**** UPDATE Monday Sept 16 @ 1935 UTC ****
With a long drive ahead of them, and pooped from the six activations of the past two days, the crew decided to call it quits today. Thanks to everyone who helped them activate the islands on their adventure!
Pomham Rocks Lighthouse was along as a mascot for this activation trip. Cloudy morning prior to departing Cundy’s Harbor (Photo by Willy W1LY)
**** UPDATE Monday Sept 16 @ 1935 UTC ****
They had success with all three islands today, and should be back for more tomorrow. Stay tuned!
No activation in Maine would be complete without lobsta’s! (Left to right: Willy W1LY, Bonnie Knapp, John KiJSM, Pete W1LAB
**** UPDATE Monday Sept 16 @ 1750 UTC ****
They are on Center Island 14.280 MHz
On Center Island
Small weather station on Center Island with the boat in the background.
**** UPDATE Monday Sept 16 @ 1730 UTC ****
The gang officially activated Little Snow Island, which is now ME-128S. They are packing up and heading off to Center island, ME-127
**** UPDATE Monday Sept 16 @ 1700 UTC ****
They are on the air, 14.271, from Little Snow Island ME-128
Finishing setup on Little Snow Island Maine
**** UPDATE Monday Sept 16 @ 1630 UTC ****
The crew completed the activation of Bear Island, so it is officially ME-116S.
They are underway to Little Snow Island ME-128. On air about 16:45 UTC
**** UPDATE Monday Sept 16 @ 1525 UTC ****
Have moved to 7.260 +/- on Bear Island Maine ME-116
Pete W1LAB keeping watch for bear on Bear Island Maine
Willy W1LY discovers that old saying “You don’t have to be faster than the bear, just faster than the slowest guy.” Looks lonely, was there a bear?
Willy W1LY aft, John K1JSM logging, and Pete W1LAB on the air
L to R: Pete W1LAB, John K1JSM, Willy W1LY & Becky on the ramp!
**** UPDATE Monday Sept 16 @ 1425 UTC ****
They are on Bear Island making contacts 14.260 MHz US Islands ME-116
**** UPDATE Monday Sept 16 @ 1425 UTC ****
It was a long slog out to Bear Island. They are accessing landing spots and will be ashore soon. Expect initial operation 14.260 MHz (both 20 and 40 seem pretty dead from RI). On air between 1445 and 1500 UTC.
**** UPDATE Monday Sept 16 @ 1330 UTC ****
Pete, John and Willy are on their way to Bear Island ME-116 this morning. Expect them to be on the air about 1400 UTC. They should be back to their usual frequencies 7.265/14.265 +/- QRM
Traditional breakfast of Eggs Benedict (with lobster) prior to a long day of activating islands! (Left to Right: Pete W1LAB, Willy W1LY, and John K1JSM – Photo by Marshall)
**** UPDATE Sunday Sept 15 @ 1800 UTC ****
Headed back to the dock for today. Congratulations on 3 successful activations today. More tomorrow. Expect first island (TBD) to be on the air about 1400 UTC
**** UPDATE Sunday Sept 15 @ 1800 UTC ****
Now on 7.263 MHz
*** UPDATE Sunday Sept 15 @ 1800 UTC ****
Now on Malaga Island, ME-129 . 14.328 MHz
Now on Malaga Island
**** UPDATE Sunday Sept 15 @ 1720 UTC ****
They officially activated Yarmouth, now ME-121S, and are in route to Malaga, ME-129
**** UPDATE Sunday Sept 15 @ 1555 UTC ****
Now on 14.328 MHz
A closer view of the landing craft — lots of happy people (L to R: Bonny, Pete, John, Nat, and Willy – Photo by Marshall)
**** UPDATE Sunday Sept 15 @ 1555 UTC ****
They are now activating Yarmouth Island ME-121. On 7.263 MHz
Marshall had to scramble to get this photo of the crew on Yarmouth Island
Back on the air, Yarmouth Island ME-121. John K1JSM on computer, Willy W1LY on raadio
**** UPDATE Sunday Sept 15 @ 1520 UTC ****
The Crew is back underway with the replacement radio on board. They expect to make Yarmouth Island in about 30 minutes and be on the air by about 1600 UTC (local noon).
**** UPDATE Sunday Sept 15 @ 1435 UTC ****
The Raspberry Island Activation was successful, it is now ME-130S. Just in time, because their rig failed! Good news is they have a spare. Bad news is it is back at the dock in Cundy’s Harbor, so they are motoring back. They will return later for their next activation on Yarmouth Island ME-121. Stay tuned!!
**** UPDATE Sunday Sept 15 @ 1400 UTC ****
The 1st activation is underway – Raspberry Island ME130. They are on 7.247 MHz.
On Air, Raspberry Island Maine – Marshall on left, John & Willy at radio, Becky guarding the ramp.
Landing craft ramp sitting on Raspberry Island ME-130 John K1JSM on left, Willy W1LY on right. (Pete W1LAB taking photo)
Boat with ramp down on Raspberry Island. Antenna to the right. From left to right: Bonnie Knapp, John K1JSM, Willy W1LY, Pete W1LAB, Nat Pulsifer (Photo by Marshall Lawson)
Marshal on left, Willy raising antenna in the center, Nate Pulsifer on right.
Activation Crew underway! What a glorious day to be on the water in Maine! John K1JSM seated, Bonnie Knapp seated, Willy W1LY standing. Raspberry Island dead ahead!
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Da Boys in Da Boat (Lovingly referred to by Jim KA3UNQ) are at it again, this time in Maine. They will be activating a series of islands in Cumberland County, not far from Cundy’s Harbor, where they are staying. The proposed islands are:
- Bear Island ME116
- Bushy Island ME126
- Center Island ME127
- Little Snow I. ME128
- Malaga Island ME129
- Merrit Island ME117
- Pole Island ME118
- Ragged Island ME119
- Raspberry Island ME130
- Yarmouth Island ME121
As usual these islands have never been activated before. Only three operators this time; Pete W1LAB, John K1SJM, and Willy W1LY. The islands selected each day of the activation will be highly dependent on weather, tide levels and landing conditions. They have actually hired a landing craft to use this time that has a ramp in the front, but rocky shores may prevent that from being viable.
Their usual operating frequencies are 14.265 or 7.265 MHz +/- QRM, and as always they will be using the callsign W1SYE. Check the spotting networks for that call, and please spot them if you work them.
The operating schedule is currently unknown, but usually their first activation happens around 10 AM EDT (1400 UTC).
Check back here, at this post, for operating updates.
Moonrise over Cundy’s Harbor, Maine (Photo by Pete W1LAB)