[EARLY HEADS-UP] – With a significant financial support from 26 Japanese HAMs, Yuris will go to VU7 again during June 6-18, 2023. The focus this time will be on the 6m band, however other bands will also be used. QTH this time will be on Minicoy Island, IOTA AS-106. All VU7W April QSOs are uploaded to LoTW already.
[APRIL 28] – Today is the last day of this DXpedition. Spiderbeam and the low band vertical were already taken down this morning. One vertical antenna is left up and will be used until sunset.
Also today Yuris will have a sightseeing trip around the island, followed by packing and closing dinner in the evening.
[APRIL 26] – Yuris was on 160m FT8 with good signal levels in Europe (~22:00 UTC). About 70 callers visible in a single FT8 period in Europe. Unfortunately, on his end received signals are not that many and with not so good S/N levels, due to the higher local noise floor. Earlier in the evening he was on 3565 kHz with an even better signal level despite working in 3 parallel streams, and had lots of callers as well. He says that he will be on 60m band some time during April 26.
[APRIL 25] – Today the low band vertical was erected. Yuris will spend more time on low bands the next 3 nights. The antenna dismantling will start on local Friday (April 28) morning, because the ship leaves the island on early Saturday (April 29) morning. Yuris also had a meeting with local HAM Mr. Aboobacker (VU3EBX).
Low band vertical (credit YL2GM)
Yuris, YL2GM @ VU7W (credit YL2GM)
[APRIL 22] – The last two days made 60 QSOs on 6m band. Few EU, 4X, BY, JA6. Answering the questions why so few CW and no SSB QSOs I will show with the 2 photos below. The first photo shows 15m band during the daytime. The 2nd photo – 80m band noise floor this morning before sunrise when I was on 80m CW.
Credit YL2GM
Credit YL2GM
The island is densely populated (more than 10k inhabitants on 6 square km). I am located in the 3-floor hotel. As almost everywhere in the modern world, it is full of colorful LEDs, air-conditioner devices and other electronics, which emit radio interference in wide spectrum. I will probably disappoint many of those who are waiting for SSB QSOs, but this is the reality.
[APRIL 18] –
Metal tower and solar panel frame detunes the Spiderbeam, especially on the upper bands. Power amplifier fails to tune on 17,12 and 10m bands due to high SWR of the antenna. Unfortunately, it is not possible to lift up the Spiderbeam any higher. Internet is weak and only available in the reception area, so I will upload the logs to Club Log every couple days.
I haven’t given up on building the low band vertical. The owner of the place is very forthcoming, and I hope to agree with him on usage of a spot in adjacent area to place it. Villagers are walking through the territory in the dark, so radial and guy wires are problematic on the ground level. The noise floor is high here. Lots of LED lamps around.
I will pay special attention to W1 and W6 as propagation windows are short to these areas. I am using VOACAP for propagation predictions.
(credit YL2GM)
(credit YL2GM)
[APRIL 17] – The Spiderbeam antenna is now up and on the hotel roof. Low band vertical is next on the list of “to be done” tasks.
Credit: YL2GM
Credit: YL2GM
[APRIL 16 @ 1600Z] – So far Yuris has managed to set up EFHW and 6m yagi antennas. He also started to assemble the Spiderbeam. It’s tricky to get it up on the roof. There is a plan, hopefully it will work out tomorrow. There is no internet in the shack. It’s available in some spots on the other floor of the building.
VU7W QTH (credit: YL2GM)
A wave from the hotel ! (credit: YL2GM)
[APRIL 15 @ 1430z] – VU7W is now QRV, starting off on 20m FT8.
[APRIL 13] – The journey has started. 4 flights in total plus a ship to get to VU7; with 100 kg of luggage.
Credit: YL2GM
Credit: YL2GM
[APRIL 9] – For 50mHz band, Yuris will use a 3 element yagi (pictured below) instead of the initially planned Delta-loop.
[APRIL 6] Yuris YL2GM plans activity from Kavaratti island, Lakshadweep Islands as VU7W during April 15-29, 2023. QRV on HF bands + 6m; CW, SSB & FT8. QSL via YL2GN; Club Log, OQRS. Webpage here
Thanks Yuri for 3 band and new dxcc !!
have a good trip back home.
73 Edmundo CE2EC
Yuris, thanks very much for giving it a good try, but that QTH couldn’t be worse from a QRN standpoint. The photo shows your Spiderbeam located just a few meters away from a solar panel? There is your major noise source, inverters are notorious for sending broadband QRN out for many km. Imagine the field strength just a few meters away?
I’m running a very modest antenna system, and with your QRN level there is absolutely no possibility you will hear me on any mode but CW. I regretfully have to give up trying to contact you for a new one, number 322.
Hopefully you will search for a quieter location to operate from VU7 the next time you visit. Thanks again and sorry to read about all of your noise problems. 73, W1LJ
Thank you for the QSO today. I just cannot imagine that more than 100 stations are calling you at the same time.
I am wondering how can you manage to pick stations when more than 100 stations are calling at the same time.
Have a safe DXpedition as long as you stay Lakshadweep Is.
Thank you for an all time new one DX country.
Best wishes
73 K2HAT
Did all the participating team members arrive safely at Lakshadweep Islands? Are all team members in good health and condition?
I am very glad and happy to have successfully communicated with you in FT8 mode on the 40 meter band. (See attached video)
It was Mode New One Communications. 14090KHz was also received well, so I called several times, but I haven’t been able to communicate yet. There is a lot of time until the closing date, so I expect to be a lot of communication with you.
Have a fun and hopeful time.
* QSO Video ( Youtube ) : https://youtu.be/FhCKmBlh7tk
I look forward to the opportunity in trying to make the contact. Best 73 and safe travels. de KN4IRM
kindly plan for QO-100 Activity also. All of us will get one more DXCC. THANKS de VU2DPN
Good trip and I hope some opportunity.
73 CE2EC