*** Update 18:40 UTC Jan 21 ***
The gang is now stowing gear and heading back to the home port. Thanks to all that were involved on the air for successfully activating Ten new islands along the Indian River in Florida. The activation team will be back on the air from more northern locations later this spring.
Special thanks to Lee, K7IOC, who helped keep the frequency clear for us between islands. Lee is on WA003S himself, so he also activates islands.
Summary of the TEN successful activations:
Jan 21 Activations
- IR39 FL581R
- IR40 FL582R
- IR41 FL583R
Jan 20 Activations:
- SL1A FL551R
- SL1 FL548R
- IR43 FL585R
- IR42 FL584R
Jan 19 Activations
- SL13A FL563R
- SL10 FL559R
- SL9 FL558R
*** Update 18:15 UTC Jan 21 ***
The activators have changed to 7.264 MHz, as 20 was not working well for them. They are still on IR41/FL583, the final island for this activation
*** Update 17:50 UTC Jan 21 ***
They are on the air from IR41/FL583 14.258
This will be their final activation for this trip, if FL583 is successful, that will be a total of NINE new islands activated under the US Islands on the Air program.
Becky’s Barge aground on IR41. Nice looking day, but cool and breezy
A pelican on IR41 has a great view in the fruit tree.
*** Update 17:10 UTC Jan 21 ***
Thanks to everybody on-air! The crew has successfully activated FL582R, IR40, and is now heading to IR41/FL583. On the air about 17:30
*** Update 16:45 UTC Jan 21 ***
They are on the air from IR40 FL582, 14.258
Willy resting astern. John Logging and Jim on the air IR40
Bill resting on IR40
*** Update 16:30 UTC Jan 21 ***
The team is going QRT from IR39/FL581R, after another successful activation. They will be back on the air in about 30 minutes, likely from another never-before-activated Island, IR40/FL582. Check the spotting networks for their frequency.
*** Update 15:45 UTC Jan 21 ***
They changed freq to avoid a net. They are on IR39, FL581 on 14.258 MHz
Temps are still below 60 with a stiff breeze from the NNW. More like RI weather in mid Spring.
Jim KA1ZOU, and John K1JSM on the air from FL581/IR39 in Florida
After 3 days of activations, I can only think of the movie “Castaway”.
If one looks closely you can see more wildlife on IR39. I believe this Buzzard thinks Willy looks tasty.
And the island is covered with Australian Pines – quite wild looking
Becky’s Barge landed on IR39, FL581
*** Update 15:45 UTC Jan 21 ***
They are on the air, IR39, FL581 on 14.262 MHz
*** Update 15:30 UTC Jan 21 ***
The team is approaching IR39 now
Becky looks anxious to be on land again as Becky’s Barge approaches IR39
*** Update 15:15 UTC Jan 21 ***
The Activation Team left the dock this morning at about 14:30 UTC. They are headed North up into the group of never-before activated Indian River Islands IR35-41. Likely going to be IR39, IR40 and IR41 in that order unless something prevents landing.
It’s colder today for their boat trip North, and they have further to go than the past two days. (57 Degrees with a 12 MPH from the NNW, so they are headed into the wind)
It’s cold for Florida and windy. The team is bundled up against the cold
*** Update 19:00 UTC Jan 20 ***
The Florida Activation Team has finished for today after successfully activating IR42, which is now FL584R. They will return again tomorrow for more never-before-activated islands along the Indian River in Florida.
Headed back to the debrief after a long day activating islands. (L to R) Jim, John, Willy, and Bill (Pete at the helm)
Jim KA1ZOU logging, and Pete W1LAB on the air on IR42
*** Update 18:20 UTC Jan 20 ***
The crew is landing on IR42, FL584. This is another new activation. Likely to be the last for today as it is getting cold on the water (more to come tomorrow).
*** Update 18:05 UTC Jan 20 ***
Crew has gone QRT on IR43 and is moving to a new island. Should be on the air by 18:30
*** Update 17:20 UTC Jan 20 ***
The crew is landing and setting up on Spoils Island IR43 FL585
Expect them on 14.262 in a few minutes
Sign on IR43 FL585
Approaching Spoils IR43 US Islands 585
*** Update 17:00 UTC Jan 20 ***
The crew has officially activated FL548R, Spoils Island SL1. That’s #2 for today. This one took about twice as long to activate as the 20 meter band conditions were changing. They have gone QRT and are moving to a new island.
*** Update 16:20 UTC Jan 20 ***
They are on Spoils Island 1, FL 548. 14.262
Approaching FL548 (Spoils Island SL1)
*** Update 16:05 UTC Jan 20 ***
They are moving on to their next island. Probably on the air in 25 min.
*** Update 15:55 UTC Jan 20 ***
The island only took a few minutes to activate. Now officially FL551R. They will be moving on after working the pileup.
*** Update 15:35 UTC Jan 20 ***
The gang has landed on Spoils Island SL1A, FL551. They are on 14.262
Jim KA1ZOU and Pete W1LAB standing, Willy W1LY at radio and John K1JSM logging
Setting things up on SL1A
Approaching Florida 551, Spoils SL1A. Tiny island
*** Update 15:00 UTC Jan 20 ***
The activation crew is underway. While it is 65 degrees, warm for us frozen Yankees, there is a 20 MPH wind blowing which is going to make landing more difficult. The islands they are activating are further North this time (beyond Spoils SL9).
Becky’s Barge heading North for another day of activations
An important part of every day is the debrief. From last night’s debrief, left to right: Pete W1LAB, John K1JSM, Bonnie, Jim KA1ZOU, Marshall, Bill W3CJK, and Willy W1LY
*** Update 19:35 UTC Jan 19 ***
With three successful activations under their belt, the activation crew has decided to call it quits for today, perhaps having a bit more time to work on the antenna and get things sorted out for the next two days.
*** Update 18:58 UTC Jan 19 ***
They completed SL10 activation successfully and are on the air on a new island, SL9 Florida 558
Becky’s Barge aground on Spoils Island SL9
Becky enjoying dry land. Bonnie reading a good book
*** Update 18:15 UTC Jan 19 ***
They gang is on 14.262 MHz from Spoils Island SL10, US Island 559
Spoils SL10 – Pete W1LAB observing, Jim KA1ZOU logging, and John K1JSM on air
*** Update 17:55 UTC Jan 19 ***
Spoils Island 13A, US Islands FL563, was successfully activated. They have pulled up anchor and are underway to the next island. As we know from earlier today, landing conditions vary, so no telling what island they will activate next.
*** Update 17:35 UTC Jan 19 ***
The antenna survived falling into salt water thanks to the heroic efforts of the team “Blowing the Traps” (hope that isn’t a crime in Florida). They are back on the air, 14.265 MHz, Spoils Island SL13A, Florida 563.
Despite the mishap, the weather in Florida is outstanding (we had snow in Rhode Island today — only a few inches, but not shorts/T-Shirt weather for sure).
Becky’s Barge on Spoils 13A
Spoils Island 13A — Becky’s Barge on the right (Marshall’s photo)
John K1JSM logging, Willy W1LY on air (Spoils 13A)
*** Update 17:10 UTC Jan 19 ***
They are currently OFF AIR due to their antenna falling into the salt water! They are attempting to clean it/dry it. Hope to be back on the air soon.
Don’t see this everyday! Mouth-to-trap respiration on an antenna, attempting to get salt water out of the antenna (which fell into the water). Jim KA1ZOU doing the deed, Bonnie in the Middle and Marshall holding the end — Photos by Bill W3CJK
*** Update 16:57 UTC Jan 19 ***
They have landed on SL13A, Florida 563, and are on the air on 14.265 MHz
John K1JSM on left logging, Pete W1LAB on the mic (Spoils Island 13A)
Sea Dog Becky watches the silly two legged creatures try to setup antennas on the shore of Spoils Island 13A.
*** Update 16:28 UTC Jan 19 ***
Their first two attempts to land on island 14A (another unactivated island not on our list below) were aborted as they were too shallow. They are underway to another island. May try 14A later
Attempting to land on Spoils 13A, Florida 563
May try to activate SL14A, SL15 and SL16 later on.
*** Update 16:00 UTC Jan 19 ***
There was a delay getting underway this morning. They left the dock at 15:44 UTC. Expect them to activate the first island around 17:00 UTC.
The NCRC Maine to Florida Activation Team (MFers) have all arranged to meetup near Ft. Pierce Florida, starting today, January 19. Expect them to activate 3 to 4 of the never-before-activated Spoils Islands over the next three days. Pete W1LAB, John K1JSM, Jim KA1ZOU, and Willy W1LY return, joined for the first time by another NCRC member, Bill W3CJK (usually heard on EME).
We expect them to be on their first island around 10:30 to 11:00 EST (15:30 UTC). Most operation will be on 14.265 +/- QRM, although 40 meters on 7.265 +/- might be an option as well.
From the US Islands Website, the Islands expected to be activated, not necessarily in this order, are:
As an example, Spoils Island IR35 is shown along a long chain of the islands, in the photo below (island number increases as you head south. Spoil IR43 then 10th down the chain, is the last green mark on top of the “Indian River Vero Beach to Ft Pierce Aquatic” text :
