Expedition to South Solitary island VK2SSI OC-194

I almost had fallen of my chair when couple of months ago Tommy VK2IR called and asked me if I'd want to join them for activation of the South Solitary island off Coffs Harbour.

After checking my bank balance I quickly agreed.  The island can be reached only by helicopter from the mainland.  The company Precision Helicopters is the only company which provides the service.

Tommy had been working on this project for the last few years.  No doubt is was long and tedious process to clear it all through the National Parks.

The expedition was organized by the HARAOA radio club.
Helenic Amateur Radio Association Of Australia is very
active in actions of similar kind and I feel proud to be part of it.







Finally it happened last weekend.

Adding a few photos:

Just about to depart.

Here it is the great South Solitary island.

The main feature of the island... Lighthouse.

Just landed and Garry is unloading.

The building is in top nick... freshly painted.

Tommy (foreground) and Nick operating.

Nick, Tommy and Raffy in a full flight.

Please note the concentration.

Alan and Jason.

One of the views.

Little time off. Guided tour by Garry.

 The second from left is Garry the ranger helping us.

Jason, Garry, Tommy Allan and Raffy.

Patrick and Tommy.

The operators:

• Tommy VK2IR
• Alan VK2KAM
• Raffy VK2RF
• Jason VK2FMAD
• Nick VK2DX
• And me VK2PN

Tommy, Nick and me were working CW (mainly) and Alan, Raffy and Jason were on SSB.
We finished with over 5600 QSOs during available approx 36 hours on the air.
The National Parks allowed us 48 hours on the island.  Setting up and breaking down the stations and antennas had taken the rest of the time.  We managed to have four stations  on the air most of that 36 hours..  The CONDX were not the best, however none of us called CQ more than few times to get a pile up going.

 

We were extremely lucky with the weather. Sunny windless days, but cool nights.  I was wearing my ski merino underwear and "just" managed .

I want to express my personal thanks to the rangers: Garry and Geoff.... thanks guys for looking after us.

The staff of Precision helicopters... nothing was too difficult for them.

I have only one complaint to make:  On Tuesday after sunrise on 30 m I was running rate about 90 qso per hour.  Then the central European stations (the so called European ZOO) started.  My rate dropped to 30 qso per hour.  Those guys just don't know how to behave.  Constant calling (even when I was transmitting, Transmitting during a contact with other station and not observing the fact that I was asking for one particular callsign. It is so upsetting when that happens.  We the expedition are there to give them the QSO, but they make it so difficult.  It is such a pleasure to work JA and US stations.  They are gentlemen.

This is the first version of the blog.  I will add some more as time will allow.  I'm putting most of the photos on picasa so you may be able to see some more.  Here is your link.

Visiting Liz and Bruce VK4MQ

Passing through their QTH. We had to stop and have nice dinner and lots of chats.

Thanks Bruce and Liz..... till next time and have a great trip yourselves.

Visiting Pete VK4LAT in St. George.

Trent VK4TS suggested to give a call to Pete and pay him friendly visit.

Pete was working hard to get to this position:

Pete's secret weapon is his youth and determination.  Second in importance is great antenna farm still being built:

Here is a beauty being created. Aluminium mast:

Several antennas waiting to be added to the farm:

Great looking vertical:

One of the two beverages:

Over all impression is:  Makings of great contest station.  Congrats Pete and Good luck for the contests. Thanks for being kind and showing me around.  Ah... Thanks Amy for the coffee and cake.

Who says "the condx are no good"?

This afternoon (local time) I expected to hear mostly LP Europe, but got lots of US stations (it was getting pretty late there).  All good signals - even QRP (AK6VS).  My little hex beam was swinging from SP US to LP EU every few minutes.

All good fun and thanks guys for the calls (mostly "old friends").

73
Patrick

Look what the postie brought last week.

Looks pretty.

73
P

Sulfur crest cockatoos "one" Patrick "nil".

In the last ten days or so flock of cockies got to like my Hex antenna. Here is the result:

It looks like I have to replace most of the wires now... Grrrrrrrrr..... Why me??????

Musings on speed by contester in training.

• Speed is everything.
• Dogs and kids love speed.

All of the above is true, but would speed be the most important feature of contesting?  You the reader may assume the faster you send and receive more QSOs you log.  True or maybe not.

OK... I think that I can copy 100% the calls and the numbers exchanged in CW contest.  Let's say I'm quite comfortable up to or around 30 words per minute. Faster than that my palms get sweaty and the error rate shoots up.
Using the Morse Runner by Alex VE3NEA I'm quite proficient... all calls and numbers in say 30 minutes run.  Immediately I have to ask myself several questions what happens in real contest:

Is my opposite about the same?

• How the noise and interference on the band affects my and his speed?
• Since we all give 599, how can he really hear me? Even if I'm copying 599.
• How sort of antennas my opposite has at his disposal?
• How is his and mine tiredness  affecting the exchange?
• How are 70 years old ears performing today?

The above questions are quite tricky to answer.

Any comments?

cheers
Patrick VK2PN