This is a standard procedure on 500 kHz (I worked as radioofficer for nearly
10 years). From 15th minute and 45th minute each hour there are 3 minutes of
silence (for calling SOS). Usually after that coastal stations transmit
annoncement that they will broadcast WX or NX (navigational warnings) and
QSW means the working freq of the coastal station.
I can take a look to Admiralty List of Radio Signals which coastal stations
IAR5 is. Probably Roma.
Sometimes you can hear ship station calling a coastal station or one ship
station calling another ship station on this freq (should not happen in
silence periods).
It is not true that 500 kHz is not used any more. It is only not compulsory
for ships to listen on this freq for 8 hours a day or more.
73 Petr OK1FIG
----- Original Message -----
From: Walter Staubach <[email protected]>
To: Reflektor <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, November 24, 2000 5:02 AM
Subject: LF: 500KHz and around
When sitting at my desk last thursday and doing something I monitored
500KHz
in the background. For a long time - nothing.
Then at 16.06 utc suddenly " CQ CQ.." (me: one jump out of the chair and
to
the receiver - who has a permission for 500?) " IAR5 QSW 511 (?) ....."
and
lost something. What is the meaning of QSW? The handbook said "I will
transmit on....." . So I tuned to 511KHz and heard a station giving a
weather-forecast for the mediteranian sea in fast CW. Maybe it was the
italian navy stn IAR5.
And I had expected a new DX on a new band.
73 Walter DJ2LF
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