Willis Island - back on the air

David Burton has been posted to the Bureau of Meteorology station on Willis Island for the next 6 months and will be operating with the call-sign VK9WBM.

The station was first set-up in 1921 by the bureau and over the years, many of the officers posted there were amateur radio operators. Willis Island was last activated by the Bavarian Contest club in 2008 where they made 95,178 contacts.

David has just arrived at the weather station and will be setting up an amateur radio station shortly.

The station consists of a IC-718 and an Alinco DX70 (kindly loaned to him by John Roberts VK4TL).

He will be activating the HF bands and also will be active on 6 metres using a 2 element quad.

QSL manager is Dale VK4DMC.

Station details will be placed on QRZ.com in the near future.

The posting is for 6 months and David will endeavour to come on air as frequently as his duties allow him to. So listen out for VK9WBM and say G’day to David from time to time.

VK9WBM is at
16° 17´ 13” S
149° 57´ 52” E
(approximately 450 kms east of Cairns in Far North Queensland)
Grid locator = QH43xr
IOTA # = OC-007
ITU Zone = 55

Dale VK4DMC