venerdì 15 febbraio 2019

Shortwave Radiogram, 15-17 February 2019: Digital modes that survive dust storms

The International Space Station is transmitting SSTV again this weekend, until Sunday at  1725 UTC, on the usual 145.8 MHz (FM).

From your reports, I learned that last weekend’s Shortwave Radiogram segment of Olivia 64-2000 succeeded when the MFSK32 and 64 showed errors due to poor reception conditions.For most listeners, reception was good enough that the Olivia 64-2000 was not necessary.

This weekend, hoping for some instances of bad reception, we will transmit another segment of Olivia 64-2000 (with another reminder about the Winter SWL Fest, 28 Feb-2 Mar). There will also be another broadcast via the WINB DRM transmitter, today (Friday) at 1500 UTC, 13690 kHz, likely with the content of last weekend’s show.

Here is the lineup for Shortwave Radiogram, program 87, 15-17 February 2019, in modes as noted:

  1:41  MFSK32: Program preview
  2:53  Russia mulls test of disconnecting from the internet
  7:32  Olivia 64-2000: Winter SWL Fest reminder
11:17  MFSK64: Opportunity mission on Mars ends*
14:59  Mars MAVEN orbiter will dip closer to Mars*
19:24  Images of the week*
27:18  Closing announcements

* with image(s)

Please send reception reports to radiogram@verizon.net

And visit http://swradiogram.net

Twitter: @SWRadiogram or https://twitter.com/swradiogram (visit during the weekend to see listeners’ results)

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/567099476753304 

+----------------------------------------------------------------+
|            Shortwave Radiogram Transmission Schedule           |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| UTC Day  | UTC Time      | Frequency     | Transmitter site    |
+----------+---------------+---------------+---------------------+
| Friday   | 1500-1530 UTC | 13690 kHz DRM*| WINB Pennsylvania   |
+----------+---------------+---------------+---------------------+
| Friday   | 2030-2100 UTC | 7780 kHz      | WRMI Florida        |
+----------+---------------+---------------+---------------------+
| Saturday | 0330-0400 UTC | 9265 kHz      | WINB Pennsylvania   |
+----------+---------------+---------------+---------------------+
| Saturday | 1400-1430 UTC | 9400 kHz      | Space Line Bulgaria |
+----------+---------------+---------------+---------------------+
| Saturday | 1830-1900 UTC | 9265 kHz      | WINB Pennsylvania   |
+----------+---------------+---------------+---------------------+
| Sunday   | 0800-0830 UTC | 5850 kHz      | WRMI Florida        |
|          |               | 7730 kHz      |                     |
+----------+---------------+---------------+---------------------+
| Sunday   | 2330-2400 UTC | 7780 kHz      | WRMI Florida        |
+----------+---------------+---------------+---------------------+
* Program 86, probably

Slow Scan Radio transmits SSTV images and text modes Saturdays at 1300-1330 UTC on 6070 kHz and 7440 kHz via Channel 292 in Germany – according to the latest schedule information I have. The website is http://www.slowscanradio.com. Reception reports to x@xdv.me.

The Mighty KBC transmits to Europe Saturdays at 1300-1400 UTC on 11600 kHz from Bulgaria, with the minute of MFSK at about 1330 UTC (if you are outside of Europe, listen via websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/ ). And to North America Sundays at 0000-0200 UTC (Saturday 7-9 pm EST) on 5960 kHz, via Germany. The minute of MFSK is at about 0130 UTC.  Reports to Eric: themightykbc@gmail.com . See also http://www.kbcradio.eu and https://www.facebook.com/TheMightyKbc.

New York and Pennsylvania NBEMS nets. Most weekends, as KD9XB, I check in to the New York NBEMS (Narrow Band Emergency Messaging Software) net Saturday at 1300 UTC on 3584 kHz USB, and the Pennsylvania NBEMS net Sunday at 1300 UTC on 3583 kHz USB. Check-ins are in Thor 22, and messages are in MFSK32. Messages usually use the Flmsg add-on to Fldigi. If you are a radio amateur in eastern North America, feel free to check in. Outside the region, use an SDR in the eastern USA to tune in and decode. You do not need Flmsg to check in, and most of the messages can be read without Flmsg. If you can decode the net, send me an email to radiogram@verizon.net , or tweet to @SWRadiogram , and I will let them know you are tuned in.