Thursday, April 8, 2010

CK8G - Countdown

Less than a week until departure and all is looking good for the operation from NA-182 Greens Island. Airline tickets are in hand and I’m now starting the final assembly, testing, and packing of equipment. I had hoped to be able to ship some of the gear into Paulatuk ahead of time on a charter flight but unfortunately things didn’t work out so now I’ll have to do it the expensive way. I’m going to send in most of the non-fragile stuff as cargo on the next few scheduled flights and then bring the rest with me when I go on Wednesday. My guy in Paulatuk informs me that the tent and generator have been arranged but finding a snowmobile to rent for a whole week is proving difficult. The weather is expected to be warm (single digits) and sunny so most people are planning to go out on the land and don’t want to be without their snowmobiles for that long. Not to worry though, if necessary I’ll get dropped off on the island and have supplies delivered or get picked up as needed. I’ll always be in VHF radio contact (or satellite phone if necessary) so no troubles. Frequent visitors are also likely as locals stop by to find out what the big tower and antenna on the island is all about.

Despite the big geomagnetic storm this past week, the forecast for the duration of the operation is for quiet conditions. The operating schedule will be Asia from 0000-0400z, Europe from 0400-0700z and 1400-1700z, North America from 1800-2300z. That’s generally where I’ll have the antenna pointed but will still happily take callers from anyone that is hearing me. I’ll be operating almost exclusively 20m SSB but I will bring a 40m dipole antenna as a backup.

My plane doesn’t land in Paulatuk until 4pm on Wednesday so I probably won’t be on the air until late that evening (early morning 15 April UTC). I'll be using my satellite phone to post status updates during the trip so watch this space for the latest information.

73
John - VE8EV

9 comments:

Mel Frost said...

hey John...Great to see you're ON THE AIR again!
Yes, Any place in the world, 'cept Resolute Bay, is DX for you, eh?
Hope to work you next rotation..as you should be into Asia by now...
When are you going to do a trip to "90 deg North" and set up for a few days?...Last I knew, Willke Phillips was making runs up there, and back! (That last part is viewed as being very important to me...hi,hi).
What interesting spot would be accessable during early/mid MAY of "any year" for a few days of operations?? I am still planing on driving up the highway to Inuvik and then back into Alaska in time for early King Salmon fishing South of Kenai...that is the last weekend for opening...

Enjoy yourself up there...watch out for bears..I see where one on Barter Island decided a camera "Tri-Pod" was a great toy to play with...owner was not impressed... Don't eat the yellow snow, eh?

Regards,
God's speed and safety,
Mel Frost
KD7DCR (kd7dcr@netscape.com)

James Davidson VE3TPZ/VA3WR said...

hi John.

Just finished working you from ontario here under callsign VE3TPZ. I'm the website person for the Canadian Islands Awards Program and Garry VE3XN says NW048 for your Greens Island Activation. Best Wishes from all of us involved in the Canadian Islands Awards Program.

Anonymous said...

Please spend time on 30 meters CW, which is the most reliable band right now.

73 rag LA5HE

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the QSO on 20m SSB! Amazing that I could work you with only 100w and my R3 vertical! Enjoy the trip, and stay safe.

73 and Aloha,
Dan, KH6P
Honolulu, HI

Anonymous said...

Nice to work you on 14.250 Mhz RX and 5 up TX 14.255.00 Mhz on 19 april 17:28 GMT 59. I have here only 200 wtts and ant FD4, a multi bands windom abt 8 mtr's up. 59 for you. 73's and good dx there. Hope qsl frm you. Best regards frm out The Netherlands.

Operator Jan
QTH: Blaricum
PA3CJP

Alexy said...

Hi, John!
Many Thanks for the nice SSB QSO today on 14.250Mhz.
Best regards from Russia and good luck!
Alexy, RA6LUU.
http://www.hitechbusiness.ru/
73!

Alan said...

Hi John,
Great to have worked you on 14.215 SSB yesterday. Wonderful signal 5-9 from Greens Island! I was running about 85 watts out from my IC-756Pro3 to a Hustler 6-BTV vertical, ground mounted, with NO radials no less. Amazing what you can do sometimes. I am in Bunker Hill, WV, about 75 miles from Washington, DC. Stay warm & safe. Good luck!

73's, Alan, KF6V

K6LSN said...

Hey John. I was fighting laryngitis all week and was worried I might miss you there. I was feeling better today and was on echolink with N6UGJ and saw you on dxwatch and told him, he came back after a minute or so and said, " worked him"! I said Thats it! grabbed my suitcase with IC-725 and Buddistick and ran out in the rain to the van , set up, and finally got to work you after a qso invaded the frequency you were calling on. That was fun and exciting and one of the reasons I love Ham Radio. Thanks again and I hope you enjoyed your time there and look forward to seeing some pictures and a story or two. 73

Dragan K0AP said...

John,
thank you for another great one. As always, FB signals into Kansas and was easy to work you.
Your contribution to the HAM community is greatly appreciated.

73 Dragan K0AP, Z32XX
P.S."Where do you go next?" :o)