Pages: 1 [2] 3   Go Down

Author Topic: TX5C - VY FB  (Read 7653 times)

KB9CRY

  • Member
  • Posts: 4283
    • homeURL
TX5C - VY FB
« Reply #15 on: March 11, 2008, 10:11:24 AM »

Yesterday evening I heard the 18 SSB op state that high winds had come up and that he might have to QRT.  Right after that he did and no signals were announced for an hour or so.  So their spotty opn may also be affected by the weather.
Logged

WB2WIK

  • Member
  • Posts: 21885
TX5C - VY FB
« Reply #16 on: March 11, 2008, 11:54:00 AM »

N3QE: Nope, I was referring to both phone and CW on 40.

0000 to 0100 3/11 UTC their 40m log reflects nothing.

Did you actually *work* them in that time slot?
Logged

NS5M

  • Member
  • Posts: 196
TX5C - VY FB
« Reply #17 on: March 12, 2008, 10:38:14 AM »

KY6R writes: "I grew up in Newton, NJ (Sussex County - WA2QHN), and will envy you guys when Rwanda comes on the air."

Me too - from Belleville in Essex County (WA2SWA), but now in central Oklahoma where, if the DX is good its VERY good, and when its not, its not.

Clipperton website reports weather problems with wind, heat and rain - it sure doesn't sound a very inviting climate - and antenna damage. Gotta hand it to them, they're doing a great job in some nasty circumstances.

I'm in the log on 40-30-20-15 CW, haven't heard them on 12 or 10 and have yet to break a pile on 80 (very low signals compared to higher freq's). Sure would like a clean sweep of the 7 bands I can work, but am quite pleased with the four I have.

BTW, the website noted that their keyers were broken and irreparable, and that they're using straight keys - I've got to wonder why they aren't using the keyers in the Pro-III's. Inquirin' minds, etc.

Y'all play nice,
Jm N5VT
Logged

N3QE

  • Member
  • Posts: 5664
TX5C - VY FB
« Reply #18 on: March 12, 2008, 01:45:09 PM »

Wow - straight keys. That matches what I heard last night. I tuned through them a half-dozen times thinking "what is this lid doing where TX5C is supposed to be?"!!!!
Logged

WB2WIK

  • Member
  • Posts: 21885
TX5C - VY FB
« Reply #19 on: March 12, 2008, 02:19:03 PM »

I'm amazed they're using any kind of keys!  What happened to using software, the same stuff used for logging/duping, to send?

I did notice that in my CW contacts with them, they did sound like they were using ordinary paddles and keyers because they made occasional mistakes, the kind which a computer couldn't make.  I was amazed they even brought paddles along, other than as backup if all the computers died -- in which case they'd need a lot of pencils and reams of paper, too.

WB2WIK/6
Logged

K9NW

  • Member
  • Posts: 540
TX5C - VY FB
« Reply #20 on: March 12, 2008, 04:26:52 PM »

>I'm amazed they're using any kind of keys! What happened to using software, the same stuff used for logging/duping, to send?


I always have my Bencher hooked up in parallel with the logging computer.  Things can happen with the computer.  Sometimes it's faster to just grab the paddles to quickly work a tailender.  What if the keying interface goes wacky?  Go home?  In 1999 I op'd the CQWW CW from FG.  Both of my keying interfaces crapped out before the contest for one reason or another.  But I still had the paddles and the internal keyer in the radio.  It was good enough for 5000 QSOs.....and World Low Power #1!
Logged

N3ZC

  • Member
  • Posts: 1438
TX5C - VY FB
« Reply #21 on: March 13, 2008, 05:14:54 AM »

And for those of you (like me) that were waiting till the crowd dies down(as suggested), like this weekend, to snag what you needed...Nice....
                  73..Tom  N3ZC


Per Bernie @ Daily DX:

"Yesterday WA1S, Ann, one of the TX5C ops, was heard reporting on the difficult conditions on Clipperton.  The team has been battered with
multiple storms which have apparently caused numerous problems.  The TX5C DXpedition team has lost several keyers, antennas, amplifiers along with generator problems.  Two of the three SSB amps have died.
The team may begin shutting down operations on Friday and leaving the island over the weekend, because of the weather"


Logged

N3ZC

  • Member
  • Posts: 1438
TX5C - VY FB
« Reply #22 on: March 13, 2008, 06:25:25 AM »

I would say "They should've planned for the ITCZ (Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone..)..but..naahhh...

   Tom N3ZC
Logged

N3QE

  • Member
  • Posts: 5664
TX5C - VY FB
« Reply #23 on: March 13, 2008, 06:28:28 AM »

They most certainly are using keys. Although given the poor quality of their CW, I'm wondering if it's a "Gilligan's Island" style of key made out of coconuts or something :-).

Really, what I've heard on 20/40/80M CW in the past few days indicates that the guys on Clipperton are having major problems. They can barely send their own call or "599" or "TU" without running everything together.
Logged

N3ZC

  • Member
  • Posts: 1438
TX5C - VY FB
« Reply #24 on: March 13, 2008, 06:41:58 AM »

Ummm..keys?...I think they're running a little low on them right now, along with amps, rigs..and the "Gilligan's Island key..that's great! I think a little more attention should've been paid to the shelter first,(planning for weather in the ITCZ & tents (& setting them up) to deal with the usual weather eg: Tstrms, etc, prevalent there...)& 95% of the rain/gear problems would be non-existent...but that's just me..and what do I know...

                  73'...Tom N3ZC
Logged

N3QE

  • Member
  • Posts: 5664
TX5C - VY FB
« Reply #25 on: March 13, 2008, 06:51:43 AM »

My understanding is that the weather has completely overwhelmed them on several occasions. Tents and antennas coming down.

Didn't Gilligan use a loose tooth filling for a receiver once? :-)
Logged

N3ZC

  • Member
  • Posts: 1438
TX5C - VY FB
« Reply #26 on: March 13, 2008, 06:59:57 AM »

Those tents, if they used the proper tents & were put up properly..shouldn't have come down in a Tstrm..

 Tom  N3ZC
Logged

N3ZC

  • Member
  • Posts: 1438
TX5C - VY FB
« Reply #27 on: March 13, 2008, 07:36:52 AM »

CW..I've heard words, phrases I've never heard before..must be a new "Inter Tropical Convergence Zone" dialect or something....Got me?..

               73'..Tom  N3ZC
Logged

N3ZC

  • Member
  • Posts: 1438
TX5C - VY FB
« Reply #28 on: March 13, 2008, 07:39:44 AM »

A bunch got on my case earlier when I mentioned planning, weather, etc...All of the greatest equipment in the World is worthless wet...Just an observation...

              Tom N3ZC
Logged

NU4B

  • Member
  • Posts: 2501
TX5C - VY FB
« Reply #29 on: March 13, 2008, 07:44:22 AM »

Not all tropical islands are created equal. I try to avoid pileups at all costs. However that doesn't always mean waiting to the end. I found them on 15 yesterday with few callers. So I have a QSO in. I would like to work them on 80CW though.

Sometimes you can't avoid pileups, the "pileup" posting appears to be more relevant now. Those who follow some of the good advice will have a leg up on the other 99% blindly calling. I remember a couple years ago I was trying to work a DX station and there was 15KCs of callers. I listened and found out the op was alternating between 2 frequencies. So I picked one, timed it, and I was out in a couple minutes.

And in a completely unrelated topic, my UA4WHX QSLs came in. It was like getting cards from the buro, only the DX was alot better. Vlad's an amazing op.
Logged
Pages: 1 [2] 3   Go Up