{"id":14070,"date":"2015-07-22T08:51:36","date_gmt":"2015-07-22T12:51:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=14070"},"modified":"2018-08-28T06:45:42","modified_gmt":"2018-08-28T10:45:42","slug":"jims-shortwave-listening-post-is-a-navy-ship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/07\/jims-shortwave-listening-post-is-a-navy-ship\/","title":{"rendered":"Jim’s shortwave listening post is a Navy ship"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"USNS<\/a>

USNS Sgt William R Button (Photo: NavySite.de)<\/p><\/div>\n

SWLing Post<\/em> contributor, Jim Clary (ND9M\/VQ9JC) contacted me in June to obtain details about the BBC’s Midwinter broadcast to the British Antarctic Survey Team<\/a>. Jim has been working on board the\u00a0USNS Sgt William R Button<\/em>\u00a0since mid-June. While on board Jim has no web access, but he can send and receive emails and some files. I kept Jim informed about the time and frequencies of the BAS broadcast.<\/p>\n

Jim had hoped to make a recording of the Midwinter broadcast at sea, but timing and some technical problems got in the way and he missed the bulk of the 30 minute program.<\/p>\n

That’s okay, though, because Jim is an avid SWL and ham radio operator. During time off, he has logged a number of stations, so I asked if he would consider making a recording for us. \u00a0I mean, SWLing from a Navy ship?! \u00a0How cool is that?!<\/p>\n

Within a week, Jim sent me a recording of the Voice of Korea. Here are some of his notes:<\/p>\n

I\u2019d heard\u00a0[the Voice of Korea]\u00a0many times before when Stateside (and they were Radio Pyongyang at the time), but their signals were always weak and had major polar flutter. Out here, the signal was in-my-face loud, so even though the station is not much of a rare DX catch, I wanted to get them on tape.[…]<\/p>\n

[M]y location is the east southern Atlantic Ocean, not far from St. Helena.<\/p>\n

[…]My ship is named USNS Sgt William R Button. The ship has been active since the mid 80s and was a “motor vessel” (M\/V) until we became a Navy asset in 2009.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"USNS<\/a><\/p>\n

[…]My receiver that I’m currently using is my QRP rig, a Yaesu FT-817ND<\/a>. I changed over to a Navy antenna that I’m feeding with about 70 feet of 75-ohm RG-6 cable. There’s obviously some signal loss from both the length and impedance mismatch of the coax, but at these freqs it’s fairly negligible.<\/p>\n

The antenna itself is an AS-2815\/SSR-1 that’s mounted above the wheelhouse (bridge) of the ship. I can’t really describe the make up of the antenna simply because I don’t see why it works so well but it really does a good job. If I’d figured out where its feed point is a couple weeks ago, I would’ve had no problem logging the BBC’s Antarctic service!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

.Click here to download Jim’s recording of the Voice of Korea<\/a>\u00a0or simply listen via the embedded player below. This broadcast was recorded on July 1, 2015 at 1900 UTC on 11910 kHz:<\/p>\nhttps:\/\/archive.org\/download\/VoiceOfKorea01July151900Z11910KHzToSouthernAfricaFullBroadcastND9M\/Voice%20of%20Korea%20-%2001July15-1900Z%20-%2011910%20kHz%20-%20to%20Southern%20Africa%20-%20Full%20Broadcast%20-%20ND9M.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Many thanks, Jim! We look forward to any other recordings you wish to share!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SWLing Post contributor, Jim Clary (ND9M\/VQ9JC) contacted me in June to obtain details about the BBC’s Midwinter broadcast to the British Antarctic Survey Team. Jim has been working on board the\u00a0USNS Sgt William R Button\u00a0since mid-June. While on board Jim has no web access, but he can send and receive emails and some files. I […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3,746,43,5,1154,1,1167],"tags":[4011,4010,3969,4013,4012,4106,737,727],"class_list":["post-14070","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","category-recordings","category-shortwave-radio","category-swlers","category-travel","category-uncategorized","category-whats-on-shortwave","tag-jim-clary-nd9mvq9jc","tag-maritime-mobile","tag-maritime-radio","tag-maritime-shortwave","tag-navy","tag-recordings","tag-shortwave-radio-recordings","tag-voice-of-korea"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-3EW","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":14896,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/09\/shortwave-radio-recordings-radio-spaceshuttle-international\/","url_meta":{"origin":14070,"position":0},"title":"Shortwave Radio Recordings: Radio Spaceshuttle International","author":"Thomas","date":"September 20, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"SWLing Post and SRAA contributor, Jim Clary (ND9M\/VQ9JC), recorded the following final broadcast of Radio Spaceshuttle International while on board a US Navy ship off the coast of Rota, Spain. Jim notes: I was packing up to leave my ship and return to the USA this week when the latest\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Music"","block_context":{"text":"Music","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Space_Shuttle_Atlantis-NASA","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Space_Shuttle_Atlantis-NASA.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Space_Shuttle_Atlantis-NASA.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Space_Shuttle_Atlantis-NASA.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":19403,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/06\/today-test-transmission-for-the-bbc-midwinter-antarctic-broadcast\/","url_meta":{"origin":14070,"position":1},"title":"Today: Test transmission for the BBC Midwinter Antarctic Broadcast","author":"Thomas","date":"June 14, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: Dan Ferguson via Mauno Ritola on the WRTH Facebook group) Babcock has tests today, June 14, at 2130-2145, to Antarctica on 5985 (Woofferton), 6035 (Dhabayya), 7360 (Ascension), and 9720 (Woofferton). I think we can assume three of these frequencies will be used for the annual mid-winter transmission to Antarctica\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Halley VI: The British Antarctic Survey's new base (Source: BBC)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/halleyvi_antony_dubber_bas-Antarctica.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/halleyvi_antony_dubber_bas-Antarctica.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/halleyvi_antony_dubber_bas-Antarctica.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":32881,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/update-bbc-midwinter-broadcast-recordings\/","url_meta":{"origin":14070,"position":2},"title":"Update: BBC Midwinter broadcast recordings","author":"Thomas","date":"June 23, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Once again, SWLing Post readers did an amazing job of capturing off-air clips of the BBC Midwinter broadcast to Antarctica! Thank you so much for submitting your recordings! I managed to listen to a bit of the broadcast myself in the parking lot of the US Space and Rocket Center\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/CC-Skywave-SSB-Midwinter-Antarctica-Broadcast.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/CC-Skywave-SSB-Midwinter-Antarctica-Broadcast.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/CC-Skywave-SSB-Midwinter-Antarctica-Broadcast.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/CC-Skywave-SSB-Midwinter-Antarctica-Broadcast.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":43861,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/06\/british-antarctic-survey-annual-midwinter-broadcast-test-today-june-14-2020-at-2130-utc\/","url_meta":{"origin":14070,"position":3},"title":"British Antarctic Survey Annual Midwinter Broadcast test today (June 14, 2020) at 2130 UTC","author":"Thomas","date":"June 14, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to the British DX Club who shares the following information about a BBC Midwinter Broadcast test being held later today: The annual 30-minute Midwinter broadcast to British Antarctic Survey staff in Antarctica is scheduled by BBC WS for Sunday 21st June. Ahead of this, two frequencies will be\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Halleywinter-BAS-Antarctica-Survey-e1561117722151.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Halleywinter-BAS-Antarctica-Survey-e1561117722151.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Halleywinter-BAS-Antarctica-Survey-e1561117722151.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Halleywinter-BAS-Antarctica-Survey-e1561117722151.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13543,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/06\/help-record-the-2015-bbc-antarctic-midwinter-broadcast-on-june-21\/","url_meta":{"origin":14070,"position":4},"title":"Help record the 2015 BBC Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast on June 21","author":"Thomas","date":"June 10, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Every year, the BBC broadcasts a special program to the scientists and support staff in the British Antarctic Survey Team.\u00a0The BBC plays\u00a0music requests and sends special messages to the small team of 40+ located at various Antarctic research stations.\u00a0Each year, the thirty minute show is guaranteed to be quirky, nostalgic,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"800px-Antarctica.svg","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/800px-Antarctica.svg_.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/800px-Antarctica.svg_.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/800px-Antarctica.svg_.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":43885,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/06\/help-record-the-2020-bbc-antarctic-midwinter-broadcast-on-june-21\/","url_meta":{"origin":14070,"position":5},"title":"Help record the 2020 BBC Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast on June 21","author":"Thomas","date":"June 16, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Every year, the BBC broadcasts a special program to the scientists and support staff in the\u00a0British Antarctic Survey Team.\u00a0The BBC plays\u00a0music requests and sends special messages to the small team of 40+ located at various Antarctic research stations.\u00a0Each year, the thirty minute show is guaranteed to be quirky, nostalgic, and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Halleywinter-BAS-Antarctica-Survey-e1561117722151.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Halleywinter-BAS-Antarctica-Survey-e1561117722151.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Halleywinter-BAS-Antarctica-Survey-e1561117722151.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Halleywinter-BAS-Antarctica-Survey-e1561117722151.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14070","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14070"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14070\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14070"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14070"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14070"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}