Friday, September 06, 2019

Shortwave Radiogram, 5-8 September 2019


Hello friends,

We are happy to know that WRMI in Okeechobee, Florida, was spared a direct hit by Hurricane Dorian. The Shortwave Radiogram schedule should, therefore, proceed as normal. WRMI was not entirely unscathed, having experienced some internet disruptions. Good luck to those still in the path of Dorian.

Last week's hidden message exercise, with BPSK63F at 95, 85, 75 and 65 Hz, was fun. Most of us had trouble with the 65 Hz message, but there were a few perfect decodes of all four.

Videos of last weekend's Shortwave Radiogram (program 115) are provided by Scott in Ontario (Friday 1300 UTC) (You can try to decode the hidden message from his video) and by MD2 in Colorado (excerpt of Sunday 0800 UTC on 5850 kHz; the audio sounds like unrelated FT8).  The audio archive is maintained by Mark in the UK. Analysis is prepared by Roger in Germany.

This weekend's hidden message will be in Thor Micro at 70 Hz. There is no RSID for Thor Micro, so be prepared to change the mode and audio frequency manually as soon as the final MFSK32 ends. Thor Micro is a very slow mode. You will not see text until a few seconds after you see the Thor Micro trace down at 70 Hz. 

This weekend's show is in the usual MFSK32 and MFSK64 with nine images, plus the Thor Micro.

Here is the lineup for Shortwave Radiogram, program 116, 5-9 September 2019, in modes as noted:

 1:40  MFSK32: Program preview
 2:48  Undersea sensor powered by sound waves from the surface
 6:27  MFSK64: Will EVs disrupt Germany's power grid?*
11:23  This week's images*
25:42  MFSK32: Closing announcements
27:15  Thor Micro: Hidden message centered on 70 Hz
* with image(s)

Please send reception reports to radiogram@verizon.net

And visit http://swradiogram.net

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

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/567099476753304
Shortwave Radiogram Transmission Schedule
UTC Day UTC Time                 Frequency Transmitter
Thursday 2330-2400 UTC 9265 kHz WINB Pennsylvania
Friday 1300-1330 UTC 15770 kHz WRMI Florida
Friday 1500-1530 UTC 15120 kHz DRM WINB Pennsylvania
Saturday 0230-0300 UTC 9265 kHz WINB Pennsylvania
Sunday 0800-0830 UTC 5850 kHz
7730 kHz WRMI Florida
Sunday 2330-2400 UTC 7780 kHz WRMI Florida

The Mighty KBC transmits to North America Sundays at 0000-0200 UTC (Saturday 8-10 pm EDT) on new 5960 kHz, via Germany. A minute of MFSK is at about 0130 UTC.  Reports to Eric: themightykbc@gmail.com . See also http://www.kbcradio.eu/ and https://www.facebook.com/TheMightyKbc/. 

“This is a Music Show” is the newest addition to digital modes via analog shortwave. Most of the show is a music show, but the host transmits some MFSK text and image near the end of the broadcast. It’s transmitted Thursday at 0100-0200 on 5850 kHz and 0130-0230 on 9395 kHz (Wednesday evening in the Americas), both from WRMI Florida. Also look for a waterfall ID at the beginning of the show. thisisamusicshow@gmail.com . www.instagram.com/thisisamusicshow/ www.twitter.com/ThisIsAMusicSho/ or @ThisIsAMusicSho

New York and Pennsylvania NBEMS nets. Most weekends, as KD9XB, I check in to the New York NBEMS (Narrow Band Emergency Messaging Software) net Saturday at 1200 UTC on 3584 kHz USB, and the Pennsylvania NBEMS net Sunday at 1200 UTC on 3583 kHz USB (with out-of-state check-ins now starting at 1130 UTC). Check-ins are usually in Thor 22, and messages are in MFSK32 (PA NBEMS is experimenting with Thor 50x1 for messages). Messages generally use the Flmsg add-on to Fldigi. If you are a radio amateur in eastern North America, feel free to check in. Outside the region, use an SDR in the eastern USA to tune in and decode. You do not need Flmsg to check in, and most of the messages can be read without Flmsg. If you can decode the net, send me an email to radiogram@verizon.net , or tweet to @SWRadiogram , and I will let them know you are tuned in. USEast NBEMS Net: Please also note the USEast NBEMS Net, Wednesdays at 2300 UTC (7 pm EDT) on 3536 kHz USB. I will try to check in to this net more frequently.
 
Thanks for your reception reports!

Kim

Kim Andrew Elliott, KD9XB
Producer and Presenter
Shortwave Radiogram

Reporting on international broadcasting at https://twitter.com/kaedotcom
Three images get the shortwave artistic treatment. From the show 1 September. 2330-2400 UTC, 7780 kHz from WRMI Florida, as decoded by Al in the northern Florida skip zone.