Shortwave America is ending 2010 with more than nine thousand readers! Thank you all for making this a successful site! The Shortwave America Reader Survey is wrapping up on January 4th 2011 at 12AM Central Time (U.S.) and the numbers will be released within the week after it wraps up and will be used to bring many of the enhancements reflected by the voices of Shortwave America readers who participated in the survey.
Thanks so much to those of you who have participated! For those who haven't done so yet, please take a few moments of your time to tell Shortwave America what's on your mind for a better experience!
Over this year, several supporters have been instrumental to propelling this publication forward alongside the loyal readers, and they are deserving of honorable mention as a humble show of gratitude! Without further waiting, Shortwave America would like to thank the following:
Tom - AB9NZ, John - W9HNA, Shabnam Assadollahi at CHIN Radio Canada, Homayoun Mobasseri at NEDA For A Free Iran, PCJ Media and PCJ Radio / Keith Perron, Al - K9ZQO, Enigma 2000, The Spooks List, Mr. Fahey, Lisnews, Hap Holly and The Rain Report, RadioReference / Lindsay Blanton, The Southgate Amateur Radio Club, Glenn Hauser, The many readers of The Radiotelegrapher, Mitch - WV9MJS, Suzanne Alicie at Your Weekly Writer, HF Underground, Chris Smolinski, Members of the Shortwave America Fan Club, Pat Tice and the HandiHam Organization, Bill Pasternak - WA6ITF of Amateur Radio Newsline, Pirate Radio Weekly, all of the various feed providers who have syndicated Shortwave America, Mr. Arey, Pam Mark Hall, retired members of the United States and friendly allied National Intelligence / National Security communities, and the list goes on! Those who are not named here should know that they are not at all forgotten for their support, help, or contributions!
Here's to another fun year of reporting on everything radio from station loggings to shortwave broadcast items, amateur radio, HF SSB Monitoring, radio related ramblings / sarcasm / silliness / observations, interviews, items of interest, etc!
In closing, Shortwave America urges everyone to celebrate the New Year safely & wisely!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
A New Year's Gift!
Shortwave America readers now have two new features as part of the 2011 enhancements to this site!
Look at the top of the page, and you'll notice two new pages have been added. These are Radio Netherlands Worldwide (RNW) and a Shortwave America listening Gallery. When you click on the link for RNW, the player will start automatically. You can use the Listening Gallery simply by clicking on the link and then choosing which station you want to listen to.
The list includes: Radio Australia, BBC, China Radio International, Deutsche Welle, Radio Sweden, and Talk Radio Europe. This list is going to grow and will not remain terribly limited.
Enjoy these two new features as often as you wish!
Look at the top of the page, and you'll notice two new pages have been added. These are Radio Netherlands Worldwide (RNW) and a Shortwave America listening Gallery. When you click on the link for RNW, the player will start automatically. You can use the Listening Gallery simply by clicking on the link and then choosing which station you want to listen to.
The list includes: Radio Australia, BBC, China Radio International, Deutsche Welle, Radio Sweden, and Talk Radio Europe. This list is going to grow and will not remain terribly limited.
Enjoy these two new features as often as you wish!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Media Network Plus - 3rd Edition Airs Radio Bloopers
Paulette MacQuarry and Keith Perron of Media Network Plus have created a masterpiece with their newest edition of their show. You'll have to forward to about a little past the middle of the show to get to the radio bloopers and get ready to laugh with intensity!
Thanks for the laughs Paulette and Keith! Listen HERE
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Thirty Names Roberto: Does He Have Thirty Personalities Too?
Roberto Irizarry is a name that has become synonymous with the modern day internet troll, AND also a common example of what a person with an inflated self - image, a manic personality, and a possible internet addiction would look like. Roberto owns a small business in which he supplies emergency responder gear to those in the Public Safety profession.
For whatever reason, Roberto has had an obsession with RadioReference owner, Lindsay C. Blanton III, and an excessive need for attention just this side of abnormal. Recently, on December 08th 2010, Roberto started a thread at RadioReference in which the site itself and Lindsay C. Blanton III was blamed for the trend in Public Safety agencies across the country using encryption on their radio communications systems.
As anyone familiar with internet radio forums knows, any message board serving the radio communications community has a mix of personalities and TROLLS! We all know that forums sections allowing political talk, rants, and general topic discussion will eventually see threads that are just troll bait with the only aim and purpose of getting the forum natives all excited, and annoying the hell out of forum administrators.
Roberto runs a business called "Mutual Aid Supplies", and apparently, according to a quote from RadioReference user K3HY, Roberto treats his customers to unprofessional behavior.
Here is a direct quote from Lindsay Blanton about Roberto's obsessive and unprofessional behavior:
"The community should know who com-21 is.
He is Roberto Irizarry, the Owner/Operator of an outfit called Mutual Aid Supplies
http://www.mutualaidsupplies.com/
He runs a bustling business through his site and ebay selling gear to public safety agencies, and I'm sure he's doing quite well.
However, as you see he has some pretty serious issues with the way that approaches many online communities in the public safety realm.
In our instance, he's registered quite a few usernames for the sole purpose of trolling our boards. They include
Com-4 (original username)
Com-1
easy123
and of course com-21. There might be more... We're not sure why he participates in this behavior, but it is pretty clear that there is some vendetta against RadioReference since his com-21 registration was for the sole purpose to start this thread.
A rant is a rant, but to join RR just to rant about RR is kind of strange to say the least." __________________
Lindsay C. Blanton III
President - RadioReference.com LLC
Facebook: RadioReference | Twitter: @RadioReference
Roberto has sent some pretty nasty letters to the Reference over the years.
According to Reference user "iamhere300", "Izzy" as he has become known in the thread, has even become a PITA over at firehouse.com with a rather spectacular rant about "P25 and Narrowbanding". Here is the complete quote from "iamhere300" directly from the thread:
"Izzy was on Firehouse.com - arguing about narrowbanding, and P25. He thought they were the same - to go narrowband you had to be P25.
Then he started arguing with one of the premier communications attornies in the US, Alan Tilles, about narrowbanding.
Then he said he ate lunch with the upper level brass of Orlando Fire Department, and sat in on the non-public interviews. A current member of the department then sent this,
QUOTE
Where do you get this ? First you post the cold hard facts About Orlando, none of which are true. Second you have sat in on OFD interviews ? I'm calling BS ! OFD interviews are not a public forum. Who have you had dinner with and shared the innerworkings of OFD with ?
Those of you who took the challenge of taking OFD's written / practical and passed congratulations. Hopefully you will be one of the firefighters hired to fill positions in the three new stations we have broke ground on recently.
Those who thought that MutualAidSupply knew anything about OFD and were misled by his "facts" sorry for believing the BS rantings of liar.
I work for OFD and have for the past 8 years. I came to OFD from a small department in south FL and have loved working here. The tradition and brotherhood here are second to none.
If you have any questions about OFD get the truth.
Stay safe
Rob
END QUOTE
Izzy is famous for being ... An idiot!"
On page four of this now famous thread, Roberto actually made a statement that cell phones could be monitored and Lindsay had this to say in return:
"Roberto,
First, there isn't a single service monitor available that can actually *monitor* a live GSM/CDMA cell phone call. GSM and CDMA service monitors are designed to test and emulate handsets and base station equipment - they cannot intercept live calls between subscriber units and base stations. Get your facts straight.
Second, you can spout all day about your credentials in the healthcare/public safety field, but the reality is you own a small business that supplies equipment to a limited number of public safety agencies. The public safety community has seen these types of inflated claims from you before:
From a quote from you on Firehouse.com:
Suggestions for getting hired with Orlando? - Page 2 - Firehouse Forums - Firefighting Discussion
.
End quoted section of response. Anyone interested can go here to see the complete context of this portion of the discussion.
Roberto's delusional rants don't hold water when examined against the following:
Letters From Public Safety Agencies
Restricted Info - RadioReference Wiki
RadioReference Blog: Explaining the Data Removal Policy Change on RadioReference.com
As anyone can see, Lindsay did the right thing when he handled business in the way he did. Anyone else with a head on their shoulders would have done the same thing.
A final quote at the end of this thread from Lindsay Blanton and the final action:
"This thread certainly delivered. We had the protagonist, a few antagonists, some sideline dwellers that criticized both parties, the level-headed "come on folks" and the end of thread racist remarks. Two thumbs up for an epic rant!"
com-21 is now "Completely Banned For The Greater Good" and it is being reasonably assumed that all of his usernames have also been banned. Excellent job Lindsay!
Lindsay Blanton was invited by Shortwave America to be interviewed about this whole experience with Roberto, but comment was not returned most likely because of the timing of this publication's request with the 2010 Christmas holiday.
For whatever reason, Roberto has had an obsession with RadioReference owner, Lindsay C. Blanton III, and an excessive need for attention just this side of abnormal. Recently, on December 08th 2010, Roberto started a thread at RadioReference in which the site itself and Lindsay C. Blanton III was blamed for the trend in Public Safety agencies across the country using encryption on their radio communications systems.
As anyone familiar with internet radio forums knows, any message board serving the radio communications community has a mix of personalities and TROLLS! We all know that forums sections allowing political talk, rants, and general topic discussion will eventually see threads that are just troll bait with the only aim and purpose of getting the forum natives all excited, and annoying the hell out of forum administrators.
Roberto runs a business called "Mutual Aid Supplies", and apparently, according to a quote from RadioReference user K3HY, Roberto treats his customers to unprofessional behavior.
Here is a direct quote from Lindsay Blanton about Roberto's obsessive and unprofessional behavior:
"The community should know who com-21 is.
He is Roberto Irizarry, the Owner/Operator of an outfit called Mutual Aid Supplies
http://www.mutualaidsupplies.com/
He runs a bustling business through his site and ebay selling gear to public safety agencies, and I'm sure he's doing quite well.
However, as you see he has some pretty serious issues with the way that approaches many online communities in the public safety realm.
In our instance, he's registered quite a few usernames for the sole purpose of trolling our boards. They include
Com-4 (original username)
Com-1
easy123
and of course com-21. There might be more... We're not sure why he participates in this behavior, but it is pretty clear that there is some vendetta against RadioReference since his com-21 registration was for the sole purpose to start this thread.
A rant is a rant, but to join RR just to rant about RR is kind of strange to say the least." __________________
Lindsay C. Blanton III
President - RadioReference.com LLC
Facebook: RadioReference | Twitter: @RadioReference
Roberto has sent some pretty nasty letters to the Reference over the years.
According to Reference user "iamhere300", "Izzy" as he has become known in the thread, has even become a PITA over at firehouse.com with a rather spectacular rant about "P25 and Narrowbanding". Here is the complete quote from "iamhere300" directly from the thread:
"Izzy was on Firehouse.com - arguing about narrowbanding, and P25. He thought they were the same - to go narrowband you had to be P25.
Then he started arguing with one of the premier communications attornies in the US, Alan Tilles, about narrowbanding.
Then he said he ate lunch with the upper level brass of Orlando Fire Department, and sat in on the non-public interviews. A current member of the department then sent this,
QUOTE
Where do you get this ? First you post the cold hard facts About Orlando, none of which are true. Second you have sat in on OFD interviews ? I'm calling BS ! OFD interviews are not a public forum. Who have you had dinner with and shared the innerworkings of OFD with ?
Those of you who took the challenge of taking OFD's written / practical and passed congratulations. Hopefully you will be one of the firefighters hired to fill positions in the three new stations we have broke ground on recently.
Those who thought that MutualAidSupply knew anything about OFD and were misled by his "facts" sorry for believing the BS rantings of liar.
I work for OFD and have for the past 8 years. I came to OFD from a small department in south FL and have loved working here. The tradition and brotherhood here are second to none.
If you have any questions about OFD get the truth.
Stay safe
Rob
END QUOTE
Izzy is famous for being ... An idiot!"
On page four of this now famous thread, Roberto actually made a statement that cell phones could be monitored and Lindsay had this to say in return:
"Roberto,
First, there isn't a single service monitor available that can actually *monitor* a live GSM/CDMA cell phone call. GSM and CDMA service monitors are designed to test and emulate handsets and base station equipment - they cannot intercept live calls between subscriber units and base stations. Get your facts straight.
Second, you can spout all day about your credentials in the healthcare/public safety field, but the reality is you own a small business that supplies equipment to a limited number of public safety agencies. The public safety community has seen these types of inflated claims from you before:
From a quote from you on Firehouse.com:
Suggestions for getting hired with Orlando? - Page 2 - Firehouse Forums - Firefighting Discussion
.
End quoted section of response. Anyone interested can go here to see the complete context of this portion of the discussion.
Roberto's delusional rants don't hold water when examined against the following:
Letters From Public Safety Agencies
Restricted Info - RadioReference Wiki
RadioReference Blog: Explaining the Data Removal Policy Change on RadioReference.com
As anyone can see, Lindsay did the right thing when he handled business in the way he did. Anyone else with a head on their shoulders would have done the same thing.
A final quote at the end of this thread from Lindsay Blanton and the final action:
"This thread certainly delivered. We had the protagonist, a few antagonists, some sideline dwellers that criticized both parties, the level-headed "come on folks" and the end of thread racist remarks. Two thumbs up for an epic rant!"
com-21 is now "Completely Banned For The Greater Good" and it is being reasonably assumed that all of his usernames have also been banned. Excellent job Lindsay!
Lindsay Blanton was invited by Shortwave America to be interviewed about this whole experience with Roberto, but comment was not returned most likely because of the timing of this publication's request with the 2010 Christmas holiday.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Following The BBC World Service Drama
The overall goal and objectives here are to analyze each and every move made by the BBC to separate fact from fiction, to ask if any of BBC's actions make any real sense from either the business perspective or the common sense perspective, and to then ask why it is it would appear that relations between the BBC and the body of British Government responsible for granting funding and licensure to the BBC seem to have broken down. Once these tasks were complete, the next sets of questions arising have to do with how all of this affects the corporate leadership and it's relationship with the Journalists Union and the BBC Journalists themselves.
Shortwave America then went digging around the Official BBC Website for anything relating to all of these shenanigans that would either shed light on the facts, contradictory statements, vague statements, material that would show either BBC's willingness to be candid and transparent or to use other material as a way of helping the public to become distracted from the very real problems at BBC.
Without any further waiting, here are the RNW Media Network Blog Archives pertaining to the BBC in exact order from the earliest reports to the most current reports. Shortwave America readers can come to their own conclusions as to the above noted questions.
Former BBCWS Drama Boss Criticizes Axing Of Plays
BBC World Service Could lose Half Its Staff: Press Report
BBC Launches HD Sound For Radio
BBC World Service To Be Funded From Domestic License Fee
BBC Complete Sound Effects Library Now Available On sounddogs.com
New BBC - DW DRM Channel For South Asia
BBC Journalists To Strike In November Over Pensions
BBC Burmese To Add Extra Transmissions
BBC World Service Cuts Risk 300 Jobs
BBC Journalist Strike Knocks Flagship Shows Off Air
BBC Urdu Launches Single Number For Mobile News
NUJ Offers To Suspend BBC Pension Strikes
BBC Joins United States Military Handing out Free Radios In Afghanistan
BBC & Discovery Communications Announce New Partnership
Vandals Force BBC Radio Wales 882Khz Off Air
Here are the findings at the Official BBC Website: NOTHING! Not one word! BBC has stayed absolutely quiet at it's public website.
Friday, December 24, 2010
2010 Christmas Programming & Other Christmas Radio Offerings
Glenn Hauser has this offering: World Of Radio Calendar / Monitoring Reminders
DogHouseCharlie has this offering: Christmas & Seasonal Programming
PCJ Radio offers this: PCJ Christmas Programming December 24th to December 25th
Direct link to PCJ Radio Christmas Video at Vimeo
Amateur Operators may want to pay attention to their specific regions on HF, local FM repeater sub-bands, and FM simplex. Never know what ya might hear! Any interesting Christmas reports can be submitted to Shortwave America here in the comments section, or post your findings at HFUnderground, and RadioReference.
Amateur Station KE5GGY brings us this news: Santa On 3.916.00Khz Christmas Eve
Shortwave America would like to wish everyone from all over the world a Merry Christmas / Happy Holiday. Knowing that not every culture celebrates Christmas, but rather has their own celebration at this time of year, Shortwave America wants to wish you a happy celebration, no matter what you call it!
As always at this time of year, Shortwave America wants to remind everyone where ever you are to make sure you have a designated driver or that you can make arrangements to stay with someone if you feel the need to drink. DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE!
DogHouseCharlie has this offering: Christmas & Seasonal Programming
PCJ Radio offers this: PCJ Christmas Programming December 24th to December 25th
Direct link to PCJ Radio Christmas Video at Vimeo
Amateur Operators may want to pay attention to their specific regions on HF, local FM repeater sub-bands, and FM simplex. Never know what ya might hear! Any interesting Christmas reports can be submitted to Shortwave America here in the comments section, or post your findings at HFUnderground, and RadioReference.
Amateur Station KE5GGY brings us this news: Santa On 3.916.00Khz Christmas Eve
Shortwave America would like to wish everyone from all over the world a Merry Christmas / Happy Holiday. Knowing that not every culture celebrates Christmas, but rather has their own celebration at this time of year, Shortwave America wants to wish you a happy celebration, no matter what you call it!
As always at this time of year, Shortwave America wants to remind everyone where ever you are to make sure you have a designated driver or that you can make arrangements to stay with someone if you feel the need to drink. DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Alpha 7 Hotel Numbers Station
Someone has caught a numbers station identified as "Alpha 7 Hotel" over at HF Underground. At this time, it is unknown if there is an official Enigma assignment for this particular station. You can see the thread here
and if you want the direct download, go to MediaFire.
The first thing you will notice about this on the recording is: HORRIBLE propagation! The station is audible off and on, and there is a lot of fading, but definitely worth the listen. It has been said that someone heard a station similar to this recently on four thousand kilohertz somewhere and just near it was a weird space sounding type station with what can best be described as recurring, creepy, "wisps" that remind you of "Encounters Of The Third Kind".
and if you want the direct download, go to MediaFire.
The first thing you will notice about this on the recording is: HORRIBLE propagation! The station is audible off and on, and there is a lot of fading, but definitely worth the listen. It has been said that someone heard a station similar to this recently on four thousand kilohertz somewhere and just near it was a weird space sounding type station with what can best be described as recurring, creepy, "wisps" that remind you of "Encounters Of The Third Kind".
Welcome Waveguides!
Waveguides is a new podcast introduced by Pete Landry, VE2XPL in Canada. Waveguides is recorded every Thursday evening on the SouthCARS T.N.T. Open-Forum Net (20:00 E.S.T. on EchoLink
(node 96140), *SCARS* conference server, operated by the South Coast
Amateur Radio Service - over 10,000 members strong).
This net has been operating since 2009 and now the podcasts are available to the world at large, and that is assuming you live in a country that hasn't blocked this type of media. If you are interested in this media and you live where censors won;t let you access it, please let Shortwave America know and it will get passed to you for free to help promote this net and help continue to grow good will among radio enthusiasts.
You can also see the SouthCARS VOIP Site
Pete is the Executive Producer of the wAVEgUIDES pODcAST and SouthCARS TNT Open-Forum. You can see the entire post at QRZ .
Background about Pierre "Pete" Landry can be found here
Shortwave America wishes this new effort great success and will likely offer access to this podcast right here in the future.
(node 96140), *SCARS* conference server, operated by the South Coast
Amateur Radio Service - over 10,000 members strong).
This net has been operating since 2009 and now the podcasts are available to the world at large, and that is assuming you live in a country that hasn't blocked this type of media. If you are interested in this media and you live where censors won;t let you access it, please let Shortwave America know and it will get passed to you for free to help promote this net and help continue to grow good will among radio enthusiasts.
You can also see the SouthCARS VOIP Site
Pete is the Executive Producer of the wAVEgUIDES pODcAST and SouthCARS TNT Open-Forum. You can see the entire post at QRZ .
Background about Pierre "Pete" Landry can be found here
Shortwave America wishes this new effort great success and will likely offer access to this podcast right here in the future.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Official Shortwave America 2010-2011 Reader Survey
Shortwave America is excited to announce the first annual reader's survey! The survey asks ten questions and will remain open until January 04th 2011 at 12AM since it was posted four days late in order to be fair to the readers. Thanks you in advance for taking a few moments of your time to participate, as Shortwave America only exists because of it's readers and your input matters!
Click here to take the first annual Official Shortwave America Reader Survey
Click here to take the first annual Official Shortwave America Reader Survey
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Shortwave America Reader Poll Update
The reader poll isn't up yet because most of the polling systems found only allow for one question versus multiple questions. If a good poll isn't found soon, Shortwave America will post the poll as a regular post and the readers can anonymously use the comments section to answer the poll questions. Although it isn't the most efficient way of polling, it is still an opportunity for this site to hear from it's readers.
Stay tuned here for the poll when it comes.
Stay tuned here for the poll when it comes.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Please Welcome Kelly Alexander
Kelly Alexander is going to be PCJ's newest radio talent starting in early December. Keith Perron posted her photo, and Shortwave America just HAD to follow suit because not only is Kelly a great radio personality with talent, you gotta admit she's cute! For everyone's enjoyment and as a special welcome for Kelly, here is her photo as a shameless promotion for her upcoming debut at PCJ!
Welcome, Kelly! Congrats on your new presence at PCJ Media and PCJ Radio! May your show be successful, and your audience grow far and wide! We have to admit that Kelly puts a certain RHC woman to shame.
North Korea Conflict OR History Repeats Itself
PCJ Media Presents the October 23rd edition of Media Network Plus, which has has an interview with the director of Open Radio North Korea.
There is also this recent live recording taken straight from the air by Brendan Monaghan: The Voice of Korea (VOK)
This author wasn't even born when the original Korean war happened, but it's there in the history books and it sure looks like either history is repeating itself or Korea has found a new reason to finish what was started long ago BY North Korea themselves. As this situation develops, there will be more radio related coverage.
Is RHC Helping Terrorists? Arnie Coro Paranoid?
Today, just after Arnie Coro got done with his show, RHC aired a piece about the Cuban Five who were caught fair and square by American Authorities. They went so far as to get major Irish music personalities to sign this petition and now it's making the rounds as an open campaign to free these guys.Robert Ballar.is the Irish celeb making these statements: "I feel an enormous empathy for these prisoners who have been jailed with flawed evidence and strange judicial procedures". "I have an enormous empathy for the Cuban Five", "Terrible miscarriage of justice".
On DXer's Unlimited, Arnie openly stated that he and RHC are being "Attacked" by WOR! WOR attacking Arnie and RHC has never happened, never will. WOR has better things to do with their time than play with jamming a show about amateur radio, DX reports and propagation! Arnie went on to talk about the ITU, Frequency Management, and how 6050Khz will be the new freq for RHC and DXer's Unlimited. Arnie said they are using some new antenna array with a good front to back ratio.UPDATE as of 0547UTC: Exclusively from Keith Perron and Shortwave America, here is a Commentary On Arnie Coro & his DXer's Unlimited.
It's been brought to the attention of Shortwave America by a trusted source that Arnie has always had some rather bizarre beliefs to include RNW being in on some CIA conspiracy. UPDATE#2 as of 0839UTC: Arnie Coro and the English Service staff of RHC can be seen here with all of their communist pride spewing lie after lie.
There is an MP3 file saved just in case this above video ever gets pulled.
Since Langston Wright (Michael Finney) has been gone from RHC, Arnie is probably the best thing RHC has going for itself beyond their efforts to get the world to believe that The Cuban Five are just a bunch of choir boys.
On DXer's Unlimited, Arnie openly stated that he and RHC are being "Attacked" by WOR! WOR attacking Arnie and RHC has never happened, never will. WOR has better things to do with their time than play with jamming a show about amateur radio, DX reports and propagation! Arnie went on to talk about the ITU, Frequency Management, and how 6050Khz will be the new freq for RHC and DXer's Unlimited. Arnie said they are using some new antenna array with a good front to back ratio.UPDATE as of 0547UTC: Exclusively from Keith Perron and Shortwave America, here is a Commentary On Arnie Coro & his DXer's Unlimited.
It's been brought to the attention of Shortwave America by a trusted source that Arnie has always had some rather bizarre beliefs to include RNW being in on some CIA conspiracy. UPDATE#2 as of 0839UTC: Arnie Coro and the English Service staff of RHC can be seen here with all of their communist pride spewing lie after lie.
There is an MP3 file saved just in case this above video ever gets pulled.
Since Langston Wright (Michael Finney) has been gone from RHC, Arnie is probably the best thing RHC has going for itself beyond their efforts to get the world to believe that The Cuban Five are just a bunch of choir boys.
Tonight's Medium Wave Log
Starting at 0500UTC to 0945UTC
The VFO started at 1.100.00AM and ended at 1.800.00AM without the pre-amp on for teh first part of the night. There's a ton of local interference and ordinary band fade. An experiment was conducted tonight using the pre-amp with attenuator and noise reduction1 used simultaneously. This consistently yielded the same results of allowing an accurate signal reading while dramatically reducing the noise from several sources.
The night started out with just a bunch of the same local stations and at 1.130.00 KWKH came screaming in from Shreveport, La like they were right next door. Their sig was a perfect 5 by 9 even through some band fading and a lot of local interference. No problem hearing them at all! Here's their website for anyone else who heard them tonight: KWKH - Home of The Classics If you like country classics, true country and not the stuff we have today, you'll love KWKH! Monitored from 0505UTC to 0521UTC
1.140.00AM - 0522UTC: Coast To Coast AM. Art Bell, W6OBB is hosting tonight. The topic is "interesting times" from July 3rd 1997, and Art is taking calls from West of the Rockies. Sig is a perfect 5 by 9 even through local interference. WRVA in Richmond, Virginia is the station ID at 0534UTC. Monitored until 0540UTC. WRVA Website
1.150.00AM - 0540UTC: "He's So Fine" original 1950s version being played. Station faded out completely and came back after a few seconds. Using only Noise Reduction1 now, as the pre-amp is more hurtful than helpful tonight. Monitored until 0543UTC, unable to obtain station ID. Station seems to be devoted to classic music from the 50s and 60s.
1.180.00AM - 0544UTC: Talk about time traveling, and the host mentioned getting some orange juice after the show. A lady said to him "If you do, you HAVE to tell me!" station fading in & out. Enough was heard to determine that this is Coast To Coast AM. possibly WHAM - Rochester, New York
Station was 5 by 7 with band fade. Monitored until 0557UTC.
1.190.00AM - 0557UTC: Country music with lots of fading and possibly a second station competing for the band also playing country music with a possible female voice singing. At 0600UTC, a song started playing "I may be a real bad boy, but baby I'm a real good man". Just before this, station ID was heard but was extremely difficult copy. listening until ID can be heard, this is one that CAN be pulled out! At 0606UTC, Coast to Coast AM theme can be heard in competition with this country station. Coast to Coast AM is in there just under this station now at 0612UTC and Coast to Coast AM gives this number 1-800-750-0267.
What problematic here i sthat Coast To Coast is ten Khz away on 1.180.00AM too, but by switching freq's a difference can be told that it's a different show than what is being heard on 1.190.00! No station ID in the end. Perhaps a second attempt will be made later.
1.210.00AM - 0617UTC: Safe Money Radio. 1-800-780 - safe. No station ID.
1.260.00AM - 0621UTC: Music, possibly ghetto style / boom box type music.
1.270.00AM - 0630UTC: Spanish or Latin music.
1.280.00 - 1.520.00 too noisy, couldn't pull anything out at all. Too much noise and no technique is working!
1.530.00AM - 0635UTC: Game show based on sports team guesses. A retail manager gets the grand prize, which ain't much and if you ask Shortwave America, he wasted his time and the station made fools of themselves. Station ID is WCKY (ESPN Sports Radio) in Cincinatti, Ohio. monitored until 0646UTC
1.540.00AM - 0648UTC: Midnight Radio Network with Eric Harley & Gary McNamara, KXEL in Waterloo - Cedar Rapids, Iowa. KXEL Website monitored until 0653UTC.
1.550.00 1.610.00AM - nothing heard.
1.620.00AM - 0654UTC: Commercials followed by station ID at 0658UTC as KOZN in Omaha, Nebraska. They are playing ESPN Sports Radio right now. KOZN Website
1.630.00AM - 0700UTC: Sports show talking about a football player that carried 21 yards for Iowa. News: Robbery on 500 block of S. Van Buren St. offender was a Black male early 20's who asked the victim for a "light" then reached into the victim's pocket took the victim's I-Pod and then assaulted the victim. Those with info can call crime stoppers at 358-TIPS. Station ID at 0704UTC as KCJJ. KCJJ is Coralville, Iowa's first radio station and is known as "The Mighty 1630". KCJJ Website
1.640.00AM: Nothing
1.650.00AM - 0713UTC: Seconds after tuning in, the station ID was given as "Cedar Valley", At 0715UTC a Geico Insurance Commercial played. At 0718UTC, ID was clearly 1650 "The Fan" KCNZ. KCNZ Website
The rest of the upper portion of the MW band was terrible noisy and nothing could be copied.
VFO was spun below 1000AM at exactly 980AM. We're moving down the dial the rest of the evening.
980.00AM - 0721UTC: Sports show. Host is talking with man by the name of "Kelly". There is possibly a female co-host. Show is competing for the band with a music station playing a CCM format. This sports show is talking about Phil Jackson, Coach of the L.A. Lakers and a shot clock operator who isn't allowed to work anymore playoff games. The host states that his information came from a trusted source within the NBA and that he may get in trouble for letting this information out about the clock shot operator. It's in print now, and it can't be taken back. Show / Station ID at 0728UTC as Fox Sports News. At 0732UTC, the station played "Real American" in the background of an ad. This song is recognized as a one time hit of the 1980s once used by Hulk Hogan (Terry Bollea) as his World Wrestling Federation Ring Entrance Theme written by Rick Derringer. WOFX - Fox Sports Radio Website. WOFX is in New York.
860.00AM - 0738UTC: Mellow / Inspirational Music sounds something like "My Heart Will Go On" from Titanic. Vocalist is a female with a nice, clear voice. Station seems devoted to Irish music. Song changed at 0742UTC. At least these songs are good choices, they are actually getting stuck in this author's head.
There's just some band fade here in the lower portion of the band, but not bad. The radio host at this station is a female speaking French at 0746UTC. 0751UTC, station fades almost completely away and then can be heard just under the QRN. Music now seems devoted to French listeners. 0752UTC, station playing an upbeat song that would probably fit a broadway stage production. Station is now a perfect 5 by 9, no competition for the band at all, very loud and clear. 0825UTC: Station plays an English song "Feelin' Groovy" original version with piano. No station ID.
850.00AM - 0827UTC: Twilight Zone. KOA Radio. Denver, Colorado. They're 20 over the entire night! Loud, clear, like they're right next door!
840.00AM - 0828UTC: Coast To Coast AM "Non-Conformity, Going From Stuck to Unstuck" It's actually a show based on something real!
830.00AM - 0830UTC: Some show just signed off and a quick news piece followed. Now playing "Imagination Theater" by Jim French Productions. Possibly WCCO in Minnesota? Station is perfect 5 by 9, loud, clear, like right next door.
810.00AM - 0910UTC: WGY New York
800.00AM - Nothing
750.00AM -0915UTC: WSB Radio. Atlanta, Ga Fishing / Hunting Show. Host just got done speaking with "Henry" who gave fishing tips. Henry talked about using barbless hooks and certain lures. Now speaking with Joseph who's talking about his muzzle loader.
740.00AM - 0918UTC: CFZM Toronto, Canada. All Night Jukebox
700.00AM - 0920UTC: WLW Cincinatti, Ohio. "Bubba Bo" with his show.
640.00AM - 0928UTC: Nothing
620.00AM -0928UTC: WTMJ - Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
610.00AM - Nothing
600.00AM - 0935UTC: Religious show fighting for the band with WMT in Iowa
590.00AM - 0937UTC: Several stations fighting for the band, but one is louder than the other.
580.00AM - 0940UTC: Too many stations fighting for the band! It's a MW pile-up!
570.00AM - 0941UTC: Pile - up! There is a ticking and beeping sound under these stations that is audible.
550.00AM - 0943UTC: MW pile up!
540.00AM - 0945UTC: Pile - up
Conditions are definitely better as evidenced by the pile - up's. Tomorrow will likely see new Shortwave Logs.
The VFO started at 1.100.00AM and ended at 1.800.00AM without the pre-amp on for teh first part of the night. There's a ton of local interference and ordinary band fade. An experiment was conducted tonight using the pre-amp with attenuator and noise reduction1 used simultaneously. This consistently yielded the same results of allowing an accurate signal reading while dramatically reducing the noise from several sources.
The night started out with just a bunch of the same local stations and at 1.130.00 KWKH came screaming in from Shreveport, La like they were right next door. Their sig was a perfect 5 by 9 even through some band fading and a lot of local interference. No problem hearing them at all! Here's their website for anyone else who heard them tonight: KWKH - Home of The Classics If you like country classics, true country and not the stuff we have today, you'll love KWKH! Monitored from 0505UTC to 0521UTC
1.140.00AM - 0522UTC: Coast To Coast AM. Art Bell, W6OBB is hosting tonight. The topic is "interesting times" from July 3rd 1997, and Art is taking calls from West of the Rockies. Sig is a perfect 5 by 9 even through local interference. WRVA in Richmond, Virginia is the station ID at 0534UTC. Monitored until 0540UTC. WRVA Website
1.150.00AM - 0540UTC: "He's So Fine" original 1950s version being played. Station faded out completely and came back after a few seconds. Using only Noise Reduction1 now, as the pre-amp is more hurtful than helpful tonight. Monitored until 0543UTC, unable to obtain station ID. Station seems to be devoted to classic music from the 50s and 60s.
1.180.00AM - 0544UTC: Talk about time traveling, and the host mentioned getting some orange juice after the show. A lady said to him "If you do, you HAVE to tell me!" station fading in & out. Enough was heard to determine that this is Coast To Coast AM. possibly WHAM - Rochester, New York
Station was 5 by 7 with band fade. Monitored until 0557UTC.
1.190.00AM - 0557UTC: Country music with lots of fading and possibly a second station competing for the band also playing country music with a possible female voice singing. At 0600UTC, a song started playing "I may be a real bad boy, but baby I'm a real good man". Just before this, station ID was heard but was extremely difficult copy. listening until ID can be heard, this is one that CAN be pulled out! At 0606UTC, Coast to Coast AM theme can be heard in competition with this country station. Coast to Coast AM is in there just under this station now at 0612UTC and Coast to Coast AM gives this number 1-800-750-0267.
What problematic here i sthat Coast To Coast is ten Khz away on 1.180.00AM too, but by switching freq's a difference can be told that it's a different show than what is being heard on 1.190.00! No station ID in the end. Perhaps a second attempt will be made later.
1.210.00AM - 0617UTC: Safe Money Radio. 1-800-780 - safe. No station ID.
1.260.00AM - 0621UTC: Music, possibly ghetto style / boom box type music.
1.270.00AM - 0630UTC: Spanish or Latin music.
1.280.00 - 1.520.00 too noisy, couldn't pull anything out at all. Too much noise and no technique is working!
1.530.00AM - 0635UTC: Game show based on sports team guesses. A retail manager gets the grand prize, which ain't much and if you ask Shortwave America, he wasted his time and the station made fools of themselves. Station ID is WCKY (ESPN Sports Radio) in Cincinatti, Ohio. monitored until 0646UTC
1.540.00AM - 0648UTC: Midnight Radio Network with Eric Harley & Gary McNamara, KXEL in Waterloo - Cedar Rapids, Iowa. KXEL Website monitored until 0653UTC.
1.550.00 1.610.00AM - nothing heard.
1.620.00AM - 0654UTC: Commercials followed by station ID at 0658UTC as KOZN in Omaha, Nebraska. They are playing ESPN Sports Radio right now. KOZN Website
1.630.00AM - 0700UTC: Sports show talking about a football player that carried 21 yards for Iowa. News: Robbery on 500 block of S. Van Buren St. offender was a Black male early 20's who asked the victim for a "light" then reached into the victim's pocket took the victim's I-Pod and then assaulted the victim. Those with info can call crime stoppers at 358-TIPS. Station ID at 0704UTC as KCJJ. KCJJ is Coralville, Iowa's first radio station and is known as "The Mighty 1630". KCJJ Website
1.640.00AM: Nothing
1.650.00AM - 0713UTC: Seconds after tuning in, the station ID was given as "Cedar Valley", At 0715UTC a Geico Insurance Commercial played. At 0718UTC, ID was clearly 1650 "The Fan" KCNZ. KCNZ Website
The rest of the upper portion of the MW band was terrible noisy and nothing could be copied.
VFO was spun below 1000AM at exactly 980AM. We're moving down the dial the rest of the evening.
980.00AM - 0721UTC: Sports show. Host is talking with man by the name of "Kelly". There is possibly a female co-host. Show is competing for the band with a music station playing a CCM format. This sports show is talking about Phil Jackson, Coach of the L.A. Lakers and a shot clock operator who isn't allowed to work anymore playoff games. The host states that his information came from a trusted source within the NBA and that he may get in trouble for letting this information out about the clock shot operator. It's in print now, and it can't be taken back. Show / Station ID at 0728UTC as Fox Sports News. At 0732UTC, the station played "Real American" in the background of an ad. This song is recognized as a one time hit of the 1980s once used by Hulk Hogan (Terry Bollea) as his World Wrestling Federation Ring Entrance Theme written by Rick Derringer. WOFX - Fox Sports Radio Website. WOFX is in New York.
860.00AM - 0738UTC: Mellow / Inspirational Music sounds something like "My Heart Will Go On" from Titanic. Vocalist is a female with a nice, clear voice. Station seems devoted to Irish music. Song changed at 0742UTC. At least these songs are good choices, they are actually getting stuck in this author's head.
There's just some band fade here in the lower portion of the band, but not bad. The radio host at this station is a female speaking French at 0746UTC. 0751UTC, station fades almost completely away and then can be heard just under the QRN. Music now seems devoted to French listeners. 0752UTC, station playing an upbeat song that would probably fit a broadway stage production. Station is now a perfect 5 by 9, no competition for the band at all, very loud and clear. 0825UTC: Station plays an English song "Feelin' Groovy" original version with piano. No station ID.
850.00AM - 0827UTC: Twilight Zone. KOA Radio. Denver, Colorado. They're 20 over the entire night! Loud, clear, like they're right next door!
840.00AM - 0828UTC: Coast To Coast AM "Non-Conformity, Going From Stuck to Unstuck" It's actually a show based on something real!
830.00AM - 0830UTC: Some show just signed off and a quick news piece followed. Now playing "Imagination Theater" by Jim French Productions. Possibly WCCO in Minnesota? Station is perfect 5 by 9, loud, clear, like right next door.
810.00AM - 0910UTC: WGY New York
800.00AM - Nothing
750.00AM -0915UTC: WSB Radio. Atlanta, Ga Fishing / Hunting Show. Host just got done speaking with "Henry" who gave fishing tips. Henry talked about using barbless hooks and certain lures. Now speaking with Joseph who's talking about his muzzle loader.
740.00AM - 0918UTC: CFZM Toronto, Canada. All Night Jukebox
700.00AM - 0920UTC: WLW Cincinatti, Ohio. "Bubba Bo" with his show.
640.00AM - 0928UTC: Nothing
620.00AM -0928UTC: WTMJ - Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
610.00AM - Nothing
600.00AM - 0935UTC: Religious show fighting for the band with WMT in Iowa
590.00AM - 0937UTC: Several stations fighting for the band, but one is louder than the other.
580.00AM - 0940UTC: Too many stations fighting for the band! It's a MW pile-up!
570.00AM - 0941UTC: Pile - up! There is a ticking and beeping sound under these stations that is audible.
550.00AM - 0943UTC: MW pile up!
540.00AM - 0945UTC: Pile - up
Conditions are definitely better as evidenced by the pile - up's. Tomorrow will likely see new Shortwave Logs.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Shortwave America Enhancements For 2011
All of you who read Shortwave America, whether it be a first time visit, an occasional check-in, or you're a loyal reader; have accounted for what has turned out to realistically be great success for an original publication like this! This year, the Shortwave America readers have taken this publication from a minor & meaningless effort to a widely recognized and trusted source for all sorts of radio information.
This publication went from having a meaningless existence to the astounding fanfare of 6,359 unique readers as of November 20th, 2010 with an easy expectation to reach or exceed 7,000 readers by December 2010. Shortwave America sincerely thanks all of you!
Due to the growth that has happened here, Shortwave America will be making enhancements to your enjoyment of this publication. The links section will be broken down into more specifically defined areas of radio. You may have seen that a Utility Listening links Section was added along with a Pirate Radio Links Section. Research is underway to add a Shortwave America product store, design of a Shortwave America Official Emblem is under research, and one other new gift for readers will be the addition of popular radio news shows so that you will never have to hop from website to website just to listen to your favorite shortwave or amateur radio related newscasts.
Shortwave America will be bringing you regular installments of:
Amateur Radio Newsline
The RAIN Report
International Radio Report
The Shortwave Report
Sounds On Shortwave
World Of Radio
That's six popular, trusted, well produced, quality radio newscasts each time they are published! All of these new features will happen in January of 2011. Shortwave America will run a reader's poll from December 1st, 2010 until December 31st, 2010. This poll will seek input from the readers and will be used solely to make improvements to Shortwave America. You may have noticed that pieces here are displaying an Amazon.com link to the top left of the page. Because of the costs associated with bringing Shortwave America to you and the cost of future plans, it was thought that offering useful items from such a great place as Amazon.com is a practical, and efficient way to support this publication without passing the cost on to the readers.
Buying an offered item from Amazon is up to the reader, and each time one of you makes a purchase of an offered item from Amazon, you are helping to support Shortwave America. Thought was given to adding a Paypal "Donate" button, however, thought needed to be given to what the reader would be getting from their donation in a more real & tangible sense. Offering radio related items from Amazon was clearly the best choice because the reader is getting something they are actually interested in!
Upon the Shortwave America Store becoming a reality, the Amazon product offerings will likely cease unless you, the readers demand that Amazon product offerings stay here. The Shortwave America Store will feature coffee cups, travel mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, caps, mouse pads, and all sorts of useful radio related items that readers will be excited to see! It should be clear that at no time will Shortwave America readers ever have to pay for accessing the material presented at Shortwave America.
If the above listed radio newscasts are a popular item, Shortwave America will endeavor to bring you other interesting radio shows such as select PCJ Media / PCJ Radio productions, RNW productions, and select productions from other big names in radio to include pirate radio offerings.
All of these things mentioned here will likely be part of the Shortwave America reader's poll. Shortwave America is alive and thriving only because of your readership. Thanks once again and Happy Holidays!
This publication went from having a meaningless existence to the astounding fanfare of 6,359 unique readers as of November 20th, 2010 with an easy expectation to reach or exceed 7,000 readers by December 2010. Shortwave America sincerely thanks all of you!
Due to the growth that has happened here, Shortwave America will be making enhancements to your enjoyment of this publication. The links section will be broken down into more specifically defined areas of radio. You may have seen that a Utility Listening links Section was added along with a Pirate Radio Links Section. Research is underway to add a Shortwave America product store, design of a Shortwave America Official Emblem is under research, and one other new gift for readers will be the addition of popular radio news shows so that you will never have to hop from website to website just to listen to your favorite shortwave or amateur radio related newscasts.
Shortwave America will be bringing you regular installments of:
Amateur Radio Newsline
The RAIN Report
International Radio Report
The Shortwave Report
Sounds On Shortwave
World Of Radio
That's six popular, trusted, well produced, quality radio newscasts each time they are published! All of these new features will happen in January of 2011. Shortwave America will run a reader's poll from December 1st, 2010 until December 31st, 2010. This poll will seek input from the readers and will be used solely to make improvements to Shortwave America. You may have noticed that pieces here are displaying an Amazon.com link to the top left of the page. Because of the costs associated with bringing Shortwave America to you and the cost of future plans, it was thought that offering useful items from such a great place as Amazon.com is a practical, and efficient way to support this publication without passing the cost on to the readers.
Buying an offered item from Amazon is up to the reader, and each time one of you makes a purchase of an offered item from Amazon, you are helping to support Shortwave America. Thought was given to adding a Paypal "Donate" button, however, thought needed to be given to what the reader would be getting from their donation in a more real & tangible sense. Offering radio related items from Amazon was clearly the best choice because the reader is getting something they are actually interested in!
Upon the Shortwave America Store becoming a reality, the Amazon product offerings will likely cease unless you, the readers demand that Amazon product offerings stay here. The Shortwave America Store will feature coffee cups, travel mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, caps, mouse pads, and all sorts of useful radio related items that readers will be excited to see! It should be clear that at no time will Shortwave America readers ever have to pay for accessing the material presented at Shortwave America.
If the above listed radio newscasts are a popular item, Shortwave America will endeavor to bring you other interesting radio shows such as select PCJ Media / PCJ Radio productions, RNW productions, and select productions from other big names in radio to include pirate radio offerings.
All of these things mentioned here will likely be part of the Shortwave America reader's poll. Shortwave America is alive and thriving only because of your readership. Thanks once again and Happy Holidays!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Lisnews Mentions Shortwave America & COICA
Podcast#130 talks about several great subjects and mentions Shortwave America, giving a link to the recent piece here about Deutsch Welle & COICA. Thank you Lisnews! Their podcast is called LISTen. You can learn about the mission of lisnews here.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Shortwave America Featured Second Time On The Happy Station Show
This morning, Shortwave America was happy to be part of The Happy Station Show for a second time. This morning's interview focused mostly on DW, which was actually a bombshell to this publication. DW is just such a widely known station that Shortwave America did not expect them to pull the plug like they did. Another sad situation spoken about was Radio Sweden. Shortwave America urged these and also other broadcasters to remember the reach of shortwave frequencies because there is a listenership out there.
Shortwave America briefly mentioned upcoming enhancements for 2011, and would like to thank Keith Perron for this opportunity and continued support from himself and PCJ Media. The archive link for this interview will be forthcoming.
Update: here is the PCJ Media Archive Link from this morning's show.
Shortwave America briefly mentioned upcoming enhancements for 2011, and would like to thank Keith Perron for this opportunity and continued support from himself and PCJ Media. The archive link for this interview will be forthcoming.
Update: here is the PCJ Media Archive Link from this morning's show.
Duetsche Welle Discontinues SW To North America, U.S. Internet Censorship Bill Could Have Unintended Consequences
Hold on a second! Did D.W. even stop to think about the results of their poll? How did they manage to pass over the shortwave listenership and end up surveying mostly the digital crowd? As Keith Perron recently asked...what are they smoking? Who was behind this survey and where did they find these results that most everyone is listening via interconnected digital devices?
The Media Network Blog has a piece on D.W. that makes an entirely different statement than what DW makes at it's own site.
In the U.S., there are probably around seven hundred thousand people or more with ready access to the HF / SW bands in some form or another. This is a fact. D.W. is making the same mistake that other radio stations have been making and that is to focus more on those within their local areas and those with ready access to interconnected devices, which leaves stations in a bad place for several reasons. The internet uses servers located all over the world which can be filtered or even shut down in the event that someone in a position of power doesn't like what's being said or decides they have some pre-conceived prejudice against the broadcaster.
The United States Congress is currently working on a very broad piece of legislation that could very well have unintended consequences on freedom of speech. Those unintended consequences may very well end up somehow affecting international broadcasters who stream their services via the internet. Under this bill, any internet domain that is even suspected of dealing in counterfeit goods or copyright infringement can be censored by court order. What this means is that all a person bringing suit has to prove in court will only rise to the level of "everyone's doing it" or "stats show that an x number of people have engaged in this activity."
How this could possibly impact shortwave broadcasters: The United States Attorney General could use this law to force shortwave broadcasters who stream on-line to prove that their material is not counterfeit or that such material doesn't infringe on established copyright. This may very well create room for abuse of this bill if it becomes law. Say for instance, a shortwave broadcaster streaming on-line material plays a soundbyte or a song not originally created nor performed by the station staff....the U.S. Attorney General could now have reason to block that site by seeking a court order with only the preponderence of the evidence, a seriously low legal standard that is subjective on it's face.
Shortwave frequencies cannot be sanitized or turned off with any "kill switch" and is the best way to avoid these touchy scenarios. Let's also be honest, radio doesn't rely on any infrastructure and is a ready source for getting information out to the masses. A good statement of evidence on this would be that the United States FCC only has jurisdiction in the U.S. and it's possessions. A broadcaster such as Deutsche Welle is outside of the FCC's jurisdiction and that of the U.S. Attorney General.
Take a look at this newest censorship effort by the U.S. Government and please consider signing the petition even if you are not in the U.S.
Demand Progress Article: Blacklist
Demand Progress Fact Highlights About The proposed Blacklist & Petition To Stop This Bill
Maybe Deutsche Welle would like to consider starting their North American SW Services again with this new evidence having been brought forth?
Saturday, November 20, 2010
QRZ Press Release - Radio Buyer's Guide
From AA7BQ: click to read entire entry without sentence cut-off.
Five New Amateur Radio Satellites In Orbit
FASTRAC-1, FASTRAC-2, NanoSail-D2, O/OREOS and RAX were launched at 01:24 UT on Saturday Nov 20, reports of the signals are needed.
So far signals have been reported from FASTRAC-2 (Emma), O/ORES and RAX.
Nominal Frequencies:
- FASTRAC-1 "Sara Lily" 437.345 MHz FM AX.25 1200bps
- FASTRAC-2 "Emma" 145.825 MHz FM AX.25 1200bps
- RAX-1 437.505 MHz
- O/OREOS 437.305 MHz
- Nanosail D2 0.5 sec beacon every 5 sec on 437.275 MHz.
RAX Facebook RAX Twitter
FASTRAC Facebook FASTRAC Twitter O/OREOS
NanoSail-D2
Amateur radio operators - help track the FASTRAC satellites
AMSAT Bulletin Board (AMSAT-BB)
Orbiter Forum
Source: G4TUT at QRZ
So far signals have been reported from FASTRAC-2 (Emma), O/ORES and RAX.
Nominal Frequencies:
- FASTRAC-1 "Sara Lily" 437.345 MHz FM AX.25 1200bps
- FASTRAC-2 "Emma" 145.825 MHz FM AX.25 1200bps
- RAX-1 437.505 MHz
- O/OREOS 437.305 MHz
- Nanosail D2 0.5 sec beacon every 5 sec on 437.275 MHz.
RAX Facebook RAX Twitter
FASTRAC Facebook FASTRAC Twitter O/OREOS
NanoSail-D2
Amateur radio operators - help track the FASTRAC satellites
AMSAT Bulletin Board (AMSAT-BB)
Orbiter Forum
Source: G4TUT at QRZ
Shortwave Pirate Radio Directory
Those elusive pirates turn on their transmitters for fans all over the world, always careful not to create a solid schedule / frequency / directional signal pattern. They use different power levels to reach their respective audiences. Pirates are usually gracious enough to send reception confirmations via different means. Some will use FRN, others will use e-mail, some use EQSL.
The mood for something new & different is always there. That desire to spin the VFO through the bands in each different mode until something is found will eat away at a radio addict until he/she completes the daily routine until satisfied, and only when the thirst is quenched will your dear loved one be happy. SWL's are a vast audience who come from all walks of life. Even licensed amateur operators engage in monitoring whatever they find.
Shortwave America has decided to help everyone get their radio fix quickly, efficiently, and logistically. This is the Official Shortwave America Shortwave Pirate Radio Directory. This project has been months in the making and includes frequencies, pirate station identifications, and QSL information. Now, the contact directory could not be copied and published here, but it will be linked to. This is your one stop shop for Pirate Radio information!
First, a couple of pirate listening tips asked by Shortwave America over at the HF Underground Forum:
Spotting pirates during the day, according to RAFman: "The tendency I have noticed over the years is the use of low [& very high] end of 15MHz/19M 15070KHz. Similar propagation to the world, like 20M where it is said "the band is always open to somewhere"...
Pigmeat gives this information for evening listening: "Most guys use the 6850-6955 range weekends between 12 and 15:00 utc this time of year. I can normally hit much of eastern N.America with just 14 watts and wire antenna in that time frame. It's a nice time to broadcast,conditions are quiet,and you have your pick of the prime frequencies.The band opens and shuts about an hour earlier during daylight savings time."
North American Pirate Radio Wiki
Pirate Radio by DXing.com
Pirate's Week
Radio4All
Transmitter Documentation Project - Pirate Stations
Pirate Radio Logs Searchable Database
Pirate Radio Links
Shortwave Central 2010 Pirate Radio Annual
Shortwave Central - Chasing Pirate Radio
Shortwave Central - QSLing The Unpredictable & Unlicensed
Pirate Radio Central Directory
Pirate Radio Station Addresses by UKDXER
This is all that is out here for now. If anyone else has anything at all, please leave a comment here. Pirates are welcome to add their information as well, and it will be updated in this post. Shortwave America would like to update pirate information as often as possible. To make this ambition work, contributions are needed.
The mood for something new & different is always there. That desire to spin the VFO through the bands in each different mode until something is found will eat away at a radio addict until he/she completes the daily routine until satisfied, and only when the thirst is quenched will your dear loved one be happy. SWL's are a vast audience who come from all walks of life. Even licensed amateur operators engage in monitoring whatever they find.
Shortwave America has decided to help everyone get their radio fix quickly, efficiently, and logistically. This is the Official Shortwave America Shortwave Pirate Radio Directory. This project has been months in the making and includes frequencies, pirate station identifications, and QSL information. Now, the contact directory could not be copied and published here, but it will be linked to. This is your one stop shop for Pirate Radio information!
First, a couple of pirate listening tips asked by Shortwave America over at the HF Underground Forum:
Spotting pirates during the day, according to RAFman: "The tendency I have noticed over the years is the use of low [& very high] end of 15MHz/19M 15070KHz. Similar propagation to the world, like 20M where it is said "the band is always open to somewhere"...
Pigmeat gives this information for evening listening: "Most guys use the 6850-6955 range weekends between 12 and 15:00 utc this time of year. I can normally hit much of eastern N.America with just 14 watts and wire antenna in that time frame. It's a nice time to broadcast,conditions are quiet,and you have your pick of the prime frequencies.The band opens and shuts about an hour earlier during daylight savings time."
North American Pirate Radio Wiki
Pirate Radio by DXing.com
Pirate's Week
Radio4All
Transmitter Documentation Project - Pirate Stations
Pirate Radio Logs Searchable Database
Pirate Radio Links
Shortwave Central 2010 Pirate Radio Annual
Shortwave Central - Chasing Pirate Radio
Shortwave Central - QSLing The Unpredictable & Unlicensed
Pirate Radio Central Directory
Pirate Radio Station Addresses by UKDXER
This is all that is out here for now. If anyone else has anything at all, please leave a comment here. Pirates are welcome to add their information as well, and it will be updated in this post. Shortwave America would like to update pirate information as often as possible. To make this ambition work, contributions are needed.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Radio Australia Receives Use of Singapore's Kranji Site
Singapore's Media Development Authority has granted Radio Australia the use of their Kranji relay site starting on Monday, November 22nd 2010.Programming will be in Burmese: 0100-0130 UTC on 11780 kHz 340deg 250kW, English: 1100-1300 UTC on 6140 kHz 13deg 250 kW.
Reception reports can be sent to:
Radio Australia
GPO Box 428, Melbourne
Australia 3001
You can also see the Radio Australia Website
Source: RNW Media Network Blog
Reception reports can be sent to:
Radio Australia
GPO Box 428, Melbourne
Australia 3001
You can also see the Radio Australia Website
Source: RNW Media Network Blog
Someone Stole Our Equipment!
The Radio Netherlands Media Network Blog has the story
It's too late for April fools tricks, and just before the holidays, so it must be those pesky radio pirates! Guess it's time to make sure everything is under more advanced security technology!
It's too late for April fools tricks, and just before the holidays, so it must be those pesky radio pirates! Guess it's time to make sure everything is under more advanced security technology!
French Radio London Makes Huge Splash
The Ambassador of France to the UK - Maurice Gourdault-Montagne, Pascal Grierson French Radio London CEO, Laurent Voulzy, celebrated French singer; Alex Riha, Commercial Director French Radio London; Thierry de Panafieu, Finance Director, French Radio London have all come together to successfully launch French Radio London. FRL has been assigned a channel slot on the London II DAB digital radio multiplex. These gentlemen worked with Piers Collins of Switchdigital to make this station a reality.
FRL is the UK capital’s first French language terrestrial broadcast station.Its studios and offices are based in
Central London, with a satellite office in Paris. Programming Director Jean-Michel Duffrene joined after many years at the BBC World Service. Presenters include Olivier Jauffrit, whose successful broadcasting career in France included stints at Rire et Chansons and Europe 2, and specialist music manager Alain
Galès, who has worked for the BBC World Service.
Source: FRL Press Release
Shortwave America commentary:
Most everyone can understand the need to have a local presence, and use digital technology with a digital radio giveaway to get this station on the air. One mistake these well meaning diplomats made was to not research putting FRL on the shortwave bands where the world at large could have access to it. There are indeed, people in the world who don;t have an unternet connection or fancy cellular technology to rely upon and these digital networks are not the end - all / be - all of radio. If they really want to reach what they term "Francophiles" then they need to have a wide RF distribution.
The FRL website is well done with just the right placement and choice of graphics, classy, yet also standard format seen at other major broadcasting sites. Programming seems to be well produced, well engineered, and the flavor of the station, it's style, and professionalism are something to be proud of.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Good Opportunity For Meteor Scatter
The Leonid Meteor Shower will peak at it's best until November 18th 2010. Best time is two or three hours before sunrise when the moon has set. Yahoo! has the entire story
Those meteor scatter operators out here should take this opportunity while they can! SWL's should listen for signals they normally wouldn't hear unless there was a band opening.
Those meteor scatter operators out here should take this opportunity while they can! SWL's should listen for signals they normally wouldn't hear unless there was a band opening.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Antenna Designs, Reviews, and Tutorials
Long ago, Shortwave America promised an article on antennas. All of the projects, designs, reviews, and related items were simply too numerous to write just one piece on. Even a multi-part series would have been too large of a project. A more practical approach was needed, so, Shortwave America went scouting for everything and used the most practical information.
This guide is not intended to be the end-all, be-all of antennas because of all of the various designs out here, different emission types, different needs for antenna radiation polarization, and operator preference for minimum power usage. this is mostly handy for new Operators / SWL's, those who want or need a refresher, and those who want a nice resource for double checking their work.
Finally, the Shortwave America readers have a one stop resource for antenna knowledge similar to the more popular resource that was written for monitoring numbers stations. It's been quite a long time, but it's here now. Enjoy this resource to your heart's content! That why it's here!
Frequency Definitions / Theory
What is Frequency? Wiki
Radio Frequency Wiki
What Is Radio Frequency?
Radio Frequency & Antenna Theory (PDF File)
ANTENNA SAFETY, POWERLINES, RF SAFETY
Antenna Safety & Powerlines by Ham Universe
The above link contains two safety videos that are Mandatory watching!
W0JEC RF Exposure & Safety Resource (Includes RF Exposure Calculator)
Radio Frequency & Antenna Basics
Frequency Band Definitions
Antenna Theory & Basics
Radio Nature: RSGB
RSGB Antenna Books
Antenna Basics by HDTV Primer
Antenna Length Calculator
KB5WCK Antenna Calculator
ELF Antennas
Wikipedia ELF Tutorial
ELF Fields: A detailed guide
Longwave, LF and HF Antennas
Wikipedia LF Primer
LF (Low Frequency) Antenna Theory by vias.org
Antennas For 3 to 30Mhz and AM Mode
Radio Waves Below 22Khz
NRL Low Frequency Antenna Development
OLFAR: Orbiting Low Frequency Antennas For Radio Astronomy
HF Antennas 101
HF Antennas - Ham Radio Library
This above link has TONS of antenna information
and just might be better than any other resource
out here!
K3MT's Grasswire Antenna
RadioReference HF Antenna Wiki
Cloud Warmer NVIS Antenna by Ham Universe
Medium Wave Antennas
Marc's Technical Pages: Antennas For MW Reception
K9AY Loop Antenna
Optimized MW Antenna Systems
Sarmento's Ferrite Rod Antenna For MW
Antennex - THE Place For Antenna Discussion & All Antenna Related Items
Shortwave Antennas
Understanding Shortwave Radio & Antennas
Hamuniverse - Build A Shortwave Antenna
Build A Broomstick Antenna by Arnie Coro
DX Zone - Shortwave Antenna Plans & Links
Homebrew Shortwave Antennas @ E-How
Hardcore DX - Birdfeeder Antenna
TDP Shortwave Antennas
Active Antenna Electronic Circuits
VHF Antennas
IW5EDI VHF Antenna Library
2 Meter Antennas
Slimjim 2 Meter Antenna
1.25 Meter Quickie Quarter Wave
1.25 Meter J-Pole
UHF Antennas
AC6V UHF Antenna Resource
70CM Eggbeater Antenna Resource
9Db, 70CM Collinear Antenna From Coax
70CM 2 and 4 Element Yagi's
70CM Super J-Pole
SHF Antennas
33CM Wiki
EHF Antennas
Curtain Quad Antenna, 1.296Ghz
Curtain Quad Antenna, 2.4Ghz
2.4Ghz Omni Antenna
2.4Ghz Sardine Can Antenna
Kent Electronics, WA5VJB
Shortened 3D Corner Reflector Antenna (PDF File)
Advanced Antenna Resources
Stealth Antennas
N4UJW Antenna Design Lab
Major Antenna Pages
This guide is not intended to be the end-all, be-all of antennas because of all of the various designs out here, different emission types, different needs for antenna radiation polarization, and operator preference for minimum power usage. this is mostly handy for new Operators / SWL's, those who want or need a refresher, and those who want a nice resource for double checking their work.
Finally, the Shortwave America readers have a one stop resource for antenna knowledge similar to the more popular resource that was written for monitoring numbers stations. It's been quite a long time, but it's here now. Enjoy this resource to your heart's content! That why it's here!
Frequency Definitions / Theory
What is Frequency? Wiki
Radio Frequency Wiki
What Is Radio Frequency?
Radio Frequency & Antenna Theory (PDF File)
ANTENNA SAFETY, POWERLINES, RF SAFETY
Antenna Safety & Powerlines by Ham Universe
The above link contains two safety videos that are Mandatory watching!
W0JEC RF Exposure & Safety Resource (Includes RF Exposure Calculator)
Radio Frequency & Antenna Basics
Frequency Band Definitions
Antenna Theory & Basics
Radio Nature: RSGB
RSGB Antenna Books
Antenna Basics by HDTV Primer
Antenna Length Calculator
KB5WCK Antenna Calculator
ELF Antennas
Wikipedia ELF Tutorial
ELF Fields: A detailed guide
Longwave, LF and HF Antennas
Wikipedia LF Primer
LF (Low Frequency) Antenna Theory by vias.org
Antennas For 3 to 30Mhz and AM Mode
Radio Waves Below 22Khz
NRL Low Frequency Antenna Development
OLFAR: Orbiting Low Frequency Antennas For Radio Astronomy
HF Antennas 101
HF Antennas - Ham Radio Library
This above link has TONS of antenna information
and just might be better than any other resource
out here!
K3MT's Grasswire Antenna
RadioReference HF Antenna Wiki
Cloud Warmer NVIS Antenna by Ham Universe
Medium Wave Antennas
Marc's Technical Pages: Antennas For MW Reception
K9AY Loop Antenna
Optimized MW Antenna Systems
Sarmento's Ferrite Rod Antenna For MW
Antennex - THE Place For Antenna Discussion & All Antenna Related Items
Shortwave Antennas
Understanding Shortwave Radio & Antennas
Hamuniverse - Build A Shortwave Antenna
Build A Broomstick Antenna by Arnie Coro
DX Zone - Shortwave Antenna Plans & Links
Homebrew Shortwave Antennas @ E-How
Hardcore DX - Birdfeeder Antenna
TDP Shortwave Antennas
Active Antenna Electronic Circuits
VHF Antennas
IW5EDI VHF Antenna Library
2 Meter Antennas
Slimjim 2 Meter Antenna
1.25 Meter Quickie Quarter Wave
1.25 Meter J-Pole
UHF Antennas
AC6V UHF Antenna Resource
70CM Eggbeater Antenna Resource
9Db, 70CM Collinear Antenna From Coax
70CM 2 and 4 Element Yagi's
70CM Super J-Pole
SHF Antennas
33CM Wiki
EHF Antennas
Curtain Quad Antenna, 1.296Ghz
Curtain Quad Antenna, 2.4Ghz
2.4Ghz Omni Antenna
2.4Ghz Sardine Can Antenna
Kent Electronics, WA5VJB
Shortened 3D Corner Reflector Antenna (PDF File)
Advanced Antenna Resources
Stealth Antennas
N4UJW Antenna Design Lab
Major Antenna Pages
The Radiotelegrapher
Tom, AB9NZ of the suburbs, near Chicago, IL has decided to join the Amateur Radio Journalism circle by creating a rather neat site over at posterous, called The Radiotelegrapher. Tom is a veteran Radio Man and a U.S. Veteran from the United States Air Force who is a friendly, skilled, outgoing man who has earned his respect from many to include this publication.
Tom worked NA1SS yesterday and spoke to Col. Wheelock on one of several International Space Station Orbit passes, a great accomplishment in itself! Welcome, Tom!
AB9NZ can often be found hanging around on the NORA Repeater, located in Glenview, IL on 147.090Mhz plus 600Khz and a 107.2PL. Tom was one of this author's first contacts and remains a great friend! Besides hanging out on NORA, Tom is proficient with the fine art of Morse Code (CW) and can be found on the CW portions of the HF bands.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Peoria Area Residents Cry Foul Over Amateur Radio
Central Illinois News has the most recent details, as does the Southgate Amateur Radio Club
One neighbor involved in this high emotion fight over access to the amateur radio bands has threatened to erect an electric dog fence or to committ to other activities that would impede Craig Thompson's use of the amateur bands. What this neighbor doesn't seem to know is that it is illegal to knowingly and willingly interfere with any licensed radio operation, even amateur radio.
The biggest question being asked is: "How does Craig Thompson's amateur radio activities trump the right of the neighbors to a traditional country view?" Well, the law being referenced here as it pertains to the "right" to have an "unobstructed view" is itself misinterpreted. The law speaks to conservation of the land, and the rights of land owners to not have anything built on THEIR land without their consent. Mr. Thompson OWNS the land he is building on and it does not belong to the community or any of the neighbors, and there has not been any proven argument as to how any environmental danger is posed to the community or to the land itself. Trivoli neighbors also have yet to prove that they actually have such a right to not look at some specific object or a specifically guaranteed right to be without some specific class of structure that blocks their vision when it doesn't pose a major danger.
Trivoli neighbors say they want to challenge HR2160 and use force to derail it's passage in Congress. This doesn't seem very likely given the reality of the support behind this bill. Mr. Thompson obeyed the laws completely, and his towers will indeed be erected as planned, and his operations will take place because his Amateur Radio License gives him access to the frequencies he is operating on and regulation of the use and access to radio and television signals are strictly the domain of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission and FCC laws trump local ordinances.
One specific neighbor states to have concerns about a medical implant for his heart condition. This neighbor should know that the frequencies Mr. Thompson is operating on are well BELOW what would be a concern for such a device, and furthermore should be advised that his own home appliances pose more of a risk to him than Mr. Thompson's RF signals pose.
A paranoid bunch has attempted to get local officials, as well as fellow neighbors to believe that Mr. Thompson can "listen in" on their "telephone conversations". This is simply not true! It is illegal for anyone to listen to cellular phones and almost impossible even if it were legal because cellphones today are all digital spread spectrum devices. This means that the signals hop frequencies several times per second and are most likely encrypted.
Neighbors also complain that there will be "interference" to their televisions, telephones, and other home electronic devices. Amateur Radio equipment, if constructed properly, will not pose any of these problems unless the band opens up OR the manufacturer of the home electronics equipment made the devices poorly and this is almost always the case. Mr. Thompson's neighbors also need to be aware that FCC Part 15 states on each and every home electronic device that the device MUST accept any and all interference, may not cause harmful interference, and must accept even that interference which causes undesired operation.
Filters are available on the market in the event that any of this interference takes place. Filters are affordable, and available in mass quantity. If neighbors ever chose to blame Mr. Thompson for any interference, they would be hard pressed to actually prove that 1. Interference is indeed coming from Mr. Thompson's antennas and 2. That the interference is due to a lack of compliance with good engineering standards.
Shortwave America thumbs it's nose at the Trivoli neighbors and laughs while advising them to find a life.
One neighbor involved in this high emotion fight over access to the amateur radio bands has threatened to erect an electric dog fence or to committ to other activities that would impede Craig Thompson's use of the amateur bands. What this neighbor doesn't seem to know is that it is illegal to knowingly and willingly interfere with any licensed radio operation, even amateur radio.
The biggest question being asked is: "How does Craig Thompson's amateur radio activities trump the right of the neighbors to a traditional country view?" Well, the law being referenced here as it pertains to the "right" to have an "unobstructed view" is itself misinterpreted. The law speaks to conservation of the land, and the rights of land owners to not have anything built on THEIR land without their consent. Mr. Thompson OWNS the land he is building on and it does not belong to the community or any of the neighbors, and there has not been any proven argument as to how any environmental danger is posed to the community or to the land itself. Trivoli neighbors also have yet to prove that they actually have such a right to not look at some specific object or a specifically guaranteed right to be without some specific class of structure that blocks their vision when it doesn't pose a major danger.
Trivoli neighbors say they want to challenge HR2160 and use force to derail it's passage in Congress. This doesn't seem very likely given the reality of the support behind this bill. Mr. Thompson obeyed the laws completely, and his towers will indeed be erected as planned, and his operations will take place because his Amateur Radio License gives him access to the frequencies he is operating on and regulation of the use and access to radio and television signals are strictly the domain of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission and FCC laws trump local ordinances.
One specific neighbor states to have concerns about a medical implant for his heart condition. This neighbor should know that the frequencies Mr. Thompson is operating on are well BELOW what would be a concern for such a device, and furthermore should be advised that his own home appliances pose more of a risk to him than Mr. Thompson's RF signals pose.
A paranoid bunch has attempted to get local officials, as well as fellow neighbors to believe that Mr. Thompson can "listen in" on their "telephone conversations". This is simply not true! It is illegal for anyone to listen to cellular phones and almost impossible even if it were legal because cellphones today are all digital spread spectrum devices. This means that the signals hop frequencies several times per second and are most likely encrypted.
Neighbors also complain that there will be "interference" to their televisions, telephones, and other home electronic devices. Amateur Radio equipment, if constructed properly, will not pose any of these problems unless the band opens up OR the manufacturer of the home electronics equipment made the devices poorly and this is almost always the case. Mr. Thompson's neighbors also need to be aware that FCC Part 15 states on each and every home electronic device that the device MUST accept any and all interference, may not cause harmful interference, and must accept even that interference which causes undesired operation.
Filters are available on the market in the event that any of this interference takes place. Filters are affordable, and available in mass quantity. If neighbors ever chose to blame Mr. Thompson for any interference, they would be hard pressed to actually prove that 1. Interference is indeed coming from Mr. Thompson's antennas and 2. That the interference is due to a lack of compliance with good engineering standards.
Shortwave America thumbs it's nose at the Trivoli neighbors and laughs while advising them to find a life.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Live Amateur Radio Webcast To Feature Well Known Companies
This broadcast should be fun with all of these Amateur Radio Manufacturers all at one time! That's W5KUB.com and don't forget the Fall time change has occurred already, so you may want to adjust your time for this event if needed. Thanks to VA3UG for making this information available!
Understanding LF & HF Propagation: FREE E-Book
To download this FREE PDF file, click on the link for Understanding LF & HF Propagation
Sponsored by the RSGB Propagation Studies Committee.
Shortwave America Salute To U.S. Veterans
Happy Veterans day to all of the United States MARS Operators from your fellow Radioman! If you are a veteran, thank you for all you have done to make this a free country, for the contributions that no one else sees, and for the loyalty you have shown. If you are a family member of a veteran, whether living or dead, thank you for continuing to support the cause for freedom at every cost and never looking back!
Thank you to all branches of the U.S. Military for continuing to support MARS and have us around to be your auxillary radio communications source when you need trusted communications to get through in a hurry.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Shortwave Broadcast Multilingual B10 Schedules & Frequency Changes, November 2010 HF Propagation Report
Shortwave America brings you the B10 season shortwave broadcast schedules for Multilingual programming, a short list of English language B10 schedule programming, and a list of B10 schedule / frequency changes for certain broadcasters. As always, please remember that stations can change their programming, frequency, schedule, and signal direction at any time. Need help finding out what you're listening to? Use the HFRadio.org / NW7US Shortwave Broadcast Frequency Search.
Multilingual
North Korea B10 Schedules
Radio Prague B10 Multilingual Schedule
KBS World Radio B10 Multilingual Schedule
Radio Thailand B10 Multilingual Schedule
Voice Of Greece B10 Multilingual Schedule
Radiofonikos-Stathmos-Makedonias B10 Schedule
Radio Netherlands B10 Multilingual Schedule
Radio Free Asia B10 Multilingual Schedule
Radio Pakistan B10 Multilingual Schedule
Radio Slovakia B10 Tentative Schedule
VT Communications Relay Schedules - Part 1
VT Communications Relay Schedules - Part 2
VT Communications Relay Schedules - Part 3
English Schedules
Voice Of Russia B10 English Schedule
Voice of Turkey B10 English Schedule
TWR - Swaziland B10 English Schedule
Radio Japan B10 English Schedule
WWCR B10 English Schedule
Also see the previously posted B10 English Broadcast list
Schedule / Frequency Changes
VT Schedule Changes
Radio Relays Frequency Update
IBB Schedule Changes
BBC Frequency Changes
Radio Free North Korea Frequency Change
Schedule Updates From Sentec
Updates From DX Mix News
November 2010 HF Propagation Report
G0KYA HF Propagation Prediction Report, November 2010
Shortwave Schedule Explanation For New Amateur Operators / SWL's
If you are new to the world of radio, welcome! It doesn't matter if you're a newly licensed Amateur Operator or a brand new SWL, getting accustomed to the deep culture of radio and how it all works is both intriguing and frustrating. Most radio newbies like to just sit back and listen. Listening is just the thing to do right now, because there's alot to hear and learn about!
First, let's start by reminding those of you who are new that each different frequency wavelength has it's own behavior during each different time of day, night, and season. This means that one band will be more useful than the other during the day, during the night, and during each of the four seasons.
The ITU (International Telecommunications Union) has two main HF broadcast schedules a year. The "A" season starts the last Sunday in March, the "B" season starts the last Sunday in October. Those dates coincide with the European time changes.
For a beginner's guide to tuning the bands, see the Amateur Radio Band Characteristics by Hamuniverse. Because the shortwave bands are both just below and above the amateur frequencies, this information applies to these portions of the band as well. AM band DX listening is best during the winter season.
Also see the ARRL HF Radio Wave Propagation Tutorial
You can also use the Shortwave Wiki
For your convenience, Shortwave America provides the following radio tutorials written by DXing.com:
Here is an excellent tutorial on tuning / using the HF spectrum from 150Khz to 30Mhz
Frequency Vs. Wavelength
Radio Terms
UTC / GMT Time Conversion
Multilingual
North Korea B10 Schedules
Radio Prague B10 Multilingual Schedule
KBS World Radio B10 Multilingual Schedule
Radio Thailand B10 Multilingual Schedule
Voice Of Greece B10 Multilingual Schedule
Radiofonikos-Stathmos-Makedonias B10 Schedule
Radio Netherlands B10 Multilingual Schedule
Radio Free Asia B10 Multilingual Schedule
Radio Pakistan B10 Multilingual Schedule
Radio Slovakia B10 Tentative Schedule
VT Communications Relay Schedules - Part 1
VT Communications Relay Schedules - Part 2
VT Communications Relay Schedules - Part 3
English Schedules
Voice Of Russia B10 English Schedule
Voice of Turkey B10 English Schedule
TWR - Swaziland B10 English Schedule
Radio Japan B10 English Schedule
WWCR B10 English Schedule
Also see the previously posted B10 English Broadcast list
Schedule / Frequency Changes
VT Schedule Changes
Radio Relays Frequency Update
IBB Schedule Changes
BBC Frequency Changes
Radio Free North Korea Frequency Change
Schedule Updates From Sentec
Updates From DX Mix News
November 2010 HF Propagation Report
G0KYA HF Propagation Prediction Report, November 2010
Shortwave Schedule Explanation For New Amateur Operators / SWL's
If you are new to the world of radio, welcome! It doesn't matter if you're a newly licensed Amateur Operator or a brand new SWL, getting accustomed to the deep culture of radio and how it all works is both intriguing and frustrating. Most radio newbies like to just sit back and listen. Listening is just the thing to do right now, because there's alot to hear and learn about!
First, let's start by reminding those of you who are new that each different frequency wavelength has it's own behavior during each different time of day, night, and season. This means that one band will be more useful than the other during the day, during the night, and during each of the four seasons.
The ITU (International Telecommunications Union) has two main HF broadcast schedules a year. The "A" season starts the last Sunday in March, the "B" season starts the last Sunday in October. Those dates coincide with the European time changes.
For a beginner's guide to tuning the bands, see the Amateur Radio Band Characteristics by Hamuniverse. Because the shortwave bands are both just below and above the amateur frequencies, this information applies to these portions of the band as well. AM band DX listening is best during the winter season.
Also see the ARRL HF Radio Wave Propagation Tutorial
You can also use the Shortwave Wiki
For your convenience, Shortwave America provides the following radio tutorials written by DXing.com:
Here is an excellent tutorial on tuning / using the HF spectrum from 150Khz to 30Mhz
Frequency Vs. Wavelength
Radio Terms
UTC / GMT Time Conversion
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
The Best Of Pirate Radio For Halloween 2010
At the bottom of this post, Shortwave America is providing a link that will take you to a list of recordings of pirate radio broadcasts from Halloween 2010 made by Lex in the State of Texas. There are many links on this list, all of which will give you specific choices for whatever your interest is for that day. All links take you to a site called mediafire.
According to Lex, propagation did not favor a station named "Gopher Stomp", and so he only obtained a few fairly clear recordings.
Stations logged included:
WAHR, Automated Halloween Radio
West Coast Radio
Voice of Doom - Morak: The Thing Behind The Wall
Radio Ronin Shortwave
CYOT
Halloween Midi Radio
Bust-A-Nut
Further information from Lex:
"Most of these are only a few minutes, selected segments from the most audible portions. All have been run through hiss reduction so the slight jangly sound is due to digital noise reduction, not the original broadcast audio. But you wouldn't want to hear the original versions since the local RFI level was very high at times."
Halloween Pirate Radio Recordings At HF Underground
According to Lex, propagation did not favor a station named "Gopher Stomp", and so he only obtained a few fairly clear recordings.
Stations logged included:
WAHR, Automated Halloween Radio
West Coast Radio
Voice of Doom - Morak: The Thing Behind The Wall
Radio Ronin Shortwave
CYOT
Halloween Midi Radio
Bust-A-Nut
Further information from Lex:
"Most of these are only a few minutes, selected segments from the most audible portions. All have been run through hiss reduction so the slight jangly sound is due to digital noise reduction, not the original broadcast audio. But you wouldn't want to hear the original versions since the local RFI level was very high at times."
Halloween Pirate Radio Recordings At HF Underground
North American Pirate Radio Hall Of Fame
Fellow Radio Enthusiasts from all walks of life, please welcome to our ranks, the North American Pirate Radio Hall of Fame! Ragnar has posted the introduction over at HFUnderground. Suffice it to say that of all of the unique halls of fame, this is likely the most meaningful because most anyone can learn the everyday things that a hall of fame is usually meant for honoring, but radio is quite a technical skill.
When people see a radio, they usually just think of a microphone and a transmitter, their minds jump to some sort of antenna and it ends there. The word "Pirate" in Pirate Radio does not mean some guy who looks like Captain Hook on the high seas with an old gun ship and a radio transmitter! Pirate radio means an unlicensed station transmitting on the shortwave bands.
A proper pirate radio station sticks closely to the engineering standards ascribed for licensed amateurs or licensed commercial stations, does not bother the neighbors by tearing their electronics up, and does not knowingly transmit on top of existing radio signals authorized to be on their frequency. The most unruly pirate stations will discard these rules and most who behave this way do not last long. The longest running stations operate for years or even decades without being detected by the Feds.
Let's be honest, we all love hearing pirate stations because it is a break from the same day in / day out shortwave listening. Want to know something? The Feds don;t care to chase down these stations so long as they behave. They have other places to use their resources in.
The NAPRHOF as we will always know this organization, devotes itself to professional standards that call for uniqueness, creativity, and other requirements before a pirate station becomes an inductee. According to the most important piece of their standards, a list is made and then whittled down in the same way most other halls of fame whittle down their lists to get the finalists for induction.
Welcome to the North American Pirate Radio Hall Of Fame! Shortwave America wishes you all the best as the organization grows.
The first list of inductees, ever, starting in 2010 are:
When people see a radio, they usually just think of a microphone and a transmitter, their minds jump to some sort of antenna and it ends there. The word "Pirate" in Pirate Radio does not mean some guy who looks like Captain Hook on the high seas with an old gun ship and a radio transmitter! Pirate radio means an unlicensed station transmitting on the shortwave bands.
A proper pirate radio station sticks closely to the engineering standards ascribed for licensed amateurs or licensed commercial stations, does not bother the neighbors by tearing their electronics up, and does not knowingly transmit on top of existing radio signals authorized to be on their frequency. The most unruly pirate stations will discard these rules and most who behave this way do not last long. The longest running stations operate for years or even decades without being detected by the Feds.
Let's be honest, we all love hearing pirate stations because it is a break from the same day in / day out shortwave listening. Want to know something? The Feds don;t care to chase down these stations so long as they behave. They have other places to use their resources in.
The NAPRHOF as we will always know this organization, devotes itself to professional standards that call for uniqueness, creativity, and other requirements before a pirate station becomes an inductee. According to the most important piece of their standards, a list is made and then whittled down in the same way most other halls of fame whittle down their lists to get the finalists for induction.
Welcome to the North American Pirate Radio Hall Of Fame! Shortwave America wishes you all the best as the organization grows.
The first list of inductees, ever, starting in 2010 are:
- Pat Murphy, John T Arthur, James Brownyard. Larry Will, Ragnar Daneskjold, Bill Finn, Gregory Majewski, Andy Yoder, and George Zeller.All of the above are gentlemen of the radio circle recognized for their expertise.This organization is something for the friends and fans of radio to keep an eye on!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
U.S. Attorney's Office, FCC File Complaint In U.S. Federal Court: K1MAN To Pay
Glen Baxter, the amateur broadcaster who has been clogging up the upper portion of 3890Khz has to face the U.S. Federal court system after the U.S. Attorney's Office teamed up with the FCC to ask the court to enforce the $21,000.00 fine levied against him by way of the FCC Enforcement unit's issuance of the NAL to him.
The term "amateur broadcaster" is used as opposed to "licensed amateur radio operator" because Baxter does not exude the proper traits of a law abiding licensed amateur operator.
The ARRL has the story
Here's the PDF Copy of the U.S. Federal Complaint filed today
The U.S. Attorney's Office and FCC are asking the court to order Baxter to pay a $350.00 filing fee and other legal, just fines the court may find in the best interest of justice.
All of us who are Licensed Amateur Radio Operators AND all around radio enthusiasts owe you a huge debt, Laura Smith! Thank you so much for stepping up to help us the way you have! This publication is asking that the community of Licensed Amateur Operators and SWL's take a few moments to write Laura Smith just a few short, simple lines to say thank you for the work she has done. If you can't find a few moments to write, consider leaving a simple "thank you" voice mail for Laura at her Office Number:
The term "amateur broadcaster" is used as opposed to "licensed amateur radio operator" because Baxter does not exude the proper traits of a law abiding licensed amateur operator.
The ARRL has the story
Here's the PDF Copy of the U.S. Federal Complaint filed today
The U.S. Attorney's Office and FCC are asking the court to order Baxter to pay a $350.00 filing fee and other legal, just fines the court may find in the best interest of justice.
All of us who are Licensed Amateur Radio Operators AND all around radio enthusiasts owe you a huge debt, Laura Smith! Thank you so much for stepping up to help us the way you have! This publication is asking that the community of Licensed Amateur Operators and SWL's take a few moments to write Laura Smith just a few short, simple lines to say thank you for the work she has done. If you can't find a few moments to write, consider leaving a simple "thank you" voice mail for Laura at her Office Number:
1-717-338-2577
Monday, November 1, 2010
New B10 Shortwave English Broadcast Schedules
New B10 Schedules for English broadcasts have been published at three separate places. Dan Ferguson of NASWA has an Excel spreadsheet available for public use over at HFSkeds.
Here are the other two links for the TXT file which is an internet page as opposed to a download in case some of you out here don't have enough disk space or just don't like to download too much stuff onto your drives. The nice thing about these is that you can just copy and paste these files or just pick your favorite frequencies / stations to pay attention to.
Here is the EiBi TXT SW English Broadcast File
This is the AOKI English Broadcast File
Dan warns that all of these are likely to be very preliminary.
Here are the other two links for the TXT file which is an internet page as opposed to a download in case some of you out here don't have enough disk space or just don't like to download too much stuff onto your drives. The nice thing about these is that you can just copy and paste these files or just pick your favorite frequencies / stations to pay attention to.
Here is the EiBi TXT SW English Broadcast File
This is the AOKI English Broadcast File
Dan warns that all of these are likely to be very preliminary.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Shortwave America Presents: Halloween Fun!
Nothing radio related today, as SWA takes a Halloween break to be with family. For your listening pleasure, Shortwave America presents classic Halloween nostalgia from the old radio days. Last evening, PCJ Media aired war Of The Worlds on WRMI, and for those of you who were as frustrated as this author was about having to download a file to enable the "listen live" function at WRMI's site, fear not! War Of The Worlds in seven parts and other neat Halloween stuff is just below:
War Of The Worlds Part 1
War Of The Worlds Part 2
War Of The Worlds Part 3
War Of The Worlds Part 4
War Of The Worlds Part 5
War Of The Worlds Part 6
War Of The Worlds Part 7
Cyndi Lauper: Goonies R Good Enough, LIVE!
Cyndi Lauper: Goonies R Good Enough original video featuring Captain Lou Albano, Rowdy Roddy Piper, The Iron Sheik, and The Bolsheviks. This talent appears in the video courtesy of the World Wrestling Federation.
Horror Sounds
1950's Halloween Radio Show: Bing Crosby with Boris Karloff (Part 1)
Part 2 of the above 1950's Radio Show featuring Bing Crosby with Boris Karlov
What would Halloween be without the old classic, Night Of The Living Dead!?!?
This old George Romero movie is in 17 parts, so only the above link will be provided and you can follow the other links all the way through. Have a safe & fun Halloween everyone!
War Of The Worlds Part 1
War Of The Worlds Part 2
War Of The Worlds Part 3
War Of The Worlds Part 4
War Of The Worlds Part 5
War Of The Worlds Part 6
War Of The Worlds Part 7
Cyndi Lauper: Goonies R Good Enough, LIVE!
Cyndi Lauper: Goonies R Good Enough original video featuring Captain Lou Albano, Rowdy Roddy Piper, The Iron Sheik, and The Bolsheviks. This talent appears in the video courtesy of the World Wrestling Federation.
Horror Sounds
1950's Halloween Radio Show: Bing Crosby with Boris Karloff (Part 1)
Part 2 of the above 1950's Radio Show featuring Bing Crosby with Boris Karlov
What would Halloween be without the old classic, Night Of The Living Dead!?!?
This old George Romero movie is in 17 parts, so only the above link will be provided and you can follow the other links all the way through. Have a safe & fun Halloween everyone!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Shortwave America Special Focus: Broadcasting For Freedom - The People Of Iran - Part 3
In part one of this series, Shortwave America interviewed Canadian Broadcaster, Shabnam Assadollahi who came back to this publication in part 2 as a guest with her interview of the Senior Economic Advisor to the E.U.
Shortwave America now brings you part 3 of this special series focusing on communications freedom in Iran, and how it apples to the human rights of those who must live under the rule of an extremist regime. This is a combined interview with two of the three expected guests in this specific portion of the series.
Speaking now with Shortwave America is Homayoun Mobasseri:
Iranians are peaceful people and among the Muslim countries of middle east Iran has the highest number of university graduates per capita, like most people of the world they want to provide a better life and future for their children, suppression of communication has enabled the regime to carry out their evil doings for example the mass killings of the prisoners of conscious back in Sept. 1988 and to some estimates it is in the range of 30000 to 100, 000 people which they were buried in mass graves that the most famous one is Khavaran and no one knows how many are buried there.
Shortwave America now brings you part 3 of this special series focusing on communications freedom in Iran, and how it apples to the human rights of those who must live under the rule of an extremist regime. This is a combined interview with two of the three expected guests in this specific portion of the series.
Speaking now with Shortwave America is Homayoun Mobasseri:
Iranians are peaceful people and among the Muslim countries of middle east Iran has the highest number of university graduates per capita, like most people of the world they want to provide a better life and future for their children, suppression of communication has enabled the regime to carry out their evil doings for example the mass killings of the prisoners of conscious back in Sept. 1988 and to some estimates it is in the range of 30000 to 100, 000 people which they were buried in mass graves that the most famous one is Khavaran and no one knows how many are buried there.
Iranians have been struggling for individual rights for a long time and their first achievement was the first European style constitution of 1905 with the help of some of the religious leaders but soon the repressive religious leaders and Mohammad Shah the king of the time had a coup which was later crushed by the people and constitution was reinstated and ever since it has been a battle between the progressives and regressive forces of the community.
The regime has taken lessons how they used the shortwave radio and flow of information to combat the previous regime and they are fully aware of the power of the media and as they are preachers themselves they know who ever has the access and control of flow of information is the ultimate winner, that is why they want an do control the airwaves by using jamming equipments and we know there are certain wavelengths that they have problems in jamming, but we should not volunteer this info publicly.
Iranian people have listened to propaganda of the regime for the past 31 years and are fed up and tired of one way propaganda that everything that regime is doing is good , holistic and everything opposition no matter how mild or harsh is doing is evil, and at the same time opposition radio and satellite TV stations are saying exactly opposite, and people have lost their trust at both ends, each party is painting the other as evil, So many Iranians are hungry for real life solutions and guidance and I believe here comes the role that short wave stations could play; The main objective of these station should to educate the people of Iran on the significance of human rights in society, to facilitate a better understanding of the interdependence between the responsibilities of citizens toward each other and the freedoms and democratic rights of the individual.
The programmers should provide regular coverage of those issues which may impact on the entitlements and rights of people in Iranian society, to demonstrate how, in a modern civil society, the human rights of citizens are not conditional upon ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, social class and/or political beliefs. Coverage should include discussions on the ways in which, in other societies, the development of effective institutions designed to protect human rights has impacted on social cohesion, economic development and a stable foreign policy. In the process, the role of the state and the relationship between the state and citizens to be explored.
Iran is a multi - ethnic and multi - religious and beliefs, unfortunately there are no official data and the official figures which are available are heavily distorted, but by looking at the above map one could construct the heavy presence of Sunni Muslims, that are Kurdish, Baluchi, Turkmen and Bandari , etc
Almost about 1/4 ~ 1/3 are non shiites but the current regime likes to impose their will on every body and they think that they have a mandate to convert everyone to their way of thinking which is not shared by the silent majority.Iranian Islamic leadership has no influence on other Muslims by the religion since it is on the minority itself but is trying and has been successful in modeling in Palestinian / Israeli issue by spending money and financing the most radicals, and Hamas people they do not share the same religion but Lebanon Hezbollah and Iraqi Shiites have the same religion, if Iran becomes a free society it would be a beacon of freedom for the entire region.
Now, please welcome to Shortwave America, Dr. Mehrdad Emadi, Senior Economic Adviser to The E.U. in this exclusive interview with Shortwave America on 27 October 2010:
Mehr, you recently spoke with Shabnam Assadollahi about how sanctions might impact Iran, the Seppah, and opportunities for private sector business to see growth to become independent from the Iranian regime. Part of that growth would be best served if communications for the people were included by way of shortwave radio reception not directed or censored by the government. Do you see this happening?
"To broaden this sort of explanation that you just gave which is accurate, the more appropriate response would be that the more unsanctioned information we can transmit will increase awareness of the economic situation and crisis, and at the end of the day it will expedite the process of change. Naturally it will also deepen awareness of the unfolding crisis, which by the way is not just instigated by sanctions but also by the economic situation which is corrupt and also corrupting."
What will it take for the growth of communications freedom in Iran to become a reality?
"One is to not be shy about what are the changes which Iran needs to introduce in it's system. to become once again a full member of the international community."
What obstacles are faced between the current reality and the dream of independent democracy for the people under rule of the regime to freely communicate with each other as well as communicate with others outside of Iran?
"I could categorize these: there has to be a significant improvement in the transparency of Iran government. That would help the system to become more accountable. The second one would be to tell the regime that with any rights, like the right to nuclear energy or international banking, there comes responsibilities also. The two are interconnected. If you have access and assistance to energy programs, you also have responsibility to how you are going to use that peacefully. and not weaponize it. The same thing is important about banking, if you are unconnected to international banking you should do the best you can to discourage money laundering activities."
In the face of all of this, do you see the use of government licensed amateur radio stations as a beginning to freedom of communications?
"I think it will be a very important step towards liberalizing the system and empowering citizen democracy. I do genuinely believe even if we have the occasional lemon ya know, radio station, stations that are not always positive in their contribution. Then the net effect will be the positive one for a democratic society. The effects will be more than compensated by good cases."
How can these licensed private citizens use the radio communications art to build relationships between themselves and everyone else that would have to be part of the building process in this context?
"I think we really need to look at the licensing structure and probably extensive intervention regulations which have given all authority and power to officials, and very little to community level or community based broadcasts.
This is only my personal view at this point, but I think the rise of corporate ownership in media has been very counterproductive instead of democratization in our society."
Mehr, it has been great to have you here for Shortwave America. As you know, us Americans are first and foremost about freedom of speech and the freedom to obtain information and communicate between ourselves and the rest of the world. The time you have taken is so very appreciated, and the hope is that this will make it's rounds among the Iranian people in their movement towards freedom.
Mehr: "It has been a pleasure!"
Dear Readers, this closes the series on communications freedom in Iran with it's in depth look at the differences between the regime who takes from it's people, the everyday culture of the people, and their struggle for the right to enjoy incoming & outgoing communications based on shortwave broadcasting and the use of licensed amateur radio as something of a start towards effecting change.
Special thanks goes to Shabnam Assadollahi, CHIN Radio Canada, Homayoun Mobasseri, and The Honorbale Mehrdad Emadi - Senior Economic Adviser Of The European Union (E.U.).
Now, please welcome to Shortwave America, Dr. Mehrdad Emadi, Senior Economic Adviser to The E.U. in this exclusive interview with Shortwave America on 27 October 2010:
Mehr, you recently spoke with Shabnam Assadollahi about how sanctions might impact Iran, the Seppah, and opportunities for private sector business to see growth to become independent from the Iranian regime. Part of that growth would be best served if communications for the people were included by way of shortwave radio reception not directed or censored by the government. Do you see this happening?
"To broaden this sort of explanation that you just gave which is accurate, the more appropriate response would be that the more unsanctioned information we can transmit will increase awareness of the economic situation and crisis, and at the end of the day it will expedite the process of change. Naturally it will also deepen awareness of the unfolding crisis, which by the way is not just instigated by sanctions but also by the economic situation which is corrupt and also corrupting."
What will it take for the growth of communications freedom in Iran to become a reality?
"One is to not be shy about what are the changes which Iran needs to introduce in it's system. to become once again a full member of the international community."
What obstacles are faced between the current reality and the dream of independent democracy for the people under rule of the regime to freely communicate with each other as well as communicate with others outside of Iran?
"I could categorize these: there has to be a significant improvement in the transparency of Iran government. That would help the system to become more accountable. The second one would be to tell the regime that with any rights, like the right to nuclear energy or international banking, there comes responsibilities also. The two are interconnected. If you have access and assistance to energy programs, you also have responsibility to how you are going to use that peacefully. and not weaponize it. The same thing is important about banking, if you are unconnected to international banking you should do the best you can to discourage money laundering activities."
In the face of all of this, do you see the use of government licensed amateur radio stations as a beginning to freedom of communications?
"I think it will be a very important step towards liberalizing the system and empowering citizen democracy. I do genuinely believe even if we have the occasional lemon ya know, radio station, stations that are not always positive in their contribution. Then the net effect will be the positive one for a democratic society. The effects will be more than compensated by good cases."
How can these licensed private citizens use the radio communications art to build relationships between themselves and everyone else that would have to be part of the building process in this context?
"I think we really need to look at the licensing structure and probably extensive intervention regulations which have given all authority and power to officials, and very little to community level or community based broadcasts.
This is only my personal view at this point, but I think the rise of corporate ownership in media has been very counterproductive instead of democratization in our society."
Mehr, it has been great to have you here for Shortwave America. As you know, us Americans are first and foremost about freedom of speech and the freedom to obtain information and communicate between ourselves and the rest of the world. The time you have taken is so very appreciated, and the hope is that this will make it's rounds among the Iranian people in their movement towards freedom.
Mehr: "It has been a pleasure!"
Dear Readers, this closes the series on communications freedom in Iran with it's in depth look at the differences between the regime who takes from it's people, the everyday culture of the people, and their struggle for the right to enjoy incoming & outgoing communications based on shortwave broadcasting and the use of licensed amateur radio as something of a start towards effecting change.
Special thanks goes to Shabnam Assadollahi, CHIN Radio Canada, Homayoun Mobasseri, and The Honorbale Mehrdad Emadi - Senior Economic Adviser Of The European Union (E.U.).
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