[NEWS UPDATE] – “Apparently” was a good choice of word because following on from the info published yesterday (Sept 22) we have confirmation by QSL manager F6EXV that the activity by “FT4XW” on this day was sadly a pirate.
[SEPTEMBER 22] – The info below goes way back to early December 2021. During that period FT4XW never actually appeared on air….until today apparently – see below.
Credit: G0MFR
Credit: MW0ZZK
[DECEMBER 8, 2021] Arthur Perrin is an Electronic / Scientific engineer for the French Polar Institute and has been located at Base de Port-aux-Français on the Kerguelen Islands (AF-048) since October this year.
His stay there lasts up to 14 months (taking him to December 2022) and he recently acquired the callsign FT4XW.
At this time, Arthur is unsure when he will be active but has with him an XIEGU G90 transceiver and a DX Commander vertical antenna. Kerguelen is #10 most wanted DXCC globally according to Club Log. QSL via F6EXV.
Note, he is completely new to ham radio hobby. Pictures courtesy Arthur:
Activity of September 22nd confirmed pirate
Hallo Arthur
Kergulen would be very important for me in the digi mode.
Never worked this island
Can you give an expextion when you will be aktive ??
thanks in before
73 Bob
PA0ZH
Hello Arthur, I just messaged you via LinkedIn but figured I would try here too. I have some questions about Kerguelen, if you don’t mind taking a few minutes to answer them! mattrottediting@gmail.com I hope to hear from you!
Hello Arthur. Hope you are well. Let us know what the plans are for your transmissions. Did you manage to set up everything and is able to communicate in either SSB Voice or Digital (FT8/FT4) ?
Thank you and 73’s
Not a big setup. I Hope he Will do some ft8! Cross fingers. 73