Messages

2431

Peskies / UNID Spanish Language 6915 kHz LSB 0020 UTC 18 May 2017

« on: May 18, 2017, 0024 UTC »

Despite strong static crashes QRN from thunderstorm / lightning interference and data bursts on 6912 kHz USB, Spanish language traffic going strong on 6915 kHz LSB / 6.915 MHz LSB.  Reminds me of traffic usually heard around 6900 kHz LSB and nearby frequencies.  Right now (0023 UTC) 6900 kHz is clear.

2432

Peskies / UNID Spanish Language 6858 kHz USB 0000 UTC 18 May 2017

« on: May 18, 2017, 0020 UTC »

Spanish pescadore "peskie" 6858 kHz 6.858

Hearing some Spanish language chatter on 6858 kHz USB starting around 0000 UTC May 18th, 2017.  Unfortunately heavy static crash QRN is making copy difficult. 

2433

Shortwave Broadcast / Radio Romania International 11810 kHz AM 1700 UTC 12 May 2017

« on: May 12, 2017, 1708 UTC »

Radio news in English, YL announcer with OM interjecting.  SIO 444 signal, signal strength S5-S6.  Discussion of European Commission and Romania's role at 1708 UTC.

This is a new one for me, apparently they only transmit from 1700-1757 UTC which would explain why I often miss them despite hanging out on 25 meters quite often. 

2434

General Radio Discussion / Re: Solar Minimum

« on: May 12, 2017, 1650 UTC »

Not looking forward to 2019-2020 then. 

Looks like 11 meters is going to be sporadic-E only for a while, if anything at all.  I wonder if sales of export radios and modified CB equipment will slow down with the solar minimum.

2435

Utility / Re: "A4A" "AA4AL" "AL" "FLX" as ID's. 6968.50 USB 1515 UTC 12 May 2017

« on: May 12, 2017, 1647 UTC »

It's MARS, in other words, ham operators passing military traffic on out of band frequencies using (modified) amateur radio equipment.  6968.5 kHz USB is one of their favorite frequencies.  You'll find them on several frequencies above and below 40 meters.  They almost always use a frequency ending in .5 for some reason.  They also make heavy use of encrypted data modes - listen to them long enough and you'll eventually hear a request to re-send a file.

Its fun listening to MARS on 6968.5 kHz USB while Portuguese speaking pescadores chat away on 6969 kHz LSB or 6970 kHz LSB.

2436

Shortwave Broadcast / Re: Caribbean Beacon-11775 kHz-Distorted Audio

« on: May 12, 2017, 1627 UTC »

It sounds like she's talking with a sock in her mouth on 11775 kHz.

What a shame.  Such a strong signal today too.

2437

Shortwave Broadcast / Re: 7493 khz 2350 UTC 5/11/2017

« on: May 12, 2017, 1620 UTC »

Looks like 7490 kHz is used by WBCQ and WWCR only.  However, 7495 kHz is    VOA RADIO ASHNA (transmitters in Kuwait and Udon Thani) and Radio Algeria - see http://www.short-wave.info/?freq=7495

2438

Peskies / UNID Spanish Language 10465 kHz USB 1730 UTC 11 May 2017

« on: May 11, 2017, 1737 UTC »

Hearing faint pescadore like voice traffic on 10465 kHz USB / 10.465 MHz USB, sounds like fishing fleets (lots of noise in the background).  Closer to the voice traffic heard on the 6.6-7.0 MHz region (Portuguese language) frequencies such as 6925 kHz LSB. 

Traffic seems to have disappeared at 1737 UTC. 

2439

Peskies / Re: UNID Possible Italian / Portuguese 4630 kHz USB 0400+ UTC 8 May 2017

« on: May 11, 2017, 1455 UTC »

Sounds like we've heard the same group of statons.  I can't put my finger on the language (I know accents make things even harder to really nail down).  Heavy storm static seems to be the norm late night this time of year but if 4630 kHz is anything like the other pescadore fishing fleet frequencies we've found, they'll be hanging out there all year. 

Certainly a frequency worth continuing to check out in the future. 

2440

Peskies / UNID Portuguese Language 6925 kHz LSB 0000 UTC 11 May 2017

« on: May 11, 2017, 0018 UTC »

6925 kHz / 6.925 MHz LSB.  Not as busy now as it usually is, but propagation seems odd tonight.  Must be the full moon. 

Anyway, hearing sporadic (but strong) Portuguese chatter on 6925 LSB.  First noticed traffic around 0000 UTC.

2441

North American Shortwave Pirate / UNID 6940 USB 0015 UTC 11 May 2017

« on: May 11, 2017, 0015 UTC »

Massive signal on 6940 kHz USB.  S5-S7 on peaks.  

2442

Peskies / UNID Portuguese Language 6940 kHz LSB 2345+ UTC 10 May 2017

« on: May 10, 2017, 2348 UTC »

6940 kHz LSB / 6.940 MHz LSB

Portuguese speaking stations heard at 2345 UTC, 2347 UTC on.  Weak signals, weather than similar traffic logged on 6965 LSB.

2443

Peskies / UNID Portuguese Language 6965 kHz LSB 2345+ UTC 10 May 2017

« on: May 10, 2017, 2346 UTC »

Hearing very weak Portuguese chatter on 6965 kHz LSB.  Several stations talking over each other, classic "peskie" chatter. 

2444

Peskies / UNID Spanish Language 6905 kHz LSB 2155+ UTC 10 May 2017

« on: May 10, 2017, 2157 UTC »

At around the same time 6900 kHz LSB started showing signs of activity, I noticed nearby frequency 6905 kHz LSB is also active.  Hearing two or three Spanish speaking stations chatting on 6905 LSB at 2155 UTC / 2156 UTC.  SIO 222 - SIO 333 right now, but its still relatively early for activity on these frequencies.

Considering the fact that 6900 LSB is also active earlier than usual, hopefully these frequencies will stay busy later on and I'll be able to do some more in-depth monitoring of the freebanding radio operators that hang around below 40 meters. 

2445

Peskies / 6900 kHz LSB Spanish Speaking Freebander Net 2150+ UTC 10 May 2017

« on: May 10, 2017, 2155 UTC »

Noticing traffic on 6900 kHz LSB / 6.900 MHz LSB a bit earlier than usual this afternoon (U.S. east coast time anyway).  Tuned in to 6900 kHz after seeing voice traffic on the waterfall while listening to 6880 kHz. 

Sporadic signals, not like the frequency is (will be?) later on in the evening.  Possibly an indicator of a busy night to come.