Summer / Winter Schedules Question

[BOBRR]

Hello,

Is this "generally" true:

The difference between, e.g., Summer and Winter schedules for "most" sw
stations is one of their transmission times changing.

Their Frequencies are "generally" unchanged throughout the year.

Pretty much correct ?

Regards,
Bob

 

[ka3jjz]

No frequencies often change as often as the service does. That's because during the winter, lower frequencies tend to propagate better. That's why it's important to keep an eye on lists like the World of Radio groups io group, which constantly shows schedule changes...Mike

 

[BOBRR]

Hi,

Have to admit that I never considered the differences in propagation.

Glad you set me straight with this.
Will look at the World of Radio group.

Regards,
Bob

 

[GB46]

No frequencies often change as often as the service does. That's because during the winter, lower frequencies tend to propagate better. That's why it's important to keep an eye on lists like the World of Radio groups io group, which constantly shows schedule changes...Mike

I know of at least two notable exceptions to that: The Voice of Greece uses just one frequency, 9420 kHz, and it's the same year-round. That's probably why I can rarely hear them in the evening lately, whereas they often come booming in during the summer months between 03:00 and 06:00 UTC. Then there's Rádio Nacional Amazônia in Brazil, which is usually very strong here on 6180 and 11780 up to 03:00 UTC, and always uses those frequencies, but currently suffers the same fate as the Voice of Greece. I can still hear them, but their signal is much weaker.

 

[ka3jjz]

Amazonia has been on those 2 freqs for years. They're really not an 'international' service per se; it's intended to cover areas in the Jungle that MW or FM can't reach. They are really 'locals' that due to propagation and their power (I think Amazonia is 100kw) they get heard internationally.

Mike

 

[GB46]

Amazonia has been on those 2 freqs for years. They're really not an 'international' service per se; it's intended to cover areas in the Jungle that MW or FM can't reach. They are really 'locals' that due to propagation and their power (I think Amazonia is 100kw) they get heard internationally.

True, and their programming sounds a lot like a local AM station.

The Voice of Greece, on the other hand, targets North America. There's no English language service, so their program content must be intended for Greek immigrants in North America. Judging by what I hear on their web streaming service, however, their usual Greek traditional music has been gradually losing ground to some English-language rock music.

 

[a29zuk]

I enjoy listening to Radio New Zealand. Their times and frequencies change each season.

Jim

 

[majoco]

None of the schedules that I use call it 'summer' or 'winter', it's either 'A' or 'B' - there's no compulsion to any station to change frequency and there's quite a few that don't change at all. Your summer is my winter, I guess if they are going to change, they will change in March and October.

 

[ka3jjz]

But most of the major broadcasters (not all) do change, as keeping a close eye on the World of Radio reflector will quickly make you realize. You're right as there's no 'compulsion' per se, but if they desire to be heard in a given area, those that do change will move.

There was a time when there were 4 sets of changes - one for each season. In fact the ITU kept color coded books on this very subject. It was eventually decided to cut this to 2 to avoid the hassle (engineering, financial, etc.) of making changes so frequently

Mike

 

[majoco]

Mike said:

but if they desire to be heard in a given area, those that do change will move.

Oh, yes, agreed, there must be a lot of planning going on in some back room of the broadcaster endeavouring to forecast what the propagation is going to be like in three months time at their intended target audience - and the programming and language too. I assume that all the frequencies that are licenced to a station are always available and antennas too, so that if there is a prolonged change in the upper atmosphere dynamics then the station can advise users of a soon-to-happen frequency change without having to apply to the ITU or whoever months in advance for a permit for that frequency. Dan advises us of service changes almost daily, but how much prior planning went into that change - anyone know?