KGGF’s Old-Time Christmas Radio Drama and Music!

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, James Copeland (KDØICP), who writes:

Hi Thomas,

Hope you are doing well. A few years ago, I sent you a story about radio dramas we were doing on my college radio station, KSDB in Manhattan, KS. Well, I’m now working at KGGF in Coffeyville, KS, continuing the tradition on this heritage AM station.

Earlier this month, we broadcast a community Christmas program to benefit our local theater in town that is being restored. The broadcast featured two old-time radio dramas and local music. Coffeyville, KS is a small town with a population under 9,000, but it has one of the oldest and largest radio stations in the area. 10 KW day and 5 KW night on 690 kHz. I thought some in your audience might enjoy trying to tune in Christmas morning at 8 a.m. CST for the rebroadcast of the program. A link for more information and the audio as well is available here:

https://kggfradio.com/local-news/721426

For those who are interested in the technical details of the broadcast, I used two ribbon mics and the main microphones, an RCA 77-DX and an RCA BK-11. The room acoustics proved to be a bit of a challenge with the final mix, but the whole thing was live with no edits and while it was far from perfect, I think the genuine nature of the community program shines through. The signal was sent to the station using a VHF Marti remote pickup unit. This particular recording was made at the station.

Also, if your readers are interested in submitting QSL reports, I would be glad to answer them. We usually get a few throughout the year, and I especially enjoyed a report early this year from some of the serious DXers in Norway!

Merry Christmas and 73!

James Copeland, KDØICP

Many thanks, James, for sharing this here on the SWLing Post. We all love a good radio production! It’s brilliant that you’ve brought this tradition to Coffeyville, KS!

I’ve also linked to the audio file of the broadcast below:

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WI2XLQ: 2023 Fessenden Event on 486kHz starting Christmas Eve!

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Brian (WA1ZMS), who shares the following announcement. Please spread the word:

As in years past, Brian, WA1ZMS of Forest, VA will have FCC Part 5 station WI2XLQ QRV starting appox. 21:00 UTC on Dec 24th for the now annual Fessenden Event. Transmissions will last for at least 24hrs. A repeat will take place again on Dec 31st also starting appox. 21:00 UTC and run for 24hrs. All transmissions will consist only of the two Christmas songs claimed to have been played by Fessenden himself on his violin, as well as a brief Bible verse. WI2XLQ’s voice ID and transmission description is via computer generated voice.

Heising & Fessenden

While the story of Fessenden’s alleged first voice transmissions using an Alexanderson alternator on Dec 24th and Dec 31st has never been proven to have taken place the way the now-legendary story claims; early in Dec of that year Fessenden did demonstrate AM voice transmissions over just a few miles for the US Navy. So some credit is due to his early pioneering work of human speech via RF rather than the typical spark generated CW of the time.

MOPA Transmitter front

WI2XQL uses a slightly more modern home-brew 1920’s era Amateur-grade MOPA transmitter (based on a UV201 oscillator and UV202 final) and a high power linear FET amplifier. The MOPA also uses true AM Heising modulation as was first done in WW1 for the US military.

MOPA TX inside

So set-up your long-wire antennas and with a simple modern SDR or a vintage MF RX, give a listen for WI2QXL. SWL reports can be sent to [email protected] and e-mail confirmation of reports will follow. Audio samples of what you heard are also welcomed.

73,
-Brian, WA1ZMS

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SAQ transmission scheduled for Christmas Eve morning

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SAQ antenna tower #1 with its tuning coil. (Photo source: The Alexander association)

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Kris (G8AUU), who shares the following announcement from SAQ:

SAQ transmission scheduled for Christmas Eve morning, Dec. 24th

On Christmas Eve morning, Sunday December 24th 2023, SAQ Grimeton is scheduled* to be on the air, to send out the traditional Christmas message to the whole world, using the 200kW Alexanderson alternator from 1924, on 17.2 kHz CW.

Program and transmission schedule:
08:00 CET (07:00 UTC): The transmitter hall at World Heritage Grimeton is opened for visitors.

Transmission & YouTube Live stream:
08:25 CET (07:25 UTC): Live stream on YouTube begins.
08:30 CET (07:30 UTC): Startup and tuning of the Alexanderson Alternator SAQ.
09:00 CET (08:00 UTC): Transmission of a message from SAQ.

Test transmissions
We are planning to carry our some test transmissions on Friday, December 22nd, approximately between 13:00 CET (12:00 UTC) and 16:00 CET (15:00 UTC). SAQ will be on the air shorter periods of time during this interval, when we will be carrying out some tests and measurements. Your comments are welcome to [email protected].

Live Video from World Heritage Grimeton Radio Station
The event can be seen live on our YouTube Channel or by following the link below.

Live video from World Heritage Grimeton Radio Station, scheduled at 08:25 CET (07:25 UTC) on December 24th, 2023

QSL Reports to SAQ
QSL reports to SAQ are most welcome and appreciated!

For guaranteed E-QSL from us, please report using our ONLINE QSL FORM.

We can not guarantee that reports by Email / mail / bureau will be confirmed.
The online form will be open from December 24th, 2023 until January 14th, 2024.

Amateur Radio Station SK6SAQ
The Amateur Radio Station with the call “SK6SAQ” will be QRV on the following frequencies:
– 3517.2 kHz CW
– 7017.2 kHz CW
– 14017.2KHz CW
– 3755 kHz SSB
– 7140 kHz SSB

QSL-reports to SK6SAQ (NOT SAQ) are kindly received via:
– Email to [email protected]
– or via: SM bureau
– or direct by postal mail (link to address here)Two stations will be on the air most of the time.

Visiting World Heritage Grimeton Radio Station
Visitors are most welcome to World Heritage Grimeton Radio Station on Christmas morning, Dec 24th. The doors to the transmitter hall will open at 08:00 CET.
Pre-booking is recommend. Get your free entrance ticket here.
We will offer all visitors free coffee with Christmas buns and ginger snaps.

Read more about the event on World Heritage Grimeton Radio Station Facebook page.

Click here to continue reading and for links to support the good work at the SAQ station!

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Peter is impressed with the 2024 World Radio and TV Handbook

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Peter Luskey, who writes:

My new WRTH 2024 arrived from Germany on.the Radiodata earlybird program through their USA package fulfillment agent on Wednesday, 20 Dec. 2024, undamaged in excellent shape through USPS priority mail. This is the earliest date in the season that I have ever received my annual copy.

Editorially it seems to be a fine job, with a larger typeface in the front feature material and a slightly smaller but highly readable sans serif typeface in the balance of the book. The book actually contains more material than last year’s edition, despite being 816 pages in length, 32 pages fewer than last year.

Of particular interest is the greatly expanded SW broadcasting frequency list, which now indicates broadcasting days of the week and times of day divided by language, transmitter site and target area. All of the features from last year have been retained, including MW AM frequency lists for all major regions of the world, including North America, and the FM lists are now split by state or province for many countries, including the USA and Canada. They are again offering a digital edition updated every day, at a charge discounted for owners of a printed copy.

I am delighted by both the expanded content and the speed and quality of the shipment, and recommend that broadcasting DXers of every part of the spectrum consider either or both the print and digital editions.

Peter Luskey

Click here to order a copy of WRTH 2024 or check out the WRTH home page.

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KBS Shortwave Frequency and Time Change Notice

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia, who shares the following news from KBS:

Shortwave Frequency & Time Change Notice

Due to a technical issue, KBS WORLD Radio’s English Service will make an inevitable adjustment in the shortwave frequency and time as follows as of January 1, 2024. We ask for your kind understanding. Please send your listener feedback to English Service via email, snail mail, website and social media as always. Thank you.

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Happy Holiday Festive Shortwave

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Hi all SWLing Post Community, FastRadioBurst 23 and all The Imaginary Stations crew, wish you a great festive season and send our best wishes to all for 2024! This week we’ve an Imaginary Stations Winter Special going out to Europe via Shortwave Gold on Sunday 24th December 2023 at 1000/1400 hrs UTC on 6160 kHz and then on 3975 kHz at 2100 UTC. Pour yourself an egg nog if that’s your tipple of choice, tune in and enjoy the festive tunes.

Then on early Monday 25th December we have a show from deep within the Radio Thrift Shop archives, a Winter Holiday Special. Tune in at 0300 UTC on 9395 kHz via WRMI for the more eclectic side of yuletide/winter solstice programming featuring some wonderful tunes including a super one from Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings with “World of Love” and a mini-documentary called “In Search of the Shaggs” the rock band formed in Fremont, New Hampshire in 1965. More on the Radio Thift Store show below:

Enjoy the festive season and have a wonderful 2024! For more information on the shows please email [email protected] and check out our old shows here.

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Alan Roe’s 2023 Guide to Holiday Broadcasts on Shortwave (Version 3.1)!

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Alan Roe, who shares the following update:

Hi Thomas

Attached is an updated (version 3.1) list of Holiday Programming on Shortwave covering the period up to Monday 1 January 2024.

Note that this will most likely be the last version update that I will announce, however the list will continue to be updated on Box.com when and if further details are received.

Many thanks & 73

Alan Roe

Click here to download Holiday Programming on Shortwave 2023 V3.1 (PDF).

Thank you for sharing this update, Alan!

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