Messages

2071

Shortwave Broadcast / WBCQ 9330 Winterfest show

« on: March 14, 2009, 1810 UTC »

3/14/09, since 1750 UTC, one of the few times I've been able to catch WBCQ on 9330.  Best on 9330.2 USB (no audio on LSB despite AM mode).  Mentions of Kulpsville Winterfest, seems to be a free form Area 51-style program, "Good monkey" air checks from DJ Knobtwister of WEAK Radio and other pirate ops.  Porno for Pyros "Pets," other rock music.  Old "Voice of Communism" bits (http://www.hfunderground.com/wiki/Voice_of_Communism).
1829z: Big jump in signal strength, from S1 to S7.
SINPO - 32433, weak but steady signal, generally good audibility through low QRN and moderate local RFI. (Steady hum, presumably local - note, other listeners also reported hearing this hum, apparently is in WBCQ's signal).
(N. Central TX - Palstar R30C with indoor fugloop homebrewed passive coax loop antenna)

Short mp3 with Cosmikdebris and Jane reading listener e-mails: http://www.mediafire.com/?q4yjxmmnnm5

2072

General Radio Discussion / Re: Police Detonate Ham Radio Equipment Mistaken for Bomb

« on: March 09, 2009, 0301 UTC »

With apologies to all who may be sick and tired of the classic Zero Wing "All Your Base" meme...

All Your Baluns Are Belong To Us

2073

North American Shortwave Pirate / 6925U UNID w/ whispery ID, jazz fusion

« on: February 26, 2009, 0528 UTC »

2/26/09, 6925 USB
0127-0141 UTC: Rhythmic jazz-fusion instrumental stuff. Ended at 0141 UTC with whispered ID, recently logged by others with various interpretations of ID, due to whispered ID being difficult to copy.

My best guess on the ID is it sounds like Whispery Radio, Wolvesbane Radio or even Wolverine Radio (the music is reminiscent of some Wolverine programs that featured mostly jazz-fusion instrumentals), but even listening to better audio clips recorded by Sealord, Web, Jon-FL and others, I can't quite make it out.

SINPO - 34423, good audio, peaks very clear, some fades to barely audible against low noise background.

Very peculiar propagation, among the few strong signals I've received on 6925 in a few weeks, even tho' my other usual HF propagation indicators (WWV, CHU time intervals, various sideband aviation/maritime weather utes, AFN on 7811 and 5446.5) are all practically nil at the moment. Just this one show came through well, while everything else is in the mud.

(N. Central TX - Palstar R30C with indoor fugloop antenna)

14+ minute mp3 with whispered ID at 14:06: http://www.mediafire.com/?m5omzkgyemm

2074

Other / MARS net 6999 LSB

« on: February 25, 2009, 1544 UTC »

2/25/09, 6999 LSB, between 1415-1530 UTC, heard two radio checks, brief QSOs between two OM, one YL, standard MARS protocol, "AAA" call sign prefixes (Alpha-Alpha-Alpha).  Seems to be Region 2, only location heard mentioned was Pensacola, FL.  Ops indicated they were hearing only weak signals from each other, but all three were clearly audible here with indoor antenna.  (N. Central TX)

2075

North American Shortwave Pirate / UNID 6925 AM w/ audio clips from 1974 Xenia, Ohio tornado disaster

« on: February 22, 2009, 1004 UTC »

2/22/09, 0030-0039 UTC, 6925.6 AM, reprise of show also heard on 1/1/09.  Sounds like audio track from documentary about April 1974 tornado disaster that heavily damaged Xenia, Ohio.  Includes narration (in deadpan Jack Webb Dragnet style) and music with audio clips from emergency calls and emergency responders.  Possible ID at end, obscured by noise.  Fair signal through noise and fades, heavy local QRM/RFI affecting LSB, so best in USB.  SINPO - 22322 (N. Central TX - indoor fugloop antenna)

From Jan. 1, 2009 log of same show:
Seems to be around 6925.6/.7 AM, best in USB here. Since around 0104 UTC hearing what sounds like dramatized news reports of weather related disaster. Something about "Fox 21" rescue squad.

Per folks on IRC, this may have been based on the April 1974 tornado that wiped out Xenia, Ohio (thanks, chucks and DimBulb).

"...Xenia has just been hit by a tornado, the place is torn to pieces. They're asking for fire equipment, police equipment and ambulances..."

SINPO - 34121, fair signal peaks through extremely heavy noise and fades.

(N. Central TX)

Rough mp3, 2.9MB, a few clear bits of audio amid static and fade: http://www.mediafire.com/?mmlzmmkomuj

2076

Shortwave Broadcast / Unusual time slot for RNZI on 9765

« on: February 17, 2009, 1308 UTC »

2/17/09, 1240-1255 UTC, 9765 kHz AM, Radio New Zealand International, SINPO - 42422
Unusual catch.  RNZI not usually audible here on 9765 kHz at this time (transmissions audible in N. America on 9765 usually end by 1000 or 1100 UTC?).  Rapid fluttering fades, QRM from another English language program (possibly France or CRI) and a third in Spanish (probably Radio Exterior de Espana, per partial ID), each swapping signal strengths.

Heard news with definite references to Auckland, New Zealand, Radio New Zealand International ID at around 1245 UTC, distinctive drumbeat segues between programming segments.  Unable to copy details about news report due to peculiar fluttering fades and QRM from two others on this freq.  Off or faded by top of hour 1300 UTC.

Still, a pleasant surprise to hear RNZI at this time.  Normally only Radio Australia on 9580 is still audible from Oceania here in Texas by 1200-1300 UTC.

(N. Central TX - audible on both Palstar R30C with indoor loop and Magnavox D2935 portable with indoor whip)

2077

North American Shortwave Pirate / Pirate Radio Phantom or Fansome? 6925.2 USB

« on: February 15, 2009, 1230 UTC »

2/15/09 - Honestly, I can't really take credit for this one.  I heard the music but the IDs were tough to copy.  Jon-FL on IRC helped confirm the IDs in real-time.  After checking a January 2009 log for Pirate Radio Fansome with similar music, I'm betting this was the same station.
6925.2 USB, approx.
0519 UTC: Music with jangly guitar.
0519z: Surf rock, sounds like Ventures "Walk Don't Run"
0534z: Odd vocal/chorus type music
0538z: Tears for Fears "Head Over Heels"
0542z: "Have a Cigar", doesn't sound like Pink Floyd (Foo Fighters?)
0551z: Caught a partial ID, sounded like "Pirate Radio Phantom" (or Fansome), had to confirm with Jon-FL via IRC to be sure.
SINPO - 22422 (heavy local RFI). Audio seems a bit thin, like a miked up speaker.
(N. Central TX - indoor fugloop antenna)

2078

General Radio Discussion / Re: Sirius XM Prepares Bankruptcy Filing

« on: February 15, 2009, 1227 UTC »

This fellow has a swell solution.
Sirius XM bet on a losing technology. Here's how the company can save itself.
http://www.slate.com/id/2211158/?GT1=38002
By Farhad Manjoo

"My advice: Forget the satellites, the special radios, and the huge customer acquisition costs. Instead, focus on your content—and figure out a way to get it to the largest possible audience at very low prices."
After two pages of blah-blah, the gist of the article is two-fold: (1) Be cheaper; (2) Stop sucking so much.  Yay!  XM is saved!

2079

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: 6925 SSB - ?

« on: February 14, 2009, 1021 UTC »

Didn't hear anything myself here in Texas at that time, but other folks logged Captain Morgan on 6925 USB between approx. 0130-0206 UTC.  Check the FRN log for that slot to see if any of it rings a bell: http://www.frn.net/vines/Forum4/HTML/013232.html

Captain Morgan usually plays distinctive IDs and the Twilight Zone theme song in his mix.  He's not the only pirate to use the Twilight Zone theme song, but he tends to use it more often.  Along with his often warbly audio, drifty signal and tendency to sorta slam together partial songs, he's got a distinctive sound (that's a good thing - I get a kick out of his shows).

2080

North American Shortwave Pirate / Re: WEAK 6925U 0541 UTC 2-13-09

« on: February 13, 2009, 0845 UTC »

Best signal I've caught so far from WEAK.  Never above S3, lots of fluttering fades to nearly inaudible, but very low QRM/QRN so was enjoyable.  Clear enough at times to hear nuances in the various IDs, a first for me with this station.  Ranged from SINPO 24411 at beginning to 34422 at end.

6925 USB, 0534-0652 UTC: Lots of distinctive "WEAK Radio" IDs, most in YL voice, some with echo fx.  Long program of music: Van Halen "Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love", Muddy Waters "Got My Mojo Workin'", Sublime "What I Got", Stone Temple Pilots "Dead Bloated", "Pictures of Matchstick Men" (never could figure out which version was Status Quo or Camper Van Beethoven), "Jane Says" Jane's Addiction, Isley Brothers "Climbing Up the Ladder", others.  Some other audio bits, sounded like phone pranks or parody ads.  Ended with set of punk/post-punk stuff from PiL/Public Image Limited/Johnny Lydon, others.
0652z: Several closing IDs, alternating between male and female voices, with and without echo fx.
(N. Central TX - indoor antenna)

Edited mp3, 1.8MB, includes last 8 minutes of over hourlong show, with clear IDs at beginning, middle and three different IDs at end - female voice, male, female again with echo fx: http://www.mediafire.com/?ytwdijgquql

One hour, 16 minute mp3 for most of show - beware, it's over 17MB and only gets good 20 minutes into the clip: http://www.mediafire.com/?zqmttzlgytz

2081

Utility / Re: 6215 AM, possibly V24

« on: February 11, 2009, 1559 UTC »

6215 AM, 2/11/09, 1500-1509 UTC: Carrier detected 1457 UTC; soft ballad type pop song with male vocalist, unid language, 1500-1504z; 1504-1509z, woman repeating phrases in what sounded like Asian language.  Ended 1509z, carrier dropped 1510z.  Fair signal, fluttering fades.  (N. Central TX)

9 minute mp3, 2.13MB: http://www.mediafire.com/?mmogayn4mtt

2082

North American Shortwave Pirate / WEAK Radio 6925 USB 2/10/09

« on: February 10, 2009, 0551 UTC »

Long show from WEAK Radio on 6925 USB, from approx. 0300 UTC and still occasionally audible after 0530z.  Mix of familiar and unfamiliar rock music, able to ID Berlin "Sex (I'm a...)," "Roller Coaster" (not sure if original Ohio Players version or Red Hot Chili Peppers cover), KISS "Christine," Rolling Stones "The Last Time."  Lots of distinctive IDs, very carefully enunciated by YL, making it easy to copy despite very faint signal: "W-E-A-K, WEAK Radio".  Started out at SINPO - 14521, audible only because of very low QRM/QRN; later SINPO - 24311, stronger peaks but more noise and longer fades to inaudible.  Peculiar rapid fluttering fades at times.  (N. Central TX - indoor passive loop antenna)

2083

North American Shortwave Pirate / UNID 6925 w/ news/talk about soil erosion, Johnny Cash song

« on: February 08, 2009, 1200 UTC »

2/8/09 - Not sure what to make of this unidentified late night show.  No ID given.  Presumably the op was testing conditions to check propagation and whether there's a late night audience in the U.S.
2/8/09, 0735 UTC: Carrier on 6925.
0741z: Talk about soil erosion. Sounds like feed from radio/TV news/talk station. Audio only on 6925 USB now.
0756z: Continuing with same programming, sounds a lot like typical stuff from NPR or AFN (7811/5446.5 USB), straightforward news/talk about soil erosion, conservation. More fades to nearly inaudible now.
0758z: Johnny Cash "Waiting For a Train", crossfade over news/talk, presume same station, similar audio and signal strength.
0801z: Dead air since end of Johnny Cash song, not sure if over. No ID heard.

Fair signal peaks, some fading.

Good signal and quiet conditions here in Texas. Per Jon-FL via IRC (who has a much better antenna than mine) reported hearing nothing other than carrier at 0730z, indicating propagation continues to be erratic.

(N. Central TX - indoor antenna)

10 minute mp3 from 0741-0751 UTC: http://www.mediafire.com/?jjzkn41hyhf

Second 10-minute segment, ending with Johnny Cash song (some dead air toward end): http://www.mediafire.com/?zheomwwmuyj

2084

North American Shortwave Pirate / Radio GA-GA 6925 USB

« on: February 08, 2009, 1153 UTC »

2/7/09 - Seems to be a new station... new to me anyway.  ID'd as Radio GA-GA (spelling per e-mail verification from station operator).
6925 USB, 2246-2358 UTC: Variety of mostly familiar rock music - Eagles "Victim of Love", Pink Floyd "Money", Pink Floyd "Brain Damage", "Let's Think About Living" (don't recognize singer), others.
SINPO - 32312, good signal peaks but deep fades to inaudible and what sounded like QRM from another station.  (N. Central TX - indoor antenna)

Because it sounded as if two stations were overlapping at times, I'm including details and times:
2255z: ID that sounded like Radio Gaga, or GAGA?
2256z: "Yeah, Radio Gaga" followed by loud belch.
2258z: Li'l girl computer voice, "Mommy?..." couldn't copy rest of what she said.  (Note: This "little kid" computer voice has been heard several times during the past year, interjecting comments about various pirate broadcasts, often to very comical effect.  So far no particular pirate op has taken credit for this but it's produced quite a few laughs among listeners, per IRC and various logs, especially when "she" is frightened by the always eclectic Toynbee Radio broadcasts.)  Followed by male voice ID for Radio Gaga or GAGA, caught only partial gmail address.
2302z: Li'l kid voice again commenting on show.
2306z: Not sure, thought I heard a "Jamba" ID and Cypress Hill "Insane in the Membrane" on top of Radio Gaga ID and Pink Floyd song. Signals too weak to tell whether this is one station mixing two audio bits, or two ops on same freq.
2309z: Very clear "Radio Gaga" ID (not sure how to spell this one yet)
2325z: Radio Gaga/GAGA ID, music still occasionally audible through noise and fades.
2329z: Uncle Bob voice loops (familiar from Sycko Radio shows, tho' could be borrowed audio clips)
2333z: Very clear Radio Gaga ID, louder than Uncle Bob and other audio mix, gave e-mail address sounded like "oak on point" at gmail? Will need to review audio clip to be sure.
2336z: Hearing two different songs again, Eagles "Life In The Fast Lane" and something else, can't tell if this is one op playing audio mix or two ops swapping signal strength. SINPO - 31322
2340z: Radio Gaga ID again, this time e-mail sounded like "hope on point" as a couple other folks have noted here and on IRC.
2350z: Mix of audio bits from political commentary, echo fx and looping?

Received e-mail confirmation for popeonthepoint at gmail dot com address:

"Thanks for the report, broadcasting from the great white north.
Station located in middle of 400 sq mile FROZEN lake
Cheers and beers....Radio GA-GA"

7-minute 1.6MB mp3, edits between 2315-0100 UTC show, with ID's at beginning and end, mix of techno and Eagles "Life in the Fast Lane" overlapping: http://www.mediafire.com/?htdntvwemem

2085

North American Shortwave Pirate / WTCR 6925 & 3433 USB 2/8/09

« on: February 08, 2009, 1144 UTC »

2/8/09 - Propagation continues to be erratic as several listeners reported widely varying signals for reception of the usually booming WTCR signal.  Here in N. Central Texas was good to fair on 6925, fair to poor on 3433; others reported the reverse.  The usual good quality audio.
6925 USB, 0140-0225 UTC: Opening fanfare, WTCR ID, The Who "Behind Blue Eyes" and "Eminence Front"; Fine Young Cannibals "Good Thing"; John Hiatt "Paper Thin"; Stones "Tumbling Dice"; Wallflowers "Sleepwalker"; Spin Doctors "Two Princes"; Sarah MacLachlan "Building a Mystery".  Signal vanished after this tho' other listeners reported continuing to hear WTCR.
SINPO - 33412, good signal peaks occasionally, alternated between fluttering fades while remaining audible and deep fades to inaudible.
0154z: WTCR female voice ID
0212z: WTCR ID
(N. Central TX - Palstar R30C w/ indoor passive fugloop antenna)

mp3 edited to best 7 minutes I managed to catch between 0150-0215 UTC: http://www.mediafire.com/?hwnnqztcldn
3433 USB, 0249-0349 UTC: Repeat of same program with one additional song at end, guitar instrumental by Carlos Santana.  Only audible outdoors with portable, fair signal with same fluttering fades noted earlier.