Antenna Ready

The antennas will be a pair of "DX-Commander" style verticals.  Caged verticals that offer 40m through 10m.

These won't be name-brand DX-Commander Expedition antennas, but home-brew equivalents that are ready for work on LHI.

The SWR and performance seem to be inline with the capabilities expected.  

The fabrication involved a bit of TIG welding to make the fittings ideal.   The aluminum was minimized to the point where the whole antenna is very light-weight.   Instead of copper wire for elements, I'm using aluminum solid core #17 gauge for the driven elements and radials.   The aluminum wire is easier to work with, lighter, stronger and can be repaired in the field much faster.

What's an antenna build without a blow-torch, anyway.

The days are counting down and soon I'll be pre-packing everything up into the gear cases to make the journey.   I think I can get it all into three items of luggage and one carry on.  

The bulkiest items will be:

KPA-500 + KAT-500 

K3/100

200 feet of RG-8X.

Two 32 foot verticals for 80-10m

Log Software Patches

Jim Reisert, AD1C maintains the country/entity files used in a lot of the logging programs we use.

https://www.country-files.com

It has been updated to recognize the call VK2/W7BRS as on Lord Howe Island.

Thanks

Jeff

A lot of activity

It was only a few days ago that notice of the DX'p to Lord Howe Island was announced.

A lot of effort went into the plan and along the way a few bumps and mistakes, but that is all resolved by now.

The callsign "issue" was the last main hurdle to remedy.    You'll find me on the bands as VK2/W7BRS.

When you spot me, please try to include the Lord Howe Island (or "LHI").   If you run across the callsign and are not aware of the DX'p -- yes it is really from Lord Howe Island.

A pile of boxes is now stacking up next to my computer.  Parts and equipment that I didn't have on hand already.   Antennas are being built this week and I'll have pictures of those soon.

I've received a fair number of requests.  One in particular was to try 80 meters.  I will do what I can about that.  It comes down to the antenna which comes down to the coax to feed it -- and the weight and size restrictions for the small plane to the island.   I'll see what I can do.  It may mean making adjustments during the trip to modify existing antenna for low bands.  I'll post any of that information here (and I'm sure it will be relayed in the DX "Tout Sheets".

The way this DX'p is planned it's meant to replicate as much as I can the harsher conditions for later expeditions.  I could easily survive on LHI, but I'm going to try to "rough it" to get that experience.

It won't affect the time on the radio and I'm looking forward to the experience.

The days are counting down.   Just shy of two months to go before QRV.  I will make regular posts to this Blog for the reasons that you are important -- to know what I'm doing and how I can help you get a good contact in the log for LHI.

I look forward to hearing from you before or during the Expedition.

I also will be operating in the RSGB IOTA contest this year with the same callsign.  It may get a little complicated in the Log, but if you are chasing IOTA, I will be there.  And if you're not working the contest be patient.  All of the Rules for the RSGB IOTA are linked from the Goals page of this Blog.

If you have any comments, feel free to contact me.  I'm good in QRZ.

Be well, thanks

Jeff

Hello from Howeania

 VK2/W7BRS will be activating Lord Howe Island in July 2024