Norman, 5B4AIF will be active from Tautu Village, Aitutaki island OC-083 between December 10, 2012 to January 5, 2013.

 

We will set off from Cyprus on the 7th of December land in Manchester and stay over night, fly down to Heathrow then stay for the day we fly out to LA quick change over then to Raratonga where we collect the Licence board another plane to Aitutaki putup antennas and CQ.

 

The dxpedition will start from 10th December 2012 until the 5th January 2013.

 

I will be travelling with my family for our Xmas holidays.

 

The Hams will operate from one of the Lodges which will be used as a dedicated ham shack.

 

An IC-7000 when not in use will be in beacon mode on 6m sending E51E/B BH01CC SMS (to be arranged) please sms if heard or spot on cluster and I will operate on 6m when band is open

 

I have purchased Gary ZL2IFB's old A3S for 10/15/20m it has arrived on the Island ready to be put up.

 

HF2V for 40/80m has arrived on site ready for installation

 

An Inverted V will be used for 30m and other bands not cover by A3S or 2 element Quad.

 

The second radio will be a IC-7000, the amp will have the full legal power of 400 watts.

 

I will operate SSB and RTTY to start.

 

I am learning CW so if I am feeling able I will do some slow morse but if noone sends slowly I will use another mode.

 

Our Very Generous Sponsors

 

InnovAntennas (www.innovantennas.com) suppliers of LFA Yagis, Power Splitters, Masthead Preamps, Coax, Rotators, Filters and more have supplied the 6 metre 5 element LFA to get us on the band. Thanks Justin

 

The 6 metre antenna landed on the island today 1st Nov 2012.

 

"Vine antennas (www.vinecom.co.uk) , prime suppliers of amplifiers and antennas kindly donated a fan kit for our ACOM 1000 so it will be better able to cope with the heat and humidity at our expedition location" Thanks Ron

 

The fan was fitted and all working today 1st Nov 2012.

 

 

Aitutaki is an "almost atoll". It has a maximum elevation of approximately 123 metres with the hill known as Maunga Pu close to its northernmost point. The land area of the atoll is 18.05 km², of which the main island occupies 16.8 km². The Ootu Peninsula, protruding east from the main island in a southerly direction along the eastern rim of the reef, takes up 1.75 km² out of these 16.8 km² for the main island. For the lagoon, area figures between 50 and 74 km² are found. Satellite image measurement suggests that the larger figure also includes the reef flat, which is commonly not considered part of a lagoon.

The barrier reef that forms the basis of Aitutaki is roughly the shape of an equilateral triangle with sides 12 kilometres in length. The southern edge of the triangle is almost totally below the surface of the ocean, and the eastern side is composed of a string of small islands (including Mangere, Akaiami, and Tekopua).

The western side of the atoll contains many of Aitutaki's important features including a boat passage through the barrier reef allowing for anchorage close to shore at Arutanga. Towards the south of the side is a small break in the barrier reef, allowing access for small boats to the lagoon which covers most of the southern part of the triangle. Further to the north is the bulk of the main island. Its fertile volcanic soil provide tropical fruits and vegetables. Two of Aitutaki's 15 islets (motus) are also volcanic. The rest are made of coral.

Aitutaki Airport is located close to the triangle's northern point. There is an area suitable to land flying boats in the southeastern part of the lagoon.

 

See you from E51E , 73