Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog

Before my 2013 stroke, I enjoyed experimenting with VLF earth-mode, which anyone can enjoy.  In the UK OFCOM is not interested in licencing ...

This was the RX VLF loop antenna I used for my earth-mode tests when I was fit. It was tuned to the RX frequency that was usually about 8-9k...

Amateur operation at VLF is very different from commercial VLF. In order to be detectable with "back garden" antennas and amateur ...

 It’s some years since I did experiments at VLF. This was my first DX on 8.97kHz VLF.

Way back in 2010 (when I was fitter!) I used to enjoy going out to see how far away I could detect my VLF earth-mode beacon running 5W. The ...

Many people want to take a peek at what is on VLF. The problem is that many receivers do not tune that low. One answer is an upconverter so ...

 Before my stroke I really enjoyed experimenting with both ends of the spectrum. I quite enjoyed seeing how far I could get on VLF earth-mod...

Looking back over some of my old photos, I came across this photo of my 5W earth-mode VLF transmitter, that was last used over 10 years ago....

  This was 2011. It is a long time since I did experiments at sub-9kHz

Some years ago, I was quite keen on amateur radio below 9 kHz. I well remember people saying it was a waste of time and nobody would get bey...

At one time I was very active monitoring amateur radio below 10 kHz. Stations from all over Europe were decoded. I also used to regularly ru...

This very simple software RX by SM6LKM was found about 10 years ago. I think it has been developed further by others.

  This photo was taken some years ago. I think it shows my VLF E-field probe.  It is just possible it was the VLF loop pre-amp as they looke...

This was a photo from 5 years ago of the 5.17kHz loading coil at DF6NM . Some remarkable distances have been spanned by amateurs at these VL...

This photo was taken some years ago and shows the signal from G3XIZ on VLF at 45km. Notice the timescales - hours!! 

F5VLB has been received in Todmorden, UK by Paul Nicholson. Jean-Marie was using a 75m base earth-electrode antenna. Paul was integrating th...

This was the beacon TX I built for earth-mode tests at 8-9kHz. It can send either CW or QRSS at about 5W. It is some years since it has been...

The historic 17.2kHz VLF alternator CW TX that is a World Heritage Site and almost 100 years old is on the air tomorrow, December 24th with ...

In 2010 I managed to see DK7FC on 8.970kHz using my earth-electrode antenna in the ground. Notice this took hours! Just a faint line. After...

In days past, I managed a fair bit of success with VLF earth-mode. This is a form of VLF communication that many can enjoy. Gear can be simp...