Oct 24, 20233 min read

TX7L - Marquesas Isl.

TX7L Update (Nov 20)

TX7L “The end”, end of our DX'p

We are at the end of our DX'p, Misho, F8GGV leaves us this morning, the rest of the team will leave Hiva Oa in 2 days.

To date we have accumulated 55,000 QSOs.

2 delegations of middle school students from schools on the island of Hiva Oa visited us, showing keen interest in our activity.

We were interviewed by Teama, the Hiva Oa journalist for TV Première Polynésie who broadcast a report on the evening news Friday November 17.

Video link (minute 18:40):

https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/polynesie/programme-video/la1ere_polynesie_journal-polynesie/diffusion/5401131-edition-du-vendredi-17-novembre-2023.html

The dismantling of antennas and stations is complete.

Source: https://tx7l.com/

TX7L Update (Nov 13)

Heavy traffic….

The 4 stations are activated 24 hours a day, days and nights, the operators are present in turns.

Faced with the strong demand for all bands, all modes, we decided to install an additional antenna. The second periodic Log is deployed, with the difficulty that the terrain imposes…

You can see more pictures in the link of the source.

Source: https://tx7l.com/

TX7L Update (Nov 12)

For low band enthusiasts, we are QRV 80 meters and 160 meters 12/11 at 04:00 UTC.

Source: https://tx7l.com/

TX7L Update (Nov 09)

The Marquesas deserve it.

The particular situation of the Marquesas required a preliminary study in order to optimize light and efficient ANTENNAS. Our site is 500m from the ocean and 75m above sea level, clinging to the mountain which rises to the North and West to almost 1300m, we are in the heart of the caldera of the ancient volcano which formed Hiva Oa, in the middle of lush equatorial vegetation.

Once the choice of ANTENNAS has been determined, they must be installed in accessible areas which optimize their radiation and this is no easy task... In addition to the very dense vegetation which proliferates at the rate of several meters per month, the Big difficulty is the 45% slope where you slide easily.

The intense heat from the equator's sun in 90% humidity is very tiring. Mosquitoes attack in squadrons, the nests of aggressive wasps lie in wait for us, we are in the chaotic caldera of the old volcano, we have to carve out passages in a jungle worthy of the Rambo films... Around fifteen hours of Clearing was necessary to gain access to the main antenna locations.

Heavy rain squalls fill the fine surface clays with water, making paths impassable. No question of finding yourself like the DX'p of Pitcairn of 2019 VP6R with a medical evacuation for injury... But the danger is omnipresent.

Thank you all for your patience, air discipline and support.

73 QRO, from the entire Team TX7L (Didier F6BCW)

You can see more pictures in the link of the source.

Source: https://tx7l.com/

TX7L Update (Nov 08)

TX7L reached 15,000 qso's

Source: https://tx7l.com/

TX7L Update (Nov 06)

TX7L in full radio traffic

TX7L traffic has started. The 4 stations are operational, allowing sustained traffic

To come, finalization of the low band antennas.

Source: https://tx7l.com/

TX7L Update (Nov 05)

Dx'p TX7L, installation of antennas, start of broadcasts

On 03 the team arrived a few hours late and with 19 hold luggage which supplemented the 14 suitcases already on site. In the afternoon, start of antenna installation, and start of FT8 and CW traffic on 2 stations. Tomorrow continuation of the installation of the antennas for a complete start around 6:00 p.m. local.