New Scanner Audio Feeds Now Available on Reciva

I'm the new Internet audio columnist for Monitoring Times magazine. Our GlobalNet column is the only column in any radio hobby magazine devoted to monitoring various services on the Internet. It made it's first appearance in the April 2008 issue of MT. Part of my Internet audio tool box is my favorite receiver in my shack - the Tangent Quattro WiFi Internet Radio that I purchased from our good friends at C.CRANE (http://www.ccrane.com/radios/wifi-radios/tangent-quattro-wifi-internet-radio.aspx). You can see my full review on the Quattro that appeared in the April 2008 issue of MT online at http://www.monitoringtimes.com/mtfirstlook-quattro.pdf.

So what can you hear on Internet radio? It is much more than just radio and TV video and audio streams. For instance, below is a late breaking Internet audio story that was just posted to the Live Scanner Audio newsgroup by Edmonton Fire Radio. Yes, you can monitor scanner services, aircraft services, ham radio, shortwave radio, television video and even signals from space.

"For those of you that have a Reciva based WiFi internet radio, here are links to the database for our Icecast feeds:"

Alamance Live Scanner -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20326

Cache Valley -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20327

Chester County -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20328

Chicago Fire -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20329

Edmonton Fire Department -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=19317

Flagstaff Police -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20331

Guilford -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20330

Las Vegas Police and Fire -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=18324

Los Angeles -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20333

Williamsport & Lycoming County -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20332

Northampton County PA Fire -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20334

Northampton County Police -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20335

Ottawa Valley -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20337

Quincy IL -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20336

Rochester Metro Fire -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20020

Snohimish County WA -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20339

Stone & Taney County, Missouri -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=19402

W3AHS Repeater -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20340

Clay County IL -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20338

So, if you would like to learn more about what you can hear on Internet audio, check out the latest issue of Monitoring Times magazine and the new GlobalNet column from the world's leader in radio hobby information.

FBI ALE Net

Here is the latest FBI ALE Net information from Mark Cleary. Updated: 2-10-2008

Frequencies
Freqs: 2808.5, 4991.0, 5058.5, 5388.5, 7778.5, 7903.5, 9183.5, 10913.5, 11073.5, 11491.0, 14458.5, 14493.5, 14532.5, 15953.5, 18171.0, 18666.0, 19344.5 kHz.

Voice: 10913.5 (2/05), 14493.5 (2/05) kHz

The following are also listed in many freq lists, but after monitoring them for four months in 2004 I did not log any traffic on them: 5912.0, 9331.5, 10498.5, 11452.0, 11524.5, 12215.5, 16090.0, 18218.0, 20535.0, 20348.5, 20402.5, 23402.5 kHz

Idents
AL1 FBI, Albany, NY w/IP1
AN1 FBI, Anchorage, AK w/SE1
AQ1 FBI, Albuquerque, NM
AT1 FBI, Atlanta, GA w/QT10
AU1 FBI, Austin, TX
BA1 FBI, Baltimore, MD
BF1 FBI, Buffalo, NY
BI1 FBI, Birmingham, AL
BS1 FBI, Boston, MA
BT1 FBI, Butte, MT
CE1 FBI, Charlotte, NC
CG1 FBI, Chicago, IL
CI1 FBI, Cincinnati, OH
CL1 FBI, Cleveland, OH w/CO1, OM2
CO1 FBI, Columbia, SC w/CL1
CV1, FBI Cleveland, OH
DE1, FBI Detroit, MI
DL1 FBI, Dallas, TX
DN1 FBI, Denver, CO
EP1 FBI, El Paso, TX
GM1 FBI
HN1 FBI, Houston, TX
HO1 FBI, Honolulu, HI
HQ1 FBI, Washington, DC
IP1 FBI, Indianapolis, IN w/AL1, KX1
JC1 FBI
JK1 FBI, Jacksonville, FL
JN1 FBI, Jackson, MS
KC1 FBI, Kansas City, MO
KX1 FBI, Knoxville, TN w/IP1, MM1
KW1 FBI, Key West, FL
LA1 FBI, Los Angeles, CA, voice call KMI66
LR1 FBI, Little Rock, AR
LR2 FBI, Little Rock, AR
LRC33
LS1 FBI, Louisville, KY
LV1 FBI, Las Vegas, NV
ME1 FBI, Memphis, TN
MIACMU, FBI Crisis Management Unit, Miami, FL
MM1 FBI, Miami, FL w/KX1
MM2 FBI, Miami, FL
MO1 FBI, Mobile, AL
MP1 FBI, Minneapolis, MN
MW1 FBI, Milwaukee, WI
NF1 FBI, Norfolk, VA w/RH1, NY1
NH1 FBI, New Haven, CT
NK1, FBI Newark, NJ w/QT1
NO1 FBI, New Orleans, LA
NY1 FBI, New York, NY w/NF1
OC1 FBI, Oklahoma City, OK
OM1 FBI, Omaha, NE
OM2 FBI, Omaha, NE w/CL1
PD1 FBI, Portland, OR
PG1 FBI, Pittsburgh, PA
PH1 FBI, Philadelphia, PA
PO1 FBI, Portland, OR
PX1 FBI, Phoenix, AZ
QT1 FBI, Quantico, VA w/SF1, NK1
QT2 FBI, Quantico, VA, voice call KGE22A
QT5 FBI, Quantico, VA
QT8 FBI, Quantico, VA
QT10 FBI, Quantico, VA w/AT1
QW10
RH1 FBI, Richmond, VA w/NF1
SA1 FBI, San Antonio, TX
SC1 FBI, Sacramento, CA
SD1 FBI, San Diego, CA w/SF1
SE1 FBI, Seattle, WA w/AN1
SF1 FBI, San Francisco, CA w/SD1, QT1
SI1 FBI, Springfield, IL
SJ1 FBI, San Juan, PR
SL1 FBI, St. Louis, MO
SU1 FBI, Salt Lake City, UT
SV1 FBI, Savannah, GA
TP1 FBI, Tampa, FL
WF1 FBI, Washington, DC

Amateur Radio Digital Modes Operations Bulletin

04/07/2008: Juan, F5IRC will be active as homecall/p from Chausey Grande Island (EU-039, DIFM MA-004, WLOTA LH-0424, WW Loc. IN98CU) between July 4th and 6th. QRV 80-10 meters, using SSB and digital modes. On Friday, July 4th he will reactivate the Castle Renault (DFCF 50-007), commune of Granville (CP 50400), canton of Granville (DDCF 50-15), Department Manche/50, Province Basse-Normandie (DPF 04), on 40, 20 and
15 meters between 1500-1900 UTC. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [F5IRC]
[Courtesy of ICPO Bulletin July 3-11, 2008]

05/07/2008: A large group of SV4 operators will be active as SY4LH from Trikeri Lighthouse (ARLHS GRE-128, Admiralty E4442, WW Loc. KM19MC), located at Akra Kavoulia, Greece, on July 5th and 6th. QRV 160-2 meter CW, SSB, PSK, RTTY and SSTV. All of the QSOs will be confirmed automatically via the bureau; direct cards should be sent to SV4FFK. The webiste for the operation is at: www.sz4srm.gr/SY4LH [425 DX News]

05/07/2008: The Cofresi Radio Club (WP4NRT) will take part in the annual World Lighthouse On The Air Contest (WLOTA) as WP4NRT/L, July 5th (0600 UTC) to July 6th (1200 UTC), from Los Morrillos lighthouse (ARLHS PUR-002, TWLHD WLH KP4-004, WW Loc. FK67JW) located in Cabo Rojo at the southwest section of Puerto Rico Island (NA-099, also count for WLOTA LH-2802). QRV 10-80m, using SSB, PSK-31, AND RTTY. QSL via WP4NRX, with S.A.S.E. (Luis Montalvo WP4NRX, Parc Puerto Real House 606 1st St., Cabo
Rojo, PR 00632 USA). Please NO E-QSLS! [QRZ.com]

06/07/2008: Dick, AD7AF will be active as V63WWA from Kosrae Island (OC-059), Micronesia, from about July 6th until about the 24th. He will operate on 80-10 meters mostly CW, with some SSB, PSK31 and RTTY. QSL via AD7AF. [425 DX News]

06/07/2008: Jon, WB8YJF, will make his yearly trip to Ocracoke Island (NA-067, USi NC-001S, WLOTA LH-0466, Hyde County) North Carolina, this year earlier than most times due to a scheduling conflict. He reports that he will not be in the IOTA Contest from there this year, but will be active as WB8YJF/4 from July 6-13th. Activity will be on 40-10 meters, using CW, SSB and RTTY. Please QSL direct for a FASTer QSL; Bureau is OK but takes a lot longer. His address is on QRZ.com. [OPDX
Bulletin]

06/07/2008: From July, 6th at 0000 UTC to August 5th, 2008 at 2400 UTC the regional club stations of Borj-Cedria (3V8CB) start a special call sign TS1MSC before 30 days of the events (August 6-15th). The radio station will be activated on 15, 17, 20, 40 and 80 meters, using SSB, PSK31, RTTY, SSTV and CW. Do not hesitate to be on the scouts frequencies and reply on this call. QSL via DL1BDF. [3V8ST]

06/07/2008: Walt, G3NYY will be active as GB50OT (GB-Fifty-OT) from July 6-13th to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of RAOTA, the Radio Amateur Old Timers' Association. Activity will be on 80-6 meter CW, SSB and digital modes. QSL via bureau, or direct to G3VBE. [425 DX News]

06/07/2008: The Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society (CARS) will air special call sign GX0MWT from the 'Military Show' at the Museum of Power, Langford near Maldon in Essex, on July 6th from 10am and 5pm. The show will feature Military re-enactments, Classic military vehicles and tanks. QRV on all HF bands and modes. QSL via the information on QRZ.com. [Southgate ARC]

07/07/2008: Look for Colin/KU5B (V31UB) and Eddy/K5WQG (V31MR) to be QRV from Placencia, Belize, July 7-21st. Operation will be mostly CW, with some SSB and RTTY, including a Multi-Single entry in the IARU HF Championship (July 12-13th). QSL V31MR via N5ET, direct or bureau. QSL V31UB via KU5B, direct only. Both logs will be uploaded to LoTW. [NG3K]

08/07/2008: The 'DXciting Group' will activate Christmas Island (OC-002, WW Loc. OH29tn) from July 8-20th. Operators mentioned are Marq/VK9XWW (CT1BWW), John/VK9XHZ (EA3GHZ), Henry/VK9XOR (EA5EOR) and Dina/VK9XME (EC5BME). They will operate with 3 stations (1 high-power and 2 barefoot at 100W) on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY, PSK31 and SSTV. Pilot sations: Africa - ZS1AU, Asia -JA8BMK, Europe - EA4TD, Oceania - ZL2AL and VK2CZ, and North America - K4SV. QSL card goes via EA4URE direct or by the bureau. The official web site is at: www.dxciting.com/vk9x/ . The team is looking for help, contributions and SPONSORS to cover the big costs of this DX-pedition. [ZL2AL]

09/07/2008: Operators Eric/KV1J and his son Matthew/W1MAT, will be active from Miquelon Island (NA-032, DIFO FP-002, WLOTA LH-1417, WW Loc. GN17TC) as FP/KV1J and FP/W1MAT from July 9-14th. Activity will be on all bands 80-6 meters, SSB, CW and RTTY, using only 100 watts into verticals and a TW2010. During the IARU HF Contest (July 12-13th), look for FP/KV1J (running low power) and FP/W1MAT (running QRP) from Zone 9. QSL via their home call sign, direct or by the bureau or LoTW. For more
details and up-to-date info, visit their Web page at: www.kv1j.com/fp/ [OPDX Bulletin]

11/07/2008: A Greek ancient system of communication with fire from torches above mountaintops is called fryktories from fryktos that means "the torch" in Greek. On July 13th and after 3200 years we will be climbing up the same mountaintops with Turkish Hams and will transmit through the hamradio frequencies a message from Troy - located in N.W Turkey up to Mykines that is in Southern Greece using a special call on every mountaintop that the original message passed through. The same mountaintops are mentioned from Aeshylus in his drama "Agamemnon" and they are the ones that brought back to the Mikines city the message that Troy has fallen into the hands of the ancient siege army. The transmitted message will be passing along the nodes on the 2m band from one station to another. The special calls that will be used through this campaign will be: Turkey - Mountain Ida (Troy) to be announced; Greece -
SX8FRA Lemnos Island; SX2FRB/A Athos mountain; SX8FRC Kandili Evia, SX1FRD Mesapio, Biotia; SX1FRE Kitheronas; SX1FRF Gerania; SX3FRG Arachneon, Peloponisos; and SX3FRH Mikines. Every Station will have at least 2m SSB/FM capability with yagi antennas. Before and after the event every station will be trying to make as many QSO's as possible with the special calls. Also that day we expect that many other hilltops
will be activated in 2m band from other Greek and Foreign hams that will be joining this event. Nik, SV1EEX will be QRV from Kitheronas mountain with the call SX1FRE. Along with him will be SV1EOS, SV1JGX and SW1JGW. GRID Loc: KM18OE. They will be active July 11-14th on 80-2m + 70 cm. Modes will be SSB/FM/SSTV/RTTY/PSK and will try MS + JT6M. Also will try FM LEO SATS. QSL will be via the bureau. Further information can be found at: sx1fre.blogspot.com/ [SV1EEX]

19/07/2008: Alain, F5LMJ will be on vacation with his family and plans to be QRV from São Miguel Island (EU-003, DIP AZ-002 for the Portuguese Islands Award, WLOTA LH-2016) from July 19-26th. He will have a FT-857 and half-size G5RV and will be active maily on CW and digital modes. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [NG3K]

Japanese IOTA News

JA1YUC/6 plan to be active from Kuro Island (AS-024) AS-024 JA6 Yaeyama Is group from July 22-27 include RSGB IOTA Contest on July 26/27. They will be on 6M and HF, SSB, CW QSL via their home call. You can go direct or via the bureau

JA1YUC: TOKYO DENTAL COLLEGE A.R.C, 1-2-2 Masago,Mihamaku,Chiba-city 261-8502 JAPAN

Remarks
JIIA AS-024-009 Kuro Is
JIIA Award http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~iota/newpage61.htm

Distributed by Yuki JI6KVR IOTA-JA
Special Adviser for Japan"RSGB IOTA Programme"

Happy Birthday America!

July 4, 2008

Today is July 4 - the day America celebrates our independence. From coast to coast it's a day of celebration - when we gather with friends and family to enjoy spectacular fireworks, good food, parades, sporting events and even an antenna raising or two here on the radio ranch.

On this special day, Shortwave Central, Milcom Monitoring, and the BTown Monitoring Post wish all our blog readers a safe holiday. To our military troops serving throughout the world - we say thank you! May you stay safe and out of harm's way. Bless them and their families worldwide were ever they may be serving this country.


Gayle & Larry Van Horn Teak Publishing

Night of Nights IX

From Richard Dillman and the UDXF newsgroup:

At the transmitting station in Bolinas, CA, the MRHS transmitting staff has been busy tuning up vintage transmitters from the 1940s and 1950s, allocating keying lines and connecting antennas for stations KPH, KFS and KSM. The operations staff is getting the logs in place, preparing commemorative messages and making sure everything at the receiving station at Pt. Reyes, CA, is in order.

Stations WLO, KLB, NMC, NMF and NOJ have all checked in and declared their intention to be on the air.

What's it all about? Night of Nights IX of course.

On 12 July 1999 commercial Morse ended in the US - or so it was thought. Just one year - and one minute - later, the Maritime Radio Historical Society had returned KPH to the air. Every year since KPH has returned to the air to maintain the traditions and preserve the skills of radiomen and radiowomen everywhere. Their finely honed skills and unquestioned courage in time of peril upon the sea made the profession of radiotelegraph operator one of honor.

Now many other stations have joined KPH on the air. Each year the marine bands are once again populated with signals as they were during the golden age.

July 12 is drawing near. And once again ships at sea and listeners around the world will wait with their earphones pressed close to hear those famous call letters rise up out of the static.

DETAILS: Times, frequencies, QSL information and more are all available on the MRHS Web site at:

http://www.radiomarine.org

Click on the "Night of Nights IX" button.

Caribbean NDB Changes

Some interesting NDB changes from the Caribbean for my lowband friends:

"AR" NDB at Pointe A Pitre, Guadaloupe, has been shutdown.

"PTP" NDB at Pointe A Pitre, Guadaloupe, has changed frequency from 300 kHz to 385 kHz.

"FOF" NDB at Fort de France, Martinique, has changed frequency from 314 kHz to 329 kHz.

What is a NDB you ask?

From wikipedia:

"A Non-directional beacon (NDB) is a radio transmitter at a known location, used as an aviation or marine navigational aid. As the name implies, the signal transmitted does not include inherent directional information, in contrast to newer navigational aids such as VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) and TACAN. NDB signals follow the curvature of the earth, so they can be received at much greater distances at lower altitudes, a major advantage over VOR. However, the NDB signal is affected more by atmospheric conditions, mountainous terrain, coastal refraction and electrical storms, particularly at long range. Even with the advent of VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) systems and Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation, NDBs continue to be the most widely-used radio navigational aid worldwide[citation needed].

"NDB usage for aviation is standardized by ICAO Annex 10 which specifies that NDBs be operated on a frequency between 190 kHz and 1750 kHz although normally all NDBs in North America operate between 190 kHz and 535 kHz. Each NDB is identified by a one, two, or three-letter Morse code callsign. In Canada, some of the identifiers include numbers. North American NDBs are categorized by power output, with low power rated at less than 50 watts, medium from 50 W to 2,000 W and high being over 2,000 Watts."

N5FPW FD Results

Yep, I spend the weekend participating in the annual ARRL Field Day event. Ran the ops from the shack and worked PSK31 exclusively all weekend long. I was very satisfied with my results.



Callsign: N5FPW (070 Club No. 644)
Mode: PSK31 at 25 watts into a G5RV using emergency power
Sections/RACs worked: 52
States: 38
Canadian Provinces: 2
Total Contacts: 122

Many thanks to all who answered my calls. Will be uploading the logs to LOTW shortly. If you need a card feel free to send yours along and I will get one right back at you. Full details at QRZ.com.

Experts Offer Tips for Preparing for Hurricane Season

You can get the official DoC/NOAA National Hurricane Operations Plan for 2008 at
http://www.ofcm.gov/nhop/08/pdf/Entire_NHOP_2008.pdf



By Meghan Vittrup, American Forces Press Service

Hurricane season officially began June 1, and people across the country are gearing up for another season of strong winds, torrential rains, hail and flying debris.
Because they move frequently, many military families who have never lived in a hurricane-prone area before are experiencing their first hurricane season. But even for those who have been through hurricanes before, knowing how to prepare is important.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted that the 2008 hurricane season will produce six to nine hurricanes. Two to five of those hurricanes are predicted to be major hurricanes categorized as 3, 4 or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

Although the last two seasons saw fewer major hurricanes than in prior years, experts say it is still a good idea for people in hurricane-prone areas to be prepared for anything and have a plan of action.

"The key element though, the cornerstone, has got to be that individual preparation," Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said at a 2008 Hurricane Preparedness Day event May 30. "If people are lulled into a sense of complacency because 2006 and 2007 didn't produce a major hurricane in the U.S., and they don't do the preparation that we've recommended, then there is going to be a problem."

Being prepared for a storm means not only preparing yourself and your family, but also preparing your home.

An article published online in NOAA Magazine cited a common myth: that because a hurricane would destroy their property, people needn't bother preparing for the storm by protecting their home.

Although their home may, indeed, experience some damage, the article states, taking some basic precautions can significantly reduce damage from a storm. "Damage assessment photos of areas devastated by hurricanes will often show one house standing, while a neighbor's lies in ruins," the article said.

The article goes on to say the difference between the two homes is that the owner with property left in good condition most likely took some precautions and prepared for the storm.

People also are encouraged to listen to the news, weather updates, and local authorities.

"Follow the instructions of local authorities," Bill Chandler, executive director for USAA's national catastrophe operations said. "And have a plan."

Chandler expressed the importance of having alternate evacuation plans as well as checklists of items you might need to get through the storm and its aftermath.

He suggested stocking up on items such as two to three gallons of water per person per day, nonperishable foods, prescription medications in their original packaging, clothing, blankets, extra batteries, flashlights and a first aid kit.

It may also be necessary to have a hand-operated can opener and a battery-operated radio to use if the electricity goes out.

Chandler also recommended having a safe place to keep important documents. He suggested keeping them in a lock box, storing them online, or saving them on a computer and then transferring them to a thumb drive.

Military commissaries have taken action in helping servicemembers and their families prepare for hurricane season. Their "What's in Your Closet?" campaign encourages people shopping in the commissaries to stock up on a list of items they may need in case of a natural disaster.

Preparing the outside of your home for potential disasters is another way to help prevent damage. This can be as simple as cleaning out gutters and trimming trees to keep them away from roof lines.

Another important way to protect your property as well as your neighbor's property is to bring your outdoor items in, Chandler said. Bring in lawn furniture, trash cans, toys, and flower pots -- anything that can turn into debris or a projectile in strong winds.

Chandler also said to move things within your home around. Moving or hiding valuables and keeping things out of the sight of others is important to prevent looting after a storm, he explained.

John Hancock, USAA's military communications manager, stressed the importance of seeking and heeding guidance from authorities. "Listen to authorities and the leadership on your installation, as well," he said. "They will also have information and updates for you on whether to evacuate or take shelter."

More than anything else, Chandler said, hurricane preparation is common sense.

"These events are very stressful," he said. "And it's very easy to forget about common sense."

Stocking up on food and water, creating a shelter in your home and preparing both the interior and exterior of your home can help protect both your family and your property from the devastating effects of a hurricane.

"Head the warning and be prepared," Hancock said. "It's the best plan you can have."

Celebrating Our 2nd Year Anniversary of this Blog

It doesn't seem like it, but tomorrow is the 2nd anniversary of this blog, the Btown Monitoring Post and its sister blog, the Milcom Monitoring Post. On Wednsesday of this week it is the 2nd anniversary of Gayle's Shortwave Central Blog.

Gayle and I would like to thank all who have contributed to the effort to make these blogs the best in the world of radio. No one else even gets close in reader traffic or news content.

We would also like to take a second on this Memorial Day weekend to honor all those who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. military. We would like to honor the service of those who have given the ultimate price for this country, and to all the military families. These are the folks who are always in our thoughts and prayers and we will never forget and will always honor.

So on this fantastic weekend, the official start of summer, let's celebrate the 2nd anniversary of the Monitoring Post Radio Blogs - Milcom Monitoring Post, Btown Monitoring Post, and the Shortwave Central. Again thanks to all who have made these blogs possible with your stories, frequencies, and laissez les bons temps rouler.

Breaking News - Earthquake in China - Ute Freqs

Soldiers of the People's Liberation Army (Photo courtesy of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Malta)

Here is a list of frequencies that have been monitored in the past from China. There is no guarantee that they are in use during the current crisis, only extensive monitoring will be able to determine what is in use at the present. Copyright 2008 by Teak Publishing. All rights reserved. Links to this material only.

People's Liberation Army (CW) 3330.0 3846.0 4440.0 4874.0 4928.0 5385.0 5588.0 5635.0 5755.0 6508.0 7079.0 7300.0 7307.0 7310.0 8042.0 9350.0 10820.0 10822.0 kHz

FSK8 (1750/125) 7070.0 14000.0 14002.0 14011.0 14035.0 14103.0 14104.0 14234.0
14325.0 14346.0 14347.0 kHz

Diplo (ALE) 7885.0 9050.0 11105.0 12335.0 14560.0 kHz

Military (Various) 5051.3 5227.0 5405.0 5416.5 6840.0 7059.0 7601.4 7978.0 8083.0 8803.0 8808.0 8889.0 9072.0 10130.0 10415.0 10466.0 10972.0 14216.0 kHz

Navy (CW) 3330.0 4440.0 4874.0 5383.0 5588.0 5588.0 5727.0 6508.2 6982.5 7052.2 7060.2 7074.0 7079.4 7083.2 7300.0 7307.0 7310.0 8042.0 8120.0 8438.3 9267.0 9343.5
9349.7 9437.0 10820.0 10822.0 kHz

And finally, Ray W5XE, on the UDXF newsgroup reports, "BD5RV sent a note on QRZ.com and requested two frequencies be kept cleared for emergency work in the quake area. They are: 7050 and 7060. Chinese linguists might be able to listen and pick up other freqs."

Shortwave broadcast information is available from our sister radio blog at
http://mt-shortwave.blogspot.com/2008/05/breaking-news-earthquake-in-china.html

ISS Amateur Radio MAREX-MG News 4-21-2008

ISS Amateur Radio Status: April 20, 2008
By Miles Mann WF1F,

MAREX-MG News
http://www.marexmg.org/

Manned Amateur Radio Experiment

International Space Station, Voice link, April 21, 2008, 17:48 UTC Monday

Starting at: 17:48 UTC (1:48 PM Boston time); Ending at: 17:58 UTC

Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Orlando, Florida, USA on 21 April

For the next few weeks the crew of the International Space Station will be treating Short-Wave-Listeners and Amateur radio operators to live down links from ISS via the Amateur Radio station on ISS. The crew will be conducting Weekly radio links to schools in North America. Everyone is invited to listen to the downlinks.

On Monday April 21, ISS will pass over the north western USA and will be actively talking to students.

The path of the International Space station will be entering the USA from the Pacific near Oregon, and heading north east into Idaho and Montana and south west Canada. The Best listening will Northern CA, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.

Most people all along that line will be able to hear the Space Station with a modest outside antenna and a good scanner/receiver.

This week short-wave-listeners and amateur radio operators will be able to listen to the ISS via amateur radio directly. Listeners living within 500+ miles of one of the cities below should be able to hear the signals directly with a simple scanner or other VHF receiver (an outside antenna is recommended 0 dBd gain or better). ISS will be transmitting on 145.800 FM (5 kHz deviation). You will only be able to here one side of the conversation, since the school will be transmitting on an undisclosed uplink frequency (VHF or UHF).

If you do not have a tracking program, here is a live link to NASA that will show you where ISS is located.

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/tracking/index.html

Tips on listening:
http://www.marexmg.org/fileshtml/issvoicetips.html

Link to Audio files from previous school schedules. All files recorded directly off the air via a public Amateur Radio down link frequency.

http://www.marexmg.org/fileshtml/issaudiofiles.html

Current ISS Crew Members as of August 2007

The new crew #17 consists of: Commander Sergei Volkov, Flight Engineer Oleg Kononenko,
Garrett E. Reisman and Gregory E. Chamitoff will serve as flight engineers during Expedition 17.
Orbital Tracking Data from April 12, 2008

ARISS [+]
1 25544U 98067A 08102.86951319 .00025933 00000-0 15720-3 0 2918
2 25544 51.6418 358.2303 0000954 5.6626 86.6887 15.77368848538066
Copy of memo from ARISS and SAREX

An International Space Station Expedition 17 ARISS school contact has been planned with participants at the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Orlando, Florida, USA on 21 April. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 17:48 UTC.

The contact will be a telebridge between stations NA1SS and W6SRJ. The contact should be audible over most of the Western USA. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The participants are expected to conduct the conversation in English.
Audio from the QSO is planned to be fed into the EchoLink *AMSAT* (101 377) and *JK1ZRW* (277 208) servers during the contact.

Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children is located in Orlando, Florida. It is one of 8 hospitals under the Orlando Regional Healthcare umbrella and addresses the unique medical needs of children in the Central Florida area, including a level one trauma center. The children who participate
in this contact will be patients at the hospital. It will be an exciting surprise and enriching experience that will make their hospital stay a memorable event.

Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows:

1. What kind of food do you eat, and is it good?
2. How long can you stay out on a spacewalk?
3. What experiments are you doing in space?
4. What duties are yours on the Space Station?
5. How do you communicate with your family?
6. What do you do if you get sick in space?
7. What can you see on Earth from Space?
8. How long will the Space Station last?
9. What skills do I need to be an astronaut?
10. What is your favorite thing to do on the Space Station?
11. How does the Space Station stay in orbit?
12. How does the air stay fresh on the Space Station?
13. If an object hits the Space Station, what would you do?
14. What was your launch in the shuttle like?
15. How much water do you use, and how do you get it?
16. Do the solar panels provide all the power for the Space Station?
17. How many computers do you use on the Space Station?
18. When and how will you return to Earth?
19. How do you exercise in space?
20. How many persons can stay on the Space Station?

Information about the upcoming ARISS contacts can be found at http://www.rac.ca/ariss/upcoming.htm#NextContact. Packet is transmitted on 145.825 simplex.

Next planned event(s):
1. Star City School, Shchelkovo, Russia - Mon 2008-04-23 09:24 UTC via ON4ISS.

2. The National Air and Space Museum (NASM), Washington, DC - Sat. 2008-05-03 15:52 UTC via NN1SS.

ARISS is an international educational outreach program partnering the participating space agencies, NASA, Russian Space Agency, ESA, CNES, JAXA, and CSA, with the AMSAT and IARU organizations from participating countries.

ARISS offers an opportunity for students to experience the excitement of Amateur Radio by talking directly with crewmembers on-board the International Space Station. Teachers, parents and communities see, first hand, how Amateur Radio and crewmembers on ISS can energize
youngsters' interest in science, technology, and learning. Further information on the ARISS program is available on the website http://www.rac.ca/ariss (graciously hosted by the Radio Amateurs of Canada).

055 Mystery Net - Do You Know Who They Are?

The radio community could use a bit of help. We have observed an extensive frequency ALE (Automatic Link Establishment) network in the HF spectrum that has not been IDed. The main station that sounds on this net is "055" and I call this the 055 Net. So if you recognize who the user is of this network, would appreciate a note at our address in the masthead. Anonymous responses are ok also.

Frequencies (kHz):
5395.0 5782.0 8972.0 9070.0 9075.0 9080.0 10618.0 10627.0 10635.0 10640.0 11475.0 12297.0 12626.0 13348.0 13378.0 13442.0 14422.0 14535.0 14665.0 14731.0 14913.0 16528.0 17198.0 18021.5 18194.0 18212.0 18336.0 18480.0 18834.0 18836.0 19043.0 19309.0 19554.0 20107.0 20438.0 20759.0 22227.0 22571.0 22769.0 23428.0 25571.0

If you have any insight on this bunch, I really would like to hear from you. 73 from the mountains de Larry.

World QSL Book Now Available

This blog is supported and sponsored by Teak Publishing, and the sale of its radio hobby publications. We appreciate your support by purchasing our publications that keeps our radio blogs operational.



"The World QSL Book is an excellent guide for QSL collectors all over the world and can be highly recommended. It is useful for the beginner as well as for the DX-er who already has a big collection of QSL's. It is clearly and well written in a non-technical language." - Anker Petersen, DSWCI Short Wave News

Teak Publishing of Brasstown, North Carolina, has announced the release their first eBook – World QSL Book, 1st edition, by Gayle Van Horn, W4GVH. This is a complete guide to writing radio station reception reports and QSLing.

Radio hobbyists interested in receiving verifications from radio station now have a new CD-ROM publication to aid them in the art of QSLing. This 528-page eBook covers every aspect of collecting QSL cards and other acknowledgments from stations heard in the HF spectrum.

"The World QSL Book is a comprehensive resource and reference book on CD for any hobbyist who is interested in acquiring a verification of reception of almost any HF station, whether broadcast, utility, amateur radio, or unlicensed pirate or clandestine!" - Monitoring Times What's New column, October 2007.

This self-loading, easy-to-use reference begins with a comprehensive tutorial on how to QSL (verify) radio stations followed by address sections for broadcaster and utility stations. It is loaded with station addresses, internet websites, and email addresses. Coverage includes shortwave broadcasters (including clandestine and pirate stations); HF utility stations (civilian and military); and amateur radio QSL bureaus worldwide. It is the first comprehensive publication of its kind devoted to QSLing radio stations in the HF radio spectrum.

The book is written by MT QSL Report columnist Gayle Van Horn. In addition to the station address information, Gayle shares her 30 years of experience QSLing radio stations in an extensive introductory section on the art of QSLing that includes hints, tips and QSL techniques. If you are interested in QSLing the world of HF radio, then this book should be on your radio shack shelf.

"I have seen books about QSLing before but never as comprehensive as this one. The World QSL Book is a must for the radio hobbyist who wants to know how to write reception reports. A tutorial and address book covering every aspect of collecting QSL cards." -- Ary Boender, Utility DX Forum (UDXF)

Highlights from this new authoritative publication:

• Hints, Tricks and Tips of the Trade
• Prepared QSL Cards
• Most Wanted QSL List
• Multilingual Reporting
• Electronic QSLing and Creativity
• AM/FM Broadcast Station QSLing
• Continental/Regional/Country Shortwave Stations QSl Profiles
• QSL Non Broadcast Services
• QSLing Amateur Radio Stations
• Utility QSLing
• Shortwave broadcast Section
• Pirate Radio Stations
• HF Utility Stations
• Utility Coastal Stations
• Ships-Platforms-Rigs
• U.S. Coast Guard
• Canadian Coast Guard
• Amateur Radio IARU QSL Bureaus
plus more............................................

"Shortwave listeners now have a single, exhaustive CD source to identify the call signs and IDs heard in the busy 2-30 MHz global spectrum." - Bob Grove, President - Grove Enterprises and Publisher - Monitoring Times magazine.

The World QSL Book is published in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) electronic format and is fully searchable/printable. It can be run on any computer platform and uses the Adobe Acrobat reader program (a free Internet download).

CD-ROM System requirements: Autorun function supported on Microsoft Windows 98 or later for PCs (Adobe Reader Version 6, 7 or 8 loaded to view publication). Publication PDF files can be view on any Apple Macintosh computer that has Preview or Adobe Reader ver. 7 or 8 loaded (no autorun function supported on Mac platforms).

"It is the first comprehensive publication of its kind devoted to QSLing radio stations in the HF radio spectrum." - Fred Osterman, Universal Radio.

World QSL Book, 528 pages. 1st Edition. © 2007, by Teak Publishing of Brasstown, North Carolina (ISBN: 978-0-9796311-0-8).

This book can be ordered from Grove Enterprises, Universal Radio, or direct from the publisher Teak Publishing.

If ordering from Teak Publishing the cost for this book is $19.95 plus $3.00 (US) and $5.00 (International) first class mail. We accept Paypal, Cash, Check or Money Order. Send email to Teak Publishing or snail mail to Teak Publishing, P.O. Box 297, Brasstown, NC 28902. NC residents must add state sales tax. Dealer inquiries and orders are welcomed at the Teak Publishing link above.

USCG CAMSLANT HF on call SITOR termination advisory

Courtesy of Tom Sevart/UDXF list and copied via a 518 kHz NAVTEX broadcast.

ZCZC GA82
USCG CAMSLANT HF ON CALL SITOR TERMINATION ADVISORY

1. USCG CAMSLANT CHESAPEAKE VA (NMN, SELCALL NR 1097) WILL TERMINATE ALL HIGH FREQUENCY (HF) RADIOTELEX (ON CALL SITOR) SERVICES EFF 2359Z MAR 31, 2008. SHORE RECEIVE FREQUENCIES 6262.8, 8386.3, 12488.3, 16694.8, AND 22298.8 WILL NO LONGER BE ACTIVE AFTER THIS DATE.

2. AMVER AND NOAA METEOROLOGICAL REPORTS WILL CONT TO BE RECEIVED AT NO CHARGE THRU SHIPCOM HF RADIOTELEX (NBDP) SERVICE VIA WLO NEAR MOBILE, AL OR NOAAS SEAS (SHIPBOARD ENVIRONMENTAL (DATA) ACQUISITION SYSTEM) PROGRAM OVER INMARSAT C. AMVER REPORTS MAY ALSO BE SENT AT NO CHARGE THRU GLOBE WIRELESS.

3. BROADCASTS OF MARITIME SAFETY INFORMATION FROM CAMSLANT CHESAPEAKE VA BY HF SITOR (HF NAVTEX) ON FREQUENCIES 6312.3, 8414.8 12577.3 AND 16804.8 WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION.

4. CANCEL AT TIME//040001Z APR 08//

NNNN

Hotspot DXing: Fidel Castro Resigns

Press news reports and the morning newscast on Radio Rebelde carries news that Cuban Dictator Fidel Castro has resign as Cuba President and Commander-in-Chief.

You can monitor the latest developments (Spanish only) online at:

Radio Enciclopedia http://200.55.129.7/radioenciclopedia (Windows Media Player)

Radio Rebelde mms://media.enet.cu/radiorebelde (Paste URL into Windows Media Player)

Radio Marti Live (Office of Cuba Broadcasting) http://www.voanews.com/real/live/envivo.ram (Real audio service)

You can get the latest shortwave radio frequencies to monitor this story on our sister blog -- the Shortwave Central at http://mt-shortwave.blogspot.com/2008/02/hot-spot-dxing-cuba-castro-resigns.html

Monitoring the Aussie Gold Coast

I will be the first to admit I am a bit of an audio freak and the Internet gives me the ability to monitor communications from around the world that I would not normally hear. Case in point - Australia Public Safety communications.

Now you can listen to Aussie Gold Coast Police, Fire/Rescue, Ambulance, Surf Rescue, Lifeguards, Gold Coast City Council Safety Patrol, VHF Marine channels 16, 63, 73, and the Gold Coast International Airport tower frequency courtesy of Geoff at the Moreton Diver website.

Point your browser to http://www.moretondiver.com/livescannerfeed.html for public safety comms with a G'Day twist.

The live scanner feed URL is http://210.11.123.49:8080

Rascom-QAF1 Service Life Reduced

Aviation Week and Space Technology is reporting in an online article by Michael A. Taverna/Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, that the Rascom-QAF1 satellite will not operate the full 15 years service life as planned.

Thales Alenia Space says engineers have managed to place the Rascom-QAF1 satellite in final orbit, following a helium leak that occurred after its late December launch, but at the cost of a sharply reduced lifetime.

Engineers last week said four weeks of apogee motor firings, beginning with a main motor burst and followed by 18 apogee maneuvers using smaller backup thrusters, had moved the pioneering African telecom spacecraft into its intended orbit at 2.85 degrees east longitude (DAILY, Jan. 9).

However, barring further steps, satellite life will be barely more than two years, instead of the 15 years initially planned. Nevertheless, this could be enough for operator RascomStar-QAF to order a replacement satellite.

The Beatles Will Be Beaming to Polaris the North Star

WASHINGTON -- For the first time ever, NASA will beam a song -- The Beatles' "Across the Universe" -- directly into deep space at 7 p.m. EST on Feb. 4.

The transmission over NASA's Deep Space Network will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the day The Beatles recorded the song, as well as the 50th anniversary of NASA's founding and the group's beginnings. Two other anniversaries also are being honored: The launch 50 years ago this week of Explorer 1, the first U.S. satellite, and the founding 45 years ago of the Deep Space Network, an international network of antennas that supports missions to explore the universe.

The transmission is being aimed at the North Star, Polaris, which is located 431 light years away from Earth. The song will travel across the universe at a speed of 186,000 miles per second. Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney expressed excitement that the tune, which was principally written by fellow Beatle John Lennon, was being beamed into the cosmos.

"Amazing! Well done, NASA!" McCartney said in a message to the space agency. "Send my love to the aliens. All the best, Paul."

Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, characterized the song's transmission as a significant event.

"I see that this is the beginning of the new age in which we will communicate with billions of planets across the universe," she said.

It is not the first time Beatles music has been used by NASA; in November 2005, McCartney performed the song "Good Day Sunshine" during a concert that was transmitted to the International Space Station. "Here Comes the Sun," "Ticket to Ride" and "A Hard Day's Night" are among other Beatles' songs that have been played to wake astronaut crews in orbit.

Feb. 4 has been declared "Across The Universe Day" by Beatles fans to commemorate the anniversaries. As part of the celebration, the public around the world has been invited to participate in the event by simultaneously playing the song at the same time it is transmitted by NASA. Many of the senior NASA scientists and engineers involved in the effort are among the group's biggest fans.

"I've been a Beatles fan for 45 years – as long as the Deep Space Network has been around," said Dr. Barry Geldzahler, the network's program executive at NASA Headquarters, Washington. "What a joy, especially considering that 'Across the Universe' is my personal favorite Beatles song."

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., operates the Deep Space Network. For information about the Deep Space Network, go to http://deepspace.jpl.nasa.gov/dsn/index.html

Monitor the Airspace at Superbowl XLII this Weekend

Are you are interested in hearing the coming and goings of aircraft in and around the SuperBowl in the Phoenix area this weekend? If the answer is yes then I have a neat online service for you (and it is free).

Now you can monitor Phoenix Approach/Departure Control communications and view their radar screen of air fraffic in the area via the Internet.

This service is courtesy of LiveATC.net and SquawkVFR. Point that browser at
http://atcmonitor.com/superbowl/superbowlairspace.html and get in on all the action.

Be sure to tell them that the Milcom and Btown Monitoring Post sent ya.