Firedrake

[GB46]

Has anyone heard the Chinese "Firedrake" jammer lately? It used to boom in here with traditional Chinese music during the morning hours on 41 and 31 meters, but I haven't heard it on either band for about a year now. Stations broadcasting from Asia are usually strong at my location between 15:00 and 18:00 UTC. The only ones I hear now are the BBC's Korean service transmitting from its Singapore relay, and the Voice of Korea.

 

[Boombox]

Early last decade, I heard Firedrake consistently on the higher bands (31m and sometimes 25 and 19m), and then I didn't hear it for a while, even though other Asian stations would still appear early mornings on 49 and 41 meters.

Then a year ago I logged Firedrake about three or four times, somewhere in the 31 meter band, late mornings (if memory serves).

Haven't heard it in a couple months, at least.

PS, I usually catch more Asian stations on 41 and 49m between 1200 and 1500 GMT, and sometimes later in the morning than that, depending on conditions.

 

[Token]

Yes, Firedrake is still in use daily, but less than it used to be. For example today I heard it hitting 9455 kHz at 1945 UTC. Most former Firedrake targets now get covered with CNR1.

T!

 

[GB46]

Yes, Firedrake is still in use daily, but less than it used to be. For example today I heard it hitting 9455 kHz at 1945 UTC. Most former Firedrake targets now get covered with CNR1.

T!

Most of the Asian stations start fading out here at that time. Being in a valley with high mountain ranges to the east and west, I have a rather small window at my location for shortwave listening From perhaps 16:00 to 18:00 for the Asian stations. Then there's very little to hear on any of the HF bands until about 22:00, except for some ham activity. From 22:00 to 0:00 UTC Radio Nacional Amazonia is usually quite strong on 11780, and also the Voice of Greece on 9420.

It's now 01:55, however and those two have faded out. As for RNA, I hear China Radio International in the background on fades, so I switch to the alternate frequency of 6180, but eventually get interference from CRI there, as well.