V26PD – Antigua Mar 2018 – FK97db
QSL INFORMATION:
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V26PD
MyQSL Service
PO BOX 375
PAWLING, NY 12564
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After I lost the last EME array on CY9C, I decided to try another design of antenna for the next round of 2m EME tests. After a number of recommendations from prominent EME enthusiasts I settled on a pair of custom designed 144mhz optimized 9 element EME yagi’s from DUAL https://www.antennas-amplifiers.com/2-meter-best-portable-antenna-9-element
I had been testing these at my home QTH for a number of months with very good results. The real test was taking them to V26 for their first portable DXpediton. As you can see from the results below, the antennas performed exceptionally well! Since the short expedition was a fairly last minute plan, the luxury of planning the trip during optimum moon conditions were not an option. Unfortunately, the trip was during the WORST moon conditions possible.
Even with the extremely poor moon conditions you can see that the antennas performed above expectations. There were many comments that there would be no reason to take the EME gear as no contacts would most likely be made except for the handful of very large stations. This could not have been further from reality. As conditions worsened the array kept pulling signals from the ether, even during the 2nd moon pass the preamp failed, the array went on to make an additional ~38 contacts at the peak of the highest degradation during the month!
I am currently installing the pair of 9’s in FN65 on the coast of Maine to test a 100% remote EME station. With a new DXpedtion that is going to be announced shortly, my next portable 2M EME antenna with be another DUAL antenna. My goal is to develop a highly portable and lightweight 2m EME station that can be taken just about anywhere and can fit into the smallest vehicles and airplanes. Instead of a pair of 9 elements, I am going to test a DUAL single 16 element Yagi.
144mhz EME:
36 Worked first few hours of the first pass in the start of very poor EME conditions.
DK3BU,JO33,-21,
DL8FBD,JO40,-18,
UX0FF,KN45,-14,
DK4RC,JO60,-18,
PA0JMV,JO21,-19,
SV8CS,KM07,-21,
LZ2FO,KN13,-24,
F6HVK,JN27,-22,
UR3EE,KN88,-21,
G4SWX,JO02,-23,
ZS5LEE,KG50,-22,
HA8CE,KN06,-25,
HA6NQ,JN98,-23,
YO3DDZ,KN34,-21,
90 Total contacts in 3 passes
- K4FEG
- NA2AA
- KB2M
SO-50
- WB8RJY
XW-2C
- No Contact – Pass in Atlantic
CAS-4B
- Nothing heard until east of me? First time on this bird, maybe I am missing something.
AO-7
- Low pass to the west which my worst direction (sharp elevation rise and house)
- Nothing heard too low.
XW-2F
- KB2M
- N3CRT
- NA2AA
- N6RFM
XW-2C
- N8HM
- HI8KW
- KB5AAB
FO-29 (My 12 year old daughter helped with the logging)
- N4UFO
- KB1PVH
- NK1K
- AA5PK
- KC8QDQ
- VE4AMU
- KG5CCI
- WB3CSY
- AA9LC
- XE1MEX
- W5PFG
- N3CRT
- KD2LGX
- K8ESE
35 thoughts on “V26PD – Antigua Mar 2018 – FK97db”
Lee many thanks for the new DXCC, number 183 for mee. It was my birthday present.
73, Johan PA3FPQ
Hello Lee
many thanks for FB EME qso, even with poor conditions.
You were my DXCC #101.
Best 73
Anto IK4PMB
Hi Lee,
amazingly strong signals at such a bad degradation. Many thanks for my DXCC 212 on 144 MHz!
73 Bernd DF2ZC
I did not believe I could qso with you with 8.5 dB degradation, but you had an excellent signal (average here -23) and an excellent rx.
So you gave me dxcc n° 199.
If you go to HH it would be n° 200 !!
Many many tnx de Gio IK1UWL
Hi Lee,
Thanks for the nice QSO, it was DXCC # 205 for me.
Have a nice time and GL, 73’s,
Chris, PA2CHR
Tnx for very nice 2m EME QSO and DXCC 192, you had all the time very nice signal. Your RX is also very good.
Good luck and have nice time there.
Lins PA3CMC
Hi Lee, Hope to work you on AO-7 tomorrow 10th of March pass or some FO-29 pass sent email,73’s
Hi Lee!
Thanks for the FB QSO, it was my DXCC #144.
Have a nice weekend and GL, 73!
Oleg, UX5UL
Hello Lee
Thank you for nice qso.
Many thanks for my DXCC #202 on 144 MHz EME !
73 de Milos _ S52LM
Hi Lee,
Many thanks for this surprising weekend-dxpedition and new dxcc #215 !
The QSO today was rather easy, given the worst monthly degradation we could have :-12.7 dB
Your setup works amazingly !!
GL in the big EU pile, after our QSO i saw at least 14 traces for u 🙂
73, Joop
Hi Lee,
No QSO yet and I fear there won’t be. Friday got you -17 dB at 3rd ground gain lobe but you QRT before my best next ground gain lobes (I still had 10 deg of moon left). Today, Saturday, did only see traces but you QRT when moon at 15 deg elevation (out of ground gain). You would be DXCC #143 for me. Station same as yours : 2x9el H + 1,2 kW. 73
Nice solid -26 signal Lee – despite -13dB dgrd!
However I could see ~9 Eu stations in the pile-up after our QSO
Thanks for DXCC #146
73
John G4SWX
Hi Lee
Thanks for the surprise activation!
Entity #100 on 2M for me. DXCC #11 when all cards will be in.
73!
Bernie, ZS4TX
Hi Lee!
First decodable signals was my report….Just in time, before I had to leave…Tnx my >#179 DXCC. Hope to see You fm CY9 , if I know well You are going to there again.
73 de Sanyi
Hi Lee,
Mny Tnx for qso & DXCC #162!
Your signal was quite nice regarding huge dgrd(-13,6dB),from -22 to-26.
All the Best from YO!
Hi Lee,
I hope to work my DXCC # 150.
Tomorrow morning 11/03 I try agai at the Moonrise on advance.
Vy 73
Hi LEE
Thanks for DXCC #103. Good signal considering conditions were so poor.
73, Lee
ZS5LEE
Tnx fer DXCC # 155. Looking forward to work you from CY9 ( a full qso this time…hi. Made a half qso already, before wind took away your antennas…)
73, Pasi
OH4LA
Hi Lee,
Many thanks for DXCC # 193.
The antennas here full of snow and temperature just at the freezing point. Fortunately just under 0 degC.
0744 -19 2.3 1146 # * CQ V26PD FK97 Antigua & Barbuda
I’m looking at a list that the first 144 MHz EME SM-V2 was: W6JKV / V2 _ SM7BAE_ 1995-02-25_ CW
Wish you a safe trip home, 73 de Rune/SM5CUI
Lee got your report : 0938 -28 3.0 380 #* DK5EW V26PD -30.
That was strange also others reportet I was expecting “O” thought it was a false decode.
Anyway TNX for activating GL & 73’s see you next.
Erwin/DK5EW
TNX for DXCC#168. Degradation was -9,7dB :-).
Your QSO with Slavek OK1CU was first OK V2 at 144MHz.
73!, Martin – OK1UGA
Hi Lee, Tnx for DXCC Nr 171
SM5DIC, Gus
Vy Tnx Qso and DXCC Nr 146
SK5AA
Vasteras Radio Klubb
Hi Lee I was sick on the sofa with the flu. Got a text msg from DF2ZC that V26 was active. Thet was a real highlight. So I started up station and worked you. It was DXCC # 203
Thanks alot
73 Peter OZ1LPR
Thank you very much for DXCC #133 Lee, and see you from HH and CY9.
73/DX
Steve HA0DU
Tnx Lee for DXCC #183. Look forward to your next expedition.
73’s
Larry K1CA
Hi Lee,
TNX for a new one! DXCC #89.
Your B-26 with lot of QSB.
73!
Stamen/LZ1KU
Hi Lee,
Thanks for the nice weekend!
I followed 1441.35 for many hours and was able to see you almost each period.
Tnx for new DXCC >200
Hallo Lee ! Mni-mni tnx fer new country on 2 m EME. It is 165th for me. Hpe cuagn in your next expedition. Greetings from Hungary Pista/HA8CE
Hi Lee,
despite your lost preamp your rig worked still amazingly good. Tnx for new DXCC, -26 here at deg -9.7. GL and 73’s, Juergen DL8II
Hi Lee- I had just finished snowblowing 8″ of fresh snow when I saw that you were on. With the degradation at -12 (!) I thought the chance to work you was ZERO. But I gave it a try and – Holy Cow we made it! I was shocked! And smiling. DXCC #60 for me, inching closer to 100 !
Thanks for your effort –
John K2ZJ
Hi Lee
Thanks for my DXCC nr 144 on 2M.
You were very loud with constant signal
Looking forward to your next trip (:
Hi Lee,
Your great work allowed me to reach my DXCC # 150 on the evening of March 11th.
Thank you so much.
vy 73
Hello Lee, you did a fine job indeed. For me it was my 119th DXCC in around 30th months operation.
Hello Lee, Thanks for the nice 2 x Yagi to 2 x Yagi QSO with V26PD. You are my 2M DXCC #90 and DXCC #100 all bands. Can’t wait to see the QSL cards. 73 – Paul –
W2HRO QSO Info – 2018-03-09 – 07:57z – 144.135 – JT65