Providing the first ever 6m contacts to the United States from FH last fall is a tough act to follow! I have tried for some time to activate ZD9 on 6m EME, but was told at the end of 2022 that my berth from Capetown to Tristan da Cunha had to be re-assigned to a government contractor who had been delayed due to the previous Pandemic travel restrictions. I have been placed high on the waiting list to travel to ZD9 in September, 2024; we will see if  it works out next time. In the meantime, for 2023, I selected 3B9 as a backup 6m EME DXpedition destination.

Until recently, 3B9 also had never been contacted before on 6m from the United States, but 3B9FR is doing a great job on TEP and F2 ;-) So I will focus on activating 3B9 on 6m EME to contact stations who cannot take advantage of the ionospheric propagation to 3B9. In order to provide sufficient advance planning for stations wishing to contact me while I am in 3B9, I am providing plenty of advance notice of this DXpedition.

As you know, a good location can mean everything to the success of one of these DXpeditions. Ideally, the site must be quiet, provide enough open space to erect and operate the large antenna and - especially from a location as distant from potential contacts as 3B9 - must provide a good view of the moon rising and setting out over the ocean. I searched for months for a suitable QTH in 3B9, and think I finally found one that will provide capability for good EME and terrestrial success. The location on Rodrigues is shown on the Google Earth map above. The other maps show where in the world this remote place is located.  I hope you will make the effort to look for me!

LOGISTICS

I will be leaving home early on August 23 and plan to finally arrive in Rodrigues in the middle of the day on Sunday, August 27.  I plan to tear down and pack on Thursday September 7 and depart for home on September 8.  Because of the lengthy plane flights, in addition to the layovers, there are a number of days required just in traveling.  However, I expect to have everything operational in plenty of time for the optimum EME conditions. I MAY even be able to be QRV as early as the NA moonrise on August 28. I expect to have internet access and hope to be able to announce my status via email and the ON4KST EME CHAT page, and update my log of EME contacts on this web page. This operation does include the lowest Degradation days of the month, which take place during a full moon.  For me, at least on the best days, this means EME operation during the night, which is the ideal time to avoid high TEC interference from locations so close to the geomagnetic equator. And for those in the USA, I will be QRV the entire Labor Day Weekend, so no need to take time off from work! The remoteness of this location causes the common moon windows with NA to be extremely small. Therefore I will be giving priority to NA stations during their moonrise and moonset. As you can see from the panorama below, I expect to have a negative horizon out over the ocean between an azimuth of 80 degrees around through north to 257 degrees. That means a negative over water moonrise after September 2, and a negative over water moonset after August 30. Unfortunately, there are only a couple days at the end of the operation when I will have brief common moon windows with western NA stations during their moonsets. I chose a 3B9 QTH that will provide a clear shot out over the ocean during my moonrise on those days, and hope that the good ground gain (between -1.5 and +3 degrees) I expect to have on my end with the antenna at 240' ASL will overcome the increased Degradation on those days and still provide enough opportunity for contacts with the western NA stations during their moonsets.          I will be able to have common moon with the East Coast NA stations the entire time. I will have common moon with EU the entire trip, although I do have difficulty elevating over 55 degrees, and I lose any ground gain above 45 degrees elevation.  So, if you can, please look for me when my moon is lower than 45 degrees.  During the beginning of the operation, the Declination is quite far south and the moon in 3B9 is quite high. I do not expect to be QRV when the moon is above 55 degrees elevation. I think that still gives me plenty of common moon with everyone; if you think there is a problem with your being able to contact me, please send me an email with a proposed sked time and we will see what might be possible.

OPERATING SCHEDULE

QSL INFORMATION

FREQUENCY, MODE AND SEQUENCE

CONTRIBUTIONS

It is extremely expensive to haul a 6m EME station halfway around the world to this location.Too many times, we hear DXpedition stations say they can't take a 6m beam and/or amp because "they are already overweight and cannot afford the excess baggage fees".  If you want to do a good job and are committed to going halfway around the world to succeed, this unfortunately is a large part of the necessary expense.  Although I always keep my costs as low as possible, my travel, excess baggage and lodging costs alone will be over $7000.  Therefore, any contributions toward the DXpedition are greatly appreciated!  If you would like to contribute, please send your contribution by check or cash to my QRZ.com mailing address, or directly via PayPal using the "FRIENDS AND FAMILY" option to my email address, which is my current PayPal account. I am only able to do these long distance 6m EME DXpeditions every year because of the continued support from the 6m community and I am extremely indebted to you for your continued support.  I have the time and equipment to go more often than once a year to new rare DXCC, but I just don't have the finances available.  Many thanks to the following hams who have already very generously contributed to this DXpedition:

KJ9I, VK5PJ, N7IP, K2ZD, JG1TSG, OH7KM, N7NR, KB7Q, K7CW, G8VR, K5NA, K5DU, SP7VC, N3XX, W7KNT, AB3CV, K5QE, ZS4TX, AJ7LL, KL7HBK, ZL3NW, N7NW, JE3GRQ, W6UC, K6EME, WB9Z, NV9L, N1DG, K5XI, W5WP, AB5EB, K4PI, K4RX, S57RR. N9PGG, W9JN, K5AND, IW5DHN, YL2AO, K7KX, W8PAT, WA5VGI, W7EW, K8CX, DL8YHR, N8RR, G8BCG, K1HTV, WW2DX, K9CT, K9RX, W0GJ, JO1PSX, N8DX, W6XU, K6QXY, KA9CFD, K5RK, K1SIX, W8IW, OH2BC
 
     MNI MNI TNX for your continued support!!

                                

PHOTOS AND UPDATES