Nine hams from around the world assembled in Australia to sail to Mellish Reef.
Rob, N7QT, worked hard for 2 years making all the arrangements and putting this trip together. More information can be found about this DXpedition by going to VK9MA.com.
![Travel Route](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/vk9m/Summary/VK9M-Mellish-Reef-Map.png)
Hides Hotel
![Dave WJ2O eating breakfast with group](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/vk9m/Summary/VK9M-Hides-Hotel-Group.jpg)
Here’s the group just finishing a leisurely breakfast on the second floor balcony of the Hides Hotel in Cairns. We stayed here a couple of days to get all the equipment in order and get used to being down under.
Operators
![Brian, N9ADG](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/vk9m/Photos/VK9M-Operators-Brian-N9ADG.jpg)
Brian, N9ADG
![Dave, WJ2O](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/vk9m/Photos/VK9M-Operators-Dave-WJ2O.jpg)
Dave, WJ2O
![David, W5XU](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/vk9m/Photos/VK9M-Operators-David-W5XU.jpg)
David, W5XU
![Dietmar, DL3DXX](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/vk9m/Photos/VK9M-Operators-Dietmar-DL3DXX.jpg)
Dietmar, DL3DXX
![Eric, SM1ALH](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/vk9m/Photos/VK9M-Operators-Eric-SM1ALH.jpg)
Eric, SM1ALH
![Hawk, SM5AQD](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/vk9m/Photos/VK9M-Operators-Hawk-SM5AQD.jpg)
Hawk, SM5AQD
![Lasse, SM5GLC](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/vk9m/Photos/VK9M-Operators-Lasse-SM5GLC.jpg)
Lasse, SM5GLC
![Morten, LB8DC](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/vk9m/Photos/VK9M-Operators-Morten-LB8DC.jpg)
Morten, LB8DC
![Rob, N7QT](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/vk9m/Photos/VK9M-Operators-Rob-N7QT.jpg)
Rob, N7QT
VK9MA QSL Card
![VK9MA QSL Card front](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/vk9m/QSL/vk9m_qsl_1.jpg)
![VK9MA QSL Card back](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/vk9m/QSL/vk9m_qsl_2.jpg)
![DXpedition Leader Rob Fanfant](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/vk9m/Licensing/VK9M-Licensing-Robert.jpg)
DXpedition Leader Rob Fanfant, N7QT, made all the arrangements for operating licensing and necessary landing permits.
Equipment
![Equipment in Mellish Reef](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/vk9m/Operating/VK9M-Operating-Eric.jpg)
Radios
5 x Elecraft K3S Transceivers
Amplifiers
5 x Expert SPE-1.3K FA
TX Antennas
17m/20m – 2 element Vertical Dipole Array
10m-20m – 2 element SteppIR @ 10m AGL
30m – 4 square
40m – 4 square
80m – 4 square, and CrankIR modified
10-80m – CrankIR full height adjustable ¼ wave vertical
160m – full height ¼ wave vertical (CrankIR modified + box kite), and Titanex 90’ vertical
RX Antennas
80m – 4 square vertical array ~RDF 12
160m – 4 square vertical array ~RDF 12
Getting There
My trip to Australia will start in my home airport of Syracuse, NY. I will hop to Philadelphia on American Airlines where I can catch a flight across the country to Los Angeles. The Transpacific flights takes me to Sydney. The final leg gets me to the City of Cairns using Quantas Airlines.
![Travel route](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/vk9m/Travel/VK9M_Travel_MapTo.jpg)
The Boat Part
After a couple of days we will be leaving Cairns, Australia by coach to drive up to Port Douglas where the boat is docked. Then we board the boat for the 4 day journey through the Great Barrier Reefs and on to Mellish Reef. The return is the same thing in reverse.
![Travel route 2](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/vk9m/Travel/VK9M_Travel_MapToAndFrom.jpg)
Going Home
Returning from Australia I start with Philippines Airlines taking me to Manila, then on to Tokyo. I switch back to American Airlines which brings me to Chicago and finishes back home in Syracuse.
![Travel route 3](https://images.harvestamerica.tech/wj2o/dxpeditions/vk9m/Travel/VK9M_Travel_MapReturn.jpg)