Dear guys,

I came to the island of Con Son 3 days ago. Before my trip I agreed with hotel management to install my antennas on the roof. Unfortunately when I came here I learnt that this roof is also occupied by 2 GSM antennas. I tried to put my 12m long pole as far as possible from those GSM stations, however the weather here is very windy and hotel staff worried if my long mast would not be broken and fall off the roof. All I could do was shorten the pole and bind it to the water tank construction. Unfortunately my antenna’s wires are very close to the GSM antennas. The level of noise I am experiencing here is terrible. No chance to work SSB. In case of FT8 mode I am also receiving only very strong stations, mainly from AS. On the first day I received an email that I was heard in the EU and about 15 stations were calling me but my waterfall was almost empty. Very annoying situation. Next local morning I woke up early to listen to NA. And I was surprised. I worked pretty many stations from there.

In the meantime I also operate on 6m. This is fairly successful. However the 6m antenna has already been broken by wind and had to be repaired. At the moment I have 80 callsigns in 6m log. Openings to JA are sometimes great.

I am doing what I can to log some EUs but it is very difficult. Unfortunately I have no chance to move to another QTH. This is not a regular dxpedition. I am alone and it is almost impossible from the logistic point of view. I am sorry that some of you will be disappointed. Especially those who counted for SSB sked. I am checking very often different bands looking for SSB stations but I always hear only terrible noise. This noise is stronger in the evenings so maybe its source is not only GSM BTS but also LED lighting.

Additionally to my own issues the magnetic storm destroyed propagation last day.

I am leaving the island on December 10^th but my antenna must be taken down on December 9^th before sunset because it is impossible to dismount it in the dark.

The weather here is not nice – strong wind and almost all day raining. Yesterday I experienced so much rain I have probably never seen. Additionally with this wind rain fell horizontally. Today was the first day with no rain and sometimes the sun appeared.

Please cross your fingers for good propagation which can help to win with noise.

I hope to see you on air!

Jacek SP5APW / 3W9C