[Elecraft] Re: VLF/LF Converters (Somewhat OT)

[Mike Morrow]

Ron wrote:

>Or better pre-selection, such as a high-Q tuned antenna.

Or get something like the US Navy's R-1134/WRR-3, which was on several ships
that I served on 30 years ago.  It is mechanically digital tuned, all vacuum
tube, and covers VLF to MF (14 to 600 kHz).  It's a real link to maritime MF
Morse operations, and only weighs about 60 lb!  It's really the last of a breed.

>When I lived near Portland I had that problem on any MF receiver I tried

Remember how often MF maritime Morse signals were heard coming in on the IF
or as images on common AM broadcast band receivers.

I used a WWII surplus BC-453-B to properly copy maritime Morse from 420 to 520
kHz in the 1960s.  It did a pretty good job of it.  Even in the 1980s I listened
at night to 500 kHz on a modern receiver.  Never tired of it.

>I'm a little surprised that the FCC has issued some 600 meter licenses to
>coastal stations...

One hopes that a small region around 500 kHz will remain free, and dedicated to
preservation of this extremely historically significant band.  Maybe A2 MCW
should be authorized to experimental licenses.  Differential GPS beacons don't
have the same mystique.

I never found ham Morse to have the same interest.  Maritime Morse MF and HF
frequencies were far more interesting.  It's hard to believe that less than
ten years have passed since commercial radiotelegraph ceased.  I received a
solicitation in 1991 from a US radio officers union seeking operators.  It
seems that activation of old US-flag vessels to support the first Irag war
led to radio officer shortages.  I'd have been tempted if I'd been 15 years
younger.

I don't think there's much motivation today for ham equipment to have capability
for LF/MF coverage.

Mike / KK5F