[amsat-bb] EL58hx Grid Expedition - 25-27 May

[Clayton Coleman W5PFG]

The activation of maidenhead grid square EL58hx by W5PFG & AC0RA is just 
three weeks 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 the majority 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 25 May. 
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 27 May.

There are a total of 110 satellite passes predicted, 42 being FM. While 
we won't work every one of those, we should be on the ones that fall 
into good times and the best footprints over population centers. 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. Any one who works us is encourage to spot us.

I may activate other grids in route to EL58, especially Friday morning 
the 25th. I'll try to announce those via Twitter @w5pfg but it may be on 
short notice.

73,
Clayton
W5PFG