A bright X1.3 solar flare occurred yesterday (North American time) at 0027 UTC. It was accompanied by an 1100 Solar Flux Unit burst at 10 cm, and a large coronal mass ejection (CME).
This magnitude doesn't make the top ten list for Cycle 24 flares, but it's still up there.
Given the flare's position, on active region 2035 just over the west limb, its energetic CME should completely miss the Earth.
Friday, April 25, 2014
VOA Radiogram for April 26-27
From Kim Andrew Elliott:
Hello friends,
For the weekend of 26-27 April, we will transmit only one mode at a time.
One of the VOA News stories, about the Ukraine-Russia cyberwar, is very interesting, but it is also long and would take more than 10 minutes in MFSK32. So it will be in the faster MFSK64L mode.
Everything else will be MFSK32 except for the surprise mode during the closing music.
Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 56, 26-27 April 2014:
1:33 MFSK32: Program preview
2:45 MFSK64L: Ukraine Russia cyberwar
9:30 MFSK32: Heat into electricity, with image
13:46 MFSK32: Electric cars at the NY auto show, with image
21:33 MFSK32: (Spanish) NASA spacesuits, with image
26:00 MFSK32: 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.
Last weekend, the MFSK8 "bonus" mode centered on 1000 Hz was mostly successful except in the most challenging shortwave reception conditions. See videos from program 55.
I'm now responding to your reports from last weekend. I look forward to hearing from you this weekend.
Kim
Kim Andrew Elliott
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram
radiogram@voanews.com
voaradiogram.net
@VOARadiogram
Friday, April 18, 2014
Double Duty VOA Radiogram for April 19-20
From Kim Andrew Elliott:
Hello friends,
Last weekend's experiment with the "mystery mode," MFSK8 as it turned out, was mostly successful. I reduced the level of the MFSK8 to 8 dB below the level of the MFSK32, because unattenuated MFSK8 at a piercing audio frequency of 2300 Hz can be rather painful to listen to.
This weekend, we'll repeat the contact information and schedule in MFSK8, but we'll move it to 1000 Hz, which is easier on the ear. With MFSK32 and MFSK8 both at full level, a distorted, other-worldly sound resulted. So I reduced the MFSK8 to 4 dB under the MFSK32. You can still hear what sounds like distortion, but it should be harmless. Probably. I hope.
If you prefer an easy, set-it-and-forget-it decoding experience, just do the MFSK32 at 1500 Hz. If you want more of a challenge, then run two instances of Fldigi, or Fldigi and another decoder such as MultiPSK, or record the program, to see the MFSK8 output. Please remember that MFSK8 must be precisely tuned (it will likely be received a few Hz above or below 1000 Hz) for a successful decode.
Please let me know if you think the simultaneous modes are making the MFSK32 images "noisier."
Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 55, 19-20 April 2014 (content in MFSK32 centered on 1500 Hz):
01:39 Program preview
02:57 Survey of US software developers, with image
07:08 Planets that wobble, with image
13:38 Cambodia's draft cybercrime law
16:06 Google buys drone company, with image
21:42 VOA Spanish* news story about El Niño, with image
26:23 Closing announcements
*Use the UTF-8 character set. In Fldigi: Configure > Colors & Fonts ...
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, with studios in the Netherlands and transmitter in Germany, will include a minute of MFSK64 Saturday at about 1130 UTC (during the new Big Beach Show) on 6095 kHz. And Sunday at about 0130 UTC (Saturday 9:30 pm EDT) on 7375 kHz. Reports to Eric at themightykbc@gmail.com.
Thank you for your reception reports to VOA Radiogram last weekend. I will try to answer them before this weekend is over. And, as always, I look forward to your emails.
Kim
Kim Andrew Elliott
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram
Friday, April 11, 2014
Solar Peak VHF DX Log Part 8 (Supplemental from 4/10)
All intercepts made in Southern California by the author, using a WiNRADiO G33DDC SDR and a PAR EF-SWL end fed 45' wire. All frequencies kHz, all times UTC.
OM = male, YL = woman, SS = Spanish, EE=English, Disp=Dispatcher, Unid = Unidentified.
Tones are CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) aka "PL."
CSQ = no tone in use (Carrier SQuelch)
Frequency ... Callsign ... Mode ... Description ... Time ... Tone
30740.0 Unid FM SS/EE/OM disp, constant phone ring and another OM bg, some beeps. Like most of these, the speaker goes back and forth between Spanish and accented English. Usual fast talking. 2027 107.2
30800.0 Unid FM EE/SS/OM disp, mostly EE but some SS. Usual fast talking. 2009 88.5
30925.0 Unid ? Hissy Station 2005 n/a
31040.0 Unid FM SS/OM disp, weak, later weak YL. Hard to copy. 2044 missed
31060.0 Unid FM SS/OM disp, loud, YL, OM, & phone bg. "Coffee shop." Everything else in SS. Talking even faster than usual. 2012 91.5
31080.0 WPYJ841 FM Hampden & Worcester County, MA, YL identifying as "Base 3." Followed open-squelch noise like rptr or remote. Likely rptr in use. Working mobiles in a large wide-area radio system used for transportation support. Mobiles calling it "Channel 3." The other weird things on this freq are probably skip getting in through the input. 2220 100.0
31100.0 Unid FM YL wkg OM driver 2026 no decode
31240.0 Unid FM EE/OM, disp, sounded like all the SS/OMs, huge SS accent, "He call at four thirty?" Phone bg & some offmike talking. 2021 136.5
31360.0 Unid FM EE/OM, NY accent, "10-4, 433 [unintelligible]" 2028 CSQ
31400.0 Unid FM Phone sounds, distorted voice ?
31440.0 Unid FM Weak EE/OM disp, usual short xmsns 2024 100.0
31640.0 Unid FM Two EE/OMs, brief and weak. 2034 85.4
OM = male, YL = woman, SS = Spanish, EE=English, Disp=Dispatcher, Unid = Unidentified.
Tones are CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) aka "PL."
CSQ = no tone in use (Carrier SQuelch)
Frequency ... Callsign ... Mode ... Description ... Time ... Tone
30740.0 Unid FM SS/EE/OM disp, constant phone ring and another OM bg, some beeps. Like most of these, the speaker goes back and forth between Spanish and accented English. Usual fast talking. 2027 107.2
30800.0 Unid FM EE/SS/OM disp, mostly EE but some SS. Usual fast talking. 2009 88.5
30925.0 Unid ? Hissy Station 2005 n/a
31040.0 Unid FM SS/OM disp, weak, later weak YL. Hard to copy. 2044 missed
31060.0 Unid FM SS/OM disp, loud, YL, OM, & phone bg. "Coffee shop." Everything else in SS. Talking even faster than usual. 2012 91.5
31080.0 WPYJ841 FM Hampden & Worcester County, MA, YL identifying as "Base 3." Followed open-squelch noise like rptr or remote. Likely rptr in use. Working mobiles in a large wide-area radio system used for transportation support. Mobiles calling it "Channel 3." The other weird things on this freq are probably skip getting in through the input. 2220 100.0
31100.0 Unid FM YL wkg OM driver 2026 no decode
31240.0 Unid FM EE/OM, disp, sounded like all the SS/OMs, huge SS accent, "He call at four thirty?" Phone bg & some offmike talking. 2021 136.5
31360.0 Unid FM EE/OM, NY accent, "10-4, 433 [unintelligible]" 2028 CSQ
31400.0 Unid FM Phone sounds, distorted voice ?
31440.0 Unid FM Weak EE/OM disp, usual short xmsns 2024 100.0
31640.0 Unid FM Two EE/OMs, brief and weak. 2034 85.4
Interesting Participatory VOA Radiogram for April 12-13
If you couldn't hear the first VOA sked last weekend, on 5745 at 0930 UTC, it wasn't your equipment. Due to scheduling mixups, it was never broadcast.
From Kim Andrew Elliott:
From Kim Andrew Elliott:
Hello friends,After last weekend's schedule mishap, the VOA Radiogram transmissions should be back to their regular times and frequencies this weekend:
Sunday, April 06, 2014
Solar Peak VHF DX Log Part 7 (Supplemental from 6 April 14)
All intercepts made in Southern California by the author, using a WiNRADiO G33DDC SDR and a PAR EF-SWL end fed 45' wire. All frequencies kHz, all times UTC.
OM = male, YL = woman, SS = Spanish, EE=English, Disp=Dispatcher, Unid = Unidentified.
Tones are CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) aka "PL."
CSQ = no tone in use (Carrier SQuelch)
Frequency ... Callsign ... Mode ... Description ... Time ... Tone
30740.0 Unid FM SS/OM disp 2342 107.2
31137.0 Unid PSK Ctr fq of unknown buzzy waveform, looks like a wider version of HFDL but different timing more suggestive of an ARQ iss mode. 1-sec PSK burst starting with audio center tuning beep every 2 sec. 0016, gone 0021 n/a
33160.0 Unid FM LOUD SS/EE/OM fast talking car service dispatcher, with skywave fading. Mostly SS but says some numbers and street names in EE. Street names are most likely in Manhattan and Brooklyn. 5th Avenue, 34th St, 51st St., 52nd St, Washington, etc.. Usual phone bg, plus other dispatchers in room. Brief dial tone heard (???). Several possibilities in metro NYC, mostly in Brooklyn. 1852 77.0
33440.0 KCD346 FM Tolland County, CT Mutual Aid ("Station TN"). OM with disp for "807." Later two OMs talking. "Need PD. You're all set." "R" in Morse code heard. Presumably part of the "C" squelching in and out. 2232 179.9
33520.0 KNFM255 FM East Haven FD, New Haven County, CT, dispatch channel. OM, medic alarm. YL, FD dispatch. Street names check out. 2011 131.8
37570.0 Unid FM Weak SS/OM, only one brief fade in above squelch. Not a US allocation. 2120 CSQ?
OM = male, YL = woman, SS = Spanish, EE=English, Disp=Dispatcher, Unid = Unidentified.
Tones are CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) aka "PL."
CSQ = no tone in use (Carrier SQuelch)
Frequency ... Callsign ... Mode ... Description ... Time ... Tone
30740.0 Unid FM SS/OM disp 2342 107.2
31137.0 Unid PSK Ctr fq of unknown buzzy waveform, looks like a wider version of HFDL but different timing more suggestive of an ARQ iss mode. 1-sec PSK burst starting with audio center tuning beep every 2 sec. 0016, gone 0021 n/a
33160.0 Unid FM LOUD SS/EE/OM fast talking car service dispatcher, with skywave fading. Mostly SS but says some numbers and street names in EE. Street names are most likely in Manhattan and Brooklyn. 5th Avenue, 34th St, 51st St., 52nd St, Washington, etc.. Usual phone bg, plus other dispatchers in room. Brief dial tone heard (???). Several possibilities in metro NYC, mostly in Brooklyn. 1852 77.0
33440.0 KCD346 FM Tolland County, CT Mutual Aid ("Station TN"). OM with disp for "807." Later two OMs talking. "Need PD. You're all set." "R" in Morse code heard. Presumably part of the "C" squelching in and out. 2232 179.9
33520.0 KNFM255 FM East Haven FD, New Haven County, CT, dispatch channel. OM, medic alarm. YL, FD dispatch. Street names check out. 2011 131.8
37570.0 Unid FM Weak SS/OM, only one brief fade in above squelch. Not a US allocation. 2120 CSQ?
Saturday, April 05, 2014
Solar Peak VHF DX Log Part 6 (Supplemental from 4 April 14)
37570.0 Unid FM Very weak tones. Looks like analog paging. Likely South America. 2050 CSQ
37630.0 Unid N0N Starting point of well defined Squiggle 2044 n/a
38625.0 Unid ? Hissy Station 2056 n/a
38900.0 Unid FM Slow fade in of YLs in unk lang, NOT English. 2 stns, one 380 Hz off frequency. Short xmsns. 2111 CSQ
39625.88 Unid FM Very weak carrier keyed on and off, seems to be using PL. Obviously not CHP. Frequency is exact carrier. 2058 ?
37630.0 Unid N0N Starting point of well defined Squiggle 2044 n/a
38625.0 Unid ? Hissy Station 2056 n/a
38900.0 Unid FM Slow fade in of YLs in unk lang, NOT English. 2 stns, one 380 Hz off frequency. Short xmsns. 2111 CSQ
39625.88 Unid FM Very weak carrier keyed on and off, seems to be using PL. Obviously not CHP. Frequency is exact carrier. 2058 ?
Friday, April 04, 2014
Solar Peak VHF DX Log Part 5 (34-38 MHz)
All intercepts made in Southern California by the author, using a WiNRADiO G33DDC SDR and a PAR EF-SWL end fed 45' wire. All frequencies kHz, all times UTC.
OM = male, YL = woman, SS = Spanish, EE=English, Disp=Dispatcher, Unid = Unidentified.
Tones are CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) aka "PL."
CSQ = no tone in use (Carrier SQuelch)
Frequency ... Callsign ... Mode ... Description ... Time ... Tone
34000.0 Unid ? Hissy Station 2032 n/a
34010.0 Unid FM SS/2 OM s taxi dispatch, using turkey calls & PL; "cuatro" 2110 88.5
34225.0 Unid ? Hissy Station 1945 n/a
34300.0 Unid FM Tow co? 2100 210.7
34700.0 Unid FM OM and audio tones 1910 ?
34583.7 Unid ? Steady hiss, looks like STANAG or 101A, not the Hissy Station. Similar on 34631.0 and 34738.3, no fading at all. 1936 n/a
35040.0 Unid FM EE/OM, telling driver to "back in and wait." 2038 ?
35040.0 Unid FM SS/OM fast talking disp 2038 110.9
35060.0 Unid FM SS/OM, weak, distorted. Band going. 2030 ?
35060.0 Unid FM SS/YL,weak, faded 2034 123.0
35080.0 WNNU233 FM Loud EE/OM and fast audio tone Morse ID "WNNU233." Call returns to Urgent Ambulance Service, East PA and surrounding areas.. 2155 141.3
35100.0 Unid FM SS/OM Typical fast talking dispatcher. Not the local private patrol (which is loud, uses tone 103.5, and ID's "Los Angeles"). 2029 110.9
35100.0 Unid FM EE/YL, weak, hard to hear much. 2001 118.8
35100.0 Unid FM SS/OM fast talking disp, some beeps on key 2116 141.3
35120.0 Unid FM SS/OM fast talking disp, some beeps on key. Later YL, "Buenos tardes, buenos…" (faded) 2033 131.8
35120.0 Unid FM Mercury Cab Service, Chattanooga, TN, unknown call sign not in FCC records. Fast-talking EE/OM dispatcher calling 837, others. Equally fast-talking EE/YL , calling "904" ("nahn oh fo"). All addresses checked out as valid in Chattanooga. 1820 127.3
35130.0 Unid FM SS/OM fast talking disp, some beeps on key. This IS the right frequency. Not a US allocation. 2048 162.2
35140.0 Unid FM EE/OM discussing some kind of tank with unheard other stn. Possibly M/V Mt Washington, NH, KDA290 1934 100.0
35160.0 Unid FM Weak. 1856 ?
35180.0 Unid FM EE/YL, sounds like skip 1810 91.5
35180.0 Unid FM Different stn than 1810 hits 1943 118.8
35180.0 Unid FM EE/OM, southern US accent, fading, wkg weak mobile. Later weak YL, poss tow or taxi disp 2058 179.9
35180.0 WPGG338 FM Niles Flash Cab Assn, Ch. 1, outside Chicago, IL. EE/OM wkg drivers, some mobiles heard, mentioned various Chicago streets. Gave verbal ID that sounded like"Double-you Fay Gay Gay 338." Channel 2 is 35.88, Channel 3 is 35.92. Not heard. 1810 186.2
35200.0 Unid FM SS/OM fast talking dispatcher 2025 146.2
35250.0 Unid ? Very weak, wide Buzzy Station, with selective fading, like 32.55 2145 n/a
35320.0 Unid FM SS/OM fast talking disp, rattling off numbers 2053 141.3
35320.0 Unid FM SS/OM disp 1738 146.2
35360.0 Unid FM Weak OM, fading 1832 131.8
35400.0 Unid FM EE/OMs, in and out 2145 CSQ
35400.0 Unid ? EE/OM wkg YL, distorted 2135 114.8
35440.0 Unid FM SS/OM fast talking disp, clg "Viente y Dos" 2041 107.2
35480.0 Unid FM SS/OM more relaxed than rest, wkg "Uno." Usual numbers, street names, and phone ring bg. 2104 156.7
35520.0 Unid FM SS/OM fast talking disp, good signal, clg "Ocho Siete," & "Pedro." Lots of street names. Phone ring bg. 2038 173.8
35540.0 Unid FM Weak, not much heard 2135
35620.0 Unid N0N Center fq of strange carrier sweeping slowly & randomly up and down, with usual skywave propagation characterisics. 2145 n/a
35630.0 Unid FM Weak. Again, this is the right frequency. Not a US allocation. 1946 ?
35640.0 Unid FM Very weak digital paging, not much else. South America. 2111 ?
35663.0 Unid FM Very weak. Again, the right frequency. 2057 CSQ
35680.0 Unid FM SS/OM dispatches, good signal, PL won't decode 2106 ?
35700.0 Unid FM SS/OM 2038 94.8
35720.0 Unid FM Weak, never much above noise 1946
35740.0 Unid FM Only short snippet exists: EE/OM w/ something about "7164." 2151 103.5
35740.0 Unid FM SS/OM disp, clg "Viente y Cuatro." Phone ring bg. Good signal. Procedures suggest S. America. 2052 203.5
35780.0 Unid FM SS/OM fast talking disp, loud, good sig 2057 192.8
35800.0 Unid FM SS/OM fast talking disp 2049 192.8
35860.0 Unid FM SS/YL (but said "eighteen hundred" in EE), & SS/OM 2059 123.0
35880.0 Unid FM Weak 2051 ?
35900.0 Unid FM Weak, can't break squelch 2053 ?
37260.0 Unid FM YL "Base" wkg "Jacob" (heard), "en route," "front door;" distorted, loud PL, fading 2144 123.0
37560.0 Unid FM Very weak tone, only showed up on waterfall 2154 ?
37660.0 Unid FM Very weak dispatch tones, only showed up on waterfall 2200 ?
OM = male, YL = woman, SS = Spanish, EE=English, Disp=Dispatcher, Unid = Unidentified.
Tones are CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) aka "PL."
CSQ = no tone in use (Carrier SQuelch)
Frequency ... Callsign ... Mode ... Description ... Time ... Tone
34000.0 Unid ? Hissy Station 2032 n/a
34010.0 Unid FM SS/2 OM s taxi dispatch, using turkey calls & PL; "cuatro" 2110 88.5
34225.0 Unid ? Hissy Station 1945 n/a
34300.0 Unid FM Tow co? 2100 210.7
34700.0 Unid FM OM and audio tones 1910 ?
34583.7 Unid ? Steady hiss, looks like STANAG or 101A, not the Hissy Station. Similar on 34631.0 and 34738.3, no fading at all. 1936 n/a
35040.0 Unid FM EE/OM, telling driver to "back in and wait." 2038 ?
35040.0 Unid FM SS/OM fast talking disp 2038 110.9
35060.0 Unid FM SS/OM, weak, distorted. Band going. 2030 ?
35060.0 Unid FM SS/YL,weak, faded 2034 123.0
35080.0 WNNU233 FM Loud EE/OM and fast audio tone Morse ID "WNNU233." Call returns to Urgent Ambulance Service, East PA and surrounding areas.. 2155 141.3
35100.0 Unid FM SS/OM Typical fast talking dispatcher. Not the local private patrol (which is loud, uses tone 103.5, and ID's "Los Angeles"). 2029 110.9
35100.0 Unid FM EE/YL, weak, hard to hear much. 2001 118.8
35100.0 Unid FM SS/OM fast talking disp, some beeps on key 2116 141.3
35120.0 Unid FM SS/OM fast talking disp, some beeps on key. Later YL, "Buenos tardes, buenos…" (faded) 2033 131.8
35120.0 Unid FM Mercury Cab Service, Chattanooga, TN, unknown call sign not in FCC records. Fast-talking EE/OM dispatcher calling 837, others. Equally fast-talking EE/YL , calling "904" ("nahn oh fo"). All addresses checked out as valid in Chattanooga. 1820 127.3
35130.0 Unid FM SS/OM fast talking disp, some beeps on key. This IS the right frequency. Not a US allocation. 2048 162.2
35140.0 Unid FM EE/OM discussing some kind of tank with unheard other stn. Possibly M/V Mt Washington, NH, KDA290 1934 100.0
35160.0 Unid FM Weak. 1856 ?
35180.0 Unid FM EE/YL, sounds like skip 1810 91.5
35180.0 Unid FM Different stn than 1810 hits 1943 118.8
35180.0 Unid FM EE/OM, southern US accent, fading, wkg weak mobile. Later weak YL, poss tow or taxi disp 2058 179.9
35180.0 WPGG338 FM Niles Flash Cab Assn, Ch. 1, outside Chicago, IL. EE/OM wkg drivers, some mobiles heard, mentioned various Chicago streets. Gave verbal ID that sounded like"Double-you Fay Gay Gay 338." Channel 2 is 35.88, Channel 3 is 35.92. Not heard. 1810 186.2
35200.0 Unid FM SS/OM fast talking dispatcher 2025 146.2
35250.0 Unid ? Very weak, wide Buzzy Station, with selective fading, like 32.55 2145 n/a
35320.0 Unid FM SS/OM fast talking disp, rattling off numbers 2053 141.3
35320.0 Unid FM SS/OM disp 1738 146.2
35360.0 Unid FM Weak OM, fading 1832 131.8
35400.0 Unid FM EE/OMs, in and out 2145 CSQ
35400.0 Unid ? EE/OM wkg YL, distorted 2135 114.8
35440.0 Unid FM SS/OM fast talking disp, clg "Viente y Dos" 2041 107.2
35480.0 Unid FM SS/OM more relaxed than rest, wkg "Uno." Usual numbers, street names, and phone ring bg. 2104 156.7
35520.0 Unid FM SS/OM fast talking disp, good signal, clg "Ocho Siete," & "Pedro." Lots of street names. Phone ring bg. 2038 173.8
35540.0 Unid FM Weak, not much heard 2135
35620.0 Unid N0N Center fq of strange carrier sweeping slowly & randomly up and down, with usual skywave propagation characterisics. 2145 n/a
35630.0 Unid FM Weak. Again, this is the right frequency. Not a US allocation. 1946 ?
35640.0 Unid FM Very weak digital paging, not much else. South America. 2111 ?
35663.0 Unid FM Very weak. Again, the right frequency. 2057 CSQ
35680.0 Unid FM SS/OM dispatches, good signal, PL won't decode 2106 ?
35700.0 Unid FM SS/OM 2038 94.8
35720.0 Unid FM Weak, never much above noise 1946
35740.0 Unid FM Only short snippet exists: EE/OM w/ something about "7164." 2151 103.5
35740.0 Unid FM SS/OM disp, clg "Viente y Cuatro." Phone ring bg. Good signal. Procedures suggest S. America. 2052 203.5
35780.0 Unid FM SS/OM fast talking disp, loud, good sig 2057 192.8
35800.0 Unid FM SS/OM fast talking disp 2049 192.8
35860.0 Unid FM SS/YL (but said "eighteen hundred" in EE), & SS/OM 2059 123.0
35880.0 Unid FM Weak 2051 ?
35900.0 Unid FM Weak, can't break squelch 2053 ?
37260.0 Unid FM YL "Base" wkg "Jacob" (heard), "en route," "front door;" distorted, loud PL, fading 2144 123.0
37560.0 Unid FM Very weak tone, only showed up on waterfall 2154 ?
37660.0 Unid FM Very weak dispatch tones, only showed up on waterfall 2200 ?
Thursday, April 03, 2014
Set and Forget VOA Radiogram for April 5-6
From Kim Andrew Elliott:
Hello friends,Last weekend's "battle of the 100-word-per-minute modes" produced useful results. Based on a quick analysis of the percentage of correct characters, the average of all responses is…MFSK32 98%MT63-1000L 90%Thor25x4 86%PSKR125 74%[My results were very close to these percentages. Around 100% for MFSK32, 99-100% for MT63, mediocre copy on the Thor, and rough copy on the PSKR125. PSK modes don't seem to fare well in this particular application. -Hugh]The MT63-1000L would have had an even better result if it had not been for four occasions of no decode at all. In situations where any MT63-1000L text was received, its performance was very close to that of MFSK32.MFSK32 does have the advantage of being about 20 words per minute faster than MT63-1000L. Furthermore, MFSK32, unlike MT63-1000L, can be used for images.This weekend, VOA Radiogram will return to an all-MFSK32 "set it and forget it" format. I do this at the risk of losing the interest of those of you who prefer a program replete with experiments. The program will be interesting in that it will include four images and an Flmsg CSV form with the updated VOA English transmission schedule.Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 53, 5-6 March 2014:All MFSK32 centered on 1500 Hz...1:36 Program preview2:40 Head of Russian social network resigns, with image9:28 NASA aircraft research, with image16:13 Maryland company helps in search for MH370, with image23:04 VOA English broadcast schedule as Flmsg* CSV form26:44 Closing announcements*To make Flmsg work with Fldigi (both can be downloaded from w1hkj.com), in Fldigi: Configure > Misc > NBEMS -- Under Reception of flmsg files, check both boxes, and under that indicate where your Flmsg.exe file is located.Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.comVOA Radiogram transmission schedule(all days and times UTC)Sat 0930-1000 5745 kHzSat 1600-1630 17860 kHzSun 0230-0300 5745 kHzSun 1930-2000 15670 kHzAll via the Edward R. Murrow transmitting station in North Carolina.Reception of the Sunday 0230 UTC broadcast in Europe: This broadcast is audible in Europe but occurs at a rather inconvenient time for Europeans. If you are in Europe, please consider unattended reception of this transmission. Three ways to do this involve leaving you radio on and tuned to 5745 kHz all night: 1) Use the Audacity audio recording software, specifically its Transport > Timer Record feature. 2) Use Fldigi's File > Text Capture feature, then retrieve the decoded text from the file that will contain mostly gibberish. 3) Instead of using Fldigi text capture, scroll up through the receive pane to find the decoded text, which you can copy and paste to a text editor or word processor.The Mighty KBC will again transmit a minute of MFSK64 Saturday at about 1230 UTC on 6095 kHz, and Sunday at about 0130 UTC (Saturday 9:30 pm EDT) on 7375 kHz. Both frequencies are via Germany. STF Radio International is also planning tests on The Mighty KBC, presumably again in MFSK32 about 15 minutes after my MFSK64 transmissions.Amateur radio digital nets: As KD9XB, I usually check in to the New York NBEMS net Saturdays at 1400 UTC (10 am EDT) on 7036 kHz and the Pennsylvania NBEMS net Sundays at 1500 UTC (11 am EDT) on 7072.5 kHz. I occasionally also check in to the USeast NBEMS net Wednesdays at 2300 UTC (7 pm EDT) on 7036 kHz. All these nets are USB and start with Olivia 8-500, then change to another mode such as MFSK32 or MT63-1000L for messages.Thanks for your reception reports last weekend, and I look forward to hearing from this weekend.KimKim Andrew ElliottProducer and PresenterVOA Radiogramradiogram@voanews.comTwitter: @voaradiogram
ONEMI May Have Changed Frequencies
The frequencies in my last list used to work just fine here, but now several seem to be either off by 500 Hz, or the wrong sideband, or something.
Still checking.
Still checking.
Chilean Earthquake Emergency on HF
I've been hearing some ALE soundings from OMEMI, Chile's emergency management agency.
The thing to understand about Chile is that it's very long and skinny on a N-S axis, so its coastline is very, very long and evacuating the whole thing is a massive undertaking. They've done it twice in two days.
ONEMI stands (in Spanish for) Oficina National de Emergencia del Ministerio de Interior (Ministry of Interior National Emergency Office). It's USB ALE frequencies are:
6834.0 6843.0 6861.0 6871.0 6877.0 9084.0 9087.0
9091.0 9140.0 9150.0 10128.0 10135.0 10160.0
10176.5 10187.0 10193.0 10218.0 10222.0 10234.0
10244.0 17411.0 17426.0 17446.0 17450.0 17454.0
The navy uses LSB and USB on:
6848.0 11429.0 17466.0 20400.0
Voice comms have been heard in the past after the autolinking.
The thing to understand about Chile is that it's very long and skinny on a N-S axis, so its coastline is very, very long and evacuating the whole thing is a massive undertaking. They've done it twice in two days.
ONEMI stands (in Spanish for) Oficina National de Emergencia del Ministerio de Interior (Ministry of Interior National Emergency Office). It's USB ALE frequencies are:
6834.0 6843.0 6861.0 6871.0 6877.0 9084.0 9087.0
9091.0 9140.0 9150.0 10128.0 10135.0 10160.0
10176.5 10187.0 10193.0 10218.0 10222.0 10234.0
10244.0 17411.0 17426.0 17446.0 17450.0 17454.0
The navy uses LSB and USB on:
6848.0 11429.0 17466.0 20400.0
Voice comms have been heard in the past after the autolinking.
Wednesday, April 02, 2014
Solar Peak VHF DX Log Part 4 (33.5-34 MHz)
All intercepts made in Southern California by the author, using a WiNRADiO G33DDC SDR and a PAR EF-SWL end fed 45' wire. All frequencies kHz, all times UTC.
OM = male, YL = woman, SS = Spanish, EE=English, Disp=Dispatcher, Unid = Unidentified.
Tones are CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) aka "PL."
CSQ = no tone in use (Carrier SQuelch)
Frequency ... Callsign ... Mode ... Description ... Time ... Tone
33500.0 Unid ? Hissy Station 2011 n/a
33520.0 Unid FM Weak OM 2011 77.0
33520.0 Unid FM OM, medic alarm 2011 131.8
33560.0 KGC755 FM Lancaster County, PA, Fire/EMS Northeast Fireground. OM & YL dispatching Deputy 33 and medic, then "Ambulance 372, OK." OM, "Ambulance 31, OK," "Sheriff's 35, OK, I copy." "Medic 430, OK." Etc. 2124 CSQ
33580.0 Unid FM Very weak 2045 ?
33600.0 KGC755 FM Lancaster County, PA, Fire/EMS receiver activation pager. Tones and dispatches for major incident at WGAL-TV, parallel with 33.9 (main dispatch fq). One call was self-identified as "Lancaster County." On 22 Mar 14, CW ID "KGC755" at 2047. 2121 CSQ
33620.0 Unid FM Weak tones and OM dispatch 2044 123.0?
33640.0 Unid FM EMS Dispatch paging tones, then OM "05, [unintelligible] City Ambulance 250," with CW ID getting cut out by the voice, so it makes no sense. Possibilities are Lancaster, Westmoreland, & Cattaragus Counties. 2206 CSQ
33640.0 KGC755 FM Lancaster County, PA, Fire/EMS Northwest Fireground. "County," YL wkg Medic 86, Medic 63, and similar. Short xmsns, mostly rogers with "OK," and a few dispatches. On 28 March, asked a mobile if he wanted help, followed closely by dispatch to same incident on 33.9. Usually distorted. CW ID used. 1746 CSQ
33640.0 Unid FM YL & OM, not Lancaster 2109 114.8
33660.0 Unid FM Parallel to other fqs, not much known 2016 ?
33680.0 KBH343 FM Morgan County Fire Dept., OH, for Malta-McConnelsville and Chesterhill. Tones and OM w/ dispatch for "[unintelligible] Squad" to medical emerg. 2259 CSQ?
33680.0 WPGJ389 FM Lancaster, PA, city Metro Fire, YL wkg OM. On 30 March, simulcast a CW ID with 33.72. 2119 CSQ
33680.0 WPFW622 FM Hunterdon County, NJ, dispatch channel. OM: "Any additional [unintelligible] fire units, you can cancel 30 Utility 21." //33.74 2047 192.8
33700.0 KGH706 FM Westmoreland County Emergency Center, PA. OM with a broadcast of a winter storm warning for possible 6-8" of snow possible, signed "Westmoreland County Radio, clear at 1736" 2136 CSQ
33700.0 KGH706 FM Westmoreland County Emergency Center, PA. Sent DTMF tones 650831, 650371, and 650911, plus 2-tone pages, each time followed by OM dispatching various units for a traffic accident with ops on tac-11. Definitely multiple transmitters in use, with slight fq and strength changes between calls. Also DTMF 650711 at 2206. 2159 CSQ
33700.0 Unid FM "OM: "--five, West Valley Chief, go ahead… [unintelligible]… need PD out there." 2121 107.2
33700.0 KDP395 FM Cattaragus County, NY FD dispatch channel. Dispatch and fireground comms at a brush fire. Possible repeater/remote. This one has been heard in Europe! 2015 151.4
33700.0 KGD869 FM Somerset County (PA) dispatch, sent units to North-1 (33.84). Later sent unit to Central-1 (33.9). 2235 192.8
33720.0 KGC755 FM Lancaster County, PA, Fire/EMS South and East Fireground. 2 YL dispatchers wkg Medic 61 then Medic 67, eastern time. Morse code tone ID KGC755. On 30 March, simulcast an ID with 33.68. 1941 CSQ
33740.0 Unid FM Two quick carrier keys, OM with tree down dispatch, two more quick keys 2314 151.4
33740.0 WPXI556 FM Hunterdon County, NJ, FD/EMS command channel. OM wkg "Utility 21" Later OM dispatching "Station 91 Fire, Engine 11-1, Rescue11" to an alarm…" followed by verbal call sign ID. //33.68 2047 192.8
33750.0 Unid ? Hissy Station, weak 2202 n/a
33760.0 KGC755 FM Lancaster County, PA, Fire/EMS. YL "County," dispatch to car vs pole with wires down. Later tone calls //33.72. Morse code tone ID KGC755. 2053 CSQ
33760.0 KCN572? FM Possible SRWW Joint Fire District, Clinton County, OH. OM dispatch. 2308 131.8?
33780.0 KTG669 FM Allegany County Fire/EMS dispatch, MD, very large old style system with 6 base stn towers and hundreds of mobiles at FDs. Fireground is on 33.68, .98, & .60. ID in disp for medical emerg: "King First Responders, this is your medic alert… 1636 hours, this is KTG669." 2336 82.5
33800.0 Unid FM OM asking mobile, "Do you need additional manpower?" QRM with two other stations on-channel. 2227 CSQ
33800.0 Unid FM YL disp for "2," and "1840." Radios emit a "turkey call" when carrier dropped. QRM. 2227 ?
33800.0 Unid FM Tones, siren sound, and OM with dispatch. QRM. 2227 179.9
33820.0 KGC755 FM Lancaster, PA, City FD frequency, YL dispatching brush fire 2109 CSQ
33820.0 KCO372 FM Calvert County, MD, many 2-tone pages, OM dispatching for traffic accident, then YL and OM conversation, squad 7 and Tac-1 mentioned. Later YL disp for North Beach, on Chesapeake Bay. Another day same YL disp for brush fire, with several mobiles enroute. Later requesting a water drop. 2140 141.3
33820.0 Unid FM FD dispatch 2011 186.2
33840.0 KGD869 FM Somerset County, PA "North-1." Tactical from 33.7 dispatch. "614" wkg "Command Somerset." 2235 92.8
33860.0 KFO822 FM Pickaway County, OH. YL with self-ID "Pickaway County, clear" after medic dispatch. Apparently some kind of legacy mutual aid frequency. 2030 77.0
33860.0 KGC676 FM Washington County Fire/EMS, Hagerstown, MD. YL clearing with a medic unit and self-identifying call sign. 2036 77.0
33860.0 KQH904 FM Licking County Emergency Comm Ctr, OH. Identifies "904," and is addressed as same. A large radio system with obvious remote bases in use. Lots of kerchunking and control tones. Frequently self-identifies as KQH904. Many fire dispatches, and some mobiles are audible. Great freq. 2025 82.5
33860.0 KBH343 FM Morgan County Fire Dept., OH, tactical for Malta-McConnelsville and Chesterhill. OM self-identified "KBH343, 1800 hours." Also heard on 33.68. 2300 146.2
33880.0 WPVT322 York County Fire/EMS, PA, 3 open-carrier key downs. ID from Radioreference. 2028 186.2
33900.0 KGC755 FM Lancaster County, PA, Fire/EMS Main Dispatch Channel. Tone pages, simul on 33.6 (Lancaster volunteer receiver activation frequency), then voice with several dispatches and more tones/ dispatches for roof collapse at WGAL-TV. This one made CNN! 2121 CSQ
33900.0 Unid FM 2 dispatches, not much else known 1810 127.3
33920.0 Unid FM Brief carrier, later YL dispatch. Louder 11 March, but no ID made. 2245 151.4
33940.0 WZX412 FM Indiana County FD, PA. OM, wkg FD units. "190, Chief, Indiana County." 2205 CSQ
33940.0 KNBX247 FM Berks County Fire/EMS, PA, response F-1. OM, recalling apparatus from [unintelligible] township. OM wkg "Chief." 1857 77.0
33950.0 Unid FM Hissy Station 2110 n/a
33960.0 Unid FM Distorted tones & OM dispatch 2035 CSQ
33975.0 Unid FM Hissy Station, long bursts 2225 n/a
33980.0 KFR674 FM Perry County, OH, FD dispatch, OM and mobiles, with turkey calls at end of transmissions. Fireground is 33.86. 2112 CSQ
33980.0 WPBB478 FM Erie County FD, PA, OM dispatcher with "Priority 1" medic dispatch to an address in Lake City (right on Lake Erie). 2112 CSQ
33980.0 Unid FM YL w/ FD dispatch, different station than the 103.5 tone, making QRM here. Several possibilities in PA. 1849 62.5
33980.0 WZC522/WPMB234 FM Muskingum County, OH, FD Dispatch. YL disp ending with time stamp and verbal self-ID WPMB234. Some mobiles heard enroute. WZC522 is a legacy simulcast of WPMB234 on 151 & 155 MHz. 1956 103.5
33980.0 Unid FM YL dispatcher wkg OM in unit 2246 141.3
33980.0 Unid FM Several stations on a grass fire response 2020 151.4
OM = male, YL = woman, SS = Spanish, EE=English, Disp=Dispatcher, Unid = Unidentified.
Tones are CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) aka "PL."
CSQ = no tone in use (Carrier SQuelch)
Frequency ... Callsign ... Mode ... Description ... Time ... Tone
33500.0 Unid ? Hissy Station 2011 n/a
33520.0 Unid FM Weak OM 2011 77.0
33520.0 Unid FM OM, medic alarm 2011 131.8
33560.0 KGC755 FM Lancaster County, PA, Fire/EMS Northeast Fireground. OM & YL dispatching Deputy 33 and medic, then "Ambulance 372, OK." OM, "Ambulance 31, OK," "Sheriff's 35, OK, I copy." "Medic 430, OK." Etc. 2124 CSQ
33580.0 Unid FM Very weak 2045 ?
33600.0 KGC755 FM Lancaster County, PA, Fire/EMS receiver activation pager. Tones and dispatches for major incident at WGAL-TV, parallel with 33.9 (main dispatch fq). One call was self-identified as "Lancaster County." On 22 Mar 14, CW ID "KGC755" at 2047. 2121 CSQ
33620.0 Unid FM Weak tones and OM dispatch 2044 123.0?
33640.0 Unid FM EMS Dispatch paging tones, then OM "05, [unintelligible] City Ambulance 250," with CW ID getting cut out by the voice, so it makes no sense. Possibilities are Lancaster, Westmoreland, & Cattaragus Counties. 2206 CSQ
33640.0 KGC755 FM Lancaster County, PA, Fire/EMS Northwest Fireground. "County," YL wkg Medic 86, Medic 63, and similar. Short xmsns, mostly rogers with "OK," and a few dispatches. On 28 March, asked a mobile if he wanted help, followed closely by dispatch to same incident on 33.9. Usually distorted. CW ID used. 1746 CSQ
33640.0 Unid FM YL & OM, not Lancaster 2109 114.8
33660.0 Unid FM Parallel to other fqs, not much known 2016 ?
33680.0 KBH343 FM Morgan County Fire Dept., OH, for Malta-McConnelsville and Chesterhill. Tones and OM w/ dispatch for "[unintelligible] Squad" to medical emerg. 2259 CSQ?
33680.0 WPGJ389 FM Lancaster, PA, city Metro Fire, YL wkg OM. On 30 March, simulcast a CW ID with 33.72. 2119 CSQ
33680.0 WPFW622 FM Hunterdon County, NJ, dispatch channel. OM: "Any additional [unintelligible] fire units, you can cancel 30 Utility 21." //33.74 2047 192.8
33700.0 KGH706 FM Westmoreland County Emergency Center, PA. OM with a broadcast of a winter storm warning for possible 6-8" of snow possible, signed "Westmoreland County Radio, clear at 1736" 2136 CSQ
33700.0 KGH706 FM Westmoreland County Emergency Center, PA. Sent DTMF tones 650831, 650371, and 650911, plus 2-tone pages, each time followed by OM dispatching various units for a traffic accident with ops on tac-11. Definitely multiple transmitters in use, with slight fq and strength changes between calls. Also DTMF 650711 at 2206. 2159 CSQ
33700.0 Unid FM "OM: "--five, West Valley Chief, go ahead… [unintelligible]… need PD out there." 2121 107.2
33700.0 KDP395 FM Cattaragus County, NY FD dispatch channel. Dispatch and fireground comms at a brush fire. Possible repeater/remote. This one has been heard in Europe! 2015 151.4
33700.0 KGD869 FM Somerset County (PA) dispatch, sent units to North-1 (33.84). Later sent unit to Central-1 (33.9). 2235 192.8
33720.0 KGC755 FM Lancaster County, PA, Fire/EMS South and East Fireground. 2 YL dispatchers wkg Medic 61 then Medic 67, eastern time. Morse code tone ID KGC755. On 30 March, simulcast an ID with 33.68. 1941 CSQ
33740.0 Unid FM Two quick carrier keys, OM with tree down dispatch, two more quick keys 2314 151.4
33740.0 WPXI556 FM Hunterdon County, NJ, FD/EMS command channel. OM wkg "Utility 21" Later OM dispatching "Station 91 Fire, Engine 11-1, Rescue11" to an alarm…" followed by verbal call sign ID. //33.68 2047 192.8
33750.0 Unid ? Hissy Station, weak 2202 n/a
33760.0 KGC755 FM Lancaster County, PA, Fire/EMS. YL "County," dispatch to car vs pole with wires down. Later tone calls //33.72. Morse code tone ID KGC755. 2053 CSQ
33760.0 KCN572? FM Possible SRWW Joint Fire District, Clinton County, OH. OM dispatch. 2308 131.8?
33780.0 KTG669 FM Allegany County Fire/EMS dispatch, MD, very large old style system with 6 base stn towers and hundreds of mobiles at FDs. Fireground is on 33.68, .98, & .60. ID in disp for medical emerg: "King First Responders, this is your medic alert… 1636 hours, this is KTG669." 2336 82.5
33800.0 Unid FM OM asking mobile, "Do you need additional manpower?" QRM with two other stations on-channel. 2227 CSQ
33800.0 Unid FM YL disp for "2," and "1840." Radios emit a "turkey call" when carrier dropped. QRM. 2227 ?
33800.0 Unid FM Tones, siren sound, and OM with dispatch. QRM. 2227 179.9
33820.0 KGC755 FM Lancaster, PA, City FD frequency, YL dispatching brush fire 2109 CSQ
33820.0 KCO372 FM Calvert County, MD, many 2-tone pages, OM dispatching for traffic accident, then YL and OM conversation, squad 7 and Tac-1 mentioned. Later YL disp for North Beach, on Chesapeake Bay. Another day same YL disp for brush fire, with several mobiles enroute. Later requesting a water drop. 2140 141.3
33820.0 Unid FM FD dispatch 2011 186.2
33840.0 KGD869 FM Somerset County, PA "North-1." Tactical from 33.7 dispatch. "614" wkg "Command Somerset." 2235 92.8
33860.0 KFO822 FM Pickaway County, OH. YL with self-ID "Pickaway County, clear" after medic dispatch. Apparently some kind of legacy mutual aid frequency. 2030 77.0
33860.0 KGC676 FM Washington County Fire/EMS, Hagerstown, MD. YL clearing with a medic unit and self-identifying call sign. 2036 77.0
33860.0 KQH904 FM Licking County Emergency Comm Ctr, OH. Identifies "904," and is addressed as same. A large radio system with obvious remote bases in use. Lots of kerchunking and control tones. Frequently self-identifies as KQH904. Many fire dispatches, and some mobiles are audible. Great freq. 2025 82.5
33860.0 KBH343 FM Morgan County Fire Dept., OH, tactical for Malta-McConnelsville and Chesterhill. OM self-identified "KBH343, 1800 hours." Also heard on 33.68. 2300 146.2
33880.0 WPVT322 York County Fire/EMS, PA, 3 open-carrier key downs. ID from Radioreference. 2028 186.2
33900.0 KGC755 FM Lancaster County, PA, Fire/EMS Main Dispatch Channel. Tone pages, simul on 33.6 (Lancaster volunteer receiver activation frequency), then voice with several dispatches and more tones/ dispatches for roof collapse at WGAL-TV. This one made CNN! 2121 CSQ
33900.0 Unid FM 2 dispatches, not much else known 1810 127.3
33920.0 Unid FM Brief carrier, later YL dispatch. Louder 11 March, but no ID made. 2245 151.4
33940.0 WZX412 FM Indiana County FD, PA. OM, wkg FD units. "190, Chief, Indiana County." 2205 CSQ
33940.0 KNBX247 FM Berks County Fire/EMS, PA, response F-1. OM, recalling apparatus from [unintelligible] township. OM wkg "Chief." 1857 77.0
33950.0 Unid FM Hissy Station 2110 n/a
33960.0 Unid FM Distorted tones & OM dispatch 2035 CSQ
33975.0 Unid FM Hissy Station, long bursts 2225 n/a
33980.0 KFR674 FM Perry County, OH, FD dispatch, OM and mobiles, with turkey calls at end of transmissions. Fireground is 33.86. 2112 CSQ
33980.0 WPBB478 FM Erie County FD, PA, OM dispatcher with "Priority 1" medic dispatch to an address in Lake City (right on Lake Erie). 2112 CSQ
33980.0 Unid FM YL w/ FD dispatch, different station than the 103.5 tone, making QRM here. Several possibilities in PA. 1849 62.5
33980.0 WZC522/WPMB234 FM Muskingum County, OH, FD Dispatch. YL disp ending with time stamp and verbal self-ID WPMB234. Some mobiles heard enroute. WZC522 is a legacy simulcast of WPMB234 on 151 & 155 MHz. 1956 103.5
33980.0 Unid FM YL dispatcher wkg OM in unit 2246 141.3
33980.0 Unid FM Several stations on a grass fire response 2020 151.4
Monday, March 31, 2014
Solar Peak VHF DX Log Part 3 (32-33.5 MHz)
All intercepts made in Southern California by the author, using a WiNRADiO G33DDC SDR and a PAR EF-SWL end fed 45' wire. All frequencies kHz, all times UTC.
OM = male, YL = woman, SS = Spanish, EE=English, Disp=Dispatcher, Unid = Unidentified.
Tones are CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) aka "PL."
CSQ = no tone in use (Carrier SQuelch)
Frequency ... Callsign ... Mode ... Description ... Time ... Tone
32025.0 Unid FM OM, weak, copied nothing 2246 CSQ?
32085.0 Unid FM Weak OM, looked like voice, no copy 2243
32150.0 Unid ? Hissy Station 2125 n/a
32180.0 Unid FM SS/OMs, several fast talking taxi dispatchers, wkg mobiles with 2-figure calls ("cero seis," "cinco uno," etc.). One of these guys has a very distinctive and great sounding voice. One mobile heard. Also a fast-talking SS/YL dispatcher. Not a US business channel. Suspect South America. 1955 77.0
32250.0 Unid WFM Military, discussing firing ranges, wide signal 2030 ?
32275.0 Unid FM Weak carrier, fading
32300.0 Unid FM Weak carriers, fuzzy OM 2053 151.4
32380.0 Unid FM Weak 2042 ?
32525.0 Unid FM Weak 2306 88.5
32550.0 Unid ? The Buzzy Station. It fades in slowly as band opens, very wide (~150 kHz) when loud. Shows the usual ionospheric leopard-skin pattern. Continuous, usually until band closes. Doesn't sound like anything heard on HF. 1936 n/a
33020.0 Unid FM Unknown transportation base station, ID sounds something like "Carly Base." OM and YL wkg "37," and "113" (both heard). OM reminding drivers of upcoming bus inspection. 2009 192.8
33026.0 Unid ? Weak Hissy Station 2146 n/a
33040.0 Unid FM YL, " Base" wkg "13" (heard, weak) regarding transportation. 2008 CSQ or 167.9
33060.0 Unid FM YL "Base," wkg several drivers, regarding transportation. 2129 123.0
33060.0 Unid FM OM, possible bus driver, having a heated argument with "Base." 2100 127.3
33080.0 Unid FM Distorted YL bus dispatcher. OM (mobile, good signal) tells her the road is blocked. She advises to use caution and keep 4-way flashers on. PL has a low audio level and doesn't decode. 2010 ?
33100.0 Unid FM OM "Base," clg "214, Alberta." Real good signal. 1946 186.2
33125.0 Unid FM Hissy Station, usual different length bursts 2155 n/a
33160.0 Unid FM SS/EE/OM taxi dispatcher. Like a lot of these, he lapses into brief English phrases on occasion. 2053 CSQ
33160.0 Unid FM OM, brief fade in 2108 203.5
33280.0 Unid FM 2 OM s, southern US accent, possible public safety. "15, clear." 1910 107.2
33480.0 WNJB312 FM Lancaster County, PA, local FD channel. OM, dispatch for "[unintelligible] Township." Later volunteer fire fighter paging tones, followed by OM announcing, "Work detail, 1600 hours, at the firehouse." 2230 CSQ
33480.0 WNFA251 FM Tolland County, CT, mutual aid channel. YL with medical dispatch. 2109 179.9
33500.0 Unid ? Hissy Station 2011 n/a
OM = male, YL = woman, SS = Spanish, EE=English, Disp=Dispatcher, Unid = Unidentified.
Tones are CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) aka "PL."
CSQ = no tone in use (Carrier SQuelch)
Frequency ... Callsign ... Mode ... Description ... Time ... Tone
32025.0 Unid FM OM, weak, copied nothing 2246 CSQ?
32085.0 Unid FM Weak OM, looked like voice, no copy 2243
32150.0 Unid ? Hissy Station 2125 n/a
32180.0 Unid FM SS/OMs, several fast talking taxi dispatchers, wkg mobiles with 2-figure calls ("cero seis," "cinco uno," etc.). One of these guys has a very distinctive and great sounding voice. One mobile heard. Also a fast-talking SS/YL dispatcher. Not a US business channel. Suspect South America. 1955 77.0
32250.0 Unid WFM Military, discussing firing ranges, wide signal 2030 ?
32275.0 Unid FM Weak carrier, fading
32300.0 Unid FM Weak carriers, fuzzy OM 2053 151.4
32380.0 Unid FM Weak 2042 ?
32525.0 Unid FM Weak 2306 88.5
32550.0 Unid ? The Buzzy Station. It fades in slowly as band opens, very wide (~150 kHz) when loud. Shows the usual ionospheric leopard-skin pattern. Continuous, usually until band closes. Doesn't sound like anything heard on HF. 1936 n/a
33020.0 Unid FM Unknown transportation base station, ID sounds something like "Carly Base." OM and YL wkg "37," and "113" (both heard). OM reminding drivers of upcoming bus inspection. 2009 192.8
33026.0 Unid ? Weak Hissy Station 2146 n/a
33040.0 Unid FM YL, " Base" wkg "13" (heard, weak) regarding transportation. 2008 CSQ or 167.9
33060.0 Unid FM YL "Base," wkg several drivers, regarding transportation. 2129 123.0
33060.0 Unid FM OM, possible bus driver, having a heated argument with "Base." 2100 127.3
33080.0 Unid FM Distorted YL bus dispatcher. OM (mobile, good signal) tells her the road is blocked. She advises to use caution and keep 4-way flashers on. PL has a low audio level and doesn't decode. 2010 ?
33100.0 Unid FM OM "Base," clg "214, Alberta." Real good signal. 1946 186.2
33125.0 Unid FM Hissy Station, usual different length bursts 2155 n/a
33160.0 Unid FM SS/EE/OM taxi dispatcher. Like a lot of these, he lapses into brief English phrases on occasion. 2053 CSQ
33160.0 Unid FM OM, brief fade in 2108 203.5
33280.0 Unid FM 2 OM s, southern US accent, possible public safety. "15, clear." 1910 107.2
33480.0 WNJB312 FM Lancaster County, PA, local FD channel. OM, dispatch for "[unintelligible] Township." Later volunteer fire fighter paging tones, followed by OM announcing, "Work detail, 1600 hours, at the firehouse." 2230 CSQ
33480.0 WNFA251 FM Tolland County, CT, mutual aid channel. YL with medical dispatch. 2109 179.9
33500.0 Unid ? Hissy Station 2011 n/a
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Solar Peak VHF DX Log, Part 2 (31-32 MHz)
All intercepts made in Southern California by the author, using a WiNRADiO G33DDC SDR and a PAR EF-SWL end fed 45' wire. All frequencies kHz, all times UTC.
OM = male, YL = woman, SS = Spanish, EE=English, Disp=Dispatcher, Unid = Unidentified.
Tones are CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) aka "PL."
Frequency ... Callsign ... Mode ... Description ... Time ... Tone
31000.0 WPCK809 FM Preston County Board of Education, Kingwood, WV. "Bus Garage" wkg various drivers in bad 2014 winter weather. Called "Preston County comm center," which answered "911 center." Wkg "121" and "129." 1921 151.4
31000.0 Unid FM YL, different agency, short cut in. "I need [another?] report" was the only thing copied. She didn't sound like a happy camper. 2012 210.7
31025.0 Unid FM 2 stns: #1: Two EE/OMs, very distorted, likely off-frequency, copied only "son of a bitch." #2: Loud/clear SS/OM, "quiero mas," definitely on-frequency. 025 is not an FCC allocation. From previous cycles, I'd be inclined to guess South America. 2130 CSQ
31040.0 Unid FM YL, brief fade in, sounded like EE 2108 203.5
31060.0 Unid FM SS/OM fast talking taxi dispatcher, phone ringing bg 2040 91.5
31080.0 Unid FM OM, sounds like Russian, then weak noise like old mil PARKHILL scrambling, minus the PL tone. Later hiss, possibly open squelch noise on a repeater or remote base output, then weak voice comm, unintelligible. Repeater skip? Fishing boat? 2220 100.0
31100.0 Unid FM OM, southern US accent, "SF2" clg "SF4" 1900 CSQ
31125.0 Unid ? Hissy Station, periodic short bursts, later long xmsns 1830 n/a
31160.0 KIP300 FM Loud YL "Dispatch," says "10-4," wkg loud OM regarding bad winter weather. Probably John Weidman & Son Oil Burner Service, Lancaster County, PA. 1929 127.3
31161.0 Unid ? Hissy Station, short bursts. Only freq not in the .25 spacing. 1940
31175.0 Unid ? Hissy Station, short bursts. Later longer transmissions. 1940 n/a
31200.0 Unid FM YL, pretty clear, transportation type stuff, also disorted OM 1954 77.0
31200.0 Unid FM 2 different OMs. One was warning a company driver of ice patches. Apparent HVAC company. References to filters for outdoor and indoor units. Loud thumping QRM from "squiggles." 2038 91.5
31200.0 Unid FM YL, nice signal, southern US accent 1954 97.4
31240.0 Unid FM YL, heavy southern US accent, sounded like "Have a great race, Rusty." 2023 82.5
31240.0 Unid FM OM, southern US accent, 2151 123.0
31275.0 Unid ? Like Hissy Station, only very loud buzz. Same people? 1745 n/a
31280.0 Unid FM 2 OMs, southern US accent, one named John. Given to long conversations. Very strong signal. Calls to "Salvador" (never heard) regarding tractors and various agricultural devices. 1850 179.9
31300.0 Unid FM Hissy Station, long & some very short xmsns 2204 n/a
31300.0 Unid FM Stn sending continuous buzz, on and off all day, fading 1908 151.4
31300.0 Unid FM Dasher, regular 1-sec carriers in standard NBFM; faded out 2106 151.4
31360.0 Unid FM OM, huge signal, sounded like some kind of company dispatch type tfc. Warning drivers about cold weather. 2018 CSQ
31360.0 Unid FM 2 OMs, southern US accent 2003 71.9
31360.0 Unid FM 2 OMs, southern US accent, one transmitter tx drifts up and down at key-down. Content suggests business or construction activity. 1925 173.8
31400.0 Unid FM Unk construction company, OMs discussing digging and such, southern US accent, great signal 1945 110.9
31440.0 Unid FM OM, southern US accent, discussing concrete and construction type work. Later two guys audible. 2047 CSQ
31480.0 Unid FM 2 OM s, base & mobile, southern US accent. 2020 CSQ
31480.0 Unid FM Very distorted OMs, lots of noise 1852 156.7
31520.0 Unid FM YL, really strong southern US accent, wkg 2-3 OM s with some joking around. Possible loading dock or warehouse type operation. 2203 82.5
31520.0 Unid FM OM, southern US accent, some kind of work regarding ditches in a field. 2141 118.8
31560.0 Unid FM 2 OMs, weak, possible false PL decode of other people 2217 114.8
31560.0 Unid FM 2 OMs, southern US accent., long exchange, distorted. Discussing work and some kind of hole in something behind something else. 2205 192.8
31600.0 Unid FM Two guys with southern US accents. Sounds like Texas. One is a truck driver, obviously chewing the rag on long hauls for companionship. He tells various stories that would make good TV scripts. 2039 136.5
31600.0 Unid FM Stn using turkey calls, doesn't sound like our trucker friend. 1902 ?
31600.0 Unid Unk Approximate center fq of "reverse squiggle," upward moving xmsn in ~10 sec periods. Demodulates (if chased around well enough) as noise + Spanish "freeband" type of voice, with echo box. Always the same guy. Likely spur or intermod. Appeared on several days. 1950
31640.0 Unid FM OM, strong southern US accent, wkg cement trucks on construction job. Fades in and out. 1738 118.8
31640.0 Unid FM YL: unintelligible, brief fade-in 1916 146.2
31680.0 Unid FM OM, not much heard 2121 114.8
31680.0 Unid FM Carrier, distorted audio 2009 156.7
31700.0 Unid FM Weak 2138 CSQ
31754.0 Unid N0N SuperDuperSquiggle, started here at 2031, drops very slowly in frequency, occasional gaps or squiggly places, ended 8 minutes later on 31353. Recurs at regular intervals with similar characteristics. Likely industrial RF device. 2031 n/a
31760.0 Unid FM 2 stns, OM mentioned "Texas," southern US accent. Not very intelligible. 2040 85.4
31760.0 Unid FM Weak OM 2220 88.5?
31760.0 Unid FM Weak YL 2041 141.3
31760.0 WXY630 FM Probably Hobet Surface Coal Mine Operations, WV. Base stn & mobiles with 600-Hz beep on un-key. Sometimes the base sends short beeps when weak mobiles are active. Traffic sounds right. 2007 146.2
31850.0 Unid FM Hissy Station, stronger than usual 1950 n/a
31880.0 Unid FM SS/OM 2131 94.8
31880.0 Unid FM 2 OMs, southern US accent 2019 94.8
31880.0 Unid FM 2 OMs, southern US accent, one stopping for a sub 2118 107.2
31880.0 Unid FM OM, noisy signal, short xmsns, fading 2048 114.8
31880.0 Unk FM 2 OM s, southern US accents, at work, weak 1858 127.3
31880.0 Unid FM OM using turkey calls, loud, mentioned "the plant" 1905 210.7
31900.0 Unid ? Hissy Station, several transmitters that seem to be wkg each other, each slightly off-frequency 2123 n/a
31920.0 Unid FM 2 Oms, concerning highway aid in "Beckman Subdivision" 2205 141.3
31950.0 Unid FM Hissy Station, narrower than others 1945 n/a
31960.0 Unid FM SS/EE/OM, dispatcher, says numbers in EE but words in SS 2128 82.5
31960.0 Unid FM 2 OM s, southern US accent 2012 107.2
31975.0 Unid WFM Brief WBFM transmissions, missed. Probably military. 1800 CSQ
OM = male, YL = woman, SS = Spanish, EE=English, Disp=Dispatcher, Unid = Unidentified.
Tones are CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) aka "PL."
Frequency ... Callsign ... Mode ... Description ... Time ... Tone
31000.0 WPCK809 FM Preston County Board of Education, Kingwood, WV. "Bus Garage" wkg various drivers in bad 2014 winter weather. Called "Preston County comm center," which answered "911 center." Wkg "121" and "129." 1921 151.4
31000.0 Unid FM YL, different agency, short cut in. "I need [another?] report" was the only thing copied. She didn't sound like a happy camper. 2012 210.7
31025.0 Unid FM 2 stns: #1: Two EE/OMs, very distorted, likely off-frequency, copied only "son of a bitch." #2: Loud/clear SS/OM, "quiero mas," definitely on-frequency. 025 is not an FCC allocation. From previous cycles, I'd be inclined to guess South America. 2130 CSQ
31040.0 Unid FM YL, brief fade in, sounded like EE 2108 203.5
31060.0 Unid FM SS/OM fast talking taxi dispatcher, phone ringing bg 2040 91.5
31080.0 Unid FM OM, sounds like Russian, then weak noise like old mil PARKHILL scrambling, minus the PL tone. Later hiss, possibly open squelch noise on a repeater or remote base output, then weak voice comm, unintelligible. Repeater skip? Fishing boat? 2220 100.0
31100.0 Unid FM OM, southern US accent, "SF2" clg "SF4" 1900 CSQ
31125.0 Unid ? Hissy Station, periodic short bursts, later long xmsns 1830 n/a
31160.0 KIP300 FM Loud YL "Dispatch," says "10-4," wkg loud OM regarding bad winter weather. Probably John Weidman & Son Oil Burner Service, Lancaster County, PA. 1929 127.3
31161.0 Unid ? Hissy Station, short bursts. Only freq not in the .25 spacing. 1940
31175.0 Unid ? Hissy Station, short bursts. Later longer transmissions. 1940 n/a
31200.0 Unid FM YL, pretty clear, transportation type stuff, also disorted OM 1954 77.0
31200.0 Unid FM 2 different OMs. One was warning a company driver of ice patches. Apparent HVAC company. References to filters for outdoor and indoor units. Loud thumping QRM from "squiggles." 2038 91.5
31200.0 Unid FM YL, nice signal, southern US accent 1954 97.4
31240.0 Unid FM YL, heavy southern US accent, sounded like "Have a great race, Rusty." 2023 82.5
31240.0 Unid FM OM, southern US accent, 2151 123.0
31275.0 Unid ? Like Hissy Station, only very loud buzz. Same people? 1745 n/a
31280.0 Unid FM 2 OMs, southern US accent, one named John. Given to long conversations. Very strong signal. Calls to "Salvador" (never heard) regarding tractors and various agricultural devices. 1850 179.9
31300.0 Unid FM Hissy Station, long & some very short xmsns 2204 n/a
31300.0 Unid FM Stn sending continuous buzz, on and off all day, fading 1908 151.4
31300.0 Unid FM Dasher, regular 1-sec carriers in standard NBFM; faded out 2106 151.4
31360.0 Unid FM OM, huge signal, sounded like some kind of company dispatch type tfc. Warning drivers about cold weather. 2018 CSQ
31360.0 Unid FM 2 OMs, southern US accent 2003 71.9
31360.0 Unid FM 2 OMs, southern US accent, one transmitter tx drifts up and down at key-down. Content suggests business or construction activity. 1925 173.8
31400.0 Unid FM Unk construction company, OMs discussing digging and such, southern US accent, great signal 1945 110.9
31440.0 Unid FM OM, southern US accent, discussing concrete and construction type work. Later two guys audible. 2047 CSQ
31480.0 Unid FM 2 OM s, base & mobile, southern US accent. 2020 CSQ
31480.0 Unid FM Very distorted OMs, lots of noise 1852 156.7
31520.0 Unid FM YL, really strong southern US accent, wkg 2-3 OM s with some joking around. Possible loading dock or warehouse type operation. 2203 82.5
31520.0 Unid FM OM, southern US accent, some kind of work regarding ditches in a field. 2141 118.8
31560.0 Unid FM 2 OMs, weak, possible false PL decode of other people 2217 114.8
31560.0 Unid FM 2 OMs, southern US accent., long exchange, distorted. Discussing work and some kind of hole in something behind something else. 2205 192.8
31600.0 Unid FM Two guys with southern US accents. Sounds like Texas. One is a truck driver, obviously chewing the rag on long hauls for companionship. He tells various stories that would make good TV scripts. 2039 136.5
31600.0 Unid FM Stn using turkey calls, doesn't sound like our trucker friend. 1902 ?
31600.0 Unid Unk Approximate center fq of "reverse squiggle," upward moving xmsn in ~10 sec periods. Demodulates (if chased around well enough) as noise + Spanish "freeband" type of voice, with echo box. Always the same guy. Likely spur or intermod. Appeared on several days. 1950
31640.0 Unid FM OM, strong southern US accent, wkg cement trucks on construction job. Fades in and out. 1738 118.8
31640.0 Unid FM YL: unintelligible, brief fade-in 1916 146.2
31680.0 Unid FM OM, not much heard 2121 114.8
31680.0 Unid FM Carrier, distorted audio 2009 156.7
31700.0 Unid FM Weak 2138 CSQ
31754.0 Unid N0N SuperDuperSquiggle, started here at 2031, drops very slowly in frequency, occasional gaps or squiggly places, ended 8 minutes later on 31353. Recurs at regular intervals with similar characteristics. Likely industrial RF device. 2031 n/a
31760.0 Unid FM 2 stns, OM mentioned "Texas," southern US accent. Not very intelligible. 2040 85.4
31760.0 Unid FM Weak OM 2220 88.5?
31760.0 Unid FM Weak YL 2041 141.3
31760.0 WXY630 FM Probably Hobet Surface Coal Mine Operations, WV. Base stn & mobiles with 600-Hz beep on un-key. Sometimes the base sends short beeps when weak mobiles are active. Traffic sounds right. 2007 146.2
31850.0 Unid FM Hissy Station, stronger than usual 1950 n/a
31880.0 Unid FM SS/OM 2131 94.8
31880.0 Unid FM 2 OMs, southern US accent 2019 94.8
31880.0 Unid FM 2 OMs, southern US accent, one stopping for a sub 2118 107.2
31880.0 Unid FM OM, noisy signal, short xmsns, fading 2048 114.8
31880.0 Unk FM 2 OM s, southern US accents, at work, weak 1858 127.3
31880.0 Unid FM OM using turkey calls, loud, mentioned "the plant" 1905 210.7
31900.0 Unid ? Hissy Station, several transmitters that seem to be wkg each other, each slightly off-frequency 2123 n/a
31920.0 Unid FM 2 Oms, concerning highway aid in "Beckman Subdivision" 2205 141.3
31950.0 Unid FM Hissy Station, narrower than others 1945 n/a
31960.0 Unid FM SS/EE/OM, dispatcher, says numbers in EE but words in SS 2128 82.5
31960.0 Unid FM 2 OM s, southern US accent 2012 107.2
31975.0 Unid WFM Brief WBFM transmissions, missed. Probably military. 1800 CSQ
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Solar Peak VHF DX Log, Part 1 (30-31 MHz)
All intercepts made in Southern California by the author, using a WiNRADiO G33DDC SDR and a PAR EF-SWL end fed 45' wire. All frequencies kHz, all times UTC.
OM = male, YL = woman, SS = Spanish, EE=English, Unid = station didn't identify.
Tones are CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System), aka "PL," in Hz.
Frequency ... Callsign ... Mode ... Description ... Time ... Tone
Tones are CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System), aka "PL," in Hz.
Frequency ... Callsign ... Mode ... Description ... Time ... Tone
30000.0 ... Unid ... ? ... The
Hissy Station. Transmits a very clean and purposeful signal about 20 kHz wide,
with little evenly spaced bright wavy lines inside a wide hiss. Appears all
over low VHF. Channel spacing seems to be 25 kHz. Usually short ARQ type
exchanges, but occasionally long bursts sounding more like the mil-spec stuff
on HF. ... 2256 ... n/a
30175.0 ... Unid ... ? ... Hissy
Station ... 1858 ... n/a
30450.0 ... Victor Bravo ... FM
... US Army, Ft. Hood Range Control, TX. Victor Bravo making radio checks with
many ranges: Clear Creek Rifle Bravo, Hand Grenade/ Claymore, Trapnell Machine
Gun, Clear Creek Machine Gun Alpha, PK [Pilot Knob] Grenade Launcher, PK Rifle
Zero. "This concludes the 1400 hours radio transmissions, all ranges
[unintelligible] Victor Bravo Range Control out." ... 2000 ... 151.4
30450.0 ... Unid ... FM ... Brief
fade in, unintelligible, different PL than before. Likely US military. ... 2111
... 210.7
30580.0 ... Unid ... FM ... OM
with US southern accent ... 1725 ... 91.5
30600.0 ... Unid ... FM ... OM,
"10-4" ... 1904 ... 107.2
30620.0 ... WPSD819 ... FM ... Millennium
Taxi Service, Chattanooga (Hamilton County), TN. Several YLs wkg mobiles.
Mobiles often heard. Distinctive phone rings in background. Best skip signal at
this QTH, always first in and last out. Bet they didn't know they have a
skywave antenna. ... 2145 ... 210.7
30620.0 ... Unid ... FM ... 2 OMs,
not the taxi co, sounds more like a cement or construction company.
"Base" wkg "217." Discussing cement. Nice clean signal. ... 2006 ... 94.8
30640.0 ... Unid ... FM ... OM,
"Jerry, where you at?" S. acc. ... 1824 ... 114.8
30640.0 ... Unid ... FM ... EE/OM/YL
... 1927 ... 146.2
30660.0 ... Unid ... FM ... SS/OM
with dispatches for "Once" ("11" in SS), mentioned something
that sounded like "Rockaway." ... 2156 ... 77.0
30680.0 ... Unid ... FM ... SS/OM,
dispatches ... 2159 ... 100.0
30700.0 ... Unid ... FM ... YL
"Base to Norman," several calls. Another guy is named George. ... 1916
... 118.8
30713.0 ... Unid ... CWFM ... Ctr
fq of farty noise, similar to sounders heard on HF ... 0023 ... n/a
30720.0 ... WQPU857 ... FM ... Van
Pool Transportation, LLC, xmtr in Sudbury, MA.
Possible rptr or multiple base stns. Definitely a wide area network.
Firm has several of these in MA. ID from traffic & FCC data. ... 2045 ... 151.4
30720.0 ... Unid ... FM ... Distorted
OM & YL, wkg weaker stn, strong southern US accent. ... 1851 ... 192.8
30740.0 ... Unid ... FM ... SS/OM
dispatches, phone ringing in bg ... 2142 ... 107.2.
30740.0 ... Unid ... FM ... Different
SS/OM, also phone ringing in bg, with PL. QRMing each other, hard to copy
either. ... 2142 ... 179.9
30760.0 ... Unid ... FM ... OM
& YL, good sig, coordinating some kind of loading work. Both loud. ... 1905
... 74.4 ... 64.7
30800.0 ... Unid ... FM ... YL
dispatcher, mostly SS except occasional lapses into EE and ??: "Anybody
else?" "Montgomery and Sullivan," "77449." Fast
talking. ... 1859 ... 88.5
30800.0 ... Unid ... FM ...
Weak OM, locksmith company, discussing a safe. Probably IN. ... 1801 ... 91.5
30800.0 ... Unid ... FM ... OM,
nothing else known ... 1910 ... 123.0
30800.0 ... Unid ... FM ... OM,
then YL with heavy southern US acccent ... 1859 ... 151.4
30920.0 ... Unid ... ? ... Ctr.
Fq of steady multi-tone buzz with ionospheric fading, possibly PSK, maybe The
Buzzy Station (see 32.55). ... 2045 ... n/a
30920.0 ... Unid ... FM ... OM,
one good loud xmsn and gone. Then Hissy Station on 30925. ... 1903 ... 162.2
30920.0 ... Unid ... ? ... Hissy
Station ... 1904 ... n/a
(to be cont'd)
Friday, March 28, 2014
Speed Test on VOA Radiogram for March 29-30
From Kim Andrew Elliott:
Hello friends,This weekend, 29-30 March 2014, will be program 52 of VOA Radiogram. This means that VOA Radiogram has survived one year of shortwave broadcasting.VOA Radiogram has been successful because of its audience: tuning in, decoding, experimenting, and sending in reports.We will mark one year of VOA Radiogram with a "battle of the 100-word-per-minute modes." The same VOA News story will be transmitted using four modes that have a speed of more-or-less 100 words per minute.Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 52, 29-30 March 2014:1:51 MFSK32: Program preview3:28 PSKR125 (110 wpm): VOA News re Ethiopia7:42 MT63-1000L (100 wpm): Same VOA New story12:34 Thor25x4 (100 wpm): Same VOA News story17:58 MFSK32 (120 wpm): Same VOA News story, with image23:55 MFSK32: US international broadcasting FY2015 budget25:58 MFSK32: Closing announcements, with imageEach mode will be preceded by 5 seconds of silence, followed by the RSID, 5 more seconds of silence, and the RSID again.Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.comVOA Radiogram transmission schedule(all days and times UTC)Sat 0930-1000 5745 kHzSat 1600-1630 17860 kHzSun 0230-0300 5745 kHzSun 1930-2000 15670 kHzAll via the Edward R. Murrow transmitting station in North Carolina.(Many shortwave broadcast frequencies will change on 30 March with the beginning of the A14 season, but the VOA Radiogram frequencies stay the same, for the time being.)The Mighty KBC, via Germany, will again transmit a minute of MFSK64 Saturday at about 1230 UTC on 6095 kHz and Sunday at about 0130 UTC on 7375 kHz. (KBC's change from 7375 to 9925 planned for this weekend has been postponed until May.) STF Radio International will also have a minute of digital modes during the same hour (simultaneous MFSK32 streams at 1500 and 2100 Hz).Amateur radio digital nets: As KD9XB, I usually check in to the New York NBEMS net Saturdays at 1400 UTC (10 am EDT) on 7036 kHz and the Pennsylvania NBEMS net Sundays at 1500 UTC (11 am EDT) on 7072.5 kHz. I occasionally also check in to the USeast NBEMS net Wednesdays at 2300 UTC (7 pm EDT) on 7036 kHz. All these nets are USB and start with Olivia 8-500, then change to another mode such as MFSK32 or MT63-1000L for messages.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Canberra Control Heard on 15962 kHz USB in MH370 Search
Listeners Gier Stokkeland (Norway) and Dallas McKenzie (NZ) have monitored Canberra Control, Australia, working Chinese and Australian military aircraft involved in the vast search for the missing Malaysia Airlines B777.
Traffic passed includes weather information and flight following data.
Traffic passed includes weather information and flight following data.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Another All-MFSK32 (set and forget) VOA Radiogram for March 22-23
From Kim Andrew Elliott:
Hello friends,Last weekend’s all-MFSK32 “set it and forget it” broadcast of VOA Radiogram worked well for most listeners, so we will do another one this weekend. This time, however, the program includes six MFSK32 images.Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 51, 22-23 March 2014 (all in MFSK32 centered on 1500 Hz):1:33 Program preview2:33 Russia Internet, with image7:36 Greenland ice sheet, with image13:45 Power from ocean waves, with image19:26 Winter's slow retreat, with 2 images25:30 Closing announcements and VOA Radiogram logoPlease 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 (transmitter in Germany) will broadcast a minute of MFSK64 Saturday at about 1230 UTC on 6095 kHz, and Sunday at about 0130 UTC (Saturday 9:30 pm EDT) on 7375 kHz. Reception reports to Eric: themightykbc@gmail.com .Amateur radio digital nets: As KD9XB, I usually check into the New York NBEMS net Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Eastern (1400Z) on 7036 kHz, and the Pennsylvania NBEMS net Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Eastern (1500Z) on 7072.5 kHz. Each is USB, starting with Olivia 8-500 centered on 1500 Hz, then changing to MFSK32 or other mode for messages.I have just about finished responding to VOA Radiogram reception reports from the weekend of 8-9 March, and will now start on reports from 15-16 March (program 50). Eventually, I will catch up!I hope to hear from you this weekend.KimKim Andrew ElliottProducer and PresenterVOA Radiogramradiogram@voanews.comTwitter: @voaradiogram
Friday, March 07, 2014
Intresting Participatory Experimental VOA Radiogram for March 8-9
From Kim Andrew Elliott:
Hello friends,
On VOA Radiogram, program 49, 8-9 March 2014, the experiment will involve the audio frequency of a received MFSK32 transmission.
We hope that simple, receive-only applications (apps) are developed to decode MFSK32 on PCs and mobile devices. One requirement of MFSK is that the receiver and software be tuned to the precise frequency.
VOA Radiogram is typically transmitted on an audio frequency of 1500 Hz. The audio frequency as received tends to be a few Hz above or below 1500 Hz.
Would an MFSK32 app require an RxID to ensure that the received audio frequency is exactly correct? Or is there enough tolerance in MFSK32 that an RxID is not necessary?
VOA Radiogram, program 49, will begin with MFSK32 on a center audio frequency of 1600 Hz, with an RSID.
Just before 4:51 into the program, I will ask VOA Radiogram listeners to turn the RxID off and manually tune to an audio frequency of 1500 Hz.
Please let us know if you are able to decode the subsequent VOA News story without the assistance of the RxID.
During that VOA News story, you can turn the RxID back on.
For unattended reception, turn RxID off and set the audio frequency to 1500 Hz. You should decode everything after 4:51 into the show.
Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 49, 8-9 March 2014, all in MFSK32:
1:37 1600 Hz: Program preview
3:14 1600 Hz: Introduction to MFSK32 experiment
4:51 1500 Hz: Cyber attacks on mobile devices, with image
10:33 1500 Hz: Ukraine telecommunications under attack
17:44 1500 Hz: Request for comments about shortwave, with image
20:11 1500 Hz: BBG FY 2015 budget request, with Flmsg* table
27:00 1500 Hz: Closing announcements
*Use Flmsg with Fldigi, both available from w1hkj.com.
Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com
Winter SWL Fest
See you at the Winter SWL Fest, 14-15 March 2014, near Philadelphia. I'll be there to demonstrate to decoding of text and images on VOA Radiogram. Attend one or both days. Registration at the door is welcome. Information at swlfest.com.
The Mighty KBC
The Mighty KBC, with studios in the Netherlands and transmitters in Germany, will transmit a minute of MFSK64 Saturday at about 1230 UTC on 6095 kHz, and Sunday at about 0130 UTC (8:30 pm EST) on 7475 kHz. Eric enjoys receiving reception reports at themightykbc@gamail.com
The Saturday 0930 UTC broadcast
Now that this broadcast has been heard and successfully decoded in New Zealand, I will keep the 5745 kHz frequency for a few more weeks. Please ask your friends in the Asia Pacific region to try to receive the broadcast. Reception is also good all the way to the North America west coast. Try unattended reception while you sleep.
Daylight Savings Time in North America
On Sunday, 9 March, we in North America will move our clocks ahead one hour for "daylight savings time." For VOA Radiogram, this means that the broadcast Sunday at 1930-2000 UTC, on 15670 kHz, will now be at 3:30 pm EDT, 2:30 pm CDT, 1:30 pm MDT, and 12:30 pm PDT.
Personally, I would prefer that North America remain on "standard" time throughout the year. With year-round "standard" time, darkness, and a corresponding reduction in temperatures from the highs we have been experiencing in recent summers, would occur one hour earlier.
Last weekend's Olivia experiment.
It was an interesting experiment. Olivia 64-2000 worked just about everywhere, including Japan. Olivia 32-2000 was almost as good. There were a few more errors with Olivia 16-2000, and several errors with the faster but less robust Olivia 8-1000.
I will begin responding to your reports Friday.
Kim
Kim Andrew Elliott
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram
voaradiogram.net
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.
Wednesday, March 05, 2014
Russian & Other Military Logs for March 4-5
From MDMonitor, Maryland, USA:
6685.0 ... 1932Z Klarnetist w/76764 (IL-76MD) reporting departure from PRIRODNIJ (Russian AB, Butulirovka) at 2225 MSK 1 hr into flt and next is Buntar (Russian AB Orenburg). (2014/03/04)
6685.0 ... 1954Z Proselok w/78809 (IL-76MD)--Acft is weak then fades out while passing flt info. (2014/03/04)
6685.0 ... 1607Z Korsar w/76769 (IL-76MD) reporting departure from Dozhdevik (Russian AB, Pushkin) at 1955 MSK and ETA landing at Pskov 2030 MSK. At 1637Z advises Polis that landed at Pskov at 2035 MSK w/fuel 20 tons. (2014/03/05)
6685.0 ... 1635Z Polis comms checks w/76776 (IL-76MD) (2014/03/05)
6685.0 ... 1658Z Korsar w/76713 (IL-76MD) reporting departure from (missed) at 2010 MSK w/fuel 40 tons. Next is Taganrog. (2014/03/05)
6690.0 ... 1546Z Stn 66 w/Magic 56 (E3TF, NAEWandCF, Geilenkirchen GE) requesting that someone meet the acft when they land at 1900 Local. (2014/03/05)
11205.0 ... 1506Z TASCOMM w/Ascot ?5?719 w/wx for LTCG (Trabzon Turkey) and EQBH (unid) (2014/03/05)
11205.0 ... 1518Z Ascot 6666 calling TASCOMM. TASCOMM replies but no contact w/Ascot 6666 (2014/03/05)
11354.0 ... 1412Z Priboj w/52753 (Russian Navy AN-26) reporting landing at Eisk at 1410 UTC w/fuel 3000 kgs. At 1612Z 52753 reports departure from Eisk at 1600Z w/fuel 4800 kgs and alt 5500 mtrs. Next is ?Blasov?. (2014/03/04)
11354.0 ... 1417Z Priboj w/75082 (Russian Navy IL-18/IL-20) reporting departure from Pushkin at 1415 UTC w/15000 kgs & ETA Severomorsk-3 is 1635 UTC. (2014/03/04)
11354.0 ... 1317Z Priboj w/88630 (unid, Russian Navy) reporting depture from Eisk at 1310 UTC w/fuel 6500 kgs and alt 8500 mtrs. ETA landing at Ostrov 1540 UTC. At 1418Z 88630 reports passing ?Malo Skoratsovo? at 1413Z alt 8500 mtrs. (2014/03/05)
11354.0 ... 1324Z Priboj & Novator in comms checks w/75082 (Russian Navy IL-18/20). At 1502Z Priboj w/75082 reporting departure from Pushkin at 1500 UTC w/fuel 14500 kgs. ETA landing at Severomorsk-3 is 1730 UTC. (2014/03/05)
11354.0 ... 1419Z Toulouse Technique w/1703 (O/M French) selcal check DJ-DM. Acft is either A-330-300 FWWCB AIB25CB or A320 F-WWIF AIB01IF(Thanks to Andy for the possible idents) (2014/03/05)
11360.0 ... 1310Z Korsar w/76613 (IL-76MD) reporting departure from Kvartet (Russian AB Taganrog). (2014/03/04)
11360.0 ... 1326Z Proselok w/86870 (IL-76MD) reporting departure from (missed) at 1709 MSK w/fuel 35 tons. Next is Shaykovka. (2014/03/04)
11360.0 ... 1357Z Proselok w/acft 89 reporting 2 hrs into flt at alt 2700 mtrs w/50 tons fuel. Proselok relays info to Klarnetist. (2014/03/04)
11360.0 ... 1432Z Proselok w/76553 (IL-76MD) reporting departure from (missed) at 1825 MSK next is Anapa. (2014/03/04)
11360.0 ... 1435Z Proselok w/78803 (IL-76MD) reporting landing at Rechnoj (Russian AB Shaykovka) at 1833 MSK. (2014/03/04)
11360.0 ... 1252Z Proselok w/78809 (IL-76MD--not heard) reporting departure from Ukrainka at 1640 MSK at alt 2700 mtrs w/fuel 40 tons. Next is Khevichi (Thanks to Alex Shmel for location) (2014/03/05)
11360.0 ... 1257Z Proselok w/76794 (IL-76MD--not heard) reporting departure from unk location (possibly Ukrainka) at 1630 MSK, alt 2700 mtrs, fuel 40 tons. Next is Khevichi (2014/03/05)
11360.0 ... 1456Z Korsar w/78831 (IL-76MD--not heard) advising that his flt info has been relayed to Klarnetist. (2014/03/05)
11360.0 ... 1529Z Korsar w/7674?2? (IL-76MD-not heard) reporting departure from Pushkin w/fuel 30 tons and ETA landing at Pskov 2005 MSK (2014/03/05)
6685.0 ... 1954Z Proselok w/78809 (IL-76MD)--Acft is weak then fades out while passing flt info. (2014/03/04)
6685.0 ... 1607Z Korsar w/76769 (IL-76MD) reporting departure from Dozhdevik (Russian AB, Pushkin) at 1955 MSK and ETA landing at Pskov 2030 MSK. At 1637Z advises Polis that landed at Pskov at 2035 MSK w/fuel 20 tons. (2014/03/05)
6685.0 ... 1635Z Polis comms checks w/76776 (IL-76MD) (2014/03/05)
6685.0 ... 1658Z Korsar w/76713 (IL-76MD) reporting departure from (missed) at 2010 MSK w/fuel 40 tons. Next is Taganrog. (2014/03/05)
6690.0 ... 1546Z Stn 66 w/Magic 56 (E3TF, NAEWandCF, Geilenkirchen GE) requesting that someone meet the acft when they land at 1900 Local. (2014/03/05)
11205.0 ... 1506Z TASCOMM w/Ascot ?5?719 w/wx for LTCG (Trabzon Turkey) and EQBH (unid) (2014/03/05)
11205.0 ... 1518Z Ascot 6666 calling TASCOMM. TASCOMM replies but no contact w/Ascot 6666 (2014/03/05)
11354.0 ... 1412Z Priboj w/52753 (Russian Navy AN-26) reporting landing at Eisk at 1410 UTC w/fuel 3000 kgs. At 1612Z 52753 reports departure from Eisk at 1600Z w/fuel 4800 kgs and alt 5500 mtrs. Next is ?Blasov?. (2014/03/04)
11354.0 ... 1417Z Priboj w/75082 (Russian Navy IL-18/IL-20) reporting departure from Pushkin at 1415 UTC w/15000 kgs & ETA Severomorsk-3 is 1635 UTC. (2014/03/04)
11354.0 ... 1317Z Priboj w/88630 (unid, Russian Navy) reporting depture from Eisk at 1310 UTC w/fuel 6500 kgs and alt 8500 mtrs. ETA landing at Ostrov 1540 UTC. At 1418Z 88630 reports passing ?Malo Skoratsovo? at 1413Z alt 8500 mtrs. (2014/03/05)
11354.0 ... 1324Z Priboj & Novator in comms checks w/75082 (Russian Navy IL-18/20). At 1502Z Priboj w/75082 reporting departure from Pushkin at 1500 UTC w/fuel 14500 kgs. ETA landing at Severomorsk-3 is 1730 UTC. (2014/03/05)
11354.0 ... 1419Z Toulouse Technique w/1703 (O/M French) selcal check DJ-DM. Acft is either A-330-300 FWWCB AIB25CB or A320 F-WWIF AIB01IF(Thanks to Andy for the possible idents) (2014/03/05)
11360.0 ... 1310Z Korsar w/76613 (IL-76MD) reporting departure from Kvartet (Russian AB Taganrog). (2014/03/04)
11360.0 ... 1326Z Proselok w/86870 (IL-76MD) reporting departure from (missed) at 1709 MSK w/fuel 35 tons. Next is Shaykovka. (2014/03/04)
11360.0 ... 1357Z Proselok w/acft 89 reporting 2 hrs into flt at alt 2700 mtrs w/50 tons fuel. Proselok relays info to Klarnetist. (2014/03/04)
11360.0 ... 1432Z Proselok w/76553 (IL-76MD) reporting departure from (missed) at 1825 MSK next is Anapa. (2014/03/04)
11360.0 ... 1435Z Proselok w/78803 (IL-76MD) reporting landing at Rechnoj (Russian AB Shaykovka) at 1833 MSK. (2014/03/04)
11360.0 ... 1252Z Proselok w/78809 (IL-76MD--not heard) reporting departure from Ukrainka at 1640 MSK at alt 2700 mtrs w/fuel 40 tons. Next is Khevichi (Thanks to Alex Shmel for location) (2014/03/05)
11360.0 ... 1257Z Proselok w/76794 (IL-76MD--not heard) reporting departure from unk location (possibly Ukrainka) at 1630 MSK, alt 2700 mtrs, fuel 40 tons. Next is Khevichi (2014/03/05)
11360.0 ... 1456Z Korsar w/78831 (IL-76MD--not heard) advising that his flt info has been relayed to Klarnetist. (2014/03/05)
11360.0 ... 1529Z Korsar w/7674?2? (IL-76MD-not heard) reporting departure from Pushkin w/fuel 30 tons and ETA landing at Pskov 2005 MSK (2014/03/05)
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