Christmas Shortwave Listening 2025

 ( misc. notes from the SWLing.com Post; www.SWLing.com) 

Marion’s Attic will be spinning upbeat, “Christmas Light”, 78 rpm Christmas records.  That will be show number 1,022, airs Sunday, December 14th, at 2200 UTC, on WBCQ 7.490 MHz.  

The following Sunday, December 21st, we will be airing show number 980, featuring “Traditional” Christmas music, from the collection of phonograph expert, Baron von Knight.

Show 980 did not air last year, due to transmitter difficulties, and a web server glitch.  We are pleased to air this fine program this Christmas season.

Lovingly,

Marion Webster

Marion’s Attic

WBCQ, the Planet

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Radio Igloo's Christmas programme

Sunday, December 14, Radio Igloo will be on air with our brand new Christmas programme. Tune in to 1620 kHz (or a nearby free frequency) at 20:00 CET  (19:00 UTC).

Radio Igloo´s Christmas Show will  also  be transmitted on December 21 at 17.00 UTC on 6195 kHz with the help of Real Mix Radio in Finland

We will be playing Christmas songs that you don't hear every day on other radio stations or in large supermarkets. We will also talk a bit about special (strange?) Swedish Christmas traditions.

As always, correct reports, preferably with an audio clip of your reception, will be rewarded with our brand new e-QSL.

Contact: radioigloo@gmail.com

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Could we possibly hear Christmas Carols broadcasting from Antarctica on Christmas Eve this year?. The transmissions on 7995 kHz USB usually begin on Christmas eve, coordinated by McMurdo Communications Operations, also known as “The Voice of Antarctica.”

Each year, the station’s residents celebrate the holiday by singing Christmas Carols to those at remote Antarctic field camps. Participation will be from stations scattered throughout the Antarctic continent. Stay tuned!

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Greetings all SWLing Post community, here’s what the Imaginary Stations crew have for you next week. We’ve two shows celebrating the forth coming holiday period with a series of shows called WNTR, the first via shortwaveradio.de on Saturday 13th December 2025 at 1200 hrs UTC and then again on Sunday 14th December 2025 at 1000/1400 hrs UTC on 3975 kHz and 6160 kHz and 2200 UTC on 3975 kHz. Tune in and listen to the more eclectic side of yuletide/winter solstice programming featuring festive delights including holiday tunes, an eggnog recipe without using any eggs, a load of singing Santa’s in the studio, and we’ll be turning on the Plummet Mall Christmas lights live on shortwave (* All subject to availability of course).

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Any suggestions of SWL during the holidays? email us: UpstateHam@gmail.com

Meteor Scatter QSO Party on December 12 and 13

 

Operators/Monitors Wanted for Meteor Scatter QSO Party December 12-13

12/05/2025

HamSCI — the Ham Radio Citizen Science Investigation program — is looking for “ping jockeys,” or ham radio operators who enjoy making contacts via meteor scatter (MS), to take part in its Meteor Scatter QSO Party during the Geminids meteor shower on December 12 and 13, 2025. Operation will take place on the 10-meter and 6-meter bands only (28.145 and 50.260 MHz), using the MSK144 digital protocol. The event is a combination on-air contest and data collection for what HamSCI describes as an experiment “to analyze the feasibility of HF meteor scatter for future scientific research.”

HamSCI pointed out that little research has been done on 10-meter meteor scatter, due to past symbol rate limits imposed by the FCC. Those limits were removed in early 2024. 

The group is looking for both active operators (seeking and making contacts) and passive monitors, recording .WAV files of MS contacts and uploading them to PSK Reporter. Researchers will collect contact data from both 10 and 6 meters and will analyze that data offline, using PSK Reporter raw data, operator contact logs and .WAV files.

HamSCI says the best operating times will be between 8 PM and 8 AM local time, and suggests announcing CQs on “Ping Jockey Central” (especially for 10 meters) and the groups.io page of the Front Range Six Meter Group (especially for 6 meters).

For more information, including suggested operating procedures, visit www.hamsci.org/msqp.

Interesting new Ham publication

 

SWR magazine is a fairly new FREE online Amateur Radio publication that we recently stumbled across. Looks interesting. Check it out at the link below.

SWR Magazine - Our Mission:

 Our mission at SWR Magazine is to connect, educate, and inspire the global amateur radio community by showcasing stories, projects, technological advancements, and experiences that reflect the true passion for ham radio. We aim to be an open, inclusive, and collaborative platform where both seasoned operators and newcomers can share knowledge, promote experimentation, and keep the spirit of borderless communication alive. 

Check it out, link:  https://online.fliphtml5.com/kqkyd/amkj/

Santa Net 2025

 

Share the magic of Ham Radio and Santa Claus with your children, grandchildren, and neighborhood kids.Youngsters can talk to "Santa at The North Pole" via strategically placed operators who relay the voice of Santa. 

The Santa Net is held every evening between Thanksgiving and Christmas on 3.916 MHz at 7:00PM Central Time (check-ins open 1/2 hour before).

more info at: https://www.cqsanta.com/

Need help identifying a connector?

We recently stumbled across this very interesting Connector reference guide web site and book. Do you need help identifying a connector? If so, then you really should check out this resource. 

link to on-line utility: https://connectorbook.com/identification.html?Q=

If you like a hard copy reference, you can also buy their over 600 page exhasutive book. 

link to the book: https://connectorbook.com/

Skywarn Training - Fall 2025

 Scheduling of NWS Binghamton Fall-Winter Skywarn Trainings are currently on hold due to a lapse in appropriations.  Sessions (virtual and/or in person) will get scheduled when and if possible. (11/2/25)

All-Season Skywarn Training - Cayuga County 

NWS Binghamton office is conducting an All-Season Skywarn training hosted by the Owasco Fire Dept., 7174 Owasco Rd, Auburn, NY, from 6-8 PM on Wednesday November 19th, 6-8 PM.

UPDATE: 11/20/25: With the ending of the Lapse of Appropriations, we will still be able to offer a few NWS Binghamton Winter Skywarn Trainings - virtual and/or in-person - though less than prior seasons. As they are scheduled, they will be placed here - check back for additional registrations.

Tuesday 12/9/25  6:30-8:00 PM:  Virtual Winter Skywarn - online

Thursday 12/11/25  6:30-8:00 PM: Tompkins Co Winter Skywarn, Airport Administration/CFR Building, 72 Brown Road, Ithaca NY   **registration limited to the first 30 due to space constraints**

Tue 12/16 630-800 PM: Virtual Winter Skywarn - online

Mon 12/22 630-800 PM: Bradford Co Winter Skywarn, 29 VanKuren Drive, Towanda PA

Sat 1/3 10-11:30AM: Virtual Winter Skywarn - online

Sign-up for the classes here: https://www.weather.gov/bgm/outreachSKYWARNtraining

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Fall training Buffalo:

https://www.weather.gov/buf/Skywarn

What is SKYWARN?

The effects of severe weather are felt every year by many Americans. To obtain critical weather information, NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, established SKYWARN® with partner organizations. SKYWARN® is a volunteer program with nearly 290,000 trained severe weather spotters. These volunteers help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service.

Although SKYWARN® spotters provide essential information for all types of weather hazards, the main responsibility of a SKYWARN® spotter is to identify and describe severe local storms. In the average year, 10,000 severe thunderstorms, 5,000 floods and more than 1,000 tornadoes occur across the United States. These events threatened lives and property.

Since the program started in the 1970s, the information provided by SKYWARN® spotters, coupled with Doppler radar technology, improved satellite and other data, has enabled NWS to issue more timely and accurate warnings for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flash floods.

Learn more at the National SKYWARN web site: https://www.weather.gov/SKYWARN

Airforce MARS Special Event - Nov. 8-11, 2025

 Details at: https://afmars.com/

NY QSO Party 2025 - October 18th

 

NY QSO Party Objective :

● New York stations: Work as many stations inside and outside New York as possible during the contest period. 

● Stations outside of New York State: Work as many New York stations and as many New York counties as possible during the contest period. 

● Stations may be contacted on multiple bands and modes, subject to entry class. 

● 12-hour Contest Period: October 18, 2025, from 14:00:00 UTC through 01:59:59 UTC. (10:00 AM Eastern Time through 9:59:59 PM Eastern Time). 

More info at: https://nyqp.org/wordpress/

W2LB; Larry Brightenfield Sr. - Silent Key.

 

We lost another great one! Larry Brightenfield Sr; W2LB passed away this week. We were shocked and saddened to hear of Larry's passing! Larry was one of the nicest/helpful hams around! He was known across the Western and Central NY ham communities. Larry could be regularly found on the 145.11 Rochester repeater as well as many HF nets. 

We are glad we got to chat with him in person for a few minutes at the Roc City fest back in August. Sending our sincere condolences to all of Larry's friends and family!

RIP Larry.

Services will be Wednesday October 15th in Victor NY.

link to Larry's obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/laurence-brightenfield-obituary?id=59764277#guestbook

Pumpkin Patrol 2025

 The 2025 Pumpkin Patrol will take place on Thursday and Friday October 30-31st

 for Bridges on the New York State Thruway.

This event contributes to the safety of travelers on the New York State Thruway. It is a statewide event and is held in cooperation with the New York State Troopers and Amateur radio groups.

The Pumpkin Patrol was initiated as a volunteer effort in 1976 by Katherine St. Jacques in Fort Johnson, Montgomery County.  Ms. St. Jacques was talking to a truck driver on her citizens band radio when the windshield of his vehicle was struck by an object thrown from an overpass.  The driver sustained injuries from the broken glass of his windshield.  St. Jacques and two companions decided to stand watch on the three over passes that crossed the Thruway in the Fort Johnson area. The State Police assumed control of the Pumpkin Patrol in 1990 as part of the State Police crime prevention effort.  More than 300 volunteers will participate in this year’s safety efforts.

PLEASE SEND US YOUR GROUPS PLANS FOR 2025 to: UpstateHam@gmail.com

Some Upstate NY Counties participating:

Chautaqua County (Dunkirk):

NCARC and Chautauqua County Amateur Radio Club (CCAFMA)  Pumpkin Patrol : http://users.netsync.net/~ncarc/index.htm

Cortland County (Cortland)

Skyline Amateur Radio Club of Cortland will be participating in Cortland County to watch overpasses on I-81 on October 31st.  We generally watch from 7pm until 9pmish

Erie County (Buffalo area): 

Erie County ARES/RACES Pumpkin Patrol info: https://ecarham.org/announcements/

Monroe County (Rochester area): The RARA Pumpkin Patrol event captain, Ed Wilkonski, K1EM is preparing for this year's event. Please see his article elsewhere in this month’s Rag. For more information or to register for this month's events, see our Public Service page at https://rochesterham.org/public_service.htm for more information and to volunteer.

 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdr-KssQziuUPpDSEgn5SzqNZPIxgbGd9VmAmA-78UDttsTkg/viewform

Oneida & Madison County Counties:

MOARC Pumpkin Patrol event;Thursday, October 30th & Friday, October 31st, 6PM until 10PM (ish).

Please email Andy W2ZXN (w2zxn@arrl.net) with your name, address & callsign if interested. Looking to cover all bridges in Oneida & Madison Counties!!! If you have a preference, please include your preferred bridge/location.

Orange County (Goshen):

ARES / RACES in Goshen NY will be participating in Pumpkin Patrol 2025 Oct 31 from 18:00 until 22:00

Ontario County (Canandaigua):

 SIARC; Dave KB2KBY is still in need of operators for the Pumpkin Patrol on October 30 and 31. If

you can volunteer, contact Dave at kb2kby@rochester.rr.com. 

Nice article: https://www.rochesterfirst.com/community/pumpkin-patrol-ham-radio-operators-hit-the-airwaves-to-keep-the-thruway-safe/?fbclid=IwY2xjawNppS9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHhLZpvr_sgJPuvD4Z1kXtZmQSb0uiaW3hppwqtELd7nKbiipatroP_e5NccL_aem_5O_vtV9J5AKLA-0UlpRaSQ

Onondaga County (Syracuse area): https://www.w2cm.com/public-service/

from RAGS Review 10/25 (Syracuse): 

Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act - can you help?

EH.R. 1094 House Bill and S. 459 Senate Bill are in Congress to protect the rights of 3/4 million hams to put-up their antennas!

Explanation from WD4EHW:

I am writing this post to inform the Amateur Radio Community that Bill H.R. 1094 – Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act was introduced in February 2025, by Congressman Pfulger and others. H.R. 1094 is currently in committee. Please, let me encourage you to contact your congressman/woman in regards to the importance of this bill to the Amateur Radio Community, and operators who currently live in an HOA. This bill would allow the erecting of Amateur Radio antennas at their homes who live in an HOA without the hindrance of HOA restrictions. Once again, make your voice be heard by contacting your Federal representative in regard to H.R. 1094 and/ or contact A.R.R.L. and let them know the importance of this Bill to the overall Amateur Radio Community.

Jacob McWilliams Sr. WD4EHW

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If you are a licensed Ham radio operator please follow the link to submit your letter to your representative.

H.R. 1094 House Bill and S. 459 Senate Bill are in Congress to protect the rights of 3/4 million hams

to put-up their antennas! (See ARRL email below.)

H.R. 1094 House Bill

https://www.congress.gov/.../119th.../house-bill/1094/text

S. 459 Senate Bill

https://www.congress.gov/.../119th.../senate-bill/459/text

So don't delay and write your Congressman and your Senator!

https://send-a-letter.org/hoa/

ARRL press release:

https://www.arrl.org/news/amateur-radio-emergency-preparedness-act-re-introduced

SKYWARN - Fall/Winter 2025 training

Winter SKYWARN Spotter Training Classes are coming!

NWS BINGHAMTON FALL-WINTER SKYWARN TRAINING IS NOW GETTING SCHEDULED.  

Check back soon; more will be added as they become arranged (including virtual options).  All are welcome; you don't have to live in a specific county to attend one of these sessions.

10/15/2025 6-730 PM: Onondaga Co. Winter Skywarn - Bear Bait Radio Club, 4483 NY-31, Clay, NY.  

11/19/2025 6-8 PM: Cayuga Co. All-Season Skywarn - Owasco Fire Dept, 7174 Owasco Rd, Auburn, NY.  

 Link to register: https://www.weather.gov/bgm/outreachSKYWARNtraining

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Most Upstate NY NWS Offices are holding similar training this Fall. 

See the links below:

Binghamton NWS Skywarn training info at: https://www.weather.gov/bgm/outreachSKYWARNtraining

Buffalo NWS Skywarn training info at: https://www.weather.gov/buf/Skywarn

Albany NWS Skywarn training info at: https://www.weather.gov/aly/skywarn

learn more about the Skywarn program: https://www.upstateham.com/p/skywarn.html

What is SKYWARN?

The effects of severe weather are felt every year by many Americans. To obtain critical weather information, NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, established SKYWARN® with partner organizations. SKYWARN® is a volunteer program with nearly 290,000 trained severe weather spotters. These volunteers help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service.

KLARA Repeater Round Up Contest - 10/11/25

 

More info at: https://klara.us/

 

The Pathfinder Net is looking for check-ins from the everywhere in the CNY area.   The Pathfinder Net start in 1984 and is still going strong.   We would enjoy everyone joining us for fellowship and any other information or traffic you may have.  Hope to hear you soon on the 147.390 repeater with PL tone of 103.5.  Plus we are looking for additional net control operators to cover days....73's

Erie Canal POTA activations Sept 16-25

 

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Parks On The Air (POTA) activations within the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor (US-6532) from Sept 16-25 (from Matt Brown)

After 6 months of planning, our state-wide activation of the Erie Canal for its 200th Anniversary, is only two weeks away! 

This event is a great opportunity to experience and share about the canal that transformed America, as clubs and individuals across New York State join together over the airwaves to activate the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

We're excited to share the 14 clubs that will be activating the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor for this huge celebration -- just like how each town celebrated upon the completion of the Erie Canal and their excitement of Governor DeWitt Clinton's inaugural voyage as he crossed New York State!

• East Greenbush ARA (USS Slater) • Eastern Fulton Montgomery Amateur Radio Club • Fort Herkimer Amateur Radio Association • Fulton Amateur Radio Club • Genesee Radio Amateurs • Lancaster Amateur Radio Club • Orleans County Amateur Radio Club • Radio Amateurs of Greater Syracuse • Radio Association of WNY (USS Little Rock) • Rochester Amateur Radio Association • Skenoh Island Amateur Radio Club • Tompkins County Amateur Radio Association • Tryon Amateur Radio Club • Warren County Radio Club

These clubs, and many more individuals, are planning Parks On The Air (POTA) activations within the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor (US-6532) from Sept 16-25. For those activating along the canal (which is encouraged), they might also be activating the Empire State Trail (US-8098), which is a common two-fer with the corridor. The Heritage Corridor is a large area that also includes Cayuga and Seneca Lakes, and even north of Albany, so regardless of location in the state, there are a lot of eligible locations and possible n-fers (activating from multiple POTA entities at once).