ewb@raybed2.UUCP (EUGENE BALINSKI) (06/02/88)
From: K1YPP
On the 20th of June, 1988, two intrepid radio amateurs, K1YPP and
KA1RED will set out on an adventure to the Arctic Circle. This mini
DX-pedition will be unique in that the we will be traveling by motorcycle
and we plan on being QRP for the entire trip.
Based on past experience it will take approximately 8 days to arrive at
our destination, Inuvik (pop. 3125, 68.21 deg N.,133.43 W) in the North
West Territory (NWT) of Canada. This is a bit difficult to judge because
the last 2100 miles of travel is on unpaved road, and the road is closed
for periods to allow Caribou herds to cross. We may stop to operate field
day for some period (June 25 - 26) which could also delay us some. For
these reasons we may not be active until July 2nd - 3rd. We will try our
best to be active by that weekend. On July 4th we will start the return
trip and operation will only be on those rare occasions when we are not too
tired.
It is unclear at this point, but we may also try to make it to a town
called Tuktoyaktuk ( pop. 770, 69.27 deg. N., 133.02 deg. W.) on the Arctic
coast. There is a road that follows the frozen river ice to it in winter,
whether there is any way to get there in summer is unclear. We are in
correspondence with several hams in the area and should know soon.
The equipment consists of a Heathkit HW-9, with Curtis keyer, and a
collapsible vertical antenna for 40 M, 30 M, 20 M, and 15 M. The vertical
was chosen because there are not many trees in that area to attach an
antenna to. In most cases the tallest thing around is a polar bear, and
for obvious reasons that is out of the question! We will try to give as
many contacts as possible. I will use 30 M as more of a communications
channel with the home QTH, but will look for contacts there as well. We
will always use the highest frequency available (MUF). I (K1YPP) will
make an effort to spend at least 15% of my time in the 15M novice band as
well.
As a rule we will operate near the QRP calling frequencies 60 Khz in
from the low end of the CW band. If too many stations are calling, we will
move up to keep 60 a clear QRP channel. On the 15 M novice band we will
operate around 21.140 Mhz. I am investigating obtaining a VE8 call letter
for the expedition, if not we will use our calls. In either case we should
be easy to find, there are not many VE8 stations on the air. Should we
make enough contacts we will have a special QSL printed.
For those that are interested, the Motorcycles being used are XL600R
and XL350R Hondas. We will set up camp where possible, and when available
will stay at indoor accomodations to avoid bear problems. The motorcycle
battery will provide power for the station. This configuration has been
very successful in the past for me. Since 1973 I have been using an HW-7,
with many modifications to withstand all the vibration, and it has been a
very reliable piece of equipment. It was decided that the better
performance of the HW-9 would be appreceiated on this trip. My original
intention was to do an entire homebrew project for this trip, but time was
of the essence and the quicker solution was decided upon. The size of the
equipment is important, and it must be maintainable due to the environment
it must operate in, I cannot afford to send it " back to the factory "
under these conditions. The same applys to the motorcycles, they are basic
and easy to maintain.
Recently we did a simulated run to the White Mountains and all
worked well. Should have any operating tips unique to the area,
or any pertinent information about the arctic it will be read.
In all it should be a fun adventure, and I look forward to working as
many of you as possible.
73,
Dennis, K1YPP