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Krish, W4VKU / VU2VKU has received permission from the Ministry of Communications, Government of India to operate as VU7KV from Kavaratti , Laccadive Islands between April 23 to May 5th, 2013.

However, Krish states [edited]:

" The VU7 permission arrived a bit too late and plans are already firm to activate 8Q7KP from April 23rd to April 30th. Unfortunately, getting to Kavaratti [from Male, Maldives] has become a challenge due to the non-availabilty of seats via the overnight ship. There is just one expensive alternative and I am looking into the logistics involved.

The plan [for Laccadive] is for SSB and some RTTY on 10-80m with a TS-480Sat and TenTec Hercules 2 amp using a Butternut HF9V and a 2ele steppir yagi + 30/40m trombone. Basically the same equipment which will be in use at 8Q7KP beforehand. "

UPDATE: Krish informs he has received his plane tickets to fly to an island in the VU7 chain, either Kavaratti or Agatti. Operating currently as 8Q7KP, he should be active as VU7KV beginning May 2nd until May 5th.

FLASH - The airtickets from Chennai-Kochi-Agatti are booked. The Govt travel agency has been paid for the accommodation at Kavaratti. All paperwork has been sent to the Govt to obtain the travel permit to visit Kavaratti. They are also arranging the transportation from Agatti to Kavaratti – a speed boat (3 hours by sea) or a chopper. The permit will be issued either on April 30th or May 1st. It is down to the wire and is last minute. Will update. (W4VKU / 8Q7KP.)

UPDATE from Krish W4VKU @ VU7KV

We had some friends make VU7KV a reality, given that there was an issue with the accommodation and the entire plan was about to fall apart. Thanks to Chetan VU3DMP and also to Shoukat Ali, the dive instructor in Kavaratti for their kind help in relentlessly following through and facilitating my trip. We also have some good folks down on the ground who helped with the antenna installation.

We arrived by a chopper from Agatti and the luggage followed on via a larger vessel. The lugguage was trailing behind by 3 hours and I used the time to plan the antenna/station setup. The luggage arrived at 4pm, we then installed the vertical by 6:30pm. Then the crew wanted to install the Hex at night, since they are busy during the day. We got to it and finished the antenna installation by 9:30pm. All is well except for the sleep deprivation and falling asleep while on the radio. But the pileups have been huge and we want to stay on to give those Qs.

UPDATE from Krish W4VKU @ VU7KV

The pileups have been huge. The 17m spreads are not enough due to the bandwidth and everyone calling from everywhere and no one will stop!

The plan is to work RTTY on May 4th and continue to focus on 12/10m. May 5th will be the last day and I might focus on both 10/12m and look for people needing VU7 for an ATNO.

UPDATE from Krish W4VKU @ VU7KV

I hope you all had fun. I am here at Kochi airport on my way home. Just tired. I felt sick and had to go to the local hospital. I think it was the first night stay in a house without A/C and it was hot and humid. The coughing came in the way of working the bands. Feel a bit better now, but tired. Had been a long time since I have had enough sleep right from starting the 8Q7 operation on Apr 23rd. It has been like about 2 hours of sleep at most.

I apologize for missing a nice 12m opening to NA LP yesterday. The locals just barge into the room or ring the door bell. I had to meet and talk to them, and the amount of time is unpredictable. They were all very helpful and I did not want to come off as not paying attention to their presence. Hence had to take the breaks.

The pileups were crazy. No one listens these days. Everyone in EU is after band-fill. I tell them I am looking to ATNO callers, but still the strong band-fill callers parade. A solo operation ain’t gonna put a dent on world demand, but it could potentially put the
deserving ones a bit closer.

Since the amount of time left was short after spending it all in 8Q7, I decided to hustle and make the VU7 trip. Even 3 days on the air is something rather than nothing. Heck, I wish someone with QRO will activate it, since even I need VU7 for an ATNO.

I have several emails about log check/corrections for both 8Q and VU7. I will tend to them after I have had a good nights sleep.

Btw, the vertical when placed right inside the water kicks butt. When placed say 20ft inland from the waterline, the effect was not as good as right in the water. The Hex did well too.

QSL via W4VKU