Encore – Classical Music on Radio Tumbril – First transmission on 3955 kHz Today

Channel 292 are hoping to begin transmitting on 3955 kHz today – Friday 1st May – from Germany.

Encore’s usual broadcast on 6070 kHz at 19:00 UTC Friday will now be simulcast on 3955 kHz.

The first programme will, of course, be the final repeat of last Saturday’s show.

Channel 292 will be interested in reception reports for 3955 kHz – info@channel292.de

The WRMI broadcast to Europe on Thursday 30th April at 20:00 – 21:00 UTC was particularly well propagated with excellent musical quality for SW.

As the days lengthen propagation may well continue to improve at this time and frequency.

Regular Broadcast times of Encore are:
10:00 – 11:00 UTC Saturday 6070 kHz Channel 292 to Europe – Now Simulcast on 7440 kHz
Repeated:
01:00 – 02:00 UTC Sunday 5850 kHz, Simulcast on 5010 kHz WRMI to the US, Canada and Central America.
08:00 – 09:00 UTC Sunday 7440 kHz Channel 292 to Europe
02:00 – 03:00 UTC Monday 9455 kHz WRMI to the US and Canada

13:00 – 14:00 UTC Tuesday 15770 kHz WRMI to Europe

20:00 – 21:00 UTC Thursday 15770 kHz WRMI to Europe
19:00 – 20:00 UTC Friday 6070 kHz Channel 292 to Europe – Now Simulcast on 3955 kHz

Our email is encoretumbril@gmail.com. Informal reception reports as well as those requesting eQSL welcome.

The website is www.tumbril.co.uk where we show transmission times and frequencies, the playlist for the most recent programme, more information about Radio Tumbril, and the email link.

This week the programme has part of a harp concerto by Händel, some Sibelius, a traditional fiddle tune – on authentic scratchy recording, three solo lute movements by Matthew Leigh Embleton and Alfred Brendel playing Beethoven.

We will also hear a piece by contemporary composer Stefania de Kenessey, a motet by Gesualdo, and two movements from a wind quintet by Antione Reicha – flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and french horn.

The new playlist and the previous one are now on the website – www.tumbril.co.uk

Channel 292 can be pulled live off the internet if the reception is poor in your location. Easy to find their site with a google search.

A very good site for online SDR receivers all over the world is: http://kiwisdr.com/public/ Click the ‘Map’ button in the top left of the screen.

In the meantime – thank you for spreading the word about Encore – Classical Music on Shortwave on Radio Tumbril.

Brice Avery – Encore – Radio Tumbril – Scotland

Radio Marti has cancelled programming at VOA Greenville site

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Control room at the Edward R. Murrow Transmitting Station near Greenville, NC.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dave Porter, who shares the following news item from Glenn Hauser’s World of Radio:

Radio Marti has cancelled all programming via Greenville between 0400 and 1000 UTC effective from 2 May. During this period the only transmission left from Greenville is 0600-0630 VOA French on 9885. This may be the beginning of the end for Greenville. (Glenn Hauser WOR)

Thanks for sharing this, Dave. Sad news, indeed. The Greenville site has stared shutdowns in the face a number of times in the past and survived. This year, in particular, could be a challenge with Covid-19 affecting broadcasting budgets across the globe and with the current US administration not showing much love for the VOA.

We’ll follow this closely and post updates when available.

If you’d like to check out photo tours of the Greenville site, click here to read a 2012 article I originally published in The Monitoring Times magazine, and click here for a photo tour published last year.

FCC is crystal clear: Remote ham radio licensing exams are absolutely permitted

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In the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, amateur radio VECs in the US have been experimenting with remote testing sessions–meaning, administering ham radio license exams via real-time teleconference apps like Skype, Zoom, and Google Meet.

Amateur radio operators in support of remote testing have been contacting the FCC asking for formal approval of remote exams and the ARRL has also been exploring and experimenting with the process.

Today, the FCC posted a public notice, making it clear that FCC approval is not required to conduct remote tests:

“We make clear here that nothing in the FCC’s rules prohibits remote testing, and prior FCC approval is not required to conduct remote tests. The Commission provides flexibility to volunteer examiners and coordinators who wish to develop remote testing methods or to increase remote testing programs already in place.”

I’ve pasted the text from the body of the public notice below (click here to download the full PDF doc):

DA 20-467
Released: April 30, 2020

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU CONFIRMS THAT
AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE OPERATOR LICENSE EXAMINATIONS
MAY BE HELD REMOTELY

The Amateur Radio Service provides opportunities for self-training, intercommunication, and technical investigations for qualified persons of any age who are interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest. To operate an Amateur Radio Service station, an operator must have an FCC license. The Commission issues three classes of operator licenses, each authorizing a different level of privilege. 1 The class for which each licensee is qualified is determined during an examination by the level of skill and knowledge in operating a station that the licensee demonstrates to volunteer examiners, who conduct this testing on behalf of FCC-certified volunteer examiner coordinators.

Many potential amateur radio test takers and volunteer examiners have contacted the Chairman and the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau to request that the Commission allow remote testing in light of current public health guidelines regarding social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. We make clear here that nothing in the FCC’s rules prohibits remote testing, and prior FCC approval is not required to conduct remote tests. 2 The Commission provides flexibility to volunteer examiners and coordinators who wish to develop remote testing methods or to increase remote testing programs already in place.3

We recognize that some volunteer examiner coordinators may not have the immediate capacity for widespread remote testing. We expect those volunteer examiner coordinators with limited remote testing capacity to work closely with those requesting such testing to prioritize any available remote testing slots.

– FCC –

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Radio Deal: Talking House AM transmitters $25 each

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN), who shares a find in the QRZ.com online swapmeet: Talking House Broadcasters.

If you’re not aware, Talking House Broadcasters are AM transmitters that were designed to be used by real estate agents so that potential customers could drive by a house on the market, tune their car’s AM radio to a specific frequency, and listen to a pre-recorded message.

I’ve also been to ARRL Field Day sites where a Talking House Broadcaster was used to relay information about the Field Day activities to visitors.

Of course, I would use one of these to broadcast my own music and Internet radio streams throughout my house. If I didn’t already have an SSTRAN AMT3000, I would snap one of these up in a heartbeat!

The AM output power is FCC Part 15 compliant, but with a good antenna/ground, you might be surprised at the signal’s footprint!

The seller currently has three working units he’s priced at $25/each or $50 for all three. Even as used units, this is a fantastic deal!

Click here to check out the ad on QRZ.com.

Assume if the link above is broken or missing, the items are all sold. Thanks again for the tip, Mario!

Alex updates shortwave frequency charts for 2020 summer season

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Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Alex, who has just informed me that he’s updated his printer-friendly shortwave frequency charts for the summer broadcasting season.

Note that Alex creates his charts based on listening to broadcasters rather than importing schedules from other sources.

You can download the free charts on his website:
Shortwavetimes.com

Many thanks for sharing these, Alex!

Archivist seeks copy of “A Brief Statement of Shortwave Programs to Target Areas”

Wellbrook power supply source?

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Wellbrook Mag Loop antenna at Mark Fahey’s QTH near Sydney, Australia.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Goren, who writes:

I need a new power supply for one of my Wellbrook loop antennas.

Do you know of good source for reliable ones? I forgot where I obtained the last replacement which worked fine until the wire attaching to the plug worked loose.

Here are the specs:

Plug in Class 2 Transformer
Model: DC1200300R
Input: 120VAC 60 Hz 9W
Output: 12V DC 300mA
manufacturer: Sandin Ltd.

Searching online delivers a mixed bag of somebody’s old power supply.

Post Readers: Any suggestions for David? I’m sure he’s particularly interested in a good quality power supply–one that’s quiet and would last a few years. Please comment and include links when possible!