K5C Cat Island 2002 IOTA Expedition

MDXA Plans return to Cat Island

The MDXA will once again activate Cat Island. We have obtained approval from the National Parks Service and will be QRV from April 4th - 6th, 2003. We will be active on 10-80M SSB and CW from multiple stations. In addition to extending the time we will be QRV from 15 hours to around 48 hours, we will also be involving more MDXA members to provide additional operator support. Contiune to watch this site for addtional information as it develops.

MDXA Activates Cat Island, NA-082

The weekend of Sept 21-22, 2002, four members of the Magnolia DX Association made a scouting trip to Cat Island, IOTA NA-082. Cat Island is a barrier island located about 6 miles south of Gulfport, MS. Team members were: Bill, K5YG (boat captain, CW op), Glenn, K2FF (logistics, SSB op), Darryl, KD5CQT (medic, first mate, SSB op) and Randy, W5UE (operations, publicity, CW op). This was a small scouting trip in preparation for what we hope will be a larger operation by the MDXA in early spring, 2003. The trip was in doubt right up to the time we left due to the presence of Hurricane Isidore off the Yucatan. After careful consultation of state and national weather authorities, it was decided that Isidore would hang out over the Yucatan long enough to not be a major threat to us. We left Gulfport Harbor at 1300z on the 21st with storm clouds all around. As it turned out, the WX cooperated in a major way. Seas were very manageable both going out and returning and we only had one small thunderstorm shortly after arrival on the island. The operation went very smoothly. We were QRV for a little over 15 hours with one CW and one SSB station, during which time we made just under 1600 QSOs. Station Equipment: SSB Station, FT-990, CW Station, FT-920, antennas Mosley Mini-33 Tribander and Cushcraft R7 Vertical. Station power was provided by a Honda 2KW and a Mitsubishi 1KW generator. Read the full story from the viewpoint of Darryl, KD5CQT.

We would like to sincerely thank the National Park Service, Gulf Islands National Seashore, for granting the official permit which allowed us to conduct this operation from Cat Island.

Expedition Details
Location Story Photos

K5C 2002 Operation Log Search

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QSL Info:

Glenn Lowery - K2FF
3509 Courtenay Cir
Ocean Springs, MS 39564-3401
Or via the Bureau - Direct requests with SASE returned direct, others returned via the bureau.
Donations will be used to offset QSL card costs. THANKS!!!
QSLs were received from the printer on February 11th, 2003 and all direct requests received as of that date have been answered.
Visited by: since 09/28/02

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