Monday, October 31, 2016

North Korea's KCBS and Voice of Korea WInter Schedules

North Korea, KCBC & Voice of Korea - B16 Winter Schedule
Effective: 30 October 2016 - 26 March 2017
Pyongyang Broadcasting Station (Pyongyang Pangsong) remains inactive at this time.
All times UTC



KCBS-Korean Central Broadcasting Station (Chosun Jungang Pangsong)
Korean
0930-0957 7220as 9445as
1230-1257 6170ca 6185as 9435sa 9850as
1430-1457 6185as 9850as
1730-1757 7570eu 9435na 11710na 12015eu
2030-2057 6170eu 7210af 9425eu 9875me 11635af 11910af
2330-2357 7235as 7570eu 9445as 9875as 11635as 12015eu

Voice of Korea
Arabic
1530-1557 9890me 11645af
1730-1757 9890me 11645af
Chinese
0330-0357 13650as 15105as
0530-0557 7220as 9445as 9730as
0630-0657 13650as 15105as
0830-0857 7220as 9445as
1130-1157 7220as 9445as
1330-1357 6185as 9850as
2130-2157 7235as 9445as 9875as 11635as
2230-2257 7235as 9445as 9875as 11635as
English
0430-0457 7220as 9445as 9730as 11735ca 13760sa 15180sa
0530-0557 13650as 15105as
0630-0657 7220as 9445as 9730as
1030-1057 6170ca 6185as 9535sa 9850as
1330-1357 7570eu 9435na 11710na 12015eu
1530-1557 7570eu 9435na 11710na 12015eu
1630-1657 9890me 11645af
1830-1857 7570eu 12015eu
1930-1957 7210af 9875me 11635af 11910af
2130-2157 7570eu 12015eu
German
1630-1657 6170eu 9425eu
1830-1857 6170eu 9425eu
1930-1957 6170eu 9425eu
French
0430-0457 13650as 15105as
0630-0657 11735ca 13760sa 15180sa
1130-1157 6170ca 6185as 9435sa 9850as
1430-1457 7570eu 9435na 11710na 12015eu
1630-1657 7570eu 9435na 11710na 12015eu
1830-1857 7201af 9875me 11635af 11910af
2030-2057 7570eu 12015eu
Japanese
0730-0757 621mw 3250as 7580as 9650as
0830-0857 621mw 3250as 7580as 9650as
0930-0957 621mw 3250as 6070as 7580as 9650as
1030-1057 621mw 3250as 6070as 7580as 9650as
1130-1157 621mw 3250as 6070as 7580as 9650as
1230-1257 621mw 3250as 6070as 7580as 9650as
2130-2157 621mw 7580as 9650as
2230-2257 621mw 3250as 7580as 9650as
2330-2357 621mw 3250as 7580as 9650as
Russian
0730-0757 9875as 11735as 13760eu 15245eu
0830-0857 9875as 11735as 13760eu 15245eu
1430-1457 6170eu 9425eu
1530-1557 6170eu 9425eu
1730-1757 6170eu 9425eu
Spanish
0330-0357 11735ca 13760sa 15180sa
0530-0557 11735ca 13760sa 15180sa
1930-1957 7570eu 12015eu
2230-2257 7570eu 12015eu
Schedule data based on announcements and schedules of the Voice of Korea and personal monitoring.
(Arnulf Piontek, Berlin, Germany)

Friday, October 28, 2016

VOA Radiogram Weekend Schedule

Hello friends,
The mystery MFSK32 transmission which has been heard occasionally before and after the VOA Radiogram broadcast Saturdays at 1600-1630 UTC on 17580 kHz was not heard last weekend by any listeners in Europe. It was heard by Mike in Washington state, at about 1542 UTC. The fact that the transmission was heard only on the US west coast introduces some interesting propagational questions about the station’s location. The mystery station also now seems to be transmitting before the North Carolina transmitter signs on at about 1545 UTC with an open carrier. Let me know if you hear and/or decode the transmission this weekend.

Many of us have noticed more hum on the 50+ year old transmitter in North Carolina. The strongest manifestation of the hum within the passband is at 360 Hz. This mixes with the VOA Radiogram MFSK32 signal which, centered on 1500 Hz, extends from about 1250 to 1750 Hz. The “ghosts” above and below the main MFSK32 trace is caused by mixing products: 1250 minus 360 = 890 Hz; 1750 plus 360 = 2110 Hz; and all frequencies between.  Roger in Germany provided this illustration:


For the most part the ghosts do not adversely affect the decoding of the MFSK32. However, the Fldigi RxID is sometimes spoofed by the lower ghost, resulting in Fldigi thinking that the digital mode is centered on 1140 Hz. This prevents a successful decode unless you set Fldigi manually to a center frequency of ~1500 Hz.

This weekend’s VOA Radiogram will be all MFSK32. Let’s hope the adverse effects of the geomagnetic storm that started on 25 October will have subsided by Saturday and Sunday.

Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 187, 29-30 October 2017, all in MFSK32 centered on 1500 Hz …

1:53  Program preview
3:02  US and China discuss space exploration*
8:19  Planet orbiting Proxima Centauri might be habitable*
15:07  Broadcasters and jammers in the ham bands*
21:11  Photo of Alderney, Channel Islands, by VOA Radiogram listener*
25:23  Closing announcements*

* with image

Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com

VOA Radiogram transmission schedule
(all days and times UTC):
Sat 0930-1000 5745 kHz  (will change to 5865 kHz starting 6 November)
Sat 1600-1630 17580 kHz
Sun 0230-0300 5745 kHz
Sun 1930-2000 15670 kHz
All via the Edward R. Murrow transmitting station in North Carolina.

The Mighty KBC will transmit to North America Sunday 0000-0200 UTC (Saturday 8-10 pm EDT) on 6145 kHz, via Germany. A minute of MFSK32 will be at about 0130 UTC. KBC will also transmit to Europe Sunday, 30 October, at 1200-1300 UTC, on 6095 kHz. A minute of MFSK32 will be at about 1230 UTC. Reports to Eric: themightykbc@gmail.com .

DigiDX will transmit MFSK32 and probably other modes:
Saturday 2030-2100, 6070 kHz, via Channel 292 Germany
Sunday 0530-0600, 6070 kHz, via Channel 292 Germany
Sunday 2130-2200 UTC, 15770 kHz, via WRMI Florida
Sunday 2330-2400 UTC, 11580 kHz, via WRMI Florida
For schedule updates, visit DigiDX at http://www.digidx.uk/  or https://www.facebook.com/digidx/

IBC (Italian Broadcasting Corporation) has a broadcast to Europe on 6070 kHz and new 3975 kHz, Wednesdays, at the new time of 1800-2100 UTC.  The MFSK32 and Olivia 16-500 are still at 2030-2100 UTC. IBC has also added a medium wave transmission Saturday 2000-2030 UTC from Radio Studio X, 1584 kHz, in Terni, Italy, with MFSK32 at 2025-2030. IBC also has MFSK32 transmissions via WRMI in Florida: Friday 0125-0200 UTC on 9955 kHz (Thursday 9:25 pm EDT), part of its 0100-0130 broadcast. And Saturday at 0155-0200 UTC (Friday evening 9:55 pm EDT), on 11580 kHz, part of its 0130-0200 broadcast.  See http://ibcradio.webs.com/ for the complete schedule and contact information.

Thank you for your reception reports. I made some progress this past week sending out the galleries from program 181. More emails will be sent this weekend.

Kim

Kim Andrew Elliott
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram
Twitter: @VOARadiogram (especially active during and after broadcasts)


Deutsche Welle slashes English service for Winter B16 schedule

(via Gayle Van Horn QSL Collection)
Deutsche Welle has slashed their English service, down to one hour from three. The one hour from 1600-1700 UTC, is targeted to eastern Africa, as indicated below.

All times UTC

Germany, B-16 schedule of Deutsche Welle English:

1600-1700 on  9820 MEY 250 kW / 007 deg to EaAf English
1600-1700 on 15290 ISS 500 kW / 140 deg to EaAf English
1600-1700 on 15315 ISS 500 kW / 172 deg to WeAf English
1600-1700 on 17690 ISS 500 kW / 172 deg to WeAf English
1600-1700 on 17710 DHA 250 kW / 215 deg to EaAf English
Morning transmissions 0400-0500 and 0500-0600 are cancelled.
(sked via SWL DX Bulgaria)

Monday, October 24, 2016

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins


Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2016 Oct 24 0702 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html
#
#                Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 17 - 23 October 2016 Solar activity was very low to low with a single C-class flare observed on 17 Oct. At 17/0038 UTC, a C4 flare was observed from
Region 2599 (S15, L=144, class/area Cko/460 on 05 Oct) which had rotated around the southwest limb on 15 Oct. A nine degree long filament, centered near N26W02, was observed erupting in SDO/AIA 304 and GONG imagery at about 20/1300 UTC. A slow-moving, faint CME was
observed in LASCO C2 imagery with possible effects observed on 23 October. No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit ranged from normal to very high levels. On 18 Oct very high levels were observed, with a peak level of 52,137 pfu. High levels were observed on 17 Oct and 19-22 Oct. Normal to high levels were observed on 23 Oct. Geomagnetic field activity during the reporting period ranged from quiet to active levels. Quiet to active conditions were observed on 17 Oct and tapered into quiet to unsettled levels through 19 Oct due to the waning effects of a CH HSS. Quiet conditions were observed from 20-22 Oct under an ambient solar wind regime. Quiet to unsettled conditions were noted 23-24 Oct due to a SSBC and initial
CH HSS effects.

The solar wind environment was above background levels on 17 Oct under the influence of a CH HSS with wind speeds between 700-800 km/s. Wind speeds gradually tapered to background conditions on 18-19 Oct. Winds increased again to around 450 km/s and minor enhancements to total field were observed on 23 Oct due to a SSBC and weak CH HSS effects.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2016 Oct 24 0702 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact: www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html
#
#      27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
#                Issued 2016-10-24
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2016 Oct 24      76          32          6
2016 Oct 25      74          44          6
2016 Oct 26      73          40          6
2016 Oct 27      71          22          5
2016 Oct 28      70          18          5
2016 Oct 29      71          18          5
2016 Oct 30      77          14          4
2016 Oct 31      80          20          5
2016 Nov 01      80          12          4
2016 Nov 02      80           5          2
2016 Nov 03      80           5          2
2016 Nov 04      80           5          2
2016 Nov 05      80           5          2
2016 Nov 06      80           8          3
2016 Nov 07      78           5          2
2016 Nov 08      78           5          2
2016 Nov 09      78           5          2
2016 Nov 10      78           5          2
2016 Nov 11      75          10          3
2016 Nov 12      75          15          4
2016 Nov 13      73          18          5
2016 Nov 14      73          10          3
2016 Nov 15      73           8          3
2016 Nov 16      73           5          2
2016 Nov 17      75           5          2
2016 Nov 18      75           5          2
2016 Nov 19      75          10          3
(NOAA)

Sunday, October 23, 2016

From the Isle of Music program October 24-25

Cover via Tilford productions
A feast of Cuban vocal music with Los Van Van for dessert…
From beautiful harmonies to stunning a cappella imitations of instruments, Cuba’s best vocal groups are a delight.

Our October 25 (October 24 in the Americas on WBCQ) program offers a few of them along with special guest Luz Divina Reyes, Director of Vocal Elé. We’ll include a little Los Van Van from the 90s, so come to listen, stay to dance.
Two options for listening on shortwave:
WBCQ, 7490 KHz, Tuesdays 0000-0100 UTC
(8pm-9pm EDT Mondays in the Americas)
Channel 292, 6070 KHz, Tuesdays 1900-2000 UTC
(2100-2200 CEST)


See the NOTES section of our Facebook page for instructions for listening online if you are out of range or don’t have a shortwave radio.

The upcoming time changes across the world will affect us as follows:
1.  The Channel 292 transmission will remain at 1900-2000 UTC, when the clocks change in Europe (Oct 30), this will mean 2000-2100 CET rather than 2100-2200 CEST).
2.  The WBCQ transmission will remain at 8pm Eastern time US, which means that when the clocks change  in the US  (November 6), we will be from 0100-0200 UTC
(William "Bill" Tilford, Producer.)

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Free Radio Service Holland's October 23 Schedule

Following a successful summer evening broadcast in August, we plan the start of a new broadcasting season, on Sunday October 23. FRS-Holland will be heard across Europe on 31 meters on 9300 (stand by frequency 9335 kHz) // 7700 kHz.

In addition FRS will be on 6070 kHz in the afternoon. The five hour evening will include the usual ingredients: great music, numerous items including the Day Calendar and radio related items.
For detailed program information take a look at the program schedule below.

Streaming
Choosing for ‘the best of both worlds’ FRSH goes for broadcasting on short wave in AM and digital high quality web streaming. Listeners can make their choice out of two streams.

 Streaming services on  http://laut.fm/jukebox
UTC/CET
Saturday October 29 16:00- 21:00 / 18:00-23:00 CEST 
Sunday October 30  08:00- 13:00 / 09:00-14:00 CET
Monday October 31 14:00- 19:00 / 15:00- 20:00 CET 
Tuesday November 1 12:00- 17:00  13:00- 18:00 CET
Sunday October 30 15:00-20:00 / 16:00- 21:00 CET 

Remarks: on Sunday October 30, marks the start of Winter time--> UTC+1 hour.

QSL-cards: Understandably reception reports and letters with comments are much appreciated and will be verified with a QSL card from our current series ‘FRS through the Years’. Each QSL of this series shows an 'element' which played an important part in FRS' 36 year life.

Curious about the previously published QSLs from this series? Surf to www.frsholland.nl/frs-image-gallery/qsl-gallery/qsl-series.html. E-mails please to frs@frsholland.nl and for an excellent large format hard copy (plus sticker & badge) use our Herten mail drop:  P.O.Box 2702, 6049 ZG Herten, the Netherlands.

You can make your own choice and choose one of the eight QSLs which have been offered so far in our long time running 'FRS-Holland Through the Years series.

FRS-HOLLAND - program-schedule for Sunday October 23, 2016 
UTC /CET 
07:52  Opening: IDs/ Theme Tune  09:52 
08:02  FRS FRS Magazine- Peter Verbruggen
Music from the 1980-2016 period, preview on FRS Goes DX, Day Calendar October 23, August mail & the Tunes item (new) 10:02 
09:00  German Service- Jan van Dijk Jan mainly focuses on new music and features the "Forgotten pirate" and "Uplink" (an interesting Free Radio website items. August mail from (mainly) German listeners. 11:00 
09:45  Musical Express- Bert van Leer.
Music from 70s/80s plus radio relatede item & August mail 11:45 
10:30  FRS Goes DX - Peter Verbruggen
The latest news from the wonderful world of radio: News from around the world, shortwave free radio news and a mini doc.  12:30 
11:15  Dave Scott's Radiowaves. Featuring classic rock, modern progressive rock, radio chat and reminiscences about land based free radio. August mail. 13:15 
12:15  FRS Golden Show - Roger Davis plays the best from the 60s and 70s (including an offshore radio item). August mail. 14:15 
13:00  End of programs/Closing down announcement 15:00 
13:05  Close Down.  15:05 
On 6070 kHz FRS will be broadcasting between 12:00-17:00 UTC/14:00- 19:00 CEST.
(FRS/A Pennington/BDXC)

Atlantic 2000 International slated for Sunday broadcast

All times UTC

Sunday October 23, 2016
Atlantic 2000 International
atlantic2000international@gmail.com
07:00 to 08:00 on 6070 kHz
17:00 to 18:00 on 6070 kHz

+ streaming at the same time on our website:
http://radioatlantic2000.free.fr

Reports to: atlantic2000international@gmail.com
Good listening !

Visit our website :
http://radioatlantic2000.free.fr
Reception Reports to: atlantic2000international@gmail.com
Good listening !
(Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain/HCDX)

Friday, October 21, 2016

VOA Radiogram weekend schedule

former Radiogram image via Kim Elliott
Hello friends,
The mystery MFSK32 signal returned last weekend.  It was heard and decoded by VOA Radiogram listeners throughout Europe just before and after the Saturday 1600-1630 UTC broadcast on 17580 kHz. Last weekend it was upper sideband. If the signal returns this weekend, any reception before 1600 UTC might be complicated by the carrier from the North Carolina transmitter, which usually starts around 1545 UTC. If you hear and/or decode the mystery signal, please let me know.

Radio Pushka (Радио Пушка) is a new addition to the Channel 292 schedule on 6070 kHz, with some MFSK32 and SSTV. See the schedule below.

VOA Radiogram program 186, 22-23 October 2016, will be all MFSK32 centered on 1500 Hz. Here is the lineup

1:49  Program preview  
3:04  NASA resumes space missions from Virginia spaceport*
11:09  Pakistan bans broadcast of Indian programs*
17:23  Alexanderson Alternator antenna damaged by fire*
21:47  DRM shortwave transmissions
23:19  Italian prime minister visits Washington (photo)*
25:50  Closing announcements*

* with image
Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com

VOA Radiogram transmission schedule
(all days and times UTC):
Sat 0930-1000 5745 kHz  (will change to 5865 kHz starting 6 November)
Sat 1600-1630 17580 kHz
Sun 0230-0300 5745 kHz
Sun 1930-2000 15670 kHz
All via the Edward R. Murrow transmitting station in North Carolina.

The Mighty KBC
will transmit to North America Sunday 0000-0200 UTC (Saturday 8-10 pm EDT) on 6145 kHz, via Germany. A minute of MFSK32 will be at about 0130 UTC. Reports to Eric: themightykbc@gmail.com .

DigiDX will transmit MFSK32 and probably other modes:
Sunday 2130-2200 UTC, 15770 kHz, via WRMI Florida
Sunday 2330-2400 UTC, 11580 kHz, via WRMI Florida
Monday 2000-2130 UTC, 6070 kHz, via Channel 292 Germany
For schedule updates, visit DigiDX at http://www.digidx.uk/  or https://www.facebook.com/digidx/

IBC (Italian Broadcasting Corporation) has a broadcast to Europe on 6070 kHz and new 3975 kHz, Wednesdays, at the new time of 1800-2100 UTC.  The MFSK32 and Olivia 16-500 are still at 2030-2100 UTC. IBC has also added a medium wave transmission Saturday 2000-2030 UTC from Radio Studio X, 1584 kHz, in Terni, Italy, with MFSK32 at 2025-2030. IBC also has MFSK32 transmissions via WRMI in Florida: Friday 0125-0200 UTC on 9955 kHz (Thursday 9:25 pm EDT), part of its 0100-0130 broadcast. And Saturday at 0155-0200 UTC (Friday evening 9:55 pm EDT), on 11580 kHz, part of its 0130-0200 broadcast.  See http://ibcradio.webs.com/ for the complete schedule and contact information

Radio Pushka (Радио Пушка) will broadcast via Channel 292 in Germany, 6070 kHz, Sunday, 23 October, at 2000-2100 UTC. The broadcast will include MFSK32 and Scottie 1 SSTV starting after 2054 UTC. See http://radiopushka.blogspot.pt/ for more information.

Thank you for your reception reports. I read them all, even if I can't respond promptly.  I'm still sending out program 181 galleries.

I hope you can tune in and write in this weekend.
Kim Andrew Elliott
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram
Twitter: @VOARadiogram (especially active during and after broadcasts)

Marconi Radio International set for today's broadcast

Marconi Radio Int'l QSL (Gayle Van Horn Collection)
Please be advised that today,  21 October 2016 Marconi Radio International will once again be on air, as follows: 1800-2000 UTC on 5700 kHz  (new frequency) USB mode with an unscheduled test broadcast.

Reception reports with audio clips (mp3-file) are welcome and confirmed by a "solid" QSL card! (Please note that reports on reception via remote web sdr receivers will be acknowledged  ONLY by electronic QSL).

Our regular weekly broadcasts on Tuesdays  are confirmed with the following schedule, which remains valid until the end of October: 17.00-21.00 UTC on 7700 kHz (USB Mode) with 100 watts. This means that next transmission will be on 25 October 2016.

Last but not least, we need your help! If you are  a DX blogger, or use social networks, please post an announcement on your own blog and/or Facebook or send out a tweet. You can also forward this message to a friend. This should help increase our potential audience.

We hope to hear from a lot of shortwave listeners about our transmissions.
Best 73's
Marconi Radio International (MRI)

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Shortwave KDKA and its Many Callsigns and Transmitters

On this occasion here in Wavescan, we pick up this the next episode in the very interesting ongoing story of the famous mediumwave and shortwave station KDKA in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania; and in particular, we briefly examine each of the callsigns, mostly shortwave, that were associated with this historic radio complex.

            But first, we review a very remarkable sports event that has never yet been superseded.  It was back on Sunday December 8, 1940 that the Chicago Bears played the Washington Redskins at Griffith Stadium in Washington DC for the final championship game of the year for NFL, the National Football League.  It was a sellout event with a record attendance of 36,034 and not a spare seat anywhere.  A special train carried 1499 excited fans from Chicago to Washington DC for this historic sports occasion.

            The Press Box facilities at Griffith Stadium were overtaxed with 150 media personnel; newspaper, radio, and even the very new TV.  The Mutual Network had bought broadcasting rights for this climactic football clash, and their programming was fed nationwide to 120 stations.  It was the first occasion for nationwide coverage in the history of sports and radio in the United States.  Other radio networks also gave wide coverage to this sports matchup emanating from the national capital.            

            It was an exciting game; it lasted a little over 3 hours, and there were many injuries, some major.  Among the reported injuries: One player broke three ribs, there was a bruised kidney, a broken fist, and a hurt knee.  So many footballs were kicked into the stands and scored by attendees that sports officials asked for some to be returned.  All available new balls were taken into play, old practice balls were used up, and the final scoring point was taken with a scroungy old resurrected ball. 

            This historic game that was played a little more than ¾ century ago, ended with an impossible score; the Chicago Bears beat the Washington Redskins with the unbelievable tally 70 - 0.  This has to be a record high, or maybe a record low, never equalled in any other NFL game, and probably never matched in any other form of popular sport either.

            Radio station KDKA in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania was aware in advance of the popular enthusiasm attached to this highly publicized sporting event in the national capital.  Thus, on Sunday December 8, 1940, station management gave the order to place all available KDKA transmitters on the air simultaneously, and thus ensure maximum coverage; local, national and international.  The young Broadcast Engineer J. William Miller, just 20 years old at the time, stated that the 50 kW mediumwave KDKA and 5 or 6 shortwave transmitters were all airborne for this striking radio occasion. 

            So what were all of these transmitters and callsigns that KDKA had at its disposal back then?  The FCC had mandated that each transmitter should be identified with a separate callsign, and in addition to that, some transmitters were given more than one callsign, depending on what form of broadcast activity was involved.  And to complicate the issue still further, some forms of licensed activity could be performed by more than one transmitter, yet still under the one callsign.

            At the time when radio broadcasting station KDKA was born in 1920, there had already been a slew of licensed wireless stations on the air in Pittsburgh, and perhaps even more that were unlicensed.  Beginning in 1915, government documents show at least 10 wireless stations in Pittsburgh before KDKA, including of course the famous amateur radio operator 8XK with Frank Conrad.  During World War 1, Westinghouse was permitted to operate two special wireless stations; 2WE at the factory, and 2WM at Conrad’s home, his own 8XK. 

            Early in the year 1920, Fred Conroy from the Carnegie Institute in Pittsburgh gave a wireless demonstration at the Westinghouse factory with his station 8XC.  At the time when KDKA was inaugurated later that same year on November 2, a temporary call was affixed, 8ZZ.

            The callsign 8XP was allocated to a small portable transmitter back in 1921, and this was used for the relay of offsite programming back to the main KDKA facility.  In 1923, 8XP, listed at 200 watts, was installed in the Presbyterian Church with the antenna wire running up the steeple.  This callsign 8XP was subsequently applied to other KDKA transmitters, sometimes fixed and sometimes portable.

            In August 1922, a new 1 kW shortwave transmitter 8XS was co-sited with KDKA on the rooftop of Building K at the Westinghouse factory at East Pittsburgh, and this was used to relay KDKA programming to the two mediumwave stations, KDPM in Cleveland Ohio and KFKX in Hastings Nebraska.  Three years later, Frank Conrad transferred his amateur callsign 8XK to Westinghouse, and the call 8XS was relinquished and returned to the FRC, Federal Radio Commission, the forerunner to the FCC.

            In 1924, callsign 8XAU was licensed as a special land station for use at the factory, though during the following year this callsign was deleted and instead, the call 8XK was implemented.  Another special land station during the 1920s was 8XAV, though this unit, rated at 20 kW, was in use for television experiments in the 2 MHz range.

            Some historic documents give the callsign 8XI to Westinghouse during World War 1 and they state that this station was a forerunner for the Westinghouse shortwave station 8XK.  However, this information is incorrect.  Back during the Great War, the call 8XI was held by the University of Pittsburgh, not Westinghouse. 

            However, Westinghouse was allocated the by then relinquished 8XI callsign on July 31, 1928, long after 8XK was already on the air.  This second application of the callsign 8XI was for 20 kW on a variable range of shortwave channels.  Three years later, on February 28, 1931, the Westinghouse usage of this callsign 8XI was deleted.      

            During the year 1923, the FRC announced that all mediumwave stations in the United States should adopt callsigns composed of three letters, not four, and therefore KDKA was to become WKA.  However, this unpopular move was never implemented.

            In 1937, the callsign 8XKA was given to another Westinghouse transmitter for experiments in what was called the ultra shortwave bands, the forerunner to modern FM.  A main channel for this unit was 55.5 MHz, which was heard back in those days in both Australia and New Zealand.  Twenty years later again, Westinghouse inaugurated a new FM station KG2XIU in what has since become the standard international FM Band 2. 

            Well, that’s all we have time for today in this episode of the story of KDKA, which over the years  has utilized 16 shortwave callsigns.  More on a coming occasion.
(AWR-Wavescan/NWS 399)

Monday, October 17, 2016

From the Isle of Music Programing October 17-18


A potpourri of styles of Cuban music...

Our October 18 (October 17 in the Americas on WBCQ) program offers a potpourri of reissues of Cuban music from prior decades and some more Cubadisco 2016 nominees - a mixture of traditional and contemporary.

Two options for listening on shortwave:
WBCQ, 7490 KHz, Tuesdays 0000-0100 UTC
(8pm-9pm EDT Mondays in the Americas)
Channel 292, 6070 KHz, Tuesdays 1900-2000 UTC
(2100-2200 CEST)
See the NOTES section of our Facebook page for more information. 

(Tilford Productions)

Cook Island Radio Tour...The Island of Beautiful People


This is now the eighth occasion in which we have made a visit to the picturesque Cook Islands in the exotic South Pacific.  In each of these feature presentations, we have examined the fascinating radio scene on each island, and also throughout this entire islandic nation as a whole. 
In our program today, we make a radio tour of three more of the exotic Cook Islands, one of which has been described as the Island of Beautiful People.  We begin today’s program with a quick glimpse at the radio scene on the island of Manihiki.

Manihiki Atoll, known as the Island of Black Pearls, is also the top of an underwater mountain, with a central lagoon 2½ miles across, surrounded by a string of 43 small islets.  More than a hundred underwater pearl farms are operated in the lagoon.
Back in the colonial era, there was an unsuccessful attempt on the part of the Polynesian people in

Tahiti to annex Manihiki for the French.  Over a lengthy period of more than 1½ centuries, the United States laid claim to Manihiki Island under its all-embracing Guano Island Act.  However, due to the fact that the island was already inhabited by its own resident population, the American claim was relinquished in 1980 in favor of the Cook islands administration. 
In advance of an approaching disastrous wind storm, Cyclone Martin, 400 people on the island of Manihiki were airlifted out to safety in November 1997.
A small communication radio station was installed on Manihiki in 1937, though it was significantly larger in fact than the one on Pukapuka Island.  Then, around 2009, a small downlink FM transmitter was installed, replacing a small mediumwave transmitter for the relay of programming from Radio Cook Islands on the capital city island.

It was on March 2, 1606 that the Spanish explorer Pedro Fernandes de Queirós visited Rakahanga Island.  He was the first European to set foot upon any of the islands in the Cook archipelago, and he stated that 500 people assembled on the beach to greet him.  The population these days is just 77.  The Catholic Friar Fray Martin de Munilla, voyaging with de Queirós, described this island as the Island of Beautiful People.

This island of Rakahanga in the Northern Cook Islands has a downlink FM relay station operating on 90.6 FM.  This low powered FM station replaced an earlier small mediumwave relay station, and the newer FM unit was first noted in the WRTVHB in 2009.  The island also operates a communication station on shortwave, and the Resident Agent representing the national government, is also the operator of this important communication link.

We visit next Penrhyn Atoll which is the northernmost island in the Cook Islands, and it is our final destination in today’s radio tour of the Cook Islands.  Penryhn is the largest atoll in the Cook Islands, larger than all other Cook islands combined, and it is surrounded by a 50 mile circle of fossilized coral.  The lagoon at Penrhyn Atoll is described as one of the largest in the world. 

Penrhyn Island was named on August 8, 1788, in honor of the transport ship Lady Penrhyn which was one of the 11 ships that sailed from England’s Isle of Wight to found the first European colony on the continent of Australia.  At the time of the discovery of Penrhyn Island, the Lady Penrhyn was supposed to be en route from Australia to China to take on a cargo of tea destined for sale in England, but it was considerably off course.  The word Penrhyn is a Welsh word meaning peninsula.
In 1864, it is stated that as many as 1,000 men, women and children from Penrhyn Island were transported to Peru in South America, where they were forced into manual labor in the mining and guano industries.  It is also reported that none of these Polynesian people ever returned to their homeland after Peru abolished slavery.



A small communication radio station was officially opened on Penrhyn on June 2, 1937 for communication with the New Zealand administration on the main Rarotonga Island.  Give three more years, and the first American service personnel arrived as part of the Pacific War.  The first contingent were Signal Corp personnel who arrived in December 1941 and they installed a radio station for communication with airplanes and with headquarters back in the United States.
In November 1942, Penrhyn Island was flooded with new people when 1,000 Americans arrived for the construction and support of an army and navy airfield.  During the war, an American Liberator plane crash landed on Penryhn after it was damaged during a bombing run in the Pacific.  Part of one engine is about all that is now left from this once proud airplane.  The last American forces personnel left Penrhyn on September 20, 1946.    

We find the first listing for a downlink FM relay station on Penrhyn in the WRTVHB for 1990.  This low powered slave relay station on 95.3 MHz likewise replaced a similar low powered mediumwave transmitter.

For those who are avid stamp collectors, Penrhyn Island has issued three different types of postage stamps during the past more than one century, and were printed and specifically identified with the island name as Penrhyn. 
(AWR-Wavescan/NWS 398)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins


Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2016 Oct 17 0400 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html#
#                Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 10 - 16 October 2016

Solar activity was low very low on 10-11 Oct and 15-16 Oct. Activity was at low levels on 12-14 Oct, with the strongest flare, a C1 at 13/2105 UTC, occurring from around the east limb. Region 2599 (S15, L=144, class/area Cko/460 on 05 Oct) was the only numbered region to produce a C-class flare; a C1/Sf at 12/1155 UTC. On 14 Oct, two filament eruptions were observed in GONG and SDO/AIA imagery in the NE quadrant. Around 14/1500 UTC, a five degree long filament erupted along a channel centered near N01E30. Later, around 14/2230 UTC, a ten degree long filament erupted along a channel centered near N09E45. No associated CME signatures were observed in available
coronagraph imagery.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at normal background levels on 13-14 Oct. Moderate levels were observed
on 11-12 Oct. High levels were reached on 10 Oct, and 14-16 Oct.  Geomagnetic field activity during the reporting period ranged from quiet to major storm (G2-Moderate) levels. Quiet to unsettled levels
were observed on 10 Oct and tapered down to quiet levels until late on 12 Oct, when unsettled levels were observed from the onset of the 08 Oct CME. Unsettled to levels continued into 13 Oct, increasing to G2 (Moderate) storm levels late on 13 Oct and into early on 14 Oct. Minor (G1-Minor) storm levels gave way to unsettled and then quiet conditions as 14 Oct progressed. Quiet to unsettled levels persisted over 15-16 Oct, increasing to G1 (Minor) storm levels once again, late on 16 Oct, in response to the onset of a negative polarity CH HSS.

The solar wind environment was at near-background levels from 10-12 Oct. Late on 12 Oct, an enhancement was observed after 12/2120 UTC, marking the arrival of a CME from a filament eruption centered near N38E40 on 08 Oct. During the sheath, a moderate increase in solar
wind speed was observed, increasing from an ambient 370 km/s to an enhanced 400-445 km/s. Total magnetic field strength ranged from 2-10 nT. The Bz component displayed a primarily northward
orientation. Around 13/0520 UTC, enhancements in the solar wind suggested the transitions from the sheath to the CME driver. Density dropped and total magnetic field strength steadily increased to a
peak of 24 nT around 13/2200 UTC. The Bz component rotated in a sustained far southward orientation, with a slow rotation northward beginning around 13/2200 UTC. Solar wind speeds were relatively modest, ranging from around 380-450 km/s during the event. Solar wind parameters slowly declined towards background conditions through 15 Oct. Early on 16 Oct, the onset of a negative polarity CH HSS was observed. Solar wind speeds steadily increased, reaching peak wind speeds around 750 km/s as the reporting period ended.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 17 October - 12 November 2016

Solar activity is expected to be very low with a chance for C-class flare activity throughout the outlook period.  No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to reach moderate levels on 21-23 Oct and 7-11 Nov; high levels on 17-20 Oct, 25-26, 30 Oct - 06 Nov, and 12 Nov; very high levels on 27-29 Oct. Enhancement in the 2 MeV electron flux is anticipated as a result of multiple, recurrent CH HSSs.
Geomagnetic field activity is likely to reach major storm (G2-Moderate) levels on 17 Oct due to elevated winds from the influence of a negative polarity coronal hole. Conditions are expected to decrease to active by 18 Oct, and quiet to unsettled conditions on 19 Oct, as the negative polarity CH HSS wanes. Active conditions are again likely on 22 Oct with the onset of recurrent, positive polarity CH HSS. Conditions are forecast to reach minor (G1-Minor) storm levels on 23 Oct and G2 storm levels from 24-26 Oct as solar wind speeds expected to climb. G1 storm conditions are likely from 27-31 Oct, and active conditions by 01 Nov, as the CH HSS slowly subsides. Quiet conditions are likely from 02-10 Nov under an ambient solar wind regime. Unsettled conditions on 11 Nov
are likely to give way to G1 storm conditions on 12 Nov as another negative polarity CH HSS is anticipated to enhance the near-Earth space environment.



Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2016 Oct 17 0400 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html#
#      27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
#                Issued 2016-10-17
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2016 Oct 17      80          26          6
2016 Oct 18      80          12          4
2016 Oct 19      75           8          3
2016 Oct 20      75           5          2
2016 Oct 21      75           5          2
2016 Oct 22      75          12          4
2016 Oct 23      75          22          5
2016 Oct 24      70          35          6
2016 Oct 25      70          35          6
2016 Oct 26      70          35          6
2016 Oct 27      75          20          5
2016 Oct 28      75          15          5
2016 Oct 29      75          15          5
2016 Oct 30      80          15          5
2016 Oct 31      85          25          5
2016 Nov 01      85          12          4
2016 Nov 02      85           5          2
2016 Nov 03      85           5          2
2016 Nov 04      85           5          2
2016 Nov 05      85           5          2
2016 Nov 06      90           8          3
2016 Nov 07      90           5          2
2016 Nov 08      90           5          2
2016 Nov 09      85           5          2
2016 Nov 10      85           5          2
2016 Nov 11      85          10          3
2016 Nov 12      80          24          5
(NOAA)

Friday, October 14, 2016

VOA Radiogram Weekend Schedule

Last weekend's Hawaii lava as received by Anatoly in Russia, Saturday 1600-1630 UTC, 17580 kHz.
Hello friends,
The "unadvertised" MFSK32 signal made another appearance last weekend. Chris in England  heard and decoded MFSK32 from the unknown station at 1555 UTC. Reception was difficult partly because the VOA carrier from North Carolina starts at about 1545 UTC, and it was strong into Europe last weekend. Please listen for, decode, and record if possible any strange MFSK32 signals just before or after the VOA Radiogram broadcast Saturday at 1600-1630 on 17580 kHz.
This weekend's VOA Radiogram will be all MFSK32. An image after the closing announcement shows the effects of flooding in North Carolina, near the transmitter site, following Hurricane Matthew. That will be followed by ASCII art (use monospace font such as Courier or Consolas). A small logo image and the waterfall ID will be seen after the closing music (I had an extra minute to fill). 
Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 185, 15-16 October 2016, all in MFSK32 centered on
1500 Hz:
1:51  Program preview
3:02  Will electric cars dominate in wealthy cities by 2030?*
8:26  Turkey questions historical treaty defining borders*
15:54  ARRL comments on FCC amateur radio digital mode rules* 
23:34  Closing announcements*
* with image
Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com
VOA Radiogram transmission schedule
(all days and times UTC):
Sat 0930-1000 5745 kHz
Sat 1600-1630 17580 kHz
Sun 0230-0300 5745 kHz
Sun 1930-2000 15670 kHz
All via the Edward R. Murrow transmitting station in North Carolina.
The Mighty KBC will transmit to North America Sunday 0000-0200 UTC (Saturday 8-10 pm EDT) on 6145 kHz, via Germany. A minute of MFSK32 will be at about 0130 UTC. Reports to Eric: themightykbc@gmail.com .
DigiDX will transmit MFSK32 and probably other modes:
Sunday 2130-2200 UTC, 15770 kHz, via WRMI Florida
Sunday 2330-2400 UTC, 11580 kHz, via WRMI Florida
Monday 2000-2130 UTC, 6070 kHz, via Channel 292 Germany
For schedule updates, visit DigiDX at http://www.digidx.uk/  or https://www.facebook.com/digidx/
IBC (Italian Broadcasting Corporation) has a broadcast to Europe on 6070 kHz, Wednesdays, at the new time of 1800-2100 UTC.  The MFSK32 and Olivia 16-500 are still at 2030-2100 UTC. IBC has also added a medium wave transmission Saturday 2000-2030 UTC from Radio Studio X, 1584 kHz, in Terni, Italy, with MFSK32 at 2025-2030. IBC also has MFSK32 transmissions via WRMI in Florida: Friday 0125-0200 UTC on 9955 kHz (Thursday 9:25 pm EDT), part of its 0100-0130 broadcast. And Saturday at 0155-0200 UTC (Friday evening 9:55 pm EDT), on 11580 kHz, part of its 0130-0200 broadcast.  See http://ibcradio.webs.com/ for the complete schedule and contact information
VOA shortwave to Haiti. The VOA Creole (Kreyòl) Service for Haiti is (as I write this) transmitting on shortwave in support of Hurricane Matthew relief efforts.  The schedule is daily 2000-2030 UTC on 11720 and 15220 kHz, via the North Carolina transmitting station.
Thanks for your reports from last weekend, during which reception conditions were unusually good.  I'm still responding to program 181 reception reports.
I hope you can tune and write in this weekend.
Kim Andrew Elliott
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram
voaradiogram.net
Twitter: @VOARadiogram (especially active during and after broadcasts)


Euro Weekend Relays

All times UTC
Saturday:

Radio City via Secretbrod, Bulgaria - 50 KW:
Saturday 15th October at 08.00 to 09.00  on 9510 kHz via IRRS
Saturday 22nd October at 12.00 to 13.00  on 7265 kHz via Hamburger Lokalradio
Every Saturday at 19.00 to 20.00  on 1485 via Radio Merkurs in Riga, Latvia.
Each service has separate programs and also separate QSL letters.
Additionally IRRS often use old programs as fillers, especially Saturdays on 9510 kHz.
Challenger Radio in Italy may also use old programs as fillers, not necessarily starting at the top of the hour.
Contact address remains: citymorecars@yahoo.ca

Hamburger Lokal Radio via Göhren, Germany - 1KW:
06.00 to 10.00 , on 6190 KHz
10.00 to 15.00 , on 7265 KHz

Sunday:
KBC to the USA via Nauen, Germany - 125 KW:
00:00  onwards  (Wintertime on 6145 and 9925 for the summer period)
Email:  themightykbc@gmail.com
EMR Relay on 15th of October 2016 via WBCQ, Monticello Maine USA - 50 KW:      
21.00 to 22.00  on 7490 KHz - Central & North America :
EMR Relays on 16th of October 2016:                                                                                          
07.00 to 08.00  on 11650 KHz - Southern Europe via KBC, Nauen, Germany - 100 KW                      
08.00 to 09.00  on   6045 KHz -  Europe & UK via KBC, Nauen, Germany - 125 KW                                            
08.00 to 09.00  on   9485 KHz - Europe & UK via MV Baltic Radio, via Göhren, Germany - 1 KW                                     
19.00 to 20.00  on   6070 KHz - Europe & UK via Channel 292, Rohrbach, Germany - 10 KW
Internet Repeats on 16th October 2016:
EMR will repeat this months Transmissions via two streams running at the following Times:15.00, 17.00, 19.00
http://nednl.net:8000/emr.m3u will be on 96 kbps /44 KHz stereo for normal listening
http://nednl.net:8000/emr24.m3u will be 24 kbps / 22 KHz mono will be especially for low bandwidth like mobile phones.
Hamburger Lokal Radio via Göhren, Germany - 1KW:
09.00 to 12.00  on 9485 kHz -  Contact email: redaktion@hamburger-lokalradio.de 
HLR FM-DAB+ Program via the Internet : www.hamburger-lokalradio.net  Daily 24 h
Hobart Radio International:
Full Schedule A16: http://www.hriradio.org/p/current-schedule.html
Please Email: hriradio@gmail.com

For outside the listening area please try the Twente/Netherlands Web RX at http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/
You can also hear many European free and alternative stations via the Internet at: http://laut.fm/jukebox
Radio Channel 292  Transmission schedules:
http://www.channel292.de/schedule-for-bookings/
 Radio Mi Amigo Transmission schedules:
www.radiomiamigo.es/shortwave
Good Listening!
(Tom Taylor)


Thursday, October 13, 2016

Shiokaze Sea Breeze frequency update


Clandestine
Frequency changes of Shiokaze Sea Breeze
Effective; 12 October 2016

All times UTC
1300-1330 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 5985 Chinese Mon
1300-1330 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 5985 Japanese Tue
1300-1330 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 5985 Korean Wed
1300-1330 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 5985 English Thu
1300-1330 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 5985 Korean Fri
1300-1330 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 5985 Japanese Sat
1300-1330 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 5985 Korean Sun
1330-1400 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 5985 Korean Mon
1330-1400 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 5985 Japanese Tue
1330-1400 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 5985 Korean Wed
1330-1400 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 5985 English Thu
1330-1400 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 5985 Korean Fri
1330-1400 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 5985 Korean Sat
1330-1400 NF  5935 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 5985 Japanese Sun
1405-1435 NF  5985 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 7325 Japanese Daily
1600-1630 NF  5915 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6090 Chinese Mon
1600-1630 NF  5915 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6090 Japanese Tue
1600-1630 NF  5915 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6090 Korean Wed
1600-1630 NF  5915 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6090 English Thu
1600-1630 NF  5915 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6090 Korean Fri
1600-1630 NF  5915 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6090 Japanese Sat
1600-1630 NF  5915 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6090 Korean Sun
1630-1700 NF  5915 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6090 Korean Mon
1630-1700 NF  5915 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6090 Japanese Tue
1630-1700 NF  5915 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6090 Korean Wed
1630-1700 NF  5915 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6090 English Thu
1630-1700 NF  5915 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6090 Korean Fri
1630-1700 NF  5915 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6090 Korean Sat
1630-1700 NF  5915 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6090 Japanese Sun
(SWL DX Bulgaria-10/13/2016)

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins


Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2016 Oct 10 0105 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html
#
#                Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 03 - 09 October 2016
Solar activity was at very low levels with a few background flares observed from Regions 2598 (N14, L=174, class/area Dai/140 on 07 Oct), 2599 (S14, L=144, class/area Cko/460 on 05 Oct) and 2600 (N13,  L=105, class/area Cso/110 on 09 Oct). On 08 Oct, between 08/1500-1700 UTC, a 10 degree long filament erupted in the NE quadrant centered near N38E40. A slow-moving, asymmetric,
partial-halo CME was observed in LASCO C2 imagery, first visible at 09/0048 UTC.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at high levels during the entire summary period. A maximum of 32,138
pfu was observed at 03/1640 UTC.  Geomagnetic field activity was highlighted by mostly unsettled to active levels on 03-05 Oct. An isolated minor storm (G1-Minor) period was observed early on 04 Oct. Mostly quiet levels were observed from 04-09 Oct with isolated unsettled and active periods
were observed early on 07 and 08 Oct, respectively. The enhanced  geomagnetic activity was due to high speed winds from a recurrent positive polarity coronal hole. Some further enhancement occurred early on 04 Oct due to CME effects from an eruptive filament observed early on 01 Oct.

The solar wind environment began the period at about 500 km/s, increased to near 600 km/s midday on 04 Oct and slowly decreased to end the period at about 370 km/s. Total field generally ranged from 2-6 nT with a peak of 10 nt observed midday on 04 Oct. The Bz component was mostly variable between +/- 6 nT. Phi angle was in a general positive orientation throughout the period.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 10 October - 05 November 2016
Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels with a chance for C-class flare activity throughout the outlook period.  No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at high levels on 10-11, 16-18, 24-26, 30-31 Oct and 01-06 Nov increasing to very high levels on 27-29 Oct. This is due to the anticipated influence of multiple, recurrent CH HSSs. Normal to moderate levels are expected for the remainder of the outlook period.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at unsettled to active levels on 11-18, 23-31 Oct and 01 Nov. G1 (Minor) field activity is possible on 13-15, 17 and 23-31 Oct with G2 (Moderate) levels possible on 24-26 Oct. This activity is due to the anticipated influence of multiple, recurrent CH HSSs. Additional enhancement to the field is expected on 13-14 Oct due to CME effects from the 08
Oct filament eruption. Generally quiet to unsettled conditions are expected for the remainder of the outlook period.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2016 Oct 10 0105 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC contact on the Web www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html
#
#      27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
#                Issued 2016-10-10
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2016 Oct 10     105           5          2
2016 Oct 11     105           8          3
2016 Oct 12     110           8          3
2016 Oct 13     110          18          5
2016 Oct 14     105          18          5
2016 Oct 15     100          15          5
2016 Oct 16      95          12          4
2016 Oct 17      95          20          5
2016 Oct 18      95           8          3
2016 Oct 19      90           5          2
2016 Oct 20      90           5          2
2016 Oct 21      90           5          2
2016 Oct 22      85           5          2
2016 Oct 23      85          20          5
2016 Oct 24      85          35          6
2016 Oct 25      85          35          6
2016 Oct 26      85          35          6
2016 Oct 27      80          20          5
2016 Oct 28      80          15          5
2016 Oct 29      80          15          5
2016 Oct 30      90          15          5
2016 Oct 31      95          25          5
2016 Nov 01     100          12          4
2016 Nov 02     100           5          2
2016 Nov 03     105           5          2
2016 Nov 04     105           5          2
2016 Nov 05     105           5          2
(NOAA)

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

First Live DRM Transmissions for Caribbean, Central America Planned


This year, the General Assembly of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union will mark a significant event, as the Digital Radio Mondiale Consortium has announced it will be bringing the first live digital radio signal transmission to Cuba, the Caribbean region and parts of northern Latin America, and even as far north as Florida.

The broadcast will come from the BBC via its Atlantic Relay station through the services of Babcock International. DRM says the transmission will be in the 13 meter-band on 21720 kHz and will carry BBC World Service programs in English. Additional multimedia features of DRM will also be demonstrated on radio receiver screens.

The DRM broadcast will go from 4 p.m.–6 p.m. GMT on Oct. 24 and 25.
(Radio World)