Marc Twain
Ping! out to the Amateur Radio ping list ... There used to be one, I think.
Quirky expedition that I would love to have joined.
101 Feet Oceanic Ketch MARAMA is a unique Sailing Yacht, designed by Dominique Presles, and built of aluminium by the N2A shipyard in St Nazaire, under the control of Bureau Véritas. It is an exceptional ship on all levels. FEATURES Length : 31.00m Beam : 6.50m Draft : 3.50 m Masts : 35m and 25m Displacement (weight) : 68 tons Upwind sail surface : 455 sqm Downwind sail surface : 1000 sqm Engine John Deere / Baudouin : 320 hp Generator : 25 KW Watermaker : 250 L/Hour Hydraulic winches Central Heating 3 watertight bulkheads 2 dinghies with outboard engine ***** Seriously, under 100' long and only a 320 hp engine (plus sails)? Verses the South Atlantic!?
We have a good friend who has been a participant in several of these expeditions. Any idea of the dates?
Hoping against hope to make contact with them somehow. Managed to reach central Argentina on a hamstick dipole about 14’ in the air with 35 watts of power on 10 meters single side band voice. Waiting on parts for my home brew end fed half wave.
The expectation they set were high. Very high. 200,000+ QSO expected. They achieved far less than that. Conditions for the operators was rough. They had issues getting supplies and equipment onto the island.
From what I heard/read, those going onto the island had to get in the water and swim themselves onto the island as the boat carrying them couldn't get close for some reason. They ran out of fuel to power the generators a few times. They had tents for shelter but no tables or chairs for equipment.
In the Ham community these guys who risked everything to activate this location are taking a lot of heat. Most I don't think is justified but there does seems to be some gaps in their planning.
They supposedly had someone filming the whole experience so we'll be able to see in time what these guys went through to try and pull this off. While I wasn't able to put them in my log, I applaud them for their effort. The "3Y0J - The Bouvet island DXpedition" Facebook page is here
73.
Hope you took a dosimeter ;)