Saturday, November 9, was marked on the calendar as new VU4X team meeting and test day.

Team members present:
DJ5MO Jelmer | ON4AMX Marc | ON4HIL Patrick | ON5UR Max | ON5TN Karel | ON6CC Marc | ON7RU Franky | ON7USB Geert | ON8AZ Francis | PA3EWP Ron | PA9M Marcel.

We gathered at 8 am, starting with coffee and some coffee cakes while catching up. Then, we reviewed our ‘To-Do’ list, as a long day lay ahead. ON4HIL Patrick began by giving us a detailed explanation of the bandstop filters he is building.
Tasks were then divided into groups, and we got to work. After gathering a large amount of material and organizing it, it was time for the first major test of the day.

On the todo list was:
• Building and testing the two Spiderbeams.
• Measuring high-power bandpass filters.
• Testing and measuring bandstop filters.
• Preparing coax cables (800 mtr).
• Setting up and testing stations, computers, networking.
• Testing stations and antennas in combination with the high-power bandpass filters and bandstop filters.

The initial tests and results were very positive. We concluded that it was a very productive day.
After working almost non-stop, it was high time to wrap up, especially as some team members still had a 250 km drive home.

During Ham Radio FH 2024, Francis (ON8AZ) and Max (ON5UR) had the pleasure of meeting with Stefano Messi, the General Manager of Messi & Paoloni.

Stefano attentively listened as we shared our plans for the upcoming VU4X DX-pedition in 2025. With great enthusiasm, he explained the production process of Messi & Paoloni’s coaxial cables, all manufactured in Italy. He also presented a range of cables, addressing our concern about weight by introducing us to the Airborne 10 coaxial cable specifically designed for DX-peditions. This cable is incredibly lightweight at just 7.1 kg per 100 meters, making it an excellent choice for our needs.

We extend our sincere thanks to Stefano Messi and the entire Messi & Paoloni team for their support of the VU4X DX-pedition and future DX-Adventure projects.

The weather did not look too good, but Saturday 28 September had been noted in our agenda for some time as the first VU4X antenna day. At 8.00 am we met at Patrick ON4HIL’s house. Patrick and Betty welcomed us with coffee and tasty coffee cakes. Then it was time for antenna work and we started building the first antennas.

On the agenda were the 160 Mtr – 80 Mtr and 60 Mtr vertical with elevated radials. Everything was neatly measured out and it was nice to experiment and see what influences some things did or did not have on the antennas | radials.

Team members present: ON4HIL Patrick | ON5UR Max | ON5RA Pascal | ON5TN Karel | ON7USB Geert | ON8AZ Francis. In the afternoon, Filip ON4FF came to lend a hand.

It was a very productive day, and the first antennas are ready to be further wrapped up.

Who says DX-Engineering immediately thinks of the world-known dealer of radio equipment in the USA, which is also known for developing its own products and antennas. Those who say DX-Engineering often immediately think of Tim Duffy K3LR, the company’s CEO. Also known for the Multi contest station K3LR.

After announcing our VU4X Andaman Islands DXpedition, Tim K3LR immediately put us in touch with Teri Grizer K8MNJ the DX-Engineering DXpedition Coordinator. A few days later came the good news that they would support our DX-pedition.

So the DX-Adventure team is extremely proud to have a main sponsor like DX-Engineering and greatly appreciate their support.

From the very beginning, 4O3A announced itself as the main sponsor of the new DX-Adventure DX-pedition. During Ham Radio 2024 in Friedrichshafen | Germany, Francis ON8AZ and Max ON5UR had a nice meeting with Ranko 403A. Where they thanked Ranko extensively for his trust in VU4X.

Location on the West Coast of the Andaman Islands

Finding a suitable location was also a very important task. Fortunately, there’s Google Maps, where you can deeply explore the location and surroundings.

We found several locations and eventually chose the most remote one, hoping that the QRM level here would be okay. Soon, the first contacts were made, and phone appointments were arranged with Bashir, the owner of the property. He didn’t know our hobby at all and didn’t quite understand our goal. After some additional explanations and showing our permits from the “Ministry of Communications” and the necessary approvals from the “Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Bashir informed us that we were welcome.

The location is truly in “the middle of nowhere,” in the middle of nature, and also right by the water on the west side of South Andaman Island. Our stations will be set up in huts located just 80 meters from the shoreline. We also have the possibility to build some antennas on the beach. But more news on that later.

In the meantime, we are actively looking for a company that can transport all our luggage from the airport in Port Blair to our remote location.

Due to the large amount of luggage we were forced to change and our departure point is now Charles de Gaulle | Paris France.

The large amount of luggage was also refused via the high-speed train, from Belgium to Paris. As a result we are forced to travel by tour bus from Kortrijk – Belgium to CDG in Paris.

In total we will be on the road for more than 40 hours to reach our location on South Andaman Island.
The return journey will take more than 46 hours.

• Bus: Kortrijk Belgium | Paris France
• Flight 1: Paris France | Delhi India
• Flight 2: Delhi India | Kokotha India
• Flight 3: Kokotha India | Port Blair Andaman Islands