ZD9XF - ZD9ZS : Tristan da Cunha : Sep 2014
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On board SA Agulhas II
The ZD9XF QSL shows the helicopter that ferries arriving passengers between the SA Agulhas II and Tristan da Cunha. The ZD9XF QSL also shows the settlement of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, which is the one and only village on Tristan da Cunha.
A helicopter is used to ferry passengers ashore on Tristan da Cunha from the SA Agulhas II Arriving off Tristan da Cunha in the pre-dawn light. As is often the case, the 2,000m high mountain on Tristan is shrouded in cloud.
Tristan's claim to fame is that it is the remotest inhabited island anywhere in the world. The island's population is about 230. The Tristan barge "Tight Lucy" can be seen ferrying passengers' luggage from the SA Agulhas II to the small wharf.
The "Tight Lucy" barge is used to ferry luggage from the recently arrived SA Agulhas II across to the shore and the tiny harbour. The small wharf on Tristan. All boats have to be hoisted out of the water and kept on the wharf. Boats are not left in the sea.
Paul ZS1S (ZD9ZS) with Andy ZD9BV. As well as running Tristan Radio (ZOE), Andy also drives one of the cranes on the island. Nigel G3TXF with a TS590s and HL-550X amplifier : the ZD9XF station is being visited by Alex Mitham, the island's Administrator.
Two WARC band verticals (17m and 30m). ZD9XF spent the first week exclusively on the three WARC bands. Paul ZS1S assembles his TA33jr tri-bander. The rotator was positioned at the bottom of the pole with a collar at the top.
Paul ZS1S (ZD9ZS) operating on Tristan with an Elecraft K3 and KPA-500 amplifier. Paul's 12v PSU was much bigger than either! A rainbow surrounds Paul ZS1S's tri-band beam. Note the vertical cliff right behind the station. SP to VK/ZL is impossible from ZD9.
There are two lobsters on the Tristan da Cunha flag. Lobsters (crayfish) are the island's major source of income. A traditional thatched cottage is preserved as a tourist attraction. On open days the Tristan flag can be seen flying at the cottage.
Tristan's remoteness is illustrated by the distances on this signpost. Paul ZS1S adds yet more radials to the 80m vertical. In total 2,000m of wire was used. Nigel G3TXF (ZD9XF) with the 80m vertical in the background.
Nigel G3TXF (ZD9XF) with Andy ZD9BV in the Tristan Radio Station ZOE, which monitors several VHF channels. The view of the settlement from the top of the small "1961 volcano" which is adjacent to the village. Calshot Harbour can be seen.
Paul ZS1S initially installed a TA33jr tri-band beam, but changed to verticals later during his ZD9ZS SSB operation. Four vertical antennas (l-r): 80m, 40m, 30m and 17m, with a nice clear take-off towards the North West and the USA.
Nigel G3TXF operating as ZD9XF with an Elecraft K3 and KPA-500 amplifier. After three weeks the CW QSO total was 25,700. Andy ZD9BV shows the MFJ Antenna Analyser that was given to him by Roger G3SXW who operated as ZD9SXW in Sep 1993.
Paul ZS1S with Andy ZD9BV at Andy's "works QTH" : Tristan Radio ZOE. The luggage waiting to be loaded on board by means of a sling under the helicopter. The helicopter ferries passengers' luggage from Tristan back to the ship.
The antennas poles are loaded onto the helicopter for the short flight out to the waiting SA Agulhas II. The helicopter can take up to eight passengers at a time for the three minute flight out to the helipad on the SA Agulhas II.
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