HL2/LY3UM from PM37
Hi friends, I’ll be in the Republic of Korea from October 7 to 13, where I have a valid three-month temporary license. The ARRL EME 1296 contest will be taking place during this period.
We’ll be operating on 23 cm during the contest (and perhaps making a few QSOs for testing beforehand).
I’m also bringing a 13 cm kit, though I hesitate to announce that band—something always seems to go wrong there… but I’ll give it a try.
After a long flight, I landed in Seoul. Korea greeted me with clouds and rain. While still on the plane, I checked the weather forecast and realized my first problem was already waiting for me. Wednesday looked sunny, but after that — rain and thunderstorms until my departure.
My old tent has torn over the course of 30 expeditions, and I couldn’t quickly find a proper replacement, so I bought what I could — a small sunshade. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to close the front.
The good news is that there’s a small clearing right behind the house, very close to the window, so I might be able to keep the amplifier and RF module from the Icom-905 inside. The downside is that I’ll be limited to an azimuth of about 270° and an elevation of only 30°. Still, that should give me about an hour and a half window toward the westernmost stations (G, GW, EA8), which should be enough. The US East Coast is visible at my sunrise, too.
Another potential issue: it turns out the house I rented is located in the demilitarized zone between the two Koreas, and access requires passing through a military checkpoint. The border fence and guard post are only about 300–400 meters away. Although my license lists this address, questions could still arise. I plan to set up in the evening, under cover of darkness, and take down the antenna in the morning to avoid unwanted attention.
My main concern, of course, is the heavy cloud cover and the fact that I won’t be able to visually align the azimuth — I can already tell I’ll be missing the Moon.
I’m setting up now and hoping to be QRV in time for my MR.
++++++++++++ update 8 oct. 2025 09.00 UTC
The antenna is assembled and tested — seems like I haven’t forgotten anything 😄
There are some minor interferences, probably from a motion sensor, which isn’t too surprising considering the border with Kim is only about 300–400 meters away.
But overall, it’s tolerable — hopefully the NB will handle it.
Since there’s no rain at the moment, I’ve aligned it with the Moon, and in about half an hour I’ll start calling CQ.
I didn’t tune to the Sun because I didn’t want to set up my antenna during the day — I didn’t want to attract attention from the border guards or the locals, especially since I was so close to the border with some rather uneasy neighbors. I only unfolded my “umbrella” once it got dark.
The Moon was hidden behind the clouds. I tried calling CQ — no one saw me. I turned 5 degrees left, then 5 degrees right — still nothing. Turned another 5 degrees, and bingo! I hit the Moon!
My first QSO was with Bill, KB2SA, who logged me using his small 1-meter dish. About an hour later, the Moon briefly appeared from behind the clouds, and I was able to visually fine-tune the azimuth about 3 degrees further to the right. After that, I managed to work everyone who was calling.
2025-10-08,10:36:00,2025-10-08,10:40:00,KB2SA,DM13,1296.100999,Q65,-25,-25,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,10:44:00,2025-10-08,10:46:02,AC2AC,EL96,1296.100999,Q65,-22,-23,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,10:44:00,2025-10-08,10:48:00,JA6AHB,PM53,1296.100999,Q65,-20,-17,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,10:55:00,2025-10-08,10:59:57,W5LUA,EM13,1296.100999,Q65,-13,-16,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,10:58:00,2025-10-08,11:02:00,NC1I,,1296.100999,Q65,-07,-10,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,11:11:00,2025-10-08,11:36:03,NY1V,EM69,1296.100800,Q65,-26,-28,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,12:05:00,2025-10-08,12:09:56,AA6I,DM06,1296.101005,Q65,-14,-14,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,12:12:00,2025-10-08,12:16:00,JS6UJS,PL24,1296.101005,Q65,-18,-13,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,12:29:00,2025-10-08,12:33:56,BA7NQ,OL63,1296.101005,Q65,-20,-18,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,13:12:00,2025-10-08,13:16:00,K6EME,DM06,1296.101005,Q65,-19,-21,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,14:21:00,2025-10-08,14:25:57,UA9FAD,LO88,1296.101005,Q65,-20,-14,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,14:29:00,2025-10-08,14:33:56,UN6PD,MN69,1296.100967,Q65,-17,-15,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,14:39:00,2025-10-08,14:43:56,UA9YLU,MO92,1296.100967,Q65,-19,-15,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,15:46:00,2025-10-08,15:49:56,KH6FA,BK29,1296.100994,Q65,-23,-17,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,15:50:00,2025-10-08,15:54:00,UA3PTW,,1296.100994,Q65,-10,-16,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,16:05:00,2025-10-08,16:09:57,ES3RF,KO29,1296.100994,Q65,-23,-25,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,17:03:00,2025-10-08,17:08:22,RX3DR,KO85,1296.100994,Q65,-22,-21,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,17:10:00,2025-10-08,17:14:00,OK1KIR,JN79,1296.100994,Q65,-08,-14,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,17:13:00,2025-10-08,17:17:56,OK1VUM,JN79,1296.100994,Q65,-16,-20,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,17:24:00,2025-10-08,17:26:05,SA6BUN,JO78,1296.100994,Q65,-13,-14,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,17:30:00,2025-10-08,17:33:00,ON4AOI,JO21,1296.100994,Q65,-18,-16,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,17:32:00,2025-10-08,17:34:00,PA3DZL,JO21,1296.100994,Q65,-12,-18,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,17:35:00,2025-10-08,17:37:00,SM5DGX,,1296.100994,Q65,-07,-12,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,17:42:00,2025-10-08,17:44:00,DG5CST,JO60,1296.100994,Q65,-08,-15,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,17:49:00,2025-10-08,17:51:00,VK4CDI,QG63,1296.100994,Q65,-17,-18,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,17:55:00,2025-10-08,17:57:00,DK4RC,,1296.100994,Q65,-05,-09,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,17:57:00,2025-10-08,17:59:00,DL4DTU,JO60,1296.100994,Q65,-13,-17,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,18:02:00,2025-10-08,18:03:04,SP5GDM,KO02,1296.100994,Q65,-15,-23,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,18:03:00,2025-10-08,18:05:01,G0LBK,,1296.100994,Q65,-14,-17,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,18:07:00,2025-10-08,18:09:07,DF3RU,JN59,1296.100994,Q65,-14,-11,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,18:11:00,2025-10-08,18:13:00,G4CCH,,1296.100994,Q65,-11,-15,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,18:13:00,2025-10-08,18:15:00,DL7UDA,JO62,1296.100994,Q65,-14,-19,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,18:15:30,2025-10-08,18:17:59,IK5VLS,JN53,1296.100994,Q65,-20,-19,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,18:18:00,2025-10-08,18:20:00,RX6AIA,,1296.100994,Q65,-21,-20,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,18:20:00,2025-10-08,18:22:00,ZS6JON,KG33,1296.100994,Q65,-17,-15,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,18:22:00,2025-10-08,18:24:00,DL1SUZ,JO53,1296.100994,Q65,-21,-24,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,18:24:00,2025-10-08,18:26:00,ZS4TX,KG30,1296.100994,Q65,-19,-21,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,18:26:00,2025-10-08,18:28:00,IK3COJ,JN65,1296.100994,Q65,-15,-17,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,18:28:00,2025-10-08,18:30:00,PA3FXB,JO33,1296.100994,Q65,-17,-21,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,18:30:00,2025-10-08,18:32:00,PA3EXV,JO32,1296.100994,Q65,-16,-18,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,18:32:30,2025-10-08,18:34:59,OE9ERC,JN47,1296.100994,Q65,-09,-14,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,18:34:00,2025-10-08,18:36:00,PA0PLY,JO32,1296.100994,Q65,-19,-22,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,18:38:00,2025-10-08,18:40:00,DG0FE,,1296.100994,Q65,-21,-20,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,18:43:30,2025-10-08,18:45:59,GM0PJD,IO85,1296.100994,Q65,-18,-25,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,18:45:00,2025-10-08,18:47:00,PA0BAT,,1296.100994,Q65,-19,-20,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,18:47:00,2025-10-08,18:49:00,DL8FBD,JO40,1296.100994,Q65,-20,-23,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,18:50:00,2025-10-08,18:52:00,DK3WG,JO72,1296.100994,Q65,-27,-25,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,18:52:00,2025-10-08,18:54:00,DL3EBJ,,1296.100994,Q65,-17,-20,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,18:54:00,2025-10-08,18:56:00,OK1DFC,,1296.100994,Q65,-12,-05,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,18:58:00,2025-10-08,19:00:00,DK5AI,JO51,1296.100994,Q65,-21,-22,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,19:01:30,2025-10-08,19:03:59,I2FAK,JN45,1296.100994,Q65,-17,-20,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,19:04:00,2025-10-08,19:06:00,DF2VJ,JN39,1296.100994,Q65,-18,-23,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,19:06:00,2025-10-08,19:08:00,PE1L,,1296.100994,Q65,-16,-21,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,19:13:30,2025-10-08,19:14:31,UA1ALD,KO49,1296.100994,Q65,-23,-24,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,19:16:30,2025-10-08,19:18:59,PA0TBR,JO21,1296.100994,Q65,-15,-21,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,19:29:00,2025-10-08,19:33:56,IZ8GGF,JN70,1296.100994,Q65,-18,-22,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,19:36:00,2025-10-08,19:40:00,IQ2DB,JN45,1296.100994,Q65,-16,-25,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,19:41:00,2025-10-08,19:45:56,OK2AQ,JN89,1296.100994,Q65,-26,-24,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,19:44:00,2025-10-08,19:48:03,SP7EXY,,1296.100994,Q65,-14,-17,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,19:48:00,2025-10-08,19:52:00,OM4XA,,1296.100994,Q65,-22,-24,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,19:52:00,2025-10-08,19:56:00,CT1WO,IM58,1296.100994,Q65,-21,-23,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,19:57:00,2025-10-08,20:01:56,PE1LWT,JO22,1296.100994,Q65,-19,-21,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,20:03:00,2025-10-08,20:07:56,F5KUG,JN03,1296.100994,Q65,-15,-19,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,20:12:00,2025-10-08,20:16:00,EA8DBM,IL18OH,1296.100994,Q65,-17,-24,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,20:17:00,2025-10-08,20:21:56,LA3EQ,JO28,1296.100994,Q65,-29,-22,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,20:23:00,2025-10-08,20:27:57,9H1BN,JM75,1296.100994,Q65,-32,-21,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,20:27:00,2025-10-08,20:31:57,PH0V,JO22,1296.100994,Q65,-22,-21,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,20:39:00,2025-10-08,20:43:56,DJ2DY,JN39,1296.100994,Q65,-23,-22,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,20:57:00,2025-10-08,20:58:15,DL8YHR,,1296.100994,Q65,-23,-20,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,21:17:00,2025-10-08,21:20:00,ON5GS,JO21,1296.100994,Q65,-25,-15,,,,,,,
2025-10-08,21:22:00,2025-10-08,21:26:03,SV3AAF,,1296.100994,Q65,-14,-20,,,,,,,
71 QSO
+++++++++
As the weather forecast had promised, a steady drizzle set in after lunch, accompanied by some strong gusts of wind. Around my MR, the wind picked up so much that I was afraid to open the antenna. A couple of hours later, the gusts eased a bit, and I managed to make a few QSOs before the Moon set over the U.S. West Coast.
The rain kept getting heavier, so I hesitated to switch the feed to 13 cm, worrying about water getting into the connectors and the LNA.
Eventually, I found a brief break in the weather and quickly made the adjustment — but alas, I still couldn’t lock onto the Moon. After about 30 minutes of trying, I switched back to 23 cm, ending the session with a total of 15 QSOs.
2025-10-09,13:27:00,2025-10-09,13:31:56,K6FOD,DM04,1296.100994,Q65,-22,-23,,,,,,,
2025-10-09,15:25:00,2025-10-09,15:29:56,VE6TA,DO33,1296.100994,Q65,-25,-19,,,,,,,
2025-10-09,17:34:00,2025-10-09,17:36:03,OK2DL,JN79,1296.100994,Q65,-08,-15,,,,,,,
2025-10-09,17:36:00,2025-10-09,17:40:00,OH2DG,,1296.100994,Q65,-15,-21,,,,,,,
2025-10-09,17:42:00,2025-10-09,17:46:00,YL2GD,,1296.100994,Q65,-16,-19,,,,,,,
2025-10-09,17:46:00,2025-10-09,17:50:00,RA4HL,,1296.100994,Q65,-11,-17,,,,,,,
2025-10-09,17:52:00,2025-10-09,17:56:00,OH3LWP,KP11,1296.100994,Q65,-21,-26,,,,,,,
2025-10-09,18:20:00,2025-10-09,18:24:00,HB9Q,JN47,1296.100994,Q65,-04,-18,,,,,,,
2025-10-09,20:57:00,2025-10-09,21:01:57,SM6CKU,JO67,1296.100994,Q65,-18,-10,,,,,,,
2025-10-09,21:06:00,2025-10-09,21:10:03,ZS5Y,KF59,1296.100994,Q65,-26,-15,,,,,,,
2025-10-09,21:13:00,2025-10-09,21:17:56,GM0PJD,IO85,1296.100994,Q65,-23,-20,,,,,,,
2025-10-09,21:16:00,2025-10-09,21:20:00,OK1USW,,1296.100994,Q65,-17,-19,,,,,,,
2025-10-09,21:37:00,2025-10-09,21:41:56,CT1FFU,IM59,1296.100994,Q65,-20,-20,,,,,,,
2025-10-09,21:56:00,2025-10-09,22:00:03,R1NW,KP71,1296.100994,Q65,-25,-18,,,,,,,
2025-10-09,22:07:00,2025-10-09,22:11:56,PA3HDG,JO31,1296.100994,Q65,-23,-22,,,,,,,
15 QSO,
Total: 86 QSO
It’s been raining nonstop for two days straight — and “nonstop” is no exaggeration!
I can’t even go outside. I was worried that the LNA and connectors might get wet, but the cling film I wrapped around the septum seems to be doing its job just fine.
During the day, while the Moon was below the horizon, I tried the 13 cm band again — but it seems the amplifier has mysteriously lost power once more, maxing out at only 50 watts. The 13 cm band also requires much more precise azimuth adjustment, and since the forecast calls for continuous rain tonight, I’ve been folding the antenna down during the day to avoid drawing attention from the military. The border and the guard tower are very close here, and I’d rather not have my trip end prematurely. So, I decided to give up on 13 cm once again — this band really feels like a curse for me. )))
I was really lucky (for the first time, actually) to be able to set up the antenna right next to my house and run the 7 m cable directly through the window. That saved me from having to pitch a small tent under the antenna, as you’ve seen in photos from previous expeditions. Otherwise, I’m afraid my activity would have been limited to the first Moon pass — and, as the saying goes, “no one’s there in time, no one’s there.”
Surprisingly, the Moonrise started quite well despite the gusty wind and heavy rain. Of course, I lost about 2 dB on receive and missed a couple of QSOs with stations I’ve worked before — I just couldn’t aim precisely at the Moon. But thanks to my modified rotator, it managed to hold azimuth reasonably well even in the stronger gusts.
2025-10-10,12:03:00,2025-10-10,12:05:19,JJ3JHP,PM75,1296.100994,Q65,-17,-18,,,,,,,
2025-10-10,12:06:00,2025-10-10,12:10:00,N5TM,EL29,1296.100797,Q65,-19,-21,,,,,,,
2025-10-10,12:11:00,2025-10-10,12:15:56,JA4LJB,PM74,1296.101000,Q65,-17,-18,,,,,,,
2025-10-10,12:21:00,2025-10-10,12:25:56,JQ3JWF,PM75,1296.101000,Q65,-17,-19,,,,,,,
2025-10-10,12:52:00,2025-10-10,12:58:00,W3TI,FN20,1296.101000,Q65,-24,-27,,,,,,,
2025-10-10,19:01:00,2025-10-10,19:05:56,OK1IL,JN69,1296.101000,Q65,-21,-26,,,,,,,
2025-10-10,19:10:00,2025-10-10,19:14:00,RW6HM,LN14,1296.101000,Q65,-19,-15,,,,,,,
2025-10-10,19:15:00,2025-10-10,19:19:56,OK1UGA,JO80,1296.101000,Q65,-15,-20,,,,,,,
2025-10-10,19:21:00,2025-10-10,19:25:56,OZ9KY,JO57,1296.101000,Q65,-23,-25,,,,,,,
2025-10-10,19:28:00,2025-10-10,19:32:04,YO2LAM,KN05,1296.101000,Q65,-14,-17,,,,,,,
2025-10-10,19:59:00,2025-10-10,20:03:56,RD4D,LO42,1296.101000,Q65,-13,-11,,,,,,,
2025-10-10,20:10:00,2025-10-10,20:12:02,RJ3DC,KO95,1296.101000,Q65,-22,-23,,,,,,,
2025-10-10,20:12:00,2025-10-10,20:16:07,OK1DFC,,1296.101000,Q65,-09,-08,,,,,,,
2025-10-10,20:20:00,2025-10-10,20:22:31,SP3YDE,JO82,1296.101000,Q65,-17,-20,,,,,,,
2025-10-10,21:20:00,2025-10-10,21:24:00,OZ5TG,JO45,1296.101000,Q65,-32,-23,,,,,,,
2025-10-10,21:47:00,2025-10-10,21:51:56,OH1LRY,KP11,1296.101000,Q65,-17,-11,,,,,,,
2025-10-10,22:20:00,2025-10-10,22:22:00,G3LTF,,1296.101000,CW,529,549,,,,,,,
2025-10-10,22:23:00,2025-10-10,22:29:00,OE9ERC,,1296.101000,CW,559,559,,,,,,,
Total : 104 init QSO
When you’re running an expedition on 23 cm and above, the question isn’t if something will break — it’s when, how badly, and whether you can fix or work around it. Something will fail or burn out. Absolutely guaranteed!
So when the 13 cm PA suddenly stopped producing power, I was actually a bit relieved — that meant everyone who could (and couldn’t) would have to work me on 23 cm instead! 😄 After all, we’re all a little superstitious.
But luck wasn’t on my side this time.
Several stations — G4YTL, PA7JB, and W2HRO — could only be on the air Saturday evening (which is Sunday morning for me). The Moon was going to be low, but at least it wasn’t raining, and I had fine-tuned the azimuth during the previous Moon pass. I only had to wait another 30–40 minutes.
I went out to the antenna to check the elevation, and suddenly the rotator came alive on its own, turning somewhere toward the east! I ran inside, looked at the controller — and everything became clear: the HH12 sensor was the culprit.
I shut everything down and went to investigate.
After three days of continuous rain, water had slowly accumulated inside the sensor’s protective housing. I’d forgotten to drill a drain hole, and the sensor ended up completely submerged. While unscrewing it and draining the water, I accidentally tore off both the power and sensor wires.
It’s repairable — but only by completely disassembling everything: removing the antenna, the rotator, and resoldering the broken leads. And I had to leave the next morning.
Realizing how hopeless it was, I threw down my tools in frustration and tried to get at least some sleep — it was already 8 a.m., and I hadn’t closed my eyes all night. But I couldn’t sleep, angry at myself for not checking everything during the day. Ten minutes later, my phone started lighting up with messages: “Alex, where are you? We’re ready!”
I apologized, explained that I was in trouble, sent a photo, and offered my sympathy to those who were waiting.
Then I told myself: Never give up — get up and try something!
I remembered roughly where the antenna had been pointed the previous two days — around 270 degrees. I asked Dave, G4YTL, to start calling me, loosened the mounting bolts, and manually rotated the antenna to the approximate direction. And — bingo! I hit the target!
A beautiful signal path appeared on the screen.
Never give up — that’s my motto.
Another 11 QSOs went into the log, 6 of them new initials. In the evening, I’ll try the same “trick” again for my MR with W2HRO.
2025-10-11,13:27:00,2025-10-11,13:29:00,JJ3JHP,PM75,1296.078000,Q65,-17,-21,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,13:32:30,2025-10-11,13:34:59,AA6I,DM06,1296.101000,Q65,-19,-20,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,13:37:30,2025-10-11,13:39:59,K0PRT,DM88,1296.101000,Q65,-09,-20,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,13:42:00,2025-10-11,13:43:29,JQ3JWF,PM75,1296.101000,Q65,-11,-17,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,13:46:00,2025-10-11,13:47:03,K3SK,FM07,1296.101000,Q65,-20,-25,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,13:46:30,2025-10-11,13:48:59,N1AV,DM43,1296.101000,Q65,-19,-19,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,13:49:30,2025-10-11,13:51:59,KN0WS,EN36,1296.101000,Q65,-21,-19,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,14:03:30,2025-10-11,14:04:31,JS6UJS,PL24,1296.101000,Q65,-21,-19,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,14:07:30,2025-10-11,14:08:32,W1FKF,FN43,1296.101000,Q65,-19,-22,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,14:10:30,2025-10-11,14:11:43,K5N,EM31,1296.101000,Q65,-19,-22,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,14:25:30,2025-10-11,14:27:59,K6EME,DM06,1296.101000,Q65,-27,-26,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,14:30:30,2025-10-11,14:33:30,VA7MM,,1296.096000,Q65,-20,-17,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,14:40:00,2025-10-11,14:42:29,W2ZQ,FN20,1296.101000,Q65,-17,-24,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,16:49:00,2025-10-11,16:51:29,BA7NQ,OL63,1296.101000,Q65,-20,-20,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,16:52:00,2025-10-11,16:54:29,KH6FA,BK29,1296.101000,Q65,-18,-19,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,17:00:00,2025-10-11,17:02:29,RD4D,LO42,1296.101000,Q65,-03,-10,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,17:03:00,2025-10-11,17:05:29,UA9FAD,LO88,1296.101000,Q65,-22,-15,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,18:41:30,2025-10-11,18:43:30,DL0SHF,,1296.101000,Q65,-10,-10,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,18:44:00,2025-10-11,18:46:29,RA4HL,LO43,1296.101000,Q65,-12,-12,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,18:47:30,2025-10-11,18:49:30,ES3RF,KO29,1296.101000,Q65,-17,-20,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,18:50:00,2025-10-11,18:52:29,YO2LAM,KN05,1296.101000,Q65,-14,-19,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,18:55:30,2025-10-11,18:56:35,OK1KKD,JO70,1296.101000,Q65,-13,-20,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,19:00:30,2025-10-11,19:01:33,RJ3DC,KO95,1296.101000,Q65,-20,-18,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,19:23:30,2025-10-11,19:25:59,DM2CFH,JO61,1296.101000,Q65,-21,-13,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,19:26:30,2025-10-11,19:28:59,VK4CDI,QG63,1296.101000,Q65,-20,-17,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,19:31:00,2025-10-11,19:33:00,OH3LWP,KP11,1296.101000,Q65,-18,-23,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,19:38:30,2025-10-11,19:40:59,UA3MRE,KO97,1296.101000,Q65,-21,-18,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,19:44:30,2025-10-11,19:46:59,OK1KIR,JN79,1296.101000,Q65,-11,-12,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,19:47:00,2025-10-11,19:49:00,OK1USW,,1296.101000,Q65,-17,-19,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,19:50:00,2025-10-11,19:52:00,OK1DFC,,1296.101000,Q65,-22,-18,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,20:05:30,2025-10-11,20:10:59,OK1KIR,JN79,1296.101000,CW,539,539,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,20:16:00,2025-10-11,20:18:00,DK4RC,,1296.101000,Q65,-07,-14,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,20:42:30,2025-10-11,20:44:59,IK5VLS,JN53,1296.101000,Q65,-21,-21,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,20:51:30,2025-10-11,20:53:59,PA0TBR,JO21,1296.101000,Q65,-26,-22,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,21:01:00,2025-10-11,21:03:00,IK2DDR,,1296.101000,Q65,-27,-19,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,21:10:30,2025-10-11,21:12:59,DL1SUZ,JO53,1296.101000,Q65,-22,-19,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,21:13:30,2025-10-11,21:15:59,SM5DGX,JO89,1296.101000,Q65,-06,-12,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,21:27:30,2025-10-11,21:29:59,SP3YDE,JO82,1296.101000,Q65,-28,-21,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,21:30:30,2025-10-11,21:32:59,DL1HUH,JO61,1296.101000,Q65,-13,-12,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,21:35:00,2025-10-11,21:36:01,R1NW,KP71,1296.101000,Q65,-22,-21,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,21:38:30,2025-10-11,21:39:50,SP3XBO,JO81,1296.101000,Q65,-19,-25,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,21:57:00,2025-10-11,22:01:56,OH1LRY,KP11,1296.101000,Q65,-14,-12,,,,,,,
2025-10-11,22:04:00,2025-10-11,22:10:00,OE3JPC,JN87,1296.101000,Q65,-24,-24,,,,,,,
2025-10-12,00:06:30,2025-10-12,00:08:59,G4YTL,IO92,1296.101000,Q65,-25,-21,,,,,,,
2025-10-12,00:09:30,2025-10-12,00:11:59,DF2VJ,JN39,1296.101000,Q65,-19,-21,,,,,,,
2025-10-12,00:13:30,2025-10-12,00:14:37,SP5GDM,KO02,1296.101000,Q65,-15,-18,,,,,,,
2025-10-12,00:16:00,2025-10-12,00:18:00,PA7JB,JO22,1296.101000,Q65,-26,-21,,,,,,,
2025-10-12,00:19:30,2025-10-12,00:21:59,DJ3JJ,JN48,1296.101000,Q65,-23,-18,,,,,,,
2025-10-12,00:23:30,2025-10-12,00:24:36,JH3AZC,PM85,1296.101000,Q65,-18,-22,,,,,,,
2025-10-12,00:27:30,2025-10-12,00:29:59,G4RFR,IO90,1296.101000,Q65,-18,-18,,,,,,,
2025-10-12,00:31:00,2025-10-12,00:33:00,PA0PLY,JO32,1296.101000,Q65,-19,-18,,,,,,,
2025-10-12,00:37:30,2025-10-12,00:39:59,PA3EXV,JO32,1296.101000,Q65,-23,-17,,,,,,,
2025-10-12,00:39:00,2025-10-12,00:41:00,ON5GS,JO21,1296.101000,Q65,-18,-13,,,,,,,
2025-10-12,00:41:00,2025-10-12,00:43:00,SP7EXY,,1296.101000,Q65,-16,-15,,,,,,,
Added 54 QSOs in the contest, including 22 new initials.
Total in the log: 125 initial QSOs.
Sensor repair failed, so I just set the elevation and aimed roughly where the Moon was rising.
Chances were slim, but it worked — 6 new QSOs, 3 of them inits in the log!
2025-10-12,13:15:00,2025-10-12,13:17:32,AC2AC,EL96,1296.101000,Q65,-21,-24,,,,,,,
2025-10-12,13:27:00,2025-10-12,13:29:10,N0AKC,EN44,1296.101000,Q65,-22,-24,,,,,,,
2025-10-12,13:32:00,2025-10-12,13:34:08,W2HRO,FN20,1296.101000,Q65,-22,-20,,,,,,,
2025-10-12,13:35:00,2025-10-12,13:39:56,W3TI,FN20,1296.101000,Q65,-25,-26,,,,,,,
2025-10-12,14:11:00,2025-10-12,14:15:56,K6EME,DM06,1296.101000,Q65,-22,-27,,,,,,,
2025-10-12,14:20:00,2025-10-12,14:22:06,KB2SA,DM13,1296.101000,Q65,-22,-23,,,,,,,
Total in the log: 165 / 127 initial QSOs.
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed and supported this trip!
Your help made this adventure possible, and I truly appreciate every bit of encouragement and generosity.
NC1I, PA3DZL, PA0BAT, OK1IL, ZS4TX, AA6I, PA7JB, PA3FXB, DF2VJ







Thanks alot Alex for keeping us posted about your adventures abroad. the fun and dedication in your stories is truly inspiring. This crazy hobby is taken to the next level by folks like you keeping microwave bands exciting! 73 tnx on5gs
Well done Alex, never give up....tnx for the QSO
ZS had a small window with moon not going higher than 30deg, keep it up.
73s
Derek ZS5Y