From: dxcoffee@alt119.net.remove-e6a-this   
      
   9 October 2015   
   The Team informs DxCoffee Readers:   
      
   Update 10#   
   The wind continues to blow with high intensity.  The tents are holding up   
   very well although the noise from the wind and shaking tents sounds like a   
   never ending freight train, all we';re missing is the train whistle.   
   Fortunately, the RadioSport    
   headsets provide a high degree of noise blocking with excellent sound quality.   
   The operator positions are shaking along with the tent. This morning one op   
   commented that he has complete confidence in the tents -  as he was trying to   
   get some sleep last    
   night the tent was shaking around him as it continued to withstand the   
   constant beating.  We had rain squalls for the first time last night and at   
   the moment it';s raining, we';re surrounded by clouds and the sea is unsettled.   
   Walking to the antennas is a challenge because of the sand depth and high   
   wind.  The antennas are holding up very well. We';re just a few meters from   
   the ocean on both sides, salt spray covers everything. We';re inspecting the   
   antennas daily and washing    
   salt build-up off the insulators. To date, there have been no equipment or   
   generator failures. We';ve experienced high atmospheric noise levels, the   
   Elecraft K3 noise reduction system works extremely well.   
   We';re receiving space weather reports, even the sat phone service was   
   impacted.  This morning even the skipper had problems downloading weather   
   maps.   
   We began taking unused and non essential equipment back to the boat today. Our   
   plan is to take down the stations first thing in the morning Oct 12 (local).   
   We expect it will take the better part of the day to ferry equipment back to   
   the boat and prepare    
   to get underway. The skipper will decide when to leave based on available   
   sunlight and wind conditions. We';re surrounded by submerged coral so he must   
   be able to see the underwater obstacles to navigate to the open sea.   
   We know all too well the frustration some of you may be experiencing.   
   Propagation has been a real challenge, with unexpected openings occurring   
   during times we';re working another geography. Yesterday I was called by a W6   
   on 40 meters long past his    
   sunrise. When we hear these unexpected openings we take advantage of them.   
   And finally, we know there are PSK31 log entries that should be either SSB or   
   CW and a few other problems. We are discussing alternatives to fix the log   
   from the island.    
   We appreciate everyone';s understanding. We can assure you, the conditions in   
   your shack are far superior to those on the island.   
   Team Chesterfield Island DX-pedition   
   ********************************************   
   7 October 2015   
   The Team informs DxCoffee Readers:   
   1. The wind is still very strong.   
   2. While the 80 meter is antenna installed, under these windy conditions we   
   are unable to install the 160 or 6 meter antennas.   
   3. Conditions are erratic, signals have been weak to moderate with some really   
   strong openings.   
   5. We are not hearing some parts of EU.   
   6. The PSK31 log errors will be corrected in the final log. We believe there   
   was an N1MM+ interface error, restarting N1MM resolved the problem.   
   7. All stations are operational -  but with conditions as they are we';re   
   losing operating hours waiting for propagation.   
   8. Last night we had good openings on 15, 17, 40, and 80.   
   9. We plan to begin taking down the stations on 12 Oct.   
   10. Some equipment has been already been returned to the boat.   
   11. Everyone is in good health, we wish propagation was better.   
   Team Chesterfield Islands DX-pedition   
   *************************************************   
   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.   
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
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