VK9GMW NEWS UPDATE

Apr 07, 2300 UTC, Mellish Reef. Tomi's laptop that went into the water was also our logging computer. Fortunately, we took a back-up just minutes before, so no QSO data was lost. Getting WriteLog working on an other computer (which had it already installed), was a time consuming and frustrating experience, mainly because the other computer had no serial port and we used a USB-to-Serial Converter. Between WriteLog and the converter - both being imperfect products - we just could not get the rig interface working, had the software crash regularly, and so on... In any case, we got a minimum configuration working and we are up and running, although operation has become more 'labor intensive'. (By the way, if you have heard me (AA7JV) messing up the VK9GMW call-sign repeatedly, this is because I was licensed as VK2GQB for many years and each time I send the G in the VK9GMW call my hand automatically wants to send a Q after the G. This is not an excuse, just an explanation. SRI about the poor form.) The pile-ups continue to be dense, although we are sensing some easing on 160 and 80, but that could be just the conditions.
Low Band Report. 160 meters continues to surprise. Last night the surprise was to the upside with a very quiet band and excellent signals from NA. The first thing we noticed was that the generator noise was back on the beverage. We quickly realized that the earlier filtering never got rid of it completely, we just could not hear the residual noise because of the high ambient noise. In any case it was not problematic. Signals from NA, although not numerous, were clear and steady, and when not on top of each other, easy to copy. As usual, the band died by 1230. Unfortunately, when we came back on 160 around 1930 for EU, conditions were extremely poor: we only managed 6 QSO-s in two hours! Signals were extremely weak and far in between. 80 meters was excellent when we QSY from 160 at 1230. Signals from NA (and JA) were very strong and easy to copy. N7DF/QRP was a solid 569 with 2 watts. Amazing! When we QSY-d to 80 the second time at 2030, signals from EU were nowhere near as good, but still workable (unlike 160). During the next few days, we will QSY to 80 earlier (at 1130 for NA and at 1930 for EU), unless conditions on 160 remain very good.
Weather and Return: It appears that a suitable break in the weather is likely next week from Tuesday to Wednesday. Accordingly, we are very likely to remain on Mellish Reef until Apr 12. Please check this site regularly because that date is tentative at this point.