[NEWS UPDATE] – Thanks to Bob, W9XY for letting us know that two new operators should soon be hitting the airwaves at ET3AA. They will firstly receive more training (and encouragement via Zoom sessions with Bob) before QRV.
Ops: Kijan (left) and Yonatan (right)
[JANUARY 20] – (header picture credit Nodir EY8MM)
Our mission at ET3AA is over. We achieved main goal to help local ET3AA club to keep air activity. We shared our knowledge and passion to the Ham radio. We helped club members with our experience. We learn the beautiful World of Ethiopia culture and people! Time to say good bye to our friends!
[JANUARY 19] – Here we have student operators Negatu and Nahom operating the ET3AA station today under the watchful eye of photographer & tutor Bob W9XY. Both ops will work all night at the station providing contacts on 30M and maybe other bands if open.
[BY K4ZW, JANUARY 18] Things have been going very well. We’re closing in on 7000 QSO’s. It should be noted this is very much a team effort between the three of us and the ET3AA club members who are also operating and spending time at the station. It’s a real joy to be doing this together with our friends.
We’ve pretty much ruled out 80 and 160 meters because of the noise. It’s going to require a better solution. We’re making hay on the high bands and also having a lot of success on 30 meters including QSO’s to the west coast of the US. Nodir made the first ever 60 meter QSO’s from ET which was exciting. But the noise is a big issue on that band as well.
Tip of the hat to W3LPL for his alert of possible openings on 6 meters. We had a short, very focused opening to Europe yesterday. As mentioned, we’ll keep the second radio going on 6 just in case.
I’m not sure that we will be on the next two nights. It’s Epiphany tomorrow, a big holiday here. We need to allow our hosts some time with their families if they choose to do so. Our last day is Saturday.
Pictures show Nodir EY8MM with a student at the Addis Ababa Institute of Technology learning about amateur radio. Photos by Bob W9XY
Credit: EY8MM
JANUARY 17
6m station up and running today. Also local operator(s) under supervision of Bob W9XY making QSOs. Thanks to Bob for the pictures and video.
JANUARY 16
With new RX antenna noise down a bit, we will be on low bands tonight.
Credit EY8MM @ ET3AA
LISTEN TO ET3AA ON 28CW
JANUARY 15[b]
Continue fighting with the noise. It is far more stronger than guys had last visit. Only band with reasonable level is 24Mhz and we did some FT8/CW. Tried several RX antennas with no success. 60m vertical is up but noise floor is 59+. Few more RX antennas to try. University is very populated area and we hoping to bring one RX antenna on the maximum length of our coaxial stock. We hope that we can spend some time on low bands tomorrow even with high noise.
JANUARY 15[a]
Working on RX setup. Hopefully one of the low bands will be activated today. We received SWL report from Germany on 6 meters.
JANUARY 14
First day at ET3AA. Antennas and station needs maintenance. Lots of maintenance. US team after long flight worked hard on station. Operated 12 m FT8 F/H. It allowed us to work on station and give New Ones. Noise is really bad. Low Bands might not be possible. I will work on this task tomorrow day and night. There’s a few very good DX Engineering RX devices. Lets hope for technology. We will do operation as we recover station. Local team helps a lot and we are optimistic. Tomorrow planning 30m station on evening either CW or FT8. Daytime expect 17 and 12m FT8 or CW. 60m operation still under study. Stay tuned.
[QRV] K4ZW, W9XY & EY8MM will be active from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia as ET3AA during January 14-21, 2023. QRV on various bands & modes. QSL via N2OO.
