On Christmas Eve morning, Tuesday December 24th 2024, SAQ Grimeton is scheduled¹ to be on the air, to send out the traditional Christmas message to the whole World, using the 200kW Alexanderson alternator from 1924, on 17.2 kHz CW.

Program and transmission schedule:

• 08:00 CET (07:00 UTC): The transmitter hall at World Heritage Grimeton is opened for visitors.
• 08:25 CET (07:25 UTC): Live stream on YouTube begins.
• 08:30 CET (07:30 UTC): Startup and tuning of the Alexanderson Alternator SAQ.
• 09:00 CET (08:00 UTC): Transmission of a Christmas message from SAQ.

Live Video from World Heritage Grimeton Radio Station

This live video is scheduled at 08:25 CET (07:25 UTC), Dec 24th, 2024. The transmission event can also be seen live on our YouTube Channel.

Test transmissions

We are planning to carry our some test transmissions on Friday, December 20th, 13:00 – 16:00 CET (12:00 – 15:00 UTC). SAQ will be on the air shorter periods of time during this interval, when we will be carrying out tuning, tests and measurements. Your comments are welcome to info@alexander.n.se.

QSL Reports to SAQ

Your QSL reports to SAQ are most welcome and much appreciated!

ℹ️ For guaranteed E-QSL from us, please report using our ONLINE QSL FORM.

We can not guarantee that reports by Email / mail / bureau will be confirmed.

The online form will be open from December 24th, 2024 until January 10th, 2025.

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On December 22, 2022, The Alexander association announced cancellation of the 2022 SAQ Christmas Message.

Covid-19 stops SAQ on Christmas Eve morning

Due to Covid-19 infection in the Alexander team, SAQ will not be able to air on Christmas Eve morning, Dec 24th 2022. No one is seriousely ill, only mild symptoms, however we can not put anyone in the team at risk.

We feel very sorry for this and ask for everyone’s understanding.

From the whole Alexander team at World Heritage Grimeton Radio Station, we would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! ¹

Videos of previous transmissions may be viewed on the Alexander SAQ Grimeton Friendship Association YouTube channel

It was a wonderful Christmas Eve morning in Grimeton, Sweden on December 24th. A little bit of white snow on the ground and -4 C in the air — great conditions for a successful SAQ transmission. The pandemic regulations did impact the event and no visitors could be present in the transmitter hall at the radio station. The limited number of staff and assistants did their best of the situation, by serving traditional swedish Christmas buns and ginger snaps, together with glög (non-alcoholic mulled wine) and we were all in a good Christmas sprit. ¹

This video includes the ~30 minute startup and tuning process of the Alexanderson alternator (wikipedia page) followed by transmission of the Christmas message.

Please visit The Alexander association SAQ spread Christmas Joy on Christmas Eve morning, Dec 24th page to view

• The transmission text
• The team from the Alexander association at the transmission
• QSL information, including an online listener report form
• An interactive listener map

Along with a photo the telegraphist at the SAQ operating position sending the Christmas message to the world.

About The Alexander association

Alexander Grimeton Friendship Association a non-profit organization founded in 1996. The association’s purpose is to preserve, document and display the unique Alexanderson alternator at the old radio station in Grimeton, Sweden.²

The Alexander association homepage is: https://alexander.n.se/en/

Online visitors are able to

• Submit a reception report
• Listen to SAQ remotely
• Learn about SAQ transmissions
• View listener reports
• View the interactive listener report map
• Participate in the SAQ forum
• Become a member

Please visit the The Alexander association About Us page to learn more about their background and become a member to support their efforts.

More information about the Grimeton Radiostation is available on the Alexander association website

• SAQ Station History
• The Alexanderson transmitter (AKA Alternator)
• Virtual station visit
• SK6SAQ Ham Radio station

The Alexanderson association may be contacted through their contact page or at info@alexander.n.se