They battled ice, fatigue, migration and equipment failure in an attempt to span the Atlantic on 2 meters.

"Are you guys up for an experiment?"

As often happens, what began with a simple question turned into quite an adventure. On August 22, 2002, I received an e-mail from Nico Exner, DK5DQ, of VHF-DX-Gruppe, wondering if there was any chance that our club, the Society of Newfoundland Radio Amateurs (SONRA), would be interested in trying an experiment in transatlantic high-speed meteor scatter on 2 meters. The idea was for us to set up a station on this side of the Atlantic Ocean, with Nico and his group set up on the western Irish coast. We would make use of the FSK441 digital mode and the November 19 Leonid meteor shower, which was predicted to offer the most meteors per hour for the next 97 years.

The North American crew gets set up--the first time--to try a 2-meter transatlantic meteor scatter QSO from Admiralty House. From left, Alasdair Black, VO1LIN; Wayne Smith, VO1TA; Harry Schleichert, DL2DAO; Graham Dillabough, VO1DZA, and Rick Turner, VO1ZX.

After a quick round-table discussion, our club decided to make the leap. We didn't have much in the way of high-powered VHF equipment, with an estimated output power of 160 W at hand. We would need an antenna, also, as the one we had used during our previous pond-crossing attempt in 2000 had been destroyed. We had a Yaesu FT-736R VHF/UHF rig to drive an amplifier, so our station could be assembled with a little effort. Nico took this information back to his group for discussion. I awaited further news.

A call came from Nico explaining that they were concerned we didn't have sufficient power output and antenna gain to complement their planned station in Ireland. Nico suggested one of their group to travel to St John's and bring a high-power amplifier, transverter and some antennas to augment a Kenwood TS-850 station set up in Canada. With that decided as the proper course to take, both sides went forward with preparations.

The antenna weren't readily available in Germany so they were purchased in the US and shipped to me, along with some high-power, low-loss cable. Harry Schleichert, DL2DAO, would travel to St John's. Paul Webster, VO1HC, offered to billet them for their stay. Nico and Volker Muehlhaus, DL5DAW, were set to travel to Ireland to meet up with Tony Baldwin, EI8JK, and Tony Moore, EI7BMB.

Paul Webster, VO1HC, and Wayne scale to dizzying heights to install the 2-meter Yagis.

We had offered our club station, VO1AA, located at the Signal Hill National Historic Site, to serve as the western base for the experiment. It seemed only fitting that the site where the first transatlantic wireless signal had been received over 100 years earlier serve as the site for this attempt. The main requirements were that there be a clear shot to the east-northeast for the antenna and 220 V ac power for the amplifier. Having used 220 V during the visit by Queen Elizabeth in 1997 for the Cabot Celebration, and having requested a 220 V outlet at our station during renovations in 1991, we were fairly confident that these criteria could be satisfied. Unfortunately, with only days to go before Harry arrived, we couldn't find the outlet. We could get a cable installed from the main service panel to the station, but it would cost us a lot of money and the job might not be done in time. This, coupled with some other concerns that came up during our site assessment, caused several frantic phone calls between Graham Dillabough, VO1DZA, Dave Taylor of Parks Canada and me. It was decided that our other club station, VO1BZM, located at Admiralty House in Mount Pearl, would be the best alternative, having full access, 220 V power and other creature comforts. We could breathe a little easier.

Days 1 and 2: Admiralty House to Cabot Tower

Harry arrived at 2 AM on November 16 and was met at the airport by Paul, Brad Sheppard, VO1XA, and me. Thankfully, his luggage and equipment case were the first off the plane, so we loaded up Paul's van and were on our way to get some much-needed rest, as it looked like we may not get much over the next few days.

Many local amateurs get together for breakfast at a local shopping mall each Saturday. We used this particular occasion as the staging for the equipment set-up. Once we were awake and fed, we headed out for Admiralty House to set up the equipment. With Wayne Smith, VO1TA, and Paul doing the tower climbing, Graham, Alasdair Black, VO1LIN; Rick Turner, VO1ZX; Doug Tilly, VO1CN; Craig Tucker, VO1LCT, Harry and I went about setting up the station.

After it was learned that Admiralty House was unusable for the experiment, the crew re-relocated to Cabot Tower on Signal Hill, the original venue for the test. Alasdair and Wayne help guide the antennas up to the tower's roof.

The British Admiralty had set up Admiralty House during World War I as a relay station and listening post to monitor radio traffic in the North Atlantic. The site was chosen for two reasons, which play a role in our little adventure. First, it is well above sea level, giving good range for the station. Second, it is invisible to the ocean so as to protect it from bombardment. Keep this in mind as you read on.

After about six hours of setting up, we were ready to test. The antennas were in place, thanks to the tower climbing skills of Wayne and Paul, and the gear was plugged in and operational. Harry fired up the station and made sure all the equipment was working properly and tried some calls. After a little while, we called it a night.

I headed back to join the ARRL Sweepstakes phone contest. Operating as VO1AA, I was just getting into the groove when I got a phone call. While talking to Nico earlier, Harry had learned that the station needed to see the horizon in the direction of Ireland, approximately 65 degrees to the east. In order for our signal to hit the meteor trails at the proper angle, no more than a 2 degree elevation of the antenna from the horizontal could be tolerated. This wasn't possible at the Admiralty House location. Remember: the site had originally been chosen for its invisibility to the sea!

We were on the move. Ken and Dave had taken a trip to Cabot Tower, the original site, and found the 220 V power line hidden behind a panel in the wall. It needed an outlet but was useable. I called the other members of the team and we arranged to go to Admiralty House the next morning for the disassembly and move. Sweepstakes was over for me right then.

The next day, I arrived at Admiralty House at 8 AM, after being awakened from my slumber by a ringing telephone at 7:30. It was Paul, making sure I was awake! The day was crisp, but fair; the sun was out and there was no wind. Wayne, Paul, Harry and Graham were already there and the dismantling began. After an hour, we were packed up and ready to go. After a break at a local coffee shop, we went over to Cabot Tower to set up the gear. It went rather swiftly and the only thing we were missing was the 220 V power outlet. After the necessary arrangements were made to get the outlet installed the next morning, I dropped Harry off at Brad's place for the evening meal.

As if their troubles had been few, the VO1AA team arrived at Cabot Tower on the windy third day of the experiment to find antennas and feed lines coated with ice.

Day 3: Things that go ping in the night

Weather is a funny thing. After setting the equipment up in relative comfort the day before, we awoke to find a couple inches of snow on the ground. There was freezing rain, ice pellets falling and the wind gusted to about 30 mph and was expected to go to 50 mph. Paul had to work so I picked up Harry and we made our way up to Signal Hill.

When we arrived, we knew it wasn't going to be good. The antennas were no longer aligned and the wind was at least 10 mph stronger. There was about 2 inches of ice on everything. A typical autumn day in St John's! Undeterred, we went into the station and awaited the electrician, who would hook up the outlet. Once that was done, we started testing the gear. The antennas seemed okay, but they were pointed in the wrong direction. After a couple hours of testing and discussion, it was decided that we had to try to realign the Yagis. Wayne and Graham arrived, and we made the decision to take the antennas down to work on them.

The temperature had risen and the ice was melting, but not quickly enough to save our HF doublet, half of which couldn't stand the weight of the ice. The wind was no weaker, though. We managed to get the antenna down without any damage and made the choice to try with only one. We battled the elements and, once all the ice had melted, managed to get the antenna up and in the right direction. Some further testing showed we were ready to go.

The failure of the large amplifier was a big blow to the experiment, leaving Harry to forge ahead with the attempt using the smaller reserve amplifier.

Over the span of the four hours from 7 to 11 PM, many of the gang showed up to see what was happening. Outside, the sky was partly overcast; it was cold and really windy, estimated at close to 55 mph. The antenna was still in place, although it was moving laterally about 10 degrees. Graham's wife Joy visited us with some soup and sandwiches for the team. Cal Tucker, VO1CLT, showed up later with a pizza. Things were running smoothly and everyone was fed. Harry set the computer up to call CQ until the time of our schedule with Nico.

The first meteor peak was set for 11:30 or so. We started calling for Nico, who had been granted the use of EI2TAA ("transatlantic attempt") and the ability to use 750 W output. For several hours we continued the 30-seconds-transmit, 30-seconds-listen pattern, but heard nothing. Harry set it up to call CQ until the next scheduled contact time, which was at 7 AM.

Then, at around 3:15 AM, we got a few consistent pings. No call sign was decoded, but the signals were also audible. A quick phone call to Nico was made to arrange a new scheduled contact and we prepared to try again, hoping this development was the mark of improved conditions. At 3:30 we started our pattern again. We'd been on the air a half hour when we noticed the amplifier wasn't operating. The fuse had blown. Not having an exact replacement, we tried a close approximation, only to have that blow immediately. We tried another one, but it was no use. The amplifier let out some smoke with the last attempt and we knew it was done. We quickly decided to retrieve the 160 W amp from Admiralty House. Graham and I drove to Torbay to get the key and then to Mount Pearl for the amp. It took us an hour to get back and, after a few minutes we were back on the air, albeit at a substantially reduced ERP.

Part of the VO1AA team that attempted to span the Atlantic: Paul Webster, Wayne, Paul Piercey and Harry. Although they did not complete a QSO across the pond, a number of pings were heard and recorded, giving the team new hope that the challenge can be met.

The next meteor peak was due at 7 AM, so we began our transmit-and-receive at around 6:30. At 7:30 AM, a phone call was made to Nico and we decided to shut down. Given the loss of the amplifier, we knew it wasn't going to happen this time around. It also meant that testing to mainland North America was not going to be viable. By 9:30 AM, we had dismantled the station and were on our way home.

The next day was quiet for everyone. Harry got a sightseeing tour of the area with Ken and later went to Graham's house for the evening meal. The rest of Harry's stay certainly proved to be less stressful.

Epilogue:

There was some encouragement. Those few early morning pings meant we were hearing something off the meteors. Harry took the data home for further analysis. Hopefully, he will find a call sign in there somewhere and we'll know what we heard. In the end, it was well worth it as an experience. We made some new friends and learned some valuable lessons. There are some thoughts about trying again during the Perseids in August. It's a lot warmer that time of the year. I just thank God we didn't have to fly a kite.

Paul Piercey, VO1HE, was first licensed in December 1990 with a Basic + 5wpm ticket. Four months later he passed the exams for an Advanced + 12wpm license. He also holds VO2HE and had VO1PJP for a short time. Piercey currently works as a computer support specialist for the St. John's Nursing Home Board in Newfoundland. His interests include music (playing, writing and recording) and amateur radio (contests, special events, etc). A version of this article previously appeared in the SONRA membership newsletter. Piercey can be reached by e-mail at vo1he@rac.ca.

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