Bill, K6GNX, was unable to get this information out yesterday as he had an important business meeting. Here is a synopsis of what is going on with the VP6 Ducie Island DXpedition.
Friday 1608Z -------------- As of 1600Z today we still have not heard from the FO0MIZ/MM, the team going to Pitcairn Island. Dave, VP6DB, says there is a 12-15 knot head wind so that would slow the team down. Dave and Tom, VP6TC, are ready and waiting for the arrival of the team. Once the team arrives they will get on 21260 and pass word of their safe arrival. The following press releases were received this morning, first from the IARU and second from the ARRL. DXCC country # 335 is Ducie Island! Stay tuned for more news as it becomes available. Friday 2134Z -------------- OK Bob, W3BTX, reports talking to the boys on the boat heading to Pitcairn Island. It seems they are doing OK however they are traveling a lot slower than they expected. as of about 2100Z they were expecting another 24 hours to get to Pitcairn Island. There they will pick up Tom, VP6TC, and Dave, VP6DB, along with their gear and fuel. It should take about two hours to load up their stuff and then on to Ducie Island. Under normal circumstances it should take just under 234 (24) hours to make it from Pitcairn to Ducie. Let's hope they are able to pick up some speed. I'll keep you posted if any other significant news comes up. For those of you who need a somewhat accurate lat/long on Ducie Island here it is. 24.39:57S 124.48:21W Saturday 0124Z ---------------- No the Ducie Island team is not swimming to Pitcairn Island! HI. Sorry about that gang! It was a typo. It should have said 24 hours. I just got finished talking to Kan, VP6BK/MM, on the way to Pitcairn Island. They are in a storm, which can been seen at http://kauai.nrlmry.navy.mil/sat-bin/display10?PHOT=yes&AREA=pacific/southern_hemisphere&PROD=vapor&NAV=tropics&CGI=tropics.cgi&ARCHIVE=Latest&MOSAIC_SCALE=15%&CURRENT=LATEST.jpg They were located at 24.30 South 131.09 West at 0000Z and going about 7 knots. At that speed they should be arriving at Pitcairn around 1000Z. Thankfully they are over half way through the storm, which I think is having its effects on the team. Everyone is doing OK, but I think some are suffering some seasickness. Kan will be on 21260 at 0300Z and Jin, VP6XX/MM, has been found on 21363 on the hour. Saturday 0342Z ---------------- Kan, JA1BK/VP6BK, reports that the wx got a little better and they are now (0315Z) at 24.30 South 130.80 West. They are moving at about 9-10 knots. At that rate they should arrive at Pitcairn around 1000Z. This is also approximately the same time that a container ship will be arriving at Pitcairn. This could add a little delay in the harbor. The DXpedition will not be extended. They will probably end on November 22 or 23 as they must be back on Gambiers on November 27. Saturday 1538Z ---------------- The Ducie Island team have made it safely to Pitcairn Island. They arrived and anchored around 1230Z. There is still a storm in the Pitcairn area. The storm and the container ship in the harbor are holding up boarding of Tom, VP6TC, and Dave,. VP6DB, the fuel and equipment. They hope they can start loading up around 1600Z. Thanks to VP6BB, VP6BK, WC7N and many others. 73 Bernie, W3UR -- Bernie McClenny, W3UR Editor of - The Daily DX - The Weekly DX - How's DX 3025 Hobbs Road Glenwood, MD 21738 http://www.dailydx.com ------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems, etc DX-NEWS http://njdxa.org/dx-news DX-CHAT: http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX NEWS items only, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Archives http://www.mail-archive.com/dx-news%40pro-usa.net/
