DX LISTENING DIGEST 6-176, November 30, 2006 Incorporating REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING edited by Glenn Hauser, http://www.worldofradio.com Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits For restrixions and searchable 2006 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn NEXT SHORTWAVE AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1338 Fri 2130 WWCR 7465 [ex-15825 for Dec thru Feb!] Sat 1330 WRMI 7385 [ex-1530] Sat 1700 WWCR3 12160 Sat 2230 WRMI 9955 [new] Sun 0330 WWCR3 5070 Sun 0730 WWCR1 3215 Sun 0900 WRMI 9955 Mon 0400 WBCQ 9330-CLSB Mon 0515 WBCQ 7415 [time varies 0500/0520] Latest edition of this schedule version, including AM, FM, satellite and webcasts with hotlinks to station sites and audio, is at: http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html For updates see our Anomaly Alert page: http://www.worldofradio.com/anomaly.html WRN ON DEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL] http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html or http://wor.worldofradio.org WORLD OF RADIO PODCASTS: www.obriensweb.com/wor.xml NETS TO YOU DECEMBER by John Norfolk [pending]: http://www.w4uvh.net/nets2you.html DXLD YAHOOGROUP: Why wait for DXLD? A lot more info, not all of it appearing in DXLD later, is posted at our yg. When applying, please identify yourself with your real name and location. Here`s where to sign up http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dxld/ ** ABKHAZIA. GEORGIA [APSUA (Sukhum)], 9535 on Nov. 26, quite strong here this (EUR) morning at around 0530-0600+ UT. Co-channel RL/Russian \\ 9495v and 1350 kHz (Vlad Titarev, Ukraine, DXplorer Nov 26, BCDX via DXLD) always on 9494.75 odd (Wolfgang Büschel, ibid.) ** ALBANIA. Good Morning Drita, I was monitoring the new 6170 kHz at 1845 UT last night. Reception was only fair. The SINPO ranged from 43443 and 33443. As expected, strong adjacent interference impedes the reception here in the U.K. NHK Japan (UK relay) was on 6175 (strength 3) and Croatia (Hrvatski Radio) on 6165 kHz (strength 4). At the moment the NHK signal is weaker, due to the skip zone. After around next February, the NHK signal will increase up to strength 5 as propagation conditions become more favourable. Then it will be quite impossible to hear Radio Tirana on 6170 in my area. At least here in the UK we have the 7 MHz frequencies from Radio Tirana, which are very strongly heard and clear of interference. Last night 7465 (1945 UTC) and 7530 (2100 UTC) were both 45444. Unfortunately, on 7465 kHz there was a loud hum. This may be a problem with Shijak Transmitter number 1. The other two frequencies 7530 and 6170 kHz broadcast from Transmitter number 2 did not have the hum. Please ask the engineers to investigate and try to solve this problem. The hum has been heard on 7465 every time I listen for the past few weeks and is very annoying. Otherwise, I enjoyed last night's programmes very much. It was interesting to hear about the activities of the partisans in Albania during the Second World War and to hear their songs. My very best wishes, (Alan Holder, UK, via Drita Çiço, R. Tirana, DXLD) ** ALGERIA [non]. REINO UNIDO, 6055, Radio Algerienne, 2140-2150, escuchada el 29 de Noviembre en idioma árabe con el canto del Corán, locutor y locutora con comentarios, SINPO 54554 (José Miguel Romero, Spain, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA. 6214.7, R. Baluarte/R. Armonía, 0140-0156 14 Nov. Preaching by M in Spanish. 0156-0159 soft vocal music. 0159 M in Portuguese with clear R. Armonía ID/frequency. 0159-0206 more soft Portuguese music, 0206 sounded like 2 promos, then back to soft Portuguese vocal music until the MD ran out at 0212!! Best heard in quite some time. Was hoping to get sign-off (Dave Valko, Dunlo PA, HCDX via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. Hy Glenn, I hear on 5050 station ARDS, Aboriginal Radio, 1745 UT, best usb. Much noise, and from time to time English talking and popmusic. I hear no ID ??? RX; AOR 7030 +EKD 300, software DSP. Gr (Maurits Van Driessche from Belgium, Nov 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. 6080, RA, Nov 30, 0950-0959, program in assume Tok Pisin, // 5995, fair-good. Not on 6020 (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, Etón E5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRIA. See LITHUANIA ** BELARUS. Radio Station Belarus started a service in Polish: it is on the air Wed/Sun 1900-1920 on 7360, 7390, 7420. On other days of the week, this time window is used by the German service (Bernd Trutenau- LTU, Nov 29, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) One-up on Ukraine (gh) ** BHUTAN. 6035, BBS Thimpu, November 23rd, 0030, monk singing, traditional music, ID; O=3 (Michael Schnitzer, Bavarian DX Camp, HCDX via DXLD) Another report implying earlier sign-on, *0000? (gh, DXLD) ** CANADA. RCI continues to run The Link in English during the 1505 UT hour on 9610, as checked Nov 29 at 1530. And checked Nov 30, the schedule at http://www.rcinet.ca/rci/PDF/RCI-TECH-B06-en.pdf has been corrected to show this instead of Spanish (Glenn Hauser, Enid OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) This matches what we already reported: Additional 250 kW 16 hrs daily. FYI, 73 wb 6100 2105-2400 7NE,8N SAC 250 268 141 1234567 271106 250307 D CAN RCI 7310 1205-1405 7NE,8N SAC 250 277 141 1234567 271106 250307 D CAN RCI 9610 1405-2105 7NE,8N SAC 250 277 141 1234567 271106 250307 D CAN RCI 9755 0000-0405 7 SAC 250 268 141 1234567 271106 250307 D CAN RCI 9800 1505-2005 7NE,8N SAC 70 268 141 1234567 291006 250307 N CAN RCI (via Wolfgang Büschel, Nov 30, DXLD) ** CANADA. The one remaining online stream from RCI (audio links in DXLD 6-174), which just had interval signals two days ago, now seems to be running parallel to the new USA-targeted shortwave schedule (DXLD 6-175), and thus 4m45s behind RCI Plus on Sirius 188. For example, Nov. 29 at 0204 UT, the web stream had "The Link" in English ending and Mandarin starting (Kevin Kelly, Bedford, Massachusetts, USA, http://www.publicradiofan.com/ DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. I just got the chance to review the new schedule pdf on the RCI web site and I have to say that this is one of the stranger schedules I have seen in my many years observing the goings-on across the bands. For one thing, I'd like to know if they're just winging it at this point. I mean, do they have any research that tells them that recently arrived immigration candidates come with shortwave radios at the ready? Or is their plan to hand one to each as he/she comes off the plane or applies at the embassy in their country of origin? It's a weird world out there and getting weirder all the time (John Figliozzi, Halfmoon, NY, Nov 29, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) DESTRUCTION OF RCI PROGRAMMING --- To all at RCI: How disappointing and annoying it is that you so drastically changed the RCI programming! And why did you pick *this* specific time to do it, after you had already spent the funds to print and mail out the new-season schedules, all of which are now useless to anyone? Surely you could have waited to make the changes as of the start of the next broadcast season, if you were forced into making these changes by decree from above! There has been a history of strikes at the CBC and RCI over the years; this would be a good time for the entire staff (on-air and technical) to walk out and shut the entire system down until a restoration of the previous schedule is agreed to. A sad former listener, (William Martin, Saint Louis, Missouri USA, to RCI, cc to dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA [and non]. [Aside from the UNID 1610 discussion below]: I know I've said this on other lists, too, but I'll say it again: The FCC database is NOT a reliable source - and is not meant to be a reliable source - for reporting what's actually on the air in Canada or anywhere else outside the US. The presence of foreign listings in the database is for one purpose only: to allow US broadcasters to prepare their applications to take into account required international protections. It doesn't matter to the FCC whether Collingwood is actually operating on 1610 (it's not), or whether Montreal has calls assigned (it does, and is operating), just that any US station that wants to operate on 1610 has to protect those facilities, since they've been internationally reported to the US by Canada as existing. In reality, there are two 1610s on the air in Canada: Montreal and Toronto. They're both low-power (1 kW) signals that don't go very far. CFOS was and is on 560 in Owen Sound. It applied for a relay transmitter on 1610 in Collingwood, about 80 km east of Owen Sound, but that application wasn't granted. (Nevertheless, it was reported internationally, so any US application for the frequency still has to protect it.) The best sources, IMHO, for accurate information on what's really on the air in Canada are the NRC Log and Barry McLarnon's list. 100000watts.com [which Scott runs] is accurate, but incomplete, as it lists only signals in major Canadian markets near the border. Radio- Locator is horrible for Canadian listings. Stick with the NRC Log and Barry's list and you won't go wrong! s (Scott Fybush, Nov 30, IRCA via DXLD) ** CANADA. CHHA-1610 TORONTO TO GO SILENT AS OF TODAY Due to interference problems caused by their transmitter being located in a residential area of Toronto, CHHA-1610 will be silent effective today. They have applied to the CRTC to move the 1 kW transmitter southeast to a location near the Toronto harbour: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Notices/2006/pb2006-154.htm Toronto, Ontario, Application No. 2006-1456-2 Application by San Lorenzo Latin American Community Centre relating to the licence of the type B community radio programming undertaking CHHA Toronto. The licensee proposes to change the authorized contours by relocating the transmitter. The authorized contours of the station will be decreased significantly and displaced to the south of the present location resulting from the relocation of the transmitter. The licensee advised that the Department of Industry (the Department) requested it to cease broadcasting from the present site by 30 November 2006 due to interference problems from their transmissions. The Department has confirmed the above with the Commission [see below] APPLICATION FOR NEW X-BAND STATION (1670, 1 KW-U) IN GATINEAU QUEBEC/OTTAWA ON http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Hearings/2006/n2006-12.htm#9 Gatineau, Quebec and Ottawa, Ontario Application No. 2006-1110-5 Application by Fondation Radio Enfant du Canada, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated, for a licence to operate a French- language AM community radio programming undertaking in Gatineau/Ottawa. The new station would operate on frequency 1670 kHz with a transmitter power of 1,000 watts day-time and night-time. The applicant proposes programming dedicated to children and to teenagers. CHQB-1280 Powell River BC applies to CRTC to move to FM (94.1 MHz, 8.6 kW): http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Hearings/2006/n2006-12.htm#13 73, (via Deane McIntyre VE6BPO, DXLD) CHHA 1610 Still on, as of 1930 EST. Presumably they're going off effective at midnight tonight. BTW, here in mid-town Toronto they were getting killed by that mystery tone last week. 73 (Mike Brooker, Toronto, ON, 0030 UT Dec 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. / KOREA D.P.R. 11785, Supposed to be jamming against VoA Mandarin Udorn 11-15 UT, and/or RFA Tinian/Saipan Korean 2030-2230 UT noted very early mornings around 0545 UT. Not Firedrake, but bubble jamming (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, Nov 29, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. Firedrake on 9200, Nov 30 at 1448, poor and also hit by sweeps about 24 times per minute, CODAR or an additional jamming method against Sound of Hope? (Glenn Hauser, Enid OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. 6060, RHC Quivicán noted on this new QRG (ex-6000) at 0605 UT here in Europe. At 1300 UT also on 12000 kHz. Both signals on S=7-9 level range (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, Nov 29, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6060 is not new; had been using both (gh, DXLD) ** CUBA. RHC heard again on 11705, on AM, not SSB, as was years ago, active our nights, only in español (Bob Thomas, Bridgeport CT, Nov 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Well, well, if we wait long enough, the outdated frequency listing at 1500* for evening broadcasts becomes correct again, as far as mentioning 11705. I still don`t see 11705 in either version of the new RHC schedule in 6-167. Exactly what time is it on the air? They have been using it, of course, for the Venezuela relay at 12-13. BTW, it was in 6-167 too that Arnie enumerated RHC`s nine languages, including Kreyol (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. 6300, R. Havana Cuba spur 0630-0700 19 Nov. RHC puts out a nasty spur here of 6180 until it signs off at 0700 (Dave Valko, Dunlo PA, HCDX via DXLD) Actually leapfrog of 6060 over 6180 at 120 kHz intervals; see also VENEZUELA (gh) ** DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. 1640, Radio Juventus Don Bosco, Santo Domingo, November 25th, 0316, speech of the Pope, songs, Radio Católica Mundial program; O=3 1680, R Senda, San Pedro de Macorís, November 23rd, 2245, Christian songs, phone number, ID: "Emisora de Dios Radio Senda"; O=2-3 audio clip: http://home.arcor.de/mschnitzer/R%20Senda.mp3 (Michael Schnitzer, Bavarian DX Camp, HCDX via DXLD) ** ECUADOR. 4909.23, R. Chaskis, 1053-1055 22 Nov, beautiful HC music, 1055 Spanish song announcements and also nice clear ID, then back to more HC music. 1058 another clear ID by different M in local dialect. Great flute song at 1101. A little bit of echo on M voice and also actualities aired during feature at 1104-1112. Back to music. Finally lost around 1150. Heard again in the evening with nice signal at 0153 on 4909.24. Music was turned down and had dead air from 0245 to 0252, and again 0318-0321. Went off at exactly 0329:10 after announcement (including ID) without fanfare. Sign-on is very irregular and sometimes audio is so weak as to be nearly impossible to detect. Nice today though (Dave Valko, Dunlo PA, HCDX via DXLD) ** ECUADOR [and non]. HCJB WORLD RADIO CELEBRATES 75 YEARS WITH 'TRANSFORMATIONAL' GOALS http://www.christianexaminer.com/Articles/Articles%20Dec06/Art_Dec06_09.html (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) ** ETHIOPIA. Glenn, Sorry for the typing mistakes in my report: ``5500, V of Revolution of Tigré, Mek'elé, logged 1701-1724, 26 Nov, Tigrinya, fet talks, changings; 45433 (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I don`t understand your program details (gh, DXLD)`` It should be "few talks, chantings" 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EUROPE. PIRATE, 15070, Cupid R. has been on the air Saturdays in the 1430-1630 time frame. Operator said he'd be on again this coming Saturday (2 December). When it`s peaking, can have a pretty decent signal here in eastern NAm. Good audio too (Dave Valko, Dunlo PA, HCDX via DXLD) 15070.00, 25/11 1533, Cupid R, English; rock, ID, report from Finland, email, Lost generation, White Flags, 24322 (Silveri Gómez, Italy?, playdx yg via DXLD) ** HONDURAS. 3249.7, R. Luz y Vida. Has been slightly above 3250 for a while but was here below today 23 Nov at 1116 with M and W in Spanish and English religious program (Dave Valko, Dunlo PA, HCDX via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. Re 6-175: VOI replaced ME and Eu service v15149.86 by 9525.00 as from Nov 24/25 (Wolfgang Büschel, Nov 27, BCDX via DXLD) ** IRAN. IRIB heard at 1945 on 5955 kHz in italian (maybe ex 5910 ?) Voice of Vietnam in the background with its French programme (from Austria) Regards (Jean-Michel Aubier, France, Nov 29, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) IRIB back on 5910 (//7380) this evening for its Italian transmission (J M Aubier, Nov 30, ibid.) Hi Glenn, Today 30 November I controlled IRAN Italian service and it has been on 5910 kHz in // 7380 kHz at 1930-1955 UT, weak reception on 5910 kHz and clobbered by splash from 5915 kHz R. Slovakia Int. (Dario Monferini Milano RX: JRC 525, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAN [and non]. 15085 kHz, IRIB Tehran heard (seemingly) testing at 0830-0930 UT in MELAU (believed to be BM/BI) language. Regularly afternoon program is scheduled 1230-1330 on 15200 and 17570 (reserve 15275/15295). [what`s BM/BI? gh] IRIB via Sitkunai Lithuania relay will replace 6250 by 6255 as from Dec 1st (thanks to Paul Gager). Probably at 1730-1830 German 6250, 1830-1930 French 6250, 1930-2030 English, 2030-2130 Spanish range. (73 wb) (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6250, VOIRI via Lithuania, 2121-2130*, Nov 28, Spanish. YL talks. OM sign-off announcement at 2125. IS from 2127. Fair listening in LSB to avoid USB ute (Scott R Barbour Jr., Sugar Hill Overlook, Kancamagus Hwy. NH-USA, R75, 150’ longwire, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. 2850.05, KCBS Pyongyang. Once TVI ended at 1132 13 Nov, heard ‘hard’ speech or somesuch by W. Then 1137-1159 nonstop peppy music either instrumental or women`s chorus. 1159 ID, deadair, and 3+1 (higher) time ticks. 1200+ impassioned talk by M. Amazingly strong clear signal peaking at 1200. Still coming in very weakly at 1242 with music when the MD recording ended. Wonder if the recent increase in solar flux levels have anything to do with this improved signal. Usually it`s very difficult at best (Dave Valko, Dunlo PA, HCDX via DXLD) ** LITHUANIA [and non]. R. Vilnius, English to NAm at 2330 on 7325 has to fight it out (mostly shut out) with 7320 [Libya via France scheduled in Arabic 22-24 via Issoudun per HFCC]. From 2358 to 2400 they [meaning 7320?] run news in English. Abruptly cut off at 0000. Prior to 0058 [meaning 2358?] or when Vilnius is on 7325 at 2330, it`s in Arabic. Austria in Spanish 0000 on 7325 till 0012-0013v, then English until 0028. From 0030v to 0035v runs Spanish. 0035 German till 0043v, then English till 0055. [the exact language times vary by day of week --- gh] Vilnius 0030 9875? Not always there (Bob Thomas, Bridgeport CT, Nov 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Perhaps some monitors would like to check out and confirm these observations. Is Vilnius ever there on 9875 at 0030? (gh, DXLD) ** MOLDOVA. 6235 makes it to PA at 1700, local noon: PROPAGATION ** NEW ZEALAND. Altho ignored on RNZI`s published schedule, it appears that DRM is being turned off 7145 for one hour at 1400 in order to avoid a collision with analog FEBA via Tashkent (Glenn Hauser, OK, Nov 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) and also DRM mode ends at 1700 UT (Wolfgang Büschel, BCDX via DXLD) I guess you mean DRM on 7145 ends at 1700 instead of 1750; and then resumes at 1751 on 11675 as sked? (gh, DXLD) ** NIGERIA. 4770, R. Nigeria, 2106-2116, Nov 28, English. News and soundbites re Nigerian politics. Promos and ``Radio Nigeria --- The Network for the Millennium`` ID at 2115. Fair though ``muddy`` audio at times (Scott R Barbour Jr., Sugar Hill Overlook, Kancamagus Hwy. NH-USA, R75, 150’ longwire, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 3335, Radio East Sepik (presumed), Nov 30, 1006- 1021, in assume Tok Pisin, news till 1012, short music selection, mostly talking, poor-fair. It is rare for me to hear this one. (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, Etón E5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. Re 6-175: A quick note to let you know that BBC Russian is on the air in Moscow as usual on 1260 kHz. Your informant probably tuned in as the transmitter was off the air for annual maintenance. Best Regards, (Alistair Coleman, Chief Sub-Editor | Media Services, BBC Monitoring, Nov 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) VOICE OF RUSSIA’S WEBSITE IGNORES POISONING DEATH OF PUTIN’S CRITIC Ted Lipien writes: The Voice of Russia`s (VOR) English website has ignored the poisoning death in London of Alexander Litvinenko, a former KGB agent who became a strong critic of President Putin. The state-funded radio station has been silent in recent years about a number of controversial news developments that proved to be highly embarrassing for President Putin. . . http://blogs.rnw.nl/medianetwork/?p=6652 (Media Network newsletter via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. 5960, R. Tikhy Ocean, 0933-0947, Nov 27, Russian. Abruptly appeared at 0933 with instrumental ballad (sign-on later than listed *0900?) followed by familiar format of YL between brief music bits. Ballad at 0943 and OM with presumed ID at 0946. Poor (Scott R Barbour Jr., Sugar Hill Overlook, Kancamagus Hwy. NH-USA, R75, 150’ longwire, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radiostantsiya Tikhiy Okean (Radio Pacific Ocean) 5960 via Vladivostok in Russian heard here at 0935 sign on with chimes and ID, // 7330 unheard here (Steve Lare, Holland, MI USA, Nov 29, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5960, R. Station ``Tichiy Okean``, Vladivostok; friendly e-mail from Alexey Giryuk (Technical Department Engineer), with an attachment containing the new Pacific State Television and Broadcasting Company ``Vladivostok`` QSL card (nice blue card with f/d, but with the wrong time); in 8 days, for an e-mailed report, with an attached audio clip of my reception. The card shows ``Tichiy Okean`` in quotes, not the usually seen spelling of Tikhiy Okean. E-mail: ptr @ ptr-vlad.ru and website: http://www.ptr-vlad.ru/ (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN. 4750, R. Peace, November 24th, 1737, English, soft pop music, announcement of QRG, ID; O=3 (Michael Schnitzer, Bavarian DX Camp, HCDX via DXLD) ** SWEDEN [and non]. Re 6-175: SWEDEN/ISRAEL, 11605 kHz overlapping. Dear Mr Bueschel! Our transmitter operator Teracom is working on the problem with the interference on 11605 kHz and hopefully a solution will be reached shortly. At Radio Sweden we have received numerous complaints from listeners in southern Europe about the unfortunate situation on the frequency. I have forwarded your mail to Teracom and I hope that their technicians will take into consideration your suggestion that we move 5 kHz down, to 11600 kHz, in case that frequency is free during 1645-1715 UTC. The very best regards, Anders Backlin, Technical administration, Radio Sweden (via Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX Nov 28 via DXLD) ** TURKEY. 11910, TRT heavily distorted audio from Çakirlar site, 1330-1327 UT in Albanian. No TRT audio content could be discovered. 73 (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, Nov 29, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Glenn: I have a few last-minute programming and schedule changes to report for WRMI. 1) We have a new 15-minute religious program beginning this Saturday, Dec. 2 at 1530 UT. So we will move WOR to 1330 on 7385. 2) Christian Media Network is reducing its program to two hours a day, 0200-0400 UT Tuesday-Saturday on 7385 kHz. So we will begin broadcasting on 9955 going south Monday-Friday at 2200-0000 and UT Tuesday-Saturday at 0000-0200 and 0400-0500 (in addition to our current hours on 9955). These five extra hours on weekday nights have been bought by Radio República. 3) Christian Media Network is also leaving 2200-2300 UT Saturday, so we are also switching this hour to 9955 going south. And we will air an additional broadcast of World of Radio at 2230-2300 Saturday on 9955 (Jeff White, WRMI, Nov 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. KAIJ is now operating from a new state-of-the-art studio location, a new automation system but overseen by live personnel, CRL audio processor for data link; there may be a few shakedown problems. As of UT December 2 schedule expands to 24 hours: 1300-2100 9480, 2100-1300 5755. Now running full power 100 kW, antenna and transmitter in excellent shape. Slogan is now ``The New KAIJ, broadcasting from the Big D, Dallas, Texas, USA``. The antenna aimed NW is putting good signals into Asia, Pacific, Australia and New Zealand; the move off 9340 was prompted by an interference complaint from an Australian utility. Program schedule is constantly evolving, but tentatively looks like this in part, M-F + UT Tue-Sat: 1100-1200 Butch Paugh, A Call to Decision 1300-1600 The Power Hour with Joyce and Dave Riley 2300-2400 Stan Monteith 0000-0100 Steve Quayle 0100-0200 Pastor Pete Peters 0200-0400 E. C. Fulcher 0400-0600 Stan Monteith On weekends most of the time will be occupied by Pastor Pete Peters`s Scriptures for America (in addition to fulltime on a WWCR transmitter); we expect there will be some openings for WORLD OF RADIO, which should improve our coverage in WNAm and beyond (Glenn Hauser, Nov 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WBCQ Anomalies and Recent Observations http://www.zappahead.net/wbcq/anomaly.php Sunday, November 26, 2006 Radio Free Truth, was Fridays 7-8 PM eastern time, has dropped to a half hour and is now Fridays 7-7:30 PM. Radio Caroline is being used to fill the remaining half hour and is an available time slot. Allan Weiner Worldwide, Fridays 8-9 PM eastern time, is now \\ 5110 18910 in addition to 7415. EVM Jewish Radio Network has added Monday through Thursday 5-6 PM eastern time on 5110 (via John Norfolk, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) WORLD OF RADIO ran 15 minutes early last Sunday night on 7415, UT Monday starting around 0500. Allan tells me this was a one-time thing, since Amos & Andy was missing. So it seems WOR listeners are dependent on whether preceding programming is missing or not; tune in early to be safe (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VENEZUELA [non]. CUBA, 6420, R. Nac. De Venezuela via Cuba spur here too just like on 6300. Fortunately they go off at 0700. 26 Nov (Dave Valko, Dunlo PA, HCDX via DXLD) 6300 as previously reported here is a leapfrog of 6060 over 6180 at 120 kHz intervals, but 6420? Another 120 kHz? Was not aware of any RNV broadcast at 0600, so what`s the fundamental? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZIMBABWE. Hi, 3396 kHz, 1939-2010, Nov 29th. I tuned in to an African station here with lively African style music and a DJ, full of exaltation. At 2000 a news bulletin by a male voice, followed by another news bulletin by a female voice, probably in another language. I heard Zimbabwe mentioned many times, so I think its them. What do you think? Very bad at the beginning, but up to S 3 around 2000. When I left the radio for this they continued with a kind of religious programming. 73 from (Björn Fransson, the island of Gotland, Sweden, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I'm not logging Zimbabwe on 3396 since 1996, but tonight typical afro music here in south Italy at 2115 UT, no definitive ID (tnx Björn Fransson via HCDX) Still on at 2315 UT (Roberto Scaglione http://www.bclnews.it Nov 29, dxldyg via DXLD) Fair signal here from 2330 tune in, best in LSB, mostly African music. Mike Barraclough, UK, Nov 29, dxldyg via DXLD) This reactivation may have something to do with the imminent launch of the new service 247 Shortwave. I haven't seen any frequencies mentioned, but the transmitters have been sitting in Gweru for the last two years, and now they've named someone to run it - see http://blogs.rnw.nl/medianetwork/ (Andy Sennitt, Netherlands, Nov 30, dxldyg via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 1610 kHz tone tests --- NOTE: this compilation from a number of lists does not include every single post about this; have attempted to organize them more or less into time order, made more difficult by many preferring to use local time, or no time at all so we have to go by timestamps. 1000 Hz tone. Huge signal here in Clearwater FL from 0100+ 29 November; seems to have some multipath (mostly ground for sure, slight skywave). For me, it appears to loop about 340-360, or the opposite if you believe Cuba (not me). Appears to be lots of groundwave. I also get male talk (TIS loop? broadcast?) in the same general degrees, under the tone. Some EXP license test? Wasn't there something a year or so ago in NC or was it TN, MD? As a reference, I am two miles from the Gulf of Mexico, Clearwater, FL. Still there at 1150 GMT, though getting weaker. TN/NC? (Terry L Krueger, DX LISTENING DIGEST Tone test on 1610 now? Glen[n], I just discovered a carrier on 1610 kHz with a 1000 Hz test tone. I am in Columbus Ohio. It fades a bit, have any ideas? (Chuck Adkins, 0118 UT Nov 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) At 2130 EST, I also heard the tone. And it STRONG!!! Slight fading, but stays around an S-9 on the Drake. Someone getting ready to come on the air???? Willis Monk, Old Fort, TN, IRCA via DXLD) Getting it --- not sure what it is. 73 KAZ (Neil Kazaross, Barrington IL, 0232 UT Nov 29, IRCA via DXLD) I had the same tone here in northern South Carolina between 5 PM and 6 PM, with some QSB, but dominant on the freqency. Isuzu SUV radio in the Walmart parking lot while the XYL shopped (Chris Johnson, K4CME, IRCA via DXLD) Bearings, anyone? Seems N/S from here on the first cuts (Gerry Bishop, Niceville, FL, ibid.) Here is a guess with no substantiation. Maybe the guys up in Bluff City, TN --- Is it Kintronics?? I've heard them before testing antennas, etc. (Chris Johnson, K4CME, S.C., ibid.) Have it here in south N.H. S-9 with some fading. 2155 EST. Wasn`t a new one coming on in Canada?? Maybe we will hear from up north. 73 (Tom Jones, Mason N.H., ibid.) Neil, IRCA & Grupo DX FL Compays - OK, N-S of Gerry B & my NW - SE lob to general direction of TN per antenna testing theory. Other way, my NW-SE & Juan's NNW - SSE line cross around Sancti Spíritus - Ciego de Ávila area. =Z.= (PV Zecchino, FL, ibid.) Very rough DF from Memphis indicates bearing of about 80 degrees from my QTH, S9+ (Jim Pogue, Memphis, Tennessee USA, NRD-535, ICF-2010 Wellbrook LA5030 loop, attic longwire, Quantum phaser, 0306 UT Nov 29, ibid.) I now have the test tone here in Arizona at about S-8 (Bill Block, Prescott Valley, AZ, Drake R8, 0309 UT Nov 29, IRCA via DXLD) It's in very strong in Delaware, with some fading (John Cereghin, Smyrna DE, 0310 UT, ibid.) OK - this now comes in line with dc's 035 & my 012 - 030ish lobs on two different RDF's. As ever, dc on money, working wrong side of the lobs w/Cuba, somewhere N? z (Paul Vincent Zecchino, FL, ibid.) dc = David Crawford, FL Something here mixed with our local emergency station, WQPX, which is just about a mile from here. Just when I thought I would never hear anything but that on 1610. Can you QSL a Tone? (Bert New, Watkinsville, Georgia, Proudly Serving You Since 1964!, ibid.) No stronger than S4 (with heavy fading), but there ... here (Bob Coomler, Cloverdale, CA, 0319 UT, ibid.) It's about S5 to S9 up here in Central Alberta, Canada. Stronger to the SE on the K9AY (Chris VE6RDC Dorn, 0323 UT Nov 29, ibid.) UNID tone on 590: Also heard strong tone here on/around 590 last night, but nothing there tonight (11/29 0000 UT and onward). However, same thing now heard 0100 and still on 0250 on/around 1610, very strong here. Same thing? BTW, it's now 0335, and tone is still blasting in on/around 1610. Related to following? UNID 1670: 11/28 around 1200 and also 1930 past 2025 but gone by 2045 re-check, heard music loop, didn't time it but seemed repeated every 10 or 15 minutes. All types of music, from classical to lite rock to big band to gospel! Absolutely no announcements of any kind. Strong signal here. As strong as only 2 other X-banders heard here during day, 1650 WHKT/R. Disney in Portsmouth, VA and 1690 WPTX in Lexington Park, MD. So if not located here in WV, would definitely think in one of nearby states of Virginia, Maryland, or maybe Pennsylvania. Anyone have any ideas? (Alex Vranes, Harpers Ferry WV, DX LISTENING DIGEST) As others have reported, 1610.03 kHz with test tone heard here in SE FL. Shows on Spectran as 1, 2, and 3 kHz main frequencies in decreasing strength, with sidetones 30, 60, 90 Hz either side of each main frequency also at lower levels. Is that what it looks like to others? Another way of saying, are we all hearing the same thing, though it is most likely we are. Direction from here NNW/SSE consistent with other reports from the area (W. Curt Deegan, Boca Ratón, (southeast) Florida, 0325 UT Nov 29, [Ten-Tec RX- 320D; LFE H-800; GAP DSP; JPS ANS-4], IRCA via DXLD) Since you asked... :-) It's extremely strong here, and since CJWI in Montreal is conspicuous by their absence, I strongly suspect it's them. Meanwhile, I notice a possible format change on CHHA Toronto, with a lot of EE talk in between musical numbers, though still sprinkled with a bit of SS. PS: big signal from KRND-1630 in WY here tonight... if you need 'em, check it out! -- (Barry McLarnon VE3JF Ottawa, ON, 0327 UT Nov 29, ibid.) Retracted; see below (gh) While trying for the tone station on 1610, I noted my new local HAR (or Part 15 or whatever) for CA-125 "South Bay Expressway" has added a second transmitter (seemingly not // the first but the tape loop is several minutes long so they could just be a few minutes out of phase with each other). I'll see if I can find out how many transmitters they have and where they are located. 73, (Tim Hall, Chula Vista, CA, ibid.) Now S-9 at times and the loop says its due East of me (Bill Block, Prescott Valley, AZ, Drake R8, Quantum QX Loop, 0333 UT Nov 29, ibid.) I have a weak station under the tone, fading in and out, but no way to ID them --- the tone is too strong. It's absolutely pegging the S- meter on my FRG-7 (John Cereghin, Smyrna DE, 0338 UT, ibid.) This thing is in well over half a country. Is CJWI due to upgrade? I'll try a DF in a bit 73 KAZ (Neil Kazaross, IL, 0338 UT, ibid.) F*&%ing loud here in central NJ, about S30. Bearing about 285/105 here, just a hair north of due west or a hair south of due east. Totally kills the channel here, not that I hear much under two nearby TIS's anyway (Dave Hochfelder, Highland Park, NJ, Drake R8B, Quantum Phaser, Kiwa Loop, Quantum QX Pro Loop, copper pipe loop, and CB whip, 0347 UT, ibid.) I believe I'm still hearing this underneath the Kansas Turnpike TIS at 0350 UT (?). Seems to trend east-west from my location with an internal loop (Ken Kopp, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) I am getting one off the Eastern beverage too (Patrick Martin, Seaside OR, 0400 UT Nov 29, IRCA via DXLD) DF is approx 104 degrees from Barrington (35 mi NW of Chi) IL. I know it is east of me for sure due to nulling it on phased BOG system. I took the DF inside with a good nulling Sony portable and a protractor. I can hear Toronto's Spanish in its null on the portable. 73 KAZ (Neil Kazaross, 0402 UT Nov 29, IRCA via DXLD) It's S9+20 right now in New Brunswick at 0402 UT Nov 29 (Wade Smith, New Brunswick, DX LISTENIING DIGEST) Finally had a chance to check it myself at 0405 UT Nov 29. It`s about 85 (or 265) degrees from this angle, the strongest signal on 1610, seems less than 1 kHz tone (Glenn Hauser, Enid OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) More abottom 1000 Hz tone here with an S7 to S8 signal (Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, 0414 UT Nov 29, IRCA via DXLD) The tone on 1610 is a whopping S7 at 0424 on 29 Nov UT. I'm using a N/S longwire. I'm due north of Columbus but it sounds as if the signal is stronger than in Columbus, based on Chuck's description. 73/Liz (Liz Cameron, Detroit MI, DXLD) Got it and its about 75 degrees for me in PHX if anyone wants to do some triangulation (Kevin Redding, AZ, ABDX via DXLD) Tone on 1610 heard here in Tulsa with a steady S8 signal on the R8, *very* rough DF using my DX-398 gives a null E-W from Tulsa, in line with Glenn Hauser's 85/265 measurement from Enid (due west of Tulsa) (Bruce Winkelman AA5CO, Tulsa, OK, R8/DX-398 Quantum Phaser, 2 - 50 ft wires, 0439 UT Nov 29, IRCA via DXLD) CJWI is audible here, presumed to be them anyway with French talk mention of Montreal and music) Their signal is up and down now, but the tone is pretty constant. Also sounds like some Spanish music underneath at times (Wade Smith, New Brunswick, 0441 UT Nov 29, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) From all the DF reports I believe it is just east of me, perhaps over in North Carolina or maybe just east of Atlanta. The signal is VERY, VERY strong here. Running about S9+20 to 25 db over S9. Just what I need, another radio to come on the air. As if I don't have enough already! (Willis, K4APE, Monk, Old Fort, TN, 0457 UT Nov 29, IRCA via DXLD) After a heads up from the DXFLORIDA email group --- strong 1 kHz tone on 1610 kHz. Best I can tell it is nulled NNW/SSE from my QTH in Ft. Pierce, FL. Strong S7 now, very little fading. Good solid signal. Any Ideas what this might be ? I have heard maybe a new station testing, but I would think they would at least have a TOH ID, or something. Cool! (Juan Gualda, Ft. Pierce, FL, 0504 UT Nov 29, ABDX via DXLD) Hi, Glenn, No sign of test tone on AM-590 Tuesday evening. Started scanning dial at a little past midnight on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning (0500 GMT,) and what do I come across on 1610, but another test tone! STRONG signal, seems toward SE. Seems very similar to our mystery tone from November of 2005. And as for the tone heard on 590 Monday night, I was going to go out on a limb and ask if WLVA-590 Lynchburg might have been testing, as they're listed as silent on Freshwater's list --- but after coming across this tone on 1610 today, I'm now beginning to wonder if that might have been related to this. Hopefully someone can shed some light on this. I never did figure out who was carrying that tone on 1610 last year. Take care, (Eric Berger, 0517 UT Nov 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Coming into Detroit as well. Tuned away at approximately 0030 EST (0530 GMT) to scan rest of X-Band, returned at approximately :45 to hear Classical music on 1610, comparable signal. Record cut off in mid-note at about :49, tone put back on air. Seems to be SE, although extremely difficult to determine direction on GE Superadio III, because signal is so strong. Signal seems to have become more choppy in the past ten minutes or so. I could hear Montreal under station with what sounded like FF talk, mentions of Canada while classical music played. By my Atomic Clock on the DX Table, it's now 0103 EST (0603 GMT) and no IDs, nothing said on this station yet. de (Eric Berger, Detroit, MI, 0603 UT Nov 29, ABDX via DXLD) Audible here even under the splatter from local KCKK on 1600. Seems to loop due east. LBA does have a current license on 1610 (also 530 and 1040) under the call WC2XKX. It is licensed to a 15 mile radius of Pactolus NC. But it is only licensed for 400 watts and expires on 12/1/06 unless it was recently renewed. Highway Information Services also has a license on 1610 and several other frequencies. The license is based in Durham NC but can be used anywhere nationwide. It has a 10 watt limit. This is probably a demonstrator for a mobile TIS/HAR system. The call is WD2XFY and it expires 12/1/08. As widely as this is being heard it must be way more than 400 watts. Drake R-8 and Kiwa loop (Patrick Griffith, Westminster CO, Nov 29, NRC AM via DXLD) At 0040 EST WED (11/29) morning, TT extremely strong in at my QTH in SW PA. Around 0050 (I was checking intermittently), TT gone but strong classical music, with Montreal in French underneath. Was classical the Toronto Spanish? Seemed awfully strong for Toronto. // At 0800 EST WED morning at my QTH, TT still fairly strong, DF roughly S of E, or toward DC. // On my 30-mile drive to work, listened to TT QSB in/out, fairly weak. // 0900 at work in Morgantown, WV, using Sony 7600 GR, I "think" signal now is all groundwave, weak and pretty steady, DF almost due S! (toward western VA). // Larry in WV, are you reading these reports? Can you DF for us? Thanks. // Has anyone taken a US map & plotted all the DF reports yet, to narrow the location? Can't do so at work. Thanks (Freditor, IRCA via DXLD) The tone is strong here in Maryland and has been overwhelming my local TIS about 1500 feet from here. It is hard to get a good bead on it, but it seems to be between 160 and 220 degrees from here (mostly south). 11/29 0600 EST (Bill Harms, MD, AMFMTVDX via DXLD) As of 6:40 CST this morning this tone is still on but fading due to daylight. Hopefully some DXers are able to pick this up as ground wave this morning and then we can have a better idea where it is coming from. I'll check when I leave for work about 7:10. Once again it DF's about 105 degrees from here or somewhat south of east. Most definitely not southeast. The DF is slightly more towards the ESE than E. I think this agree with the bearing you took which is in between Cincy and Cleveland from Shorewood. 73 KAZ (Neil Kazaross, Barrington IL, Nov 29, AMFMTVDX via DXLD) Still strong here on the Cape at 1250 UT Wednesday morning. Over thanksgiving, I did a local bandscan and it wasn't there. I have a local TIS for the Steamship authority on 1610 and it was fine then. All I have now is this nuclear behemoth with a bearing estimated between 180 and 230 from me, maybe Florida (Chris Black, IRCA via DXLD) Still in at good level here at 0848 EST (2 hours after local sunrise). Bearing is southwest of here (Marc DeLorenzo, South Dennis, MA, IRCA via DXLD) I checked quickly before heading off to work. Nothing detected here in Orlando at roughly 0900 EST Nov 29 (Jay Heyl, Orlando, FL, AR7030+/QX Pro, ABDX via DXLD) In here at 0800 CT but very weak. Didn't have an opportunity to listen last night. Speculation: another military test in preparation for deployment of a portable station overseas. Something similar to the "K-Truck" of a few years ago. – (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View (Nashville), TN EM66, Nov 29 NRC-AM via DXLD) UNID - 1610 - Test tone still in with strong S9 signal at times with NE bearing at 0920 EST, but now with some fading (Fred Nordquist, Moncks Corner, SC, 33.21756N, 79.95798W, Nov 29, amfmtvdx via DXLD) I still have it at 0716 MST. Still at about 075 degrees. I still guess NC/VA or somewhere in that area and they have to be putting out some kind of power to be heard as far as they have (Kevin Redding, AZ, Nov 29, ABDX via DXLD) A solid S5-7 on the NRD 545 since sunup. Seems to be coming from my NNW. Occasionally Bert`s Oconee county TIS is audible underneath it. Time is 0940. 73's (John Hunter, Rossville GA, IRCA via DXLD) Nothing here as I type this at 1053 EST in Detroit either. I listened from about the time they cut the Classical music and put the tone back on at about 0049 EST until 0303 EST. No IDs nor anything else said during the two hours I sat parked on 1610. I seem to remember last year when that station was sending that test tone out, I did a little browsing through the FCC Database and had come across one from South Solon, OH. This morning I looked, and there were a few Experimental stations (With the call sign WC2XKX) listed through North Carolina. The four hundred watt one was shown to have expired back in 1998. All the other listings were shown to be ten watts. Based on what everyone else is saying, I can't see this running ten watts. It sounded more like ten KILOwatts, or more. Would love to know what was going on here (Eric Berger, MI, ABDX) Still in at 10 AM EST. Not the well-defined fat (4 KHz wide) 30 dB signal that it was at dawn, but still pushing 20 dB on my scope. And only a couple of hours before noon! (Chris Black, IRCA via DXLD) To add a little more detail to my original post... I've been monitoring the signal with test tone since first reported by David Crawford on the DX Florida list about 2300Z, 11/28. At 0500Z, 11/29, and for the last hour or so I've seen a steady S9+10 and over, on the R30cc with Quantum Loop, with occasional slow fades down to S9. At 0042Z the signal stopped for a couple seconds and again a few seconds later, both times returning with the same tone. Otherwise I've not noticed it vary aside from slight fading. That fading brings up the level of the higher 1 kHz components and the 30 Hz sidetones associated with them. Spectran reports the primary tone peak at 1001.1 Hz, secondary at 1999.7 Hz. Occasionally they flip status briefly, but most of the time 1 kHz is strongest. You can see an example here, where 2 kHz is strongest: http://scooterhound.com/WWWR/radio/1610Mystery0002.jpg This does show what I tried to describe regarding sidetones. Continues on at 0045Z 11/29 (W. Curt Deegan, Boca Ratón, (southeast) Florida [Palstar R30cc; Quantum QX Loop], IRCA via DXLD) The tone could still be heard at 1400Z (9 am EST) here in SE FL, a couple S-units above the noise, but heard only briefly. Spectran showed the 1 kHz audio trace for another 15 minutes but by 1415Z the audio signal was gone, replaced by a barely audible nearby MIS. Carriers however are a different story. The same ones seen last night are still detectable with Spectran: 1609.89 very weak, UNID 1609.97 2nd strongest, UNID 1610.00 strongest, likely WPZK221 Fort Lauderdale FL MIS 1610.03 vying for weakest, the suspected test signal which is considerably reduced now that we are well into the day, but definitely still there. Someone close to the source should be hearing the signal, still there as it passes 1500Z (W. Curt Deegan, Boca Ratón, (southeast) Florida, Nov 29, IRCA via DXLD) Curt, the 1609 lower sideband, 1610 carrier and 1611 upper sideband can appear to fade somewhat independently, just because of the way the ionosphere can behave. I experienced this myself when listening to 1610 with the DX390, in CW mode, as I posted a couple of days ago. Another manifestation of this is the "selective fading" sometimes heard with AM detection when the carrier fades but the sidebands do not, resulting in distortion that sounds like a single-sideband signal. A spectrum analyzer is the best reasonable tool to demonstrate this. Possibly the modulator stage at the xmtr being overdriven by the audio input, creating a spectrum of tones, which is being modulated faithfully onto the RF carrier. That's a possibility, not an absolute answer (Bob Foxworth, Tampa FL, Nov 30 1052 EST, IRCA via DXLD) At 10:30a EST, I'm hearing it here in Central Virginia. I'm located in Nelson County, halfway between Charlottesville and Lynchburg Virginia. The null bearing is on a heading of 110/290 degrees with some slight fading (Xen Scott, Nov 29, NRC-AM via DXLD) The 1 kHz tone is still here and strong on 1610 at 1545 EST 11/29. It is so bad that I could hear it when driving with in 500 feet of my local TIS WPEI340. I am not sure if this is a local signal or from skip, because the D Layer is a little thin for signals in the upper end of the band today. Although I can not say for sure, I wonder if this is possibly coming from the Frederick, MD transmitter that iBiquity was using to test IBOC. I have not heard the station on 1670 in the past few months when I tried. That doesn't mean they have not been on 1670, I just have not heard them (Bill Harms, Elkridge MD, Nov 29, amfmtvdx via DXLD) Did anyone read my post about getting a very strong carrier on 1611 at approx 0630 UT last night? If so did anyone else experience this? I got a loud het on 1610 from 1611 at that time which I was able to phase away pretty much. I am getting a very weak tone on 1610 this morning at 10:39 ET but not even sure if it is noise or the signal (het?) you guys are talking about (Bob Young, Millbury, MA, R-390A SP- 600, etc. 2 400' LW's, Misek Phaser, 1542 UT Nov 29, IRCA via DXLD) Here in Southeastern Pa. near the Delaware River and 15 miles south of Philly and 15 miles north of Wilmington the 1610 tone is strong atop the TIS stations at 1230 midday. No fading (Ben Dangerfield, Wallingford, PA, 1745 UT Nov 29, NRC-AM via DXLD) Once again Chris' antenna shows its superiority over mine. At 1230 EST the tone is quite weak here - battling the Steamship Authority TIS in Falmouth. I agree with Doug Smith's theory - it's probably a truck- mounted military transmitter "warming up" before it is shipped overseas. The last one, KTRK-1670, was located at Fort Meade, MD. This one is probably close to DC in MD or VA also (Marc DeLorenzo, Cape Cod, 1749 Nov 29, NRC-AM via DXLD) The tone transmission on 1610 can be heard at 1300 Eastern, 1800 GMT here, northeast of Atlanta. Deep fades as if it is a fall daytime skywave signal. Other top of band signals noted around 1:00 PM local include 1530 Cincinnati (huge signal, also noted in the car yesterday at 1:00 PM), 1650 Portsmouth (Disney) and 1680 Winter Garden (Spanish). (Brock WH6SZ/4 Whaley, Lilburn, GA, Longwire, Palomar loop, tunable preamp, Sony 2010. NRC-AM, Nov 29 via DXLD) No sign of it here in S E Michigan at 1:15 pm EST 73 (Joe Miller, Troy MI, Nov 29, NRC-AM via DXLD) Nor in Rochester NY at 137 pm... s (Scott Fybush, Nov 29, NRC-AM via DXLD) From here, northeast of Atlanta, the daytime signal I am receiving with the tone on 1610 nulls in the same direction as the null for 1650 Portsmouth, VA and the null for 1660 Charlotte, NC. Not very scientific, and as I noted, fall skywave is in full swing at the top of the band, but using the Palomar loop and a homebrew tuner/longwire to get a cardioid pattern, the null is in that direction. The signal is also up and down on the trusty TRF, and nulls in the same irection. "Who are those guys?" Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (Brock WH6SZ/4 Whaley, Lilburn, GA, Longwire, Palomar loop, phaser, tunable preamp, whole bunch of homebrew tuners, Sony 2010, TRF, 1958 German WEGA tube radio, Nov 29, NRC-AM via DXLD) If it's not Kintronics, who is it? Someone mentioned LBA.... http://www.lbagroup.com/prradian.php They are in Virginia. And NOTT does folded unipoles. But they are in Farmington NM (Powell E Way, ABDX via DXLD) I wonder if Chris Johnson guessed right. After plotting the reported bearings from all over the country the most likely location is the Appalachian area of TN/VA/NC. The reports don't all agree but most of them do. Kintronics has a Bristol, TN mailing address (Jerry Lenamon, Waco Texas, ABDX via DXLD) Hey all, I just phoned Kintronics and they said it was not them. They have done no on the air testing in the last 24 hours. Also, I agree with Adam Myrow. This has a slight Déjà Vu feel to it. I remember a similar situation about 2 years ago that went unsolved. BTW, the tone was faintly audible here in northern S.C. until about 0930 EST. Now gone!! (Chris Johnson, K4CME, 1626 UT Nov 29, IRCA via DXLD) Glad to know it is not Kintronics since I have reasonable faith in my DF which was way too far north and east to be Kintronics. 73 KAZ Barrington IL, still thinking this was coming from somewhere near DC. (Neil Kazaross, ABDX via DXLD) Listened to 1610 last night and the UNID TT was over/under the Nevada TIS stations. Looking forward to this mystery being solved. Go get 'em, EC'ers. 73, (Bruce Bacon, Boise County, ID, Drake R8, 160M Full Wave Skyloop, IRCA via DXLD) Maybe this thing is in the Norfolk/Portsmouth area. Big Navy and USAF bases around here. (Nothing heard from it here in Tacoma). (Pete Taylor, Tacoma, WA, Nov 29, IRCA via DXLD) Has someone taken the approximate bearings that folks have posted and tried to do a rough triangulation? This might narrow things down a little. BTW, rough bearing from Memphis last night was about 80 degrees (Jim Pogue, Memphis, TN, IRCA via DXLD) Test tone still being heard on both the car radio and 2010 at 1300 EST - now must be via ground wave signal at S-6 level, to the NNE (Fred Nordquist, Moncks Corner, SC (~25 miles north of Charleston SC), 33.21756N 79.95798W, Nov 29, IRCA via DXLD) Last night I attempted to look at the 1610 tone thing, using CW mode and my very narrow 6 Hz bandwidth filter I use for ndb's. Using my calibrated high stability timebase R75, I had the S9-level 1610 carrier on 1610.028 with a precise 1000 Hz standard AM modulation, with lsb on 1609.028 and usb on 1611.028 (Steve, NE Oregon, Ratzlaff, Nov 29, IRCA via DXLD) The 1610.03 kHz carrier of the test tone signal was again observed -- this time with Spectrum Lab which I'm trying to figure out beyond the defaults -- beginning at 2000Z, 11/29, almost as if on cue. No audible sign of the 1 kHz tone as yet, signal still too weak and local noise too strong, but the carrier is slowly picking up strength. One correction to my previous post. 1609.97 is strongest and the MIS, and 1610.00 is 2nd strongest and UNID (actually splits out into at least a couple close carriers, within a couple Hz of each other). Got those two reversed, all else remains as reported (W. Curt Deegan, Boca Raton, (southeast) Florida, [Ten-Tec RX-320D; LFE H-800; GAP DSP; JPS ANS-4] IRCA via DXLD) I heard them last night at midnight when they were drowning out the Rochester Hills TIS, which is 10 watts and 3.9 miles distance. Also heard again at 7:30 local sunrise as well as 8:45 on Detroit's Eastside. 73, (Joe Miller, EST Nov 29, NRCAM via DXLD) A DXer in Norway heard it last night (Bill Harms, Nov 29, NRC-AM via DXLD) I'm getting it here in Rossville GA (upper NW) on ground wave now. S3- 5 copy on the NRD 545. I went out in the yard with the Kaito 1103 and it is coming from my NE. Earlier it seemed to be slightly N and W of here. Sure wish we knew who this was! Time here is 1220 ET 73's (John Hunter, Rossville GA, ABDX, Nov 29 via DXLD) Pow-Pow, LBA (Larry Behr Associates) is in Greenville, NC. It's not LBA. 73 de (Charlie Taylor, Nov 29, ABDX via DXLD) And how do you know this? Kintronics already said it wasn't them. I talked to Kent Winrich, and he says the military was to do some antenna testing and he wasn't aware of it being on 1610, but he'll check and let me know, and I'll tell what I hear. I told him they ought to play music (Powell E Way, SC, ibid.) This thing is being received daytime from Cape Cod to NW GA so it really has to be strong. Based on last night's signal, it could be 10- 50 KW, IMHO. Anyhow, I have read that this could be a truck mounted transmitter testing before going overseas. You may recall K-TRK 1670 located in Ft Meade MD. My bearing to this signal is 104 degrees average over many DF's. My bearing to Ft. Meade is 105.6 degrees and certainly I cannot do a DF better than several degrees accuracy so this makes sense. Can someone verify if this is Ft Meade? (Neil Kazaross, IL, ABDX via DXLD) Years ago I used to do some ute listening, and it seems to me that someone (Rick Baker?) logged a "mystery station" on 1610, that turned out to be the USACE in Buffalo, NY doing some kind of frequency measurements(?) Details lost due to old age, hi! (Art Blair, Folsom, CA, IRCA via DXLD) Can hear the tone here in Burlington quite well. Based upon the null with my loop, I would estimate its bearing to be around 120 (Dave Pyatt, Burlington, ON, NRD 545 + 40" box loop, N 43 18, W 079 48, 2123 UT Nov 29, NRC-AM via DXLD) I can detect four carriers here in Finland now at 2320 UT on Spectrum Lab: 1610.030 strongest, no total fade-outs; the famous UNID? 1610.037 a bit weaker, total fade-outs at times; is CHHA Toronto currently on this? 1610.000 and 1609.998 two extremely weak signals, can be anything 73, (Mauno Ritola, Nov 29, ABDX via DXLD) Okay, I'm ready to admit that my Montreal theory was half-baked. :-) The signal was still audible here in the car at 0900, but not at noon. It's back with a vengeance now (1630 EST), and stronger than the Montreal and Toronto stations. I did a comparison using my loop on WPTX-1690, and the bearing appears to be almost identical, which is to say slightly west of due south. This would support other observations that the transmitter is in the DC/MD/VA area, and the power is likely in the 10 kW region (Barry McLarnon, VE3JF, Ottawa, 2142 UT Nov 29, NRC-AM via DXLD) It's slamming into Rochester now that it's dark out. Bearing from here is also about 120-130 degrees. s (Scott Fybush, NY, 2203 UT Nov 29, NRCAM via DXLD) Heard at high noon here in SEPA but mostly weaker than the local TIS at Valley Forge N P. Heard again 1630+ in car mostly overpowering the TIS and subsequently an unID with slow-tempo male vocal group. Very steady tone however as my trip home moves directly away from the TIS, but the tone became stronger the farther I went from the TIS. This strongly suggests a modulated carrier on 1610 rather than hets. The tone was clearly on the same frequency as the music. In my mind this doesn't preclude the possibility that others may be hearing hets in other locations. Rough bearing is 180-200 degrees, which could include Ft. Meade, Frederick, Tidewater VA, DC, Ft. Belvoir etc. Too bad this wasn't happening a few days ago when I passed by Ft. Meade and DC proper and was on base at Belvoir. Haven't yet had a chance tonight to check on the Hammarlund or even the 2010, and may not as I have other commitments tonight (Russ Edmunds, Blue Bell, PA ( 360' ASL ) [15 mi NNW of Philadelphia], 2237 UT Nov 29 NRC-AM via DXLD) In Oak Ridge, Tennessee, the signal on 1610 is now (6 PM) quite clear. Looking at the RF (at IF) on a scope shows pretty full modulation. Kicking in a 3 kHz mechanical filter allows one sideband at a time to be lopped, yielding the "two-tone" pattern. That observation then concludes that this is a full-carrier doublesideband signal. Strength is similar to the 10 kW carriers on nearby frequencies but below the level of the 50 kW signal in the low 1500s. Some fading so it is not local to eastern TN (Jim Tonne, Oak Ridge, 2257 UT Nov 29, NRC-AM via DXLD) I uploaded a Spectran image of the three carriers. The center trace is 1610.03 plus other carriers around 1610. The two on either side of this are the 1611.03 left and 1609.03 right carriers. Turns out the 1800 Hz I mentioned below was the 1609.03 carrier, offset by my 800 Hz BFO. Check out this and previous confusing explanations here: http://scooterhound.com/WWWR/radio/1610Mystery0005.jpg (W. Curt Deegan, Boca Ratón, (southeast) Florida, 2259 Nov 29, IRCA via DXLD) I just gave a brief listen on the 2010 and came up with a very similar conclusion. The signal remains equally strong on 1609, 1610 and 1611, and the tone is audible on all 3 in the narrow mode. Seems to me like either what Jim notes above or a very broadband modulated signal. Given superior equipment, I'd defer to Jim's assessment (Russ Edmunds, Blue Bell, PA ( 360' ASL ) [15 mi NNW of Philadelphia] 2306 UT Nov 29 NRC-AM via DXLD) I like the theory the feds are testing a propaganda machine before shipping & must be 10 K min to be heard so widely. If nothing else has to be along E coast & not to far inland. I will ask my son that lives near Goldsboro N.C. to listen & compare to the NC & VA X-banders. Maybe he can ask around the base for tips also. Well, after the clown business, maybe he shouldn`t snoop around asking Q's. 73 (Tom Jones, Mason N.H., 2329 UT Nov 29, IRCA via DXLD) The 1610 mystery station was first heard today at 2332 UT well before local sunset with a fair signal (Bill Block, Prescott Valley, AZ, Drake R8, Nov 29, IRCA via DXLD) The tone on 1610 is quiet prevalent here in northern NJ as well. I'm hearing it on 1608, 1609 & 1610. There has been a similar occurrence around 590, and tonight the tone there is noted on 588, & 589 but there are no signs of it on 590, although I've heard it there during the past few nights. This was also reported on the BCB propagation site at: http://dxworld.com/bcblog.html (Gary Wilt, W2GJW, Wood Ridge, NJ, Icom R75 w/rooftop loop, 0000 UT Nov 30, NRC-AM via DXLD) The two "carriers" on either side of the main carrier at 1610 are exactly what you would expect from a transmitter broadcasting a single test tone. These aren't really separate carriers, but sidebands resulting from the test tone being modulated onto the carrier. Remember, when you amplitude modulate a continuous wave, you get sidebands whose frequencies are (carrier frequency + audio frequency) and (carrier frequency minus audio frequency). If the only audio you are modulating onto the 1610 kHz carrier is a 1 kHz tone, then the side bands will be continuous waves (kinda like carriers) at 1609 and 1611 kHz. OK, I suppose that it's *possible* that someone is transmitting three separate carriers at 1609, 1610 and 1611, but it's much more likely that it's someone transmitting a 1 kHz test tone modulated onto 1610 kHz (Mike Westfall, NM, 0009 UT Nov 30, IRCA via DXLD) At 6:18 pm CST I'm hearing a steady tone on 1610 under my local turnpike TIS in Topeka, KS. Bearing seems to be directly east of me. It does not sound like a single 1 kHz tone, however; it is a bit "fuzzy", "buzzy", or perhaps "fluttery" - like the mixing products of two separate tones on 1609 and 1611. It even overrides the local TIS occasionally to become about equal in strength but fades out, consistent with a skywave signal from hundreds of miles away. When I turn on either the USB or LSB mode on the Kenwood R1000, I get signals on approximately 1609 and 1611 plus a solid tone on 1610, which probably is from the local TIS (Paul Swearingen, Topeka KS, 0025 UT Nov 30, NRCAM via DXLD) That's how it sounds to me also, not like a pure test tone, more like a mixture of tones like Curt is getting on his Spectran in Fla. (Bob Young, Millbury, MA, R-390A, SP-600 2 400' LW's Misek Phaser, NRCAM via DXLD) Jim and all, I was indeed out of my depth. Thankfully a helpful associate gently explained the error of my thinking. I now appreciate how a fixed 1 kHz tone modulating a carrier produces the appearance of steady carriers 1 kHz either side of the nominal carrier. Now that I've seen it, next time I'll know what I'm seeing. I am back to what I thought last night before I began thinking too much. There is a 1 kHz tone modulating a carrier on 1610.03 kHz, origin uncertain, but less so than a day ago. My apologies to anyone I confused with my own confusion (Curt Deegan, FL, IRCA via DXLD) Bob, As I understand it now -- after some expert tutelage -- in your scenario you would see just what you describe. Indeed, that was what we have been seeing with the 1610 test signal. All of the other signals I was describing were simply the result of the interaction of the uncommon situation of a steady test tone signal with the receiver BFO. Switch everything back to AM and quit trying to be so clever and presto, you have a 1 kHz tone on 1610. It would seem under normal circumstances because of proximity to the carrier, no one would be looking so closely as to see those offset signals. And of course with a normal AM signal the modulation is all over the place so what you hear and see does not give the impression of offset carriers. What I failed to recognize -- amongst other things -- was that last night when I could not hear the 1 kHz test tone but could detect the main carrier, I did not see any apparent offset carriers. Tonight when the audio was strong, those signals were there. When talk of 1609 and 1611 began, sure enough, there they were right in front of me. Sorry I muddied the water with my details, should have stuck to something I understood, like, "I heard a tone too." (Curt Deegan, ibid.) When first looked at 1610 last night w/Beckman 51J-4, BFO on, hets at 1609 & 1611 but no carrier het 1610 - carrier het distinctly absent. DSB Suppressed carrier? AM Equivalent? Someone experimenting? Bozo at it again? Funny how soviet agents, er, our new partners in prosperity wind up poisoned & carrier that is not a carrier mysteriously appears. IIRC, ca. '93, AM 'Top Band' experimental sta in Laurel, MD. Related? (PV Zecchino, FL, 0346 UT Nov 30, IRCA via DXLD) Don Curtino & IRCA Hunters of the 1610 Chimera - ARRL Handbooks of years gone by, when O-scopes were big and procto-scopes weren't needed, featured revealing graphic full-body shots of "The Modulation Envelope" for SSB & other sigs. 1 Pic = 10 K/Words. Scope shots tella tale. Busta 1 kc tone onna carrier, two 1 kc pips appear symmetrically about it, at least this what it looks like to my literally jaundiced eyes, glass and otherwise. Back inna 50's - mid60's, "The Great Debate" re SSB vs AM raged on. Lotta pix & narrative describing pros/cons as well as appearance onna scopes, both O & spectrum analyzer. Anyone gotta spare Polarad display? Were there any justice, every household would be issued one, compleat w/tuning heads. All seriousness, once you see off-screen scope photos, you know it instinctively. =z= pvz manapolarad key, fl (Paul Vincent Zecchino, ibid.) Interesting, came home to find it riding rather high with a slightly warbly tone in the splash from local KCKK. Looped E/W from Aurora (Wayne N0POH Heinen, 0122 UT Nov 30 NRCAM via DXLD) It is now 8:30 PM here in Oak Ridge TN. "The Tone" has been on almost continuously. The modulation went off at 7:51 PM or so for a moment and then resumed. Carrier was on during that time. Signal remains fairly steady but with fading that at times shows a carrier with the sidebands being out of phase; the modulation depth goes way down for a bit. If this was a ham radio signal it would be called "big time" or "you are really coming in great" kind of thing. This is NOT a heterodyne, folks! This is some kind of test with, as I just rechecked, a full AM signal. Now - I have never heard an IBOC signal but tonight I switched in the 3 kHz mechanical filter on my 51J4 and sure nuff there was some "stuff" on each side of carrier. Until that observation I had made the bold assumption that our beloved military was testing a new "thang" but now I am in doubt. Cats don't like it and have found other places to nap (Jim Tonne, 0130 UT Nov 30, NRC-AM via DXLD) 1610 has huge signal here tonight. As strong as the any skywave signal here on peaks. Direction still points in a line from here to the VA coast or DC area. Speculation continues on the location, ownership, and purpose, but I believe the continuous tone is one of the new Clear Channel "staff cutting" formats. Regards, (Brock Whaley, GA, 0134 UT Nov 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 1. Wasn't there some kinda experimental X-band sta in Laurel, MD ca. 1993? LOBS maybe to there? 2. Bendix & '398 lobbing about 020 - 030, steady on since late aft., unlike last nite's wandering. 3. Is RAYDIST or similar making a comeback? Someone get holda MF mitter from CG/mil surplus sale? Been known to happen. z 0145 Nov 30 pvz (Paul Vincent Zecchino, FL, IRCA via DXLD) I've been reading a few people saying that it is a single carrier with +1 kHz and - 1 kHz and that makes sense but I too have observed different signal strengths a few times, but I am starting to be swayed as I have observed that when I phase the tone out of 1610, 1609 and 1611 are both much weaker also although still there, not sure, very strange, El Bozo Rojo must be behind this fiendish plot to mess with our minds though (Bob Young, IRCA via DXLD) Cats prefer screechy high pitched tones to IBAC noise, trust me. I have heard no IBAC around this or these signals, it is unmistakable, wipes out everything for 15 kHz around the carrier, is a terrible abomination. Consider yourself lucky, (Bob Young, Millbury, MA, NRC-AM via DXLD) Well, I think we can put the Frederick, MD theory to rest. In some e- mail exchanges with Bill, he said it was suspected the transmitter for iBiquity's (the nice people who brought us I-BLOCK) WD2XXM station was located at the same site as transmitter for WTOP 820 in the Braddock Hts. area off of I-70, just west of Frederick, which is a little over 35-miles east of here, so I took a drive over. Going down 'the mountain' towards H.F. about 0230, a station in Portuguese was coming in over the tone, presumably one of the 2 Canadians. As I got closer to Frederick on U.S. 340, the tone got stronger and overtook the other station, but as I got just outside of Frederick it faded down. On I-70 West just before the Braddock Hts. exit just a few miles west of Frederick, there are 2 towers right beside the hwy. Turns out that site is for 820 WTOP and 103.9 WGMS ("Washington's Classical Station"), both of which were booming in. Not even a mile down the road were 4 more towers, and vans outside said 930 (WFMD) and 99.9 (unsure call letters), again both booming in on the car radio. But at both sites, the informational station for Ft. Detrick on north side of Frederick was coming in rather well, but the tone was coming in third under the Ft. Detrick station and presumed Canadian. Again, as I was driving west on U.S. 340 back this way, tone got stronger after Ft. Detrick station faded, but this could be because higher in altitude outside Frederick. And again going back up 'the mountain' towards home from 340, station in French coming in over the tone, but here at home tone is S-8. Funny, though, the tone was coming in well here all day, strongest on X-band, which would make one think it's not too awful far from here, although seems not as strong after dark. This might've explained my UNID on 1670, though, as Bill said the iBiquity station WD2XXM was licensed for, and heard before, on 1670. Also sent e-mail to Kintonics last night asking if they knew anything about this, but, of course, no reply. Anyone else have any ideas as to QTH of this transmitter? (Alex Vranes, Jr., Harpers Ferry, WV, Nov 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thanks for looking into this Alex. The mystery continues. There have been several theories put forth. I heard someone state that when the same thing was heard last year, it ended up being the military testing a transmitter before taking it to the Middle East somewhere. That scenario raises questions about where they would have been testing the transmitter, what was the power, exactly where in the Middle East would the transmitter have been going, and what is the exact source of the information (Bill Harms, MD, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Did anyone figure out who this was and where the transmitter was located? One of the theories about this station is that it is broadcasting from Frederick Maryland. It is steady and strong here in Elkridge Maryland. Can other DXers in or near Maryland help with DFing this station? (Bill Harms, Elkridge, Maryland, dxldyg via DXLD) The instance I recall was several years ago (at least 5) and I don't recall any of the specific details. I was hoping it might jog someone else's memory (Ken Kopp, KS, dxldyg via DXLD) Also hearing tone on 1610 kHz here in Manassas, VA. Actually glad others are also hearing the tone as I was concerned something in my house was causing the tone. 73, (Kraig, KG4LAC Krist, ibid.) The 1 kHz tone is still here and strong on 1610 at 1545 EST 11/29. It is so bad that I could hear it when driving with in 500 feet of my local TIS WPEI340. I am not sure if this is a local signal or from skip, because the D Layer is a little thin for signals in the upper end of the band today. Although I can not say for sure, I wonder if this is possibly coming from the Frederick, MD transmitter that iBiquity was using to test IBOC. I have not heard the station on 1670 in the past few months when I tried. That doesn't mean they have not been on 1670, I just have not heard them. On behalf of the #mwdx chat room group, all of you who are interested in the 1610 are cordially invited to join us this evening to discuss, and possibly DF this station. If you have not logged on before you can do so via a web browser at http://www.starchat.net/chat/?chan=mwdx No Password or Keyword is necessary. Just leave those fields blank. Just type in your chosen nick in the nick space. It can be almost anything you like, but don't use guest (Bill Harms, #mwdx co-founder Elkridge, Maryland, Nov 29, MWDX yg via DXLD) Alternately, you can just go here: http://dxworld.com/bcblog.html where you can just type in what you want to say and there is already some discussion on the topic (jw k9rzz, IRCA via DXLD) 1610, ALL TONE RADIO --- Just in from All Access, at least three major Broadcast Consultants have claimed the "ALL TONE RADIO" format as a hit. This format has a higher cume than the "Jack" format, and is even cheaper to run, as there are no BMI, SESAC or ASCAP royalties to pay. Staff is also kept at a minimum. TSL is also far ahead of the now "hip" format of the month. Look for the major players to adopt the "ALL TONE RADIO" format throughout the Country. All Access should have more on this tomorrow (Juan, Ft. Pierce, Gualda, Nov 29, ABDX via DXLD) FOLLOWUP: Test tone is still on 1610 as I type this at 0001 EST (0501 GMT.) Signal doesn't seem to be as steady as Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, as it's constantly fading today. I listened from about 2357- 0003, no IDs were given. Still stumped (Eric Berger, Nov 30, ABDX via DXLD) I am listening to it right now, I think. Coming in pretty strong. Made a 21 sec. recording to my computer of it at 11:20 p.m. Usually on the AM band when I change settings for select-a-tenna it makes a difference, but none noticed on 1610 kHz. Attached is the 21 sec recording in Windows Media Audio 64 kbps format of exactly how it sounds here. [Later:] Keeping in mind that I don`t have a compass, and I had to use a South Facing window as a guide: OK, here is what I did. I placed the receiver on a sheet of paper. I drew the following lines accordingly with the receiver flat, I drew the lines using the bottom of the receiver as a guide. The strongest position at full RF gain seemed to be when the receiver was exactly oriented E-W. However, when I took total RF gain all the way down, strongest position was not quite at 10 o`clock, with North being 12 o`clock, but it was probably closer to 9 o`clock. The weakest signal seemed to be at 1 o`clock with reception being very faint with RF gain all the way down. These are not perfect right angles, though. Sorry, but it was the best I could come up with at 1:50 AM CST. Unfortunately, here is the rub, you will also have to take into account where the antenna coil is in a DX-398 which I don`t have a clue. I hope this is of some help. Also, could anyone please tell me if the recording I sent was this tone? Are am I just DF'ing Atmospheric Noise? Anyway the tone has been going all night, but still I would like to know for sure if that is what you guys are hearing? 73 (Jason, Meridian, MS, ABDX via DXLD) Thanks to all the DX'ers tuning in, the tone on 1610 just beat Radio Disney in the Arbitron overnights (Brock Whaley, GA, 0245 UT Nov 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Loud & clear on the car radio in Nashville over dinner hour at 7:00 CST, and again on the way home at 11:30. Fadey, definitely skywave. It almost sounds to me as if there might be more than one station, carrying the same tone and on the same carrier frequency. I should note that if this is indeed some kind of temporary station, military or otherwise, it's probably running a poorly-grounded compromise antenna. The skywave-to-groundwave ratio may be considerably higher than at most AM stations. Remember how well the DFW Airport TISs did with all of 80 watts? If this thing is running similar antennas then I think it could be only 1 kW or so transmitter power. I received a private message from a DXer in Washington, DC who feels this station is local to the Washington area. (but no, he doesn't have any inside information to prove it) – (Doug Smith, W9WI,Pleasant View (Nashville), TN EM66 0648 UT Nov 30 NRC AM via DXLD) Relatives in Pittsburgh, PA also hearing mystery tone on 1610 using simple kitchen table type radio. I'm hearing tone on 1610 each time I check in Manassas, VA. At 0930 UT, 01 UT, in car, etc. 73, (Kraig, KG4LAC, Krist, 1200 UT Nov 30, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) The signal was noted still there just around sunrise this morning on the car radio on the way in to work. Weaker than heard at sunset last evening (Russ Edmunds, Blue Bell, PA ( 360' ASL ) [15 mi NNW of Philadelphia], 1217 UT Nov 30, NRCAM via DXLD) The 1610 tone-tester has been noted at good strength here in Billerica, MA (15 miles northwest of Boston) at night on skip. Not much there in the daytime, just weak TIS's and WUNR-1600 slop. Last night I took out the Kaito KA1103 portable to take some direction cuts on this. With the radio placed for maximum southwest-northeast pick-up, the 1610 tone-tester was quite strong and dominant. If I aimed for southeast-northwest pick-up, the tone-tester was weaker (but still audible) in an even mix with the Montreal area ethnic station (CJWI) and something else way under (which could have been either Anguilla or the Toronto-area station). Bearing to the tone-tester was about the same as that to WHKT-1650 (VA) and WPTX-1690 (MD), so something in an area including the Delmarva peninsula, the metro Baltimore-Washington area, Richmond, and Newport News-Norfolk-Portsmouth-Hampton seems entirely likely. Of course, from where I am, everything from NYC down I-95 to the Carolinas is roughly southwest. This thing has got to be trashing TIS's over a wide area of the eastern US (and probably making some of them inaudible as close as the "Tune to 1610" highway signs intended for them). Someone mentioned a similar tester on 590 but all I can get here is local WEZE and the typical CKRS/VOCM/Cuba mix in the null (Mark Connelly, WA1ION - Billerica, MA, 1237 UT Nov 30, NRC-AM via DXLD) Loud here. I understand Pat Martin (in coastal Oregon) and someone in Scandinavia have heard it. Circumstantial evidence suggests it's local to the Washington, DC area. My speculation is that the military is testing another portable transmitter, like the "K-Truck" they worked on a few years back. If it's using a short & poorly-grounded antenna (like the last one, or the famed DFW Airport TISs) it could make this kind of skywave signal with as little as 1,000 watts (Doug Smith W9WI Pleasant View (Nashville), TN EM66 1250 UT Nov 30, WTFDA via DXLD) Count me in. I too have heard this 1 kHz tone on 1610 last night. I thought it could be a 1 kHz het from a station across the pond or some pirate transmitter is "off-frequency" on 1611 kHz. Well, who knows? I would not be surprised if it were to be another "K-Truck" test. But, I yes, the "1 kHz Mystery" really travels well. It kinda reminds me of the late CBJ/1580 in Chicoutimi, QC. After sign-off at 1:00 AM, they would leave an idle tone (400 kHz) all night. That tone really travelled well. I heard that station throughout the northeast! (Got a nice QSL from them, too!) (Pete (K1XRB) Q. George, Nov 30, WTFDA via DXLD) Hi all, I can hear the tone also both daylight and nighttime here in Clewiston, Florida (Chuck Bolland, 1326 UT Nov 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Audible here at 1335, but suddenly took a big drop in signal strength at 1337 UT Nov 30 (Steve Lare, Holland, MI USA, dxldyg via DXLD) The 1610 tone station is on the air again today with a fairly good signal here in SE PA. Must be somebody testing. I took my field strength meter from work and did a quick measurement, and it appears to be coming from a south to southwestern direction. According to the FCC database there are only two stations currently operating on 1610 in North America either licensed, CHHA, Toronto, 1KW NDA and CFOS, Colingwood, ON, 1 KW NDA. One is also planned: a new station in Montreal, also 1 KW NDA, whose calls have yet to be assigned. One thing I don't get is that they list CFOS in Colingwood, ON as being on 1610, but they are actually on 570. (I know because they sometimes forget to change pattern and reduce power at night, screwing with WFIL's signal.) Do they simulcast? Are they moving dial positions? The FCC database is unclear on this. My best guess at this point, without additional information, is that it is a TIS station that is testing. The FCC database show that there is a station south of here that is "pending" -- WBQV479 in Tarboro, NC. It may, of course, be something much closer that has been relocated, or is returning to the air. This is a bit of a puzzler, for sure (Rene` F. Tetro, Chief Engineer, Salem Communications - Philadelphia WNTP-AM / WFIL-AM, 1545 UT 30 Nov, IRCA via DXLD) I'm here in Savannah near the GA coast. I've heard the tone the last two nights (S9). A rough null with my DX398 places the source on an approximate azimuth somewhere near the U.S. Eastern seaboard (S.W.A.G.). The source of the signal was strongest on my 35 degree Ewe compared with my 110 degree firing Ewe. Tonight, WX permitting, away from the influence of my antennas and house wiring, I plan on setting up a 3' loop outside for more precise azimuth (Gil NN4CW Stacy, Drake R8, 160' longwire; 135' doublet, 35 degree Ewe 20x50x20; 110 degree Ewe 18x40x18, Quantum phaser, HCDX via DXLD) Heard here on my drive home from work Nov 30 UT 0000 near Edmonton, Alberta. 73 (Mick Delmage, HCDX via DXLD) Whoever's generating this is probably looking at all these reports and saying, "This is cool; I'm being heard all over the country!" For the record, I had it again on the car radio this morning underneath a local TIS (John Figliozzi, Halfmoon, NY, Nov 30, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) I've decided that I shouldn't try for a career in direction finding. Using my Sony portable and a compass I determined that 1610 was at a bearing of 42 degrees, about on a line from Waco through Indianapolis. Not quite in agreement with others. More fixes, same result. So, I tried DFing WLAC & WSM, which are about on a line from Waco to DC. They were about 10 degrees more southerly. Unless more DXers come up with bearings that don't agree with the consensus, count mine out (Jerry Lenamon, Waco, Texas Nov 30, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Paul Swearingen and Bob Young, among numerous others, have mentioned and speculated about the fuzzy, "fluttery", mixture-of-two-or-more- tones quality on this thing. I noticed that last night. And like others, I can attest that it's a full double-sideband signal running 1 kHz audio tone, as it sounds the same in upper- and lower-sideband using either ECSS or the sync detector on the Sony 7600GR (Randy Stewart, Springfield MO, Nov 30, IRCA via DXLD) This station running the tone has to be in the 10 KW range. It is too strong for 1 KW. At times it is S9 here. Unless it is some secret government testing of some kind, my only other guess it some new X Bander testing to come on (Patrick Martin, 1818 UT Nov 30, NRC-AM via DXLD) Update on the 1610 TT from SW PA / northern WV: driving to work this morning, 0830-0915 EST, station was quite strong, pretty steady, mixed with Spanish from I assume the Toronto station. At lunchtime, the tone was quite audible, with fast flutter-fading. Some have mentioned Frederick, MD as a source, but that's fairly close to me, & the signal does not behave that way -- it behaves more like the more-distant Norfolk/1650 and Lexington Park/1690 do. We have a lot of DF data (in recent emails) --- has anyone plottted it all on a map to create an oval of probability? As a sometime map publisher, I'd love to do that, but don't have time/facilities right now. If someone does, let us all know the shape/size of the oval, and what likely locations lie within it (Fred Schroyer, Waynesburg, PA 15370, 1830 UT Nov 30, IRCA via DXLD) The tone signal on 1610 is in here at S9+20db 24/7 since it first appeared. I figure it isn't far from me. I am sure the people in the Cherokee National forest isn't to happy with this tone station, as it is covering their TIS station that tells of the birds and bears found in the forest. Since it is on 1610 and their isn't any other strong transmitters on this frequency it sounds louder than it is (Willis, Old Fort, TN In the smoky mountains, Monk, Nov 30, IRCA via DXLD) The 1610 mystery station is not in Frederick, MD and is not at Fort Meade, MD. DXer Alex Vranes of Harpers Ferry WV drove through the Frederick, MD late last night 11/29 and the signal was not strong enough to be of local origin. I drove through the Fort Meade area today 11/30 about 1400 and could hear some traces of the 1 khz tone mixing with the local TISes but it was not strong even to say it was a local station. By 1500 the station was much stronger (Bill Harms, Elkridge, MD, Nov 30, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) I do seem to get a stronger signal when the loop faces East/West. When I turn the loop North/South I can also hear Toronto, Canada (positive ID). Hmm... Fort AP Hill isn't too far from here. However, I believe I'd get a stronger signal if from Fort AP Hill. 73, (Kraig, KG4LAC Krist, Manassas VA, 0205 UT Dec 1, ibid.) This is the third night I've heard the tone. I've plotted the Great Circle azimuth as follows: QTH Savannah, GA. Lat: 32.07 Lon. -81.1 Suunto KB-14/360/R compass Best null on 2' ferrite stick loop-36 degrees Best null on Sony 2010 34 degrees. Ewes confirm signal strongest to the northern, not southern azimuth. Great Circle bearing to Boston, MA 34.89. Great Circle plot from Savannah to Boston, the line cuts across the Delmarva peninsula which is about halfway between Savannah and Boston. 73, (Gil Stacy NN4CW, Drake R8, 160' longwire, up 70'; 135' doublet up 60', 35 degree Ewe, 18x40x18; 110 degee Ewe, 20x50x20. 2353 UT Nov 30, IRCA via DXLD) I am modifying my "BCmap" program to allow folks to show, on this thread, their latitude and longitude and the direction they think the 1610 signal is coming from. I will then enter that into the modified program and post (on TonneSoftware.com) the map as a .gif showing the current set of entries. So, if you post any comments about that signal which include the direction it seems to be coming from, be sure to include your own lat/lon info (or a town so I can look it up) and I'll add your data to the set of entries. The system should be operational by this evening. By the way, my current bet is that it is within 50 miles of Trenton, NJ (Jim Tonne, Oak Ridge, TN, Nov 30, NFRC-AM via DXLD) Thanks, Jim. I would take you up on that bet in a moment. I am well within 50 miles of Trenton and the behaviour of the signal indicates a greater distance, and Trenton is almost at a right angle to the direction the 1610 signal seems to be coming from. 50 miles of DC would be my guess. Russ Edmunds Blue Bell, PA ( 360' ASL ) [15 mi NNW of Philadelphia], Nov 30, NRC-AM via DXLD) Gents: At 7:38 this evening I put together the latest data given out from listeners who were listening to 1610. I threw out only two measurements because they seemed to be at odds with the rest. Current map is at http://tonnesoftware.com/1610.gif As we get better data I can by pushing one button adjust the size of the map. All the data will follow. We need inputs from Ohio, western Pennsylvania, western New York, West Virginia and North Carolina. As we zoom in on things I'll present a closer view. To contribute, send an email with your latitude and longitude and the apparent direction of the signal source. Fun project! I'll check my mail again just prior to CSI and again after CSI (gotta have that fix!). (JimTonne, 0045 UT Dec 1, IRCA via DXLD) Bob Foxworth, Tampa FL, 82 deg 37 min W, 28 deg 03 min N, heading 025 deg relative to true north. Taken Tuesday night. Same thing right now (1830 est Thu) +/- 10 deg using dx399 builtin loopstick on a fairly loud tone. Using orientation of my street (shown on hi-res map) as a reference. Uncertainty of the null makes posting in more than just deg-min unnecessarily accurate 73 (Bob 1840 est NRC-AM via DXLD) 104 degrees from Barrington IL, i.e. right at Baltimore from here. Jim, I hope your map is taking into account great circle path. I still think this thing is near the Baltimore, DC area and also think that if it's on this weekend, maybe a couple of area DXers could drive around and take some DF with a portable and maybe pin it down. If you are near this and you drive 40 miles or so, the bearing will change greatly. For those newer DXers who aren't sure how to DF, null the station ! Every basic portable has a loopstick inside and the nulls are off the ends of the radio. I can null it into the noise here so I just average the bearings of the narrow null from when I can start hearing it again (for maybe 10 degrees it is nulled). Off course I did this several times to be sure and used 2 different portables and also walked outside away from my house in case any wiring was skewing the DF (It isn't) 73 KAZ (Neil Kazaross, IL, Nov 30, IRCA via DXLD) Willis, I am 15 miles north of Greenville, S.C. and it is nowhere near me Faintly audible daytime with QSB, but not groundwave to me (Chris Johnson, K4CME, Taylors, S.C., Nov 30, IRCA via DXLD) Willis` assumptions of proximity may be thinking it is groundwave when it is really skywave even at noon (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) I just checked with my field strength meter and compass again. There is some Spanish speech in the background, which may be messing with my data a bit. But here in SE PA the 1610 mystery station currently appears to be at 195 degrees True North with a field strength of about 0.125 mV/m (Rene` F. Tetro, Lansdale, PA, USA W2FIL, WPXG816, WPXU288, 0221 UT Dec 1, IRCA, via DXLD) DX LISTENING DIGEST 5-196, November 15, 2005 mentions a tone on 1610 kHz. Interesting. What was the outcome of the November 2005 tone? (Kraig Krist, dxldyg via DXLD) If it is ever discovered where this 1610 mystery station is located, I will predict that it will be found at one of these locations.... If it's government/ military it will be from one of these areas-- CAMP LEJEUNE, NC (marine) NORFOLK, VA (navy) GREENVILLE, NC (VOA/government) If it is not military/ government it will be on or near a line drawn from Atlanta, GA to Norfolk, VA. And my guess it will be in the Greenville, SC to Charlotte, NC market area. This is because here I can hear the signal 24 hours a day at always S9+20db over, it doesn't change to much. Even at 1200 local time the signal is always S9+20. So it can't be to far away from me (Willis, Old Fort, TN, Monk, ibid.) Glenn, There was an experimental application for 1630 by BAE Systems somewhere in Maryland or Virginia, but it was denied or dismissed last year. I did a quick search of the OET experimental authorization system, and I do not find any that match these reports. But some military activity may be occurring, and IRAC doesn't disclose such things. In fact you can't even get Federal TIS data unless you have a "need to know," and even then you have to know whom to ask, which also isn't publicly disclosed! There is a fair amount of PSYOP research and development happening these days. I did, later today, run across a reference to tests by the military at Ft. Meade, MD, under an experimental license held by LBA. Although these were done several years ago, it may be possible that some similar tests are now being conducted. They had authorizations on various frequencies for 400 watt operation, including 1610 (Ben Dawson, WA, Nov 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. The tone testing on 1610 kHz, which has now been widely reported all over North America, was putting in a good signal here when first checked around 0405 UT Nov 29. On the DX-398 in the yard, the null pointed to a bearing of just N of due E, about 85 degrees. A sharp null was obtained, but this assumes the internal ferrite antenna is not askew (or 265 degrees). But countless other reports of this (which I am compiling for the next DXLD) put it in the area of Washington DC to Portsmouth VA. Rechecked at 0650 on the FRG-7 with E- W longwire, I found the pitch to be unstable, beating against something. Others surmised there may have been more than one carrier, or more than one tone pitch at times. Even more so 24+ hours later at 0718 Nov 30. But I haven`t seen any definite ID or location yet. FWIW, not much, I searched the FCC database for experimental licenses on 1610 and found only two: WC2XKX, Greenville NC, expiring 12-1-06, 400 watts, from LBA Technology, Inc. But this has to be much more than 400 watts; however, it would make sense if they were wanting to do some final testing before license expiry. WD2XFY, Durham NC, Highway Information Systems, Inc., expiring 12/1/08, power only 10 watts, so disregard that even more (Glenn Hauser, Enid OK, Nov 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. Spanish SSB 2-way in the middle of the exclusive 19m SWBC band, 15313-USB, at 1548 29 Nov. May have been just slightly above 15313. Again/still when rechecked at 2056 but now up against strong carrier from Bonaire 15315, about to modulate (Glenn Hauser, Enid OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DIGITAL BROADCASTING DRM: see NEW ZEALAND ++++++++++++++++++++ PROPAGATION +++++++++++ Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet levels at all latitudes through 22/1800 UTC, then increased to quiet to unsettled levels. Activity increased to unsettled to minor storm levels during 23 - 24 November with brief localized major storm periods at high latitudes. Activity decreased to quiet to active levels on 25 - 26 December with brief periods of minor storm at high latitudes. This activity was associated with a recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream. ACE RTSW data indicated the high-speed stream (HSS) commenced early on 23 November and continued through the remainder of the period. Peak wind speed associated with the HSS was 677 km/sec around midday on 26 November. Maximum IMF variations associated with the HSS included increased total field intensity with a peak of 18 nT early on 23 November and periods of southward Bz to - 12 nT early on 23 November. FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 29 NOVEMBER - 25 DECEMBER Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels. No greater than 10 MeV proton events are expected. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at high levels during 29 – 30 November, 08 – 12 December, and 22 - 25 December. The geomagnetic field is expected to be mostly quiet to unsettled for the majority of the forecast period. However, a recurrent coronal hole HSS is expected to affect the field during 07 - 08 December with active to major storm periods expected. Another recurrent HSS is expected to affect the field during 20 - 22 December with active to minor storm conditions expected. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2006 Nov 29 0054 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Environment Center # Product description and SEC contact on the Web # http://www.sec.noaa.gov/wwire.html # # 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table # Issued 2006 Nov 28 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2006 Nov 29 80 5 2 2006 Nov 30 80 5 2 2006 Dec 01 80 5 2 2006 Dec 02 80 5 2 2006 Dec 03 80 5 2 2006 Dec 04 80 5 2 2006 Dec 05 85 5 2 2006 Dec 06 90 10 3 2006 Dec 07 90 35 6 2006 Dec 08 95 20 4 2006 Dec 09 95 8 3 2006 Dec 10 95 8 3 2006 Dec 11 95 5 2 2006 Dec 12 95 5 2 2006 Dec 13 95 8 3 2006 Dec 14 90 5 2 2006 Dec 15 90 5 2 2006 Dec 16 85 5 2 2006 Dec 17 80 5 2 2006 Dec 18 80 5 2 2006 Dec 19 75 5 2 2006 Dec 20 75 15 3 2006 Dec 21 75 20 4 2006 Dec 22 80 15 3 2006 Dec 23 80 15 3 2006 Dec 24 80 5 2 2006 Dec 25 80 5 2 (http://www.sec.noaa.gov/radio Nov 28 via DXLD) [this was posted too late to include in WOR 1338] 49 METERS EUROPE TO PENNSYLVANIA AT NOON 24 November 2006: Went up for a micro-DXpedition as I wanted to compare mid-day 49 and 60 mb reception to last year at this time. The K index was high and there were G1 level storms. On the way up, the NRD fell off the seat and onto the floor again. Fortunately there was no damage except to a bent adapter ground plug. The NRDs are really solid radios!! RX: JRC NRD-535D ANT: 315' Beverage (BOG) at 50 , and 395’ at 85 QTH: Pennsylvania State Game Lands #26 Duration: 1600-2045 UTC Solar Indices: S.F. = 77 A Index = 15 K Index = 3 (but down to 2 at 1818) Minor space weather w/G1 level storms. WX: Clear, sunny. Warm 50 56 F. (10 13 C.) These frequencies had audio at some level just after 1600: 6230, 6200, 6180, 6170, 6165, 6160 (Canada), 6155, 5120, 6110, 6090, 6085 (WYFR), 6075, 6065, 6050, 6035, 6015 (decent), 5995, 5990, 5980, 5970 (good), 5955, 5930. Carriers or threshold audio on almost all other channels!! The band seemed to drop off a bit by 1630. The band picked back up and a few more signals with audio showed up after 1700. By 1817 check, at least 2 dozen signals with audio were noted. And by 1920, respectable audio was noted on nearly every channel on the band!! At 1844, these signals started appearing using the 85 BOG; 5026, 4976, 4845, and 4780. At 1913, was getting signals on these freqs: 5030, 5026, 5005, 4976, 4950, 4940, 4845, 4780, and 4770. Oddly, the strongest signals were 5026 and 4780 followed by 4976 and 4940. [excerpts of a few such logs:] EGYPT, 6230, R. Cairo, Already a signal with audio (music) at 1556 24 Nov, M announcer, then Arabic music to 5_1 (higher) time ticks at ToH, M very briefly with presumed ID, music bridge, then talk. CLANDESTINE, 6245, R. Zamaneh, 1701 25 Nov, Arabic [sic] pop-like music, so I suppose this signs on at 1700. Not heard before. UNIDENTIFIED, 6235, Also on just after 1700 24 Nov. Who would that be?? R. Rossii?? (Dave Valko, PA, HCDX via DXLD) Hi Dave, That would be DMR Radio Pridnestrovye, Moldova, now with a megawatt M-F at 1700 in English. I was hoping someone in eastern NAm would be able to pull this thru, but looks like you got a lot more weaker ones on 49m around 1700! 73, (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) Thanks Glenn. I was planning on going out again at mid-day in the next 2 weeks to see what propagation can pull. I'll have to try for Moldova seriously. 73 (Dave Valko, Nov 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ###