Archive for October, 2007

The countdown begins.

Lots of pre-contest type callsigns appearing on various bands now. Condx appear ok at the moment (Thurs evening), but the A-index is again rising due to a strong solar wind. The index is forecast to be as high as 37 on the 26 October. By the time the contest begins, i hope  it’s much lower.

On a personal note, i’m using the contest specifically to add to my country tally. I lost a lot of my logbook at the start of this year (long story – i won’t bore you with details), but suffice to say, i’m looking forward to working anything on any band! Should be fun!

Feel free to browse through the  CQWW Callsign Websites page. It’s always good to see who you worked, as well as wondering what their station consists of.

I’m currently waiting on some news coming from the MW5W team in Wales. Spoke to Tim, M3SDE, on the phone Monday this week, whereby they hope to have  news of online logs/webcams etc during the contest…i intend to be their pilot station. Will post more when i get the info.

Anyway, enjoy the contest. Get some sleep before –  none during – and lots after it!

See you on the bands! 

PS, Watch Live Amateur Radio Contest Scores

Info taken from IZ1CRR’s blog:

Date: 10 – 14 Jan. 2008

Callsign: AH0V and KH0/JI5USJ
Freq.: 80m to 6m + Satellite (include in 60m Band for W)
Mode: CW/SSB
QSL: AH0V via JI5RPT, KH0/JI5USJ via JI5USJ

JI5RPT Weblog

JI5RPT Website

Further to this post, the Voodoo Contest Group have set up a website for the 3XY5D Dxpedition which will also take in the CQWW CW leg on 24/25 November.

3XY5D Website

QSL Via G3SXW

Reading the excellent IOTA blog of 4X4-2238, i noticed that Swan Island might yet be activated next year. (The planned Dxpedition for this year was cancelled).

Eyran(4X4-2238) mentions the QRZ.com details of HQ8R. Below is a quote from HQ8R biography:

We have planned to depart from Trujillo on March 15 and return on March 23 on a 91 foot Honduran Navy vessel. Comfortable accommodations, air conditioned. We hope to find 10 operators to operate 4 stations

At the moment there is no website for HQ8R, but one will eventually be constructed at wwww.qsl.net/hq8r

So, looks like good news hopefully!

Been looking at the space weather conditions on a few websites.

 Currently, as i type this, the A-index is at 17 – due to a coronal hole on the Sun. The subsequent solar wind from this coronal hole is causing the high A-index.

Radio condx seem poor now. Earlier today, 20m was going great guns; the A-index was lower, US coming through on 15m – even 10m opened for a short time. It was contest type conditions!

With this in mind, i’m now watching the Sun closely  for any other apparent coronal holes which may hit Earth by next weekend (CQWW SSB contest).

Above shows the current coronal hole (dark patch – right side of Sun) - now affecting radio condx on certain bands.

Unfortunetly, the left side of the Sun also shows a dark patch (another Coronal Hole?). If it is to be another C-hole, then by the time it rotates into the position of the current ‘Hole, i wonder if this will affect condx for the CQWW?

However, i once read somewhere that CQWW creates its own propagation, so perhaps i’m worrying about nothing!

A small but experienced international group of operators will become active from the Sultanate of Brunei. The team will arrive on November 4th and will be leaving the country again on the 19th November 2007.

*click image above for all info.

Also take a look at PA7FM’s website - very impressive

8Q7AU Dx-pedition

from 28 October to 11 November 2007, I will be in vacation on Maldive Island.

Location: DHONVELI Island – Atollo of ARI-NORD – Iota AS-013

I will be active on all bands on SSB.

Working Conditions: YAESU FT-100 – YAESU FP-757 GX – ANTENNA Vertical 7 Band By I1UJX

It’s a pleasure for me, to have your call on my logbook.

QSL:via BUREAU or Direct with SASE I.R.C or 2 USD

73′ ….HB9OAU – Claudio

HB9OAU website
Dhonveli Beach Resort