[EIDXA] Fw: [DX-NEWS] Scarborough Press Release nr. 11

Tue May 1 12:22:38 EDT 2007

Just an observation...

When we made our contribution, it was not to guarantee a  contact or a 
card - it was to promote the opportunity.  It is hard to imagine being in 
the environment described by James.  While it doesn't compare, even when I 
was sitting in FG for the contest, it was VERY DIFFERENT that sitting at 
home.  So I am sensitive to what they are trying to do.

I am not throwing rocks.  I was there for a while this morning to hear 
them come up on 20 CW.  At 7:30am they were a clean S8.  I heard several 
club members there calling and I hope they worked them.  I did not.  I was 
amazed at how the pileup moved.  When I started listening they were at 
14.032 - when I had to pull the plug they were at 14.065 and still going! 
Tomorrow's another day.  I will try again.  Maybe I will catch them on 
40M.

The police are incredible.  But I have to say that this morning it was 
humorous to listen to the police that were weaker than BS7H!  But the 
constant UP UP UP and name calling was troubling.

What is difficult is to understand what is really happening.  N8S had a 
SAT phone so they could update the world with the plan.  That appears to 
be difficult for the BS7H group.  While I was on this morning I watched 
spots that said they only had 2 stations up.  That the 40M was a pirate. 
That no one could hear them.  The pile was obvious.  That 80M would never 
happen.  (There was even a spot yesterday that said that W0FLS was the 80M 
pirate!!!!!)

So let's try to keep this in perspective - they are trying.  The fact that 
the "rock" they are on requires building a shelf so they have a place to 
sit says more for why it is an entity, but that decision was made many 
years ago.  Did they go at the right time?  We can argue that all over the 
place.  But I guess I would ask only one question...  If you work them on 
Tuesday, will you try again on Thursday?  If you work them on CW will you 
try phone?  For me, I am trying to adhere to their request for a single 
contact.  I'm not sure how I will respond to the issue of an "insurance" 
contact.  But to help my fellow hams, I will try to hold to the single 
contact rule for everyone's sake.  So I can only hope that the signal is 
clear and that my call is clean.

Good luck to everyone.

Rick N0YY

"Tom Vavra" <wb8zrl at avalon.net> 
Sent by: eidxa-bounces at mailman.qth.net
05/01/2007 10:59 AM

To
"EIDXA" <eidxa at mailman.qth.net>
cc

Subject
[EIDXA] Fw: [DX-NEWS] Scarborough Press Release nr. 11

An update from James Brooks received at 0300 local our time this morning 
where he attempted to provide us insight on the overall situation and 
ended it with:    "It's just that hard" 

It is now day 3 on Scarborough with operations going for 48 hours.

All 4 operating positions are built and the team has gone from survival in 
route, to survival while building, to survival while in QSO mode.

Everyone on the team has cuts from the coral.  The closest access to any 
of the rocks is over coral and no one has been spared coral 
scrapes and cuts.  Add to that over 100 degree heat and sunburn and you 
have a dangerous environment for all.

During the day each shift is 6 hours in heat and a dry wind under a small 
umbrella.  If you are lucky enough you get to operate at 
night.  You are left on a rock for 13 hours barely 4 feet above the water 
in pitch black sitting in a folding chair, no where to walk 
and stretch and getting a constant salt spray.  You can't see the other 
rocks nor the ship and if something goes wrong there is no 
chance of rescue.

The steppIR verticals and one Yagi are up.  Two stations will stay on 20 
mtrs while the other two will search 15, 17, 30 and 40 for 
openings.

So as you sit there in your comfy shack complaining on the cluster and 
sending us emails about your lack of a QSO and the do's and don'ts'', 
think what our team is going through to bring you "the chance of a QSO". 

Here is just a sampling of our fan mail received today:

"fIVE YEARS PLAnning you did a shitty job we cant hear you on the east 
coast you shoud have gotton info from n8s they did a great job at least 
you heard them you guys keep working ja's and w6's thats all your going to 
get the east coast i guess is off limmits you wount get any donation from 
me or any one else on the east coast you guys are the worst go to 11 
meters you might have better lush"

GL and we wish you the best in the upcoming days.

N4XP and N1DG for the team on Scarborough Reef

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