Hello Topbanders,
We did manage to get ashore with a full RIB station and raised a 60' top
loaded vertical, which stands in the water most of the time (except at low
tide). Right behind the antenna there is virtually vertical 1200' mountain
wall to the south, but take off is clear to directions from NW (280 degrees)
to NE (50 degrees). That is from JA to W4 (and N. EU to N. Africa). SA may
be blocked but you never know with TB.
We will start operating on 160 tonight at UTC 0530 (Nov 3) from the Manu-a
Islands, Olosega Island (AH55eu, OC-077, -14.16476, -169.62122), American
Samoa. This is another precarious location where we are anchored off the
shore in open waters. (But not as crazy as Ducie was.)
Will start on 160 meters CW at 0530 UTC, listening for Europe, but will
switch to 80 if TB is not productive. We will be back on TB for NA sunrise
around 1030 UTC. FT8 in a few days' time.
There is some generator noise on both 160 and 80, which I will try to
eliminate tomorrow, but for tonight we are stuck with it. (It is hard to get
to the shore at low tide. We can only do it on paddle boards.)
We hope to be QRV at this location until Nov 9 (WX and other factors
permitting).
GL and 73,
George (AA7JV) and Mike (KN4EEI)
Note: We will be on 15, 12 and 10 at times during the day.
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