• [NEWS UPDATE @ 2115z] –
After a successful test operation in preparation of the upcoming Jarvis Island DXpedition, we are dismantling the antennas today (July 28th) and going QRT.  Final logs will be posted to Club Log soon.  Superfox performed much better than we’ve ever seen F/H do and we experimented with many QRP stations.  We expect to depart for Jarvis on August 2 – however we are watching a storm which could change plans.  See you from N5J and thanks for the K8R QSOs.  The N5J team.
  • [JULY 21] –

One of the K8R remote operators, Jose CT1BOH says:

"This is the K8R QTH from where we connect via Starlink remote to test setup prior to the N5J Jarvis Island DXpedition."⬇️

  • [JULY 18] –

Effective 20:00 UTC we have put K8R radios back on Superfox. The F/H rates did not justify the switch. Expect lots of Superfox activity for the next 4 days. Thank you for participating in testing this new mode.

  • [JULY 16] –

The K8R team has now spent 6 days configuring the Jarvis equipment on American Samoa and testing the stations. We expect to be QRV for another 5 days or so. We depart for Jarvis on August 1.

One of the important tests has been the first DXpedition use of SuperFox. In almost 6 days we have logged 16,000 SF QSOs.   We have two stations configured for WSJT-X RC5. While most of the Hounds have had no trouble working us in the new mode, there have been some interesting items that have popped up on Hound’s ability to consistently decode our signals. This has not been universal but some have yet to make a QSO. 

Fixing these will require a new release from the Development team. They are not critical flaws, but we do not want to deprive anyone of a K8R QSO so effective Thursday UTC 00:00 our 20 mtr SF dedicated station will remain operating Superfox while the second digital station will be on normal Fox/Hound. When the new release is issued and properly tested we will revert to all SF. The decision of which version(s) to operate from Jarvis will be made after all testing is done. Remember, K8R was a test operation. We appreciate all the callers to help us and the WSJT team evaluate this new mode.

=====

  • [JULY 12] –

K8R is now on the air testing SuperFox, antennas and equipment ahead of the real thing in August.

This is our last chance to get everything right. A RIB DXpedition is different than a traditional one where you can fix and move things around on the fly. With us, once equipment is on the island, it is very hard change things or fix what is not working. Our plan is to get every station and antenna working here, and put it all back on the RIB boat as is, hoisted it up onto Magnet, ready to be launched at Jarvis.

The K8R test set-up is on a narrow beach on the north side of Tutuila Island, which is the main island of American Samoa. The beach is a private beach (Gurr Private Beach at Maloata) where the owner was gracious enough to allow us to set up and operate. This is an ideal location for a small DXpedition from a remote but still easily reached place. Take off to the north is over water. But for us, the beach is too small, as eventually we plan to have seven stations and 8 antennas.

We have now four stations operational. Three of these stations are remote controlled and one is local. Because the beach is small, our antennas are close to each other, but so far our filters seem to be working.

We have been slow to get up to speed due to the almost constant heavy rains of the past five days. Finally today (Thursday), we had a partially dry day and were able to get some work done. We will be on the  air as much as we can and all signal reports will be much appreciated. TKS and 73, George, AA7JV.

=====

  • [JULY 9] –

K8R is pleased to announce the first Super Fox QSO was made with W7YED this morning (local) on 15 mtrs. The remote operator was Don, N1DG. Don also says "we will start at 19:00 UTC in earnest on 21.091 today”.

  • [QRV, JULY 7] –

From July 7 – 22, look for K8R to again be active from American Samoa, primarily testing out all systems on all bands; CW, SSB and FT8 ahead of the Jarvis Island DXpedition. Also participation in the IARU contest. Actual signal reports will be appreciated, says George AA7JV.

=====

  • [SEPTEMBER 15, 2023] –

K8R is currently active from Tutuila Island, OC-045 American Samoa (Grid: AH45pr) until September 17th. This station is being run by HA7RY and HA5YG following their participation in the recent E51D North Cook DXpedition. Activity has been on 30-10m, CW so far. QSL via HA7RY.