Frequency Measuring Test (FMT) Set for this Evening!

The November Frequency Measuring Test (FMT) will get under way on November 3 at 0000 UTC (8 PM Eastern Daylight Time on the evening of Wednesday, November 2). Transmissions of an unmodulated carrier will take place on 20, 40, and 80 meters, respectively, and participants will attempt to measure the signals’ frequencies as accurately as possible and report them.

The 20-meter transmission will have two parts — the first beaming east from California (W6OQI), and the second beaming toward Japan. Participants should submit only one 20-meter measurement but are encouraged to measure both transmissions and compare the measured frequency and signal characteristics in their comments. Participants may submit measurements for either or both of the stations transmitting the FMT signals on 80 and 40 meters.

Submit measurements to the Frequency Measuring Test Data Entry page (click on “Data Entry”) before 0000 UTC on November 5 (the evening of November 4 in US time zones). Results will be published automatically after 0000 UTC on November 5 on the data entry website. More information on FMT measuring techniques is available on the K5CM website.

Here’s the schedule (all times are Eastern Daylight Time):

20 meters: Near 14,121 kHz, initially beaming east

W6OQI (8:00 PM EDT) Call up for 3 minutes

W6OQI (8:03 PM EDT) Key down for 2 minutes

W6OQI (8:05 PM EDT) Restart 3-minute call-up, beaming toward Japan and North Pacific

W6OQI (8:08 PM EDT) Key down for 2 minutes

W6OQI (8:10 PM EDT) End 20 meters and announce change to 40 meters

40 meters: Near 7,064 kHz

For the 40- and 80-meter runs, K5CM will transmit first and then turn the frequency over to W8RKO. The signals should be within ±250 Hz of each other.

K5CM (10:00 PM EDT) Call up for 3 minutes

K5CM (10:03 PM EDT) Key down 2 minutes

K5CM (10:05 PM EDT) Turn frequency over to W8RKO

W8RKO (10:06 PM EDT) Call up for 3 minutes

W8RKO (10:09 PM EDT) Key down for 2 minutes.

W8RKO (10:11 PM EDT) End 40-meter test and move to 80 meters

80 meters: Near 3,599 kHz

K5CM (10:25 PM EDT) Call up for 3 minutes

K5CM (10:28 PM EDT) Key down for 2 minutes

K5CM (10:30 PM EDT) Turn frequency over to W8RKO

W8RKO (10:31 PM EDT) Call up for 3 minutes

W8RKO (10:34 PM EDT) Key down for 2 minutes