Marquesas Islands 2012 Venus Transit Expedition

The real world (Updated on June 19, 2012)

TX5VT (operator Christian, F5IDM)

TX5VT was on the air for three evenings (local time)
  • June 9 from Ua Pou - Log uploaded on Club Log
  • June 10 from Ua Huka - Log uploaded on Club Log
  • June 11 from Ua Huka - Log uploaded on Club Log

    • Ua Pou
  • DXCC Marquesas Islands
  • IOTA OC-027
  • DIFO FO-027

    • Ua Huka
  • DXCC Marquesas Islands
  • IOTA OC-027
  • DIFO FO-026

    • QSLs received and asnwered (snail mail) are listed here

    FO/F5IDM

    F5IDM was on the air from Cook's Bay on Moorea (FO) for one evening (local time)
  • June 14 - Log uploaded on Club Log

    • Moorea
  • DXCC French Polynesia
  • IOTA OC-046
  • DIFO FO-010
  • WLOTA 0465

    • QSLs received and asnwered (snail mail) are listed here

    The initial plan


    As time permits, I will activate the special call sign TX5VenusTransit from the Marquesas Islands. It is not the most important goal of the expedition, but ham radio will be part of our outreach efforts. Scheds will be made with OMs in French Polynesia and New Caledonia to initiate students to ham radio and give them a chance to talk to others kids from far away.

    I will try to be active for DX calls at given times. I hope to be able to announce the times in near real time through the internet. A link will be given later, so come back when we get closer to the expedition.

    Equipment and modes

    Equipment will be simple, as priority is given to the astronomical instruments we will carry.
  • FT857D (100W max)
  • G5RV antenna
  • I will hook the FT857D to my laptop to broadcast SSTV images of the Venus Transit from Nuku Hiva, though 2-way QSOs will be difficult, as a lot will be going on around. Otherwise, it will be mainly phone.
  • When busy, I will let WSPR run with low power, so that you can see how propagation is behaving between you and the Marquesas.

    • Dates

    Overall dates can be found on the tentative schedule of the expedition.

    QSL Information

    QSL will be welcome direct (see TX5VT info on qrz.com). The KH6 bureau can be used too, but it will take some time. Still debating e-qsl or lotw. If you want to share your feelings about this, feel free to do so by email.