shortwave catches in Yokohama area

   Been spending some cool mornings here in Japan and alot of listening. I recently purchased a sony 7600gr radio in singapore and decided to use both radios in the mornings. This morning around 21:30 utc I heard Voice of Turkey at 9610 khz the station was very loud at the time. I was using the Sangean 909 instead of the 7600gr as the batteries were weak.

   I also spent a few moments tuning between 4318 khz and 13362 khz which is AFN radio. They was what we would call simulcasts(same programs)

   Shortwave is always fun but takes patients

Subic Bay catches

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my recent listening

     The ship on the right is my recent listening spot I usually hang out on the rear portions. I carry a host of radios usually sangean 909,sony 7600gr and some Ham gear. I also carry 2 recorders and some commerical and non commerical antennas. Last trip was a slopper antenna for 30m but also some home made wire antennas I usually carry it in the field to hear on and also a pair of headphones and a little note book or log book. Try it and see what you can hear,post it to magazines like Monitoring times and Popcomm.

Subic Bay reception

   Am in the middle of subic bay philippines our ship is operating on a dive ops with the philippines, this gave me a chance to hear some ham bands.

  20 meters was semi wide open here and heard the following groups

4F1AB working SM5HKB and later a VK3FT worked him as well on 14195 khz signals were s-6 on all stations including 4f1ab as he was in manila this was between 13:25 to 13:30 utc.

later listened in on marine coastal station HLG 12935 khz working CW and qsx on 12 mhz

9m6tmt on 20 called CQ no contact in return. That was around 13:35 utc on the following morning  I again was listening to the Ham bands and also some AFN.

4318 khz AFN Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean was very strong signals was around S-8 and heard news and commentary.

14.199 heard several Hams working a dx station although never heard the other one, logged the following N6AWD,HL5FUA  all were around s-7.

CHU Canada on 14670 khz slightly readable but some tones were heard. Around 22:46 utc. I was lucky here as it gave me a chance to demonstrate to 3 Navy divers who it was I was hearing.

14.240 khz K1QS Maine at 22:48 utc.

  Really enjoy ,listening the airwaves and it gives me some stress breaks from regular routine.

73 to many out there.

good articles

  Was reading the September issue of Popcomm 2010 the article that set me and enjoyed was the one called Hamming under the Radar its worth reading and great for those who wish to be stealth or have CCR problems. Check this out as the writer has alot of good points.

  Heard AWR on shortwave this morning at 15320 khz in english

band conditions this morning

    We departed the port of Hong Kong harbor and am now enroute to Subic Bay Philippines, as usual I was up early and tuned to the shortwave bands. On the airwaves the one I heard was as usual strong like 9790 khz Radio Romania International, it signals in SINPO was 45555 many of the usual ones were good like VOA and BBC and Radio Australia on 6195 khz, but the 2 stations on AFN 4318 khz and 13362 khz were silent. I have a copy of Passport 2009 and will look up the frequencies of other stations to see if they can be heard. We will be off Batangas for a few days and then back to subic. Later to Cambodia and do my usual listening off the coast.

  There is a book produced by ARRL which is a must for those getting into Ham or shortwave or even electronics its called ARRL Ham Radio Handbook, rather expensive compared to others but worth the price, and worth reading. Many of the things we do in radio or electronics can be studied in these books.

   If you listen to a Ham and want to show the person you heard him either as a shortwave listener or Ham buff send him a QSL card, these are usually a post card style that can be exchanged by the parties involved, it also shows an appreciation to the person and way of letting him know you heard him. Ham and shortwave are a fun hobby but can also lead to a life of electronics or excitement. Give it a try. Check out the ARRL web site for a club nearests you and ask can I attend any meetings and how do I get licensed, Many hams will jump at the chance of helping you do so.

  If your into shortwave or want to get into the Hobby and have been curious how to get started check out the website of monitoring times magazine. There is a great magazine that shows what we radio buffs have enjoyed for years,not just scanners or CB but the other half. Digital modes can also be heard on shortwave and you can even probably work stations all over the world just in the listening mode.

  Enjoy this and let others know what you hear.

hong kong listening

 My recent visit to Hong Kong was a 5 day visit to the port. My ship was anchored near Fenwick Pier and it was a great visit but not much city viewings due to some needed repairs to the vessel. In my early mornings here I spent most of it listening to my recently purchased Sony 7600gr. I was amazed at the catches in the early mornings, like 4318 khz Diego Garcia and 9790 khz Radio Romania. All the signals were extremely loud and were heard at 2200-2300 utc time periods.

  Radio is fun hobby and one of my friends here teased me about tin foil antennas, funny how a few years ago some used it many times and even stuck these antennas in areas where they had antenna problems. Apartments not always being the friendly ones on outside antennas.

  Try one and see what happens.

PSK 31 Receiving Demo by KI7F Using the "Ham Radio Deluxe" Free Software.

PSK 31 Receiving Demo by KI7F Using the "Ham Radio Deluxe" Free Software.

Ham Radio AO-51 Satellite, again

recent purchase

  I recently came across a shop that sells shortwave radios in singapore, mostly small portables. I been disappointed by the disappearance of my old shortwave 7600gr which I had in 2005 on a ship in the gulf. I got that one for $100. But since the prices have changed due to currency the unit now runs about $200.

   I got the radio from a shop and put it through its paces again this morning and was quite happy with it. Picking up stations the sangean was also hearing but slightly weaker. A little reception on 8943 khz and hearing singapore working a brueni flight. Some others as well. I like portables but they have there weakness like hearing ghosts signals on top of others. I recall picking up a broadcast in the middle of 20 meters only to find out through some friends like Glenn Hauser,mentioning it could be a ghost of a shortwave station, I was picking up KTWR on top of the other, and came from there 15,220 khz broadcasts.

My Morning catches in Singapore

  Some days here in Singapore I listen to shortwave and some days Ham or Utes. This morning it was shortwave on the 5000 khz bands. This was at 22:00 to 23:00 utc or between 06:00 am local time


5895 khz Voice of America signals were 44444

5905 khz BBC/WS comments were about future missions to the planets with robotic items 44445

5915 khz VOA was around 22:30 utc and later on same bands China Radio International transmitting on same bands mostly at 23:00 utc the bands were strong but it sounded like 3 people talking at the same time.

Shortwave is fun and can be as entertaining as TV but no commericals.

one of my favorite past times

   One of my favorite past times is listening to aeronautical mobiles,mainly on HF as in airplanes from say San Diego to Los Angeles and the same flight traveling across the big ocean to manila or singapore or even in europe. Its fun to hear what the pilots have to say like there height and location. Once in a while you can hear the not everyday transmissions like hijacking but that seldom. I did monitor one from Indonesia to Manila.
    
     It was a PAL flight out of Malaysia I believe and it was 811 which had been over run by a person who attempted to steal the valuables of every one on the flight including passports and jewels and money. Only problem he had a home made parachute in which was made of bed sheets. He jumped at 7,000 ft although the news papers said 6,000. He never made it alive and was found in mud in the middle of manila bay.

      When you listen to these bands you need a radio with SSB capabilities like a Sangean 505 or 909 and if possible one with a recorder or one you can attach to the radio to help eliminate interference from those chatting around you. The fun of listening is the art of catching rare locations as like in a airport that the aircraft is still on the ground say in Guam or Palau and your in Oakland or Singapore. Some usually come on line and mention to ATC there intentions like destinations and what the flight schedule is, you can track the flight to its location like when the aircraft changes frequencies. For example Singapore tower will give a Primary and a secondary frequency. Just before the flight passes from one part of the world. The flight controller will pass on to them to now contact say SFO.

     I heard one a few days ago when they mentioned to flight controllers they were allowed a 25 mile deviation due to weather, in this case the aircraft was asked 2 times and finally got the word it was granted by Oakland Center.

    Check out the website at bottom and start listening to the fun world of aircraft monitoring. Carry a notebook and jot down some of what you hear and if possible send a small copy of your logs to magazines like Popcomm and MT. They will appreciate it

http://www.g4nsj.co.uk/air.shtml

Accidental View of Shortwave station

  Back a few days ago my Wife,Son and several members of my family and neighbors traveled by special Van from Cavite near our home to Subic Bay, Philippines. I was to meet a new ship assignment in Subic, it was the sister ship of Salvor. I spent most of the trip watching the area as we passed down the road. My wife nephew and I noticed a group of Towers off to our left as we traveled down Northern Luzon Highway. I began to wonder who or whom this station was. From the short view I was able to figure out it was a curtain array. Similar to a QSL Card seen from VOA Philippines.

    I began to do some detective thoughts and turned to a group of friends from the SWL@QTH.NET group. I go a response from a friend. The mention came it was posssible to be the ex-VOA Station that was once upon a time operating. I sent a email to VOA on this but in 24 hours nothing came back. Please note the Picture here added its shows some thumb tacks is some of the antenna sites close to my path. The one listed as VOA Malolos site. Wish I could have spent the extra hour to go and see it closer.

     I wish to thank a fellow shortwave buff who did some detective work as well to help me on this. Mr Mauno Ritola  who told more and helped me locate what I was looking at.

Good Reading Material for Shortwave Buffs

For many of us a good source for shortwave radio comes from a well known source Glenn Hauser's world of radio, you can read some of his material here. At this post

http://www.w4uvh.net/dxld1011.txt

if you enjoy shortwave and ham radio as well as I and many others his information is a good place to start, he also appears in a Monthly Magazine called Monitoring times. I have subscribed to this in the past and when I can read it as much as possible.

New CQ Publication Reflections 3

CQ Communications, Inc. / 25 Newbridge Rd. / Hicksville, NY 11801 / Phone: (516) 681-2922 / Fax: (516-681-2926) / e-mail: cq@cq-amateur-radio.com

NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE: Immediate (April 16, 2010)

CQ Introduces "Reflections III" by Walt Maxwell, W2DU

(Hicksville, NY – April 16, 2010) – CQ Communications, Inc. today announced the upcoming publication of Reflections III: Transmission Lines and Antennas, an expanded, revised and updated edition of this authoritative work by M. Walter Maxwell, W2DU.

"This is not a 'how to' book," explains the author, saying that rather, "its theme is 'how it works.' It is about the care and feeding of antennas, with special emphasis on dispelling some of the prevalent myths and misconceptions surrounding the mismatched antenna and its feed line in routine operations… It explains in great detail how the antenna tuner at the input terminals of the feed line provides a conjugate match at the antenna terminals and an impedance match for the output of the antenna, and tunes a non-resonant antenna to resonance."

The book is built around a series of seven articles entitled "Another Look at Reflections" that were published in QST magazine in the 1970s. The information from those articles and the theory behind it has been expanded, revised and updated into what is now a 424-page reference book, with many updates and additions beyond the first two editions, Reflections and Reflections II, published in 1990 and 2001, respectively.

Highlights of the third edition include further discussions of the conjugate match, the origin of the W2DU ferrite-bead balun, a simple introduction to the Smith Chart, and some personal history of the author's work in designing antennas for very early earth-orbiting satellites. A new chapter also "exposes and corrects some new myths and misconceptions that have crept into recent literature," according to the author.

Reflections III will be available as of May 10, 2010. Suggested retail price is $39.99. Pre-publication orders are being accepted via the CQ webstore at < http://store.cq-amateur-radio.com/Detail.bok?no=183>. The book's ISBN # is 0943016436.

VOA Greenville Site and its demise. Pt.2

Mr. Fields,

I apologize for the delay in responding to your inquiry regarding closure of the Greenville Relay Station.  The BBG's proposal to close the shortwave broadcast facility, outlined in its FY 2011 budget request to Congress, is a result of budget constraints and the changing advancements in broadcast technology.  Our challenge is to provide information in the medium people want to consume it, to adapt our delivery means to local circumstances and audience needs, and to be flexible when the needs of our audiences change.

We wholeheartedly agree that Greenville has played a vital role in the success of our mission for nearly five decades. However, the volume of shortwave broadcasts from Greenville has decreased over the past 5-6 years as audience demand for shortwave has declined.  BBG will continue to support shortwave transmissions to audiences in Latin America and Africa by using other transmission assets in the BBG global network and by leasing transmission time from other broadcasters. 
Given limited resources and difficult choices, it is critical that we remain current in the latest media platforms, including FM, medium wave, satellite, and the Internet, so that we can continue to service our intended audience. 
We appreciate your concern and invite you to visit our web site at www.bbg.gov for the latest information about our broadcasts.

Regards,
Lesley Jackson
BBG Office of Public Affairs

I still feel its a big mistake to close the station as many do not have interests in listening via the internet and simply can't afford it.

Southgate Amateur Radio News

Southgate Amateur Radio News

DX News from the ARRL | Southgate Amateur Radio News

DX News from the ARRL | Southgate Amateur Radio News

IOTA news from OPDX | Southgate Amateur Radio News

Ham Radio News letters
IOTA news from OPDX | Southgate Amateur Radio News

MARITIME LISTENING

In the Philippines I regularly monitor the marine bands and at times also listen in on the Marine weather, my listening spots are usually from Australia's VMC or VMW which can be found at http://www.bom.gov.au/nmoc/rad_sch/ and also from Guam's US Coast Guard, there are times I also pick up NMN.NMC AND NMO these can be found on the monitoring times website on hurricane and weather frequencies. You can also check websites like this one listed in the Carribeann http://www.caribwx.com/ssb.html or many more.

The reason I am mentioning this is you can learn alot about the weather in the Pacific,Atlantic and Indian Oceans, these stations post the lastests in current weather conditions or storm conditions such as in there areas of operations.

From my home I tune and listen to Guam,which has a station that broadcasts 2 times a day weather forecasts and gives out current information on Typhoons,tsunami and other related items. I usually hear them strong on 8764 and 13089 khz ,there website is listed at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/hfvoice.htm.

For us Hams and weather buffs who follow the storms like that of Katrina and others it comes in handy to monitor the location of these storms and be prepared for any problems that might happen. I was on Guam after several storms hit the island and like many seen the after results of what happen. I had the rare chance of visiting the Pacific Shortwave stations of Adventists world radio, and KTWR, known as Transworld radio which had antenna damages. Rain and wind was the most of the damages and some building collapse and even seen a few oil tanks on fire.

Listening to these broadcasts are gonna be more common very soon as Hurricanes of the Atlantic and the Pacific (also called Typhoons in Asia areas,and Cyclones in the south pacific and Indian Ocean) will be forming and crossing oceans and islands,like the Philippines,Guam and Hawaii and alot more in the world. Tune to these stations and send a QSL report to them and let them know they been heard and you will get a QSL response in return. They will appreciate your comments as well.

Enjoy the world of what many call Ute listening and if you can join the yahoogroups that are interested in those transmissions. Ute listening is fun and can be done on a shortwave receiver that operates in SSB. The stations listed broadcasts all there info is usually found in USB mode. In the Philippines there marine bands can be found on the 16 mhz bands, usually around 16545-16560 khz. I recall my neighbor in Cavite who is a Filipino seaman mentioning how he was listening to the radio and hearing some of the female operators singing while waiting for contacts. So you might pick up some in the area. My station consists of a standard Sangean 909 and also a Icom 706mk2.

As we say in Ham radio 73 and happy dx hunting

QRZ comments on my info

I got this via email and for those who still do the qsl's like I do the old fashion way here is my Qsl routing address. This is for international mail not stateside. Stateside according to the rules can only be done direct. For questions on this check out the ARRL Outbound service for QSL's. The new info is as follows.

QRZ Announced mailing address change for w6 QSL bureau new address is routed throughRobert T. Devine, KC6AWX Manager, ARRL 6th District Incoming QSL Bureau PO BOX 970 Fairfax , CA 94978-0970

New QSL Collections PSK31 AND SSB

Most of my Ham Radio operations is done overseas mainly in the Philippines and Diego Garcia, the following is cards I recently obtained from BPSK and also SSB

My Recent Collection of BPSK for 2007 to 2009 received today in the mail.

JA7FTR

3/7/1993

3:49

21

SSB

59/59

ARRL CONTEST

Miyagi Japan

confirm

JH4RNY

9/29/2002

12:59

50

SSB

59/59

Okayama,Japan

confirm

RU0SYL

4/13/2008

23:28

14

BPSK31

599/599

Bratsk

confirm

RZ0SN

8/18/2007

14:57

14

BPSK31

599/599

Irkutsk

confirm

UA0STT

4/12/2008

0:16

14

BPSK31

599/599

Bratsk

confirm

UA0FO

3/27/2009

23:29

14

BPSK31

599/599

Sakhalin island

confirm

RA9AD

4/11/2008

11:11

14

BPSK31

599/599

Chelyabinsk

confirm

UA0CGR

8/10/2007

10:57

14

BPSK31

599/599

Komsomolskaya

confirm

UA0UK

3/23/2008

11:01

14

BPSK31

599/599

Chita

confirm

RW9OA

04/06//08

11:28

14

BPSK31

599/599

Novosibirsk

confirm

UA9OEX

8/13/2007

23:40

14

BPSK31

599/599

confirm

JE1RID

4/10/2008

10:51

14

BPSK31

569/569

SAITAMA

confirm

JA1EUL

8/23/2007

8:57

14

BPSK31

599/599

Toshimaku

confirm

PM95UR

JA9WA

4/4/2008

10:31

14

BPSK31

599/599

Ishikawa

confirm

PM86HN

JCC:3001

JG8WH

4/5/2008

10:52

14

BPSK31

599/599

Hokkaido

confirm

QN03RB

JCC:010104

JA7KQC/4

8/10/2007

11:04

14

BPSK31

599/599

Akita

confirm

JCC:3501

JK1DNW

9/1/2007

7:20

14

BPSK31

599/599

Koto-ku

confirm

JH2FOR

4/4/2008

10:15

14

BPSK31

599/599

Aichi

confirm

PM85JE

JCG:20003

7N4QID

4/5/2008

8:51

14

BPSK31

599/599

Saitama

confirm

PM95RT

JCC:1308

VOA Greenville Site and its demise.

Its been recently mentioned in various sites and groups that VOA is planning to shutdown its VOA Greenville site. I am asking everyone who listens to VOA to write there Congressmen and protest this shutdown.

Many countries as many of us know block internet and any information to the world to read or listen to what many of us in the radio world call internet radio. Shortwave gets through to the world the same way as Ham Radio. It crosses borders and is heard around the world. Much of what we hear on Radio in the United States is great programming. From Music,Religion and even Local Regional information. Imagine living in a place where you can't hear whats going on in the world. This is where stations like VOA, BBC, AWR and Transworld Radio and others get through. Sitting in the control rooms seeing these stations fire there transmitters is one of the thrills of Many Shortwave listeners, but what we forget to also mention its a thrill for a person in other parts of the world to hear in broadcasts from the outside world, whether its some comments on Religion or Music or News. It puts smiles on peoples faces. It gives hope to them. Shortwave is great to hear, as you don't have to pay for its services. Unlike that of Internet where you have to pay a monthly fee for the services. For example sitting at home your listening to the programming that being sent from a VOA stream, how much money did you pay for it. Now multiply that by 7 days a week. Is this money that could have been better spent on food for a family that can barely get by.

Again write your congressmen or senator and tell them to vote No? on the closure of VOA Greenville and let the world hear the same free programs you do.

Ham contest California

http://n6ki.ky6la.com/rec2.mp3 this is one passed to me from a friend of mine N6KI Dennis its posted here for those who have never done contests and wonder what Hams do for fun.

Passport to world band demise

One of my good friends whom I have never met except through Radio, and Internet passed along this info. The demise of a great publication that is on its way out. Its one of the many great Bibles of Shortwave. Its always been good to find not only good new program changes, like that of Voice of America but also the information of the latests Radio. Shortwave, DRM and many others such as HD can be found in this book.

Unfortuanately despite the comments by its many readers such as I, its on its way to being the last production. We still have other good items in Shortwave like WRTH, and Monitoring Times. But this book also stood out in the shortwave world. As stated it produced alot of great info of Shortwave and other products in the radio world.

For those who have a copy of this book and would like to add there comments to there site please do so at the following site.

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.passband.com%252Fcategory%252Freceivernews%252F&h=75e4ce91747411dbb32c21e292a2af1d&ref=mf

This is one of the good ones and I have 5 different copies of such a great book.

I truly wish they would reconsider

Ham Radio Logs

My entire Ham Radio logs for n6hpx and du1/n6hpx and some of the VQ9LF can be found at http://www.hrdlog.net/ViewLogbook.aspx this includes over 2724 qso and some of it is PSK31,SSB and 6m beacons in the asian areas.

7Q7HB BPSK 31 FOR MARCH 09,2010

Been operating some BPSK31 this evening and heard a slight weak signal on 15m 21070 khz but enough to read the print. 7Q7HB from Malawi from tip of Africa signals coming from him was 599 and mine was the same right back but at times some fading of his message, qsl route was listed in QRZ.COM and I plan to send a card very soon.

Harry Thanks for the new one.

CRI English 03/05/2010

15:10 utc China Radio International on 7330 khz mostly news and comments on various items, some alternating type noise, 44444

The Voice of Turkey QSL English reception report

Dated: February 19th,2006
hour: 13.32 utc
Frequency: 11735 khz
Site: EMR

Adventist world radio QSL

We are happy to verify your reception of our station

date:

time 1530 utc

language:Hindi

heard here via Philippines

Radio Prague QSL Card

One of a few Cards I have from stations and this may some day be a collectors item if the station goes away,hopefully more listeners will send there reception reports and give these stations, the idea someone is listening on the airwaves rather than internet.

details on the card:

dear radio friend,thank you for your communication reporting reception of our transmission on

26th April 1998

frequency 17485 khz

good listening and 73's

Family Radio 6230 khz

02/24/2010 Family Radio on 6230 khz at 23:30 to 23:59 ut with announcements in non-english signals 44445 signed off

02/24/2010 6230 khz at 0001 utc non english station sounded russian or german

Family Radio 9720 khz

Family Radio on 9720 khz on 02/23/10 11:57 utc had english sign out and resigned with different language non-english not sure of 2nd language 44444

Palau WHR reception and others

2/23/2010 World Harvest Radio from Palau on 9925 khz at 09:00 utc it started with news and comments on there programs 45555

Voice of America QSL CARDS

VOA QSL CARD RECEIVED

MY RECENT COLLECTION OF QSL CARD FOR

VOA PHILIPPINES

The VOA Germany QSL Card details:

date:2-july-2008
time:15:30 utc
frequency: 9345 khz
Relay:Tinang,Philippines

Info QSL Address:

Voice of America
Washington,DC 20237 USA




date:January 10,2009
Time:(utc)1558
Frequency:5955 khz
Relay:Philippines(tinang)

On the back is the following info: Powerful transmitters and curtain array antennas towering hundreds of feet high beam VOA shortwave radio programs to listeners around the world from U.S. Government international broadcasti ng stations.

Rough guess is the station is pushing the standard 100,000 watts and the antennas are over 200 ft.

I will also post my other collections from VOA Germany and Thailand

KTWR Transmitter going online

Here station engineer Mike, of KTWR brings the transmitter of a Harris on line check out his waiting for the finals to come into play. Shortly after this he travels a few feet to a both to push a few buttons and brings the station on the airwaves. These are those 100,000 watts you hear on the other side of the world.

RFA Saipan

One the other side of Saipan and about 10 miles from FEBC site lies a beauty of antennas and on several occassions I was able to see these great antennas of Radio Free Asia, there transmitters became confidential and even more so since 9/11. I wanted to view these from the inside but never got past the gates. I was able to do a short conversation with the workers but still never got past the front door. If you think your dipoles at home are a problem stretching out check out this next photo of a close up of the antennas. The towers at many sites are more than 200 ft tall.

The antenna towers here are similar to the abandoned Japanese antenna tower that was shown to me on Palau in my quest to view World Harvest Radio's T8WH station.

FEBC Saipan

One of my first visits to a shortwave site was on the island of Saipan, only a few times visit to the island and really enjoyed my visit to the place. One day I drove on the island to view a antenna that made me more than curious and as many would who love this hobby like me I was determined to get closer to this site. And was I ever in for a site.

I drove down a dirt road in a rented vehicle and came across the Transmit site of FEBC. The engineer turned out to be a Ham as well and he gave me a guided tour of the all the transmitters and even a rare treat of actually standing in the middle of the antennas. These are the Continental transmitters that send those signals half way around the world to us shortwave and even some who just listen to the religious broadcasts,probably pushing 100,000 watts. One of my many visits to Saipan and my dedication to our great hobby.

Philippines

I am currently back in Manila and had some problems with my antennas, the antennas were damaged by a tropical storm,or better known as a typhoon. It tore my dipoles to unusuable. The antennas were a G5RV short version by radiowavz,about 66ft and a 20m dbz by radio wavz. The 20m is repairable but for the moment sits in a bag to worked on in the future. I replaced these by a 40m DBZ and a 30m end fed and also a 6m dbz. I am also rearranging the Ham Shack and tried to get my Satellit800 Grundig repaired here in the Philippines but no luck.

my intro to a listener

They say there are times when our hobby becomes a new toy to others and a chance to hear the world. I was on board a supply Tanker that had just left singapore and was given duty in the Dubai,UAE area. In our voyage we learned that we would have some military doing guard duty on the ship. Usually when we entered areas where Pirates or other stuff would occur.

While this wasn't a normal problem I asked about any chance of problems towards my usual fun nights of listening to my shortwave outside, which most of the crew knew about. The comment was no? So I went on doing what I enjoyed best. Listening to the airewaves and logging the stations I heard. I posted some of this to swl qth net group and many more. In a week or so we had 20 military soldiers on board including 2 females. I enjoyed meeting many of these people and appreciate the job they had to do. As many in the world don't understand the work they perform.

I was outside listening to some HF bands from Guam AFN on 13362 khz on the Sangean 909 and also had my Sony 7600gr with me. The bands were strong at times but this station was fading back enforth, so I began tuneing alittle on the sony to see what else was there, I felt a little bit like I wasnt alone, and suddenly looked up to see 3 soldiers standing nearby. One had his eyes to the water around us. The had been curious and was listening to the radio's activities, some began questioning what and whom I was hearing on these radio's. As time would go on many spent the same time each night checking out what I was hearing. One made comment that they were extremely homesick for news from home as they been in the field for 5 months and no newspapers or emails.

Shortly on one night we was listening to WWCR out of the USA and this gave them even more hope in what was happening.

3 days before they left they asked what portables I would recommend to carry on the trips. And I suggested some easy ones mostly portables like the sangean 505,909 and some others. One infact emailed his family and had a new radio and a copy of Monitoring times enroute.

Shortwave unlike Weblistening is alot better and easier to use for those who are in the field, internet can cost money in some areas and get pretty expensive, the inmarsat alone can be around $6 per minute as where the airwaves are free. Its also easier and better in listening to. Should try it when you go on vacation and you will see the difference and as I usually hear from shipmates and friends, you got a signal all the time unlike cellphones which lose it when outside the cell areas.

A few years ago while

in Hawaii I was given this radio and it worked fair the unit had a slight muttery sound coming from the unit, but stations were still good to listen in on, the person who gave it to me was a fellow Ham and said it needed repairs, possibly the oscillator unit, my wife loved the unit and even allowed in the house, so we could listen to the airwaves. Shortly after a year no sound came from it. I have been trying to locate a way to get it repaired without going to the hassel of bringing it back to the U.S.A. as customs can be a problem. They gave me a hard time with my primary rig, a Icom 730 which needed it to be serviced by Icom. These are great radios and I enjoy my world of radio alot. As the shortwave bands have so much more to offer in what other stations put out, some people are just shy to try it.

73 from Korea

my wwvh and national radio reception

A few days ago I posted in some groups on this reception this could be a image of the band or an actual station.


I heard this on Guam very close to cetti point but I know it didnt come from KTWR or AWR which were about 3 to 5 miles from my listening spot. This appeared in DX news letter.

KTWR Transmitters

Here is the transmitter of KTWR Guam and this one is by Harris and at the time was transmitting on 15330 khz, When it comes on line there is a clicking noise heard in the studio, and its part of the tubes and components being warmed up, shortly after this came on my friend Mike,NH2MS went into the control both and turned a few switches and you the listener would hear the words of Transworld Radio.

Stations of the Pacific:Guam Baragada sites

I drove past this site for many years on Guam and spent hours wishing to get closer, I finally did and found a sweet antenna farm beyond these towers, there are at least 10-20 on the other side of this picture. Some are ones I can't yet to describe and wished I had one in my back yard. I love checking on these and wish I could meet the engineers in side. From what I can figure these, along with some other antennas come from NRV, and AFN radio. I recall hearing some RF while driving past some antennas and could hear AFN coming from the RF. My Sangean was on my seat near me but I didn't pull it out. Only my mini-grundig radio and heard the broadcasts super loud. The other antennas look like directional loops or dipoles.

Stations of the Pacific:Guam AWR

Some of my greatests pleasure is the views of these antennas, many times I would drive by them on my way to Cetti Point on the coast side of Guam,during those travels I got the chance to view the station and meet the many fine Engineers and the station equipment. The antennas like all go through alot of work to maintain but in the long run are worth it. I heard this station along with KTWR in the Indian Ocean back in 2004 while off the coast of Africa. The station went through a series of storms like that of KTWR but like many is dependent on its listeners, they get donations and comments from the people who heard them from far away spots like the United States. If we want shortwave to live we have to send the cards,QSL's to these guys to let them know we appreciate them.

Stations of the Pacific:Guam KTWR

One of my favorite sports in the Past few years is to visit Shortwave stations and I spent alot of time on Guam Island,Saipan and a few more. This was one stop I did during the storm after Pongsang ripped through Guam andI found out that many of the station Engineers were also Hams. They gave me the tour of the station and I wished I had this in my back yard to operate. This it one of those so-called Curtain Array antennas you hear about.

Can you imagine having one and working on the dx for stations. I spent many hours near one of these and the antennas are really expensive.

I plan to add much more on these and hope many will enjoy and can visit the islands someday.Shortwave lives with its listeners and those who send in cards to the engineers and stations.

antenna projects

I been using mostly commerical and home made antennas for years, some have been very strange and also what we call stealth. I used once an old string of christmas tree lights strung between my roof and a tree in the backyard and had amazing good results.

On an old ship of my past I bought a antenna wire from Universal-radio and this was called flex-wire, around 100 ft in lenght, I went to radio shack in Hawaii and got some end insulators,a conector for the radio(similar to those stereo headphones) and some small wire aroud 22 gauge. I also found a small piece of wood that came from a broom handle and cut it down to 12 inches so I could wrap the wire around it. Later I discarded that wood for a plastic spool that was an old fishing line spool that a shipmate had used for his fishing off Hawaii.

I strung this out in many places in my travel but also with the Captains permission I strung it out on the Bow of my ship. I had amazing results and was constantly asked who or whom I had heard that day.

Home brewing is fun part of the hobby and your antenna projects is a great way to gain experience, as they say in old time radio show's "experience is the great teacher"

Off to Korea I go

My mystery station on 10,000 khz

Unfortunately I have left port before I could here this again and verify my reception I have a video I recorded on my camera but the system I am on is super slow and will post it in a few days, were enroute to a different port. I was surprsed the ATA India station no longer exists as the website I saw mentioned it was still there, www.smeter.net/stations/hf-time-frequency.php I will attempt to verify this when I get a port or location.

enroute to HL land

shortwave travel tip: number 1

I purchased a Netbook Acer computer back in Hawaii and its now my toy for computer and travels, I was heaeding back to the ship one night and it started pouring rain. I had an umbrella but I still managed to get wet. This also happened in Seattle.

I went to a local grocery store and found a Large box of Zip lock bags around 10 to 12 inches and took some out and stuck my netbook inside. This got me thinking to use the same idea on my radio. I use a sangean 909 receiver in most of my travels, so I now carry this with my radios and note books http://www.ziploc.com/

Just some food for thoughts

Passbands Looking for a radio

Here's a great PDF on looking for a new radio http://www.passband.com/pdf_files/HowToChoose.pdf

These are great for newcomers and old timers

Shortwave Tips:Getting started in the Hobby

Some have asked me over the years how do I get started in Shortwave or Ham Radio, my first reaction is to tell them to Join a group on the hobby, for example swl@qth.net or some from Yahoogroups like aswl that have guru's in the hobby. There also programs as podcasts like Glenn Hauser's world of radio, Marie Lambs dxing with cumbre or HCJB global voice.

There are on line services that also help like Passband to world band radio,which once sold a yearly edition to a Handbook called Passport to world band radio, and last heard was out of production but may still be found in bookstores, like Borders or B.Daltons, or Amazon.

A good book both on and off line is the www.wrth.com world radio and tv handbook which is similar to passport, they hold alot of great stuff and in some ways is like looking at a weekly TV Guide,only without all the programs of the week. They also have PDF's on there site to download http://www.wrth.com/files/WRTH%20A09%20schedules%20update_July2009.pdf this is on of many and you can see alot of great stuff goes into our wonderful hobby. Enjoy it and when you hear somebody on the airwaves send a QSL to confirm the stations activity.

As I always say Happy Hunting and in this case happy dx chasing

Additional Pictures of T8WH

These are some extra pictures of the antenna's seen by the ship as got a little bit closer. The images show the 3 towers I was able to see at a distance, the ship couldn't get any closer as there was a dangerous reef between us and the land. Only our small police escort could manage it.

My monitoring site

This is where I listen to stations while on Guam usually in the Mornings or evening times, I spend at least 2 hours in this location.

Rim Pac Log from Cetti Point with a new one

As usual shortwave comes with some surprises and today was no exception

2135 ut 15515 khz ABC Australia with interview by a professional Gamer who designs them and mentioned even the government uses it in trainning 55554

2145 ut 15580 khz Voice of America with Music sent as entertainment to many countries who can't get it on local stations 33334

2155 ut 11550 khz Spanish Station had cleared before I could get callsign 44444

2158 ut 13640 khz NHK Japan signed off in Japanese and resigned in English program Radio Japan Focus magazine and great show on Laos and people who visit there. 44444

2207 ut 13790 khz Radio Habana Cuba in Spanish and also heard on 13770 khz the 13790 was super strong and the other was very weak,probably beamed away from me 44444/33334

2215 ut 10000 khz ATA National India with time signals from WWVH Hawaii

Radio:Sangean 909
Antenna:30 meter end fed
Location:Guam Island Cetti Point

Rim Pac Log on Guam part 2 from Cetti Point

Here is my recent Loggings from Guam Island the location is Cetti Point and I was within 3 miles of AWR Shortwave station. As always all times in UTC and Frequencies in kilohertz.

2140 utc 7325 khz China Radio International in english with interview(didn't catch the person's name) 44445

2157 utc 7340 khz Voice of Russia in non english 44445(some qrm from Motor noises)

2205 utc 7220 khz Voice of America comments on the Russian Orthodox church and the killing of the priest 45555

2226 utc 11850 khz AWR Guam with comments on religion in India and religion 44444

2229 utc 15205 khz VOA Signning off in non english and comments about afghanistan and Tehran 44444

2235 utc 15230 khz ABC Australia with Mirror transmissions on 15240 khz the station was in a interview with a Musician and his life 44444

2246 utc 15610 khz EWTN Radio Ministry Comments on Baptism and more 34444

2300 utc 15640 khz DW Radio signning on German Language 44455

Radio:Sangean 909

Antenna: 30m End Fed

Location:Guam Island

Rim Pac Shortwave Log Guam

Shortwave log from Guam Island all times in UTC and all frequencies in Kilohertz, this is from Cetti Point near the KTWR and AWR area.

0440 utc 15120 khz China Radio International Comments on the Greenhouse Gases and economics involved 44445

0450 utc 15000 khz WWVH Hawaii signals were stronger than the other 2 frequencies I was listening to the station was givening Weather reports and other related info. 33344

0835 utc 15170 khz KTWR Guam Program was Reaching your world followed by songs, 45555

0844 utc 9930 khz T8WH Palau Island Program Over coming Fear 45555

2130 utc 15115 khz Family Radio with program at 2140 on creation moment:science nice program 44445

2150 utc 15515 khz Radio Australia comments on usage of credit cards by foreign countries and debit being better 55555 Qrm from AWR up the street

2215 utc 7225 khz Voice of America with news to follow ,program was how to learn english by listening to music like songs and internet p0rograms 45555

Radio: Sangean 909 ssb/am
Antenna: 30m End Fed
Location:Guam Island

How I got around in Palau

Here is how I got back enforth from the ship to the pier, there is no docks there and the ship wouldnt be able to anyways as there is a dangerous reef and shallow rocks near where we anchored. The boat ties up to a place called Riptied and its a bar for locals and seaman. Many of the crew used this boat as well for deep sea diving.

Some of the many Palau Radio

One of the Many radio stations seen along the main strip of Palau Island in Koror, the sign was a bit Faded and seemed to have been neglected in the years in place, the antenna on top of the building was about 30 or 40 feet above ground.

My ship that in Port

Here is a picture of the ship in the Harbor of Koror in Palau as we departed. We entered one side of the Harbor and I was fortunate it left in the opposite direction. Palau is a nice island and alot of it reminded me of the Philippines,Guam and Saipan and for those who just want to get away from the noise of a major city. The prices of land is cheap compared to states I was told by the taxi driver its around $1.50 per meter. I as member of my crew wish everyone a Happy New Year and hope to continue to post new antenna sites in the following years.

May the DX continue and hope it grows in strength.

73 from Larry off Guam Island

T8WH Antennas

As previously posted here my ship left port on the 2nd of January and headed on a Northly direction past the site I was looking for I was surprised the Captain went in the direction but was probably a better route to travel and quicker to Guam.

I spent an hour waiting to see if possible I could see the antennas of T8WH World Harvest Relay Station and wasnt disappointed by what I saw. Unfortunately never had the chance up close but got my dream come true on this. The antennas stood out and looked like the Curtains that was mentioned on the website of www.whr.com I have seen curtain arrays at other stations ,like AWR and FEBC.

Still a great site to view for anyone who enjoys the hobbies of Shortwave and especially those who love radio. Hope to see this again in the future as my travels will continue.

73 from here and if anyone is truely into this hobby and want to see shortwave to continue you should get out and visit one of these sites it gives the engineers happiness.

Palau Antennas finally

My ship pulled up anchor and left port on January 2 enroute to Guam, as we left we departed on the side in which the T8WH would be located. I was a bit nervous the captain would turn to port instead of starboard, that would take me away from the station location.

I wasnt disappointed as we did turn starboard and headed north of the island. I grabbed my camera and binoculars and looked as we approached the side of the island. I got even more of a surprise as the ship turned again inward and came within 2 miles of the beach area to avoid a reef.

Looking like very tall trees in the distance was T8WH. I also noticed the other 3 antennas. 1 to the left of it and one behind it off in the distance a little bit. I also saw what appeared to be a house up on the hill which might have been living quarters or the transmitters. I will try to post some pictures of the station on the next port.

It looks like the station does exists here.