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Author Topic: Marine CW beacons/markers log.  (Read 20762 times)

Offline Looking-Glass

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Marine CW beacons/markers log.
« on: July 19, 2017, 0910 UTC »
The following is a list compiled of known active CW maritime beacons/markers both military and civilian, reception of all are in the A1A mode (CW).  The last date when heard is shown in brackets and other notes.  Please post any new ones heard with UTC date/time, frequency, call sign and report.

Stations on the list below not heard in 2020 & 2021 have been deleted, presumed inactive or decommissioned.  Should they reappear they can be reinstated later.

These are observations to Sunday 10th March 2024:

1850z  2.680.0MHz  CW  "VVV de 4XZ 4XZ" Israeli Navy, Haifa Israel 319 report. (Sometimes sends data) (hrd 10th Mar 2024)

1500z  4.209.5MHz  CW  "TAH" preceded with buzz tones, Turkish Met Radio, Istanbul, Turkey 519 report. (hrd 04th Feb 2024)
1500z  4.210.5MHz  CW  "XSQ" preceded with buzz tones. Guangzhou, China 569 report. (hrd 04th Feb 2024)
1824z  4.212.0MHz  CW  "XSQ" preceded with four buzz tones, Guangzhou, China 539 report. (hrd 08th Mar 2024)
1824z  4.215.0MHz  CW  "XSG" preceded with four buzz tones, Shanghai, China 569 report. (hrd 08th Mar 2024)
1905z  4.216.0MHz  CW  "TAH" preceded with buzz tones, Istanbul, Turkish Met Radio, Turkey 519 report. (hrd 23rd Sep 2022)
1910z  4.219.0MHz  CW  "XSQ" preceded with buzz tones, Guangzhou, China 529 report. (hrd 28th May 2022)
2010z  4.331.0MHz  CW  "VVV 4XZ 4XZ" Israeli Navy, Haifa, Israel 319 report. (also transmits data) (hrd 19th Mar 2024)

1020z  6.316.0MHz  CW  "XSQ" preceded with buzz tones, Guangzhou, China 559 report. (hrd 08th Mar 2024)
0934z  6.326.0MHz  CW  "XSG"  preceded with buzz tones, Shanghai, China 559 report. (hrd 04th Feb 2024))
0959z  6.329.0MHz  CW  "XSQ"  preceded with buzz tones, Guangzhou, China 419 report. (formerly XSV Tianjin & XSG Shanghai) (hrd 06th Dec 2023)
1850z  6.607.0MHz  CW  "VVV de 4XZ 4XZ" Israeli Navy, Haifa, Israel 419 report. (Often sends data.) (hrd 10th Mar 2024)

1826z  8.421.0MHz  CW  "XSQ" preceded with four buzz tones. Guangzhou, China. 579 report. (hrd 08th Mar 2024). 
0950z  8.421.0MHz  CW  "de XSG"  preceded with buzz tones. Shanghai, China. 549 report. (hrd 03rd Sep 2023)
1826z  8.424.0MHz  CW  "de SVO" Olympia Radio, near Athens, Greece 529 report. (hrd 08th Mar 2024)
1826z  8.425.5MHz  CW  "XSG" preceded with four buzz tones, Shanghai, China 549 report. (hrd 08th Mar 2024)
0906z  8.431.0MHz  CW  "XSQ" preceded with buzz tones, Guangzhou, China 559 report. (hrd 08th Mar 2024)
1711z  8.431.0MHz  CW  "TAH" preceded with buzz tones, Turkish Met Radio, Istanbul, Turkey 529 report. (hrd 08th Mar 2024)
1522z  8.432.0MHz  CW  "VVV de 4XZ 4XZ X X" Israeli Navy, Haifa, Israel. 529 report (hrd 28th May 2022)
1826z  8.433.0MHz  CW  "XSG" preceded with buzz tones, Shanghai, China 569 report. (hrd 08th Mar 2024)
1004z  8.435.0MHz  CW  "XSQ" preceded with four buzz tones, Guangzhou, China 579 report. (hrd 12th June 2022)

0710z  12.603.5MHz  CW  "de SVO" Olympia Radio, near Athens, Greece. 519 report. (hrd 04rd Jan 2024) Sending data only, no marker.
0740z  12.613.0MHz  CW  "XSQ" preceded with four buzz tones, Guangzhou, China 559 report. (hrd 08th Mar 2024) Signing as "de XSG".
0734z  12.622.5MHz  CW  "XSQ" preceded with four buzz tones, Guangzhou, China 319 report. (hrd 12th June 2022)
0906z  12.624.0MHz  CW  "XSQ" preceded with buzz tones, Guangzhou, China. 579 report. (08th Mar 2024)
1829z  12.637.5MHz  CW  "XSG" preceded with four buzz tones, Shanghai, China. 579 report. (hrd 08th Mar 2024)
1711z  12.648.5MHz  CW  "XSQ" preceded with four buzz tones, Guangzhou, China 539 report. (hrd 08th Mar 2024)
1829z  12.654.0MHz  CW  "TAH" preceded with buzz tones, Turkish Met Radio, Turkey 549 report. (hrd 08th Mar 2024)

0910z  16.850.3MHz  CW  "XSQ" preceded with four buzz tones, Guangzhou, China 569 report. (hrd 08th Mar 2024)
0115z  16.854.0MHz  CW  "XSQ" preceded with four buzz tones, Guangzhou, China 519 report. (hrd 13th June 2022)
0836z  16.876.5MHz  CW  "XSQ" preceded with four buzz tones, Guangzhou, China 559 report. (hrd 12th April 2021)
1830z  16.880.0MHz  CW  "XSQ" preceded with four buzz tones, Guangzhou, China 539 report. (hrd 08th Mar 2024)
1830z  16.898.5MHz  CW  "XSG" preceded with four buzz tones Shanghai, China 529 report. (hrd 08th Mar 2024)


Japan Fisheries Radio Network:

The JFR Network covers HF frequencies in CW mode 3-22MHz and usually transmit on the hour and on the half hour with a callsign preamble then a request for traffic, there are also current weather warnings broadcast.  If sufficient interest/comment is received I will publish the other frequencies down to 3MHz. 

I have noticed over the past three or so years a sharp decline in traffic being worked suggesting that this service and mode will be retired in the near future, so hear them while you can.  JFE on Okinawa has not been heard for around two years which suggests that this station has already been decommissioned.

22.681.5MHz  JFS Amori, JFT Kamaishi,  & JFW Fukushima.
22.642.0MHz  JFR Nagasaki, JFR2 Nagasaki & JFX Kagoshima.
22.606.5MHz  JFG Shizouka, JFM Muroto & JFH Mie.

17.231.0MHz  JHA Ibaraki & JFC Kanagawa.
17.180.0MHz  JFE Okinawa
17.140.0MHz  JFR2 Nagasaki,
17.132.0MHz  JFS Amori, JFT Kamaishi &  JFW Fukushima.
17.014.0MHz  JFR Nagasaki, JFX Kagoshima.

16.976.8MHz  JFG Shizouka, JFM Muroto & JFH Mie.
16.942.8MHz  JSB Hokkaido.

13.024.5MHz  JSB Hokkaido

12.880.0MHz  JFE Okinawa
12.858.0MHz  JFT Kamaishi & JFW Fukushima.
12.832.5MHz  JFC Kanagawa & JHA Ibaraki.
12.811.5MHz  JFM Muroto, JFH Mie
12.704.5MHz  JFR2 Nagasaki, JFX Kagoshima


HLF, HLJ, HLO, HLW etc Korea Telecom transmitters are all 3Kw to Log Periodic antennas from an area outside Seoul.
SVO Olympia Radio uses 10Kw transmitters to ND TCI 540-2-04 antenna system at Volakas, west of Athens on the coast.
TAH Istanbul Radio, Turkey runs a 10Kw transmitter, antenna system not known, transmitter near Istanbul.
XSG & XSQ China, transmitter and antenna array not known.

China has made quite a few changes in the past year, mostly call sign changes, however, some new stations appeared from July 2022, four new frequencies have appeared (4.210.5MHz, 8.421.0MHz, 12.624.0MHz and 16.850.3MHz) and three had call sign changes with former "XSQ" stations on 4.212.0MHz, 12.613.0MHz & 16.880.0MHz now signing as "de XSG", however, the "de" portion was dropped later around July & August 2022.  It often reverts back to "XSQ" as noted on Mon 06th Dec 2022 at 0530z.

Off particular note is 12.613.0MHz "XSQ" which was noted signing as "de XSG" on Friday 08th of March 2024 at 0740z, however, on Friday 09th of March at 0902z it had reverted back to "XSQ".

The last change we had was in September/October 2020 some Chinese beacons changed call signs, some XSG became XSQ and vice versa. Also 4.215.0MHz "de XSG" had the "de" dropped from the identifier and reverted back to just "XSG" rather than "de XSG".  On 16.880.0MHz it has been noted that previous "XSQ" has reverted back to "de XSG" observed on Tuesday 04th of July 2023. It later reverted back to "XSQ".

"WLO" American beacons:  The "WLO" beacons out of Mobile, Alabama USA have been deleted from the list as no longer on air.

Telecom Korea HLO, HLW, HLJ, HLG etc: These HF band CW transmissions ceased on all frequencies during late 2022 and all stations have been officially closed.  Thus they all have been removed from the listings as of March 2024.

SVO Olympia Radio:  Near Athens, in Greece, has not been heard here on 6.321.5MHz CW since September 2020, no recent reports have been seen on other radio websites nor have been reported here so it would be safe to assume that this service has been terminated.

For those who collect QSL cards SVO, TAH and HLF, HLG, HLJ, HLO & HLW have issued QSL cards to DXers in the past, providing you send a report in UTC date/time format.  The Chinese stations, as far as I know, do not QSL.

Where time permits I will try an update the list each month.
 

(updated: Sunday 10th March 2024)
« Last Edit: March 20, 2024, 1042 UTC by Looking-Glass »
Condobolin, NSW.

Grid Square:  QF37ub

Yaesu FT-1000D, Yaesu FT-2000D, ICOM IC-736 HF/50MHz, ICOM IC R75 & Tecsun S-2000 to 450 feet of wire, 27MHz 1/2 wave CB antenna converted to 21MHz & a multi band vertical of dubious reliability.

Offline sat_dxer

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Re: Marine CW beacons/markers log.
« Reply #1 on: August 07, 2019, 1353 UTC »
CW beacons/markers
8419.2 kHz XSV - Tianjin Radio, China from 1335z 7 Aug 2019
-----------------
8425.5 kHz XSG - Shanghai Radio, China w/ tfc from 1352z 7 Aug 2019
« Last Edit: August 07, 2019, 1355 UTC by sat_dxer »
Most times & frequencies posted are only an approximation.

Offline ZS6AF

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Re: Marine CW beacons/markers log.
« Reply #2 on: January 15, 2020, 1925 UTC »
Hearing the cw beacons on 4211.8khz XSQ
4214.8 KHZ XSG

ICOM R8500 Receiver with mutliband dipoles 2 to 10 mhz , longwire 200mtrs , and verticals for 11 to 30mhz

ZS6AF
KG54KM
NELSPRUIT
SOUTH AFRICA

Offline Looking-Glass

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Re: Marine CW beacons/markers log.
« Reply #3 on: February 21, 2020, 0441 UTC »
Have revised and up dated the list where possible, any changes or additions you may come across please post here using the UTC date/time format...thanks! ;)
Condobolin, NSW.

Grid Square:  QF37ub

Yaesu FT-1000D, Yaesu FT-2000D, ICOM IC-736 HF/50MHz, ICOM IC R75 & Tecsun S-2000 to 450 feet of wire, 27MHz 1/2 wave CB antenna converted to 21MHz & a multi band vertical of dubious reliability.

Offline Looking-Glass

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Re: Marine CW beacons/markers log.
« Reply #4 on: March 24, 2020, 2004 UTC »
New logging heard this morning by accident Tue 24th March 2020:

4.560.0MHz  CW  "TAH" preceded with buzz tones, Turkish State Met Office, Istanbul, Turkey. 539 report 1955z.
Condobolin, NSW.

Grid Square:  QF37ub

Yaesu FT-1000D, Yaesu FT-2000D, ICOM IC-736 HF/50MHz, ICOM IC R75 & Tecsun S-2000 to 450 feet of wire, 27MHz 1/2 wave CB antenna converted to 21MHz & a multi band vertical of dubious reliability.

Offline Looking-Glass

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Re: Marine CW beacons/markers log.
« Reply #5 on: March 26, 2020, 0105 UTC »
Marine CW beacons have been updated today Thursday 26th March 2020.

Any news such as additions or call sign changes and other observations welcome, please post with date and time (UTC format) and report.
Condobolin, NSW.

Grid Square:  QF37ub

Yaesu FT-1000D, Yaesu FT-2000D, ICOM IC-736 HF/50MHz, ICOM IC R75 & Tecsun S-2000 to 450 feet of wire, 27MHz 1/2 wave CB antenna converted to 21MHz & a multi band vertical of dubious reliability.

Offline Looking-Glass

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Re: Marine CW beacons/markers log.
« Reply #6 on: March 31, 2020, 2256 UTC »
Any one hearing XSV Tianjin?

The last two known frequencies on 8MHz have been replaced with XSG Shanghai in last few months.

Maybe XSV has been withdrawn from service?

Post please if you hear it with frequency date/time in UTC and report...LG ;)
Condobolin, NSW.

Grid Square:  QF37ub

Yaesu FT-1000D, Yaesu FT-2000D, ICOM IC-736 HF/50MHz, ICOM IC R75 & Tecsun S-2000 to 450 feet of wire, 27MHz 1/2 wave CB antenna converted to 21MHz & a multi band vertical of dubious reliability.

Offline Looking-Glass

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Re: Marine CW beacons/markers log.
« Reply #7 on: August 19, 2020, 0329 UTC »
Beacon list being updated during late August, any one with some amendments please post, thanks. ;)
Condobolin, NSW.

Grid Square:  QF37ub

Yaesu FT-1000D, Yaesu FT-2000D, ICOM IC-736 HF/50MHz, ICOM IC R75 & Tecsun S-2000 to 450 feet of wire, 27MHz 1/2 wave CB antenna converted to 21MHz & a multi band vertical of dubious reliability.

Offline SV1XV

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Re: Marine CW beacons/markers log.
« Reply #8 on: August 20, 2020, 0538 UTC »
Beacon list being updated during late August, any one with some amendments please post, thanks. ;)

Yes, you may add this from my log:

1435z  4.009.0 MHz  CW  "VVV de 4XZ 4XZ" Israeli Navy, Haifa, Israel 599 report.  (hrd 13th August 2020)

A rarely used frequency for Haifa Naval.


Offline Looking-Glass

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Re: Marine CW beacons/markers log.
« Reply #9 on: August 20, 2020, 1629 UTC »
Thank you Costas, by chance, did you hear 4.331.0MHz at the same time? Interesting to see if they were both on air together, at present 1625z I have 4.331.0MHz at 419 report but nothing on 4.009.0MHz. LG :)

You logging has been added to the main list, thanks again...LG
Condobolin, NSW.

Grid Square:  QF37ub

Yaesu FT-1000D, Yaesu FT-2000D, ICOM IC-736 HF/50MHz, ICOM IC R75 & Tecsun S-2000 to 450 feet of wire, 27MHz 1/2 wave CB antenna converted to 21MHz & a multi band vertical of dubious reliability.

Offline SV1XV

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Re: Marine CW beacons/markers log.
« Reply #10 on: August 20, 2020, 1639 UTC »
Sorry I did not check 4331 at the time. Howevwe I did check 6607 and it was active. 

Offline Looking-Glass

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Re: Marine CW beacons/markers log.
« Reply #11 on: August 22, 2020, 0957 UTC »
Thanks Costas, when you have some time please check the following for me as they have not been heard this season:

SVO  Olympia Radio  8.424.0MHz
 
TAH  Istanbul    4.209.5MHz
                       4.560.0MHz
                       8.434.0MHz

I think Olympia Radio on 8.424.0MHz may be off air as I hear TAH on 8MHz regular on 8.431.0MHz.

Appreciated.... ;)
« Last Edit: August 23, 2020, 0055 UTC by Looking-Glass »
Condobolin, NSW.

Grid Square:  QF37ub

Yaesu FT-1000D, Yaesu FT-2000D, ICOM IC-736 HF/50MHz, ICOM IC R75 & Tecsun S-2000 to 450 feet of wire, 27MHz 1/2 wave CB antenna converted to 21MHz & a multi band vertical of dubious reliability.

Offline Looking-Glass

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Re: Marine CW beacons/markers log.
« Reply #12 on: September 06, 2020, 0806 UTC »
List at the top of this page updated Sunday 06th September 2020, any one with loggings please submit. :)
Condobolin, NSW.

Grid Square:  QF37ub

Yaesu FT-1000D, Yaesu FT-2000D, ICOM IC-736 HF/50MHz, ICOM IC R75 & Tecsun S-2000 to 450 feet of wire, 27MHz 1/2 wave CB antenna converted to 21MHz & a multi band vertical of dubious reliability.

Offline Looking-Glass

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Re: Marine CW beacons/markers log.
« Reply #13 on: September 12, 2020, 0025 UTC »
Does any one know the status of the WLO beacons on 4, 6 & 8MHz from Mobile, Alabama USA?  They have not been heard for well over one year, leading me to think they have been decommissioned. Any information gratefully accepted, failing that they will be deleted from the list.

Appreciated. :)
Condobolin, NSW.

Grid Square:  QF37ub

Yaesu FT-1000D, Yaesu FT-2000D, ICOM IC-736 HF/50MHz, ICOM IC R75 & Tecsun S-2000 to 450 feet of wire, 27MHz 1/2 wave CB antenna converted to 21MHz & a multi band vertical of dubious reliability.

Offline Rob.

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Re: Marine CW beacons/markers log.
« Reply #14 on: September 12, 2020, 0926 UTC »
Does any one know the status of the WLO beacons on 4, 6 & 8MHz from Mobile, Alabama USA?  They have not been heard for well over one year, leading me to think they have been decommissioned. Any information gratefully accepted, failing that they will be deleted from the list.

Appreciated. :)

https://forums.radioreference.com/threads/wlo-shipcom-has-gone-dark.373002/
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