Lars Kalland, SM6NM, at the SAQ Grimeton Heritage Site station in Sweden
issued a preliminary report on July 12, noting that 297 listener reports were
received, and most listeners were able to copy at least part of the July 3
“Alexanderson Day” commemorative transmissions on 17.2 kHz. The vast majority of
the reports were from Europe, but four listeners in the US were able to hear the
SAQ signal.
“Thanks again for the nice job to keep the old machine in perfect working
order,” said Jean Louis Descombes, F6BNL. “It is such a thrill to hear it on the
air!,” said John Collins, KN1H.
Dating from the 1900s, the Alexanderson alternator — essentially an ac
generator 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. It was built in the 1920s.
The station is managed by the
Grimeton World Heritage Foundation.
