Blog Note: These suspects were allegedly highly trained in shortwave radio operation and the use of codes and ciphers, including the use of encrypted Morse code messages. These were probably Enigma M8A spy number station broadcasts.
Here is a link to the actual criminal complaints:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/06/28/world/main6627393.shtml?tag=topnews
* * * * * * * * * *
Ten alleged Russian spies have been arrested in the United States, the result of a multi-year investigation in four states, the FBI said Monday.
Eight of the 10 arrested were "carrying out long-term, 'deep-cover' assignments" the FBI said, while two had lesser roles in the Russian intelligence program. The arrests took place Sunday in Montclair, N.J., Yonkers, N.Y., Manhattan, Boston, and Arlington, Va.
The New York and New Jersey defendants were expected to appear in federal court in Manhattan Monday. The Virginia defendants were to make court appearances in Alexandria.
One additional defendant has been charged but remains at large.
Their job, according to the court papers in the case, was "to search and develop ties in policymaking circles" in the United States.
Criminal complaints state that the defendants had an overarching goal of becoming highly "Americanized" so as to be able to freely gather intelligence in the U.S. and to "recruit sources who are I, or are able to infiltrate United States policy-making circles."
The U.S. government intercepted a message from Russian intelligence headquarters in Moscow to two of the defendants, Richard and Cynthia Murphy.
"You were sent to USA for long-term service trip," the message from Moscow. "Your education, bank accounts, car, house etc. - all these serve one goal: fulfill your main mission, i.e. to search and develop ties in policymaking circles in US and sent intels," the message added.
The complaint states that such agents - known as "illegals" - are highly trained in "foreign languages; agent-to-agent communications, including the use of brush-passes; short-wave radio operation and invisible writing; the use of codes and ciphers, including the use of encrypted Morse code messages; the creation and use of a cover profession; counter-surveillance measures" and more.
A "brush pass" is a covert hand-off of secret information, made as two agents brush past one another in public.
All of the defendants are charged with conspiracy to act as an agent of a foreign government without notifying the U.S. Attorney General, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. All but two of the defendants are also charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
The charges are filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
">
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
A Revolution in Scanning is Coming
A Revolution in Scanning is Coming
Uniden Releases a New Revolutionary Scanner
by Larry Van Horn, MT Assistant Editor
Fort Worth, Texas -- A major revolution in our hobby is on the way and it will forever change the very nature of the scanner radio hobby. Today, June 26, 2010, Uniden America held an open house here at their corporate offices in Fort Worth, Texas, for the public and the media. At this open house they unveiled a new revolutionary scanner called the "HomePatrol."
So what is so revolutionary about this new scanner? Simply put, it is simplicity! There has never been one like it before. To say that it will be easy to program by the user is to totally understate the facts.
The only thing you will need to know to program a "HomePatrol" scanner is – wait for it – the Zip Code where you are currently located. Yes, you punch in your zip code on the LCD touch screen, press enter, and you will instantly start hearing local scanner communications (conventional and trunked, analog and digital). No other operator interface is needed and it is truly just that simple.
Maybe you don't want to monitor civilian or military air comms that got loaded when you punched in your zip code, just police, fire and EMS. No problem: touch the screen to set up what you want to hear and it is done. No banks, no systems, no groups, no programming of frequencies: your location is all you need to get you started. And did I mention that all the controls for this scanner is via a full color touch screen?
If you are traveling and you have a GPS, plug that puppy into the "HomePatrol" scanner and it will ensure that your unit has up-to-date frequencies for the area you are traveling in. You don't have to do anything except to make sure that the GPS is working and plugged into the "HomePatrol." Of course you will have to supply the GPS unit since it is not included with the "HomePatrol" scanner.
That is why I think that the Uniden "HomePatrol" has the potential to create a major revolution in the scanner world.
Since the unveiling is still taking place as this is being posted, the full details and specs are not yet available. I will be bringing a test unit home from Fort Worth and will be conducting a full blown MT First Look review of the "HomePatrol." I will also post some of my first impressions on the "HomePatrol" scanner on the Monitoring Times website at http://www.monitoringtimes.com or on my personal blog, the BTown Monitoring Post at http://monitor-post.blogspot.com. You can also check out a new website that Uniden has setup for their new unit at http://www.homepatrol.com/ for everything "HomePatrol."
We will have a full detailed First Look review of this revolutionary new scanner in the October issue of Monitoring Times magazine, but check back here for future updates.
Uniden Releases a New Revolutionary Scanner
by Larry Van Horn, MT Assistant Editor
Fort Worth, Texas -- A major revolution in our hobby is on the way and it will forever change the very nature of the scanner radio hobby. Today, June 26, 2010, Uniden America held an open house here at their corporate offices in Fort Worth, Texas, for the public and the media. At this open house they unveiled a new revolutionary scanner called the "HomePatrol."
So what is so revolutionary about this new scanner? Simply put, it is simplicity! There has never been one like it before. To say that it will be easy to program by the user is to totally understate the facts.
The only thing you will need to know to program a "HomePatrol" scanner is – wait for it – the Zip Code where you are currently located. Yes, you punch in your zip code on the LCD touch screen, press enter, and you will instantly start hearing local scanner communications (conventional and trunked, analog and digital). No other operator interface is needed and it is truly just that simple.
Maybe you don't want to monitor civilian or military air comms that got loaded when you punched in your zip code, just police, fire and EMS. No problem: touch the screen to set up what you want to hear and it is done. No banks, no systems, no groups, no programming of frequencies: your location is all you need to get you started. And did I mention that all the controls for this scanner is via a full color touch screen?
If you are traveling and you have a GPS, plug that puppy into the "HomePatrol" scanner and it will ensure that your unit has up-to-date frequencies for the area you are traveling in. You don't have to do anything except to make sure that the GPS is working and plugged into the "HomePatrol." Of course you will have to supply the GPS unit since it is not included with the "HomePatrol" scanner.
That is why I think that the Uniden "HomePatrol" has the potential to create a major revolution in the scanner world.
Since the unveiling is still taking place as this is being posted, the full details and specs are not yet available. I will be bringing a test unit home from Fort Worth and will be conducting a full blown MT First Look review of the "HomePatrol." I will also post some of my first impressions on the "HomePatrol" scanner on the Monitoring Times website at http://www.monitoringtimes.com or on my personal blog, the BTown Monitoring Post at http://monitor-post.blogspot.com. You can also check out a new website that Uniden has setup for their new unit at http://www.homepatrol.com/ for everything "HomePatrol."
We will have a full detailed First Look review of this revolutionary new scanner in the October issue of Monitoring Times magazine, but check back here for future updates.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Enroute to Big D
Well tomorrow morning I will be enroute to a very special radio hobby event in the DFW Metroplex. Uniden America will be holding an Open House on Saturday, June 26, 2010, from 10 am to 2 pm CDT at their corporate headquarters in Fort Worth. Uniden will be unveiling their new revolutionary scanner at this Open House.
I will have a full report on this blog and on the Monitoring Times website upon my return from the event. in the meantime if you are attending this event, I look forward to meeting you on Saturday. I will be making some brief remarks during the open house and you may hear something about Milcom monitoring you haven't heard before.
Until Saturday, 73 and good hunting. CU on the flip side.
I will have a full report on this blog and on the Monitoring Times website upon my return from the event. in the meantime if you are attending this event, I look forward to meeting you on Saturday. I will be making some brief remarks during the open house and you may hear something about Milcom monitoring you haven't heard before.
Until Saturday, 73 and good hunting. CU on the flip side.
Monday, June 21, 2010
New National CAP Command Net Freq Found
Jon in Florida discovered last weekend a new CAP National Command ALE Net frequency:- 29.894 MHz. The frequency was also confirmed by Monitoring Times magazine Utility World columnist Hugh Stegman out in California.
The nationwide set of CAP ALE freqs for the "National CAP Command Net" are as follows:
2011.0 3204.0 4477.0 4585.0 5006.0 5447.0 6773.0 6806.0 7602.0 7665.0 8012.0 9047.0 10162.0 11402.0 12081.0 13415.0 14357.0 15602.0 17412.0 19814.0 29894.0 kHz (all USB/ALE)
Here is some background information I have on the current state of the CAP HF network(s). Any additional information on frequencies is sincerely appreciate and you can contact me offlist via the email address published in the header of my blogs" http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/ or http://monitor-post.blogspot.com/.
The National Command Net operates in the Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) mode. It is composed of stations specifically approved by the NTC using equipment provided for this purpose. Most of these stations are “message center” stations which relay message traffic between the national and region levels of the CAP net structure.
The National Command level of the HF-ALE system, the "top level" of the CAP radio system, uses Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) radios to which a "suite" of frequencies is assigned, each with different radio propagation characteristics, and the radios automatically monitor which frequency is best to communicate with each other station in the net. Each region operates two ALE radios, serving as "message center" stations (see below), plus additional radios for Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Alaska. The ALE stations at the National Technology Center (NTC) and the National Operations Center (NOC) serve as the net control stations for the National Command level of the HF-ALE system. There are no scheduled formal National Command net meetings. Rather, ALE station operators are expected to attend their radios regularly and be ready for messages, as they may be received.
The mission of the National Command level of the HF-ALE system is to provide a survivable, commercial infrastructure-independent command and control communication (C3) link among regions and between regions and higher headquarters.
The specific functions of National Command level stations are:
• Provide a strategic communications tier of the communications network available for adaptive communications during high-level missions.
• Provide decentralized contact points to relay traffic between incident command posts and the NOC or other national CAP office.
• Conduct and report regular confidence checks, in accordance with the current CAP Communications Alert Level, and no less than once per week.
• Be available, as needed, for training.
Pending activation of region ALE frequency suites (see below) the following guidance applies to all stations operating on the National Command frequency suite (ALE Net #1):
1. Other than the two region stations and nationally designated stations, any CAP station may monitor the ALE suite, but should not sound in routine operations.
2. Pending release of region ALE channels, wings may use the national ALE suite (ALE NET #1) for actual missions and specific training events with the understanding that this use and active sounding will be for relatively limited periods of time. For ALE use during a training exercise, place a request several days in advance, but for actual missions, coordinate with the NOC.
3. Only NTIA compliant equipment with Joint Interoperability Test Center (JITC) certification may transmit on National and Region ALE suites of frequencies.
4. The NTC and National Headquarters determines and standardizes all ALE parameter settings, such as sounding interval.
To Jon and Hugh, nice job. Now if we can find the missing freqs I belive are there around 18 MHz and from 20 to 28 MHz.
The nationwide set of CAP ALE freqs for the "National CAP Command Net" are as follows:
2011.0 3204.0 4477.0 4585.0 5006.0 5447.0 6773.0 6806.0 7602.0 7665.0 8012.0 9047.0 10162.0 11402.0 12081.0 13415.0 14357.0 15602.0 17412.0 19814.0 29894.0 kHz (all USB/ALE)
Here is some background information I have on the current state of the CAP HF network(s). Any additional information on frequencies is sincerely appreciate and you can contact me offlist via the email address published in the header of my blogs" http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/ or http://monitor-post.blogspot.com/.
The National Command Net operates in the Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) mode. It is composed of stations specifically approved by the NTC using equipment provided for this purpose. Most of these stations are “message center” stations which relay message traffic between the national and region levels of the CAP net structure.
The National Command level of the HF-ALE system, the "top level" of the CAP radio system, uses Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) radios to which a "suite" of frequencies is assigned, each with different radio propagation characteristics, and the radios automatically monitor which frequency is best to communicate with each other station in the net. Each region operates two ALE radios, serving as "message center" stations (see below), plus additional radios for Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Alaska. The ALE stations at the National Technology Center (NTC) and the National Operations Center (NOC) serve as the net control stations for the National Command level of the HF-ALE system. There are no scheduled formal National Command net meetings. Rather, ALE station operators are expected to attend their radios regularly and be ready for messages, as they may be received.
The mission of the National Command level of the HF-ALE system is to provide a survivable, commercial infrastructure-independent command and control communication (C3) link among regions and between regions and higher headquarters.
The specific functions of National Command level stations are:
• Provide a strategic communications tier of the communications network available for adaptive communications during high-level missions.
• Provide decentralized contact points to relay traffic between incident command posts and the NOC or other national CAP office.
• Conduct and report regular confidence checks, in accordance with the current CAP Communications Alert Level, and no less than once per week.
• Be available, as needed, for training.
Pending activation of region ALE frequency suites (see below) the following guidance applies to all stations operating on the National Command frequency suite (ALE Net #1):
1. Other than the two region stations and nationally designated stations, any CAP station may monitor the ALE suite, but should not sound in routine operations.
2. Pending release of region ALE channels, wings may use the national ALE suite (ALE NET #1) for actual missions and specific training events with the understanding that this use and active sounding will be for relatively limited periods of time. For ALE use during a training exercise, place a request several days in advance, but for actual missions, coordinate with the NOC.
3. Only NTIA compliant equipment with Joint Interoperability Test Center (JITC) certification may transmit on National and Region ALE suites of frequencies.
4. The NTC and National Headquarters determines and standardizes all ALE parameter settings, such as sounding interval.
To Jon and Hugh, nice job. Now if we can find the missing freqs I belive are there around 18 MHz and from 20 to 28 MHz.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
New Release of MultiPSK (4.18) Now Available
Multipsk is my absolute favorite digital decoder for the computer soundcard and the author, Patrick, F6CTE, just keeps making it better. This morning he has just announced the release of a new verson of MultiPSK (v4.18). His announcement is present below in its entirety
Hello to all Ham and SWL,
The new release of MultiPSK (4.18) is on my Web site (http://f6cte.free.fr/). It is not yet on Earl's and Terry's WEB sites.
The main modifications of MULTIPSK 4.18 are the following:
1) Decoding of the NWR SAME mode
NWR (National Weather Radio) SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding) is simply a method of identifying the local area to which an alert message applies. It utilizes a digital data stream that contains the alert message with information about the type of event expected, its timing, duration, and location. The NWR SAME system is used in USA and Canada, in VHF (162.400, 162.425, 162.450, 162.475, 162.500, 162.525, 162.550 MHz).
To listen NWR SAME messages: the NWS tests the NWR and SAME alerting technology weekly. These tests normally occur on Wednesday between 10 AM and Noon with some variations to accomodate local requirements.
This mode is available for licencied copies, only (otherwise, the decoding is stopped after 5 minutes). See specifications further on.
2) Transmission/reception of ARQ FAE QSP (indirect) mails through a "mails Server"
Differences between a direct mail and a QSP mail (indirect). A mail is direct if you can transmit it directly to the final addressee: A -->B.
If you can't transmit the mail directly because the final addressee can't be directly reached due to the link conditions, the mail can be forwarded by the connected station, which acts as a "mails Server": A-->C (mails Server)-->B.
For this, you must use a QSP mail.
A paper based on snapshots presents this new system:
http://f6cte.free.fr/QSP_mails_forwarding_easy_with_Multipsk_in_ALE_and_ALE400.doc
3) New macros:
-permits to ask to the other Ham or to the SWL monitoring your QSO to send you a reception report by e-mail. Your address must be specified in the "WEB ADDRESS" of your personal data ("Personal" button). It will be transmitted the following command "RPRT@LENemail addressCRC" which is the report demand. If correctly decoded, a reception report will be transmitted to the e-mail address that you specified, through Internet.
Examples of use of this macro
1) The main objective is to ask the other Ham with whom you are in QSO to send you a reception report by e-mail.
2) But it can be also done by a SWL monitoring your QSO.
3) This macro can be used in conjuction with a Multipsk beacon which mode can be controlled by a RS ID. For example, you can switch the beacon in BPSK31 and asks the beacon for a reception report. Afterwards, the beacon can be switched in Olivia by a new RS ID and a new reception report can be asked...
Note: this macro can be used for all digital modes (except JT65), CW included.
A paper based on snapshots presents this new system:
http://f6cte.free.fr/How_to_use_thehttp://f6cte.free.fr/How_to_use_the_«RPRT@»_email_reception_report_with_Multipsk.doc
The source code (in Pascal/Delphi and in English) to code/decode this command is available for the coding/decoding software developpers, by making the demand to F6CTE by e-mail.
-permits to send a Tune (non modulated carrier) with the command: . For example: (5% of power at 4000 Hz for 1 sec)
This function can be used for transmission tests or, perhaps, to create his/her personal "jingle" (short musical sequence).
- 's' gives the Signal to Noise ratio (in dB) obtained about 4 seconds before the switching to transmission.
- 'quality' for PSK modes only, gives the signal quality from 1/5 to 5/5 obtained about 4 seconds before the switching to transmission.
4) Improvements
Addition of a filter possibility in the SELCAL mode. Addition of 6 new memories of frequency and mode in the Transceiver window, for a total of 10 memories.
Some improvements for contesters: addition of a manual control of the QSO number, proposition of standard HF QRGs for the "Freq MHz" field, possibility to double the size of the "QSO->log" or "DXKeeper" buttons (in the "Logbook" window).
Note about translation of Multipsk.exe and Clock .exe: the 4.17 version of Multipsk/Clock has been completly translated to Spanish by Joachin (EA4ZB), from French. The translation file is on my Web site (http://f6cte.free.fr/Translation_files.htm).
NWR SAME (VHF)
The NWR (National Weather Radio) SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding) is a digital system for transmission in USA and Canada, in VHF, of warning messages. There are, in fact, other agencies that NWS (National Weather Service) which use the SAME system. There are also many other messages that warning or watch messages.
Description :
Baud rate: 580.83.
Modulation : Logic 0 at 1562.5 Hz and logic 1 at 2083.3 Hz
Reception mode: FM
Character set : ASCII characters (8 bits)
Shape of pulse : rectangular
Bandwidth : about 1 KHz
Demodulation : non coherent
Bit synchronization : automatic using the signal
Character synchronization : automatic using predefined strings of characters (« ZCZC » and « NNNN »)
Lowest S/N: +4 dB
Each NWR/SAME message contains:
* 3 same digital messages containing (on a coded form) the event, the concerned areas, duration and broadcast station (for example: ZCZC-WXR-TOW-039173-039051-139069+0030-1591829-KCLE/NWS-). These messages are decoded by Multipsk.
* possibly a 1050 Hz warning alarm tone for 8 to 10 seconds,
* possibly a verbal spoken oral text of message,
* 3 digital messages « NNNN » for end of message.
Hello to all Ham and SWL,
The new release of MultiPSK (4.18) is on my Web site (http://f6cte.free.fr/). It is not yet on Earl's and Terry's WEB sites.
The main modifications of MULTIPSK 4.18 are the following:
1) Decoding of the NWR SAME mode
NWR (National Weather Radio) SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding) is simply a method of identifying the local area to which an alert message applies. It utilizes a digital data stream that contains the alert message with information about the type of event expected, its timing, duration, and location. The NWR SAME system is used in USA and Canada, in VHF (162.400, 162.425, 162.450, 162.475, 162.500, 162.525, 162.550 MHz).
To listen NWR SAME messages: the NWS tests the NWR and SAME alerting technology weekly. These tests normally occur on Wednesday between 10 AM and Noon with some variations to accomodate local requirements.
This mode is available for licencied copies, only (otherwise, the decoding is stopped after 5 minutes). See specifications further on.
2) Transmission/reception of ARQ FAE QSP (indirect) mails through a "mails Server"
Differences between a direct mail and a QSP mail (indirect). A mail is direct if you can transmit it directly to the final addressee: A -->B.
If you can't transmit the mail directly because the final addressee can't be directly reached due to the link conditions, the mail can be forwarded by the connected station, which acts as a "mails Server": A-->C (mails Server)-->B.
For this, you must use a QSP mail.
A paper based on snapshots presents this new system:
http://f6cte.free.fr/QSP_mails_forwarding_easy_with_Multipsk_in_ALE_and_ALE400.doc
3) New macros:
-
Examples of use of this macro
1) The main objective is to ask the other Ham with whom you are in QSO to send you a reception report by e-mail.
2) But it can be also done by a SWL monitoring your QSO.
3) This macro can be used in conjuction with a Multipsk beacon which mode can be controlled by a RS ID. For example, you can switch the beacon in BPSK31 and asks the beacon for a reception report. Afterwards, the beacon can be switched in Olivia by a new RS ID and a new reception report can be asked...
Note: this macro can be used for all digital modes (except JT65), CW included.
A paper based on snapshots presents this new system:
http://f6cte.free.fr/How_to_use_thehttp://f6cte.free.fr/How_to_use_the_«RPRT@»_email_reception_report_with_Multipsk.doc
The source code (in Pascal/Delphi and in English) to code/decode this command is available for the coding/decoding software developpers, by making the demand to F6CTE by e-mail.
-
This function can be used for transmission tests or, perhaps, to create his/her personal "jingle" (short musical sequence).
- 's' gives the Signal to Noise ratio (in dB) obtained about 4 seconds before the switching to transmission.
- 'quality' for PSK modes only, gives the signal quality from 1/5 to 5/5 obtained about 4 seconds before the switching to transmission.
4) Improvements
Addition of a filter possibility in the SELCAL mode. Addition of 6 new memories of frequency and mode in the Transceiver window, for a total of 10 memories.
Some improvements for contesters: addition of a manual control of the QSO number, proposition of standard HF QRGs for the "Freq MHz" field, possibility to double the size of the "QSO->log" or "DXKeeper" buttons (in the "Logbook" window).
Note about translation of Multipsk.exe and Clock .exe: the 4.17 version of Multipsk/Clock has been completly translated to Spanish by Joachin (EA4ZB), from French. The translation file is on my Web site (http://f6cte.free.fr/Translation_files.htm).
NWR SAME (VHF)
The NWR (National Weather Radio) SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding) is a digital system for transmission in USA and Canada, in VHF, of warning messages. There are, in fact, other agencies that NWS (National Weather Service) which use the SAME system. There are also many other messages that warning or watch messages.
Description :
Baud rate: 580.83.
Modulation : Logic 0 at 1562.5 Hz and logic 1 at 2083.3 Hz
Reception mode: FM
Character set : ASCII characters (8 bits)
Shape of pulse : rectangular
Bandwidth : about 1 KHz
Demodulation : non coherent
Bit synchronization : automatic using the signal
Character synchronization : automatic using predefined strings of characters (« ZCZC » and « NNNN »)
Lowest S/N: +4 dB
Each NWR/SAME message contains:
* 3 same digital messages containing (on a coded form) the event, the concerned areas, duration and broadcast station (for example: ZCZC-WXR-TOW-039173-039051-139069+0030-1591829-KCLE/NWS-). These messages are decoded by Multipsk.
* possibly a 1050 Hz warning alarm tone for 8 to 10 seconds,
* possibly a verbal spoken oral text of message,
* 3 digital messages « NNNN » for end of message.
If you don't already have MultiPSK, it is a most have program in any radio hobbyist shack. The registered version opens up a whole new world of radio listening and worth every penny of the inexpensive registration fee. If you pick up Patrick's program, be sure to tell him that The BTown MP sent you.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Mystery Canadian HF ALE Net
Time for our friends up north to have a mystery ALE network to work on. If you would like to have some of ours, I will be happy to share a few.
As posted to this website yesterday, Jack monitored a new Canadian HF ALE net on 9295.0 and 12115.0 kHz (ALE/USB) with the following stations:
EDMONTOEXLONGW Edmonton AB, Canada
OTTAWAEXLONGW Ottawa, PQ, Canada
STJOHNSEXLONGW St. Johns, NF, Canada
YELLOWKEXLONGW Yellowknife, NWT, Canada
So who do you folks up north think we have here. One guess is a CanForce net. I'm not convinced. Email me at the address above if you have any ideas.
As posted to this website yesterday, Jack monitored a new Canadian HF ALE net on 9295.0 and 12115.0 kHz (ALE/USB) with the following stations:
EDMONTOEXLONGW Edmonton AB, Canada
OTTAWAEXLONGW Ottawa, PQ, Canada
STJOHNSEXLONGW St. Johns, NF, Canada
YELLOWKEXLONGW Yellowknife, NWT, Canada
So who do you folks up north think we have here. One guess is a CanForce net. I'm not convinced. Email me at the address above if you have any ideas.
Friday, May 14, 2010
MT Annual Airshow Guide Released Online
The 2010 Monitoring Times Airshow Guide has been released in Adobe Acrobat PDF format this afternoon on the MT website. Now in its 11th year, the Airshow Guide is one of the most anticipated references published each year in Monitoring Times. As a way to give back to the monitoring community, whose field reports help produce the guide, the editorial staff of MT post it to the Internet each Spring to help scanner monitors from all over the country enjoy monitoring their favorite flight demo team.
In return we do ask that if you attend an airshow and use the guide, please file a report of what you heard or didn't hear with the author, MT assistant editor Larry Van Horn. It is these on site reports that help us produce the next edition of the guide that will appear in the March 2011 Monitoring Times. Even if the frequency is listed in our guide, we use that information to keep active frequencies on our list.
You can download your free copy from the MT website at the link below.
http://monitoringtimes.com/MT_Air_Show_Guide_2010.pdf
In return we do ask that if you attend an airshow and use the guide, please file a report of what you heard or didn't hear with the author, MT assistant editor Larry Van Horn. It is these on site reports that help us produce the next edition of the guide that will appear in the March 2011 Monitoring Times. Even if the frequency is listed in our guide, we use that information to keep active frequencies on our list.
You can download your free copy from the MT website at the link below.
http://monitoringtimes.com/MT_Air_Show_Guide_2010.pdf
Uniden Open House 2010 in the DFW Metroplex!
Uniden America has just released this announcement.
You Are Invited!
"Uniden invites you to attend the 2010 Uniden Open House on Saturday, June 26, 2010 at Uniden America Corporation Headquarters.
"We are firing up the grill this Summer, and want to invite you over for some burgers, hot dogs, and other treats. We'll be announcing a revolutionary new scanner product on July 1, but attendees will get a sneak preview and introduction to the product from Uniden's Scanner Product Manager, Paul "UPMan" Opitz. Plus, hear from other guests including Lindsay Blanton, owner of RadioReference.com, the source for radio system information as well as other special guests.
"We'll be opening the doors at 10:00 AM and starting the program at 11 AM. This is an event that you will not want to miss.
"Because we want to be sure to have plenty of food and other goodies, we are asking you to register for this event. To do so, please go to: Open House Registration and fill out the form.
"Looking forward to seeing you there!"
Definitely an event you want to attend and you may even see ye ole blog editor at this major scanner event.
You Are Invited!
"Uniden invites you to attend the 2010 Uniden Open House on Saturday, June 26, 2010 at Uniden America Corporation Headquarters.
"We are firing up the grill this Summer, and want to invite you over for some burgers, hot dogs, and other treats. We'll be announcing a revolutionary new scanner product on July 1, but attendees will get a sneak preview and introduction to the product from Uniden's Scanner Product Manager, Paul "UPMan" Opitz. Plus, hear from other guests including Lindsay Blanton, owner of RadioReference.com, the source for radio system information as well as other special guests.
"We'll be opening the doors at 10:00 AM and starting the program at 11 AM. This is an event that you will not want to miss.
"Because we want to be sure to have plenty of food and other goodies, we are asking you to register for this event. To do so, please go to: Open House Registration and fill out the form.
"Looking forward to seeing you there!"
Definitely an event you want to attend and you may even see ye ole blog editor at this major scanner event.
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Out-of-control satellite threatens other nearby spacecraft
Article from FloridaToday.com
PARIS - An adrift Intelsat satellite that stopped communicating with its ground controllers last month remains out of control and has begun moving eastward along the geostationary arc, raising the threat of interference with other satellites in its path, Intelsat and other industry officials said.
In what industry officials called an unprecedented event, Intelsat's Galaxy 15 communications satellite has remained fully "on," with its C-band telecommunications payload still functioning even as it has left its assigned orbital slot of 133 degrees west longitude 36,000 kilometers over the equator.
Galaxy 15 stopped responding to ground controllers on April 5. The satellite's manufacturer, Orbital Sciences Corp. of Virginia, has said an intense solar storm in early April may be to blame. It was launched into space in 2005.
The first satellite likely to face signal interference problems from the adrift Galaxy 15 is the AMC-11 C-band satellite owned by SES of Luxembourg and stationed at 131 degrees west, just two degrees away from Galaxy 15's starting position.
Rob Bednarek, chief executive of the SES World Skies division, which operates AMC-11, said Intelsat and SES have been meeting since April 5 to coordinate how to minimize the Galaxy 15 impact on AMC-11's media customers.
Adrift in space
In an interview Friday, Bednarek said that while it remains unclear whether SES World Skies will be able to avoid a signal interference problem as Galaxy 15 enters the AMC-11 orbital territory, the company has benefited from full disclosure on the part of Intelsat, SES's biggest competitor.
"The cooperation with them really has been very good," Bednarek said. "We all realize that we could be in the same position tomorrow. We are neighbors in space."
Alan Young, chief technology officer at SES World Skies, said the company's best estimate is that Galaxy 15 will enter AMC-11's neighborhood — meaning one-half of one degree distant — May 23. It will continue traveling at its own pace through the AMC-11 slot, exiting on the east around June 7.
You can read the rest of the story at http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20100503/NEWS02/100503027/1086/Out-of-control+satellite+threatens+other+nearby+spacecraft
PARIS - An adrift Intelsat satellite that stopped communicating with its ground controllers last month remains out of control and has begun moving eastward along the geostationary arc, raising the threat of interference with other satellites in its path, Intelsat and other industry officials said.
In what industry officials called an unprecedented event, Intelsat's Galaxy 15 communications satellite has remained fully "on," with its C-band telecommunications payload still functioning even as it has left its assigned orbital slot of 133 degrees west longitude 36,000 kilometers over the equator.
Galaxy 15 stopped responding to ground controllers on April 5. The satellite's manufacturer, Orbital Sciences Corp. of Virginia, has said an intense solar storm in early April may be to blame. It was launched into space in 2005.
The first satellite likely to face signal interference problems from the adrift Galaxy 15 is the AMC-11 C-band satellite owned by SES of Luxembourg and stationed at 131 degrees west, just two degrees away from Galaxy 15's starting position.
Rob Bednarek, chief executive of the SES World Skies division, which operates AMC-11, said Intelsat and SES have been meeting since April 5 to coordinate how to minimize the Galaxy 15 impact on AMC-11's media customers.
Adrift in space
In an interview Friday, Bednarek said that while it remains unclear whether SES World Skies will be able to avoid a signal interference problem as Galaxy 15 enters the AMC-11 orbital territory, the company has benefited from full disclosure on the part of Intelsat, SES's biggest competitor.
"The cooperation with them really has been very good," Bednarek said. "We all realize that we could be in the same position tomorrow. We are neighbors in space."
Alan Young, chief technology officer at SES World Skies, said the company's best estimate is that Galaxy 15 will enter AMC-11's neighborhood — meaning one-half of one degree distant — May 23. It will continue traveling at its own pace through the AMC-11 slot, exiting on the east around June 7.
You can read the rest of the story at http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20100503/NEWS02/100503027/1086/Out-of-control+satellite+threatens+other+nearby+spacecraft
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Vietnamese Numbers Station Monitored on West Coast
"Original Token" out California way has reported reception of a Vietnamese language numbers station again on the UDXF newsgroup.
First reported by Leif Dehio, T! first monitored the broadcast on February 21, 2010. He posted a four and a half minute recording here: http://home.mchsi.com/~token_radio/unklang_numbers_10255U_1608_02212010.mp3
Yesterday T! posted the following update to the UDXF group:
"The reception on 21 Feb was a female voice with 5f groups, the 7 March reception was a male voice and 5f groups.
"Today at 1614:20 the station was again on the air on 10255 kHz USB, male voice, Vietnamese, and 5f."
1614:20 UTC Announcement, several portions repeated.
1615:40 UTC Numbers start. 5f, 30 groups total.
1618:13 UTC last number sent.
1618:50 UTC short announcement.
1619:23 UTC numbers start again, again 5f.
"Unfortunately I had heavy QRM (OTHR) that started just after the first 30 five figure groups were sent. I was unable to get a clear recording of the short announcement or the last part of the transmission. By the time the QRM was clear the station was off the air," said T!
Recording of the first part here:
http://token_radio.home.mchsi.com/UnkVTN_10255USB_1614z_03082010.mp3
First reported by Leif Dehio, T! first monitored the broadcast on February 21, 2010. He posted a four and a half minute recording here: http://home.mchsi.com/~token_radio/unklang_numbers_10255U_1608_02212010.mp3
Yesterday T! posted the following update to the UDXF group:
"The reception on 21 Feb was a female voice with 5f groups, the 7 March reception was a male voice and 5f groups.
"Today at 1614:20 the station was again on the air on 10255 kHz USB, male voice, Vietnamese, and 5f."
1614:20 UTC Announcement, several portions repeated.
1615:40 UTC Numbers start. 5f, 30 groups total.
1618:13 UTC last number sent.
1618:50 UTC short announcement.
1619:23 UTC numbers start again, again 5f.
"Unfortunately I had heavy QRM (OTHR) that started just after the first 30 five figure groups were sent. I was unable to get a clear recording of the short announcement or the last part of the transmission. By the time the QRM was clear the station was off the air," said T!
Recording of the first part here:
http://token_radio.home.mchsi.com/UnkVTN_10255USB_1614z_03082010.mp3
Sunday, February 28, 2010
20m ROS frequencies are moved
Courtesy of the Southgate ARC website at
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/february2010/ros_frequencies_moved.htm
José Alberto Nieto Ros, the originator of the new amateur radio data mode ROS, has agreed to move the suggested 20m frequencies for ROS to 14.0972MHz and 14.102MHz.
This takes them further away from the 14.100MHz international beacon chain frequency as the originals had been 14.098MHz and 14.1011MHz.
“This is good news,” said Steve Nichols, secretary of the RSGB's Propagation Studies Committee. “I am grateful to José for acting so quickly.
“It is important that we keep 14.100MHz clear as the beacon network (the only one on 20m) is used worldwide.
Some reports of interference by ROS may have actually been Olivia, which sounds very similar. And today we have heard packet signals on 14.100MHz too.
“It looks like we still need to educate some data users about keeping away from the beacon frequency,” he said.
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/february2010/ros_frequencies_moved.htm
José Alberto Nieto Ros, the originator of the new amateur radio data mode ROS, has agreed to move the suggested 20m frequencies for ROS to 14.0972MHz and 14.102MHz.
This takes them further away from the 14.100MHz international beacon chain frequency as the originals had been 14.098MHz and 14.1011MHz.
“This is good news,” said Steve Nichols, secretary of the RSGB's Propagation Studies Committee. “I am grateful to José for acting so quickly.
“It is important that we keep 14.100MHz clear as the beacon network (the only one on 20m) is used worldwide.
Some reports of interference by ROS may have actually been Olivia, which sounds very similar. And today we have heard packet signals on 14.100MHz too.
“It looks like we still need to educate some data users about keeping away from the beacon frequency,” he said.
New Weak Signal Digital Mode not Legal in US
There has been a lot of chatter on various groups about a new mode called ROS. You can see the initial details on the Southgate ARC website at
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/february2010/ros_proving_popular.htm
More information and the program can be found at:
http://rosmodem.wordpress.com/
http://rosmodem.wordpress.com/2010/01/30/ros/
http://www.box.net/shared/s3ytmqcadu
ROS v1.6.3.zip
Frequencies (Mhz) USB: 3.600 , 7.053, 14.101 , 28.300 (so far no place selected on the 30 meter band..suggestions would be above 10.143)
Download "ROS v1.6.3 beta Windows Vista Compatible"
http://rosmodem.wordpress.com/2010/01/30/ros/#comments
According to one ham the performance is equivalent to the Olivia mode. But the bad news is that US hams will not be able to use this new mode. One ham recently wrote the ARRL in regards to the ROS mode and received the reply below from Dan Henderson, N1ND:
From: Henderson, Dan N1ND
Subject: RE: Spread Spectrum
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2010, 7:13 AM
I ran this by our technical experts. They concur that ROS is a spread spectrum mode and as such is not allowed by the FCC on bands below 222 MHz. Remember that approved emissions vary from IARU Region at times as well as between countries. So while the IARU Band Plan for Region 2 would allow it, SS is not permitted on the HF bands by the FCC.
Thanks and 73
Dan Henderson, N1ND
Regulatory Information Manager
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio™
860-594-0236
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/february2010/ros_proving_popular.htm
More information and the program can be found at:
http://rosmodem.wordpress.com/
http://rosmodem.wordpress.com/2010/01/30/ros/
http://www.box.net/shared/s3ytmqcadu
ROS v1.6.3.zip
Frequencies (Mhz) USB: 3.600 , 7.053, 14.101 , 28.300 (so far no place selected on the 30 meter band..suggestions would be above 10.143)
Download "ROS v1.6.3 beta Windows Vista Compatible"
http://rosmodem.wordpress.com/2010/01/30/ros/#comments
According to one ham the performance is equivalent to the Olivia mode. But the bad news is that US hams will not be able to use this new mode. One ham recently wrote the ARRL in regards to the ROS mode and received the reply below from Dan Henderson, N1ND:
From: Henderson, Dan N1ND
Subject: RE: Spread Spectrum
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2010, 7:13 AM
I ran this by our technical experts. They concur that ROS is a spread spectrum mode and as such is not allowed by the FCC on bands below 222 MHz. Remember that approved emissions vary from IARU Region at times as well as between countries. So while the IARU Band Plan for Region 2 would allow it, SS is not permitted on the HF bands by the FCC.
Thanks and 73
Dan Henderson, N1ND
Regulatory Information Manager
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio™
860-594-0236
Friday, February 19, 2010
Legislative Alert: New Anti-Scanner Streaming Bill in Illinois General Assembly
This piece of legislation, if passed, is detrimental to that portion of the radio hobby that streams Public Safety audio streams on the Internet. As a result, other agencies and states that have reservations now about the hobby streaming Public Safety audio on the Internet will be able to point to this law and pass similar legislation. Illinois state scanner enthusiast should contact their state representatives and oppose this bill.
Illinois General Assembly HB5194
Short Description: STATE POLICE RADIO-REBROADCAST
House Sponsors: Rep. Dan Brady
Link: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=5194&GAID=10&GA=96&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=50142&SessionID=76
Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the State Police Radio Act. Provides that a person receiving public safety voice or data communication transmitted via the facilities of the State's public safety radio system by wire or radio shall not, without the written authority of the originator of the communication, rebroadcast the communication via any means, including radio or Internet, or otherwise divulge or publish the existence, contents, substance, purport, effect, or meaning thereof. Provides that this provision does not apply to the public safety radio communication transmitted by any system station for the use of the general public, including Amber Alerts and other communications specifically intended for rebroadcast to the public. Provides that radio access to the public safety radio system within the State may only be accomplished upon receipt of written authorization granted by the appropriately licensed authority. Provides that a violation of these provisions is a Class A misdemeanor. Effective immediately.
Illinois General Assembly HB5194
Short Description: STATE POLICE RADIO-REBROADCAST
House Sponsors: Rep. Dan Brady
Link: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=5194&GAID=10&GA=96&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=50142&SessionID=76
Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the State Police Radio Act. Provides that a person receiving public safety voice or data communication transmitted via the facilities of the State's public safety radio system by wire or radio shall not, without the written authority of the originator of the communication, rebroadcast the communication via any means, including radio or Internet, or otherwise divulge or publish the existence, contents, substance, purport, effect, or meaning thereof. Provides that this provision does not apply to the public safety radio communication transmitted by any system station for the use of the general public, including Amber Alerts and other communications specifically intended for rebroadcast to the public. Provides that radio access to the public safety radio system within the State may only be accomplished upon receipt of written authorization granted by the appropriately licensed authority. Provides that a violation of these provisions is a Class A misdemeanor. Effective immediately.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Next Shuttle launch Set for April 5
http://www.floridatoday.com/content/blogs/space/2010/02/nasa-targets-april-5-launch-date-for.shtml
NASA is targeting the launch of Discovery on its next shuttle mission to the International Space Station for April 5, a day after a new crew is scheduled to arrive at the outpost aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft.
Discovery and seven astronauts would blast off from launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center at 6:27 a.m. that day, the middle of a 10-minute, predawn opportunity to put the shuttle on course for a two-day trip to the station.
Discovery had been set to launch March 18. But unusually cold weather, which can damage shuttle steering thrusters, has prevented NASA from moving the orbiter from its processing hangar to the Vehicle Assembly Building.
NASA is targeting the launch of Discovery on its next shuttle mission to the International Space Station for April 5, a day after a new crew is scheduled to arrive at the outpost aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft.
Discovery and seven astronauts would blast off from launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center at 6:27 a.m. that day, the middle of a 10-minute, predawn opportunity to put the shuttle on course for a two-day trip to the station.
Discovery had been set to launch March 18. But unusually cold weather, which can damage shuttle steering thrusters, has prevented NASA from moving the orbiter from its processing hangar to the Vehicle Assembly Building.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
NOAA Weather Public Information Statement
For our neighbors in Asheville and the surrounding area
Statement as of 07:38 am EST on January 26, 2010
... NOAA Weather Radio for Asheville NC still off the air...
The NOAA Weather Radio all hazards transmitter... broadcasting from Mount Pisgah and serving the counties of the North Carolina mountains and foothills will continue to have broadcasting problems today. The signal is fuzzy and intermittently off the air. Equipment at the site has been damaged in a recent winter weather event and
repairs are scheduled. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause to our listeners.
Statement as of 07:38 am EST on January 26, 2010
... NOAA Weather Radio for Asheville NC still off the air...
The NOAA Weather Radio all hazards transmitter... broadcasting from Mount Pisgah and serving the counties of the North Carolina mountains and foothills will continue to have broadcasting problems today. The signal is fuzzy and intermittently off the air. Equipment at the site has been damaged in a recent winter weather event and
repairs are scheduled. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause to our listeners.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
U.S. Military Delivers Self-powered Radios to Earthquake Survivors
AM Broadcast DXers should look for EC-130 transmissions on 1030 kHz AM. See our related story on the Commando Solo aircraft at
http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2010/01/193rd-special-operations-wing-to.html
HOMESTEAD ARB, Fla. - A U.S. Air Force C-130 is delivering 50,000 hand-held radios for distribution to Haitian earthquake survivors by the recent devastating earthquake.
The radios will be distributed by JTF-Haiti and are expected to arrive later this week.
The small emergency radios are both solar-powered and hand-cranked and do not require batteries.
Radios are being distributed in order for affected citizens to receive news and important information concerning international relief efforts.
In close coordination with the government of Haiti, JTF-Haiti is currently broadcasting news, public health, safety and information regarding relief efforts via a military aircraft equipped with FM and AM broadcasting capability.
Public safety messages are broadcasting in the following frequencies: 92.4 FM, 104.1 FM, 1030 AM.
The role of U.S. military forces during this humanitarian assistance and disaster relief effort is to rapidly respond with critically needed supplies and medical services in those areas the Haitian government deems necessary.
U.S. Department of Defense forces are part of a larger, unified United States federal response to the Government of Haiti's request for humanitarian aid. U.S. Southern Command is working with the Department of State, USAID, the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance and others to aggressively provide life-sustaining services to the people of Haiti.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
193rd Special Operations Wing to provide disaster relief in Haiti
Editors Note: Based on the press release below, we expect to have some DoD broadcast into Haiti on AM, FM, TV or shortwave to the Haitian people from the EC-130J Commando Solo aircraft in the area. Any reports of Commando Solo transmissions would certainly be appreciated here or to our sister blog - the Shortwave Central at http://mt-shortwave.blogspot.com/
by Airman 1st Class Claire Behney, 193rd Special Operations Wing
HARRISBURG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Pa. - In an unprecedented humanitarian mission, some 50 Airmen and three C-130 aircraft from the 193rd Special Operations Wing have departed in support of relief efforts in Haiti. The aircraft will be staged at locations outside the devastated area.
Two of the aircraft are cargo aircraft. The third, named Commando Solo, is an airborne radio and television station that will provide important information to the Haitian people.
"Our National Guard is honored to extend a helping hand to the people of Haiti. I am proud of these dedicated Airmen who are always ready to answer the call of duty, whether it is for combat missions or to aid those in need," said Maj. Gen. Jessica L. Wright, commander, Pennsylvania National Guard.
One of the aircraft departed late Thursday evening, the other two aircraft left Middletown, Pa., today.
The 193rd was called to serve in Haiti more than a decade ago. In 1994, Commando Solo was used to broadcast radio and television messages to the citizens and leaders of Haiti during Operation Uphold Democracy. This is, however, the first humanitarian mission of its type for the wing.
The duration of the mission is undetermined at this time.
Members of the 193rd recently returned home from a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Haiti Earthquake: "It's Chaos, I'm Telling You -- It's Real Chaos"
This post is courtesy of ARRL.org who wrote this piece.
On Tuesday, January 12 at 4:53 PM Haiti time (2153 UTC), a magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit 10 miles (15 kilometers) west of Port-au-Prince, the island nation's capital. Communications in and out of Haiti have been disrupted. The ARRL encourages US amateurs to be aware of the emergency operations on the following frequencies: 7.045 and 3.720 MHz (IARU Region 2 nets), 14.265, 7.265 and 3.977 MHz (SATERN nets), and 14.300 MHz (Intercontinental Assistance and Traffic Net); the International Radio Emergency Support Coalition (IRESC) is also active on EchoLink node 278173.
There was no firm estimate on how many people were killed by Tuesday's quake. Haitian President Rene Preval said the toll could be in the thousands: "Let's say that it's too early to give a number."
Tuesday's quake was felt in the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, and in Eastern Cuba, but no major damage was reported in either place. The January 13 edition of The Daily DX reported that the Rev John Henault, HH6JH, made contact late Wednesday morning with the Intercontinental Assistance and Traffic Net (IATN) on 14.300 MHz; this is the IARU Global Center of Activity frequency for emergency communications. He said that he was safe, but had no power and no phone service. He was operating on battery power and hoping to get a generator running later in the day. The edition also noted that Pierre Petry, HH2/HB9AMO -- who was in Cap Haitien (about 140 km north of Port-au-Prince) is safe; Petry is in Haiti working for the United Nations World Food Program.
On Wednesday afternoon, Fred Moore, W3ZU, assisted Jean-Robert Gaillard, HH2JR, with a phone patch to his friend Ariel in Miami. "It's bad, it literally is bad," Gaillard told Ariel. "We don't know how many people are dead. We do not know what to expect. It's chaos, I'm telling you -- it's real chaos. We are really in a disaster area. It's really a war zone. Many, many buildings in the downtown area are stripped from the ground with many people buried underneath them - you name it, it's bad." Gaillard, who lives in Port-au-Prince, was using his neighbor's generator to make the contact. "It's really chaotic. I've never been in a war, but this is what a war zone would be like. Dead bodies all over the place, dead bodies buried. All I can tell you is that I'm okay, my house is okay. We've had 30 aftershocks, the main one yesterday. We are expecting some more shocks, so I'm a bit nervous to be inside the house."
According to IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Chairman Jim Linton, VK3PC, members of the Radio Club Dominicano (RCD) -- the Dominican Republic's IARU Member-Society -- and Union Dominicana de Radio Aficionados (UDRA) are preparing to go to Port au Prince on the morning of Friday, January 15, where they will install HI8RCD/HH, an emergency radio communications station and a mobile station.
FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate advised that US assets should not self-deploy to affected areas. "Initial reports from Haiti in the wake of yesterday's earthquake are concerning and troubling," he said. "During times like these, the emergency response community always stands ready to assist those in need. The United States Department of State has the lead for foreign disaster assistance, and US assets should deploy only if tasked to do so by the State Department. The most urgent need that the response community can fulfill at this time is supporting ongoing disaster relief fund-raising efforts."
On Thursday, planes carrying teams from China and France, Spain and the United States landed at Port-au-Prince's airport with searchers and tons of water, food, medicine and other supplies -- with more promised from around the globe. US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said that "tens of thousands, we fear, are dead" and said United States and the world must do everything possible to help Haiti surmount its "cycle of hope and despair." The US Army said a detachment of more than 100 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division was heading out from Fort Bragg in North Carolina, looking for locations to set up tents and other essentials in preparation for the arrival of another 800 personnel on Friday. That's in addition to some 2200 Marines to be sent, as the military prepares to help with security, search and rescue missions and the delivery of humanitarian supplies. More than a half-dozen US military ships also are expected to help, with the largest, the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, arriving later Thursday.
Calls to emergency services weren't getting through because systems that connect different phone networks were still not working, said officials from a telecommunications provider in Haiti. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is deploying 40 satellite terminals and 60 units with broadband facility to re-establish basic communication links, along with experts to operate them. The ITU will also set up "a reliable, responsive and complete cellular system designed to enable vital wireless communications aimed at strengthening response and recovery mechanisms in a disaster zone," said ITU Emergency Communications Division Chief Cosmas Zavazava. The ITU has allocated a budget of more than $1 million US dollars to strengthen the disaster response effort in Haiti.
ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Touré, HB9EHT, expressed his solidarity with the people of Haiti and offered his condolences to the bereaved victims of the disaster. "The whole world is in shock following the devastation and untold misery caused by the earthquake in Haiti," Dr Touré said. "ITU will do everything possible to provide assistance to the people of Haiti by re-establishing telecommunication links which will be vital in the rescue and rehabilitation efforts in the days ahead."
"The scope of the disaster clearly shows that the response to this is going to be a long term effort," said ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP. "The ARRL has been in contact with communications leaders of the American Red Cross and Salvation Army, as well as other key Amateur Radio operators throughout the region. As teams from the hundreds of responding agencies worldwide are formed for deployment, many will have Amateur Radio components. ARRL is committed to providing communications aid to our served agencies and working with the international community in this time of crisis. At this time there are no known requests from agencies for amateurs to travel to Haiti, but this can change. If it develops that there are ARES® assignments for a deployment in Haiti, these will be vetted and processed through each Section's Section Emergency Coordinators."
The situation in Haiti is still chaotic. More information will be posted as soon as possible. Information is being validated and shared between many amateur groups and news sources as it unfolds.
On Tuesday, January 12 at 4:53 PM Haiti time (2153 UTC), a magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit 10 miles (15 kilometers) west of Port-au-Prince, the island nation's capital. Communications in and out of Haiti have been disrupted. The ARRL encourages US amateurs to be aware of the emergency operations on the following frequencies: 7.045 and 3.720 MHz (IARU Region 2 nets), 14.265, 7.265 and 3.977 MHz (SATERN nets), and 14.300 MHz (Intercontinental Assistance and Traffic Net); the International Radio Emergency Support Coalition (IRESC) is also active on EchoLink node 278173.
There was no firm estimate on how many people were killed by Tuesday's quake. Haitian President Rene Preval said the toll could be in the thousands: "Let's say that it's too early to give a number."
Tuesday's quake was felt in the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, and in Eastern Cuba, but no major damage was reported in either place. The January 13 edition of The Daily DX reported that the Rev John Henault, HH6JH, made contact late Wednesday morning with the Intercontinental Assistance and Traffic Net (IATN) on 14.300 MHz; this is the IARU Global Center of Activity frequency for emergency communications. He said that he was safe, but had no power and no phone service. He was operating on battery power and hoping to get a generator running later in the day. The edition also noted that Pierre Petry, HH2/HB9AMO -- who was in Cap Haitien (about 140 km north of Port-au-Prince) is safe; Petry is in Haiti working for the United Nations World Food Program.
On Wednesday afternoon, Fred Moore, W3ZU, assisted Jean-Robert Gaillard, HH2JR, with a phone patch to his friend Ariel in Miami. "It's bad, it literally is bad," Gaillard told Ariel. "We don't know how many people are dead. We do not know what to expect. It's chaos, I'm telling you -- it's real chaos. We are really in a disaster area. It's really a war zone. Many, many buildings in the downtown area are stripped from the ground with many people buried underneath them - you name it, it's bad." Gaillard, who lives in Port-au-Prince, was using his neighbor's generator to make the contact. "It's really chaotic. I've never been in a war, but this is what a war zone would be like. Dead bodies all over the place, dead bodies buried. All I can tell you is that I'm okay, my house is okay. We've had 30 aftershocks, the main one yesterday. We are expecting some more shocks, so I'm a bit nervous to be inside the house."
According to IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Chairman Jim Linton, VK3PC, members of the Radio Club Dominicano (RCD) -- the Dominican Republic's IARU Member-Society -- and Union Dominicana de Radio Aficionados (UDRA) are preparing to go to Port au Prince on the morning of Friday, January 15, where they will install HI8RCD/HH, an emergency radio communications station and a mobile station.
FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate advised that US assets should not self-deploy to affected areas. "Initial reports from Haiti in the wake of yesterday's earthquake are concerning and troubling," he said. "During times like these, the emergency response community always stands ready to assist those in need. The United States Department of State has the lead for foreign disaster assistance, and US assets should deploy only if tasked to do so by the State Department. The most urgent need that the response community can fulfill at this time is supporting ongoing disaster relief fund-raising efforts."
On Thursday, planes carrying teams from China and France, Spain and the United States landed at Port-au-Prince's airport with searchers and tons of water, food, medicine and other supplies -- with more promised from around the globe. US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said that "tens of thousands, we fear, are dead" and said United States and the world must do everything possible to help Haiti surmount its "cycle of hope and despair." The US Army said a detachment of more than 100 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division was heading out from Fort Bragg in North Carolina, looking for locations to set up tents and other essentials in preparation for the arrival of another 800 personnel on Friday. That's in addition to some 2200 Marines to be sent, as the military prepares to help with security, search and rescue missions and the delivery of humanitarian supplies. More than a half-dozen US military ships also are expected to help, with the largest, the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, arriving later Thursday.
Calls to emergency services weren't getting through because systems that connect different phone networks were still not working, said officials from a telecommunications provider in Haiti. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is deploying 40 satellite terminals and 60 units with broadband facility to re-establish basic communication links, along with experts to operate them. The ITU will also set up "a reliable, responsive and complete cellular system designed to enable vital wireless communications aimed at strengthening response and recovery mechanisms in a disaster zone," said ITU Emergency Communications Division Chief Cosmas Zavazava. The ITU has allocated a budget of more than $1 million US dollars to strengthen the disaster response effort in Haiti.
ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Touré, HB9EHT, expressed his solidarity with the people of Haiti and offered his condolences to the bereaved victims of the disaster. "The whole world is in shock following the devastation and untold misery caused by the earthquake in Haiti," Dr Touré said. "ITU will do everything possible to provide assistance to the people of Haiti by re-establishing telecommunication links which will be vital in the rescue and rehabilitation efforts in the days ahead."
"The scope of the disaster clearly shows that the response to this is going to be a long term effort," said ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP. "The ARRL has been in contact with communications leaders of the American Red Cross and Salvation Army, as well as other key Amateur Radio operators throughout the region. As teams from the hundreds of responding agencies worldwide are formed for deployment, many will have Amateur Radio components. ARRL is committed to providing communications aid to our served agencies and working with the international community in this time of crisis. At this time there are no known requests from agencies for amateurs to travel to Haiti, but this can change. If it develops that there are ARES® assignments for a deployment in Haiti, these will be vetted and processed through each Section's Section Emergency Coordinators."
The situation in Haiti is still chaotic. More information will be posted as soon as possible. Information is being validated and shared between many amateur groups and news sources as it unfolds.
Port au Prince Amateur Radio Activity Report de AI2C
Courtesy of Norm Styer - AI2C
It's 2222 hours local on Thursday, January 14, 2010. As far as I know, there was no or very little amateur radio voice traffic handled today on any of the nets that I monitored. The two or three local Haiti stations that we know of seem to be struggling and I'm sure they have no eclectic power. One station reportedly came up on 14.300 MHz this morning for a very short time on his 4th radio and powered on by a weak 12-volt battery; he was reportedly connected to family via a stateside phone patch. As time permits I listen to stateside nets calling into the affected area.
Today they backed off taking stateside check-ins since there is no listed traffic. Communications propagation conditions are not all that good and most of these nets are using several control stations to communicate throughout the States. I would expect these nets will eventually be able to handle "Heath and Welfare" type traffic between families and in support of some deployed support personnel; I would not expect "priority or higher" messages to find their way to these nets. In summary, no or very little amateur radio activity from the affected area heard to date.
A radio club from Dom Rep is preparing to go in and set up an emergency amateur radio station on Friday. This is summarized below and you should check their Internet site if you are interested in updates.
Following is information from http://aren. ie/news/ about a Dom Rep amateur radio team going to Haiti on January 15:
"RCD and URDA en route to Haiti
Victor Baez, HI8VB, Secretary of the Radio Club Dominicano (RCD) reports that the RCD with UDRA, Unión Dominicana de Radio Aficionados, are preparing to go to Port au Prince early morning of Friday January 15 to install an emergency radio Communications stastion, HI8RCD/HH, and a mobile station. Victor has a blog which hopefully he will update with more news from Haiti: www.hi8vb.tk "
Check their blog - Internet site at: http://www.hi8vb. tk/ USE BING TO TRANSLATE IT. I right click on my Windows 7 machine to get to the Bing Translate Tab.
I haven't found any amateur radio digital traffic nets but suspect this will be the best mode once things build out - particularly, automatic amateur radio digital forwarding message systems.
Amateur radio frequencies monitored here as time permits are:
14332.0 kHz - YL International SSB Communications System
14300.0 kHz - International Assistance & Traffic Net
14265.0 kHz - Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Net (SATERN)
7697.0 kHz - American Red Cross on USB (Not an amateur radio frequency)
7265.0 kHz - SATERN
7201.0 kHz - YL International SSB Communications System
7087.0 kHz - Reported to be used in the local affected area.
7045.0 kHz - IARU Region II - Emergency Net on LSB
3977.7 kHz - SATERN
3720. kHz - IARU Region II - Emergency Net on LSB
Norm Styer - AI2C
Canby - Clarkes Gap - Loudoun - Virginia
It's 2222 hours local on Thursday, January 14, 2010. As far as I know, there was no or very little amateur radio voice traffic handled today on any of the nets that I monitored. The two or three local Haiti stations that we know of seem to be struggling and I'm sure they have no eclectic power. One station reportedly came up on 14.300 MHz this morning for a very short time on his 4th radio and powered on by a weak 12-volt battery; he was reportedly connected to family via a stateside phone patch. As time permits I listen to stateside nets calling into the affected area.
Today they backed off taking stateside check-ins since there is no listed traffic. Communications propagation conditions are not all that good and most of these nets are using several control stations to communicate throughout the States. I would expect these nets will eventually be able to handle "Heath and Welfare" type traffic between families and in support of some deployed support personnel; I would not expect "priority or higher" messages to find their way to these nets. In summary, no or very little amateur radio activity from the affected area heard to date.
A radio club from Dom Rep is preparing to go in and set up an emergency amateur radio station on Friday. This is summarized below and you should check their Internet site if you are interested in updates.
Following is information from http://aren. ie/news/ about a Dom Rep amateur radio team going to Haiti on January 15:
"RCD and URDA en route to Haiti
Victor Baez, HI8VB, Secretary of the Radio Club Dominicano (RCD) reports that the RCD with UDRA, Unión Dominicana de Radio Aficionados, are preparing to go to Port au Prince early morning of Friday January 15 to install an emergency radio Communications stastion, HI8RCD/HH, and a mobile station. Victor has a blog which hopefully he will update with more news from Haiti: www.hi8vb.tk "
Check their blog - Internet site at: http://www.hi8vb. tk/ USE BING TO TRANSLATE IT. I right click on my Windows 7 machine to get to the Bing Translate Tab.
I haven't found any amateur radio digital traffic nets but suspect this will be the best mode once things build out - particularly, automatic amateur radio digital forwarding message systems.
Amateur radio frequencies monitored here as time permits are:
14332.0 kHz - YL International SSB Communications System
14300.0 kHz - International Assistance & Traffic Net
14265.0 kHz - Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Net (SATERN)
7697.0 kHz - American Red Cross on USB (Not an amateur radio frequency)
7265.0 kHz - SATERN
7201.0 kHz - YL International SSB Communications System
7087.0 kHz - Reported to be used in the local affected area.
7045.0 kHz - IARU Region II - Emergency Net on LSB
3977.7 kHz - SATERN
3720. kHz - IARU Region II - Emergency Net on LSB
Norm Styer - AI2C
Canby - Clarkes Gap - Loudoun - Virginia
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Haiti Ham Net Live Feed
From Mike, N4QLB via the Feld Held Club:
Just a note to let you know that I have been managing an internet feed of the SATERN (Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network) to allow Media outlets and others to monitor Ham Radio Traffic into and out of Haiti. CNN and many other media are monitoring via my link. We have had over 2500 listeners in the last 2 days from around the world. So, all my equipment is tied up with this endeavor. The lack of power and fuel for the few generators in Haiti has made contact slow but several operators are in route to Port Au Prince so the activity will pickup soon. I plan to keep the link up 24/7 for the duration of the recovery effort.
The Live feed is http://www.ustream.tv/channel/shackfeed. You can also follow announcements from my channel via twitter at www.twitter.com/n4qlb and the CNN Haiti News at www.twitter.com/cnnbrk/Haiti
Mike
N4QLB
Technical Manager FHC
Just a note to let you know that I have been managing an internet feed of the SATERN (Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network) to allow Media outlets and others to monitor Ham Radio Traffic into and out of Haiti. CNN and many other media are monitoring via my link. We have had over 2500 listeners in the last 2 days from around the world. So, all my equipment is tied up with this endeavor. The lack of power and fuel for the few generators in Haiti has made contact slow but several operators are in route to Port Au Prince so the activity will pickup soon. I plan to keep the link up 24/7 for the duration of the recovery effort.
The Live feed is http://www.ustream.tv/channel/shackfeed. You can also follow announcements from my channel via twitter at www.twitter.com/n4qlb and the CNN Haiti News at www.twitter.com/cnnbrk/Haiti
Mike
N4QLB
Technical Manager FHC
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Haiti: Streaming de Haiti 13 enero 2010 [Archivo adjunto 1]
Courtesy of Gayle Van Horn and the PlayDX2003:
[Más abajo se incluyen archivos adjuntos de Yimber Gaviria]
Hola Amigos,
Como sabran hoy en Haiti hubo un terremoto de magnitud de 7,0 en la escala de Richter, aunque en ese momento estaba descansando, me di cuenta al levantarme a la 1600z. Emprendi una busqueda del streaming de Haiti. En algunos casos positivos, otros con problemas. Bueno, quiero compartir con ustedes como me fue. Bajo la salvedad de que se mejore la conexion. o en su defecto, continue sin novedad. Algunas emisoras el audio era desde EE.UU (me imagino que eran las que se escuchaban) las que salia de Haiti tenian problemas
Muchos 73 de Yimber
...Esten pendientes de los enlaces
Radio Television Caraibes Ch. 22 /94.5 FM St
Caraibes FM http://caraibesfm.com/
Escuchar http://caraibesfm.com/caraibes3.asx
Siendo las 1623z con charlas en Frances, emitiendo noticias en frances de RFI
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Radio Métropole. http://www.metropolehaiti.com/
Escuchar http://www.metropolehaiti.com/metropole/live.php
Message: Suite au séisme, nous rencontrons actuellement un problème de liaison entre haïti et nos serveurs de streaming, nous travaillons à régler le problème.
Mensaje: Tras el terremoto, actualmente estamos experimentando un problema de vinculación entre Haití y nuestros servidores de streaming, trabajamos para resolver el problema
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Radio Soleil D´Haiti
The 24 hour Haitian Radio station in New York!
http://www.radiosoleil.com/radiosoleil.htm
Escuchar
http://www.streamaudio.com/Player/Player.aspx?Station=WRSH_IR&filename=&Optin=#
_con locutores en Creole
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Radio Lumiere - Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
http://winstreams.net/radiolumiere2.htm
Escuchar
mms://74.208.7.100/winstreams
Sin audio
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Signal Fm 90.5 Live from Haiti
http://www.signalfmhaiti.com/
Escuchar
http://www.signalfmhaiti.com/webplayer.html
http://www.server79.sitegenial.com/tunein.php/signalfmhaiti/playlist.asx
No dio audio
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Radyo Ginen Haiti
http://www.radyoginen.com/
Escuchar
mms://64.71.145.131/radioginen
No dio audio
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Radio 4VEH
http://radio4veh.org/
Desde 1950 al servicio del pueblo Haitiano.
Escuchar:
Atraves de este enlace se escucha sin problema
http://www.radio4veh.org/radio_plus/radio_4veh.html
En este otro enlace no quiso funcionar
http://www.barnabasroad.com/wfrn_dial-up-3.m3u
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Radio Leve Kanpe Haiti
100.3 FM en Hinche, Haiti
94.7 FM en New Jersey, USA
La Radio favorita de todos los Haitianos
http://www.radiolevekanpehaiti.com/index.php
Escuchar
http://www.sitegenial.com/player_radio_levekanpe_b/?stream.sitegenial.6408=true
http://server79.sitegenial.com/tunein.php/levekanpenj64/playlist.asx
No funciono el audio por ninguno de los dos enlaces.
[Más abajo se incluyen archivos adjuntos de Yimber Gaviria]
Hola Amigos,
Como sabran hoy en Haiti hubo un terremoto de magnitud de 7,0 en la escala de Richter, aunque en ese momento estaba descansando, me di cuenta al levantarme a la 1600z. Emprendi una busqueda del streaming de Haiti. En algunos casos positivos, otros con problemas. Bueno, quiero compartir con ustedes como me fue. Bajo la salvedad de que se mejore la conexion. o en su defecto, continue sin novedad. Algunas emisoras el audio era desde EE.UU (me imagino que eran las que se escuchaban) las que salia de Haiti tenian problemas
Muchos 73 de Yimber
...Esten pendientes de los enlaces
Radio Television Caraibes Ch. 22 /94.5 FM St
Caraibes FM http://caraibesfm.com/
Escuchar http://caraibesfm.com/caraibes3.asx
Siendo las 1623z con charlas en Frances, emitiendo noticias en frances de RFI
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Radio Métropole. http://www.metropolehaiti.com/
Escuchar http://www.metropolehaiti.com/metropole/live.php
Message: Suite au séisme, nous rencontrons actuellement un problème de liaison entre haïti et nos serveurs de streaming, nous travaillons à régler le problème.
Mensaje: Tras el terremoto, actualmente estamos experimentando un problema de vinculación entre Haití y nuestros servidores de streaming, trabajamos para resolver el problema
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Radio Soleil D´Haiti
The 24 hour Haitian Radio station in New York!
http://www.radiosoleil.com/radiosoleil.htm
Escuchar
http://www.streamaudio.com/Player/Player.aspx?Station=WRSH_IR&filename=&Optin=#
_con locutores en Creole
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Radio Lumiere - Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
http://winstreams.net/radiolumiere2.htm
Escuchar
mms://74.208.7.100/winstreams
Sin audio
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Signal Fm 90.5 Live from Haiti
http://www.signalfmhaiti.com/
Escuchar
http://www.signalfmhaiti.com/webplayer.html
http://www.server79.sitegenial.com/tunein.php/signalfmhaiti/playlist.asx
No dio audio
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Radyo Ginen Haiti
http://www.radyoginen.com/
Escuchar
mms://64.71.145.131/radioginen
No dio audio
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Radio 4VEH
http://radio4veh.org/
Desde 1950 al servicio del pueblo Haitiano.
Escuchar:
Atraves de este enlace se escucha sin problema
http://www.radio4veh.org/radio_plus/radio_4veh.html
En este otro enlace no quiso funcionar
http://www.barnabasroad.com/wfrn_dial-up-3.m3u
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Radio Leve Kanpe Haiti
100.3 FM en Hinche, Haiti
94.7 FM en New Jersey, USA
La Radio favorita de todos los Haitianos
http://www.radiolevekanpehaiti.com/index.php
Escuchar
http://www.sitegenial.com/player_radio_levekanpe_b/?stream.sitegenial.6408=true
http://server79.sitegenial.com/tunein.php/levekanpenj64/playlist.asx
No funciono el audio por ninguno de los dos enlaces.
COTHEN HF Net and Haiti Relief
I have received dozens of reports this afternoon that Haiti related traffic is being heard on the COTHEN Net. One of the major players on this net is the US Coast Guard. I have extensively covered this net in the pages of MT and on this blog for years. For a complete profile of this service check out a link to our profile at
http://monitor-post.blogspot.com/2007/08/cothen-panther-net-and-tiscom-ale.html
In brief here are the major freqs:
COTHEN Net
Freqs: 5732.0 7527.0 8912.0 10242.0 11494.0 13907.0 15867.0 18594.0 20890.0 23214.0 25350.0 kHz
Note - 11494 kHz is also a USDA frequency which accounts for occasional USDA/Fedcom traffic
10-16-08 - CAMSLANT was logged using ALE in comms with an HH-60 on 20662.0 kHz.
12-08 - Numerous COTHEN stations logged using ALE in comms on 5250.0 kHz.
1-09 - COTHEN activity logged on 6709.0 and 12222.0 kHz.
In order to get a better picture who is on the net, download one of the ALE decoding programs and you will get a lot more than just monitoring the comms straight. I highly recommend also scanning the freqs above for the best results.
More as it develops. Thanks to Bill Wilstrom and several others for the heads up.
http://monitor-post.blogspot.com/2007/08/cothen-panther-net-and-tiscom-ale.html
In brief here are the major freqs:
COTHEN Net
Freqs: 5732.0 7527.0 8912.0 10242.0 11494.0 13907.0 15867.0 18594.0 20890.0 23214.0 25350.0 kHz
Note - 11494 kHz is also a USDA frequency which accounts for occasional USDA/Fedcom traffic
10-16-08 - CAMSLANT was logged using ALE in comms with an HH-60 on 20662.0 kHz.
12-08 - Numerous COTHEN stations logged using ALE in comms on 5250.0 kHz.
1-09 - COTHEN activity logged on 6709.0 and 12222.0 kHz.
In order to get a better picture who is on the net, download one of the ALE decoding programs and you will get a lot more than just monitoring the comms straight. I highly recommend also scanning the freqs above for the best results.
More as it develops. Thanks to Bill Wilstrom and several others for the heads up.
CQ News: At least one Haitian Ham station active
From the CQ / WorldRadio Online Newsroom:
Some ham radio activity from Haiti is beginning to be heard, following yesterday's devastating earthquake.
Father John Henault, HH6JH, in Port-au-Prince, made contact late Wednesday morning with the Intercontinental Assistance and Traffic Net (IATN) on 14.300 MHz, the IARU Global Centre of Activity frequency for emergency communications. Based on relays monitored at W2VU, Father John reported that he and those with him were safe, but
had no power and no phone service. He was operating on battery power and hoping to get a generator running later in the day. He asked the station copying him, William Sturridge, KI4MMZ, in Flagler Beach, Florida, to telephone relatives with information that he was OK.
The following frequencies are in use for earthquake-related traffic and should be kept clear unless you are able to provide requested assistance: 14300 (IATN), 14265 (SATERN); 7045 (IARU Region II) and 3720 (IARU Region II) kHz. Additional frequencies may be activated on different bands at different times of day, so be sure to listen carefully before transmitting to make sure you are not interfering with emergency traffic.
We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.
-- The editors
Some ham radio activity from Haiti is beginning to be heard, following yesterday's devastating earthquake.
Father John Henault, HH6JH, in Port-au-Prince, made contact late Wednesday morning with the Intercontinental Assistance and Traffic Net (IATN) on 14.300 MHz, the IARU Global Centre of Activity frequency for emergency communications. Based on relays monitored at W2VU, Father John reported that he and those with him were safe, but
had no power and no phone service. He was operating on battery power and hoping to get a generator running later in the day. He asked the station copying him, William Sturridge, KI4MMZ, in Flagler Beach, Florida, to telephone relatives with information that he was OK.
The following frequencies are in use for earthquake-related traffic and should be kept clear unless you are able to provide requested assistance: 14300 (IATN), 14265 (SATERN); 7045 (IARU Region II) and 3720 (IARU Region II) kHz. Additional frequencies may be activated on different bands at different times of day, so be sure to listen carefully before transmitting to make sure you are not interfering with emergency traffic.
We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.
-- The editors
IARU Region 2 Requests Frequencies Be Kept Clear After Massive Earthquake Strikes Haiti
On Tuesday, January 12 at 4:53 PM Haiti time (2153 UTC), a magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit 10 miles (15 kilometers) west of Port-au-Prince, the island nation's capital. Communications in and out of Haiti have been disrupted. No word has been received as of yet from any of Haitian Amateur Radio operators. The ARRL encourages US amateurs to be aware of the emergency operations on the following frequencies: 7.045 and 3.720 MHz (IARU Region 2 nets), 14.265, 7.265 and 3.977 MHz (SATERN nets), and 14.300 MHz (Intercontinental Assistance and Traffic Net); the International Radio Emergency Support Coalition (IRESC) is also active on EchoLink node 278173.
IARU Region 2 Area C Emergency Coordinator, Arnie Coro, CO2KK, is coordinating a multi-national response by hams. There are organized nets on 7.045 and 3.720 MHz; amateurs are asked to monitor the frequencies, but to also keep them clear of non-essential traffic. Amateur Radio operators should also be aware that emergency traffic pertaining to the Haitian earthquake is expected on the SATERN frequencies of 14.265 MHz, 7.265 MHz and 3977 MHz, according to SATERN's leader, Major Pat McPherson. The Salvation Army is accepting health and welfare traffic requests on its Web site.
"As late as 9:45 PM local time (0245 UTC), we have not been able to contact any amateur or emergency services stations in Haiti," Coro said in an e-mail. "Amateurs from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Venezuela are monitoring the 40 meter band frequency. We are still keeping watch on 7.045 MHz, hoping that someone in Haiti may have access to a transceiver and at least a car battery to run it," but so far, no HH stations have checked in. Tuesday's quake was felt in the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, and in Eastern Cuba, but no major damage was reported in either place.
The January 13 edition of The Daily DX reported that the Rev John Henault, HH6JH, made contact late Wednesday morning with the Intercontinental Assistance and Traffic Net (IATN) on 14.300 MHz; this is the IARU Global Center of Activity frequency for emergency communications. He said that he was safe, but had no power and no phone service. He was operating on battery power and hoping to get a generator running later in the day. The edition also noted that Pierre Petry, HH2/HB9AMO -- who was in Cap Haitien (about 140 km north of Port-au-Prince) is "okay"; Petry is in Haiti working for the United Nations World Food Program. Later today, he will be traveling to the capital.
The UN's 9000 peacekeepers in Haiti -- many of whom are from Brazil -- were distracted from aid efforts by their own tragedy: Many spent the night hunting for survivors in the ruins of their headquarters. "It would appear that everyone who was in the building, including my friend Hedi Annabi, the United Nations' Secretary General's special envoy, and everyone with him and around him, are dead," French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Wednesday, speaking on French radio. UN peacekeeping chief Alain Le Roy would not confirm that Annabi was dead, but said he was among more than 100 people missing in the rubble of its headquarters. He said only about 10 people had been pulled out, many of them badly injured. Fewer than five bodies had been pulled from the rubble, he said. The United Nations said the capital's main airport was "fully operational" and that relief flights would begin on Wednesday, January 13.
The situation in Haiti is still chaotic. More information will be posted as soon as possible. Information is being validated and shared between many amateur groups and news sources as it unfolds.
IARU Region 2 Area C Emergency Coordinator, Arnie Coro, CO2KK, is coordinating a multi-national response by hams. There are organized nets on 7.045 and 3.720 MHz; amateurs are asked to monitor the frequencies, but to also keep them clear of non-essential traffic. Amateur Radio operators should also be aware that emergency traffic pertaining to the Haitian earthquake is expected on the SATERN frequencies of 14.265 MHz, 7.265 MHz and 3977 MHz, according to SATERN's leader, Major Pat McPherson. The Salvation Army is accepting health and welfare traffic requests on its Web site.
"As late as 9:45 PM local time (0245 UTC), we have not been able to contact any amateur or emergency services stations in Haiti," Coro said in an e-mail. "Amateurs from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Venezuela are monitoring the 40 meter band frequency. We are still keeping watch on 7.045 MHz, hoping that someone in Haiti may have access to a transceiver and at least a car battery to run it," but so far, no HH stations have checked in. Tuesday's quake was felt in the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, and in Eastern Cuba, but no major damage was reported in either place.
The January 13 edition of The Daily DX reported that the Rev John Henault, HH6JH, made contact late Wednesday morning with the Intercontinental Assistance and Traffic Net (IATN) on 14.300 MHz; this is the IARU Global Center of Activity frequency for emergency communications. He said that he was safe, but had no power and no phone service. He was operating on battery power and hoping to get a generator running later in the day. The edition also noted that Pierre Petry, HH2/HB9AMO -- who was in Cap Haitien (about 140 km north of Port-au-Prince) is "okay"; Petry is in Haiti working for the United Nations World Food Program. Later today, he will be traveling to the capital.
The UN's 9000 peacekeepers in Haiti -- many of whom are from Brazil -- were distracted from aid efforts by their own tragedy: Many spent the night hunting for survivors in the ruins of their headquarters. "It would appear that everyone who was in the building, including my friend Hedi Annabi, the United Nations' Secretary General's special envoy, and everyone with him and around him, are dead," French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Wednesday, speaking on French radio. UN peacekeeping chief Alain Le Roy would not confirm that Annabi was dead, but said he was among more than 100 people missing in the rubble of its headquarters. He said only about 10 people had been pulled out, many of them badly injured. Fewer than five bodies had been pulled from the rubble, he said. The United Nations said the capital's main airport was "fully operational" and that relief flights would begin on Wednesday, January 13.
The situation in Haiti is still chaotic. More information will be posted as soon as possible. Information is being validated and shared between many amateur groups and news sources as it unfolds.
7045 kHz Haiti Ham Net feed on Teamspeak 2 Server
Our good friend Mark Knowlton is sending an audio feed of the 7045.0 kHz ham net supporting the Haiti disaster relief on the Teamspeak 2 server. His server IP is 206.40.113.111. Thanks Mark for sharing that with us via the UDXF newsgroup.
WJCC-1700 Miami Florida OTA for Haiti Disaster?
Presumed WJCC-1700 Miami 0625 EST with Creole teletalk, no doubt on full 10kw day power and discussing the situation in Haiti following yesterday's massive earthquake.
Courtesy of Marc DeLorenzo, South Dennis, Cape Cod, Massachusetts and the NRC DX-tip newsgroup.
Courtesy of Marc DeLorenzo, South Dennis, Cape Cod, Massachusetts and the NRC DX-tip newsgroup.
ALE High Frequency Network Alert: Haiti Earthquake EMCOMM
Global ALE High Frequency Network (HFN) is now on ALERT for Haiti earthquake Emergency / Disaster Relief Communications (EMCOMM)
====HFLINK SPECIAL BULLETIN==== 13 JAN 2010
Alert: Haiti Earthquake EMCOMM
HFN Pilot Stations are active and ready 24/7 for ALE calling, relay, and internet messages.
All operators are encouraged to participate in the ALE Comm Centre live operator chat room http://hflink.net and activate ALE radios on the ALE channels:
HFN net (text/internet/sounding/calling)
3596.0 USB
7102.0 USB
10145.5 USB
14109.0 USB
18106.0 USB
21096.0 USB
24926.0 USB
28146.0 USB
HFL net (emcomm/voice/calling)
3791.0 USB
7185.5 USB
14346.0 USB
18117.5 USB
21437.5 USB
24932.0 USB
28312.5 USB
===========================
END OF BULLETIN
===========================
Bonnie Crystal, KQ6XA
International Emcomm Coordinator - Global ALE High Frequency Network http://hflink.net/
====HFLINK SPECIAL BULLETIN==== 13 JAN 2010
Alert: Haiti Earthquake EMCOMM
HFN Pilot Stations are active and ready 24/7 for ALE calling, relay, and internet messages.
All operators are encouraged to participate in the ALE Comm Centre live operator chat room http://hflink.net and activate ALE radios on the ALE channels:
HFN net (text/internet/sounding/calling)
3596.0 USB
7102.0 USB
10145.5 USB
14109.0 USB
18106.0 USB
21096.0 USB
24926.0 USB
28146.0 USB
HFL net (emcomm/voice/calling)
3791.0 USB
7185.5 USB
14346.0 USB
18117.5 USB
21437.5 USB
24932.0 USB
28312.5 USB
===========================
END OF BULLETIN
===========================
Bonnie Crystal, KQ6XA
International Emcomm Coordinator - Global ALE High Frequency Network http://hflink.net/
Earthquake Net Frequencies - 7045,3720 kHz - Please keep clear
From the CQ / WorldRadio Online Newsroom:
All radio amateurs are requested to keep 7045 kHz and 3720 kHz clear for possible emergency traffic related to today's major earthquake in Haiti.
International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region II Area C Emergency Coordinator Arnie Coro, CO2KK, reports that as of 0245 UTC on January 13, nothing had been heard from radio amateurs in Haiti, but that the above frequencies were being kept active in case any Haitian hams manage to get on the air, and in case of other related events in surrounding areas, including aftershocks and a possible tsunami.
The following is from an e-mail from CO2KK:
A few minutes after the earthquake was felt in eastern Cuba's cities, the Cuban Federation of Radio Amateurs Emergency Net was activated, with net control stations CO8WM and CO8RP located in the city of Santiago de Cuba, and in permanent contact with the National Seismology Center of Cuba located in that city.
Stations in the city of Baracoa, in Guantanamo province, were also activated immediately as the earth movements were felt even stronger there, due to its proximity to Haiti. CO8AZ and CO8AW went on the air immediately , with CM8WAL following. At the early phase of the emergency, the population of the city of Baracoa was evacuated far away from the coast, as there was a primary alert of a possible tsunami event or of a heavy wave trains sequence impacting the coast line at the city's sea wall ...
Baracoa could not contact Santiago de Cuba stations on 40 meters due to long skip after 5 PM local time, so several stations in western Cuba and one in the US State of Florida provided relays. CO2KK, as IARU Region II Area C Emergency Coordinator, helped to organize the nets, on 7045 kHz and also on 3720 kHz, while local nets in Santiago de Cuba and Baracoa operated on 2 meters.
As late as 9,45 PM local time 0245 UTC we have not been able to contact any amateur or emergency services stations in Haiti.
Amateurs from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Venezuela were monitoring the 40 meter band frequency, that I notified to the IARU Region II executive Ramon Santoyo XE1KK as in use for the emergency, requesting that 7045 kHz be kept as clear as possible ...
We are still keeping watch on 7045 kHz hoping that someone in Haiti may have access to a transceiver and at least a car battery to run it.
All information that has so far come from the Cuban seismologists tell us of a very intense earthquake, and also of the possibility of other events following.
Following the advice of the geophysicists, we are keeping the 7045 and 3720 kiloHertz frequencies active until further notice.
------------------
The editors of CQ and WorldRadio will keep these lists updated with additional information as circumstances warrant.
All radio amateurs are requested to keep 7045 kHz and 3720 kHz clear for possible emergency traffic related to today's major earthquake in Haiti.
International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region II Area C Emergency Coordinator Arnie Coro, CO2KK, reports that as of 0245 UTC on January 13, nothing had been heard from radio amateurs in Haiti, but that the above frequencies were being kept active in case any Haitian hams manage to get on the air, and in case of other related events in surrounding areas, including aftershocks and a possible tsunami.
The following is from an e-mail from CO2KK:
A few minutes after the earthquake was felt in eastern Cuba's cities, the Cuban Federation of Radio Amateurs Emergency Net was activated, with net control stations CO8WM and CO8RP located in the city of Santiago de Cuba, and in permanent contact with the National Seismology Center of Cuba located in that city.
Stations in the city of Baracoa, in Guantanamo province, were also activated immediately as the earth movements were felt even stronger there, due to its proximity to Haiti. CO8AZ and CO8AW went on the air immediately , with CM8WAL following. At the early phase of the emergency, the population of the city of Baracoa was evacuated far away from the coast, as there was a primary alert of a possible tsunami event or of a heavy wave trains sequence impacting the coast line at the city's sea wall ...
Baracoa could not contact Santiago de Cuba stations on 40 meters due to long skip after 5 PM local time, so several stations in western Cuba and one in the US State of Florida provided relays. CO2KK, as IARU Region II Area C Emergency Coordinator, helped to organize the nets, on 7045 kHz and also on 3720 kHz, while local nets in Santiago de Cuba and Baracoa operated on 2 meters.
As late as 9,45 PM local time 0245 UTC we have not been able to contact any amateur or emergency services stations in Haiti.
Amateurs from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Venezuela were monitoring the 40 meter band frequency, that I notified to the IARU Region II executive Ramon Santoyo XE1KK as in use for the emergency, requesting that 7045 kHz be kept as clear as possible ...
We are still keeping watch on 7045 kHz hoping that someone in Haiti may have access to a transceiver and at least a car battery to run it.
All information that has so far come from the Cuban seismologists tell us of a very intense earthquake, and also of the possibility of other events following.
Following the advice of the geophysicists, we are keeping the 7045 and 3720 kiloHertz frequencies active until further notice.
------------------
The editors of CQ and WorldRadio will keep these lists updated with additional information as circumstances warrant.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Coast Guard announces decision to end LORAN-C
By Susan Schept - Navy Times Staff writer
The Coast Guard officially published its decision last Thursday to discontinue its radio navigation tool, known as LORAN-C, after 66 years of operation.
The decision to decommission the Long Range Aids to Navigation program was published in the Federal Register. The Coast Guard will begin shutting off the North American signal Feb. 8 and finish the process by Oct. 1. The Coast Guard operates 24 LORAN-C stations.
You can read the rest of the copyrighted story at http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/01/coastguard_LORAN_010710w/
The Coast Guard officially published its decision last Thursday to discontinue its radio navigation tool, known as LORAN-C, after 66 years of operation.
The decision to decommission the Long Range Aids to Navigation program was published in the Federal Register. The Coast Guard will begin shutting off the North American signal Feb. 8 and finish the process by Oct. 1. The Coast Guard operates 24 LORAN-C stations.
You can read the rest of the copyrighted story at http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/01/coastguard_LORAN_010710w/
Friday, January 08, 2010
GRE unveils their iScan scanner under their own label
Radio Shack Pro-107 iScanGRE has unveiled their new PRS-700 ez at the CES show in Las Vegas. According to several folks who have seen it at the show it appears to be a repackaged Radio Shack Pro-107 iScan. That is the iPod looking radio that GRE made for Radio Shack.
It will be interesting to see how the 700 compares to the 107.
We (MT) are suppose that have one in hand shortly and I will be able to speak more about it very soon.
Larry aka Jefe
MT Review Editor
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monitoring Times Square on New Years Eve
One of the more interesting activities that you can do is listen to a major event on a scanner. The big event tonight is the ball drop in Times Square in NYC. Obviously we can't listen to that activity unless we live in NYC, or can we?
My good friend Phil on the W2LIE.net will be streaming some stuff for us to listen to on our computers or on our iPod Touch/iPhones. From Phil:
No, I will not be streaming PD.. I will be streaming some other interesting activity from Times Square..And it is as follows::
Due to last year's feedback, and that requests are already coming in for this year, I'm pleased to announce that a new W2LIE.net tradition has been born. "Listen to the Ball Drop - From Behind the scenes" returns for another year, and will continue to do so each and every year!
That's right - Listen to Dick Clark's Rock'in New Years from the Director's Chair.
True, you won't be hearing it "as it happens" due to streaming delays - but the sync should be close enough with Satellite delays for you to enjoy hearing the action while watching the live event! The feed will start mid-day, and run well past midnight.
There was plenty of action on the feed after the sun went down. Camera crews and the director were hunting for "filler shots" to record and use during the live broadcast of the night's events.
This is not a "Public Safety" type of feed. Feedback is always welcome. Catch the feed on my "/special" stream.
73 and Happy New Years
Phil - w2lie
http://www.w2lie.net
Long Island Live Scanner Feeds and Forums.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Hmm… Israel Calls ALL Ambassadors Home For Special Meeting in Jerusalem
For the first time ever, Israel has called ALL of its ambassadors and consuls home for meetings this week in Jerusalem. The meetings opened Sunday December 27.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Liberman, will host a conference next week (27-31 December) for Israeli Heads of Missions. At the conference, Israel’s ambassadors and consuls general serving throughout the world will discuss broad diplomatic and strategic issues.
This is the first time a conference for all of Israel’s Heads of Missions has been held. The idea is to facilitate direct dialogue with the country’s leaders, mutual updates on major diplomatic issues, and a discussion of action plans to deal with the challenges awaiting the State of Israel in the international arena in the coming year, including the Iranian threat.
Israel recalls all ambassadors. Probably nothing, but I wouldn’t buy real estate in Tehran anytime soon.
Time to keep a closer watch on Enigma E10 and Israeli AF HF freqs. Those freqs have been posted on this blog at http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2009/10/exercise-juniper-cobra-2009-oct-12-16.html and http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2006/08/monitoring-middle-east-tinder-box-8-1.html.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Liberman, will host a conference next week (27-31 December) for Israeli Heads of Missions. At the conference, Israel’s ambassadors and consuls general serving throughout the world will discuss broad diplomatic and strategic issues.
This is the first time a conference for all of Israel’s Heads of Missions has been held. The idea is to facilitate direct dialogue with the country’s leaders, mutual updates on major diplomatic issues, and a discussion of action plans to deal with the challenges awaiting the State of Israel in the international arena in the coming year, including the Iranian threat.
Israel recalls all ambassadors. Probably nothing, but I wouldn’t buy real estate in Tehran anytime soon.
Time to keep a closer watch on Enigma E10 and Israeli AF HF freqs. Those freqs have been posted on this blog at http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2009/10/exercise-juniper-cobra-2009-oct-12-16.html and http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2006/08/monitoring-middle-east-tinder-box-8-1.html.
Friday, December 04, 2009
7th Annual Antarctic Activity Week in February
The 7th Annual Antarctic Activity Week, the International event to celebrate Antarctica will be held from February 22-28, 2010. You can get additional details including stations that plan on operating during the event at http://www.waponline.it/Default.aspx?tabid=113
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Yet Another New Solar Cycle 24 Sunspot Group
Posted Sunday November 15, 2009 at http://www.wcflunatall.com/nz4o4.htm
Yesterday yet another solar cycle 24 sunspot group emerged, this time in the NE quadrant of the Sun near N29E35. As of yet it has not received a number by SIDC Belgium or NOAA/SWPC. If numbered by NOAA/SWPC it would receive #11031.
This new sunspot group pushed the solar flux index (SFI) to 75.9 yesterday and could push the SFI above 80 in coming days. This would raise the maximum usable frequency (MUF) of the F layer high enough to improve propagation conditions on 20, 17 and 15 meters.
Under the very old method of counting sunspots SIDC Belgium gave the sunspot group a number of 11. But in reality only one simple sunspot actually emerged.
The solar cycle 24 sunspot group that emerged on Friday November 13, 2009 that received SIDC Belgium Catania #25 and located in the SW quadrant of the Sun has faded, with it's remnant Plage currently setting around the west limb of the Sun. It did not receive #11031 by NOAA/SWPC.
Also yesterday old solar cycle 24 sunspot group #11029 rose above the east limb of the Sun but is only a large Plage with no sunspots. Last month #11029 made it's debut as the largest and most active sunspot group in fledgling solar cycle 24.
73 & GUD DX,
Thomas F. Giella, NZ4O
Lakeland, FL, USA
nz4o@arrl.net
eList Owner/Moderator
COL LF/MF/HF/VHF/UHF Frequency Radiowave Propagation Email Reflector:
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/spaceweather
NZ4O Daily Solar Space Weather & Geomagnetic Data Archive:
http://www.wcflunatall.com/nz4o1.htm
NZ4O Solar Space Weather & Geomagnetic Data In Graphic & Image Format:
http://www.wcflunatall.com/nz4o2.htm
NZ4O Daily LF/MF/HF/6M Frequency Radiowave Propagation Forecast & Archive:
http://www.wcflunatall.com/nz4o3.htm
NZ4O Solar Cycle 24 Forecast Discussion & Archive:
http://www.wcflunatall.com/nz4o4.htm
NZ4O 160 Meter Radio Propagation Theory Notes:
http://www.wcflunatall.com/nz4o5.htm
NZ4O Solar Space Weather & Geomagnetic Raw Forecast Data Links:
http://www.wcflunatall.com/nz4o6.htm
Florida & U.S. Raw Weather Forecasting Resource Links:
http://www.wcflunatall.com/kn4lf13.htm
Yesterday yet another solar cycle 24 sunspot group emerged, this time in the NE quadrant of the Sun near N29E35. As of yet it has not received a number by SIDC Belgium or NOAA/SWPC. If numbered by NOAA/SWPC it would receive #11031.
This new sunspot group pushed the solar flux index (SFI) to 75.9 yesterday and could push the SFI above 80 in coming days. This would raise the maximum usable frequency (MUF) of the F layer high enough to improve propagation conditions on 20, 17 and 15 meters.
Under the very old method of counting sunspots SIDC Belgium gave the sunspot group a number of 11. But in reality only one simple sunspot actually emerged.
The solar cycle 24 sunspot group that emerged on Friday November 13, 2009 that received SIDC Belgium Catania #25 and located in the SW quadrant of the Sun has faded, with it's remnant Plage currently setting around the west limb of the Sun. It did not receive #11031 by NOAA/SWPC.
Also yesterday old solar cycle 24 sunspot group #11029 rose above the east limb of the Sun but is only a large Plage with no sunspots. Last month #11029 made it's debut as the largest and most active sunspot group in fledgling solar cycle 24.
73 & GUD DX,
Thomas F. Giella, NZ4O
Lakeland, FL, USA
nz4o@arrl.net
eList Owner/Moderator
COL LF/MF/HF/VHF/UHF Frequency Radiowave Propagation Email Reflector:
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/spaceweather
NZ4O Daily Solar Space Weather & Geomagnetic Data Archive:
http://www.wcflunatall.com/nz4o1.htm
NZ4O Solar Space Weather & Geomagnetic Data In Graphic & Image Format:
http://www.wcflunatall.com/nz4o2.htm
NZ4O Daily LF/MF/HF/6M Frequency Radiowave Propagation Forecast & Archive:
http://www.wcflunatall.com/nz4o3.htm
NZ4O Solar Cycle 24 Forecast Discussion & Archive:
http://www.wcflunatall.com/nz4o4.htm
NZ4O 160 Meter Radio Propagation Theory Notes:
http://www.wcflunatall.com/nz4o5.htm
NZ4O Solar Space Weather & Geomagnetic Raw Forecast Data Links:
http://www.wcflunatall.com/nz4o6.htm
Florida & U.S. Raw Weather Forecasting Resource Links:
http://www.wcflunatall.com/kn4lf13.htm
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Exercise Vigilant Guard in NY State Starts Nov 1
For milcom monitors in the Empire State -- Vigilant Guard will begin November 1!
Vigilant Guard is an annual joint civilian and military response exercise which allows civilian and military first-responders to practice life-saving skills.
The scenario this year is a national earthquake and the week-long exercise will be held at the Spaulding Fiber Plant in Tonawanda, NY November 1-6.
It gets a bit hectic, so it will not be open directly to the public but civilian media are invited and encouraged to come.
More details at http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/blog/journal.php?journal=1254502561
Vigilant Guard is an annual joint civilian and military response exercise which allows civilian and military first-responders to practice life-saving skills.
The scenario this year is a national earthquake and the week-long exercise will be held at the Spaulding Fiber Plant in Tonawanda, NY November 1-6.
It gets a bit hectic, so it will not be open directly to the public but civilian media are invited and encouraged to come.
More details at http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/blog/journal.php?journal=1254502561
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
10.7-cm flux - highest yet in current Sunspot Cycle 24
It just keeps getting better! During the CQ WW Contest weekend, the solar flux climbed into the upper 70's. But, as this week unfolds, the flux climbs, with a current flux of 81! This is the highest recording yet since the first observed "new cycle sunspot" in January 2008, the "official" visual start of Sunspot Cycle 24. (We'll see where the statistical averaged solar minimum actually occurs).
Speaking of... the monthly observed smoothed count of zero, recorded in August, does not make that the statistical lowest point in the moving average, because the months prior, and the months since, have higher numbers. And, these numbers, except for August, are all increasing, each month. The current sunspot activity is further confirmation that this cycle is, albeit slow, alive and increasing in activity.
DX was great over the weekend. Even 15 meters was hot with activity. This week is one to enjoy - the CME and Flare activity continues to be low to at most moderate, leaving the geomagnetic field mostly stable. This results in fairly normal (non-depressed) ionospheric conditions.
Please feel free to post your observations of conditions on HF, this week. It would be very enlightening to hear how conditions really are, in your location. Please post your grid square / location, along with the report of working conditions and results of your activity.
This is an exciting start to the Autumn DX season!
--
73 de NW7US, Tomas David Hood - Bitterroot Valley of Montana
Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist : http://tomasdavidhood.com
Contributing editor: CQ Magazine, CQ VHF, Popular Communications, Monitoring Times magazine
Pentagon Radio Volunteers Move to New Office
Gary Sessums, left, Navy Capt. Rick Low and John Grimes discuss communications capabilities at the new Military Affiliate Radio System office in the Pentagon, Oct. 21, 2009. DoD photo by Sally SobseyBy Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON - A military institution designed to provide emergency communications has moved to new quarters in the Pentagon.
John G. Grimes, the former assistant secretary of defense for networks and information integration, cut the ribbon on the new Military Affiliate Radio System (AAN3PNT-LVH) office on the fifth floor of the Pentagon on October 21.
The facility is packed with shortwave radios, radio-telephone patches, computers and data links. It is manned by the Pentagon Amateur Radio Club. "This is a great facility, manned totally by volunteers," Grimes said. "It's a crucial capability for our country."
The system - known by the acronym MARS - began in the early 1950s. It was a worldwide network of shortwave radio enthusiasts who would spring into action in the event of a nuclear war or natural disaster. Thousands of civilian and military ham radio volunteers manned the system.
"In the years before the Internet, deployed servicemembers kept in touch with families and friends using MARS," said Gary Sessums, a contractor in the Pentagon and one of the stalwarts of the radio club.
From the Korean War to the Gulf War, soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines used "Marsgrams" to keep in touch. Ham radio operators called these "health and welfare" messages.
The shortwave broadcasts have been superseded by the Internet, and servicemembers in many parts of the U.S. Central Command area can use cell phones and voice over Internet protocol to speak with those back home. Still, in the event of an emergency, high-frequency communication is generally the first to recover, and even the most modern technology can get overloaded.
Allan Hubbert, a volunteer in the Pentagon, noted communication problems during President Barack Obama's Jan. 20 inauguration as an example. "During the inauguration, there were so many people on cell phones that it overloaded the system," he said. "We could still operate, and helped back up the system down on the [National] Mall."
More than 60 volunteers help to man the Pentagon node of the system. They will turn out in force to help with communications for the Marine Corps Marathon, which will be held in the area this weekend. "In that case, we can help act as a bridge between the military and various local and regional agencies," said Navy Capt. Rich Low.
With more than 6,000 volunteers worldwide, the system now also backs up the Department of Homeland Security. "There have been many crises or disasters that have struck where the first word out of an area is via [shortwave radio], and someone has their little gas generator going," Grimes said. "That's not likely to change any time soon."
You can learn more about this new Pentagon Radio Station (Amateur and MARS) on the PARC website at http://www.k4af.org/.
A volunteer mans his radio at the new Military Affiliate Radio System in the Pentagon, Oct. 21, 2009. DoD photo by Sally Sobsey
Monday, October 26, 2009
Best Solar Prop Shop on the Net
If you are looking for the latest and greatest propagation and solar information I highly recommend the Solarcycle24.com website. VE3EN has put together some of the best web solar and propagation information sources onto one webpage for use by the radio hobby community.
If you are involved in the radio hobby and are advanced enough to know, use and understand how propagation works, then this site is a must visit and bookmark. I use it everyday. Go to http://www.solarcycle24.com/.
Global Tuner Node Operator Lost in Ham Aircraft Crash
Just an additional note to our earlier story on this blog regarding the four hams who passed away in the South Carolina plane crash enroute C6APR and the CQWW contest operation (4 Hams En Route to Contest Station Killed inPlane Crash
Randy Hargenrader, K4QO, was the operator of the Charleston SC receiver nodes on the popular Global Tuners (http://www.globaltuners.com/) website. He was one of the four hams who died last week in that tragic private aircraft crash. They were going to their ham radio contest station C6APR in the Bahamas with 3 other hams. His plane, a twin-engine, six-seat Piper Aztec — burst into flames after it crashed into a densely-wooded area shortly after taking off from Runway 24 in Dorchester County SC.
Randy Hargenrader, K4QO, was the operator of the Charleston SC receiver nodes on the popular Global Tuners (http://www.globaltuners.com/) website. He was one of the four hams who died last week in that tragic private aircraft crash. They were going to their ham radio contest station C6APR in the Bahamas with 3 other hams. His plane, a twin-engine, six-seat Piper Aztec — burst into flames after it crashed into a densely-wooded area shortly after taking off from Runway 24 in Dorchester County SC.
Veterans Day Special Event Station K0V
The Emporia Amateur Radio Society will be on the air with a special event station on November 7th and on Veterans Day, November 11, to honor our Veterans. We will be using the special event callsign KØV, and the station will be located adjacent to the Emporia All Veterans Memorial. You can get more information at:
http://www.qsl.net/emporiaars/Veterans%20Day%20Special%20Event%20Station.html
Friday, October 23, 2009
VK9 Callsign Changes
VK9 C, L, M, N, W & X deleted from DX equation
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has decided to discontinue the use of a VK9 callsign suffix letter to denote each of the six Australian external territories, each a DX entity.
The long-standing prefixes included VK9C for Cocos (Keeling) Island, VK9L Lord Howe Island, VK9M Mellish Reef, VK9N Norfolk Island, VK9W Willis Island and VK9X Christmas Island.
The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA), under its role of providing ham radio licence examinations and issuing amateur certificates of proficiency, also recommends each and every amateur radio callsign issued by the ACMA.
On taking on new roles earlier this year it began to query the practices in relation to VK9 callsigns, then consulted the amateur radio community and came to the view that it could not support having a suffix letter as a geographic identifier in VK9 callsigns.
The ACMA itself has not stuck with the VK9 callsign tradition over the years when issuing licences and some DXers requested a callsign contrary to the historic or DXCC list suffix block.
VK9Y has also been used for Cocos and VK9Z for Mellish, and often, particularly recently, if a VK9 callsign was requested it would be issued.
The ACMA having not rigidly applied its own VK9 callsign policy, and wanting to eliminate where-ever possible administrative tasks related to the amateur radio service, decided that the historic VK9 callsigns are a thing of the past.
From 1 November, callsigns for the VK9 DX entities will fall in line with the practice for issuing callsigns for all other VK call areas, with the suffix only to denoting the class of licence issued - Advanced, Standard or Foundation.
Licences with a VK9 callsign issued to visiting overseas radio amateurs will only be for a short-term if requested or for a maximum 12 months period, and not be automatically renewed.
A VK ham or visiting radio amateur does not necessarily require a VK9 callsign, although most do for DXing, contesting or QSLing purposes.
Under the provisions of the Amateur Licence Conditions Determination, portable operation is permitted with a radio amateur using their home callsign /VK9 and stating their location.
Jim Linton VK3PC
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has decided to discontinue the use of a VK9 callsign suffix letter to denote each of the six Australian external territories, each a DX entity.
The long-standing prefixes included VK9C for Cocos (Keeling) Island, VK9L Lord Howe Island, VK9M Mellish Reef, VK9N Norfolk Island, VK9W Willis Island and VK9X Christmas Island.
The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA), under its role of providing ham radio licence examinations and issuing amateur certificates of proficiency, also recommends each and every amateur radio callsign issued by the ACMA.
On taking on new roles earlier this year it began to query the practices in relation to VK9 callsigns, then consulted the amateur radio community and came to the view that it could not support having a suffix letter as a geographic identifier in VK9 callsigns.
The ACMA itself has not stuck with the VK9 callsign tradition over the years when issuing licences and some DXers requested a callsign contrary to the historic or DXCC list suffix block.
VK9Y has also been used for Cocos and VK9Z for Mellish, and often, particularly recently, if a VK9 callsign was requested it would be issued.
The ACMA having not rigidly applied its own VK9 callsign policy, and wanting to eliminate where-ever possible administrative tasks related to the amateur radio service, decided that the historic VK9 callsigns are a thing of the past.
From 1 November, callsigns for the VK9 DX entities will fall in line with the practice for issuing callsigns for all other VK call areas, with the suffix only to denoting the class of licence issued - Advanced, Standard or Foundation.
Licences with a VK9 callsign issued to visiting overseas radio amateurs will only be for a short-term if requested or for a maximum 12 months period, and not be automatically renewed.
A VK ham or visiting radio amateur does not necessarily require a VK9 callsign, although most do for DXing, contesting or QSLing purposes.
Under the provisions of the Amateur Licence Conditions Determination, portable operation is permitted with a radio amateur using their home callsign /VK9 and stating their location.
Jim Linton VK3PC
Thursday, October 22, 2009
4 Hams En Route to Contest Station Killed inPlane Crash
Tragic late breaking news from the CQ/WorldRadio Online Newsroom...
Four well-known contesters en route to operate the CQ World Wide DX Contest this weekend from Bahamas were killed yesterday when their plane crashed shortly after takeoff from South Carolina. The four, all regular operators of the C6APR contest station, were identified as Peter Radding, W2GJ/C6APR, the pilot; and passengers Ed Steeble, K3IXD/C6AXD; Randy Hargenrader, K4QO/C6AQO, and Dallas Carter, W3PP.
According to the local Summerville Journal Scene newspaper, the plane crashed 250 yards east of the runway at Summerville Airport in Jedburg, South Carolina. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined, but Radding was a very experienced pilot. County Coroner Chris Nesbit told the newspaper that it appears the four were killed by the severity of the crash itself rather than the fire that followed. Autopsies are scheduled for today.
CQ WW Contest Director Bob Cox, K3EST, called the crash, "a real tragedy," adding that "devoted hams and contesters were lost." The C6APR team was featured in the cover story of April's WorldRadio Online, and Steeble wrote an article in the April, 2007 issue of CQ about his experiences as QSL manager for C6APR and for a special Islands on the Air expedition, W2GJ/C6A, in 2006. As of this morning, comments from hams around the world had been posted on the Journal Scene's website.
Additional details on this story available on the ARRL website at
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/10/21/11157/?nc=1
This is a tremendous loss to the amateur radio community and our heartfelt prayers and condolences go out to Peter, Ed, Randy and Dallas' families who were lost in the crash.
Four well-known contesters en route to operate the CQ World Wide DX Contest this weekend from Bahamas were killed yesterday when their plane crashed shortly after takeoff from South Carolina. The four, all regular operators of the C6APR contest station, were identified as Peter Radding, W2GJ/C6APR, the pilot; and passengers Ed Steeble, K3IXD/C6AXD; Randy Hargenrader, K4QO/C6AQO, and Dallas Carter, W3PP.
According to the local Summerville Journal Scene newspaper, the plane crashed 250 yards east of the runway at Summerville Airport in Jedburg, South Carolina. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined, but Radding was a very experienced pilot. County Coroner Chris Nesbit told the newspaper that it appears the four were killed by the severity of the crash itself rather than the fire that followed. Autopsies are scheduled for today.
CQ WW Contest Director Bob Cox, K3EST, called the crash, "a real tragedy," adding that "devoted hams and contesters were lost." The C6APR team was featured in the cover story of April's WorldRadio Online, and Steeble wrote an article in the April, 2007 issue of CQ about his experiences as QSL manager for C6APR and for a special Islands on the Air expedition, W2GJ/C6A, in 2006. As of this morning, comments from hams around the world had been posted on the Journal Scene's website.
Additional details on this story available on the ARRL website at
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/10/21/11157/?nc=1
This is a tremendous loss to the amateur radio community and our heartfelt prayers and condolences go out to Peter, Ed, Randy and Dallas' families who were lost in the crash.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Comments Sought for Draft Channel Naming Standards
Here is the APCO pdf document with a complete list of interop freqs and the proposed new desigs. This is a must download for active public safety scanner monitors.
http://apcointl.org/new/commcenter911/documents/APCO-NPSTC-ANS-1-104-1DraftPRC.pdf
APCO NPSTC
2009 Oct 20
Alexandria, Va. - The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International and the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) released for comments a candidate American National Standard (ANS) to ensure national consistency of interoperability on related radio channels. The proposed Standard Channel Nomenclature for Public Safety Interoperability Channels provides a standardized naming format for each Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated Interoperability Channel in Public Safety Radio Services.
“The public safety community uses 700 MHz spectrum allocated by the FCC that is replete with interoperability channels,” APCO International Executive Director George Rice said. “It is necessary to develop and employ a common set of channel names. It is crucial that all responders to an incident know which channel to tune their radios to, as well as the band and primary use for the channel.”
NPSTC Chair Ralph A. Haller said that he was pleased to see such a positive step forward in interoperability saying, “Common interoperability channel names will help to assure that any organization responding to an emergency will be able to establish contact immediately when arriving on scene. Although the specific channel names were initially controversial, the proposed standard represents the collective efforts of public safety agencies across the country to reach consensus. NPSTC is pleased to have been instrumental in this process."
The issue of common channel naming has been on the forefront since the mid-1980s and was again highlighted during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 and Hurricane Katrina. In 2006, NPSTC reviewed and updated the Standard Channel Nomenclature recommended in the 700 MHz National Coordination Committee’s Final Report. This new protocol has been widely adopted across the country in the intervening period, and requests to the federal government resulted in finalizing standard names for similar channels in federal agency spectrum earlier this year.
APCO International is the recognized American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-accredited Standards Developer for public safety communications standards and was selected to facilitate the most recent version of the Standard Channel Nomenclature document through the ANSI standardization process, moving one step closer to completion of National Emergency Communications Plan milestone 3.1.33.
There is a 45-day public review and comment period for this standard that ends on November 30. The Candidate ANS can be downloaded at http://apcointl.org/new/commcenter911/ansi-activity.php . To submit comments or questions prior to the deadline, e-mail standards@apco911.org .
http://apcointl.org/new/commcenter911/documents/APCO-NPSTC-ANS-1-104-1DraftPRC.pdf
APCO NPSTC
2009 Oct 20
Alexandria, Va. - The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International and the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) released for comments a candidate American National Standard (ANS) to ensure national consistency of interoperability on related radio channels. The proposed Standard Channel Nomenclature for Public Safety Interoperability Channels provides a standardized naming format for each Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated Interoperability Channel in Public Safety Radio Services.
“The public safety community uses 700 MHz spectrum allocated by the FCC that is replete with interoperability channels,” APCO International Executive Director George Rice said. “It is necessary to develop and employ a common set of channel names. It is crucial that all responders to an incident know which channel to tune their radios to, as well as the band and primary use for the channel.”
NPSTC Chair Ralph A. Haller said that he was pleased to see such a positive step forward in interoperability saying, “Common interoperability channel names will help to assure that any organization responding to an emergency will be able to establish contact immediately when arriving on scene. Although the specific channel names were initially controversial, the proposed standard represents the collective efforts of public safety agencies across the country to reach consensus. NPSTC is pleased to have been instrumental in this process."
The issue of common channel naming has been on the forefront since the mid-1980s and was again highlighted during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 and Hurricane Katrina. In 2006, NPSTC reviewed and updated the Standard Channel Nomenclature recommended in the 700 MHz National Coordination Committee’s Final Report. This new protocol has been widely adopted across the country in the intervening period, and requests to the federal government resulted in finalizing standard names for similar channels in federal agency spectrum earlier this year.
APCO International is the recognized American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-accredited Standards Developer for public safety communications standards and was selected to facilitate the most recent version of the Standard Channel Nomenclature document through the ANSI standardization process, moving one step closer to completion of National Emergency Communications Plan milestone 3.1.33.
There is a 45-day public review and comment period for this standard that ends on November 30. The Candidate ANS can be downloaded at http://apcointl.org/new/commcenter911/ansi-activity.php . To submit comments or questions prior to the deadline, e-mail standards@apco911.org .
Monday, October 19, 2009
SAQ October Transmissions Cancelled
Grimeton Radio/SAQ transmission CW on VLF 17.2 kHz
We deeply regret we have to cancel the previously announced transmission on United Nations Day, October 24th 2009. Next planned transmission will be on Christmas Eve, December 24th 2009, at 08:00 UTC.
Lars, SM6NM
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
NASA retires 'queen' of tracking satellite fleet
Article by STEPHEN CLARK on SPACEFLIGHT NOW
More than a quarter-century after a hard-luck launch aboard the shuttle Challenger, the pioneer of NASA's constellation of tracking and communications satellites is being retired from service.
Named TDRS 1, the satellite's last traveling wave tube amplifier recently failed, rendering the craft unable to support most of its users' Ku-band data relay and telemetry needs, according to Roger Flaherty, the Space Network project manager at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland.
"We are going to relocate TDRS 1 and that relocation process will start on or about the 21st of October," Flaherty said.
TDRS 1 is currently located in a geosynchronous orbit more than 22,000 miles above Earth. At that altitude, satellites' orbits match the speed of Earth's rotation, causing spacecraft to hover over a specific geographic region.
Now positioned at 49 degrees west longitude, TDRS 1 will soon be moved to a nearby temporary slot for final decommissioning activities, according to NASA.
Read the rest of the whole copyrighted story at http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n0910/13tdrs/
More than a quarter-century after a hard-luck launch aboard the shuttle Challenger, the pioneer of NASA's constellation of tracking and communications satellites is being retired from service.
Named TDRS 1, the satellite's last traveling wave tube amplifier recently failed, rendering the craft unable to support most of its users' Ku-band data relay and telemetry needs, according to Roger Flaherty, the Space Network project manager at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland.
"We are going to relocate TDRS 1 and that relocation process will start on or about the 21st of October," Flaherty said.
TDRS 1 is currently located in a geosynchronous orbit more than 22,000 miles above Earth. At that altitude, satellites' orbits match the speed of Earth's rotation, causing spacecraft to hover over a specific geographic region.
Now positioned at 49 degrees west longitude, TDRS 1 will soon be moved to a nearby temporary slot for final decommissioning activities, according to NASA.
Read the rest of the whole copyrighted story at http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n0910/13tdrs/
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Yellowstone National Park Freqs
Here is a list of Yellowstone National Park freqs courtesy of Peter Sz
North District
166.3750/166.9750 Henderson repeater (192.8 Hz pl tone) (Lamar District)
166.3250/166.9350 Washburn repeater (167.9 Hz pl tone)
166.3750 Lamar direct (simplex)(192.8 Hz pl tone) (Lamar District)
166.3250 Washburn direct (simplex) (167.9 Hz pl tone)
South District
165.5875/164.8000 Sheridan repeater (110.9 Hz pl tone)
165.5875/164.8000 Top Notch repeater (118.8 Hz pl tone)
165.5875/164.8000 Bechler repeater (127.3 Hz pl tone)
165.5875 South Direct (simplex) (110.9 Hz pl tone)
West District
166.8750/169.4000 West repeater (136.5 Hz pl tone)
166.8750/169.4000 Holmes repeater (146.2 Hz pl tone)
166.8500 West Direct (simplex) (136.5 Hz pl tone)
Parkwide Freqs
167.1500/163.1250 SOA (Portable) repeaters (SOA 1 206.5 Hz pl tone, SOA 2 218.1 Hz pl tone, SOA 3 229.1 Hz pl tone)
168.6125 NPS Common (136.5 Hz pl tone)
172.5000 Fire Cache (wildfire) (103.5 Hz pl tone)
163.100 Usage unknown, maybe MTNCE
168.350 Usage unknown, maybe MTNCE
North District
166.3750/166.9750 Henderson repeater (192.8 Hz pl tone) (Lamar District)
166.3250/166.9350 Washburn repeater (167.9 Hz pl tone)
166.3750 Lamar direct (simplex)(192.8 Hz pl tone) (Lamar District)
166.3250 Washburn direct (simplex) (167.9 Hz pl tone)
South District
165.5875/164.8000 Sheridan repeater (110.9 Hz pl tone)
165.5875/164.8000 Top Notch repeater (118.8 Hz pl tone)
165.5875/164.8000 Bechler repeater (127.3 Hz pl tone)
165.5875 South Direct (simplex) (110.9 Hz pl tone)
West District
166.8750/169.4000 West repeater (136.5 Hz pl tone)
166.8750/169.4000 Holmes repeater (146.2 Hz pl tone)
166.8500 West Direct (simplex) (136.5 Hz pl tone)
Parkwide Freqs
167.1500/163.1250 SOA (Portable) repeaters (SOA 1 206.5 Hz pl tone, SOA 2 218.1 Hz pl tone, SOA 3 229.1 Hz pl tone)
168.6125 NPS Common (136.5 Hz pl tone)
172.5000 Fire Cache (wildfire) (103.5 Hz pl tone)
163.100 Usage unknown, maybe MTNCE
168.350 Usage unknown, maybe MTNCE
Chicago Area Federal Freqs from CARMA list
Here are some Chicago IL area federal freqs courtesy of the CARMA list. If you have some freqs to share, please pass them along to the email address in the masthead and I will post them up here or if they are military to my Milcom blog. You can remain anonymous if you so desire, just let me know your wishes.
162.7875 P25 U.S. MARSHALS (encryped most times but some clear)
162.9000 P25 Unknown
163.4750 P25 ICE OHARE
163.6250 P25 ICE OHARE
163.7500 P25 ICE OHARE
165.2875 P25 ATF NET 1
165.8500 P25 ICE OHARE
169.1625 P25 TSA OHARE
172.9000 P25 TSA OHARE
403.3375 P25 US POSTAL INSP
403.8375 P25 JB VA POLICE
406.7000 P25 DHS/FPS POLICE
409.5250 P25 U.S.STATE DEPT
411.3500 P25 HINES VA POLICE
Fermi Large Area Telescope Reveals Pulsing Gamma-Ray Sources
By Daniel Parry, Naval Research Laboratory, Public Affairs
WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNS) -- Scientists at the Naval Research Laboratory-Space Science Division and a team of international researchers have positively identified cosmic sources of gamma-ray emissions through the discovery of 16 pulsating neutron stars.
Using the Large Area Telescope (LAT), the primary instrument on NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope satellite, the discoveries were made by conducting blind frequency searches on the sparse photon data provided by the LAT. The photons had energies between 20 Mega-electron-volts (MeVs) and 300 Giga-electron-volts (GeVs)— tens of millions to hundreds of billions of times more energetic than the photons we see with the human eye.
A second study, published at the same time, announced the detection of gamma-ray pulsations from eight Galactic millisecond pulsars (MSPs). Millisecond pulsars spin hundreds of times per second, but have magnetic fields 10,000 times lower than normal pulsars. These discoveries confirm that they, too, can produce powerful gamma-ray emissions.
"Fermi has truly unprecedented power for discovering and studying gamma ray pulsars," said Paul Ray, astrophysicist, Naval Research Laboratory. "Since the demise of the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory a decade ago, we've wondered about the nature of unidentified gamma-ray sources it detected in our galaxy. These studies from Fermi lift the veil on many of them."
Pulsars are rapidly rotating, highly magnetized neutron stars that can emit radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum. Prior to the launch of Fermi, gamma-ray pulsations were only detected from pulsars previously discovered using radio or X-ray telescopes. Radio telescopes can detect pulsars only if one of the narrow radio beams is directly aimed at the telescope; otherwise the pulsar can remain hidden. The much broader gamma-ray beams allowed the new pulsars to be discovered as part of a comprehensive search for periodic gamma-ray emission using five months of Fermi LAT data and new computational techniques.
The newly discovered pulsars, with rotation periods that range from 48 to 444 milliseconds, help reveal the geometry of emission from rotation-powered pulsars and provide valuable information on population statistics, the energetics of pulsar wind nebulae and supernova remnants. A wide variety of astrophysical phenomena, such as pulsars, active galactic nuclei, gamma-ray bursts and some binary star systems are known to produce photons exceeding many MeVs.
"The Fermi LAT makes it possible for us to pinpoint neutron stars," said Eric Grove, astrophysicist and LAT Commissioner, NRL Space Science Division. "The combination of a very large collecting area, large field of view, and precision timing from an on-board Global Positioning System receiver enables the LAT to see sources that were far beyond the reach of previous gamma-ray telescopes."
Results of the two studies: "Detection of 16 gamma-ray pulsars through blind frequency searches using the Fermi LAT;" and "A population of gamma-ray millisecond pulsars seen with the Fermi Large Area Telescope" were published on July 2, 2009 in Science Express and may be found on the Internet at http://www.scienceexpress.org.
The LAT project is funded in the United States by NASA and developed in collaboration with the Department of Energy and by academic institutions and government agencies in France, Italy, Japan, and Sweden.
The Naval Research Laboratory is the Department of the Navy's corporate laboratory. NRL conducts a broad program of scientific research, technology, and advanced development. The Laboratory, with a total complement of nearly 2,500 personnel, is located in southwest Washington, DC, with other major sites at the Stennis Space Center, MS; and Monterey, CA.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNS) -- Scientists at the Naval Research Laboratory-Space Science Division and a team of international researchers have positively identified cosmic sources of gamma-ray emissions through the discovery of 16 pulsating neutron stars.
Using the Large Area Telescope (LAT), the primary instrument on NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope satellite, the discoveries were made by conducting blind frequency searches on the sparse photon data provided by the LAT. The photons had energies between 20 Mega-electron-volts (MeVs) and 300 Giga-electron-volts (GeVs)— tens of millions to hundreds of billions of times more energetic than the photons we see with the human eye.
A second study, published at the same time, announced the detection of gamma-ray pulsations from eight Galactic millisecond pulsars (MSPs). Millisecond pulsars spin hundreds of times per second, but have magnetic fields 10,000 times lower than normal pulsars. These discoveries confirm that they, too, can produce powerful gamma-ray emissions.
"Fermi has truly unprecedented power for discovering and studying gamma ray pulsars," said Paul Ray, astrophysicist, Naval Research Laboratory. "Since the demise of the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory a decade ago, we've wondered about the nature of unidentified gamma-ray sources it detected in our galaxy. These studies from Fermi lift the veil on many of them."
Pulsars are rapidly rotating, highly magnetized neutron stars that can emit radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum. Prior to the launch of Fermi, gamma-ray pulsations were only detected from pulsars previously discovered using radio or X-ray telescopes. Radio telescopes can detect pulsars only if one of the narrow radio beams is directly aimed at the telescope; otherwise the pulsar can remain hidden. The much broader gamma-ray beams allowed the new pulsars to be discovered as part of a comprehensive search for periodic gamma-ray emission using five months of Fermi LAT data and new computational techniques.
The newly discovered pulsars, with rotation periods that range from 48 to 444 milliseconds, help reveal the geometry of emission from rotation-powered pulsars and provide valuable information on population statistics, the energetics of pulsar wind nebulae and supernova remnants. A wide variety of astrophysical phenomena, such as pulsars, active galactic nuclei, gamma-ray bursts and some binary star systems are known to produce photons exceeding many MeVs.
"The Fermi LAT makes it possible for us to pinpoint neutron stars," said Eric Grove, astrophysicist and LAT Commissioner, NRL Space Science Division. "The combination of a very large collecting area, large field of view, and precision timing from an on-board Global Positioning System receiver enables the LAT to see sources that were far beyond the reach of previous gamma-ray telescopes."
Results of the two studies: "Detection of 16 gamma-ray pulsars through blind frequency searches using the Fermi LAT;" and "A population of gamma-ray millisecond pulsars seen with the Fermi Large Area Telescope" were published on July 2, 2009 in Science Express and may be found on the Internet at http://www.scienceexpress.org.
The LAT project is funded in the United States by NASA and developed in collaboration with the Department of Energy and by academic institutions and government agencies in France, Italy, Japan, and Sweden.
The Naval Research Laboratory is the Department of the Navy's corporate laboratory. NRL conducts a broad program of scientific research, technology, and advanced development. The Laboratory, with a total complement of nearly 2,500 personnel, is located in southwest Washington, DC, with other major sites at the Stennis Space Center, MS; and Monterey, CA.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)