Wishing good propagation for VK9NA

VHF, UHF and Microwave DX enthusiasts are hoping for good propagation as they begin to listen for the ambitious VK9NA DXpedition to Norfolk Island.

Three members of the VK Microwave Group DXpedition have confidence in making it a success, the experience to achieve that goal, and with them go the best wishes of their fellow enthusiasts who enjoy the challenges of the higher bands.

The DXpedition is purposely timed for the 60th annual Ross Hull Contest, held each January and named in honour of a radio pioneer.

Ross A Hull, born in Melbourne Australia in 1902 travelled to the United States and became the Associate Editor of QST in 1931, a position which he occupied until his untimely death in 1938. He is best known for the discovery of tropospheric propagation.

Alan Devlin VK3XPD, Kevin Johnston VK4UH and Michael Coleman VK3KH are now arriving for the VK9NA DXpedition 3-13 January, with their first task of unpacking 92kg of gear.

Awaiting them, having been freighted earlier, is a 1.2 metre dish, antennas, masts and the microwave transverters, which is in addition to 40kg of gear as passenger luggage.

If only reasonable propagation is available contacts are likely with the near east coast of Australia and northern aspects of New Zealand. Perhaps even VK9WBM Willis Island might get in the log where weatherman David Burton home call VK4ABD has been active on 6m.

But should good or excellent propagation occur then much greater distances will be achieved providing many with their first contact with this DX entity and adding to their score for the Ross Hull, that is based on the best seven UTC days during the contest.

On 6m, 2m and 70cm the VK Microwave Group will have yagi antennas while the dish is for 23cm, 13cm, 9cm, 6cm and 3cm. The modes planned are SSB, FSK441, JT65A-B&C plus CW.

In a statement issued just prior to departure from mainland Australia, the group advised that VK9NA will operate around the DX call frequencies on all bands, for SSB and CW.

‘We will be there for two weeks, so we ask everyone to be patient with us as we make every effort to get as many different callsigns into our logs as we can,’ it said.

Those interested in monitoring further progress should check into the VKlogger, that will receive WiFi broadband feeds from the DXpedition.

The team leaves Norfolk Island at 9am on Friday 15 January requiring pack up in the afternoon of the 13 January.

Their first public engagement will be to give a presentation at the Centre Victoria RadioFest on 14 February at the Kyneton Racecourse, north of Melbourne.

- Amateur Radio Victoria
www.amateurradio.com.au