[Elecraft] VLF/LF Converters

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Nice write-up Jack!

One of the things CW buffs can do with such a converter is catch the Marine
CW stations that are still active. Station KPH on the California Coast is
very active, and the last I saw there are several others around North
America warming the 600 meter (400-500 kHz) airwaves regularly now. Very few
ships are still using CW, but a number of licenses for coastal stations have
been maintained, and even a few new ones issued to individuals unwilling to
let 600 meter CW die. 

When active, one will hear the "CQ Wheel" calling for anyone with traffic,
traffic lists being send, press (news) sent, etc. 

More information about KPH with ties to other stations available is located
at 
http://www.radiomarine.org/kph-proj.html

Just don't try to hear them between 15 and 18 minutes past the hour or
between 45 and 48 minutes past the hour. They still observe the traditional
two 3-minute "silent periods" when all stations stop routine activities and
listen for distress calls on 500 kHz. 

And for some real "DX" fun, check out the occasional transmissions from SAQ
at Grimeton (Sweden) on 17.2 kHz! That would require some modification of
the input filter, I suspect. SAQ runs a Alexander Alternator: a big
specially-designed rotary alternating current generator hooked to an
antenna. See:

http://www.alexander.n.se/startsida_e.htm

Ron AC7AC