Travellers 2018 Summary

Travellers –

9M6/G3VYI by G3VYI ,

3B8/G3TXF by G3TXF,

V31GX by G4SGX,

 9H/G3LET by G3LET,

 ZF2CA by G4CWH

C6AKT by M1KTA

VP8NO expected to be active

From Peter G3LET ……  One of these was a unique opportunity which presented itself to revisit the South Orkneys after 50+ years; very few ships visit the group these days as the breakup of the glaciers due to global warming is greatly increasing the amount of pack ice which envelopes the group during the antarctic summer. Except in really good years, only the UK and LU support ships seem prepared to take the time (and risk!) to weave their way through this. Anyway, I spent some time with Mike VP8NO on the way down, who is hoping to make a determined effort in BERU this year, although he has little space for very much on 80m.

73 Peter G3LET

V31GX

I am back in Belize this year (V31GX again) so am OK for Team Caribbean.

73 Iain G4SGX

 

C6AKT

Hi Bob,

Still got to have final confirmation from UCRA but looks like C6AKT will
be the call I'll use in BERU 2018 which should be suitably short and it
is a reorder of the UK call 

72

Dom

M1KTA

C6 by M1KTA

Hi all,

Next March is a way off yet but looking at possible locations for BERU
2018.

I have renewed licence for E5 and whilst E5/N looks ideal and I left
antennas out there not sure about the logistics so time to look at other
options.

The BERU traveler pool isn’t huge but spoken a few of the usual subjects
and not aware of anyone else that might be going so shouldn’t clash. So
my target will be C6. Yes I know Rob, Steve and John went to C6 last
year almost the same dates but were not in BERU. Waiting on URCA for a call.

I’m unlikely to ever build a huge score but happy to add a DXCC noone
else will be in for those chasing LF QSO. Looking at QTH on the UK side
of Eleuthera (the one with the 3 mile pink sand beach) which is one of
the outer islands with space for 80m and 40m 4SQ and no neighbours for >
mile. Expect will be qrp in the contest and after on CW unless the god
of mains power provides an input anyway from there I suspect VE, Carrib
and UK should all be possible. FT8 seems to need a KW these days 🙂

72

Dom

M1KTA

BERU from the Caribbean

 

SUMMARY OF BANDS / TIMES
IN BERU FROM CARIBBEAN

 

10:00z 3.5 MHz VE, Other Carib, VK for first few minutes
10:30z 7 MHz VE, VK
11:30z 14 MHz G, VE, Other Carib
12:30z 21MHz Med,
12:35z 14 MHz G, VE
13:00z 21 MHz VE, G, Africa other Carib
14:00z still 21 MHz, as above + VP8 also wkd on 28 MHz
14:30z 28 MHz Short opening to VE, Africa
14:45z 21 MHz VE, G, Africa
15:00 – 18:00z Mostly 21 MHz, but short spells on 28 MHz to VE
18:00 14 MHz G, VE
20:00 28 MHz short opening to VE7, ZL
20:00-22:00 14, 21, 28 short openings, VE, VK, ZL, Africa
22:00 7 MHz G, VE, 9M2,
22:45-23:00 14 MHz VE6, VE7
23:00-23:45 21, 28 MHz VK, ZL Short reliable opening
23:45 7 MHz G, VE
00:15 3.5 MHz
00:30 21 MHz VK Very short opening
01:00 7 MHz G, VE
01:15 3.5 MHz G Very fast rate
01:40 7 MHz G Very fast rate
02:30 3.5 MHz G, VE, Mediterranean
03:30 7 MHz VE, Mediterranean
03:45 14 MHz ZL, VK Short reliable opening
04:00 3.5 MHz G
04:20 14 MHz ZL, VK
04:40 3.5 MHz G, VE
06:50 7 MHz G VE, Very fast rate
09:00 until end 7 or 3.5 MHz Very slow, VE, VK on grayline in last few minutes

 

Given a few sunspots I would expect an opening to G on 28 MHz between 13:00 and 18:00 and a very strong opening to G on 21 MHz.

Whenever rate slows it is important to check other bands, especially during the night, as there are often short unpredicted openings.

It is important to maximise the number of “bonus” QSOs, so be prepared to ask “rare” stations to QSY to other bands. They will be equally keen to QSY to work you elsewhere.

 

9M6/G3VYI

Hi all, I will prepare the publicity email list again from previous entries, sorry to hear you are not travelling Bob, and Gozo will be warmer than VE Peter!

I am planning to be 9M6/G3VYI ,if  the licence goes ok, from 9M6GY station, on a family visit this year to that area.Could be a challenge!

mike vyi

9H Gozo by G3LET

Hi Nick and all

Thanks for the update on everything. You are quite right in that other issues have taken priority over getting back on the air thus far. One of these was a unique opportunity which presented itself to revisit the South Orkneys after 50+ years; very few ships visit the group these days as the breakup of the glaciers due to global warming is greatly increasing the amount of pack ice which envelopes the group during the antarctic summer. Except in really good years, only the UK and LU support ships seem prepared to take the time (and risk!) to weave their way through this. Anyway, I spent some time with Mike VP8NO on the way down, who is hoping to make a determined effort in BERU this year, although he has little space for very much on 80m.

I have organised a last minute BERU visit to my sister in law in 9H (Gozo) but the call sign is as yet indeterminate as I have laft re-applying for 9H3ET rather late. Could be 9H/G3LET . . .

Nothing much else to add at this point.

73, Peter G3LET