VK9MT logged for a third time, and TX6G logged 13 times

This is just a very quick update because it's late and I need to get to bed!! I worked the VK9MT Mellish Reef dxpedition for a third time this evening, on 17m CW. He had a good signal, and was working both EU and Japan. I managed to get in after about five minutes of calling. Below is a video I made shortly after my QSO. You can hear EI7NET being worked by them:

The TX6G dxpedition is just about to wind down as I write this, but they are still on 12m CW and with a good signal here at 11pm local time. I decided to make a quick video of them before they close. It's been a fantastic dxpedition. They are brilliant operators, and they kept good discipline on the pile-ups too. I am both ecstatic and surprised to have worked them on 13 band slots, including that coveted 80m slot, which only three Irish operators managed. Here is the video shot a short time ago of TX6G on 12 metres CW:

This picture will speak for itself, I hope!!

TX6G, Austral Islands, worked on 80 metres CW just a few short days ago, and now confirmed on ARRL's Logbook of the World. Need I say any more? Worked at half six in the morning with a compromise 80m dipole wrapped around my 30ft-long garden. Delighted is the first word that springs to mind!

VU4K Andaman Islands makes it DXCC #305 in the log!

I've been laid up with a bit of a flu this past couple of days so radio activity has been limited. However, I am delighted to report that VU4K Andaman and Nicobar Islands is in my log, having been worked on both 12 metres SSB and also 15 metres SSB. That topped off a terrific day in which I also worked the TX6G dxpedition on three bands - 10m, 12m and 15m, all CW - and also on which I worked EP3HF in Iran on 10 metres using my trusty Antron 99 antenna, and ZL7AAA Chatham Islands on 20 SSB. Here is a video I shot immediately after working the VU4K on 12 metres:

As you can see, he had a decent signal on my hexbeam. I was delighted to work him. VU4 is 40th on the Clublog Most Wanted DXCC list, and although it was activated a couple of years ago I missed out at that time.

I've also managed to work the TX6G dxpedition to Australs on no fewer than six bands now, all CW. I only had two slots with this DXCC before now, and now only need it on 80m (and of course 160m). FO/A is 62nd on the most wanted list. I nabbed them on 20m CW this morning and you can see how strong they were in the video below, which was shot immediately after my QSO with them:

One other contact that I was really happy with was with EP3HF in Iran. Iran is even more rare than Andaman Islands, at 36th in the most wanted list. He was calling CQ on ten metres SSB but had half of Europe calling him. 

I didn't think I had much chance. I tried for a while on the hexbeam with no joy. Then I decided to switch over to the Antron 99 and try and, much to my joy and astonishment, I was in his log after just a couple of calls! What a great joy.

This morning I nabbed ZL7AAA on 20 metres SSB for only my second QSO with this DXCC, having nabbed it the other day as country #304 in my log.

TX6G Austral Islands on 40m and 30m within 20 minutes!

I worked the British dxpedition to Austral Islands this morning on 40m CW and then 30m CW. 40m is a new band for me and I was delighted to hear them with such strong signals, and it was great to work them so easily, especially as they have only just begun their expedition. Here is a video I made just after working them. Excuse the voice - I am stuffed with a bad cold.

I also nabbed VP2V/SP9WZS on 10m CW and P29NO on 10 CW, both new countries on that band for me. That prompted me to look at my stats, and I'm surprised and delighted to see the progress I am making on HF.

All bands/mode: Worked 304 Confirmed 284
CW: Worked 296 Confirmed 264
Phone: Worked 267 Confirmed 222
160m: Worked 71 Confirmed 54
80m: Worked 141 Confirmed 115
40m: Worked 206 Confirmed 157
30m: Worked 219 Confirmed 168
20m: Worked 277 Confirmed 226
17m: Worked 273 Confirmed 210
15m: Worked 265 Confirmed 196
12m: Worked 248 Confirmed 181
10m: Worked 235 Confirmed 177