The 4th edition of FRS' Summer Splash took place in July & August. Following a short break we have made a start replying to all (snail) mails. Soon the Summer edition of our Newsletter will be ready for downloading.
Keep an eye on frsholland.nl/downloads/ .
2008 was past and 2009 started similar to 2006 and 2008 with a long period of non-activity. But….it would become an important year.
2009 would bring about a turnaround in activities. The year started similar to 2006 and 2008 with a long period of non-activity. Though it wouldn’t take as long as the previous year before FRS was brought to life. In ‘FRS News’ Edition 34 from September 2009 It was announced that FRS-Holland was preparing a few tests within the 39 mb. The intention was that each Sunday would see 4 hour of tests divided in two blocks of two hours: 08.00-10.00 UTC and a repeat between 12.00-14.00 UTC. During each 2 hour morning block we planned to use 2 different frequencies, the same ones would be used during the afternoon tests.
Sunday October 4th FRS-Holland awakened following a 9 month period of inactivity. At that moment propagation had improved and activity on the shortwave bands was pretty high. At 08.00 UTC (10.00 CET) ‘Peace’ from Peter marked the start of a series of tests. A week later another 4 hour test was scheduled. Two frequencies were tested: 7600 & 7685 replacing the originally intended 7635). Listeners were informed by e-mail. No doubt FRS was understandably curious receiving reception reports as these tests were seriously aimed at using 39 metres more often in future. This frequency range was much less overcrowded compared with 48 metres and signals tend to be more stable and cover greater distances. Questions which needed an answer were: which frequency would turn out to be the best/ clearest? And: during what part of the day signals would be strongest? To collect the most reliable information the test schedule for Sunday October 4th would be copied for Sunday October 11th. Sunday October 4th was a success with some 70 reports from all over Europe and beyond (Chili, Missouri- USA, Newfoundland- Canada). October 11th we used an extra low powered tx (at the recommendation of the person who managed the broadcast) meaning that 7600 & 7685 were in parallel with different outputs. The smaller spare rig was connected to an experimental vertical antenna. The higher powered rig used an Inverted V. Also October 11th produced an overwhelming response. Even more than the week before. For both October tests far over 150 reports were received. Reception seemed best at the end of the morning between 09.30-10.00 and the 13-14 UTC slot. No major differences between 7600 & 7685 were observed.
We are greatly indebted to a good radio friend who pointed out the possibility of relays through the station that conducted the October tests in 2009 and from that moment on, took care of all our broadcasts. Of course, thanks are also due to the person who made his transmitters available and faithfully stayed tuned to FRS-Holland.
With the positive results of the October tests in mind, FRS decided to put out a full scheduled broadcast Sunday November 15th between 07.52– 12.45 UTC, in fact the first one that year. A full repeat was scheduled a week later for Sunday November 22nd. November 15th would see FRS on 7600 kHz in parallel with 5810. A week later we had another surprise in store for the listeners: 9300 kHz in the 31 mb was replacing the 5810 outlet from the week before. We choose to do the repeat at a different time slot: 10.52– 15.45 UTC. Propagation in November was satisfactory and some 75 reports reached us by mail and via POBox 2702. The November broadcast saw Dave Scott’s debut show on FRS-Holland. Loyal and older FRS listeners perhaps realize that there was a time that only two presenters were to be heard on FRS. In 2009 we were proud to have a team of no less than five presenters: Mike Anderson, Jan van Dijk, Paul Graham, Dave Scott & Peter Verbruggen. We had to go back a very long time to find a FRS presenting team of five… So, we were very happy with Dave Scott joining our team. Dave is a true shortwave veteran who successfully operated his very own & popular Radio Apollo International back in the heydays of shortwave Free Radio, the mid 80s.
For the 3rd time in a row, the traditional end of the year broadcasts took place December 27th. A special QSL card would be issued for those sending in a correct reception report. As we didn’t intend repeating this one on a different date, we planned a repeat following the close down of the first series. In the later Sunday afternoon hours a powerful station was using 7600 and that made us decide to use 7685 all day. During the first 5 hours 07.52-13.00 UTC 7685 in parallel with 5800 and 13.00– 18.08 UTC 7685 in parallel with 9300 kHz. December 27th propagation was far from good and noticeably poorer compared with October & November. Particularly (too) much noise was spoilsport! Nevertheless good signals were reported in wide areas of Europe. Response from overseas was disappointing. 5800 did well in a smaller area, quite understandable knowing that this transmitter is just over 100W. While the other one is 350W. Modulation on 7685 was loud and clear. 9300 kHz is a high frequency and we aimed to have a fair signal in remote areas where 7685 would be poor. Strange enough that hypothesis did not hold good as 9300 was poor in the eastern part of Germany and Scandinavia while it was good in Northern Italy and Spain. A matter of antenna direction? In December we received 50 reports. No doubt 2008 had been a good year with four successful broadcasts in the last three months of the year. And: a fantastic response… We worked overtime to respond to all the mail!