Northern Star: Our pictures from Longwave Radio Beacons.

Click and find a selection of pics from visits to selected Longwave Radio Beacon sites 1980-2002, in order to learn more about the performance of a Longwave Radio Signal. Also, the Sport of Monitoring Longwave Radio Beacons(aka NDBs=Non-Directional radio Beacons) is growing increasingly popular. Such Transmitters have a lot to learn us about the Wonders of Longwave Propagation!

A Maritime Radio Beacon
"BJ" Bjoernsund(Bear Sound) was situated at the Lighthouse of the same name at 064900E/625348N. A Radio Beacon transmits a signal that is received by a ship's radio direction finder. The dial of this unit then shows the bearing from the ship to the Beacon.

"BJ" shown with typical "T" type antenna seen from path leading to the Lighthouse
The beacon had the ident "BJ" and radiated on 294,2, later on 301,1 and finally on 303,4 kHz.
AT unit of antenna
The old Elektrisk Bureau transmitter was placed inside the Lighthouse. It also had facilities for regular phone traffic on MF, such as 2182 kHz.
The new Elektrisk Bureau transmitter. Power was 50 watts, but even with this tiny power, the signal went a long way down to Central Europe and up to the Arctic!
Guy Wires with village of Northern Bjoernsund in background
Copper earthing placed on the rocks and going down into the Salt Waters of the North Atlantic

Another Maritime Radio Beacon
"LA" Lista was situated at the Lighthouse of the same name at 063406E/580636N.

The only mast of "LA" "T" type antenna seen from the Lighthouse
The beacon radiated on 296,5 kHz, later on 300,5 and has now become a DGPS station on 304 kHz, still with great coverage
The lighthouse with antenna mast behind

An Irish Maritime Radio Beacon
"TR" Tuskar Rock, Co Wexford was situated at the Lighthouse of the same name in the South Irish Sea at 060308W/521217N. From 1953-1992 the station operated in sequence with 5 others in the British Isles. It closed in February 1999.

"TR" had a very good antenna arrangement. A vertical of 14,5 metres was used together with an AGA transmitter. It was possible to monitor the station in Western Norway during the day on 286 kHz!

A Vertical Aero Beacon Antenna
"VAR" Varhaug replaced the LEC Consol station. The site has been considered for our station.

Varhaug in June 2001. The station radiates on 319 kHz with 50 watts.

An Aero Beacon T-Antenna
in beautiful Romsdal. This is the site of "TAT" at Tautra Island as it was pictured by Geir Stokkeland in June 2002.

The station radiates on 394 kHz with 50 watts
The "TAT" antenna is of similar design as the "flattops" of the 20s and 30s, known to produce an excellent skywave signal
"TAT" is well heard in Northern Europe up to the Arctic

A Swedish Lightship Radio Beacon

Radio station FI, Finngrundet was situated at a very exposed position in the Baltic(1831E/610150N), and closed 1969.
The pictures are taken at the Wasa Museum in Stockholm, where this ship now is moored, herself also a very interesting sight.

When in use, the station radiated the ident "FI" on the Longwave frequency of 318,5 KHz, earlier also as "J" on 316,5.
T-type antenna of the Finngrundet.
Transmitter room. The beacon transmitter of 50 watts is of Standard Radio manufacture.

Norwegian, plus Danish and Swedish border NDB stations frequency list from the 1984


Picture:T-type antenna masts at "BJ" Mooeya, Bjoernsund(Bear Sound), Outer Romsdal, Norway. We visited this station for the first time in July 1980.
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