ed posts in a special collection here on the SWLing Post. Note that not all of the original links and recordings could be recovered, but the majority have been. Of course, all of the views and opinions in this article were those of The Professor. “Down Under, Up And Over” was originally published on November 30, 2007.
Down Under, Up And Over
by The Professor
When get to fooling around with a shortwave radio I usually don’t have much of an idea of what I might come across, or where the broadcasts I may find will come from. If you happen to be hunting up something originating (or relayed) from a hot nearby transmitter, shortwave listening is almost as predictable and practical as AM or FM However, the real fun in scanning these forgotten bands is hunting for broadcasts from far-flung regions of the globe. It’s all about surfing those skywaves.
Instead of patiently scanning a SW broadcast band, this particular evening last July, I was quickly scanning several bands with my Degen 1103 looking for something, ah… exciting.
Okay, maybe “exciting” is the wrong word. I was fishing to find some exotic broadcast from far away, and preferably one in my native tongue. I’m sure there are other shortwave listeners who know what I mean. What gets my attention right away when trolling the HF bands is coming across an unfamiliar English language broadcast on a carrier marked by the scars of bouncing off the upper atmosphere a few times. Sure, It’s important that the reception has enough clarity to be understood, but shortwave radio waves from far over the horizon are infused with the sounds of the electrical and magnetic activity surrounding our planet. The audio itself often has an edge, even when listening with agile and fancy receivers. An aquired taste, the sonic anamolies of distant shortwave broadcasts have an inate musicallity, which you may appreciate once your ears adjust to them. And the last time I heard the clear mutated throb of a strong distant transmitter traversing the globe was last July. I was sitting under the stars in the Michigan countryside when from over eight-four hundred miles away, New Zealand came calling.
RNZI (Radio New Zealand International) doesn’t seem to have any worldwide coverage mandate like CRI (China), the BBC or VOA or something. Their main purpose is as a regional service for the South Pacific. Dotted with a scads of far-flung islands, their broadcast zone actually covers a huge swath of the Earth’s surface. So just by making a point of covering this region well, RNZI is a major player in international broadcasting. (And sadly, I can’t remember when I picked up the BBC World Service as well as I heard New Zealand RNZI that evening.)
From my casual and primitive DXing experience, many powerful shortwave stations from around the world can be picked up from Eastern North America, as long as the signal doesn’t originate from anywhere directly blocked by the massive mountains of the top three quarters of the North American Continental Divide. In other words, with a booming transmitter from the closer sections of Europe, Africa, the Middle East and South America are the most likely catches from overseas. Deeper into these zones and continents (and Asia in general) are difficult terrain for DXing rewards from here. That said, with my limited portable equipment I’ve been able to pick up signals from at least three of the major broadcasters from the Southern Orient– India, Australia and New Zealand. I’ve always assumed that these signals ride skywaves over the lower mountains of the Southwest and Central America. But I’m no expert.
I do know that all the overseas states located directly west of the tall Rockies who are serious about reaching US citizens via shortwave rent relay transmitter time from Canada, as well as sites in the Carribean and Europe). In fact, if you happen to come across international broadcasts from Vietnam, China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan or Thailand on shortwave in Eastern North America, you’re probably hearing a relayed transmission from several hundred miles away. But the recording I’m offering here is of reception from from far across the world. Considering the distance travelled, the reception here is fairly healthy. A little hairy, but practical. And there’s no local RF noise getting in the way. You really can hear the details it if you pay attention.
Radio New Zealand International pt 1 – 9615kHz – 07-07-07 0644 UTC 15:05
This first bit is an interview with Canadian chemist and author Penny LeCouteur discussing her book about molecules that have changed the world. Of note here– the legacy of how James Cook and ascorbic acid made the south seas safe for European explorers and colonists.
Then the cassette came to an abrupt stop, and the part two of this recording begins with the flip of the the tape. At the onset of this archive the interview is aborted in mid-sentence and a female announcer formally announces that Radio New Zealand International is closing on this frequency. After twice insisting that I “re-tune to six-zero-nine-five kilohertz in the forty-nine meter band” (followed by a clipped “This is New Zealand”), it all sounds so damn official that I felt compelled to follow the instructions. Although I knew that just because RNZI was booming in on 31 meters didn’t necessarily mean it would come in so strong (or might even be heard) on the 49 meter band.
You hear RNZI’s interval signal (the call of the New Zealand Bellbird) after the station ID, and then the signal at 9165kHz goes dead. I then put the tape deck on pause and punch up 6095 kHz on the Degen and release the pause button. And there it was! The call of the Bellbird is quite clear there as well, although a nearby signal is chewing on the edges of the reception a bit.
Radio New Zealand International p2 2 – 9615 & 6095kHz – 07-07-07 0658 UTC 28:55
Whoever is running the board down there in the South Pacific was a little sloppy that night. After the interval signal the board-op starts to pot up the interview again (which is still running on one of the channels). But the mistake is corrected in a fraction of second, and it’s the news with Phil O’Brien. The lead story, a nationwide “Drunk Drive Blitz” the night before had netted over two-hundred inebriated kiwis on the highways down there. And an update on the aftermath of an unprecedented swarm of tornados that ravaged the North Island a couple of nights earlier.
After the news, it’s the beginning of a program I can barely believe I’m hearing in 2007. A faux flapper-era theme song launches a “nostalgia packed selection of favorites” that will saturate the skies of Oceania for the next four hours. While I love a lotta old music, the whole idea of “nostalgia” can get a little silly. Although I must say that old Joe Franklin used to pull it off with some charm on WOR here in New York City before he gave up the show a few years back. It’s really an approach to radio that’s all but dead here in the states. But apparently not in New Zealand.
As you’ll hear if you brave through this chunk of pulsing and buzzy DX radio, there are a couple of corny numbers to wade through. But I gotta tell you, that sitting outside in the middle of the night with an artifact-drenched AM signal from the other side of the world filling my headphones, it felt reassuringly twentieth-century. Maybe you’ll hear what I mean. And the Paul Robeson and Mills Brothers seemed quite appropriate.
Got this e-mail from Panos SV1GRN yesterday. It’s about a propagation survey/study being done by our brother and sister Hams in Greece - on 60 Meters!
Propagation Survey
A call to test the propagation on 60 meters, at noon and while in the grayline, using NVIS antennas and QRP power. AegeanDXgroup and Athens QRP Net invite you on May 5, 2019 in a meeting on
60 meters to study the propagation on the frequencies (5351.5 - 5366.5 MHz) of the band.
Please sent Log (in adif, cabrillo, word or excel format) with real RS(T), QTH
locator and Antenna description to: sv8cyr@gmail.com
Participants will receive souvenirs. The participants with top qso’s (independently of
modes) will receive commemorative gifts
Now, NVIS antennas and 5 Watts may pretty much preclude any participation from our side of the pond; but it might well be worth a listen, at least. I have not been on 60 Meters much at all. I would be lying if I were to tell you that I was familiar with its propagation characteristics and properties. If anyone from our side were to hear any SVs or even manage to work one of them, I’m sure they’s be thrilled!
I hope they post the results somewhere when all is said and done. It would be interesting to see how it all worked out.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Yet again the monthly IARU-R1 Monitoring System newsletter reports on the severe problems being caused by the Russian OTH radar “Contayner” on 14 MHz
Chinese wideband OTH radars have been active on 40 m with 10 or 20 sps and 160 Khz wide (jumping) often in the evenings.
The International Amateur Radio Union Monitoring System (IARUMS) Region 1 March 2019 newsletter can be read at http://www.iarums-r1.org/iarums/news2019/news1903.pdf
Reports of Amateur Band intruders can be logged on the IARU Region 1 Monitoring System Logger at http://peditio.net/intruder/bluechat.cgi
Monitor the short wave bands on-line with a web based SDR receiver at http://www.websdr.org/
IARU Monitoring System (IARUMS) https://www.iarums-r1.org/
Source:http://www.southgatearc.org
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Scientists charged with predicting the Sun’s activity for Cycle 25 say it’s likely to be much like that of current Cycle 24, which is declining and predicted to bottom out in 2019 or 2020. Solar Cycle 25 Prediction Panel experts said Cycle 25 may get off to a slow start but is anticipated to peak between 2023 and 2026 with a sunspot range of 95 to 130. This is well below the typical average of 140 to 220 sunspots per solar cycle. The panel expressed high confidence that the coming cycle should break the trend of weakening solar activity seen over the past four cycles. The Solar Cycle Prediction Panel forecasts the number of sunspots expected for solar maximum, along with the timing of the peak and minimum solar activity levels for the cycle. The outlook was presented on April 5 at the2019 NOAA Space Weather Workshop in Boulder, Colorado.
“We expect Solar Cycle 25 will be very similar to Cycle 24: Another fairly weak cycle, preceded by a long, deep minimum,” said panel co- chair Lisa Upton, a solar physicist with Space Systems Research Corp. “The expectation that Cycle 25 will be comparable in size to Cycle 24 means that the steady decline in solar cycle amplitude, seen from cycles 21 – 24, has come to an end and that there is no indication that we are currently approaching a Maunder-type minimum in solar activity.”
The solar cycle prediction gives a rough idea of the frequency of space weather storms of all types, from radio blackouts to geomagnetic storms and solar radiation storms. In addition to its effects on Amateur Radio signal propagation, space weather can affect power grids; critical military, airline, and shipping communications; satellites and GPS signals, and can even threaten astronauts through exposure to harmful radiation.
Solar Cycle 24 reached its maximum in April 2014 with a peak average of 82 sunspots. The Sun’s Northern Hemisphere led the sunspot cycle, peaking more than 2 years ahead of the Southern Hemisphere sunspot peak. Given that the Sun takes 11 years to complete one solar cycle, this is only the fourth time that US scientists have issued a solar cycle prediction. The first panel convened in 1989 for Cycle 22.
For Solar Cycle 25, the panel hopes for the first time to predict the presence, amplitude, and timing of any differences between the northern and southern hemispheres on the Sun, known as hemispheric asymmetry. Later this year, the panel will release an official sunspot number curve showing the predicted number of sunspots during any given year and any expected asymmetry. The panel will also look into the possibility of providing a solar flare probability forecast.
“While we are not predicting a particularly active Solar Cycle 25, violent eruptions from the sun can occur at any time,” said Doug Biesecker, panel co-chair and a solar physicist at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). An example of this occurred on July 23, 2012, when a powerful coronal mass ejection (CME) eruption missed Earth but enveloped NASA’s STEREO-A satellite. A 2013 study estimated that the US would have suffered between $600 billion and $2.6 trillion in damages, particularly to electrical infrastructure, if the 2012 CME had been directed toward Earth. The strength of the 2012 eruption was comparable to the famous 1859 Carrington event that caused widespread damage to telegraph stations around the world and produced aurora displays as far south as the Caribbean. Visit the SWPC to obtain the latest space weather forecast. – Thanks to NOAA
Source:ARRL
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The May issue of Digital QST is now available for viewing on your desktop or laptop. Click here to view the issue. It is also available for reading on your Apple, Android, or Kindle Fire device.
● Build the K1FM HF magnetic loop antenna.
● Track down interference in your area.
● Try the innovative Moxy antenna.
…and much more! Enjoy Content You Won’t Find in the Print Edition…
● See our video review of the Yaesu FT-4XR dual-band handheld transceiver.
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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Cap Tux, who shares this eBay find: a Dieter Rams Braun T1000CD.
I must say, £675.00 is a lot of money, but I’m not so sure it’s an inflated price for the Braun T1000CD. I believe I’ve seen them fetch even higher prices and the condition of this unit is excellent.
Here’s the seller’s description:
I bought this radio from an Italian colleague in 1983 when I worked in Nigeria. I am the second owner from new. It has been dry stored in a box at my home for for most of the last 35 years. It is in very excellent condition with only the most minor blemishes to the case. Comes with original paper work and circuit diagram numbered the same at the radio. Please see all the photos. I had this serviced and realigned by Graham at East Coast Wireless. I have just checked all the controls and apart from the dial light they all work.
I’m sure a Dieter Rams collector will grab this unit in short order. Frankly, if I had the radio funds for such a purchase, I’d be tempted. I don’t own a single Rams’ designed radio.
Thanks again, Cap! One of the great things about eBay is finding the occasional gem like this and simply admiring the design.
Members of the CAN-AM DXpedition Group will be operating from the island of Hiva Oa in the Marquesas Islands for 10-12 days between November 6-19, 2019. The Marquesas Islands rank #60 on Club Log DXCC “most wanted” list. Operations will include all available bands 160m-10m and CW, SSB and FT8. Operators are: F6BCW, K4UEE, K5PI, […]
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“We are pleased to announce the release of v1.31 of SDRuno. This release contains a number of bug fixes, functional enhancements and other changes. Since the release of v1.3 of SDRuno, we are aware of a number of users who have had problems with the service API crashing. The root cause of these problems is quite complex, but is PC hardware dependent. We have updated the method by which the service API communicates with various applications and we believe that this will substantially alleviate, if not completely cure the problems that some people have been experiencing. As well as bug fixes, we have made some functional enhancements. Most notably, we have added some new features to the Frequency scanner and made it a simply 1 click operation to switch between Zero IF and Low IF mode and vice-versa.
A full list of changes can be found in the release notes, which are available here: https://www.sdrplay.com/docs/SDRplay_SD … _Notes.pdf
We strongly recommend that people read these notes carefully as they will help avoid confusion for those people already used to previous versions of SDRuno. It should NOT be necessary to perform a reset or remove your old SDRuno.ini file and so all previous settings from release 1.3 should be preserved.
For anyone who experiences problems or difficulties, we recommend that you open up a support ticket at https://www.sdrplay.com/support
For other comments and feedback, please simply email us at feedback@sdrplay.com. Please note that we do not usually respond to emails sent to feedback unless we have questions, but any observations are always noted.”
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The winning article for the April 2019 QST Cover Plaque award is “A High-Power 160- and 80-Meter Transmitting Loop Antenna” by Steve Adler, VK5SFA.
The QST Cover Plaque Award – given to the author or authors of the most popular article in each issue – is determined by a vote of ARRL members on the QST Cover Plaque Poll web page. Cast a ballot for your favorite article in the May issue today.
Francesco, IV3TMM informs DX-World that he will be active from Bujumbura, Burundi as 9U3TMM during August 31 to September 17, 2019. He mentions this is a holiday-style operation (his family join him) and will try to activate some WFF nature parks too. QRV on 60-6m; FT8, SSB & RTTY. (First time Burundi activity on 60m). […]
The bidding has begun in the Out of This World ARISS Auction, which wraps up on April 14 at 2200 UTC. A new JVC Kenwood TS-890S is attracting many bidders. Bids are also coming in for a six-volume boxed set of the 2019 edition of The ARRL Handbook. Both prizes, donated by JVC Kenwood and ARRL, are signed by an astronaut.
Proceeds from the online auction will benefit the ARISS initiative to launc…
The European FT8 Club is sponsoring an FT8 DX Contest starting at 1200 UTC on April 13 and running through 1200 UTC on April 14. Everyone works everyone in this contest, and the maximum power is 100 W. The exchange is the same as the ARRL RTTY Roundup, with state/province for US/Canada stations, and serial number for DX participants.
ARRL -
The Jersey Shore Amateur Radio Society (JSARS) on February 16 hosted the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore Council in support of the 2019 Thinking Day On The Air (TDOTA) event. This event is devoted to connecting Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world. The February event marked the first time either group took part. Some 50 Girl Scouts signed up to attend.
Interest within JSARS was strong wa…
The Jersey Shore Amateur Radio Society (JSARS) on February 16 hosted the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore Council in support of the 2019 Thinking Day On The Air (TDOTA) event. This event is devoted to connecting Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world. The February event marked the first time either group took part. Some 50 Girl Scouts signed up to attend.
Interest within JSARS was strong wa…
The winning article for the April 2019 QST Cover Plaque award is “A High-Power 160- and 80-Meter Transmitting Loop Antenna” by Steve Adler, VK5SFA.
The QST Cover Plaque Award — given to the author or authors of the most popular article in each issue — is determined by a vote of ARRL members on the QSTCover Plaque Poll web page. Cast a ballot for your favorite article in the May issue today.
Amplifier, HT, VHF, Solid State, 144-148 MHz, 3/50 W In, 200/200 W Out, UHF Fem, SO-239, 13.8 Vdc, 25 A, Each Add this amp to your 2 Meter HTor mobile… Read more
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ARRL -
ARISS-Russia is planning to transmit slow-scan television (SSTV) images from the International Space Station. Transmissions will begin on April 11 at approximately 1800 UTC and run continuously until approximately 1800 UTC on April 14, 2019. A computer in the ISS Russian Segment stores images that are then transmitted to Earth using the ARISS Amateur Radio station in the Service Module, which i…
ARISS-Russia is planning to transmit slow-scan television (SSTV) images from the International Space Station. Transmissions will begin on April 11 at approximately 1800 UTC and run continuously until approximately 1800 UTC on April 14, 2019. A computer in the ISS Russian Segment stores images that are then transmitted to Earth using the ARISS Amateur Radio station in the Service Module, which i…
The European FT8 Club is sponsoring an FT8 DX Contest starting at 1200 UTC on April 13 and running through 1200 UTC on April 14. Everyone works everyone in this contest, and the maximum power is 100 W. The exchange is the same as the ARRL RTTY Roundup, with state/province for US/Canada stations, and serial number for DX participants.
Rules 1 – Date
Begins: 13-April-2019 | 12:00 UTC
Ends: 14-April-2019 | 12:00 UTC 2 – Bands and mode 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters on FT8 mode. Any station may work any other station. Stations may be worked once per band.
3 – Categories
Single Operator LOW (100 watts or less)
Single Operator QRP (5 watts or less)
Multioperator LOW (100 watts or less)
Multioperator QRP (5 watts or less)
4 – Exchange
4.1 United States: Signal report and State (except KH6 and KL7).
4.2 Canada: Signal report and Province.
4.3 DX: Signal report and consecutive serial number, starting with 001 (including KH6 and KL7). 5 – Scoring
5.1 QSO Points: One point for each completed QSO.
5.2 Multipliers: Each US state (except KH6 and KL7) plus the District of Columbia (DC), Canadian provinces/territories: NB (VE1, 9), NS (VE1), QC (VE2), ON (VE3), MB (VE4), SK (VE5), AB (VE6), BC (VE7), NWT (VE8), NF (VO1), LB (VO2), NU (VYØ), YT (VY1), PEI (VY2) and each DXCC country. KH6 and KL7 count only as separate DXCC entities.
5.2.1 Multipliers count only once (not once per band).
5.2.2 The US and Canada do not count as DXCC entities. 6 – Logs
The Cabrillo entries include the header and the complete QSO list. All logs must be emailed by 28-April-2019 at 23:59 UTC in Cabrillo format to europeanft8club@gmx.com
7 – Miscellaneous
Participants must use WSJT-X version 2.0 or later or MSHV version 2.14 or later. 8 – Awards
Certificates will be awarded to all participants and can be downloaded online when available.
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ARRL -
The Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) payload on AMSAT-India’s AISAT-1 satellite is operational on 145.825 MHz following a successful April 1 launch on the PSLV-C45 mission. The payload was powered up on schedule over Europe, and AMSAT-India announced that DK3WN was able to digipeat through the satellite. AMSAT-India requests that radio amateurs use the payload and SatGates to feed the t…
The Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) payload on AMSAT-India’s AISAT-1 satellite is operational on 145.825 MHz following a successful April 1 launch on the PSLV-C45 mission. The payload was powered up on schedule over Europe, and AMSAT-India announced that DK3WN was able to digipeat through the satellite. AMSAT-India requests that radio amateurs use the payload and SatGates to feed the t…
ARRL -
AMSAT has told the FCC that several proposed rule changes related to the mitigation of orbital debris would have an extremely detrimental effect on both the Amateur Satellite Service and AMSAT’s ability to launch and operate new satellites, including AMSAT’s upcoming GOLF satellites. AMSAT filed comments on April 5 on an FCC Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) in IB Docket 18-313. AMSAT argue…
AMSAT has told the FCC that several proposed rule changes related to the mitigation of orbital debris would have an extremely detrimental effect on both the Amateur Satellite Service and AMSAT’s ability to launch and operate new satellites, including AMSAT’s upcoming GOLF satellites. AMSAT filed comments on April 5 on an FCC Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) in IB Docket 18-313. AMSAT argue…
The bidding has begun in the Out of This World ARISS Auction, which wraps up on April 14 at 2200 UTC. A new JVC Kenwood TS-890S is attracting many bidders. Bids are also coming in for a six-volume boxed set of the 2019 edition of The ARRL Handbook. Both prizes, donated by JVC Kenwood and ARRL, are signed by an astronaut.
Proceeds from the online auction will benefit the ARISS initiative to launch a new, custom-built, higher-power radio system in late 2019 with its voice repeater and improved packet, APRS, and SSTV capability that thousands of hams can enjoy. ARISS also seeks to maintain the momentum of introducing ham radio to thousands of students, teachers, parents, and whole communities through Amateur Radio contacts with members of the International Space Station (ISS) crew, inspiring students about STEM and radio.
AMSAT-NA, another ARISS sponsor, has provided components of the auction infrastructure. If auctions aren’t your thing, consider a contribution to ARISS. Look for the “Donate” button near the top right-hand corner of the page, or email Rosalie White, K1STO. – Thanks to ARISS
Source:ARRL
A long time has passed since we have to accept the negative aspects of matching Yagi antennas. With modern software, knowledge and optimisation techniques, there is no reason for a Yagi to have any form or matching device. If designed corre… Read more
SOTABeams Features Fully adjustable audio band-pass filtering instantly adjustable for voice, data and CW (b/w 50 Hz to 5 kHz) VIDEO State-of-the-art adaptive noise reduction 100 levels plus advanced control functions VIDEO Adaptive tone el… Read more
The European FT8 Club is sponsoring an FT8 DX Contest starting at 1200 UTC on April 13 and running through 1200 UTC on April 14. Everyone works everyo… Read more
“Dear Fellow Ham, Just a quick note to let you know about a very fun, short (4 hour) contest happening this weekend. It is the North American S… Read more
Solar Cycle 25 Scientists charged with predicting the Sun’s activity for Cycle 25 say it’s likely to be much like that of current Cycle 24, which is d… Read more
The bidding has begun in the Out of This World ARISS Auction, which wraps up on April 14 at 2200 UTC. A new JVC Kenwood TS-890S is attracting many bid… Read more
The May issue of Digital QST is now available for viewing on your desktop or laptop. Click here to view the issue. It is also available for reading on… Read more
Yet again the monthly IARU-R1 Monitoring System newsletter reports on the severe problems being caused by the Russian OTH radar “Contayner” on 14 MHz… Read more
“Andrew Knafel, KN8FEL saw my videos and through our correspondence I helped him learn how to operate satellites. He and his family live in Ohio… Read more
Video introduction from Icom Inc. to the IC-SAT100 which is Icom’s first Satellite PTT handheld radio that uses the Iridium satellite communication ne… Read more
DX Engineering carries the NTE Low Temp Solder Wire Connectors. All you need is a heat gun to make solder connections between wires. Four sizes for wi… Read more
XR4 is what you get when you add 6 meter coverage to the great XR3 antenna (see above) with the same single feedline and a scarcely longer 11.5… Read more
DX Alert App Instead of being connected to a DX cluster directly you can use DX Alert to monitor the cluster for you and get notifications on your pho… Read more
The Australian Radio & Electronics School (RES) has made available a free 2-3 day amateur radio Foundation licence course App for Apple and Androi… Read more
iSDR is a software defined radio application compatible with the iPhone®, iPod touch® and iPad. iSDR is designed for experimenters, shortwave… Read more
Many thanks to Mike Terry on the WRTH Facebook page, who notes that RFI’s “The Sound Kitchen” will no longer broadcast on shortwave.
From The Sound Kitchen‘s latest post: For our DX enthusiast and shortwave listener friends: I am sad to announce we no longer have a shortwave frequency; we have severe budget constraints which no longer permit us to broadcast via shortwave. But you can still hear us on World Radio Network. As you know, we now broadcast only 1 hour per day, Monday – Friday, from 14:00 to 15:00 UTC/GMT. For North America: WRN broadcasts the quotidian RFI English programme three times a day from Monday to Friday, from 06:00 to 06:59, from 10:00 to 10:59 and from 16:00 to 16h59 UTC/GMT. http://babcock.media/world-radio-network/networks/english-north-america/ For Africa and Asia: WRN broadcasts the quotidian RFI English programme three times a day from Monday to Friday, from 06:00 to 06:59, from 10:00 to 10:59 and from 16:00 to 16h59 UTC/GMT. http://babcock.media/world-radio-network/networks/english-africa-asia/ For Europe: WRN broadcasts the quotidian RFI English programme three times a day from Monday to Friday, from 07:00 to 07:50, from 12:00 to 12:59 and from 20:00 to 20:59 UTC/GMT. http://babcock.media/world-radio-network/networks/english-europe/ In Paris, you can hear us on World Radio Paris (http://www.worldradioparis.fr/) on DAB+, Monday to Friday from 15:00 to 15:59 UTC/GMT as well as Tuesday through Saturday from 07:00 to 07:59 UTC/GMT.
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Yet again the monthly IARU-R1 Monitoring System newsletter reports on the severe problems being caused by the Russian OTH radar “Contayner” on 14 MHz
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The May issue of Digital QST is now available for viewing on your desktop or laptop. 
“We are pleased to announce the release of v1.31 of SDRuno. This release contains a number of bug fixes, functional enhancements and other changes. Since the release of v1.3 of SDRuno, we are aware of a number of users who have had problems with the service API crashing. The root cause of these problems is quite complex, but is PC hardware dependent. We have updated the method by which the service API communicates with various applications and we believe that this will substantially alleviate, if not completely cure the problems that some people have been experiencing. As well as bug fixes, we have made some functional enhancements. Most notably, we have added some new features to the Frequency scanner and made it a simply 1 click operation to switch between Zero IF and Low IF mode and vice-versa.
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BIG SUNSPOT: A new sunspot is rotating over the sun’s eastern limb, and it’s a big one. Numbered AR2738
The winning article for the April 2019 QST Cover Plaque award is “A High-Power 160- and 80-Meter Transmitting Loop Antenna” by Steve Adler, VK5SFA.
The European FT8 Club is sponsoring an 
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