View Full Version : VU7LD Dxpedition
KB3LIX
12-19-2006, 07:05 AM
Enough R&O crappola.
Has anyone here in North America heard or better still worked the VU7LD Dxpedition ?
I know the recent magnetic storms have made a shambles of HF operation for several days, but before the storms hit, did any US stations work them.
Before the storms, I got up before dawn several mornings to listen at morning grey line, then listened throughout the day, then at local dusk grey line, and I haven't heard a peep from them.
More importantly, I haven't heard any North American stations even trying to work them.
Seems like the only time I see them spotted on DX Summit are in the middle of the night (US time) and then only spotted on 15 & 20 meters. Of course, that the wrong time to try to work them on 15 & 20 meters.
Nothing on 40 or 80.
Anyone had any luck http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
cu2jt
12-19-2006, 09:10 AM
I heard them on 20 and 40m but that's my worst direction with a 2000ft hill very close and in that bearing. The first one noted was the hoopla around 4-6 KHz above their frequency plus the circus on their frequency.
I did add to the bedlam from time to time just for the record and never expected to get a report back. I did'nt either.
KB3LIX
12-19-2006, 01:15 PM
One note,
Something occured to me overnight that II had forgotten. Very early on in their operation, something like the first day or two, I did hear US stations trying to work them one morning. But it was an odd situation at the time.
Mostly I heard cursing, name calling etc, as it seems they decided to operate on 14.300, the Maritime Mobile Services net frequency.
I don't know if the name calling was by the DX hounds trying to work the DXpedition and the net was in the way, or others trying to have their net and the DXpedition was in the way.
That was the last morning I have heard anything of them.
(I never did hear the island, just the conflict of others fighting over 14.300)
WA3KYY
12-19-2006, 03:09 PM
Yes NA has worked them on numerous bands. 80M was the best so far but try 20M between 1200-1600Z first long path then short path. Keep an eye on the MUF to their location. At one point they had CW SSB and RTTY stations on 20M simultaneously. It is usally best to find them before they hit the DX cluster.
Still trying but hopeful,
Mike WA3KYY
I've listened for them repeatedly and have yet to hear a peep out of them - with the really short days in the higher latitudes, it's making it next to impossible to work them at this time of year.
it was reported last night that some of the VU7LD stations were pirates. If you worked them, you might not get a card.
Quote[/b] (KB3LIX @ Dec. 19 2006,00:05)]Enough R&O crappola.
Has anyone here in North America heard or better still worked the VU7LD Dxpedition ?
I know the recent magnetic storms have made a shambles of HF operation for several days, but before the storms hit, did any US stations work them.
Before the storms, I got up before dawn several mornings to listen at morning grey line, then listened throughout the day, then at local dusk grey line, and I haven't heard a peep from them.
More importantly, I haven't heard any North American stations even trying to work them.
Seems like the only time I see them spotted on DX Summit are in the middle of the night (US time) and then only spotted on 15 & 20 meters. Of course, that the wrong time to try to work them on 15 & 20 meters.
Nothing on 40 or 80.
Anyone had any luck http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
They were working East Coast over the weekend, but nothing down my way or in the Midwest...
Haven't heard them on yet...they usually don't put forth a big show, and not sure how many ops are even there. Will be hard pressed to hear them from this lattitude/longitude....I heard mostly East coast and Upper Northern stations hearing them.
Hopefully, that may change in the next few days.
Nothing heard here in the Pac NW that I know off. My buddy is up in Sequim with relatively big stuff (including 2 ele on 30 and 2 on 40) on the tower and first class gear on the desk along with an excellent shot in that direction, (he overlooks the Straits and you can see Victoria BC, an unbelievable view) all the desire and time to dedicate to working it, and he has heard nothing. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif
KB3LIX
12-20-2006, 05:05 AM
Looks like a bunch more early mornings in the near future.
A search of DX summit, and there appears to be a boat load of spots, surprizingly few are from US operators.
Quite a few of the US spots are reports of "Nothing heard here"
Worked em on 20 cw and phone...
Haven't had one chance to hear them on yet. Come on when we are well on our way to work and never on at night...perhaps next time...
KB3LIX
12-21-2006, 08:14 PM
Finally heard them early this morning on 14.248, so I guess it's not a myth. They were so weak, that I had no chance of working them, but that's OK, at least I can say I HEARD them.
The last group to Amdaman/Nicobar islands, earlier this year, I never ever heard. So, this is a step in the right direction.
Morning grey line seems to be the right time.
Got another 9 days or so with this group, then the second group will become active for something like 15 days.
Persistance may pay off yet !
KE4YD
12-21-2006, 11:54 PM
Have worked them on 20 meter SSB CW and RTTY also on 17 meter SSB. 20 meters is best at my qth (northern middle Tennessee) long path until 14:00utc, after that propagation shifts to short path. On 17 meters short path seems to be the best way to be the best path. I have not been able to hear them on 40 or 80.
Good luck,
David KE4YD
vu2vku
12-22-2006, 09:05 PM
Folks,
Look for around 2130UTC and over for the 40m opening.
I see from the logs that the location running the vertical on
the beach has logged several W land, Puerto rico and South
American stations in a row on 40m SSB around this time. Predominantly W land
stations in the listing. Listen around 7060 to 7080. Of course,
for the W land Tx frequency, the segment of the band from
7.100 to 7.300 is ridden with the BC QRM in that part of the world
and finding a clean spot is/was a challenge.
-krish
vu2vku
w4vku
(member vu7ld team)
KB3LIX
12-22-2006, 11:56 PM
Krish,
Thank you for the information, and good luck to the VU7LD team. I sure hope to log you.
vu2vku
12-25-2006, 04:14 AM
People,
Please take note.
Seymour, w6ccp has been monitoring and helping
vu7ld/vu2nks, Nandu to log the weak ones on the west
coast on 20m.Please make use of the support.
I spoke to Nandu and i hear that there are not many
takers. VU7LD will go QRT on 27 Dec 2006,
after 3:00UtC(which will be around 8:30am out there).
Nandu will also be focusing on 40m until the 27th.
Good luck
-Krish
w4vku
vu2vku
Tried to, but the intentional QRMing from the lids (i.e. W4AXS et al) on 14.275 that moved to just below the 14.260 made it impossible to hear. #Then they came on top of the operator and jammed some more. Glad I don't need it for a new one, but would have been nice to work an op that had discipline with the pile up and worked the call areas/QSX properly.
CW would have been better, but oh well. This is what you encounter when DXpeditions don't listen in their QSX and cause a rhubarb on the air like this.
GL to all that need it.
ab8ma
12-26-2006, 03:35 PM
Yup. 14.275 took over the dx frequency. First time I heard vu7 and the split from the 260 iota frequency stirred the hornets nest. Now 14.260 sounds like 14.313 of old.
Yep. I will be glad when the Feds rake the jerks from 275 over the coals and pull their tickets. This is nothing new.
The VU7 should have been down the band and sticking with his call area routine and not jump around. Discipline went right out the window when he started doing that nonsense.
ab8ma
12-26-2006, 03:42 PM
Agreed. This might be a good time to "listen down".
Now the band has dropped out for me, either that or VU7 qsy'd.
Hi Bob
The VU& op leaves much to be desired, as have others that have "expeditioned" from there. #I am not about to run 2KW to work them as they aren't that rare and I don't need it. #However, their operating style leaves much to be desired. They announce "listening for zeroes" , work one and then east coast again. #They don't maintain any discipline within thier own camp.
The VU7 needs to have better pile up management or this kind of nonsense will continue. The one day I had a chance to listen and hear them, and this is what transpires. Think I will go down to CW and leave the lids on SSB. Nothing is worth this.
I would never attempt to work an expedition above 250 and not the way they were doing it.
It's no wonder the lids and jerks come out of the woodwork. #They need to stick around 195, listing 200-210 at best and by call areas if that is the only way they can operate. #Telling everyone to listen on 265 is ridiculous. #
Now the frequency is clear because the lids off 275 ran everything off and now no one will hear them due to propagation.
I just hope the Feds nail those lids that use to be on 313 that have now moved to 275 to continue their tirade of nonsense.
CU and GL.
ab8ma
12-26-2006, 04:03 PM
Thanks Chris. I have one VU (not VU7) under my belt. I have a rule that if my blood pressure starts to rise, I leave the pileup. I am satisfied with my dxcc count, and not in any rush to build on it. Plus, I just run barefoot (Don't own an amp) into a simple 66 foot wire windom up about 60 feet in the city trees.
I also thought 14.195 might be a nice location for them to qsy to, but I saw it was in use.
It is interesting to note all the comments on this DXpedition on the cluster over the past month.
Yes, have noticed the frustration with many ops having to deal with the inefficient operation. #It is always noteworthy to see the comments from those that have worked it and state "great operator"...hi.
I noted one lid said "easy to criticize". Yeah, that is true but constructive criticism should always be viewed with some consideration. Of course, if this lid runs 2KW, then working anything is kinda moot. I know this guy and he is a hoot.
In any event, good luck. #Will see if I bother to hear them over the next few days.
Quote[/b] (W0LC @ Dec. 26 2006,10:37)]Yep. I will be glad when the Feds rake the jerks from 275 over the coals and pull their tickets.
The feds have no jurisdiction in Canada.
It will be about as effective as pi**ing up a rope.
KB3LIX
12-26-2006, 09:41 PM
I have more-or-less given up over the last few days trying to hear/work the DXpedition. Seems like it is very un-organized and not being very sucessful.
Maybe the next group going around January 15 will have their $$$$ together and be workable. I would have liked to get this group, but stuff happens.
Isn't like I'm going to croak if I can't reach either group. (Well, I hope not at least)
on edit: and I think LC was referring to the US operators that are QRMers just like that Crazy Canuck.
Sometines it's difficult to determine who is worse on .275, the A-K-W-N's or the VE7.
ab8ma
12-26-2006, 09:59 PM
Good point. Unless VE7KFM has found a way to qrm himself.
Quote[/b] (KB3LIX @ Dec. 26 2006,14:41)]I have more-or-less given up over the last few days trying to hear/work the DXpedition. Seems like it is very un-organized and not being very sucessful.
Maybe the next group going around January 15 will have their $$$$ together and be workable. I would have liked to get this group, but stuff happens.
Isn't like I'm going to croak if I can't reach either group. (Well, I hope not at least)
on edit: and I think LC was referring to the US operators that are QRMers just like that Crazy Canuck.
Sometines it's difficult to determine who is worse on .275, the A-K-W-N's or the VE7.
I hate to see anyone act like an ass on the air for everyone to hear. #That stuff on 275 has been on going from what I hear for some time.
I also don't support the way the dxpedition op is working or attempting to work the pile up either. #Then again, as they say, I am not there, but that doesn't mean they should forego good pile up management, which seems evident.
If I am not mistaken, this VU7 operation is the same as Laccadives, probably the Indian name for the location. Not sure, but not a new one.
Oh well. #Perhaps the next group will have better success. I just hate the hear the bands like this every time an expedition shows up.
NO show 27 Dec on 20 meters for stateside. Suppose the nonsense and lid ops ran them off from working 20 ssb for a while.
VU7LID operation QRT as of 27 Dec. FYI
ab8ma
12-28-2006, 08:29 PM
I see that the VU7RG plan (January 2007) avoids the 14.275 frequency.
14000 - 14350
14000 - 14015 CW
14030 - 14045 CW
14015 - 14030 CW
14070 - 14085 DIGI
-
14085 - 14100 DIGI
14200 - 14230 SSB
14235 - 14265 SSB
14150 - 14180 SSB
14230 SSTV
-
14233 SSTV
14313 - 14331 SSB
14331 - 14350 SSB
14295 - 14313 SSB
KB3LIX
12-28-2006, 09:08 PM
Seems to be an intelligent decision to me.
ab8ma
12-28-2006, 09:49 PM
The major difference between VU7LD and the upcoming VU7RG expeditions seems to be the fact that the operators for RG are experienced DXpedition members. I believe N2OO is part of the group. It is more international in make-up than the current (or just concluded) effort which was mostly VU operators.
VU7RG (http://www.vu7.in/)
Noticeable all 20 meter operation? Or, just the listing of the 20 meter operating plan?
ab8ma
12-29-2006, 04:36 PM
Quote[/b] (W0LC @ Dec. 29 2006,02:16)]Noticeable all 20 meter operation? Or, just the listing of the 20 meter operating plan?
I just pasted the 20 meter operation. I also thought I read somewhere that they have permission to operate 30 meter, and will give that band priority.