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LU6W – Escondida Island, SA-096Monday Jan 07, 2013
Post expedition summary
It is not our intention to present here a detailed account of this very eventful operation. However, for the record, we would like to offer a brief summary. After having taken a couple of accidents (Chochi – the boatman, and Jose/LU2WAZ), and after abandoning the primary gear intended for the operation (two rigs, many accessories, waterproof laptop, a tent, etc.), we succeeded to return to the island in the evening of Jan 4. Alex and Cezar landed first, swimming hard against the tidal current and hull, while avoiding the shallow rocks. After a quick check, we noticed that our fears materialized and everything we had left behind a day earlier was lost. We knew that this was likely to happen, but had no choice. As such, we asked Johan and Miguel (LU2WMM), who came with a second transport, to bring the spare rig and antenna.
Pablo (Jose’s son) was phenomenal in identifying the most convenient swimming path and landing spot through the foamy waters, securing our position on the sharp rocks, and pulling the heavy drums from the water. Landing is possible when the tide decreases toward the minimum, and it can only be done on daylight in the evening. By the time we had everything on the island we were left with only half an hour to spare. We worked very hard to make a pathway through the “lobos marinos” (which are different than sea lions). It was Miguel’s determination and ingenuity which allowed us to get on top of the island just in time. We made a huge noise using two whistles and an improvised drum, and kept a heavy rope and a boat paddle handy.
The antenna was set up using flashlights and head-lamps. We decided to operate under the open sky, and keep the little tent we had with us for rest. During our stay on the island we only had water, a few cereal bars, and a couple of apples. Within half hour we worked on 20 m stations from five continents with was indicative of the good propagation conditions. Since the spare rig didn’t work with our only electronic key left, we had to remain in SSB. However, this allowed us to maximize the number of different stations logged. At any time we used one operator, two guys as guards, while resting one person. After 17 hours of operation, the team had to go QRT. Having already had a couple of accidents, the logistical team wasn’t keen to take any chances. Everyone returned safely to the mainland.
We had definitely intended a longer operation, so that we can give more chasers the possibility to put SA-096 in their logs. Unfortunately, a series of circumstances prevented us from doing so. Nevertheless, we made over 2,050 QSOs with stations in 6 continents. We take full responsibility for the decisions made, including those which led to so many valuables being lost at sea. This being said, any donations, any support from the IOTA community at large that will help us continue to defray some of our expenses, and replace our equipment will be highly and publicly appreciated on the DXpedition website. It is our belief that future attempts to operate from Escondida Is. will benefit highly from this experience.
QSL via VE3LYC.
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28 Responses to “LU6W – Escondida Island, SA-096”
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I would prefer a rental shack somewhere in the Carribean, hi. Will try to work you guys in CW. 73 es GL
Hi Cezar & Company!
Hold fast, everything will go smoothly and successful.
73 + HNY to all of you.
Hi Cezar, Johan and crew. Good luck & take care. Some clothespins to put on your nose will be necessary to overcome the smell of the sealions and bird poop … ;-)
Hope to catch you in CW. HNY.
Hi Cezar & Team.
good luck with your endeavors.
Now lets hope i can work you HI..
Please listen for us VE7s!
Klaus VE7KDU
Take care, guys! An IOTA, even a new one, is not worth serious injury.
73 and GL, Chris
Great activity, thanks for the QSO. Be careful out there and get back safely!
Bad luck but thanks for all the efforts and thanks for QSO on 21 MHhz. Safe journey home.
73 de Chris
bad luck but thanks for the QSO on 20m it was hard work from vk with wire and 100 watts.
you guys prove to my friends that ham radio is an extreme sport thanks for you efforts.
cheers
steve
unlucky lad’s just glad i got to work you on 15m.. safe trip home & 73 from (M0TMC)
Hello Cezar and company,
As always thank you for th one and the qso.
A wonderful signal here in vk, 57 to 59
Good luck and safe traveling
73 David VK3EW
Great sigs Cezar and Johan, workable in VK from 0430z till 1030z on 14 Mhz with best sigs around 0800z.
And then I listened to you working on 21Mhz from 1130z to 1400z until you faded into the noise.
Sorry about the lost rigs and the sea lions – next time take a dog whistle with you – like seals, they hate the sound!
Well done to the team!
Cheers
Peter VK3QI
Demasiado ruido y pocas nueces…
Too much noise and few walnuts…
Did they make it ashore safely ? It’s all gone quiet . . .
Hello Norberto,
Before my activity as CE4A from Pupuya Is., SA-095, there was someone who signed Norberto and posted a nasty message on this forum. That Norberto was the opinion that CE4A was a fake, and that the island cannot be reached. I offered to meet him on the beach, in Matanzas, and he promised that he will be there. Well, he wasn’t.
Following your recent message, I have a suspicion that the person who signed that nasty note about CE4A a couple of years ago was non other than you. I checked the log of over 2,000 QSOs we made as LU6W and didn’t find you in the log. There were many stations from the LU “E” area, so I wonder whether you actually have a rig and an antenna. Or you are just out there to enjoy mocking others.
What can I say, we did what we could, and “we” includes many LU hams who helped in various ways. Where were you?!?
Cezar, VE3LYC
Hello Cezar and your team.
Hope you all came ashore in good condition. Unfortunally I missed a QSO due to a big misstake from my side. I was lsn to you on 20 m SSB and the pile was amazing here in EU. So I desided to wait until next day. So no QSO this time!
Thanks for all your effort so we, armchear ham’s, can have a new IOTA now and then.
Bertie / SM5CBM
A pleasure to work you guys 5/1/13 on 20m, thanks for the new IOTA and thanks so much for your efforts
Cezar,
ignore those stupid comments.
It’s an increasing attitude to do NOTHING so to get entitled to move criticism.
Thanks for all the risks taken to bring this island on the air. Best regards to all Team involved, wish all of you a safe return home.
Again, thanks, thanks, thanks.
Cezar,
thanks a million for this new one. You and Johan are an example to follow.
Congratulations to the whole team for achieving this difficult target. You all made a great job, despite the so many difficulties.
Best 73 buddy….where do you go next ?!?! :D
Wow, 2000+ contacts in only 17 hours of operating ! Especially impressive when most of that was operating overnight, logging with head lamps. After the mishaps, a less dedicated team would have quit, but not Cezar and Johan ! Congratulations on another heroic activation.
Hi Cezar and team,
Congratulations for this new one !! Real true IOTA spirit, and incredible motivation to achieves your planned goal ! You had strong report in Europe despite all the problems you faced !
Let’s hope the two injured team members will get well soon, and we all wonder “what’s next planned ?” :)
73 Vincent F4BKV
Thanks and well done boys !
You persevered despite many problems.
You displayed great operating skils.
I got very easy QSO during very poor propagation period.
HI Johan and Cezar,
You did a great performance in spite of the so many difficulties. You merit mor then an Honor Plaque. Thanks for the contacts. Our compliments to the LU guys who really have done a great help, hope they are all fine now!
73 Gianni I1HYW
TNX FOR NEW IOTA HI,GREAT PERFORMANCE ON DIFFICULTIES AND MANY PROBLEM BOYFOR ALL CREW HNY.73 DE LUC I0SYQ!
Dear friends. I can’t work you this time, but thanks for this new trip and congrats for all that you are doing for this Hobby !! See u in the next one, again – thousands of TNX and congratulations for new IOTA activity !! happy return home :-) Chao
Congratulation Cezar and group!!! I’m happy for this success. Best 73. Fred lu6kk w2nnn
OMG Worked on 15m at 12:36 and NOT IN LOG!
GUTTED!
Phew sorted!! Thanks cezar.