WIN AN INRICO T320

WORTH £169

November 2019 £4.50 www.radioenthusiast.co.uk

HAMFEST 2019
FULL REPORT AND PICTURES

Listening to
transatlantic
air traffic
Follow the progress of flights across
the pond on your HF receiver

Network Radio Scanning Scene Nikola Tesla

Signals at Remote Locations Inmarsat Reception & ADS-B In the Context of His Time

DAB & DRM | EDXC Conference | Local Radio | Web-Based Radar

Guides to Beacons & Radio Stations | Radio & Weather Forecasting Display until 28th November 2019
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Index

Contents Favourites Reviews Features News Profiles

Cover Story
ISSN 1748-8117 32 Utility Monitoring
Nils Schiffhauer continues his investigation of HF
November 2019 Vol.14 No 11 utility signals on the aeronautical bands, listening to
On sale: 24 October 2019
Next issue on sale: 28 November 2019 easy-to-receive transatlantic voice communications.

RadioUser
Warners Group Publications plc 38 Scanning Scene
The Maltings, West Street Tim Kirby monitors data from an Inmarsat Satellite
Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH with a nifty, inexpensive, aerial and discusses some
www.warnersgroup.co.uk
stimulating feedback on the Uniden Bearcat SDS200
Tel: 01778 391000
receiver.
Editor 32
(c/o Warners Group Publications plc)
Georg Wiessala 41 Feature: The Experimental
[email protected] 7 News & Products Receiving License, 1904
Designer AirNav Radarbox features and bhi headphones; net- Tony Smith assesses the procedures early wireless
Mike Edwards work analysers and marine radios; FM and satellite listeners and experimenters had to go through,
[email protected] patch antennas, SDRPlay and Wolfwave; news and in order to stay legal in the early days of wireless
Advertisement Manager new resources. transmissions.
Kristina Green
[email protected]
Tel: 01778 392096
14 Book Review 1 44 The International Radio Scene
David Harris evaluates an in-depth publication on the Chrissy Brand reports form the 2019 European DX
Advertising Production
past, present and future of Irish Radio, its functions, Council (EDXC) Conference in Andorra, checks out
Nicola Lock
[email protected] significance and reach. suburban DXing, and samples noteworthy highlights
from the Brazilian radio scene.
Publisher
Rob McDonnell 15 Book Review 2
[email protected] The editor takes a look at the 2019-2020 edition of 48 Feature: Tesla Rewired
Subscriptions Robert Connolly’s European Beacon Guide, for old In the light of a remarkable new book, and against the
Subscriptions are available from as little buoys and newcomers alike in this hobby. backdrop of some recent exhibitions and films, the
as £11. Turn to our subscriptions page for editor reassesses the achievements of the great man
full details.
16 Airband News in a wider context.
Subscription Administration David Smith has some extraordinary news on web-
Radio User Subscriptions,
Warners Group Publications plc
based radar technology, looks at military ADS-B, and 52 Emerging Issues in Radio
The Maltings, West Street profiles ATC communications at Teesside Interna- Chrissy Brand expands on radio at local events and
Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH tional Airport. stresses the value of minority languages broadcast-
Subscriptions Hotline: 01778 395161 ing, while Tim Sutton-Brand introduces exhilarating
[email protected] 20 Maritime Matters technology podcasts.
Technical Help Robert Connolly explores Maritime Band allocations
We regret that, due to editorial time from 2 to 26MHz, shares some advice on maritime
scales, replies to technical queries cannot aerials you can use and achieves some remarkable
be given over the telephone. Any technical
queries by e-mail are very unlikely to monitoring results.
receive immediate attention either. So, if
you require help with problems relating to 24 Network Radio
topics covered by RU, then please write to
Chris Rolinson considers the health benefits that can
the Editorial Offices, we will do our best to
help and reply by mail. come with Network Radio and looks at the experi-
ence of using the technology in very remote regions.
Book and back issue orders
Send your completed form to:
RadioUser Subscriptions Dept 27 RadioUser Competition
Warners Group Publications plc Further to the previous contribution, here is your
The Maltings, West Street
chance to win an Inrico T320 Network Radio.
Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH

28 The National Hamfest 2019

The editor offers impressions, information and im-
ages from this year’s Newark National Hamfest.
52

Sign up to our FREE email newsletter at www.radioenthusiast.co.uk

4 RadioUser November 2019
 Editorial

Welcome
Radio Trends and
Technologies

H
ello and welcome to the
November 2019 issue of
RadioUser. It was great to
see so many of you at the
National Hamfest. I have en-
joyed talking to you and getting to know
so many radio groups and associations
I was not aware of. I have incorporated
some of the ‘flavours’ of this year’s big
48 event into this issue, as you will see.
Autumn is here, the nights are getting
55 Digital Radio longer, DXers come out of their summer
Kevin Ryan reviews an inventive DRM app, looks torpor, and radios are being dusted off.
ahead at a new DRM receiver model and summarises To facilitate your listening pleasure and
the Summer of 2019, in terms of DAB and DRM help you look in the right places, I have
broadcasting advances. added some additional reviews of fre-
quency lists, listening resources and sea- how you can listen to transatlantic air-
59 Aerials Now! sonal guidebooks to this issue. In this is- craft, what exactly happens in the ma-
Keith Rawlings offers advice on F type connectors sue, you will find, for example, reviews of rine bands these days, and whether
and quad aerials, responds to feedback and revisits a new versions of a well-known NDB DXing or not network radio can be beneficial
vintage aerial setup from his past. Guide, and of the BDXC’s updated list of to your health.
Radio Stations in the UK and Ireland. There are also hints and tips on
62 Feedback Ireland is also the topic of our main Inmarsat Satellite reception with a dog
Your images, comments, letters, e-mails and book review this month, and a very inter- bowl and tiny aerial, and on the pro-
responses. esting title this is. ceedings of the European DX Council
There are two features with a predom- Conference, which took place in beautiful
64 Feature: Tropospheric inantly historical background this month. Andorra this year.
Reception While Tony Smith delves into the history Watch out for a feature on Radio
Keith Hamer and Garry Smith explore the dynamic of the very early broadcast hobbyists and Andorra in the not-too-distant-future,
interaction between atmospheric physics, radio wave experimenters, I am speculating on how here in RadioUser.
propagation and weather forecasting. a new biography of Nikola Tesla, which There is somewhat of a focus on tech-
has just been published to great acclaim, nology and equipment this time around,
68 Review: Radio Stations in the might, perhaps, alter our perceptions of as you will see from the content of many
UK and Ireland this pioneering inventor. of our columns; for instance, you can
To round off this issue, the editor offers his views Radio history will also feature a little discover digital radio apps, new tech-
on this indispensable new resource by the British DX more prominently from now on, as Scott nology podcasts, and the intricacies
Club (BDXC). Caldwell’s column will be coming out on of quad aerials.
a monthly basis very soon. Last but certainly not least, turn to
70 Rallies & Events Moreover – and in the context of the page 27 to be in with a chance to win a
Our most up-to-date events list of radio rallies, hobby current climate debates – Keith Hamer fabulous new network radio.
meetings and connected activities. and Garry Smith begin a two-part explo- Read on and don’t forget to get in touch
ration of how climate and weather (the with me, and to respond to our call for
climate at your location) affect us as ra- new writing talent. We are still looking for
dio enthusiasts, in terms of propagation, future team members of the RadioUser
monitoring, data interpretation, forecast- group of authors. I’ll be in touch with ev-
ing, and DXpeditions. eryone who has written in so far.
Regarding the latter, watch out for a Enjoy this issue of RadioUser.
new RadioUser series on mobile DXing,
from January 2020.
Elsewhere in this issue, you will learn Georg Wiessala
20 about how airport radar is ‘going cloud’, Editor, Radio User Magazine

Why not visit our new online bookshop at www.radioenthusiast.co.uk/store

RadioUser November 2019 5
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ur Radio Society
d Royal Navy Amate
S: 72 years of tradit
ion
Aerials Reviewegis Profile of the RNAR
Yagis and Cross-Ya Airband News Airband News

protection. Secondary vortices form ATC Profiles 16: Newcastle Airport

on the two rows of plates – which are ICAO Code: EGNT IATA Code: NCL
about 9m long and 4.5 m high – in this
test installation. They are aligned edge- Frequencies (MHz) Hours of Operation
Newcastle Approach/Radar 124.380 H24
on towards the runway. This causes the Newcastle Director 125.830 As directed by ATC
wake vortices to decay much more quickly. Newcastle Tower
Newcastle Ground
119.705
121.730
H24
As directed by ATC
This could also lead to smaller aircraft Newcastle Delivery 121.730 As directed by ATC
(N.B.: Ground and (Clearance) Delivery are - unusually – interchangeable)
potentially making their approaches at
shorter intervals behind larger aircraft, ATIS
Newcastle Information 118.380 H24
thereby increasing runway capacity. Newcastle Fire (non-ATC) 121.600 Fire vehicles attending aircraft on the ground
A spokesman said that the project Navaids ILS CAT III Runways 07 and 25
NEW DME 114.250MHz
represents a major achievement in NDB NT 352.000kHz
providing test results during live traffic Runways 07
25
2329m x 46m
2329m x 46m
at a busy airport. Early conclusions at Hold NT NDB

Vienna Airport are very encouraging, Notes (A-Z)

with measurements showing that wake CAT II/III Operations
a) Runways 07 and 25 are suitable for lower than standard Category ll operations; b) Runways 07 and 25 – subject to the serviceability
vortices near the plates decay significantly of the required facilities – are suitable for Category lll operations by operators whose minima have been accepted by the Civil
faster. A laser measurement system (Light Aviation Authority; c) During Category ll/lll operations, special ATC procedures (Low Visibility Procedures) will be applied. Pilots
will be informed when these procedures are in operation by ATIS or RT; d) For arriving Aircraft: Surface Movement Radar (SMR)
Detection And Ranging, LIDAR) is used surveillance will normally be available to ATC to verify the pilots’ ‘runway-vacated’ reports. When SMR is not available to ATC only
holds D1 and A2 may be used to vacate the runway.
to record the behaviour of wake vortices

siast.co.uk
Continuous Descent Approaches
in detail for subsequent evaluation. If Subject to ATC instructions, inbound jet aircraft are to maintain as high an altitude as practicable and adopt a low-power-low-drag-

www.radioenthu
continuous-descent profile when appropriate. Turbo-jet and turbo-prop aircraft are expected to apply continuous-descent, low-power-
these measures prove to be broadly low-drag-approach techniques at all times. ATC will provide pilots with an estimate of the track distance to run to touchdown as soon
effective, as expected, this could result in as possible after the first call on the approach frequency, and thereafter on request.
Frequency Monitoring Code (FMC)
improved security and increased capacity Pilots operating in the vicinity of – but intending to remain outside of – Newcastle-controlled airspace and maintaining a listening
at all airports. watch only on the Newcastle Approach frequency (124.380MHz), are encouraged to select SSR code 3737. Selection of 3737 does

50
not imply the receipt of an ATC service. Aircraft displaying the code are not expected to contact ATC under normal circumstances,

October 2019 £4.

remain responsible for their own navigation, separation, terrain clearance, and are expected to remain clear of Newcastle-controlled
Latest Drone Developments airspace at all times. Whilst squawking 3737, pilots should be aware that Newcastle Approach may make ‘blind transmissions’, in

y
erry
order to ascertain a particular aircraft’s intentions/route. When a pilot ceases to maintain a listening watch, code 3737 should be

ve
ov
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)

co
sc
deselected.

● Airspy HF+ Di
is
Ground Movement
has launched a ‘virtual space’, in which ATC Departure clearance may be obtained by voice-RT or datalink departure clearance service (DCL). Datalink departure clearance
new technology can be safely tested – is available for aircraft departing on the GIRLI Standard Instrument Departure. Clearances must be accepted within five minutes of

PRODUCTS
receipt or a ‘revert-to-voice’ message will be received. If any data errors are detected by the system or the controller, a ‘revert-to-voice’
the Innovation Sandbox. The Sandbox is message will be received too. If the attempt to obtain a clearance is unsuccessful, the aircraft should revert to voice-RT. With the
offering innovative companies the chance exception of the Antonov AN-124, in order to maximise the use of apron parking space, all aircraft using the main apron stands must
be able to accept push-back. Aircraft unable to do this will be parked remotely, marshalled, and only be accepted if space permits.

9
to discuss, explore, trial and test emerging

● Bush WI-181
Handling Agents
concepts, helping the UK’s aviation sector Handling on the main apron is provided by Swissport. The General Aviation Centre on the South side is operated by Samson Jet
(centre frequency 130.650 MHz, callsign Samson Operations).

DC e
Ce
David Smith
[email protected]
Wake Vortices, to continue to be at the forefront of
technology. The six initial participants and
Helicopter Operations

Aerials Reviewed
As directed by ATC. Helicopters must use the runway for take-off and landing. Helicopter parking on the south apron at positions ‘P’
Royal Navy Amateur Radio Society
5DDD
(West) or ‘P’ (East) are restricted to Jet Ranger size or below. Stand 54 is to be used when available for larger types up to S76 size.

65
their projects are listed in Table 1.

R-G6
Use of Runways

REVIEW ● Winradio W
Yagis and Cross-Yagis Profile of the RNARS: 72 years of tradition

S
A variable circuit, as advised by ATC.
mall and medium-sized aircraft CAA’s innovation team will work

an Innovation
Visual Reference Points (VRP)
currently have to maintain closely with the participants to help them Blaydon; Blyth Windfarm; Bolam Lake; Derwent Reservoir; Durham; Hexham; Morpeth Railway Station; Ouston (disused Aerodrome);
Stagshaw Masts; Sunderland Harbour; Tyne Bridges. The use of Bolam Lake, Derwent Reservoir and Ouston VRPs is not
a safety-critical separation understand how they can meet regulatory recommended at night.
of 6nm from larger ones requirements. Ultimately, this will be one of Warnings

!
Gliding takes place at Currock Hill gliding site, 8nm south-west of Newcastle Airport from dawn to dusk. ATC will advise when the
flying ahead of them. The the elements the participating innovators

Sandbox and

k
site is active, but it is the pilot’s responsibility to avoid the area, by passing 3nm south-east of the site. Model aircraft flying takes

o
reason for this is wake vortices, which will need, in order to market their new place at Newcastle Gosforth Park Racecourse, 2.5nm south-east of Newcastle Airport. The Newcastle City heliport is located on

o
the north bank of the River Tyne, 0.5nm west of the Tyne Bridges VRP. Helicopters may lift at short notice from the site but will not
can have powerful and dangerous effects, aviation and travel products.

L
be above 500ft until contact is established with Newcastle Approach. When a high-pressure weather system is giving way to a low
This month’s photograph is of the former one, the wind aloft can be from the south or south-west, whilst the surface wind still favours Runway 07. There is an increased risk

t
particularly just before the following

s
of a rushed approach onto Runway 07; contributory factors are being held at high altitude, tailwind during descent, and engine anti-
aircraft touches down. French Air Force Dassault IVA is part of the

Experimentation

r
ice required during descent through the clouds (icing). A sea breeze, due to the sun’s warming overland, can have the same effect.

i
Austro Control and the German Yorkshire Air Museum’s collection.

F
Aerospace Centre (Deutsches Zentrum für

m
Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) are now working

Ico
Corridors
together with other partners at Vienna 1. Altitude Angel;; a company delivering solutions, which enable the safe integration and use of highly automated drones into airspace. Through its airspace management
Airport to reduce the lifetime of wake platform (Guardian UTM O/S) Altitude Angel delivers the software foundations for safer exploitation of the potential of drones.
vortices in the final approach area and thus 2. Amazon;; a future delivery system from Amazon designed to safely get packages to customers in 30 minutes or less, using unmanned aerial vehicles.
further increase safety. 3. October 2019 £4.50
NATS and Searidge Technologies;; ATC provider NATS and its digital tower partner, Searidge Technologies, are working to implement new technology, such as Artificial
Intelligence (AI) and digital air traffic control towers. Eventually, these will revolutionise how air traffic is managed at airports all around the world.
www.radioenthusiast.co.uk
The project involves installing so-called
‘plate lines’ in the landing area. These are David Smith reports on the reduction of wake 4. NBEC Consortium (Cranfield University) and its partners, Blue Bear Systems Research, Thales and Vodafone are creating an experimentation-corridor that will enable
designed to accelerate wake turbulence
decay. Depending on the aircraft type
vortices during the final stages of an approach 5. PRODUCT
drones and unmanned aircraft to fly beyond the visual line of sight, be location-tracked and thus safely fly in the same airspace as manned aircraft.
Nesta Challenges; the Flying High Challenge,, part of Nesta Challenges,, is a collaborative engagement with cities, technologists, researchers, regulators, government,
●
●
Airspy HF+ Discovery
Bush WI-1819
iscovery
and weight, it takes some time for wake
turbulence to diminish after the aircraft has
passed by. The plate lines will considerably
shorten this period, resulting in increased
and on a new initiative for the coordination
of aircraft operations. He also outlines ATC
operations at Newcastle Airport.
6.
public services, and the public, with the aim of shaping future urban drone use in the UK.

REVIEWS
Volocopter;; this is a company developing electrically powered urban ‘air-taxis’, based on drone technology to help modern cities solve their increasing mobility issues.

Table 1: Innovation Sandbox Participants.

● Winradio WR-G65DDCe
65DDCe

ceiver and Icom First Look!

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RF portable trans
26 RadioUser September 2019 RadioUser September 2019 27

All new IC-705 debu t at Tokyo Hamfair All new IC-705 RF portable transceiver and

plifier IC-PW2 linear amplifier debut at Tokyo Hamfair

IC-PW2 linear am Plus six pages

of latest news
and products

Plus six pages

Aerials Reviewed Royal Navy Amateur Radio Society
Yagis and Cross-Yagis Profile of the RNARS: 72 years of tradition

of latest news October 2019 £4.50

PRODUCT
www.radioenthusiast.co.uk
● Airspy HF+ Discovery
iscovery

and products
● Bush WI-1819
REVIEWS ● Winradio WR-G65DDCe
65DDCe

Icom First Look!

All new IC-705 RF portable transceiver and
IC-PW2 linear amplifier debut at Tokyo Hamfair
Plus six pages
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and products
Emergency Comms Network Radio Alan Turing
The Impact of the Internet Debates and Discoveries Misunderstood Genius?

Sea Areas and Flags | VOR Beacons | Innovative Podcasts

The Rothammel in English | Magnetic Field Flips | Book Reviews Display until 24th October 2019

Emergency Comms Network Radio Alan Turing

The Impact of the Internet Debates and Discoveries Misunderstood Genius?

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6 RadioUser November 2019

 What’s new in the world of radio News

What’s New
Have you got something new to tell our readers about? If so, then drop a line to [email protected]

ST
ICOM: IC-M37E

OP
PR
ES
Buoyant Marine Radio

S!
featuring AquaQuake
and Float ’n’ Flash
If you are out on the water or supporting can be powered by a mains PSU (supplied),
from shore, a good quality VHF radio that as well as on 12V onboard, via a USB adapter
can withstand the elements is a necessity. socket. A battery case is also supplied as
It’s an important safety tool to keep in touch standard, which provides a useful back-up
with others, be it for your work or hobby. With to the radio’s Li-ion battery and can be kept
the good build- quality and clear display, the in your grab-bag for peace of mind. The
Icom tradition continues, with the intro- IC-M37E features a useful Channel History
duction of the new IC-M37E VHF Marine Function. This feature stores the last five
Handheld. The radio is buoyant; it strobes a channels used, for easy recall at the press of
red light, should it accidentally be dropped a single key. The IC-M37E is built to IP57 dust
into the water. The new IC-M37E VHF has and waterproof protection rating (1m for
large keys and easy-to-grip design. Mariners 30 mins). The radio features an AquaQuake
will appreciate the big LCD that quickly draining function to clear water away from
shows channel numbers and status icons. the speaker grill, preventing the speaker
This radio is rugged enough for commercial from becoming waterlogged. Moreover, it
use, yet it is suited to leisure users too, offers Icom’s very own Float’n Flash, which
making it an ideal choice for clubs, individ- allows the radio to float and be located with a
uals and commercial users alike. With its flashing red LED light and LCD/key backlight.
powerful 6W of transmit output power, it is Ian Lockyer, Marketing Manager of Icom UK
ideal for long-distance communication. The Ltd., said, “You have the best of all worlds with
powerful 700mW audio output provides clear this new model. It’s an excellent, reliable, and
communication, even in noisy environments. robust radio with the benefits of having a larg-
The supplied Li-ion battery can provide more er, tactile, PTT button and keypad. It provides
than 12 hours of operating time. superior quality, loud audio, and it is a buoyant
The radio is supplied with a drop-in charger 6W VHF device with Float’n Flash”.
with a neat little clip to keep the radio in place [email protected]
in moving environments. The drop-in charger https://www.icomuk.co.uk

THE NPL RADIO TIME SIGNAL: The MSF contract to NPL. The utility signal can also shape our near-space environment as well.
radio signal is a dedicated standard frequency be received throughout most of northern and A certain type of communications — very low
and time broadcast that provides an accurate western Europe. It is monitored against the frequency, or VLF, radio communications —
and reliable source of UK Civil Time. It is national time scale UTC (NPL) and corrected have been found to interact with particles in
available 24 hours a day across the whole when necessary, ensuring that the transmitted space, affecting how and where they move. At
of the UK and beyond. The signal operates time is always correct. times, these interactions can create a ‘barrier’
on a frequency of 60 kHz and carries a time SEE ALSO: Radio Kurier 10/2019: 10, on 100 around Earth, protecting us from high energy
and date code that can be received and Years of WWV [ in German]. particle radiation in space. These results, part
decoded by a wide range of readily-available of a comprehensive paper on human-induced
radio-controlled clocks. The MSF signal is ANTHROPOGENIC SPACE WEATHER: space weather, were recently published in the
transmitted from Anthorn Radio Station in Humans have long been shaping Earth’s journal Space Science Reviews.
Cumbria by Babcock International, under landscape, but now scientists know how we https://tinyurl.com/yav8y274

For the latest news and product reviews, visit www.radioenthusiast.co.uk

RadioUser November 2019 7
News What’s new in the world of radio

Radio News

ST
OP
PR
ES
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Portable Vector Network Analyser
CHEERIO JOHN HUMPHRYS: BBC Radio 4 Nevada is proud to introduce the new wide variety of measurements, including
Today Programme presenter John Humphrys Metropwr Portable Vector Network SWR, Phase, Return Loss, Cable Length
has hosted his final edition of the programme, Analyser FX700. The FX700 covers and Smiths Chart, with a fast and accurate
with guests including former Prime Ministers 100kHz to 700MHz with a large 4.3-inch scan. Graphics can be saved and exported
Tony Blair and David Cameron, as well as the BBC colour touch screen display and a built-in on the SD card, and the firmware is
Director-General. Colleagues past and present, 2,600mA Li-ion battery. Being light and upgradeable via the USB connection. The
including Sue MacGregor and Jim Naughtie, portable, and just weighing 250g, it is unit sells for £349.95 and is available from
were among those in the studio to pay tribute ideal for field and home measurements. both Nevada Radio & Waters & Stanton.
to John at the end of his stint, which spanned As a Vector analyser, it is capable of a www.nevadaradio.co.uk
more than 32 years – from 2nd January 1987
to 19th September 2019. The BBC says Today
will continue with four main presenters – Justin
Webb, Mishal Husain, Martha Kearney and

ST
OP
Nick Robinson – and that it will not directly
replace John Humphrys. At the end of his final

PR
ES
programme, John thanked his fellow presenters,

S!
producers, editor Sarah Sands, the many
politicians and guests for being interviewed over
the years, the BBC and finally listeners – who he
said were ‘the backbone of our democracy’: “I’m
more proud than I can say that you have put up
with me for so long. Thank you all of you, and I do
hope you keep listening,” he said. “Today matters
for tomorrow – and if that’s a rather corny way
to end my years on the programme then so be
it.” Of the BBC, John added: “There’s a lot wrong
with it as an organisation – there’s a lot wrong
with every organisation, and it’s facing massive
challenges from social media and changing
behaviour and all that. But I believe we need the
BBC as much now as we ever have done and I
simply cannot imagine this country without it
...” Director-General Lord Hall thanked John,
adding: “In all the stuff you read in the papers
AirNav Systems
about the ‘Rottweiler Humphrys’ and all that stuff, AirNav Systems has announced a range of are Route Data Label On Hover, Access Flight
you are also someone who handles interviews new features for the AirNav RadarBox. These Search on all Pages, Mobile History Lists,
with people who have been through traumas or include Flight Plans on the Map. This feature a Widget, a re-designed Flight Tracker and
disasters, or have something they want to get displays the waypoints of a flight plan. Now you RadarBox Blog. The latter has been changed
off their chests but don’t know how to do it, with get to see the actual planned route of the flight to include more informative posts, display
amazing sensitivity.” as filed by the airline. Currently, the software pre-filtered monthly archives and highlight the
SOURCE: The Guardian, 20th September 2019: displays waypoints for air traffic operating in most popular articles.
35; Radioworld; national press North American airspace. Other new functions https://www.radarbox24.com
https://tinyurl.com/y473b9u5

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8 RadioUser November 2019
 What’s new in the world of radio News

Radio News

ST
OP
PR
BDXC: The British DX Club is pleased to

ES
announce the publication of the brand new

S!
27th edition of Radio Stations in the UK and
Ireland. This-72 page booklet follows the
successful format of previous editions with
its comprehensive frequency-by-frequency
guide to medium wave and FM stations in
the UK and Ireland. It covers all BBC, RTÉ,
commercial and community radio stations, as
well as low-power AM and FM stations operating
with long-term Restricted Service Licences
(RSL). It also includes details of Digital Radio
(DAB) multiplexes and programme services.
The main features of the guide include: All
stations listed by frequency as well as station
name; frequencies cross-referenced to show
parallel channels; transmitter sites, powers and
transmitter polarisation; comprehensive listing
of long-term Low Power AM and FM stations
at colleges, hospitals, schools, sports venues
and army garrisons; full details of community
radio stations; digital radio multiplex listings,
and a separate section on RTÉ and independent bhi Headphones and
stations in Ireland. Radio Stations in the UK
& Ireland aims to be the most accurate and
comprehensive guide to domestic AM and FM
Extension Speaker
radio in the British Isles and is a must for anyone Graham Somerville reported that the Meanwhile, The new bhi EXTSPK2525W
with an interest in UK and Irish radio. Price in the new bhi NCH Active Noise Cancelling Extension Speaker can be used with a wide
UK: £4.50; Europe: £7 or €9. There is a special Headphones will reduce ambient range of communications equipment, and
offer for two copies: £7.50 (to the UK) or £11/€14 background noise, enabling you to have a as a base station speaker, including with
(to Continental Europe). [The publication is more enjoyable listening experience. The bhi audio DSP noise cancelling products.
reviewed in this issue of RadioUser – Ed.]. over-ear style NCH headphones also give The EXTSPK25 speaker has a pivoting,
good passive audio isolation from external removable, metal mounting bracket with
DAB PIRATES IN IRELAND noise. They are an excellent choice for 2 keyhole mounting slots. The speaker
IT HAD TO COME: ‘Pirate’ radio stations are those wanting to reduce aircraft cabin can be fixed vertically or horizontally. It
appearing on unlicensed DAB digital multiplexes noise, air conditioning noise, train noise, comes supplied with a quality 2m audio
in Dublin and Cork, and more are planned for ambient background noise, and similar lead, which has a 3.5mm (1/8”) mono plug
other cities in Ireland. The FreeDAB platform, types of continuous environmental noise on one end and bare ends on the other.
now carrying around ten stations, was born so that they can enjoy a much-improved When listening to stereo signals, another
out of frustration over the procedures in place listening experience. They are especially EXTSPK25 is required. For connection to
to broadcast legally on DAB in Ireland. During good to use on a train or aircraft, whilst a 3.5mm stereo socket, the bhi ALD-Y01
the recent 12-month legal DAB multiplex trial listening to audio or watching a video. The splitter cable adapter is required. This
operated by éirdab in Cork, it was found that adjustable headband and soft over-ear adapter cable combines both mono inputs
a radio station wanting to broadcast via this pads make sure that the headphones are into a 3.5mm stereo plug.
method would need to pay upfront for a five-year a comfortable fit. The NCH Headphones bhi Ltd
Section 71 Licence (a list price of €14,000 require one AAA alkaline battery 22 Woolven Close, Burgess Hill
plus VAT) and wait up to five months for the (supplied). The active noise cancellation West Sussex RH15 9RR
application to be processed. But waiting five can be switched on and off with a simple Tel: +44 (0)1444 870333
months for a licence, and paying five years up- switch, A green LED indicates whether it is [email protected]
front to be on a 12-month trial, are just two of the active or not. www.bhi-ltd.com
issues holding back DAB in Ireland. Read the full
article at the URL below:
SOURCE: Radio Today Ireland, via Mike Terry ionosphere’s D layer is created in the daytime sustain ion-creation. Ions recombine into neutral
https://tinyurl.com/yyxgbel6 by ionizing solar rays; it fades away completely atoms rapidly in a dense particle environment.
at night. We learn that the D layer absorbs HF Thus, frequencies are no longer absorbed, and
HAM RADIO SCHOOL: There is an absorbing frequencies below the 20m band. It is the lowest, they are free to propagate by skywave or skip
(forgive the pun) article about D-layer absorption densest, atmospheric layer. It dissipates at night from the E (and combined F) layers.
at the Ham Radio School website. The without the reinforcing solar energy available to SOURCE: Ham Radio School; Radioworld.

For the latest news and product reviews, visit www.radioenthusiast.co.uk

RadioUser November 2019 9
News What’s new in the world of radio

Radio News

ST
OP
PR
LET’S CALL IT RADIO - BEFORE IT’S TOO

ES
LATE: This is an insightful article by David Lloyd,

S!
in the context of the current debates about what
constitutes ‘real’ radio, and what doesn’t. Well
worth a read.
https://tinyurl.com/yys8ltnn

MEYERTON CLOSED: After years of financial

loss, South Africa-based Sentech has closed
its short wave station in Meyerton. The
broadcast signal distributor made the decision
to shutter the facilities after a three-year plan it
launched in 2013 to gain shortwave profitability
failed. Sentech attributed the decline in
its shortwave business to the internet and
satellite broadcasting and described analogue
shortwave as being an “expensive-to-maintain”
and “obsolete technology.” It is now looking at
transitioning to Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM)
and is discussing alternative funding methods.
SOURCE: Radioworld International Edition.
https://tinyurl.com/yydgd5oh

GOLIATH: One of the biggest antennas used

for submarine communication, appropriately
named ‘Goliath’, used to stand near the town of
Kalbe an der Milde, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.
It was operated by the Nazis during the war
Sotabeams: New
period and had a transmission power that
could be boosted all the way up to 1,000kW.
WOLFWAVE Functions
Transmitting at frequencies between 15 kHz
Richard G3CWI (SOTABEAMS) told RadioUser much more of an immersive ‘sound-field’
to 25 kHz, Goliath was able to reach German
more about the WOLFWAVE Advanced Audio experience for the user and is also handy in
submarines anywhere in the world, even when
Processor. The device offers a huge range of contests where off-frequency callers can be
submerged twenty meters below the surface,
facilities to improve radio reception in difficult heard properly”.
except when positioned in deep Norwegian
and noisy situations. Richard continued: “Three separate binaural
fjords. It was the most powerful transmitter of
The latest firmware for this product adds new modes are available to experiment with -
its time. Goliath used three umbrella antennas
functionality for SSB and CW users and those each being fully adjustable. SSB users had
– so-called because of the guy wires that
with hearing difficulties. Richard said, “We are requested notch filtering for interference,
radiate from the mast to the ground. Umbrella
used to using both our ears to determine where such as ADSL carriers. We have implement-
antennas are some of the most efficient
different sounds come from. When we listen ed 10 notches with bandwidths as low at 100
antennas in the low-frequency spectrum. Aside
to a normal radio receiver using headphones, Hz and very sharp edges. The notches are
from military communication, these antennas
the sound image is simply in the centre of our shown on the WOLFWAVE’s spectrum display
are commonly used in medium- and long wave
head, as the clues about direction such as making them easy to adjust for optimum
AM broadcasting stations. Goliath used three
different volumes and subtle delays are not performance. Users with age-related
210m-tall steel masts, arranged in a triangle and
there. Simple binaural systems found in some hearing loss are already catered for with a
guyed to the ground.
radios just introduce a small delay between sophisticated system that just requires them
The antenna system had an extensive system
the sounds heard on one ear and the other. to enter their age and sex to benefit from a
of buried ground radials whose total length was
This gives a pleasant ‘pseudo-stereo’ effect median hearing loss correction. New with
at least 350km. Overall, the complete system
but it’s of little or no practical use. In the latest this firmware release is a left/right balance
had a very impressive efficiency – nearly 50%
WOLFWAVE firmware, we use a model of the facility to help people with asymmetrical
on 15kHz, and as much as 90% on 60kHz. After
head/hearing system to allow the users to hearing loss”. The new firmware is available
the war, the Soviets dismantled Goliath, packed
differentiate between CW signals in a different for all users to download at the first URL,
it into crates and shipped it to Russia, where it
way to just using narrow filters. We carefully below:
was erected near Nizhny Novgorod (Ни́ жний
simulate phase and amplitude changes across www.wolfwave.co.uk/firmware
Но́вгород), about 18 km south of Gorky and 50
the audio spectrum, so different tones appear https://www.sotabeams.co.uk
km east of Moscow.
to come from different directions. This gives [email protected]
SOURCE: AmusingPlanet.com
https://tinyurl.com/y65btknr

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10 RadioUser November 2019
 What’s new in the world of radio News

Radio News

ST
OP
PR
ES
S!
NASA INSPIRE NEWSLETTER: The
NASA INSPIRE Project has been featured
in RadioUser before (RadioUser, October
2018: 60). The Summer 2019 Newsletter
of this project includes a wealth of content
on education and radio and VLF radio
astronomy. It makes for a varied and
interesting read, aimed especially, but not
exclusively, at young hobbyists.
SOURCE: via Eva Kloostra at NASA.
https://tinyurl.com/y5ac5rdt

LANCASHIRE’S LOCAL HEROES: A team

of Coastguard volunteers, Morecambe’s
Sooty Man and a headteacher who appeared
on Britain’s Got Talent are among the ten
New L-Band Antenna
winners of the BBC Radio Lancashire Jan G5BBL at SDR Kits got in touch to let 10cm iron angle bracket to an outside mast
Community Heroes Awards 2019. The radio the editor know about a second GPS-style or other objects; the strong magnet will
station honoured ‘unsung heroes’ from aerial for the reception of the L-Band Irid- hold the Antenna securely in place. The
across Lancashire at an awards ceremony at ium Satellite. As a result of the popularity aerials can also be placed on top of the roof
Blackburn’s King George’s Hall. John Clayton, of its L-Band Satellite Antenna for the of a car for mobile reception.
Managing Editor of BBC Radio Lancashire, Inmarsat Satellite Band (A154), SDR-Kits The photographs show how you might
said: “The kindness and dedication of each is now offering a second GPS-Style Active use these two aerials; the Iridium A162 is
and every one of the 37 finalists is awe- L-Band Patch Receive RHC Polarisation on the right, and a GPS aerial for the Leo
inspiring and truly humbling. It’s so important Aerial for the reception of Iridium Satellite Bodnar Precision GPS Reference Oscil-
to us at BBC Radio Lancashire to recognise signals in the 1620MHz band. Covering lator is shown on the left. Both devices
the hard work and commitment of these 1610 to 1630MHz, the A162, is of interest are mounted on a 20cm x 20cm vertical
unsung heroes, who really are the glue that for those who would like to research using metal reflector, similar to the roof of a car.
holds the county together.” The ceremony software like Iridium Toolkit. The antenna This gives a 2dB improvement in received
saw performances from the One Voice comes with a generous 5m length of RG174 signals and offers good omni-directional
Community Choir, songwriter Lauren Jean, cable and is fitted with a standard male reception. The second illustration shows
and national star AJ Brown. SMA connector. Specifically designed for the installation of the A154 Inmarsat Aeri-
SOURCE: BBC Radio Lancashire; Radioworld. SDRPlay SDR radios (except the RSP1) al, fitted to a bracket and secured with two
https://tinyurl.com/yyp2b6vp both aerials have also been used success- cable ties to a drain pipe. The aerial points
fully with other radios, which are fitted in the direction of the Inmarsat Satellite, at
UNDERSTANDING LF AND HF with a bias-tee facility supplying 3V-5V 15 Degrees West.
PROPAGATION DC at about 25mA. Patch aerials can be https://tinyurl.com/y2ctu3n2
SOURCE: RSGB, and Bob Houlston G4PVB conveniently mounted by fixing a 10cm x https://tinyurl.com/yye6bg7e
https://tinyurl.com/yxvesllz

For the latest news and product reviews, visit www.radioenthusiast.co.uk

RadioUser November 2019 11
News What’s new in the world of radio

Radio News surrounding ACI/blocking procedures, spectrum

masks for DAB, and in connection with dropping

ST
the requirements to gain extra permission

OP
PR
EURAO NEWSLETTER: The most recent to broadcast using DAB+. Ofcom stated:

ES
editions of the Newsletter of the European “We propose to remove the requirement for

S!
Radio Amateurs’ Organisation (EURAO) can be broadcasters to obtain prior written permission
accessed at the following URL: from Ofcom to adopt DAB+, so as to put the two
SOURCE: EURAO; Southgate ARN. encoding formats on a more equal footing. We
https://www.eurobureauqsl.org/newsletter also propose to discontinue the separate 30%
DAB+ limit which currently applies to SDL.” Find
OLD TIMER NEWS NO. 131: The Radio Amateur out more in the document Revisions to Digital
Old Timers’ Association (RAOTA), which has been Radio Technical Codes Statement Following
featured in RadioUser recently, has announced Consultation:
the publication of issue 131 of Old Timer News https://tinyurl.com/y5nhdynn
(OTN). The magazine is the main point of contact
with the association’s members. OTN isn’t only OPS GROUP: If you are interested in monitoring
SDRPlay Soft-
a magazine that members like to read – RAOTA
is fortunate that its members also like to write
transatlantic aircraft, take a look at the July 2019
North Atlantic Update of the OPS Group.
ware and Rasp-
articles for OTN. The OTN editor is John G4GCL,
who is dedicated to producing a magazine to a
SOURCE: David Mumford, 17th July 2019.
https://tinyurl.com/y299oezp
berry pi Support
high standard. RAOTA seeks to keep alive the SDRPlay has news about the beta release
pioneer spirit and traditions of the past in today’s SOLAR PHYSICS AND RADIO: Some of the of the Spectrum Analyser Software for
amateur radio, by means of personal and radio most dramatic features of the solar wind are the RSP family. The software is receiving
contact, whilst being mindful of any special discontinuities where the magnetic field inside great feedback and turns your SDR into
needs. Membership is open to anyone who has the stream abruptly changes direction. Strong a really powerful RF lab tool, especially
been actively involved in ham radio for over 25 electric currents flow near a discontinuity, and when you consider SDRuno provides highly
years. You do not need to have held an amateur these are an important generator of turbulence accurate RF power meter measurement
radio licence for the whole of that period of throughout the solar wind. Investigating these as well (See the first URL, below). There is
time, or even to have held one at all. Associate dynamics in detail is not easy and requires data also news of SDRPLay Support for the new
membership is open to those who have been from multiple spacecraft that straddle such Raspberry Pi (See second URL, below). The
actively involved in amateur radio for a shorter a boundary. Now Artemyev et al have used SDRplay technical team attended the 2019
period. It comes with all the benefits of full data from NASA’s Acceleration, Reconnection, Newark Hamfest, and visitors were able to
membership, albeit without voting rights. Turbulence and Electrodynamics of the Moon’s see demonstrations of the latest SDRuno
SOURCE: Ian Brothwell (RAOTA). Interaction with the Sun (ARTEMIS) mission – a features, including the integrated Scanner,
www.RAOTA.org pair of satellites that orbit the Moon and have a and the recently released SDRuno Diversity
unique vantage point in the pristine solar wind. Software (See our Hamfest Feature - Ed.).
RADIOWORLD: The latest issue of Radioworld By mining data on the solar wind, its plasma, and https://tinyurl.com/y2vz9q4b
International has contributions on events its magnetic field, the team identified roughly https://tinyurl.com/y26acveq
and conferences, radio technology, recent 300 discontinuities. They found that the currents
developments in the radio industry, and that accompany solar wind discontinuities are
radio personalities. The story about Historic actually two currents in one: They have a dual-
Woofferton (on pp. 1 and 10) seems particularly layer structure, with an intense, but thin, layer CCrane Aerial
of current flowing within a thicker one. The thin,
interesting. The newsletter is available for
download now: embedded layer is typically on the order of a few for FM
https://tinyurl.com/y25z8e3j thousand km thick, whereas the weaker outer The new FM Reflect-2 aerial by US retailer
layer can span hundreds of thousands of km. CCrane is a modern incarnation of a
DAB CHANGES: Ofcom has made revisions SOURCE: Journal of Geophysical Research (EoS) long-standing dipole antenna design. It
to the technical rules that digital radio DAB M. Zastrow, 13 June 2019. performs just as well as CCrane’s previous
broadcasters need to follow. The rules ensure https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JA026597 models, and its appearance is seen as a
that digital radio signals are transmitted in a marked improvement. With its increased
uniform way, and do not conflict or interfere AOIP FOR 2020: No longer a secret, nor a flexibility and simple installation, the
with each other. Ofcom has made changes to subject for ‘techno-geeks’, Audio over Internet- new FM Reflect-2 can be easily and neatly
ensure that technical codes keep pace with Protocol (AoIP) technology is now everywhere. shaped into various positions for the best
new technology and industry developments, Its penetration of the broadcast scene has FM reception. Small holes are located
including the needs of future, small-scale, DAB been welcomed by many. The latest in a series at the mounting points so push pins or
services. In a consultation which closed on 28 of eBooks on the topic from Radio World, AoIP small nails are all you need for mounting.
March 2019, the regulator received 28 responses for 2020, is packed with trends in AoIP for radio Multiple adapters are included and work
to proposals from industry stakeholders and today. with the vast majority of stereo receivers
members of the public. Some changes to the SOURCE: Radioworld International Edition and other radios.
original proposals have been made in light of the (Newsbytes). https://tinyurl.com/yyqzspcn
comments received. In brief, changes are made https://tinyurl.com/y6tpmcat

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12 RadioUser November 2019
 Book Store

Top Titles
The Red Light Zone Electrified Voices
For twenty-five years, Jeff Tracing the origins of the modern
Zycinski worked for BBC Radio soundscape, showing how sound
and became the longest-serving technology and the rise of a new
boss of Radio Scotland. An auditory culture played an essential
affectionate, humorous account role in the formation of Japanese
of inside life at the Beeb. modernity. Electrified Voices looks
at how radio shaped modern Japan
between 1868 and 1945.

Book of the Month £8.99 plus p&p £24.00 plus p&p

SIGINT Radio Caroline: Wartime
The Pirate Years Broadcasting
£10.99 plus p&p Revised since its first publica- During the wartime years,
tion in 2003, this title details a the BBC was the sole radio
history of offshore radio from broadcaster in Britain, boosting
SIGINT stands for “Signals Intelligence” which is a professional 1958 to 1980, providing ac- morale through programmes.
specialisation that deals with the interception, monitoring and counts of ship – and fort-based Reviewed as “a fascinating
decoding of military radio signals. Written by a former British radio stations and a history of read”.
Army Intelligence Officer who served in Germany after WWII, Radio Caroline.
SIGINT has been reviewed in this issue as “an enjoyable and
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Auntie’s War Hear My Voice Broadcast Radio Listener’s

The BBC is an institution
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Written by former BBC Prague
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Brothers Guide 2019
its wartime story. A curated this “interesting text on a crucial A true, autobiographical story The 31st edition of the annual
collection of articles gleaned period of European history, prior about love and loyalties in fam- guide for UK radio listeners is
from the BBC archives in this to the outbreak of the Second ilies and family businesses the now available. Providing news
422 page hardback book. World War cleverly weaves world over, risk, luck, laughter, and information for listener’s,
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RadioUser November 2019 13
Book Review

Irish Radio: Context & Development

David Harris The 1950s saw BBC TV start in Northern
mydogisfi[email protected] Ireland (in 1953).
Commercial television came to the North
David Harris reviews a substantial in 1959 with Ulster TV.
new resource on the subject of radio in In the 1960s, Ireland played a big part
Ireland, covering its early history, the in the offshore radio revolution. Ronan
activities of rebels and pirate stations, O’Rahilly was an Irish businessman who
public broadcasters, and the more used his family-owned port of Greenore to
recent commercial stations. fit out a ship, which would become the first
Radio Caroline. The late 1960s also brought
The book under review this month is a some land-based pirate stations, broad-
timely addition to the literature on the ra- casting on Sundays.
dio scene in Ireland. The title is divided A decade later, in the 1970s, RTÉ began
into somewhat uneven chapters, each of experimenting with community broad-
which is covering roughly a decade of the casting. At that time, the station ran
20th Century. Legal public broadcasting in short-term stations in rural areas for up to
the Republic of Ireland did not begin until one week at a time. At around the same
1926 when 2RN (later Radio Athlone, Radio time, the Irish ‘pirate radio explosion’ re-
Eireann and Raidió Teilifís Éireann, RTÉ) ally commenced; stations such as Bid D
started up. RTÉ TV did not begin until 1961. Radio, Boyneside, Breffni, Ennis Local and
The author shows how pirates and clan- Limerick Broadcasting could be heard
destine stations played an important part on medium wave.
in Ireland’s broadcasting history. The book A Gaelic radio station, RTÉ Radio Na
Bohan, E. (2019)
begins with a ‘prehistory’ of Irish radio in the Gaeltachta, began in 1972.
A Century of Irish Radio
19th Century, examining the telecommu- The 1980s were the era of the ‘super-pi-
Privately published rates’. These were larger, professional-
nication cables that linked Ireland with the
589 pp. Pbk. £22.80. ISBN 9781717899644 ly-run, outfits. They were able to broadcast,
UK and USA. As is well known, Guglielmo
Email: [email protected] due to legal loopholes and the general polit-
Marconi (1874-1937) carried out experi-
www.amazon.co.uk
mental broadcasts between Ballycastle and ical instability of the government. Sunshine
Rathlin Island in 1898. Radio and Radio Nova International were
The extensive first chapter of this title and Limerick, beginning a tradition of illegal two of the big names in pirate radio cir-
is devoted to the Easter Uprising of 1916, broadcasting which continues to the pres- cles of this era.
and to the part played by rebel radio ent day in Ireland. Despite RTÉ inaugurating RTÉ 2 as a
communications. On 25 April 1916, the By 1939, 166,275 radio licences were ‘youth-station’ in 1979, the pirates were able
clandestine Radio Oglaigh na hEireann sent held in Ireland. to hold a bigger share of the youth audi-
out a Morse code transmission declaring During the Second World War, the ence. It was not until 1989 that new laws
the formation of the Irish Republic. The Republic of Ireland remained neutral, and were enacted to make pirate stations illegal
Easter Uprising was brutally repressed by the IRA – who had opposed the settle- and to enable more franchises to be award-
the British; however, by 1922, Ireland had ment that led to the partitioning of Ireland ed to commercial radio stations.
been partitioned, and the Irish Free State – started broadcasting. It appears that of- There were around 350 different pirate
had been founded. ficial help was given by the British to the stations operating in Ireland in the 1980s,
Chapter two takes us into the 1920s and Irish government to help them detect illegal and full details of all of them are includ-
analyses the birth of legal state broadcast- IRA broadcasts. ed in this book.
ing. In 1924, 2BE Belfast started broadcast- These pirate stations were tracked In 1989, Atlantic 252, a pop music sta-
ing. Radio was slow to take off since only down, and two of their operators died while tion broadcasting to the UK was set up as a
Dublin benefited from mains electricity. on hunger strike. legal broadcaster by RTÉ and RTL. Atlantic
Moreover, radio receivers were very expen- During the 1939-45 War, Ireland began a struggled on until 2001 when it briefly be-
sive, having to be imported from the UK. short wave radio service and was herself came a sports station (Teamtalk) before
Bohan makes the point that radio may have subjected to propaganda broadcasts from being taken over by RTÉ.
helped to liberate what was a poor, uned- Nazi Germany, in both Gaelic and English. The final chapter of the text takes us into
ucated, populace because it reached into Towards the end of the War, an American the 1990s when we see a consolidation of
every household. Forces Station (AFN) was established in commercial stations.
As early as 1932, Radio Athlone had start- Derry/Londonderry. R Éireann synchronised This is a substantial resource, which will
ed transmitting a 100kW MW signal from its transmitters in Athlone, Cork and Dublin be essential to anyone with an interest in
the centre of Ireland. The radio service was on a common frequency, to prevent them Irish radio. It can be recommended for both
funded by both licence fee and advertising. being used by German aircraft for naviga- radio enthusiasts and those interested in
In 1936, pirate stations started up in Cork tional purposes. wider radio history.

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14 RadioUser November 2019
 Book Review

Georg Wiessala
[email protected] Bringing Home
the Beacon
T
his is the 1919/20 edition of
this well-known beacon hunt-
ing guide, previous reincar-
nations of which numerous
NDB hunters, long- and me- The editor has developed an all-consuming
dium wave DXers have been consulting
for many years.
interest in NDB DXing, coinciding with the
Much information on the internet – publication, by one of our regulars, of the most
including many beacon listings – appear recent edition of a reference guidebook to this
to be outdated or poorly maintained these
days, even online; and this is where this fascinating aspect of the radio hobby
publication continues to be essential.
After the Preface with listings of and Air Spy HF+ Discovery for the purposes
acronyms, definitions and references, of this review, together with a Moonraker
the introduction makes essential reading GPA-RX Vertical HF Receive aerial (2-
for novices and ‘old beacon hats’ alike, 90MHz) and a Wellbrook Active Loop
containing, as it does, the rationale for this Antenna ALA1530 Aluminium.
publication to go online-only, a survey of Overall, this guidebook to NDB DXing is
beacon and navigational aids categories both a valuable reference to the technical
and their technical operation, an overview and operational details of navigational
of relevant frequency bands and recent aids and non-directional beacon signals
changes to this scene, a look at essential and a thoroughly practical companion
regulatory documents, some information to identifying that elusive signal. It is fun
on how some beacons relate to GPS and to use in conjunction with a (maritime or
DGPS, and – interestingly – a sketch of other) map, and it won’t be long before
the author’s personal engagement with ‘beacon-hunting-fever’ grips you.
the hobby over the years, to which I could Details on how to cure this are not
relate. I also found the section on the available, but details on how to order this
techniques you can use to identify UNIDS title are below.
(unidentified beacons) highly useful
and practical. [Robert Connolly is a writer, former air traffic
The illustrations of various beacon controller, radio amateur and SWL with
aerials were both informative and an interest in NDBs. He writes the regular
comprehensive. Maritime Matters column in RadioUser,
The main text consists of six sections, which includes a quarterly NDB Beacons
the first of which contains essential Connolly, R. (June 2019) Special. His main receiving setup consists
background information on the technical Non-Directional Beacons of Europe of a JRC NRD 525 receiver with a Datong
and historical background of beacon (Arctic to Equator) AD370 active aerial and a PA0RDT mini-
operation, an FAQ list, general information In-House Publishing, Kilkeel; whip active antenna, situated 7 m above
on aerials, with useful illustrations, a electronic format only; £10. the ground level, at his location on the East
Morse code table, and some specific www.kilkeel.org.uk Coast of Northern Ireland, and 10 m above
beacon listing notes. sea level – Ed.].
Sections Two to Four cover aeronautical beacons I was interested in confirming, in
beacons by alphabetical identification country-order (Section Four, pp. 148-221),
(Section Two), frequency (Section Three), and had no problem finding what I needed. Background:
Country (Section Four), and Aero Offshore A further excursion into offshore BEACON UPDATE (AUSTRALIA)
(Section Five). Such meticulous detail maritime beacon-spotting was https://tinyurl.com/yywrjrp2
makes this handbook easy and fun to use. geographically instructive, and it revealed NCDXF/IARU INTERNATIONAL
Last, but certainly not least, Section Six much new information to me, costing me at BEACON PROJECT (RSGB)
covers the remaining marine beacons. least a night spent at the receiver. https://tinyurl.com/y4qdbxey
There are more of those beacons left than The tables of Marine NDBs (Section NDB FINDER (COAA)
you might imagine, and the history behind Six, pp. 240-242) are testimony to what https://www.coaa.co.uk/ndbfinder.htm
NORTH AMERICAN RADIO BEACONS
them is often fascinating. is still out there and opened my eyes to
http://www.dxinfocentre.com/ndb.htm
In the main part of the handbook, listings how beacon hunting can be used to do all RadioUser: Maritime Matters/ Quarterly
are clear and shown in an easily readable sorts of useful radio hobby pursuits, from NDB DXing Columns Robert Connolly
font. The document is, of course, fully learning about the shape of Europe to RSGB
searchable, and geographical coordinates studying propagation conditions. https://tinyurl.com/y3kn8zdg
are provided. I looked up some aeronautical For the record, I used my AOR AR7030

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RadioUser November 2019 15
Airband News

David Smith
[email protected]
In the Cloud(s):
I
n July, NATS handled 252,173
lights in UK airspace, an
increase of 0.9% over July 2018.
There was growth in
many areas of the operation,
Web-Based
especially non-transatlantic international
overlying trafic and transatlantic
overlights, which increased by 6.5% and
5% respectively.
Radar Arrives
Trafic grew at seven of the 13 David Smith reports on the UK’s busiest day so far
airports where NATS provides the ATC
service, including at three of the ’big
in 2019, web-based radar, and the use of ADS-B by
ive’ London Airports – Heathrow, Luton, US military flights. He outlines ATC operations at
and London City. Teesside International Airport.
NATS handled almost 24% of Europe’s
trafic in July, maintaining high levels of
punctuality. Across all 252,173 lights regularly managing a total of more than a mobile solution in the vehicles of the
handled in July, 98% had no NATS- 8,000 flights a day, and they are working airport’s apron management service. It
attributable delay. In the year to date, extremely hard to ensure that each flight means that drivers can track all light
the average ATC delay per light was is handled safely and efficiently.” movements in real-time and plan their
just seven seconds. routes accordingly.
Juliet Kennedy, the NATS operations First Web-based Airport The Phoenix System has been de-
director, said: “Last month, we recorded Radar Display ployed successfully by Hamburg Airport
our busiest-ever day, with 8,863 flights In August, Hamburg Airport became the in the apron management service and
handled by controllers on Friday 5th July. irst airport worldwide to operate the the trafic management centre for years.
However, that’s not to say that this record new web-based, ‘cloud-enabled’ radar Now, a web-based air situation display
won’t be broken again over the summer display Phoenix WebInnovation from DFS has been developed as an add-on to the
holiday season. Our air traffic controllers, Aviation Services. This is a tool for radar existing system for the vehicles of the
in our centres and at the airports, are now and light plan information. It is used as apron management service. The system

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16 RadioUser November 2019
 Airband News

was successfully tested in the early sum- ATC Profiles 18: Teesside International Airport* *Name changed from Durham
Tees Valley on 25th July 2019
mer months and has now been put into op- ICAO Code: EGNV; IATA Code: MME
eration for the irst time.
Phoenix WebInnovation is based on the Frequencies (MHz) Hours of Operation
high-performing tracker technology of the Durham Approach/Radar 118.850 0600-2200
Durham Director 128.885 As directed by ATC
Phoenix system, which was developed in- Durham Tower 119.800 0600-2200
house by DFS. It offers the accustomed
ATIS
high level of quality demanded by the air Durham Information 132.380 0600-2200
trafic control setting for the provision of
Durham Fire (non-ATC) 121.600 Fire vehicles attending aircraft on the ground
light track data. The system can be used
to display an air and ground situation. The Navaids ILS CAT I Runways 05 and 23
web-based tool simply requires a modern NDB TD 347.500kHz
Runways 05 2291m x 45m
browser and is completely independent of 23 2291m x 45m
the hardware in use. It is simple and easy Hold TD NDB
for users to operate, by both day and night. Notes (A-Z)
Phoenix will soon be in operation in
CAT II/III Operations
the control tower of Adolf Würth Airport, The airport is not equipped for CATII/III operations. Low Visibility Procedures (LVP) are used to protect the
near Schwäbisch-Hall in the southwest of Civil Aviation Training Institute (CATI, see URL below) operations and will commence when the visibility
falls below 1,500m.
Germany. DFS Aviation Services is now http://www.catipakistan.com.pk
seen as the front runner across Europe in
this market segment, offering its combina- Ground Movement
All taxiways, apart from Alpha (10.5m) and Bravo (central taxiway -35m), are 15m wide. Aircraft requiring
tion of web technology and air navigation greater width must enter or vacate Runway 05/23 via Bravo taxiway. Taxiway Alpha is normally restricted
services applications. to aircraft up to 25,000kg Maximum Take-off Weight Authorized (MTWA). Use by aircraft up to a maximum
of 50,000kg MTWA is regulated by ATC.
https://www.hamburg-airport.de/en
https://www.edty.de Handling Agents
All visiting aircraft are subject to mandatory handling by Swissport (130.600MHz) or Consort Aviation.
https://dfs-as.aero/en
Helicopter Operations
ADS-B and US Military Op- All helicopters to integrate into trafic pattern/circuit and land on the main runway or directly on stands.
There is no dedicated training area.
erations
Noise Abatement
ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Turbojet and turboprop aircraft approaching DXX Airport will be expected to conform to the continuous-
Surveillance-Broadcast) is transforming descent and low-power / low-drag approach procedures. ATC, in the interests of accurate spacing (and
all segments of aviation by providing real- as required), may request speciic speeds. Pilots are requested to comply with speed adjustments
as promptly as possible within the constraints of their operating procedures. Pilots will advise ATC if
time precise – and shared – situational circumstances necessitate a speed change for aircraft performance reasons. ATC will advise pilots of
awareness and advanced applications for an estimate of the track distance to run to touchdown when clearance to descend below the Transition
Altitude is given. Further information on the distance to run will be given between this descent clearance
pilots and controllers alike. It improves and the instruction to turn onto the intercept heading for the ILS localiser. Military aircraft will be vectored
safety and eficiency in the air and on run- for an Instrument Landing System(ILS)/Surveillance Radar Approach (SRA), except during a mass visual
recovery in the case of emergency diversions. Aircraft are to avoid overlying the nearby villages of
ways, reduces costs, and lessens harmful Middleton St George, Middleton-One-Row, Yarm and Eaglescliffe, wherever practicable.
effects on the environment.
Procedures for Inbound Aircraft
However, although steadily increasing, The standard routes for aircraft inbound from the Airways System are as follows: Approach from Route
its use is far from universal. For example, South and Southwest Y250 P18 leave airways via GASKO to TD NDB; North and Northwest P18 Leave
roughly one-ifth of military aircraft operat- airways via TILNI to TD NDB. Aircraft inbound to Teesside leaving the airways system from the southeast
via ERKIT are subject to the availability of radar services in Class G airspace. Clearance to enter the
ed by the US Department of Defense (DOD) EGNV (Teesside) Control Zone/Control Area should be requested at least 10 minutes before reaching the
will be equipped for ADS-B by the Federal Common Trafic/ Control Area (CTR/CTA) boundary. In that portion of the transit through Class G airspace,
pilots may encounter conlicting Visual Flight Rules (VFR) trafic.
Aviation Administration (FAA) January
2020 compliance date, according to num- Training
All airlines or aircraft above 5,700kg Maximum Total Weight: Training lights will be carried out subject
bers released by the Pentagon. to the following conditions: Circuits will be at a height speciied by ATC, but at a minimum of 1,500ft
The US Air Force (USAF), the lead ser- above aerodrome level; circuits will be variable in direction, left or right hand, in accordance with ATC
instructions; aircraft are to be lown in such a manner as to avoid light over built-up areas in the vicinity of
vice overseeing implementation, reports the airport whenever practicable; for aircraft up to 5,700kg circuit height is 1000ft.
that 2,936 manned aircraft will be itted
to signal their position to ground control- Transit Aircraft
Aircraft wishing to transit controlled airspace should request a crossing clearance at least 10 minutes
lers by ADS-B from 1st January 2020. The lying time or 20 nautical miles (nm) – whichever is earlier – before reaching the Control Zone boundary.
number represents 21.5% of the 13,596
Visual Reference Points (VRP)
aircraft in the inventory. Hartlepool; Motorway Junction A1(M)/A66(M); Northallerton; Redcar Racecourse; Sedgeield Racecourse;
https://www.defense.gov Stokesley.
https://www.faa.gov
https://www.airforce.com
In September, the USAF began installing tionality will be added to the refuelling operating beyond the 2020, ADS-B eq-
ADS-B position reporting capability on its tanker, the service conirmed. uipage deadline.
leet of 417 Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers. The US DOD and the FAA are negoti- As of 1st March, according to the FAA,
ADS-B is not part of the KC-135’s current ating to allow some military aircraft that 45,282 US aircraft had been itted with
Block 45 Avionics Upgrade, but the func- will not be ADS-B equipped to continue compliant ADS-B avionics. This was

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RadioUser November 2019 17
Airband News

around 28% of all aircraft. It represents a the US Defense Department has around sary avionics, to ensure the uninterrupted
section of the roughly 160,000 aircraft the 13,000 aircraft. According to leet data access to airspace necessary for train-
agency estimates will need to be equipped estimates, the USAF operates 5,017, the ing and support. However, it will request
across the general aviation, military and air Navy, 2,636, and the Marine Corps, 1,342. exemptions for an unspeciied number of
carrier segments. Separately, the Army reports operating aircraft that will not be in compliance with
US airlines had equipped 1,852 of their 3,950 helicopters and aeroplanes. the 2020 mandate.
roughly 7,000 airliners. Delta Air Lines was Information on overall military prog- The service claimed that it operat-
the lead carrier with 322 equipped aircraft, ress toward equipping for ADS-B is not ed 3,700 helicopters and 250 ixed-wing
followed by American Airlines with 286, readily available. aircraft. Army aircraft that do not com-
United Airlines with 280 and UPS with 239. For its part, the US Army says it is aim- ply with the ADS-B rule will be designated
Excluding unmanned aircraft systems, ing for leet-wide installation of the neces- for retirement.

Aerials Reviewed Royal Navy Amateur Radio Society

Yagis and Cross-Yagis Profile of the RNARS: 72 years of tradition

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Maritime Matters

Maritime Monitoring
in Detail, Recent Catches,
and Lifeboat Callouts
Robert Connolly Robert Connolly offers a dissection of the Maritime
[email protected] Band allocations from 2 to 26MHz, looks at maritime
aerial comparisons and propagation, and reports on

A
s we move towards the darker
nights and shorter hours of noteworthy frequency ‘catches’ and lifeboat callouts.
daylight, some of you will, no
doubt, consider monitoring
MF/HF maritime frequencies, the first digit, or two digits, indicate the 4143kHz are divided into 27 ship transmit-
rather than VHF, especially if you do not live frequency band: ting channels. These are spaced 0.3kHz
close to the coastline and are out of range apart, and they are paired with a similar
of maritime VHF communications. The 4MHz Band number of frequencies between 4357kHz
MF/HF maritime frequencies cover a This band is situated between 4000 and and 4435kHz for coast stations. Channel
number of bands. The 2MHz (MF) range 4438kHz. From 4063.3 to 4064.8kHz, there numbers run from CH401 to CH427.
contains various frequencies used for ships are six channels, spaced 0.3kHz apart; The 4125kHz frequency (CH421) is for
and coast stations, between 1600 and these are assigned to oceanographic use as a Simplex channel by ships and
2800kHz. There is no official channeliza- data transmission. coast stations. It supplements 2182kHz for
tion within the MF band. For the HF bands The frequencies bookended by 4065 and distress and safety working, and it can also

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20 RadioUser November 2019
 Maritime Matters

be used by aircraft for this purpose. find four ship channels, spaced 0.5 kHz The paired ship transmitter frequencies
Other Simplex frequencies in use are apart, for DSC transmissions. Between run from 8195 to 8288kHz, with a 3kHz
4146 and 4149kHz. In between 4154kHz 6314.5 and 6330kHz, there are 33 Duplex channel separation.
and 4170kHz, there are five channels, channels (CH601 to CH633), used by coast Between 8414.5 and 8416kHz, there
spaced 4kHz apart, and used for fax and stations for RTTY, with the corresponding is a segment for four ship DSC channels,
data transmissions; the 4177.5kHz frequen- ship frequencies of 6263 to 6284kHz. spaced 0.5kHz apart.
cy (CH411) is used for distress and safety Between 6501kHz and 6522kHz, there
transmissions; the range from 4207.5 to are eight (CH601 to CH608) USB coast sta- On 12MHz
4209kHz has 4 channels. They are spaced tion channels, with paired ship frequencies The 12MHz band extends from 12230 to
0.5kHz apart and assigned to Digital located between 6200 and 6221kHz. 13200kHz. The section between 12230
Selective Calling (DSC); the 4207.5kHz fre- and 12350kHz is divided into 41 ship
quency may also be employed by coast Marine Traffic on 8MHz USB transmitting channels, spaced 3 kHz
stations for distress and safety; finally, Next, there is the 8MHz band between 8195 apart, and assigned channel numbers
4209.5 has been allotted as an international and 8815kHz. A large section of this band CH1201 to CH1241.
NAVTEX channel. was once given over to CW transmissions; The area in between 12577 and
today, Morse code is rarely used any more 12578.5kHz is divided into four ship DSC
Marine Allocations above 6MHz by commercial shipping. channels. The matching coast station al-
Between 6200 and 6221kHz, there are Between 8417 and 8436kHz, there location extends from 13077 to 13197kHz.
eight ship transmitting channels, spaced are located forty RTTY channels (CH801 The band also had an allocation of 110 ship
3kHz apart and paired with similarly-num- to CH840) for use by coast stations; CW working channels between 12422 and
bered frequencies between 6501kHz the paired ship frequencies run from 12476.5kHz and spaced 0.5kHz apart.
and 6522kHz with channel numbers 8376.5 to 8396kHz, and there is a 0.5kHz From 12477 to 12549.5kHz, you will
from 601 to 608. channel separation. encounter 146 ship ARQ Duplex chan-
The frequency 6215kHz (CH606) is used A band segment between 8438 and nels, spaced 0.5kHz apart and paired
for distress and safety broadcasts. The 8707kHz was once allocated for coast sta- with coast station frequencies from
band between 6300.5 and 6311.5 kHz is tion CW working. 12579.5 to 12651.5kHz.
divided into 23, non-paired, ship ARQ trans- USB Duplex channel frequencies for The frequencies in between 12658.5 and
mitting channels. coast stations are in between 8719 and 13077kHz were allocated to coast stations
Between 6312 and 6313.5kHz, you will 8812 kHz (CH801 to 832). for CW transmissions.

Fig.1: The vessel Condor Rapide in

St. Peter Port, Guernsey. Picture: Martin Rolls

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RadioUser November 2019 21
Maritime Matters

The 18MHz Scene Morse Code

The 18 MHz band extends from 18780 to I should point out that, with regard to the
19797kHz. A three-channel DSC alloca- MF/HF maritime band plans, although
tion is located in the slice between 18898.5 there is an allocation for CW transmission,
and 18899.5kHz. The RTTY allocation runs very few commercial vessels now use this
from 19681 to 19703kHz with 45 channels mode. Also, there are a number of Simplex
(CH 1801 to CH1845). The coast station frequencies available across the bands.
USB allocation covers 19755 to 19797kHz Table 1 shows voice and DSC distress
(CH1801 to CH1815); these are matched frequencies (in kHz).
up with ship transmit frequencies between Table 2 lists the primary Simplex ship-to-
18780 and 18822kHz. ship frequencies (in kHz).
It should be noted that the use of
Higher Up: 22MHz 6516kHz is only permitted during
In the 22MHz band (22000 to 22855kHz), daylight hours.
monitors will encounter provision for a Table 3 shows the 4MHz ship-to-ship
DSC allocation for three ship channels, Simplex frequencies, shared with fixed
between 22374.5 and 22375.5kHz. Coast services in kHz.
station Duplex RTTY has been allocated in And Table 4 lists the 8MHz ship-to-ship
between 22376.5 and 22443.5kHz (chan- Simplex frequencies, shared with fixed
2 nels CH2201 to CH2335), with ship pair- services in kHz.
Fig.2: Non-Directional Beacons of Europe (Arctic ing between 22284.35 and 22351.5kHz.
to Equator). The allocation for USB coast stations can Aerial Considerations
be found between 22696 and 22852kHz For many years, the MF/HF antenna on ves-
The USB coast station frequency al- (Channels CH 2201 to CH2253), and the sels usually consisted of a long wire that
location is from 13077 to 13197kHz equivalent ship transmit frequencies are at was strung between to fore and aft masts;
with 41 channels (CH1201 to CH1241); 22000 to 22156kHz. this fed into the antenna tuning unit and on
there is a 3kHz channel separation, and to the MF/HF transceiver.
corresponding ship frequencies are at On 26 MHz Some cargo ships and trawlers would
12230 to 12350kHz. The final band of interest is the 26MHz need to make sure the aerial wire was low-
band. It runs from 25070 to 25210kHz. ered or moved out of the way of the derricks
Listening at 16MHz There is a DSC allocation for three used for loading and unloading; these could
The 16MHz band extends from 16360 to ship channels between 25208.5 and cause damage to the aerial by breaking it.
17410kHz. The section from 16804.5 to 25209.5kHz. The Duplex RTTY coast sta- There were many cases among our lo-
16806kHz is divided into four ship DSC tion segment extends from 26101 to cal trawlers, when a crew member, par-
channels. The band between 16360 and 26120.5kHz with 40 channels (CH2501 to ticularly an inexperienced one, had failed
16525kHz is divided into 56 ship USB chan- CH2540); the matching ship frequencies to drop the wire aerial as they began to un-
nels, which are spaced 3kHz apart. These for these are to be found between 25173.5 load, resulting in breakage. Now the MF/
are paired with frequencies between 17242 and 25192.5kHz. The coast station Duplex HF aerial is often a long fibreglass whip,
and 17407kHz for coast stations channel USB allocation is between 26145 and which is much more resilient to wind or ac-
numbers CH1601 to CH1656. 26172kHz, comprising of ten channels cidental damage.
There is also an allocation for RTTY chan- (CH2501 to CH2510); the respective paired A few years ago, I was involved in a
nels, between 16807 and 16902.5kHz, with ship frequencies are situated in between demonstration event with an amateur radio
channel numbers CH 1601 to CH1793. 25070 and 26172kHz. club and had managed to persuade a local
trawler skipper to set up an amateur HF sta-
Band MF HF4 HF6 HF8 HF12 HF16 tion onboard his trawler. The intention was
Voice 2182 4125 6215 8291 12290 16420 to operate maritime mobile.
DSC 2187.5 4207.5 6312.0 8414.5 12577.0 16804.5 Unfortunately, neither tide nor wind was
Daytime range 200nm 400nm 800nm 1200nm 2200nm n/a in our favour. However, it was decided to
Night-time range 400nm 600nm 1600nm 2400nm 4000+nm n/a carry out a comparison test using an am-
ateur HF antenna against the trawler’s HF
Table 1: Maritime Voice and DSC Distress Frequencies (in kHz). fibreglass whip antenna, and with the same
amateur transceiver.
2 MHz 4 MHz 6 MHz 8 MHz 12 MHz 16 MHz 18/19 MHz 22 MHz 25/6MHz The result clearly demonstrated that the
2065 4146 6224 8294 12353 16528 18825 22159 25100 setup involving the trawler antenna was
2079 4149 6227 8297 12356 16531 18828 22162 25103 much poorer when compared with the ama-
2093 4417 6230   12359 16534 18831 22165 25106 teur radio antenna mounted next to the ded-
2097   6516   12362 16537 18834 22168 25109 icated marine antenna.
2214      12365 16540 18837 22171 25112
          16543 18840 22174 25115 Propagation and Recent Catches
          16546 18843 22177 25118
When listening to marine HF, you will often
Table 2: Primary Simplex Ship-to-Ship Frequencies (in kHz). find that coast stations are received more

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22 RadioUser November 2019
 Maritime Matters
..

easily, compared to ship transmissions.

That is not to say that you will not hear any
ships, but you are likely to hear much more
coast station radio traffic.
Propagation plays a significant role when
listening to marine HF, and, from time to
time, some interesting transmissions can
be received. On several occasions in the
past, I have heard ships communicating
with coast stations at the entrance to the St.
Lawrence seaway in North America.
In other cases, while listening to the
United States Coast Guard frequency of
5696kHz, I heard a Coast Guard rescue he-
licopter sending a situation update while
rescuing an injured yachtsman in the
Caribbean. Interestingly, its base, on the US
mainland, was unable to hear the helicopter.
It had to relay comms through the US Coast
Guard C130 aircraft providing top cover. Fig. 3: A sample page from Robert’s NDB Guide.
Nevertheless, I could plainly hear the heli-
copter as it was climbing to 500 feet. While this is no longer an international rescue, but also the lifeboat crews called
Another interesting ‘catch’ one night was requirement, some countries’ marine radio out to help them.
on the frequency of 4711kHz, a frequency regulations still demand this. Australia is
that I knew was used by the US Navy. I was an example, and radio silence periods are And Finally …
able to hear communications between the observed – from the hour to 3 minutes past Just a reminder that next month, it is time
ship and a helicopter that was being vec- the hour, and from the half-hour to 3 min- once again for my quarterly NDB column.
tored to land on the ship, probably during utes past the half-hour – on the following And in January’s Maritime Matters col-
a NATO exercise in the north-western frequencies: 2182, 4125, 6215, 8291, 12290 umn, I will be detailing the HF communica-
Atlantic approaches. and 16420kHz and, interestingly, VHF tions used by many yachties and reporting
Channel 16 (156.800MHz). on Martin Rolls’ latest cruise. My thanks
Marine Traffic and Radio Silence to Martin Rolls for kindly supplying this
A good place to start finding active marine Lifeboat Callout month’s picture of Condor Rapide in St.
MF/HF frequencies is by monitoring the As I was preparing this column, our local Peter Port, Guernsey (Fig. 1).
voice distress and calling frequencies or inshore lifeboat was called out to a 16- Until the next time, Fair Winds.
the various DSC transmissions, where any foot craft whose engine had failed, and [See also the review of Robert Connolly’s
communications request will be accompa- which was drifting toward a rocky shore- Non-Directional Beacons of Europe (Arctic
nied by the working frequency. line. Listening to the communications to Equator) in this issue of RadioUser (Figs.
It used to be an international requirement on Channel 16 (156.800MHz) and CH0 2 and 3) – Ed.].
to observe a three-minute radio silence pe- (156.000MHz), it became apparent that
riods on every hour and half-hour. The pur- this craft was totally ill-prepared, as it alert-
pose of this was to have a quiet period; this ed the coastguard to its problem by mobile
General Resources
allowed for the detection of weaker distress phone. It was not equipped with any kind of Frequency Lists and More
signals, which might not be heard under marine VHF but reliant on a mobile phone. https://tinyurl.com/ya6o5wqg
normal conditions. I keep going on about holidaymakers pur- http://info.yachtcom.co.uk/hf-radio.php
chasing small craft and being un-prepared https://www.radioofficers.com/links
for difficulties off-shore. In the past, I have Marine Radio Museum
4000 4003 4006 4009 4012 4015 4018
come across people in similar situations http://www.mrmsw.co.uk/index.htm
4021 4024 4027 4030 4033 4036 4039
4042 4045 4048 4051 4054 4057 4060 just shouting for help! [email protected]
To avoid getting into trouble, small craft Ofcom Maritime Distress Frequencies
Table 3: 4MHz Ship-to-Ship Simplex Frequencies, owners should carry basic safety items on https://tinyurl.com/yxfsmm95
shared with Fixed Services (in kHz). board, such as lifejackets, a marine trans- Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)
ceiver, anchors, spare ropes, a bucket for https://rnli.org
bailing (can also be used as a sea anchor), Radio Officers’ Association:
8101 8104 8107 8110 8113 8116 8119 https://www.radioofficers.com
flares, and a secondary means of propul-
8122 8125 8128 8131 8134 8137 8140
sion, such as oars or sails. Schroeder, P.B. (1967) Contact at Sea: A
8143 8146 8149 8152 8155 8158 8161
8164 8167 8170 8173 8176 8179 8182 Carrying basic safety equipment means History of Maritime Radio Communications
8185 8188 8191 there is a chance of survival when things (of mainly historical interest)
go wrong. Accidents and incidents can, and ShipInsight: Marine Comms: A History
Table 4: 8MHz Ship-to-Ship Simplex Frequencies, do, happen at sea, sometimes with fatal https://tinyurl.com/yywcn6vs
shared with Fixed Services (in kHz). consequences; not just for those requiring

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RadioUser November 2019 23
Network Radio

Network Radio:
Good For Your Health?
© US NSA & WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Chris Rolinson
[email protected]

Chris Rolinson wonders if Network

Radio is actually promoting healthier
lifestyles and finds someone enjoy-
ing the hobby during a hiking trip in a
remote part of Scotland.

I have noticed a few times that, when I

am enjoying a conversation with a fel-
low Network Radio enthusiast, they are
often out portable. I have spoken with
people walking the hills, mounting biking,
dog-walking, or just generally enjoying the
fresh air that many unspoilt areas of the
world have to offer.
There even seems to me to be a dispro-
portionate amount of users on NR who are
frequently heard in such a way – certainly
more than I would encounter on the tradi-
tional amateur radio bands.
Given that medical professionals con-
stantly stress the importance of exercise (I
have heard it said that exercise is the most
effective prescription that a doctor can
give), I have been wondering if there is a
sense in which Network Radio could actual-
ly be good for our health.
Most forms of portable radio involve
large antennas and heavy equipment be-
ing lugged around. There are those who
do ‘HF Packing’:
http://hfpack.com
This entails carrying around a short wave
station in a backpack, usually with a large
vertical whip antenna and a trailing counter-
poise, not unlike military man packs (Fig.1).
I have seen pictures of HF push bike mo-
biles too, with the associated extra weight
that this entails (Fig. 2).
By contrast, one of the great things about
Network Radio is that it is really easy to de-
ploy in outdoor situations (Fig. 4), and I think 1
this may be one reason people like to use it
for a more active lifestyle. boost the network signal on both trans- everyone will want to lug around a heavy
While mobile phones can be pressed into mit & receive. What is more, the super-loud RF device with short-ish battery life; not
Network Radio service outdoors, having an speakers that most Network Radios pos- everyone wants to deploy metres of wire
HT-styled NR device is much more conve- sess means you are not obliged to use an at- with its trip hazard potential; not every-
nient, allowing you to keep your phone else- tached speaker/microphone. one wants to spend time setting up while
where and not have to double up on devices. Therefore, the ease with which NR can still being unsure if the bands will actually
A network signal is generally stronger be used outdoors is giving enthusiasts be open anyway.
outdoors than indoors, which also helps. who enjoy physical activity the possibili- You could achieve some of what I am
Many radios have external antennas, which ty of combining two hobbies at once; not suggesting on the amateur radio bands us-

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24 RadioUser November 2019
 Network Radio

©PTOLUSQUE & CREATIVE COMMONS.

2
©G6WTM

ing digital voice modes like DMR or D-STAR. Fig.1: Manpack-style portable. Fig.2: A pushbike
However, even then, you are still reliant on portable setup. Fig.3: Karl Hobson G1YPQ goes
access to the network somehow, so you portable, NR style. Fig.4: The Land Rover Explore
would either need to be within the range of a & the Inrico T320. Fig.5: The NE Ridge of Ben
digital repeater or some other access point More viewed from the summit of A’Chioc.
on your journey. You could take your own
access point with you, in the form of a don- Setting the Scene
gle/Raspberry Pi combo of some sort, but Back in August, Mike holidayed for a week
then again you are increasing the amount of on the Scottish island of Mull with his
equipment (& weight) needed, and you will wife and daughter. Their accommoda-
still require the extra battery power to get tion was a self-catering flat above a Tea
it all working. Room in Salen – it’s an outdoor enthusi-
A Network Radio is nothing if not conve- ast’s dream place. Mike had been checking
nient. There are times when you simply want Ofcom’s coverage map:
to grab a piece of equipment and use it, https://checker.ofcom.org.uk
without having to plan ahead. The fact that As a result of this, he was able to see that
you can get fitter and play radio at the same all the networks were patchy across the is-
time is a real bonus. land, especially for data, so he thought this 3
So there’s a thought - maybe Network would be an excellent fringe-coverage play-
Radio is good for you after all? ground for both Zello and the new NRAPRS ping installed, alongside the usual Network
positioning system. Radio apps. As this device includes all UK
Playing Network Radio on the https://tinyurl.com/yxs99xmy mobile frequencies, coverage is as good as
Isles of Mull, Argyll & Bute any network will allow.
I had not long been thinking about the Two Devices, Four Networks Mike’s other device was the well-known,
above when Mike Higlett G6WTM/NR5115 Mike had two devices to test (Fig. 3). The dual-SIM, Inrico T320. In one slot he used
got in touch. Mike is very active on the Land Rover Explore is an ‘outdoor’ rugged- an iD Mobile SIM, which gave 3G & 4G
scene, and I have had the pleasure of meet- phone, which is manufactured by the com- connectivity via Three. In the other slot,
ing him at various events. It turned out he pany that makes the CAT S60. It’s a 4G he opted for an Anywhere Pure SIM; an in-
had been very energetic outdoors himself Android smartphone with an external de- teresting choice this, as Anywhere allows
this summer using Network Radio. This was tachable battery option and enhanced GPS. roaming across Vodafone, O2 & EE but only
an excellent opportunity to find out what he Mike uses this as his main phone using on 2G/3G, not 4G.
had been up to: Vodafone – he also has Viewranger map- Furthermore, the T320 only allows one

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RadioUser November 2019 25
Network Radio

©G1YPQ ©G6WTM

4 5

3G/4G connection at a time (the other SIM the iD mobile network. Therefore, the T320 signal there was the Vodafone 4G one – pre-
defaults to 2G only when this is the case), at least worked well from ‘home’. cious little elsewhere. I then wished I’d had a
and the 3G/4G capability usually moves 4G enabled Vodafone SIM card in the T320,
with the data connection. Zello Contacts so I could have compared its performance
Mike quickly found that there were large Obviously, for Zello to work, an active data directly, using its external aerial with the
areas of Mull that had zero network cover- connection is mandatory; clearly, when Explore’s internal one.”
age; there were others in which there was Mike was in a fringe area for data, Zello was
coverage for calls & texts only but not for offline. If there was a working data connec- NRAPRS Tracking
data – this was true especially at the ex- tion, Zello worked perfectly, irrespective of If the lack of data connectivity made Zello
tremities, such as on Ulva or Iona. He also the reported signal strength, and Mike re- contacts somewhat disappointing, the per-
noted that this didn’t always apply if the ported the usual armchair audio we have formance of NRAPRS was a complete con-
connection was 4G since voice and data are come to expect from the system: “As well trast. NRAPRS has a website here:
effectively the same on 4G. This coverage as a few quick contacts, I had a couple of www.nraprs.be
issue nonetheless caused some difficulty in notable successes. One evening, I joined the NRAPRS is a new position-tracking ad-
using the T320 effectively with the two SIM Richmond (Yorkshire) RAYNET net on their dition for the Network Radio community.
cards he had selected. private Zello Channel. My wife (G1XKJ) and Developed by Marc Huyghebaert ON3PHP/
Mike explained the problem, “I’d normal- I were on an evening walk at the East end of NR095, the system uses existing client soft-
ly have the data set to run on iD Mobile, as Mull, and I had excellent iD coverage, so we ware that is available as an Android or iOS
this would offer 4G if available. However, I fully participated in the net on my T320 until app from Traccar:
would sometimes see a signal on Anywhere we got into the car to drive back to our ac- https://www.traccar.org
when there was no coverage on iD. So I’d commodation when I switched to using the However, the server receiving the posi-
then switch the data channel to Anywhere, Land Rover Explore on the car hands-free tion updates, and displaying them, is Marc’s
which would then often give a data con- Bluetooth until closedown. work; it was specifically developed for the
nection but that would then yield the iD “One day, my daughter and I climbed the Network Radio community.
SIM inoperative, as it has no 2G coverage. highest mountain on Mull, Ben More, via the The system works with the client app by
Sometimes I’d find that Anywhere only had lovely NE ridge from A’Chioch (Fig. 5). Over taking your latitude & longitude from your
a 2G voice connection; when the data chan- 3,000 feet up, I had a quick QSO with Rick phone/radio GPS and sending that, along
nel was on iD, I had no way of checking if 3G Haughton M7FRD/NR9876 using the Explore with your preconfigured callsign and a date/
would work on Anywhere, or if it had a data on Vodafone 4G. Strangely, the T320 had lit- time stamp, to the NRAPRS server, in a small
channel available.” tle connection on either SIM card, except the compact data packet using the mobile data
Mike’s base of operations in Salen did odd snippet on EE 2G. I tried a network scan connection. The frequency of packet trans-
have good coverage on both 3G and 4G for on the Explore and saw that the only reliable mission to the server is determined in the

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26 RadioUser November 2019
 Network Radio

©G6WTM

app settings; a packet is sent after a period Fig.6: NRAPRS track of the ascent of Ben More,
timeout, moving a certain distance from the and the return drive to Salen.
last packet, or changing direction by an an-
gle greater than a set value. when he returned to Salen, where the T320
Mike had the Traccar client installed on had good coverage, he could look at his
both his devices. The callsign set on the NRAPRS trace on his laptop and the en-
Explore was G6WTM-5 (the -5 suffix mean- tire trip was there. An example of this is
ing ‘phone’), whereas the callsign on the shown in Fig. 6, when Mike & his family
T320 was changed depending on what he climbed Ben More.
was doing; G6WTM-7 when it was used as The hiking trip is the ‘rectangular’ trace at
a handheld, G6WTM-17 when he was out the bottom of the image, the rest is driving.
walking, and G6WTM-18 when mountain Mike explained, “The T320 was switched on 6
hiking. Mike reports that he left the app run- when we started walking at the top corner
ning nearly 24/7 on the Explore but tended of the rectangle, but there was no network to have a data service added on top. Using
to only have it running on the T320 when he coverage at this location. Having taken eight multiple SIMs, and trying to swap settings on
was out and about. hours to complete the climb, we returned to them whilst out and about, is very fiddly. It
During testing, he discovered some very our car at the same point. I then left the T320 requires constant checking to see which SIM
neat features in Traccar. Firstly if the app is switched on during our return drive to Salen you should be using. I need to investigate
set to run (i.e. reporting to NRAPRS) when to allow it to ‘upload’ position reports once it a single SIM that allows ‘all network roam-
one’s device is switched off, it automatical- regained coverage.” ing’ for 2G, 3G and 4G. Maybe, if Ofcom push
ly restarts when switched back on. This is It is not certain whether both ‘stored’ and through the advice they provided to the gov-
very useful as there is less ‘starting up’ to do ‘awaiting transmission’ packets remain ernment about allowing rural roaming, this
when switching on a unit outdoors. during a power cycle when the Traccar client problem could be solved sooner.
But the most unexpected feature was the is left enabled as described earlier – Mike is https://tinyurl.com/ydx8l7km
ability of Traccar to store position reports going to test that out on another trip. “The operation of NRAPRS in fringe cov-
when the phone/radio had no data connec- erage areas, however, was very effective
tion at all - it forwards them at a later time Conclusions indeed - I was most impressed! I’m looking
when the data connection was reinstated. G6WTM clearly had a lot of fun experiment- forward to seeing what developments Marc
This even applied if there was no coverage; ing while on holiday. He has a few con- comes up with next.”
when you switched the unit on, the Traccar cluding points to share: “It surprised me to
client restarted automatically as described discover how many fringe areas still exist And that’s all for November
above. It would just continue to store posi- where calls are possible but data is unavail- Don’t forget to drop me a line if you have
tion reports until a network became avail- able. I think that, as 4G is improved in rural something you would like to share with the
able to send them. areas, this problem that will diminish; 4G is Network Radio community. It’s great to go
This proved its worth when Mike spent data-centric by design, whereas 2G is digi- into more depth in the way only a maga-
large parts of his day in fringe areas, yet tal voice-call by design, and it just happens zine column can do!

Competition Time
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To be entered into the draw to win, just answer the simple question below on
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Entry is only via our website. Entries close at midnight on 5 December 2019. To enter
In this months’ Network Radio Column, what is the name you must answer the question correctly and answers received after the end date
will not be accepted. The winner will be notified by email by 20 December 2019.
of the mountain on the Isle of Mull that Mike G6WTM Warners Group Publications Plc standard competition terms apply, to view visit
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A. Ben Nevis B. Ben More C. Ben Stokes D. Ben Gurion February issue of RadioUser.

RadioUser November 2019 27

Feature

PICTURES: GEORG WIESSALA

National Georg Wiessala

[email protected]

The editor conveys his impressions,

Hamfest
in both text and pictures, from the
2019 National Hamfest, which took
place at the Newark Showground, on
27th and 28th September.

The National Hamfest at Newark,

2019 needless to say, is an institution and

stands out in the annual radio events
calendar, for the number of visitors and
stallholders present, as well as for the
opportunities the event affords to make
contacts, buy and sell new and used
gear, meet fellow enthusiasts, and, of
course, learn about the most recent
developments in radio.
This year was no exception, and once
again our publishers (Warners), as well
as the editors of RadioUser and Practical
Wireless were at hand to meet and greet
visitors. This year, everyone who came to
the gates received a goodie-bag with free
copies of PW and RU. I do hope that you
enjoyed those and that you might consider
a regular subscription and a visit to our
brilliant Radio Enthusiast website:
www.radioenthusiast.co.uk
Looking around the show this year, I
picked up on a number of things; it was
good to see demonstrations and talks on
new equipment, such as the latest Elecraft
K 4 HF transceiver.
https://tinyurl.com/y2eazz7w
https://elecraft.com
Other small demonstrations involved
SDR technology or loop aerials, while,
at the other end of the hall, there was
some great hands-on construction going
on. Excellent to see the breadth and
variety of the radio hobby well and truly
alive and on show.
It was also rewarding to witness, once
again, how different associations, clubs
and groups of enthusiasts organised their
own events and meetings, fitting them
around the Hamfest. This was the case,
for example, for many Network Radio
users organised around our RadioUser
columnist Chris Rolinson.
I met with many groups and individuals,
and I took the opportunity to talk to fellow
enthusiasts, traders large and small,
interest-groups and charities representing
a wide range of our fascinating hobby.

For the latest news and product reviews, visit www.radioenthusiast.co.uk

28 RadioUser November 2019
 Feature

A small number of international share and chat, give out information,

exhibitors were present too, affording offer future contributions to RadioUser,
this editor a chance of rediscovering his and make contact.
mother tongue. Have a look at the photographs in these
It was difficult to discern an overarching pages. I placed them here to give a brief
trend of the show this year, but it seemed impression of the flavour of this year’s
to me that there was a fuller complement National Hamfest. I feel certain they speak
of diverse UK radio associations here for themselves.
– VMARS, BYLARA, CDXC, RAFARS, See you at the 2020 Septemberfest!
and the RSGB, to name but a few, and http://www.nationalhamfest.org.uk
everyone was more than willing to https://tinyurl.com/y4d5oazr

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RadioUser November 2019 29
Feature

For the latest news and product reviews, visit www.radioenthusiast.co.uk

30 RadioUser November 2019
 Authors Required

Would you like to

write for RadioUser?
Would you like to Would you like to take your hobby one step further and
share your knowledge and enthusiasm with RadioUser
readers? Like to see your name in print and make new
join the RadioUser connections? Then why not write for your favourite
radio magazine? The editor is currently looking for
team of authors? new authors for the magazine and we are particularly
interested in developing the following areas:

● Utility Monitoring/ DXing; Listening &

DRM Explored Airshow Guide
Past, Present – Future? Part Three of our Summer Listing Interpreting non-broadcast radio signals.
● Radio Signals in the Very Low Frequency
(VLF) range.
● Profiles of your radio station, event, club or
August 2019 £4.50 www.radioenthusiast.co.uk
enthusiasts’ group.
WIN THE WHISTLER TRX-2 DESKTOP
DIGITAL SCANNER WORTH £480 ● Radio Science: Radio and weather/climate

New Gear Tested

We review the Bonito Active MD300DX Dipole Aerial,
observation; radio astronomy.
● Radio and its impact on communities.
the Leo Bodnar GPS Reference Clock and the
Whistler TRX-2 Desktop Digital Scanner
If you are interested, why don’t you e-mail the editor
for a preliminary discussion? Previous radio-related
publication would be an advantage but writing skill and
enthusiasm are of vital importance. Come and join us!
Georg Wiessala [email protected]
JU

World Radio TV
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most up-to-date information on mediumwave, shortwave and FM
broadcasts and broadcasters available in any publication.

MANY MORE BOOKS NEW IN STOCK AT THE RU BOOK STORE ON PAGE 13

RadioUser November 2019 31

Utility Monitoring

ALL PICTURES: NILS SCHIFFHAUER

Bode

Iceland

Gander Shanwick

New York Santa Maria

Autobahn Across The Ocean

Nils Schiffhauer, DK8OK stream, blowing from West to East and cruising levels around 38,000 feet
[email protected] pushing ahead the jets, with speeds from (11.5km) and for roughly 400-500km
200 to 500 km/h. around. There are still plenty of open
Fasten your seat belts: HF is in However, the jet stream is as narrow seas, above which they must rely on
full swing on the aeronautical as it is agile; it is strongest at heights other means of communication.
bands. In this month’s column, Nils from 30,000 to 39,000 feet, and it For many decades, this was just HF.
Schiffhauer has an ear on the voice changes its position between 40 and 60 However, nowadays SATCOM plays
communications of aircraft crossing degrees North, according to the overall an increasing role too. Meanwhile,
the North Atlantic. weather situation. Whereas trafic from more and more voice communications
North America to Europe may use this are shifted to data emissions on all
“From America”, they answered to any tailwind, westbound trafic must avoid frequency bands.
curious questions about where they it as a headwind. Luckily enough, the air still is full of HF
came from, while crawling out of their voice communications, from airborne to
crash-landed modiied Vickers Vimy Organised Tracks ground and vice versa.
IV twin-engine bomber on a ield in All of this trafic is managed by a You can listen to many airports, from
Galway, Ireland. sophisticated system, called the North New York to Reykjavik, and from the
https://tinyurl.com/y25sxpw9 Atlantic Organized Track System Azores to Ireland.
It took British aviators John Alcock (OTS, see Fig. 1). Depending on the With a bit of tailwind, you may even
and Arthur Whitten Brown nearly 16 weather, these sophisticated tracks follow communications over the Indian
hours, from their departure near St. exist to reconcile flight safety with flight Ocean, with stations from Mumbai or
Johns, Newfoundland, to reach Europe economy (throughput and fuselage). even Cocos/Keeling Island. If luck is on
on June 15th, 1919. One hundred They are calculated and disseminated, your side, you may even hear from the
years later, several hundred aircraft are on a daily basis, by NAV Canada and Paciic; San Francisco Air is often the
crossing the pond each day, carrying NATS in the UK (Gander and Shanwick). strongest transmission, and Nandi on Fiji
passengers as well as cargo – and, more The tracks are essential for what is are far more than just a dream.
often than not, with a smooth touchdown called ‘Oceanic Clearance’, which
on both sides of the Atlantic. most aircraft must apply for, before Fig.1: Flightradar24 provides layers for the Oceanic
They fly on designated tracks, crossing the Ocean. Track System (OTS), duly followed by most aircraft
separated by width, height and time. And there is more: VHF has a limited flying eastbound, and for the Oceanic Control Areas
Eastbound flights are favoured by the jet range, even in regard to aircraft at (OCA) like Gander and Iceland.

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32 RadioUser November 2019
 Utility Monitoring

Yes, they all QSL your reception reports, These networks rely predominantly on
even many of the aircraft. data collected on VHF and SATCOM by
I will come back to this fascinating worldwide sensors. However, Open Sky
world of HF Aero Communications using seems to be the only such source that
voice and data in a later column. For does not suppress speciic aircraft like
now, let us take an introductory look at military or private.
the Autobahn of air trafic – the North Nevertheless, for a fuller picture, only
Atlantic route. HF monitoring will provide you with the
This makes for an easy and interesting complete story.
listening experience on a couple of very
active channels. Fly over BEGAS to SUPRY!
European listeners should start with
The North Atlantic Route monitoring Shanwick, then go to Gander,
All you need to know is neatly collected then to Santa Maria/Azores, New York;
in the document High-Frequency Iceland and Bodø (Norway).
Management; Guidance Material for Each of these stations is responsible for
the North Atlantic Region of ICAO, the a speciic Oceanic Control Area (OCA, Fig.
International Civil Aviation Organization. 1), which is accessed by way of speciic
https://tinyurl.com/y7rahg4m virtual waypoints, called Oceanic Entry
If you want to go more into detail, the Point (OEP) and Oceanic Exit Point (OXP).
3 free ICAO North Atlantic Operations and These are dubbed with ive-letter
Airspace Manual is here: designators, which can be easily
https://tinyurl.com/y6xn3pxx pronounced, like BEGAS and SUPRY (Fig.
While I am talking about resources, 2). A waypoint may be also indicated by
you should not start without an excellent means of its geographical coordinates.
chart of the area, as provided for free by The assigned frequencies must be
the US Federal Aviation Administration suitable to serve their region reliably, day
(FAA, thanks Tony!): and night and in every season.
4 https://tinyurl.com/y7ruggq7 No wonder then, that there are often
Additionally, you may follow a several channels available, of which
Fig. 2: This Flight Plan was made with the free SkyVector speciic flight with the free web service (in most cases) only those with best
Web Service. It follows the flight of CS-TFX from SkyVector (Fig. 2): propagation chances are used.
Barcelona to Newark. The input on the left of the upper https://skyvector.com The bands from 3 to 6.6MHz are used at
window came from the ‘Ocean Clearance’, heard over As always when dealing with aero night; channels higher than 13MHz are in
Shanwick. Fig. 3: Frequencies are grouped into ‘families’ communications, a web service like use at daytime, and the other channels are
to cover specific regions published by ICAO’s North Flightradar24, FlightAware or the Open on the air at other times, and sometimes in
Atlantic Systems Planning Group. Fig. 4: Following a Sky Network, with their up-to-date and between (Table 1 and Fig. 3).
voice message, Shanwick is calling aircraft CS-TFX by historically-detailed information on air Transmission power varies from 3
its SELCAL KP-JL. The spectrogram runs bottom to top. trafic around the world, is indispensable: to 10kW. Emissions are fed to suitable
Fig. 5: On a few channels, Iceland Radio uses plain AM https://www.flightradar24.com antennas, located to yield optimum
for SELCALs. Fig. 6 SELCALs exhibiting harmonics. https://flightaware.com eficiency towards their respective
https://opensky-network.org target regions.

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RadioUser November 2019 33
Utility Monitoring

-346.7 Hz = B Carrier on 891.0 kHz -346.7 Hz = B

-881.0 Hz = L -881.0 Hz = L

Harmonics

-749.4 Hz = K -749.4 Hz = K
-977.2 Hz = M -977.2 Hz = M
5

Reception and Time

Difference
Now we have everything that enables us
to cross the Atlantic by radio, as it were
– tracks, and their entry as well as exit
716.1 Hz = J
points. We understand Oceanic Clearance, 881.0 Hz = L
as monitored on 6547kHz. The latter
frequency, by the way, was monitored on
an RDARA channel (Regional Domestic Air
Route Area, see Table 2).
Flight schedules over the North Atlantic 749.4 Hz = K
largely follow customers’ requests, and 1083.9 Hz = P
many want to arrive in London (or New York)
at the start of their (next) working day.
The time difference between these two
Carrier on 2899.0 kHz
cities is 5 hours. The eastbound time slots
range from 01:00 to 08:00 UTC, and the
westbound ones cover 11:30 to 19:00 UTC.
This calls mostly for the lower (night-time)
HF channels to be used on eastbound
tracks, and for the prevailing daytime Speech formants, USB
frequencies on westbound tracks.
To avoid frustration, you should concen-
trate on one or a few regional channels, for 6
example, Shanwick and Iceland on this side
of the pond. There you will gather some ex- the ‘Selective Callsign’ (SELCAL) of the air- The SELCAL is generally transmitted in
perience, and you will get a feeling for the craft. Each of the 16 letters used is cod- USB with a full carrier, but sometimes also in
special terminology in use between ground ed by one out of 16 tones (from 312,6 to plain AM (Fig. 6) or (rarely) in pure USB with
and air, and vice versa. 1479,1Hz). an attenuated carrier.
After that, you can extend your monitoring These tones are transmitted in two groups In a very small number of cases, I have
to other channels and locations. of one-second length each, separated by observed the use of LSB, for instance, with
As you are doing this, you will not only a gap of 200 milliseconds, for example, Stockholm Radio.
hear voice communications, but also 794.4Hz / 1083.9Hz (= KP), and 716.1Hz / Many decoders offer the decod-
some SELCAL tones. 881.0 Hz (= JL, Fig. 5). ing of ICAO SELCALs; among them are
The aircraft has to submit its SELCAL to Sorcerer and MultiPSK.
SELCAL: The intelligent HF all ground stations en route. This can be https://tinyurl.com/oa9rgtz
Squelch done through its flight plan or during a VHF http://f6cte.free.fr/index_anglais.htm
If a ground station wants to call a specif- or HF contact. In the initial HF contact (at
ic aircraft, it is called by 2 x 2 tones. Since least), the ground station is transmitting the Decoding and Overcoming
1957, each aircraft is identiied by a code of SELCAL to check if it works, and whether the Problems
2 x 2 letters, for instance, ‘KP-JL’. aircraft can be reached by this one callsign Nevertheless, decoding can be a bit tricky
This combination of letters constitutes during its flight. for at least four reasons:

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34 RadioUser November 2019
 Utility Monitoring

Location NAT Family* 3 MHz 3.5 MHz 4.7 MHz 5.6 MHz 6.6 MHz 9 MHz 11.3 MHz 13.3 MHz 18 MHz
Bodø D 2971 4675 8891 11279
A 3016 5598 8906 13306
B 2899 5616 8864 13291
Gander C 2872 5649 8879 11336 13306
D 2971 4675 6622 8891 11279
F 3476 8831 13291
B 2899 5616 8864 13291
Iceland C 2872 5649 8879 13306 17946
D 2971 4675 8891 11279
A 3016 5598 8906 13306 17946
New York
E 2962 6628 8825 13354 17952
A 3016 5598 8906 11309 13306 17946
Santa Maria E 2962 6628 8825 11309 13354
H 3591 6667
A 3016 5598 8906 13306
B 2899 5616 8864 13291
Shanwick C 2872 5649 8879 11336 13306 17946
D 2971 4675 8891 13291
F 3476 8831 13291
Table 1: Main Frequencies (3-6.6MHz used during the [local] night, 13.3-18MHz during the [local] day).

(1) When speech formants are inter- Communications: Shanwick – Aircraft Comments
preted as tones (Remedy: Take care
Nor Shuttle 7196, Shanwick. Shanwick calling Airbus A340-500, CS-TFX, of HyFly, lying on
to check the decoder only when there
behalf of Norwegian Air Shuttle (“Nor Shuttle”) from Barcelona
is no speech); to Newark, Flight Number (IATA/ICAO Code) DY/NAX7196.
(2) Noise is interpreted as a tone
(Remedy: Reduce the audio level to a de- ICAO SELCAL: FK-BD With not answering their voice call, Shanwick calls the aircraft
gree where there is (nearly) no output by ICAO Selcal
under the noise; Nor Shuttle 7196, go ahead! Aircraft answers this ICAO SELCAL.
(3) Even slight frequency deviations
in your receiver may produce many oth- Nor Shuttle 7196, Shanwick Radio. Shanwick comes back and announces its intention to transmit
Have your clearance now, if you ready “Oceanic Clearance” next.
er tones, and so an incorrect SELCAL
to copy?
(Remedy: Switch to AM with the carri-
er as a reference; this offers the most Ready to copy, Nor Shuttle 7196. Aircraft is ready and stands by to taking “Oceanic Clearance”.
precise method);
Shanwick, clearance Nor Shuttle 7196 Shanwick gives “Oceanic Clearance” to Newark Liberty Interna-
(4) The transmitter is over-modulated,
to Kilo Echo Whisky Romeo via BEGAS: tional Airport [KWER] for a speciic track, deined by waypoints.
producing many and strong harmonics 46 North 020 West, 47 North 030 West, Shanwick also deines Flight Level [38.000 feet] and speed
(Remedy: Try to sort out the 2 x 2 stron- 47 North 040 West, 46 North 050 West. [Mach 0.83 = 548mph or 878km/h] at given Flight Level.
gest [these are often the lowest] fre- SUPRY, I spell Sierra Uniform Papa
quencies manually). Romeo Yankee. From BEGAS maintain
A table of tones and their correspond- Flight Level 380, Mach decimal 83.
ing letters are part of the SELCAL User’s Shanwick.
Guide of Aviation Spectrum Resources, Inc. OK, Nor Shuttle 7196 is cleared to Aircraft duly repeats all details of clearance, adding “Track
(ASRI), which oficially issues SELCALs: destination Kilo Echo Whisky Romeo. Message Information” [TMI], the number of the day since.
https://tinyurl.com/yykp8enu BEGAS: 46 North 020 West, 47 North January 1st. This day (July 24th) corresponds to TMI 205.
Airframes.org provides a lookup fa- 030 West, 47 North 040 West, 46 North
cility for ICAO SELCALs (Fig. 4). You will 050 West. SUPRY from BEGAS Flight
soon realize that most SELCALs are given Level 380, Mach 83. TMI is 205. Nor
out to multiple aeroplanes. So, you often Shuttle 7196.
need some additional information. You Nor Shuttle 7196, read back correct, Shanwick acknowledges the read-back of the aircraft as correct
will not ind many SELCALs of military and I copy the TMI, and you can now and asks to maintain contact with the domestic air trafic
aircraft since this information is gener- maintain contact with domestic, thank control.
ally not available to the public. Now it is you.
time for refuelling with a glass of toma-
Thank you, goodbye, have a nice day.
to juice until we lift off into the world of
HFDL next month. Table 2: Monitoring ‘Nor Shuttle 7196’ by Shanwick Radio on July 24th, 2018, 18:40 UTC (see also: Fig. 2).

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RadioUser November 2019 35
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Scanning Scene

L-Band and SDR Play

Tim Kirby Tim Kirby looks at decoding data from one of the
[email protected]
Inmarsat satellites using an SDRPlay receiver
ver on Facebook, in the SDRPlay and inexpensive patch antenna. He shares more

O group (which, as you might im-

agine, is devoted to the support
and use of the SDRPlay range of
SDR receivers) there has been
a lot of talk about using the receivers well
outside the normal parameters of HF or
even VHF/UHF that most people use them
feedback on the SDS-200 receiver and notices a
change in ADS-B reception.
TIM KIRBY

Fig. 1: The modiied GPS patch antenna as used

for Inmarsat reception. Fig. 2: The removal of
for. Mike Ladd, one of the SDRPlay support some trees to the west of our garden has resulted
team in the USA, has posted some videos in much better ADS-B coverage to the West.
and explanations of how he was using one
of the receivers to pick up transmissions tion (postcode, for example) and the satel-
from the Intelsat geostationary satellites in lite you want to receive; it will then tell you
the ‘L’ band. the bearing and even display a Google Map,
‘L’ band refers to the designation of overlaying the bearing, so that you can aim
the Institute of Electrical and Electronics your antenna at a particular house, tree or
Engineers (IEEE) in relation to the fre- landscape feature and know you are point-
quencies between 1 and 2 GHz (1000 to ing in the right direction.
2000MHz). To give you an idea of where the satellite
https://www.ieee.org is, here in Oxfordshire, Inmarsat 4A-F4 is
at 149 degrees magnetic and 26 degrees
Receiving Satellites 1 elevation. From central London, the bear-
The Intelsat leet of satellites is geostation- Fig.1: Schematic for PB’s Homebrew Recording ing changes to 150 degrees magnetic. Up
ary, meaning that they always appear at the in Leeds, the bearing is still around 150 de-
same position in the sky to an observer on You will need to mount the antenna on grees, with the elevation coming down to 24
the surface of the Earth. Therefore, for us to a metal plate, table, bracket or even your degrees. In Aberdeen, the bearing is 151 de-
receive a signal from the satellite, we need car. It’s important that you do this, provid- grees and 21 degrees elevation. In Belfast,
to point an antenna at the part of the sky ing a ground plane for the antenna to work the bearing is 147 degrees and 22 degrees
where the satellite is located; but we don’t against. If you mount the antenna on some- of elevation, Dublin at 146 degrees and 23
need to track it across the sky, as you might thing non-magnetic, you won’t receive any degrees elevation; inally, in Plymouth, you
need to do with a satellite in low earth orbit signals. You can be really innovative like are looking at 147 degrees and 26 degrees
(LEO) like the International Space Station Ray Bokor, who posted an excellent video of elevation.
(ISS) or one of the weather satellites. of his system on YouTube, Ray mounted his The beamwidth on such a small anten-
What sort of antenna to use? If you want patch antenna on a dustbin lid and used it na is not so minute that you need to be too
to use the Intelsat service professionally, as a dish to point towards the satellite. precise. Point the antenna in the gener-
you’ll have a dish or a radome type antenna. https://youtu.be/vE8vOOj7Vi4 al direction and then peak it up for maxi-
A ‘radome’ is a structural, weatherproof en- In Ray’s video, you can see him re- mum signal. However, it is good to have a
closure that protects a radar antenna. But ceiving signals from Inmarsat 4A-F4 on place to start: Assuming you are trying to
Mike Ladd spotted that SDR-Kits are supply- 1545.12MHz. However, if you do not have a ind Inmarsat 4A-F4, tune to 1545.125MHz,
ing an L-band patch antenna at a very low metal dustbin lid to hand, other people have or thereabouts, with ‘USB’ mode select-
cost (around £10). reported success using the antenna on ed. Make sure that the Bias-T is enabled to
https://tinyurl.com/yye6bg7e their car, a tin plate or even a refrigerator! power your patch antenna and hopefully,
The antenna is modiied from a GPS you will see some peaks on the waterfall.
patch antenna (Fig. 1) and has a magnetic Pointing your Aerial These represent data coming down from
mount. Another critical factor is ‘pointing’ the an- the satellite.
It also contains some active circuit- tenna in the direction of the satellite. In or- This should be a good frequency to start
ry; in other words, it needs to be powered. der to do this, you’ll need to decide which on. Mike Ladd has created a memory bank
Fortunately, with SDRPlay devices, this is satellites you are aiming for. Inmarsat 4A- of all the different L-band frequencies
simple; the receivers have the capability to F4 (also known as Alphasat) is a good tar- which you can download at the URL below.
enable Bias-T circuitry, sending 3-5V DC up get for you if you are in the UK or Western https://tinyurl.com/yysrnqfd
the coaxial cable. All you need to do is to Europe. You can use the dishpointer.com You won’t be able to receive all the satel-
click the Bias-T button within SDRUno. website. It allows you to enter your loca- lites in Mike’s ile: He covers all the geosta-

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38 RadioUser November 2019
 Scanning Scene

TIM KIRBY

tionary satellites in use, and some of them played within the JAERO software. it on the map. This is a bit iddly, but it will
will be below the horizon in the UK. As well as the ACARS transmissions, you give you the ability to see what sort of data
can also decode STD-C messages from is being transmitted. If you like what you
Decoding ACARS with JAERO Inmarsat, but you will require a different de- see, the Tekmanoid STD-C decoder is very
That’s step one completed, congratula- coder to do this. There are some alterna- much simpler to use and fully-featured.
tions! That may be suficient for you to say tives. The best application appears to be However, if you just want the challenge
that you’ve received some data from a sat- the Tekmanoid STD-C decoder. However, of setting up and receiving some data, you
ellite. However, you’ll probably want to go although it is a really excellent application, may be happy with JAERO and Scytale-C.
on and decode the data. it has a €50 price tag, which is probably suf- I hope you ind this as interesting as I
To this end, there are various bits of soft- icient to deter you if you just want to try out did. I have to confess that I have not had
ware you can use. A good place to start is decoding the data and see if you will have a the opportunity to try everything out per-
with the JAERO software, which you will see longer-term interest in the mode. sonally here, although I have successfully
in both Mike Ladd and Ray Bokor’s videos. seen some data from the satellite using the
http://jontio.zapto.org/hda1/jaero.html An Alternative Decoder patch antenna mounted on a patio table,
There is also an engaging account of the Fortunately, there is another decoder that an SDRPRO receiver feeding into a laptop.
system and how it all works (including a you can use, although it’s not quite so But hopefully, I have given you enough to go
description of making a system with one user-friendly! on and would love to hear how you get on if
of the budget RTL-SDR dongles if you don’t It’s called Scytale-C, and there are two you decide to try this out for yourself.
have one of the SDRPlay devices). components to it, which you will need to There are some great resources avail-
JAERO allows you to receive ACARS download from this URL: able. You can see Mike Ladd of SDRPlay
messages from aircraft, and you can see https://tinyurl.com/y5n78qze and his excellent ‘How To’ guide on setting
the settings that you need to use in both You’ll need two iles, one of which will things up at the following URL:
Ray and Mike Ladd’s videos. In order to get have x64-ScytaleC-(ver).zip in the ilename https://tinyurl.com/y3rgyefp
the audio from the SDRUno software to and another one with QuickUI in the ile- What is more, if you look at the
the JAERO software, you will need to use a name. Unzip them both into a directory. SDRPlayHamGuides YouTube channel,
Virtual Audio Cable of some description. I To start viewing messages, start the you’ll ind three videos from Mike Ladd
use VB-Cable. ScytaleC.QuickUI program. You’ll need about his experiments getting things work-
https://www.vb-audio.com/Cable to point the audio input at the output of ing, which I am sure you will ind very help-
It is donationware, so if you do ind the SDRUno, using the VB-Cable software that ful.
software useful, consider making a dona- you installed earlier, in the same way, that Inspired by Ray Bokor’s dustbin antenna
tion. Install the VB-Cable software onto you did with the JAERO software. mount, I’ll be keen to see pictures of any in-
your PC. You will then be able to select it as You must then start up ScytaleC.exe, novative mounts that you try out – and get
an output for your audio on SDRUno, rather making sure that the UDP port is set to the working!
than your speakers. Then, go into JAERO same value in both programs. Hit start and
to select VB-Cable as your audio input, al- – all being well – things should start to hap- SDS-200 Feedback
lowing the data to be sent from SDR-Uno pen. It was really good to hear from RP who’d
to JAERO for decoding. All being well, you You have to copy the data from one pro- recently bought himself one of the Uniden
will then start to see ACARS messages dis- gram to another to get it to decode and plot SDS-200E scanners that we reviewed

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RadioUser November 2019 39
Scanning Scene

BB

here (RadioUser, September 2019: 23- radio station on a ‘traditional’ receiver and Fig.3: Northern Light Vessel Pharos on London
25). RP said that he bought it, along a DAB receiver. The DAB receiver will lag VTS.
with the ARC536Pro software and got behind the traditional receiver by a short pe-
it programmed and working – although riod. Back in 2002, I had fun explaining this high mast that won’t be a problem, but with
he says it took a while and some par- to HRH Prince Philip, when we ran the GB50 the antenna on a 12-foot mast in the back
acetamol tablets! special event station at Windsor Castle to garden, it makes quite a difference. Of
RP continued, “One thing I have noticed celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. course, on 1090MHz, trees and vegetation,
is when I’m running several of my scanners not to mention buildings, do a very good job
in my shack, for example, my Uniden BCT- ADS-B Reception, Trees, of absorbing signals, particularly if the veg-
15X, or my UBC-9000, & have the new SDS and a Vessel etation gets wet! If you can get your ADS-B
200E on the same frequency, I have noticed I’m writing this and in another window on antenna out in the clear, seeing as much
there are a few milliseconds delay on the my computer, I have my ADS-B receiver sky as possible, you will no doubt see the
reception of the SDS 200E. Both other scan- showing aircraft positions over a good area beneit!
ners, receive at the same time, but on the of the southern part of the UK. What’s been Last but not least, I have a scanning re-
SDS 200E, I get like an echo effect, & a slight rather interesting today is to watch my cov- sult to share with you: The image in Fig. 3
delay on transmissions, so I wonder if you erage gently increase over a period of a few shows the Northern Light Vessel Pharos,
might know anything on this matter, or have hours. “How’s that”, you say? outbound from London, and captured by
put this to the test.” Well, in the garden just to the west of me, BB who was listening to the departure on
Yes! This is rather fun. It’s because the a row of Leylandii has been felled (Fig. 2). London Vessel Trafic Service (VTS).
SDS-200E is a device with a Software I’m not normally one for felling trees, but That’s it for this month – see you next
Deined Radio (SDR) architecture; that is to actually, this particular row has really shot time! Happy listening.
say that all the demodulation of the signals up over the time we have been here. What’s
is done in software. interesting is to note that I am now see- [From this issue onwards, Tim Kirby aims
So, in effect, you have a computer crunch- ing considerably more aircraft over South even higher; he will alternate his Scanning
ing the data before it turns it into audio that Wales than before. Scene column with a new one, called
you can listen to. Some of the more distant signals were, ‘Signals from Space’. Time to watch out for
You’ll see the same thing (for the same I am sure, previously being shielded by the some radio, quite literally out of this world!
reason) if you listen to the same broadcast Leylandii. Of course, if you have a suitably – Ed.].

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40 RadioUser November 2019
 Feature

ALL PICTURES: TONY SMITH

The Experimental
Receiving Licence (1904)
Tony Smith looks at the trials and tribulations of the early wireless
listeners at the beginning of the last century.
Tony Smith G4FAI
[email protected]

F
rom the earliest days of wire-
less, enthusiastic experiment-
ers wanted to share in the ex-
citement of the new ‘wonder
of the age’. Some wanted to
set up their own transmitting stations, but
many were just interested in receiving and
listening to the signals to be heard through
the new medium.
At that time, there were no commercial
receivers available, so prospective lis-
teners had to construct their own receiv-
ers. First, however, they had to apply to the
Post Office for an Experimental Receiving
Licence under the terms of the Wireless
Telegraphy Act 1904.
To obtain such a licence, evidence of
British nationality was required, together
with two references as to character from
persons of standing, also of British national-
ity. Parents or guardians took responsibility
for applicants under 21 years, and referenc-
es were required for both parties.
The combined height and length of the
aerial to be used was limited to 100 ft.
(30.48m), and a sketch of the proposed in-
stallation was to be submitted with the ap-
plication showing all dimensions, includ-
ing lead-in wires. 1
Also needed, was a description of the
apparatus to be used, preferably with dia-
grams, and its use was limited to within a ra- ing the applicant’s membership, that they nate interference, including static”.
dius of 10 miles from a defined fixed point. had agreed to follow a course of theoretical Looking back, it seems ludicrous that
and practical instruction arranged by the such difficulties were put in the way of
Strict Requirements Committee, that they were considered to be potential listeners. However, wireless te-
In addition to this, particulars of previous thoroughly reliable and to have a definite in- legraphy was increasingly being used for
experience, if any, in working wireless appa- tention to experiment. confidential governmental, military and
ratus were required, including details of any Proposed experiments and typical sub- professional communications that could
certificates held by the applicant of profi- missions included such projects as “a com- sometimes be heard by the experimenters.
ciency in radiotelegraphy. In the absence of parison of the efficiency of various crystal It was a strict rule that any such messag-
relevant experience, it was helpful to have detectors”; “a comparison of the efficiency, es heard were not to be divulged by the li-
a recommendation from the Committee reliability, and cost of operation, of valve and censee to any unauthorised person or acted
of an Amateur Wireless Society, confirm- crystal detectors”; and “experiments to elimi- on in any way.

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RadioUser November 2019 41
Feature

Fig.1: Programmes heard by listeners in 1922.

Fig. 2: The new Broadcasting Licence (1922).
Fig. 3: From 1922 until 1926, all wireless
sets sold had to carry this label. Fig. 4: Early
commercial crystal set made by Flinders
(Wholesale) Ltd of Norwich, with glass-
enclosed ‘cat’s-whisker’, galena detector,
variometer tuning, and headphone output. Price
in 1925, £1.7.6d (£1.375).

Gamages 1913 Directory of Experimental

Wireless Stations listed 360 receiving sta-
tions with Experimental Receiving Licences,
all using home-made receivers to lis-
ten to the licensed experimental trans-
mitting stations.
https://tinyurl.com/yyubzgst

Widening Interest
General interest widened when limited pub- 2
lic broadcasting began in Britain soon after
the end of WW1. In early 1920, the Marconi and collected by the Post Office. The
Company transmitted programmes for British Broadcasting Company (BBC) was
half an hour a week from Writtle, near to receive one half of the revenue raised
Chelmsford. At the same time, a Dutch sta- from the licence fees. The new compa-
tion, PCGG, could be heard in Britain with ny’s stations were 2LO (London), 5IT
twice-weekly music concerts. (Birmingham), 2ZY (Manchester), and 5NO
On top of this, time signals and weath- (Newcastle-upon-Tyne).
er reports came from the Eiffel Tower in As a result, a new ‘Broadcasting’ Licence
Paris, and amateurs were also broadcasting was introduced on 1st November 1922.
test programmes. This permitted members of the public hav- 3
From February 1922 to January 1923, ing no theoretical or practical knowledge of
station 2MT, ‘Two Emma Toc’, broadcast wireless matters to own and operate a re-
every Tuesday evening from Writtle, and ceiving set, with the specific objective of be-
in May 1922 limited programmes be- ing entertained by the reception of “music,
gan from Marconi House in London with speeches, and news items” transmitted by
the callsign 2LO. British Broadcasting Stations.
It was an exciting time, but anyone who It was available to anyone over 21 years
merely wanted to listen to these ear- (or to parents etc. on behalf of minors) and
ly speech and music transmissions still cost ten shillings (50p). By the following
needed to make his own receiver and ap- March, 8,000 of the new licences had been
ply to the Post Office for an Experimental issued although at that time it was esti-
Receiving Licence under the terms of the old mated that there were some 200,000 unli-
Wireless Telegraphy Act 1904 (Fig. 1). censed home-constructed receivers in use.
By June 1928, the number of licences is-
The New ‘Broadcasting’ sued was 2.5 million (Fig. 2).
Licence
In November 1922, The British BBC Receivers 4
Broadcasting Company (a consortium Commercial equipment was becoming
of six manufacturers of wireless appara- available, but from 1922 until 1926, all 3). The price of these sets, and their ac-
tus: Western Electric, Marconi, General wireless sets sold were to be marked BBC cessories, such as headphones, or valves,
Electric, British Thomson-Houston, Type approved by Postmaster General. This included a royalty, which constituted the
Radio Communication, and Metropolitan signified that they were made by mem- second source of income for the BBC to-
Vickers) was licensed to provide a regular ber companies of the British Broadcasting wards the cost of broadcasting. The sale
broadcasting service of speech and mu- Company and were of a type inspected and of unapproved equipment was forbidden,
sic to the reasonable satisfaction of the approved by the Engineering Department and, for the first two years, foreign imports
Postmaster-General (PMG). of the Post Office as being incapable of were prohibited.
The service was to be financed part- causing interference to nearby stations The most popular receivers at first were
ly out of licence fees, paid by listeners when operated by an unskilled person (Fig. crystal sets, which were available commer-

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42 RadioUser November 2019
 Feature

Fig. 5: A General Electric Co. advertisement

from 1923. Fig. 6: From 1924 to 1927, all
components used in homemade sets had to
be British-made and carry this label. Fig. 7: A
Cossor Empire Melody Maker receiver, marketed
in 1927 as a kit for home construction. Over
350,000 if those were sold in the next four
years. Claimed to be “as simple as Meccano”
to make, its main attractions were its low 6
price, compared to ready-made sets, all-mains
operation, and the absence of a high-tension
battery and low-tension accumulator. The cost
in 1927 was £9.9.6d (£9.975).

cially or could be (illegally – see below)

home-constructed at low cost. They needed
no batteries, could be operated by anyone,
including children, and caused no problems
with neighbours through unwanted radiated
oscillations (Fig. 4). 5 7
It was not until more stations came on
the air that the inability of a simple crystal licence, stipulating that all components scheme was necessary.
set to separate powerful transmissions used in homemade sets should be marked Consequently, some new administrative
on nearby frequencies created a need for ‘British Manufacture’. arrangements were recommended, while
more efficient circuitry. From around 1927, The BBC agreed to the fee but insist- the service itself continued to be operated
the much more expensive valve receiv- ed that components should be stamped by the BBC. Constructors could now obtain
ers – which had been in production since ‘BBC’ and supplied through its constituent an appropriate receiving licence and legally
about 1922 – began to gain in popularity, al- members. The licence, when introduced, construct their receivers using components
though, interestingly, in October 1935, there cost fifteen-shillings; five-shillings more from any source. Home construction of
was a correspondence in Wireless World to than the regular Broadcasting Licence, and wireless receivers for pleasure listening had
the effect that the crystal set, with its silent the licensee had to declare that the receiv- finally become legal (Fig. 7).
background and good quality reproduction, ing set would be home-made by himself
should not be forgotten (Fig. 5). and that constructors would not knowingly The Foundation of the BBC
use parts manufactured elsewhere than in On 1st January 1927, by Royal Charter,
Constructor’s Licence Great Britain or Northern Ireland (Fig. 6). the British Broadcasting Company was
When the Broadcasting Licence was intro- replaced by the British Broadcasting
duced in 1922, many people objected to A Failure to Agree Corporation (BBC) with Sir John Reith as
having to buy their receivers from mem- On April 19th, 1923, the PMG announced in its first. Director-General. A new era of inde-
bers of the British Broadcasting Company. the House of Commons that the question pendent Public Service broadcasting, free
Some thought the royalty charges exces- of a Constructor’s Licence was in abeyance from commercial interests, had begun.
sive, others simply felt they should have due to his inability to come to terms with The complicated and restrictive rules and
freedom of choice. The majority, however, the BBC. A Select Committee was to be set regulations, which had plagued the early
were constructors who had made their own up to consider the matter with representa- wireless experimenters and those who just
sets, not for experimental work but sim- tives from the Radio Society of Great Britain wanted to listen to the wireless, were gone
ply to receive the new broadcast transmis- (representing the experimenters), the BBC forever. In the meantime, new short wave
sions for pleasure. and the GPO. In the meantime, experimen- stations were coming on the air from coun-
The latter group was in a difficult po- tal receiving licences would be issued to all tries around the world, creating yet another
sition. The Broadcasting Licence did not who, in the PMG’s opinion, were entitled to area of interest, the exciting world of short
permit the use of homemade receivers; as be termed ‘experimenters’, in the broadest wave listening.
‘pleasure-listeners’, it was not considered sense of the word. However, listeners to national services or
appropriate for them to have experimental The subsequent Broadcasting Committee the international short wave broadcasts still
receiving licences. There were, accordingly, Report of 1923 noted that the original li- had to have a Broadcast Receiving Licence,
a large number of people listening illegally censing scheme had broken down, owing to whether or not they had commercial or
to broadcast transmissions who, in most the increased popularity in the construction home-made equipment, and whether or not
cases, were willing to pay for the privilege, of homemade sets, the parts for which were they were listening for pleasure or as part
but with no means of doing so. being supplied by firms outside the British of a serious hobby. The licence was finally
Eventually, the idea of a ‘Constructor’s Broadcasting Company. abandoned in February 1971. The restric-
Licence’ was mooted. The PMG pro- As the marking of component parts was tions of the past were no more and listening
posed a ten-shilling (50p) fee for the new not feasible, it concluded that some other to the wireless became free to all.  

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RadioUser November 2019 43
International Radio Scene

CHRISSY BRAND

From Andorra to Brazil

EDXC Secretary-General Chrissy Brand reports from this year’s European DX
Council (EDXC) Conference, before offering an eclectic selection of programmes
from the radio scene in Brazil and reporting on some suburban DXing.
Chrissy Brand tory and was spoken about throughout French state monopoly on radio stations.
[email protected] the conference: Programme content throughout World War
II consisted exclusively of music.
Andorran Radio

T
he 52nd European DX Council In 1958, the French government initiated
(EDXC) Conference took place Christian Ghibaudo, EDXC Assistant Radio des Vallées d’Andorre (later to be-
in Andorra in September. This Secretary-General, gave a presentation come Sud Radio), in order to compete for
tiny country, nestled in the on Radio Andorra. Delegates also visited the Radio Andorra audience.
Pyrenees between France and a photo exhibition at Encamp City Hall. Bizarrely, there were no radio stations
Spain, hosted 35 EDXC participants from It covered Sud Radio and celebrated the at all in Andorra between 1981 and 1993,
14 countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, 80th anniversary of Radio Andorra. The when Radio Valira arrived. In 1989, it was
Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, station closed down in 1981, with the expi- agreed to set up a national radio and televi-
Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, ration of the Principality of Andorra broad- sion station. In 1990, Rádió Nacional d’An-
UK, and the USA. casting licence. Today, just the transmis- dorra began (94.2MHz), followed by a tele-
As usual, there was a lively programme sion building and towers remain (Fig. 2). vision service ive years later.
of presentations, interspersed with sight- A private French station, Radio Andorra Television and radio stations broad-
seeing and visits to radio and televi- was inaugurated on August 7th, 1939, cast in three languages, Catalan, French
sion organisations. broadcasting on 731 and 11720kHz. It and Spanish. Perhaps one of the more
Radio in Andorra has a fascinating his- was located in Andorra to bypass the offbeat offerings aired (maybe in radio

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44 RadioUser November 2019
 International Radio Scene

CHRISSY BRAND

Fig. 1: The lunchtime news from RNA. Fig. 2:

This Radio Andorra building is also a beautiful
landmark roday.

anywhere) is a weekly ‘fortune-reader’ pro-

gramme, in French.
As one of several conference excursions,
the EDXC toured the national broadcast-
er, Ràdio i Televisió d’Andorra (RTVA). As
well as the studios (Fig. 1) and ofices, we
had the opportunity to play at presenting a
weather forecast,
We soon learned that it is hard to watch a
monitor, be aware of the green screen and to
coordinate pointing hands in the opposite di-
rection to what is required!
The EDXC delegation was also inter-
viewed for a news programme about the
history of the Association, DXing and on the
importance of radio communication and in-
ternational friendship. 2
Radios were very much in evidence on
the excursions, as you would expect. At the to many as IRRS (Italian Radio Relay is a simple design, with a photo of bamboo
stunning Mirador del Roc del Quer (Fig. 3), Service). To celebrate, a commemorative and the RFA logo.
Harald Süss (Austrian DX Board) and Dario QSL card will be issued, both in printed and The 35-day US government shutdown
Monfereni (Play DX editor) were among the electronic formats. last winter (the longest in US history) had
irst to try some DXing at a height of 1950m, Today, the organisation is thriving, an impact on RFA. The station would have
from the well-positioned café. with ofices in Dublin, as well as Italy. run out of money, had the shutdown contin-
Finnish DXers Henri Ekman and Risto Current broadcasters using NEXUS-IBA ued for another two days. If that had been
Vähäkainu (Finnish DX Association) were relays include European Gospel Radio, the case, reduced programming would
both tuning along the band too, on a slimline International Public Access Radio, and have been implemented, and only what was
radio from the USA, a Grundig Reporter G2. United Nations News. termed as ‘essential personnel’ would have
The logs made included Spanish sta- The frequencies are 846 and 9510kHz. been reporting for work.
tions Radio Teletaxi on 90.1MHz, Pròxima Alfredo spoke of plans to use 594kHz – I will report on some of the other confer-
FM on 94.6 and 95.0MHz, Catalunya beamed to Europe between 1900 and 0000 ence presentations in next month’s column,
Ràdio Alp on 105.3MHz, and Ràdio Estel UTC – plus a 24/7 service on YouTube, including free radio in Europe and up-to-
Barcelona on 107.5MHz. Twitter, Facebook, and web TV. date information on the High-Frequency
http://edxcnews.wordpress.com The station name of Nexus was chosen Coordination Conference (HFCC).
https://tinyurl.com/y48f3g3k because it is a Latin word for link or a point http://www.hfcc.org
of connection. It was a pleasure at EDXC to
The Professionals see a young enthusiast of international ra- Brazilian Blend
At the conference, two international broad- dio, in the form of Alfredo’s daughter Elena Argentinean radio journalist, Martín Butera,
casters delivered presentations: Alfredo Cotroneo. She is a bright hope for the future resides in Brasilia. I asked Martín which ra-
Cotroneo of NEXUS-IBA (International of the hobby and the industry. dio music programmes he recommends,
Broadcasting Association) and Brian www.nexus.org especially from those that specialise in
Powell of Radio Free Asia. Brian Powell is a production engineer Brazilian and South American music.
Alfredo set up the irst English-speaking at RFA; he called into the conference Martín explained how, musically, Brazil is
radio station in Milan. This was on 88.5MHz via Skype from the USA. He stated that recognised for the Samba and Argentina for
in 1979, and it relayed programmes of Twitter was becoming a popular stream- the Tango. Samba expresses pure joy, while
short wave broadcasters, including from ing service for the station’s different lan- Tango is about nostalgia.
the BBC, VOA, Deutsche Welle, Radio guage broadcasters. As Brazil is a huge country (the ifth larg-
Nederland, Radio Beijing, and World Perhaps controversially, he also spoke est in the world), with continental dimen-
Music Radio (WMR). of plans to close RFA Mandarin and sions, he selected some radio programmes
Alfredo used to present a programme Cambodian radio and TV services in that broadcast independent music from
of listeners’ letters and tips, called Hello 2020, replacing them with online content. different regions of Brazil. Starting in the
There. Owing to time constraints, that pro- The other language services also move northern state of Pará, and the city of Belém,
gramme is now on hold. Instead, Nexus with the times; RFA’s Khmer Service’s Rádio Cultura (93.0MHz) airs an hour-
concentrates solely on being a relay of radio show now broadcasts live on long programme called Radar 93, present-
other programmes. YouTube and Facebook. ed and produced by Léo Bitar and Lucas
This year sees the 40th anniversary of To celebrate RFA’s 23rd anniversary this Padinha from Monday to Thursday (at
the station, which may be better known year, there is a commemorative QSL card. It 1800 local time).

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RadioUser November 2019 45
International Radio Scene

Short Wave Logs

UTC kHz Station and Location Language SINPO Initials

0113 6185 XEPPM Radio Educación, Mexico City Spanish 23443 CG

0822 14245 Voice of Korea, Kujang, North Korea Russian 54445 CG
0858 15160 KBS World Radio, Kimjae, South Korea Korean 34333 CG
1340 13680 Voice of Hope Africa, Lusaka, Zambia English 43443 CG
1344 13760 Voice of Korea, Kujang, North Korea English 34333 CG
1418 11670 Radio Exterior de España Spanish 33333 SC
1421 9720 Reach Beyond Australia, Kununurra Gujarati 34444 CG
1445 9960 Furusato No Kaze, Palau-Medorn Japanese 35233 LC
1618 9975 Furusato No Kaze, Palau-Medorn Japanese 25233 LC
1810 9520 Radio Romania International, Ţigăneşti-Saftica German 55444 LC
1951 5995 Radio Mali, Bamako, Mali French 44444 CG
2003 6110 Radio Fana, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Oromo 43344 CG
2013 11780 Rádio Nacional da Amazônia, Brasilia Portuguese 33333 CG
2022 4020 The Air Horn (Channel Marker) N/A 55555 CG
2107 7360 Vatican Radio Portuguese 45545 GS
2200 4885 Rádio Clube do Pará, Belém, Brazil Portuguese 54444 CG
2206 5995 Radio Mali, Bamako, Mali French 55445 CG
2220 11680 KCBS Pyongyang, Kanggye, North Korea Korean 34343 CG
2300 6190 China National Radio 2 Chinese 25543 GS
Medium Wave Logs
kHz UTC Station and location Language SINPO Initials

558 2359 Radio National de España Radio 5, multi-site Spanish 32222 SC

585 0019 RNE Radio Nacional, Madrid Spanish 54444 SC
570 0317 CFCB, Corner Brook, NL, Canada English 22222 SC
590 0408 VOCM, St. John’s, NL, Canada English 33333 SC
612 005 RNE Radio Nacional, multi-site Spanish 33222 SC
740 0325 CHUM, Marystown, NL, Canada English 32222 SC
750 0331 CGBY, Bonavista, NL, Canada English 33333 SC
801 0400 RNE Radio Nacional, Sevilla Spanish 32222 SC
900 0330 RAI Uno, Milan, Italy Italian 44444 SC
1010 0312 WINS, New York, NY, USA English 32222 SC
1130 0331 WBBR, New York, NY, USA English 33222 SC
1395 2321 Radio Seabreeze, The Netherlands Dutch 43333 SC
1440 2332 SBA Radio Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Arabic 44444 SC
1500 0355 WFED, Washington DC, USA English 22222 SC
1576 2152 RAI, Genoa, Italy Italian 33222 SC

It has been on the air for eight years lic and creates a space for new artists to LOG CONTRIBUTORS: CG = Clint Gouveia.
and looks for musical oddities and curios- present their work. Oxfordshire, Sony ICF-2001D, Bonito MegaLoop
ities produced throughout Brazil and, of https://radiosaovivo.net/usp FX +CCMC-30 + GI1000 and Tecsun PL-880. GS
course, in the northern state of Pará. You Radio FM Cultura (107.7MHz) comes = Graham Smith, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. Sony
can listen online. from Porto Alegre. The programme Brazilian ICF-SW600 and a telescopic antenna. LC = Lionel
www.portalcultura.com.br Album is presented by Piá and is broad- Clyne, Faversham, Kent. Lowe HF-150, random wire
In Brasilia, on Rádio Nacional (96.1MHz), cast from Monday to Friday, from 2200 to or homemade loop. SC = Scott Caldwell, Warrington,
Martin recommends Criolina, presented by 0000 local time. It consists mainly of music Cheshire. Sony ICF 2001D, Lowe HF225, and a
Rodrigo Barata, Tiago Pezão and Rafael Ops. and interviews, cultural agenda, and music Wellbrook loop.
It is broadcast live, on Saturday at 2100 local live in the studio.
time. The programme is a collection of ex- www.fmcultura.com.br
periences and musical exchanges that DJs tage Sony ICF-2001D and my Tecsun PL-880
make on trips around Brazil and beyond; at Suburban Sounds portables. For noise suppression, I also had
festivals, concerts, clubs, and street parties. In the summer, Clint Gouveia decided to my Bonito CCMC-30 coaxial noise ilter and
Criolina, in addition to focusing on con- check out the performance of his Bonito my GI1000 galvanic isolator in-circuit. Some
temporary Brazilian music, covers musi- MegaLoop FX magnetic loop antenna in interesting logs, including very strong signals
cians and their inluences, from African a suburban garden environment. He set from Mali on 5995kHz, and a very nice catch
to Latin sounds. up camp at the bottom of his in-laws’ gar- from Mexico City: XEPPM Radio Educación
https://tinyurl.com/y69rdx4a den, about 50m from their house, and on 6185kHz, with only 1 kW TX power I be-
The Radio University of Sao Paulo at least 25m from any other neighbours lieve. I even managed to spend one night in
(93.7MHz) airs a programme called Sounds (Figs. 4 and 5). the tent I set up next to my antenna!”
of Brazil, presented by Serginho Sagitta. Clint wrote, “I mounted the loop about 5m Apparently, his in-laws still speak to him.
(Sundays at 1400 local time). It plays above the ground with a £10 ishing pole from Lionel Clyne had a irst: He logged
songs not available to the general pub- Decathlon and connected it to both my vin- Furusato No Kaze in Japanese, at 1618

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46 RadioUser November 2019
 International Radio Scene

CHRISSY BRAND CLINT GOUVEIA

4
CLINT GOUVEIA

UTC on 9975kHz, broadcasting from Palau- 0000 to 0400 UTC – in English for the irst
Medorn. The reception was poor, and the two hours, then in Mandarin.
transmission ended promptly at 1630. The Moreover, the BBC stepped up its broad-
station has been mentioned in these pag- casts to Kashmir in August, following the
es periodically over the years as a regular evolving crisis there.
DX catch, but Lionel’s update is a timely re- https://tinyurl.com/y4aqcboe
minder. He wrote, “I just noticed via the inter- There was a frequency-swap in the sum- 5
net that this station broadcasts to Japanese mer, which is rather a rare event. On August CHRIS BRADLEY

nationals who have been abducted to North 1st, Panjab Radio moved from 1584 to
Korea. I am somewhat surprised, therefore, 558kHz and conirmed it would become a
to have logged it. However, with the help of London-wide station. Love Sport moved the
a friend, I removed part of my random wire other way, from 558kHz to 1584kHz. Panjab
antenna from the side of the house to a high- Radio was already broadcasting to North
er level, free from in-house interference, London on 1584kHz. The station started in
and I am starting to hear the beneits from 2000 and now has a team of 30 presenters,
this re-routing.” enabling the station to, “[…] provide a high
A subtle name change took place at quality broadcast service that informs, enter-
Radio Prague in September. The station is tains and actively represents and promotes
now known as Radio Prague International. the Panjabi language, heritage, culture, tradi-
Of course, it was always an internation- tions, music and artists, and acts as an agent
al service throughout its 83 years of ser- of cohesion through which all Asians can
vice. Unlike its near neighbours Bulgaria unite and lourish.”
and Romania, the station’s name was not Chris Bradley in New Jersey, USA picked
changed after the ‘Velvet Revolution’ thirty up The Mighty KBC on a vintage 1938 Zenith
years ago this month (Radio Soia became 9S262 radio. He has six Zenith radios in
Radio Bulgaria and Radio Bucharest became his collection and feels that the R7000 is
Radio Romania International). the best performer (Fig. 6). A ifteen-sec-
To mark the addition of the word ‘interna- ond recording of is available at his YouTube
tional’ to Radio Prague, the station issued a channel (search for ‘Christopher Bradley’).
video of some of its previous call signs and Chris also enjoys listening to Old Time Radio
vintage extracts, accompanied by some ex- (OTR) programmes on CHML from Hamilton,
cellent archive photographs. Ontario (Canada) on 900kHz.
https://tinyurl.com/y2wm3tsh https://tinyurl.com/y69ponom
Graham Smith reported some news items Finally, a reminder of the various SDR radi- 6
from late August. Spanish station Herri os around the world that you can play with – Fig. 3: FM reception was good at Mirador del Roc
Irratia/Radio Popular was not broadcast- there are over 400 of them. del Quer. Fig. 4: Suburbian DX camp. Fig. 5: The
ing on 900kHz. Meanwhile, China Radio https://sdr.hu/?top=kiwi Sony ICF-2001D. Fig. 6: A 1938 Zenith radio in
International was back on 6020kHz from Happy listening! the USA picked up KBC in the Netherlands.

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RadioUser November 2019 47
Feature

asts looking for Tesla biographies, we are

Tesla Rewired: spoilt for choice, and all of the published

works have their relative values and dif-
ferent emphases.
Among the key biographies, I have espe-

The Crossroads cially enjoyed the titles by Carlson, Cheney,

Freeberg, and Jonnes, listed in the short
bibliography at the end of this article.
There is now also an insightful new bi-

of Electricity ography of the Croatian-American, which,

in my view, throws into much fuller re-
lief Tesla’s place in the wider history of

& Electrickery electricity and radio. This is Nikola Tesla

and the Electrical Future (2019), by Iwan
Rhys-Morus. What is striking about this
new offering is that Rhys-Morus forceful-
ly questions the convenient myths, which
The editor reappraises Nikola Tesla in the light have grown up around Tesla over time,
such as the’ man-out-of-time’ and ‘mad-ge-
of some remarkable new book publications, nius’ tropes that many continue to per-
films and exhibitions focusing on the Serbian- petuate about him.
American inventor. Illustrative as these are, myths and per-
sonality-cults are often less-than-helpful.
I felt, therefore, that it was well worth re-
visiting the place of Nikola Tesla in the pan-
ICON BOOKS
Georg Wiessala
[email protected] theon of radio pioneers, and looking at how
this ‘round peg in a square hole’ would have
fitted into a wider scientific and social con-

A
lmost exactly one year ago,
I took a first look at the life text of his time.
and career of the inven- Apart from this new title (Fig. 1), I have
tor and radio pioneer Nikola consulted the sources indicated in the 2018
Tesla (1856–1943, Fig. 2) RadioUser article, Tesla’s own autobiog-
who, for many, still holds an enduring raphy, My Inventions, and a few of the re-
fascination today. sources indicated below.
In that short article (RadioUser, August
2018: 68/9), I focused principally on Tesla’s Global Currents
inspiration, early life and indebtedness to Tesla’s own writings notwithstanding, the
earlier scientists, as well as on his ‘mad-ge- new biography of the great man by Iwan
nius-like’ personality, his involvement in the Rhys-Morus stands out in specific ways.
‘War of the Currents’ between Thomas Alva Most importantly for me, it anchors Tesla’s
Edison (1847-1931), George Westinghouse life and work more thoroughly and method-
(1846-1914) and others, and, of course, on ically in the wider international communi-
his visions, inventions, flaws, eccentrici- ties of the era, seeking to use electricity
ties, and delusions. for the purposes of lighting, locomotion,
At the time of writing this update, Tesla’s communication, medicine, spectacle, and
life has been further dramatized, for bet- much more besides.
ter or for worse, in a recent movie block- 1 This becomes clear when the author
buster (The Current War), starring, among looks at the many worldwide public sci-
others, Benedict Cumberbatch, who, as ‘Habichtsburg’, the ‘castle of the hawk’). ence showcases of the time. The out-
you will know, has previously played Alan This region was facing the rival Ottoman standing examples of those were the
Turing in the movie The Imitation Game realm (e.g. Rady, 2017). Philadelphia Centennial (1876), the Paris
(see our feature on Turing in RadioUser, The political tole of radio in this era may Exhibitions (Exposition Universelle 1867,
October 2019: 14-18). be seen, for example, in the adoption of the International Electrical Congress, 1881),
Telegraphenregal – the state monopoly on the Vienna International Exhibition (1873),
Recent Tesla Publications telegraphy enforced by the Austrian Empire the ‘Great Exhibition’ in London’s Hyde
Recent general history titles have ap- from 1840, in an effort to enhance its secu- Park (1851), the Crystal Palace Electrical
peared to pay more attention to Croatia, rity and demonstrate its striving for moder- Exhibitions (1862), the World’s ‘Columbian’
where Tesla grew up, in a strategic out- nity at its margins. Exhibition (1893), and many other such
post of the Habsburg Empire (named after Generally speaking, as radio enthusi- events (Launius, 2010; Rhys-Morus,

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48 RadioUser November 2019
 Feature

WIKIMEDIA

2019: 72 ff.; 115).

https://tinyurl.com/kc9krgz
More modern (2017-2019) exhibitions,
such as recent ones in Nicosia (Cyprus),
Perth (Australia) and Japan have, more often
than not, referred back to this earlier period
of time, and, comparatively, to the work of
Nikola Tesla in his time.
https://tinyurl.com/yyg626y5
http://teslaforum.com/expo2017
https://tinyurl.com/y3qk39y7
In terms of context, moreover, Rhys-Morus
does not neglect to mention the numerous
other inventors and their key inventions –
often less than successful – which spurned
on (or had a direct or indirect influence on)
Tesla, such as William Sturgeon (1783-
1850, electromagnet), William Fothergill-
Cooke (1806-1879) and Charles Wheatstone
(1802-1875, electromagnetic telegraph),
the Hanoverian Heinrich Ruhmkorff (1803-
1877, induction coils), the Belgian Zénobe
Théophile Gramme (1826-1901, DC electro-
magnetic generator), the Frenchmen Joseph
Lacassagne and Rodolphe Thiers (arc lamp,
ca. 1855), or the Americans Joseph Henry
(1797-1878, RadioUser, April 2019: 64-66)
and Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922).

Innovation, Promotion, and

Practicality
In such a climate of fruitful intellectual
curiosity and research, the young Nikola
flourished, and Rhys-Morus delineates his
subsequent career, in terms of not just the
sensationalist stories about him, but the
ways in which he absorbed knowledge, built
on the brilliant work of others, and emulated
some of his role models.
This becomes clear in the chapters about
his work for Thomas Alva Edison in Paris and
New York. Edison’s methods of networking
and self-promotion, showmanship and inno-
vation clearly rubbed off on the young Tesla,
as some of his spectacular promotional ma-
terials demonstrate (Fig. 3).
However, “Tesla and Edison”, Rhys-Morus
comments, “were at different ends of the
process of inventing the future”. The author
develops what he means by that in the sub-
sequent chapters of his work; for instance
when he evaluates Tesla’s famous lecture on
A New System of Alternate Current Motors
and Transformers, to the American Institute of
Electrical Engineers in 1888 and 1891.
This talk and similar presenta-
tions established Tesla’s position Fig.1: The cover of the new Tesla biography,
in the war of the currents that by Iwan Rhys-Morus. Fig.2: Nikola Tesla.
ensued: DC versus AC, Edison
2

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RadioUser November 2019 49
Feature

WIKIPEDIA

Fig. 3: Electricity as ‘Spectacle’: Promotional

materials for the Tesla Company. Fig. 4: Satire: The
Coming Force: A cartoon on the new ‘phenomenon’
of electricity (Punch’s Almanack, 1882). Fig. 5:
The Tesla Tower built at his research facility at
Wardenclyffe. Fig. 6: The Coming Race, by E.
Bulwer-Lytton, was a major influence on the ‘occult’
undercurrents of Nazi Germany (1933-1945).
Fig. 7: There seems no end to modern ‘conspiracy-
theories’ and fantasies surrounding Tesla.

government control of the new technolo-

gies, on the other.
Tesla’s career unfolded, as the author
makes clear, in an age when electricity moved
3 from the realms of rêverie and spectacle to
WELLCOME COLLECTION CC BY reality and practical application, often accom-
panied by strong public scepticism (Fig. 4).
Eventually, Tesla became a big part of this
journey towards electric trams, domestic
lights, undersea cables and telegraphs – but,
ultimately, on his own terms, as the author
amply illustrates.
Rhys-Morus also offers an analysis of the
reflections in art and fiction of the vibrant
electrical public imagination of this era, for
example, when he looks at Edgar Allan Poe’s
sarcastic Some Words with a Mummy’, the
vril-ya substance in Edward Bulwer-Lytton’s
novel The Coming Race (Fig. 6) or Jules
Verne’s Ruhmkorff Lamps, mentioned in the
Journey to the Centre of the Earth.

Modernity and Progress

This links in well with an overall theme
4 throughout this book, which interprets elec-
tricity as a symbol of modernity. It thus
versus Westinghouse, the Electric Light https://tinyurl.com/y34zfqv4 becomes a cultural emblem of the fu-
Company versus the Electrical Manufacturing https://tinyurl.com/y3w4652h ture, of wealth, of harnessing nature, and
Company. Tesla now joined Westinghouse, of the very concept of ‘progress’ and hu-
and the latter, in turn, acquired Tesla’s patents Balances and Alliances man advancement.
for AC devices. In the further chapters of this book, Rhys- At a time when the work of Heinrich Hertz
The websites below provide a small textu- Morus traces the ups and downs of Tesla’s (1857-1894), Oliver Lodge (1851-1940) and
al and graphical flavour of the “increasingly career with reference to the balance the in- James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879) became
vicious commercial and technological battle” ventor had to strike between innovation, vi- much better known to a fascinated public,
(Rhys-Morus, 2019: 68, 83 ff.) that followed. sion, and invention on the one hand, and busi- Rhys-Morus illuminates how Tesla turned ce-
https://tinyurl.com/y3q3y44s ness acumen, commercial viability, and hard lebrity-showman on both sides of the Atlantic,

Non-Fiction
A Selection • Bongart, G. et al (2003) Tesla: Eine Biografie
• Freeberg, E. (2013) The Age of Edison: Electric Light
and the Invention of Modern America (Penguin)

of Resources (Omega Verlag Bongart-Meier)

• Carlson, W.B. (2015) Tesla: Inventor of the Electrical Age
(Princeton University Press; Reprint edition)
• Launius, R.D. et al (2010): Globalizing Polar
Science (Routledge)
• Lomas, R. (2013) The Man Who Invented the
Audiovisual • Cheney, M. (2001)Tesla: Man out of Time 20th Century - Nikola Tesla, Forgotten Genius of
BBC Radio 4 (In Our Time, 2004) Electrickery (available as an audiobook) Electricity (Create Space)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p004y269 • Corum, K.L. and J.F. (2003): Tesla’s Colorado Springs • O’Neill, J.-J. (2015) Prodigal Son –The Extraordinary Life
BBC World Service (Witness History, 2011) Nikola Tesla Receivers: http://www.teslasociety.com/teslarec.pdf of Nikola Tesla (CreateSpace Independent Publishing)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00lh2jf • Elton, D. (2015) Tesla’s Folly: Why Wardenclyffe Didn’t • Rady, M. (2017) The Habsburg Empire – A Very Short
BBC Radio 4 (The Forum, 2018) Tesla’s Electric Dreams Work https://tinyurl.com/ydxorehk Introduction (Oxford: OUP)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09kplfv • Jonnes, J. (2003) Empires of Light: Edison, Tesla, • Roguin, A. (2004): ‘Tesla – The Man Behind the Magnetic
BBC Radio 4 (Great Lives, 2018) Liza Tarbuck on Tesla Westinghouse, and the Race to Electrify the Field Unit, in: Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging,
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09nvrs5 World (Random House) Vol. 19: 369-374

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50 RadioUser November 2019
 Feature

WIKIPEDIA LECTOR HOUSE PUBLICATIONS

5 6
WIKIMEDIA

seeking to define his position in the inventors’ nals, but power everywhere, utilising not just
pantheon, and assure his long-term legacy at air and ether, but the Earth herself, in a plan-
the same time (Rhys-Morus, 2019: 121). et-spanning electric circuit, and without any
It is, moreover, when the author elaborates losses (Rhys Morus, 2019: 136-139).
on the era’s electrical shows and exhibitions, Some of his calculations and (mis-) spec-
that he is, in my view, at his most fascinating, ulations were based on his work at Colorado
because this focus aligns well with Tesla’s in- Springs and Wardenclyffe (Fig. 5). It can, per-
stinct for lavish self-promotion, and with the haps, be argued that the important aspect
period’s general attitudes towards electric- of Tesla’s work relating to stationary waves
ity as the dominant, astounding, technolo- and Very Low Frequency (VLF) signals is
gy of the future. rarely if ever, touched upon in other biogra-
Then as now, society’s dominant discours- phies of this ‘electrical poet’ (Rhys-Morus’s
es about ‘power’ (in more ways than one) words, not mine).
and ‘progress’ were interwoven with the Tesla expounded his amazing visions
technologies promoted as being best able in a number of famous published essays,
to achieve it. such as The Problem of Increasing Human
Energy or My Inventions. These speak of an
Electrical Poetry optimistic conception of evolution, which
Electricity was then, it seems, what 5G and this author links in to the overall cultural cli-
the internet are for us now – both hope and mate of the period.
hyperbole. Against this backdrop, Tesla could This positive outlook on communications,
not have succeeded without building and ce- and electricity, also permeates the astound-
menting patronage and forging alliances; for ing scientific romances penned by H.G. Wells,
7
example, with the British Post Office’s Chief E, Bulwer-Lytton, George Griffith and others,
Telegraph Engineer, William Henry Preece and which were so popular at the time.
(1834-1913) and with members of the nu- contemporaries.
merous US and European ‘Learned Societies’. Summary and Outlook That he worked in both Europe and the USA
Rhys-Morus thoroughly captures much of There is, of course, a lot more that could be makes this task even more rewarding. In the
this very substantial networking activity, at said about the life of this amazing inventor same way that Mary Shelley (1797-1851) and
which Tesla excelled. and pioneer of the electrical age, and I feel her time cannot be fully understood without
This new title, however, is not an uncritical certain that we will encounter him again in reference to her gothic novel Frankenstein,
paean to Tesla, and we learn also about his the pages of RadioUser and PW. the electrical debates of the late 19th and ear-
electric delusions, glaring misjudgments and I liked this new life story of him very ly 20th centuries were powerfully charged by
amazing flights of fancy. much because of the context the author wider ideas on progress and the futures of
Nikola Tesla did not invent the radio, has brought to the fore so meticulously. It is humanity in the electrical age.
and he was famously underwhelmed by unusual – but essential – to have the era’s This view may also go some way towards
Marconi’s contemporary work at Poldhu and literature and culture referred to and to ap- explaining why Tesla succeeded in so many
Newfoundland in 1901. He was, by contrast, proach both the social and scientific back- of his endeavours and failed spectacularly
much more interested in sending, not just sig- ground of the work of Nikola Tesla and his in other areas.

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RadioUser November 2019 51
Emerging Issues in Radio

CHRISSY BRAND

Unnecessary Chrissy Brand

[email protected]

Detail, Too Much Chrissy Brand discusses the effec-

tiveness of radio stations attending,
and broadcasting from, local events.
She applauds minority language ra-

Toulouse, and dio stations, while Tim Sutton-Brand

recommends some science and tech-
nology podcasts.

The Spoken Nerd Whilst in Toulouse in September, I encoun-

tered a pop-up event from local radio sta-
tion Toulouse FM in the main square, the
Place du Capitole. The station was well-
placed in a market selling local food, drink
and craftwork. This was part of an annual,
three-day-long, clearance sale event in the
city, where sale stock is sold from tables
outside shops, as well as from inside.

Too Much Toulouse

At Toulouse FM, promotional staff – in-
cluding a bear mascot dressed in station
colours of pink and white – were trying
to engage with the public. Despite a big
stall and loud music, it all seemed rather
flat (Fig. 1). It made me wonder if people
are less interested than they used to be
in this type of event from local radio sta-
tions. Although to be fair, there was quite
a crowd earlier in the day for a Toulouse
FM breakfast giveaway.
The station regularly takes part in cul-
tural events around the city, with a pink
theme chosen because Toulouse is known
as the Pink City, due to its buildings being
made from bricks of that colour. A radio
station that gives a nod to the heritage of
its surroundings is always on solid ground,
lending gravitas, and showing apprecia-
tion of what has come centuries before.
Many pop FM stations miss that local spir-
it, in the clamour for having to be seen as
‘light-hearted’.
To be successful, radio station pop-up
events need to create a party vibe, whether
aimed at families, with activities, or at an
evening audience, maybe with some lo-
cal live music. Otherwise, it can make for
a rather forlorn and dated sight. However,
the videos on the Toulouse FM Facebook
page showed snapshots of happy people
of a wide age range, delighted to be part of
Fig. 1: The their favourite FM station.
Toulouse FM Being handed a balloon or other free-
mascot tries to bie wouldn’t change my view on a sta-
liven up the locals.

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52 RadioUser November 2019
 Emerging Issues in Radio

CHRISSY BRAND ADAM ROBINSON

FOTSN

tion’s ‘listenability’ as it were. Although it Fig. 2: France Musique broadcast two events from
does raise awareness, of course, it is just Toulouse in September. Fig. 3: The trio that is
one strand to a promotional campaign. All The Festival of the Spoken Nerd. Fig: A Podcast of
such campaigns compete with radio and Unnecessary Detail is coming soon.
TV stations locally, regionally, nationally,
and beyond borders. Not to mention music This is a small number, spread out well
streaming and podcasts, an area in which beyond the range of an FM transmitter.
there is always something new and excit- However, it is a large enough population to
ing to discover. sustain radio programming. This is proven
Toulouse FM was not the only radio by Radio Occitania, which started in 1981
station with its publicity in the square. and broadcasts news, cultural and musical
Just around the corner, I saw two France programmes on four FM frequencies, includ-
Musique banners. displayed on the walls of ing one in Toulouse. Science and Tech Podcasts
the impressive tourist information building Radio Planèta Occitània, meanwhile, is Tim Sutton-Brand, a product designer, has
(a 16th Century tower). These advertised an internet station that concentrates on tra- been listening to podcasts in the science
two live broadcasts that were taking place ditional Occitan music. and technology ield on his recently pur-
in the city (Fig. 3). The fact that the two ra- www.radio-occitania.com chased Apple Watch. He takes a closer look,
dio stations were competing in the same www.radio.fr/s/planetaoccitania for RadioUser, at a couple of his favourites.
marketplace (literally!) underlined the con- Similarly, BBC Welsh language station Extremities is an educational podcast by
stant battle between local and national ra- BBC Cymru has met the demand for the lo- Wendover Productions. It is a scripted pod-
dio organisations for a share of the national cal language. BBC Cymru launched a sec- cast that explores, in-depth, some of the
French radio market. ond station in 2018 to join the original, which world’s most extreme and isolated commu-
However, one would imagine that the commenced in 1977. The older one con- nities. The irst season focuses on Pitcairn,
classical music and jazz offerings of France centrates on news, while the second station a British island with a population of just 50
Musique, and the electro-pop of Toulouse covers music and entertainment. people located 5,500km from the nearest
FM, appeal to very different sets of the popu- For languages to survive, let alone thrive, major city in the South Paciic. The six-part
lation, in the same way as, in the UK, there is they need to be taught beyond the home series describes the island’s history and
barely an overlap between BBC Radio 3 and, and encouraged in schools and cultural es- how it was founded. It goes into great detail
say, Wire FM listeners. tablishments, such as radio stations. This about the economy, jobs, culture and life-
is a vital role all over the world for a num- style on the island, and provides a fascinat-
Minority Languages ber of niche radio stations, today and in the ing insight into life on Pitcairn.
Listener loyalty is, perhaps, easier to main- immediate future. The podcast is formatted into bite-size
tain in the case of a specialist radio station, The audience that can understand the (25-minute) episodes; these consist of nar-
service or programme. Occitan is a lan- languages may be small, but this is one of ration, complete with immersive sound
guage spoken throughout parts of southern radio’s strengths: the ability, in theory, to ca- design, as well as a couple of interviews
France, Monaco, Catalonia and Italy. It is, ter for all ages, backgrounds and interests. with a Pitcairn citizen who grew up in this
according to a 2010 survey, “spoken by 18% Programmes can be produced cheaply, with remarkable place.
and understood by 32% of the population in a handful of people talking about interesting Season One is available to listen to in full,
the regional territory”. subjects, or playing music. along with a one-off special episode about

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RadioUser November 2019 53
Emerging Issues in Radio

the fascinating story of Howland Island, a er unbiased approach to covering news ing their content more accessible to people
2.6km2 island in the Paciic Ocean. A second and rumours in the ield, all three Tailosive who may struggle to attend their shows.
season is currently in the works and will fo- Tech hosts are opinionated in their outlooks The group are some of the pioneers of
cus on a new isolated community. on the tech world and are very open about the format of combining science and stand-
Marques Brownlee is best known for his their strong bias towards products made by up comedy, with each member bringing
YouTube channel by the name of MKBHD. Apple and Tesla. Whether you are a fan of a unique set of knowledge and wit to the
It boasts over nine million subscribers. these companies or not, each of the three of podcast. Steve brings his quirky comedic
Marques reviews technology, from smart- them offers an interesting insight, and do a style and physics knowledge, Matt offers
phones and headphones to electric cars great job of justifying their biases towards his beyond-nerdy love of numbers and all
and cameras. He recently set up a podcast their chosen brands. things mathematics, and Helen grounds
called Waveform. He shares his thoughts The podcast is light-hearted and easy lis- all of this with real-world applications of
on upcoming and recently released tech- tening, with plenty of jokes sprinkled among maths and science.
nology. It is a must for any fans of the the debates and discussions. Guests of- The podcast has a loose format, with ex-
MKBHD YouTube channel and the tech in- ten come on to the podcast to offer vary- cerpts from their live shows, guest spots,
dustry in general. ing opinions, which often spark up interest- as well as much more planned content,
Having covered the industry for more than ing conversations, with at least one major with each host bringing something to the
ten years, he has a vast knowledge, not only guest scheduled for the upcoming episodes. podcast that they didn’t manage to it into
of consumer electronics, but also of the Season 3 began in September, just before a stage show. If you haven’t already heard
companies that make it; he often receives the release of Apple’s latest iPhone; this will of the trio, the podcast is a great way to get
early access to unreleased products, and his certainly be the subject of several episodes. into them, with each episode going into an
YouTube reviews, as well as this podcast, If you’re a die-hard ‘Apple fan’ – or even a absurd amount of detail about an inter-
are worth checking out before making any hardcore Apple hater – the podcast offers esting topic that you likely knew nothing
sort of technology purchase. an interesting point of view and is worth a about beforehand.
Despite still only being a few months old, listen. It complements the YouTube channel
this podcast is one of the most well-received of the same name.
and highest-ranked tech-podcasts on many Coming soon is the Podcast of Radio Events
major services. Unnecessary Detail by the Festival of the
November 5th and 6th
The Tailosive Tech Podcast, by Andrew Spoken Nerd. This is a three-person comedy
World DAB Forum, Brussels, ASI
Erickson, Randy Vazquez and Nic Ansuini, is act, made up of Helen Arney, Steve Mould
(Advertising Seminars International)
a weekly(ish) tech-focussed podcast and a and Matt Parker (Fig. 3). The trio is best
spin-off from the rapidly growing YouTube known for their live stage shows illed with November 6th to 8th
channel, Tailosive Tech. The podcast takes live experiments. They focus on going into International Radio & Audio
a deep dive into discussing recently-re- some extraordinary detail on science and Conference, Prague
leased technology, as well as investigating maths. The group recently announced that, November 28th
emerging trends. as well as their monthly evening shows, they Audio Production Awards, London
Unlike a lot of other tech podcasts’ rath- would be producing a regular podcast, mak-

A few more from Hamfest

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54 RadioUser November 2019
 Digital Radio

Global DAB Stations

Kevin Ryan
[email protected]

Kevin Ryan has news of a very busy

summer for both DRM and DAB radio,
discusses the tantalizing possibility
of a new DRM receiver, and reviews the
DRM App for Android.

Global launched ive new services in

as many days around the beginning of
September, all in DAB+. Like Absolute
Radio’s ‘themed’ stations, listeners now
have Heart 70s, Heart 80s and Heart 90s,
all on the D1 national multiplex. Capital Xtra
changed to DAB+ to create capacity for
Capital Xtra Reloaded.
I logged these three stations on the D1
national multiplex in DAB+, mainly using
40kbps, and I think the multiplex is full
for the moment.
The following week, Global rebranded the
Chill playout service to Smooth Chilled, but 1 2
this service is only available in the Greater
London area, again using DAB+. The ifth, DRM on Android Fig.1: The DRM and DRM+ apps include a tutorial
and inal, station launch is Smooth Country, A Korean company has developed on how to connect audio from the radio to your
another online playlist station, on 14 local decoders for DRM (Free) and DRM+ Android device. Fig. 2: The DRM app did not
multiplexes in DAB joint stereo, mainly in (£1.90). These are available on the Google respond to any audio signal fed into my Android
the south of England. Play app store. I searched for them using 7.0 tablet. Fig. 3: I decoded the five-minute test
Global is moving playlist stations the name of the developer (AlgorKorea) transmission from Radio Taiwan International
from online to broadcast radio. However, because DRM also stands for Digital (RTI) in German. Fig. 4: The Russian test
judging by my recent listening, they are still Rights Management. The DRM app has a transmissions are difficult to receive; there were
heavily automated. useful tutorial (Fig. 1) on how to connect occasional successes from remote SDRs in Japan
Bauer launched seven new services the DRM signal to your Android mobile and Korea...
online earlier in July. These are all online- phone or tablet.
only services and brand-extensions to KISS, Android apps, but I found Spectroid and
Heat Radio and Kerrang! TRRS and TRS Z-Device Test invaluable in checking the
The essential piece of hardware is an input audio and the hardware connections.
More UK DAB adapter that splits the 4-pole jack socket Not all adapters are created equal. I
Atlantis, a 1960s music service, has on the device into two 3-pole connections; discarded two before inding out that the
expanded its coverage. Its website states a microphone in connection for the DRM one made by Posugear had a 4-pole plug,
that you can listen to it in London, Surrey, signal, and a headphones-out to listen on which the segments are a fraction
North Sussex, West Kent, East Anglia, to the decoder. shorter in length than the other two, and
Lincolnshire, Manchester, and Humberside. The naming convention is Tip (T), Ring that all four TRRS segments make sound
The service is using a mix of local (R) and Sleeve (S) for the standard 3-pole, connections. My headset with earpieces
multiplexes and small-scale DAB. and TRRS for the 4-pole with two rings. The and a microphone was detected by both the
More expansion plans are scheduled diagram suggests putting a high-pass-ilter phone and the tablet.
for 2020. I monitored the station on on the DRM audio connection.
the Surrey multiplex using DAB+ (with I assembled a cable with the suggested Results
AAC encoding). ilter on a piece of prototyping stripboard, After a lot of testing, I could not get the
https://www.atlantisradio.uk together with a TRRS/TRS adapter, and I app to work. I used an off-air IQ output
Several stations left DAB, including GN began testing on two android devices. I from a KiwiSDR that DReaM decoded
Radio UK, The Arrow (both in London), and spent a lot of time trying to check if these correctly on the PC. The audio spectrum
BFBS Brize Norton. However, the latter was devices actually had a 4-pole jack socket. is visible on the Android tablet using the
still broadcasting by early September. I don’t want to use a lot of the column on Spectroid app, which has a 20kHz display

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RadioUser November 2019 55
Digital Radio

in the linear mode.

Both DRM apps had updates, but nothing
changed. The DRM app’s indicators all
stayed blank (Fig. 2).
I used the same settings that DReaM had
to decode the IQ signal.
This may be a ‘permissions’ problem.
However, as far as I can tell, the app has
access to the microphone. The input levels
are likely to be too high because the app
uses the microphone input. There is no way
to absolutely tell if either of these issues
is the problem.
I feel that the app needs an evaluation
mode, like in DreaM, where you see the
input spectrum.
In summary, I wouldn’t waste time on
trying to get this to work until the developer
issues a major update.
3
SDR Receiver apps on a Tablet
I started out with the idea of running an
SDR on my tablet and piping the audio
output to the DRM decoder. I don’t think
that there is an SDR app that tunes the
short wave bands, and a virtual cable
app like VB-Cable on Windows, but I will
continue searching. If you know of any
good apps, please let me know.

North Korea DRM

North Korea (The Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea, DPRK) appeared again
on 3560kHz, using DRM. It has a history
of using this frequency, popping up in
2012 and again in 2017. In 2017, they
identiied as ‘DRPK DRM’, but these new
tests have a BBEF test. BBEF may be the
Beijing BBEF Science and Technology
Group identiier that reportedly supplied
the DPRK with new transmitters. New
frequencies from this secretive country
always cause speculation, but it may be as
simple as a transmitter test from either the
DPRK or China.
https://tinyurl.com/y3tjnarm
https://tinyurl.com/yxnbd5kt 4

More DRM tests Buenos Aires, on the occasion of the B19 was very close to the Maximum Useable
I picked up the very short test from Radio HFCC conference. Frequency (MUF) for that path. Vatican
Taiwan International in German, using a At the HFCC meetings, frequency Radio put in a much better signal on 17535
remote receiver, on the 16th of August planners from most international kHz later in the day.
(Fig. 3). The signal was good enough broadcasters meet, in order to agree A Japanese DXer reported China Radio
to decode, but overall the quality of their schedules, with the aim of International in DRM from 0830-0930 UTC
reception of the one-hour transmission on avoiding interference. on 15135kHz. The HFCC update listed
September 1st was poor. http://www.hfcc.org this frequency in Indonesian (Bahasa
There were special broadcasts for The BBCWS relay was not well received, Indonesia) from Kunming with 500kW
the HFCC conference from the BBCWS and I could ind no trace of it on KiwiSDR in analogue. I listened in at 0830 UTC on
relay station on Ascension Island, and a remote receivers in Argentina, Chile or several days, but I only found AM. Maybe,
less-publicised one from Vatican Radio, Brazil, all of which seem to suffer from high this was due to a very rare error at the
directed towards Argentina’s capital of noise levels on 21630kHz. The frequency transmitter site, which the domestic CNR1

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56 RadioUser November 2019
 Digital Radio

service uses for DRM broadcasts to China. Radio Romania costs of their ageing equipment. Stations
Radio Kuwait’s latest update to the As I write this column, rumours abound who migrate to the new band would eventu-
HFCC shows that its Urdu service will use that Radio Romania International (RRI) is ally give up their FM translators, freeing up
DRM from 1600-1800 UTC on 15540kHz, about to close down or suspend its short space in that crowded band.
before continuing in English to Europe on wave service, including its six hours in the However, the actual implementation of
the same frequency. It’s a shame that their DRM mode. With All India Radio also under this plan is years away, and the parallel
transmitters are so unreliable. threat (another eight and half hours in DRM processes of consulting, developing stan-
mode), this would amount to a major loss dards, and manufacturing new receivers
DRM From Russia of services for DRM fans. will take time.
The Voice of Russia ceased DRM Some RRI transmitters appeared to be There is coverage of this petition (see be-
transmissions on the 1st April 2014. off the air, fueling speculation that the low) in the radio press. I do not feel that this
Therefore, when an unidentiied station closedown could be sudden, rather than at will happen. However, if the spectrum were
appeared on 12025kHz in Russian (Fig. the end of the current A19 season in late to be made available, I cannot really see the
4), there was speculation that VOR might October. RRI carries out a lot of antenna FCC sanctioning stations to use DRM+ in-
be returning to short wave. The station and transmitter maintenance during the stead of HDRadio. DRM+ (Mode E) has two
was quickly identiied as a test broadcast summer. We can only hope that the relevant major advantages, in that, irst, the stations
aimed at the Chukotka region – the part of transmitters will return. can be spaced 100kHz apart (against the
Russia that meets Alaska. The transmitter What we do know is that Radio Romania 400kHz spacing of HDRadio); second, DRM
site is in Komsomolsk-Amur, almost (SSR) has a budget cut to implement – is an open standard and licence-free.
directly south of the region in the strip probably the same as the budget for the https://tinyurl.com/yxtlton7
of land between China and Japan. The RRI in total – and I doubt that RRI will
broadcasts are aimed at the approximately escape altogether. DAB in Cumbria
2,000 people who work and explore in I believe that both of these stations just The closing date for applications to oper-
this region, and also at those plying the did not appear to understand how to con- ate one or more DAB multiplexes in the
Northern Sea Route. igure DRM for robust reception. They Cumbria and the Morecambe Bay area was
The General Radio Frequency Centre should look at the conigurations that China September 11th. There are reports of Bauer
(GRFC) in Russia initially registered three National Radio uses. These provide recep- and Nation Broadcasting seeking part-
frequencies for ‘Propagation Tests’ from tion in stereo at a very low SNR. RRI in DRM ners to put forward bids to acquire these
2000-1000 UTC; it later amended this to should have been the easiest station to re- licences. Nation Broadcasting started as
12025kHz (2000-0300) and 15735kHz ceive in the UK and Europe. However, I have Town and Country Broadcasting; a name
(0300-1000). The third frequency of always struggled to pull it in and decode the you will see associated with DAB multiplex-
11615kHz may be used at some point. audio with basic equipment. es in parts of Wales. Nation established the
The station has been heard with Russian The station always seemed to use the Bailiwick Broadcasting Company to apply
music on 12025 kHz. These frequencies least robust mode, and to pick frequencies for the Channel Islands DAB multiplex.
may change at the end of October. The that propagated poorly or had interference
tests will use both AM and DRM modes; from analogue transmitters. Single Digital Radio Solution
the preference is for DRM, because of The DRM Consortium published an article
the audio quality and the fact that this DRM Receiver Debate on multi-standard digital receivers in Radio
can carry other data, such as project and I covered this topic last month, and I World. It might be one way to get DRM-
operational information. have since found more detailed reports capable receivers in numbers if a manu-
http://www.rfs-rf.ru/grfc/eng/main on the DRMNA blog and in a report from facturer made a DRM-DAB+ receiver. The
The United States Coast Guard has Radio World. The news is a bit out of date, chipsets exist (they did before), and both
shown that DRM works well in this but the pictures will give you an idea of standards are free of intellectual prop-
sub-auroral zone. the types of receivers being considered erty costs, unlike any receiver incorpo-
https://www.uscg.mil for manufacture. rating HD Radio.
https://tinyurl.com/y34b2pqu https://tinyurl.com/y6oyqkea
DRM from France https://tinyurl.com/y348e85r A quick look at the diagrams in this data
TDF scheduled a DRM test to a key sailing I have also come across a reference to sheet shows all the extra modules that need
event, La Mini-Transat. The racecourse this a new receiver from Gospell called the GR- to be added, in order to create a function-
year ran between La Rochelle in France 22 (Fig. 6). It might be launched at the IBC al radio. I think that, if a manufacturer uses
and the Canary Islands. The broadcast 2019 exhibition. More on that next month, this chip, they will likely just enable the stan-
was sent out from the 22nd to the 29th if this is true. dard used in the target country.
of September, from 1500-1600 UTC on
15300kHz. Given that this is a sailing DRM in the USA 5G Threat Exaggerated
event, I hope that they are planning a test The owner of WRNJ, Larry Tighe, has come It seems that the perceived demise of DAB
of the smartCAST system (Fig. 5). Previous up with an idea of allowing existing AM sta- at the hands of 5G technology presented
broadcasts have consisted of a relay of RFI tions to move to the 40-50MHz band on a recently at various meetings is not nearly
audio, plus multimedia. There is a second voluntary basis, where they would broad- as close as we might have thought. Some
leg early November, which might mean cast in DRM+ when ready. Owners of AM experts don’t believe that 5G will affect ra-
more DRM transmissions. stations are struggling to cope with in- dio, as 5G has no radio speciications or
https://www.minitransat.fr/en creased interference levels and rising repair standards, and the radio sector just hasn’t

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RadioUser November 2019 57
Digital Radio

Fig. 5: The smartCAST system uses a combination

of DRM and the internet to communicate with
ships at sea. Fig. 6: This model was seen on
promotional literature for IBC 2019; it looks like it
is aimed at the domestic Chinese market.

enough influence or economic power to

make demands. Mobile telephony and TV
will always take precedence in these net-
works, and radio services will end up well
down the priority list for data capacity.
Work in Europe is aimed at the distribu-
tion of linear TV (the 5G Today project). In
simple terms, the two networks will merge
into one, with TV having a 5G data mode.
The DTV spectrum and transmitter sites are
really attractive to the 5G operators. DAB
digital radio is not being considered at all at 5
the moment. Nevertheless, some radio ser-
vices currently carried on the DTV networks
may transfer over to 5G by default.
https://5g-today.de/?lang=en
https://tinyurl.com/y645mljo

Spectrum Radio
The Spectrum Radio Network is seeking
offers for a mono DAB station and two
stereo DAB+ stations. It is not clear from
the wording whether these are options
for the same 64kbps capacity. Spectrum
6
manages Fix Radio, Radio Baikal, Sout all
Khaleej and Spectrum Radio on DAB. All
these stations use the London 2 multiplex splits down to 35% via DAB+ and 30% I have posted an updated list of DRM
(12A), and all four are in mono DAB. I via IP radio and DTV. DAB+ listening has transmissions on my website.
think they want to attract another station increased by about 3% each year since https://www.radio-digital.co.uk/wp/home
to take over the Spectrum Radio slot. The 2015. Therefore, there is still a lot of work Finally, just to note that I joined
station just carries nonstop pop music as a to do prior to 2021. the Australian Radio DX Club, and my
continuity service. membership included receiving the monthly
https://spectrumradio.net/airtime KTWR DRM Tests journal New Zealand DX Times. Annual
In the November 2019 issue of the New membership overseas in US$20; enquiries
Switzerland Zealand DX Times, KTWR had a message can be sent to [email protected].
Switzerland had set a date of 2024 to end from a disappointed Mike Sabin. He https://www.facebook.com/ARDXC.Inc
all FM transmissions, but now the country remarked that “KTWR has no audience http://www.radiodx.com
may turn off the public broadcasts as living down under. Those who are hearing
early as late 2022, and the private ones our DRM broadcasts to the region are Summary
six months later. Licences expiring in people who live elsewhere and hear the There are currently a lot of DRM tests,
December 2019 will get an automatic back-lobe in Japan or people like me who and I hope this level of activity continues.
extension to 2024. If there are gaps tune in via a KiwiSDR in Sydney, or some Sadly, a couple of major DRM broadcasters
in DAB+ coverage in particular areas, other place in the region. While this shows are under threat. The number of DAB
individual FM stations could continue that KTWR can reach the area, it seems that stations in the UK keeps increasing, and
to operate after switchover for a limited they are not reaching regional listeners”. I believe that this expansion will only be
period of time. The latest igures show KTWR terminated the DRM shot to ANZ/SP limited by multiplex capacity. The promise
that 65% of listening is digital and 35% of to conserve funds for broadcasts to India, of a new DRM receiver is exciting news
users use FM. The digital listening portion China, and Japan/South Korea. for enthusiasts.

HAVE YOU TRIED THE DIGITAL ISSUE?

58 RadioUser November 2019

 Aerials Now!

ALL ILLUSTRATIONS BY KEITH RAWLINGS, EXCEPT FIG. 7: WIKIPEDIA/AMAZON

Keith Rawlings
[email protected]

H
ello and once again welcome
to Aerials Now! In the August
issue, I mentioned Chris Clark
who wondered whether the
stock aerial on his UBC125XLT
was suitable for Marine Band reception and
whether there were any suggestions on a re-
placement that would improve reception. I
put his query to readers and had a number
of replies that came in a bit too late for inclu-
sion in last month’s column.
Paul from Broadstairs, Kent only ever uses
the stock aerial on his 125 and inds it per-
fectly adequate. A couple of readers use the
Watson 881 and ind this performs very well
on the marine band; three correspondents
suggested Chris continues to use the tele-
scopic whip, as they have found it works well.
However, always remember that any aeri- 1
al mounted on a ‘handie’ will work differently Fig.1: Telescopic and W881 Aerials.
when held in the hand close to the body, and
when sitting away from objects, such as on
a table; there are also differences, depend-
ing on whether it is being used indoors or
F-Type Connectors
outdoors, and whether or not it has a clear
take-off (Fig. 1).

Connectors: The F-Type

and Quad Aerials
I know that a lot of our readers use F-Type Keith Rawlings resolves reader queries on aerials, in-
connectors. They are convenient to use and
require just minimal assembly. They are also
troduces F-type connectors, looks at the history, tech-
inexpensive, and they make the use of mod- nical aspects and advantages of quad aerial designs,
estly-priced commercial ampliiers, split- and travels back to his own aerial system in 1978.
ters and LNB’s designed for the satellite TV
market (Fig. 2).
The ‘F’ type is another of those connec- the centre pin. When assembled correctly, This was the Q6/2M model, and it gave me
tors that have been around for some time. the cable inner insulator, or dielectric, mates good service until I retired it in favour of a
Originating in the 1950s for use on cable TV to the face of the connector. Yagi (Fig. 3, from the Jaybeam catalogue).
systems in the USA, they are now a common Needless to say, the inner should ideally be I had mine conigured for horizon-
sight. They are used extensively with terres- of solid wire construction, not stranded. tal polarisation, and for use on the SSB-
trial and satellite TV systems. As mentioned above, the cable can be ei- end of the band.
These connectors are designed to be used ther screwed or crimped into place. However, I found that it also had a small
with cable types like RG6/U and RG59/U, and Male connectors are sometimes found amount of vertical polarisation. This
therein lies a slight problem: These systems with an O-ring inside the locking nut. This was useful when chatting to friends in
work with an impedance of 75 Ohm, whereas helps to seal the mating faces of both con- the FM part of the band, especially when
it is common nowadays for equipment and nectors and provides some waterprooing for they were mobile.
aerials used by enthusiasts to work on 50Ω. the canter conductor. The Q6/2M had a claimed gain of 12dB
Interestingly, F connectors provide a consis- In general, F connectors are not wa- over a dipole (dBd). It was not until I, regretta-
tent match of 75Ω over a very wide band- terproof and should be well sealed bly, replaced it with an 8-element beam, that I
width, 2GHz or more. when used outside. realised how good a performer it was.
Like other connectors, they are available There is also a version of the F called the
as crimp versions and also screw-in variants, ‘Flex-F’, which is a push-on version but has in- A Little Quad History
where the cable is screwed into the body. ferior properties. Readers may like to read a little about the
Where the enthusiast is concerned, the fe- development of the quad – it has an interest-
male socket is almost always itted to the de- Another Directional ing history. Just prior to WWII, a mission-
vice, making the male plug the one most like- Parasitic Array ary station located high up in the Andes, in
ly to require attention when making up leads. Last month I made mention, in passing, of a a place called Quito (Ecuador), wanted to
The coaxial cable centre conductor forms 2m band Jaybeam 6 element ‘Cubical Quad’. ensure that its Gospel message was being

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RadioUser November 2019 59
Aerials Now!

PICTURES: KEITH RAWLINGS

2
Fig. 2: Two F-Type Connectors (Sockets Top,
Plugs Below). Fig. 3: A Q62M cubical quad (from
a Jaybeam Catalogue). Fig. 4: A cubical quad
diagram (Source: ARRL Handbook). Fig. 5: Quad
feed points. Fig. 6: Jaybeam 46-element (70cm),
top-8 element-folded and ground plane (2m). Fig.
7: The essential handbook by Cowan and Orr.

heard loud and clear in North America. To do

this, the operators intended to radiate some
10kW in the 25m band. Eventually, radio en-
gineers were brought in from the USA to in-
stall and maintain this station.
To get the best possible signal delivered to
their target audience, a large, four-element,
parasitic beam was designed and erected,
pointing directly to North America. The engi-
neers were more than conident that this set
up would yield the required results.
Unfortunately, after a few days operating,
and to the dismay of the engineers, the beam
was being slowly eaten up by gigantic corona
discharges that were burning away its alu- 3
minium elements. This was sad, in particular,
because initial reception reports indicated had a habit of sparking over in the humid band. Reports from the listeners to HCJB
that the station as a whole was achieving its conditions. Therefore, something else was (and to Moore’s own amateur station) later
goal, with plenty to spare. needed. The engineers had brought a num- conirmed the excellent performance of the
It was believed that the thin evening air ber of reference books; as they poured over design. When Moore re-tuned to the USA,
at 10,000 ft and the general atmosphere them, and went back to basics, they came up he iled a patent on the design, which was
at the location were causing this problem. with the idea of a ‘pulled-open’ folded dipole; eventually granted. Once word of the design
Apparently, the effects were quite spectacu- this was then turned into a loop, which had got out, Moore built several more quads to
lar, lighting up the sky for miles around; as a ‘no end to the elements’. order, one being a giant design for TGNA in
consequence, lumps of burning aluminium They hastily constructed a loop, added a Guatemala city, a station which then operat-
fell to the ground below the array. reflector and put it in the place of the original ed in the 49m band.
One of the engineers sent to Quito was beam. One can only imagine the feelings of
Clarence Moore W9LZX, and he believed the hard-working engineers as they waited A Success Story
that the easily-ionised air at that altitude for the evening dew to form. Since then, many thousands of quad designs
could not handle the extremely high voltage As the evening drew on, and the moisture and derivatives have been built by amateurs
potential developed at the tips of the beam from the jungle rose and formed as dew on and enthusiasts the world over, and they
elements. To get around the problem, he ini- the elements, all of them were delighted to have gained a reputation for an excellent
tially ixed copper balls to the ends of the see that, with the station running at full pow- performance. Like a dipole that can have
elements. These were found in water tanks er, there was no corona discharge. parasitic elements added in front and behind
in the locality. The problem had been solved. it to give directivity and gain, the Quad too
W9LZX was so pleased with the design can be a single loop element, or it can have
A Partial Cure that he emulated it at his amateur station parasitic elements added to provide directiv-
This was only a partial cure, and the tips still in Quito, to be used on the 20m amateur ity and gain (Fig. 4).

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60 RadioUser November 2019
 Aerials Now!

4 6 7

It has been found that a 2-element quad fed it with 300Ω ribbon feeder to a balanced
References:
has about the same gain as a 3-element Yagi aerial matching unit (AMU). This also
A Basic Design Formula for a Three-
(some 7-8dB). However, unlike a Yagi (for worked very well. From my own experience,
Element Quad (in metres):
which adding more elements increases gain constructional integrity of a multi-element HF
Driven Element=306/f
and narrows beam-width), Orr and Cowan quad can be a challenge because there are a
Reflector=315/f
(1970: p. 48) had found that a quad is limited lot more ‘bits and pieces’ to worry about.
Director=297/f
to about 4 or 5 parasitic elements before the After moving home and making a 2-ele-
Element Spacing 60/f
returns become minimal. ment quad with a low visual impact, my ef-
Cowan W2LX, and Orr W6SAI (1982, Fig. 7)
A useful point with a quad is that it is forts resulted in a rather fragile construction
All About Cubical Quad Antennas
relatively easy to alter the polarisation of an that kept breaking and was later abandoned.
(Radio Publications; 3rd ed.)
array – to either horizontal or vertical – by
https://tinyurl.com/y2na3xo7
altering the position of the feed point on the Quad over Yagi? American Radio Relay League (ARRL):
driven element. This feed point impedance There have been many arguments over the
Antenna Book, 21st ed.
is theoretically around 60Ω, providing a years, pertaining to the perceived merits of a
http://www.arrl.org/home
reasonably good match for 50Ω coaxial quad-type aerial over a Yagi design.
cable (Fig. 5). My experience with the 6-element quad
– and then an 8-element Yagi on the 2m rotator and a cable on a very wet day in
Trial and Error amateur band – left me feeling that there London and had the contents of a soggy
By altering the element size or spacing (like was not a huge difference between the two. box spill out at the bottom of an escalator
in the case of the Yagi) a multi-element However, I did notice that the quad was on the Tube. I dug out a 1978 photo of that
quad array may be optimised for maximum the better of the two on vertically polarised very same Multibeam and rotator sat atop a
gain, bandwidth, better front-to-back- signals. This may have helped on DX SSB 25ft pole (Fig. 6).
ratio or matching. contacts, where some of the signals may Neither of them is looking any the worse
However, an improvement to one have been affected by scattering. for wear after my struggle to get them all
of these aspects usually comes at the While I have used the Yagi successfully home in one piece!
expense of the others. for many years, I have always regretted Also seen is the 8-element Yagi and a
Once again similar to a Yagi, operational changing over from the quad. It is claimed Jaybeam folded ground plane, which I had
bandwidth can be quite narrow. However, it is that quads have a lower angle of radiation forgotten I actually used! This setup, used
possible to ‘nest’ elements within each other, than a Yagi. However, the modelling of both at various homes, lasted me until 2002
in order to make a multi-band array. designs seems to prove that this is not the when I scrapped it all in favour of a planned
I once used a four-band single Delta Loop case. That said, there have been many HF replacement setup. However, in the event,
(as opposed to a quad), consisting of a main amateur operators the world over who will this never happened.
loop for 40m and three smaller loops sitting claim their quads are superior to the Yagis Fig. 7 shows the cover of the Cowan and
inside the main loop; they covered 20, 15, they have used. Orr book mentioned in this column. It is a
and 10m. Fed with a common feeder, this useful reference for quad aerials, even today.
arrangement worked well, although it was Finally As always, I will reply via this column, so
often prone to tangling in windy conditions. Last month, I mentioned how I had bought a that everyone may beneit.
I later altered it to a single 40m loop and Jaybeam 46-element Multibeam, an AR22L Good listening!

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RadioUser November 2019 61
 Letters

Feedback
Have you got something new to tell our readers? If so, then drop a line to [email protected]

Georg Wiessala
[email protected]

Our reader and occasional contributor

Bob Houlston, G4PVB told our columnist
Chrissy Brand about a slightly older, but
very interesting, book: How Internet Radio
can Change the World (see next page).
Bob wrote: “The link below connects to an
Amazon web page that offers a free look in-
side. Press ‘F11’ for ‘full-screen’, then click
on the appropriate arrows to read the (limit-
ed) content easily – there is a lot of it.”

[Thanks to both of you, Chrissy and

Bob, I am happy to pass on this recom-
mendation – Ed.].
www.tinyurl.com/radiochange

RadioUser reader David T. Keely GW0OGI

wrote to our Emerging Issues in Radio and
The International Radio Scene columns
author Chrissy Brand to say, “Hi Chrissy, The George Stephenson Exhibition Hall at Newark, and another George purposefully striding...
[…] In the October issue of the RadioUser
International Radio Scene section, you men- man-made noise is a perennial theme in ness wasn’t there an ‘emotional’ debate on
tioned a site called ‘Short-wave.info’. What a RadioUser. Even in my relatively quiet loca- this from all sides! The only thing I would
mine of information that is, and well worth a tion, here in Lancashire, I often struggle to perhaps challenge is your assertion that “2
look; deinitely bookmarked with me”. monitor airband and succeed in SW DXing, metres was ‘dead’” before Network Radio
but I think I now have a good setup, with my came along. “I would respectfully contend
[… and with me; this website is well worth AOR AR7030 and Wellbrook loop. Richard, that 2m is anything but dead. It is probably
looking at – Ed.] given what you wrote, this will probably more active now than it has been since the
https://www.short-wave.info sound ‘counter-intuitive’ to you, but one of 1980s. The issue is that this is not obvious
the best things you can do, in order to ight to the more ‘casual’ listener! There are hun-
Reader Richard Felton wrote to the editor noise, is to try one of the new SDR receiv- dreds, maybe even thousands, of FT8 QSOs
to express his disappointment with inter- ers; it appears that the noise-suppression taking place on 2m every day in the UK. The
ference affecting the reception of both air- technologies inherent in them are very ef- problem is that – if you are scanning FM or
band and short wave transmissions, and he fective; in some cases more so that in ‘tra- even listening on 144.300MHz SSB – you
asked whether RadioUser would cover more ditional receivers’. You can also look at our will have no idea of all this activity.”
of the long and medium wave bands, FM advertisers in RadioUser and investigate
and DAB, as well as reviewing more radios. some noise-cancelling technology currently To which Chris replied as follows: “Dear
on the market. By the way, you will also ind Tim, thanks for your kind comments and yes,
Dear Richard, many thanks for your kind these issues covered in our sister maga- there does seem to have been a lot of over-
letter, I am happy to see you championing zine, Practical Wireless, edited by my col- ly-emotive comments being thrown around
these bands. Have a look at our columns league Don Field – Ed.]. about the 2m debate, which, I believe, may
on Digital Radio, The International Radio not relect well on the amateur radio com-
Scene and Airband News; their authors of- Our Network Radio expert, Chris Rolinson, munity as a whole. I felt I had to reply to this
ten encounter QRM, and they will offer hints was contacted by his Scanning Scene col- on behalf of NR users who seem to have at-
and tips on improving your receiver setup. league Tim Kirby this month. Tim wrote: “I tracted a certain amount of lak, unjustly I
They will also continue to review radios and read your piece in RU October with much in- feel. I do absolutely take your point though
other equipment on a regular basis. The terest. It’s good that the ‘2m-situation’ has about 2m being not as ‘dead’ as we might
question of how to deal with natural and resolved itself satisfactorily - but my good- think. I guess I make the ‘dead’ comment

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62 RadioUser November 2019
 Letters
..

without being totally aware of the prolifer- [Dear Scott, many thanks indeed for these
ation of digital modes that are now being comments. That says something, doesn’t
used on the band. Certainly, FM and SSB it – better than the AOR 7030? The latter
seem quiet to me and many others too, out- is still one of my most favourite receivers
side of activity nights - and I have been to at and long-standing ‘workhorses’. However,
least 2 sessions at the [RSGB] Convention in I am ready to succumb to the slow SDR se-
recent years where ‘VHF-ers’ were trying to duction – Ed.].
come up (fruitlessly, in truth) with ideas as to
how to get more activity on the bands. Mind Our Utility Monitoring columnist Nils
you, even then there are those who seem to Schiffhauer has been corresponding with
consider VHF/UHF as well as FT8 not to be Youssef Touil, the developer of the AirSpy
‘real Ham Radio’ either. The whole ‘chatting’ HF+ Discovery. Nils wrote as follows: “Hi,
on the bands thing deinitely seems to have Youssef - you may have heard about some
changed though, I agree - it seems people discussions, focusing on ‘spurious signals’
nowadays are happier either exchanging with the new AirSpy HF+ ‘Discovery’ SDR re-
contest serial numbers or typing on a com- ceiver. Because these discussions are often
puter keyboard with digital modes - perhaps seasoned with a pinch of bias – not least by
the age of social media is just being relect- myself – I took some more objective mea-
ed in the lack of desire to ‘chat’ as we used surements, using the Winradio Excalibur
to so much in decades gone by? Or, maybe, ‘Sigma’ as a spectrum analyser.
everyone has so little disposable time that “I have published the results on my web-
the radio hobby has to be ‘crammed’ into site (see below). My measurements have in-
short spaces of time in people’s lives? As volved the use of a dummy load, connecting
you rightly remark, it is all interesting stuff. the Airspy HF+ to the input of the WiNRADIO
Perhaps as a community, we, and the RSGB Excalibur Sigma, switching in the Airspy HF+
in particular need to be thinking of creative Preselector, and, inally, connecting the new An interesting side to the use of radio...
ways to exploit this wider change in so- Airspy HF+ Discovery. My pdf ile of these
cial behaviours.” tests and some images are free to use for it struggled to cope with the demands of the
anyone interested in this topic. If some- SDR and its associated software. However,
Michelle Edwards of Cambridgeshire one needs the illustrations separately, just the option to record overnight was a god-
wrote to our Network Radio contributor give me a shout. send, as my young children are very demand-
Chris Rolinson via Facebook Messenger http://www.dk8ok.org ing; staying up late at night to catch DX is a
and commented: “Hi Chris, I just wanted challenge, both mentally and physically. The
to say that your article on Network Radio [Dear Nils and Youssef, I take the liber- overall performance of this setup was aver-
(NR) in the October issues of Radio User ty of pointing to the website and Nils’s age at best, and my other communications
was excellent, and I fully agree with every- test here, with my warm thanks. The receivers were still my preferred choice.
thing you wrote. Thanks for being a great WiNRADIO Excalibur Sigma, as you will re- “The forced purchase of a new laptop has
champion of NR.” call, was reviewed in RadioUser, September totally changed my perception of SDR. The
Chris replied, “ That’s really kind, Mish. It 2019: 61-64 – Ed.]. performance of the software is truly remark-
was great to see you at Hamfest, and you able when one remembers that the season
are looking so well! Last but certainly not least, our Radio has only just commenced, with some excel-
History regular Scott Caldwell wrote to lent DX logs, which I have summarised here.”
[May I add my regards, Michelle; we briely the editor on the subject of SDR – The
met at Newark this year (see below). Thanks Future of DXing. Scott made several per- [Dear Scott, many thanks for your mail. I
for contributing to the discussions about the tinent observations, and he described a am happy that you enjoyed the SDR ex-
development of Network Radio, and for your personal journey: perience, I am in the same situation as
involvement in this community – Ed.]. “At irst, I was very cynical regarding the you are, it seems. Discussions about the
use of SDR. It did not seem ‘right’, somehow, perceived ‘pros’ and ‘cons’ of SDR receiv-
Our Radio History contributor Scott to use a computer programme as a commu- ers (and transceivers) have been going on
Caldwell wrote in, having tried out the nications receiver. How could you possibly for a few years now, and they are relect-
Airspy HF+ Discovery, on loan from the ed- call that DXing? The magic of manually tun- ed in RadioUser. However, like your good
itor, and the SDRPlay RSPduo. He reported: ing a radio seems somewhat lost, amidst the self, I really enjoy the recording facilities
“Georg, just let to you know that both SDRs advent of modern Information Technology. available these days, for off-the-air evalua-
are working quite brilliantly. I have attached However, my initial opinion slowly began to tion, so to speak.
my latest set of screenshots (see pictures) change. At irst, I was curious. How did SDR Similar to you, I am now more of a con-
and North American DX logs, including a work? How would it compare to my other vert to the utilisation of SDR, which clearly
number of ‘personal irsts’. SDR technology communications receivers? represents (one of) the future(s) of DXing.
is, no doubt, one of the best radio develop- “The opportunity to test an SDR receiver Nevertheless, I still use other radio gear too,
ments I have ever bought into, even when was facilitated by the editor, who offered an such as my trusted AOR AR7030, a collec-
compared to old favourites, like the Eton E1 RSP duo unit on a long-term test. tion of Grundig Satellites (of course), and a
and the AOR AR 7030.” “My old laptop had seen better days, and Lowe HF-225 and HF-250 – Ed.].

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RadioUser November 2019 63
DXTV

Tropospheric Reception: From

Isobars to Millibars (Part I)
Keith Hamer your particular location. Alerts do have their
[email protected] advantages if you have limited leisure time
Garry Smith to devote to the hobby and are therefore un-
[email protected] able to spend a while checking prevailing
conditions yourself.
Keith Hamer and Garry Smith begin a It does mean that someone else has done
new mini-series on the links between the ‘donkey-work’ for you, and that, conse-
radio-wave propagation, weather fore- quently, there is valuable help available to
casting and atmospheric conditions. the DXer, compared with previous decades.
Examining the ‘live’ pictures from a
Reference is frequently made in our previ- weather satellite such as NOAA 19, which
ous monthly DXTV columns and special fea- transmits images on 137.0MHz (Fig. 1),
ture articles about long-distance reception can be both an additional weather resource
of television and FM stations via enhanced and a hobby in itself. NOAA is the National
tropospheric conditions. Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This article was originally inspired by ref- within the US Department of Commerce.
erence to DXer George Garden, living on the https://www.noaa.gov
east coast of Scotland. Last but not least, Kevin Hewitt
As many of you will know, George regu- (Chatham) comments that strong signals
larly contributed to our column. He has had from pagers on 138.0MHz can be a nui-
lots of success over the years predicting 1 sance, so he uses a special UK version of
the possibility of tropospheric openings. He the R2ZX receiver with additional iltering.
did this by using traditional methods, which Moreover, the Meteorological Ofice pro-
might be construed by some as ‘old-fash- vides detailed weather mapping and other On-Air Announcements
ioned’ in today’s hi-tech world. very useful information. In the by-gone days of analogue television,
However, in this two-part series, we will https://metofice.gov.uk viewers were familiar with the interference
take a closer look at the atmospheric mech- There are also many Internet sites de- announcements that were aired when cer-
anism involved with tropospheric propa- voted to DXing. Many DXers rely heavily tain atmospheric conditions played havoc
gation, and we will attempt to show how on sites such as DX Maps, which displays with their television pictures. Usually, the
modern-day technology can be utilised to paths for different modes of propagation announcements referred to disruption dur-
supplement the traditional ways of recog- and also the frequencies affected. ing the summer months, due to Sporadic-E
nising the possibility of a band opening. https://www.dxmaps.com propagation affecting BBC-1 channels in
There are a few obvious indicators of an The William Hepburn colour con- Band I, but not always.
impending tropospheric event, even without tour maps are also useful; Todd Emslie Intense tropospheric enhancement could
looking at the TV weather forecasts or con- (Australia) makes frequent use of this site also be responsible at other times of the
sulting your PC, but more on this later. for predicting long-haul tropospheric paths year, and this tended to affect Band III and
between New Zealand and Australia. UHF frequencies. Such announcements by
Help is at Hand http://www.dxinfocentre.com broadcasters are rarely made in these days
Years ago, when the World was blessed On top of these, Nick Gilly (Whitchurch, of social media. Besides, it is unlikely off-air
with analogue TV broadcasts, high-technol- Hampshire) consults a website, which transmissions are routinely monitored for
ogy was something only Doctor Who would also features coloured areas depicting the reception quality by the broadcasters.
have secreted away in his Tardis, in readi- severity of an opening. The displays can
ness for his next inter-galactic mission to easily be clocked forward through three- An Example: Freeview
exterminate the Daleks. hour intervals. Disruption
These days, technology is readily at hand, http://tropo.f5len.org There are some good examples of how at-
and even the humble smartphone or tablet Another useful website is the one mospheric conditions can play out on the
is able to display weather maps with use- used by our editor, Georg. The informa- bands. For instance, an impressive tropo-
ful information. This can, of course, be used tion is in German. spheric opening occurred on Wednesday,
as an early warning system for an impend- http://www.wettermonitor.de November 1st, 2017, causing severe dis-
ing tropospheric event. Information usually Furthermore, Yahoo and some of the DX ruption to TV multiplexes in many areas.
includes atmospheric pressure at your loca- groups’ ‘chat’ sites offer alerts, either via This generated moans and groans from dis-
tion and pressure contours in millibars on E-mail or SMS. However, this does not guar- gruntled viewers unable to watch the Great
the weather charts. antee that reception will actually occur in British Bake-Off inal – even though the

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64 RadioUser November 2019
 DXTV

name of the winner had been leaked earlier!

On this occasion, Freeview warned view-
ers on their website not to retune their re-
ceivers, as reception would return to normal
once the weather had changed.
This particular disruption was caused by
high-pressure (anti-cyclonic) weather con-
ditions. These extended the range of other
transmitters sharing the same channel,
causing a clash of signals picked up by the
receiving antenna. Such a clash confuses
the receiver with the inevitable No Signal
message lagging up, even though there
may be plenty of signal from both transmit-
ters actually reaching the receiver.
Similar conditions were responsible for
the annoying line-pairing effect on local pic-
tures in the days of analogue broadcast-
ing. Occasionally, the interfering transmis-
sion, if it employed the same line-standard,
may have been strong enough to overpow-
er the local picture, thus giving the tabloid
newspapers the opportunity of reporting
such events as, “Mrs. Jones switched on
the 6 o’clock News, only to discover a bizarre
Finnish test card”. 2

Weather Patterns time of the year, so it always pays to be vigi- Fig. 1: Weather satellite images, received
The weather is a very complex turbulent lant at all times. via NOAA on 137.00MHz. Fig. 2: An original
process of continual changes and combi- We have always advocated that the TV weather chart sent to the authors by veteran BBC
nations, involving moving air masses and weather forecast charts are examined for weatherman Michael Fish in 1975. From detailed
varying temperatures. This means that by high-pressure systems developing. These and intricate charts such as this, BBC forecasters
its highly complex nature, it can be total- are associated with tropospheric reception. produce the familiar on-screen TV graphics.
ly unpredictable. Unfortunately, the charts nowadays sel-
One thing is certain, high-pressure sys- dom include atmospheric pressure values, During the severe 1987 storm, John’s
tems and their potential stability for long pe- which were a vital indicator of potential equipment, and that of the famous astrono-
riods have always been associated with the tropospheric propagation. As high pressure mer, the late Patrick Moore, displayed prob-
possibility of tropospheric DX openings. In is the key to this type of reception, the good lems due to the pen-arm touching the edge
some cases, good reception conditions can old barometer comes in very handy. of the cylinder. This resulted in an inability
last for several days. to record such an excessively low pressure.
However, not all developing high-pressure Forecast Pressure and Air During the gales, the air pressure plummet-
systems are a recipe for a good opening. Pressure ed to oficial igures of 953 mb, with wind
Even when you have made the effort to try Veteran DXer John Riley (Bedford) recalls speeds reaching 216 km/h (134 mph).
and interpret the weather patterns, there can the anniversary of the severe gales on
still be some disappointment, and you may October 15th and 16th, 1987. BBC weather- Measurements and Units
have to resort to traditional monitoring of man, Michael Fish, will always be remem- Air pressure is normally measured in Pascal
fringe-area transmitters, ‘just in case’. bered for his monumental gaffe in which (Pa) units, atmospheres (atm), or Pounds
Warm, sunny days with evening tem- he allegedly reassured viewers not to worry per Square Inch (PSI). Air pressure is de-
peratures plunging rapidly due to cloud- about an approaching hurricane (Fig. 2). ined as being the weight of air molecules
less night skies, has always been a tradi- However – and to be fair to Michael – he pressing down on the Earth’s surface, and
tional indicator triggering DXers’ urges to did make a programme some 30 years later the pressure of the air molecules changes
check the bands for signs of activity. Such (in November 2017) diplomatically point- with an increase in height, from sea-level
weather conditions could indicate the pres- ing out that it was, in fact, his boss, Bill Giles into the atmosphere.
ence of high pressure and the possibili- (who was in charge of the BBC on-screen The near-average atmospheric pressure
ty of an opening. weathermen), who was to blame! at sea-level is 1013.25 millibars or approxi-
What is more, Autumn has always been In those days, John Riley’s monthly DX mately 14.7 PSI. A bar is approximately
irmly planted in most DXers’ minds as a reports were submitted to Ron Ham’s col- equivalent to one atmosphere of pressure.
time to experience favourable tropospheric umn in Short-Wave Magazine, and they One atmosphere is equal to 1.01325 bars.
reception conditions, particularly when fog- always included a pressure graph tak- To add to the confusion, 1 bar is equivalent
gy weather occurs. en from the brass cylinder of a seven-day to 29.53 in. Hg (the meteorologists’ short-
However, enhancement can occur at any clockwork barometer. hand for ‘inches of mercury’). A barometer

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RadioUser November 2019 65
DXTV

reading of 30 inches Hg is considered as be- its location to be identiied, from which vari- Barometer’. Both types work on the same
ing normal. To convert millibars to inches of ous collected data, such as pressure, wind principles of expansion and contraction, but
mercury, the millibar value should be multi- speed and direction can be calculated and they do this by different methods.
plied by 0.0295301. then transmitted back to Earth. Mercury barometers are relatively sim-
In the above example, using a igure of Commercial aircraft are also employed to ple instruments, and they are very accu-
1013.25 millibars (the near-average pres- capture meteorological data from the crafts’ rate. They are also very large, at just over
sure at sea-level), the height to which a col- onboard navigation systems. Radar is also 100 cm in height.
umn of mercury will rise in a tube is 29.92 often used to measure wind velocity. With a ‘Mercury Barometer’, and during
inches (760 millimetres). It goes without stormy conditions, less atmospheric pres-
saying that a pocket calculator may be use- The Barometer sure is acting on the device. This results in
ful for these mathematical exercises! This amazing instrument was invent- a visible drop in the level of mercury. When
The meteorological fraternity throughout ed by Italian physicist and mathemati- a high-pressure weather system approach-
the World normally favours the ‘hectopas- cian, Evangelista Torricelli (1608-1647). es, the atmospheric pressure increases.
cal’ (100 Pascals) unit of pressure. The ‘mil- ‘Torricelli’s Law’ is concerned with luid This causes the mercury level in the glass
libar’ (‘mb’ or ‘mbar’) is the metric unit of dynamics and states that the speed of a column to rise.
pressure normally used by meteorologists liquid lowing out of an oriice in a con- Aneroid barometers (Fig. 4) employ a so-
in the United Kingdom for public weather tainer, under the force of gravity, is pro- phisticated mechanism that can display
forecasts. The values of high and low pres- portional to the square root of the vertical minute changes in atmospheric pressure;
sures were always indicated in mb by the distance between the surface of the liquid they do not contain any liquid such as mer-
BBC on Atlantic weather charts during their and the centre. cury. Instead, a small, lexible metal box
television forecasts, even in the very early He was the irst scientist to create a made from an alloy of beryllium and copper
days of television. sustained vacuum and the principle of a is used. This is known as an ‘aneroid cap-
For some strange reason, in more recent working barometer. He discovered that sule’. It is tightly sealed so that external vari-
years, the BBC weather presenters began the day-to-day variation of the height of ations in atmospheric pressure cause the
glibly referring to pressure as being “high” the mercury in his experimental setup was expansion and contraction of springs and
or “low” without any indication of the actual caused directly by the change in atmospher- levers inside the box.
value in millibars (Fig. 3). ic pressure. Torricelli was the irst person Most domestic barometers these days
The Met Ofice uses three different meth- to discover air pressure. He was using the probably exist solely for decoration, which
ods of collecting atmospheric data. One of equipment he demonstrated in 1643 when means that the delicate and very use-
these is known as a ‘radiosonde’. This uses he was a pupil of Galileo. He constructed his ful instruments tend to be overlooked for
a helium-illed balloon to transport an array irst mercury barometer around 1644, just their true purpose.
of sensors up through the atmosphere at 5 three years before he died. However, this is deinitely not the case
metres per second to a height of around 25 with avid RadioUser reader, George Garden
km. As it ascends, temperature and relative Barometer Types in Inverbervie, Scotland. George checks his
humidity measurements are recorded at There are two types of barometer; the barometer on a daily basis to predict the
two-second intervals. A GPS receiver allows ‘Mercury Barometer’ and the ‘Aneroid likelihood of DX reception via enhanced

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66 RadioUser November 2019
 DXTV

Fig. 3: A modern-day, computer-generated,

Atlantic chart – the basis for the familiar daily
BBC weather forecasts. Fig. 4: The authors’ family
aneroid barometer, still working perfectly after
100 years’ service. Fig. 9: Some introductory
reading for this subject.

feet). It is higher in summer and lower in

winter when it can be as low as 7 km (4
miles or 23,000 feet).
The layer immediately above the tropo-
sphere is called the stratosphere, and the
boundary between the two layers is known
as the tropopause. This layer is isothermal (a
vertical column of air having a constant tem-
perature with height). It is not a ixed bound-
ary, because it can move, due to weather
phenomena such as thunderstorms.
Winds increase with height in this layer,
and jet streams usually occur just below
the tropopause. In the stratosphere, the air
is very rariied but lower down, it is denser.
Air is warmest at the bottom of the tropo-
4 5 sphere, with the temperature decreasing
with height, at a rate of approximately 6º
tropospheric conditions. the TV weather forecasts giving pressure C per kilometre.
Many years ago, George’s father owned details to enable barometers to be calibrat- Heat is generated in this region which re-
a farm in Scotland, and he needed a very ed. However, this was rather hit-or-miss but sults in the production of ozone. The ozone
high-quality barometer to help forecast the probably the best information that could be layer (or ozone shield) occupies much of
weather so that he knew if the trend was for expected at the time. Modern-day technol- the stratosphere which absorbs most of
sunshine, rain or storms. ogy allows the atmospheric pressure to the Sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This lay-
George was fascinated by this ‘friction- be checked anytime at a speciic location er contains high concentrations of ozone
less’ piece of engineering which, unlike simply by using a weather ‘app’ (such as (O3) in comparison with other regions of
most barometers, didn’t require any tapping. AccuWeather) installed on a Smartphone or the atmosphere.
Unfortunately, it became separated from tablet. The pressure in millibars can be con- Temperatures as low as about minus 80º
the family and many years later, George verted into inches of mercury by multiplying C have been recorded in the tropopause
set about trying to ind an exact replace- the igure by 0.0295301. layer, although the average temperature is
ment. After scouring various outlets, he https://www.accuweather.com minus 60º C. Air pressure and density also
eventually discovered one in an antiques decrease with altitude.
shop in Aberdeen. The Troposphere In Part 2, we will be taking an in-depth
As the name suggests, tropospheric-propa- look at how signals are affected by climatic
Calibration gated signals travel within the troposphere. conditions, and how to actually tune-in and
George maintains that for DX purposes, The troposphere (from the Greek word tro- receive long-distance signals via enhanced
a barometer with minimum friction is re- pein, meaning to ‘circulate’ or ‘mix’) is the tropospheric propagation.
quired so that it does not ‘stick’ but continu- lowest of ive layers of the atmosphere sur-
ally follows the changing air pressure. A rounding the Earth.
barometer should be calibrated when pres- It extends from the Earth’s surface up to References
sure is high and static at a speciic location. approximately 10 kilometres (just over six • Moore, P. (2016) The Weather Experiment:
If the barometer is moved to a new location, miles or about 33,000 feet) above sea-level. The Pioneers who Sought to see the
the device should be re-calibrated. George Most types of clouds – and virtually all our Future (Vintage)
is convinced that he could not successfully weather patterns – develop within this layer. • Palmer, P.I (2017) The Atmosphere. A Very
DX without his trusty antique barometer. The atmosphere consists of a turbulent Short Introduction (Oxford: OUP)
It should be stressed that, although an an- swirling mass of different gases at varying The World of Children (A 4-set encyclo-
eroid barometer may be calibrated (usually temperatures and pressures. The tropo- pedia, published in the 1950s, featuring
highly technical information on various
by carefully turning an adjustment screw sphere contains approximately 80% of the
topics including electronics, television
on the back of the instrument), a mercury total mass of the atmosphere and 99% of reception techniques, and the weather;
device should never be tampered with, as all water vapour. still highly useful)
the liquid is extremely hazardous should The height of the top of the troposphere • Walker, G. (2008) An Ocean of Air. A
the glass break. varies with latitude. It is lowest over the Natural History of the Atmosphere
During bouts of stable high-pressure, poles and highest at the equator, where it (London: Bloomsbury)
there were occasional announcements on can be as high as 20 km (12 miles or 65,000

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RadioUser November 2019 67
Book Review

Radio Stations and Transmitters

Georg Wiessala glance, on which transmitters can be found
[email protected] on any frequency, and where exactly they
are.
This is the most recent edition of a The listing-by-frequency is
long-standing and popular short guide complemented by A-Z Station & Frequency
to the wealth of FM and AM radio Lookup Tables, covering BBC stations,
stations in the UK and Ireland. commercial broadcasters and community
radio stations on FM and AM.
Now in its 27th edition, Radio Stations The latter is a brilliant and very helpful
in the UK and Ireland is published by the feature, as is the additional table of low-
British DX Club (BDXC) who also issue a power AM long-term RSL stations on MW,
monthly Newsletter, Communication, and supplemented by a dedicated sub-website,
many other resources. which was helpfully updated, at the time of
The 2019 Guide appears with a green writing, to October 2019.
cover and offers 72 densely-packed pages http://bdxc.org.uk/lpam.pdf
of information. It is roughly half the size This publication contains no information
of the 2019 edition of the annual Radio about free radio stations.
Listener’s Guide, which has been reviewed Interspersed with the actual frequency
in RadioUser before (RadioUser, March information, there are some short
2019: 14-16). The BDXC Guide is more up- ‘snippets’ of background information, for
to-date than a host of online resources, instance on Radio Jackie or Manx Radio;
and it fits in your pocket when you are on these liven up this resource and add value.
radio-safari. The DAB information in this edition has
British DX Club (BDXC) 2019 UK national, regional and local multiplexes
The booklet begins with a preface
Radio Stations in the UK & Ireland and, usefully, a list of UK small-scale trial
and useful summary of some key
27th Edition (BDXC), ISBN 978-0-95-402239-6 DAB multiplexes too.
developments in radio since the last
UK £4.50 (including postage) The publication is rounded off, from
edition came out three years ago, looking
www.bdxc.org.uk pp. 63 onwards, by the listing of the
at, for example, RSL stations, the role of
community radio, DAB and low-power Radio Stations in the Republic of Ireland,
AM broadcasters. This is followed by a order of frequency, from 558 to 1602kHz. ranging from 252 to 1611kHz on medium
convenient user guide and acronyms list, As in the other listings, individual entries wave, and 87.6 to 107.9Mhz on FM, plus
which make what follows very easy to comprise of information on frequency, a short mention of Irish commercial and
navigate. power, name, area, and any known parallel community stations, institutional and
UK medium wave transmitters are then frequencies; the subsequent VHF list adds temporary stations, and digital radio in
listed in order of frequency, beginning polarisation details. Ireland.
with MSF and BBC 4 Long Wave on 198; The FM list (87.7-107.9MHz) is I found this handy guide accurate and
subsequent stations appear in ascending extensive and offers information, at one- extensive enough for the hobby radio
SCOTT CALDWELL enthusiast. The websites of radio stations
listed open up a whole world of live-
streaming and podcasts, and I would
propose that this aspect of listening might,
perhaps, take up some more room in future
editions.
The pictures on this page show the
cover page, a sample page from this handy
publication, as well as some ways in which
you may do your listening. Get this booklet
now and join the BDXC.
Thank you to the BDXC, especially to
Dave Kenny, for the review copy of this new
guide.

British DX Club
10 Hemdean Hill
Caversham
Reading RG4 7SB
A new way to DX? Evaluating an overnight MW recording with an SDRPlay RSPduo. http://bdxc.org.uk

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68 RadioUser November 2019
Devon
DealerGuide
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Specialist Suppliers of Amateur Airband ger SMA, clock and GPIO pads. Also Thumbnet N3, pigtails, con- age. Call Tony on 07956 506300
Marine PMR & Shortwave Equipment to nectors, adapters and many more useful items. Buy direct from
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Scotland owner, very little use – handbook and boxed. £325 Call G8GZE after 6pm – 01460 643376
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Aerials Reviewed Royal Navy Amateur Radio Society Radio & TV: Past & Present Airsho
Profile of the RNARS: 72 years of tradition w Guide
Yagis and Cross-Yagis Enjoy Our New Column
Our Summer Listing: Part Four

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RadioUser November 2019 69

Rallies & Events

Rallies & Events

Plan your visits with our list of forthcoming events. Warners (RadioUser & Practical Wireless) will be attending
events marked with an asterisk (*). Club secretaries/ event organisers: Please send full and accurate details of your
events, affiliations and clubs as early as possible, if you would like to be mentioned here: [email protected]

October 5th (Saturday)

READING DX MEETING: The Reading
International Radio Group will be meet-
ing in Room 3 at Reading International
Solidarity Centre (RISC), 35-39 London
Street, Reading RG1 4PS. The meeting
will take place from 2.30 pm to 5 pm and
is an opportunity to get together, for all
those interested in listening to broad-
cast stations from around the world on
the short wave, medium wave and FM
bands.
Email [email protected]
www.bdxc.org.uk/diary.html

October 6th (Sunday)

WELSH RADIO RALLY: The 46th Welsh
Radio Rally is at Rougemont School, Lla-
ntarnam Hall, Malpas, Newport NP20
6QB. The doors are open from 10 am to
4 pm, with disabled visitors gaining ac-
cess at 9.45 am. Admittance is £2.50.
There will be trade stands, a bring-and-
buy, an RSGB bookstall, and special in-
terest groups. Lectures will take place
during the day. Catering is available
on site. Newark: The Quiet Before the Storm.
Tel: 01495 220 455
E-mail: [email protected] There will be trade stands exhibiting Tel: 0745 342 60 87 November 3rd (Sunday)
radio equipment, computers and so E-mail: [email protected] BUSHVALLEY ARC RALLY: The rally
October 11th to 13th (Friday to Sunday) on. The bring-and-buy will be run by the will take place at the Limavady Football
RSGB CONVENTION: The RSGB Con- Hornsea ARC. October 20th (Sunday) Club, Rathmore Road, Limavady BT49
vention will take place at Kent’s Hill Park There will also be an RSGB bookstand. GALASHIELS RALLY: The annual 0DF. Doors are open 11am, and admis-
Training and Conference Centre, Swal- Hot and cold food will be available in Galashiels and District ARS Rally is held sion is £3.
low House, Timbold Drive, Kent’s Hill the café. in the Volunteer Hall, St Johns Street, [email protected]
Park, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire Tel: 01377 252 393 Galashiels, Scottish Borders TD1 3JX. https://tinyurl.com/y6mem8po
MK7 6BZ. E-mail: [email protected] Doors are open from 11am for disabled
https://rsgb.org www.hornseaarc.co.uk access, and from 11.15 am for everyone November 3rd (Sunday)
else. There will be traders, a bring-and- BVWS GOLBORNE SWAP MEET : This
October 13th (Sunday) October 19th (Saturday) buy stall, and refreshments. event by the British Vintage Wireless
HOLSWORTHY RALLY: The Holswor- CARRICKFERGUS AMATEUR RADIO http://galaradioclub.co.uk/?cat=3 Society is members-only and will take
thy Rally will take place at the Holswor- GROUP RALLY: The Carrickfergus ARG place at the Golborne Parkside Sports &
thy Leisure Centre, Well Park, Western rally will take place at the Downshire October 22nd (Tuesday) Community Club, Rivington Avenue, Gol-
Road, Holsworthy, Devon EX22 6DH. Secondary School, Downshire Road, BRARS AGM: The British Railways borne, Warrington, Cheshire WA3 3HG.
There will be traders, a bring-and-buy, Carrickfergus. Doors will be open to the Amateur Radio Society (BRARS) is hold- Doors are open at 10 am. Stallholder en-
and catering. The venue will have sepa- public at 12 noon. All proceeds from the ing its AGM on Tuesday 22nd October. try from 9:30 am.
rate disabled access, via the traders’ sale of beverages will be going to Bel- We’ll be there from noon to meet, greet, [email protected]
side-door entrance. A club steward will fast Samaritans. All visitors welcome. chat and eat. The AGM will commence
be on duty in the car park. Open from 8 [email protected] at 1.30 pm. All members of BRARS are November 9th (Saturday)
am for traders and from 10 am for visi- welcome to attend. It’s deinitely a case BATC ATV CONVENTION (CAT 19
tors. October 19th (Saturday) of ‘the more the merrier’. For more infor- SOUTH): The BATC ATV Convention
E-mail: [email protected] CW CONVENTION & CW BOOT CAMP: mation please contact the secretary, Ian takes place at Chilton Village Hall near
https://www.qsl.net/m0omc The Convention is at the Witham Scout & Brothwell G4EAN (QTHR). Members are Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0SH. There
Guide HQ (rear of Spring Lodge Commu- welcome to turn up on the day (though will be an ATV-clinic, show-and-tell,
October 13th (Sunday) nity Centre), Powers Hall End, Witham, booking places in advance will help our bring-and-buy, and two interesting talks.
HORNSEA AMATEUR RADIO RALLY: Essex CM8 2HE. Registration is at 8.30 preparations for the AGM). Latest news More information about BATC and the
The rally takes place at the Floral Hall, am, for a 9 am start. The event is due to about the AGM can be found at convention can be found at:
Hornsea HU18 1NQ. Doors open at 10 inish at around 4.30 pm. Pre-register, as [email protected] https://batc.org.uk
am, admission is £2 (under 14s free). places are limited. www.BRARS.info https://forum.batc.org.uk

For the latest news and product reviews, visit www.radioenthusiast.co.uk

70 RadioUser November 2019
 Rallies & Events

with an adult. only event, at the Royal Wootton Bassett

Tel: 07775 696 568 Memorial Hall, Royal Wootton Bassett,
Tel: 01388 762 678 Swindon, Wiltshire SN4 8EN. Swapmeet
events: Doors open at 10 am. Stallholder
November 24th (Sunday) entry from 9:30 am. Auction starts at ap-
COULSDON AMATEUR TRANSMIT- proximately 1 pm. Auction-only events:
TING SOCIETY: The 42nd Coulsdon Doors open for viewing at 9 am. Auction
ATS Radio & Electronics Bazaar is at the starts at 10:30 am.
Oasis Academy Coulsdon, Homeield 01380 860787
Road, Old Coulsdon, Surrey CR5 1ES. E-mail: [email protected]
Time: 10.00 am to 2.00 pm. Entry £1.50,
which also includes a free tea or coffee. December 29th (Sunday)
Free parking; second-hand equipment, CHRISTMAS RALLY: This Christmas
flea market tables, refreshments and Rally of the Yeovil ARC will take place
trade stalls. Fully accessible facilities. at Davis Hall, West Camel, Yeovil BA22
CATS bring-and-buy. Attendance is in- 7QX, from 10 am to 2 pm. Entry is £3. The
vited from clubs, special interest groups event is wheelchair-friendly, and light
and traders/dealers. Tables cost £12.00, refreshments will be available. There
with each additional table at £6.00. are more than 25 tables and free park-
TEL: 07729 866 600 ing. The event is sponsored by Lindars
E-mail: [email protected] Radio (https://www.amateurradiosales.
www.catsradio.org co.uk). Details can be found on Face-
book: Sparkford Wireless Group
December 7th (Saturday) Tel: 01963 440167
BVWTM MUSIC AFTERNOON: This E-mail: [email protected]
event is open to all and will take place at
the British Vintage Wireless and Televi- February 16th (Sunday)
sion Museum (BVWTM). British Vintage RADIOACTIVE RALLY: The 2019 Ra-
Wireless and Television Museum, 23 dioactive Rally will take place at Nant-
Rosendale Road, West Dulwich, London, wich Civic Hall, Cheshire, CW5 5DG. Free
SE21 8DS car parking; doors are open at 10:30 am.
Tel: 020 8670 3667 There will be a bring-and-buy, as well as
http://www.bvwtm.org.uk traders, and an RSGB bookstall. A single
raffle ticket is included with the entrance
Martin Lynch at the National Hamfest 2019. December 7th (Saturday) programme; additional tickets are avail-
READING DX MEETING: The Reading able, and catering is on-site.
November 16th (Saturday) November 24th (Sunday) International Radio Group will be meet- Tel: 07880 732 534
ROCHDALE & DISTRICT ARS WINTER BISHOP AUCKLAND RADIO AMA- ing in Room 3 at Reading International
RALLY: The rally will be at St Vincent de TEUR CLUB (BARAC) RALLY: The Solidarity Centre (RISC), at 35-39 Lon- February 23rd (Sunday)
Paul’s, Caldershaw Road, off Edenield Bishop Auckland Radio Amateurs Club don Street, Reading RG1 4PS. The meet- BREDHURST RECEIVING AND
Road (A680), Norden, Rochdale, OL12 (BARAC) 2019 Rally will take place at ing will take place from 2.30 pm to 5 pm TRANSMITTING SOCIETY (BRATS:
7QR. Doors are open to the public at Spennymoor Leisure Centre, on Sunday and is an opportunity for all those inter- The BRATS Rainham Radio Rally is at
10.15 am, with disabled visitors gaining 24th November 2019. Please note this ested in listening to broadcast stations the Victory Academy, Magpie Hall Road,
access 15 minutes earlier. Admission venue is ideally suited for both traders from around the world on the short wave, Chatham, Kent ME4 5JB (Main Hall).
is £2.50, with those under 12 years free. and disabled visitors, as it boasts good medium wave and FM bands. There will be well-known traders, a talk-
Cost is £5 per pitch for traders with their parking and access to a large ground E-mail: [email protected] in station on 145.550MHz (Callsign
own tables, and £10 for a pitch with table floor hall. The address and postcode www.bdxc.org.uk/diary.html GB4RRR), an interactive zone for kids, a
provided. Refreshments are available, for the leisure centre are 32 High Street, BRATS kitchen, and much more. Open
including, naturally, bacon and sausage Spennymoor, County Durham, DL16 December 8th (Sunday) 10 am to 3 pm. Adults £3, children free.
butties. 6DB. Doors open at 10.30 am. Disabled BVWS SWAPMEET AND AUCTION: Tel: 07825 838 877
Tel: 07778 113 333 visitors doors open at 10.15 am. Admis- The BVWS Swapmeet and Auction ay [email protected]
E-mail: [email protected] sion is £2; under 14s go free of charge, Royal Wootton Bassett is a members- www.brats-qth.org

In next month’s
Aerials Reviewed
Yagis and Cross-Yag Royal Navy Amateu
is Profile of the RNAr Radio Society
RS: 72 years of tradition

t Airsh ow Guide g: Part Four

Past & Presen Our Summe2019
October
r Listin
£4.50 www.radioenth
Radio & TV: Column usiast.co.uk
■ Non-Directional Beacon Monitoring Enjoy Our New PRODUC
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Plus all your favourite regular features and columns pth review
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The next issue is on sale on the 28th November 2019

RadioUser November 2019 71

 Martin Lynch & Sons Ltd. Wessex House, Drake Avenue, Staines, Middlesex TW18 2AP. E-mail: [email protected]
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri: 8.30am to 5pm. Sat: 9am to 4.30pm. International Tel: +44 1932 567 333 FOLLOW US ON
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0345 2300 599

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HamRadioUK

SAFE ONLINE SHOPPING

Shopping online with ML&S is

Web: www.HamRadio.co.uk safe and secure. E&OE

ICOM IC-R8600
100kHz-3GHz Receiver with SDR Technology from IC-7300.
The IC-R8600 replaces the IC-R8500 wideband receiver and features
technology incorporated into Icom’s best selling IC-7300. The IC-R8600
receives a wide frequency range from 0.01-3000MHz frequency in
analogue and various digital modes (D-STAR, P25, NXDN and dPMR).
The IC-R8600 also features a larger 4.3 inch touch screen display which
displays a fast moving spectrum scope and waterfall display.

ML&S: £2499.95 Includes an Icom AD-55 PSU worth £49.95! www.HamRadio.co.uk/icr8600

ELAD FDM-DUOr A Receive-only Expert Electronics Colibri DDC FUNcube Dongle Pro+
Version of the famous FDM-DUO! Shortwave Receiver
Wideband SDR Receiver.
10kHz-54MHz Direct Conversion This small- 150kHz-1.9GHz incl SAW Filters.
SDR Receiver. size receiver
is intended to
ML&S:
receive signals
www.HamRadio.co.uk/funcube £149.95
covering the
HF frequency
band 0.09MHz to Tune in to the world wherever you go.
55MHz, and also
(with the help of
external filters) to receive frequencies up to
ICOM IC-R30 SCANNER
800MHz whilst working together with a PC. The Icom IC-R30 has extremely wide coverage and
ML&S: £729.95 supports all of the usual analogue modes (FM, AM,
ML&S: £399.00
RSPduo DUAL TUNER SSB, CW) as well a a few digital modes including
14-BIT SDR Expert Electronics NXDN, P25, DPMR and DSTAR. A worthy upgrade over
Colibri Nano SDR the older IC-R20.
Receiver www.HamRadio.co.uk/icr30
Small dongle sized
SDR receiver covering
DC-500MHz with
oversampling! AR-DV10
ML&S: £249.95 The ULTIMATE all mode
all band scanner.
£239.95 www.HamRadio.co.uk/sunsdrnano
Dual-Tuner wideband full feature 14- 100kHz-1300MHz Analogue &
bit SDR, 1kHz to 2GHz, 10MHz of SDRplay RSP1a Digital Modes.
spectrum visibility. Simultaneously Brand new design, the www.HamRadio.co.uk/ardv10
monitor 2 separate 2MHz bands of RSP1a is a major upgrade
spectrum between 1kHz and 2GHz. 3 to the popular RSP1 offering
a powerful wideband full
NOW IN STOCK NOW IN STOCK
software selectable antenna inputs, featured SDR covering 1kHz
& clocking features ideally suited to to 2GHz & up to 10MHz ML&S: £939.95 ML&S: £569.95
industrial, scientific, Ham & educational visible bandwidth. Better £94.95
applications. Windows 10. still, it’s “Built & Designed in
www.HamRadio.co.uk/RSPDUO Britain”!! www.HamRadio.co.uk/sdrplay

AOR AR-DV1
ANTENNAS AND ACCESSORIES www.HamRadio.co.uk/
Communications
Receiver
BONITO RANGE AT ML&S bonito
The Antenna Jet AAS300 A USB powered antenna splitter designed to work between 9kHz and ML&S: £1199.95
300MHz. Now you can use your one antenna with up to 3 receivers
simultaneously. Finally, you can listen to marine band traffic, The Covers 100kHz to 1300MHz in traditional analogue modes (SSB, CW, AM, FM, S-FM,
Archers on Radio 4 and the air band at the same time (provided your W-FM) as well as various digital modes. In fact, we know of no other radio in this
antenna will cover it all!) Only £234.95 category that can decode Icom's D-STAR mode, Yaesu's new C4FM mode, Alinco's
digital mode, NXDN (note: 6.25kHz only), P25 Phase 1, etc. Plus lots of interesting
Antenna Jet ASM-300 Only £189.95 features! www.HamRadio.co.uk/ardv1
A USB controlled antenna switch and mixer. It can be used as a
simple switch, or can be used to switch in more than one antenna, to
aid receiving to an optimum performance.
DIGITAL AND ANALOGUE RECEIVERS
Megaloop ML200 The perfect antenna for small scale listening. The ML200 The Uniden UBCD3600XLT Icom IC-R6E
is an active loop antenna that packs a serious punch. Covering 9kHz to 200MHz without New digital TruckTracker V The 100 Ch/Sec Wideband
the need for any tuning! Included in the box is the antenna wire, the amplifier and the Signal “Search Machine”
Professional Scanner Receiver,
coax power inserter. It’s a simple case of just add coax! Only £229.95 Communications handheld
covers 25-1300MHz wideband
receiver. While retaining
frequencies.
GigActiv GA3005 basic features of its popular
A portable active antenna capable of covering 9kHz to 3GHz. Perfect The TruckTracker V operation allows predecessor the IC-R5, the IC-R6
if you are say on holiday and want to have a listen to the bands. You’ll this scanner to scan APCO 25 Phase contains many improvements
need to provide it with 5V via a USB cable (included) and some coax 1 and Phase 2, DMR, Motorola, including 100 channel per
but it is just ready to go. Only £386.95 EDACS, LTR Trucked Systems as second scanning speed, 1,300
well as conventional analog and P25 memory channels, 15 hours of
Boni-Whip The active antenna that is raved about. Covering 20kHz to 300MHz and digital channels.
ideal for times when you can’t erect a wire antenna. For home, for travelling and for DX
continuous receive capability,
optional drop-in charger stand
ML&S:
camps. And despite the whip being only 4 inches long, it actually works! Only £109.95 ML&S: £424.99 and voice control squelch. £199.95
VIA
EXPRESS DELIVERY NOW AVAILABLE
You can order from ML&S for delivery on a Saturday or Sunday! Order before 3.00pm as late as Friday. OUR WEBSITE

Web purchases: Just select Saturday or Sunday at the check-out ML&S can deliver your new purchase to your local “Access Point” whether it is a small corner
or call to place your order for Saturday or Sunday delivery on store, petrol station or other location suitable for you. If you are at work all day and want to collect
0345 2300 599 at a time suitable for you, just check “UPS Access Point” on check-out on our website.