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Using Vintage Long Wave Receivers

Dealing with the Noise

 Tuning around on longwave offers some interesting challenges and a different kind of DXing. Nearly all signals encountered are either CW, MCW, RTTY or some kind of data transmission. There are virtually no voice transmissions except for foreign longwave BC stations. The LF part of the RF spectrum can be very noisy with intense static making copy difficult. In an extreme RF noise generating environment maybe all that will be heard is intense "buzzing" any where you tune. These factors can pose problems when using modern equipment to tune in LF signals but what about vintage gear? How vintage LW gear responds is dependent on the noise environment and the antenna used. Most WWII LW equipment will have some kind of noise limiter and also some filtering though they may be of little use against the types of noise encountered today. Fortunately, most of the noise found on LF is originating from our own houses. Light dimmer switches are notorious for producing an intense "buzzing" RFI on LW. Certain kinds of controllers that have neon pilot lamps (the orange glowing light) can also create RFI noise. Florescent lighting, computers and monitors also can produce RFI noise. Cleaning up our own houses for RFI noise is the first step towards successful receiving of LF DX.

Another noise producer are street lamps - not when they are operating correctly but when they are malfunctioning. Usually before the street lamp goes out altogether it will cycle on and off with a time interval of about 30 seconds to one minute on the start-up cycle. During this time intense RFI is emitted. Some receiver noise limiters can reduce the interference but early LF receivers with no filters are useless during the lamp's start-up cycle. Most of the time the failing street lamp will cycle on and off every couple of minutes, all night long. Normally, if you call the power company they will come out and replace the failing lamp. You will have to have the street lamp ID number that is located on the underside of the assembly by the lens and also the street location (the ID number is visible from the ground looking up.)

Propagation

The time of the year and hour of the day are important to successful DXing on LW. Although in theory LW propagation is generally considered to be mainly ground wave, most NDBs are in the medium wave band which is 300 kHz up to 3000 kHz. Medium wave does have both ground wave and substantial sky wave propagation characteristics. About the only NDB DX reception is going to happen at night and up to just before local sunrise. Below 100 kHz, ground wave makes up most of the signal propagation, however some sky wave still happens and because of this night time is usually better for this region of the spectrum. Although you can receive the Navy RTTY LW stations running around 20 kHz day or night, weaker LW stations, like JJY at 40 kHz, can only be received just before local sunrise  and night west across the Pacific to Japan.

Regenerative Receivers vs Superheterodynes

 In the early days of wireless communications, all transmissions were on longwave. After the signing of the Alexander Bill in 1912, which moved the amateur operation to 200 meters or below, experimentation into the shorter wavelengths started. Ship and navigation remained in the longwave region, (even today most navigation and submarine communications remain in the LF spectrum.) After WWI, most receivers used were regenerative TRF receivers for LF operation and, as designs progressed, the superheterodyne did not immediately replace the regenerative receivers on LW. The regen sets have a couple of advantages in the longwave spectrum that are not particularly useful at HF. First is receiver noise - regen sets are quiet and don't add much noise to an already noisy part of the spectrum. Their ability to produce an oscillating condition without a BFO is also an advantage. With a superhet it is necessary to use the BFO to set-up a condition where the carrier can be heard however the BFO in a superheterodyne can sometimes mask weak cw signals. Though most BFOs are very lightly coupled in early superhet receivers to prevent "masking" this is not always the case in modern receivers. Lack of Automatic Volume Control (AVC) in the regen sets is also an advantage as a high noise level can capture the AVC and decrease sensitivity. Normally, most cw listening is done with the AVC off  for that very reason and most superhet communications receivers will provide switchable AVC but some modern receivers, especially SWL portable types, do not have this provision leaving the listener at the mercy of atmospheric noise. Since a minimal number of tubes are used in regen sets, thermal noise is at a low when compared to a large tube-count superhet.  Selectivity can be be achieved by use of audio filters in later sets or by advancing the regeneration control to the point where oscillation just begins in earlier receivers. Many early receivers also provide a coupling control for selectivity. By using the ear and listening for a particular tone frequency our own brain can be a very effective filter although this does require some practice to become proficient. Another habit that old radio ops had was to copy using earphones. This will allow hearing  weak signals that are at the "noise level" - of course static bursts can be almost painful at times when using early sets without limiters. Keeping the 'phones slightly in front of the ears is an effective method used by cw ops.

The 10' Tuned Loop Antenna or an End-Fed Wire

Though most LF stations can be tuned in using almost any type of antenna, the "Tuned Loop" provides the user with low noise reception due to its high Q, high selectivity. Another advantage is the ability to null out noise if it is from a particular direction. Most man-made noise will be directional and can be nulled out. The selectivity of the loop will help with atmospheric noise by increasing the receiver's response to the tuned frequency and increasing the signal to noise ratio. Our loop is a ten foot in diameter octagon with 12 turns of 20 gauge stranded wire remotely tuned with variable bias supplied to varactor tuning diodes. The bias control, or tuning, is located at the receiver position for ease of operation and the bias voltage is run to the antenna via RG-58U coax cable. Tuning range is from 135kHz to 400kHz and by shorting out a turn on the loop the upper end of the range can be increased to 500kHz. A 9' diameter single turn pick-up loop is mounted inside the 10' loop and is fed directly to the receiver's antenna input via RG-58U coax. This antenna performs very well with WWII vintage regenerative TRF receivers. However, whether it is technically correct to use this type of antenna with these WWII vintage receivers is debatable. Certainly, loops were well known at the time and used in direction finding equipment. However, the standard shipboard antenna of the time was the end-fed wire in an "inverted L" configuration usually strung between two masts. While it is interesting to compare the two antennas, I have found that without exception the tuned loop antenna will outperform the end-fed wire. In fact, I would go even further and say that only a fraction of the LW stations could be copied (and then only the strongest ones) if I was using an end-fed wire antenna. Only the tuned loop antenna provides the low noise and higher signal strength necessary for successful LW station copy.

The following are in-depth profiles of three of my favorite vintage LW receivers.

The Radio Marine Corporation of America was a division of RCA that specialized in the operation of RCA's Communications Stations and supplied equipment for both major communications stations and for shipboard installations. The AR-8503 was introduced in the late thirties and was designed mainly for shipboard installations. A matching pre-selector was also included, designated as the AR-8503-P. Additionally, an AC power supply was offered, the RM-6. Although in an emergency, the AR-8503 could be operated from a battery pack the preferred method of operation used the RM-6 to supply the required 6 volts for tube heaters, +22 vdc for the detector B+ and +90 vdc for the amplifier plates. Sometime around 1941, the US Navy wanted to install the AR-8503 on some of their smaller ships and a contract was issued for a small number of what became known as the RAZ-1. The RAZ-1 designated a complete receiving set that included the CRM-46092 Receiver (AR-8503) with the matching CRM-50092 Pre-selector (AR-8503-P) and the CRM-20096 Power Supply (RM-6.) The contract date was just five days before the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec 2, 1941.

The CRM-46092 receiver uses four metal octal tubes in its regenerative circuit. The RF amplifier, detector and first audio are all 6K7 metal octal tubes while the audio output tube is a 6F6. The CRM-50092 preselector uses a single 6SG7 metal octal tube as a tuned RF amplifier. The CRM-20096 uses a 5Z4 metal octal tube for the rectifier. There are four tuning ranges covering 15 KC up to 600 KC using three bandswitches - two on the receiver and one on the preselector. The National Type-N dials are scaled 0 to 100 and have a 180 degree layout. A tuning chart is provided in the manual to correlate the dial reading to tuned frequency. Coupling, Regeneration and Volume controls are on the front panel and the preselector also has an RF Gain control. Audio output is provided for a single audio stage or for full audio output via two telephone jacks on the front panel. Output is designed for the Western Electric 509W earphones although any Hi-Z 'phones will work. The receiver case of the is shock mounted and is made of copper plated steel painted a grayish-brown color. The preselector case is made of aluminum and painted to match the receiver although it is not shock mounted. The power supply is a standard steel box painted gray. The front panels of the receiver and the preselector are machine textured aluminum that has been matte chromium plated.

Left photo: The CRM-46092 chassis showing the large bee's wax dipped coils and the sparse layout of components. The tuning condenser is inside the shielded box in the center of the chassis.   Right photo: The CRM-50092  preselector chassis showing the tuning condenser and the 6SG7 RF amplifier tube. The RF coils are under the chassis.

The RAZ-1's impressive appearance is matched by its great performance. Using this receiver was my first real experience at actually hearing the multitude of signals below 500 KC. Before, using old 1920s Kennedy receivers I had tuned local NDBs (including the now gone SPK with voice weather) and the Fallon Loran C station but nothing else in the LF spectrum was ever heard. My first antenna set-up with the RAZ utilized my 135' center fed inverted-vee antenna with the 43' of open feed line strapped together and fed to the receiver as "a lot of wire" or, perhaps as a vertical with a large capacity hat. Anyway, the system seemed to perform fine and several low power, distant NDBs were logged. Additionally, JJY was logged on 40 KC. I then built the 10' tuned loop and the drop in noise was amazing. Along with the noise reduction, signals were increased and many more NDBs and other LW stations logged, including the LW BC station on Sakalin Island at 279 KC. Due to the rapid tuning of the RAZ-1, constant "peaking" of the antenna is required. Additionally, the manipulation of the main tuning dial, the preselector dial and the antenna bias control does keep the operator busy just "tuning around." The RAZ-1 is very sensitive and almost any station on LW can be tuned in however the lack of a calibrated dial makes this somewhat difficult just using the RAZ-1 dial alone for reference. I use a signal generator and digital frequency counter set up as a heterodyne frequency meter if it is important to determine the exact frequency being received. The lack of any kind of limiter is also sometimes a problem, especially when static crashes are present on the frequency. Still, I have logged an impressive number of NDBs and other LF stations with the RAZ-1. It can be relied upon to always receive whatever is out there.

RCA-Andrea Radio Co.   U.S. NAVY Andrea Radio Co. CND-46155, RAK-7 Longwave Receiver Andrea Radio Co. CND-46156, RAL -7 Medium and Shortwave Receiver

The Navy wanted more modern LW, MW and SW receivers in the mid-to-late thirties so RCA provided the Navy with the RAK/RAL series. These new receivers had to be "bullet and bomb" proof, in other words, the ship had to take a couple of torpedoes, be sinking fast and the radio gear would still be working. The RAK/RAL series is just that - built like the battleships they served on. The construction is something to marvel at - so over-built, so heavy duty with no expense spared - it's no wonder that most RAK or RAL receivers still function with all original parts even though they are pushing sixty-five years old. The design concept was to provide maximum reliability by simplicity of design - and it paid off since the receivers were in use up until the end of WWII with their last service on board submarines.

 The RAK, (aka CND-46155 by its Andrea/Navy designation, substitute "R" for the "N" for the RCA /Navy designation) covers 15kc up to 600kc in six tuning ranges. The tubes used were large six-pin type, 6D6 tubes for the two RF amplifiers, a 6D6 for the regenerative detector, a 6D6 for the first audio amplifier, a 41 for the audio avc amplifier and another 41 for the audio output. The power supply, CNV-20131, was a separate unit that used a 5Z3 rectifier, an 874 regulator tube and an optional 876 ballast tube. The 876 can be left out of the power supply if the AC power is stable and noise free. An internally mounted switch routes the 120vac to a different tap on the power transformer if the ballast is not required. If the ballast tube is installed it will be on regardless if it is used or not although less current is flowing through it when it is switched out of the circuit. When switched in, the 120vac actually is dropped through the ballast and a different tap on the power transformer is used (~70vac) thus providing the regulation of the AC to the transformer if the line voltage is not stable. The receiver has a low pass filter that is permanently connected in the audio circuit to roll off the upper audio frequency at about 1200 hz. An elaborate audio avc circuit allows the user to limit the audio or noise peaks at an adjustable level. This was to allow the receiver to be used in heavy static conditions. Also a selectable audio bandpass filter was provided to enhance CW reception in noisy conditions. The RAK is designed for CW or MCW only. Voice can be received but it is severely limited on the higher audio frequencies making copy difficult. The manual states that another receiver should be used if voice reception is required - like the RAL. The tuning of the RAK is heavy duty, gear driven and the tuning dial readout is shown on two circular dial scales of 0 to 10 and 0 to 100. The actual tuned frequency has to be correlated with a graph that is in the manual. The receiver does provide a logging chart on the front panel for a "most used frequencies" reference. A frequency trimmer, an antenna trimmer, sensitivity and regeneration controls on on the lower panel of the receiver. The meters monitor audio output level in db and tube heater voltage. The RAL receiver is almost identical construction but has nine bands covering 300kc to 23mc. Additionally, the low pass filter can be switched out of the circuit for voice reception and a vernier frequency control is provided. Most of the concern about a stable AC line voltage was directed at the RAL receiver which itself can become unstable at high frequencies if the line input varies. Normally, the two receivers operated together through a control box (CND-23073) that allowed the radio op to monitor two frequencies simultaneously. The control box also could be used to switch the AC to the receivers on or off.

Nowadays, the RAK might be considered a very large, heavy receiver with a separate large, heavy power supply - both units built like battleships - be sure to provide an ample table for the receiver set-up. In my installation I have the power supplies for the RAK/RAL receivers bolted to the underside of the table. I provided for a space of about 3.5" above the supplies to allow good ventilation for the ballast tubes. I do run the power supplies with their ballasts even though it is probably not necessary. The actual difference in power consumption is significant - the ballast dissipates about 140 watts. I have run the receivers both with and without ballasts and I notice that the received noise seems to be less with the ballast in use. In actual operation, the RAK is a very sensitive receiver that spreads the LF tuning range over several bands. This bandspread action is nice for tuning in weak stations or trying to separate several stations that are on the same frequency - as many NDBs are. The major problem is that calibration is relying on the readout versus a graph and that graph is in the manual. The first thing to do is make a copy of the frequency graph to keep with the receiver. Next is to calibrate the RAK so the readout is fairly close to the graph. Then it is easy to keep track of where you are in the LF spectrum. If it is important to know the exact frequency, I use a heterodyne freq-meter set up. The audio avc will help with static crashes and to a certain extent, noisy conditions but if it is advanced too far it severely clips the audio with high distortion. The adjustable bandpass filters are almost useless. This is due to the high frequency chosen for the first audio frequency cut-off - 450hz. This may have been okay for true CW but that is seldom encountered anymore in the LF bands. All NDBs use MCW with a 400hz tone. The lowest setting of the filter works okay on NDBs but the other bandpass frequencies are even higher and so are not very useful. Due to the RAK's high sensitivity, noise levels can get out of hand rather quickly. The tuned loop antenna, with its high Q, really helps reduce the noise and increase the signal to noise ratio. Additionally, the Audio AVC can be used in severe conditions. The audio output is taken from the front phone jack. It is 600 ohms Z and, while the RAK will easily drive a 600 ohm speaker, many more weak signals can be copied using earphones rather than a speaker. I have tuned in all of the normal LF signals with my RAK-7. The best NDB DX were several in North-Eastern Canada and Puerto Rico's powerhouse transatlantic beacon, DDP. At lower frequencies, the RAK seems to get better and better with JJY at 40kc a fairly regular copy. The Navy RTTY signals around 20kc are always present. Like many of the WWII Longwave receivers, once the RAK is used regularly and the operator becomes used to its quirks, it "becomes" a great performer - it was all along, the op just has to "learn" his receiver.

National Co., Inc.   U.S. NAVY  CNA- 46161-B,  RBL-5   Longwave Receiver Wells-Gardner-NAVY RAO-3  Medium & Shortwave Receiver

National Company also provided a great LW receiver for the Navy in WWII - the RBL series of regenerative receivers. Following the long Navy tradition of  National providing NC-100A types of receivers - like the RAOs and similar HF receivers, the RBL series uses the same general appearance with a similar dial layout and a familiar band switching feel. Though the bandswitch looks like the RAO catacomb system, it isn't. The mechanism uses several large gears to simultaneously actuate two large ceramic switches to provide band changes. The RBL is the same approximate size as the RAO receivers so it was probably intended that they be paired up for coverage from 15kc to 600kc on the RBLs and 540kc to 30mc on the RAOs. Unlike the earlier LW receivers described above, the RBL has a built in power supply and has direct frequency readout on the illuminated dial. The circuit uses a cascade of three 6SK7 RF amplifier stages. The detector is a 6SG7 regenerative autodyne detector followed by a 6H6 audio limiter circuit followed by a 6K6G audio tube. The power supply rectifier is a 5U4 in early RBLs but later was changed to a 5Y3G. Like the RAO, some RBL receivers were built by Wells-Gardner Company. Heavy duty construction, ample shielding, copper-plated cabinet under the black wrinkle paint are standard construction used in the RBL receivers. They were normally bolted to a cushioned mount that attached to the holes in the lower front and rear corners of the cabinet. Nowadays these mounts are usually missing. Included in the circuit is an audio filter for wide or narrow bandwidths and an adjustable audio limiter. The limiter is very well designed and works wonders in reducing the static crashes while not distorting the audio signal. The direct frequency readout on the dial is the major advantage of using the RBL receivers and the accuracy is impressive considering the receiver's age. The illuminated dial is quite a departure from the usual military LF receiver. The lower controls are gain, regeneration, bandswitch, antenna trim and frequency trim.

I have probably logged more NDBs using this RBL-5 than any other receiver. This is because the RBL-5 is easy to use, very sensitive, has direct frequency readout and the limiter functions quite well. The limiter makes long sessions of receiving comfortable since the static crashes are reduced to the point where they aren't causing headaches anymore. I take the audio output right from the earphone jack on the front panel running 600 ohm 'phones for best copy on weak signals. The NBDs normally copied are multiple stations operating on the same frequency, with two and sometimes three different CW identifications being heard simultaneously. Using the RF trimmer and the Antenna Compensator controls, it is usually possible to enhance one or the other of the MCW signals and identify the particular NDB, (the RAK and RAZ LW receivers also have this ability to manipulate the signal a little to enhance copy.)

This RBL-5 required a little work before it was functioning to its specifications. The tubular antenna connection input that attaches to the box that bolts to the back of the cabinet was shorted internally so essentially whatever antenna was connected was shorted to chassis. Removal of the tubular connector and just running the coax through the box directly to the antenna and ground terminals fixed the problem. Also, there was a soldering job at the audio output transformer that was poorly done. Exactly what the object of the solder job was is not known but it probably was in search of the lack of output that was really caused by the shorted antenna input. Fortunately, no original parts were removed - only the connections to the audio output transformer were moved to incorrect terminals - we just returned everything to the original connections and then the receiver output operated normally.  

USCG - Loran-C  Master Station 'M'  - 100 kHz - Fallon, Nevada

Above: The Loran C antenna from main gate. The mast is 625 feet tall with each side measuring about six feet across. The capacity hat is about 900 feet diameter and is formed by the 24 top cables drooping down to large isolators. The size of the installation can be compared to the street lamps near the base of the antenna and just visible is the roof of the station house.

Just outside of Fallon, Nevada is the U.S. Coast Guard Loran-C Station which provides a navigation utility for the Pacific Ocean and the West Coast. Loran-C is part of a world-wide system of navigation mostly used for sea going craft. The Fallon station is designated 'M' since it is the Master Control station for the other three West Coast stations designed 'Y' in Searchlight, Nevada, 'X' in Middletown, California and 'G' in George, Washington. These three stations along with the master station in Fallon allow navigators to determine their position by use of a special Loran C receiver that accurately measures the pulse characteristics of the received signal to determine station ID and then accurately measures the time delay of the precisely timed signal (based on a Cesium atomic clock standard) to determine the receiver's distance from the transmitter. By using the master station signal and at least one slave station signal, the receiver position is determined by timing the two wave fronts to determine their intersection point in reference to the receiver's location. If another slave station can be received then the calculation of intersection point becomes more accurate and likewise the receiver's position. Various corrections are incorporated into the computations to allow for skywave propagation (if any,) terrain (over land or over water) and other minute interferences. Three HP Cesium atomic clocks keep the accuracy of the system constant since correct timing to the nanosecond is essential for determining true position. The best accuracy of Loran C is about 50 to 150 feet.  The transmitter is running 400KW at 100 kHz. The antenna mast is 625 feet tall and 24 top conductors drooping down to large isolators form the enormous capacity hat for the system. The signal consists of a rapid, continuous "tick-tick tick..." centered at 100 kHz. The signal is actually a pulse train made up of eight pulses from each Loran C station. The Master 'M' station has an extra pulse in the train for identification as a "master." Timing is critical as every Loran C station is on 100 kHz and each station has to send its pulses at a precise time for the system to maintain accuracy.  The Fallon Loran C is easy to receive anywhere in the west. It is particularly strong in Virginia City as we have "line of sight" to the Loran-C antenna, even though it is nearly 60 miles away. This is because VC is on the east slope of Mt. Davidson at 6200 feet elevation and looking 60 miles east is Fallon at 3980 feet elevation. You can see Mt. Davidson from the Fallon Loran-C Station. The USGC station and antenna are located West of Fallon at the end of Soda Lake Rd. with a right turn onto Loran Rd. to the site. Below are some photos taken at the station in July 2007.

Above: The Control Room with Signal Generators, three Cesium atomic clocks, signal and transmitter monitoring, alarms, communications with slave Loran stations. Everything has a duplicate for redundancy.

Above Left: The 625' Antenna base stands on five ceramic insulators. The entire weight of the tower and guy system is supported by these 5" diameter insulators. The feed line is an air spaced coaxial feedline housed in an eight-inch diameter PVC tube. The box at the end of the feedline is the lightning arrestor. The output of the feedline connects to the tower base with 2" diameter copper pipe. The device to the left of the tower is a coupling transformer for the tower lights - it allows isolation from the AC line if the tower is struck by lightning. The ground connection can be seen at the base of the insulators - four copper sheets 2 ft. wide and .125" thick are buried and also connect to the radial system that is about 900 feet diameter. For a scale to the size of this installation, the sides of the tower are 6 feet across. The circular pads at the top of the triangular section are for fitting spacers to hydraulically jack the entire tower up for maintenance to the base mount. Left: The Loran C 400 KW transmitter built by Megapulse. Most of the transmitter consists of sixteen drivers (eight panels on each side) that shape the final output signal. The station can operate with up to two drivers not working. Past the drivers is the output stage followed by the output coupler. The each output stage and output coupler are dual redundancy. The output coupler attaches to the feedline via two large cables. The incredibly large switching load on the transmitter power supplies results in a very loud audible representation of the transmitted signal. Right: Looking into the rear of the transmitter bay. The red tags remind the technicians that 30,000 volts is present when the transmitter is operating. Also note the yellow sign regarding the noise present around the transmitter.

Left: The output tank of the transmitter. One inductor is hand tuned for a "rough" setting while the final tune is accomplished remotely with the motor driven inductor. Below is the inductors is the solid state output magnacoupler. Large capacitance can be used with solid state transmitters resulting in smaller inductors. These inductors are about 10" diameter. The coils are wound with a cloth covered multiconductor cable. Right: The output coupler stage. The loading inductance is adjusted with a special tool that fits onto the eccentric knob on the shaft. This allows adjustment with the panel installed and the transmitter operational. Below are the massive capacitors that allow the use of smaller inductors. For size reference, the inductor is about 10 inches diameter.   Note: These photos were taken of the standby units. The access doors to the operational units cannot be removed while the transmitter is running without causing a system shutdown. Even removing these standby unit access doors would have triggered an alarm had it not been bypassed in the Control Room prior to opening.   Thanks to USCG ET1 Chris Shanks for the tour of the facility.

"NO" - 351 Khz - Reno, Nevada - NDB for Reno-Tahoe International Airport

Located on 351 KC is the NDB for Reno-Tahoe International Airport. "NO" runs 25 watts and is physically located at the north end of the airport, in an empty lot, across the street from the beginning of runway 16R. The antenna is only about 15 feet of vertical radiator with a capacity hat that is about 15 feet off the ground and about 150 feet long. The capacity hat is strung between two "not very tall" telephone poles. The transmitter and climate control equipment are located in and around a small building below the center of the capacity hat. The feed actually enters on the west side of the building through an underground conduit. Coverage is quite good considering the low power of the transmitter and the small antenna. For some reason "NO" is not listed on any of the NAV-AID sites but it is operating 24 hrs a day, on 351 KC. About once a year, NO is "off the air" for a period of 2-3 weeks. Whether this is due to failures or scheduled maintenance is not known - the signal always seems to return after a few weeks.

Above: Full view of the "NO" site as seen from Mill Street looking North.       Right: The photo was taken from the rear of an auto dealership looking NE. John Asquaga's Nugget towers are in the background. Below left: West side 15' pole support.         Below Middle: Close-up of shack           Below right: East side 15' pole support.

"AEC" - 209 kHz - NDB for Bush Camp, Nevada

AEC is on 209 kc. and can be received here day or night, indicating that the transmitter is running power higher than the 25 watts normal for NDBs. AEC is supposed to be located near Warm Springs, Nevada on Hwy 6 about 60 miles east of Tonopah, Nevada. The site is called Bush Camp and is a US government controlled, fenced air field with a maintained runway and some minor support buildings. Though the runway was recently repaved, there are large "X"s painted at each end of the runway to indicate "as viewed from the air" that it is closed and not in use. Apparently no hangers are at the site. What the exact use of Bush Camp is remains unknown, although once it was the location of the Tonopah Test Range. Though some speculate it now has some connection with Groom Lake/Area 51, this is highly unlikely. AEC is not listed on any of the NAV-AID sites yet it is in operation 24 hours a day, everyday. It is listed on LF websites that show logs of received stations.

Henry Rogers W7HTR  © November 2007 

Western Historic Radio Museum
Vintage Radio Equipment and Memorabilia
From 1910 through the 1950s

P.O. Box 73 - Virginia City, Nevada, 89440