The AM Forum

BIG SIGNAL


https://www.wagmtv.com/content/news/260-foot-tower-antenna-in-Monticello-nearing-completion-507864781.html

One point that the info-babe on the Presque Isle TV station didn't make much of is that this whole Ampegon curtain array is self supporting and fully rotatable.  I saw one over in the Middle East, where I was doing some multi-tower medium wave arrays on the same site.  About four of us were able to walk through the door at the base, mill around inside,  and look at all the hydraulics and controls that do the moving.  It's very impressive, lots of gain.  These things pretty much make their own propagation.

RST 5 9 9 ? I wonder if it will light up neighbors lights when it swings in there direction? One might if close enough, be able to put up an array, rectify it and recharge your all important texting device, or charge your electric car within 20 miles of the station  :D :D :D

I hear electric is quite expensive in Maine so how much per hour would it cost to run that beast? It will probably use about 900 KWH of power so if one KWH for argument sake would cost .18 cents, would that be about $162.00 per hour for electricity?  

That's amazing. Rotatable too.

I'm trying to figure out what the antenna(s) are doing...

I think I see a 16 el  all driven dipole array with a reflector screen behind it to make it uni-directional on 9 Mhz.  Gain probably about the equivalent of stacking eight, four element Yagis on 6M... but this is 9 MHz!

There is a smaller set of driven dipoles (16 el) that are on the bottom - maybe bi-directional?  Not sure.

Fed with monster open wire.  I would guess we are talking $1M?    I understand that the Bible Beaters are paying the bill.  Fine Business, OM!

T

Here's some WBCQ pics:

https://www.google.com/search?q=wbcq+Ampegon+curtain+array&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=5_e2ChqGdto8oM%253A%252CHPqP2m5s1a4p4M%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kQi72082-XHViiVB4fS_Drb_4vHkA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiu5vP8wLDhAhXHhOAKHZ77AV8Q9QEwAnoECAkQBA#imgrc=5d-3_OEJw0lxYM:&vet=1

The top ant's paint scheme is off, supposed to be 7 bands of Aviation Orange & White, red on top & bottom.

73DG

So how long before Timtron loads this up on  When will they start testing?

Listen for it tonight on 3265Khz

https://halturnerradioshow.com/index.php/en/news-page/news-nation/for-folks-in-new-england-ontario-quebec-and-new-york-state

I don't believe that big antenna goes that low in frequency so I don't know what their point is? I think the antenna bandwidth is something like 6Mhz to about 26Mhz? Furthermore, from what I hear locally from people who are actually working on the installation, is that it probably won't be airworthy probably until sometime in May this year?  What time are we to listen? The artical doesn't say?

I have no beef with you Jim, I'm just lost as to the authors intent?

From the Hal Turner Radio site: (The content of these broadcasts may be offensive, far right wing slant)

Be sure to tune-in at 9:00 PM eastern US time on Wednesday evening to take part in this blockbuster radio show.

The show airs globally from New York City on the following Global High Frequency Radio Stations & Frequencies:

WBCQ 7.490 (AM)

   "      5.130 (AM)

   "      3.265 (AM) [EXPERIMENTAL]

AND

WRMI  9.455 (AM)

as well as regular AM Radio via

KYAH  540-AM  "UTAH'S TALK AUTHORITY"

3265 is NOT the frequency for that antenna though. WBCQ had actually been using that frequency for a while, before construction of the new antenna began, but stopped for a while and just recently began using it again. I believe the reason they refer to it as an experimental frequency is because i seem to recall hearing that part of the reason for using it was to see if it would work better for coverage in the northeast during winter when 5130 and 7490 go long.

That's a typical; 4/4 rigid curtain array for SW BC (looks like a 4/4/0.5). Gain is something like 15-25 dBi depending on frequency. This looks like the 13-26 MHz version. Nice low TOs too, 10 degrees and less.  <drool>

So it looks like Tim will be strapping on 20m Monday nights?


KLC

Road trip to Timmie's