[ETS/PARC List] Fw: [NJDXA-L] Status of VY0V

[Don Wilson]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: G.W. Hellman<mailto:gwhellman1 at verizon.net> 
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;<mailto:Undisclosed-Recipient:;> 
Sent: Thursday, April 01, 2010 12:45 PM
Subject: [NJDXA-L] Status of VY0V





The following is from W5GAI, Skip, in reference to the status of VY0V,
Cezar.

Bernie, W3UR


VY0V
DXpedition to East Pen Is. (NA-231 New)
3 days between March 26 - 31, 2010
Nunavut (CQ Zone 4), Canada

http://www.qrz.com/db/vy0v<http://www.qrz.com/db/vy0v>

I saw this spot about 0330z and went to 10107.5.  VY0V was on frequency,
asking for help.  Others had marginal copy so I joined and had several QSO's
with Cezar VY0V between.  0330-0500z. He said that rain and wind was fierce,
visibility poor, he had no water, no fire, no gas for generator, battery
getting low, and native guide had abandoned him 38 hours ago.  He was
worried and seemed delirious, rambling on while running down his battery.I
got Cezar to give me his GPS coordinates 56" 44.854 N 88" 37.812 W and
relayed this to Ralph VE7XF who said Frank VE7DP was working to get a rescue
and they passed it on to a rescue team coordinator by phone who will get it
to them by sat phone next comm they have.  The rescue team supposedly left
Fort Severn on a 7/8 hour trek at 4pm EDT which would have been 3PM CDT, so
they should have been near him by 10-11 PM CDT or 03-0400z.  Cezar said at
0500z he had low visibility and no contact with the rescue team yet.  Told
Cezar to conserve battery, get some sleep and try 10107.5 again at 1100z
just before his sunrise at 1130z if not rescued.  Later Ralph VE7XF informed
me that guys that went to try to get Cezar today had to turn back according
to VE7DP, as their ski doo kept bogging down due to the rise in temp in the
area.  I tried 10107.5 at 1100 and 1130z  and got no reply from VY0V.  So I
started looking on the internet for RCMP phone numbers.  I called RCMP's
Ontario Division HQ 24/7 .  At 11:45z they patched me through to Jason at the North Bay Comm Center of the Ontario Provincial
Police .  He said that the Fist Nations Policing team from Fort Severn was working on the rescue and that they were in communication
with North Bay Comm Center.  He said would relay any new information to me
for broadcast to the concerned amateur radio community.  At 1215z Jason
called me to say that the rescue team had a visual sighting of Cezar's
location and should be arriving at his location shortly.  I continue to
monitor 10107.5 and 7007.  Let's hope for a positive outcome.

Skip Cameron W5GAI
Austin, TX