DX-World

8 Responses to “VK6IOA – Houtmans Abrolhos Islands: OC-211”

1. DX World says:

   August 5, 2009 at 18:48

   IOTA Update Houtman’s Abrolhos OC-211

   Well, we have now got the first part confirmed for the dxpedition to Abrolhos OC-211. To be able to stay on the islands, we needed permission from one of the fishermen who own seasonal shacks on the various islands, and then permission from Fisheries Department to stay out on the islands outside the fishing season.

   This area is a very protected marine park environment and it is not possible to go there without all the particular hoops being jumped through. So now we have that part organised for Robertson Island in the Pelsaert group, which is the southernmost of the Abrolhos islands. The actual location is 28.878281 S, 114.005157 E.

   So now Nigel and I are looking for one or two operators to join us over the New Year weekend. The cost of getting out to the island and back is going to be a total of around AUD$4000 so shared cost will be greatly appreciated.

   It will be warm, spectacular, windy as always, fun and very very interesting. Maybe a bit of snorkelling between operating. Plenty of local wildlife to photograph. Anyone interested please drop me a line.

   Thanks Wally VK6YS.
2. DX World says:

   September 7, 2009 at 17:56

   Bruce, KD6WW, has booked his flights from California, so looking good for the operation.

   We are still looking for a fourth operator to share the operating, ideally with reasonable CW skills. So if the idea of a warm and sunny New Year appeals to you, please drop me a line at vk6ys@iinet.net.au

   The plan is to drive the 400 odd Km north from Perth on the Thursday afternoon, 30th December, and overnight in Geraldton before early start out to the islands at first light, so we can be operating by mid afternoon. It will be warm, spectacular, windy as always, fun and very very interesting. Maybe a bit of snorkelling between operating. Plenty of local wildlife to photograph.

   Thanks, Wally VK6YS
3. DX World says:

   September 27, 2009 at 23:26

   We have applied for a callsign for the operation – VK6IOA and should have that officially within 3 or 4 weeks. No other changes, but once the weather clears up a little here in Perth, Nigel and I will run up and test all the gear in one of our back yards (we both live on 5 acre lots). Two radios, two antennas and logging systems operating to see what sort of interference (if any) we get and how we can minimise the effects, particularly seeing we will be working in a very small area and not able to get too much antenna separation, so the in line ICE band pass filters really come into their own.

   I have also purchased the USB data modem for my Macbook and will be trialling an external gain antenna with that gear. I am going to use a 7 element yagi which will hopefully provide the gain needed for good signals on the mobile phone 3G data network. The system works perfectly well with the unit plugged into the usb port, but there is that guy Murphy who has a tendency to get involved whenever I start playing with things and throws my expectations out the window.

   We would still really welcome a fourth operator!

   Wally, VK6YS
4. DX World says:

   October 16, 2009 at 08:41

   We have had the callsign VK6IOA confirmed by ACMA for the operation.

   We would still really welcome a fourth operator! Just think, rather than freezing your nether regions off in the northern hemisphere over the New Year, hoping to get OC-211 confirmed, you could be sitting on a wonderful island off the West coast of Australia, basking in the sunshine, fishing, snorkelling and just generally lazing around between operating the radios, and of course automatically credited with OC-211. What an offer ! All you would need to bring would be yourself, change of clothes or two and the ability to relax for a few days playing ham radio. A flight to and from Perth, from snow, sleet, rain and hail and horrible winds , to beautiful sunshine, cool breezes, warm nights…………aaahh it is almost too good…!

   Wally, VK6YS

   http://www.westozdx.net/IOTAS/OC211/OC211.html
5. DX World says:

   December 25, 2009 at 09:57

   With just a week to go, everything is looking great. Bruce, KD6WW, is due in to Perth from California on Wednesday 30th, and Nigel and I will meet him at Perth airport, before heading north to Geraldton, about 400 Km to load the gear into the vessel, sleep and be ready to go at first light. We should be on air by 0400Z and probably 20/15 metres at that time but it will depend, of course, on propagation.

   If the last few days is anything to go by, then we are looking forward to some exciting operating conditions. I have been listening to strong signals from all over NA, particularly 40 and 30 early morning here (2000 to 2400 UTC) and good signals on 20 into EU around the same times, as well as a reasonable number of EU on 40 and 30. JA particularly good afternoons on 15. I think we are going to be able to make most poeple who need OC-211 happy.

   We will operate split as much as possible, and if the conditions are anything like I have been hearing here in Perth over the last week or so, we will definitely have the three stations on the go simultaneously. See you on the bands.

   Wally VK6YS
6. DX World says:

   December 29, 2009 at 20:38

   December 29th update

   All looking good for us to head off tomorrow, Wednesday, from Perth to Geraldton. Bruce should arrive in from San Francisco via Sydney around midday, although with the sudden upgrade in airline alerts, he is lucky that he is travelling light, and not carrying any radio equipment. For the rest, Nigel and I think we have everything packed and ready…inevitably there will be something forgotten, but as long as it is just food or water, we should be fine!!!

   If the last few days is anything to go by, then we are looking forward to some exciting operating conditions. I have been listening to strong signals from all over NA, particularly 40 and 30 early morning here (2000 to 2400 UTC) and good signals on 20 into EU around the same times, as well as a reasonable number of EU on 40 and 30. here have been some openings into SA as well early morning local on 20 metres. JA particularly good afternoons on 15, but also workable most of the time on 20, 30 and 40. I think we are going to be able to make most people who need OC-211 happy.

   We will operate split as much as possible, and if the conditions are anything like I have been hearing here in Perth over the last week or so, we will definitely have the three stations on the go simultaneously. See you on the bands.

   Wally VK6YS
7. DX World says:

   January 1, 2010 at 09:36

   January 1st update

   Well we are up and operational but with a few hiccups as you might expect. Winds have been up over 30 Knots (60 KPH) and at high tide, there was just enough coral left to keep the buildings above the water line. We have the use of the diesel generator, but after stopping it to check everything last night, it failed to function. Engine started, but no power out. So luckily we had the small Honda generator to get us through the night until we could trouble shoot the big gennie this morning, and now we are back on line with her. The little 1Kw Honda certainly grunts with two CW and one SSB station operating at once. To date, around 0100 UTC 1st Jan we have made around 950 contacts and should have them in the online log, courtesy of Chris, DL5NAM, shortly.

   Wally VK6YS
8. Ben OH6PA says:

   January 1, 2010 at 18:31

   Hello Guys I think I worked a pirate 31.12.2009 at time 1505 UTC on 7013 CW
   Checked online log and was not there
   I sayed to a frend of mine a half hour later the station hawe not the same sound
   as that station I worked
   The pirate was not stronger than the later But CW sound differnt
   Hope to find You again on 40m CW
   Chers and HNY Ben