Topband: 9M0W - Operating from SHANGRI-LA (NOT!) on 160m, - Multiple Parts

[k1zm at aol.com]

Hi Gang


Having just returned from Spratly with the team and, while this is still clear in my mind, I thought I would pen a few lines to relate what it was to be a part of this venture.  We will try to organize it into multiple discrete sections:


The Offer to Join the Expedition


The Original Planning for 160m with YT5A and K1LZ


Departure Date Bad Luck and its Consequences


Cooling our Heels in Sabah (and me with LOST LUGGAGE and no clean clothes for 4 days)


Actual Departure on 08 March and Setup on Layang Layang


Day 1 - Results and LESSONS LEARNED!


Day 2 - Total Revision of 160M Approach


Day 3 - Rx Adjustments including an effective RX Antenna for EU


Day 4 - An attempt to get an Rx antenna for NA short path that worked


Day 5 - The decision to keep 160m QRV for one more sunset - and takedown at 0300 in the dark (in the pouring rain)


Operating Impressions - Basically a review of "on the air" impediments that added to fatigue and frustration most of the time


Epilogue - Lessons learned and why certain 160m goals are very hard to achieve on Layang Layang


Since this PC crashes and blue screens at will, we will attempt this in small bites.


73 JEFF  K1ZM (on behalf of K1LZ/JT1CO/WD5COV - who were the principal operators of 160m at 9M0W)



Jeff Briggs
DXing on the Edge: The Thrill of 160 Meters 
Available worldwide through BookBaby, Array Solutions, DX Engineering, Royal Society of Great Britain, & Amazon