At 23:12 17/04/2002 +1000, you wrote:
Also, I assume it only transmits for 5 minutes every six hours, is that
correct ?
Thanks ............... Zim
Dear Zim, LF group,
Nomally it transmits continuously 24 hours a day. The signal is MSK and has
a bandwidth of about 100Hz, actually centered on 15.98kHz. According to the
MSF web pages, MSF on 60kHz has been shut down intermittently recently for
running repairs - I think the MSF antenna is slung from some of the GBR
antenna masts, so the same cause might be responsible for GBR being shut
down lately. I don't know if GBR is on today - I'll have to check later.
The "other" VLF site apart from Rugby is at Criggion in Wales - if you are
passing by, it is worth going to see. The road passes between the 6 masts
and underneath the VLF antenna, one side of which is anchored to a nearby
cliff. According to the sign on the gate, this is also operated by BT.
Perhaps VLF operations will shift there - I expect the land is worth less.
The 3rd VLF site in the UK I know of is at Anthorn on the banks of the
Solway Firth, as Dave mentioned - but this is usually referred to as being
a NATO station; I don't know what the difference is. If you look on an
Ordanance Survey map of the area, you can see the distinctive star-shaped
pattern of masts.
Cheers, Jim Moritz
73 de M0BMU
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