Grimeton Radio Station (call sign SAQ) opened in 1924. Using an idea by Canadian Reginald A. Fessenden, Swedish-born American Ernst Alexanderson developed wireless telegraphy technology that came to be used as local radio stations online.
Today, SAQ, with its alternator and multiple tuned antenna is unique as the only large radio station remaining from the time prior to high-power radio tubes.
In the 1920’s, the industrial race, peace efforts and emigration spurred technological development onward.
In total, eighteen alternators were installed in a global network of longwave stations with its hub on Long Island, New York. After careful calculations, the Swedish station was built at Grimeton, giving the radio waves free passage toward the North Sea and over the Atlantic.
SAQ sent its first transmission on 1 December 1924 on the frequency 16.7 kHz, later adjusted to 17.2 kHz. The radio waves were generated by the alternator – a rotating electromechanical generator – with a transmitting power of 200 kW.
All information on the sub-pages are taken from following publications:
Ernst Fredrik Werner Alexanderson. Nilsson, Bengt V. 1987.
SAQ Grimeton. Walde, Carl-Henrik. 2007.