3B9GJ 6m EME DXpedition Underway

[VK5GR]

News from Lance W7GJ who is now portable out on Rodrigues Island (3B9).

[MagicEME] 3B9GJ Update 0200Z Wednesday August 30


Lance Collister, W7GJ via groups.io
3:23 AM (5 hours ago)
to MagicEME

This was the first moon pass I was QRV.  I worked 3B9FR on ground wave
(he is line of sight under 2 miles from me!) and then worked these 7
stations on EME: JG1TSG, JA7QVI, ZL1RS, ZS4TX, ZS6NK, G8BCG, PJ4MM.

I had some technical problems between the computer sound card and my
transmitter, and am still having some compatibility issues between WSJTX
and my transmitter. I am working on that, and hope I can avoid down time
from those problems when the moon is next up.

I didn't work anyone during the NA moonrise, despite getting many heard
reports :-( I thought it might have something to do with the high TEC
that direction, but immediately after my moonset, when the sun came up,
my noise level on the horizon dropped 10 dB! So maybe it has something
to do with LED lights or something that went off when it became light.
Anyway, future moonsets will be after dawn here so perhaps they will be
quieter ;-)

Also, starting today all my moonsets will be able to see the ocean in
the distance, so I am hoping for some ground gain below 0 degrees! MNI
TNX to all the Callers, and I hope we are more successful tmrw!

GL and VY 73, Lance
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BACKGROUND
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Hello Magic Banders!

As the Northern Hemisphere Es season dies down, I just wanted to remind you of my
upcoming activation of 3B9 on 6m EME ;-) Won't a new DXCC on 6m be a great way to end
the summer? All my gear is checked, packed, weighed and ready to fly halfway around
the world with me in less than 3 weeks!

One of the problems with operating from the Indian Ocean is that the common moon
windows to NA are very short. Of course, that can also be a blessing if your moonrise
or moonset takes place during my moonset of moorise. This is the kind of ideal
situation made for single yagi horizon-only stations! When both stations have ground
gain at the same time, REAL MAGIC CAN TAKE PLACE!! I am setting up in the
northeastern corner of Rodrigues Island so I will have moonsets over the ocean for
all but the first three days, and moonrises over the ocean for the last 4 days. But,
as always, I will also have elevation up to at least 55 degrees to be able to match
YOUR moonrise or moonset.

Because I expect to have so many stations experiencing their moonrise or moonset at
the same time, I will be using the sensitive and fast new Q65 PILEUP mode in WSJT
v2.7. I encourage all callers to use the most recent version of WSJT-X (currently
WSJT-X or WSJT-X IMPROVED v2.7.0-rc2) and to call me using the SPECIAL OPERATING
ACTIVITY of NA VHF. We will only be exchanging grid squares, but I will be recording
your signal levels and will report them on your QSL cards as well as in LOTW. Both of
these most recent WSJT-X versions are available from:

https://sourceforge.net/

Please make sure to read my webpage to see my operating schedule and understand how
to make a contact with me when I am in Q65 PILEUP mode:

http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj/Rodrigues%202023.htm

I have done my best to make sure that this trip includes common moon windows with 6m
stations everywhere. If, after reviewing my operating schedule, you think I have
missed being QRV for a chance with you, please let me know and I will see if there
might be some way to accommodate you.

I expect to be able to update the above DXpedition website daily with info, most
importantly with a list of completed contacts. GL to all of you who still need 3B9 -
I hope to be able to put you in the log soon!

MNI TNX and VY 73, Lance

--
Lance Collister, W7GJ(ex WA3GPL, WA1JXN, WA1JXN/C6A, ZF2OC/ZF8, E51SIX, 3D2LR, 5W0GJ, E6M, TX5K, KH8/W7GJ, V6M, T8GJ, VK9CGJ, VK9XGJ, C21GJ, CP1GJ, S79GJ, TX7MB, TO7GJ, 3B9GJ)
P.O. Box 73
Frenchtown, MT  59834-0073
USA
TEL: (406) 626-5728
QTH: DN27ub
URL: http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj
Skype: lanceW7GJ
2m DXCC #11 - 6m DXCC #815 - FFMA #7

Interested in 6m EME?  Ask me about subscribing to the new Magic Band EME
email group, or just fill in the request box at the bottom of my web
page (above)!