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.