06/27/2016
VLF enthusiasts, take note: The SAQ Alexanderson alternator will be on the air
for "Alexanderson Day," Sunday, July 3, for a full-day event[1] that includes
both VLF transmissions and Amateur Radio HF activity from SK6SAQ, the ham
station at the Grimeton heritage site in Sweden. The Alexanderson alternator -
an electromechanical radio transmitter - is named after the Swedish engineer
Ernst F.W. Alexanderson, who emigrated to the US in 1902 and spent many years
working General Electric and RCA.
On Alexanderson Day, there will be two separate, but identical, 17.2 kHz
transmissions, at 0900 UTC and at 1200 UTC. The Alexanderson alternator will be
started 30 minutes before transmissions begin. On Alexanderson Day, Christmas
Eve, and at other times during the year, the only functioning Alexanderson
alternator transmitter in the world is used to transmit short CW messages on
17.2 kHz, easily heard in Europe. The transmitter is preserved as a historical
remnant of early (1920s era) radio technology.
Because of the extremely low frequency, modern VLF enthusiasts can listen for
the SAQ by using a communication receiver with an upconverter or a receiver
designed to receive VLF transmissions directly. In recent years,
software-defined radios have been used to receive SAQ's transmissions.
In addition, Amateur Radio station SK6SAQ will be active on 7035, 14,035, or
21,035 kHz, CW, and on 3755 kHz, SSB. Two stations will be on the air most of
the time.
Reception reports may be submitted via e-mail[2]. QSLs for SK6SAQ are invited
via the bureau or direct. - Thanks to Lars Kalland, SM6NM
[1] http://alexander.n.se/alexanderson-day-july-3rd-2016-schedule/?lang=en
[2] mailto:info@alexander.n.se
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