Just before the
2009 W6JKV / K5AND 6m BBQ
Lance W7GJ and I got word that Mike
M0PRL was in preparation for an 18 month stay at the British Antarctic Survey
Rothera Base.
Make was duly "Lanced" and after a bit of late night WSJT training from G8BCG
(and a 50MHz eme QSO with Lance) Mike expressed a desire to try eme from the
Antarctic.
We were all very keen to ensure that Mike had a station capable of giving
some good results on 50MHz eme and ensuring that he remained a convert - who
knows where he might go next:-))
An Acom 1000 was "made available" and a plan was hatched to get a 6M8GJ over
to the UK to be shipped down to the Antarctic with the Acom and other
"scientific" equipment. Thanks to Mike K6MYC the 6M8GJ was shipped to the UK at
a very advantageous price. However, the total cost of the antenna and shipping
still came out at just over GBP650 ($990US).
The original plan was to "pass a hat around" the DXers at Dick / Jimmys BBQ
to raise some funds in support of this, but unfortunately an opportunity did not
really present itself.
I am delighted to say that the
UK Six Metre Group has now made a substantial contribution.
I hope that those interested in promoting WSJT and 50MHz EME - or those who
simply want a QSO with VP8;-) will make use of the "donate" button below
to help fill the void a little.
Many thanks in advance,
73 Peter G8BCG
