The 2015 Christmas Eve transmission from SAQ, the Alexanderson alternator
station at the World Heritage Grimeton site in Sweden, elicited more than 350
reports, according to a preliminary accounting, many of them from hams. SAQ
transmits on 17.2 kHz.
The lion’s share of reports — nearly 160 — came
from Germany. Listeners in the US filed eight reports, with just five indicating
they actually heard SAQ.
“The transmission appears to be our best so
far,” said Lars Kalland, SM6NM, who distributed the report. Kjell Dahl, OH0KXJ,
reported hearing SAQ for the first time. “It is always a pleasure to listen this
CW melody on 17.2kHz,” commented Manu Aft, F5ROL.
The vintage station
began its holiday transmissions in 2006. Dating from the 1920s, the Alexanderson
alternator — essentially an ac alternator run at extremely high speed — can
put out 200 kW but typically is operated at less than one-half that power level.
Once providing reliable transatlantic communication, it is now a museum piece
and only put on the air on special occasions.
