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Photo: The photograph above shows part of the gallery containing transmitters for KPH, KSM and K6KPH.
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QSL information:
Reception reports for K6KPH, KSM or KPH may be sent to:
MRHS
PO Box 392
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
USA
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The Maritime Radio Historical Society is dedicated to the preservation and documentation of the history of maritime radio communications with special emphasis on the stations and companies of the Pacific coast of the United States. The call sign of the amateur station of the Society, K6KPH, is intended as a tribute the greatest of those stations, the "wireless giant of the Pacific", KPH.
K6KPH on-the-air operations use only the original transmitters, receivers and antennas of KPH. No amateur equipment is employed. At this writing K6KPH operating frequencies are 3550, 7050, 14050 and 21050kc. The transmitters for most of these frequencies are Henry HF-5000 commercial transmitters. But for special occasions the 1950s vintage RCA commercial units known as "K" and "L" sets are used.
The transmitting antennas are double extended Zepps for frequencies below 12Mc and H over 2 for 12Mc and above. All antennas are fed with open wire line.
The KPH receiving station is 18 miles north of Bolinas on the Pt. Reyes peninsula. The operators work from this location, keying the transmitters in Bolinas remotely, just as was done when the station was in daily service.
KPH is activated at least once a year for the "Night of Nights" event that commemorates the last commercial Morse transmission in the US on 12 July 1999. KPH operates on HF frequencies in the 4, 6, 8, 12, 16 and 22Mc marine bands and on 500 and 426kc in the MF band.
The Maritime Radio Historical Society's own coast station, KSM, is usually on the air on Saturdays beginning at 1900z. Our Morse frequencies are: 426, 500, 4350.5, 6474.0, 8438.3 12993.0, 16914.0 and 22445.8kc.
We also send press and weather by RTTY in Baudot and FEC on 8433.0 and 12631.0kc.
K6KPH usually guards 7050kc and 14050kc (21050kc available on request) when KSM is on the air. Give a call! The best bet is to use commercial calling procedure since the amateur frequencies are scanned along with the ship calling frequencies. Call "K6KPH" repeatedly (within the bounds of identification requirements of course). When the K6KPH operator hears you he will send "DE" after which you can send your call and list your traffic.
K6KPH is also activated for special occasions such as International Marconi Day in April and for Straight Key Night on New Year's Eve. Don't let anyone tell you that radio operators don't know how to party!
If you would like to be added to the mailing list for announcements of future K6KPH/KSM/KPH on the air operations please send an email message to radiomarine-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
VY 73,
MRHS
