Once upon a time a long time ago in a town far far away (San Diego) I was
the branch head in charge of SSIXS (Satellite Submarine Information
Systems) for FCDSSA (Fleet Combat Direction Systems Support Activity) SSIXS
is a message store and forward system that provides broadcast content to be
transmitted via Navy VHF/UHF SATCOM to be received by submarines at sea (Two
way capability.) SSIXS also provides one way broadcast message traffic to
the VLF keying site to send low data rate messages to submerged subs
trailing long wire antennas as deep as 60 ft. It is not at all unusual to
have these VLF transmissions received from nearly any location depending on
conditions and your receiving situation. Expect the transmissions to be
encrypted. Oh, by the way... The British Royal Navy has a version of our
software that we sold to them and maintain and they operate their own
transmission sites.
For more info I suggest Jane's.
Patrick AF5CK
-Original Message-
From: Jim Barber
Sent: Sunday, March 10, 2013 7:14 PM
Cc: Flex Radio
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Eham review - K1EL VLF Converter and its Use with
FlexRadios
Interesting.
Probably lots of silence and nav beepings out here on the west coast, tho.
73,
Jim N7CXI
On 3/10/2013 2:13 PM, Ken Alexander wrote:
Hi Terry,
There are sixteen longwave broadcast frequencies between 153 kHz and 279
kHz, spaced 9 kHz apart (except for 177 and 183, which have remained on
some older layout). Several of the stations are reasonably strong here in
Ontario (I'm in Newmarket) but less so than most shortwave broadcasters.
All stations broadcast in their local languages, so you'll only find
English on 198 kHz (BBC) and 252 kHz (Ireland).
When conditions are good and quiet (low K-Index) then the band wil open up
a little and you can hear multiple stations on each frequency and weaker
stations from eastern Europe and Russia fading in.
In addition to broadcasters there are Navtex weather broadcasts to
shipping on 518 kHz, and DGPS (differential GPS) stations that support
shipping navigation. There are time stations on 60 kHz and 77 kHz and
naval communications in encrypted digital modes down even lower.
I have had good luck with my Flex-1500 and a 500 kHz lowpass filter I
built to keep the mediumwave broadcasters out. I use a 6 ft diameter
active loop antenna, which provides good reception.
73,
Ken Alexander
VE3HLS
From: Terry Maurice
To: Lee Mushel
Cc: vtnn...@comcast.net; Flex Radio
Sent: Sunday, March 10, 2013 4:20:40 PM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Eham review - K1EL VLF Converter and its Use with
FlexRadios
Interesting, comments on the K1EL converter and its use with the Flex
radios.
A question for those who have listened on the VLF bands. Is there much in
the way of activity there, other than beacons? I know that these
frequencies are used in Europe for commercial broadcasting, but are these
signals receivable in North America other than in coastal areas?
Any comments would be appreciated.
Thanks
Terry
On 09/03/2013 14:46, Lee Mushel wrote:
Zack,
I certainly wish I had known about the K1EL a few years ago when I first
applied for membership in the "MF Experimental Group." I had one of the
first Flex5000As and I thought that with a resource like that plus
virtually unlimited space for an antenna that I would be able to make a
contribution to this effort. And I hurriedly put up a 1,500 ft.
beverage and assembled a 12 ft. dia. loop as well. As is indicated in
the review you mention, I slowly and painfully learned about things like
lack of sensitivity at low frequencies of the 5000A and what broadcast
band images were along with the nature of filters and a lot of other
"stuff" as well! I had put together K1ELs keyer but somehow had managed
to miss the existence of his converter! I do hope that your posting will
save a lot of fellows the pain I went through since 500 kHz surely isn't
anything like 80 meters!
73
Lee K9WRUWD2XSH-32
- Original Message - From:
To: "Flex Radio"
Sent: Saturday, March 09, 2013 12:45 PM
Subject: [Flexradio] Eham review - K1EL VLF Converter and its Use with
FlexRadios
Found an interesting review by K0OD about using the K1EL systems VLF
converter with a Flex-5000.
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/5541
K1EL http://www.k1el.com/
73
Zack
N8FNR
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