[SCCC] Latest VP6DX News

[Art-W6KY]

Highlights:
... Final days of expeditions ...
... Outline of teardown and departure schedule ...

The Ducie Island expedition has entered its final days of on-air 
operations.

DXers seeking contacts on 20 through 6m should focus their attentions on 
their most important goals between now and Feb 26 Tuesday 1430z. Low 
band contacts will be available in limited number until Feb 29 Thursday 
1430z.

All plans are subject to revision if weather and sea conditions change. 
At present, the weather is fine (partly cloudy, hot at midday) and sea 
conditions are reasonable. Any degradation in either may result in 
earlier reductions of on-air operations or an earlier departure.

Assuming the weather and sea conditions continue to cooperate, VP6DX 
will continue on-air at full staffing levels until Feb 26 Tuesday 1430z, 
shortly after local sunrise. The team will spend the day disassembling 
some antennas (primarily 20-10m), one radio station, and some related 
infrastructure. This material will be packed and transfered to the M/V 
Braveheart. On Tuesday night, it will be stowed securely for the sea 
transit.

Around sunset that day, VP6DX will return on-air for limited nighttime 
operations. The start time depends on how well the day's work 
progressed... and the number of stations on-air will depend on 
conditions and operator enthusiasm after a long day of hard work. As 
many as six stations could be on-air on 160-30m during this night (Feb 
27 Wednesday 0300-1430z).

On Feb 27 Wednesday on-air operations will again stop. The team will 
again spend the daylight period disassembling the next portion of the 
station. At the end of Wednesday our entire camp will be packed and off 
the island. Most operators will spend the night on the M/V Braveheart, 
helping to secure materials on the ship for the sea transit. We plan to 
leave only a skeleton crew (3-4 persons) for nighttime operations. That 
night (Feb 28 Thursday 0300-1430z) as many as three stations could be 
on-air on 160m-30m. One beverage may remain for this final night.

Just before dawn on Feb 28 Thursday the team will come ashore for final 
disassembly and packing. The last operating site will be packed, the 
remaining four antennas taken down, and a final check of the island for 
trash, etc made. We intend to have all material stowed on the ship by 
Feb 28 Thu 2000z, to weigh anchor, and depart Ducie.

We would be delighted if DX editors would publish this information as 
widely as possible and DXers bring it to the attention of their clubs 
and fellow DXers.