KSM Station Operations

[MadManMarkAu]

Morse code at the beginning is "VVV VVV VVV DE KSM KSM KSM QSX 500/EIET" and translates to "Station VVV calling station KSM, will you listen on frequency 500/EIET" No idea what the EIET means. Anyone clarify?

[RadioKSM]

@MadManMarkAu

The audio track fades out but in complete form it is QSX 500/4/6/8/12/16/22

- RD

[nakayle]

Boy that is a old transmitter! RCA hasn't built them like that since the 1950s. But I love these old tube jobs- especially those with mercury rectifiers. Today's transmitters are so boring- just rows of solid-state modules about as interesting to see as a row of filing cabinets. Nothing like big glass bottles glowing bright with thoriated tungsten or the blue glow of MVRs pulsating with the modulation- and occasionally arcing over to keep life interesting! Ah those were the days!

[RadioKSM]

@nakayle

I see you are "one of us"! The 1942 Press Wireless PW15 transmitter came to us with the MV rectifiers replaced with solid state rectifiers. Transmitter Supervisor Hawes replaced the MV rectifiers which also required the replacement of the filament transformers too, which had also been removed.

- RD

[RadioKSM]

Actually there are interlocks on everything. When we began our project we found that almost all had been bypassed! But as part of the restoration all the interlocks were returned to service. Plus we use the shorting stick whenever a transmitter is being worked on. You don't get a second chance at those voltages!

- RD

[G0IMB]

Nice to see QRO kit like this:-))))

[Erzahler]

My hat is off to all of you who have put all of your hard work and time into restoring and operating this classic, venerable transmitter. Surely a treasure to broadcasting history around the world. May she continue transmitting for years to come!

[RadioKSM]

Thanks for your kind comment... - RD

[djaresdotcom]

Thank you so much for sharing! Absolutely fascinating, and great quality.

[bartonbuster]

I mantained a RCA BTA 5-H which looks like your transmitter. Looks like you must have jumped the interlocks since the doors were open. 73 and best

[RadioKSM]

No, we're very careful about that. All interlocks are operational although when we first started the project almost all were bypassed!

- RD

[uploadJ]

Wow. Thank you for recording this bit of history to share with the rest of the world. 73 and best to you. de wb5wpa

[RadioKSM]

Thanks, OM. We were on for New Year's Eve which was a real pleasure.

- RD

[douro20]

I like seeing those trigatrons flash when the transmitter is keyed...

[RadioKSM]

Yes, it's a real sight. We had the classic transmitter on for New Year's Eve. I stood in front of the PW-15 and the RCA transmitters absorbing the wonderful sight of the meters bouncing and the tubes flashing.

- RD

[douro20]

The megger is basically a megohmmeter with a generator in it. Here it is being used to test for a filament-to-cathode short.

[paulshinn]

I have traffic for a vessel. Please relay MSG. Send to RCA station KPH/KSM for broadcast!

[guimbadriver]

The Jesus stick saved my life one day, they turn off the transmitter and i go to open the door to see the tank coil, imagine the discharge of the capacitors in my hand heheh

[ironjob]

Actually, I don't want to imagine it!! LOL!!

That would be agony!!

[VenusFlyDuck]

Practically brings tears to my eyes for obselete technology and all it accomplished. I'm going to get my ham ticket now.

[RadioKSM]

I know exactly what you mean. Best luck with the license.

[19radio]

Great set up ,what is the power of this TX ?

[RadioKSM]

We run most of the transmitters at 4-5kW output.

[cc6809]

Doesn't get any better than this. Thanks for posting!

[RadioKSM]

Yes, that's what I think every time I sit down to operate the station. - RD

[jvolstad]

That is so cool. I love CW. I was a morse code intercepter in the Army (ASA) - 05H.

WA0TRY

[RadioKSM]

Please share with us some of your experiences with the ASA... those that won't get you in trouble, I mean! - RD

[CapnSONiC]

Simply AWESOME!!!! O_O

[TruSlack]

Jesus Stick = Shorting lug of some kind?

[RadioKSM]

Yes, exactly.  Standard procedure is to ground the HV lead with the grounding stick before putting your hands inside no matter how sure you are that everything's off. Failure to do so may result in seeing your make earlier than originally planned! - RD