It's Alexanderson Alternator Time!

I'm a bit late with this. The 2011 Alexanderson Day is TODAY, July 3rd (UTC)!

From their web site:

SAQ will be on air on the Alexanderson Day on Sunday 3rd July 2011. We send a message at 09:00 UTC and 12:00 UTC and we start the transmitter about half an hour before each transmission for tuning. The frequency is as usual 17.2 kHz CW.

QSL-reports are kindly received:

QSL reports can be given via:

- E-mail to: info@alexander.n.se

- or fax to: +46-340-674195

- or via SM bureau

- or direct by mail to: Alexander - Grimeton Veteranradios Vaenner, Radiostationen, Grimeton 72, S-432 98 Grimeton, SWEDEN

Note: SAQ is now a member of the Swedish Amateur Association (SSA) and "QSL via bureau" is OK.

Those with VLF capability might want to try for this one. The low frequency can spread out around the world, though noise can be staggering. There is also a WebSDR in the Netherlands which tunes this range.

SAQ is the world's last functional Alexanderson RF alternator. This giant, generator-like machine creates a 200 kW signal into an antenna truly described as majestic. At one time, a network of these linked the world, as they briefly replaced "King Spark" in the era before vacuum tubes.

The well preserved station is now a World Heritage Site. More information is here.

SAQ VLF Alternator Transmissions Are July 4

This year's "Alexanderson Day" transmissions will be Sunday, July 4, at 0900 and 1200 UTC. Transmitter tune-up will start a half hour sooner.

As always, the frequency is 17.2 kHz (not MHz), in CW, from Grimeton Radio in Sweden, callsign SAQ.

The transmitter is a vintage Alexanderson RF alternator. This is a type of AC generator once used around the world to replace "King Spark" right before vacuum tubes replaced everything. The 200 kW or so go to a truly majestic wire antenna on huge towers. The signal is audible worldwide with the right equipment (though that is saying a lot).

A WebSDR receiver that successfully receives other European signals (mostly military) in this low range is at: http://websdr.pa3weg.nl/. Its location gives an excellent chance of hearing SAQ.

The full announcement, with QSL information, is here.

Slight SAQ Change

*FLASH FLASH FLASH*

* *

The *planned* transmission with the Alexanderson alternator on 17.2 kHz at Grimeton Radio/SAQ at Tuesday 19 May is *moved to Wednesday 20 May* at the same times, 07:00 UTC and 07:30 UTC. Sorry for trouble.

--Lars Kalland

Yes, that is 17.2 kilohertz, using an RF alternator with a truly huge antenna. Coverage is worldwide, if you can dig it out of the noise down there.

SAQ 17.2 kHz Schedule for 2009

GRIMETON RADIO/SAQ PLANNED TRANSMISSIONS, SUMMER AND AUTUMN 2009

There will hopefully be transmissions with the Alexanderson alternator on 17.2 kHz, CW (A1A) at the following dates and times during 2009:

1)

Tuesday, May 19 2009 at 07:00 and 07:30 UTC.

There will be a transmission to celebrate the Japanese VLF-station Josami Radio/JND when it will be nominated to Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Milestone and also celebrate its start 80 years ago. The radio station is now a museum.

No reports required and no QSL-cards are given.


2)

Sunday, May 24 2009 at 10:55 UTC.

A transmission will take place to celebrate the First Swedish Coast Radio Station and 100 years of Karlskrona Radio/SAA. The station is still working on military frequencies.

No reports required and no QSL-cards are given.



3)

Sunday, June 28 at 09:00 and 12:00 UTC.

The annual transmission on "Alexander Day". The station is open to visitors.

We are glad to receive reports and will exchange QSL-cards.



4)

Saturday, October 24 at 09:00 UTC.

As last year we will transmit on United Nations Day.

No reports required and no QSL-cards are given.



5)

Thursday, December 24, Christmas Eve at 08:00 UTC.

The Christmas transmission as before.
The stations is open to visitors.

We are glad to receive reports and will exchange QSL-cards.

We will start tuning up some 30 minutes before message.

Also read our web site: www.alexander.n.se

QSL-reports are, when indicated, kindly received via:

- E-mail to: info@alexander.n.se
- or fax to: +46-340-674195
- or via: SM bureau
- or direct by mail to: Alexander - Grimeton Veteranradios Vaenner, Radiostationen, Grimeton 72 S-430 16 ROLFSTORP
SWEDEN

Yours

Lars Kalland SM6NM

Thanks to Lars for making this available, and Ary Boender for posting it to his UDXF list.

Annual VLF Alternator Transmission Coming Up

The Alexanderson Alternator was the first continuous-wave CW transmitter. It is literally a large electric motor-generator that makes RF. A global network of these huge stations was rapidly replacing "King Spark" for maritime coastal radio, when vacuum tubes replaced both.

A working example is at SAQ, Grimeton Radio. RF power is on the order of 200 kW, but the frequency is so low (17.2 kHz, not MHz) as to make it a real catch in North America. From the web site in Sweden:

GRIMETON RADIO/SAQ TRANSMISSION

The annual transmission on "Alexanderson Day" with the Alexanderson alternator on VLF 17.2 kHz will take place Sunday 29th June 2008 at 09:00 UTC (tuning up from after 08:00 UTC) and will be repeated at 13:00 UTC (tuning up from after 12:00 UTC).

The station will be open to visitors.

Amateur Radio Station with special event call "SK6SAQ" will be QRV 09:15 -12:00 UTC on the following frequencies:

- 14.035 kHz CW
- 14.215 kHz SSB

>From 07:00 UTC also on:

- 3.755 kHz SSB.

QSL via SK6DK or direct to address below.

QSL-reports to SAQ and SK6SAQ are kindly received:

- E-mail to: info@alexander.n.se
- or fax to: +46-340-674195
- or via: SM bureau

- or direct by mail to: Alexander - Grimeton Veteranradios Vaenner,

Radiostationen
Grimeton 72
SE-430 16 ROLFSTORP
S W E D E N