It's mid winter, atmospherics are low and you're snug in your radio room. What could be better than to hunt for MF signals? And HF too of course.
That's exactly the opportunity on offer this Saturday for our second mNoN. We announced this event in
Newsletter No. 54 so this will serve as a reminder. Don't miss out!
Plus remember - you're invited to join us at the receive site to sit the circuit at K6KPH and KSM (see below for details).
mNoN is a MF oriented event held in conjunction with the US and Canadian amateur stations experimenting in that part of the spectrum. Old timers know that 500kc and the associated working frequencies were the mainstay of maritime communications. These frequencies were constantly alive with the Morse signals of ships and powerful coast stations. For us at the MRHS it is not too much to say that these are sacred grounds
On 6 February 2016 Maritime Radio Historical Society station KSM will conduct a "mini Night of Nights" oriented specifically toward medium frequency transmissions. We will extend the KSM operating hours well into the evening to give as many listeners as possible the opportunity to hear our medium frequency signals. All our HF channels will be active as well. MRHS amateur station K6KPH will be guarding its usual channels for KSM signal reports and general contacts. Here are some details:
Time: Saturday operations will be as normal -
- KSM CW press begins at 1000pst/1800gmt
- KSM RTTY press and weather begins at 1100pst/1900gmt
- K6KPH operations begin at 1200pst/2000gmt
But - we usually close at about 1700pst/0100gmt but for mNoN both stations will remain operational until about 2100pst/0500 (7 February) gmt
Frequencies:
KSM CW (in kc):
426
500
4350.5
6474.0
8438.3
12993.0
16914.0
22445.8
K6KPH CW (in kc):
3550.0
7050.0
14050.0
18097.5
Numerous US medium frequency experimental stations will be active for this event. Canadian stations will be on the air too. Our ops will tune the MF band to see which of these we can monitor. We've recently upgraded our MF reception capabilities so we hope to snag even more stations than we did last time.
Check
HERE for more details from the ARRL amateur organization about the planned US and Canadian activities which will begin earlier than the MRHS operations.
MRHS Transmitter Supervisor Steve Hawes plans to be aboard
SS RED OAK VICTORY/KYVM using the ITT/Mackay radio console that he himself lovingly restored. Listen for KYVM on 500kc and 425kc exchanging traffic with KSM.
Steve Hawes at the controls of the main transmitter aboard SS AMERICAN VICTORY/KYVM
Why not join us at KSM to share the fun? You're invited to visit with us at the receive site,
17400 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in the Point Reyes National Seashore.
Receive site, 17400 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
The station telephone number is +1 415-669-9646 (answered only when the station is staffed).
Got a commercial radiotelegraph ticket? Sit the circuit at KSM and get your license endorsed as a coast station operator with our special endorsement stamp. Want to sit the circuit at K6KPH? No problem, no license required, just a working knowledge of Morse. It you have an amateur license bring that along and we'll endorse it for operation at K6KPH.
If you've read this far here's your reward: visit us and whisper the words "true believer" to be granted access to our special equipment storage area. We call it the Treasure Room.
> Morse operators - the MRHS Needs You!
The famous tree tunnel leading to the receive site has recently been widely advertised. That means we have been inundated with visitors every Saturday. We enjoy these visits and do our best to be good hosts. But with 12 transmitters on the air between KSM and K6KPH it's sometimes hard to provide hospitality to visitors on site and to callers on the air.
And that's where you come in.
Does the idea of spending a Saturday in beautiful West Marin making the mighty transmitters in Bolinas dance to your tune as stations from around the world vie for your attention? Of course it does. Silly question. So... what are you waiting for OM? Here's your chance. All you need to do is show up. Bring your key and 'phones or use ours. Full training on the operating consoles given. Then.. you're on your own, signing the famous K6KPH call sign.
We know we can depend on you in our time of need. See you soon!
> K6KPH Participation in National Parks On The Air
2016 is the 100th anniversary of what many call our greatest national treasure - the National Parks. In acknowledgement of the anniversary the ARRL, the national amateur radio organization, is conducting a year long special event called
National Parks on the Air.
We believe that K6KPH is the only amateur station permanently installed in a national park (if you know of another please let us know!). K6KPH will be participating in NPOTA through the end of 2016 during our usual Saturday operations on all our usual frequencies (see above).
Work Mike Payne and his sprightly 1918 Blue RacerThe NPOTA event has two participation tracks - Chasers and Activators. Chasers will simply attempt to make contact with operators in as many of the NPS units as possible. Activators will attempt to activate as many of the units as possible. NPOTA participants may serve in both roles. Chaser and Activator totals will be tracked via an online
Leader Board based on LoTW data, just as was done during the Centennial QSO Party.
Whether you're looking for a NPOTA contact or you just want to chat... give us a buzz!
> 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 any photo to be brought to the True Believers online store.
*A potential MRHS supporter has reported that hoodies are no longer listed in the MRHS on line store. We're working to correct that problem.
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Click on the images to go to the True Believers Store
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Just click on the images above to go to the MRHS True Believers store and browse our offerings. Thanks!
Thanks for reading this this latest update of what we're up to at the MRHS. We very much look forward to hearing you on the air or seeing you in person during the mini-Night of Nights. Until then we wish you the best of luck and fair winds & following seas.
73,
MRHS
