Measuring MW offsets to .1 hz accuracy with the Perseus SDR

Today I discovered an easy method for accurately measuring MW offsets to .1 Hz accuracy with the Microtelecom Perseus SDR receiver using the SoDiRa Software Radio application and thought I would share my discovery with other Perseus users.

As Perseus users are aware, one can only measure carrier frequencies to 1 Hz accuracy using the Perseus software. Using the AM Radio mode of SoDiRa in ECSS AM synchronous mode, the software measures and displays the frequency offset of the carrier to .1 Hz accuracy. When I first noticed this feature, I was not confident that it would be accurate but with subsequent testing by measuring local AM stations of known offset, I have found it to be 100% accurate. As an example, here is a screenshot of the AM Radio mode display of the SoDiRa software while the Perseus is tuned to a local Highway Advisory System (HAR) network here in Memphis on 1660 kHz. The network consists of multiple synchronized low power transmitters that are exactly on 1660.0000 kHz. SoDiRa measures this carrier accurately every time:

Another local, WREC-600 has been on 599.9998 kHz since they turned off their IBOC system. SoDiRa consistently measures the carrier accurately.

In order to demodulate signals from the Perseus with SoDiRa, you must have Virtual Audio Cable (VAC) installed on your system and the Perseus set to User mode. The signal to be measured needs to be strong enough for S0DiRa to get a good lock on the carrier, so this method isn’t useful for very weak carriers. Also, it is important that the Perseus is calibrated to 1 Hz accuracy using a high frequency station such as WWV on 10 or 15 mhz.

I have also found SoDiRa to offer excellent demodulation of AM and DRM signals!

IRCA Country List

I have taken the latest IRCA Country List and sorted all of the countries by continent, added check boxes to mark countries heard and verified and converted the file to a pdf.

IRCA Countries List

MW Offsets – Aug 29, 2010

BCDX MW Offsets List

0530 0530.0002 CUB R Enciclopedia (La Habana)
0540 0539.9978 MEX XEWA (San Luis Potosi)
0540 0540.0183 NCG YNOW, R Corporacion (Managua)
0550 0549.9975 USA KTRS (St. Louis, MO)
0560 0559.9977 USA WHBQ (Memphis, TN)
0570 0569.9970 USA KLIF (Dallas, TX)
0570 0570.0000 CUB CMHI R Reloj (Santa Clara)
0580 0579.9990 USA KJMJ (Alexandria, LA)
0550 0550.0002 CUB R Rebelde
0620 0619.9997 CUB R Rebelde
0650 0650.0104 USA WSM (Nashville, TN)
0680 0680.0030 USA WMFS (Memphis, TN)
0700 0700.0000 USA WLW (Cincinnati, OH)
0710 0709.9998 USA KEEL (Alexandria, LA)
0720 0720.0004 USA WGN (Chicago, IL)
0730 0730.0010 USA KQPN (West Memphis, AR)
0740 0740.0002 USA KRMG (Tulsa, OK)
0750 0749.9982 USA WSB (Atlanta, GA)
0760 0759.9981 USA MEX XEABC
0760 0760.0035 USA WJR (Detroit, MI) slightly drifting
0780 0780.0000 USA WBBM (Chicago, IL)
0790 0789.9942 USA WMC (Memphis, TN)
0810 0809.9998 USA WHB (Kansas City, MO)
0820 0820.0003 USA WBAP (Fort Worth, TX)
0830 0830.0008 USA WCCO (Minneapolis, MN)
0840 0840.0000 USA WHAS (Louisville, KY)
0850 0849.9999 USA KOA (Denver, CO)
0870 0869.9930 USA WWL (New Orleans, LA)
0880 0880.0000 USA WCBS (New York City, NY)
0890 0890.0009 CUB R Progreso
0890 0890.0027 USA WLS (Chicago, IL)
0900 0899.9998 MEX XEW (Mexico City, DF)
0910 0909.9953 USA WALT (Meridian, MS)
0910 0910.0001 CUB CMFA R Cadena Agramonte (Camaguey)
0940 0939.8745 MEX XEQ (Mexico City, DF)
1044 1044.0025 ??? SER, Spain?
1190 1189.8605 ??? Latin America, 0057*
1210 1210.1412 ??? South America?
1251 1250.9998 ??? Libya?
1521 1521.0005 ARS BSKSA (Duba)
1560 1559.9302 USA KGOW (Bell Aire, TX)

Wellbrook K9AY active

After purchasing a Wellbrook K9AY many years ago, I am happy to say that I finally have it up and running successfully. What kept me in procrastination mode all these years was the trouble of hammering a ground rod. Despite owning a K9AY system, i opted for the easy way out by using loops that did not require a ground system, like the wonderful KAZ. Something got in to me this past weekend and I pounded a 8′ ground rod into the earth (in 105+ F heat index) and erected two 25m loops, SE/NW and SW/NE. Despite the 8′ ground-rod, directionality was still lacking. I laid out 8 concentric counterpoise wires and now the antenna is working as expected, perhaps even better. I am even able to obtain nulls, even if rather small, on 8 mHz signals! On some signals up to 7 mHz, I can null them into the noise floor. Very nice…

SWBC Logs – August 1-4, 2010

4716.698 BOLIVIA Radio Yura (p), Aillu Yura, Aug 4, 0030-0212*, threshold audio strengthening by 0100, long Andean vocals, occasional talk by man. Poor signal with occasional voice USB QRM.

4774.996 SWAZILAND Trans World Radio, Aug 1, 0430, German service until 0500, then English, religious programming. Good signal until 0510, audio faded out by 0530.
+ Aug 2, *0341, IS, English ID into vernacular, German at 0400, Englishat 0430. Leading the Way with Dr. Michael Youssef. Fair signal, better on Aug 1.

4789.55v PERU Radio Visión, Chiclayo, Aug 1, 0350-1115, generally poor overnight but much improved from 0800z onward. Typical La Voz del la Salvación content, male preaching in what sounds to be a large,
echoey auditorium. Appears to be local programming after 0800 with Andean vocals, Radio Visión ID at 0857. Back to La Voz del la Salvación at 0930.
+ 4789.56v, Aug 2, 0115-0730, Aug 2, much better overnight but signal fading by 0730 and remaining generally threshold the rest of the morning.

4795.89 BOLIVIA Radio Lipez (t), Uyuni, Aug 1, *0858-1034*, threshold audio, perhaps abbreviated schedule for Sunday morning.
+ Aug 2, *0848-1100 threshold audio, briefly peaking between 1030-1040z with monologue by male speaker, perhaps inspirational.

4799.994 INDIA AIR Hyderabad (p), Aug 2, *0040-0050, threshold audio briefly heard at sign-on, talk by man then woman.

4824.46v PERU La Voz de la Selva, Iquitos, Aug 2, *1048-1110, lively vocal at sign-on, greetings by low key male announcer at 1052 mentioning Iquitos and FM, into a monologue. Fair signal but poor modulation, fading rapidly.

4850.28 PERU Radio Genesis (t), Huanta, Aug 4, 0030-1130, overnight signal, threshold audio from 0100-0200 and then again at 1119 UT, just after Huanta sunrise, barely able to make out vocal. They appear to been off Aug 1 to 3, this is the first sign of them I have seen.

4845 MAURITANIA Radio Mauretanie, Nouakchott, Aug 1, *0552-0715, Salah of Fajr recitation in progress ending exactly at 0642 Nouakchott sunrise, followed by sermon. Greetings by man and woman at 0648, mentions of Mauritanie, into long vocal accompanied by lute until 0700. More Moorish music after the top of the hour. Excellent signal in USB to avoid WWCR.
+ Aug 2, *0537-0645, morning prayer until 0631, canned announcement by woman the long monologue by man. Signal fair to poor.

4914.963 BRAZIL Rádio Difusora, Macapá AC, 0030-0616*, Aug 4, fading up to almost fair level by 0100, pop and ballads, “Rádio Difusora de Macapá” ID by man, slight echo efx. No sign of the other Brazilians tonight, and Macapá transmitter cut-off at 0616 leaving channel empty.
+ 4914.978v, Aug 4, *0758, back on but threshold signal and slowly drifting downward, 4914.968 by 0900.

4915.028v BRAZIL Rádio Daqui AM, Goiânia GO, *0900, Aug 4, s/on with full canned ID by man mentioning multiple frequencies, greetings by announcer directly into latin ballad. Dominant over co-channel Rádio Difusora de Macapá causing a low rumble, strong CODAR. Drifting down to 4915.022 by 1000 UT.

4950.062 PERU Radio Madre de Dios (t), Pt Maldonado, Aug 1, *1032-1110, only threshold audio noted and quickly fading from 1100 UT.

4960 BOTSWANA VOA, Moepeng Hill, Aug 1, 0430-0531*, English to Africa, listed Hausa from 0500, Yankee Doodle at 0530:30. Modest peak at 0448 UT transmitter sunrise.

4964.960 BRAZIL Rádio Alvorada (p), Parintins AM, Aug 1, *0846-1010, poor signal, low-key religious talk, inspirational music, very slight peak around 0953 UT Parintins sunrise.

4965 ZAMBIA CVC Christian Voice, Lusaka – Kaeni Ranch, 0430-0601*, Aug 1, English pop Christian music inter-spaced with inspirational talk, nice peak in the 30 minute period after 0431 UT sunrise in Lusaka.
Confirmed transmitter left the air at 0601 even though signal had faded to nothing more than a weak carrier.

4985.003 BRAZIL Rádio Brasil Central, Goiânia GO, Aug 4, 0030-0200, female DJ spinning pop Brazilian vocals, canned ID 0101 by man mentioning multiple frequencies then “Rádio Brasil Central, Goiânia, Goiânia”. Initially poor but rapidly improving to excellent by 0100. Started fading after 0200 and remained at threshold level the rest of the night.

4989.984 SURINAM Radio Apintie, Paramaribo, Aug 1, 0600-1000, occasional peaks with pop music, talk my man, woman. Minor but steady peak just after 0936 UT sunrise in Paramaribo with monologue by man in likely Dutch, religious vocals. Occasional QRM from Spanish chatter, perhaps Pescadores, on 4991.4 USB.

5044.984 BRAZIL Rádio Cultura, Belém PA, Aug 1, 0430-1000, overnight music programs: Madrugada Cultura until 0600 then seamlessly morphing into Geração MPB (Música Popular Brasileira). Same laid back male announcer, variety Brazilian music, full “Cultura FM, Belém, Pará, Amazônia” ID at 0611, occasional “Cultura F-M” or program IDs between ever two or three songs. Huge signal all night despite RHC on 5040, not fading until just before 1000 UT.

6009.96 MEXICO XEOI Radio Míl, México City, Aug 2, 0830-0850, pop latin music, multiple ‘Radio Mil’ ID’s, fair signal with noise.

6019.26 PERU Radio Victoria, Lima, Aug 2, 0559-0900, in the clear after Sackville QRT at 0559 until Australia 0900 s/on, preaching until 0601, La Voz de la Liberación ID, Beethoven theme and Radio Victoria ID at
0602. Long La Voz de la Liberación promo, children speaking. Good strength signal except for occasional slop from massive Cuba 6010.

6030 ETHIOPIA Radio Oromia, Addis Ababa, Aug 2, *0321-0529*, xylophone sounding interval signal, perhaps a lamellophone. ID by man at 0330, brief talk by woman then Ethiopian vocal. This format of somber talks inter-spaced with lively music continued. Fair signal on the lower side band until a pulsing noise started up at around 0430.

6030.007 CANADA CFVP, Calgary, Aug 2, 0630-0645, briefly peaking with country music during Marti/Jammer silence.

6134.825 BOLIVIA Radio Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, Aug 1, *1049, late Sunday morning sign-on, brief sign-on announcement by woman, brief Andean vocal into religious service. Poor signal, noisy, fading rapidly.
+ 6134.81, Aug 3, 2345-0106*, very nice signal by 0015, female and male announcers, lively music, announcements, canned ID by man at 0101: “960 kilohertz onda media, 6165 kilohert ondaz corta, 92.3 megahertz, frecuencia modulada transmite Radio Santa Cruz, desde Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia”, another canned ID at 0103 mentioning “Emisora del
Instituto Radiofónico Fe y Alegría” followed by a song “Radio Santa Cruz”. Open carrier from 0106 to 0143.
+ 6134.82, Aug 4, *0856, short monologue by man at sign on, then canned ID mentioning AM and SW frequency, flutes, “Radio Santa Cruz” vocal, more ID’s and a variety of vocals. Good signal, starting to fade after 1000 UT.

SWBC Logs – July 30, 2010

3215 USA WWCR, July 30, 0400, two spurs +/- ~15.5 kHz from fundamental, 3199.5 and 3230.5 kHz variable. Although transmitter signal was rock solid on 3215.000, the two spurs were drifting +/- ~20Hz. Audio weak, distorted with 60 Hz hum. A quick search of the DXLD archives found these reported in 7-149 and 7-150.

3310.0 BOLIVIA Radio Mosoj Chaski (p), Cochabamba, 1010-1100, Jul 30, tune-in to long monologue by woman, low modulation and steadily fading

3560.053 NORTH KOREA Voice of Korea (t), 1010-1235, Jul 30, mainly carrier level with occasional threshold audio around 1200 UT

4024.983 LIBERIA Star Radio (tentative), 0501, July 30, threshold audio, male speaker, high noise level. Drifted down to 4024.981 at 0530 re-check, weaker.

4774.995 SWAZILAND TWR, 0420, July 30, German language religious program, English at 0430, ID, more religion, fair. Weaker on // 3200.0, strong het from WWCR spur on 3199.5v

4789.96 PERU Radio Visión, Chiclayo, 0547-1007, July 30, religious talk and music, significant dead air from 0900-0930, nice Radio Visión ID by man at 0930.

4835.47v PERU Radio Marañón, Jaen, *0933-1007, July 30, sign-on announcements, lively music, would be a fair signal if not for the WWCR 4840 slop, very slight CODAR. Station drifted from an initial 4835.48 down to 4835.46 by 1007 tune-out.

4885 BRAZIL ZY Mash Up, 0647-1000, Jul 30, 3 Brazilians here: 4885.017 Rádio Clube do Pará and 4885.028 Radiodifusora Acreana mixing at equal levels, and a much weaker 4885.031 all with weak CODAR. Rádio Clube do Pará mainly excited talk by male announcer with slight reverb, Radiodifusora Acreana with ballads and tropical songs. Acreana finally dominant after 1000 UT with Para fading after Belem 0919 sunrise. Third signal perhaps Rádio Maria?

4914.964 BRAZIL Rádio Difusora, Macapá AC, 0547-1007, Jul 30, long ballads, male announcer between songs, many mentions of Macapá and Brasil. Lively talk after 0800, ID’s, sound effects. Mixing with co-channel R. Daqui from 0855, with Macapá slightly dominant. CODAR.

4915.026 BRAZIL Rádio Daqui AM, Goiânia GO, *0855-1007, Jul 30, co-channel and mixing with Macapá, dominant after 0940 with low key male announcer with religious discussion, barely caught mention of Goiânia at 1000 as signal had faded. CODAR.

4925.248 BRAZIL Rádio Educação Rural (p), Tefé AM, *0956, Jul 30, poor signal, sign-on announcements, talk by man then woman, weak in strong CODAR.

4964.96v BRAZIL Radio Alvorada (t), Parintins AM, *0847-1007, Jul 30, threshold audio with hgh noise. Could not determine language, this could possibly also be R Santa Mónica in Peru.

5993.204 SPUR? 0515, July 30, threshold audio, tough signal due to slop from WYFR 5985 and het from unid on 5995. Could this possibly be the R Bandeirantes spur reported by Jorge Freitas back in Feb?

6159.959 CANADA-NEWFOUNDLAND CKZN, 0450, July 30, nice signal with The World program, CBC ID at 0459, local Newfoundland promo until signal destroyed by slop from R Nederland 6165 0500 sign-on.

6189.990 GERMANY Deutschlandfunk, Berlin-Britz, 0250-0258, July 30, fair signal with program of classical music // web stream. Crushed by Radio Nederland 0258 sign-on.

7219.981 UNID 0535, July 30, weak to moderate carrier, no audio. I suspect this is reported R Centrafrique.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA Band scan 1010-1100 UTC, all tentative except as noted:
3274.991 NBC Southern Highlands, Mendi
3289.996 NBC Central, Boroko. Slightly better and mixing with co-channel Guyana on 3289.983
3324.997 NBC Bouganville, Buka
3334.963 NBC East Sepik, Wewak. Best signal in 90mb
3344.966 NBC Northern, Popondetta
3364.983 NBC Milne Bay, Alotau
3384.995 NBC East New Britain, Rabaul
3905.000 NBC New Ireland, Kavieng. Fair to good signal by 1040 peak
3915.000 R Fly, Tabubil

SWBC Logs – Sep 13-15

4699.998 BOLIVIA Radio San Miguel, Riberalta, Sep 13, *0947:30 – s/on with contemporary instrumental, soft-spoken OM and YL in Spanish, canned ID at 0958 UTC (audio clip), inspirational talks and vocals. Fair signal with some transmitter dawn enhancement from 1020-1030 UT.

4716.69 BOLIVIA (tent) Radio Yura, Yura, Sep 13, *0958 – only threshold audio, drifting up 10 Hz from 4716.68 before stabilizing.

4746.923 PERU (tent) Radio Huanta 2000, Huanta, Sep 13, *1003 – carrier only signal at s/on, but strengthening to poor level by 1033 UT with monologue by YL in lang, fading back to carrier level by 1100 UT. Relatively stable, drifting +/- 2 Hz.

4769.963 NIGERA Radio Nigeria, Kaduna, Sep 13, *0428 – transmitter on at 0404 but modulation not heard until 0428. Poor, talk by OM, tribal music. Much improved at 0500 with news in English then pop and reggae songs, good peak at 0520 Kaduna sunrise.

4775 SWAZILAND Trans World Radio, Manzini, Sep 13, *0342 – vernacular religious program, English ID at the top of the hour “to Africa service, this is Trans World Radio” into German program for South Africa. Excellent signal.

4780 DJIBOUTI Radio Djibouti, Dorale, Sep 13, *0400 – 1 kHz test tone from 0342, possible anthem at 0400, brief announcement by OM in French then directly to Qu’ran. Poor.

4789.99v PERU Radio Visión, Chiclayo, Sep 13, 0330 – Power increase? Signal peaked at 0420 to an excellent level, and remained so the rest of the night. Iglesia Pentecostal preacher, contemporary Spanish inspirational vocals, casual R Vision mentions occasionally just after the top of the hour. After 0600 there many vocals with a strong Andean flavor.

4828.0 ZIMBABWE Voice of Zimbabwe, Gweru, Sep 13, 0330 – poor peaking to almost fair signal at 0400, talk by OM in heavily accented English, African pop music. Strong CODAR. Perhaps Sackville should invite the Gweru technicians over to calibrate their transmitters?

4925.24v BRAZIL Rádio Educação Rural, Tefé, Sep 13, *1009 – poor in CODAR, drifting from initial 4925.245 down to 4924.237 by 1100 UT.

4949.75 ANGOLA (tentative) Radio Angola, Mulenvos, Sep 13, 0330 – carrier only until just threshold audio heard at 0500-0520. Talk by man and woman, possibly news.

4965 ZAMBIA CVC Voice Africa, Lusaka, Sep 13, 0330 – English with religious program, peaking from 0400-0415 with more religious talk, jingles, sound efx, inspirational music, pops. Fair.

4975.966 UGANDA Radio Uganda, Kampala, Sep 13, 0330 – very little audio despite decent signal strength, best at 0340-0350 with talk by OM.

5009.943 MADAGASCAR Radio Madagasikara, Ambohidrano, Sep 13, 0330 – nice etheric female vocal, talk by OM in vernacular, drumming. Good signal at tune in despite transmitter being in daylight for 45 minutes, slowly fading.

5066.34 CONGO, DEM REP (presumed) Radio Tele-Candip, Bunia, Sep 13, *0359 – decent strength carrier, possible threshold audio in LSB? Transmitter dawn enhanced, sign-on is only 9 minutes after Bunia sunrise. Would be much easier without the WWCR splatter.
+ Sep 15, *0420 – threshold audio at 0424 and 0426, OM in French.

15076.02 ANTARTICA LRA36 Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel, Base Esperanza, Sep 14, 1800 – on with a Spanish ballad, brief announcement by OM at 1804, YL mentioning Esperanza and other announcements over ballads. Possible canned ID by OM at 1815, YL with what sounded to be saludos to oyentes internacionales, more ballads. Faded down to threshold levels by 1830 then carrier only by 1900. I’ve been monitoring them daily this month with the Perseus, today is by and far the best signal. While the transmitter is fired up between 1730-1740 UT, they do not sign on until the top of the hour.

4750 kHz – 0830-1300 UTC – Sunday, Sep 13 2009

3 Asian signals on 4,750 kHz were monitored from 0830-1300 UT Sunday, Sep. 13 2009. Sunrise in Memphis is 1141 UTC. Only threshold audio was received from 4749.95v kHz.

Possible targets are:
RRI Makassar (1000 sunset)
CNR 1, Hailar? (if Hailar, 1019 sunset)
PBS Qinghai, Xining (1126 sunset)
Bangladesh Betar (1205 sunset)

4749.95v CNR 1, Hailar?, China. *0858, weak audio during 1200-1230 peak, Chinese talk // 5030. Both Aoki and Eibi list CNR1 here 0600-1735, except Tuesdays when 0900-1735. This transmitter came on the air just just before 0900.
4750.000 Unid. *1045, peaking during receiver dawn period 1130-1200. Nothing in the Aoki or EiBi lists with 1045 s/on. In DXLD 9-063, Supratik Sanatani reports receiving an email from the Senior Engineer of Bangladesh Betar Dhaka advising “We are now transmitting 4750 kHz, SW from 05:45 to 13:00 (UST)” The time zone given is unclear, but the :45 s/on could indicate that this signal is Bangladesh.
4750.008 Unid. Suspected RRI Makassar, emerging from the noise floor around 0845, peaking 1000-1030z then again at 1230z.

Aoki:
4750 PBS Qinghai, Xining 0600-0855 12.4567 Chinese 50 270 //6145
4750 PBS Qinghai, Xining 0855-1600 1234567 Chinese 50 270
4750 RRI Makassar 0745-1555 1234567 Indonesian 20 ND
4750 CNR 1, Hailar? 0600-0900 12.4567 Chinese 100 ND
4750 CNR 1, Hailar? 0900-1735 1234567 Chinese 100 ND

Eibi:
4750 0730-1614 BGD Bangladesh Betar
4750 0600-0900 We-Mo CHN China National Radio 1
4750 0900-1735 CHN China National Radio 1
4750 0600-0855 We-Mo CHN PBS Qinghai
4750 0855-1600 CHN PBS Qinghai
4750 0745-1400 INS RRI Makassar

Caribbean Beacon, Anguilla on 6090 khz silent Friday evening.

Many thanks to Brian Alexander for the tip that Caribbean Beacon in Anguilla was missing from 6090 kHz on Friday evening, Sep. 4-5 UTC. Brazil, Ethiopia and Nigeria all logged and noted below. As of Sep. 5 2245 UTC, it appears Anguilla is still off the air.

** BRAZIL. 6089.944, R. Bandeirantes, Sao Paulo, Sep 4, 2320 – Anguilla absent, Portuguese talk by man, commercial for PetroBras, ID at the top of the hour. Anguilla silent, poor to fair signal during the 2320-0003 UT period with Kaduna off.

6089.944, R. Bandeirantes, Sao Paulo, Sep 5, 0228-0255 – Anguilla absent, signal nicely peaking from 0228-0250, with music bridge, 5 time pips at the bottom of the hour, Portuguese talk by man and woman. 5 time pips again at 0245 then possible sports talk, more music bridges. Anguilla silent, covered by Nigeria and Ethiopia at 0255. Re-check around 0913 UT Sao Paulo sunrise revealed only very modest transmitter dawn enhancement.

**ETHIOPIA. 6090, Amhara State Radio, Sep 5, *0255 – Interval signal until 0259, drumming until 0301 then opening talk by woman in presumed Amharic. Very nice variety of Ethiopian instrumentals and vocals from 0305. Woman or man occasionally speaking between musical selections, many mentions of Ethiopia. Slowly fading from 0340 UT. Woman at 0400 mentioning Ethiopia and Amhara. Anguilla silent, peaking around 0310 then fading very slowly.

** NIGERA. 6089.85, R. Nigeria, Kaduna, Sep 4, 2243-2319* – presumed Hausa, talks by man, poor signal with low rumble from co-channel Brazil on 6089.945. Anguilla silent, poor signal.

6089.85, R. Nigeria, Kaduna, Sep 5, *0003-0110* – presumed Hausa, sermons by man interspaced with Qu’ranic recitations until off at 0110 UT. Surely special Ramadan broadcast. Anguilla silent, dominant over much faded Brazil.

6089.85, R. Nigeria, Kaduna, Sep 5, *0255-0700 – on with ~1 kHz tone until 0259 UT, drumming, choral National Anthem at 0300:30. Brief English opening announcement by man mentioning “here ? with all of my friends” then male announcer in presumed Hausa. Monologues, Qu’ran, sermons. Anguilla silent, fair signal at sign-on but slowly fading before strongly peaking after 0520 with excellent transmitter sunrise enhancement. Audio didn’t totally fade out until 0700 UT, over 1.5 hours after Kaduna sunrise.

SWBC Logs – Aug 22-23, 2009

** ANGOLA. (presumed) 7216.75, R Nacional, Mulenvos, Aug 22-23 – looking for any signs of Angola, I found a very weak carrier on 7216.75 on 8/22 from 2320 tune-in until off at 0149. Weak carrier on same frequency back on at 0552 UT 8/23, although well after 0513 UT transmitter sunrise. No audio noted, but it appears Angola is not on 24h.

** CANADA. 6160.88, CKZN, St. Johns, Aug 23, 0120 – poor to fair with CBC Radio One’s Saturday Night Blues program.

** COLOMBIA. 5910.05, Marfil Estereo, Lomalinda, Aug 23, 0130 – variety music program, romantica and US pop, TC, canned ID. Fair with occasional strong UTE on upper side.

** EQUATORIAL GUINEA. 6250, R Nacional, Malabo, Aug 23 – no sign of R Nacional this morning.

15190, Radio Africa, Bata, Aug 22, 1930 – fair strength but low audio level at tune in. Much better audio with the Voice of Truth program starting at 1939 UTC, but modulation still sounded a bit low.

** ERITREA. 7174.99, VoBME Program 2, Asmara, Aug 23, *0354 – in the clear running OC from 0348, then IS beginning 0354 UT. White noise jamming started up at 0358, covering s/on announcements. Abruptly level channel at 0408:45 switching to 7165.

7165, VoBME, Asmara Program 2, Aug 23, 0408 – popping up here at the exact time it left 7175, presumably to avoid jamming there. It worked for about one minute, fair signal and nice female HoA vocal and then white noise jamming moved down from 7175. Still audible under the jamming, but both slowly fading.

7209.98, VoBME Program 1, Asmara, Aug 23, *0354 – running OC from 0348, then IS beginning 0354 UT and s/on announcements by woman at 0359, instrumental HoA interlude into news by man. No sign of jamming, but audio fading from s/on as the transmitter has been in daylight since 0311 UT sunrise.

** ETHIOPIA. (tentative) 6090, Amhara Regional State Radio, Aug 23, 0315 – under Anguilla and rapidly improving with nice Horn of Africa vocals, talk by woman. Often heard under Anguilla during Ethiopian dawn.

6110, Radio Fana, Addis Ababa, Aug 23, *0256 – IS heard well under Might KBC and then in the clear when KBC left the air at 0258. IS continued to 0301, the usual Radio Fana ID and then into news. Various bird calls at 0304, HoA pop vocal into talk by man and woman.

6170, Voice of Tigray Revolution, Aug 23, *0258 – signal rapidly drifted from initial 6169.69 up to 6170.0 by 0305 UT. Very weak with strong splatter, IS, talk and stringed instruments. //5950 not heard under Okeechobee.

7110, Radio Ethiopia, Aug 23, *0259 – on sans IS with male speaker and top of hour church bells, ID and talk by man. HoA vocals from 0306, then talk by man with brief musical bridges between topics. A few clear mentions of Selassie heard during one segment. Much weaker // 5989.5v also heard, with only heard during 0320-0340 peak. This transmitter was turned on much earlier at 0238 UT on 5989.39, and had drifted up to 5989.67 at 0500 when I lost the carrier in the WYFR 5985 s/on splatter.

** GUINEA. (presumed) 7125v, R Conakry, Conakry, Aug 23, 0624-0725 – transmitter on at 0624, slowly drifting from 7124.99 to a few hertz above 7125 by 0725 off. Initially weak carrier but rising to good levels by 0645 transmitter sunrise, but the signal never produced any audio.

** MADAGASCAR. (presumed) 7105, Radio Madagasikara, Ambohhidrano, Aug 23, 0455 – transmitter on at 0455, but only barely threshold audio only heard just after 0500 UT, woman talking, instrumental music bridge, fading. Very presumed. Although this is almost 2 hours after transmitter sunrise, no idea who else this could be.

** MALI. 5995, Radio Mali, Bamako, Aug 23, 0556-0800* – noted transmitter on but couldn’t make out much audio until signal peaked from 0620 UT, woman monologue in French until the bottom of the hour. Male talking in lang, then a capella vocals. Clear and slowly fading, still hearing weak audio when RA’s Waltzing Matilda started up at 0758.

(tentative) 7285.75, Radio Mali, Bamako, Aug 23, *0658 – just threshold audio amidst DRM noise at 0700, talk by man in possible French. Moderate QRM from New Zealand DRM on 7285, approximately 40 minutes after Bamako sunrise.

** SUDAN. 7200, SRTC, Omdurman, Aug 23, *0236 – on with Qu’ran recitations and initially very strong Ham QRM from AD8P on 7202.2 LSB. Later in the clear with Sudanese vocals, Arabic talks. Very strong peak noted at 0338 UT. 5+1 time pips with echo efx at 0500, ID mentioning as-Sudan into news bulletin.

** UGANDA. (presumed) 7194.98, R Uganda, Kampala, Aug 23, *0601 – novelty log. Noted weak carrier at 0601 UT on, only 15 dB above noise floor. Surely Uganda, a little over 2 hours after Kampala sunrise.

** WESTERN SAHARA [non]. 6300, RASD, Tindouf, Aug 23, 0550 – strong OC until NA at 0600:30 UT, brief s/on announcement by woman and directly to Qu’ran recitation. Suddenly off at 0610 and not back on until 0621 with nice North African style vocals, but signal had faded somewhat by this time. Transmitter sunrise was at 0505 UT.