SB SPCL @ ARL $ARLX005
ARLX005 HAARP to air test transmission for hams
ZCZC AX05
QST de W1AW
Special Bulletin 5 ARLX005
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT February 21, 1997
To all radio amateurs
SB SPCL ARL ARLX005
ARLX005 HAARP to air test transmission for hams
The High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) facility
in Gakona, Alaska, will transmit a test signal on March 8, 1997,
seeking reports from hams and SWLs in Alaska and in the ''Lower 48''
to determine how well the HAARP transmissions can be heard to the
south.
During this test, the HAARP facility will transmit on or near the
frequencies 3.4 MHz and 6.99 MHz to give listeners the opportunity
to listen for the HAARP facility and to claim a QSL card. The test
will be conducted beginning at 0430 UTC on March 8 (2330 Eastern
Time on March 7).
The format of the test will be to transmit a constant carrier (no
modulation) signal followed by a CW message at 10 WPM, according to
the following schedule:
TIME FREQ SIGNAL ANTENNA POSITION
0430 6.99 MHz Carrier only Pointed up
0435 6.99 MHz CW message Pointed up
0440 6.99 MHz Carrier only Pointed to SE
0445 6.99 MHz CW message Pointed to SE
0450 3.4 MHz Carrier only Pointed up
0455 3.4 MHz CW message Pointed up
The transmission beginning at 0450 is primarily for Alaskan hams.
Reception reports should include signal strength during the constant
carrier transmission period along with the text of the CW message.
Complete details on this test and a QSL address will be listed on
the HAARP home page at
http://server5550.itd.nrl.navy.mil/announce.html.
The HAARP facility--now in the developmental prototype stage--has
been undergoing testing since it was completed in late 1994.
Multiple transmitters feed multiple antenna elements (there are 48
antenna elements on the site, arranged in eight rows of six columns;
however, at this time, only 18 elements are active. The test will
use 17 antennas with a net transmitter power of 340 kW). The final
configuration could have 180 antenna elements and a combined
transmitter power of 3.6 MW. HAARP's stated scientific purpose is to
study ''the properties and behavior of the ionosphere, with
particular emphasis on being able to understand and use it to
enhance communications and surveillance systems for both civilian
and defense purposes.'' HAARP is managed by the US Air Force and the
US Navy.
For more information, see ''The High Frequency Active Auroral
Research Program'' (QST, Sep 1996, p 33), or check out the HAARP home
page, http://server5550.itd.nrl.navy.mil/haarp.html.
NNNN
/EX
