CHWO 740 QSL card and Certificate

Hello all,
CHWO-AM 740 Toronto, which has been family run since 1956, has been sold (pending CRTC approval) and no doubt some changes will be coming. We have heard that the general format will not change for now but that's about it. The new owner may not want to continue having someone issuing QSL cards on their behalf. I will certainly do my best to convince them in hopes this will continue.

Last year they celebrated their 50th birthday since the station first started up on November 17th, 1956 on 1250 kHz and the 6th anniversary since moving onto 740 kHz back on January 8th, 2001. It has been in the same family all this time and NEVER changed format.

So............I think its time to celebrate both achievements with a special QSL card AND certificate that is open to everyone. This card and certificate will capture both the old and new of CHWO in pictures and information. But there is a catch. You have to send in two reports.

Here is the criteria:

1/ You must send in two separate, correct reports: November 17th, 2007 and
January 8th, 2008

2/ You must hear the station between 0000 & 2359 (EST) on those dates. (+5
Hours UTC)

3/ The usually information will be required for the report:

(a)Program material (at least 10 minutes of specific program material heard: e.g., name of announcer, commercials heard, news items, song title and artist, etc. You can also make a short recording of the station and send it as an MP3 provided it contains some of the specific program material noted earlier);

(b)Signal/sound report (a general overview of how well you heard the signal at your location and the sound quality of the program.)

(c)Mention of the type of equipment and antenna you were using to hear the signal is helpful information as well.

4/ You can send the reports in after each date or together after January 8, but I must have both for the special QSL.

5/ If you plan to go after the special QSL, mark your reports as 'Special QSL.' A report for November 17th but not followed up by one on January 8th will receive a regular QSL only (unless you already have received one in the past.) I will post repeat announcements prior to each date.

Thank you all for your support in this endeavour and the future of QSL from CHWO, AM 740, Toronto.

Feel free to pass this notice along and good luck to all.

Brian Smith - am740@rogers.com
AM 740 - http://www.am740.ca/
Reception Reports - http://www.odxa.on.ca/chwo.html
Yahoo Group - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AM740/
(Source: Brian Smith, ODXA)

Additional information on CHWO and QSLing, please refer to:

http://www.odxa.on.ca/chwo/reports.html

Russian bomber exercises near Alaska and Canada

By Associated Press

Video

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Russian warplanes staged at least seven exercises outside U.S. airspace near Alaska this summer, and each time U.S. or Canadian fighter jets were dispatched to escort them, U.S. military officials said Monday.

The latest exercise came Sept. 19 and involved two planes flying somewhere off the coast of Canada, said Maj. Allen Herritage, a spokesman for the Alaska region of the North American Aerospace Defense Command.

They were met by Canadian planes from NORAD, which is jointly operated by the U.S. and Canadian militaries.

At least five exercises by the Russian Tu-95 Bear heavy bombers have taken place off Alaska's Aleutian Islands and other historic Cold War outposts, such as Cape Lisburne and St. Lawrence Island, according to NORAD records.

All occurred beyond the 12-mile boundary that constitutes U.S. airspace and have involved two to six aircraft. Each time, Russia alerted the U.S. through reports in Russian news agencies, Herritage said.

The bombers have been met by fighter jets, usually F-15s.

"They used to have them from time to time, but not nearly in this frequency," Herritage said. "These exercises used to be more common during the Cold War."

The exercises come amid troubled relations between Russia and the West and are seen by some as intimidating moves by an increasingly assertive Russia, but Herritage said the exercises are not a cause for alarm.

"The recent exercises appear to be routine training activities," he told The Associated Press. "They are nowhere near U.S. airspace."

President Vladimir Putin announced in August that Russia was resuming long-range bomber flights over the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic oceans for the first time since the breakup of the Soviet Union.

Russian Air Force officials in Moscow could not be reached for comment after hours. They have repeatedly said that the planes were not violating any nation's airspace or any international agreements.

But in mid-September, British and Norwegian jets intercepted Russian military aircraft after they breached NATO airspace close to the U.K. and Finland. And on a handful of occasions this year, NATO nations including Britain and Norway have sent fighters to escort Russian bombers nearing their territory.

Weather Satellite

Using a Icom PCR1000 and a turnstile antenna that I built with scrap wire. And WXtoImg software to decode the signal. Was able to receive some good looking images from NOAA 15, NOAA 17 and NOAA 18 on 137 MHz.

Logs 9/6

1403UTC 8983KHz CAMSLANT calling CG 2127(HU-25 ATC Mobile) flight ops normal.

1434UTC 11175KHz Ranger 75 Radio Check two radio's with Offutt.
1542UTC 11175KHz LA 052(F-15) calling Andrews for a patch.

1634UTC 8983KHz CAMSLANT calling CG 1711(HC-130H7 CGAS Elizabeth City) requesting location.
1650UTC 8983KHz CG 2117(HU-s5A CGAS Miami) calling CAMSLANT "5 POB destination CGAS Miami"
1655UTC 8983KHz CAMSLANT calling CG 6003(MH-60J Elizabeth City)
1658UTC 8983KHz CG 2139(HU25 CT CGAS Cape Cod) "6 POB destination home port"
1824UTC 8983KHz CAMSLANT calling CG 1711 No Joy

1859UTC 11232KHz CANFORCE calling Trent Millitary.

1915UTC 8983KHz CG 1711 and CG 2117 with CAMSLANT "On Final to Home Base"

2010UTC 8788KHz Weather.

2055UTC 8983KHz Rescue 2120 calling CAMSLANT "5 POB headed 15mi South of Apalachicola FL" Begin Radio Guard.

Logs

9/5/07

1515UTC 11232KHz CANFORCE with unheard station. CANFORCE asking where they are doing training and where they are having lunch. Red Dear for lunch??

1632UTC 11175KHz Andrews with EAM.
1656UTC 11175KHz Lima Fox(LF-161 VP-16 P3 JAX) calling Puerto Rico for phone patch. "Ground Station has data for Playmate. No voice freq. for Playmate." Puerto Rico "Can leave patch up for as long as needed."

1942UTC 8983 2121(HU-25A ATC Mobile) calling CAMSLANT Chesapeake reporting "Ops Normal" CAMSLANT couldn't hear. Called again at 1947.

9/4/07

2012UTC 11175KHz Puerto Rico with Viking 17 phone patch.
2105UTC 11175KHz 8992KHz Andrews EAM.

8:41PM 1060KHz KYW News, Traffic(I95 road work) Commercials(Minute Rice, Boston Med Group-ED)Weather(High in 80's current 78 at Independence Mall)Sports(Philadelphia3 Braves1)

9/3/07

1825UTC 11175KHz Puerto Rico Standing by.
2150UTC 15205KHz DW Radio, Christmas in August.
2243UTC 3923KHz North Carolina HF Evening Net.
2255UTC 417KHz HQT Beacon Harnett NC.

8:17PM 710KHz WOR, Michael Savage. (NY)
8:51PM 760KHz WJR, Mark Levin taking phone calls.(Detroit)
8:57PM 810KHz WGY, Michael Savage.(NY)

11175 KHz Hurricane Hunter Log

8/20/07 2320UTC 11175 KHz. TEAL 70 (53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron) phone patch with Miami via Puerto Rico. Hurricane Dean update. Miami could not here all. TEAL 70 called back at 0011 with repeat of last report.


Sent email Reception Report to the only email address I could find. Below is response I got back.

Dany,

This wasn’t the best address to send to but I will forward your email to the NHC in Miami. For future reference, confirmation emails for this information is best sent to nsep.nhc.carcah@noaa.gov

The information on Hurricane Dean you were relaying was indeed sent to NHC via a different station later in the flight.

Thank you,

MSgt. Randy Bynon
Loadmaster/Dropsonde Systems Operator
53WRS "Hurricane Hunters"

More AM Logs.

8/16
Times EST.

10:13pm 640. Talk about Hurricanes.

10:16pm 660 WFAN. Tom McCarthy Mets Vs Pirates 10-8. S9+20

10:46pm 700 WLW. Cincinnati Reds Vs Chicago Cubs. Commercial for MLB.com shop. S9+20

10:50 710 WOR NY. Commercial for Asprin, Advanced Auto Parts, Go Ahead Tours. Steve Malzberg Show taking phone calls. S9+20

10:57 760 WJR Detroit. Dr Laura Schlessinger.

11:13 840 WHAS Louisville KY. Joe Elliott Show, taking phone calls. S9

11:18 920 CKNX Canada. Weather. Country music. Kenny Chesney "Living in Fast Forward" and George Strait "It Comes Natural". S9

11:42 1000 WMVP ESPN Chicago. Sports Talk. S9

11:45 1140 WRVA Richmond. Michael Savage. S9+20.

Radio Logs Raleigh North Carolina

Logs from the Raleigh North Carolina area.

8/12/07

0143 2872 NAT-C
0150 3330 CHU Canada S-5 to S-7
0213 5000 WWV S-5
0215 5450 USB UK Royal Air Force Volmet S-3
0218 5550 USB CAR-A New York with Jamaica Air 096
0225 6754 USB Volmet Canadian?
0252 7335 CHU Canada S-3

AM Band

0253 880 WCBS New York S-9
0256 700 WLW S-9+20 Bill Cunningham. Cincinnati Ohio
0257 680 WPTF S-9 +60 Music. North Car.
0305 760 WJR S-9 News, Weather current temp. 85 Tom. high 80. Detroit.
0306 770 WABC S-9 +20 New York

JFK CV-67 Leaving Mayport for good

At 2 a.m. July 24, harbor tugs are scheduled to come alongside the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy CV-67 for the last time at the Naval Station Mayport, Florida. For what could be it's final cruise. Its destination is Philadelphia, where the ship will arrive at the old Philadelphia Naval Shipyard around the first week of august for a two-year congressionally mandated “ready” period.

Full Story

Online Weather School

A very good weather site from the NWS. JetStream

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Charleston South Carolina heard in Jacksonville Florida

Heard U.S. Coast Guard Sector Charleston on 157.100 and 156.800 in Jacksonville Florida. Guessing they have changed the systems part of the RESCUE 21 upgrades. More Info Map of Implementation Schedule

Dallas radio station KZPS going commercial-free, kind of

The NYT reports that KZPS (92.5 FM) has undergone a radical switch in its approach to commercials, with the substitution of a more conversational "integration" of product touts rather than the usual 12 to 16 minutes worth of 30- or 60-second commercials. Full Story

Windows XP to be phased out by year's end

Windows XP to be phased out by year's end despite customer demand.

"Computer makers have been told they'll no longer be able to get Windows XP OEM by the end of this year, despite consumer resistance to Vista and its compatibility problems."

Full Story

Navy HSV-2 Ship visiting Mayport

Navy HSV-2 Ship visiting Mayport

Full Story

DRM Unmodified Icom PRC1000

Playing around with shortwave DRM broadcasts.

Using an unmodified Icom PCR1000 with dream software more info here
Works very good with a strong signal.

Audio Recording CRI via Sackville 9800KHz 2346 to 2355 utc

Shuttle Launch Delayed

U.S. space agency officials postponed a launch decision for space shuttle Atlantis until testing is completed on its hail-damaged external fuel tank.
The NASA teams expect to have the necessary data by April 10 to make a decision and to establish a target launch date.

Full Story

NOAA Weather Radio

With the increase of weather related damage like the tornado's in Florida, Alabama and Georgia the past couple of weeks. I thought it would be a good reminder for anyone who doesn't already have one, to go out and get a NOAA Weather Radio. It could help save your life.


What is a NOAA Weather Radio?
The NOAA Weather Radio is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information from a nearby National Weather Service office . The NWS broadcasts National Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day.

How Do I Listen?

The NOAA Weather Radio operates on the current frequencies:
162.400 MHz
162.425 MHz
162.450 MHz
162.475 MHz
162.500 MHz
162.525 MHz
162.550 MHz

They are located outside of the AM/FM and TV broadcast band. And will need a NOAA weather radio to receive the broadcast. But you can find some AM/FM radios that include the weather band.

What is SAME?

SAME technology: SAME, or Specific Alert Message Encoding allows you to specify the particular area for which you wish to receive alerts. Most warnings and watches broadcast over NOAA Weather Radio are county- or independent city-based (parish-based in Louisiana), although in a few areas of the country the alerts are issued for portions of counties. Since most NWR transmitters are broadcasting for a number of counties, SAME receivers will respond only to alerts issued for the area (or areas) you have selected. This minimizes the number of “false alarms” for events which might be a few counties away from where you live.

What is All Hazards?
NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts National Weather Service (NWS) warnings, watches, forecasts and other non-weather related hazard information 24 /7. During an emergency, the NWS forecasters interrupt routine broadcasts and send a special tone activating local weather radios. Weather radios equipped with a special alarm tone feature sound an alert to give you immediate information about a life-threatening situation.

The NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts warnings and post-event information for all types of hazards: weather (e.g., tornadoes, floods), natural (e.g., earthquakes, forest fires and volcanic activity), technological (e.g., chemical releases, oil spills, nuclear power plant emergencies, etc.), and national emergencies (e.g., terrorist attacks). Working with other Federal agencies and the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Emergency Alert System (EAS), NWR is an all-hazards radio network, making it the most comprehensive weather and emergency information available to the public.


More Info:
NOAA Weather Radio

USAF HF Global Command System (HFGCS)

USAF HF Global Command System

What you can hear:
Phone Patch, Message Relay, ALE

A String of Coded Characters also known as an EAM.
EAM stands for Emergency Action Message. These coded military
orders or bulletins have higher traffic priority than all other
traffic except in-flight emergencies.

HFGCS Freqs.
a must for Military Monitoring.

8992 Primary
11175 Primary
13200 Day Backup
15016 Day Backup
6739 Night Backup
4724 Night Backup

CallSign List

My Logs While Putting this together:

1949 utc 11175 Puerto Rico calling station, nothing heard
2022 utc 11175 REACH 2032 with Andrews on "Triple 1 75" standby for alternate op. neg contact on phone. safe flight Andrews out.
2032 utc 11175 REACH 597 Radio Check with Andrews.

PSK Logs 21.070.150

1817 utc LU1DA Jorge in Buenos Aires
1821 utc LU7EH Argentina
1836 utc HK3DRO Colombia, calling CQ
2107 utc HK3DRO Bogota Colombia, Kenwood TSe40s power 20W. in chat with W7AIT-no copy here