VP8PJ South Orkney Island DXpedition

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - VP8PJ South Orkney Island DXpedition

Posted: 2/19/2020 3:03:17 AM EDT

Keep an eye out for this one. They are about 350 miles from their destination and should be on the air sometime around the 21st. FT8 in the Fox/Hound mode will be used for those with a minimal setup. Good luck!!!

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Posted: 2/20/2020 4:44:29 AM EDT

[#1]

FEBRUARY 20 @ 08:00 UTC – Braveheart & team arrived Signy island. They are anchored offshore. Zodiac trips unloading equipment will commence soon.

Posted: 2/20/2020 7:23:36 AM EDT

[#2]

Hoping to get them at least once. FT8 will probably be my best chance since I run barefoot and don't do CW.
Pile ups will be epic.

The fake spots started yesterday.

8nBAIT

Posted: 2/20/2020 9:14:06 AM EDT

[#3]

https://sorkney.com/

https://www.qrz.com/db/vp8pj

Posted: 2/20/2020 9:25:52 AM EDT

[#4]

Trick to working a lot of these is to operate at weird hours when bands are normally that great. The T32C Dxpedition had pile ups like I have never seen. There were guys acting like CB opps trying the bust the pile ups. The guys there got smart and stated to work all the assholes and get them out of the pileup. Later these same dicks were bitching about not showing up in the log

I was able to work them on 2 bands on small antenna's.

Posted: 2/20/2020 9:34:38 AM EDT

[#5]

Looks like they are having some ice issues at landing site.

https://dx-world.net/vp8pj-south-orkney-islands-dxpedition/

Posted: 2/21/2020 11:51:18 AM EDT

[#6]

They are on island and setting up camp. They expect to be on air Sunday.

8nBAIT

Posted: 2/21/2020 1:23:14 PM EDT

[#7]

This should be a fun one to try and work. My 10 watt FT8 signal has been spotted in Antarctica a few times over the last week, so hopefully conditions remain favorable!

Posted: 2/21/2020 2:40:17 PM EDT

[#8]

the generator is online.

Click To View Spoiler

Posted: 2/22/2020 1:17:25 PM EDT

[#9]

Prirates !

Posted: 2/22/2020 6:54:21 PM EDT

[#10]

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Quoted:

Prirates !

https://i.imgur.com/4WY5tur.png

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Holy crap thats funny. Like that dude that said he was in north korea to get qsl money. Think he cleared like 10k on that scam.

Posted: 2/23/2020 9:52:34 PM EDT

[#11]

I have a good strong signal from them on 30m CW, but it's a madhouse up the dial.

Posted: 2/24/2020 9:38:10 PM EDT

[#12]

Seems like every DXpadition has more tuner-uppers, and asshats than the last one.

Heard some shithead tuning up his amp on 30meters last night.

watched his signal strength go WAY UP

isn't 30m a 200 watt band ?

Fuck it.....my DILLON XL650 brings me much more joy than this nonsense

[kidding] anybody wanna buy a TS590 ?

Posted: 2/24/2020 9:47:02 PM EDT

[#13]

Yeah, lids come out in force when a rare one pops up. Must be about 10% of hams still don't understand the concept of working split & about 30% take on the role of telling him UP UP on the DX's frequency. I'll wait till it cools down later in their DXpedition.

Posted: 2/24/2020 10:15:47 PM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:...I'll wait till it cools down later in their DXpedition.

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yep

this has been my best strategy to work DX,....especially while mobile.

sometimes, it backfires if they pack up early

...I'm just grumpy because I've been off work for 2 weeks taking care of my wife

I have to go back to work tomorrow, and really dreading it

Posted: 2/25/2020 10:03:49 AM EDT

[#15]

I worked them on 30m CW last night. 100 watts to a 72' end fed wire at about 20' high. Got him on about the fifth call.

But there sure were a lot of LIDs tuning up and sending on his freq.

I'll try FT8 again. I heard them on 40m the first evening they were on, but couldn't break the wall of signals calling him.

Posted: 2/25/2020 10:51:19 AM EDT

[#16]

I love the chaos of a pile-up and NOBODY follows the 200 watt limit on 30m if they have an amplifier.

Posted: 2/25/2020 11:20:16 AM EDT

[#17]

I worked them on 30M RTTY at 6:22 UTC & 40M CW at 6:46 UTC. The OP was actually calling CQ & not getting answers on RTTY. I sent my call twice & voila.

Posted: 2/25/2020 12:33:29 PM EDT

[#18]

Unfortunately, pileups have caused me to lose interest in chasing DXpeditions. I just can't get excited by them anymore.

If I hear them, and they are not busy, I'll give them a call. Otherwise.....

Posted: 2/25/2020 8:15:07 PM EDT

[#19]

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One is better than none....FT8 for the win.

Posted: 2/25/2020 8:17:32 PM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:
I worked them on 30M RTTY at 6:22 UTC & 40M CW at 6:46 UTC. The OP was actually calling CQ & not getting answers on RTTY. I sent my call twice & voila.

View Quote

Posted: 2/25/2020 10:38:44 PM EDT

[#21]

Just worked him again 30m at 10.142 RTTY !!!

Posted: 2/27/2020 11:05:33 PM EDT

[#22]

I saw K9-Bob work them 30m FT8 a few seconds ago.

Did you use the customary 1.5kW?

ETA: I got em' also same freq & mode. They are +08 here on FT8!

Posted: 2/28/2020 2:05:30 AM EDT

[#23]

Took me about 20 tries but I think I nailed them on 40m CW. They are barely at the noise level on my Yagi. Surprised they heard me with the crazy pileup. Now I need to figure out where to check their logbook.

Posted: 2/28/2020 8:52:36 AM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:
I saw K9-Bob work them 30m FT8 a few seconds ago.

Did you use the customary 1.5kW?

ETA: I got em' also same freq & mode. They are +08 here on FT8!

View Quote

LOL....nope 500 watts and a wire.

I worked them on 40m FT8 about 15 minutes before.

Posted: 2/28/2020 8:53:34 AM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:
Took me about 20 tries but I think I nailed them on 40m CW. They are barely at the noise level on my Yagi. Surprised they heard me with the crazy pileup. Now I need to figure out where to check their logbook.

View Quote

Online Log

They are having difficulty uploading their logs, so it may be a while.
I may have one or two CW contacts also, but until they upload again I can't be sure.

The CW pileups have be huge and lots of DQRM.

Posted: 2/28/2020 1:38:10 PM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:

Online Log

They are having difficulty uploading their logs, so it may be a while.
I may have one or two CW contacts also, but until they upload again I can't be sure.

The CW pileups have be huge and lots of DQRM.

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Thanks. This is the link I found on their website yesterday but can't open it. It says: "Request Timed Out".

Posted: 2/28/2020 8:08:18 PM EDT

[#27]

Just nailed them on 20m CW. Took about 5-6 tries. Too easy. He is quite loud on 14.023 MHz. Working split 2.5 kHz up.

Posted: 2/29/2020 2:30:38 AM EDT

[#28]

Attached File

I've made a few good contacts, but CW has be tough for me. The pile ups have been huge.

I am chasing them on 80m FT8 right now, but Europe seems to have a better path. It looks like I have them, but until I see my call in their logbook I am never really sure.

I would love to work them on SSB, but I just haven't had good enough propagation to hear them. Then again all I have is a wire antenna...my "air cooled dummy load".

Posted: 2/29/2020 11:39:24 AM EDT

[#29]

Hmm.. I can see the log now. My 40m contact never showed up. It should have been there according to their upload time update. Will see if the 20m contact shows up.
BTW, I did hear them on SSB but it was a freaking zoo on both bands, so I decided it wasn't worth my time. Most people have now clue what working 'split' means. CW crew is WAY MORE organized!

Posted: 2/29/2020 4:23:27 PM EDT

[#30]

Quote History

Quoted:
Hmm.. I can see the log now. My 40m contact never showed up. It should have been there according to their upload time update. Will see if the 20m contact shows up.
BTW, I did hear them on SSB but it was a freaking zoo on both bands, so I decided it wasn't worth my time. Most people have now clue what working 'split' means. CW crew is WAY MORE organized!

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Got them on 20m FT8 according to their log which means ATNO for me.

8nBAIT

Posted: 3/1/2020 4:32:01 PM EDT

[#31]

Posted: 3/5/2020 2:03:53 AM EDT

[#32]

Been busy with work and my son, so I never listened for them til last night. Found them on 40 ft8 but could only decode them every few minutes with the qsb. Looked up how to use fox-hound and they answered me first call but I didn’t decode a RR73 after my reply.

Heard them on 30 cw tonight when I got home from work at 9pm and they answered me first call again, hopefully it got in the log correctly.

Finally got a good qso on 30m ft8 a while later. I guess we’ll see when the log is updated.

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Posted: 3/5/2020 12:56:08 PM EDT

[#33]

Quote History

Quoted:
Been busy with work and my son, so I never listened for them til last night. Found them on 40 ft8 but could only decode them every few minutes with the qsb. Looked up how to use fox-hound and they answered me first call but I didn’t decode a RR73 after my reply.

Heard them on 30 cw tonight when I got home from work at 9pm and they answered me first call again, hopefully it got in the log correctly.

Finally got a good qso on 30m ft8 a while later. I guess we’ll see when the log is updated.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/359275/7A8061A7-EED4-460C-9765-EE4DA19EC48D_jpe-1302688.JPG

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Outstanding...one is better than none.

Posted: 3/5/2020 12:58:19 PM EDT

[#34]

MARCH 5 @ 11:15 UTC — We are pleased to report that we are nearing 70,000 QSOs in the log. Our plan is to remain active on the bands throughout the day. We anticipate ending radio operations and going QRT at or near 23:59 UTC. Our attention overnight and tomorrow will be devoted to the large chore of packing the gear and then dismantling the camp. As stated previously, we will attempt an upload of the log once aboard the Braveheart as we prepare for departure from Signy Island.
======================================

Last day to work them...QRT at 23:59 UTC.

Posted: 3/6/2020 3:41:49 PM EDT

[#35]

MARCH 6 @ 17:30 UTC – Most of the equipment has now been transferred from the island to the Braveheart, with only a few items left to ferry over. Many team members are already on the Braveheart, the remaining team will be aboard within the next two hours. It has been raining most of the day with cold gusty winds. We are all very tired! Everyone will sleep well aboard the Braveheart tonight.

Hopefully they will upload their logbook once settled in on the Braveheart!!

Posted: 3/6/2020 3:56:15 PM EDT

[#36]

Never heard them.

Posted: 3/7/2020 2:29:40 PM EDT

[#37]

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Quoted:
Never heard them.

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I didn’t spend much time hunting but when i did, they were S-0 to S-3

I tried 3 times on CW, because each time they faded into my noise floor and I wasn’t sure

Looks like they logged me all 3 times

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Posted: 3/7/2020 7:26:23 PM EDT

[#38]

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I just did the OQRS payment to M0URX and all of my VP8PJ contacts were uploaded to my LoTW account. Damned fast!!!

Posted: 3/8/2020 12:44:46 AM EDT

[#39]

Looks like all of mine made it...sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good. Not bad for about five minutes of chasing though. I did listen for them a little the next day on 17 & 20 but too weak. 40m ocf @ 18’ up.

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Posted: 3/8/2020 1:34:41 AM EDT

[#40]

Only one CW contact on 20 meters is in their log. 40 meters never got in their log. Oh well, I only spent several minutes both times to break through the pile-up. I feel like a dog chasing a car. Dunno what I needed that for.

LOL

Posted: 3/8/2020 1:33:26 PM EDT

[#41]

I just submitted the OQRS and gave them a donation.

I like paper QSL DX cards.

Posted: 3/8/2020 3:10:04 PM EDT

[#42]

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Quoted:

I just submitted the OQRS and gave them a donation.

I like paper QSL DX cards.

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Hmm, paper QSL's are nice. How much are you required to donate to get a card from them? I may get one although there is very little space left on the walls in my shack. I keep all the cool QSLs there.

On the side note: One of these days I'll sit down, go through my paper logs and enter all the DX contacts into LOTW to get all the DXCC awards. I wonder if they offer DXCC medals? Chicks dig guys with medals.

Posted: 3/10/2020 9:42:34 AM EDT

[#43]

i caught them on ft8 just confirmed it on their qso log.

alex

Posted: 3/10/2020 12:24:29 PM EDT

[#44]

I gotem on 17m SSB, and I'm happy with that. They were barely audible. I could hear them on 20m, but couldn't break through the pileup at that time. 17m they were just calling CQ.

Posted: 3/10/2020 12:55:20 PM EDT

[#45]

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I don't see any chicks with this group of radio geezers...

Posted: 3/10/2020 3:18:27 PM EDT

[#46]

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Quoted:
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/54857/external-content_duckduckgo_com_jpg-1309826.JPG

I don't see any chicks with this group of radio geezers...

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Anything is possible with enough vodka!

Posted: 3/11/2020 1:45:57 AM EDT

[#47]

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Quoted:

Anything is possible with enough vodka!
https://i.imgur.com/CgSWQ9nh.jpg

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Vodka for the win!!!

Posted: 3/11/2020 7:24:52 AM EDT

[#48]

Quote History

Quoted:
Hmm, paper QSL's are nice. How much are you required to donate to get a card from them? ...

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@Gyprat

I think it cost $5.00, and they ask for a donation.

I don't mind tossing them a few bucks

https://www.m0urx.com/oqrs/logsearch.php?dxcallsign=VP8PJ

enter your callsign to check there log, then click "OQRS"

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - VP8PJ South Orkney Island DXpedition

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