NH8S Swains Island

[IK0ZCW]

AA4NN , DJ7JC , DL3DXX , I8NHJ , K5AB , K6MM , K6TD , K9CT , KH7Y , N2TU , N6HC , NA6M , ND2T , NI6T , SM5AQD , W4BUW , W6KK , W8GEX , WB4JTT , e WB9Z saranno attivi da Swains Island nel mese di Settembre 2012 come NH8S
Trasmetteranno dai 160-6 m
DX Pedition website: http://www.nh8s.org/

[IK0ZCW]

Craig, K9CT and Joe, W8GEX are happy to report that preparations for the NH8S Swains Island DXpedition are on schedule. The 20 man international team should be on the island from September 4, thru September 17. Swains is # 31 most wanted worldwide. They will operate all bands with SSB, CW and RTTY.

A big thank you goes to John, N7CQQ and Paul, W8AEF for their time in building and testing the SVDA’s that will be used. Thanks also to Paul, W6XA, and Tom, N4XP, for testing the radios, amps and laptops. All of the equipment has been shipped to Arnie, N6HC in California for the upcoming departure via cargo ship later this week. The QSLing will be handled by Joe, AA4NN, with help from his XYL Margarett. Plans are to upload logs daily by satellite phone from the island to ClubLog.

We are very grateful to our equipment sponsors, including: ICOM, Elecraft, Vibroplex, Innovantennas, DX Engineering, Heil Sound, Primus, Hi-Z Antennas, and The RF Connection. Also to Kimo, KH7U for the 160m vertical, and George, W8UVZ for the Battle Creek Special.

We have updated our website with pictures, operating information and links. Thanks to John, K6MM for doing the webmaster duties.

There will be a great emphasis placed in working Europe where Swains is most needed. We will have several receiving antennas aimed that direction.

It will be very hot and humid, and mosquitoes should be plentiful, so please have patience with the operators. We ask that you listen to the operator instructions to ensure we are able to work as many stations as possible.

This tent and generator operation is a very expensive endeavor, and the group is most grateful for the foundations, clubs and individuals who have already contributed. For those that would like to donate, you may do so from our website: http://www.nh8s.org.

The skilled international crew that is looking forward to working you includes: 9V1FJ , AA4NN , DJ2VO , DL3DXX , K5AB , K9CS , K9CT , K9NW , KB8OCP , N2TU , N4HH , N6HC , NA6M , ND2T , SM5AQD , W4BUW , W6KK , W8GEX , W8TN and WB9Z

[IK0ZCW]

The leaders are happy to report that the DXpedition cargo has arrived in American Samoa. The international team of 20 operators are excited about this tent and generator operation. The island ranks number 31 in the DX Magazine most wanted list. Swains is about one mile in circumference has only five permanent residents and no infrastructure.

The team will be running seven stations from 6 to 160 including 60m. They will be on CW, SSB and RTTY around the clock for 14 days. Great emphasis will be in working European stations. Plans are to update logs on a daily basis by satellite phone. Because there is no regular internet service, the team will have two pilot stations. Valerie, NV9L will be the North American pilot while Col, MM0NDX will do the honors for Europe. They and John, K6MM, our webmaster, will be the only contact to the team for their 14 day stay.

Due to changes in airline flights, they are now scheduled to depart American Samoa on Sept 4, for the 23 hour boat ride to Swains. Everything will then be off loaded and taken ashore by a small boat. Along with the radio equipment, antennas, food, and tents, are 19 drums of gasoline for the seven generators.

The team of highly experienced DXers, contesters and Dxpeditioners are 9V1FJ , AA4NN , DJ2VO , DL3DXX , K5AB , K9CS , K9CT , K9NW , N2TU , N4HH , N6HC , N6HD , NA6M , ND2T , SM5AQD , W6KK , W8GEX , W8HC , W8TN and WB9Z . There have been several requests to listen into the general band, so please listen to the operator’s instructions.

We are most grateful to NCDXF , INDEXA , and all clubs and individuals who have supported us. Like all major DXpeditions today, this is a very expensive trip. Total costs are estimated to be $200,000. Each member has paid $8000, plus his cost to get to American Samoa. Anyone who wants to help, can go to our website, http://www.nh8s.org and click on the donations link. We are most appreciative to any and all DXers that contribute to help defray the cost of the trip.

[IK0ZCW]

LATEST

The team has assembled in PPG and we are staying at the Westwind. In a couple of hours the team will be transported to the boat and we will leave for Swains Island.

The trip is 24 hours. We are timing the arrival for high tide to ease entry to the island.

So far, so good. Much has been done on the island for us and we will be able to set up antennas soon after arrival. Not sure when we will be able to get on air until we get there. There is much to be done while it is daylight.

Thanks for your support.

For the team,

73,

Craig K9CT and Joe W8GEX co leaders for NH8S

[IK0ZCW]

LATEST

NH8S plan to be QRV by 20 UTC today.

We have arrived and everything is going well. SVDAs are up for both CW and SSB camps. The stations are getting setup and will continue in the morning. Lobster for dinner! Fantastic crew from the Jennings that have setup all of the infrastructure for our dxpedition.

Unfortunately one of our crew was injured on the way to Swains. He has returned to Pago Pago for medical treatment. We feel very badly that he had to leave the group.

Several big antennas remain to be put up. They will be done first before we start to operate. The weather is quite hot and humid. We have to be cautious about resting and dehydration. We are having a good time and are looking forward to getting on the air sometime today.

(Craig, K9CT and Joe, W8GEX).

[IK0ZCW]

First logs now uploaded http://www.nh8s.org/pages/log.html

[IK0ZCW]

from Craig, K9CT on Swains Island

" We had a storm last night. Bent over the 75m antenna. Guys stayed in place. I don’t know what can be done with it yet. 20m SSB SVDA also blew over but looks ok. It can be repaired. CW is intact. It was so noisy that we could not hear the pileups and had to hold off. We thought the tent was going to blow us away. We stayed past our shift waiting for the new crew. WB9Z had fallen asleep in his hammock just as the storm hit and got absolutely soaked…now that would have made for a good video! "

Some new photos: http://www.nh8s.org/pages/photos.html

[IK0ZCW]

from Craig, K9CT @ NH8S

Good openings to EU last night and really all parts of the world. Ops getting very tired. Several of us skipped shifts to get some sleep. It is very hard to work pileups when you get so tired. Several others did double shifts to cover.

The next 48 hours may be our last as we have to start tearing down in time for the arrival of our boat back. No set time yet on QRT but it is in that window. Anyone that needs us for an all time new one is forewarned to get us in their log.

We are noticing some salt water effects on connections to radios and antennas. Repairs are continuous.

A couple of ops have had some swelling from infections from sun exposure and mosquito bites. Some rest is required to avoid more serious effects.

[IK0ZCW]

NH8S QRT @ 0400UTC

[IK0ZCW]

Craig K9CT and Joe W8GEX would like to thank everyone who worked us from Swains. We made 105,500 qso’s which made a lot of hams happy. This is not a record but something we and the team are very proud of. We had a great time but are glad to be back home with our families.

This was truly a remarkable trip in many ways. We are very proud of our team as they performed remarkably well under unbearable heat. As you may know by now, it was 125° F on the beach in the sun. To put up antennas in the loose sand and heat, was quite a challenge. During the duration of the trip, the crew walked many miles to get to the operating stations four times a day. Then they worked the endless pileups, which can be stressful. Never did they complain about the job before them, making qso’s in those hot tents. Every crew member experienced some type of heat reaction at one time or another. Some members endured other injuries as well, and two were hospitalized, so we had our challenges. Everyone is home and fine now. .

To Swains owners, the Jennings family, you and your group were an enormous help to us. The Island support team of thirteen native men and women worked tirelessly to see that our needs were met. We couldn’t ask for better hosts. Including the off-island support crew, it took a total of 43 people to make this all happen.

QSL cards are ready to be printed and should be distributed in a few months. If you need a card right away, please go to our OQRS link for your QSL card.

We want to thank all of our equipment sponsors; your equipment worked flawlessly. And to the foundations, clubs and individuals who helped fund this trip, we are most appreciative of your generosity. These trips to remote places are so expensive, that it would not be possible without your support.

It was a great honor for Craig and me to lead such an extraordinary team of highly experienced operators. This was not the easiest trip any of us have been on, and you guys are the greatest.

Craig, K9CT
Joe, W8GEX
Co-Leaders