[Milsurplus] VLF Riggs

[Al Klase]

VLF'ers,

I heard SAQ back in May '98 from Western New Jersey about 60 miles 
inland, on a Watkins Johnson 357 via a 40" un-tuned loop. John Dilks 
still has my article on his website complete with audio:
http://www.eht.com/oldradio/awa/events/grimeton/grimeton.htm I've had no 
luck on several attempts since, including one from the old Marconi site 
on the Jersey Shore at Belmar.

As someone mentioned location is probably the most important factor, but 
PREPARATION (Proper Prior Prevents Pretty Poor Performance) is quite 
important as well. The VLF band is currently populated with submarine 
communications stations broadcasting encrypted data in MSK. On a 
spectrum analyzer e.g. your RX audio fed to your PC sound card, you see 
a Gaussian hump of white noise centered on the carrier frequency. NAA on 
24.0 KHz, Cutler, ME, is monstrously strong here on the East Coast. You 
should also hear NLK Jim Creek, WA on 24.8 without a lot of trouble. 
There's a almost-decent frequency list hear: 
http://www.smeter.net/stations/vlf-stations.php

I mention this because the last time, I could hear the Navy plus what I 
believed to be FTA in France on 16.8 plus another probable European, and 
still didn't hear a peep out of SAQ. If you can't hear this stuff, 
that's on 24/365, you haven't a prayer. So dust off you receiver and 
start listening not. People hear SAQ on PC sound cards in Europe, but 
it's a difficult catch on this side of the pond.

Now you've got me fired up to try again on Christmas Eve from Jersey City.

Regards,
Al

Edward J White wrote:
> Hi Gang:
> So what is one of the best surplus rigs to receive the Alexanderson 
> alternator. What are others using for the LF,VLF frequency's?
> Ed
> WA3BZT

-- 
Al Klase – N3FRQ
Flemington, NJ
http://www.skywaves.ar88.net/