326TRC/DX

DX-EXPEDITION

27-29 May 2000

by 317TRC101&317TRC102





It is several years now since we returned from first activation. Now we can look back at our operation practices, and also operating manners of the stations on our log. We have not kept a black list as this is really a waste of time, but if we had, then the list would contain some 50 operators. If try to compare with expedition of this year! I with confidence can tell that we have progress in perfection. That mean not 50 just 4 or 5. It seems evident that Amateur / 11 Mtr radio transmission can be established if the two stations exchange signal report and callsign. However, while working under very difficult conditions of intense noise (QRM ) on our transmission frequency. It became necessary to take the callsign in several stages despite many operators trying to prompt us with the QRZ of the station calling, these people might have had good intentions but it was to no avail. The number of QSO’s being made was slow and we were not being allowed to speed up the QSO rate because of the QRM. It is not the purpose of this article to shame any individual, but to try to educate all, on radio etiquette and correct radio procedure. As it is quite apparent that many simply do not know how to behave on the band while working a DX station on expedition. We hope that in good faith, those of you reading this report will draw the right conclusions from what has been said. Our expedition in the case is just a starting point for the discussion, the majority of what has been said refers to usual everyday radio DX work.

Enough said about the negative points. It is time to say a few words about the expedition to the Maly Vysotsky Island. The idea to organize this expedition come about eleven years ago. I had an aim to get the ham license for the temporary QSY to the Island. I read all the published information about the previous expeditions to the island and got all the necessary material to get the license. But having spend much trouble on the preparation, we soon come to conclusion that it is impossible to get the document because of Russia’s monopoly on distributing licenses only to their countryman. In the end I decided not to give up and involved 317TRC102 Gary on the project. We took a new direction and found a person that could help us get to the island. This was Gary’s task, and the story continues. In February 2000 we achieved success, Gary found a ham operator from the city of Vyborg who agreed to get a car battery and help us in the transport to Maly Vysotsky by boat. On May 25, 2000 together with Gary we took a train to St. Petersburg along with our communications equipment a Dragon SS485 radio, 2 element Quad and lots of enthusiasm. May 26th. We arrived at St. Petersburg and changed to Vyborg. At 12:40 GMT we telephoned Roman from Vyborg railway station. He informed us that we should now proceed to the Island Vysotsk where we would be met Victor who was to give support to us.

At 15:30 hrs we started continued our journey by train. A very interesting route, the road along the embankment leads right to the Gulf of Finland and is very beautiful!!! Late at night we arrived at a small railway station, which is where we were met by Victior. He invited us to his place and during supper he told us Maly Vysotsky Island is situated just 200 Mts from the island of Vysotsk where we were at the moment. We were informed that we could get to the Island tomorrow (27th May) The car battery was fully charged and ready for usage but there was only one battery and that's why we had to charge it up every evening at Victor’s.

What a long awaited moment !! We are on the Island ! We put up a tent not far from the south shore, installed the antenna very unsuccessfully because is was erected in a hurry as the strong wind tore it down. At last everything is ready. Looking at our watch I notice that it only took 30 minutes on all our preparation. Victor has a camera on him and takes the first picture. Unfortunately Victor had to leave us to go home, so we arranged to meet him et 19:00 GMT that evening. We switch on the radio at 06:20GMT, 27.555 and hear CQ, CQ Europe this 309IR102…then we quickly turn the antennae towards Central Asia and answer Vlad.

Our output is only 8 watts and we are surprised to hear our old friend Vlad say “You are 5/5 Andy” We quickly conduct a QSO and QSY .590 on TX while RX on .610. Send a SQ call. No answer. Turn the beam towards Europe and in few minutes the path to Spain opens and we get first QSO’s to 30AT093, 30AT027, 34AT130 and 30AT845….Pile Up!! Gary is keeping the log , the speed is 3-5 QSO’s per minute, we take turns on the microphone. Without much experience on 11Mts Gary doesn’t cope with such a swarm. Its getting late and evening draws close although it’s still light outside. Victior comes and help us carry the equipment to the boat, we are tired but looking forward to the next day. All tree days planned for the activation flew by.

29 May, 2000. It’s time to sum up. On the first day 560 QSO’s were made and after day 3 a total of 1293 QSO’s with 40 countries worked from DXCC list. On the whole the expedition went off well without a hitch not counting a small accident with the police on the way back to Belarus. But that’s another story. In conclusion we would like to express our thanks to all that contributed to the organization of the DX-expedition.

Copyright © by ALFA TANGO NETHERLANDS All Right Reserved.

Published on: 2009-09-04 (176 reads)