Category - Blog

Just to make it 100% clear! The QSL Policy below is the same for ALL call signs managed by M0URX. 
It does NOT matter if you make 1 or 25 QSOs with VK9MT the cost is the same as below.

DIRECT & BUREAU QSL INFORMATION:

Please direct your QSL requests Via M0URX with the following route options:

 ONLINE QSL REQUEST: OQRS

Direct QSL by OQRS: (payment via PayPal) is GB£2 (http://m0urx.com/oqrs/ )
(We pay 30p PayPal charge on every transaction)

Bureau QSL by OQRS: (http://m0urx.com/oqrs/ )
If you require a QSL via the bureau please use OQRS to provide your QSO details and request a QSL to be sent via the bureau. There is no charge and this will be the fastest way to receive a bureau card. Please remember we do not require YOUR QSL card Via the Bureau. QSL Via M0URX”  Via Bureau only for those who do not have access to the Internet.

Please also include a Self Addressed Envelope 114mm x 162mm .
NO Euro coins please !!!NO postage stamps accepted.
Due to many SASE being under paid, will be sent Via Bureau

Any person donating US$50 or more to VK9MT, will have the QSL automatically sent for all QSOs, free of charge. These donors do not need to request QSL cards or take any action to redeem the QSL. M0URX will post these cards to all $50 donors as soon as the cards are ready.

LOTW (LOGBOOK OF THE WORLD)

LoTW upload will be done at the earliest opportunity

April 5th

Due to the ever worsening weather associated with an impending tropical storm, the team decided in the interest of safety to end the operation early.

The last night on the island was extremely difficult. With continued heavy rain and wind, radio operations were nearly impossible. We have set sail for the Australian coast and seek a course to keep ahead of the storm that caused us to leave the reef. Expect 2.5 – 3 days of sailing prior to reaching our port destination.

While the team is disappointed, we realize that you are even more disappointed.

We gave one elderly ZS amateur his last one for Top of the Honor Roll, a PP1 his Honor Roll position and many all time new ones. Based on the logs there were many band fills.

We would like to acknowledge the generosity of the clubs, foundations, individual donors and our corporate sponsors. And a special thanks to Steve Kafka and the Evohe crew for their endless runs to the island, help with every logistical task during the trip, and the strong backs of his young crew doing the heavy lifting.

73, Team Mellish Reef 2014

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____________________________________________________________________________________

April 4th 2130 local
1. The winds continue to be very strong. 

2. We experienced antenna damage and are reassessing the antenna situation, we have alternatives. 

3. We are running 4 stations tonight due to antenna damage. 

4. The generators and radios are doing well. 

5. The KPA-500 Power Amplifiers are doing well. 

6. The operating tents are holding up well, but the break tent is damaged. 

7. We are on a different operating plan, with frequent breaks because of  the weather. You will hear us QRX for up to an hour, then return. 

8. We are receiving requests for specific geographic / band operation. Under the circumstances these will be almost impossible to fulfill. 

9. The skipper will assess the weather situation throughout the night and decide if it’s safe to remain at Mellish Reef. 

10. At the moment we’re on the island and operating.

 Team Mellish 2014

 April 4

The wind continues to blow very hard. 

We will remain on the island for at least 18 more hours. 

The skipper is watching the weather maps throughout today and into the night. 

He’ll reassess the situation tomorrow morning and make a decision. 

The tents are holding up well, but with the wind noise and flapping of the tent walls is quite noisy we’re having some difficulty with the noise. 

The antennas continue to play well, however they are somewhat bent over by the high winds and need continual maintenance. 

The team is holding up very well, other than one cut finger, no other
injuries. 

We’re working on the logs and will send an update shortly after this
bulletin goes out. 

We’re making about 7,000 Qs a day, propagation drops out several times a day. The productive bands are the usual HF frequencies. 

The Pilot reports are coming in on a regular basis and we review at each shift change. 

Team Mellish 2014

__________________________________________________________________

April 3, 1535 (local) Update 2

The weather continues to change. Last night there were torrential downpours and high winds. 

The antennas survived with no damage, the break tent took on some water through an open window. The operating tents maintained their integrity and no equipment was damaged. Today it has been hot and humid, with high winds. 

We removed non essential equipment and several antennas, including the 160 antenna, from the island. Tonight we will try to keep at least 3 stations on the air. Tomorrow morning we will remove all remaining equipment from the island and head towards Australia. 

We do not yet have a destination identified, it will depend on the winds and sea conditions. Eventually, we will return to Mackay. 

Even if the storm subsides it is unlikely we will have enough time to return to the island. 

Team Mellish Reef 2014

____________________________________________________________________________________________

For immediate release: Update 1

The skipper is monitoring a tropical depression several days north of Mellish Reef. This severe weather has the potential to disrupt operations. We have at least 24 hours before any decision is made on how to proceed, we have plans to deal with the situation.

At 0700, April 3rd (local) we plan the following:

1. All unnecessary equipment will be removed from the island, leaving just the operating tents, radio equipment, generators and antennas.

2. Depending on the intensity of the weather we may be forced to terminate the operation early. Another alternative is to temporarily leave the island and return when safe.

3. Any decision to modify or terminate the operation is at least 24 hours away. The safety of the DX-pedition team and the crew is the first priority.

4. To better use the time on the island we ask that band fills be suspended and only people that need Mellish Reef for and All Time New One call us.

5. For at least the next 24 hours we will focus our attention to those bands that drive highest rates to maximize ATNOs.

As news develops we will send out additional information. The only source for VK9MT Mellish Reef information will be these bulletins

Team Mellish 2014

1. We know of the recent earthquake in Chile. The boat has an on-board tsunami alert system that tracks our position against the event. The skipper informs us that we are not in any danger whatsoever. However, he did say if we see him running, we would best be right behind him.

2. We’ve had some e-mail server problems but they now seem to be resolved, we are sending and receiving e-mail. The logs were sent to our
QSL manager. If you get duplicate e-mails please delete as necessary. I don’t have the time to fix the distribution lists.

3. The team is now well into a daily operating routine, which, weather permitting, we will follow for the rest of the expedition.

4. The equipment continues to work well. We are aware there was a CW keying issue with one of the stations, this should now be resolved.

5. The 160 antenna is installed and should get a workout tonight.

6. The pile-ups continue to be energetic and fun. We’re getting good cooperation from the DX community, although at times things can get chaotic when the pile-up attempts to control the operator. We know our call sign, please don’t repeat it to us.

7. We want you in the log, so please follow the op’s instructions.

Team Mellish 2014 

1. After 2 full days of setting up equipment – 5 stations opened for business at 2:40PM local time, March 30th.

2. The boat is at anchor 500 meters from the reef.

3. Because of the coral heads that surround the island we can only transit to Mellish Reef during daylight hours, 5:30AM first trip and last trip of the day at 5:30PM.

4. Teams will alternate operating through the night.

5. We opened on 10, 15, 20 on CW and 12, 20 on SSB, working energetic but courteous pileups from Japan, Korea, Europe, South Africa, and the USA.

6. The temperature is in the 30s(C) during the day, with continuous 20 – 30 knot winds that required us to reset the tents and guys first thing this morning. There are no trees on the reef, no shade.

7. No antennas were damaged during the high winds.

8. Only the 160 meter antenna and low band receive antenna remain to be installed.

9. The team is in good spirits and happy to finally be on the air.

10. There are many sea birds nesting on the reef, they don’t seem to be bothered by our presence. We are not bothered by any other local wildlife.

11. As with their other DX-peditions, the crew of Evohe is very helpful, bringing over all the equipment, doing all the heavy lifting, and keeping the team well fed.

12. We do have a problem with the computer used for the satellite terminal, we’re working on a solution. We will start log uploads as soon as possible.

We are NOT monitoring personal e-mail accounts.

Next update in a few days.

Ed: Logging issues should be directed to M0URX. Please do not email pilots with logging issues. Either work the slot again or ask Tim, M0URX to check log. 

Some Outgoing Bureau feedback. OE7PGI, Philipp, reports receiving PJ4DX, OY1OF & EA6/G4MKP QSL cards already. Requested on 25 January 2014 using OQRS. Posted to the Austrian Bureau on 3rd February. Excellent service. 

Remember all Bureau cards are posted DIRECTLY to World Bureaus every 3 or 4 months, posted using Air Mail service for fast shipment. So by using my OQRS you can receive your Bureau cards quickly.

Thank you Philipp for the feedback! Bureau does not have to be slow!

It is very important to remember that if you need a QSL sent through Bureau please always use OQRS http://m0urx.com/oqrs/ 

If you send a QSL via Bureau you MUST write  “QSL Via M0URX” and highlighted, in larger text than the DX station P3J for example.

Writing the QSL Via on the QSL card, does NOT always mean that the QSL will be routed as you intended.
A good reason to use OQRS instead.

Remember for most DXpeditions or contest stations and many DX, your QSL will NOT be needed. It is very important to save Bureau costs and use OQRS ONLY.