Trans-Pacific Canadian amateur LF signals confirmed heard

The first confirmed trans-Pacific reception of Canadian amateur LF (2200m) signals occured on the morning of October 4, 2005.

The slow speed (QRSS) CW signals of VA7LF were confirmed heard near Wellington, New Zealand, at the Wellington Amateur Radio Club station at Quartz Hill.

Signals from the ZM2E club station were heard in Canada as well but propagtion was not of sufficient duration to enable a QSO to be completed.

VA7LF was located on South Pender Island, British Columbia and operated by VE7TIL, VE7SL and VE7MM. The Quartz Hill station was manned by ZL2CA and ZL4OL.

The present amateur radio LF world record two-way is shared by ZM2E and UA0LE, a distance of 10,311 km. The distance between VA7LF and ZM2E is approximately 11,700 km.

Both stations were operated on 137 kHz using DFCW QRSS120. VA7LF was running approximately 1 watt erp while ZM2E was at the 5W erp level. Propagation conditions were generally poor during the three night test period.

The next scheduled trans-Pacific tests will be in the spring of 2006. As Bob Vernall, ZL2CA, summarized, "The bottle of bubbly is back in the cellar.."

(Thanks to Steve, VE7SL)

Source: Radio Amateurs of Canada

Other recent stories..

Other News Stories

• Get our news headlines for your website - click here
• Submit your news story - click here