Club Meeting minutes and Program Summary

 

DXpedition Updates and Funding Discussion

 

The meeting began with a member seeking advice from Ted about a recurring arcing noise in his Ameritron AL811 amplifier, which Ted suggested could be due to dust or a faulty component. Bob provided a detailed DX report, highlighting the success of the 9U1RU expedition with 179,000 contacts and the upcoming operation on Chieo Island. He also discussed the challenges faced by the VU7RX expedition and the cancellation of the San Felix and Ambrosia Island operation. The group discussed the upcoming Bovet expedition, which is expected to begin on February 1st and last for about a month, with Bob noting the club's $1,000 contribution to the expedition. Bob suggested considering future funding for DXpeditions, and N9JKP agreed, emphasizing the need to be proactive in supporting upcoming operations.

 

First American on Russian DX Team

 

Hal Turley, W8HC, shared his experience as the first American to join the Russian DX team on a de-expedition to Burundi. He explained how his involvement with the Russian Robinson Club and previous de-expeditions led to this opportunity. Hal described Burundi's location, size, and economic conditions, noting its poverty and political capital, Gitega, and economic capital, Bujumbura. He detailed his travel arrangements, including a business-class flight, and outlined the team composition, which initially included 11 members but was reduced to 10 when one participant dropped out. Hal emphasized the importance of this de-expedition, highlighting its potential to pave the way for future remote operations in inaccessible areas, such as Pacific islands.

 

Burundi DXpedition Challenges and Successes

 

Hal discussed the challenges and successes of the DXpedition to Burundi, highlighting the language barriers, logistical issues, and the use of WhatsApp for communication. He emphasized the importance of reliable internet access and experienced operators for a successful DXpedition. Hal proudly shared the results, including the number of QSOs, unique callsigns, and the DXpedition's ranking on the German DX Foundation's Honor Roll. The team faced a last-minute change in accommodation due to maintenance at the initially booked hotel, but they secured an alternative location with the help of a local contact, Sylvester. Hal also mentioned bringing supplies for Sylvester's family, demonstrating the team's adaptability and willingness to assist others.

 

Bujumbura DXpedition Setup Challenges

 

Hal and his team arrived in Bujumbura, where they faced challenges with customs and visa processes. Despite difficulties, they eventually retrieved their equipment from the freight warehouse and set up antennas at their new location. The team quickly began operating, with Arc and Big Mike setting up two stations. They encountered rain and darkness during transport, but successfully arrived at their accommodation by 11:30 PM. The following day, they began putting up antennas, including a 160-meter vertical, which was unusual for a DXpedition. The team worked efficiently to set up their station, with experienced operators quickly getting everything in place.

 

Remote Radio Expedition Challenges

 

Hal described a successful amateur radio expedition in a remote location, detailing the setup of multiple antennas and stations for phone, CW, and digital modes. He explained challenges with power outages and electrical issues, which were eventually mitigated by running two separate circuits and using a generator to power the digital room. The group experienced poor propagation conditions due to solar flares and enjoyed social activities like visiting a royal drumming display and drinking local beer. Hal concluded by mentioning a potential opportunity to support Sylvester through INDEXA's humanitarian aid project.

 

Humanitarian Radio Expedition in Burundi

 

Hal shared his experience of a humanitarian project in Burundi, where he and Sylvester distributed food supplies to children at a local mission. He described the challenges of operating in a remote location, including power outages and unreliable generators. Hal also discussed the equipment used during the expedition, including K3s and Sun SDRs, and mentioned the quiet band conditions despite being near the equator. The presentation concluded with a discussion of the expedition's success and the challenges faced, including fuel shortages and the need for a better antenna direction.