From The Island
The Camb-Hams 2009 dx’pedition is now over 🙁 See how we got on on the diary page here.
To see if you have worked us on Harris or to see who we have been working then please look at out online logbook here.
Overview
After a very successful Dx’pedition in 2008 to the Island of Mull the Camb-Hams have decided on another DX’Pedition for 2009. We have agreed on the Island of Harris for this years location which is off the north west coast of Scotland. The format of the trip will be the similar to last year, where we shall have stations on HF voice and data, most bands inc 5Mhz, alongside 6m, 4m, 2m and possibly 70cm (SSB, JT6m and MS). There will be lots of portable operation around the islands (possible interest to WAB chasers) and 3 very energetic climbers activating SOTA summits all week.
The callsign for the trip will be the CRG (Cambridgeshire Repeater Group) callsign G3PYE, as the activation is in Scotland the prefix becomes GM3PYE/P or GS3PYE/P, both of which will be used.
We plan to be active on during the week starting April 20th, this might mean we get on-air during the leading Saturday 18th of April till Saturday 25th of April. You can follow our escapades in the Harris Diary.
If you would like to make a sked with us for any of the VHF bands (voice or data) please email skeds@camb-hams.com
Location
Basecamp is a holiday cottage near Liceasto at the head of Loch Stockinish on the East side of the Island of Harris. It has a good view to EU and a reasonable path through the hills to USA. The locator is IO67nt.
(map of the island of Harris and south Lewis)
Final List of people on the DX 2009 Trip
Alan 2M0TXY (official photographer), Allan MM1BJP (Mountain goat), Colin Tea Boy (Alcoholic and barman), Jim (Allan and Colin’s Dad & Cook!), Bob G1SAA (equipment supplier), Geoff G0DDX (data mode man), Neil G4HUN (wall of sound), Seamus 2M0OVV (DJ and entertainment), Neil Alan C’s friend (navy lad), Rob M0VFC (ex 2E0EVJ – all rounder), Voi G0BOE (what can I say, bring some spare valves this time), Gavin M1BXF (VHF mad).
HF
Like last year we are planning to run on 2 band simultaneously, one voice and one data, Geoff G0DDX and Rob M0VFC have built and tuned bandpass filters for 80m, 40m, 20m, and 15m for this purpose. The HF stations will consist of an Icom IC-756proIII for SSB and an Icom 706Mk2 for data. SSB will be at legal limit using a Ranger amplifier. The antennas will be a full-sized G5RV, 20m, 15m and 10m spiderbeam, a 20m 1/4wave vertical and a 40m vertical. Verticals are mainly being used due to the small area required to erect them and the chance of some good DX. Keep an eye on the DX clusters to see which bands we are working on at any given time.
(20/15/10 Spiderbeam. Will be up higher on the island)
IOTA
The Isle of Harris falls into the Outer Hebrides group in IOTA. It’s reference is EU-010. At the time of writing EU-010 has been worked by 66.8% of IOTA participants which doesn’t make it rare! Most of the portable operation this year will also be from EU-010. There was some talk about a visit to the Monach Islands EU-111 (33.6% claimed) or the Flannan Isles EU-118 (32.3% claimed) but we don’t think this will happen, however keep checking back to this page to be sure you don’t miss us if we do decide to go.
VHF
We will be active on 6m, 4m (4m/6m X-band also) and 2m all week but mainly in the evenings due to other activities. We will be capable of 70cm activity but will only setup the 70cm stations if there is enough demand. Radios in use will be an IC-756pro3 for 6m with an OZ2M transverter for 4m and an IC-910H for 2m and 70cm. Antennas will be a 4 element dual-band 6m / 4m Jaybeam, a 17ele Tonna on 2m and a 22ele Tonna on 70cm, all will be mounted on our 10m trailer mast but due to size restrictions only 2 antennas can be mounted at any time. SSB, JT6m and FSK441 will be the main modes used on all VHF/UHF bands and skeds are welcome to skeds@camb-hams.com – there is no CW op available for any of these bands. The cottage lies in IO67nt and has internet access so you will find us on ON4KST chat (GS3PYE/P) or possibly MSN IM@Camb-Hams.Com.
(4m transverter setup)
Meteors! During our trip, on April 22nd (which is also Gavin M1BXFs birthday), there is a minor Lyrids meteor shower. We will try and be as active as possible during this time.
(map showing IO67 and the location of Basecamp in IO67nt)
QSL information
– UK Stations should include a stamped addressed return envelope.–Europe: 1x IRC– RoW: 2x IRC.Our QSL manager is Neil G4HUN. QSL cards for GM3PYE/P & GS3PYE/P, and where possible any SOTA, WAB and /P cards (to operator’s own call) should be marked as QSL manager G4HUN and sent via the RSGB Bureau or direct to G4HUN:
Neil Whiteside, G4HUN
15 Strympole Way
Highfields
Caldecote
CAMBRIDGE
CB23 7ZJ
Please do not enclose cash or loose stamps with your cards. Those cards submitted without the appropriate return postage will receive their QSL card via the bureau. Like last year we will be issuing a special QSL card for the DX’pedition, this may take a month or so to prepare so please be patient for any return cards, if you do not receive a return card within 2 months or you have any QSL enquiries email us at qsl@camb-hams.com