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631

North American Shortwave Pirate / YHWH 7470 AM 0250 UTC 03 AUG 2018

« on: August 03, 2018, 0254 UTC »

Weak signal, let's say SIO 121. OM droning on about the usual things.

632

Shortwave Broadcast / RNZI in DRM, 9760 kHz, 0501 UTC, 02 AUG 2018

« on: August 02, 2018, 0513 UTC »

RNZI seems to be having issues as they switch from 13840 AM to 11725 AM at 0458. I wasn't tuned into either frequency but instead was listening to NHK World on 9860 when I saw a big DRM signal on 9760 (this being at 0501, first moment I noticed). I thought it might be Radio Romania International since I sometimes see DRM from them in the 31m band, but I got a lock and it was RNZI. it cut off at 0502 so I didn't get much.

I checked 13840, 11725, and 7425 for RNZI but there was no signal at any of those frequencies for a couple of minutes, but it finally did appear (in AM) at 11725 per their usual schedule. The audio dropped out for a few minutes but the carrier remained, and as of 0512 it's broadcasting normally, with a SIO 434 signal.

If RNZI ever decides to expand their DRM coverage to their Pacific beam, it might be the first one that would be worth a damn for North American listeners, at least those of us in the mountain states and west coast.

633

Spy Numbers / HM01 log, August 2018

« on: August 01, 2018, 2111 UTC »

To see what this is all about, go here: https://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,32334.0.html

All transmissions received in Denver, CO, USA using an SDRplay RSP2pro and a W6LVP active loop antenna

Date (DDMMYYYY): Numbers: File name or repeat: Frequency (kHz) and time(UTC):
01/08/2018 68286 48676828.txt * 11635 2100
00122 63130012.txt *
38879 38533887.txt *
25547 40752554.txt *
31141 43553114.txt
75439 13327543.txt *
* First transmitted in July 2018. None of these are new as of 01 August.

02/08/2018 68287 repeat 11435 1600
00123 repeat
55561 81355556.txt
25548 repeat
31141 repeat
70421 02007042.txt
81355556.txt appears to be in Chinese. 02007042.txt is encrypted.

03/08/2018 68288 repeat 11435 1600
00124 repeat
55561 repeat
25549 repeat
31142 repeat
70421 repeat

04/08/2018 68289 repeat 11435 1600
00125 repeat
55562 repeat
27421 60032742.txt
31143 repeat
70422 repeat
New file appears to be unencrypted Chinese text.

05/08/2018 80401 87448040.txt 11435 1600
00126 repeat
55563 repeat
27421 repeat
31144 repeat
70423 repeat

06/08/2018 80401 repeat 11435 1600
00127 repeat
55564 repeat
27422 repeat
31145 repeat
70424 repeat

07/08/2018 80402 repeat 11435 1600
00128 repeat
55565 repeat
27423 repeat
31146 repeat
70425 repeat

Date (DDMMYYYY): Numbers: File name or repeat: Frequency (kHz) and time(UTC):
08/08/2018 80403 repeat 11435 1600
04171 78440417.txt
55566 repeat
27424 repeat
31147 repeat
70426 repeat

09/08/2018 80404 repeat 11635 1800
04171 repeat
55567 repeat
27425 repeat
31148 repeat
70427 repeat

10/08/2018 80405 repeat 11435 1600
04172 repeat
11811 12311181.txt
27426 repeat
47321 07884732.txt
70041 57017004.txt

11/08/2018 80406 repeat 16180 2100
04173 repeat
11811 repeat
27427 repeat
47321 repeat
70041 repeat

12/08/2018 80407 repeat 11435 1600
04174 repeat
11812 repeat
27428 repeat
47322 repeat
70042 repeat

13/08/2018 80408 repeat 11435 1600
04175 repeat
11813 repeat
27429 repeat
47323 repeat
70043 repeat

14/08/2018 80408 repeat 16180 2100
04175 repeat
11813 repeat
27429 repeat
47323 repeat
70043 repeat
REPEAT OF AUGUST 13's NUMBER SETS AND RDFT FILES.

Date (DDMMYYYY): Numbers: File name or repeat: Frequency (kHz) and time(UTC):
15/08/2018 52011 76075201.txt 11635 2100
04176 repeat
11814 repeat
42571 07134257.txt
47324 repeat
70044 repeat
New file 07134257 appears to be in unencrypted Chinese. Number groups confirmed by Ary B, as I was busy with other stuff at this time.

16/08/2018 52011 repeat 16180 2100
04177 repeat
11815 repeat
42571 repeat
47325 repeat
70045 repeat
REPEAT OF AUGUST 15's NUMBER SETS AND RDFT FILES.

17/08/2018 52011 repeat 16180 2100
04177 repeat
11815 repeat
42571 repeat
47325 repeat
70045 repeat
REPEAT OF AUGUST 15's NUMBER SETS AND RDFT FILES.

18/08/2018 52011 repeat 16180 2100
04177 repeat
11815 repeat
42571 repeat
47325 repeat
70045 repeat
REPEAT OF AUGUST 15's NUMBER SETS AND RDFT FILES.

19/08/2018 52011 repeat 11435 1600
04177 repeat
11815 repeat
42571 repeat
47325 repeat
70045 repeat
REPEAT OF AUGUST 15's NUMBER SETS AND RDFT FILES.

20/08/2018 52011 repeat 11435 1600
04177 repeat
11815 repeat
42571 repeat
47325 repeat
70045 repeat
REPEAT OF AUGUST 15's NUMBER SETS AND RDFT FILES.

21/08/2018 52011 repeat 11435 1600
04177 repeat
11815 repeat
42571 repeat
47325 repeat
70045 repeat
REPEAT OF AUGUST 15's NUMBER SETS AND RDFT FILES.

Date (DDMMYYYY): Numbers: File name or repeat: Frequency (kHz) and time(UTC):
22/08/2018 52011 repeat 11435 1600
04177 repeat
11815 repeat
42571 repeat
47325 repeat
70045 repeat
REPEAT OF AUGUST 15's NUMBER SETS AND RDFT FILES.

23/08/2018 52014 repeat 11435 1600
33503 86283350.txt
11819 repeat
42575 repeat
58771 27835877.txt
02451 73860245.txt
Finally progressing - looks like it's making up for four days, even though the repeats happened for seven. I copied nothing well on AUG 23, but did hear the new number groups. Files weren't received until AUG 24. Thanks to Ary B for confirming the numbers.

24/08/2018 52015 repeat 11435 1600
33504 repeat
74741 37267474.txt
42576 repeat
58772 repeat
02452 repeat
File appears to be unencrypted Chinese text.

25/08/2018 52015 repeat 11435 1600
33504 repeat
74741 repeat
42576 repeat
58772 repeat
02452 repeat
Back to repeating the previous day's numbers.

26/08/2018 52015 repeat 10715 2200
33504 repeat
74741 repeat
42576 repeat
58772 repeat
02452 repeat
REPEAT OF AUGUST 24's NUMBER SETS AND RDFT FILES.

27/08/2018 52015 repeat 10715 2200
33504 repeat
74741 repeat
42576 repeat
58772 repeat
02452 repeat
REPEAT OF AUGUST 24's NUMBER SETS AND RDFT FILES.

28/08/2018 52015 repeat 16180 2100
33504 repeat
74741 repeat
42576 repeat
58772 repeat
02452 repeat
REPEAT OF AUGUST 24's NUMBER SETS AND RDFT FILES.

Date (DDMMYYYY): Numbers: File name or repeat: Frequency (kHz) and time(UTC):
29/08/2018 52015 repeat 11435 1600
33504 repeat
74741 repeat
42576 repeat
58772 repeat
02452 repeat
REPEAT OF AUGUST 24's NUMBER SETS AND RDFT FILES. Broadcast started right at 1600, after carrier had been up for a few minutes. Did they reset the computer's clock?

30/08/2018 52015 repeat 17480 2200
33504 repeat
74741 repeat
42576 repeat
58772 repeat
02452 repeat
REPEAT OF AUGUST 24's NUMBER SETS AND RDFT FILES.

31/08/2018 52015 repeat 11435 1600
33504 repeat
74741 repeat
42576 repeat
58772 repeat
02452 repeat
REPEAT OF AUGUST 24's NUMBER SETS AND RDFT FILES.

634

Propagation / Bz -5.7 as of 2008 UTC, 7/30

« on: July 30, 2018, 2008 UTC »

Perhaps that explains why propagation seems to be so poor.

635

General Radio Discussion / HAARP Campaign to Use WSPR on 80 Meters

« on: July 30, 2018, 2005 UTC »

Via ARRL
http://www.arrl.org/news/haarp-campaign-to-use-wspr-on-80-meters

07/27/2018
Alaska’s super-power High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) transmitters in Gakona, Alaska, will take advantage of the WSPR digital protocol and the Weak Signal Propagation Reporter Network (WSPRnet) during a short experimental campaign, July 30 through August 1. University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Space Physics Group researcher and HAARP Chief Scientist Chris Fallen, KL3WX, told ARRL that he’ll be conducting research into ionospheric irregularities, but hardly with a weak signal.

“I am conducting a dual-use experiment to create field-aligned — plasma density — irregularities while also modulating the HF beam for a WSPR beacon test,” he said. Specifically, Fallen will be looking at plasma density irregularities in the F-layer of the ionosphere.

Fallen said the WSPR experimental periods are tentatively planned to last about 30 minutes per day and occur between approximately 2300 and 2400 hours UTC on all 3 days, which would put the operations during daylight hours in US time zones. Most transmissions will be at the WSPR 80-meter default frequency of 3.592.6 MHz, Fallen said. HAARP will use full-carrier AM, since it’s not equipped to transmit SSB. The call sign will be WI2XFX. The HAARP transmitters can generate megawatts of RF.

“One irregularity is that the actual transmit power will be higher than what is reported since it is out of range of what the software allows to be encoded,” Fallen told ARRL.

“These daytime 80-meter conditions are not ideal for a propagation test, but are the result of a compromise with other science objectives and operational constraints,” Fallen said. “I hope that this will be a useful trial for future propagation tests that utilize beacon networks maintained by hams. If I have a little bit of time remaining in my budget, I will try to accommodate a 40-meter test as well.”

Fallen said he’s using WSPRnet to retrieve signal reports automatically, rather than by soliciting listener reports, which often do not include the location and signal strength information his research requires.

“We will conduct a short test each day — admittedly not QRP, but the test will be short — transmitting on even numbered minutes, and then later collecting from the database the spots reported by each station that received HAARP,” Fallen explained. “This will demonstrate the concept of using a large and incredibly variable — in terms of frequency, power, and direction — HF transmitter such as HAARP, in conjunction with WSPRnet, to generate snapshots of HF propagation conditions from a point source in the subarctic.”

Fallen said hams have been requesting something like this, although with far more asking for FT8 than for WSPR transmissions. “But, I am having trouble figuring out specifically how FT8 would work with HAARP,” Fallen said.

Fallen said the Amateur Radio bands are not included in HAARP’s permanent Part 5 Experimental license authorization, but UAF routinely seeks a Special Temporary Authorization (STA, attached) that permits access to some amateur frequencies.

636

General Radio Discussion / Slow-Scan TV Transmissions from International Space Station Set for July 30 – 31

« on: July 30, 2018, 1505 UTC »

via ARRL

25 July 2018

Russian cosmonauts on the International Space Station are
expected to activate Amateur Radio Slow Scan Television (SSTV)
transmissions on 145.800 MHz FM on July 30 and 31 The SSTV
experiment should be active on Monday, July 30, 1600 – 1930 UTC,
and Tuesday, July 31, 1325 – 1915 UTC, using the RS0ISS call
sign. SSTV images will be transmitted using the Kenwood TM-D710
transceiver in the Russian ISS Service Module. Format is expected
to be PD-120.

http://www.arrl.org/news/slow-scan-tv-transmissions-from-international-space-station-set-for-july-30-31

See also:
https://amsat-uk.org/beginners/iss-sstv/

637

General Radio Discussion / FCC Proposes $18,000 Fine in Louisiana Amateur Radio Interference Case

« on: July 30, 2018, 1444 UTC »

Caught red-handed. Literally. - MDK2

http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-proposes-18-000-fine-in-louisiana-amateur-radio-interference-case

July 25, 2018

The FCC has issued a Notice of Apparent Liability (NAL) proposing to fine Jerry W. Materne, KC5CSG, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, $18,000 “for apparently causing intentional interference and for apparently failing to provide station identification on amateur radio frequencies,” the FCC said.

“Mr. Materne was previously warned regarding this behavior in writing by the Enforcement Bureau and, given his history as a repeat offender, these apparent violations warrant a significant penalty,” the FCC said in the NAL, released on July 25.

In 2017, the FCC received numerous complaints alleging that Materne was causing interference to the W5BII repeater, preventing other amateur licensees from using it. In March 2017, the repeater trustee banned Materne from using the repeater.

Responding to some of the complaints, the Enforcement Bureau issued a Letter of Inquiry (LOI), advising Materne of the allegations and directing him to address them. Materne denied causing interference but admitted to operating simplex on the repeater’s output frequency. In June 2017, the FCC received an additional complaint alleging that Materne had repeatedly interfered with an attempted emergency net that was called up as Tropical Storm Cindy was about to make landfall. The complaint maintained that Materne “repeatedly transmitted on the repeater’s input frequency, hindering the local emergency net’s ability to coordinate weather warnings and alerts on behalf of the National Weather Service,” the FCC said in the NAL.

Local amateurs were able to track the interfering signal to Materne’s residence and confirmed their findings to the FCC, prompting a Warning Letter advising Materne of the complaint and pointing out that his behavior “as described in the complaint would be a violation of Section 97.101(d) of the Commission’s rules.” Materne responded to the Warning Letter to argue that it was legal to transmit on the repeater’s output frequency, further stating that “he was tired of this trash harassing me,” the FCC said.

In the wake of further complaints, FCC agents visited Lake Charles, tracked transmissions on 146.130 MHz to Materne’s residence, and monitored them for up to 7 hours. The agent reported hearing Materne “playing music on 146.130 MHz and warning other amateur operators that the local Amateur Radio club would not be able to conduct their net later that day.”

That evening, the agent watched as Materne drove to a location near the W5BII repeater, where, the agent said, Materne “began transmitting an amateur digital radio signal from a hand-held radio in his vehicle,” disrupting the net and failing to identify. Subsequently, the agent, accompanied by a deputy from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, approached Materne’s vehicle and confirmed that he possessed a radio capable of operating on 146.130 MHz. “Audio recordings captured by the agent demonstrate that the intentional interference ceased as the agent and the Sheriff’s deputy approached Mr. Materne’s vehicle,” the FCC said in the NAL.

The FCC said that based on the evidence before it, Materne “apparently willfully violated Section 333 of the Act and Section 97.101(d) of the Commission’s rules by intentionally interfering with other licensed amateur communications,” and that he “apparently willfully violated Section 97.119(a) of the Commission’s rules by failing to transmit his assigned call sign.”

“[W]e find that Mr. Materne’s apparent repeated, intentional, and egregious apparent violations of Section 333 of the Act and Section 97.101(d) of the Commission’s rules warrant an upward adjustment of $10,000 to the proposed forfeiture,” the FCC said. “In applying the applicable statutory factors, we also consider whether there is any basis for a downward adjustment of the proposed forfeiture. Here, we find none.”

638

Spy Numbers / XPA2, 13884 kHz USB, 2120 UTC, 28 JULY 2018

« on: July 28, 2018, 2145 UTC »

This was the best of the 2100/2120/2140 transmissions, and the only one I got a good copy using Rivet build 90. (RSP2pro, W6LVP loop, Denver CO USA).

Rivet decode follows, times in Mountain Daylight Time (pm)

3:21:11 PM XPA2 Start Tones Found (correcting by -22 Hz)
3:22:03 PM Sync tone found
3:22:03 PM Symbol timing found
01124 00001 00000 36644
End Tone
3:22:10 PM XPA2 Decode Complete

639

QSLs Received / Mix Radio confirmation email

« on: July 28, 2018, 1932 UTC »

Thanks for the email! It wasn't really that late for me (10:30-11:30 local time) and I was glad to catch the show!

640

North American Shortwave Pirate / Mix Radio 6870 AM 0431 UTC 28 JULY 2018

« on: July 28, 2018, 0431 UTC »

0431 Funky music, jazzy flute. Fair signal here in Denver.
0443 Mix Radio ID, into "Crazy On You" Heart
0448 "All Along the Watchtower" Jimi Hendrix Experience
0452 YL saying something, possible ID, into "Purple Haze" Jimi Hendrix Experience
0455 "Don't Stop Believin'" Journey
0459 SSTV, unfortunately not prepared for it.
0501 "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" Journey
0505 "Open Arms" Journey
0508 "Carry On My Wayward Son" Kansas
0514 frequency starting to be hammered by OTHR. Station not playing classic rock any longer.
0516 another song, back in the classic rock groove, but I don't know which one this is or who it is.
0519 next tune. Prog rock track.
0526 Mix Radio ID
0527 continued music.
0530 ID and QRT

Thanks for the show!

641

Shortwave Broadcast / Unknown station, 11530 AM, 2245 UTC, 27 July 2018

« on: July 27, 2018, 2323 UTC »

It's 2320 as I post this but I've been tuned in for a while. Middle Eastern music without announcements, and a signal that has been steadily improving, currently a solid SIO 333 . Schedule shows SOH and Chinese jamming, obviously not either. Denge Welat scheduled for 0500 UTC broadcast, but this doesn't really sound like them at all, either. WRMI has used this frequency for various things but their schedule is completely blank, plus they would have ID'd at the top of the hour but there was none.

642

Shortwave Broadcast / Radio Transmudial, 11735 AM, 1639 UTC, 27 July 2018

« on: July 27, 2018, 1650 UTC »

Not 100% confirmed because it's about SIO 222 at best making the spoken announcements hard to hear and tell what language is being spoken (never mind hearing station ID). But kiwi SDR's in the Americas are picking it up while those in Europe are getting ZBC. Transmitting from southern Brazil.

EDIT: found the live stream and confirmed that it's the same audio, confirming station ID.

643

Shortwave Broadcast / KBS World Radio, 15575 kHz, 26 July 2018, 1330 UTC

« on: July 26, 2018, 1346 UTC »

Weak audio at the noise floor of KBS's English program beam to North America, but noteworthy because I hadn't copied it this late last year or the year before, not even roughly. We're five weeks past the summer solstice, which means that the long days in the Northern Hemisphere are almost through and the daylight path between Korea and the USA will soon disappear, thus ending any chance at copying this station until May of next year. Does anyone know why KBS wastes this transmission on 19m?

644

North American Shortwave Pirate / UNID 6960 USB 0407 UTC 22 JULY 2018

« on: July 22, 2018, 0408 UTC »

OM talking about something.
0412 after listening for a while, it sounds like a ragchew between a couple of out banders. English speakers with American accents.

Checking the SDR recording for Wolverine earlier in the evening, and these guys were on when Wolverine signed off. In fact I could hear their voices a bit during the SSTV transmission.

645

North American Shortwave Pirate / YHWH 7470 AM 0254 UTC 20 JULY 2018

« on: July 21, 2018, 0255 UTC »

First time I've copied it in a while, though I don't often look for him. Signal up and down in strength. Usual OM talking about the usual things.

News:

Topics - MDK2