sabato 4 agosto 2018

Glenn Hauser logs August 3-4, 2018

** CUBA. 13740, August 3 at 1359, RHC Spanish with squeal is S9+10 and keeps going past 1400 with nothing from China Plus relay in English. Other transmitter for CRI comes on at *1401 mixing almost imperceptibly with the first one. Keep hearing RHC Spanish until 1402:20 abrupt and smooth cut to undermodulated CRI English with no overlap and no pause, obviously coördinated this time, even tho way too late. Something`s always wrong at RadioCuba (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** CUBA. 15140, August 3 around 1710, RHC Spanish is again on here, // 11760. Addition of 15140 at midday must be deliberate but am not sure when it start, maybe earlier than 1700. I first heard this July 21, but still not entered in Aoki dated August 4 --- but other RHC info there is incomplete. Nor in EiBi, but that`s not updated since July 8 --- Eike must be on holiday (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** KOREA NORTH [non]. 9705, August 3 at 1346, poor S5-S8 in Japanese. NDXC/Aoki shows it`s Furusato no Kaze at 1300-1357 daily via Tamsui District, TAIWAN. This contra-abduxion service seems to be proliferating with all these transmissions in Aoki:

1330-1400, 9705 Taiwan, 9455 Taiwan, 9950 Taiwan
1430-1500, 9960 Palau,  9450 Taiwan, 9560 Taiwan
1600-1630, 7335 Taiwan, 9470 Taiwan, 9960 Palau
1700-1730, 6155 Taiwan

Altho all this comes from victimized Japan, none of the broadcasts do; except one more which qualifies, subordinate to the Shiokaze service:
1405-1435, 7325 Ibaragi, Japan

And the sibling broadcast in Korean, yet which has Nippon in its name:
Nippon no Kaze Ilbon-e Baram:

1300-1330, 9465 Taiwan, 9900 Taiwan, 9940 Taiwan
1500-1530, 9685 Taiwan, 9975 Palau,  7335 Taiwan
1530-1600, 9685 Taiwan, 9965 Palau,  7335 Taiwan
1630-1700, 7335 Taiwan
In all cases I`ve rounded off the end times from a minute or three earlier (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** OKLAHOMA. 88.3, August 3 at 1710 UT check, K202BY Enid translator of Family Radio is still on air but dead (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** SUDAN SOUTH [non]. 11620, August 3 at 0449, Eye Radio via MADAGASCAR, S7-S9 in African-accented English, which along with continuous rumbling in background makes it hard to copy --- perhaps wind blowing in mike at an OB; ceases briefly at 0455 when someone in studio replies. Mentions Juba. Also suspect they may be mixing in Juba Arabic or African languages. 0459 music and bird calls, undermodulated sign-off announcement, 0500 brief open carrier and off. Also earlier mentioned ``5-6 pm`` which is the time of their other broadcast 15-16 UT on 15410, which I could not detect August 2 via UTwente or own, nor own receivers August 3. That one is via Issoudun. These were reactivated August 1, as reported here:

``Short wave broadcasting for South Sudan was restarted for the first
time in 8 months from August 1 as already reported. This station had
previously performed short wave broadcasting as Sudan Radio Service.

Eye Radio is continuing to broadcast under the support of the USAID
International Development Agency USAID as a project of the Educational
Development Center (EDC) which is a US-based NGO.

The South Sudanese government continues to block mobile phones and
WiFi specific sites, and there are places that FM can not cover, and
it seems that he [sic] has resumed short-wave broadcasting.

Starting around 15 minutes [to?] about 25 minutes English news etc. are 
out. There are many local languages other than Arabic.

0400-0500 11620 MDC 250 kW Sudanese Arabic Mon-Fri
1500-1600 15410 ISS 250 kW Sudanese Arabic Mon-Fri

Source (Google translated):
http://hiroshi.mediacat-blog.jp/e129989.html
--- (Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, August 2, cumbredx yg via DXLD)``

Some new unnamed target broadcast for South Sudan was expected from July 1 per HFCC registrations via UAE and Woofferton, different frequencies but similar times, yet never showed up in the following week, nor anytime in July per Richard Langley. That may or may not have been a plan for Eye Radio (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** U K. If you can make BBC iPlayer work, here`s a convenient way to listen to BBC Proms concerts. So far there are 188 episodes, with the latest ones from the current 2018 season atop:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007v097/episodes/player
(Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** U S A. 13564-CW, August 3 at 1338, GNK ID over and over is JBA, just above imagination-level. I check the 13550-13570 HIFER beacon band almost every day, especially during this hour, and none heard since last log of GNK, Madison, Wisconsin, a bimonth ago on June 4 at 1357 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** U S A. 7490, August 4 from 0003, heard the first few minutes of AWWW on WBCQ webcast before I went out and about, also heard a few minutes circa 0030 on caradio on 9330 and 7490. Over to John Carver`s fuller report:

``Trying 7490 this evening and so far so good. Show started on time this evening. Opened with a slightly calmer Allan and a quieter Angela. Broadcasting on 5130, 7490 and 9330 this evening.

Opening talk about progress on the super station and the new antenna. Said it took a week to assemble the crane that will erect the new antenna. Allan said he'd been tweeting pictures of this during the week. Antenna will be three hundred and some feet tall when it's finished. Discussion morphed into a gentle talk about FM, the death of AM and Allan's prediction of a long life for SW.

Then into the noise floor, how it's increased and how it affects AM, FM, SW and TV. Said he forgot to talk about this last week and was taken to task by several listeners after the show ended last week. Says a lot of the noise is created by power lines, the digital gizmos we place in our homes, automobiles and stations using digital equipment more and more. Says that the FCC and the government refuses to do anything about it and won't enforce the noise laws already on the books.

First phone call at 0030 continues the noise and interference talk. Allan told the caller that a big, directional antenna placed in a quiet area of one's yard would help as it would increase the signal to noise ratio.

Next phone call at 0041 was from Ross at the Cape. Continuing the talk of digital noise and interference Ross said his biggest problems were cable boxes and LED lights.

Allan also suggested using loop antennas made for the shortwave bands. Said it was fairly easy to null noise with them. He stressed shielding and proper grounding.

Quick reading of a few emails at 0101. After a quick prayer program was off the air at 0107. John, Mid-North Indiana`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

This report despatched at 0300 UT August 4

Media & Tech L'Approfondimento - 04/08/2018

Agenda DX 04/08/2018

ANNIVERSARIO EMITTENTE
Radio Frontiera, Bolivia 4450 Khz (1968)
Radio Chortis, Guatemala 3380 Khz (1970)

Radio Romania International: Țigănești TX1 off-air

Radio Romania International's regular schedule:
http://ab27.bplaced.net/rri.pdf

Since 28-Jul-2018, 1500 UT, RADIOCOM Țigănești TX1 (300 kW) is
temporarily off-air due to technical issues.
The following RRO transmissions are affected:
0000-0100 UT: Eng  9730 kHz
0100-0200 UT: Fra  9730 kHz
0200-0300 UT: Spa  9730 kHz
0300-0400 UT: Eng  9730 kHz
0400-0430 UT: Zho 17780 kHz
0430-0500 UT: Rus  7390 kHz DRM
0500-0530 UT: Fra 11790 kHz
0530-0600 UT: Eng* 7330 kHz DRM
0600-0630 UT: Deu* 7330 kHz DRM
0630-0700 UT: Ara* 9740 kHz
0700-0800 UT: Ron 17750 kHz/Sun
0800-0900 UT: Ron 11990 kHz/Sun
0900-1000 UT: Ron 15130 kHz/Sun
1000-1100 UT: Fra*15130 kHz
1100-1200 UT: Eng*15130 kHz
1200-1230 UT: Ara 15130 kHz
1230-1300 UT: Zho 17755 kHz
1300-1400 UT: Rus 11940 kHz
1400-1500 UT: Deu 11910 kHz
1500-1530 UT: Rus  9580 kHz DRM
1530-1600 UT: Ara 11830 kHz
1600-1700 UT: Ron  9695 kHz
1700-1800 UT: Eng  9760 kHz DRM
1800-1900 UT: Deu  6090 kHz DRM
1900-2000 UT: Spa 15670 kHz
2000-2030 UT: -
2030-2100 UT: Eng 11850 kHz
2100-2200 UT: Spa 15670 kHz
2200-2300 UT: Eng  7325 kHz
2300-2400 UT: Spa 11700 kHz

In compensation, some of these transmissions are now aired via Săftica
(100 kW) since 01-Aug-2018:
0530-0600 UT: Eng* 7330 kHz DRM
0600-0630 UT: Deu* 7330 kHz DRM
0630-0700 UT: Ara* 9740 kHz
1000-1100 UT: Fra*15130 kHz
1100-1200 UT: Eng*15130 kHz

venerdì 3 agosto 2018

K7RA Solar Update

After six days with no visible sunspots, a new one appeared on Wednesday, August 1, with a daily sunspot number of 11. As there was also only one day with a sunspot (also 11) in the previous week, average daily sunspot number for this week was unchanged at 1.6. The new sunspot is small and was given the number AR2717 on Thursday, when the sunspot number again was 11.
Average daily solar flux was down from 68.4 to 68. Average daily planetary A index decreased from 8.1 to 5, while average daily mid-latitude A index went from 8 to 5.1.
According to an August 2 forecast prepared by the US Air Force, predicted solar flux is expected to be 70 on August 3, 72 on August 4-9, 71 on August 10, 70 on August 11-17, 68 on August 18-20, 66 on August 21-23, 68 on August 24 through September 6, 70 on September 7-13, and 68 on September 14-16.
Predicted planetary A index is 8 on August 3, 10 on August 4-5, 6 on August /6, 8 on August 7-8, 5 on August 9-11, 8 on August 12-13, 5 on August 14-15, then 8 and 12 on August 16-17, 5 on August 18-19, 20 and 12 on August 20-21, 5 on August 22 through September 1, then 10 and 8 on September 2-3, 5 on September 4-7, 8 on September 8-9, 5 on September 10-11, 8 and 12 on September 12-13, 5 on September 14-15 and 20 on September 16. 
Reader Max White, M0VNG, of Worcester, England sent this about experiments with ionospheric sounding over 50 years ago, both below and above the ionosphere: https://bit.ly/2LNGrvJ 
Jeff, N8II, wrote: “There has been sporadic E to somewhere every day on 10 meters in the past week, but today, August 2nd, was absolutely amazing. It all started with working MW0EDX in Wales on 15-meter CW via sporadic E with a good signal at 1815Z. Then, I called CQ on 15 CW and DL4KCA answered. He was 589 and was using a 3 element SteppIR Yagi antenna; we tried 12 meters and he was 549 (my antenna is a 2-element vs 5-element Yagi on 15 and 10 meters), and 549 on 10-meter CW.
“I worked Fred, F5NBX, a 10-meter CW regular, just after Joe and tried more CQs on 10 and 15 meters to no avail. Then, the big surprise happened at 1905Z when I heard Vlad, R2KW, with a 549 signal on 10 CW from Kaliningrad; with just one try I was in his log. Then, the following stations answered my CW CQs: UA3EDQ, RZ3AK, and RQ3A in Moscow, RU2K in Kaliningrad, and UX7IB and UX2VA in Ukraine -- all with S2 to 3 signals.
“In the 1900Z hour, I had a few western European stations call on CW from Germany, France, the Netherlands (a new DXCC band slot since 1/17) and Belgium (a new slot). I then found OH0Z on Aland Island who was 549 (another new slot)! This was followed by 9A2018CRO in Croatia, and more from Italy, Germany, France, and England.
“The 2000Z hour was relatively quiet with Hristo, LZ2HR, found at 2010Z and Q5 copy for the next 2 hours! Also, on 10-meter CW, I worked one each in Spain, Italy, and England.
“I was about to shut down for dinner at 2100Z when a few new stations appeared. On SSB, Ian, MM0TFU, called in very weak followed by CW contacts with OH0Z now 559, as well as Germany, Spain, and Robert, S50R, in Slovenia. Then, at 2122-2151Z, conditions markedly improved and on SSB I ran 30 European stations, all in Germany, England, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Portugal. The last few minutes were spent chasing DX cluster spots and spotting some stations of my own on CW, working ZB2FK in Gibraltar (a new slot), KL7SB/VP9 in Bermuda (a new slot), LZ3ZZ, TA1D in Istanbul, Turkey (new slot), and MU0FAL in Guernsey at 2205Z. After a dinner break at 2246Z, the band seemed to have closed to Europe, but VY2CAK on Prince Edward Island was S9+.
In my 47-plus-years of operating, I had never worked Russia, Kaliningrad, Ukraine, Aland Island, or Turkey on 10 meters via sporadic E during the summer months; it was an incredible opening!” (When Jeff says “new slot” it refers to the first time working a DXCC country on a particular band, as he explained above. – K7RA
Jon Jones, N0JK, in Lawrence, Kansas sent this on August 2: "Usually, the sporadic E season winds down in August. But so far it has been going strong. There was a big E opening on 6 meters August 1 from Japan to the southeast states. N0LL and I heard CT1HZE into Kansas August 1. On August 2, Europe was in for hours as far west as the Mississippi River. Why such good conditions? One wonders if there is a connection to the fact that this has also been a great season for NLC (noctilucent clouds). They form at 85 km altitude. The E-layer is 90 - 160 km high. Perhaps the same upper atmosphere conditions keeping NLC going strong may be influencing sporadic E. See Spaceweather.com."
Note that Spaceweather.com has a gallery of images devoted to NLC: http://spaceweathergallery.com/nlc_gallery.html 
Frantisek Janda, OK1HH sent the following from Ondrejov in the Czech Republic. See his bio on QRZ.com for more about him.
"Geomagnetic activity forecast for the period August 3-29, 2018.
Geomagnetic field will be:
Quiet on August 5, 10-11, 15, 23-24
Quiet to unsettled on August 14, 16, 22
Quiet to active on August 3-4, 6-9, 12, 25-29
Unsettled to active on August 12, 17-19, 21
Active to disturbed on August (13,) 20
Solar wind will intensify on August (16-19,) 20-22, 28-30
Remarks:
- Parenthesis means lower probability of activity enhancement.
- Reliability of predictions remains low." 
Dr. Tamitha Skov sent this, followed by her video for this week: “Last week I mentioned traveling was always an adventure and this trip has been no exception. After being unable to connect to the television in my hotel room (I tried with two separate computers), I settled for shooting my forecast using my mobile phone camera in a way it was never intended. The result has been an unconventional video to say the least! I almost didn't post it, as it's not up to my usual standards, but I figured you would forgive the imperfections in favor of the content.
“Additionally, I apologize for getting this newsletter out to you a little late this week. Spotty internet connection while on the road has prevented me from sending it out until today. However, being mobile in Europe this week has given me the chance to reflect on how deeply entrenched space exploration is in our global culture. In fact, while in Amsterdam I came across an art installation showing an astronaut impossibly balancing between a chair and a flower pot (see https://bit.ly/2LRDIl2). The Joseph Klibansky installation, called "Self-Portrait of a Dreamer," succinctly captures our culture's dreamy fascination with space and its intersection with objects in our more ordinary lives.
“As I stared up at this massive structure, the symbolism began to sink in. I realized we are a lot like that dreamy astronaut, striving to blend our understanding of space with its impacts on our everyday world. I also realized that just like the astronaut, we too will one day soon strike a perfect balance.
“This week's forecast brings us an Earth-directed stealthy solar storm followed by a small pocket of fast wind that will likely have little effect but could bring subtle aurora to high latitudes. Even though GPS users might experience glitchy reception near aurora, users at low latitudes should enjoy better than normal reception due to the light impact of the storm. The Sun also has two bright regions rotating into Earth-view this week that should help keep amateur radio propagation near marginal levels, so there is some good news for everyone!
“Cheers, Tamitha"
See her latest video here: https://youtu.be/MTl5ETzb4_4 
For more information concerning radio propagation, see the ARRL Technical Information Service at http://arrl.org/propagation-of-rf-signals. For an explanation of numbers used in this bulletin, see http://arrl.org/the-sun-the-earth-the-ionosphere.
An archive of past propagation bulletins is at http://arrl.org/w1aw-bulletins-archive-propagation. More good information and tutorials on propagation are at http://k9la.us/.
Monthly propagation charts between four USA regions and twelve overseas locations are at http://arrl.org/propagation.
Instructions for starting or ending email distribution of ARRL bulletins are at http://arrl.org/bulletins.

Sunspot numbers for July 26 through August 1, 2018 were 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, and 11, with a mean of 1.6. 10.7 cm flux was 66.2, 66.6, 67.9, 68, 68.3, 68.9, and 70.2, with a mean of 68. Estimated planetary A indices were 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, and 6, with a mean of 5. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 6, 4, 6, 5, 5, 5, and 5, with a mean of 5.1.

Propagation News – 5 August 2018

The solar flux index stayed around the 70 mark last week, although a new tiny sunspot did become visible on Tuesday. 

Unfortunately this had little real effect on the SFI, although it did push the sunspot number to 11. This can be misleading due to the way sunspot numbers are calculated. You score 10 for each group and one for each sunspot, so the leap from zero to 11 only means one spot has appeared.

We got the geomagnetic forecast correct last week, as conditions were quite settled. As many amateurs found in the IOTA contest, HF conditions were largely average, with a predominance of European signals. However, there were reports of some intercontinental DX, especially for better-equipped stations.

Next week, NOAA predicts the solar flux index will be pegged at 68, although we think it could rise a little above this due to the sun’s active region. The other news is another active region is heading around the sun and its effects may impact us in around a week’s time.

Geomagnetic conditions this week will be largely settled, but with the possibility of a slightly raised K index this weekend due to an equatorial coronal hole. Expect HF conditions to continue pretty much as they did in July, with daytime maximum usable frequencies over a 3,000km path struggling to exceed 14MHz at times.

In Doctor Tamitha Skov’s weekly solar forecast on YouTube she said the new sunspot region could push conditions to the “top end of poor”, which sums up solar minimum! You can find out more about her work at www.spaceweatherwoman.com

The IOTA contest showed that there is still Sporadic-E activity around on 14-28 MHz, but it sometimes takes a contest to get people to take advantage of it.

Finally, as we are now into August you should be using the new smoothed sunspot number of five with your VOACAP-based prediction programs.

VHF and up:

There is a distinctly Tropo look about the weather charts this week as high pressure remains the dominant feature across the British Isles and nearby continent. This type of pattern can produce some long-lasting openings across the length of the high on the charts, preferably along one side rather than directly across the centre of the high, since this is where the inversion sinks very low and the duct can easily be cut short by high ground.

There will be a slight hiccup around mid-week in the south as a weak area of low pressure disrupts the high, bringing a risk of thundery showers to southern parts of the UK. It could mean a chance of rain scatter on the microwave bands though.

Sporadic-E isn’t over yet, but the position of jet streams do not look favourable. There is almost a total absence of Sporadic-E-producing jet streams within mainland Europe, except in a fairly limited band across northern Britain and the north Atlantic, so check the beacons and the clusters to find out which paths are open.

We are approaching the peak of the Perseids meteor shower around the 12th August so meteor scatter paths will be good either side as it is a broad peak.

This is a good week for EME as the moon is heading back towards its closest point to Earth, perigee, on August 10th. It also reaches maximum northerly declination on August 8th. Note that the sun and Moon are close on Saturday morning, meaning high sun noise.

Media & Tech - 03/08/2018

W4HM Daily HF Radio Wave Propagation Forecast #2018-214

Greetings to my fellow hamateur radio and SWL radio enthusiasts around the
world.

Welcome to my “not for profit” daily W4HM Daily HF Radio Wave Propagation
Forecast.

It’s the only daily global HF radio wave propagation forecast produced on
the planet.

I'm a retired heliophysicist, terrestrial meteorologist/climatologist,
physical oceanographer and one of the few on the planet with advanced
education and forecast experience in all disciplines. In terrestrial weather
forecasting I
have 45 years of experience and in solar, space and geomagnetic weather
forecasting 34 years.

Created and disseminated by Thomas F. Giella, W4HM in Lakeland, FL, USA ©
1988-2018.

If you find this daily HF radio wave propagation forecast useful to your
hamateur and SWL radio activities, feel free to drop me a line and let me
know that at

thomasfgiella@gmail.com

I enjoy hearing from likeminded fellow radio enthusiasts.

Hams and SWLs that are interested in solar, space & geomagnetic weather as
well as radio wave propagation are a special group of people interested in
broadening their knowledge in science.

Feel free without prior permission to redistribute this daily HF radio wave
propagation forecast, as long as you redistribute it in its entirety and
give me credit for it.

Supporting images associated with this daily HF radio wave propagation
forecast can be found in my Facebook account at

https://www.facebook.com/thomasfranklingiellaw4hm

and in my Twitter account at

https://twitter.com/GiellaW4hm

Last but not least here is my new HF radio wave propagation web page where
you can sign up to receive this daily HF radio wave propagation forecast via
email. https://groups.io/g/w4hmradiowavepropagationforecast  but without
supporting images.

It's a NO SPAM voluntary "opt" in email type group hosted by Groups.io, so
you have to sign up by using an existing email address and creating a
password.

W4HM Solar Cycle 24 Update and Solar Cycle 25 Forecast- Short and to the
point.

Solar minimum may begin later this year and may last longer than any
previous solar cycle in the 20th century. When solar cycle 25 finally gets
underway it could be the weakest since the middle of the 19th century.
Another Dalton type lesser grand solar minimum may occur with a
corresponding cooling of earth’s climate. This would negate anthropogenic
climate change if it were occurring which it isn’t.

On February 1, 2008 I forecasted that solar cycle 24 would be the smallest
solar cycle in the past 100 years. That forecast verified. I also forecasted
that solar cycle 25 would be almost non nonexistent.

#214 Issued Friday August 3, 2018 at 1415 UTC

Important Solar, Space & Geomagnetic Weather Indices-

Solar activity was very low.

The daily solar flux index numbers (DSFI) were 70.1 69.9 69.6

There had been 1 day with a 2000 UTC daily solar flux index number (DSFI)
lower than 70.

The official daily sunspot number (DSSN) was 0.

There had been 1 day with an official daily sunspot number (DSSN) of 0.

In 2018 there had been 122 days with an official daily sunspot number (DSSN)
of 0.

The 24 hour period 3 hour interval planetary K index (Kp) had been at an
unsettled to quiet geomagnetic condition of 3 2 2 1 1 0 0 1.

The 24 hour period maximum and minimum solar wind speed ranged between 410 &
356 km/s.

Global Daily HF Radio Wave Propagation Forecast-

HF radio wave propagation condition “trend” on Aug 3, 2018- steady.

HF radio wave propagation condition “trend” on Aug 4, 2018- steady.

HF radio wave propagation condition “trend” on Aug 5, 2018- steady.

Northern Hemisphere Radio Wave Propagation Forecast g-

3150-3400, 3500-4100, 4750-5050, 5700-6300 kHz- S9 +1 to 9 at night and S1-3
at day,

6900-7800, 9200-9995, 10000-10150, 11500-12200 kHz- S9+ 1 to 9 at night and
S4-7 at day,

13570-13850, 14000-14350, 15005-15900, 17450-17950, 18068-18168 kHz- S0 at
night and S3-4 at day,

21000-21850 kHz- S0 at night and S1-2 at day,

24890-24990, 25600-26100 kHz- S0 at night and S1 at day,

28000-29700 kHz- S0 at night and S0 at day.

We are now firmly in the summer/winter solstice type of HF radio wave
propagation conditions. Globally HF radio wave propagation conditions are
most unbalanced across the equator during this time period.

During the northern hemisphere summer season the 14000- 30000 kHz frequency
range closes later due to more sun light illuminating the ionosphere than in
the southern hemisphere. But the maximum usable frequency (MUF) is lower
than in the southern hemisphere as heating in the F2 layer of the ionosphere
is higher and the layer less concentrated.

Almost daily during the northern hemisphere summer season you will find that
the 25600- 26100 kHz and 28000-30000 kHz frequency ranges will open via
short north-south and east-west propagation paths via sporadic E (Es). Also
when multiple sporadic E (Es) clouds form and line up favorably much longer
propagation paths open up on east-west paths. And last but not least
north-south propagation paths occur across the equator via trans equatorial
propagation (TEP).

Southern Hemisphere Radio Wave Propagation Forecast g-

3150-3400, 3500-4100, 4750-5050, 5700-6300 kHz- S9+10 at night and S3-5 at
day,

6900-7800, 9200-9995, 10000-10150, 11500-12200 kHz- S9+15 at night and S4-7
at day,

13570-13850, 14000-14350, 15005-15900, 17450-17950, 18068-18168 kHz- S1-3 at
night and S5-8 at day,

21000-21850 kHz- S0 at night and S1-2 at day,

24890-24990, 25600-26100 kHz- S0 at night and S1 at day,

28000-29700 kHz- S0 at night and S0 at day.

We are now firmly in summer/winter solstice type of HF radio wave
propagation conditions. Globally HF radio wave propagation conditions are
most unbalanced across the equator during this time period.

During the southern hemisphere winter season the 14000- 30000 kHz frequency
range closes sooner due to less sun light illuminating the ionosphere than
in the northern hemisphere. But the maximum usable frequency (MUF) is higher
than in the northern hemisphere as the F2 layer of the ionosphere is lower
in height and more concentrated.

This HF Radio wave propagation forecast is produced based on the SIGINT_CAP
HF radio wave propagation prediction software. I wrote it beginning in the
late 1980’s but I’m sorry to say that it can’t be distributed to the general
public. It does outperform VOA CAP.

And though this HF radio wave propagation forecast is produced based on the
SIGINT_CAP software, I do check the actual band conditions at my location in
the USA and tweak the forecast manually where and when necessary.

I also check global HF radio wave propagation conditions via remoted radio
receivers on every continent of the globe and tweak the forecast manually if
and when necessary.

And last but not least I look at ionsonde stations on every continent of the
globe.

The hamateur radio JT65A mode RF signal levels received are based on 5 watts
and ½ wave dipole up at 40 feet.

The hamateur radio PSK31 mode RF signal levels received are based on 25
watts and ½ wave dipole up at 40 feet.

The hamateur radio CW mode RF signal levels received are based on 50 watts
and ½ wave dipole up at 40 feet.

The hamateur radio SSB RF mode signal levels received are based on 100 watts
and ½ wave dipole up at 40 feet.

The HF shortwave broadcast band AM Mode RF signal levels are based on
100,000 watts (100 kw) and a typical high gain VOA type curtain array
antenna.

Please keep in mind that this is a relatively simplified HF radio wave
propagation forecast, so as to keep it easily understandable and applicable
by the average radio enthusiast.

Globally HF radio wave propagation conditions are most evenly balanced
during the fall and spring equinoxes and most diametrically opposed during
the summer and winter solstices.

Conditions change daily, weekly, monthly, yearly and by decade, as the
sun rises and sets at different times and at different angles from the
ecliptic, as well as by radio wave frequency. This is due to changes in the
maximum usable frequency (MUF), lowest usable frequency (LUF) and F layer
critical frequency (FoF2). Also by propagation path.

The D and E layers also come into play through RF radio wave signal
absorption and refraction. And then there is sporadic E (Es) radio wave
propagation that can really throw a wrench into the gears so to speak.

Things like sporadic E (Es) radio wave propagation and lightning storm
static can impact HF radio wave propagation in an unpredictable manner and
mostly bad.

Ongoing solar, space and geomagnetic weather goings on also impact HF radio
wave propagation conditions in a negative manner.

Lower high frequency (80-30 meters) propagation conditions are impacted in a
negative manner not so much by variations in the maximum usable frequency
(MUF) along a particular propagation path and time but rather due to
geomagnetic elevated geomagnetic conditions (Kp-3-4), storms (Kp-5 &
greater) that increase signal absorption via the E layer (the altitude of
the radio aurora). Also increases in the lowest usable frequency (LUF) via D
layer RF signal absorption due to hard x-rays, galactic cosmic waves,
elevated background solar flux levels greater than B0 and energetic proton
flux levels at energies greater than 10 MeV (10+0).

Higher frequency (20-10 meters) propagation conditions are impacted in a
negative manner by variations in the maximum usable frequency (MUF) along a
particular propagation path and time due to the current sunspot number and
also due to elevated geomagnetic conditions (Kp-3-4), storms of Kp-5 &
greater. Also D layer RF signal absorption due to elevated (greater than B0)
background solar flux levels. Also to a lesser extent elevated proton flux
at energies greater than 10 MeV (10+0).

GENERAL GUIDELINES CONCERNING CORRELATION OF PROPAGATION INDICES TO ACTUAL
HF PROPAGATION CONDITIONS-

NOTE!!! The propagation indices "interpretations" are my personal
intellectual property. Therefore the radio wave propagation indices
interpretations contained herein is copyrighted © 1988-2018 by Thomas F.
Giella, W4HM, all rights reserved. Reproduction of information herein is
allowed without permission in advance as long as proper credit is given.

All 14 of the following indices have to occur as described below in order to
see the best global high frequency radio wave propagation possible,
something that happens rarely.

1.) Dropping geomagnetic field indices numbers are better, Kp of 0 best.

2.) A daily sunspot number of 150 or higher, 200 or higher best.

3.) A daily sunspot number of greater than 100 for routine stable formation
of the E Valley/F Layer ducting mechanism.

4.) Previous 24 hour Ap index under 10, fewer than 7 for several days
consecutively are best.

5.) Previous 3 hours Kp index fewer than 3 for mid latitude paths, fewer
than 2 for high latitude paths, 0 for several days consecutively is best.

6.) Energetic protons no greater than 10 MeV (10+0).

7.) Background x-ray flux levels greater than B1 for several days
consecutively, greater than C1 best.

8.) No current STRATWARM alert.

9.) Interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) Bz with a (positive number) sign,
indicates a lesser chance of high latitude path aurora
absorption/unpredictable refraction or scattering of medium frequency RF
signals, when the Kp is above 3.

10.) A -10 or better towards a positive number Dst index during the recovery
time after a geomagnetic storm, as related to the equatorial ring current. A
positive number is best.

Standard Disclaimer-

Note! I use error prone RAW public domain data from the NOAA Space
Environment Center, other U.S. government entities and educational
institutions, to produce this daily HF radio wave propagation
forecast. This data is gathered and made public by the U.S. Government using
taxpayer $$$ (including mine).

However this daily HF propagation forecast that I produce from the RAW
public domain data is my personal intellectual property. Therefore this
daily HF radio wave propagation forecast contained herein is copyrighted ©
1988-2018 by Thomas F. Giella, W4HM.

Feel free without prior permission to redistribute this daily HF radio wave
propagation forecast, as long as you redistribute it in its entirety and
give me credit for it.

Also HF radio wave propagation forecasting is still an inexact
science and therefore also an art. The forecasts are not official but for
educational and hobby related purposes only and are subject to human error
and acts of God, therefore no guarantee or warranty implied.

Attivata in Italia la prima emittente privata in onde medie da una postazione RAI

Fino a lunedì mattina l'Associazione AM Group effettuerà dei test di trasmissione a 819 kHz dalla postazione RAI di Trieste / Monte Radio con 1 kw di potenza e una folded monopole da 60 metri, già in uso per i 981 kHz del programma Rai Trst A in lingua slovena, la programmazione diffusa è quella di Power Radio AM.

Glenn Hauser logs August 2-3, 2018

** ALGERIA [non]. Mark Coady has posted a couple of logs to ODXA about Calls to Prayer from Saudi Arabia on 25 m being // to relays of RTA via FRANCE on same band. He thinx it`s a network feed from Islamic HQ. I doubt this, as CTPs should depend on local and constantly shifting times; so try to check with two receivers whether they are really //, and synchronized:

11820+, August 2 at 1929, BSKSA Qur`an and there is also Qur`an on very poor 12060, which is RTA via France, but they are *not* // --- or rather they are definitely not synchronized, but Qur`aning is so repetitive, that I can`t tell if they may match some seconds apart.

11985 is another weak frequency this hour of RTA via France, and 11915 is another frequency of BSKSA. As one would expect, 11820+ // 11915, and 11985 // 12060, but not in cross-station combinations.

However, since this Qur`aning goes on for most of an hour, it`s not specific Calls To Prayer, but extended recitations, so the two stations could be connected. Further chex might elucidate.

It`s really counterproductive to broadcast local CTPs to a worldwide SW audience as that could mislead the faithful into praying at the wrong local times! Some stations may do it anyway since SW is merely plugged into relay domestic services (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** ARGENTINA [non]. See last report, USA: WRMI about RAE in English. On their website with outdated sked info, to read the playback timers, I pretend to download ``today`s broadcast`` podcast in each language (really today? Some are labeled May 2017!), whether languages other than English have also been reduced to half an hour? It`s been inconvenient to monitor them on SW, mostly poor signals or sleep-time. No, only French is less than 30 minutes as always, and English now confirmed totaling only 28:28, but the others are still a few minutes under 60 (Glenn Hauser, OK, UT August 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** CUBA. 5025, August 2 at 0626, R. Rebelde is dead air except for some whooshing sound. Something`s always wrong at RadioCuba (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** CUBA. 13740, August 2 at 1356, RHC is off, unknown whether just quit prior to CRI relay or missed all or part of entire transmission. The separate transmitter for China Plus = CRI English relay does not cut on until *1359:20 and remains dead air until 1401:55 finally fades up CRI modulation, JIP ``news`` in progress. Something`s always wrong at RadioCuba (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** CUBA. 7340, August 2 at 1414, RHC is still on but VP at S7/S9+10 vs daytime noise level amid `Sonido Cubano` music show during this hour. Really scheduled until 1500, outlasting Radio Martí on adjacent 7335. RHC is obviously cozying up to RM, in the evenings adjacent the other side on 7330, but why? Casual tuners are liable to run into Cuban-sounding RM by mistake, but maybe Arnie thinx that in addition to his co-channel jammers, the RHC signals will help to QRM RM (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** PERU. 4920.903, August 3 at 0135, JBA carrier vs storm noise, presumed La Voz del Pueblo still active on variable off-frequency. I suppose only pre-sunrise, zzz, and post-summer storm season may I have a chance of hearing it better. Tonight`s blitzortung.org map shows closest lightning area is north-central New Mexico (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** SINGAPORE. 11795, August 2 at 1403, S7-S5 in S Asian language. HFCC shows it`s BBC in Hindi this semihour only (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** SRI LANKA. 15629.871, August 3 at 0139, very poor fluttery signal with talk. Aoki/NDXC shows 15630 is AWR via Trincomalee at 0100-0200 in Chinese languages. Any signal on 19m after sunset here has a good chance of being the OSOB, and lacking a WTWW, indeed this one is, despite its poverty (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** TAIWAN. 9590, August 2 at 1408, poor S5-S8 in Russian; could be CRI? No, not // 9675. Nothing in HFCC. But in Aoki/NDXC as Radio Taiwan International (MPT) in Russian for this hour only from Tamsui district. Of course, the ChiCom have managed to ban Taiwan from HFCC, even tho the ChiCom don`t bother to register their entire schedule including countless jammers against fellow HFCC participants, using CNR programming or Firedragon (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGESET)

** U S A. 9395, August 3 at 0133, WRMI is S9+10/20, filling with Oldies instead of World Music, the semihour vacated by RAE condensing English to 30 minutes only. I had suggested to Jeff that this slot could be programmed more productively than defaulting to WMX, e.g. inserting WORLD OF RADIO to a much-needed UT Friday or Saturday time. But it`s definitely Oldies now, with BB announcements, Beatles tune later, and // much weaker 5950; as usual 9395 on to Wavescan at 0200, which is now stripped seven days a week at 0200, while 5950 switches to Fámily Radio. Perhaps Jeff could be persuaded to add WOR sometime on Thu, Fri or Sat, if listeners request it rather than yours truly (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also ARGENTINA [non]

** U S A. 7505, August 3 at 0150, no WRNO (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

This report dispatched at 0327 UT August 3

Ozy Radio back on the air

** AUSTRALIA. 4835, Ozy Radio, 0920-1009, Aug 3. Since about July 4, had been silent here; mostly pop songs, except 0928-0938 & 1002-1008 with the news; at 1008 heard clear, unmistakable Ozy Radio signature theme music ("Waltzing Matilda"). AIR Gangtok reception no longer possible here, but great to have Craig's station on the air again (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, WOR iog via DXLD)

Agenda DX 03/08/2018

ANNIVERSARIO EMITTENTE
Radio Pridnestrovie, Russia (1991)
Radio Cultural, Guatemala 3300 Khz (1950)
XEUAQ Querètaro, Messico 580 Khz (1979)

SWLDXBulgaria News, August 1-2

FRANCE(non)   Good signal of Eye Radio via MGB TDF Issoudun on August 1
1500-1600 on 15410 ISS 250 kW / 139 deg to EaAf Arabic/English* Mon-Fri
*including other languages Dinka; Nuer; Shilluk; Bari; Zande and Lutoho
http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/08/good-signal-of-eye-radio-via-mgb-tdf.html

GERMANY(non)   Reception of Voice of Oromo Liberation via MBR Nauen, August 1
1700-1800 on 15420 NAU 100 kW / 144 deg to EaAf Oromo/Amharic Wed, very good:
http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/08/reception-of-voice-of-oromo-liberation_2.html

GREECE   Reception of Voice of Greece on 9420 kHz, August 2
0651&0656 on  9420 AVL 150 kW / 323 deg to WeEu Greek*tx#03
Same time on  9935 AVL 100 kW / 285 deg via tx#1, no signal
*Arabic/Serbian nx & the transmitter switches off at 0702UT
http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/08/reception-of-voice-of-greece-on-9420_2.html

MADAGASCAR(non)   Reception of Eye Radio via MGB Talata Volonondry, August 2:
0400-0500 on 11620 MDC 250 kW / 335 deg to EaAf Arabic/English* Mon-Fri, fair
*including other languages Dinka; Nuer; Shilluk; Bari; Zande and Lutoho
http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/08/reception-of-eye-radio-via-mgb-talata.html

OMAN   Reception of Radio Sultanate of Oman in English/Arabic, August 1
till 1406 on 15140 THU 100 kW / 315 deg to WeEu open carrier / dead air
from 1406 on 15140 THU 100 kW / 315 deg to WeEu English-distorted audio
from 1500 on 15140 THU 100 kW / 315 deg to WeEu Arabic, very good audio
http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/08/reception-of-radio-sultanate-of-oman-in.html

SECRETLAND(non)   Brother HySTAIRical via SPL Secretbrod, August 1
1500-1655 on 11600 SCB 100 kW / 126 deg to N/ME English, very good
http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/08/reception-of-brother-hystairical-via.html

SECRETLAND(non)    BVB Dardasha 7 via SPL Secretbrod on August 1:
1745-1800 on  9490 SCB 050 kW / 126 deg to N/ME Arabic, very good
1815-1830 on  5900 SCB 050 kW / 126 deg to N/ME Arabic, very good
1845-1900 on  9400 SCB 050 kW / 126 deg to NoAf Arabic, very good
http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/08/reception-of-bvb-dardasha-7-via-spl.html

SECRETLAND(non)   Reception of End Times Coming ETC Radio via SPL Secretbrod, August 1
1800-1830 on  9400 SCB 100 kW / 306 deg to WeEu English Ex-Catholics For Christ, good:
http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/08/reception-of-end-times-coming-radio-via.html

SECRETLAND(non)   Radio Nigeria Hausa/Radio of Truth via SPL Secretbrod, August 1
1800-1900 on 15110 SCB 050 kW / 195 deg to WeAf Hausa Radio Na Gaskiya, fair/good
http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/08/radio-nigeria-hausaradio-of-truth-via.html

SECRETLAND(non)   BaBcoCk Dimtse Radio Erena via SPL Secretbrod, August 2:
1700-1730 on  9720 SCB 050 kW / 195 deg to EaAf Tigrinya/Arabic, very good
http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/08/reception-of-babcock-dimtse-radio-erena.html


--

73! Ivo Ivanov
More information on the shortwave listening hobby,
please visit to http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com

QTH-1: Patreshko, Bulgaria
Receiver: Afedri SDR
Software: SDR-Console v2.3(using remote connection)
Antennas: various Inverted V and beverage antennas.

QTH-2: Sofia OK2, Bulgaria
Receiver: Sony ICF-2001D
Antenna: 30 m. long wire

giovedì 2 agosto 2018

Radio Nikkei new schedule from october

JAPAN   Radio NIKKEI will reduce the frequencies after October 2018.

Radio NIKKEI announced in their HP

that they will reduce the frequencies after October 1, 2018, for the stability and effectiveness of the management.

They say the diffusion of internet listening by PCs or portable phones on    is another reason.

The schedule after October 1 is as follows:

1st program
2200-1500 6055           (Nagara transmitter site JOZ2 50 kW)
2200-2300 0800-1500 3925 (Nemuro transmitter site JOZ4 10 kW)

2nd program on weekdays              <<<<<<<
2300-1000 6115 (Nagara JOZ6 50 kW)
1000-1400 3945 (Nagara JOZ5 10 kW)   <<<<<<<

2nd program on Saturdays and Sundays <<<<<<<
2300-0900 6115 (Nagara JOZ6 50 kW)   <<<<<<<

9595 kHz (Nagara JOZ3 50kW) will be out of service but will be preserved for emergency use.

9760 kHz (Nagara JOZ7 50 kW) and 3925 kHz (Nagara JOZ 50 kW) will be discontinued.

Transmitters in Nagara site are all NEC HFB-7847, installed in 1980-82 except JOZ5 (NEC HFB-7840D) in 1991.

Transmitter in Nemuro site (JOZ4 3925 kHz) is NEC HFB-7840C installed in 1996.

Takahito Akabayashi - Tokyo, Japan.
(via wb  df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews July 6, correction July 25)

W4HM Daily HF Radio Wave Propagation Forecast #2018-213

Greetings to my fellow hamateur radio and SWL radio enthusiasts around the
world.

Welcome to my “not for profit” daily W4HM Daily HF Radio Wave Propagation
Forecast.

It’s the only daily global HF radio wave propagation forecast produced on
the planet.

I'm a retired heliophysicist, terrestrial meteorologist/climatologist,
physical oceanographer and one of the few on the planet with advanced
education and forecast experience in all disciplines. In terrestrial weather
forecasting I
have 45 years of experience and in solar, space and geomagnetic weather
forecasting 34 years.

Created and disseminated by Thomas F. Giella, W4HM in Lakeland, FL, USA ©
1988-2018.

If you find this daily HF radio wave propagation forecast useful to your
hamateur and SWL radio activities, feel free to drop me a line and let me
know that at

thomasfgiella@gmail.com

I enjoy hearing from likeminded fellow radio enthusiasts.

Hams and SWLs that are interested in solar, space & geomagnetic weather as
well as radio wave propagation are a special group of people interested in
broadening their knowledge in science.

Feel free without prior permission to redistribute this daily HF radio wave
propagation forecast, as long as you redistribute it in its entirety and
give me credit for it.

Supporting images associated with this daily HF radio wave propagation
forecast can be found in my Facebook account at

https://www.facebook.com/thomasfranklingiellaw4hm

and in my Twitter account at

https://twitter.com/GiellaW4hm

Last but not least here is my new HF radio wave propagation web page where
you can sign up to receive this daily HF radio wave propagation forecast via
email. https://groups.io/g/w4hmradiowavepropagationforecast  but without
supporting images.

It's a NO SPAM voluntary "opt" in email type group hosted by Groups.io, so
you have to sign up by using an existing email address and creating a
password.

W4HM Solar Cycle 24 Update and Solar Cycle 25 Forecast- Short and to the
point.

Solar minimum may begin later this year and may last longer than any
previous solar cycle in the 20th century. When solar cycle 25 finally gets
underway it could be the weakest since the middle of the 19th century.
Another Dalton type lesser grand solar minimum may occur with a
corresponding cooling of earth’s climate. This would negate anthropogenic
climate change if it were occurring which it isn’t.

On February 1, 2008 I forecasted that solar cycle 24 would be the smallest
solar cycle in the past 100 years. That forecast verified. I also forecasted
that solar cycle 25 would be almost non nonexistent.

#213 Issued Thursday August 2, 2018 at 1400 UTC

Important Solar, Space & Geomagnetic Weather Indices-

Solar activity was low.

The daily solar flux index numbers (DSFI) were 69.7 (((((70.2))))) 71.0

There had been 1 day with a 2000 UTC daily solar flux index number (DSFI) of
70 or higher.

The official daily sunspot number (DSSN) was 11.

In 2018 there had been 121 days with an official daily sunspot number (DSSN)
of 0.

(((((There had been one newly emerged earth facing sunspot group, 12717
located near S07E25, with a simple alpha magnetic signature capable of
releasing a small B class solar flare.

But on Thursday August 2, 2018 sunspot group #12717 has decayed into a plage
region again.)))))

The 24 hour period 3 hour interval planetary K index (Kp) had been at a
quiet geomagnetic condition of 2 1 0 1 1 2 2 2.

The 24 hour period maximum and minimum solar wind speed ranged between 420 &
285 km/s.

Global Daily HF Radio Wave Propagation Forecast-

HF radio wave propagation condition “trend” on Aug 2, 2018- steady.

HF radio wave propagation condition “trend” on Aug 3, 2018- steady.

HF radio wave propagation condition “trend” on Aug 4, 2018- steady.

Northern Hemisphere Radio Wave Propagation Forecast g-

3150-3400, 3500-4100, 4750-5050, 5700-6300 kHz- S9 +1 to 9 at night and S1-3
at day,

6900-7800, 9200-9995, 10000-10150, 11500-12200 kHz- S9+ 1 to 9 at night and
S4-7 at day,

13570-13850, 14000-14350, 15005-15900, 17450-17950, 18068-18168 kHz- S0 at
night and S3-4 at day,

21000-21850 kHz- S0 at night and S1-2 at day,

24890-24990, 25600-26100 kHz- S0 at night and S1 at day,

28000-29700 kHz- S0 at night and S0 at day.

We are now firmly in the summer/winter solstice type of HF radio wave
propagation conditions. Globally HF radio wave propagation conditions are
most unbalanced across the equator during this time period.

During the northern hemisphere summer season the 14000- 30000 kHz frequency
range closes later due to more sun light illuminating the ionosphere than in
the southern hemisphere. But the maximum usable frequency (MUF) is lower
than in the southern hemisphere as heating in the F2 layer of the ionosphere
is higher and the layer less concentrated.

Almost daily during the northern hemisphere summer season you will find that
the 25600- 26100 kHz and 28000-30000 kHz frequency ranges will open via
short north-south and east-west propagation paths via sporadic E (Es). Also
when multiple sporadic E (Es) clouds form and line up favorably much longer
propagation paths open up on east-west paths. And last but not least
north-south propagation paths occur across the equator via trans equatorial
propagation (TEP).

Southern Hemisphere Radio Wave Propagation Forecast g-

3150-3400, 3500-4100, 4750-5050, 5700-6300 kHz- S9+10 at night and S3-5 at
day,

6900-7800, 9200-9995, 10000-10150, 11500-12200 kHz- S9+15 at night and S4-7
at day,

13570-13850, 14000-14350, 15005-15900, 17450-17950, 18068-18168 kHz- S1-3 at
night and S5-8 at day,

21000-21850 kHz- S0 at night and S1-2 at day,

24890-24990, 25600-26100 kHz- S0 at night and S1 at day,

28000-29700 kHz- S0 at night and S0 at day.

We are now firmly in summer/winter solstice type of HF radio wave
propagation conditions. Globally HF radio wave propagation conditions are
most unbalanced across the equator during this time period.

During the southern hemisphere winter season the 14000- 30000 kHz frequency
range closes sooner due to less sun light illuminating the ionosphere than
in the northern hemisphere. But the maximum usable frequency (MUF) is higher
than in the northern hemisphere as the F2 layer of the ionosphere is lower
in height and more concentrated.

This HF Radio wave propagation forecast is produced based on the SIGINT_CAP
HF radio wave propagation prediction software. I wrote it beginning in the
late 1980’s but I’m sorry to say that it can’t be distributed to the general
public. It does outperform VOA CAP.

And though this HF radio wave propagation forecast is produced based on the
SIGINT_CAP software, I do check the actual band conditions at my location in
the USA and tweak the forecast manually where and when necessary.

I also check global HF radio wave propagation conditions via remoted radio
receivers on every continent of the globe and tweak the forecast manually if
and when necessary.

And last but not least I look at ionsonde stations on every continent of the
globe.

The hamateur radio JT65A mode RF signal levels received are based on 5 watts
and ½ wave dipole up at 40 feet.

The hamateur radio PSK31 mode RF signal levels received are based on 25
watts and ½ wave dipole up at 40 feet.

The hamateur radio CW mode RF signal levels received are based on 50 watts
and ½ wave dipole up at 40 feet.

The hamateur radio SSB RF mode signal levels received are based on 100 watts
and ½ wave dipole up at 40 feet.

The HF shortwave broadcast band AM Mode RF signal levels are based on
100,000 watts (100 kw) and a typical high gain VOA type curtain array
antenna.

Please keep in mind that this is a relatively simplified HF radio wave
propagation forecast, so as to keep it easily understandable and applicable
by the average radio enthusiast.

Globally HF radio wave propagation conditions are most evenly balanced
during the fall and spring equinoxes and most diametrically opposed during
the summer and winter solstices.

Conditions change daily, weekly, monthly, yearly and by decade, as the
sun rises and sets at different times and at different angles from the
ecliptic, as well as by radio wave frequency. This is due to changes in the
maximum usable frequency (MUF), lowest usable frequency (LUF) and F layer
critical frequency (FoF2). Also by propagation path.

The D and E layers also come into play through RF radio wave signal
absorption and refraction. And then there is sporadic E (Es) radio wave
propagation that can really throw a wrench into the gears so to speak.

Things like sporadic E (Es) radio wave propagation and lightning storm
static can impact HF radio wave propagation in an unpredictable manner and
mostly bad.

Ongoing solar, space and geomagnetic weather goings on also impact HF radio
wave propagation conditions in a negative manner.

Lower high frequency (80-30 meters) propagation conditions are impacted in a
negative manner not so much by variations in the maximum usable frequency
(MUF) along a particular propagation path and time but rather due to
geomagnetic elevated geomagnetic conditions (Kp-3-4), storms (Kp-5 &
greater) that increase signal absorption via the E layer (the altitude of
the radio aurora). Also increases in the lowest usable frequency (LUF) via D
layer RF signal absorption due to hard x-rays, galactic cosmic waves,
elevated background solar flux levels greater than B0 and energetic proton
flux levels at energies greater than 10 MeV (10+0).

Higher frequency (20-10 meters) propagation conditions are impacted in a
negative manner by variations in the maximum usable frequency (MUF) along a
particular propagation path and time due to the current sunspot number and
also due to elevated geomagnetic conditions (Kp-3-4), storms of Kp-5 &
greater. Also D layer RF signal absorption due to elevated (greater than B0)
background solar flux levels. Also to a lesser extent elevated proton flux
at energies greater than 10 MeV (10+0).

GENERAL GUIDELINES CONCERNING CORRELATION OF PROPAGATION INDICES TO ACTUAL
HF PROPAGATION CONDITIONS-

NOTE!!! The propagation indices "interpretations" are my personal
intellectual property. Therefore the radio wave propagation indices
interpretations contained herein is copyrighted © 1988-2018 by Thomas F.
Giella, W4HM, all rights reserved. Reproduction of information herein is
allowed without permission in advance as long as proper credit is given.

All 14 of the following indices have to occur as described below in order to
see the best global high frequency radio wave propagation possible,
something that happens rarely.

1.) Dropping geomagnetic field indices numbers are better, Kp of 0 best.

2.) A daily sunspot number of 150 or higher, 200 or higher best.

3.) A daily sunspot number of greater than 100 for routine stable formation
of the E Valley/F Layer ducting mechanism.

4.) Previous 24 hour Ap index under 10, fewer than 7 for several days
consecutively are best.

5.) Previous 3 hours Kp index fewer than 3 for mid latitude paths, fewer
than 2 for high latitude paths, 0 for several days consecutively is best.

6.) Energetic protons no greater than 10 MeV (10+0).

7.) Background x-ray flux levels greater than B1 for several days
consecutively, greater than C1 best.

8.) No current STRATWARM alert.

9.) Interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) Bz with a (positive number) sign,
indicates a lesser chance of high latitude path aurora
absorption/unpredictable refraction or scattering of medium frequency RF
signals, when the Kp is above 3.

10.) A -10 or better towards a positive number Dst index during the recovery
time after a geomagnetic storm, as related to the equatorial ring current. A
positive number is best.

Standard Disclaimer-

Note! I use error prone RAW public domain data from the NOAA Space
Environment Center, other U.S. government entities and educational
institutions, to produce this daily HF radio wave propagation
forecast. This data is gathered and made public by the U.S. Government using
taxpayer $$$ (including mine).

However this daily HF propagation forecast that I produce from the RAW
public domain data is my personal intellectual property. Therefore this
daily HF radio wave propagation forecast contained herein is copyrighted ©
1988-2018 by Thomas F. Giella, W4HM.

Feel free without prior permission to redistribute this daily HF radio wave
propagation forecast, as long as you redistribute it in its entirety and
give me credit for it.

Also HF radio wave propagation forecasting is still an inexact
science and therefore also an art. The forecasts are not official but for
educational and hobby related purposes only and are subject to human error
and acts of God, therefore no guarantee or warranty implied.

Glenn Hauser logs August 1-2, 2018

** AUSTRIA. 7360, August 2 at 0140, S5-S8 in unID language. HFCC shows BBC via Moosbrunn in Prs, presumably meaning Dari (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** CUBA. 6100, August 1 at 0556, this RHC English is JBM; 6000 a bit better; 6060 = 6165 best modulation levels. Something`s always wrong at RHC. How these four relate to each other in strength and modulation level is constantly changing (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** CUBA. 13700, August 1 at 1316, RHC AWOL; 1317 carrier cuts on and off and on; 1341 recheck now it`s modulating but failing to emit spurs. Something`s always wrong at RHC (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** CUBA. 15140, August 1 at 1909, RHC English is poor, much weaker than normal, only S7; QRP? Something`s always wrong at RHC (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** FRANCE. 7220, August 1 at 0547, Dandal Kura via ISSoudun modulation seems OK, unlike previously when it was nothing but humbuzz. However, signal is weak in the noise tonight, so am not sure it be pristine. 

9790, August 1 at 0547, RFI via ISSoudun is JBA carrier, so cannot evaluate it; a different night than 7220, with much better propagation, this transmitter was also humbuzzing (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** GREECE. 8424-CW, August 2 at 0102, dash and DE SVO, over and over, i.e. Olympia Radio, Athens, one of the few CW stations left on SW. 2002 Klingenfuss Guide had it on 8423. Primarily a broadcast DXer, I don`t always bandscan utilities, but now with WLO QRT, nary a dit of CW markers are to be heard on the fixed or marine bands, so this one is welcome. Among lots of open space, one still hears mostly modes unreadable to the ear, fax, RTTY and more complex digitals (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also USA: AAM 13508

** INDIA. 6140, August 2 at 0045, JBA music and talk, no match for S8 storm noise peaks. Strixe me as a frequency usually unoccupied. Aoki/NDXC shows nothing on 6140 between 2357 and 0830. But EiBi has:

``6140 0025-0430 IND All India Radio GOS UR PAK a`` = Aligarh site
HFCC:
``6140 0000 0430 41N ALG 250 282 0 146 1234567 250318 281018 D 6075 Urd IND AIR AIR 16043``
And VU2JOS, entry in red with a*terisk as a change from B-17:
``6140 * 250 Aligarh Uttar Pradesh N 0025-0430 Urdu (Pakistan) (Ex 6145/9620)`` N is for the zone in India of transmitter location = north (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** IRAN. 7425, August 2 at 0142, almost OC, but JBM with algo. I`m hoping this will turn out to be a Greenville-B mixing product like IBB used to provide, of the pre-Vatican open carrier on 7305 leapfrogging over an adjacent Radio Martí transmitter on 7365 another 60 kHz higher --- but no, no Vatican IS or Spanish is audible by 0148. Instead, HFCC reminds us it is VIRI in Arabic, 500 kW, 289 degrees from Zahedan, all the way from 1730 to 0230. Now if only they can manage to modulate it (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** NORTH AMERICA. 6870-AM, August 2 at 0047, only pirate is here, S9 vs almost as much storm noise level, steel drum music, segués of mostly soft YL vocals, not recognized. Never heard any announcements or IDs during continuous monitoring (with one ear, anyway), past 0111 during yelling, 0118 ME music. Recheck at 0138 it`s off. Several logs here say it was Mix Radio International at 2309-0134*
https://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,44802.0.html
No one else reported an ID during my listening span, but three guys got IDs at 2318 August 1 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** U S A. 13508-CW, August 1 at 1913, slow CW in a long message, but finally I can copy ``DE AAM`` and eventually ending with AR merged. Also sent 4 dots and 2 dashes in a row a few times --- what symbol is that??? Like HM or SW without a space between the letters. 

CW is so rare on the bands these days that it really stands out in a bandscan. It`s a good strong signal. I keep listening until 1922 but nothing further. I later search the UDXF iog archive for the call and frequency and find one latest thread of Feb 9, 2018:

``I occasionally scan the bands and look for odd signals as I guess most people here do. It has been a habit of mine since my "tour of duty" in The USN from 1979 - 1985. I was involved with elint/sigint. Nothing more to say. I have been looking at the boards and other resources for information on a message I intercepted 02/07/2018 at 11am Pacific/1900z. Frequency 13.508 MHz, CW, signal strength 579. The message was "Calling all stations de AAM Beach Surf Castle Bravo Sierra Sierra BT."

The signal repeated three times when I came across it and no joy since I first heard it. I have been parked on it since then. I find no reference to the frequency nor the call sign although it looks like a tactical call sign. I wonder if it is an Army or Airforce mars net? Any help identifying the sender or theories about the sender are appreciated. Jim Kenny K7LD``

Replies:

``Jim, AAM is the US Army MARS station at Fort Huachuca, AZ. Its tactical voice call is DESERT EAGLE. 13509.5 USB has been used by Army MARS stations, including AAM. What sort of receiver are you using & how does it set up for receiving CW transmissions? Jack L. Metcalfe - Stanford, KY``

``Hi Jack and thanks very much for the reply. I am using a Perseus sdr with an ALA-1530LNP antenna. The actual frequency was 13.508.1 MHz. When I saw the signal I was in cw, 500 Hz bw. I usually scan the bands of interest (to me) and at 11 AM PST, 11 and 13 MHz are starting to come alive. The signal was fairly strong so I thought it may be in CONUS. I can see data TX occasionally up a couple kc or so; maybe MT63 or M110A. I will look to see what freq next time I see it. I will leave the Mhold on to capture it.

I am also curious as to why AAM started the message "calling all stations" instead of "VVV". Is that normal on MARS CW nets? The message references are very odd! JK``

Some other AAM logs previously reported in UDXF on 14579, 17445. I had heard AAM3 during an interoperability test on 13483.5-USB, Nov 5, 2017 at 1600, as in DXLD 17-45, but that may not be at same location (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** U S A. WORLD OF RADIO 1941 monitoring: confirmed Wednesday August 1 at 2100 on WBCQ 7490, JBA to VP but recognizable; NOT simultaneously on WRMI 9955, with a much better signal, but now automation has been reprogrammed to start at confirmed 2100.5 after another WRMI ID. Next:
Fri 2330   WBCQ 9330v to WSW [maybe]
Sat 0631   HLR 6190-CUSB to WSW
Sat 1431   HLR 6190-CUSB to WSW
Sat 1930v  WA0RCR 1860-AM ND
Sat 2130   WBCQ 9330v to WSW [maybe, or 2330?]
Sun 0310v  WA0RCR 1860-AM ND
Sun 1030   HLR 9485-CUSB to WSW
Sun 2330   WBCQ 9330v to WSW [maybe]
Mon 0130.5 WRMI 5850 to NW, 7780 to NE
Mon 0300v  WBCQ 5130v Area 51 to WSW
Mon 0330   WRMI 9955 to SSE
Mon 0400   WRMI webcast only, non-direxional
Mon 2330   WBCQ 9330v to WSW [maybe]
Tue 0030   WRMI 7730 to WNW
Tue 2030   WRMI 7780 to NE, 5950 to WNW [or #1942?]
Tue 2130   WRMI 5950 to WNW [or #1942?]

Full schedule for WOR on all outlets, not just SW; podcast linx:
http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html
(Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** U S A. 9395, August 2 at 0150, WRMI with World Music filling the second semihour abandoned by RAE English at 0100.

BTW, Don`t you believe the sked on RAE`s own website:
http://www.radionacional.com.ar/rae-ingles/
which still shows a full hour in English, and not // 5950; Japanese and Chinese on the ex-frequency 9455; Portuguese at wrong time 12-13 instead of 11-12, and on 9955 only (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** U S A. 7505, August 2 at 0120, WRNO hasn`t shown up at nominal *0100, but is on with gospel huxter in English at 0149 check (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** U S A. 990, August 1 at 2037 UT on caradio about 18 miles N of Enid on US 81/60/64, bandscan is not much different then inside Enid, but I do hear an ID in passing from KRSL Russell KS, also as on 98.1 FM which is a mere translator. 990 is 250 W ND day, at about the edge of its Ogalalla groundwave, 291 km = 181 miles. KTOK 1000 splatter is a little less of a problem here (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

This report dispatched at 0443 UT August 2

Special VOA Studio 7 transmission

VOA Studio 7 has a special transmission between 1200-1500 on 15295sao & 17820sao for a couple of days.

Eye Radio for South Sudan again on air

Shortwave broadcasting for South Sudan was restarted for the first time in 8 months from August 1 as already reported. This station had previously performed short wave broadcasting as Sudan Radio Service. Eye Radio is continuing to broadcast under the support of the USAID International Development Agency USAID as a project of the Educational Development Center (EDC) which is a US-based NGO. The South Sudanese government continues to block mobile phones and WiFi specific sites, and there are places that FM can not cover, and it seems that he has resumed short-wave broadcasting.

Starting around 15 minutes about 25 minutes English news etc. are out.There are many local languages other than Arabic.

0400-0500 11620 MDC 250 kW Sudanese Arabic Mon-Fri
1500-1600 15410 ISS 250 kW Sudanese Arabic Mon-Fri

Test on 6030 khz DRM from China

Since 23rd Jul. test DRM on 6030 kHz became a regular test transmission. The schedule is 2025-1805 UTC. It is just a domestic broadcasting test. We will update the requirement into B18 HF broadcasting schedules. And in the test period, the normal AM transmission on 6030 kHz will be shut down.
In the near future, there may be more and more test DRM transmissions. Looking forward to your attention and feedback. Please feel free to contact us.

Best regards, sincerely
Sun (drmrtprc@163.com )