Each year the Maritime Radio Historical Society commemorates 12 July 1999, the date on which the supposed last commercial message was sent in the US. On that date we pick up the thread, keep the faith and maintain the traditions of maritime radio communications so that the skills and traditions of all the radiotelegraphers who came before us will be maintained.
While MRHS station KSM is on the air every Saturday, on Night of Nights we originate stations KPH and KFS in addition to KSM. Other stations join us on the air, this year including KLB, WLO, NMC and NMN.
Flash! The SS AMERICAN VICTORY/KKUI radio department has advised that they will try to work every coast station on the air for Night of Nights XI. KKUI can most often be heard on 12Mc ITU channel 3 (see KPH listing for channel 3 frequencies) but may use other channels as well. If KKUI contacts KPH, KFS or KSM all the transmitters for those stations will be keyed during the contact so listeners will have a good chance of hearing at least the shore side of the exchange.
You can participate by listening or by visiting the ex-RCA receive site to see the action in person. If you'd like to operate K6KPH just bring your key. No license required!
Here are the details of the event:
Date: 12 July 2010 Pacific time, 13 July gmt
Time: 5:01pm Pacific time, 0001 gmt
Station and frequency information (subject to change):
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KPH
KPH will transmit on 426, 500, 4247.0, 6477.5, 8642.0, 12808.5, 17016.8 and 22477.5kc.
MF and 22Mc will be on Henry transmitters, rest of KPH HF on 1950s vintage RCA K and L sets.
KPH operators will listen for calls from ships on ITU Channel 3 in all bands. The Channel 3 frequencies are 4184.0, 6276.0, 8368.0, 12552.0, 16736.0 and 22280.5kc on HF and 500kc on MF.
Reception reports may be sent to:
Ms. DA Stoops
P.O. Box 381
Bolinas CA 94924-0381
USA
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KFS
KFS will transmit on 12695.5 and 17026.0 -
12695.5 will be on a 1940s vintage Press Wireless PW-15, formerly at the KFS transmitter site in Palo Alto, CA and one of the transmitters on the air on 12 July 1999. 17026.0 will be on a Henry transmitter.
KFS will listen for calls from ships on HF Channel 3 (see KPH listing for frequencies).
Reception reports - same as KPH
Ms. DA Stoops
P.O. Box 381
Bolinas CA 94924-0381
USA
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KSM
KSM will transmit on 426, 500, 6474, 8438.3 and 12993kc.
We don't have enough antennas to accommodate the other KSM frequencies when KPH and KFS are on the air. A failure of any of the RCA transmitters may cause a KSM tx to be diverted to cover KPH.
KSM will listen for calls from ships on 500kc and HF Channel 3 (see KPH listing for frequencies).
Reception reports - same as KPH
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WLO
WLO will transmit on 2055.5, 4343.0, 8658.0, 12992.0 and 16968.5kc
WLO will listen for calls from HF Channel 3(see KPH listing for frequencies).
Reception reports may be sent to:
WLO Radio
7700 RINLA AVENUE
MOBILE, ALABAMA 36619
USA
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KLB
KLB will transmit on 488, 500 (A1 & A2), 8582.5kc
KLB will listen for calls from ships on 500kc and 8368.0kc.
Reception reports - same as WLO
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NMC - US Coast Guard Point Reyes, CA
NMC will transmit on 448, 472, 500, 6383.0, 8574.0 and 17220.5kc
NMC will listen for calls from ships on HF Channel 3 (see KPH listing
for frequencies).
Reception reports may be sent to:
Commanding Officer
USCG CAMSPAC
17000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956-0560
Attn: Operations Specialist in Charge (OSIC)
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NMN - US Coast Guard Chesapeake Bay, VA
NMN will transmit on 8471.0, 12718.5 and 16976.0kc
NMN will listen for calls from ships on HF Channel 3 (see KPH listing
for frequencies).
Reception reports may be sent to:
Commanding Officer
USCG CAMSLANT
4720 Douglas A. Munro Rd.
Chesapeake, VA 23322
Attn: Operations Specialist in Charge (OSIC)
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K6KPH
Amateur station K6KPH will transmit and listen on 3550, 7050 and 14050kc for KPH, KFS and KSM reception reports.
Professional operators will be at the key and commercial procedures will be used. But please don't hesitate to call, no matter what your code speed or experience level may be.
K6KPH verification reports may be sent to:
Ms. DA Stoops
P.O. Box 381
Bolinas CA 94924-0381
USA
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Remember, this is a public event. If you are in the area you are invited to join us at the RCA receive site, 17000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd in the Point Reyes National Seashore north of San Francisco. If using a computer mapping program add "Inverness" after the address above even though the station is well beyond that town.
Doors open at 3:00pm Pacific time. Snacks will be served. Tours of the transmitting station may be arranged for "true believers" by appointment only.
[Plus you can get a piece of Night of Nights cake! -Hugh]
GL de MRHS
