Video: EJ7NET IOTA dxpedition to Aran Islands

This is a short video montage of photos from the EJ7NET IOTA dxpedition to Inis Mór, Aran Islands (EU-006). The video was put together by Gordon GM7WCO, who was one of the team members. I hope you enjoy it !

Video: Barry GM3YEH changes bands on the "Iona" dipole

This is a short video showing Barry GM3YEH changing bands on his homebrew multi-band dipole, which he calls the "Iona" dipole because he first used it on an IOTA expedition to the Island of Iona. The bands are changed by plugging or unplugging connectors. It is a very handy antenna for small dxpeditions like ours.

Band conditions poor today, but 6 metres is open now

Tony EI2GX caught the only bit of decent action on HF this
morning with a stint on 20 metres SSB.

Just a quick update from Inis Mór from the QTH of EJ7NET. HF bands have been poor today, and seemed to take something of a nosedive. However, we have been compensated with a great opening on 6 metres, with CW and SSB contacts into many European countries from IO53DD. We hope to be active on 80 metres SSB this evening, following several requests from EI and G stations, so keep an ear out.

With poor conditions on the bands, some of us abandoned the shack for some exercise, with several of us taking walks to different parts of the island. Myself, Gordon GM7WCO and Dermot EI5IQ took a hike down to the beach to get some photographs of the sea spray. The heavens opened while we were there. Photographic efforts produced mixed results! Gordon and I then went to see a ruined 8th century church and the weather picked up nicely, with strong sunshine but strong winds too.

Rush hour traffic on Inis Mór . . .

As I write, I have been on 6m working a pile-up and now Liam EI7DSB has taken over and is still getting plenty of contacts thanks to a good opening there. Our chef Tony EI3HA made a beautiful homemade vegetable soup for us a while ago and has now begun working on our main meal of the day.

A beautiful night on Inis Mór

The lights from the mainland with stars and clouds last night.

Our ground plane antennas with the Moon and Jupiter behind.

Our cottage on Inis Mór under the stars in twilight last night.

A few pictures from today at EJ7NET

Declan EI6FR was up early today working the States and Japan on 30m CW.

Dermot EI5IQ calling on 12 metres SSB.

Our 12m and 17m ground planes, with sleeping quarters,, looking
northeast with good take-off for Japan and Oceania.

A great day on the bands for EJ7NET

It's the end of my first day with the EJ7NET team here on Inis Mór, and what a fabulous day it's been. There's been lots of radio, lots of chat, and some very nice food eaten, thanks to our chef, Tony Casey EI3HA. Tony cooked a beautiful spaghetti bolognese for us this evening which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Declan rescues our dipole from the jaws of the horse!

We had a funny incident when, while some of us were chatting outside, we noticed a horse chewing on the rope holding our multi-band dipole. Declan EI6FR made a quick dash to rescue the antenna rope from the animal before he was able to cause any serious damage!!!

On the bands, things have been good. 30 metres CW picked up from tea time onwards, with a steady rate being worked. 17 metres CW has been phenomenal, with a constant stream of Japanese stations, along with some US and some EU being worked, even at this late stage. I was able to grab a mic and give some EIs and some Gs a chance on 40m SSB which was thoroughly enjoyable.

You can hear some audio of me working on 40m SSB at this link:

https://soundcloud.com/janek-kloss/ej7net-iota-eu-006-inishmore

Gordon GM7WCO operating on 30m CW

Above all, we have had great companionship. As the newcomer to this group, I have been made very welcome, and have enjoyed very interesting conversation about our wonderful hobby. The atmosphere here is nice and relaxed. There are ten operators in total, with three stations running, so there is no particular pressure on any one individual.

We hope to do some sightseeing tomorrow, including an ancient wedge tomb which is located not far from our QTH here. Right, good night all, from Inis Mór, Aran Islands, EU-006. Hope to work ye tomorrow!

A couple of pictures from the QTH of EJ7NET

This is our cottage on Inis Mór. It's a spectacular location.

The QTH of EJ7NET on Inis Mór, taken this afternoon.

The view from the front of the shack looking at the Atlantic.

Arrived safe and sound on Inis Mór

I have arrived safe and sound on Inis Mór for the EJ7NET IOTA activation on EU-006. The ferry sailing was interesting - a bit rough - but I got here to bright sunshine and blue sky. Just as I entered the shack, which is located in a thatched cottage on a good elevation overlooking the Atlantic, members of the team were hearing the Jan Mayen 50 Mhz beacon, JX7SIX. However, apart from one QSO with a 6m station in Ireland, we did not enjoy an E opening.

Rolf HB9DGV working 20m CW

With the CQM contest on both CW and SSB, we are having a challenge finding space on the band for a 100 watt, small antenna setup. We have had a bit of action on 17m SSB, 30m CW and 20m SSB. On 17m, we have worked Alaska. On 30m, it's been mostly EU so far.

The broadband is a bit hit and miss, but I will do my best to give regular updates. The other ops are very welcoming, and our resident chef, Tony EI3HA is already working on our evening meal. The soup and wrap on arrival were just beautiful. It is doing a few showers here, but by and large it's sunny, if a bit cool and very very windy.

Hopefully when the CQM contest is finished we will get some action on 20, 15 and 10, but there is a solar flare incoming, so we will have to see how propagation plays out.

First signals heard from EJ7NET on EU-006!!

This is the EJ7NET dxpedition on Inis Mór (IOTA EU-006) tonight on 40 metres CW. All going well, I will be joining this multi-national team tomorrow afternoon. Hope to be on the other end of the pile-ups tomorrow night!!

I am told there is mobile phone coverage plus broadband at the shack, so I would hope to update this blog regularly from the island over the next few days, with video, photos and of course words. So keep coming back folks!

EJ7NET (EU-006), my first dxpedition

The hours are counting down to the start of my first ever expedition, to Inis Mór (Inishmore) on the Aran Islands, which begins this weekend. The EJ7NET team, consisting of six EI hams, two from GM and two from HB9, will be on the air for about five days from EU-006. Most of the team arrives on the island tomorrow (Friday), while I will be following on Saturday. It will be a 100 watt, small antenna operation, from the famous islands in Galway Bay. Hopefully, the weather will begin to improve some time between now and then!

Dun Aonghasa overlooking the Atlantic on Inis Mór.

The international team is organised by Declan Craig, EI6FR, who is a long established Irish DXer. We are looking forward to running some nice pile-ups, and of course I will be on hand to photograph, video and document the activation as much as possible in the coming days. So keep an eye on this blog for updates (dependent on mobile phone coverage!)

Many of you will know I have a major interest in ancient Ireland, having written two books on the subject. Having never been to the Aran Islands, I'm looking forward to visiting Dun Aonghasa, an Iron Age stone fort at the edge of the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on Inis Mór. I may take some time to sample the local beer too HI HI...

Anyway, I hope to hear you in the pile-ups. We are there until next Wednesday, 15th May. If you hear us, don't forget to spot us on the web clusters. Our Islands on the Air (IOTA) reference is EU-006.