This was my copy of a VLF amateur signal from Germany 🇩🇪 on 8.97kHz with my earth-electrode antenna in the ground in 2011.
6 Feb 2025
5 Feb 2025
VLF transmitter
Looking through some old photos I came across this one of my VLF transmitter that was used for earth-mode tests though the ground.
It produced about 5W and my best DX (before my stroke intervened!) was about 6km. Much further would have been possible.
Since my stroke, I have been unable to continue my VLF tests. It is still on my shelf.
16 Aug 2024
VLF Earth Mode
Years ago I kept a blog of my exploits. I hope you can get some ideas here.
See https://sites.google.com/site/sub9khz/vlf-using-earth-mode/g3xbm-earth-mode-blog .
25 Mar 2024
VLF RX loop
As I recall, it was about 30 turns of 0.2mm PVC covered wire.
It is still in the back of the garage, I think. It is many years since I did any tests at VLF.
4 Mar 2024
Amateur VLF
Some years ago I was quite active on amateur VLF. On TX I experimented with 5W earth-mode and on radiated VLF I concentrated on RX and copied several Europeans below 10kHz. The photo shows G3XIZ (45km) although I regularly spotted German stations at far greater range.
Antennas were an 80m loop or my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground at home and a portable multi-turned tuned loop or earth electrodes in the ground out portable. Out portable, the loop on the ground was the most successful.
6 Feb 2024
11 Dec 2023
VLF earth-mode experiments 2010
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 furthermost I got was 6km, but much further would have been possible with more power and a larger baseline. Indeed, if the power is increased and the baseline larger I know of one station that has been received 100s of kilometers away. The RX station was able to detect the radiated component that was probably just microwatts. Earth-electrode "antennas" have been used successfully on radiated tests at even lower frequencies with remarkable ranges being covered.
9 Oct 2023
VLF upconverter
For amateur VLF signals, this is extremely unlikely to be useful as VLF amateur signals need great frequency accuracy, extremely narrow bandwidths and long integration periods measured in hours or days.
For VLF utility stations this upconverter will be useful.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vlf/vlf-converter
14 Aug 2023
2011 VLF memories
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-mode through the ground. This was a Facebook memory from 2011.
21 Apr 2023
VLF earth-mode TX
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.
It would be good to do some more experiments in the future, if my health allows.
2 Apr 2023
4 Mar 2023
Sub 9 kHz DX
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 beyond the garden fence. How wrong they were!! Some quite remarkable distances have been spanned.
Although for radiated DX below 9 kHz very big antennas are needed for TX, on RX some tiny antennas can work perfectly well such as an E field probe which is tiny. What is needed is very high stability and very narrow bandwidths, usually achieved by locking to a VLF MSK signal or GPS. Some years ago DJ8WX was spotted by locking to a VLF MSK signal (see photo). All this was possible with free software. Sometimes it is necessary for signals to be integrated for hours or even days.
It is some years since I have experimented at real VLF.
6 Feb 2023
Sub 9kHz amateur radio
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 run a website dedicated to amateur experiments at the very low frequencies. Some remarkable distances were spanned.
To TX, very big antennas are needed. For RX an E-field probe, which is tiny, is very effective. Extremely accurate frequency control is essential. This is usually achieved by GPS locking or locking to a VLF MSK signal, which is what I did. Bandwidths are measured in uHz. Timescales are measured in hours or even days! Casual listening is extremely unlikely to result in success, except perhaps by earth-mode over much shorter ranges.
Since my 2013 stroke, I have not been active below 10 kHz. Experiments continue and keen amateurs are still knocking on the boundaries and achieving what many thought was impossible.
The photo shows my reception of DK7FC in 2011. In more recent times he has been testing on ever lower frequencies and with earth-electrode antennas.20 Sept 2022
Software VLF RX
This very simple software RX by SM6LKM was found about 10 years ago. I think it has been developed further by others.
28 Aug 2022
VLF E-field probe?
12 Mar 2022
5.17kHz loading coil
3 Mar 2022
G3XIZ sub 10kHz
This photo was taken some years ago and shows the signal from G3XIZ on VLF at 45km. Notice the timescales - hours!!
6 Feb 2022
French amateur success on 8.27kHz
F5VLB has been received in Todmorden, UK by Paul Nicholson. Jean-Marie was using a 75m base earth-electrode antenna. Paul was integrating the signal which had to remain stable for a very long time (days). This is, I am sure, the first reception of a French amateur outside France below 10kHz. Huge congratulations to both stations. This is a result of hard work by both.
10 Jan 2022
VLF beacon TX
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 used. A range of 6km was the best I achieved by utilities assisted earth-mode.
I don't think it has ever been used at this QTH and we moved here in 2013! My stroke rather stopped field work sadly. I would like to do more, but fear this will not be possible. I am sure much further would be achievable.
Interesting that earth-electrodes of sufficient size combined with plenty of power have been used in radiated sub-10kHz tests.
23 Dec 2021
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.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).