ARRL Medium-Wave Experimenters Sponsoring November Special Event

ARRL Medium-Wave Experimenters Sponsoring November Special Event

The 107th anniversary of the Berlin Treaty, which created the international distress frequency at 500 kHz, will be the occasion for a special event operation in that vicinity of the spectrum. The event, announced by ARRL Medium-Wave Experiment (WD2XSH) Coordinator Fritz Raab, W1FR, set for the November 13-14 weekend, will involve experimental operators in the US, Canadian Amateur Radio stations, and US heritage maritime stations.

"For US experimental ops, this will be a CW event," Raab said. "Some stations will run beacons with special messages, and some will offer special QSLs. Other stations will simulate maritime communication. They will call CQ on a designated calling frequency and then QSY to complete the QSO. Silent periods will be observed. Some stations will pass message traffic."

Activity for the special event will focus on 465 to 480 kHz and 495 to 510 kHz, since different licensees have different frequency authorizations, Raab explained. Designated calling frequencies are 475 kHz for the lower segment, and 500 kHz for the upper.

Raab said the Maritime Radio Historical Society (MRHS) will conduct a mini "Night of Nights" on Saturday night, with special attention to MF operation. "This will give listeners the best chance of copying their MF signals by operating during the winter and extending our operating hours well into the evening Pacific time," Raab said. MRHS Coast Station operstors KPH will keep 426 and 500 kHz active with messages and will verify listener reports.

Five Canadian amateurs are expected to operate in the 472-479 kHz band. "In addition to activities similar to those of the US experimental stations, the Canadian amateurs will conduct cross-band communication tests with amateurs operating on 80 and 40 meters," Raab said.

"All stations will either call CQ or send VVV marker beacons while listening on their respective QSX frequencies," Raab said. Stations will announce their listening frequencies. Read more.