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| Nigel G3TXF operated the 2018 Commonwealth Contest (BERU) as 3B8XF from Mauritius. This was the twelthth DX-trip made specifically to take part in the RSGB's Commonweath Contest. Previous BERU operations by G3TXF were 3B8/G3TXF (2017), 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. Also operated in the Russian-DX-Contest (RDXC). In total 3B8XF made 14,000 CW QSOs (including over 2,000 QSOs on 80m). |
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| The 80m vertical antenna at 3B8XF stands right in the sea. This is where all vertical antennas ideally should be! | Nigel G3TXF operating the 2018 Commonwealth Contest (BERU) as 3B8XF. Also operated in the Russian-DX-Contest (RDXC). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Ideal for a BERU visit to Mauritius: an aircraft with the registration VQ-MAA - one of the first aircraft registrations in VQ8, perhaps? | With the base right over the salt water, this multi-band trap vertical (Hustler 6-BTV) unsurprisingly worked very well indeed. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Attendees at the Mauritius Amateur Radio Society (MARS) March 2018 meeting : Jacky 3B8CF (MARS Secretary), Patrice 3B8FA, Patrick 3B8GF, Dr Dokhony, Jean-Marc 3B8DU, David Bastien, Johnny Nemo, Gérard 3B8FV, François 3B8BAN, Gérard 3B8DX, Yusuf 3B8FO, Michel Sinnott, Clive 3B8CW, Jacques 3B8GC, François 3B8GZ and Ashwin 3B8GL. |
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| Trap-vertical was used on 40m, 20m, 15m and 10m with radials running into the sea. | Collecting licence receipts from the ICTA for Vincent F4BKV and the 3B7A operators. | For 80m a folded quarter-wave vertical right by the sea provided over 2,000 QSOs. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The island QTH at 3B8XF provides an excellent all round sea take-off. | Hiro JR1TPJ who was holidaying briefly in Mauritius, visits the 3B8XF shack and is able to hear a big JA pile-up on 15m. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Clive 3B8CW at his well equipped station in Trou-aux-Biches, which is also the home of the 3B8CW RBN Skimmer. | "Is there anyone up there?" Jean-Marc 3B8DU demonstrates accessing a passing satellite with Gérard 3B8DX looking on. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Hex-Beam at 3B8CW. The 3B8CW RBN skimmer switches automatically between day-time and night-time modes. | 3B8XF : All the antennas are right at the water's edge, including this 40m vertical with the radials running into the sea. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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