[OKDXA] BS7

[K8fu at aol.com]

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". 
 
 



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