[Elecraft] 500 kHz Receive Operation With the KX1

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

That's a great recording, John! It's a great service to those who want to
hear what sort of chaos reigned at the height of CW on the high seas. That
was in the 60's and 70's when maritime trade was really booming in the
Post-War world.  

Wonder how many Hams today who sweat filters to clear out all the QRM can
copy all of them at once? (IMHO, all the different tones and keying make it
a lot easier than listening to the sterile sigs on the bands today.)

Trivia question for you CW buffs (except John. He knows the answer!)

What transmission mode was used for all emergency calls on 500 kHz? 

Hint. It was *not* A1 (CW). 

Ans: The MF transmitters were amplitude modulated (A2 or MCW) so their
signals could be read on a receiver lacking a BFO. Lacking a BFO? Well, up
until after WWII, it wasn't uncommon to find the "backup" or emergency
receiver on a ship was a common crystal set! MCW was only required for
emergency communications, but many Radio Officers fired up the modulator
anyway for a more 'distinctive' sound when received with a BFO. 

You may now retune your ears for modern, pristine, clean keyed, CW with
dulcet tones. (Sort of like swapping distilled water for a fine wine to me,
but that's progress ;-)

Ron AC7AC



-----Original Message-----

Gary, if you like reading about the old maritime stations, take a listen to
this MP3 file of shipping traffic (6MB):
http://www.ae5x.com/sounds.html

Whole lotta chirpin' goin' on.....!

John Harper
http://www.ae5x.com



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