600 contacts for AX3ITU special event station

Special event station, AX3ITU went to air last Tuesday, the 17 of May. Here with a report on the activity is Barry Robinson VK3JBR.

"In the 24 hour period 600 contacts were logged and over 30 countries scored, in spite of very bad conditions on the DX bands.

The strategy of using CW paid off. More than half of the contacts were made using that mode. While being plagued at times by radar type signal interference, Peter Forbes VK3QI was able to set a pace on the key of up to 60 contacts an hour. Dale Whatley VK3YR and Lindsay Lawless VK3ANJ added to the CW tally.

The use of Amateur Television and an amateur satellite were possibly "firsts" for a special event station. These added to the occasion of celebrating the International Telecommunications Union's 140th birthday.

A total of 12 stations contacted AX3ITU after seeing a strong QSL-card displayed on the Melbourne ATV repeater VK3RTV. Peter Cossins VK3BFG, who did the telecasting, logged strong signal reports from throughout the Melbourne area.

A hectic time was had by Noel Ferguson VK3FI at Mildura. He reports plenty of takers for the special callsign on the Amsat-India's brand new Hamsat VO-52.

Amateur Radio Victoria thanks those who made contact with AX3ITU. A commemorative QSL Card will be issued.

Well done to the team of Amateur Radio Victoria members who put the special event station on air. Augers well for similar activity in the future.

Barry Robinson VK3JBR

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia

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