EJ0PL / EJ1Y from EU-006

EJ0PL / EJ1Y is QRT now. Another IOTA experience with Papa Lima DX-Group. We operated from different Islands in Ireland .... EU-007 / EU-103 this year was time for EU-006.

I had pleasure visit a lot offshore islands in EI but never been on Aran Islands. Since now.

Team went to Inishmore on Monday and I joined them on Tuesday 23rd of July. Equipment was shipped same day from Galway as cargo. We had 7 seater car converted to be a van packed with radio gear.

All day on Tuesday station was prepared. 6 masts with antennas were erected. 3 radios with computer network, etc. First signal went on air early on Wednesday night. Almost all members went to sleep tired after long day but Michal EI3KG stayed fresh and CW operation from EU-006 as EJ0PL stared. He did about 600 QSO till sunrise on 40/20m. SSB operators were awake and 2 stations went on air on phone. I was operating EJ0PL on CW only. Managed 1200 QSOs in just two days myself. I was happy to run approx 30wpm speed on CW. Second night on EJ0PL we had amazing propagation from West-Coast and All over the World. Waldi SP7IDX was really surprised how openings on the bands looks in EI land. I was operating that night on CW as well. Log was uploaded in real time to ClubLog. Thanks to network and WiFi broadband connection set by EI9FBB Dave. EJ0PL was on air just 3 days. I did not operate third day - half members of the Team took break before IOTA contest and went to visit Inis Oirr island, smallest Aran Island. I had a thing to do on the island and the rest of our Team visited EJ0A Limerick Radio Club ready for IOTA Contest from EU-006 as well.

Saturday morning was very busy to set-up station for IOTA Contest. Main thing in the shack - software and interfaces had to be configured as it should b to run Multi Operator station from EU-006. EI7KD Oleg joined us on Saturday just for competition. Shifts were prepared and at 13:00 locat time IOTA Contest fun has stared. New contest call-sign was issued EJ1Y. I was running Multiplier station it means I was operating CW/SBB chasing multipliers on the band. Condition on Saturday was not great. 15m was in bad condition. 10m was closed. Sunday morning big difference. 15 wide open to JA and Asia plus EU and 28Mhz in great shape!
We managed aprox 2000 QSOs during IOTA Contest with 400 Multipliers in the log. Shortly when contest was over station was dismantled. It is amazed how long takes to set-up station and how quick to dismantle ...
I enjoyed Aran Islands so much. How different this location is compare to the others places we were operating for IOTA Contest. Inismore was full of life and we were blessed with good weather for all our stay on the island. Place to remember for sure!

EJ1Y IOTA Contest 2013 from EU-006 Inis Mór (Inishmore) - Aran Islands

TEAM:

From Left to Right

EI9FBB , EI9KC , EI5JQ, SP9NWN, SP7NNM, EI4GK, EI3KG, EI7KD, SP7IDX

Thank you for great fun and CU next year from another IOTA!

EJ0PL now QRT

EJ0PL is now QRT. Aprox 12700 QSO were made in just 3 days. Station will be set now for IOTA Contest and we will use call-sign 

EJ1Y

from EU-006

Thank you for great support! 

OQRS is now open via Clublog

See you in IOTA Contest 2013! Good Luck!

EJ0PL - 2`nd day

EJ0PL shack

Fresh news from Inish More Island EU-006. EJ0PL just logged 6630 QSOs. In just 30h of operation! Great condition on the bands and big pleasure to work you all. RTTY station is now prepared and should be on air shortly. Please note we have just 2 CW operators here and sometimes pile-up is massive. We are trying to serve you ALL. SP7IDX noticed great condition on 20m last night untill early in the morning here. He enjoyed signals from West Coast of North America and Hawaii Islands as well! 80m is not great at the moment. We will be monitoring this band during the night. 

At the moment 3 stations are running and we will keep them all day long.

Online log of EJ0PL is uploaded in real time.

8:00AM here and great opening to West Coast on 20mSSB

EJ0PL - 1`st day

Best Regards from Aran Islands - Inishmore Island where I have pleasure

to be a member of EJ0PL transmitting this year from IOTA EU-006.

We will particpate in IOTA Contest 2013 from EU-006 as EJ1Y

Yesterday all day was busy. No radio activity. Building antenna farm. Here is some pictures from the Island.

Installing 1`st SP7IDX Hexbeam designated for CW

Installing 2`nd SP7IDX Hexbeam designated for SSB

SP7IDX Waldi is with us on Inish More!

Members of the Team are:

EI3KG EI4GK EI5GM EI5JQ EI7KD SP7IDX EI9FBB EI9KC SP9NWN

Our QTH on the island and view of antenna farm.

Our antennas are:

80m inverted V for SSB

80m inverted V for CW

40m Vertical with 36 radials

30m inverted V

2 x SP7IDX Hexbeam for 20/17/15/12/10/6

3 ele Yagi for 20/15/10

Radios are ICOM 756 PRO3/PRO2/746PRO/7000

2 x PA

1km antenna cables and more ....

EJ0PL from EU-006 went on AIR last night shortly after midnight our time.

So far after 12h to be QRV we have:

2032 QSO ... , best opening on 6m with 415 QSOs from IO53DD

More statistics and pictures tomorrow. 

"Today in my box" ....

ZK3N - Tokelau - not so often on the air Tokelau can be heard so every single contact counts. Here ZK3N QSL gave me new DXCC on 20mCW. Thanks a lot.

5W0M - German DX-Pedition from Samoa , fantastic job on the bands and 6 contacts confirmed here on 4 bands and 2 emissions. Looking forward to see QSL on LoTW as well. 

EI9KC and his modest station achieved 1`st Place High Power SSB Single Operator - All Band NON - Assisted in Ireland during CQ WW World Wide Contest last year. With my shack located in the kitchen ... this is big success for me.

Brief visit on Aran Islands EJ0PL

QTH of EJ0PL from EU-006

From July 23 to 29 with the callsign EJ0PL an international team will be active from the island of Inishmore, IOTA EU-006. 4 team members visited Inishmore last friday - EI4GK Sean , EI3KG - Michal, EI9FBB - Dave , and myself EI9KC  It was quick visit: mainly to see antenna field and how to prepare few logistic issues.

Getting idea where to put antennas. Three stations are planed.

Typical Irish weather gave us wet welcome on the Island. It was my first time on Aran, I hope to visit some interesting places during our stay on Inishmore in July and take some pictures as well. This time I had no chances to take any dry photos :)

Sean EI4GK have chat with "Locals" ...

Enjoyed this visit so much. Had nice time with Sean, Michal and Dave on Inishmore. Lovely full irish breakfast on the end of our stay in local pub was our dinner :) 

First Africa QSO on 6m

I am not big fun of VHF ... not well equipped for this band as well. Can use my windom dipole. Is not the best but is working on this band. Some radio operators are calling this band "magic band". Well. For me magic band is 30m :) Anyway great opening tonight on 6m we had today. Made few New Ones  on this band ... and first Africa contact. CN8KD Mohamed gave me 599 and rapid LoTW QSL. It was not easy to work him but I did it! Many thanks!