Topband: VK9XG

[Steve Ireland]

Charlie W0YG and Burt W0MY will arrive on Christmas Island on 22 November 
for a two-week plus stay as VK9XG, with the major aim of 160m and 80m DX QSOs.

VK9XG is likely to be the last lowband DXpedition on Christmas Island for 
some time, as accomodation on the island that is suitable for radio 
purposes is increasingly difficult to find.

Operation will be on 1828.5, listening 5KHz up and down and Charlie and 
Burt will operate from sunset until sunrise every day, dozing in the dead 
periods.

Transceivers are an IC756 Pro2 and a IC718, with Acom 1000 and Kenwood 
TL922 amplifiers.  Transmit antenna for 160 will be a Force 12 160 6Y 
linear-loaded vertical, which will be placed by the ocean over half a mile 
of radials, with as many as possible in the water.

This is the antenna used by the K2KW team from 6Y5 to set the world record 
low power score for the CQ WW CW.

On receive, the team will use three pairs of phased pennants, plus a 
'roving' pennant.  One pair of pennants will be fixed on Europe, one on 
North America SP and one on North America LP.  The roving pennant will be 
used for Africa and any other areas not covered by the phased arrays.

The QTH faces north and doesn't favour Europe, but Charlie says that if 
they can't work Europe from there, the expedition will move!

VK9X is a much easier shot on 160 for Europe than North America!  As so few 
USA stations has worked VK9X on 160, maximum effort will go into working 
North America on both SP and LP.

Please QSL direct to W0YG.  Instead of sending through the Bureau, please 
use Logbook of the World.

Vy 73

Steve, VK6VZ