> Headlines
o Night of Nights 2013 - Provisional Frequency List
o Maintenance Report - Transmitter 298 Almost Ready!
o Field Day Message from K6KPH - Times & Frequencies
o MRHS Tries Twitter
o KPH Marconi Atalanta Receiver - The Rest of the Story
o The Geisel Chronicles, Part IV
o Archivists Corner
o Operations Report
> Night of Nights 2013 - Provisional Frequency List
Night of Nights 2013 is coming up next month on 12 July. As we mentioned in Newsletter No. 36, you're invited to join us on the air or in person at the RCA receive site at Point Reyes, CA (details below).
Here's the first provisional frequency list of the stations we'll be originating from the Bolinas transmitter site that evening:
KPH:
4247.0
6477.5
8642.0
12808.5
17016.8
22477.5
KFS:
17026.0
12695.5
KSM:
TBD
Note: It's possible that other coast stations will join us on the air. Information about this will be supplied in future Newsletters.
> Maintenance Report - Transmitter 298 Almost Ready!
by Bob Dildine, H Set Crew
Faithful readers will doubtless recall the dramatic saga documented in these pages of the restoration of RCA T-3 transmitter 298 (known as an H set) at Bolinas. If you can't recall the details about this magnificnet transmitter and the heroic restoration effort that has gone into it we recommend a review of Newsletters No. 30, No. 28, No.11, and No. 10.
Last Saturday the H Set Crew found and corrected some of the last small problems. Now comes Mr. Bob Dildine of to tell us what took place.
Bob, Greg, Larry, and Stan went out to Bolinas Saturday, June 15. Bob and Larry investigated the backwave problem and traced it to an intermittent grounding connection on the suppressor grid of the 6AU6 that keys the carrier in the 2.8 Mc converter. It had been grounded by a short wire from the tube socket pin to the center post of the 7-pin socket which was then grounded to the chassis by another short wire. The wire from the suppressor pin had just been tacked on and had broken loose resulting in an intermittent connection. We soldered it back and all was well.
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1959 RCA H-Set Restoration at Bolinas #4
Listen to the pure note of Transmitter 298 after Saturday's fix |
We then connected the transmitter to the 22 Mc antenna that enters the building on the south side (22395) set the frequency to the KSM assignment at 22.4458 Mc and tried to tune the transmitter. But we noticed both RF ammeters (0-5 amps) pinned with very little plate current, indicating a low impedance being reflected back to the transmitter.
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1959 RCA H-Set Restoration at Bolinas #3
Here's how 298 sounded before the fix |
We had previously loaded up on this antenna successfully even though we know the outer ends of the two lower collinear elements are detached from the support poles and are hanging straight down. So there appears to be another problem with this antenna but it was late in the day and we didn't have time to go out in the antenna field and investigate.
Another 22 Mc antenna (22557, entering on the north side of the building and currently unused) is also available and is known to tune properly with its window box and it was decided to use this antenna for the H-set until 22395 can be repaired. But there is no open-wire line running across the transmitter gallery from this antenna that we can use. So plans are to go out again on June 29 to run a line from this antenna to the H-set. There is space and we'll probably transfer one of the unused lines at the west end of the gallery to this open space.
Our goal is to have the H-set on the air for Night of Nights.
That's it for this time.
Bob.
We know we needn't mention that Bob and the rest of the H Set Crew are volunteers - as are all of us. They support The Cause with their skill, knowledge and pocketbooks when parts need to be purchased.
We also know that if they could, many Newsletter readers would join us of a Saturday to pitch in. If you can't manage that maybe you can help financially. It;s easy. Just click on the yellow button!
Help us keep the flame alive. Support the MRHS!
> Field Day Message From K6KPH - Times & Frequencies
Field Day is the ARRL's most popular amateur radio event. This year the dates will be Saturday and Sunday June 22/23. For the last several years K6KPH, the amateur station of the MRHS has been a West Coast outlet for the Field Day message using both Morse and digital modes. Participating stations can earn extra points for copying the Field Day message.
Newsletter readers have written to ask for details of the Field Day message from K6KPH, how we do it and for details on the times, frequencies and modes. Now comes Mr. Steve Hawes of the MRHS Transmitter Department to explain all.
Since we are operating from the transmitter plant of ex-RCA Maritime Coast station KPH, we have lots of transmitters available, and just about enough antennas available to do everything simultaneously. For example, on a typical Saturday, we can operate our commercial coast station KSM on 500/426kc, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16 and 22MHz on CW, and on 6, 8 and 12MHz for RTTY/SITOR, AND at the same time operate K6KPH on 3.5, 7, 14, 18 and 21MHz CW.
The only thing I can't do simultaneously with the above normal Saturday sked is the K6KPH RTTY on 7 and 14MHz since that uses the same transmitters/antennas as KSM RTTY - but fortunately for Field Day on Saturday I have a couple of hours to retune things after the KSM RTTY/SITOR broadcast ends.
So here is the K6KPH FD schedule:
The CW bulletin on Saturday at 0730 and 1730 Pacific time, and Sunday at 0730 Pacific time is on all K6KPH frequencies simultaneously. (Note that normal day-to-day K6KPH CW op is on 3550, 7050, 14050 and 21050kc. For FD and the ARRL Code Proficiency broadcasts we move those transmitters to the same frequencies as W1AW uses, as shown in the schedule bulletin. The 18097.5 stays on that W1AW freq all the time.)
The K6KPH Digital bulletins are sent Saturday at 1830 Pacific time and Sunday at 0930 Pacific time. The Digital bulletins are sent as follows, on 7095 and 14095 simultaneously: Callup on 45 Baud Baudot (RTTY), at the end of that the carrier will drop and I will start the AMTOR bulletin with a shorter callup, then following that, the PSK31 bulletin and then the MFSK16 bulletin.
The bulletin texts are identical (although since the PSK and MFSK can handle the entire ASCII character set, sometimes there are lower case and symbols in those that can't be sent in RTTY or AMTOR). Each mode segment ends with an announcement of what the next mode will be, and all the modes after RTTY start with a shorter callup - since you should already be tuned in and "just" have to change your decoder program to the new mode.
All transmissions from K6KPH in digital modes use 1kW transmitter power output, although PSK because of its envelope shape gives a reading of about 600W on the tx power meter. These are commercial (Henry) transmitters used in the last years of KPH maritime service, ending in 1997, and are rated for 5kW output, so we have backed them off for K6KPH use.
73,
Steve Hawes WB6UZX
Transmitter Department
Maritime Radio Historical Society KSM, K6KPH
> MRHS Tries Twitter
A Newsletter reader has urged us to try using Twitter as a way to quickly send information about KSM and K6KPH operations. While we have to wonder how many True Believers, steeped as they are in details of ancient technology, are users of Twitter we decided to give it a try.
We thought that information like "KSM 8Mc transmitter off air" or "K6KPH now guarding all channels for calls" might be useful. If you agree and would like to help us the concept you can follow us at @Radiomarine. If you're not a Twitter user you can sign up for free at https://twitter.com/
As always we value your comments. Is this a useful asset or a giant wedge of bumph? Please let us know what you think by sending an email to info@radiomarine.org.
> KPH Marconi Atalanta Receiver - The Rest of the Story
Back in Newsletter No. 9 we related the dramatic saga of two Marconi Atalanta receivers. An Atlanta had been in use at KPH Position 1 but was not to be found. We purchased another to stand in for the original KPH unit. Then we obtained the original!
 |
| The original KPH Atalanta as discovered in the basement of an undisclosed location. |
Now comes Mr. Ray Smith, Senior Morse Operator at KPH, to tell us the rest of the story of the KPH Atalanta:
Just a brief note to shed more light on the Marconi Atlanta.
It was acquired by KPH from WCC back in the sixties, when manager FG inquired of Cape Cod if they had any equipment surplus, and whether it could be given to KPH for our use. They had the Marconi and also a Collins 51J that they were not using so these items were shipped to KPH for our use
It took a while to learn how to use the Atlanta to best advantage (some of the operators never learned to use it) but turned out to be a fine addition to our inventory until at a later time we acquired the Watkins Johnsons, but that's a whole different story.
Guess it's time to start working on part 5 of the FG saga eh?
I'll start right away, 73 de RC
The Geisel Chronicles Part IV - The War Years
by Ray Smith
As war broke out in the USA following the events at Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7th 1941, numerous vessels in and around the Hawaiian Islands, started sending distress calls on the international distress frequency 600 meters. These calls were recorded in logs kept at the station for many years, and later saved by FG. I cannot say what happened to them afterwards, but as far as I know they may still be in the hands of FG's family heirs.
In any case (as Frank would say) shortly after a state of emergency was declared, Station KPH was closed by order of the Federal Government, just as it had been upon our entry into WW I. It didn't seem to matter much since strict radio silence was to be observed by all correspondents on the open ocean anyway.
Numerous charter vessels of various types continued to carry urgently needed war materials. The stations at Mussel Rock (KTK) and Palo Alto Radio (KFS) continued their on air service at this time under stringent controls set in place by the Federal Government. This condition remained in place throughout the entire war period, 1941-1945.
Meanwhile a skeleton staff of former KPH operators including FG and HZ (Harold Zimmer) were occupied in installing and calibrating Radio DF equipment then being placed aboard newly minted ships coming off the assembly plants in the Bay Area. Shipyards such as the Kaiser yards at Richmond, and others at Sausalito and South San Francisco, were churning out ships at the rate of 2 or 3 every week. This kept FG & HZ (with the assistance of Wayne Helfer. Frank would remain aboard the new vessel while Wayne & Harold rowed around the vessel calibrating and calling out the various bearings of the DF Set on board.
As soon as the war ended it became evident that the services of KPH would be urgently needed once again to provide help in handling the immense traffic files being developed from the thousands of returning service men who were anxious to reunite with their families. Troop transports with several thousands of returning soldiers and sailors needed to let their families know of their impending arrival.
I've talked with some of the operators who were active during this time and they say it was not unusual to have a transport call in with QTC 80 or QTC 50 and in some cases they would work that same vessel for the entire duration of their 8 hour shift and then hand it over to their relieving operator to complete the remainder of the traffic. It must have been chaos to say the least. But very good for business.
Meanwhile the situation was further complicated by the fact that the stations former property at Marshall had been sold and a new location was needed for the return to normal operation. Hence the makeshift facilities which were put in place at the former lunchroom and visitors waiting area at the RS Point to Point receiving site. This was difficult but not impossible for the intrepid operators of station KPH as they strove to return the station to its former glory. It took some time, but despite numerous difficulties this was eventually accomplished due to the combined efforts of many multi talented people, who had time on their hands because of the gradual decline of the point to point business. For example the lucrative Tokyo circuits handled as a minimum 4 to 6 thousand messages every 24 hours but the messages handled by KPH operators were vitally important too, and profitable as well.
Next time Part V, KPH enters the era of cable and Satellite competition. and clings to life as technology overwhelms it. The Viet Nam era presents many difficulties as well.
73 DE RC
> Archivists Corner
by Carola DeRooy
Archivist, C.A. & Museum Collections Manager
Point Reyes National Seashore
Following the 1969 Apollo 11 mission to the moon, Bill Hayton was honored by NASA with this little gem of recognition including a commemorative coin struck from parts of the spacecraft.He was recognized for his "role as an active participant on the team that engineered, designed, implemented, and operated the Manned Space Flight and NASCOM networks in such a manner that the almost impossible task of supporting the Apollo 11 mission - the first landing of man on the lunar surface and his safe return to earth- was made to appear routine."
For a .pdf of the document presented to Bill
Click HERE
> Operations Report by Richard Dillman
Operations Departmet
Station Particulars:
KSM transmits on 426, 500, 4350.5, 6474.0, 8438.3, 12993.0, 16914.0 and 22445.8kc CW,
6328.0, 8433.0 and 12631.0kc RTTY.
K6KPH guards 3550.0, 7050.0. 14050.0, 18097.5 and 21050.0kc
Station contact: Phone +1 415-669-9646 (answered only when station is on the air)
Email KSM@radiomarine.org
Hours of operation: 1000 to 1600 Pacific time Saturdays
K6KPH:
06-08
1909 On watch
2114 K6ETM KSM report but QSA1/1 (18)
2120 AL7N QRU (14)
2122 K6ETM KSM Report QRM (14)
2136 WD8DAS Steve Madison WI (14)
2144 KC7AC Howars Tucson (14)
2150 WA7KBN/P Ken BC ex-VAI running 5W QSA4 (14)
2257 W8IM QSA0/1
06-15
1848 On Watch BL advises 3.5 unavailable
2045 BL takes transmitters for CPQR
2100 CPQR Begins 2200 Transmitters returned
2218 AL7N QRU (14)
KSM
6-8
1909 On watch, PX in progress from BL
1910 Assume keying, wheel
1954 BL advises MF/12/16 off line
2000 MF/12/16 returned to service
2100 Traffic list out
2104 Time tick obtained
2130 High seas weather out
2300 Closing message
6-15
1848 On watch PX in progress from BL
1856 Time tick obtained
1901 Assume keying, wheel
2101 Traffic list out
2124 BL takes 22 for H set tune up
130 High seas WX out
2300 Closing message
> MRHS Merchandise
Support the MRHS and look cool at the same time. Such a deal! We've got hats, mugs, T shirts, belt buckles and bumper stickers, all with variations of the MRHS logo. Get a hat and mug for yourself and a put yourself in solid with the XYL by getting her a MRHS hoodie.
Just click on the images above to go to the MRHS True Believers store and browse our offerings. Thanks!
Until next time we wish you fair winds and following seas.
VY 73/88
MRHS
