SAQ on the air

[ab3a]

For those interested in LF reception, SAQ will be on the air on December 10 from 0800 UTC to 1600 UTC. The frequency will be 17.2 kHz (Yes, I meant kHz). If you do a bit of searching you may find a number of sound card programs and antennas suitable for receiving this transmission.

See their web page for details.

 

[k9rzz]

Any idea if they are audible in the USA? What kind of signal do they have? I mean, that's a tough one!

 

[ab3a]

Saq

I don't know if I'll hear them, but it was designed and intended for transatlantic work.

By the way, the oscillator is a 200 kW mechanical alternator. I wonder what it will sound like...

 

[ab3a]

Didn't hear it

OK, so it was a half hearted attempt from work, but I did try. My radio was actually an old Rycom selective level meter we had lying around (still works too!), and an ad-hoc loop we laid on the ground made from a spool of #14 wire.

The problem is that we were picking up a crapload of trash from variable frequency drives in buildings 1/4 mile away.. This is why antennas are a big deal ladies and gentlemen. For the Christmas day message, I'm going to try building a loop and getting it above most of the ambient electric fields.