Long gone AM radio stations

[peter berrett]

Hi all

Around 20 years ago I used to do a bit of Medium Wave Dxing. As I lived in
the country there was not a lot of interference.

There were 2 stations that I received that were quite memorable.

1. UNSW. I do not know the call sign but the station was located between
1600 and 1800 khz between the AM band and the 1.8 mhz ham band. As I recall
some lessons were conducted over the transmitter. You needed to detune an AM
radio to receive the broadcasts and a medium wave loop was helpful. I
recieved the station in Lancefield in central victoria. Ironically many
years later I did 2 degrees by correspondence through UNSW and attended at
the main campus for the graduations. I am still kicking mysefl for not
requesting a qsl card as the station is now long closed.

2. VK3AML Tony, a ham, used to run some bizarre transmissions on the 1.8 mhz
ham band (not strictly legal but that is another story). I used a detuned AM
radio to listen in on some of these transissions in which Tony would hold
conversations cross band (ie with someone on the 2 metre band). He had some
kind of sound effects set up as well. The transmission were amplitude
modulated and reasonably strong.

Later I became a ham and got better equipment to pick up signals like these.

Are there any non-hams out there who used to use detuned radios in the 70s
and 80s to listen in on these broadcasts?

cheers Peter

[Peter Parker]

Post by peter berrett
Hi all
Around 20 years ago I used to do a bit of Medium Wave Dxing. As I lived in
the country there was not a lot of interference.
There were 2 stations that I received that were quite memorable.
1. UNSW. I do not know the call sign but the station was located between
1600 and 1800 khz between the AM band and the 1.8 mhz ham band.

VL2UV. Not going any more.

Post by peter berrett
2. VK3AML Tony, a ham, used to run some bizarre transmissions on the 1.8 mhz
ham band (not strictly legal but that is another story). I used a detuned AM
radio to listen in on some of these transissions in which Tony would hold
conversations cross band (ie with someone on the 2 metre band). He had some
kind of sound effects set up as well. The transmission were amplitude
modulated and reasonably strong.

The 'missions'! Not long-gone - still going from VK3ASE on 1850 kHz @
10:30pm Sat night to the wee small hours and simulcast on 80 & 2m. Include
live & recorded material. Now simulcasts via internet and has call ins
through skype.

Enjoy these & download recordings!

VK3ASE http://members-central.optushome.com.au/vk3ase/

VK3AML http://www.bluehaze.com.au/mmedia/missions/branch_replays.html

Post by peter berrett
Are there any non-hams out there who used to use detuned radios in the 70s
and 80s to listen in on these broadcasts?

Probably hundreds. There's also activity 11am Mon - Sat on 1843 kHz.

Some more 160m links (including conversion info):

http://member.melbpc.org.au/~dallas/index.html

http://www.alphalink.com.au/~parkerp/160.htm

Rgds, Peter

[vk3ase]

Yes were still around a bit older but just as silly.

The Educational Station you mentioned was VL2UV run
by the university of New South Wales. It had Two outputs in what is now the
extended am broadcast band.

Good History of it at

http://www.ascilite.org.au/ajet/ajet2/hedberg.html

or google for VL2UV

Cheers
Dave
vk3ase

[peter berrett]

Thanks Dave

I miss those days in some ways. Whilst we have hundreds more stations on AM
now, not to mention radio by satellite and internet as well, there was a
certain charm in tuning across and finally to the end of the AM band, to
find VL2UV and/or Tony, VK3AML.

Leaving that aside I have been reading about the virtues of digital
broadcasting on AM and shortwave. I note that there are tests going on both
bands. The sound quality on a wideband signal is superb.

Maybe we need some Amateurs to do some test broadcasts using either DRM, DRB
or use an Internet mode such as Readaudio and see if listeners can detune an
AM radio and then feed the output into a computer for decoding of the
digital signal. Should be relatively easy to do although I'm not sure if the
regs would permit it or not. Technically its still just AM.

One could then invite reception reports from around the country from
listeners both ham and non-ham alike. I note also that the regs do not
permit music but maybe one could read a chapter from a book (My chocie would
be Maigret) each week a la VK3RPH to provide some fodder for the
tramsission. I wonder if this is legal - it is just the human voice after
all?

Readaudio on 160m - sounds like fun!

cheers Peter

Post by vk3ase
Yes were still around a bit older but just as silly.
The Educational Station you mentioned was VL2UV run
by the university of New South Wales. It had Two outputs in what is now the
extended am broadcast band.
Good History of it at
http://www.ascilite.org.au/ajet/ajet2/hedberg.html
or google for VL2UV
Cheers
Dave
vk3ase

[peter berrett]

Thanks Dave

I miss those days in some ways. Whilst we have hundreds more stations on AM
now, not to mention radio by satellite and internet as well, there was a
certain charm in tuning across and finally to the end of the AM band, to
find VL2UV and/or Tony, VK3AML.

Leaving that aside I have been reading about the virtues of digital
broadcasting on AM and shortwave. I note that there are tests going on both
bands. The sound quality on a wideband signal is superb.

Maybe we need some Amateurs to do some test broadcasts using either DRM or
DRB
and see if listeners can detune an AM radio and then feed the output into a
computer for decoding of the
digital signal. Should be relatively easy to do although I'm not sure if the
regs would permit it or not. Technically its still just AM.

One could then invite reception reports from around the country from
listeners both ham and non-ham alike. I note also that the regs do not
permit music but maybe one could read a chapter from a book (My choice would
be Maigret) each week a la VK3RPH to provide some fodder for the
tramsission. I wonder if this is legal - it is just the human voice after
all?

DRB on 160m - sounds like fun!

cheers Peter

Post by vk3ase
Yes were still around a bit older but just as silly.
The Educational Station you mentioned was VL2UV run
by the university of New South Wales. It had Two outputs in what is now the
extended am broadcast band.
Good History of it at
http://www.ascilite.org.au/ajet/ajet2/hedberg.html
or google for VL2UV
Cheers
Dave
vk3ase

[vk3ase]

Would love to do some drm on the air and have looked into it a bit, but
still seems a bit complex but i think you can use a pc to encode, just
trying to find out some more info.

As far as regs go have a look at the latest versions written in the last
few years and you will see it has changed a lot form the 1905 telegraphy act
that we were used to. Just about anything goes as long as you keep in your
band and do not cause interference and any digital stuff is fine. A lot of
people think it is still very strict but things have changed.and moved on.

Cheers

[peter berrett]

Dear Dave

You can find a lot of discussion here

http://www.drmrx.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=d3cf263d91ec4b1a8265f497003138
02&forumid=11

Have a good look at the Dream Software - latest improvements thread. From
what I can gather this is a free drm software decoder that may possibly also
be able to encode.

cheers Peter

Post by vk3ase
Would love to do some drm on the air and have looked into it a bit, but
still seems a bit complex but i think you can use a pc to encode, just
trying to find out some more info.
As far as regs go have a look at the latest versions written in the last
few years and you will see it has changed a lot form the 1905 telegraphy act
that we were used to. Just about anything goes as long as you keep in your
band and do not cause interference and any digital stuff is fine. A lot of
people think it is still very strict but things have changed.and moved on.
Cheers

[Barry OGrady]

Post by peter berrett
Thanks Dave
I miss those days in some ways. Whilst we have hundreds more stations on AM
now, not to mention radio by satellite and internet as well, there was a
certain charm in tuning across and finally to the end of the AM band, to
find VL2UV and/or Tony, VK3AML.
Leaving that aside I have been reading about the virtues of digital
broadcasting on AM and shortwave. I note that there are tests going on both
bands. The sound quality on a wideband signal is superb.
Maybe we need some Amateurs to do some test broadcasts using either DRM or
DRB
and see if listeners can detune an AM radio and then feed the output into a
computer for decoding of the
digital signal. Should be relatively easy to do although I'm not sure if the
regs would permit it or not. Technically its still just AM.
One could then invite reception reports from around the country from
listeners both ham and non-ham alike. I note also that the regs do not
permit music but maybe one could read a chapter from a book (My choice would
be Maigret) each week a la VK3RPH to provide some fodder for the
tramsission. I wonder if this is legal - it is just the human voice after
all?

Broadcasting is not permitted under an amateur license.

Post by peter berrett
DRB on 160m - sounds like fun!
cheers Peter

-Barry
========
Web page: http://members.iinet.net.au/~barry.og
Atheist, radio scanner, LIPD information.

[vk3ase]

From the 1997 regs, note the part on news and information transmissions, as
long as it has something to do with radio and communications it is ok, maybe
have a callback at the end to help it facilitate comunications.

Like all regulations they can mean you can do nothing or anything it is open
to interpretation.


6 Use of an amateur station

The licensee:

(a) must use an amateur station solely for the purpose of:

(i) self training; or;

(ii) intercommunications; or

(iii) technical investigations into radiocommunications; or

(iv) transmitting news and information services related to the
operation of amateur stations, as a means of facilitating
intercommunication; and

(b) must not use an amateur station for financial gain; and

(c) must not transmit:

(i) a message that is, or includes, an advertisement; or

(ii) any form of entertainment.

[peter berrett]

Hmm

I suppose then one could read the ARRL Handbook from cover to cover. That
would qualify. That or some electronics manual.

Thinking back to the AML transmissons on 160m they were quite bizarre -
enetrtaining but probably not strictly entertainment.

I wish someone would amend the regs to allow Amateurs to broadcast music or
entertainment on a designated part of a band. Not everyone - just
somewhere.One could hold amateur broadcasts as they used to do in the early
days of radio.

cheers Peter

Post by vk3ase
From the 1997 regs, note the part on news and information transmissions, as
long as it has something to do with radio and communications it is ok, maybe
have a callback at the end to help it facilitate comunications.
Like all regulations they can mean you can do nothing or anything it is open
to interpretation.
6 Use of an amateur station
(i) self training; or;
(ii) intercommunications; or
(iii) technical investigations into radiocommunications; or
(iv) transmitting news and information services related to the
operation of amateur stations, as a means of facilitating
intercommunication; and
(b) must not use an amateur station for financial gain; and
(i) a message that is, or includes, an advertisement; or
(ii) any form of entertainment.

[vk3ase]

Well again to the modern regs, music was singled out and prohibited once but
if you look there is no mention of music at all now, just entertainment and
what does that mean?
If you can't use your station for any comercial activity
what else is it for, the only reason you would listen and transmit is
because you would find it entertaining to do so.

People get bogged down in the regs and the fact is it does not matter any
more and no one cares.
It is all academic as in a few years when the country is wired with BPL you
won't be able to hear anything any more except the strongest am and fm
broadcast stations.
So i suggest you all go and have fun while it lasts.


Dave

[k***@tpg.com.au]

On Tue, 30 Nov 2004 19:50:02 +1100, "peter berrett"

Post by peter berrett
Hmm
I suppose then one could read the ARRL Handbook from cover to cover. That
would qualify. That or some electronics manual.
Thinking back to the AML transmissons on 160m they were quite bizarre -
enetrtaining but probably not strictly entertainment.
I wish someone would amend the regs to allow Amateurs to broadcast music or
entertainment on a designated part of a band. Not everyone - just
somewhere.One could hold amateur broadcasts as they used to do in the early
days of radio.
cheers Peter

... clipped

Two comments...

If it's a two-way communication (eg you and a mate take turns to read
to each other ) and the ID etc rules are observed, there's little
practical restriction on what can't be transmitted (obscene,
pornographic, commercial (including personal commercial/business
matters) material is still prohibited. "Incidental music" (whatever
that might mean) is permitted, just don't try to run "your hit-parade"
or a "hottest 100" play-list!!!

Why bother doing it on an amateur band, that's what "open narrowcast"
is for. Find a frequency, target a "specific" (and well defined)
audience and apply to the ABA. Broadcast transmitter licences (as
opposed to commercial broadcast service licences) are cheaper than
amateur licences!

Keith G Malcolm
3 Dec 2004

[Philip de Cadenet]

Peter,

Post by peter berrett
Maybe we need some Amateurs to do some test broadcasts using either DRM or
DRB
and see if listeners can detune an AM radio and then feed the output into a
computer for decoding of the
digital signal. Should be relatively easy to do although I'm not sure if the
regs would permit it or not. Technically its still just AM.

There are several US AM hams that use C-QUAM stereo
exciters/transmitters that sound FB should you be fortunate to have a
receiver capable of receiving AMS.

The BBC here in the UK recently took delivery of a new Nautel 200Kw MF
TX which is broadcasting across Europe in DRM on 1296KHz.

I believe they have or maybe still are using DRM on some of their HF
transmitters.

[Jim]

Post by peter berrett
Hi all

Peter, my first recollection of listening to amateurs was on 6m on the TV
during summer, around 1958. I had no idea that the real fun was around the
upper limits of a broadcast band receiver. Years later as a country
broadcast station engineer I was to do a couple of after hours test
transmissions. The boss didn't like the idea of me playing DJ after hours
Then of course there was our "Miss Midnight" who started at midnight...with
the stuff going down the phone line instead of on air. (Ahhh...but thats
another story.....the people are still alive so I cant write about it :))
Not all the fun was on the amateur bands. Then there was the time we popped
a 40m xtal in the local spare RFDS 1KW tx and worked some CW........

Cheers
Jim
VK4BBG

[peter berrett]

Ahh true experiementation! I'm still trying to hook my key up to my
microwave oven :)

cheers Peter

Post by Jim

Post by peter berrett
Hi all

Peter, my first recollection of listening to amateurs was on 6m on the TV
during summer, around 1958. I had no idea that the real fun was around the
upper limits of a broadcast band receiver. Years later as a country
broadcast station engineer I was to do a couple of after hours test
transmissions. The boss didn't like the idea of me playing DJ after hours
Then of course there was our "Miss Midnight" who started at

midnight...with

Post by Jim
the stuff going down the phone line instead of on air. (Ahhh...but thats
another story.....the people are still alive so I cant write about it :))
Not all the fun was on the amateur bands. Then there was the time we popped
a 40m xtal in the local spare RFDS 1KW tx and worked some CW........
Cheers
Jim
VK4BBG

[hazer]

The Missions using mitters!

[Mark Cheeseman]

Post by peter berrett
1. UNSW. I do not know the call sign but the station was located between
1600 and 1800 khz between the AM band and the 1.8 mhz ham band. As I recall

From memory, the callsign was VL2UW. It was running when I started
there in the mid 80's.

-Mark VK2XGK

[peter berrett]

Thansk Mark

Did you use the radio station yourself for classes? ie di you listen in to
supplement your studies?

cheers Peter


"Mark Cheeseman" <***@bigcheese.org> wrote in message news:41b56762$0$31712$***@un-2park-reader-01.sydney.pipenetworks.com.au
...

Post by Mark Cheeseman

Post by peter berrett
1. UNSW. I do not know the call sign but the station was located between
1600 and 1800 khz between the AM band and the 1.8 mhz ham band. As I recall

From memory, the callsign was VL2UW. It was running when I started
there in the mid 80's.
-Mark VK2XGK