Is Solar Cycle 24 Beginning?

From the ARRL website:

The recent appearance on the sun of two so-called "backward sunspots" may mean solar Cycle 23 is drawing to a close and Cycle 24 now is under way or soon will be. At least that's the thinking of some scientists. "We've been waiting for this," said Solar Physicist David Hathaway of the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, after the first backward spot showed up. "

A backward sunspot is a sign that the next solar cycle is beginning." The term "backward" refers to the sunspots' magnetic polarity. One such sunspot appeared briefly July 31, then disappeared, but its significance was that its magnetic polarity was just the opposite of current Cycle 23 spots.

Another more robust spot, Sunspot 905, appeared earlier this month -- although it subsequently began to dissipate -- and some sungazers are saying Cycle 24 already has begun.

ARRL propagation guru Tad Cook, K7RA, has been a bit more cautious. "As time goes on, there will be more Cycle 24 spots and fewer Cycle 23 spots," he said in a recent "Solar Update." In any event, radio conditions will not improve any time soon but over a period of several years of the course of the 11-year cycle, perhaps peaking around 2010.

You can find more on this backward sunspot on the NASA Science website.

Computing Unplugged weighs in on BPL

During this summer Computing Unplugged magazine, an online e-zine, has been covering the BPL vs Ham debate. While the editor of the magazine promised a fair and balanced discussion of this issue, it is quite obvious he is NOT a fan of ham radio or radio listening in general. It is quite obvious he is not qualified at any level to be writing about the downside of BPL and its impact on the radio spectrum. Unfortunately, his written words remain online. Truly journalism at its lowest level.

This debate was started by an interview that David Gewirtz, who is the Editor-in-Chief of the ZATZ magazines and the author of The Flexible Enterprise and Lotus Notes Revealed, contacted with a BPL industry insider! You can be reached him via email at david@zatz.com. Here are some of the lowlights from this individual who claims to be fair and balanced and a journalist.

"Who's funding the ARRL? Do the cable providers and DSL providers have an interest in this debate? After all, BPL is a direct competitor to cable modems and DSL services. Or is this truly the case of one technology interfering with another?

"Frankly, if it were just ham radio operators unable to play with their toys, this debate would be a non-issue. Ham radio is really a technology of the 20th Century. It was exciting back then when you couldn't call any country easily except with a ham radio. It was exciting when you couldn't talk to anyone when they were out and about unless they had an operator's license.

"But today, we have cell phones and Skype. We can talk to anyone, anywhere. And we can reach people all over the world merely for the cost of sustaining a broadband connection. Technology that can deliver broadband is, in Computing Unplugged's opinion, more valuable than ham radio as a hobby."

The thing that bothers me is he is assuming that the only service to get QRM from BPL is hams per se, since they are the major player fighting it. Although he mentioned a few others opposition comments in the FCC R&O, nothing was mentioned about our radio listening hobby. As most of you know BPL is not just a ham issue, but it is detrimental to the entire spectrum from the VHF lo band down into HF.

As part of this debate Fred Stevens, K2FRD/VO2FS posted this to the Ham DX Chat newsgroup:

My article in Computing Unplugged magazine on Broadband Over Powerline vs. ham radio (and everyone else who uses the HF and lower VHF airwaves) was published today. I wish I had more than the three days I was given (I normally prefer three months) to polish it, research and document more of my statements, maybe tone down some of the rhetoric a little, and add some qualifications to make it more technically accurate and, hence less subject to criticism. Not my best effort, but it'll do. Nevertheless, I'm honored that my letter was chosen for amplification and publication from the hundreds submitted. The article: http://www.computingunplugged.com/issues/issue200608/00001832001.html .

For those who aren't aware of it, Computing Unplugged dedicated its entire summer series to the BPL controversy and, after "fair and balanced" reporting, arrived at the conclusion that BPL in its present form needs to be scrutinized very closely before extensive future deployment and CU ultimately gave ham radio a generally positive and supportive review in the BPL battle.

Complete index of all twelve CU BPL articles including one from Allen Pitts W1AGP, ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager, also published today: http://www.computingunplugged.com/issues/issue200608/00001837005.html .

Computing Unplugged homepage which does NOT index all the BPL articles: http://www.computingunplugged.com/

For those seriously concerned about the future of ham radio as potentially affected by BPL, I encourage you to read the entire series of articles. If you are a radio listener of the HF or VHF low band spectrum, then this is a must read at Computing Unplugged magazine.

Monitoring Hotlanta

Last week Gayle and I ventured down to Atlanta GA and did a bit of monitoring. The mil stuff is on our milblog, but here is a summary of truck systems and conventional frequencies we snagged during our day trip.






Atlanta Public Safety and City Services
Motorola Type II Smartnet
856.4625 856.4875 857.4625 857.4875 858.2375 858.4375 858.4625 858.4875 858.7625 858.9375 859.2375 859.4375 859.4625 859.4875 860.2375 860.4625 860.4875 860.7625 860.9375 866.0625 866.3125 866.6125 866.7875 866.8625 867.1375 867.1875 867.3125

Forsyth County Public Safety
APCO P25 Exclusive
866.1000c 866.6500 867.6625 867.8625 868.2750 868.6000 868.9875

Fulton County Public Safety and County Services
Motorola Type IIi Hybrid
853.0375 854.5125 854.5625 855.6625 855.7375 856.3875 856.4125 857.3875 857.4125 858.3875 858.4125 859.3875

Georgia Emergency Wireless Interoperable Network (GEWIN)
APCO P25 Exclusive
Cobb County 856.2125 857.2125 858.2125 859.2125 860.9875 866.8875 867.5500 868.0375 868.3000
State Metro Atlanta TRS
866.4500 866.7500 867.2375 867.2875 867.4375 867.4875 868.0375 868.0875 868.3250 868.7000 868.7875

Conventional Frequencies
154.025 Calhoun PD repeater output (141.3 Hz PL)
155.625 Fannin/Gilmer County SO/PD Interagencysimplex
156.1275 Blue Ridge PD Dispatch repeater output (DCS 412)
156.240 Woodstock PD Dispatch repeater outpout (141.3 Hz PL)
158.730 Fannin County SO Dispatch repeater output (141.3 Hz PL)
158.730 Cherokee County SO Dispatch repeater output (156.7 Hz PL)
158.850 Gilmer County SO Dispatch repeater output (74.4 Hz PL)
159.540 Gordon County/Calhoun PD repeater output (141.3 Hz PL)

8/11/2006 Russian Launch Schedule/Manifest

Russian launch schedule courtesy of Andrey Krasil'nikov and NASA Spaceflight.com. Subject to change.

Date Satellite(s) Rocket/Upper stage Cosmodrome
2006
9/14 Soyuz TMA-9 Soyuz-FG Baikonur
10/7 MetOp-A Soyuz-2.1a/Fregat Baikonur
10/18 Progress M-58 Soyuz-U Baikonur
Oct/Nov Genesis 2 Dnepr Dombarovsky
11/10 Arabsat 4B/Badr 4 Proton Baikonur
12/5 SAR-Lupe 1 Kosmos-3M Plesetsk
12/15 Sumbandila Shtil' Sub in Barents sea
12/20 Progress M-59 Soyuz-U Baikonur
Dec Measat 3 Proton Baikonur
Dec Kosmos-242X (3 Glonass-M) Proton-K/DM-2 Baikonur
(TBD) Kosmos-242X (Don) Soyuz-U Baikonur
(TBD) Kosmos-242X (Meridian) Soyuz-2.1a/Fregat Plesetsk
(TBD) Kosmos-242X (Tselina-2) Zenit-2 Baikonur
(TBD) EgyptSat-1+more Dnepr Baikonur
(TBD) GIOVE-B Soyuz-FG/Fregat Baikonur
(TBD) TerraSAR-X Dnepr Baikonur

2007
Jan Genesis 2 Dnepr Dombarovsky
2/7 Progress M-60 Soyuz-U Baikonur
3/9 Soyuz TMA-10 Soyuz-FG Baikonur
7/28 Progress M-61 Soyuz-U Baikonur
9/2 Soyuz TMA-11 Soyuz-FG Baikonur
Sep SMOS, PROBA-2 Rokot/Briz-KM Plesetsk
(TBD) Meteor-M Soyuz-2.1b/Fregat Baikonur
(TBD) Corot Soyuz-2.1b/Fregat Baikonur
(TBD) Anik F3 Proton-M Baikonur

HFLINK NEWS #1

In this HFLINK NEWS Special Bulletin:
(1) ALE On-The-Air Week "AOTAW 2006" (13-23 October 2006)
(2) New Amateur Radio ALE Channel List 2006-2007
(3) Amateur ALE Standards
(4) Amateur ALE Net Calls
(5) New PCALE Version Now In Beta Testing Phase

Website: http://hflink.com

Dear ALE operator,
Welcome to the first edition of HFLINK NEWS! HFLINK NEWS is a Special Bulletin service of HFLINK Group. The HFLINK Special Bulletin is issued only a few times per year, to keep members of HFLINK Group informed about events and changes in ALE and Selcall worldwide. We hope to link with you soon, and please consider activating your station during ALE On The Air Week in October!

Best Regards,
Bonnie Crystal, KQ6XA
HFLINK Founder

=======BEGIN HFLINK NEWS SPECIAL BULLETIN======

=================================
ALE On-The-Air Week "AOTAW 2006"
=================================

Starts: 0001 UTC Friday 13 OCTOBER (13/10/06)
Ends: 1159 UTC Monday 23 OCTOBER (23/10/06)
10 Days of worldwide Amateur Radio ALE activity...

HFLINK is sponsoring a new International Amateur Radio event called: ALE On The Air Week (AOTAW). All ham radio operators worldwide are invited to participate in 10 days of amateur radio HF-ALE Automatic Link Establishment and HF Selcall activity. AOTAW is an open operating event to explore ALE communications and equipment. The experience gained by participation is also useful for HF emergency and disaster
relief communications.

There are now many hundreds of amateur radio operators worldwide with ALE stations. The AOTAW gives operators a chance to exercise ALE transceivers, antennas, software, systems, and operating procedures.

ALE Operator Certificate for AOTAW2006
=======================================

HFLINK issues a unique ALE Operator Certificate to operators who participate in AOTAW. To qualify for an ALE Operator Certificate, the operator must initiate and complete at least 5 QSOs through Automatic Link Establishment with other ALE operators. The ALE link must then be followed by a communication either by voice or texting. Additional certificate endorsement is issued by HFLINK for operators who link and QSO with 25 ALE stations or more. Logs: After the event, a very simple list of date/ callsign/ frequency log of QSOs should be sent in email plain text to: aotaw2006@ yahoo.com.

Operating Standards for AOTAW
==============================
AOTAW is not a contest. All operators are reminded to be courteous and operate within the recognised Amateur Radio ALE channels and standards. The ALE netcall "HFL" may be used as the general CQ call for the event. ALLCALLs (one-way linking) should not be used in AOTAW, and a QSO started by an ALLCALL does not qualify as a valid ALE link for certificate.

About AOTAW
============
AOTAW provides a way for more operators to gain valuable practical knowledge and expertise in the operation of an Amateur Radio ALE station. Amateur operators who use ALE for government and non-governmental organisations may be especially interested in participation, for this is a chance to explore the various operational
aspects of ALE that may not be utilised otherwise. The 10 days of AOTAW enables operators to participate as they can, for any amount of time in the event, and to experience ALE operation under various ionospheric propagation conditions. Also, an ALE demonstration Special Event HF Station will be in operation during the ARRL Pacificon convention in California USA on 14-15 October.

=============================================
New Amateur Radio ALE Channel List 2006-2007
=============================================
The new channel list is effective 01 September 2006. PCALE channel fill files (QRG) will be available in August.

ALE Automatic Link Establishment and Selective Calling
International Amateur Radio Service

Amateur Radio ALE Channel List 2006A
CHAN/ kHz /GENERAL-PURPOSE/IARU-REGION/(Sounding)
=================================================
01= 1806.0 VOICE-DATA- Regional R1,3
02= 1840.5 VOICE-DATA- Regional (Sound=R1)
03= 1845.0 VOICE DATA- INTERNATIONAL COMMON R1,2,3
04= 1996.0 VOICE-DATA- Regional (Sound=R2)
05= 3565.0 DATA-VOICE- Regional R1,3
06= 3617.0 DATA-VOICE- Regional (Sound=R1)
07= 3626.0 DATA-VOICE- Regional (Sound=R2)
08= 3791.0 VOICE- INTERNATIONAL COMMON R1,2,3
09= 3996.0 VOICE- Regional R2
10= 5371.5 VOICE- Emergency; Regional R1,2
11= 5403.5 VOICE-DATA- Emergency; Regional R1,2
12= 7030.5 DATA- Regional (Sound=R3)
13= 7040.5 DATA- Regional (Sound=R1)
14= 7065.0 VOICE- International/Regional R1,3
15= 7102.0 DATA-VOICE- International R1,2,3 (Sounnd=R2)
16= 7165.5 VOICE- INTERNATIONAL COMMON R1,2,3
17= 7296.0 VOICE- Regional R2
18= 10136.5 DATA- VOICE-International R1,2,3
19= 10145.5 DATA- INTERNATIONAL COMMON (Sound=R1,2,3)
20= 14100.5 DATA- International R1,2,3
21= 14109.5 DATA- International (Sound=R1,2,3)
22= 14342.5 VOICE-INTERNATIONAL COMMON; R1,2,3
23= 14346.0 VOICE-International R1,2,3
24= 18106.0 DATA- International (Sound=R2,3)
25= 18117.5 VOICE-DATA-INTERNATIONAL COMMON R1,2,3(Sounnd=R1)
26= 18157.5 VOICE-International R1,2,3
27= 21117.5 DATA- International(Sound=R1,3)
28= 21157.5 DATA- International R(Sound=R2)
29= 21437.5 VOICE- INTERNATIONAL COMMON R1,2,3
30= 24926.0 DATA- International (Sound=R1,2,3)
31= 24977.5 VOICE- International Regional R1,2,3
32= 28117.5 DATA- International/Regional (Sound=R1)
33= 28146.0 DATA- International/Regional (Sound=R2)
34= 28327.5 VOICE- INTERNATIONAL COMMON R1,2,3
35= 50162.5 VOICE-DATA- Regional
36= 144162.5 VOICE-DATA- Regional

Note 1) All Amateur Radio ALE channels use "USB" Upper SideBand (including frequencies below 10MHz). USB conforms to international standards for ALE / Selcall, and enables compatibility with commercial transceivers.

Note 2) The ALE-Selcall list is designed for international, regional, and local use in the Amateur Radio Service. All channels are subject to the different rules, regulations, and bandplans of the region and local country of operation. It is the responsibility of every operator to maintain the highest technical and ethical standards for all transmissions. Some channels or modes in the list may not be available in every country. The HF spectrum is a shared resource, so there is no
guarantee that a channel is clear in a local area or region.

Note 3) Use of 5MHz channels and frequencies may vary in each country. Although 5MHz ALE and SELCALL transmissions are authorised in some countries, USA does not yet allow it on 5MHz. Therefore, operators in USA may receive monitor the 5MHz channels, but care should be taken to lock out the transmitter from making ALE or Selcall transmissions (except in case of an Emergency).

======================
Amateur ALE standards
======================
1. ALE System= MIL-STD 188-141 ; FED-1045 (8FSK, 2kHzBW)
2. Call or sounding transmission duration: 30 seconds.
3. Scan rate: 1 or 2 channels per second.
4. Sounding Interval= 60 Minutes (or more) (for same channel)
5. CQ Call= Netcall to "HFL" net
6. Digi Texting/Data Audio Centre Frequency= 1500HZ (to 1800HZ)
7. Short text messaging standard = AMD
8. TWS SOUNDING (Recommended)
9. Always transmit "CLEAR LINK" after ALL CALLS and LINKING!

=======================
Amateur ALE Net Calls
=======================
1. HFL = CQ, ALL AMATEUR RADIO ALE STATIONS
2. HAM = EMERGENCY/RELIEF NET ONLY, AMATEUR:NGO/GOV
3. GPR = GEO POSITION REPORTS
4. RPT = STATION STATUS REPORTS
5. QRZ = REPLY CALL PROMPT
6. CQA = RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE

============================================
New PCALE Version Now In Beta Testing Phase
============================================
PCALE software author Charles Brain G4GUO has been working on the new version over the past year. Charles has been collaborating with Steve N2CKH (MARS-ALE) on the software and radio support, and with Bonnie KQ6XA on some of the innovative new features. A small group has been working behind the scenes using the experimental software. The exciting release of the new improved PCALE is dependent upon the successful testing of the PCALE Beta Version. A group of volunteer ALE amateur radio operators is now using it on the air. The PCALE Beta Test Group is looking for more operators, but membership is limited. If you are an experienced operator with PCALE or MARS-ALE, please consider it. Beta Test Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pcale/

Some Of The New PCALE Features Now In Beta Testing:
====================================================
1. Separately programmable sounding and scanning channels
2. Sounding/traffic associated channels (similar to 3G ALE)
3. New Text Keyboarding window for real time texting
4. GPS interface with ALE-GPR (Geo-Position Reporting)
5. Automatic station status reporting (80 Character text)
6. Ambush (auto message, link when a specific station is heard)
7. Easy channel scan groups and alphanumeric group labeling
8. Improved spectrum scope display, sync, and audio AGC
9. Improved user interface and option setup
10. Improved scanning reliability and timing
11. Improved and expanded radio interface
12. CAT support for more transceivers
13. Improved callsign (address) input
14. Improved modem operation and decoding
15. Other features and improvements.

==============
ABOUT HFLINK
==============
HFLINK is an international resource: for radio operators using ALE Automatic Link Establishment and Selcall Selective Calling; for the development of communications for organisations, Emergency / Relief networks; and for the development of ALE operating methods applicable to Amateur Radio Service. HFLINK is the Frequency and Address Coordination group for Amateur Radio ALE and Selective Calling.

HFLINK Website: http://hflink.com

========END HFLINK NEWS SPECIAL BULLETIN========

(c)2006 HFpack, Inc. All rights reserved.

2006-032A Hot Bird™ 8 Launched

BAIKONUR COSMODROME, Kazakhstan - A Proton Breeze M launch vehicle successfully placed the HOT BIRD™ 8 satellite into orbit 5 Aug 2006, for the fourth launch of the year for International Launch Services (ILS).

The launcher lifted off at 3:48 a.m. Saturday local time (23:48 Friday CET, 21:48 Friday UTC, 17:48 Friday EDT). The mission lasted 9 hours and 11 minutes before HOT BIRD™ 8 was released into a geosynchronous transfer orbit. The satellite is a Eurostar E3000 model built for Eutelsat by EADS Space. From its final orbital position of 13 degrees East longitude, HOT BIRD™ 8 will serve customers in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

Hot Bird™ 8 has a Ku-band downlink in the 10.7-12.7 GHz range. HOT BIRD™ 8 is the largest and most powerful European Ku-band broadcast satellite to go into geostationary orbit.

International Designator: 2006-032A/SSC #29270



Photo - artist rendering of the 13 deg east Hotbird orbital slot (Courtesy of Eutelsat).

N5FPW Hurricane Emergency Monitoring List Update 5

There are a lot of hurricane frequency list out there, but most of them have old material or frequencies that are basically useless for keeping track of the big winds. I will be posting to this list with frequencies I regularly monitor before, during, and after an event. All frequencies are kHz and all times are UTC.

Last Update: August 2006

2326.0 Operation Secure SEM Net ALE/USB
2411.0 Operation Secure SEM Net USB
2414.0 Operation Secure SEM Net ALE/USB
2419.0 Operation Secure SEM Net USB
2422.0 Operation Secure SEM Net USB
2439.0 Operation Secure SEM Net USB
2463.0 Operation Secure SEM Net USB
2466.0 Operation Secure SEM Net USB
2471.0 Operation Secure SEM Net USB
2474.0 Operation Secure SEM Net USB
2487.0 Operation Secure SEM Net USB
2511.0 Operation Secure SEM Net USB
2535.0 Operation Secure SEM Net USB
2569.0 Operation Secure SEM Net USB
2587.0 Operation Secure SEM Net USB
2670.0 US Coast Guard Marine Information Broadcast (USB)
2801.0 Operation Secure SEM Net USB
2804.0 Operation Secure SEM Net USB
2812.0 Operation Secure SEM Net ALE/USB

3202.0 Operation Secure SEM Net ALE/USB
3388.0 FEMA Operating Frequency
3907.0 Ham Coastal Carolina Emergency Net LSB
3940.0 Ham Florida Phone Traffic Net LSB
       Ham Salvation Army Team Emergency Net LSB
       Ham South Florida ARES Net LSB
       Ham Tropical Phone Traffic Net LSB
3960.0 Ham Northeast Coast Hurricane Net LSB
3975.0 Ham Georgia SSB Net LSB 

4125.0 US Coast Guard USB Voice Radio Guard Simplex
4316.0 US Coast Guard HF Voice Broadcasts
       NMG New Orleans: 0330/0515/0930/1115/1530/1715/2130/2315
4426.0 US Coast Guard HF Voice Broadcasts [ITU Marine Channel 424]
       NMN Chesapeake: 0330/0515/0930
       NMC Point Reyes: 0430/1030
4490.0 SHARES SCN ALE Net [SCN Channel 3]
4557.1 US Air Force MARS Phone Patch (occasional hurricane hunter 
       traffic)[RK]
4573.5 SHARES Alternate frequency for channel 1 voice check-in
4582.0 National Civil Air Patrol Calling frequency USB
4640.0 Operation Secure SEM Net USB
4724.0 HF-GCS (Hurricane Hunter aircraft frequently check into this 
       network)
4780.0 FEMA Operating Frequency

5135.0 Operation Secure SEM Net ALE/USB
5140.0 Operation Secure SEM Net ALE/USB
5192.0 Operation Secure SEM Net ALE/USB
5195.0 Operation Secure SEM Net ALE/USB
5211.0 FEMA Primary frequency USB/LSB
5236.0 SHARES SCN Voice Net [SCN Channel 1]
5320.0 US Coast Guard District Discrete USB
5402.0 FEMA Operating Frequency
5696.0 US Coast Guard Air-Ground USB
5711.0 SHARES SCN ALE Net [SCN Channel 4]
5732.0 COTHEN/US Coast Guard [Scan 1] ALE/USB
5847.0 National Guard Nationwide Nets ALE/USB

6106.0 FEMA Operating Frequency
6215.0 US Coast Guard USB Voice Radio Guard Simplex
6501.0 US Coast Guard HF Voice Broadcasts [ITU Marine Channel 601]
       NMN Chesapeake: 0330/0515/0930/1115/1530/2130/2315
       NOJ Kodiak: 0203/1645
       NMO Honolulu: 0600/1200
       NRV Guam: 0930/1530
6739.0 HF-GCS (Hurricane Hunter aircraft frequently check into this 
       network)
6800.0 SHARES SCN BBS Net [SCN Channel 9]
6985.0 US Army Corps of Engineers Net ALE/USB

7241.0 Ham Caribbean Maritime Mobile Net LSB 
7242.0 Ham Florida Midday Traffic Net LSB
       Ham Tropical Phone Traffic Net LSB
7250.0 Ham Salvation Army Team Emergency Net LSB
7255.0 Ham East Coast Amateur Radio Service LSB
7265.8 Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Net (SATERN) LSB
7348.0 FEMA Operating Frequency ALE/USB/LSB
7477.0 Operation Secure SEM Net ALE/USB
7480.0 Operation Secure SEM Net USB
7527.0 COTHEN/US Coast Guard [Scan 2] ALE/USB
7633.6 US Air Force MARS Phone Patch (occasional hurricane 
       hunter traffic) [ACJ]
7650.0 US Army Nationwide Net ALE/USB
7802.0 Operation Secure SEM Net USB
7805.0 Operation Secure SEM Net USB
7932.0 Operation Secure SEM Net USB
7935.0 Operation Secure SEM Net USB

8047.0 National Guard Nationwide Net ALE/USB
8184.5 US Army Air net ALE/USB
8291.0 US Coast Guard USB Voice Radio Guard Simplex
8502.0 US Coast Guard HF Voice Broadcasts
       NMG New Orleans: 0330/0515/0930/1115/1530/1715/2130/2315
8764.0 US Coast Guard HF Voice Broadcasts [ITU Marine Channel 816]
       NMN Chesapeake: 0330/0515/0930/1115/1530/1715/2130/2315
       NMC Point Reyes: 0430/1030/1630/2230
       NMO Honolulu: 0005/0600/1200/1800
8912.0 COTHEN/US Coast Guard [Scan 3] ALE/USB
8983.0 US Coast Guard Air-Ground USB
8992.0 HF-GCS (Hurricane Hunter aircraft frequently check into 
       this network)

9081.5 US Army net ALE/USB
9106.0 SHARES SCN ALE Net [SCN Channel 5]
9110.0 US Coast Guard NMF Boston, MA weather charts FAX

10194.0 FEMA ALE/USB/LSB
10242.0 COTHEN/US Coast Guard [Scan 4] ALE/USB
10493.0 FEMA Primary frequency USB/LSB
10586.5 SHARES SCN [SCN Channel XF]
10588.0 FEMA ALE/USB/LSB
10816.5 National Guard Nationwide Net ALE/USB

11175.0 HF-GCS (Hurricane Hunter aircraft frequently check 
        into this network)
11217.0 SHARES SCN ALE Net [SCN Channel 6]
11494.0 COTHEN/US Coast Guard [Scan 5] ALE/USB

12087.0 National Guard Nationwide Net ALE/USB
12216.0 FEMA ALE/USB/LSB
12290.0 US Coast Guard USB Voice Radio Guard Simplex
12788.0 US Coast Guard HF Voice Broadcasts
        NMG New Orleans: 0330/0515/0930/1115/1530/1715/2130/2315

13089.0 US Coast Guard HF Voice Broadcasts [ITU Marine Channel 1205]
        NMN Chesapeake: 1115/1530/1715/2130/2315
        NMC Point Reyes: 0430/1030/1630/2230
        NMO Honolulu: 0005/1800
        NRV Guam: 0330/2130
13200.0 HF-GCS (Hurricane Hunter aircraft frequently check 
        into this network)
13242.0 SHARES SCN BBS Net (G-TOR) [SCN Channel 10]
13907.0 COTHEN/US Coast Guard [Scan 6] ALE/USB
13927.1 US Air Force MARS Phone Patch Primary (occasional hurricane 
        hunter traffic) [ACB]
13956.0 FEMA Primary USB/LSB

14265.0 Ham Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Net (SATERN) USB
14300.0 Ham Intercontinental Amateur Traffic Net USB
        Ham Maritime Mobile Service Net USB
        Ham US Coast Guard Amateur Radio Net USB
14303.0 Ham International Assistance and Traffic Net USB
14313.0 Ham US Coast Guard Amateur Radio Net USB
14325.0 Ham Hurricane Net (NHC Hurc Net) USB
14327.0 Ham US Coast Guard Amateur Radio Net USB
14396.5 SHARES SCN Voice Net [SCN Channel 2]
14567.0 FEMA Primary USB/LSB
14606.1 US Air Force MARS Phone Patch (occasional hurricane 
        hunter traffic) [ACF]
14653.0 National Guard Nationwide Net ALE/USB
14757.0 US Army Nationwide Net ALE/USB
14776.0 FEMA ALE/USB/LSB
14898.5 SHARES Alternate frequency for channel 2 voice check-in

15016.0 HF-GCS (Hurricane Hunter aircraft frequently check into 
        this network)
15088.0 US Coast Guard Air-to-ground net USB
15094.0 SHARES SCN ALE Net [SCN Channel 7]
15867.0 COTHEN/US Coast Guard [Scan 7] ALE/USB

16338.5 National Guard Nationwide Net ALE/USB

17314.0 US Coast Guard HF Voice Broadcasts [ITU Marine Channel 1625]
        NMN Chesapeake: 1115/1530/1715/2130/2315
        NMC Point Reyes: 1630/2230
17487.0 SHARES SCN ALE/STI Net [SCN Channel 8]

18594.0 COTHEN/US Coast Guard [Scan 8] ALE/USB
18617.1 US Air Force MARS Phone Patch (occasional hurricane hunter 
        traffic)

20890.0 COTHEN/US Coast Guard [Scan 9] ALE/USB
20992.6 US Air Force MARS Phone Patch Secondary (occasional 
        hurricane hunter traffic) [ACR]

23214.0 COTHEN/US Coast Guard [Scan 10] ALE/USB

25350.0 COTHEN/US Coast Guard [Scan 11] ALE/USB

Will be adding more listing including ham nets as the season progresses so be sure to check back often.

Reference websites:
National Hurricane Center
NHC Aircraft Recon Page
403AW Hurricane Hunters webpage
National Hurricane Operations Plan 2007
NOAA/NWS Worldwide Marine Radio Facsimile Broadcast Schedules
NOAA/OPC Radio Facsimile Users Guide

73 and stay safe de LVH

Monitoring HFDL Comms

I like playing around occcasionally with HF Data Link (the HF version of ACARS). I think these HFDL squitters are also excellent propagation beacons. And I have seen an occasional military aircraft. If you want to get into the world of HFDL monitoring you can download a free or commericial ($35 fee) version of my friend Charles Brain's PC-HFDL program off his website at PC-HFDL .

And since you are here reading this, I will let you in on a secret. MT Computer and Radio columnist John Catalano will cover this PC-HFDL Professional program in his September 2006 column in Monitoring Times. Shhhhh! Don't tell anybody I told you.

Here is the latest HFDL info: Table 6 Version 01D (12 May 2006)
HFDL SYSTEM TABLE from Andy (m0adl) and courtesy of the UDXF newsgroup list.

Ground Station ID 1 SAN FRANCISCO - CALIFORNIA
Longitude 121-45-34W Latitude 38-22-48N
2947.0 4672.0 5508.0 6559.0 8972.0 10081.0 11327.0 13276.0 17919.0 21934.0

Ground Station ID 2 MOLOKAI - HAWAII
Longitude 157-10-46W Latitude 21-10-47N
2947.0 3019.0 3434.0 4687.0 5463.0 5514.0 6559.0 6565.0 8912.0 8936.0 10081.0 11312.0 11348.0 13276.0 13312.0 13324.0 17919.0 17934.0 21928.0 21937.0

Ground Station ID 3 REYKJAVICK - ICELAND
Longitude 21-50-59W Latitude 64-04-47N
3116.0 3900.0 5720.0 6712.0 8977.0 11184.0 15025.0 17985.0

Ground Station ID 4 RIVERHEAD - NEW YORK
Longitude 72-38-22W Latitude 40-52-47N
3410.0 3428.0 5523.0 5652.0 6646.0 6652.0 6661.0 8831.0 8885.0 8912.0 10227.0 11315.0 11354.0 11387.0 13276.0 17919.0 17934.0 17952.0 21931.0 21934.0

Ground Station ID 5 AUCKLAND - NEW ZEALAND
Longitude 174-48-35E Latitude 37-01-10S
Number of frequencies 10
3016.0 3404.0 5583.0 6535.0 8921.0 10084.0 11327.0 13351.0 17916.0 21949.0

Ground Station ID 6 HAT YAI - THAILAND
Longitude 100-23-24E Latitude 06-56-23N
3470.0 4687.0 5655.0 6535.0 8825.0 10066.0 13270.0 17928.0 21949.0

Ground Station ID 7 SHANNON - IRELAND
Longitude 08-55-46W Latitude 52-43-48N
2998.0 3455.0 5547.0 6532.0 8843.0 8942.0 10081.0 11384.0 21928.0

Ground Station ID 8 JOHANNESBURG - SOUTH AFRICA
Longitude 28-12-35E Latitude 26-07-46S
3016.0 4681.0 8834.0 13321.0 21949.0

Ground Station ID 9 BARROW - ALASKA
Longitude 156-46-46W Latitude 71-18-00N
2944.0 2992.0 3007.0 3497.0 4654.0 4687.0 5529.0 5538.0 5544.0 6646.0 8927.0 8936.0 10027.0 10093.0 11354.0 17919.0 17934.0 21928.0 21937.0

Ground Station ID 14 KRASNOYARSK - RUSSIA
Longitude 92-18-00E Latitude 56-06-00N
2878.0 2905.0 4679.0 5622.0 6596.0 8886.0 10087.0 13321.0 17912.0 21990.0

Ground Station ID 13 SANTA CRUZ - BOLIVIA
Longitude 63-07-46W Latitude 17-40-11S
2983.0 3467.0 4660.0 6628.0 8957.0 11318.0 13315.0 17916.0 21946.0 21973.0 21988.0 21997.0

Ground Station ID 16 AGANA - GUAM
Longitude 144-48-00E Latitude 13-28-11N
6550.0 6634.0 6652.0 6661.0 8912.0 8927.0 8936.0 11288.0 11306.0 13276.0 13312.0 13339.0 17919.0 17934.0

Ground Station ID 15 AL MUHARRAQ - BAHRAIN
Longitude 50-39-00E Latitude 26-16-12N
2986.0 5544.0 8885.0 10075.0 11312.0 13354.0 17967.0 21982.0

Ground Station ID 17 CANARIAS - SPAIN
Longitude 15-23-23W Latitude 27-56-59N
2905.0 5589.0 6529.0 8948.0 11348.0 13303.0 17928.0 21955.0