[amsat-bb] EL58hx Grid Expedition - THIS WEEK (7-9 June)

[Clayton Coleman W5PFG]

The activation of maidenhead grid square EL58hx by W5PFG & AC0RA is 
three days away. Even if you are not a grid or awards chaser, we would 
love to work you during this expedition via satellite. There are no 
permanent residents of this grid square, as most of it is open water in 
the Gulf of Mexico. What little land in EL58 is sandbar at mouth of the 
Mississippi River and accessible only by boat. See here: 
http://qthlocator.free.fr/index.php?locator=el58hx

During the entire expedition, we will be land-based in the grid, meaning 
this activation will count as Louisiana, Plaquemines Parish (County), 
USA. It counts as Islands on the Air IOTA NA-168, Burwood Island. If you 
participate in the 2018 ARRL International Grid Chase, this might be 
your only opportunity to work EL58.

Operating activity is estimated to begin around 23:00 UTC on 7-June. 
There are some variability in our arrival time and it will take us some 
time to prepare the site for operation. We will likely conclude 
operations around 15:00 UTC on 9-June.

The list below are satellites we plan to utilize:

FM: SO-50, AO-85, AO-91, AO-92
SSB: AO-7, FO-29, AO-73, XW-2A, XW-2B, XW-2C, XW-2F, CAS-4B

Skeds are available for DX and stations greater than 6000 kms distance 
from EL58hx. Sked via direct email only to w5pfg at arrl dot net.

Even if you worked the previous EL58 trip (K5L/mm), we'd love to work 
you again. This expedition we will use callsign W5PFG on satellites and 
AC0RA on 6m. We are hoping to work and confirm as many grid squares as 
possible, so if you want to work us from a nearby grid line to your home 
QTH, it is appreciated!

AC0RA is responsible for the 6m side of our activation. You may hear 
either of us on 20m and 40m. Anyone who works us is encouraged to spot us.

I may activate other grids in route to EL58, especially Wednesday, 
6-June. I'll try to announce those via Twitter @w5pfg but it may be on 
short notice.

73,
Clayton
W5PFG