AU2K – Kanika Island, AS-179

• [QRT] – Info / pic by VU2RS

We’ve wrapped up our AU2K DXpedition! Heading back to Damaro tonight (local time), taking a short break & then off to Kolkata & Sagar Island! Excited to share more updates from Sagar..!

• [DECEMBER 5 @ 1800z] –

We kept logging contacts today, aiming to increase the number in SSB. Unfortunately, we were defeated by the lack of good high-power BPS filters. Despite various changes in equipment, the results were such we regretfully couldn’t operate more than one station in SSB at one time. Needless to say, we ended up spending a lot of time on this. In any case, the tests determined without a doubt that the RM Italy amplifier was splattering badly, and so we eliminated it.

At night, the local port, which is located a mere kilometer away or so, is lit up by a myriad of high-power halogen light and put up a significant electrical noise, which makes decoding in CW and SSB very difficult. The saving grace is FT8, which does not appear to be affected. As such, some of us decided to take some rest for a few hours and check the situation before sunrise, leaving just one station, operating FT8 on 40m. During the day we used 400W on one station and under 300W on the other for CW and SSB, and between 150 and 200W in FT8. The legal power in VU is 400W.

We hope that all of those who wanted to log us made it at least one contact in either of the modes. However, we will continue to look for those who still need a first contact with us.

• [DECEMBER 4 @ 0815z] – by VU2RS:

Island arrival met with sandstorm! Initial luck: no noise & pleasant breeze Last 2 days: scorching heat Since yesterday: intense noise on horizontal & vertical antennas Bright spot: strong 20m opening to N/S America (00:00z to 02:30z)

(Credit: VU2RS)

• [NEWS @ 0300z] – by VE3LYC:

It is 8:30am (local) and here is a brief update. Beginning last evening our time we have some incredible noise on all bands from 15 to 40m, between S7 and S9. This affected our ability to operate CW and SSB, but we continued with limited FT8. The CW operator fell sick with a nasty cold, the result of continuously staying in a strong current the day before. The combination of the two, the incredibly high nose floor and the cold determined him to go to bed very early. The rest of the operators didn’t stay late either because of the high noise level on the bands. After a good night sleep, the CW operator woke up feeling better and operated for very short periods of time on 40, 30, and 17m making a few contacts with NA and SA. Meanwhile, the other guys were already on 20m FT8, and made quite a few contacts with NA!

The very fine sand is blown continuously by the wind, and since the tent has wide portions open to allow us to get into the operations area, as well as into the sleeping area, it ended up covering everything in a pretty thick layer. Every now and then we need to dust it away, but it will only take a little bit to get it back.

We will continue to give everyone a chance at working AS-179, but will take time to look for NA and SA stations, for which the paths are the most difficult. We have close to 4000 QSOs in the log, and had the noise floor been lower last night, we should have been able to hit 5000 by now. About 45% of all contacts are in FT8. Make about 230 QSOs on 6 m with lots of stations from Asia, making it as far as Guam. Cezar, VE3LYC intends to stay up tonight, and check the the noise floor from time to time in hope that at some point it will drop.

[DECEMBER 3 @ 1300Z] – by VE3LYC:

• We have some serious noise after dark, not from the gens (tested). Probably from the massive industrial port which is not that far away.
• Please do not send us suggestions for openings. We are using PSK reporter, so have a fairly good idea of what works and not.
• Had a bit of success with NA on 15m, but the best results were on 20 and 30m, with some good results on 17m, exactly as we expected.
• Please be on the above bands around the times that worked last night. Some may work again and I’ll be looking for NA. Next days will also operate FT8 on these bands in hope that more NA stations will make the log.

As a side note, one of the  EU operators asked our SSB operator why does the CW op called for NA when the prop was good to Europe. We had a big laugh. There is virtually continuous wind blowing from the N-NNW. I’ve never seen so much sand brought in the tent by the wind. Congrats to all who made it and we will keep looking for more of you! Best regards from our team.

• [DECEMBER 3 @ 1000Z] – A fresh update from VU2RS (credit to him for pics) on the scene:

3 stations up & running! Almost 24hrs of non-stop action! 6M opening with locally-built Kanika beam was EPIC! Big pileup tamed by our skilled team! Stay tuned for more updates!

• [DECEMBER 2] – 

Sarath, VU2RS reports that antennas for 40-6m will all soon be ready. Picture is of the 6m beam on Kanika Island. The team (as at 2100z) have been QRV so far on 40-30-20-15m; CW & FT8. 

• [QRV @ 1225Z] – 

AU2K started operations from IOTA AS-179 just before 12:30z on 20m CW. Recording by DX-WORLD. Activity will continue until Decemebr 7th. 

• [DECEMBER 2 @ 0400Z] –

Earlier today (local time), the AU2K team – VU2RS, VE3LYC, VU3DXA, VU3WEW – unloaded their truck full of needed items on to boat transport for the journey to Kanika Island. Pictures / video courtesy VU2RS. Expect activity soon from this new IOTA.

• [OCTOBER 11] –

A team composed of Cezar (VE3LYC, VU3LPL), Sarath (VU2RS), Adi (VU3WEW), and Anil (VU3DXA) will attempt to operate as AU2K from Kanika Island, AS-179NEW, between December 2 and 7, 2024. More information can be found on the expedition website.