Home | Blog | About Us | Supporters | Photos | Photos 2 | Feedback | Contact Us
The QSLs are pouring in for the EME contacts and Michael is going to reply to them as soon as possible. Here is a list of the EME contacts made and the status of their QSLs.
The team is reviewing the photos and video clips brought back from Norfolk Island so as to put together a presentation for various hamfests and conferences in the coming year.
This day was for packing the equipment and taking it to the freight centre for return to the mainland.
While the winds continued they were manageable so the 2m/70cm and microwave operations returned to Mt Pitt. EME was still run from the lower site. 6m was run from the hotel.
A final EME session was planned for late Wednesday night, ending around 5AM when the moon set.
The sked with ZL1TPH confirmed that conditions were good enough to try a contact on 2.4 GHz. Later contact was made with ZL1TPH on 2.4, 3.4 and 5.7 GHz and we think there were some records broken by those contacts.
Later in the day the weather forecast was that a cyclone would pass over the island overnight. In preparation for that all antennas were dismantled. The storm "missed us by a whisker" and plans are to reassemble the 2m/70cm+ station on Mt Pitt if possible and to raise the EME antenna again in time for some EME activity later in the afternoon and evening.
Andrew left the island on Monday morning as he had to return to work on Tuesday. Michael, Alan and Kevin are planning to operate as much as possible until they have to stop on Thursday to pack up. It is expected to take all day to pack, so the last possible EME operation will be on Wednesday.
After tests on 144 MHz from the base site at the hotel we realised conditions on 2m and up were going to be poor. We set up the 2m/70cm station at the secondary location and searched for contacts on 144 MHz. We ran CW beacons and called CQ towards VK and ZL for about 2 hours, then with conditions being so poor we decided to take a break. The 6m station at the hotel had made several contacts on 6m.
After dinner we visited Mt Pitt to assess the possibility of returning the 2m station there. The wind was very high and in one part of the hill it was difficult to walk against the wind. This confirmed our decision to leave Mt Pitt on Friday.
The wind down at the EME site was much lower so we set up the EME station and commenced operation on JT65B.
This session turned out to be very productive as we made 28 contacts. As it was my last night on the island I was very happy to run some of those contacts myself, making only a few procedural errors.
Email contact with Steve ZL1TPH arranged for a sked on Monday morning on 2m to assess whether conditions were good enough to attempt a contact on 2.4 GHz.
The VK VHF/UHF Field Day started this weekend and we called on CW and SSB on our publicised frequency for about 2 hours from the contest start. We even changed over to the EME yagi because it was relatively stable in the direction of the NSW north coast. We made no contacts despite beaconing on CW and calling on SSB for two hours or more. Conditions were simply not good enough, an amazing contrast to the preceding few days. Our only contact during the morning was with ZL1TPH.
We switched over to EME and found the lower height of the EME yagi was a problem for the direction we had to point it in the first hour after moonrise. It was pointing very close to the roofline of the building we were operating from (a scout hall). Once the elevation was above 15 degrees we started to see signal traces and with the help of Dave W5UN we were able to validate our system at about 20 degrees. The wind continued to be a problem and we closed the station at about 5:30 pm local time for a meal break. The yagi is in danger of damage at higher elevations so there was no point risking any damage to it even though we are aware there are stations at various parts of the world wanting QSOs. The only consolation is that without ground gain, our station is much less capable so in fact we probably are not missing out on many feasible contacts by being away from the station during this period.
Conditions were not quite as good as on the 13th but there was still some Es allowing for contacts to VK1 VK2 VK3 VK4 VK7 ZL1 and ZL4.
In the afternoon we moved the 2m/70cm antennas and microwave dish mast to the EME site as the wind was very high on Mt Pitt and it was impossible to operate from there. At the EME site conditions were much calmer and while the antennas still needed guying to maintain the desired direction, they were much more stable. Immediately after connecting the antennas to the radios we heard and worked Rex VK7MO on ssb.
EME moonrise window was not very rewarding though a few contacts were made, with difficulty. EME moonset window was much more successful.
The wind was becoming a big problem for us especially when we needed higher elevation than about 20 degrees. The front 7 directors of the beam were very high and the wind gusts were pushing that section of the yagi way offline from the intended direction. After some stronger gusts came through we decided to lower the EME antenna by 2m, reducing it to a height of about 5m above ground. At that height it was much more stable and we felt more confident of its safety when stowed horizontal in line with the wind and with the boom anchored by concrete bricks with four guys. After doing that we were able to make more contacts in the last hour before moonset.
Strong Es conditions today kept us busy on 6m and 2m. We operated on both EME and tropo/Es simultaneously due to the separation of the two stations for a while. ZL1, ZL2, VK1 VK2 VK3 VK4 VK7 were worked on 2m and 6m. On the EME moonrise (easterly) window we worked a small number of US stations and Japan.
In the evening we returned to the EME station at 10pm to work the moonset window to EU. The moon set at about midnight. We had some good contacts, some being speaker copy, ie. the signals were loud enough to be audible.
We arrived at Mt Pitt at about 2000 UTC and set up the station to operate on 2m and 70cm. Having contacted Steve ZL1TPH on 2m, we then attempted to work him on 5760.1 (no signals received at either end) and on 1296.1 (we heard Steve but he did not hear us). We had successful contacts with two other ZL1 stations. Approaching moonrise two team members took the EME equipment down to the alternative EME site and prepared the station there. We continued to seek tropo contacts to VK2/VK4 areas and eventually worked several VK4s on 2m. We closed down the Mt Pitt site at moonrise (about 0000 UTC).
After moonrise more EME contacts were made and after the break at about 0530 we returned to make another 13 QSOs via 2m EME JT65, ending at just before 1200 UTC when the moon set. The waterfall showed dozens of stations during the final 5 minutes, only a few made it into the log due to the timing requirements of JT65. Several stations asked via the logger whether we were receiving them, but our responses were often not posted successfully due to our internet connection being unreliable. One station asked could he have his report, but we had never seen his signal at all and had not even commenced a QSO with him. Sorry, not in log.
Several VK and ZL contacts were also made from the hotel site on 6m. Again there was talk on vklogger about E51, DU and H44 stations being active on 6m but we did not hear any signals from those areas.
Access to the logger sites from the new EME site is spasmodic and we are looking for a way around that problem. It causes long delays as we notice we have lost the connection, then reconnect and sign in again. Hence we often don't see questions or get our responses posted for 10 to 15 minutes while these problems are resolved. We are using the N0UK EME JT65 logger for EME.
Today the wind kept blowing on Mt Pitt. After taking the EME antenna down and partially disassembling it, we were able to carry it in two ~6m sections on the car roof to the alternative site identified on Monday. We erected it at 6m above ground level, with four steering ropes to stabilise its azimuth and elevation. The boom to mast connection is flexible and allows for elevation of the boom.
The antenna was erected shortly before moonrise and the station was set up to operate via the moon until about 0500 UTC, when we had to close down due to a social engagement arranged by our support team (refer photos set 1). We returned to the EME site at about 1030 and were able to resume operations for an hour or so before moon set.
During the afternoon one operator returned to the hotel and operated on 6m for a few hours, adding several VK and ZL stations, and working FK8CP. Earlier K6QXY was heard on CW on 50110 at signal levels up to s7 but we were unable to get a response despite many calls to him. The signals from him were subject to deep fading and the signals dropped out completely at times, then returned at strengths up to s5. A comment on vklogger later said that he had reported hearing us. 6m is fickle.
Early this morning, from about 2000 UTC, Michael, Kevin and Alan successfully used FSK441 mode to contact
These contacts were made using the 13 element yagi and 100w from the hotel location.
Later we went up to the Mt Pitt site and set up the "tropo" station. There was apparently very poor propagation to VK and ZL. THe wind was strong, with gusts from 15 to 30 knots. Not good for antennas and we thought it was not wise to erect the 2m EME yagi (19 elements and 12 metres long).
Eventually we decided to erect the EME antenna and evaluate its stability at a low height. We thought it was worth doing this for moonrise at about 0000 UTC and operating through from moonrise for about an hour and a half. Eventually we did work Gary KB8RQ via moonbounce with JT65. Some other stations were observed but clearly we had a big problem with local spurious signals interfering with any genuine signals. At times it appeared this was appearing at 100 Hz intervals (we have 50 Hz mains frequency in VK). This was possibly coming from the local FM and TV broadcast equipment on site at Mt Pitt. The long yagi was moving around in the wind but was controllable with four guys from the boom to the ground.
At about lunch time we decided to move a radio back to the hotel and operate on 6m for the afternoon. This yielded about 20 contacts. An FK8 station was active and looking for our signals, but we were unable to hear anything of each other.
We also investigated a possible alternative site for EME operations. This site will be tested tomorrow 11th Jan.
Our hope is that the high winds will eventually dissipate and some more stable conditions will arrive in time for the weekend.
On arrival at Mt Pitt we were initially taken aback by the strong gusty wind on the mountain. This made assembly and erection of the antennas a precarious and risky operation and we had to set up some protection for the operating position before considering setting up the equipment.
We assembled the 144 and 432 MHz antennas and set up the main SSB/CW transceiver and a secondary transceiver for digital modes, both driving a TE systems amplifier.
Initially we were encouraged by hearing pings of signals from Mark VK2AMS who was sending a CW signal on 144100, and we heard several complete callsigns from him. That was heard on an FT817 and we could reply with only 5w. No contacts were made at that power level. However an hour later when we had more power we could hear no sign of Mark's signal or from anyone else on 2m. We connected the FT817 as the digital modes transceiver and commenced using JT65. After some time of using this mode, no contacts had been made. ZL1TPH emailed later to say he had heard our JT65 signals.
We were asked by a number of stations to activate 6m and when the hilltop station was working, albeit unsuccessfully, Alan and Andrew returned to the hotel to operate on 6m for a couple of hours.
For the whole day the wind blew hard and while we assembled the two sections of the 12m long yagi for 2m EME, there was no way we could erect it and expect it to survive. We are considering what other options we may have for locating the 2m EME antenna.
The weather forecast in the next few days is for even stronger winds and rain periods. It is possible we will try to use digital modes from the hotel station instead of operating from the hill during that period. More later.
Andrew
This morning we collected our freight from the airport and took it all back to base where we started sorting through the antennas, masts, cables, radios, power supplies etc. At 1pm we went to the airport to meet Kevin VK4UH and returned to continue with setting up the base VHF station on 6m and 2m. This was completed after a few hours.
VK9NA became operational on 6m and 2m late in the afternoon. We had about 45 contacts on 6m, mainly SSB but a few contacts were possible only on CW.
We did hear some meteor pings of SSB voice on 144100 but did not identify any stations.
On Sunday we plan to go up to the hill early in the day (before 7AM) to set up antennas for 144, 432 and prepare the dish mount for use on 1296 and higher bands. Then the equipment will be configured and when ready for work we will notify our presence on the air via the vklogger site. This is unlikely to be before 0000 UTC Sunday.
The weather on Norfolk Island is quite muggy, warm and humid. It takes a while to acclimatise and it can be hot work setting up the station. We are taking precautions against sunburn and dehydration, of course.
We have pre-assembled some of the antennas ready for quick setup in the morning so hopefully once we have the antennas and equipment on site, we will be able to start looking out for those elusive tropo signals from VK and ZL.
Once that part of the station is operational we will start to assemble the eme antenna.
Our internet connections are not so good so far at the base station, but on the hill there should be no problem. A few of our outward messages on the logger appeared to be lost as our connection had dropped out.
Andrew VK1DA
2200 on 8 Jan
Our operating schedule is going to be notified daily to take account of propagation and weather conditions. Details will be published on our OperationPlan page.
Our activity today is basically preparing to travel to Norfolk Island. Michael, Alan and Andrew will depart from Melbourne and Kevin will depart from Brisbane on Saturday morning.
VK9NA operations will begin on the local morning of Sunday 9 January after setting up on the previous day. At the other end the 19th is likely to be the final day of operation, leaving the 20th for packing up. EME on 2m is only one facet of the expedition, but they will try to be QRV on EME as much as possible.
Moonrise on Norfolk Island on 9th January (local) is at 2210-1 UTC, ie at 2210 on 8th January (UTC date). The team have chosen 144.125MHz (in 1st period) for their 2m operations, both terrestrial and EME. It would be appreciated if others who regularly operate on this frequency would make way for this rare DXCC operation. Given the likely pileup on 144.125, it might be best to leave 144.124 - 144.126MHz clear of unrelated signals.
We arrive late on the 7th January and will collect our freight and commence assembling and checking the equipment and antennas on the 8th. Operation on the 8th will be limited, but will be notified via the vklogger.com chat and this website. At the other end of the trip, the final departure is the 21st so the 20th will be only partly available for operation and the rest will be packing time.
Updates to this schedule will be notified on this site and vklogger.com.
With another donation the number of amateurs supporting our dxpedition via the freight fund is 41, for which we are very grateful. We will be doing our best to justify your faith in our station!
Today we were advised that our freight has actually reached the island already.
Our notices on various mailing lists have generated some interest world wide, including some who hoped the mention of 2m EME capability also meant 6m, well unfortunately no, it does not. Some serious TVI problems on 50 MHz make it difficult to operate from the accommodation on 50 MHz, and impossible to operate from Mt Pitt where we have been asked not to use 50 MHz by the site owner, as it was causing TVI to the actual transmitter, if I understand it correctly.
Apart from that, this operation is clearly defined as a VHF/UHF/microwave operation and was never intended to include EME on 50 MHz. Someone else a lot more keen on 50 MHz EME is welcome to meet that challenge.
Thanks to all those who have donated towards the freight fund. We now believe that these donations will cover the estimated freight bill. Further donations received will be applied to other direct costs of mounting the operation, including transportation costs within Norfolk Island and any fees charged for power or other services required to get us on the air.
John VK9JA has advised us that weather on Norfolk Island recently has been wet (not a big surprise) so he says we should not be surprised if the weather is different from last January. Well you can never control the weather, all you can do is do your best with it. We hope we can be active every day and make as many contacts as possible on the highest frequencies!
We have now received donations from 27 amateurs and we are at about 70% of our target. With 3 full weeks left till our departure date, we remain optimistic that our target will be reached. This does help the team with the direct costs of the expedition and we are very grateful for the assistance.
The tests on the 5.7 and 10GHz transverters and power amplifiers were successful, so at this time it appears we will be taking the higher power systems for those bands. As part of the tests Alan and Michael set a new record for 2.4 Ghz digital modes at 395 km with a contact between Arthur's Seat on the Mornington Peninsula south of Melbourne and a location near Mt Gambier in VK5.
Today I have corrected an error on the achievements page where we listed a distance record as having been made with VK2AMS. While there was a contact made, Mark was operating Ross VK2DVZ's station at the time, so that contact did not extend the record set by the contact made with Ross earlier.
We are grateful to the 20 amateurs from Australia and New Zealand who have donated towards the freight fund so far. These donations have taken the fund well along the way to our target of $1500, which is the expected level of the freight bill this time. There is still scope for more supporters to join in, with a donation of any size from $5 upwards.
This weekend Alan will be field testing the newly assembled transverters for 5.7 and 10 GHz, each based on the VK3XDK transverters and boosted by TWT amplifiers to 75+ watts output.
Are you registered on vklogger.com? We will again use that website for sked making, status updates and notifying our band changes. There is no mobile phone coverage on Norfolk Island.
Some other details of the operation, including the EME plans, are being written up and will be published here soon.
With just 5 weeks to go till we fly out to Norfolk Island, we have a lot to do. Antenna to be disassembled and packed, final testing of equipment and radios, permits to be finalised, freight to be packed and sent to Norfolk Air for transportation, and ......., well you know how it goes.
Alan reports the new 5 & 10GHz transverter package with high powered TWT amplifier is testing well, so we will have more muscle on this trip.
Preparation for the EME station on 2 metres is also progressing well and the level of interest from all around the world in this part of the operation is encouraging.
Our list of sponsors is growing and we have confirmed support from:
If you would like to support our efforts with a donation towards our freight expenses, this would be welcome and acknowledged in our sponsors list on the website and promotions. Check out the supporters page for details on how you can be part of the effort. [This fund is growing already.]
Please feel free to pass our information on to anyone you think would be interested in trying to work us. It is only worthwhile for all of us, if there are stations there for us to work.
Following a successful season last January, the VK9NA 2010 team of Alan VK3XPD, Kevin VK4UH and Michael VK3KH will be joined by Andrew VK1DA, for a return to Norfolk Island in January 2011. Here is an opportunity for those who missed VK9NA last January!
We will be operating from about the 8th of January through to about the 20th which includes the Summer VHF/UHF Field day weekend in Australia. This will give many more the chance to get into a great location to work Norfolk Island. Get your gear ready!
This year the team will have a particular focus on the Microwave bands from 2.4GHz to 10GHz, as we have unfinished business in this part of the spectrum. This does not mean the lower VHF bands will be neglected, as we will be operational on all bands from 50MHz to 10GHz. Modes operated will include SSB, CW, FSK441 and JT65.
Also, after successful tests, we are pleased to announce VK9NA will be on 2 metres EME in January 2011. We have added a 12 metre long Yagi (courtesy of Rex VK7MO), and look forward to extending participation to vhf stations around the world.
Accommodation and Airfares are booked, and planning is well under way. This year we are hopeful of having 240v main power. This along with an expanded team will mean there will be more bands operational at more times.
Make sure you don’t miss out this year.
Our first VK9NA experience in 2010, quickly identified that the cost of Air Freight to Norfolk Island was significant.
Our next VK9NA DX Expedition in 2011 will be even bigger. Along with all the RF gear we took to Norfolk Island in 2010... this year we have added 2 Metres EME capability and we are taking larger transverters/amplifiers for 10 Ghz and 5.7 Ghz.
If you would like to assist us with offsetting some of our Air Freight costs, we offer the option of donating via Paypal using the link below. It can be used for transfers from an Australian Bank account, a Mastercard or Visa account, or from a Paypal account. You can use this option whether you have a Paypal account or not. Alternatively if you prefer to send a cheque or Money Order, or make a direct deposit, please contact Andrew to make alternative arrangements. Further details are on the supporters page.
| Please use this button to donate to the freight fund |
Home | Blog | About Us | Supporters | Photos | Photos 2 | Feedback | Contact Us