Interesting image from the Pacific

Steve-N5AC

While Elecraft is the official sponsor for the Palmyra Expedition (K5P), I thought I'd share a picture of some new equipment making a debut on the island.  A couple of these were able to stow-away on the plane out and are getting a real workout.  See if you can spot anything new in the picture.  Rumor has it that the participants are fighting over who gets to operate the Flex next!



Pictured is Glenn Johnson, W0GJ

Mack

This is a fantastic debut of the future of ham radio and Dxpeditions! 

Well done!

Mack
W4AX

Lewis Cheek

Now I wonder which operator may have packed his Flex?

Lew
N4CO

Brent Parker

Wow, and a Maestro too!

Don't let those "knobbed" radio's beat us!  Way to go Steve.

Lewis Cheek

Now I do see something in the picture that I have NOT seen in operation before, anyone else see it?

Lew N4CO

Mark Griffin

I have to laugh, they have high tech radio's and low grade antenna's. I heard from a fellow ham on Saturday that they are only permitted to use vertical's They can't even use a dipole because the government feels that perhaps the wildlife might injure themselves on the dipole or a beam. Talk about having your hands tied in Ham Radio Politics!

Ben Morris

That is awesome! I see a time in the not too distant future that this will be the radio of choice for all the major dxpeditions!

Frank WA3NHK

Maestro.

KF4HR

Yes!  That's either a black pancake or ice pack on the Op's head! :^))

Lewis Cheek

Frank, you found it. You and I will now MOVE to head of shipping "Q".

Lew N4CO

Lewis Cheek

Anyone know what the Flex is setting on, is that another pre production item also?

Lew N4CO

Larry _ NY8T

Looks like an SPE Expert amp the flex is sitting on.

Rick Hadley - W0FG

Glen has been a very strong Flex booster and the last EIDXA meeting's program was a Flex presentation.  I'm not surprised he packed his 6700 along. There are three of us in the EIDXA that are Flex 6K users.  Glen and Al are both on the Alpha team.

Steve-N5AC

That's a Radiosport headset with the FlexRadio emblazoned bonnet ;-)  These are actually available in our online store: Radiosport products

Simon Lewis

so would you rather have no new DXCC or a DXCC using a vertical ? 

It's what they were dictated to use ... comply or don't get to run

I know what I prefer!

Frank WA3NHK

You first, after me.  

Ken - NM9P

I was trying to decide whether it was a 6500 or a 6700.  Either way, still nice, even with only a vertical.  Nice that they get to break in a Maestro and RadioSport headset on the DXpedition, too.
I would love to get my hands on an Expert 1.2K amp/tuner combo, but $$$!!!

BTW...I finally worked K5P on 17CW & 20CW on my lunch hour today!  Whoo Hoo!  Got the VP8 twice last night on 40 and 15 CW, ...finally!

Ken - NM9P 

[Deleted User]

Now I know why he is grinning from ear to ear.

Simon Lewis

I have an SPE1K and its one of the best bits of kit I have bought. Worked a LOT of DX with it Congrats on VP8 - worked CFM'd here 1 QSO .. that's all I need ... a REALLLY hard path for us from ZL across the pole and there's a lot of Au at the moment!

Richard McClelland, AA5S

Good product placement... 

Walt - KZ1F

But isn't that, for you, like Burt or me hitting Mathas Vineyard?

Ken - NM9P

Only the 20CW K5P shows up on the web log so far.  but that is good enough, since it is ATNO!  
None of the VP8's have shown up yet.  
I hope they don't wind up being busted calls!

[Deleted User]

Im going on a Dxpedition to our kids house. Can I get my Maestro to try early as a tester. See if it survives the grandkids.

Simon Lewis

they only had 1 log update so far - I read their are far south of Inmarsat coverage and might be relying on Iridium satphone service - might be the reason why so slow updates. A local worked em and has a busted call but that looked like an Op mistype - hes ok

Gerald-K5SDR

Steve and I both worked that exact station setup on 15m CW a couple hours before the photo was taken of Glenn.  Craig, K9CT, was at the controls at that time we worked them.  Bagged him on the second call - Flex to Flex.  First CW DX I have worked since the '60s.  It might have hooked me to brush up on my CW.  I was practicing my CW call by voice on the way home from work:  da-di-da  di-di-di-di-dit  di-di-dit  dah-di-dit  di-dah-dit

EA4GLI

Get in line gentleman!!
I can't believe those K5P "dxpeditioners" beat me to preorder.... ;-)

Mark_WS7M

Outstanding... wiping the drool off the table now...  

Tim - W4TME

We have a winner

Ken - NM9P

Way to go, Gerald!  
Yes, it would be nice to brush up so you can fully understand the full power of the excellent rig you and your team have created!  

It has made me a CW lover again, even though I still don't rag chew on code, it is a lot of fun DXing and Contesting with it!  

Ken - NM9P

Simon Lewis

yeah like 6000km away .. backyard!

my point was .. vertical and DXCC or not complying

Same for Navassa ...

I'll try work someone on a bit of wet string if it was a new one

Simon Lewis

Gerald I have used the Flex 6500 over the past months chasing DX and it's the dogs doodahs!   CW pileups - superb filters, RTTY .. brilliant filters again ... SSB piles ..amazing ... large sized panadapter  - sold, sold and sold again!  Monitor multiple bands, see where the DX is working, find the pattern, hole,   and time again the Flex pulls it off!

It is "THE" DX machine of choice now ...

I love CW and the Flex made me love it every time I get into the pile

Congrats on the F2F QSO

Maestro will be a killer ..... my tactical advantage might be waning once people realise ...   Best make the most now while we can

Thank the team for this 

Please find some time to enjoy your brilliant work too team

73 Simon ZL4PLM