MT Editor Sends Message Via Night of Nights

The following traffic was passed over KPH/KFS/KSM last night:

qtc
nr21 cknc san francisco radio kph/kfs/ksm 0100gmt 13 july =
to all ships and stations=
greetings from the site of the former station vbh kingston ontario. i have been an active radio listener for 50 years, an amateur for 35 years and the son of a landline telegrapher. i am a licensed captain and have used hf and vhf marine radio=
capt ron walsh/ve3go marine columnist monitoring times magazine ar

Very cool.

Night of Nights XI 2011 Details

There are some changes. This info comes from the MRHS web site.

KPH:

Transmit: 426 500 4247.0 6477.5 8642.0 12808.5 17016.8 22477.5

QSX: All ships can call on 500 kHz and ITU Channel 3 all bands.
Channel 3 freqs: 4184.0 6276.0 8368.0 12552.0 16736.0 22280.5kc

The KPH/K6KPH receive/operation site is open to the public beginning at 3 PM Pacific (5 minutes ago). Tours to the transmitter site are available for true believers in the benevolent god RF. This building has plenty of that. The transmitter site is remote controlled and quite distant from the receive.

KFS:

Transmit: 12695.5 17026.0
QSX 500 and Channel 3, same as KPH

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 [commercial grade, and no slouch either].

KSM:

Transmit: 426 500 6474 8438.3 12993
QSX: 500 and Channel 3, same as KPH

(see KPH listing for frequencies).

QSL for KPH, KFS, and KSM:

Ms. DA Stoops
P.O. Box 381
Bolinas CA 94924-0381
USA

Denice is an ace telegrapher who worked at KPH in its heyday.

WLO:

Transmit: 4343.0 8658.0 12992.0 16968.5
QSX: 500 and Channel 3 (same as KPH)

(No 2 MHz this year.)

WLO is the ShipCom station in Mobile, AL. It still handles HF commercial ship traffic, though not in CW.

WLO QSL:
WLO Radio
7700 RINLA AVENUE
MOBILE, ALABAMA 36619
USA

KLB:

Transmit: 488 500 (A1 & A2), 8582.5 (A1A)
QSX: 500 8368.0

KLB is the ShipCom station in the Seattle area. QSL is same address as WLO.

KKUI:

WWII Victory ship SS AMERICAN VICTORY will be on the air attempting contact will all the coast stations above. They'll use the best calling frequency for the prevailing propagation at the time but they usually call KSM on 12552.0.

K6KPH:

Amateur station K6KPH will transmit and listen on 3550, 7050 14050 and 21050 for KPH, KFS and KSM reception reports.

Professional operators will be at the key and commercial procedures [see below] will be used. But please don't hesitate to call, no matter what your code speed or experience level may be. We look forward to your call.

[They switch to usual amateur procedure if there's a pileup, which there often is. There's more on the web site.]

QSL: Same as KPH.

It's Night of Nights Time!

It seems like a long time ago that commercial Morse code vanished in the United States, but even so I can't believe that this is the 11th one of these. Yes, Night of Nights XI is here.

Night of Nights came from the original defiance of a group of skilled Morse telegraphers and maritime radio people who decided they'd be damned before the most perfect communication system ever invented was going to vanish with all the other forgotten technologies. And now it's #11.

It seems almost beyond belief that the grand-daddy of West Coast stations, RCA's KPH, is back on the air, even one night a year. It is now part of the Pt. Reyes National Seashore, and the incredible dedication of these people have made its window-rattling Morse code audible again. (The rest of the year, the call belongs to Globe Wireless at another site, where the only on-air ID is a distinct hex code that can only be copied with special software.)

Every ham dreams of suddenly getting access to a rhombic farm and receive site with miles of antennas. Here is a group that actually did it.

MRHS:

Each year on 12 July the MRHS holds its Night of Nights event on the anniversary of the supposed last commercial Morse message sent in the US. On that night historic stations KPH and KFS return to the air along with our own KSM. Listen on the air or join us at the receive site in Point Reyes, CA.

While MRHS station KSM is on the air every Saturday, on Night of Nights we originate stations KPH and KFS in addition to KSM. We will joined on the air by KLB, WLO and KKUI. See below [next post -Hugh] for details.

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 2011 Pacific time, 13 July gmt
Doors open: 3:00pm Pacific time
On air time: 5:01pm Pacific time, 0001 gmt

Freqs & QSL info in the next post!

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.

Night of Nights 2011 Official Announcement

From R. Dillman, MRHS:

[Details are subject to change. Check our Web site at http://www.radiomarine.org for updates.]

Each year the MRHS 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. We hope that other stations will join us on the air this year including KLB and WLO.

You can participate by listening or by visiting the ex-RCA receive site (details below) to see the action in person. If you'd like to operate K6KPH just bring your key. No license required! If you have a commercial radiotelegraph license bring it along. You can sit the circuit at KSM and have your license endorsed for coast station service.

Here are the details of the event:

Date: 12 July 2010 Pacific time, 13 July gmt

Doors open: 3:00pm Pacific time

On air time: 5:01pm Pacific time, 0001 gmt

Station and frequency information (subject to change):

-----

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

-----

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 may be sent to:

Ms. DA Stoops
P.O. Box 381
Bolinas CA 94924-0381
USA

-----

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 transmitter 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 may be sent to:

Ms. DA Stoops
P.O. Box 381
Bolinas CA 94924-0381
USA

-----

To be confirmed

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

-----

To be confirmed

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 may be sent to:

WLO Radio
7700 RINLA AVENUE
MOBILE, ALABAMA 36619
USA

-----

K6KPH

K6KPH, the MRHS amateur station, will transmit and listen on 3550, 7050 14050 and 21050kc 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

-----

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.

VY 73 de MRHS

Is the Japanese Whaling Fleet Using HF CW?

I was keeping this quiet because both sides of the famous "Whale Wars" dispute monitor the Internet almost as intently as the radio, looking for any information on position and course of the others. However, they have now made contact, and awareness of the existence of communication no longer gives either one useful information for location.

The "Whale Wars" are, of course, the yearly Japanese whaling expedition to the Southern Ocean every summer, and the efforts of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society to shut it down. This is shown every year, a few months later, on the Animal Planet TV show with this name.

About a week ago, suspicious Morse code comms were heard on 12443 kHz CW. This frequency is in the ship CW working band, but it is not an international channel. It's one kHz off from 12442.0, the ship transmitting side of a duplex pair with 9MG, Penang, on 12943.5 kHz.

These comms, however, are simplex. The ship operator sends Morse with a standard "straight key," not a "bug" or automatic keyer. Content is mostly numbers, though the people who are able to hear this have reported non-international Morse characters that could be Japanese or other languages.

One listener in New Zealand reports that he copied the words "Sea Shepard." It's not known whether the CW op misspelled it or it was a typo. He also notes that he has heard Antarctic CW activity on 12443 kHz simplex in previous Southern Hemisphere summers.

This activity coincides with reports on the Sea Shepherd web site of a series of complex tactical maneuvers ending in their intercepting the factory ship Nisshin Maru, making it impossible to process whales and bringing the Japanese whaling to at least a temporary halt.

So, have utility listeners done the seeming impossible, and heard the Nisshin or one of its associated vessels? This is not known. It could be another vessel mentioning the activity. It's sure fun to speculate, though. Did the whaling fleet think no one would check the old CW frequencies?

But, regardless of who you think is right in this yearly dispute, anything actually associated with it would be a major utility catch. Who says there's nothing on short wave?

Military Net on 4625 kHz "Buzzer" Frequency

The Buzzer is still gone again, but there is still Russian Military activity on the frequency.

Here is some kind of daily CW net that has a roll call at 1900 UTC, as copied over the Internet UVB-76 blog's stream on September 13. These are tactical callsigns, which change periodically.

Previous operators have sounded pretty good, but this one got flustered, big time.

Here we go:

V
VVVVVV
VVVV V V (error dits)
VSJX DE FIN Q K
R K
KMMN DE F INQ K
R K
8OB5 DE FINQ K
V JIP DE FINQ ---- (possible Cyrillic character, four dahs) (error dits)
VJIP DE FINQ K
R K
E4LU DE FINN (error dits)
E4LEU DE FINQ K
R K
W4YM DE FINQ K
R K
U AR (error dits)
4G9G DE FINQ K
4G9G DE FINQ K
4G9G DE FINQ R K
VDZO DE FINQ R K
L6MM DE (error dits)
L6MM DE FIQ (error dits)
L6MM DE FINO AR (error dits)
L6MM DE FINQ K
O42M DE FINQ K
H (error dits)
L6MHM DE FINQ K (error dits)
L6MM DE FINQ K
O42N DE FINQ K
L6MM DE FINQ K
2X2M DE FINQ K
L6MM L6MM DE FINQ FIN (error dits)
L6MM L6MM L6MM E DE FINQ FINQ K
O42M O42M O42M L (error dits)
O42M O42M O42M DE FINQ J (error dits)
O42M O42M O42M DE FIINNN (error dits)
O42M O42M O42M DE FINQ K (error dits)
O42 (error dits)
O42M O42M O42M DE FINQ FINQ K
R K
[About an 8 minute pause, perhaps to regroup]
[missed-fading]
FINQ R K
[-end of work-]

Don't Forget Night of Nights XI

I can't believe it's been 11 years since the last stations pulled the plugs on commercial Morse telegraphy in the US.

Be that as it may, this infamous anniversary will once again be marked by several large stations spitting dits and dahs defiantly into the Ether as if nothing had changed. All hail to the Martitime Radio Historical Society for taking the point on this important work.

Period equipment will be used on many frequencies, and ships may call on the receiving frequencies (500 kHz and HF calling Channel 3). KKUI, the restored SS American Victory, has announced its plan to work all stations. They most frequently use the 12 MHz frequency of Channel 3, but others are possible.

The fun starts at the exact time Morse went away, or 0001 UTC on the 13th. Reception reports are welcome, and QSL info is here.

For those in the Bay Area, the receiving station on Point Reyes is open for visitors starting 15 minutes ago. Trust me: it's worth the trip. Directions to the receive site are at the same link. GPS is desirable for navigation, if you have it. The place is really out there.

Here are the frequencies:

KPH
Xmit: 426, 500, 4247.0, 6477.5, 8642.0, 12808.5, 17016.8, 22477.5
Rcv: 500; 4184.0, 6276.0, 8368.0, 12552.0, 16736.0, 22280.5 (C3)

KSM
Xmit: 426, 500, 6474, 8438.3, 12993
Rcv: Same as KPH

KFS
Xmit: 12695.5, 17026.0
Rcv: HF Channel 3 (same as KPH)

WLO
Xmit: 2055.5, 4343.0, 8658.0, 12992.0 and 16968.5
Rcv: 500; 8368 (C3)

NMC (USCG CAMSPAC Pt. Reyes))
Xmit: 448, 472, 500, 6383.0, 8574.0 and 17220.5
Rcv: HF Channel 3 (same as KPH)

NMN (USCG CAMSLANT Chesapeake)
Xmit: 8471.0, 12718.5 and 16976
Rcv: HF Channel 3 (same as KPH)

K6KPH
Simplex 3550, 7050 and 14050 (taking reports)
K6KPH ops use some commercial procedures. DE means about the same as QRZ?

All emission CW Morse telegraphy, and loving it!

Updated July 12 Night of Nights IX Information

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):

-----

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

-----

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

-----

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

-----

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

-----

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

-----

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)


-----

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)

-----

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

-----

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

K6KPH to Transmit Field Day Bulletin

Anyone who's operated Field Day (currently in progress) knows the importance of copying the annual ARRL Field Day Message. This is broadcast in CW and digital modes. Field Day clubs and stations earn extra points for submitting an accurate copy with their contest entries.

K6KPH, the MRHS amateur station, will once again be the west coast outlet for the Field Day bulletin message.

The Maritime Radio Historical Society station K6KPH will transmit
the W1AW Field Day 2010 bulletin for the benefit of West Coast
stations on 3.5815, 7.0475, 14.0475, 18.0975 and 21.0675 MHz using
CW.

K6KPH will transmit the Field Day bulletin using Baudot, FEC AMTOR,
BPSK31 and MFSK16 on 7.095 and 14.095 MHz.

K6KPH Field Day Bulletin Schedule

Mode Pacific Mountain Central Eastern

CW 7:30 AM 8:30 AM 9:30 AM 10:30 AM
Digital 9:30 AM 10:30 AM 11:30 AM 12:30 AM

For full information about Field Day see the ARRL Web site at:

http://www.arrl.org/field-day

Richard Dillman
Chief Operator, Coast Station KSM
Maritime Radio Historical Society
http://www.radiomarine.org

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.

Maritime CW "Night of Nights" Coming July 12!

Night of Nights will be held on 12 July 2010.

Night of Nights is the annual event of the Maritime Radio Historical Society, commemorating that sad day on 12 July 1999 when what were thought to be the last commercial Morse messages in the US were sent. However the reports of the demise of commercial Morse were exaggerated. By the next year the MRHS had restored enough of ex-RCA station KPH to hold the first Night of Nights. Since then the event has expanded to include the return to the air of not only KPH but KFS and KSM, the station of the MRHS. Other coast stations typically join us on the air. In the past these have included WLO and KLB. This year we hope that at least two US Coast Guard stations will be on the air as well.

Night of Nights is a public event. You're invited to join us at the RCA receive site in Point Reyes, CA. Special visits to the transmitter site can be arranged for "true believers". Wherever you are you can tune in to the event at 5:01pm Pacific time/0001gmt as we pick up the thread and keep the faith with all the radiotelegraph operators who came before us.

More details will be posted as Night of Nights draws near.

If you would like to receive information about Night of Nights and other MRHS activities directly just send an email to radiomarine-subscribe@yahoogroups.com .

VY 73,

RD

KSM CW Now Up, All Freqs

500 kHz is not being copied in SoCal (wrong time of day). Everything else is audible at 1851 UTC, with 8 MHz loudest and 6 MHz just behind. The station is currently running a VVV de KSM wheel.

MRHS Ship Simplex now on 12552 CW

At 1821 UTC, KKUI is calling KYVM on 12552 kHz CW. Signal is good in SoCal. So far no joy.

KSM Special Event in Progress

KSM is currently up on 6474 kHz CW working an unknown vessel. Signal is typically strong in Southern California.

The vessel is one of three that are participating in special contacts for the Sacramento River cruise of the SS Jeremiah O'Brien (KXCH).

Other participating vessels are the SS Red Oak Victory (KYVM), and the SS American Victory (KKUI).

All vessels will be using 500 kHz (calling) and 425 kHz (working), in CW. KSM, on the shore side, will simulkey all of its HF frequencies, making reception possible over a very wide area. These are:

4350.5
6474.0
8438.3
12993.0
16914.0
22445.8

In addition, ship-to-ship contact may be audible on 12552 kHz CW.

This operation is scheduled to continue until 2200 UTC, with a lunch break at local noon (1900 UTC).

Interesting Maritime CW Activity Coming Up Saturday

From Richard Dillman:

World War II destroyer USS Cassin Young (DD-793)/NTTH will be on the air again this Saturday, as will WWII Victory ship SS American Victory/KKUI. Both ships will attempt to communicate with KSM, as they did last Saturday. But this Saturday they will also attempt to contact each other. Both ships will be using their original radio equipment which has been restored to operation.

Beginning at about 1700GMT both ships will call KSM on ITU global calling channel 3 for the 12Mc band, 12552.0kc. NTTH will use a working frequency of 12453.5kc (primary) or 12423.0kc (secondary). As always, when in communication with either ship, KSM will key all HF and MF transmitters to give the greatest number of listeners the best chance to hear at least one side of the exchange. KSM will also announce the working frequency to be used by the ship(s) to give listeners a chance to listen for them as well.

KSM will begin its Morse press broadcast at 1800GMT as usual but will interrupt the broadcast to answer calling ships if needed. Otherwise the KSM "wheel" will be heard on all HF transmitters. KSM will send the traffic list at 2100GMT and high seas North Pacific weather at 2130GMT as usual. KSM press and weather RTTY broadcasts will begin at 1900GMT as usual.

KSM CW Frequencies (in kHz):

426
500
4350.5
6474.0
8438.3
12993.0
16914.0
22445.8

Night of Nights X Videos!

These have been sent to YouTube by Paul Shinn.

The first one is "DA" Stoops, the first female telegrapher in the US commercial Morse service, proving the great ones never lose it. She runs off the closing message on a Vibroplex bug and makes it sound like music:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a4scmlC7tI

---

Off in the distance, a large transmitter building vibrates in time with the keying. This is the upstairs. There's another whole floor where the MW equipment lives. The RF practically comes out of your computer screen. Check the huge bank of Henry 5K commercial rigs, and also the older units that have been restored and returned to service. The MRHS has to have the best transmitter department anywhere to get this old station humming like this again:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJMMYriZ0WQ

---

WWII vintage Press Wireless HF transmitter used for KFS on 12695.5 kHz. No sound. Put a mike next to the biggest air cooled rig you can secure admission to, crank the gain to 11, and you've got it. This old rig and another like it were rescued from the old Palo Alto site, and restored at Bolinas by the MRHS engineers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIAWEw3C3X0

KPH Now On 426 kHz

I don't know if the band improved at night or they did something, but suddenly a signal that had been buried in the noise is running s3 - s5 with perfect CW copy of a maritime newsletter.

WLO Finally Heard

WLO, Mobile Radio/Shipcom, AL, is now audible here on 8658.0, 12992.0, and 16968.5 kHz CW with a QSX marker. All other freqs are nil here. Meanwhile KPH is running weather (hurricane carlos advisories) with such good signal and keying that even my computer has 100% copy.

Night of Nights X Tonight

CW fans shouldn't forget the yearly Night of Nights, when the end of US commercial Morse code is celebrated (or is it mocked?) by an ether full of the dits and dahs just like it used to be when people communicated with ships instead of machines.

Fun starts at zero zulu (0000 UTC) tonight (or at least night in the USA). Vintage equipment is used, with original wire antennas, and this stuff can put it out. Copy should be possible in all kinds of places.

Full details are here:
http://www.radiomarine.org/non10.html