The Fun of Shortwave Listening

1
The Fun of Shortwave Listening

• An Amateur Radio Approach to the best of both
  worlds, shortwave listening and amateur radio

2
What is Shortwave Listening?

• Round the world direct broadcasts from
• National radio networks BBC, Radio Netherlands,
  Radio Cairo, Radio Canada
  
• Religious oriented programs (mainly USA..)
• pirate radio stations (Kurdistan in Iraq etc.)
• Utility stations (CIA, Air Force One, FBI, NASA,
  weather images, maritime emergency..
  
• Amateur radio shortwave bands

3
Why Listen to Shortwave Radio?

• SWLing yields unique perspective on world events
  you cant get from our media
  
• Hear foreign reactions to USA news and events and
  actions (e.g., in Iraq..)
  
• Learn foreign language, hear local dialects
• Hear foreign news, music, and culture
• It is really FUN!!! -)

4
Radio Brazil

• Agência Brasils International News Service keeps
  you up to date on the important facts and events
  happening in Brazil. As a branch of Radiobrás,
  the Brazilian governments communication company,
  its primary focus is governmental news.
• Our coverage includes topics such as politics,
  economics, environment, health, science and
  technology, poverty reduction and agrarian
  reform, as well as the Legislative and Judiciary
  branches and state/municipal governments.
  Emphasis is given to news with a greater
  international interest.
• The International News Service also covers
  official visits by Brazilian authorities abroad,
  and by foreign authorities in Brazil.
  
• World issues such as globalization, terrorism,
  trade, international cooperation and human rights
  are too subjects for the International News
  Service, that will also give you the Brazilian
  position and actions regarding these topics.

5
Radio Cuba

• Under news
• Gerardo Hernandez Moved to Victorville Prison
• 24th August 2004
• Gerardo Hernández, one of the five Cuban
  political prisoners in the United States has been
  transferred to Victorville FCI, a newly completed
  federal detention center in the state of
  California. Gerardo is serving two life sentences
  plus fifteen years having been accused, tried and
  sentenced in a Miami court of conspiracy to
  commit murder, among other charges, without a
  shred of evidence.
• all you find on radio cuba site is about these 5
  guys who you probably havent heard anything
  about in USA media, right? -)

6
Radio India

• A national service planned, developed and
  operated by the Ministry of Information
  Broadcasting under the Government of India. 
  
• AIR today has a network of 214 broadcasting
  centres with 143 medium frequency(MW), 54 high
  frequency (SW) and 139 FM transmitters. The
  coverage is 91.37 of the area , serving 99.13
  of the people in the largest democracy of the
  world. AIR covers 24 Languages and 146 dialects
  in home services. In Externel services, it covers
  27 languages 17 national and 10 foreign
  languages. 

7
Radio India

• VIVIDH BHARATI Short Wave Service
• Frequency Schedule for 28th March,2004 to 31st
  October,2004
  
• Sl.No. Timings Frequency(KHz.) Metres
• 1 05.55 a.m. to 10.05 a.m. 10330 khz 29.04m
• 2 02.30 p.m. to 05.30 p.m. 10330 khz 29.04m
• 3 06.15 p.m. to 11.10 p.m. 10330 khz 29.04m

8

• Available on KERA 90.1 FM and online etc.
• TO CENTRAL AMERICA CARIBBEAN From  To  Days
   Frequency  
  
• 0000 0500 Daily 11835 khz, 5975 khz  
• 1000 1400 Daily 6195 khz  
• 1100 1700 Daily 15190 khz 
• 2100 2400 Daily 5975 khz  
• 2115 2130 Mon-Fri 11675 khz, 15390 khz  
• includes Caribbean programmes Mon - Fri.

9
Tuning 150 khz to 30 Mhz finds

• 540 to 1700 kHz This is the AM broadcasting or
  "medium wave" band which use to end at 1600 kHz.
  The AM broadcast band now ends at 1700 kHz, with
  1610 to 1700 kHz being the new "X" or "extended"
  band.

10
Maritime Frequencies

• 2000 to 2300 kHz This range is used maritime
  communications, with 2182 kHz reserved for
  distress messages and calling. There are also
  several regularly scheduled maritime weather
  broadcasts by U.S. Coast Guard stations. Most
  activity will be in USB, and best reception is at
  night.

11
Tropical Bands (90m..)

• 3200 to 3400 kHz This is a very interesting
  segment. This is the 90-meter broadcasting band,
  used mainly by stations in the tropics. Canadian
  standard time and frequency station CHU can be
  heard on 3330 kHz.
• 3400 to 3500 kHz This range is used for
  aeronautical communications in USB.

12
80 meter Ham Band

• 3500 to 4000 kHz This is the 80-meter ham radio
  band. The 3500 to 3750 kHz range is used for CW
  and RTTY communications, and the rest of the band
  is used for LSB voice. The 3900 to 4000 kHz range
  is used for broadcasting in Europe and Africa.
  Best reception is at night.

13
60 Meter Band

• 4750 to 4995 kHz This is the 60-meter
  broadcasting band, used mainly by stations in the
  tropics. Best reception is in the evening and
  night hours during the fall and winter. In
  winter, stations to the east of you begin to fade
  in an hour or two before your local sunset, and
  stations to the west of you dont start to fade
  out until an hour or so after your local sunrise.

14
49 meter Band

• 5950 to 6200 kHz This is the 49-meter
  broadcasting band, and is loaded with signals
  from late afternoon to a couple of hours after
  your local sunrise.
• 6200 to 6525 kHz This is a very busy band for
  maritime communication in USB and various FSK
  modes like AMTOR and FEC.
  
• 6525 to 6765 kHz This is another busy band, this
  time for aeronautical communications in USB. Best
  reception is during the evening and night hours.
  
• 6765 to 7000 kHz This segment is allocated to
  fixed stations, with signals in SSB, CW, FAX
  modes, and miscellaneous digital modes.

15
40 meter ham band

• 7000 to 7300 kHz The 7000 to 7100 kHz range is
  allocated exclusively to ham radio worldwide,
  although an occasional broadcaster will show up
  here. The 7100 to 7300 kHz range is allocated
  exclusively to ham radio in North and South
  America, but is used for broadcasting in the rest
  of the world. Several station transmit programs
  intended for reception in North and South America
  in this range. As a result, interference is often
  very heavy here during the night and evening
  hours. Hams use CW and RTTY from 7000 to 7150
  kHz, and mainly LSB from 7150 to 7300 kHz. Best
  reception is from the late afternoon to early
  morning, although some hams can usually be heard
  here around the clock.

16
31 meter band W W V

• 9500 to 9900 kHz This is the 31-meter
  international broadcasting band, and is packed
  with stations from around the world. Best
  reception is usually from mid-afternoon to around
  mid-morning, although some stations can be heard
  here throughout the day, especially in winter.
• 9900 to 9995 kHz Several international
  broadcasters use this range along with fixed
  stations using FSK modes.
  
• 9995 to 10005 kHz This is set aside for standard
  time and frequency stations, like WWV and WWVH on
  10000 kHz.

17
30 meter ham band

• 10005 to 10100 kHz This range is used for
  aeronautical communications.
  
• 10100 to 10150 kHz This is the 30-meter ham
  radio band. Because it is so narrow, operation
  here is restricted to CW and RTTY.

18
25 meter Band

• 11650 to 11975 kHz This is the 25-meter
  international broadcasting band. You can usually
  hear several stations here no matter what time of
  day you listen.
• 11975 to 12330 kHz This band is primarily used
  by fixed stations in FSK and digital modes,
  although several international broadcasters are
  found in the lower area.
• 12330 to 13200 kHz This is a busy maritime
  communications band during the day and evening
  hours, with traffic in USB and various FSK modes.

19
22 meter SWL 20m ham band

• 13600 to 13800 kHz This is the 22-meter
  international broadcasting band, with best
  reception generally during the daytime and early
  evening.
• 13800 to 14000 kHz This is used by fixed
  stations, with most communications in FSK modes.
  
• 14000 to 14350 kHz This is the 20-meter ham
  radio band. The lowest 100 kHz is reserved for CW
  and RTTY use, with USB popular in the rest of the
  band (although U.S. hams cannot transmit in SSB
  below 14150 kHz). Best reception is during the
  daytime and early evening.

20
Got the Time for a few more?

• 14990 to 15010 kHz This sliver is reserved for
  standard time and frequency stations, with the
  best heard being WWV and WWVH on 15000 kHz.
  
• 15010 to 15100 kHz This range is for
  aeronautical communications in USB, although a
  few international broadcasters do show up here.
  
• 15100 to 15600 kHz This is the 19-meter
  international broadcasting band, and it is
  usually packed with signals during the daytime
  and early evening.

21
16m SWL 17m ham bands

• 17550 to 17900 kHz This is the 16-meter
  international broadcasting band, and best
  reception is usually during the daylight hours.
  
• 17900 to 18030 kHz This band is used for
  aeronautical communications in USB.
  
• 18068 to 18168 kHz This is the 17-meter ham
  radio band, where CW, RTTY, and USB are used.

22
15m ham band and 13m SWL

• 21000 to 21450 kHz This is the 15-meter ham
  radio band. CW and RTTY is mainly found in the
  first 200 kHz, and USB is used in the rest of the
  band. Best reception here is in the daytime
  hours.
• 21450 to 21850 kHz This is the 13-meter
  international broadcasting band, with best
  reception during the daytime.

23
12m ham band

• 24890 to 24990 kHz This is the 12-meter ham
  radio band, used for CW, FSK, and USB work.
  Reception is usually limited to the daytime
  during years of high sunspot activity.
• 24990 to 25010 kHz This range is for standard
  time and frequency stations, although none are
  currently operating here.

24
E.T. Call Home!

• 25550 to 25670 kHz This region is reserved for
  radio astronomy and is usually free of stations.
  
• 25670 to 26100 kHz This is the 11-meter
  international broadcasting band. However, only
  Radio France International has any broadcasts
  scheduled here at this time.. Reception is
  usually possible only in daytime during years of
  high sunspot activity.

25
CB radio band

• 26100 to 28000 kHz This band is used by fixed,
  mobile, and maritime stations, many of them low
  powered units in trucks, taxicabs, small boats,
  etc. USB and AM are mainly used, along with FM
  having 5 kHz deviation. The citizens band (CB) is
  found from 26965 to 27405 kHz. Best reception is
  during daytime in years of high sunspot activity
  or during a sporadic-E propagation opening.

26
10 meter band (huge!)

• 28000 to 29700 kHz This is the 10-meter ham
  radio band. Most activity is in USB from 28300 to
  28600 kHz, with FM used on 29600 kHz. Best
  reception is during daytime in years of high
  sunspot activity or during a sporadic-E
  propagation opening.

27
Amateur Radio Shortwave Bands

• 160 meters (1.8-2.0 Mhz)
• 75/80 meters (3.5-4.0 Mhz)
• 60 meters (channels 5.330 5.405 Mhz)
• 40 meters (7.0-7.3 Mhz)
• 30 meters (10.1-10.150 Mhz)
• 20 meters (14.0-14.350 Mhz)
• 17 meters (18.068 18.168 Mhz)
• 15 meters (21.0 21.450 Mhz)
• 12 meters (24.890- 24.990 Mhz)
• 10 meters (28.0 29.7 Mhz)

28
Spy Station Pages

• http//www.spynumbers.com/
• Examples listed include
• CIA numbers stations (morse code)
• MOSSAD (Israeli security)
• "59372 98324 19043 78903 95320...". The
  mechanized female voice drones on and on... What
  have you stumbled on to? Instructions to spies?
  Messages exchanged between drug dealers?
  Deliberate attempts at deception and
  mis-information? Answer yes, all of above

29
Clandestine Radio

• As of 1997, the hot spot for clandestine radio
  activity is the Middle East, with Iraq being both
  the main target of, and the main instigator of,
  clandestine activity. Main stations operated
  against Iraq tried to stir up rebellion among
  Iraqs Kurdish population. Iraq does the same
  with clandestines targeting Iran and Saudi
  Arabia. In Asia, both North Korea and South Korea
  operate clandestine stations directed against
  each other.
• See http//www.dxing.com/clandest.htm

30
Pirate Radio Stations

• A "pirate" radio station is an unlicensed,
  illegal station broadcasting in violation of the
  laws of the country it is located in. Unlike
  clandestine stations, pirate radio stations are
  seldom political in nature (other than advocating
  "free radio" or legalization of marijuana).
  Instead, pirates are usually hobby broadcasters
  operated just for fun by their owners.

31
Pirate Radio Stations

• it is not uncommon now to have over a dozen
  pirate broadcasters active on shortwave from the
  United States and Canada in a single weekend.
  
• Today, most pirate radio activity takes place in
  USB on frequencies above or below various ham
  radio bands. The most popular range for pirate
  operators is near the 40-meter (7000 to 7300 kHz)
  ham radio band. Pirates tend to congregate around
  a frequency that has little interference. For
  years, 7415 kHz was the de facto "standard"
  pirate radio frequency, while today most activity
  centers around 6955 kHz. Pirates coordinate their
  schedules to avoid causing interference to each
  other. See http//www.dxing.com/ for more info
  etc.

32
Ferrells Confidential Freq. List

• Organized by frequency 1605-30000 kHz
• 32 plus S/H http//www.universal-radio.com/catalo
  g/books/1055.html
  

33
Legal Amateur Radio Station

• Technician License (VHF/UHF license)
• Simple 35 QA test (75 is passing)
• Multiple choice only
• 300 Questions and Answer pool published
• Exams every 2nd Saturday (Love Field)
• Cost is currently 12 for 5 year license
• Upgrade to shortwave bands and 1,500 watts with 5
  wpm morse code test etc.
  

34
Features to Look For in Receiver?

• Cost (too little is as bad as too much!)
• Weight and power required (portability?)
• Audio quality (speaker size, headphones)
• Ability to receive SSB/CW/digital AM
• Double conversion over single conversion
• Memory channels (how many is enough?)
• Coverage continuous or non-continuous
• FM, AM, long wave (LW) specialty bands

35
A La Mode Radio Modes

• AM amplitude modulated (noisy, static..)
• Example AM band, KRLD radio 1080 (khz)
• FM frequency (wider, less static noise)
• Example FM (stereo) KISS 106.1 (Mhz) FM
• CW morse code (continuous wave)
• SSB single sideband (upper or lower)
• FSK frequency shift keying (Digital)
• RTTY radio-teletype printers (older )

36
Sideband Unscrambled

• AM modulation produces
• A carrier at center frequency (to locate signal)
• An upper sideband (with all voice music info)
• A lower sideband (with the same info duped)
• Each sideband has only 1/6th total power
• All the info you need is in either sideband
• AM has double the bandwidth and noise
• Sideband fits in more stations, less noise

37
Which Sideband? USB or LSB

• By convention, we find Lower Sideband (LSB) used
  below 10 Mhz
  
• By convention, we find Upper Sideband used above
  10 Mhz
  
• Some radios (Degen 1103) hardwire this choice for
  you, others let you select USB or LSB with a
  switch (more )
  
• Sideband needs more careful tuning to use, as no
  carrier there to locate zero point
  

38
Shortwave Utility Stations

• AM Shortwave Broadcasters -
• Utility Stations are over 95 of SW users
• Government services (maritime, aeronautical,
  NASA, hurricane watchers..)
  
• Covert secret agency stations (CIA, FBI)
• Military communications stations (MARS)
• Commercial services (RTTY messages..)
• 650,000 amateur radio licensees in USA many of
  whom may use shortwave frequencies

39
Why Miss Out on 95 of Action?

• Many low cost shortwave radios can receive only
  AM broadcasts
  
• Why miss out on
• Single Side Band Voice transmissions (SSB)
• Military, government, Air Force One, NASA, hams
• Digital modes (use computer sound card and free
  software to view) such as RTTY, Amtor?
  
• Morse code (as a future radio amateur, or with
  soundcard software and your PC?)

40
Synchronous Detection

• Relatively new feature in SW radios
• Uses both sidebands at same time (synch)
• Reduces interference from adjacent signals
• E.g., use lower sideband if USB has interference
• Reduces fading from multipath signals
• Cf. fluttery TV picture when planes overhead

41
New Digital Shortwave Modes

• The transmissions utilize new technical standards
  developed by Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM), an
  international consortium of 82 broadcasters,
  equipment manufacturers, academic research
  organizations and network operators representing
  29 countries.
• A special digital shortwave receiver is needed to
  pick up the broadcasts. The first consumer
  product came out on late 2003, but is still
  pricey
• Per http//www.hcjb.org/displayarticle1334.html

42
Good News on Digital Modes

• Got a PC and a Soundcard?
• Simple interfaces let PC soundcard listen to
  and decode digital sounds heard
  
• Free software such as miniPSK
• http//members.aol.com/f6cte/
• Automatically decode morse code too(!!)
• RTTY radioteletype AMTOR (digital)
• FSK frequency shift keying etc. etc.

43
MultiPSK software

• Translation of BPSK31, QPSK31, PSK63, PSK63F,
  PSK10, PSKFEC31, PSKAM10-31-50, CW (Morse between
  10 and 54 words per minute), CCW (Coherent CW) at
  12, 25 and 50 words per minute, MFSK8, MFSK16
  with SSTV capacity, MT63, THROB, THROBX
  (evolution of THROB 1 and 2 bauds), RTTY at 45,
  50, 75 and 100 bauds, ASCII 110 bauds, AMTOR ARQ,
  SITOR A, AMTOR FEC, SITOR B, NAVTEX, FELD HELL,
  PSK HELL, HELL 80, HF FAX and SSTV (Martin1 and
  2, Scottie1, 2 and DX, Robot 36 and 72, B/W24).
  The pseudo mode FILTERS allows AF processing with
  filters low-pass, band-pass, rejector, noise
  reduction...The CW binaural reception improves,
  physiologically, detection of CW signals on radio
  noise (experimental).

44
Make Mine a Double (conversion)

• Double conversion receivers are better
• Fewer spurious images
• Better selectivity
• Costs more as more complex circuitry
• Single conversion
• Costs less as only one IF stage conversion
• More overload and spurious image problems
• Direct conversion (no IF, mostly simple ham radio
  transceiver kits, lots of images..

45
Joy of Filters

• Filters come in different audio bandwidths
• AM 6 kilohertz/-6dB less than 15 kHz/-60 dB
• SSB 2.4 kilohertz/-6 dB less than 3.8 kHz/-60
  dB
  
• RTTY/Digital 500 hertz/-6 dB less than 1
  kHz/-60 dB
  
• Morse Code 500 hertz/-6 dB less than 1 kHz/-60
  dB
  
• Narrow mode only 250 hertz/-6 dB less than 800
  Hz/-60 dB
  
• Right filter will eliminate interference above
  and below the signal you want
  
• Only better radios have 2 filter options -)

46
UTC or 24 Hour Format

• Times of programs use UTC times
• UTC universal coordinated time
• 24 hour (military) time format
• why use? No confusion between 12 noon and 12
  midnight etc. -)
  
• Midnight zero hours
• Noon 12 hours
• 18 hours 15 minutes 615 p.m.
• Greenwich Mean Time (England)
• US Naval Observatory time
• Aug. 26, 043016 UTC
• Aug. 25, 113016 PM CDT
• Note change in date and effect of daylight
  savings time
  
• (Add 6 hours in winter, 5 hours in summer)
• http//tycho.usno.navy.mil/cgi-bin/timer.pl
• On air WWV - 5.0 10.0 Mhz, CHU Canada 7,335
  14,670 Khz

47
It Hertz if You Arent On Frequency

• Big advantage of direct digital dial readout
• Analog dials have to be calibrated often
• Usually not as exact in readout as digital dial
• 1,000 kilohertz 1,000,000 hertz (hz)
• 1,000 kilohertz 1 megahertz 1 Mhz
• 6.17 Mhz 6,170 kilohertz 6,170 khz
• 6175 khz 6,175 khz

48
Passport to World Band Radio

• TV Guide to Shortwave Radio Programs

49
Passport to Worldband Radio tips
50
From Getting Started pageshttp//www.passband.c
om/pdf_files/GettingStarted.pdf
51
Types of Shortwave Receivers

• Portable Receivers
• Battery powered
• Fewer features
• headphones
• Fixed Station Receivers
• 110 VAC powered
• More features
• larger speakersbetter audio

52
Radio Bands Coverage?

• Shortwave Bands
• No. of bands vary from 1 to 10 or more
• Main SW bands are from 3 to 21 meter bands
• AM or medium wave band
• 540-1,720 kilohertz
• Amplitude modulated signal
• FM (stereo) band
• 76-108 Megahertz

53
Shortwave Bands

• Metre Band       Frequencies kHz    120         
      2300 -  2495     90              3200 - 
  3400     75              3900 -  4000     60   
            4750 -  5060     49              5730
  -  6295     41              6890 -  6990    
  41              7100 -  7600     31             
  9250 -  9990     25            11500 - 12160  
    22            13570 - 13870     19           
  15030 - 15800     16            17480 - 17900  
    17            18900 - 19020     13           
  21450 - 21750     11            25670 - 26100

54
Some Sample SW Radios

• Grundig Yacht Boy 207
• AM, FM, LW, SW (75, 49, 41, 31, 25, 22, 19, 16,
  13 meter
  
• 2 AA batteries
• Cost 50 (new)
• 3 star rating from Radio Netherlands site
• http//www.rnw.nl/realradio/yb207.html

55
Radio Shack DX-396

• MW 530-1,710 kHz, SW 2.3-21.85 MHz, FM 87.5-108
  MHz
  
• 100 (new)
• NO SSB/CW (!)
• 30 memories
• 2 C batteries
• 3 star rating

56
Sangean ATS-505

• LW 153-279 kHz, MW 520-1,710 kHz, SW 1,711-29,999
  kHz, FM 87.5-108 MHz
  
• 130 ( 9 A/C ps)
• 27 ounces
• No line out recording
• No filter settings(!)
• 4 star rating

57
Grundig Yacht Boy 400

• 144-351 kHz, 520-1710 kHz, 1.711-30 MHz, FM
  87.5-108 MHz
  
• 150 (6 AA batteries)
• 2 filters (wide/narrow)
• - top 5 star rating
• SSB/CW
• 40 memories

58
Icom R100 Desktop Receiver

• 700 scanner
• No SSB/CW/digital
• AM receiver (SWL)
• 13.8 Volt DC (extra )
• 0.1-1856 MHz
• one star rating why? high digital noise,
  poor performance, high

59
Yaesu FRG100 portable/fixed

• 550 ( Kiwa filters)
• 50 kHz - 30 MHz (USB, LSB, CW, AM. FM optional)
• 6 ½ pounds
• 50 memories
• No p/s (13 VDC opt.)
• 4 star rating (on poor sensitivity LW/MW and
  only 50 db IF selectivity)

60
Sony ICF-SW77 Portable

• 650
• FM, LW, MW, SW (150 - 29999 kHz)
• Weighs 4 lbs
• 162 memories
• Synchronous detector
• 4 star rating
• Why? High noise -(

61
Drake R8 Desktop Receiver

• 1,400 base unit
• 100 kHz - 30 MHz, AM/USB/LSB/CW/RTTY/FM
• Opt. VHF converter is 300 and adds 35-55 and
  108-174 MHz
  
• 1,000 memories
• 5 filters
• 5 star rating

62
Icom IC-R9000 Super-rig

• 6,200 (plus accys)
• 44 lbs desktop only!
• 1,000 memories
• Great performance
• 5 star rating
• Very similar design to SMUs Icom 781 xcvr

63
Ramsey SR-1 Kit Receiver

• 2 megahertz bandwidth
• In 4 to 10 mhz range
• You build it yourself!
• AM only, no SSB/CW
• 35 for kit ( 9 volt)
• Case is 13 extra
• superhetrodyne

64
Degen 1102 Portable

• Under 50s/h EBAY
• FM 70 -108 MHz
• AM 520 -1710 KHz
• SWL 3000 -- 29999 KHz -1 or 5 khz steps
• 190 memories
• SSB/CW AM FM
• NiMH batteries, 110 AC charger, antenna, phones
  supplied in kit

65
Degen 1103

• Under 50 15 s/h
• Includes headphones, 110v adapter, NiMh
  batteries, antenna(s)
  
• 256 memories (100)
• 0.1-29.999 Mhz
• AM, FM, SSB/CW
• Neg 5 khz steps, volume control,
• Analog style dial etc.

66
Not the End!

• But a new beginning for a new hobby?