Preparation 2015

So a new lighthouse weekend is coming up. Pieces are falling into place.
operators this year will be SM7PXS George and SM7RRF Ronny. Chris couldnt make it this year.

Room to stay and accommodate shack is ok and the boat will take us to the island friday afternoon. Hopefully we will have time this year to put antennas up before dark.

At the moment we try do decide what antennas to use. 80m dipole is given.
Then there might be monoband verticals for 40 and 30. and hopefully a hexbeam for 20m. Might add elements for 17 and 15 too. 

Weather looks promising, not to hot.

For more info about the island http://www.garpen.se

See you on the bands during the weekend.

The multiband vertical

Here is the multiband vertical used as main antenna for EU on 20m and used on all bands from 30m and up. 8,5m random wire,  9 radials on the beach and 4:1 unun at the feedpoint.
As main antenna for DX we used the VDA shown earlier. Both antennas have been great.
Mast is the 10m fiber glass pole made for traveling from DX-wire in Germany. handles the wind without any problem.

Working 20m

Ronny SM7RRF working 20m SSB.

Operator's View

This is the view from the 80m operating position. Just finished a CW QSO with DO7LHS, Lars.

Sunrise

Sun is rising above the horizon and the VDA certainly doing its job as expepted and more.

VDA antenna in sunset

We built a VDA antenna on the beach for 20m facing north at the moment. Brought a nice pile up from JA

Activity indeed

After almost four hours the antennas are up and the stations are running on 80 40 and 20 meter bands.

We are experiencing a promising beginning of the weekend.

The picture shows a concentrated and happy SM7PXS handling a 20m SSB pile-up with callers from EU, NA, AS, and OC.