VK9MT Maybe Abandoning Mellish Reef for Safe Haven

I have not seen spots in the cluster for a day now..... NY4G Stormy Weather May Force Retreat of Mellish Reef VK9MT DXpedition Team: from The ARRL Letter on April 3, 2014 Website: http://www.arrl.org/  Add a comment about this article!  Stormy Weather May Force Retreat of Mellish Reef VK9MT DXpedition Team: Deteriorating weather and high winds could force the Mellish Reef VK9MT http://vk9mt.com/DXpedition team from the Pacific Atoll to the Evohe, the ship that transported them from Australia a week earlier. The operation may have to be abandoned altogether, if the poor weather persists. The DXpedition began operations on March 29 and had planned to remain on Mellish Reef until April 9. "The weather continues to change," a team update reported April 3. "Last night there were torrential downpours and high winds." The DXpedition said that antennas survived with no damage, but the operators have removed nonessential equipment and several antennas, including the just-erected 160 meter antenna. While water flowed into the "break tent" through an open window, the operating tents were dry, and no equipment was damaged. "Tomorrow morning we will remove all remaining equipment from the island and head towards Australia," the team said, adding that its immediate destination would depend upon the winds and sea conditions, although the ship eventually would return to its home port of Mackay, Australia. "Even if the storm subsides, it is unlikely we will have enough time to return to the island." Early on April 3, the team reported it was keeping an eye on a tropical depression north of Mellish Reef and made contingency plans to shut down and abandon the reef, at least temporarily. "The safety of the DXpedition team and the crew is the first priority," the team said. The operators were requesting that only those needing Mellish Reef for an all-time new one call the DXpedition. To that end VK9MT intended to focus its attention on bands that drive the highest rates. As of 2000 UTC, VK9MT continued to hold forth on 15, 17, 20, 30, 80, and 75 meters. Last activated in 2009, Mellish Reef is number 22 on ClubLog's most recent mixed-mode DXCC Most Wanted List http://www.clublog.org/mostwanted.php. -- Thanks to The Daily DXhttp://www.dailydx.com, DX Summit http://www.dxsummit.fi/

On Apr 2, 2014, at 8:42 PM, Dave Anderson <davek4sv@yahoo.com> wrote:

Now is the time to turn the radio on and work the VM9MT guys ASAP. The posted a notice they may have to QRT due to the Typhoon.

Do Not spare the horses!

Thanks,
Dave Anderson, K4SV
Sent from my iPad

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