7 Jul
2014
7 Jul
'14
10:24 p.m.
Hello EMErs,
Day 2 in Panama started out well, Monday here. My wife and I are still on New England
time, and while Panama is only one hour difference in time zones, we are used to starting
out day before 6am. It should be noted that breakfast time here generally starts at about
10:30am. The rental is on the banking district so we walked to a panadera (bread store)
to have breakfast, however they only had some leftover bread. We did buy one piece for
$0.20 and walked further to another store to have empanadas (pastries filled with meat and
cheese), served hot, made from flakey pie crust. I get these at home since my wife is
Colombian, they are always good.
After breakfast I planned schemes to help with the EME situation and dismantled the
equipment on the balcony. My wife was very helpful with this and it went much faster with
two people. We then walked around the town again waiting for the building administration
to open so we could get the key to the heliport.
The building administrator was quite interested in what we were doing and of course wanted
to make it "safe". What could possibly go wrong at the top of a high rise
building 30 stories up with no railings, it makes me a bit sick to my stomach just
thinking about it, let alone setting things up. We finally agreed upon a good place to
operate and hauled the equipment up.
One of the difficulties has been power. Finding outlets is difficult, I am very glad I
brought long thick extension cords because I have needed over 100' of power cable to
get to the operating position. After running the new power cords and taping everything
down, I started reassembling the station, it went together quickly. Nothing seems easy in
the heat though, 34C and so much humidity, I was afraid I would short out the equipment
with sweat droplets!
After setting up and connecting all the cables, it was lunchtime (our lunch) so we went to
have lunch before moonrise. This was a huge mistake! As we were eating lunch, it started
raining, then raining more until you could not see in front of you because of the thick
rain. It did not matter if we walked or ran, we would be soaked. We waited for a break
and ran back to the room, only to see the skies open up even harder and the lightning
begin. There was a huge bolt and crack directly in front of the condo, you could see the
"impact" on the ocean water.
My wife wanted to go check on the radio setup, and for good reason, when we got to the top
floor, even though the radio equipment was covered by a concrete overhang and shelter, it
was all soaked through completely. This made my heart sink. I did have the for sight to
disconnect all power, but the water was everywhere.
Once again, I disconnected everything and took it in to dry off. The radio was soaked
inside water was dripping out. I opened the cases and used my wife's hair dryer to
dry all the equipment out. Even still, the radio would come on but did not have a
display. After about an hour I was able to get the radio dry enough to operate
correctly.
Moonrise was approaching so it was time to get things connected again. But the sequencer
was always keying the transmitter. After a few minutes of trouble shooting, I can only
guess that somehow that large bolt of lightning found its way into the fourth channel of
the sequencer. This is ok, I have a spare channel and switched to the extra channel for
the radio. All was operational.
About that time, John, K1OR texted me asking when I was starting. "now" was the
answer and a few sequences later, I could see the screen was filled with traces. It was
on now for sure! that was the last time I called CQ for quite a few hours to work though
all of the calling stations.
Below is an unofficial list of worked and heard stations. If you are not on the list, and
think you should be, please send me an email, I will double check. If we didn't work,
please don't give up, there are other opportunities to work, I'm here all week,
but will be switching to 70cm Wednesday or possibly Thursday depending on the number of 2m
callers.
Thank you all for making this a success, I really do hope to work as many of you as
possible.
73 from Panama,
Paul
HP/KG7HF
211300 1 -24 1.3 336 3 * HP/KG7HF DF7KF
211500 4 -23 2.7 135 3 * HP/KG7HF OK1RD
211900 0 -28 3.1 153 19 * HP/KG7HF ES6RQ
213100 6 -25 2.9 -108 3 * HP/KG7HF DM1CG
213900 3 -20 3.7 -363 3 * HP/KG7HF HB9Q
213900 0 -27 2.9 -188 2 * HP/KG7HF I2FAK
215100 3 -23 3.4 634 3 * HP/KG7HF EA2AGZ
215300 7 -21 2.9 92 3 * HP/KG7HF OK7XX
215500 1 -25 2.7 -161 3 * HP/KG7HF DF2ZC
215500 2 -25 3.2 -511 4 * HP/KG7HF SM7GVF
220500 0 -27 1.8 -51 3 * HP/KG7HF PA2CHR
220900 2 -25 2.8 35 3 * HP/KG7HF DF2ZC
220900 0 -28 2.5 906 21 * HP/KG7HF PA0JMV
221900 0 -26 1.2 409 3 * HP/KG7HF SP4K
222300 1 -25 3.0 -237 1 * HP/KG7HF F6BKI
222300 0 -27 1.9 -143 29 * HP/KG7HF PE1L
224300 4 -20 2.8 833 3 * HP/KG7HF DL8YHR
224700 1 -26 2.5 8 2 * HP/KG7HF K7MAC
224700 0 -26 2.8 393 1 * HP/KG7HF IK1UWL
224700 0 -28 2.6 -132 2 * HP/KG7HF I3MEK
225700 4 -25 2.4 398 3 * HP/KG7HF KD3UY
225700 3 -26 0.1 178 3 * HP/KG7HF K6MYC
231300 1 -29 2.7 -234 5 * HP/KG7HF IK1UWL
231700 0 -26 3.7 293 3 * HP/KG7HF DL8GP
232300 0 -24 2.7 546 3 * HP/KG7HF K5QE
232500 0 -28 2.7 -318 3 * HP/KG7HF K1OR
233500 0 -28 1.4 423 3 * HP/KG7HF G4FUF
233700 2 -27 3.4 132 3 * HP/KG7HF K9MRI
233900 1 -27 2.8 -40 3 * HP/KG7HF WA3QPX
234900 3 -23 3.0 -32 3 * HP/KG7HF K1CA
000300 2 -25 3.4 -229 3 * HP/KG7HF WA4NJP
9 Jul
9 Jul
5:15 p.m.
New subject: Panama EME (DAY 3)
Hello EMErs,
Panama Day 3 was much less eventful, but quite a bit longer. Today was the first day of
my wife's conferences so of course she was up all night doing final preparation for
her lecture. We awoke at our usual early morning hour and left for the conference. My
morning was spent at the Trump Ocean International hotel. You know you are getting old
when you can't figure out how to make the elevators (lifts) work. It took me 10
minutes to finally determine the elevators were keyed to the room entry card, which of
course we don't have because we are staying somewhere else.
By afternoon, we separated, she stayed at the conference and I walked back to our condo,
along the way picking up some groceries and water for dinner. Traditional rice, bean,
and corizo, very simple, cheap and quick. I also saw that little market had clothes line
rope, so I picked up 20 meters and used it to tie down the antennas so the wind would not
below them over. I am more comfortable with the antennas on the building now that they
are secured better.
Moonrise was uneventful, the station was operating within expectations, however I saw few
callers and quite a bit of noise. I suspect that every tv and radio in the country was
tuned to the Brasil/Germany match. The noise was quite different yesterday though in that
it was intermittent, signals also seemed intermittent.
After quite a number of calls and wasted time, I moved the antennas only to find the RF
connector had cracked and broken in half. this could have been the cause of noise and
intermittent operation. I suspect this connector broke when the antennas were blown over
the previous night. I had to figure out different mechanism and change the connector
since I didn't have an exact replacement. The new replacement is adequate and only
took about 5 minutes to install.
After replacement of the connector, the noise did quite down but still only hearing a few
callers. I stayed up the entire moon pass, this was a day of almost 20 hours long, and it
made for a long day, I can't do that very many times because I know it makes me
grouchy.
Wednesday July 9th (today) will be the last day on 2m. Please try to get your QSO in
today. I will switch to 70cm Thursday July 10th, however I may not be on for moonrise
as I have a prior commitment during moonrise. I will try to work some 70cm on Thursday
for meridian and moonset. Friday I will work 70cm moonrise to meridian and then tear down
the station to pack it up to leave Saturday morning.
Below is the second list of unofficial log entries. This list includes both worked
stations and heard, but not worked stations. I liked to give you some feedback so you
know there is hope, but it takes me a long time to work a station with high noise levels.
212100 -26 HP/KG7HF UA3PTW
213700 -29 HP/KG7HF RK3FG
221100 -27 HP/KG7HF IK1UWL
221500 -26 HP/KG7HF DK3WG
221900 -27 HP/KG7HF YU7AA
222900 -28 HP/KG7HF DG9BEM
224900 -26 HP/KG7HF I3MEK
230700 -28 HP/KG7HF HA6NQ
005100 -27 HP/KG7HF KB8RQ
005500 -27 HP/KG7HF W7GJ
010300 -29 HP/KG7HF DL4ALI
012100 -26 HP/KG7HF W6BBS
012100 -27 HP/KG7HF N9XG
020500 -27 HP/KG7HF N6BBS
021300 -29 HP/KG7HF W4RBO
024100 -28 HP/KG7HF WI7P
051700 -27 HP/KG7HF N7NW
054500 -27 HP/KG7HF VE2JWH
73,
HP/KG7HF
----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Decker
To: moon-net(a)mailman.pe1itr.com
Cc: ne1b c6awb , k1or(a)comcast.net, brittanydecker94(a)gmail.com
Sent: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 02:24:20 -0000 (UTC)
Subject: Panama EME (DAY 2)
Hello EMErs,
Day 2 in Panama started out well, Monday here. My wife and I are still on New England
time, and while Panama is only one hour difference in time zones, we are used to starting
out day before 6am. It should be noted that breakfast time here generally starts at about
10:30am. The rental is on the banking district so we walked to a panadera (bread store)
to have breakfast, however they only had some leftover bread. We did buy one piece for
$0.20 and walked further to another store to have empanadas (pastries filled with meat and
cheese), served hot, made from flakey pie crust. I get these at home since my wife is
Colombian, they are always good.
After breakfast I planned schemes to help with the EME situation and dismantled the
equipment on the balcony. My wife was very helpful with this and it went much faster with
two people. We then walked around the town again waiting for the building administration
to open so we could get the key to the heliport.
The building administrator was quite interested in what we were doing and of course wanted
to make it "safe". What could possibly go wrong at the top of a high rise
building 30 stories up with no railings, it makes me a bit sick to my stomach just
thinking about it, let alone setting things up. We finally agreed upon a good place to
operate and hauled the equipment up.
One of the difficulties has been power. Finding outlets is difficult, I am very glad I
brought long thick extension cords because I have needed over 100' of power cable to
get to the operating position. After running the new power cords and taping everything
down, I started reassembling the station, it went together quickly. Nothing seems easy in
the heat though, 34C and so much humidity, I was afraid I would short out the equipment
with sweat droplets!
After setting up and connecting all the cables, it was lunchtime (our lunch) so we went to
have lunch before moonrise. This was a huge mistake! As we were eating lunch, it started
raining, then raining more until you could not see in front of you because of the thick
rain. It did not matter if we walked or ran, we would be soaked. We waited for a break
and ran back to the room, only to see the skies open up even harder and the lightning
begin. There was a huge bolt and crack directly in front of the condo, you could see the
"impact" on the ocean water.
My wife wanted to go check on the radio setup, and for good reason, when we got to the top
floor, even though the radio equipment was covered by a concrete overhang and shelter, it
was all soaked through completely. This made my heart sink. I did have the for sight to
disconnect all power, but the water was everywhere.
Once again, I disconnected everything and took it in to dry off. The radio was soaked
inside water was dripping out. I opened the cases and used my wife's hair dryer to
dry all the equipment out. Even still, the radio would come on but did not have a
display. After about an hour I was able to get the radio dry enough to operate
correctly.
Moonrise was approaching so it was time to get things connected again. But the sequencer
was always keying the transmitter. After a few minutes of trouble shooting, I can only
guess that somehow that large bolt of lightning found its way into the fourth channel of
the sequencer. This is ok, I have a spare channel and switched to the extra channel for
the radio. All was operational.
About that time, John, K1OR texted me asking when I was starting. "now" was the
answer and a few sequences later, I could see the screen was filled with traces. It was
on now for sure! that was the last time I called CQ for quite a few hours to work though
all of the calling stations.
Below is an unofficial list of worked and heard stations. If you are not on the list, and
think you should be, please send me an email, I will double check. If we didn't work,
please don't give up, there are other opportunities to work, I'm here all week,
but will be switching to 70cm Wednesday or possibly Thursday depending on the number of 2m
callers.
Thank you all for making this a success, I really do hope to work as many of you as
possible.
73 from Panama,
Paul
HP/KG7HF
211300 1 -24 1.3 336 3 * HP/KG7HF DF7KF
211500 4 -23 2.7 135 3 * HP/KG7HF OK1RD
211900 0 -28 3.1 153 19 * HP/KG7HF ES6RQ
213100 6 -25 2.9 -108 3 * HP/KG7HF DM1CG
213900 3 -20 3.7 -363 3 * HP/KG7HF HB9Q
213900 0 -27 2.9 -188 2 * HP/KG7HF I2FAK
215100 3 -23 3.4 634 3 * HP/KG7HF EA2AGZ
215300 7 -21 2.9 92 3 * HP/KG7HF OK7XX
215500 1 -25 2.7 -161 3 * HP/KG7HF DF2ZC
215500 2 -25 3.2 -511 4 * HP/KG7HF SM7GVF
220500 0 -27 1.8 -51 3 * HP/KG7HF PA2CHR
220900 2 -25 2.8 35 3 * HP/KG7HF DF2ZC
220900 0 -28 2.5 906 21 * HP/KG7HF PA0JMV
221900 0 -26 1.2 409 3 * HP/KG7HF SP4K
222300 1 -25 3.0 -237 1 * HP/KG7HF F6BKI
222300 0 -27 1.9 -143 29 * HP/KG7HF PE1L
224300 4 -20 2.8 833 3 * HP/KG7HF DL8YHR
224700 1 -26 2.5 8 2 * HP/KG7HF K7MAC
224700 0 -26 2.8 393 1 * HP/KG7HF IK1UWL
224700 0 -28 2.6 -132 2 * HP/KG7HF I3MEK
225700 4 -25 2.4 398 3 * HP/KG7HF KD3UY
225700 3 -26 0.1 178 3 * HP/KG7HF K6MYC
231300 1 -29 2.7 -234 5 * HP/KG7HF IK1UWL
231700 0 -26 3.7 293 3 * HP/KG7HF DL8GP
232300 0 -24 2.7 546 3 * HP/KG7HF K5QE
232500 0 -28 2.7 -318 3 * HP/KG7HF K1OR
233500 0 -28 1.4 423 3 * HP/KG7HF G4FUF
233700 2 -27 3.4 132 3 * HP/KG7HF K9MRI
233900 1 -27 2.8 -40 3 * HP/KG7HF WA3QPX
234900 3 -23 3.0 -32 3 * HP/KG7HF K1CA
000300 2 -25 3.4 -229 3 * HP/KG7HF WA4NJP
10 Jul
10 Jul
8:03 a.m.
New subject: Panama EME (DAY 4)
Hello EMErs,
Panama Day 4. I was very tired. Being QRV the entire previous moon pass, as well as
being awake earlier doing sight seeing, I could not continue for as long as I would have
liked on this pass. My wife was looking quite lonely and bored so after 4 hours of
calling CQ and no response she convinced me to go have dinner. We walked the city for a
few hours and had a wonderful dinner together. Upon returning and sitting down, my eyes
closed only to open now with the rising of the morning sun.
All I can say about day 4 EME is, I tried various combinations to improve RX, I changed
the RX feed line, took the LNA out, replaced the LNA with the spare, nothing seemed to
give any improvements. The noise and the degrade is simply too high to deal with at this
point. I am very sorry for those who did not get a 2m QSO, this is my first time at
trying this and I have a long list of improvements for making EME work in the city.
After calling CQ for over 4 hours this is all the decodes I could manage:
214442 Transmitting: JT65B CQ HP/KG7HF
231400 0 -20 3.3 199 2 * HP/KG7HF DL8AKI 0 6
003500 0 -28 2.3 -202 18 * HP/KG7HF WA3QPX ? 0 3
005209 Transmitting: JT65B QRT HP/KG7HF
.
From the reports I have been getting, the TX system
appears to be working very well. The ITB amplifier is performing flawlessly and I am
using 120VAC to power it to 1.1KW output. I tested up to 1.6KW output briefly but was
unsure if the 120VAC breaker and wire
could handle sustained operation at 1.6KW
especially in this heat without melting or tripping offline. (Thanks Nico at ITB!)
Daytime temperature is usually 33C (90F) with 90% humidity this makes it quite warm
outside, the amplifier air temperature is running about 47C which is 10C warmer than when
running at my QTH. All of the relays and cables appear to be operating at a much warmer
level, but all are holding.
Since the degrade is lower on 70cm, now is likely a good time to change to 70cm. I will
start to change the antennas today to 70cm elements. I have some broken equipment but I
should still be able to be QRV 70cm by meridian today.
73,
Paul
HP/KG7HF
11 Jul
11 Jul
12:46 a.m.
New subject: Panama EME (DAY 4 1/2)
The antennas are setup for 70cm, LNA is switched out. I am having an issue with the 432
PA that I am trying to resolve. I hope to be QRV in a few hours, but may miss this moon
pass.
73,
Paul
kg7hf
----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Decker
To: moon-net(a)mailman.pe1itr.com
Cc: ne1b c6awb , k1or(a)comcast.net, brittanydecker94(a)gmail.com
Sent: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 12:03:18 -0000 (UTC)
Subject: Panama EME (DAY 4)
Hello EMErs,
Panama Day 4. I was very tired. Being QRV the entire previous moon pass, as well as
being awake earlier doing sight seeing, I could not continue for as long as I would have
liked on this pass. My wife was looking quite lonely and bored so after 4 hours of
calling CQ and no response she convinced me to go have dinner. We walked the city for a
few hours and had a wonderful dinner together. Upon returning and sitting down, my eyes
closed only to open now with the rising of the morning sun.
All I can say about day 4 EME is, I tried various combinations to improve RX, I changed
the RX feed line, took the LNA out, replaced the LNA with the spare, nothing seemed to
give any improvements. The noise and the degrade is simply too high to deal with at this
point. I am very sorry for those who did not get a 2m QSO, this is my first time at
trying this and I have a long list of improvements for making EME work in the city.
After calling CQ for over 4 hours this is all the decodes I could manage:
214442 Transmitting: JT65B CQ HP/KG7HF
231400 0 -20 3.3 199 2 * HP/KG7HF DL8AKI 0 6
003500 0 -28 2.3 -202 18 * HP/KG7HF WA3QPX ? 0 3
005209 Transmitting: JT65B QRT HP/KG7HF
.
From the reports I have been getting, the TX system
appears to be working very well. The ITB amplifier is performing flawlessly and I am
using 120VAC to power it to 1.1KW output. I tested up to 1.6KW output briefly but was
unsure if the 120VAC breaker and wire
could handle sustained operation at 1.6KW
especially in this heat without melting or tripping offline. (Thanks Nico at ITB!)
Daytime temperature is usually 33C (90F) with 90% humidity this makes it quite warm
outside, the amplifier air temperature is running about 47C which is 10C warmer than when
running at my QTH. All of the relays and cables appear to be operating at a much warmer
level, but all are holding.
Since the degrade is lower on 70cm, now is likely a good time to change to 70cm. I will
start to change the antennas today to 70cm elements. I have some broken equipment but I
should still be able to be QRV 70cm by meridian today.
73,
Paul
HP/KG7HF
12:31 p.m.
New subject: Panama EME (DAY X)
Hello EMErs,
This morning was a wonderful morning in Panama, the weather was calm, pleasant and simply
beautiful. I did some final tuning on the 70cm array and reconnected the amplifer, as I
was about to start testing I noticed the darkest clouds start to roll in. These were the
same sorts of clouds we met with that first day that soaked every piece of equipment. The
skys are completely black and the winds are blowing madly at this very minute.
I hurredly disconnected the equipment as the lightning started to strike nearby in rapid
succession, then came the rain in buckets. At this point, I've decided that I have
had enough.
Our flight departs Saturday Morning at 12:45pm, so I have disassembled the station and
packed it before it getting too wet and needing further attention.
I am so sorry that I did not get a chance to work more stations and to work on 70cm, that
would have been such a wonderful thing. I have learned quite a bit about what works, and
what does not work. and I will circulate a "lessons learned". I'm sure many
of the seasoned EME DXpedition will find it quite amusing.
73 from Panama and I will see you from the moon at the home QTH next
HP/KG7HF QRT
12 Jul
12 Jul
6:41 a.m.
New subject: VK8 CW and JT
All
I have been planning a trip to more grids.
August has many good Moon days (some the best for 2014) and a few
contests
15th is the CW ATP and the 16th is the 70cm DUBUS Digital contest. I
may take a 70cm yagi with me just for the 16th. If time permits me,
it will be a new band for me. Just a single yagi - not yet
constructed.
I am also aware of many that have not worked this new Main grid and VK
State. I think only about 3 have worked VK8 (2 in the late 80's).
Feedback on this status would be appreciated. W5UN, N5BLZ and HB9Q
are the only ones that I know of.
It will allow many of you to complete the "Worked all States VHF
Award" here in VK
See http://www.wia.org.au/members/awards/wasvhf/ [1]
To that end I am planning to travel to VK8 - Northern Territory.
To get there I travel through many grids. VERY VERY rare grids, even
for VK operators. As I will be travelling through the desert, towns
are many 100's of km apart and no towns in some of the grids. Some
grids also have no population in them, as well as no mobile phone
coverage which means no internet access in most of them also. Being
in the desert in August should be pleasant and not as hot as in the
summer where the temp can reach up to the mid 40'sC
In some of the grids there is very little amount of road, the road
just going through the corner of the grid. Others have only the one
road in it, the rest being desolate desert.
So to get to the Northern Territory, I will take 5 days to get
there. That way I can activate a different grid on a different day.
Activate one grid for the full MR to MS window, then move onto the
next one for the next moon pass.
I anticipate activating every alternate one on the way to the Northern
Territory, and the ones I do not activate on the way up, I will
activate on the way back. All up 12 grids +/- 1 or 2 depending on
time and physical exhaustion - HI.
I wonder how many will be able to work me in all of them? To that
end a special "VK unique momento" will be offered to any who manages
that.
As usual, a different picture will be available for each different
grid QSL card.
MANY MANY things are yet to occur before travel and as such there are
many things that could make this a shorter trip or a no-goer.
This trip is not a work or family related trip. It is dedicated to
operate EME.
I anticipate having ready by then a better system. A different
antenna once in VK8 (it will take longer to assemble) and so only used
when I am there for 5 days. The other days, the current portable
antenna will be used (2x9el YU7EF)
As a guide the following is what has been planned. But is subject to
change. I am aware that this will conclude near the start of the EME
confrence in France and some of you will be on the way there. As the
latter grids are close to home, then there is a a greater chance for
these being re-activated by me latter.
8th - PF89
9th - PF78 (not alot of road in this one)
10th - PG70
11th - PG72 (not alot of road in this one)
12th - PG63
13th - PG65 (VK5APN/8)
14th to 18th - PG64 (VK5APN/8) Should have internet here
19th - PG62
20th - PG71
21st - PF79
22nd - PF88
23rd - PF97
When portable in VK5, I will use my call NO /p etc. The grid that I
tx will indicate that I am not in my home QTH and hence portable is
assumed.
More details on MMM and my Portable EME webpage
I hope that this will enable you to have worked more grids and to
colour in your grid square maps.
Good Luck to all and hope all things go to plan.
Best 73 and Regards
Wayne
VK5APN
PF95jg
http://people.aapt.net.au/~pearsons/
Links:
------
[1] http://www.wia.org.au/members/awards/wasvhf/
4 Aug
4 Aug
11:40 a.m.
New subject: VK8 CW and JT - UPDATE
All
Systems have been checked and work excellently.
After the successful 70cm EME QSO's I had last Moon Set (my first 70cm
EME experience - worked 3 stations), I will be taking the 21el 70cm
yagi with IC910H barefoot no external preamp. This will be used for
the 70cm DUBUS Digital Comp. But will not be QRV all the Comp
time. I am concentrating on 2m but will be QRV on 70cm when the BIG
guys show up.
Here are my proposed QRV times (limited on some days due to the 50 deg
elevation limit I have on the portable array)
8 Aug PF89 0600-1000, 1530-1930
9 Aug PF78 0700-1100, 1630-2030
10 Aug PG70 0815-1215, 1715-2115
11 Aug PG72 0930-1330, 1815-2215
12 Aug PG63 1045-1445, 1900-2300
13 Aug PG65 1145-1600, 1930-2345
14 Aug PG64 1300-0030 (15th)
15 Aug PG64 1400-0115 (16th)
16 Aug PG64 1445-0200 (17th)
17 Aug PG64 1545-0245 (18th)
18 Aug PG64 1645-0300 (19th)
19 Aug PG62 1730-0415 (20th)
20 Aug PG71 1815-0500 (21st)
21 Aug PF79 1900-0545 (22nd)
22 Aug PF88 1945-0615 (23rd)
23 Aug PF97 2015-0700 (24th)
*** THE ONLY THING THAT COULD CHANGE IS NOT TO ACTIVATE PG65, BUT
INSTEAD PG64 FROM 13-18. WANTING TO MAXIMISE PEOPLE WORKING A VK8, SO
NOT DOUBLING CALLS IN PG65 AND PG64 (details closer to the time and
when in internet coverage) ***
I am wanting to participate in the 2m CW ATP [Aug 15 2200-0100 (Aug
16)]. If not many QRV, will QSY to digital section.
Please remember to
* Change my grid info to the days grid details
* Spreadout, find a clear spot and call there
I will try to work all of who I rx.
Due to Australia Post increases, 3USD is required. Better still you
can paypal me (using my email address), save on sending cards if you
are not a new initial for me.
The above details have been included on MMM
See/hear you soon
Best 73
Regards
Wayne
VK5APN
PF95jg
http://people.aapt.net.au/~pearsons/
----- Original Message -----
From: "Wayne - VK5APN"
To:
Cc:
Sent:Sat, 12 Jul 2014 20:11:17 +0930
Subject:VK8 CW and JT
All
I have been planning a trip to more grids.
August has many good Moon days (some the best for 2014) and a few
contests
15th is the CW ATP and the 16th is the 70cm DUBUS Digital contest. I
may take a 70cm yagi with me just for the 16th. If time permits me,
it will be a new band for me. Just a single yagi - not yet
constructed.
I am also aware of many that have not worked this new Main grid and VK
State. I think only about 3 have worked VK8 (2 in the late 80's).
Feedback on this status would be appreciated. W5UN, N5BLZ and HB9Q
are the only ones that I know of.
It will allow many of you to complete the "Worked all States VHF
Award" here in VK.
See http://www.wia.org.au/members/awards/wasvhf/ [1]
To that end I am planning to travel to VK8 - Northern Territory.
To get there I travel through many grids. VERY VERY rare grids, even
for VK operators. As I will be travelling through the desert, towns
are many 100's of km apart and no towns in some of the grids. Some
grids also have no population in them, as well as no mobile phone
coverage which means no internet access in most of them also. Being
in the desert in August should be pleasant and not as hot as in the
summer where the temp can reach up to the mid 40'sC
In some of the grids there is very little amount of road, the road
just going through the corner of the grid. Others have only the one
road in it, the rest being desolate desert.
So to get to the Northern Territory, I will take 5 days to get
there. That way I can activate a different grid on a different day.
Activate one grid for the full MR to MS window, then move onto the
next one for the next moon pass.
I anticipate activating every alternate one on the way to the Northern
Territory, and the ones I do not activate on the way up, I will
activate on the way back. All up 12 grids +/- 1 or 2 depending on
time and physical exhaustion - HI.
I wonder how many will be able to work me in all of them? To that
end a special "VK unique momento" will be offered to any who manages
that.
As usual, a different picture will be available for each different
grid QSL card.
MANY MANY things are yet to occur before travel and as such there are
many things that could make this a shorter trip or a no-goer.
This trip is not a work or family related trip. It is dedicated to
operate EME.
I anticipate having ready by then a better system. A different
antenna once in VK8 (it will take longer to assemble) and so only used
when I am there for 5 days. The other days, the current portable
antenna will be used (2x9el YU7EF)
As a guide the following is what has been planned. But is subject to
change. I am aware that this will conclude near the start of the EME
confrence in France and some of you will be on the way there. As the
latter grids are close to home, then there is a a greater chance for
these being re-activated by me latter.
8th - PF89
9th - PF78 (not alot of road in this one)
10th - PG70
11th - PG72 (not alot of road in this one)
12th - PG63
13th - PG65 (VK5APN/8)
14th to 18th - PG64 (VK5APN/8) Should have internet here
19th - PG62
20th - PG71
21st - PF79
22nd - PF88
23rd - PF97
When portable in VK5, I will use my call NO /p etc. The grid that I
tx will indicate that I am not in my home QTH and hence portable is
assumed.
More details on MMM and my Portable EME webpage
I hope that this will enable you to have worked more grids and to
colour in your grid square maps.
Good Luck to all and hope all things go to plan.
Best 73 and Regards
Wayne
VK5APN
PF95jg
http://people.aapt.net.au/~pearsons/
Links:
------
[1] http://www.wia.org.au/members/awards/wasvhf/
27 Aug
27 Aug
5:39 a.m.
New subject: VK8 Log on-line
All
Just to let you know that the Log book for the VK8 adventure is now
on-line.
Please check it for errors etc etc. Let me know and I will cross
check with my paper records taken out in the field
Those that have Donated (appreciated with thanks) that will cover the
postage to you of your QSL cards, once printed.
Have received some cards in the mail already and thanking you for
that. Details in the on-line log.
For those who want to get cards from me (a different card for each
different grid worked) can do so in a number of ways.
Postal with SAE and $3 USD to cover return postage.
OR
Paypal me (my email address - also found on qrz.com) for $3.00 AU or
US is fine. This will save you sending cards etc. I do not collect
cards from stations previously worked. This method will save you
sending cards and using 2 envelopes.
You can team up with others that may not have Paypal etc, just let me
know via email or the Paypal messages attached to the transaction.
Also if qrz.com has your correct postal address, if not your correct
postal address.
I hope to have the pics and other details of the trip on-line by the
end of this week.
Due to the number of days driving and sleeping in the car, I suffered
from a blood clot in the lower left leg.
Have had a short stay in hospital on my arrival home. Now having
daily medical visits and medication. Hoping that the clot does not
move to other parts of the body.
Hence my delay in getting the log on-line and updating the webpages.
Finding it difficult to sit for a lengthy time.
Now in the design phase of the qsl cards for the different grids.
Thanks for all the fun whilst out in the Outback of Australia.
Pity it came to the end it did, with the array being blown over.....
Thinking of new ones to go to once I and the antennas have been
repaired HI HI
Regards
Wayne
VK5APN
PF95jg
http://people.aapt.net.au/~pearsons/
6:39 a.m.
New subject: VK8 Log on-line
All
Sorry forgot to put web address of log book
Either through my Portable EME section of my webpage, click on one of
the grids activated eg PG64, and click on log book
OR
www.members.iinet.net.au/~pearsons@aapt.net.au/VK8trip2014.xls
Regards
Wayne
VK5APN
PF95jg
http://people.aapt.net.au/~pearsons/
----- Original Message -----
From: "Wayne - VK5APN"
To:
Cc:
Sent:Wed, 27 Aug 2014 19:09:50 +0930
Subject:VK8 Log on-line
All
Just to let you know that the Log book for the VK8 adventure is now
on-line.
Please check it for errors etc etc. Let me know and I will cross
check with my paper records taken out in the field.
Those that have Donated (appreciated with thanks) that will cover the
postage to you of your QSL cards, once printed.
Have received some cards in the mail already and thanking you for
that. Details in the on-line log.
For those who want to get cards from me (a different card for each
different grid worked) can do so in a number of ways.
Postal with SAE and $3 USD to cover return postage.
OR
Paypal me (my email address - also found on qrz.com) for $3.00 AU or
US is fine. This will save you sending cards etc. I do not collect
cards from stations previously worked. This method will save you
sending cards and using 2 envelopes.
You can team up with others that may not have Paypal etc, just let me
know via email or the Paypal messages attached to the transaction.
Also if qrz.com has your correct postal address, if not your correct
postal address.
I hope to have the pics and other details of the trip on-line by the
end of this week.
Due to the number of days driving and sleeping in the car, I suffered
from a blood clot in the lower left leg.
Have had a short stay in hospital on my arrival home. Now having
daily medical visits and medication. Hoping that the clot does not
move to other parts of the body.
Hence my delay in getting the log on-line and updating the webpages.
Finding it difficult to sit for a lengthy time.
Now in the design phase of the qsl cards for the different grids.
Thanks for all the fun whilst out in the Outback of Australia.
Pity it came to the end it did, with the array being blown over.....
Thinking of new ones to go to once I and the antennas have been
repaired HI HI
Regards
Wayne
VK5APN
PF95jg
http://people.aapt.net.au/~pearsons/
9:08 a.m.
New subject: VK8 Log on-line
Dear Wayne,
Thank you so much for this perfect one-man show for two entire weeks. In contrast to my
xyl I even began to enjoy having the alarm wake me up in the middle of the night for local
moon-rise…
I hope you get well very very soon!
73 Bernd DF2ZC
From: moon-net-bounces(a)mailman.pe1itr.com [mailto:moon-net-bounces@mailman.pe1itr.com] On
Behalf Of Wayne - VK5APN
Sent: Mittwoch, 27. August 2014 11:40
To: moon-net(a)mailman.pe1itr.com
Subject: [Moon-Net] VK8 Log on-line
All
Just to let you know that the Log book for the VK8 adventure is now on-line.
Please check it for errors etc etc. Let me know and I will cross check with my paper
records taken out in the field.
Those that have Donated (appreciated with thanks) that will cover the postage to you of
your QSL cards, once printed.
Have received some cards in the mail already and thanking you for that. Details in the
on-line log.
For those who want to get cards from me (a different card for each different grid worked)
can do so in a number of ways.
Postal with SAE and $3 USD to cover return postage.
OR
Paypal me (my email address - also found on qrz.com) for $3.00 AU or US is fine. This
will save you sending cards etc. I do not collect cards from stations previously worked.
This method will save you sending cards and using 2 envelopes.
You can team up with others that may not have Paypal etc, just let me know via email or
the Paypal messages attached to the transaction. Also if qrz.com has your correct postal
address, if not your correct postal address.
I hope to have the pics and other details of the trip on-line by the end of this week.
Due to the number of days driving and sleeping in the car, I suffered from a blood clot in
the lower left leg.
Have had a short stay in hospital on my arrival home. Now having daily medical visits and
medication. Hoping that the clot does not move to other parts of the body.
Hence my delay in getting the log on-line and updating the webpages. Finding it difficult
to sit for a lengthy time.
Now in the design phase of the qsl cards for the different grids.
Thanks for all the fun whilst out in the Outback of Australia.
Pity it came to the end it did, with the array being blown over.....
Thinking of new ones to go to once I and the antennas have been repaired HI HI
Regards
Wayne
VK5APN
PF95jg
<http://people.aapt.net.au/~pearsons/> http://people.aapt.net.au/~pearsons/
3202
days inactive
3252
days old
9 comments
3 participants
participants (3)
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DF2ZC -
Paul Decker -
Wayne - VK5APN