[MRCA] Fwd: Your MRHS Newsletter #100 is here!

Mon Aug 4 22:37:03 EDT 2025

Night of Nights was an interesting event.
Z

-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: 	Your MRHS Newsletter #100 is here!

From: 	Maritime Radio Historical Society

to: 	smithab11 at comcast.net

Email from Maritime Radio Historical Society

August 2025

MRHS Newsletter No. 100

Dedicated to True Believers Afloat & Ashore

After Action Report: Night of Nights XXVI

Announcement: Enigma Encrypted Broadcast Event

"Rust Never Sleeps": Previews of Coming Attractions

LIVING History: Keeping It Real

After Action Report: Night of Nights XXVI

At 0001 GMT 13 July 2025 Night of Nights XXVI commenced: the annual 
commemoration of the supposed end of Morse Code in the maritime radio 
service in the United States and the celebration of the continuation of 
that great historical and cultural legacy through the ongoing operations 
of the "Wireless Giant of the Pacific" ... seemingly the last of the 
line, but standing proud still,

With Night of Nights falling on a Saturday this year the staff at KPH 
had a very long day ... providing the usual service on Saturday and then 
kicking off Night of Nights at 5pm local time and running until just 
beyond midnight.

If you were not able to be there we provide this "After Action Report" 
to present the highlights of another successful event.

As tradition demands the event began at 0001 GMT -- the beginning of a 
literal and metaphorical "new day" for the history of maritime radio -- 
with the Opening Message. This year the opening broadcast was in the 
capable hands, or should we say "fist"? of veteran Operations Department 
staff member Wally Pugh/WP.

To see and hear a bit of the transmission of the opening message, Click 
Here 
<https://6e997tjab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001WMm_n6D4Db-KfWAqEEaUH8ifqx7BchaNBe-4Ac1uXNjStmyur4HTgl-VDcIXgDY1U8q7P-7lsdAXx_eo1O4dgN953t1KhdaJV_0JdZ4Kaj_El1v7Yi0x5g_y8yNsCTTl3NNgvxZjQHCYSWoS1lkEnTY5PozFrzZEu5NCXzRKk5X07ybS5NjbAg==&c=a75EVLILInRT5MzYPjO25iD2GWejZsmrUd6DCbOVCyFx--P_Gtavig==&ch=TFLPTiSH7WlDosu7nQgFNlVYNshle7z3UnYBu0Wi9t3IKWyzuLD-4Q==>.

And here is the text of the Opening Message ...

Following the Opening Message KPH began a time of listening for ship 
calls, as the station has done for over a century, and broadcasting the 
"Traffic List" (a broadcast that lists the callsigns of ships that KPH 
is holding radiogram message traffic for), weather forecasts, and 
commemorative messages. These operations keep all the transmitters at 
Bolinas Radio humming for the entire seven plus hours of the event.

Overseeing the operations at the Bolinas Transmitter site is Transmitter 
Manager Steve Hawes/SH. Here we see Steve in the Control Room at Bolinas 
Radio at the Logging "Mill," or typewriter.

Also supporting the operations at Bolinas Radio were Roy Henrichs/RH and 
Maintenance Director Bill Ruck/RK.

The MRHS is blessed to have staff members who can multitask. As well as 
helping with operations at the receive and transmitter sites, Roy has 
been invaluable in helping with the management of the various 
engineering projects undertaken by your MRHS in recent years. When Bill 
is not wielding a soldering iron or crawling like a snake under an 
operating console at the receive site he is also a master chef, who once 
again provided his world-famous "Radioman's Stew."

While keeping the classic transmitters on the air at Bolinas is a deadly 
serious business (Literally! These transmitters use lethal voltages!) 
there is also a great spirit of camaraderie amongst the staff. Here we 
see Bob Venditti/VI enjoying a lighter moment at the power panels.

After seven hours of continuous operations (that always seem to fly by) 
the on-air celebration concludes with the "Benediction" Closing Message. 
This text was composed in the earliest days of the MRHS by Our Beloved 
Denice Stoops/DA, the first woman hired as a coast station Morse 
operator by RCA at KPH. Denice was not able to send the message this 
year so the honor of sending this beautiful text was taken up by Rob 
Harris, who travels from his home in Southern California each year to 
help make Night of Nights the success that it always is.

The sending of the "Benediction" is always the most solemn moment of 
Night of Nights. As the ether is electrified with the "Music of Morse" 
the staff observe a dignified respect in memory of all those men and 
women who spent their lives, sometimes literally and totally, as radio 
operators, serving to protect the safety of life at sea for over a century.

With the on-air activities completed the staff gather to continue the 
celebration by sharing in the traditional "Night of Nights" Chocolate 
Cake .... which is always even better than it looks.

In the last newsletter True Believers were invited to send pictures and 
video of how they marked "Night of Nights" at their home stations.

First, we would like the acknowledge a signal report from our good 
friend "Eddie from Australia" who has been known to call the landline 
phone at Point Reyes during "Night of Nights," holding his phone up to 
his speaker so we can hear what KPH sounds like on the other side of the 
planet. Thanks, Eddie! You are a most cherished and appreciated part of 
"Night of Nights" tradition!

We received two short videos from Guillermo Gustavo Llorens/LU5WE in 
Argentina. Thanks, Guillermo! If you would like to hear what KPH sounds 
like on 6 mc at Guillermo's station in Argentina, Click Here 
<https://6e997tjab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001WMm_n6D4Db-KfWAqEEaUH8ifqx7BchaNBe-4Ac1uXNjStmyur4HTgl-VDcIXgDY1tRNn-J_U1MhLuBht-RWYf8LiLnBBrGOeOKyZisOOskJB2Iu8UwirXbUeLd-X1_NdAvEKmTRKZimMHa66DPNb9HfQxG-TRO9PesCGXEcmxJmF_XtOyiJGeQ==&c=a75EVLILInRT5MzYPjO25iD2GWejZsmrUd6DCbOVCyFx--P_Gtavig==&ch=TFLPTiSH7WlDosu7nQgFNlVYNshle7z3UnYBu0Wi9t3IKWyzuLD-4Q==>. 
To hear what KPH sounds like on 12 mc, Click Here 
<https://6e997tjab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001WMm_n6D4Db-KfWAqEEaUH8ifqx7BchaNBe-4Ac1uXNjStmyur4HTgl-VDcIXgDY1VOY2LmUKDLmhic7R28wXTbM36T7td8NORocwWdc7TFP5XxV-rZbsoqwNlDsrgJ1NK1LM8qDm77Yap0O35Ywn-ftVkoskwiDXZ5tlCbk_yGMpa9_C7eXCxw==&c=a75EVLILInRT5MzYPjO25iD2GWejZsmrUd6DCbOVCyFx--P_Gtavig==&ch=TFLPTiSH7WlDosu7nQgFNlVYNshle7z3UnYBu0Wi9t3IKWyzuLD-4Q==>.

Closer to home, we received a report from Jim Emrich/N6NRV in Novato, 
CA. Jim was copying the broadcasts on the KPH MF frequency of 426 kc on 
a real "mill" (i.e., a typewriter specifically designed for 
communications use ... it functions only in Upper Case). Here are a few 
pics from Jim's classic station.

And here is a bit of his copy of the broadcast message on the "mill."

We did a little detective work and discovered that Jim was a Viet Nam 
era US Coast Guard veteran who served as a Radioman at the USCG martime 
radio coast station on Guam, NRV. Jim, thank you for your service. We do 
what we do to honor you and all of your brother and sister radio 
operators throughout time.

If you would like to know more about Guam Radio/NRV, with a lot of 
fascinating detailed information about maritime radio during the Morse 
era, see Jim's excellent, poignant web site by Clicking Here 
<https://6e997tjab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001WMm_n6D4Db-KfWAqEEaUH8ifqx7BchaNBe-4Ac1uXNjStmyur4HTgl-VDcIXgDY140yjpEriZb-JtTgwsbifTWSQcmtgN49hIqcoORE3NTrg1sqdijHBkTDdEK8g5krsfYKeY9LbXfsXwDag2rWYxqD3YF1NTybq9ceX1xUyyAs=&c=a75EVLILInRT5MzYPjO25iD2GWejZsmrUd6DCbOVCyFx--P_Gtavig==&ch=TFLPTiSH7WlDosu7nQgFNlVYNshle7z3UnYBu0Wi9t3IKWyzuLD-4Q==>.

We hope you enjoyed this "After Action Report" of Night of Nights XXVI. 
Mark your calendars now .... Night of Nights XXVII begins at 0001 GMT 13 
July 2026. We hope you can join us!

    Announcement: Enigma Encrypted Broadcast Event

The MRHS in cooperation with our good friends at the Cipher History 
Museum 
<https://6e997tjab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001WMm_n6D4Db-KfWAqEEaUH8ifqx7BchaNBe-4Ac1uXNjStmyur4HTgifM4lM418P--KO0S44hzlK2UrNkm9mElMA6Z3E9XYdYKkB4ruTpsQ9vdTiGiLO7XuFSqeqi_3gNgrNhEj2NBAgHjeHwgEI0BQ==&c=a75EVLILInRT5MzYPjO25iD2GWejZsmrUd6DCbOVCyFx--P_Gtavig==&ch=TFLPTiSH7WlDosu7nQgFNlVYNshle7z3UnYBu0Wi9t3IKWyzuLD-4Q==>will 
send a coded message in 5-letter groups via the facilities of coast 
station KPH on Saturday August 30, 2023. The message will be encrypted 
using the famous Enigma code machine.

The Enigma was the Germans' most sophisticated coding machine for 
securely transmitting command and control messages via radio 
communications in WWII. It was considered so secure that it was used to 
encipher the most top-secret of messages.

All KPH listeners are invited to try their hand at receiving and 
decrypting the message. Certificates will be awarded for proof of 
successful decode, first to decode and use of original or replica hardware.

You say your Enigma hardware is a bit rusty? Perhaps it has slipped a 
cog? No problem, MRHS has you covered! Software simulations exist for 
the Enigma code machine. Click Here 
<https://6e997tjab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001WMm_n6D4Db-KfWAqEEaUH8ifqx7BchaNBe-4Ac1uXNjStmyur4HTgnm_x1jYDQ2SRskzap-lWgcBbUTIU0qMft8GGJSkGYJC5yZTvFOfbi4fGH5cMg3BK2uSKv-hwgCksLaRMAVWpxc9wO85w5PzwZ87VbBXzXNdMgoJqeDqrMw=&c=a75EVLILInRT5MzYPjO25iD2GWejZsmrUd6DCbOVCyFx--P_Gtavig==&ch=TFLPTiSH7WlDosu7nQgFNlVYNshle7z3UnYBu0Wi9t3IKWyzuLD-4Q==>for 
an easy-to-use Enigma simulator. It is web-based, so no download necessary.

For additional information on the Enigma please see Ralph Simpsons' 
Cipher Museum History site 
<https://6e997tjab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001WMm_n6D4Db-KfWAqEEaUH8ifqx7BchaNBe-4Ac1uXNjStmyur4HTgl-VDcIXgDY1JXK8oSc-Xq4VTM0OLH_oFUHe22I1NR_YOMiQnt0HjqbV8J8vYdecfq2N10-Wqt7GSZSUbh78h7IrSyMo5lUd5ikDGdQe9cO8&c=a75EVLILInRT5MzYPjO25iD2GWejZsmrUd6DCbOVCyFx--P_Gtavig==&ch=TFLPTiSH7WlDosu7nQgFNlVYNshle7z3UnYBu0Wi9t3IKWyzuLD-4Q==>.

Crypto broadcast date, time and formats

The crypto broadcast will commence at 2000 GMT (1300 Pacific) on 30 
August 2025 on all KPH CW and RTTY frequencies. The CW frequencies are 
(in kc): 6477.5, 8642.0, 12808.5, 17016.8, and 22477.5. Upon completion 
of the CW transmissions, the broadcast will be repeated on the KPH RTTY 
frequencies. The RTTY transmission will be 170cps shift Baudot, 45 baud. 
The RTTY frequencies are (in kc): 6324.5, 8427.0 and 12585.5.

Further Information

Full details will be announced in mid-August via a Special Bulletin to 
all MRHS newsletter subscribers and on the MRHS website. 
<https://6e997tjab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001WMm_n6D4Db-KfWAqEEaUH8ifqx7BchaNBe-4Ac1uXNjStmyur4HTgsiqhRYhdgodv86ceJZv_9nZ1AiK5rYIyfi67ncR3_Cu8xx4rOTQ1rQFUNc9mJ9H8VKMwShYqab0RRhAaM-h8p7U_0cM6_gHqw==&c=a75EVLILInRT5MzYPjO25iD2GWejZsmrUd6DCbOVCyFx--P_Gtavig==&ch=TFLPTiSH7WlDosu7nQgFNlVYNshle7z3UnYBu0Wi9t3IKWyzuLD-4Q==>The 
bulletin will contain a link to a code book where the Enigma machine 
keys can be found, plus helpful hints on Enigma decoding procedures.

For more information or questions about the KPH cipher broadcast send 
email to crypto at radiomarine.org.

    "Rust Never Sleeps": Previews of Coming Attractions

True Believers will recall that in recent years the MRHS has succesfully 
completed several major restoration projects in the antenna fields at 
KPH. At the Bolinas transmitter site much of the infrastructure that 
carries the transmission lines to the antennas was restored and rebuilt. 
At the Point Reyes receive site the Medium Frequency Marconi T antenna 
was restored to service, as well as clearing the area around the main 
High Frequency antenna to protect it from damage from falling trees and 
branches. All that to say, a LOT of work has been completed, in part, 
thanks to your support.

But, "Rust Never Sleeps."

Wind and salt air constantly corrode the hardware that keeps the 
antennas in the air. At Bolinas the transmitting antennas are arranged 
in long rows, suspended between massively tall utility poles. These 
poles, peaking out at over 90' in height, are kept vertical by a robust 
guying system -- or at least it was robust when the current antenna 
system was constructed many decades ago.

"Rust Never Sleeps"

The hardware that connects the guy lines to the poles corrodes and 
fails. The soil chemistry eats away at the anchors that are driven deep 
into the ground. Sometimes "Rust" wins and poles fail, taking the 
antenna with them.

The good news is that most of the poles are vertical.

The bad news is that in many places "Rust" is winning, and time is of 
the essence in keeping those poles vertical. Sadly, as you can see from 
the picture above, several of the poles have succumbed to "Rust" and 
"Gravity" and are horizontal on the ground.

Currently, efforts are underway to survey the antenna field at Bolinas 
and the status of the guying system at each pole in order to prepare a 
proper scope of work plan.

As you can see from the above picture, just gaining access to the poles 
is a major undertaking because of undergrowth and fallen trees.

Needless to say, the restoration of the guying system of the poles at 
Bolinas is a significant project that is only just beginning. But time 
is critical. Fallen poles take antennas out of service. But it also 
dramatically increases the complexity and cost of restoration when a 
pole has fallen than if it is repaired while it is still vertical.

Watch this space in future issues of your MRHS Newsletter for updates as 
this project moves forward. "Excitement Guaranteed"!

    LIVING History: Keeping It Real

"... put up the plexiglass ..."

The preceding phrase seems innocuous enough, but it instills fearful 
dread in the hearts of the members of the operational staff of the 
Maritime Radio Historical Society.

And it should instill fear in the hearts of all True Believers.

Why?

This phrase, that is spoken with trepidation, is an image of what 
happens to historical and cultural treasures that have been reduced to 
museum pieces. Once an artifact is put behind plexiglass it is no longer 
an object that continues to fulfill the mission for which it was 
created. It becomes a static display collecting dust. It's "life" has 
been taken and its ability to communicate meaning is drastically reduced.

Indeed, preserving historical artifacts in static displays is important, 
and we are grateful to our colleagues around the world who are as 
committed as we are to preserving the artifacts of the history of 
wireless communications in static displays. But when the MRHS was 
founded on that fateful day twenty-six years ago (and counting!) the 
goal was to preserve the artifacts, culture and history of maritime 
radio by preserving them in an operational, living state.

The MRHS is primarilly focused on LIVING history.

If you have ever had the opportunity to visit KPH you know what we mean. 
Experiencing the "Wireless Giant of the Pacific" in operation is an 
immersion in the history of marime radio that involves all of the senses 
... Hearing the keying of the transmitters ... Feeling the heat of the 
transmitter gallery on a warm summer night ...The smell of warm 
electronics with the well-deserved patina of dust from decades of 
faithful service ... The flash of mercury rectifiers as they blink with 
the keying of the PW-15 ... Put all that behind plexiglass and it would 
not be the same experience. It would not communicate the same meaning. 
It would not be living.

As you read in the "Rust Never Sleeps" article you know that the next 
major project for keeping the plexiglass at bay is on the horizon. In 
the upcoming editions of the newsletter we will keep you updated every 
step of the way. This is our project, the project of all True Believers, 
and we will take you on the journey with us.

As always, thank you for your incredible support.

Only you can prevent plexiglass!

Until next time, Fair Winds and Following Seas!

<https://6e997tjab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001WMm_n6D4Db-KfWAqEEaUH8ifqx7BchaNBe-4Ac1uXNjStmyur4HTgjPN-z_jIo8Seao9UMiU2kDfQ6nc_J9Le22Kx2ZthtA3rnPRz9rgmxry5ugm6d_3lQI3oUpeFlzAPuSqQakdBHGppvyACx9R-7wrlpX3AxUMNeFHA5FN1LO9igwTW44BxPxmYNpfNsz5LUnT24lfLO-zSDJnVTd77w==&c=a75EVLILInRT5MzYPjO25iD2GWejZsmrUd6DCbOVCyFx--P_Gtavig==&ch=TFLPTiSH7WlDosu7nQgFNlVYNshle7z3UnYBu0Wi9t3IKWyzuLD-4Q==> 

And don't miss our fabulous MRHS Swag store. Your purchases also provide 
some much needed income to the MRHS. To access these treasures, click on 
the picture of our lovely MRHS Model, Tina Shinn/TS, below!

<https://6e997tjab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001WMm_n6D4Db-KfWAqEEaUH8ifqx7BchaNBe-4Ac1uXNjStmyur4HTgoMgesutimeWbqVPUIXgbUXSmTlC526jH0DOfFAue6CRbGJrg6-wI6svvqkFD9JBaw8lJMqCxTOawp3AdL65SgbU1uaTKyaaGs3pVIXW3bc9L8CGQKVATVNRFMpWeFkzcmdwvYCXIq-fndKIGoYgCx0=&c=a75EVLILInRT5MzYPjO25iD2GWejZsmrUd6DCbOVCyFx--P_Gtavig==&ch=TFLPTiSH7WlDosu7nQgFNlVYNshle7z3UnYBu0Wi9t3IKWyzuLD-4Q==> 

When visiting KPH be sure to tune in to KWMR for
the great music,
local knowledge and,
most important, emergency information.

For more information about KWMR, and to listen to the live stream, click 
here. 
<https://6e997tjab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001WMm_n6D4Db-KfWAqEEaUH8ifqx7BchaNBe-4Ac1uXNjStmyur4HTgrjIaOJqr4vQB2ygakrCx2d71--yyIrSJrAMy2RhwJnxLIbJfTXCAIvQMRVetUFOGkn7GA6_N4HFM38axdyVXJRZa1e9Iqa5DA==&c=a75EVLILInRT5MzYPjO25iD2GWejZsmrUd6DCbOVCyFx--P_Gtavig==&ch=TFLPTiSH7WlDosu7nQgFNlVYNshle7z3UnYBu0Wi9t3IKWyzuLD-4Q==> 

<https://6e997tjab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001WMm_n6D4Db-KfWAqEEaUH8ifqx7BchaNBe-4Ac1uXNjStmyur4HTgqfJ8l5hfbkru1Lu-7NQxw6rAoln45SsqWgcyh4aP6He87WE5_umTO-x0Y70d2qZJVbprEIjsoAsEZpi0g_VOXU=&c=a75EVLILInRT5MzYPjO25iD2GWejZsmrUd6DCbOVCyFx--P_Gtavig==&ch=TFLPTiSH7WlDosu7nQgFNlVYNshle7z3UnYBu0Wi9t3IKWyzuLD-4Q==> 

info at radiomarine.org | www.radiomarine.org 
<https://6e997tjab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001WMm_n6D4Db-KfWAqEEaUH8ifqx7BchaNBe-4Ac1uXNjStmyur4HTggkO56sqjESJ02vdRH7j8N7eA7EgjOanEB24apBCn7poKKmE7zhRsUlbFk-FZgTbG0PIN2h73xZI4WJji2q58KvBYnon_uUmLzZbnFye2HrT&c=a75EVLILInRT5MzYPjO25iD2GWejZsmrUd6DCbOVCyFx--P_Gtavig==&ch=TFLPTiSH7WlDosu7nQgFNlVYNshle7z3UnYBu0Wi9t3IKWyzuLD-4Q==> 

Maritime Radio Historical Society | PO Box 392| Point Reyes Station, CA 
94956 US

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