From: tony.cadney@...
Date: 3 August 2024 at 21:30:54 BST
To: Suzanne Cadney G0LUZ <suzanne.cadney@...>
Subject: Back on dry land!

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Greetings fellow radio ops,

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As we have now returned from our nautical meanderings to Iceland & Greenland, this e-mail is by the way of an apology for lack e-mails and updates during those /MM ops.

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Following our initial ‘group mail’ on gaining the captain’s permission and a subsequent mail on 16^th July we lost access to our ‘BT mail’ account which held the ‘MM’ group addresses.

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The reason for the breakdown is still unknown, but we did share this experience with a number fellow passengers who also could not access their BT accounts.

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On one occasion on 17^th July we used Suzanne’s G-mail account? inputting all the addresses we could recall manually, again apologies to those who were omitted.

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We have now decided to set up a dedicated G-mail account for our /MM group to run as an alternative to BT mail on future trips.?

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The combination of atrocious weather and dire propagation made every QSO a real struggle, consequently we made just over 100 QSOs 98% were in CW?

?Even so, the majority of the QSOs suffered from very deep and destructive QSB such that even a 599 contact would degrade to barely readable in a matter of seconds.

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We found we had a problem with the auto ATU on the KX3 with the radio showing it as “not installed”. Fortunately as we resonate the G-whip antenna to specific bands or specific parts of a band (normally CW allocation) we rarely need to use the ATU. The only exception is when we tune ‘outside’ the resonant envelope for example moving up to the SSB frequencies on 10m and 15m etc.

However, since returning home the KX3’s auto ATU has worked faultlessly. I strongly suspect the extremely penetrating damp conditions experienced when operating on the open deck caused the non-compliance and malfunction.? One thing the KX3 lacks is a waterproof case.

The pervasive wet conditions also took their toll on the 17m loading coil for the antenna which went chronically ‘off song’. This produced the most amazing graphics on the display of the AA600 antenna analyser.? Again, since drying out all is back to normal. Some remedial work to further waterproof the loading coils is scheduled before our next nautical jaunt.

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Saying that, our next nautical adventure is a few weeks hence, when we intend to be in the Eastern Mediterranean. However, we are keeping a close watch on the geo-political situation in the middle-east as this may cause the geographical area of the voyage to be radically altered.

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Whatever happens we will keep you appraised as to progress.

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73 fer nw de Tony es Suzanne

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From: tony.cadney@...
Date: 17 July 2024 at 22:49:20 BST
To: suzanne.cadney@...
Subject: Fwd: Poor WX and poor radio conditions

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Sent via BT Email App

From: Suzanne Cadney <travelbears42@...>
Sent: 17 July 2024 22:18:45 BST
To: Tony Cadney G0HUZ <tony.cadney@...>
Subject: Poor WX and poor radio conditions

Greetings fellow radio ops,

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We are now approx. 100miles off Narsaq on the south coast of Greenland ( locator GO88UK) on a heading of 290 the air temperature is 2c not counting the chill factor. Suzanne and I have just retreated from the icy blast on the rear of deck 11 after working Steve M0BPQ on 20m the bands appear to be very poor shape. My signal report to Steve was 559 with QSB although he was having great difficulty with my signals resulting in a 319 report. The condition outside are so unpleasant we ceased ops for the day. Although we did have time to resonate the G-whip vertical on 18mhz using the 15mtr loading coil together with a very long tuning element. This means the G-whip is just over 3.5mtrs tall and moves well in the windy condition.

The ship is now staying off the coast due ice and the risk of icebergs.? We saw some medium to small “growlers” this morning float past the ship.? Icing has now caused us to change our next port of call from Qaqortoq to Paamiut.

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Rest assured we will make every effort to operate, but the WX will have to improve somewhat. We will keep you appraised as to ops. but also keep watching brief on the ‘Reverse Beacon Network’ to see when we are working.

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73 fer nw de Tony es Suzanne

From: Tony Cadney <tony.cadney@...>
Date: 16 July 2024 at 22:44:06 BST
To: Lawrence Atkinson G4FAA <lawrie4019@...>
Subject: Now off Greenland

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Hello fellow radio ops,

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We are now at sea about 150NM off the east coast of Greenland on a heading of 230degrees. At leaving Isafjordur (TF) yesterday at 1900hrs GMT.

Unfortunately, although the WX in Isafjordur was sunny and warm (14c) the radio conditions were extremely difficult due to the proximity of mountains surrounding the port. So no radio contacts and very few stations heard.

However, the WX conditions allowed us to get the bikes out go for a 25mile ride along the coast, superb scenery, amazing vistas of snow covered peaks.

Today and tomorrow we are at sea on the way to our next port of Qaqortoq (OX).

The weather today is particularly unpleasant driving rain, thick mist and the temperature hovering round 8c. Not ideal for operating on the open deck.

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After saying we would be on 18Mhz we consequently found that the loading coil for 18Mhz has gone off song, we think it is due the ingress of water. In the short term this will stop our access to 18Mhz.

Annoyingly we use both the 14Mhz and the 18Mhz coils in series to resonate our antenna on 10Mhz………So we are experimenting with some different combinations of coils and lengths of elements trying a resonate the G-whip on 10Mhz.

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All this requires spending time out in the open on deck 12 and at present the current WX precludes this.

As a result, we now only have access to 10,12,15 and 20m.

This morning we only managed a couple of contacts on 20m one in CW to DL and second in SSB to G-land. Before the WX drove to shelter inside.

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We will keep you appraised as to progress but the bands appear to very unstable with extremes of QSB……….Therefore no fixed skeds yet.

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WX update:

We are now in very thick fog and outside temperature has dropped to 6c

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73 es gud dx from the North Atlantic de Tony es Suzanne

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From: tony.cadney@...
Date: 13 July 2024 at 23:45:52 BST
To: Suzanne Cadney G0LUZ <suzanne.cadney@...>
Subject: Now on the air!

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Hello fellow radio ops,

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After experiencing a few minor problems and being delayed by inclement WX we are now on the air. As we operate on the open deck the weather conditions mean we spend short periods operating and retreat inside to maintain body heat (copious amounts of hot chocolate). ?As yet we have establish the nature of the propagation and the best bands to work. Saying this I did work Colin G0UJK this afternoon on 18.071 Mhz, albeit the QSB was very heavy. We have also had some reasonable contacts on 10Mhz

On Sunday 14th we are in port at Reykjavik We hope to be on the air during late afternoon possibly on 18.085 +/- or later on 10.116 +/- ?Do check the Reverse Beacon Network to see where we may have QSY'd. This also applies to Monday 15th when we are in port at Isafjordur.

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73 fer nw de Tony es Suzanne

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From: tony.cadney@...
Date: 11 July 2024 at 22:07:41 BST
To: Suzanne Cadney G0LUZ <suzanne.cadney@...>
Subject: At sea again!

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Whatho Gang!

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The meme-sahib and I find ourselves at sea again. Currently we are approx. 45miles off Aberdeen on a heading of 340degs with next port of call being Reykjavik on Sunday. Yesterday we gained permission to operate from the Captain. This morning we deployed the antenna and feeder, however as we operate on the open deck inclement WX(heavy rain and gale force winds) curtailed any operating. The ?weather tomorrow promises to be more settled and we hope get on the air. albeit the air temperature is likely to be about 8C.

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Rest assured we will keep you appraised of any operating schedule.

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Please note this mail circulated as BCC to maintain the privacy of individuals within the group

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73 de Tony & Suzanne

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On 10 Jul 2024, at 15:17, Steve Bunting M0BPQ via groups.io <steve@...> wrote:
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?Hi everyone,

Are G3GHN and G8GHN still valid calls? Is there any objection to me using them in a contest this weekend? There will just be a handful of contacts. There is an incentive to work the RSGB GR2HQ contest station on as many bands as possible so I would like to wheel out as many calls as I legitimately have access to.

Cheers
Steve?

On 10 Jul 2024, at 15:17, Steve Bunting M0BPQ via groups.io <steve@...> wrote:

?Hi everyone,

Are G3GHN and G8GHN still valid calls? Is there any objection to me using them in a contest this weekend? There will just be a handful of contacts. There is an incentive to work the RSGB GR2HQ contest station on as many bands as possible so I would like to wheel out as many calls as I legitimately have access to.

Cheers
Steve?

From: tony.cadney@...
Date: 25 February 2024 at 17:44:58 GMT
To: Suzanne Cadney G0LUZ <suzanne.cadney@...>
Subject: Just leaving CT3

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Hello fellow radio ops,

We are just about to leave Funchal Madeira and make our way to Gibraltar (ZB2). This means we will have a day at sea tomorrow.

Therefore we hope to be on the radio all day with exception of lunch (13.30 GMT) and a classical music recital (15.30 to 16.00GMT).

Again we hope to active on 10m, 12m and 15m........Using 10m 28.058 +/- or 28.365+/- 12m 24.906 +/- or 24.960 +/- 15m 21.058 +/- or 21285 +/-

.Check the reverse beacon network to see what band we are working in CW We will QSY to the SSB frequencies on that band and call CQ at regular intervals.

We have worked several Clifton ARS members as yet we are still looking for some "FISTS" contacts before we reach the UK.

Hope to work you soon from the Atlantic Ocean.

73 de Tony es Suzanne

From: TONY CADNEY <tony.cadney@...>
Date: 16 February 2024 at 23:01:51 GMT
To: Suzanne Cadney G0LUZ <suzanne.cadney@...>
Subject: Another sea day

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Hello fellow radio ops,

On the17th February we have a day at sea having left Cape Verde on way to Banjul in Gambia. Again we will be on the radio for most of the day commencing ops around 10am up until 5.30pm. We will take a short break for lunch a round 12.30pm

Again using 10m 28.058 +/- or 28.365+/- 12m 24.906 +/- or 24.960 +/- 15m 21.058 +/- or 21285 +/-

So far on this trip I have worked Clifton ARS members Peter G7ULL,Colin G0UJK, Lawrie G4FAA, Peter G3RQZ, Mark G0GQT as well as Terry M0TNE who lives in my village in Norfolk.

We hope to hear you on the wireless before we return to the UK on 4th March.

73 fer nw de Tony es Suzanne

From: TONY CADNEY <tony.cadney@...>
Date: 15 February 2024 at 11:04:02 GMT
To: Suzanne Cadney G0LUZ <suzanne.cadney@...>
Subject: More /MM from Cape Verde

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Whatho folks,

We are now in port at Porto Grande, Mindelo, Cape Verde (D44) We are just about set off on a cycle ride this morning (presently 28c) on our return we will be on the air, say from about 1400hrs GMT.

Again using 10m 28.058 +/- or 28.365+/- 12m 24.906 +/- or 24.960 +/- 15m 21.058 +/- or 21285 +/-

We appear to be surrounded by hills on three sides with the exception of towards the south. but hopefully some the RF will escape Hi!

Catch you on the wireless later.

73 de Tony es Suzanne

From: TONY CADNEY <tony.cadney@...>
Date: 12 February 2024 at 21:50:29 GMT
To: Suzanne Cadney G0LUZ <suzanne.cadney@...>
Subject: Sea days

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Whatho fellow radio operators!

We now have two days(13th &14th Feb.) at sea as we make our way to the Cape Verde Islands (D44) having spent the last two days in Lanzerote and Grand Canaria with very limited time to operate.

Over next two days we will be on the radio throughout the day operating on 24.906 & 24.960 and 21.058 & 21.285 all +/-

Hopefully, we will catch you on the wireless

73 de Tony & Suzanne

From: TONY CADNEY <tony.cadney@...>
Date: 9 February 2024 at 10:47:04 GMT
To: Suzanne Cadney G0LUZ <suzanne.cadney@...>
Subject: Heavy WX off Morocco

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Good morning Gang!

After a very smooth trip so far, today we have very heavy WX with a near storm force wind (55knts+) directly on the bow of the ship with 6 to 7mtr swell on our stern quarter from the NW and we are rolling well. At present we are 50miles off the coast of Morocco making 10knts on a bearing of 213degrees on way to Agadir

For safety reasons all on the deck furniture has been tied down or removed. Fortunately only our operating table and two chairs remain in situ in a sheltered area in the stairwell of deck 10.

However due to nearly 60mph winds across the deck we will not be able access our antenna on deck 12 to change bands until tomorrow.

So for today we will be stuck on 12mtrs............For Mark (G0GQT)'s information we will be working15mtrs as soon as this storm abates.

Sending CW on my straight key will be fun today as the ship shudders violently as trapped air pockets pass under the hull........

Catch you the wireless!.

73 de Tony es Suzanne

From: TONY CADNEY <tony.cadney@...>
Date: 6 February 2024 at 18:57:16 GMT
To: Suzanne Cadney G0LUZ <suzanne.cadney@...>
Subject: Now on the air!

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Whatho Gang!

The good news is that we are now on the wireless, after a few 'perceived problems' with resonating the antenna, all of which were due to not by-passing the auto-ATU in the KX3.........Whoops!.

The most productive band so far has been 12m. We have worked all over Europe including G and into the USA both in CW & SSB.

We are in Cadiz tomorrow and will be off cycling in the morning during the afternoon from about1400hrs (GMT) we should be on 12m look for us around 24.906 +/- or 24.960+/-. we are now an hour ahead of GMT so we will go QRT around 1700 hrs GMT

73 fer nw de Tony es Suzanne

On 30 Dec 2023, at 16:34, Peter Madagan via groups.io <g3rqz@...> wrote:

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Hi Lawrie,?

I was there and called you a few times, you were 57 at best, surprised you didnt hear my 400w!

Will try and get on for the KW event between AFS contest.

73 and hny

Peter G3RQZ

On Saturday, 30 December 2023 at 09:21:35 GMT, lawrence atkinson <lawrie4019@...> wrote:

Sri folks - i was qrv as listed on g3ghn but inv L antenna inexplicably went unstable ( was working ok on 40m that morning and also ok since -? big? mystery!) Did hear weak q on the frequency but guess these were not Cliftons- no matter folks will try again next year probably? this time with a revamped 80m? g5rv!

For interest - the annual KW radio revival weekend is sat 6/sun 7 jan ( 9 till 4pm and? son of G8KW himself might be qrv from Eltham scout hall) .? Will exercise my KW 202/204--3.777 and 7.177mhz( plus- minus).

Meanwhile HNY to all Cliftons and families and good? DX in 2024=? sunspot max year!

73

de Lawrie (g4faa on 30th)