4KZ Queensland to start shortwave broadcasting

[VK2AOH]

For the people of remote north Queensland whom lost news and information when the ABC closed Radio Australia there may be an alternative.

4KZ in Innisfail will start shortwave broadcasting on 5055KHz in May. The service will be simulcast with the existing 4KZ broadcasts.

1.5 KW into and inverted Vee aerial.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://swling.com/blog/2017/04/radio-4kz-in-queensland-to-begin-broadcasting-on-shortwave/">http://swling.com/blog/2017/04/radio-4k ... shortwave/</a><!-- m -->

[VK4RW]

Any word if this transmission has commenced?

I have had a listen around the frequency mentioned on another site, but no signal found.

Ron
VK4BVI

[VK2BTD]

Any word if this transmission has commenced?

I have had a listen around the frequency mentioned on another site, but no signal found.

Ron
VK4BVI

Hello,

I just received an email from the GM who advised that the broadcast on 5055khz will commence in about a month.  They are still waiting on the arrival of the crystal for the transmitter.

Trevor
VK2BTD

[VK2ZRH]

Gee. Any resourceful ham could get a suitable surplus/2nd-hand crystal and grind it to frequency in less than a month.

[VK3LU]

Been there, done that many decades ago.
A trip to Walthams for a rock, plate glass and some toothpaste.

Nev

[VK4RW]

Trevor

Thanks for the update to the thread.  Thought I may be up for a new antenna


I can have a scratch around in the junk box for a crystal if necessary

Cheers

Ron
VK4BVI

[VK5ZLR]

Are there any updates to this? Has Tx begun?

[VK4ADC]

There is an entry on the ACMA register for them :

5.055 MHz
6K00A3E
21/Mar/2017
Coastal Broadcasters Pty Ltd (57709)
Broadcast Site 3 km East of INNISFAIL QLD 4860

There is nothing on their 4KZ.com,au  or Facebook pages about a HF operation as yet.

The assignment page shows a 1000 W pZ and TunedLongWire, BPA-1000, Broadband propagation antenna.

The 'Behind the Scenes' page reveals Al Kirton,  licenced Amateur Radio Operator with the call sign of VK4FFKZ. 

Wrong time of the day perhaps but nothing heard here.

73 Doug VK4ADC

[VK4ADC]

There is wide interest in the radio broadcaster 4KZ in Northern Queensland, usually on the AM band, but now with a transmission on 5055 kHz being received at the Top End of Australia and overseas as well. NQ Radio General Manager Al Kirton has confirmed the transmission, which is part of the 50th celebrations. 

In January 2017 the Australian Broadcasting Corporation exited Shortwave Radio transmission to the Northern Territory and Radio Australia international services. Unfortunately the 4KZ 5055 kHz signal which began on December 20 is only 500 watts or half power until one of the RF boards can be repaired. 

The shortwave broadcast is from a site at east Innisfail in Tropical North Queensland, using a USA-made 1.2 kW transmitter into an Inverted-V antenna. The program from the 4KZ and 4AY AM band transmitters was designed to cover the Cape York area and the northern outback. However the 60m band signal has been heard further away. 

Reports with many audio clips are from the Top End, New South Wales and Victoria, as well as from the USA, Canada and New Zealand. The true test will come when the full 1 kW power is able to be used The transmission hours are about 0500 to 2300 hours UTC. All confirmed reception reports will receive a 4KZ shortwave QSL card. No return postage is required.

Reports by email to Al Kirton (al@nqradio.com.au) or to Radio 4KZ, PO Box 19, Innisfail Queensland 4860 Australia.
 (Jim Linton VK3PC)

From text edition for DEC 31  2017 - VK NATIONAL NEWS BROADCAST ON VK1WIA : http://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/wianews/

Also in MP3 edition of news available at: http://www.wia-files.com/podcast/wianews-2017-12-31.mp3

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