An apparent “intruder” signal spotted on 20 and 17 metres - possibly originating from a Chinese HF broadcast station - has sparked a slew of reports and complaints from around the globe. ARRL Field and Regulatory Correspondent Chuck Skolaut, K0BOG, says “It was still on 18.160 MHz as of July 2,” citing radio amateurs’ reports of a “Chinese broadcaster” on 17 metres. “I haven’t received any more recent 20 meter reports since June 30, when it was heard on 14.260 MHz.” The signal has been heard on one band or the other in the US from the Northeast to Hawaii, as well as in Toronto, Canada, Sri Lanka, the UK, Germany, Australia, Hong Kong and India.
Regarding the apparent Chinese intruder, monitors in Connecticut and Pennsylvania reported a strong signal from the apparent AM broadcaster on 18.160 MHz on July 2 at 1100 UTC and 1300 to 1400 UTC. The 20-metre signal has been heard on 14.180 MHz as well. Several listeners say their bearings put the source of the signal in central or southern China. Chris Cummings, G4BOH, says he’s been able to match the audio to transmissions appearing on 15.495, 11.665 and 12.025 MHz. He filed a report with Ofcom, the UK’s telecoms regulatory agency.
Reports filed with DX Listening Digest suggested that the 14.180 and 18.160 MHz broadcasts are intended to jam the clandestine “Sound of Hope” transmission from Taiwan. July 2 DX Listening Digest reports put the Chinese-language broadcasts appearing on 14.310 MHz - QRMing the Medical Amateur Radio Council (MARCO) net on 14.308 MHz - as well as on 18.160 MHz. Short wave listeners say the AM carrier occasionally drops at the top of the hour for a monitoring check, only to reappear five minutes later.
(Source: ARRL)
