The VOA Radiogram transmission at 1600-1630 UTC on 16 April 2016 on 17580 kHz received an unexpected workout by the presence of Radio Habana Cuba on the same frequency. RHC was broadcasting a speech by President Raúl Castro to open the VII Congress of Cuban Communist Party. President Castro was speaking when the 1600 UTC broadcast of VOA Radiogram began, and he was still speaking when it ended at 1630 UTC.

In Europe, the nominal target area for the Saturday 1600 UTC VOA Radiogram, RHC was in the background and generally did not impede the decoding of the text and images. (See this example from Germany.) In the Americas, the RHC signal was more disruptive, but usually in places where VOA Radiogram is usually not heard well 17580 kHz.

Tim, K0RUS, in Colorado, produced his usual weekly YouTube video of his reception and decoding of VOA Radiogram Saturday at 1600-1630 UTC on 17580 kHz. This weekend, his video was especially instructive, because RHC and VOA Radiogram signals were fairly evenly matched in Colorado. Despite this conflict, you can see that the MFSK32 and Olivia 64-2000 text decoded successfully, and that the MFSK32 images, if fuzzy, were legible.

Tim’s video is here …

https://youtu.be/TUeuCuihui4

The audio from Tim’s video is suitable for your own decoding using Fldigi for PCs or TIVAR for Android devices.

Reception was good last weekend, allowing for successful decodes, including the nuances of the gray-scale images. Here is the photo of the migrant as decoded by Dmitry in Kursk, Russia, on 15670 kHz …

VOA Radiogram this weekend will include a seven-minute segment of Olivia 64-2000, so let’s hope for poor reception to give this slow-but-robust mode a workout. If reception conditions are good, try a cheap receiver, or a compromised antenna, or a location with electrical noise.

Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 159, 16-17 April 2016, all in MFSK32 except where noted:

  1:31  Program preview

  2:39  Octopus makes daring escape*

  7:53  Kerry calls for more connectivity in poor countries*

12:42  Trolleybuses in Moscow to be retired*

16:10  Olivia 64-2000: Tiny spacecraft to explore space

23:21  MFSK32: Closing announcements*

 *with image

 Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com.

VOA Radiogram transmission schedule
(all days and times UTC):
Sat 0930-1000 5745 kHz
Sat 1600-1630 17580 kHz
Sun 0230-0300 5745 kHz
Sun 1930-2000 15670 kHz
All via the Edward R. Murrow transmitting station in North Carolina.

The Mighty KBC will have an extra digital mode transmission this weekend. The usual minute of MFSK32 is Sunday at about 0220 UTC (Saturday 10:20 pm EDT), on 6040 kHz, via Germany, part of KBC’s broadcast to North America Sunday 0000-0300 UTC.  Eric van Willegen’s Giant Juke Box show will then be repeated to Europe, Sunday, 0800-1000 UTC, on 6095 kHz, also via Nauen, Germany. The MFSK32 will be at about 0920 UTC. Outside of Europe, you can listen via http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/ . Reports to Eric: themightykbc (at) gmail.com.

DigiDX will transmit MFSK32 and possibly other modes …

Sunday 2130-2220 UTC - 15770kHz - via WRMI Florida

Sunday 2330-2400 UTC - 11580kHz - via WRMI Florida

Monday 2000-2030 UTC - 6070kHz – via Channel 292 Germany

Consult http://www.digidx.uk/ for any additions or changes to this schedule.

The German communications regulator Bundesnetzagentur has changed its mind about allowing digital modes on shortwave broadcast transmitters in Germany. Apparently BNetzA thought that Channel 292 was transmitting the text and images in single sideband (SSB), which is how amateurs, military, etc, transmit the digital modes. Now that they know that the MFSK32 and other modes are sent as program audio on an analogue amplitude-modulation shortwave transmitter, their objections were withdrawn.  (It’s similar to A2A modulated CW.)

BNetzA prefers that the term MFSK32 not be used to describe these broadcasts, but we have to specify the mode so that you can set Fldigi or other decoding software to the correct mode. In any case, the weekly MFSK32 transmission will resume on The Mighty KBC, and DigiDX will return to Channel 292.

Meanwhile, VOA Radiogram this weekend will be all MFSK32 except for the transmission schedule in Olivia 64-2000 under the closing music.

Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 158, 9-10 April 2016, all in MFSK32 except where noted:

 1:32  Program preview

 2:46  China domain name rules*

11:58  South Korea blocks North Korea Tech website*

18:09  Mars Opportunity rover photographs dust devil*

23:01  Photo of migrant from RFE/RL Top Shots*

26:24  Closing announcements*

28:01  Olivia 64-2000: Frequencies under music

* with image

Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com

VOA Radiogram transmission schedule
(all days and times UTC):
Sat 0930-1000 5745 kHz
Sat 1600-1630 17580 kHz
Sun 0230-0300 5745 kHz
Sun 1930-2000 15670 kHz
All via the Edward R. Murrow transmitting station in North Carolina.

The Mighty KBC will (after a one-week break) transmit a minute of MFSK32 Sunday at about 0220 UTC (Saturday 10:20 pm EDT) on 6040 kHz, via Germany.  Sometimes the MFSK32 is as late as 0228 UTC. Reports for this KBC reception to Eric: themightykbc (at) gmail.com

DigiDX will broadcast DX news in MFSK32 (and perhaps other modes)  …

Sunday 2130 UTC 15770kHz via WRMI (Florida)

Sunday 2330 UTC 11580kHz via WRMI (Florida)

Monday 2000 UTC 6070kHz via Channel 292 (Germany)

Check http://www.digidx.uk/ for any changes or additions to this schedule.

New this weekend is the elimination of the digital text modes from shortwave transmitters in Germany.

The German regulator Bundesnetzagentur has ruled that the digital modes are not allowed in the broadcast bands. Because of this, there will be no MFSK32 on The Mighty KBC this weekend, because it uses a transmitter in Nauen, Germany.  And, for the time being, there will be no DigiDX MFSK broadcasts on Channel 292, 6070 kHz, and Radio 700, 3985 kHz.

Listeners in Germany might want to note these arguments for the digital modes on the shortwave broadcast bands: 1) It is broadcasting, not point-to-point communication. 2) It can be received on any shortwave radio, even inexpensive portables with no SSB capability. (Software is required to decode the text and images, but this can be included in future shortwave radios.) 3) DRM is legal on the shortwave broadcast bands, and DRM can transmit text and images.  4) Text and images via analog radio requires less spectrum (bandwidth) than DRM. 5) Text and images via analog radio are a useful new application for underutilized shortwave transmitters and frequencies. 6) Text and images via analog radio extend the range of a shortwave transmitter, resulting in accurate content in conditions where voice transmissions may be unintelligible. 7) Digital modes via shortwave can be a useful alternative when the Internet is not available due to disasters or to net censorship by dictators.

VOA Radiogram, program 157, 2-3 April 2016 is all MFSK32 except for the transmission schedule in Olivia 64-2000 under the closing music:

 1:35  Program preview
 2:48  Asia at risk for water shortages*
10:25  Seismic risk map now includes quakes caused by humans*
17:05  Latvia blocks Russia’s Sputnik website*
22:20  View bald eagles in Washington via Nest Cam*
25:30  Closing announcements*
28:05  Olivia 64-2000: Transmission schedule

* with image

Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com.

And visit voaradiogram.net.

Twitter: @VOARadiogram

VOA Radiogram transmission schedule
(all days and times UTC):
Sat 0930-1000 5745 kHz
Sat 1600-1630 17580 kHz
Sun 0230-0300 5745 kHz
Sun 1930-2000 15670 kHz
All via the Edward R. Murrow transmitting station in North Carolina.

Digital modes on The Mighty KBC (via Germany) and DigiDX (via Channel 292, 6070 kHz, and Radio 700, 3985 kHz, both via Germany) will not be available this weekend for reasons stated above. DigiDX will be available via WRMI, Florida, Sunday at 2130-2200 UTC on 15770 kHz and 2330-2400 UTC on 11580 kHz.

Propagation last weekend was difficult on Saturday, especially within North America. Fortunately, it improved by Sunday.

If you are new to the program, note that Fldigi automatically saves decoded images as png files in the folder \fldigi.files\images\ probably within your C:\Users hierarchy. Operating systems other than Windows may have different folder names. When sending reception reports, please attach those png files.

VOA Radiogram this weekend  is all in MFSK32 except for the new VOA Radiogram transmission schedule in Olivia 64-2000  under the closing music. The only frequency change is Saturday at 0930-1000 UTC: 26 March is the last day for 5865 kHz; effective 2 April, 5745 kHz will be used during that broadcast.

Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 156, 26-27 March 2016, all in MFSK32 except where noted:

1:34  Program preview

 2:39  Efficient internal combustion engine*

9:00  Crop wild relatives for food security*

15:05  Rare flower blooms at US Botanic Garden*

19:49  Urban birds are smarter*

24:10  Closing announcements*

Olivia 64-2000 transmission schedule under closing music.

* with image

Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com.

VOA Radiogram transmission schedule
(all days and times UTC):
Sat 0930-1000 5865 kHz (Changes to 5745 kHz effective 2 April.)
Sat 1600-1630 17580 kHz
Sun 0230-0300 5745 kHz
Sun 1930-2000 15670 kHz
All via the Edward R. Murrow transmitting station in North Carolina.

The Mighty KBC will transmit a minute Saturday at about 0220 UTC (lately it has been after 0225 UTC) (10:20 pm EDT or later) on 6040 kHz, via Germany. Reports for this KBC reception to Eric: themightykbc@gmail.com . The KBC North America broadcast is Sunday 0000-0300 UTC (Saturday 8-11 pm EDT)

on 6040 kHz.

DigiDX this weekend is all in MFSK32, except for some MFSK128 in German.  Consult www.digidx.uk for any updates:

Sunday, 27 March, 1100-1130 UTC, 6070 kHz, via Channel 292, Germany

Sunday, 27 March, 2330-0000 UTC, 11580 kHz, via WRMI, Florida

In most of the United States and Canada, VOA Radiogram is now one hour later by local time because of the change to daylight time. The UTC times remain the same (see schedule below). Effective 2 April, the Saturday 0930 UTC broadcast changes to 5745 kHz.

VOA Radiogram this weekend will include an 8-minute stretch of Olivia 64-2000. Let’s hope for poor reception – or create poor reception conditions – to give the Olivia 64-2000 a workout.

VOA Radiogram reception and decodes were very good last weekend. Here’s an example by Alessandro in Italy, 13 March 2016, 1930-2000 UTC, 15670 kHz:

Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 155, 19-20 March 2016, all in MFSK32 except where noted:

  1:32  Program preview
  3:01  NASA plans large fire on spacecraft*
  7:26  Rotten tomatoes produce renewable energy*
11:54  Olivia 64-2000: Legislation to counter propaganda
19:48  MFSK32: Over the horizon radar in amateur HF bands*
25:04  Early General Electric shortwave broadcasting*
27:05  Closing announcements

* with image

Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com

VOA Radiogram transmission schedule
(all days and times UTC):
Sat 0930-1000 (5:30 am EDT) 5865 kHz (will change to 5745 kHz effective 2 April)
Sat 1600-1630 (noon EDT) 17580 kHz
Sun 0230-0300 (Saturday 10:30 pm EDT) 5745 kHz
Sun 1930-2000 (3:30 pm EDT) 15670 kHz
All via the Edward R. Murrow transmitting station in North Carolina.

The Mighty KBC will transmit a minute of MFSK32 Sunday at about 0220 UTC (10:20 pm EDT) on 6040 kHz, via Germany. Reception reports for KBC reception to Eric: themightykbc (at) gmail.com . KBC is determining whether it will have enough sponsors to maintain its broadcast to North America, currently at 0000-0300 UTC on 6040 kHz.

DigiDX will transmit MFSK32 this weekend:

Friday 18th March: 2000-2030UTC - 6070kHz (Channel 292, Germany)
Sunday 20th March: 1100-1130UTC - 6070kHz (Channel 292, Germany)
Sunday 20th March: 1230-1300UTC - 6070kHz (Channel 292, Germany)
Sunday 20th March: 2330-0000UTC - 11580kHz (WRMI, Florida)

Another DigiDX transmission Sunday at 0030 UTC on 6070 kHz (via Germany) will be in Olivia 64-2000, with some MFSK16 at the end. For listeners in the Americas, it will be interesting to see if these digital modes will decode under CFRX in Toronto, also on 6070 kHz.

Visit http://www.digidx.uk/ for any updates to this schedule.

VOA Radiogram this weekend will be all MFSK32 except for a brief transmission of Olivia 64-2000 at the end of the show.

Another “twist” will be some Chinese text. For the Chinese text to display correctly, in Fldigi: Configure > Colors & Fonts >   Rx/Tx Character set. (I believe that UTF-8 is the default on TIVAR and AndFlmsg.)  

Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 154, 12-13 March 2016, all in MFSK32 except where noted:

 1:35  Program preview
 2:50  Tsunami sends Japanese fish to Oregon*
 8:07  Molten metal may improve sun power*
13:16  VPNs blocked in China*
19:16  VOA Chinese on China VPNs
21:03  Orchids at the U.S. Botanic Garden*
24:06  Closing announcements*
26:36  Olivia 64-2000: Contact information

* with image

Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com.

VOA Radiogram transmission schedule
(all days and times UTC):
Sat 0930-1000 5865 kHz
Sat 1600-1630 17580 kHz
Sun 0230-0300 5745 kHz
Sun 1930-2000 15670 kHz (one hour later local time in most of North America, e.g. 3:30 pm EDT)
All via the Edward R. Murrow transmitting station in North Carolina.

The Mighty KBC will transmit a minute of MFSK32 Sunday at about 0220 UTC (Saturday 9:20 pm EST) on 6040 kHz, via Germany. Reports for KBC reception/decode to Eric: themightykbc (at) gmail.com . The future of this KBC broadcast to North America is uncertain. KBC will end its broadcast Sundays to Europe on 6095 kHz on 27 March due to a lack of sponsors.

DigiDX MFSK32 (and possibly also MFSK128L) transmissions will be active this weekend, as follows:

VOA Radiogram this weekend is all in MFSK32. There is no time for a slow mode such as Olivia 64-3000, because the MFSK32 stories are too interesting to cut.  

Here is the lineup for VOA Radiogram, program 153, 5-6 March 2016, all in MFSK32:

 1:34  Program preview
 2:36  Ridding Bangkok of pythons and other snakes*
12:57  Astronomers locate source of a fast radio burst*
17:57  Distinguished visitors at the South Pole*
27:13  Closing announcements*

* with image

Decode with Fldigi or MultiPSK for PCs, or AndFlmsg or TIVAR for Android devices.

Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com.

VOA Radiogram transmission schedule
(all days and times UTC):
Sat 0930-1000 5865 kHz
Sat 1600-1630 17580 kHz
Sun 0230-0300 5745 kHz
Sun 1930-2000 15670 kHz
All via the Edward R. Murrow transmitting station in North Carolina.

The Mighty KBC will transmit a minute of MFSK32 Saturday at about 0220 UTC (Sunday 9:20 pm EST) on 6040 kHz, via Germany. Reports for KBC reception to Eric: themightykbc (at) gmail.com .

DigiDX continues its MFSK32 transmissions this weekend via Channel 292, 6070 kHz, in Germany. The schedule is Friday (today) at 2000-2030 UTC and Sunday at 1100-2030 UTC (presumably including several repeats). This weekend’s DigiDX broadcast includes MFSK32 at the usual audio frequency of 1500, plus, simultaneously (a few minutes into the broadcast) at 600 Hz. You can decode both at the same time using two instances of Fldigi. Additional transmissions of DigiDX are possible during the weekend (consult facebook.com/digidx) as well as digital IDs by Channel 292 itself.