TX7G News 24 October 2014

[IK0ZCW]

Greetings from the Marquesas Islands. I really had intended to update more frequently, but the internet is very slow and unreliable, and there is very little time not spent either operating, adjusting and building antennas, uploading to Club Log, eating, and (occasionally) sleeping.

We've just surpassed 20,000 QSOs in the log with a good balance on all bands. 80 meters has just not cooperated. We'll call CQ repeatedly, but no takers. We're going to try 80 SSB at our sunset in a couple hours. Listen for us around 3.793. 10 meters and 12 meters have been phenomenal with almost unending pileups.

We've really made a serious effort for Europe, but there have been few takers, and when propagation is good, the intentional QRM has resulted in very slow rates. We also have significant terrain to the South making long path very difficult. We call for "EU/AF only" very frequently, but there are few that reply. We'll continue to try.

The bungalows leave much to be desired and the heat and bugs are nearly unbearable, but the island is absolutely magnificent and our beach front location has a great view, and great takeoff to the North.

Some of our antennas can be seen in the attached photo. I'll upload more photos to the web site when I get reliable internet.

We're having an incredible time! We'll be on the air 2.5 more days.

Thank you again for your support of this operation, and we hope to see your call in the log.

73,

Jared (N7SMI)

TX7G Marquesas Islands DXpedition