With these words, the most important dxpedition of all times has been aborted. We all wish to the crew safe jurney back home.February 3, 2018, 2000 UTC: During the last 72 hours, we continued to experience the high winds, low clouds, fog and rough seas that have prevented helicopter operations since our arrival at Bouvet. No improvement was predicted in the weather forecast for the next four days. Then, last night, an issue developed in one of the ship’s engines.
This morning, the captain of the vessel declared it unsafe to continue with our project and aborted the DXpedition. We are now on our long voyage back to Punta Arenas. As you might imagine, the team is deeply disappointed, but safe. There is already talk about rescheduling the DXpedition,
Bob, K4UEE
Ralph, KØIR
Erling, LA6VM
9M2TO is a very active station transmitting from West Malaysia. I have made several QSO with him in many bands and modes since 2008. But on 2nd of June of this year I had the chance to work him in magic band. It is the only far east station I managed to work this year! That was, of course, a singularity of this great band during a poor propagation conditions. Actually I haven't get his QSL card yet. However today I got an other kind of confirmation even more valid. Log of the world!! Rodriguez island as well.
If predictions of future solar activity would turned out to be true, these QSO are probably the last ones.
People who watch the TV series “Game of thrones” are pretty familiar with the motto: Winter is coming… and it is very scary. In that imaginary times everybody was afraid to death of that option.
In our real times, the winter is fine but the summer is even finer! Spotless skies, tideless clear waters, warm days and mainly lots of lovely QSO in 6m and 2m with sporadic E in good shapes.
So dear fellows summer is coming. Be prepared!
All dxpeditions nowadays are working in different frequencies RX and TX.The reasons are obvious of course. So “working split” is about a synonym of working DX.
Here is a snap of MixW working split in action. It exploit the two audio channels that provide YAESU equipment, each for every receiver. That is why you see two separate waterfalls. It is the perfect tool for the job.
By the way there are now two major expeditions to play with. First the EP6T currently running and the the number #1 most wanted N1P, by the end of January.So good hunting.
Dxpedition epilog. The team published recently a lot of pictures of theirs activities on the island. Take a look and enjoy.(http://www.tromelin2014.com/en/news/photos-of-tromelin-2014-ft4ta/)
Tromelin team is flying to destination right now. For me, it is the dxpedition of the year, as it is one of the four DXCC countries I have missed. It is obvious that I am very excited writing down these lines. FT4TA will be active till the 10th of November. So we’ll have plenty of time to play and enjoy the pile-ups. For now, we are just warming up the engines bearing 150 degrees….Good luck old men!
Everybody of us, who had been involved in DXCC award, knows who he is. The ARRL DXCC chief award manager of course! Even though our acquaintance was established through emails, questions and answers about the awards matters our feelings for him are quite strong. He was so friendly, patient and kind with all of us that nobody was heard complaining. And we all suddenly have been struck by the bad news:
“DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, was seriously injured in an automobile accident about two weeks ago. His neck was broken, leaving him paralyzed from his upper body down, with limited movement of his arms. Recovery will be difficult and slow, and is not expected to be total. Bill would like to hear from his friends. He is currently in the Mount Sinai Rehab Hospital in Hartford, but cards and well wishes should be sent to
92 Reservoir Rd, Newington, CT 06111″.
If wishes could do any help we have a pile up of them to send you. We need you back on duty soon dear Bill, healthy and smiling as ever.
What a day! Today I was a very lucky old man working Hawaii on 6m. Fred (KH7Y) was coming LP with a signal of 57 with a lot of flutter in a half an hour opening. It was a really thrilling experience.
Here they are some post-party comments on ON4KST chat.
Cheers…to you all.
Last night was a very interesting one of 6m. It was a kind of celebration of spring equinox. It was a party actually. F2 propagation offered the drinks and south America countries among other were invited. It started about 21:00z and lasted more than two hours (I do not know exactly when ended because I got to bed early). South Europe enjoyed it the most.
UPTATE: VP8NO came late to the party! Worked today afternoon. Long live magic band.
A new era rises! This is the brand new ULTRABEAM (20-6m) of SV3KH, a very good friend of mine. Since yesterday is warming ionosphere with its portion of radio waves. Well done Nick!
This would be the most touching QSL card ever. Elmo, EA5BYP, is currently active from Annobon island in a low profile dxpedition. This hobby is really amazing!
