Canada

Wow, NDBs are rapidly going the way of the Dodo bird, it seems.  Latest from NAV Canada regarding Miramichi, NB:

Miramichi NDB – The NDB (F9) located at the Miramichi, NB (CYCH) airport is being decommissioned. As a result of the NDB being decommissioned the two NDB approaches at Miramichi (NDB RWY 09 and NDB RWY 27) will be revoked and removed from the Canada Air Pilot on October 5, 2023. The two GNSS approaches (RNAV (GNSS) RWY 09 and RNAV (GNSS) RWY 27) will remain unchanged with the existing approach minima that are lower than the NDB approaches that are being revoked. Additionally, the A8 Airway between Miramichi, NB and Moncton, NB will also be revoked. NAV Canada are seeking any feedback, issues or concerns pertaining to this upcoming change by Friday, September 22, 2023. The Notice of Change with details to provide feedback can be found here.

Of course, no frequency is mentioned.  It’s 520 kHz with 125 W, so one that likely gets out very well.  I remember seeing the antenna at the airport while visiting 1 year ago (at the south end of the airport, adjacent to the terminal). 

73,  Walt Salmaniw to WOR iog (2023-09-22)

Spain

A new NDB?
I was checking my LW recording dated 20 July 2023 and at 21h43z I discover a new signal on 290 kHz (400 Hz sidebands). The signal stopped at 21h53:10z I stopped my recording at 21h55z and did not return.
Carrier: 290 kHz. LSB: 289,6 kHz. USB: 290,4 kHz.
Call: EHYJ or HYJ with an ‘E’ before, back up txer?
Cycle: 16sec. ID+10sec gap.
It seems not to be logged or in the database. Anyone heard it? My Wellbrook loop was pointing N-S.

Jorge to mwcircle iog (2023-07-22)


It is the tug FACAL DIECIOCHO
http://www.hfradio.org.uk/NDB_List_-Edited-__from_CA.pdf

Ydun Ritz (2023-07-22)

Norway

Another NDBs on air today.
570kHz LF6R from Visund is on air today (0950 utc)
61°22’10.9″
2°27’25.8″

This morning at 0945 LF4Q is operating on 598kHz, apparently from the Snorre B platform in the North Sea.
Nice clear signal on BDMR

Steve Whitt to mwcircle iog (2023-07-02)


STB from the Statfjord B Platform is now active on 615kHz

Tracey Gardner to mwcircle iog (2023-07-02)

France

It seems that the Lessay [Normandy] mast at 49°08’55.0″N 1°30’16.0″W got demolished before March 2022.
It transmitted Loran C navigation signals on 100 kHz.
[Loran = long range navigation / Ed]

Marco (2023-06-17)

Norway

BDMR – hearing new beacon 570kHz.
Presumably in area between  Scotland and Norway since hearing this signal at midday
570kHz with 400Hz audio sidebands
Sequence of 9 “v”s  …- then callsign LCDQ repeated 3 times
PS Googling shows this is Island Innovator drilling rig which has recently had its helideck certified and is currently located at 57.17396° / 0.7809266°

Steve Whitt to mwcircle iog (2023-06-17)

Canada

Imminent closures of NDBs in Canada, where 12 NDBs will close on June 15th.
The Canadian ministry has published these lists from time to time.  NDB operations are of course virtually the only longwave uses in N. America.
So it’s getting to be pretty quiet down there.
https://www.navcanada.ca/en/aiceng202309.pdf

Ben Dawson (2023-06-04)