[600MRG] Special Event

[Frederick Raab]

August 10, 2014

Gentlemen:

     Below is an updated announcement about the
special event.  Both the MRHS and the Canadian
amateurs will be joining the US experimental
operators.


73, Fritz, W1FR, 
Coordinator, ARRL 500-kHz Experiment

Frederick H. (Fritz) Raab, Ph.D.
GREEN MOUNTAIN RADIO RESEARCH COMPANY
77 Vermont Avenue, Fort Ethan Allen
Colchester, Vermont 05446  USA
Tel./Fax.:  +1 (802) 655-9670  Home:  +1 (802) 862-0997
E-mail:  f.raab at ieee.org
Alt:  w1fr at arrl.net
Web:  www.gmrr.biz

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SPECIAL EVENT - 630/600 METERS


     The 630/600-meter operators will be conducting
a special event during the weekend of Oct 31 - Nov 1 - 
Nov. 2.  This event marks the 106th anniversary of the
Berlin Treaty that created the international distress
frequency at 500 kHz.  This event includes US experimental
stations, Canadian amateur stations, and US heritage
maritime stations.

     For US experimental ops, this will be a CW event and 
the main activities will be:

-  Some stations will run beacons with special anniversary
   messages, perhaps followed by special QSLs.

-  Other stations will simulation maritime communication.
   They will call CQ on a designated calling frequency and
   then QSY to complete the QSO.  Silent periods will
   be observed.

-  The frequency bands are
   465 to 480 kHz and
   495 to 510 kHz.
   Different licensees have different frequency authorizations

-  The designated calling frequencies are
   475 kHz for the lower band
   500 kHz for the upper band.

-  This may be the last such event with operations on
   500 kHz itself.  This band is not being included
   in new experimental licenses as it is supposedly
   reserved for a new maritime-data service.


     The Maritime Radio Historical Society (MRHS) will
conduct a mini "Night of Nights" with special attention to 
MF operations.  This will give listeners the best chance
of copying their MF signals by operating during the winter 
and extending our operating hours well into the evening 
hours Pacific time.  KPH will keep 500 kc and 426 kc 
(and HF) active with special messages, press and weather.  
And they will send a verification to any listeners who mail 
in a reception report.


     Three Canadian amateurs will be operating in the
472 - 429 kHz band.

In addition to activities similar to those of the US
experimental stations, the Canadian amateurs will
conduct cross-band communication tests with amateurs
operating on 80 and 40 meters.  The plans include:

Station: VO1NA (Joe) GN37 TORBAY, Newfoundland
Time: 2130Z - 0130Z Friday evening Oct 31-Nov1
TX Frequency: 477.7 kHz
RX (QSX) Frequency: 3562 / 7062 kHz

Station: VE7SL (Steve) CN88 Mayne Island, B.C.
Time: 0200Z - 0600Z Friday evening Nov 1(Z)
TX Frequency: 473.0 kHz
RX (QSX) Frequency: 3566 / 7066 kHz

Station: VE7BDQ (John) CN87 Delta, B.C.
Time: 0200Z - 1000Z Friday evening Nov 1(Z)
TX Frequency: 474.0 kHz
RX (QSX) Frequency: 3536 kHz

All stations will either call CQ or run "VVV" 
marker beacons while listening on their respective 
QSX frequencies.  QSX frequencies will be included 
in the CQ or marker beacon.


     The official time period is

00:00 on Nov. 1 through 
23:59 on Nov. 2.

These include Friday and Saturday evenings in North
America.  Stations on the east coast may start a
little earlier if they like.


     More information may be available at www.500kc.com
as the time approaches.