The VOA Radiogram

Map of "Media Freedom" received
via Fldigi during the VOA Radiogram

When I was the GM of the local FM radio station, I would give presentations about the station. I told people about chasing the news and taking picture with my phone which always produced at least a couple strange looks. "You take pictures?" someone would say.  I would always joke, "Sure, doesn't your radio display pictures? You might need to get a new radio!"

Nowadays, the truth is, you don't need a new radio, just a computer (or Android tablet or phone) and you CAN receive pictures with your radio. And while fellow hams may protest that this is nothing new (and they're right) what is new is seriousness with which the U.S. government is taking it.

Photo for a story on "eRadiators" received 
via Fldigi during the VOA Radiogram

The Voice of America (VOA) broadcasts hundreds of programs in dozens of languages around the world on shortwave frequencies. And up until fairly recently, it's all been audio, such as music and voice. But now, each week, the VOA is sending what they call a "Radiogram." Sent in a digital format (MFSK32, to be exact) the text-based radiogram includes 30 minutes of news and information. It also usually includes one or two pictures.

Anyone with a $10 SDR dongle (made in China by the millions), a computer, tablet or smartphone, and a free piece of software called Fldigi, can receive the VOA's Radiogram as well as the accompanying pictures.

The government is excited about this "new" project because it allows the VOA to send news, information and even graphics or photos to anywhere on the planet, especially places where the internet is severely censored or even blocked by oppressive regimes. What's more, the text or photos can be printed and distributed to others who might not have access to the broadcast, but less a "free press."

I recently received one of the VOA's Radiograms, including the photos. The lead story discussed a recent report detailing the state of the media in countries around the globe and graded each nation on the amount of "freedom" it allows its media. Here's the weekly VOA Radiogram schedule. I've included a couple of the pictures I received.

Example JT-65 QSO

I've really come to enjoy JT65 and the slooooow QSOs is allows. I'm able to work some great DX with a very modest station while working on other things on my computer. NICE! I recorded a quick video of a recent QSO with an Italian station.

Uncovering a Ham Radio past

I was first licensed as KB5QYH while still in college. I had always wanted to be ham radio operator,  evening checking out a book ("So you want to be a Ham") from the local library while in high school. But I never knew how to find a club or even an individual who was already licensed. Google didn't exist, of course, and there was no Instructables to guide me through it.

I did know that my father had been a ham, and his father as well. My mother has a garage littered with relics of the 1950s and 1960s when he had been both an amateur and a professional in the radio industry. But he had died when I was five and all I could do was fiddle with the old equipment and wonder how it worked. 

A little Propaganda from Cuba!

I recently got a QSL card from a Cuban station. What until you see what was on the back side!

Read the whole story on our club website: RuskCountyARC.com

First JT65 Contact!

I've listened to the dah-dah-dah-dah tones on the upper side of the PSK band several times and wondered what those stranges sounds were. I soon figured that had to be JT65 QSOs, but knew little more.

Well, I finally gave in and googled around until I found the WSJT software, download and I was off to the races!

It took some time digesting the user guide and figuring out exactly how the typical QSO went. I listened and decoded several stations and event tried to call them, but no luck.

Then, after about an hour, AK4AT came back! Now I'm hooked! A few minutes later I worked K6MSM. I knew, this was going to be fun.

Now, a word of caution, if you've never dabbled in JT65.  It's not a speed demon. Since the mode was originally created for moon-bounce and other weak signal situation, it takes several minutes to complete a QSO. And there is definitely no rag-chewing here!

However, it does mean that with a little patience, just a few watts (ie QRP), a not-so-hot antenna and a 44 oz cup of Dr. Pepper, you can work the world!

A new band...for ME!

I've discovered a new band! Sure, it's not really new, but it is to me. Skimmed over to 30-meters to check it out and WHAM! In just a few minutes, I racked up some really cool DX stations. For a humble guy like me, running 40 watts into a tiny loop antenna, the Czech Republic is something special. Follow that with the Canary Islands, and I'm hooked. Of course, 30-meters is all digital, but that's fine with me since I truly enjoy PSK31. Tune in and check it out. 30-meters is HOT.

Need to Re-Flash my Mesh!

I wish this mine looked this good!

A new version of the Mesh Node software has been released. It looks good, but it is an all or nothing version. The new version will NOT communicate with the old version, so if I flash one, I'll have to flash them all. Actually, it sounds like a fun weekend activity. We will see. If you haven't gotten on the mesh badwaggon yet, here's the link: hsmm-mesh.org