Picture attached of another rare grid square from ZL. This grid square has been activated before back in 2004 and also 2009 towards VK. In 2004 on 144, 432, and 1296 to VK2. In 2009 with 144 and 1296 to VK2, all with Tropo. (memory only, with no log recorded on paper)
RF63 rare Grid Square ZL
RF63 rare Grid Square ZL
Hi all,
Picture attached of another rare grid square from ZL. This grid square has been activated before back in 2004 and also 2009 towards VK. In 2004 on 144, 432, and 1296 to VK2. In 2009 with 144 and 1296 to VK2, all with Tropo. (memory only, with no log recorded on paper)
Picture attached of another rare grid square from ZL. This grid square has been activated before back in 2004 and also 2009 towards VK. In 2004 on 144, 432, and 1296 to VK2. In 2009 with 144 and 1296 to VK2, all with Tropo. (memory only, with no log recorded on paper)
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VK2ZT
Re: RF63 rare Grid Square ZL
Steve my log shows we contacted back in Jan 2009 , 2 meters and 23cm no 70cm from that Grid .
cheers
cheers
Re: RF63 rare Grid Square ZL
Hi all,
The specific UTC dates that I have recorded in my log book that I worked Stephen ZL1TPH from RF63 are as follows:
2m and 70cm worked on 2-1-2004 and added 23cm to the list on 7-1-2009
As an aside, regarding VK-ZL on the 23cm band .....
On 9-2-2001 I worked Brian ZL1AVZ/p in RF73, for my first ZL 23cm contact - a great thrill..... 4-5/1 sent and received 3/3 (conditions improved up to 5/4, 5/5 a bit later on).
On 26-12-2003 I added RF64 by working Nick ZL1IU , 5/2 both ways.
On 2-1-2004 I added RF72 by working Ian ZL1AOX on 23cm with 5/1 reports both ways.
On 13-10-2004 I added RF70 to the 23cm list by working Ray ZL2TAL 5/1 sent and 5/5 received.
On 5-1-2009 I added RF65 (Cape Reinga) to my list by working Stephen ZL1TPH 5/5 both ways.
On 14-1-2009 RE57 was added with a contact to Bob ZL3TY with 4/1, 5/1 reports exchanged, later 5/1 both ways and is believed to be the first VK to South Island ZL contact ever made on 23cm - No one has so far been able to refute that claim. (We worked it again on 15-1-2009, that time 3/1 reports both ways).
To date, that is a total of 7 grid squares worked in ZL on the 23cm band - all SSB.
Here in VK we endured a 10 year prolonged drought which contributed for lots of VK-ZL troppo openings. We have not seen anywhere near the number of troppo openings since the drought broke, so we may have to wait for the 'next big drought' for a repeat of exceptional troppo conditions to return...
In the mean time, good luck with your portable expeditions Steve - rare grids included, and good DX to all.
The specific UTC dates that I have recorded in my log book that I worked Stephen ZL1TPH from RF63 are as follows:
2m and 70cm worked on 2-1-2004 and added 23cm to the list on 7-1-2009
As an aside, regarding VK-ZL on the 23cm band .....
On 9-2-2001 I worked Brian ZL1AVZ/p in RF73, for my first ZL 23cm contact - a great thrill..... 4-5/1 sent and received 3/3 (conditions improved up to 5/4, 5/5 a bit later on).
On 26-12-2003 I added RF64 by working Nick ZL1IU , 5/2 both ways.
On 2-1-2004 I added RF72 by working Ian ZL1AOX on 23cm with 5/1 reports both ways.
On 13-10-2004 I added RF70 to the 23cm list by working Ray ZL2TAL 5/1 sent and 5/5 received.
On 5-1-2009 I added RF65 (Cape Reinga) to my list by working Stephen ZL1TPH 5/5 both ways.
On 14-1-2009 RE57 was added with a contact to Bob ZL3TY with 4/1, 5/1 reports exchanged, later 5/1 both ways and is believed to be the first VK to South Island ZL contact ever made on 23cm - No one has so far been able to refute that claim. (We worked it again on 15-1-2009, that time 3/1 reports both ways).
To date, that is a total of 7 grid squares worked in ZL on the 23cm band - all SSB.
Here in VK we endured a 10 year prolonged drought which contributed for lots of VK-ZL troppo openings. We have not seen anywhere near the number of troppo openings since the drought broke, so we may have to wait for the 'next big drought' for a repeat of exceptional troppo conditions to return...
In the mean time, good luck with your portable expeditions Steve - rare grids included, and good DX to all.
Last edited by VK2DVZ on Tue Jan 17, 2012 6:24 am, edited 2 times in total.
Ross, VK2DVZ
Re: RF63 rare Grid Square ZL
An excellent achievement Ross and a credit to your fine station, equipment and operating skills on 23 cm. A story back from January 2004. It was one of those widespread temperature inversions that spanned across to VK2 and down to ZL3 all at the same time. Bob ZL3TY was worked on 2 m at 800 km +/- or so and also worked was ZL2IP and Ray ZL2TAL on 2.4 GHz. Both of them were running only 1 Watt on 13 cm and were hard over at 375 km. From memory VK2ZAB was worked that morning on 70 cm, also on 23 cm. Many others were worked that day from RF63 with first activation.
Attached is a second map and a reason for the first posting. Doing research on the VK Logger maps, did not realize that RF74 butts into RF63. The highway north to Dargaville (a round trip up to Dargaville to get back down into RF63 coastal site) transverses up the east side of the big river very close to the bottom corner of RF74. No promises this year or next year, but next weekend may take a drive up north to see if there is a spot that could be operated from that bottom corner of RF74. If there is a suitable spot all the better.
Cheers, Steve ZL1TPH
Attached is a second map and a reason for the first posting. Doing research on the VK Logger maps, did not realize that RF74 butts into RF63. The highway north to Dargaville (a round trip up to Dargaville to get back down into RF63 coastal site) transverses up the east side of the big river very close to the bottom corner of RF74. No promises this year or next year, but next weekend may take a drive up north to see if there is a spot that could be operated from that bottom corner of RF74. If there is a suitable spot all the better.
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VK2XQ
Re: RF63 rare Grid Square ZL
Steve, that RF-63 would be a very rare opportunity, especially on 50MHz, count me in whenever you consider going there, also RF-65 is another hard one, Bob ZL4AAA is seldom heard on six these days. Another "needed" one on six is RF-71, couple of towns there but zero amateur radio activity...73 de Jack VK2XQ in Sydney.
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VK4OX
Re: RF63 rare Grid Square ZL
Hello Stephen.
I've just checked my logs for 2004-01-01. At that time, I was located right in the middle of Sydney (QF56nd), renting an apartment. I had no back yard and my antennas for 144, 432, and 1296 were pinned to the side wall and poking up above the roof line. I had to beam right across the CBD, in between some tall buildings. I was signing VK2FZ.
144MHz. 2004-01-01
0217utc ZL1TPH . you were in RF73hm
Also worked: ZL1BK, ZL3ADH, ZL1AOX and ZL1IU.
You then must have packed up and moved.
1910utc ZL1TPH/p in RF63
432MHz. 2004-01-01
0303utc ZL3TY
0553utc ZL3ADH not complete
1005utc ZL1AOX
1844utc ZL1IU
1906utc ZL1TPH/p in RF63
1296MHz. 2004-01-01
1023utc ZL1AOX
1931utc ZL1TPH/p in RF63
Having moved (back) to QG63kf in 2009, and been issued with the VK4OX callsign, I decided then, to start all over again chasing grids on 144MHz and above, so I need RF63 again.
73, Adrian. VK4OX
I've just checked my logs for 2004-01-01. At that time, I was located right in the middle of Sydney (QF56nd), renting an apartment. I had no back yard and my antennas for 144, 432, and 1296 were pinned to the side wall and poking up above the roof line. I had to beam right across the CBD, in between some tall buildings. I was signing VK2FZ.
144MHz. 2004-01-01
0217utc ZL1TPH . you were in RF73hm
Also worked: ZL1BK, ZL3ADH, ZL1AOX and ZL1IU.
You then must have packed up and moved.
1910utc ZL1TPH/p in RF63
432MHz. 2004-01-01
0303utc ZL3TY
0553utc ZL3ADH not complete
1005utc ZL1AOX
1844utc ZL1IU
1906utc ZL1TPH/p in RF63
1296MHz. 2004-01-01
1023utc ZL1AOX
1931utc ZL1TPH/p in RF63
Having moved (back) to QG63kf in 2009, and been issued with the VK4OX callsign, I decided then, to start all over again chasing grids on 144MHz and above, so I need RF63 again.
73, Adrian. VK4OX
Re: RF63 rare Grid Square ZL
Thanks Adrian,
Never will forget the 1st of January 2004 - it was the day I met my Wife ... but there was something more important to do that day .. the band was open to VK
Firstly Jack VK2XQ .. read you other posting about chasing grid squares on 6 m etc... will cetainly keep you in mind and you will certainly get a QSL card from me if we work .. and you are correct, Bob is up in RF65 and oddly enough my other property in the far North is also in RF65 just down the road, but not a good site towards VK.
Adrian, Oddly enough searched through my piles of old paper work have found that old log that I must have printed out ...
RF63 Coastal veiws, but at near sea level. 2nd Jan 2004 NZT (in the morning being 01 01 2004 utc)
VK2ZAB 144 432 1296
VK2KU 144 432 1296
VK2FZ 144 432 1296
VK2DVZ 144 432 (missed Ross on 1296 that year, but returned again in January 2009 to give Ross RF63 on 1296)
VK2TK 144 432
VK2DXE 144
VK2BA 144
VK2EAH 144
Today went for a drive up North (150 km one way) to the border of RF63XX and RF74AA. Unfotunately RF74AA did not have a good shot to VK at all. So that has been dropped for the time being. Here below are two photos of a newly found site in RF63XX at 140 metres ASL with a good shot to the West. This site should be OK for 144, 432, 1296 and will save me an extra hours drive, by not having to go up to Dargiville and then having to back track down again on the West coast...
See what happens ahead. Often need a good tropo opening that occurs on a weekend.
Cheers, Steve ZL1TPH
Never will forget the 1st of January 2004 - it was the day I met my Wife ... but there was something more important to do that day .. the band was open to VK
Firstly Jack VK2XQ .. read you other posting about chasing grid squares on 6 m etc... will cetainly keep you in mind and you will certainly get a QSL card from me if we work .. and you are correct, Bob is up in RF65 and oddly enough my other property in the far North is also in RF65 just down the road, but not a good site towards VK.
Adrian, Oddly enough searched through my piles of old paper work have found that old log that I must have printed out ...
RF63 Coastal veiws, but at near sea level. 2nd Jan 2004 NZT (in the morning being 01 01 2004 utc)
VK2ZAB 144 432 1296
VK2KU 144 432 1296
VK2FZ 144 432 1296
VK2DVZ 144 432 (missed Ross on 1296 that year, but returned again in January 2009 to give Ross RF63 on 1296)
VK2TK 144 432
VK2DXE 144
VK2BA 144
VK2EAH 144
Today went for a drive up North (150 km one way) to the border of RF63XX and RF74AA. Unfotunately RF74AA did not have a good shot to VK at all. So that has been dropped for the time being. Here below are two photos of a newly found site in RF63XX at 140 metres ASL with a good shot to the West. This site should be OK for 144, 432, 1296 and will save me an extra hours drive, by not having to go up to Dargiville and then having to back track down again on the West coast...
- Big rock behind the site with nice open area
- Veiw towards VK
Cheers, Steve ZL1TPH