Staying on Easter Island
This was my second DXpedition that was with a group besides KH1. All others have been solo. There were several participants for this one. The trip was organized by Bob, KK6EK and Carlos, NP4IW. A second team headed by Carlos operated from Salas y Gomez using the callsign XRØZ during the Easter Island operation.Besides ham radio, our expedition also comprised of a team of divers who were not hams.
The front of the airport on Easter Island.
The first night on the island our flight arrived late so we stayed in Hanga Roa (the main town) at a place known as the O’Tai Hotel. The next morning we set up a rather large camp in the Northwestern section of the island. This was a coastal location known as La Perouse Bay.
Getting There
Our plane. The adventure started here at Santiago Airport in Chile.
Boarding. Bill, AA6TT
Ok, we’re here. Now what?
Dave, Wj2O
The O’Tai Hotel
O Tai Hotel Entrance
♫ Morning has broken … ♫
Breakfast. John, WØUN, conversing with Enno, PAØERA.
Setting up Camp
The first morning. Loading up the van getting ready to head out to the other corner of the island
Instructions: “Ok crew. unpack these crates and spread out.”
Scoping out the area . “I think the 40 meter beam will go well over there.” Joe, N1OCS, and Craig, AH9B.
Vincent, GØLMX. The beam is almost together. Time to read the manual.
Plenty of work to do. “Yes, that’s right Bill. antennas work better when they’re in the air.” Expedition leader Bob, KK6EK, on the right giving instructions to Bill, AA6TT, while John, WØUN, looks on the the background.
Antennas up. After 3 days of assembly all the aluminum is in the air.
Operating
SSB Tent. Albert, HB9BCK, and Nellie, XE1CI, inside the SSB tent. RTTY and SSTV was also transmitted from this location. You can see Luis’, XE1L, digital camera in the foreground.
Nellie, XE1CI
Our only YL ham operator
Albert, HB9BCK.
Working the pile-ups..
Max, XE1XA
Enno, PAØERA. A great CW operator and our EME specialist.
Bill, AA6TT.
The People
Al Boosman. One of the non-ham divers.
YLs brightened the camp. Gail Kruse, on the left, did a great job managing the dining tent. Barbara, on the right, was another member of the diving team.
John, W3UM. Who is married to Barbara
Barbara Hilbish married to John, W3UM
Nellie, XE1CI
Bob, W4UEE. This is the typical reaction to hams reading my book.
WØUN, W4UEE, & AA6TT
Vincent, GØLMX
The Camp
Fill `er up please!
Ham Water Closet
The “Living”
“Le Cuisine”
CW and SSB tents
Satellite antenna set-up
Satellite where are you?
Why always me!
Easter igloo
Computer setup
Moai Tour
If hadn´t held that Moai, it would have crushed us all! …You´re welcome!
Some Moai still preserve they eye colors
Don´t mind the focus, its my artistic taste…
Nobody noticed the difference!
This one´s in focus but its really not that artistic!
Excuse me sir, you are breathing on my head!
I´ll carry my camera and pretend I´m taking photos and see if they don´t tell me to refuel the generators again!
Most Moai material is thought of coming from this quarry.
4 guys interested and this one guy thinking on his pet cat!
Seen one seen them all!
Easter lake
Wild brown geese with long feet
Back in Town
This church is back in the main town of Hanga Roa.
Easter shopping mall
What to buy?
Inside there is quite an assortment to choose from.
QSLing Chores
Piles of qsls
Qsl printing for the deserving…
XRØY QSL Card
Licensing:
Easter Island is controlled by Chile. To obtain a license to operate here, you can follow the same procedures I detailed in the section on CE.
Dave’s Station
Equipment:
We had an extensive list of equipment. Here are some of the main pieces.
Kenwood Transceivers TS-950, TS-940, TS-850, TS-690
Yaesu FT-890
ETO Alpha 91B amplifiers
Force-12 beams for most every band
Cushcraft beams for most every band
Battle Creek Special (160/80/40 m vertical)
Various laptop computers
Customs:
There was no problem with customs. The only airline that flies to Easter Island is Lan Chile. They are very specific about how much weight you take with you. You are allowed two bags but only about 60 pounds total. My gear was well over 150 lbs. With the help of Bill, AA6TT and John, WØUN we successfully “argued” with the attendant until they got tired of us and let my cases go for no additional charge. Returning, however, I wasn’t anywhere near as successful and was charged $57,420 Chilean Pesos which is about $150.00 USD.
