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Hi SWLing Post Community, FastRadioBurst 23 bringing you news of this week’s Imaginary Stations related broadcasts this Sunday 17th September 2023. At 2000 hrs UTC on 3975 & 6160 kHz we have DJ Frederick’s Shortwave Music Library where he picks out some choice classics and rarities not usually aired heard over the wireless. Expect all sorts of eclectic stuff.
Talking of wireless, at 2200 hrs UTC on 9395 kHzvia WRMI the Imaginary Stations crew bring you WTAB. A trip back in time where trebly voices and music flowed through horn type loudspeakers and when it got too loud a spare sock would dampen the sound. The days when radio stations always kept a box of rose thorns as back up needles for their gramophones too! Expect some old tunes from way back in the day!
For more information on the shows please email [email protected] and check out our old shows here.
he Polish Railway’s radio system was hacked on Friday and Saturday, bringing 20 freight and passenger trains to an unprecedented standstill. The hack, believed to be carried out by Russia, took advantage of a critical flaw in the railway’s radio security system, with the issue reportedly restored within hours.
An investigation into the cyberattack is underway, and the Polish Press Agency (PAP) reported that the radio signals sent to stop the trains were interspersed with a recording of Russia’s national anthem and a speech by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Poland is an important transportation hub that brings much-needed weapons supplied by Western countries and other aid to Ukraine amid the Russian invasion, and Senior Security Official Stanislaw Zaryn told PAP: “For the moment, we are ruling nothing out.” He continued: “We know that for some months there have been attempts to destabilize the Polish state. Such attempts have been undertaken by the Russian Federation in conjunction with Belarus.”
Train services were reportedly restored within hours and the Polish State Railways said in a statement that “there is no threat to rail passengers” and the cyberattack only caused “difficulties in the running of trains.” [Continue reading…]
A secret encryption cipher baked into radio systems used by critical infrastructure workers, police, and others around the world is finally seeing sunlight. Researchers say it isn’t pretty.
FOR MORE THAN 25 years, a technology used for critical data and voice radio communications around the world has been shrouded in secrecy to prevent anyone from closely scrutinizing its security properties for vulnerabilities. But now it’s finally getting a public airing thanks to a small group of researchers in the Netherlands who got their hands on its viscera and found serious flaws, including a deliberate backdoor.
The backdoor, known for years by vendors that sold the technology but not necessarily by customers, exists in an encryption algorithm baked into radios sold for commercial use in critical infrastructure. It’s used to transmit encrypted data and commands in pipelines, railways, the electric grid, mass transit, and freight trains. It would allow someone to snoop on communications to learn how a system works, then potentially send commands to the radios that could trigger blackouts, halt gas pipeline flows, or reroute trains.
Researchers found a second vulnerability in a different part of the same radio technology that is used in more specialized systems sold exclusively to police forces, prison personnel, military, intelligence agencies, and emergency services, such as the C2000 communication system used by Dutch police, fire brigades, ambulance services, and Ministry of Defense for mission-critical voice and data communications. The flaw would let someone decrypt encrypted voice and data communications and send fraudulent messages to spread misinformation or redirect personnel and forces during critical times. [Continue reading…]
Engineers have designed and built the first set of 24 Small Modular Aggregation RFoF Trunk, or SMART boxes.
Radio telescopes detect faint radio signals arriving from distant cosmic sources.
As a result, it is critical that the site is as silent as possible, meaning that it should be devoid of noise caused by any gadgets, such as Wi-Fi, mobile phones, telescope machines, and other electronic equipment, in and around the radio facility.
Noise interference of any kind can distort or block out these signals, making astronomical studies extremely difficult.
This is one of the primary issues a multidisciplinary team of experts recently tackled by designing an advanced “SMART box” to electrically power the Square Kilometre Array Low Frequency (SKA-Low) telescope in Western Australia.
SKA-Low is part of the upcoming world’s largest ground-based astronomy facility that includes one other telescope, which has been constructed in South Africa.
“The SKA-Low telescope will receive exquisitely faint signals that have traveled across the universe for billions of years. To detect them, the SKA-Low telescope is being built in a pristine radio quiet zone far from the interference created by modern technology,” said Tom Booler, Program Lead for Engineering and Operations at the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) of the Curtin University.
“It’s so radio quiet at the observatory site that the biggest potential source of interference is the electronics like ours, due to the proximity to the antennas. That meant our project had to meet the strictest radio emission requirements across the entire Australian SKA site,” Booler added in the official release. [Continue reading…]
The FCC is reminding U.S. radio stations and other EAS participants to make sure the upcoming national EAS test is accessible.
As we’ve reported, FEMA will transmit the nationwide test at 2:20 pm EDT on Oct. 4 using IPAWS, the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.
To make sure it reaches the most people, the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau has issued a reminder asking participants to make sure they’ve upgraded their EAS equipment software and firmware to the most recent version; ensured that their equipment can receive and process the National Periodic Test code and “six zeroes” national location code; and otherwise complied with FCC rules.
Here is the text of the planned EAS message:
“This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.” [Continue reading…]
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Walker, who notes that a new clandestine station called Yoruba Nation Radio has been broadcasting on shortwave since August 5, 2023.
Here’s one of their first announcements about the broadcasts:
On the 5th of August 2023, YorubaNation Shortwave Radio will start broadcasting live. Share this page with Yoruba citizens both Home and Diaspora. Listen to us every Saturday and Sunday from 20.00pm to 21.00pm Nigeria time on (Shortwave Radio) Frequency 17735 kHz. Also, listen to our online Radio 24/7.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who writes:
From the 1965 classic In Harm’s Way about the U.S. Navy after the Pearl Harbor attack. In this scene, Patricia Neal is listening to a Tokyo Rose broadcast, and speaking to John Wayne. Neal asks Wayne “why can’t they jam that broadcast?” Can anyone identify the beautiful rig she’s listening to?
Other noteworthy actors in this great movie: Carroll O’Connor, Burgess Meredith, Kirk Douglas, Slim Pickens, Paula Prentiss, Henry Fonda, Larry Hagman, George Kennedy, Christopher George.
Here are two other receivers shown in same movie:
If you can identify the radios above, please comment!
This fall could be a busy time for broadcasters on Capitol Hill.
Earlier this year, with leading automakers poised to remove AM radio capabilities from new electric vehicle lines, lawmakers in the House and Senate worked across the political aisle to introduce a pair of proposals (H.R.3413 and S.1669) that would preserve AM radio in the auto dash.
Even with Congress in recess, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act has continued to benefit from the issue’s momentum. In recent days, the legislation has attracted several new cosponsors, most recently adding Reps. James Comer (R-Ky.), Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.), Mike McCaul (R-Texas.) and Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) Joni Ernst (R-Iowa.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Chris Murphy Chris (D-Conn.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), for a total of 150 cosponsors in the House and 34 in the Senate.
The bill sailed through Senate markup in July. Prior to the markup, a manager’s amendment (package of amendments from the lead sponsor or committee chair) introduced a few tailored changes, such as narrowing the bill to “passenger motor vehicles” as opposed to “motor vehicles” more generally and revising the requirement that radio be “conspicuous” to merely “easily accessible.” Changes were also made to the effective date and to the fee structure, but the core elements of the bill—requiring that AM radio will remain in cars and be placed in cars that have eliminated it—was not changed.
Once the Senate is back in session, the bill must be brought up before it is considered on the floor. This can happen by unanimous consent or by voting to adopt a motion to proceed to the bill. After this step of the bill process happens, Senators can then offer amendments. Unlike in the House, amendments in most circumstances are not subject to “germaneness” rules, and can sometimes include aspects that are unrelated to the bill. Furthermore, there is no limit to debate at each step of the process (motions to proceed, amendments, the bill itself), so there is no way to cut off debate to force a vote. This makes the bill’s time and debate on the floor unpredictable, but given its bipartisan support and quick progress so far, S.1669 has a good chance of avoiding these procedural difficulties. [Continue reading…]
A whopping 184 members of Congress have cosponsored the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act
It’s a rare occasion when lawmakers on both sides of the political spectrum can agree on any given legislation, but that’s just the case for the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. The bill, first introduced in May, continues to garner strong, bipartisan support, with one-third of all senators and members of the House of Representatives cosponsoring the legislation.
The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act would give the government power to mandate that automakers maintain AM service in their future car models. If adopted, the act would direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to implement new rules requiring car manufacturers to keep the service without any additional charges.
The bill also would direct the Government Accountability Office to study whether alternative communication systems could fully replicate the reach and effectiveness of AM broadcast radio for alerting the public to emergencies.
As of Sept. 7, 150 out of the 435 total members that comprise the U.S. House of Representatives have cosponsored the measure. Of those House representatives, 72 are Democrats and 78 are Republicans.
Additionally, 34 out of 100 senators support the bill. Of those members of Congress, 16 are Democrats and 18 are Republicans. [Continue reading…]
Built around a Raspberry Pi and an Airspy HF+ SDR dongle, the SDRDock includes a custom ESP32-powered physical user interface.
Radio ham Kaushlesh “KD9VFU” Chandel is putting together a pocket-sized device designed to make it easier to play with software defined radio (SDR) on-the-go: the Raspberry Pi-powered SDRDock.
“Built on a Raspberry Pi platform, SDRDock aims to enhance the SDR experience by integrating all essential hardware components onto a single, streamlined PCB,” Chandel claims of his creation. “With the convenience of 3D-printable enclosures and compatibility with various SDR dongles, this device is both accessible and versatile. What sets it apart is its tactile interface, featuring user-friendly knobs and buttons that transform complex SDR tasks into an intuitive and engaging experience.”
Radio ham Kaushlesh “KD9VFU” Chandel is putting together a pocket-sized device designed to make it easier to play with software defined radio (SDR) on-the-go: the Raspberry Pi-powered SDRDock.
“Built on a Raspberry Pi platform, SDRDock aims to enhance the SDR experience by integrating all essential hardware components onto a single, streamlined PCB,” Chandel claims of his creation. “With the convenience of 3D-printable enclosures and compatibility with various SDR dongles, this device is both accessible and versatile. What sets it apart is its tactile interface, featuring user-friendly knobs and buttons that transform complex SDR tasks into an intuitive and engaging experience.”
That interface is immediately visible on the very front of the device. Where most software-defined radio work is done on a laptop or desktop with a keyboard and mouse, Chandel wanted something more streamlined — so developed what is, in effect, a custom mixing deck-style user interface based on 3D knobs and sliders. These are then mapped to actions in the SDR software running on the Raspberry Pi — meaning it’s possible to hone in on an interesting signal with no keyboard or mouse in sight. [Continue reading…]
The technology is ‘an unsung hero’ for getting messages out, one operator says
As Atlantic Canada gears up for another hurricane season after a year of unprecedented disasters linked to climate change — including post-tropical storm Fiona last September — amateur radio operators say a simple technology can play a part in the response to disasters across the region.
When Fiona hit Nova Scotia, it affected electrical grids and telecommunications networks, leaving some people unable to call for help. That experience in particular prompted a renewed interest in amateur radio — also known as ham radio — which allows non-professional users to send messages without requiring the internet or cell phone networks.
“I think it’s kind of an unsung hero in communications that gets forgotten in the noise of disaster when it comes to, ‘Well, how do we get that message out?'” said John Bignell, president of the Halifax Amateur Radio Club.
Ham radio operators use a special designated set of frequencies — not the regular AM or FM radio signals — to exchange messages locally or around the world.
They say the technology can help Nova Scotians respond to the increasing risks of extreme weather, as climate change forces a reckoning with communications infrastructure across the country. [Continue reading…]
On 2200 hrs UTC on Sunday 10th September 2023 on 9395 kHzvia WRMI the Imaginary Stations crew bring you WS7S, a show in praise of the humble seven inch single. Expect to hear some gems, some light scratches and a little bit of off-centre pressing madness.
And over on Shortwave Gold a couple of hours earlier at 2000 hrs UTC on 3975 & 6160 kHz there’s a guest show from WJST –Jet Set Radio.
For more information on the shows please email [email protected] and check out our old shows here.
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