ARLA/CLUSTER: Preparativos para operar os 160 / 80m na expedição à Ilha de Bouvet

[João Costa > CT1FBF]

Low-bands with the upcoming Bouvet Island Expedition

Now that the 3Y0I team is on their way for their true adventure, it is
time to look at some of the elements of their upcoming activity,
specifically on low-bands. On Monday, OH2BH had a detailed discussion
with DXpedition leader Dom, 3Z9DX, and their low-band specialist Tack,
JE1CKA, to understand their location and their options to produce an
efficient 160/80m signal while considering their challenging
environment.

Dom has detailed experience on the zodiac landing on Bouvet while
Tack, JE1CKA,- a WRTC-rated contester and seasoned DXpedition operator
- is now in charge of the low-bands. Tack has excellent field
knowledge for creating powerful low-band signals.

See JE1CKA at QRZ.com - https://www.qrz.com/db/JE1CKA/

Their camp will be located some on the glacier at 100 ft. next to
their landing area in the South-East corner of the Island with open
view to EU/JA but mountains to the NW (USA) at a distance of eight (8)
kilometers.

They will be running 1.3KW with each of four (4) stations, CW, SSB,
FT8 plus one for a CW/FT8 combo.

When dealing with several unknown factors including high wind
situations, they will have four options for 160/80m:
1: Running simple dipoles at the glacier,
2: Running slopers from the glacier edge to the landing beach, about
100 ft. lower,
3: Running 18m long fiber masts as verticals and Inverted-Ls and,
4: Three element wire beams for 160/80M slightly above glacier.

In general, with the current conditions, the high-volume bands are
expected to be 20/30/40 meters. It is assumed that 160/80 would bring
a long awaited opportunity to catch these much needed band-pointers.
On high bands they will have three fixed beams for EU, NA and Asia
along with several multi- band verticals.

JE1CKA himself will focus on 160/80 operations and will do CW
exclusively for most of the operation.

3Y0I will use specialized observers for the 160/80 operations from
three main focus areas. Martti, OH2BH (EU), Wayne, N7NG (NA) and Yasu,
JR1AIB (Asia), will carefully follow the proceedings, and Martti will
communicate potential adjustments via Satcom to the expedition venue.

This is a historical undertaking, likely under very severe conditions
with no DX Foundation support nor involvement.

Dear Fellow DXers: It’s time to include 3Y0I team in your prayers for
their safe landing and happy return. They are going late in the season
but are professionally prepared. Their success will be exclusively in
the hands of Mother Nature as always. We are all wishing the 3Y0I team
and the M/S Atlantic Tuna a safe journey.

For the 3Y0I team:
Martti, OH2BH, Wayne, N7NG, and Yasu, JR1AIB
https://www.rebeldxgroup.com/

________________________________

3Y0I BOUVET ISLAND DXPEDITION (Update, dated March 19th). The
following was posted on the 3Y0I Web page [edited]: The 3Y0I
DXPEDITION HAS BEGUN --
(https://bouvetoya
.org/files/2019/03/bouvetoyaorg
-3y0i-mv-atlantic-tuna-departure-19032019-0600.mp4)

The 3Y0I Bouvet Island Expedition has officially begun. The MV
Atlantic Tuna, with the Team aboard, departed for Bouvet Island on
March 19, 2019, at approx. 6:00 UTC.

If everything goes well, we should reach Bouvet in 7 days around March
26th. Landing on the Island will be strictly dependent on weather
conditions met upon arrival. ***Estimated*** launch date of 3Y0I on
the air might be about last days or March. This information may be
subject to change (sea and weather conditions – safety first!)

The Team plans to stay at the island at least for 2 weeks, with an
option to extend the stay to 3-4 weeks, if weather and other factors
permit.

We will sign as E51DOM/mm on way to and back from the island.
You may track our vessel at:
* https://www.marinetraffic
.com/en/ais/home/shipid:
5786633/zoom:10

* ttps://share.findmespot.com/
shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId
=0tARRAqk3ftzEN8piDb
2UOWqGrnOX349o (should be operational later today)

* https://www.vesselfinder.com/?imo=7225051

Stay tuned for further updates and cross fingers for us. History has begun!

PS. NOTE: the Team will NOT monitor DX clusters nor personal email
boxes during the DXpedition.

-----------------------------------------------------

For more details and updates, we suggest to watch the following
Web pages:
https://bouvetoya.org
https://www.rebeldxgroup.com (seems to be back online)
http://jouban.jp/3y0i_ja (For JA stations)
https://www.facebook.
com/bouvetoya.org
https://www.facebook
.com/rebeldxgroup
https://twitter.com/
Bouvetoyaorg