A visit at the Grimeton transmitter

[Hampus]

Last week me and a friend visited the Grimeton longwave transmitter in Varberg, Sweden. For you who dont know about this station: This is a telegraph transmitter that uses a an electromechanical alternator (Alexanderson alternator) and is the worlds only remaing working transmitter of it's kind.

It was completed in 1924 and was used for wireless telegraphy to usa until after the second war when valved shortvawe transmitters took over. All other stations of this kind was demolished or converted but this one remained. The reason beeing that the swedish navy used it for communication with submarines under water; to penetrate water long waves are needed.

It was fully abandoned in the 1990s and it was decided that the station should be demolished. This created a outcry and soon was the station declared a national heritage and in 2004 it was declared a world heritage by UNESCO. The station is now a museum and twice a year they spin it up and send a message to the world.

It is a very interesting and beautiful place. The six masts are very impressing. 127 meters (416 feet) high, standing in a straight line. The station building looks like the day it was built and the machinery is fantastic.

I can absolutely recommend a visit

[Nymrod121]

Very impressive; the shape of the support towers is reminiscent of those used in the Chain Home radar system:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_B...Chain_home.jpg

Yes, one day I shall visit!

Best wishes
Guy

[colly0410]

Interesting post, thanks for the photo. Next time I go to Sweden I'll try & visit the site..

[60 oldjohn]

Thank you for the photo, have you any more to share with us?

John.

[Nymrod121]

There's an article here with links to some good photos:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varberg_Radio_Station

and a UNESCO link to a YouTube video:

http://whc.unesco.org/include/tool_v...id=5yihD-G7mxE

[Hampus]

I took quite a lot of photos, but they are already plenty of them on the net. I don't wanna waste server disk space This page has good photos
http://www.haellquist.com/grimeton/

The pond with the fountains is part of the cooling system. As you can see there is also some more "modern" equipment at the site.

[antenna441]

Great pictures of some wonderful period technology, perhaps hampus1982 could tell us what this warning sign means, as I'm sure it doesn't mean what it looks like in English.

[AC/HL]

Google translates loosely as Mast Work, Falling Objects.

[Hampus]

Yes that's correct, it means "WORK ON THE MAST IN PROGRESS. Risk of falling objects". I understand that the sign looks peculiar for an english-speaking person...

[paulsherwin]

Enough of this smutty innuendo please folks

(I must admit smiling at the sign though)

[G4XWDJim]

When I lived in Norfolk I used to listen to this station with my B41 every time it was on, usually in June and on Christmas eve. Invariably it was a good signal and easy to read.

Now that I live in the Midlands it's almost impossible to hear with the cacophony of rubbish that plagues the lower frequency bands.

It's original recipient according to Wikipaedia was Long Island in the US.

Quote - Until the 1950s, the Grimeton VLF transmitter was used for transatlantic radio telegraphy to Radio Central in Long Island, New York, USA.

I wonder how well it was received in those long gone days. Presumably quite well or the investment wouldn't have been worthwhile.

What really intrigues me is how well it would be received now under modern listening conditions. Are there any US members on this forum who have listened to it and who can give a report. Or for that matter anyone in any other parts of the world who can hear it when it is on and pass on a report.

Jim

[hannahs radios]

Hi. I listened to the Grimeton transmissions here in Weymouth they were a good solid signal easy to read. The noise level here is not too bad on VLF. I'll redirect the VLF rig for Xmas again.

Cheers, Hannah.

[Dave757]

Hi,

I can always hear the transmissions ok here on the outskirts of Birmingham,
either using the CR200 TRF or a Datong VLF converter in front of the FT857.
Antenna is a 40m dipole.
The problem I have is that my morse is no good!

Kind regards

Dave G0ELJ