CLAIM OF ZL TO VE AMATEUR LF DX
5 July 2001

On Saturday 30 June ZL1WB, ZL6QH, ZL3VN, ZL3FJ, ZL3PN, ZL3JE, ZL4OL and
AX2TAR (VK7ZAL) transmitted test signals in the 160 - 190 kHz band, for
so-called trans-Pacific tests.  Various DX listeners had prior knowledge of
the schedule of individual test frequency and coding used by each station.

Steve VE7SL, located on Mayne Island, some 40 km northwest of Victoria,
British Columbia, managed to capture some interesting signals using an Icom
IC-R75 receiver along with a PC with sound card, running Argo software.

From an analysis of the screen capture, it is claimed that VE7SL received

and positively identified signals from ZL6QH (operators were Andrew ZL2BBJ
and Bob ZL2CA).  It is also very likely that signals were received from Mike
ZL4OL, but co-channel interference made the result too indistinct to obtain
positive identification of coding.  The propagation opening was around VE7
sunrise time.  The path length from the ZL6QH transmitter, at Quartz Hill,
near Wellington, New Zealand, is estimated as being 11,709 km.

A three page WORD file, an Argo screen capture and a graphic of the VE7SL 10
foot loop receiving antenna can be privately emailed to those who request
copies.

Bob Vernall ZL2CA
Organiser of the Trans-Pacific tests