Almost a hundred years ago, on December 1st, 1924, the long wave transmitter at Grimeton Radio Station, with the call sign SAQ, was put into commercial operation, with transmissions across the Atlantic ocean, to the receiving station at Riverhead and the replying transmitter station at Rocky Point, both on Long Island, NY, USA. While all the other transmitting and receiving stations in the RCA network since long are gone, SAQ has been preserved as a World Heritage Site and, amazingly, SAQ is still operational. The design and manufacturing of such a robust and reliable radio transmitter was a monumental achievement by the Swedish-born inventor Ernst F.W. Alexanderson.
Thank you Ernst!
The Alexander Association welcomes all visitors to Alexanderson Day, Sunday, June 30th, 2024, 09:30-16:00.
Together with the World Heritage Grimeton Radio Station, we will offer many activities, for the whole family, during the day.
The unique Alexanderson alternator from 1924, with the call sign SAQ, is scheduled for two transmissions over the antenna on VLF 17.2 kHz CW.
Alexanderson Day program & transmission schedule:
10:20 CEST (08:20 UTC) Live YouTube broadcast begins.
10:30 CEST (08:30 UTC) Start-up of the Alternator.
11:00 CEST (09:00 UTC) Transmission of a message.
11:15 CEST Guided antenna walk (Swedish). Start by the cooling pond.
11:45 CEST Guided technical tour (Swedish & English). Start by the visitor’s center.
12:30 CEST Varberg Navy Singers (Swedish & English). Sings songs by the Swedish composer and singer Evert Taube. Transmitter hall
13:20 CEST (11:20 UTC) Live YouTube broadcast begins.
13:30 CEST (11:30 UTC) Start-up of the Alternator.
14:00 CEST (12:00 UTC) Transmission of a message.
14:15 CEST Guided antenna walk (English). Start by the cooling pond.
14:45 CEST Guided technical tour (Swedish & English). Start by the visitor’s center.
Live Video from World Heritage Grimeton Radio Station
Both transmission events can be seen live on our YouTube Channel.
Test Transmissions
There may be some test transmissions, preliminary on June 28th between 13:00 – 16:00 CEST.
During the tests, SAQ will be on air shorter periods of time, when we will be carrying out some tests and measurements. Your comments are welcome to info@alexander.n.se.
QSL Reports to SAQ
QSL reports to SAQ are most welcome and appreciated!
For guaranteed E-QSL from us, please report using our ONLINE FORM.
Our confirmation of reports by Email / mail / bureau is not guaranteed.
Please only send ONE report covering both transmissions.
The online form will be open from June 30th until July 26th.
Amateur Radio Station SK6SAQ
The Amateur Radio Station with the call “SK6SAQ” will be QRV during the day on the following frequencies:
– 3 517.2 kHz CW
– 7.017.2 kHz CW
– 14.017.2 KHz CW
– 3.755 kHz SSB
– 7.140 kHz SSB
QSL-reports to SK6SAQ (NOT SAQ) are kindly received via:
– Email to info@alexander.n.se
– or via: SM bureau
– or direct by postal mail (link to address here)
Two stations will be on the air most of the time.
Visiting World Heritage Grimeton Radio Station
In addition to these program items, lots of other activities are offered throughout the day, including:
– The exhibition, where you can test your Morse skills, among other things.
– The control, an obstacle course for all climbers, where there are different tasks to solve.
– Signals intelligence, puts your Morse skills to the test. What is the secret message?
– Kjells café, with good coffee.
– Food galley, with freshly fried, hand-crafted Churros, inspired by radio stations from all corners of the World.
– The radio shop, the world heritage well-stocked souvenir shop.
Please see grimeton.org for complete visitor’s information.
Not a member yet ? Then it’s time to join the Alexander team!
We welcome you as a member of the Alexander Grimeton Friendship Association, to support our non-profit activities in preserving, documenting and bringing to life the unique Alexanderson alternator from 1924.
As a member You get a 10% discount on World Heritage Grimeton’s shop and café (not ice cream), and free admission to Alexander’s summer evening displays and to the Alexanderson Day, upon presentation of your membership card. Four times per year, you will receive our online magazine “Alternatorn”, exclusively available only to our members.
Members also has access to our on-line library with lots of unique historical documents about SAQ and the Alexanderson alternator. Alexander members also have free admission to the Radio Museum in Gothenburg. Membership costs SEK 125 / year.
Help us to keep SAQ Grimeton operational.
Just a small donation will be of great help to us, in our work to keep SAQ in operational condition. Your donation will go to the work of maintaining, displaying and running the historical Alexanderson alternator, as well as passing on knowledge to current and future generations.
*The world heritage site Grimeton is a living cultural heritage. All transmissions with the long-wave transmitter SAQ are therefore preliminary and may be cancelled at short notice.