SAQ , Sweden

SAQ is a 17.2 kHz CW alternator TX at Grimeton in Sweden. It is the oldest alternator TX in the world at about 100 years old. They have test transmissions with the next one scheduled for Christmas Eve. It is a good test of VLF receive setups. It is usually widely heard in Europe, and sometimes further.

See https://alexander.n.se/en/the-radio-station-saq-grimeton/saq-transmissions/ .

SAQ transmission Wednesday

M0NYW VLF converter

I am told by Jason M0NYW that there is a special transmission of the historic VLF alternator transmitter SAQ on 17.2 kHz CW. This is a good chance to test your VLF system. This TX is about 100 years old! Jason has made an excellent job of his VLF converter (see photo).

See https://alexander.n.se/en/saq-scheduled-to-air-on-november-16th-2022/ .

SAQ transmission - tomorrow

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 a special message. They will QSL. 

I am a proud possessor of a rare QSL card from them many years ago. I think this was with my VLF converter and loop antenna. I thought this converter was on my website, but it seems to be missing. I shall add it later. For now, see this page.

There is a very good software RX on my video channel. This with a simple antenna and small preamp connected to the PC sound card is all you need. 

The whole thing is being live streamed on YouTube I believe.

See https://alexander.n.se/en/ .

See also the software VLF receiver by SM6LKM on my video channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDxRhQYg7lQ .

UPDATE 1635z: The VLF up-converter should now be available via my G3XBM website (added today).

Next SAQ (17.2kHz CW) test transmission

Next Sunday, this historic alternator TX is transmitting for Alexanderson Day on July 4th. I have a QSL card somewhere from them for a transmission many years ago. This is a good chance to test your VLF system.

See https://alexander.n.se/category/news/?lang=en .

See https://sites.google.com/site/sm6lkm/saqrx/ .

SAQ Christmas VLF CW transmission cancelled

There was a posting on the SAQ website saying that their Christmas Eve transmission on 17.2kHz CW has been cancelled. See their website. Hopefully better next year. This is often a good time to test your VLF system.

See https://alexander.n.se/the-radio-station-saq-grimeton/saq-transmissions/?lang=en

A very simple PC based receiver for SAQ and VLF is available from SM6LKM. This is simple to install and works very well. I installed it years ago. There may be even better ones around now. You now have more time!

See https://sites.google.com/site/sm6lkm/saqrx/

Looks like there are even better RXs! I have not yet tried this one.

See http://www.dl1dbc.net/SAQ/

SAQ QSL card

Many years ago I got a QSL card from SAQ in Sweden for successfully copying the historic alternator VLF TX on 17. 2kHz CW. 

This QSL card is very special. 

I am unsure what I used for the RX, probably my homebrew upconverter although there are several options nowadays.

See also https://sites.google.com/site/sm6lkm/saqrx/

SAQ (17.2kHz CW) reminder

On October 24th there will be a transmission from the historic SAQ in Sweden. Quite a few test their VLF systems with this. I have a QSL card from them from a transmission several years ago. It is on my shack wall.

See https://alexander.n.se/category/news/?lang=en

SAQ (17.2kHz CW)

SAQ is an historic VLF CW transmitter on 17.2kHz that was first fully operational in 1924! The next transmission is scheduled for Sunday July 5th 2020 and they do QSL. It is a good chance to try your VLF kit. There are some ideas on my websites. One of their QSL cards is a prize possession on my wall. The transmitter is based on an alternator.

See https://sites.google.com/site/sub9khz/software
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vlf/vlfconv
See https://alexander.n.se/the-radio-station-saq-grimeton/saq-transmissions/?lang=en
See http://www.dl1dbc.net/SAQ/

SAQ VLF CW (17.2kHz)

On December 24th (Christmas Eve) there is usually a special transmission from this historic alternator transmitter in Sweden. I am pretty sure they are not doing QSL cards this time.

See https://alexander.n.se/the-radio-station-saq-grimeton/saq-transmissions/?lang=en

SAQ - Dec 24th transmission

The heritage VLF alternator transmitter on 17.2kHz CW in Sweden has a special transmission on December 24th. See their website for more details. Somewhere I have a QSL card for a transmission some years ago. You amy want to consider this PC receiver. It works very well.

See https://grimeton.org/event/?lang=en

SAQ (17.2kHz) VLF - no transmission Oct 24th

If you were listening for the special UN Day CW transmission from the historic alternator VLF 17.2kHz TX SAQ you would have been disappointed as it did not happen. They hit a problem, so the transmission had to be abandoned. I think they are trying to find out what the problem is.

Somewhere I have a QSL card for a transmission about 10 years ago.

SAQ VLF (17.2kHz CW) transmission TODAY

A few times a year, the historic VLF alternator TX is fired up. Today is one of those rare times.

See  https://alexander.n.se/the-radio-station-saq-grimeton/saq-transmissions/?lang=en

SAQ VLF transmission missed

Earlier today there was a CW transmission from SAQ on 17.2kHz. This uses an alternator TX and broadcasts heritage transmissions a few times a year. Years ago, I received a QSL card from SAQ for one of their transmissions. If, like me, you missed today's transmission you may like to look at this video of today's transmission.

See https://youtu.be/shqi43EV07c .

SAQ (VLF) transmission today

An earlier transmission on 17.2kHz CW from the historic Alexanderson transmitter at Grimeton, Sweden was well received in Italy. I cannot remember if there is another transmission later.

SAQ (17.2kHz CW) transmissions July 1st 2018

To celebrate Alexanderson Day on July 1st 2018, there will be several transmissions from the historic radio station SAQ (VLF) on that day. There will also be special event stations active on several amateur bands. I think QSL cards will be available. I have one from many years ago.

See http://alexander.n.se/the-radio-station-saq-grimeton/saq-transmissions/?lang=en

SAQ (17.2kHz VLF CW)

SAQ the historic alternator VLF TX was on the air yesterday from Grimeton in Sweden. Paul Nicholson in Todmorden, UK made a complete recording.

Guess who totally forgot?!

See http://78.46.38.217/saq-180501.mp3

SAQ (17.2kHz VLF CW) on air May 1st 2018

Apparently, the historic alternator CW VLF station SAQ Grimeton, Sweden, is being fired up on May 1st. This is the first time since 2016. I have a QSL card from them, which came many years ago.

See http://alexander.n.se/?lang=en

SAQ VLF transmission tomorrow?

It looks like there is a VLF CW transmission on 17.2kHz tomorrow.

See http://alexander.n.se/seek-you-for-peace/?lang=en

SAQ transmission cancelled

Southgate News reports that the upcoming SAQ CW transmission on 17.2kHz VLF CW has been cancelled due to ongoing maintenance work.  This signal is often a good one to try if testing your VLF system. It is much harder receiving amateur VLF signals.

Often these transmissions result in a QSL card for reports. I have one from years ago.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/may/saq-transmission-cancelled.htm#.WS2KmrpFzIU

SAQ (17.2kHz) VLF

Southgate News reports that there was a successful transmission this last Christmas. There was some doubt due to a fire earlier in the year. I did not try to copy them this year. My VLF converter may be used to copy them. I have a QSL card from them from years ago.

See http://alexander.n.se/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/SUMMARY-REPORT-ON-SAQ-TRANSMISSION-CHRISTMAS-2016-12-24-1.pdf for a summary report.

See also https://sites.google.com/site/sm6lkm/saqrx/ for a very good software RX. On my You Tube channel (G3XBM) there is a video of this in use.