[ADXA] Bouvet

[Joel Harrison]

I haven't been posting much news here about the Bouvet boys as they have
been doing an excellent job of providing news and info on their website
and it has also been redistributed via other DX news outlets.

They are anchored just off Bouvet and awaiting good wx to begin flying the
helicopter to carry all the gear onto the island. Here is the report
yesterday from Ralph K0IR"
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February 1, 2018, 1300 UTC: Our ship is still at anchor off the east side
of Bouvet. Winds are 35 to 40 knots, and the ship is pitching and rolling
up to 30 degrees. This makes flying and a landing attempt impossible
today. The temperature is hovering at around 0 degrees C. Visibility has
improved.

We are poised and ready when a weather window opens. We had our maritime
mobile station up for a few hours, but had to take it down again to avoid
damage caused by the extreme motion of the ship.

1445 UTC: Winds have increased to 45 knots. Unsecured items are again
sliding across floors and tables. Some team members are again feeling
seasick.

The barometer has risen, slightly. We are anxiously awaiting calmer
conditions.

Hang in there with us!
--------------

I will be away on business Sunday - Thursday so I'm performing some last
minute checks and inspections here at W5ZN before I leave to make sure
everything is ready to jump in those pileups as soon as I return. Bouvet
is not an all time new one for me as I was fortunate to be around years
ago during the last operation however I do need them on 4 bands, including
160 and 80. The good news for me is I do not need them on 10 or 12 meters
where the prop won't be good for us.

AND.....speaking of getting your station ready, if you haven't taken the
time to do so in preparation for Bouvet you're a bit behind the 8 ball but
you still have time now to do so. Don't have an antenna for a specific
band?? Throw up a dipole in the trees or other support structure!!

73 Joel W5ZN