• [QRT] 

VP6G QRT now. Due to rain I had to dismantle the antennas a little earlier. However, with nearly 16,000 QSO’s I acomplished more than I had set as a target. I will work on the QSL card and hope that Charles M0OXO can soon start processing the direct QSL cards.

  • [APRIL 12] 

Had several comments that there is a problem with FT8 transmission. Not sure what the cause is but will not fix it here. Sorry for the inconvenience it gives for you. April 13, I will take the Hexbeam down late afternoon (local time). I need people to assit me to bring the heavy metal tube don and get the Hexbeam off, so I disassemble.

  • [APRIL 11]

Whole day rain. It is causing a problem with the Hexbeam, as water is collecting inbetween the two aluminum tubes that form the feedline. Result is high SWR. I have now used the tuner of the SPE. Every now and then I go outside on the balcony to kick the mast which will cause the water to fall down from the antenna (and feedline).

  • [APRIL 8] –

Small changes to the following announced frequencies for FT8. They are now 14086 kHz and 24924 kHz.

  • [APRIL 6] – 

With a small log upload so far, VP6G has been quite active on the higher bands since QRV on April 5th. Here’s a recording his 12m CW signal by EA1DR for DX-WORLD. 

  • [QRV] – 

After all luggage issues (documented below), Gerben is now QRV from Pitcairn. 20CW signal recorded by IZ5CML @ Hamradioweb. VP6G bandplan also listed below. Pictures credit PG5M:

  • [APRIL 2 by PG5M] 

When I was planning this trip, I built-in time buffers, just for the worst case. Well the worst case happened. In Los Angeles I learned that one of my suitcases was still in Paris. The trackers I placed in the suitcases also showed one still in CDG airport. What I had in LAX was one suitcase with SPE amplifier, DX Commander materials and a power supply. The golf bag contained the Spiderpole for the DX Commander, the HexBeam and 100 meters of coax. The suitcase that was missing contained all the radio’s, cabling, power supply, tools, etc. plus my personal stuff.

When talking with Air France in LAX, they told me the missing suitcase would be on the same flight with me to Papeete. When I arrived in Papeete, the suitcase was not there. So again I went to Air France. Now I was told that it would arrive the next day at 05:30 LT. My next flight with Air Tahiti to Mangareva will depart at 06:30 LT so there is a big challenge. Air Tahiti will try to get my suitcase from the AF flight into their plane. If they don’t succeed or AF arrives late, I have to cancel the whole trip. I hope for the best.

In the meantime, heavy storms surround Pitcairn Island and even caused some damage to the chalet I have booked.

  • [APRIL 1 @ 1900Z]

Air France promised to have the 3rd suitcase on my flight to Papeete, but it was not. Now I was told it will arrive tomorrow morning at 05:30 and my flight to Mangareva will depart at 06:30. I will try to get help for a quick suitcase collection and get it on board to Mangareva.

  • [APRIL 1 @ 0230Z]
Arrived in LAX and one suitcase is missing. I was told it will be on my next flight to Papeete. If not, I have a major problem. Fingers crossed.
  • [MARCH 20] – In order to avoid confusion and overlap with the A8OK DXpedition, VP6G will use the following frequencies (if circumstances allow)

  • [MARCH 16] – Gerben posts:

Conducting an expesive journey to a remote place requires equipment redundancy to avoid stopping operation due to equipment failure. For that reason I decided to bring a full backup station (laptop, PSU, radio, antenna). But this approach also brings a new opportunity, i.e. running two stations at the same time.

I will setup two stations and if the circumstance allow, operate symutaniously CW and FT8. This greatly depends on the antenna situation. If I can’t have the antenna’s place at a good distance, I may experience interference (despite using BPF’s), and consequently operate only one radio. This will become clear once at the spot.

  • [FEBRUARY 9] –

Gerben PG5M will be active from Pitcairn Island as VP6G during April 4-14, 2024. QRV on 40-10m; CW & SSB using DX Commander (40-10m) and a Hexbeam (20-10m).  He will try to run two stations (if antenna situation permits), primarily CW and additionally FT8 (using MSHV).  Also check here for additional information.