Hello everyone - thanks for all the QSOs via the QO-100 satellite from Market Reef !
I had a great time hosting the first amateur radio QO-100 satellite operation from the reef during August 30 - Sept 4th, 2021 as OJ0D.
And, an unexpected treat was that Keijo, OH2BOZ, was one of the light-house caretakers during my week's stay so he was also able to activate the reef as OJ0/OH2AP. OH2AP is a club station callsign based in Järvenpää, Finland. OH2AP activated OJ0 for the first time on satellites in 1989. (more info about the club here) The big pile-up in the beginning was extreme and a lot fun to clear out - it lasted about 4+ hours.
In summary, we had the following number of QSOs:
- OJ0D 428 contacts (44 DXCC entities worked)
- OJ0/OH2AP 220 contacts (33 DXCC entities worked)
Several folks worked both of us which is really appreciated. I will submit logs to LOTW and take direct QSLs card with a SASE and 2 euros/dollars. Keijo will be reply with direct cards and to the bureau in the same manner.
Please enjoy the photos and videos I took and were giving during the DXpedition to Market Reef.
Photo creds go to Keijo, Joe, Nina, and mods Emmi.
Special thanks to the Finnish Lighthouse Society.
73, Joseph Holman, OG7D.
Making my way from Eckero on the boat here - the captain tied-down the dish box well, but I was a bit nervous about it flying out:
We have a nice clear view to the satellite - exact location is 172 degrees azimuth and 21.2 degrees elevation. (the app being used to take this snapshop is an Android app located at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.karhukoti.gpssatellite5)
Assembling the dish -- looks like I didn't forget anything - phew!
Doing some more setup with the dish with OH2BOZ (kuva Oona). With the first receive attempt, the signals were just too low... when I looked at where the dish was pointed, I realized the signals were bouncing off the other building - with a minor swing of the dish to the right positions the satellite downlink signals came in loud and strong (thanks to Emmi for adding our callsigns):
Final RX alignment:
Working the initial pile-up - coffee and pulla helping - cozy working location:
After the big pile-up the first night:
The next morning taking some pics pretty much sure the pile-up won't be as big as the first day.
Equipment check close-up and the operating room (2nd story window on the right) - note our black and white cables:
Here we are adjusting the antenna during the windy day (kuva Nina):
Equipment included:
- 80cm dish
- Icom 705
- Khune upconverter
- 10m tx cable
- Bamatech poty feed and lnb (18v feed via satfinder and bias-T)
- 10m rx cable
- Airspy
- Sdr# for receive audio
Here is Keijo, OH2BOZ, at the operating position as OJ0/OH2AP - note the white (lnb downlink cable) and black (transmit cable) going out the round hole in the wall.
Another view of the dish:With the high winds needed to hold the dish in position:Dish with the reef's plaque location in the background:
Leaving in the little dingy - I am taking away fresh water containers:
On our way back to the Aland Islands:
Hope you enjoyed these pictures... I will post some more in the following days.
73 Joe, OG7D.
