Shortwave Central

1. Shiokaze (Sea Breeze) schedule update

   

   For anyone who follows the broadcasts from Shiokaze, Hiroshi's blog at http://hiroshi.mediacat-blog.jp/ mentions a new schedule effective 19 November 2024:

    

   1300-1400 on 7280 and 7335 kHz                            

   1405-1435 on 5935 and 6070 kHz                            

   1600-1700 on 5955 and 6095 kHz                            

   1705-1805 on 6020 and 7340 kHz

    Shiokaze (Sea Breeze) broadcasts to North Korea and is operated by the independent investigating organization "Investigation Commission on Missing Japanese Probably Related to North Korea", regarding persons believed to have been abducted by North Korea prior to 1983. All broadcasts are from Yamata in Japan (300 kW).

    They usually have an English program at 1300-1400 and 1600-1700 on Wednesdays (otherwise they are in Korean and Japanese)          

   (BDXC)

    

2. Adventist Shortwave Broadcasting History, part 1

   

   
   
   

   Thanks to Ray Robinson and Jeff White for sharing the latest Wavescan program for our followers

   
   

   Jeff: Last week in the feature on Goa, we mentioned that the first syndicated

   religious program to be aired on Emissora de Goa was the Voice of Prophecy, from

   Adventist evangelist H.M.S. Richards Sr. We thought it might be interesting to look

   back on Adventist broadcasting, so today we begin a three part feature on that

   history, and in particular, that of Adventist World Radio, with a focus on shortwave.

   However, today in part 1, Ray Robinson in Los Angeles looks back at the early

   origins of Adventist broadcasting in North America, before the Second World War.

   Ray: Thanks, Jeff. And yes, if you’ve got a good memory, we did cover some of this

   material in October last year when we were marking the 52nd anniversary of AWR,

   but more information has since come to light.

   
   

   It was in March 1928 that John Fetzer, manager of AM Broadcast Band station

   WEMC at the Adventist College in Berrien Springs, Michigan, made a visit to

   Washington, DC. His purpose was to lodge an application with the newly created

   Federal Radio Commission for a license to install a shortwave transmitter co-sited

   with the medium wave one in Berrien Springs.  If he had been successful, that might

   have led to the first appearance of Adventist programming on shortwave, but his

   application was denied. A year or two later, Fetzer bought the station he managed,

   and then transferred it to Kalamazoo, Michigan as WKZO.

   
   

   Then, there was Harold Marshall Sylvester Richards, better known simply as H.M.S.

   Richards. He was born in Iowa in 1894, and at the young age of just 17 began his

   ministry as a tent preacher. In the late 19-teens, his brother worked as a driver for

   the then Senator from Ohio, Warren G. Harding, and Harding invited the brothers to

   attend a demonstration of the new invention of radio. Richards came to view radio

   as a way to bring the Gospel to the nations. He graduated from Washington

   Missionary College (now Washington Adventist University) in 1919, and then

   served as an evangelist in various places in the United States and Canada. It was

   during this period in the 1920’s while he was serving in Ottawa, Ontario, that he

   began experimenting with radio announcements in connection with his meetings.

   During the Great Depression he made his way to California, and he gave his first 15

   minute guest sermon on KNX (AM) in Los Angeles on October 19, 1929.

   
   

   The following year, 1930, H.M.S. Richards began producing a weekly radio program

   called the ‘Tabernacle of the Air’. He raised $200 to pay for 13 half-hour time slots

   on station KGER in Long Beach, California, which at that time was on 920 kHz, and

   the ministry grew from there. His headquarters, a renovated chicken coop in his

   garage, reflected his humility, a trait he retained even as his broadcast’s fame grew.

   In January 1937, his radio footprint expanded over several stations of a regional

   network – the Don Lee Broadcasting System. At the same time, the name of the

   program was changed to the ‘Voice of Prophecy’.

   
   

   In 1941, The Adventist General Conference Radio Commission designated ‘Voice of

   Prophecy’ as the Adventist Church’s national radio program, and on Sunday, January

   4, 1942, just a few weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor, it went coast-to-coast on

   the Mutual Broadcasting System’s 89 stations. It was one of the first religious

   programs to be broadcast on a nationwide network, and within 10 months it had

   expanded even further onto 225 stations.

   
   

   In those early days, there was no ability to pre-record on tape, so all the programs

   were aired live from Mutual’s KHJ in Los Angeles. The team used to get to the KHJ

   studio at about 5am each Sunday morning and do the program for the East Coast.

   They’d break for something to eat, and then come back and do it all again for the

   West Coast audience.

   
   

   The next attempt on the part of the Adventist denomination to enter the

   international scene of shortwave broadcasting was during the latter part of World

   War II.  During 1944, The Voice of Prophecy was carried worldwide on the

   shortwave and medium wave networks of AFRS, the American Forces Radio Service,

   for the benefit of American servicemen on duty overseas.  

   
   

   The shortwave stations in

   use at the time were located on both the east and west coasts of the continental

   United States. For the benefit of Australian servicemen in the Pacific, the program

   was also carried as part of the Australia Calling broadcast from Shepparton, Victoria,

   the predecessor to Radio Australia. From that time onwards, Adventist

   programming has been heard in many parts of the world on shortwave, although

   sadly as of last month, no longer in English.

   
   

   

   In 1947, the program went truly international

   as Richards first bought airtime on the high

   power English language service of Radio

   Luxembourg, which at that time was still on

   longwave, and gave him broad coverage of

   most of western Europe. He also bought

   airtime on KZRH (now DZRH) in the

   Philippines – a 50,000 watt station on 650 kHz

   in metro Manila. And then as we commented

   last week, in 1950 he added coverage into

   India from Emissora de Goa’s MW and SW

   transmitters.

   
   

   
   

   In 1952, the program operation moved into new studios and offices that had been built 

   in Glendale, California, and great expansion continued throughout the 1950’s and 60’s.

   
   

   

   
   

   At its peak, the program was heard on over 700 stations worldwide, including on

   shortwave via ETLF in Ethiopia, CR8A in Goa, SLBC in Colombo, Ceylon, and several

   other shortwave stations in Asia and Latin America.

   But, as happens to all of us, H.M.S. Richards was aging. In 1969, when he was 75

   years old, it was decided that his son, H.M.S. Richards Jr., would take over the

   speaking responsibilities, which he ably undertook until his own retirement in 1992.

   The founder had realized his vision from the 19-teens of using radio to bring the

   Gospel to the nations. And indeed, the ministry he started, with its humble

   beginnings in October 1929, just last month (in October 2024) celebrated its 95 th

   birthday. H.M.S. Richards Sr. eventually died aged 90 on April 24, 1985.

   < Audio Clip – Have Faith in God >

   Back to you, Jeff.

   Jeff: Thanks, Ray. In 1971, the denomination decided to expand Adventist radio

   programming into many other languages and parts of the world, beginning with the

   establishment of a new entity – Adventist World Radio. And that’s where Ray will

   pick up the story in part 2, in a couple of weeks’ time. Next week, Ray has an

   interesting feature from Canadian radio, part of a Vinyl Tap program with Randy

   Bachman, about the development of music radio in North America.

   (Wavescan 17 Nov 2024)

   
   

3. A nostalgic look at Radio Peace & Progress

    

   

   
   

   USSR: On November 15, 1964, western listeners can't believe their ears: here is the USSR.S.S. giving the voice to its public opinion! Radio Peace, a "free" radio broadcasting from Moscow. floods the airwaves with programs in several languages.It was a pale copy of Radio Europe Libre with Muscovite sauce!

   
   

   An adventure that began in 1957: members of Radio Moscow had sent a letter to Nikita Khrouchchev asking to establish a Soviet international broadcaster on the model of RFE/RL.This letter, which acknowledged the effectiveness of the RFE, led the Kremlin to launch in 1964, such a station.

   
   

   Officially it was a public non-governmental organization. It was registered as an original joint idea of Soviet public agencies. Its members: the Soviet Committee for Peace, the Soviet Committee for Solidarity with Asian and African Countries, the Committee and USSR Women's Youth Organizations, the Union of Friendly Societies with Foreign Countries, the Union of Journalists and the Novosti Agency. His task: "promote mutual understanding and trust among peoples of all countries."

   
   

   n reality, this machine of propaganda of communist ideals was in the hands of the ideological department of the Central Committee and the KGB. The government had a propaganda radio that was not officially claiming its responsibility.

   
   

   Radio Paix et Progrès used the technical facilities of Radio Moscow and performed 161 hours a week in 13 languages.The topics discussed followed the official line but were more inclined and direct than Radio Moscow, offering propaganda lines that the Soviet government could disown.

   
   

   The programs of "Peace and Progress" were divided into half-hour programs. Each program included 10 pieces of information followed by commentary, speeches from representatives of the Soviet and foreign audiences, or answers to letters from the audience. All accompanied by short musical sequences.

   
   

   The content of the Peace and Progress programs was more insidious than Radio Moscow and it was adapted according to the targeted audiences. As an example:

   Off to China... radio shows Washington's hypocrisy in Taiwan and Tibet issues.

   Off to Africa... she was the spokesperson against racism and apartheid.

   Off to Latin America... she showed support for the Latinos who were defending themselves against North American imperialism.

   
   

   On the way to Israel... the station was trying to demonstrate that the good people of Israel were the victim of the opportunist of the Zionist government.

   Off to Arab countries... she talks about American hypocrisy towards Arabs.

   A technique is still applicable even though the name Peace and Progress disappeared in 1991, Radio Spoutnik and RT have resumed.

   (Radio Maggazine/FB)

4. Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

   :Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts

   :Issued: 2024 Nov 18 0220 UTC

   # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center

   # Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/content/subscription-services

   #

   #                Weekly Highlights and Forecasts

   #

   Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 11 - 17 November 2024

   
   

   

   
   

   
   

   Solar activity ranged from low to moderate levels this period. R1 (Minor) radio blackouts were observed on 11 Nov, 13 Nov and 15-16 Nov. Regions 3889 (S09, L=006, class/area Fki/540 on 15 Nov) and 3893 (S19, L=289, class/area Cso/050 on 15 Nov) produced a majority of the activity this period. The largest flare of the period was an M1.7 event observed on 13/1708 UTC from Region 3889. During the period, a total of 33 C-class and 7 M-class flares were observed. No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

   
   

   The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at normal to moderate levels. 

   
   

   Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to active levels. Unsettled to active levels were observed on 11 Nov and 13-17 Nov, all associated with positive polarity coronal hole high speed streams (CH HSSs). During the period, solar wind parameters were at mostly nominal levels through early on 14 Nov. Early on 14 Nov, total field increased to 14 nT, while the Bz component dropped to -13 nT. Wind speeds increased from about 305 km/s to a peak of about 460 km/s by late on 15 Nov. Wind speeds ended the period near 310 km/s. The phi angle was in a predominately positive sector throughout the period. 

   
   

   Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 18 November - 14 December 2024

   
   

   Solar activity is expected to be at low to moderate levels (R1/R2 - Minor/Moderate), with a chance for high levels (R3 - Strong) from 18 Nov - 14 Dec. The disk is expected to feature numerous complex regions throughout the outlook period. 

   
   

   No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit. However, there is a chance for proton activity following significant solar flare activity during the outlook period. 

   
   

   The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at normal to moderate levels. 

   
   

   Geomagnetic field activity is likely to be at unsettled to active periods on 18 Nov, 20 Nov, 25-27 Nov, 30 Nov-03 Dec, 06-08 Dec and 11-14 Dec, all due to the influence from recurrent CH HSS effects. Mostly quiet periods are likely on 19 Nov, 21-24 Nov, 28-29 Nov,

   04-05 Dec and 09-10 Dec. 

   
   

   Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt

   :Issued: 2024 Nov 18 0221 UTC

   # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center

   # Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/content/subscription-services

   #

   #      27-day Space Weather Outlook Table

   #                Issued 2024-11-18

   #

   #   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest

   #  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index

   2024 Nov 18     230           8          3

   2024 Nov 19     235           5          2

   2024 Nov 20     235          12          4

   2024 Nov 21     240           5          2

   2024 Nov 22     240           5          2

   2024 Nov 23     240           5          2

   2024 Nov 24     245           5          2

   2024 Nov 25     245          10          3

   2024 Nov 26     240          10          3

   2024 Nov 27     245           8          3

   2024 Nov 28     255           5          2

   2024 Nov 29     250           5          2

   2024 Nov 30     250          10          3

   2024 Dec 01     240          12          4

   2024 Dec 02     230           9          3

   2024 Dec 03     220           8          3

   2024 Dec 04     210           7          2

   2024 Dec 05     205           5          2

   2024 Dec 06     205          12          4

   2024 Dec 07     200          12          4

   2024 Dec 08     180          10          3

   2024 Dec 09     170           5          2

   2024 Dec 10     150           5          2

   2024 Dec 11     145          10          3

   2024 Dec 12     145          15          3

   2024 Dec 13     140          10          3

   2024 Dec 14     145           8          3

   (NOA) 

   
   

   
   

5. Propagation update from the U.K.

    

   

   
   

   RSGB

   GB2RS News Team

   November 15, 2024

   
   

   The solar flux index took a downturn this week, ending up at 150. The visible solar disk is looking rather bare compared with a couple of weeks ago.

   
   

   This is the lowest SFI value since the 2 May 2024, but it is only a matter of time before we see another sunspot appear as we make our way through solar maximum.

   
   

   The good news is that this means we have been pretty devoid of solar flares and coronal mass ejections, with only a few M-class flares occurring. Any CMEs were not Earth-directed and so the Kp index stayed low.

   
   

   As a result, the bands are still playing ball. A quick look on 10 metres at 10.00UTC on Thursday 14 November showed the 4X6TU (Israel), OH2B

   (Finland) and LU4AA (Argentina) International Beacon Project beacons were romping in on 28.200MHz.

   
   

   Going down to 15 metres it was even better, with ZL6B (New Zealand), VK6RBP (Australia) and JA2IGY (Japan) all audible on 21.150MHz.

   
   

   Also, the proton flux from the Sun remains low, which bodes well for polar paths.

   
   

   Next week the Space Weather Prediction Centre forecasts that the solar flux index will rise again, no doubt as new or returning sunspots appear, perhaps putting us into the low 200s.

   
   

    From a geomagnetic perspective, unsettled conditions are forecast for Wednesday 20 November when the Kp index could rise to four.

   
   

   Looking further ahead, fingers crossed for the 23 and 24 November weekend when the CQ Worldwide CW contest takes place!

   
   

   VHF and up :

   
   

   It was more of the same on 50MHz last week, with what may be a mix of Es and F2-layer propagation producing morning openings in the afternoon to the Gulf States, Southeast Asia, and the Americas.

   
   

   On the higher bands, with the high pressure just hanging on in its colder guise, next week looks distinctly on the wintry side for some areas.

   
   

   The high pressure has, along with its predecessor, given us at least two weeks of Tropo conditions on the VHF bands. The expected change-over to low pressure takes place on Sunday and drives a colder northerly weather pattern down across the UK, even to southern areas. This means that the majority of next week is a good time to look for rain scatter.

   
   

   Regarding meteor scatter, the peak of the Leonids occurs today, 17 November, with rates of 15-20 per hour.

   
   

   Also, occasional peaks of the Kp index above four should tempt us to beam north for chance aurora openings. As usual, check the VHF beacons and clusters for signs of activity during the afternoon and evenings when the auroral oval is displaced southwards nearer to our part of the world.

   
   

   It’s a good week for EME operators, the Moon reaches peak declination on Monday morning, but path losses are rising as we passed perigee on Thursday the 14 November. 144MHz sky noise is moderate, reaching 500 Kelvin on Sunday night.

   
   

   https://rsgb.org/main/blog/news/gb2rs/propagation-news/2024/11/15/propagation-news-17-november-2024/

   (BDXC)