[QRT / SUMMARY] 

E51D RIB DXpedition went QRT on Sep 8 at 1820 UTC. We made 56,970 QSO-s from a very small footprint and with only four local operators. Statistics will be published later on the E51D QRZ.com page. We appreciate the overwhelming support of the HAM community. We could not work everyone, but we sure tried…We also thank the Northern California DX Foundation, whose support resulted in the development of the RIBs. This is DXpedition technology that helps the entire Amateur Radio community. We ask those who can help to support the NCDXF so they can foster the developments that are essential in today’s changing regulatory and technological environment. This kind of activity and support are crucial to future of Amateur Radio.

[SEPTEMBER 2] – George AA7JV mentions:

Yesterday I have built an RX antenna that points to the NE. It helped last night with the QRN and I had a decent run from 0900 to 1100, although most signals were weak.

​This morning I was on 1832.5 from 1600 to 1630, during my SR. A good number of Central Asian callers came in with S6 and S7 signals. I worked one R3 around 1630, when propagation stopped. QSY-d to 80 to work numerous stations all the way to OH. At 1655 propagation was cut off, virtually instantly. S6 signals disappeared within 15 seconds.

​More would have made it into the log if they were sending their calls more than once. It takes me time to find a signal (with the narrow filter settings) and when a call is sent only once, I only get last few letters.

[AUGUST 27] – Photo shows Mike, KN4EEI and all the gear in one place.

No tents, no latrines/toilet, no showers: minimum impact. We have just completed changing the main antenna coax: from cheap stuff to high quality pre-assemble coax with great connectors, courtesy of DX Engineering. Interference gone! 160 m antenna is seen in the background on the right. On the left is the 40 – 10 m FT8 antenna.

Credit: E51D

[AUGUST 26] – George AA7JV got in touch to say:

E51D is up with three RIB stations on the air. Two of these stations are remotely operated, one CW and one FT8. The third station is locally operated from the boat Magnet, anchored about a mile from the small cay the RIB-s and antennas are located on.

@dx-world

[AUGUST 25] –

We have three stations on the air: One local and two remote ones, of which, one is FT8 and the other CW. The local station has been on CW so far but we are planning to start SSB later today. Conditions on the higher bands were good yesterday, especially on 20m. On 40 EU signals were weak around 1800. 30m was good most of the night.

160: We have a very good TX antenan for 160/80. We got on TB around 0930 Z. There were very few callers from NA, but JA-s were calling from about 1000 Z (their SS) and some were very strong. Overall, 160 m activity was low and we QSY’d to higher bands for the rest of the night. The NA signals that came through were mostly strong. An encouraging sign.

160 tonight from 0515, listening for EU until about 0600, when we will try 80m for EU. This time of the year the window to EU is narrow on 160 and 80. But based on experience at VP6A, which was in June, EU is possible just at their SR, especially on 80. We will be here until Sept 10, by which time the window will widen some and low band conditions will likely improve. For NA (and JA) we will be on from 0930 and work as long as there are callers.

@dx-world

[QRV] – E51D started operations on 20CW shortly after 0900z today. DX-World audio recording below:

@dx-world

[AUGUST 21] – Confirmation from George AA7JV saying E51D will be mainly working CW on Top Band with FT8 being “only a few nights”. 

[AUGUST 20] –

We are waiting for the “authorities” to let us start operating, which should be around August 22 or 23rd. If all goes well, we will be on the air until September 9th. We will get on 160 soon after our SS around 0445Z. There should be a window for EU to work us until about 0600, when we will QSY to 80 or 40m for a few hours. We will be back on 160 for the NA East Coast SR (and JA SS) around 1000 and stay there as long as there will be callers. Note, however, that on some evenings we will start on 80 to give EU a chance.

[AUGUST 15] – E51D will be on the air from N. Cook Islands, Penhryn Atoll, grid BI11, from August 19 to September 10. Bands activated will be 160 to 10m and 6m. Modes will be CW, SSB and FT8 (F/H). Like on previous RIB activations, there will be a number of local and remote operators. Local operators will be HA7RY, KN4EEI, HA5YG and AA7JV. Remote operators will be announced later. Although out of season, an effort will be made to work 160 meters.

Credit: AA7JV

[AUGUST 7] – Following on from their VP6A RIB DXpedition to Ducie island, AA7JV & KN4EEI together with HA5YG & HA7RY are planning to be active from Penhryn Atoll (Tongreva), N. Cook Islands between August 20 and September 5 (dates are subject to WX.) Team do not have the callsign confirmed yet, but were promised they can collect their license in Omoka village.

Same as VP6A, this DXpedition will be using RIBs with three stations on the air. QRV on 160 to 6m; CW, SSB and FT8. While early in the low-band season, they also plan to make an effort to be on 160 and 80 meters on most nights.

More details to follow later.

PS: Operating as FO/F4FJH in Tahiti, operator Eric and his XYL met up with AA7JV, KN4EEI, HA7RY and HA5YG prior to their North Cooks activity. Picture credit F4FJH.

KN4EEI-AA7JV-FO/F4FJH-XYL-HA5YG-HA7RY