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FP5KE - St Pierre & Miquelon

Updated: Sep 25


FP5KE Update (Sep 25)


Yesterday, after 7 days of activity FP5KE has crossed the symbolic milestone of 100,000 QSOs, more than half of which are in human modes (CW, SSB RTTY).


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FP5KE Update (Sep 21)


The days go by and look much the same: since the first we constantly had wind but since yesterday it has raised even more and the temperature has dropped. The antennas are really challenged and the 160m vertical broke yesterday (but it has since been repaired).


Today is Jean-Luc F1ULQ’s birthday, this is quite unusual to celebrate on a remote island in the North Atlantic.


Propagation is better than expected, we even built a 12m vertical dipole to complement the Hexbeam and do inband operation. We have already made 77,000 QSOs and the expedition is not over. On 6m however, it is very quiet even if our station is transmitting all day long. On 2m EME we have logged more than 50 QSOs and on LEO satellites almost 100 QSOs.


F2DX, our leader and video specialist, went to Saint-Pierre yesterday afternoon to capture videos from some strategic viewpoints. Flying the drone in such strong winds was difficult (and even risky). Before the video we can share with you a few views of our ile aux marins taken from the « capital ».


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FP5KE Update (Sep 20)


On the scene with FP5KE, île aux Marins, Saint-Pierre & Miquelon by F6KOP. Currently we have made 60,000 QSOs in less than 4 days (89 hours of activity)


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You can see more pictures in the link of the source.



FP5KE Update (Sep 18)


Our generator issues are almost resolved with the addition of a third 3.5 kW generator (thanks once again to Jean-Christophe FP5AC). We still have to limit our output power, as 8 stations are active permanently, and sometimes 9 during 2m EME sessions (where we already made around twenty QSOs).


Operators have now settled into their rhythm and traffic is running smoothly with excellent results: we logged 35,000 QSOs in just 48 hours. The antennas are working well and on the receiving side our 160m Beverage antenna pointed toward Europe/Asia is performing extremely well on 40, 60, 80, and 160m. The two receiving loops are also a real gain.


Live streaming is not always working optimally. For Internet we rely on the Starlink network which, strictly speaking, shouldn’t even be functional here since Saint-Pierre and Miquelon is not yet « open ».


On the satellite side, many attempts have been made to reach QO-100. Yesterday’s effort even involved climbing a large rock with batteries and equipment (see photos) despite icy winds but without any success. The -3.2° elevation is a real handicap, especially since Newfoundland is directly in that direction. On LEO satellites however, today’s first passes permitted very encouraging results with about twenty QSOs on RS-44 and AO-7.


For logistics (dinners and breakfasts) we do our shopping in Saint-Pierre, synchronized with the boat rotations between the two islands. As planned, lunches are provided by the island’s sole restaurant where the chef is taking great care of us.


We already wish to thank the local residents, who are doing everything possible to ensure the success of our expedition. The daily « DIY » system is often used and the kindness of the people of Saint-Pierre truly knows no limits. Jean-Patrick, Stéphane(s), Jean-Christophe, Axel, Christophe, Cathy, Michou, Dominique, Franz, and many others, you’ve already given us in just a few days a remarkable lesson in solidarity!


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You can see more pictures in the link of the source.



FP5KE Update (Sep 16)


We received the 11 missing pieces of luggage late yesterday afternoon. The installation of the antennas continued until nightfall as well as today morning. With the exception of the 6m beam, all our antennas are now installed.


The WX of these first two days has been quite pleasant (between 10 and 15°C) with, however, a lot of wind. But we still encounter an annoying problem: the generator of the house we rent was advertised as 15 kVA but ultimately only makes 6 kVA which is very little given the number of stations we have. Thanks to the solidarity of the inhabitants of Saint-Pierre, and under the leadership of FP5AC, we obtained the loan of a second 4 kW generator (thanks Stéphane!). It is certainly not yet sufficient and we cannot use the planned power, but it is better than nothing and it allowed us to start traffic this afternoon (almost 24 hours late).


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You can see more pictures in the link of the source.



FP5KE Update (Sep 15)


We arrived yesterday evening on ile aux marins. However, 11 pieces of luggage including all antennas and amplifiers were left behind in Canada (the plane was overloaded). We do not know yet when the situation will be resolved and consequently when operations will be able to start.


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You can see more pictures in the link of the source.



FP5KE Update (Sep 14)


Taking advantage of a good Internet connection on our Paris – St. John’s (Newfoundland) flight we would like to share a quick update. Check-in took quite a while and we had to use the credit card again due to excess baggage charges (mainly for the five large antenna bags). Before that we had to pass customs to have our detailed temporary export declaration checked and validated.


We are currently somewhere over the middle of the Atlantic ocean. Once we land in Newfoundland, we will have very little time to collect all our luggages and check in again for the final St. John’s – St. Pierre flight. Upon arrival we willl need to take a bus and finally a boat to reach Île aux Marins.


Monday will be entirely dedicated to setting up the antenna, and operations are expected to begin by Monday evening at the earliest.


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FP5KE Update (Sep 12)


To avoid creating unnecessary constraints for other expeditions operating at the same time, we have chosen not to publish a fixed band plan that we might not be able to maintain. Instead, by using Club Log’s Livestream, you will be able to know our frequencies in real time. We also invite you to review the operating guidelines available on our website.

Most of the team will begin their journey by train or plane on Saturday September 13, meeting up at a hotel near Charles de Gaulle Airport (Paris). Unless an air traffic controllers’ strike disrupts everything, departure for St. John’s (Newfoundland) is scheduled for Sunday at 11:35 local time. We will carry 900 kg of equipment which will be delivered at the airport by members of F6KOP radio club.



FP5KE Update (Sep 10)


As for 9L5A last year, for each of our eight FP5KE HF stations we have created a sheet with a global view of the propagation forecasts (provided by our sponsor VOACAP) for all continents and all bands. Some continents will be easier to contact than others. The objective is also to favor other continents when the forecast is suitable. Please follow the operators’ instructions when they ask for « OC only », « JA only » etc. In Japan for example FP is ranked #30, and #43 in VK/ZL.


Our Propagation Manager is Diego, F4HAU.


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FP5KE Update (Sep 09)


QO-100 setup at FP5KE DXpedition: Antenna will be a 60cm offset dish cut in two for transportation, together with a TCXO LNB and a helix feed. We will also have a 2.4GHz grid antenna and a smaller dish. Station will be either a Pluto SDR, or a Hermes Lite 2 with an uplink dxpatrol converter, or eventually the Khune upconverter. Amplifiers are SGLab 12w, DXPatrol 12w and PE1RKI 100w amplifier. Reception with either the Pluto or some RTL SDR dongle, using SDR Console or Thetis for controlling all this.


QO-100 isn’t the priority for FP5KE, and remember our QTH is located outside of the footprint, at -3.2 elevation, so chance of getting it work is very slim (but if we don’t try, we will never know). Two Satellite experienced operators will make several attempts at different time of the day/night Exact timing will be announced in advance on the QO-100 whatsapp groups. Station will most probably be located outdoor and we have secured two car battery to be able to move the station and try alternative qth like at the seashore or in a nearby cliff.


In addition of QO-100, the team also will be active on LEO SAT, FM and SSB, with a IC9700 and Arrow antenna. We will also try to announce our pass in advance in the different known channels.


Our SAT Managers are Vincent, F4BKV and Olivier, HB9GWJ


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FP5KE Update (Sep 07)


  • EME operation will not be a priority of our DXPedition but we will however do our best.

  • QRG: 144.126 MHz – 1500 Hz – TX: 2nd.

  • RIG: IC-9700 – 500W/1kW – preamp – 12-element DK7ZB 4 lambda Yagi.

  • Operation will mainly be in JT65B or Q65B-60. CW (sked) possible at the end of the session.

  • Our antenna polarization will be primarily horizontal. We will try to schedule a session in vertical polarization if needed (info via EA8DBM chat).

  • We will do our best to be QRV for JA/VK during openings.

  • FT8/SSB operation outside of EME openings, with skeds possible via the ON4KST chat (maritime tropo).

  • FP5KE will be QRV on EA8DBM EME chat.

  • Our EME Manager is Guillaume, F4FET


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You can see more pictures in the link of the source.



FP5KE Update (Sep 04)


A new receiving antenna has just arrived from Vertical-Array: the AEG Ultra Loop RX 40-80-160. We are already familiar with this antenna as we already used it during previous DXpeditions. Its main advantages are its lightweight (5 kg) and is easy to transport. We will have two of them this year to improve our reception on the low bands both in CW and SSB. Many thanks to Vertical-Array for their contribution to the success of our DXpedition. Larry F5PBM, our chief equipment manager at F6KOP, quickly assembled it before it was added to the FP5KE gear.


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You can see more pictures in the link of the source.



FP5KE Update (Aug 31)


We are now 15 days away. The preparation of the equipment for FP5KE was completed this weekend at Radio Club of Provins F6KOP. All our gear is packed, and every bag and case has been numbered. We will carry on board 16 cabin bags (12 kg each) containing the transceivers and some of the lighter amplifiers such as the ACOM 500s, and also with about ten laptops. The most of the equipment will travel as checked luggage with five 32 kg bags for the antennas and 14 bags of 23 kg for the gear. With 700 kg of luggage, this is even more than for previous F6KOP expeditions.


The preparation photo album now includes over 60 pictures.


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You can see more pictures in the link of the source.



FP5KE Update (Aug 23)


Yesterday, F4HAU and F5PBM met at F5CWU’s to pick up the 4 VDA antennas and 450m of low-loss coaxial cable for FP5KE. This is the equipment that was used during the previous FT4JA (2016) and 3B7A (2018) DXpeditions. No need to say that this equipment has already seen more than a hundred thousand QSOs!


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You can see more pictures in the link of the source.



FP5KE Update (Aug 04)


Our dates are now confirmed: Arrival in Saint-Pierre via Newfoundland on September 14 in the evening, then transfer by boat to Île aux Marins, followed by a 1 km walk to reach our QTH. Operations are expected to begin on September 15 in the afternoon, after a full day of setup. We will leave Île aux Marins on September 26 in the evening for the return flights on September 27 via Newfoundland and then on to Paris. If all goes as planned, FP5KE should be on the air from September 15 to 26.


This isn’t exactly what we originally planned for the return journey. Initially, we were supposed to sail back to Newfoundland and then charter a bus (350 km to the airport). Unfortunately, SPM-Ferries cancelled their Saturday boat due to maintenance (??). Since there are no scheduled flights to Newfoundland on September 27 we had no choice but to charter an Air Saint-Pierre flight to go back to Newfoundland. This increased the budget by €7300, but it was the only way to avoid shortening the DXpedition. It is definitely complicated and expensive to go to Saint-Pierre and Miquelon and any help is welcome.


Regarding EME (a first for a F6KOP DXpedition), due to the volume of equipment being transported we will limit ourselves to 144 MHz and have cancelled our plan to also operate on 1296 MHz. No changes however for the HF and 6m bands (8 stations) or for satellite operations. Be sure to follow us on our Facebook page and our website.



FP5KE Update (May 11)


Our website is live! You will already discover: the composition of our team of 17 people including 16 operators, our equipment, the sponsors who have already placed their trust in us, a presentation page and a photo album about Saint-Pierre & Miquelon and our QTH on Île aux Marins.

For more information, especially regarding the dates, you’ll have to wait a little longer, as we’re still exploring the possibility of earlier departures. Don’t worry, it will be in 2025. In any case, you’ll be informed well in advance by following our new Facebook page, our website or our press partners.



FP5KE Update (Mar 02)


Preparations for our F6KOP 2025 expedition to the island aux Marins (Saint-Pierre & Miquelon archipelago) are progressing well. The FP5KE team is complete and includes 16 experienced operators as well as FP5AC for the important stewardship part since we will have to be self-sufficient. We finally plan 8 HF and 6m stations as well as 2 EME stations (2m and 23cm) and about twenty antennas. Everything will be powered by electrogen group(s). More information such as dates, list of operators and our website will be provided later.


F2DX (ex FP5DX 1988-1991) Team Leader



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After the success of our 9L5A DXpedition in 2024, F6KOP radioclub of Provins has chosen for 2025 to go to Saint-Pierre & Miquelon (Ile aux Marins).


Although FP is sometimes active there has never been such a big expedition like we organize.


We will be 16 operators with at least 7 active stations from 160 to 6m in all modes and probably in 2m EME.


Callsign FP5KE will be used for a minimum of 10 days of traffic.


Faithful to our principles the "human" modes CW, SSB, RTTY will be favored (without abandoning FT8 and FT4).


Additional information such as dates and website will be communicated later.


F2DX (ex FP5DX 1988-1991) Team Leader


 
 
 

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