DigiDX: a new digital broadcast via Channel 292

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Stephen Cooper, who shares the following news about the new DigiDX broadcast:

DigiDX is a 30 minute MFSK32 broadcast covering shortwave and DX news, radio related reviews, schedule information and listeners letters and after a success test broadcast to Europe, a broadcast for North America is planned for 0200 UTC Sunday.

Broadcasting from Channel 292 in Germany on 6070 kHz the time has been chosen to maximise chance of reception on the East Coast of North America and beyond.

The programme features the majority of the broadcast in MFSK32 but around 10 minutes of the broadcast is in the slower Olivia 64-2000 mode to test for resilience against bad propagation to North America and interference on 6070.

The tests to Europe on Channel 292 earlier this week showed good reception and near perfect decodes despite Radio China International and Vatican Radio being on the same frequency during some of the test.

To decode use FlDigi, MultiPSK or the Tivar Android app, just putting your radio next to the PC microphone or phone/tablet is enough to decode the broadcast. If you have decoded the VOA Radiogram before, DigiDX uses the same digital modes.

Please send reception reports and decodes of the text/images in the broadcast to [email protected], an e-QSL will be sent by email and on the next broadcast an e-QSL card will be broadcast over the air in MFSK32 mode as well.

For European listeners the second edition of DigiDX with an include e-QSL card from the last episode will be broadcast on 6070Khz at 1100 UTC. For information on further broadcast times like DigiDX on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/digidx/) or follow on Twitter (https://twitter.com/Digi_Dx)

This is brilliant, Stephen! I’ll attempt to log DigiDX this weekend if conditions are fair!

Max’s Barlow Wadley receiver is a keeper

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In reply to our post about the Barlow Wadley XCR-30, SWLing Post reader, Max Youle, replies:

I have a Barlow Wadley with the FM tuner here in New Zealand. [see photo above]

These fabulous receivers are reasonably common here as many SWLs bought them in the 1970s because of New Zealand’s remote location

My Barlow Wadley has just recently had an alignment and a thorough going over, and will now match my Sony ICF 2010,and Yaseu FRG 8800 for stations received on the shortwave bands, but not so good on the MW band.

I love this radio, and its quirky tuning system. This reminds me of the days of knob twiddling to find those elusive signals, not like the ease of todays digital receivers.

Thanks for your comment, Max. Your Barlow Wadley portable is certainly a keeper! Perhaps someday one will find its way to my radio room!

Radio Canada International’s 71st anniversary

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia (LW4DAF), who writes:

Today February 25 th is the 71th anniversary of Radio Canada International.

They published this:

http://www.rcinet.ca/en/2016/02/25/history-feb-25-1945-canadas-voice-to-the-world-official-start/

Earlier this month, I listened to a 2012 spectrum recording of the 31 meter band–RCI’s north Quebec service was transmitting on 9,625 kHz. I sure do miss them on the shortwaves but I’m glad I can do a little radio time travel with my SDRs and tune in once again from time to time.

Home from the ‘Fest

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If you’ve emailed me in the past two weeks there’s a good chance you haven’t received a response; my apologies.

The reason is that I’ve been travelling through DC, Philadelphia, and surrounding areas, visiting friends and colleagues, as well as attending (and presenting at) the 29th annual Winter SWL Fest. It’s been a fantastic trip and, fortunately, inclement weather happened on days I didn’t need to drive in crazy traffic–about all you can ask for in the northeastern US in the middle of winter.

Late night listening at David Goren’s Shortwave Shindig

But while travelling I had very little time to keep up with email and tips from readers, as is so often the case when one is on the road. Now that I’m back at home base, nearly a hundred emails from Post readers beg responses–so if you haven’t heard from me yet, this is why. As I catch up on my backlog of email, thanks, readers, for your patience and understanding.

But first, let’s see what’s on the shortwave bands this evening…

SDRplay RSP update includes broadcast ID

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The SDRplay RSP software defined radio

Many thanks to Jon Hudson at SDRplay who shares the following news:

The latest EXTIO control file (Version 3.8.1) has a very cool new feature for shortwave listeners interested in hunting HF DX stations.

Using the world-wide station list mintained by http://www.eibispace.de/ you can see the name of stations appear in a pop-up window as you select a particular broadcast signal. The details are in the updated EXTIO user guide selectable from the Platforms section or by clicking here.

There’s a video demo here:

China Radio International: China’s first sound trademark

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(Source: China Radio International via David Iurescia, LW4DAF)

A state-owned radio station’s signature tune is about to be approved as China’s first sound trademark.

The State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) said on Sunday that it has reviewed the application from China Radio International and plans to approve it.

A sound trademark is a sound that is used to perform the trademark function of uniquely identifying the commercial origin of products or services. Famous examples include the Nokia tune and the “I’m lovin’ it” jingle of McDonald’s.

China’s top legislature revised the Trademark Law to allow sound to be registered as a trademark in 2013.

The SAIC had received 450 applications for sound trademarks by the end of January since starting to accept such applications in May 2014.