From: dxcoffee@alt119.net.remove-rmj-this   
      
   6 October 2015   
   The Team informs DxCoffee Readers:   
      
   Update 9#   
   We know the TX3X.com web site is down. We';ve been in contact with the web   
   hosting firm and have knowledgeable radio and web resources in the USA working   
   the problem. No estimated time of restoration at this moment.   
    Although its intensity down the wind is still a problem. However, it';s still   
   too strong to install additional antennas, the tents are holding up well. The   
   boat crew did work on the tent stakes to better secure them to the shifting   
   sand. The antennas    
   are also holding up well. We';ve had no serious equipment problems. We know   
   that some contacts on the first day were logged as PSK31, we will fix the   
   logs. Because of the high wind it is not possible to install the 6 meter   
   antenna any time soon.   
   This morning we had outstanding 10 and 15 meter openings to North America.   
   Last night we had good openings on 15 to Europe, unfortunately 40 meters was   
   not in good condition.   
   The pilots are receiving far too many e-mails asking that we check the log for   
   your contacts(s). This is a very time consuming process and will not be done   
   until we';re back home. We know there';s a high reliance on log search and we   
   see the dupe rate    
   climbing. It would be far more productive if you made your "insurance" on   
   another band.   
   Please keep in mind the team is living and working in very difficult   
   conditions. We';ll do our best to get you in the log but we need your   
   cooperation.   
   Thanks for your patience.   
    Team Chesterfield DX-pedition   
   ******************************************   
   4 October 2015   
   The Team informs DxCoffee Readers:   
      
   Update   
   "The wind continues to blow. If you imagine being in a wind tunnel with a wind   
   speed between 20 - 30 knots, and occasional stronger gusts you';ll understand   
   the challenges. Wind and tent noise makes it difficult to hear, even with   
   cans, so we apologize    
   for repeats. Sleeping is difficult because the tents are shaking. The pile-ups   
   are energetic and orderly, THANK YOU. The team continues to be in good spirits   
   and dealing with the situation as you would expect.   
   Safety is a priority -  we';re being overly cautious when it comes to taking   
   chances with antennas. Today we installed the 2 SteppIR beams and tried to   
   install the Battle Creek Special but the winds were too strong to complete the   
   installation, The    
   SteppIR are withstanding the wind and working well.   
   The tents are holding up well,  the very deep sand requires us to pay   
   constant attention to all guy wires and ground stakes.Placing 50 pound (22 kg)   
   sand bags at the most critical guy points has helped immensely. Because of the   
   rough seas the skipper    
   will bring supplies to the island 2 times per day until the sea calms down. We   
   are hoping for a break in the weather in 24 hours. Being on a tropical island   
   you may not think about it being cold, but tonight it is cooling down and   
   we';re all wearing    
   layers and jackets, however there has been very little rain.   
   The bands are in good condition, with excellent runs to all geography, we';ve   
   had excellent openings and hope propagation continues to be favorable."   
   Team Chesterfield 2015   
      
   **************************************************   
   3 October 2015   
   The Team informs DxCoffee Readers:   
      
   Update #8   
   "Good morning from Chesterfield Island,   
   We experienced extremely strong winds overnight and this morning, with heavy   
   rain this morning. This caused us to lose some time in setting up additional   
   antennas, all the stations are setup waiting for antennas. The team is   
   installing the SteppIR beams    
   and will work on the Low Band antennas next.   
   Those of us that stayed on the island last night had a long sleepless night.   
   The bands were in good conditions to EU and NA, 20 meters had many good   
   openings.   
   We will continue with tent and antenna maintenance. The sand depth is about 1   
   meter and doesn';t hold the tent and antenna guy stakes well, we';re using 25   
   kg sand bags to augment the typical guying and staking arrangements.  We have   
   an unlimited supply    
   of sand on the island.   
   The team is in good spirits and is eager to make addition progress today. As   
   you would expect, the temperature is very hot, but the humidity level is   
   comfortable. However, due to the conditions we are behind schedule.   
   The crew of Evohe has been wonderful to work with, they';ve done a lot of the   
   heavy listing and will return to the island later today to assist with   
   additional setup later this morning."   
   Team Chesterfield 2015   
   ***************************************************   
   1 October 2015   
   The Team informs DxCoffee Readers:   
      
   Update #7   
   Greetings from Chesterfield Islands,   
   After 3 full days at sea we arrived at the island at 10:15 (local) on 1 Oct,   
   we had good weather throughout the sea voyage. The skipper brought the boat as   
   close to the island as possible, about 500 meters.   
   We began loading the Zodiac and ferrying equipment to the island at about   
   noon.  All the equipment is now on the island, we raced against sunset to get   
   as much done before we returned to the boat for the evening. We have several   
   tents installed and two    
   antennas, but not enough for the team to spend the night. The wind was intense   
   which made it difficult to install the tents.   
   We will return to the island at 06:00 on Friday morning and expect to have one   
   CW and one SSB station on the air soon after.   
   ÿ   
   *****************************************   
   27 September 2015   
   The Team informs DxCoffee Readers:   
   UPDATE #6   
   "The team will board the boat at 10:30AM, Monday Sept 28th.   
   The skipper plans to be at Customs and Immigration earlier in the morning to   
   clear the boat for sailing.   
   Barring any delays we will leave as soon as possible. Being the first workday   
   after a 4 day holiday we are hoping the formalities can be processed quickly   
   and we';ll be underway.   
   Please use the Pilot for your geography (tx3x.com) to send comments to the   
   team.   
   Good luck to all that need Chesterfield, we';ll see you in the pile-ups.   
   Cheers,   
   Team Chesterfield Islands DX-pedition"   
   TX3X Team and Evohe crew   
   **************************************************   
   26 September 2015   
   The Team informs DxCoffee Readers:   
   "The full team is now in Noumea with the remaining ops having arrived late   
   Saturday afternoon. They checked into the hotel and then walked (15 minutes)   
   to the boat to meet the crew.   
   We plan to sail on Monday 28 Sept after Customs and Immigration formalities,   
   expect 3 days+/- to reach the island.   
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
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