Update from Campbell Island DX

Ed Durrant, VK2JI has been keeping us up to date with the DX'Pedition to Campbell Island.

The groups arrival was delayed by a couple of days, as 11 metre swells causing the team to seek shelter off Stewart Island.

This delay meant the team arrived on Campbell Island on Saturday 1 December 2012, and set to work straight away setting up masts and antennas and where on air at 0500 UTC  using basic vertical antennas until the main masts and beams went up the next day.

Some good news that came on the second day was that the time the New Zealand Department of Conservation would allow the team to stay on Campbell Island was extended, as they could see that no large impact to the rare wildlife on the island would occur. Originally the rule was that the team could only be on the island from sunrise to sunset, which restricted the time that ZL9HR would be active for many areas of the world - now the teams will be allowed to operate a few hours after dark. However there will be no extension to the number of days the team will be allowed to operate.

The project members reported early success, with big pile-ups growing, Pilots are receiving floods of emails both asking for specific frequencies and modes as well as complimenting the team on their professional operation on air.

Logs are being uploaded daily via a satellite phone link but apart from this, communication to the team is very restricted as no cell phone coverage or Internet access is available from the Island.

The team completed operations on Sunday 9 December 2012, and arrived safely back on the New Zealand main land on Tuesday 11 December 2012, where the last of the contact logs where completed.

Current log status and to see  your contact has been recorded - http://www.ZL9HR.com

Role of a DX'Pedition pilot for ZL9HR

Ed Durrant, VK2JI, has interviewed Rich, KY6R, who is one of the global pilots supporting the Dx'Pedition

“This experience has completely restored my respect for the DX community. I have got nothing but considerate, thoughtful and polite requests. Everyone who has sent a request - either by posting on eHam or via email has been civil, encouraging and constructive.”

“Working with the ZL9HR team is a joy. These guys are the best of the best. They have braved the odds of high seas, wind and rain that most of us couldn't handle. The cost is enormous and they have shown how hams can work with Departments of Conservation in a mutually beneficial way. They even got through quarantine in record time. The Pilots are my comrades - and Stan, KH6CG is a great DX-ers "mentor".

“Final thought - sure - I will do it again - I was hoping to know what “life after Honor Roll” will look like - and this is a fun new aspect of the hobby for me. The first day of the DX’Pedition was very, very stressful, but since then, just fantastic.”

— Rich, KY6R

“I wish the team safe journeys back and hope that everyone gets their ATNO (“all time new one”) - there is still time left, and I see the SSN is starting to rise again.”

More information from - http://www.zl9hr.com

Buddies in the Caribbean heading back to St. Lucia

The 'Buddies in the Caribbean' suitcase mini-DXpedition group which specializes in 100 watt or less low power radios and Buddipole portable antenna systems is going back to St. Lucia (NA-108, WLOTA L-1336)<br />again between 2-11th December.

They state, "The north shore villa location was magnificent on our first visit in Feb 2010 and subsequent visits in December of the following years with a new group of operators. Our goal is to demonstrate 'ultralite' DXpeditioning into magnificent 'vista' locations, operating a field portable battery-only radio with backpackable, lightweight antennas and most of all 'having fun' with a new group of operators who have never experienced the 'other side of a pileup!'

"The eight operators this Dec 2012 are: Everett/W6ABM, Robert/N7QT, Hugh/W4VAB, Bryan/WB8ISG, Scott/KA9P, Jerry/W5TDY, Budd/W3FF (J68FF), and Guy/N7UN (J68UN).

"There will be 3 villa stations in operation on 160-10m using CW, SSB, and RTTY or PSK. At the same time, several teams will be battery-only, field portable either from St. Lucia beaches or scenic mountain tops and will sign call/p.

"The group will participate in the ARRL 10m Contest (callsign: J68UN) on Dec 8-9th. QSL via LoTW, eQSL or mail to the operator's home callsign (SASE required)."