Meeting Location: First United Methodist Church, 603 State Street, Schenectady
Thanks to Rudy Dehn W2JVF and Darrin Nash KD2LCH, this year’s SARA meetings will be held in the Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist Church.
FT5ZM: DXPedition to Amsterdam Island
Program: FT5ZM: DXPedition to Amsterdam Island
Abstract: Here is an opportunity to vicariously enjoy a major ham radio expedition to one of the most remote locations on earth, Amsterdam Island, in the southern Indian Ocean–3000 km away from the nearest continent. Amsterdam Island was discovered by the Spanish in 1522 and named by the Dutch in 1633. The first recorded landing was in 1696. Captain Cook once described it as “the most awful place on earth. Landing here is difficult, with high surf and strong winds.”
A team of 14 hams boarded the Braveheart, an experienced DX sailing vessel, in Freemantle, Australia on January, 15, 2014—mid-summer—and travelled 9 days to reach Amsterdam Island. They set up multiple stations, and completed nearly 165,000 QSOs, before QRT. This is another “over-the-top” DXpedition that shows the results of teamwork and commitment.