP 6 -34.2N 72.0W/ 11/0100Z
B. AFXXX 07WSA TRACK65
C. 10/2145Z
D. 6 AS SHOWN ON TRACK TO MIDPOINT THEN RECOVER
E. AS HIGH AS POSSIBLE
F. ONLY NORTH HALF OF TRACK TASKED
2. SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK.....NEGATIVE.
II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS - CORRECTED
1. FLIGHT ONE -- NOAA9--ADDED
A. P16/ DROP 11 -40N 164W/ 11/1200Z
B. NOAA9 02WSW TRACK16
C. 11/0800Z
D. 21 AS SHOWN ON TRACK
E. 41,00 TO 45,000 FEET
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY: PSBL TRACK 28
FROM PANC CP 35.0N 150.0W FOR 12/1200Z.
3. NOTE; MISSION TASKED ON POD 10-039 WILL FLY.
WVW
---
000
NOUS42 KNHC 101830
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
0130 PM EST MON 10 JANUARY 2010
SUBJECT: WINTER STORM PLAN OF THE DAY (WSPOD)
VALID 11/1100Z TO 11/1200Z JANUARY 2011
WSPOD NUMBER.....10-041
I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. FLIGHT ONE - TEAL 70
A. A64/ 30.3N 75.0W/ 12/0000Z
B. AFXXX 08WSA TRACK64
C. 11/1700Z
D. 10 DROPS AS PUBLISHED
E. AS HIGH AS POSSIBLE/ 12/0200Z
2. SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK.....NEGATIVE.
II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS
1. FLIGHT ONE - NOAA 49
A. P28/ DROP 14/ 12/1200Z
B. NOAA9 03WSC TRACK28
C. 12/0800Z
D. 25 DROPS AS PUBLISHED
E. 41,00 TO 45,000 FEET/ 12/1800Z
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY:
A. P27/ 13/1200Z/ DROP 14
JWP
NOUS42 KNHC 091630 COR
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
1130 AM EST SUN 09 JANUARY 2010
SUBJECT: WINTER STORM PLAN OF THE DAY (WSPOD)
VALID 10/1100Z TO 11/1100Z JANUARY 2011
WSPOD NUMBER.....10-040 -CORRECTED
I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. FLIGHT ONE -- TEAL 70--
A. A65/ DROP 6 -34.2N 72.0W/ 11/0100Z
B. AFXXX 07WSA TRACK65
C. 10/2145Z
D. 6 AS SHOWN ON TRACK TO MIDPOINT THEN RECOVER
E. AS HIGH AS POSSIBLE
F. ONLY NORTH HALF OF TRACK TASKED
2. SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK.....NEGATIVE.
II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS - CORRECTED
1. FLIGHT ONE -- NOAA9--ADDED
A. P16/ DROP 11 -40N 164W/ 11/1200Z
B. NOAA9 02WSW TRACK16
C. 11/0800Z
D. 21 AS SHOWN ON TRACK
E. 41,00 TO 45,000 FEET
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY: PSBL TRACK 28
FROM PANC CP 35.0N 150.0W FOR 12/1200Z.
3. NOTE; MISSION TASKED ON POD 10-039 WILL FLY.
WVW
---
000
NOUS42 KNHC 101830
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
0130 PM EST MON 10 JANUARY 2010
SUBJECT: WINTER STORM PLAN OF THE DAY (WSPOD)
VALID 11/1100Z TO 11/1200Z JANUARY 2011
WSPOD NUMBER.....10-041
I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. FLIGHT ONE - TEAL 70
A. A64/ 30.3N 75.0W/ 12/0000Z
B. AFXXX 08WSA TRACK64
C. 11/1700Z
D. 10 DROPS AS PUBLISHED
E. AS HIGH AS POSSIBLE/ 12/0200Z
2. SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK.....NEGATIVE.
II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS
1. FLIGHT ONE - NOAA 49
A. P28/ DROP 14/ 12/1200Z
B. NOAA9 03WSC TRACK28
C. 12/0800Z
D. 25 DROPS AS PUBLISHED
E. 41,00 TO 45,000 FEET/ 12/1800Z
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY:
A. P27/ 13/1200Z/ DROP 14
JWP
Friday, January 07, 2011
Teal 70 Tasked for Winter Storm Recon
000
NOUS42 KNHC 071835
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
0135 PM EST FRI 07 JANUARY 2010
SUBJECT: WINTER STORM PLAN OF THE DAY (WSPOD)
VALID 08/1100Z TO 09/1100Z JANUARY 2011
WSPOD NUMBER.....10-038 CORRECTION
I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. FLIGHT ONE - TEAL 70
A. A66/ BOGGY/ 9/1200Z
B. AFXXX 07WSA TRACK66
C. 9/0700Z
D. 10 DROPS AS PUBLISHED + KLAMS EQUALS
11
E. AS HIGH AS POSSIBLE/ 9/1400Z
2. SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK:
A. A66/ BOGGY/ 10/0000Z
B. A65/ STIFF/ 10/1200Z
II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS
1. NEGATIVE RECONNAISSANCE REQUIREMENTS.
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY:
JWP
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Utility World Is On Twitter!
The Utility World account on twitter has been in development since around New Year's Eve. It has been linked to this blog, and so the last four "tweets" will also show here. You can go to twitter and follow Utility World by taking the link just above, or at any time by going to the bottom of the new Utility Tweets box and clicking the little birdie.
As another part of the new 2011 Utility World, the column now has yet another e-mail address. Although the old ones will still work indefinitely, this is a lot easier to remember. It's mtutilityworld [the symbol with the a inside the circle] gmail.com .
All this makes Utility World even more timely. Now it's your turn to help, by contributing. Happy New Year!
As another part of the new 2011 Utility World, the column now has yet another e-mail address. Although the old ones will still work indefinitely, this is a lot easier to remember. It's mtutilityworld [the symbol with the a inside the circle] gmail.com .
All this makes Utility World even more timely. Now it's your turn to help, by contributing. Happy New Year!
ARRL Shows IBEC BPL Systems Are Interfering, Violating FCC Rules
[Hugh's note: IBEC stands for International Broadband Electric Communications, Inc. Contrary to what you have been told about Broadband over Power Lines (BPL), it remains commercially viable in "underserved" rural markets where DSL and cable are not practical options. IBEC's equipment is fully certified under current FCC rules, and the company offers turnkey solutions ready for immediate deployment by any power company. Everything was supposed to be fine, but according to the ARRL, there is some trouble in paradise. Read on.]
full story here
12/29/2010
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio has filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission documenting ongoing harmful interference and egregious rules violations by Broadband over Power Lines (BPL) systems installed by IBEC, Inc. in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. The ARRL has requested that the FCC “initiate immediately an enforcement proceeding regarding these BPL systems, and cause them to cease operation until such time as they are each in full compliance with the Commission’s Rules.”
Contrary to earlier representations to the ARRL and to statements in the online BPL database, IBEC’s systems in these locations are not universally notching the Amateur bands as is necessary in order to avoid emissions at levels that are likely to cause harmful interference to licensed Amateur Radio stations. In fact, measurements by ARRL staff and confirmed independently show that IBEC systems are not even notching the aeronautical bands that the FCC rules require BPL systems to avoid and are operating at power levels that cause radiation well in excess of the FCC limits.
The ARRL even discovered IBEC BPL systems in operation that are not listed in the online BPL database – another clear violation of the FCC rules, which require listing 30 days prior to initiation of service.
...
full story here
Thursday, December 16, 2010
UK Proposes Massive Coast Guard Cuts
A leaked plan from the UK Department for Transport proposes the reduction of Coast Guard facilities from 19 to 8, only 3 of which would operate 24/7.
The new full-time maritime centers would be at Aberdeen, Southampton/Portsmouth, and Dover. Five sub-centers would be open in daylight hours only, at Swansea, Humber, Falmouth, Belfast or Liverpool, and Stornoway or Shetland.
One immediate issue of contention is that this plan leaves only one Coast Guard base in Wales.
In addition, the transport secretary continues with plans to privatize the search and rescue operation. The Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and Coast Guard's "aging" Sea King helicopters would be replaced with a SAR system supplied by a private contractor.
The effects of all this on Coast Guard radio are not yet known, since nothing is as yet definite.
The new full-time maritime centers would be at Aberdeen, Southampton/Portsmouth, and Dover. Five sub-centers would be open in daylight hours only, at Swansea, Humber, Falmouth, Belfast or Liverpool, and Stornoway or Shetland.
One immediate issue of contention is that this plan leaves only one Coast Guard base in Wales.
In addition, the transport secretary continues with plans to privatize the search and rescue operation. The Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and Coast Guard's "aging" Sea King helicopters would be replaced with a SAR system supplied by a private contractor.
The effects of all this on Coast Guard radio are not yet known, since nothing is as yet definite.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Possible Winter Storm Recon
Get out your intersection/ waypoint charts:
-----
000
NOUS42 KNHC 151515
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
1015 AM EST WED 15 DECEMBER 2010
SUBJECT: WINTER STORM PLAN OF THE DAY (WSPOD)
VALID 16/1100Z TO 17/1100Z DECEMBER 2010
WSPOD NUMBER.....10-015
ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. NEGATIVE RECONNAISSANCE REQUIREMENTS.
2. SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK:
A. POSSIBLE TRACK A66 CW
CONTROL POINT BOGGY 18/0000Z
B. POSSIBLE TRACK A65 CW
CONTROL POINT STIFF 18/1200Z
JWP
-----
000
NOUS42 KNHC 151515
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
1015 AM EST WED 15 DECEMBER 2010
SUBJECT: WINTER STORM PLAN OF THE DAY (WSPOD)
VALID 16/1100Z TO 17/1100Z DECEMBER 2010
WSPOD NUMBER.....10-015
ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. NEGATIVE RECONNAISSANCE REQUIREMENTS.
2. SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK:
A. POSSIBLE TRACK A66 CW
CONTROL POINT BOGGY 18/0000Z
B. POSSIBLE TRACK A65 CW
CONTROL POINT STIFF 18/1200Z
JWP
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
New Radios for 2011
Following something of a drought in tabletop communication receivers, we now see some interesting new radios in the pipeline for utility grade performance at less than astronomical prices.
Alinco DX-R8T
This is a small radio with typical tabletop receiver coverage and specs. It sounds worth checking out. Here's the description on Universal Radio's web site:
Listed price is $549.95.
AOR AR7070
This replacement of the highly regarded AR-7030, made by AOR UK, has been in the works for some time now. Prototype units have gotten good reviews from the few who have seen them. Supposedly it's been held up by difficulties in obtaining quality parts and in various firmware issues. It has not been FCC approved for the US, though this is in work according to Universal. It's an up-converted radio with DSP and an H mode front end. Here's the first paragraph of a review:
The price in US$ is not known, but it will not be cheap.
Winradio WR-G33DDC Excalibur Pro
Well, OK, this is actually an SDR for use with a computer, but it has been the subject of considerable interest, including here on my part. Winradio has two styles of radios in the G-3 class. The Excalibur is the version using digital down-conversion (DDC). This radio, the WR-G31DDC is still available, but presumably it may be nearing the end of Winradio's usual 5-year support cycle. The G33 is said to have 4 MHz available for demodulation instead of two. The radio will probably share the Excalibur's tendency to use all the PC computing power you can give it.
Here's the description on Winradio's site:
Again, the price has not been announced. The current G31DDC is $849.95 at Grove.
Alinco DX-R8T
This is a small radio with typical tabletop receiver coverage and specs. It sounds worth checking out. Here's the description on Universal Radio's web site:
The Alinco DX-R8T receiver covers 150 kHz to 30 MHz in SSB, CW, AM and FM. Other features include: IF shift, band and memory scanning, attenuator, preamp, RIT and noise blanker. Enjoy 600 alphanumeric memories (3 banks of 200 channels). There are rear panel connectors for external devices including IQ output for possible use in SDR applications, DRM, external decoding, etc. With SDR freeware (not supplied) you will be able to decode DRM with a PC with sound card.
Requires 12 VDC at 1 amp. Please note that this radio comes with a 12VDC cable and Owner's Manual only. It does not include a power supply. An AC power supply that provides 12VDC filtered 3 amp (or greater) power supply is required for home operation. See Samlex SPS-1204UL (below) or equivalent. Size: 9.45 x 3.95 x 11.54 inches (240x100x293mm 4.1 kg).
Listed price is $549.95.
AOR AR7070
This replacement of the highly regarded AR-7030, made by AOR UK, has been in the works for some time now. Prototype units have gotten good reviews from the few who have seen them. Supposedly it's been held up by difficulties in obtaining quality parts and in various firmware issues. It has not been FCC approved for the US, though this is in work according to Universal. It's an up-converted radio with DSP and an H mode front end. Here's the first paragraph of a review:
The AR7070 has been designed by my friend John Thorpe the designer of the highly acclaimed AR7030 HF receiver and also the designer of the 'HF' series of receivers made in Matlock by Lowe Electronics in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The AR7070 is an up conversion receiver that uses the techniques of the receive section of the CDG2000 transceiver that Martein improved upon to make his 'holy grail' receiver with a 9MHz IF. Like the CDG2000 receiver the AR7070 is sensitive enough not to require a preamplifier before its first H mode mixer.
The price in US$ is not known, but it will not be cheap.
Winradio WR-G33DDC Excalibur Pro
Well, OK, this is actually an SDR for use with a computer, but it has been the subject of considerable interest, including here on my part. Winradio has two styles of radios in the G-3 class. The Excalibur is the version using digital down-conversion (DDC). This radio, the WR-G31DDC is still available, but presumably it may be nearing the end of Winradio's usual 5-year support cycle. The G33 is said to have 4 MHz available for demodulation instead of two. The radio will probably share the Excalibur's tendency to use all the PC computing power you can give it.
Here's the description on Winradio's site:
The WiNRADiO WR-G33DDC 'EXCALIBUR Pro' is a high-performance, low-cost, direct-sampling, software-defined, shortwave receiver with a frequency range from 9 kHz to 49.995 MHz. It includes a real-time 50 MHz-wide spectrum analyzer and 4 MHz-wide instantaneous bandwidth available for recording, demodulation and further digital processing.
This product is an advanced version of the WR-G31DDC receiver offering the following additional improvements:
4 MHz instantaneous processing bandwidth
Low-noise preamplifier
Configurable preselection filters
Filter bandwidth adjustable down to 1 Hz
0.5 ppm frequency stability
Test and measurement functions
Again, the price has not been announced. The current G31DDC is $849.95 at Grove.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Greenland: KNR closes MW/SW
Google translation (not always good) of the Danish language site:
Greenland: KNR closes between wave [MW, also closing SWBC -Hugh]
Friday 10th December 2010
By Stig Hartvig Nielsen
For more than 50 years, the Greenlandic radio KNR, has been broadcast on medium wave.
From five different forward positions, sea and the entire west coast of Greenland were covered by KNRs radio program. But on 11 February 2011 [KNR will turn] off the five AM radio transmitters, and KNR will then only be audible in Greenlandic towns on FM.
It is the Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Transport in Greenland, which has decided to dismantle the five medium-wave transmitters, respectively: Upernavik (810 kHz), Uummannaq (900 kHz), Qeqertarsuaq (650 kHz), Nuuk (570 kHz) and Simiutaq (720 kHz). The transmitters are between 5 and 10 kW.
Head Mads Byrialsen from Home Rule to disclose radionyt.com that medium wave facilities are very old, and therefore would be expensive to continue to maintain.
"There is also an extensive network of FM transmitters along the coast, covering all cities and villages and sea near inhabited areas. There are very few who could not hear KNR radio via FM transmitters. It was as a result it estimated that the resources used for maintenance of medium wave facilities may be used more efficiently for other purposes, "says Byrialsen further.
Fishermen and others sailing on the high seas, trappers, hunters and others inside the fjords, people on the ice cap, listeners in Canada and [others will therefore be] precluded thereby from [hearing] KNR. From 11 February next year it will only be in Greenlandic towns and villages, you could hear the KNR. The vast majority of FM transmitters here uses [transmitter powers] between 10 and 50 watts, and has a very limited range.
Mads Byrialsen stresses, however, that this will be very few people who lose the opportunity to hear KNR, and that there are security implications.
It will still be possible to communicate with coast radio and there will four times daily - year round - at 08.05, 12.05, 18.05 and 22.05 Greenlandic time - will be sent weather reports on coastal radio VHF working channels. Broadcasts are 12.05 and 22.05 will be reruns. Fishermen and people moving in nature, will therefore still be able to hear the weather forecast.
Also end with a short wave from Greenland
In the past few years, the main news broadcasts from KNR has been broadcast on a low power SSB shortwave broadcasts from the Greenlandic town of Tasiilaq. These broadcasts also disbanded at 11 February.
Mads Byrialsen indicate that users of the lake is served by KNR's weather announcements will be broadcast over the 4 VHF working channels in the area. "There are so far indicated a very limited number of seagoing ships which are resident in Tasiilaq," adds Mads Byrialsen.
Previously there has been quite other plans - namely that the five medium-wave transmitters on the west coast were replaced by one or two powerful AM short wave transmitters located on Telegraføen at Nuuk. This or these transmitters could cover not only all of Greenland but also all the waters where Greenlandic fishermen come. But those plans were abandoned.
"Plans for an AM short wave transmitter at Telegraføen off Nuuk were downsized during the negotiations for DVBT. The investment was more than 5 million. And the annual operating costs were too high. Furthermore, it was estimated that few users would invest in a shortwave receiver, and that the quality would otherwise be questionable and very dependent on atmospheric phenomena," explains Mads Byrialsen.
On 11 February 2011 8 is the end
All Greenland between wave ends closed on 11 February at 08:00 West Greenland time. Medium Wave plants will be decommissioned immediately after closing, and [not] maintained so hence not operational in any emergency. It would cost Tele Greenland 1.5 million good kr annually to maintain forward clean.
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