Trevor M5AKA

Attempt to make 500 kc an International Memorial Frequency

The Maritime Radio Historical Society (MRHS) is trying to get 500kc/s (500 kHz) designated as an International Memorial Frequency, with various countries enabled to issue coast station licenses for 500kc to museums and projects of historic preservation.

Richard Dillman, W6AWO of the MRHS provided the following report on the recent tests between KPH Point Reyes peninsula California and KLB Seattle on 500 kc/s (500 kHz).

Historic pictures of KPH can be seen at http://www.radiomarine.org/historic-1.html

73 Trevor M5AKA

The tests on MF between KLB and KPH were a great success. To quote CJ at KLB:

"The 500 Kcs test this afternoon was a resounding success, with KPH and KLBgiving each other QSA4 reports. KLB was running almost 1KW output with a pair of
4-400A's in the amp."

All credit goes to CJ for making this event possible. Not only did he completely rebuild the KLB MF transmitter, he installed a new MF antenna to replace the original which is long gone. CJ sent me some photos of the transmitter and tuning unit. The workmanship is excellent. So we offer CJ a tip of the KPH earphones for his work that reflects great credit upon him and upon the tradition of maritime Morse. Well done, OM.

At KPH we began MF operations a little after 4pm (Pacific time) by transmitting a series of test messages on 500kc (making sure to not trespass on the silent period). At a little before 5pm (the designated start of the event) I heard KLB calling. The signal was weak (it was still light out) but it was a thrill to hear him. What made it even better was that KLB was using A2 (modulated CW), something that hasn't been heard on 500kc in decades. In a later email he said you could have knocked him over with a feather when I came back to his first call.

During the following hour both stations sent test messages and we chatted back and forth about various things. During this period KLB's signals rose to QSA4 and he was hearing KPH about the same. At several points we switched to our working frequencies. First, KLB went to 488kc and we answered on 500kc. Later, during one of the silent periods, we went to 426kc and KLB used 488kc.

In addition to myself, Denice Stoops (first female telegrapher to be hired at KPH) was at the key. She was also operating KSM, which was running a wheel on HF, and keeping the KSM log on a mill. But she often threw the switch for KPH MF on her console to send lusty salvos of Morse with her chrome Vibroplex.

In the KPH test messages I announced the station phone number and requested listeners to call with signal reports. We got a total of nine calls, which Denice also handled. Many thanks to all who called.

All in all it was a wonderful evening. We are hoping to organize a MF event this winter in which several stations, ship stations as well as coast stations, may be one the air.

Let QRM return to 500kc!

VY 73,

Richard Dillman, W6AWO
Maritime Radio Historical Society
http://www.radiomarine.org
Collector of Harleys, Willys and
Radios over 100lbs.

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