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3B8/G3TXF - Commonwealth Contest 2017 : Mauritius
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Nigel G3TXF operated the 2017 Commonwealth Contest (BERU) as 3B8/G3TXF from Mauritius. This was the eleventh DX-trip made specifically to take part in the RSGB's Commonweath Contest.
Previous BERU operations by G3TXF were J79XF (2016), V5/G3TXF (2015), ZF2XF (2014), ZF2XF (2013), ZD7XF (2012), VP2MXF (2011), 6Y8XF (2009), VQ5XF (2008), V25XF (2007) and VP2EN (2003). Here is a multi-year BERU score summary.
For details on the Commonwealth Contest (BERU) see Bob G3PJT's Commonwealth Contest website.
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| Nigel G3TXF operated the 2017 Commonwealth Contest as 3B8/G3TXF from Mauritius: 40m vertical right by the water's edge. |
An ideal water's edge location for 3B8/G3TXF in the 80th BERU. The 40m vertical is just visible on the far left of the island. |
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| 3B8/G3TXF with Elecraft K3S, KPA-500 amplifier and KAT-500 Antenna Tuner. Logging with Win-Test (...still the best!). |
Short causeway out to the islet at low tide. The islet provides a virtual 360 degree all-round sea take-off. Just magic for radio! |
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| The 40m vertical antenna at 3B8/G3TXF regularly gets its toes wet in the waves. Excellent take-off to USA/Europe and Japan. |
The base of the 80m vertical antenna at 3B8/G3TXF also gets a thorough soaking at high tide. |
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| Clive 3B8CW bikes across the short causeway from the islet QTH of 3B8/G3TXF back to the mainland. |
Clive 3B8CW with the 17m vertical dipole used by 3B8/G3TXF outside the Commonwealth Contest (BERU). |
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| Visitors to Mauritius still have to apply to the local telecoms regulator ICTA for a temporary licence .... |
... however the ICTA offices are located conveniently close to the new Caudan Water Front area in the capital Port Louis. |
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| The numerous radials for the 80m vertical are pulled together at the end of the trip. |
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One of the main security companies on Mauritius is called "CQ-Tech"! |
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Clive 3B8CW helps gather up several 10m fibreglass poles and lengths of coax. |
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| Clive 3B8CW in his shack in Trou aux Biches, Mauritius, which is also the location of the 3B8CW RBN Skimmer. |
The roof of Clive 3B8CW's supports various antennas including a hex-beam, VHF antennas and a broadband HF skimmer antenna. |
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| 3B8/G3TXF : All the antennas were right at the water's edge, including this 40m vertical with the radials running into the sea. |
Clive 3B8CW bikes across the short causeway from the islet QTH of 3B8/G3TXF back to the mainland. |
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