5MHz "Transatlantic tests". - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

G6Tanuki · 20th Dec 2014, 6:11 pm

Just a reminder for those of you who are QRV on 5MHz: the Winter Solstice provides an enduring dark-path so is the perfect time to stay up late and work some Statesiders on the band.

Remember that they have 'spot' frequencies that don't mesh with our bandslots so split-frequency working is obligatory. [Split-frequency working on a Clansman PRC320 is not fun!]

Dave757 · 21st Dec 2014, 2:13 am

Hi

What about 5403.5 and 5371.5 ?

I understand that the USA channels 5405 and 5373 are centre
frequencies rather than carrier frequencies, and that the FCC
recommendation to US amateurs is that they tune 1.5kHz low of
the centre frequencies to centre the audio on the channels.

I've certainly heard UK/USA QSO's on both these frequencies,
so are they OK?

Kind regards

Dave G0ELJ

Mike. Watterson · 21st Dec 2014, 3:59 pm

The only thing I have that does 5MHz band Transmit is my Racal Syncal30. Split frequency would be horrid.
My FT817ND can in theory do 5MHz TX (but mine is unmodified later European model so can't without HW modification). I do have an add on 20W approx PA for it though. I suppose I could TX on the Syncal30 and RX on the FT817ND with some sort of change-over relay on the aerial.

M0AFJ, Tim · 27th Dec 2014, 4:14 pm

There have been some good signals from the U.S. on 5403.5 CW the last couple of evenings. It's also worth looking at the online US based SDR's to see if you are making the trip.
I've also had a couple of QSO'S with ZL, one both ways on 5MHz, one this year cross band 5MHz to 7MHz.
It's a great band, but getting very noisy here

73 Tim M0AFJ/G8GGP

G6Tanuki · 27th Dec 2014, 6:31 pm

My most-recent 5MHz operation has been a relaxed 3-way natter lasting a couple of hours between the UK, Belgium and Iceland on SSB. It was "relaxed" enough that I could drop out for 30 minutes to enjoy some roast Pork and rejoin the QSO with a rather well-filled glass of single-malt.

Are you actually making it to ZL with voice-quality speech? If so I'm impressed!

M0AFJ, Tim · 27th Dec 2014, 6:43 pm

Hi, no this was on CW not SSB.

I was running my K3 to a 80M OCFD, nothing special.

20th Dec 2014, 6:11 pm	#1
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 13,998	5MHz "Transatlantic tests". Just a reminder for those of you who are QRV on 5MHz: the Winter Solstice provides an enduring dark-path so is the perfect time to stay up late and work some Statesiders on the band. Remember that they have 'spot' frequencies that don't mesh with our bandslots so split-frequency working is obligatory. [Split-frequency working on a Clansman PRC320 is not fun!]

21st Dec 2014, 2:13 am	#2
Dave757 Heptode Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Scratby, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 650	Re: 5MHz "Transatlantic tests". Hi What about 5403.5 and 5371.5 ? I understand that the USA channels 5405 and 5373 are centre frequencies rather than carrier frequencies, and that the FCC recommendation to US amateurs is that they tune 1.5kHz low of the centre frequencies to centre the audio on the channels. I've certainly heard UK/USA QSO's on both these frequencies, so are they OK? Kind regards Dave G0ELJ

21st Dec 2014, 3:59 pm	#3
Mike. Watterson Heptode Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Limerick, Ireland. Posts: 901	Re: 5MHz "Transatlantic tests". The only thing I have that does 5MHz band Transmit is my Racal Syncal30. Split frequency would be horrid. My FT817ND can in theory do 5MHz TX (but mine is unmodified later European model so can't without HW modification). I do have an add on 20W approx PA for it though. I suppose I could TX on the Syncal30 and RX on the FT817ND with some sort of change-over relay on the aerial.

27th Dec 2014, 4:14 pm	#4
M0AFJ, Tim Hexode Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Helston, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 303	Re: 5MHz "Transatlantic tests". There have been some good signals from the U.S. on 5403.5 CW the last couple of evenings. It's also worth looking at the online US based SDR's to see if you are making the trip. I've also had a couple of QSO'S with ZL, one both ways on 5MHz, one this year cross band 5MHz to 7MHz. It's a great band, but getting very noisy here 73 Tim M0AFJ/G8GGP

27th Dec 2014, 6:31 pm	#5
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 13,998	Re: 5MHz "Transatlantic tests". My most-recent 5MHz operation has been a relaxed 3-way natter lasting a couple of hours between the UK, Belgium and Iceland on SSB. It was "relaxed" enough that I could drop out for 30 minutes to enjoy some roast Pork and rejoin the QSO with a rather well-filled glass of single-malt. Are you actually making it to ZL with voice-quality speech? If so I'm impressed!

27th Dec 2014, 6:43 pm	#6
M0AFJ, Tim Hexode Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Helston, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 303	Re: 5MHz "Transatlantic tests". Hi, no this was on CW not SSB. I was running my K3 to a 80M OCFD, nothing special.