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Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833

Post Number: 2004
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Monday, July 11, 2011 - 10:19 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

For those with shortwave receiver or a CB or ham radio with receive frequency coverage of the HF bands, this is a magical night that only happens once a year, and very much worth the beautiful Radiogram QSL you receive!

From the MRHS press release (check out all the frequencies!!):
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 will joined on the air by KLB, WLO and KKUI. See below 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

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 500kc and ITU Channel 3 in all HF bands. The Channel 3 frequencies are 4184.0, 6276.0, 8368.0, 12552.0, 16736.0 and 22280.5kc

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 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

-----

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 may be sent to:

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

-----


Confirmed!



WLO

WLO will transmit on 2055.5 (tentative), 4343.0, 8658.0, 12992.0 and 16968.5kc

WLO will listen for calls from ships on HF Channel 3 (see KPH listing for frequencies).

Reception reports may be sent to:

WLO Radio
7700 RINLA AVENUE
MOBILE, ALABAMA 36619
USA

-----


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


-----

SS AMERICAN VICTORY/KKUI

WWII Victory ship SS AMERICAN VICTORY/KKUI 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 21050kc 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.


K6KPH verification reports may be sent to:

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

[Commercial procedures: If you wish to replicate the KPH commercial calling procedure pick your calling frequency and send K6KPH K6KPH K6KPH repeatedly until the operator sends DE. Then send you call and traffic. If you really want to get into it send your call and QSS XXX UP where XXX is the last three digits of your working frequency. For example if you call on 7050 you might send QSS 065 UP. The operator will respond with UP - (dah dit dit dit dah) and listen for you on your working frequency while continuing to transmit on 7050. Or the operator may respond with QRX QRY 1 OK? meaning stand by you are number one on the list, which is what KPH did when multiple ships were calling. They stacked up 20 ships or more before starting to work the list. K6KPH typically runs a list of not more than three calling stations. Advisory: On Night of Nights there is often a pileup calling K6KPH which might prevent the above procedure, or you may get a guest operator who will not understand QSS. In those situations just make a normal contact using amateur procedures.]




-----

Remember, this is a public event. If you are in the area you are invited to join us at the RCA receive site, 17400 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.


GL de MRHS



I found a video of the transmitter gallery on YouTube. You might want to check it out.



73,

833
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Mdiver
Advanced Member
Username: Mdiver

Post Number: 639
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Monday, July 11, 2011 - 2:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Great post 833

The RCA receive site is a Great Place to go to. And a good look into radio history.

My Wife and I go over to Point Reyes National Seashore at least 2 times a year to get oysters.

Steve CEF-252
Grass Valley Ca.
Northern California.

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