[NEWS UPDATE] – As the VU7W activity continues (until June 19th), here’s a few pictures courtesy of Yuris.

 

[JUNE 14] – Yuris reports that yesterday the low band vertical was installed. He will be spending time on the lower bands during the coming nights. Quite strong winds blow during the night. He hopes antennas will withstand it. He goes on to say this is the ideal place for the DXpedition. Antennas are on the coast, close to the saltwater, plenty of space. Apartment is very good, the cook is a pro! The departure is delayed to June 20, so be on the air until June 19. Only 44 QSOs on the 6m band – as no conditions there, he says.

[JUNE 11] – As can be seen, the Spiderbeam antenna at VU7W is up and running. Recording below is of 20m CW earlier today. A reminder that Yuris is QRV for one more week.

Credit: VU7W / YL2GM

[JUNE 9] – Here’s the latest from Yuris on Minicoy:

Getting from the ship to the shore was an adventure. Many passengers on the ship, and smaller boats were used to bring them from the ship to the shore together with all luggage. Did manage to put up a vertical antenna in the evening and made some QSOs. This morning installed a 6m yagi, but the band is empty so far. Today will install the Spiderbeam. Internet connection is very weak. Can’t open email or Club Log. So uploading logs is under question.

Credit: YL2GM

[JUNE 7] – Yuris reports that the ship to Minicoy had to be rescheduled, therefore he will arrive the island on June 8th before noon (local).

[JUNE 4] – On June 2, Yuris started his journey to Minicoy in the Lakshadweep islands. Full info and details from previous VU7W activity below. 

[MAY 21] – 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