A prospective Shortwave Radiogram listener sent an email asking about the basic equipment needed to receive and decode the modes. This reminded me of the need to revisit the How to Decode the Modes of the Shortwave Radiogram website.
It would seem all that is needed is a radio and a computer, with a patch cord from the earphone jack of the radio to the microphone jack of the computer. But, nowadays, many computers don't have separate mic jacks. And if a patchcord is plugged into a radio's earphone jack, the speaker is muted. These are just two of the problems that can occur in the decoding chain. So, with your help, I will try to develop new "how to" document.
Videos of last weekend's Shortwave Radiogram (program 104) are provided by Scott in Ontario (Friday 1300 UTC) and by Ralf in Germany (Sunday 2330 UTC). The audio archive is maintained by Mark in the UK. Analysis is prepared by Roger in Germany.
This weekend's show is in the usual MFSK32 and MFSK64, with nine images.
Here is the lineup for Shortwave Radiogram, program 105, 20-23 May 2019, in MFSK modes as noted:
1:42 MFSK32: Program preview
2:51 The ghost galaxy that hit the Milky Way long ago*
7:51 MFSK64: Europe's plastics problem*
12:08 Five ways a 'lazy' lawn makes pollinators happy*
16:59 This week's images*
28:33 MFSK32: Closing announcements
* with image(s)
Please send reception reports to radiogram@verizon.net
And visit http://swradiogram.net
Twitter: @SWRadiogram or https://twitter.com/swradiogram (visit during the weekend to see listeners' results)
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/567099476753304
Shortwave Radiogram Transmission Schedule
UTC Day UTC Time Frequency Transmitter
Friday 1300-1330 15770 kHz WRMI Florida
Friday 1500-1530 15120 kHz DRM WINB Pennsylvania
Saturday 0230-0300 9265 kHz WINB Pennsylvania
Sunday 0800-0830 5850 kHz
7730 kHz WRMI Florida
Sunday 2330-2400 7780 kHz WRMI Florida
The Mighty KBC transmits to North America Sundays at 0000-0200 UTC (Saturday 8-10 pm EDT) on 9925 kHz, via Germany. A minute of MFSK is at about 0130 UTC. Reports to Eric: themightykbc@gmail.com . See also http://www.kbcradio.eu/ and https://www.facebook.com/TheMightyKbc/.
"This is a Music Show" is the newest addition to digital modes via analog shortwave. Most of the show is a music show, but the host transmits some MFSK text and image near the end of the broadcast. It's transmitted on WRMI, 9395 kHz, Thursday 0130-0230 UTC (Wednesday evening in the Americas). Also look for a waterfall ID at the beginning of the show. thisisamusicshow@gmail.com . www.instagram.com/thisisamusicshow/ www.twitter.com/ThisIsAMusicSho/
New York and Pennsylvania NBEMS nets. Most weekends, as KD9XB, I check in to the New York NBEMS (Narrow Band Emergency Messaging Software) net Saturday at 1200 UTC on 3584 kHz USB, and the Pennsylvania NBEMS net Sunday at 1200 UTC on 3583 kHz USB (with out-of-state check-ins now starting at 1130 UTC). Check-ins are usually in Thor 22, and messages are in MFSK32 (PA NBEMS is experimenting with Thor 50x1 for messages). Messages generally use the Flmsg add-on to Fldigi. If you are a radio amateur in eastern North America, feel free to check in. Outside the region, use an SDR in the eastern USA to tune in and decode. You do not need Flmsg to check in, and most of the messages can be read without Flmsg. If you can decode the net, send me an email to radiogram@verizon.net , or tweet to @SWRadiogram , and I will let them know you are tuned in.
Thanks for your reception reports!
Kim
Kim Andrew Elliott, KD9XB
Producer and Presenter
Shortwave Radiogram
Reporting on international broadcasting at https://twitter.com/kaedotcom