[SJDXA] Pitcairn update

[N2OO]

Passing along.  


VP6R Pitcairn Island DXpedition Press Release (20th October)[edited].
 The Braveheart anchored just off Pitcairn Island at dawn, Thursday,
October 17th.  After customs & immigration, the team was transported
to the home of Andy Christian where all of the equipment was waiting
for us. This equipment arrived about 6 weeks prior to our arrival. The
steep dirt roads were very muddy from lots of recent rains and had our
equipment not been prepositioned, we would have been delayed by several
days getting all stations on the air.

 By the end of the first day we had antennas up and four stations QRV
at Andy?s house.

 The next morning (Friday) everyone moved to the old Radio Site to set
up more antennas and stations. This is our primary low band site. The DX
Engineering 160M falling derrick vertical is almost full-size and generated
huge pileups that night, with 700 stations in the 160M log!

 Saturday morning left just a couple more antenna projects to finish and
by late morning everything was set up and we settled into our operating
routine.

 Pitcairn has power from 8 am until 10 pm. After 10 pm we switch to
generators until morning. The Radio Site is 100% generator powered.

 As of about 2400Z Sunday, we have over 16,000 Q?s in the logs, including
several 6M EME contacts.

 We are down to 12 operators today. One of the team members fell, suffering
several fractures. A supply ship was leaving today and he is being evacuated
to Mangareva and on to Papeete. Naturally we are all disappointed with this
situation, but medically it is in everyone?s best interest. DXpeditions
to remote places are not without risk and medical care is quite limited
at best.

 The weather has been very cooperative with pleasant temperatures. When
it rains, which is often, the dirt roads become ?the world?s friendliest
mud,? as the residents call it, making travel between the two sites some-
what treacherous.

 We will have a station on 20M continuously, often with more than one
mode, with the goal of giving Pitcairn Island a new one to everyone.   

 The Flex Radios are working extremely well. With good conditions, at
times we have been able to sustain nearly 400 Q?s/hr with FT8 Fox & Hound
mode, working five stations simultaneously!

 Logs are periodically uploaded to ClubLog during the times we have
?commercial? power on the island.

 Please check our website often for the latest updates: www.pitcairndx.com

73, Glenn W0GJ


73. Bob Schenck, N2OO

Sent from my iPhone 
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