Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race 2008

That time of year again, I've been broadcasting the primary race frequency and making recordings of the Radio Skeds for Position and Safety, hope you all enjoy and we'll see how the race goes :)

Radios and QTH Background
The primary race frequency 6516khz has been clear as bell since I've been testing my new setup at the Canberra QTH preparing for remote controlling the radio from Brisbane via internet.

Beside the normal bastard of a Shortwave Station that starts broadcasting on 6518khz from 2155 AEST until 0805 AEST the next morning I was fairly happy with the results.

However things went to custard sometime from Xmas-eve and Boxing Day morning, when I logged on to monitor the audio on 6516khz, I was getting blasted with a S2-S4 electrical RFI. Since I'm in Brisbane, I was unable to diagnose or locate the possible source of RFI, except to come to the conclusion that one of the bloody neighbours must have got a new present / device for xmas and has plugged it in and now causes +/- 500khz from 6500 to have a very annoying RFI. All other frequencies I've scanned on the Icom R75 are clear of this RFI noise.

I put up with it for the first day as the fleet when broadcasting could be fairly easily be heard over the RFI. However the next morning when preparing for the 0735 AEST sked, HF propagation between the S2H fleet and the Canberra QTH fell through the floor (and has remained that way through out the race so far!) and had to resort to the Sony ICF-SW7600GR Portable and the Brisbane Special homemade inverted V antenna. This gave me enough signal to monitor the race when the Canberra QTH was crap, and visa-versa Canberra QTH was perfect for the 4483khz frequency.


S2H Radio Schedules

20081226 20:05 Position Report - (Listen Here)

20081226 21:15 Yacht Georgia sinking - Pan Pan / Mayday

   Part 1 - 2008-12-26  21:13 AEST (~47mins 10 Mb) - (Click Here)
            (NB at 21:55 AEST Shorwave Station starts broadcasting on 6518 kHz, it a pain in the ARSE!!!! 
            and the station does not stop broadcasting till 0805 AEST following morning.  
             Not much I can do about it, got the R75 Filters and DSP tuned / configured as best 
             as I could to filter the station out.)

   Part 2 - 2008-12-26  22:00 AEST (~60mins 12 Mb) - (Click Here)

   Part 3 - 2008-12-26  23:00 AEST (~15mins 3 Mb) - (Click Here)

20081227 00:05 Safety Report - (Listen Here)

20081227 07:35 Position Report - No recordings, nothing heard from QTH Canberra except for the annoying interfering Shortwave Station broadcasting on 6518khz since 2100 to 0900, I was however able to hear them on the Sony Portable with a small hookup wire from hear in Brisbane, but was not able to setup any recording via the laptop in time. I'm, going to set up the Brisbane Special inverted V antenna and hook it up to Sony as a backup and get this recording issue sorted.

20081227 12:05 Weather Report - (Nothing of interest and HF was still fairly poor)

20081227 17:35 Position Report - Canberra QTH was a wash out after two afternoon storm came through the region / area (God I hope the house is ok, heard on the news this morning there was flash flooding)

20081228 00:05 Safety Report - Good signal, nothing of interest a few of the yachts that did not report position earlier came in nice and strong.

20081228 07:35 Position Report

   - Audio from Sony SW76000GR - Located at Brisbane - (Click Here)

   - Audio from Icom R75 - Located at Canberra - (Click Here)  

Regards
Mark

Christmas Songs

Having put up the Chrissy lights the other day, I've noticed that while listening to the local radio stations, the lack of feel good Christmas songs especially the traditional one I use to remember when I a fair bit younger :) So with a quick google, I found a website "Christmas Songs" list of Christmas songs, and thought I'd go through them as link them as usual to a video clip from YouTube:

1. A Baby Just Like You - John Denver


2. All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth - Spike Jones


3. Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley


4. Christmas Dinner


5. Christmas For Cowboys - John Denver


6. Christmas In Killarney


7. Deck the Halls


8. First Christmas - Stan Rogers


9. Frosty the Snow Man - Nat King Cole


10. Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer - The Irish Rovers, Dr. Elmo


11. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Frank Sinatra


12. Here Comes Santa Claus


13. Holly Jolly Christmas - Burl Ives


14. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - Jessica Simpson


15. It's the most wonderful time of the year - Andy Williams


16. I'll Be Home For Christmas - Frank Sinatra


17. Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms


18. Jingle Bells - Bing Crosby & Frank Sinatra


19. Jolly Old Saint Nicholas - The Ray Conniff Singers


20. Let It Snow - Dean Martin


21. Mary, Did You Know? - Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd


22. Merry Christmas Darling - The Carpenters


23. Must Be Santa - Mitch Miller & The Gang


24. Nuttin' For Christmas


25. O Christmas Tree (Has many Versions - Very funny)


26. Pine Cones And Holly Berries


27. Rocking around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee


28. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Gene Autry


29. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Bruce Springsteen


30. Silver Bells - Dean Martin , Johnny Mathis


31. Sleep Well, Little Children - Kristin Chenoweth


32. Sleigh Ride - Andy Williams, The Ronettes


33. Tennessee Christmas - Amy Grant


34. The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole


35. The Little Drummer Boy - BING CROSBY & DAVID BOWIE


36. The Night Before Christmas


37. The Twelve Days of Christmas - John Denver - Muppets Christmas


38. Up On the Housetop - Gene Autry


39. We Wish You A Merry Christmas


40. White Christmas - Bing Crosby


41. Winter Wonderland - Bing Crosby

Misc:

O Come All Ye Faithful - Nat King Cole

Silver Bells


Wow !!! Thats enough for tonight :) Hope you enjoy the version / cover of each popular Christmas Songs listed above......

Merry Christmas Everyone !!

Mark

Frequencies 6th-December-2008

Using Icom R75 - Slinky Dipole, QTH: Canberra

khz    UTC    SINPO   Country      Station  
13362  0855   45544   USA          AFRTS
5765   0904   45544   USA          AFRTS
7811   0905   45544   USA          AFRTS
2310   0908   25222   AUS          ABC
2325   0909   25223   AUS          ABC
8743   0912   25443   ??           USB - Melody intro, clean frequency, but faint very faint voices talking.
4750   0917   23222   BGD          Bangladesh Betar
6195   0922   22232   G            BBC - (Thailand)
9740   0927   55545   G            BBC - (Singapore)
6020   0930   55555   AUS          R. Australia
6070   0932   34333   CHL          Voz Cristiana
3330   0941   15331   CAN          CHU
7335   0941   43333   CAN          CHU
15555  0945   33333   AUS          CVC International
13630  0948   15331   AUS          CVC International
17820  0949   35544   AUS          CVC International
17635  0951   22222   AUS          CVC International   
17710  0952   55545   D            Deutsche Welle
21840  0954   25522   D            Deutsche Welle
17520  0956   55545   D            Deutsche Welle (Sign off 0958)
17510  0959   55555   IND          All India Radio
5955   1005   43434   CHN          China Radio Int.


9735   2000   55545   D            Deutsche Welle (Tgt East Africa)
6075   2055   55545   RUS          GTRK Kamchatka (Sign off at 2059)
11845  2127   55545   CAN          Radio Canada Int. French (Tgt North Africa) Station ID 2130
17675  2132   45433   NZL          Radio New Zealand Int.
7405   2143   22233   USA          Voice of America. English (Loc KWT) (Tgt AFG) - Co Channeled against Arabic Singing / music / chanting

Sony ICF7600GR Joins the Family

After returning the recently purchased DEGEN 1103 which was faulty with MAJOR overloading and MW coming through all of the HF band. I thought I better hedge my bets for XMAS and finally bit the bullet and bought the slightly (ok alot) more expensive Sony ICF76000GR Portable Shortwave from a USA Ebay Store. It arrived within 6 business day via UPS International Express Post safe and sound and what can I initially say.

Its different :) After getting use to the ergonomic layout of the DEGEN it took a couple of days for me to remember to press "DIRECT" button first then the frequency then ENTER. Unlike the DEGEN the keypad and a few other main buttons aren't light up and so it a little more awkward in the middle of the night to operate with no light. I do miss the jog dial that the DEGEN 1103 has, were as the Sony ICF7600GR using up/down buttons at +/-5hz or +/-1hz. But I knew of this before purchasing the radio and will put up with these little features :)

Apart from that, my initial feel for the SONY is yeah that little buggers does work pretty darn well. The SSB is definitely cleaner and the AM-SYNC well it seems to work. But I've only had a few short band scans with my new toy.

In regards to the DEGEN 1103 replacement, well it arrived the day after I got the Sony, and I quickly opened her up and ran through my test frequency and what a relief. I got a GOOD one, no sign of overloading on the HF and all the test frequencies worked fine.

When I get a bit of time, I'll do a little side by side comparison test, but my feel is I'll probably put the DEGEN 1103 in storage as a spare radio and utilise the Sony ICF7600GR as my primary portable since I've already had a good 18mth usage and fun from my previous DEGEN 1103.

Any ways better get back to the Maria Island 2008 race and other Maritime monitoring.

Regards
Mark

Maria Island Yacht Race 2008

Thought I would see if I could hear the Maria Island Yacht Race This year (http://tashost.com.au/maria_island/index.php). And after finding out that the race primary HF frequency was 2524 khz for all HF traffic, I wasn't confident of getting good reception.

Well after now hearing and recording the 2235 and 0535 sked's, its been tough. I definitely would prefer a primary HF frequency a little higher but hey still a worth the hunt, especially using the ICOM R75 DSP to block / filter the lightening Static Dump and RFI interference from near by sources.

The biggest disappointment was that I was able to hear Hobart Race Control/Check on about 75% copy Readability 3/5. However none of the yacht used HF to relay their position, instead utilised VHF ch81.

Here are the Skeds:

20081121 2235 - (Listen Here)

20081122 0535 - (Listen Here)

20081122 1135 - Nothing Heard (didn't expect to hear 2MHz during the day form hear)

20081122 1635 - Local severe QRM blanket whole HF spectrum S9+

20081122 2235 - A lot of yachts already crossed the line and a few retired, so a couple of position reports. Listen Here.

20081122 0535 - Final sked - Gives weather forecase and attempts to call 3 yachts. 2 do not respond. Listen Here.



Regards
Mark

Frequencies 26-October-2008

Using Icom R75 - Slinky Dipole, QTH: Canberra

khz    UTC    SINPO   Country      Station  
13725  0258   35544   IRN          IRIB Teheran - Sirjan - STID and Sign off 0301
13740  0303   25333   IRN          IRIB Teheran - Ahvaz
13780  0320   35333   CHN          China Radio Int - Kumming
15195  0325   25333   J            NHK Radio Japan - Female Singing and interview, then more singing.
15210  0329   45444   CHN          China Radio Int.
15325  0330   25433   J            NHK Radio Japan - Same broadcast as 15195
15350  0332   25333   CHN          China Radio Int.
15490  0334   25333   ???          Asian Instruments
15720  0336   25222   NZL          Radio New Zealand Int.
17615  0338   53455   ??           Can just hear R Free Asia in background under the jamming Asian Instruments.            
17625  0340   35333   CHN          CNR 2 China Business R.
17650  0341   15221   ??           Male presenter, European language  
17710  0342   33333   CHN          China Radio Int.
17715  0343   24332   IND          All India Radio - Some QRM from 17710
17735  0345   35334   CHN          Jamming Asian Instruments - can hear something in background.
17810  0346   25333   J            NHK Radio Japan
9535   0350   35544   E            Radio Exterior Espana - via Noblejas Spain
9600   0352   25222   CUB          Radio Habana Cuba
9690   0359   35543   CHN          China Radio Int. - via Noblejas Spain - Signed off
9690   0400   15331   ROU          Radio Romania Int. - English - Female voice heard

12290  0404   15332   Maritime Distress - faint traffic heard.

DEGEN 1103 - Died after many hours of use

G'day,

Just a short blurp to say that my DEGEN 1103 broke a few weeks back, which means I've now had it 18mths back. I actually bought two at the time, one for me and one for my brother, and his appears to be still going strong.

My ltitle radio broke in the strangest way, in that while on shortwave, any frequency I was that was ODD number, would be muted, while any frequency I was on that was EVEN was still fine. I opened it up to see if there was any obvious lose connection, but nothing obvious was found.

So Straight onto EBAY and ordered another one. Well it arrived few days back, and guess what ?? It sucked big time. I can only conclude that it faulty in that all through the shortwave band my local AM stations are ghosting very loudly and strongly, and that is just using the internal whip. When I plug in the external long wire antenna the overloading is even worse.

So I've contacted the ebay seller and without any hassles has indicated that he'll replace it with another one and swears that the radio was new from DEGEN. So come Monday I've parcel it up and ship it back.

Fingers crossed that the next one will be ok.

Cheers
Mark

Frequencies 6-October-2008

Using Kenwood R1000 - Slinky Dipole, QTH: Canberra

khz    UTC    SINPO   Country      Station  
9250   2015   25522   EGY          Radio Wadi el-Nil
9280   2035   33333   ???          Arabic Chanting / Praying

Bugger the Topfield PVR5000t (Digital HDD recorder) has become a major source of spectrum noise. The power supply must be having issues. Need to see what I can do. For now if its plugged in and turned on you have a hum at about a beat a second. Turning it to stand by reduces the hum beat / cycle but still have a high noise level / floor. Unplugging it stopped the broad source of wide sprectrum noise. The wife ain't going to be happy with that one. Well while she is still having a sleep in, lets continue with the band scan :)

khz    UTC    SINPO   Country      Station  
9370   2103   25422   USA          WTJC Newport, NC - English male singing
9385   2110   35443   USA          Radio Free Asia - Koren (via Northern Marianas)
9410   2114   25432   G            BBC, (via Skelton Cumbria) Playing Classical Music
9420   2118   24433   GRC          Voice of Greece
9450   2121   14321   USA          Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. - Periodic singing /
                                   music would come through.
9500   2127   23332   AUS          Radio Australia - Co Channel with CRI with fading CRI 
                                   periodically comes through louder than R.Australia
9510   2133   35433   CHN          CNR 2 China Business R.
9545   2135   35534   D            Deutsche Welle (German)

Sad Songs !

Just having the radio on in the background and I heard the song "Ebony Eyes" by the Everly Borthers which got me thinking about Sad Sad Songs, lets see what we can dig up on the youtube archives:

1. EVERLY BROTHERS (EBONY EYES)
2. Everly Brothers - Lightning Express
3. Shangri Las - Leader of the Pack
4. Ray Peterson - Tell Laura I love her
5. Shangri Las - I Can Never Go Home Any More (1965)
6. Jody Reynolds - Endless Sleep
7. James Taylor - Fire And Rain
8. Wayne Cochran - Last Kiss
   
9. Pearl Jam - Last Kiss
10. Jimmy Cross - I Want My Baby Back
11. Mark Dinning - Teen Angel - original song-1960
12. Don McLean - The Grave
13. Don McLean - American Pie
14. Don McLean - Don McLean - Vincent 1972 Live
15. Gilbert O'Sullivan - Alone Again (original version)
16. David Bowie- Space Oddity Original Video (1969)
17. Bee Gees - Message To You (1973) Live!
18. Neil Diamond - Shilo
19. Frank Sinatra - In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning
20. Martina McBride - Concrete Angel
21. Jeff Buckley's - Hallelujah
22. Leonard Cohen - Hallelujah
23. Johnny Cash - Hurt
24. Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven
25. John Lennon - Imagine
26. Justin Hayward - Forever Autumn
27. In The Arms of The Angel (City of Angel music video)
28. Mike + The Mechanics - The Living Years
29. Seven Spanish Angels

Jimmy Dean - Big Bad John

Normally when I think Jimmy Dean - "Big Bad John" is the first song of his that pops to mind immediately. That said this morning on the way into work I heard another one of his that I did not know he had done, and what drew my attention this this particular song was the mention of a JFK and a PT boat and the last last set of words of the song referring to " Anyopne named John is ok."

Well the song I'd heard was called "PT-109", have a listen its great :)

As I normally do, I love the feature of YouTube called "related Videoes", lets see what other Songs / Videos that YouTube takes me to:

1. SINK THE BISMARCK ~ sung by Johnny Horton
2. North To Alaska ~ Johnny Horton
3. Jim Bridger ~ Johnny Horton
4. Jimmy Dean - To A Sleeping Beauty
5. Johnny Horton ~ Honky Tonk Man

Totally going off track a little :)

1. The Royal Guardsmen - Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron
2. The Royal Guardsmen - Return of the Red Baron
3. The Royal Guardsmen - Snoopy's Christmas

Oh Another song that I heard this morning, and heard before and love it is "Lili Marleen" (Lale Andersen, English Version).

Alison Krauss - What a voice !!!

One of my favourite all time movie is "O Brother, Where Art Thou?". This movie has a bucket load of great songs through out it, but a couple of these songs was done by a female voice that was enchanting and I've been meaning to look it up and thats what I've finally done - Her name is Alison Krauss and as I troll through youtube I see a stack load of her works and they are great: Here are some I've listened too and loved:

Alison Krauss - Down In The River To Pray
Alison Krauss-Gillian Welch - I'll Fly Away
Alison Krauss - When You Say Nothing At All
Alison Krauss-The Lucky One
The Chieftains & Alison Krauss - Molly Ban
Alison Krauss - The Boxer

What kinda mood am I in tonight ?

Thought I'd kick back a listen to a couple of songs I've got linked on my site, and then got in the mood to find more:


1. Firstly how about a wee Rally/War Cry - Scottish national Anthem - (Footy Style)
2. Celtic Woman - Siuil a run
3. The Corries - Scotland The Brave (humorous)
4. The Corries - The Skye boat song.
5. The Corries - The Wild Mountain Thyme
6. Simon & Garfunkel - Homeward Bound
7. Simon & Garfunkel - Cecilia
8. Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water (rare)
9. Irish Celtic - The Hills of Ireland
10. Slainte - Wild celtic fiddle piece
11. Slainte - Wild celtic bagpipe piece
12. Johnny Bagpipes
13. THE SOGGY BOTTOM BOYS - Man Of Constant Sorrow
14. The Real Soggy Bottom Boys, Union Station & Alison Krauss
15. Alison Krauss - Down To The River To Pray (Live)
16. Basil Poledouris - Hymn To Red October
17. The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen
18. I belong to Glasgow
19. RFC - Glasgow Rangers
20. Quincy Jones - Self Preservation Society
21 .

Frequencies 20-April-2008

khz    UTC    SINPO   Country      Station
5850   2137   45433   CAN          Radio Canada Int. (French)
5885   2145   33333   CVA          Radio Vaticana (Instrumental Music) ??
5915   2147   44444   ??           Under HFRadio.org it list USA - "New Organisation", Languange unknown. Hmmm.
5975   2155   34433   RUS          VOR
6065   2157   34444   SWEDEN       Radio Sweden Intl - Had to use LSB AM had annoying adj. interference.
                                  Faintly hear possibly China Fading In.

90's Memories / Flashbacks - Part 2

Well Its Friday night, nothing on the normal TV worth watching so back into the swing of things here and lets continue on with the 90's :)

1992 - (1992 Top 100 List)

1. Sir Mixalot - Baby got Back ( I like big butts )
2. Vanessa Williams - Save The Best For Last
3. Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven
4. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Under the Bridge
5. Shanice - I Love Your Smile
6. Mr Big - To Be With You
7. Right Said Fred - I'm Too Sexy
8. Michael Jackson - Black Or White
9. Billy Ray Cyrus - Achy Breaky Heart
10. Guns N' Roses - November Rain
11. Tom Cochrane - Life Is A Highway
12. CeCe Peniston - Finally
13. Patty Smyth - Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough
14. George Michael Elton John - Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
15. Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
16. Sophie B. Hawkins - Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover
17. Technotronic - Move this
18. Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
19. Shakespears Sister # 1 Stay
20. MC Hammer - 2 Legit 2 Quit
27. KWS - Please Don't Go
28. Michael Bolton - When A Man Loves A Woman
29. Genesis - I Can't Dance
30. Richard Marx - Hazard
31. U2 - Mysterious Ways
32. The Heights - How Do You Talk To An Angel
33. U2 - One
34. Genesis - Hold On My Heart
35. Arrested Development - People Everyday
36. Genesis - No son of Mine
37. Bryan Adams - Do I Have To Say The Words
38. The Cure - Friday I'm in love
39. Ugly Kid Joe - Everything About You
40. Bryan Adams - Thought I'd Died And Gone To Heaven
41. Snap - rhythm is a dancer
42. Richard Marx - "Take this Heart"
43. Charles and Eddie "Would I Lie To You"
44. Amy Grant - That's What Love Is For
45. Mr. Big - Just Take My Heart


1993 - (1993 Top 100 List)

1. Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You
2. Tag Team - Whoomp! (There It Is)
3. UB40 - Can't Help Falling In Love
4. Mariah Carey - Dream Lover
5. Snow - Informer
6. Soul Asylum - Runaway Train
7. Billy Joel - The River Of Dreams
8. The Proclaimers - I Gonna Be (500 miles)
9. Spin Doctors - Two Princes
10. Arrested Development - Mr Wendal
11. Rod Stewart - Have I Told You Lately
12. Duran Duran - Ordinary World directors cut
13. Meat Loaf - I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)
14. Duran Duran - Come Undone
15. Ace Of Base - All That She Wants
16. 4 Non Blondes - What's Up
17. Bon Jovi -Bed of Roses
18. Aerosmith - Crying
19. Ugly Kid Joe - Cats In The Cradle
20. Cypress Hill - Insane In The Brain
21. Madonna - Rain
22. Inner Circle-bad boys
23. DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince - Boom Shake The Room
24. Inner Circle - Sweat (A La La La La Long)
25. Captain Hollywood Project - More and more
26. Haddaway - What is Love
27. Sting - Fields Of Gold
28. Green Jelly - three little pigs
29. Aerosmith - Living On The Edge
30. Sting - If I Ever Lose My Faith In You

90's Memories / Flashbacks

Well it official I just can't help myself..... After going over the top 100 songs of the last few years of the 80's I have to see how my tastes where in the 90's :)

Looking at the stats I liked 30 odd % of the listed Top 100 songs for 87, 88 and 89 hmmmmm very interesting. Stay Tuned as this is going to take me ages to do, but I got to do it, as it should highlight that Music of today is total SHIT!! so I'm hoping to see a major drop of in songs I like towards the end of the 90's especially.

1990 (High School, Year 8 - 1990 Top 100 List)

1. Wilson Phillips - Hold On
2. Roxette - It Must Have Been Love
3. Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares
4. Madonna - Vogue
5. Phil Collins - Another day in paradise
6. Jon Bon Jovi - Blaze Of Glory
7. Michael Bolton- How Am I Supposed To Live Without You
8. Technotronic - Pump Up The Jam
9. Paula Abdul - Opposites Attract
10. Heart - All I want to do is make love to you
11. Alannah Myles - Black Velvet
12. Linda Ronstadt - Don't Know Much
13. Snap - Power
14. Roxette - Dangerous
15. Billy Joel - We Didn't Start The Fire
16. Rod Stewart - Downtown Train
17. B-52´s - Roam
18. Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby
19. Michael Bolton - How Can We Be Lovers
20. M.C. Hammer - U Can't Touch This
21. Phil Collins - i wish it would rain down
22. Phil Collins - Something Happened on the Way to Heaven
23. Aerosmith - Janie's Got A Gun
24. Taylor Dayne - I'll Be Your Shelter
25. Tom Petty - Free Fallin'
26. Go West - The King of Wishful Thinking (1990)
27. Technotronic - Get Up! (Before The Night Is Over)
28. Gloria Estefan - Here We Are
29. Faith No More - Epic
30. Jive Bunny and The Mastermixers - Swing The Mood



1991 - (1991 Top 100 List)
1. Bryan Adams - (Everything I Do) I Do It For You
2. C C Music Factory ☆ Everybody Dance Now
3. EMF - unbelievable
4. Extreme - More Than Words
5. Amy Grant - Baby Baby
6. Bette Midler - From A Distance
7. Jesus Jones - Right Here, Right Now
8. Roxette - Joyride
9. Amy Grant - Every Heartbeat
10. London beat - I've Been Thinking About You
11. R.E.M. - Losing My Religion
12. Scorpions - Wind of Change
13. Roxette - Fading like A Flower
14. Extreme - Hole HEarted
15. Michael Bolton - Love Is A Wonderful Thing
16. Rod Stewart - Rhythm Of My Heart
17. Divinyls - I Touch Myself
18. Bryan Adams - Can't Stop This Thing We Started
19. The KLF - 3AM Eternal
20. Enigma - Sadness Part 1
21. Prince - Cream
22. UB40 - Here I Am (Come & Take Me)
23. Seal - Crazy
24. Chris Issak - Wicked Game
25. INXS - Disappear
26. Dee Lite - Groove Is In The Heart
27. George Michael - Freedom '90
28. Rod Stewart - The Motown Song
29. R.E.M. - Shiny Happy People

80's Memories / Flashbacks

Tonight I've decided to start of with what music / songs I first remember actually paying any attention to when I was alot younger to current:

1987 - (Selected from here)
1. Crowded House - Don't dream It's over
2. Steve Winwood - "The Finer Things"
3. Cutting Crew - I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight
4. Suzanne Vega - "Luka"
5. Bangles - Walk Like An Egyptian
6. Alone - Heart
7. Whitney Houston - "I Wanna Dance with Somebody"
8. Starship - Nothing´s Gonna Stop Us Now
9. Bruce Hornsby & The Range - The Way It Is
10. Bon Jovi - Living on a Prayer
11. Los Lobos - La Bamba
12. U2 - With Or Without You
13. Tiffany - I Think We're Alone Now
14. Billy Idol - Mony Mony
15. Chris De Burgh - Lady In Red
16. U2 - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
17. Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes - (I've Had) The Time Of My Life
18. Club Nouveau - Lean On Me,
19. Madonna - Open your heart
20. Kim Wilde ~ You Keep Me Hangin' On
21. Samantha Fox - Touch Me (I Want Your Body)
22. Genesis - In too deep
23. Huey Lewis & The News - Hip To Be Square
24. Michael Jackson - Bad
25. Bon Jovi - Wanted Dead Or Alive
26. The Pretenders - Don't Get Me Wrong
27. Beastie Boys - (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right To Party
28. Pseudo Echo - Funky Town


1988 - (Selected from here)
1. Steve Earle - "Copperhead Road"
2. Guns N' Roses - "Sweet Child O' Mine"
3. Midnight Oil - Beds are Burning
4. Tracy Chapman - Fast Car
5. INXS - Need You Tonight
6. George Harrison - I've Got My Mind Set On You
7. Belinda Carlisle - Heaven Is A Place On Earth
8. Gloria Estefan feat - Anything For You
9. Cheap Trick - The Flame
10. Billy Ocean - Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car
11. The Escape Club - Wild wild west
12. Robert Palmer - Simply Irresistible
13. Eric Carmen - Hungry Eyes
14. Phil Collins - Groovy Kind of Love
15. Bobby McFerrin - Don't Worry, Be Happy
16. UB40 - Red Red Wine
17. Bon Jovi-Bad Medicine
18. Beach Boys - Kokomo
19. INXS - Devil inside
20. Kylie Minogue - Locomotion
21. U2 - Desire
22. Terence trent d'arby - Sign your name
23. INXS - New Sensation
24. Elton John - Candle in the Wind
25. Foreigner - Say You Will
26. Icehouse - Electric Blue
27. Pet Shop Boys - Always On My Mind
28. Cher - I Found Someone
29. Never Tear Us Apart, INXS
30 . Steve Winwood - Valerie


1989 - (Selected from here)

1. Poison - Every Rose Has Its Thorn
2. Paula Abdul - Straight Up
3. Bette Midler - Wind Beneath My Wings
4. Richard Marx - Right Here Waiting
5. Roxette - The Look
6. Fine Young Cannibals - She Drives Me Crazy
7. Phil Collins - Two Hearts
8. Roxette - Listen to your heart
9. Simply Red - If you dont know me by now
10. Madonna - Like A Prayer
11. Martika - Toy Solider
12. Mike and the Mechanics - The Living Years
13. The Bangles - Eternal Flame
14. Tone Loc - Wild Thing
15. Bad English - When I See You Smile
16. Cher - If I Could Turn Back Time
17. Fine Young Cannibals - Good Thing
18. Michael Damian - Rock On
19. B-52's - Love Shack
20. Richard Marx - Satisfied
21. Madonna - Cherish
22. Natalie Cole - Miss You Like Crazy
23. R.E.M. - Stand
24. Aerosmith - Love In An Elevator
25. Bon Jovi - Lay Your Hands On Me
26. Edie Brickell & New Bohemians - What I Am
27. Guns N' Roses - Paradise City
28. Alice Cooper - Poison
29. Donna Summer - This Time I Know It's For Real
30. Michael Jackson - Smooth Criminal



Songs that popped in my head during this flash back:

Huey Lewis and the News - The Power of Love

Belinda Carlisle - Leave A Light On

Phil Oakley - Together In Electric Dreams

Swinging on a star - Bruce Willis & Danny Aiello

The Drifters - Under The Boardwalk

Ghostbusters - Music Video

Billy Joel - Uptown Girl

What am I listening to tonight ?

Looking over lastnight list of music, you probably think WTF from Country to Rammstein. Fact is I have a varied taste and it really comes down to how I'm feeling or, to tell you the truth, what pops in my mind / i remember, like tonight I'm starting of with ENYA, lets see where it takes me :)

Music:

1. Enya - Only Time
2. Enya - Anywhere Is
3. Sgt Barry Sadler - Ballad of the green beret
4. Enya - Sail Away
5. Europe - The Final Countdown (Live)
6. ABBA - Happy New Year
7. ABBA - Super Trouper
8. ABBA - THE WAY OLD FRIENDS DO ( Live '79)
9. ABBA - The Piper (Super Trouper)
10. ABBA - ON AND ON AND ON ( Live Last Concert)
11. The Police - Every Breath You Take
12. The Police - Don't Stand So Close To Me
13. Cher - If I Could Turn Back Time
14. U2 - Vertigo: Video
15. U2 - With Or Without You
16. U2 - Where The Streets Have No Name
17. U2 - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
18. U2 - Sweetest Thing: Video
19. The Cramberries - Zombie
20. The Cramberries - Just my imagination
21. The Cranberries - Linger
22. The Corrs - Runaway
23. The Corrs - So Young (Unplugged)
24. Scottish Music (Go the drums)
25. Battlefield Band in concert 2006
26. Scottish Music 2 - Unknown Band
27. The Corries - The Wild Mountain Thyme
28. The Corries Flower of Scotland (1975 ???)
29. The Corries Scotland The Brave (humorous)

Video:

1. Apocalypse Now - smell of napalm
2. Ghostbusters 2 - Court Scene "DOH, RAY EGON".
3. Final Countdown - Dog fight scene
4. River Dance Monkeys (Remix)
5. Riverdance (Eurovision Song Contest 1994 Dublin)

I'm Still Kicking / Alive

G'day All,

I'm been a tad lazy in putting up my Shortwave Frequency reports as when I actually have just been tuning to the few BIG players listening to news etc, so there nothing new to report. I can assure you that while I've been giving the ICOM R75 a break, the DEGEN DE1103 is performing perfectly. And I'm prolly going to give Band Scanning a break, and if i find a few hard to get frequecies / stations then I'll report them as I encounter them :)

In the mean time, I've been slightly addicted to YOUTUBE looking for bits and bobs. Initially I was adding these to the left side of the blog, but its hard to see when I've added new Videos or Music which I've found to make me laugh or enjoyed. So to make it easier I'll add a add blog entry listening ones I've found which I'd like to say :)

Music:

1. Dennis Leary - I'm an Asshole (Uncensored)
2. The Proclaimers - I would walk 500 Miles
3. Proclaimers - I'm on my way
4. Kenny Rodgers - Coward of the County
5. Kenny Rodgers - The Gambler
6. Kenny Rodgers - Lucille
7. Prodigy - Breathe
8. Prodigy - Firestarter
9. Midnight Oil - The Power & The Passion (1983)
10. Midnight Oil - Short Memory
11. Midnight Oil - US Forces (1982)
12. Rammstein - Du Hast Live from Volkerball
13. Rammstein - Du Hast - Music Video
14. Rammstein - Du Hast - Music Video (English)
15. Rammstein - feuer frei(XxX-soundtrack)
16. 2 LIVE CREW - HEY WE WANT SOME PUSSY
17. Hocus Pocus - Heres Johnny
Videos:

1. Scooby stuck in snow life is four wheel drive
2. I-80 Interstate Accident's After Snow Storms

Frequencies 24-Feburary-2008

Using DEGEN DE1103 - 10m Random Wire, QTH: Canberra

khz    UTC    SINPO   Country      Station   
2310   1921   55555   AUS          ABC NT Service(Alice Springs)
2310   1922   55545   AUS          ABC NT Service(Tennant Creek)
2485   1923   55545   AUS          ABC NT Service(Katherine)
3200   1927   35444   SWZ          Trans World Radio - English
3230   1933   35433   US           Family Radio Englis MP Preaching. Via Meyerton S Africa
3255   1935   35433   G            BBC - English via Meyerton S Africa
3320   1937   25332   S Africa     Radio Sondergrense, F Singer, MP, M Singer.  Via Meyerton S Africa
3325   1941   34444   ??           Cant Make out Language, Cultural Singing / Celebrating and a drum beat.
                                   Somae Interference from Morse Code.
3335   1944   34333   PNG          Radio East Sepik - English
3345   1945   23332   S Africa     Channel Africa (non Englsih) 
3395   1948   12232   ??           ??
3955   1950   34344   China        R. Taiwan Intl. (German) -  via Skelton UK 
3975   1951   44334   Hungary      R. Budapest - 2 x MP's
4770   1955   45444   Nigeria      Radio Nigeria
4828   1957   45444   Zinbabwe     Zinbabwe BC Corp
4840   1959   45544   ??           Carrier Signal, no modulation, stops 2000 UTC
4845   2002   35543   Mauritania   R. Mauritanie News, F & MP - Arabic
4905   2004   54545   ??           French MP - Another cochanne3 faintly in background.
4930   2005   35443   Turkmenistan  Turkmen Radio - (English) - MP introducing next song's Artist (Religous related).
4940   2008   25443   USA          VOA via Sao Toma - English (W&C Africa).
4965   2009   43343   Zambia       Voice of Africa - FP (Englsih) - Strong Digital Mode Interference.
5010   2012   45544   Madagasgar   RTV Malagasy - Slightly Muffled / Overdriven Modulation.
                                   M Singer and up beat/tempo Music.
5750   2017   45544   USA          VOA - via Kuwait
5850   2021   45444   Canada       Radio Canada Intl - (French) - Via Horby Sweden.
                                   French MP's, STID clear given through out broadcast.

Frequencies 15-February-2008

Using DEGEN DE1103 - 10m Random Wire, QTH: Canberra

khz    UTC    SINPO   Country      Station   
2310   1920   55555   AUS          ABC NT Service(Alice Springs)
2310   1925   55545   AUS          ABC NT Service(Tennant Creek)
2485   1927   55545   AUS          ABC NT Service(Katherine)
3200   1928   25342   SWZ          Trans World Radio - English (Station ID 1930)
3360   1930   25321   ??           very faintly hear a Female voice repeating Phonic Alphabet.
3955   1936   45544   TWN          Radio Taiwan Int. (German) - via Skelton UK
3985   1944   53444   IRN          IRIB Teheran (clearly hear male and female presenter talking russian).
4770   1954   45333   NIG          Listed as Radio Nigeria Kaduna - (English) - however this was not an english broadcast, so not able to confirm.  
                                   Listened for a while more and got drums almost chinese style. At 2000 English News was broadcasted, very noisy with Atmospheric noise and fade.
4905   2005   45444   TCD          Rdiff.Nat. Tchadienne -(Instruments, good beat, sounds great, now their singing).
4950   2013   44434   USA          VOA - English - (Listen Here) - (Station ID 2014) - Playing Music, very hip program, also like BBC top40)
                                   Targerting Central Africa via Botswana.
                                   A Digital Mode was interferring a little.

Frequencies 08-February-2008

Using DEGEN DE1103 - 10m Random Wire, QTH: Canberra

khz    UTC    SINPO   Country      Station   
4780   1915   45434   DJI          RTV Djibouti (Arabic like, MP, Music, talking)
4975   1932   23331   ??           (Something there, SSB can't clear it up).
4965   1935   24332   ??           (Music, Talking, can't determine what language) ?? 
4930   1938   35443   USA          VOA (via Botswana) (English - MP - slow speak, must be a Special English Broadcast. "Walmart has donated 1 million dollars".)
6195   1941   55545   G            BBC - (English, some fade)
6185   1943   45444   CVA          Radio Vaticana (Mustly a good signal, but some noise and constant, slight fade).
6175   1944   55545   USA          WYFR Family Radio - (MP in arabic repeats several time - xxxxxxxxx Open Forum). A faint co-channel possibly speaking English in background Possibly Russia)
6150   1951   44444   USA          VOA - English (Some co-channel interference, and fade, mostly a clean signal)
6130   1953   44444   RUS          VOR - Russian (Muffled / overdriving FP)
6120   1955   44444   TUR          Voice of Turkey. (Music, faint channel in background).

Frequencies 03-February-2008

khz    UTC    SINPO   Country      Station   
17505  0448   35433   CHN          CRI.
17525  0451   33444   HWA          KWHR (slight QRM +5khz)
17800  0459   35544   D            Deutsche Welle (Targeting Afica)
17820  0500   35544   AUS          CVC International - (abrupt sign off 0500)
15110  0502   35544   KWT          Radio Kuwait (English)
15259  0504   25332   AUS          CVC International (mostly distance, but some good fade in)
15285  0506   35443   ARS          BSKSA Riad (Swahili - Targeting East Africa) - Muffled with some QRN.
15515  0513   55555   AUS          R. Australia (Cricket)
13690  0515   55555   AUS          R. Australia (Cricket)
13740  0516   35533   IRN          IRIB Teheran
13800  0517   25432   IRN          IRIB Teheran 
9700   0526   35433   TUR          Voice of Turkey (some QRN from storms)
9495   0531   35433   GEO          R.Rep.Abkhazia - (Listen Here) - (Unconfirmed, is whats listed under EIBI) 
7190   0624   35343   TUN          RTT Tunis (some QRN from storms)

Frequencies 02-February-2008

khz    UTC    SINPO   Country      Station   
7240   1915   55555   AUS          R. Australia (1930 UTC signal declined to 35433)
7250   1942   55545   CVA          Radio Vaticana
7290   1950   33333   RUS          Voice of Russia (Interference from adj channel, and modulation is very faint, were as the carrier signal is strong).
7325   2000   54445   EGY          ERTU Radio Cairo  - (Listen Here) - Slight co-channel interference from BBC (Russian)
7365   2008   45444   CVA          Radio Vaticana 
7375   2009   45544   USA          Radio Farda (Music)
7420   2010   55545   S            Radio Sweden (Swedish - Listen Here)
7450   2017   33343   GRC          ERT3 Makedonias - (Listen Here) - Interference from Digital Mode.
7540   2021   55444   CLA          Denge Mezopotamia (music / singing) - (Listen Here)
5835   2111   24442   USA          Radio Free Asia - Faint, can hear MP.
5885   2112   35433   CVA          Radio Vaticana - English
5905   2116   55545   D            Deutsche Welle (Arabic)
5945   2118   34434   AUT          Radio Austria Int. (German)
6120   2122   44444   TUR          Voice of Turkey - slight Co and adj channel interference

Australia Day Long Weekend -Thredbo Camp 2008

G'day All,

The wife and I just had a fantastic, relaxing long weekend camping at Thredbo, kosciusko National Park. We normally go June Long Week (Ski season opening weekend), but descided to see how looked during Summer. We'll I got out of work early Friday 25th January 2008, packed the 4x4 and hooked up the Camper Popup Trailer. As we got nearer to the camp grounds after fairly light traffic, we started asking ourselves "How busy is this camp ground going to be?", As we started to decend down the dirt track into the camp ground we were greeted by a fairly busy camp ground. Most of good camp sites were already taken, especially the one we use during winter. But that said, I spotted a good spot that noone had used as it was on a slope, but I had spotted a rock which hopefully would level out the camper trailer.



Well it worked, here our little setup and if you look under the tyres / axel, you can see on the far side the wheel on the rock.















What does Thredbo have to offer, well there are are few walking track nearby, and fair number more a small drive away which are great during summer. During Winter it SKI SEASON on the slopes. There also fishing for trout in the Thredbo river a short walk away and also during summer if you brave enough swimming in the Thredbo river.

But for me and my wife, this camp was all about kicking back, listen to the radio, drink a few beers, read a book, drink a few beers, and just catch up on that over due sleep :)







One of the other BIG likes we both love about camping and that is the camp fire. With the national park, your suppose to bring in your own wood, but many campers just go for short drives and fill there boots with wood. Me on the other hand, I don't need a flaring, raging, skin roasting fire which a couple of camp sites had..... Nooooo, I normally just use a pile of BBQ / Webber hot rock coals and when that gets going there a nice smokeless heat source which doesn't kill your night vision, and allows you to have heat and still admire the night sky and stars.











Well now on to the important side of the camp, and that was once again the DEGEN DE1103 performed like a little trooper. As you can see I had it with me as the sun was setting beside the fire :) Also you can just see the 10 meter wire antenna strung from the radio to the pole rope and then out and up high into a tree branch.

The Camp ground is not close to any residential properties and hence there is none to barely any RFI noise interference. Here is the frequencies I thought worthy of logging, as there was just toooooooo many :)

Frequencies 25-January-2008

khz    UTC    SINPO   Country      Station
7190   0733   35444   TUN          RTV Tunisienne
7220   0737   35444   HOL          Radio Nederland
7245   0746   35434   TJK          Voice of Tajik
9765   0755   45545   NZL          Radio New Zealand Int.
7380   2304   35435   HOL          Radio Nederland (News)
7560   2310   35444   USA          WEWN
9170   2313   25443   CHN          Central Peoples BS
9425   2316   55555   CHN          CRI
9610   2320   35543   CHN          CRI - (English News)
9660   2328   34543   AUS          R. Australia
9740   2334   34543   G            BBC
11955  2326   34534   G            BBC

Frequencies 26-January-2008

khz    UTC    SINPO   Country      Station

<still to complete>

Frequencies 27-January-2008

khz    UTC    SINPO   Country      Station

<still to complete>

Frequencies 23-January-2008

khz    UTC    SINPO   Country      Station
15100  0910   44443   PAK          Radio Bulgaria - Over modulating / muffled - (Listen Here)
15185  0919   33333   IND          AIR Delhi ?? - Carrier Signal No Broadcast ????
15210  0922   55555   CHN          China Radio Int. - English News - (Listen Here)
15270  0925   22223   CHN          China Radio Int. - English News - Interferrence by Possibly Taiwan on same freq.
15295  0927   55545   MLA          Voice of Malaysia (Usual moderate Over driving / modulation)
15310  0930   24333   G            BBC - via Thailand.
15360  0931   35444   AUS          CVC International - News
15770  0934   45544   IND          All India Radio
9550   9841   45544   RUS          Voice of Russia - English Sign off 1000 UTC - (Listen Here)
9650   1003   35443   KRE          Voice of Korea - Japanese - Slightly Muffled.
9680   1007   45533   INS          Radio Rep. Indonesia 4 - English - (Listen Here).

Monitoring 13590khz - CVC International ?

On the newsgroup today one of the members pointed out he could usually hear CVC 
International English broadcast, and the presenters had "Australian" accents, but
later found that it was possibly a S. African Broadcast from Zambia targetting 
W.Africa, and was wondering if that was the case then why would they broadcast in 
English ?

Well anyway, thought I would see what I heard on the freq for the next 24 hrs or so 
and report it:

18/01/2008 - 0935 UTC - Faint signal used USB mode - (Listen Here)
18/01/2008 - 1047 UTC - CRI - Loud and Clear until 1059 UTC when CRI on 13580khz
                        targeting Oceania region had S20+ swaps this frequency - 
                        (Listen Here)
18/01/2008 - 1241 UTC - Nothing Heard

... Bloody Alaram, Bloody well slept in have, got to wait till tomorrow to check 1700-2100 

18/01/2008 - 2110 UTC - Nothing Heard
18/01/2008 - 2308 UTC - Nothing Heard
19/01/2008 - 0103 UTC - Nothing Heard - Some splatter from CRI 13580 khz
19/01/2008 - 1825 UTC - Nothing Heard 

HF (Short wave) Moon Bounce - 19th / 20th January 2008

HAARP will be conducting an HF moon bounce experiment on January 19th and 20th. Here is the ARRL bulletin: http://www.arrl.org/?artid=7958.

Article Excert:

On January 19, listen on 6.7925 MHz from 0500-0600 UTC, and on 7.4075 MHz from 0600-0700 UTC. On January 20, listen on 6.7925 MHz from 0630-0730 UTC and on 7.4075 MHz from 0730-0830 UTC (depending on frequency occupancy at the time of operation, it may be necessary to adjust the frequency slightly).

Based on previous experiments, investigators believe it should be possible to hear the lunar echoes with a standard communications receiver and a simple 40 meter dipole antenna.


For my own benefit I've computed the equivalent AEDT (+11) from UTC:

19/01/2008 - 6.7925 MHz - 1600-1700 AEDT
19/01/2008 - 7.4075 MHz - 1700-1800 AEDT

20/01/2008 - 6.7925 MHz - 1730-1830 AEDT
20/01/2008 - 7.4075 MHz - 1830-1930 AEDT

I'm going to give it a go and see if I can hear anything with my bogged standard home setup. I'm also going to use USTREAM to stream and record what I may or may not hear :).

Stay Tuned !!

Saturday 19/01/2008 0630 UTC First Night Moon Bounce Test

19/01/2008 - 0500 - I can hear the tone on 6792.5 khz - (Listen Here) its ~ 2min 30 sec in
19/01/2008 - 0600 - I can hear the tone on 7407.5 khz - (Listen Here) its ~ 1min 35 sec in.
19/01/2008 - 0615 - Here another recording with the ICOM R75 - DSP Noise Reduction off - (Listen Here)
19/01/2008 - 0650 - Final 10 min of tone - (Listen Here)

Well there could be a bit of bad news, you see the moon hadn't actualy rose beyond Canberra Horizon, which means based on chatter in the news groups, that I probably would not have heard the echo, but was most likely hearing the Transmitter. I'm still waiting on a email confirmation from the Moon Bounce team.

Heres a true sample from a member from the USA, you can hear the Transmitter and then the echo - (Listen Here)

Heres also the Moon Bounce Report the team publish regarding the first attempt: http://www.haarp.alaska.edu/haarp/mbann.html. Australia gets a mention :) but no confirmation yet. They clearly explain the timing sequence with the transmitter burst for 2 seconds and listen for echo for 3 seconds and this cycle starts at the top of the hour and repeats for the whole hour. So if I make sure my computer clock is accurate I should be able to confirm if I can indeed hear the echo of if its just been the transmitters via skywave.

Stay Tuned for Tonights attempt.

Sunday 20/01/2008 0630 UTC Next Night Moon Bounce Test

Well will the Atomic Clock application running, along side with Audacity, Spectrum Laboratory's Spectrum Waterfall Analyser tools I was ready to catch this Moon Bounce ECHO.

But alas!!! It was not meant to be!!!!

Firstly was 6792.5 khz and based on the timing sequences, what I'm actually hearing is the Transmission Tone, faintly, and no sign of the echo.

I have two recordings:

1. The first is a screen video capture of the Atom Clock Software and the radios audio for audio to show the timings - (Listen Here)

2. is just an mp3 recording of similar period - (Listen Here)


Secondly the 7407.5 khz frequency had slightly louder tones, but still no detectable echo :( There was a couple of jokers also that played CW a few times :(

Like before two Recordings:

1. Video of Atomic Clock and Audio - (Listen Here)

2. Audio Only Mp3 - (Listen Here)

3 & 4: Screen Shots of Waterfall using Spectrum Lab.

Capt01 - http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.php?quickkey=5g41h1xtkhi&thumb=4
Capt02 - http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.php?quickkey=dz4jt0emgpl&thumb=4


Here is a screen capture of the Waterfall Spectrum for the last minute for Moon Bounce 2008:

Frequencies 15-January-2008

khz    UTC    SINPO   Country      Station
5900   1128   55555   BUL          Radio Bulgaria

WEATHER SERVICE HAMBURG - RTTY

Came across "WEATHER SERVICE HAMBURG" 15/01/2008 1132 UTC on 10100.8 khz, USB, 50 baud and 450 shift. The frequency was very quiet there was no signal strength but the RTTY data was 90% copied.

After a little research I located the Hamburg RTTY Schedule which is a PDF detail the RTTY frequencies and broadcasts times.

Also the original site where I got the above link was here European Weather Forecasts.

Here a sample of what I copied:

WEATHER SERVICA HAMBURG
15.01.-008  6 UTC:

GENERAL SYNOPTIC SITUATIMN:
HIGH RUSSIA, RIDGE 1030 AN
TOLIA, IN THE WESTERN PARTH
WEAKENING, OTHERWIE NZARLY UNCHANGED9 FURTHER HIGH 1026
LIBYA,NEARLY UNCHANGED. LOW 1022 AEGEAN SEA WEAKENING
MOVING NORTHNBRTHEAST. GV CENTRE 983 SOUTHWEST OF
843)-,$, DEEPENING MOVINO NORTHEAST. LOW 1012 GOLFE DU
LION, MOVING EAST SLOWLZ. HI
 1028 SOUTH OF THE AZORES
INTENSIFYING A LITTLE STATIONARY.

&DWD FORECAST OF TU, 15/01/2008  0 UTC:
WIND FORCE: BEAUFORT, WAVE HEIGHT: METRE

ADRIA-NORTH (44.'N 13.5E) SSTPC QQ C
TU 15. 12Z:8S      3   /       0.5 M      //
TK 15. 18Z: SE     4   /       0.5 M      //
WE 16. 00Z: ='     4-50 /       0.5 M RAIN //
WE 16# 06Z: S     4-5  /      0.5 M      //
WE 16. 12Z: S    4-5  /       0.5 M      //
&223 16. 18Z: SE     6   /   7    1  M RAI  //
TH 17. 00Z: SE-S  WYAU  X   I    W  M RAIN //

... Fair bit more weather information ...

CQ CQ CQ DE DDK2 DDH7 DDK9
FREQUENCIES   4583 KHZ   7646 KHZ   10100.8 KHZ
RYRYRYRSYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYRYGYRYRS

Now while on the topic of RTTY Maritime broadcasts, is it just me or is there now (for a while actually) a very small number of Maritime RTTY broadcasts ?. It such a shame :(

Broad Sprectrum Noise on 40m Band

G'day Guys,

While listening to the 40m Band (~13/01/2008 1025 UTC) trying to catch VA7MLW Canadian sailing solo round the world, the band was a total wash out with this spectrum noise. I have a recording of this BLOODY annoying spectrum noise, which I was sure is OVER THE HORIZON RADAR (OTHR) or something very similar.

Heres the video recording of me performing a Bandscan from 7100khz down to 6500 khz - http://ustream.tv/recorded/K86S2mXnhNYZzaOknbgAMg or an MP3 version here: http://www.mediafire.com/?5dcdndzhh1t

I put a call out to a couple of newsgroup forums and got confirmation that it was indeed an OTHR and is believed to emanate from China (Paracel Islands). I was also provided with a link to the follow website: Region 1 Intruder
Watch. The website is full of interesting details of this and much other in-band nastiness.

If anyone else has encountered the same or similar BUZZ / spectrum noise share it with us, by leaving a comment with information on where/when you heard it and if you have a recordings of it send us the URL to the recording :)

While on the topic of OTHR's, I was given the following useful link which describes the Russian "Woodpecker" HF Radar. Also here is an interesting semi-technical description of OTHR systems. Although a fairly long read, it is nevertheless interesting and descriptive:http://pubs.drdc.gc.ca/PDFS/unc64/p527279.pdf

Regards
Mark

Frequencies 13-January-2008

khz    UTC    SINPO   Country      Station
17525  0451   45545   HWA          KWHR World Harvest R.3
17530  0501   25442   USA          Radio Free Afghanistan
17725  0511   35543   CHN          China Radio Int.
17820  0515   35444   AUS          CVC International
17855  0517   35544   CHN          China Radio Int.
9410   0605   35544   G            BBC (English - Targeting Africa via CYP)

CANADIAN HAM (VA7MLW) SAILING AROUND THE WORLD

For the past month at least I've been checking in on the 40meter sked via 7104khz / 7097khz between VA7MLW and VK and ZL stations.

Heres a recording 12/01/2008 1220 UTC - (Listen Here).

Here is a small article (one of many out on the internet)

CANADIAN HAM SAILING AROUND THE WORLD.

(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hamradioindia/message/676)

A Canadian radio amateur and sailor Glenn Wakefield, VA7MLW, is now south of
Australia as he continues his attempt to sail solo, non-stop around the world.
He has set out on his westerly circumnavigation trek from Victoria, British
Columbia and expects to take 10 months before returning to home port.

His 40-foot sloop called Kim Chow has had extensive modifications for the trip.
Glenn VA7MLW has reached Australia having rounded the southern tip of Tasmania
and at last report was in the Southern Ocean headed for the Falkland Islands.

He has been keeping regular skeds with Cliff ZL4AS, Richard ZL4QU and Ron ZL4RMF
AT 0930 UTC on the 40 meter band.

Glenn has an ICOM 802 SSB marine radio. After the skeds has been heard chatting
with VK radio amateurs and is hoping to engage in many QSOs with others before
ending his trip in July.

You can listen for VA7MLW on the usual 40 meter Maritime frequencies.

- Robert Broomhead, VK3KRB

z

Frequencies 12-January-2008

khz    UTC    SINPO   Country      Station
17525  0345   25433   HWA          KWHR World Harvest R.3
15195  0349   14332   J            NHK Radio Japan
15260  0351   13332   IRN          IRIB Teheran
15295  0352   34443   MLA          Voice of Malaysia - (Listen Here)
15560  0404   24233   RUS          Voice of Russia - (English)
15720  0406   24333   NZ           RNZI
13690  0408   45544   AUS          R. Australia
13740  0410   45534   IRN          IRIB Teheran
7135   1116   55545   G            BBC (Indonesian) via SNG
7255   1118   55545   THA          Radio Thailand
7265   1119   54444   D            Deutsche Welle

7280   1121   54334   CHN          Voice of Strait (Same broadcast on 7305 China National Radio 1)
7305   1128   24343   CHN          China National Radio 1
7325   1131   24233   PNG          Wantok Radio Light (Lots of static dumps from near by storms).
7445   1133   25333   PAK          Radio Pakistan -(Paying pop music "Betty Davies eyes").
7505   1136   25333   USA          KTBN Salt Lake City, UT
7580   1140   35544   KRE          Voice of Korea - (Japanese)
4895   1200   35433   IND          AIR Kurseong - killed by 4900 1201UTC
4900   1201   44444   CHN          Voice of Strait
4910   1203   23332   IND          AIR Jaipur
4920   1204   22222   IND          AIR Chennai
4920   1204   22223   IND          CHN PBS Xizang
4925   1206   23332   INS          RRI Jambi (Sumatera)
7105   2045   44434   G            BBC (Russian)
7120   2051   14332   HOL          Radio Nederland (English)
7140  2052    34333   G            BBC - (Arabic) - (Listen Here)
7250  2101    45534   CVA          Radio Vaticana (English) - (Listen Here)
7275  2109    34434   E            Radio Exterior Espana - (Broadcast of Footy Match - Listen Here)
7295  2114    12331   MLA          RTM Traxx FM ??? - Playing Pop Music.
7305  2125    14433   USA          WYFR Family Radio - (French)
7375  2127    34433   USA          Radio Farda - STID 2128UTC - Sign off 2130 UTC - (Listen Here)
7405  2133    24433   USA          Voice of America (Targeting AFG, via KWT)
7425  2135    14433   USA          Radio Liberty (Targeting EEu, via KWT)
7450  2136    14433   GRC          ERT3 Makedonias
11935 2143    34433   D            Deutsche Welle

Frequencies 11-January-2008

khz    UTC    SINPO   Country      Station   
12085  0840   34443   MNG          Voice of Mongolia (Muffled) - (Listen Here)
9615   0854   12233   ALS          KNLS Anchor Point - (Listen Here)
9570   0858   53444   KOR          KBS World Radio - (Listen Here)
9550   0912   55544   RUS          Voice of Russia - (Listen Here)
12035  2045   55545   E            Radio Exterior Espana - (Listen Here)
11930  2050   15322   USA          Radio Marti - (Targeting Cuba)
11915  2053   12222   ARS          BSKSA Holy Quran - Servere HUM, non local noise
11880  2055   45434   AUS          Radio Australia
11825  2057   12222   POR          RdP Radio Portugal - (Listen Here), sound like a football match and a goal was scored. 
                                   Had to listen to it in USB as AM was just shockingly bad.
9775   2010   25534   POR          RdP Radio Portugal - (Listen Here) - Thats a better copy :)  Station ID 2116 UTC - (Listen Here).
9630   2125   25433   E            Radio Exterior Espana
9585   2128   25544   USA          Voice of America - Sign off 2130 UTC - (Listen Here) - Targeting Ukraine - Via Morocco
9555   2138   24533   ARS          BSKSA 1 
9420   2140   35534   GRC          Voice of Greece - (Listen Here) - Female singer

Sony CDX-GT260/GT360 In Action

G'day All,

After a couple people in the "rec.radio.shortwave" news group asked how the Sony CDX-GT260/360 performed, I've decided to post a couple of video of the Sony CDX GT260 AM/FM/SW car Radio which is installed in my wifes Suzuki.

Video1:

Quick scan of SW2 from 9500 khz to 17500 khz. I just used quick scan, and am sure there would have been a fair few more stations picked up if I had manually scanned. - its a 15mb video approx 3min 30sec.

http://www.mediafire.com/?0ljjgceexoz


Video2:

Shows what happens when the car starts / is running. Like I've said earlier a power supply filter / condenser may help fix this, but I haven't needed to worry about this. - its 5mb ~ 1min 30 sec

http://www.mediafire.com/?eg11gzp2g1x


Picture 1:

Shows the external AM/FM whip antenna. Looks very similar to a 27mhz cb antenna.

http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.php?quickkey=9vdmz30njsm&thumb=4


Hope this helps

Mark

Frequencies 09-January-2008

Well I'm back Home in beautiful Canberra. So to to clarify all Radio Logs and Records made between 24th December 2007 and 07th January 2008 were made from Brisbane, Australia.

From now till my next holiday, all logs and records should be considered to have been made from Home QTH Canberra.

khz    UTC    SINPO   Country      Station   
9820   0705   14232   TUR          Voice of Turkey
9765   0709   42222   NZL          RNZI. - (Listen Here) (Loud Carrier signal swamping RNZI, possibly TURKEY ??)
9740   0715   25433   EQA          HCJB Voice of Andes - (German) - (Listen Here)
9700   0723   45544   TUR          Voice of Turkey
9690   0724   25433   ROU          Radio Romania Int. - (German) - Signed off 0726 - (Listen Here)
9625   0730   55545   HOL          Radio Nederland
9595   0731   44544   USA          Adventist World Radio - (Arabic) - (Station ID in many langauges) 
9575   0733   24433   MRC          Medi 1
9400   0735   45434   BUL          Radio Bulgaria
5745   0925   35433   USA          WYFR Family Radio (Spanish)
5835   0927   35433   USA          WHRI World Harvest R.2 - (English)
5890   0928   45444   USA          WWCR 4
5900   0930   55545   F            Radio France Int. (Mandarin)
5920   0935   41242   USA          WBOH Newport, NC - (AM - Bad Choppy / muffled) - (USB - 80% copy, still slightly muffied).
5935   0937   43443   USA          WWCR 2 - (can hear Radio Rossii in background)
5950   0940   53544   USA          WYFR Family Radio - (can hear VOR in background)
5980   0942   32233   USA          Radio Marti
6890   0946   24443   USA          WYFR Family Radio
7140   0949   34554   KRE          Voice of Korea KCBS
7220   0952   54534   USA          Radio Svoboda / Liberty - Russian - (Listen  Here)