Wednesday, December 08, 2021

Russian Mystery Military Station - The Air Horn


Transmitting on 3510 kHz. the Russian Air Horn is another Western Military District frequency marker that was first heard in Feb 2017. This station does not send any message traffic, instead, this station is used for testing technical equipment and other audio tests. Video of this station on our YT channel  at https://youtu.be/VIVhwpu_hWU

More Russian Mysterious Military Stations on HF



Since I posted my earlier article on Russian Mysterious Military HF Stations I have added two more Russians to my YouTube video channel. First is The Alarm on 4770 kHz and you can view it at https://t.co/3Ek6woRlxn. The second I just posted to the channel is The Goose on 3243 kHz. That video is at https://t.co/nvYMLj3Llc. I have a few more to post in this series and you can follow that on either my Twitter feed https://twitter.com/MilcomMP or by subscribing to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0-gPCWkJAYDLEnOyJA6N4w where I am building a library of videos for non-broadcast stations aka Utes in HF and above.

Tuesday, December 07, 2021

Another Russian Mystery Military Station - The Alarm


Have just posted a video of another Russian HF military mystery station transmitting on 4770 kHz USB to my YouTube "From the static channel.  Like the rest of its Ruskie mystery mil cousins, no idea what it is used for. See video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRyS_u3GM8w. be sure to subscribe to our YT channel as more video is on the way.



The World of Strange Military Stations - The Russians

Note: This column originally appeared in the January 2021 issue of Spectrum Monitor magazine. Copyright 2021 by the author and Teak Publishing. The full column is available for $3 in pdf format at https://www.thespectrummonitor.com/A one-year sub is only US$24.

Mysteries are always fun. In fact, I am a huge fan of the various Masterpiece Mystery series on Sunday evenings broadcast on our local PBS station. My favorite is Masterpiece’s Endeavor. They even did a show that featured a shortwave radio spy numbers plot in Season 5, Episode 5. You got to love a good mystery. But there are even more mysteries in the world of military communications than even Inspector Endeavor Morse can solve on an episode of Masterpiece’s Endeavor

Probably no other country has as many as Russia. Yes, our old Cold War enemy still has some interesting military stations on the air that qualify as bona fide mysteries. What are they and where are they located? What are they broadcasting? Why are they even on the air?

Maybe we need to call in Endeavor’s partner Inspector Thursday to help us explore some of these Milcom Mysteries. Sorry, I could not resist using the analogy; I like the show.

The Buzzer (Enigma S28)


A Russian military station, nicknamed by radio hobbyists "The Buzzer," is an HF station that broadcasts on a frequency of 4625.0 kHz. First reported in the 1970s, the station transmits using AM with a suppressed lower sideband (USB modulation), but it has also used full double-sideband AM. The signal consists of a short, monotonous buzzer-sounding tone that repeats at a rate of approximately 21 to 30 plus tones per minute, 24 hours per day. 

Sometimes the buzzing sound is interrupted, and a voice message in Russian is broadcast by either a male or female announcer. These messages are usually transmitted live and they do follow a fixed format. Most of the station’s messages are sent weekdays during local daytime (Moscow Time UTC+3).

The traffic sent on this station is simultaneously transmitted in Morse code on multiple other frequencies. Because this station uses old equipment that is prone to failure, channel separation issues have occasionally allowed those Morse code simulcasts to be heard on the voice station.

During these live voice messages, distant conversations and other background noises have frequently been heard behind the buzzer. Some suggest that this means the buzzing tones are not generated internally but are transmitted from a device placed behind a live and constantly open microphone.

Until 2010, the station identified itself as UVB-76, which was a bad mistranscription of the actual call sign UZB76, and it is still often referred to by the media and others by this name. Since then the station operators have used a wide variety of call signs and call words to identify the station.

Speculation over the purpose of this military-controlled station has quite honestly been all over the map. Everything from keeping military communication operators alert to a propagation/channel marker. One theory, described in a BBC article, stated that the tower was connected to the Russian 'Perimeter' missile system. The station was transmitting a “Dead Hand” signal that would trigger a nuclear retaliatory response if the signal is interrupted due to a nuclear attack against Russia. Since the station has been noted off the air at various times in the past, I think we can pretty much put that theory to bed.

There are reports that The Buzzer is controlled by the Russian Sudak communication hub ("Agalatovo"). It is widely believed to have several transmitter sites, which are switched between often. Some of the identified ones include the 69th Communication Hub ("Iskra") and the 60th Communication Hub ("Irtysh"). This station is a Russian military command network that serves the Western Military District. 

The Buzzer is not the only Russian military station mystery. There are two other Russian stations that follow a similar format, nicknamed “The Pip” and “The Squeaky Wheel”. Like the Buzzer, these stations transmit a signature sound that is repeated constantly but is occasionally interrupted to relay coded voice messages.

The Pip (Enigma S30)


Nicknamed “The Pip,” by radio listeners, this Russian military station broadcasts on 5448.0 kHz (day), and 3756.0 kHz (night). It broadcasts continuous short, repeated beeps at a rate of around 50 per minute. Like the Buzzer described above, the beep signal is occasionally interrupted by voice messages in Russian sent by both male and female announcers. The Pip has been active since around 1985 when its distinctive beeping sound was first recorded by listeners. The station's format resembles, in many ways, that of its presumed sister station “The Buzzer.” 

The times at which the station switches from the day to the night frequency or vice versa are changed over the course of the year, presumably to match the changing lengths of day and night. Higher frequencies have better propagation characteristics during the day, while lower frequencies do better in darkness.

The Priyon.org website reports that The Pip usually multicasts traffic, without the channel marker, on either 6913.0, 6922.0, or 7056.0 kHz during daytime with 7126.0 kHz being observed as of December 2019, and on 3371.0 kHz during nighttime. Some of these frequencies also carry exclusive traffic. Transmissions on 6922.0 kHz sometimes leak conversations from within the radio room via an open microphone. Sound familiar?

Like the Buzzer, the purpose of The Pip is not known, although there are many hypotheses. It is often suggested that The Pip is part of a larger radio relay or control system that includes The Buzzer and The Squeaky Wheel stations, which both follow similar formats. 

In fact, activity on The Pip often used to be followed a few minutes later by a voice message on The Squeaky Wheel, suggesting that both were being operated by the same organization and shared the same purpose. On one occasion, The Pip's characteristic beeping sound could be heard in the background while a message was being transmitted on the Squeaky Wheel's frequency, which could indicate that both stations were even operated from within the same building or room. However, these activities have since ceased.

The Pip is transmitting from Rostov-on-Don, Russia. It is also a military command network that serves the Russian Southern Military District. 

Squeaky Wheel (Enigma S32)


The third of our mysterious Russian military stations are known as “The Squeaky Wheel,” another nickname given by the radio hobby community. From around 2000 until 2008 the station's attention tone was a high-pitched two-tone signal that vaguely resembled a squeaky wheel. From 2008 the channel marker changed to two different tones in a short sequence repeated with a short silent gap. This station transmits voice on 3828.0 kHz (nights) with CW on 3895.0 kHz, and 5473.0 kHz (day) voice with CW on 5361.0 kHz.

Since this station appears to be associated with the other two, we may have an indication the true mission of the stations by traffic that has been intercepted from the Squeaky Wheel. There have been several times that voice messages in the format of Russian Military Strategic Flash Messages have been reported by this station. 

The exact transmitter site is unknown but like the “Pip” it is thought to be near Rostov-on-Don, Russia, which would indicate a Southern Military District network station. It has been noted by some regular monitors of this station that the signal strength is not very good in Central Europe and the signal sometimes even disappears for days in the noise.

The Pip/Squeaky Wheel connection

There have been instances of transmission from Squeaky Wheel with clearly audible Pip channel marker in the background having been picked up by the operator's microphone. This implies that the Squeaky Wheel operator is clearly monitoring the Pip. As can be deduced from the complete lack of follow-on message from Pip after a Squeaky Wheel transmission and having never observed Squeaky Wheel channel marker bleeding into Pip transmissions, it seems that Pip does not need to monitor Squeaky Wheel.

Finally, Priyon.org reported that on May 9, 2019, the Squeaky Wheel accidentally began reading a message transmitted from Pip several minutes prior before the operator corrected herself and continued with the appropriate/correct message, definitively proving that Squeaky Wheel indeed copies transmissions from Pip.

Who or what are these stations?

Here is what we believe. Are they Russian? Yes. Are they military? Yes. In fact, based on the Russian military order of battle and who we think is transmitting these broadcasts it looks like we are dealing with some Russian army ground forces HF networks.


Several in our radio hobby believe that the HF radio presence of these Russian Ground Forces consists of many interconnected subnetworks and that the ones I have discussed here are just three of them. 

In these networks, the callsigns are made of either a word and 2 digits (in voice only), or a 4-character combination of letters and sometimes digits. A callsign may refer to either a single unit or a group of units. In some cases, some of the messaging appear to be relaying the same strategic flash messages used by the Russian Supreme High Command (Verkhovnoe glavnokomandovanie--VGK). Yes, the same organization I mentioned last month that sends out strategic submarine flash override messages in VLF and on various other HF radio frequencies.

Priyon,org has a list of Russian ground forces HF networks that you can explore at https://priyom.org/military-stations/russia. These include the following listed below:

Russian Southern Military District: The Pip (5448.0/3756.0 kHz), The Squeaky Wheel 
(5473.0/3828.0 kHz), Vega (5372.0 kHz), Baron-78 (3850.0/4940.0 kHz).

Russian Western Military District: The Buzzer (4625.0 kHz), D marker (5292.0 kHz), T 
marker (4182.0 kHz), The Air Horn (3510.0 kHz), The Goose (4310.0/3243.0 kHz), The 
Alarm (4770.0 kHz), and Katok-65 (4224.0/3218.5 kHz).

Given the proximity of the two areas to eastern Europe, these stations may be part of some early warning nets that are operated by the Russian army ground forces. Their purpose may be to sound the alarm of any potential attack by NATO/U.S. ground forces that threaten Mother Russia (Matushka Rosa). So maybe on the Russian side of the border, if these stations are any indication, Perestroika did not change everything within the Russian military and its posture towards the West.

The Single Letter CW Beacons (Enigma MX)

The Russian Army is not the only player with mystery stations in the HF spectrum. While they do not have cute radio hobbyist nicknames like the army stations do, the Russian Navy has operated a mysterious network of single-letter CW stations since the early 1960s.

My first exposure to these mysterious stations came from a book that was published by Tab in 1981 by the legendry radio monitor and author Harry Helms W5HLH (SK) titled How to tune the secret shortwave spectrum.


In 1978 Harry and several others noted a CW station sending the letter "W" continuously on 3584.0 kHz, in the 80-meter ham band. There was indirect evidence using greyline propagation techniques that this transmitter was in Cuba. He theorized that it may have had something to do with the Russian/Cuban military services. This started a chain of events that elevated the attention of the radio monitoring community to this  “W’ CW station and to other CW beacons in the HF spectrum like it.

In 1982 there were also reports, supposedly based on HF direction finding by the U.S. military, that a station was transmitting the CW letter "K" on 9043.0 kHz it was located near the city of Khabarovsk in the then USSR. This was reported again in 1984 by an anonymous source in the old SPEEDX Reference Guide, and to me by Donald W. Schimmel (SK), a Monitoring Times colleague, in private correspondence. 

Don also indicated that in 1986 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released the HF direction finding results for several single letter beacons or what he wanted them called “markers,” and all were DFed to locations in Russia. So in this column to honor Don’s wishes back then, I will call them what he wanted them known as – Single Letter HF Markers or SLHFM. You will probably see others still using the term beacons.

A few years later William (Bill) I Orr W6SAI (SK), in Popular Communications magazine, suggested that the "K" marker was, in fact, located at Petropavlovsk on the Russian Kamchatka Peninsula and the "U" markers were located somewhere along the Barents Sea coast, between Murmansk and Amderma.

Today these Single Letter HF Markers are still active nearly 60 years after their original discovery. My friend and fellow ute monitor Ary Boender, the driving force behind the UDXF/N&O, published definitive locations for most of these stations in 2006.

The single-letter HF markers can be classified into two groups, "cluster markers" and "solitary markers." It should be noted that a "P" marker exists in both groups. 

The Clusters


This group of radio markers with single-letter identifiers (C, D, M, S, P, A, M and K) have been regularly reported centered on 3594.0, 4558.0, 5154.0, 7039.0, 8495.0, 10872.0, 13528.0, 16332.0 and 20048.0 kHz. The term "cluster markers (beacons)" is frequently used for them, as they transmit in parallel on frequencies only 0.1 kHz apart. These beacons transmit only their single-letter identifier in standard Morse code and are located at Russian Naval Bases.

D  RCV Sevastopol, Ukraine  3593.7  4557.7  5153.7  7038.7  8494.7  10871.7  13527.7  
16331.7  20047.7

P  RMP Kaliningrad, Russia  3593.8  4557.8  5153.8  7038.8  8494.8  10871.8  13527.8  16331.8  20047.8

S  RIT Severomorsk, Russia  3593.9  4557.9  5153.9  7038.9  8494.9  10871.9  13527.9  16331.9  20047.9

C  RIW Moscow, Russia 3594.0  4558.0  5154.0  7039.0  8495.0  10872.0  13528.0  16332.0  20048.0

A  Astrakhan, Russia (tentative)  3595.1  4558.1  5154.1  7039.1  8495.1  10872.1  13528.1  16332.1  20048.1

F  RJS Vladivostok, Russia 3595.2  4558.2  5154.2  7039.2  8495.2  10872.2  13528.2  16332.2  20048.2 

K  RCC Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia  5154.3  7039.3  8495.3  10872.3  13528.3  16332.3

M  RTS Magadan, Russia  4558.4  5154.4  7039.4  8495.4  10872.4  13528.4  16332.4  20048.4

Monitor reports in the Numbers and Oddities (N&O) bulletin have shown that some cluster markers (especially "F" and "M") have been transmitting on frequencies different from their regular frequencies for short periods.


The Solitaries

The second family of letter markers includes all of those that operate outside the clusters. For this reason, they are often called "solitary markers" or "solitaires". They also transmit their single-letter identifier in standard using Morse code.

A few solitary markers, like "R" on 4325.9 and 5465.9 kHz, operate exactly like the cluster beacons, sending only their single-letter identifier and nothing else.

Most of the solitaries, most notably "P" on various MF and HF frequencies, in addition to their single-letter identifier, send brief messages using high-speed CW or in an FSK digital mode. There is no evidence that the cluster marker "P" and the solitary marker "P" are directly related.

It was reported in Numbers and Oddities, issue 142, that a marker “C” transmitting on 8000 kHz also sent messages using it international call sign RIW, which is allocated to a Russian naval communication station in Khiva, Uzbekistan. 

There are also a few oddities transmitting signals with poor modulation and irregular timing, like the "V" marker listed below. The "P" marker transmissions also carry Russian Navy flash priority Morse code messages with the call signs RPM and RD.

Here is a known list of the solitaries recently reported to the UDXF forum.

R  Izhevsk (Ustinov), Russia  4325.9  5465.9

V  Khiva, Uzbekistan  3658.0  5141.0  5342.0 (irregular)  6430.7 (irregular)  6809.0  7027.5  8103.5  10202.0

P  Kaliningrad, Russia  420.0  583.0 (MW in December 2007)  3167.0  3291.0  3327.0  3699.5  3837.0  4031.0  4043.0  4079.0

C  RIW Khiva, Uzbekistan  8000.0

Who or what are these stations?

According to ENIGMA, these SLHFM stations are used by the Russian navy (especially its submarine branch) to find the most suitable radiofrequency for contact based on current radio propagation conditions.

The purpose of the letter beacons is not yet known with any certainty. Like their Russian Army counterparts, their many theories, but none is based on any documentary evidence. They have been postulated to be radio propagation beacons, channel markers, or beacons used in tracking satellites, or for civil defense purposes. Some stations of this family of stations, in particular the "U" beacon, have been implicated in deliberate jamming.

-30-

Monday, September 20, 2021

US Coast Guard HF SITOR Weather Schedule


 
National Weather Service Marine Products via U.S. Coast Guard HF SITOR

All times in UTC, frequencies in kHz, and mode is SITOR-B/FEC 100/170

0115 NMC Point Reyes CA: High Seas Forecasts - 8416.5 16806.5
0130 NMO Honolulu HI: High Seas Forecasts - 8416.5 12579 22376
0140 NMF Boston MA: High Seas Forecasts includes ice reports from International Ice Patrol - 6314 8416.5 12579
0230 NRV Guam: HYDROPAC navigation message - 12579 16806.5 22376
0500 NRV Guam: High Seas Forecasts - 12579 16806.5 22376
0730 NMO Honolulu HI: High Seas Forecasts - 8416.5 12579
0900 NRV Guam: HYDROPAC navigation message - 12579 16806.5 22376
1330 NMO Honolulu HI: High Seas Forecasts - 8416.5 12579
1500 NRV Guam: High Seas Forecasts - 12579 16806.5 22376
1630 NMF Boston MA: High Seas Forecasts includes ice reports from International Ice Patrol - 8416.5 12579 16806.5
1730 NMC Point Reyes CA: High Seas Forecasts - 8416.5 16806.5
1900 NRV Guam: High Seas Forecasts - 12579 16806.5 22376
2030 NMO Honolulu HI: High Seas Forecasts - 8416.5 12579 22376
2315 NRV Guam: High Seas Forecasts - 12579 16806.5 22376

Assigned frequencies are shown, for carrier frequencies subtract 1.7 kHz. Typically specialized marine communications equipment uses assigned SITOR frequencies while general-purpose equipment uses carrier frequencies. Note that stations share common frequencies.

US Coast Guard HF Voice Weather Schedule



National Weather Service Marine Products via U.S. Coast Guard HF Voice

Source: https://www.weather.gov/marine/uscg_broadcasts

All times in UTC, frequencies in kHz and mode is USB

0005 NMO Honolulu HI: High Seas Forecasts - 8764 13089
0030 NMN Chesapeake VA: Offshore Forecasts - 4426 6501 8764
         NMG New Orleans LA: Offshore Forecasts - 4316 8502 12788
0203 NOJ Kodiak AK: High Seas Forecasts - 6501
0330 NRV Guam: High Seas Broadcasts - 13089
0430 NMC Point Reyes CA: High Seas Forecasts - 4426 8764 13089
0515 NMN Chesapeake VA: High Seas Forecasts - 4426 6501 8764
         NMG New Orleans LA: High Seas Forecasts - 4316 8502 12788
0600 NMO Honolulu HI: High Seas Forecasts - 6501 8764
0930 NMN Chesapeake VA: Offshore Forecasts - 4426 6501 8764
         NMG New Orleans LA: Offshore Forecasts - 4316 8502 12788
          NRV Guam: High Seas Broadcasts - 6501
1030 NMC Point Reyes CA: High Seas Forecasts - 4426 8764 13089
1115 NMN Chesapeake VA: High Seas Forecasts - 6501 8764 13089
         NMG New Orleans LA: High Seas Forecasts - 4316 8502 12788
1200 NMO Honolulu HI: High Seas Forecasts - 6501 8764
1530 NMN Chesapeake VA: Offshore Forecasts - 6501 8764 13089
         NMG New Orleans LA: Offshore Forecasts - 4316 8502 12788
          NRV Guam: High Seas Broadcasts - 6501
1630 NMC Point Reyes CA: High Seas Forecasts - 8764 13089 17314
1645 NOJ Kodiak AK: High Seas Forecasts - 6501
1715 NMN Chesapeake VA: High Seas Forecasts - 6501 8764 13089 17314
         NMG New Orleans LA: High Seas Forecasts - 4316 8502 12788
1800 NMO Honolulu HI: High Seas Forecasts - 8764 13089
2130 NMN Chesapeake VA: Offshore Forecasts - 6501 8764 13089
         NMG New Orleans LA: Offshore Forecasts - 4316 8502 12788
         NRV Guam: High Seas Broadcasts - 13089
2230 NMC Point Reyes CA: High Seas Forecasts - 8764 13089 17314
2315 NMN Chesapeake VA: High Seas Forecasts - 6501 8764 13089
         NMG New Orleans LA: High Seas Forecasts - 4316 8502 12788

HF voice broadcasts may be terminated if longer than the available broadcast period. This will most likely occur during the hurricane season when supplementary advisories are broadcast in addition to the routine forecasts. Carrier frequencies are shown.  HF voice broadcasts use a synthesized voice "Iron Mike" and use USB mode. ITU channel numbers as follows: 4426 kHz (#424), 6501 kHz (#601), 8764 kHz (#816), 13089 kHz (#1205), 17314 kHz (#1625). Note that stations share common frequencies.

Sunday, September 12, 2021

Altus AFB OK VHF/UHF Channelization

Now that my friends is one heck of an elephant walk. All the 29 aircraft involved in the Elephant Walk at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, on Apr. 2, 2021. (Image credit: Rob Stephens / @RedhomeAviation)

The 97th Air Mobility Wing's primary mission is being the Strategic Airlift and Air Refueling Training School for the nation's KC-46 Pegasus, C-17 Globemaster III and KC-135 Stratotanker. They maintain approximately 550 mobility positions available for immediate worldwide deployment. They also act as the wartime aerial port of embarkation for over 27,000 soldiers, and their associated equipment, from the U.S. Army, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, located 50 miles east of Altus.

Here is the latest list of channels loaded into 97AMW aircraft based at Altus AFB (Freq Card).

Source: USAF ALTUS AFBI13-204 dated 30 March 2021





Monday, August 23, 2021

Minot AFB HF/UHF Channelization


A frequent player in the Middle East in recent months has been B-52 aircraft from the 5BW at Minot AFB, ND. Here is the latest list of channels loaded into 5BW aircraft based at Minot AFB (Freq Card).

Source: USAF MINOT AFBI11-250 14 JANUARY 2014




Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Coast Guard MH-65 program delivers four upgraded Dolphin helicopters




Coast Guard MH-65 program delivers four upgraded Dolphin helicopters: The Coast Guard short range recovery helicopter program within the past month delivered four MH-65E helicopters: three to Air Station Port Angeles, Washington, and one to Aviation Training Center

Friday, April 23, 2021

Global Radio Guide Summer 2021 Promotional Video


 

Promotional Video produced by Teak Publishing Marketing Director Loyd Van Horn W4LVH

Website: https://www.dxcentralonline.com/

Twitter: @DXCentral https://twitter.com/DXCentral

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVKn6FsYIsNjDorND2MJ2MA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dxcentral

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dxcentralonline


16th Edition of the Global Radio Guide (Summer 2021) Now Available

Get you copy of the new Global Radio Guide Summer 2021 at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0938DDK5L

Sometimes in life, what is old becomes new again.  Familiar names and voices we long have placed into the recesses of our minds, suddenly spring back to the forefront.

It can be that way with radio as well.  What we sometimes consider to be antique transmissions of a bygone era can re-emerge in a digital world, as if time had merely paused.  They ensnare the attention of both those who were around for the glory days, as well as those hearing these signals for the first time.

Such is the case with the recently resurfaced “Russian Woodpecker.”  The Cold War-era stalwart that once placed its distinct signal across large swaths of the HF band is once again being heard amongst the crackles of static on shortwave radios and SDRs around the world.

For those who want to be part of the action, Gayle Van Horn’s 16th Edition of her Amazon bestselling Global Radio Guide (Summer 2021) has all the details you need to catch up with our vintage friend.

“My first thought was, ‘I have heard this signal before,’” writes Teak Publishing co-founder and editor of the Global Radio Guide (GRG), Larry Van Horn, in his in-depth look into the return of Russia’s famous Over-The-Horizon-Radar (OTHR) transmissions.  “It did not take long for me to connect what I was hearing to the past and realize I was hearing a form of the old Russian Woodpecker again.”

Included in Van Horn’s article is everything you need to become a grizzled “woodpecker” expert:  a historical review of Russia’s OTHR system, information on where in the world – and on the HF band – the newest version of the Woodpecker is being heard, links to audio samples so you know what to listen for, maps of transmitting locations, and more.

Russia radars are not the only focus of this completely updated edition of the GRG, though.  Worldwide, tensions are continuing to escalate and – in another case of what is old becoming new – people around the world are once again turning to shortwave radio to place themselves on the front lines.

With the help of the GRG, you can tune in to shortwave broadcast stations from hotspots such as China, Cuba, India, Iran, North/South Korea, Taiwan, and many other counties. If you have a shortwave radio receiver, SDR, or Internet connection, pair it with this unique radio resource to know when and where to listen to the world.

This newest edition of the GRG carries on the tradition of those before it with an in-depth, 24-hour station/frequency guide with schedules for selected AM band, longwave, and shortwave radio stations. This unique resource is the only radio publication that lists by-hour schedules that include all language services, frequencies, and world target areas for over 500 stations worldwide.

The GRG includes listings of DX radio programs and Internet website addresses for many of the stations in the book. There are also entries for time and frequency stations as well as some of the more “intriguing” transmissions one can find on the shortwave radio bands.

Larry Van Horn has also updated his now-famous SDR Buyer’s Guide, a must-have compendium that helps you navigate through the revolutionary world of software-defined radios (SDRs), the digital frontier of the radio hobby.

Continuing with the theme of this 16th edition of the GRG:  Gayle takes a stroll into the seemingly not too distant past, into the role that radio played during the Falkland Island War, even as new government leaders within Argentina jockey for position to reclaim sovereignty over the islands.

Spectrum Monitor magazine editor, Ken Reitz, dives into the rise and fall of Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) on shortwave radio.  Reitz gives a rundown on where you can still find DRM signals on the shortwave bands, even if you do not have a DRM-capable radio in your home.

Fred Waterer, also of Spectrum Monitor, checks in with a feature on one of the great pastimes of shortwave radio – traveling the world without leaving home.  This is an especially poignant topic of discussion given the current travel restrictions found in most of the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Waterer gives us a detailed RF-itinerary for circumnavigating the globe via broadcasters on shortwave radio.  While many of the station names may be different than they once were, Waterer proves that there is still plenty of diversity and culture to be found on the bands.

Whether you monitor shortwave radio broadcasts, amateur radio operators, or aeronautical, maritime, government, or military communications in the HF radio spectrum, this book has the frequencies to help you to hear it all. Teak Publishing’s Global Radio Guide "brings the world to you."

You can find this edition of the Global Radio Guide, along with all of our titles currently available for purchase, on the Teak Publishing Web site at www.teakpublishing.com.  For a limited time, all previous editions of the Global Radio Guide will also be available at a reduced price.  Details will be available at www.teakpublishing.com.

The 16th edition of the Global Radio Guide e-Book (electronic book only, no print edition available) is available worldwide from Amazon and their various international websites at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0938DDK5L 


The price for this latest edition is US$8.99. Since this book is being released internationally, Amazon customers in the United Kingdom, Germany, France Spain, Italy, Japan, India, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and Australia can order this e-Book from Amazon websites directly servicing these countries. Customers in all other countries can use the regular Amazon.com website to purchase this e-Book.

 

You can read any Kindle e-Book with Amazon’s ‘free’ reading apps on literally any electronic media platform. You do not have to own a Kindle reader from Amazon to read this e-book. There are Kindle apps available for iOS, Android, Mac, and PC platforms. You can find additional details on these apps by checking out this link to the Amazon website at www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771.

 

Mode-S/ADS Milcom Intercepts 19-22 April 2021 - Brasstown NC

 Here is the latest round of Mode-S/ADS-B Military/Government intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. All dates/times are UTC and sorted in date/time order.

AE021C 84-0189 --- 2021-04-22 11:48:11 KC-10A United States USAF | 305AMW [KWRI] 
AE0859 59-1506 --- 2021-04-22 00:15:20 KC-135R United States IA ANG | 185ARW | 174ARS [KSUX] 
AE5F4F 169566 --- 2021-04-21 20:27:15 P-8A United States USN | 
AE04AE 165740 EASY40 2021-04-21 19:12:28 UC-35 United States MAW-4 --- 38000
AE04AE 165740 --- 2021-04-21 19:06:09 UC-35 United States MAW-4 --- 38000
ADFE4D 94-0321 --- 2021-04-21 17:45:26 C-12R United States USARC | 6-52 AVN (TA) 
ADFE8D 95-0088/95-0096 PAT593 2021-04-21 17:21:11 C-12R+ United States USARMY --- 25000
AE66CD various --- 2021-04-21 16:54:26 P-8A United States --- 
AE511A 10-20304 1020301 2021-04-21 16:48:11 HH-60M United States - --- 2950
AE511A 10-20304 --- 2021-04-21 16:48:11 HH-60M United States - --- 2950
AE080B 99-0165 BOE65 2021-04-21 15:39:25 C-17A United States AFRC | 445AW | 89AS [KFFO] --- 29000
AE093C 00-1053 FORGE53 2021-04-21 15:27:25 UC-35a1 United States US Army | OSACOM PATD [KADW] --- 40000
AE093C 00-1053 --- 2021-04-21 15:27:25 UC-35a1 United States US Army | OSACOM PATD [KADW] --- 40000
AE5F98 18-46045 BACKY93 2021-04-21 15:27:25 KC-46A United States USAF | 916ARW | 77ARS [KGSB] --- 23700
AE5E0B 17-46030 --- 2021-04-21 03:06:15 KC-46A United States USAF | 22ARW [KIAB] 
AE047F 59-1509 --- 2021-04-21 00:27:17 KC-135R United States TN ANG | 134ARW | 151ARS [KTYS] 
AE690F 18-5906 --- 2021-04-20 23:51:07 HC-130J United States AFRC | 920RQW | 39RQS [KCOF] 7164 18925
AE690F 18-5906 KING44 2021-04-20 23:51:07 HC-130J United States AFRC | 920RQW | 39RQS [KCOF] 7164 18925
AE02C7 89-9103 --- 2021-04-20 23:45:12 C-130H United States AFRC | 908AW | 357AS [KMXF] 
AE02E0 89-1188 --- 2021-04-20 23:42:12 C-130H United States AFRC | 908AW | 357AS [KMXF] 
ADFE4D 94-0321 PAT936 2021-04-20 19:21:10 C-12R United States USARC | 6-52 AVN (TA) --- 25000
ADFE4D 94-0321 --- 2021-04-20 19:18:16 C-12R United States USARC | 6-52 AVN (TA) --- 25000
AE66CD various --- 2021-04-20 16:48:15 P-8A United States --- 
AE0808 99-0062 --- 2021-04-20 04:12:54 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS] 
AE148E 94-0284 KOMODO4 2021-04-20 01:51:30 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB] 
AE143A 166715 LOB0715 2021-04-19 22:54:08 UC-35D United States USMC | VMR-1 [KNKT] --- 40000
AE143A 166715 --- 2021-04-19 22:51:30 UC-35D United States USMC | VMR-1 [KNKT] --- 40000
AE1467 07-7169 --- 2021-04-19 21:21:29 C-17A United States USAF | 436AW | 3AS [KDOV] 
AE04AA 99-0101 R90101 2021-04-19 17:21:12 UC-35a1 United States USARC | C/6-52 AVN (TA) DET-1 [KGRK] --- 20000
AE03E7 165159 CNV3421 2021-04-19 16:42:27 C-130T United States USNR | VR-54 [KNBG] --- 27025
AE66CD various --- 2021-04-19 16:42:27 P-8A United States --- 
AE05AA 63-8019 PIRAT13 2021-04-19 16:21:10 KC-135R United States USAF | 22ARW [KIAB] --- 27025
AE05AA 63-8019 --- 2021-04-19 16:21:10 KC-135R United States USAF | 22ARW [KIAB] --- 27025
AE509E 10-80264 --- 2021-04-19 16:09:09 UV-18C United States golden knights 
AE06E4 163836 FOX836 2021-04-19 15:27:26 UC-12M United States USMC | H&HS [KNBC] --- 17600
AE543E 76-22558 22558 2021-04-19 14:39:06 C-12C United States U S ARMY --- 19750
AE0940 166374 VM374 2021-04-19 13:42:28 UC-35D United States VMR DET [KADW] 2150 32000
AE0940 166374 --- 2021-04-19 13:39:06 UC-35D United States VMR DET [KADW] 2150 32000

Monday, April 19, 2021

Mode-S/ADS Milcom Intercepts 1-18 April 2021 - Brasstown NC

 Here is the latest round of Mode-S/ADS-B Military/Government intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. All dates/times are UTC and sorted in date/time order.

AE5EB8 162015 --- 2021-04-18 19:39:09 TH-57C United States
AE1720 06-3814 VALOR35 2021-04-18 17:00:14 T-6A United States USAF | 14FTW | 37FTS [KCBM] --- 30100
AE08A8 00-3587 --- 2021-04-18 16:57:29 T-6A United States USAF | 14FTW | 41FTS [KCBM] --- 28025
AE1720 06-3814 --- 2021-04-18 16:57:29 T-6A United States USAF | 14FTW | 37FTS [KCBM] --- 30100
AE08A8 00-3587 VALOR32 2021-04-18 16:57:29 T-6A United States USAF | 14FTW | 41FTS [KCBM] --- 28025
AE08AD 00-3592 MAFIA94 2021-04-18 16:54:10 T-6A United States USAF --- 24050
AE08AD 00-3592 --- 2021-04-18 16:54:10 T-6A United States USAF --- 24050
AE58F9 166260 RN260 2021-04-18 16:51:05 T-6B United States USN | 5271 13975
AE58F9 166260 --- 2021-04-18 16:48:09 T-6B United States USN | 5271 13975
AE14BA 160985 --- 2021-04-18 16:00:28 T-44A United States USN | TW-4 | VT-31 [KNGP] 
AE4EAF 166197 RN197 2021-04-18 15:42:11 T-6B United States USN | --- 9975
AE5EF3 162683 --- 2021-04-18 15:36:29 TH-57C United States --- 
AE1E86 166040 TEXN040 2021-04-18 12:54:09 T-6B United States - --- 4150
AE04E1 58-0120 --- 2021-04-18 00:39:09 KC-135R United States WI ANG | 128ARW | 126ARS [KMKE] 
AE02C7 89-9103 --- 2021-04-17 17:54:07 C-130H United States AFRC | 908AW | 357AS [KMXF] 
AE0412 163920/164405 AARON97 2021-04-17 16:33:10 E-6B United States USN | SCW-1 [KTIK] --- 24000
AE0412 163920/164405 --- 2021-04-17 16:30:10 E-6B United States USN | SCW-1 [KTIK] --- 24000
AE0567 85-0010 --- 2021-04-17 01:39:36 C-5M United States USAF | 60AMW | 22AS [KSUU] 
AE08A8 00-3587 --- 2021-04-17 01:30:34 T-6A United States USAF | 14FTW | 41FTS [KCBM] --- 9075
ADFFC4 65-10388? --- 2021-04-17 00:00:11 T-38C United States 87thFTS --- 27025
AE5EF3 162683 --- 2021-04-16 23:09:21 TH-57C United States --- 
AE5EBD 162024 --- 2021-04-16 22:51:05 TH-57C United States --- 
AE5EEC 162675 --- 2021-04-16 22:42:10 TH-57C United States
AE08A8 00-3587 VALOR32 2021-04-16 22:21:09 T-6A United States USAF | 14FTW | 41FTS [KCBM] --- 9075
AE08AD 00-3592 --- 2021-04-16 22:18:20 T-6A United States USAF --- 9075
AE08AD 00-3592 MAFIA94 2021-04-16 22:18:20 T-6A United States USAF --- 9075
AE58B4 11-00265 --- 2021-04-02 23:00:31 MC-12S United States 224th MI Bn 
AE04AF 165741 DDFI5899 2021-04-02 22:30:07 UC-35 United States MAW-4 
AE04AF 165741 --- 2021-04-02 22:24:09 UC-35 United States MAW-4 
AE04BE 58-0106 DIXIE47 2021-04-02 16:15:07 KC-135R United States AL ANG|117ARW/106ARS[KBHM] 
AE04BE 58-0106 --- 2021-04-02 16:15:07 KC-135R United States AL ANG|117ARW/106ARS[KBHM] 
896C30 1228 UAF1230 2021-04-02 14:21:17 C-17A United Arab Emirates UAE Air Force 
AE5718 168980 --- 2021-04-02 13:21:13 C-40A United States USN | VR-58 [KNIP] 
AE040D 162782 SNOWY11 2021-04-02 12:42:33 E-6B United States USN | SCW-1 [KTIK] 
AE20CA 07-7189 --- 2021-04-02 10:09:20 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS] 
AE12AD 88-0264 --- 2021-04-02 03:45:29 MC-130H United States USAF | 1SOW | 15SOS [KHRT] 
AE6200 18-5884 / 17-20 --- 2021-04-02 03:45:29 MC-130J / UH-60M United States USAF | 
AE130D 166514 OTIS28 2021-04-02 00:54:36 KC-130J United States USMC | VMGR-352 [KNKX] 
AE130D 166514 --- 2021-04-02 00:51:23 KC-130J United States USMC | VMGR-352 [KNKX] 
AE5E09 17-46028 --- 2021-04-02 00:00:11 KC-46A United States USAF | 22ARW [KIAB] 
AE682D various --- 2021-04-01 21:48:08 P-8A United States USN | 
AE67C6 various --- 2021-04-01 16:51:08 P-8A United States USN | 
AE07F9 97-0047 --- 2021-04-01 16:42:13 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS] 
AE20C4 07-7183 PRIME29 2021-04-01 16:30:14 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS] 
AE20C4 07-7183 --- 2021-04-01 16:27:06 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS] 
AE07F4 97-0042 --- 2021-04-01 16:15:21 C-17A United States TN ANG | 164AW | 155AS [KMEM] 
AE017A 84-0142 --- 2021-04-01 16:00:23 C-21A United States MI ANG | 110FW | 172AS [KBTL] 
AE041D 57-1486 --- 2021-04-01 15:33:29 KC-135R United States MS ANG | 186ARW | 153ARS [KMEI] 
AE6916 18-5917 185917 2021-04-01 14:00:18 C-130J-30 United States USAF | 
AE04AF 165741 --- 2021-04-01 12:51:06 UC-35 United States MAW-4 
AE04AF 165741 DDFI5899 2021-04-01 12:51:06 UC-35 United States MAW-4 
AE07D3 90-0534 --- 2021-04-01 12:18:08 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS] 

Thursday, April 01, 2021

Mode-S/ADS Milcom Intercepts 25=31 March 2021 - Brasstown NC

 Here is the latest round of Mode-S/ADS-B Military/Government intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. All dates/times are UTC and sorted in date/time order.

AE0394 64-14832 --- 2021-03-31 18:15:27 KC-135R United States TN ANG | 134ARW | 151ARS [KTYS] 
AE020D 79-1947 --- 2021-03-31 02:24:21 KC-10A United States USAF | 305AMW [KWRI] 
AE01DD 79-1712 --- 2021-03-31 02:24:21 KC-10A United States USAF | 305AMW [KWRI] 
AE130C 166513 OTIS40 2021-03-31 00:24:33 KC-130J United States USMC | VMGR-252 [KNKT] 
AE130C 166513 --- 2021-03-31 00:21:22 KC-130J United States USMC | VMGR-252 [KNKT] 
AE03DA 165315 CNV3174 2021-03-31 00:18:30 KC-130T United States USMCR | VMGR-452 [KSWF] 
AE03DA 165315 --- 2021-03-31 00:18:30 KC-130T United States USMCR | VMGR-452 [KSWF] 
ADFE8D 95-0088/95-0096 --- 2021-03-31 00:03:22 C-12R+ United States USARMY 
ADFE8D 95-0088/95-0096 PAT587 2021-03-31 00:03:22 C-12R+ United States USARMY 
AE6046 169536 YANKY75 2021-03-30 22:09:06 KC-130J United States USMC | VMGR-452 [KSWF] 
AE1439 166714 VM714 2021-03-30 19:54:31 UC-35D United States USMC | VMR-1 [KNKT] 
AE148E 94-0284 --- 2021-03-30 19:24:30 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB] 
AE0156 57-1456 DECEE21 2021-03-30 16:48:28 KC-135R United States AFRC | 940ARW | 314ARS [KBAB] 
AE0156 57-1456 --- 2021-03-30 16:03:27 KC-135R United States AFRC | 940ARW | 314ARS [KBAB] 
AE0940 166374 00VM374 2021-03-30 13:06:26 UC-35D United States VMR DET [KADW] 
AE0940 166374 --- 2021-03-30 13:03:06 UC-35D United States VMR DET [KADW] 
AE2FAA 08-8198 RCH103 2021-03-29 20:51:29 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS] 
AE2FAA 08-8198 --- 2021-03-29 20:51:29 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS] 
AE00D3 - DUSTER1 2021-03-29 19:45:11 T-38C United States 586th FLTS 
AE00D3 - --- 2021-03-29 19:45:11 T-38C United States 586th FLTS 
ADFEC1 96-0111 --- 2021-03-29 19:33:11 UC-35a1 ??? United States USARMY 
ADFC94 92-0339 CONGO37 2021-03-29 19:00:11 T-1A Jayhawk United States USAF | 12FTW | 99FTS [KRND] 
AE04AF 165741 DDFI5899 2021-03-29 18:57:29 UC-35 United States MAW-4 
AE04AF 165741 --- 2021-03-29 18:54:11 UC-35 United States MAW-4 
AE5F13 17-5867 PUMA73 2021-03-29 16:48:14 C-130J-30 United States USAF | 19AW | 41AS [KLRF] 
AE5F13 17-5867 --- 2021-03-29 16:48:14 C-130J-30 United States USAF | 19AW | 41AS [KLRF] 
AE4BDD 10-5700 --- 2021-03-29 16:21:11 C-130J-30 United States USAF | 19AW | 41AS [KLRF] 
AE058B 57-1514 --- 2021-03-29 16:18:09 KC-135R United States WI ANG | 128ARW | 126ARS [KMKE] 
AE035E 58-0077 --- 2021-03-29 15:54:09 KC-135T United States PA ANG | 171ARW [KPIT] 
AE0154 63-8045 --- 2021-03-29 15:42:11 KC-135R United States USAF | 92ARW [KSKA] 
ADFE8D 95-0088/95-0096 PAT587 2021-03-29 13:54:15 C-12R+ United States USARMY 
ADFE8D 95-0088/95-0096 --- 2021-03-29 13:51:09 C-12R+ United States USARMY 
AE0559 83-1285 --- 2021-03-29 12:42:22 C-5M United States USAF | 436AW | 9AS [KDOV] 
AE07F3 97-0041 --- 2021-03-29 01:03:10 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS] 
AE02C8 89-9104 --- 2021-03-28 22:51:05 C-130H United States AFRC | 910AW | 757AS [KYNG] 
AE5718 168980 CNV4370 2021-03-28 22:33:25 C-40A United States USN | VR-58 [KNIP] 
AE4E14 11-5748 --- 2021-03-28 00:21:24 C-130J-30 United States USAF | 317AW [KDYS] 
AE10E8 2002 C2002 2021-03-27 19:03:05 HC-130J United States USCG | CGAS Elizabeth City [KECG] 
AE5F0D 16-5859 --- 2021-03-27 17:36:20 C-130J-30 United States USAF | 19AW [KLRF] 
AE5F12 17-5865 --- 2021-03-27 17:36:20 C-130J-30 United States USAF | 19AW | 61AS [KLRF] 
AE6471 17-5897 --- 2021-03-27 16:18:31 C-130J-30 United States USAF | 19AW | 41AS [KLRF] 
ADFF00 96-0112 60112 2021-03-27 15:57:30 C-12J United States USARMY | CARA AVN SECTION [KAPG] 
ADFF00 96-0112 --- 2021-03-27 15:51:32 C-12J United States USARMY | CARA AVN SECTION [KAPG] 
AE1439 166714 VM714 2021-03-27 01:18:14 UC-35D United States USMC | VMR-1 [KNKT] 
ADFE48 95-00100 --- 2021-03-27 00:03:31 C-12V ARMS United States
ADFE48 95-00100 SLICK53 2021-03-27 00:03:31 C-12V ARMS United States
2E1719 166011 --- 2021-03-26 21:21:26 TEX2 United States TAW-5 
2E1719 166011 BB011 2021-03-26 21:21:26 TEX2 United States TAW-5 
AE20C2 07-7181 --- 2021-03-26 20:57:27 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS] 
AE20C2 07-7181 RCH7181 2021-03-26 20:57:27 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS] 
AE02DC 89-1184 --- 2021-03-26 18:24:25 C-130H United States AK ANG | 176WG | 144AS [PAED] 
AE07F3 97-0041 --- 2021-03-26 13:06:10 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS] 
AE61FF 16-5883 / 18-20 HKY37 2021-03-26 12:51:06 C-130J-30 / UH-60M United States USAF | 19AW [KLRF] 
ADFE49 94-0317 WING91 2021-03-25 20:36:13 C-12R United States USARMY 
ADFE49 94-0317 --- 2021-03-25 20:33:07 C-12R United States USARMY 
AE0814 00-0178 RHINO90 2021-03-25 18:36:08 C-17A United States AFRC | 445AW | 89AS [KFFO] 
AE0814 00-0178 --- 2021-03-25 18:33:06 C-17A United States AFRC | 445AW | 89AS [KFFO] 
AE149C 160840 MAKO44 2021-03-25 13:42:11 T-44A United States USN | TW-4 | VT-31 [KNGP] 
AE149C 160840 --- 2021-03-25 13:39:08 T-44A United States USN | TW-4 | VT-31 [KNGP]