domenica 30 gennaio 2022

A cuore aperto: Geloso Super G110 (1953)

Oggi ho pensato di dedicare la rubrica "A cuore aperto" ad un piccolo e modesto ricevitore, costruito dalla GELOSO come classico apparecchietto da comodino. Si tratta del piccolo ma ben funzionante SUPER G 110, supereterodina 5 valvole RIMLOCK. Risalente al 1953, questo esemplare, venuto in mio possesso nel 2001, ha rischiato di finire in qualche cassonetto dell'immondizia a causa di una spaccatura del mobiletto, in senso orizzontale, che lo rendeva, di fatto, un oggetto inservibile ma, con collanti epossidici, stucchi a base metallica e tanta, tanta pazienza, ho ricostruito le parti mancanti, ricucito la spaccatura ed  il piccolo G110 è tornato ad essere un bell'apparecchietto, ben funzionante.

ACCESO STEMMA GELOSO SCALA PARLANTE GRIGLIA ALTOPARLANTE
POSTERIORE MODELLO - SPECIFICHE E POSIZIONE VALVOLE COMMUTATORE GAMMA si nota la parziale ricostruzione del mobiletto 

Classico circuito supereterodina, questo apparecchio, costruito in economia e con il numero di componenti strettamente necessario, impiega una serie di 5 tubi rimlock: UY41 raddrizzatrice, UL41 finale BF, UBC41 amplificatrice BF e CAV, UF41 amplificatrice di MF e mescolatrice, UCH42 convertitrice ed amplificatrice AF. Realizzato su telaio metallico, denota una costruzione comunque accurata e ben realizzata, il cablaggio è fatto con filatura di buona qualità, in modo razionale ed essenziale.

TELAIO TELAIO 2 TELAIO 3
MEDIA FREQUENZA GELOSO CONVERTITRIC UCH42 - CONDENSATORE VARIABILE E GRUPPO AF - IL PICCOLO TELAIO VISTO DALL'ALTO CAMBIO TENSIONI

I componenti, tipicamente Geloso, sono disposti in modo ordinato e di facile sostituzione, nel caso di riparazione.. L'alimentazione è garantita da un autotrasformatore di generose dimensioni che provvede ai 39 volts di accensione per la raddrizzatrice ed alla tensione anodica mentre le rimanenti valvole sono alimentate in serie, come era tipico in questi apparecchietti che sfruttavano le tensioni di accensione delle valvole per accendere i filamenti in serie, facendo risparmiare il rame usato per gli avvolgimenti del secondario a bassa tensione.

CONDENSATORE VARIABILE COMPENSATORI AEREO ED OSCILLATORE GRUPPO RF - PERNI BOBINE ACCORDO - SCALA PARLANTE RIMOSSA
TRASFORMATORE DI ALIMENTAZIONE MARCHIO GELOSO - VALVOLE ORIGINALI - VISTA COMPONENTI GRUPPO RF

L'amplificazione di BF è affidata ad una generosissima UL41 che con i suoi abbondanti 4 watt, garantisce un volume pieno ed anche eccessivo, date le piccole dimensioni del ricevitore. L'alta tensione, presa dal primario a 160 volts dell'autotrasformatore, viene rettificata dalla UY41 ed inviata alla cellula di livellamento, costituita da due elettrolitici da 32 microfarad e da un'impedenza di filtro che è anche trasformatore di uscita, come era tipico, all'insegna del risparmio.

GRUPPO RF - BOBINE E CONDENSATORI - GRUPPO RF - COMMUTATORE - BOBINA GAMMA 16 METRI
COMPONENTI ORIGINALI E PARTE DEL CABLAGGIO CONO ALTOPARLANTE ALTOPARLANTE - CESTELLO E TRASFORMATORE DI USCITA -

Caratteristica saliente di questo piccolo ricevitore e tipico stile GELOSO, è quella di avere un vero e proprio gruppo di alta frequenza, il Mod. 2661, che gli permette di ricevere ben 5 gamme d'onda; onde medie e quattro gamme di onde corte: 49, 31, 25, 19 e 16 metri il che, per un apparecchietto così piccolo, non è poco. La sensibilità è buona, considerato l'impiego di questa radio ed anche la selettività, è nei giusti parametri; con qualche metro di filo, si ricevono molte emissioni in onda corta e qualche stazione, di quelle rimaste, in onda media.

ALTOPARLANTE - TRASFORMATORE E IMPEDENZA - ALTOPARLANTE - MARCA E MODELLO - MODELLO DEL CONO ALTOPARLANTE RETINA PROTEZIONE ALTOPARLANTE
     

Il mobiletto è realizzato in galalite, di colore bianco ma da me riverniciato, dopo il restauro, con colore avorio. Esistevano quattro versioni dello stesso apparecchio: per l'Europa, per i paesi del bacino Mediterraneo, Stati Uniti e sud America ed Oceania, tutti con diverse scale parlanti ed a ben guardare, si può notare che la scala sia intercambiabile, proprio per questo motivo.

SCALA MODELLO 1618 80A PER L'EUROPA MASCHERINA SCALA ED ALTOPARLANTE
MOBILETTO VUOTO KIT MONTAGGIO MOBILETTO

Alla prova, il nostro piccolo amico si rivela ancora molto efficiente, garantendo una buona ricezione sulle onde corte e sulle medie, con ottima BF e buona sensibilità. Invece di finire in discarica, è ancora con noi e fa ancora un ottimo servizio. Spero che sia interessante anche questo piccolo e modesto apparecchietto. Non mi è stato possibile prendere altro apparato ma credo che anche questo "GELOSINO", meriti attenzione.

[pdf-embedder url="https://www.bclnews.it/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/41-SCHEMA-G-110.pdf" title="41 SCHEMA G 110"]

Alla prossima settimana!!

Paolo Pierelli

Studio DX 970 - 30/01/22

Obiettivo DX 970 - 30/01/22

Radio Luxembourg op Radio Classic Sunday

What radio and music lover has not listened to it for hours, the famous Radio Luxembourg. The principles could already be heard on the long wave in 1929. In 1933 they really got off to a good start at 1193 meters. The great success came from 1952 when she switched to the 208 meter 1440 KHZ, The Station of the stars. With 1200 kilowatts, the range was enormous in Europe and far beyond.

There were broadcasts in many languages, even programs aimed at the Netherlands with Dutch radio presenters. Peter van Dam, Felix Meurders, Stan Haag, Peter Koelewijn were the big names in the Dutch department.

My first radio discoveries go back to 1973. As a 7-year-old male, my father gave me a Sony pocket radio as a gift. In bed under the covers in the dark I listened in with my earplug to the broadcasts of Radio Luxembourg. I thought it was magical, all those voices and music from such a box. For many years I regularly tuned in to Luxembourg, I thought the presentation was great and then those Jingles, I loved it and thanks to those broadcasts my radio love started.

Not only was Radio Luxembourg a party for me, but for millions they were the medium to get information beyond your own borders. And don't forget all the music from all those different countries, for many that is how the love for French and Italian music originated. You heard the pictures there that you would only hear much later within your own national borders.

If you ask an average radio or music lover about his radio teens, Radio Luxembourg is mentioned first and the eyes start to shine again and the warm sentimental feelings of that time come back to the surface.

On January 30, 2022, Radio Classic Sunday pays attention to that magical radio station, where it all started for many. For 3 hours the Radio Luxembourg hits of the past interspersed with the most beautiful Radio Luxembourg jingles.

A morning of sentiment on 6185 KHZ, you can't miss it.

Agenda DX 30/01/2022

ANNIVERSARIO EMITTENTI
Radio Marumby, Brasile 9665 Khz (1955)

sabato 29 gennaio 2022

Glenn Hauser logs January 29, 2022

** ANTARCTICA. 15476 RCUSB, Jan 29 circa 1450 UT, no LRA36 signal into Pardinho, Brasil SDR this Saturday as usual while it continues to appear on Wednesdays (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

** CANADA. 6660, Jan 29 at 0155, CHU-like pips, but with uteblatt QRM and cannot make out an ID before top of next minute. Second harmonic of 3330 is often reported by Harold Frodge, better positioned in Michigan, and I keep seeking it, but need to continue checking this WOOB frequency oftener. Remember when their ex-frequency 7335 was exactly half of 14670? Now 15700 would be the spot (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

** ETHIOPIA [non]. 15400, Sat Jan 29 at 1614 JBA signal into Kenya SDR, even less into Kuwait, but scheduled now at 1600-1629 is a new, or reactivated clandestine which must not be reaching target effectively, as discussed in the WOR iog:

Arthur Pozner, near NYC, Wednesday Jan 26 at 1610 UT: ``[WOR] Unknown program on 15400 kHz at 16:00 UTC --- Not listed, seems to be heavily jammed. Sounds to my ears as one of the Ethiopian languages``

Ivo Ivanov, Bulgaria, 1643 UT:
``Language is Afan Oromo Mon-Wed, Fri, Sat probably via Galbeni from NEXUS IRRS SW from January 21. Registered today in HFCC Database``

Arthur Pozner at 1644: ``ID as "IRRS Milano". Music interval from Carmen (Toreador).``

Ivo, Observer, Bulgaria:
``ROMANIA New clandestine broadcast of NEXUS IBA IRRS Shortwave via RADIOCOM Galbeni:
1600-1629 on 15400 GAL 300 kW / 140 deg to EaAf Afan Oromo Mon-Wed/Fri/Sat from January 21
1600-1629 on 15400 MIL 150 kW / 135 deg to EaAf Afan Oromo Mon-Wed/Fri/Sat in HFCC is wrong
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2022/01/new-clandestine-program-of-nexus-irrs.html
Weak/poor signal of this unknown clandestine broadcast via SDR Tambov Russia on January 26``
Kai Ludwig:
``Oromia National Media – Arraata Biyyoolessa Oromiyaa.
https://www.nexus.org/member-services/radio-and-tv/schedules/monday-program-schedule/

https://www.onm-abo.org/

Based in Toronto:
https://www.bizapedia.com/canada/oromia-national-media-arraata-biyyoolessa-oromiyaa-onm-abo.html

IRRS had already transmitted them, circa summer 2020 til spring 2021, from Kostinbrod. Seems these guys have found some new money...``

The NEXUS program schedule does show this on Mon, Tue, Fri, not on Wed or Thu; Sat & Sun refuse to load (Glenn Hauser, Jan 29, WOR)

** SPAIN. 12030, Jan 29 at 1643, REE is yet again in dead air, S7-S9 into Maryland SDR. Recheck at 2022, OFF the air while the other three frequencies are good to very good: 11940, 11685, 9690. Something`s always nonsensical at Noblejas (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

** TURKEY. 6125, Jan 29 at 0423, VOT English now on the squealy transmitter, unlike the previous emission at 23 UT Jan 28 on 5960. Something`s always erroneous at Emirler (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

** U S A. 338 MCW kHz, Jan 29 at 0644 UT, RYN, 400 watt ND beacon at Tucson / Ryan AZ (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

** U S A [and non]. WORLD OF RADIO 2123 monitoring: confirmed UT Saturday January 29 at 0230 on WRMI 9395, S9+10/20 direct instead of almost faded out as often happens with this.

Confirmed Sat Jan 29 at 1700 on WRN North America webcast.

Also confirmed Sat Jan 29 starting at 2033 on WA0RCR, 1860 AM,
Wentzville MO, S9+12 into nearby Warrenton SDR. Next:

0030 UT Sunday WRMI 7730 to WNW
0400vUT Sunday WA0RCR 1860-AM [nominal 0415; as late as 0530]
1330 UT Sunday WMRI Europe via Ch 292 Germany 9670
2100 UT Sunday IRRS 1323-Italy & 207?
2330 UT Sunday WRMI 5950 to NNW
0030 UT Monday WRMI 7730 to WNW
0400vUT Monday WBCQ 6160v Area 51 to WSW
2330 UT Tuesday WRMI 9955 to SSE [jammed?]
1030 UT Wednesday WRMI 5850 to NW
2200 UT Wednesday WBCQ 7490v to WSW
0130 UT Thursday WRMI 9395 to NNW
0130 UT Thursday WRMI 5010 to S

Full schedule including AM, FM, webcasts, satellite, podcasts: http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html

Our non-commercial broadcasts and website depend on voluntary support. Thanks this week to Michael Beu, Austin TX for a contribution via PayPal to woradio at yahoo.com and says: ``Hey Glenn: Thanks for all of the timely DX/RF technology info that WOR provide this year. WOR/Club bulletins more important than ever with demise of WRTH.``

One may also contribute by MO or check on a US bank to Glenn Hauser, P O Box 1684, Enid OK 73702 (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

** U S A. 700 kHz, Jan 29 at 0700-0705+ UT, I`m checking WLW exactly 24 hours after the deadair newshole, but it keeps modulating tonight with ``Queen City`` local news rather than ABC. CCI under from a music station. Should that be ``Sin-city``? (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

UNIDENTIFIED. Trans-Atlantic JBA MW carrier search, Jan 29 at 0429: 738, 837, 1089, 1107 --- and 1665 kHz. Where Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal has reported numerous pirates from Holland, Greece and Balkans, but also all over the X-band. Probably something closer I get (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

UNIDENTIFIED. Trans-Atlantic JBA MW carrier search Jan 29 at 0638: 603, 684, 837-2, 909, 999, 1044, 1089, 1107-2, 1215 kHz. Axually logged from top down. 603 is unusual, but at this late hour more likely lower-powered Spain than Romania, Cyprus, Oman (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

UNIDENTIFIED. 830 kHz, Jan 29 at 1845 UT, I`m making a low-noon MW bandscan just after local mean noon at 1832; on caradio by Box 1684, not much unusual on frequencies with low enough noise level, but here there is a JBA talk signal and a SAH from a second station. Sky- or ground-wave or a mixture? Main one is presumably WCCO. The other could be in WY, LA or TN (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

UNIDENTIFIED. 4030 AM, Jan 29 at 0237, JBA carrier registers S9 but so does the noise level. Ball Smacker Radio was reported here exactly one week before. And also tonight: https://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,92219.0.html I guess now her regular weekly Friday-night-at-8-pm-CT schedule, ex-6960 (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

UNIDENTIFIED. 6920- AM, Jan 29 at 0235, JBA carrier presumed pirate; nonesuch reported at HFU (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

UNIDENTIFIED. 6925 USB, Jan 29 at 0158-0228*, S9 big-band-era songs, instrumental or crooners, continuous segués with no announcements until chopped off mid-song. At 0201, duet ``Don`t Know Why I Love You Like I Do``; 0226 ``Ordinary People``. More pirate logs as unID just before and after I was hearing it:
https://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,92215.0.html
https://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,92217.0.html
(Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

This report dispatched at 2110 UT January 29

QSL Radio Digital

QSL Radio Digital 1670 KHz radiodigitalmg@gmail.com con QSL elettronica allegata in 15 minuti. (R. PAVANELLO)

Iran radio TV hacked

Images of Massoud Rajavi and Mrs. Maryam Rajavi Broadcast

This afternoon, Thursday, January 27th, the Iranian regime’s state television Channel 1 and the Quran Channel were disrupted. A crossed-out image of Iranian regime supreme leader Ali Khamenei, followed by images of Massoud Rajavi, the leader of the Iranian Resistance, and Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the NCRI. The images were accompanied by audio slogans “Death to Khamenei!” and “Viva Rajavi”!

Radio Tehran, Radio Eghtesad, and Radio Talawat were also hacked, and slogans of death to Khamenei and greetings to Rajavi were broadcast on them as well.

 

“Given that the security infrastructure was designed to protect the broadcaster, this is not an easy task and it is very complicated,” said Reza Alidadi, technical director of the state’s Radio and Television. “Only those who own the technology can damage the systems. We are currently investigating to determine the source of the issue and the problem.”

 

Tasnim News Agency also reported the incident, stating that the possibility of “human element infiltration” should also be considered and called for the necessary investigation in this regard.

UPDATED VERSION: 4:30 PM CET

“More than 400 TV and radio servers were offline and completely destroyed,” according to sources providing reports from inside Iran’s TV and radio networks.

“Footage related to the MEK were suddenly aired at 3 pm Tehran time on 14 TV and 13 radio stations, and we were caught off guard,” according to reports from inside the regime.

 

State Networks Channel 1, Channel 2, Channel 3, Channel 4, Channel 5, Jam-e Jam 1, Jam-e Jam 2, Jam-e Jam 3, Al-Alam, Quran, Salamat, Sports, Education, and Culture TV stations, along with the following radio stations witnessed the mentioned disruptions: Culture, Payam, Quran, Sports, Eghtesad (Economy), Ava, Iran, Health, Talavat, Tehran, Radio Musemi, Radio Reserve, Radio Javan.

Security forces associated with the regime’s state broadcasting networks prevented people from entering or leaving the state networks’ buildings.

“Our colleagues are investigating the incident. This is an extremely complex attack and only the owners of this technology could exploit and damage the backdoors and features that are installed on the systems,” said Ali Dadi, deputy chief of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), told the state TV channel IRINN on Thursday.

UPDATED VERSION: 8:30 PM CET

According to reports from inside Iran, security and intelligence agents’ squads have closed all entrances and exits of the premises belonging to the state’s broadcasting corporation, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), and conducted hastily arrests and interrogations of innocent employees of IRIB.

Akharin Khabar (Latest News) Telegram group reported this afternoon: “How did the Monafeqin (meaning the Hypocrites, the pejorative term used by the Iranian regime’s for the Mojahedin-e-Khalq) reach the radio and television antennas?! The technical and broadcasting systems are completely isolated, they are equipped with acceptable security protocols and are not accessible via the Internet. Detailed information on the various dimensions of the sabotage has not yet been released, and IRIB officials are investigating the case, but sabotage seems to have been the most likely scenario.”

Hesamoddin Ashna, a former deputy minister of the regime’s intelligence ministry (MOIS) and Hassan Rouhani’s press adviser tweeted: “You can expect anything from this hypocritical organization.” (ncr-iran.org)

Media & Tech - 29/01/2022

CW morse jamming against Shortwaveservice 6085 kHz

CW morse jamming against Shortwaveservice Kall Eifel 6085 kHz shortwave outlet at 10.57 UT:

CW morse code and automatic pips sound jumped up and down on channel lower flank around 6083.750 jump to 6083.800 kHz forward and back, similar bubbler jump of German 60 x Stasi MWs in former GDR in 60ties against US RIAS/VoA station in Berlin-Britz 989 and 6005 kHz.

Jammer at 11.08 UT now on upper flank on 6086.300 kHz S=9+10dB playground of the small hobby pirate program shortwave scene in central Europe.

73 wolfie df5sx

Iran / China observations

13820 0830-1030 38,39 Ara SIR 500 288 ARABIC-West target

also on air, when checked at 08.40 UT in Delhi, Kuwait, Greece and Portugal remote SDR's,

BUT seldom proper to decode audio in AM mode with AGC switch on/off, extreme strong carrier to state at S=9+30dB or -43dBm powerhouse,

and real Holy Prayer audio to decode ONLY in LSB- or/and USB-mode. <<<<<<<<<<<<< !

Better - audio like - signals in 22 mb at 08.20 UT : 13669.957 kHz XJBS PBS Xinjiang Uyghur CNR13 music program from Urumqi NoWeChina broadcast center;

the other CNR13 Lingshi #725 bcast center outlet on 13700even exact fq contain different program.

also 13740even perfect audio to decode in AM mode signal in Dari language regular in 08.30-09.00 UT time range via Al Seela Oman ENC bcast relay center.

[selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz]
(wb df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 29)

Wolfgang Bueschel: Iran observations

IRAN IRIB but on air around 06-07 UT, both from Sirjan and Zahedan bcast center sites, 3 transmissions in 22 meterband. Jan 29.

13690.009 VoIRIB Dari to AFG/PAK SoAS subcontinent via Sirjan site, 06.20 UT, S=9+20 in Delhi Perseus remotedly. 05.53-08.20 UT

13710.008 VoIRIB Hausa language to West Africa via Sirjan site, 06.25 UT, S=8-9 in Delhi Perseus remotedly. 05.53-06.50 UT.

13820.005 VoIRIB Arabic to ME, NE, NoEaAF, WeAF continent via Zahedan site, 06.30 UT, S=9+20 in Delhi Perseus remotedly. 05.30-07.30 UT.

CHINA mainland, some Chinese jammer programs of CNR1 heard at 05.10 UT: 21530.027 Oddly !, 21700.007, 21760.002, 18969.886 Oddly!, 18900even kHz noted in Delhi, Hiroshima, Tokyo remotedly.

[selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz]
(wb df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 29)

TEXAS RADIO SHORTWAVE’S FIFTH SUNDAY PROGRAMS BEGIN JANUARY 30 AT 0100 UTC ON 5950 KHZ

Two programs on January 30 will kick off Texas Radio Shortwave’s Fifth Sunday lineup. Every fifth Sunday in 2022, TRSW introduces two new programs featuring music by Texas artists. These programs will air on January 30, May 29, July 31, and October 30.

Programs begin at 0100 UTC on 5950 kHz, with 100 kW from Okeechobee, Florida. Times will change in March following the switch to US Daylight Time.

Although December 26 is the fifth Sunday, Texas Radio Shortwave has scheduled its Texas Christmas program on that day.

The artist lineups have been set. The first name for each date is TRSW’s Fifth Sunday Special program at 0100 UTC; the second is for TRSW’s Fifth Sunday Prime program at 0200 UTC:

January 30: A Touch of South by Southwest and Texas Jazz
May 29: Meat Loaf and ZZ Top
July 31: Early Texas Rock and Asleep at the Wheel
October 30: Texas Psychedelia and The Old 97s.

Texas Radio Shortwave will release two specially-designed electronic verifications each weekend.

Listeners should send detailed reception reports covering at least 20 minutes of a broadcast to texasradiosw@gmail.com. Reports must include song titles and times heard, times and subjects of announcements, an SIO or SINPO report, information on the listener’s receiver and antenna, and thoughtful comments on the program. Reports should go to texasradiosw@gmail.com.

Glenn Hauser logs January 28-29, 2022

** AUSTRALIA. 2368.5, Jan 28 replies to my non-reception of R. Symban:

``Hi Glenn, I may try this evening local time to see if I can receive them on 2368.5. As you said, they haven't been on SW for many years and their current licensed transmitter location is near their studios in inner-west Sydney.

Radio La Manamea Samoa, who "borrowed" the licence for a short time after Symban left the airwaves, is also gone from that frequency. Radio LMS's owner got into a fair amount of trouble a few years back in relation to allegedly pocketing advertising money from local businesses and failing to deliver. IMO, he's also using frequencies/locations that he isn't licenced for by the ACMA.

Both Symban and Radio LMS (now known as Samoa FM) are on the 151 MHz "narrowband area service" band in Sydney but not on ~206 MHz, which is the DAB+ frequency and neither Symban nor Samoa FM are in the DAB+ station lists.``

[Later at 1033 UT]: ``Zero signal from Symbian on 2368.5 at the Tecsun Radios Australia kiwiSDR (Araluen NSW) and VK2ARI KiwiSDR which is just around the corner from the licensed transmitter location.

Its all a ruse!!

However there is another licensee on the same frequency in Western Australia. I will check their closest SDRs now.

VK6QS KiwiSDR has nothing either on 2368.5 at this time (1040 UT), however there is a remnant of local rfi on 2366.15 approx.

This was done as a check on the other ACMA licensed station on 2368.5 which may be a work-in-progress (like Dave Hacko, who I’m really keen on hearing when he’s completed his setup). -- Regards, BRIAN POWELL, VK2XBP, Sydney, Australia`` on the WOR iog (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

** CANADA. 351 MCW kHz, Jan 28 at 0648 UT, dash and YKQ, 500 watt NDB at Fort Rupert / Waskaganish, Quebec. No problem separating from 350 RG OKC, tuning in USB.

258 MCW kHz, Jan 28 at 0652 UT, dash and ZSJ, 1000 watt NDB at Sandy Lake, Ontario. Only one on 258 listed by dxinfocentre.com/ndb.htm

Higher up still blocked by noise peaking around 395 (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

** NORTH AMERICA. Re: ``UNIDENTIFIED. 6920.0 AM, Jan 16 at 0714, S6-S8 rock music with heavy bass. Extremely unusual for a N American pirate to be on so late; and I had not heard any on this band during `prime` Saturday evening time. No reports in HF Underground, except this unrelated? 7 hours later on 6920.6 with various IDs including Partial India Radio, Pirate Radio Boston, Captain Ganja, Radio Free Euphoria: https://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,91736.0.html (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)``

Chris Lobdell replies Jan 27: ``Hi Glenn, Your later reception on 6920 was actually partial India radio with their 25th anniversary show and you heard audio clips from various stations as part of the program`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

** TURKEY [and non]. 5960, Fri Jan 28 at 2300, VOT succeeds today as heard via UTwente, only +16 Hz carrier offset, VG modulation, no squeal! SimulSpain on 9690 via Virginia is VG too, but topic seems familiar, interview about an exhibition of American art --- rather offputting since none of it is to be seen, so I stick with TRT. After news, press review, a commentary by an academic about Turkey`s interest in defusing the Ukraine/Russia situation just across the Black Sea, offering to mediate; and 2322 `Feeling Supreme/Health Line`, this time about natural cures for nasal congestion, such as apple vinegar. Since 2310 there has been CCCCCCI way under the Turksig but gradually increasing; after 2329 mostly music (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

** U S A [and non]. WORLD OF RADIO 2123 monitoring: confirmed UT Friday January 28 at 0130 on WRMIs: 5850 VG direct; at 0149, 7780 S9+10 into UTwente.

Also confirmed UT Fri Jan 28 at 0330 on WRMI 5985: S5 to Maryland SDR, S9 to Knoxville SDR and JBA direct. NO signals at new Aguadas, Colombia SDR; still streaming but antenna disconnected?

Also confirmed Friday January 28 at 1530 on WRMI 9955, S9/+10 direct, no jamming.

Also confirmed Friday January 28 from about 1915 on IRRS via Bulgaria 7290 into UTwente, and AM Italia 1323 kHz into Noale SDR. During my lunch hour, both signals into one recording. But tuning first at 1854 on 1323, nothing on 918 or 207, it`s Jeff White talking about TWR, so must be `Wavescan` perhaps only a fragment. NEXUS/IBA program schedule for Friday now shows only 1323 kHz added to streaming at 1800 UT, but nothing about `Wavescan`, while WOR does show at 1915. Did not follow exactly what went on in the 1900-1915 period, but at 1913 live check, 7290 has ME music presumably IRRS fill, no trace of 14580 harmonic, and 1323 has QRM in German, i.e. the minority service from Romania. This continues to be a problem for the rest of the hour. Distance from Târgu Muresh in central Romania to Noale, Italy, SDR location is 969 km = 602 stmi, yet it overcomes AM Italia only 53 km = 33 stmi away, city-to-city distances. 1915 IRRS ID on 7290 and WOR, while on 1323 we are underneath the German. At 1925 I check how 1323 is making it to UTwente: JBA mix of WOR and Romania. Still going past 1930 until 1944, altho in last few minutes of recording I am hearing only one of me, not sure from which.

Also confirmed at 2139 the 2130 replay on 1323 kHz, now much better into Noale, S8/12 and no CCI; while to UTwente, 1323 is S9+10 with some deep fades, and lite CCI under, language uncertain. Also a very lite squeal audible via both remotes. There are two very low powers in UK; more in Iran and Tanzania if on at this hour, but language could be Chinese, i.e. PRC where there are 8 stations totaling 1360 kW, led by a 600 and a 500. Anyhow, WOR plays to completion 2159, then IRRS ID, FSN and UN news, 2208 still on with music. Next:

0230 UT Saturday WRMI 9395 to NNW
2030vUT Saturday WA0RCR 1860-AM
0030 UT Sunday WRMI 7730 to WNW
0400vUT Sunday WA0RCR 1860-AM [nominal 0415; as late as 0530]
1330 UT Sunday WMRI Europe via Ch 292 Germany 9670
2100 UT Sunday IRRS 1323-Italy & 207?
2330 UT Sunday WRMI 5950 to NNW
0030 UT Monday WRMI 7730 to WNW
0400vUT Monday WBCQ 6160v Area 51 to WSW
2330 UT Tuesday WRMI 9955 to SSE [jammed?]
1030 UT Wednesday WRMI 5850 to NW
2200 UT Wednesday WBCQ 7490v to WSW
0130 UT Thursday WRMI 9395 to NNW
0130 UT Thursday WRMI 5010 to S

Full schedule including AM, FM, webcasts, satellite, podcasts: http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html

Our non-commercial broadcasts and website depend on voluntary support. Thanks this week to Michael Beu, Austin TX for a contribution via PayPal to woradio at yahoo.com and says: ``Hey Glenn: Thanks for all of the timely DX/RF technology info that WOR provide this year. WOR/Club bulletins more important than ever with demise of WRTH.``

One may also contribute by MO or check on a US bank to Glenn Hauser, P O Box 1684, Enid OK 73702 (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

** U S A. (7490.1v), UT Sat Jan 29 at 0100, WBCQ webcast starts `AAAWWW` but it`s immediately obvious that it`s another repeat of last week which was a repeat of January 8 with all the Happy New Year stuff. So never mind. If you wonder what a lot of radio tubes, Allan, and the gorgeous Angela look like, many photos appear on his feed at disgraced Twitter: https://twitter.com/Allanwbcq (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

** U S A. 700 kHz, Jan 28 at 0703 UT, S9 of open carrier dead air from WLW! Is this a Fox-hole? No, news network is apparently ABC per NRC AM Log. 0706 cuts back on with `Red Eye Radio`. Obviously nohuman paying attention at WLW, one of our `great` radio stations. Meanwhile I hear traces of other signals; KHSE TX is the normal #2 here on 700, but the Log now shows 8 other US & Canadians at night; and IRCA Mexican Log shows three there. Try subsequent nights for 700 DX in case the hole be programmed into automation (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

** U S A. 1130 kHz, Jan 28 at 2047 UT and still after 2100, KLEY Wellington KS is modulating! Pop music, on caradio. With KLEY, dead air is the norm and mod the anomaly, so to be heard how long this may last (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

UNIDENTIFIED. Trans-Atlantic JBA MW carrier search, Jan 28 from 0655 to 0702 UT: 774-2, 837, 846-TP?, 855, 882-2, 909, 999, 1044, 1053, 1098-2, 1107, 1134, 1215*, 1413. *strongest no doubt UK. -2 means at least two carriers beating (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR)

This report dispatched at 0134 UT January 29

Agenda DX 29/01/2022

ANNIVERSARIO EMITTENTI
ZK2ZN, Niue Island 594 Khz (1973)
Radio Federacion Shuar, Ecuador 4960 Khz (1968)
Swazi Commercial Radio 9705 Khz, Swaziland (1972)

venerdì 28 gennaio 2022

The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: A new sunspot group appeared on January 20 and another on January 24, followed by two more on January 25 and one more on January 26. But, overall solar activity declined from the previous week, January 13 – 19. Average daily sunspot number dropped from 94.4 to 39.6, and average daily solar flux went from 112 to 97.6.

On January 27 the daily sunspot number was 85, much higher than the average of 39.6 of the previous 7 days — always a good signal for increasing activity.

Predicted solar flux is 105 on January 28 – February 4; 108 on February 5 – 6; 110 on February 7 – 8; 108 on February 9 – 10; 106, 105, 103, 101, 100, and 95 on February 11 – 16; 92 on February 17 – 18; 90 on February 19 – 21; 88, 87, 92, and 94 on February 22 – 25; 96 on February 26 – 28; 98 and 100 on March 1 – 2; 105 on March 3 – 4; then 110 on March 5, and 108 on March 6 – 7.

Predicted planetary A index is 5, 12, and 10 on January 28 – 30; 5 on January 31 – February 3; 15 and 10 on February 4 – 5; 5 on February 6 – 9; 12, 15, and 12 on February 10 – 12; 5 on February 13 – 19; 8 on February 20 – 23; 5, 12, and 10 on February 24 – 26; 5 on February 27 – March 2; then 15 and 10 on March 3 – 4, and 5 on March 5 – 8.

Here’s the “Weekly Commentary on the Sun, the Magnetosphere, and the Earth’s Ionosphere — January 27, 2022,” from F.K. Janda, OK1HH:

Since the end of last November, fluctuations in the level of solar activity within the 27-day periodicity have been more regular, which contributes to the success of the forecasts. This also applies to the occurrence of coronal holes, so predictions of Earth’s magnetic field activity are also more accurate (including the next recurrent geomagnetic disturbance, which we expect on or about February 4). The overall level of solar activity is rising faster than long-term forecasts suggest, so it can be assumed that the maximum of the current 11-year cycle will be higher than the previous one.

Here’s the geomagnetic activity forecast for January 28 – February 3:

Quiet January 28, January 31-February 3
Unsettled January 29-31
Active January 28-29, February 3-4
Minor storm February 4
Major storm 0
Severe storm 0

The geomagnetic activity summary:

Friday, January 28, we expect quiet conditions. Then, starting Saturday, January 29, we expect an unsettled – to – active period ending by January 31. At the start of February, we expect quiet conditions until Thursday, February 3. Around February 3 – 4, we expect a new active episode, which could reach a minor storm level. — Tomas Bayer, RWC Prague, Institute of Geophysics of the ASCR, Prague, Department of Geomagnetism, Budkov Observatory.

On January 16, a ham in Seattle reported:

“Amazing auroral opening on 10 meters Friday at 2100-2230 UTC, CW and SSB. Northern Europe only, GM, DL, SP, UA1, EW, OZ, LA, SM, and best signals were from OH. Very unusual and first time Western Washington [saw a] big opening to EU in years, and it was worked by several W7s. DX Maps showed lots of lines over the North Pole, very late night in Scandinavia.

I often ignore stories from British tabloids, but this one seems not to be overly alarmist.

Regarding rising activity vs forecasts, back in ARLP002 we included this link.

WA7AA responded (edited):

“They went on to say sunspot counts exceeded predicted values for 15 straight months, and the monthly value at the end of December 2021 was the highest in 5 years and more than twice the value forecast by the NOAA/NASA prediction panel.

“This isn’t the first place I’ve seen this claim from the NOAA/NASA prediction panel, and I am wondering if you have any contacts in that group to ask them for some clarification and explanation. There are several problems with this ‘over – performance’ claim in the link above. The first is that the graph on that link places the last solar minimum several months after the actual minimum that occurred in November 2019. That alone can skew any subsequent analysis and make it prone to a misinterpretation.

“The next thing is the graph shows the length of their predicted cycle 25 as 14 years long! This is nowhere near any cycle length in recorded history that, as we all know, averages to around 11 years. No one can even predict a cycle length, so where did they get this from?

“And finally, their predicted cycle graph is a smooth one – peak cycle (slow rising slopes as a result), while most cycles so far have been dual peak cycles (steeper slopes and a sort of a plateau as a result).

“Once you add all three of these errors into the observation, it is easy to make a claim that the Cycle 25 is over – performing the predictions (‘twice the value’) made before it started, that generally placed it in the same strength as Cycle 24 within the 5 – 10% margin.

“However, when the curve is adjusted to start in November 2019, when it’s compressed to the average 11 years length and tweaked to a double peak graph (in other words, more or less carbon copied the Cycle 24 graph), it quickly becomes obvious that the Cycle 25 is so far following the last cycle curve almost exactly, insignificantly higher at 3 – 4 spots per month. A recent cycle comparison confirms this observation. I am by no means an expert in propagation predictions, but it just seems weird that anyone connected to NOAA and/or NASA would make such an error and proceed to stick to it for so long. Am I missing something here? Was this a bad case of wishful thinking on their part? I would like to know what their explanation is.”

Jon, N0JK, reported:

“A major sporadic-E opening on 6 meters took place in the 2022 ARRL January VHF Contest on Saturday afternoon January 15. Starting around 2100 UTC, stations in Florida appeared in Kansas. The opening grew and spread, and by 2300 UTC 6 meters was open to the entire southeast. I received a PSK flag from ZF1EJ and logged XE2X (EL06). The opening then spread east to Ohio and north to Minnesota (N0JCF, EN35). KF0M (EM17) worked Cuba and almost completed with HI3AA. The opening faded at 0046 UTC with K3VN (EL98) last in my log. I was operating single-operator portable 10 W with an MFJ-9406 and a two-element Yagi. Cold and windy! The next morning, a short 6 meter Es opening to Mexico with XE2YWH (DL92) worked at 1435 UTC. All contacts FT8.

“The sporadic-E was a real treat for the January VHF Contest.”

Here’s a link to a video report from Tamitha Skov, WX6SWW.

Sunspot numbers for January 20 – 26 were 60, 23, 22, 22, 26, 53, and 71, with a mean of 39.6. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 99.3, 97.3, 95.2, 93.5, 95.2, 100.9, and 101.8, with a mean of 97.6. Estimated planetary A indices were 5, 8, 10, 8, 4, 13, and 10, with a mean of 8.3. Middle latitude A index was 5, 5, 7, 7, 3, 10, and 8, with a mean of 6.4.

For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service, read “What the Numbers Mean…,” and check this propagation page by Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Instructions for starting or ending email distribution of ARRL bulletins are on the ARRL website.

Share your reports and observations. (arrl.org)

Media & Tech - 28/01/2022

Propagation News – 30 January 2022

It’s good news this week as it looks like we might get some more sunspot activity. Last week was characterised by relatively low sunspot numbers and a solar flux generally in the high 90s. We had quite a bit of solar flare activity, but luckily any associated coronal mass ejections tended to be away from Earth. Nevertheless, the solar wind remained strong, with speeds over 450 kilometres per second being commonplace. The solar wind density remained low though, and the Bz was mostly positive, which probably explains why the Kp index never really got above three.

Critical frequencies often got above 7MHz during the day bringing short-skip contacts around the UK on 40m at times. Maximum Useable Frequencies over a 3,000km path often touched 28MHz, especially around lunchtime.

NOAA predicts that the solar flux index may increase this week and may enter the range 100-110. While this is not as high as we would like, it is a step in the right direction! Geomagnetic conditions will remain mainly calm, until the 4th of February when the Kp index is forecast to hit five. Two active regions can be seen in the STEREO Ahead spacecraft imagery and are due to become visible from Earth in the next day or so. Let’s hope they develop into decent sunspots.

And a reminder that we are now entering turbulent times. More sunspots mean more chance of solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which are both detrimental to HF propagation on the whole.

And finally, some good news. The data feed to the Propquest website is now fixed so you can see near-real time readings of the critical frequency and predicted MUFs over varying path lengths again.

VHF and up:

It’s a case of “Negative Waves” for propagation this coming week, with a change to more unsettled weather. With pressure falling rapidly as this report was prepared on Wednesday evening, the high has been taking quite a knock recently and it’s now displaced to the south and west. This allows a series of lows and frontal systems to move southeast across the UK, affecting the eastern side more than the west.

Whatever else it means in terms of rain or snow and stronger winds, it has already dismantled the UK-wide Tropo conditions and it’s going to be hard to find much cheer in that department, except perhaps from southwest England to France and northern Spain.

Unsettled conditions like these may offer some rain scatter, but not a strong chance in the winter months.

That leaves us with occasional auroral moments and any random meteors that happen to pass by. But as we pointed out last week, we are in the annual low period of meteor activity, and random meteor scatter will be hard going unless you stick to the pre-dawn period.

Moon declination is at its minimum this weekend, so Moon windows are at their shortest. We are at perigee, meaning path losses are at their lowest; good for GHz bands EME, but Moon time will be very limited and all at peak elevations below 30 degrees until Friday.

For VHF EMEers, 144MHz sky noise is low throughout the week, but of course the low elevation means high horizon noise. (rsgb.org)

Encore - Classical Music on Radio Tumbril - Playlist, Times, Frequencies, RTTY

Regular Broadcast times of Encore are:
11:00 - 12:00 UTC Saturday 6070 kHz Channel 292 to Europe - Simulcast on 9670 kHz

Repeated:
01:00 - 02:00 UTC Sunday 7780 & 5850 kHz WRMI to Europe US and Canada
17:00 – 18:00 UTC Sunday 9670 kHz Channel 292 to Europe
22:00 - 23:00 UTC Sunday 3955 kHz Channel 292 to Europe
03:00 - 04:00 UTC Monday 5950 kHz WRMI to the US and Canada
13:00 - 14:00 UTC Tuesday 15770 kHz WRMI to Europe, east coast of US and Iceland. RTTY continues to spoil 15770 in some areas. Suggest listening using USB or notch filter in LSB if available.
20:00 – 21:00 UTC Friday 6070 kHz Channel 292 to Europe

Some additions to the website:
The Encore website is www.tumbril.co.uk where you will find:
Important information about funding of Encore - Radio Tumbril.
Up to date transmission times and frequencies
The playlists for the most recent programmes
An email link

Informal reception reports as well as those requesting eQSL cards welcome.

You can help keep Encore on the air:
Encore is a one-man operation. WRMI and Channel 292 are very generous with their air-time but Encore still costs around 200 Dollars/Euros a month to broadcast.
If you can - send a small contribution to help Encore keep going.
There is a PayPal donation button now on the homepage of the website - www.tumbril.co.uk - which folks can use if they want to. If PayPal is no good for you then send me an email and we'll sort something else out.
Thank you.

A big thanks to the folks who have donated already - It's enough to keep Encore going for another few weeks.

This week's Programme - First broadcast this coming Saturday on Channel 292 - starts with the Pizzicati by Delibes from his ballet Sylvia. After that we'll have a clarinet and piano sonata from Jean Françaix, Rondes de Printemps by Debussy, and a couple of sacred motets composed by Anton Bruckner.
A modern piece next - A vision of the Sea by David Matthews, followed by some Boccherini with castanets, and the Serenade in E Flat by Joseph Suk.

Channel 292 can be pulled live off the internet if the reception is poor in your location. Easy to find their site with a google search.
A very good site for online SDR receivers all over the world is: http://kiwisdr.com/public/ Click the 'Map' button in the top left of the screen.

Thank you for spreading the word about Encore - Classical Music on Shortwave on Radio Tumbril.


Brice Avery - Encore - Radio Tumbril - www.tumbril.co.uk
GMØTLY

Wolfgang Bueschel: TAIWAN/CHINA observations

TAIWAN/CHINA mainland Some Sound of Hope Taiwan and CNR1 program jammer, logged Friday Jan 28 at 07.45 to 10.45 UT in Hiroshima and Tokyo Japan and India's Perseus server units remotedly.

21800even kHz MARKER SET by China's jamming authoritiy noted at 07.45 UT. no SOH TWN signal traced on any nearby frequency at this hour.

also some transmissions in 13 meterband too - at this Jan 28 hour -
21530even CHN CHNR1 jammed channel at 07.55 UT, S=9+10dB in Tokyo-JPN likely schedule at 23 - 10 UT. no SOH TWN signal traced nearby at this hour.
21670.025 ARS Radio Saudi International, in Bahasa Indonesia, poor S=4 at 09.00 UT. Scheduled 09.00-11.57 UT from Riyadh.

18969.943 TWN SOH in Mandarin at 08.04 UT. and co-channel accompanied
18970 kHz CHN CNR1 program jammer, checked \\ 17890 kHz Beijing outlet.
18179.924 TWN SOH in Mandarin at 08.01 UT, S=5 at 09.11 UT on Jan 28.
18149.844 TWN SOH in Mandarin at S=5 at 09.16 UT on Jan 28.

17440.060 TWN SOH in Mandarin at poor S=3-4 at 10.00 UT on Jan 28.
17149.929 TWN SOH in Mandarin at tiny S=3-4 at 10.02 UT on Jan 28.
16789.881 TWN SOH in Mandarin at poor S=3-4 at 10.04 UT on Jan 28.
16160.090 TWN SOH in Mandarin at poor S=3-4 at 10.06 UT on Jan 28, but
16160even CHN CNR1 program jammer, checked at S=8 level, 14 kHz wideband
16100.017 TWN SOH in Mandarin at poor S=3-4 at 10.08 UT on Jan 28, but
16100even CHN CNR1 program jammer, poor signal level in Japan SDR unit.

15969.775 TWN SOH in Mandarin at S=8 level on 10.10 UT hour on Jan 28.
15940.303 TWN SOH in Mandarin at S=7 level on 10.12 UT hour on Jan 28.
15919.890 TWN SOH in Mandarin at 10.14 UT, and
15920even CHN CNR1 program jammer, poor signal level in Japan SDR unit.
15890.020 TWN SOH in Mandarin at S=7 level on 10.16 UT hour on Jan 28.
15799.712 TWN SOH in Mandarin at S=7 level on 10.18 UT hour on Jan 28.
15760.018 TWN SOH in Mandarin at poor S=3-4 at 10.20 UT on Jan 28, but
15760even CHN CNR1 program jammer, poor signal level in Japan SDR unit.
15665even CHN CNR1 program jammer, 10-11 UT meant to QRM interference at 10.24 UT against
15664.996 MRA RFA Tibetan program via US AGM Tinian Island relay center
15500.036 GUM KSDA AWR Agat Guam in Mongolian, S=5-6 in Japan, 10.30 UT.
15420.013 GUM KSDA AWR Agat Guam in Chinese Mandarin, S=5-6 in Japan, at 10.33 UT on Jan 28.
15360even CHN CNR1 program jammer, 20 kHz wide audio block powerful noted at 10.35 UT, at 10-11 UT meant to QRM interference of
15359.950 TWN SOH in Mandarin at S=7 level on 10.40 UT hour on Jan 28. Two strings visible on this channel visible at 10.45 UT:
15150.010 THA Likely US AGM VoA Chinese via Udorn Thani Ban Dung, S=7-8
15150even CHN CNR1 program jammer, equal signal level at 10.45 UT Jan 28

[selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz]
(wb df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 28)